Hong Kong: Xia Baolong holds more exchanges

On day two of his inspection visit, CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong met lawmakers and entrepreneurs.

Mr Xia, accompanied by Chief Executive John Lee, had an engagement session with all Executive Council non-official members this morning.

In the company of Mr Lee and Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, Mr Xia had another engagement session with Legislative Council President Andrew Leung and LegCo members which was attended by the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the LegCo House Committee, Finance Committee and its two subcommittees as well as the 18 LegCo panels.

In the afternoon, Mr Xia, accompanied by Secretary for Justice Paul Lam and Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan, inspected the International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office where he was briefed by its Director-General Sun Jin on the offices preparatory work and progress.

Mr Xia then had an exchange session with over 20 Hong Kong entrepreneurs on topics such as Hong Kongs economic development. Also in attendance were the Chief Executive, Financial Secretary Paul Chan, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau and Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn.

This story has been published on: 2024-02-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei's GDP up 90 pct in past decade

Xinhua) 08:14, February 23, 2024

People visit the exhibition center of Zhongguancun National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone in Beijing, capital of China, May 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region saw its gross domestic product (GDP) grow 90 percent to 10.4 trillion yuan (about 1.46 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023 compared to the level in 2013, data released Thursday showed.

In moving out its non-capital functions, Beijing has shut down over 3,000 manufacturing companies and closed or upgraded nearly 1,000 markets and logistics centers over the past decade, Liu Bozheng, deputy director of the Beijing office overseeing the integration of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, said at a press briefing Thursday.

In a sign of high-quality growth, the proportion of new business entities in the city in high-end industries covering technology, commerce, culture and information among all had risen to 66.1 percent in 2023 from 40.7 percent in 2013, the official said.

Over the past decade, enterprises from Zhongguancun, a national high-tech industrial development zone in Beijing, set up over 10,000 branches in Tianjin and Hebei.

Meanwhile, enterprises from Beijing made 49,000 investments in the neighboring two regions totaling 2.3 trillion yuan.

As the integration gathers pace, the region has built more railways and highways to beef up connectivity.

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has over 11,000 km of railway lines, up more than 30 percent from 2013, and nearly 11,000 km of highways, up over 40 percent from 2013, data showed.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
In November 2022, carwash workers and others protest over how an Inglewood Shine N Brite carwash treats workers. State officials penalized the owner more than $900,000 for paying 15 workers far less than minimum wage and denying them overtime and rest breaks. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

California workers who believe they have been victims of wage theft or other workplace abuses have for more than two decades relied on a unique state law that lets them sue employers not only for themselves but also for other workers.

Now a battle is shaping up over the law, known as the Private Attorneys General Act, or PAGA. An initiative seeking to replace PAGA will appear on the ballot in California in November, the culmination of long-standing efforts by corporate and industry groups to undo the law.

Two reports released last week offer dueling narratives about whether PAGA helps or hurts workers  marking the opening of a potentially expensive fight over the landmark law that relatively few know about.

Labor researchers say that the ballot measure, if approved, would harm employees, particularly people with low-wage jobs, by taking away their ability to file what are essentially class-action suits against employers that allege labor law violations. The ballot measure also would weaken the states already strained system for enforcing workplace laws, the researchers say.

But the business coalition backing the ballot initiative, called the Fair Play and Employer Accountability Act, counters that the labor law has resulted in a proliferation of lawsuits that small businesses and nonprofits have little ability to fight. Workers end up getting less money after a long legal process than if they had filed complaints through state agencies, the initiative's proponents say.

Read more: The Inland Empire's once-unstoppable warehousing industry falls into a slump

Worker advocates have long complained that chronic understaffing at state agencies responsible for investigating employee complaints means that allegations about wage theft and other violations can take years to be resolved. So workers turn to the courts.

Luz Perez Bautista and her mother, Maria de la Luz Bautista-Perez, were among three named plaintiffs who sued Juul Labs Inc. in federal court in 2020 for allegedly misclassifying some 450 campaign staffers working on a ballot measure the company was promoting to allow the sale of electronic cigarettes in San Francisco. The workers were all classified as independent contractors rather than employees, which saddled them with expenses that employees wouldn't have to pay.

Juul was sued in 2020 by three workers, who alleged they were misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees, using a California law that allows employees to sue companies on behalf of other workers. (Ted Shaffrey / Associated Press)

Workers were made to travel long distances between campaign offices without pay, were not given lunch breaks and were terminated abruptly, Perez Bautista said, speaking at a news conference last week to unveil a report by the UCLA Labor Center as well as researchers at advocacy groups PowerSwitch Action , and the Center for Popular Democracy .

Because the workers had signed arbitration agreements, without PAGA they would not have had the legal standing to take Juul and the nonprofit it created for the campaign to court. Through their PAGA claim workers secured a $1.75-million settlement.

"It is important for other workers to see that ... you can hold your boss accountable," Bautista-Perez said at the news conference.

The report argues broadly that eliminating workers' ability to pursue private lawsuits would leave them more vulnerable to having their wages stolen by employers and other abuses of their rights.

PAGA plays a "vital role" in bringing bad actors into compliance, said Tia Koonse, legal and policy research manager at the UCLA Labor Center.

Read more: California fast-food workers form an unusual union in a bid for higher wages, better working conditions

Koonse and other authors of the report said the ballot initiative is disingenuously framed as a push to reform PAGA and bolster other enforcement mechanisms.

"By cloaking policies that hurt workers in language that says they're helping workers, corporations are making it sound like what is down is up," said Minsu Longiaru, senior staff attorney for PowerSwitch Action.

Other mechanisms to enforce California labor laws are insufficient on their own, including wage claims and whistleblower complaints investigated by state agencies, the report argues, because the sheer number of labor violations dwarfs the state's capacity to enforce them.

Each year, the $40 million recovered in approximately 30,000 wage claims filed with the state labor commissioner represents roughly 2% of the estimated $2 billion California workers lose to wage theft, according to the report.

An analysis of California Labor & Workforce Development Agency data by the report's authors found that 91% of PAGA claims allege wage theft, primarily overtime violations and failure to pay for all hours worked, although some involved violations of earned sick leave rights. Other forms of wage theft include paying workers less than minimum wage, denying workers meal breaks or rest periods and requiring employees to finish tasks before or after their shifts.

Read more: 'I feel duped': Inside the fast-food industry's push to dismantle a new California labor law

The initiative at the center of discussion, the Fair Play and Employer Accountability Act, got the green light to be placed on the November 2024 ballot almost two years ago.

It proposes to remove the law's powerful private right of action, which empowers workers to file lawsuits against their employers, suing for both back wages and civil penalties on behalf of themselves, other employees and the state of California. Official language for the measure states it would eliminate "employees ability to file lawsuits for monetary penalties for state labor law violations."

Backers emphasize it also offers replacement provisions that would bolster state agency enforcement of workplace rules.

Replacement provisions include doubling penalties for employers "willfully" violating labor law, requiring 100% of monetary penalties to be awarded to harmed employees (rather than the current division of 25% to the employee and 75% to the state of California), and requiring that the state provide employers with resources to help with coming into compliance.

Todays PAGA system is completely broken and does not work well for employees or employers, said Jennifer Barrera, president of the California Chamber of Commerce, in announcing a report released last week by backers of the ballot initiative, called the Fix PAGA coalition.

Read more: We don't know how to behave in the office anymore, bosses say. The solution? Charm school

Barrera said that because one employee can sue on behalf of others, it allows lawyers to stack charges and extract high penalties from employers with few barriers because PAGA claims don't require the same type of notification and certification of workers allegedly affected that a class-action suit would require.

"The statutory framework of PAGA is what creates the abuse," she said in an interview.

Barry Jardini, executive director of the California Disability Services Assn., said that members of the trade group, many of which are nonprofits reliant on state or federal funding, are increasingly burdened by PAGA claims. He said 20 of some 85 members who responded to a recent survey said they dealt with PAGA claims in 2023.

Jardini said that disability service businesses have struggled to provide true "responsibility-free" 10-minute rest breaks in accordance with labor laws because often workers "can't just walk away" from clients especially if they are out and about instead of at home. He said employers have looked for creative solutions, such as paying employees extra for working through breaks or tacking on breaks at the beginnings or ends of shifts rather than the middle, but these fixes aren't legal substitutes for rest breaks workers are entitled to.

"We run into a bit of a legal rock and a hard place," he said. "We do have a conflict with the law in terms of some of our services. Once that becomes known, it's relatively easy for an attorney to try to solicit a client that works in this industry that is maybe ripe for PAGA claims."

The claims sap resources and lead to program closures because "providers with very thin margins are using up their reserves on settling these claims," Jardini said. "Other times providers are unable to give wage increases to their staff. And at the end of the day it impacts people with disabilities."

Read more: Remote work gave them a reprieve from racism. They don't want to go back

Some disagree that there is rampant of abuse of PAGA. UCLA Labor Center researchers published a report in February 2020 finding no evidence that PAGA unleashed a flood of frivolous litigation, as its detractors complain, and that it had demonstrably enhanced Labor Code compliance among employers.

In response to criticisms outlined by the recent UCLA Labor Center report, Kathy Fairbanks, a spokesperson for the coalition, pointed to findings in the coalition's report, which argues that PAGA is too slow to resolve claims, leaves workers with little compensation, and enriches lawyers while saddling businesses with costly suits.

Fairbanks said that workers get about one-third of the compensation and that PAGA cases take twice as long compared with cases adjudicated by state agencies. That is because "lawyers take massive fees and are getting rich while workers get very little," Fairbanks said.

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, head of the powerful California Labor Federation, agreed that PAGA is at times abused by "unscrupulous attorneys," but said repealing the law is not a solution.

"There's massive wage theft that goes unaccounted for, and to take away this tool from the tool box would be damaging to workers and a gift for corporate America," said Gonzalez, who formerly served as a state assembly member known for writing labor-friendly legislation.

If approved by voters, the ballot measure "would leave workers with dwindling opportunities to enforce labor law."

Read more: Low wages, lousy shifts, little room for advancement: Immigrant workers describe on-the-job discrimination

Gonzalez said it is well understood that state labor agencies are subject to short staffing and ebbs and flows of political desire to take on major cases. Although it's not ideal to have to rely on private attorneys to help enforce the law, PAGA provides an important avenue for enforcement, she said.

The initiative doesn't mandate or otherwise clear the way for increased funding for enforcement agencies, Gonzalez said.

To suggest the business lobby, through the ballot initiative, is asking for changes that will actually improve labor law enforcement "doesn't pass the smell test," she said.

Backers of the ballot initiative are open to working on a legislative compromise to avert a costly battle, spokesperson Fairbanks said. But any sort of deal would have to be reached before the end of June  the deadline to pull measures off the November ballot. The Fix PAGA coalition reports having banked some $15 million in campaign contributions so far.

Business groups have sought to shrink PAGA's reach in state and federal courts with limited success in recent years.

Read more: It's been the year of the worker. West Hollywood employers are so over it

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court, considering the California case Viking River Cruises Inc. vs. Moriana, ruled that PAGA violated the rights of employers and that the claims of other employees would have to be dismissed because the employee sent to arbitration would no longer have standing to pursue that litigation.

But in a concurring opinion, it also affirmed that interpretation of PAGA was a matter of state, not federal, law and in effect kicked the matter back to California.

State appellate courts consistently have held that PAGA claims by workers cannot be forced into arbitration because they are brought as if the individual is operating on the state's behalf.

In July 2023, the California Supreme Court rejected an argument by Uber that sought to limit the ability of its drivers to take employment-related disputes to court, unanimously determining that a driver could not sign away the right to represent their peers in a lawsuit.

The decision didn't end the debate, however, with other cases bouncing around the courts.

A federal appeals court, citing the Uber case, ruled Feb. 12 that a PAGA suit against Lowes Home Centers for allegedly underpaying workers who took sick leave could stand.

Judge William Fletcher wrote in the ruling that a state court "has the authority to correct a misinterpretation of that states law by a federal court, including the U.S. Supreme Court.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
On March 6, 1865, Tallahassee became the only capital east of the Mississippi to withstand the United States Army during the Civil War.

The story of the battle is almost always told as an inspiring tale of local resistance, wrote Democrat writer Gerald Ensley in 2017. It is told as a story of senior citizen militias and teenage cadets, banding together to fight off the Yankee hordes. It is a tale told around local campfires by those lauding their ancestors bravery in the Confederate cause.

"Its a nice story. But its only partly true," Ensley continued. "The Battle of Natural Bridge was largely won by active duty Confederate troops. Only a handful of volunteer and militia participants  brought in as emergency troops  did any actual fighting."

The victory remains a point of pride for some locals, but for almost half of the population of Florida, the win was a devastating loss.

The American Civil War has also been called the War Between the States, the War of Northern Aggression, and the War of the Rebellion. But for thousands of slaves  most of them of African descent  it was the Freedom War, wrote Jarvis Rosier, the Tallahassee president of the 2nd Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops Reenactment Unit & Living History Association, in a pamphlet titled the "Black in Blue and Gray."

During the Civil War, out of the 140,000 people living in Florida, 63,000 were Black. Of those 63,000, 62,000 were enslaved.

Florida wasnt of strategic significance compared to other southern states during the war, but it was still important because of its beef and salt supplies. Its coastline was also a way for Confederates to avoid the U.S. blockades in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Sgt. Major Jarvis Rosier poses in his uniform as a member of the 2nd Infantry Regiment United States Colored Troops, a group that he started in Tallahassee, after the group gave a 21 gun salute and played taps during a commemorative grave decorating ceremony in honor of Emancipation Day at Old City Cemetery Monday, May 20, 2019.

The largest battle in Florida was in Olustee in 1864. A Confederate army of 5,000 pushed 5,500 U.S. troops headed to Tallahassee back to Jacksonville. In comparison, fewer than 2,000 troops fought at Natural Bridge.

The win gives local flavor to a strategically insignificant battle, said Andrew Lang, a history professor at Mississippi State University. Lost Cause adherents are able to use the battle as evidence of dedicated white Floridians in defense of the state.

The Lost Cause narrative that Southern states, including Florida, seceded for just and heroic reasons and not slavery is a harmful myth, Lang says.

Mississippi's secession articles states: Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery  the greatest material interest of the world.

As President of Floridas secession convention, John C. McGehee declared on January 5, 1861, that he believed remaining in the United States meant allowing rule by those who were "sectional, irresponsible to us, and driven on by an infuriated fanatical madness that defies all opposition" and who would "destroy every vestige of right growing out of property in slaves."

If we listen to the words of those in the past in real time, they tell you what they were doing and why they were doing it, Lang said. Its not a random occurrence that it was the third state to secede behind South Carolina and Mississippi.

A short lived victory and two historical markers

While the Natural Bridge victory did keep the Florida capital in the Confederacy, it was short-lived. The state would officially surrender less than two months later. U.S. troops took over Tallahassee and immediately raised the American flag. At the time, enslaved people made up 75% of the population of Leon County.

Natural Bridge could have been more significant in the scheme of the war if the U.S. had captured Tallahassee, especially since the invading army comprised the U.S. Colored Troops, the 2nd and the 99th regiments.

During the Civil War, many former male slaves in the Clarksville area signed up to fight for their freedom as part of the Union Army. They were known as the United States Colored Troops.

The 2nd and the 99th were from Virginia and Louisiana, respectively. The 99th was made up of formerly enslaved people, the Corps dAfrique. Originally a regiment of engineers who built bridges and roads, the 99ths first battle was Natural Bridge.

Black troops fought in 17 battles, raids and skirmishes in Florida during the Civil War, Rosier told the Tallahassee Democrat in an interview.

At Natural Bridge, there are two historical markers commemorating the battle. One was put up by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in the 1920s, a move that historians say segregationists used to intimidate Black people during Jim Crow.

Lest We Forget reads the stone monument, which honors the brave men and boys who, in the hour of sudden danger, rushed from home, desk and field and from the West Florida Seminary and joining a few disciplined troops by their united valor and patriotism saved their capital from the invaders

The second marker, made of granite and smaller than the first, was installed in 2000 by the Natural Bridge Historical Society. The marker includes the names of all the soldiers who died in the battle, not just the Confederates, said Bob Trapp, secretary and treasurer for the historical society.

Twenty-four soldiers died at Natural Bridge, with 21 killed on the Union side.

History is history, you should tell the facts, Trapp said.

A partnership with the Riley House to 'put a real face on the battlefield'

Trapp has been a part of the battles reenactment since the early '80s. He dresses in his Confederate greys every year and relishes sitting by the campfire with his friends.

Trapp and the Natural Bridge Historical Society reached out to the John G. Riley House & Museum, and the two have partnered for the reenactment for almost 15 years. In 2010, Rosier put together the U.S. 2nd and 99th regiments to participate in the Natural Bridge reenactment, to "put a real face on the battlefield," he said.

"We try to give an accurate portrayal of what actually happened, Trapp said.

At the reenactment, Rosier teaches the history of the 2nd and 99th regiments, their involvement in Natural Bridge, and the impact of the U.S. Colored Troops in the Civil War. There were 209,143 Black soldiers in the U.S. Army and Navy, said Rosier, who is also a former sergeant major in the army.

"Who would be free themselves must strike the blow.... I urge you to fly to arms and smite to death the power that would bury the Government and your liberty in the same hopeless grave. This is your golden opportunity," said Frederick Douglass in Syracuse, New York in 1863 to rally Black troops to the cause.

Rosier, whose Tallahassee roots run generations deep, says the reenactment provides a venue for people to learn about an often overlooked part of Black history. He said many still arent aware of the contributions from formerly enslaved people during the Civil War, especially on the battlefield.

When Rosier presents, "there's a 'wow' sentiment, because it's not in our history books," he said, and people have come and visited the Riley House after the reenactment to learn more about African Americans' fight for freedom in Florida and Tallahassee.

I tell people that nobody can tell your history better than you, and no one can tell this authentic history better than us, he said.

Battle of Natural Bridge reenactment: A schedule of events

March 1, 2024

Reenactor registration and set-up

March 2, 2024

9 a.m.  Military and civilian camps open to the public

10 a.m.  Infantry drill & field demonstrations

11 a.m.  Medical demonstration

12 p.m.  Historical presentations under the ball tent  John G. Riley Center/Museum of African American History and Culture  Oration of Frederick Douglass by John Anderson

1 p.m.  Ladies Tea

1:30 p.m.  Artillery demonstration

3 p.m.  Skirmish on the battlefield

4:30 p.m.  Military and civilian camps closed to the public

5 p.m.  Annual meeting of the Natural Bridge Historical Society, Inc. under the ball tent  open to the public

8 p.m.  Civil War Dance under the ball tent  1860s period dress requested but not required  open to the public

March 3, 2024

9 a.m.  Military and civilian camps open to the public

10 a.m.  Non-denominational church services at the monument

1 p.m.  159th Anniversary Memorial Service - Chapter #224 United Daughters of the Confederacy

2:30 p.m.  46th Annual Reenactment of the Battle of Natural Bridge

3:30 p.m.  Conclusion and salute

This story is part of TLH 200: the Gerald Ensley Bicentennial Memorial Project. Throughout our city's 200th birthday, we'll be drawing on the Tallahassee Democrat columnist and historian's research as we re-examine Tallahassee history. Read more at tallahassee.com/tlh200. Email us topic suggestions at history@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Battle of Natural Bridge, reenactment: 'A real face on the battlefield'
Just days after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered "children," President Biden held a fundraiser at a leading stem cell research advocate's Silicon Valley home, warning that voting for Donald Trump would limit reproductive rights beyond abortion.

"Trump and his MAGA friends are determined to take away your fundamental freedoms," Biden said at a small event on Thursday held at the home of real estate developers Bob Klein and Danielle Guttman Klein.

Klein was the leader of Proposition 71, a California ballot measure approved by voters in 2004 that ensured state funding for stem cell research to support medical discoveries and cures to diseases. The measure came after former Republican President George W. Bush had limited federal funding for the research amid ethical concerns from religious conservatives about the destruction of human embryos that supply the cells.

Biden's visit to Klein's home in the affluent town of Los Altos Hills comes as the Alabama court decision has stalled in vitro fertilization treatments, known as IVF, leaving some patients there who had hoped to conceive children through the procedure scrambling. The practice involves combining sperm and eggs in a lab to create embryos and implanting them in a uterus.

The Alabama court decision  which said those who destroy frozen embryos can be held liable for wrongful death  has sparked new concerns about reproductive health access amid abortion uncertainty after the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the historic decision that protected abortion rights nationwide.

The issue has reignited partisan ethical debates over the medical uses of stem cells, with Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley saying this week that she believes that embryos are babies.

At Thursday's event, Biden doubled down on his promise to veto any national abortion ban proposed by Congress and said if he is reelected  and Democrats gain congressional control in November  his administration can undo the far-reaching rollbacks of reproductive rights.

"I promise you we will fully restore Roe v. Wade," Biden said to applause.

When Vice President Kamala Harris visited San Jose last month, she also hammered the need for voters to put Democrats in charge to avoid a national abortion ban.

Trump has taken credit for the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, made possible by his appointments to the high court, and the New York Times reported this week that if he is elected, he plans to take that even further, targeting abortion pill access.

All of these rights and all of this progress is at a real risk of loss if Joe Biden is not reelected, Klein said Thursday, pointing to IVF, abortion, cancer research and progress on decreasing the cost of lifesaving prescriptions.

Steve Westley, the former state controller of California who unsuccessfully ran for governor as a Democrat in 2006, also co-hosted the Bay Area event, held in a secluded residential area near Santa Clara, where horses and donkeys roamed neighbors' yards.

Tickets to the event cost between $6,600 and $100,000. Attendees included Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a Democrat, and TV journalist Katie Couric, who is an advocate for pancreatic cancer research.

Biden, who has been in California since Tuesday, stopping at fundraisers in Los Angeles and San Francisco, was headed back to the White House on Thursday, where state leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, were awaiting his arrival for the National Governors Assn. winter meeting.

Nodding to criticisms about his ability to serve another term at his age, Biden, 81, shared a common refrain on the campaign trail to compare him to the alternative, not "the almighty."

Im not the gift of all presidents but Im sure as hell better than the last guy."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Some villagers have complained about the fence's visual impact

The erection of a fence across a large stretch of a popular beach has caused uproar and split the residents of the Galloway village of Sandhead.

About 600 metres of chestnut paling fencing has been put up by community leaders in an attempt to "hold the line" against coastal erosion.

But many villagers have taken to social media complaining about its visual impact, a reduction of parking along the beach, and concerns that tourists will be put off.

The aim of the fencing is to keep cars and campervans off the sensitive grass near the beach and allow it to re-wild, strengthening its resilience to floods and other damage.

The view of the beach before and after the fence was put up

Sandykirk Community Council decided to explore options to protect the villages coastline after Sandhead Beach suffered flooding during Storm Barra in December 2021.

A plan emerged to re-wild the lowest-lying parts of the shore after the council held a two-year public consultation involving Solway Firth Partnership, Dumfries and Galloway Council, NatureScot and Glasgow University experts.

Notice boards and signage was installed, door-to-door surveys carried out and community council meetings held, though the council says these often attracted only 10 or so people from the population of about 500 residents.

Dumfries and Galloway Councils resilience lead Alexander Whannel said: "We decided the best way forward was to stop cutting part of the grass to allow it to re-wild and hopefully this would sustain the shore."

Alexander Whannel said the idea is to protect the shoreline

"Sandhead was a great area for birds, butterflies and moths. We used to have newts, toads, everything along here," Mr Whannel said.

"Theyve all disappeared because of overuse so we decided this would be an ideal opportunity to see if we can bring that back and it would be an enhancement for the village and visitors."

Andrew McKenzie, who is the fifth generation of his family to run McKenzies Convenience Store, less than 100 metres from the beach, supports the project.

Weve had two massive big storms where the sea was right on to the swings in the park," he said.

"My house is at the bottom and the water was up to the gates of the drive and over the main road.

"Its frightening to think it might get worse if the coastal erosion is allowed to go on."

The aim is to stop cars and caravans parking on the grass

The one-metre tall fence is intended to remain in place for about five years to see if vegetation takes hold.

But since being installed last month, villagers told BBC Scotland News it had been "extremely divisive".

The fence stops caravans and other vehicles parking on the grass next to the sand but access points allow people to walk through and those in favour point to the added benefit of new rubber mats which make it easier to push prams and wheelchairs.

One dog-walker said keeping cars off the sensitive shoreline was a good idea but another local was worried that tourists would not be impressed by having to see the beach through a line of sticks.

"Its going to take a lot of money from the area because a lot of tourists come," she said.

"I see the fence all the time and its horrible.

The fence is about 600 metres long

Matthew Young, the new chairman of Stoneykirk Community Council, insists Sandhead still wants visitors.

"We get many RVs and campers and we left room in the plan at the right hand side where there are bigger spaces where they can park," he said.

"Its basically to reduce the amount of damage. Its not to prevent people coming here."

Claire said the process had proved extremely divisive

So will it work?

Sue Dawson, a professor of hazard geoscience at the University of Dundee, says there is precedent suggesting it will have some success.

"I live in St Andrews and weve gone through a similar process here where dunes were being trampled by people running up and down," she said.

"Theres a similar line of fencing around the dunes and actually the marram grass takes hold pretty quickly and stabilises the sand.

"It doesnt completely stop the erosion but certainly provides a line of defence."

As Sandheads new look beds in somewhat uncomfortably, community councillors insist the two-year consultation on the scheme was open and fair, and that personal criticisms directed at local volunteers were very disappointing.

"When the last staples of the fence were going in this all kicked off for some reason, although everybody had been consulted," Mr Whannel said.

"I just switched off looking at Facebook. The community council page that I run was getting some getting some disgusting photos coming into it."

A spokesperson for Dumfries and Galloway Council said the project was funded as part of the Scottish government commitment coastal change adaptation plans.

They said vehicles parking along the seafront had led contributed to erosion as well as a loss of biodiversity.

There has also been a history of flooding in the area, they said.

A NatureScot Spokesperson said: The restoration of the habitat and in particular the increase in vegetation at the site will help combat the effects of climate change and storm impacts on this coast.
BEAVER DAMS, N.Y. (WETM)  A Beaver Dams man pleaded guilty to rape charges last week in Schuyler County Court.

According to the Schuyler County District Attorneys Office, Justin L. Hyde, 28, of Beaver Dams, pleaded guilty to rape in the second degree, a class D felony, on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Potter County man arrested on charges in connection to Jan. 6 riot

Hyde admitted to having sexual intercourse with a person who was less than 15 years old during his plea. He is scheduled to be sentenced in front of Hon. Matthew C. Hayden in June.

This case was prosecuted by Schuyler County Chief Assistant District Attorney Jeremy J. Hourihan.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
A purple streetlight is seen near the 400 block of North 15th Street in Milwaukee on Friday, July 2, 2021. Many residents have noticed purple-hued streetlights on the interstate throughout the Milwaukee area. There is a technical glitch in the LED bulbs installed by the state Department of Transportation roughly three years ago, and they will be replaced.

The purple streetlights are back in the Milwaukee area, or may have never left after appearing on highways the last few years.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation originally predicted in 2023 that fewer than 100 were left in the state and they'd soon be replaced, but an agency spokesperson said Thursday that "additional failures occurred in summer of 2023, which was more than anticipated."

The DOT installed a batch of LED lights in 2018, mostly in the southeast region. At least 300 lights began changing color from white to purple. The effect would lead to interstates being lit purple at night where these lights were highly concentrated.

When the DOT announced it was removing and replacing the lights, a number of people reached out to the Journal Sentinel, saying they preferred the lighting scheme. Some readers said it was easier on their eyes late at night while others thought purple was cooler than white.

"SAVE THE PURPLE LIGHTS!" one reader texted.

At the time, a spokesperson with the DOT said, "We are not going to a purple-hued street lighting plan. ... I didn't imagine that anybody was going to become that attached to them." The department added that bright white lights are necessary to safely light the interstates.

According to the DOT, the reason the light-emitting diode (LED) lights transitioned from white to purple has to do with a phosphor coating around individual diodes. The coating is placed there because LED lights for highways employ a blue LED naturally and the coating is used to diffuse the blue light to white.

The phosphor coating has been peeling off exposing the LED's blue color. The issue causes the lights to transition from white to purple over time. According to the manufacturer, the bonding of the coating is failing.

Ram Seshadri, a materials science professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, told Scientific American that the phosphor technique is sound. "Weve had LED lighting on the street for ... years, and theres [been] no problem, he said. Wisconsin transitioned to LED lights about 10 years ago.

The coating could be peeling due to heat buildup inside the light fixture because of constant operation, vibrations from passing cars or even gravity tugging downward on the phosphor layer, according to experts who spoke to Scientific American.

The manufacturer that supplied the faulty lights in the Milwaukee area is American Electric Lighting, a subsidiary of Acuity Brands Lighting. The DOT said in 2023 that American Electric Lighting paid all costs for the replacement of the faulty lights, including materials, labor and traffic control per product warranty.

DOT spokesperson Dan Sellers said Thursday that American Electric continues to covers costs as more purple streetlights appear.

Sellers said work will begin in March to replace the streetlights and is expected to be done by the end of the year.

Purple streetlights have appeared in a number of different municipalities in Wisconsin, including in Oshkosh, Wausau and Door County, and across the U.S., in Kansas, South Carolina, Illinois, Florida, Utah, Texas and Massachusetts.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Work to begin in March to remove more purple streetlights in Milwaukee
The Rev. Viachaslau Barok, a Catholic priest from Belarus, conducts a service in the Church of St. Alexander in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Barok was a familiar face in Rasony, a town in northern Belarus near the Russian border, overseeing construction of its Roman Catholic church and celebrating Mass daily for two decades before he fled the country as the Belarusian government cracked down on dissent. (Validated UGC via AP)

TALLINN, Estonia (AP)  The Rev. Viachaslau Barok was a familiar face in Rasony, a town in northern Belarus near the Russian border, overseeing construction of its Roman Catholic church and celebrating Mass daily for two decades.

He got into trouble in December 2020, the height of anti-government demonstrations, when he posted a caricature of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and another official on social media. He spent 10 days in jail.

When security services raided his church in July 2021, however, he knew it was time to leave the country.

Barok is among dozens of clergy  Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant  who have been jailed, silenced or forced into exile for protesting the 2020 election that gave Lukashenko a sixth term. That disputed vote triggered mass demonstrations, beatings of protesters and a crackdown on dissent  tensions that increased in 2022, when Belarus ally Russia invaded Ukraine.

The pro-Kremlin Lukashenko, who lashed out against any church officials siding with the protesters, last month signed into law a measure requiring all religious organizations in the country of 9.5 million to reregister with authorities or face being outlawed if their loyalty to the state is in doubt.

Anastasiia Kruope, a Human Rights Watch researcher for Europe and Central Asia, said the law gives authorities more tools and possibilities for repressions.

In the last three years, at least 74 clergy have been arrested, fined or deported, according to the Viasna human rights center, even before the new law took effect.

Its clear that the number of priests subject to repression will grow, (as the government tries) to force the churchs loyalty, Barok told The Associated Press. The authorities want to demonstrate to the Vatican their unlimited power within Belarus.

The media-savvy priest had over 7,000 followers on YouTube before he was visited by security operatives who had a search warrant, and he chose exile in Poland over arrest.

Thousands have fled Belarus since 2020 as police detained more than 35,000 people. Scores have been labeled extremists, and Viasna said there are over 1,400 political prisoners.

While Orthodox Christians make up about 80% of the population, just under 14% are Catholic and 2% are Protestants.

Catholic and Protestant clergy who supported the protests and sheltered demonstrators at their churches became targets of repression, but even some Orthodox priests condemned the crackdown.

In a famous incident amid the protests on Aug. 26, 2020, about 100 people took refuge from police in the landmark Sts. Simon and Helena Catholic Church, a red-brick structure just off the main government square in Minsk. Weeks later, the church again became the focus when dozens of women dressed in white joined its senior priest, the Rev. Uladislau Zavalnyuk, in forming a human chain around it.

But the Red Church, as it is known, has held no services since September 2022, when it was ordered closed. Authorities cited unpaid utility bills and the need for repairs after a minor fire that month, even though its priests say there was little damage.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for nearly 30 years and describes himself as an Orthodox atheist, lashed out at dissident clergy during the 2020 protests, urging them to do their jobs, and not fuel unrest. People should go to churches to pray! Orthodox churches, Catholic churches  theyre not for politics, he said.

Ten Catholic priests were arrested last year, including the Rev. Henrykh Akalatovich, a 70-year-old who is in solitary confinement despite a cancer diagnosis, facing 20 years on treason charges.

A report last year by Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic organization tracking persecution of the faithful, named Belarus as the second-largest jailer of Catholic priests, behind only Nicaragua.

The crackdown also affected the Belarusian Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to Moscows Patriarch Kirill, a close Kremlin ally. A prominent cleric, Archbishop Artemy Kishchenko, of Hrodna in western Belarus, was stripped of all church posts and forced to retire in 2021 for condemning the repression as well as attempts by Moscow and Minsk to use the church as a political tool.

Russias Feb. 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine prompted further clerical splits after Lukashenko allowed Belarusian territory to be used to send troops into its neighbor.

Days afterward, Archpriest Georgy Roy and 24 Belarusian Orthodox priests, alongside counterparts from Russia and elsewhere, called for a cease-fire. Anti-war statements by Roy, who presided at Hrodnas main Orthodox cathedral and lectured at a prestigious seminary, came under fire from church and secular leaders.

Last year, he fled the country with his wife and four children, citing fears for their safety. He now ministers to Belarusians in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, and pledges allegiance to the Orthodox patriarch in Turkey, rather than Russia.

In an interview with AP, Roy accused the Orthodox church in Russia and Belarus of legitimizing what he described as Moscows aggressive expansionist ideology.

The name of Christ is called on to justify war, bloodshed, violence and untruths," he said, adding that Russian Orthodox leaders "serve that ideology, but I cannot reconcile myself to this horror and live in this sin.

He said Belarusian authorities openly seek to bring the clergy into line, repeatedly summoning them for preventive political talks, checking websites and social media, and having security services monitor sermons.

The government lists 3,417 registered religious communities and organizations in Belarus; membership in unregistered ones was made a criminal offense in 2022, punishable by up to two years in jail.

The new law, which gives the government broad powers over religious denominations and groups, requires them to reapply for state registration and says they must have had at least one parish operating for 30 years.

The law also bars anyone accused of what Minsk deems extremist or terrorist activity from heading a religious organization. It prohibits any secular symbols at services or using churches for any purpose other than worship.

Alexander Rumak, commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs, told the Belarusian Security Council in September that authorities must ensure the spiritual security of society, as a way of "maintaining stability and calm in the country.

Analysts say the restrictions are part of a broader campaign to quash dissent ahead of parliamentary elections, being held Sunday, as well as next years presidential vote.

The United Nations sent a letter to the government objecting to the law, saying it violates the country's obligations to ensure religious freedom, but it got no response, said Anais Marin, the U.N. special rapporteur on Belarus.

Marin told AP the law would allow authorities to simply destroy the remnants of civil society that are not yet underground, not in prison or exile.

The Rev. Zmitser Khvedaruk called the law the most repressive in Europe, expressing concern that his and other Protestant churches will be the main targets, given their popularity among younger Belarusians.

He told AP that many Protestant churches already face a difficult choice  "either cease their activities or return to the dark Soviet times, when Protestant churches in fact operated underground and gathered illegally in peoples homes, (when) believers prayed under the threat of criminal prosecution.

Last year, authorities bulldozed the Pentecostal New Life Church on Minsk's outskirts because they suspected its congregation supported the opposition. Founded in 2002 in a converted cowshed, its pastor, the Rev. Viachaslau Hancharenka, was fined and detained after officials said its social media platforms carried extremist content.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom last month condemned what it called Minsks repressive course, urging President Joe Biden and Congress to prioritize religious freedom" as it holds Belarus accountable "for its gross human rights violations.

Human rights campaigners say clergy and their flocks are under threat for raising funds and helping political prisoners. Barok  the priest who fled to Poland  discovered that because authorities deem his social media posts to be extremist, anyone viewing or reposting them faces six years in jail.

I dream of returning to my church in Rasony," Barok said. "But I cant while the state arrests priests for carrying their cross and calling evil evil.
High schools in the greater Wichita area continue to offer strong academics, according to a new educational ranking.

Education review website Niche recently released its rankings for 2024, and schools in the Maize, Andover and Wichita districts were among the top five best public high schools in the Wichita metro area.

Two Wichita-area private schools also ranked second and third best in the entire state of Kansas.

Niche compiles the rankings by grading schools on academics, teachers, culture, diversity and the overall school district. It also gathers data through parent and student surveys.

To find rankings on the website, you can directly search for your school, school district or the area you live. You can also filter your search by type of school, grades offered and more. Heres what to know about how Niche scored Wichita-area high schools in 2024.

The best school districts in Kansas

Looking at all Kansas school districts, Andover was ranked No. 3, with an overall Niche grade of A.

Maize was fifth, with the same grade, and also ranked first for districts in Sedgwick County. Here are Niches top five school districts in Sedgwick County:

Maize Unified School District Goddard Unified School District (Niche grade: A-) Cheney Unified School District (Niche grade: A-) Renwick Unified School District (Niche grade: A-) Valley Center Public Schools (Niche grade: B+)

The Wichita School District has recently garnered attention for a new proposal that would permanently close four elementary and two middle schools. The closings would save $16 million of a $42 million budget shortfall, officials say.

Clark, Park, Payne and Cleaveland Traditional Magnet elementary schools and Hadley and Jardine Magnet middle schools would close under the proposal announced this month. No high schools in the district are proposed to close.

Best public high schools in Wichita area

No. 1: Andover Central High School

Andover School District; 603 E. Central Ave., Andover, KS

Overall Niche grade: A

Teacher to student ratio: 19 to 1

Average graduation rate: 96%

Average ACT score: 26

No. 2: Andover High School

Andover School District; 1744 N. Andover Road, Andover, KS

Overall Niche grade: A-

Teacher to student ratio: 18 to 1

Average graduation rate: 95%

Average ACT score: 27

No. 3: Maize South High School

Maize School District; 3701 N. Tyler Road, Wichita, KS

Overall Niche grade: A-

Teacher to student ratio: 17 to 1

Average graduation rate: 96%

Average ACT score: 25

No. 4: Northeast Magnet High School

Wichita School District; 5550 N Lycee St., Bel Aire, KS

Overall Niche grade: A-

Teacher to student ratio: 12 to 1

Average graduation rate: 95%

Average ACT score: 24

No. 5: Maize Senior High School

Maize School District; 11600 W. 45th St. N., Maize, KS

Overall Niche grade: A-

Teacher to student ratio: 14 to 1

Average graduation rate: 93%

Average ACT score: 26

Wichita High School East appeared in the top five ranking last year, but did not place as high for 2024.

Best private high schools in Wichita area

No. 1: Wichita Collegiate School (Also ranked No. 2 in Kansas)

9115 E 13th St. N., Wichita, KS

Overall Niche grade: A+

Teacher to student ratio: 8 to 1

Average graduation rate: 100%

Average ACT score: 30

No. 2: The Independent School (Also ranked No. 3 in Kansas)

8313 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS

Overall Niche grade: A+

Teacher to student ratio: 8 to 1

Average graduation rate: 100%

Average ACT score: 27

No. 3: Trinity Academy

12345 E. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS

Overall Niche grade: A-

Teacher to student ratio: 12 to 1

Average graduation rate: 100%

Average ACT score: 27

No. 4: Classical School of Wichita

6355 Willowbrook St., Wichita, KS

Overall Niche grade: A-

Teacher to student ratio: 16 to 1

Average graduation rate: Not reported to Niche

Average ACT score: 28

No. 5: Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School

8506 E. Central Ave., Wichita, KS

Overall Niche grade: A-

Teacher to student ratio: 13 to 1

Average graduation rate: 100%

Average ACT score: 27
University of Utah student Keimon Dixson, the national committeeman of Utahs chapter of Young Republicans, talks politics and his life as a young Black man during an interview at the University of Utah on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Removing his earbuds, Keimon Dixson tuned in to the discussion going on in his class about race and politics in America.

As the conversation strayed into generalizations about the countrys Black population, Dixson, a senior studying political science at the University of Utah, and the only Black student in the room, interrupted to point out the diversity represented within identity groups  as showcased by his own background.

But Dixson was told he was not a normal Black person, by one of his peers.

I didnt know how to take that, Dixson said a week later in an interview with the Deseret News.

Four years into his undergraduate education, which was preceded by three in the United States Marine Corps, Dixson is still occasionally thrown off by his classmates comments as well as the ideology he says reinforces their assumptions  an ideology Dixson has increasingly come to identify with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on campus.

What is DEI?

Diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, refers to policies meant to level the playing field in colleges, schools or the workplace with a focus on groups that have faced historic discrimination. It can take the form of diversity statements in hiring, employee trainings, and programs intended for particular ethnicities or identity groups.

But for MJ Powell, a Salt Lake native who came to the University of Utah as a first-generation college student on a diversity scholarship awarded through the universitys Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Division, the nuance is lost when DEI efforts are reduced to an acronym.

MJ Powell speaks to Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, about DEI legislation during NAACP State Legislative Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Powell, like Dixson, is a senior studying political science, and previously worked as a DEI intern for the Utah Jazz, a racial equity commissioner for Salt Lake City and an administrative assistant to Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.

He said that DEI includes all efforts to create a welcoming and accessible work or study environment, whether for minority ethnicities, LGBTQ individuals or those with disabilities, like his father, who needed special accommodations as an injured veteran after being deployed as a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps.

If I can see that someone needs a little support, and a pattern or a methodology that meets them where theyre at, I should do so because thats part of my beloved community, Powell said, later adding that the funding and spaces provided by DEI allow students like himself to come to campus and thrive.

Such efforts are popular among a plurality of Utahns, according to a recent Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll.

When asked whether the establishment of DEI offices in public institutions and private businesses make the state better or worse, 45% of respondents said DEI programs have had a positive impact on Utah, 24% said the effect on the state has been negative, 17% said DEI offices havent made a difference one way or the other and 13% said they didnt know.

The poll was conducted from Jan. 16 to 21, with a sample size of 801 registered Utah voters. The margin of error is +/- 3.02 percentage points.

Despite the favorable connotation associated with words like diversity and inclusion, DEI has become a flashpoint in the national culture war, with outright bans on DEI funding or hiring requirements on university campuses recently becoming law in Florida, Texas, North Dakota, Tennessee, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

While proponents of DEI programs say they aim to redress societal disparities and help participants feel safe and welcome, others argue DEI initiatives may rule out conservative viewpoints and have little to no positive effect on actual inclusion.

The biggest issue with DEI now, and its messaging, is it makes it seem like race is to determine your outcome in life, Dixson said.

The demoralizing experience of being placed into a category because of his appearance  something Dixson said he has experienced numerous times since moving from his native Georgia  is what motivated him to testify to a Utah Senate committee last month in favor of a bill, HB261, that would ensure student success resources are available to all high-risk individuals while prohibiting DEI practices that discriminate based on race, religion or sexuality.

Dixson, the national committeeman for Utah Young Republicans, told state lawmakers that DEI initiatives rest on the assumption that minority populations are unable to succeed in a meritocracy because of systemic barriers.

He called this view utterly disrespectful and condescending, saying it had filtered down from academia to the student body, with several students, professors and administrators telling him at different times that his academic and professional accolades must have been given to him because of his skin color.

Everyone should be appreciated for their abilities and achievements, not reduced to their racial or ethnic identity, Dixson said at the public hearing.

University of Utah student Keimon Dixson, the national committeeman of Utahs chapter of Young Republicans, talks politics and his life as a young black man during an interview at the University of Utah on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

What does Utahs new DEI law do?

The bill in question, Equal Opportunity Initiatives, advanced rapidly through the Legislature this session, becoming one of the first pieces of legislation signed into law by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Jan. 30.

Beginning on July 1, updated state code will outlaw DEI trainings, requirements, programs and offices at public universities, schools or any other institution of the state that engages in what the legislation calls prohibited discriminatory practices.

Prohibited practices include policies that promote differential treatment in hiring, admissions or program participation based on personal identity characteristics; that assert meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist; or that require an applicant to respond to questions about DEI, anti-racism, critical race theory or intersectionality, among other topics.

Public entities will be required to maintain neutrality on political topics under the new law, and institutions of higher education will be required to conduct trainings and surveys focused on free speech in addition to ensuring access for all students to student success resources.

State funding can be withheld if institutions fail to address violations of these requirements.

Related

Jeanetta Williams, NAACP Salt Lake Branch president, speaks with MJ Powell during NAACP State Legislative Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

On Wednesday, Powell joined members of the local NAACP branch, to which he has served as a youth leader, in protesting HB261 at the Capitol Building rotunda.

This is a systematic attempt, at a national level, a partisan level, to ensure that students such as myself have that fear and misconception of what the other side is, Powell said prior to the rally. I dont fear the passage of these bills; what I fear is the effect it will have on students that need these resources.

Powell said he was one of just a handful of students of color from West High School that ended up at the University of Utah. He questioned how the prohibited practices outlined in the bill, such as requiring diversity statements, could be viewed as exclusionary when they are meant to ensure that everyone, regardless of their protected identity status, will be met where theyre at and supported in the way they need to be supported.

Nearly half, 48%, of registered Utah voters support the use of required DEI statements in public institutions, according to Deseret News January poll. Slightly less, 40%, either somewhat or strongly oppose the requirement, while 13% are uncertain.

In December, Cox condemned diversity statements, saying it was bordering on evil that were forcing people into having a political framework before they can even apply for a job by the state  a statement he later apologized for.

Coxs comments were followed shortly after by declarations from the Utah Board of Higher Education and University of Utah President Taylor Randall that diversity statements would be discontinued in hiring processes.

Utah State University began phasing out its use of diversity statements in spring of 2023.

Representatives from the University of Utah and Utah Valley University told the Deseret News that administrators were working with peer institutions and the Utah Board of Higher Education to develop compliance plans before HB261 goes into effect.

While the bill will likely alter some of our programs and initiatives, our commitment to helping individuals transform their lives through education is resolute, the UVU spokesman said.

Related

Utah State University, which, like the University of Utah and UVU, has a DEI division, has issued a response to frequently asked questions about HB261, clarifying that while the name of diversity, equity and inclusion offices must be changed under the new law, these kinds of outreach centers, other cultural centers, course content, academic research and federal scholarships will likely not be impacted.

DEI offices at Utahs public universities provide a variety of resources, including faculty trainings, mentorship programs for minority students, educational events and counseling services.

On Monday, the University of Utahs division for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion released a scorecard it said demonstrated the positive effects of its various programs.

MJ Powell, community organizer, equity advocate and political science major, is photographed at the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

The report found that EDI scholars, like Powell, have a second-year retention rate of 94%, compared to 85% of all undergraduate students, and a first-year GPA of 3.43, compared to the 3.29 undergraduate average. The report also referenced a 2023 campus survey that found DEI resources and cultural centers increased students sense of belonging in academic, social and other domains.

DEI offices dont take away anything from students who dont want or need to access them, but their absence will have a negative impact on students who rely on them, Powell said.

In a recent essay, Cox said that DEI operations at public institutions cost the state $3.2 million year. A legislative fiscal analyst told a House committee that annual DEI-related spending totals approximately $10.4 million across the states 16 institutions of higher education out of their $2.8 billion budget.

Related

The sponsors of HB261, Rep. Katy Hall, R-South Ogden, and Sen. Keith Grover, R-Provo, have repeatedly stated that no training or office will be affected by HB261 unless they violate the bills prohibited discriminatory practices. The same goes for special education programs and student groups.

You can find a summary of what the bill does, and does not, prohibit here.

The University of Utahs Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion office is pictured in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

What should come after DEI?

Randall told members of the University of Utahs Academic Senate earlier this month that HB261 would not change the values of the institution and that the university will take the time to understand all of the ramifications before making massive organizational changes.

He said despite having to change the name of their DEI office, employees will not lose their jobs because of the bill. He also said he didnt believe the bill was an attempt to shut down discussions around diversity or social inequality.

I dont think this law was intended to keep people from talking about these issues, he said. In fact, just the opposite. My sense in the discussions with our legislators is they do want to create an environment where everyone can thrive and so I think talking about these things is actually important.

Related

University of Utah student Keimon Dixson, the national committeeman of Utahs chapter of Young Republicans, talks politics and his life as a young black man during an interview at the University of Utah on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

For this very reason, Utahs bill stands apart from other attempts to regulate or eliminate DEI across the country, according to Allison Gerrard, the managing director of Moral Courage, an organization that helps individuals and institutions discuss polarizing issues productively.

(The bill) does not seem extreme, said Gerrard, who lives in Sandy, Utah. I see it as an opportunity to reimagine how to do belonging and inclusion.

While the organization has not taken an official stance on HB261, Gerrard said they are excited about Utahs approach because in addition to banning mandatory diversity trainings, which Gerrard said have been shown to reinforce biases, the bill continues to emphasize the importance of diversity of perspectives and experiences.

A course correction to the way DEI has been practiced is badly needed, Gerrard said, because current programs often blame or elevate individuals based on what identity group youre born into, which can raise emotional defenses and increase animosity between individuals with different backgrounds.

It doesnt feel good to be lumped into a group and then assigned certain characteristics, Gerrard said. Weve got to move beyond labels and get to who people really are. And if were not doing that in the planning process, then whatever the outcome, whatever the product you create, it will not work.

Moral Courage is currently working with Montana State University, Western Michigan University, California State University in Fullerton, University of Southern California and Utah State University on ways to champion diversity of thought on campus while also recognizing the challenges faced by different groups.

Related

University of Utah student Keimon Dixson, the national committeeman of Utahs chapter of Young Republicans, talks politics and his life as a young black man during an interview at the University of Utah on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

After his testimony at the state Capitol, Dixson said the University of Utah reached out to him to get his thoughts on how to better foster equal opportunity and inclusion on campus. His message? Belonging and connection, not segregation based on immutable characteristics, should be the outcome of diversity initiatives maintained on the public dime.

Instead of targeting certain demographics at the exclusion of others, university diversity initiatives should take steps to bring students together, away from the division of social media, in support groups made up of a diverse community and through campus forums where students can discuss the important topics of the day with a diverse set of speakers.

Resources for struggling students, he said, should be meted out according to individual circumstances, whether it be merit- or need-based, instead of identity-based criteria, which might sometimes exclude qualifying individuals who come down on the wrong side of a quota.

Dixson, whose resume includes multiple congressional internships and a political consulting position, said his parents, and both sets of grandparents  all college graduates  inspired him with a work ethic that sets him apart from others more than any external attribute ever could.

I will never forget that I am a Black man, Dixson said. But Im an American. And Im a veteran. And Im a son. And Im a uncle. And Im a brother. And Im a future missionary. And Im a University of Utah student. And Im a civic engagement leader. And Im a student leader. I have a lot of other things that encompass who I am (other) than just my skin color.

Related
The Scoop

The Biden administration is waiving certain Buy America requirements for its $40 billion effort to expand U.S. broadband access, according to documents shared with Semafor.

The move will allow the Commerce Department to fund projects that use materials manufactured abroad, with the goal of speeding up the broadband rollout. But even with its waiver in place, the administration still estimates that roughly 90% of funding for equipment will be used to purchase U.S.-made products.

The new waiver takes the strongest approach possible to protecting American jobs while also ensuring that we can quickly build the Internet networks, Will Arbuckle, a senior policy adviser at Commerces National Telecommunications and Information Administration, writes in a forthcoming blog post.

Step Back

Under its buy-American provision, projects funded through Bidens 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law are required to use materials made in the U.S. The rules have often been criticized for adding to construction costs, and experts and industry groups warned that applying them too strictly could bog down the administrations broadband ambitions, since many of the key components used in networks are not widely manufactured stateside.

Blair Levin, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who raised those concerns last year, told Semafor that the new waiver was appropriate, and described it as pretty narrow overall.

According to the final waiver notice shared first with Semafor, the Commerce Department is waiving Buy America requirements for the overclad cylinders used to make optical fiber and for most electronics used in projects funded through the broadband program. For the four categories of electronics that arent covered by the waiver, the Biden administration is waiving the requirement that at least 55% of their components must be American-made and setting other rules to determine they are U.S.-made.

In its notice, the administration points to the dearth of U.S.-made semiconductors as a key reason the waiver is necessary. The Biden administration is currently trying to boost domestic manufacturing of chips with the multibillion dollar CHIPS and Science Act, but the impact of the laws investments are years off. Taiwan currently dominates the semiconductor industry, producing an estimated 90% of the worlds most advanced chips.

At the same time, the administration rejected requests from industry for more expansive waivers, like one that would provide a blanket waiver for fiber not made in the U.S. The final waiver will be published Friday morning.

Levin agreed with the administrations assessment that most of the money would be spent in the U.S. The two main components are labor and fiber, and thats going to be American, he told Semafor.

Levin also said he was surprised by how much success Commerce has had in encouraging companies like Nokia to invest in the U.S. The Biden administration has touted new manufacturing jobs in states like Wisconsin resulting from Nokias decision to move production to the U.S. to comply with the forthcoming Buy American rules.

Theyve been very successful in getting folks to build here, he said.
The Biden administration imposed a fresh slate of sanctions on more than 500 targets on Friday in response to the death of Russian opposition figure and outspoken Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny and Moscows ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions on the eve of Russias two-year war in Ukraine mark the latest move by the administration to levy consequences against Russia amid heightened tensions between the two countries. Fridays announcement is the largest single day tranche of sanctions since Russian President Vladimir Putin began his war against Ukraine two years ago and is part of the administrations ongoing efforts to limit the Kremlins revenues and hamper Moscows ability to source materials for its war.

Speaking from the White House on Friday, President Joe Biden said he imposed the sanctions in response to Putins brutal war of conquest, and in response to Alexey Navalnys death.

Because make no mistake, Biden added, Putin is responsible for Alexeys death.

Biden on Thursday met with Navalnys widow and daughter in California. During their meeting, Biden said Friday, he assured them his legacy will continue to live around the world, and we in the United States are going to continue to ensure that Putin pays a price for his aggression abroad and repression at home.

The US Treasury Department sanctions prohibit targeted entities from accessing US-based assets, using the US dollar and financial systems, and participating in transactions that involve American citizens or businesses.

In addition to sanctions imposed by the US Treasury and State Departments, the administration also announced trade restrictions against more than 90 entities through the Department of Commerce.

Among those targeted are three Russian prison officials connected to Navalny.

The State Department sanctions hit Valeriy Gennadevich Boyarinev, the deputy director of the Federal Penitentiary Service, which has oversight of the penal colony where the opposition figure died, who reportedly instructed prison staff to exert harsher treatment on  Navalny while he was in detention, according to a State Department face sheet.

Following Navalnys death, Boyarinev was promoted to Colonel General by decree of Vladimir Putin, the fact sheet said.

They also target Igor Borisovich Rakitin, the overall head of the Federal Penitentiary Service of1322 Russia for the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, in which Penal Colony IK-3 is located, and Vadim Konstantinovich Kalinin, the prison warden. IK-3, nicknamed Polar Wolf, is where Navalny was imprisoned immediately before his death.

The sanctions package released Friday doesnt directly sanction Putin. He is already sanctioned, according to a Treasury official.

The US, along with other Western governments, has levied a series of sanctions against Russia in recent years, but Russia has adapted to them. Putin has taken to gloating about Russias resistance to international sanctions, which take time to have an effect.

US officials have acknowledged the importance of adjusting Western sanctions to keep up the pressure  from ramping up enforcement of the price cap on Russian oil to targeting companies and financial institutions helping Russia evade sanctions  and remain confident that in the long run the Kremlins effort to successfully reorient its economy and trade will fail.

Biden has repeatedly condemned Putin and called him a crazy SOB in a fundraiser in San Francisco, according to the pool reporters traveling with the US president. The Kremlin, in response, said Bidens comments were a huge disgrace for the United States.

Earlier this week, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan described the package as another turn of the crank after withering Western sanctions on Moscow since the start of the Ukraine war. While those sanctions have hampered Russias economy, they havent deterred Putin from proceeding with the invasion.

US Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told CNN in a call with reporters Thursday that Fridays package illustrates the United States increasing focus on sanctioning companies in third-party countries that are providing materials and key supplies for Russias war effort.

Were going after the key nodes in the Russian economy that are purchasing a number of these goods from companies in third countries, he said. So, our strategy more and more is making it harder for Russia to use the supply chain to build the weapons that they need. And were gonna be continuing to do that because our goal has to be to use the tools at Treasury and the Commerce Department to put sand in the gears of Russias military industrialized complex.

Russia is mortgaging their future in order to pay for the war that they want in their present, Adeyemo said, adding later: Putin thinks he can outsmart us and outlast us by turning inward, but Russias wartime transformation allows us to target densely concentrated production in a new and efficient way. With such a vertical integration we can hit the entire supply chain.

In total, the Treasury Department on Friday sanctioned hundreds of entities involved in Russias military-industrial base, 26 third-country entities facilitating Russian sanctions evasion, and the operator of the Mir National Payment System  which the US government describes as a major cog in Russias financial infrastructure. Some of the third-party entities sanctioned Friday include firms in China, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates.

This solemn anniversary and Aleksey Navalnys death in Russian custody are stark and tragic reminders of Putins brazen disregard for human life, from Ukrainians suffering the costs of his unprovoked war to people across Russia who dare to expose the corrupt abuses that fuel his regime, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

In addition to Treasurys actions, the US State Department on Friday imposed sanctions against those helping support Russias energy sector, waging its war against Ukraine, and facilitating sanctions evasion.

US officials had been working on a new sanctions package on Russia ahead of Navalnys death and supplemented them in the wake of the opposition leaders death, according to a senior US official, who added that US officials coordinated with European partners on the new package.

The EU and the United Kingdom are both expected to announce their own sanctions packages ahead of the two year anniversary of Russias invasion.

CNNs Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.

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The Biden administration recently revealed its plan to incentivize the clean production of hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel that mainly releases water vapor when burned. Hydrogen, however, isnt so easy to produce without using dirty forms of energy, which is exactly what the administration set out to avoid.

Hydrogen is produced using an electrolyzer, which separates the hydrogen molecules from the oxygen molecules in water. The problem with current hydrogen production is that most of the electrolyzers used are powered by natural gas, which adds pollutants to the atmosphere.

The Biden administration announced major tax breaks for companies that can produce hydrogen using clean energy, but there are strict guidelines a producer must follow to get the full tax credit. Language in the bill was specifically put in to make sure hydrogen production didnt use the current power grid, which mainly runs on coal and natural gas.

To earn the full tax credit, hydrogen producers will have to use power from a clean energy source built within the past three years. On top of that, beginning in 2028, producers can only run electrolyzers at the same time that clean energy is available.

While some companies see that as a hindrance, others see it as an opportunity for innovation. Electric Hydrogen, a startup in the United States, is making an electrolyzer designed to increase and decrease output as the availability of power from wind and solar increases and decreases.

A $4 billion project in Texas is already underway that will produce hydrogen on a large scale using only solar and wind power.

The Biden administration has laid out plans to get the U.S. to produce 50 million tons of clean hydrogen by 2050 and set up the necessary infrastructure to connect pourers and buyers. Its just another step toward using clean forms of energy and away from energy sources that are harmful to the planet.

Hydrogen could replace dirty energy sources to produce steel or fertilizer or power large trucks, ships, or even planes.

Rachel Fakhry, policy director for emerging technologies at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told the New York Times, There will be a lobbying blitz around the final rule. Were watching closely to make sure there arent any new loopholes that will be harmful for emissions or consumers.

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President Biden admitted on Friday the U.S. immigration is "broken," just hours after Fox News cameras on the ground in the San Diego area captured a mass release of migrants by the Border Patrol.

The Border Patrol bus released approximately 200 migrants onto the streets in San Ysidro, who were then handed over to a nongovernmental organization (NGO) for help.

"Congress has had a long, proud history  a bipartisan history  on immigration reform and abiding by our international treaty obligations, which we signed related to immigration. These reforms made America a nation of laws, a nation of immigrants and the strongest economy in the world," Biden said to members of the National Governors Association at the White House. "But something changed. Over time, our laws and our resources haven't kept up with our immigration system, and it's broken. And our politics has failed to fix it."

The White House has called on Republicans to back a bipartisan Senate bill that would have increased staffing and resources at the border while limiting the ability of migrants to claim asylum and providing additional funding to communities and NGOs receiving migrants. However, conservatives have said the bill does not go far enough and would normalize high levels of illegal immigration.

FEDERAL JUDGE TORCHES BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR COLLUDING WITH ACTIVIST GROUP ON ASYLUM RULE

Biden described the bill Friday as representing the "most fair and humane reforms in a long time."

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"I didn't get everything I wanted in it. It also included the toughest set of reforms to secure the border ever in history. The Border Patrol chief himself said, We need more people. We need more agents on the line," he said.

"Our bipartisan bill got the Border Patrol the agents they need. It funded and hired 1,500 more agents and officers, 100 more immigration judges, 4,300 more asylum officers to get asylum decisions in months instead of years," he continued.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WEIGHS EXECUTIVE ACTION ON BORDER CRISIS, DRAWING FIRE FROM LEFT AND RIGHT

Migrants are mass released into the San Diego area on Friday.

"But then, as we all know, petty politics intervened. The speaker of the House has refused to vote on the bill, even though, again, there's significant support," Biden added. "Talk to your Republican colleagues, there are the votes on that floor to pass that bill. All of a sudden, people started to go silent, but they're in a tough spot. Tell that to the Border Patrol that we can't get this done."

Biden concluded his remarks by telling the governors that "doing nothing is not an option."

"So if this matters to you, it matters to your state, tell your members of Congress that are standing in the way  show a little spine," he said.

A spokesperson from Newsom's office offered a similar message when asked by Fox News Digital about the migrant release in the San Diego area this morning.

Migrants are encountered by Border Patrol in the San Diego sector on Feb. 17.

"When it comes to border security, Republicans in Congress have done nothing but create chaos and sabotage any attempts at progress," the spokesperson said. "In the absence of any political courage from the Republican Party, California has once again stepped up  making historic investments and serving as a model of partnership for a safe and humane border. Its past time for the spineless politicians in Congress to do their job."

Fox News Adam Shaw and Bill Melugin contributed to this report.





Original article source: Biden admits 'broken' immigration system in meeting with governors as migrants mass-released in California
President Joe Bidens reported plan to restrict the right to claim asylum at the US-Mexico border has alarmed members of Congress and civil and humanitarian rights groups who fear the administration could be in breach of international law.

The president is reportedly mulling executive action to block people who cross the southern border without legal permission from claiming asylum once inside the US, upending guarantees that protect asylum rights for people on US soil.

Such a proposal, which would bypass Congress, would mirror an illegal Trump-era measure that a federal judge had previously rejected as an unlawful attempt to rewrite the nations immigration laws to impose a condition that Congress has expressly forbidden.

Mr Bidens proposed order would reportedly invoke Section 212(f) of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the president to suspend immigration for anyone determined to be detrimental to the interests of the United States  the same authority Donald Trump used to unilaterally ban immigrants from majority-Muslim countries, which was later struck down in court.

The Biden administration also would reportedly raise the standards for border agents credible fear screenings for people seeking asylum and establish a last in, first out policy for deportations.

The clear intention behind President Bidens newest proposed deterrence policy is to create so much fear, pain, and suffering at the border that vulnerable communities abandon their right to seek asylum and instead return to face the violence they are fleeing, according to Amy Fischer, director of refugee and migrant rights with Amnesty International USA.

The changes would undoubtedly violate both US and international human rights law that establish people may seek asylum regardless of whether they cross at a port of entry or between ports of entry, she told The Independent.

Any attempt to revive policy that denies asylum based on where one enters the US would just be another attempt at the exact policy Trump unsuccessfully tried and will undoubtedly end up in litigation, according to American Civil Liberties Union attorney Lee Gelernt, who successfully fought the Trump administrations asylum ban.

The courts were emphatic that the Trump administration could not deny asylum based simply on how one entered the country, Mr Gelernt told The New York Times. Hopefully the Biden administration is not considering recycling this patently unlawful and unworkable policy.

People seeking asylum arrive at the US-Mexico border in California on 2 February (AFP via Getty Images)

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep Pramila Jayapal called the proposal a disappointing mistake.

Democrats cannot continue to take pages out of Donald Trump and Stephen Millers playbook, said Ms Jayapal, referencing the architect of the Trump administrations anti-immigrant agenda. We need to lead with dignity and humanity.

Reports of the proposal, which could still be weeks away from being implemented, follow the collapse of a Biden-approved immigration plan rejected by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

The failed plan wouldve provided billions of dollars to the border for, among other things, hiring thousands of officers to process asylum claims, as aggressive immigration enforcement and border patrol becomes a priority among Republicans and Democratic officials ahead of 2024 elections.

Migrant apprehensions at the US-Mexico border dropped by 50 per cent from December to January, according to federal data, though Acting US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Troy Miller said this month that authorities experience serious challenges along our border which surpass the capacity of the immigration system.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Refugee Convention have affirmed asylum rights for people fleeing persecution and violence. In the US, a person granted asylum is legally allowed to remain in the country without fear of deportation, and qualifies for legal work with potential pathways to permanent legal status. Those claims can only be made at the US border or within the US.

Democratic members of Congress have derided the propsal as a worrying revival of Trump policy.

People seek asylum because they fear for their lives, said Democratic US Rep Chuy Garcia, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. President Biden would be making a grave mistake if he moves forward with this policy.

Seeking asylum is a legal right of all people, said US Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In the face of authoritarian threat, we should not buckle on our principles  we should commit to them.

People seeking asylum wait in line to be processed by border patrol agents near the US-Mexico border outside California on 2 January (AFP via Getty Images)

The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators said the proposed plans will do nothing to ameliorate or relieve the pressing need for comprehensive immigration reform or support states with funding to support the US-Mexico border.

It will only cause more damage, risk and ruin more lives, and put a target on our communities for nothing in return, according to the caucus. The right to seek asylum is not a crime or a political toy. Its also not a bargaining chip to use when its politically convenient. Seeking asylum is a right, one that can mean life or death to a lot of people, children, families, and must be treated as such.

The Independent has requested comment from the White House.

A spokesperson did not comment on reports of Mr Bidens proposed actions but underscored the administrations support for bipartisan border legislation.

The Administration spent months negotiating in good faith to deliver the toughest and fairest bipartisan border security bill in decades because we need Congress to make significant policy reforms and to provide additional funding to secure our border and fix our broken immigration system, White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez said in the statement.

No executive action, no matter how aggressive, can deliver the significant policy reforms and additional resources Congress can provide and that Republicans rejected, he added. We continue to call on Speaker Johnson and House Republicans to pass the bipartisan deal to secure the border.
A rally at the University of Michigan to encourage people to vote uncommited in the upcoming Democratic primary, to register discontent with the Biden administrationOs alliance with Israel in itOs war against Hamas, in Ann Arbor, Mich., Feb. 20, 2024. (Nick Hagen/The New York Times)

ANN ARBOR, Mich.  For months, anger within the Democratic Party over President Joe Bidens support for Israel in the war in the Gaza Strip has been building. Protesters have shouted through his campaign events, marched outside the White House and vilified him as Genocide Joe on social media.

Now, Michigans primary election next week will put that discontent on the ballot for the first time, with Bidens liberal detractors urging Democrats to vote uncommitted against him. Some of the presidents allies worry that a movement to register disapproval against him now could have lasting effects into the general election  especially if Biden does not alter his stance toward the conflict.

Michigans combination of an early primary, a large and politically active Arab American population, progressive students on college campuses and the option of a protest vote have raised the stakes of what has otherwise been a sleepy election in the state.

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There are warning signs for Biden that frustration over Gaza has metastasized beyond Dearborn and other Detroit suburbs, which are the heart of Michigans Arab diaspora, and onto the states college campuses, where students increasingly feel affinity with the Palestinian cause.

In some Michigan communities without a large Arab American presence, crowds have demanded that their local governments enact cease-fire resolutions. Last week, The Detroit Metro Times, an alternative weekly newspaper, endorsed voting uncommitted in the primary.

There is no public polling to indicate how much support the uncommitted push might bleed from Biden, but Democrats at the highest levels of Michigan politics have cautioned  most of them privately  that the president is at risk of losing the state to former President Donald Trump if those who disagree with his Israel policy stay home or vote for a third-party candidate.

Every vote that doesnt support Joe Biden makes it more likely we have a Trump presidency, said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, a co-chair of Bidens campaign. Any vote that is not cast, or is cast for a third party, or cast to send a message, makes it more likely that there is a Trump presidency.

The campaign to vote uncommitted was announced this month by Layla Elabed, a sister of Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian American progressive who last weekend became the first member of Michigans congressional delegation to call for voting against Biden in the primary.

Tlaibs endorsement raised alarms among Biden supporters in the states congressional delegation, who worry that it will be difficult to persuade voters activated by the uncommitted push in the primary to support Biden in November.

Yet in Michigan, few Democratic officials are eager to risk a backlash if they criticize the effort to vote uncommitted.

The Muslim community and the Arab American communities are clearly very upset, and understandably so, said Rep. Shri Thanedar, a Detroit Democrat. You know, 30,000 or so innocent civilians have been killed, including women and children. So the concern is understandable. They are using this time to get attention, and make a point, and make a case. And I really do not blame them.

Thanedar said he would vote for Biden, however, because Im not a single-issue voter.

Michigan Democrats expressed uncertainty about how many people will vote uncommitted in Tuesdays primary. While the Biden campaign is bracing for Arab Americans and young progressive voters to oppose the president in the primary, Lauren Hitt, a campaign spokesperson, stressed that union workers, suburban women and Black voters remained supportive.

His investments in infrastructure and green energy have created thousands of union jobs. He walked the picket line with UAW. He is standing up for reproductive rights, an issue that motivated hundreds of thousands of Michiganders to flip the statehouse in the midterms, Hitt said of Biden. He recently met with Black voters in Detroit to talk about his administrations efforts to create record low Black unemployment. And he is working tirelessly to create a just, lasting peace in the Middle East.

Two weeks ago, Bidens White House dispatched a delegation of senior aides to Dearborn to try to ease tensions with Michigans Arab American community. Jon Finer, a deputy national security adviser, told the local leaders that the Biden administration had made missteps in dealing with Israel and Gaza and had left a very damaging impression.

The same day, Biden declared that Israel had gone over the top in its response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 people.

But students, Arab Americans and other Michiganders said in interviews that Bidens alliance with Israels government was unforgivable and would prevent them from voting for him in November if he did not call for a cease-fire and halt U.S. aid to Israels war effort. Perhaps more concerning for the president as he tries to win over skeptical young voters, students with no family connections to the Middle East described their advocacy for the Palestinian cause as part of their social identity.

Ruthy Lynch, 21, an undergraduate student from Traverse City, Michigan, said she had not known much about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war in Gaza.

Lynch now wears a black-and-white scarf known as a kaffiyeh around campus to demonstrate to friends and others that she sides with the Palestinians.

Im wearing it as a show of solidarity, Lynch said. It feels good to walk around campus. I see other people also wearing kaffiyehs, and we are sort of trying to normalize it and bring more visibility to solidarity with Palestinians.

Lynch said she had voted for Biden in 2020 but that she would not in November if he did not call for a cease-fire and halt U.S. military aid to Israel. Im not sure I can bring myself to do it, she said.

A Fox News poll of registered voters released last week found Biden narrowly trailing Trump by 2 percentage points in a head-to-head matchup in Michigan. With third-party and independent candidates included, Trumps lead grew to 5 points.

Abbas Alawieh, a former congressional aide from Dearborn who helped organize the group Listen to Michigan, which is leading the uncommitted effort, said it was Biden, not those protesting his foreign policy, who was putting his electoral prospects in jeopardy.

President Biden has brought risk onto himself in a general election by making it so that his policy on Gaza is indistinguishable from Netanyahus most murderous instincts and actions, Alawieh said after the Ann Arbor rally, referring to the Israeli prime minister. Hes already lost people, and what were trying to tell him is, if you take a different approach, that is something that people here in Michigan need to see. Help us prevent Trump from becoming president.

Bidens political toxicity in Ann Arbor and Dearborn was evident in his campaigns scheduling this week. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to visit Grand Rapids on Thursday, and the campaign dispatched surrogates including Mitch Landrieu, the former New Orleans mayor, and Reps. Sara Jacobs of California and Joyce Beatty of Ohio to address voters  but there are no events scheduled in the congressional district that includes Ann Arbor.

Instead, Rep. Ro Khanna of California is hosting an event Thursday that posters across the University of Michigan campus call a cease-fire town hall and is scheduled to appear alongside Tlaib in Dearborn on Thursday evening. Khannas role as a Biden surrogate is not mentioned  a conspicuous omission to avoid advertising his affiliation with the presidents campaign.

If we dont have a change in the situation in Gaza and in our policy approach, there is a risk of losing, Khanna said. Any day that bombs are falling on innocent children and women in Palestine is not a good day for our party and our prospects.

Listen to Michigan has set a public goal of 10,000 votes  slightly less than the margin by which Trump carried the state in 2016, but about half the number of votes for uncommitted in Michigans 2016 and 2020 Democratic primaries. Our Revolution, the political group formed by supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, said it was aiming for 10% of the primary vote. (Sanders has disavowed the effort, a spokesperson said.)

While the uncommitted supporters have held events in Dearborn and on Michigans college campuses, they have not built a presence in Detroits Black neighborhoods. Branden Snyder, the executive director of Detroit Action, a progressive organizing group in the city, said voters there would be more inclined to support a Biden protest effort if the focus were on domestic issues.

There are a ton of Black folks and brown folks who are disgruntled with Bidens policy and looking at Biden spending resources abroad instead of at home on issues we cared about, he said. If messaging really focused on those people, youd have some serious concerns.

Some Michigan voters say Biden has already lost their support in the general election.

Mozhgan Savabieasfahani, an Iranian American environmental toxicologist from Ann Arbor who has run repeatedly for local office, was distributing business cards Tuesday highlighting her latest City Council campaign. Her platform includes cleaning the citys contaminated water, enacting a $15 municipal minimum wage  and telling Congress to stop funding Israeli wars.

Savabieasfahani, 64, said she would not support Biden, even if doing so would help Trump return to the White House.

We cannot be held hostage between two terrible choices, she said. Pick between these two elderly white men who dont know what you want and dont agree with what you want.

c.2024 The New York Times Company
The Biden administration is quietly pushing Israel into a phony political agreement with Lebanon that would deliver a strategic victory to Iran and its chief terror proxy, Hezbollah, while creating a false sense of security for the residents of northern Israel. With an American president unwilling to back the Jewish state in a war against a threat 10 times greater than Hamas, Jerusalem may yet agree to a farcical arrangement that puts lipstick on an unsustainable status quo. But no one should be confused by an election year ploy to buy a few months of quiet on Israels northern border. A major war is comingits only a question of when.

Hezbollah is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization for good reasons, from its 1983 bombing of the U.S. embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut that killed 250 to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85. And in fact it is now in Americas backyard, partnering with Mexican drug cartels to finance its operations and penetrate the U.S. homeland.

But its base of operations and popular support remains the Shiite-majority areas of southern Lebanon, where Iran has spent the last 17 years building up the groups military capability to deter Israel from attacking Tehrans nuclear program and preparing for an October 7 style invasion. Hezbollahs leader, Hassan Nasrallah, advises Irans supreme leader and coordinates terror attacks from a bunker in Beirut.

In briefings earlier this month, multiple Israeli sources assessed the groups arsenal includes 160,000 mortars with ranges up to 10 kilometers, 65,000 short-range rockets with ranges up to 80 kilometers, 10,000 medium- and longer-range rockets with ranges from 80 to more than 200 kilometers. It also possesses thousands of unmanned aerial vehicles, hundreds of precision guided munitions (PGMs), short-range ballistic missiles, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), surface to air missiles, and more. Some estimate Hezbollahs PGM arsenal to be in the thousands, including an unknown number of Irans Fateh-110 ballistic missiles with a range of 300 kilometers.

Hezbollah therefore poses a strategic threat to Israel that extends well beyond a few dozen communities on the border of Lebanon. Major population centers throughout Israel are in the crosshairs, along with critical infrastructure and military installations.

Hezbollah has launched rocket, drone and ATGM attacks across the border almost every day since October 7. Israel is losing soldiers and civilians in these strikesand its military is striking back harder and deeper into Lebanon every week. Multiple sources confirm that roughly 60 percent of all Hezbollah fighters killed by the Israeli military since October lived in the villages that border Israel. Their families are embedded in southern Lebanonas are most of their missile capabilities. It was Hezbollah, of course, that taught Hamas how to use human shields by embedding its weapons in civilian population centers.

Israel and Hezbollah last went to war in 2006. That summer, Hezbollah crossed the border, killed three Israeli soldiers, and kidnapped two others. Israel responded with furious airstrikes, a naval blockade, and eventually a ground operation that met stiff resistance and mixed results. A U.N.-endorsed ceasefire too effect after 34 days of war, accompanied by a Security Council Resolution that ordered the U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in disarming Hezbollah in southern Lebanonfrom the Israeli border up to the Litani River, some 30 kilometers away.

Despite billions of dollars in U.S. taxpayer support over the last 17 years, the LAF made no requests to UNIFIL, which then never disarmed Hezbollah. Instead, Iran accelerated delivering weapons to the terrorist groupbuilding up its forces to a threat level that dwarfs the one Israel faced in 2006. The politics of Lebanon shifted over time as well, with Hezbollah taking effective control of the Lebanese government and exerting its influence (and sometimes even control) over the LAF and its U.S.-funded systems.

Which brings us back to the present day. October 7 forced Israeli leaders to disabuse themselves of past delusions that the fanatical Iran-backed enemies on its borders can ever truly be deterred. The lies Israelis told themselves for years that Hamas was afraid of provoking a full-scale war, that Hamas had to balance its terror objectives with the responsibility of governing in Gazahave been exposed. So, too, have the lies many still tell themselves that Nasrallah fears the destruction of Lebanon and a popular backlash from the Lebanese peoplethat Hezbollah can be deterred, or at the very least, contained.

In the face of this strategic awakening and realignment, alongside the daily attacks from southern Lebanon, Israels war Cabinet has signaled it will use overwhelming military force to dismantle Hezbollahs presence south of the Litani River. Its determined to finally achieve what it could not in 2006 and willing to pay a much higher cost in the process. The so-called Dahiya Doctrine established during that conflictdetailing the IDFs willingness to deliver crushing blows to civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon to increase local pressure on Hezbollahremains in effect.

Such a conflict would likely engulf the Iran-aligned presence in Syria and increase attacks against Israel from Tehran-backed militias in Iraq. Then there is the possibility of a simultaneous Israeli attack inside Iran. It would disrupt the brain of the regional terror octopus and, perhaps, set back its most dangerous nuclear and missile programs while degrading the regimes primary deterrent, Hezbollah. While Jerusalem would plan for a result that guarantees the Jewish states security for another 75 years, the conflict would likely escalate for a while before it de-escalated. And it would require solid political support and unwavering military assistance from the United States.

Such escalation, however, is not welcomed by the White House. The Democratic Partys base got tired of Israelis defending themselves within a couple of weeks of the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Those calling for a ceasefire in Gaza before Hamas is destroyed have zero tolerance for an even larger battle in southern Lebanon. President Bidens team wants to bring quiet to the region as soon as possible, already pressuring Israel to wind down operations in Gaza and laying the groundwork for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

White House senior adviser Amos Hochstein, who helped broker a maritime border agreement between Israel and Lebanon in 2022, is shuttling almost weekly between Washington, Beirut, and Jerusalem to negotiate another deal. Given its historical equities in Lebanon, the French government is also heavily involved. The U.S.-French goal: Deliver just enough concessions from Hezbollah to enable Israel to persuade 100,000 Israelis currently evacuated from the countrys northern border to return to their homes, and head off an Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon.

But this situation is nothing like the one Hochstein encountered two years ago. At the time, Hezbollah threatened to attack Israeli gas platforms in the eastern Mediterranean unless Israel conceded part of its maritime borderand $6 billion in gas profits over 15 yearsto Lebanon. With the private sector unwilling to move forward with investment until the threat abated, then-Prime Minister Yair Lapid agreed, a move many in Israel view in hindsight as emboldening Nasrallah and the rest of the Iran terror axis.

Hezbollah gave up nothing in the deal. It didnt have to withdraw from territory, dismantle infrastructure, or destroy weapons. It just had to hold its fire. The Biden administrations current proposed deal would require Hezbollahand by extension Iranto cede strategic advantages. And thats something Israels top Nasrallah watchers assess has a near-zero possibility.

None of this is to suggest that Nasrallah is rushing to a full-scale war. Indeed, he held his fire after October 7, a moment of unprecedented weakness for Israel when a full-scale attack could have landed an unimaginable blow. Despite multiple escalations by Israelincluding a targeted strike against a Hamas leader in a Hezbollah compound in Beirut, and attacks against high-value Hezbollah personnel and facilitiesNasrallah has not responded in a manner that could give Israel international support for an invasion. His objective appears to be twofold: Keep Israel distracted and afraid, forced to stretch itself to defend against the potential threat, while keeping most of his capabilities intact to be ready for the day when Iran really needs them.

To that end, Nasrallah might be persuaded to agree to certain window-dressing concessions as long as he can spin the deal as a win for Lebanon. The threat from Hezbollahs Radwan special forcesa group thats been training for years to execute a complex invasion of northern Israel like the one Hamas perpetrated on Gazas border communitiesforced Israel to evacuate all communities close to the Lebanese border. Many of these families might be willing to brave occasional rocket attacks, as they have for decades, but none will return to a border crawling with Radwan terrorists.

In the weeks after October 7, the IDF targeted Radwan leaders, prompting Hezbollah to pull these high-value assets farther back from Israels border. Thus, a deal that requires these fighters to stay 10 kilometers from Israels border and removes their outposts south of that line would be a meager concession for Nasrallah. But alongside an historic surge of IDF border patrols, it could offer Israel enough of a fig leaf to persuade evacuated communities to return home.

Unsurprisingly, that is exactly the deal on the table from the United States and France. With reports that sweeteners might include a massive economic bailout for Lebanon and Israeli negotiation over its disputed land border with it, too. Who would be responsible for keeping the peace? The LAF and UNIFILthe same pair that has spent 17 years helping Hezbollah become the threat it is today. That would guarantee that Hezbollahs commitments will never be verified or enforced.

Its a win-win for Nasrallah. Many of his fighters live and keep their missiles hidden within 10 kilometers of Israels border. They will blend into the civilian population without any mechanism to force their departure. And even if the U.S. or France could verify a movement of weapons to the north, Nasrallahs arsenal is more than capable of terrorizing Israeli cities from 10 kilometers away. Meanwhile, a bailout of Lebanon will increase Hezbollahs popularitydemonstrating its tactics against Israel work.

Israel faces a harsh reality in which an American president is saying No. President Biden will not come to Israels aid in the U.N. Security Council or from the White House podium. He will not approve requests for emergency resupply of critical munitions Israel will need in a war with Hezbollah. Biden felt compelled to support Israel in a war against Hamas after seeing the horror of October 7, but he does not want conflict to continue in the Middle East deep into his re-election. These truths compel the Israeli government to secure whatever agreement can both buy time until Jerusalem is independently prepared for a full-scale war and give its citizens the illusion of security on the northern border.

Whatever the Hochstein process delivers, it will not deliver Israelis the security they need, along the border or in major cities in the north and central regions. Nor will it in any way degrade the robust capabilities of a terrorist group that threatens America as much as Israel. The longer the Hezbollah can gets kicked down the road, the bloodier and costlier the eventual day of reckoning will be.

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Even Florida Representative Matt Gaetz seems to be growing tired of the impeachment probe into President Joe Biden, admitting on Thursday that the inquirys strongest line against Biden was overhyped.

A few of those characterizations might have been a little oversauced, Gaetz said on CNN.

The GOP impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden has crashed and burned in a spectacular way since its main witness, an informant who claimed Biden had pocketed millions of dollars from a Ukrainian oligarch, was indicted by the Department of Justice for lying to the FBI. Since then, Alexander Smirnov has reportedly admitted to law enforcement that top Russian intelligence officials were involved in the smear campaign against the sitting president, and was taken back into custody on Thursday after a judge reversed an order that would have allowed him to roam free ahead of his trial.

Still, Gaetz didnt seem totally ready to give up the goat just yet, claiming that the probe should pursue another angle in spite of previous comments he had made that shot down the probe from the get-go.

But heres the thing, you just acknowledged theres actually no evidence of bribery, responded CNN anchor Abby Phillips.

I did not acknowledge that, Gaetz threw back.

You acknowledged that theres no prooftheres reports of bribery, but theres actually no proof of bribery actually being consummated, Phillips said.

Heres what you said, congressman, this was in October at a private fundraiser, she continued. You said, I dont believe that we are endeavoring upon a legitimate impeachment of Joe Biden. Theyre trying to engage in a forever war of impeachment. And like so many of our forever wars, it will drag on forever and end in a bloody draw. Honestly, it seems like maybe you were right the first time.

When youve heard me speak about issues important to me, I havent led with impeachment, Gaetz started, before Phillips interrupted to ask if House Republicans should drop the impeachment probe.

I disagree with Jordan that this is whats most corroborating, Gaetz said, referring to the Burisma allegations founded on Smirnovs lies.



I think whats most corroborating are the payments to Hunter Biden, and Frank Biden, and James Biden. I was deposing James Biden, and the way that they took money from the Chinese government would make your skin crawl, he added, failing to connect his allegations to the sitting president.

Everything that youve described is an inference. Its basically saying, Well, it must be, but  you havent actually given any proof of what youre alleging, Phillips replied.

Is this impeachment inquiry even going anywhere if you cannot provide enough evidence? Phillips continued, prompting Gaetz to respond to a quote from Jonathan Turley, a conservative attorney who testified before the House Oversight Committee that there was not enough evidence to support the impeachment.

Yea, when Jonathan Turley said that, we should have asked Jamaal Bowman to pull a fire alarm. It was a devastating moment for House Republicans, Gaetz conceded.



Gaetzs Republican colleagues are still scrambling to revive the probe. On Wednesday, Jordan insisted to reporters that Smirnovs indictment doesnt change the fundamental facts, even though those facts were lies fed by the Russian government.
The now-discredited star witness in Joe Bidens impeachment was taken back into custody on Thursday morning while meeting with his lawyers.

Alexander Smirnov was re-arrested after being released from custody on charges of making false statements to the FBI that were handed down last week.

Those charges allege that Smirnov lied about statements he made to authorities including that Hunter Biden had done business in Ukraine, and that he and president Joe Biden had received bribes from Ukrainian-based energy company Burisma.

Smirnov was arrested Thursday for the same charges he was arrested for last week. Smirnovs legal team quickly filed a motion for his release, alleging that the second arrest was improper. There are no provisions for the re-arrest of Mr. Smirnov in this District after being Ordered released, the motion said. His lawyers requested that Smirnov be immediately released, or receive a detention hearing without unnecessary delay.

On Tuesday, the DOJ noted that after Smirnov was initially arrested, he admitted that officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story about the presidents son.

At a detention hearing on Tuesday, Magistrate judge Daniel J. Albregts ordered that Smirnov should be released from custody with a GPS tracking monitor ahead of his trial. On Wednesday a judge filed court documents to reverse that order.

On Thursday, Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) said on CNN that the testimony of the FBIs now-discredited star witness in Joe Bidens impeachment came with a disclaimerone which many Republicans ignored.

We were warned at the time that we received the document outlining this witnesss testimony We were warned that the credibility of this statement was not known, Buck said.

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U.S. President Joe Biden met with Yulia and Daria Navalny, the wife and daughter of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who recently died in a Russian prison in Siberia, the White House said on Feb. 22.

The White House stated that Biden discussed with Navalny's family "serious" U.S. sanctions against Russia, which it will announce on Feb. 23. The sanctions will be "in response to Alekseys death, Russias repression and aggression, and its brutal and illegal war in Ukraine."

Read also: Lithuania observes minute of silence during Independence Day celebrations to mark Navalny death

The President expressed his admiration for Aleksey Navalnys extraordinary courage and his legacy of fighting against corruption and for a free and democratic Russia in which the rule of law applies equally to everyone, the statement reads.

The President emphasized that Alekseys legacy will carry on through people across Russia and around the world mourning his loss and fighting for freedom, democracy, and human rights.

Read also: Russia claims death of jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalny

Navalny's mother, Lyudmila, previously stated that she had finally been allowed to see her son's body and accused Russian authorities of coercing her into agreeing to a secret burial.

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.

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 the Novichok nerve agent 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.



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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Cannabis advocates say President Biden is missing an opportunity to sway young voters with his reluctance to take bigger steps to legalize marijuana at the federal level.

The Biden administration has opened several avenues for marijuana reform including issuing federal pardons for simple possession and starting the process of potentially rescheduling marijuanas status under the Controlled Substances Act from Schedule I to Schedule III.

But those measures have failed to excite advocates, who say Biden is falling short of his 2020 campaign promises and failing to address the disparate overcriminalization of the drug that has unduly impacted minority communities.

Progressive lawmakers in the Senate are urging the administration to go further and completely deschedule the drug, which would effectively decriminalize it at the federal level, as opposed to rescheduling it, which would reduce penalties and restrictions.

Marijuanas placement in the [Controlled Substances Act] has had a devastating impact on our communities and is increasingly out of step with state law and public opinion, 12 Democratic lawmakers wrote to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) last month.

Karen OKeefe, director of state policies at the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), told The Hill that rescheduling would be better than the status quo but still vastly less than what we need from the federal government and where the public at large is.

Its a popular issue thats up for grabs for whatever candidate is willing to listen to the people on it, OKeefe added.

Public opinion is strongly in favor of marijuana legalization. A Gallup poll from November found a record 70 percent of Americans believed marijuana should be legal.

More recent polling from Lake Research Partners backs up public support for federal marijuana reform, with 58 percent supporting a rescheduling to Schedule III, compared to 19 percent who opposed the move.

Its a really strong issue with some constituencies that Democrats really need to increase their support and enthusiasm, specifically young people, African Americans, Democratic base voters, people of color, young men of color, said Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster and strategist who serves as president of Lake Research Partners.

Hayley Matz Meadvin, executive vice president of communications at Precision Strategies and a former Biden administration staffer, noted the supermajority of support behind marijuana legalization could help Biden lure in voters across the political spectrum.

This is a popular issue that motivates voters, and it doesnt just motivate  it clearly just doesnt motivate [exclusively] Democrats. And  that will be critical this fall, Meadvin said.

Biden and Trump, his likely 2024 rival, are polling neck and neck both nationally and in key swing states. The election could come down to a few thousand voters in those states, potentially giving niche issues such marijuana added importance.

While campaigning for the White House in 2020, Biden said, No one should be in jail because of marijuana. As President, I will decriminalize cannabis use and automatically expunge prior convictions.

Advocates say his actions so far fall short of that promise. And they said he may struggle to clearly communicate any progress on marijuana reform, especially as some actions are left unfinished; the DEA has yet to issue its decision on rescheduling marijuana, and the federal pardons issued last year could not apply to state-level convictions, though Biden has encouraged governors to follow his lead.

The actions need to be finalized. I mean, it needs to be rescheduled. It needs to be reclassified, Lake said. You can definitely run on, I am the one who ordered the DEA and the Department of Justice to reclassify it.

When reached for comment, a White House spokesperson told The Hill: The President has been clear for a long time that our nations marijuana laws are outdated and are failing communities, particularly communities of color. His campaign commitment was to do what he can to ensure that no one is in jail for marijuana possession alone. And hes taken historic actions to achieve that.

The DEA, when reached for comment, said there was no update regarding its evaluation of marijuana scheduling.

While marijuana reform may not be among the issues expected to dominate the 2024 elections  abortion rights, the economy and immigration among them  strategists such as Meadvin note that smaller issues frequently break through the noise during election cycles.

There are a lot of competing interests during every election  and there certainly were last year as well, and this issue broke through in Ohio. It has broken through in states across the country, and it will continue to do so, Meadvin said.

According to Lake, substantial marijuana reform action from Biden would signal to voters he is a modern president and could make a difference in states including Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin.

I would restate how strong this is to couple with criminal justice reform, Lake said. I think that its not just one step; its a whole schema and can be coupled with criminal justice, can be coupled with what he said to states. And I think the whole bundle is a very, very strong message to young people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Eight years ago, Google came under fire after an artificial intelligence (AI) tool mistakenly labelled pictures of black people as gorillas in its photo app.

Now its AI tools have been accused of racial bias once again after its Gemini bot generated ethnically diverse yet utterly implausible images of historical figures.

Its new Gemini AI is able to create images from text prompts alone. Yet the AI inserted black, Asian or American Indian characters into pictures when asked to create people from European or American history, even when those figures were all white.

Among the most absurd images were pictures of diverse Nazis, including black and Asian soldiers in Wehrmacht uniforms, and images of black and American Indian Vikings.

Googles Gemini AI produced these images of a Viking

In a post on Twitter, Debarghya Das, a former Google engineer, said: Its embarrassingly hard to get Google Gemini to acknowledge that white people exist.

The botched image generation has prompted accusations that Googles focus on diversity has prompted its programme into a woke re-writing of history.

It has also exposed how biases can quickly run out of control in AI systems and the problem of getting them to deliver accurate information.

Problem data

A well-documented issue with AI bots is they are prone to bias thanks to the data they have been trained on.

AI bots are developed by absorbing huge volumes of data  and Gemini was trained on a vast corpus of images. One issue, however, is that the vast majority of images on the web feature white people. Previously, this has led AI bots to create more accurate images of Caucasians.

Asked to generate pictures of beautiful people, some AI bots will default to returning images of white, young women, based on what they have gleaned from the biases of the wider internet.

Because of this messy dataset, Googles AI was previously so bad at comprehending pictures of non-white people it incorrectly labelled pictures of black people as gorillas in 2015. It proceeded to block searches for apes on its image search tool for years as it struggled to fix the issue.

Google appears to have been alive to this issue. In a statement, the company said Gemini creates a wide range of people from around the world.

However, computing experts say the latest issues appear to go beyond issues with the AIs training data. This cannot be the result of solely biassed data, says Lukasz Olejnik, an independent researcher and author of the book Philosophy of Cybersecurity.

Tampering with the model

When setting up an AI chatbot, programmers will code in rules and safety mechanisms to prevent the AI delivering offensive comments. This could include blocking it from repeating hate speech, creating sexual images or otherwise running amok.

AI experts believe Googles Gemini engineers may have attempted to avoid accusations of racial bias by pre-programming it to generate pictures of people from a variety of backgrounds, with unexpected consequences.

The AIs take on historical knights

They didnt want pictures of people doing universal activities (e.g. walking a dog) to always be white, reflecting whatever bias existed in their training set, said Yishan Wong, the former chief executive of Reddit in a post on X.

Olejnik argues this means the model must be tampered with upstream, an active bias. A kind of secondary tuning or manual inclusion of keywords.

This can be seen most obviously when the bot responded to prompts by inserting words such as diverse when asked to generate a picture of a US senator from the 1800s or creating images of the American Founding Fathers.

Gemini AIs image of the Founding Fathers

Users requesting pictures of a typical family, nationality, or profession would also often get rebuked by the model, which would insist on offering up diverse alternatives.

In some cases, the bot appeared to have refused to create images of Caucasian characters entirely, insisting it could only create images that celebrate diversity and inclusivity, featuring people of various ethnicities and backgrounds. In other words it would create idealised pictures of black families, but not white families.

Historical hallucinations

A glaring error with Gemini was that it returned images of black and Asian Nazis, American Indian Vikings or black and female American Founding Fathers  with an apparent disregard for historical fact.

The AIs response to a request for a portrait of a Founding Father

Yet most AI bots struggle with factual accuracy and context. Asked to be historically accurate, the bot may simply make something up instead.

Clearly, the Vikings largely hailed from Scandinavia and were not Asian in origin or American Indian, as Google suggests. Gemini also returned images of black or female US Founding Fathers  even though women could not vote in the US until 1920, and there was not an African-American senator until 1870.

In a widely shared post where the bot was asked to create an image of a Pope it returned an image of an Indian woman and a black man. This is despite the fact women cannot become Catholic priests.

The Pope according to Gemini AI

Some of the results Googles Gemini bot generated were bizarre and even offensive in their own right, including an image of diverse Nazi soldiers.

Gemini AIs take on a 1943 German soldier

The technical fault also prompted several high-profile Silicon Valley figures also to take aim at Googles culture. Paul Graham, the British technology investor, said the images were a self-portrait of Googles bureaucratic corporate culture.

On Wednesday, Google admitted the bot was offering inaccuracies in some historical image generation depictions, but just hours later went further, blocking users from creating images of people with Gemini entirely.

Were already working to address recent issues with Geminis image generation feature. While we do this, were going to pause the image generation of people, Google said.

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Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, speaks during a press conference at the Casa Rosada presidential palace. Fernando Gens/dpa

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has criticized Israeli government's plans to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank amid the backdrop of the Gaza war.

"Our administration maintains a firm opposition to settlement expansion, and in our judgment this only weakens and doesnt strengthen Israels security," Blinken told reporters in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires.

Blinken added that he was "disappointed" and made the rare remark from a US diplomat that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law.

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wants to press ahead with the construction of more than 3,000 new homes in the occupied West Bank.

The Times of Israel newspaper reported on Friday that the committee responsible for authorizing the construction of settler homes will meet shortly to make a decision.

Antony Blinken (R), US Secretary of State, speaks next to Diana Mondino, Foreign Minister of Argentina, during a press conference at the Casa Rosada presidential palace. Fernando Gens/dpa

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, speaks during a press conference at the Casa Rosada presidential palace. Fernando Gens/dpa
Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, speaks during a press conference at the Casa Rosada presidential palace. Fernando Gens/dpa

The Gaza War and indirect ceasefire talks rumbled on but it was developments in the West Bank and at the Lebanese border which threatened to further ignite the Middle East power keg on Friday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was unusually frank in his criticism of ally Israel, especially with regards to the Jewish state building settler homes on West Bank land which is almost universally accepted as Palestinian.

"Our administration maintains a firm opposition to settlement expansion, and in our judgement this only weakens and doesnt strengthen Israels security," Blinken told reporters in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires.

Blinken added that he was "disappointed" and made the rare remark from a US diplomat that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are "inconsistent" under international law.

There has also been growing international criticism of Israel for bombarding Palestinians in the Gaza Strip for months, killing almost 30,000 people according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

Israel is trying to wipe out Islamist militants Hamas after they and other groups murdered over 1,200 people inside Israel on October 7.

Amid the backdrop of the Gaza conflict, Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wants to press ahead with the construction of more than 3,000 new homes in the occupied West Bank.

The Times of Israel newspaper reported on Friday that the committee responsible for authorizing the construction of settler homes will meet shortly to make a decision.

Further troubles brewed in the West Bank, home to the largest Palestinian population of around 3 million, in contrast to the approximately 2 million residents crammed into the now besieged Gaza Strip on the other side of Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had foiled a terrorist attack in the West Bank city of Jenin.

The army announced a member of the Islamic Jihad militant organization was eliminated in a drone attack.

The man was on his way to carry out an attack, the IDF said, adding that he had been involved in several attacks on Israeli communities and military posts in recent months.

The situation in the West Bank has worsened significantly since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.

Israel's military has been carrying out regular raids, particularly in the cities of Jenin and Nablus, which are administered by the Palestinian Authority and which Israel says are strongholds for terrorist groups.

There has also been a surge in violent attacks by illegal Israeli settlers against Palestinian West Bank residents.

Further north, near Israel's border with Lebanon, two paramedics and a militant from the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement were killed in an Israeli airstrike, Hezbollah said.

Hezbollah said they had sent two drones to attack a target in Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel in response.

Meanwhile in Gaza, aid workers say the plight of the Palestinians continues to worsen.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged Israel and Hamas to call a rapid ceasefire, also in part to release the remaining Israeli hostages taken on October 7.

"We need a humanitarian pause now to release the hostages and allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza," she said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is "so catastrophic that aid is hardly being distributed at all at the moment," Baerbock added.

A new round of indirect negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza war did begin in Paris on Friday but details were light.

"There is optimism, but an agreement is not imminent," the Israeli television station Channel 12 quoted an unnamed government official as saying.

An Israeli delegation led by David Barnea, the head of the foreign intelligence service Mossad, met representatives of Egypt, Qatar and the US, who are separately then mediating with Hamas.
By Simon Lewis and Adam Jourdan

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -U.S. top diplomat Antony Blinken on Friday praised Argentina's libertarian leader Javier Milei for his efforts to stabilize his country's embattled economy, and talked up hopes for U.S. involvement in mining critical minerals in Argentina.

Milei, an economist and former sharp-tongued pundit, has taken a strongly pro-U.S. stance, though ideologically is more closely aligned with Republican former U.S. President Donald Trump, the main challenger to President Joe Biden in elections later this year.

Secretary of State Blinken is the most senior Biden administration official to visit Argentina since Milei won office last year promising "shock therapy" for the economy through austerity measures.

"The work thats being done to stabilize the economy is absolutely vital," Blinken said at a news conference, calling his meeting with Milei earlier in the day "incredibly positive."

The U.S. was exploring investment opportunities in critical minerals, especially lithium, through its International Development Finance Corporation and a new Minerals Security Partnership, said Blinken, adding Washington wants U.S. companies to remain Argentina's partner of choice.

We see extraordinary opportunity here in Argentina, but maybe most important, whats so evident is that Argentina has what the world actually needs," he said, referring to minerals used in batteries needed for the transition to renewable energy.

Blinken declined to weigh in on Milei's proposal to dollarize the Argentinian economy, which he said was "a decision for Argentina to make."

Milei has visited U.S.-ally Israel in a show of support for its response to Oct. 7 attacks by Palestinian militants Hamas.

Blinken said he appreciates Milei's strong condemnation of the attacks "and his support for Israel's right to ensure that such an attack never happens again."

Asked at the start of their meeting at the Casa Rosada presidential palace what was his message for the United States, Milei replied that Argentina has decided to return to the side of the West, to the side of progress, democracy and, above all, freedom.

Adding a bit of spice to Milei's relationship with the Biden White House, the Argentine leader is scheduled to speak at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend in Washington, where Trump is also set to appear.

Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino said she could not say whether Milei would meet with Trump.

Blinken arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday after visiting neighboring Brazil, where he met with left-wing leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who in contrast to Milei has clashed with Washington over his criticism of Israel's assault on Gaza.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis in Rio de Janeiro and Adam Jourdan in Buenos Aires Editing by Alistair Bell and David Gregorio)
By Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk

(Reuters) -The Biden administration on Friday said Israel's expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank is inconsistent with international law, signaling a return to long-standing U.S. policy on the issue that had been reversed by the previous administration of Donald Trump.

Speaking at a news conference during a trip to Buenos Aires, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was "disappointed" in Israel's announcement of plans for building new housing in the occupied West Bank, saying they were counterproductive to reaching an enduring peace.

"They're also inconsistent with international law. Our administration maintains a firm opposition to settlement expansion, and in our judgment this only weakens, doesn't strengthen, Israel's security," Blinken said.

In November 2019, Trump's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that Washington no longer viewed Israel's settlements on West Bank land it captured in the 1967 Middle East war as "inconsistent with international law," a reversal of four decades of U.S. policy.

Months later in January 2020, the Trump administration announced a peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which was embraced by Israel and rejected by the Palestinians, partly because it awarded Israel most of what it has sought during decades of conflict, including nearly all the occupied land on which it has built settlements.

The administration of President Joe Biden has opposed further expansion of settlements, saying it was counterproductive to lasting peace, but Friday was the first time a U.S. official said the practice was inconsistent with international law.

The administration has recently imposed sanctions on four Israeli men accused of being involved in settler violence.

Most countries regard the settlements, which in many areas cut Palestinian communities off from each other, as a violation of international law. Israel claims a biblical birthright to the land.

Palestinians and the international community view the transfer of any country's civilians to occupied land as illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Little progress has been made on achieving Palestinian statehood since the signing of the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s. Among the obstacles impeding it are expanding Israeli settlements.

'FUNDAMENTAL CONCLUSION'

The move comes a day after Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers had agreed to convene a planning council to approve some 3,300 homes to be built in settlements, following a deadly Palestinian shooting attack in the West Bank on Thursday.

Most of the units under discussion are in West Bank areas east of Jerusalem, with others south of the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, Smotrich said on Thursday.

The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the Israeli settlement announcement, saying on social media that it undermined the chances of a two-state solution.

In a briefing with reporters, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the administration was "simply reaffirming the fundamental conclusion on the issue."

Kirby was asked why the administration waited three years to make this change. "We thought that at this moment, it was particularly important to reaffirm our commitment to a two-state solution," he responded. "And at this moment, we felt it was particularly important to reaffirm again our view of the inconsistency with international law that the settlements present."

This position, he added, is one that has been consistent over a range of Republican and Democratic administrations, and if there was an administration that was inconsistent on the issue, it was the previous one.

At the news conference, Blinken was also asked about Netanyahu's "day after" plan for the Gaza Strip, which envisions Israel keeping security control over all land west of Jordan, including the occupied West Bank and Gaza -- territories where Palestinians hope to establish an independent state.

Blinken said he had yet to see the plan's details, but reiterated U.S. position on what a post-war Gaza should look like, some of which clashes with Netanyahu's vision.

"There should be no Israeli reoccupation of Gaza. The size of Gaza's territory should not be reduced. So we want to make sure that any plan that emerges is consistent with those principles," Blinken said.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk and Ismail Shakil.Additional reporting by Rami Ayyub and Nandita Bose in Washington and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Writing by Humeyra Pamuk, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Ros Russell and Bill Berkrot)
The woman credited as the "first black matron" in the NHS has had her achievement marked with the first official blue plaque outside of London.

Daphne Steele has been honoured at the former St Winifred's maternity home in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

Originally from Guyana, Ms Steele arrived in the UK in 1951 and enrolled on a nursing course in south London.

Her son Robert Steele said she would be "speechless" to see that a blue plaque had been dedicated to her.

The plaque was unveiled by Lord Parkinson, arts and heritage minister, as part of a roll out of the official Historic England scheme.

It reads: "Daphne Steele. 1927-2004. Guyanese nurse and midwife. Pioneering black matron in the NHS lived and worked here."

Ms Steele's son Robert attended the unveiling which was done by arts and heritage minister Lord Parkinson

Mr Steele, who attended the unveiling, said: "My mother saw herself as a nurse and midwife.

"As far as she was concerned, she was just getting on with her job.

"She would be speechless, mind-blown, to see a plaque dedicated to her and to know that she had made such a difference to so many people."

Ms Steele enrolled on the course at St James's Hospital in Balham and graduated two years later.

She then undertook midwifery training in 1954 and worked in America, Oxfordshire and Manchester.

Her appointment as matron in 1964 attracted national attention and acted as a turning point in the history of the NHS.

Ms Steele became a matron at St Winifred's maternity hospital in Ilkley with a reported salary of 1,230 per year - today's equivalent would be 20,733.

Chief Nursing Officer Dame Ruth May called her "an inspiring woman".

She added: "Daphne had a remarkable career in nursing, midwifery and as a health visitor, and like so many from the Windrush generation, she made an enormous contribution to the NHS."

Ms Steele's plaque marks the first of three to be unveiled outside of London

When St Winifred's closed in October 1971, Ms Steele found a new job working at Wharfedale children's hospital in Menston and then retrained as a health visitor at Leeds University.

She also worked as a health visitor in Ilkley and Bingley and recalled to her local newspaper in 2001 that after her appointment as a matron she received "about 350 letters from around Britain and around the world".

Lord Parkinson said Ms Steele "delivered hundreds of babies a year" and paved "the way for so many others from a wide range of backgrounds to play their vital role in that cherished national organisation.

Historic England Chief Executive Duncan Wilson called Ms Steele "a "quiet revolutionary" who changed history.

The official Historic England blue plaque scheme had been London-only since its introduction in 1866 with other initiatives delivering the commemorations locally.

But it was announced last September that the scheme would be expanded so people could nominate figures from their communities who had helped define the areas where they live.

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The MP Bob Stewart has had his racially aggravated public order offence conviction quashed.

The Beckenham MP, 74, was convicted last year after telling an activist to "go back to Bahrain" in a row outside the Foreign Office in December 2022.

His appeal at Southwark Crown Court on Friday heard that activist Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei had felt "dehumanised".

But the court found that Mr Alwadaei's response during the exchange did not suggest he had been caused distress.

Summing up the bench's decision to overturn the conviction, Mr Justice Bennathan said: "The fact that even after Mr Stewart's abusive comment, Mr Alwadaei continued to address him in similar terms, and at a similar pitch, would scarcely suggest to an observer that he was caused any upset, alarm, or distress."

Mr Stewart, who resigned the Conservative whip after his conviction at Westminster Magistrates' Court in November, had been attending an event hosted by the Bahraini Embassy when Mr Alwadaei shouted: "Bob Stewart, for how much did you sell yourself to the Bahraini regime?"

The MP for Beckenham in south-east London replied: "Go away, I hate you. You make a lot of fuss. Go back to Bahrain." He also told Mr Alwadaei to "get stuffed", adding: "Bahrain's a great place, end of."

Southwark Crown Court heard that Mr Alwadaei came to the UK from Bahrain as a refugee. He said he was tortured for attending a protest against the Bahraini regime, and this led him to flee.

Mr Alwadaei said he had wanted to question Mr Stewart about his support for Bahrain.

"Those that would affiliate themselves with a regime that is so corrupt, they should be questioned for their affiliation," he told the court.

Asked about Mr Stewart's comment that he should "go back" to Bahrain, the activist said: "To me the context was very clear, that I am not wanted, that I am not welcome in Britain."

Mr Stewart is a former British army officer who was stationed in Bahrain in 1969 and has described himself as a "friend" of the Middle Eastern country.

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
NEW YORK  A teen was stabbed Thursday evening in Times Square when a large fight broke out near a migrant shelter, police and sources said.

The brawl broke out on 42nd St. near Eighth Ave. around 5:30 p.m. steps from the Candler Building, a vacant office tower that has been converted into a migrant shelter  the scene of a caught-on-video attack on cops that roiled the city last month.

One of the people involved in the Thursday melee pulled out a knife and chased about a dozen others to Eighth Ave., witnesses said.

At the same time, officers patrolling on foot near the intersection spotted the fight and ran after the person carrying the knife, cops said.

It was like 10 or 15 of them and they were just running back and forth, said witness Michael Williams. The cops were chasing the one with the knife as he ran down the block.

The attacker with the knife stabbed a 17-year-old boy in the lower back before being arrested, police said.

The knife was still sticking out of his back when he went down, said Mohamed Belal, who sells hot dogs on the corner. The one guy was on the ground, and his friends ran from the guy with the knife.

Medics rushed the teen to Bellevue Hospital, where he was expected to survive. Charges against the person who knifed him were pending Thursday evening.

A police source told The New York Daily News that all those involved in the fight were migrants but could not provide details. The person who stabbed the teen and others involved were seen on video coming and going from the Candler Building shelter, cop sources said.

The same shelter was where two New York Police Department cops were pummeled by a ground of migrants as they attempted to make an arrest late last month.

Later Thursday, about six men got into a fist fight nearby on W. 43rd St. and Broadway around 7:15 p.m., police sources said. Police took three people into custody and officers went to the Roosevelt Hotel located in Midtown East  site of another migrant shelter  to seek additional people who may have been involved.
Then Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro pictured during a meeting. Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has refused to testify during his police interrogation as part of the investigation into an alleged coup d'etat following the last presidential election. Fabian Sommer/dpa

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has refused to testify during his police interrogation as part of the investigation into an alleged coup d'etat following the last presidential election.

This silence was not just the application of the constitutional duty of silence, "but a strategy based on the fact that the defence did not have access to all the elements with which the president is accused of having committed certain crimes," said Bolsonaro's lawyer Paulo Bueno.

Bolsonaro had been summoned to testify at the federal police headquarters in the capital Brasilia on Thursday.

The police had undertaken a large-scale operation a fortnight ago, executing search warrants and arrest warrants in several states as well as preventive measures such as the confiscation of passports.

The investigations were directed against a criminal organization that was seeking to stage a coup d'etat and abolish the democratic rule of law, authorities said.

In addition to Bolsonaro, who was Brazil's president from 2019 to the end of 2022, the operation also targeted other former top officials and political allies.

According to the news portal G1, former defence and justice ministers as well as advisers and military personnel during Bolsonaro's time in office were also summoned.
It's a new fiscal year for all the automakers and some are making out better than others when it comes to EV sales.

General Motors, in particular, had a challenging year on the EV front and continues to struggle with its Ultium battery platform.

However, good news is on the horizon for Cadillac, as a few key changes to its battery production make the Lyriq eligible for the $7500 tax credit.

The turn of the new year is an exciting time filled with new chapters, resolutions, and the promise of fresh offerings across industry lines. This is largely true for automakers, too, as they round up year-end sales figures and push toward new horizons, at least in their own words.

But this January was met with some tempered excitement for more reasons than one. Amid an alleged EV sales slowdown, automakers celebrated returns to pre-pandemic sales figures while contemplating how to act on EVs in the short term. Specifically, General Motors posted middling EV sales figures in 2023, save for one model.

Cadillac

In a bit of a shocking turn, GM's second best-selling EV in the US (behind the outbound Bolt and Bolt EUV) was the Cadillac Lyriq. Overall, 9154 Lyriqs were sold in 2023, making up 12% of GM's 75,883 EV unit sales last year. By comparison, over 62,045 units of the Bolt and Bolt EUV were sold in 2023.

Following a much anticipated but delayed arrival, the Lyriq was finally enjoying its moment in the sun, so to speak.

But the turn of the new year brought another set of challenges for the domestic automaker, as new guidance for the consumer EV tax credit qualification arrived. And the Cadillac Lyriq no longer qualified, at least initially.



Built on GM's Ultium EV platform, production and assembly of the Lyriq occurs at the company's Spring Hill facility in Tennessee. As such, Cadillac had already won half the battle when it came to receiving the $7500 credit, but specific sourcing standards surrounding battery materials stood in GM's way.

Cadillac

"In early January, Lyriq temporarily lost eligibility for the clean vehicle credit, due to the US Treasury's updated guidelines," a statement from GM reads. "As a result, GM's supply chain team moved quickly to pull ahead a sourcing change for two minor components, allowing Ultium Cells to build qualifying cells."



GM has yet to say how exactly it changed its cell production techniques so quickly. However, GM was offering $7500 off the Lyriq's sticker price in lieu of the tax credit. This benefit will continue to be offered until the first tax credit-eligible Lyriq models hit the market, GM says.

Tom Murphy

Once the Lyriq is tax credit eligible, the price will go back to $58,590 starting MSRP, without the tax credit baked into the pricing structure. Beyond the return of the tax credit, Cadillac is also updating the Lyriq in a few key ways for the new year. Namely, GM is making improvements to Super Cruise and adaptive cruise control availability, benefiting the Lyriq alongside.

"Lyriq is the cornerstone of Cadillac's electric future, delivering what luxury customers are looking for in an EV," said John Roth, global vice president of Cadillac. "Last year, it was the best-selling compact luxury EV SUV, capturing 33% of the segment. By offering this incentive, we expect to maintain momentum and reinforce our commitment to the future of EVs."





Although Roth refers to the Lyriq as a "compact" luxury electric SUV, it is at least a foot longer than the Mercedes EQB, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Volvo XC40 EV. Wards Intelligence classifies the Lyriq as a midsize luxury crossover, competing with the Mercedes EQE CUV, BMW iX, Audi Q8 e-tron, and Lexus RZ.

With 9154 deliveries in 2023, the Lyriq trailed the iX (17,301), Q4 e-tron (10,750 sales), EQB (10,674), and EQE CUV (10,431). Lyriq sales outpaced the Q8 e-tron (8551), RZ (5386), and Volvo's EVs. While the Toyota bZ4X is not a luxury vehicle, it outsold the Lyriq with 9329 units.



Does the standardization of chassis platforms make EVs more or less special? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts below.
Former President Donald Trump called on Christians to support his presidential bid, pledging if elected to "protect God in the public square," defend Christian broadcasters and their "pro-God" content from censorship, and appoint a task force to fight anti-Christian bias, including federal prosecutions.

Trump spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of about 1,500 Thursday evening at a presidential forum at the annual conference of the National Religious Broadcasters at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. The nonprofits annual convention is in Music City this week.

Many in the crowd wore red and white hats with the phrase Make America Pray Again, provided by conference sponsor Pray.com, as wild cheers broke out to welcome the former president.

Former President Donald Trump addresses the 2024 NRB International Christian Media Convention sponsored by the National Religious Broadcasters association at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday night, February 22, 2024.

I really believe its the biggest thing missing from this country, the biggest thing. We have to bring back our religion. We have to bring back Christianity, Trump said, prompting a big cheer from the crowd.

Despite a tight calendar of court appearances and campaigning, Trump appeared in Nashville with just two days to go before the South Carolina primary. The former president is the frontrunner against former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in her home state  as he is here in Tennessee. Voters here in the Volunteer State will cast ballots on Super Tuesday on March 5. Early voting is already underway.

NRB President Troy Miller said the organization invited all eligible candidates from both parties to participate in the presidential forum, and Trump was the only candidate who was available to attend. The NRB has not endorsed Trumps presidential bid.

Lines for the presidential forum already snaked through the Opryland hotel lobby just after 3 p.m. But Trump, who was scheduled to take the stage around 8 p.m. CT, kept the hyped crowd waiting.

The room was far from packed. At about 8:40 p.m., nearly an hour before Trump took the stage, staff urgently began removing hundreds of chairs from the back corner of the room. About 200 empty seats on the far side of the room remained.

Before Trump walked on stage, the crowd stood in recognition of the January 6th hostages," referring to those who face federal charges for their role in storming the U.S. Capitol. His speech began at 9:42 p.m. and wrapped shortly before 11 p.m.

During his opening comments, Trump blamed the delay on rough weather during his flight.

Melissa Kerley and Erin Gray take a selfie together before the 2024 NRB Presidential Forum begins during the NRB Christian Convention conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday night, Feb. 22, 2024.

'We will protect God in our public square'

Trump asked the crowd of Christian broadcasters and media to support his bid for the White House, pledging to defend Christians from domestic persecution, censorship, and infringements on their rights.

He denounced the recent convictions of six anti-abortion protesters arrested in 2021 for blockading the entrance to a Mt. Juliet reproductive health clinic where abortions are performed. The group is facing up to 10.5 years in prison and fines of more than a quarter-million dollars for their actions.

Lets call these brave Americans what they really are: persecuted Christians, Trump said.

Meanwhile, Trump accused the Biden administration of targeting Christian believers and pledged, if elected again, to appoint a special task force to rapidly review the cases of every political prisoner."

Remember, every communist regime throughout history has tried to stamp out the churches  just like every fascist regime is trying to go up and control them, he said. In America, the radical left is trying to do both at the same time.

Former President Donald Trump addresses the 2024 NRB International Christian Media Convention sponsored by the National Religious Broadcasters association at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday night, February 22, 2024.

Trump pledged to establish a new federal task force on fighting anti-Christian bias.

Its mission will be to investigate all forms of illegal discrimination, harassment and persecution against Christians in America, Trump said.

No one will be touching the cross of Christ under the Trump administration, he added, to a big applause from the crowd.

Trump also claimed without evidence that religious broadcasters are under siege, pledging if elected to protect content that is pro-God.

We will protect God in our public square," Trump said. "I will not allow the media or left wing groups silence you, censor you, discriminate against you, or in any way tell you what you have to say."

Trump briefly mentioned his multiple criminal indictments, claiming them as political persecution.

I take all these arrows for you and Im so proud to take them, he said. Im being indicted for you, outstretching his arms as if on a cross.

He touted efforts to support Israel during his presidency, citing his administrations move to relocate the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem  and pledged to stand strongly with Israel  prompting a standing ovation from much of the crowd.

Durussia Jenkins of Fredericksburg, Va., attends the 2024 NRB International Christian Media Convention sponsored by the National Religious Broadcasters association at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday night, February 22, 2024.

During his speech, Trump invited former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman up on stage to provide remarks. Friedman, who wore a medallion around his neck to remember the more than 100 Israeli hostages still in Hamas captivity, told Trump that the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel would not have happened, had Trump still been in office.

The crowd stood cheering several times as Trump rolled through a list of other priorities, including expanding school choice options, abolishing the U. S. Department of Education, securing the southern U.S. border with Mexico, defeating the toxic force of gender ideology, keeping men out of womens sports, and prohibiting child mutilation in all 50 states.

In the end, we do not answer to bureaucrats in Washington, we answer to God in heaven, Trump said.

Hes one of us

Those attending were overwhelmingly supportive of the former president, and much of the conference carried similar themes as his speech.

Fritz Von Tagen, of Washington state, traveled to Nashville for the NRB conference to exhibit his company, which develops backgrounds for virtual reality television. Von Tagen, who was wearing a red MAGA hat and an Israeli flag lapel pin, said he hopes Trump is reelected for the sake of small business owners, like himself.

Evangelist Gerald Wallens spreads his message at the 2024 NRB International Christian Media Convention sponsored by the National Religious Broadcasters association at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday night, February 22, 2024.

I want to hear his plan to put our country back together. Were hurting badly, Von Tagen told The Tennessean. Our company really started growing until this last administration. Its doing well, but not near as well as it would normally.

Theres a lot more people working now that know nothing about the English language. They cant speak English," Von Tagen added. "I feel bad that all those illegal people are taking jobs away from the Americans.

Jim Sheldon, of Kentucky, whose company is also exhibiting at NRB, said he was looking forward to hearing directly from the former president with no spin.

Trump is just, I think, one of us, really, Sheldon said. Hes a billionaire, but hes one of us.

Vivian Jones covers state politics and government for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Donald Trump in Nashville vows to back Christianity if elected again
Mayor Brandon Johnsons cornerstone initiative to tackle homelessness through a referendum question on the March 19 ballot was invalidated by a Cook County judge on Friday as she sided with business and real estate interests who oppose the measure.

The ruling by Judge Kathleen Burke places the future of the Bring Chicago Home referendum in significant doubt, while an appeal of the ruling is considered and the business groups who sued to stop the referendum celebrate the ruling. The referendum question is still on Chicago ballots, but any votes on it made through mail-in or early voting wont be counted for the time being.

In the meantime, the decision delivers a stinging setback for Johnson and his progressive backers, who hoped to rally voters to pass the referendum next month and trigger a tax hike on higher-priced property sales that would raise an estimated $100 million a year for various homeless services.

The lawsuit  filed in January by real estate interests and other corporate leaders in Chicago who think the new tax structure will harm the citys business and real estate industry  was filed as part of the real estate lobbys attempts to stymie Johnsons bid to deliver on a key campaign pledge. The suit was technically filed against the Chicago Board of Elections, which had already printed the referendum on ballots. Burke also denied a motion from the Johnson administration to intervene in the case.

Both the city and the Board of Elections could appeal Burkes decision, which followed a lengthy hearing in which she painstakingly read through the cases filings for more than two hours before delivering her decision. Following the hearing, members of the Bring Chicago Home coalition stood up and chanted 68K need a place to stay! a reference to the number of estimated people experiencing homelessness or sleeping doubled up across the city.

Coalition members said they would push ahead with their campaign and continue to encourage Chicagoans to vote yes in the hopes that a successful appeal would mean those ballots would be counted. Their campaign was formally launched in 2018 by those experiencing homelessness and advocacy organizations, but it was supercharged when Johnson took office and made it a priority for the start of his term. It is backed by several progressive philanthropic foundations, labor unions and faith-based organizations.

The referendum, which supporters describe as a mansion tax, calls for increasing a tax tied to the sale of all properties, not just mansions, that sell for more than $1 million. Those who oppose the measure include the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago, the Chicagoland Apartment Association and the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance. The groups argue that if the referendum passes it will dampen sales in an already-fragile market and that the city did not have concrete plans for how to spend the additional $100 million in annual revenues the tax is estimated to raise.

In a statement Friday, BOMA Chicago Executive Director Farzin Parang said the group was gratified by the ruling, which underscores the necessity of presenting policy questions to the public with fairness, detail, and transparency.

This referendum would be a backdoor property tax on all Chicagoans, and it is important that our elected officials not mislead voters otherwise, Parang said.

Related Articles

Attorneys for BOMA argued the referendum would have forced voters to approve or reject three separate policies in one question  an example of logrolling that BOMA said was an effort to purposely manipulate voters into approving two separate tax increases.

On Friday evening, the mayors office said in a statement that it was disappointed in the judges ruling but that it would explore every legal option available.

We firmly believe the referendum is legally sound and the final arbiter should be the voters of the City of Chicago, the statement said.

Election attorney Ed Mullen, who represents a group supporting the referendum, said Burke didnt spend much time explaining the basis for the reasoning and added that people should still vote for the referendum question as long as it remains on the ballot.

We are definitely going to continue to knock doors, said Crystal Gardner, the deputy political director for SEIU Local 73, which supports the referendum. We have canvasses every single weekend. We are not going to let this poor and terrible ruling stop us from engaging residents and voters, because at the end of the day, its their vote. Thats their voice, they get to choose.

Asked whether the coalition may try again to put the question on November ballots if an appeal fails, Emma Tai of the Bring Chicago Home campaign said its one step at a time, but were going to keep fighting.

Max Bever, spokesman for the Chicago Board of Elections, said in a statement Friday afternoon that the court had yet to formally enter a written order based on the ruling, and As such, the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners has not yet moved to appeal this decision and is still evaluating its options.

Early voting and voting by mail in Chicago, meanwhile, will continue until the Board is directed otherwise. The Board awaits future direction from the Circuit Court of Cook County on this matter.

The referendum sought to ask voters to change how one-time taxes are charged at the time of a propertys sales. The city currently charges a flat 0.75% rate on all property sales. Bring Chicago Home calls for slightly reducing the tax charged on the first $1 million in value  to 0.6%  while increasing the rate on properties valued between $1 million and $1.5 million to 2%, and boosting the rate even more on properties valued above $1.5 million, to 3%.

While the vast majority of sales would be charged the lower 0.6% rate, larger commercial properties such as offices, large apartment buildings, stores and industrial sites would shoulder more of the burden.

The lawsuit took issue with the three-part nature of the referendum question as well as the portion that would decrease the tax rate for lower-value homes. The lawsuit also stated that there was a lack of clarity about what specific programs the estimated $100 million in additional annual revenue would pay for, which tax opponents argued is a blank check for the city.

The campaigns both for and against the referendum have continued uninterrupted while the court case was ongoing, with millions of dollars being raised collectively by both sides and money flowing in from outside groups.

Since the start of February alone, a political committee funded by state and national real estate groups has built up a $1.3 million war chest. The CEO of the Illinois Realtors, Jeff Baker, told the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board that money is going to targeted mailers as well as campaign advertisements online and on streaming services.

The groups website, Protect Chicago Homes, states that the decrease for lower-value sales is a distraction from the hike borne by other property owners. With no plan for how to spend this New Property Tax, theyll be coming after your house next to adequately fund affordable housing developments.

In a statement after Burkes ruling, Baker called for the city to sit down together to develop a real plan for better homelessness prevention and to further housing stability.

Until then, he said, the group would continue its campaign to inform voters how tax burdened Chicagoans are and the need for policy solutions that do not rely on real estate taxes.

Other opposition groups appear to be gearing up as well. Two ballot initiative committees were formed this week, according to state records. One is Keep Chicago Affordable, which appears to be an extension of the 501(c)(4) nonprofit group Chicago Forward. Both are led by Resolute Public Affairs. It has not yet raised or spent any money.

Nor has the other ballot initiative committee formed by leaders from the conservative Illinois Policy Institute dubbed Vote No on Chicago Real Estate Tax. The group similarly opposed Gov. J.B. Pritzkers failed effort to change the structure of the states income tax.

aquig@chicagotribune.com
CHICAGO  Mayor Brandon Johnsons cornerstone initiative to tackle homelessness through a referendum question to voters has essentially been booted from the March 19 ballot after Cook County Judge Kathleen Burke on Friday sided with business and real estate interests who oppose the measure.

The coalition of business groups filed suit to stop the Bring Chicago Home referendum question from appearing on the primary election ballot as part of the real estate lobbys attempts to stymie Johnsons bid to deliver on his key campaign pledge to provide homelessness services by hiking a tax on higher-priced property sales.

The suit was filed against the Chicago Board of Elections, which had already printed the referendum on ballots as both mail-in and early voting have already begun. But the ruling provides a major set back for Johnson and his progressive backers who hoped to raise roughly $100 million a year to spend on various homeless services. Both the city and the board of elections could appeal. Attorneys for both declined to comment immediately after the ruling.

Burkes decision followed a lengthy hearing in which she painstakingly read through the cases filings for more than two hours. She denied a motion from the Johnson administration to intervene in the case and the election boards motion to dismiss the case.

Members of the Bring Chicago Home coalition, after hearing the ruling, stood up and chanted 68k need a place to stay! a reference to the number of estimated people experiencing homelessness or sleeping doubled up across the city.

Coalition members said they would push ahead with their campaign and still encourage Chicagoans to vote yes in the hopes that a successful appeal would mean those ballots would be counted.

The Johnson-backed referendum that hikes a tax tied to the sale of all higher-priced properties, not just mansions, was opposed by the coalition of real estate interests who sued in January. That coalition included the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago, the Chicagoland Apartment Association, the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance and others. The coalition of opponents claim if the referendum passes it will dampen sales in an already-fragile market and that the city did not have concrete plans for how to spend the additional $100 million in annual revenues the tax is estimated to raise.

Backers of the question  who had fought for years to secure additional funding  argued the lawsuit was an undemocratic attempt to confuse voters.

The referendum sought to ask voters to change how one-time taxes are charged at the time of a propertys sales. The city currently charges a flat 0.75% rate on all property sales. Bring Chicago Home calls for slightly reducing the tax charged on the first $1 million in value  to 0.6%  while increasing the rate on properties valued between $1 million and $1.5 million to 2%, and boosting the rate even more on properties valued above $1.5 million, to 3%.

While the vast majority of sales would be charged the lower 0.6% rate, larger commercial properties such as offices, large apartment buildings, stores and industrial sites would shoulder more of the burden.

The lawsuit took issue with the three-part nature of the referendum question as well as the portion that would decrease the tax rate for lower-value homes. The lawsuit also stated that there was a lack of clarity about what specific programs the estimated $100 million in additional annual revenue would pay for, which tax opponents argued is a blank check for the city.

The campaigns both for and against the referendum have continued uninterrupted while the court case was ongoing, with millions of dollars being raised collectively by both sides and money flowing in from outside groups.

Since the start of February alone, a political committee funded by state and national realtors groups has built up a $1.3 million war chest. The CEO of the Illinois Realtors, Jeff Baker, told the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board that money is going to targeted mailers as well as campaign advertisements online and on streaming services.

The groups website, Protect Chicago Homes, says the decrease for lower-value sales is a distraction from the hike borne by other property owners. With no plan for how to spend this New Property Tax, theyll be coming after your house next to adequately fund affordable housing developments.

Other opposition groups appear to be gearing up as well. Two ballot initiative committees were formed this week, according to state records. One is Keep Chicago Affordable, which appears to be an extension of the 501(c)(4) nonprofit group Chicago Forward. Both are led by Resolute Public Affairs. It has not yet raised or spent any money.

Nor has the other ballot initiative committee formed by leaders from the conservative Illinois Policy Institute dubbed Vote No on Chicago Real Estate Tax. The group similarly opposed Gov. J.B. Pritzkers failed effort to change the structure of the states income tax.

____
A nearly two decades-old program to slash climate-warming emissions from transportation could cause California gasoline prices to spike as much as 50 cents a gallon in the next two years.

Thats according to staff of the states leading air quality regulator, who provided the estimate ahead of that agencys decision to strengthen the program created to discourage gasoline and diesel production in favor of cleaner alternatives.

Their drastic projection comes amid growing concerns about fuel and energy costs related to California efforts to phase out fossil fuels. Already burdened drivers can expect to see gas prices hit $5 a gallon this spring, and electricity bills also are expected to rise.

I was shocked to see it, said Danny Cullenward, a climate economist and advisor to the state. A 50-cent increase in the price of fuel is not a small thing.

California Air Resources Board staff projected the price jump in a key report last fall, saying proposed reforms to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) would raise costs for the gasoline and diesel production companies that could get passed on to drivers.

In what they called an upper bound estimate, air board staff estimated that gasoline prices may jump by an average of $0.47 next year and $0.52 by 2026. They said diesel prices could increase by $0.59 this year and $0.66 in two years.

Over the long term, they found that gasoline prices could increase by $1.15 per gallon and diesel by $1.50 per gallon from 2031 to 2046. They also projected a $1.21 jump in jet fuel prices.

Air board staff have since downplayed their gas price hike projections, calling them narrow and incomplete in a December report. Instead, the agency has focused on cost savings to drivers across the economy as more people make the switch to EVs.

CARB staff estimates the amount of money Californians spend on transportation costs across all vehicle classes could be up to 42% lower in 2045, air board staff said this week in FAQs about the standards impact on fuel costs.

The LCFS was created in 2007 by then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to reduce the states dependence on fossil fuels and encourage low-carbon alternatives. The first program of its kind, it has since been adopted by other governments, including the European Union.

It operates a system of monetary rewards and fees called credits and deficits. Producers of less carbon intensive fuel  such as biofuel, ethanol and biomethane  sell those credits to gasoline and diesel producers who rack up deficits.

Environmental advocates have long criticized the program as counterproductive, arguing that it neglects to invest in widely available zero-emissions transportation technology while supporting polluting industries such as industrial agriculture.

Now the California Air Resources Board is amending the program to align with its plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2045. The current proposal will increase stringency of carbon reduction targets to help replace fossil fuels with lower-carbon fuels more quickly.

That tightening of the targets means gasoline and diesel producers will have to buy more credits, costs that air board staff said will ultimately be passed on to consumers of their product.

Daniel Sperling, director of the Institute for Transportation Studies at UC Davis whose research significantly influenced the original LCFS, said the air boards gas price calculations assumed credit prices would reach their highest peak right away, which is unlikely.

Essentially, its a worst case scenario, Sperling said, who added that rising gasoline prices should be offset with assistance for low-income communities. Theyre making various extreme assumptions. The price impacts have been pretty modest for quite a few years.

Environmental justice advocates are quick to point out that these gas price increases will be felt most acutely by Californians who can least afford them. Low-income households already spend a far higher proportion of their income on fuel costs, and switching to an EV remains financially out of reach for many.

These LCFS amendments will increase transportation costs for lower income people and people of color, said Phoebe Seaton, co-founder of the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability.

Her organization has long pushed for amendments to the LCFS biomethane credits, which she argues has exacerbated environmental harm for communities in the San Joaquin Valley.

She suggested that the program could achieve its goals while reducing cost impacts to lower income people by eliminating excessive and misaligned credit generation for biogas and biofuels.

Jeremy Martin, senior scientist and director of fuels policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists, also recommended that air board restrict the supply of credits to cut company compliance costs and lower price increases. But ultimately, he said, gas car drivers will face rising prices and policy makers should pay attention.

Theres a lot of benefits to this, right? Public health, air quality. Using electricity instead of oil also has economic benefits, because its more stable and less expensive, Martin said. But just because its something worth doing doesnt mean we should ignore the costs.

CARB indefinitely postponed a March vote on the proposal and plans to host a workshop in mid-April to discuss possible amendments.
David Cameron has said that the continued US failure to supply arms to Ukraine would undermine its own security, strengthen China and cast doubt on Americas reliability as an ally around the world.

The UK foreign secretary, who attended the G20 meeting in Brazil earlier in the week, admitted that the effort to rally global support for the Ukrainian cause had been damaged by the fact that neither the US nor the UK had voted for a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. But he argued the damage had been mitigated by the UKs clarification of its position.

Related: Biden announces hundreds of new sanctions targeting Russia

Cameron was speaking in New York on the second anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine at a time when the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, is blocking a substantial package of military aid to Kyiv, leading to a severe ammunition shortage for Ukrainian troops.

The foreign secretary was flanked by his German and Polish counterparts, Annalena Baerbock and Radek Sikorski, who made their own calls for US supplies to be resumed at a meeting organised in New York by the Wall Street Journal ahead of a UN security council meeting on Ukraine on Friday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Joe Biden had announced 500 new sanctions on Russia and a further 100 entities around the world for providing support to Russia, in an effort to squeeze Moscows revenues. But the foreign ministers made clear that arms supplies were the key in the struggle with Russia in Ukraine.

Cameron sought to frame his argument in terms of competition with China, one of the few issues that unites Republicans and Democrats in the US Congress.

I know that lots of people in Congress are hugely concerned about the role of China and if youre concerned about the role of China, you must make sure that Putin doesnt win, he said.

He added that Beijing was enjoying the fact that were, were not as united as we should be. I think thats why the American package is so important.

In its relations with countries around the world, Cameron argued, China was saying come have a relationship with us. America isnt reliable.

The end of US military support to Ukraine, he added would strengthen that argument they make in an enormous way.

Baerbock said the blockage of US aid will be the biggest gift for Putin and will be the biggest gift for China.

The Ukrainians are fighting like lions, but you cannot fight with bare hands, Sikorski said. They are running out of ammunition for anti-aircraft missiles that are protecting cities and when soldiers dont have artillery shells, they have to do close combat fighting. That means that Ukrainian casualties are greater.

The European ministers face an uphill task persuading a Republican congressional leadership that is under the powerful sway of Donald Trump, an opponent of Ukrainian aid, and also resistant to allied pressure. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Republican congresswoman, responded to an earlier effort by Cameron to persuade Congress in Ukraines favour that the foreign secretary could kiss my ass.

Im not trying to lecture or tell American congressmen what to do, Cameron insisted on Friday. I love my own country but I love America too. I think this is really important for America, for American security.

He admitted that the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and western positions on the conflict had complicated efforts to build global solidarity against Russia. Earlier this week, the US vetoed a UN security council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire for the third time, and the UK abstained.

The fact that we havent signed up for some of these resolutions and what have you, it does do some damage. There is no doubt about that, Cameron said. But I think when you explain how we really want to stop the fighting right now and have got a plan to do it, I think that helps to build some faith between the Arab world and what foreign ministers like myself and others say.

As European ministers sought to change minds in the Republican party, Volodymyr Zelenskiy held talks with a US congressional delegation in Lviv. The group  led by the Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer  said it wanted to show that the US had not abandoned the Ukrainian people, or its Nato allies in Europe.

Schumer said he and his fellow Democrats would not stop fighting until $61bn in military funding for Ukraine was delivered. House Republicans are currently blocking the assistance package, despite a 64-19 Senate vote in favour.

We believe we are at an inflection point in history and we must make it clear to our friends and allies around the globe that the US does not back away from our responsibilities, Schumer said. The consequences of walking away would be severe, he warned, saying he would make this clear to the Republican speaker and to others obstructing aid back in Washington.

Schumer told the Associated Press opposition to the national security package may be the view of Donald Trump and some of the hard-right zealots. But it is not the view of the American people, and I dont think its the view of the majority of people in the House or Senate.

Ukrainian commanders say with no new US weapons deliveries they are facing serious problems on the battlefield. They say that Ukrainian soldiers were forced to withdraw from the eastern city of Avdiivka last week because of an acute shortage of shells and ammunition. Further Russian gains were likely if no more aid arrived, they admitted.

Ukraine is also running out of western-supplied interceptor missiles. A Russian drone strike killed three people early on Friday in the Black Sea port of Odesa, the regional governor, Oleh Kiper, said. Ukrainian air defences were only able to shoot down 23 out of 31 drones  a significantly lower number than in attacks last year.

Earlier in Lviv Zelenskiy met with Denmarks prime minister, Mette Frederiksen. The country has been one of Ukraines staunchest European allies. Frederiksen recently pledged to give all of Denmarks artillery reserves to Ukraine and on Friday signed a long-term security agreement with Kyiv. It envisages giving 1.8bn ($1.9bn) in support.

The two leaders visited Lvivs Lychakiv cemetery and laid flowers at the grave of a Ukrainian soldier. Many hundreds of service personnel have been buried there since Russias full-scale invasion two years ago.
RICHMOND  A bill that would prohibit politicians from using campaign donations on personal expenses, such as vacations or mortgage payments, passed the House Privileges and Elections committee Friday with bipartisan support.

Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, told the committee it was disturbing that the recent actions of expelled U.S. Rep. George Santos would have been legal for a state politician in Virginia.

I dont think that is right and I dont think you do either, said Boysko, who introduced the bill.

Santos came under fire in November for allegedly using campaign funds on a range of personal items, including luxury clothing, beach vacations, expensive spa treatments and a website known for sexual content.

Boyskos bill passed with unanimous support. It heads to the House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Dumfries Democrat Luke Torian, who blocked a nearly identical measure this month from being put to a vote.

Torian has not responded to multiple requests for comment from The Virginian-Pilot.

On Friday, BigMoneyOutVa  a nonpartisan organization that advocates for transparency and less money in government  urged the bills supporters to contact Torian and House Speaker Don Scott, a Portsmouth Democrat.

Ask that this bill go to the floor, the organization posted on social media.

Virginia has some of the most lax campaign finance rules in the nation. Politicians can legally spend campaign donations on essentially anything, and theres no limit on who can donate or how much they can give. Candidates report their expenses, but reporting requirements are vague and its often unclear what specific items were purchased or how it related to campaigning.

Some who have opposed tighter rules have said it could confuse well-meaning lawmakers, or argued donors should trust the politicians they choose to support.

Several bills this year aimed at limiting the influence of money in politics have already died.

Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, introduced a measure similar to Boyskos bill that would have limited the personal use of campaign funds. It was left in the House Appropriations Committee.

A bill from Sen. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, would have banned candidates and political committees from accepting contributions from public utilities. Dominion Energy has long been among the states top political donors, and sometimes donates to candidates in the same race. The measure was reported out of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee but died without a vote in the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Portsmouth Democrat Louise Lucas.

Another bill from Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax Station, went down without a vote in the House Privileges and Elections Committee. Bulovas bill would have capped donation amounts.

Forty-four states define how campaign funds can be used, with most only permitting the money to be spent on expenditures reasonably related to campaign activities, according to the most recent data on the National Conference of State Legislatures website. The website identifies Virginia as one of 11 states that set no limit on how much individuals can donate to campaigns.

Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com
Canada announced new sanctions against Russia on Feb. 23, targeting 10 individuals and 153 companies on the eve of the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The EU, the U.K., and the U.S. have also announced additional sanctions against Russia and entities in third countries that help Moscow circumvent previous restrictions and sustain its war machine.

Canada's new sanctions will target those who provide Russia with military equipment, offer services such as insurance to Russian soldiers, and otherwise help support the finances and logistics of the Russian state

"Today, we're sending a clear message to Russian officials and the organizations they run: We stand by the people of Ukraine as they are bravely defending their rights in the face of Putins unjustifiable and aggressive actions," said Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.

"We will continue to use disruptive measures against the Russian government, targeting its ability to wage its illegal war until Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity are fully restored."

Canada has provided Ukraine with 9.7 billion Canadian dollars ($7.1 billion) in assistance since January 2022, the foreign ministry said.

Read also: US cracks down on sanctioned Russian oligarchs

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Canadas wildfire season has got off to an early start with fears that this year could be worse than 2023s unprecedented number of blazes.

On Tuesday, the western province of Alberta declared that wildfire season had begun after a mild winter with relatively little snow. Large areas of western Canada are experiencing severe and extreme drought.

Typically, wildfire season doesnt start until 1 March.

There are currently 149 active fires, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), 56 blazes in Alberta, 92 in British Columbia, and one in New Brunswick.

Alberta has declared an early start to wildfire season. Firefighters battle zombie fires in Fox Lake that have persisted despite the cold and snow on 6 February (Alberta wildfire/AFP via Getty)

However National Preparedness remains at the lowest level because most places are experiencing minimal dangers, CIFFC reported.

Dozens of fires that started in 2023 are still burning. These are known as zombie fires because they are incredibly difficult to extinguish, even during the harsh Canadian winter.

Canada had the worst wildfire season on record in 2023. Some 6,623 fires were recorded across the country, leading to the destruction of more than 44 million acres, seven times the ten-year average.

After officials met this week in Ottawa to plan for wildfire season, the governments emergency preparedness minister, Harjit Sajjan, warned that 2024 could be worse than last year.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the Statue of Liberty on June 30, 2023 in New York City (Getty Images)

This morning, we were provided with an alarming but not surprising update on the upcoming wildfire season. We were warned that we need to be prepared for the worst, Mr Sajjan told Global News on Wednesday.

Early reporting suggests that this years wildfire season could be worse than the last.

Last year, Canadas wildfires had impacts far beyond its borders with smoke causing high levels of air pollution across the US, and as far away as Europe.

In June, New York City shot above 400 on the Air Quality Index (which runs from 0-500)  a hazardous level of pollution that bathed the city in an eerie orange haze - because of the wildfire smoke.

The climate crisis thats being caused by the emissions from fossil fuels, is driving larger, more frequent and erratic wildfires around the world. Many countries are becoming hotter and drier, priming more of the landscape to burn.
Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, announced the implementation of new sanctions on 23 February in connection with the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda; website of the Canadian government

Details: The new sanctions of Canada were approved in coordination with the UK and the US, which have announced the corresponding measures imposed on 10 individuals and 153 legal entities. Among them are an assistant of Vladimir Putin and top officials of private and state companies registered in Russia and in Cyprus.

Most sanctioned subjects provide goods and services to the Ministry of Defence of Russia, such as components for Kalibr missiles and drones or insurance and retail services, the Canadian Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Canada also announced the ban on export of more than 20 goods, which may be used for the production of weapons and for the war against Ukraine, to Russia. These goods are explosives, mainly detonators, used in mining and construction.

In addition to this, Canada has strengthened the sanctions regime against Russia. From now on the restrictions can be aimed at anyone outside the borders of Canada who is not a Canadian and violates the sovereignty of Ukraine.

Background:

On 23 February the EU Council enacted its 13th tranche of sanctions against Russia, targeting 106 individuals and 88 legal entities. Restrictions were imposed on those who are responsible for the continuation of the war against Ukraine, as well as those actively supporting Russias military efforts.

US President Joe Biden announced that the US implemented over 500 sanctions against Russia, along with new export limitations against almost 100 organisations ahead of the second anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine and after the death of Alexei Navalny.

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The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will begin work Feb. 26, 2024, to replace concrete pavement, resurface asphalt surfaces and perform related tasks on Capitol Drive between Five Fields Road and Highway 16. The work is expected to run into fall.

PEWAUKEE - The road to a smoother journey continues westward as a new round of Capitol Drive construction begins on a stretch that includes the village's biggest commercial district.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 26, construction crews will work on various road rehabilitation and traffic enhancement tasks from Five Fields Road (just east of Highway 164) to Highway 16. It's a 1.5-mile, $9 million project that runs past a concentration of big-box businesses such as Walmart, Menards and Costco and all the smaller commercial spots and restaurants nearby.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials, who announced the project's start Wednesday, noted that the road itself won't close, though some ramps will be subject to long-term closings during a project that's loosely scheduled to run into this fall.

What work will be done during the Capitol Drive project in Pewaukee?

While the road surface itself will get a facelift, the work involves a number of tasks.

According to transportation officials, concrete pavement from Highway 16 to the Forest Grove Drive/George Towne Drive intersection will be replaced, and the asphalt pavement in the remainder of the project area will be resurfaced.

Crews will also add new traffic signals at the westbound off-ramp at Highway 16 and Capitol Drive and replace five sets of traffic signals at other intersections. Also, sidewalk curb ramps will be upgraded to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

How will traffic be limited from Highway 16 to Highway 164?

Traffic along Capitol Drive itself will be reduced to one lane in each direction, shifting lanes as the roadwork progresses. That means that the highway itself won't close, leaving it as an option for those who don't want to use other east-west routes such as Interstate 94.

Transportation officials added that accesses to businesses will not be affected.

Will there be any closures on ramps at different points?

Yes, but the schedule about the exact timing of the closures isn't yet specified beyond the first few weeks.

For starters, the only closures set to run from Feb. 26 to March 23 are the right lane on Capitol Drive eastbound between Highway 16 and Hunters Ridge Road, various lanes on Highway 164 in the area of the Capitol Drive intersection, and the left lane of the eastbound offramp from Highway 16 to Capitol Drive.

Updates will be posted on the closures tab on WisDOT's project information page, which includes summaries of all the work.

When will the Capitol Drive project in Pewaukee end?

It's not date-certain. The project is listed as running into "fall of 2024," which generally means that work is expected to reach into October. Depending on weather conditions and lead contractor Michels Corporation and subcontractors, other similar projects have stretched into late November.

Previously, work on Capitol Drive took place farther east in 2018 and 2022.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Construction project begins on Capitol Drive in village of Pewaukee
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Clark County School District Board voted 5-2 to accept CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus Jaras resignation which will include a single payment of $250,000, equivalent to six months of pay.

The board held a vote on Thursday evening in which they also voted 5-2 to select CCSD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell as interim superintendent effective Feb. 23, at 5 p.m. The interim appointment remains in effect until the board appoints a superintendent.

CCSD Board of Trustees meet to discuss Superintendent Dr. Jesus Jaras resignation. (KLAS)

CCSD School Board Vice President Irene Bustamante Adams and board member Linda Cavazos both voted no regarding the selection of Larsen-Mitchell as interim on Thursday night.

A termination of convenience under the superintendents term of the agreement wouldve obligated the board to compensate the board for the remainder of his agreement, which amounts to approximately right under one million dollars, CCSD Board Counsel Nicole Malich said.

Instead, the board and Jara reached a negotiation of a $250,000 exit package which drew the ire of several teachers and parents.

Photo of Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell provided by the Clark County School District

Allowing him to resign and giving him a quarter million dollars is not an acceptable outcome, Robert Coales said.

Two weeks ago, CCSDs school board could not agree on his exit plan.

CCSD School Board President Evelyn Garcia Morales said she asked for Dr. Jaras resignation in January. Jara faced criticism for CCSDs poor academics, increased student violence, and divisive teacher contract negotiations.

Do you know what I got after devoting 25 years to this district? Do you know what I got? I had glowing teacher evaluations. Track record of high student achievement, and no lawsuits against me. Do you know what I got? Nothing, Kelly Edgar expressed.

CCSD spent nearly $29K to send employees to Miami for Fourth of July, records show

Thursdays vote ends a tenure on the heels of a state and federal investigation launched after 8 News Now reported on the district using COVID relief funds to send staff on recruitment trips to Miami and Hawaii.

CCSD staff took recruitment trips to Hawaii, Texas, Los Angeles, unknown if teachers were hired

CCSD School Board Trustee Lisa Guzman defended the deal.

I want people to understand that if they read the contract and they read and saw what was going to occur, that we would be spending over a million dollars, Guzman said.

CCSD board members voted 5 to 2 to accept Dr. Jesus Jaras resignation on Feb. 22, 2024. (KLAS)

Several lawmakers including the assembly speaker and senate majority leader called for Dr. Jara to quit.

I think from a parents perspective, the biggest concern is the amount of money that has gone into disagreements with the superintendent, Nevada PTA President Kali Fox Miller said. Resolving this contract, firing him, bringing him back, and now asking for his resignation.

The CCSD Education Association (CCEA) said Dr. Jara should be fired without pay.

CCSD board trustees meet on Feb. 22, 2024 (KLAS)

The Clark County teachers union is calling for an immediate nationwide search. CCEAs president said the process needs to be transparent.

We need to have a superintendent that has qualifications that would lead this district in the right direction, CCEA President Marie Neisess said.

Portion of statement from CCEA

CCEA believes an immediate search for new leadership should commence now with a new

Superintendent in place before next school year. We can not assume this will be done with

community and educator input. This search should be national and transparent in nature and

start by seeking input from front-line educators and the community.  CCEA

The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce also urged the board to conduct a nationwide search.

Statement from CCSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell

Madame President and Members of the Board, thank you for your faith and confidence in me to care for and educate the 300,000 students of the Clark County School District as your Interim Superintendent. I express my genuine gratitude to the 42,000 employees of the Clark County School District who show up every day to provide for our students. As I have throughout my career as an educator, I will continue to model passion and enthusiasm for education. I promise to continue to lead each day with the relentless sense of urgency that our students deserve. I look forward to continuing the work. Thank you.

Dr. Jaras last day as superintendent will be Friday, Feb. 23. The board of trustees will meet next month to lay out the terms of finding a new superintendent, including how much in taxpayer funds they will use for a hiring agency.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade testifies during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. The hearing is to determine whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be removed from the case because of a relationship with Wade, special prosecutor she hired in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump. (Alyssa Pointer/Pool Photo via AP)

ATLANTA (AP)  A court filing Friday uses cellphone location data to try to raise questions about the testimony given by a special prosecutor in the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump who had a romantic relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

The analysis of cellphone location data filed by Trump's attorneys shows prosecutor Nathan Wade had visited the neighborhood south of Atlanta where Willis lived at least 35 times during the first 11 months of 2021, an investigator said. Wade had testified that he had been to the condo where Willis lived fewer than 10 times before he was hired as special prosecutor in November 2021.

The new filing prompts fresh questions about the timeline of the relationship between Willis and Wade as Trump and other defendants, who are accused of illegally trying to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, have argued that both prosecutors should be removed from the case because their romantic relationship created a conflict of interest.

In a response filed with the court late Friday, Willis' team said Trump's lawyers are trying to introduce inadmissible evidence and that even if the judge were to consider it, the phone records simply do not prove anything relevant."

The investigator, Charles Mittelstadt, wrote that the data show that Wade visited the area in Hapeville where Willis lived at least 35 times during the first 11 months of 2021. Wade had testified during a hearing last week that he had visited the Hapeville condo where Willis was living fewer than 10 times before he was hired as special prosecutor on Nov. 1, 2021.

So if phone records were to reflect that you were making phone calls from the same location as the condo before Nov. 1, 2021, and it was on multiple occasions, the phone records would be wrong? Trump attorney Steve Sadow asked Wade during the hearing.

If phone records reflected that, yes, sir, Wade responded.

Theyd be wrong? Sadow asked.

Theyd be wrong, Wade responded.

Wade also testified last week that he had never spent the night at the condo where Willis was living, and Willis confirmed that. The investigators statement says that on two occasions  one in mid-September 2021 and one in late November 2021  the data show that Wades phone appears to have arrived in the area where Willis lived late at night and remained there until early morning.

In their filing, Willis' team said the records do nothing more than demonstrate that Special Prosecutor Wade's telephone was located somewhere within a densely populated multiple-mile radius where various residences, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and other businesses are located.

They do not prove the content of communications between Willis and Wade or that Wade was ever at any particular location, the filing says. They also don't prove that Wade and Willis were ever in the same place at any of the times listed, including during times when Willis was known to be elsewhere, it says.

A motion filed by Trump co-defendant Michael Roman alleges that Willis paid Wade large sums of money for his work and then benefited personally when he then used some of that money to pay for vacations. During a hearing last week, a former Willis friend and employee testified that she saw the two kissing and hugging before Wade's hiring.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee held a two-day evidentiary hearing last week on motions by Roman and others to disqualify Willis and her office from the case. He has scheduled arguments on the matter for March 1.

Willis and Wade both testified during last week's hearing that they did not begin dating until early 2022, after Wade had already been hired as special prosecutor. They also both said that they shared travel expenses and that Willis reimbursed Wade in cash for money he spent on trips.

Mittelstadt wrote that he used a tool called CellHawk to analyze the data received from Wade's cellphone carrier. He said he focused on geolocation activity near the address of the condo where Willis had been living by creating a very conservative geofence, which isolated the two cell towers in closest proximity to this address."

He said the geofence was used to conduct an assessment of whether Wade's phone had ever connected to those two towers and to eliminate any hits that could have happened during routine travel on nearby interstates. He wrote that the report included only occasions when the phone was connected for an extended period.

Mittelstadt's statement also says that the analysis revealed more than 2,000 voice calls and just under 12,000 interactions between Willis and Wade during the first 11 months of 2021, with a prevalence of calls made in the evening hours."

Wade testified that they met during a judicial conference in October 2019 and spoke often beginning in 2020. Wade wrote in a sworn statement filed with the court that he served on Willis' transition team after she was elected district attorney in November 2020. In the spring of 2021, Willis asked him and two other attorneys to help her find a lawyer to lead the election investigation before ultimately tapping him for the job, he wrote.
Two Republican members of the Central Bucks school board volleyed a barrage of ethical and legal violations against the Democrat majority, the district solicitor and its acting superintendent in now-public resignation letters.

Many of the claims spelled out in the letters expand on claims Lisa Sciscio and Debra Cannon, who represented Central Bucks regions 4 and 7, respectively, broached during the school board meeting on Feb. 13.

The two abruptly resigned that night. Their written resignations include a lengthy list of at-times vague accusations and of fraud and unethical practices.

School board President Karen Smith, in an email statement Thursday, said the letters contain false accusations and misleading statements.

Lisa Sciscio, Central Bucks School Board

Debra Cannon, Central Bucks School Board member

There are allegations about corruption and liability in these letters. I want to reassure our community that we take our responsibility to our students and our community extremely seriously and these allegations are false, Smith wrote.

Special meeting scheduled: Central Bucks board to vote Friday on Sciscio, Cannon resignations

Smith had confirmed earlier this week that the two handed in their resignation letters and those documents were published Thursday morning in an agenda for a special meeting on Friday, where the board will vote to accept Sciscios and Cannons departures.

Here is what we know now about some of the claims the former board members made.

Sunshine Act violations and conflicts of interests

In their letters, both Sciscio and Cannon echo recent public comments and claims from a civil lawsuit filed against the district in January that the board violated the Sunshine Act multiple times, including when it hired attorney David Conn, of Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams, LLP, as district solicitor at a Dec. 4 meeting.

During the Feb. 13 meeting, Sciscio referenced a Nov. 29 letter that she said included Smith telling the board minority that the transitional board intended to hire Conn.

At the meeting, she argued that decision was a Sunshine Act violation.

In a different email, also dated Nov. 29, filed as an exhibit in the district's response to that civil Sunshine Act lawsuit, Smith wrote that the incoming board majority "plan to retain" Conn. The email also referenced an attachment that Smith wrote was the proposed contract with Conn.

More: Central Bucks board set to reorganize. What to expect Monday

The email was sent to then-Acting Superintendent Charles Malone requesting several items, including Conn's nomination, be added to the Dec. 4 agenda. The board's former leadership denied the request.

The message from Smith doesn't appear to be a Sunshine Act violation, said Melissa Melewsky, a recognized expert in the Pennsylvania Open Records law and staff counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.

The Sunshine Act only applies if theres a quorum deliberating agency business, Melewsky said earlier this week. It doesnt appear that a quorum of board members was involved because at least a few of them were elected, but not yet sworn into office.

Melewsky added that unsworn officials deliberating on business in private, while not a violation of the law, is ill-advised for newly elected officials to make their first steps into office by skirting transparency laws.

Sciscio also said there was a conflict of interest between Smith and board members Dana Foley and Heather Reynolds because they hired Conn to represent them in an election recount that occurred in November.

More: Heres why a Riegelsville woman jumped into the Delaware River last month, sparking search

Cannon added that the three should have recused themselves from voting to hire Conn at the Dec. 4 meeting and alleged that Conn's hiring as solicitor was a "quid pro quo" for his representing three Democrats in the recount challenge.

An email to the Pennsylvania Attorney Disciplinary Board with questions about the issues Cannon raised was not immediately answered Thursday evening.

The boards code of professional conduct describes a conflict arising when an attorney takes on a client in a matter that could have an adverse affect on another client.

There is no evidence of a quid pro quo with Mr. Conn, Smith said Thursday. A lawyer can previously have performed pro bono work for an individual before they become a client. Additionally, the district is the client here, not any individual board member.

Legal liabilities and obstructionism

Cannon and Sciscio say the reasons for their resignations revolve around highbinding, corruption, and ethical violations that could create personal liability against each individual board director.

The letters reference discussions of executive sessions, which are meetings officials are allowed to hold behind closed doors for limited reasons. Information discussed in those sessions is generally not accessible through records requests.

In her statement responding to the allegations, Smith stated that she was legally limited to providing responses to much of what was in the letters. But she did push back at blanket statements that the board is inviting lawsuits or excluding the three minority members from some discussions.

More: Central Bucks LGBTQ students, allies protest over teacher suspension, removal of Pride flags and bullying

During their tenure in the board majority, Mrs. Sciscio and Mrs. Cannon routinely withheld information from the board minority. They ignored legal warnings on their intended votes from the ACLU, Education Law Center, NAACP, American Library Association and other organizations. Their actions resulted in a federal investigation by the Office of Civil Rights and multiple lawsuits. Their actions caused these lawsuits they are now accusing us of mishandling, Smith said.

The board will meet to vote on accepting their resignations Friday in the meeting room at 16 Welden Drive, Doylestown.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks publishes scathing resignation letters from GOP members
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  Pharmacies across the nation are struggling to fill some prescriptions with a network outage of a key software.

Carle confirmed its pharmacies are affected by the service outage.

All Carle retail pharmacies in the Champaign-Urbana area are temporarily unable to process prescriptions due to a vendor, Optum Change Healthcares, network connectivity issues, a statement from Carle reads. These issues are causing delays at pharmacies across the country and disruption is expected to last through the day. It may be possible to transfer urgently needed prescriptions to another pharmacy. Contact your local Carle Health pharmacy if you need immediate service.

Cybersecurity issue disrupting some pharmacies

Other local pharmacies affected Thursday by Change Healthcares outage include Danvilles Polyclinic Pharmacy and Hudsons Drug and Hallmark Shop. Both of those pharmacies later had their services restored.

In a statement to WCIAs sister station KDVR, United Healthcare, Change Healthcares parent company, said the network interruption is specific to Change.

UnitedHealth Group identified a suspected nation-state associated cyber security threat actor had gained access to some of the Change Healthcare information technology systems, UnitedHealth wrote in its statement. The Company has retained leading security experts, is working with law enforcement and notified customers, clients and certain government agencies.

If youre unsure if your pharmacy is impacted, call ahead before picking up a prescription.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
The 19-year-old Florida man who vandalized the LGBTQ crosswalk in Delray Beach earlier this month is becoming a hero among Donald-Trump-supporting political activists.

Delray Beach police arrested Dylan Brewer of Clearwater after surveillance cameras recorded video of his Dodge Ram pickup truck making multiple burnout runs over the gay-pride mural on the downtown crosswalk at Northeast First Street and Northeast Second Avenue.

The tires on the teenagers vehicle marred the multi-colored mural with black tracks. Brewers truck was later identified by video images of his license plate and the large Trump flag flying from the back of the vehicle.

Police charged Brewer with felony criminal mischief and reckless driving after defacing the $17,000 painted mural, which was paid for by Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Dylan Brewer of Clearwater is accused of using his vehicle to perform multiple burnouts on the "Pride Intersection" on February 4, 2024, in Delray Beach, Florida.

More: Pride street mural defaced again in Delray Beach; 19-year-old to face criminal charges

Its not the first time this has happened. And the circumstances are eerily similar.

Three years ago, shortly after the mural was installed, Alexander Jerich, a 20-year-old Lantana-area man took a detour while participating in a Trump vehicle parade, to deface the mural with a tire burnout.

Jerich was also flying a Trump flag from his pickup truck at the time.

A man rides his scooter past the damage done to a LGBTQ Pride intersection and crosswalk that a driver vandalized in Delray Beach, Florida on June 18, 2021. Alexander Jerich, 20, was charged with criminal mischief over $1,000, reckless driving and evidence of prejudice (felony enhancement).

Jerich eventually pleaded guilty to the identical charges in the current case and was sentenced to two years probation, community service and to writing of a 25-page essay about the mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando.

Jerich was contrite and tearful at his sentencing.

Alexander Jerich enters court on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer sentenced him to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service for defacing the Delray Beach gay pride crosswalk in June 2021.

Ive had problems in the past with fitting in, Jerich told the judge. I was just trying to fit in and be accepted.

Brewers case is still pending, but unlike Jerich, he has drawn some powerful political allies on the right who want him to fight the charges by claiming he has a First Amendment right to vandalize the LGBTQ mural in Delray Beach.

One poster photo-shopped Brewers head on the body of Superman.

GiveSendGo, an online site that purports to share the hope of Jesus through crowdfunding is trying to raise $100,000 in donations for Brewers legal defense.

This fund not only supports Brewer's legal defense but also champions the fundamental American values of freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial, the site says in urging donations for Brewer. By contributing, you stand for the principles that underpin our democracy, advocating for a balanced and just examination of the case.

GiveSendGos other fundraising efforts have included campaigns to support election denier, Mike My Pillow Lindell, teenage shooter Kyle Rittenhouse and the Freedom Convoy 2022, a trucker blockade protesting COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates.

One of the big contributors to the fund for Brewer is Tim Pool, who gave $10,000 earlier this week.

Pool is a nationally influential Trump-supporting political journalist with more than 1.4 million YouTube followers and a big footprint on other social media platforms.

Pool, who has been a White House guest during the Trump Administration, was singled out as one of the top 21 super-spreaders of misinformation during the last presidential election.

He is among a small group of online influencers responsible for the most frequent and most impactful misinformation campaigns during that election, according to the Election Integrity Partnership, a non-partison research coalition.

In the Delray Beach vandalism case, Pool is telling his legions of followers that Brewer is being unfairly prosecuted for defacing the LGBTQ mural, which he demeans.

He was charged with a felony for burning out as he turned while driving over a cultist flag painting, Pool wrote.

The donors echo complaints of unfair prosecution mixed with their disdain for LGBTQ people.

More people need to keep burning out until the alphabet sign is removed completely from the road! one donor wrote.

Many claimed Brewer has a Constitutional right to deface the mural.

What Brewer did is protected under the First Amendment. It is a violation of Brewers civil rights to prosecute him in this case, one donor wrote.

Yet burning the flag is freedom of speech? wrote another.

Heres the problem with all this.

Its within the bounds of reason to debate the severity of the charge.

You could argue that the vandalism charge might better be charged as a misdemeanor, rather than a felony. Or conversely, you could reasonably argue that the charge should have been elevated to a more serious hate crime rather than a simple felony as was done here.

But its not within the bounds of reason to say that no crime was committed here because we all have a Constitutional right to destroy other peoples property.

As for the American flag argument: Yes, if you burn your own American flag, thats protected speech. But if you burn somebody elses American flag, thats a property crime.

Or to put it another way: Vandalism isnt protected free speech. And when that vandalism is directed at a marginalized group, as it was in this case, its even less defensible, and certainly not sharing the hope of Jesus with anybody.

(Why is it that those who proclaim the loudest that they are doing the work of Jesus are often the most un-Christ-like in their words and actions?)

More: Cerabino: Why Donald Trump has Taylor Swift to fear in Florida

More: Frank Cerabino TikTok: Imagine debate between Trump and DeSantis over their COVID response

Its all pathetic, and an ominous prelude to this election year.

These efforts to turn Brewer into a Trump-supporting martyr and hero speaks to a brutish, bigoted arrogance  a might-makes-right, post-rule-of-law society where ignorance is virtue and compassion is evil.

Or as Rand Hoch, the president and founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, told me:

People with Trump flags think they have the right to destroy other peoples property.

Frank Cerabino is a news columnist with The Palm Beach Post, which is part of the Gannett Newspapers chain.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Turning Delray Beach LGBTQ crosswalk vandalism into valid free speech?
Owners like Jean Stephenson say they do not believe their chalets should be classed as second homes

Chalet owners could have a 50% council tax discount reinstated after officials backed the move.

For several decades until last year, owners in Allonby were given the discount in part because their properties could not be accessed in the winter.

But it was removed from the 42 chalets after the dissolution of Allerdale Council in 2023.

Now Cumberland Council officials have voted in favour to bring the reduction back from April, with a final decision to be taken next month.

The discount is included in the proposed budget for 2024/25, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But the council is also waiting on government guidance about the future of its proposal to apply a 100% council tax premium on second homes in the area from 2025.

Owners in the dark

The Conservative MP for Workington Mark Jenkinson said it is unclear if Allonby residents will face a major council tax hike in 2025 because the chalets are classed as second homes.

Mark Blacklock, a member of the Allonby Chalet Owners campaign group, said we dont know where we stand when it comes to the 2025/2026 financial year.

Cumberland Council said: "The proposed budget for 2024/25 does include the reinstatement of a 50% discount for those Class A properties that are second homes and have seasonal occupancy clauses.

"This budget will be considered on 6 March at council.

"In its consultation document, the government did indicate that these properties would remain exempt from the second-home premium, but we, like all councils, are still awaiting the guidance to see the detail on this."

Mr Blacklock said the group understood the problem facing the region with empty second homes and the need for a council tax premium for these properties.

Were not doing that  were there a lot of the year  using local pubs, cafes, builders, joiners, he said.

The owners previously said their chalets are too be basic to be considered second homes.

Last year, chalet owner Jean Stephenson told the BBC that if the second home premium was applied, annual bills could rise to more than 2,000 and force many to abandon their properties.

"They're not permanent homes. They're sub-standard," she said.

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PONTIAC, Mich. (AP)  A judge on Thursday denied a change of venue request made by the father of a Michigan school shooter in his involuntary manslaughter case.

James Crumbley wanted jurors from a different county to hear the case, arguing that he could not get a fair trial because of widespread publicity and his wifes recent conviction.

Jennifer Crumbley trial: Jury convicts Michigan school shooters mother of involuntary manslaughter

They have been clearly convicted in the court of public opinion, defense lawyer Mariell Lehman said in a court filing Feb. 14.

Its unusual in Michigan to change the location of a trial or to bring in jurors from another county.

James Crumbley, 47, is accused of making a gun accessible to Ethan Crumbley and failing to get mental health care for his son.

The 15-year-old killed four students and wounded more during a mass shooting at Oxford High School in 2021.

Jury selection in the fathers Oakland County trial is scheduled for March 5.

Jennifer Crumbley, 45, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter on Feb. 6 and is awaiting her sentence. Ethan Crumbley, who is now 17, pleaded guilty to murder and terrorism and is serving a life prison sentence with no chance for no parole.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Charles Darwin's copy of Das Kapital, given to him by its author Karl Marx, is back on display at his former south-east London home after a restoration.

Marx gave Darwin a copy of his book in 1873, inscribed: "On the part of his sincere admirer, Karl Marx".

But the book remained largely unread by Darwin, curators at his home, Down House, say.

They think the book brings an "amusing insight into the dynamics between these two prominent intellectuals".

German-born Karl Marx is best known for The Communist Manifesto but in Das Kapital he argues the exploitation of labour is the driving force of Capitalism.

Charles Darwin (left) and Karl Marx (right) were key thinkers of the 19th Century

Meanwhile English naturalist and biologist Charles Darwin developed the Theory of Evolution, arguing species change over time through natural selection.

But the condition of Darwin's copy of Das Kapital has made curators question the men's relationship. Most of the book's pages remained uncut, said a spokesperson for English Heritage, which runs Darwin's home at Downe, near Orpington.

Before industrial printing became a common practice in mid-20th Century book-binding, a book's pages were often joined by a fold at the top of the page and, in order to read the book, the fold had to be sliced.

Dr Tessa Kilgarriff, curator of collections and interiors at English Heritage, said: "The uncut pages, and lack of customary pencil marks, suggest Darwin was less enamoured with Marx's writing - or, quite possibly, that his German simply wasn't up to scratch."

Darwin's son, the late Francis Darwin, agreed that his dad struggled with the German language.

He noticed his father's German books contained fewer scribbled notes, ideas, and annotations. "He would say that his only way was to read a sentence a great many times over, and at last the meaning occurred to him," he once said.

However, while thanking Marx for the gift, Darwin suggested his lack of political understanding could have been the reason for the book's unread condition: "I heartily wish that I was more worthy to receive it, by understanding more of the deep and important subject of political economy."

The book was last on show in 2017, before being removed from display when curators noticed it was deteriorating.

Cambridge University Library restored the book, repairing small tears on the cover and fixing the deteriorating spine by applying tissue and an adhesive.

Dr Kilgarriff added: "We are pleased that this fragile volume has now been preserved and many more people will have the chance to enjoy it for years to come."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
A Charlotte activist stood with protesters along Monroe Road last Saturday to confront who they thought represented a repressive foreign regime.

The crux of the dispute centered around an Eritrean cultural event held in the area that protesters believed was a celebration of the Eritrean government.

Helen, an activist of Eritrean descent living in Charlotte who did not provide her last name out of concern for relatives still in the country, said she and other protesters wanted to openly oppose the East African nation after learning online that the event would be held in the city. The countrys president, Isaias Afwerki, who has been in power since 1993, is a dictator, they say.

We have been advocating and speaking for our people who dont have a voice, Helen told The Charlotte Observer. Anyone who questions the government there gets arrested, imprisoned, or killed.

We are against these (Eritrean political) events because these events are illegal. The regime is still trying to oppress people.

Monroe Road became the site of an international political clash that drew a reported crowd of 200 people and led to violence and eight arrests by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. Those jailed were charged with impeding traffic, inciting a riot and assaulting a police officer.

An unknown number of protesters were treated at the scene for injuries related to pepper spray used to disperse the crowd. CMPD reported that a tractor-trailer was set on fire.

Police in riot gear confront protesters on Monroe Road Saturday, Feb. 17. The protest targeted a group of people participating in an Eritrean cultural festival.

And while Mecklenburg County is home to 1,340 Eritrean people, a majority of the 2,380 who live in North Carolina, its not the only place where these kinds of protests are occurring.

A similar situation occurred last week in the Netherlands, Sky News reported. There, two rival groups clashed as loyalists to Eritreas government held a meeting in a venue that was attacked. Similar incidents have occurred recently at festivals in Canada, Sweden and Germany. In January, protests erupted in Indianapolis ahead of a planned Eritrean celebration of the new year.

At a violent demonstration in Israel last September, opposition groups vowed to continue disrupting pro-Eritrean government festivals.

The conflict at Saturdays gathering highlighted the deep divide among members of the Eritrean diaspora  those who remain close to the government and those who have fled and strongly oppose Afwerki.

Illustrative of that ideological separation is Kevin Kash, an Eritrean who moved to Charlotte 32 years ago to attend UNC Charlotte and was part of the celebration. He said the group was neither celebrating the Afwerki-led government nor had any ties to it.

Instead, Kash and others gathered to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Eritrean War of Independence military victory fought in Massawa along the Red Sea in 1990 against the Ethiopian army, he said.

Kash, who said he was kicked and spit on by protesters carrying sticks with nails and told to get out and get away on Saturday, said he respected those who disagree with the current Eritrean government. But violence will only sow even more discord.

You can criticize the government and the issues at hand, said Kash, who said he doesnt support repression but simply pride in his country. We can debate politically. Please tell me your ideas. If they (protesters) care about democracy, why did they deny my democratic right to assemble?

Eritrean government committed inhumane acts

There is a widespread belief by Eritrean refugees, who fled the country for Europe and other western nations, that the celebratory festivals involving partying, dancing and comedy shows are a front to finance the government and promote political propaganda.

Human Rights Watch, a group that investigates and reports on global abuses, says Eritreas government subjects its population to widespread repression, including widespread forced labor and conscription, staunch restrictions on freedom of expression, opinion, and faith, and restricting independent scrutiny by international monitors.

Eritrea, which gained independence from Ethiopia in 1991, has been dubbed by human rights groups as the North Korea of Africa. In 2016, a report by the United Nations Human Rights Council found reasonable grounds to believe the Afwerki regime committed crimes against humanity.

Eritrean officials have engaged in a persistent, widespread, and systematic attack against the countrys civilian population, the report stated. They have committed, and continue to commit, the crimes of enslavement, imprisonment, enforced disappearance, torture, other inhumane acts, persecution, rape and murder.

Understand why people would travel to Charlotte

Charlotte police deployed pepper spray to disperse 200 people at an unlawful protest at a cultural festival on private property off Monroe Road on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Human Rights Watch says as many as half a million of Eritreas 5 million people fled the country since the Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice took power.

John Stauffer, president of Pennsylvania-based nonprofit The American Team for Displaced Eritreans, told the Observer that protests and festivals often happen in cities because thats where Eritrean nationals live.

You can understand why people would travel to Charlotte to demonstrate, Stauffer said.

Even though Helen says shes received threats since Saturday, there is comfort in speaking freely without government consequences. In America and elsewhere, she says, Eritreans can enjoy fundamental human rights not afforded to them in their home country.

It is the American dream, said Helen, whose parents moved from Eritrea to Charlotte more than 30 years ago. You cant even speak to your family members in that country about the government.

NC Reality Check reflects the Charlotte Observers commitment to holding those in power to account, shining a light on public issues that affect our local readers and illuminating the stories that set the Charlotte area and North Carolina apart. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@charlotteobserver.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  The Town of Cheektowaga announced Friday it is lifting its overnight winter parking ban effective immediately.

Residents are asked, in the event of significant snow, to remove their vehicles from streets to allow plows to get through.

The parking ban was put into place on Dec. 1 after originally being delayed.

The Town of Tonawanda and City of Buffalo also lifted winter parking regulations in recent days due to favorable weather.

Latest Local News

Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
CHICAGO  Chicago police have issued an alert after a man explosed himself near an elementary school on the citys West Side.

According to the alert, the incident happened around 9:20 a.m. on Feb. 7 in the 3800 block of West 16th Street. Police said the victim was walkinig to school when they observed the man making a U-turn on the street.

As the victim walked passed the vehicle, they observed the man masturbating.

This incident was captured on Police Observation Device (POD) camera.

Police describe the man as being between 30 to 40 years old and driving a gray 2018 Chevrolet Equinox.

16-year-old facing reckless homicide after 6-month-old boy killed in West Side crash

Anyone with information is urged to contact Bureau of Detectives  Area Four at (312) 746-8251.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
And the sooner you accept it, the faster we can change it. By now, the world knows the Chiefs fourth Super Bowl celebration was violently interrupted when gunmen open fire, killing one and injuring two dozen more. The general consensus from those shown in the media is, This is not Kansas City. While I understand the sentiment, the reality is, violence is most assuredly Kansas City  albeit, not the totality or the best, but it certainly is Kansas City.

Each year, our community produces roughly 1,000 victims  by homicide, non-fatal shootings, property damage, drive-bys and a host of other events. It is Kansas City and has been a part of our culture and community dating back four decades.

Now that I have your attention, my name is Branden Mims and I am the pastor of Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ. I have worked in our community with various agencies for the last decade. I have held grieving mothers back from crossing the yellow tape as their children have been senselessly snatched from them. Unfortunately, the scene I just described happened more than 180 times last year alone.

Even the shooting at the Super Bowl parade was not the first of its kind. Just four years ago, 15 people were injured and two died at the 9ine Ultra Lounge, where they were celebrating the Chiefs win over the Tennessee Titans to the advance to the Super Bowl. How about 2013, when Kyle Van Winkle was beaten to death in the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot? The Jackson County prosecutor called his death a series of incredibly tragic events. Unfortunately, most days in Kansas City consist of a series of incredibly tragic events.

While violence has cast a huge shadow over Kansas Citys past, it does not have to shape its future. I have a profound appreciation for whats being done to help heal the wounds of those affected by the Chiefs rally shooting. However, Im writing to appeal to you for those who will be killed or injured tonight or tomorrow. Those whose names will not be highlighted on the world stage. They deserve our full attention as well. I write to you on behalf of the mother or father who lost their child at 40th and Olive, or at 36th and Askew.

I urge all Kansas Citians to get involved with violence prevention organizations. Lets solve this problem together.

Branden A. Mims is senior pastor of Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ in Kansas City.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China aims to "contain" foreign interference over Taiwan and "resolutely combat" any efforts towards the island's formal independence this year, which is the sensitive 75th anniversary of the founding of communist China, state media said on Friday.

China views democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, ignoring the objections of the government in Taipei, and has ramped up political and military pressure to assert those claims.

Taiwan last month elected current Vice President Lai Ching-te as its next president, a man Beijing has called a dangerous separatist. Lai, who takes office in May, has repeatedly offered talks with China but has been rebuffed.

China's official Xinhua news agency said the ruling Communist Party's fourth-ranked leader, Wang Huning, held a two-day meeting on this year's Taiwan-related work which ended on Friday.

Wang said that with this year being the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China it was "necessary to do a good job on Taiwan-related work with a high sense of responsibility and mission", Xinhua said.

China "must resolutely combat the division of Taiwan independence, contain interference from external forces, firmly support the patriotic and reunification forces on the island, unite Taiwan compatriots, and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait", it cited Wang as saying.

In China's terminology, interference from external forces generally covers areas such as U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and visits to Taipei by foreign officials and lawmakers.

Xinhua said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also head of the party's foreign affairs commission and director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office from 2008 to 2013, attended the meeting.

Taiwan's government says China has no right to claim to represent the island's people on the international stage and that as the People's Republic of China has never ruled Taiwan its sovereignty claims are void.

Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic in Beijing on Oct. 1, 1949, after a bloody civil war.

The defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan at the end of 1949, and that remains the island's formal name.

Neither government recognises the other.

(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
A state-linked Chinese hacking group drew up a hit-list of nearly 20 UK targets, including the Foreign Office and the Department for Exiting the European Union, a data leak has revealed.

The raft of British government departments, think tanks and rights organisations were found to have been selected for potential cyber intrusions in a massive trove of documents leaked from I-Soon, a private Shanghai-based security contractor that has ties to Chinas ministry of public security.

Whether any of the British institutions were hacked has not been confirmed, but the documents claim the company was successful in many other cases, including their retrieval of a large database of the road network of Taiwan, which China threatens to invade.

The full list of UK ministries named by the hackers included the Foreign Office, the Home Office, the Treasury, the Department for Exiting the European Union, the National Crime Agency and the departments for business, education, environment, transport and health.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Whitehall was among 20 UK entities said to be on a list of targets for Chinese cyber attacks - Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Human rights groups targeted

Think tanks and human rights groups, such as Chatham House, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Center for Foreign Policy Studies, RAND Europe, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch were also mentioned.

A screenshot of a conversation between Boss Lu, an apparent fixer for a client in Chongqing, and an I-Soon employee revealed that the Foreign Office was a priority for an unnamed party.

The pair discuss how an I-Soon team has detected a zero day vulnerability in the Foreign Offices system, referring to an undiscovered flaw that could allow clandestine intrusion.

The team said they have found a zero day that they can guarantee to get [info]. The result can be out in two weeks, says the staff member, asking if the client can give a payment up front.

Boss Lu says an advance will be difficult but that they can discuss a future budget.

Unprecedented insight in state-backed hacking

The Foreign Office declined to comment on the matter.

The highly unusual leak of files from I-Soon last weekend offers unprecedented insight into the secretive world of Chinas state-backed hackers-for-hire, who are contracted to exploit software vulnerabilities that expose sensitive information.

Analysts say the anonymous leak, which includes hundreds of pages of contracts, marketing presentations, product manuals and private online conversations, gives a valuable insight into the countrys growing cyber espionage industry.

The majority of the contracts shown in the documents are linked to Chinas ministry of public security and some have been signed by the countrys ministry of state security spy agency.

Chinese police were investigating the breach and, according to the i newspaper, UK intelligence agencies were urgently verifying and analysing the documents to check their authenticity and fix any weaknesses in UK infrastructure.

American infrastructure

US officials, who have repeatedly warned about cyber attacks, are also reported to be scouring the files. In January, Christopher Wray, the FBI director, warned that Chinese hackers were positioning on American infrastructure to wreak havoc if or when China decided to strike.

Christopher Wray, the FBI Director, has warned that Chinese hackers could 'wreak havoc' on American infrastructure - JULIA NIKHINSON/AFP

I-Soon, known as Anxun in Mandarin, has not publicly commented, but two anonymous employees confirmed the data dump and the subsequent investigation to the Associated Press. The companys website was taken down on Tuesday.

The Telegraph has asked the companys chief executive, reported to be a member of Chinas first hacktivist group, for comment.

An analysis of more than 570 files by The Washington Post did not find data extracted from Chinese hacking operations but lists, targets and summaries of sample data amounts extracted and details about whether the hackers obtained full or partial control of foreign systems.

One spreadsheet lists more than 80 overseas targets that hackers claim to have breached, including immigration data from India and a collection of call logs from South Koreas LG Uplus telecom provider. The documents also show apparent I-Soon hacking of networks across Central and Southeast Asia.

Foreign governments

At least 20 foreign governments, such as Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia and Afghanistan are named as targets and some data reveals surveillance methods used against dissidents from Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet, including those who are exiled abroad.

In one chat record, two employees discuss hacking Nato targets before deciding its too difficult.

The source of the leak is not known but the data is deemed credible by cyber experts. It was first posted on GitHub and spotted and shared by a Taiwanese security researcher known as Azaka.

The leak shows insight into what generally these people are targeting and interested in, Azaka said.

The leaked data also confirmed how the Chinese groups work, what tools they have at their disposal and the malware they were using, Azaka added.

Cyber attackers linked to Chinese state

The leak also gives us an insight as to how the threat groups work - in the sense that the workers do, in fact, work at a company that is then contracted by the MPS [Ministry of Public Security] to do the dirty work, instead of these attackers being directly hired by the government.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday she was not aware of the leak, but as a principle, China firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyber attacks in accordance with the law.

A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in London said: China is a major victim of cyber attacks, adding that it used lawful methods to tackle all forms of cyber intrusions.

China does not encourage, support or condone attacks launched by hackers. We oppose any groundless smears and accusations against China, he said.

Keeping cyberspace safe is a global challenge. We hope relevant parties adopt a constructive and responsible stance and work with China to protect cyber security.

A Chatham House spokesman said the organisation was naturally concerned but had protection measures, such as technology-based safeguards, in place, and it took data and information security extremely seriously.

In the current climate we, along with many other organisations, are the target of regular attempted attacks from both state and non-state actors, the spokesman added.

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.
"Sunning of the Buddha" ceremony held in NW China monastery

Xinhua) 08:18, February 23, 2024

Monks carry a huge Thangka painting bearing the image of the Buddha during the annual "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

LANZHOU, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 40,000 believers and visitors from home and abroad attended a grand Tibetan Buddhist event, known as the "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony, held Thursday at Labrang Monastery in northwest China's Gansu Province.

Some 100 lamas carried a huge thangka scroll bearing the image of the Buddha from the scripture hall to a nearby hill, followed by devout Buddhists as well as visitors.

The thangka was unveiled at around 11 a.m. on the hillside for believers to worship. Believers and tourists presented hadas, or white ceremonial scarves, to the scroll to pray for good luck.

The event ended about half an hour later.

Zhou Guangping, a photography enthusiast from south China's Guangdong Province, attended the event.

"Having heard my friends talk about the spectacular 'sunning of the Buddha' event at Labrang Monastery, I made a special trip here just to record this grand festival with my camera, experience the Tibetan folk culture, and hope that it will bring my family safety and happiness," Zhou said.

The annual event is one of the most important ceremonies at Labrang Monastery, one of the six great temples of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was built in 1709 and serves as a top Tibetan Buddhism educational institution in China.

The event is held each year on the 13th day of the first lunar month. It is not only a grand festival for Buddhists, but also a platform to showcase the unique Tibetan culture and customs to tourists.

An equestrian team leads way for a parade during the annual "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Monks carry a huge Thangka painting bearing the image of the Buddha during the annual "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Fang Xin)

Monks prepare to uncover the large yellow curtain on a huge Thangka painting bearing the image of the Buddha during the annual "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

This photo taken on Feb. 22, 2024 shows a scene of the annual "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Fang Xin)

A Tibetan girl poses for photos after the annual "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Fang Xin)

Monks carry a huge Thangka painting bearing the image of the Buddha during the annual "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Fang Xin)

This photo taken on Feb. 22, 2024 shows a scene of the annual "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Fang Xin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A Columbus man charged with murder after a shooting that occurred 17 years ago faced a judge Friday afternoon.

A Franklin County Common Pleas judge issued a $1 million bond for 50-year-old DeShawne Stewart, who is indicted on two counts of murder with firearm specifications. According to Columbus police, Stewart allegedly shot Wendell Davis on July 8, 2006, on South James Road in Eastmoor.

Police officers, prisoner injured after cruiser T-boned by suspected drunk driver

DeShawne Stewart (Courtesy/Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

Davis, 51, suffered a catastrophic wound when he was 33 years old and was confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. He died on May 19, 2023, nearly 17 years later. On May 23 a Franklin County Coroner completed an autopsy and ruled Daviss death a homicide.

An investigation led to the indictment of Stewart on Feb. 4 and two days later a warrant was issued for his arrest. A SWAT team placed Stewart in custody Feb. 19 and took him to Franklin County Jail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Staff members at Frank del Olmo Elementary were puzzled when I asked about the schools namesake.

His name was all around us, after all. On the fanciful mural of books, a falcon (the school mascot), a quill pen and ink well with the slogan Make a Difference in the World. On school T-shirts advertised for sale on banners in English and Spanish hanging from a fence. On the framed, fancy city proclamation signed in 2006 by then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to mark the opening of this boxy, two-story, three-acre school on the edge of Historic Filipinotown.

But I couldnt find much that told the world who Frank del Olmo was. A trailblazing reporter, columnist and editor for the Los Angeles Times. The first Latino on the papers masthead. A founding member of the California Chicano News Media Assn. An inductee into the National Assn. of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame. A longtime champion of the oppressed, and a burr to the powerful.

I visited Frank del Olmo Elementary on Tuesday to pay my respects, a day after the 20th anniversary of his death from a heart attack at just 55 outside his office at the old downtown Times headquarters, which drew condolences from then Mexican President Vicente Fox and Nobel Prize laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez. At Del Olmos funeral, then-Times editor John Carroll told an audience of nearly 900 that the paper and Los Angeles would always remember Del Olmo.

We didnt.

Read more: Times Editor Was a Voice for Latinos

The only hint of Del Olmos accomplishments I could find was on that mural facing Vermont Avenue. Under his name was the word journalist. The inkwell bore a faint outline of the Pulitzer Prize medal, which he and other staffers won in 1984 for a pioneering series on Latinos in Southern California.

I thought Id find more at the schools entrance, where two plaques were bolted on columns. Nope. One plaque commemorated the Americanization of Godzilla, which took place in 1956 when footage was filmed here for the English-language version of the monster classic. The other saluted the firm that finished building the school, more than a year behind schedule.

A secretary then remembered that there was something scratched out on the sidewalk just in front of the attendance office. I briskly walked outside. A concrete slab bore the name of Frank del Olmo Elementarys founding principal and imprints of his hands.

A mural at Frank del Olmo Elementary in Los Angeles. The school is named after the pioneering Times journalist, who died in 2004 at age 55 while on the job (Gustavo Arellano / Los Angeles Times)

Del Olmo never entered the public consciousness like his predecessor, Ruben Salazar, the Times columnist killed in 1970 by a tear gas canister fired by a Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy during the Chicano Moratorium in East Los Angeles. Del Olmo's work barely registers in journalism schools today. This paper long ago ended its Frank del Olmo Impact Award for a high school newspaper whose work made a difference in the community. One of the only traces of him in the journalism world is a scholarship in his name from CCNMA: Latino Journalists of California. A friend had to remind me that Monday marked 20 years since Del Olmo's death, and then I had to remind colleagues.

Obsolescence is sadly the fate of most reporters. We write our stories, we hope for a reaction from readers that often doesn't come, we move on to the next article. Our clips inevitably gather literal and digital dust, remembered only by a few. And that's a career.

Its a fate that Del Olmo doesnt deserve. He and the late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl are the only journalists with a Los Angeles Unified school named after them. Its because of Del Olmo that The Times has as many Latino reporters and editors as we do. He fought for representation in the newsroom and in our stories to the literal end of his life. On that day, Del Olmo was supposed to have lunch with Latino staffers to discuss how management could better support an initiative to cover Latinos, recalled former Times editor Frank Sotomayor and current Times editors Steve Padilla and Nancy Rivera Brooks.

We've never marked the anniversary of Del Olmo's death in the five years I've been here  not a Slack post, not a companywide email, nada. So I wasn't surprised that the school has forgotten as well. If theres little to mark Del Olmo's legacy at his namesake school and the paper where he worked, how can we expect the rest of the city to remember him?

Read more: Tears and Thanks for Frank del Olmo

Staff buzzed me back into the office. Waiting for me this time was second-year assistant principal Veronica Ciafone.

I didnt know who Frank del Olmo was before I transferred here, so I read all about him, the 45-year-old South L.A. native said as we walked across campus toward the library. Someone had mentioned they thought a Del Olmo marker was there. I wanted to understand why they would name a school after a person and not after a street.

Just inside the library entrance was a framed yellow poster featuring a black-and-white image of a smiling Del Olmo. My hope has been for a career that would allow [me] to make at least a small difference in the world, it stated in Spanish.

He died young, didn't he?" Ciafone said before asking the librarian if there was anything else. Nothing.

The lunch bell rang. I expected a rush of kids. I hoped to ask if they knew anything about Del Olmo. No one came.

Rainy day schedule, Ciafone said with a smile.

We walked back to her office, decorated with mementos from her career  photos, a small Chinese dragon, a USC pennant. She reached into her desk and pulled out a hardcover edition of Frank del Olmo: Commentaries on His Times, an anthology of his work published a few months after his death.

In college, we heard a lot about Ruben Salazar, but nothing about Frank del Olmo, she admitted. Even where I was before, I remember there was a Ruben Salazar scholarship.

Ciafone searched on her laptop. She showed me a flier for it.

Its unfortunate," said the daughter of Mexican immigrants, "because Frank del Olmos contributions to Latinos were obviously significant as well.

He was more than just a figurehead Latino, I responded. Del Olmo is pigeonholed as a Chicano voice  but he was an L.A. voice, period.

Frank del Olmo, in a black jacket in the back row, with members of The Times team that won the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. Bottom row, from left: David Reyes, Virginia Escalante, Louis Sahagun. Back row from left, George Ramos, Noel Greenwood, Frank Sotomayor, Del Olmo, Jose Galvez and Robert Montemayor. (Los Angeles Times)

He wrote about secession fights in his native San Fernando Valley and the rise of labor in city politics. He excoriated this paper for endorsing Pete Wilson's 1994 reelection after the California governor hitched his campaign to the noxious Proposition 187. Police brutality, civic corruption, even sports: Del Olmo covered it all in a taut, thorough style.

But his most beautiful columns, I told Ciafone, were those about his son, Frankie. Every December for a decade beginning in 1995, he told readers about Frankie's life with autism, starting from the boy's diagnosis at age 3. In a dispatch Del Olmo wrote two months before his death, he announced that "the two great gifts" he could give his son "are my presence and his privacy. And he shall have them both."

Ciafone browsed through some of those Frankie columns. Her eyes widened with each page. Then she reached the end, an excerpt from a homework assignment Frankie did about his father.

My dream is that I can be a great man like my dad, the assistant principal slowly read out loud, so I can do good things like he did.

She closed the book and dabbed at her eyes.

As we said our goodbyes, I asked if there was any chance that students might be able to learn more about Frank del Olmo. She thought about it. Were having Career Day in a few months, so it would be nice to honor him.

Are you going to have a reporter? I blurted out.

Ciafone grinned.

We can  would you like to come and tell our students about Frank del Olmo?

It would be my honor.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Altrusa International of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club again proudly present the annual Lunch 4 Literacy at the Oak Ridge High School. Tickets are now on sale for the event on Tuesday, March 19. Be making your plans now to attend and support this initiative for improving literacy in our communities.

Brendan Slocumb, author and musician, will be the speaker at the upcoming literacy event in Oak Ridge.

This year the lunch is a plate lunch and the amazing speaker will be there in person. Come at 11:30 a.m. to enjoy networking and get started with the excellent lunch and enjoy the outstanding speaker.

Amber Roberts, co-chair of the Lunch 4 Literacy Committee, said, I am continually inspired by our innovative educators and community leaders who find ways to mobilize the funds generated by the annual Lunch for Literacy to impact literacy in our area. There is no greater gift and no greater power than the ability to read. I look forward to this year's luncheon when we will highlight the amazing work done over the past year to empower the citizens of all ages of Anderson and Roane counties.

You will be proud to see what we have done last year as you will read below about the 19 projects you helped to support by your attendance and sponsorship of this annual luncheon.

Again, this year we have an outstanding author and accomplished musician, Brendan Slocumb. Let me tell you about him and the two books being featured. You may purchase copies and the author will sign them at the event.

'The Violin Conspiracy'

Published on Feb. 1, 2022, "The Violin Conspiracy" "has Ray McMillan, a young Black musician, learn that his grandfathers fiddle is a priceless Stradivarius. When it is stolen, Ray risks everything to get it back. Racism and the music world figure prominently in the coming-of-age novel.

'Symphony of Secrets'

Published on April 18, 2023, "Symphony of Secrets" is a mystery, thriller, historical fiction, and historical mystery. Bern Hendricks, a music professor, is tasked with restoring a lost symphony. The symphony's composer, Delaney, may have stolen music from Black Jazz Age prodigy Josephine Reed. The suspense and tension run high.

Who is the author and musician?

A biographical sketch from his website:

Brendan Nicholaus Slocumb was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in music education, concentrations on violin and viola. For the past two decades, he has been a public and private school music educator from kindergarten through 12th grade, teaching general music, orchestra, and guitar ensembles.

His students were often chosen for district and regional orchestras. In 2005, Brendan was named Teacher of the Year for Robert E. Lee High School; he has been named to Whos Who of American teachers and is a Nobel Teacher of distinction. Brendan also serves as an educational consultant for the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Music has always played a major part of Brendans life. He believes that its a life-saving force, and a gift we should always offer our children. When he was nine, he started playing violin through a public-school music program. Friends he grew up with are today sitting in jail; when they were out running the streets, he was in rehearsals. When they were breaking into peoples houses, he was practicing Dvorak and Mozart.

His violin opened the door to opportunity, and he ran through it. Since then, Brendan has performed with the Washington Metropolitan Symphony, the McLean Symphony, the Prince George's Philharmonic, and the Alexandria Symphony. He has served as the concertmaster for the NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra and regularly performs chamber music with members of the Alexandria Chamber Music Society.

He maintains a private music studio teaching lessons to students on violin, guitar and piano. Brendan believes that everyone can learn to appreciate and love music, and that it can be a new way of communicating, building bonds, and connecting with people who may look, sound, or speak differently.

In 2022, Brendan published his first novel, 'The Violin Conspiracy' (Anchor Books), a GMA ('Good Morning America') Book Club Pick, the riveting story of a young Black musician who discovers that his old family fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius: when its stolen on the eve of the worlds most prestigious classical music competition, he risks everything to get it back.

In 2023, Brendan published his second novel, 'Symphony of Secrets' (Anchor Books), about a music historian who discovers that the world's greatest composer may have stolen the music from a neurodivergent Black woman  and the powers-that-be will do anything to silence the historian. Brendan is now at work on his third novel, to be published in early 2025.

As you can see, this year is no exception for the annual Lunch 4 Literacy Luncheon as a nationally well-known, bestselling author is again featured. We return to our standard full meal lunch and in person speaker as well as the opportunity to purchase and read his books.

How the money raised is used

Thanks to the several faithful sponsoring organizations and the continuing support of attendees, more literacy grants are anticipated in 2024.

Altrusa and the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club recently announced the literacy grant awards for calendar year 2023. More than $27,000 was awarded for initiatives in Anderson and Roane counties to support literacy from early childhood through high school. The 19 awards are included below, however, some awards were similar in nature and are grouped in the bullets.

ADFAC (Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties) is receiving funds to help finance ADFACs School Supply Program that distributes backpacks and school supplies to children who might not get these supplies without this program.

The Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence in Oak Ridge is receiving money for books for students, teachers, and parents, plus child-size soft furnishings for classrooms.

Both Glenwood Elementary School and the Boys and Girls Club of the Clinch Valley (Oak Ridge) were awarded grants to supply books for their book vending machines that entice children with books as rewards they can receive for good school attendance and other achievements. The Boys and Girls Club grant will also help equip the club with bookshelves.

The Boys and Girls Club of Anderson County was awarded funding for program resources for their Rookie Readers literacy skills program for kids in club programs at Lake City, Clinton, North Clinton, and South Clinton elementary schools.

The Childrens Museum of Oak Ridge is receiving a grant to help start a new Charlies Storytime reading program for preschoolers.

Two Clinton High School teachers were granted money to buy books for use in reading intervention and a new Ethics in Science Fiction English class that relates to the recent emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)learning.

Clinton Middle School is receiving funds to buy graphic novels and other books for use in reading intervention.

The Early Learning Center at Emory Valley Center was awarded a grant to buy literacy play supplies for preschoolers.

Friends of Literacy is getting a grant toward books and Literacy To Go packs for Oak Ridge Preschool students to use during school breaks.

Grand Oaks Elementary School was awarded grants for an all-school Literacy Night for students and families and for literacy and music materials for the music classroom.

Lake City Middle School is receiving money to add to classroom libraries.

Four Oak Ridge schools (Robertsville Middle School and Willow Brook, Woodland, and Linden elementary schools) teamed up to receive a grant to help pay for an author visit by childrens author Raul the Third.

The Roane Imagination Library was awarded funds to buy Dolly Parton Imagination Library starter books for the county health department, to send home with babies when they come in for early well child visits and get signed up for the free Imagination Library.

Willow Brook Elementary School teachers will receive grants for Osmo learning system materials for use in kindergarten and for the Edmark reading program for intervention with students who have not yet mastered beginning reading. Also, the school library was awarded a grant to buy books from the popular Elephant and Piggie series that is reportedly effective in helping early readers.

John Roberts, Lunch 4 Literacy Committee co-chair, said, I am extremely appreciative of the continued support from sponsors and guests for over 30 years as we once again come together to impact literacy in our community. I look forward to experiencing a luncheon that marks the return of everyone engaged in person and hearing from the author, Mr. Brendan Slocumb, a fellow educator.

So, make plans now to attend the annual Lunch 4 Literacy Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. March 19 at Oak Ridge High School for social networking gathering and lunch.

Tickets are available for purchase at Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-for-literacy-with-brendan-slocumb-tickets-799944785387.

D. Ray Smith is the city of Oak Ridge historian. His "Historically Speaking" columns are published each week in The Oak Ridger.

D. Ray Smith, writer for the Historically Speaking column.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Come hear author, musician in Oak Ridge March 19; buy tickets now
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is conducting an audit of the entire Defence Forces, as there are units that have never been on the front line in the two years of the war.

Source: Davyd Arakhamiia, head of the Sluha Narodu (Servant of the People) party faction, on the air of the Topic with Moseichuk programme

Quote from Arakhamiia: "Mr Syrskyi is currently conducting an audit of the entire Defence Forces. Why? Because for two consecutive years, there have been reports that there are brigades or units that have been on the war front without rotation, while there are units that have never been on the front line at all. The army comprises 900,000; approximately 300,000 are actively engaged in combat with rotation, so where are the remaining 600,000?"

Details: Arakhamiia states that during the audit, 8,000 individuals have already been identified as "simply seconded to the General Staff and not involved in combat." He believes that this number will be much higher after the audit is completed.

Arakhamiia added that these personnel identified by the audit have already received the necessary orders, and they are currently being prepared to reinforce the forces on the front line.

Background: On 21 February, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with parliamentarians from the Servant of the People faction. According to Ukrainska Pravdas sources, "regarding mobilisation, the president stated that Syrskyi is currently conducting an extensive audit of who is where, as it was discovered that many of those who should have been at the front were not."

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Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on Feb. 15 in Atlanta. Judge Scott McAfee is hearing testimony on whether Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade should be disqualified from the case for allegedly lying about a personal relationship.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on Feb. 15 in Atlanta. Judge Scott McAfee is hearing testimony on whether Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade should be disqualified from the case for allegedly lying about a personal relationship.

On Feb. 16, John Clifford Floyd III testified on behalf of his daughter, Fani Willis, the district attorney of Fulton County, Georgia, who is under fire for her admitted relationship with Nathan Wade, the counsel Willis hired to work on her offices indictment of Donald Trump and his 18 co-conspirators on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Floyd testified a day after his daughters now-viral testimony in which she took everyone to school  especially alleged co-conspirator Michael Romans lawyer Ashleigh Merchant, whos seeking to have Willis team disqualified from the case on the grounds that her former romantic relationship with Wade is a conflict of interest.

The most interesting part of Floyds testimony  which was tame compared to his daughters  was his explanation of why he keeps cash in the house and has always encouraged his daughter to do the same. He politely explained that the habit is born of a cultural distrust of the banking system, sharing a story of how a merchant once wouldnt take his credit card or money order simply because hes Black.

Your honor, Im not trying to be racist, OK, but its a Black thing, he said. I was trained you always keep some cash.

I watched both testimonies with my 71-year-old Black mother, who loved Willis incendiary disposition, and Floyds demonstration of intelligence and wisdom. Mama, an advanced-degree-holding Baby Boomer from Detroit  who once sued and settled with an employer over racial discrimination  related to Willis unwillingness to capitulate to her accusers, and her educated father teaching and caring for her daughter.

However, its not hard to find Black folks who didnt at all care for Willis testimonywho didnt appreciate that she told these white folks that a G is slang for $1,000, her unsolicited opinion on her love for Grey Goose vodka or the fact that she admitted she didnt know what continent Belize is on.

These Black folks didnt appreciate the way Willis cut her eyes, twisted her mouth and raised her voice in naked disdain for Merchant, whom she blames directly for falsehoods spread about her relationship with Wade to the degree that she had to leave her home for fear of her safety.

Those Black folks just didnt like all that damn Blackness on display for the world stage.

Here rears the divisive head of respectability politics, or the notion that Black folks should seek to better integrate into the mainstream by keeping our cultural bona fides muted. If you believe that theres no way a Black woman who graduated from Howard University and Emory University School of Law should have the temerity to comport herself as she did around these pure white folks who had the graciousness to allow her to breathe their pure white air, respectability, politics likely has you in a bind.

Unfortunately, it also puts you in a Venn diagram overlap with all the Trump fans leveraging Willis and Wades relationship to be as racist and sexist as social media will allow, to the point where the lines between critical motivations can become blurry, as is the case with this frightening-looking bastard.

This respectability divide among Black folks is nothing new: As a young man, I was certainly Team Stop Embarrassing Us in Front of These White Folks. The older I became, the more I read and the more absurdly racist shit I analyzed, the more disabused of these sentiments and the more entrenched in my Blackness I became.

Blackness is, and has always been, a rebellious act and a perpetual state of being. Willis impassioned response on the witness stand served as an act of defiance against those whom she believes have denigrated her character in the interest of protecting known racists, including Trump and his indicted alleged co-conspirator Rudy Giuliani. Theres nothing Blacker than a clapback.

Blackness is recognizing that Floyd, an 80-year-old former Black Panther who allegedly dated Angela Davis and has likely accomplished more in his legal career than any of the attorneys who questioned him Friday, still had to explain racism on basic terms to a room full of educated people in 2024. Blackness is understanding why a daughter he raised moves the way she does in a society designed so that a Black woman reaching her career level is no mean feat.

Perhaps Willis disposition during her testimony wont bode well for her and her team in the disqualification case considering Americas distaste for her brand of unfettered Blackness. And, if Willis made any error in judgment at all, its putting herself in her position by hiring Wade to begin with. Whether she should recuse herself regardless of the judges ruling is a topic for a different piece.

But I certainly watched Willis drag Merchant with glee (and maybe I, like Plies, was just a little turned on). It was a cathartic display of Black defiance; if I had my druthers, every Black person would feel the same way.

Related...
Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park. Congaree was one of the most visited parks in 2023. Photo credit Victoria Stauffenberg/NPS

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The National Park Service announced its list of 20 parks that broke visitation records in 2023.

The agency reported a total of 325.5 million guests had visited some 400 of the nation's federally owned parks in 2023, an increase of 13 million people.

In a statement Thursday, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said visitors to America's parks have been re-discovering the agency's hidden gems over the last year.

"From Kaloko Honokohau National Historic Park in Hawai'i to Congaree National Park in South Carolina, parks are attracting more visitors each year to learn about our shared history," he said in a release.

The 20 parks that broke visitation records in 2023 are:

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

Congaree National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

John Muir National Historic Site

Joshua Tree National Park

Kaloko Honokohau National Historic Park

Keweenaw National Historic Park

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Lincoln Memorial

Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park

Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Memorial

Minidoka National Historic Site

Mojave National Preserve

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Nez Perce National Historic Park

Ninety Six National Historic Site

The National Park Service also compiled 15 of the least-visited national parks of 2023, which included Pinnacles National Park, Channel Islands National Park, Katmai National Park and Preserve, National Park of American Samoa and the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve.
Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers remarks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2024 at National Harbor, Maryland, USA, 22 February 2024. The Conservative Political Action Conference is an annual political conference attended by conservative activists and elected officials from across the United States and beyond.

Conservatives in both the US and UK need a "bigger bazooka" to fight the left, former Prime Minister Liz Truss has told an event in Maryland.

"Unless conservatives become more active in speaking out... Western civilisation is doomed," Ms Truss said.

She was speaking at the biggest annual gathering of conservatives in the US.

The UK's shortest-serving PM - who was in Downing Street for six weeks - also sought to peg her downfall to "antagonism" from the establishment.

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats accused Ms Truss of spreading "conspiracy theories".

The former prime minister was speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), hosted by the American Conservative Union, which runs until Saturday.

The grassroots gathering is one of the leading events on the conservative political calendar, and has been transformed in recent years into a heavily pro-Donald Trump affair, a reflection of his takeover of the Republican Party.

Other speakers this week include Nigel Farage, the presidents of El Salvador and Argentina, and Mr Trump himself on Saturday.

During Ms Truss' 20-minute speech on Thursday afternoon - in between sessions that covered topics including transgender children, oil and gas and a speech from Lara Trump, Mr Trump's daughter-in-law - she sought to attack the establishment in the UK and US.

"We have to understand how deep the vested interests of the establishment are, how hard they will fight, and how unfairly they will fight in order to get their way," she said. "And that is what I learnt from my time as a government minister and my time in No 10."

"The West has been run by the Left for too long and it's been a complete disaster," she said.

"In Britain we are one of the few countries that still have a conservative government."

Despite that, she said conservatives had to "challenge the system itself", saying: "It's not even enough to get the position of power that you need to deliver those policies because conservatives are now operating in a hostile environment... we essentially need a bigger bazooka in order to be able to deliver."

And she accused people on the left of the politics of "weaponising our court system" and "pushing their woke agenda through our schools".

She said because of people on the left, the West has been seen as weak, which had helped what she called "our enemies", countries such as Russia, Iran and China.

"We've enabled Putin by not taking action early enough when he could be stopped," she said.

Steve Bannon, Donald Trump's former chief strategist, is one of several right-wing figures speaking at CPAC this year

During her 45 days in office Ms Truss was remembered for announcing a series of economic measures widely blamed for reducing the value of the pound and panicking financial markets.

She addressed her short tenure as prime minister during the speech, saying she had "faced the most almighty backlash for those conservative policies I tried to put in place".

She said: "From the usual suspects in the corporate world, but also from people who were meant to work for the government. The OBR, the Bank of England.

"And even President Biden intervened to have a go at my policies. Can you imagine being attacked on your economic policies by the inventor of Bidenomics?" she said to laughter.

The US president's vast package of subsidies and tax breaks for industry has been dubbed "Bidenomics".

Labour's shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth described Ms Truss's comments as "damaging nonsense" about a "deep state".

"After crashing the economy and sending mortgages rocketing, Liz Truss is now spreading conspiracy theories with Steve Bannon and spearheading a wacky fringe group to take over the Tory Party again," he added.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper also poured scorn on the speech, saying: "This Conservative Party love-in for right-wing American politics is like watching a slow-moving car crash."

She called for Ms Truss to be stripped of the allowance she currently receives for being a former PM. The Public Duty Costs Allowance for all former prime ministers is currently set at 115,000.

Ms Truss did not disclose whom she would be backing in the race to be the Republican candidate for this year's US election, but she said: "Of course we need a Republican back in the White House. We need it desperately."

Mr Trump is currently the frontrunner in the race to pick the Republican Party's candidate for this year's presidential election, which takes place in November.

This weekend marks another stage in the race - with South Carolina the next state to pick its preferred Republican candidate. Nikki Haley, Mr Trump's rival, is currently trailing badly in the state.
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Owners of large tractor-trailers in The Acreage have until July 1 to look for a new place to park their vehicles.

An ordinance adopted Thursday, Feb. 22, on final reading by the Palm Beach County Commission limits the weight of trucks to 16,000 pounds, an increase from the current limit of 12,500 pounds but still well under the 80,000 pounds of fully loaded tractor trailers. Even an unloaded trailer weighs more than 30,000 pounds.

Commissioner Mack Bernard called for the July 1 date to give a lawyer for two truckers time to file a lawsuit to challenge the ordinance. He noted that there has been considerable debate about whether the county can force truckers already there to leave. The lawsuit, should it be filed, will answer that question, he explained.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the new changes but Commissioner Sara Baxter received support from her colleagues to instruct county planners to determine whether something could be done to allow the truckers already there to stay. The proposals are expected to be before the commission some time in May.

Baxter had pushed for a special exception for The Acreage that would have allowed two 80,000-pound trucks on each lot. But once that failed, she called on staff to see if there was a way to grandfather the existing truckers. Commissioner Maria Marino said she would not support any change to the ordinance that would raise the weight limit above 16,000 pounds. And in a statement emailed to The Palm Beach Post, Commissioner Gregg Weiss said the trucks do not belong in residential areas.

County staff says the truckers were never allowed to park their semis in The Acreage but some of the truckers say they have been there for decades.

The backstory: Truckers vs. Acreage residents has been percolating

Photos of large trucks parked at a private residence in the Acreage.

For more than a year, the issue has been hotly debated with truckers staging demonstrations outside the county administration building in West Palm Beach and filling the meeting room during public sessions demanding that they be allowed to stay. Their livelihood is at stake, they argued.

"We are asking you to allow us to work from our homes to feed our families," said one trucker Feb. 22. But residents  as well as the Indian Trail Improvement District (ITID) and the Acreage Landowners Association  strongly opposed any ordinance that would have allowed the big rigs to be parked in The Acreage.

ITID Executive Director Burgess Hanson testified that the 436-mile unpaved road network in The Acreage would have to be paved. The cost would range between $1.4 billion to $2.4 billion, and that cost would have to be paid by ITID taxpayers. Roads would have to be elevated by as much as a foot and they would have to be made wider as well, he explained.

"It is wrong to assess this type of financial burden on all taxpayers that only benefit a small group," Hanson told county commissioners, noting the unpaved roads were never built to accommodate the large rigs.

The issue has become so contentious that Burgess and Board of Supervisors President Elizabeth Accomando both claim they were verbally accosted by truckers at public hearings for opposing the higher weight limits. Attendees at public meetings have been escorted out of the sessions by sheriff's deputies for being disruptive. Testimony Feb. 22 for and against the ordinance went on for several hours  and Mayor Maria Sachs warned that sheriff's deputies would escort anyone from the meeting who was disruptive.

County decision could face a legal challenge

West Palm Beach lawyer Christopher Mills, representing two truckers, warned the county that he would challenge the ordinance if it was adopted. He claims it illegally targets semi-tractor trailers and intrudes in an area that is under the control of the Florida Department of Transportation.

The county was looking at a lawsuit no matter what it did. A lawyer for the ITID said the agency was prepared to file a lawsuit if the semis were permitted to operate in the Acreage. For many residents, the presence of the large trucks, they say, is destroying their quality of life.

MORE: Could one word in an ordinance regulating truck parking cost Palm Beach County millions?

At 16,000 pounds, lawn care maintenance companies and other small business haulers will be able to continue to operate. Under the new ordinance, two commercial trucks could be parked on each lot but they must be under 16,000 pounds. The previous ordinance allowed for only one commercial truck.

Former firefighter: It's not safe for semis to be in The Acreage

A Ford F-650 truck would not be allowed to be stored in residential areas of the Acreage under a plan being considered by county commissioners. The weight limit would be raised to 16,000 pounds from 12,500 but anything more than 16,000 pounds would not be permitted. Still unresolved is whether such owner-operators should be grandfathered.

Richard Vassalotti, a longtime resident of The Acreage and a retired fire rescue captain, testified Feb. 22 against allowing big rigs in The Acreage. He noted he did not appear on behalf of his former employer. Vassalotti also testified against the ordinance last month when the ordinance was considered on first reading.

"Why in the world would we want to make a bad situation worse?" he asked, noting that The Acreage has an accident rate much higher than the rest of the county. He said there have already been deadly accidents involving the big rigs. Even an unloaded one, he said, weighs 36,000 pounds, adding that they often carry dangerous cargo.

Even the critics of the higher weight limits agree there is a critical shortage of parking spaces for the semis. Many of them can be found parked along ramps of Interstate 95 and Floridas Turnpike. Weiss said county planners have been instructed to look at possible zoning changes that would make it easier for commercial truck parking lots to be built in Palm Beach County.

Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and transportation. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County to truckers: You must leave The Acreage by July 1
Dating shows have been around for decades  women looking for boyfriends, men looking for girlfriends, and some even wanting to get married. No matter the storyline in each show, all parties involved are looking for love. Until now, most dating shows have centered around individuals building a monogamous relationship. But Peacock has changed that with Couple to Throuple, a new original series.

The show follows a group of curious couples experimenting with polyamory by bringing a third partner into their relationships. While at a remote tropical resort, the four couples will meet, mix, mingle and date a group of singles, some experienced in polyamory. Relationships are put to the test when feelings and drama come to the forefront. Although its three times the fun, at the end of their time at the resort, couples must decide if they have room in their relationships and hearts for another person and move forward as a throuple, leaving with the one they came with or leaving alone.

Blavitys Shaow and Act Unscripted had the chance to speak with the shows host, Scott Evans, and resident sex and relationship expert Shamyra Howard, who holds a doctorate in social work, to discuss the new show and its diversity. The pair also shared why they think the idea of a throuple has been considered taboo for so long.

This show centers on what many may consider to be a taboo subject. So, for you, Scott, as the host, what was your initial reaction to the shows concept?

SE: I was very excited by the shows concept, mostly because it was an opportunity to see something on TV we had never seen before. To have a reality dating show, this destination dating show that was inherently queer; it wasnt like a spin-off of a season and to include this kind of community. At the center of it was going to include and highlight queerness was something that was very exciting to me.

I was also a little worried that it was going to be like, OK, this is going to be a show where couples just come to this resort to hook up with random people and have threesomes? And I was like, How is this going to go? What are we really doing here? And when I was able to kind of drill down into the concept and drill down into the idea with the shows creators and our showrunner, Matt Cox, I quickly found that this is a totally different approach than most other dating shows, and so was even more excited by the fact that we would be guided along this experience. We would have the resources and support of an expert, who is a doctor, who would be guiding these individuals through this experience in a meaningful way. Its centered in real research, real understanding and real science. Its real theory, which also added to my excitement. These people go through therapy. And theres a reason why were all fascinated with dating shows, and there is a reason why were all fascinated with seeing people go through therapy on television. And so to be able to combine that, in this beautiful location, with these beautiful people, I was like, How can I be one of the singles?!

Dr. Shamyra, as a relationship and sex therapist, what are the most common factors youve experienced between couples who want to bring in a third party?

Howard: Thats a good question. So one of the main concerns people who want to bring in a third party are considering is the sexual partners. So oftentimes, theyll talk about sex, and their concerns are about how sex is going to work, but also how they are going to allocate their time. That is a huge situation when it comes to being in non-monogamous partnerships and, especially in proposals like on this show, is figuring out how to allocate time, how to dispense your sexual energy, but also how to set boundaries. And a lot of people struggle when in switching or opening their relationships and monogamous spouses how to set boundaries because many people dont know what their boundaries are.

So what weve done in these relationship sessions is weve helped people, couples and singles, to define or to be exposed to what some of their boundaries are so that they are prepared to know what theyre OK with. And thats actually what I do every day with my couples on a green couch and my throuples and my quads and all of my other poly relationships.

Now you mentioned boundaries. Some challenges expected with arrangements like this can include jealousy. That would be the first thing that comes to mind. But what else will viewers be shocked by when they see what these couples experience when opening up their relationship to one or multiple parties?

Howard: Jealousy is a big one. That is one of the bigger things, as well, because it comes up. One thing that happens is that people, when theyre experiencing jealousy, theyve been automatically taught that we dont talk about jealousy because if you have jealousy, then something is wrong with you. So what viewers are going to see on this show is how couples navigated jealousy, but also how the singles navigated jealousy, as well. And thats going to be interesting because while the couples have little to no experience in non-monogamy and polyamory, many of the singles do have experience in non-monogamy, in polyamory, and jealousy comes up, and people think that people who are polyamorous by default dont experience jealousy.

Many also believe that jealousy is a negative emotion. And we teach the opposite because we know that jealousy is just an emotion. Its like happiness or sadness. But weve been taught that we are supposed to suppress it. So youre going to see what happens when people dont suppress their jealousy, but also youre going to see what happens when people do suppress their jealousy in this show.

Scott, you mentioned that you love the inclusivity of the show. I agree with that. Something that also stood out was that its very much centered on people of color, whether its singles of color or couples. And thats something other than what weve seen. So thats another taboo aspect to it. What has your experience been with showcasing this within our community?

Evans: Im so glad that you noticed that. When we landed in Panama, I looked at our singles. Theres a shot that youll see when I think Im in a purple set. And Im looking at our singles, and Im looking at our couples, and Im noticing a mirror, and Im even looking at members of our crew, and I had to take a moment to realize how incredibly diverse this experience felt and how ingrained and inherent and authentic that felt. It didnt feel like, Oh, we need to get some more Black people in this, or we need to have some more Asian people in this. It felt like, Were going to work to find the best people to be associated with this as possible. And these are the people that we found. And it was intentional to find them in this way.

And so when you look at a show like this, the first of its kind to ever come to the market, to also be helmed by myself and Dr. Shamyra in kind of the host capacities, the guidance capacities for the show. Brown skin, Black people  that is not lost on me. This is special. This is unique. And then you add on the dynamic of the search for love. That is coupled with a couple. I just was like, I hope that we pause long enough to not only see ourselves represented in this cool show on Peacock. But that we also recognize that things are changing and that we are a part of that change, and that while our minds are changing, so are our workspaces, so are our resources, and so is our reach. And that we support one another in that, that we back one another in that.

Theres a Black couple on this show that I think is going to challenge the way that we organize relationships in our mind, that is going to challenge the way that we have measured success in relationships, and maybe even provide opportunities for us to see success in a relationship in ways and in a space that we might not have otherwise thought was possible.

As far as challenging the way we think, how do both of you feel this show will open up more conversation about non-monogamous relationships, especially because when you ask a lot of people, this is not as uncommon as people probably think.

Howard: It used to be taboo and it used to be uncommon, but now were seeing a rise in non-monogamy. Specifically, were seeing a rise in throuples. And were seeing an interest in people who were traditionally historically monogamous more open. We see 34% of people say that even though theyre in a monogamous relationship, their ideal relationship involves some type of non-monogamy structure. So people are now talking about it more. Over 4% of people here in the U.S. are in some type of non-monogamous relationship. So people are talking about it; people are engaged about it. And I think what this show is going to do is its going to increase the conversation. Its also going to increase who we talk about when were talking about polyamory and non-monogamy because for a long time people would say, Oh, thats white people s**t. And thats not the case.

Thats exactly how a lot of people, especially Black people, experience it. But what we know now is that a lot of Black people, and now white people, are engaging in ethical non-monogamy, and polyamory, and they are exploring transitioning from being a couple to a throuple. I think why it has been historically troubling, or it wasnt popular is because it was always seen as monogamy plus one in a closed dynamic  not necessarily polyamory, where polyamory is multiple relationships. I think the reason that throuples are becoming popular is that now more millennials are open to the idea of therapy, and lots of millennials are in non-monogamous relationships. And so because theyre becoming more open to the idea of non-monogamy, theyre like, OK, well, lets try it by adding in another; lets try polyamory by adding another partner, and lets be in a relationship with them together. Where we know that polyamory has many different structures, and you can be in various different types of relationships. Lots of people are wanting to explore their relationship by adding another person. So a couple plus one is a throuple.

Evans: And I think, also, people are more open and honest about where we are and about what we want and about what is not working. We are also finding that there are resources; there are opportunities; there are situations available to us that we didnt otherwise acknowledge that we didnt otherwise know. And so I think were excited about being a part of this show because its going to be one of those opportunities to be a conversation starter. So even if you have no intention of doing that now, you have this springboard for a conversation that might help you, at the very least, become more intimate with one another, become close to one another, and have a better understanding of one another. And I think, at the end of the day, that is a mirror. And I agree that that is in its purest form. That is the intention of this show.
When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of 2022  destroying the constitutional right to abortion access  conservative Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his concurring opinion that the court should also reconsider previous rulings that established the right to contraception. Less than a month later, all but 10 House Republicans voted against a proposed bill that would have enshrined access to birth control into law. Senate Republicans didnt support the legislation, either. If it wasnt clear then that conservatives might move to restrict access to contraception, it is now.

On Thursday, right-wing activist Chris Rufo  the man largely responsible for engineering widespread conservative moral panic about critical race theory and so-called woke politics  responded to an X, formerly Twitter, post from writer Michael Shermer highlighting Republican opposition to contraception. Shermers post quoted a 2023 video from the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, that said conservatives have to lead the way in restoring sex to its true purpose, and ending recreational sex and senseless use of birth control pills.

Rufo didnt see the issue. So what? he wrote. The pill causes health problems for many women. Recreational sex is a large part of the reason we have so many single-mother households, which drives poverty, crime, and dysfunction. The point of sex is to create childrenthis is natural, normal, and good.

So what? The pill causes health problems for many women. "Recreational sex" is a large part of the reason we have so many single-mother households, which drives poverty, crime, and dysfunction. The point of sex is to create childrenthis is natural, normal, and good.  Christopher F. Rufo  (@realchrisrufo) February 22, 2024

Shermers post cited the Alabama Supreme Courts decision earlier this week that embryos created using in-vitro fertilization (IVF) are people in the eyes of the law. The ruling resulted in fertility clinics immediately pausing operations and, like Shermer pointed out, raised widespread concern over how the decision would affect the publics future access to emergency contraception and birth control. While Rufos response drew widespread backlash, it also threw the rights increasingly hostile  and medically misinformed  rhetoric on contraception into stark relief.

Republicans seemed unsure how to respond to the ruling, which highlights the dissonance between the GOPs public commitment to acknowledging personhood from the moment of conception and the real world implications of enforcing this viewpoint. Trump on Friday called on the Alabama legislature to find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF treatments in the state. Nikki Haley, by contrast, backed the state Supreme Courts decision, telling NBC News on Wednesday that Embryos, to me, are babies.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) struggled on Thursday to come up with a coherent response to questions about his states new policy, claiming that he both endorsed the new embryo doctrine but also felt the country needs more kids and needs people to have the opportunity to have kids. A day later, the National Republican Senatorial Committee urged lawmakers to strongly oppose the ruling, calling it fodder for Democrats hoping to manipulate the abortion issue for electoral gain, Axios reported.

The Biden administration had indeed tried to capitalize on the decision, posting a video of House Speaker Mike Johnson ducking questions about his support for access to IVF treatments and contraception during a Fox News interview in November.

Where are you on these issues, host Shannon Bream asked Johnson, who has a well-documented track record opposing access to emergency contraception, and supporting laws allowing healthcare workers to deny birth control access under the guise of a religious or conscience objection.

Im pro-life, Johnson responded, Im a Bible-believing Christian, I believe in the sanctity of every human life. So I come to Congress with deep personally held convictions. He avoided directly stating any of his policy positions on camera and claimed not to remember his voting history on fertility treatments and contraception as a state lawmaker.

Q: You want a total abortion ban, supported banning IVF treatment and common forms of birth control Is that accurate?



Mike Johnson: I come to Congress with deep personally held convictions pic.twitter.com/LZ8g7kLtFF  Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) February 22, 2024

While lawmakers in Washington arent overtly pushing to further restrict access to contraception  especially given the electoral backlash theyve faced in the aftermath of Roes demise  prominent influencers like Rufo are leading the charge to bring their views on birth control to the forefront of conservative discourse.

The birth control pharmaceutical propaganda has been so successful that women think their only options are to dose themselves with cancer-causing hormones, or have 50 babies or have multiple abortions, The Daily Wires Candace Owens wrote earlier this month.

Last week, Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X and unmarried father of 10, wrote that hormonal birth control makes you fat, doubles risk of depression & triples risk of suicide. This is the clear scientific consensus, but very few people seem to know it.

Hormonal birth control makes you fat, doubles risk of depression & triples risk of suicide.



This is the clear scientific consensus, but very few people seem to know it.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 16, 2024

Unsurprisingly, Musks claims are not  in fact  a clear scientific consensus. The link between hormonal birth control and weight gain is statistically minimal. Some studies have found a small correlation between contraceptive use and increased risk of depression, but have indicated a need for further research and widespread analysis. Fundamentally, any health care decision implies risks and benefits, and there are a number of birth control options to address the concerns of individual patients.

Regardless, common misconceptions are fueling intense opposition to birth control from the fringes of the political right, which continues to be emboldened by its success in restricting abortion access. The recent push against widespread access to contraceptive methods is not new, but rather an extension of longstanding efforts to curb access to emergency contraception like Plan B, and IUDs  one of the most common and effective forms of birth control  which many Republicans falsely consider to be abortioninducing medication.

Several states, including Missouri and Texas, have attempted to introduce legislation that could restrict access and state funding for emergency contraception resources. Advocates are also pointing to Republicans backing trigger bans and other laws looking to establish personhood at the moment of fertilization as backdoor mechanisms for restricting contraceptive access down the line, particularly forms of birth control that prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterine lining as a secondary form of pregnancy prevention.

Students for Life, one of the largest anti-abortion groups in the country and a prominent lobbying force for anti-choice policies, lists virtually all forms of hormonal contraception as being abortifacient medication on their website. Contraception tends to feel like a side issue for some pro-life advocates, the group says. But we do have a responsibility to address it as it plays a significant role in the supply and demand for abortion  in addition to causing a number of abortions itself.

Last year, the Heritage Foundation released the Project 2025 Mandate For Leadership policy package, a sprawling document laying out conservative governance principles and priorities for the next potential Republican president. As previously reported by Rolling Stone, the plan includes proposed attacks on birth control including the restoration Trump-era religious and moral exemptions to the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act, eliminating emergency contraception from the contraceptive mandate as a potential abortifacient, and instead expanding access to fertility awarenessbased methods and supplies to family planning.

The plans are already beginning to take shape. As previously reported by Rolling Stone, Republicans have floated enforcing the Comstock Act, a zombie law from the 19th century, to criminalize the inter-state shipping of abortion medication. The outdated law also includes broad prohibitions on the mailing of materials considered obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecent, filthy, or vile article, matter, thing, device, or substance, including items related to birth control and contraception.

In reality, the vast majority of Republicans  upwards of 90 percent  support access to birth control pills, and a majority of Republicans feel abortion should be legal in at least some circumstances. Its clear that when it comes to real-world policymaking, Republicans are finding themselves increasingly out of step with the publics view of reproductive issues. As some of the most prominent voices in the conservative media ecosystem ramp up their attacks on birth control, the GOPs inability to disentangle itself from its fringe elements poses a continued threat to reproductive freedoms.

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A few months ago, a Ledger-Enquirer reader asked Curious Columbus a question about Muscogee Countys past.

What is the history of racism in Columbus, GA? Daniel Todt wanted to know.

This question seems overwhelming considering the southern citys long history that includes the Ku Klux Klan, a landmark Supreme Court case, desegregation and a visit from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. following the murder of a local civil rights leader.

Standing on 6th Avenue, with its center spire and twin turrets reaching into the sky, St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church has seen much of this history. As the second oldest church of the denomination in Georgia, the history is woven into St. James architecture and the stories of past and current members.

This Ledger-Enquirer file photo is from the mortgage burning celebration and historic marker dedication at Saint James A.M.E. Church in Columbus, Georgia.

Enslaved individuals built the heavy, ornately carved front doors that were given to the churchs founders less than 10 years before the Emancipation Proclamation. The buildings ceiling is designed like the bottom of a slave ship, a reminder of the churchs forefathers.

St. James founders previously attended St. Luke before being allowed to worship by themselves in 1858, said Carolyn Hensley, a church historian.

Historically Black churches became a cultural cornerstone because of the need for both social and spiritual awareness, St. James A.M.E. pastor B.A. Hart told the Ledger-Enquirer.

From the beginning, St. James A.M.E. proudly encouraged education among its congregation even when Jim Crow laws made getting an education difficult.

In the past, people didnt want African Americans to read, Hart said, especially the Bible because they would have become more enlightened with Gods word. St. James is proud of its history, he said, and the church encourages its congregation to grow its skills and abilities unhindered.

Let me use the theology of James Brown, Hart said. He said I dont want nobody to give me nothing. Open up the door, Ill get it myself.

Rev. B. A. Hart is the senior pastor at Saint James A.M.E. Church in Columbus, Georgia. 02/16/2024

A history of educators

St. James history shows the first step to growing skills and abilities in the face of obstacles is through education.

In her role as a church historian, Hensley preserves history with images and documents from the past.

The church was not known as St. James initially in Columbus history, Hensley said. They were originally the A.M.E. Church on 6th Avenue.

When we became a school, we were the 6th Avenue School at the A.M.E. Church, she said. We didnt get our name until 1863.

One of the images Hensley possesses is of the St. James A.M.E. Church School faculty from 1905.

Carolyn Hensley, the church historian at Saint James A.M.E. Church in Columbus, Georgia, holds a photograph of the 1905 faculty of the churchs school. 02/16/2024

Everyone in the photo dressed to impress, Hensley said.

And they taught their students to carry themselves in such a way to be proud of themselves by going to school here, she said.

Posing in front of St. James iconic doors along with the impeccably dressed teachers stood Professor William H. Spencer, the head of St. James school and the namesake of Spencer High School.

Spencer served as the supervisor of the Negro Educational Department and principal of the former Fifth Avenue School during his 50-year career in education.

He was dedicated to opening a high school for African American students in Columbus, who had to travel as far as Atlanta to receive an education beyond the 8th grade during segregation.

He was successful in his endeavor as the original William Henry Spencer High School opened on 10th Avenue in 1930.

Sadly, he didnt live to see it, Hensley lamented.

Spencer died five years earlier on May 30, 1925.

Carolyn Hensley is the church historian at Saint James African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Columbus, Georgia. 02/16/2024

Throughout St. James history, the church prided itself on encouraging education and uplifting members to work in professional careers.

Along with Spencer, other St. James A.M.E. educators whove had schools named after them include Shadrach Marshall, J.D. Davis and Lyda Hannan.

We did have people who aspired to be doctors and mostly educators, Hensley said. Youll see a lot of educators came out of our church.

It was fear

James Bussey, 97, didnt know to be angry when he passed the white school two blocks from his home to go to the Black school further away.

His family sheltered him from the impact of segregation when he was a child.

But they couldnt shelter Bussey from everything.

He felt fear when the Ku Klux Klan dressed in white robes and drove through his primarily Black East Highlands neighborhood loudly blowing horns twice a month.

It was fear that they demonstrated, he told the Ledger-Enquirer. Stay in your place, or we will burn your house down. Or were going to burn a cross in your yard to warn you.

Bussey followed his grandmothers rules when he left home.

You gotta have manners, he said. How do you behave around white people? Be obedient and submissive because it might save your life.

Fear prevented Bussey from being active in the Civil Rights Movement.

Martin Luther King Jr., in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1956.

Fear prevented St. James A.M.E. from hosting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he gave a speech to more than 1,000 people at the Prince Hall Masonic Temple in 1958.

Kings visit followed the murder of Dr. Thomas Brewer, a Columbus activist who helped organize and finance the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision, King vs. Chapman, that ended the white primary system in Georgia.

Primus King, a Columbus barber and minister, challenged the system by attempting to vote in a primary election in Muscogee County on July 4, 1944. Brewer, a tactician for the local NAACP, helped orchestrate the strategy.

Lula Lunsford, a St. James A.M.E. member and grandmother of Muscogee County Tax Commissioner Lula Huff, was also a prominent figure in fundraising to support the case.

After Brewer was killed, local Black churches feared Klan bombings if they hosted King, so the Prince Hall masons invited the civil rights leader to prevent retaliation against the churches.

Bussey didnt attend the speech.

But when Busseys daughter, Dr. Janet Bussey, applied to attend Columbus High School during desegregation after being inspired by others at St. James, he was no longer afraid.

I felt like I needed to do it

In the aftermath of the Brown vs. Board of Education, the Muscogee County School District, like many other southern school districts, was slow to desegregate its schools.

After facing pressure, the school board approved a freedom of choice plan to desegregate starting in 1964.

During this time, college students from Columbus who attended St. James A.M.E. were coming back to the church sharing their stories about participating in the Civil Rights Movement. Janet, who was in high school, took it all in.

They were participating in these marches, and arrests, and fire hoses and dogs, she said. And would come back and talk about it to usIt was so scary.

Saint James A.M.E. Church, located at 1002 6th Ave. in Columbus, Georgia, is of historic significance and included on Columbus Black Heritage Trail.. 02/16/2024

A.J. McClung, a Columbus educator and politician and member of St. James A.M.E., spoke to the congregation encouraging high school students to participate in the school districts desegregation plan.

The city did not want to desegregate the schools, McClung told the congregation, and argued its Black and White residents were happy staying in separate schools.

Theyre counting on nobody applying, Janet recounts McClungs plea to the congregation. The deadline is coming up, and then theyre going to say, See, we told you.

Encouraged by the activism of the older students, Janet felt applying to attend Columbus High School wasnt too much to ask for. She wouldnt go to jail or get beaten. She would just attend school.

When Janet decided to apply, Bussey was proud of his daughter. He supported Janet by driving her to school each day alongside her classmates.

I didnt feel any fear, Bussey said. I was ready to protect her.

James Bussey, 97, a member of Saint James A.M.E. Church in Columbus since the early 1950s, and his daughter Dr. Janet Bussey, talk about the churchs history. 02/20/2024

Janet was the only student in the congregation to apply, and began attending Columbus High School in the 10th grade. There were 11 Black students in her grade, six juniors and one senior.

Education is the legacy of St. James A.M.E., Hensley said.

Up until the pandemic began, the church hosted GED classes and provided a computer room. St. James will continue to honor its history without living in yesterday, Hart said.

They left that legacy with us to continue to teach and to continue to educate, Hensley said. Not just in the classroom, but in the community.

Do you have a question about something youve seen or wondered about in Columbus. Fill out the following form to have your questions answered in the next Curious Columbus.
Military clinics and hospitals worldwide have been affected by a cyberattack on the United States largest commercial prescription processor, Change Healthcare, according to officials with the Defense Health Agency.

It also has affected some retail pharmacies across the country.

For the time being, officials ask for patience, while pharmacies take longer than usual to safely fill prescription needs.

Until the issue is resolved, military pharmacies will use a manual procedure to fill outpatient prescriptions, health officials said in a Thursday statement to Military Times. Priority goes to urgent prescriptions, followed by routine prescriptions.

More pharmacies rejoin Tricare network. Are there enough?

Each military hospital and clinic will continue to offer pharmacy operations based on their local manning and resources, officials said.

On Wednesday, Change Healthcare disconnected its systems to protect patient information.

Once we became aware of the outside threat, in the interest of protecting our partners and patients, we took immediate action to disconnect our systems to prevent further impact, stated Change Healthcares status web page.

The latest update said the company expected the disruptions to last at least through Thursday.

The companys website states that it provides provides industry-leading analytics, expansive data, and unparalleled connection and data transfer between providers, payers, and consumers.

Any references that this is caused by a technical issue with MHS Genesis are inaccurate, military health officials stated. Genesis is the militarys electronic health record system.

Military pharmacies around the world have been posting notices about the issue and their procedures in response.

This is impacting pharmacies at [military treatment facilities] enterprise-wide, read a sign posted at the 19th Medical Group pharmacy at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, shared on social media Thursday. We do not know how long it will be down. They are working to resolve it.

At McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, the 22nd Medical Group pharmacy posted on social media that it cant process new prescriptions.

However, our Pharmacy remains open and will continue to dispense already-completed prescriptions. If you need a new prescription today, please contact your prescribing physician and request that they send the prescription to an alternate pharmacy within the Tricare network.

At Kadena Air Base in Japan, officials at the medical clinic posted on Facebook Thursday morning: Due to a systems outage, pharmacy wait times may be longer than normal today.
Czech company Ceska zbrojovka and Ukrainian Defence Industry JSC (formerly Ukroboronprom) have signed an agreement to supply Ukraine with all parts for CZ BREN 2 rifles.

Source: Colt CZ Group, to which Ceska zbrojovka belongs, in a press release for the CTK news agency, Ukrainian Defence Industry press service also provided this information; European Pravda reports

According to the agreement with an undisclosed amount, Ceska zbrojovka will supply Ukraine with all the parts used to assemble CZ BREN 2 rifles.

Quote: "This first step in the project of full technology transfer for the CZ BREN 2 rifle is directly related to its successful deployment on the Ukrainian battlefield in the hands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," CEO Jan Zajic commented.

CZ BREN 2 rifles are used by the Czech Army, among others, and meet NATO standards. They have also been used on the battlefield by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the armies and combat units of France, Portugal, Poland and Romania.

The CZ BREN 2, according to the manufacturer, is a versatile weapon that is well compatible with other NATO weapons.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Czech Republic has sent 62 tanks, 131 infantry fighting vehicles, 6 helicopters and 16 air defence systems from its reserves to Kyiv. In return, it received about 750 million euros in compensation.

Reportedly, the Czech state arms company VOP CZ has not yet begun repairing T-64 tanks for the Ukrainian army, as agreed last year, because the Ukrainian side has yet to deliver a single tank.

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Czechia is seeking to organise a group of countries to help finance the supply of 800,000 munitions to Ukraine, as recently mentioned by Czech President Petr Pavel.

Source: European Pravda, Bloomberg

Details: The Czech Defence Ministry said on Friday that it was coordinating the effort and had secured preliminary commitments from Canada and Denmark, as well as other countries that wished not to be named.

The Financial Times previously reported that the amount needed to supply Ukraine with ammunition is US$1.5 billion.

Officials in Prague said they could not provide any details of the financing or on the source of the ammunition.

Pavel said that Czechia had found up to 800,000 NATO standard-calibre munitions, which Czechia could send to Ukraine in a few weeks if it received funding for them to be supplied.

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A Black History Month assembly at Darnell-Cookman School of the Medical Arts scheduled for Friday morning was postponed over apparent confusion surrounding whether the event required permission slips.

An email tip sent to Action News Jax raised concerns about the assembly, which appeared to have been canceled at the last minute by school leadership.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The source indicated they believed, its because we did not send permission slips home first for students to opt in/out.

After contacting the district, we were told the issue had been resolved and the assembly had been rescheduled for next week.

The event has been rescheduled for next week, and no permission slips will be required to attend. We clarified with the school that events such as this, which focus on standards-related content, do not require permission slips, said a DCPS spokesperson in an emailed statement.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

This is the third time theres been confusion over permission slips lately.

Earlier this week Action News Jax reported DCPS had adopted a new policy requiring permission slips for, all school-sponsored events including... birthday parties, holiday celebrations...and musical events.

Last week, Miami-Dade schools found itself in the crosshairs of the Governor and Department of Education after a permission slip was sent home to parents for students to, participate and listen to a book written by an African American.

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African American history is required instruction. Black History Month is required instruction. Theres no permission slip required for required instruction, said Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz in a press conference last week.

Its unclear why the commissioners words didnt prevent the permission slip concerns at Darnell-Cookman Friday morning.

As far as the Miami incident goes, Diaz characterized it as political theater.

Politicizing something and then trying to create a narrative that this somehow has something to do with having to have permission to teach African American History or celebrate Black History Month. Its absurd, said Diaz.

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Valencia, Spain  The death toll from a dramatic fire that left two residential buildings charred in Valencia rose to 10 on Saturday after authorities announced they located the remains of what they believe is the last missing person.

Forensic police found the 10th victim inside the scorched building, national government delegate in Valencia Pilar Bernabe told journalists. Police will proceed with DNA testing to confirm the identities of all the victims, she said.

While there were no other missing persons reported, Bernabe stressed that police and firefighters would continue the "complex" work of combing through the building debris in search of any other possible victim.

It was not immediately known how many people were in the two buildings when the fire broke out, but the complex had some 140 apartments.

The blaze that appeared to begin in one home on Thursday afternoon eventually ripped through a 14-story apartment block, with officials warning on Friday that the death toll could rise. Experts said the building was covered with highly flammable cladding, which could account for the rapid spread of the blaze after it broke out on the fourth floor early Thursday evening.

Dramatic images showed clouds of black smoke as the flames consumed the high-rise in the western Campanar neighborhood of the port city.

A large fire swept through two buildings in the Campanar neighborhood of Valencia, Spain, Feb. 22, 2024. / Credit: Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty

"Four people have died," Jorge Suarez Torres, deputy director of emergency services for the Valencia region, told reporters overnight.

"As of now, we have 14 people who remain untraced," regional administrator Pilar Bernabe added on Friday, stressing that the number could change.



Valencia Mayor Maria Jose Catala had said between nine and 15 people were unaccounted for, based on information provided by police and neighbors..



Fifteen people were treated for injuries of varying degrees, including a seven-year-old child and seven firefighters. Six of the 15 were still hospitalized on Friday but their lives were not in danger, regional governor Carlos Mazon said.



Officials said 22 teams of firefighters had been called in to battle the blaze. Suarez Torres said they had not yet managed to get into the building.

Firefighters inspect the aftermath of a huge fire that raged through a multi-story residential building in Valencia, Spain, killing at least four people, Feb. 23, 2024. / Credit: JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty

"We're trying to cool the facade. That's our goal over the next few hours," he said. "We can't say when we'll be able to get inside."



Spanish media said rescue workers had used drones to locate the bodies of those who perished.

A preventable tragedy?

Esther Puchades, deputy head of Valencia's Industrial Engineers Association (COGITI), told local media the fire had spread so rapidly because the building was covered with highly combustible polyurethane cladding.



Luis Ibanez, who lives nearby, told TVE he had looked out of a window and seen the flames engulfing the building "within a matter of minutes."



"(It was) as if it was made of cork," he said. "I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The whole side of the building directly opposite was on fire, from the first floor to the sixth and seventh floor."

The fears of polyurethane cladding exacerbating the Valencia fire recalled the 2017 tragedy at London's Grenfell Tower. In that incident, a fire at the 24-storey high-rise in west London killed 72 people. The blaze spread rapidly due to the highly combustible cladding on the block's outside walls.

A public inquiry into the London disaster has yet to publish its final report, but it has already revealed how some of the companies that manufactured the materials used in the cladding on Grenfell continued to market their products as safe despite some employees knowing they were flammable.

Among those companies was the American firm Arconic, which made the cladding on Grenfell Tower, through a French subsidiary.

Emails shared with the British inquiry showed that some Arconic employees knew of the danger of fire posed by the type of cladding used on Grenfell, but that the company continued to sell it anyway.

Arconic said soon after the blaze that it would stop making its Reynobond PE panels available for high-rise buildings, as it could not control how or on what building they were installed.

"Cladding systems contain various components selected and put together by architects, contractors, fabricators and building owners, and those parties are responsible for ensuring that the cladding systems are compliant under the appropriate codes and regulations," the company said in a 2017 news release.

It was not immediately clear what company manufactured the cladding used on the Spanish apartment building.

Firefighters remove a charred body inside a burned block building in Valencia, Spain, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Firefighters and scientific police began inspecting the interior of two residential towers that were destroyed by fire in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia. / Credit: Alberto Saiz / AP

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GALENA, Kan.  The Kansas Highway Patrol has wrapped up its investigation into a deadly hit-and-run near Galena last August.

60-year-old Gary Laturner of Galena died August 19, 2023, after investigators say a pick-up truck heading eastbound on Route 66 on the western side of Galena, left the roadway and hit him.

Troopers say Laturner was walking on the side of the road.

Police say the driver of the pick-up truck was later identified as 17-year-old Rocco Joseph of Joplin.

The Kansas Highway Patrol has turned the case over to the Cherokee County Prosecutors Office to determine if charges in the case will be filed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
EVANSVILLE  The scorched-earth war between Vanderburgh County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave and her own party's leader continues nearly a year after her bid for Evansville mayor was squashed in the Republican primary.

Weeks after Republican Chairman Mike Duckworth gave his permission for a candidate who voted in the 2022 Democratic primary to challenge longtime incumbent Musgrave in this year's Republican primary, Musgrave called for Duckworth's resignation.

Musgrave accused Duckworth  who has acknowledged he would not support her for mayor because she didn't support him for county commissioner in 2018  of being "a divider pursuing his own personal agenda." She also accused him of overseeing and enabling a top-to-bottom defeat for Republicans in last year's city election. Duckworth fired back that it is Musgrave who hasn't supported GOP candidates and that she has taken it a step further by actually supporting Democrats against Republicans.

Cheryl Musgrave

More: County Republican chair supports Amy Canterbury's run on party's ticket despite challenge

But Musgrave went beyond trading political punches with Duckworth in a statement released Thursday, including images of news stories about questionable incidents from the GOP chairman's past.

"These troubling incidents serve as the foundation of my lack of faith in Mr. Duckworth's integrity, leading me to the conclusion that he is unfit to hold any elected office," Musgrave said in a written statement.

'Deputy Duck' controversy

In 1991, the Evansville Courier reported that Sheriff Ray Hamner criticized Duckworth for submitting more than 1,000 hours of overtime for his live appearances, inside and outside the county, as "Deputy Duck." Deputy Duck was the feathered mascot for the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs' youth program.

"Hamner declared that Duckworth's free rein as department youth mascot is over, that his heavy focus on personal appearances as Deputy Duck has been costly and self-serving and that a 'large majority' of his appearances as Deputy Duck don't accomplish the department's educational goals," stated one story.

When the issue came up in 2018 race for county commissioner, Duckworth said being Deputy Duck was just part of his job.

"That was all compensatory time and time that I worked at grocery stores, fairs and daycares as the Deputy Duck," he said then. "That's no different than somebody that worked overtime during an accident."

Hamner had said Duckworth turned in for overtime his Deputy Duck appearances at such events as the Jerry Lewis Telethon and a Fraternal Order of Police Christmas party.

Another story Musgrave included highlighted Evansville Press coverage of Duckworth in 1984. The newspaper reported that year Duckworth and two other officers were under the influence of alcohol in an unmarked police car during their off hours when they knocked over a traffic pole on Diamond Avenue. The trio also hit two parked cars on Stringtown Road that night.

After the incident, Duckworth and the other officers allegedly filed false police reports about the accident, according to the Evansville Press.

Initially, all three men were charged with obstruction of justice and suspended for 60 days without pay and placed on one year of probation by the merit board. Later, Duckworth was convicted of false reporting, fined $200, was required to help pay for the cars' damage and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.

Duckworth's false reporting charge was overturned in 1985 by Indiana's First District Court of Appeals.

Duckworth chuckled when told Musgrave had cited the incident.

"Well, this happened almost 40 years ago, that accident did," he said. "Im not a perfect person, but I have been a very loyal Republican for over 50 years and Ive been around the Vanderburgh County GOP for 50 years, and (Musgrave) does not meet the criteria as a loyal Republican, in my opinion."

Duckworth texted to the Courier & Press images of Musgrave supporting her two former Democratic colleagues on the Board of Commissioners, Ben Shoulders and Jeff Hatfield, in their 2020 and 2018 campaigns, respectively. Duckworth lost the 2018 campaign to Hatfield by just 224 votes out of nearly 58,000 cast.

More: Political stunners may shift Vanderburgh landscape

Shoulders in 2020 defeated Republican Zac Rascher, whose wife, Natalie, in turn defeated Musgrave in the 2023 Republican primary election for mayor. In her statement Thursday, Musgrave said Duckworth's pursuit of a Republican challenger to her in 2023 "tore the party apart and handed Evansville city government to complete Democrat control."

More: By the numbers: What really happened in Evansville's mayoral election

Dottie Thomas: 'It's not my decision'

Dottie Thomas, Duckworth's top GOP lieutenant as vice chairman, sighed when asked about the party infighting that may now extend into the May 7 primary election.

Thomas, Vanderburgh County's elected treasurer and a supporter of Musgrave, had hoped GOP leaders would not again try to take down the veteran county commissioner from within her own party. Hard-fought intraparty contests hurt party unity, Thomas said.

More: Here's the backstory behind Cheryl Musgrave's devastating GOP primary loss in Evansville

On Thursday, Thomas bemoaned Duckworth's decision to allow United Way CEO Amy Canterbury to challenge Musgrave in this year's Republican primary election. Duckworth's permission was necessary because Indiana's "two-primaries" law requires that a candidate's two most recent votes in Indiana primary elections must have been cast in primaries held by the party he or she seeks to represent.

More: Controversial law is at heart of threat to Evansville mayoral candidates' eligibility

Canterbury voted in the 2022 Democratic primary. She voted in Republican primaries in 2018 and 2016.

"As much as I didn't want (Duckworth to give Canterbury his blessing), it's not my decision," Thomas said.

More: Musgrave may not face another intraparty battle in Vanderburgh

Musgrave does have a record of defeating Democrats.

In the course of winning all eight countywide election campaigns she has waged, she has ousted three Democratic officeholders  Assessor James Angermeier in 1994 and County Commissioners David Mosby and Steve Melcher in 2004 and 2016, respectively. She defeated a sitting county sheriff, Ray Hamner, in her 1998 re-election campaign as assessor.

Musgrave's Thursday statement referred to Canterbury as "a liberal Democrat"  but Duckworth insisted Canterbury helps Republicans.

Amy Canterbury

"Im waivering her because I know shes a good person and I know shes worked extremely hard in the community," he said. "Shes from the West Side and in looking at our (election) results, we need to reach out to that voter base, and thats what were doing. Thats not an endorsement; thats allowing her to run."

In fact, local Republicans underperformed in nearly every corner of the city in 2023. The Courier & Press reported in January that GOP mayoral candidate Rascher actually lost four precincts to Democrat Stephanie Terry that 2020 Republican candidates for two key local offices had won with at least 60% of the vote each.

In other heavily Republican precincts where local GOP candidates won by huge margins in 2020, Rascher prevailed by substantially smaller margins.

In all, Rascher received slightly less than 40% of votes cast.

Duckworth said if Musgrave doesn't like his decision to allow Canterbury to challenge her, that's her tough luck.

"Unfortunately for her, my opinion as chairman is kind of what makes the decision on whether or not to allow someone that I think has a bright future, that has been a good community member, has voted two out of the last three primaries Republican  so I made the call to allow Amy Canterbury to run," Duckworth said.

"So (Musgrave) is just going to have to deal with it."

Reporter Jon Webb contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Cheryl Musgrave says Mike Duckworth should resign as GOP chairman
When a deer in Vermillion County, Indiana, found itself in a weird  and harmful  conundrum, its saviors came in the form of law enforcement.

On Feb. 10, state Trooper Ted Robertson was alerted about a deer with a plastic jar stuck on its head, but when he attempted to rescue the animal, the deer wasnt having it.

The deer was near CR 800 N and Flat Iron Road in northern Vermillion County, a Facebook post from the Vermillion County Indiana sheriff read. Trooper Robertson attempted to catch the deer but unfortunately it got away from him. The next afternoon Trooper Robertson and deputies attempted to locate the deer and could not find it.

It took 12 days for the animal to pop back up on officials radar.

Early this morning Vermillion County Deputy Chad Akers was doing his daily rural patrols when he located the deer in the same area it was observed on the 10th. The deer had busted the bottom of the container allowing it to eat and drink.

This time around, there was more help to catch the deer and free it.

Trooper Robertson, ICO Luke Tincher and Deputy Akers were able to work together to corner the deer and safely remove the container from its head. Way to go guys, awesome job.

People were overjoyed that the animal was finally set free, but were slightly amused by the photos posted of the creature trying to go about its day as usual.

Poor thing, glad this has a happy ending, one person posted in the comment section of Facebook.

Very awesome job! Now we need people to stop littering, another pointed out.

Awesome job guys! Thank you Ted-Amber Robertson for being so relentless, Im sure the deer appreciates it, someone said.

Thank you for serving all the inhabitants of the area. Such a good outcome to the story, one person expressed.

Aww, it looks like a sad astronaut deer. Im glad it was taken care of, someone wrote under the photo of the deer.

Daw poor little dope, another noted under the same photo.

Vermillion County is about 105 miles west of Indianapolis.

Dog was overlooked at Florida shelter  but new owner was ready for the challenge

Dog was adopted  but now she needs another home. Quickly declining at our shelter
When visiting Allendale in the summer of 2019, Daqua Ritter fell in with a small group of friends. Ritter, then 22 years old, wasnt from The Dale. He was born and grew up in Brooklyn, but every year he took a Greyhound Bus from New York to South Carolina and spent months in a small brick house that his grandmother owned near downtown.

After making friends with Xavier Pinckney, Ritter was introduced to Kordell Jenkins and Artaveis Youmans. They bonded over smoking weed and whiling away time in the humid, mosquito-infested summer months in the small, rural town 75 miles south of Columbia.

But the three men are quick to say, that didnt really make them friends with Ritter.

Taking the stand in U.S. District Court in Columbia, South Carolina, the three men testified that they heard the rumors swirling in the small community about Ritter being in a relationship with a 24-year-old transgender woman, named Dime Doe, who was well known in town and attended Allendale-Fairfax High School.

And on the day Doe was killed, they testified how Ritter made a mysterious call with Pinckneys phone and left in a car before reappearing hours later, on foot, with a bag of clothes that witnesses say he burned in a fire.

We dont know him, Jenkins testified.

The testimony of the three men has become central to the case against Ritter, who is charged with the bias-motivated murder in Does death, as well as possession of a weapon during a violent crime and obstruction of justice. Ritter is accused of shooting Doe three times in her car on Aug. 4, 2019 allegedly to hide a sexual relationship with her, prosecutors contend.

It is the first time gender-identity has been given as a motive at a federal murder trial in the United States, prosecutors say. Between 2017 and 2022, there were 222 homicides of transgender people in the United States, according to a study from Everytown for Gun Safety, non-profit that aims to reduce gun violence. This violence disproportionately affects Black trans women, who made up 67 percent of those victims killed by a gun.

The three men are among the 26 witnesses called by federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office for South Carolina.

Along with eye witness testimony over three days about Ritters actions before and after Does death, federal prosecutors Brook Andrews, Ben Garner, Elle Klein and Andrew Mann have brought forth experts in DNA, ballistics, forensic pathology and cellular records in order to prove their case.

Ritters defense attorneys have argued that the question before the jury is not whether Ritter killed Doe because she was transgender, but whether he killed her at all. Its a whodunnit, said defense attorney Lindsey Vann, in her opening statements.

Prosecutors, however, have attempted to lock Ritters movements the day of Aug. 4, 2019 into a damning timeline.

While on the stand, Jenkins and Pinckney testified that Pinckney lent Ritter his phone early on the afternoon of Aug. 4 after Jenkins refused to do so. Phone records show that Pinckneys phone was used to message Doe to arrange a meeting. Shortly after, Ritter left in a car.

Pinckney was charged and pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents about lending Ritter his phone and whether his phone could even make calls at the time. On the stand he said he lied because he used the phone to buy drugs. He is currently awaiting sentencing on the charge and agreed to testify as a condition of his plea.

Just after 3 p.m. on Aug. 4, Doe received a traffic ticket and police body-camera footage shows someone, who prosecutors say is Ritter, sitting in the passenger seat.

At 4:41 p.m., Pinckney testified that he called an unknown number  prosecutors say it was Does  on his cellphone. The connection was full of static, but Pinckney said he heard Ritters voice in the background.

Shortly after 6 p.m., Doe was found dead in her white Chevy Impala. Shed been shot three times in the head with a .25 caliber gun, at least once at close range, according to pathologist Kelly Rose, who performed Does autopsy.

Sarah Goodman, a former South Carolina Law Enforcement Division DNA analyst currently employed with the Greenville Department of Public Safety, testified that Ritters DNA was found on the interior and exterior door handles of Does car.

Kiera Mallory, the girlfriend of Ritters uncle, testified that Ritter showed up at their house roughly a half-mile from where Doe was found, looking nervous and asking for a ride into town.

Shortly afterward, multiple witnesses testified that Ritter reappeared in the neighborhood where he lived with Pinckney, Youmans and Jenkins. While hanging out at the house belonging to Youmans grandmother, the four men lit a fire to keep mosquitoes away in the gathering dusk so they could hang out and play spades. Both Pinckney and Jenkins testified that they saw Ritter drop his clothes in the fire.

But defense attorneys Vann and Joshua Kendrick, drilled down into inconsistent times, dates and details in many of the witnesses stories. There is no agreement among witnesses what Ritter was wearing, how he was carrying the clothes he was alleged to have burned, or how he burned them.

Defense attorneys have also questioned the motivation of some of the witnesses, who they say initially misled investigators before testifying against Ritter.

I lied until I told the truth, Pinckney said on cross-examination. On the stand he said he smoked too much weed to kup with with dates and primarily lied to protect Youmans, who he was worried would have to tell law enforcement about Ritter burning his clothes.

In the days that followed Does death, Ritters girlfriend Delasia Green testified that Ritter was evasive and wouldnt look her in the eye when she asked if he had killed Doe. Jamie Priester, the mother of another one of Ritters friends, testified that Ritter confessed to her while they rode in a car together. And Jenkins testified that Ritter asked him to dispose of a gun.

Given that they werent really friends, why would Ritter approach you to dispose of a gun, Kendrick asked?

Probably desperate, Jenkins said.

Prosecutors say that they plan to call two more witnesses Friday and then the defense will put forward their case. Jury deliberations could begin as early as Friday afternoon, said Judge Sherri Lydon.
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was back in Orlando to tout the success of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, the governing board he signed into law last year to replace Walt Disney Worlds Reedy Creek Improvement District.

DeSantis on Feb. 22 held a press conference in Orlando and applauded the work the district has accomplished since it was created last February.

Read: Orange-Osceola State Attorney works to address human trafficking concerns in Central Florida

Last year, we enacted sweeping reforms to bring accountability, increase transparency and foster community engagement. This has already saved taxpayers $18.4 million, provided more opportunities for local businesses, and ensured that the district answers to the people, not one corporation, DeSantis later wrote on his Facebook account.

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

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Gov. DeSantis said he will take time over the weekend to review a bill that could be the nations most restrictive ban on social media use for minors.

It would keep children under 16 off of popular platforms regardless of parental approval.

Despite the proposal passing both the House and Senate, there are still major concerns over the bills constitutionality.

States like Arkansas and Ohio already have had less restrictive youth social media laws blocked by the courts.

Florida legislative staff raised several concerns in an analysis published last Friday. It listed two pages of reasons why the bill may violate childrens First Amendment rights.

Read: Florida Senate passes social media ban for minors

Former Republican State Senator Jeff Brandes says even with last-minute changes, the bill is unconstitutional.

There arent age limits in the Florida constitution or U.S. Constitution; you dont get rights to free speech, rights to assembly or rights to association at 16. Thats not how this works. Youre born with those rights, Brandes said.

Shoshana Weissman is a social media policy expert with nonpartisan think tank R Street Institute.

She notes that courts have said states can restrict content if it protects the physical and psychological well-being of a minor.

Video: Social media ban vote sets up possible DeSantis veto

However, she says this proposal is a broad ban. The proposal doesnt mention a specific platform but states it targets social media sites that have addictive features-- like infinite scrolling, push notifications and videos that play without the user clicking on a play button.

If youre restricting their access really narrowly and are only to harmful content that could possibly work. But this is everything most speech on social media is First Amendment protected, Weissman said, speaking about how the proposed ban is unconstitutional.

Also, the courts have upheld that any restrictions must be content-neutral.

Read: Lawmakers discuss possible changes to Florida bill to ban anyone under 16 from social media

States cant pick and choose what content or platforms are restricted.

Weissman says this proposal is the opposite of content neutrality.

So okay, you know, were not going to worry about artistic networks, like maybe Flickr, where you showcase your work. But if you showcase your work on Twitter, that doesnt matter. You know, its very content-based and the Supreme Court wont like that, Weissman said, giving an example.

The other concern is anonymity. Weissman says everyone has the right to anonymity while using social media, but the age verification of the proposal wont allow that.

In a tweet Thursday, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner said lawmakers addressed constitutional concerns by narrowly focusing the scope of the bill on addictive features, added enhanced anonymity provisions to the age verification process to protect user data, and incorporated meaningful penalties to hold Big Tech accountable, Renner said in a post on X.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
State Sen. Tina Polsky speaks during a news conference in the Florida Capitol on Feb. 21, 2024. With her are Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller Joseph Abruzzo and state Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman. Source: Screenshot/Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Gov. Ron DeSantis will sign legislation authorizing disclosure of state grand jury records of an early investigation into notorious sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, he said Friday.

His remarks came during a news conference two days after the Florida Senate voted final approval for the legislation (HB 117). It cleared the House on Feb. 15. Both votes were unanimous.

Were going to sign the bill to release these Epstein grand jury materials down in Palm Beach, DeSantis said in response to a reporters question.

Miami Herald screenshot

You have this notorious offender all catering to all these rich people and yet nobody has been ever held accountable for any of this. How does that happen? How did the case go from, get taken out of state court and taken to federal where he got a slap on the wrist? What has happened since then? I just think its like, come on, he said.

And the federal government, Biden should release the Epstein files associated with the federal government, which is probably much more extensive, the governor continued.

Grand jury proceedings are usually withheld from the public.

DeSantis called the news conference to announce that hes sending another 76 Florida Highway Patrol troopers and 50 National Guards members to help patrol the Texas-Mexico border. Hes been sending people there since 2021, complaining that the Biden administration wasnt doing enough to close the border. He did not mention that U.S. House Republicans, at Donald Trumps behest, have bottled up immigration reforms passed by the U.S. Senate.

Epstein case

Regarding Epstein, Palm Beach County authorities opened an investigation into alleged sexual abuse of minors in 2006 and then-state attorney Barry Krischer referred the matter to a grand jury, which returned a misdemeanor count of soliciting a prostitute, according to a legislative analysis.

Upon his conviction in a plea bargain, Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in jail plus 12 months of house arrest and was allowed to go to his office, according to The Palm Beach Post, which won a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting on the case.

Dismayed by Krischers failure to charge Epstein with child sex crimes, Palm Beach police went to the FBI, and the case landed on the desk of South Florida U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta, the Post reported. Two years later, Acosta negotiated the much-maligned secret deal that allowed Epstein to avoid federal prison.

DeSantis ordered an FDLE investigation into the countys handling of the case in 2019. In 2021, the agency announced that it found no impropriety or illegality by prosecutors or investigators, the Miami Herald reported.

Epstein reportedly hanged himself in a jail cell in New York in 2019 while awaiting a new sex-trafficking trial. The Post had sued in 2019 for access to the grand jury records, and a state appeals court ordered a trial judge to vet the record for release, possibly with redactions, but that hasnt happened yet.

The House sponsor of the bill was Republican Peggy Gossett-Seidman and the Senate sponsor was Democrat Tina Polsky, both of Palm Beach County.

During a news conference of her own in Tallahassee after the legislation won final approval, Polsky noted that she has been pressing for transparency for three years.

Theres something so heinous and unique about the Jeffrey Epstein case, and it has been a stain on Palm Beach County, to be perfectly honest about it, Polsky said.

DeSantis, too, expressed outrage.

But man, how could you have had this going on for so long and here we are now, 15 or 20 years later, and literally nobody else has been held accountable  you just have him and you have the lady and thats it, he added.

The governor referred to Ghislaine Maxwell, sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in federal prison for helping Epstein groom young girls. Maxwell is at FCI Tallahassee, a low security federal correctional institution, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Man, I think people look at that and theyre like give me a break. And clearly, when you have wealth and power involved, they have a way to potentially get out.

Far left lane

The governor said he was still considering whether to sign legislation cracking down on motorists who occupy the far left lane on highways and block faster-moving traffic, at the risk of causing accidents. He said he planned to confer with officials of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Highway Patrol.

I do think that, if you see someone on the interstate thats going 60 miles per hour in the left lane, obviously, that could present a safety hazard, too. On the other hand, to force everybody over and not do that even if youre going the speed limit, and then  what, were going to be pulling people over for that? How would that work?

So, Im going actually to talk to people who do this for a living, see whether they think it would be of benefit both in terms of safety but also, I mean, we want convenience too, we want people to be able to get where they can go as quickly and as safely as possible, but then also enforcement  are these guys going to be, is that going to radically change how they do their jobs in terms of enforcement.

Social media

Neither did he commit one way or another on the Legislatures social media ban for minors. The law, granted final approval on Thursday, would allow platforms to sign up minors only if they abandon use of algorithms and other methods of inducing users to keep scrolling  techniques lawmakers denounced as addictive but which are central to the platforms business models,

He reiterated his support for parental involvement in these decisions, noting that federal law already restricts access to children under the age of 13, although thats not really enforced.

Then, when you add 14 and 15, you can definitely show how these platforms can have a negative effect. Ive always said I think social media is a net negative for kids. Same time, were somebody thats believed in involving parents as much as possible. And so, while I think that there are harms associated with that, I do think parents could supervise in ways where its used in ways that are beneficial, DeSantis said.

The post DeSantis says hell sign bill opening Jeffrey Epsteins grand jury records appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Springfield police investigate the scene of an overnight shooting that left two men dead on East Erie Street on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

Hours before her brother was shot and killed in an attempted robbery she is accused of helping orchestrate, Tarrin Dicks made a post on her Facebook page that referenced her sibling.

"Til death do us apart," the 19-year-old wrote Wednesday, shortly before Springfield police said Dicks, her brother Trevin Dicks, and three others planned to rob a man later that evening.

Tarrin Dicks reportedly exchanged text messages with the man the group targeted, and they agreed to smoke marijuana together. The man told police that, shortly after Tarrin picked him up in an SUV she was driving around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, he was ambushed by two men who suddenly appeared from the cargo area of the vehicle with guns.

A struggle ensued, according to the police report, and the man said he fired several rounds from his own gun toward the backseat and fled from the vehicle, which was parked in the street in the 200 block of East Erie Street near an apartment complex. The man's friend, who said he witnessed the incident after hearing gunshots from inside an apartment, said he also fired shots toward the car.

Trevin Dicks, 21, and alleged assailant Reggie Carey, 19, were both driven to a local hospital where they died of their wounds. Someone in the group appears to have driven the wounded men to the hospital, where police made contact with Tarrin Dicks, Isaiah Crabb, 18, and a juvenile, who arrived in the vehicle.

Tarrin Dicks

The juvenile and Crabb admitted to having roles in the attempted robbery, according to the police report, but Tarrin Dicks said the deadly shooting was random.

"(Tarrin) said she stopped at a stop sign in a neighborhood when a black male walked up to the vehicle and started shooting inside from the passenger side," the police report read. "(She) claimed not to know who the shooter was and denied having contact with anyone in the area about meeting."

More: Police say 2 people are dead following a south-central Springfield shooting

Police located and interviewed the man who was allegedly targeted by the group and fired the shots, and his friend who said he also fired shots. Their names are not mentioned in a police report because they have not been charged with a crime.

Crabb, according to the police report, said the plan was for Carey and Trevin Dicks  a man arrested in 2019 for an armed robbery, which he filmed and posted to Snapchat, according to the Kansas City Star  to ambush the man from inside the car while he and the juvenile came in to help from outside the vehicle. The goal was to reportedly rob of him of his marijuana and split it among the group.

Crabb

Prosecutors charged Tarrin Dicks and Crabb on Thursday with charges of second-degree murder, attempted robbery and armed criminal action. Though they didn't fire the deadly gunshots, Missouri law allows for a murder charge when someone dies during the commission of a felony.

"Dicks set up the robbery which resulted in the death of two of her associates," a probable cause statement concluded. "Crabb was involved in a planned robbery which resulted in the death of two persons."

Ryan Collingwood covers a wide range of topics for the News-Leader with an emphasis on public safety. He can be reached by phone at 417-258-8174 and email at rcollingwood@news-leader.com. You can also follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Police say Springfield double homicide involved robbery attempt
Editors Note: The following story may include details that are disturbing for some readers.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Authorities are sharing new details of the events that led five Clark County deputies to shoot and kill a man during a welfare check on Tuesday.

According to the Clark County Sheriffs Office, the deputies shot the man after he produced what appeared to be a firearm after holding a woman against her will at 12500 Northeast 152nd Avenue. An update from the Clark County Medical Examiners Office has now identified the man as 53-year-old Jonathan Gale, who died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.

Woman faces attempted murder charge after allegedly shooting man in face

An original statement from the sheriffs office said a woman called 911 saying she was concerned for her mothers safety. On Friday, the Vancouver Police Department  now in charge of investigating the case  shared the following update:

Upon arrival, deputies learned from a female at the location that she was being held against her will and had been sexually assaulted by the male at the residence, who she said was in possession of a firearm. As deputies attempted to detain the male, there was a use of force resulting in an officer-involved shooting.

The man was critically injured and died at the scene. Vancouver police say authorities found firearms in close proximity to his body.

Skeletal remains identified as Portland teenager over 50 years after she went missing

Meanwhile, the five deputies have been placed on leave, which is standard protocol. Body camera footage is expected to be released later on.

The female victim was taken to the hospital for an evaluation, and officials have yet to give an update on her progress.

Home records show the address is owned by a husband and a wife, who both appear to run businesses out of the property  including a hypnosis center and a counseling service, according to their business website.

Stay with KOIN 6 as this story develops.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The cast of the groundbreaking sitcom A Different World is headed back to school.

To celebrate the 35-year legacy of the hit show, the cast will hit the road for a 10-city tour of historically Black colleges and universities.

After three decades, were returning to the roots of A Different World to make history on campuses that shaped the narrative of HBCU experiences, the tours website explained.

Darryl M. Bell, Charnele Brown, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Cree Summer, Glynn Turman and Sinbad will all participate in the tour, according to an exclusive report by People magazine.

The goal of this is to raise awareness and enrollment for HBCUs nationwide, the tour explained. By leveraging the star power and cultural impact of A Different World, we aim to inspire a new generation to choose HBCUs as their academic homes.

The shows producers, Debbie Allen and Susan Fales, are also set to be included.

It will begin on Feb. 29 in Atlanta and will be hosted by Atlanta University Center, whose members include Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College and Morehouse College.

In April, the tour will make a stop in Washington, D.C., which will be hosted by Howard University. That same month, another tour stop will take place in Montgomery, Alabama, which will be hosted by Alabama State University and Tuskegee University.

The exact dates for those tour stops will be announced later.

The full list will be out soon, the outlet reports.

The Cosby Show spinoff ran for six seasons on NBC from September 1987 to July 1993. The show was centered around Lisa Bonets character, Denise Huxtable, and the lives of other college students at a fictional HBCU, Hillman College.

Bonet left the show after the first season, as did as Marisa Tomei and Loretta Devine.

Other big names that later appeared in the series were Jada Pinkett Smith, Karen Malina White and Glynn Turman.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Outrage over a supersized digital billboard rising on Miamis waterfront may spark a rewrite of the citys sign rules, leaving commissioners to decide which of the lucrative new advertising platforms will survive.

On Thursday, city commissioners narrowly agreed to advance legislation repealing a 2023 rule change allowing a billboard company to build an 1,800-square-foot digital sign for the Perez Art Museum of Miami.

READ MORE: Theres a supersized digital billboard rising downtown. Will Miami make it illegal?

The 100-foot-tall billboard under construction off Interstate 395 has outraged some residents, while PAMM calls it a stylish addition to the area that will generate millions of dollars a year for the tax-funded museum.

It completely changes the skyline, Nicole Desiderio, a downtown condo resident, told commissioners ahead of the vote. We are not Las Vegas. We are not Times Square.

Meanwhile, new digital billboards are in the city permitting pipeline for public spots outside the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and Miamis Bayfront Park.

Those were areas singled out in last years redo of the sign rules sponsored by then-Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla before his arrest on unrelated bribery charges and his subsequent reelection loss.

His legislation allowed digital billboards in those areas to be more than double the local size limit of 750 square feet, and now commissioners are arguing over whether to let PAMM and others finish building whats currently allowed under city code.

Along with allowing supersized billboards in a few places downtown, the 2023 law extended permission for smaller billboards at other locations, including city property within the Omni and Overtown redevelopment districts and the citys Virginia Key Beach Park.

We dont need to throw the baby out with the bath water, said Christine King, the chair of the city commission. Im thinking there is a compromise.

The repeal measure narrowly survived the meeting, with commissioners first deciding to delay the matter and then voting 3-2 to advance it. Commissioner Joe Carollo joined King in voting against advancing it.

We need to side with our residents on something that is impacting them on a daily basis, said Commissioner Damian Pardo, who represents the downtown area and sponsored the repeal measure. He was elected in November.

This week, the Ohio billboard company behind the PAMM and Arsht advertising efforts warned Miami that any legislation to block the billboards would result in the company losing at least $300 million in revenue over the course of the 20-year deals with the nonprofits.

I hope when we finish today, there will be one lawsuit not filed, Gene Stearns, a lawyer for Orange Barrel Media, told commissioners ahead of the vote. People relied on what the city of Miami did. Substantial sums have been spent.

Along Biscayne Boulevard, a 375-square-foot digital billboard is going up by the sidewalk at the edge of the citys Bayfront Park.

Thats under a deal that billboard mogul Barry Rush struck with the city, but for sizes well below what the 2023 law allows. He said he has permits for two others and permission for five in all. He told a neighborhood group this week he would scale back his plans if residents really opposed the new light sources.

We think, and we hope youll agree, its not overwhelming for the Biscayne environment, he said during a Tuesday meeting of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance.

Eliminating the park signs, which sit on city property, was floated as one possible compromise during the city debate.

Maybe we dont do the parks at all, said Commissioner Miguel Gabela, who unseated Diaz de la Portilla in the November election.

Gabela said that while he voted Thursday with Pardo to advance the repeal to a second vote, hes not ready to fully reverse course on signs already approved by Miami. On the second reading, I will not support anything that is total denial, he said.

Commissioner Manolo Reyes also said he wanted something between repeal and letting the existing rules stand.

I have nothing against art, and I have nothing against PAMM, he said. My problem is with the size. ... I propose we look into alternatives and reach a compromise.
BEIRUT, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The suspension of financial support by donor countries to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) will jeopardize the education of 38,000 Palestinian refugee children in Lebanon, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon Dorothee Klaus said on Friday.

The decision to halt funding will have severe repercussions, as 80 percent of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are living in poverty, with half of them living in 12 overcrowded camps and suffering from harsh conditions, Klaus was quoted by Lebanon's Elnashra news website as saying.

Klaus said her office may not finance its quarterly cash distribution to 65 percent of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

About 200,000 Palestinian refugees visit the agency's 27 health centers in Lebanon annually to obtain services, including medical consultations, medicines, vaccination of children, services for pregnant women, and general services for patients, including those suffering from chronic diseases, Klaus said.

She added that the UNRWA also supports health care services through hospitals contracted with the agency, which helps provide medical care for more than 50,000 refugees annually, with the UNRWA covering a certain percentage of the costs.

The suspension of funds by donor countries came after Israel accused UNRWA employees in Gaza of taking part in the Hamas attacks against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

As of March 2023, the total number of UNRWA-registered Palestine refugees in Lebanon is 489,292. The registration with the UNRWA is voluntary. 
Ukraines SBU Security Service apprehended a collaborator accused of scouting the locations and movements of the Defense Forces in Donetsk, passing the information to her son, a "DNR" militant collaborating with Russian intelligence, the SBU announced on Feb. 23.

The apparent traitor made efforts to identify and relay to the enemy the whereabouts of personnel and heavy weaponry of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Bakhmut. She collected data on the aftermath of Russian attacks on the civilian infrastructure of Kostiantynivka.

Read also: Ukrainian SBU detains Russian agent conducting reconnaissance in Kirovohrad Oblast

Authorities detained the woman in Slovyansk, where she had resettled as a refugee from a city on the frontlines.

Read also: SBU detains LockBit ransomware hackers in Ternopil Oblast

The woman faces charges of state treason under martial law, outlined in part 2 of article 111 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code  a crime that carries a possible life sentence.

This arrest follows recent SBU operations in Mykolaiv, where collaborator was spying on Ukrainian military ships near the Mykolaiv port.

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
On Monday, the council set out its budget proposals and the savings it must make

More than a hundred doctors in Birmingham have written to the council to criticise its plans to cut 51m from children's services.

The local authority published draft budget documents on Monday indicating how it would respond after declaring itself effectively bankrupt.

In total, 109 doctors shared concern such a sum would be cut from funds meant for young people and families.

The council said it was "inevitable" services would change as a result.

The letter stated that years of austerity had increased "extreme child poverty" in the city.

"This has caused a surge in child mental health referrals, increased the number of children in care, and more children are suffering from ill health through preventable causes," the letter added.

The council said it was going through a "challenging period"

The letter continued: "Children's service directors have a legal obligation to provide services addressing education, wellbeing and safeguarding of all children in their council area.

"The threatened cuts will severely handicap our ability to keep children safe and well. As ever, the vulnerable and marginalised will be placed at the highest risk."

The outlook for children in the city was "poor" even before the proposed cuts which would condemn "our city's children, and our city, to a worse future", the letter stated.

While the doctors said they understood the difficult choices the council faced, they urged the authority to reconsider its plans.

The Labour-run authority was forced to issue a section 114 notice last year, effectively declaring itself bankrupt, after facing equal pay claims of up to 760m and an 80m overspend on an under-fire IT system, although those figures will continue to rise.

The council has been revealing details this week of cuts it must make after independent commissioners were brought in to help run it.In a statement in response to the letter, the council said it was going through a "challenging period" which it understood was "unsettling for many of our residents".

"As we review the saving proposals for the Children, Young People and Families directorate, it will be inevitable that services will need to be changed as a result, and this process allows us to continue making improvements to provide efficient services.

"We will do all we can to minimise the impact during this difficult time and continue to prioritise the services for the most vulnerable residents in the city."

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk
In our Reality Check stories, Star-Telegram journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Send story ideas to RealityCheck@star-telegram.com.

Tarrant County Judge Tim OHare this week cited federal law to support his opposition to reimbursing Trinity Metro for free fares on primary Election Day. But, does that law actually prohibit free rides to the polls?

The County Commissioners Court on Wednesday voted down the measure along party lines. It would have reimbursed the transit agency $10,000 for the rides. Trinity Metro announced Thursday that it still plans to offer free rides to polling sites on primary Election Day, March 5.

OHare, a Republican, cited U.S. Code 18, section 597, which states that anyone who makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate could face a fine and up to one year in prison.

That statute, however, does not prohibit free bus and train rides to polling stations, according to electoral law experts consulted by the Star-Telegram.

Providing free or discounted transportation to the polls has been understood to not violate section 597, said UCLA law professor Rick Hasen in an email exchange. Uber and Lyft, for example, have been providing free or discounted rides.

Michael Morley, a law professor at Florida State University, said the law is meant to prohibit vote buying.

So long as the transportation is not provided as part of a quid pro quo exchange for votes, but instead only seeks to reduce barriers to voting, it is fine, he wrote in an email.

One way to eliminate legal concerns over the issue, he said, would be to offer free fares to all transit riders on Election Day, regardless of whether they promise to vote or actually vote once they arrive at the polling place.

OHare also cited a decision in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin  not exactly a bastion of conservatism, he said  in which the countys chief legal officer argued that the concept violated state law.

A 2022 resolution to provide free transit to Milwaukee County polling stations failed by one vote. County Board Supervisor Peter Burgelis, who authored the resolution, called its failure unfortunate in a phone interview.

That resolution specifically, if you look at the language, pointed to multiple studies that identified transportation or lack of access to transportation as one of the most significant reasons why people who want to vote dont, he said.

Milwaukee County Corporation Counsel Margaret Daun was not available for comment, but in May 2023, her office argued that a free ride to the polls constituted a thing of value, according to media reports. The office argued that Wisconsin state law prohibits providing goods or services of value in order to get someone to vote.

OHare called this a precedent here from a county saying its wrong during Wednesdays session.

Tarrant County has reimbursed Trinity Metro for free rides to polls in previous years via the Election Transportation Program, which began in 2019. In 2020, the county reimbursed Trinity Metro $20,000 for free rides to the polls. In 2022, the agreement was for an amount not to exceed $30,000.

A spokesperson for Trinity Metro told the Star-Telegram on Thursday that the agency planned to offer the rides with or without county funding this year.

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit system will offer free rides to polling stations in Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis and Rockwall counties on March 5. A spokesperson for DART told the Star-Telegram that the transit agency does not receive governmental reimbursement for these fares.

Following Wednesdays session, commissioner Manny Ramirez, a Republican, told the Star-Telegram that people in his district would not receive the benefit of this service from Trinity Metro and thus should not have to fund it with their tax dollars.

Trinity Metro ridership is indeed low in Ramirezs district, but SMU political science professor Calvin Jillson said there is an abstract benefit to his constituents in the implementation of the democratic process.

It would be a wonderful world if everyone saw the benefit of encouraging everyone to participate in the process, Jillson said in a phone interview. But youre not going to want to do that if you think those bus riders are going to vote heavily for the other side.
The death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict in the wake of a fight at a high school in Owasso, Oklahoma, has drawn widespread attention after reports that the teen was long bullied for their gender identity, which friends have described as "gender-expansive."

But what does gender-expansive mean? According to national LGBTQ+ advocacy group PFLAG, it's an umbrella term for people who dont align with traditional gender categories, or who expand ideas of gender expression or identity.

"It might be used because someone has identities outside of what's socially accepted," said Mackenzie Harte, PFLAG's manager of learning and inclusion, adding that the term is one they've increasingly heard used by parents and educators regarding young people. "It's where someone is not conforming to social ideas of what gender should be."

The term has been around since at least 2012, when the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Human Rights Campaign surveyed more than 10,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth across the United States. The term "gender-expansive" emerged from the report to classify youth who didn't identify with traditional gender roles but were otherwise not confined to one gender narrative or experience.

"This term allows us to talk about youth who dont meet our 'traditional' understandings of gender without putting their identity in a box," the report read.

Gender-expansive is not synonymous with nonbinary, PFLAG notes; even cisgender people can embrace the term. Instead, it's another way of saying gender-nonconforming  the more preferred term, according to the group.

"While some parents and allies use the term, gender nonconforming (GNC) is the preferred term by the LGBTQ+ community," the group says as part of a glossary definition on PFLAGs website. "It is important to use the term preferred by an individual with whom you are interacting."

Owasso student Nex Benedict

What happened to Nex Benedict?

Nex, a 16-year-old who loved reading, art and playing Minecraft, was hurt during a fight that erupted in an Owasso High School bathroom Feb. 7.

That afternoon, officers responded to a local hospital, where Sue Benedict, Nexs mother, reported the assault and urged police to follow up with school administrators. Nex was later discharged, but the next day Benedict called 911 to report that Nex was having medical problems, including shallow breathing.

According to police, she said Nex had hit their head on the bathroom floor during the altercation. Emergency crews responded and performed CPR before Nex was taken to a hospital in Tulsa and pronounced dead.

Police said Wednesday that an autopsy determined Nex did not die as a result of trauma. But medical examiners have yet to disclose their complete findings.

Oklahoma youth long endured bullying

Family members have said Nex used the pronouns they/them, and interviews indicate friends believe Nex was still exploring their gender identity at the time of their death.

Executive director Nicole McAfee of Freedom Oklahoma, a group that seeks to make the state safer for people of all genders and sexualities, said friends of Nex described them as gender-expansive, using they/them pronouns with some people and he/him pronouns with those closest to him.

Though it remained unclear whether the altercation involved Nexs gender identity, the friends said other students had bullied Nex for their gender identity "for well over a year," McAfee said.

More young adults identifying as nonbinary or transgender

Results of a Pew Research Center survey released in June 2022 showed a record high 5% of young adults identify as transgender or nonbinary. About 1.5% of the U.S. adult population identifies as such, the survey found, and more Americans report knowing someone who is transgender compared with five years ago.

LGBTQ+ advocates attribute the rise to more accurate media representation, the growing visibility of transgender and nonbinary people on social media platforms and the internet, and a broadening of terminology and social acceptance offering previously unavailable avenues for self-expression.

The survey also found growing awareness of terms such as "nonbinary" and "gender-fluid," especially among young adults. Both terms refer to people who dont identify as strictly male or female.

The survey was devised by Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington, D.C., as part of efforts to better understand the experiences of transgender and nonbinary people in a political and social climate that has put gender identity in the spotlight  particularly among Republican candidates looking to sway voters as the 2024 election approaches.

"We are certainly seeing younger generations discuss their gender-related experiences with more nuanced terms than past generations," said Jack Turban, an assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and author of the forthcoming book "Free to Be: Understanding Kids & Gender Identity." "Kids today are thinking about gender more critically than past generations."

Do 'culture war' talks cause discomfort? Study says teachers and students are wary about discussing gender identity

'Please do not judge us as Nex was judged'

Jordan Korphage, the school districts director of communications, has not responded to inquiries about whether the school had gotten bullying reports involving Nex or whether the school had any support groups for students of various gender and sexual identities.

But relatives confirmed this week that the family plans to conduct an independent investigation, pleading with authorities to "hold those responsible to account and to ensure it never happens again."

On the GoFundMe page she launched to raise money for funeral expenses, Sue Benedict expressed gratitude for an outpouring of financial and emotional support and apologized for not using Nexs chosen name in her original post.

"As parents, we were still learning the correct forms," Benedict wrote. "Please do not judge us as Nex was judged, please do not bully us for our ignorance on the subject. Nex gave us that respect and we are sorry in our grief that we overlooked them. I lost my child, the headstone will have the correct name of their choice."

Contributing: Christopher Cann, USA TODAY; Molly Young, The Oklahoman

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oklahoma teenager's death brings term 'gender expansive' to light
When you tell someone outside of the Evergreen State that youre from Washington, they often think of Seattle stereotypes, like constant rain.

Many people forget, or dont realize, that there are massive differences between eastern and western Washington, both in climate and culture. The weather on the east side is vastly different from the west side, especially in the colder months.

This misconception was likely a motivating factor in the push to brand Tri-Cities as having 300 sunny days per year. Over the years, the claim has been used by many local organizations as a pull to the area.

But is it really accurate? One local says no.

Behind the sunny days claim

Where did this claim come from? Its been attributed to different organizations over time, including local chambers of commerce, Visit Tri-Cities and the Tri-Cities Airport.

Numerous sources reported that the count came from the work of one individual, a former president of Visit Tri-Cities. The current vice president of marketing at Visit Tri-Cities, Julie Woodward, told the Herald she believed that was true, but could not offer verification either way. No one has ever officially taken credit for the claim.

Visit Tri-Cities is aimed at Northwest tourists, making the weather a major selling point. The organization often makes the claim that Tri-Cities has the best weather in the state, hoping to attract folks from the west side to abandon the precipitation.

The largest percentage of our visitors come from Seattle, Woodward stated in an email to the Herald. They are looking for an escape from the rain and gray and seeking sunshine.

Wherever the count originated, it has been deduced that the criteria for a sunny day was a clear sky during regular observation hours  but it didnt have to be for a long period of time. Following this criteria, Tri-Cities may very well have an average of 300 sunny days per year.

However, a local man, Jim Zimmerlin, thought this was a misleading, counter-intuitive definition. Several years ago, after he determined that system was being used, he began recording Tri-Cities sunny days per year, using his own definition. Heres what he found.

Defining a sunny Tri-Cities day

Instead of any given instance, Zimmerlins methodology requires a day to have more hours of sunshine than hours of cloudiness in order to be considered a sunny day. If a majority of hours between sunrise and sunset show sunshine, thats a sunny day.

Using these guidelines, there were 195 sunny days in Tri-Cities in 2023, according to Zimmerlin. This is down from his final count for 2022, which had 207 sunny days.

Zimmerlin sent the Herald a breakdown of how many sunny days were seen each month in 2023:

January: 8

February: 10

March: 13

April: 13

May: 27

June: 24

July: 31

August: 22

September: 17

October: 18

November: 9

December: 3

Zimmerlin noted that peoples impression of what makes a sunny day is important to consider, that he wants to report a number most people would agree with. He says there are only about five days a year that are difficult to determine as one way or the other, and hes confident in his methodology for the rest of the year.

On the vast majority of days, I think reasonable people would easily be able to agree with my determination of whether it was a sunny day or not, Zimmerlin told the Herald in an email. Its an easy call to make about 360 days of the year. The other five days where the call is not so clear-cut, some people might not agree with my call but that means my confidence factor in the reliability of my numbers is 360 out of 365, or 92%.
Statement: Each year, more than $1 billion is stolen from workers in New York state through wage theft.

As New York state legislators consider passing tougher laws on wage theft  the denial of a portion of employees income by their employers  one assemblywoman put a figure on the amount the states workers lose annually.

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan, told the investigative news outlet ProPublica on Feb. 6 that "each year, more than $1 billion is stolen from the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers by unscrupulous employers, often targeting the workers with the fewest resources to fight back."

We found the figure in several analyses of this issue in recent years, including one from 2017 that Rosenthals office cited. The most recent estimate suggests that $1 billion might be on the low end.

What is wage theft?

Wage theft occurs when "workers are denied their legally owed wages and benefits," said Rebecca Berke Galemba, an associate professor at the University of Denvers Josef Korbel School of International Studies.

Galemba said wage theft can take many forms, including being paid below minimum wage; being paid less than an employees work agreement; a denial of overtime; denial of meal or rest breaks; improper or illegal deductions from the workers paycheck; the withholding of tips; the misclassification of workers; or outright nonpayment of what workers are owed.

Jacob Barnes, a researcher with Rutgers Universitys Workplace Justice Lab, said several kinds of businesses often stand out as having high rates of minimum wage violations. These include private households that employ domestic workers and groundskeepers; food service and drinking establishments; personal service providers such as beauticians, massage therapists, parking attendants and animal caretakers; and farms.

New York state already has laws to counter wage theft. The Wage Theft Prevention Act was signed into law in 2017 but was updated with stronger provisions in a bill Gov. Kathy Hochul signed in September 2023. The new provisions include tougher penalties against violators, categorizing a violation as larceny.

Rosenthal and other legislators, including state Sen. Jessica Ramos, D-Jackson Heights, want to enact additional legislation to strengthen the laws further:

S. 8451 would suspend certain liquor licenses of employers who commit wage theft.

S. 8452 would give the state commissioner of labor, as well as the state workers' compensation board, the authority to issue stop-work orders if wage theft is discovered.

S. 8453 would give the state commissioner of taxation and finance the power to suspend certificates of authority of employers that violate wage-theft laws.

The three measures remain under consideration in committee.

Where does the $1 billion figure come from?

The earliest citation for the $1 billion figure can be found in a 2011 discussion at Cornell Universitys Industrial and Labor Relations School.

During the discussion, which involved lawyers for plaintiffs and management along with wage enforcement officials, participants "agreed it was necessary to address the money  close to $1 billion  stolen from low-income workers each year," a program summary shows.

Esta R. Bigler, director of the Cornell schools labor and employment law program and a participant in the 2011 discussion, told PolitiFact New York that she did not have updated wage theft statistics.

The $1 billion annual figure was cited again in a U.S. Labor Department analysis cited by ProPublica. The analysis compared New York workers reported wages to the relevant minimum wage levels. It found that employers took up to $1 billion from their workers annually. According to the analysis, New York ranked eighth-highest in the amount of back wages owed per worker.

A subsequent study, conducted in 2014 by the Economic Policy Institute, a labor-backed think tank in Washington, D.C., found that in the 10 most populous U.S. states, 2.4 million workers lost $8 billion in 2015 to minimum wage violations, or nearly a quarter of their earned wages, annually. The study found this type of wage theft affected 17% of low-wage workers.

The group found that in New York, workers lost $965 million from minimum wage violations that year, which is close to $1 billion. (This is the source Rosenthals office cited to PolitiFact.)

However, minimum wage violations are only one type of wage theft, so if that estimate is accurate, the total annual amount lost to wage theft in New York could be higher.

The most recent estimate, made in 2023 by the investigative journalism outlet Documented, is that New York state wage theft is $1 billion to $4 billion annually. This estimate is based on data from the New York state and U.S. labor departments that the outlet obtained through freedom of information and open records requests.

PolitiFact's ruling

Rosenthal said, "Each year, more than $1 billion is stolen from" workers in New York state through wage theft.

The estimates of this figure span a decade and a half and come with a wide range of uncertainty.

But this figure, or one close to it, was cited in 2011, 2014 and 2017, and a 2023 estimate offered a range of $1 billion to $4 billion.

We rate the statement Mostly True.

Our sources

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Wage theft takes more than $1 billion a year from workers in New York state
Country legend Dolly Parton is praising Beyonce after the superstar's new song "Texas Hold 'Em" reached the top of the Billboard hot country songs chart.

In a social media post Thursday, Parton wrote that she's a "big fan" of Beyonce and "very excited that she's done a country album."



"So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single," she wrote. "Can't wait to hear the full album!"

Dolly Parton congratulated Beyonce after

The message comes as Texas Hold 'Em debuted as No. 1, making Beyonce the first Black woman to score a No. 1 hit in the history of Billboard's hot country songs list. The milestone marked a cultural shift for country music, a genre often seen as exclusive and that for decades has had a fraught relationship with artists of color.

The country hit is an ode to the pop superstar's home state, and the lead single off her forthcoming eighth studio album, dropped during the Super Bowl, alongside another track titled "16 Carriages." The new album appears to be country and will be released on March 29.

Her song almost immediately sparked controversy, after KYKC-FM, a country radio radio station in Oklahoma, initially declined to play the artist. The station manager later told CBS News he hadn't known Beyonce had released two country songs and confirmed he had added "Texas Hold 'Em" to the station's playlist after outcry from the Beyhive  Beyonce's ardent fanbase.

S. Dev contributed to this report.

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VIENTIANE, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Laos will host the 13th meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee on Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area, which will take place in Laos' southern Attapeu province from Feb. 26 to March 1.

The conference is one of the mechanisms of the development triangle cooperation framework among Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam to promote peace and comprehensive socio-economic development in the border provinces of the three countries, Lao News Agency reported on Friday.

The meeting will review the implementation of a joint statement of the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Summit in 2020, and a master plan on socio-economic development in the development triangle until 2020.

The meeting will also discuss an action plan on economic linkages and tourism development plan among the three countries, as well as directions of cooperation to promote and attract more trade, investment and tourism to the triangle area, according to the report. 
United Way Quad Cities needs help from the community to collect enough books to give to 6,000 underserved kids during their QC Reading Week Book Drive from Feb. 23 through March 3.

Bring your donation of new or gently used books, appropriate for K-3rd grade kids, to your nearest Hy-Vee location in Scott or Rock Island counties. You can also give online HERE.

United Ways QC Reading Week Book Drive is an extension of their initiatives to ensure Quad Cities students have what they need to achieve. Access to age-appropriate reading material has a lifelong effect on children, enabling students to excel in school and even support their success in college or career.

The book drive coincides with Dr. Seusss birthday (March 2), also known as Read Across America Day.

Reading proficiency is one of the greatest predictors of a childs success in school and life. When children fall behind in school, they can miss out on the opportunity to develop their full potential in life, Kate Horberg, Director of Education Innovation at United Way QC, said in a Thursday release.

Kate Horberg is director of education innovation at United Way Quad Cities.

QC Reading Week is a true community celebration of the joy of reading and the doors that youth literacy unlocks, she said. We are proud of McCarthy-Bush Corporations generous sponsorship, as well as the partnership of Hy-Vee and the several companies across the Quad Cities who have teamed up to make a difference for local kids.

Donations from United Ways QC Reading Week Book Drive will go right into the hands of kids who need them most to spark a love of reading at home while improving literacy skills crucial to the long-term success of students.

Easy ways to give

Suitable new or gently used books can be dropped off at any of the following participating Hy-Vee locations in Scott or Rock Island counties from Friday, Feb. 23 through Sunday, March 3.

Participating Hy-Vee locations include:

Bettendorf

2900 Devils Glen Road

Davenport

3019 Rockingham Road

2200 West Kimberly Road

1823 East Kimberly Rd.

4064 East 53rd Street

2351 West Locust Street

Milan

201 West Tenth Avenue

Moline

4218 Avenue of the Cities

Rock Island

2930 18th Avenue

Silvis

2001 5th Street

Eldridge

425 E. Le Claire Rd.

Help from local companies

Several local companies are rallying their employees to host book drives of their own, in partnership with United Ways QC Reading Week.

The children of today are tomorrows workforce. Learning and confidence building starts at home which is why we want to make sure every child in the Quad Cities has access to books from birth, said Bri Aust, Marketing Director at McCarthy-Bush. Were so grateful to United Way as a catalyst for change in our community.

Participating companies include Union Federal Savings and Loan Association; Salvation Army; Northwest Bank and Trust; I.H. Mississippi Valley Credit Union; Isle Casino Hotel; Honkamp P.C; Scott County; Mississippi Valley Surgery Center; PCT Ebeam and Integration, LLC; Sears Seating; Legat Architects; Blackhawk Bank and Trust; TBK Bank; Family Credit Union; Royal Neighbors; Estes Construction; Rock Island County; McCarthy-Bush; Genesis IPG; BITCO; Smart Automotive; Eastern Iowa Community College; among others.

For more information about United Ways QC Reading Week Book Drive, please visit www.unitedwayqc.org/ReadingWeek, or call 563-355-4310.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Whenever the nation faces a safety threate.g., a high-profile shooting, a wave of smash-and-grab robberies or an act of terrorismthe public clamors for action, and politicians and police agencies respond with proposals to increase their power.

The new laws, however, always have disturbing unintended consequences that stay with us for decadesand they often fail to protect us from the threats that led to their creation.

In a democracy, criminal justice policy is understandably driven by public perceptions. After violent crime rates soared in the late 1980s and early 1990s, California voters in 1994 overwhelmingly approved the nation's toughest three-strikes-and-you're-out law. Myriad factors contribute to crime fluctuations. And policy often lags the data given the time it can take to pass laws or initiativesthus making it tough to see what works even in hindsight.

In 2005, the Legislative Analyst's Office analyzed crime statistics and found crime began falling precipitously before "three strikes" went into effectand tracked national trends. In recent years, legislators and voters reacted to soaring incarceration rates. Just as fear of crime led to tougher laws, stories of resulting injustices (a man whose third strike was stealing pizza) and police abuses led to a flurry of criminal justice reforms.

Now that crime rates have moved upwardand fear of it at the highest level in yearspolicymakers are headed back in that 1990s direction. This is true even in our state's most progressive cities. For instance, San Francisco Mayor London Breed introduced a new police-union-backed measure for the March ballot that would make it easier for police to use surveillance and reduce their requirements to document when they use force on suspects.

It's enough to make one's head spin. Sadly, crime policy is not driven by policy wonks who carefully analyze the data and try to strike the right balance between public safety and individual rights. It's driven by progressive ideologues (check out the goings-on in the Assembly Public Safety Committee if you don't believe me) on one side and powerful interest groups (police agencies and unions) on the other. Lawmakers react to those groups and public sentiment.

I am concerned about the crime wave. I'm also concerned about over-incarceration and over-policing. I also am skeptical that our governmentswhich seem incapable of doing anything competently, justly, and cost-effectivelycan strike the right balance. I offer no easy solution or specific policy prescription, but I do offer a warning: Be careful what new laws we pass. They can take decades to undoand can obliterate our rights in the process.

This column is prompted by a report in Reason magazine about Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt's recent remarks in his State of the State address calling for reform of civil asset-forfeiture laws: "It's crazy to me that somebody can be pulled over and have their cash and truck taken for an alleged crime, get acquitted of that crime, but they still never get their property back." There are plenty of news stories over the years of outrageous police takings.

California has better asset-forfeiture protections than Oklahoma, but they still aren't very good  and California police agencies work around our state's limitations by partnering with a federal agency. The feds operate under much looser standards. We've seen a variety of abuses in California in recent years, whereby law enforcement misuse forfeiture laws concocted to stop drug cartels to take innocent people's life savings and pad police budgets.

We've fortunately seen pushback by the courts. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in January overturned a lower court decision siding with the FBI, after it tried to take $85 million in assets from safe deposit boxes following a Beverly Hills raid on a company that rented them. The Drug Enforcement Agency claimed the company's boxes facilitated money laundering, so they plotted to take and sell the contents from everyone's boxeseven though the vaults are also used by law-abiding citizens for legitimate reasons.

That's an obvious constitutional violation. It's as if the government decided there's drug dealing going on somewhere in my neighborhood. Instead of proving criminal activity by individuals, they just rounded up everybody's stuff. Police agencies have a strong incentive to use these laws because they generally keep the ill-gotten bounty. Police aren't supposed to use that money to supplant their budgets, anyway.

For a refresher, asset forfeiture was concocted during the Reagan-era anti-drug panic. As two former heads of the US. Justice Department's asset-forfeiture program wrote in a 2014 Washington Post column, it "was conceived as a way to cut into the profit motive that fueled rampant drug trafficking" but "has turned into an evil itself, with the corruption it engendered among government and law enforcement coming to clearly outweigh any benefits."

I understand the latest fear of crime, but let's take a careful and deliberate approachlest innocent people lose their rights and property in the process.

This column was first published in The Orange County Register.

The post Don't Let Crime Fears Undermine Americans' Rights appeared first on Reason.com.
A Pueblo man who was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2021 in the murder of pregnant 21-year-old Kelsie Schelling has had his conviction upheld by the Colorado Court of Appeals.

Donthe Lucas, 31, appealed his conviction on the grounds that the Pueblo court in which he was tried improperly admitted evidence of "other acts" not related to Schelling's murder and of canine decomposition detection. Lucas's appeal also claimed misconduct in the prosecuting attorney's closing remarks.

However, in a 24-page opinion obtained by the Chieftain, the appeals court found that despite Lucas's arguments, he received a fair trial and his conviction was upheld.

What the court said about 'other acts' evidence

Under Colorado law, evidence related to other acts outside of those strictly related to the case at hand is inadmissible to show that a defendant had a "bad character," as it may be prejudicial to a jury.

However, Judge Jerry Jones wrote in the appeals court's decision that "such evidence may be admissible to prove, for instance, 'motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake or lack of accident.'"

During Lucas's trial, the prosecution asserted that sexual text messages sent by Lucas to alleged prostitutes showed his state of mind and the actions he took during the timeframe relevant to the homicide case, as well as motive and intent. The appeals court also noted that after prosecutors presented those texts as evidence, the Pueblo court instructed the jury that they were not to be considered for any other purpose.

The appeals court declined to resolve Lucas's claim that the messages should not have been admissible, as they ruled that even if Lucas is correct, any error was "harmless."

"The danger of unfair prejudice was minimized because the prosecution didn't identify the text message recipients as prostitutes and the court prohibited the jury from considering the messages as proof of Lucas's bad character," Jones wrote.

According to a footnote in the opinion, the text messages may well have been intrinsic to the case, as they showed Lucas "seeking liaisons" and "expressing romantic interest" in a friend, which may have suggested he knew that Schelling was "not coming back," with "one possible inference" being that he "knew she was dead."

Another piece of "other acts" evidence the court considered in Lucas's appeal was the prosecution's mention of Lucas missing a court hearing in Arapahoe County. The court wrote in its opinion that the day before Schelling disappeared, she messaged Lucas, "thought you had court tomorrow?" to which Lucas replied, "I've taken care of that already, I don't have to go."

The appeals court ruled that evidence was admissible on the grounds that the missed court date "directly proves the charged offense" and "occurred contemporaneously with the charged offense and facilitated its commission." The court argued that Lucas's response showed he attempted to "lure" Schelling to Pueblo the day she disappeared, despite being aware of a court date in another matter.

The missed court date also "afforded Lucas the opportunity to murder (Schelling)," the court wrote.

Furthermore, during the trial, defense counsel "elicited that it (the case in Aurora) was a traffic case" and an investigator also agreed with the defense upon questioning that the Arapahoe County case "wasn't a serious matter."

Appeal questions validity of canine decomposition evidence

CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/FILE Law enforcement officials dig up the backyard of the former home of Donthe Lucas in April, during a two-day search for evidence in the disappearance of Kelsie Schelling.

During Lucas's trial, Frank Hurst, a police dog trainer, testified as an expert in decomposition canine evidence. During the case, he stated he handled a bloodhound named Radar who detected decomposition by a tree in Lucas's backyard and on a floor mat in Schelling's car.

Lucas objected to the evidence on two grounds  first, he contended the evidence was irrelevant because the four- to six-year gap between Schelling's disappearance and Radar's searches made the evidence unreliable, and second, Radar didn't alert to any hard evidence such as a body or blood.

However, the court contended that the gap did not make the evidence unreliable, as Hurst testified that a bloodhound's acute olfactory senses allow the breed to detect decomposition over 100 years old. "Given his abilities, Radar searched Lucas's backyard within a reasonable time," the court wrote in its opinion.

The appeals court agreed with Lucas, however, that the evidence was only marginally relevant and the bloodhound may have alerted to a number of things, including urine, feces, blood, body oil, mucus, or hair. Although the hair found by police in Schelling's car matched her DNA, it is far from unusual to find the owner's hair in their vehicle, the court wrote.

However, the court concluded that "any error in admitting this evidence is harmless," and argued that, given its marginal relevance, the court doubts the evidence substantially influenced the verdict.

Pueblo Police Chief Troy Davenport (right) and Pueblo County District Attorney Jeff Chostner address the media after Donthe Lucas was convicted of the first-degree murder of Kelsie Schelling in 2021.

Prosecutor's closing argument and reference to 'Jedi mind' tricks

Lucas made several arguments related to the prosecution's closing statements during his trial.

His appeal contended that the prosecution denigrated defense counselor Karl Tammeler by questioning his sincerity and suggesting that he used diversionary tactics to distract the jury.

It also contended that the prosecutor improperly appealed to the jurys sympathy by referencing holidays to underscore the effect of Schelling's death on her family and characterizing her as a "21-year-old kid."

During a closing statement, a prosecuting attorney made remarks questioning Tammeler's sincerity in his own statement, in which he said the case was a "tragedy," arguing that throughout the trial Lucas's defense counsel had made callous remarks about the situation, according to the appeals court opinion.

"Lucas contends  and the people appear to concede  that the prosecutor questioned counsel's sincerity by making these statements. Doing so is improper," the appeals court wrote.

"Even so, we discern no plain error because the prosecutor's statements didn't so undermine the fundamental fairness of the trial as to cast serious doubt on the reliability of the jurys verdict," the opinion reads. "The challenged statements constituted only a brief part of the prosecutors closing argument, and we discern no substantial likelihood that the statements deprived Lucas of a fair trial."

Lucas's next challenge was related to the prosecutor's accusation of defense counsel using a "Jedi mind (trick)" to distract from certain evidence.

"You know, (defense counsel) spent a lot of time talking about, frankly, not a whole lot, other than just the DNA evidence," the prosecution argued in a closing statement. "And with everything else, he just kind of, you know, tried to do the Jedi mind thing; right? Just not a lot of evidence there; some cell phone stuff, its some troubling statements, and some car mats. Lets not think about it. He doesnt want to talk about that stuff in earnest because he cant confront it. Right? Theres no explanation for any of it."

However, the appeals court argued that statement was a response to Lucas's theory of defense rather than a personal attack on defense counsel.

"The prosecutor properly focused the jurys attention on the evidence and permissible inferences therefrom. While we question the use of the term 'Jedi mind thing,' we are cognizant that prosecutors may use rhetorical devices and engage in oratorical embellishment and metaphorical nuance," the court wrote.

Deputy District Attorney Michelle Chostner, who took the lead on the Lucas case, answers media questions following Lucas's verdict and sentencing in 2021.

Lucas also argued that the prosecutor made an emotional argument in rebuttal to the defense's statement that the jury "would not be surprised if (Schelling) walked through the door" by replying that Schelling had not walked through her father's doorway for eight years since her disappearance, missing eight years of holidays and family events.

However, even assuming that the comment was improper based on the standard that a prosecutor's comment on the effect of a victim's death on her family is improper, the appeals court wrote they agree that "any error wasn't plain," given the context of the statement.

Finally, Lucas argued that the prosecution inaccurately characterized Schelling as a "kid" because she had been a legal adult for more than three years by the time she disappeared. However, the appeals court wrote, he fails to explain how this characterization improperly appealed to the jury's sympathy. Moreover, they wrote, the prosecution used a legitimate figure of speech while discussing the circumstantial evidence of the victim's death.

"It is not unreasonable or a stretch to refer to young adults as kids. And they simultaneously noted K.S.s age," the court wrote.

Court concludes Lucas' trial was fair

Ultimately, even considering two statements that may be considered improper, the appeals court wrote that the cumulative effect of the prosecutor's statements did not sufficiently prejudice the jury's verdict enough to fundamentally affect the fairness of the trial, and that other evidence overwhelmingly showed Lucas's guilt.

While 10th Judicial District Attorney Jeff Chostner expressed happiness with the decision, he refrained from making specific comments about the decision, as the case may still be subject to appeal with the Colorado State Supreme Court.

Looking back at Schelling's disappearance, Lucas's case

Kelsie Schelling's mother, Laura Saxton, holds the hand of Michelle Chostner as Schelling's mother addressed reporters following Lucas's verdict and sentencing in 2021.

Kelsie Schelling went missing on Feb. 4, 2013, when she drove from her home in Denver to visit Lucas in Pueblo.

She was reported missing on Feb. 9. Lucas was first interviewed on Feb. 12, and Schelling's car recovered on Feb. 14. During those 11 days, Lucas allegedly used her phone to send deceptive text messages to her loved ones, acting as Schelling in order to stall the investigation.

Schelling's body was never found.

Years went by without an arrest, and in 2015, Schellings parents, Doug Schelling and Laura Saxton, filed a civil lawsuit against the Pueblo Police Department, alleging they obstructed the investigation, and filed a wrongful death suit against several members of Lucas family. The lawsuit was later dismissed.

However, the suit, as well as a 2016 television special by ABCs 20/20 news magazine that was highly critical of Pueblo PDs investigation, drew national attention to Pueblo PD.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation then took over as the lead investigative agency on Schellings case in 2016.

The case began to build momentum in 2017. Pueblo police and CBI orchestrated several digs at locations throughout Pueblo to try to recover additional evidence, and on Dec. 1, 2017, Lucas was served with a warrant for first-degree homicide while he was already in custody in the Pueblo County Detention Center on an unrelated aggravated robbery charge.

Lucas's trial was delayed several times, but finally took place in late January 2021.

He was found guilty on March 8, 2021 and immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Lucas is serving his life sentence in the Limon Correctional Facility.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formally known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Donthe Lucas loses appeal in Kelsie Schelling Colorado murder case
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A wrongful death lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County claims Google co-founder Sergey Brin was partying on his private Fiji island when he requested that two pilots shuttle his private plane from Santa Rosa to Fiji. The billionaire tech executive wanted the plane to go island hopping with friends, according to the suit filed earlier this month by one of the pilots widows.

Brin is known for hosting the rich and famous for parties at locations around the world, attorneys wrote next to a photograph of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Brin socializing.

On May 20, 2023, the small plane was rigged with 10,000 pounds of extra jet fuel to make the long journey from Santa Rosa, to Hawaii, to Fiji.

Two of the richest men in the world, Elon Musk and Sergey Brin, are seen in a photograph published in the civil lawsuit. (Image courtesy Santa Clara County Superior Court)

The aircraft took off at 8:05 a.m. from a Sonoma County airstrip. The aircrafts ultimate destination was Brins private island in Fiji, attorneys wrote. While the plane was flying over the Pacific Ocean, the two pilots realized that the extra fuel tank was not working. They turned the plane around and attempted to make it back to land, but crashed into the ocean a few miles from Half Moon Bays beaches.

Fiji is famous for the islands clear turquoise water. (Getty Images)

Co-pilots Lance Maclean and Dean Rushfeldt never made it out of the cockpit. U.S. Coast Guard crews spotted the plane floating in the water with the pilots still in their seats before the aircraft sank to the ocean floor.

The lawsuit states, Instead of bringing all assets to bear to recover the aircraft and the pilots as promised, Brin partied on in Fiji, knowing that his long-time pilots and friends lay at the bottom of the ocean.

Brin cofounded Google with Larry Page in 1998 while they were students at Stanford University and studying computer science. Brins current net worth is $115.7 billion, according to Forbes.

Maria Magdalena Olarte Macleans husband, pilot Lance Maclean, was killed in a 2023 plane crash. (Photo via Santa Clara County Superior Court)

Pilot Macleans widow, Maria Magdalena Olarte Maclean, said she has suffered extreme emotional trauma because she has been unable to give her husband a proper burial.

The lawsuit, claiming tortious interference with a dead body and wrongful death, demands a jury trial.

The lawsuit names several defendants, including: Brin; Google; Seafly, the company that maintained the plane; Theodore Neale, Seaflys aviation director; and Bayshore Global Management, Brins investment firm.

Maria Magdalena Olarte Maclean and her husband are seen in a family photo (right). The plane is seen after crashing into the ocean (left). (Images via SCCSC)

Court documents detail what allegedly led up to the double fatal plane crash. To get the aircraft from California to Fiji for Brins personal use, Brins agents instructed the aircrafts maintenance team, Seafly, to ready the ferry flight, court documents state. Neal served as the director of aviation for Seafly. A Seafly mechanic installed a ferry fuel system inside the aircrafts fuselage at the Santa Rosa airport.

Google co-founder Sergey Brins private plane is seen before the deadly crash. (Image via SCCSC)

Brins Viking Air Ltd. DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 N153QS private plane was illegally altered, attorneys claim.

Hours into the flight, the pilots asked over the radio for assistance with a ferry fuel system malfunction. Fuel was not transferring from the extra fuel bladders into the main fuel tanks, starving the plane of fuel, an investigation by the FAA found.

Nicole Shanahan and Sergey Brin attend the Breakthrough Prize Red Carpet at NASA Ames Research Center in 2019 in Mountain View. (Photo by Ian Tuttle / Getty Images for Breakthrough Prize)

The pilots declared an emergency, and air traffic control dispatchers alerted the U.S. Coast Guard that the aircraft would likely ditch in the ocean. The last communication with the aircraft was at 3,900 feet of elevation when the pilots reported dead stick. At 1:54 p.m., the plane crashed into the ocean.

USGS crews found the plane 33 miles from the coast of Half Moon Bay. Wreckage, the pilots bodies, and 10,000 pounds of jet fuel eventually sank to the bottom of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google Inc., wears Project Glass internet glasses while speaking at the Google I/O conference in San Francisco. (Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Maclean was an experienced pilot and a former Naval aviator. He could have successfully completed the ferry flight if FAA regulations  designed to protect against such crashes  were not violated, the suit claims.

Plaintiff begged Brins agents for help to recover her husbands remains, which they assured

her would come soon, attorneys wrote. Macleans widow said Brins representatives made empty promises without any intention of recovering the pilots bodies.

Lawsuit-filed-against-Sergey-Brin-1Download

Brin is among the richest people in the world. If he wanted to recover the aircraft and the remains of those lost, it would be done, the widows attorneys wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
OKLAHOMA (KFOR)  Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is asking the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board to reject clemency for Michael Dewayne Smith.

According to AG Drummond, Smith was convicted of murdering 40-year-old Janet Moore and 24-year-old Sharath Pulluru in two separate incidents on February 22, 2002. His clemency hearing is planned for March 6, 2024.

LOCAL NEWS: 19-year-old OSU student dies following hit-and-run

Mugshot of Michael D Smith

Michael Smiths outrageous claims of innocence have been repeatedly rejected in court, Drummond said. He is a ruthless killer who has confessed to his crimes on multiple occasions. There is no doubt in my mind that his request for clemency should be denied.

Officials say the clemency packet provided by the AGs Office contained a note from the agencys criminal appeals attorneys saying that Smith murdered Moore and Pulluru in a double-murder spree simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The packet also said that Smith was reportedly also known as the Hoover Killer and was a part of the Oak Grove Posse Kerr Village Crips gang and was looking to get revenge for another members death.

At the time the crime was committed, officials say Smith was involved in a another separate murder and that Smiths confession was confirmed by evidence at both crime scenes. Drummond added that Smiths claims of intellectual disability are statutorily ineligible due to his IQ scores.

Smith is scheduled to be executed on April 4, 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
About Dry Grasses begins with the crackling of falling snow and concludes with the crunch of desiccated grass being crushed underfoot. In both cases, the landscape in Turkeys rural Eastern Anatolia is harsh to the point of severity, and so too is the heart of Samet (Deniz Celiloglu), a middle-school teacher whose discontent manifests itself via his affiliation with two women.

An off-putting thirtysomething whose egotism is matched only by his deceitfulness, Samet is a conflicted art teacher who mires himself in dual messes of his own making. In Winter Sleep director Nuri Bilge Ceylans latest opus (in theaters Feb. 23, following acclaimed runs at last years international film festivals), he provides a stark window into the conflicted soul of his homeland, whose tensions and schisms are subtly evoked throughout the course of this challenging, if ultimately rich and rewarding, 197-minute import of longing, resentment, compromise, and self-interest.

Returning from holiday, Samet is greeted warmly at school by female student Sevim (Ece Bagc)too warmly, in fact, with her arm briefly reaching around his back, and then going into the crook of his arm, as they speak in private in a dark hallway. Samet gives Sevim a pocket mirror as a gift, tells her to look at it at home, and makes her promise to not show it to anyone. The intimacy of the moment is so intense as to be unmistakably inappropriate. A transfer from Istanbul whos been in this enclave for four years, Samet appears to have crossed a line that he either doesnt see or care about, and when, a short time later, his military commander friend remarks, Youre always hanging out with the wrong people, the implicationand quick look on Samets faceis difficult to miss.

To hammer this point home, Samet is subsequently chided by a male student for always calling on Sevim and her friends, and a colleague refers to her as your Sevim. This latter comment comes on the heels of the administrations search of student belongings, during which a love letter written by Sevim about Samet is found in her bag. Samet downplays this innocent gesturewhich flatters his egoand yet when Sevim comes to recover the letter, teary embarrassment smeared across her face, Samet downplays its importance and then lies by saying he destroyed it.

This is merely the first of many untruths uttered by the educator, and it flops badly; Sevim doesnt believe him, and a few days afterwards, he and his housemate and fellow teacher Kenan (Musab Ekici) are summoned to the office of the Director of Education, who informs them that theyve been accused by students of unsuitable behavior. Despite their shock and outrage, theyre denied any specifics about the charges, thus setting them against their new principal Bekir (Onur Berk Arslanoglu) and motivating an enraged Samet to take out his fury on Sevim, whom he naturally assumes is the culprit.

Concurrently, Samet starts a relationship with Nuray (Merve Dizdar), a teacher at a different school who lost a leg in a terrorist bombing. Though Nuray has considered transferring from this middle-of-nowhere community to Istanbulwhich is where the unhappy Samet dreams of moving to when his term is finishedshe remains committed to her present mission. With wide eyes that convey genuine toughness and, lurking beneath it, anger and sorrow at her disabled condition (which has marked her as a social outcast), Nuray is a woman seemingly caught between freedom and dependence. Initially disinterested in her, Samet introduces Nuray to Kenan. Upon doing so, however, he turns out to be jealous of their instant connection, and slowly endeavors to curry favor with Nuray through devious means.

All of this plays out in Ceylans trademark style, full of long dialogue-heavy scenes between a handful of individuals in cozy interior or expansive exterior spaces. Extended conversations wend their way around numerous subjects, such that characters thoughts and intentions are suggested rather than outright stated. About Dry Grasses is the rare film to earn the designation novelistic, its writing dense even as its plotting remains sparse, and its personal and environmental details sharp and evocative. From the whipping wind of the plains where Samet and Kenan frequently hang out (and Kenan collects water from melting snow on a rock), to the chill of a cramped home owned by older Vahit (Yuksel Aksu), who entertains his guests with whiskey, the director captures the rawness of this inhospitable locale and, more pressing still, what it feels like to inhabit it, including with regards to the various social and professional customs and dynamics that govern its daily life.

Toronto International Film Festival

At more than three hours, About Dry Grasses is a quiet, patient epic into which one comfortably sinks, even as Samet continues to prove himself something of a prick. Conspiring to sneakily win Nuray from Kenan, he outs himself as an inherently selfish mana notion that Nuray herself articulates during a lengthy argument in which she proclaims that changing the world (and ones position in it) only comes from active engagement with it, not the passive intellectual apathy that Samet champions. Moreover, hes a lout who toys with womens affections, wanting things from them that he has no desire to return in kind. As superbly embodied by Celiloglu, hes something of an unsympathetic creep. However, the film refuses to unduly moralize, instead merely charting his often-unpleasant actions and the effect they have on Kenan and Nuray, the latter of whom is played by Dizdar with a complexity of emotion that rightfully earned her the Best Actress prize at last years Cannes Film Festival.

Perfect Days: Japans Oscars Submission Is One You Dont Want to Miss

Ceylan dramatizes his protagonists shifting allegiances and outlooks via POV compositions from over individuals shoulders, as well as master shots that tellingly juxtapose them against their bitter environs. The director eschews showy flourishes; his spartan style is pointedly attuned to the unseen currents running between these men and women, complicating their days and nights, their presents and futures. When the ice thaws and the sun emerges, Samet remains in desperate need of connection with the world and others, and yet too self-centered to create such bondsleaving him, like so many of his countrymen, in enduring limbo, as alone and dried up as the arid hillside grass upon which he tramples.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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SANAA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group threatened on Friday to close a vital shipping lane in the Red Sea, after the U.S.-British maritime coalition said it bombed the port city of Hodeidah where the rebels have a military base.

Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported three airstrikes targeting the Ras Issa area, northwest of the city, near a military sea base. Residents reported hearing large explosions. No casualties were confirmed.

Without specifically confirming the airstrikes, the U.S. Central Command said on platform X that its navy shot down on Friday three drones "near several commercial ships operating in the Red Sea."

Adding to the volatility, Hussein al-Ezzy, the Houthi-appointed "deputy foreign minister," said on platform X that the group is considering "a total closure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the next days" to pressure Israel to end its conflict with Gaza.

However, analysts doubted the Houthis have the capability to enforce such a blockade, which would disrupt global trade and oil supplies as the strait is a crucial chokepoint for maritime traffic between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The Houthis have stepped up their attacks on international shipping since mid-November last year, saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza who faced intense Israeli attacks.

The U.S.-British forces have responded with dozens of airstrikes on Houthi targets, including mobile missile launchers and underwater drones, but have failed to deter the group from launching more attacks. 
MANILA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Government forces clashed with suspected rebels in Bohol province in the central Philippines on Friday, killing five rebels and a police officer, the military said.

The military reported that fighting broke out between a combined force of soldiers and police officers and the New People's Army (NPA) rebels before 7 a.m. local time in a village in Bilar town.

Troops recovered a number of rifles and pistols at the clash site.

NPA rebels have been fighting the government troops since 1969. They concentrate their attacks on rural areas and have skirmishes with the military.

Military data showed that the NPA is estimated to have 2,000 members, significantly lower than its peak strength in the 1980s. 
El Paso community leaders came together to support the Annunciation House as it battles Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in court after he called the nonprofit migrant shelter  which has helped thousands of migrants  a "stash house."

"This isn't about a discussion of country conditions that push people to flee their country," Annunciation House director Ruben Garcia said. "This is not about a discussion about what immigration policy should be ... This is not about electioneering.

"What this is about is human beings who have arrived, who are now in front of us, that are in our community, and the question arises, how do we respond to these human beings? For so many years, and part of the shock of this moment, is that for over 46 years, we have been welcoming the refugee across many political administrations and moments and officers."

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, listens as Annunciation House Executive Director Ruben Garcia discusses the lawsuit filed against his organization by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during a news conference Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.

The migrants shelter filed a lawsuit against the Texas Attorney General after it demanded the shelter turn over documents related to the services it provides and the names of the migrants it has helped. Shelter leaders then filed a lawsuit asking a court to determine what documents, if any, the shelter was legally required to release.

In response, Paxton filed a counter lawsuit claiming the migrant shelter was "facilitating illegal entry to the United States, alien harboring, human smuggling, and operating a stash house."

"I want to start by giving Annunciation House my deepest gratitude and my deepest sympathies," Texas Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, said. "You do incredible work and we've (El Paso state delegates) never been so angry and appalled as when we learned about this attack on you.

"I wasn't surprised about it though. I know far more than most of what kind of man Ken Paxton is. And believe me when I say we don't have enough time in the day to cover all of his sins. But this isn't about him. It's about us. Who we are, how we respond. And I'm here to tell everyone that no matter what Paxton or anyone else does, we won't compromise our values. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever."

More: Annunciation House responds to AG Paxton's allegations of human smuggling

Moody was among several prominent El Paso leaders who gathered Friday, Feb. 23, at the Casa Vides Annunciation House, 325 Leon St., in Downtown El Paso for a news conference to show their support for the historic migrants shelter.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar,, D-El Paso, Catholic Diocese of El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser, El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, and Texas state Sen. Cesar Blanco, D-El Paso, spoke in support of Garcia, volunteers and the shelter.

More than 50 community members attended the event with dozens more chanting in support outside of the shelter.

The support for Annunciation House was on full display as Garcia received a standing ovation when he walked into the news conference.

A bevy of local leaders took part in a news conference Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, at Casa Vides to denounce the lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against El Paso-based Catholic nonprofit Annunciation House.

"An attack on one is an attack on all and we are all here to stand with you and support you and express our incredible gratitude for you," Escobar told Garcia. "I think it is so important for everyone to understand the role Annunciation House plays, not just in our community, but in our state and for our nation. Annunciation House has been a humanitarian leader in this part of the world for decades."

The Annunciation House provides basic services such as housing, food, showers and travel assistance to migrants who are legally released into the U.S. by federal agencies pending their immigration case, Garcia said.

Legal battle between Texas Attorney General and Annunciation House

The legal saga started in early February when Paxton sent three lawyers to the Annunciation House demanding the nonprofit turn over documents, Annunciation House attorney Jerome Wesevich said. The documents requested included evidence of services provided by the shelter, applications of humanitarian relief funding, and logs identifying migrants who the shelter has served.

The lawyers allegedly told the Annunciation House leaders they had one day to turn over the documents. Garcia and his lawyers requested a time extension to go over which documents they were legally required to turnover. The Texas Office of the Attorney General denied the request.

Supporters stood outside of Annunciation House's Casa Vides on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, as inside local leaders discussed the lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against the El Paso-based Catholic nonprofit.

"I promptly emailed the Texas Attorney General's office and said 'Annunciation House will respond in 30 days," Wesevich said. "I immediately got an email back saying, 'no, you have one day to respond. If you don't respond, we will close down Annunciation House.' This left the Annunciation House with no option but to sue Attorney General Paxton to challenge his abuse of power."

A lawsuit was filed by the Annunciation House asking for a court to rule on what documents the migrant shelter must release.

"Attorney General Paxton claims that he can walk into any business at any time and demand any documents that he wants, including customer records, medical records, legal records," Wesevich said. "He claims that if the business does not cooperate to his satisfaction, that he can permanently shut down that business in Texas. Attorney General Paxton thinks that he can do this all by himself without any judicial involvement at all."

More: Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Catholic migrant aid organization for alleged 'human smuggling'

Paxton filed a counter lawsuit against the Annunciation House claiming it was a "stash house" providing illegal services to migrants.

The chaos at the southern border has created an environment where NGOs (non-governmental organizations), funded with taxpayer money from the Biden administration, facilitate astonishing horrors including human smuggling, Paxton said in a statement. While the federal government perpetuates the lawlessness destroying this country, my office works day in and day out to hold these organizations responsible for worsening illegal immigration.

Attorney General officials said the office "demanded access to certain specified records to evaluate these potential legal violations."

Garcia said he was appalled a community organization working to help people in need would be called a stash house.

"I personally am taken aback by the use of words like smuggling (and) to call our houses of hospitality 'stash houses,'" Garcia said. "Is there no shame to refer to houses of God, houses of hospitality, as stash houses?"

Both lawsuits remain pending in state district court.

Implications lawsuit could have on nonprofits across Texas

Garcia fears the lawsuit by the attorney general is the first move by the state to close down other shelters across the state.

"We gather now to begin the effort of responding to the intention to want to close down, beginning with the Annunciation House, houses of hospitality," Garcia said. "This is a forewarning to other entities that also do the work of hospitality that they can very well be next."

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser speaks during a news conference Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, to denounce the lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against El Paso faith-based nonprofit Annunciation House.

El Paso will stand in solidarity with Garcia and the Annunciation House, community leaders pledged.

"It's a critical service for our community and it's a critical service for the asylum seekers that are coming in here," Leeser said. "When you see somebody in need, the city of El Paso doesn't turn it's back. The city of El Paso stepped forward and we stepped forward to help hundreds of thousands (of migrants).

"You (Garcia Annunciation House) have provided for hundreds of thousands of people and you will continue to provide that. This won't slow us down because we can't. We continue to have people coming into our country. We continue to have people that need a shelter, need a warm meal, need food, and this city will not turn it's back on anybody."

Bishop Mark Seitz of the El Paso Diocese and city Rep. Isabel Salcido listen during a news conference Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, where local leaders denounced a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against El Paso nonprofit Annunciation House.

Seitz, who is the U.S. Bishops Conference Migration Committee chair, denounced the effort to target the migrant shelter.

"For generations, El Paso has worked hard to build a resilient, welcoming borderland community, a place of welcome and dignity," Seitz said. "Today, however, we find ourselves in an impossible position hemmed in on all sides. On the one hand, we are challenged by serious federal neglect to provide a safe, orderly, and humane response to migration at our southern border. On the other hand, we are now witnessing an escalating campaign of intimidation, fear, and dehumanization in the state of Texas."

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Pasoans show support for Annunciation House in legal battle with AG
Ruben Garcia, director of Annunciation House, speaks at a press conference about Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit against the shelter network. Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune

El Paso leaders on Friday denounced Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons threat to shut down Annunciation House, a network of migrant shelters that has been in operation for almost 50 years.

An attack on one is an attack on all, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said during a news conference at the shelters office, which was packed with supporters.

Annunciation House operates several shelters in El Paso, helping immigrants and refugees who are experiencing homelessness with various needs, including food and housing, and providing information on how to complete legal documents to claim asylum in the United States.

The nonprofit, which opened its first shelter at a local Catholic Church and receives support from the church, said it has helped hundreds of thousands of refugees who have come through El Paso by feeding and keeping them off city streets.

Earlier this month, Paxtons office sent lawyers to Annunciation Houses office seeking records of the shelters clients. The lawyers gave shelter workers a day to turn over the documents, and when Annunciation House asked for a 30-day extension, the attorney generals office refused, saying that if the staff didnt turn over the documents by the deadline, the shelters would be shut down.

Jerome Wesevich, a lawyer with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid representing Annunciation House, sued the attorney generals office, requesting that a judge determine which documents shelter officials are legally allowed to release. Wesevich said during Fridays news conference that some of the documents the state is seeking include medical records.

Attorney General Paxton compounds his abuse of power by focusing it on a religious organization that is putting Catholic faith into practice, Wesevich said. Attorney General Paxton may want to dust off his Bible and read through it sometime.

Paxton accused the shelter of not complying with his order and asked the judge to revoke the nonprofits state registration.

District Judge Francisco Dominguez of El Paso has scheduled a hearing on the case for March 7.

In public statements, Paxton has accused Annunciation House of criminal offenses, including smuggling people across the Texas-Mexico border and operating a stash house.

Is there no shame to refer to houses of God, houses of hospitality as stash houses, Ruben Garcia, the director of Annunciation House, said at the press conference.

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser said that Garcias organization and others who do similar work are invaluable to the city because those groups step in to help local and federal authorities handle large numbers of migrants entering the city. Leeser said that part of El Pasos culture is to be a welcoming place, including for vulnerable people who are seeking a better life.

This wont slow us down because we cant, the mayor said. We continue to have people coming into our country, we continue to have people that need a shelter, need a warm meal, need clothing, and the city will not turn its back on anybody.

El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said local elected officials have Garcias back and will support him.

I want to say right now, you mess with Ruben, you mess with Annunciation House, you mess with us, he said.

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.
President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele delivers remarks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2024 at National Harbor, Maryland, USA, 22 February 2024. The Conservative Political Action Conference is an annual political conference attended by conservative activists and elected officials from across the United States and beyond.

The president of El Salvador told American conservatives to "put up a fight" against the "global elites" in order to get their country back.

"The people of El Salvador have woken up, and so can you," Nayib Bukele said in a speech at the biggest annual gathering of conservatives in the US.

Mr Bukele - who calls himself the world's coolest dictator - was re-elected for a second term this month.

His popularity soared after he cracked down on crime and gangs.

Following his election in 2019, he turned El Salvador from the murder capital of the world into one of the region's safest countries.

But despite his popularity, Mr Bukele remains a controversial figure. Human rights groups say that thousands have been arbitrarily jailed during his anti-gang drive.

He was speaking at Thursday's headline event for the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), hosted by the American Conservative Union, a few miles from Washington DC.

The gathering is one of the leading events on the conservative political calendar, and has been transformed in recent years into a heavily pro-Donald Trump affair, a reflection of his takeover of the Republican Party.

The auditorium greeted Mr Bukele with a standing ovation, cheers and shouts of "I love you" as he took to the stage.

The 42-year-old has found a fan base among some American conservatives, who are impressed by his harsh criminal justice policies, while others like him for his stance on cryptocurrency, after he allowed bitcoin to be used as legal tender.

Mr Bukele told the conference that the next US president have the will and courage to do "whatever it takes" to overcome the "dark forces" that he said were trying to control the US.

He received loud applause for when he attacked institutions including what he called "corrupt judges" and fake news in both his country and the US.

He also repeatedly cast an undefined group of "global elites" as an oppressive enemy with power over the media and politics.

"The people of El Salvador have woken up, and so can you," he said. "The global elites, they hate our success and they fear yours."

He said many of the US's big cities were "in decline" and had become "places where crime and drugs have become the daily norm."

"How many young people have you lost on the streets of Philadelphia or San Francisco to fentanyl?" he said. "Can you imagine how we will be in the next five, 10, 15 years?"

He urged the enthusiastic audience: "Put up a fight because in the end it will be worth it. You will have your country back."

Mr Bukele, a former mayor of the capital, San Salvador, first won power in 2019 on a pledge to create a "new era" for El Salvador, take on gang violence and corruption and foster better relations with the US.

His government carried out sweeping arrests of anyone suspected of being involved in gang activity during his first term in office.

An estimated 75,000 people have been arrested under emergency measures that have been repeatedly extended, alarming human rights groups.

Amnesty International recently criticised the "gradual replacement of gang violence with state violence" in the country.

Mr Bukele's re-election was itself controversial. Under the constitution, he was banned from standing for a second consecutive term.

But in 2021 the constitutional court - which is dominated by his supporters - allowed a president to run again, provided he or she stands aside in the period before a second term.

Mr Bukele nominally stepped down as president several weeks ago to fulfil that requirement. He will be sworn in in June.

Other speakers at the conservative conference this week include Nigel Farage, the president of Argentina, and Mr Trump himself on Saturday.
NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland (AP)  El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele received a rock-star welcome Thursday at a conservative gathering outside Washington as he urged people to unapologetically fight against what he called dark forces.

At the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, Bukele told people to use El Salvador as a warning. He said gangs took control of his country and society decades ago and said a fight was needed to arrest criminals and remove corrupt judges.

The next president of the United States must not only win an election, he must have the vision, the will and the courage to do whatever it takes, and above all, he must be able to identify the underlying forces that will conspire against him, Bukele said in fluent English at the gathering in National Harbor, Maryland, south of Washington. These dark forces are already taking over your country.

The four-day conference will also host the new president of Argentina, right-wing populist Javier Milei. He is scheduled to speak Saturday, the same day former President Donald Trump will give the headlining address.

Nearly two years ago, Bukele declared a war on gangs. He has so far detained more than 76,000 Salvadorans as he attempts to break the chain of violence that has ravaged the country for decades. His policies have broad support and earlier this month, he won reelection to a second five-year term. Many of the arrests are conducted with little evidence or access to due process, and human rights groups have documented widespread abuses not experienced since the countrys 1980-92 civil war.

At one point in his remarks, Bukele said it took 50 years, two wars, 250,000 deaths, a third of the population displaced and a near miracle to get our country back. Someone in the crowd shouted, And you!

As he exited the ballroom, people cheered, shouted his name, blew horns in support and paraded a calendar with his photograph as conservatives chased him down the halls to snap pictures and get a few words with the leader.

To have a smart man as president really makes a difference, said Nallely Gutierrez Gijon, who managed to get a picture with the Salvadoran leader. He is determined as an authoritarian to end corruption but governs with an iron fist.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA)  The Illinois primary elections are less than a month away, and various counties throughout Central Illinois are trying to recruit more election judges.

Jessica Fox, the Shelby County Clerk, said she and other county clerks experience a shortage of judges every election cycle, with few alternates to step in if primary judges cannot work their assigned shifts. Most clerks WCIA talked to indicated that they are always in need of judges, especially to serve as backups, and will not turn anyone away.

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Some counties need more additional judges more than others, however, and there is little time to recruit them. The Illinois primary elections are less than a month away and judges need to be assigned to their precincts as early as next week.

Macon County in particular is in need of judges, and people interested in being a judge there are asked to contact the County Clerks Office as soon as possible.

To be an election judge, people must:

Be registered to vote in the county they live in

Attend a training session prior to Election Day

Set up the polling place the Monday before Election Day

Work all day (approximately 5 a.m. until after polls close at 7 p.m. and ballots have been returned to the County Clerks Office) on Election Day

Acting Ogden Mayor launches write-in campaign for state representative

People who want to volunteer as election judges can contact their county clerks office by calling or visiting their websites. Contact information for each county clerk office in Central Illinois is listed below:

Champaign  217-384-3724  Click here for online judge portal

Christian  Call 217-824-4969 or email elections@christiancountyil.com

Coles  217-348-0523  Click here for information on becoming a judge

DeWitt County  Call 217-935-7780 or email Kari Harris at kharris@dewittcountyil.gov

Douglas County  Call 217-253-2442 or email Judi Pollock at judi.pollock@douglascountyil.gov

Effingham  217-342-6535  Click here to apply

Ford County  Call 217-379-9400

Iroquois County  Call 815-432-6960 or email Breein Suver at bsuver@iroquoiscountyil.gov

Logan County  Call 217-732-4148 or email elections@logancountyil.gov

Macon County  Call 217-424-1305

Menard County  Call 217-632-3201  email Martha Gum at email mgum@menardcountyil.gov  Click here for information on becoming a judge

Moultrie County  Call 217-728-4389 or email Linda Qualls at linda.qualls@moultriecountyil.gov  Click here for information on becoming a judge

Piatt County  Call 217-762-9487

Sangamon County  Call 217-753-8683  Click here to apply

Shelby County  Call 217-774-4421

Vermilion County  217-554-1900  Click here to apply

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR)  The Red Cross is helping two people after an electrical fire caused heavy damage to a home in Danville early Friday morning.

The Danville Fire Department says around 4 a.m. on Feb. 23, crews were called to the 100 block of Marshall Terrance. Upon arrival, crews found heavy flames and smoke coming from the back of the house.

Firefighters quickly jumped into action and began searching the home as crews worked to extinguish the fire.

The fire department said two people and a cat were located outside of the house. One person was treated at the scene and taken to the Emergency Room for further evaluation.

During the investigation, the Danville Fire Marshall determined the cause of the fire was electrical.

Fire officials say the Red Cross is assisting the occupants.

There were no reported injuries.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL)- Marine Corps Veteran Andy Wetzel said hes always wanted to help others.

Serving my country, other than serving the Lord, theres no greater privilege in this world, said Wetzel.

Wetzel started as an infantryman and worked his way up. He spent two tours in Iraq.

We had perimeter security around al-Asad Air Base. And were also responsible for all the convoys that came in and out of the base, Wetzel said. We were at the Jordan border a lot picking up supplies; Baghdad, Ramadi, so we were traveling a lot. We were running basically a convoy a night.

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He was there as a sergeant in 2004 and as a company gunnery sergeant in 2009. Both times he was responsible for groups of men.

In 04, we had very little. We had to do a lot on our own to take care of ourselves, a lot of borrowing, a lot of begging, things like that. Our living conditions were safe but they werent elaborate by any means, said Wetzel. When we went back in 2009, they had a Burger King and a Kentucky Fried Chicken on the base. So that kind of gives you the transition of how things worked out in those few years.

All of the men in Wetzels group made it home both times.

I was responsible for a lot of guys. Forty-six in 04 and the whole company really in 2009. Being the company gunnery sergeant, I wasnt tactically involved, but I was in charge of all their supplies, making sure they had everything they needed to accomplish all their missions, he said. It was absolutely the most important thing. I mean, its no different than a job I do here at the fire department that when I show up in the morning, my job is to keep these guys safe and make sure they come back home to their families the next morning. And that was that was pretty much my job there, too.

Wetzel is now one of three battalion chiefs of the Elizabethton Fire Department.

The discipline. The, again, the understanding of training, the understanding of the importance of taking care of your men, all those things. I hope I brought to the fire department, Wetzel said. Theres nowhere that I found that had the camaraderie and the brotherhood and men taking care of men like I had in the military. This is the closest thing that I found to that was coming to the fire service.

Area veteran recounts Army career overseas building relationships

The lessons learned in the Marines helped prepare him to lead crews at three different fire stations.

The focus had to be razor sharp. You had to understand everything that was going on, he said. Your preparation prior to leaving the wire on a convoy or something like that was paramount to make sure we had our bases covered with anything that could possibly happen outside that wire.

In the Wetzel family, serving the country doesnt stop with him. His three sons are also in the Marine Corps.

Its obviously a lot of pride in them following in my footsteps, Weltzel said. My dad was a tanker in the Army and my grandfather was in the Army Air Corps during World War Two. So theres a lineage of service in our family. 

Wetzel is also the Commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2166 and the Veterans War Memorial Committee in Elizabethton.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Chinese Lantern Festival celebrations held in Malta

Xinhua) 08:38, February 23, 2024

A Chinese artist performs during a Chinese Lantern Festival concert in Valletta, Malta, on Feb. 21, 2024. A concert for the Chinese Lantern Festival was held at Malta's China Cultural Center on Wednesday night, featuring classic Chinese songs such as "Give Me a Rose," "Nocturnal Peace," and "Moonlight over the Spring River." (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

VALLETTA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Celebrations for the Chinese Lantern Festival were held in Malta this week, immersing people in the traditional culture of China.

The lantern festival takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the New Year celebration. This year, it falls on Feb. 24.

A concert was held at Malta's China Cultural Center on Wednesday night, featuring classic Chinese songs such as "Give Me a Rose," "Nocturnal Peace," and "Moonlight over the Spring River."

The China Broadcasting Performing Arts Troupe's performance received a standing ovation, and the artists gave an encore of two more songs: "Jasmine Flower" from China and "Festa" from Malta.

Highlighting that the Lantern Festival is one of China's most important traditional festivals, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Malta Peng Yijun said that the concert will "bring together friends from all walks of life in Malta to enjoy the unique artistic charm of traditional Chinese folk music."

China wants to "further strengthen cultural exchanges and mutual learning with Malta," he added.

Mary Ann Cauchi, director of Funding and Strategy for the Arts Council Malta, said that the Lantern Festival has become a popular attraction. It promotes the convergence of two different cultures, and two ancient civilizations, she said.

"China and Malta are good friends that have withstood the test of time," she noted. "The countries' cooperation and exchanges have deepened in fields such as infrastructure, aquaculture, maritime and commercial, especially through Malta's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative."

Evarist Bartolo, Malta's former foreign minister, said that since he was born in the Year of the Dragon in 1952, 2024 is a special year for him as it is another Year of the Dragon.

"For me, it has a personal meaning: the relationship between Malta and China should get stronger and stronger," Bartolo said.

Martin Azzopardi, a science teacher and the founder of China Corner at St. Margaret College Secondary School in Cospicua, said the concert allowed the Maltese people to appreciate the rich musical culture of China.

On Thursday, the troupe also staged a performance at San Andrea School in northern Malta for over 200 students and teachers.

Also on Thursday, an event was held at St. Clare Pembroke Secondary School, northeastern Malta, featuring singing and dancing, Chinese paper-cuts, tasting of dumplings, and trying on traditional Chinese clothing known as Hanfu.

School headteacher Lino Borg told Xinhua that the event, organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta, provided the students with a valuable opportunity to gain insight into Chinese culture and traditions. He expected the scale of these events would be expanded next year, to attract more students to learn the Chinese language.

Chinese artists perform during a Chinese Lantern Festival concert in Valletta, Malta, on Feb. 21, 2024. A concert for the Chinese Lantern Festival was held at Malta's China Cultural Center on Wednesday night, featuring classic Chinese songs such as "Give Me a Rose," "Nocturnal Peace," and "Moonlight over the Spring River." (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

A Chinese artist performs during a Chinese Lantern Festival concert in Valletta, Malta, on Feb. 21, 2024. A concert for the Chinese Lantern Festival was held at Malta's China Cultural Center on Wednesday night, featuring classic Chinese songs such as "Give Me a Rose," "Nocturnal Peace," and "Moonlight over the Spring River." (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

Chinese artists perform during a Chinese Lantern Festival concert in Valletta, Malta, on Feb. 21, 2024. A concert for the Chinese Lantern Festival was held at Malta's China Cultural Center on Wednesday night, featuring classic Chinese songs such as "Give Me a Rose," "Nocturnal Peace," and "Moonlight over the Spring River." (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
BERLIN, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius warned the European Union on Thursday against any move to increase protectionism against China as it would be destructive for an economic region like Europe, according to a Reuters report.

Kaellenius' voice resonates with many German companies. According to a survey released in late January by the German Chamber of Commerce in China, 78 percent of German companies expect consistent growth of their industry in China for the next five years.

Some 48 percent of the respondents anticipate a yearly expansion of 5 percent to 20 percent of their industry in China. Larger companies show greater optimism, with 90 percent of them seeing potential for their industry's growth, according to the survey.

China continues to be a key innovation and research hub for Bosch Group in addition to being a significant market, said Xu Daquan, president of Bosch China, adding that despite various challenges and uncertainties, Bosch China achieved sustained and robust growth in 2023.

In 2023, Bosch Group's sales in China reached 139.1 billion yuan (about 19.5 billion U.S. dollars), a 5.2 percent year-on-year growth, with nearly 58,000 employees in the country.

Bosch intends to maintain its stronghold in the Chinese market, make ongoing investments, improve local manufacturing and research and development skills, grow local alliances, and provide more effective customer and market services while fostering company expansion, said Xu.

A study by the German Economic Institute (IW) showed that Germany's direct investment in China hit a record high last year, reaching 11.9 billion euros (12.7 billion U.S. dollars), up 4 percent from the previous year.

German companies' direct investment in China accounted for 10 percent of Germany's total foreign investment in 2023, marking a significant increase. Their cumulative investment in China over the past three years matched the total investment in the six years from 2015 to 2020, according to the study. 
Emma Holmes served her time in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. All 30 years of it. But when she thought it was time for her to be released, she was told she was not eligible.

MDOC officials could not document all the time Holmes spent in Grenada County Jail for the crime for which she was later convicted, so she had to stay locked up for 235 days longer than her sentence. Or so she believes, and she's filing suit to be compensated for that time.

Holmes was 33 when she was sentenced as a habitual offender convicted on a drug charge. Now 67, she is trying to catch up on the 30 years she wasn't able to be with her five children. The youngest was just over a year old when she was sent to prison.

Emma Holmes, right, holds a sign during a press conference at the Thad Cochran Federal Courthouse in Jackson on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Attorney George "Boo" Hollowell stands in front of her.

Lawsuit: Prison chemicals caused cancer: Lawsuit claims incarcerated woman got cancer from chemicals used in Mississippi prison

After her arrest, she spent time in custody in the Grenada County Jail. That time was supposed to be applied to her sentence, but only 300 of the 535 days she spent in jail was credited to her. That left 235 days  approximately eight months  that were not taken off the end of her sentence.

Now, she wants that time back.

Holmes' attorney Arthur Calderon filed a federal lawsuit asking for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for the two-thirds of a year she was kept in prison beyond what she believed was her official release date, claiming her Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection under the law was violated.

Court records show MDOC in 2009 had a notarized document that verified the time she was supposed to be credited, but when prison officials contacted the Grenada County Jail in 2016, the jail had no record of Holmes' time there. MDOC refused to credit that time to Holmes.

"I gave them all my papers and everything, but they told me I was too late," Holmes said.

Emma Holmes

Click here to see Emma Holmes' jail and prison documents

Holmes tried to appeal her case to MDOC again in 2017, but the appeal was rejected. She filed in 2019 another request to be released, but she was ordered to remain in prison until April 2020.

"It's like her civil liberties don't count," Greenville attorney George "Boo" Hollowell said during a rally in Jackson.

Some of the defendants are asking for a summary judgment, meaning they want the judge to make a decision on the case before it proceeds any further. Former MDOC Commissioner Pelicia Hall and Deputy Commissioner Jeworski Jay Mallett deny Holmes' allegations and claim they have qualified immunity from prosecution.

Former Grenada County Sheriff Alton Strider was dismissed as a defendant in the case.

The remaining defendants named in the lawsuit deny Holmes' allegations.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections cant comment on pending litigation, MDOC Communications Director Kate Head said in an email.

The case was scheduled to begin trial on Feb. 19, but the trial was postponed while pending motions are being considered.

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: Emma Holmes says she was kept in prison 8 months longer than sentence
Energy bills will fall by more than 12% for most people in England, Scotland and Wales from April.

The latest price cap has been announced by energy regulator Ofgem, which sets the maximum price suppliers can charge households for each unit of gas and electricity they use.

What is the energy price cap?

The energy price cap is set every three months and covers 29 million households in England, Wales and Scotland.

It fixes the maximum price that can be charged for each unit of energy on a standard - or default - tariff for a typical dual-fuel household which pays by direct debit.

Gas prices will be capped at 6p per kilowatt hour (kWh), and electricity at 24p per kWh. Currently, gas is 7.42p per kWh and electricity 28.62p per kWh.

When prices soared after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the government introduced a temporary Energy Price Guarantee to limit bills. However, Ofgem is again responsible for deciding how much customers can be charged.

The cap does not apply in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market. Prices are also falling there.

How much is my bill likely to go down?

Ofgem says that, from April, an average household paying by direct debit for dual fuel (gas and electricity) will pay 1,690 a year, a drop of 238 from the previous cap.

Ofgem price cap

Should I fix my energy prices?

The fall in energy prices has raised hopes that suppliers will offer cheaper, fixed-price deals.

These offer certainty for a set period, but if prices drop further people can find themselves stuck at the higher price.

Analysts at Cornwall Insight predict the price cap will see a small fall in July, but increase slightly in October.

When considering a fixed-price deal, Ofgem says people should seek independent advice and "consider what is most important for them, whether that's the lowest price or the security of a fixed deal".

Price comparison website Uswitch says it expects "increased competition" from suppliers, but warns that people to check any exit fees if they want to leave a fixed deal early.

What are standing charges and how are they changing?

Although the overall cap has fallen, standing charges - a fixed daily amount which covers the costs of connecting to a supply - have increased.

Standing charges will be 60p a day for electricity and 31p a day for gas, although they vary by region.

The regulator will also add 28 to everyone's bill over a year to cover the cost of dealing with 3.1bn of debt that customers owe to suppliers.

What is a typical household?

How much you pay for energy depends on the overall amount of gas and electricity you use.

But the type of property you live in, how energy efficient it is, and how many people live there, also affect your bill.

The Ofgem cap is based on a "typical household" using 11,500 kWh of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity a year and paying by direct debit.

The vast majority of people pay their bill this way, to help spread payments across the year.

Those who pay every three months by cash and cheque are charged more. Their typical annual bill from April will be 1,796, which is 106 more a year than that of a direct debit customer.

Energy bills

What is happening to prepayment customers?

Households on prepayment meters will now pay the same as those on direct debit. Previously they were charged more.

About four million households had prepayment meters in July 2023, according to Ofgem.

Many have been in place for years, but some meters were installed more recently after customers struggled to pay their bills.

New rules mean suppliers must give customers more opportunity to clear their debts before switching them to a meter, and they cannot be installed at all in certain households.

What support is available for energy bills?

Certain groups - such as pensioners and those on some means-tested or disability benefits - received extra cost-of-living payments when bills soared.

But much of that extra support has now finished.

The 500m Household Support Fund, which the government introduced to help with costs in September 2021, had been due to end in March 2024.

However, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a six-month extension in the April Budget.

The Warm Home Discount scheme continues to offer a discount to eligible pensioners and low income households.

The government's Fuel Direct Scheme can help people to repay a debt from their benefit payments.

In addition, energy suppliers must offer customers affordable payment plans or repayment holidays if they are struggling to pay bills.

Most suppliers also offer hardship grants.

What help are businesses getting?

The energy support scheme for businesses, which offered firms a discount on wholesale prices, will end in March 2024.

The scheme offered a larger discount to heavy energy-using sectors, like glass, ceramics and steelmakers.
An aerial view of equipment used to extract polluted water from Chiquita Canyon landfill in Castaic. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Federal officials have ordered operators of Chiquita Canyon landfill to take immediate steps to protect human health and the environment, saying the smoldering Castaic facility poses an imminent danger to nearby communities due to noxious odors and hazardous liquid waste.

The action taken Thursday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency comes amid growing calls to shut down the facility.

This order reflects EPAs commitment to ensuring landfill operators mitigate noxious odors and comply with federal law to prevent public exposure to hazardous wastes, said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. Todays order is the result of local, state, and federal collaboration to better protect the health of nearby residents as well as the surrounding environment.

Read more: Uncontrolled chemical reactions fuel crises at L.A. County's two largest landfills

The source of the growing crisis is a heat-generating chemical reaction that probably began deep within the landfill in May of 2022. Extreme heat and growing pressure within the dump have caused piping-hot, contaminated water to spill onto the surface, or occasionally erupt like a geyser.

Sarah Olaguez joins residents of Val Verde and Castaic in Hasley Canyon Park calling for the Chiquita Canyon Landfill to be closed. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

This polluted water has contained cancer-causing benzene above federal standards, making it liquid hazardous waste, according to environmental regulators. Officials have also raised concerns that toxic fumes are drifting into neighboring communities and polluted water has been discharged into nearby waterways due to heavy rains.

The landfill's operator, Waste Connections Inc., says many of the EPA directives are already in the process of being implemented.

Although tests showed benzene levels in excess of federal standards as early as August, the landfill continued to send truckloads to two facilities that are unauthorized to handle hazardous waste, according to the EPA. In late January, landfill officials informed the facilities  Avalon Premium Tank Cleaning in Los Angeles Countys West Rancho Dominguez neighborhood and Patriot Environmental Services in Orange  that the polluted water contained somewhat elevated levels of benzene.

In addition, the landfill acknowledged that some of this chemical-laced water produced enough flammable vapor to be ignitable.

In addition to the EPA's action, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control has issued multiple violation notices in connection with the landfill's disposal of the hazardous waste.

Chiquita Canyon officials have argued that the elevated benzene found in some water samples is not representative of the larger amount of liquid that the company is trying to remove and transport.

An aerial view of trucks unloading, heavy equipment spreading trash over at Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

As landfill operators struggle to control the chemical reaction, they acknowledge that the amount of contaminated water leaking from the facility has increased from about 20,000 gallons a day to 200,000 gallons a day, according to landfill officials.

Read more: A fire burning deep inside an L.A. County landfill is raising new alarms over toxic air

Residents surrounding the facility have lodged more than 7,000 complaints about noxious odors in the past year.

On Thursday, dozens of discontented residents gathered at Hasley Canyon Park in Castaic, where recent air sampling detected benzene concentration more than eight times higher than the states short-term health limit. The park is located alongside Live Oak Elementary School, where school staff began giving students the option to sit indoors instead of play outside for recess.

Among the demonstrators were California Assemblymembers Chris Holden and Pilar Schiavo. They were among several lawmakers who sent a letter to the state Department of Toxic Substances Control, requesting increased state oversight and accountability.

"At best, it would seem that the operators of the landfill only act when forced by authorities and regulators," Holden said. "The operators of Chiquita Canyon landfill have delivered inadequate results in addressing the alarming concerns of the public nuisance they are causing. This is a public health crisis caused by them. It requires a permanent solution that provides immediate relief for the impacted communities and their families."

Metal storage containers are connected with pipes, storing contaminated or polluted water as the result of an underground landfill fire at Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Recently, Citizens for Chiquita Canyon Closure, a nonprofit based in Val Verde, sued Los Angeles County, demanding that the permit be revoked and calling for waste disposal activities to immediately cease. The landfill, the second-largest in L.A. County, accepts roughly 7,000 to 8,000 tons of garbage daily.

Christina Orellana, who is a member of a separate class-action lawsuit against the landfill and the county and who also lives in Val Verde, said the odors from the landfill have given her family members headaches and made it difficult to breathe. It's been especially difficult on her daughter who can no longer play outdoors, she said.

Read more: L.A. County leader calls for residents to be relocated as garbage burns inside Chiquita Canyon Landfill

"She knows on the mornings where she needs to run to the car to avoid the exposure," Orellana said. "She cries because she can't play outside. She can't go on her trampoline, she can't rollerblade. She also cannot escape the physical and mental impacts this crisis has caused. ... The county fails to protect our health and quality of life by allowing Chiquita Canyon landfill to remain open."

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the area, wrote a letter calling on the landfill to provide funds to relocate residents who want to temporarily move until the issue is resolved. However, Barger has expressed hesitance to close the site.

"The County cannot unilaterally close the landfill without justification," Barger said in a statement Thursday. "The odors do not originate from active portions of the landfill and since the landfills operator is actively working to abate odors, closing the Chiquita Canyon Landfill would have no effect on decreasing or eliminating odors."

John Perkey, vice president of Waste Connections, attended a community meeting Feb. 13 and said the landfill was in the process of putting together a program to distribute funds that nearby residents could spend to relocate or make improvements to their homes to abate the odors.

But the thought of moving is disquieting for longtime residents including Amber Elton, who has lived in Val Verde for more than 30 years.

"They would need to provide us with a similar housing situation," she said. "We can't be relocated to a motel room with our kids and dogs, and asked to live in that way. I mean, these are our homes."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In Erie County, a superintendent says a handful of relatively straightforward state reforms could free up enough money for his school district to make security upgrades and invest in more mental health services.

Across the commonwealth, Montgomery County education leaders predict the same changes could help them pay to install air conditioning units in their middle schools. And in Beaver County, projected savings from the proposal could help stave off future tax increases for residents, another superintendent says.

These public school leaders are talking about reforming Pennsylvania's cyber charter funding structure, a decades-old system that many districts agree is broken and a growing budgetary albatross.

The way we fund cyber charter schools now just defies all logic, said Matt Lane, superintendent for Erie Countys General McLane School District. In a guest column in the Erie Times-News, Lane decried the crippling impact the existing funding mechanism has on district finances.

Now, after many years of stagnation on the issue, public school advocates  who have ranked this issue as one of their priorities for the Pennsylvania General Assembly  say state leaders finally seem on the verge of action.

A proposal for simplifying charter tuition payments and easing the burden on public school districts cleared the House in 2023 by a bipartisan vote and now awaits a hearing in the Senate. The cause got another significant boost in February when Gov. Josh Shapiro said charter funding reform was on his agenda for the coming year.

But charter advocates are pushing back, arguing the real motive behind the proposed reforms is to undermine school choice and drive these virtual academies out of the commonwealth. Families are turning to charters as a refuge from traditional public schools, the advocates argue, and education officials should address these underlying issues rather than try to cut off the exits.

They say the effort is more about money than whats best for students.

The bill progressing through the General Assembly would save Pennsylvania school districts nearly $456 million each year by lowering the amount they pass along to cyber charters, according to legislative estimates. That would include about $7 million for Erie County districts alone.

Shapiros plan wouldnt incorporate all the changes suggested by the legislation but would still yield an estimated $262 million in savings for districts across the commonwealth.

Though these conversations are not new  and even former Gov. Tom Wolf took an unsuccessful stab at changing the cyber charter funding system  past negotiations have fallen apart amid stark differences between the factions involved.

But this time feels a bit different to reform proponents, who see the bills progress through the Pennsylvania House as a promising sign that lawmakers are finally willing to confront this issue.

Supporters of these changes say Senate Republicans are holding things up, with the legislation lingering for months in the chamber without getting a hearing.

Elizabeth Stelle, director of policy analysis at the conservative Commonwealth Foundation, says the debate centers on a faulty premise and that the conversation should be about standardizing student funding for all schools, not just charters.

Charter schools already receive less money per student than traditional schools, she pointed out, although public education advocates contend this makes sense because districts provide transportation to regular and charter students and offer other services that charters do not. Stelle, though, sees that disparity as unfair.

What were implicitly saying is that that student is somehow worth less, Stelle said, which I dont think is the message that we want our families and our parents to get.

Wattsburg schools superintendent: Pennsylvania's cyber charter schools cost taxpayers and businesses

Why do Pa. school officials have a problem with cyber charter funding?

School districts peg charter school payments as one of their foremost financial challenges, with more than three-quarters of survey respondents identifying these tuition rates as a leading cause of budget pressure, according to a recent poll of Pennsylvania district administrators.

The amounts districts pay to Pennsylvanias 14 cyber charters have attracted particular scrutiny, in part because these online academies attract students from all over the commonwealth but get vastly different funding rates for them depending on where theyre from. Because of the current district-by-district method for calculating these payments, two kids attending the exact same cyber charter might draw $8,500 in tuition or $22,000 in tuition simply based on where they live.

In addition, public school advocates argue the rates ignore the cost savings of virtual instruction, which requires less spending on buildings and utilities. Districts now pay the same per-student tuition to brick-and-mortar charter schools as they do to cyber charters.

Describing this, intuitively, anyone would reach the same conclusion, I think: Why would a cyber school get paid the same as a brick-and-mortar school when they dont have the same expenses? said Steve Skrocki, chief financial officer for the North Penn School District in Montgomery County.

Many public school officials also object to the tuition bills theyre footing for special education students who attend charters.

The state offers public schools different levels of special education funding depending on how many additional services and accommodations a particular student requires. Charter schools, though, get the same special education tuition rate regardless of whether a student is extremely high-need or is enrolled in a small amount of speech therapy, said Andy Christ, senior director of education policy for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

Moreover, the cost savings from the departure of a single student into a charter generally isnt large enough to offset the districts payment to these academies, Christ said. So education officials are often forced to compensate in other ways, whether its by increasing local property taxes or cutting programs and services to children who remain in traditional public schools.

Among public education officials, theres almost universal agreement that the state should change the charter funding system, according to Christ, who said roughly 94% of the Keystone States school boards have adopted a resolution urging the General Assembly to enact reforms.

Though Christ said the school boards association has been aware of these problems since the cyber charter law was passed in the early 2000s, the pandemic put them in sharper relief with skyrocketing demand for online learning. During just one year of the COVID-19 crisis, districts tuition payments to cyber charters soared by $335 million, or nearly 50%, according to the groups Research for Action and Pennsylvania Clearinghouse for Education Research.

Adding insult to injury, local school districts have watched some cyber charters amass large budget surpluses and funnel money toward marketing campaigns  sometimes sponsoring firework displays or parade floats as a way to advertise.

Stelle defended some level of marketing, saying local communities arent naturally aware of cyber charters the way they are of public schools in their area. And some school districts also have sizable fund reserves, she noted, although she believes theres room for conversation about how charter advertising should work and how large budget surpluses should be.

She contends that cyber charters and other alternative schooling options benefit everyone, including families who opt to stick with traditional public education.

Having charters of different kinds creates accountability and it creates competition, Stelle said, which is going to improve student performance across the board.

2021: Online PA charter school buys building in downtown Erie

What cyber charter changes are under consideration in Pa.?

In light of their grievances, public school officials and advocates are demanding more accountability for cyber charters and a standardized tuition rate that could save districts hundreds of millions each year.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, would establish a statewide cyber charter tuition of $8,000 per student.

The legislation, HB1422, would also create tiered tuition rates for special education students based on their level of need and add transparency requirements. It would bar cyber charters from sponsoring parades, professional sports games and similar events and require them to state in their marketing materials that taxpayer dollars cover the cost of student tuition.

Matt Lane, General McLane schools superintendent

As beneficiaries of public tax funding, charters shouldn't be held accountable any more than we are, Lane said. But it certainly should not be less, either.

The House of Representatives approved the bill in a bipartisan vote last year, but the legislation hasnt advanced since it crossed into the GOP-controlled Senate.

Still, in Christs estimation, its the first serious cyber charter reform legislation to make real headway in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Lane said General McLane School District has been striving to eliminate a projected budget deficit. Though theyve made difficult decisions to close the gap, the annual cyber charter payments are a drag on the process, and theres only so much the district can do to mitigate it, he said.

The estimated $536,000 in savings from HB1422 could help with that  and could also help fund physical security improvements at the districts schools and pay for counselors and other mental health services, he said.

Christ said other district officials have talked about investing charter reform savings in instructional programs and in technology or curriculum modernization. Local taxpayers also might benefit, as the financial cushion could help school districts prevent future rate hikes, he said.

Charter school advocates, on the other hand, say the proposed changes would devastate them financially  and accuse reform proponents of aiming to do just that.

Make no mistake, regardless of what they say, anti-cyber charter school advocates want cyber charters gone and their actions prove it, Timothy Eller, senior vice president of outreach and government relations for Commonwealth Charter Academy, wrote in a recent letter to the editor.

Education officials are attacking the concept of school choice rather than fixing the problems that have parents dissatisfied with public schools in the first place, Eller continued.

And with charter school attendees already receiving less funding than public school students, Stelle said the changes proposed by Ciresi would only deepen existing inequalities without a clear justification for why that disparity needs to exist.

Lane acknowledged that cyber charters are the right option for some families and said he's not on a mission to shut these schools down but to correct what he believes is a broken process.

Beaver County: Ellwood City high school postpones musical; cites sudden decline in student participation

Where does the debate stand?

The conversation about cyber charter reform got an additional push in February when Shapiro listed it as an administration priority.

In his budget address, Shapiro called for developing a cyber charter reimbursement rate that actually reflects what it costs to send a kid to these institutions, offering as an example the $8,000-per-pupil figure recommended by HB1422.

If we do that, we will level the playing field, he said.

Shapiros plan, which would call for the standardized tuition rate but doesnt include all aspects of Ciresis bill, would still save about a quarter-billion-dollars for school districts statewide.

Sen. David Argall, who chairs the education committee considering HB1422, agrees that virtual learning is less costly than in-person instruction and that cyber charter tuition rates should reflect these savings. But hes not sure the number suggested by Shapiro is the right one  and said charter school supporters are wary of purported reform attempts that would threaten their continued existence.

There are people that want to put the cyber charters out of business, and there are a lot of advocates of school choice in the General Assembly, Argall said. So some of those gaps, we're never going to bridge.

Still, Argall said he does expect lawmakers will do something to update the commonwealths cyber charter system, even if its not everything public school advocates and Democrats would want.

Even if we only agree on 5% or 10%, getting that piece done would be much more than what's been done in the last 10 or 15 years, the Schuylkill County Republican said.

State Sen. David Argall, R-Schuylkill

Argall said he anticipates a forthcoming version of the bill that will strive to find common ground. After that, he said, itll be up to state lawmakers to make sure the consensus language finds safe passage to Shapiros desk.

Anyone can amend it along the way, and if they do, thats likely to kill it, Argall said. So, its going to be a very, very delicate process.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Are Pa. lawmakers poised to overhaul cyber charter funding?
Charlie Birkett said outside the court that the case had made his life 'extremely hard' - Dave Higgens/PA

A shooting estate manager accused of burning down a 14th-century Michelin-starred restaurant has been told he is perfectly innocent after allegations against him were dropped.

Charlie Birkett was charged with arson after the fire which engulfed the thatched Star Inn at Harome, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire in November 2021.

At York Crown Court on Friday, more than two years later, the 28-year-old was told by a judge: You leave this court without a stain on your character.

At the hearing, prosecutors offered no evidence in the case after a new report was produced by one of Britains leading fire investigators, Dr Peter Mansi.

The report, which prosecutors reviewed and ultimately agreed with, was paid for by Mr Birketts family who run the Rievaulx Sporting Estate in North Yorkshire.

The court was told Mr Birkett was charged on the basis that he deliberately put a cigarette into the thatch of the building.

However, prosecutors admitted that Dr Mansis report showed that the fire was caused by a candle in a makeshift ashtray igniting cigarette butts, which spread to dead ivy around the door of the pub.

Criticised the investigation

In an emotional statement read on the steps of the court, Mr Birkett said his life had been extremely hard while living with the prospect of a possible prison term of more than six years.

He criticised the police and fire service investigations, saying that many other people would not have had the financial resources to challenge the evidence in the way he did.

The Star Inn has regularly featured in lists of the best restaurants and gastropubs since the arrival of chef and patron Andrew Pern more than 25 years ago.

The inn was rebuilt and reopened on the anniversary of the fire in 2022. No one was injured in the blaze and more than 40 firefighters battled to save the building.

Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, said the defence team should be commended for producing such a thoroughly convincing report.

He said: This was an accidental fire caused by people dropping cigarette ends into a candle holder.

Case was entirely misconceived

Speaking outside the court, Mr Birkett said that within 15 minutes of being provided with the prosecution papers, Dr Mansi categorically could state that the prosecution case was entirely misconceived and that fire investigators followed an entirely incorrect hypothesis.

Mr Birkett said his defence team was able to secure hours of video footage prior to the fire starting, which the police had, which showed that the fire was nothing to do with me.

A single charge of arson with recklessness as to whether property would be destroyed or life endangered was dropped.

The CPS said: We have a duty to continually review cases and after receiving further expert evidence into the cause of the fire, we concluded there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and stopped the case.

North Yorkshire Police said it supported the decision to drop the charge.

A spokesman added: In light of the outcome we will be reviewing this case to identify any learning opportunities.

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Charles Michel, President of the European Council, spoke by phone with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, assuring him of financial and military support for Ukraine.

Source: Michel on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Spoke with President Zelenskyy ahead of the 2-year anniversary of Russias full scale war against his country and people, and the 10th anniversary of Russias illegal annexation of Ukraines Crimea."

Spoke with President @ZelenskyyUa ahead of the 2-year anniversary of Russias full scale war against his country and people, and the 10th anniversary of Russias illegal annexation of Ukraines Crimea.



I reaffirmed the EUs ironclad financial & military support to Ukraine for as pic.twitter.com/kDfV80a4Ap  Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) February 22, 2024

During the conversation, the president of the European Council confirmed the unwavering financial and military support of Ukraine from the EU "as long as needed."

"Russia can never extinguish the flame of democracy in Ukraine. The destiny of Ukraine is in the EU," Michel stressed.

Background:

Michel previously stated that Ukraine's defeat would jeopardise European values, so Europe has no choice but to continue supporting Kyiv.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said European countries must find a way to help Ukraine obtain the ammunition it urgently needs.

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In a letter to the member states' foreign and defence ministers, Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy, has urged them to do everything possible to provide Ukraine with shells, stating that immediate action is required to change the situation for Ukraine and European security.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Politico

Details: According to Borrell's letter, the lack of ammunition is impeding Ukrainian soldiers' ability to fight the aggressor.

He urged EU members to help Ukraine in any way they could, including finding more shells in their warehouses, placing defence orders, and funding the Ukrainian defence industry.

"Doing nothing is not an option," the EUs top diplomat emphasised in the letter.

Borrell also called on EU countries to disclose what they are doing bilaterally to help Kyiv.

"Together, I believe we can make a difference  for Ukraine and for the security of Europe  but this requires immediate action. Time is of the essence," his letter concludes.

The EU agreed in March 2023 to provide Ukraine with one million rounds of ammunition within a year, but this goal has not been met. The EU has already provided 355,000 shells, with an additional 524,000 expected by the end of March and 1,155,000 by the end of the year.

Background:

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said European countries must find a way to help Ukraine obtain the ammunition it urgently needs.

Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on EU foreign ministers to urgently contribute to the supply of artillery shells to Ukraine when he addressed them at a meeting in Brussels on 19 February.

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European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola have issued a joint statement on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, promising assistance to end the war.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the text of the statement

Details: In the text, EU leaders promise to support Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

They place responsibility for the war on the Russian Federation and its leaders.

"We remain determined to hold them to account, including for the crime of aggression," the EU leaders stressed.

The EU promises to support Ukraine in this war for as long as it takes "for the people of Ukraine, for peace and security in Europe and for the rules-based international order to prevail."

"The European Union will continue its strong and unwavering political, military, financial, economic, diplomatic and humanitarian support to help Ukraine defend itself, protect its people, its cities and its critical infrastructure, restore its territorial integrity, bring back the thousands of deported children, and bring the war to an end," the statement said.

EU leaders also promise to provide Ukraine with the necessary military assistance, particularly critical ammunition and missiles.

"We have taken unprecedented actions at the EU level to ramp up European defence industry production, and we will continue to increase the capacity, which will allow us to step up our military support and cooperation with Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening our defence readiness and European sovereignty," the statement said.

EU leaders also promised to work on future security commitments that will help Ukraine defend itself in the future, as well as increase sanctions pressure on Russia.

Background:

The EU member states could not agree on the text of a joint statement for the second anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine due to the position of Hungary, so its format had to be changed.

Rikard Jozwiak, Radio Liberty's Europe editor, previously wrote that Hungary had blocked the text because it disagreed with certain wording in the statement.

Therefore, a statement on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion was made public on behalf of Charles Michel, Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola.

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A school employee fired for social media posts opposing LGBTQ+ materials in class has won the right to take her dismissal to the U.K. Court of Appeal.

Kristie Higgs, a 47-year-old Christian mother of two, won the right in a ruling late last month by Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales. Higgs attorneys had argued that her case should not be sent back to the same employment tribunal that had made serious errors.

Higgs worked for seven years as a student counseling assistant at Farmors School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, before her dismissal in 2019.

Its shocking to think Ive lost my job because of one parent who complained to the school because they didnt agree with what I shared on my Facebook page, and for the school to take sides with that parent is hard to believe, she said in a video interview with advocacy group Christian Concern, whose legal arm, Christian Legal Centre, is supporting her defense.

Higgs shared and posted the disputed messages on her personal Facebook page after receiving an invitation on Oct. 5, 2018 from the Church of England primary school that her younger son attended.

Entitled, Teaching the Equality Act in Schools, the invitation read, This year we are using several story books to help our school community promote diversity and celebrate difference. Children will become very familiar with the phrase, No Outsiders In Our School, as they work through the story books.

The letter stated that the program is in line with the Equality Act 2010 and invited parents to see the books and lesson plans at a school event. Higgs said only she, another parent and a grandparent attended the viewing.

She saw books such as Jacobs New Dress by Sarah Hoffman, about a boy who likes to wear dresses, and Red: A Crayons Story by Michael Hall, about a blue crayon suffering an identity crisis because it is not red.

To me it didnt seem to be that it was just about anti-bullying, Higgs said in the Christian Concern video. There seemed to be something more underlying, with the Jacobs New Dress and Red Crayon books, how children could choose their own gender. I thought it was very confusing for my child because of our Christian beliefs.

Concerned that most parents were unaware of the gender identity books promoted by the school, Higgs posted on her Facebook page, under her maiden name, a message about the No Outsiders invitation. She also shared another post on a petition against introducing LGBTQ+ Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in schools.

She uploaded the Citizens Go petition link on Oct. 24, 2018, which was headlined, Uphold the right of parents to have children educated in line with their religious beliefs. Stop supporting LGBT indoctrination. The petition was directed to then-U.K. Education Secretary Damian Hind.

The petition included a statement about the Nov. 7 end of the government consultation period regarding making relationships education mandatory in primary schools and relationships and sex education mandatory in secondary schools.

Which means, for example, that children will be taught that all relationships are equally valid and normal, so that same-sex marriage is exactly the same as traditional marriage, and that gender is a matter of choice, not biology, so that its up to them what sex they are, the petition stated. At the same time, it means expressing and teaching fundamental Christian beliefs relating to the creation of men and women and marriage will in practice become forbidden  because they conflict with the new morality and are seen as indoctrination into unacceptable religious bigotry. Which means the freedom of belief will be destroyed, with freedom of speech permitted only for those who toe the party line!

The petition called the plans a vicious form of totalitarianism aimed at suppressing Christianity and removing it from the public arena.

Please sign this petition, they have already started to brainwash our innocent, wonderfully created children, and its happening in our local primary school now.

Higgs posted on Oct. 27, 2018, This is happening in our primary schools now! and provided a link to an article with the headline, Jacobs New Dress and Red: Crayons Story Give Toni the Tampon a Run For Its Money.

In the video interview with Christian Concern, Higgs said she thought that was the end of it, but an anonymous parent complained to the headteacher about the posts, saying they were homophobic and offensive. Higgs was summoned to a meeting with the headteacher and a Human Relations staff member at the school.

They thought the posts I was sharing were homophobic and very negative, [saying], Did you realize other parents would see these? recalled Higgs. And so I just thought I suppose its on Facebook, and I supposed people would see them, but I didnt really think I did anything wrong.

She said she was confused about why the school officials then sent her home.

I didnt do anything wrong. I just shared some information with other parents about what the government is planning and a critique article, and a couple of books that are being read, Higgs said. I came home and cried because I was in shock, and I still didnt think I did anything wrong.

The secondary school suspended her pending an investigation, and she endured a disciplinary hearing for six hours on Dec. 19, 2018. She received a letter on Jan. 7, 2019 firing her without warning for gross misconduct.

An employment tribunal on April 15, 2019 ruled against her claim of unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. She successfully appealed at an employment appeal tribunal in June of last year, but a judge ordered the case to be heard again by the original court that had rejected her claim.

As Higgs lawyers successfully appealed the order, the case is expected to proceed at the U.K. Court of Appeal this year.

The email from the unnamed parent on Oct. 26, 2018 to headteacher Matthew Evans read, ...a member of your staff who works directly with children has been posting homophobic and prejudiced views against the LGBT community on Facebook...this individual may exert influence over the vulnerable pupils that may end up in isolation for whatever reason. I find these views offensive, and I am sure that when you look into it, you will understand my concern...

Evans asked the parent to send any similarly offensive posts. According to court documents, the parent sent him screenshots from Higgs Facebook page with posts by people in the United States concerned about LGBQT+ material used in some U.S. schools.

Im aware that not everyone has liberal views like myself, the parent said in another message to Evans, but I do feel that people working directly with children should refrain from posting this type of view on social media. I know of several children at Farmors who might fit into the category of person your staff member seems to find so obnoxious, friends of my children even.

School business manager Sue Dorey investigated and recommended a progression of steps leading to a disciplinary hearing, according to the appeal employment tribunal record.

By choosing to make the posts, Dorey stated in her investigation report before the school's disciplinary hearing,and stating that [Higgs] believes in Gods law and not Mans Law, I believe that, on the balance of probability, this means that she holds views that are discriminatory against groups of people with protected characteristics.

The initial employment tribunal had noted that Dorey concluded on a balance of probability that Higgs held illegal discriminatory views that broke the school code of conduct and discriminatory beliefs, including that she does not believe in same-sex marriage and gender fluidity.

Higgs told Christian Concern that she was taking a stand on behalf of children, other parents and, above all else, for Jesus.

My husband went to collect my belongings from the school [after the firing], and I saw them, and it was so sad because I havent done anything wrong, she said in the Christian Concern video. I havent treated any child any differently, because I am not against people, not against children, not against any LGBT person  Im not homophobic.

Higgs said she was only trying as a parent to help her child to learn what God says in the Bible.

That is what they were teaching in schools not so long ago, she said. They were teaching my child Gods way, and now they are changing it, and I just wanted other parents to see the changes that are happening.
Ukrainian anti-aircraft gunners watch for Russian drones near the Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region (Anatolii STEPANOV)

Nearly every day since her school in east Ukraine was reduced to rubble by two Russian missiles last month, Lyudmila Polovko has walked its grounds to dream of a time when children could return.

Stepping over glass shards and torn text books, the teacher and administrator recounted how her thoughts had turned from planning to mark 60 years since the school opened to surviving the war.

"We're very tired of hearing that our men are dying. We're tired of seeing it all with our own eyes, of not sleeping at night because of the noise, because of the missiles," she told AFP at the school, overlooking a cemetery and chimneys of Soviet-era factories.

"As bitter as it is to see these ruins, we still hope for the best," the 62-year-old said, in a biting winter wind.

On the two-year anniversary of Russia's brutal invasion, which has pitted the Kremlin's expansionist ambitions against Ukrainian resolve, there is a growing sense of uncertainty among those caught in between over how and when it will all end.

The fallout from disagreements in Washington and Brussels over aid has rippled all the way to the front line in the Donetsk region, where outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian troops are ceding ground to Moscow's determined forces.

- 'Russians keep coming' -

For the Ukrainian troops holding Russian forces from cities like Kostyantynivka, the task is becoming harder as their resources and stamina ebb.

"We are running out of shells and the Russians keep coming. Lots of our comrades are injured -- or worse. Everything is getting worse and worse," said one soldier deployed outside Bakhmut, which was captured by Russia last May, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"There is no supply of ammunition or artillery support. The command is not interested in the morale of the soldiers," another from the Azov battalion, known for its last-stand in the port city of Mariupol -- also now Russian-controlled -- told AFP.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned allies that Russia is taking advantage of these setbacks, and that Ukrainian defences could collapse.

In Kostyantynivka, Polovko felt sure the West would not abandon Ukraine, and struggled to imagine a future in which help from abroad ran out.

"It's hard to say what would happen then. I just know how selflessly our guys are fighting, not sparing their lives. And they are dying. Let's stop speaking," she said, turning away as her eyes welled up with tears.

- 'Loud noises are a trigger' -

The civilian cost of Ukraine's struggle to hold back Russian forces is mounting, too.

AFP journalists in the city of Kramatorsk last week saw dozens of rescue workers dig by lamplight for a woman, her mother and her son buried under their home at night by a Russian missile.

All three were found dead during the frantic rescue operation.

The governor says 1,876 civilians have been killed in the region over the last two years, but there are no figures for those killed in occupied cities like Mariupol and low estimates point to a toll in that city alone four times the region's total.

In a community centre in Kramatorsk, psychologist Olga Yudakova painted a bleak picture of civilian life where anxiety has gripped an generation of children.

"For a child, loud noises are a trigger. Anxiety in children is very highly elevated. It's elevated in children -- there's great emotional instability -- but even more so in adults," said the 61-year-old psychologist of around four decades.

The town counts among its population many who fled their homes from towns and cities further east earlier captured by Russia, a group Yudakova said had suffered immensely.

"I have never seen so many adults who suddenly start crying. You realise that this is not normal."

- 'When is the war going to end? -

Among those forced to leave their homes to Kramatorsk was Oleg Kruchinin, a 50-year-old Orthodox priest who worked in the nearby town of Chasiv Yar, whose capture would likely bring about a sharp uptick in shelling on his new home.

He still sometimes makes the perilous journey back to Chasiv Yar to hold mass underground.

His remaining parishioners have found solace from war in prayer and taking on duties in the church left by those who went further west to safety.

"Some may really lose faith and hope, others, on the contrary, gain it," he said after baptising a soldier's newborn baby.

Some church-goers believed the war would end quickly, and now nearly in its third year, with Russian forces drawing nearer and nearer, the uncertainty is building, he said.

"I know what you want to ask, and I don't know the answer. When is the war going to end? That's the question everybody asks and everybody wants an answer to."

jbr/yad/ach
Ex-ambassador to Russia on new sanctions: Why did it take an assassination?

Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia, said although he is happy President Biden announced more than 500 sanctions against Russia, he questions why it took the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to do so.

McFaul, who served as ambassador from 2012 to 2014, applauded Biden for imposing sanctions on Russia during an interview with MSNBC.

He was particularly a fan of the sanctions against third parties, which he said were needed to stop the flow of technology into Russia that goes directly into the military-industrial complex to build the missiles that kill Ukrainians.

Number two, I hope theyll announce another package next Friday, he continued. Why does it take an event like the assassination of Mr. Navalny to do these sanctions? These could have been done two years ago, and I think we need to change our mentality about sanctions.

Navalny, the leader of the Russian opposition, died in prison last week. The Biden administration has blamed Russias government for the death. Russia has said Navalny died of natural causes.

In an interview last week, McFaul said it was crystal clear that Putin had killed Navalny.

McFaul, a friend of Navalnys, argued that sanctions on Russia need to be like parking tickets, where consequences compound over time.

Individuals connected to Navalnys imprisonment will also be sanctioned, Biden said. The president met with Navalnys widow and daughter Thursday in California.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz arrives for the trial against him for false testimony in the Ibiza U committee at the regional court in Vienna. Helmut Fohringer/APA/dpa

Austria's former chancellor Sebastian Kurz has been given an 8-month suspended sentence for making false statements, the Vienna Regional Court ruled on Friday.

The ruling said Kurz had made false statements to a parliamentary committee inquiry.

The court said evidence showed that Kurz had exercised greater influence in the appointment of the supervisory board of the state holding company Obag than he had admitted before the Ibiza parliamentary committee.

Kurz - chancellor from 2017-19 and 2020-21 - told the committee in 2020 that he had been aware of the events but had not actively intervened.

In the case of the appointment of former Kurz confidant Thomas Schmid as head of Obag, the judge acquitted the former leader of the charge of making false statements.

The trial was followed with great interest in Austria. The Alpine republic is facing a bumper election year with local and regional elections, the European elections and parliamentary elections, which are expected to take place at the end of September.

The conviction of Kurz, who was popular as chancellor and Austrian People's Party (OVP) leader, is likely to provide election campaign ammunition for his political opponents.

"When an ex-chancellor is convicted, it becomes a millstone for the OVP in terms of corruption and cronyism," political consultant Thomas Hofer said.

The 37-year-old Kurz, who is now working as an entrepreneur following his resignation and departure from politics at the end of 2021, had always maintained his innocence.

He led a coalition between the OVP, a conservative party, and the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) from 2017 to 2019. From 2020 to 2021, he led an alliance between the OVP and the Greens.

In connection with the Ibiza affair surrounding former vice-chancellor and ex-FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache, which came to light in 2019, parliament set up a committee to look into the "alleged venality" of the then government.

The committee was tasked with investigating suspicions of corruption and cronyism during the OVP-FPO coalition.

At the time of his statement in 2020, Kurz was more popular than ever, in part due to his management of the coronavirus crisis. He had always promised citizens a "new style" without the cronyism that is so widespread in Austria. This is one reason why he told the committee that his influence in the Obag situation was "informed" but not "involved."

The ex-chancellor is also facing a second trial in the so-called advertising affair, in which Kurz and his team are alleged to have commissioned fake surveys with taxpayers' money.

They are also alleged to have placed adverts in various media in the hope of obtaining favourable coverage. Ten suspects are being investigated on suspicion of bribery, corruption and embezzlement.

Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz arrives for the trial against him for false testimony in the Ibiza U committee at the regional court in Vienna. Helmut Fohringer/APA/dpa
A former FBI informant who was arrested last week on charges of lying to the bureau about the Bidens alleged business dealings with a Ukrainian energy company, was re-arrested Thursday after a judge deemed him a flight risk.

Alexander Smirnov, 43, was released by a Nevada judge earlier this week. A California judge ordered him arrested again on Thursday after federal prosecutors argued Smirnov, who holds dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, was a flight risk.

The informant, Alexander Smirnov, is "actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections," federal prosecutors said Wednesday, as they appealed to a judge to keep him behind bars ahead of trial on charges alleging he lied to the FBI about a phony multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving the Bidens and the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

FBI REPORTEDLY INVESTIGATING CONTROVERSIAL DEMOCRATIC MAYOR WHO SCHMOOZED WITH BIDEN LAST MONTH

The latest charges were filed in Los Angeles, meaning if his case goes to trial, that's where the case will be.

Several sealed entries were listed in the court docket, but no additional details about his return to custody were immediately available.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Smirnov is charged with making a false statement and creating a false and fictitious record.

Hunter Biden, son of President Biden, departs a House Oversight Committee meeting at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 10.

According to attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, Smirnov was arrested Thursday morning at their law offices in downtown Las Vegas on the same charges. The lawyers did not immediately respond to phone and text message requests for further comment.

Prosecutors say Smirnov falsely told his handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015. The claim became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress.





Original article source: Ex-FBI informant charged with lying about Bidens' business dealings re-arrested
An Iranian Christian convert faces possible expulsion from Turkey and a three-year prison sentence on a charge of spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to religious freedom advocates.

The government of Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan continued its crackdown on expatriate Christians with the Jan. 29 arrest of Mojtaba Keshavarz Ahmadi, 56, on questionable immigration charges, according to a statement by advocacy group Article 18.

Despite being in Turkey for over a decade and applying for refugee status, Mojtaba has never been interviewed about his case and has therefore never been granted official protection, the group reported.

Turkish immigration authorities accused Ahmadi of leaving Duzce, his assigned city of residence, without prior government authorization. Ahmadi has denied the accusation, and Turkish authorities have yet to provide any evidence to support their claim, according to Article 18.

The Turkish government assigns applicants for U.N. refugee status a city where they are required to live during the application processing. The aim is to spread the burden that close to 4 million refugees in Turkey could bring to any one area of the country.

Authorities seized Ahmadis card identifying him as a candidate for refugee status and took him to an immigration detention center located just outside Ayvack, in western Turkey near the Aegean Sea, where he remains. The status of any formal charges against him are unknown, and he has very few legal rights.

Facing a three-year prison sentence in Iran on account of his Christian faith and activities, there can be little doubt that Mojtaba is worthy of asylum, Article 18 stated.

The group highlighted the plight of Iranian Christian refugees in a joint report last year, including the threat of deportation. Several other Iranian Christians have been transferred to deportation camps in recent years, the group stated.

There is a concerning trend, where individuals with valid asylum claims are being put in these camps, seemingly arbitrarily, a source who wished to remain anonymous told Article 18. There have been other instances in whichan immigration officer from the Turkish authorities has unexpectedly knocked on their door. If they dont open the door, they are accused of not being in their designated location, whereas they may only have gone to the shops.

Ahmadi, the son of an Islamic cleric, fled to Turkey due to persecution in Iran. After putting his faith in Christ on Christmas Day, 2002, by March 2004 hed begun participating in house-church meetings and talked to many people about Christianity in the cities of Tehran, Qom, Kashan, and Arak, Ahmadi said in a witness statement to Article 18.

In September 2010, four plainclothes security officials raided a small meeting of three Christians that Ahmadi was leading. The officers seized their Christian materials, including numerous Bibles and films about Christ. Authorities handcuffed and threw them into a van and blindfolded them.

Iranian officials held Ahmadi in a detention center and then Arak prison for 170 days, he told Article 18. During the first week of his detention, Ahmadi was held in solitary confinement and interrogated several times a day, blindfolded and subjected to brutal beatings.

They beat me with their fists, with kicks, and with all their might, he told Article 18. They slapped, punched and kicked my whole body, especially my head and face. I dont know how long it took; I only know that eventually I surrendered myself to the punches and kicks of the interrogators.

Ahmadi credited his survival to a voice he heard after he was taken back to his cell following a beating.

I heard a clear and noble voice in my heart, saying: Be still, and cling to me tightly! This voice in my heart gave me an unnatural strength, Ahmadi told Article 18. In those moments, it was only Jesus Christ who could give me the strength so that I could endure the physical and mental torture and be able to hold steadfastly and courageously to all my beliefs, and not deny them.

Eventually Ahmadi was found guilty of two crimes, carrying out propaganda activities against the holy regime of the Islamic Republic, and insulting the sacred. He was sentenced to three years in prison for each charge, but appealed.

The second charge was eventually thrown out after a witness shouted in court that he had been forced into making a false confession against Ahmadi. The first charge stuck, however, and Ahmadi was sentenced to three years in prison.

In November 2012, Ahmadi, who had appealed the courts rulings in absentia, was informed that a judge had issued a warrant ordering he be arrested and taken to prison to begin his three-year sentence. Fearful of facing three years of beatings and other torture, Ahmadi fled the country and entered Turkey in March 2013.

Ahmadi is hardly the first Iranian to face deportation from Turkey. Last year Article 18 documented numerous cases of Turkish officials harassing Iranian Christian refugees. In one wave of arrests that lasted six months in 2023, officials rounded up five Iranian Christian refugee families and took them to detention centers, threatening them with deportation.

Other Christians have been targeted in Turkey by a weaponized immigration and refugee system. Since a coup attempt in 2016, the Erdogan government has singled out expatriate Christians from the West for expulsion. Numerous long-term foreign residents, especially those in teaching or leadership roles in churches, have had their residency permits revoked without cause.

Other expatriate Christians who had lived in Turkey without incident for decades have received an N-82 security code identifying them as a threat to public order and security. The immigration code acts as a ban for reentry into the country for those who leave.

At least 75 foreign Christian workers and their families were kicked out of Turkey between 2020 and 2023, according to Open Doors. This figure does not begin to address the untold number of expatriate Christians who fled Turkey of their own accord out of fear.

Turkey ranks 50th on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian. Iran ranks ninth.

 2023 Morning Star News. Articles/photos may be reprinted with credit to Morning Star News. https://morningstarnews.org. Morning Star News is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that relies solely on contributions to offer original news reports of persecuted Christians. By providing reliable news on the suffering church, Morning Star News mission is to empower those in the free world to help and to encourage persecuted Christians that they are not forgotten or alone.
Alexander Smirnov, the former FBI informant indicted for lying about President Joe Bidens family and their alleged dealings in Ukraine, has been re-arrested in Nevada.

Though prosecutors fought to keep him behind bars, Smirnov was released by Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts in Nevada on Tuesday with several conditions, including GPS monitoring and the surrender of his two passports.

Prosecutors asked the Nevada judge to delay his release, but the judge declined and Smirnov was allowed to walk out.

Now, Smirnovs defense lawyers say their client was re-arrested Thursday on a new warrant for the exact same charges  this time signed by federal district Judge Otis Wright, who will oversee the criminal case out of California.

Despite Judge Albregtss prior ruling, denial of the stay request, and Mr. Smirnovs prior release from custody, on the morning of February 22, 2024, Mr. Smirnov was arrested for a second time  on the same charges and based on the same indictment set forth  while at the undersigned counsels law office for meetings with counsel, his lawyers wrote in a court filing.

The unusual move means that Smirnov will need to argue for his release once again. Prosecutors had already moved for a rehearing on the matter in front of the judge in California, reasserting their concerns about Smirnovs connections to foreign intelligence officials and his access to significant amounts of cash.

A spokesperson for special counsel David Weiss, who is prosecuting the case, confirmed Smirnovs arrest.

Prosecutors allege that Smirnov repeatedly lied to his FBI handler, whom he worked with for more than a decade, and should not be trusted. He also has extensive contacts in Russia and elsewhere, prosecutors said, and lied to authorities about his access to over $6 million in liquid funds  more than enough money for him to live comfortably overseas for the rest of his life.

Smirnov has not yet entered a plea.

Prosecutors also filed several sealed documents on the court docket in California on Thursday. The content of those documents are not yet known.

Smirnovs lawyers have denied in court any assertion that their client would flee the country or otherwise try to escape prosecution. They said in their filing Thursday that Smirnov has remained fully compliant with his conditions of release since his court-ordered release, and slammed prosecutors for requesting a rehearing in California with no mention of any second, then-unserved arrest warrant for Mr. Smirnov based on the same charges.

His attorneys asked for an emergency hearing in front of the chief judge of the district of Nevada.

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Related video: Biden on Russian sanctions package

LAS VEGAS (AP)  A former FBI informant accused of lying about multimillion-dollar bribery allegations against President Joe Biden and his son Hunter and purportedly having links to Russian intelligence was again taken into custody Thursday, two days after a judge said he could be freed ahead of trial, his attorneys said in court documents.

The arrest during a meeting Thursday morning with his lawyers comes after prosecutors appealed a ruling allowing 43-year-old Alexander Smirnov, who holds dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, to be released with a GPS monitor ahead of trial on charges alleging he lied to the FBI.

He was taken into custody on a warrant for the same charges issued in California, where the case was originally filed, his lawyers said. Several sealed entries were listed in the court docket, but no additional details about his return to custody were immediately available.

A spokesman for Justice Department special counsel David Weiss confirmed Smirnov had been arrested again.

FBI informant charged with lying about Joe and Hunter Bidens ties to Ukrainian energy company

Smirnov is charged with making a false statement and creating a false and fictitious record.

According to attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, Smirnov was arrested Thursday morning at their law offices in downtown Las Vegas on the same charges. The lawyers did not immediately respond to phone and text message requests for further comment.

Prosecutors say Smirnov falsely told his handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015. The claim became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTTV CBS4Indy.
Paula Vennells's forfeiture of her CBE has now been signed off by the King

Paula Vennells, the former Post Office boss, has forfeited her CBE for bringing the honours system into disrepute following her handling of the Horizon crisis.

Ms Vennells was named on Friday in a list published on the Cabinet Office website as an individual whose honour had been revoked by the King.

Issuing an apology last month, Ms Vennells announced that she planned to hand back her CBE with immediate effect following the fallout over the Horizon IT scandal, which led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub-postmasters.

The former chief executive, who ran the Post Office while it routinely denied there was a problem with its Horizon IT system, was appointed a CBE in December 2018.

MPs and victims of the scandal have long called for Ms Vennells to be stripped of the rank, which has the full title Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Her inclusion on the New Year Honours list came despite legal action being launched against the Post Office by 555 sub-postmasters in 2017.

The Post Office said she was recognised for her work on diversity and inclusion as well as her commitment to the social purpose at the heart of the business and her dedication in putting the customer first.

Demands for her to return the honour intensified after an ITV drama, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, brought the widespread miscarriage of justice back into the spotlight at the turn of the year.

More than 1.2 million people signed a petition calling for her to be stripped of the CBE.

More than 700 Post Office branch managers have been convicted after faulty Fujitsu accounting software called Horizon made it look as though money was missing from their shops.

A public inquiry into the scandal is ongoing.

In a statement to the PA news agency on Jan 9, Ms Vennells said: I have so far maintained my silence as I considered it inappropriate to comment publicly while the inquiry remains ongoing and before I have provided my oral evidence.

I am, however, aware of the calls from sub-postmasters and others to return my CBE.

I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect.

I am truly sorry for the devastation caused to the sub-postmasters and their families, whose lives were torn apart by being wrongly accused and wrongly prosecuted as a result of the Horizon system.

I now intend to continue to focus on assisting the inquiry and will not make any further public comment until it has concluded.

While an individual can signal they want to renounce their honour, the only person who can sign off on the forfeit is the monarch, following advice from the Forfeiture Committee  something the King has now done, in Ms Vennellss case.

Before the former Post Office boss issued her statement last month, Downing Street had made it clear that Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister would strongly support a review of whether she should keep the honour.

Ms Vennells was chief executive of the company from 2012 to 2019, taking the helm in the same year that it split from Royal Mail as part of the latters privatisation.

Ms Vennells, an ordained Anglican priest in the Church of England, is due to give evidence to the Horizon inquiry in April when it resumes.

James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said on Friday the Government would not be distracted or deterred from providing compensation to wronged sub-postmasters.

Mr Sunak last month committed to exonerating all those caught up in the scandal in order to ensure compensation can be paid by the summer to those still waiting for payment.

Further details about the legislation ministers plan to bring forward to help reverse the injustice was announced in the Commons on Thursday.

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A math teacher banned from teaching by the U.K. Education Secretary for saying, Well done, girls, to a group of students that included one who identified as a boy is appealing the ruling at the High Court.

The Teaching Regulatory Authority (TRA) imposed an indefinite ban on Joshua Sutcliffe, 32, last May, claiming he was bringing the profession into disrepute.

The Christian teacher took legal action in 2017 against Cherwell School in Oxford and settled out of court, according to advocacy group Christian Concern, but he still faces the indefinite ban from teaching for misgendering a biological girl who identified as a boy.

The original seven-day TRA hearing saw a panel deem Sutcliffe guilty of unacceptable conduct. Alan Meyrick, chief executive of the TRA, concluded that the ban was proportionate and in the public interest in part because Sutcliffe showed insufficient remorse about calling the student a girl.

This means that Mr. Joshua Sutcliffe is prohibited from teaching indefinitely, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said in the prohibition statement, adding that the teacher could not apply for an end to the ban until 2025 and cannot teach in any school, sixth-form college, relevant youth accommodation or childrens home in England.

Christian Concern said the education secretarys decision was at odds with Keegans defense of another teacher accused of misgendering pupils at an all-girls school by saying, good afternoon, girls.

Sutcliffe remains banned even though the U.K. governments draft guidance on transgender issues, announced in December, states that teachers should not be forced to use a pupils preferred pronoun. The draft guidance would not come into effect until consultations are finished.

No teacher or pupil should be compelled to use these preferred pronouns, noted Section 6.3 of the government guidance, and it should not prevent teachers from referring to children collectively as girls or boys, even in the presence of a child that has been allowed to change their pronouns.

The draft guidance states that colleges and schools have specific legal responsibilities framed by a childs biological sex, and that there is no general duty to support a student to social transition.

A further note on the governments website reinforces this view. Answering the question, What if a school supports a child to change their name or pronoun? The response is, These are significant decisions that impact both the child and those around them. As a result, particularly for pronouns, we expect changes to be rare. And even in these rare occasions, children and teachers shouldnt be made to use preferred pronouns.

Instead, it states, people should use alternatives such as using first names, adding, bullying mustnt be tolerated.

Sutcliffes lawyers are expected to argue that Keegans decision lacked authority, and that asking him to use the pupils preferred pronouns interfered with his human rights.

I feel vindicated by the government guidance, but this means nothing if my ban is not now overturned, Sutcliffe reportedly said. To continue to be barred from the profession I love in light of the draft guidance would be another of the many cruel injustices I have had to face for expressing my Christian beliefs.

There was no training and guidance on such issues for teachers when he was fired in 2017, he said.

I was a young teacher building my career in the profession at a time when schools were taking guidance from Stonewall [an influential U.K. gay rights group], not the government or any experts on these issues, Sutcliffe told Christian Concern. After the pronouns debacle, I was a marked man in the education system and was pursued for any expression of my Christian belief until I was forced out of the profession indefinitely.

Sutcliffe said the TRA ruling puts every teacher is at risk if they share gender views in the classroom.

I believe affirming children in gender confusion in the classroom is psychologically damaging for them, he added. I refused to go against my conscience and cause a child harm and refused to apologize for that.

The TRA wanted him to capitulate and say that he was wrong, he said.

I have been mercilessly punished for refusing to do so, Sutcliffe said. I have been bullied and pursued and have had every part of my life scrutinized for expressing my beliefs and biological truth.

Sutcliffe said he feared repercussions for his young family following the TRAs ruling.

This decision has put me and my family at risk. I have a young son and everything that is happening is affecting him, he said. In light of the new guidance, I believe it is time for the TRA and the government to do the right thing.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting him, expressed concern that Christian teachers faced intimidation for having biblical viewpoints.

Its now high time for justice for Joshua, Williams said. The teaching ban must be lifted. He has been vindicated by the government guidance.

The ruling in Sutcliffes case has had a chilling effect that must not be underestimated, she said, as teachers are intimidated into silence for fear of losing their jobs if they say something with which a regulator disagrees.

The teaching profession is no longer an easy place to navigate for Christian teachers  expressing long held Christian beliefs on marriage and gender can get you suspended, investigated and barred, she said.

Williams agreed with Sutcliffe that he became a marked man from the moment he expressed his Christian beliefs on marriage in response to questions from pupils.

From that moment, everything he did in and out of the classroom came under intense scrutiny, she said. From the beginning, Joshua has faced viewpoint discrimination from the schools. For loving Jesus and expressing his beliefs in response to questions, Joshua has been punished severely by the TRA and the Secretary of State for Education.

The ruling should not stand in light of the new draft guidance, which states that teachers should not have to act against their conscience and affirm a child in gender confusion, Williams said.

This signifies a shift in the governments thinking, she said. The language in the government guidance moves away from the gender ideology that has permeated existing guidance for schools.

It also demonstrates that the government understands the difficulties Sutcliffe faces, she said.

If the guidance had been in place six years ago, none of what Joshua has been through would have happened, Williams said. Its now time for justice for Joshua. The ban must be overturned.
FAIRFIELD  Opt-out letters will be coming soon to mailboxes of eligible residential and businesses through Fairfields electric aggregation program.

Consultants Energy Alliances recommended  and the city council approved  a one-year contract with Dynegy Energy Service to provide electric service to eligible city residents and businesses through the citys aggregation program.

Typically, those in municipal aggregation programs pay an overall lower rate than those without, said Rich Surace, Energy Alliances chief operating officer.

Last November Fairfield voters approved a municipal aggregation program for both electricity and natural gas.

Under the new contract, the rate for electricity will be 6.19 cents per kilowatt hour. Duke Energys default rate has averaged 9.71 cents over the past 12 months, Surace said. That rate is likely to change in June, he added.

The savings to a household that uses about 1,000 kWH each month would save $422.40 over a year using Dukes average rate over the past 12 months under the agreement.

Projected savings for Fairfield residents under a one-year aggregation agreement presented to Fairfield City Council by consultants Energy Alliance in February.

Participation in the program is not mandatory, said Adam Sackenheim, the citys director of public utilities. Built into the contract are provisions allowing customers to opt in or out at any point without penalty.

Under the program, Duke Energy would still do the billing and customers would call them if power went out or if there were other issues.

About 75% of residential accounts in the city are eligible to participate, Surace said.

Anyone receiving services from Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative is not eligible for the city program.

Neither are those on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohios do not aggregate list, or anyone with an existing contract with a gas or electric supplier. Once the contract with an alternate supplier expires, they would become eligible for the citys program, Surace said.

Commercial accounts using less than 700,00 kWh annually that are not considered mercantile accounts are also eligible to participate.

Letters are going out to eligible residents and businesses explaining how to opt out of the program. Those that dont respond by March 15 will automatically be enrolled in the program, Surace said.

No recommendation on a natural gas supplier has been made yet.

For information, call 513-794-5555, visit the city's aggregation website at www.fairfield-city.org/1096/Energy-Aggregation; www.energyalliances.com/city-olf-fairfield; or send email to ops@energyalliances.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Fairfield residents must opt out
The last moments of Mohammad Khdours life could be those of any American teenager: taking the car out during a study break, snacking on chocolate waffles, posing for Instagram.

Those care-free moments with his cousin along the hillsides of Biddu, in the occupied West Bank, were captured in photos and videos reviewed by CNN. They were snuffed out, his family says, when an Israeli gunman opened fire on their car, shooting the 17-year-old Khdour in the head.

The death of Khdour, a Florida-born US citizen, just weeks after another 17-year-old American citizen was shot under strikingly similar circumstances in the occupied West Bank, has underscored the frustrations among Palestinian-Americans who say the United States is doing little to respond to the deaths of their loved ones.

Videos from the aftermath of the February 10 shooting show several people rushing to the damaged car, pulling Khdours limp, bloodied body out from the shattered glass. Khdour died hours later at a Ramallah hospital, his family said.

The Israel Defense Forces referred questions about the case to the Israeli Security Agency, known as the Shin Bet, which did not immediately respond to CNNs request for comment.

He didnt do nothing at all, he was just enjoying his day, Khdours older brother, Hamed, told CNN. I just want justice for my brother, thats it.

17-year-old US citizen Mohammad Ahmad Khdour was shot to death in the West Bank. - From US Office of Palestinian Affairs/X

Two teens shot in the head

Three weeks before Khdours death, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, a 17-year-old Palestinian-American who grew up in Louisiana, was also shot in the head by apparent Israeli gunmen. The IDF told CNN they received a report that an off-duty police officer and an Israeli civilian shot at a Palestinian suspected of throwing stones  which his family vehemently denies  and that the Israeli Police are investigating the shooting.

More than a month later, no arrests have been made in the case, and the family, which has received limited updates from authorities, is wondering why the US government doesnt have answers.

I dont feel like my government is doing enough  or pressuring enough to come up with the killer and ask why he did this and put him behind bars, Hafeth Abdel Jabbar, Tawfics father, told CNN.

Tawifc Abdel Jabbar (right) and his brother Amir in Louisiana. - Abdel Jabbar Family

According to a US official, US consular officials and investigators have visited both the Khdour and Abdel Jabbar families in the West Bank. The families say they are still waiting for updates.

US authorities are closely watching the Israeli investigations and are ready to escalate the cases with the Israeli government if the investigations fall short, the US official said.

Last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered his deepest condolences to the families of the two Palestinian-American teenagers who reportedly were killed in the occupied West Bank and said that there must be an investigation into their deaths.

Weve made clear that with regard to the incidents youve alluded to, there needs to be an investigation. We need to get the facts. And if appropriate, there needs to be accountability, Blinken said at a news conference in Albania in response to a CNN question.

A number of American citizens have also been detained by Israeli forces in recent weeks. Blinken would not give details on their cases, citing privacy laws.

We insist that people be treated fairly, that they be treated with due process, and that they be treated humanely, Blinken said. Thats something that, regardless of where an American citizen might be detained, we insist on. And well continue to insist on.

His comments did little to convince Khdours family.

We dont need talking, man, Adnan Khdour, Mohammads uncle, said. We need something. We want to see something.

Adnan Khdour and Ranaa Farraj outside their home in Cleveland, Ohio. - CNN

A history of inaction

The killing or detention of American citizens in occupied Palestinian territories by Israelis and the concerns about a lack of accountability date back years. In 2003, 23-year-old American activist Rachel Corrie was crushed by an Israeli army bulldozer while trying to block it from razing Palestinian homes in Gaza.

Nine years later, an Israeli civil court ruled Corries death an accident.

In the spring of 2022, prominent Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while reporting in the West Bank city of Jenin. That November, Defense Minister Benny Gantz confirmed that Israel would not be cooperating with a US probe into Abu Aklehs death. A CNN investigation suggested that Abu Akleh was shot dead in a targeted attack by Israeli forces, despite wearing a protective helmet and a blue protective vest marked Press.

The IDFs Military Advocate General said it would not press charges against any soldiers and that there was no suspicion that a bullet was fired deliberately at anyone identified as a civilian and in particular at anyone identified as a journalist.

The US has created a situation where Israel, a foreign government, can kill US citizens knowing that the US is not going to hold them accountable, said Maria LaHood, deputy legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, a New York-based nonprofit organization focused on civil and human rights issues. It cements Israels impunity  the utter lack of accountability has created the situation were in right now.

For Khdours family, their hopes for answers are tempered by their experience witnessing a lack of accountability for cases involving Palestinian-American victims.

Im hopeful, said Khdours aunt, Ranaa Farraj. But it wouldnt be out of the ordinary if we dont get the justice that were hoping for.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Cleveland Browns owners Dee, left, and Jimmy Haslam are some of the richest people with ties to Ohio.

Three families with ties to Ohio and Kentucky have landed on the latest Forbes report naming the richest families in the nation.

This year, Forbes introduced the first ranking of the nation's families who are worth $10 billion or more; 45 families made the list. Together, they're worth a combined $1.3 trillion, according to Forbes. Just 36 families were worth $10 billion or more in 2020, the last time Forbes counted the fortunes of America's richest families.

Here are the families from Ohio and neighboring states that are among the richest families in the country, according to Forbes:

Bottles of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey line the shelves of a liquor outlet in Montpelier, Vermont.

No. 24: Brownfamily

Net worth: $16.5 billion

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

The Brown-Forman Corporation, founded in Louisville, Kentucky, by George Garvin Brown in 1870, is best known for its whiskey. Its brands include Jack Daniel's, Old Forester and Woodford Reserve. The company also owns Scotch whisky brands Glenglassaugh, GlenDronach and Benriach, Irish whiskey imprint Slane, Tequila Herradura, Fords Gin and Diplomatico Rum, which it bought in January 2023 for $725 million. The Brown family owns an estimated 50% of the publicly traded firm, which also houses wine and liqueur brands.

Campbell Brown, a great-great-grandson of the founder, is chairman. Three other Browns are board members.

No. 31: Haslam family

Net worth: $14.4 billion

Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee

Brothers Jimmy and Bill Haslam sold their remaining 20% stake in roadside truck stop company Pilot Flying J, founded by their father in 1958, to Berkshire Hathaway in January. The deal marked the end of a legal dispute in which each party accused the other of manipulating the company's accounting to get a better price. The family sold 39% of Pilot to Berkshire in 2017 for $2.8 billion, and 41% in January 2023 for $8.2 billion.

Jimmy and his wife, Dee, maintain close ties to Ohio as owners of the NFL's Cleveland Browns.

No. 37: Farmer family

Net worth: $12.5 billion

Hometown: Cincinnati

During the Great Depression, out-of-work circus performers Doc and Amelia Farmer collected rags, cleaned them up and resold them. From that beginning, their grandson Dick Farmer turned the business into the uniform rentals and commercial company known as Cintas, which he ran as CEO and then chairman for nearly 40 years. The company is a leader in facility services, uniform supply, first aid and safety, and corporate training and compliance.

Dick Farmer's son, Scott, is now chairman of the $8.8 billion (2023 fiscal revenue) firm, which has more than 1 million customers and supplies uniforms for everyone from casino pit bosses to swimming pool attendants and provides cleaning services and supplies for restrooms and more.

The family has pledged at least $70 million to Scott and Dick's alma mater, Miami University in Ohio, whose Farmer School of Business opened in 2009.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: The richest Ohio, Kentucky families in the US according to Forbes
FOX 2 (WJBK) - Thursday brought a new home and a beautiful moment for a family thats endured an ugly struggle.

To fully understand the joy, you have to go back to the fire that destroyed a Highland Park familys home last month.

Brandon Lightsey, Sharon Mayhawk, and their three young daughters jumped from a second-floor window to escape.

They lost everything and didnt have insurance. Lightsey still hobbles around on crutches as he recovers. But finally, theres a reason to smile now.

"Im feeling proud and blessed, my family now has a place to stay," he said.

FOX 2: "Whats the emotion behind the tears?"

"Joy, peace," said Mayhawk. "Security, I guess."

Two weeks ago Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries reached out to FOX 2 about helping the family.

For the next two years  Brandon, Sharon, and their children will stay at the furnished three-bedroom home and only have to pay utilities.

The couple toured the turnkey home on Thursday.

They saw the beds and rooms full of toys for the kids.

"We wanted to make sure that the house was retrofitted to fit them as their own family," said Dr. Chad Audi, Rescue Mission CEO.

FOX 2: "What does it say about Detroit that all of you all have come together to help this one family?"

"Detroit is a unique place, everybody loves everybody," Audi said. "And when they see there is a need, everybody rises up. Theyve never failed us."

Thursday was a housewarming party like no other. Several elected officials and city leaders showed up and shared in the celebration  including Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington who presented a gift.

"There's about six or seven gift cards in here for Target," he said, handing them to the couple.

More coverage:

"It made all of us emotional. To see them and the emotion - the happiness to the point where theyre in tears," Washington said. "To know that we care about them, it makes our heart warm."

FOX 2: "What was the first thing that went through your mind?"

"This cant be happening. I cant believe it," Lightsey said. "I was trying to hold it in, but I love it. I love what you guys have done here."

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries will continue to work with the couple - a fresh start for a family searching for a blessing.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Charlotte-based Family Dollar knowingly sold unsafe drugs to customers, according to a lawsuit filed Friday with the United States District Court of Southern Florida.

The lawsuit states that the company abused and exploited the trust of its customers by unlawfully selling tens of millions of dollars worth of over-the-counter drugs that did not meet safety requirements. Products, among them Advil, NyQquil Cherry Cold and Flu Liquid, childrens medicine, and Vicks Vapor Rub, were stored in extreme temperatures that labels explicitly stated would alter the drugs effectiveness, according to the lawsuit.

Despite the scrutiny and the FDAs warnings, Family Dollars failures to control temperatures in its facilities have continued unabated. Since at least May 1, 2022, Family Dollar has knowingly routinely, and unlawfully sold adulterated products that were unsafe for human use or ingestion because they were sold outside of labeled temperature requirements. The distribution and sale of these Adulterated Products to millions of unsuspecting consumers covers almost all states in the contiguous United States, the lawsuit said.

MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS

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The lawsuit states that the FDC has certain requirements for the storage of drugs and once those requirements are not met, the drugs can be rendered ineffective or risky due to a change in chemical exposure or a decrease in strength.

Parties involved in the lawsuit include plaintiffs out of Florida and Georgia.

Dollar Tree is also listed as a defendant in the lawsuit. Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar in 2015 for $8.5 billion, according to the lawsuit. Dollar Tree is based in Virginia.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The family of Malcolm Johnson is suing members of the Kansas City Police Department after the 31-year-old was killed in a 2021 police shooting.

Johnsons family filed the wrongful death lawsuit against multiple officers involved in the deadly shooting, as well as other unknown officers and supervisors.

One dead after police shooting in Independence Thursday night

Kansas City police shot and killed Johnson on March 25, 2021, inside a BP gas station at 63rd Street and Prospect Avenue.

Police said they were attempting to take Johnson into custody because he was a suspect in a domestic violence shooting. The familys lawsuit argues police did not have a warrant, and Johnson was not charged with anything at the time.

Johnsons family said officers approached with their guns drawn. A struggle broke out, and KCPD initially said Johnson fired at police, injuring one officer.

Officers later told a special prosecutor that during the struggle, they felt Johnson reaching and one officer called out for someone to shoot. As the officer moved, he said Johnsons gun went off and hit him in the leg.

The prosecutor said after the officer was shot, he pulled his gun, shooting Johnson twice in the head.

Kansas nurse gave first aid to man now charged in Chiefs parade shooting

In the familys lawsuit, they argue police never attempted to use non-deadly forces, acting recklessly and maliciously. They are requesting a jury trial.

The deadly shooting led to months of public scrutiny, especially from community leaders who have criticized KCPDs use of force.

In June 2021, a group of local pastors released two new videos from inside the gas station, raising questions about the police shooting.

One surveillance video shows the moment the Kansas City officers approached Johnson and what followed. The actual shooting takes place out of the security cameras view. Another video, taken from a cell phone, shows five officers in a physical struggle with Johnson and gunfire erupts.

The local pastors argued the Kansas City Police Departments initial report and the footage contradicted each other, prompting a response from local leaders.

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The Missouri State Highway Patrol led the investigation, and then two years later in 2023, a special prosecutor assigned from St. Louis County determined they would not file any charges in the shooting.

The prosecutors office said it concluded the officer who shot Johnson acted reasonably in self-defense and defense of others.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall delivers his inaugural speech during inauguration ceremonies at the Alabama State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall delivers his inaugural speech during inauguration ceremonies at the Alabama State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector)

William Boyd was clear on Thursday: Gregory Gunns family and friends did not want to see the man convicted in his death released from prison.

My reaction was, why did Steve Marshall come in and take the case from the District Attorney (Daryl) Bailey? said Boyd, a friend of Gunns and spokesman for the family of the Montgomery man, who was shot and killed by former Montgomery Police Officer Aaron Cody Smith in 2016. Why did the state feel as though it had to come in when justice had been served when the case went around?

Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement Wednesday that he had reached a plea agreement with Smith, who was convicted of manslaughter in Gunns death and sentenced to 14 years in prison. The deal will lead to Smiths release.

That is not what we want, Boyd also said. Their response was, well, it is not about what you want. We are making the final decision. It is not like we are calling you to the table to weigh your options. We feel this is the best route to go.

A message seeking comment was left with the Attorney Generals Office on Thursday.

WSFA reported on Wednesday that the AGs Office took over the case from the Montgomery District Attorneys Office without explanation. In a news release published Wednesday, Marshall said the case arrived at his office by way of appeal.

According to the Montgomery Advertiser, Smith, a white police officer, stopped Gunn, who was walking from a friends house at about 3 a.m. on Feb. 25, 2016. Smith asked Gunn, who was Black, to submit to a stop-and-frisk, but Gunn fled the scene. Smith chased Gunn, tased and beat him. Gunn later picked up a painters pole and charged at Smith, who shot at Gunn seven times.

Five bullets hit Gunn, who died near his family home.

The Montgomery District Attorneys office charged Smith. A Dale County jury convicted Smith of manslaughter in 2019, sentencing him to 14 years in prison.

The Alabama Supreme Court rejected his appeal in 2022. Afterward, he continued to appeal his case, starting with a Rule 32 hearing.

Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey said in a statement reported by al.com that he was very disappointed (Smith) is being released early, which is a privilege not afforded to most convicted killers.

Smith was incarcerated at Limestone Correctional Facility, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Gunns family had been made aware of new developments in the case a couple of weeks ago based on accounts they read in the newspaper. Boyd said the family was brought to the attorney generals office on Feb. 15 and given the news.

According to Boyd, the Attorney Generals Office was considering a host of options for dealing with the case. The family thought they would have some input regarding how the AGs Office would choose to pursue the case, but that was not to be.

There were more options on the table, but the attorney general made the decision for the family against their will, Boyd said.

Another option, which the family wanted to consider was to allow Gunn to follow through with his Rule 32 appeal, which could have resulted in a new trial for Smith.

The Attorney Generals stance was that it could be where he could be found not guilty, and the manslaughter charge would go away, Boyd said.

It could also be that there is not enough evidence to prosecute the case, Boyd said.

Montgomery lawmakers criticize deal

Several lawmakers also decided to weigh in on the decision to enter into a plea agreement.

Rep. Penni McClammy, D-Montgomery, said that shes disappointed and that its a sad day in this state and in this city and said lawmakers and officials had allowed a murderer to come back on the streets.

I hope they put this much attention on trying to release elderly and medically fragile people in prison, she said, adding that while the attorney generals office had the power to release Smith, she called it a strong overreach.

Rep. Kenyatte Hassell, D-Montgomery, also said that he felt it was an overreach by the Attorney Generals office, especially since the case had exhausted all appeals up to the Supreme Court.

I heard he took it over, but I didnt think hed let him out, he said. I totally disagree with what the AG has done. I think it was a huge overreach.

Hassell said Montgomery lawmakers wanted to know why Marshall had an interest in the case.

Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, said the decision only reinforces a two-track system, or a system that helps them or is more favorable towards others, adding that it can fall along racial lines at times, at a time that families are trying to get answers about incarcerated family members.

To then have the person that committed that crime out on a much shorter basis than was expected  that just adds to that trauma and just makes the grieving process even harder, he said.

Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, said the struggle I have with that is when we talk about meting out justice and doing things that will at least let people know that we are, that we respect life, everyone, said Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery.

Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, said that he did not have a comment as he only represents a small portion of Montgomery County. Rep. TaShina Morris, D-Montgomery, also did not have a comment.

Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road said he hasnt been focusing on it.

A message seeking comment was left with Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL), a victims advocacy group.

Jemma Stephenson and Alander Rocha contributed to this report. Updated at 8:42 a.m. to correct that Smith was incarcerated at Limestone. Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this story said it was Gunn.



The post Family of Gregory Gunn, Montgomery legislators criticize AGs plea deal with ex-cop appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Hostility against churches in the United States appears to be on the rise, according to a recent Family Research Council report that identified 436 incidents against churches in 2023, more than double the amount reported by the group in 2022 and eight times the number identified in 2018.



The conservative Christian advocacy organization released its latest "Hostility Against Churches" report this month, which FRC updated to include hostility incidents from the calendar year 2023.

The organization has collected data about acts of hostility against churches since 2018, identifying 915 such incidents over the past six years.

Between January and November 2023, FRC reported that at least 315 occurrences of vandalism, 75 arson attacks or attempts, 10 gun-related incidents, 20 bomb threats and 37 other incidents took place at churches. According to the report, 17 of the incidents fell into more than one category, with vandalism and arson being the most common combination.

"There is a common connection between the growing religious persecution abroad and the rapidly increasing hostility toward churches here at home: our government's policies," FRC President Tony Perkins said in a Tuesday statement.

"The indifference abroad to the fundamental freedom of religion is rivaled only by the increasing antagonism toward the moral absolutes taught by Bible-believing churches here in the U.S., which is fomenting this environment of hostility toward churches," he continued.

According to FRC, the rise in hostility against churches has "neither slowed nor plateaued" since its inaugural report in 2022 but has "accelerated" instead.

Reported hostile acts against churches were "widespread" across 48 states and the District of Columbia in 2023. Incidents were more likely to occur in states with larger populations, the report notes.

While Hawaii and Wyoming had no reported incidents, California had the most, 33, while Texas was second with 28 incidents.

The report documented an act of vandalism in June that caused over $100,000 in damages to the Fowler United Methodist Church, a historically black church in Annapolis, Maryland. Vandals ripped pages from Bibles and hymnals, scattering the torn pages across the floor and pews.

In addition to ripping the upholstered pews and taking down a large wooden cross, the vandals removed a Christian flag from its stand and stripped the church's outdoor sign of its lettering.

In Ohio, several incidents appeared to be related to Issue 1, a ballot measure to amend the state constitution to establish a right to abortion. According to the report, someone pulled a "Vote No" sign out of the ground at Cincinnati's St. Monica-St. George Church and threw it in a dumpster. In a separate incident at another Cincinnati-based church, St. Bartholomew Church, someone removed between six and eight "Vote No" signs and replaced them with "Vote Yes" signs.

The report lists a couple of acts of vandalism with "anti-Israel or antisemitic sentiment" after the Hamas terror group's Oct. 7 surprise attack against Israel. In November, a "We stand with Israel" sign was spray-painted with the words "Israel's Genocide" on the property of The Church at Decatur Heights in Decatur, Georgia.

The report notes a dozen incidents "included satanic imagery or symbols."

"In July, vandals broke into Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church of El Paso, Texas, and left behind satanic imagery, including writing the number '666' on multiple items," the report reads. "Crosses inside the church were also turned upside down, and holy oil was dumped out."

"In October, someone spray-painted the words 'Devil Has Risen' and a symbol like a

pentagram on the buildings of Jesus Worship Center in Jennings, Louisiana."

In January 2023, vandals targeted multiple Nativity scenes, FRC notes.

As for the 75 incidents of arson, attempted arson or fires with unknown causes, incidents ranged from "small fires that were quickly contained to fires that completely destroyed church buildings." In most cases, motivation was unknown.

"In June, Ascension of the Lord Romanian Orthodox Church of Hayward, California, was broken into, and several religious artifacts were set on fire, including a Bible and a crucifix," the report states. "The charred items and ashes were left around an altar."

Although nobody was hurt in most of the 10 gun-related incidents reported by FRC, the report also lists the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, a Presbyterian school in which six people, including three students, were killed by a trans-identified shooter.

Arielle Del Turco, director of FRC's Center for Religious Liberty and the report's author, believes that the effect of these acts of hostility is "religious intimidation."

"They send the message that churches are not wanted in the community or respected in general. Our culture is demonstrating a growing disdain for Christianity and core Christian beliefs, and acts of hostility against churches could be a physical manifestation of that," the author stated.

"Regardless of the motivations of these crimes, everyone should treat churches and all houses of worship with respect and affirm the importance of religious freedom for all Americans."

FRC documented at least 420 acts of hostility against churches in the United States in its December 2022 report. In its previous analysis, FRC assessed available data between January 2018 and September 2022, documenting 397 incidents across 45 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

According to the FRC's April 2023 supplemental report, 69 acts of vandalism against churches occurred in the first quarter of 2023, an increase in the number of attacks compared to previous years. The supplemental report is built on previous data published in December 2022.



Originally published by The Christian Post
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising for consumers not to buy or feed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches to toddlers and young children because the product may contain elevated levels of lead.

In October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned parents to stay away from WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches after a Madison County child's lead poisoning case ignited a national investigation.

Now, the parents of two of the four Western North Carolina children who claim their children were exposed to toxic lead poisoning have hired a firm to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer.

In a copy of the complaint obtained by The News-Record & Sentinel, plaintiffs Nicole Peterson and Thomas Duong, a married couple who live in Hickory, said their two minor children were among the four children who were exposed to toxic lead poisoning.

The complaint also lists WanaBana, WanaBana USA, Dollar Tree Stores and 10 other corporations, listed as "JOHN DOE CORPORATIONS 1-10."

Motley Rice, based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is the litigation firm that filed the lawsuit against WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches.

"This company had the duty at every step of the manufacturing process to ensure that its ingredients were sourced from vetted and trustworthy sources. That was not the case," Motley Rice attorney Nicholas Williams said in an emailed statement to The News-Record & Sentinel.

"Whoever supplied the cinnamon, it was included in their end-product. They're responsible for their end-product and they're responsible for maintaining proper assurances that the quality of their product remains pure.

Peterson and Duong's two minor children are listed as "L.D. 1" and L.D. 2" in the complaint, which reads that the children consumed the defendants' products from March 2023 to August 2023, when the couple's older child, "L.D. 1" was approximately 3 years old, and when "L.D. 2" was approximately 1 year old.

"As a result of their respective ingestion of Defendants Products, L.D.1 and L.D.2 have suffered catastrophic, life-long injuries including lead poisoning," the complaint reads.

Madison County Health Director Tammy Cody told The News-Record & Sentinel the NCDHHS initiated its investigation in response to a case in Madison County.

On Oct. 28, the Food and Drug Administration announced the WanaBana pouches may contain elevated levels of lead after a joint investigation by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, local health departments, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA release said.

In the release, the FDA said it was recently made aware of a developing investigation by the NCDHHS and the N.C. Department of Agriculture regarding four children in Western North Carolina counties who had elevated blood lead levels, indicating potential acute lead toxicity.

Cody said the other three cases were seen in children from Catawba and Cleveland Counties.

As for the Madison County child's case, Cody said the Madison County Health Department had been working with the family since August, including monitoring the elevated lead levels.

"Once two normal levels are reached, our services are no longer needed," Cody said.

Cody shared with The News-Record & Sentinel the county's updated lead prevention policy and best clinical practices document Oct. 30, in which Brittany Byers, Madison County Health Department's lead nurse, shared some major points for providers, nurses and lead staff

According to Byers, all levels above 3.5 are considered abnormal and will need a follow-up.

"All elevated levels (above 3.5) will need a diagnostic (venous draw) to confirm elevation, although they will accept another capillary if necessary. Confirmation must occur within 12 months of the initial elevated lead screening (although the sooner the better)," she said in the document.

South Carolina cases

The lead poisoning issue is not specific to North Carolina, as the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced its ongoing investigation on critical safety issue on Jan. 8.

In that release, the Department of Health and Environmental Control said it has been working closely with health care providers and the families of three children who had consumed these products and had blood lead levels test above the reference value identified by the CDC.

More: Acute lead toxicity in 4 WNC kids FDA issues warning: fruit puree linked to potential acute lead toxicity in 4 WNC kids

More than 20,000 South Carolina food retailers have been notified of this safety crisis recall by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Controls Rapid Response team, requesting they remove the products from their store shelves, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control said in the release.

To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), you can:

Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator if you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.

Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.

Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to FDA.

Visit www.fda.gov/fcic for additional consumer and industry assistance.

NCDHHS recommends consumers dispose of the WanaBana brand apple cinnamon puree products immediately, and discuss blood lead testing with their medical providers if there is a concern about their child.

For more information and resources on child lead poisoning, visit ehs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/hhccehb/cehu.

Johnny Casey has covered Madison County for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel for three years. He earned a first-place award in beat news reporting in the 2023 North Carolina Press Association awards. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@newsrecordandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Lawsuit: WNC kids developed lead poisoning linked to WanaBana pouches
TAIPEI (Reuters) - A stalled U.S. bill on military aid to Ukraine which will also help fund weapons for Taiwan was discussed this week during a visit to Taipei by U.S. lawmakers, two of the participants said on Friday.

The Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, has so far blocked passage of the bill that includes $60 billion in new funding for Ukraine. Former Republican President Donald Trump opposes aid for Kyiv.

The bill would also spend almost $2.6 billion on efforts to deter China. Most of that money, about $1.9 billion, would be to replace U.S. munitions provided to Taiwan.

China views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory ignoring the strong objections of the government in Taipei, and has been ramping up military pressure to assert those claims.

Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic member of the House select committee on China, told reporters at the end of a visit to Taiwan it was vital to pass the bill.

"Every single meeting we had in Taiwan focused on Ukraine for at least part of the meeting. It was in conjunction with our discussion of the supplemental appropriations package," he said.

"We have to beat back this criminal invasion by Putin to send a message to anyone else including Xi Jinping about Taiwan," Krishnamoorthi added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin whose forces invaded Ukraine two years ago, and China's leader Xi.

The lawmakers meetings in Taipei included President Tsai Ing-wen and president-elect Lai Ching-te, who won election last month and takes office in May.

The committee's chair, Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher who is leading the delegation Krishnamoorthi is on, said what happened to Ukraine mattered to Taiwan.

"One take way from this trip is, for those who suggest we cannot provide lethal assistance to Ukraine because we need those resources in Taiwan, I think you have to contend with the fact that the leaders of Taiwan certainly don't want us to abandon Ukraine," he said.

"The outcome there does matter for cross-strait deterrence. I'm not saying it's decisive for it, but it's at least correlated."

The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is its most important international backer and supplier of arms, though there is a large backlog of orders, like for Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

Krishnamoorthi said the funding bill also invests in the U.S. military industrial base to be able to provide a platform to deal with that backlog.

"This supplemental appropriations is not only crucial for sending a message, not only for deterrence, but also for repairing our industrial base and clearing up the backlog," he said.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry)
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT)  Bobby Sledge took over his familys property on Strain Road decades ago. He says the flooding after major rainfall has existed ever since.

If it rains hard, youre going to have to wade in water to get through the porch and its a mess. I mean really, it shouldnt be, Sledge explained.

The heartbeat of Five Points: Star Super Market celebrates 80 years of groceries and community

Homes like Sledges in the historically black community still run on a century-old well system, while just a few yards away from their neighborhood, construction for new homes and developments is underway.

Its a shame to say that you can have migrators come in here and live a lot better than the ones that built the place, Sledge said.

Homeowners have taken their concerns to city leaders several times over the years, but they found that there may be another way to get their concerns heard.

Community leaders called on Dr. Robert Bullard, a longtime environmental justice advocate and a member of the White Houses Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Bullard is an advocate for underserved communities as well.

One dies at hospital after house fire on 9th Ave in Decatur

Bullard and his team examined the Strain Road neighborhood to help shine an even brighter light on how working together as a community group can get things done.

If you have a government that somehow may not want to address some issues in certain areas, theres moneys that will go directly to community organizations to bypass the city and in some cases bypass the state, Bullard explained.

Known as the father of environmental justice, Bullard shared with News 19 how he helped several rural communities, including his own community of Shilo, Alabama by creating a nonprofit. Through that, homeowners can apply for federal grants, and the funds will be used to fix the issues.

Theres a lot of resources but it takes a willing city government and local government, and it takes a community thats organized and has an organization, said Bullard.

Bullard will be the guest speaker at the Urban Planning Conference at Alabama A&M University on Saturday to speak about the issues on Strain Road.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
A former FBI informant  who was arrested last week in Las Vegas  was arrested again on the same charges in California, after being accused of making false statements against President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

Alexander Smirnov was arrested on 22 February  the second time this month  on the same charges and based on the initial indictment following an arrest warrant issued from California, his lawyers said in a Thursday filing. A California district judge ordered Smirnov to appear in court at 9am on Monday 26 February.

His attorneys are now asking the court for an immediate release and say he has not set foot in the state of California since being released from custody on 20 February, days after his first arrest on 14 February. A magistrate judge in Nevada granted Mr Smirnovsrelease on various conditions.

He has fully remained fully compliant with his conditions of release since his court-ordered release, the filing states. The former FBI informant was arrested while having a meeting with his attorney at his law office.

The fact that the Defendant was attending a legal consultation meeting at his attorneys office contradicts the notion that he is a risk of flight, his lawyer wrote.

However, a Thursday order from the Central District Court of California wrote that Smirnovs attorney sought an emergency hearing in the District of Nevada to arrange the release of Defendant Smirnov, likely to facilitate his absconding from the United States.

On Friday, in a statement attorneys for Smirnov did not remark on this assertion, but said: We are advocating for Mr. Smirnov's release in both the federal district court and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. We will have no comment on the case and look forward to appearing in the appropriate federal court.

His lawyers wrote that no order setting a date and time for Mr Smirnovs appearance and detention hearing in California had been set at the time of the filing on Thursday.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury, states Mr Smirnov allegedly provided false derogatory information to agents about President Biden and Hunter Biden.

He was charged with two counts: providing a false statement to a government agent and creating a falsification of records in a federal investigation.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Smirnov made the false allegations to agents in June 2020, when he allegedly told them about two meetings with an executive from Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company which employed Hunter Biden as an attorney and later as a member of its corporate board.

Mr Smirnov allegedly told agents that executives associated with Burisma, including Burisma Official 1, admitted to him that they hired [Hunter Biden] to protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.

In a statement given toThe Independent, attorneys for Mr Smirnov said that their client was rearrested on an arrest warrant issued from the same Court where he was planning on voluntarily appearing when required.

He had previously been released by a federal Magistrate Judge after a full and complete hearing where both sides were heard. He was inside ourlaw office at the time of his arrest, preparing his defense. We arepursuing lawful remedies to once again seek his release, the statement said.
Hunter Biden walks back to the motorcade after visiting a jewelry store with his father US President Joe Biden in Greenville, Delaware, on December 18, 2023. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS)

An FBI informant charged with lying about US President Joe Biden and his son has been arrested again, just days after being released on bail, his lawyers said in a court filing Thursday.

Alexander Smirnov, 43, a dual US and Israeli national, was arrested last week and indicted for fabricating claims that Hunter Biden demanded multi-million-dollar bribes from Ukrainian firm Burisma -- on whose board he was serving at the time -- to protect it from an investigation when his father was US vice president.

Earlier this week Smirnov was released by a court in Nevada, over prosecutors' objections that he was likely to abscond, on the condition that he surrender his passports and be subject to GPS monitoring.

Then, in an unusual move, he was detained again.

"On the morning of February 22, 2024, Mr. Smirnov was arrested for a second time... while at the undersigned counsel's law office for meetings with counsel," his lawyers David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld said in a court filing.

"It should further be noted that the fact that the Defendant was attending a legal consultation meeting at his attorneys' office contradicts the notion that he is a risk of flight."

The motion, filed in Clark County, Nevada, seeks an immediate hearing to order Smirnov's release from custody.

The grand jury indictment against Smirnov that was unsealed last week appears to undermine the impeachment effort against Biden being put together by congressional Republicans, who had touted Smirnov's evidence as proof the Bidens were collectively involved in a criminal enterprise.

The claim that Hunter Biden leveraged his father's name for personal gain has been central to a Republican narrative, pushed heavily by Donald Trump, that Joe Biden is corrupt.

The indictment said that for at least a decade Smirnov was acting as a "confidential human source" for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, providing his handler with information to be used in criminal investigations, and that some of what he passed on was false.

A subsequent filing claimed that Russia's intelligence services were the root of the false information Smirnov had given to his FBI handler about the Bidens.

It also said that the efforts were not only historical, but continued and were an apparent effort to sway the 2024 presidential election.

"During his custodial interview on February 14, Smirnov admitted that officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story about (Hunter Biden)," prosecutors said this week.

Smirnov faces one charge of making a false statement, and one of creating a false and fictitious record, in his dealings with an FBI investigation.

If convicted he could be jailed up to 25 years.

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Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, second from right, leaves the federal courthouse in Las Vegas on Feb. 20. (Screengrab via AP)

The former FBI informant who was charged last week with making up false bribery claims central to the effort by Republicans in Congress to impeach President Biden was rearrested Thursday in Las Vegas.

Alexander Smirnov, 43, was taken into custody inside the law office of his attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, they said in a statement.

Federal prosecutors had argued that Smirnov, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen with ties to Russian intelligence officials, was a flight risk.

Smirnovs attorneys argued that he has not left Clark County, Nev., since his release earlier this week, and said the fact he was in their office at the time of his arrest proves he was not preparing to flee.

 When was Smirnov first arrested?

The court filing that argues Alexander Smirnov poses a flight risk is seen on Feb. 16. (Jon Elswick/AP)

Smirnov was arrested by the FBI on Feb. 14 at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas after arriving from overseas, and charged with making false statements when he provided false derogatory information to the FBI about the Bidens.

The Defendants story to the FBI was a fabrication, prosecutors alleged in the indictment filed by special counsel David Weiss, a Trump appointee who has been leading the ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden.

Prosecutors alleged that Smirnov transformed his routine and unextraordinary business contacts with Burisma into bribery allegations against the Bidens.

 What did he say about the Bidens?

President Biden and Hunter Biden exit Air Force One in Syracuse, N.Y., on Feb. 4, 2023. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Smirnov alleged that executives from Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian natural gas company, told him that Hunter Biden, then a member of its board, and Joe Biden, then the vice president, were each paid $5 million in bribes to ensure the firing of Viktor Shokin, Ukraines top prosecutor.

The allegations formed the basis of the push by House Republicans to impeach Biden. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called Smirnov a credible witness when he announced that House Republicans were moving forward with impeachment proceedings.

 What else did he tell the FBI?

Russian President Vladimir Putin at an event in Moscow last week. (Getty Images)

In a court filing Tuesday, prosecutors revealed that Smirnov told federal agents that Russian intelligence officials fed him a story about Hunter Biden. They did not specify what the story was or clarify whether it was related to the bribery claims about the Biden family.

Smirnov also told the FBI that Russian intelligence intercepted several calls placed by prominent U.S. persons the Russian government may use as kompromat in the 2024 election.

Kompromat means compromising material or damaging information that may be used to create negative publicity about a politician, a businessperson or other public figure.

 Whats next?

Smirnov is scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday in front of Judge Daniel Albregts, who will determine whether he should be kept in custody or released while he awaits trial. If convicted, Smirnov faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
SAN DIEGO  The FBI is asking for the publics help in locating a suspected robber who held up a bank in La Jolla earlier this month.

According to authorities, the incident occurred at 9:23 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. The suspect reportedly entered the Pacific Western Bank, located at 4365 Executive Dr., and presented a noted to the teller.

Couple says they were scammed $49K through Chase phone number

The suspect, described by the FBI as a white man in his late 50s to early 60s, demanded money. The teller provided a sum of cash to the suspected robber, who then left the bank on foot. Authorities did not say whether or not the man was suspected to be armed during the encounter.

According to the FBI, the suspect was last seen wearing a green windbreaker, dark pants, dark shoes, reading glasses, and a dark hat. He was described as having an average build, while standing about 6 feet tall.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact detective Brandon Gaines by email at bgaines@pd.sandiego.gov, or by phone at 619-531-2905. Tips can also be submitted at tips.fbi.gov.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
WASHINGTON (WATE)  A Tennessee man pleaded guilty to a felony charge earlier this month for his action during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Devin McNulty, 28, of Loudon pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers on Feb. 1 in Washington D.C.

Knoxville woman loses father in Valentines Day shooting

He initially faced charges including an act of physical violence in a Capitol building and engaging in physical violence, and civil disorder. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 28.

According to court documents, the FBI first learned about McNulty through an anonymous tip. Agents were able to identify him by comparing photos and videos from the Capitol to a poster advertising a Knoxville mixed-martial arts fight McNulty competed in.

Credit: FBI

Credit: FBI

Investigators identified his cell phone number and used call logs and data from Snapchat to track his whereabouts from Knoxville on Jan. 5 to Washington D.C. the next day.

McNulty was seen on various videos shared on social media from the Capitol grounds, including at the west front of the Capitol building and scaling the retaining wall to reach the Upper West Terrace.

Whats next in the Kenneth DeHart case? Lawyer explains grand jury

Other footage appears to show him pushing directly against a police officers riot shield. An officer interviewed following the riot said he attempted to gain control of their shields, forcing them to exert increasingly more effort to counteract him. The officer described their interaction with McNulty as aggressive and persistent.







A search warrant for Google accounts linked to McNulty showed searches for flights from TYS to Washington on Jan 6, 2021, returning Jan 8, 2021. TYS is the airport code for McGhee Tyson Airport. Other search terms included charges against rioters, What we know about the people arrested after the Capitol riots and how to mass delete Gmail emails.

3 years after Capitol riot, almost 1,000 convictions

He was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia on June 13, 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A prominent Christian researcher is insisting that with the 2024 presidential election less than a year away, the United States needs a spiritual awakening to resolve the pervasive division and polarization that has come to define American politics.



The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University released its fifth annual American Worldview Inventory on Monday. Based on interviews with 2,000 U.S. adults conducted in January, the survey examined the prevalence of 14 different worldviews among the population.

The research identified syncretism, defined as a fusion of disparate ideologies, beliefs, behaviors, and principles culled from a variety of competing worldviews into a customized blend, as the dominant worldview in American society. Ninety-two percent of those surveyed embrace syncretism.

The second-most common worldview, biblical theism, is adhered to by 4% of U.S. adults. The Cultural Research Center defines biblical theism, also known as the biblical worldview, as a means of experiencing, interpreting, and responding to reality in light of biblical perspectives.

The Cultural Research Center measures adherence to a biblical worldview based on responses to survey questions asking about the Bible, truth and morals, faith practices, family and the value of life, God, creation and history, human character and nature, lifestyle, behavior and relationships, purpose and calling as well as sin, salvation and God relationship.

Support for four additional worldviews was recorded at 1% each: Mormonism, nihilism, postmodernism and secular humanism. The remaining worldviews, animism, Eastern mysticism, Islam, Judaism, Marxism, moralistic therapeutic deism, satanism and Wicca each had less than 0.5% adherence.

Additionally, the survey found that adherence to Syncretism extends across multiple religious denominations. Syncetrism is embraced by 92% of Christians, who constitute 66% of the population. By contrast, just 6% of Christians subscribe to a biblical worldview.

Within Christianity, syncretism was most pronounced among Catholics (98%), who make up 17% of the population. Just 1% of Catholics adhere to the biblical worldview. Eighty-eight percent of Protestants and 96% of Christians who subscribe to a different faith tradition also embrace syncretism. On the other hand, only 9% of Protestants and 4% of other Christians have a biblical worldview. Protestants and other Christians account for 36% and 11% of the population, respectively.

Mormons had the smallest share of adherents embracing syncretism (74%), with the remaining 26% subscribing to Mormonism. Eighty-nine percent of those who do not belong to any particular religion adhere to syncretism, with 5% of the non-religious living in accordance with secular humanism.

George Barna, the director of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University and a well-known pollster, elaborated on the results of this years American Worldview Inventory and their implications for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

People have become so self-focused and their beliefs are so self-serving that no politician elected in 2024 can reasonably be expected to restore common purpose and shared vision to the nation without a serious reshaping of peoples worldviews, he said.

Barna identified the only true hope for America at this point as a period of spiritual renewal that restores a widespread understanding and basis of truth, individual purpose, and personal responsibility within a community context.

According to Barna, Placing the burden of uniting this divided a country on the shoulders of a president or political party is unrealistic. Only a spiritual awakening can usher in the required tidal wave of spiritual wisdom and commitment, and that kind of renewal does not happen overnight or randomly.

It must become an intentional and long-term commitment, he added. In addition to examining the prevalence of certain worldviews in American society, the latest research found that a majority of adults possess the same points of view in relation to less than one-third of the 53 unique worldview indicators in the Inventory. Barna identified nine of the 53 items as beliefs or behaviors that would be helpful in building a national consensus for moving the country forward in unity.

The survey found that most Americans view the Bible as an authoritative and trustworthy guidebook for life and see Jesus Christ as an important guide for ones life. At the same time, a majority of Americans agree that hatred and aggression are not necessary for personal survival and thought it was important to thank, praise, and worship God at least once during the week.

Most Americans also agreed that not attempting to cast a spell on other people and rejected the philosophy that you can do whatever you want to do as long as it does not harm other people. The ideas that people should repay any money that [they] borrow from someone else and that people should have the option not to personally participate in abortion, regardless of their belief about the permissibility of other people having an abortion also received majority support.

The American Worldview Inventory also singled out some of the areas where Americans could not seem to come to an agreement: the basis of truth, whether other people deserve to be respected, the importance of the God of Israel as an authority source and guide for life, belief about the value of human life, acceptance of the existence of absolute moral truths and the existence of Satan.

Americans also had a hard time agreeing on the means to happiness in life, the morality of intentionally deceiving other people, the morality of premarital sex, personal commitment to discerning and doing Gods will and the appropriate relationship to and treatment of animals.



Originally published by The Christian Post
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A 9-year-old Florida boy has died of meningitis, the Florida Department of Health confirmed to NBC affiliate WESH on Friday.

The fourth grader attended Burns Science and Technology Charter School in Oak Hill, which is a city in Volusia County.

VIDEO: HCSO helicopter spots missing man with dementia laying on train tracks

Health officials notified parents of 44 students who had close contact with the boy. A statement from the school disclosed a confirmed meningitis case in the classroom and urged all parents to keep an eye on their child.

This has rocked us to the core and we feel terrible for the family of this boy. We are taking all necessary precautions to protect our other students, spokesperson for the charter school told WESH.

Meningitis is a disease, typically triggered by an infection, that causes inflammation in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The infection is most commonly caused by bacteria or a virus, but it is possible for it to spread through parasites, fungus or amoeba.

Bacterial meningitis is the most severe and spreads though close contact, which is why, for example, many college students are required to have proof of vaccination against the disease in order to live on campus. People with bacterial meningitis can experience seizures, coma or even death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Meningitis symptoms include sudden onset of:

Fever

Headache

Stiff neck

There are often other symptoms, including:

Nausea

Vomiting

Photophobia (eyes being more sensitive to light)

Altered mental status (confusion)

Anyone who suspects they have meningitis is urged to get medical attention right away.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Florida lawmakers have fast-tracked legislation that forces social media companies to keep most minors off their platforms.

The legislation, which passed the state House Thursday after earlier being approved by the Senate, now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantiss (R) desk, though he says hes not quite ready to sign on.

DeSantis told reporters Friday that he thinks there needs to be a proper balance between government regulations and parental input on the social media issue.

Well be wrestling with that, he said.

The governor said hell be assessing the final version of the legislation likely through the weekend.

Federal law says 13 and under cant have social media accounts. Thats not really enforced, he said.

DeSantis, who suspended his bid for the GOPs 2024 presidential nomination in January, has been an advocate of reining in media and conversations available to children outside of family atmospheres. He championed efforts to censor public school books and discussions of sexuality in public schools.

The lawmakers who championed the proposed social media ban, which would require platforms check the ages of users through a third-party source, argue it will make the online landscape safer for youths.

A Pew Research Survey in 2023 found that a third of teens aged 13 to 17 said they use the most popular social media platforms almost constantly. It also found that smartphone ownership is nearly universal among teens surveyed  spanning all genders, age groups, economic backgrounds and races and ethnicities.

Its time to take decisive action to protect our most vulnerable population  children, Florida state Sen. Erin Grall (R), one of the bills leading sponsors, wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Were talking about businesses that are using addictive features to engage in mass manipulation of our children to cause them harm, Grall further said on the Florida Senate floor Thursday.

The legislation passed 108-7 in the state House and 23-14 in the Florida Senate within a matter of hours Thursday.

Grall, a Florida attorney and mother of three kids, didnt immediately respond to The Hills requests for comment.

Representatives for Snapchat, TikTok, and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Xs press office autoreplied to a request for comment with the message: Busy now, please check back later.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jeri Heiden is an LA-based art designer acclaimed for her collaborative works with music industry legends like Fleetwood Mac and Madonna and has multiple decades worth of experience after designing more than 400 album covers of various chart-topping hits, including "Behind the Mask" and "Like a Virgin."

Recently, she bagged the Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package award at the 2024 Grammys, alongside partner John Heiden, for designing the "For The Birds: The Birdsong Project" 20-LP deluxe box set.

The five-time Grammy nominee finally broke through with this project, executed under her Silverlake-based boutique design firm Smog Design, Inc.

The 5-volume box set comprises contributions from notable Hollywood personalities like Florence Welch, Greta Gerwig, Tilda Swinton, Robert Pattinson, Jeff Goldblum, Elvis Costello, Flaming Lips, Yo-Yo Ma, Mark Mothersbaugh, Mark Ronson, and many more.

That said, this momentous milestone is but one of many for Heiden, as she recalls a striking and pivotal moment of her long-standing career in the art and music industry in a recent episode of the "Women in Vinyl" podcast.

Designing a Patchouli-Scented Album for Madonna

In the podcast, Heiden told a behind-the-scenes story regarding one of the most iconic and memorable albums she worked on, which was Madonna's Patchouli-scented "Like a Prayer" record.

According to Heiden, the late pop icon came to her with an unusual request involving Madonna's album that peaked in the top 25 of 1989's Hot 100 Year-End. The request? Infuse the packaging of the record with the scent of a Patchouli plant.

Heiden said that the idea was inspired by the religious references made in the album and that the plant itself exuded a scent akin to that of a burning incense inside a church.

Together with the manufacturing company Ivy Hill, Heiden endeavored to implement Madonna's wild concept, despite dealing with a set of project-specific issues, including receiving "hate mail" from people who suffered from allergies.

Heiden said that she still has these letters from the "very, very upset" people, before "advising" other designers in a joking manner that they should think twice about implementing such "outrageous" but creative ideas.

This is just one of Heiden's many experiences that informed her deep and highly specialized design expertise. Because of this, the acclaimed designer has lectured about the subject extensively.

Her work has even gained the recognition of esteemed art institutions like AIGA, the American Center for Design, the Type Directors Club of NYC, The PDC, Print, Communication Arts, Graphis, ID Magazine, STEP Inside Design, and the Art Directors Clubs of Los Angeles and New York.

Read Also: Pete Muller Releases New Album's Title Track 'More Time,' Tackling the Push and Pull of Temptation

 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Florida mom allegedly told child to beat sibling with belt: 'Beat the crap out of the sly devil'

A Florida mother is accused of child abuse for allegedly striking her children and encouraging one to hit their sibling with a belt, authorities said.

Authorities discovered the alleged abuse in the Tampa suburb of Seffner when they were called to the home of Karyn Parrish, 28, on Tuesday for a welfare check.

"It is absolutely gut-wrenching and incomprehensible to have a case like this, where a mother would inflict such horrifying treatment on her own children," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister in a statement. "My heart aches for these two young and innocent children. As Your Sheriff, I promise you that our team will not rest until we ensure that all the children in our community are safe."

Deputies, along with an investigator from the Department of Child and Families, met with Parrish and asked to speak with her two children. One of the children, under the age of 5, allegedly showed signs of distress, shaking and crying.

FLORIDA PAIR CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER SEX-FOR-HIRE CAR THEFT PLOT WENT AWRY: DEPUTIES

Karyn Parrish, 28, allegedly encouraged one of her children to beat the other with a belt.

During their visit, the deputies noticed a bruise on one child's cheek nearly two inches in size, the sheriff's office said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Maybe my mom," the child said when asked how they got the bruise. "Maybe she was slapping me around. She doesn't remember. Mommy tells her she doesn't remember things."

FLORIDA WOMAN MISSING IN SPAIN TAKEN AGAINST HER WILL AFTER MAN SPRAY-PAINTED SECURITY CAMERAS: FRIEND

Parish admitted to slapping the child at least three times, authorities said. On her phone, deputies found videos of her telling one of her children to hit another with a belt.

"Hit harder. Hit hard, baby," she allegedly ordered one child in a video. "Beat the crap out of the sly devil."

Another video showed Parrish allegedly telling her child that they were going to be tortured, and that if they died, so be it, authorities said.

She is charged with child abuse and is being held in the Orient Road Jail. The children were taken from the home and are being cared for by a relative.





Original article source: Florida mom allegedly told child to beat sibling with belt: 'Beat the crap out of the sly devil'
Every year, the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards features the very best in travel, food & drink, and lifestyle. A panel of industry experts nominates the best across a wide range of categories and readers vote on them.

This year, a museum in a small Florida city was chosen as one of the 10 best in the country. That's not terribly surprising, as the city and neighborhood in question are practically history themselves.

Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center voted one of the best museums in the U.S.

St. Augustine's historic Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center

Voted as No. 5 in the Best Museums category of the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers Choice Awards, Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center in St. Augustine was named "Best Small Town Museum."

"Highlighting over 450 years of history, Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center in St. Augustine, Florida, honors the city's Black history, from the Spanish colonial period to the Civil Rights era," the 10Best award said.

"Exhibits focus on illustrating what it was like to live in the Lincolnville neighborhood in the early 20th century, as well as how the lives of West African peoples were forever changed during the quest for enslaved workers."

The museum, located at 102 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., occupies the former Excelsior High School building, St. Johns County's first public high school for Black students in 1925. The museum was established as the Excelsior Museum and Cultural Center in 2005 and was renamed for the Lincolnville neighborhood in 2012.

Lincolnville itself is an area of 45 blocks in southwest St. Augustine founded in 1866 by formerly enslaved people. By the early 20th century, Lincolnville had become a major subdivision of St. Augustine with many thriving Black-owned businesses.

In the 1960s, it was where civil rights leaders and activists met and planned peaceful protests and marches. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stayed in different residences in the area and spoke at St. Paul AME Church. King was arrested on the steps of what was the nearby Monson Motor Lodge (now the Bayfront Hilton) for attempting to stage a sit-in there. A week later the hotel owner poured acid into the whites-only pool after Black activists jumped in. Many believe the worldwide attention to that act helped push along passage of the Civil Rights Act.

Lincolnville was designated a Historic District in 1991 by the National Register of Historic Places.

What can I see at the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center?

Part of a lunch counter from Woolworth's in St. Augustine that was the site of civil rights protests in the 1960s is now displayed at the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center.

St. Augustine has the oldest black heritage of any continuous settlement in the United States" and the museum tells the story of local Black history, from the empires of West Africa, to the struggles of the 20th century and how the contributions of Black people "shaped the state and the nation," according to the museum's website.

Current exhibits look at the early days of the Lincolnville neighborhood; how African people were enslaved and brought to this country; how they contributed to the early success of Florida; iconic local women; civil rights history (Dr. King described St. Augustine as the most lawless city hes seen); historic Black businesses of St. Augustine, and a look at other Black communities in the area. The museum has also hosted performances and music.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's fingerprint card from his arrest on June 11, 1964.

Previous exhibits have included the actual Woolworth's counter where Black students, the St. Augustine Four, staged a sit-in in 1963 in one of the protests that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Nearby was the original fingerprint card from Dr. King's arrest the next year.

The museum also hosted the Harlem Renaissance Experience where visitors could don VR glasses and find themselves inside a jazz nightclub or on the streets of Harlem in the 1920s when people of color began creating works based on their own history and expression rather than imitating the white culture around them.

When is the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center open?

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The museum is open from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays and from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 17 and under or college students with valid ID. Military and seniors get a 10% discount.

For information, visit lincolnvillemuseum.org or contact the museum at lmccstaug@gmail.com or 904-824-1191.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: St. Augustine's Lincolnville Museum voted in list of 10 best in U.S.
A nine-month nationwide manhunt ended in the forests of Burke County when authorities caught a convicted sex offender on Thursday.

Law enforcement began searching for Johnathan Dove in June 2023. He was spotted in Ohio, Texas and Florida before authorities tracked him to a remote campsite in the Pisgah National Forest.

Dove was wanted by the Marion County Sheriffs Office for two counts of failure to comply with sexual offender registration. He was convicted in 2019 for unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

Due to his conviction, Dove was designated a sexual offender with a registration period of life in Florida.

ALSO READ: Suspect indicted, accused of recording sex acts involving North Carolina minor

According to the sheriffs office, Dove was spotted buying an SUV in Ohio and was then seen in Texas last June after cutting his hair short.

We know he was in Ohio where he purchased a vehicle seen here. We know he was in Texas in June and as you can see his hair has been cut, said Sheriff Woods in Marion County.

He was eventually arrested by federal marshals in Pisgah National Forest, where he had been camping. Investigators said they received information that led them to search that location.

Channel 9s Dave Faherty spoke with firefighters who sometimes conduct search and rescue missions in the area.

Its an excellent place to hide. Most of the time we have no radio coverage, no cell phone coverage, so youre just going into the area being aware that you are not going to have a lot of coverage, said Oak Hill Fire Chief Jimmy Winters.

A woman was with Dove when he was arrested, but she doesnt face charges.

Authorities said Dove is being kept at the Burke County jail before being extradited to Florida.

VIDEO: Man in jail after not appearing in court on charges involving sex crimes against a minor
















Florida surgeon general Dr. Joseph Ladapo said the state health department "is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance." Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News

Amid an outbreak of measles at a Florida elementary school, the state's surgeon general has defied federal health guidance and told parents it's up to them whether they want to keep their unvaccinated child home to avoid infection.

In a letter to parents of children attending Manatee Bay Elementary school in Weston, where six cases of measles have already been reported, Florida surgeon general Dr. Joseph Ladapo said the state health department "is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance."

That advice runs counter to what Ladapo acknowledged in his letter was the "normal" recommendation that parents keep unvaccinated children home for up to 21 days -- the incubation period for measles.

This is not the first time that Ladapo has challenged health recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Last month, he called for halting the use of COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna.

Ben Hoffman, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told the Washington Post that Florida's new guidance flies in the face of standard public health guidance for measles, a disease that can result in severe complications and even death.

"It runs counter to everything I have ever heard and everything that I have read," Hoffman said. "It runs counter to our policy. It runs counter to what the [CDC] would recommend."

As more parents seek exemptions from childhood vaccinations, measles cases have climbed in this country.

In 2024 alone, at least 26 cases in at least 12 states have been reported to the CDC, roughly double the number at this point last year. Along with the six cases confirmed in the Florida school, cases have been reported in Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

In January, the CDC issued a warning to health providers to be on alert for more measles cases. Infected people are contagious starting four days before a rash develops and up to four days afterward.

Measles is highly contagious, particularly to unvaccinated people: Up to 90% of those without immunity will contract measles if exposed, the CDC says. Conversely, those who have been infected or received the full two doses of the MMR vaccine are 98% protected.

"The reason why there is a measles outbreak in Florida schools is because too many parents have not had their children protected by the safe and effective measles vaccine," John Moore, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, told the Post. "And why is that? It's because anti-vaccine sentiment in Florida comes from the top of the public health food chain: Joseph Ladapo."

When asked to comment, the Florida health department sent a link to Ladapo's letter, the Post reported.

Paul Offit, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, told the Post that Ladapo's failure to urge vaccination or quarantining endangers children.

"Is he trying to prove that measles isn't a contagious disease when the data are clear that it is the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, far more contagious than influenza or COVID?" Offit said.

A drop below 95% vaccination coverage for measles can jeopardize herd immunity. Florida's state vaccination coverage is 90.6%, the Post reported.

About 1 in 5 unvaccinated Americans who catch the measles is hospitalized, according to the CDC. Up to 1 of 20 children develop pneumonia. Nearly 1 child out of every 1,000 with measles will develop swelling of the brain that can leave a child deaf or with an intellectual disability. For unvaccinated infants who get the measles, 1 in 600 can develop a fatal neurological complication that can lie dormant for years.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the history of measles.

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Is there one mainstream piece of public health advice  no matter how long-standing  that Floridas top doctor wont buck?

Joseph Ladapo, Gov. Ron DeSantis anti-vaxx surgeon general, has spread misinformation about COVID-19 and has advised against coronavirus vaccines, citing debunked claims.

Perhaps Ladapo saw, in the novelty and divisiveness of the pandemic, an opportunity to become the go-to, Ivy League-educated doctor for vaccine deniers. Now, hes turned his focus to a long-known virus  up until now, largely non-controversial, but highly contagious and dangerous for children: measles.

Following an outbreak at Manatee Bay Elementary in Weston, where six measles cases have been confirmed, Ladapo sent a letter to parents that pediatricians, immunologists and infectious disease experts have criticized. The letter acknowledged what has been common practice to contain measles outbreaks  that unvaccinated children or those without immunity should remain home during the incubation period of the virus, or up to 21 days.

Ladapo, then, however, wrote that, due to the high immunity rate in the community, the Department of Health is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance.

This should have been Ladapos opportunity to tell parents, Get your children vaccinated  now!

The MMR vaccine, approved by the federal government more than 50 years ago, offers 98% protection against measles after two full doses. Thats a widely known statistic that not even Ladapo can deny  he acknowledges it in his letter but stops short of recommending the vaccines.

Instead, Floridas top doctor is telling parents its OK to send kids to school sans immunization, even though they could contract a potentially lethal virus or spread it to others who are also not immunized. Worse, the Broward County school outbreak could spread to other communities. The measles virus can live on surfaces or in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Ladapos letter even notes that up to 90% of individuals without immunity will contract measles if exposed. But he knows the administration he works for. Advising children without immunity to stay home would certainly be a bad look for DeSantis, who made his anti-lockdown stance a hallmark of his response to the COVID-19 pandemic and political brand. Can you imagine the headlines on Fox News calling the DeSantis administration a Dr. Fauci sellout?

The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000 but, in past years, cases have begun to surge, largely because of lower vaccination rates. Most of the 23 measles cases the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified in the country between December and January were among teens and children who had not been vaccinated.

The vaccine skepticism that gained force during the pandemic, thanks in part to public figures like DeSantis and Ladapo, is a threat to not only public-health efforts to keep COVID at bay but other diseases we thought belonged in a bygone era.

In his letter, Ladapo mentions the cost of healthy children missing school, but what about the cost of treating a sick child from a disease so easily prevented? Broward County Public Schools, by the way, has offered parents at Manatee Bay Elementary at-home learning options, the Sun Sentinel reported.

Ladapo left at least some hope that common sense might prevail at some point, writing that his recommendation may change as epidemiological investigations continue. But can Floridians trust that our surgeon general will put decades of public-health guidance above his own ambitions and that of a state government that politicized a pandemic that killed hundreds of thousands of Floridians?

Well have to see it to believe it.

Click here to send the letter.
A sign is pictured in front of the Vitol Group trading commodities building in Geneva

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A former oil trader at Vitol, one of the world's largest energy trading companies, was convicted on Friday of corruption charges stemming from more than $1 million in bribes he paid to officials in Ecuador and Mexico to win business.

A federal jury in Brooklyn found Javier Aguilar guilty of three counts of foreign bribery, foreign bribery conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said Aguilar sent bribe money from his Geneva-based employer to the officials through a series of middlemen and shell companies in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a U.S. law that prohibits paying bribes to foreign officials.

"The people of Ecuador and Mexico deserved better and companies that play by the rules should know that the process is not rigged," U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in Brooklyn said in a statement.

Aguilar had pleaded not guilty. He faces up to 30 years in prison, but would likely get a lesser punishment.

"We disagree with the jurys verdict and intend to appeal," Daniel Koffmann, a lawyer for Aguilar, said in an email.

The defense had argued that Aguilar hired consultants he thought were legitimate to help Vitol win a 30-month, $300 million contract to ship crude produced by Ecuador's state oil company Petroecuador in 2016.

It also said the consultants paid bribes without Aguilar's knowledge, and that the payment structure was created by a top Vitol executive.

Aguilar was the first person to stand trial in the U.S. as part of a sprawling Justice Department probe into commodity trading firms paying bribes to win business from state-run companies across Latin America, a scandal that has roiled energy markets from Mexico to Brazil.

Vitol in December 2020 admitted to bribing officials in Brazil, Mexico and Ecuador and agreed to pay $164 million to resolve U.S. and Brazilian probes.

Rival trader Gunvor is bracing for a fine of up to $650 million to resolve U.S. probes into its business dealings in Ecuador.

Aguilar's eight-week trial featured testimony from several intermediaries and bribe recipients, who pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

That included two former employees of a Houston-based subsidiary of Mexico's state-owned oil company Pemex, who testified that Aguilar paid them around $600,000 in bribes to steer a $200 million contract for the supply of ethane gas toward Vitol.

Aguilar's lawyers argued that the Pemex employees were not foreign officials, meaning the payments were not bribes under U.S. law.

Aguilar faces additional charges in federal court in Houston over the alleged Pemex scheme. He has pleaded not guilty.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Marguerita Choy and Daniel Wallis)
Scientists have revealed a new, remarkably complete fossil - a 16ft (5m)-long aquatic reptile from the Triassic period.

The creature dates back 240 million years and has been dubbed a "dragon" because of its extremely long neck.

It is called Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, a species that was originally identified back in 2003.

This spectacular new fossil has allowed scientists to see the full anatomy of this bizarre prehistoric beast.

Dr Nick Fraser, from National Museums Scotland, who was part of the international team that studied the fossil, said this was the first time scientists had been able to see it in full. He described it as "a very strange animal".

"It had flipper-like limbs and its neck is longer than its body and tail combined," he said.

The researcher speculated that a "long, bendy and flexible neck", with its 32 separate vertebrae, might have provided a hunting advantage - allowing Dinocephalosaurus orientalis to search for food in crevices under the water.

The fossil was discovered in ancient limestone deposits in southern China.

"This discovery just adds to the weirdness of the Triassic," Dr Fraser told BBC News. "And every time we look in these deposits, we find something new."

The paper describing a set of new fossils of the animal is published in the journal Earth and Environmental Science: Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
The University of Georgia has canceled classes on Thursday and Friday after the death of a female on campus, the school said in a post on its website.

Foul play is suspected, the school added.

On Thursday afternoon, the UGA Police Department received a call from someone concerned for the welfare of a friend who didnt return after going for a run at the Intramural Fields earlier in the morning, the school said in a post on X.

According to UGA police, they located the missing person in a forested area around 12:38 p.m. unconscious and not breathing. She had visible injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

An aerial view of where a woman was found dead in Athens, Georgia, on February 22, 2024. - WSB

The campus will close at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and not reopen until Monday, February 26, the school said.

UGA is located in Athens, approximately 60 miles northeast of Atlanta.

The university is planning a 7 p.m. news conference.

CNN has reached out to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clark County Police.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

CNNs Cara Lynn Clarkson contributed to this report.

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ATHENS, Ga.  A man charged in the death of a college student whose body was found Thursday on the campus of the University of Georgia committed a crime of opportunity, officials said Friday.

University Police Chief Jeff Clark identified the suspect as Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, of Athens. Clark said the suspect is not a U.S. citizen and did not attend the university.

He said there was no indication that he knew 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley.

Ibarra has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another, police said. He was booked into the Clarke County Jail on Friday night.

The suspect does not have an extensive violent criminal history, Clark said, adding that he cant say he has done this multiple times.

Clark described Rileys killing as a crime of opportunity, where he saw an individual and bad things happened, and said the suspect is an individual who woke up with bad intentions that day. He said there is no motive.

The killing appears to have been a solo act, and there were no indications of a continuing threat to the community, Clark said.

Officials said that Riley, who was not a student at the University of Georgia but attended college at another institution in Athens, had gone for a jog and was later found dead with visible injuries in a forested area behind Lake Herrick on Thursday. Police said foul play was suspected, and on Friday, the case was called a homicide investigation.

Police said Friday that Rileys cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Riley was a student at the Augusta University College of Nursings Athens campus, the school confirmed. Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel on Thursday called the news of the death shocking to all of us.

In a statement Friday, the university said Riley was a junior and a deans list student.

This sudden loss of one of our students is truly heartbreaking, the statement said, noting counseling support services are available for students, faculty and staff.

The University of Georgia said Friday that Riley had been a student through the 2023 spring semester before transferring to Augusta University.

In a message Thursday to the campus community, which includes more than 40,000 students, the University of Georgia called it a terrible situation.

The investigation

Police were on the scene at the Oconee Forest Park area of the Intramural Fields on campus Friday morning, the University of Georgia said.

Around noon Thursday, someone reported that their friend had gone for a run at the Intramural Fields that morning and did not return, police said.

The womans body was found behind Lake Herrick at 12:38 p.m., Clark said.

Police announced Friday that they had arrested a suspect in connection with Rileys death.

Clark said police took three or four people into custody but are only arresting Ibarra, suggesting the robust evidence against him.

Police were executing a search warrant on Ibarras apartment Friday to continue to collect evidence, Clark said. Despite the warrant, he said police didnt need any further evidence beyond what they had already gathered to arrest the suspect.

He said the arrest has been supported by key input from the community, physical evidence and expert police work. Video footage from the campus security system network was also vital in the investigation and eventual arrest, he said.

Safety concerns over the lake

Bridget Boswell, a 21-year-old junior at the University of Georgia, said Rileys death made her feel very sick to my stomach.

The news comes amid an intense time at the states flagship university. In addition to the unrelated death of another student earlier in the week, midterms are underway.

Boswell described Lake Herrick as a haven for some on campus that is typically busy with students and locals.

I feel like it could have been anybody, Boswell said. I felt so comfortable at that lake in the past. Like I had taken naps in my hammock alone, which I would never do that now. I had such a sense of trust.

She said that she had been at the lake, where she often runs, Thursday morning.

Ill go at any time  and there will be people from other schools, cross country teams practicing, its not just college students. Ive seen people just walking their dogs there, like older people, and people will go there to fish as well, she said. Ive noticed theres a lot of older guys that will be there alone and I never really thought twice about it, and now Im thinking about it and that makes me a little uncomfortable.

She suggested the university set up more emergency blue light phones as an added security measure.

I dont see them anymore, Boswell said. I honestly think that that would be a big help in the right direction.

Michaela Gearty, a 22-year-old graduate student at UGA who also attended undergrad there, agreed that emergency call boxes should be reinstated. The school removed the emergency phone system in 2004 over a lack of use.

There are no blue lights on the university campus anywhere, she said. They told us to download this app, UGA Safe app. But what they dont realize is when youre in a situation like that, talking about Laken, she was deep in the woods first off, and AT&T was out. So, what do you do there? Theres no blue light, no security, nothing.

Greg Trevor, a spokesman for UGA, said the university had the blue boxes on campus for eight years. In that time, they were used only seven times.

In lieu of the blue boxes, Trevor said they developed the UGA Safe app, which includes a Mobile BlueLight feature that can call university police and share a callers location.

Gearty noted that AT&T had experienced a service outage Thursday that left thousands of users unable to use their phones without Wi-Fi for hours.

This is all anyones talking about, and girls everywhere, including me and my roommates, weve been talking about this and strategizing on what to do being around here, being downtown, not going anywhere alone, Gearty said.

The day before this happened, I went for a walk on campus alone. Now, I cant do that anymore, which is really unfortunate, and neither can anyone else, she said.

Gearty said she never felt fully safe at the lake.

Theres so many wooded areas and places where people can kind of come from nowhere, anyone can access it, she said.

All classes were canceled Thursday evening and Friday, the university said. They will resume Monday.

Clark said that there are security cameras on the campus, which covers 760 acres in Athens.

He said Friday that the killing was a very isolated incident, noting that we havent had a homicide at the University of Georgia in over 30 years.

Blayne Alexander and Charlie Gile reported from Athens, Marlene Lenthang from Los Angeles and Rebecca Cohen from New York City.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WELLSBURG, N.Y. (WETM)  Four people from Ithaca have been arrested on a burglary charge following an incident that occurred yesterday in Wellsburg.

According to the Chemung County Sheriffs Office, Abigail V. Fuller, 20, Camren N. Susman, 21, Levi L. Keeling, 20, and Jackson G. Hafl, 21, all of Ithaca, were arrested on the charge of burglary in the third-degree, a class D felony, after a burglary that took place in Wellsburg on Thursday, Feb. 22.

Burdett man pleads guilty to burglary, sentenced to probation

Deputies say they showed up at a vacant building in the village of Wellsburg for the report of a burglary in progress. After arrival, a deputy saw people inside the building with flashlights.

One of the people was caught outside the building with a box and plastic crate full of items and was immediately taken into custody. More deputies then arrived at the scene and took the others into custody.

Third person arrested in Elmira armed burglary in January

After further investigation, deputies discovered that the four people had forced entry through the back door with the intent to steal. They were arrested and transported to the Chemung County Sheriffs Office, where they were fingerprinted and photographed.

All four were issued appearance tickets to appear in the Wellsburg Village Court at a later date.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
Four mariners who were caught by Navy sailors while attempting to deliver Iranian-made missile components to the Houthis are now facing federal charges, according to a new indictment unsealed Thursday.

In a nighttime operation last month, the US Navy seized ballistic missile and cruise missile components from a vessel off the coast of Somalia, according to US Central Command. The supplies were headed towards Yemen, CENTCOM said, where the Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group, have been launching regular attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Two Navy SEALs went missing during the boarding operation and were later declared dead.

It is rare for individuals aboard a ship smuggling goods to face criminal charges in the United States for their role in an international illegal transport operation. It is unclear whether any similar cases have been brought in the United States in recent years.

There was one other successful interdiction of weapons heading to Yemen in recent weeks, when a US Coast Guard cutter deployed in the CENTCOM area of operations seized more than 200 packages of medium-range ballistic missile components, explosives, communication and network equipment, unmanned underwater and surface drone components and more. CENTCOM said the shipment of lethal aid, which was seized on January 28 in the Arabian Sea, originated from Iran.

Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters this month that while the interdictions  and numerous US strikes inside Yemen  have disrupted some delivery of capabilities to the Houthis  I cant say that weve been able to stop every single shipment.

Indeed, the attacks by the Houthis, which they claim are carried out in solidarity with the Palestinian people, have continued. On Thursday morning local time, US aircraft and a coalition warship shot down six Houthi one-way attack drones believed to be targeting them, according to CENTCOM. Hours later, the Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Gulf of Aden that hit the M/V Islander  a Palau-flagged, UK-owned cargo ship  and caused one minor injury and damage to the ship, CENTCOM said.

The individuals aboard the ship

The Navy found 14 mariners aboard the dhow during their search last month and brought the crew members aboard their own ship, according to court documents. All the crew members denied smuggling weapons, prosecutors said, and claimed they were out fishing.

Among the men were Muhammad Pahlawan, Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah, and Izhar Muhammad  the four defendants in this case. Each man is charged with providing materially false information to Coast Guard officers. Pahlawan is also charged with transporting a warhead onboard the dhow knowing it would be used by the Houthi rebel forces.

According to court documents, Pahlawan functioned as the boats captain and used a satellite telephone to stay connected with an individual associated with Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps while aboard. Crewmembers alleged to investigators that Pahlawan was agitated and did not want to stop the boat for the Navy, and they said that Pahlawan instructed the crew to burn the boat before the Navy could board it.

Ullah, according to prosecutors, falsely stated that the dhow had come from Pakistan instead of its real origin in Iran. Mazhar is accused of lying about Pahlawans position as the dhows captain, telling the Coast Guard that the real captain had to leave to help another vessel.

Both Mazhar and Muhammad are accused of falsely stating that they werent aware of any weaponry onboard the dhow. The weapons were wrapped in unmarked packaging and concealed inside tubing or among buoys, court documents say.

On February 11, the US obtained arrest warrants for the four charged mariners, as well as ten material witness warrants for the remaining individuals aboard the vessel. All 14 are now in the United States, according to the Justice Department.

Pentagon says Houthis still have large arsenal of weapons

The Pentagon said Thursday the Houthis still have a large arsenal of sophisticated weapons that they continue to get from Iran.

But the frequency of Houthi attacks in recent weeks allows the US to be proactive in strikes against their weapons, Singh said at a news briefing. She added that the Pentagon has not seen a tremendous amount of Houthi adaptation in response to US strikes, with the notable exception of the use of an underwater drone several days ago.

When we see missiles on rails, when we see them about to launch an attack, we are able to take these proactive dynamic strikes, said Singh. Weve been able to do it more regularly because they, frankly, have been conducting more attacks more regularly.

The leader of the rebel group warned in a televised address Thursday that the Houthis will now use submarine weapons and escalate their operations in response to what he described as Israeli escalation in Gaza.

The escalation in sea operations has started in quantity and quality, Abdul-malik al-Houthi said. Missiles, drones and military boats have been activated, and submarine weapons have been introduced into our operations at sea, which is worrying to the enemy.

Al-Houthi reiterated the groups commitment to safeguarding vessels carrying aid to Gaza, while warning other nations to not get involved in American aggression in the region.

What is important for the rest of the countries is not to get involved with the Americans in the aggression against our country, so that their ships remain safe in their movement and transit in the Red and Arabian seas, al-Houthi said.

CNNs Oren Liebermann, Hamdi Alkhshali and Kaanita Iyer contributed to this report.

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A police helicopter circles over the scene. Several pupils have been injured at a school in Wuppertal. A suspect has been arrested, said a police spokesman in Dusseldorf. The police are on the scene with a large force. Christoph Reichwein/dpa

Four pupils at a school in the western German city of Wuppertal were injured, at least two of them seriously, in a knife attack on Thursday, according to police and officials.

The suspected attacker, who is in custody, is believed to be a 17-year-old male pupil at the school, said Herbert Reul, the interior minister of the state of North Rhine Westphalia, which includes Wuppertal.

Two of the victims in the attack are being treated in intensive care for serious injuries, as is the suspected attacker, according to local prosecutors.

Multiple knives were used in the attack, prosecutors said. School staff managed to trigger an alarm at 9:55 am (0855 GMT), bringing a major police response to the school in central Wuppertal.

Reul said nothing is yet known about the motive. He said it is currently assumed that the suspect was a lone perpetrator, and initial reports suggested that the attacker's injuries were self-inflicted.

The police later said they assumed the suspect ran amok, according to a spokesman, suggesting the crime may have been a random, unprovoked episode.

The attack happened at the Wilhelm-Dorpfeld-Gymnasium, a high school focused on teaching classical languages like Latin and Greek which is located in the Elberfeld district of Wuppertal.

Wuppertal is located just east of Dusseldorf.

One student told dpa that a friend of his had seen two older pupils running down the stairs bleeding.

"I thought maybe they were fighting," he recalled.

But then they were told by announcement to go to their classrooms and lock the rooms.

"We then pushed the desks in front of the door and sat on the floor at the back," he said. "We were very scared."

Other students reported similar experiences.

"We had English lessons, then an announcement was made that several pupils had been injured and the paramedics should come to the first-aid room," another student at the school told dpa.

As they waited barricaded in their classroom, someone pushed the handle and scratched at the door, the second pupil said.

A large-scale police operation successfully evacuated the school and secured the area, according to police, who said that no shots were fired during the incident.

"The pupils are safe and are being looked after," state police said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

During the operation a police helicopter circled over the school, while numerous officers with sub-machine guns were among the large contingent of emergency response workers at the site.

Counsellors and religious pastoral care were also on site.

Authorities said a contact point had been set up for parents. Many pupils appeared visibly shaken by what had happened as they were picked up by their parents.

Special forces are deployed at a school. Several pupils have been injured at a school in Wuppertal. A suspect has been arrested, said a police spokesman in Duesseldorf. The police were on the scene with large numbers of officers. -/Pressefoto Otte/dpa

Police vehicles, pupils and other people stand in front of a school. Several pupils have been injured at a school in Wuppertal. A suspect has been arrested, said a police spokesman in Dusseldorf. The police are on the scene with strong forces. -/Pressefoto Otte/dpa

Special forces are deployed at a school. Several pupils have been injured at a school in Wuppertal. A suspect has been arrested, said a police spokesman in Dusseldorf. The police were on the scene with large numbers of officers. -/Pressefoto Otte/dpa
Multiple opioids and other drugs are now the featured drug abuse pattern, according to a new report. (Getty Images)

The United States is knee-deep in what some experts call the opioid epidemics fourth wave, which is not only placing drug users at greater risk but is also complicating efforts to address the nations drug problem.

These waves, according to a report out Wednesday from Millennium Health, began with the crisis in prescription opioid use, followed by a significant jump in heroin use, then an increase in the use of synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

The latest wave involves using multiple substances at the same time, combining fentanyl mainly with either methamphetamine or cocaine, the report found. And Ive yet to see a peak, said one of the co-authors, Eric Dawson, vice president of clinical affairs at Millennium Health, a specialty laboratory that provides drug testing services to monitor use of prescription medications and illicit drugs.

The report, which takes a deep dive into the nations drug trends and breaks usage patterns down by region, is based on 4.1 million urine samples collected from January 2013 to December 2023 from people receiving some kind of drug addiction care.

Its findings offer staggering statistics and insights. Its major finding: how common polysubstance use has become. According to the report, an overwhelming majority of fentanyl-positive urine samples  nearly 93%  contained additional substances. And that is huge, said Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health.

The most concerning, she and other addiction experts said, is the dramatic increase in the combination of meth and fentanyl use. Methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug often in powder form that poses several serious cardiovascular and psychiatric risks, was found in 60% of fentanyl-positive tests last year. That is an 875% increase since 2015.

I never, ever would have thought this, Volkow said.

Among the reports other key findings:

The nationwide spike in methamphetamine use alongside fentanyl marks a change in drug use patterns.

Polydrug use trends complicate overdose treatments. For instance, though naloxone, an opioid-overdose reversal medication, is widely available, there isnt an FDA-approved medication for stimulant overdose.

Both heroin and prescribed opioid use alongside fentanyl have dipped. Heroin detected in fentanyl-positive tests dropped by 75% since peaking in 2016. Prescription opioids were found at historic low rates in fentanyl-positive tests in 2023, down 89% since 2013.

But Jarratt Pytell, an addiction medicine specialist and assistant professor at the University of Colorados School of Medicine, warned these declines shouldnt be interpreted as a silver lining.

A lower level of heroin use just says that fentanyl is everywhere, Pytell said, and that we have officially been pushed by our drug supply to the most dangerous opioids that we have available right now.

Whenever a drug network is destabilizing and the product changes, it puts the people who use the drugs at the greatest risk, he said. That same bag or pill that they have been buying for the last several months now is coming from a different place, a different supplier, and is possibly a different potency.

In the illicit drug industry, suppliers are the controllers. It may not be that people are seeking out methamphetamine and fentanyl but rather that theyre what drug suppliers have found to be the easiest and most lucrative product to sell.

I think drug cartels are kind of realizing that its a lot easier to have a 500-square-foot lab than it is to have 500 acres of whatever it takes to grow cocaine, Pytell said.

Dawson said the reports drug use data, unlike that of some other studies, is based on sample analysis with a quick turnaround  a day or two.

Sometimes researchers face a months-long wait to receive death reports from coroners. Under those circumstances, you are often staring at today but relying on data sources that are a year or more in the past, said Dawson.

Self-reported surveys of drug users, another method often used to track drug use, also have long lag times and often miss people who are active for substance use disorders, said Jonathan Caulkins, a professor at Carnegie Mellon Universitys Heinz College. Urine tests are based on a biology standard and are good at detecting when someone has been using two or more drugs, he said.

But using data from urine samples also comes with limitations.

For starters, the tests dont reveal users intent.

You dont know whether or not there was one bag of powder that had both fentanyl and meth in it, or whether there were two bags of powder, one with fentanyl in it and one with meth and they took both, Caulkins said. It can also be unclear, he said, if people intentionally combined the two drugs for an extra high or if they thought they were using only one, not knowing it contained the other.

Volkow said she is interested in learning more about the demographics of polysubstance drug users. Is this pattern the same for men and women, and is this pattern the same for middle-age or younger people? Because again, having a better understanding of the characteristics allows you to tailor and personalize interventions.

All the while, the nations crisis continues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 107,000 people died in the U.S. in 2021 from drug overdoses, most because of fentanyl.

Caulkins said hes hesitant to view drug use patterns as waves because that would imply people are transitioning from one to the next.

Are we looking at people whose first substance use disorder was an opioid use disorder, who have now gotten to the point where theyre polydrug users? he said. Or, are people now starting substance use disorders with methamphetamine and fentanyl, he asked.

One point was clear, Dawson said: Were just losing too many lives.

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Most of the Seminole Towne Center  a once-bustling upscale mall in Sanford, now mostly quiet and vacant  remained closed for the second day in a row on Friday after the property owners failed to pay the electricity bill.

A Florida Power & Light spokesperson said in an email to the Sentinel that shutting down the power was not an easy decision.

Disconnection for non-payment is and always has been a last resort, said Chris Curtland. While FPL doesnt take lightly the decision to turn off anyones power, we must treat all customers fairly given unpaid electric bills are ultimately paid for by all our customers in the form of higher rates.

Even so, the big-box anchor stores at the mall  including Dicks Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Dillards and Elev8 Fun  remained open and with the lights on. Those businesses are on separate power connections.

Mehran Kohansieh, of Great Neck, N.Y., a representative of the Towne Centers owner, Seminole Mall Realty Holdings, said Friday he was surprised that the mall had not yet re-opened.

As far as I know, those issues have been resolved according to my understanding, he said, without providing any additional information.

Mary Stapf, owner of the Winey Wench, a gift shop and wine store that offers art classes, could not get into her 11,000-square-foot business inside the mall on Thursday and Friday.

Were beyond frustrated, she said while sitting in her car in the empty mall parking lot. There has been no communication to the businesses about this. They havent told any of us anything.

Stapf has owned the Winey Wench for more than a decade, filling in an old Victorias Secret space. But now she worries the two dozen customers who signed up for her painting classes this weekend will find the mall doors locked.

A sign taped to the glass doors on Friday read: We will be closed today. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Meanwhile, mall customer Ross Dickinson walked back to his car disappointed that he would not be able to enjoy lunch at the food court while on break from his nearby office job.

I feel bad for the businesses, he said. Im new to the area, and I came here a week ago, and the gyro place was pretty good, so I thought Id try it again today.

A mall employee who did not want to be identified said he saw FP&L workers arrive on the property just south of State Road 46 around 9 a.m. Thursday, roughly two hours before the mall was scheduled to open.

When the Seminole Towne Center opened in the mid-1990s, its high-end anchor stores  including Burdines, Parisian and later Macys  were filled with well-heeled shoppers from the nearby affluent communities of Heathrow and Alaqua.

Shoppers would cruise the malls vast parking lots searching for a rare empty spot during the holiday seasons.

In recent years, the fancy stores have left and more than two-thirds of the shop spaces inside the split-level mall sit dark and vacant. The parking lots are now vast deserts of asphalt. An adjacent movie theater shuttered its doors years ago.

The Seminole Towne Center, like many malls across the country, have become a casualty of online shopping. Also, dozens of new retail stores have sprouted around the mall just south of State Road 46 and east of Interstate 4.

The power bill isnt the malls only issue. According to the Seminole County Tax Collectors Office, Seminole Mall Realty Holdings has still not paid $717,559 in 2022 real estate taxes.

I think its lived its life. Its sad, said Angela Robertson of the mall, as she shopped at the Dillards store on Friday. But you got to pay your electric bill.

mcomas@orlandosentinel.com
(Bloomberg) -- A $1.6 billion uranium mining deal between France and Mongolia that is part of French efforts to diversify supplies to power its fleet of nuclear reactors is running into political hurdles.

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A debate about protecting strategic resources in Mongolia risks delaying the finalization of the agreement until after elections in June, according to two people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified. Progress has also been hampered after the Asian countrys chief negotiator stepped down, a third person said, meaning the deal had to be redrafted.

French uranium producer Orano SA reached an outline accord to develop and operate the Zuuvch-Ovoo mine in Mongolia in October during a trip by the nations president, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, to Paris to meet with counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

A final investment agreement was expected to be signed by the end of last year, with production due to start in 2028.

A long delay or even cancellation of the project would be a blow to state-controlled nuclear group Orano, which has said the plan is a key step in widening supplies as global demand picks up. It has uranium mining operations in Canada and Kazakhstan, as well as in Niger, where its business has been put in jeopardy by last years military coup.

Mongolian government representatives were not immediately able to comment on the contract delays. Orano said in an emailed statement that talks are continuing and that authorities have expressed strong motivation to finalize the agreement as soon as possible.

A series of supply setbacks in the past year including the Niger coup, which disrupted shipments to Europe, has pushed spot uranium prices to 15-year highs. The worlds biggest producer of the metal, Kazakh state-owned miner Kazatomprom, cut its production forecast last month, citing a shortage of acid needed to process the ore. Thats happening amid a revival of interest in nuclear power as governments try to decarbonize their economies to meet emissions targets.

France said in October it wants to give landlocked Mongolia, which is situated between Russia and China, the means to benefit from greater strategic sovereignty in the face of two extremely powerful neighbors.

Russia supplies more than 80% of the petroleum products Mongolia needs, while China is the main buyer for Mongolian exports. Beijing is adding atomic plants at a rapid pace.

Tensions around access to critical raw materials and strategic equipment have flared up between the West and Russia after President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine two years ago. The US and Europe have imposed severe sanctions on the Russian economy, prompting the Kremlin to turn to China, Turkey and Arab countries to keep its industry afloat.

Russia has also become much more hostile to any Western influence on its neighbors, including Central Asian nations and Mongolia. Meanwhile, Moscow has displaced Paris as a leading partner in several African capitals in the wake of military coups, including in Niger.

Soon after Mongolias president returned from Paris in October he was paid a visit by a Russian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Viktoria Abramchenko. In December, Russia also agreed with Mongolia on a plan to build a small modular reactor, according to state news agency TASS.

When Russia cut energy supplies to its neighbor in December, citing an incident at a hydro power plant, Mongolia had to limit daily power consumption, highlighting its dependence.

Mongolian Energy Minister Battogtokh Choijilsuren visited Moscow the same month to discuss the possibility of uninterrupted supply of petroleum products with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. Earlier in February, Russia said its treating Mongolia in a preferential manner when it comes to oil-product prices.

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Dozens of Stars of David were daubed on walls in and around Paris (Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT)

France believes that Russia's security service FSB was behind a campaign in which Star of David graffiti were daubed on buildings in and around Paris last autumn, a French source said Friday.

French prosecutors reported in November that 60 such stars had been found in the capital and surrounding suburbs weeks into the war between Israel and Hamas, with the graffiti being interpreted as a threat to Jews.

A Moldovan couple was arrested in the case and their alleged handler, a pro-Russian Moldovan businessman, was identified, according to the source who has knowledge of the investigation and who declined to be named.

Moldova was a Soviet republic before its independence in 1991.

France's international security service DGSI believes the operation was run by the FSB's fifth division that undertakes international operations, the source said, quoting from a secret internal note that was first revealed by the Le Monde newspaper.

The FSB is the main successor agency to the Soviet Union's KGB.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said during last year's investigation that the daubings had been made at the "express demand" of an individual residing abroad.

The graffiti, which for some brought back memories of the Nazi occupation of Paris during World War II and the deportation of its Jews to death camps, were condemned across the political spectrum.

Elisabeth Borne, prime minister at the time, condemned what she called "despicable acts".

The Union of Jewish Students of France said they were designed to mirror the way Jews were forced to wear the stars by the Nazi regime.

In the suburb of Saint-Ouen, the stars were accompanied by inscriptions such as "Palestine will overcome".

Le Monde said the alleged FSB operation was part of a wider disinformation campaign that also targeted Poland, Spain, Germany, Romania and Austria.

- DGSI urges vigilance -

In a recent note seen by AFP on Friday, the DGSI urged French police forces to report even "weak signs" of potential Russian "subversion", such as vandalism, graffiti, posters, stickers and flyers, which are usually aimed at "amplifying divisions" in French society.

The war in the Middle East started after Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack that resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Hamas militants also took hostages, 130 of whom remain in Gaza including 30 presumed dead, according to Israel.

Israel's relentless bombardment since has killed at least 29,514 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest count by Gaza's health ministry.

France blames Russia for interference in several areas.

On Thursday, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said France's air force pilots had been threatened with attack by Russian forces during patrol missions in international air space.

His remarks were the latest in a string of French accusations of aggressive Russian behaviour, including alleged cyberattacks and propaganda directed at France.

President Emmanuel Macron's government is a major supplier of weapons and aid to Ukraine, which has been fighting Russia's invasion for the past two years.

Macron declared last month that Europe's priority must be to "not let Russia win".

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Mahjoub Mahjoubi was an imam in the small southern town of Bagnols-sur-Ceze

France has expelled a "radical" imam who made "unacceptable remarks" about the country's flag, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has said.

Mahjoub Mahjoubi appeared to call the French flag "satanic" in a video that went viral online earlier this week.

Mr Darmanin said France's immigration reforms had enabled the swift deportation of the imam.

But the imam denies any wrongdoing and said he had not meant to be disrespectful.

Mahjoub Mahjoubi, who hails from Tunisia but came to France 38 years ago, was an imam at the Ettaouba mosque in the small town of Bagnols-sur-Ceze, in the south of France.

He was arrested earlier this week after a video circulated online showing him describing a "tricolour flag" as "satanic" and saying it has "no value with Allah".

Although he did not refer to a specific flag, many of the comments under the video assumed he meant the French flag.

The imam said later he was sorry if he had caused any offence, arguing that his remarks about the flag were a "slip of the tongue".

On Thursday, Mr Darmanin wrote on X that he had asked for an expulsion order to be issued for Mahjoub Mahjoubi, and praised tough new immigration laws that makes it easier for France to deport foreign residents.

"Without the immigration law, this would not have been possible. Firmness is the rule", the interior minister wrote.

French media published some of the expulsion order, which said the imam had promoted a "retrograde, intolerant, and violent image of Islam, likely to encourage behaviour contrary to the values of the Republic".

It said his teachings encouraged discrimination against women, "tensions with the Jewish community" and "jihadist radicalisation". According to the order, he had also referred to Jewish people as "the enemy".

He was expelled "less than 12 hours after his arrest", Mr Darmanin said in another post, adding that the new laws "makes France stronger".

"We won't let anything go," he warned.

France's immigration reforms have reduced protections for foreign residents and made it easier for them to be deported if they get a criminal conviction or are deemed to be a "grave threat to public order".

French media reported that Mahjoub Mahjoubi had boarded a flight back to Tunisia on Thursday evening.

His lawyer said they would appeal his deportation.
(Bloomberg) -- France is close to persuading the European Union to monitor grain production in Ukraine more closely as the bloc pushes to extend the suspension of import duties on the countrys products for another year.

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During the blocs ambassadors meeting on Wednesday, France pushed the EUs executive arm to regularly publish information on imports of products from Ukraine that are sensitive for member states, according to people familiar with the issue.

Poland, which said it would prefer Frances proposal to apply to more goods, warned that unprecedented support measures to help Kyiv risks radicalizing farmers, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing confidential talks.

As countries push for better management of food imports from Ukraine, the European Commission aims to extend the suspension of duties and quotas on the countrys imports to the bloc by a year under the so-called Autonomous Trade Measures. Introduced in June 2022 following Russias invasion of Ukraine, the measures helped liberalize trade with Kyiv.

The influx of Ukrainian products, however, has been a sticking point for neighboring Poland where farmers have blocked border crossings and disrupted imports, prompting its government to appeal to the EU to help ease tensions.

We need to find a joint solution in order to protect Polish interests and we wont back down, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in Warsaw on Thursday ahead of Commission President Ursula von der Leyens visit to the Polish capital on Friday. Well be trying to convince both Kyiv and Brussels to start understand Polish point of view, he said adding that almost every EU country farmers and producers are revolting not only against regulations.

Read more: EU Farmers Push the Bloc to Limit Ukraine Trade Measures

Protests have grown in recent days with 2,500 trucks trying to enter from Poland on Wednesday stuck at the border. Farmers have disrupted passenger and rail transport from Ukraine, spilling grain on the tracks earlier this week.

While grain shipments are only allowed to transit through Poland to ports on the Baltic Sea or elsewhere in Europe, Polish farmers have demanded to close the border for other food products, including sugar and frozen fruits. They claim many of the food imports are of inferior quality or shipped illegally.

Aside from cheaper imports from countries outside the bloc, farmers across Europe have hit the roads this year also protesting EU-wide policies that require more environment-friendly farming.

The commission welcomed Frances proposal to monitor grain and confirmed there were no plans to extend suspension of duties to Ukraine beyond 2025, people familiar with the discussion said. Instead, the EU plans to negotiate with Ukraine a reciprocal trade liberalization deal for products that still have duties as the bloc considers Kyivs application for membership.

EU agriculture ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss ways to respond to the current crisis in the agriculture sector.

Read more: Farmers Revolt Threatens Election Year Upsets Around the World

French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters earlier this month that France had been able to secure a stronger framework for Ukrainian imports from the commission.

We have obtained the setting of stricter rules to prevent the clear abuses and the destabilization weve seen over the past months, he said after a recent meeting of EU leaders. We have therefore obtained that here is a strengthened safeguard mechanism in case of market disruption, which would allow for intervention measures if cereals coming from Ukraine in the European market came to destabilize our prices too strongly or create unfair competition.

--With assistance from Maciej Martewicz and Samy Adghirni.

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By Jan Strupczewski

GHENT, Belgium (Reuters) -European Union member states that want to kickstart the Capital Markets Union (CMU) should push ahead themselves, France said on Friday, as divisions over how far-reaching the project should be threatened further delays after a decade of debate.

Speaking before a meeting of EU finance ministers in the Belgian city of Ghent, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said the CMU was essential to mobilise private cash for the investment needed in artificial intelligence and the transition to a climate-neutral economy.

France and Germany estimate that the green and digital overhaul of the European economy requires some 500 billion euros ($541 billion) in additional private funding each year - money that can flow only if it becomes easier to raise cash than it is currently on highly fragmented European capital markets.

A sticking point is how far to devolve national supervision over the proposed single market for capital across the EU to the EU's securities watchdog ESMA to reduce barriers, with some member states opposed.

"I have been trying for more than six years to build a Capital Markets Union. My conclusion is that starting with the 27 member states is a non-starter," Le Maire told reporters.

"We want to launch today in Ghent a capital markets union on a voluntary basis. If we have at the beginning three-to-four countries joining that initiative ... it will be a good basis," he said.

EU finance ministers were expected to issue a statement on the need to accelerate work on the CMU, making it a priority for the next executive European Commission that will take office at the end of the year.

Ireland's Paschal Donohoe, who chaired the meeting of finance ministers, aims to agree on the statement next month, telling reporters that despite disagreements, he was confident of finding common ground.

"Bruno asked today for more ambition in relation to how we move forward, we had other ministers make the case for delivery of other priorities," Donohoe said, adding Le Maire had emphasised how supervision of markets could evolve in future under ESMA.

EMPTY STATEMENTS

The EU has repeatedly sought to relaunch the CMU and Le Maire said a statement would not be enough.

"And I am fed up with discussions. I am fed up with empty statements. Do you really think that China and the United States will be impressed by our statements? We need decisions," he said.

Launched in 2014, the CMU is intended to make it easier for companies to issue stocks and bonds by unifying national rules on bankruptcies, prospectuses, taxation of capital gains, listing requirements, or different tax treatment of debt and equity, amongst others, with some modest progress already made.

It has become pressing to accelerate the work as the EU financial markets face competition from post-Brexit London in addition to Wall Street.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde told reporters that urgent efforts were needed given that 250 billion euros, or 1.8% of GDP, in net financial outflows leave Europe, predominantly for U.S. capital markets.

Le Maire said the initiative he wanted to launch on Friday would entail voluntary submission to single EU supervision of banks, stock exchanges and asset management.

He also sought participation in setting up a European savings product, the details of which have yet to be decided, and voluntary participation in the same securitisation rules. Le Maire gave no other details.

German Finance minister Christian Lindner said he also hoped for faster progress but still wanted all 27 EU countries involved.

"Bilateral initiatives or in smaller circles are possible, it's not excluded, but the goal must be for all to go forward together," Lindner said on entering the talks.

($1 = 0.9230 euros)

(Additional reporting by Piotr Lipinski, Christian Kraemer and Huw Jones, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Barbara Lewis)
French prosecutors are investigating accusations of rape and sexual assault, including of minors, against top French psychoanalyst Gerard Miller, they said on Friday.

They launched the probe on Thursday after receiving six complaints against the 75-year-old media personality and screenwriter of alleged abuse between 1995 and 2005, the prosecutor's office told AFP.

Media since late January have reported that four women have accused Miller of raping them -- in two cases when they were minors -- and more than a dozen have alleged he sexually assaulted them, charges he has denied.

The allegations are just the latest against top cultural figures that have given the French #MeToo movement momentum in recent months.

Three articles, two in Elle magazine and one on investigative website Mediapart, describe alleged sexual offences by Miller from the 1990s to 2020.

They said he invited young women, including minors, to spend time with him and tried to assault them, often after giving them alcohol or hypnotising them.

Miller in a letter has rejected the accusations, saying he "never forced anyone" and there had been only relations between "consenting adults".

"I never practiced hypnosis, neither in my office with patients, nor more generally at home," he wrote.

In the first Elle article, one woman accused Miller of rape after a hypnosis session in 2004 when she was 19. Two others accused him of sexual assault.

Mediapart then reported ten more women had come forward to complain of attempted assault or assault when they were aged 16 to 21.

In a second article, Elle said 41 more women had spoken up, describing "a well-oiled predation system" under which he repeatedly targeted teenage girls and young women.

Of those, three more accused him of rape and 15 of sexual assault, it said.

One recounted him raping her with his fingers as a 15-year-old during a hypnosis session in Tunisia in 1993.

Another woman accused him of inviting her over on her 17th birthday in 2001 and forcing her to perform oral sex on him.

A now 42-year-old psychologist told Elle he raped her in 2000.

The latest accusations come after a series of similar allegations in recent months.

In one case, prosecutors are investigating claims made by actor Judith Godreche that director Benoit Jacquot, 25 years her senior, raped her in a relationship that started when she was 14.

It was a 2011 documentary by Miller, in which Jacquot boasts his relationship with her was a "transgression", that pushed her to finally speak up after decades of silence, she said.

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Chinese, Sierra Leonean hospitals ink deal to bolster medical cooperation

Xinhua) 08:42, February 23, 2024

A Chinese doctor checks on a patient at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital in Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Shi Yu)

FREETOWN, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese hospital on Thursday signed an agreement with the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital to boost medical cooperation between the two countries at Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.

Under the deal, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, one of the top-notch hospitals in Hunan Province in central China, will provide more medical assistance to its counterpart, particularly in nursing.

According to Yan Jin, the director of the Chinese hospital's nursing department, the hospital boasts a decades-long cooperation with its African counterparts by dispatching nearly 20 medical personnel to the continent.

The Chinese hospital is willing to have visiting staff from the Sierra Leonean hospital for medical training in specific areas, such as the management of the special care baby unit, Yan said at the signing ceremony.

Sarah Conth, president of the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, noted that her hospital's special care baby unit has faced multiple challenges including feeding the babies and training the medical staff. She expressed her gratitude to the Chinese side for always reaching out and helping the hospital improve its practices.

The Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, where the Chinese medical teams are based, is one of the largest comprehensive hospitals in Sierra Leone.

Representatives attend a signing ceremony at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital in Jui, a town in the suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Shi Yu)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The United States pushed efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas heading into a peace summit expected this weekend in Paris.

The head of the Mossad intelligence service was reportedly set to lead Israels delegation to the summit, where mediators from the US, Egypt and Qatar are readying new proposals in the hope of averting a threatened ground offensive by Israel on the teeming city of Rafah in Gaza.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, a member of Benjamin Netanyahus three-man war cabinet, indicated some flexibility by saying: "We will expand the authority given to our hostage negotiators.

After speaking to Mr Gallant, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: We discussed the need for more aid to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the need for a plan to ensure the safety of and support for those sheltering in Rafah before any military operations proceed there.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz hold a press conference (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

White House Mideast envoy Brett McGurk held talks throughout Thursday with Israeli leaders and families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

"The initial indications we're getting from Brett are these discussions are going well," White House spokesman John Kirby said.

A Western diplomat involved in the mediation efforts said: "What we have heard from our partners is that they are willing to give concessions. Time is pressing them."

Hamas has been demanding the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, which Prime Minister Netanyahu has dismissed as delusional.

On the ground, Israeli strikes killed more than 70 people in southern and central Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, who say that more than 29,000 people have been killed and nearly 70,000 wounded in the narrow coastal strip during Israels invasion.

People mourn relatives killed in overnight Israeli bombardment (AFP via Getty Images)

After fleeing fighting further north, some 1.4 million people are huddled in Rafah on the border of Gaza with Egypt. Israel has warned the offensive will start on the city by Ramadan next month unless Hamas releases about 100 hostages it is still holding after its terrorist fighters slaughtered 1,200 Israelis in raids on October 7.

Tensions were also high in the Israeli-occupied West Bank after three Palestinian gunmen yesterday opened fire on morning traffic at a highway checkpoint, killing one man and wounding five others. Two of the attackers were killed by security forces at the scene, near Jerusalem.
Republican Georgia senators vote in favor of a bill that supporters say would protect religious liberty on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at the state Capitol in Atlanta. Opponents say the measure would enable discrimination against LGBTQ+ people (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia lawmakers are revisiting a nearly decade-old fight over whether the state needs to protect religious rights from being trampled by state and local governments in a measure opponents say would provide a legal shield for people and groups to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people in the name of religion.

That religious protection bill resurfaced Thursday eight years after lawmakers passed a different version of the measure. Then-Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, vetoed it in 2016 under pressure from Georgia's business community, who said they feared it would hurt their ability to attract employees and tourists.

Also Thursday, a House subcommittee advanced a measure that would ban transgender students in public schools from using the bathroom that meets their current gender identity. Supporters say the measure is needed to protect students who aren't transgender, while opponents in sometimes tearful testimony told lawmakers the measure would stigmatize and endanger transgender students who are already subject to bullying.

Both measures are being pushed in an election year when all of Georgia's lawmakers are up for reelection and Republican leaders have become more conservative.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-3 to pass Senate Bill 180, sending it on to the full Senat for more debate. It mirrors a 1993 federal law, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Ed Setzler of Acworth, has pushed for the measure for years, because the federal law doesn't apply to state and local governments, which might deny things like permission to distribute religious literature or a zoning permit for a church without giving enough deference to religious freedom.

Every Georgian should be free to worship and exercise their faith without unfair federal, state or local government intrusion, Setzler said.

But opponents warn that private businesses will use the law to do things like deny birth control coverage to their employees, and the legislation could blow holes in local laws that ban discrimination. Georgia has no statewide law banning discrimination.

It seems like some people have a hate agenda in their religious practices, to deny jobs, housing and dignity to gays and lesbians," said Michael Rohtbaum, senior rabbi at Congregation Bet Haverim, an Atlanta synagogue.

Setzler, though says claims that the bill would enable discrimination are spurious.

What theyre saying is just simply not so," he said. The parade of horribles you heard is just simply not so when you look at the states that this applies to.

The current bill has 23 other Republican senators as cosigners, but the issue has languished, seen as politically radioactive after Deal's veto.

The debate over the bill to regulate student bathroom use has the same outlines, with Republicans saying Georgians need protection and opponents saying the law will be weaponized against transgender students.

The issue is making sure biological males use the male facilities and biological females use the female facilities," said Rep. Josh Bonner, a Fayetteville Republican who is sponsoring House Bill 936.

Elizabeth Wagner of suburban Berkeley Lake told committee members she's the mother of a transgender boy. She warned the bill would only amp up bullying by forcing him to use the girls' bathroom.

Anyone with a heart and a handful of brain cells can see this bill for what it is," Wagner said. It is open hunting season on trans youth in Georgia.

The measure also covers locker rooms and overnight school trips. It requires that schools find some other bathroom for transgender or other students uncomfortable using the bathroom that matches their birth sex. It was unclear from committee debate whether any Georgia school district has a policy that allows transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their current gender identity.

But opponents said that alternate restrooms can often involve a trek across a large high school campus, making it hard for students to access during the school day. Ben Ackerley, who helps lead the Georgia chapter of TransParent, a group for parents of transgender youth, said it also adds to students' isolation.

That accommodation keeps them separate from their peers, and all they want to do is be included," Ackerley said.

The Movement Advancement Project, a group that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, says 11 states have passed bills regulating bathroom usage since 2021, including neighboring Tennessee, Alabama and Florida. North Carolina passed in 2016 and repealed in 2017 amid the same kind of controversy that led Deal to veto Georgia's religious liberty bill in 2016.

Georgia's measure would let parents sue school districts if school officials let students use a bathroom that doesn't match their birth sex, and it would let the Professional Standards Commission, which licenses teachers and administrators, to investigate noncompliance.
The Georgia state House voted Thursday to crack down on deepfake artificial intelligence (AI) videos ahead of this years elections.

The House voted 148-22 to approve the legislation, which attempts to stop the spread of misinformation from deceptive video impersonating candidates.

The legislation, H.B. 986, would make it a felony to publish a deepfake within 90 days of an election with the intention of misleading or confusing voters about a candidate or their chance of being elected.

The bill would allow the attorney general to have jurisdiction over the crimes and allow the state election board to publish the findings of investigations.

One of the sponsors of the bill, state Rep. Brad Thomas (R), celebrated the vote on social media.

I am thrilled to inform you that House Bill 986 has successfully passed the House! This is a significant step towards upholding the integrity and impartiality of our electoral process by making the use of AI to interfere with elections a criminal offense, Thomas posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The bill states that the Georgia Legislature finds a significant and rapid increase in use and advancements of artificial intelligence and other sophisticated technologies that pose a unique danger to the states elections. AI now allows individuals who are acting in both good and bath faith to create content that is fake but appears real, the text said.

Satire and parody would be exempted from the bill, and campaign advertisements would require disclosures if the content used was generated with AI, noted the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which first reported the bills passage.

Among the few lawmakers who opposed the bill was state Rep. Charlice Byrd (R), the Journal-Constitution reported. She said the legislation would limit freedom of speech and threatens to erode the bedrock of freedom.

The bill now heads to the state Senate, where Republicans hold the majority.

AI has become a widely popular and emerging technology that lawmakers across the country are concerned poses threats to society. Just days ago, lawmakers in the U.S. House announced an AI task force to create guardrails and recommend policy. Last October, President Biden signed a sweeping executive order that focuses on managing the risks of AI.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Augusta University nursing student found dead on the University of Georgia's campus Thursday has been identified as 22-year-old Laken Riley.

Augusta University President Brooks Keel said in a Friday statement the school extends its "deepest sympathies to the family of Laken Riley, a junior and Deans List student who studied at our campus in Athens."

UGA said in a Friday statement that the school was "able to complete notification of the family in the death of the young woman whose body was found in the woods behind Lake Herrick yesterday afternoon. The victim has been identified as Laken Riley."

"Laken was a student at UGA through Spring Semester 2023, prior to transferring to the Augusta University College of Nursing program at Athens, where she was currently enrolled," the school said in a news release.

AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS STUDENT DEAD AT UGA WITH VISIBLE INJURIES AFTER GOING FOR RUN ON CAMPUS

University police found Riley deceased with "visible injuries" in a forested area behind Lake Herrick around 12:30 p.m. Thursday after a friend called authorities to report that she left for a run Thursday morning and never returned. Investigators are investigating her death as a homicide.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Anyone who may have seen anything "relevant or suspicious" near UGA's Intramural Fields between 7 a.m. and noon Thursday is asked to call campus police at 706-542-2200.

"I think it's going to be a short period of time before they find a suspect," Georgia criminal defense attorney Philip Holloway told Fox News Digital. "It wouldn't surprise me if this is a criminal homicide."

The student's death remains under investigation as of Friday morning, a UGA spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Classes at UGA and Augusta University College of Nursing campus at Athens were canceled on Friday.

Holloway, founder of the Holloway Law Group, said authorities will likely set up a "geofence," or virtual fence, around the crime scene to determine who came in and out of the Lake Herrick area by looking into cellphone tower data. It should be noted that AT&T experienced a nationwide outage Thursday morning and afternoon, impacting customers across the southeast.

The criminal defense attorney described Athens as a "typical college town."

SUSPECT IN DOUBLE SLAYING LEAVES RECORDINGS: IN MY MOVIES, EVERYBODY ALWAYS DIES

The UGA student was found deceased in a forested area behind Lake Herrick on Thursday.

The last time UGA reported a homicide on campus was 20 years ago, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark said during a Thursday evening press conference. The police chief said that there was not "immediate danger" on campus.

"Sources in the area are considering the possibility that this may be related to cases in the past," Holloway said, including any cases of assaults against assaults against women in the area of UGA's intramural fields.

Federal authorities said they were ready to help as necessary.

"FBI Atlanta is aware of the death at the University of Georgia," an FBI spokesperson said Friday. "We are in contact with our law enforcement partners. If assistance is requested, the FBI is ready to help."

The UGA student found deceased on Thursday had gone for a run that morning and did not return.

Lake Herrick is part of UGA's campus, nestled between various university practice fields and Oconee Forest Park. The lake is bordered by a pedestrian trail and has a recreational beach. Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area as they investigate.

A University of Augusta spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the student's death occurred on UGA's campus.

DISPATCH AUDIO FROM DEADLY COLORADO DORM SHOOTING REVEALS RESPONDERS NOT SURE IF GUNMAN WAS STILL AT LARGE

"It is with deepest sorrow that I share with you the news that one of our students at our College of Nursing campus at Athens has passed away," Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel said in a statement. "Police have said they suspect foul play. The receipt of this news this afternoon was shocking to all of us."

In a press release, UGA said "foul play is suspected." No suspects have been identified as of Friday.

WATCH:

Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz said in a Thursday evening statement sharing his condolences and calling the death a "murder."

"I join everyone here at the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government in deep sadness over today's murder in our city," Girtz said. "We promise to do everything possible to collaborate with UGA PD to bring this investigation to a rapid conclusion, and will continue to work overtime to prevent further tragedies."

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Athens Clarke-County Police Department are assisting UGA police in their investigation.





Original article source: Georgia nursing student found dead on UGA campus identified as Laken Riley
The Rheinmetall logo on the Rheinmetall building in Dusseldorf. Germany's biggest arms manufacturer, Rheinmetall, has won a contract to supply the Skyranger air defence system to Austria. David Young/dpa

Germany's biggest arms manufacturer, Rheinmetall, has won a contract to supply the Skyranger air defence system to Austria.

The company said that the contract is worth a figure in the mid-three-digit million-euro range, and plans to start delivery in 2026.

Rheinmetall is acting as a subcontractor of GDELS, a vehicle maker tasked with upgrading Austria's fleet of Pandur wheeled armoured vehicles.

The company's specialists designed a special lightweight version of the Skyranger 30 that can be easily integrated with the GDELS Pandur.

The Skyranger 30 is designed to counter current and emerging aerial threats to ground force.

On Thursday, Rheinmetall shares closed at 401.70, up 0.43% in Germany.
"It would be fatal" to say that Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot attack Germany, Bundestag's defense committee head Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann said, urging Berlin to arm up and deter such an eventuality.

"It would be fatal to say he won't do that. You just have to trust him to do that," Strack-Zimmermann said on Die Wochentester podcast, as reported by German media on Feb. 23.

The statement joins a growing list of warnings that the alliance must be better prepared for a potential war with Russia. German General Carsten Breuer said on Feb. 10 that the conflict could take place within the next five years.

Strack-Zimmermann, a defense expert of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) that sits in the government, is one of the voices in Germany that has warned against potential Russian aggression early on.

According to the lawmaker, it is up to Germany to ensure that Putin "doesn't dare." Berlin must strengthen NATO and prepare for war "so that it never comes," she said.

For years, Germany has been accused of neglecting defense spending and contributions to collective security. Russia's all-out war against Ukraine marked a shift in this policy, as the country aims to finally hit the 2% defense spending mark this year.

Germany is also the second biggest military donor to Ukraine, although it has been hesitant to supply some key capabilities, namely Taurus long-range missiles. Bundestag, the German parliament, voted on Feb. 22 against a proposal explicitly calling for the provision of Taurus to Kyiv but supported another motion to send additional "long-range weapons" without mentioning the type.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann was the only lawmaker from the ruling coalition to support the first motion naming Taurus. She later told WELT TV she does not want to be accused one day of "not doing the right thing at the right moment."

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Karl Lauterbach, German Minister of Health, speaks during a debate in the plenary chamber of the German Bundestag. Hannes P. Albert/dpa

Berlin (dpa) German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has called for support for the planned partial legalization of cannabis in Germany ahead of a vote in parliament.

The current situation is "in no way acceptable," the minister said in the Bundestag on Friday, referring to the rising number of users and "toxic concentrations" in cannabis from criminal drug trafficking.

"The black market is the core of the evil," he added.

Every fight against the black market is an important step towards protecting young people, the minister said. Therefore, the law on controlled release should create a legal supply, he added.

Lauterbach also emphasized the need for greater education on the substance. "We are not trivializing it."

Germany's lower house of parliament is to vote on the partial legalization of the drug on Friday.

Karl Lauterbach, German Minister of Health, speaks during a debate in the plenary chamber of the German Bundestag. Hannes P. Albert/dpa
Fearing that Democrats hold a crucial edge in ballots cast before Election Day, national Republicans are working to convince their voters to take advantage of mail and early voting this year. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline))

Fearing that Democrats hold a crucial edge in ballots cast before Election Day, national Republicans are working to convince their voters to take advantage of mail and early voting this year.

We cant play catch up. We cant start from behind. We cant let Dems get a big head start and think were going to win it all on Election Day, Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel said in November on a conference call aimed at promoting the groups Bank Your Vote initiative to encourage early and mail voting. Things happen on Election Day.

But the partys army of lawyers is, more quietly, sending a very different message. The RNC is fighting in courtrooms and legal filings in key election battlegrounds across the country to make it harder to cast a mail ballot and to have it counted.

On Feb. 20, attorneys for the RNC were in a federal courtroom in Philadelphia, in a bid to require that Pennsylvania throw out mail ballots with missing or incorrect dates.

Eleven days earlier, they filed a lawsuit challenging several provisions of Arizonas newly adopted election rules, including a rule allowing voters who have not shown proof of citizenship to cast a mail ballot.

And that same day, they asked a court in Georgia to uphold a state law that imposes stricter rules on mail voting.

Separately, in recent months the RNC has asked courts to let it join the defense of laws in Ohio, Wisconsin, and North Carolina that similarly impose tighter rules on mail voting (judges in the latter two states denied the requests, while the Ohio motion was approved).

The party also has sued to block a New York law that lets people vote by mail without an excuse (the states Supreme Court this month dismissed the complaint). And it has formally weighed in against proposed changes to Nevadas election rules, including one that makes it easier for election officials to prevent volunteer observers from disrupting the counting of mail ballots.

In January, the RNC went further than ever, filing a lawsuit in Mississippi that it has said aims to obtain a nationwide ban on mail ballots that arrive after Election Day. RNC lawyers stated plainly in their complaint that Republicans interests are at stake because mail voting tends to favor Democrats.

States with close races targeted

Though its received relatively little attention, the RNCs legal onslaught could have a major impact on the 2024 elections.

Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Nevada are all set to be among the closest states in this years presidential race, while Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada host pivotal U.S. Senate contests. New York, meanwhile, is home to several swing congressional districts that could determine control of the U.S. House.

And the legal effort against mail voting has been matched by a legislative one. Thirteen states, including Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Arizona, and Ohio, have passed 16 bills to restrict mail voting since the start of 2023, according to a database run by the Voting Rights Lab.

A voter places a ballot in a drop box outside of the Maricopa County Elections Department on Aug. 2, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

It all amounts to a multi-pronged effort to suppress voting by mail, voting advocates say  one that could threaten access to the ballot this fall, especially for Democrats, who are now more likely than Republicans to use mail voting. At its core are legal arguments aimed at convincing judges to interpret the law in ways that are explicitly adverse to voters. Colorado, along with seven other states, conducts elections entirely by mail, in addition to in-person voting options.

The push sits uneasily alongside an RNC campaign to convince GOP voters to embrace mail and early voting. But its right in keeping with former President Donald Trumps years-long, evidence-free campaign against voting by mail.

In courtrooms and state legislatures across the country, Republicans are doing everything in their power to restrict mail-in voting, said Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic election lawyer, in a statement. The RNCs legal strategy is clear. The Republican Party no longer seeks to earn the support of a majority of the American electorate. Instead, they are launching a legal assault on our democracy.

A spokesman for the RNC did not respond to a request for comment.

A muddled message on mail voting

In 2020, many states loosened rules on mail voting in response to COVID-19. That years election saw record high turnout despite the pandemic, with nearly half of all voters casting a mail ballot  a huge increase from around 22% in 2016.

Even with COVID-19 tamed, many states have kept their more liberal mail voting rules in place, or, like New York, have passed new laws expanding access to mail ballots.

While leading Democrats have embraced mail voting, Trump has repeatedly denounced it, falsely claiming it opens the door to massive fraud.

MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL BE PRINTED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES, Trump tweeted in June 2020, adding that the result would be a RIGGED election.

Its true that several of the extremely rare instances of proven voter fraud have involved mail voting. But theres no evidence of systematic mail voter fraud of the kind that Trump has claimed threatens the integrity of a presidential election.

Americans have used mail ballots for over a hundred years because they provide a safe and convenient way to ensure the right to vote.

 Barbara Smith Warner, of the National Vote at Home Institute

A voter fraud database run by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, lists 279 cases of fraudulent use of absentee ballots, going back to 1988  since which time hundreds of millions of mail ballots have been cast. Five the cases in the database come from Colorado, the most recent being from 2018. One of the cases involves Steven Curtis, the former head of the Colorado Republican Party, who was convicted of fraudulent use of absentee ballots.

Meanwhile, GOP lawyers have gone to the mat to try to put the mail voting genie back in the bottle.

Weve watched Democrats systematically try to codify those post-COVID changes that they made, and weve been in the courts trying to keep those pre-COVID protections in place for our elections, RNC chair Ronna McDaniel explained in October. Theres been a battle waged.

Its not surprising, then, that Democrats have in recent elections used mail voting at significantly higher rates than Republicans. So pronounced is the split that in 2020, President Joe Biden won the mail vote in 14 out of 15 states analyzed by 538.com, while Trump likewise won the Election Day vote in 14 out of 15.

Thats led the GOP to fret that it now often goes into Election Day already trailing by a significant margin. In response, the RNC last year launched the Bank Your Vote initiative to encourage Republicans to vote early or by mail.

The effort includes websites in all 50 states, and even an ad recorded by Trump  albeit without much visible enthusiasm.

Sign up and commit to voting early, Trump says. We must defeat the far left at their own game.

But Trump has continued to muddy that message.

You know, we have these elections that last for 62 days, Trump declared last month in his victory speech after the Iowa caucuses. And if you need some more time, take as much time as you want. And so many bad things happen. We have to get rid of mail-in ballots because once you have mail-in ballots, you have crooked elections.

RNC court filings

The RNCs legal assault on mail voting suggests a similar view. In several court filings, RNC lawyers have suggested that tight safeguards are needed to ensure mail voting doesnt allow for fraudulent votes.

Ohios law that restricts who can return a mail ballot on behalf of a voter should be upheld, the RNC argued in one typical filing, because it guards against an increased risk of voter fraud and other irregularities.

The Republican bid to restrict mail voting is part of a larger effort by the party since 2020 to devote more resources to election integrity  tighter election rules that prioritize anti-fraud measures over access. It includes a year-round election integrity legal department, which has said it worked with over 90 law firms and participated in nearly 100 lawsuits during the 2022 cycle.

So far this cycle, the RNC has paid over $4 million to two top Republican law firms, Consovoy McCarthy and Wiley Rein, according to FEC records. Thomas McCarthy, a co-founder of Consovoy McCarthy, is listed on RNC motions in the Mississippi, Georgia and Wisconsin cases, among others.

The focus on election integrity comes as McDaniel, the RNC chair, is reported to be stepping down at the end of the month. Trumps choice to replace her, North Carolina GOP chair Michael Whatley, has stressed the importance of tight voting rules for Republican success, States Newsroom has reported.

Chipping away at mail votes

The most far-reaching of the RNCs cases is the lawsuit it filed with other Republicans in January against a Mississippi law that allows mail ballots that arrive up to five days after an election to be counted, as long as theyre postmarked by Election Day.

Federal law sets Election Day as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, the suit argues, so by extending the election past that day, Mississippi is violating federal law.

The RNC has said the goal is to obtain a ruling from a judge that bars post-Election-Day ballots from being counted not just in Mississippi but nationwide. The 5th Circuit, which contains Mississippi, is known as perhaps the most conservative judicial circuit in the country.

Election law experts have said its unlikely, but not impossible, that a court could accept the RNCs argument.

If the case were to reach the Supreme Court, at least one justice appears friendly. In 2020, when the court upheld Wisconsins ban on late-arriving ballots, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that states have the right to set election deadlines to avoid the chaos and suspicions of impropriety that can ensue when thousands of absentee ballots flow in after election day and potentially flip the results of an election.

Mississippi is one of 18 states  including key battlegrounds like Ohio, Nevada, Virginia, Texas, and New York  plus the District of Columbia, that count ballots that arrive after Election Day. In Colorado, ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. (North Carolina last year passed a law that restricts mail voting in several ways, including by banning ballots that arrive after Election Day. Its that law that the RNC sought unsuccessfully to help defend from a court challenge by Democrats, which is ongoing.)

The number of votes at issue could be significant. In 2020, the U.S. Postal Service said it processed nearly 190,000 ballots in the two days after the election. Most of those, it said, were in states that allow late-arriving ballots.

The Mississippi lawsuit makes clear that, despite the Bank Your Vote campaign, Republicans want to curtail mail voting because they think it gives Democrats an edge.

Because voting by mail is starkly polarized by party, [allowing late-arriving ballots] directly harms Plaintiffs, the RNCs lawyers wrote in the complaint. For example, according to the MIT Election Lab, 46% of Democratic voters in the 2022 General Election mailed in their ballots, compared to only 27% of Republicans. That means the late-arriving mail-in ballots that are counted for five additional days disproportionately break for Democrats.

Pennsylvania case also crucial

The Pennsylvania case is another that could reverberate. In November 2022, the state Supreme Court ruled  in response to a suit filed by the RNC and other Republicans  that over 10,000 mail ballots on which the voter had neglected to write the date on the outer envelope, or had written an incorrect date, must be rejected.

The states NAACP chapter filed its own suit in federal court in response. The RNC quickly intervened, arguing that the state Supreme Courts ruling should be upheld. A district court ruled for the NAACP in November, finding that the Civil Rights Act bars states from rejecting votes based on immaterial paperwork errors. The RNC appealed, arguing for a narrower interpretation of the landmark civil rights law, setting up the Feb. 20 hearing.

In a sign that the case could have an impact beyond Pennsylvania, 17 Republican-led states last month submitted an amicus brief in support of the RNCs position.

The other cases may not have the same reach as those two. But together, they broadly aim to tighten the rules around mail voting to a degree that could significantly chip away at mail votes.

RNC lawyers have marshaled a range of arguments in these cases.

They have claimed, unsuccessfully, that New Yorks law expanding access to mail voting violates the states constitution, which bans no-excuse mail voting. Theyve said Georgias new deadline to apply for a mail ballot of seven days before Election Day doesnt violate the federal law barring deadlines of fewer than 11 days, because the federal government lacks the authority to regulate these deadlines.

No mail voting rule appears too small to escape the notice of RNC lawyers. This months lawsuit against Arizona targets a new rule that lets voters who registered without proof of citizenship  and therefore, under Arizona law, can vote in federal elections only  receive a mail ballot, arguing that state law bars these voters from voting by mail.

And theyve submitted comments to a Nevada commission, criticizing a proposed rule there that gives election officials more power to ensure the counting process for mail ballots isnt disrupted. The new powers could let election officials infringe on the publics right to witness the counting, the groups lawyers assert.

Meanwhile, supporters of mail voting say Republican fears about an influx of Democratic mail votes may be misplaced.

Americans have used mail ballots for over a hundred years because they provide a safe and convenient way to ensure the right to vote, said Barbara Smith Warner, the executive director of the National Vote at Home Institute, which advocates for mail voting. Research has demonstrated time and time again that voting at home increases voter participation and turnout for all, with no partisan advantage for any side.

Attacks on mail ballots are red herrings to distract from their true intent  making it harder for citizens to vote, and sowing distrust in our elections, Smith Warner said.

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The post GOP backs voting by mail, yet turns to courts to restrict it in battleground states appeared first on Colorado Newsline.
Fearing that Democrats hold a crucial edge in ballots cast before Election Day, national Republicans are working to convince their voters to take advantage of mail and early voting this year. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Fearing that Democrats hold a crucial edge in ballots cast before Election Day, national Republicans are working to convince their voters to take advantage of mail and early voting this year.

We cant play catch up. We cant start from behind. We cant let Dems get a big head start and think were going to win it all on Election Day, Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel said in November on a conference call aimed at promoting the groups Bank Your Vote initiative to encourage early and mail voting. Things happen on Election Day.

Ballot drop box in Floridas state capital.

Credit: leonvotes.gov

But the partys army of lawyers is, more quietly, sending a very different message. The RNC is fighting in courtrooms and legal filings in key election battlegrounds across the country to make it harder to cast a mail ballot and to have it counted.

On Feb. 20, attorneys for the RNC were in a federal courtroom in Philadelphia, in a bid to require that Pennsylvania throw out mail ballots with missing or incorrect dates.

Eleven days earlier, they filed a lawsuit challenging several provisions of Arizonas newly adopted election rules, including a rule allowing voters who have not shown proof of citizenship to cast a mail ballot.

And that same day, they asked a court in Georgia to uphold a state law that imposes stricter rules on mail voting.

Separately, in recent months the RNC has asked courts to let it join the defense of laws in Ohio, Wisconsin, and North Carolina that similarly impose tighter rules on mail voting (judges in the latter two states denied the requests, while the Ohio motion was approved).

The party also has sued to block a New York law that lets people vote by mail without an excuse (the states Supreme Court this month dismissed the complaint). And it has formally weighed in against proposed changes to Nevadas election rules, including one that makes it easier for election officials to prevent volunteer observers from disrupting the counting of mail ballots.

In January, the RNC went further than ever, filing a lawsuit in Mississippi that it has said aims to obtain a nationwide ban on mail ballots that arrive after Election Day. RNC lawyers stated plainly in their complaint that Republicans interests are at stake because mail voting tends to favor Democrats.

States with close races targeted

Though its received relatively little attention, the RNCs legal onslaught could have a major impact on the 2024 elections.

Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Nevada are all set to be among the closest states in this years presidential race, while Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada host pivotal U.S. Senate contests. New York, meanwhile, is home to several swing congressional districts that could determine control of the U.S. House.

At the Leon County Courthouse, 2020 voters could vote early in person or by dropping their ballots in a drop box. Credit: Diane Rado

And the legal effort against mail voting has been matched by a legislative one. Thirteen states, including Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Arizona, and Ohio, have passed 16 bills to restrict mail voting since the start of 2023, according to a database run by the Voting Rights Lab.

It all amounts to a multi-pronged effort to suppress voting by mail, voting advocates say  one that could threaten access to the ballot this fall, especially for Democrats, who are now more likely than Republicans to use mail voting. At its core are legal arguments aimed at convincing judges to interpret the law in ways that are explicitly adverse to voters.

The push sits uneasily alongside an RNC campaign to convince GOP voters to embrace mail and early voting. But its right in keeping with former President Donald Trumps years-long, evidence-free campaign against voting by mail.

In courtrooms and state legislatures across the country, Republicans are doing everything in their power to restrict mail-in voting, said Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic election lawyer, in a statement. The RNCs legal strategy is clear. The Republican Party no longer seeks to earn the support of a majority of the American electorate. Instead, they are launching a legal assault on our democracy.

A spokesman for the RNC did not respond to a request for comment.

A muddled message on mail voting

In 2020, many states loosened rules on mail voting in response to COVID-19. That years election saw record high turnout despite the pandemic, with nearly half of all voters casting a mail ballot  a huge increase from around 22% in 2016.

Even with COVID-19 tamed, many states have kept their more liberal mail voting rules in place, or, like New York, have passed new laws expanding access to mail ballots.

While leading Democrats have embraced mail voting, Trump has repeatedly denounced it, falsely claiming it opens the door to massive fraud.

MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL BE PRINTED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES, Trump tweeted in June 2020, adding that the result would be a RIGGED election.

Its true that several of the extremely rare instances of proven voter fraud have involved mail voting. But theres no evidence of systematic mail voter fraud of the kind that Trump has claimed threatens the integrity of a presidential election.

A voter fraud database run by The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, lists 279 cases of fraudulent use of absentee ballots, going back to 1988  since which time hundreds of millions of mail ballots have been cast.

Meanwhile, GOP lawyers have gone to the mat to try to put the mail voting genie back in the bottle.

An image of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The virus is now creating mutations that are spreading in the U.S. and elsewhere. Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rocky Mountain Lab

Weve watched Democrats systematically try to codify those post-COVID changes that they made, and weve been in the courts trying to keep those pre-COVID protections in place for our elections, RNC chair Ronna McDaniel explained in October. Theres been a battle waged.

Its not surprising, then, that Democrats have in recent elections used mail voting at significantly higher rates than Republicans. So pronounced is the split that in 2020, President Joe Biden won the mail vote in 14 out of 15 states analyzed by 538.com, while Trump likewise won the Election Day vote in 14 out of 15.

Thats led the GOP to fret that it now often goes into Election Day already trailing by a significant margin. In response, the RNC last year launched the Bank Your Vote initiative to encourage Republicans to vote early or by mail.

The effort includes websites in all 50 states, and even an ad recorded by Trump  albeit without much visible enthusiasm.

Sign up and commit to voting early, Trump says. We must defeat the far left at their own game.

But Trump has continued to muddy that message.

You know, we have these elections that last for 62 days, Trump declared last month in his victory speech after the Iowa caucuses. And if you need some more time, take as much time as you want. And so many bad things happen. We have to get rid of mail-in ballots because once you have mail-in ballots, you have crooked elections.

RNC court filings

The RNCs legal assault on mail voting suggests a similar view. In several court filings, RNC lawyers have suggested that tight safeguards are needed to ensure mail voting doesnt allow for fraudulent votes.

Ohios law that restricts who can return a mail ballot on behalf of a voter should be upheld, the RNC argued in one typical filing, because it guards against an increased risk of voter fraud and other irregularities.

The Republican bid to restrict mail voting is part of a larger effort by the party since 2020 to devote more resources to election integrity  tighter election rules that prioritize anti-fraud measures over access. It includes a year-round election integrity legal department, which has said it worked with over 90 law firms and participated in nearly 100 lawsuits during the 2022 cycle.

So far this cycle, the RNC has paid over $4 million to two top Republican law firms, Consovoy McCarthy and Wiley Rein, according to FEC records. Thomas McCarthy, a co-founder of Consovoy McCarthy, is listed on RNC motions in the Mississippi, Georgia and Wisconsin cases, among others.

The focus on election integrity comes as McDaniel, the RNC chair, is reported to be stepping down at the end of the month. Trumps choice to replace her, North Carolina GOP chair Michael Whatley, has stressed the importance of tight voting rules for Republican success, States Newsroom has reported.

Chipping away at mail votes

The most far-reaching of the RNCs cases is the lawsuit it filed with other Republicans in January against a Mississippi law that allows mail ballots that arrive up to five days after an election to be counted, as long as theyre postmarked by Election Day.

Federal law sets Election Day as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, the suit argues, so by extending the election past that day, Mississippi is violating federal law.

The RNC has said the goal is to obtain a ruling from a judge that bars post-Election-Day ballots from being counted not just in Mississippi but nationwide. The 5th Circuit, which contains Mississippi, is known as perhaps the most conservative judicial circuit in the country.

Election law experts have said its unlikely, but not impossible, that a court could accept the RNCs argument.

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen on March 25, 2022. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

If the case were to reach the Supreme Court, at least one justice appears friendly. In 2020, when the court upheld Wisconsins ban on late-arriving ballots, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that states have the right to set election deadlines to avoid the chaos and suspicions of impropriety that can ensue when thousands of absentee ballots flow in after election day and potentially flip the results of an election.

Mississippi is one of 18 states  including key battlegrounds like Ohio, Nevada, Virginia, Texas, and New York  plus the District of Columbia, that count ballots that arrive after Election Day. (North Carolina last year passed a law that restricts mail voting in several ways, including by banning ballots that arrive after Election Day. Its that law that the RNC sought unsuccessfully to help defend from a court challenge by Democrats, which is ongoing.)

The number of votes at issue could be significant. In 2020, the U.S. Postal Service said it processed nearly 190,000 ballots in the two days after the election. Most of those, it said, were in states that allow late-arriving ballots.

The Mississippi lawsuit makes clear that, despite the Bank Your Vote campaign, Republicans want to curtail mail voting because they think it gives Democrats an edge.

Because voting by mail is starkly polarized by party, [allowing late-arriving ballots] directly harms Plaintiffs, the RNCs lawyers wrote in the complaint. For example, according to the MIT Election Lab, 46% of Democratic voters in the 2022 General Election mailed in their ballots, compared to only 27% of Republicans. That means the late-arriving mail-in ballots that are counted for five additional days disproportionately break for Democrats.

Pennsylvania case also crucial

The Pennsylvania case is another that could reverberate. In November 2022, the state Supreme Court ruled  in response to a suit filed by the RNC and other Republicans  that over 10,000 mail ballots on which the voter had neglected to write the date on the outer envelope, or had written an incorrect date, must be rejected.

The states NAACP chapter filed its own suit in federal court in response. The RNC quickly intervened, arguing that the state Supreme Courts ruling should be upheld. A district court ruled for the NAACP in November, finding that the Civil Rights Act bars states from rejecting votes based on immaterial paperwork errors. The RNC appealed, arguing for a narrower interpretation of the landmark civil rights law, setting up the Feb. 20 hearing.

In a sign that the case could have an impact beyond Pennsylvania, 17 Republican-led states last month submitted an amicus brief in support of the RNCs position.

The other cases may not have the same reach as those two. But together, they broadly aim to tighten the rules around mail voting to a degree that could significantly chip away at mail votes.

RNC lawyers have marshaled a range of arguments in these cases.

They have claimed, unsuccessfully, that New Yorks law expanding access to mail voting violates the states constitution, which bans no-excuse mail voting. Theyve said Georgias new deadline to apply for a mail ballot of seven days before Election Day doesnt violate the federal law barring deadlines of fewer than 11 days, because the federal government lacks the authority to regulate these deadlines.

No mail voting rule appears too small to escape the notice of RNC lawyers. This months lawsuit against Arizona targets a new rule that lets voters who registered without proof of citizenship  and therefore, under Arizona law, can vote in federal elections only  receive a mail ballot, arguing that state law bars these voters from voting by mail.

And theyve submitted comments to a Nevada commission, criticizing a proposed rule there that gives election officials more power to ensure the counting process for mail ballots isnt disrupted. The new powers could let election officials infringe on the publics right to witness the counting, the groups lawyers assert.

Meanwhile, supporters of mail voting say Republican fears about an influx of Democratic mail votes may be misplaced.

Americans have used mail ballots for over a hundred years because they provide a safe and convenient way to ensure the right to vote, said Barbara Smith Warner, the executive director of the National Vote at Home Institute, which advocates for mail voting. Research has demonstrated time and time again that voting at home increases voter participation and turnout for all, with no partisan advantage for any side.

Attacks on mail ballots are red herrings to distract from their true intent  making it harder for citizens to vote, and sowing distrust in our elections, Smith Warner said.

The post GOP backs voting by mail, yet turns to courts to restrict it in battleground states appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Fearing that Democrats hold a crucial edge in ballots cast before Election Day, national Republicans are working to convince their voters to take advantage of mail and early voting this year. (Photo by Stephen Maturen | Getty Images)

Fearing that Democrats hold a crucial edge in ballots cast before Election Day, national Republicans are working to convince their voters to take advantage of mail and early voting this year.

We cant play catch up. We cant start from behind. We cant let Dems get a big head start and think were going to win it all on Election Day, Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel said in November on a conference call aimed at promoting the groups Bank Your Vote initiative to encourage early and mail voting. Things happen on Election Day.

But the partys army of lawyers is, more quietly, sending a very different message. The RNC is fighting in courtrooms and legal filings in key election battlegrounds across the country to make it harder to cast a mail ballot and to have it counted.

On Feb. 20, attorneys for the RNC were in a federal courtroom in Philadelphia, in a bid to require that Pennsylvania throw out mail ballots with missing or incorrect dates.

Eleven days earlier, they filed a lawsuit challenging several provisions of Arizonas newly adopted election rules, including a rule allowing voters who have not shown proof of citizenship to cast a mail ballot.

And that same day, they asked a court in Georgia to uphold a state law that imposes stricter rules on mail voting.

Separately, in recent months the RNC has asked courts to let it join the defense of laws in Ohio, Wisconsin, and North Carolina that similarly impose tighter rules on mail voting (judges in the latter two states denied the requests, while the Ohio motion was approved).

The party also has sued to block a New York law that lets people vote by mail without an excuse (the states Supreme Court this month dismissed the complaint). And it has formally weighed in against proposed changes to Nevadas election rules, including one that makes it easier for election officials to prevent volunteer observers from disrupting the counting of mail ballots.

In January, the RNC went further than ever, filing a lawsuit in Mississippi that it has said aims to obtain a nationwide ban on mail ballots that arrive after Election Day. RNC lawyers stated plainly in their complaint that Republicans interests are at stake because mail voting tends to favor Democrats.

States with close races targeted

Though its received relatively little attention, the RNCs legal onslaught could have a major impact on the 2024 elections.

Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Nevada are all set to be among the closest states in this years presidential race, while Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada host pivotal U.S. Senate contests. New York, meanwhile, is home to several swing congressional districts that could determine control of the U.S. House.

And the legal effort against mail voting has been matched by a legislative one. Thirteen states, including Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Arizona, and Ohio, have passed 16 bills to restrict mail voting since the start of 2023, according to a database run by the Voting Rights Lab.

It all amounts to a multi-pronged effort to suppress voting by mail, voting advocates say  one that could threaten access to the ballot this fall, especially for Democrats, who are now more likely than Republicans to use mail voting. At its core are legal arguments aimed at persuading judges to interpret the law in ways that are explicitly adverse to voters.

The push sits uneasily alongside an RNC campaign to encourage GOP voters to embrace mail and early voting. But its right in keeping with former President Donald Trumps years-long, evidence-free campaign against voting by mail.

In courtrooms and state legislatures across the country, Republicans are doing everything in their power to restrict mail-in voting, said Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic election lawyer, in a statement. The RNCs legal strategy is clear. The Republican Party no longer seeks to earn the support of a majority of the American electorate. Instead, they are launching a legal assault on our democracy.

A spokesman for the RNC did not respond to a request for comment.

A muddled message on mail voting

In 2020, many states loosened rules on mail voting in response to COVID-19. That years election saw record high turnout despite the pandemic, with nearly half of all voters casting a mail ballot  a huge increase from around 22% in 2016.

Even with COVID-19 tamed, many states have kept their more liberal mail voting rules in place, or, like New York, have passed new laws expanding access to mail ballots.

While leading Democrats have embraced mail voting, Trump has repeatedly denounced it, falsely claiming it opens the door to massive fraud.

MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL BE PRINTED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES, Trump tweeted in June 2020, adding that the result would be a RIGGED election.

Its true that several of the extremely rare instances of proven voter fraud have involved mail voting. But theres no evidence of systematic mail voter fraud of the kind that Trump has claimed threatens the integrity of a presidential election.

A voter fraud database run by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, lists 279 cases of fraudulent use of absentee ballots, going back to 1988  since which time hundreds of millions of mail ballots have been cast.

Meanwhile, GOP lawyers have gone to the mat to try to put the mail voting genie back in the bottle.

Weve watched Democrats systematically try to codify those post-COVID changes that they made, and weve been in the courts trying to keep those pre-COVID protections in place for our elections, RNC chair Ronna McDaniel explained in October. Theres been a battle waged.

Its not surprising, then, that Democrats have in recent elections used mail voting at significantly higher rates than Republicans. So pronounced is the split that in 2020, President Joe Biden won the mail vote in 14 out of 15 states analyzed by 538.com, while Trump likewise won the Election Day vote in 14 out of 15.

Thats led the GOP to fret that it now often goes into Election Day already trailing by a significant margin. In response, the RNC last year launched the Bank Your Vote initiative to encourage Republicans to vote early or by mail.

The effort includes websites in all 50 states, and even an ad recorded by Trump  albeit without much visible enthusiasm.

Sign up and commit to voting early, Trump says. We must defeat the far left at their own game.

But Trump has continued to muddy that message.

You know, we have these elections that last for 62 days, Trump declared last month in his victory speech after the Iowa caucuses. And if you need some more time, take as much time as you want. And so many bad things happen. We have to get rid of mail-in ballots because once you have mail-in ballots, you have crooked elections.

RNC court filings

The RNCs legal assault on mail voting suggests a similar view. In several court filings, RNC lawyers have suggested that tight safeguards are needed to ensure mail voting doesnt allow for fraudulent votes.

Ohios law that restricts who can return a mail ballot on behalf of a voter should be upheld, the RNC argued in one typical filing, because it guards against an increased risk of voter fraud and other irregularities.

The Republican bid to restrict mail voting is part of a larger effort by the party since 2020 to devote more resources to election integrity  tighter election rules that prioritize anti-fraud measures over access. It includes a year-round election integrity legal department, which has said it worked with over 90 law firms and participated in nearly 100 lawsuits during the 2022 cycle.

So far this cycle, the RNC has paid more than $4 million to two top Republican law firms, Consovoy McCarthy and Wiley Rein, according to FEC records. Thomas McCarthy, a co-founder of Consovoy McCarthy, is listed on RNC motions in the Mississippi, Georgia and Wisconsin cases, among others.

The focus on election integrity comes as McDaniel, the RNC chair, is reported to be stepping down at the end of the month. Trumps choice to replace her, North Carolina GOP chair Michael Whatley, has stressed the importance of tight voting rules for Republican success, States Newsroom has reported.

Chipping away at mail votes

The most far-reaching of the RNCs cases is the lawsuit it filed with other Republicans in January against a Mississippi law that allows mail ballots that arrive up to five days after an election to be counted, as long as theyre postmarked by Election Day.

Federal law sets Election Day as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, the suit argues, so by extending the election past that day, Mississippi is violating federal law.

The RNC has said the goal is to obtain a ruling from a judge that bars post-Election-Day ballots from being counted not just in Mississippi but nationwide. The 5th Circuit, which contains Mississippi, is known as perhaps the most conservative judicial circuit in the country.

Election law experts have said its unlikely, but not impossible, that a court could accept the RNCs argument.

If the case were to reach the Supreme Court, at least one justice appears friendly. In 2020, when the court upheld Wisconsins ban on late-arriving ballots, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that states have the right to set election deadlines to avoid the chaos and suspicions of impropriety that can ensue when thousands of absentee ballots flow in after election day and potentially flip the results of an election.

Mississippi is one of 18 states  including key battlegrounds like Ohio, Nevada, Virginia, Texas, and New York  plus the District of Columbia, that count ballots that arrive after Election Day. (North Carolina last year passed a law that restricts mail voting in several ways, including by banning ballots that arrive after Election Day. Its that law that the RNC sought unsuccessfully to help defend from a court challenge by Democrats, which is ongoing.)

The number of votes at issue could be significant. In 2020, the U.S. Postal Service said it processed nearly 190,000 ballots in the two days after the election. Most of those, it said, were in states that allow late-arriving ballots.

The Mississippi lawsuit makes clear that, despite the Bank Your Vote campaign, Republicans want to curtail mail voting because they think it gives Democrats an edge.

Because voting by mail is starkly polarized by party, (allowing late-arriving ballots) directly harms Plaintiffs, the RNCs lawyers wrote in the complaint. For example, according to the MIT Election Lab, 46% of Democratic voters in the 2022 General Election mailed in their ballots, compared to only 27% of Republicans. That means the late-arriving mail-in ballots that are counted for five additional days disproportionately break for Democrats.

Pennsylvania case also crucial

The Pennsylvania case is another that could reverberate. In November 2022, the state Supreme Court ruled  in response to a suit filed by the RNC and other Republicans  that more than 10,000 mail ballots on which the voter had neglected to write the date on the outer envelope, or had written an incorrect date, must be rejected.

The states NAACP chapter filed its own suit in federal court in response. The RNC quickly intervened, arguing that the state Supreme Courts ruling should be upheld. A district court ruled for the NAACP in November, finding that the Civil Rights Act bars states from rejecting votes based on immaterial paperwork errors. The RNC appealed, arguing for a narrower interpretation of the landmark civil rights law, setting up the Feb. 20 hearing.

In a sign that the case could have an impact beyond Pennsylvania, 17 Republican-led states last month submitted an amicus brief in support of the RNCs position.

The other cases may not have the same reach as those two. But together, they broadly aim to tighten the rules around mail voting to a degree that could significantly chip away at mail votes.

RNC lawyers have marshaled a range of arguments in these cases.

They have claimed, unsuccessfully, that New Yorks law expanding access to mail voting violates the states constitution, which bans no-excuse mail voting. Theyve said Georgias new deadline to apply for a mail ballot of seven days before Election Day doesnt violate the federal law barring deadlines of fewer than 11 days, because the federal government lacks the authority to regulate these deadlines.

No mail voting rule appears too small to escape the notice of RNC lawyers. This months lawsuit against Arizona targets a new rule that lets voters who registered without proof of citizenship  and therefore, under Arizona law, can vote in federal elections only  receive a mail ballot, arguing that state law bars these voters from voting by mail.

And theyve submitted comments to a Nevada commission, criticizing a proposed rule there that gives election officials more power to ensure the counting process for mail ballots isnt disrupted. The new powers could let election officials infringe on the publics right to witness the counting, the groups lawyers assert.

Meanwhile, supporters of mail voting say Republican fears about an influx of Democratic mail votes may be misplaced.

Americans have used mail ballots for over a hundred years because they provide a safe and convenient way to ensure the right to vote, said Barbara Smith Warner, the executive director of the National Vote at Home Institute, which advocates for mail voting. Research has demonstrated time and time again that voting at home increases voter participation and turnout for all, with no partisan advantage for any side.

Attacks on mail ballots are red herrings to distract from their true intent  making it harder for citizens to vote, and sowing distrust in our elections, Smith Warner said.

The post GOP backs voting by mail, yet turns to courts to restrict it in battleground states appeared first on Daily Montanan.
A Republican-sponsored bill that would make it harder to qualify for food stamps passed out of the House on Thursday, as opponents decried its statewide ripple effects on children and families.

House Bill 367 from Rep. Wade Williams, R-Earlington, would require households with able-bodied adults who are on or applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to prove their total assets or savings are below $2,750 in order to legally access that assistance.

For seniors and people with disabilities, they must have fewer than $4,250 in assets.

Most states, including Kentucky, do not currently require an individual or household meet an asset requirement before being deemed eligible for SNAP, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service.

The bill passed , 61-33. A handful of Republicans from rural districts voted against the bill, including Reps. Timmy Truett of McKee, Chris Fugate of Chavies, Bobby McCool of Van Lear and Bill Wesley of Ravenna.

As was the case last week when the bill passed out of the House Families and Children Committee, Williams told House members his intention was not to take SNAP assistance from people who really needed it.

Rather, he wants to target the roughly 34,000 Kentuckians with no kids who can work to rejoin the workforce. And hes trying to do so by eliminating the the Broad-based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) standard  a standard Williams calls a widely-abused loophole and fraud by design.

Its not the bills intention to eliminate SNAP, Williams said Thursday. The goal is to make sure everyone on SNAP should be on SNAP.

Rep. Wade Williams, R-Earlington LRC Public Information Office

To currently qualify for SNAP benefits in Kentucky, able-bodied adults earning at or below the poverty line are required to work, volunteer or train 20 hours a week. But Williams said roughly 34,000 able-bodied individual SNAP recipients are in violation of that rule, because of categorical eligibility.

Democrats were pointed in their criticism of this bill, which they say will have widespread impact beyond just the 34,000 Williams is trying to target.

Rep. Lisa Willner, D-Louisville, said although his intention is to surgically target a particular group, that wouldnt be the end result.

Several of these provisions really do apply to every SNAP eligible households; 24,500 Kentucky households will lose their food assistance  48,000 Kentuckians, she said on the House floor before voting against the bill.

When we hear able-bodied adults with zero dependents, we have this idea there are huge numbers of Kentuckians lying around refusing to go to work, and that simply is not the case.

By adding an asset test and eliminating categorical eligibility, the state is exacerbating peoples reliance on these programs, Rep. Josie Raymond, D-Louisville, explained.

Under this bill, people in poverty cant save for a car, they cant save for a down payment or security deposit. They cant build up emergency funds in case somebody gets sick or loses a job, she said. We want our General Assembly to build up a general reserve fund, but were literally going to prevent families from doing the same thing.

A handful of Democratic lawmakers read aloud the numbers of families in their districts who would lose benefits under this bill  figures in the thousands.

How poor do we have to be in Kentucky to be worthy of food, asked Rep. Sarah Stalker, D-Louisville.

The bill would also reduce the gross income threshold to qualify for SNAP benefits to 130% of the federal poverty level, and it would revoke the Cabinet for Health and Family Services ability to waive those limits and loosen SNAP eligibility standards in times of economic distress, without permission from the General Assembly.

This change would give the Legislature greater power over SNAP work requirements.

Child labor bill

Also on Thursday, Republicans passed a bill relaxing child labor laws, removing the cap on hours 16- or 17-year-olds can work on school nights and prohibiting Kentuckys top labor officials from setting standards on child labor that exceed minimum federal protections.

Rep. Philip Pratt, R-Georgetown, said part of his goal with House Bill 255 is to allow kids as young as 14 the same experience to work, learn, grow, exactly like we did.

Rep. Phillip Pratt, R-Georgetown, presents a bill during the 2022 session of the General Assembly. Legislative Research Commission

But opponents of the bill continue to say it will increase student dropout rate and open the door for exploitation.

Democratic Rep. Raymond called the bill discriminatory and exploitative. It doesnt give kids more agency, she said. It gives adults the ability to hand them schedules.

Rep. Chad Aull, D-Lexington, said this bill will allow kids to work what the U.S. Department of Labor considers high-intensity hours. Aull said it poses a significant threat to the educational attainment of our students.

House Speaker Pro Tem David Meade accused Democrats of exaggerations and grasping at straws in order to create fear tactics, adding that Pratt is not mandating work for these children. Parents can still choose whether or not their kids have jobs outside of school, he said.

Rep. Rachel Roberts, D-Newport, asked Pratt if he consulted the Department of Education or Department of Labor before he crafted this bill. No, Pratt said.

Before being called out of order by House Speaker David Osborne for cross-examining Pratt, Roberts said she was tired of lawmakers filing proposals for widespread consideration without consulting expert stakeholders beforehand.

Before it passed 60-36, Roberts said, This is a dumb bill.
Leaders in both parties are racing to secure a deal on government spending as the negotiation window quickly closes and the fears of a shutdown grow more pronounced.

Congress returns to Washington next week facing a pair of looming funding deadlines  March 1 for a handful of agencies and March 8 for the rest  leaving lawmakers with little time to iron out their differences and get bills to the floor to keep the government open.

While Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has moved deftly to avoid a shutdown since taking the gavel in October, restive conservatives are losing patience with his willingness to cut budget deals across the aisle. And some observers on Capitol Hill are already warning that the current fight is the greatest shutdown threat of this Congress.

Im worried. Of all the scares weve had since the last fiscal year, I think this is going to be the scariest. I think we could be in a world of hurt, said a Senate GOP aide. I dont know if itll be a partial or a full, but I think the chances of a shutdown are the highest weve had this fiscal year.

Party leaders in both chambers have sought to assure the public  and the markets  that the sides will come together to adopt their appropriations bills and avoid any disruptions to government operations.

House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., speaks during the National Prayer Breakfast, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at the Capitol in Washington, as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., looks on. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

But a number of disagreements remain between the parties. And Johnson is facing additional pressures from within his own Republican conference, where conservatives are demanding right-wing policy riders that are a non-starter with Democrats in both Congress and the White House.

The mix of factors  political, tactical and temporal  is sparking plenty of concerns that Congress will be unable to reach the agreement to prevent the partial shutdown thats looming at the end of next week.

I think the odds are 50-50 at this point, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) told CBSs Major Garrett on The Takeout podcast this week.

McHenry, chair of the Financial Services Committee, called the current shutdown threat a preventable disaster  one that might have been avoided if party leaders had moved the spending bills late last year instead of kicking the process into an election year.

Hes urging Johnson to resist the ultimatums from his conservative wing and move forward with whatever agreements emerge from the talks between appropriators, who have been working furiously through the holiday recess to finalize their bills in time for the first deadline next Friday.

A deal is expected to be released as early as Sunday

All the Speaker has to do is allow the Appropriations Committee to go get a deal, McHenry said. If the Speaker wishes to stop it, for whatever reason, well probably have a government shutdown.

Top Stories from The Hill

The debate is the latest challenge for Johnson who, less than four months into his Speakership, is facing the same dilemma over government funding that led to the removal of his predecessor. And his options all carry risks.

If Johnson brings bipartisan spending compromises to the floor, he could keep the government open but might face the conservative backlash that toppled former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). If he decides to block those spending bills, the government would likely shut down, providing a political gift to President Biden and the Democrats just months before Novembers elections.

The House is working hard to meet the deadlines, a Speaker spokesperson told The Hill.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) acknowledged that Johnson is essentially in the drivers seat, saying the direction of the spending debate will hinge principally on what the House thinks they can do.

Well see what the appetite is, but the House probably drives that, Thune told The Hill on Thursday.

Theres going to be a ton of pressure to get it done in a short amount of time, he added.

Hard-liners are already turning up the heat on Johnson.

Twenty-eight members of the House Freedom Caucus penned a letter to the Speaker on Wednesday requesting an update on their conservative policy demands, which touch on a host of explosive topics that include abortion, immigration and eliminating the salaries of certain federal officials.

Without those provisions, the hard-liners said, the House will have a difficult time wrangling GOP support for government funding.

There are MANY other policies and personnel that Congress should not be funding, and a failure to eliminate them will reduce the probability that the appropriations bills will be supported by even a majority of Republicans, the lawmakers wrote.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) addresses reporters after the weekly policy luncheon on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. (Greg Nash)

The demand for policy riders has already been squarely rejected by top Democrats, who are warning that any bill with those provisions will never reach Bidens desk.

The riders are non-negotiable. Theyre off the table, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. Get those off the table, we can come to conclusions.

Democrats have their own set of policy demands, including more funding for a federal program  the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC  that helps to feed millions of low-income children and their mothers. WIC is facing a shortfall, and DeLauro said Democrats wont support any spending bill that doesnt fix it.

Thats an issue that is not negotiable, she said.

If conservatives do not secure their policy riders, as expected, the hard-liners are already eyeing a Plan B to fund the government: a one-year continuing resolution that would trigger a 1 percent cut across the board beginning in April, as per the mechanism lawmakers included in the debt limit deal last year to encourage completion of the appropriations process.

Democrats  and even some GOP defense hawks  are adamantly opposed to that cut, while conservatives are embracing it.

If we are not going to secure significant policy changes or even keep spending below the caps adopted by the bipartisan majorities less than one year ago, why would we proceed when we could instead pass a year-long funding resolution that would save Americans $100 billion in year one? the Freedom Caucus members wrote to Johnson.

The stakes in the spending debate also extend to the campaign trail, where Republicans are trying to demonstrate to voters that they can govern capably and deserve to remain in the House majority next year. With that in mind, some of the more vulnerable GOP lawmakers are already pressing Johnson to move quickly next week to prevent a shutdown.

When we get back, we need to move expeditiously to pass the appropriations bills. The time for haggling over it is over, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said. I will leave it to leadership on how they plan to proceed. But at the end of the day, we need to fund the government. Were not dealing with a government shutdown.

Lawler, who represents a district Biden won by 10 points in 2020, also had some choice words for the conservatives who say theyd prefer a shutdown to new funding bills that will increase deficit spending.

For my colleagues that have a problem with it, he said, they should have thought long and hard about that before they removed Kevin McCarthy as Speaker.

Another potential landmine in the debate is the question of sending additional aid to Ukraine, which has bedeviled lawmakers  especially Johnson  for months.

Johnson had opposed the Senate negotiated foreign-aid-plus-border-security bill, arguing that the border provisions did not go far enough. But conservatives are still balking at sending aid overseas without border security, demanding policies similar to those in H.R. 2, the sweeping border package they passed last year.

McHenry said theres a pretty high chance lawmakers will seek to attach the stalled foreign aid onto spending bills, especially if the government does shut down and Congress finds itself looking for a way out.

It could be post-government shutdown if that happens. The point of leverage becomes mighty then, McHenry told CBS. It could be in the week leading up, to the week leading after  There are a couple different legislative avenues that can be taken.

Combining spending with foreign aid, however, would only expose Johnson to more attacks from conservatives, many of whom are opposed to any overseas assistance without first addressing the border. Some said they trust Johnson not to bring such a bill to the floor.

Our members are not interested in funding the Ukraine effort going forward if the southern border is unsecured, and the Speaker has been crystal clear on that, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said. The White House and the Senate just simply dont care.

As lawmakers barrel toward their fourth shutdown showdown this Congress  which has been billed the most unproductive in years  some members are openly airing their frustration with being unable to complete the key part of their job.

Appropriations bills being the key issue of just basic job performance  Its like showing up to work on time and passing your drug test. Its like that basic level. Its not saying youre competent or good or anything else, McHenry told CBS. But weve done a terrible job with that.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  While speaking at George Washington University about how Americans can disagree better, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described gender-affirming care for transgender youth as genital mutilation surgeries.

The comment happened during a discussion Wednesday at the Washington D.C. university. Part of the hour-long talk centered on legislation that Cox signed last year that banned gender-affirming care for Utah minors.

Gov. Cox pens 5,000-word essay on why he signed DEI bill

In explaining his Disagree Better approach, the Republican governor noted that he held discussions with transgender people at the governors mansion before the passage of the law, which led to unique changes to the Utah bill that werent in similar bans in nearly two dozen other states. One of these was allowing trans youth already undergoing hormone therapy to continue such treatment.

However, a student challenged the point of such discussions at the governors mansion when the lack of gender-affirming care could lead to a trans child taking their life.

Do you think the parents of that kid would care if you have a conversation about the legislation at the governors mansion before you passed it? the student asked.

Cox took issue with the question, saying that no child in Utah has died over not getting gender-affirming care. He then said the students question assumed that Utah lawmakers dont care about transgender youth and want them to die.

I reject that whole cloth, I care deeply about these kids, the governor said. I love these kids, I want these kids to thrive, I want these kids to be successful, and I think theres a better way to do that than having genital mutilation surgeries before they are 18 and old enough to have a rational decision.

The governor defended his signing of the ban, saying that there are very real reasons to be concerned about whats happening with our young people and the explosion in American youth seeking such care.



ABC4 reached out to Coxs office seeking comment and received the following statement:

Gov. Cox misunderstood a question and was not happy with his answer. After the public exchange, the governor invited the student backstage and respectfully listened, and they discussed their differences for about 10 minutes. Both left the conversation with a better understanding of the others perspective.  Spokesperson for the Governors Office

Equality Utah, a local LGBTQ civil rights organization, also released a statement saying Coxs language usage was factually inaccurate and inflammatory.

In order to disagree better, its important that the language our leaders use be factual and not inflammatory, the statement read. In his recent comments, Governor Cox missed the mark on both counts. They were hurtful to the transgender community.

The statement continued to say the organization intended to hold Cox true to his Disagree Better initiative but did not want to blast or shun him. They encouraged him to have a deeper dialogue with the local LGBTQ community in order to successfully navigate this polarized era.

A statement provided by Equality Utah to ABC4.

According to the World Health Organization, genital mutilation is a term used to describe non-medical procedures often performed on girls in Africa and the Middle East that are a violation of human rights and have no health benefits.

As for gender-affirming care, the WHO describes it as a combination of treatments, such as hormone therapy and surgery, that is designed to support and affirm an individuals gender identity.

The governors use of the term genital mutilation echoes the words of other Republican governors in the debate over transgender health care for children, such as Floridas Ron DeSantis.

Earlier this year, while hearing a challenge to Floridas transgender health care ban, a judge said that DeSantis spread false information regarding doctors mutilating childrens genitals, even though theres never been a single documented case, the Associated Press reports.

Cox, who is up for re-election this year, has made his Disagree Better initiative a key part of his public persona. While serving as chair of the National Governors Association, hes called on Americans to disagree in a way that finds solutions to complicated problems instead of endlessly bickering.

The governor often highlights when Utah takes a unique third-way approach, such as in the gender-affirming care ban and the anti-DEI bill he signed into law last month.

In a recent 5,000-word blog post, the governor praised the DEI bill for not just stripping funding from DEI programs, as other states have done. Instead, he highlighted that the legislation turns these programs into Student Success Centers, open to all students regardless of their identity.



If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the suicide prevention hotline at 988. National Alliance on Mental Illness Utah: namiut.org

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
RICHMOND, Va. (WFXR)Governor Glen Youngkin announced 1.5 million in Mixed Use on Main Street (MUMS) funding for three projects in the city of Hopewell, and the towns of Marion and Pulaski on Thursday, Feb. 22.

Mums is a pilot program created as a joint effort with the Industrial Revolution Fund (IRF) and Virginia Main Street (VMS) programs. These programs support the revitalization of vacant or underutilized downtown spaces to create opportunities for new businesses and housing in communities.

This program empowers us to strategically invest in our communities, providing the resources and adaptability that is crucial for economic growth, said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. Through MUMS, we can remove barriers to future economic development efforts by turning blighted or vacated structures into sources of growth.

Jefferson Center celebrates 100 years of history in Roanoke

The project will help transform a vacant property in Hopewells Downtown Historic District, add eight market-rate apartments in Pulaski, and renovate the Gospel Armory and Past Time Antique buildings into 12 apartments and new retail space in the town of Marion.

Downtowns serve as the heartbeat of countless communities in the Commonwealth, and this investment initiative seeks to breathe new life into neglected structures by cultivating dynamic businesses and new housing prospects, said Governor Glenn Youngkin. A resilient infrastructure is fundamental to a prosperous economic approach, and this program will propel economic growth and nurture community pride in these communities.

For more information on MUMS, visit https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/irf.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
The Ukrainian government will register the Made in Ukraine trademark, which will be made available to domestic businesses to boost their sales, according to a resolution approved by the Cabinet on Feb. 23.

The measure aims to clearly indicate to Ukrainian consumers which goods available to them were produced domestically, encouraging them to shore up Ukraines economy and employment.

Read also: Ukraine launches Made in Ukraine economic platform to foster business-state communication

The trademarks design was proposed by the Economy Ministry and features a combination of the words "Made in Ukraine" and six vertical stripes, presumably in blue and yellow colors.

The ministry will now file an application to register the trademark and develop a corresponding brand book.

The trademark will be free to use for Ukrainian entrepreneurs, community organizations, local government bodies, state institutions, and other bodies.

Notably, one of the companies owned by oligarch Rinat Akhmetov moved to register a very similar trademark back in 2014, but the process was never complete.

Read also: Ukrainian business surprises with its resiliency  higher than expected growth reported

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  A government shutdown is looming, and Congress remains at an impasse on how to avoid that scenario.

Friday the federal government began the process of formally preparing for a shutdown.

The clock is ticking, and so what do we do next, said Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.).

Congress returns to Washington Monday with a handful of federal agencies set to shutter March 1 and the rest on March 8 leaving lawmakers little time to broker a deal.

I hope we can do that. I dont think anybody wants to see, you know, a quote unquote, government shutdown here, but weve got to actually move towards a regular appropriations process, said Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.)

A shutdown would close all but the most essential functions of the government along with shuttering national parks and museums.

Both sides have tried to assure the public a shutdown wont happen but thats appearing less likely.

Do you want to close Mt Rushmore so the southern border can stay open? asked Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.).

Hard right Republicans are pressuring Speaker Mike Johnson to reject any government funding bill that doesnt include new border security protections.

You either secure the southern border or you get no money for the government, Donalds added.

Even some Democrats who support border reform say the disruptions caused by a government shutdown arent worth the fight.

It is so challenging to get anything done in Congress because I work with Republican colleagues who simply dont want to fix things, said Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas.).

A bipartisan spending deal could be released by Sunday but its not clear whether Speaker Johnson would accept it, or cave to the demands of hard right Republicans and reject it.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Russian forces launched a drone attack against Odesa overnight on Feb. 23, hitting an infrastructure facility, Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper said via his official Telegram channel.

A fire broke out following the attack. The governor said there are casualties but didn't provide any details. First responders have been called to the scene.

Ukraine's Air Force warned about the threat of drone attacks for Odesa, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Drone attacks are a daily occurrence in Ukraine, affecting various regions across the country. Overnight on Feb. 22, Ukraines air defense downed eight Shahed drones.

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: Ukrainian military says strike kills around 60 Russian soldiers in occupied Kherson Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
At the border with Poland, Ukrainian grain cargo en route to Hamburg, Germany, as part of a transit shipment, was once again subjected to damage at the Dorohusk railway checkpoint.

Source: European Pravda, citing the Ministry of Restoration

Details: Reports say that at around 09:00 on 23 February, unidentified individuals damaged rapeseed in three grain hopper cars destined for transit through Poland to Hamburg. Photos posted by Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, indicate that the cargo was partially spilled onto the tracks.

This morning, unknown persons damaged Ukrainian agricultural products at the Dorohusk (Poland) railway station. Three grain trucks with rapeseed were opened. This is a transit cargo heading to Germany (Hamburg).



I will only say that unpunished crimes always return. Whether it pic.twitter.com/yL5CUHRZRP  Oleksandr Kubrakov (@OlKubrakov) February 23, 2024

The announcement mentioned that Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) is preparing to file a complaint with the law enforcement agencies of Poland.

Quote: "I will only say that unpunished crimes always return. Whether it is military aggression or damaged grain. Criminals must be punished so that others are not tempted to repeat them (crimes - ed.)," commented Kubrakov.

Background:

The previous incident involving spilled grain on the railway occurred on 20 February near the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint. Farmers spilled some grain from a freight train onto the tracks.

The first such incident involving grain occurred with trucks that were supposed to transit wheat through Poland at the Dorohusk checkpoint earlier this month. The actions of the protesters at that time are being investigated by the prosecutor's office, and the Polish government has apologised for this incident.

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Hundreds of eager and loyal fans gathered outside Costcos newest branch in One Daytona in Daytona Beach, Florida, for its grand opening on Thursday.

Opening day: A throng of customers eagerly waited in line to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony, performed by Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry and the branchs General Manager Donna Clinger, and held in One Daytona, located across the International Speedway Boulevard, on Thursday morning.

Tamika Barbel, one of the assistant general managers of the branch, told the Daytona Beach News-Journal that they counted 498 customers at the store during the first hour of the grand opening. Some customers reportedly set up camp outside the store to beat the queue for membership registration so they could enter the store first.

New Business Alert! Todays the day. We are happy to announce the ribbon-cutting and opening of Costco in Daytona Beach. Located at OneDaytona, this wholesale store is now open 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. 6 p.m. Sunday. For pic.twitter.com/GUYkeDxQQd Trending on NextShark: 240-million-year-old 'Chinese dragon' fossil discovered in southern China  CityDaytonaBeach (@CityDaytona) February 22, 2024

What theyre saying: Speaking to reporters, Roxanne Ribakoff, president of One Daytona, said the stores Daytona Beach branch was a boon, noting, This is such a destination. Its going to draw traffic from out of our market reach, and thats also going to benefit our other retailers.

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Daytona Beach City Manager Deric Feacher believes that the area will continue to see a boom with the opening of the Costco store, adding, The accommodations for our apartment living and hotels are right in this area, so this will help continue to drive different businesses to our area.

About the branch: Touted as the biggest store in Central Florida at nearly 162,000 square feet (15,050 square meters), the branch features a unique storefront design of a checkered flag pattern as a nod to the iconic International Speedway Boulevard. The branch also has a members-only, 24-pump gas station, which opened on Feb. 1.

Although NASCAR owns the One Daytona land, Costco will reportedly own whatever the company decides to build on it.

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Why it matters: With the opening of the Daytona Beach branch, residents of the city no longer have to drive a long distance to reach a Costco warehouse, as the closest branch from the city is located in Altamonte Springs, which is around 50 miles (80.4 kilometers) away.

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Tens of thousands of Americans were affected by a nationwide cellular service outage in our country, including some along the Grand Strand.

According to data from an outage monitoring site called Down Detector, AT&T reached around a high of 74,000 outages while Verizon had about 4,000.

One of the employees at the AT&T store off Pine Island Road, said there wasnt much they could do until corporate engineers at AT&T solve the problem.

Some local stores werent even open today, concerning some customers.

A local resident, customer, and concerned parent in Myrtle Beach, Nicole Gannon said she may switch back to Verizon.

Theres not even anyone sitting here to explain, Gannon said. Hey this is whats going on and it may take us this amount of time, but we cant even contact anybody.

The AT&T store off Dick Pond Road had its lights off and doors locked all day.

An employee at the store off Pine Island Road, next to Coastal Grand Mall said their store was one of the corporate stores in Myrtle Beach and the other AT&T could be an indirect store.

I have three little ones in school, Gannon continued. And their school has no way to contact me, in case something is wrong.

The store employee said they cant give their customers an estimated time of how long itll take for the problem to be fixed until its identified.

Many customers said it was scary how much people depend on their phones.

AT&T customer, Will Korb, said his phone was showing SOS where the cellular bars usually are.

Thursdays outage also impacted businesses.

I collect money on my phone for my work, Korb said. So thats not going to be possible to do today.

Another customer whos a local resident and Uber Eats Driver, Mark Riecken said due to the outage, he is missing money.

Well pick up and deliver food, you know Chick-fil-a and whatever, and so all of those possibilities are not possible today, Riecken said. So, were losing money every hour, we cant do anything.

Customers told News13 during the outage, they couldnt access their bank accounts, communicate with their children, or navigate.

Im a generation and a half before cell phones, Riecken said. But we certainly grow attached to these things. I mean when I was young you used to have to remember all the phone numbers now you dont have to remember any phone number because its in your phone.

Customers said when they called AT&T Thursday afternoon, the wait times were 7 to 9 hours long.

I guess Im going to just keep cutting my phone on and off and hope something transpires, Korb said.

Customers who had two different services told News13 one phone was working, but another one was not.

Theres still no indication on what caused the outage.

* * *

Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
A group of students from the Space Engineering Technologies Academy at Krueger Middle School cheer on Oct. 14, 2023, as they watch the annular eclipse from Louise Hays Park in Kerrville. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A colorized rendering shows polarized light from the 2017 total solar eclipse. Amir Caspi of Southwest Research Institute is leading two studies of the April 8 total solar eclipse. Its track will pass through the Texas Hill Country. SwRI/Citizen CATE 2024/Ritesh Patel/Dan Seaton Astrophysicist Amir Caspi of Southwest Research Institute is leading two studies of the April 8 total solar eclipse. Its track will pass through the Texas Hill Country. Ian McKinney, SwRI A NASA WB-57 plane from Ellington Field like this one, shown flying over the Clear Lake area in February 2017, will follow the moons shadow during the total solar eclipse on April 8 as part of a study being led by astrophysicist Amir Caspi of Southwest Research Institute. Bill Montgomery Kat Troche  part of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and a NASA Solar System ambassador  sets up a telescope that will feed the NASA livestream of annular eclipse at Louise Hays Park on Oct. 14, 2023, in Kerrville. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A young person looks through solar eclipse glasses on Oct. 14, 2023, to see the annular eclipse from Louise Hays Park in Kerrville. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A woman peeks through a telescope on Oct. 14, 2023, to observe the progress of the moon during the annular eclipse celebrations from Louise Hays Park in Kerrville. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Dryden Glidewell, 14, uses solar eclipse glasses on Oct. 14, 2023, to look up at the sun during the annular eclipse celebrations from Louise Hays Park in Kerrville. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

A Southwest Research Institute scientist is preparing to chase the April 8 total solar eclipse from the ground and the sky with help from two NASA jets and hundreds of volunteers across the country.

Amir Caspi, an astrophysicist at SwRIs office in Boulder, Colo., is leading two projects that will look at the suns corona, solar winds and wavelengths of sunlight normally veiled by the suns brightness. The studies, titled Chasing the Eclipse II and Citizen CATE 2024, will apply different approaches to learn more about the sun.

Total eclipses  where the moon completely blocks the suns disc, which is a million times brighter than its corona  offer rare opportunities to learn about the sun, Caspi said. They provide one of the only times that you can see stuff this close to the solar surface with this kind of quality, he said, because its like looking at the sun at night.

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The moon helps scientists, he said, by covering exactly as much of the sun as we need to cover and does so from far away so that it casts a very sharp shadow.

Its also outside the Earths atmosphere, he said, and what that means is that we get almost nighttime sky.

Chasing the eclipse

During the eclipse, two NASA WB-57 jets from Ellington Field outside Houston will follow the moons shadow as it moves across the globe as part of the Chasing the Eclipse II study.

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It will be the second total eclipse chase for the WB-57s, which followed an eclipse that passed over Australia in 2017.

This time, theyll carry research equipment for SwRI, the University of Hawaii and Virginia Tech. In addition to leading the SwRI study, Caspi is the mission scientist coordinating between NASA and the other institutions. He expects to be stationed in a mobile command center in Dallas along the eclipses path.

The SwRI study employs a newly developed camera system known as SAMI, or SCIFLI Airborne Multispectral Imager, that can capture medium-wave, short-wave, near infrared and visible wavelengths.

Caspi hopes the data will reveal secrets about the suns prominences  eruptions of hot gases from the suns surface that are many times larger than Earth and change over time. Prominences are only like 10,000 to 30,000 degrees Kelvin, while other parts of the surface such as the atmosphere above a sunspot are millions of degrees Kelvin, he said, adding that they are glowing roughly equally in this midwave infrared band.

So theres completely different physics thats happening to make them glow in the infrared. Caspi said. We want to understand what are the exact physical processes.

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He said that while scientists understand the physics, they lack a clear picture of what the exact emission mechanisms are for each of these specific things.

Amateur astronomers

As the WB-57s chase the eclipse thousands of feet above the ground, hundreds of amateur astronomers will track the phenomenon using identical telescopes along the eclipse path as it passes from Texas through Maine.

The Citizen Continental America Telescopic Eclipse 2024 experiment  funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation  involves a couple hundred volunteers operating about 40 telescopes and polarized camera positioned along the eclipses path.

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The teams of amateur scientists include high school and college students, community members and retirees. Beginning in Eagle Pass, theyll be spaced roughly 60 to 80 miles apart all the way to Houlton, Maine.

Theyll hand off the shadow, like a bucket brigade, to the next team, Caspi said. Well be able to put all of their data together to get an hour of video of the eclipse.

Caspis team is training all the groups to operate each $8,000 setup that each community will keep after the eclipse. The equipment will go to schools, libraries, museums, planetariums or other public-facing institutions to foster future science.

Eclipses in principle are a transformative experience, but were also hoping that by being able to engage with the eclipse in this new way, doing professional-level science and learning about the sun, its not just a cosmic phenomenon now. Its also what theyre learning about how the sun works and how stars work and how the moon orbits the Earth, Caspi said. All of that kind of stuff, hopefully, will spark a love for science.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued The Lucky Duck bar at 810 N. Alamo St. for allegedly prohibiting police officers from carrying a weapon in the establishment. Patrick Danner/Staff photo Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued The Lucky Duck bar at 810 N. Alamo St. for allegedly prohibiting police officers from carrying a weapon in the establishment. Patrick Danner/Staff photo Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Friday , Feb. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has set his sights on a San Antonio bar he says violated state law by prohibiting police officers from carrying a weapon into the establishment.

Paxton this week sued Le Bajec Le LLC, which does business as The Lucky Duck at 810 N. Alamo St., asking a court to impose penalties and issue a ruling that prevents it from continuing to break the law.

The River North-area bar has shown a continued disregard for state law, which is prejudicial to the states interest in protecting the public from criminal activity and harm, the suit says.

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Lucky Duck principal Michael Bajec denied the allegations.

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Unfortunately, we cannot comment because we have not been served or made aware of this lawsuit, other than to say we have never denied a peace officer due to them carrying gun, he said Friday in an email.

Since at least 2022  the year Lucky Duck opened  until now, Paxton alleges it has restricted entry to off duty peace officers who are authorized to carry a weapon.

The first time it happened was July 10, 2022, when San Antonio police officer Joel Zulaica was barred from carrying his weapon into the establishment, the suit alleges. Zulaica went so far as to show bar staff the section of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure that says establishments serving the public may not prohibit a peace officer or special investigator from carrying an authorized weapon on the premises.

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That prompted Paxtons office to write Bajec to secure a commitment to comply with the law.

In an emailed reply about a year ago, the suit says, Lucky Duck said its staff is aware of the rules regarding this issue, and we have reaffirmed that training since receiving this letter. We have always and will always comply with these rules.

Despite the assurance, Paxton alleges Lucky Duck denied entry to Jourdanton police Chief Eric Kaiser for carrying his authorized weapon into the bar on New Years Eve. Kaiser also was told he had forfeited the $300 prepaid reservation for himself, his wife and another couple, the lawsuit alleges.

Paxton filed the suit Wednesday in state District Court in San Antonio.
A pilot p rogram launched in 2023 in the Canadian province of British Columbia decriminalized the possession of small amounts of certain drugs for a period of three years. But social media posts claiming methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin can be legally sold to consumers in Vancouver -- showing an image of neatly packaged products as evidence -- are false.

"You can literally go to the store in Canada and legally buy these," claims a February 17, 2024 post on X, formerly Twitter, by Wall Street Silver -- an account AFP has previously fact-checked for misinformation -- sharing a photo of three white boxes neatly labeled as meth, cocaine and heroin.

Other posts on Facebook, Instagram and X -- some in Spanish, Turkish and Slovenian -- spread with the same image and the claim that the drugs were legally sold in Vancouver and could be bought in Canadian stores.

Screenshot of an X post, taken Ferbuary 22, 2024

False claims have spread in the past that British Columbia had legalized some drugs, but the province's Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (MMHA) confirmed to AFP in a February 21 email that this is still not the case.

In January 2023, the province received an exemption from the federal government to launch a three-year pilot program of decriminalization which allows the possession of 2.5 grams or less of illegal opioids, cocaine, meth and MDMA without criminal penalties (archived here).

"But decriminalization is not legalization. Trafficking of illegal substances remains illegal under the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act," the MMHA said in its email (archived here).

Possession of quantities over the 2.5 gram limit is illegal and cannabis remains the only previously controlled substance now legally sold to the public (archived here).

While there have been reports of a store opening to sell drugs, this was deemed illegal. Companies granted federal licenses to sell cocaine may provide it only for research and narrowly prescribed medical uses and are not permitted to commercialize it on the open market.

Screenshot of an Instagram post, taken February 22, 2024

Origin of the photo

Reverse image searches indicate the photo appeared online as early as July 2021 in posts discussing the Drug User Liberation Front (DULF), a nonprofit advocacy group seeking to reduce overdoses (archived here) by distributing drugs tested for purity.

The initials DULF match the logo seen on the boxes in the photo and pictures on the organization's website.

The MMHA said that DULF had a funding agreement with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (archived here) to check drugs and provide harm reduction services, but this contract was terminated when the organization was accused of engaging in illegal activity.

AFP reached out to DULF which declined to comment. But documents on its website describe how the organization's "compassion club" would distribute tested street drugs to a small group of people (archived here).

Another publication shared by members of the group described the project as "unsanctioned" (archived here).

According to reports, DULF's offices were raided and its co-founders were arrested in 2023, but they have not been charged as of February 23, 2024.

Screenshot of a Facebook post, taken February 22, 2024

Thomas Kerr, the head of the Division of Social Medicine at the University of British Columbia, said that the provisions of a "safer supply," combined with decriminalization in the province still did not mean the sale of drugs is permitted.

"You can't go into a store and buy drugs in British Columbia, that's just ridiculous," he said.

Opioid crisis mitigation attempts

Overdose levels in Canada have been called a "crisis," with 19.3 out of 100,000 deaths in the country attributed to apparent opioid toxicity in 2022, according to Statistics Canada (archived here). In that year, rates of mortality from apparent opioid toxicity were highest in British Columbia, where it accounted for 45.2 deaths per 100,000 (archived here).

Both the MMHA and Kerr said the purpose of the drug decriminalization program in the province was to reduce stigma around drug use by recognizing addiction as a health issue and not a criminal one.

"It's to try and avoid arresting and incarcerating people who are really struggling with addiction and keeping them out of the criminal justice system," Kerr said.

Critics of the policy have said that allowing easier access to drugs has not reduced deaths from overdoses and has increased the level of public drug use.

"There's a lot of questions about this policy -- I think people just assume it's going to be beneficial," Kerr said. "But I think a lot of experts in the field are questioning that and are eagerly watching to see what happens."

Separately from decriminalization, Kerr said the provincial health system is also moving forward with medical-grade opioid prescriptions for users to reduce the level of risk associated with acquiring and taking the drugs (archived here and here).

Read more of AFP's reporting on misinformation in Canada here.
Doctors in West Africa have warned that the mosquito-borne virus-- often associated with rashes, vomiting and internal bleeding -- can also cause spontaneous erections which can persist for hours.

Call it viral-agra.

As if having Dengue fever wasnt already hard enough, doctors in West Africa are reporting that the mosquito-borne virus  often associated with rashes, vomiting and internal bleeding  could also be causing spontaneous erections that can persist for hours.

The theory is based on the story of a 17-year-old dengue patient in Burkina Faso who exhibited the embarrassing side effect, per a study published in Urology Case Reports.

According to the study, the teen had been hospitalized with kidney damage and acute ischemia  the suppression of blood flow to a certain area  stemming from his condition.

Dengue fever is a mosquito borne disease that can cause symptoms ranging from fever to internal bleeding. Getty Images

Doctors observed that he had a soft erection which had developed spontaneously sans any sexual stimulation  lasting for a whopping 18 hours.

The case marked the first time this association had been documented in literature.

The pros-in-the-know attributed the symptom  known as arterial priapism  to the virus. infecting blood vessels in the penis. This caused plasma to leak into the organ, making his manhood appear larger when flaccid.

Thankfully, doctors were able to treat the patients condition with an ice pack, causing the blood vessels to constrict, which reduced the member back to its normal size within 48 hours.

The initial viral infection, meanwhile, was remedied with antiviral medications. At followup appointments three and six months later, doctors observed that the teen was healthy and able to achieve normal erections sans any issues.

A patient is transferred to a hospital after receiving medical care at an improvised military aid station set up to treat suspected cases of dengue fever in the administrative region of Ceilandia, on the outskirts of Brasilia, Brazil on February 6, 2024. AFP via Getty Images

While this symptom might seem like a one-off, experts believe that dengue can indeed prompt priapism.

Viruses have been linked with priapism in the past including Covid, mumps and even rabies, Dr Richard Murphy, who advised Doctors Without Borders in Africa for seven years, told the Daily Mail. So, it is possible that other viruses are associated with it.

In 2021, a US COVID-19 patient experienced a three-hour erection, which doctors believed was caused by a coronavirus-induced blood clot in his penis.

In the grand scheme of things, spontaneous erections shrink in comparison to other Dengue fever complications, which range from internal hemorrhaging to organ failure and death.

According to a World Health Organization report from 2023, Dengue rates are skyrocketing worldwide with reported cases since 2000 up eight-fold to 4.2 million in 2022.

And the scourge isnt limited to other countries. Dengue has reared its head in the US with cases reported everywhere from Texas to California and Hawaii.

This past summer, Florida officials issued a health alert following a rise in cases of the disease  which infected at least 11 people across the Panhandle last year.
A piece of technology created by the University of Floridas Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering will fly to space with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The endeavor adopted by the European Space Agency (ESA), called the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, will serve as a gravitational wave observatory to detect waves low at frequencies, much lower than ground-based telescopes can. Students ranging from undergrads to postdocs, as well as faculty with UFs Precision Space Systems Laboratory (PSSL) will develop Charge Management Devices (CMD) for the mission.

The CMDs are controlled by the spacecrafts computers and emits ultraviolet (UV) light with precise timing and intensities. A news release said this UV light is channeled through multi-core optical fiber cables that are custom designed to release photoelectrons from LISAs test masses, which are golden cubes freely floating inside the spacecraft without any physical contact. The cubes, which act as gravity sensors, also act as end mirrors for laser beams that are necessary to detect gravitational waves.

An infographic detailing how the LISA mission will measure using laser beams and free-floating cubes

Keeping the gravity sensors at a neutral electric charge is essential to minimize forces that could disrupt the detection of gravitational waves. LISA must operate in an environment free of any outside forces  less than one-quadrillionth of Earths gravitational pull, a news release said. This level of sensitivity could be compared to detecting the minute weight of a single large virus or small bacterium, it said.

The CMDs will prevent electric charge build-up on test masses, therefore preventing the creation of noise which would disrupt the observation of gravitational waves.

The release also says the university is the only academic institution in the country to be awarded a contract to develop hardware that will fly on the LISA mission.

ESA's adoption of LISA paves the way for a deeper understanding of our universe, said Peter Wass, Ph.D., program manager at the PSSL, in a press release. At the University of Florida, we're deeply proud of our role in this groundbreaking mission."

The mission will consist of three spacecraft orbiting the sun, each separated by 1.5 million miles, which relay laser beams back and forth between different spacecraft. These signals will then combine to search for gravitational wave signatures that are produced from distortions of space-time.

UF was awarded a 5-year, $12.5 million contract by NASA to develop the prototype. Simon Barke, assistant research scientist at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, said a follow up contract to move beyond prototypes to develop and build the actual CMD hardware for the 2035 launch would probably be more costly.

Initial stages: UF awarded NASA grant for space exploration technology

Barke came to UF over eight years ago as a postdoctoral researcher to work on a project unrelated to the mission. Before this, he worked for the LISA mission in his home country of Germany and, after a couple years at UF, switched departments from Physics to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, working again with the LISA mission, this time in the United States.

A UF news release in 2020 announced the cost-no-fee contract and its term, which runs from Jan. 1, 2021 through July 31, 2025. Under the contract, UF will design, fabricate, integrate, test, verify and deliver the breadboard (board for prototyping circuits), Fiber Optic Harness, Engineering Development Unit and Engineering Test Unit CMD.

About the device

Each CMD uses 12 UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a news release said, and six CMDs are needed across three spacecraft. These devices must be reliable and operate for the duration of the LISA mission  possibly five to 10 years in space  as well as meet strict standards for weight and power.

A picture of a Charge Management Device prototype. Each of the three LISA spacecrafts will be equipped with two devices similar to the one in the photo.

Another UF department is also contributing to the mission. The Department of Physics will develop telescopes that will beam the laser between the three LISA spacecraft. This team must ensure the telescope's dimensional stability against temperature fluctuations to a picometer (equal to one trillionth of a meter) scale, a news release said.

That's the accuracy we are aiming for and only then we will be able to detect gravitational waves, said Barke in an interview with The Sun. Gravitational waves are all around us. They pass through earth, they pass through you and me all the time; but because they're so tiny, we don't notice it. If we would be able to measure them, then we can learn a lot about the astrophysical sources creating them We can find out what source created them, where that source is, and then we can point our optical telescopes in this direction and take pictures of black holes or other massive objects out there.

There are a lot of challenges to measuring distances that precisely, he said, one being that the spacecraft themselves are not positionally stable enough. To fix this, free-floating golden cubes called test masses are used, which are inside but unattached to the spacecraft.

This is where the CMD comes in: To keep the cubes from becoming positively or negatively charged by using a photoelectric effect to shine precise, controlled UV light onto the surfaces of the test masses. This will eject electrons from the test masses and bounce them back to the spacecraft. Similarly, the CMD can be used to take electrons from the spacecraft and deposit them on the test masses, then measure the charge again  without touching it  to make sure the test masses are always neutral.

The mission serves to revolutionize researchers understanding of the universe, enhancing scientific knowledge beyond what can be obtained through electromagnetic waves, a press release said. The technology developed to detect gravitational waves has other benefits, too: it can also help combat climate change by tracking mass change of continents and countries due to climate change and water shortages, Barke said.

LISA is set to launch in the mid-2030s and aims to advance the understanding of the universe, such as the origin and evolution of supermassive black holes, which Barke said cannot be observed directly by conventional telescopes.

Since it's so heavy, it would be extremely loud in terms of gravitational waves, he said. So we could hear the hum of black holes colliding all over space We can detect invisible objects, objects invisible to our other telescopes, and that's extremely fascinating.

The hardware will be delivered to NASA, who will then deliver it to the European Space Agency (ESA) to be integrated into the spacecraft.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: University of Florida College of Engineering creates hardware for NASA
On June 2, 1863, not long after midnight, 300 recently escaped slaves, all armed and with at least one woman among them, invaded a stretch of rice plantations along the Combahee River in South Carolina. When the armed Black rebels arrived, the slaveholders fled, but their enslaved workers refused to follow them. Instead, at least 727 of them followed the rebels to nearby boats, which ushered them to a military camp, declared them free, and armed those able to fight. Meanwhile, as dawn approached, the retreating Black rebels set fire to the abandoned slave labor camps, depriving the slaveholders army of a vital source of food, and delivering a major victory in the Black rebels larger war on slavery.

Given the scale of the invasion and the number of Black people emancipated, this attack, known as the Combahee River Raid, could plausibly be considered the largest slave rebellion in American history. It might even be called the largest slave rebellion in what was the largest slave revolution in modern world history. Not even the Haitian Revolutionthe first successful slave-led war to overthrow slaveryliberated as many Black people as the one in which the Combahee River Raid was only a part.

Accounts of the Combahee invasion have, somehow, been incapable of imagining it as a slave rebellion, much less part of a larger slave revolution. Yet the American slave revolution, which we have come to call the Civil War, shares all the hallmarks of the Haitian Revolution, on an even grander scale. Just as in Haiti, Americas slave revolution came amid a larger white mans war, which slaves transformed to include their own revolutionary agenda: immediate emancipation and full Black citizenship. Just as in Haiti, Americas enslaved Black revolutionaries allied with white military forces to achieve their goal of emancipation. Americas Black radicals even convinced liberal white reformers, the core of the Republican Party, to become momentary revolutionaries themselves: As the Jacobins did in France, the Republicans in America formalized the freedom that slaves won for themselves, in places like Combahee, by enshrining emancipation in the United States Constitution.

In some ways, Americas slave revolution was even more radical than Haitis. Americas Black revolutionaries did not force most of the white people to leave, nor did they create an exclusively Black republic. Instead, they persuaded their leaders, in large part on account of their wartime activities, to enshrine the more revolutionary principle of universal citizenship, regardless of class or race. Nor, as Haitians and most other emancipated peoples were forced to do, did Americas Black rebels compensate their former enslavers for their lost human property. To be sure, Black radicals hardly got everything they demanded. There would be no land given to them, to say nothing of reparations. Nor would they receive protection against the vicious white backlash that followed in their revolutions wake. But perhaps most troubling is that, even today, few people see the war waged by enslaved Black Americans as a veritable revolution. How did we miss it?





Even today, few people see the war waged by enslaved Black Americans as a veritable revolution. How did we miss it?

It is the task of Edda L. Fields-Blacks remarkable new history, Combee, to recover part of this ignored slave revolution. Her focus is not on the entire war, only its most significant battle: the Combahee River Raid. Though hardly unknown to historians (and perhaps best remembered for the Black feminist collective that took its name as inspiration), the raid is one of the least studied battles in what we call the Civil War, and it features as only a bit chapter in the revolutionary life of one of its main participants, Harriet Tubman. Fields-Black, an accomplished historian of West Africa and the slave South, as well as a descendant of one of the Combahee slave rebels, has set out to restore this battle to its proper place in the life of Harriet Tubman and the larger war on slavery, calling it the largest and most successful slave rebellion in US history.

To tell this story, Fields-Black relies on an underutilized archive. The pension files of former Union soldiers, housed at the National Archives, contain, Fields-Black tell us, thousands of pages of testimony from the dependents of Black Civil War veterans, of which there were 186,000, 75 percent of whom were formerly enslaved. Because dependents had to collect a massive amount of evidence from formerly enslaved friends, neighbors, and surviving veterans to receive a pension, these files offer a trove of largely untapped information about enslaved people in their own words. At a time when many scholars of slavery argue that traditional sources only perpetuate the violence of slavery, Fields-Black reminds historians how much is left to discover: she did not want to write another book about what we dont and cant know about enslaved people, because of the gaps, silences, and violence of the archival record. Instead, she rolled up her sleeves, dove into the archive, and has now produced what is undoubtedly the most authoritative account of this unheralded slave revolt.

Fields-Black begins this story with what occurred on the Combahee rice plantations in the years leading up to the raid. Many of the slaves who would flee to the invading Black army had recently watched their enslavers sell away their family members. As Fields-Black notes, the recent or imminent sale of family members was often the catalyst that drove slaves to escape throughout the antebellum period. In this, the Combahee River freedom seekers, as Fields-Black calls escaping slaves, shared much with Tubman. On September 17, 1849, shortly after her enslaver sold her niece, Tubman and her two brothers decided to escape their Maryland plantation. Her brothers got cold feet, leaving Tubman to escape on her own. But it was an agonizing choice: By fleeing on her own, she left behind her husband, parents, siblings, and the familiar Black community in which she was raised.

Fields-Black argues that what made Tubman so exceptionaland what made the Black rebels that invaded the Combahee River plantations so exceptionalwas their decision to return to the site of slavery to liberate other enslaved people. Very few Black people who escaped slavery before the warnot Frederick Douglass, not Sojourner Truth, hardly any of the famed Black abolitionists who were once enslavedrisked returning to the slave South to emancipate other Black people. Tubman, most famously, had taken this risk nine times before the Combahee River Raid, as a prominent agent of the Underground Railroad. Indeed, she is best remembered not for her military service but for liberating 70 enslaved people, many of them family members, before the war. Yet her work on the Underground Railroad was only the start of her revolutionary activities, Fields-Black writes.

What was equally remarkable was that Tubman did not know any of the enslaved people she helped emancipate on the Combahee River Raid. One of Combees many strengths is to show the vastness and diversity of the antebellum Souths enslaved Black communities. Tubman, Fields-Black reminds us, was born in Maryland on American soil, as were her parents, both of whom were relatively privileged, if no less brutalized. Her mother was a house slave and cook, her father an enslaved inspector and foreman. Indeed, though Tubman insisted on working in the fields alongside common enslaved laborers, she was initially raised to be a house slave, just like her mother.

Tubman is best remembered for liberating 70 enslaved people before the war. Yet her work on the Underground Railroad was only the start of her revolutionary activities.

By contrast, most of the armed Black rebels and freedom seekers from South Carolinas Lowcountry were forced to do more field labor and had a more African-influenced culture. Rice, the main crop along the Combahee River, was extremely labor-intensive and required a large enslaved workforce. Due to the number of laborers required, enslaved rice laborers tended to live in dense camps far from white settlements, unlike slaves in Maryland, many of whom lived on small plantations and had greater interaction with whites. Because rice was cultivated in malaria-infested swamps, rice plantations also had a high death rate. This in turn meant that rice enslavers were constantly purchasing new slaves from Africa to replenish their workforce, up to and even after the United States banned the transatlantic slave trade in 1807. On the eve of the war, many Lowcountry Black people had either a parent from Africa, or lived among aging African-born slaves. Lowcountry slaves thus had a distinct language, practiced a strongly African-influenced religion, and, as with many West African cultures, named their children after the day they were born. Tubman later remembered that when she first met the armed Black rebels and freedom seekers of South Carolina, Dey laughed when dey heard me talk. An I could not understand dem, no how.

In highlighting the differences between Tubman and Black people in the Lowcountry, Fields-Black implicitly asks readers to question any assumption they might have about Black people naturally coming to each others rescue. Before the war, nearly all the Black people Tubman liberated were either family members or people she knew from her tight-knit Maryland community. So what changed? Why did Tubman go beyond the rescue of familiars and into the rescue of strangers?

Not content to assume an innate racial solidarity, Fields-Black argues that Tubmans friendship with John Brown may have inspired her, at least in part. Tubman met Brown, the militant white abolitionist, in April 1858, when Brown came to Ontario to recruit Black freedom seekers to join his interracial abolitionist militia. Tubman recruited several Black men to his militia, although, lacking funds, they were unable to travel to his training camp. Nonetheless, after Brown was executed for his failed attack on Harpers Ferry one year later, Tubman developed a newfound willingness to die for Black people she did not knowjust like John Brown. When I think about how he gave up his life for our people, and how he never flinched, Tubman said after Brown was executed, its clear to me it wasnt mortal man, it was God in him.





Before Tubman arrived in South Carolina, the Union army had already occupied Port Royal, on South Carolinas southeastern coast. Though Lincoln had not yet announced the Emancipation Proclamation, thousands of Black freedom seekers had been escaping to Union camps around the country for over a year. In doing so, they forced immediate emancipation, and armed Black warfare, onto Lincolns agenda, something he judiciously avoided in the wars early years. But in Port Royal, the Unions white occupying leaders made an egregious error. Rather than treat Lowcountry freedom seekers as equals, they pressured them to work as low-paid wage laborers on abandoned cotton plantations run by white Northerners. They hoped to prove to the outside world that Black people were not lazy and would gladly work for white landowners, if only paid a wage.

Of course, most Black people resented being forced to work for what they derisively called Yankee BuckraNorthern whiteswho they felt were treating them no different from Southern Buckra. Worse, several of the Northern white men hired to run the confiscated cotton plantations began to whip Black workers who resisted their exploitation. Meanwhile, the Union army began to conscript, against their will, freedom seekers who escaped to Union lines. Increasingly, Black freedom seekers felt they were being forced to fight in a white mans war, rather than for their own liberation.

Enter Harriet Tubman. In early 1862, Massachusettss abolitionist governor recruited Tubman to help recruit Lowcountry freedom seekers to the Union army. Because Black people in the Lowcountry increasingly distrusted the Union forces, the governor felt Tubman, already famous for her Underground Railroad exploits, could help.

Though it took Tubman time to win their trust, she had a talent for forming bonds of solidarity with regular Black folk. Fields-Black illustrates this beautifully with the contrast she paints between Tubman and Charlotte Forten, a free-born Black abolitionist from Philadelphia. Forten experienced no shortage of racism, but she was light-skinned, highly educated, and born to one of the wealthiest Black families in America. What she lacked was Tubmans common touch. Unlike Tubman, who elected to live in modest housing in South Carolina, Forten chose to live in an abandoned enslavers mansion. Forten found Black Southerners ring shoutan African-influenced dance practiced during worshipbarbaric, as she wrote in The Atlantic, destined to pass away under the influence of Christian teachings. By contrast, Tubman jumped in and joined them.

In addition to Tubmans ability to win Black southerners trust, Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, galvanized the Black recruitment effort. The proclamation made official what had only been decreed locally, ambiguously, and often inconsistently by individual Union officers in the field. Because Lincolns proclamation, in practice, only emancipated people in Confederate territory controlled by the Union armywhich was not muchits greater significance was that it allowed Black men to enlist in the U.S. military. Rather suddenly, the white mans war converged with enslaved Black revolutionaries interests: the armed overthrow of slavery.

Beyond collecting intelligence for the raid, Tubman was also responsible for recruiting Black freedom seekers into a newly formed Black unit that would lead the invasion.

Over the next six months, Tubman recruited a ring of Black freedom seekers in the region to collect intelligence for what would become the Combahee River Raid. The invasions goal was simple: Deprive the nearby Confederate army of food by destroying the regions rice plantations, and free and arm as many enslaved people as possible. Beyond collecting intelligence for the raid, Tubman was also responsible for recruiting Black freedom seekers into a newly formed Black unit that would lead the invasion: the Second South Carolina Volunteers. One of those enlistees was Fields-Blacks ancestor, Hector Fields. Together with Tubman, the units white abolitionist commander, James Montgomery, and a separate all-white unit from Rhode Island, Hector Fields and the armed Black rebels of the Second South Carolina Volunteers would foment one of the most brazen slave uprisings in U.S. history.

The first company of the Black rebel unit invaded the Tar Bluff slave labor camp in the darkest hours of the June 2 morning. Union gunboats dropped off several more Black companies on nearby rice plantations in the following hours. When plantation owners woke to the sound of armed Black rebels invading their property, at least one understood what was happening: a repetition of San DomingoHaitihe later recalled. The rebels torched mansions, barns, warehouses, and flooded rice fields. Though most slaveholders escaped, they failed to convince their enslaved workers to follow them. Instead, they followed Tubman and the other Black soldiers to the Union boats that carried them to freedom. Hagar Mack, no older than five when the Black rebels liberated her slave labor camp, remembered the day vividly. A barn, ten thousand bushels [of] rough rice, all in a blaze. She went on: Didnt care notin at all, I was gwine to the boat.

The Combahee River Raid, however, is not an entirely triumphant story. Not all freedom seekers who escaped made it in time, and others were turned back when the Union boats became overcrowded. In the final chapters of Combee, Fields-Black details the many other travails faced by the Black unit, and those liberated by them, after the invasion. The Black rebels only shot one white enslaver, after he fired on them, but the scorched-earth policyconceived and approved by the units white commanderplayed into the racist imaginations of many white people, in the North and South. Many whites believed that arming slaves would only lead to a vicious anti-white race war, and all they needed were a few burnt rice plantations to prove it. Worse, after the war, only 42 percent of Black veterans dependents who applied for a pension received one. Even Tubman had to apply three times, and wait 30 years, before Congress approved herswhich, Fields-Black writes, amounted to crumbs.

But in its most fundamental sense, the Combahee River Raid was an astonishing victory. Nearly 300 recently emancipated Black rebels had liberated, in six hours, more than 700 enslaved people. Roughly 150 of those emancipated at Combahee would themselves join the ranks of the quickly growing all-Black revolutionary brigades. In the next two years, tens of thousands of Black American revolutionaries would go on to liberate even more slave labor camps throughout the South. Allying with a Northern white military, they ultimately destroyed the largest slaveholding empire in the nineteenth-century worldthe United Statesemancipating four million enslaved Black Americans. Their revolution also precipitated the downfall of the Western hemispheres last two remaining slave societies, Cuba and Brazil. It was no small accomplishment.





If there is a flaw in Combee, it is that Fields-Black does not spell out this larger significance. She makes the right provocation, defining the Combahee River Raid as the largest slave rebellion in US history. But without a deeper justification for that claim, other than the number of Black people liberated, readers may not grasp the importance of what she is saying. Fields-Black is not the first to conceive of Black-led invasions like the one at Combahee as slave rebellions. Perhaps the first to do so was W.E.B. DuBois, who, in the 1930s, called the Civil Wars collective slave escapes, work stoppages, and Black military service the largest and most successful slave revolt in American history. More recently, the historian Steven Hahn made the strongest case, calling all the actions of enslaved Black Southerners during the Civil War one massive slave rebellion.

Fields-Black implicitly picks up on this lead, but she suggests that the reason the Combahee River Raid is not remembered properly is because so many of its participants, including Harriet Tubman, were illiterate. They did not, in other words, leave enough of a paper trail. While undoubtedly a factor, illiteracy is only a part of it. As Hahn argued, the more fundamental reason most historians do not consider the Combahee River Raid, and many more Black Civil War actions like it, a slave rebellion is because they fail to see enslaved Black people as legitimate political actors. At most, their actions can influence or shape the broader contours of the Civil War, but they do not fundamentally alter how they see it.

But there is more to it than that. Many imagine that a slave rebellion must entail something like a bloody race war. That is the dominant image of slave rebellions even to this day, whether we are talking about Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey, or Toussaint Louverture. Yet the fact is that few enslaved Black rebellions, in America or elsewhere, entailed gratuitous massacres of undifferentiated racial groups (for the most part, only white people did that). That the slave rebellionsI prefer the slave revolutionthat occurred amid the Civil War, that was the Civil War, entailed even fewer instances of wanton white murder, in a strange way, disappoints: Black revolutionaries are imagined as blood-lusting primitives, not the strikingly restrained menand even womenin uniform they were.

Perhaps as troubling, many cannot conceive of an armed Black rebellion including so many white people. Indeed, often overlooked is the fact that even Haitis Black generals had allied, at various points during their revolution, with the largely white militaries of Spain, Britain, and republican France to gain their freedom. Had Napoleon not overthrown the radical Jacobin government in France, voided their emancipation decree, and tried to re-enslave Black Haitians, a post-emancipation Haiti might well have remained a free Black colony within a white French empire, rather than, by 1804, an independent Black republic.

In other words, both the racist imaginings of the savage African, and the racial-essentialist imaginings of Black self-liberation, prevent us from seeing the radical nature of these slave-led revolutions. Whether it was the Black revolution in Haiti, or the Black revolution in Civil War America, enslaved Black people fought alongside whites not because these white people were antiracistnot many werebut because the two factions came to share overlapping interests. Especially in the United States, where Black people were always a decisive minority, Black revolutionaries had no other option: They went to war with the army they had, as it were, not the one they wanted.

The tragedy is that few have been able to see not only the immense achievement of these enslaved Black American revolutionaries: Few even can imagine they existed. Perhaps Combee will start to bring their stories into view.
HAWLEY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Hawley residents were surprised Wednesday morning to find their mailboxes battered and bruised from the night before.

Long-time homeowner Linda Rutledge said she had not seen anything like this before.

Ive lived out here for 40 years, and this has never happened. We dont know if he was drunk, if he was on drugs, or both, or whatever. Im not saying either way, but how do you do this much damage sober, Rutledge said.

Hawley woman arrested in relation to fatal north Abilene crash

The mailboxes were randomly hit, and Hawley resident Margie Hargis was one of the lucky ones whose mailbox was spared from being damaged.

My actual mailbox, he missed it. He was hitting in between. I think he would get up on the road and drive a minute, and he ran off and would take out a bunch of them, Hargis told KTAB/KRBC.

Since FM 1226 is state-owned, The Texas Department of Transportation is offering to repair the mailbox support poles.

Alaisha Montanez, TxDOT Abilene Public Information Officer, said it is for the safety of the residents and drivers.

If there was a crash that involved someone hitting a mailbox or running over it, etc., then it needs to be up to state standard so that it doesnt do any further damage in the crash, Montanez said.

Report: Suspects steal donations from mailboxes at multiple Abilene churches

The residents are responsible for providing the new mailbox; TxDOT will set it up. However, some say that is not fair.

I just feel like his insurance should pay for everyones mailboxes because theres probably 30 or 40 mailboxes that got damaged, Hargis said.

Damaging a mailbox is a federal offense with consequences ranging from community service to jail time and financial responsibilities.

The Jones County Sheriffs Department has not given an official statement on the ongoing investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
[Source]

Scalp treatments or head spas, deeply rooted in Asian wellness culture for centuries, have become increasingly popular in the U.S. since around 2020, after a TikTok video of the experience went viral last year.

What are head spas?: The Chinese and Japanese-inspired treatments are popular in countries across Asia, such as Japan, India and China, where masseuses perform several relaxing treatments on their clients heads after doing a scalp analysis. These services typically include getting ones scalp steamed, massaged and lathered with nourishing shampoos and conditioners. The spa treatment aims to promote blood circulation, detoxify and prevent issues like dandruff and hair loss.



The viral L.A. head spa: Cai Xiang Ge, which opened in the middle of 2021, helped the #headspa trend in Los Angeles gain momentum when an influencer visited and documented her experience for TikTok. The relaxing video, uploaded in August 2023, has since garnered over 12.3 million views and more than a million likes, with many viewers expressing their desire to visit a head spa as well.

Trending on NextShark: 240-million-year-old 'Chinese dragon' fossil discovered in southern China

Cai Xiang Ge owner Ning Chen told the Los Angeles Times her previous clientele was predominantly 70% Asian and 30% non-Asian, but by summer 2023, this ratio reversed, a shift she attributes to the influence of social media promotion. Chinese scalp treatment videos on social platforms are also particularly popular among ASMR enthusiasts, who seek tingling and relaxing sensations from specific sounds.

Emerging trend: Due to the trend, numerous head spas have been emerging in major U.S. cities, including Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles, particularly in Asian community hubs. These salons cater to both one-time visitors and regular members who come weekly or biweekly for relaxation and scalp maintenance.

The U.S. market has also seen a surge in scalp-care products and services, with cosmetic company Aveda's ayurveda-inspired scalp treatment line contributing to the trend since 2017. The widespread popularity of this treatment aligns with the overall profitability of the wellness industry, estimated to generate $5.6 trillion in total revenue in 2022, according to Bloomberg.

Trending on NextShark: 70-year-old grandfather from China amazes with his physique and fitness routine

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Palestinians examine the damage to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) buildings on their way back to their homes in the wake of the Israeli army withdrew from North of Gaza City. Omar Ishaq/dpa

The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Thursday said that the agency has "reached breaking point."

"The Agency has reached breaking point, with Israel's repeated calls to dismantle UNRWA and the freezing of funding by donors at a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza," UNRWA director Philippe Lazzarini said in a letter to President of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis.

Lazzarini said the agency's ability to fulfil its mandate "is now seriously threatened."

Israel has accused a dozen UNRWA employees of being involved in the terrorist acts committed by Hamas on October 7.

The reports have led a number of Western countries to suspend funding to UNRWA, including major donors the United States and Germany.

Lazzarini said that the suspension of 16 donor countries' contributions to the agency, totalling $450 million, would lead to UNRWA operations across the region to be "severely compromised from March."

"I fear we are on the edge of a monumental disaster with grave implications for regional peace, security, and human rights," Lazzarini continued.

"Calls today by the Government of Israel for UNRWAs closure are not about the Agencys neutrality," Lazzarini argued. "Instead, they are about changing the long-standing political parameters for peace in the occupied Palestinian territory set by the General Assembly and the Security Council. They seek to eliminate UNRWAs role in protecting the rights of Palestine Refugees and acting as a witness to their continuing plight."

Set up in 1949, UNRWA provides relief to Palestinian refugees, operating educational and medical facilities. More than 30,000 people work for the organization, some 13,000 of them in the Gaza Strip alone.

The agency is seen as irreplaceable in the area, where it provides aid to more than 2 million civilians currently suffering the effects of the Gaza War.
Pictured is instructional assistant Alfred Jimenez, who died Monday. Courtesy of Northside ISD

The death of a Brandeis High School instructional assistant who succumbed to his injuries Monday has been ruled a homicide.

Alfred Mr. Fred Joseph Jimenez, 73, died Saturday as a result of blunt force head injuries, the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office ruled.

On Feb. 7, Jimenez was redirecting a student when he fell, according to Barry Perez, Northside Independent School District spokesman. He was hospitalized until he died.

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On Thursday, Perez said San Antonio police have taken over the investigation into Jimenezs death.

Jimenez had worked in the Applied Learning Environment classroom since September 2014. The Northside American Federation of Teachers said Jimenez was dedicated to helping his students, each of whom has moderate to severe cognitive disabilities.

With the revelation of the examiners ruling, the Northside AFT broke their silent mourning of the beloved instructor and blamed the circumstances surrounding his death on Gov. Greg Abbott and other state lawmakers.

My heart aches for Mr. Freds family, friends, students and colleagues, of which I myself was one, said Northside AFT President Melina Espiritu-Azocar.

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Jimenezs situation, the union said, is a worry that nags at educators in Northside ISD and across the state daily.

The union said that redirecting a student is a best practice every special education paraprofessional and educator is instructed to do.

My heart is broken more with every phone call in recent days, as educator after educator has told me something similar, That could have been me, " Espiritu-Azocar said. The fault for this senseless tragedy does not lie with Fred, who did exactly what he was supposed to do, or with the student, whose needs have not been met. The villains in this story sit in the governors mansion and the state Capitol, far away from the consequences of their continual undermining and endangerment of our schools.

The union said they stand in solidarity with those affected by the tragedy and want to make one thing clear: Every educator, regardless of their role, deserves to feel safe and protected while carrying out their vital duties and every student deserves a supportive, compassionate and safe learning environment.

Neither fact, the union states, can be achieved with state funding that never increases and a climate so hostile to public education that educators cannot be retained.

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Northside AFT mourns the loss of Fred, but we hope his death will be a wake-up call for both our district and our state about the pressing need for comprehensive measures to ensure educators workplace safety, the union said in a statement.
Congressional investigators are set to interview Hunter Bidens ex-business associate, Jason Galanis, in prison on Friday to gather information on the Biden familys business dealings and any "access" to then-Vice President Joe Biden.

Staff from the House Oversight and Judiciary committees are expected to travel to an Alabama prison, where Galanis is serving a 14-year prison sentence for securities fraud.

JAMES BIDEN SAYS HIS BROTHER 'HAS NEVER HAD ANY INVOLVEMENT' OR ANY 'FINANCIAL INTEREST' IN BUSINESS VENTURES

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan in November requested an interview with Galanis through the Bureau of Prisons.

Hunter Biden, center, and his attorneys, Abbe Lowell, right, and Kevin Morris

Comer cited a Wall Street Journal report that "discusses the allegation of the access Hunter Biden could provide while his father was vice president, with Mr. Galanis writing in 2014 that Hunter will change your access forever," Comer wrote in the letter, requesting that investigators have the chance to "question Galanis about his firsthand knowledge of Hunter Bidens influence peddling."

"The committees investigation requires that we obtain this information," Comer wrote. "Accordingly, we request the Federal Bureau of Prisons make Mr. Galanis available for a transcribed interview with Committee counsel."

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Galanis formerly did business with both Hunter Biden and Devon Archer.

DEVON ARCHER: HUNTER BIDEN, BURISMA EXECS CALLED DC TO GET UKRAINIAN PROSECUTOR FIRED

Galanis pleaded guilty to securities fraud based on bonds issued by a company affiliated with a Native American tribe in South Dakota. The funds were reportedly supposed to be used for certain projects but were instead used for his personal finances. He was sentenced in 2017 to 14 years.

Devon Archer, Hunter Bidens former business partner, arrives to testify before the House Oversight Committee, July 31, 2023, on Capitol Hill.

Devon Archer was tied to the scheme and convicted in 2018 for defrauding the Native American tribal entity and various investment advisory clients of tens of millions of dollars in connection with the issuance of bonds by the tribal entity and the subsequent sale of those bonds through fraudulent and deceptive means.

Archer was sentenced to a year and a day in prison.

BIDEN MET WITH CHAIRMAN OF CHINESE ENERGY FIRM HUNTER DID BUSINESS WITH IN 2017, EX-ASSOCIATE TESTIFIES

Archer testified before the committees last year that Hunter put his father, then-Vice President Biden, on speakerphone while meeting with business partners at least 20 times, and he said Joe Biden was put on the phone to sell "the brand." Archer was on the board of the Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings along with Hunter Biden.

Galanis' expected testimony comes after James Biden testified that his brother, President Biden, "has never had any involvement or any direct or indirect financial interest" in his business ventures.

James Biden's testimony came days after his former business associate, Tony Bobulinski, testified before the committee, telling congressional investigators that Joe Biden was involved in the family's business ventures and testifying that he personally met with him.

Days before Bobulinski's testimony, another former business associate, Rob Walker, testified that Joe Biden met with the chairman of the Chinese energy firm his brother and son did business with.

After Walker's testimony, the House Oversight Committee said it was able to "now confirm Joe Biden met with nearly every foreign national who funneled money to his son."

Hunter Biden is expected to sit for his deposition on Feb. 28.

Meanwhile, the president last week called for the House impeachment inquiry to be dropped, calling it "an outrageous effort from the beginning."





Original article source: House investigators heading to prison to interview ex-Hunter Biden biz associate amid impeachment inquiry
Discrimination against Jewish people has continued to rise in recent months, sometimes in communities where it would seem almost impossible for the prejudice to exist.

Ohio is not immune to pockets of antisemitic beliefs, a pair of scholars from Israel warned during a recent meeting with Dr. Carlos Campo, president of Ashland University and Ashland Theological Seminary.

Sarah Levy and Dr. Yossi Kugler visited the AU campus from Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem.

Their trip to Ohio was designed to raise awareness on modern threats of antisemitism, offer reminders about the Holocaust and provide a greater understanding of the history of Jewish people.

Campo hopes the partnership between AU and Yad Vashem continues.

'A huge wave of antisemitism'

Jews have found themselves the target of assault many times throughout history.

The world conjured some of its most intense Jewish hate in 1967 as Israelis rallied during the Six Day War to defend their young nation against aggressions from Egypt, Syria and Jordan, which were backed in part by the Soviet Union.

Sarah Levy, left, and Dr. Yossi Kugler of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, speak about antisemitism while visiting Dr. Carlos Campo, president of Ashland University and Ashland Theological Seminary.

Contempt rose again globally in 1973 after Israel fought off a two-front attack from Egypt and Syria that came on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year  that conflict was named the Yom Kippur War.

The latest ambush was Oct. 7 when a Hamas attack left 1,200 Israelis dead and another 240 taken into Gaza as hostages.

"The massacre of Oct. 7 was accompanied by a huge wave of antisemitism that the world has not seen maybe since the Holocaust," Kugler explained.

The Jerusalem native said the past few months have made some Jewish people wonder if Zionism has failed.

"The vision of Zionism was that finally when the Jews have a land of their own, maybe antisemitism would stop," Kugler said. "This is an ongoing discussion in Israel."

'We need to stop this'

An important lesson the scholars hope Ohioans remember is that antisemitism eventually can extend to people of all religions and ethnicities.

"What starts with the Jews never finishes with the Jews," Levy said. "Usually, the Jews are the first ones."

The granddaughter of Holocaust survivors referenced the famous Rev. Martin Niemoller quote: "First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out  because I was not a socialist. ... Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out  because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me  and there was no one left to speak for me."

Israelis embrace next to photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event to commemorate the Oct. 7, massacre, near kibbutz Re'im.

People worldwide today need to speak up in support of one another.

"We've learned that the hard way," Levy said.

She and other scholars at the World Holocaust Remembrance Center still aren't sure what the October attack "means for Israel, for the Jewish people, and for humanity as a whole."

"As impossibly traumatizing as the 7th of October was for me, the 8th of October was a harder  much harder  day for me, seeing the world reaction to what our country suffered," Levy said. "We need to stop this  this hating, this other-ing  for all people, all around the world."

'Live side-by-side together and teach each other'

Antisemites today are trying to downplay the significance of the Holocaust, even sometimes saying it never happened.

The scholars say the best safeguard against those lies is simple: "Educate, educate, educate."

Even in states like Ohio, where large populations of Jewish people live in Cleveland and Columbus, everyone should beware antisemitism can sneak in and take hold.

"In Germany on the outskirt of the Second World War, less than 1% of the German population was Jewish," Levy said. "Yet they managed  this party managed  to create a hatred against those people."

This picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on February 21, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP) (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 2019083176

She explained most Germans in the 1930s had never met a Jewish person, which made them susceptible to the NAZI party's propaganda.

"I'm hoping that in the states that do have large Jewish populations, that this knowledge of who these people are, to see them as regular people, I would hope that would reduce levels of antisemitism," Levy said. "That's our dream, that different people can live side-by-side together and teach each other about different cultures."

ztuggle@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Antisemitism education main topic for Jewish scholars in visit to Ohio
From left back, Emily White, William White-Volk, Isabel Soria-White-Volk, front left, Nikolai Domingue, 11, and Erica Sonia,9, look a the sun during La Fiesta del Sol: Celebration of the Sun Annular Eclipse Event at the Scobee Planetarium on the campus of San Antonio College on Saturday, October 14, 2023. Carlos Javier Sanchez/pixelrefle The annular eclipse is seen over head at Louise Hays Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 in Kerrville, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A group of students from the Space Engineering Technologies Academy at Krueger Middle School cheer as they watch the annular eclipse at Louise Hays Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 in Kerrville, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News James Rhodes with NASA talks with attendees about how projections of the annular eclipse works at Louise Hays Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 in Kerrville, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News David Hamilton, 6, of Austin and Mae River, 9, of Dallas listen to James Rhodes with NASA explain how solar projections work during the annular eclipse celebrations at Louise Hays Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 in Kerrville, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A map of upcoming eclipse events is seen on display during the annular eclipse celebrations at Louise Hays Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 in Kerrville, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News From left: Siblings Luke Johnson, 9, Malachi Johnson, 5, Joseph Johnson, 12, Gracie Johnson, 7, and Brielle Johnson, 10, of Round Rock watch the annular eclipse with their grandmother Carolyn Thomas of Georgetown, right, at Louise Hays Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 in Kerrville, Texas. This is the second solar eclipse the Johnson siblings have seen with their grandparents and have plans to see their third together next year. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A composite of multiple exposures of the corona of the Total Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017. Bell County has declared a state of local disaster as visitors plan to flood the area that sits in the eclipse's path of totality. a. v. ley/Getty Images

Bell County has declared a local state of emergency ahead of the April 8 total solar eclipse, anticipating its population to double as visitors flood in.

The county, just north of Austin, will be in the path of totality during the eclipse, meaning the moon will appear to completely cover the sun for viewers in the area.

Total solar eclipses occur in a given area less than once in a lifetime  every 375 years  so its no wonder that Bell Countys population of about 400,000 is expected to nearly double in the days leading up to the solar event.

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This increase in people will add stress to local resources and infrastructure and may cause many inconveniences to residents, according to Bell Countys disaster declaration.

Residents and visitors should prepare to experience traffic headaches, shortages of groceries and gas, and interruptions in cellular connection, the county warned.

Officials recommended staying home and stocking up with food, fuel and prescriptions ahead of time.

Private landowners in unincorporated parts of Bell County also will be required to register plans for hosting 50 or more people for camping or watch parties.

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DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  A set of human remains found in DeKalb County in the 1990s has been identified according to the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office.

In December of 1991, skeletal remains of a John Doe were found by a hunter in a wooded area near County Road 51. Despite the many efforts taken to identify him, Sheriff Nick Weldon said it remained a mystery.

Oakwood University student dead after on-campus swimming incident

The John Doe was identified as Rainbow King of Tompkinville, Kentucky.

The sheriffs office was contacted by the Mobile County Sheriffs Office in late 2022 to tell DCSO that Olivia McCarter, a genealogy analyst, was proposing using investigative genetic genealogy to try and identify John Doe.

Welden said in 2023, DNA samples were taken from the remains and sent to Intermountain Forensics, a non-profit lab in Utah, for analysis and whole-genome sequencing. The DNA was studied by McCarter and team, which eventually brought up a familial match identifying King.

Further investigation and coordination with living relatives of Rainbow King confirmed the identity, DCSO added. Chief Investigator Priscilla Padgett and Investigations Assistant Andrea Woodall traveled to Tompkinsville, Kentucky, accompanied by Monroe County Sheriff Dale Ford, to meet with the King family. A DNA sample collected during the meeting conclusively confirmed that the skeletal remains belonged to 22-year-old Rainbow Canyon King.

Sheriff Welden thanked all of the agencies and experts involved in making the discovery. He added that it shows the importance of innovative forensic techniques in resolving cold cases and providing closure to families.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto visited Tehran on Feb. 22, meeting his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and signing a trade deal in the agriculture and food industries.

Officials of NATO and EU countries rarely visit Iran as it remains one of the most sanctioned countries in the world due to its human rights record, nuclear program, and support for terrorist and militant groups abroad.

Tehran has provided extensive support to Moscow's war against Ukraine, including Shahed kamikaze drones and reportedly even missiles. In turn, Budapest also maintains friendly relations with Russia and often bucks the united Western front on foreign policy issues.

"The cooperation agreement between Iran and Hungary, signed today and entering into force, provides additional trade opportunities in the fields of agriculture and the food industry," Szijjarto said on Facebook.

"The agreement opens the possibility of even more active entry into the Iranian market for high-quality Hungarian agricultural technologies and food industry products."

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Szijjarto attended a Hungarian-Iranian business forum in Tehran to discuss sectors not affected by sanctions, including pharmaceutical, food, healthcare, and water management industries, the Hungarian news portal Index reported. Representatives of Hungarian businesses were also present.

"It doesn't matter what we think about sanctions in general," Szijjarto said in Tehran, adding that building cooperation under sanctions is "not easy" but also "not impossible."

Speaking at the press conference with Amir-Abdollahian, the Hungarian foreign minister said that Hungary wants to prevent an escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, adding that he expects Tehran to "behave responsibly."

Iran provides support to militant groups in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, which have recently clashed with Western powers. Tehran also backs the Palestinian militant group Hamas, currently embroiled in a war with Israel.

Szijjarto further said that the world is heading toward the formation of two blocs yet again, stressing that Hungary does not want to get caught in between as it once did.

"Hungary does not see East-West cooperation as a danger or risk but as a huge opportunity," he said.

Read also: China offers backing to Hungary in security matters, law enforcement

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Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto visited Tehran on 22 February and met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, despite the fact that Iran is actively supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing Hungarian media outlet MTI

Details: Szijjarto, who was taking part in a Hungarian-Iranian business forum in Tehran, said the two countries are interested in developing economic cooperation in areas that are not affected by sanctions, such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, the food industry, and water management.

He announced on Facebook that he had signed a bilateral agreement that would "open up even greater access to the Iranian market for high-quality Hungarian agricultural technology and food products".

At a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Szijjarto said he had come to Tehran to prevent an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which would pose a "huge threat to global security".

Szijjarto made only a passing mention of the 7 October 2023 terrorist attack on Israel by Iran-backed Hamas militants and the attacks on civilian vessels by Yemeni Houthis, who are also sponsored by the Iranian regime.

He made no mention at all of the fact that Tehran is providing military assistance to Russia to wage its war in Ukraine, which contradicts Hungary's position that no one should provide weapons to either side in the "conflict".

Ironically, it was reported just before the Hungarian foreign minister's visit that Iran had sent several hundred ballistic missiles to Russia for strikes against Ukraine.

This is not the first time that Hungary has sought to build relations with countries from the modern-day "axis of evil". In 2022, Szijjarto welcomed the Iranian minister of economy, and in 2023, he travelled to Belarus and shook hands with its self-styled president, Alexander Lukashenko. Senior Hungarian officials are also the only ones in the EU who have continued to travel to Russia since the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Friday he supported a bid from Sweden to join NATO, ending months of tensions over whether his country would approve the Nordic nation into the Western security alliance.

Orban said after a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Budapest on Friday that Hungarys Parliament would meet Monday to move forward on ratifying Stockholm into the alliance, which would pave the way for Sweden to finally be included into NATO.

The agreement reached Friday also includes improved defense cooperation between Hungary and Sweden.

Orbans office announced a plan to purchase four Gripen fighter-bomber aircraft, which are manufactured in Sweden. There will also be an extended contract for logistical services and training related to the aircraft.

Today we opened a new phase of cooperation between Hungary and Sweden, Orban wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Kristersson said at a press conference Friday that Sweden was ready to strengthen defense cooperation with Hungary and thanked Orban for the meeting and agreement.

Orban said Hungary did not change its mind on Swedens NATO bid but had sought to rebuild trust with the country.

To be a member of NATO together with another country means we are ready to die for each other, Orban said at the press conference. If you would like to make that kind of strong relationship, you need a proper basis for that, especially trust and mutual respect.

Orban also insisted the inclusion of Sweden into the alliance was not a business deal.

Sweden applied to NATO along with fellow Nordic nation Finland in spring 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine. While Finland was included more swiftly, Sweden has faced opposition to its inclusion from both Turkey and Hungary.

Turkey finally ratified Sweden last month after securing a commitment from the U.S. to provide Ankara with F-16 fighter jets.

Hungary had also held the process up after some members of Parliament blasted Stockholm for what they called the spreading of lies about the state of Hungarian democracy.

But following Turkeys approval, Orban invited Kristersson to meet with him in Budapest to discuss the alliance bid.

For a country to be included into NATO, all 31 member nations must ratify it in.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE PHOTO: Hungarian Prime Minister Orban delivers his annual State of the Nation speech, in Budapest

By Krisztina Than and Johan Ahlander

BUDAPEST/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Hungary said on Friday it had signed a deal to buy four Saab JAS Gripen fighter jets from Sweden, as Budapest finally prepared to approve Stockholm's bid to join NATO after nearly two years of delays.

Hungary was the last member of the transatlantic military alliance holding out against Sweden's historic application to join, which it made in 2022 in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban - who relented last week saying parliament would vote on the ratification on Monday - met Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and said he had managed to "rebuild trust".

Hungary will buy the jets and expand a related logistics contract, Orban said. Hungary currently leases Gripen aircraft under a contract signed in 2001.

"We not only keep our air defence capability but will increase it ... which means our commitment to NATO will strengthen and so will our participation in NATO's joint operations," Orban told a joint press conference with Kristersson.

Kristersson said he welcomed the deal. "As you know and I know we do not agree on everything but we agree that we should cooperate where possible," he said, standing next to Orban.

Orban, whose nationalist government has kept close economic ties with Russia, had repeatedly delayed the ratification, citing grievances over Sweden criticising Hungary over its record on rule-of-law.

Sweden's NATO application - a major shift away from its decades of non-alignment - was also initially held up by Turkey, who accused Stockholm of supporting what it called terrorist groups.

When Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan signalled in July that he would give Sweden the green light, the U.S. said it would move ahead with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey in consultation with Congress.

SWEDEN'S SHIFT TOWARDS NATO

Sweden, which has a long coastline on the Baltic Sea, could become a vital logistics hub for NATO in Northern Europe.

Military non-alignment had been a point of pride for Swedes and a clear majority were against NATO membership before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

However, when the Social Democrats, the dominant political force in Sweden over the last 100 years, changed its mind on NATO membership, pollsters saw the biggest shift in public opinion on record. NATO membership now has a clear majority in parliament and among the public.

Sweden has already regularly participated in exercises in the region.

Orban - who has refused to send weapons to Ukraine and repeatedly criticised western sanctions against Russia - earlier on Friday again urged a ceasefire in Ukraine.

He also endorsed Donald Trump's bid to return to the U.S. presidency this year. "We hope the current president will go, and President Trump will return and he will have free hands to make peace," Orban said on state radio.

He said a truce was the only solution as "Russia cannot be forced on its knees in the military sense ... This conflict (in Ukraine) has no solution on the battleground," Orban said.

Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, joined NATO in April last year.

(Reporting by Krisztina Than, Editing by William Maclean and Andrew Heavens)
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson in Budapest on Feb. 23 and agreed to purchase four Swedish JAS Gripen fighter jets.

After almost two years of delays, Hungary's parliament is set to bring Sweden's NATO accession to a vote on Feb. 26. The ruling Fidesz party has pledged its support for the ratification, making its passage all but ensured.

Sweden and Finland applied to join the alliance in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but their accession was held up by objections from Turkey and Hungary.

Finland joined NATO in April 2023. After Turkey formally ratified Sweden's NATO membership on Jan. 25, Hungary remains the only member yet to approve Sweden's application.

"We not only keep our air defense capability but will increase it ... which means our commitment to NATO will strengthen, and so will our participation in NATO's joint operations," Orban said at a joint press conference with Kristersson.

"As you know, and I know, we do not agree on everything, but we agree that we should cooperate where possible," Kristersson said, as cited by Reuters.

Hungary delayed ratifying Sweden's NATO accession in part due to the country's criticism of the deteriorating rule of law under Orban's tenure.

Hungary and Ukraine have had a contentious relationship that has worsened since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Orban has maintained close ties with Russia, bucking the united front that the EU has tried to present in support of Ukraine.

After blocking 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in EU aid for Ukraine in December 2023, Orban reversed course earlier in February and voted for the package, claiming that he had received guarantees that none of Hungary's funds would go to Ukraine.

Read also: Swedish minister reaffirms willingness to send jets to Ukraine after finalizing NATO bid

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Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, left, shakes hands with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Feb 23, 2024. Nearly two years after Sweden formally applied to join NATO, its membership now hinges on convincing one country - Viktor Orban's Hungary - to formally ratify its bid to join the military alliance. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP)  The prime ministers of Hungary and Sweden concluded a defense industry agreement on Friday that will expand Budapest's fleet of Swedish-built fighter jets, paving the way for Hungarys likely ratification of Swedens long-delayed NATO bid.

The meeting in Budapest between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, came after months of heightened tensions between the two countries over Hungary's refusal to give its backing for Sweden to join NATO.

Kristersson made the trip to Hungary after repeated invitations to do so by the Hungarian government, something Orban had hinted would be a precondition for his government endorsing Sweden's NATO bid.

Friday's defense agreement appeared to be a decisive point of reconciliation between the two governments, and Orban has indicated that his party is ready to approve Sweden's bid on Monday.

In a news conference following their bilateral meeting, Kristersson said Sweden would sell four Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen jets to Hungary, expanding its current fleet of 14 jets. Sweden will also extend support systems and service provision for the jets.

I strongly welcome this deepened cooperation on advanced fighting capabilities," Kristersson said, adding that the Gripen jets are a pride of Sweden.

Orban said the additional fighters will significantly increase our military capabilities and further strengthen our role abroad, and will grow Hungary's ability to participate in joint NATO operations.

The agreement paved the way for Hungary's likely ratification of Sweden's NATO bid on Monday, when a vote on the matter is scheduled in parliament. Unanimous support among all NATO members is required to admit new countries, and Hungary is the last of the alliance's 31 members that has still not given its backing.

During Hungary's more than 18 months of delays in scheduling a vote, Orban had said his government was in favor of bringing Sweden into NATO, but that lawmakers in his governing Fidesz party were unconvinced  offended by blatant lies from some Swedish politicians that he said had cast doubt on Hungary's democratic credentials.

Hungary's allies in NATO and the European Union had put increasing pressure on Budapest to drop its opposition to Sweden's membership. Last weekend, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators visited Hungary and announced they would submit a joint resolution to Congress condemning alleged democratic backsliding, and urging Orban's government to immediately lift its block on Swedens trans-Atlantic integration.

Orbans critics in the EU have alleged that he has stalled on Swedens NATO bid to extract concessions from the bloc, which has frozen billions in funding to Hungary over alleged breaches of rule-of-law and democracy standards. The EU has demanded that Budapest take steps to safeguard judicial independence and human rights and tackle corruption.

Hungarys government has railed against Swedish officials that supported freezing the funds, and blamed them for a breakdown in trust between the two countries.

On Friday, Orban said that while Hungary and Sweden don't agree on all issues, building trust was essential to his country supporting Sweden's joining of the alliance.

To be a member of NATO together with another country means we are ready to die for each other, he said. A deal on defense and military capacities helps to reconstruct the trust between the two countries.
The husband of a BP employee has been charged with insider trading in the US following claims he overheard details of calls made by his wife while working from home.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission alleged Tyler Loudon made $1.76m (1.39m) in illegal profits.

The regulator claimed Mr Loudon heard several of his wife's conversations about BP's takeover of TravelCenters of America and bought shares in the firm.

BP has declined to comment.

The SEC said: "We allege that Mr Loudon took advantage of his remote working conditions and his wife's trust to profit from information he knew was confidential."

His wife - a mergers and acquisitions manager at BP - worked on the oil giant's takeover of TravelCenters. The SEC said Mr Loudon purchased 46,450 shares of TravelCenters stock, without his wife's knowledge, before the deal was made public in February last year.

Following the announcement, TravelCenters share price rose nearly 71% and Mr Loudon allegedly immediately sold all of his newly-bought shares for a profit, the SEC said.

Divorce

In a complaint by the regulator, during deal negotiations between TravelCenters and BP in 2022, Mr Loudon, of Houston, Texas, and his wife worked in home offices within 20 feet of each other.

"As a result, they frequently overheard and witnessed each other's work-related conversations and video conferences." She also worked on the deal when the couple stayed in a "small Airbnb" in Rome, said the complaint.

Mr Loudon confessed to his wife about buying the TravelCenters shares after the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority began asking questions about the BP deal and who was "in the know".

According to the filing, he said he bought the stock because "he wanted to make enough money so that she did not have to work long hours anymore".

His wife - who was "stunned by this revelation" - reported the trading to her supervisor at BP.

Her email and texts were reviewed by BP and it found no evidence that she knowingly leaked the information about the deal to her husband or knew he had bought the shares.

But "BP nonetheless terminated her employment," said the filing.

According to the regulator's complaint, Mr Loudon's wife moved out of the house and ceased all contact with him. In June, she initiated divorce proceedings.

'Effective surveillance'

In a statement, the SEC said Mr Loudon did not deny the allegations and agreed to pay a penalty.

He also faces potential criminal charges and if convicted, could face a prison sentence.

During the pandemic, when many employees were unable to work in the office, UK regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warned about managing insider trading risks when working from home.

With working from home now cemented into many organisations working patterns, the FCA has said the "need for effective surveillance at all times" remained critical.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and car maker Hyundai are partnering to combat an alarming spike in vehicle thefts.

On Thursday, CMPD and Hyundai Motor America announced a free software upgrade to the makes drivers who own the vehicles that are among the most targeted.

Last year we had a 120 percent increase in auto thefts, Chief Johnny Jennings told media Thursday. Sixty-seven percent of those vehicles stolen were Hyundai and Kias.

Shootings involving minors, property crimes, and vehicle thefts increase this year: CMPD

Theft rates of the affected vehicles soared after thieves discovered these models lack engine immobilizers, an anti-theft technology that has long been standard in other vehicles.

Charlotte has been labeled among the top cities with the largest number of thefts of these vehicles. As of Feb. 12, CMPD recorded a whopping 939 auto thefts, with 70 percent of those being Hyundai or Kia models.

More than 100 people have been arrested, with 76 percent being under the age of 18.

Law enforcement has continued to stress that one person may be able to use these techniques to steal multiple vehicles before theyre caught.

This photo provided by Zenith Auto Care shows damage to a steering wheel column and ignition assembly after the car was stolen, on April 20, 2023. (Zenith Auto Care via AP)

On Tuesday, CMPD arrested a man who they believe was connected to the theft of at least three Hyundais and/or Kias.

One of the people he allegedly stole from told Queen City News that shes continued to pay for a vehicle in the hands of a stranger.

That car was totaled, and I still owe about $17,000 in payments. So right now, Im making payments on a car I dont even have.

Her Hyundai Sonata was stolen from the parking garage at her University City apartment in late January. She said she was happy to learn of an arrest, but is now skeptical of future Kia or Hyundai purchases.

Luxury car dealership could be coming to Cornelius

If I were to go and get a new car today, and it is a Hyundai or a Kia, I believe it would be stolen within a week or two, she said. I honestly may never get another Kia or Hyundai again. Unless it has that valet mode.

There are more than 3.7 million Hyundais impacted by the upgrades, with the company reportedly upgrading thousands per day.

The upcoming upgrade event at the PNC Music Pavilion will be free and takes roughly 30 minutes per vehicle. It will begin on Friday, Feb. 23, and run through Sunday.

Find out event times, and if your vehicle falls into the impacted category, here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
A family-owned eatery thats been a fixture in downtown Gastonia for more than 100 years is the latest local establishment to get a nod from Southern Living magazine.

Tonys Ice Cream Co. is among 10 spots named on the publications recent list of The Souths Most Iconic Old-School Ice Cream Shops. The feature highlights restaurants and dessert parlors stretching from Virginia to Florida and as far west as Texas, most of which date to the late 1800s or early 1900s.

ALSO READ: Longtime uptown restaurant deemed legendary by Southern Living magazine

Tonys has been around since 1915. Owner Louis Coletta has told local news outlets in recent years about the history of the business, which started with his grandfather pushing a cart and serving ice cream in the areas mill villages.

Read more here.

VIDEO: Community honors Charlotte brewer, Dan Wade, day after deadly fall
Jason Holt and Isaac Holt of New Jersey pay their respects Thursday at the grave of their relative Pfc. T. C. Hawkins at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A member of the Bexar County Buffalo Soldier Association on Thursday salutes a headstone for a member of the 24th Infantry Regiment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Angela Holder of Houston holds a photo of her great-aunt Lovie Ball Kimble while taking in the new headstone for her great-uncle Cpl. Jesse Moore at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on Thursday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Bexar County Buffalo Soldier Association stand Thursday behind the new headstones for soldiers with the all-Black 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Charles Anderson points out his relative William C. Nesbit in a photo on display at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on Thursday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Angela Holder of Houston holds an American flag given in honor of her great-uncle Cpl. Jesse Moore at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on Thursday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Newly revealed headstones for soldiers with the all-Black 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry are seen at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on Thursday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Charles Anderson, relative of William C. Nesbit, poses for a photo at Nesbits newly unveiled headstone at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on Thursday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Cpl. Charles W. Baltimore's grave sits in a shady stretch of Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Nearby are the resting places of 16 other soldiers with whom he served  all of them Black and all of them wrongfully executed more than 100 years ago at Fort Sam Houston in the wake of the Houston Riot of 1917.

The Army admits the soldiers' guilt was never established and that they didn't get a fair trial. In November, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth announced that clemency had been granted to 110 Black soldiers, including 19 who were hanged at Fort Sam Houston. Her decision set aside their convictions and changed their service records to reflect that they had served honorably.

On Thursday, the military took a final, symbolic step to acknowledge the injustices done to the soldiers, installing new headstones on their San Antonio graves as part of a ceremony that included Tanya Bradsher, Veterans Affairs deputy secretary, and Matthew Quinn, Veterans Affairs undersecretary of memorial affairs.

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The old headstones, with only the dates of the soldiers' births and deaths and the basics of their Army careers, had hinted at dishonor. The new headstones recognize their service and include their rank, the unit they served with and war zones they deployed to, including the Philippines and Mexico.

Today, we right the wrongs of the past and honor the service of these soldiers who served our country with honor, Quinn said at Thursday's ceremony. He said the new headstones  installed 106 years after the soldiers' deaths  represent the Army's "full commitment to helping correct the injustice of that era.

Bradsher, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and Iraq combat veteran, said the headstones would show the soldiers' rank, signifying their dedication, leadership and commitment to duty.

"They will show their state of origin, reminding us that those who signed to protect our nation come from all places," she said. "They will show their regiment connecting them to their comrades and the shared experiences the unit had in safeguarding our nation."

For the first time since being buried here, Baltimore's headstone said he was from Pennsylvania and served as a corporal in the 24th Infantry.

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The authors of the petition upon which Wormuth based her clemency decision  historian John Haymond, a retired retired Army sergeant first class, and retired Army lawyer Dru Brenner-Beck  were on hand for the dedication of the tombstones.

"I am proud that the Army lived up to its values, and to its duty of loyalty to these soldiers, by the secretary's decision granting clemency to overturn these convictions and characterize their service to the nation as honorable," said Brenner-Beck, a retired lieutenant colonel. "Seeing their headstones finally reflect their service to our nation, made possible only by the Army's holding itself accountable, is justice, however long delayed. This is one more step in returning these soldiers to the Army they loved."

A short walk from where Quinn and other officials spoke Thursday, one of the new headstones adorned the grave of Baltimore, who was a central figure in the Houston Riot  but not by his own choice.

The headstone for Carlos Snodgrass is revealed during a ceremony honoring the 24th Infantry Regiment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on Thursday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Violence ignited by racial strife

The August 1917 incident that claimed 18 lives and led to the the executions of Baltimore and 18 other soldiers was touched off by racial strife in Houston, at the time a bastion of the Jim Crow South.

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The soldiers involved were members of the all-Black 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, often referred to as Buffalo Soldiers. They were stationed near Camp Logan, 7,600 leased acres of forested land on Buffalo Bayou where thousands of soldiers trained. The area is now part of Memorial Park west of downtown Houston.

Some had warned the Army not to send Black soldiers to Houston, which in 1917 was a racist powder keg just waiting to explode. Transcripts from the first trial, preserved at South Texas College of Law in Houston, described ongoing disputes at Camp Logan involving white workers, police and soldiers that sometimes flared into violence. The police frequently arrested and beat soldiers who stood up to them when words were exchanged.

The morning of Aug. 23, Houston police officers Lee Sparks and R.H. Daniels raided a craps game led by young Black men at San Felipe and Wilson streets. Hours later, Baltimore, who was serving as a military police officer, talked with Sparks and Daniels about their arrest of a soldier. The conversation ended with Sparks pistol-whipping Baltimore. He ran, was shot at three times and later arrested and beaten again.

At the camp where Baltimore's fellow Black soldiers were staying, a rumor spread that he had been killed, inflaming tensions.

That night a shot rang out and someone cried, The mob is coming! Soldiers rushed for their rifles and set up a defensive perimeter around the 24ths camp, a couple of miles from Camp Logan. The white battalion commander abandoned his post, leaving others to try to control the panicking troops. At that point, Sgt. Vida Henry ordered soldiers in Company I to march out of the camp in formation.

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The Black soldiers marched toward the San Felipe district, the historic Black Freedmans' Town in the Fourth Ward, and shot and killed nine civilians with Springfield rifles. They wounded at least 13 others. Five police officers and four soldiers were killed in the fighting.

'CORRECT THIS WRONG': Fort Sam event marks quest for clemency for Black soldiers hanged after riot

Paul McCowan with the Buffalo Soldiers of East Texas salutes during the 24th Infantry Regiment headstone dedication ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on Thursday Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Injustice in the courtroom

Military officials charged the 118 Black men with mutiny, willful disobedience of orders, murder and assault in connection with the riot. All but eight were convicted.

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All 118 soldiers were represented by a single defense attorney, Maj. Henry Grier, and he was given just 10 days to prepare their defense.

Grier also didn't have investigative support to help him defend the soldiers, while the prosecution was backed by multiple lawyers and had access to the results of investigations by the Regimental Board of Investigation and the Armys inspector general. One of the prosecutors commended Grier, a West Point law instructor from 1907 to 1910, for keeping the Armys interests in mind by not raising race issues during the trial.

When you deprive an American of their presumption of innocence and you absolve the government of proving them to be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt  and force them to prove their innocence  the wrong doesnt get much worse than that," Brenner-Beck said. "And when its done because you are African American, that betrays everything the nation and the Army stand for."

Baltimore was executed with 12 other soldiers at 7:17 a.m. Dec. 11, 1917, on Fort Sam Houston. An additional five soldiers were hanged Sept. 17, 1918. A week later, the last of the 19, Pfc. William Boone, was hanged.

They forgot him, Brenner-Beck said. They didnt get the paperwork right."

Only a few years later, the Army recognized shortcomings in its legal system and moved to correct them. Public outcry, often from African Americans but in some cases from white leaders who included senators and congressmen, prompted President Woodrow Wilson to commute 10 of the 29 death sentences. The NAACP, in turn, successfully lobbied Washington to get most of the men who received long sentences out of prison by 1930.

Two of the executed soldiers' remains were eventually reclaimed by their families, with the other 17 interred in unmarked graves for 20 years before being moved to their current location. Even then, the 17 Black men were given less than a soldier's proper burial. From 1937 until Thursday, a span of 87 years and 15 presidents, their headstones listed only their names and dates of death.

Angela Holder of Houston holds a photo of her great-aunt Lovie Ball Kimble while taking in the new headstone for her great-uncle Cpl. Jesse Moore at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on Thursday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

'Prayers have been answered'

On Thursday, Angela Holder thought of her great-aunt, Lovie Ball Kimble, who long mourned the loss of her brother, Cpl. Jesse Moore, who was among the men who were executed. Holder said that when she was a child, she saw Moore's picture in Kimble's home and remembered her saying the Army had killed him and that she didn't know where he was buried.

"She was never a sad person until she talked about her brother, and thats when I said, 'I'm going to make her happy about that,'" said Holder, a history professor at Houston Community College who on Thursday marked the completion of her long quest to learn of his fate and correct the record.

As she looked at the new headstones at Fort Sam, Holder thought of Kimble and imagined how she would have felt had she lived to see this day.
A legal opinion from an attorney at the Idaho Legislature has concluded that the State Board of Education violated the state constitution and exceeded its legal authority in its effort to purchase the University of Phoenix, and recommended the Legislature take legal action.

Although my concerns are many, my primary concern is this: The Board is attempting to escape its constitutional and statutory limitations by recreating itself as a private corporation, Legislative Legal Counsel Elizabeth Bowen wrote in a letter to seven lawmakers Thursday.

The State Board of Education voted to buy the University of Phoenix for $550 million in August, only a day after the proposal had been made public. The acquisition, which is expected to cost $685 million and was negotiated primarily behind closed doors, prompted a lawsuit from Attorney General Raul Labrador over alleged open meeting law violations. A judge dismissed that lawsuit last month. Moodys has warned that the purchase could cause a multi-notch downgrade in the universitys bond rating.

But the deal has not yet been finalized, and a set of lawmakers appear intent on challenging the deals legality.

Lawmakers in the House have proposed a strongly worded joint resolution to give the Legislature legal authority to sue over the deal, which is expected to close in March.

This process has not been done in the full light of day, the Legislature has not been dealt in at all, Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, told a legislative committee earlier this month. When youre going to enter acquisitions of this magnitude, we need to be at the table.

Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, called the deal a purchase by ambush and said he had concerns about the difficulties media outlets have had in getting information about the purchase of the mostly online Arizona university with more than 85,000 students.

If its such a good deal, then we should know everything, everything should be on the table at this point, Gannon said.

In her letter, Bowen said the State Board of Education has no constitutional or statutory authority to acquire, own, and operate a private institution and to take on its liabilities, and that taking on hundreds of millions in debt without public transparency about the financial exposure the state faces risks becoming a disastrous financial judgment.

Neither the board nor the University of Idaho has requested the legislation necessary to convert the University of Phoenix into a state institution of higher education, Bowen said, adding it is beyond the scope of the boards charter to acquire the school. She wrote that the corporation the university has created to purchase the University of Phoenix, Four Three Education, is not valid and therefore lacks legal existence.

The Board of Education has not been contacted by the Legislature about the letter and is still reviewing the opinion, spokesperson Mike Keckler told the Idaho Statesman by email.

Bowen noted that she has discussed her concerns with the University of Idahos attorney and its government affairs liaison. The University of Idaho did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It is my belief that if the State Board of Education and the University of Idaho proceed under the current terms of the proposed transaction, they do so at their peril, she said.

Bowen said she recommends legal action unless the State Board of Education gets approval from the Legislature for its deal or restructures the purchase to avoid state ownership of a private institution.

The most solemn obligation of any public entity is to serve the public interest, Bowen said. If the State Board of Education and the University of Idaho have forgotten that  they should be reminded.

Gov. Brad Little defended the decision earlier this month. At an Idaho Press Club event, he told reporters that the state wants to expand university access online and make it more affordable, and that the University of Phoenix could serve that function. He said he believes the worst-case risk would be up to $10 million a year in payments to bondholders.

Its got a storied past, he said. Im very empathetic to the fact that this checks the box the State Board has been asking higher education for for a long time.
In southern Illinois conservative 12th Congressional District, many residents want their elected officials to support gun ownership.

And in the 2024 Republican primary, voters will choose between two candidates who both say they would stand up for residents legal right to possess firearms: incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, and former state senator Darren Bailey, R-Xenia.

Both candidates voting records align with National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America positions on gun legislation, according to a Belleville News-Democrat analysis of bills during their tenure and public statements from the gun rights advocacy groups.

Bost and Bailey each opposed assault weapon bans proposed at the state and federal level, for example. A ban failed in Congress in 2022 and was signed into law in Illinois last year, ending sales of certain kinds of rifles, pistols and shotguns and requiring gun owners to register those they purchased before the law took effect in 2024. Bost and Bailey have both said they wont register their firearms with the government.

But a federal rule that is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court shows where the candidates disagree on guns.

On Wednesday, Supreme Court justices are scheduled to hear arguments about a ban on bump stocks, a firearm attachment that uses the guns recoil to continuously fire the weapon after someone has pulled the trigger as long as they dont remove their finger. It makes guns capable of shooting hundreds of rounds per minute.

At the direction of former President Donald Trump, the Justice Department banned the devices in 2018 because they were used in a mass shooting that killed 60 people and injured hundreds more in Las Vegas a year earlier.

Bost supported the ban. Bailey opposed it.

On the campaign trail, Bailey has said he doesnt support any restrictions on guns and criticized Bosts stance on bump stocks. Bailey instead supports addressing what he believes are the root causes of mass shootings: issues like mental health and poverty. He said he also supports increased security measures in schools, which have been targeted in other shootings.

I dont have bump stocks, I have no use for bump stocks, but that is an infringement on the Second Amendment, Bailey told the BND in February during a campaign event in Millstadt. ... The bottom line is I stand for zero regulations, zero new laws and I believe that our Second Amendment rights shall not be infringed  period.

Bost and other members of Congress had urged the Trump administration to reevaluate bump stocks after the 2017 shooting at a Las Vegas music festival and applauded the decision that the devices should be regulated because they effectively turn a legal semiautomatic firearm into an illegal machine gun.

Bump stocks were specifically designed to get around federal law  in place since the 1930s  that prohibits fully automatic weapons, Bost wrote in a 2018 statement. Its possible to find commonsense solutions to reduce the likelihood of tragedies while also preserving the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans.

Lawsuits followed the bump stock ban, arguing the devices dont fit into the technical definition of a machine gun written in federal law like the Justice Department had said they did.

The law says machine guns automatically fire more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger, so the Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether the recoil effect of a bump stock propelling a weapon into a persons finger repeatedly after their first shot constitutes one pull of the trigger or multiple.

The NRA and Gun Owners of America have submitted briefs to the Supreme Court expressing their opposition to the federal rule because they say the machine gun definition doesnt describe the mechanics of bump stocks.

In his campaign for reelection, Bost is touting a 2024 endorsement from the NRA for his work defending gun owners while in office. The NRA also endorsed Bosts reelection campaigns in 2022 and 2020, according to the congressmans campaign website.

I am a gun owner and I have spent my entire political career standing up for the people so they can have their right to bear arms, Bost said of his stance on gun rights in a BND interview during a February campaign stop in Albers. He noted that he was a chief co-sponsor of legislation allowing people to carry a concealed firearm in Illinois when he served in the state House in 2013. Bost has represented the 12th District in Congress since 2015.

The primary election takes place on March 19. Early voting is already underway. The winner will advance to the Nov. 5 general election.

BND visual journalist Joshua Carter contributed information to this report.
I was reluctant to weigh in on Senate Bill 202, which seeks to make college campuses more friendly to conservatives, but testimony by fellow professors and administrators almost perfectly illustrates the lack of viewpoint diversity the bill targets.

Indeed, from what Ive seen, not a single professor or administrator who testified on this bill admitted a lack of ideological diversity in higher education. That is troubling and, at best, reveals an unhealthy institutional blind spot. There are other perspectives.

More: Bill to make Indiana colleges more conservative would cause conformity, fleeing faculty

I've criticized tenure in a previous column. My view hasnt changed. But, as a lifelong conservative, I deeply value the principles and results of a classical education. Our universities must be places where students are challenged by difficult and potentially controversial ideas, not provided safe spaces for inquiry and learning.

However, in my three decades in higher education, Ive seen that ideal slowly erode from view. Today, American public universities are among the least ideologically diverse institutions in the world. Indiana is no exception. I am certain there is more ideological diversity in a typical infantry platoon than would be found at any public university.

That is a real problem that should concern taxpayers and their representatives. More importantly, it should alarm those of us whove committed a life to nurturing free inquiry and debate.

Senate Bill 202 aims for ideological diversity

Indianas S.B. 202 tries to address the lack of ideological diversity at state universities in three ways. One is to challenge tenure and create ideological evaluation of faculty. The second is to force universities to report their spending on some institutional programming. The third is to modestly alter the oversight structure of universities.

Let me address each.

First, it is a plain, well documented fact that faculty are overwhelmingly progressive. Many disciplines have fewer than 1 in 20 professors who self-identify as anything other than progressive or extremely progressive.

Yet, classrooms remain the one place on campus with a thriving marketplace of ideas. The best evidence for this is simply that the most ideologically unbalanced disciplines are losing students at record rates. English, writing, gender and ethnic studies, history, sociology and anthropology face historic enrollment declines.

More ideologically balanced majors, such as engineering, health professions, law, business, and economics, continue to thrive. Now, none of these disciplines have even a quarter of professors who are conservative. But that makes them ideologically balanced within the monolith of deeply progressive orthodoxy that modern American universities have become.

Indiana University students protest the school's investment portfolio and its effects on climate change at the Sample Gates on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022.

Let me be clear by what I mean about ideology. I teach Karl Marx to first year students. That isnt indoctrination. Likewise, a biology professor should ignore public opinion on evolution or photosynthesis.

Our research and teaching should pursue and reflect truth, no matter the distress it causes. I am not referring to party affiliation or support for a particular candidate. By ideological imbalance, I mean there is an artificial closed-mindedness that stifles debate, isolates important perspectives and diminishes the richness of a college education.

Eliminating tenure or policing classroom speech will do nothing to balance the ideological composition of campus, and could worsen it. The problem lies within the institutional structure of modern universities, not the classroom.

College programming is overwhelmingly progressive

To address this, S.B. 202 requires universities to report spending on diversity, equity and inclusion programming, an area that is especially susceptible to ideological narrowness. It also asks the Commission on Higher Education to survey students to determine their experience with a culture of free speech.

These questions are too narrow. If universities were to conduct an honest audit, they would find that they spend far more on ideological programming by administrators than they do researching policy issues that confront Hoosiers every day.

The spending on this ideological programming includes salaries for large staffs, hefty travel and honorarium to outside speakers, as well as spending on campus activities and programming that are so ideologically conforming that it nurtures an intolerant and illiberal climate.

One clear example comes from a Ball State University colleague who attended a brainstorming session on how to convince more faculty to live near the university. He suggested that highlighting the many high quality local schools would help attract new faculty.

Most normal folks view this as self-evident. Yet, this professor was scolded by a senior university administrator, who said the university would not discuss that because concern about school quality is white privilege.

This is an example of how progressive orthodoxy inhibits debate. A campus climate like this should outrage taxpayers, legislators and most especially my fellow professors.

That particular white privilege claim is a puerile hypothesis easily dismantled by empirical evidence. But empirically dubious and even racist assertions should be confronted with data and argument, not shut down because of ideology. If this is happening to senior professors, one can only shudder to imagine what it is like to be a first-year student in this university.

This is symbolic of much broader problems that are injurious to a climate of free expression and inquiry. It is anti-intellectual, counter to the principles upon which our republic was founded and inconsistent with the mission of a public university.

Yet, this mindset is pervasive on public university campuses  here in Indiana and elsewhere. Taxpayers and their representatives have every reason to be concerned. Faculty members and administrators who think scrutiny of this problem will disappear are foolishly naive.

Tenure is not the problem

If you think my example is cherry picked, I invite you to visit the website of any public university in Indiana. Read through their diversity, equity and inclusion programming, review their freshman readers or peruse the many racial or gender-based scholarships they offer. Make your own judgments about their ideological balance.

Third, S.B. 202 seeks to allow the legislature to appoint two members of the governing bodies of every Indiana university  language that was removed during a House committee hearing Wednesday, but could return.

I do not support S.B. 202 as written. Though it identifies a weighty problem, it offers the wrong solution.

The problem is not tenure or the ideological composition of faculty. The problem is that, from the moment a student considers attending a Hoosier university until long after they graduate, they are immersed in a singular worldview. There is no counterpoise, no nuance and little debate.

That environment is counterproductive to nurturing diversity of all types  racial, gender, religious and viewpoint. Until it is dismantled, with public dollars redirected to more balanced programming, nothing will change.

That will be disastrous for our universities and, rightfully, summons even more legislation.

Michael J. Hicks is the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and the George and Frances Ball distinguished professor of economics in the Miller College of Business at Ball State University.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Senate Bill 202: Conservatives left out of Indiana colleges
Patrick Tyson Jr., 28, is accused of shooting and killing a man Thursday on the West Side. He was arrested without incident later that day. Bexar County Sheriff's Office

A 28-year-old man accused of killing a man on the West Side has been charged with murder.

Patrick Tyson Jr. was arrested Thursday after police said he shot a man and fled around 10:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of West Avenue.

ALSO READ: Second man suspected of stealing millions from affluent Bexar County neighborhoods arrested

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The wounded man was taken to a local hospital and later died from his injuries. Police have not released the deceased man's identity or age.

Tyson was found and arrested without incident at an apartment complex in the 3500 block of West Avenue, police said.
Ukrainian farmers exported 93% of their products through the ports in and around Odesa and on the Danube in the period since August 2023, Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry reported on Feb. 23.

More than 30 million metric tonnes of agricultural products have been exported through these ports since August 2023, when Ukraine set up a new shipping corridor after Russia unilaterally terminated the Black Sea grain deal.

The corridor was initially opened to allow the exit of vessels that had been docked at Ukraine's Black Sea ports since February 2022.

Since then, it has become a route for exporting Ukrainian goods such as grain and metal, despite the ongoing Russian attacks and threats such as sea mines.

In the seven months since Ukraine opened the corridor, 854 vessels sailed to 42 countries and exported 26 million metric tonnes of cargo, of which more than 18 million metric tonnes were Ukrainian agricultural products, according to Infrastructure Ministry statistics.

"In December, 6.8 million tons were exported by sea, in January it was 6.7 million tons. Although February is the shortest month of the year, we still hope to keep the export figure no lower than in previous months, " Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said.

"Taking into account the situation with the blocking of our exports on the western border, we are preparing to increase agricultural exports through the Danube bypassing the border with Poland," Kubrakov said.

Polish farmers launched a new wave of protests on the border in early February in response to Ukrainian agricultural imports and the EU's Green Deal.

Kubrakov was referring to the protests at the Polish-Ukrainian border that again erupted earlier in February as Polish farmers criticized the import of Ukrainian agricultural products and the EU's Green Deal.

The situation escalated on Feb. 20, when some protesters dumped Ukrainian grain on railway tracks and displayed anti-Ukrainian posters.

Protesters again dumped agricultural products from a Ukrainian train at a border crossing with Poland on Feb. 23, Ukrainian Railways reported.

Ukrainian Railways said that the dumped product was oilseed headed to Germany.

Read also: Infrastructure Ministry: Ukraine plans to bypass Poland border issues by adding new Danube export route

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A Shawnee County inmate has been charged with murder in connection to a jail fight that left another inmate dead.

A spokeswoman with the Shawnee County District Attorneys Office said in a press release that TreMarion E. Logan, 19, has been charged with murder in the second degree. He was previously charged with aggravated battery in connection to the death of fellow inmate Michael R. Kennedy, 41.

Kennedy was declared dead at a local hospital a few days after a reported fight at the Shawnee County Department of Corrections that involved Logan. He was declared dead on Feb. 16, 2024.

On Feb. 12, 2024 a deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriffs Office was sent to the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center at 501 SE Eighth Avenue to investigate a fight between two inmates. Earlier in the day, four inmates were being moved from one part of the jail to another when two of them, Kennedy and Logan, began fighting. It was reported that Kennedy was sitting down when Logan approached and began striking him.

Police arrest 3 during east Topeka house fire

Garceran said Kennedy was taken to a local hospital for treatment after he appeared to be unresponsive. He was later put into a medically induced coma but, by Feb. 16, he was taken off life support and declared dead.

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.
Answering a question about why General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Chief of the Armed Forces, and the key leadership of the Ukraines Armed Forces were dismissed, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said it was a reboot, restructuring and change of military command management.

Source: Zelenskyy on Fox News

Details: The President noted that it is not about changing the course of Ukraines actions, but only talking about things that "were not changing over the recent period of time".

Quote from Zelenskyy: "We have to be more quick. That means to lose all the bureaucracy what we have. Otherwise, we will not have any chance.

[We must] be smart, more technologically [equipped] and, of course, quick. Time is money, and in our case it is not money, it's people, people's lives."

Details: Zelenskyy was also asked about awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine to Zaluzhnyi and whether this meant that the general would continue to support the president's policy or perhaps move into opposition.

To this, Zelenskyy responded that it was Zaluzhny's choice. "He defended our nation, our country. Thats why I presented him with the title of Hero of Ukraine. I am very grateful to him".

Background:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had an interview with Fox News at a location near the contact line.

He also reported that Ukraine had five times fewer losses than Russia.

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Intuitive Machines has landed a spacecraft on the lunar surface, in a historic first for a private company.

Flight controllers confirmed the landing at 5:23 p.m. CST, though the exact condition of the spacecraft is unclear as engineers work to refine their signal with the lander.

What we can confirm without a doubt is that our equipment is on the surface of the moon and we are transmitting, mission director and Intuitive Machines CTO Tim Crain said. So congratulations IM team, well see how much more we can get from that.

Houston, Odysseus has found its new home, he added.

What an outstanding effort, CEO Steve Altemus said after the landing. I know this was a nail biter but we are on the surface and we are transmitting. Welcome to the moon.

The company managed to pull off the landing even with the spacecrafts laser range finders  which determine essential variables like altitude and horizontal velocity  being broken. Instead, the lander leveraged one of the onboard payloads, NASAs laser and doppler lidar sensors, to guide the spacecraft to the lunar surface.

This is the first time America has put hardware on the moon in nearly 50 years. The spacecrafts landing site -- just outside the rim of a crater called Malapert-A -- is also the closest any lander has gotten to the lunar south pole. The south pole has emerged as a region of major interest to both commercial companies and NASA; the space agency has been eyeing the area as a possible location to establish a sustained human presence on the moon as part of its Artemis program.

Its certainly an extraordinarily positive beginning for Houston-based Intuitive Machines, one of just a few companies in the world thats focused on providing services on and around the moon. Along with lunar landers, the company is also developing technologies related to mobility, power and data services for the moon. The companys betting that lunar market activity -- which exists at a very small scale today, and is primarily driven by NASA funding -- will only grow in the coming years.

This mission is itself the result of a NASA contract awarded under the agencys Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. The CLPS program is designed to kickstart commercial development of landers to deliver scientific and research payloads to the moons surface. All in all, Intuitive Machines contract is worth a little less than $118 million.

As of our third planned mission, were seeing more and more non-CLPS payloads from both domestic and international companies and institutions, Josh Marshall, communications director of Intuitive Machines, said.

Intuitive Machines victory comes shortly after another CLPS awardee, Astrobotic, failed to put its lander on the moon. That mission was cut short very shortly after launch due to a catastrophic propulsion leak.

Rewatch the landing here:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg2ffigGcYM?si=cKO0Yo2q1IO3tpPy]
America returned to the Moon on Thursday with the Odysseus lander touching down near the unexplored region of the lunar South Pole.

While about half of all lunar landings end in failure, Houston-based Intuitive Machines is the first private company to succeed, also marking the first U.S. Moon landing since the final Apollo mission in 1972. This was the first successful mission as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Services Payload (CLPS) program. Another commercial lunar mission by Pittsburgh company Astrobotic failed to reach the Moon last month.

The Nova-C lunar lander arrived near the Moons South Pole on Thursday at 6:23 p.m. ET. Flight controllers confirmed that Odysseus was upright and sending data two hours later, following communications troubleshooting.

"Odysseus is alive and well," Intuitive Machines said Friday morning on social media. "Flight controllers are communicating and commanding the vehicle to download science data."

The company said the lander has good telemetry and solar charging as they continue to learn more about the vehicles specific location and overall health.

Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus will speak to the media at 5 p.m. ET Friday to discuss more on their historic moment.

"We can confirm without a doubt our equipment is on the surface of the Moon," Intuitive Machines Chief Technology Officer Tim Crain said.

Intuitive Machines teams had to think on their feet as the landing approached.

The lasers on the spacecraft needed for landing were not functioning but Intuitive Machines engineers opted to complete another orbit for landing and allow time to upload a patch reworking the landing system to use two lasers on NASA payloads.

The quick thinking paid off.

During its descent phase, the spacecraft guided itself to the landing area known as Malapert using the Terrain Relative Navigation camera from Redwire Space. The high-definition camera looked for a safe landing spot free of craters, boulders and other hazards. At 10 meters (about 33 feet), the spacecraft locked in on its landing site.

The hazardous landing required Odysseus to slow from about 4,000 mph to a velocity of about 2 mph (1 meter per second) before touching down on the Moon.

"Odysseus has a new home," the private space company stated after the landing.

Thursday's landing came just a week after SpaceX launched the Nova-C spacecraft known as Odysseus from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Odysseus lander was expected to touch down about 186 miles (about 300 kilometers) from the lunar South Pole in an area known as Malapert, named after the 17th-century Belgian astronomer Charles Malapert. The area is near the lunar mountain Malapert Massif, one of NASA's lunar landing candidate sites for the Artemis III astronaut mission.

NASA and the greater space exploration industry are interested in the unexplored region of the lunar South Pole because it likely contains water ice, which can be mined for fuel and other resources. NASA paid the company $118 million to shuttle its payloads to the shadowed region.

If all systems are working, Intuitive Machines expects to provide power for its payloads for about a week before lunar night on the South Pole.

NASA CLPS Program Manager Chris Culbert told FOX Weather the six NASA payloads on the Odysseus lander will help future human missions to the South Pole.

"We have a radiation sensor that will help us measure what radiation looks like at the South Pole of the Moon," Culbert said. "That helps us prepare for future human missions to that location."

Another NASA instrument will measure how Moondust behaves near this region.

"A retroreflector, a little device that we can bounce laser signals off of that tells us exactly where the lander is on the Moon," Culbert said of the palm-sized reflective object.

"All of this is geared to helping us learn more about the environment and prepare for future human missions to the South Pole," Culbert said.

In the coming years, more than a dozen other CLPS missions will launch NASA science to the Moon.





Original article source: Intuitive Machines returns America to Moons surface for first time since 1972
An American company has made history by becoming the first commercial outfit to put a spacecraft on the Moon.

Houston-based Intuitive Machines landed its Odysseus robot near the lunar south pole.

It took some minutes for controllers to establish that the craft was down, but eventually a signal was received.

"What we can confirm, without a doubt, is our equipment is on the surface of the Moon and we are transmitting," flight director Tim Crain announced.

Staff at the company cheered and clapped at the news.

It was an important moment, not just for the commercial exploitation of space but for the US space programme in general.

Intuitive Machines has broken the United States' half-century absence from the Moon's surface. You have to go back to the last Apollo mission in 1972 for an occasion when American hardware nestled down gently in the lunar soil.

Odysseus first went into orbit before making its descent

The US space agency Nasa had purchased room on Odysseus for six scientific instruments, and its administrator Bill Nelson was quick to add his congratulations to Intuitive Machines for a mission he described as a "triumph".

"The US has returned to the Moon," he said. "Today, for the first time in the history of humanity, a commercial company - an American company - launched and led the voyage up there. And today is the day that shows the power and promise of Nasa's commercial partnerships."

Celebrations too at Goonhilly Ltd in the UK which is helping to relay communications

Controllers had to deal with an almost mission-stopping technical problem even before the descent began.

Odysseus' ranging lasers, which were supposed to calculate the craft's altitude and velocity, weren't working properly.

Fortunately, there were some experimental lasers from Nasa on board, and engineers were able to patch these across to the navigation computers.

Odysseus touched down at 23:23 GMT. At first, there was no signal at all from the robot. There were plenty of nerves as the minutes ticked by, but eventually a communications link was made, albeit a faint one.

This led to some concerns about the status of the lander. Within a couple of hours, however, Intuitive Machines was reporting that Odysseus was standing upright and sending back data, including pictures.

Artwork: It took a few minutes to establish communications with the lander

The targeted landing site was a cratered terrain next to a 5km-high mountain complex known as Malapert. It's the southernmost point on the Moon ever visited by a spacecraft, at 80 degrees South.

It's on the shortlist of locations where Nasa is considering sending astronauts later this decade as part of its Artemis programme.

There are some deep craters in this region that never see any sunlight - they're permanently in shadow - and scientists think frozen water could be inside them.

BBC iPlayer

9 Amazing Space Missions

From a commercial moon mission by Intuitive Machines to Nasa's mini helicopter on Mars: 9 amazing space missions.

Available now on BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer

"The ice is really important because if we can actually take advantage of that ice on the surface of the Moon, that's less materials we have to bring with us," explained Lori Glaze, Nasa's director of planetary science.

"We could use that ice to convert it to water - drinkable drinking water - and we can extract oxygen and hydrogen for fuel and for breathing for the astronauts. So it really helps us in human exploration."

Nasa's six payloads on board Odysseus are a mix of technology demonstration and science.

A key investigation will be one looking at the behaviour of lunar dust, which the Apollo astronauts found to be a serious nuisance, scratching and clogging their equipment.

The agency's scientists want to understand better how the dust is kicked up by landing craft to hang just above the surface before then settling back down.

The six commercial payloads on board include a student camera system from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which should have been deployed from Odysseus when it was still 30m above the lunar surface.

This system was designed to take selfie images as the robot set itself down.

American artist Jeff Koons has also attached a box to the side of the lander that contains 125 small stainless steel balls to represent the Moon's different phases through a month.

Prior to Intuitive Machines' success, only government space agencies had put spacecraft down softly on the Moon - the US, the Soviet Union, China, India and Japan.

In January, another American company, Astrobotic, had a go. Its Peregrine lander developed technical problems en route to the Moon and gave up the opportunity of a touchdown. The robot was brought back to burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

Nasa wants to send astronauts to the lunar south pole later this decade
Very little was being said publicly Thursday about the investigation in New Lebanon, which already has put five members of the village administration on paid leave.

News Center 7 Reporter Brandon Lewis worked to confirm word that an unknown number of additional village officials have been run from office pending the investigation being conducted by a special counsel the village council hired to run day-to-day village operations, including the villages finances, until further notice.

>> Pharmacies experience delays because of cyberattack

The attorney for the special counsel would not confirm that Thursday night.

News Center 7 also has learned that Mayor David Nickerson has asked the state auditors office to look into the villages budget because he believes multiple funds are running deficits.

>> PREVIOUS: Police chief, 4 other New Lebanon officials on leave

Five members of the village administration -- the village manager, police chief, service department head, village chief financial officer and the village law director -- were sent home on paid leave after a vote of the village council on Tuesday night.

Its quiet sometimes, village resident Kaleb Lutz said Thursday night.

Silence was the rule News Center 7s Lewis found Thursday night, when he tried to speak with Village Law Director Ronald Keener and Village Manager Glena Madden.

Keener did not respond to a phone call and Madden reached at her home, declined comment.

Attempts to find police Chief Curtis Hensley, Service Department head Scott Brock and Chief Financial Officer Phillip Hinson were unsuccessful.

Lutz said hes not surprised by all the silence.

I mean they havent really done anything in this town in a couple years, so its really just letting itself go, Lutz said. I dont really know what to make of it. "




Former Mayor Ivy Taylor poses for pictures beside her newly unveiled portrait during a city council meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The portrait was painted by artist Marvin Espy. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A new portrait of former Mayor Ivy Taylor, second from left, is unveiled during a city council meeting as her husband Rodney Taylor, left, stands beside her on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The portrait was painted by artist Marvin Espy. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Former Mayor Ivy Taylor talks with friends before the start of a city council meeting where a new portrait of her is unveiled on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Taylor served as the citys first Black mayor from 2014 through 2017. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Robert Vargas III, a Democratic political strategist, speaks out against former Mayor Ivy Taylor before the unveiling of her portrait, which will hang in the City Council Chambers on Thursday morning, Feb. 22, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Robert Vargas III, a Democratic political strategist, speaks out against former Mayor Ivy Taylor before the unveiling of her portrait, which will hang in the City Council Chambers on Thursday morning, Feb. 22, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Robert Vargas III, a Democratic political strategist, is escorted out of the city council chamber as he speaks out against former Mayor Ivy Taylor before the unveiling of her portrait on Thursday morning, Feb. 22, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Political consultant Robert Vargas III briefly interrupted the unveiling of former Mayor Ivy Taylor's official portrait during City Council's Thursday meeting. Then he was booted from council chambers.

Taylor served as mayor from 2014 to 2017 when then-District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg defeated her at the polls.

As a District 2 councilwoman, Taylor was one of three council members who voted against the 2013 non-discrimination ordinance, which won her the enmity of many in San Antonio's LGBTQ community.

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In a 2015 candidates forum at Cornerstone Church on the North Side, she called the ordinance "a waste of time," saying council members should have focused instead on "streets and roads, and police and fire, libraries and parks." She later apologized for her remarks.

Vargas, an activist who is managing Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar's re-election campaign, shouted at Taylor  who was San Antonio's first Black mayor  as she walked to a podium to address the council.

"Shame on you, Ivy Taylor!" Vargas said. "Your hate has no place in the halls of the city of San Antonio."

READ MORE: Nearly 18 million Texans have registered to vote ahead of the March primary election

Dozens of Taylor's friends, family and supporters packed chambers to celebrate the unveiling of her portrait, paid for with private donations. And many of them booed at Vargas's outburst.

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Mayor Ron Nirenberg called on Vargas to be quiet or leave, but Vargas continued shouting.

He was escorted him from the room.

'Historic nature of my appointment'

]Taylor represented District 2 on the East Side from 2009 through 2014, when her council colleagues appointed her interim mayor after Mayor Julian Castro resigned to become President Barack Obama's secretary of Housing and Urban Development. She won the seat in the 2015 city election.

Taylor said it was important to her that the portrait was hung in the city's Hall of Mayors  an area just outside council chambers  in February, which is Black history month.

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"The acknowledgement of the historical nature of my appointment and then election is important because I believe it can serve as motivation for other young, minority leaders to know what is possible, because many thought I could not be the mayor of San Antonio," Taylor said. "I hope that seeing my portrait hanging in the gallery will be an inspiration, especially to little Black girls."
UN Mideast envoy calls for collective efforts toward political horizon

Xinhua) 08:44, February 23, 2024

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland (on screens) speaks via a video link at a Security Council meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York, on Feb. 22, 2024. Wennesland on Thursday called for collective efforts to restore a political horizon for Palestinians and Israelis. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland on Thursday called for collective efforts to restore a political horizon for Palestinians and Israelis.

"The scale of the emergency we are facing is staggering and could quickly spiral out of control in the region. I appeal for a collective, coordinated and comprehensive response to not only address the immediate crisis before us in Gaza, but to help restore a political horizon for Palestinians and Israelis alike, while promoting greater stability and peace in the region," he told the Security Council in a briefing.

"To do this, we urgently need a deal to achieve a humanitarian cease-fire and the release of hostages. We need to create the space for moving forward through dialogue rather than violence," he said.

Ultimately, the long-term solution for Gaza is political. While taking into account Israel's legitimate security concerns, there must be a clear path toward restoring single, effective Palestinian governance across the occupied Palestinian territory, including in Gaza. International support for strengthening and reforming the Palestinian Authority to improve domestic and international legitimacy will be crucial, said Wennesland via a video link from Jerusalem.

To create the conditions for this to work, there must also be a time-bound political framework to end the Israeli occupation and establish a two-state solution in line with relevant UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements, he said. "These efforts must coalesce and accelerate if we are to emerge from this nightmare into a trajectory that can provide Palestinians and Israelis with the chance of lasting peace."

Wennesland said that, almost 140 days into the war in Gaza, there is no end in sight.

He expressed deep concern about a possible full-scale Israeli military offensive in the densely populated Rafah area, where some 1.4 million Palestinians are sheltering and where the only points of entry for humanitarian goods exist.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains desperate. Internally displaced persons face acute shortages of food, water, shelter and medicine. Communicable diseases are rising amid unsanitary conditions. Over 2 million people face extreme food insecurity, with women and children at greatest risk. This desperation and scarcity have led to a near total breakdown in law and order, said Wennesland.

Essential services have been heavily impacted by the fighting. Eighty-four percent of health and education facilities are damaged or destroyed. Over 62 percent of all roads and electricity feeder lines are unusable, he noted.

Wennesland reiterated his appeal to open additional access points to northern Gaza to increase the flow of aid, reduce congestion in the south and relieve some of the pressure on the population and the staff seeking to deliver aid.

He also expressed concern over the precarious situation in the West Bank.

"I am concerned that if the violence in Gaza does not end, and tensions and restrictions remain high in the West Bank, including at the Holy Sites in East Jerusalem, the holy month of Ramadan risks becoming another volatile marker rather than a time of contemplation and healing," he warned.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Hannah Stulbarg, 12, guides her cousin Zach Hensersky, 3, past a Knightscope K5 autonomous security robot as it roams around the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., in this 2016 photo. Leah Millis/The Chronicle Stacy Stephens, chief client officer for robot maker Knightscope, explains the features of one of two K5 units deployed to patrol the parking garage at Terminal C of Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston in 2020. The airport was testing the units for a year. Dug Begley People prepare to depart from Terminal A at the San Antonio International Airport on July 6, 2023. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer TSA K-9 officer Jennifer Trambulo, 52, and her partner, Sneezy, a 6-year-old yellow Labrador monitor passengers, cargo and aircraft for explosives at the San Antonio International Airport on Jan. 30, 2024. KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL/Contributor

A 420-pound robot doorman with a checkered work history is going to work at San Antonio International Airport.

The Knightscope K5 will keep an eye on doors in parts of the airport that the public doesnt have access to.

Airport Director Jesus Saenz said the robot will assist security personnel (humans) by responding to door alarms that go off in secure, employee-only areas.

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An alarm sounds whenever someone opens a door that they shouldnt, usually by accident. A security officer then rushes over to check the persons badge.

The robot  which is glossy white and 5 feet, 4 inches tall and looks like a chunky, distant cousin of R2-D2  will save them a trip.

It essentially will operate like a roving eye. Responding to an alarm, it will capture the door violator on one of its four cameras and beam the image to one of its carbon-based co-workers. The security guard then will ask the person remotely to show his or her badge.

It certainly allows us to be more efficient, more effective and improves the overall security posture of the airport, Saenz said.

The Knightscope K5 is a rental. The City Council on Thursday OKd leasing the robot for $21,000 for one year.

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The robot could be on the job in the next month or two.

If airport officials are satisfied with its work, they can renew the annual contract for up to five years.

The robot, a product of Mountain View, Calif.-based Knightscope, hasnt always earned employee of the month honors.

The New York Police Department leased a Knightscope K5 to patrol subway stations, but recently pulled the plug after only a few months. Officers had to chaperone the robot since it could not use the stairs, and subway passengers abused it, the New York Times reported.

In 2016, an earlier version of the robot ran over a toddler in a Silicon Valley shopping mall, injuring his foot. The next year, one of the robots rolled into a mall fountain in Washington, D.C., confused by an uneven surface.

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Not all City Council members were thrilled with the experiment at San Antonio International. Jalen McKee-Rodriguez of District 2, Teri Castillo of District 5 and Adriana Rocha Garcia of District 4 voted against it.

Its autonomous robots, and the robots presence raises concerns about privacy, surveillance and racial profiling throughout the country, McKee-Rodriguez said. Thats a foundational concern I have with these types of robots and devices. I believe were opening a door that should remain closed.

Will the airport robot be equipped with facial recognition software?

Saenz didnt answer the question directly. He said the robot will have video capabilities but only a security officer will be able to authorize people to open certain doors. And the robot wont be used for surveillance, he added.

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He also said it wont operate in public areas  and it wont be armed.

Ryan Rocha, chief of operations at the airport, said his team will take a month to test and program it before rolling it out to monitor doors.
By Henriette Chacar

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented his first official "day after" plan for the Gaza Strip once the war ends, saying Israel will keep security control over Palestinian areas and make reconstruction dependent on demilitarisation.

The plan, which brings together a range of well-established Israeli positions, underlines Netanyahu's resistance to the creation of a Palestinian state which he sees as a security threat, without explicitly ruling one out at some future stage.

It was swiftly dismissed by Palestinian officials as doomed to failure.

The document, distributed to security cabinet members as a discussion paper rather than a set programme, proposes Israel would maintain security control over all land west of Jordan, including the occupied West Bank and Gaza - territories where the Palestinians hope to establish an independent state.

The plan comes amid intensifying international calls to end the fighting that has destroyed large swathes of Gaza and to revive efforts to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

U.S. President Joe Biden, Israel's main ally, has said that only a two-state solution has a chance of bringing long-term peace and has been engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to build support among regional and other states.

Hours after it was revealed, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel's expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank was inconsistent with international law, signalling a return to long-standing U.S. policy on the issue, which had been reversed by the previous administration of Donald Trump.

In the long-term goals listed, Netanyahu rejects the "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state. He says a settlement with the Palestinians will only be achieved through direct negotiations between the two sides - without naming who the Palestinian party would be.

In Gaza, it proposes replacing Hamas administrative control with local representatives "who are not affiliated with terrorist countries or groups and are not financially supported by them", setting demilitarisation and deradicalisation as goals to be achieved in the medium term.

"The prime minister's document of principles reflects broad public consensus over the goals of the war and for replacing Hamas rule in Gaza with a civilian alternative," a statement by the Prime Minister's office said.

The plan does not elaborate on when that intermediary stage would begin or how long it would last. But it conditions the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip, much of which has been laid to waste by Israel's offensive, on its complete demilitarisation.

On Friday, as the plans became public, efforts to achieve a pause in the fighting to allow the return of some of the 134 hostages held by Hamas continued ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which begins in March.

Israeli ministers have said that unless a deal is reached, Israel will launch its long-awaited operation against the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought shelter under increasing dire humanitarian conditions.

'INDEPENDENT PALESTINIAN STATE'

Zaha Hassan, a human rights attorney and fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said if implemented, the Netanyahu plan would leave Palestinians in Gaza in a state of complete dependency, with no hope of achieving their national aspirations.

"This is obviously not the plan the Biden administration has been discussing with Arab governments," she said.

The spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said Netanyahu's proposal was doomed to fail, as were any Israeli plans to change the geographic and demographic realities in Gaza.

"If the world is genuinely interested in having security and stability in the region, it must end Israel's occupation of Palestinian land and recognise an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," he said.

To secure control of Gaza, Netanyahu proposes Israel have a presence on the Gaza-Egypt border in the south of the enclave and cooperates with Egypt and the United States in that area to prevent smuggling attempts, including at the Rafah crossing.

The plan calls for shutting down the U.N. Palestinian refugees agency UNRWA, which Israel has repeatedly accused of providing cover to Hamas, and replacing it with other international aid groups.

The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli counts.

Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel has responded with an air and ground assault on blockaded Gaza that has killed more than 29,400 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. The offensive has displaced most of the territory's population and caused widespread hunger and disease.

Little progress has been made on achieving Palestinian statehood since the signing of the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s. Among the obstacles impeding it are expanding Israeli settlements in territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

Most countries regard the settlements, which in many areas cut Palestinian communities off from each other, as a violation of international law. Israel claims a biblical birthright to the land and on Thursday said it would approve more than 3,000 new housing units in settlements.

(Reporting by Henriette Chacar and Ali Sawafta; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Nick Macfie and Diane Craft)
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev echoed Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in his threats against Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territories, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its Feb. 22 report.

Medvedev, now the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said in an interview with Russian media on Feb. 22 that Ukrainian citizens in occupied Ukraine who attempt sabotage against Russia should be "exposed and punished, sent to Siberia ... for re-education in forced labor camps."

"Medvedevs usage of Stalin-era purge rhetoric is significant," the ISW said.

Stalin's regime infamously targeted "saboteurs" and dissidents in purges throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The Holodomor, a man-made famine that caused an estimated 3.5 to 5 million Ukrainian deaths, also took place under Stalin's command.

Ukrainians in illegally occupied regions of Ukraine already suffer deportations at the hands of Russian authorities. A BBC investigation on Jan. 8 found that Russia has deported and detained thousands of Ukrainian civilians, holding them without charges, trials, or access to legal counsel.

Many were arrested for failing to support Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

Medvedev also said in the interview that Russia should seize and occupy Kyiv if not now then after some time. He repeated pro-Kremlin propaganda claims that both Kyiv and Odesa are historically "Russian" cities.

The comments preceded a Russian attack against Odesa overnight on Feb. 23 that killed three people. The city's historic center, a UNESCO world heritage site, has been badly damaged by Russian attacks.

"Medvedevs comments continue to indicate that the Kremlin has returned to its domestic narrative that Russia is fighting the war to 'liberate its historic lands,'" ISW analysts said.

Medvedev earlier this month threatened to use nuclear weapons against the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and Ukraine if Moscow loses all occupied Ukrainian territories.

Read also: How Russia has attempted to erase Ukrainian language, culture throughout centuries

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Bloomberg) -- Giorgia Melonis government is in preliminary talks with domestic, Ukrainian and Indian investors for a potential bid to rescue Italys biggest steelmaker.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Rome is testing the feasibility of a consortium after it moved to place the Acciaierie dItalia SpA works under special administration, according to people familiar with the issue. The plan is only one of the options that the government is discussing and is at a very early stage, said the people who asked not to be named on a confidential matter.

Arvedi Group, Ukraines biggest steelmaker Metinvest B.V. and Indias Vulcan Green Steel  part of Jindal Steel group  are among the firms involved, the people said.

ArcelorMittal SA, which owns 62% of the plant formerly known as Ilva, has said that the request for special administration by state investment unit Invitalia, which holds the remainder, ends its role in the plant. The plant in the southern city of Taranto has long been struggling to return to sustainable production levels as it combats rising energy costs and weaker industrial demand.

The plan under discussion reflects the Rome governments approach to corporate affairs. Italy wants a say in the future of companies it deems strategic. But given its inability to finance their rescue with fresh funds due to the states debt mountain, it is seeking to team up with domestic or foreign partners, while retaining some form of control.

That approach has been reflected in the sale of Telecom Italia SpAs network to US fund KKR, and in Deutsche Lufthansa AGs deal to buy a 41% stake in ITA Airways.

Spokespeople for the Rome government, Arvedi and Metinvest declined to comment. A representative for Vulcan Green Steel could not be reached outside normal office hours.

Multiple Proposals

In recent days there have already been multiple proposals from important foreign multinationals, Industry Minister Adolfo Urso said at a conference in Tuscany on Friday. Urso saw the government creating the conditions for private investors, through a public tender procedure, to acquire the plant. This will happen within this year.

Meloni herself outlined her strategy in earlier remarks Thursday. I dont want to nationalize Ilva, I think there are possibilities for finding private investors who really have an interest in making it work, Meloni told RAI television.

Separately Metinvest, which is owned by Ukraines richest businessman Rinat Akhmetov, and Italys Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA signed a memorandum of agreement with the Rome government last month to relaunch a steel site at Piombino in Tuscany.

Rome has argued that Acciaierie dItalia is a vital national asset, which subjects the plant to state powers that allow the government to override private investors and place companies under special administration.

--With assistance from Flavia Rotondi.

(Updates with minister Ursos remarks in eighth paragraph)

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Richard Warwick was given blood products when he attended Treloar's school in Hampshire

A man from North Yorkshire whose life was changed by the infected blood scandal hopes an ITV drama will portray the issue "faithfully".

Richard Warwick, 59, was given blood products to treat his haemophilia while a pupil at Treloar's school for disabled children, in Hampshire.

He later found out he was infected with hepatitis B and had contracted HIV.

ITV will make a drama about the scandal after the impact of its series about the Post Office Horizon scandal.

It will focus on how haemophiliacs and those with other blood disorders were "contaminated with tainted blood infecting them with HIV and Hepatitis C" during the 1970s and 1980s, the broadcaster said.

Mr Warwick, who lives near Malton and is a member of the Tainted Blood campaign group, said the creators needed to ensure their story remained faithful to the facts and experiences of those caught up.

"And if they do, it will tell a very compelling and harrowing story of what we've had to endure for so long," he said.

Mr Warwick discovered he had contracted HIV in 1988, a year before his wife became pregnant.

However, they were advised not to continue with the pregnancy because of the risk that the child could be infected.

Mr Warwick said he had the "greatest confidence" in writer of the series, Peter Moffat, who has won two Baftas for BBC series Criminal Justice and also created the screenplay for the upcoming Netflix film Scoop, about the Duke of York's disastrous Newsnight interview.

Mr Moffat said it had been "a great privilege to meet those infected and affected and to learn about what they have been through".

"The victims of this scandal have been let down again and again by the state - I hope in some small way this drama can help their voices be heard," he said.

Des Collins, senior partner of Collins Solicitors, which represents 1,500 victims and their families, also welcomed the series.

"We have long been approached by documentary-makers but believe this particular series will refocus public attention on the tragedy of the infected blood scandal," he said.

The infected blood scandal has previously been called the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.

It is thought that tens of thousands were infected with HIV and hepatitis between 1970 and 1991 after they were given a contaminated drug or blood transfusion.

The Infected Blood Inquiry, which started in 2018, has reviewed thousands of documents and heard testimony from 370 witnesses, with its final report set to be released in May.

It has already made its final recommendations for compensation for victims and their loved ones.

When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appeared before the inquiry last year, he vowed to pay compensation "as swiftly as possible".

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.
MCKINNEY, Texas - In six days, a 50-year-old Dallas man is scheduled for execution next week in a double murder case that has received national attention.

Ivan Cantu's execution was postponed twice previously.

His supporters are asking for a stay of execution, while the district attorney says he's convinced the evidence at trial was solid.

Cantu was convicted of murdering his cousin and his cousin's fiance in 2001.

The case has now drawn celebrity attention, and his supporters delivered a petition on Thursday to the Collin County district attorney asking for a stay of execution.

READ MORE: Texas inmate's execution on hold, lawyers say evidence from true crime podcast proves he was 'framed'

Supporters at the Collin County Courthouse said they are not asking for a new trial but rather a one-day hearing that can weigh what they say is new evidence in the case.

A well-known activist, Sister Helen Prejean, is one of Cantu's supporters.

"He asked me to be with him if Texas executes him on the twenty-eighth," she said. "Would you hold my hand and pray with me?"

The group delivered 80,000 signatures to Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis calling on him to request a stay of execution.

Cantu was sentenced to death for the 2000 murders of his cousin and cousin's fiance, James Mosqueda and Amy Kitchen.

Cantus attorney, Gena Bunn, wants a court hearing on new evidence. She says a key witness admitted he lied, and a Rolex watch Cantu was accused of stealing was later discovered.

"We have pleas pending in multiple courts right now," she said. "I am hopeful a court will give Ivan his day in court."

While many who gathered at the steps of the Collin County Courthouse are opponents of the death penalty, one man who made a three-hour drive to McKinney is not.

Jeff Calhoun was the jury foreman at trial 23 years ago.

"Im not here to protest capital punishment. I had to sign a document that I support capital punishment," he said. "It aint easy to sign the document that says, We the jury are signing the document that says we the jury are turning this man over to the state to be executed. But it is our civic duty, and we did it. And I didnt look back until this fellow, Matt, got ahold of me."

Matt Duff is a private investigator who launched a podcast about Cantu's case.

"The state cant find Ivans DNA on the bloody jeans and socks," he said. "If that came out at trial, that is game over."

The podcast "Cousins by Blood" drew national attention, including that of celebrities Kim Kardashian and Martin Sheen.

DA Willis refuses to use the conviction integrity unit in his office which could delay the execution and open an urgent inquiry.

But Thursday, the district attorney remained steadfast that "Ivan Cantu brutally murdered two innocent victims in 2000. My belief is anchored in the undeniable evidence presented at trial, reinforced by over two decades of exhaustive state and federal appeals post-conviction. This compelling evidence includes DNA analysis, fingerprint identification, ballistic matching and corroborating witness testimony."

One of the trial jurors told Cantu's mother, Sylvia, that he disagreed.

"There was so much you didnt hear," Sylvia said. "They told me I would testify, and they didnt allow me to testify."

"Im hoping you will get that opportunity," Calhoun told Sylvia. "That is why I am here."

"That means so much to me," she said. "We have a way to bring him home, and it is not in a box. He is going to be a free man."
Conservative activist Jack Posobiec joyfully hailed the end of democracy at the Conservative Political Action Conference, further emphasizing Republicans apparent desire to completely overthrow America as we know it.

Posobiec, who helped popularize the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, appeared at CPACs opening day on Wednesday. He spoke during a panel moderated by former White House adviser and white supremacist Steve Bannon.

Welcome to the end of democracy. We are here to overthrow it completely, Posobiec said as the event began.

We didnt get all the way there on January 6, but we will endeavor to get rid of it and replace it with this, right here, he said, gesturing to the crowd and holding up his fist.

As he spoke, Bannon laughed and said, Amen!

Jack Posobiec at CPAC: Welcome to the end of democracy. We are here to overthrow it completely. We didnt get all the way there on Jan. 6, but we will endeavor to get rid of it.



Trumps Republican Party openly wants to end democracy. We must stop them. pic.twitter.com/UITxEth0im  Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) February 22, 2024

Posobiec then said, to cheers from the audience, All glory is not to government. All glory to God.



Republican primary front-runner Donald Trump has repeatedly indicated he intends to embrace authoritarianism if he is reelected to the White House. Trump has paraphrased Adolf Hitler, floated horrifying and fascistic policy ideas, and joked (so he says) about being a dictator on the first day of his new term.

Trumps closest allies in Congress have also indicated they would be willing to throw out the rulebook for him. Senator J.D. Vance and Representative Elise Stefanik, both reportedly on the shortlist for Trumps running mate, have said they would have carried out a coup on January 6, 2021, to keep Trump in power.

Posobiecs comments, even delivered in a lighthearted tone, are a chilling reminder that Trump and his supporters are not speaking rhetorically. They mean everything they say.
Ted Henifin, Jackson's third-party water administrator, said he's in favor of a potential bill that would give the state the power to take over Jackson's water system, instead of returning it back to the city.

Henifin is planning to meet with state legislators next week to discuss Senate Bill 2628, which would create a water authority consisting of a nine-member board and a president appointed by the governor and the lieutenant governor. It would also require approval from the U.S. Department of Justice.

After reviewing SB 2628, I believe this is a great foundation. It appears that many of the comments I provided during the last session regarding the bill introduced in 2023 were taken to heart and this bill now includes many of the suggestions I made at that time, Henifin said in a press release. The bill identifies a need for appropriations, but I recommend defining a specific dollar figure to fund start-up costs for the authority be included in the FY 2025 state budget.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and Ward 6 Councilman and Council President Aaron Banks were not immediately available for comment.

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate, who oversees JXN Water as part of the federal takeover of the city's water system, was also not immediately available for comment.

Henifin said he supports multiple elements of the bill, including:

Ted Henifin supports a bill that would turn over the Jackson water system to a new state authority rather than returning control to the City of Jackson.

Where does Jackson sewage go? How Jackson sewage is treated: From the toilet to the Savanna Plant to the Pearl River

All Federal funds received to date to be spent according to the direction of the ITPM and the court

The authority assumes ownership and operations and maintenance upon the date of termination of the Order or earlier as ordered by the court

The authority can issue bonds

The authority develops own procedures for procurements less than $1 million

The authority would consult with the court in appointing a president (paid for by state) and to serve as ITPMs deputy in the transition

Authorizes the Mississippi SRF program to loan funds at zero percent with a 40-year term to make such purchase

Board serves without salary

Employees of the authority serve at will and pleasure of president who sets compensation and benefits

A nine-member board from very specific constituencies  five appointed by Governor and four by Lt. Governor

Set rates subject to PSC review  PSC shall defer to the authoritys determination of what rates are just and reasonable absent a showing of manifest error

State provides surety for short-term borrowing through 2029

The bill authorizes the authority to purchase the water and sewer assets at fair market value

Senate Bill 2628, sponsored by Sen. David Parker, R-Olive Branch, would seek to establish a public utility authority with the nine-person board, as well as a president to shadow Henifin until the federal government may agree to turn back the system over to the city or state.

The bill was passed through the Senate during the 2023 legislative session but failed in the House after lawmakers tried to amend provisions of the bill to appease local opposition from Jackson delegates and city officials.

Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, is already a fierce opponent of the bill, and he told lawmakers Thursday about the upcoming meeting where Henifin intends to give updates on the citys water system. The meeting is on Monday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. at the State Capitol.

In 2022, the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant, which treats water for much of Jackson and surrounding cities for drinking, bathing and cooking, completely failed after the Pearl River flooded due to heavy rainfall. The ensuing crisis caused repeated outages for the citys 150,000 residents who went weeks without water.

The United States Department of Justice, as a result, stepped in and appointed Henifin to oversee the system. He subsequently created the management organization JXN Water.

Currently, no concrete timeline exists on when the federal government will relinquish control of the citys water utility. In July 2023, the DOJ also gave Henifin management of the citys sewer maintenance.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS Water: Ted Henifin supports State of Mississippi takeover
Lee Anderson says Sadiq Khan has 'given our capital city away to his mates' - Victoria Jones/PA

A top Conservative MP sparked a furious backlash from the Labour Party on Friday as he claimed Islamists had got control of Sadiq Khan and London.

Lee Anderson, a former deputy chairman of the Tory Party, claimed the capital had been taken over following a wave of weekly pro-Palestinian protests over the war in Gaza.

Mr Anderson was responding to an article for The Telegraph by Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, in which she wrote the Islamists, the extremists and the anti-Semites are in charge of the country.

She made the remarks after the Commons Speaker sparked anger over a Gaza ceasefire vote by allowing a vote on a Labour amendment, leading to accusations that he had given in to extremists.

It later emerged that pro-Palestinian protestors had wanted to force parliament into lockdown. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) had wanted people to enter parliament to lobby MPs to vote in favour of a ceasefire, but they

were stopped by security.

Ben Jamal, leader of the PSC, told a crowd: We want so many of you to come that they will have to lock the doors of parliament itself, The Times reported.

In an interview with GB News, Mr Anderson said: I dont actually believe that these Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is that theyve got control of Khan, theyve got control of London.

Hes actually given our capital city away to his mates If you let Labour in through the back door, expect more of this, expect our cities to be taken over by these lunatics.

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said: Divisive and dangerous. The Conservatives have gone beyond the dog-whistle playbook of previous mayoral elections to outright racism and Islamophobia. Enough is enough.

Florence Eshalomi, the shadow minister for democracy, added: I hope that Conservative Campaign Headquarters will look into this urgently.

A London Labour source said: This sort of vile Islamophobia is exactly how the Tories campaigned against Sadiq Khan in 2016. Surely they will not tolerate it this time round?

The Home Secretary has rejected Mrs Bravermans claim that Islamists are in charge of Britain.

James Cleverly rejected Suella Braverman's comments, saying 'We live by the rule of law' - Jonathan Brady/PA

James Cleverly said he can understand her frustration but insisted that we live in a high-functioning democracy.

When asked if his predecessor at the Home Office was right to claim that Islamists are running the country, Mr Cleverly told Times Radio: No. I can understand her frustration but we do still live in one of the greatest countries in the world if not the greatest country in the world.

We have a high-functioning democracy. We live by the rule of law. And I dont think it is right or appropriate to imply anything other than that.

Mrs Bravermans column was also attacked by the London mayor who said she was doing her best to outflank Enoch Powell, the Right-wing former Conservative MP famous for his Rivers of Blood speech.

Mr Powell became a political pariah in the years after his 1968 speech in which he railed against the social consequences of immigration from the Commonwealth and new race relations laws.

Mr Khan wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Mrs Bravermans remarks were a poisonous attempt to drive a wedge between our communities and an attempt to serve her own naked ambition.

Mrs Braverman wrote: 'The truth is that the Islamists, the extremists and the anti-Semites are in charge now' - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

Meanwhile, Lord Mann, the governments anti-Semitism tsar, also criticised Mrs Braverman, claiming that she ignored his advice on how to tackle anti-Jewish hate while she was home secretary, adding that her inaction while she was in office was part of the problem.

Mrs Braverman declined to respond to the criticism levelled at her by Mr Khan and Lord Mann. She was sacked by Mr Sunak in November 2023 after she accused police of playing favourites with pro-Palestinian protesters.

She used her Telegraph column to accuse political leaders of burying their heads in the sand, and preferring to believe in the illusion of a successful multicultural society and remaining terrified of being called racist if they challenged them.

But the law has not changed, mass extremism parades itself proudly, campuses remain dangerous places for Jews, and Labour is still rotten to the core, she said.

Sir Lindsay initially defended his decision, saying he had broken with convention to allow MPs to vote on the widest possible range of amendments, citing threats that politicians had received over their stance on Israel and Gaza.

But on Thursday, he admitted he had made a wrong decision in his effort to protect MPs as he fought to keep his job.

Stephen Flynn, the SNPs Commons leader, and some Tory rebels are now trying to oust the Speaker by forcing a no-confidence vote. By Friday evening, over 70 MPs had signed a motion declaring no confidence in Sir Lindsay.

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[Source]

Japanese scientists are set to launch the world's first wooden satellite, helping mitigate space pollution caused by traditional metallic spacecraft.

The wood that could: Constructed with magnolia wood, the coffee mug-sized LignoSat probe was developed by researchers at Kyoto University in collaboration with logging company Sumitomo Forestry, reported The Guardian. The material was chosen for demonstrating resilience and stability during extensive testing that included trials aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Koji Murata, the project's lead scientist, highlighted the wood's remarkable ability to withstand harsh space environments. He attributed this to the lack of oxygen in space that could cause wood to burn, and the lack of living organisms that would cause it to decompose.

Driving the innovation: The idea for the project stems from growing concerns about the environmental impact of traditional satellites that are typically constructed out of aluminum. Such satellites release alumina particles into the Earth's upper atmosphere upon re-entry, potentially affecting the ozone layer. Wooden satellites could minimize environmental harm as they burn into biodegradable ash upon re-entry.

Trending on NextShark: 240-million-year-old 'Chinese dragon' fossil discovered in southern China

Whats next: According to Murata, LignoSat will need to operate in space for at least six months before it can enter the upper atmosphere. The tiny satellite is expected to undergo extensive testing during its orbital mission.

"One of the missions of the satellite is to measure the deformation of the wooden structure in space, Murata told The Guardian's Observer. Wood is durable and stable in one direction but may be prone to dimensional changes and cracking in the other direction."

The researchers are considering launching the LignoSat probe via a flight on an Orbital Sciences Cygnus supply ship to the ISS this summer or a SpaceX Dragon mission scheduled later this year. If successful, the project could pave the way for widespread adoption of wood as a viable construction material for more sustainable satellites in the future.

Trending on NextShark: 70-year-old grandfather from China amazes with his physique and fitness routine

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Japan's Emperor Naruhito, left, Empress Masako, center, and their daughter Princess Aiko wave to well-wishers, from the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Naruhito turns 64 on Friday. (Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool Photo via AP)

TOKYO (AP)  Japans Emperor Naruhito made his first speech to the nation since a deadly earthquake hit the north-central region of Koto, with a message marking his 64th birthday on Friday.

The ceremonial monarch expressed grief for people affected by the Jan. 1 earthquake, praying for their recovery and saying he hoped to visit the region to console them.

Naruhito's last scheduled national address, an annual New Year event, was canceled because of the quake. The emperor and his wife have not yet visited the disaster zone. The palace told NHK Television that the couple feared a visit would disrupt recovery efforts, and are currently planning a trip in late March.

Cheering well-wishers gathered at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo despite cold, rainy weather.

I would like once again to express my condolences to those who lost their lives in the Noto Peninsula earthquake last month and to convey my heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families and those who were affected by the disaster, Naruhito said from a balcony, accompanied by his wife, Empress Masako, their only child Aiko and other relatives. I wish every one of you a peaceful spring.

The magnitude 7.6 quake on New Years Day killed 241 people and drove more than 12,000 people from their homes. Nine people are still missing. Reconstruction has come slowly in a largely rural area with an aging population, known for Wajima lacquerware and other handicrafts.

A video released Friday by the Imperial Household Agency showed Naruhito and Masako admiring lacquerware boxes from Noto, with a big round lacquer tray and a Suzu pottery vase, also from the region, placed behind them.

Naruhito, in a pre-recorded press conference released Friday, also said he hoped to visit the area with Masako when the local situation allows.

The difficult situation is continuing, but I sincerely hope many people will provide support for the steady progress of recovery and reconstruction, Naruhito said.

Naruhito, who will mark the fifth anniversary of his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, said he has sought to stay as close to the people as possible. But that's slow going for the traditionally remote Japanese monarchy: a proposal to open social media accounts for the Imperial family has been under discussion since last year.

Since the Noto earthquake, hes made only one other public appearance, at an event marking the 150th anniversary of the Tokyo police in mid-January.

Naruhito also acknowledged that the number of royals who can perform public duties is on the decline.

The imperial household is shrinking rapidly, owing to rules that allow only men to inherit the throne and expel female royals who marry outside the family. Naruhito currently has only two younger potential successors  his brother Akishino, 58, and his nephew Hisahito, 17. A third potential heir, his uncle Prince Hitachi, is 88.

The situation has raised questions about the future of Japans monarchy and triggered calls to allow female royals to remain in the family after marriage or inherit the throne. The conservative governing party is discussing proposals that would allow more people to remain in the family but keep male-only inheritance.

The situation is a matter that is related to the future of the Imperial Family, Naruhito said, but declined to comment on the system. The Japanese emperor is not allowed to comment on politics.
A screenshot of video taken by the Bexar County Sheriffs Office shows two SWAT deputies checking two people found in a smuggler stash house Thursday morning in the 1400 block of West Southcross Boulevard. Courtesy Bexar County Sheriff's Office

Authorities rescued eight people and arrested three after a stash house was raided by Bexar County deputies Thursday on the South Side.

Cesar Mosivais Vanegas and Ramiro Herrera Martinez, both 23, and Raul Rodriguez, 19, are each charged with human smuggling and engaging in organized criminal activity. Vanegas also is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.

Francisco Valdez Carmona, 59, was identified among the undocumented immigrants as wanted in Mexico and taken into custody. He had a 2009 warrant out of Mexico City for homicide and a warrant for kidnapping out of Queretaro in Central Mexico.

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Neighbors had told deputies they suspected people were being smuggled out of a home in the 1400 block of West Southcross Boulevard.

Deputies set up surveillance on the home Thursday morning and saw two vehicles leaving. They pulled the drivers over, found evidence of human smuggling and rescued five people.

Three people pulled over in the traffic stops could face charges in connection with the smuggling operation, Sheriff Javier Salazar said.

Deputies then surrounded the home and called for the occupants to come out. When no one responded, deputies went inside.

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They found three people, including a 2-year-old boy. He has since been released to his mother, Salazar said in an update Friday. There may be additional charges in the case.

Some of the eight rescued complained of body aches and other injuries. They were checked out by EMS before they were taken to the sheriffs office headquarters for further interviews. The oldest among them was Carmona.

There are possibly some signs that theyve been mistreated, Salazar said. Were happy that most of them appear to be in good health.

The sheriff said investigators were still sorting out if there was another smuggler, called a coyote, found inside the house claiming to be a victim.

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Its not uncommon in operations like this for the coyotes to dress just like the people that were considering victims, Salazar said. They know what injuries people are going to face on a trip like this.

Coyotes often claim blisters on their feet as well, the sheriff said, and the victims are afraid to out their captors, who are often part of a criminal organization.

Many of the immigrants said they walked a great distance. It was not immediately known what country they were from, Salazar said.

The house was in bad condition. Discarded food and groceries were strewn about the kitchen in a video shared by the sheriffs office. A landlord told deputies he thought he was leasing the home to a family.

Cesar Mosivais Vanegas, 23, was arrested Thursday and charged with operation of a stash house, smuggling of persons and engaging in organized criminal activity Courtesy Bexar County Sheriff's Office Ramiro Herrera Martinez, 23, is charged with smuggling of persons and engaging in organized criminal activity. Courtesy Bexar County Sheriff's Office Raul Rodriguez, 19, is charged with smuggling of persons and engaging in organized criminal activity. Courtesy Bexar County Sheriff's Office Fracisco Valdez Carmona was taken into Bexar County Sheriff's Office custody Friday as he is wanted on a 2009 warrant out of Mexico City for homicide, and a warrant for Kidnapping out Queretaro, located in Central Mexico. Courtesy Bexar County Sheriff's Office

Anyone who suspects trafficking or other crimes such as prostitution or illegal gambling in their neighborhood can call the sheriffs office at 210-335-6000 and leave a tip with the organized crime unit or email gang@bexar.org.
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  To commemorate 100 years of entertaining and serving the Roanoke community, The Jefferson Center announced the launch of a year-long anniversary celebration.

Throughout the buildings history, the organization has contributed to education, music and arts, and the economic development of Roanoke. From 1924 to 1974, the building was known as Jefferson High School. During its years as a school, more than 19,000 students walked through its halls, classrooms, cafeteria, and of course, the auditorium which served as the backdrop and stage for countless memories and stories.

At the time, the city did not have a civic center, so the schools auditorium was built larger than usual. Not only did this give students a place to gather, but it also provided the community a place to host events as well.

In 1989, renovations repurposed classrooms into offices and modernized systems. An appointed citizens committee was then tasked with determining the standards that would define the Jefferson Centers role in the community into the forward, which are still held today; to create a place for local business, government, and nonprofit organizations to collaborate and enrich the lives of the community.

Beautiful and delicious! Unique Virginia fish is on the run!

For generations, we have found places to sit, learn, celebrate, or simply enjoy in the Jefferson Center. Even though much has changed over the past 100 years, its core purpose has remained steadfast, said Whit Ellerman, chair of the Jefferson Center Board of Directors. It was, is, and always will be a home to education, the arts, and community engagement  a place where lives are inspired and enriched.

Throughout its history, the Jefferson Center has brought to the community:

85 music/arts performances a year

200+ community events a year

Affordable office for 18 private businesses and nonprofits

Educational programming and music lab for children, regardless of their ability to pay

The buildings leadership and board of directors, along with the Roanoke City Council are continuing to address needs for immediate renovations. The efforts aim to help ensure that it can remain a part of community enrichment for another 100 years.

We believe deeply in our responsibility to uphold the purpose of Jefferson Center as a place where lives are inspired and enriched, says Cyrus Pace, Executive Director of Jefferson Center. We know the City of Roanoke and its elected officials also believe in Jefferson Center as a beacon of education, arts and community engagement and an important link to our past.

For more information on their 100th anniversary or to see future events, visit the Jefferson Centers website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark.  The administrator of the Jack Jones Juvenile Detention Center was fired by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office after an investigation of several allegations.

In a Thursday release, officials with the JCSO said Eric Hobbs has been fired as administrator of the detention center for several policy violations, which they said include the use of excessive force and falsifying records.

Jefferson County jailer arrested, accused of attempting to smuggle drugs into jail

On Feb. 2, authorities said they received a complaint from an employee at the detention center regarding allegations of incidents where they said Hobbs made unnecessary uses of force against juvenile detainees.

Upon investigating, deputies said they learned of an incident on Jan. 11 where Hobbs used pepper spray against a detainee. Authorities said they determined from video of the incident that Hobbs used unnecessary force after they said it showed Hobbs spraying the juvenile three times with pepper spray despite no signs of threat to Hobbs.

Off-duty Little Rock police officer arrested, facing drunk driving charge

Officials said they then compared Hobbs report of the incident and the video and determined that he was not truthful in his report about what led up to the use of force or the number of times that he used that force. Hobbs was then placed on administrative leave pending a review of the incident by the Sheriffs Office counsel.

According to the release, the JCSO then fired Hobbs on Feb. 16. Officials said Hobbs waived his right to appeal on Thursday.

Deputies: Independence County jailer arrested for providing contraband to inmates

Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. said the JCSO is dedicated to upholding the highest standards in the operation of their detention centers.

The actions taken by Hobbs do not reflect the policy or training conducted by our agency and do not reflect the expected conduct of our detention staff who are charged with the duty to protect and secure our detainees whether adults or juveniles, the sheriff said. These expectations are placed upon every level of our office. No one is above the policy and procedures set forth by my office, or the criminal statues which our state legislature has put in place and our deputies are sworn and commissioned to uphold.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
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A 28-year-old police officer has been charged with murdering missing Australian TV personality Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Davies.

Detectives launched a frantic search on Wednesday after the couple's bloodied items were found in a bin near Sydney.

Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, Baird's ex-boyfriend, was being sought by police and handed himself in on Friday.

Detectives say they are yet to locate the men's bodies or confirm their cause of death.

Police allege the couple were killed on Monday inside Jesse Baird's house in Paddington, an inner Sydney suburb, before their bodies were moved in a white van.

Witnesses told investigators they heard "shouting" and a "verbal argument" that morning, and the rented van was captured at the scene on CCTV footage that evening. The van was found in Sydney's south on Friday morning.

New South Wales Police have said a bullet matching Beaumont Lamarre-Condon's work-issued gun was found at the crime scene in Paddington, as was a "significant" amount of blood and upturned furniture.

He did not turn up to work on Tuesday, but the senior constable's gun was later located in a safe at a police station, Det Supt Daniel Doherty told reporters.

Police have also seized blood-stained clothes, a phone and credit cards from an industrial bin in Cronulla, 28km (17 miles) away from the crime scene, and a number of items from a house in Balmain.

Det Supt Doherty said Beaumont Lamarre-Condon was also believed to have travelled to Newcastle - 170km north of the crime scene - at some point after the alleged killings.

He said information gleaned from Beaumont Lamarre-Condon so far had "not assisted" the investigation but tip-offs from the public had been a great help. He again appealed for anyone with information to contact police.

"It's really important that we do locate the bodies, not only for the cause of death but for answers for the family... They are obviously devastated," Det Supt Doherty said.

Mr Baird had been a presenter and red carpet reporter on Network 10's morning show Studio 10 until the programme was axed in December, while Mr Davies was a flight attendant for Qantas.

Happy photos of the pair featured heavily on their social media, which has been flooded with condolences since their disappearance.

Beaumont Lamarre-Condon joined the police force in 2019 and was previously a celebrity blogger who had met stars including Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus.

His many encounters with celebrities was reported in Australian media, including a magazine spread asking if he was "Australia's biggest fan?"

Det Supt Doherty declined to identify a motive for the alleged crimes but said the police officer's relationship with Jesse Baird had ended "a couple of months ago", "so that's an obvious line of inquiry".

Beaumont Lamarre-Condon was refused bail and appeared in court on Friday afternoon.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Penguins: Theyre just like us  especially when it comes to yearly physicals.

The colony of Magellanic penguins at John Ball Zoo had their annual wellness checks Thursday. All 23 penguins were put through several tests to ensure they continue to stay healthy as the zoo gets set to welcome guests back next month.

An X-ray of one penguin during their wellness exam at John Ball Zoo.

Just like every other animal in our zoo, theyre all scheduled for routine health checks with a certain frequency. For these guys, its once a year and allows us to get a good look at them and make sure that theyre nice and healthy, Dr. Ryan Colburn, a veterinarian at JBZ said.

Each penguin had the ID bands on its wings checked to make sure it was in good condition. The animals then had blood drawn to test for diseases, their beaks and nails trimmed and a full physical.

On top of that, zoo staff also conducted X-rays on the birds who were calm enough to stay put in the McGyvered system, created strictly for penguins at JBZ. More than a dozen staff members assisted Colburn and another zoo veterinarian in carrying out the exams.

The exams the penguins go through every year are very different than some of the other animals at JBZ, including the fact that they are awake for them. This can pose a problem for staff members.

As cute as penguins are, theyre very able to tell you when they dont like something, Colburn said. So, we have to make sure that were safe as well and not getting bit or something like that.

Some of the birds can fight with staff if they get too stressed out from the exams. Colburn said that they are prepared for when that happens.

Anytime any animal or person goes to the doctor, it can be very stressful. So, the biggest thing we try to do is make sure that things are very efficient, that we have everything ready ahead of time and can go smoothly from one step to the next, he said. We have a rest area in the setup as well so if (a penguin) is getting very agitated by the process, they can just kind of relax for a little while. We always know that if we need to, we can always abort the process.

The 30,000-gallon pool in the penguins exhibit was drained for cleaning but has since been refilled and the penguin colony is back to its regular routine. JBZ is set to reopen later next month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
A San Antonio stripper accused of trafficking 105 kilos of cocaine worth $1.3 million has been indicted by a federal grand jury on two drug distribution charges. Seen here is a staff file photo of a Texas club in 2011. Edward A. Ornelas/Staff photographer file photo

A San Antonio stripper accused of trafficking large quantities of cocaine has been indicted by a federal grand jury on two drug-distribution charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Fedock said in a recent hearing that Gisselle Cabrera Rodriguez, 24, had distributed about 105 kilograms of cocaine worth $1.3 million since August.

The FBI found 3.76 kilos of cocaine during searches of her apartment and vehicle. Rodriguez told agents that a supplier in Mexico provided her with 5 to 10 kilos a week, and that she sold each kilo for $13,000 cash on delivery.

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A courier would then pick up payment for Rodriguezs supplier in Mexico, according to court records.

Federal agents found more than 2 kilograms of cocaine and $45,000 in cash in Rodriguezs apartment near the high-end Shops at La Cantera on the far North Side on Feb. 6, court records said.

In a traffic stop the same day, law officers also found more than 1 kilogram of cocaine in the Mercedes SUV she was driving. Rodriguez said she was on her way to sell it to a person near Walzem Road on the Northeast Side, according to law enforcement testimony.

Her lawyer, Johnny Cisneros, said she plans to plead not guilty.

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"They made it sound like (Rodriguez) was a one-person operation," Cisneros said of the FBI and prosecutors. "It's not like that. There's others allegedly involved."

According to the FBI, Rodriguez claimed two sources of income: dancing at strip clubs in San Antonio, Austin and Houston, and as an operator of a trucking company that investigators believe was a front for drug activity. Public records also list her as an owner of a barbershop on Rittiman Road.

The indictment, unsealed Thursday, charges Rodriguez with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, which carries a punishment of 10 years to life; and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, which carries a penalty of five to 40 years in prison.
FILE - Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, talks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, Dec. 13, 2023. A federal judge in California will consider whether former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, who was charged with lying about a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden's family, must remain behind bars while he awaits trial. U.S. District Judge Otis Wright II has set a hearing for Monday, Feb. 26, in Los Angeles on prosecutors' request to keep Smirnov in jail. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

A federal judge in California will consider whether a former FBI informant charged with lying about a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Bidens family must remain behind bars while he awaits trial after prosecutors pushed to have him locked up over fears that he would flee the country.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts in Las Vegas earlier this week allowed Alexander Smirnov to be released from jail on electronic GPS monitoring. But U.S. District Judge Otis Wright II ordered Smirnov to be returned to custody after prosecutors asked Wright to reconsider the earlier ruling releasing him.

Wright has set a hearing for Monday in Los Angeles on prosecutors' request to keep Smirnov in jail. Smirnov was returned to custody Thursday morning while meeting with his lawyers at their offices in downtown Las Vegas.

After ordering Smirnov's re-arrest, Wright wrote in court papers unsealed Friday that it had come to his attention that defense attorneys were again pushing for Smirnov's release in Nevada  which the judge added was likely to facilitate his absconding from the United States.

Smirnov's lawyers said in a statement Friday that they were continuing to fight for his release and would have no further comment on the case. They have filed an emergency petition with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that Wright did not have the authority to order that Smirnov be re-arrested and brought to Los Angeles.

Prosecutors have accused Smirnov of falsely telling his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015. The claim became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden in Congress.

Smirnov has not entered a plea to the charges, but his lawyers have said their client is presumed innocent and they look forward to defending him at trial.

As part of their push to keep him in custody, prosecutors said Smirnov told investigators after his first arrest on Feb. 14 that officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story about Hunter Biden. They said Smirnovs self-reported contact with Russian officials was recent and extensive and said he had planned to meet with foreign intelligence contacts during an upcoming trip abroad.

Special Counsel David Weiss' office says Smirnov poses a serious risk of flight, writing in court papers that he has access to over $6 million in liquid funds  more than enough money for him to live comfortably overseas for the rest of his life.

____ Richer reported from Boston.
Judge throws out excessive force lawsuit against Akron police

[Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.]

AKRON, Ohio (WJW)  A federal judge has dismissed an excessive-force lawsuit against the city and several Akron police officers, brought by a Copley man who claims an officer smothered him with snow during a February 2021 arrest.

Charles Hicks II, 29, filed the lawsuit in January 2023, alleging civil rights violations and malicious prosecution, claiming the city failed to properly train its officers or thoroughly investigate the arrest.

Cleveland safety director resigns after I-Team interview

Police officers went to Hicks home in February 2021 on a report of a domestic disturbance. Hicks initially refused to leave the home to speak with police and started ranting at officers, reads the Thursday filing.

Police ultimately forced Hicks to the ground. One officer then put a handful of snow over Hicks mouth and nose multiple times, and Hicks said he was struggling to breathe, according to his complaint.

Below is an still from police body-worn camera footage included in Hicks complaint:

Hicks was charged in Akron Municipal Court with domestic violence and resisting arrest in the disturbance. He initially pleaded not guilty, but ultimately pleaded no contest to the resisting arrest charge in July 2022 and was found guilty. His domestic violence charge was dismissed, according to the ruling.

Home Alone star enters plea in domestic violence case

Northern District of Ohio federal court Judge Sara Lioi on Thursday ruled Hicks no-contest plea and subsequent guilty verdict bar him from bringing his claims, or otherwise invalidate them. Other claims were dismissed for being brought past a one-year statute of limitations. His complaint was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be re-filed.

Hicks previously claimed he pleaded no contest only because it allowed him to avoid signing an agreement that would have relieved the city of liability for damages in his arrest, according to the Thursday ruling.

A city spokesperson did not offer a statement on the lawsuits resolution when contacted by FOX 8 News on Friday.

FOX 8 News has also reached out to Hicks attorney for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Junior doctors are to start a five-day walkout on Saturday after pay talks broke down

The British Medical Association (BMA) told junior doctors to charge consultants rates to work during strikes, a leaked letter has revealed.

Correspondence between NHS England and the BMA shows health officials expressed concern about the vast sums being sought by any doctor required to work during strike action on safety grounds.

Senior managers had already expressed outrage about the eye-watering rates of up to 269 an hour being sought by hospital consultants covering shifts for junior doctors.

But the union demanded the same rates be paid to junior doctors who work during strikes. It meant pay of more than 2,000 for an eight-hour shift. A junior doctors basic starting salary of 32,300 equates to around 150 a day.

It comes as tens of thousands of junior doctors are set to embark on a five-day strike, the tenth round of walkouts, after talks with the Health Secretary broke down.

During the last strikes in January  the longest in NHS history  NHS trusts made 40 requests for mitigation to be granted allowing junior doctors to cross picket lines and return to work to protect patient safety. Just two were granted.

The letter from NHS England officials, sent last month and seen by this newspaper, reveals that even in such negotiations, the BMA was demanding premium rates for any junior doctor who did work.

In the letter, Dame Cally Palmer, NHS Englands national cancer director, and Prof Peter Johnson, the clinical director for cancer, also warn Prof Phil Banfield, the chairman of the BMAs council, that cancer patients are suffering significant disruption as a result of strikes, with those requiring surgery the most affected.

It warns that during junior doctors strikes there have been 7,329 fewer cancer operations, with a 27 per cent reduction in activity.

It continues: We do not share the BMAs view that organisations offering to pay junior doctors at the rate card of up to 269 per hour is either a reliable basis on which to plan, or a fair and equitable use of NHS resources.

Difficult to stomach

In an interview with The Telegraph, Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, raised concerns about the risks to the public as junior doctors start a five-day strike on Saturday.

By the time the latest round of walkouts are completed, junior doctors will have been on strike for one in eight days of this year.

Ms Atkins said it was very difficult to stomach scenes of junior doctors singing on picket lines, while patients were suffering harm and distressing delays.

More than 1.4 million NHS operations and appointments have been cancelled as a result of health service strikes.

Earlier this week, The Telegraph revealed that more than 7,000 cancer operations, including time-sensitive procedures, have been delayed as a result of junior doctors strikes.

The latest round of industrial action will end at 23.59 on Wednesday Feb 28, when the doctors unions six-month mandate for strike action comes to an end.

The BMA is balloting members to extend its mandate for a further six months, having secured it twice in the past year with a substantial majority.

Junior doctors are demanding a pay rise of 35 per cent, which they say is required to restore pay to previous levels in real terms, but that they would accept it over several years.

They have already received an average pay rise of 8.8 per cent for the current year, with the most junior earning 10.3 per cent extra.

Delays in cancer care

Talks between the Government and the doctors union broke down again earlier this month after the BMA announced the latest strikes.

Last month, consultants, who are also in dispute with the Government over pay, narrowly rejected an offer that would have seen their salaries rise by as much as 20,000 per year.

Prof Banfield said: The Health Secretary is right to be concerned about patients coming to harm and the delays in caring for cancer patients occurring each and every day. Cancer targets have been missed each year since 2015, as doctors face, and try to manage with too few staff, and not enough high dependency and intensive care beds for patients.

Our members tell us that they are asked to prioritise more of the less poorly patients in order to make waiting lists look better; there is no slack in the system, so patients are coming to harm and increased risk every day. Where extra staffing is needed  be it for gaps in the rota or to provide cover during a strike  then this is additional work, and it is entirely appropriate that this attracts either extra pay or time off in lieu.

The derogation system  trusts requesting doctors to return to work during the strike period  exists to ensure that doctors can return to work in a critical emergency. It is a misuse of that system for the NHS to seek derogation simply to avoid paying market rates for extra-contractual medical care.

It is the Governments choice to perpetuate the increasing cost of strikes, which is expected to rise to 3 billion, rather than come up with a credible offer to resolve the disputes and retain the staff that the service so desperately needs.

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A Las Cruces jury found Bobby Charles Crawford, 47, guilty in Dona Ana County District Court on Thursday after his involvement in a pursuit through Las Cruces' East Mesa featuring an exchange of gunfire between police and an Alamogordo man in June 2023.

We sincerely appreciate the Dona Ana County jury's hard work which found defendant Crawford guilty of the attempted murder of two Las Cruces Police officers and other associated violent crimes," District Attorney Gerald Byers said in a press release that announced the conviction.

"Their verdict demonstrates Dona Ana County juries will assign accountability for proven criminal conduct. We also thank the court for presiding over a fair and efficient trial."

Crawford was convicted of two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, and shooting at or from a motor vehicle.

A white Chevy Suburban riddled with bullets sits on Arroyo Road on June 21, 2023. Police closed the area off.

Attorney's Cash Fazal and Chris Richman prosecuted the case.

The jury deliberated for four hours.

On June 21, 2023, a New Mexico State Police officer began following a white Chevrolet Suburban suspected of belonging to Crawford who had a warrant for his arrest. A Las Cruces police unit responded to the area to assist. Crawford fled, engaging the officers in a chase through residential neighborhoods.

In effort to stop Crawford, a Las Cruces police officer placed his vehicle in front of Crawford's vehicle. Passing around the officers patrol unit, Crawford fired at the police vehicle and other law enforcement vehicles as they began to surround him. Officers returned fire. Crawford barricaded himself inside of the SUV and eventually surrendered to the officers.

"At sentencing, my office will request the court impose the maximum sentence permitted by law, so that this dangerous convict will not pose a future threat to the public or public servants," Byers said in the release.

Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Jury convicts Bobby Charles Crawford of two counts of first degree murder
Jurors are deliberating the fate of Rebecca Grossman, a Hidden Hills socialite accused of striking and killing two boys while driving intoxicated in Westlake Village.

Grossman, 60, was charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Jacob Iskander, 8, and Mark Iskander, 11, in a crosswalk in 2020.

Grossman is the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and the wife of prominent plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman.

She faces five charges  two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.

After a day of deliberation at Van Nuys Superior Court on Thursday, a verdict after the six-week trial is expected soon.

On Sept. 29, 2020, the two boys were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk with their parents and siblings at the intersection of Triunfo Canyon Road and Saddle Mountain Drive at around 7:10 p.m. when Grossman allegedly struck them.

Fromt left: Rebecca Grossman seen in a photo from her Instagram page; Mark Iskander and Jacob Iskander are seen in a family photo.

Mark Iskander, left, and Jacob Iskander, right, are seen in a family photo.

Heavy front-end damage seen on a white Mercedes-Benz SUV, whose driver is suspected of striking and killing two boys in Westlake Village on Sept. 29, 2020. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department)

The scene of a fatal crash in Westlake Village is cordoned off on Sept. 29, 2020. (KTLA)

The scene of a fatal crash in Westlake Village is cordoned off on Sept. 29, 2020. (KTLA)

The victims scooter is seen on the ground after a double-fatal crash in Westlake Village on Sept. 29, 2020. (KTLA)

The scene of a fatal crash in Westlake Village is cordoned off on Sept. 29, 2020. (KTLA)

Mourners gathered at a makeshift memorial on Sept. 30, 2020, for two boys who died after being struck by a vehicle in Westlake Village. (KTLA)

Nancy Iskander (center) is seen hugging loved ones after a day of deliberations in a Van Nuys courthouse on Feb. 22, 2024. (KTLA)

Courtroom sketch of prosecutors during the trial of Rebecca Grossman on Feb. 22, 2024. (KTLA)

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA  SEPTEMBER 30: Lorraine Maralian and her son Anthony Maralian of Westlake Village place flowers and pray at a growing memorial for two brothers who were fatally injured while crossing Triunfo Canyon Road at Saddle Mountain Drive in their Westlake Village neighborhood with their family at 7:10 pm Tuesday evening. Rebecca Grossman, 57, a co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation was arrested on two counts of vehicular manslaughter in the death of the two juvenile pedestrians that were in the crosswalk and is being held on $2 million bail. Westlake Village on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 in Westlake Village, CA. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Rebecca Grossman is shown in an undated photo from her Instagram page.

Mark Iskander, left, and Jacob Iskander, right, are seen in a family photo.

The vehicle sped through the intersection and hit the boys right in front of the parents, according to the L.A. County Sheriffs Department. Prosecutors said she was driving just over 70 mph on a 45 mph street.

The mother was able to get her two youngest children  including a daughter in a stroller  out of harms way, but she couldnt reach the older boys in time, according to Mirette Fouad, a friend of the victims family.

Mark was pronounced dead at the scene. His younger brother Jacob was taken to the hospital and died a few hours later. Marks body was found 254 feet away from the crosswalk while Jacob was found about 50 feet away from the crosswalk, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Mercedes-Benz SUV involved in the crash sustained major damage to its front end, a photo released by authorities showed.

Former Orange County youth pastor charged with molestation of 4 boys

Grossman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after the crash, but remains out of custody on a $2 million bond.

In closing arguments on Thursday, the defense blamed Grossmans then-boyfriend, Scott Erickson, a former L.A. Dodgers pitcher, claiming it was his car that struck the boys as the couple left a local restaurant in separate cars. Grossman and her husband had been dating other people after deciding to separate at the time.

Grossmans attorneys alleged Erickson was driving a black SUV just ahead of Grossmans vehicle at the time of the crash.

A collision reconstruction engineer testified in court that the case had room for ambiguity as he couldnt be certain that just one vehicle had hit the children, rather than two, according to the Orange County Register.

In court, Grossmans daughter, Alexis Grossman, 19, testified on Feb. 16 that she spotted Erickson hiding behind a tree near the scene of the accident. He was allegedly poking his head out and looking to see what was going on, the O.C. Register reports.

Afterward, she claimed Erickson went to her home while angrily shouting, Why did your mom stop? Why did your mom stop? Why didnt she just drive home?

The teen said she could smell alcohol on Erickson and he was freaking out while warning her not to tell anyone she had seen him near the accident site. She told jurors that Erickson threatened, If you do, Ill ruin you and your family.

However, L.A. County Sheriffs Deputy Rafael Mejia testified last month and said he didnt see any indication that more than one vehicle could be involved when he responded to the scene in 2020.

3 suspects wanted for robbing mother at Target in L.A. County

According to the O.C. Register, Mejia said he smelled alcohol coming from Grossman and contacted a unit to perform a DUI investigation. He allegedly found Grossman about three-tenths of a mile away standing outside her SUV.

She told me that her vehicle was disabled by Mercedes-Benz, Mejia said. He also told jurors Grossman mentioned she had hit something but she didnt know what she struck.

Under questioning, Mejia said he didnt find any debris consistent with a black SUV or any kind of black vehicle.

We didnt see any indicators there was another vehicle, Mejia said, indicating that the debris at the scene indicated a white vehicle had been involved.

According to the Times, the boys mother, Nancy Iskander, testified that she heard revving engines and looked up to see a black SUV speeding toward the intersection. She dove out of the way while pulling her younger children to safety.

But she said that a white Mercedes SUV was following closely behind the black car. When it sped through the crosswalk, she said she heard an impact.

As Thursdays deliberations ended without a verdict, Nancy spoke with KTLA about her sons saying, They had so much in front of them. So much in this life, all of my hopes, all of my dreams, and they were just taken. If I want to see them, I have to go to the cemetery or just look at their friends and imagine how they would look like.

Trial deliberations are scheduled to resume on Friday morning. If convicted, Grossman could face up to 34 years in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Halyna Hutchins, director of photography on "Rust," was killed by a weapon's live round during the film's production. The set's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, faces two charges of involuntary manslaughter. File Photo by Halyna Hutchins/Instagram

Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Opening statements began Thursday in the trial of "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who faces charges of manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

In his opening statement, New Mexico special prosecutor Jason Lewis said Gutierrez-Reed's "sloppy" weapons handling on the set led to Hutchins' death. He also accused her of failing to properly check the gun in question before bringing it to the set.

Lewis said prosecutors plan to call in several witnesses, who he said will detail Gutierrez-Reed's "unprofessional and sloppy" conduct and testify that she left guns and ammunition lying around on set.

Gutierrez-Reed is charged with two county of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors alleged she loaded a live round into the Colt .45 revolver that Alec Baldwin used on the set of the production of the western movie "Rust" in 2021.

At the time, Baldwin was rehearsing a scene when the gun discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.

Gutierrez-Reed also was charged with tampering with evidence, with prosecutors alleging she tried to hand off a small bag of cocaine to another person after the shooting.

She faces up to three years in prison if convicted. She has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors said they hope to answer two questions during the two-week trial: What events led to Hutchins' death? And how did live ammunition end up on the set?

Lewis told jurors that the prop guns on set were "legitimate firearms" and that the gun involved in Hutchins' death was "brand new and perfectly functioning."

He also said it was Gutierrez-Reed's responsibility as armorer to check each round and firearm before it arrived on set, but she instead treated safety protocols as "optional."

Gutierrez-Reed's attorney Jason Bowles argued "numerous faults on production's part" led to the shooting and that the production required her to serve as both armorer and prop assistant, which meant she did not have time to properly oversee weapons safety.

He also said he will have evidence that proves Gutierrez-Reed did not bring live ammunition on set.

Bowels said Hutchins' death was a result of Baldwin's failure to comply with film set safety regulations.

"You will hear that Hollywood actors are not allowed to point guns, real guns at other actors or crew," he said. "You learn these rules and go into the classes you learn these rules if you've ever owned a gun, rule No. 1, never point a firearm at somebody unless you intend to shoot it."

Baldwin was indicted for a second time last month on one count of involuntary manslaughter. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union responded to the indictment by saying, "an actor's job is not to be a firearms or weapons expert."

"Firearms are provided for use on set under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm," SAG-AFTRA said in a statement.

In prior interviews, Baldwin maintained he did not even pull the trigger when the gun went off.

"I feel that someone is responsible for what happened and I can't say who that is, but I know it's not me," he told ABC News months after the shooting.
A makeshift memorial honors the 19 children and two teachers killed in the May 2022 massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

A Uvalde County grand jury investigating the 2022 massacre at Robb Elementary School wants to hear from police officers who responded to the shooting.

A teenage gunman invaded the school on May 24, 2022, and used a high-powered rifle to kill 19 fourth-graders and two teachers.

RELATED: DA convenes grand jury to investigate Robb Elementary massacre

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Members of the Uvalde Police Department, who were among the first on the scene, have been summoned to testify before the grand jury, a law enforcement union said Friday. The Austin American-Statesman was first to report on the grand jury summons.

The identities of the officers called to testify were not known. Nor could it be determined what they would be questioned about, since grand jury proceedings by law are secret. But the bungled police response to the shooting was likely to be a focus of the grand jurys work.

On the day of the massacre, nearly 400 officers from local, state and federal agencies responded to the scene but failed to formulate a plan to confront the gunman  even as children called 911 from inside the classroom where the gunman was holed up, pleading to be rescued. Not until 77 minutes into the rampage did a Border Patrol-led team storm the classroom and kill the shooter.

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Poor decision-making, the lack of a clear on-scene commander and other law enforcement missteps led to a higher death toll, the U.S. Department of Justice said in an exhaustive report on the incident.

Had law enforcement followed generally accepted practices in an active-shooter situation and gone right after the shooter to stop him, lives would have been saved, and people would have survived, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in releasing the 575-page report in January.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland was in Uvalde in January to present the findings of a Justice Department investigation into the Robb Elementary School shooting. "Had law enforcement followed generally accepted practices in an active-shooter situation and gone right after the shooter to stop him, lives would have been saved, and people would have survived," Garland said. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

The Justice Department review was not a criminal investigation, however. That responsibility lies with the Texas Rangers and Christina Mitchell, district attorney for Uvalde and Real counties. The Rangers turned over results of their investigation to Mitchell in June, and she convened a grand jury in January.

A statewide police union said in a statement Friday that Uvalde police officers are being called to testify and provide information.

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We are actively providing legal representation for our members, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas said in the statement. We remain committed to the due process rights of the officers and the rights of the parents, family and community to ascertain why and how this tragedy occurred.

Pedro Pete Arredondo, the Uvalde school districts chief of police at the time of the shooting, was fired afterward. The district later dismissed its entire police force and hired new officers and a new chief.

But no police officer has been criminally charged over the incident.

Mitchell has said that among the issues to be investigated for potential prosecution is whether anyone illegally helped the gunman buy weapons and ammunition. Sources said another issue to be examined is whether anyone, including police officers, could be charged with child endangerment in connection with the massacre, Guillermo Contreras of the San Antonio Express-News reported last month.
A shocking video shows the moment an Amtrak train struck an Amazon delivery van in Wisconsin, splitting it in half.

A video obtained by TMZ shows the immediate reaction of driver Alexander Evans after his vehicle was hit in November 2021. The collision happened when he turned onto the tracks of a railroad crossing.

The driver, Alexander Evans, survived after an Amtrak train hit his delivery van in 2021. (WISN/Youtube/Screenshot)

The impact from the oncoming train cut the vehicle entirely in half. Evans appeared to be startled but was luckily not injured. According to the reports, he went to the hospital as a safety precaution but was only sore after the incident.

During an interview with local news station WISN, the father of two described his surroundings after the train slammed into him on his birthday. Photos show the damage to his vehicle, which was partly crushed with packages still inside.

It just, boom, he told the outlet in 2021. Just air and the pressure. I felt the airbags. I didnt know what to feel, to be honest with you.

The railroad crossing was on River Valley Road in Ixonia, which is about 42 miles from Milwaukee. According to the report, there were no warning sounds or signals near the crossing that would have given Evans a heads-up before driving over the tracks.

#WATCH: Shocking video of a Amazon van that was split in half by an oncoming Amtrak train



#Ixonia | #Wisconsin



Watch this unbelievable moment when an Amazon delivery van was sliced in half by a train. The driver miraculously survived the destructive accident that occurred pic.twitter.com/KDIHg2rsbq  R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 21, 2024

Evans was also caught off guard and didnt hear the horn due to being deaf in his left ear. Despite this, he eased far enough over the tracks at the last second, avoiding deadly consequences.

Evans called for a better alert or sign for drivers who take that route. Per WKOW, Amtrak confirmed there were no injuries on the train.

I just tried. I made a look as I was going down the hill to swerve, and I didnt see anything. He was on my left side, Evans explained to WISN. Literally, it was like one long beep, horn from the train, and I put my foot on the gas, kind of like trying. I dont know how far Im going to get away from him.

Atlanta Black Star reached out to Amazon for comment.

It Just, Boom: Amazon Driver Escapes Unscathed After Train Slams Into Delivery Van, Splitting It In Half
Ernest Qadimasil, left, grandson of P.F. Roberts, speaks with Pat Frost, center, great-great-grandson of the founder of Frost Bank, and Frost Bank CEO Phil Green before a ceremony Thursday to unveil a state historical marker commemorating the first P.F. Roberts store. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Ernest Qadimasil, grandson of P.F. Roberts, speaks at a ceremony to unveil a state historical marker commemorating the first P.F. Roberts store on Thursday in San Antonio. Pioneering African American educator, businessman and civil rights leader Henry Porter Field P.F. Roberts sold meat, groceries, wood and dry goods in an area known as the Baptist Settlement, one of San Antonios first Black neighborhoods, just south of todays Hemisfair area. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Annika Walton, right, and Safiya Qadimasil, left, great-great-grandchildren of P.F. Roberts, attend Thursdays ceremony to unveil a state historical marker commemorating the first P.F. Roberts store, which was located in an area known as the Baptist Settlement, one of San Antonios first Black neighborhoods, just south of todays Hemisfair area. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News A new state historical marker commemorating the first P.F. Roberts store is seen Thursday. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Henrietta Stevenson holds a portrait in 2004 of her father, P.F. Roberts, a charter member of the San Antonio branch of the NAACP. Stevenson died in 2009. BOB OWEN/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS P.F. Roberts, civil rights pioneer who owned stores in early 20th century San Antonio, died in 1953 at age 83. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

After years of careful research, the site of one of San Antonios first Black-owned businesses is now apparent to people walking or driving past on Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard  a state historical marker, complete with a tribute to a pioneering entrepreneur and civil rights leader, points it out.

At the center of the story behind the marker at the corner of Indianola Street and Chavez is a friendship between a groundbreaking 31-year-old African American entrepreneur and a 62-year-old white banker and former Confederate officer who crossed social barriers to help him get started.

This is not a Black thing. This is an us thing  people who believe in what is right, Ernest Qadimasil, grandson of P.F. Roberts, said during a 37-minute address and history lesson at a marker dedication Thursday.

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Henry Porter Field P.F. Roberts was born in 1869 on a Mississippi plantation. His family members had been enslaved there, then forced to work under a sharecropping system after the Civil War.

This undated early 1900s photo shows Henry Porter Field P.F. Roberts, left, at his first store in the Baptist Settlement neighborhood southeast of downtown San Antonio. Courtesy Photo / University of Texas at San Antonio

Roberts was about 24 when he rode a livestock railroad car to San Antonio. He found work as a teacher in Floresville and later in the Baptist Settlement, one of San Antonios first Black neighborhoods that formed south of what is now Hemisfair park.

In 1896, banker Thomas Claiborne T.C. Frost, who had supported secession and served in the Confederacy as a lieutenant colonel, befriended Roberts and loaned him money to acquire property.

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It was such a dangerous decision for Col. Thomas Claiborne Frost. He couldve been lynched, hung, murdered for helping a Black man, Qadimasil said.

Roberts purchased a wood frame building that became the first P.F. Roberts store, selling meat, groceries, lumber and other essentials, from about 1906 to 1922, in the Baptist Settlement.

Roberts moved to a house on the near East Side that would become a headquarters for civil rights organizing, where local reformers like Charles Bellinger and the Rev. Claude Black were sometimes joined by movement leaders and supporters who were  or would become  national historical figures, including Thurgood Marshall, Eleanor Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson.

The Roberts name and his business success stood in contrast to the cruel facts of racial discrimination and potential for violence against commercial enterprises operated by African Americans at that time, stated the 2021 nomination for a Texas Historical Commission marker prepared by the Center for Cultural Sustainability at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Of course, the racial segregation practiced in San Antonio meant African Americans were not allowed into stores for white people, the statement said.

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P.F. Roberts with his wife, Ira, and their only child, Henrietta, who was born in 1915. Courtesy / University of Texas at San Antonio

Charles Gentry, project researcher with the UTSA center who helped with a four-year effort to recognize the former store and other sites tied to history, said the undertaking unfolded during the pandemic and amid the national reckoning on race relations in the wake of the George Floyd murder.

That work felt not only important, it felt very necessary and long overdue, Gentry said.

Family members believe Frost helped Roberts pay off his mothers debt at the plantation store in Mississippi so he could bring her to San Antonio, where they lived at least briefly in the building that housed his store.

Roberts married Ira Kilpatrick in 1914 and they had a daughter, their only child, the following year. He became a 1918 charter member of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

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Roberts operated a second store near his home on Pine Street for several years. He closed his first store in 1922, and it was demolished in the 1960s. Roberts died in 1953 at age 83.

Pat Frost, great-great-grandson of T.C. Frost and former Frost Bank president, thanked Qadimasil for giving us this story that our beliefs, the way we do business with equal access, was done even way back in the 1890s.

Ernest Qadimasil, grandson of P.F. Roberts, speaks Thursday at a ceremony unveiling a state historical marker commemorating the first P.F. Roberts store. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

Phil Green, Frost Bank chairman and CEO, said the friendship between Frost and Roberts and the value that their friendship brought to San Antonio is worth celebrating.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Police are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami on Friday, according to NBC affiliate WTVJ.

Miami Police told WTVJ the incident happened shortly before 10 a.m. when officers responded to a dispute between two men.

On arrival, officials reportedly found one man armed with a knife.

WTVJ reports an officer fired at the man who then fled towards the hospital where he was apprehended.

Officers told WTVJ that the suspect received immediate aid and treatment at Jackson Memorial.

We do want to emphasize that even though we have road closures, access to the hospital and anyone needing to get to the hospital will still be available, Officer Rafael Horta said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.

This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
The British Broadcasting Corporation

Spain is reeling from the news that four people have died and up to 15 people are missing after a fire engulfed a high-rise apartment block in the city of Valencia.

The blaze engulfed a 14-storey building in the Campanar neighbourhood and spread to an adjoining block.

There are already questions being asked as to whether the way the building was constructed could have enabled the fire to spread quickly.

Here's what we know so far.

How did the fire start?

The fire began on Thursday evening on the fourth floor of the building. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

The blaze spread to an adjoining building as high winds fanned the flames.

Firefighters managed to rescue some of the building's residents last night, but so far have only been able to access up to the third floor, due to the high temperatures.

Drones have spent the night and this morning flying over and around the structure to help with the search.

A family of four, including a three-year-old boy and a 15-day-old baby girl, are reportedly among those missing.

Spanish media are calling it the worst fire recorded in Valencia.

Did cladding enable the fire to spread?

Experts have suggested that cladding on the outside of the building could have been a factor in enabling the fire to spread rapidly.

Cladding is added to the facade of modern buildings to keep the weather at bay. Behind the panels there is usually an air space to help insulation and prevent damp.

Esther Puchades, vice president of the College of Industrial Technical Engineers of Valencia, told Spanish news agency Efe she had previously inspected the building.

She said its exterior featured a polyurethane material, which is no longer in wide use because of fears over flammability. It also has an aluminium covering.

"The reason the [building] burned so fast is because of this type of cladding," she told Spanish media.

Before and after pics

The cladding has been described by experts as effective for heat insulation but the ventilation, or gap, between it and the covering means it can be highly flammable.

Luis Sendra, of Valencia's architects' association, said this can cause a "chimney effect", allowing fires to spread more quickly.

The specific type of cladding on the buildings in Valencia is still unclear, and some types of cladding are more flammable than others.

A 2007 promotional video by the building's developer mentioned the "innovative material" used to clad the building's exterior, which passed "rigorous quality checks".

The issue of flammable cladding gained prominence in the UK after the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster, in which 72 people died when a tower block in west London caught fire.

What do we know about building?

The blocks are in the Campanar neighbourhood, one of the most affluent areas of Spain's third biggest city.

Some 450 people are believed to live there, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais.

The building was built in 2008-09 and had 138 apartments, it said.

The developer Fbex began constructing the building in 2005, in the middle of the real estate bubble, but the company filed for bankruptcy five years later, elDiario.es reports.

Pilar Bernabe, the government's representative in Valencia, said it was hard to say how many people were missing because it was "a building with many flats, flats in which there were people of foreign nationality, whose location is more difficult to pinpoint".

Map
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Former President Donald Trump has a lead in the Republican presidential primary, but the process is far from over. The next step is South Carolinas primary, which takes place on Saturday, February 24. Heres what to know:

Who is running in the South Carolina Republican primary?

The major candidates include Trump, the current front-runner to get the Republican nomination for the third straight presidential election. His top rival is former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who also served as US ambassador to the United Nations for part of Trumps term as president.

Who can vote?

South Carolinas primaries are open, which means any registered voter can take part in either the Republican primary or the Democratic primary, but not both. The Democratic primary took place earlier in February. President Joe Biden won easily.

Who has been ahead in the GOP primary?

Even though Haley was the states governor, Trump has been the clear leader in pre-primary polling. He gets the support of more than 60% of GOP primary voters in several recent polls  far outpacing Haley, who has hovered around 30%.

Trump has held rallies in the state, but much of his campaigning has been done from courtrooms in New York, Washington, DC, and Florida, where he faces a series of criminal prosecutions. He was also ordered to pay $355 million in a civil fraud case last week.

Rather than hurt him, his legal problems seem to have galvanized Republicans around his campaign. He has also used media attention at courts to dominate campaign coverage.

Haley, meanwhile, could suffer an embarrassing loss if she cant win the state where she was governor.

Haley could lose her own state?

It seems likely, although she scored an incredible, come-from-behind primary win when she first ran for governor in 2010.

She and her allies have far outspent Trump in advertising, spending nearly $15 million ahead of the South Carolina primary compared with the $1.3 million spent on his behalf, although pro-Trump ads have increased in recent weeks. While spending by Haleys campaign and its allies is far above Trumps, its less than half of what was spent in either New Hampshire or Iowa, two states she lost.

Why is Haley still in the race?

She has sharpened her criticisms of Trump in recent weeks, particularly focusing on the chaos Trumps trials will bring, his failure to call out Russia over the death of Vladimir Putin rival Alexey Navalny and his and Bidens advanced ages.

Haley told CNNs Kaitlan Collins last week that both Trump and Biden are mentally diminished.

Im not going anywhere, Haley said. I am fighting this, because we have a country to save. Im fighting this because I dont want my kids to live like this. I dont want anybodys kids to live like this.

If Trump wins South Carolina, is the primary over?

Not technically. It will ultimately take 1,215 delegates for Trump, or anyone, to secure the Republican nomination.

Just 50 delegates are at stake in South Carolina. Heading into the South Carolina primary, Trump has the lead with 63 delegates to Haleys 17. So there is still a long way to go.

The largest pot of delegates is up for grabs on Super Tuesday, March 5. The first day Trump could reach the magic number of delegates is March 12. But if the polling bears out and Trump decisively wins Haleys home state, her claim to being a viable alternative gets more questionable with each loss.

Its also possible that Haley is totally shut out of delegates from South Carolina. Twenty-nine of the states delegates will go to the statewide winner, and three delegates will go to the winner of each of South Carolinas seven congressional districts. So if Trump wins statewide and wins each congressional district, Haley could end up with no delegates from her home state.

How did Haley become governor in South Carolina?

It was an underdog campaign and an improbable win for Haley in 2010, when she emerged from a nasty primary in which she was the target of mudslinging and a whisper campaign. Haley came from behind at the end of the race for the surprise win, which came only after a runoff because no candidate got 50% of the vote on primary day.

Why was the Democratic primary on a different date?

South Carolina has an unusual practice of letting each party pick the date of their presidential primary, and theyre typically held on different days.

Democrats wanted South Carolina to be the first big event on their calendar. Its the state that revived Bidens campaign after early losses in Iowa and New Hampshire in 2020 and is much more diverse than either of those two traditional early states.

Biden won the Democratic primary on February 3 with more than 96% of the vote.

What are the states demographics?

As of the 2020 Census, the state was about 62% White, about one-quarter Black and nearly 7% Hispanic. But the Republican primary voters are overwhelmingly White. When Trump won the South Carolina primary with more than 32% of the vote in 2016, just about 1% of the GOP primary voters were Black.

Does South Carolina have a good track record of picking the party nominees?

It does. Only once since 1980 have South Carolina Republican primary voters not supported the ultimate nominee. That was in 2012, when Newt Gingrich, the former US House Speaker from Georgia, beat the ultimate nominee Mitt Romney, who was then a former Massachusetts governor and today is a senator from Utah.

South Carolina has only become a force in the Democratic process more recently. The only recent election in which South Carolina did not pick the ultimate Democratic nominee was in 2004, when then-Sen. John Edwards, who was born in South Carolina and represented North Carolina in the Senate, beat then-Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.

Given South Carolinas track record of rewarding Southern candidates, its notable that Trump, a native New Yorker who now calls Florida home, could beat Haley, a former South Carolina governor.

Is it possible South Carolina will be in play in November?

Probably not. While Biden won nearby Georgia by the narrowest of margins in 2020, Trump won South Carolina with more than 55% of the vote that year. The last Democrat to win South Carolina in a presidential election was Jimmy Carter, who is from Georgia.

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The bipartisan Wisconsin Ethics Commission is recommending felony charges against a slate of Republicans, including former President Donald Trump's fundraising committee and a state lawmaker, for their roles in an alleged scheme to evade campaign finance limits in donations to the 2022 primary opponent of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

The commission this week issued the referrals to district attorneys across the state. If the prosecutors decide not to pursue the charges, the commission may ask another district attorney or Attorney General Josh Kaul to pursue prosecutions.

Here's what to know:

What is the Ethics Commission alleging took place?

In the aftermath of the 2020 election, Trump and his supporters pressured Vos and other legislative leaders to take the illegal and impossible step of decertifying the election results as part of a nationwide campaign to undo, or at least sow distrust, in the election outcome that was confirmed by judges, audits, studies and recounts.

Because Vos is the most powerful Republican leader in Wisconsin, Trump made the speaker a target  building a campaign against him through personal phone calls to Vos and public statements criticizing Vos blasted to his millions of followers. As a result, the state GOP turned against Vos  including Brandtjen and county party officials.

In 2022, a Racine County candidate named Adam Steen launched a primary challenge against Vos primarily on a platform of Vos' decision to not entertain Trump's requests to overturn a legitimate election result.

The Ethics Commission is alleging Steen and his campaign, Brandtjen, the Trump super PAC and party leaders in Langlade, Chippewa and Florence counties conspired to funnel donations to Steen through county parties because state law does not limit how much parties can donate to candidates. Individuals, however, are limited to $1,000 donations.

State law prohibits donors to county party committees from specifying their contribution be directed to a specific candidate, according to the commission.

Who is involved in the alleged scheme?

Rep. Janel Brandtjen speaks as former President Donald Trump held a campaign rally for Republican candidate for governor Tim Michels at the Waukesha County Fairgrounds in Waukesha on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.

The commission is recommending charges against:

Brandtjen, a state lawmaker representing the 22nd Assembly District in the northwest suburbs of Milwaukee.

Officials with the Save America political action committee, which raises money for Trump's political campaigns.

The campaign committee of Steen, who lost to Vos by fewer than 300 votes in the 2022 GOP primary.

The Chippewa County Republican Party.

The Langlade County Republican Party.

The Florence County Republican Party.

Brian Jennings, chairman of the Florence County GOP, who during an August 2022 county party meeting said the party would receive $5,000 from Brandtjen to forward to the Langlade County GOP. Jennings told investigators the plan was "to help get rid of Vos," according to the commission.

Terry Brand, chairman of the Langlade County GOP.

Leonard Boltz, vice-chairman of the Langlade County GOP.

Amanda Radle, the Chippewa County GOP treasurer who allegedly accepted a check in August 2022 with "63" in the memo line, indicating the money was for the Steen campaign in the 63rd Assembly District. The donor told commission investigators that Steen directed the donor to contribute to his campaign by sending money to the Chippewa County GOP.

Kevin Steen, Adam Steen's father, who donated $3,000 to the Langlade County GOP.

Julie and Bryan Knudtson of New Richmond, who said they donated $3,000 to the Chippewa County GOP after Steen told them to as a way to send contributions to his campaign.

Alan Blair of Vienna, Virginia, who the commission alleges donated $8,000 to the Langlade County GOP with the intention of funding the Steen campaign against Vos.

What's next?

Prosecutors in Racine, Waukesha, Chippewa, Florence and Langlade counties have 60 days to decide whether to pursue the charges recommended by the commission. If the prosecutors choose not to, the commission could recommend the same charges to another district attorney or the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

What are Wisconsin's campaign finance laws at hand?

Individuals are barred from contributing more than $1,000 to candidates' campaigns. County parties have no limits in the amounts they may receive or donate to candidates. However, state law bars committees or individuals to donate to parties with the intention of funneling the money to an individual candidate.

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Wisconsin charges sought against Trump funding PAC
UK intelligence has stated that the Russian leadership continues to intensify the level of censorship of both ordinary citizens and media outlets in the country.

Source: UK Ministry of Defence on 23 February, reported by European Pravda

Details: UK intelligence reiterated that on 14 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that made it possible to punish the "spreading [of] false information" about the Russian army by confiscating property.

Prior to that, the Russian State Duma introduced a draft law that would expand the grounds for declaring media outlets to be "undesirable organisations", which is likely aimed at further restricting the activities of Russian-language services of Western media such as Radio Liberty, Deutsche Welle and the BBC.

Quote: "These moves are part of a wider Russian government trend that attempts to restrict the domestic information environment to limit domestic criticism and dissent. While this trend has been in evidence for many years, it has substantially accelerated after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine."

Background: In its previous review, UK intelligence analysed how Russia justifies the protraction of the war against Ukraine.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Friday that Russia plans to contact Armenia after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Yerevan had frozen its participation in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) because the pact had failed the country.

Pashinyan made the comments in an interview broadcast on Thursday.

He has in recent months expressed discontent over Armenia's longstanding ties with Russia and said Armenia could no longer rely on Russia to ensure its defence needs. He has also suggested its membership of the CSTO is under review.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the defence ministry-owned Zvezda television channel on Friday that Moscow needed more details from Armenia.

"The Armenian side has not taken any official action in this regard," he said, referring to the purported freezing of its CSTO participation.

"We intend to get in touch with our colleagues and clarify the meaning of these statements."

Other ex-Soviet members of the CSTO include Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

"The CSTO secretariat has not received any statements from Yerevan about the suspension of its membership," the Interfax news agency reported on Friday, citing the organisation's press service.

"As for the thesis about the freezing of participation (in the bloc), apparently, it refers to the Republic of Armenia's non-participation in a number of events held by the organisation recently."

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
A Republican Kentucky lawmaker filed a bill Friday that would give all teachers and administrators in the state a one-time $2,000 payment in each of the next two fiscal years.

House Bill 694, sponsored by State Rep. Chris Fugate, R-Chavies, also would provide all classified employees a single payment of $1,000 in each fiscal year.

Classified employees include school bus drivers, cafeteria workers and teachers aides.

School superintendents would not receive the payments, which would go to every other educator with state certification under the legislation in fiscal 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.

Fugate said the bill is especially needed for many rural school districts that might be unable to give teacher raises because of declining enrollment.

The bill, he said, has about 20 co-sponsors.

I think everybody here is for raises for teachers, Fugate said.

Each local school district would have to provide the money no later than Aug. 31 of each fiscal year.

Kentuckys fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30.

The bill makes an appropriation of $153 million in fiscal year 2024-2025 and $153 million in fiscal year 2025-2026.

While the bill would apply to every school district in the commonwealth, Fugate said that its especially needed in his Eastern Kentucky House district.

In the wake of the historic 2022 floods  Fugates church served as a shelter during the disaster  and overall population trends in the region, state funding via the per-pupil SEEK formula has declined for some schools.

Breathitt County Schools, he said, is slated to lose $431,000 due to the loss of enrollment.

For that school district to give a raise is almost impossible, Fugate said. And theyve done all they can to consolidate and do different things to cut costs.

Fugate framed the bill as a temporary measure to fulfill a need while legislators examine how the SEEK formula can more effectively fund rural school districts dealing with population loss. Rep. Timmy Truett, R-McKee, has a resolution in the House to establish a task force to look into this issue.

This is the short-term solution, Fugate said.

I think long-term, we have to invest in the people who are teaching our kids. Some of them make less than $40,000 hours to teach, and I think thats not enough to live on, especially if you have a family.

While the bill falls short of the goals of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who campaigned on an 11% across-the-board raise for all school employees, it goes further than the current budget proposal of encouraging raises via a 4% and 2% increases to the SEEK formula.

That budget proposal only slightly increases the total dollar investment into the formula to a little over $3.2 billion each year.

Fayette County Public Schools spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith said district officials have no comment on the pending legislation.

Jennifer Ginn, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Education, said any increase in salaries for local school district staff in recognition of the services they provide to school districts, students and communities is always appreciated.

However, we must continue to recognize that a one-time payment will not resolve the ongoing statewide challenges districts face in recruiting and retaining school district staff. We are hopeful that discussions will continue with a goal to achieve adequate salaries and pay that is competitive with surrounding states, said Ginn.

House Bill 694 is a welcome acknowledgment of the need to address the chronic pay disparities for certified and classified staff in public schools across the commonwealth, Kentucky Education Association President Eddie Campbell said.

Educators would certainly appreciate these one-time cash payments, but limiting these to the next biennium doesnt permanently solve the pay shortfall teachers have struggled with since 2009 and from which hourly classified staff have always suffered, Campbell said. Without a more permanent solution, when the proposed payments expire, wages will drop back to current levels.

Based on data collected by the National Education Association, he said, Kentucky ranks 40th in the nation for average classroom teacher salary, 44th for average teacher starting pay, and 48th in average earnings for classified staff.
Marko Shevchenko, Ukraine's Ambassador to Moldova, has said that in the event of an escalation of the situation in Transnistria, Ukraine would provide Moldova with assistance if Chisinau asked for it.

Source: Shevchenko on TV on 22 February according to Moldovan news portal Deschide, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The ambassador noted that Ukraine takes the problem of occupied Transnistria seriously, in particular because of the presence of the Russian military and the possibility of Russian special services operating there.

At the same time, he said that there was no immediate threat to Ukraine from the region.

The ambassador noted that in the event of an escalation of the situation and an official request from Chisinau, Ukraine would be ready to provide assistance to Moldova.

Quote: "Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said publicly that if there was an official request for support or assistance from the Moldovan authorities, Ukraine would definitely provide it. In what way and how quickly it will be provided will be discussed later and will depend on the seriousness of the situation," said Shevchenko.

"If Moldovan officials believe that there is a threat to security or stability, they can ask for help, and we will discuss what kind of assistance Moldova needs and this assistance will be provided as far as circumstances allow," the diplomat added.

Reminder:

On 22 February, it became known that Transnistrian so-called MPs were preparing an appeal to Putin and could potentially ask to join Russia.

Chisinau noted that they do not see any signs of an escalation of the situation and expressed confidence that Tiraspol understands the consequences for itself if "unwise steps" are taken.

Ukraine's Defence Intelligence stated that Transnistrian MPs are still not planning to ask Putin to annex the region.

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Workers put finishing touches on the Travis letter exhibit Thursday at the Alamos Ralston Family Collections Center. Clint Datchuk/Contributor Workers put finishing touches on the Travis letter exhibit Thursday at the Alamos Ralston Family Collections Center. Clint Datchuk/Contributor The famous Travis letter is housed behind glass at the Alamos Ralston Family Collection Center. This is the first time the letter has been displayed at the Alamo since 2013. Clint Datchuk/Contributor A placard with biographical information about William Barret Travis resides above a display case featuring correspondences from the war. Clint Datchuk/Contributor New artifacts that have never been displayed at the Alamo will be part of the Travis letter exhibition opening Friday at the Alamos Ralston Family Collections Center. Clint Datchuk/Contributor Workers put finishing touches on the Travis letter exhibit Thursday at the Alamos Ralston Family Collections Center. Clint Datchuk/Contributor New artifacts that have never been displayed at the Alamo will be part of the Travis letter exhibition opening Friday at the Ralston Family Collections Center. Clint Datchuk/Contributor New artifacts that have never been displayed at the Alamo will be part of the Travis letter exhibition opening Friday at the Ralston Family Collections Center. Clint Datchuk/Contributor Texas hero William Barret Travis signature is seen on his famed Victory of Death letter. The priceless letter will be on public display at the Alamo, starting Friday, for the first time since 2013. Eric Gay/AP A crate holding the letter written by Alamo commander William Barret Travis is carried toward the Alamo during a ceremony to mark its return in 2013. The famous Victory or Death letter is back on public display at the Alamo, starting Friday. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News Daniel Alonzo, archivist for the Texas General Land Office, takes a light temperature reading off a facsimile of the Travis letter in 2013, when the document was displayed in the Alamo Church for 13 days. Bob Owen/San Antonio Express-News

Its been 188 years since the Alamo commander urged the people of Texas and all Americans in the world to come to our aid with all dispatch.

Now, the letter penned by William Barret Travis has been returned to the Alamo for just the second time. A public exhibit featuring the letter will open Friday at the Alamos Ralston Family Collections Center.

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The priceless document, preserved by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin, will be exhibited through March 24. It was returned to the site and exhibited for the first time in 2013.

On Feb. 24, 1836, with his garrison surrounded and badly outnumbered by the troops of Mexican President and Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Travis declared, I shall never surrender or retreat.

If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country, he wrote, closing with Victory or Death underlined three times and his signature.

The letter was carried to East Texas and reprinted in newspapers and broadsides across the United States. All 189 rebels inside the fort were killed or executed, but Texas won independence after Santa Anna was captured six weeks later at San Jacinto.

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In tanks the size of beer vats, companies on the U.S. west coast are developing a new generation of steaks, patties and cutlets, attempting to largely cut mother nature out of the equation of producing your dinner entree.

And in Florida, lawmakers want to kill the concept before it grows in their state.

Lab-grown meat, approved last year for sale in the U.S. by federal agencies, is being targeted by Florida Republicans over safety concerns. Bills that would make selling or distributing the product illegal are moving in the House and Senate, even though experts in the biotech industry say it is far from being shipped to grocery stores for retail sales.

Danny Alvarez, the sponsor of HB 1071, said in a recent House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee meeting that the proposed ban on cultivated meat is putting the safety of Floridians first.

Right now, we dont have the information for a consumer to make an educated, informed consensual decision  until we have long-term studies that tell me what lab-grown immortalized cells do to your body, said Alvarez, R-Hillsborough County. I challenge you to put it in your child.

The legislation arrives at a time when the producers of lab-grown meat are pushing their product to market, arguing that they could alter the path of climate change and potentially change space exploration.

Tom Rossmeissl, head of marketing for Good Meat  one of two companies approved to sell cultivated meat in the U.S  says that the U.S is currently a leader in the industry, but the proposed legislation from Florida could put that in jeopardy.

When you start trying to ban certain products in such an important state like Florida, youre sending a really bad message to innovators, scientists, investors, that somehow the United States doesnt want this innovation, Rossmeissl said in an interview with the Miami Herald.

If the legislation passes, Florida would be the first state to ban the sale of cultivated meat, though the Alabama Senate has approved legislation that would criminalize its sale.

You need meat, OK? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a recent news conference. Were going to have meat in Florida. Were not going to have fake meat. Like, that doesnt work.

Handout: A closeup view of the chicken produced by Good Meat, Inc.

What is cultivated meat?

Cultivated meat is created by harvesting animal cells in tanks called cultivators or bioreactors. The cells are fed nutrients and water, and eventually are harvested from the tanks as a biomass similar to minced meat that can be turned into things like patties, nuggets and more.

Two California companies, Good Meat and Upside Foods, were approved last June by the USDA to sell their cultivated chicken meat products, which the companies planned to offer at select restaurants.

Cultivated meat is not currently available for U.S consumers to buy at the grocery store and figuring out how to mass-produce it is still a big road block within the industry.

Joel Stone, a biotechnology expert at Lee Enterprises Consulting, said that until theres some sort of breakthrough, the current economics around cultivated meat dont allow for it to be sold in mass any time soon. Stone pointed out that similar methods for growing animal cells have been used to create medicine, but those methods dont translate well for selling food.

Recognize that those drugs are selling for thousands of dollars per kilogram. You dont sell meat products in the grocery store for about a thousand per pound. So thats what can get confusing, because people will say, Well, theyve been doing this in pharmaceuticals for years, and the answer is Yes, but the economics are completely different for food production, said Stone.

In an email to the Herald, a spokesperson for Upside Foods said the complexity of its efforts to scale-up production makes predicting a specific timeline challenging.

The controversy over cultivated meat

Alvarez, the sponsor of the House bill, said last week that he sees the ban as a way to pump the brakes on cultivated meat to protect Floridians, but critics of the legislation say lawmakers are using the bills to try to protect the cattle industry.

We spent more than three years working with the USDA and FDA to verify that our product is safe, said Rossmeissl, from Good Meat. Theres no credible safety concerns coming from our opposition. This is about the legislature trying to help one industry, the cattlemen, and theyre willing to attack consumer choice and innovation in order to do so.

Good Meat pushes back on their products being described as lab grown meat. A spokesperson from their company said that their products are not made in a lab, but in USDA approved facilities.

An Upside Foods spokesperson wrote in an email to the Herald that USDA inspectors are onsite at their facility at all times when their products are being made and packaged and wrote that their company went through a years-long process with the USDA and FDA to determine the safety of their product.

Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg, said the states agriculture industry shouldnt see cultivated meat as a threat but rather as a possible solution that could help solve the issues related to Floridas growing population.

As we run out of ag lands, we will have to look at alternative food systems. I would rather have that come from Florida than China, said Cross.

Alvarez and other proponents of the legislation noted that the research of cultivated meat will still be allowed in Florida with or without the bill.
LAKE CITY, S.C. (WBTW)  Lake City officially selected a new police chief on Friday.

Emmanuel Williams will be the new chief of police, the city said. The department hasnt had a permanent chief since Jody Cooper resigned in October.

Williams, a Coker University grad, is currently a sergeant with Bennettsville police. He will take over as Lake City police chief on March 4 and officially be sworn into office in early April.

The city said its search garnered more than 24 candidates, but that ultimately the decision came down to Williams and Maj. Patrick Miles, who was placed on unpaid administrative leave in late December as part of an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Lake City Administrator William A. Hall gave News13 the following response when asked about Miles being a finalist and the investigation:

Yes, Patrick Miles was being considered and one of the finalists. The decision was very difficult to make. After much consideration, the decision to go with new blood to fill this open position was the best decision.

Hall also said Miles was cleared within 30 days of SLEDs investigation and had already returned to his duties.

News13 has reached out to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy for Williams training records.

 Download the News13 app to stay updated on the go.

 Sign up for WBTW email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WBTW.com for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee.

Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Video above: Donald Trump unveils $399 shoes at Sneaker Con

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Lakeland man was arrested Thursday and charged with four offenses in connection to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, where supporters of former President Donald Trump attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Thomas Osborne, 40, was arrested by the FBI in Lakeland, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Gay adult film actor-turned-Proud Boy from Pasco gets jail time for Capitol riot

Orborne was charged with felony civil disorder and misdemeanor charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds.

(FBI/AP)

He made his first court appearance Thursday in the Middle District of Florida. He was ordered to be detained and committed to the District of Columbia, where the case will be prosecuted, due to a flight risk.

Coolest thing Ive ever done: Florida Jan. 6 rioter gave cop a concussion, bragged about it on Instagram

Osborne was identified as suspect AFO #347 on the FBIs Jan. 6 BOLO (be on the lookout) list. AFO stands for assault on federal officer, according to the FBI website.

The criminal complaint, which lays out the probable cause to charge a suspect with a crime, was not available as of this report. No additional details were available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Authorities have arrested Jose Antonio Ibarra in connection to the University of Georgia death of a 22-year-old woman, Laken Riley, whose body was discovered on the schools campus on Thursday.

The victim was initially reported missing after going for a morning jog at the Intramural Fields but didnt return home, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark said at a news conference. When police arrived at the campus just after 12:30 p.m., officers found her unconscious and not breathing with visible injuries in an area behind Lake Herrick. She was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.

A suspect in the murder of Laken Riley has been taken into custody by the University of Georgia Police Department, UGA said in a social media post. At this time, there are no indications of a continuing threat to the UGA campus related to this matter.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was arrested for the death of Laken Riley, whose body was discovered on the University of Georgia campus. (Photos: Getty Images/YouTube screenshot/11 Alive)

According to reports, Riley was in the nursing program at Augusta Universitys Athens campus, and she previously attended UGA, which is about 15 minutes away. Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson told CNN that the autopsy will determine the manner and cause of death.

Police are still trying to determine the motive behind the murder, and current reports show Riley had no previous connection to the suspect. Ibarra was booked for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call, and concealing the death of another.

A local judge denied bond for Ibarra, who lives in Athens, on Saturday morning.

Ibarras older brother was also arrested for having a fake U.S. permanent residency card, better known as a green card, while the murder suspects immigration status is unknown. The news sparked discussion about the countrys enforcement against illegal immigration online.

Say their names: Kayla Hamilton, Laken Riley



Both girls would be still alive if not for Biden and his open borders policies.



Democrats have blood on their hands. pic.twitter.com/xRg0UQPCii  I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) February 24, 2024

Jose Antonio Ibarra should not have been in this country. Laken Riley should be alive today. And now we mourn the loss of a vibrant young woman who was training for a life of service to others.



My heart breaks for the loved ones of Laken, and for every parent who has lost a  Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) February 24, 2024

On Saturday morning, Gov. Brian Kemp wrote a letter to President Joe Biden questioning why his administration was not informed about the situation regarding the murder suspects brother. He also requested information on Jose Ibarras current immigration status.

Laken Riley's tragic death struck the hearts of Georgians everywhere and has sparked national outrage.



Joe Biden's failed policies have turned every state into a border state, and I'm demanding information from him so we can protect our people when the federal government wont! pic.twitter.com/wsD4H6BSr6  Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) February 24, 2024

Classes at UGA and Augustas College of Nursing were canceled. They are set to resume next week.

Parents have been challenging the administration to improve their safety measures on campus to protect their children. Veronica Bennett told WSB-TV that more than the safety app is needed.

That hits a little too close to home, Bennett said. As a parent, I get tired of that being UGAs go-to. Oh, we have the safety app. Well, the safety app is not much of a deterrent.

Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz acknowledged the tragedy in a statement on social media Thursday evening.

I join everyone here at the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government in deep sadness over todays murder in our city, Girtz said. We promise to do everything possible to collaborate with UGA PD to bring this investigation to a rapid conclusion, and will continue to work overtime to prevent further tragedies.

University of Georgia Death: Arrest of Jose Antonio Ibarra for Murder of Laken Riley at UGA Campus Turns Political
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WJBF)  A landmark trial over a hate crime, involving the death of a transgender woman from Allendale, is underway in Columbia. Daqua Lameek Ritter faces charges of killing a Black transgender woman, known as Dime Doe in court documents, in August 2019.

Daqua Lameek Ritter

The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Ritter lured the victim to a remote area in Allendale County, South Carolina, and fatally shot her three times with a .22 caliber handgun.

Thursday, NewsChannel 6 heard crucial testimony from four people, including Xavier Pinkney. Pinkney detailed conversations with Ritter, revealing disturbing rumors about Dime Doe. He testified about Ritters attempts to burn clothes and coerce him into hiding the weapon.

The defense cross-examined Pinkney, exposing inconsistencies in his statements between his initial interview and Thursdays testimony.

The FBI task force shed light on the role of cell phone data in the investigation, analyzing calls and messages. They were unable to pinpoint the exact location of the phone.

Based on tower location, they identified an area including near Concord Church Road where Doe was found.

Jamie Presiter took the stand, recounting Ritters motives for the incident, involving a sensitive photo he wanted removed from Does phone to avoid social media exposure.

Kara Mallory shared her encounter with Ritter, describing his unusual behavior and sudden rush when looking for her sons father, Calvin Peebles, who later left with Ritter, following the incident.

Ritter eventually fled to New York.

Ritter could face multiple life sentences if convicted on charges, including hate crimes, murder with a firearm, and misleading investigators.

The trial marks a significant moment as it is the first time a federal jury decides a case based on a hate crime involving the victims gender identity.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Women young and old from around the state are meeting in Biloxi this weekend for a gathering of the largest African-American sorority in the country.

More than 1,000 members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are expected to attend, and they plan to donate thousands of dollars to tornado victims in Moss Point.

The event is being held Friday through Sunday at Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi. The group is expected to raise over $5,000 in Amazon wish list items and monetary donations for people still recovering after a tornado tore through Moss Point last June, said Cece Shabazz, media and communications co-lead at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Alumnae Chapter.

A lot of them are still in need of supplies, Shabazz said. We want to make sure we are a part of that effort.

The event is an annual statewide gathering that brings together women of all ages for workshops, business sessions, professional development and public service. The Coast last hosted the gathering just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Shabazz said.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. members and alumnae interact with vendors at an event.

Were really excited that its back this year, she said. The Coast is home to two of the sororitys chapters  the Mississippi Gulf Coast Alumnae Chapter and the Moss Point Alumnae Chapter  and Shabazz said city leaders and national sorority leaders will attend the gathering weekend. The events theme is a throwback to the 80s and 90s.

Organizers will also ask members to shop and eat at small Black owned businesses on the Coast, like Pass Christian Books, Ms. Audreys Southern Kitchen & Catering in Gulfport and Cat Daddys Fish House in Biloxi.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded more than 100 years ago at Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington D.C. The sorority has more than 350,000 members around the world, and 34 chapters in Mississippi.

Much of their work is public service, including voter registration and youth scholarships.

There isnt a month that goes by without a Delta making a positive impact in her community, Shabazz said. Delta Sigma Theta is an army of women dedicated to a life of sisterhood and giving back.

A group of Deltas poses for a photo in the sororitys signature red colors.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A judge sentenced the stepmother of six severely abused children to seven to 18 years in prison for failing to intervene to protect the children. Amanda Stamper, 33, spoke in court moments before learning her fate Thursday.

Im embarrassed to be here. I know I should have done something sooner, Stamper said. I do take full responsibility for it. I was not in the best situation either and I was scared.

In June of 2023, Las Vegas Metro police found the six children home alone. Two of them were locked in a dog cage. The oldest was 11 years old. Body camera video showed officers rescuing the children who all showed signs of abuse. Allegations dated back to 2019, according to the Clark County District Attorneys office.

Stampers husband, Travis Doss, a seemingly unsuccessful rapper known as Trap Montana, is accused of abusing the children.

Police body camera video shows a child locked in a dog cage.

Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Dena Rinetti said Doss, 32, kept one of the children locked in a dog cage for five days while also starving him. The child was severely malnourished.

Every single day the defendant failed to protect her six stepchildren, Rinetti said. Her actions and her inactions will affect these children for the rest of their lives.

Stamper pleaded guilty to three felony counts of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment in December. A grand jury in Clark County previously indicted Stamper on seven counts of felony child abuse and neglect.

Travis Doss.

The grand jury indicted Doss on 38 counts of child abuse, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of sex trafficking and one count of living off of the earnings of a prostitute. All of the charges are felonies. Stamper is identified as a victim in the sex trafficking case.

Caesar Almase, Stampers defense attorney, argued for probation and reiterated that she was abused by Doss, both physically and mentally.

Very clearly she was not thinking rationally, Almase said.

Rinetti pointed out that Doss had access to a vehicle and the opportunity to leave the home and call police or Child Protective Services. Doss had even texted Stamper a photo of one of the children who appeared to be dead, saying that he killed him, according to Rinetti. The child survived. However, Stamper only called 911 after Doss had been cheating on her and she had sent Doss nearly 100 unanswered text messages, Rinetti said.

It was all about her and it was never about children, Rinetti said.

Travis Doss, left, and Amanda Stamper.

By law in Nevada, individuals who work regularly with children such as school and medical professionals are mandated to report suspected child abuse or neglect. None of the children were attending school, according to Rinetti, so Stamper was their only chance.

Stamper and Doss had one child together at the time of their arrests. Stamper gave birth to another child last December.

Clark County District Court Judge Nadia Krall noted that Stamper will receive credit for the 257 days she has already served in jail.

Stamper and Doss both had criminal histories when they were arrested. There was an active warrant for Doss out of South Carolina. He was wanted for aggravated assault, according to North Myrtle Beach Police. Two days before the warrant for Doss was issued in January, Stamper was arrested, according to police. This was in connection to a warrant for violating federal probation related to drug charges in Tennessee, police said.

During one court hearing, Doss shook his head at 8 News Nows camera and tried to hide.

Doss continues to fight his case and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 29.

To report child abuse, visit the DCFS website (https://dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CWS/CWS-PhoneDirectory/). To reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline, call: 800-799-7233.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Victor Avila, from left, Brandon Herrera and Frank Lopez Jr., answer questions from people attending the a Uvalde County Republican Party primary debate at Herby Ham Activity Center on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas. They are all running to unseat incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, is locked in one of the toughest GOP congressional primaries in Texas  and its shaping up to be a bitter and unusual race.

Gonzales, who since 2021 has represented a huge swath of Texas stretching from San Antonio to El Paso, faces four primary opponents who say he is not conservative enough. Gonzales has been under fire from his partys right flank after voting two years ago to codify same-sex marriage rights and to tighten gun-buyer background checks for young adults after the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which is in his district.

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Gonzales has batted off the criticism, defending those votes and touting his record on other issues, especially immigration and border security. Gonzales district includes the largest stretch of the U.S. border with Mexico, and hes spent months advocating to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and pass legislation cracking down on illegal border crossings. And hes been aggressive in knocking his opponents  especially Brandon Herrera, otherwise known as the AK Guy, who has built a brand around making and promoting firearms.

Good Guys 1, Gonzales posted on social media after casting a ballot on Tuesday, the first day of early voting. Other Guys 0.

Election day is March 5, and this isnt the first time Gonzales has faced a crowded primary.

During his first run for the seat in 2020, Gonzales, a former Navy cryptologist, came out on top of a nine-candidate field and headed to a runoff, where he eked out a win against a more conservative opponent by just about 50 votes.

Two years later, he faced two primary challengers but easily secured the GOP nomination with 78% of the vote.

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Jon Taylor, a politics professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said he thinks its unlikely that Gonzales will head to a runoff this time, but its definitely a possibility with so many candidates on the ballot. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two vote-getters will face off in May. He said he believes Gonzales is feeling the pressure, especially because hes been hammering border messaging so hard in recent weeks. Its the GOPs top issue heading into the 2024 election.

Gonzales 2020 race was a political near-death experience, and hes taking lessons from that primary into this one, Taylor said.

He might think of himself as a pragmatist, Taylor said. He might see himself as someone who can realistically work across the aisle with Democrats. But hes sure not showing it right now with all the stuff hes doing.

Gonzales campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

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Herrera is Gonzales most formidable opponent, with hundreds of thousands of followers on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and nearly $600,000 in his campaign coffers at the end of December. He outraised all three other candidates combined but still far trails Gonzales $2 million bank account.

Also in the race are Julie Clark, the chair of the Medina County GOP; Victor Avila, a retired supervisory special agent for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Frank Lopez Jr., a retired supervisory Border Patrol agent who ran as an independent in the 23rd Congressional District in 2022.

Campaign controversies

But Herrera, who lives in San Antonio, has faced additional scrutiny in recent weeks for a series of blunders and controversial statements on the campaign trail. Most recently, he made a joke about veteran suicides on a podcast episode: If it makes everyone in the room feel better, I often think about putting a gun in my mouth, he said. So, Im basically an honorary veteran.

In the podcast, Herrera had said hed wanted to make that joke during a recent speech but ultimately decided against it. He added that every veteran Ive ever told that joke to laughed their ass off.

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In 2022, more than 6,100 veterans died by suicide, averaging nearly 17 lives lost each day. The suicide rate for veterans is 150% higher than those who havent served, according to the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs.

Gonzales, who represents two Air Force bases, posted about the comment on social media and said there is a special place in hell for scum and villainy (sic) who mock veteran suicide.

Herrera replied by accusing Gonzales of taking the comment out of context. Doesnt matter though, youre still losing your seat. Im glad youre scared though, he said. His campaign did not respond to a request for additional comment.

In December, Herrera had an event at Oasis Outback, a gun store and restaurant, in Uvalde.

The next day, Uvalde police officers called in the San Antonio bomb squad to evaluate a device left at Oasis, the same place the Robb Elementary shooter purchased his weapon. It was an inactive explosive device, and there was never any threat to the area  but it did cause a scare.

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Herreras campaign said a supporter had brought him a dummy shell as a gag gift, and the candidate gave the round to another supporter. That person left the shell at Oasis by accident, the campaign said.

We regret any confusion or disturbance this caused, the campaign said at the time.

Still, Herreras campaign has been forceful in its assertion that Gonzales isnt the right person to represent the 23rd Congressional District, and the candidate has aligned himself with congressional representatives like Matt Gaetz of Florida. Herrera describes himself as a very strong constitutionalist but does not outline his specific stances or positions on his campaign website.

The other three candidates have similarly blasted Gonzales as a RINO, or a Republican in name only. At a debate in Uvalde last month, Avila, Lopez Jr. and Herrera blasted Gonzales for his opposition to a border bill that the incumbent called anti-immigrant and his vote to form the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Someone asked me, Whats the difference between you and the incumbent?  Avila said at the event. And I told them, Im right here. Im standing in front of you, and you will continue to see me.

Gonzales, meanwhile, has posted several pictures of himself in recent days sharing meals with constituents or doing interviews with local media.
For years, Georgia environmentalists have wondered whether the Environmental Protection Agency would wield a federal rule forbidding storing heavy metal-laden and cancer-causing coal ash in groundwater with the same resolve they used in Ohio and Alabama.

A letter sent from the EPA to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division this month indicates they are.

The letter takes EPD to task for a final closure permit at Georgia Powers Plant Hammond near Rome. EPA says the permit issued last September likely breaks the groundwater rule. About 10% of the Hammond coal ash remains in the aquifer.

Chris Bowers, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, described the letter as yanking EPDs chain.

Well, the letter is what I would call a politely worded smackdown of Georgia EPDs misinterpretation of the closure standards for ash, Bowers said.

While most states have always been made to follow the EPA lead on the long-term storage of the material left over from burning coal to make electricity, Georgia was handed control of its own coal ash program under one condition: Closure permits must be at least as stringent as the federal standard.

Meanwhile, EPD has so far voiced no opposition to Georgia Powers requests to leave other coal ash enclosures in a state of unlined closure vulnerable to infiltration by groundwater.

In the letter to EPD, Jeneanne Gettles, EPA Region 4 administrator, said those plans do not satisfy the deal EPD made to run its own program.

The Agency is unaware of a circumstance where these standards could be, or have been, met when the waste in a closed, unlined impoundment remains in contact with groundwater that freely migrates in and out of the [coal ash] remaining in the closed unit, Gettles said.

In correspondence between the two agencies obtained by GPB, EPA personnel voiced concerns about the groundwater at Plant Hammond right up until the point in September of last year that the final closure permit was issued.

In one document, the EPA shared a table describing how coal ash at some monitoring wells was found to be sometimes a dozen feet deep in the water flowing through the Northwest Georgia topography.

The new attention to how EPD is running its permitting process has clear implications for permits not yet issued at other larger coal ash sites, such as at Georgia Powers Plant Scherer in Monroe County. Altamaha Riverkeeper Fletcher Sams said Plant Scherer closure plans would leave coal ash some 25 feet in groundwater there.

Residents around the Scherer ash pond have worried for years about the connection between the drinking water they draw from the same aquifer and various illnesses, including some rare cancers.

I mean, we have told the power company, we have told legislators, we have told EPD, you told the governor that these plans are illegal, Sams said. Weve been saying that for years. And now EPA is saying what weve been saying.

The difference, Sams said, is that the EPA has the authority to take control of Georgia coal ash management back from the state.

Both Fletcher Sams the riverkeeper and attorney Chris Bowers of the SELC agree the EPA letter may be the first step in that process.

In an official comment on the letter, Georgia Power said their ash pond closure plans are designed to comply with both the federal and state coal ash rules.

Georgia EPD did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.

(Grant Blankenship is an editor and reporter for GPB based in Macon. In the spirit of the old photojournalism dictum f8 and be there, he believes the best stories start with field trips.)
A courtroom sketch depicts former President Trump on the witness stand in New York on Oct. 25. (Elizabeth Williams / Associated Press)

To the editor: I am a lifelong registered Democrat, based solely on the majority of major positions taken by the party. I have no sympathy for anyone, Democrat or Republican, who breaks the law. ("How the massive New York business fraud verdict will do real damage to Trumps empire," Opinion, Feb. 16)

In the legal cases that former President Trump faces, he should have to pay the penalty, if found guilty, to the full extent of the law, including with prison time for the criminal cases.

Regarding the New York civil trial, I agree with the finding that Trump was liable for lying about the value of his real estate assets in order to get preferred loan rates from several banks. But I disagree with the judge's order that he pay a $355-million penalty.

Who were the victims of Trump's fraud?

I was a banker for more than 20 years. My positions included commercial loan officer and vice president. Without exception, for anyone applying for a large loan who shows real estate holdings as a major asset, appraisals are required.

Since the banks in question were paid, I fail to understand who the victims are in this case.

Bob Bergman, Newbury Park

..

To the editor: It is disturbing to me that Trump supporters claim that there were no victims in his efforts to defraud financial institutions.

Our economy functions on the availability of credit. The foundation of credit is trust. If we were to follow the Trump business model, our economy would implode.

This man is a leading candidate for president, and he is required to have a monitor to oversee his financial transactions. This makes me more fearful than President Biden's age.

June Thompson, Los Angeles

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Time is running out to donate books to AAUW

Many thanks to the generous community members who have donated books for our annual May book sale over the past ten months! Through our sale, your books will find new homes and generate dollars significant dollars for us to invest back into our community.

The final day for accepting book donations for this years sale will be Tuesday, March 12. Before bringing books to our Used Book Workshop, learn more about what books can and cannot be accepted: aauwstatecollege.org/used_book_sale_donations.

We are located near University Park Airport, off 2197 High Tech Road in the large blue building at the rear. Donations may be made 24/7 into the outdoor blue bins. For special assistance with larger donations, the workshop will be open Mondays from 6-8 p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

After our March 12 closing, we will reopen for book donations for our 2025 sale on Tuesday, June 18.

Mark your calendar for the our 62nd sale, to be held at the Penn State Snider Ag Arena May 11-14. Learn all about it at www.aauwstatecollege.org. Funds raised from the sale support local scholarships and programs that advance equity for women and girls. Questions? Contact info@aauwstatecollege.org.

Dina Liberatore, Sherry Crassweller, Suzanne Kerlin, AAUW State College Used Book Workshop leads

America First redux

Something we didnt learn while studying American heroes: Charles Lindberg was a prime spokesperson for America First, a pre-WW II movement. This movement had eerie similarities to the current America First movement, championed by Donald Trump.

Lindberg admired Adolf Hitler and didnt want the U.S. to militarily support or even provide supplies to our European allies as Hitlers Nazi regime invaded country after country, slaughtering Jews along the way. In a November 1939 Readers Digest piece, Lindberg wrote of the infiltration of inferior blood and praised aviations development for giving the ability to the White race to live at all in a pressing sea of Yellow, Black and Brown. A spin-off group, the Christian Mobilizers, intended to keep Jews, refugees from the pillaged Europe, from entering the United States and, more broadly in the words of journalist Andrew Lapin, restore America to the militant national Christian.

Trump openly admires the authoritarian Putin, and has threatened to let Russia do whatever the hell they want in Europe. Present-day America First supporters oppose aid to Ukraine as Putins army commits war crimes in Ukraine. On the racial front, Trump said that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country and that theyre coming into our country, from Africa, from Asia, all over the world. Theyre pouring into our country. Just recently, a group calling itself Gods Army formed a convoy to stop an invasion of immigrants.

One glaring difference between then and now: Lindberg wasnt campaigning for the presidency.

Ross Adams, Boalsburg

Hurtful words have wider implications

A Feb. 18 CDT letter to the editor linked being un-American to how long a persons ancestors have been in this country and their country of origin. Although the hatred expressed in the letter was aimed at a particular political candidate, it has much wider implications. It is shocking that a highly educated person with local influence would hold a view that ethnic origin has something to do with being un-American. Unfortunately, the public discourse of recent years has made it acceptable to openly express any thought we have, no matter how hurtful to others. Looking at the news and knowing a little history, I conclude that being for or against America has nothing to do with whether your ancestor walked across a land bridge between Asia and North America, arrived on the Mayflower, was dragged from the hold of a slave ship, or waded across the Rio Grand.

Gary Moorman, State College

Still another reason

As if we didnt already have enough reasons to vote against DJT, heres another one.

The man is accumulating personal expenses at a frightening pace. First it was legal fees to his defense attorneys for representing him in multiple court cases. Then came the $88 million judgment he was ordered to pay E. Jean Carroll. Now the $355 million fine, plus interest, he owes the state of New York. In addition, there are several pending civil cases in the District of Columbia, brought by the Capitol Police and various members of Congress.

Eventually, he may be looking at debts in the range of $2 billion. How are these to be paid?

The man hates parting with his own money, so has relentlessly pursued contributions from the public, and the RNC, to pay his legal bills.

Surely the public and the RNC have limits on their largesse. Where will the billions come from, if hes elected POTUS again? Who has that kind of ready cash?

The answer might very well be Russia, or possibly Saudi Arabia. Its easy to imagine Putin offering help in exchange for, say, DJTs pledge to pull America out of NATO. Almost certainly Putin would demand an end to our military support for Ukraine.

Crushing debt poses serious national security risks. Would we want to risk our President making foreign policy decisions as a way to make his personal financial obligations disappear?

We absolutely must keep the man out of the White House!

Linda Barton, State College
San Antonio resident Mary Helen Olivarez has been waiting months for her SNAP application to be approved. Robin Jerstad San Antonio resident Mary Helen Olivarea has been waiting Months for her SNAP application to be approved. Robin Jerstad

After the bills are paid each month, Mary Helen Olivarez has a tough choice to make: spend her remaining $100 on food or medication.

So last April, the 71-year-old applied with the state for food assistance. Nearly a year later, shes still waiting for help.

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Olivarez is one of many Texans in limbo as the states Health and Human Services Commission struggles to process a backlog of more than 225,000 applications for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, once known as food stamps.

The federally funded program helps low-income Texans buy groceries, and the state is supposed to process applications within 30 days.

Community advocates say the delays are putting strains on local food banks and on residents who dont know when, or if, they will be approved for benefits.

I feel like the state has let me down, said Olivarez, who lives in San Antonio. I would not be applying if I was not in need.

The lag picked up last year with the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Since April, HHSC has been tasked with rechecking the eligibility of more than 6 million Texans who received health care benefits during the pandemic.

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The state is taking all possible actions to provide benefits to eligible Texans as quickly as possible, HHSC spokeswoman Tiffany Young said in a written statement. The agency has brought on more than 2,100 eligibility workers and pulled staff from other areas to focus exclusively on processing SNAP and Medicaid applications.

As of Jan. 26, it took an average of 38 days to process a SNAP application once it had been assigned to an eligibility adviser, Young said. The agency has not said how long the assignment process can take, and it said it could not provide details on Olivarezs case because of confidentiality.

Most of the applications waiting to be processed come from people who applied to multiple benefit programs and require review by an eligibility adviser trained in each, Young said.

In September, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, and 12 other Democrats in Congress urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to crack down on the state over delays that they said have been a problem since July 2021.

The department, which administers SNAP, has had HHSC under a corrective action plan since May 2020 for failing to meet federal timeliness standards for processing applications.

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Under the plan, HHSC has to submit regular reports on its progress; its most recent was submitted Feb. 15, according to the agency.

Celia Cole, CEO of the food bank network Feeding Texas, said she believes a significant amount of demand at food banks is coming from people with pending SNAP applications.

When a family applies for SNAP because they need help affording food, and their application is caught in the backlog, their hunger needs dont go away, Cole said. They don't stop eating. They find ways to make up for that.

Cole said food banks and HHSC are seeing a pandemic-level of need but simply dont have the resources to keep up. In addition, food prices have been on the rise. The USDA reported that food prices increased 9.9% in 2022 and 5.8% in 2023.

At the Houston Food Bank, which helps people sign up for SNAP, applicants report waiting four to five months before they receive benefits, said Jolene Norbert-Harrell, the associate director of economic mobility.

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If an applicant is approved for SNAP after a long delay, Norbert-Harrell said, they receive retroactive benefits or several months' worth of benefits at once.

In response to the backlog, HHSC encouraged employees in December to put in 15 additional hours of monthly overtime on top of the existing 20, according to Doggetts website and the Texas State Employee Union.

Cole said the extra hours made a dent in the backlog but that now it seems like HHSC has hit sort of a plateau.

While the overtime helped improve the backlog, the workload is unsustainable and leads to high employee turnover, said Ilesa Daniels-Ross, president of the Texas State Employee Union and a retired HHSC employee.

She said that while new hires will help in the long run, the training period means veteran employees are still feeling the strain.

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New workers can only help you so much, Daniels-Ross said. Theyre not going to be able to produce the same amount and kind of work as someone whos been doing this job for five years.

Olivarez said that after submitting her application, she would call HHSCs service hotline nearly every week but she rarely ever got ahold of an employee. Within six months, she said she received a letter from HHSC asking her to verify the income of her former spouse. By the time she received the letter, a week had already passed.

By December, Olivarez said shed given up.

About every month, she visits the San Antonio Food Bank, where she volunteers and gets most of her groceries. At food distributions, Olivarez said, she takes home fresh fruit, vegetables, rice and beans.
Kylan Durant, the president of Oklahoma Pride Alliance, says legislators in the state are creating a dangerous environment for LGBTQ youth (Courtesy of Kylan Durant)

As Oklahoma lawmakers introduced dozens of anti-LGBTQ bills last year, local advocacy groups had a warning.

We were saying, this is going to cost queer and trans kids their lives , Kylan Durant, president of the Oklahoma Pride Alliance, told The Independent in an interview.

We tried to warn you and no one took it seriously and now here we are.

Oklahomas anti-LGBTQ laws have come under scrutiny after the death of non-binary high school sophomore Nex Benedict , 16, on 8 February.

Nex collapsed at home one day after they got into a fight with three girls in a bathroom at Owasso High School. Nex told a family member they had been jumped after standing up to bullies, and the fight was three on one. They died in a hospital emergency room that night.

Owasso police have said an early autopsy indicated Nex had not died as a result of trauma. However, Nexs family said through a lawyer they plan to conduct an independent investigation into their death.

Nex had been bullied for more than a year prior to the fight due to being gender fluid, according to their mother Sue Benedict.

Nex Benedict, 16, died one day after being assaulted in a bathroom at Owasso High School in Oklahoma, police say (Courtesy of Benedict family)

Like many Republican-controlled legislatures across the United States, Oklahoma has seen a recent surge in proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation.

From bans on gender-affirming care to penalties for public school teachers asking students what their pronouns are, the collective weight has had a chilling effect on young people exploring their gender identity, Mr Durant said.

It just reiterates to me that its not about the kids, its about political power, its about a lot of things that have nothing to do with kids.

Weve heard a lot of protecting our children rhetoric from that side of the aisle, and then we see something like this happen. Its not protect all kids, its not protect queer kids.

It feels like again, that our community continues to be a pawn to progress political agendas.

In 2022, Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill requiring public school students to use bathrooms that matched the sex that was listed on their birth certificates. Nex was using the bathroom as determined by that legislation.

Among the more than 50 proposed laws before the current legislative session are bills that would ban discussion of some topics related to race and gender, prohibit sex education and criminalise gender-affirming care for people under 21 years old, according to The Oklahoman.

Oklahoma has the highest number of bills targeting LGTBQ youth in the country, according to the ACLU.

Days after Nexs death, a house committee voted along party lines to aaadvance a bill that would ban people born in Oklahoma from changing their gender on birth certificates.

Trans-rights activists protest outside the House chamber at the Oklahoma state Capitol before the State of the State address in February 2023 (AP)

Mr Durant said that the current persecution of LGBTQ communities was similar to the AIDs epidemic of the 1970s, when the growing medical crisis was ignored.

The way that was handled cost a lot of lives. And were still here, fighting this.

In the face of this overwhelming wave of explicitly anti-LGBTQ legislation, advocacy groups have been trying to fight back.

In September 2022, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Oklahoma, and Lambda Legal filed a federal lawsuit challenging the bathroom law. The groups are also spearheading efforts to challenge or overturn laws that prevent trans youth from seeking medical care.

Weve been fighting that kind of stuff and its so hard to look at death and say lets keep fighting it. But then its well, what else do we do? Mr Durant said.

The biggest thing that people need to understand is that, sure its in Oklahoma, but this affects all of us, and dont leave us behind and forget about us.

On Wednesday 22 February, the vice mayor of an Oklahoma City suburb angrily confronted members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education at a meeting.

Sean Cummings accused education superintendent Ryan Walters and other members of emboldening trans hate, and said they had blood on their hands over Nexs death.

Its so great to see someone like that have that anger, because we have been screaming into the void for a long time now, Mr Durant told The Independent.

Weve seen this in other instances of incredible injustice, it takes these big moments, and enough people finally saying something. But weve been here all along saying the same thing.

Nex Benedict had been bullied for at least a year at Owasso High School in Oklahoma, their mother says (Courtesy of Benedict family)

In June 2023, Mr Walters released a public service message on YouTube describing transgender students as a threat in schools.

Last month, Mr Walters appointed the Libs of TikTok social media influencer Chaya Raichik to a state library advisory board.

Ms Raichik had earlier targeted a teacher in the Owasso public school district who spoke out in support of LGBTQ children who had been shunned by their parents.

She regularly posts content about LGBTQ-friendly schools and teachers, many of whom have later received bomb and death threats.

Mr Durant believes there is a direct causation between the kind of hateful rhetoric shared by accounts such as Libs of TikTok and the rising hatred towards LGBTQ children in the state.

How do you not understand that your platform causes that? How do you not understand that by bringing someone on to one of our committees that deals with education, that youre not signing off on that.

Mr Durant said that after Libs of TikTok posted about a youth drag competition for Oklahoma Citys PrideFest in June last year, the Oklahoma Pride Alliance were bombarded with hateful messages to their social media channels.

Then they started coming to our personal Instagram and Facebook and Twitter accounts. I had to put my socials on private, truly violent and hateful stuff, wishing death upon all of us, he said.

The Independent has contacted Ms Raichik for comment.

Nexs death has prompted waves of grief and anger across the US. Vigils are being held across Oklahoma state, in Los Angeles, New Jersey and elsewhere.

Vice President Kamala Harris posted on X that her heart goes out to Nex Benedicts family, friends, and their entire community.

Oscar-nominated Flowers of the Killer Moon actress Lily Gladstone also shared a call to action .

I want more of that until theres true justice, Mr Durant told The Independent.

Because Oklahoma is queer. People go Oklahoma is a red state, were never going to be able to change that.

But I have to have hope that thats not true. All of these folks fighting for us even outside of the state, its incredibly helpful to know that we have that support.
(Bloomberg) -- Libyan militias whove held sway in the capital for years will begin leaving in April after a deal was struck in the wake of recent deadly violence, according to an official in the OPEC nations internationally recognized government.

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Under the agreement, seven groups will withdraw from Tripoli after the holy month of Ramadan, Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi said Wednesday in a briefing. Those would include an organization thats the governments strongest backer, leaving security matters solely in the hands of city police officers, criminal investigators and the emergency services, he said.

Militias have been the main powerbrokers in the North African nation ever since the NATO-backed revolt that overthrew long-time ruler Moammar Al Qaddafi in 2011 and its unclear if the deal will pan out. Successive Libyan governments have failed to rein in the heavily armed groups, which sporadically clash with each other, adding to the dysfunction in a country thats home to the continents largest proven oil reserves.

After a United Nations-backed peace deal and plan for 2021 elections faltered, Libya is again divided between an administration in Tripoli and a rival parliament in the east. The militia agreement followed a Feb. 17 outbreak of violence in Tripoli in which at least 10 people were killed, according to the UN mission in Libya.

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The island of Sark  almost all locals speak English, but this is a relatively recent development - The Image Bank RF/Christophe Boisvieux

One of Britains oldest languages has been recorded for posterity by a Czech linguist who has spent eight years working with its last three native speakers.

Sarkese is the Norman dialect of Sark, a Channel Island roughly 3.5 miles long by 1.5 miles wide with a population of around 500, located close to the coast of Normandy, France.

But with just three native speakers remaining  Margaret Toms and Joyce Southern, both in their 80s, and 95-year-old Esther Perree  it seemed inevitable that the Gallo-Romance language would soon be forgotten.

That was until Martin Neudorfl, a Czech linguist who first heard of the island while studying in the UK, decided to make it his mission to preserve Sarkese  also referred to as patois locally  for future generations.

He was invited to the island in 2016 after getting in touch with the late Dr Richard Axton MBE, the former leader of La Societe Sercquaise, which works to preserve and enhance Sarks natural environment and cultural heritage.

Mr Neudorfl was soon persuaded to undertake a project to protect the language, working with the native speakers to document and codify Sarkese.

The main thing I did was language documentation, so I spent hours and hours with native speakers giving them questions and tests  it was very difficult and demanding but they prevailed, he said.

We just continued and have been doing so now for the past eight years.

Hundreds of hours of audio

Mr Neudorfls time and effort has produced an archive of hundreds of hours of audio recordings of the language, which could be used to revive the language long after the remaining native speakers are gone.

He said it was all thanks to the native speakers that the dialect has been saved. They invested hundreds of hours or their time and energy despite their age, he said.

Sarkese is an archaic variety of the Norman language that arrived in 1565, brought by settlers from nearby Jersey.

Almost all Sark locals speak English, but this is a relatively recent development. At the end of the 18th century, it was reported that there was not a single English-speaking family on the island.

Mr Neudorfl began working with the islands only school in 2019 to teach children Sarkese, while he also provides weekly online classes for adults.

He is teaching students a song in the native language, some basic phrases, and they are also rehearsing a play in the language.

Its a mixture of English and Sarkese as it would be too difficult for the young children to do it completely through Sarkese, said Mr Neudorfl.

However, part of the problem with trying to teach the language to younger generations is that children on the Isle of Sark leave at 13 to go to school in Guernsey or on the UK mainland.

When they come back they tend to have lost their touch with the language, Mr Neudorfl explained.

A vessel for any culture

The linguist now visits the island once or twice a year for a month at a time, continuing to work with the native speakers and to teach his classes at the primary school.

Mr Neudorfl said it is important for communities to retain their native language so as not to lose their connection with their ancestors.

A language is like a vessel for any culture and its the heart of the community, because you communicate through that language.

It forms you, it forms your identity so for any community if there is a native language its important to preserve it so the people dont lose their connection with the past, he said.

He added: At the same time, because Sarkese is a very archaic language, there are some features that weve lost in the other Gallo-Romance languages that weve retained in Sarkese.

It also helps us to understand how similar languages worked  like old Norman and old French  and how they sounded.

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China issued a strong response on Thursday to a visit by a US congressional delegation to Taiwan, urging the US to cease all official communication with the self-governing island.

Following a meeting between the House Select Committee on China's Communist Party and Taiwanese leaders, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning addressed the media. The meeting was part of a high-profile trip to demonstrate US support for Taiwan's democratically elected government.

China Lashes Out at US Delegation Visit to Taiwan

The visit by members of Congress elicited a more robust reaction than usual. Beijing has consistently objected to any formal engagement between the US and Taiwan but is especially unhappy with the House select committee, established in 2023 and recognized for its aggressive stance towards China's ruling party.

Nevertheless, the visit is not expected to lead to significant military actions like the visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did in the summer of 2022. Beijing and Washington are working to improve their strained relations after a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November.

The congressional visit aligned with the US State Department's announcement of a $75 million arms sale to Taiwan. The transaction is of a small scale and does not involve any weapons. It delves into communications and global positioning systems along with related technology.

Mao condemned the sale for its impact on China's sovereignty, security interests, and relations with the US, as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. According to a 1979 law, the US must supply Taiwan with necessary military equipment and technology to prevent invasion.

Beijing strongly opposes the US arms sales to Taiwan, viewing the island as part of Chinese territory and threatening to take it back by force if needed. Taiwan is included in the $95 billion aid package that was approved by the Senate this month but is currently held up in the House.

The package, which highlighted Ukraine and Israel, contained $1.9 billion to restock US weapons supplied to Taiwan. An extra $3.3 billion is allocated to expand the production of US-manufactured submarines to strengthen a security alliance with Australia and the United Kingdom.

In Taiwan, a report by Central News Agency stated that Rep. Mike Gallagher, the select committee's Republican chair, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, its Democratic ranking member, proposed methods to accelerate the delivery of military weapons to Taiwan. They recommended joint production of certain weapons that do not require intellectual property transfer, as per AP News.

Mike Gallagher leads the delegation of five members that held meetings with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te yesterday. The United States is a crucial ally for Taiwan, which has been a focal point of tensions with China. China asserts its claim over Taiwan and has not dismissed the possibility of using force to assert control.

Read Also: Philippines, US Conduct Joint Air Patrol Over South China Sea Amid Maritime Tensions

US' Support For Taiwan Angers China

Although the United States does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it remains a key supporter and provider of military resources to the island, causing tension in the relationship between Washington and Beijing.

Taiwan's defense ministry expressed appreciation for the decision, stating that the US support will strengthen their defense capabilities against present and future challenges. Prior to his victory in the election, Lai, from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), promised to protect the island from what he referred to as China's "intimidation."

Relations between the United States and China have been tense for years, with conflicts arising over various issues such as trade, alleged espionage, human rights, and foreign policy. Ties have significantly improved over the past year following a number of top-level discussions between US and Chinese officials.

In November 2023, the US President hosted his Chinese counterpart for a summit on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific economic meeting, with the two agreeing to restore military communications. Beijing has labeled Lai as a 'troublemaker' and a 'separatist', and responded to his win by cautioning against moving towards formal independence, a stance the president-elect has stated he disagreed with.

In January, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson restated Beijing's strong opposition to all official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan following Lai's meeting with a visiting US delegation.

In the most recent incident, Beijing accused Taipei on Wednesday of attempting to conceal the truth regarding a confrontation between a fishing vessel with two Chinese nationals and a Taiwanese coast guard boat in waters controlled by Taiwan, which resulted in the deaths of the Chinese nationals.

Related Article: US Lawmakers Consider Sanctioning Chinese Firms for Aiding Russia's War with Ukraine
FILE - This is an undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of Abdul Ezedi. London police have confirmed that a body pulled from the River Thames earlier this week is that of Abdul Ezedi, a man wanted over a chemical attack that injured his former partner and her two young daughters. The Metropolitan Police said Friday Feb. 23. 2024, that a post-mortem has confirmed his cause of death as drowning. (Metropolitan Police via AP, File)

LONDON (AP)  London police confirmed Friday that a body they pulled from the River Thames is that of Abdul Ezedi, a man wanted over a chemical attack that injured his former partner and her two young daughters.

The Metropolitan Police said his body was formally identified on Thursday and that his family has been informed of this development. The force also said that a post-mortem has confirmed his cause of death as drowning.

As the public would expect, our enquiries continue into this atrocious attack," said Commander Jon Savell. "The 31-year-old woman is still in hospital and remains in a stable condition and no longer sedated. We have still not been able to speak to her but hope to as soon as she is well enough.

Police launched a nationwide manhunt for Ezedi after the attack in the Clapham area of south London on Jan. 31 that saw the mother-of-two doused with a corrosive alkali. Some of the chemical injured her 8-year-old daughter, while the 3-year-old had her head slammed into the ground.

Images of Ezedi soon after showed he had significant injuries to the right side of his face, but his whereabouts were unknown. On Feb. 9, the Met said they believed Ezedi had probably gone into the water after piecing together closed-circuit television footage of his movements after the attack.

The Met said the crew of a passing boat reported seeing a body in the water near the Tower of London on Monday afternoon and that they believed it was Ezedi.

British media reported that Ezedi is an Afghan refugee who was granted asylum despite being convicted of a sex offense in Britain in 2018. His asylum application was initially rejected, but he later was permitted to remain in the U.K. after claiming that he had converted to Christianity, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported.
Lori Vallow Daybell sits during her sentencing hearing at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho, on Monday, July 31, 2023. | Tony Blakeslee, EastIdahoNews.com via Associated Press

After being extradited from Idaho to Arizona, Lori Vallow appeared in court Wednesday for a case scheduling conference.

In an Idaho courtroom during the summer last year, Vallow was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, two of her children. She also received a life sentence for conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the death of Tammy Daybell. Tammy Daybell was the wife of Chad Daybell, whom Vallow later married.

A Maricopa County, Arizona, the grand jury indicted Lori Vallow in 2021 on one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection to the death of Charles Vallow, one of Lori Vallows former husbands. East Idaho News reported Lori Vallow was also indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in relation to the alleged attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of Vallows niece. She has entered a not guilty plea.

Vallow is expected to face trial starting on Aug. 1.

Its possible the trial will be delayed. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Justin Bereksy said during the conference Wednesday that it might not be possible to start then, per East Idaho News. A large amount of discovery is about to be disclosed  approximately 88,000 pages of discovery. I imagine thats going to take some time for the defense to get through, Bereksy said.

Related

When does Chad Daybells trial start?

Jury selection is expected to begin on April 1 for Chad Daybells trial.

Daybell is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection to the deaths of his wife Tammy Daybell and Vallows children, JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan. He has pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution and defense agreed that the trial will likely last around eight weeks, East Idaho News reported. Courtroom cameras will livestream the trial.
FILE - Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon speaks during a news conference Feb. 22, 2023, in Los Angeles. Eleven candidates are challenging Gascon, a former police chief and two-term San Francisco district attorney, to lead the nation's largest prosecutor's office. The primary for Los Angeles County district attorney is March 5. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Los Angeles County voters are set to decide next month if embattled District Attorney George Gascon will remain the head of the nations largest prosecutors office in a race centered on perceptions of public safety.

Gascon, who was elected in 2020 on a criminal justice platform alongside a wave of progressive prosecutors, faces 11 challengers in the March 5 nonpartisan primary. Voting is already underway.

Gascons challengers say his policies are to blame for rising crime, including a series of brazen smash-and-grab robberies at luxury stores that have garnered national attention from critics who say California's Democratic leaders are allowing lawlessness. Property crime increased nearly 3% within the sheriff's jurisdiction of Los Angeles County from 2022 to 2023.

Violent crime, however, decreased more than 3% in the city of Los Angeles and nearly 1.5% in the county in 2023 compared to the year before. It is still above pre-pandemic levels, and the feeling of being unsafe is so pervasive that even the Los Angeles mayor and police chief said last month they are working to fix the city's image.

There isnt a community, I believe, in LA County that would say things are on the right track from a crime perspective, said Michael Bustamante, an election expert and public affairs consultant who is not involved in the race.

Gascon was elected after a summer of unrest following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

He immediately imposed his campaign agenda: not seeking the death penalty; not prosecuting juveniles as adults; ending cash bail for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies; and no longer filing enhancements triggering stiffer sentences for certain elements of crimes, repeat offenses or gang membership.

Gascon quickly faced backlash, including a recall attempt within his first 100 days and a second attempt later, which both failed to get on the ballot.

His challengers include local prosecutors Jonathan Hatami and Eric Siddall and former federal prosecutors Jeff Chemerinsky and Nathan Hochman, a one-time attorney general candidate, who all have garnered notable endorsements.

To win outright, a candidate must receive a 50%-plus-one vote, an unlikely outcome in the largest-ever field to seek the office. Anything less triggers a runoff race between the top two candidates in November to lead an agency made up of almost 1,000 lawyers who prosecute cases in the most populous county in the U.S.

Experts believe Gascon will survive the primary but are less optimistic about his chances in November.

"Nobody has really broken out. And with a large number of each candidate getting a decent amount of support, it could become a random thing who gets into the runoff, said Raphael Sonenshein, executive director of The John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which focuses on social science research in Los Angeles.

The challenger field is largely campaigning on a reversal of nearly all of Gascon's progressive policies. They're running with a more tough-on-crime approach but are mindful of going too far for LA County's Democratic electorate.

Chemerinsky, for example, vowed to undo almost all of Gascon's practices but said he would keep the ban on the use of the death penalty.

Gascon's first term has been rocky. His orders to prosecutors to stop seeking longer prison sentences and cease using sentencing enhancements, among other controversial policies, were met with immediate resistance.

The union representing rank-and-file prosecutors sued Gascon, arguing he cannot bar the use of sentencing enhancements for prior felony convictions under the states three strikes law. The California Supreme Court heard arguments last year and has not issued a ruling.

Gascon faced a slew of no-confidence votes by municipal governments across the county. Other county district attorneys took the unusual step of criticizing his policies as reckless and tried to take cases from his jurisdiction.

He also was forced to roll back some of his biggest reforms, such as initially ordering more than 100 enhancements dropped and elevating a hate crime from misdemeanor to a felony. The move infuriated victims advocates and Gascon backpedaled, restoring enhancements in cases involving children, elderly people and people targeted because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability.

I think that most of the damage to Gascon happened relatively early," Sonenshein said.

The unions representing rank-and-file Los Angeles Police Department officers and Los Angeles County deputy sheriffs, respectively, have not publicly endorsed anyone in the primary. In 2020, both heavily opposed Gascon, a former police chief and two-term San Francisco district attorney.

The Association of Deputy District Attorneys, representing LA County prosecutors, has endorsed Siddall, its former vice president.

Hochman's campaign said Thursday he has raised $2 million. Gascon, who got more than $12 million in contributions in 2020  had nearly $112,000 cash-on-hand in his campaign account as of Feb. 17, according to campaign finance records. Experts said that's a fraction of what's needed to run a county-wide campaign.

Reports from Thursdays filing deadline have not been made public yet.

The other candidates are David S. Milton, Debra Archuleta, Maria Ramirez, Dan Kapelovitz, Lloyd Bobcat Masson, John McKinney and Craig J. Mitchell.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order on Feb. 21, 2024, removing school boards veto power over corporate property tax breaks that take money away from schools. It also did away with a requirement that projects granted the tax breaks create jobs and retain jobs.

Now, companies that apply for Louisianas Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which can grant property tax breaks of 80% over 10 years, will go to a local industrial board, then a state industrial board, for approval. If the local and state boards disagree on whether to grant a tax break, the governor will be the tiebreaker.

The order nullified a previous governors 2016 order allowing schools to have more of a say in approving tax breaks that could harm their students.

We are a group of researchers who wrote for The Conversation about the billions of dollars students and schools lose out on yearly when cities and states grant corporate property tax abatements.

Tax abatement programs have long been controversial, and their economic value is at best unclear: Studies show most companies would have made the same location decisions without these taxpayer subsidies. Meanwhile, schools make up the largest cost item in these communities, meaning they suffer most when companies are granted breaks in property taxes.

One of the areas we focused on was East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, which is facing budgetary woes including shortages of bus drivers and teachers.

Since 2000, Louisiana has granted a total of US$35 billion in corporate property tax breaks for 12,590 projects.

Former Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the 2016 executive order that gave local taxing bodies  such as school boards, sheriffs and parish or city councils  the ability to vote on their own individual portions of the tax exemptions.

In 2019, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board exercised its power to vote down an abatement. In 2022, a year where ExxonMobil made a record $55.7 billion in profit, the company asked for a tax break from the cash-starved East Baton Rouge school district. After a lively debate, including comments from 49 citizens, the board voted to grant the tax rate.

Throughout the U.S., school boards power over the tax abatements that affect their budgets vary, and in some states, including Georgia, Kansas, Nevada, New Jersey and South Carolina, school boards lack any formal ability to vote or comment on tax abatement deals that affect them.

Landrys recent order added Louisiana to the list.

Read the full investigation here: Students lose out as cities and states give billions in property tax breaks to businesses  draining school budgets and especially hurting the poorest students

Christine Wen worked for the nonprofit organization Good Jobs First from June 2019 to May 2022 where she helped collect tax abatement data.

Nathan Jensen has received funding from the John and Laura Arnold Foundation, the Smith Richardson Foundation, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Washington Center for Equitable Growth. He is a Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center.

Danielle McLean and Kevin Welner do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Republican state Senators in Louisiana advanced legislation Thursday that allows adults 18 years and older to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

The Senate approved that bill, along with another that would provide a level of immunity from civil liability for a person who uses a concealed gun to shoot a person in self-defense, The Associated Press reported.

The bills were passed during a special session that was called to address violent crime in the state. They now head to the House, where the GOP is in the majority.

State Sen. Blake Miguez, the sponsor of the bill, S.B. 1, thanked his fellow Senate Republicans for passing his bill in a unanimous vote.

This important legislation will bring stronger #2 self-defense rights to Louisiana similar to those enjoyed by citizens in neighboring states, he posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) has signaled he intends to sign the bills if they reach his desk, the AP reported.

The state currently requires holders of concealed carry permits to be fingerprinted and pay a fee, which advocates of the bill say is unconstitutional, per the AP.

According to the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, 27 states allow people to carry a concealed weapon without having a permit.

In another post online, Miguez said the bill will empower citizens with the means to protect themselves and their families from violent criminals.

While Miguez and other Republicans argue they should be able to conceal carry weapons without a permit to protect themselves from criminals, Democrats say it could lead to more gun violence, the AP noted.

The special session began Monday and will address the states crime issues. In 2021, Louisiana had the highest violent crime rate in the country, Landry said in a speech Monday.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Adam Montgomerys conviction Thursday for the murder of his five-year-old missing daughter Harmony Montgomery attracted attention from across New England and around the country.

And among those closely watching the trial, the family of Darlin Guzman a 28-year-old father of three, gunned down outside a convenience store in Lynn in 2008.

Darlins case is unsolved.

Sixteen years, already, said Ramonita Guzman, Darlins mother.

In January 2022, Boston 25 was the first report that Adam Montgomery has long been a suspect in the Darlin Guzman murder.

Darlins mother paid very close attention to the outcome of Adams horrific murder trial in New Hampshire

I think if he did that to his daughter, this disgustingly monstrous thing to his daughter, I think hes capable of doing it to my son, Guzman said.

On February 10, 2008, Darlin Guzman was fatally shot in the chest in the parking lot of a convenience store in Lynns Austin Square.

The shooter was described as a light-skinned man in his twenties, about six feet tall.

At the time of the murder, Adam Montgomery was 18 years old

But he was already in legal trouble in NH and was free on bail.

From day one, a law enforcement source has told Boston 25s Bob Ward that Adam Montgomery was a suspect in the case.

The Essex County DAs office tells me the Guzman case is open and active.

But it will not confirm if Adam Montgomery is a suspect.

Far away from Massachusetts, Ramonita Guzman hopes her sons case gets renewed attention.

It is in our interest that if he is the murderer hell be accused as the murderer of Darlin Guzman so, we, as a family, can have closure too, Guzman said.

Darlin Guzmans family hopes that after sixteen years, theyll soon see justice.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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The M86 chronicle of Mariupols heroic defense, a part of the Mariupol: 86 Days of Defense project, created by Big City Lab and the National Museum of History of Ukraine with the support of Mariupol Reborn, was presented in Kyiv.

It provides a chronology of the heroic defense of the Ukrainian city, documented from the testimonies of the military.

This chronicle marks day-by-day chronicles of the struggle for Mariupol at the onset of the Russian full-scale invasion, based on the testimonies of the defenders, spanning from Feb. 24 to May 20, 2022, when city defenders left Azovstal as per command orders.

Every great battle deserves to be celebrated and immortalized in cultural artifacts, said Denys Redis Prokopenko, Lt. Colonel Commander of the 12th Azov Special Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard.

Read also: A journalistic chronicle of unfathomable tragedy  NVs review of 20 days in Mariupol

The book youre reading is one of the first and remarkably successful attempts to depict this epic, documenting the 86-day defense of Mariupol. The detailed account of those events is the first step towards profound understanding and unveiling the phenomenon of dedication and bravery that made this battle possible.

The chronicle is more than a documented record of events, it serves as an advocacy tool for the return of prisoners, with Mariupol defenders actively participating in its creation.

The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy said that one of the main authors of the chronicle is a journalist using the pseudonym Mariupol Sector, whose identity remains undisclosed for security reasons, as their relatives are still in occupied territory.

Read also: Directors Guild of America nominates Mstyslav Chernovs 20 days in Mariupol for awards

The International Poster Exhibition, featuring artwork inspired by the battle for Mariupol, opened at the Museum of Kyiv History as part of a collaborative project. Artists from Ukraine, the USA, Japan, China, Iran, Turkey, Mexico, Bulgaria, Poland, Spain, and Norway contributed posters for the exhibition.

The exhibition will continue through March 3, 2024. Visitors can read and comment on the chronicle by following the provided link.

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
HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  The Henderson County District Attorney said a man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after police located 27 grams of methamphetamine during a traffic stop.

Man sentenced to 12 years in prison after officers found him passed out in running car

Hayden Scott Parks, 26 of Mabank, was charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and possession.

According to the DA, the Henderson County Sheriffs Office conducted a traffic stop on Sept. 29, 2023, after a deputy saw a Camaro without a front license plate and a back plate that they had no record of in their database.

A K9 alerted authorities, and 27.61 grams of methamphetamine were located on the drivers side door.

Parks was sentenced to serve his time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
The former informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Alexander Smirnov, who was said to have lied about his claims of Hunter Biden's Ukrainian links, has been returned to US custody.

The 43-year-old was initially arrested by law enforcement authorities on Thursday morning while he was meeting with his lawyers at their offices in downtown Las Vegas. The development came after prosecutors requested a judge in California to reconsider the defendant's custody status while awaiting trial.

Former FBI Informant Returns to US Custody

The defendant's attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld said that they wanted an immediate hearing regarding his detention, noting that they would work on his release. A Las Vegas judge gave prosecutors a deadline of Friday afternoon to respond to Smimnov's motion for a new hearing.

A copy of the arrest warrant that the defendant's lawyers included as an exhibit in their request for the new hearing showed that he was taken into custody on the same charges. This was making a false statement and creating a false and fictitious record, as per WKYT.

Prosecutors claimed that Smirnov lied to his FBI handler when he said that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid United States President Joe Biden and Hunter $5 million each in 2015. That particular claim became the centerpiece of the Republican impeachment inquiry of the Democratic leader in Congress.

Smirnov has not yet entered a plea to the charges filed against him but his lawyers said that their client is presumed innocent. They also said that they are looking forward to defending him at his trial.

A Department of Justice (DOJ) special counsel David Weiss spokesman confirmed on Thursday that Smirnov has been arrested once again. However, they did not have additional comments regarding the situation. The chief marshal in Las Vegas, Garu Schofield, said that the defendant is now in the custody of US Marshals in Nevada.

Read Also: Arrest Made in Break-In of Naomi Biden's Secret Service Vehicle

Lying to the FBI

A magistrate judge in Nevada ordered Smirnov's release under conditions that included GPS monitoring after his first hearing on Tuesday. The alleged lies that the defendant made include claims that he met with Russian intelligence officials a few months ago, according to NBC News.

Officials also argued that Smirnov is "actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials in November." Weiss' office, which is the one that charged the suspect, did not respond to requests for comment regarding the latest development.

The allegations made by Smirnov, who is an Israeli citizen, were never verified by the FBI and are considered crucial in House Republicans' effort to impeach Biden. The GOP-led inquiry seeks to determine whether the Democratic leader used his influence to aid his son's business endeavors.

The DOJ noted that the defendant had "routine and unextraordinary" contacts with Burisma in 2017. It was a time when Biden was not working in the White House and after the Ukrainian prosecutor general was fired.

On the other hand, Oversight Chairman Rep. James Comer downplayed Smirnovs' bribery allegations in the Republicans' impeachment inquiry. He said that the probe is based on a large record of evidence, such as bank records and witness testimony, said Forbes.



Related Article: Alec Baldwin Faces Potential Prosecution Amid Rust Trial Hearing
Hackers have their sights set on European lawmakers, and the European Parliament is struggling to keep up.

Two members of the European Parliament's security and defense subcommittee recently discovered that hackers had launched spyware attacks on their phones, which could have given them incredibly sensitive access through the phones microphones, cameras, and other applications. One committee staffer has also been targeted.

A spokesperson confirmed the spyware findings to The Daily Beast on Thursday. The European Parliament is paying special attention to the subcommittee and its staff given its portfolio of work, and everyone on the committee will have the opportunity to scan their devices for spyware, the spokesperson said.

In the given geopolitical context and given the nature of the files followed by the subcommittee on security and defense, a special attention is dedicated to the devices of the members of this sub-committee and the staff supporting its work, the spokesperson told The Daily Beast.

Hackers have targeted the chair of the defense subcommittee, Nathalie Loiseau, a French member of European Parliament, as well as Elena Yoncheva, a Bulgarian lawmaker and member of the subcommittee, according to a Politico report.

The lawmakers did not immediately return a request for comment.

The news comes as the European Parliament tries to play catch-up on cybersecurity ahead of elections in June. Protecting against spyware is notoriously difficulthackers can infiltrate victims phones with malware that is capable of infecting phones without the victim having to click on anything.

Spyware Firms Claims That It Cant Target Americans Dont Add Up

The European Parliament's IT department has been working an uphill battle trying to prepare the body for elections and protect against nefarious actors year-round. Last year, the department issued an internal review that found that the parliaments cybersecurity "has not yet met industry standards and is not fully in-line with the threat level" of foreign hackers, according to a Politico report.

Member states are now high alert for hacking operations or disinformation operations that could interfere with elections in the coming days. Each member state conducts elections individually and simultaneously, relying on different systems and safeguards. That could generate a perfect storm in which foreign bad actors can interfere, or create the appearance of interference and throw the entire process into chaos.

The report from the IT department reportedly highlighted different areas of concern, including attacks that could impact political debates, voting systems, parliament, or disinformation operations.

Spyware is a pernicious surveillance threat that governments around the globe and the private sector are still working to counter properly. Pegasus spyware from NSO Group, an Israeli firm, has targeted journalists, dissidents, and members of civil society throughout the world, including in Mexico, Morocco, and Rwanda, according to researchers.

The State Department has stated that hackers can use spyware to enable extrajudicial killings; associates of journalist Jamal Khashoggi were targeted with Pegasus before his murder in Istanbul in 2018, according to Amnesty International. Some American phone numbers have also been targeted, according to an investigation, including Robert Malley, then Biden administrations special envoy to Iran.

Saudi Crown Prince Is Directly to Blame for Khashoggi Killing: U.S. Intel

Politicians need to do their part to protect their devices and their political institutions from prying eyes, John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab who works to uncover new Pegasus infections around the globe, told The Daily Beast.

The writing on the wall in general, whether it's elections or political institutions around the world, is that the threat right now is greater than most people, including most politicians realize, he said.

The latest spate of targeted spyware hacking comes as European Union nations continue to strategize about providing military aid for Ukraine as it continues to fight against the Russian invasion.

If foreign hackers are successfully able to surveil lawmakers most intimate details, it could impact the core functions of political institutions in Europe, Scott-Railton said.

Its already clear that the vulnerability in Europe is a direct threat to European institutions ability to function and to maintain confidentiality when necessary, and protect their sources and process, Scott-Railton said.

The European political reckoning on the issue of spyware is going to have to happen. The question is how much of a price will be paid in breaches before serious action is taken from various national and European institutions, he added.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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UPDATE: Judge Bonnie Rangel denied Cesar Roas request to lower his bond.

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A man accused of killing a teen girl last February during an alleged drug deal gone wrong in East El Paso will have a bond hearing on Friday, Feb. 23.

Cesar Roa, 24, has been held on bonds totaling to over $1 million since his arrest last March.

District Judge Bonnie Rangel will be deciding if Roas bond should be lowered.

As we have previously reported, El Paso Police were dispatched at around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, to the 14300 block of Coyote Trail where Jasmine Adame, 16, was found dead near an alleyway with a gunshot wound to her head.

Roa has since been arrested and booked into the El Paso County Detention Center in connection with the murder and drug-related charges.

According to court documents, Adame communicated with Roa through social media that Thursday and arranged a plan to purchase marijuana.

Roa was then identified as the shooter who fired a 9mm handgun and struck Adame after she intended to steal the marijuana, according to court documents.

Court documents also state bullet casings near the alleyway where Adame was found have been used to identify the handgun that was used the night of the murder with the use of a search warrant at Roas residence.

The search warrant also revealed a total amount of 127 grams of THC in the residence. Roa was arrested and booked into the El Paso County Detention Center in connection to the murder and drug-related charges.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
A man with ties to Central Florida is accused of committing violent crimes in New York and Arizona.

Raad Almansoori is accused of murdering a woman in a Manhattan hotel room nearly two weeks ago.

He was arrested more than a week later, accused of stabbing two women in Arizona.

Read: Cyberattack causes prescription delays at pharmacies nationwide

One Orlando woman claims he sexually assaulted her last April when they worked together at a restaurant.

The state attorney ended up dropping the most violent charges, citing insufficient evidence.

See: FBI offers $15,000 reward for information on missing 12-year-old Florida girl

She said if her case had been handled differently, the other alleged crimes could have been prevented.

Almansoori is in jail in Arizona.

See: Recognize this woman? Police ask for help identifying hit-and-run driver who struck 13-year-old girl

Officials there said they would not send him back to New York, because of what they call the citys soft on crime policies.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
EAST VILLAGE, Manhattan (PIX11)  A man accused of slashing a person after he was asked to stop urinating on a car in the East Village back in January was arrested, according to the NYPD.

Roberto Ortiz, 28, was charged with attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance and false personation, according to authorities.

Man shot to death on Bronx subway: NYPD

Police said Ortiz was allegedly urinating on a car when a 66-year-old man asked him to stop.

Ortiz is accused of then taking out a box cutter and slashing the victim in the neck, causing a severe laceration and bleeding, according to authorities.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Ana Paun, 11, was injured in a dog attack in Bordesley Green, Birmingham on 9 September

A man has been arrested after failing to attend court to face charges in connection with a dog attack that left an 11-year-old girl and two others injured.

Farhat Ajaz, 62, was due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with three counts of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place.

Mr Ajaz was arrested in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham on Friday morning after a warrant was issued in court the previous day.

The attack in Bordesley Green on 9 September involved an American XL bully and Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed. It remains in secure kennels following events last year.

Ana Paun, 11, suffered shoulder and arm injuries in the incident and spent a night in hospital.

Two men were also hurt.

At Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday, prosecutor David Devine said a postal requisition over the court case had been sent to Mr Ajaz on January 23.

Granting an arrest warrant request, district judge David Wain said he was satisfied Mr Ajaz knew about the hearing and that no contact had been made with his solicitor regarding reasons why he may not be able to attend.

American XL bullies were added to the banned breeds list on 31 October. The move followed a fatal attack on 52-year-old Ian Price in Stonnall near Walsall.

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A man was arrested in San Diego on Thursday for allegedly leaving a voicemail on the personal cell phone of an Arizona election official in 2022.

William Hyde left a violent threat on the voicemail of the Maricopa County Recorders Office employees phone on or about November 29, 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.

Hyde, 52, is set to make his initial appearance Friday at a federal courthouse in San Diego.

According to the newly unsealed indictment, Hyde allegedly left two voicemails a day after the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and the employee, met that November to certify the 2022 election results in the largest county in Arizona.

In the voicemail, Hyde allegedly said You wanna cheat our elections? You wanna screw Americans out of true votes? Were coming, [expletive]. Youd better [expletive] hide.

Intimidation of election officials strikes at the very heart of our democracy, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Tara McGrath said in a statement. Even just one case can have a ripple effect. This Office will aggressively prosecute any attempt to intimidate, threaten, or frighten election officials as they engage in these critical duties.

Arizona  one of a few swing states that helped decide the 2020 presidential election  has been at the center of political controversy after election results have been contested in recent cycles and election workers have faced threats and intimidation.

State officials certified Arizonas 2022 election results in early December 2022. The once low-profile act has now become a high-stakes and high-pressure certification process, as Maricopa County is a hot spot for allegations of voter disenfranchisement.

Hyde, a resident of California, has been charged with one count of communicating an interstate threat. If he is convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the DOJ said.

The FBI San Diego Field Office investigated the case with help from the FBIs Phoenix Field Office. The case is part of the DOJs Election Threats Task Force, launched in 2021, to address a rising number of threats of violence against election workers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A man was arrested in Washington County with 30 financial cards and the information of 158 individual identities early Friday morning, according to the Washington County Sheriffs Office.

Joshua M. Robinson, 25, was arrested on 30 counts of unlawful acquisition/possession/transfer of a financial card (third-degree felony), unlawful possession of ID of another  documents of 100-plus individuals (second-degree felony), false personal information with intent to be another actual person (class A misdemeanor), possession of controlled substance marijuana/spice (class B misdemeanor), and driving on a suspended/revoked license (class-C misdemeanor).

At around 12:45 a.m. on Feb. 23, a Washington County deputy conducted a traffic stop on I-15 Northbound near mile marker 3 for a window tint violation.

Three University of Wyoming swimmers killed in crash near Wyoming-Colorado border

Upon stopping the vehicle, the deputy noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the open passengers side window. The deputy then asked for the driver, later identified as Robinson, to exit the vehicle.

Robinson reportedly told the deputy he did not have any identification with him, and was hesitant to provide his name and even had to pause as he was giving [the deputy] the information, as if he had to think about it, according to a statement of probable cause.

Based on this, the deputy reportedly believed that Robinson was providing false information. The deputy then spoke with a passenger in the vehicle who said that Robinson had given a fake name, according to the affidavit.

After being confronted about having given a fake name, Robinson reportedly gave the deputy his true identity, stating that he had provided his older brothers information because he thought he had a warrant, the affidavit states.

The deputy conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, finding a black backpack in the back seat. The deputy found a total of 30 Nevada food stamp financial cards, each with a different number and name, inside the bag.

A social security card, debit card, and drivers license, all not belonging to Robinson, were also found inside the bag. The final item inside  a hard-bound notebook  contained several pages of handwritten personal information of other individuals.

Great Salt Lakes brine shrimp population booms, majorly impacting future of Utah, wildlife, and the world

The information was laid out in the same format for each person, all of which were different. The format was first/last name, phone number, date of birth, social security number, address, and some form of an account number, the affidavit states. It is common to see all these things in the card skimming/card cloning criminal industry.

The deputy said he also found Robinsons financial cards, as well as Robinsons passport and several of his personal pawn receipts inside the bag as well.

Robinson claimed he knew nothing about the bag and that the bag belonged to his brother, according to the affidavit.

The total number of listed identities was 158, in addition to 30 financial cards.

Robinson was booked into Washington County Jail on the charges previously mentioned.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
US draws flak for interfering in Taiwan affairs

08:45, February 23, 2024 By Wang Qingyun ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. [Photo/mfa.gov.cn]

China has condemned the United States for interfering in Taiwan affairs and urged it to stop official and military exchanges with the region.

"China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and Taiwan authorities, as well as US interference in Taiwan affairs in any form or under any pretext," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday at a regular news conference.

Mao made the remarks after Mike Gallagher, a member of a delegation of US lawmakers visiting the region, reportedly said that "support for Taiwan will continue regardless of who occupies the White House".

Reiterating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the spokeswoman called on the US to fully understand the "extreme complexity and sensitivity" of the Taiwan question.

The US should abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly, and stop sending any wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, she said.

Mao also slammed the US for its military deals with Taiwan, after the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on Wednesday that the US State Department has approved the potential sale of "advanced tactical data link system upgrade planning" worth about $75 million to the region.

The US move is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, especially the one issued on Aug 17, 1982, she said. It also undermines China's sovereignty and security interests, China-US ties and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, she added.

Mao urged the US to stop selling arms to Taiwan, and stop creating factors that could cause tensions across the Strait. "China will take strong and resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," she said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Republican lawmakers are scrambling to respond following the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling to restrict access to fertility treatments that has prompted various IVF clinics to suspend operations.

In a statement, South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace said that they need to do everything they can to protect IVF, which stands for "In vitro fertilization," for women everywhere. She added that they are currently drafting a resolution to express their sentiment and will then look at legislative options.

Alabama Supreme Court's IVF Ruling

The Republican lawmaker has variably criticized and supported the GOP's pro-life positions, often issuing warnings that overly strict policies will cost the party key elections. Furthermore, House Republicans from districts that United States President Joe Biden won in 2020 are also pushing back at the ruling.

Separately, Rep. Nick LaLota of New York said that the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling "goes too far" while Rep. Anthony D'Esposito said that it would "rob countless Americans of the joys of family life," as per Axios.

Nebraska's Rep. Don Bacon said that he wants to give people who want to become fathers and mothers the opportunity to be what they want. He then expressed his disagreement with the ruling to restrict access to IVF.

The Alabama Supreme Court's ruling was made late last week and argued that frozen embryos that were created through IVF are legally considered children. That particular decision resulted in clinics across the state pausing treatments out of concern that doctors or patients could face potential criminal prosecution.

Sens. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Patty Murray of Washington, and Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania introduced legislation to provide a federal right to IVF. The decision was made following the Supreme Court's ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

In a statement responding to the Alabama IVF ruling, Duckworth said that now is the time for Congress to pass his "Access to Family Building Act" and establish a statutory right to access the treatment.

Read Also: Is Oklahoma's Bill Banning Trans Students From Bathrooms To Blame for 16-Year-Old Nex Benedict's Death?

Responding to the Decision

Presidential candidate Nikki Halley is among those who are scrambling for coherent responses to the IVF ruling. GOP members are being pulled between social conservatives within the party and more moderate voters who could be decisive in a general election, according to CNN.

Democratic lawmakers quickly branded the IVF ruling as an example of far-right reverberations from the overturning of Roe. The Alabama Supreme Court's decision, which was accompanied by a concurring opinion by Chief Justice Tom Parker, could invite similar action in other conservative states.

One resident, Gabrielle Goidel, spent three months preparing for IVF treatments but was now being forced to travel to Texas to go ahead after years of trying to have a baby. She said that she felt like she already had the opportunity to be a mom but noted that it was ripped away multiple times.

Another woman, 36-year-old Emily Capilouto, expressed his discontent with the Alabama Supreme Court ruling. For years, she struggled to have a child and she was already nearing the end of an IVF cycle when one of the embryos that she and her husband had produced was to be transferred to her uterus, said the New York Times.



Related Article: Chicago Files Massive Lawsuit Against Fossil Fuel Companies Over Climate Change, Consumer Fraud
Douglas Courthouse heard 99,400 of cocaine had been imported into the island

A man who imported cocaine with a street value of 99,400 to the Isle of Man hidden in a mini fridge has been jailed for nine years.

Peter Nulty, 40, had arranged to have the appliance delivered by a courier to the home address of Rosemary Burgess in Laxey under an alias in September.

Douglas Courthouse heard the pair were arrested after the package was intercepted by police following its shipment to the island.

Burgess, 22, was sentenced to eight years in prison for her part in the plot.

The court heard a parcel was shipped to the island by an independent courier on 29 September addressed to Burgess' home on Old Laxey Hill, in Laxey, under the false name of Jessica Summers.

The parcel was intercepted by police after being identified as "suspicious" when it arrived on the island and officers found 2.2lb (994g) of cocaine hidden inside a mini fridge.

Burgess, who was on bail for cannabis offences at the time after signing for a package containing 37,000 of the drug in May, was arrested three days later and investigations found extensive communications between the the pair.

The court heard Nulty had sent several voice messages to Burgess, one of which said: "Could be getting a box of ketamine, what can you do with that?"

'Misery'

The 40-year-old was arrested on 18 December, and a search of his home in Tynwald Street, in Douglas, uncovered 8,900 in cash wrapped in cellophane in a cardboard box on top of a wardrobe in his bedroom, along with a small amount of cocaine.

Nulty previously pleaded guilty to the importation of cocaine, possession of the drug, and money laundering.

Burgess had pleaded guilty to the importation of cocaine, possession of the drug intent to supply, as well as charges of importing cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Nulty's defence advocate argued that he had thought it was ketamine in the parcel and not cocaine.

Burgess's defence advocate said that she was vulnerable as she had a drug addiction and had played a lesser role in bringing the cocaine to the island.

Jailing the pair, Deemster Graeme Cook said drug supply on the island was "becoming far too common" and sentences needed to reflect the "misery" the substances caused.

The deemster said while he accepted that Burgess was "vulnerable", he could not "accept the principle" that people in her position "should receive greatly discounted sentences".

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TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A man led officers on a search after fleeing from a Deputy on Thursday night.

Courtesy of the Taylor County Jail

On February 22 at around 9:00 p.m., a Taylor County Sheriffs Deputy pulled over a vehicle. As the vehicle came to a stop, a passenger jumped out and began to run, prompting the deputy to pursue on foot.

The Taylor County Sheriffs Department and the Abilene Police Department conducted a search in the area and apprehended Jeromiah Cruse, who was wanted for 1st-degree Felony Possession of Cocaine.

Additionally, he was charged with Evading Arrest. He was released from the Taylor County Jail on February 23.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
A new analysis shows that Chinese nationals have outnumbered Mexicans crossing the southern US border in San Diego in recent months.

Fox News received unreleased CBP data showing 21,000 interactions with Chinese nationals in the San Diego Sector since October.

Chinese Migrants Crossing US-Mexico Border Increase

The San Diego Sector alone encountered 21,000 Chinese nationals since the beginning of the fiscal year, overshadowing the 18,700 Mexicans and 28,000 Colombians. The diverse array of countries of origin, including Ecuador, Guatemala, Turkey, Guinea, and Peru, underscores the global complexity of migration patterns at the US-Mexico border.

Chinese individuals detained by Border Patrol at the southern border increased from 1,970 in fiscal 2022 to 24,048 in fiscal 2023. This surge is due to Chinese citizens' high asylum claim success rate and discontent with China's epidemic response and economy. Many Chinese flew to Ecuador without a visa and then navigated the dangerous 3,000-mile Darien Gap to reach the US, known as 'zouxian' or 'walk the line.'

"This wave of emigration reflects despair toward China," commented Cai Xia, editor-in-chief of the online commentary site of Yibao and a former professor at the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party. "They've lost hope for the future of the country," added Cai, now residing in the US. The migrants include individuals from various backgrounds, encompassing the educated and uneducated, white-collar workers, small business owners, and those from affluent families.

Despite the motivations behind the surge, concerns have emerged regarding the national security implications of the influx of Chinese migrants. Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Good of the Border Patrol's El Paso Sector highlighted the challenges in understanding the motives of individuals from other continents, emphasizing the potential for hidden information, agendas, and ideologies, according to Time of India.

Read Also: US Lawmakers Consider Sanctioning Chinese Firms for Aiding Russia's War with Ukraine

US Border Struggles with Chinese Migrants

Chinese migrants have the greatest asylum claim success rate in the US, thus border officers face additional hurdles. Due to the spike, Gloria Chavez, chief patrol agent for the Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley Sector, said each Chinese national needs translators for seven-hour questioning. Links between Chinese nationals and the People's Liberation Army and the Chinese Communist Party have caused national security concerns, according to certain authorities.

The surge in Chinese asylum seekers has sparked apprehension about potential national security risks from both Republican lawmakers and border officials, given China's geopolitical status. Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, expressed concerns about the majority of Chinese border-crossers being single adult males of military age, raising fears of espionage.

Immigration organizations say China has a harsh government, justifying asylum. Authorities scrutinize special-interest nations like China more thoroughly. San Diego has seen entries from special-interest nations including Mauritania, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, making illegal immigration management difficult.

Since October, the San Diego Sector has met over 140,000 illegal aliens, contributing to the border-wide total of over 961,000 this fiscal year. After a record 2.4 million interactions in fiscal 2023, December peaked at 301,000 before dropping to 176,000 in January, Fox News reported.

Related Article: Philippines, US Conduct Joint Air Patrol Over South China Sea Amid Maritime Tensions
A Charlotte man pleaded guilty Thursday to committing bank fraud using more than 800 pieces of stolen mail.

According to prosecutors, 38-year-old Douglas Gumbs and his co-defendant targeted neighbors in the Charlotte area, stealing mail from their mailboxes for more than a year -- from February 2022 to April 2023. He even tore a mailbox down at one point.

PREVIOUS: Man accused of stealing mail, identities to access bank accounts

The mail included credit cards, tax forms, financial statements, personal information, and personal and business bank checks.

Prosecutors said Gumbs then altered the amounts of the checks or changed the names of the payees to his own, depositing the fraudulent checks into his bank accounts. He withdrew the money before the victims and banks were able to discover the checks were stolen, authorities said.

Investigators said Gumbs was found to have more than 850 pieces of stolen mail that belonged to at least 10 victims.

One victim told Channel 9s Erika Jackson he didnt realize his information was stolen until his bank alerted him to possible fraud.

ALSO READ: Authorities say USPS worker in Ballantyne stole $1.9 million worth of checks

Renters at Camden Sedgebrook apartments trust their personal information will be safe in their mailboxes. But federal court documents show Gumbs stole mail from a deposit box there.

Its surprising, said Alexander Steinert, who lives steps away from the complexs mail drop. I didnt realize theres anyone out there like that. I watch the news but Ive never heard of that.

He said he will be more cautious.

I suppose probably look at the mail more often than I usually do, to make sure I get it before someone else does, he said.

Gumbs pleaded guilty to bank fraud, a crime that carries a maximum 30-year prison sentence and a $1 million fine. Hes in custody still awaiting sentencing.

(WATCH BELOW: Officers work with postal service to get 50 pounds of stolen mail returned to owners)
A Michigan man was fatally shot after he asked an acquaintance to leave his home for disrespectful behavior, authorities said.

On Wednesday, Feb. 21, 33-year-old Cornelius James Jones of Pontiac, Michigan, got into an argument with an acquaintance who spit in his sink, according to a Feb. 22 news release from Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard.

Witnesses told deputies they heard an argument between Jones and the 22-year-old suspect, saying Jones called his spitting disrespectful, Bouchard said.

When Jones told the acquaintance to leave his apartment, the suspect shot him multiple times, according to the sheriff.

Deputies found Jones lying on the floor of his apartment unconscious but still breathing, the sheriff said.

He was taken to a hospital where, shortly after, he was pronounced dead, officials said.

It is unfathomable that a human life would be taken for something so absurdly trivial as a person spitting in a sink, Bouchard said.

The accused shooter and a second suspect fled the scene but were arrested after a foot chase, the sheriff said.

Jones was a father of three, Detroits WXYZ reports. He didnt have much but whatever he did have, he gave willingly, Joness sister, Moniqua Turner, told the station.

He gave graciously, she said.

The suspects, both from Pontiac, were placed in the Oakland County Jail, according to the sheriff.

They could face criminal charges in court as soon as Feb. 23, Bouchard said.

Pontiac is about 30 miles northwest of Detroit.

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A 45-year-old man was killed during a caught-on-camera clash on southbound D train rumbling through the Bronx early Friday  the third subway homicide this year.

Police on Friday were still unclear as to whether the victim was shot or stabbed, NYPD brass said.

The trouble began around 4:50 a.m., shortly after the train left the Fordham Rd. station in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx, NYPDs transit chief Michael Kemper told reporters.

Two men and a woman who had just boarded the second car of the train got into an argument with the 45-year-old victim.

The verbal altercation that quickly turned physical as the train headed one stop south toward the 182-183rd Sts. station at Grand Concourse, Kemper said.

During the fight, the victim suffered a puncture wound to the chest.

EMS showed up at the station and rushed the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died.

The victims name was not immediately disclosed as cops track down family members.

Police sources told the Daily News that the victim, a Bronx resident, had 25 prior arrests including for drugs, rape, shoplifting, grand larceny and burglary. Records indicate that the victim served separate state prison stints.

Fridays fatal altercation was captured by a video surveillance system onboard the train, Kemper said. Despite video footage, however, it remained unclear how the man was killed.

At first, police thought that the victim had been shot, but by mid-morning they were investigating the possibility that he had been stabbed.

The injury sustained to our victim is consistent with either a gunshot wound or a puncture wound from a sharp object, Kemper said. That will be determined  the exact wound and cause of his death  by the medical examiner.

A commuter on the train seated in another car told police that she didnt hear anything that sounded like a gunshot, the police source said.

Three suspects wearing all black fled the train when it entered the 182-183rd Sts. station, cops said. No arrests have been made.

It was not immediately clear what sparked the argument, or whether the victim knew his assailants.

Cops put out photos from the trains on-board surveillance system Friday afternoon showing the three suspects.

This train station is usually copacetic, said Anthony Santiago, 41, a regular rider of the D train. Its people that live in this neighborhood, and everyone gets along.

But 53-year-old Bronx resident Tricia Linton told The News the violence did not surprise her.

Its all over the news, everywhere all over the city, she said.

Fridays death marked the third homicide in the subway system in two months.

On Feb. 12, six people were shot, one fatally, when a chance encounter between two rival street gangs on an uptown No. 4 train ended with three people pulling guns and opening fire at each other.

The shootout took place at the elevated Mount Eden Ave. station on Jerome Ave., just a mile away from Fridays killing.

One of the bullets fired struck 35-year-old Mexican immigrant Obed Beltran-Sanchez in the chest, prosecutors say. Beltran-Sanchez died at St. Barnabas Hospital.

Five other people between 14 and 71 years old were wounded. Most of the victims were innocent commuters caught in the crossfire.

Two of the three shooters, all teenagers, were arrested. Cops were still looking for the third shooter, who is 15.

Last month, a 45-year-old Brooklyn dad was shot and killed when he tried to calm an argument between two other men on a No. 3 train.

Richard Henderson was shot in the back and shoulder when he tried to intervene in an argument over loud music.

It was not clear if Henderson was the intended target, and no arrests have been made in his killing.

Overall, crime was up on the subways for the month of January, NYPD and MTA brass said, but the incidents were trending downward after a flood of police officers added to the system.

Anybody whos been riding the last couple of weeks knows there are a lot more cops in the system, and already in February, overall crime is down. MTA chair Janno Lieber said Friday.

Were not going to tell New Yorkers, dont be concerned when theres a shooting,' he added. But the trajectory in crime is down versus last year for the month of February.

Violent crime is on the rise. As of Sunday, felonious assaults were up 17% in the transit system compared to the same time last year, according to the most recently available data from the NYPD.

Reports of rape were down from last year, with one during this period last year and none so far this year.

There had been one murder on the subway system within the first six weeks of 2023. A total of five people were killed in the system last year.

Lieber said that roughly 1,000 cars in the subway system have surveillance cameras, and that the agency hopes to have most of the fleet equipped by the end of the year.
CHICAGO  A 43-year-old man has died Friday afternoon after being shot multiple times at a Family Dollar in Chicagos Austin neighborhood.

According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded to a shooting at the Family Dollar on the 5400 block of West Chicago Avenue in the citys Austin neighborhood just before 2 p.m. on Friday.

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Food vendors, delivery drivers targeted in 7 armed robberies in North Lawndale

Upon arrival, officers discovered a 43-year-old Loyce Wright suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Wright was transported to a local hospital in critical condition where he later died. The Cook County Medical Examiners office later confirmed his identify.

Wrights family told WGN-TV that he was a security guard working at the Family Dollar in Austin.

Further investigation showed Wright was approached by an individual who produced a handgun and fired shots toward the victim. The shooter then fled the scene in a red SUV.

No one has been taken into custody.

Stay with WGN-TV as this story develops.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Police are looking for the suspects who shot a man in a road rage incident in South Seattle Thursday night.

Officers were called to the 5200 block of South Avon Street in the Rainier View neighborhood at 6:30 p.m. to find a 34-year-old man whod been shot in the shoulder.

He told police he was driving behind a black BMW with two people inside. The driver slammed on his brakes several times before the victim went around.

When the victim parked his car, the suspects followed and fired a shot that went through the mans car and hit him in the shoulder.

The suspects left and have not been found.

The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition.

If you have information, youre asked to call the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
A woman was found dead on Thursday (Feb. 23) inside the campus of the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens after a friend told police she had not returned from a morning run.

School police said that the woman was not a student at the university but attended another school nearby, the Associated Press reported.

UGA Police Chief Jeff Clark did not provide details to reporters at a press conference late Thursday on how the woman died as investigations are underway.

However, it was revealed that the woman had attended Augusta University as a nursing student.

He added that his department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department were conducting the investigation, noting that there was no homicide case inside the campus in the last 20 years.

"We're not going to leave any rock unturned in this investigation," he said.

Read Also: Man Arrested for Alleged Threats Against Arizona Election Official in 2022, DOJ Says

UGA Cancels Classes

In the aftermath of the discovery of the woman inside its campus, the university canceled its classes on Thursday and urged students to travel in groups.

Clark also asked the university community to avoid the school's Intramural Fields, where the woman was found unconscious, not breathing, and with visible injuries.

Officers searching the area found the woman's body in a forested area behind Lake Herrick, which was an area across a busy road from a large dormitory and dining hall complex for freshmen students, which was more commonly known by people in the university as "East Campus."

On its website, the university said that foul play is suspected.

"We have been fully briefed on this terrible situation," the university said in a statement. "Foul play is suspected, and we are already receiving support from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate this crime. We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern."

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Combat artists captured Marines braving the cold as they practiced defending NATO's northern flank.

Over 20,000 troops are participating in a military exercise in Norway known as Nordic Response 24.

The exercise is part of NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024, the alliance's largest wargame since the Cold War.

Combat artists in Norway captured Marines braving frigid temperatures and snow during military exercises known as Nordic Response 24.

The NATO-led exercise, which will run from mid-February to mid-March, brings together thousands of Norwegian and allied troops from more than a dozen nations to practice defending NATO's northern flank.

Nordic Response is part of NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024, the alliance's largest military exercise since the Cold War.

Though Russia was not mentioned by name in public remarks, the wargames also serve as a show of strength to deter the Kremlin two years after its unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Nordic Response 24

Richard Johnson, a combat artist, illustrates Marines during cold weather training behind a row of skis and equipment. US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Kumakaw

Over 20,000 service members from more than a dozen different nations are participating in the exercise, which is taking place throughout northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Troops are conducting training on land, sea, and in the air.

Over 50 submarines, frigates, corvettes, aircraft carriers, and various amphibious vessels will participate in Nordic Response.

More than 100 fighter jets, transport aircraft, and maritime surveillance aircraft  including the CH-53 Super Stallion, Merlin, Cobra, and Osprey  are also participating.

On land, troops will conduct exercises in tanks, tracked vehicles, and other vehicles and work with various artillery systems.

What is a combat artist?

Richard Johnson, a combat artist with the Marine Corps Combat Art Program, finishes a drawing from his barracks room in Bardufoss, Norway. Photo by Master Sgt. Jon Holmes

Combat art dates back centuries, offering a glimpse into significant moments of warfare throughout history.

Artists have documented the Marine experience since the service branch was established in 1775, but armed forces in the US didn't have an official program until World War II.

Marine Corps Combat Art Program

US Marines Corps Maj. Michael Reynolds, a combat artist with the Marine Corps Combat Art Program, illustrates Marines during cold weather training. US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Kumakaw

In 1941, the US Navy established the Combat Artist Corps, and the Marine Corps followed suit in 1942 through its Department of Public Relations.

According to a call for Marines to serve in MCCAP, artists are tasked to "use creative thinking, design, and drawing skills to visually document Marine Corps personnel and activities across the globe," including training exercises and overseas operations.

Combat art created in the program is featured in the Art Collection of the National Museum of the Marine Corps "to preserve for posterity the actions and events that made history."

Officers and enlisted Marines of any rank with artistic abilities are eligible for the program. Participants also could be asked to "serve on temporary additional duty and work in challenging environments in order to realize the vision and mission of MCCAP," like enduring the hard conditions of Nordic Defender.

'Go to war, do art'

US Marines Corps Maj. Michael Reynolds, a combat artist with the Marine Corps Combat Art Program illustrates Marines during cold weather training in preparation for the NATO exercise Nordic Response 2024 in Setermoen, Norway. US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Kumakaw

Participants in the MCCAC program were "Marines first, and artists, or anything else, second," Brig. Gen. Robert L. Denig, then serving as the Marine Corps' first director of public information, wrote in 1943.

Because combat artists are "Marines first," they draw on their own understanding of the realities of the service to accurately capture the experience of a Marine.

Denig wrote in 1943 that Marine combat artists were tasked to "record with the artist's eye the great and simple doings of men at war, to picture its action, its settings, its tragedy, its humor."

Denig's simple guidance to combat artists was "go to war, do art."

Capturing emotion, spirit, and stories

US Marine Corps Maj. Michael Reynolds and a combat artist finish a drawing from his barracks room in Bardufoss, Norway. Photo by Master Sgt. Jon Holmes

US Marine Corps Maj. Michael Reynolds is one such Marine. He's been tasked with capturing experiences during Nordic Response through coal, ink, graphite, and wax.

"What we do captures emotion, spirit, and stories of individual people," Reynolds said. "So I think that's part of what it takes to be a combat artist. It's someone who observes their environment around them in a way that not everybody does."

Documenting the Marine experience

US Marines Corps Maj. Michael Reynolds, a combat artist with the Marine Corps Combat Art Program illustrates Marines during cold weather training in preparation for the NATO exercise Nordic Response 2024 in Setermoen, Norway. US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Kumakaw

By accompanying the Marines and allied troops in the exercises through heaps of snow, rugged terrain, and frigid temperatures, the combat artists channel their observations into their art, conveying more nuanced details than what a camera lens can capture.

"A camera is a very mechanical way of observing the environment," Reynolds said. "It's fantastic for evidentiary processing, but it doesn't always convey the same emotion that the human camera can, as an artist does."

A mechanical lens versus a human lens

Richard Johnson, a combat artist with the Marine Corps Combat Art Program, illustrates Marines in a sketchbook during cold weather training. US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Kumakaw

Richard Johnson, another combat artist also illustrating Nordic Response, echoed the differences in the two mediums while commending the work that both photographers and artists alike do to give people an inside look at warfighters at work.

"I've known photographers who are unbelievably brave individuals who have captured unbelievable images," Johnson said, recalling his time documenting the Marines in the lead-up to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"It's a mechanical lens versus a human lens," Johnson continued. "A camera has that lens distortion that is not likely to really keep what you look like. An artist can give that real view of the world."

Illustrating troops far from home

Richard Johnson, a combat artist with the Marine Corps Combat Art Program illustrates Marines during cold weather training in preparation for the NATO exercise Nordic Response 2024 in Setermoen, Norway. US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Kumakaw

A longtime member of the Marine Corps Combat Art Program, Johnson said the difference between photos and art that strikes him the most is that "you really connect with people on a visceral level, perhaps differently than photographs do."

"When I first returned from Iraq, I arrived to a stack of mail on my desk," Johnson said. "In the newspaper world, when someone writes a letter, you've really pissed someone off, so when I got back, I thought, 'Wow, I really pissed someone off.'"

"But a lot of the mail was positive, and a lot of them really attached themselves to the art and the story of soldiers far from home," he said.

"It was such a shock to get that kind of response, and it's continued, especially with the portraits," Johnson explained. "There is something about human nature and the construction of the material that relates to humanity, and it translates to other people as well, so the viewers also get some of that same emotion coming through the art."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) latest attempt to attack someone she sees as critical of fearless leader Donald Trump failed miserably  and all because of one little word.

On Thursday, the controversial member of Congress took to X, formerly Twitter, to chastise Judge Arthur Engoron for the way he managed the former presidents recent civil fraud trial.

Spoiler alert  Greene saw red at the judgment in the trial, especially because of the valuation given to Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort:

Judge Engeron should be disrobed and thrown out, hes a disgrace!! Mar-a-lago in 1981 was only a home, today it is one of the most exclusive social clubs in the world. Mar-a-lago is worth more now than the ridiculous judgement he ruled against Pres Trump!

Judge Engeron should be disrobed and thrown out, hes a disgrace!!



Mar-a-lago in 1981 was only a home, today it is one of the most exclusive social clubs in the world.



Mar-a-lago is worth more now than the ridiculous judgement he ruled against Pres Trump! https://t.co/canI4uCdwK  Marjorie Taylor Greene  (@mtgreenee) February 22, 2024

Sadly, any point that Greene may have thought she was making was thoroughly destroyed because of the word disrobed, which refers to the removal of clothing.

Raw Story charitably noted that Greene may have meant to say disbarred, a term for expelling someone from the legal profession, or defrocked, a word for revoking the rank of someone in the clergy.

But considering that Greene has made verbal blunders in the past  including pronouncing indictable as in-dick-table and referring to the gazpacho police  many people on social media werent inclined to assume that she actually knew the word she was attempting to say.

Instead, she was brutally mocked.

#Blockheaded: Would someone tell Marjorie Taylor Greene it's DISBARRED, not DISROBED. This is what happens when you get your degree from Trump University. pic.twitter.com/bEDyPQxVGB  Dennis Jackson (@kson112) February 22, 2024

Ok, Marjorie Taylor Greene is taking her porn obsession too far now. First, it was Hunters dick pics and now she wants to see Judge Engoron disrobed???? pic.twitter.com/4gCxTHZq2c  Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) February 22, 2024

Disrobed?! Damn Marge, the Hunter dick pics arent enough for you? pic.twitter.com/2IV3nU8NqE  Scotty Barr  (@ScottyBarr6) February 22, 2024

MTG tweeted that Judge Engoron should be "disrobed" for undervaluing Mar-a-Lago. Lauren Boebert immediately asked if she could disrobe him at a matinee of Beetlejuice  Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) February 22, 2024

Related...
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced sweeping Russia-related civil and criminal actions as the Justice Department marks two years since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine.. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Ahead of the grim two-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States on Thursday unfurled sweeping civil and criminal actions, including indictments filed against sanctioned oligarchs.

The Justice Department on Thursday announced five separate cases by Task Force KleptoCapture.

"Today, the United States Department of Justice is more committed than ever to standing with our partners in Ukraine against Russian aggression," Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday in a recorded statement.

"We are more committed than ever to ensuring that the Russian perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine do not get away with them. And we are more committed than ever to cutting off the flow of illegal funds that are fueling Putin's war and to holding accountable those who continue to enable it."

On Thursday, the Justice Department unsealed charges filed in New York against sanctioned oligarch Andrewy Kostin for participating in a scheme to evade sanctions and launder funds to support two superyachts worth a collective $135 million. Vadim Wolfson, 56, of Austin, Texas, and Gannon Bond, 49, of Edgewater, N.J., were also arrested and charged Thursday on accusations of being facilitators of Kostin's sanctions-evasion scheme.

In Florida, a grand jury returned an indictment charging sanctioned pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch Sergey Vitalievich Kurchenko in a scheme to violate U.S. sanctions by doing some $330 million in business with people inside the United States.

In Washington, D.C., a superseding indictment was unsealed charging Vladislav Osipov with bank fraud in connection to his operation of a 255-foot luxury yacht federal prosecutors have said is owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselbert.

The Justice Department also filed a civil forfeiture complaint in Florida as federal prosecutors seek to secure two Miami luxury condominiums worth some $2.5 million owned by sanctioned oligarch Viktor Perevalov.

And in Georgia, Feliks Medvedev pleaded guilty to participating in the laundering of $150 million for his Russian clients.

Task Force KleptoCapture was launched by the Biden administration in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. With the mission to isolate Russia from the world, the task force targets Kremlin officials and oligarchs for violating sanctions, export restrictions and other economic countermeasures imposed by the United States and its allies on Moscow over its war.

It has so far secured the forfeiture of nearly $700 million worth of assets and has brought charges against more than 70 people for violating international sanctions and other punitive measures placed on Russia.

"So long as Russia's aggression continues, so too will our resolve to hold its enablers accountable," Garland said. "We stand firmly with the people of Ukraine."
MASON, Mich. (WLNS)  Mason Public Schools Superintendent Gary Kinzer is in the running for a new job in a West Michigan district.

Last week, the Board of Education at Forest Hills Public Schools announced that Kinzer is one of 5 candidates for the superintendent position. His interview with the board is scheduled for early March. Kinzer became superintendent of Mason Public Schools in 2022.

Mason Public Schools Superintendent Gary Kinzer. (Courtesy Mason Public Schools)

Forest Hills is a school district in Kent County serving nearly 10,000 students, the district explains on its website. The district area is 68 square miles. There are 18 school buildings in the district as well as a fine arts center, an aquatic building and senior center.

Here is how the Mason Public Schools and Forest Hills Schools compare, based on data compiled by U.S. News and World Reports.

The Mason Board of Education President, Christopher Mumby, says in a statement that Kinzer told the board members he was picked to be interviewed.

District staff were informed earlier this week. Mumby says Kinzer began looking into the position in December. Its a job that Kinzer is said to consider a unique opportunity and is the only job the superintendent is considering.

The Mason Public School Board of Education, Dr. Kinzer, and the district administrative team are fully committed to ensuring a consistent and stable environment for staff and students during this process, said Mumby. As always, our students are our first priority. We have every confidence that Dr. Kinzer and our leadership team will remain engaged in the districts progress, daily operations and student and staff needs.

Forest Hills has been running with an interim superintendent since last summer. The Board of Educations decision on the new superintendent is expected in June.

Mason Superintendent, Dr. Gary Kinzer shared with board of education members that he is one of five candidates selected to interview for the superintendent position with Forest Hills Public Schools. This information was shared with all district staff earlier this week and was publicly announced by the Forest Hills Public Schools. Dr. Kinzer began exploring this position in early December, and only made the decision to apply after careful review of the position. While there are numerous other superintendent positions open around the state, Superintendent Kinzer feels that this is a unique opportunity and said that it is the only one he is currently considering. The hiring process for superintendents can take several months and includes many steps. The Mason Public School Board of Education, Dr. Kinzer, and the district administrative team are fully committed to ensuring a consistent and stable environment for staff and students during this process. As always, our students are our first priority. We have every confidence that Dr. Kinzer and our leadership team will remain engaged in the districts progress, daily operations and student and staff needs. Thank you for your understanding and patience, further updates will be shared as appropriate. Statement, Christopher Mumby, President of the Mason Public Schools Board of Education

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Semafor Signals

Insights from SentinelOne, Natto Thoughts, The Washington Post, and Foreign Affairs

The News

A vast cache of leaked documents has revealed Beijings use of a private security contractor to hack individuals, governments, and organizations both in China and overseas.

Chinese authorities have launched an investigation into the rare online dump of leaked materials from the private Chinese security company I-Soon, the Associated Press reported, which was hired to target dissidents and flood overseas networks with pro-Beijing content, among other forms of influence.

There is currently no indication of who is behind the 190-megabyte leak, which was posted to GitHub, a developer platform, last week  and which cybersecurity experts say appears to be credible, according to The New York Times.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

China is contracting out cyberespionage to private hackers for hire

Sources: SentinelOne, Natto Thoughts, The New York Times

The massive leak shows explicitly how government targeting requirements drive a competitive marketplace of independent contractor hackers-for-hire, two researchers wrote in SentinelOne. The leak included contracts to extract information from databases and intercept communications dating back eight years, with targets including at least 20 overseas governments and territories, according to The New York Times.

In an October post on her Substack Natto Thoughts, former intelligence analyst Mei Danowski noted that I-Soon was one of the only non-Chinese state-owned companies to conduct classified research and development related to state security, after receiving a high-level secrecy qualification for weapons and equipment research from the Chinese government in 2020. I-Soon last year sued a competing Chinese cybersecurity company, Chengdu 404  which U.S. officials have linked to cyberespionage  though details of the case were not made public.

The source of the leak could be a disgruntled employee

Sources: The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs

A disgruntled employee or rival firm are two possible suspected sources of the leak, The Washington Post reported. Among the materials revealed were complaints from its staff over poor pay, long hours, and sexism in the workplace, which the paper said may suggest infighting and dissatisfaction in the network of patriotic Chinese hackers. A former FBI analyst noted that employees make less than $1,000 a month.

Without these hackers, Chinas extensive online influence campaign could collapse. Aside from private contractors, the country relies on millions of ordinary men and women to carry out surveillance domestically  a model that would be impossible to export elsewhere, argued Minxin Pei, a Chinese-American political scientist for Foreign Affairs. Fancy tech tools notwithstanding, it is the organizational capabilities of Chinas Leninist party-state that allows its surveillance to function with unrivaled potency, he added.

Leak includes data that could be useful for Chinese security agencies

Source: The New York Times

The leak spotlights several Chinese state agencies that allegedly commissioned I-Soon to crack down on both overseas and domestic targets, including Chinas national police, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Peoples Liberation Army  the principal military force of the Chinese Communist Party.

Among the leaks was a vast database of road networks in Taiwan  maps that experts say could be useful for Chinas threatened invasion of the self-governed territory, which Beijing claims as its own. Figuring out the road terrain is crucial for planning armored and infantry movements around the island on the way to occupy population centers and military bases, one cybersecurity expert told The New York Times.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson wants the city out of the coal-powered energy business and, as of now, says he won't support an updated version of Austin Energy's long-term plan expected to come before the City Council next month.

In an online newsletter released last week, Watson said it is time to halt the 2030 Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan  Austin Energy's guide to reach 93% carbon-free emissions  and "scrub all the options."

He wants the city to shut down its portion of the coal-burning Fayette Power Plant no later than January 2029.

But that is no easy task. The city has tried to do it for a decade with no success, and it requires a lot more than just a declaration from the council.

"We have to start, right now, putting together how we want to get out of Fayette by January of 2029," Watson told the Statesman. "That's going to take a lot of innovation, a lot of thought and some creativity. We can do that.

"I am putting together a plan for how we're going to address that goal," Watson said.

Austin Energy, the city's utility, has been negotiating with the Lower Colorado River Authority, which co-owns the facility in Fayette County, to close its portion of the plant.

The utility has not yet been able to come to an agreement "that would allow Austin Energy to affordably retire its share of the FPP coal plant as originally planned," Bob Kahn, Austin Energy's general manager, wrote in a statement to the American-Statesman.

What exactly that means is unclear.

Kahn's statement did not provide specifics about the financial barriers that have halted negotiations, and Austin Energy refused to make anyone available for an interview about the utility's financial situation related to the plant.

Watson did not share specifics about what could go into an agreement either, citing the ongoing nature of the negotiations during an interview with the Statesman.

"Right now, I can't tell you everything that would go into that agreement, and I won't tell you everything I might negotiate with," Watson said.

Kahn pledged to continue working toward a solution with the LCRA, but the river authority said it plans to continue operating the plant as long as it provides reliable, cost-effective power.

"As a partner in FPP, the city of Austin must meet its contractual obligations related to the plant. We value our years-long partnership and look forward to working with the city of Austin in the future and hearing any proposal the city may bring forward," LCRA spokesperson Clara Tuma said in a statement provided to the Statesman.

The LCRA is funded by revenue generated mostly by transmitting and generating electricity.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state's energy grid operator, would also have to sign off on any such closure, according to Kahn's statement.

Austin Energy is reviewing Watson's statement and will provide updates to the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee, which comprises all members of the City Council, at a future meeting, Kahn's statement said.

"Austin Energy has long looked to exit its share of the FPP (Fayette Power Plant) and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions," Kahn's statement said. "This involves economic, legal and technical assessments of all options. We'll continue to work with stakeholders and City leadership to determine the best solution for our customers and the utility.

"Austin Energy has not identified a firm timeline for closing the Fayette Power Plant (FPP) as exit negotiations are ongoing," Kahn's statement said.

Austin's attempt to get out of the Fayette Power Plant

The city of Austin owes just under $124 million in bond debt related to the Fayette Power Plant, according to Austin Energy.

The plant, in Fayette County southeast of Austin, is co-owned by the city and the LCRA, a utility created in 1934 by the Legislature to produce electric power and manage the lower Colorado River. Austin's portion is 50% of two of the plant's three units, according to the Austin Energy website, and the LCRA manages the plant.

The city owes just under $124 million in bond debt related to the plant, according to Austin Energy. That debt will be paid through revenue secured by Austin Energy and "will be paid off in the normal course of business," according to Kahn's statement.

The city has been trying since 2014 to shut down its portion of the plant, which Watson said is Austin's "single biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions," accounting for 75% of Austin Energy's emissions and about 25% of the city's total emissions.

If it shuts down, that energy will need to be made up elsewhere.

The city's portion of the coal-burning plant accounts for 13% of the utility's energy production capacity, Kahn's statement said.

The utility said it needs more "dispatchable energy"  energy from sources like a power plant that can be accessed at any time without depending on outside factors such as the weather  as the utility's customer base continues to grow. This is "to ensure reliability and affordability on our customers behalf," Kahn's statement said.

The power supply in Austin relies on the state's electric grid.

"Our power flows into ERCOT and then ERCOT sends it back out," Kahn said in January.

More: Why has power in Austin-area gone out in past winter storms and will it happen again?

"The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) must approve the retirement of any generation resource as part of its assessment of whether a resource is necessary to support grid reliability," Kahn's statement said.

The LCRA statement said the plant "is important to the reliability of the ERCOT market."

The utility, Kahn's statement said, has taken steps to minimize its scheduled output at the plant by using the Reduce Emissions Affordably for Climate Health Plan, which will lower the plant's carbon emissions and take steps toward meeting reduction goals.

"Retiring Austin Energys portion of FPP remains a key goal of Austin Energys Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan," Kahn's statement said. "Mayor Watsons support of this key goal is appreciated, and he has unique skills and key relationships that will help the City achieve a positive outcome."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin Mayor Kirk Watson wants city out of Fayette Power Plant by 2029
PETERSBURG  If Rep. Jennifer McClellan has her way, the downtown Petersburg post office will be named in memory of the first Black person to serve Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives.

McClellan, D-4th, said Friday she will introduce House Resolution 7385 Monday to put John Mercer Langstons name on the 89-year-old building at 29 Franklin St. She will announce the resolution at a 10 a.m. ceremony Monday at Virginia State Universitys Langston Hall.

John Mercer Langston

A statement from her office said McClellan  the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress  is proud to honor John Mercer Langston, Virginia's first Black congressman and the first president of VSU, by renaming this Petersburg postal office.

Langston, a Louisa County native, was a 19th century attorney, abolitionist, educator and politician who founded the law school at Howard University in Washington. While serving as the first president of Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute [now VSU] in 1885, Langston began to build his political career at the college that culminated in becoming the first Black person to go to Congress from Virginia.

When he left Congress in 1891, there would not be another Black congressman from the commonwealth until 2016 when former state Sen. Donald McEachin of Richmond was elected. Both Langston and McEachin represented the 4th District which encompasses the Tri-City area.

McEachin died in 2022, and McClellan  a Petersburg native and state legislator from Richmond  was elected to replace him.

Should the resolution be approved, it would be the second post-office building in the area to bear a persons name. In 2021, McEachin was successful in having the post office in downtown Hopewell named after Dr. Curtis W. Harris, a former Hopewell city councilor and mayor, and a person instrumental in the areas civil-rights movement. Harris, who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., helped set up the Virginia chapter of Kings Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

The brick building in downtown Petersburg is known for its circular architecture. It was built in 1935 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal program.

It also is noted for its two murals on the walls at opposite ends of the building.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Congress asked to rename Petersburg post office for first VSU chief
Two Canadian universities are suing the province of Quebec over a plan to hike tuition fees by 33% for out-of-province students and changes to fees paid by international students.

McGill and Concordia, two English-language universities in Quebec, argue the measures are discriminatory.

Applications for both have dropped since the measures were announced.

Quebec has defended the plan, claiming that it will help preserve the French language.

In December, the predominantly French-speaking province said tuition for out-of-province students would increase from C$9,000 ($6,700; 5,200) to C$12,000 a year.

Quebec will also take a larger chunk of the universities' international student fees, which once boosted the schools' operating budgets. Those funds are to be redistributed to French-speaking universities.

The province will also require that 80% of students from outside Quebec reach an intermediate level of French by the time they graduate.

The tuition overhaul is part of a range of policies Quebec has adopted to help preserve French heritage and language in the province - a longtime goal.

But both McGill and Concordia, two of the three English-language universities in the province, announced separate legal challenges on Friday on the basis of discrimination. They declared they had exhausted all other avenues.

"We would have greatly preferred not to do this, but we have run out of viable alternatives," Deep Saini, McGill's vice-chancellor and president, said in a statement.

He added that the university's board believes the "measures are illegal" and "threaten" the institution's mission.

McGill University is seeking a stay on both the tuition hike and the changes to their funding model. It says they constitute discrimination under federal and provincial rights charters and are "an unreasonable exercise of the powers" by the higher education minister.

Concordia is seeking a judicial review of the tuition measures, saying in its court filing that they are "based on stereotypes and false assumptions about the English-speaking community of Quebec and its institutions".

The schools also argue the changes are already negatively affecting their future enrollment.

Combined, out-of province and international undergraduate applications for McGill have dropped by more than 25% since last year. Concordia has had a roughly 39% combined decline in both types of applications over the same period.

A spokesman for Quebec's higher education minister, Pascale Dery, declined to comment as the matter is now before the courts.
Representative Andy Ogles is attracting much attention for controversial remarks he made about the harrowing "conflict" in Palestine.

A recently leaked video shows him advocating a more aggressive stance, stating that America should assist in "killing them all."

On Thursday, The New Republic reported the far-right Tennessean got into a combative exchange with an activist, who pressed Ogles on his position regarding Israel's atrocities in Gaza and America's never-ending distribution of artillery to the cause.

"Do you know there's a genocide happening right now in Palestine?" the activist asked. "Over 300 health care workers have been killed. Have you called for a cease-fire?

"Let's be clear. Hamas raped and murdered babies," Ogles started. "I've seen the footage, and you haven't."

"I've seen the footage of shredded children's bodies," the activist responded. "That's my taxpayer dollars that are going to bomb those kids."

But Ogles showed no mercy for the plighted people, zealously championing the complete extermination of Palestine.

"You know what? So, I think we should kill 'em all, if that makes you feel better," Ogles retorted. "Everybody in Hamas."

"Do you have a heart? Do you have a family?" the activist responded, visibly taken aback.

"Hamas and the Palestinians have been attacking Israel for 20 years. And It's time to pay the piper," the lawmaker continued.

His comments come on the heels of the White House veto of a resolution at the United Nations Security Council for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza proposed by Algeria, claiming it would "jeopardize" talks to end the war.

What Is Andy Ogles Saying In Response To His Viral Distaste?

According to AlJazeera, in an email to the congressman's hometown newspaper, The Tennessean, Ogles's spokesperson, Emma Settle, wrote: "The Congressman was not referring to Palestinians, he was clearly referring to the Hamas terrorist group."

However, on social media platform X, the condemnation directed at Ogles only worsened, as one user stated, "Name 'em and shame 'em! Say hi to Andrew 'I think we should kill 'em all' Ogles. This extraordinary piece of feces is a USA congressman."

In a statement released on Wednesday, the American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC) "unequivocally" denounced Ogles and wrote that his remarks were tantamount to advocating for "the extermination of the Palestinian people," revealed AlJazeera.

Since Israel began its indiscriminate bombing and blockade of Gaza in October, AMAC continued,

"Such rhetoric is not only abhorrent but also antithetical to our values as a state. It is such rhetoric that has continued to foster a political climate where extremist ideologies flourish, empowering neo-Nazis to openly parade through our streets and allowing genocidal sentiments to go unchallenged. This cannot be tolerated any longer. As citizens of Tennessee, we deserve better representation from those elected to office."

The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has reached 29,000 people, many of whom are women and children.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.  Nikki Haley desperately needs a home state surprise if she is to maintain any semblance of competitiveness in the battle for the GOP nomination.

The former United Nations ambassador is leaving no stone unhurled as she tries to put a dent in former President Trumps huge polling lead here in advance of Saturdays primary.

It feels more like a defiant last stand than a candidate detecting any real scent of a comeback. Even her supporters acknowledge the long odds she faces.

But Haley is at least going down fighting.

At an early-evening speech in this resort city, she simply stated: Donald Trump cant win a general election.

Speaking at twilight, with her campaign bus as her backdrop, Haley assailed Trump for his recent remarks that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to NATO member nations who had not paid their dues to the organization.

Haley accused Trump of cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin and thereby siding with a dictator who kills his political opponents.

She also hit Trump for what she sees as his narcissism.

Amid Trumps various legal travails, at no point has he ever talked about the American people.  All he does is talk about himself, Haley contended.

But the challenge Haley faces in trying to be heard over the din Trump creates was clear at a literal level here.

Even as she spoke, the car horns of drivers honking approvingly at a small band of pro-Trump protesters could be heard from a nearby street. The pro-Trump group even included one look-alike of the former president.

The big picture for Haley is bleak.

Trump has won the three contests so far, in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, by big margins. Haley lags Trump by more than 30 points in the South Carolina polling average maintained by The Hill and Decision Desk HQ.

A loss on anything approaching that scale would be devastating to Haley in her home state, where she twice won election as governor.

Trump has mused about how hard it would be for her to continue if she gets beaten heavily here. His aides emphasize how steeply the battle for delegates has tilted in Trumps favor.

A Tuesday memo from two of the Trump campaigns top aides, Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, predicted that even under their most generous projections of how Haley might fare, the former president would secure enough delegates to become the presumptive GOP nominee by March 19.

Twisting the knife, the two Trump aides forecast that Haleys campaign would come to an end Saturday in the Palmetto State, rejected by those who know her best.

Haley, on the stump, is trying to prove that familiarity breeds affection rather than contempt.

Here in Myrtle Beach and at an afternoon event before an upscale crowd in the small city of Georgetown, she cited her economic record as governor, adding sardonically that she hoped its residents did not blame her for the number of outsiders who moved to the state during her tenure.

Haley also referred to two deeply somber events from 2015, early in her second term as governor  the mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, when a white racist killed nine Black parishioners, and the police killing of a 50-year-old Black man, Walter Scott, who was shot dead while fleeing in North Charleston.

Haley said that the main reason there was not widespread rioting and civil strife in South Carolina in the wake of those events was because the tone at the top matters  another obvious jab at Trump.

The question is whether such attacks move the needle electorally.

In Georgetown, Haley lamented how everything is chaos, everything is noise, everything is exhausting in the nations politics  offering herself as the antidote.

She even mocked Trumps avoidance of the draft for the Vietnam War, after an audience member appeared to mention bone spurs.

He did say he had bone spurs; thats why he couldnt serve, a laughing Haley responded. Whatever.

There are, to be sure, a solid number of Republican voters with whom Haleys more modulated message resonates.

She has the best chance to win the general election. And, you know, she doesnt say crazy stuff all the time, like some people do, Patrick Thompson, a novelist and retired lawyer, told The Hill as he waited for Haley to speak in Georgetown.

Thompson was accompanied by his wife and his wifes friend, Singleton Blain. Blain said she had already cast her ballot for Haley during the early voting period.

I think shes a unifier. We need that desperately, Blain said.

Another attendee, musician Marshall Chapman, said she is a Democrat but intends to vote for Haley in a bid to stop Trump, whom she termed a madman.

Despite the vigor of those views, it seems highly doubtful that there are enough such voices to derail the Trump Train in the Palmetto State.

Haleys events in Georgetown and Myrtle Beach each attracted crowds roughly in the 500 range.

On Friday, Trump will hold a get-out-the-vote rally at Winthrop Coliseum, an arena in Rock Hill, S.C.

The venues capacity is roughly 6,000.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Once a prominent backer of the leftwing senator Bernie Sanders, on Thursday she was greeted by far-right activists with a standing ovation and a group of supporters brandishing gold letters that spelled T-R-U-M-P.

Such is the journey of Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate who has an entire Wikipedia page devoted to her political positions and is now seen as a possible running mate for Donald Trump.

Related: We need a bigger bazooka: Liz Truss takes aim at left deep state at CPAC

There are few better examples, critics say, of how the Trump era has scrambled the ideology not only of the Republican party but opportunists seeking media cachet and a book deal. Gabbards isolationist foreign policy views, disdain for wokeness and desire for attention from the rightwing ecosystem made her a natural headline speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the National Harbor in Maryland.

Today we see the Democrat elite leaders say, with great concern in their voice, that if the American people elect Donald Trump again, they warn us, he will destroy our democracy, said Gabbard, 42, in a speech that portrayed Trump as a victim of political persecution and sounded like an audition for the vice-presidency.

They say he will be the dictator-in-chief, that if hes elected it will be the last election this country sees. Its laughable. This is so crazy, its laughable. Theyre justifying their actions by telling themselves that they need to destroy our democracy in order to save it. Its lunacy and its the mindset and mentality of dictators. They are waging a multi-front battle and they will stop at nothing until theyre successful.

The scene would have been unimaginable in 2012 when Gabbard, a military veteran, became the first Hindu elected to Congress, representing Hawaiis second congressional district.

Over time the progressive rising star became an outspoken critic of Democratic party leadership. She once called Hillary Clinton the embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic party for so long.

Gabbard endorsed independent senator Sanders run against Clinton for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination. But in November that year, Gabbard held a surprise meeting with Trump at Trump Tower in New York following his election victory.

She briefly ran herself in the 2020 election, when her foreign policy views came under scrutiny. In a primary debate, Gabbard was criticised by then candidate Kamala Harris for not calling the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, a war criminal. Gabbard had secretly visited Syria in 2017 and met Assad on what she called a fact-finding mission; she expressed scepticism about the atrocities carried out under Assads leadership.

She eventually dropped out of the 2020 race and backed the eventual winner, Joe Biden. Ive known Joe Biden for a long time, she told CPAC, drawing a contrast with Trump. I used to consider him a friend. Do you think he could handle this pressure? The audience laughed.

She continued: I dont think so. I think even a fraction of this pressure and stress and attacks that Trump has endured would cause him to crumble.

Gabbard went on to lavish praise on the former president, which was well received in the room. Ive had the chance to meet with him and speak with him at length, and Ive seen firsthand his heartfelt interactions with friends of mine, veterans, and Ive seen how he has touched their hearts and moved them to tears as he expressed his appreciation for their service and their sacrifice. No cameras, no crowds. Just that heartfelt conveyance of appreciation.

She added: Ive gotten a sense for what motivates him and its got nothing to do with what the Washington establishment is accusing him of. This is a man whos a fighter, his strength and resilience can only come from one place. His ability to endure this much can only come from one place, a sincere love and concern for the future of our country and his care for the American people.

Tulsi Gabbard was on the fringe as a Democrat and  in order to find relevance, recognised an opening in the Republican party that was pro-Putin friendly Tara Setmayer

Gabbard was a frequent guest on Fox News, became a paid contributor and enjoyed a spell filling in for host Tucker Carlson. She launched The Tulsi Gabbard Show on YouTube.

In 2022 she left the Democrats, saying they were dominated by an elitist cabal of warmongers who are driven by cowardly wokeness, who divide us by racializing every issue and stoking anti-white racism. She campaigned for the election denier Kari Lake and other Republicans in the midterm elections.

Gabbard has been quicker to blame Biden than Vladimir Putin for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She has been a harsh critic of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy  now a guaranteed applause line in the Make America great again universe.

Her speech at CPAC on Thursday met with a standing ovation and cheers that showed notably more enthusiasm than that for the former British prime minister Liz Truss. Steve Bannon, a former White House chief strategist, is among her admirers. To commentators, it is a pact rooted in self-interest on both sides.

Tara Setmayer, a senior adviser to the Lincoln Project, a pro-democracy and anti-Trump group, said: Tulsi Gabbard was on the fringe as a Democrat and, when she flamed out there, in order to find relevance, she recognised an opening in the Republican party that was pro-Putin friendly.

I guess that she has no soul, conscience or moral code Kurt Bardella

She has been an apologist for Putin and for Assad in Syria and, as someone who was in the military, she brings a certain credibility to that wing of the Republican party when she speaks glowingly about Putin and Russia.

Setmayer added: As the Republican party drift further and further away from the party of Reagan, who I would presume is spinning in his grave as we see the Republican party go down into this, isolationist, anti-democratic, pro-Putin party, people like Tulsi Gabbard have a place and she knows that. Thats the only reason why she has any relevance in politics today.

A poster advertising Gabbards book, For Love of Country: Why I Left the Democratic Party, is prominently displayed at the CPAC venue, the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, along with a book by Truss and biography of Carlson. In recent years the conference has become a celebration of Trumps cult of personality.

Kurt Bardella, a Democratic strategist and former Republican congressional aide, said of Gabbard: I guess that she has no soul, conscience or moral code.

Its a situation more about the pursuit of power and relevance and notoriety and less about ideology. I just dont think its possible to go so far one way and then have that pendulum swing like that. It just seems like theres other motivations at play.

Gabbard might serve in a Trump cabinet but is unlikely to be vice-president, Bardella added. The idea that he would pick her over someone like Kristi Noem or Elise Stefanik or Tim Scott just doesnt seem likely because Tulsi doesnt have a constituency that she can bring to the table thats going to help Donald Trump win a general election.
MESQUITE, Texas - Concerned parents packed a Mesquite high school gym, demanding answers about a police shooting involving a student with a gun.

Their biggest concern was how the incident  and information about it  was relayed to parents.

This week, FOX 4 learned that the 16-year-old student allegedly brought the gun to the Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy to "hurt people."

We also learned responding officers fired 19 shots inside the school office where the teen was located.

Several of the topics during the Q&A had to do with communication. Some people in the crowd said communication was lacking on campus when notifying there was a threat. Parents also requested better communication between the school and parents during the lockdown.

Mesquite parents pressed school officials with questions Thursday evening in the school gym just days after Mesquite police shot a 16-year-old student after bringing a gun on campus.

The school banned media from the campus, but there was a livestream of the meeting.

The main concern at Thursdays meeting was communication.

Parents and students want better communication from administrators during those tense moments.

Some students say they never heard the lockdown announcement on the PA system.

Parents say the notifications from the charter school during the lockdown were spotty.

"There are a lot of parents in the same boat as me to come up and figure out what is going on with our kids. Thats unacceptable!" one parent said.

The school stated it will revisit its communication protocol. But it said at the time of the threat, Mesquite police had taken over.

At the start of the school Monday, administrators called 911 stating a student had a handgun in the assistant principals office. Witnesses later told investigators the student was threatening to hurt others.

For a few minutes, a principal attempted to calm the student down.

Once police arrived, officers ordered the teenager to put down the gun multiple times - but he refused.

Three officers fired 19 shots, injuring the student in the leg, but its unclear if this wound was from a gunshot or shrapnel.

Police say the student did not fire his weapon.

No other students or staff were injured.

Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy canceled classes on Friday and has since promised new safety measures, including adding metal detectors and installing more surveillance cameras.

Instead of just one armed security guard on campus, there will now be two guards during the school day.

"We will continue to improve. We will continue to get better," said Dr. Derrick Love, the schools regional executive director.

Some students also requested more lockdown drills on top of what the state of Texas requires.

The 16-year-old suspect is now in a Dallas County juvenile detention facility facing a felony charge.

Mesquite police said the next update on the investigation will come early next week. Body camera footage and 911 calls will be released to the public.
A metal detectorist in Poland searched the forest floor for military artifacts from World War I or World War II. He swept the device above the ground, working his way through the trees. Eventually, he decided to call it a day.

As Piotr Gorlach walked to his car, a final beep from his metal detector revealed the days most significant discovery.

Gorlach had left the metal detector on out of habit, he told Science in Poland in a Feb. 22 news release. As he headed out of the forest in Korzenica, he heard it beep and started digging. A flat metal object with a greenish hue emerged.

Archaeologists identified the artifact as an extremely rare 4,000-year-old dagger.

Piotr Gorlach holds the 4,000-year-old dagger he found in Korzenica.

Uncover more archaeological finds

What are we learning about the past? Here are three of our most eye-catching archaeology stories from the past week.

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The ancient weapon was made of copper and measured just over 4 inches in length, the Museum in Jarosaw Orsetti House said in a Feb. 22 Facebook post. Photos show the arrow-shaped dagger.

The dagger dated between 2500 B.C. and 2000 B.C., a period when metal products were first being introduced to Poland, the museum said. During this period, metal products were imported from modern-day Ukraine or Hungary and only available to elites who could afford them.

A close-up photo of the 4,000-year-old dagger found in Korzenica.

The 4,000-year-old weapon is the oldest metal dagger found in the province, the museum said.

Gorlach gave the ancient dagger to the Museum in Jarosaw Orsetti House where it will be put on display.

The 4,000-year-old dagger found in Korzenica.

Gorlach is part of the Historical and Exploration-Association Group Jarosaw, which has found and donated several dozen artifacts, the release said.

Korzenica is a village in Jarosaw County and about 170 miles southeast of Warsaw, near the Poland-Ukraine border.

Google Translate was used to translate the news release from Science in Poland and the Facebook post from the Museum in Jarosaw Orsetti House.

Metal detectorist unearths one-of-a-kind gold treasure from 1,400 years ago. See it

2,800-year-old serpent artifact is a missing link to Hercules mythology, study says

Medieval church  lost for centuries  reemerges at iconic site in Venice, photos show
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Leaders at the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) are optimistic about the systems future amid a $750 million Metro budget shortfall, the systems CEO Randy Clarke told reporters Thursday.

Metro is having to consider serious cuts to bus and rail service if funding requirements arent met soon. Since Metro sounded the alarm on the shortfall several months ago, leaders in D.C., Maryland and Virginia collectively pledged almost $500 million to help cover those costs.

WMATA CEO sounds alarm on Metros $750M budget shortfall

Budget woes first came up this past fall when Metro leaders started working on the budget for the 2024 Fiscal Year, which starts this summer.

On Thursday, House lawmakers in Maryland voted in favor of a bill that would allow for an extra $150 million in funding for Metro. D.C. leaders offered $200 million last month.

Clarke and other representatives from Metro traveled to Richmond earlier this week to meet with Virginia about funding for the transit system.

Metro considering severe budget cuts; asking for input

Virginias proposed House budget would give $150 million to Metro, but the state Senates proposed budget released this week cuts that funding completely.

Clarke says he had good conversations with lawmakers there and hes feeling hopeful leaders there will pull through.

I think its been pretty clear they understand the value of Metro and that we need a stable, healthy Metro going forward, Clarke said. We look forward to them completing the budget process and well stand ready to help in any way possible.

Proposed WMATA budget includes 12.5% fare hike, avoids service reduction

When it comes to covering the rest of the budget shortfall, Clarke explained Metro has money in a preventive maintenance fund the system could tap into if necessary. There are also plans for less severe cuts to bus and rail service, along with plans to raise fares by 12.5%.

There are budget forums where riders can weigh in on proposed cuts and changes to service.

Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center in Maryland

Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. at WMATA Headquarters in Southwest D.C.

Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Arlington Co. Government Center in Virginia

A virtual forum will be held online Feb. 29 at noon

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Mexican flags wave along a street in Houston. Mexican citizens living in Texas will have new options for voting in their country's elections this year. Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

With two women frontrunners, Mexico will likely elect its first female president on June 2, and Mexican voters living in Texas will be able to vote for the countrys president, other federal offices and some governorships.

Mexico has allowed citizens living abroad to vote since the early 2000s, and as of Feb. 8, 630,513 Mexicans living abroad are eligible to vote. In Texas, about 240,000 people have gotten voter IDs from the Dallas and Houston Mexican consulates and are eligible to register to vote in the June election.

Mexicans living abroad will be able to vote more easily this year using an online option on their mobile phones, said Juan Hernandez, the former secretary of migration for the Mexican state of Guanajuato who served as a cabinet member for former President Vicente Fox. Voters in certain countries, including the U.S,. will also be able to vote in person at certain Mexican consulates for the first time.

For president, voters will choose between candidates Claudia Sheinbaum of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors Morena party, Xochitl Galvez of the Broad Front for Mexico  a coalition of opposing parties  and Jorge Alvarez Maynez of the Citizen Movement party.

Unlike elections in the U.S., where the Electoral College decides presidential elections, Mexico uses a simple majority vote to elect its president. In 2006, Felipe Calderon won by just 0.4% of the vote.

You know, half a million [Mexican] voters in the United States, if the election is that close, can easily turn the election in Mexico, said Tony Payan, director of the Center for the United States and Mexico at the Baker Institute, a nonpartisan policy research organization based at Rice University in Houston. That I think is important. It's unlikely, but it is important to consider.

Payan says Mexican voters in the U.S. and Texas are an important bellwether  Mexicans living abroad tend to overwhelmingly choose the winning candidate in Mexican elections.

The number of people in the U.S. who could be eligible to vote in Mexicos elections has increased dramatically in recent years after a 2021 constitutional amendment allowed Mexican nationality to be passed on indefinitely, which means people of Mexican descent can get Mexican citizenship even if their parents werent born in Mexican territory, as long as they can prove they had family with Mexican citizenship some time before.

In the coming decade, I think we are going to see a Mexico that is highly linked to the Mexicans abroad, Hernandez said.

In 2021, Mexico City elected its first migrant congressperson to represent Mexican citizens living abroad.

Heres how Mexican citizens can vote in Mexicos elections from Texas:

What dates do I need to know?

Feb. 25: The deadline to register to vote for those living abroad

April 7, April 28, May 19: Presidential debates will be broadcast on INE social media and Mexican radio and television platforms

May 18: Online voting opens at 8 p.m. CST and closes at 6 p.m. CST on June 2

June 1: The Instituto Nacional Electoral must receive mail-in ballots by 8 a.m. CST

June 2: Election Day in Mexico and also in person at consulates

What documents do I need to vote?

Have a current Mexican voter ID (INE credencial para votar)

To obtain a Mexican voter ID you need: Proof of Mexican citizenship (birth certificate or document of Mexican citizenship), a photo ID (including passport, Mexican drivers license, or any government credentials with a photo) and proof of residence abroad (including phone, utility or school bills)

If you dont have a Mexican voter ID or yours expired, you can get one at your nearest Mexican consulate or embassy. Make an appointment by calling 424-309-0009, visit their website or visit in person. Mexican consulates and embassies are accepting walk-ins for voter IDs until Sunday, Feb. 25.

How do I register to vote from abroad?

Register to vote at the INE website using your voter ID. If you register to vote from abroad, you will not be allowed to vote in person on June 2 in Mexico.

If you were unable to register by the Feb. 25 deadline due to a procedural issue, you may be able to submit an appeal based on voter protections for Mexican citizens.

How to vote

Online: You should receive an email no later than May 3 with access codes and a link to enter the electronic voting system.

On May 18, you will receive another verification code, either a 6-digit SMS message or a QR code that you can access with a downloadable app. You will need both codes to access the electronic voting system. Then you will submit your vote and verify all information.

By mail: You will receive your ballot during the first week of May at your home address, with an instruction manual and pre-paid envelope to mail it. Make sure to fold the ballot and submit it in the same colored envelope; if you have any time constraints call 866-986 8306.

In person: You can vote at INE-approved Mexican consulates on June 2. The consulates in Dallas and Houston are approved in Texas. More information on voting in person is available here. You can also help monitor in-person voting abroad if you register to be a poll observer by May 7.

Which offices are on the ballot?

President

Senate  all 128 seats

Chamber of Deputies  all 500 seats

Governorships in Chiapas, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, Puebla and Yucatan, as well as Mexico Citys head of government

Migrant representatives for Mexico City and the state of Oaxaca

Who are the presidential candidates?

Claudia Sheinbaum

Political Party: Movimiento de Regeneracion Nacional (Morena)

Age: 61

Political experience:

Head of government of Mexico City, 2018-23

Head of Tlalpan Delegation, 2015-17

Member of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors presidential campaign, 2006

Secretary of the environment for Mexico City under Lopez Obrador

Sheinbaum supports Lopez Obradors social programs, such as the government pension for older citizens and has expressed wanting to continue his overall legacy. She has also expressed support for renewable energy. Sheinbaum is of Jewish ancestry and has a bachelors degree in physics and a masters and doctorate degree in energy engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She was previously married to Carlos Imaz, the founder of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), and she served as the partys first woman head of government of Tlalpan, a delegation that is part of Mexico City with a population of more than half a million people.

Earlier this month, Sheinbaum condemned U.S. efforts to build walls along the U.S.-Mexico border and said she supports more investment in Latin American countries whose citizens are likely to emigrate, mirroring Lopez Obradors stance on immigration.

Xochitl Galvez

Political Party: Partido Accion Nacional (PAN)

Age: 60

Political experience:

Senator for Mexico City, 2018-present, overseeing the Commission of Indigenous Affairs and serving as secretary of the Commission of Anti-corruption, Transparency and Citizen Participation

Head of Miguel Hidalgo delegation of Mexico City with PAN, 2015-18

Ran for governor of the state of Hidalgo as a coalition candidate for PAN, PRD and the Labor Party

Creator and director of the National Indigenous Peoples Development Commission of Mexico, 2003-06

Director of the Office for the Development of Indigenous People during Foxs presidency, 2000-03

Galvez gained national attention when the president called her out for criticizing his social programs during one of his nationally-televised morning press conferences, then refused to let her respond from the audience. Soon after, she announced that she would join the PAN, PRD and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) coalition, known as the Broad Front for Mexico.

Galvez, who is of indigenous background and grew up in a low-income community in the state of Hidalgo, got her bachelors degree in computer engineering from UNAM and went on to become the founder of High Tech Services, a company focused on developing high-tech spaces and buildings, promoting clean energy and security processes. She has spoken about developing training programs for coding and innovation if she were to win the election.

Galvez is running from the center-right and has opposed most of Lopez Obradors policies and supports the privatization of Pemex, the mammoth state-owned energy company. She has also spoken in favor of increasing taxes on the wealthy and supporting the middle class, where she has found political support.

Jorge Alvarez Maynez

Political Party: Movimiento Ciudadano (MC)

Age: 38

Political experience:

Federal deputy, 2015-18, 2021-present

Served as his partys secretary for organization and national political action, 2013

Local deputy for the congress of Zacatecas with the PRI and Partido Verde Ecologista de Mexico Nueva Alianza coalition, 2010-13

Council member for the city of Zacatecas with the PRD, 2004-07

While Galvez and Sheinbaum announced their candidacies for president early, Alvarez Maynez entered the race after his partys original candidate, Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia, withdrew in December. He is now the youngest presidential candidate in Mexico's history, but the center-right candidate lacks the widespread recognition of the two front-runners. Alvarez Maynez is betting on the younger generation's support and is vocal about social progressive issues including marriage equality and the decriminalization of abortion. He has a bachelor's degree in international relations from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente, and masters degrees in constitutional rights and human rights from the Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

When it comes to immigration, Alvarez Maynez has criticized past presidents for their lack of a migration policy at Mexicos southern border with Guatemala, which he claims has become a highly militarized zone. Despite Alvarez Maynez calling for more attention to human rights at the countrys southern and northern borders, he has been vocal about praising El Salvador President Nayib Bukeles strict security strategy, which has included suspending civil liberties and mass incarcerations to curb gang violence. Maynez has signaled that he plans to mirror this strategy in Mexico if he wins.

Where to find more information about the voting process:

INEs U.S. phone number: 866-986-8306

INEs voting from abroad website

Mexican consulate in Houston And Dallas

Where to find more information about candidates:

INE Elections website

Maria Mendez contributed to this story.

Disclosure: Rice University has been a financial supporter 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.
A suspected gas leak was detected at the headquarters of SAPO, Sweden's security agency, on Friday (Feb. 23), forcing authorities to evacuate some 500 people from the facility in Solna, north of Stockholm.

Police spokesperson Anders Bryngelsson told the TT news agency that emergency services dedicated to evacuating the entire building because of a "suspected gas leak" were called to the scene but did not elaborate further.

Read Also: Sweden Ends Nord Stream Explosions Probe, Hands Evidence to Germany

At least five people suffered breathing problems and were taken to hospital, according to Stockholm physician Patrik Soderberg.

Images shared from the scene showed first responders and police officers wearing gas masks, and local media reported that a 500-meter diameter buffer zone was proactively set up to keep people out.

Authorities also told residents near the SAPO headquarters to close their windows, the Associated Press reported.

This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.

Related Article: Hungary Faces Criticism Over Delay in Ratification of Sweden's NATO Bid
Amanda Drane is an energy reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at amanda.drane@houstonchronicle.com.

Amanda covers the Texas energy industry and the people affected by it, with a particular focus on oil, gas, chemicals and the transition to cleaner energy. Before joining the papers business desk in May 2020 she worked as a City Hall reporter in Massachusetts, where she won regional awards for covering issues such as police accountability and the exploitation of undocumented restaurant workers.
A Minneapolis man serving life without parole for his role as a teenager in a grisly double-murder of a mother and son was resentenced Friday, paving the way for his possible release.

Brian Lee Flowers, now 32, and his friend Stafon Thompson were convicted in the 2008 murders of 35-year-old Katricia Daniels and her 10-year-old son, Robert Shepard, in their duplex in Minneapolis' Kingfield neighborhood. The slayings were gruesome: Daniels was stabbed more than 190 times and Shepard was bludgeoned with a television. Flowers, then 16, played a lesser role than Thompson, who was 17, according to defense attorneys and the Minnesota Supreme Court. Thompson was the one covered in blood and cuts on his hands, while Flowers had one drop of blood on his shoes.

His legal team fought a decade for resentencing as a series of state and federal laws changed regarding the prosecution of youth. A parole hearing will be held this summer after Hennepin County Judge William Koch resentenced Flowers to concurrent life sentences instead of consecutive life sentences.

Attorneys Perry Moriearty,a University of Minnesota Law School professor, and Brad Colbert, a professor at Mitchell-Hamline School of Law, released the following statement on behalf of their client following Koch's new sentencing order.

"It is impossible to overstate the gravity of the trauma, grief, and loss caused by the murders of Katricia Daniels and Robert Shephard. Brian takes full responsibility for and deeply regrets his role in the events of that night," the statement said. "Brian was 16 years old at the time of the murders. He is grateful that both the State and the Court have recognized his youth and  as did the Minnesota Supreme Court  his lesser culpability in these events. Brian has now been incarcerated for almost 16 years, and he is not the same person he was in 2008. He knows that there is nothing he can say or do to change what happened, but Brian will spend the rest of his life trying to make amends. He is so deeply sorry."

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences for juveniles without parole are unconstitutional.

Flowers became eligible for resentencing and his case returned to Hennepin County District Court in 2015. Koch resentenced him to concurrent sentences in 2017, making him eligible for parole in 2038. But prosecutors appealed Koch's decision. In 2018, the Minnesota Supreme Court reversed the concurrent sentences, sending the case back to Koch for a hearing to determine whether concurrent or consecutive life sentences should be imposed.

Both parties agreed to concurrent sentences with the possibility of release, despite objections from surviving family members of the victims, according to court records.

Last year, more than a decade after the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Minnesota became the 28th state to abolish juvenile life without parole. The change offers most prisoners serving sentences of 15 years or more for juvenile offenses the chance to appear before a review board, which will determine whether they can safely be released.

Flowers has already served over 15 years. He and approximately 40 other people are eligible for a hearing once the panel is up and running this summer. Scheduling of hearing is up to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, said Ramsey County Attorney's office spokesperson Dennis Gerhardstein.

The DOC said the board will be operational beginning in July for Flowers to be seen. Board members will consider reports on community sentiment, views of the victims family and input from a mental health professional.

Ramsey County handled Flowers' case after it was transferred there because of a personal conflict of interest by Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, a former public defender who counseled Flowers on his resentencing before she ran for office in 2022.

"She believed in my innocence because she worked on my case," Flowers said of Moriarty in one jail call log.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said in a statement that he intends to oppose parole for Flowers until at least 2028 and oppose concurrent sentences for Thompson. Choi said his office was not involved with the "protracted and contentious litigation that this case generated," so it could independently evaluate Flowers' culpability.

"From our perspective, it is significant that, on appeal, the Minnesota Supreme Court determined in 2010 that Mr. Flowers' role in this case was far less than his co-defendant," Choi said. "We came to the same conclusion after reviewing this case for the past ten months..."
Eric Alberto-Lopez, who goes by Ape Drums, was born and raised in Katy. He is part of Major Lazer alongside Diplo and Walshy Fire. Alejandro Mendoza Eric Alberto-Lopez, who goes by Ape Drums, was born and raised in Katy. He is part of Major Lazer alongside Diplo and Walshy Fire. Alejandro Mendoza

Eric Alberto-Lopez, who performs professionally as Ape Drums, might be the most Houston person ever.

He's a Mexican American DJ and producer whose sound incorporates Jamaican dancehall and moombahton, a blend of reggaeton and house. He loves Vietnamese food. And he's about to play the biggest rodeo in the world.

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"I'll always have Houston in my heart. It made me appreciate a lot of the world," he says. "Obviously, we've had some superstars come out of Houston, but I'm also very proud to represent because, especially for what I was doing, nobody really was doing it in the city."

Alberto-Lopez performs March 8 at RodeoHouston as part of Major Lazer, the EDM trio featuring Diplo and Walshy Fire whose music draws from multiple genres around the world. They have also collaborated with Travis Scott, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars.

Major Lazer @WynnNightlife

Major Lazer has been around for almost two decades and released its first album, "Guns Don't Kill People  Lazers Do," in 2009. Alberto-Lopez joined the group in 2019, replacing Trinidadian DJ and producer Jillionaire. Prior to that, as Ape Drums, he collaborated with Pitbull, Lil Uzi Vert and had his song "Mutant Brain" featured in a worldwide ad for French luxury fashion house Kenzo.

RodeoHouston 2024 Feb. 27: Blake Shelton Feb. 28: Carly Pearce Feb. 29: For King & Country March 1: 50 Cent March 2: Hardy March 3: Ivan Cornejo March 4: Hank Williams Jr. March 5: Oliver Anthony March 6: Jelly Roll March 7: Luke Bryan March 8: Major Lazer March 9: Lainey Wilson March 10: Los Tigres del Norte March 11: Whiskey Myers March 12: Bun B's All-American Takeover March 13: Nickelback March 14: Zac Brown Band March 15: Jonas Brothers March 16: Brad Paisley March 17: Eric Church

The move to Major Lazer has brought Alberto-Lopez a whole new level of fame.

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"It's been what people would describe as a dream. You don't really get this opportunity to join a group you've looked up to your whole music career," he says. "That first show was just shock. I honestly was just standing there, kind of taking it all in."

Alberto-Lopez was born in Houston and raised in Katy, where he attended Morton Ranch High School. He grew up surrounded by music. His sister plays in heavy metal and rock bands, and his cousin is in a country band. Music was a constant at family events  but Alberto-Lopez was interested in more experimental sounds. He was drawn to dancehall and other styles of Caribbean music and taught himself how to DJ on YouTube.

"I have a big family, and all of my cousins and uncles, even my little sister, play guitar. I was the only one that didn't want to really pick up an instrument. I just wanted to make music on a laptop," he says.

Today, Houston has a solid EDM scene, thanks to such clubs as Stereo Live, Cle and Noto. But Alberto-Lopez says it was a struggle to book gigs when he was living in Houston.

Eric Alberto-Lopez, who goes by Ape Drums, was born and raised in Katy. He is part of Major Lazer alongside Diplo and Walshy Fire. Alejandro Mendoza

"I did get a couple of gigs, but the club was dead and people were not digging the music. I was probably a really horrible DJ at that time. It was a big learning lesson," he says.

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Alberto-Lopez left Houston seven years ago for Miami, a hub for EDM that hosts the Ultra Music Festival, Winter Music Conference and Miami Music Week. His career flourished there. But he comes home every few months for Vietnamese food dates with his mom and sister. He's looking forward to the RodeoHouston food, too, particularly funnel cakes and those "dinosaur chicken, meat legs" that are a must when you're strolling through the carnival.

EDM made its debut on the RodeoHouston stage in 2017 with the Chainsmokers. Zedd and Marshmello have since followed. The Chainsmokers returned last year for a crowd of more than 67,000 people.

This will be Major Lazer's first rodeo  for the most part. Diplo released a country album under his first and middle name, Thomas Wesley, in 2020 that featured Orville Peck, Morgan Wallen and Zac Brown.

Alberto-Lopez promises a "special set" tailored specifically for the RodeoHouston crowd. And like any good Houstonian, he is no stranger to Western wear.

"The guys are really excited, probably more excited than I am," he says. "I've got the cowboy boots. I've got the hat. I've got the jeans. I used to wear it all the time, then I took a little break. I thought, 'Let me get a haircut. Let me get a little vibe.' But I'm super excited to go back and bring the boots out again."
President of Russia and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Vladimir Putin makes a speech in Red Square during a Victory Day military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II, on June 24, 2020 in Moscow, Russia. The 75th-anniversary marks the end of the Great Patriotic War when the Nazi's capitulated to the then Soviet Union. (Photo by Sergey Guneev - Host Photo Agency via Getty Images )

The Biden administration will impose a new round of economic sanctions targeting Russian fuel exports and military-industry imports, the Treasury Department announced Friday.

Coming one week after Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in the custody of Russian President Vladimir Putins government and one day short of the two-year anniversary of the countrys invasion of Ukraine, the more than 500 new sanctions include targets inside and outside of Russia and are meant to disrupt Putins ability to fund and wage war.

Our sanctions have two goals, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said Friday. Reduce the revenues the Kremlin has to fuel its war of choice, and disrupt Russias ability to get the goods it needs to build the weapons the Kremlin wants.

The sanctions were designed to crack down on Russias efforts to evade existing measures to disrupt the export of Russian energy, Adeyemo said in an appearance Friday at the Council on Foreign Relations, according to a department transcript.

Russia has spent considerable resources to avoid previous sanctions, Adeyemo said. Those efforts take away from what Russia can commit to the battlefield, he added.

Other targets

Fridays sanctions also target third-country individuals and entities that provide Russia with weapons and other tools of war.

Those targets include six China-based technology suppliers and a precious metals investment firm based in Liechtenstein and owned by German nationals. They also include manufacturers based in Serbia, Estonia, Ireland, the Kyrgyz Republic and Finland, according to a news release from the Treasury Department.

The Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control also listed new targets in Russias military-industrial, financial and other sectors.

Companies include manufacturers or providers of weapons, 3D printers, metalworking equipment, industrial chemicals, semiconductors and other electronics, military informational technology, industrial automation, optics such as thermal imaging technology, navigational instruments, energy storage, aerospace, logistics and precious metals.

Treasury sanctioned nearly 300 companies. Together with sanctions from the departments of State and Commerce, the total announced Friday was more than 590, according to the Treasury Department.

The State Department would add three Russian government officials related to Navalnys death to its sanctions list, according to the Treasury Department release. The State Department had not released its own list as of midday Friday.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat who leads the Senate Banking Committee, said in a statement that the sanctions were appropriate to hold Putin accountable.

Putin believes he can murder opponents and critics with impunity, Brown said. We must prove him wrong. The United States and the West must continue to hold the lawless Russian regime accountable. We must use every tool to protect U.S. national security and stand with our allies.

Democrats travel to Ukraine

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York led a delegation of Senate Democrats to Ukraine this week. In Lyiv on Friday, he told reporters that the group sought to pressure U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, to support an aid package to the country that is running low on supplies to defend against Russia.

Without the aid, Ukraine, America should know, Speaker Johnson and the House Republicans should know, without the aid, we will lose the war, Schumer said, according to a transcript provided by his office.

But conversely, we were told by just about everyone we saw  American, Ukrainian, military, political, diplomatic  that if they get the aid, if Ukraine gets the aid, it will win the war.

Sens. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Michael Bennet of Colorado, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut were part of the delegation with Schumer.

The Senate approved in a bipartisan vote this month a $95 billion package for emergency military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

But the House, where Republicans have for months blocked any military assistance to Ukraine, has not acted on the measure.

President Joe Biden also urged the nations governors to press for Ukraine assistance during a meeting at the White House Friday.

After a campaign stop in California Thursday, Biden repeated his view that Putin is responsible for Navalnys death. The outspoken Putin opponent, who was nearly killed by poison in 2020, died in a Russian prison last week.

The circumstances of his death are not clear in the West, but Biden has placed the blame on Putin.

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who is challenging former President Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, indicated in a Friday statement that she would treat Russia more harshly than either Biden or Trump.

When it comes to Russia, Joe Biden has been five steps behind, and Donald Trump is openly appeasing Vladimir Putin, she said.

The post More than 500 new Russia sanctions levied by White House after Navalny death appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Fort Campbells Army hospital in Tennessee will open its doors to veteran patients for the first time next month, part of a series of partnerships between military and Veterans Affairs medical facilities that officials hope will make health care easier to access.

Local leaders unveiled details of the new arrangement on Friday, which will allow VA staffers to operate in offices at the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital and provide dental care, womens health care, intensive care, and pain management services to nearby veterans. Officials expect to serve about 3,000 veterans living in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The move comes a few weeks after the two departments announced a similar partnership at Naval Hospital Pensacola in Florida, with VA staff moving into unused military medical space to provide more health care options for local veterans.

VA eyes more medical care for vets with toxic exposure issues

VA Deputy Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations Al Montoya said 12 more partnerships are under discussion, with department staffers expected to open doors to new medical offices at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, in the coming weeks.

We are leveraging every tool that we have at our disposal to expand health care access for veterans and address our aging infrastructure, he said. Its really about placing the care as close to the veteran as possible, and utilizing the Defense Department partnership arrangements that we have.

VA operates 172 medical centers and more than 1,100 outpatient sites across the country, but department leaders for years have noted that many of those facilities are aging and in need of significant upgrades. The average age of VA hospitals is nearly 60 years old.

Meanwhile, demands for VA medical care have increased in recent years, especially with the expansion of health care eligibility through legislation like the PACT Act. Montoya said identifying and utilizing extra space at Defense Department locations provides a potential solution to those problems, placing care options closer to where many veterans live.

VA staff will handle care and appointment issues at the new offices within the military facilities. But in a statement, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez said the arrangement will help our medical professionals maintain their readiness skills in some cases.

The two departments already jointly operate the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in Illinois, treating active-duty patients, family members and veterans. And the two departments also jointly occupy 176 medical sites across the country, although most are smaller clinics with limited health care options.

Montoya said officials hope to use that model to more aggressively expand options in the future, to the benefit of veterans.

VA officials said the Fort Campbell region in Tennessee is one of the most rapidly growing veteran communities in the country, with more than 21,000 veterans enrolled in department health care and another 29,000 veterans eligible.

The department has also planned three new outpatient clinics for the area, but those are not expected to be completed until fiscal 2027.
Many Americans hold a favorable view of NATO and say the U.S. should continue to defend its allies, according to a new survey.

The YouGov poll, released Friday, found 60 percent of respondents believe that the U.S. should defend its NATO allies if they are attacked. Just 13 percent say the country should not honor that commitment, and 26 percent of respondents said they were unsure.

NATOs Article 5 provision describes that an attack on any member of NATO should be treated as an attack on all members. The survey found respondents had the most support for the United Kingdom (63 percent), followed by France (58 percent), Germany (55 percent), Poland (54 percent), Finland (54 percent) and Greece (52 percent).

Sweden, which has yet to be accepted into the alliance, also garnered 58 percent support, per the survey.

Democratic respondents were more likely than others to say that the U.S. should maintain its obligation to support other NATO countries in times of conflict. About 72 percent of Democrats agreed, while 53 percent of independent respondents and 56 percent of Republicans said the same.

Among Republicans, self-identified MAGA Republicans  or those closely aligned with former President Trump, who uses the Make America Great Again motto for his campaign  were less likely to support the U.S. sticking with its NATO allies. Forty-seven percent of MAGA Republicans said the commitment should be upheld, while 62 percent of self-identified non-MAGA Republicans said the same, the survey found.

Older Americans and college graduates were also more likely to say the U.S. should defend its NATO allies, per the poll.

The survey results come just after Trump expressed negative rhetoric about the alliance. The GOP presidential front-runner sparked international concern after he said he would encourage attacks on NATO members that failed to meet defense spending commitments.

The survey found that 54 percent of Americans strongly or somewhat disapprove of Trumps NATO opinion and 23 percent approve  with Republicans closely divided on their support and a majority of Democrats disapproving of his statements around the alliance.

The survey was conducted Sunday through Tuesday among 1,562 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russell Group universities have told staff and students that saying the most qualified person should get the job is a microaggression.

At least five universities have issued guidance or training courses on how to eliminate microaggression, which are defined as subtle or indirect forms of discrimination.

Guidance from the University of Glasgow and the engineering department of Imperial College London states that saying the most qualified person should get the job is an example of a microaggression.

Glasgows guidance, which forms part of the universitys anti-racism campaign, suggests that the statement would be wrong because it asserts that race does not play a role in life successes.

Other examples of microaggressions listed by the university include saying that everyone can succeed if they work hard enough. The university states that possible implications of the statement could include suggesting that someone only got a job because of quotas, or that they cannot make a valuable contribution.

Denying individual prejudice

Other statements listed as microaggressions by Imperial include men and women have equal opportunities for achievement and positive action is racist.

Meanwhile, the University of Edinburgh states that microaggressions often take the form of questioning an individuals lived experience or denying individual prejudice.

Examples cited by the university include saying of a third person: Im sure they didnt mean anything by that, or denying that a person is a racist.

Newcastle University describes microaggressions as the everyday slights, indignities, put downs and insults that people of colour, women, people from LGBTQIA+ communities or those who are marginalised, experience in their day-to-day interactions with people.

It lists examples such as a white person telling a black person white people get killed by the police too, when discussing police brutality.

The microaggression statements from universities were uncovered by the Committee for Academic Freedom (CAF), a group of academics worried about the erosion of free speech on campus.

Expression of lawful beliefs

Dr Edward Skidelsky, a philosophy lecturer at the University of Exeter, who is director of the CAF, said: By campaigning against questioning and denial, these universities are advocating an uncritical acceptance of statements in the various, undefined areas that their microaggression guides refer to. The effect, again, is to undermine a culture of free inquiry.

Universities must not campaign against the expression of lawful beliefs. They must not take official positions. They must not outlaw questioning and denial. They must not undermine free inquiry.

Chris McGovern, the chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said: It would seem that the woke virus has infected universities in a major way. It is cowardly. Universities are supposed to show their intelligence and reason and they are disapplying their intelligence and reason in order to pursue the woke agenda.

The universities have been contacted for comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A motorcyclist was critically injured Thursday evening after a crash in the south Encanto area, authorities said.

Shortly before 4:45 p.m., the San Diego Police Department said a 61-year-old man was driving a silver 2012 Mercedes C250 northbound in the 400 block of OMeara Street. The vehicle then stopped for a red light at the intersection with 6200 Skyline Dr.

Two bodies found in the Tijuana River channel

At that time, police said a 24-year-old man was driving a gray and black 2023 Suzuki 750 motorcycle eastbound in the left lane of 6200 Skyline Dr.

The Mercedes reportedly entered the intersection on a green light and initiated a westbound turn. According to SDPD, the motorcycle entered the intersection on a red signal light and impacted the Mercedes in the intersection.

The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered major injuries, including a brain bleed and collapsed lung. He was transported to a local hospital.

The driver of the Mercedes was not injured during the collision.

SDPDs Traffic Division is investigating the crash. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
MSPCA is searching for the owner of a cat that was found severely injured in a store parking lot in Roslindale.

The 10-month-old cat, whom MSPCA now calls Dusty was found by an employee at the Stop & Shop on American Legion Highway with serious injuries on February 11.

Dusty was brought to Angell Animal Medical Center in Jamaica Plain where a doctor determined the wounds all over his body that are consistent with burns.

We dont know how Dusty was injured, explained Dr. Rebecca Fellman, who is part of the team treating Dusty at the MSPCAs Boston Adoption Center clinic. When its cold out, cats on the street often climb in wheel wells or under car hoods to stay warm, so its possible that Dusty was hurt when an engine was started by a driver who didnt even know he was there.

The MSPCA recommends that people bang on car hoods before starting engines during cold weather to wake up any animals that may be hiding.

Dusty, is now recovering at Angell, where his treatment includes managing the wounds with regular debridement and bandage changes, with the hope being that they will heal enough to close surgically. He is also taking antibiotics and pain medications, MSPCA says.

The MSPCA estimates Dustys care could cost $5,000, and says its set up a fund for anybody who would want to donate.

Anyone with information on Dustys owner is asked to call the shelter at (617)522-5055.

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

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Arkansas student loan borrowers are among those impacted by a Biden administration plan providing $1.2 billion in student loan forgiveness nationwide.

The SAVE plan for Saving on a Valuable Education is expected to impact 153,000 borrowers nationwide. For Arkansas, an estimated 1,190 borrowers are expected to be impacted, representing $8.7 million in loans forgiven.

Biden says too many Americans are saddled with school debt as he cancels federal loans for 153,000

Officials said student borrowers with forgiven loans were emailed Wednesday morning that they were approved for the SAVE program. No further action from borrowers is required, and they should see the forgiven loans in their accounts in the coming weeks.

Eligibility for the program requires borrowers to be enrolled in SAVE, have been making at least 10 years of payments and have originally taken out $12,000 or less in college loans. For every $1,000 above the $12,000 threshold, a borrower can receive forgiveness for an additional year of payments.

Arkansans react after student loan payments resume following three-year pause

All borrowers on SAVE receive forgiveness after 20 or 25 years, depending on whether they have loans for graduate school.

Officials encourage eligible borrowers to sign up for SAVE at StudentAid.gov/SAVE.

The plan is not without controversy, coming after the Supreme Court overturned a further-reaching $10,000 student loan debt cancellation plan last June. That ruling came after House Republicans and two House Democrats, according to The Hill, passed a resolution last May essentially ending a Biden administration $20,000 per borrower forgiveness plan, citing taxpayer cost.

Since the Supreme Court decision, the Biden administration has put several smaller programs in place, forgiving billions in debt for student borrowers, including enlarging programs already in place for students defrauded by their schools and programs forgiving loans for students who enter public service.

Due to the difference between programs and ongoing approvals, a specific amount of what has been forgiven is difficult to calculate, but the administration has cited $130 billion in loans forgiven.

The SAVE plan announced on Thursday is the newest program, intended to give student loan relief to those experiencing hardship, according to White House officials. Education Under Secretary James Kvall said in a Thursday news conference that the SAVE plan was one of five student debt relief programs being negotiated in the rulemaking process now, according to The Hill.

Arkansans react after student loan payments resume following three-year pause

The Hill reported that the other four categories for debt relief are:

Borrowers who have been in repayment for a long time; Borrowers who went to a career training program that was not financially successful; Borrowers whose loans exceed what they originally owed; Borrowers who have been eligible for debt relief through different plans but have not received it.

It added in the report that due to the rulemaking negotiations, a final plan could be months away.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Multiple law enforcement officers who responded to the 2022 school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, have been ordered to appear before a grand jury investigating the police response to the incident, a person familiar with the proceeding told CNN.

Among those subpoenaed to testify are members of the Texas Department of Public Safety who responded to Robb Elementary School on the day of the massacre, the source told CNN.

The news of the grand jury subpoenas was first reported by the Austin American-Statesman. Multiple officers who were ordered to testify are from various agencies, the newspaper reported Thursday.

The in-person testimonies before a grand jury are set to begin next week at the Uvalde County Courthouse, according to the newspaper. The investigation could result in criminal charges in connection with the shooting.

The investigation comes on the heels of a damning US Justice Department report released last month, which concluded law enforcement officers had many opportunities to reassess their flawed response to the May 24, 2022, shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead.

Bursts of gunfire, reports a teacher had been shot and then a desperate call from a student trapped with the gunman could  and should  all have prompted a drive to stop the bloodshed far sooner, said the report.

Instead, it took 77 minutes from when the 18-year-old shooter walked into Robb Elementary School until he was stopped. The carnage remains among the deadliest episodes in Americas ongoing scourge of campus shootings.

Critical failures in leadership among specific law enforcement officers who rushed to Robb Elementary are cited by the Justice Department, whose 575-page report was released nearly 20 months after the massacre. It serves as the fullest official account of what happened, though much already was known largely through CNN investigation.

Ample problems also emerged after the gunman was killed, from getting students away from the school and reunited with families to how bereaved parents were told their children were dead, the release of information about what happened, and the provision of therapy services, the federal report found.

The department describes the quick arrival of law enforcement officers who ran toward the sound of gunfire, then almost immediately stopped once they got near the classrooms where the gunman was killing fourth graders and educators  a decision that ran counter to widely established active shooter response protocol, which instructs law enforcement to move toward and eliminate any threat.

Instead, the intensity level dropped as responders began to treat the situation as a barricaded suspect operation that did not need immediate action, even as more officers arrived and the signals of ongoing danger multiplied.

That was the single most critical tactical failure, the team from the Justice Departments Office of Community Oriented Policing Services found.

CNNs Rachel Clarke, Hannah Rabinowitz, Aaron Cooper and Dakin Andone contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A Batanga, made by EZ's Liquor Lounge owner Matt Tanner, is photographed on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 in Houston. The Batanga is being called the cocktail of 2024 by some bartenders. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

For the past couple of years, the espresso martini has taken the cocktail scene by storm. But in 2024, a group of bartenders are pushing for a more bubbly tequila drink to be the cocktail of the year.

It's called the batanga, a combination of tequila, Mexican Coke and lime in a salted-rimmed glass. It started trending on Google earlier this month when a group of bartenders posted about the drink on social media. They were calling the week of Feb. 5 the unofficial "batanga week" and showcased how to make the cocktail they hoped could be the alcoholic drink of 2024.

MORE FROM SONIA GARCIA: Luxury ice: How the cocktail resurgence elevated a simple ingredient

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In the comments, some questioned if this was a promotion paid for by a tequila brand, but as confirmed by Chris Leavitt, it wasn't. But it wasn't exactly a coincidence that they all posted about the cocktail.

Leavitt, who is based in Las Vegas and creates online content around alcoholic beverages, went on a Cazcanes Tequila-sponsored trip to Tequila, Mexico, along with about 20 other bartenders from across the U.S. They ended up in the oldest bar in Tequila, La Capilla, which is actually the birthplace of the batanga. In other regions of Mexico it is known as a charro negro and is often confused with a Cuba Libre, which swaps the tequila for rum.

A Batanga, made by EZ's Liquor Lounge owner Matt Tanner, is photographed on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 in Houston. The Batanga is being called the cocktail of 2024 by some bartenders. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

The group enjoyed the cocktail so much that they agreed to post about it when they got back to the States to spread the word about a cocktail that they felt should be more well-known outside of the town of Tequila. Leavitt told the Houston Chronicle it was sort of a joke that ended up blowing up.

"It's not about the fancy mixology or anything like that. The simplicity is why it's so beautiful. People that are not even Coca-Cola drinkers like myself, just genuinely enjoy it," Leavitt said. "The earthy and slightly citrus qualities of tequila, just pair really well with that combination."

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The creators said they were not paid to post. In fact, most used the tequila La Capilla uses: El Tequileno.

The drink is credited to the late Don Javier Delgado Corona, who created the cocktail in the 1960s at La Capilla. Matt Tanner, owner of EZ's Liquor Lounge in the Houston Heights, also took a trip to La Capilla, where Delgado Corona himself introduced the cocktail to him about 10 years ago.

A big component Tanner remembers is how Delgado Corona said it was really important to stir the drink with the same knife that you cut the limes with.

"He swore by it. (He said) 'every time I make these, if I didn't use the knife it didn't taste the same,'" Tanner said. Another important component: Mexican Coke, because it is made with real cane sugar.

EZ's Liquor Lounge Owner Matt Tanner poses for a photograph after making a Batanga on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 in Houston. The Batanga is being called the cocktail of 2024 by some bartenders. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

If you go up to a bar in Houston, it's 50/50 on if the bartender will know what a batanga is, said Angel Belman, beverage director at The Original Ninfas on Navigation. He happened to know about it because it was on the menu at a now-closed Houston bar where he previously worked. It's not so well known in the States in general, but Belman thinks that can change.

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Joining in on the fun, Ninfa's has added the batanga to its spring cocktails menu. Expect a fizzy, limey drink with the right amount of punch and sweetness.

On why it could be the cocktail of 2024, Belman said, "It's easy to make, it's different, and the sweet and salty component to it with the coke and the salt  it's a good flavor."

How to make a batanga

EZ's Liquor Lounge Owner Matt Tanner demonstrates how to make a Batanga on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 in Houston. The Batanga is being called the cocktail of 2024 by some bartenders. Yi Chin Lee Staff photographer

Ingredients:

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Salt

Key limes

Tequila

Mexican Coca-Cola
Bandista serves craft cocktails at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston Four Seasons Hotel Houston

Cocktails priced between $25 to $35 arent exactly happy hour deals.

But when the drinks are shaken, stirred and served by bartenders of Employees Only, a perennial favorite on the elite Worlds 50 Best Bars rankings, they could be worth the price  or at least cheaper than a plane ticket to New York City.

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HOUSTON EATS: The Chronicles top 100 restaurants

Bandista is a reservations-only bar hidden behind a bookcase at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston

"We are excited to welcome our friends from Employees Only to H-Town, said Tom Segesta, the hotels general manager, in a prepared statement. Their talented team will bring our guests a taste of the Empire States finest cocktails.

The Employees Only team slated to come to Houston includes bartender Dimitrios Vasilakis, bar manager Frank Maldonado and general manager Jonathan Yutzy.

There will be five cocktails on the menu:

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Besos Calientes (El Tesoro Blanco tequila shaken with house-made grapefruit cordial, fresh lime juice and dashes of habanero bitters; served over ice)

Last Leaf (Patron Anejo tequila with clarified coconut milk, pumpkin, caramel and spiced pear; served over a large ice cube)

Amelia (Haku vodka and St-Germain shaken with pureed blackberries and fresh lemon juice; served up)

Yankee Nation (Woodford Reserve double-oaked bourbon stirred with Rainwater madeira and dashes of chamomile cordial; served over a large ice cube)

Sail Away (Roku gin with clarified milk, passion fruit, apricot, Benedectine, hibiscus tea, lemon; served tall)

Part of the proceeds will be donated to Camp H-Town, a sleep-away camp hosted by the Four Seasons Hotel Houston in partnership with the University of Texas MD Anderson Childrens Cancer Hospital for children diagnosed with cancer.

MORE FROM BAO ONG: Houstons newest food hall set to take over iconic Roxy nightclub space near Galleria

Employees Only opened in late 2004 in New York City's West Village

Employees Only  often referred to simply as EO by regulars and industry types  opened in New York Citys West Village in late 2004 and remains one of the Big Apples most popular bars. Its discreetly located in a picturesque neighborhood with tree-lined cobblestone streets. A psychic is often found greeting (and offering readings) to customers at the door.

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The bar was part of a small group of establishments in New York City in the early aughts that helped revive speakeasy-style bars serving craft cocktails popular today. EO also has bars in Los Angeles and Singapore.
Sonia Garcia is a trending food reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at sonia.garcia@houstonchronicle.com.

A Rio Grande Valley native, she previously was an editor and writer for the Austin digital news startup Austonia after graduating from Texas State University. She enjoys trying new restaurants in Houston, where she lives with her 14-year-old Chihuahua.
FM highlights positive signs in EU relations

08:55, February 23, 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. [Photo by REN PENGFEI/XINHUA]

Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who recently concluded his six-day tour of Europe, drew the attention of observers and leading media outlets as he highlighted the positive signs in China-European Union relations and the coordinated efforts needed to resolve the crises in Ukraine and Gaza.

The senior Chinese diplomat traveled to Germany last week to attend the 60th Munich Security Conference, and then made visits to Spain and France.

Revitalizing collaboration between Beijing and Brussels and eliminating noises and disturbances in this regard were high on the agenda when the minister met one-on-one with dozens of foreign officials during his trip, experts said.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after wrapping up his Europe tour, Wang said that "there is increasing rational perception of China in Europe", and Europeans believe that China's development is in line with the logic of history, which Europe should not fear or reject.

"The EU side has a positive attitude toward strengthening China-EU interactions at various levels, and is keen on deepening pragmatic cooperation," he said.

Analysts noted that in recent years, some politicians and media outlets in the United States and Europe have been hyping bloc-based confrontation and Europe's "de-risking" of China.

In contrast, Wang defined Europe as "an important partner in the Chinese path to modernization".

Wang Huiyao, president of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, pointed to recent positive signs in China-EU ties such as the major celebrations hosted by Beijing and Paris to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as China's visa-free policy introduced recently for some EU countries.

China and the EU have great collaboration potential in areas such as climate change, energy projects, conflicts resolution and economic development, he said.

Cui Hongjian, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University's Academy of Regional and Global Governance, said that despite their differences, "China and Europe can be a constructive force for stabilizing the world".

According to Cui, China and Europe share similar positions on many aspects of global governance. "There is no reason for China and Europe to give up their established fruitful cooperation and shift to the path of competition and confrontation," he said.

Speaking on the Ukraine crisis and the conflict in Gaza, Wang Yi said that although the situation is still unclear and the contradictions among parties are still prominent, "the consensus among various parties is increasing, and the willingness to work together is on the rise".

He warned that "a protracted, complex and expanding Ukraine crisis is not in the common interest of the international community". Citing history, he said that "the end point of any conflict is returning to the negotiating table".

"China will continue to play a constructive role for peace and reconstruction, and support the building of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture," he said.

During his talks with Foreign Minister Wang on Saturday in Munich, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine is willing to maintain friendly contacts with China, and hopes that China will continue to play a unique and constructive role in promoting peace.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
This Food Truck Buffalo Bill burger that includes Two patties, slices pepper jack cheese, spicy mayo, grilled onion, peppers, jalapeno slices and a side of fries. Submitted This Food Truck This Food Truck is owned by disabled veteran Jason Kugler and Anis Jamal at 17649 Stuebner Airline rd, Spring, Texas, Submitted This Food Truck This Food Truck Chopped Cheese Sandwich includes two chopped up patties with grilled onion and mld cheddar cheese with fries. Submitted This Food Truck

After a thief ruined all of a Spring food truck's stock last week, a post on a local Facebook page led to an outpouring of support for the owners of the small business.

Jason Kugler and Anis Jamal are owners of This Food Truck located at 17649 Stuebner Airline Road in Spring, in the parking lot of That Aquarium Place which is owned by Jamal.

On Feb. 17, around 3 a.m., a thief stole the food truck's generator and cut off power to the truck, destroying a month's inventory, Kugler said. He said he was confused why someone would do this to a small business, but it seems like the person had been to the truck before because they were able to act quickly.

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Thats just my initial though,t but as a business owner  and I'm a solo crew  you dont get a luxury to sit back and concentrate on the wound especially if you want to take it back. said Kugler, referencing his experience in the military.

Kugler is a disabled veteran who served in the U.S Army from 2004 to 2013 and received a Purple Heart. Kugler said has dealt with multiple disability issues from his first deployment.

He said he filed a police report and was able to look at footage, but couldnt make the cars or thieves, so he shifted his focus to the solution, cleaning out the bad inventory and getting ready for the next day.

It was really just understanding that it rains on everybody, said Kugler. It doesnt matter if youre good or youre bad, every day is an opportunity just keep pushing, adapt and overcome. The world doesnt stop moving because something happens. We are fortunate that we make enough money that the business can sustain itself."

Kugler and Jamal got some help from the community a few days later, when a popular Houston Facebook account Police Happenings posted about the theft, calling on 109,000 followers to support the food truck.

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Jason works so hard, every single day, to prepare the freshest food for our community, the post reads. "You can tell the love and passion he puts into his food with every bite. It's so unfortunate this happened to such a wonderful person, who fought for our country and is a Disabled Veteran.

The Police Happenings Facebook page posts Spring and Tomball area police calls, and is also connected to Food Happenings, which highlights small and local restaurants to help them get exposure.

Police Happenings also helped a man with a lemonade stand in Spring gain popularity after a police encounter that resulted in the stand having to relocate.

Kugler said the admins of the Facebook pages both have a heart for the community, and he's seen business spike in the past when a good review is posted.

Kugler and Jamal have backgrounds in the culinary world, and Kugler helped grow Jamal's business at That Aquarium Place before they opened the food truck together in January 2023.

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Early on, the menu featured traditional middle eastern dishes that featured kabobs and other and Persian-style dishes.

Kugler said since then they have added American classics like burgers and cheesesteaks to the menu. They also offer samosas and a Malai chicken sandwich.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) touted her record as governor in remarks at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) amid speculation that she is a top contender for former President Trumps 2024 running mate.

We need to look for our leaders outside of the swamp, Noem said at CPAC.

Nobody turns to D.C. for the solutions. Nothing meaningful gets accomplished here. It is governors who have had to lead, and I have seen governors make bad decisions and devastate their states, and we have seen governors who did the right thing, Noem said.

Noem touted her leadership in the Mount Rushmore state, including resisting mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, a ban on TikTok and a recent move to deploy National Guard troops from her state to the southern border, which she called a war zone.

For me personally, I slammed my foot on the gas. I promoted freedom, personal responsibility and our Constitution.

Earlier this month, Trump name-dropped Noem when asked about a possible running mate for 2024. This week, he confirmed she was one of a half-dozen figures on his shortlist.

Noem is among the lineup of leading GOP figures speaking at the annual conservative conference in National Harbor, Md., just outside Washington  along with Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake.

Trump endorsed Noem, a former House lawmaker, in 2018 to become the first female governor of South Dakota. She won a second gubernatorial term in 2022 with the former presidents backing and has rallied with Trump as he tries for another White House term in 2024.

CPAC continues through Saturday, when Trump will take to the stage for remarks.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A North Carolina appeals court on Tuesday threw out the convictions of a former sheriffs deputy for falsifying firearms training and qualification requirements for former superiors  including the then-county sheriff, who is now serving prison time for crimes.

A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals vacated 12 felony obstruction of justice convictions against ex-Granville County Deputy Chad Coffey, declaring that the indictments against him failed to contain all the necessary elements for the charges. A jury convicted him in February 2022, after which Coffey served five months in prison.

Coffey was a certified firearms instructor who taught courses for law enforcement officers to satisfy their annual in-service firearm training requirement.

Coffey, at the urging of then-Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins and Wilkins chief deputy, certified over several years in the 2010s they attended the mandated training when they didnt, and created firearms scores neither had earned, according to evidence at trial.

Coffey acknowledged at trial he falsified documents and Coffeys attorney said his client was following Wilkins orders and didnt know he was breaking the law.

Writing the prevailing opinion, Judge Toby Hampson said obstruction of justice requires intent for the purpose of hindering or impeding a judicial or official proceeding or investigation or potential investigation, which might lead to a judicial or official proceeding.

While these alleged actions are wrongful, there are no facts asserted in the indictment to support the assertion (Coffeys) actions were done to subvert a potential subsequent investigation or legal proceeding, Hampton added. Chief Judge Chris Dillon suggested in a separate opinion the actions may have constituted another common-law crime called misconduct in public office.

Wilkins, who served 10 years as sheriff  an elected position  until 2019, was found guilty in 2022 of obstruction of justice and fraud-related charges involving the false gun-training documents. Wilkins has appealed those convictions.

Last October, Wilkins pleaded guilty to several other counts related in part to allegations of improper evidence practices and that he urged someone to kill another former deputy.

Wilkins is set to be released from prison in February 2025, according to state correction records.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
The U.S. has made direct warnings to Russia against deploying a nuclear-capable anti-satellite weapon, reports say, over fears that it could pose a national security threat to America.

The cautions came after Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), the House Intelligence Committee chairman, last week issued an alarming, cryptic statement about a serious threat that the U.S. may need to discuss with its allies. White House national security communications adviser John Kirby later said Turner was talking about a space-based anti-satellite capability being developed by Russia.

The Real Dangers Behind the Russian Space Nuke Frenzy

Kirby added that the weapon had not yet been deployed and posed no threat to the American public. But the overall threat is being taken seriously enough to warrant multiple warnings being made to Moscow. CIA Director William Burns last week contacted Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russias foreign intelligence service, according to CBS News.

The Wall Street Journal separately reported on the spy chiefs engagement and said another channel of communication involved Jake Sullivan, President Bidens national security adviser, and Yuri Ushakov, one of Russian President Vladimir Putins foreign policy advisers.

Both outlets also reported that the Biden administration is also approaching countries including India, China, and G7 allies in an attempt to get them to also deter Russia from deploying the weapon.

If Moscow did launch a nuclear-armed anti-satellite system, it would be a violation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits weapons of mass destruction being deployed in space. More than 130 countriesincluding Russia and the U.S.are signatories.

A Kremlin spokesperson last week denied that Russia was planning to put nukes into orbit, accusing the White House of creating hysteria about a new Russian threat in order to pressure Congress into passing new aid to Ukraine.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The first thing family members of Lyndell Mays want the community to know is that they are sorry people were hurt in the mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory rally on Valentines Day.

The second thing is that they believe he acted in self-defense.

Mays, 23, was one of two men charged this week with second-degree felony murder in the shooting that injured 24 people and killed Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a mother of two who was a popular disc jockey and radio host.

Were so sorry for what happened to Lisa Lopez-Galvan and her family, Mays father said.

Our heart goes out to them, Mays sister said.

The two sat down with The Star to talk about the events that unfolded Feb. 14 at Union Station. They asked that their names not be published because they said they have been receiving threats and fear for their safety.

They said Mays, who grew up in Raytown, is a good person who loves his family, animals and playing video games. He struggled with a learning disability and did not finish high school. Sometimes, they said, he had comprehension problems. His family supported him because he did not have a job.

He had recently completed probation after displaying a gun in 2021 at a Belton community center.

Mays sister was with him at the rally. The two were excited, as were hundreds of thousands of other fans, to celebrate the Chiefs victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Lyndell Mays is shown in a photo provided by family members. His sister said he acted in self-defense. Courtesy of the Mays family

An unexpected confrontation

They were standing at Pershing and Kessler roads when they noticed a group of young men heading towards them, down the hill from the Liberty Memorial Tower.

It made Mays uncomfortable, his sister said. The group of guys kept staring. She asked him if he knew who they were and he said no.

They made their way up to us in a crowd full of people, she said.

They were raising their hands and looking hostile.

Now theyre saying n---- what you looking at?

Mays got more nervous.

Why are you all still coming at us like were your target? she recalled wondering.

Then they were standing in front of each other. There were at least four of them, she said. One of them had on a Chiefs puffer coat. Another had a red hoodie. One had dreadlocks. Two of them had backpacks.

Mays sister said she could see one of them had a gun in a backpack and another had a handgun in his pocket.

To me it was intimidation, she said.

She said the group was hyped up. She tried to de-escalate the situation, telling them that they didnt want any problems.

The charging documents filed by Jackson County prosecutors accusing Mays in the shooting say he pulled out a gun  believed to have been stolen  first.

His sister said she wasnt sure about that.

They approached us, she said.

They were the aggressors.

Bullets started flying.

After gunfire broke out at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally on Feb. 14 fans took cover and other fled the area around Union Station. Tammy Ljungblad/tljungblad@kcstar.com

Mays fell to the ground.

I turn back around and run back to him, she said.

Blood was coming out of his face and she asked for Gods mercy.

A nurse came over and helped tend to his wounds.

It makes no sense

At the hospital, Mays family said they learned he had been shot nine times. He had a collapsed lung, a breathing tube was inserted and he underwent surgery.

The family casts doubt on allegations that he admitted to the Kansas City Police Department that he drew his gun first and fired.

They allege Kansas City police officers questioned him while he was being given opioids. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

How can you say my brother admitted to these statements when he was highly sedated? Mays sister said. Its not logical. It makes no sense.

When Mays father learned of the charges, he said he was shocked.

Mays was released from the hospital Tuesday and booked into the Jackson County jail. Family said he is now in the detention centers infirmary.

Mays father said his son does not understand how he is charged with murder when he did not murder anyone.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker answers questions during a press conference at the Jackson County Courthouse on Feb. 20. Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com

Prosecutors allege that the bullet that killed Lopez-Galvan was fired by Dominic Miller, the second man charged with murder. However, Missouri law says that a person who did not pull the trigger can still be charged when someone is killed during the commission of a dangerous felony.

The two were also charged with armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.

Mays family said they dont think police or prosecutors considered that he may have acted in self-defense. The Jackson County Prosecutors Office declined to comment.

Mays sister said the group that approached them were the aggressors.

My brother is my hero, my protector, she said.

Missouris self-defense law, known as the castle doctrine or stand your ground, gives people wide latitude to use deadly force if they reasonably believe they are about to be attacked.

Mays sister said authorities were under pressure to get answers and her brother became the one we point the finger at.

However his family also acknowledges that he should not have had a gun at a parade. They said they would have told him he doesnt need a firearm at all.

Missouri law generally allows firearms to be carried by adults, including anyone over 18, at parades and other large-scale gatherings.

They believe he should be held responsible for carrying a stolen gun to the parade, but not murder.

I do not want them to think my brother is a monster because he is not a monster, his sister said.
A former friary in Nottingham can be converted into a homeless centre after rival petitions were set up over the proposals.

Charity Emmanuel House plans to convert the Franciscan Friary, in Thorneywood, into supported accommodation for seven adults.

A petition against the plan was signed by 215 people but another, in support of the scheme, was signed by 294.

Nottingham councillors voted in favour of the plan on Wednesday.

The friary building in Gordon Road, built in the 1960s, is attached to the older Our Lady and St Edward's Catholic Church which will still be available for parish use.

In a statement, the headteacher of nearby Our Lady and St Edward Catholic School said concerns had been "taken into account" and that the charity's work was "in line with the school's values".

'Early intervention'

However, during a Nottingham City Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday, St Ann's ward Labour councillor Corall Jenkins made representations from opposing residents.

She said: "Those that live in the area, who have worked hard to rebuild the historic reputation, see this move as inappropriate for their community, not appropriate for their young children to witness people who have multiple complex needs and that can adversely effect the character of the character of the area."

Emmanuel House said there would be case workers attending from Monday to Friday, helping residents access housing, benefits, work and other services.

The service will act as a platform so users can access longer-term accommodation.

Labour councillor Kirsty Jones argued the plans aligned with council policies and said early intervention could prevent more people presenting with complex needs in future.

She said: "[The centre] may be for different people but it still is residential. The fact the school headteacher and the priest are in favour of it as well reassures me."

Nine members of the committee voted for the plans while one abstained.

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ATHENS, Georgia (WJW)  A person of interest is being questioned by law enforcement officials following the death of a nursing student whose body was found on the University of Georgia campus Thursday.

The student, identified as 22-year-old Laken Riley, was not a student at UGA but rather Augusta University. A friend of Rileys had called police shortly after noon on Thursday when Riley failed to return from a run near the University of Georgia Intramural Fields, where her body was ultimately found.

The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark said Thursday night.

Riley was a junior at Augusta University, where she was also on the deans list, NewsNation reported. Augusta University has an Athens campus near UGAs.

Virginia student dies after passing out in school

On Friday, a UGA spokesperson told the media that a person of interest had been identified, and is being questioned.

We want to stress that this continues to be an active ongoing investigation, and we will provide updates as circumstances warrant, the spokesperson said.

A woman was found dead Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, on the campus of the University of Georgia after a friend told police she had not returned from a morning run, the university said. (AP Photo/Allen Sullivan, File)

In a letter to students on Thursday, UGA said foul play was indeed suspected shortly after the discovery of the victims body.

We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern, the letter read.

UGA canceled all classes scheduled for Friday. Augusta University canceled classes at its Athens campus, but will remain open as a gathering place for students, faculty and staff.

Officials had also advised students to avoid the wooded area where the body was found, and to travel in groups. Clark said Thursday, however, that students and faculty were not in any immediate danger.

When you have a suspect thats on the loose, theres always a danger but theres no immediate danger at this time, Clark said.

2 found dead in Colorado university dorm room

Police at UGA, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, were conducting the investigation, Clark said. He noted that there has not been a homicide on campus in the last 20 years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
ATHENS, Georgia (WJW)  A person of interest is being questioned by law enforcement officials following the death of a nursing student whose body was found on the University of Georgia campus Thursday.

The student, identified as 22-year-old Laken Riley, was not a student at UGA but rather Augusta University. A friend of Rileys had called police shortly after noon on Thursday when Riley failed to return from a run near the University of Georgia Intramural Fields, where her body was ultimately found.

The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark said Thursday night.

Riley was a junior at Augusta University, where she was also on the deans list, NewsNation reported. Augusta University has an Athens campus near UGAs.

Virginia student dies after passing out in school

On Friday, a UGA spokesperson told the media that a person of interest had been identified, and is being questioned.

We want to stress that this continues to be an active ongoing investigation, and we will provide updates as circumstances warrant, the spokesperson said.

A woman was found dead Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, on the campus of the University of Georgia after a friend told police she had not returned from a morning run, the university said. (AP Photo/Allen Sullivan, File)

In a letter to students on Thursday, UGA said foul play was indeed suspected shortly after the discovery of the victims body.

We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern, the letter read.

UGA canceled all classes scheduled for Friday. Augusta University canceled classes at its Athens campus, but will remain open as a gathering place for students, faculty and staff.

Officials had also advised students to avoid the wooded area where the body was found, and to travel in groups. Clark said Thursday, however, that students and faculty were not in any immediate danger.

When you have a suspect thats on the loose, theres always a danger but theres no immediate danger at this time, Clark said.

2 found dead in Colorado university dorm room

Police at UGA, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, were conducting the investigation, Clark said. He noted that there has not been a homicide on campus in the last 20 years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Dr. Candice Matthews, left, listens as state representative Ron Reynolds, right, with Darryl George, center, makes comments before a hearing regarding Georges punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Feb. 22, 2024 at the Chambers County Courthouse. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Darryl George, center, waits with his mother Darresha before a hearing regarding George's punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Thursday Feb. 22, 2024 at the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas. A judge has ruled that George's monthslong punishment by his Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle does not violate a new state law prohibiting race-based hair discrimination. (Education Hair-Discrimination/Houston Chronicle via AP) Education Hair-Discrimination/Associated Press Supporters hold a banner in support of Darryl George, before a hearing regarding Georges punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Feb. 22, 2024 at the Chambers County Courthouse. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Darryl George, center, makes a comment during a press conference before a hearing regarding Georges punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Feb. 22, 2024 at the Chambers County Courthouse. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Darryl George, center, makes a comment during a press conference before a hearing regarding George's punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Thursday Feb. 22, 2024 at the Chambers County Courthouse in Anahuac, Texas. A judge has ruled that George's monthslong punishment by his Texas school district for refusing to change his hairstyle does not violate a new state law prohibiting race-based hair discrimination. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via AP) Kirk Sides/Associated Press Darryl George, center, waits with his mother Darresha before a hearing regarding Georges punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Feb. 22, 2024 at the Chambers County Courthouse. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

After three hours of witness testimony, a Texas judge ruled that Barbers Hill Independent School District's dress code prohibiting male students from having long hair did not violate the CROWN Act.

The result of Thursdays hearing in Anahuac led to the latest development in an ongoing dispute between the district and supporters of Darryl George, a student who received multiple disciplinary actions, including suspension, since August for refusing to change his hairstyle and other infractions.

"The CROWN Act could've been written to provide the individuals with braids, locs and twists (to be) exempt from any hair length restrictions, but it has no such exemption," said Judge Chap B. Cain III, of the 253rd Judicial District Court in Chambers County. "The CROWN Act is clear and BHISD's dress and grooming code policy is clear regarding male students."

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Cain immediately went into his ruling following the conclusion of closing arguments.

"Courts should always refrain from rewriting legislative text," Cain said, reading what appeared to be a prepared speech. "That's not my job. Where text is clear  it's determinative  judges should not legislate from the bench and I'm not about to start today."

After his ruling, Cain encouraged George and his mother, Darresha George, to ask lawmakers or school board trustees to change the verbiage in the states law or in the districts policy.

"The immunity that you seek, you can have that from either of those bodies," Cain said. "The legislature can go back, and I suspect they will, and they can decide that hair length cannot be regulated by the school, and then the school board's going to follow it. Or you can go to the school board and ask for a change in their policy."

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LOOKING AHEAD: Texas Legislative Black Caucus plans to revisit CROWN Act following Barbers Hill ISD ruling

Only two witnesses took the stand: State Rep. Ron Reynolds, co-author of the CROWN Act, and Darresha George. While hair length wasnt explicitly stated in the legislative text, Reynolds repeatedly said length factored into the conversation since men and women who wear locs usually have length to their hair. Hair length wasnt discussed in the text's legislative history either, Reynolds said after Cain asked if it was mentioned.

"It requires a certain amount of length and when you don't have that length, they have to purchase it," Reynolds said. "In other words, they have to buy hair in order to get the braid locced or twisted. So, if you don't have the hair yourself, you have to buy it. So, it takes a certain amount of length in order to wear these protective hairstyles, so it's almost impossible for a person to be compliant with that policy and wear that protective hairstyle."

The district did not call any witnesses. However, it submitted evidence, including an affidavit from Superintendent Greg Poole defending the dress code and grooming policy.

The Texas legal system has validated our position that the districts dress code does not violate the CROWN Act and that the CROWN Act does not give students unlimited self-expression, said Poole said in a statement.

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Journey to district court

Last year, the district announced its plans to file a declaratory judgement lawsuit asking the court to clarify whether the CROWN Act  an acronym for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair  addressed the length of a male students hair. The law went into effect Sept. 1 of last year, prohibiting school and employment dress codes or grooming policies from discriminating against hair texture or protective hairstyles associated with race.

Thursday's ruling places Darryl George back in in-school suspension until a future trial date. After the hearing, his attorney Allie Booker said she plans to file an appeal, adding she wasn't surprised by the outcome.

"We're moving for a federal injunction," Booker said. "I was giving this court deference. I didn't want to be rude and immediately ask for that federal injunction when we had a trial date that was so near plus trying to run a case on top of a case. But, we're going to continue to fight and we're confident that we will get the injunction and then you all will see in the end the issue with this law."

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The hearing comes on the heels of Poole placing an advertisement in the Chronicle doubling down on his stance that Darryl George's hairstyle was not protected by the law since it doesn't specifically address hair length.

Ultimately, this is an issue of local control and deciding who should be setting the policies, goals and expectations of our school district, wrote Poole in the advertisement. We have had two school board elections in which candidates supporting our current dress code earned 88 percent and 91 percent of the total votes. The people who pay taxes in the Barbers Hill ISD are the voices we listen to.

NOT BACKING DOWN: Bill author says CROWN Act covers protective hair styles, Barbers Hill ISD upholding its own policy

School policy vs. CROWN Act

The districts dress and grooming code does permit protective styles. However, it prohibits male students from having hair "below the eyebrows or below the ear lobes" and they cannot have hair "below the top of a T-shirt collar or be gathered or worn in a style that would allow the hair to extend below the top of a T-shirt collar, below the eyebrows or below the ear lobes when let down."

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We have African-American students with hair longer than our dress code permits, said Poole in the advertisement. They applied, qualified for, and were granted religious exemptions.

In December, the Chronicle reported the district placed Darryl George in an alternative school for the second time in months. Darryl George, who wears his hair in dreadlocks pinned up in a barrel roll, completed a seven-week long suspension and then got sent back to in-school suspension for violation of the school policy. At the time of the suspension in October, Poole told the Chronicle confidentiality does not allow us to disclose the infractions that caused his current disciplinary placement, but it was unequivocally not because of his hair.

Georges family not only filed a complaint with the Texas Education Agency at the time, but also a federal civil rights lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton alleging neither party enforced the CROWN Act based on the districts continued punishment of George. In a press conference last month, supporters of the George family along with State Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers, the author of the CROWN Act and Rep. Ron Reynolds, co-author of the CROWN Act, hosted a press conference addressing the districts stance on policy and protective styles.

I stand unequivocally with Mr. George (and) with his family, said Bowers during the press conference. I want to say that Barbers Hill ISD is stealing his experience and breaking the law. It is long past time for justice to be served and for Mr. George to rejoin his class and be removed from this outrageous in-school suspension.

Georges case isnt the first one to put the school district in the spotlight or in the crosshairs of the legal system. In 2020, the district suspended junior Kaden Bradford and senior DeAndre Arnold for their hair. The Chronicle previously reported that the administration told both students to cut their locs or face in-school suspension similar to George. However, both students refused to comply with the policy and opted to transfer schools instead.

The action by the district resulted in a lawsuit. Ultimately, federal Judge George Hanks, Jr. with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled a dress code policy against dreadlocks as discriminatory. The ruling allowed Bradford to return to his high school for his junior year without facing suspension for his dreadlocks. Arnold graduated at another high school. The following year, 36 male students faced in-school suspension on the first day of school for violating the hair length policy.

Returning to the Legislative session

With Thursdays ruling, George will remain at alternative school to finish out his junior year.

George and his mother scurried out of the courthouse, wiping away tears while being comforted by supporters before leaving the premises. Visibly distraught by Cain's decision, members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus vowed to return to the next legislative session to revisit the CROWN Act.

"This is going to be a teachable moment," said State Rep. Jolanda Jones, of House District 147. "This ruling today does nothing but motivate me. It reminds me why I need to be in the legislature, because unlike the legislature that is overwhelmingly white, Texas is not. Texas is diverse and sometimes you just don't have the perspective to be able to do right by all the constituents that you represent."

The legislative session only convenes every other year or when the governor calls for a special session. So, they'll return to Austin in 2025.

CROWN ACT AUTHOR RESPONDS: CROWN Act author: Barbers Hill ISD not adhering to spirit of the law amid Black student's suspension

Reynolds echoed Jones' sentiment.

"I believe I made it very clear of what the legislative intent was and so the judge was not giving any kind of deference to what the legislative intent was, Reynolds said. The intent was to protect students like Darryl, was to protect students like DeAndre, was to protect students like Khaden that Barbers Hill had discriminated against. That's why we filed the law. So, if we filed the law to protect those students to wear those hairstyles, then it's very clear."

Reynolds said the district found a "loophole" to the CROWN Act, adding the district may "have won the battle, but they won't win the war."
Darryl George, left center, stands with his mother Darresha, right center, as they wait with state representative Jolanda Jones, left, state representative Ron Reynolds, right, and Dr. Candice Matthews before a hearing regarding Georges punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Feb. 22, 2024 at the Chambers County Courthouse. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Supporters hold a banner in support of Darryl George, before a hearing regarding Georges punishment for violating school dress code policy because of his hair style, Feb. 22, 2024 at the Chambers County Courthouse. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Some Texas lawmakers have vowed to revisit legislation protecting hairstyles associated with race after a judges ruling that Barbers Hill ISDs policy prohibiting male students from having long hair didnt violate the CROWN Act.

Judge Chap B. Cain III said in his ruling Thursday afternoon at the Chambers County courthouse that the districts decision to punish 18-year-old student Darryl George for refusing to cut his locs wasnt illegal in accordance with the new law . The decision follows a months-long battle between the district and supporters of George over the dress code policy.

Defining the CROWN Act

The Legislature passed the CROWN Act, an acronym for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, in May 2023. The law went into effect Sept. 1, prohibiting school and employment dress codes or grooming policies from discriminating against hair texture or protective hairstyles associated with race. Georges family contends his ongoing disciplinary actions regarding his hair violate the law. But at Thursdays hearing, Cain confirmed it did not.

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NOT IN VIOLATION: Texas judge rules Barbers Hill ISD students' long hair not protected by CROWN Act

George wears his hair in dreadlocks pinned up in a barrel roll. The district prohibits male students from having hair below the eyebrows or below the ear lobes and cannot have hair below the top of a T-shirt collar or be gathered or worn in a style that would allow the hair to extend below the top of a T-shirt collar, below the eyebrows or below the ear lobes when let down, according to the student handbook.

Back to alternative school

George, a junior, has been suspended from Barbers Hill High School in Mount Belvieu since Aug. 31. According to district officials, the suspensions include infractions for conduct and failure to comply to the districts dress and grooming policies. And now, George will return to learning at an alternative school rather than learning in a classroom with his peers based on Cains ruling. Hell likely finish out the remainder of his junior year in the facility.

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Georges family filed a complaint with the Texas Education Agency and a federal civil rights lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. They allege neither Abbott nor Paxton enforced the CROWN Act based on the districts continued punishment of George. A date for the federal hearing, which will take place in Galveston, has not been set. In the meantime, Georges attorney, Allie Booker, has stated she plans to file an appeal to Cains ruling.

2025 Legislative Session

Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus already have their eyes set on the next legislative session. Although, state Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers, author of the CROWN Act, did not attend Thursdays hearing in Anahuac, the bills co-author, state Rep. Ron Reynolds, remained adamant about returning to the Legislature to speak to members about the CROWN Act. Any changes to the bill wont take effect until 2026, if passed. By that time, 18-year-old George wouldve graduated high school. But Reynolds said potential updates to the bill may protect future students in Texas schools who choose to wear protective styles.

I am profoundly disappointed by the court ruling in the Darryl George case today, said Bowers in a statement. The CROWN Act was crafted with the intention of protecting individuals from discrimination based on their natural hair texture and styles and this ruling undermines the very essence of that purpose. Darryl Georges case serves as a poignant reminder of the systemic injustices that persist in our society, particularly when it comes to issues of race and personal expression. No one should ever be made to feel inferior or face barriers in education or employment due to their hairstyle.

With the help of Bowers and others, Texas joined more than 20 states to enact legislation protecting people from race-based discrimination against protective hairstyles and hair texture.

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A video frame grab shows Michael Scurlock as he is confronted by an officer who arrived at the scene of a minor accident after a car hit Scurlock. Dickinson Mayor Sean Skipworth called what happened to Michael Scurlock little more than a cover-up. The former police chief disputed that characterization A video frame grab shows Michael Scurlock as he is booked into jail Feb. 26, 2022, in Dickinson. According to a video transcript in a subsequent investigation of the incident, Scurlock said: Help me. Help meI cant see.

A Dickinson police officer accused of assaulting a homeless man has been indicted in connection to the February 2022 clash, the response to which was questioned in a whistleblower's report, according Galveston County officials said.

A grand jury on Thursday indicted the officer, Michael Kinsley, with official oppression, a misdemeanor, and felony injury to an elderly person. He was placed on unpaid administrative leave soon after, Dickinson police Chief Michael Berezin said.

Kinsley is accused of assaulting the homeless man, Michael Scurlock, by throwing him to the ground after he had been hit by a slow-moving car. Jail videos showed Scurlock touching his head, slumping against a wall and urinating without standing up while in custody. Scurlock asked for help and told officers he couldn't see.

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His family said Scurlock was diagnosed with a brain bleed in the hospital after being released from jail.

Scurlock died in December 2022, with the cause of death being listed as Parkinsons disease.

Kevin Petroff, Galveston County's first assistant district attorney, specified that Kinsley is charged in connection with Scurlock's injuries, not his death.

An internal affairs investigation at the department, conducted before Berezin's tenure, cleared Kinsley of wrongdoing. A whistle blower's claims, however, led to an outside investigation that found officers had withheld information from paramedics, failed to document Scurlocks injuries or render aid and omitted critical information in their recounting of the events.

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Mayor Sean Skipworth, who credited the whistleblower for coming forward about the alleged misconduct, passed the results of the outside investigation to the Galveston County District Attorney's Office in early 2023, he said. A grand jury was convened nearly a year later.

"An indictment doesn't mean he's guilty, but we turned this case over to the DA because we thought something wasn't right and it merited additional investigation," Skipworth said.

Greg Cagle, an attorney who often represents police officers, represented Kinsley through the grand jury process, Petroff said. Cagle did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Berezin, who joined the Dickinson department soon after retiring from his longtime job as Missouri City police chief, remained complimentary of Kinsley's work during his administration and noted that the officer had recently been promoted to sergeant.

Nothing about the allegations would have stopped that "because of collective bargaining," Berezin said.

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As for the claims against Kinsley, Berezin expressed neutrality.

"I can't answer for that incident nor will I render an opinion on it. Those investigations were done prior to me being here," he said.
Kristlyn Wood, a cousin of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, reacts during a vigil in Cunninghams honor, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in Livingston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Community members gather for a vigil in honor of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in Livingston. Many of the people gathered wore purple in honor of Cunningham. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Community members gather for a vigil in honor of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in Livingston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

A woman at the center of 2007 charges against Don Steven McDougal told a Houston television station the system failed by not requiring him to register as a sex offender, and it might have cost Audrii Cunningham her life.

Carissa Davis told ABC13 that the man charged in connection with the death of the 11-year-old girl in Livingston had previously tried to undress her at her uncles Brazoria County home.

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McDougal pleaded guilty in 2008 to enticing a child and was sentenced to two years in prison, but received credit for time served, records show. The charge didnt require him to register as a sex offender.

A request for records in the Brazoria County case had not yet been fulfilled as of Thursday morning.

"I think Brazoria County definitely failed me and failed Audrii and possibly more," Davis told ABC13.

She said when she was 10, he walked into a room she was sleeping in, got into bed with her and tried to take down her pants. She said she raced for the door, he followed and she hit him. She then ran and told her aunt.

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Melissa Lanford, a spokeswoman for Texas Child Protective Services, told the Chronicle that the agency hadnt received an intake for Cunninghams death and werent investigating it. Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety, which had aided Polk County in the search for Cunningham, said Wednesday afternoon that they had turned the case over to local law enforcement and referred all further questions to them.

An official with the Polk County District Attorneys Office declined to provide further information about the charges facing McDougal in connection with the girls death. A call to the sheriff was not immediately returned.

McDougal, who had a decadeslong criminal history across the Houston region, had been identified as a person of interest in Cunningham's disappearance for several days before her body was found.

Investigators on Tuesday uncovered the girls body in Trinity River after a days-long search, Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons said.

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Lyons said they used cellphone records, surveillance footage and information from McDougal on where to focus their search efforts. He shifted McDougal to the "main person of interest" after determining he was the last person to see Cunningham alive.

McDougal reportedly left Cunninghams family home with her while driving his 2003 dark blue Chevrolet Suburban, a truck that authorities had identified as a vehicle of interest linked to her disappearance.

Lyons identified McDougal as a friend of Cunninghams father, saying he lived in a trailer behind their house. Lyons said McDougal would also take the girl to the bus stop or directly to the school if she missed the bus.
The importance of Village Presbyterian Church to Kansas Citys cultural life cannot be overstated.

Not only has the Prairie Village church served as a venue for countless memorable concerts by various local arts organizations, it has its own outstanding music program and one of the best organists around: Elisa Williams Bickers.

Bickers will give a free solo organ recital to celebrate Village Presbyterians 75th anniversary March 1 at the church.

The first service at Village was held on Feb. 13, 1949, and its first minister was the late Robert Meneilly, a pastor whose commitment to civil rights and social justice is carried on today.

Music has also been an important part of Villages mission. Many superb musicians have made contributions to the church over the years, but arguably the person who has made the biggest mark on its music program is Bickers. Not only is she the churchs organist, she guided the church as it acquired its Richards, Fowkes & Co. Opus 22 organ.

Village is obviously an important place for concerts and lectures and education, but primarily she is a worship space and a worshiping community, Bickers said. So we knew the organ needed to primarily lead congregational singing. The Opus 22 is built on an 18th century Dutch model because the 18th century Dutch Protestants raised the roof with their congregational singing. But it also needed to be able to accompany every kind of choral music, from the 9th century to today. We told the organ builders we wanted it to do a lot, but also not be a jack-of-all-trades kind of instrument, and they really listened to us.

As a girl in Clinton, Maryland, Bickers studied to be a pianist, but an opportunity arose that changed her musical direction. The Potomac Organ Institute offered high school piano students who passed an audition a year of organ lessons for free.

So my mother signed me up for that when I was 12, Bickers said. I did a piano audition and I got a spot in that institute and started studying with a wonderful teacher named Dale Krider. He was just a tremendous, gentle soul who introduced me to playing the organ at age 12. At the same time I started lessons with him, I also became the 8 oclock worship organist for our church, Hope Lutheran. So I was learning how to play organ and lead worship all at the same time.

Bickers attended the Suitland Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, a rigorous four-year program for high school students. She then applied to become a piano major at Texas Christian University.

But I wasnt accepted, which broke my heart for about two weeks, Bickers said. I went to that school anyway as a chemistry major, but I was taking more music classes than anything else. So one day I knocked on the organ professors door because I heard him practicing. We started talking, and he handed me the practice room key and some music, and said come back next week and play for me.

She ended up studying organ at TCU for four years, and stayed there for another four years to get her masters degree in organ performance. She then went to the University of Kansas for her doctorate in church performance with an emphasis in organ.

Bickers, who has been principal organist at Village since 2009, has chosen a program that pays tribute to the churchs history and its commitment to social justice.

Ive selected some pieces that have been played by famous performers at Village over its 75 years, Bickers said. But Im also going to play some brand new pieces that were commissioned for this performance and some pieces that were written for this wonderful organ that we have. Its quite a varied program, but each piece has a specific goal.

Shes going to start the concert with a work that was performed by John Weaver at the 1982 dedication of the organ that preceded the Opus 22.

He played his own Toccata, which is very regal and exciting, Bickers said. Reeds everywhere.

The next work is Go Down, Moses by Fela Sowande, a Nigerian composer who worked in England and who eventually taught African studies in the United States.

Villages history from the very beginning has been standing up for and with populations that have been pushed to the margins, Bickers said. Im really proud of that part of our history, so I wanted to include a spiritual like Go Down, Moses, which was originally used as an Underground Railroad signaling song.

Other works on the program include Suite Circulaire, a piece that was written for Bickers and the Opus 22 organ by Carson Cooman, and selections by French baroque composer Louis-Nicolas Clerambault.

Those pieces were played by Madame (Marie-Madeleine) Durufle when she performed here in 1992, Bickers said. She was by far the most famous organ performer at that time, and she played at our church. The Star reported that more than 1,000 people were in the sanctuary for that concert. People really turned out to hear her.

Bickers will also perform an organ transcription of Barbers Adagio for Strings because, she says, I dont know a single human whose heartstrings are not pulled by that piece.

Theres also a work that has been especially commissioned for the concert, Fanfare, Chorale and Exultation by Brenda Portman.

Shes a wonderful composer, and to pay homage to our 75th birthday, shes written a piece that has seven beats per measure and five beats per measure, kind of alternating, Bickers said. She also quotes the hymn The Churchs One Foundation, which was sung at Villages very first Sunday.

Village Presbyterian is a church that attends to peoples physical needs with its many charitable programs, but also understands that the soul also needs to be fed, too. Bickers hopes this concert will do that.

This is a 75th anniversary concert, but its not just for Village people and not just for organ enthusiasts, Bickers said. I do hope people will come out just to hear some inspiring, moving, exciting, intricate music on a world-class instrument. It will be an evening of beauty and celebration.

7 p.m. March 1. Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village. Free. villagepres.org.

Kansas City Symphony with Joyce Yang

Pianist Joyce Yang will join the Kansas City Symphony and guest conductor Rei Hotoda from March 1 through 3 at Helzberg Hall. Yang, who won the silver medal in the 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, will perform Tchaikovskys Piano Concerto No. 1, one of the composers greatest hits.

Hotoda, music director of the Fresno Philharmonic, will also lead the orchestra in Escaramuza, a work by Gabriela Lena Frank that was inspired by Peruvian kampacha music, and Shostakovichs Symphony No. 9, written in 1945 to celebrate the Soviet Unions victory over Nazi Germany.

8 p.m. March 1 and 2 and 2 p.m. March 3. Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. $25-$99. 816-471-0400 or kcsymphony.org.

Park ICM  Ben Sayevich and Lolita-Lisovskaya-Sayevich

Husband and wife violinist Ben Sayevich and pianist Lolita-Lisovskaya-Sayevich will give a recital Feb. 29 at the 1900 Building. This classical power couple are both on the faculty of Park Universitys International Center for Music, so you know youre in for some high-level playing. The duo will perform violin sonatas by Beethoven, Debussy and Franck.

7:30 p.m. Feb. 29. 1900 Building, 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods. $10-$30. icm.park.edu.

St. Andrews Episcopal Church

For those who observe Lent, St. Andrews Episcopal Church is offering midweek Lenten recitals as an opportunity for contemplation and reflection. All recitals begin at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays.

On Feb. 28, organist Kenneth Walker will perform; March 6, its soprano Lauren Auge with pianist James Li; March 13, organist Kurt Knecht; and March 20, organist Elisa Bickers. All performances are free.

12:15 Feb. 28, March 6, 13 and 24. St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace. Free. standrewskc.org.

You can reach Patrick Neas at patrickneas@kcartsbeat.com and follow his Facebook page, KC Arts Beat, at www.facebook.com/kcartsbeat.
A 16-year-old boy has been found guilty of killing a 17-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in central London.

Khaled Saleh was found with two stab wounds in Paddington Green, in Westminster, on the afternoon of 19 June.

He was treated by paramedics but later died.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of manslaughter at the Old Bailey after being found not guilty of murder.

The jury deliberated for 18 hours and 48 minutes before delivering its verdict on Thursday.

Judge Richard Foster adjourned sentencing for a pre-sentence report and remanded the defendant into custody.

Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk
A Palm Bay minister whose 11-month-old baby girl died after being left in a hot car for three hours in May 2023, went before a judge Wednesday and pleaded no contest to charges in the case.

Brevard County Judge Aaron Peacock withheld adjudication in the case and placed Bulaine Molme, 38, on supervised probation for two years as part of the plea deal on a charge of leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle, court records show.

Molme, the co-pastor at the Mount of Olives Evangelical Baptist Church, a small, storefront congregation in Palm Bay, was originally charged with one count of aggravated manslaughter of a child.

Mount of Olives Evangelical Baptist Church

Molme, who was to officiate a church service on May 28, 2023, told Palm Bay police detectives that she arrived late with four of her children that day and believed her youngest child, Fendra Molme, was taken inside by a church member. After services were done, she looked around the congregation and realized that her daughter was not inside the building, police reported.

More: Infant died of overheating in Palm Bay case, Brevard medical examiner reports

Several people ran frantically to the parking lot and found the girl still inside the hot car, unresponsive, reports show. Witnesses and Palm Bay police attempted to revive the child but she was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Molme was arrested and later released on bond, jail records show.

The Florida Department of Children and Families talked to the parents and asked for a drug test at the time of her arrest. records show. There were no records indicating the family had any prior contact with the social service agency or had any criminal history, police reported. The parents were also cooperative with police, answering questions and sitting for interviews. Witnesses described Molme and her husband as "caring," court records show.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Palm Bay mother pleads no contest in death of daughter left in hot car
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Cue the panda-monium! Giant pandas are headed back to the U.S. by the end of the summer.

China will be sending two pandas to the San Diego Zoo and a lot of people are hoping that it means D.C. could be next on the list.

It was a big deal when the three pandas left the Smithsonian National Zoo in November. Some people were crying as they watched the pandas being taken away.

The history of giant pandas at the Smithsonian Zoo

The China Wildlife Conservation Association didnt renew its loan agreement but it seems now panda diplomacy is back.

I took for granted that they were always here and we enjoyed it and it was a great thing to do when company came, that was the first thing on their list, said Paula Binder.

Giant pandas have been a part of the fabric of D.C. since 1972.

Pandas are an icon of the city, Addison Gwinner said.

But in November, the zoos biggest attraction was taken back to China.

It was sad. I couldnt even go to the finale. I was a little too emotional, Gwinner said. Growing up I would go all the time, see em, so itd be nice to have them back.

For the first time in more than two decades, China is sending new pandas first to the San Diego Zoo, which lost its two pandas in 2019.

Pandas from the National Zoo sent back to China, as U.S-China face diplomatic tensions

Everyones jumping. Were trying to get things ready. Were preparing the enclosures. Were working on our protocols for care and health, said Ron Swaisgood, director of Recovery Ecology at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

This has D.C. locals excited.

Its a great attraction, for sure and you can see the zoo, people come to the zoo for the pandas most of the time, said Ali Al Wahti.

The China Wildlife Conservation Association said Thursday its in talks with zoos in D.C. and Vienna. It also signed agreements with the zoo in the Spanish capital of Madrid.

I would love it. We just miss them. Wed go all the time, just walk right through, watch them frolicking down the hill, Binder said.

National Zoos giant pandas land safely in China

Dr. Brandie Smith, John and Adrienne Mars Director, Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, said the Zoo is in discussions to develop a giant panda program.

Its always been our intention and hope to have giant pandas at the Zoo in the future and continue our research here and conservation work in China, Smith said. After 52 years of success, we remain committed to giant panda conservation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
The parents of a four-month-old baby have made an urgent plea for a liver donor to save her life.

Florence, from North Lincolnshire, is currently in Leeds General Infirmary and in desperate need of a transplant.

Diagnosed with biliary atresia, a bile ducts blockage, at eight weeks old, she now has end-stage liver failure.

Florence's mother Sammy Bromfield said she had "not had a chance at life but we're hoping", adding finding a donor would be a "gift".

Finding a match for her is a hard task as the criteria for a baby is strict.

Any possible donor must be aged between 18 and 50, and in blood group O. They can either be positive or negative.

A donor cannot weigh more than 9.5 stone (60kg) and must be generally fit with no significant medical conditions. They also must be psychologically fit with no significant mental health problems.

Donors cannot be heavy smokers or drinkers and must be smoke and drink-free eight weeks before the transplant.

A donor's BMI must be between 18 and 30, and any female potential donor must not have given birth within the last six months.

'She can go on to do great things'

Florence's condition was discovered at a check-up with the family's GP. Two days later, the family were in Leeds, where doctors tried to delay Florence's need for a transplant.

It was hoped the surgery would give the family more time to find a donor.

However, the surgery was unsuccessful, leaving Florence's parents Miss Bromfield, a stay-at-home mum, and Jamie Langton, a shop manager, turning to social media to appeal for help.

Miss Bromfield said: "We're having to come to terms with the fact life is never going to be the same again.

"She's four months old and she's spent most of her life in and out of hospital already.

"This is a gift for Flo and it'll be a debt we'll never be able to repay but the knowledge of knowing if you can help, it'll give Florence the chance to have a life and go forward, live that life.

"She can go on to do great things."

Anyone who thinks they might fit the criteria is advised to complete the form on the hospital's website and contact them.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.
On June 9 2020, Sir Keir Starmers office released a photograph of the Labour leader and his deputy, Angela Rayner, taking the knee, in a room in Parliament. It was timed to coincide with the funeral of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

It was literally, metaphorically, and even geographically, a misstep. Kneeling is an act of obeisance, the deferential acceptance of a higher authority. The Leader of the Opposition was making that obeisance in a Parliament whose elected Members are supposed to take the knee to no earthly power.

My impression at the time was that Sir Keir did not fully understand this.

He probably thought he was expressing simple solidarity with victims of racism, but in fact he ceded a dangerous amount of power to an ideology which is itself racist (anti-white and anti-Semitic) and pursues methods that are quasi-revolutionary. Although purging his party of the extremists empowered by Jeremy Corbyn, he was also, unintentionally, giving them aid and comfort.

Little short of four years on, we have the scenes in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The most striking thing about Mr Speaker Hoyles action that day was not so much that he defied long-established conventions by handing to Labour an Opposition Day reserved for the SNP  though that was bad  but why he did so.

I am not referring here to the view that Sir Lindsay was trying to save his own job in what might soon be a Labour-controlled House of Commons. I do not know his private motives. I am talking about his publicly stated reasons.

Mr Speaker said he wanted to prevent further division. He was worried about the safety of MPs. As he confusedly put it, when he returned to apologise to the House later, I take very seriously the danger  that is why I wanted everybody to be able to express their views. I am very, very concerned about the security of all Members.

It is not the Speakers job to prevent further division. It is to facilitate division in an orderly way. Indeed, the official word used to describe a vote in Parliament is a division. Dividing the House is how parliamentary democracy proceeds. Yet the Speaker himself was frightened. Why?

Because, if we take Sir Lindsay at his word, he feared for the security of all Members.

He had been told by some, mostly Labour MPs, that they had been threatened in their constituencies and online. Outside in Parliament Square, a large crowd was calling for whatever ceasefire motion would be most horrible for Israel. He was trying to give time for whatever amendment would cause jittery MPs the least aggro.

The consequence was that a relatively anodyne Labour amendment was passed, with the other parties going on strike in protest at Sir Lindsays handling.

The wider effect was that it looked as if Parliament was cowering in terror. The mob, online or out of doors, was affecting what could be said, just as it had intended.

It is striking that the mass lobbies of MPs taking place at present are almost all about Gaza.

The plight of Israel and of Gaza is indeed important, but is it really the issue that dominates the minds of most voters? As voters are saying in the current by-election campaign, This is Rochdale, not Gaza. After all, Britain has no direct responsibility for that terrible conflict.

Why am I relating Sir Lindsays fiasco on Gaza to Sir Keirs kneeling at the fate of George Floyd? Because, with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests, which bent his knee in the summer of 2020, fear entered the bloodstream of our body politic  fear that if we do not defer to extremism, we might not survive.

The fear is partly of disgrace. This is an era in which the mere accusation of racism can ruin a career, silence a writer, cancel a private bank account. It is also actual physical fear.

In this space three weeks ago, I wrote about the plight of Mike Freer, the Conservative MP for Finchley, who has decided to retire because of the blizzard of threats, insults and worse. His constituency office had been set alight and he was stalked by the Islamist who ended up murdering his parliamentary colleague, Sir David Amess. All the worst threats related to his support for Israel (which makes him, in Islamist minds, a racist).

Because Labour MPs more often sit for seats with big Muslim votes, they receive Gaza-related threats more often than Mr Freers fellow Conservatives do. Many, especially moderate Muslim ones, are under intense pressure to support Islamist efforts to help efface the memory of the Hamas massacres and disable Israels military campaign.

Immediately after those October massacres, Sir Keir came out strongly in condemnation and boldly in support of Israels right of self-defence. But subsequent events, such as the debacle over Labours Rochdale candidate, prove how difficult such a stance is within his party. Did his toughness come too late?

When Sir Keir rightly attacked anti-Semitism in his party, he did not analyse its nature clearly enough. It is not like the old Right-wing anti-Semitism which regarded Jews as creepy foreigners. Rather it a lethally political cocktail of two things  whites on the hard Left who hate anything white, Western or British, and Islamists who, for pseudo-religious reasons, see Jews as the eternal enemy and imagine Allah is telling them to take Palestine by slaughter.

This was not a case, as Sir Keir seemed to think, of getting rid of a few hateful nutcases (though Corbyns Labour certainly contained some): it required, and requires, a confrontation with an entire ideology.

To speak only of Labours anti-Semitism problem is to miss the point. It is a subset of Labours Muslim problem  its inability to distinguish clearly between most Muslim fellow-citizens, who are much like everyone else, and the extreme activists who infiltrate marches, charities, clubs, schools, universities, youth groups and political parties, and whip up hatred on social media. Politicians  mostly white  repeatedly make the mistake of identifying such noxious characters as speaking for Muslims.

And even today, when the Conservatives have been in office so long, only a handful of Cabinet ministers  Michael Gove, Oliver Dowden, Kemi Badenoch, Grant Shapps and Rishi Sunak himself  are surefooted on this subject. The Tories have suffered much less grass-roots party infiltration than Labour, but many of them are equally inclined to appeasement because of ignorance and fear.

Central to BLM, as to Islamism, as to the eco-fanaticism of Just Stop Oil, is the idea that our Western democratic way of life is a greedy, racist, phobic fraud. Although some extremists are godless and others are religious fanatics, all unite around a story of exploitation, colonialism and victimhood. So self-righteous are they that they take positive pride in besetting not only Parliament but even MPs private houses.

They have been brilliant at making people who reject their version of history very uncomfortable, thus inhibiting free speech.

Even in my rough old trade of newspapers, which lives by that freedom, we find ourselves having to navigate ever more carefully a regulatory, legal and cultural environment that is windy about any strong statement in any area of life which might provoke extremist wrath.

In a sense, Mr Speaker is right. The security of MPs, and therefore of a free country, is under threat. But the remedy is the opposite of the one he sought, which invites even more intimidation. Dont take the knee; fight back.

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"This is clowntown. Welcome to the circus!"

The chap offering me the warm greeting, delivered with a smile while leaning out his car window, was in Rochdale.

But plenty might have offered the same description of Westminster over the last day or two.

I have spent a few days in Rochdale, in Greater Manchester, taking a look at the bizarre by election race happening there after the death of the Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd.

Bizarre for several reasons.

The Labour candidate Azhar Ali has been disowned by his party for allegedly anti-Semitic remarks he has apologised for.

But there are still two former Labour MPs in the running: George Galloway and Simon Danczuk.

While we were there the Conservative candidate was on holiday - a week before polling day.

Oh and the Green Party have disowned their candidate too.

What a carry on.

But the key thing here is the connection between Rochdale and Westminster - the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

The anger, the anguish, the tension it causes, stretching to breaking point conventions, language and fury.

To be the Speaker of the House of Commons is to sit above politics.

Sir Lindsay has been Commons Speaker since 2019

An MP formerly steeped in party politics, for all speakers start out that way, renounces their public tribal instincts and are tasked with working impartially on behalf of all their colleagues.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, a former Labour MP, emphasised his collegiate, cross party demeanour more than most when chasing the job - following as he was John Bercow, who critics saw as spectacularly partial on the issue of Brexit during years of furious Commons argument.

And Sir Lindsay's share price among his colleagues was high, well liked by the vast majority on all sides.

But, no longer.

His share price has taken a whack for a good number of MPs.

Plenty of Conservative and Scottish National Party MPs I speak to are livid, convinced that whether he intended to or not, Sir Lindsay's actions dug his old party, Labour, out of a hole.

Their faith in him will not be easily restored. Perhaps never restored.

Even with his apologies.

More pain to come?

Senior figures in both parties tell me of their surprise too that Sir Lindsay did not make a greater effort sooner to invite them in to try to take some of the heat out of things.

The question now is whether that anger coagulates into an ongoing zeal to make his position untenable, either by more MPs demanding he resigns, or by refusing to cooperate with him in the day to day functioning of parliament.

The alternative is it eases as attention turns back to the imminence of the general election and the party political battles each party and each MP running again soon faces.

Plus, MPs have to ponder if whoever they might end up with instead of Sir Lindsay would actually amount to an improvement in their eyes.

John Bercow was deeply disliked by many MPs - particularly Conservatives - during a fair chunk of his time as Speaker.

He managed to motor on through no end of gripes and flashpoints. Sometimes momentum builds, and then dissipates.

But sometimes it carries on building. Sir Lindsay Hoyle hasn't before encountered as rough a few days as Speaker as these.

It is a deeply uncomfortable time for him.

And the discomfort is not over yet.
Yerevan has "frozen" its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) because it failed to uphold its objectives regarding Armenia, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told France 24 on Feb. 22.

Armenia's relationship with the CSTO, a Russian-led bloc of six countries, has grown lukewarm recently as Moscow failed to prevent Azerbaijan's lightning offensive into Nagorno-Karabakh last September, despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers on the ground.

The brief war ended the existence of a Yerevan-backed self-proclaimed republic in the region and drove out over 100,000 ethnic Armenians to Armenia.

"The Collective Security Treaty has not fulfilled its objectives as far as Armenia is concerned, particularly in 2021 and 2022. And we could not let that happen without taking notice," Pashinyan said.

"We have now, in practical terms, frozen our participation in this treaty. As for what comes next, we shall have to see."

Armenian officials have previously snubbed a CSTO summit in Minsk last November, as well as a Moscow parliamentary meeting a month later. In spite of this, the Caucasian country has made no definite commitment to withdraw from the coalition fully.

Read also: Russias peacekeeper act crumbles as Azerbaijan overwhelms Nagorno-Karabakh

Pashinyan also said that the topic of ending Russian military presence in Armenia is not on the agenda. Russia maintains an army base near the city of Gyumri, as well as an airbase not far from Armenia's capital, Yerevan.

The Armenian prime minister has repeatedly accused Moscow of being an unreliable partner and sought to foster security ties with other countries, such as France, the U.S., or India.

Building up the country's defense capabilities remains crucial as there are fears in Yerevan that Azerbaijan might launch yet another war, this time targeting Armenia itself. Baku has rejected these accusations.

The two countries have so far failed to conclude a peace agreement and the demarcation of their heavily militarized border. According to Pashinyan, Baku's alleged disregard for "principles of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders" prevents a finalization of the treaty.

"Azerbaijan is using the situation to feed its rhetoric. That leads one to think that Azerbaijan is getting ready for a new attack on Armenia," the prime minister said.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has brought up the matter of determining control over Armenian and Azerbaijani ethnic enclaves.

Yerevan fears that Azerbaijan may try to use force to create a land bridge to Nakhchivan, an Azerbaijani exclave lodged between Armenia, Turkey, and Iran.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Kingwood man was charged with murder after being accused of hitting and killing another man inside a hospital room at a Spring Branch psychiatric hospital. Mark Winema / Getty Images/Mark Wineman / Getty Images

A Kingwood man on Thursday was charged with murder after being accused of hitting and killing another man inside a Spring Branch psychiatric hospital.

Erik Bonito, 31, was arrested Wednesday at Houston Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, 2801 Gessner. Around 2 p.m., two people from the hospital were rushed to another facility after what police described as a disturbance.

MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Lawyers for ex-sheriffs deputy charged with murder withdraw speedy trial request

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Bonito is accused of killing Kauri Allala, 26, by hitting him with an unknown object, according to court records. Allala was inside a hospital room when he was attacked, records show.

Bonito allegedly told police he attacked Allala because he was talking under his breath, according to court records.

It was unclear from court records and the police departments news release if Bonito was also a patient at the hospital or why he might have been there. Following an arrest in January over accusations he assaulted an employee at a different hospital, Bonito was released on the condition that he stay at a group home, according to court records.

Bonito didnt have a listed defense attorney representing him on his murder charge.

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Listed phone numbers for the defense attorney representing him in the assault charge went to disconnected lines as of Thursday afternoon.
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner is seen during a press conference addressing safety measures taken at the NCAA football national championship game and surrounding events at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Thousands of crime victims, potentially for the first time in years, could be getting a call from Houston police to follow up on their case.

Houston police Chief Troy Finner on Thursday said detectives would be making calls on more than 4,000 sexual assault cases as part of an investigation into cases that were closed using an internal code citing a lack of personnel. At a press conference Thursday, he apologized to the victims whose cases have languished because of the code.

He urged those who've reported crimes to reach out to the department if they've changed addresses or phone numbers since 2016.

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MORE FROM HOUSTON CHRONICLE: HPD Chief Troy Finner adds more investigators to review suspended sexual assault cases

Here's what to know:

Police need to hear from victims

Finner urged sex assault victims who had changed their address since filing reports as far back as 2016 to contact investigators at specialvictimsreport@houstonpolice.org or call the special victims division at 713-308-1180.

The Houston Area Women's Center encouraged survivors to call the HAWC Sexual Assault Hotline or LiveChat at 713-528-7273. More information can be found at www.hawc.org or www.hawc.org/sexual-assault.

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Will police be contacting victims?

For many who've reported allegations of sexual assault since 2016, the investigation could be the first they've heard from investigators since first making a call to the department.

An initial review of 700 reports labeled with the forbidden code found that not every one was a separate case, Finner said. Some of the reports were duplicates of other cases, and a group of 91 reports were made to police by a single person, who Finner said suffered from mental illness.

Finner said detectives have already reached out to some reportees, but said they would be making many more thousands of calls in coming days and weeks.

Why are police looking into these cases again?

Finner said he learned Feb. 7 that, despite ordering employees to stop using the lack of personnel code in 2021, some inside the department had continued doing so for the next three years. He declined to say exactly how many cases in other divisions were being reviewed, but said the 4,017 cases came up during a search for cases closed because of that code in the special victims unit.

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"That code was put into effect in 2016. It will not be used again in my administration," Finner said . "It was unacceptable then. It's unacceptable now."

Finner said around 32 additional investigators were being transferred to the department's special investigations unit to review cases and potentially contact victims whose cases were suspended using the code.

Are police really reopening 4,000 cases?
Police Chief Troy Finner, pictured Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, announced Thursday that Houston Police will review more than 4,000 sexual assault cases suspended over lack of personnel, dating back to 2016. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

At least 4,000 sexual assault cases and perhaps investigations in other departments were suspended since 2016 using a discontinued, internal code citing a lack of personnel, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said Thursday.

Finner said he learned Feb. 7 that, despite ordering employees to stop using the code in 2021, some inside the department had continued doing so for the next three years. He declined to say exactly how many cases in other divisions were being reviewed, but said the 4,017 cases came up during a search for cases closed because of that code in the special victims unit.

"That code was put into effect in 2016. It will not be used again in my administration," Finner said. "It was unacceptable then. It's unacceptable now."

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Finner said around 32 additional investigators were being transferred to the department's special investigations unit to review cases and potentially contact victims whose cases were suspended using the code.

"There never should have been a code 'lack of personnel,'" Finner said. "That's not good enough when we are not investigating sex assaults."

MORE ON HOUSTON POLICE: Body cameras will constantly be recording under new policy, chief says.

The announcement came nearly a week after Finner announced a "significant number of adult sexual assault cases" had been been declared suspended in the department's coding system, calling the designation "unacceptable."

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An initial review of 700 reports labeled with the forbidden code found that not every one was a separate case, Finner said. Some of the reports were duplicates of other cases, and a group of 91 reports were made to police by a single person, who Finner said suffered from mental illness.

The code gave cases a suspended designation, which didn't close them and left open the possibility they could be reopened with new evidence, Finner said. But the chief cautioned that the results of the investigation could change the department's clearance rate across departments.

He declined to say whether any personnel had been disciplined as a result of the continued use of the code, saying the investigation had just begun. He said detectives had 180 days to make conclusive findings in the investigation, but he hoped to have more information sooner than that.

"This is the start of the process," he said.

The Houston Area Women's Center, which provides support services to survivors of sexual assault, in a statement called the news "disturbing" and said that Houston was experiencing a "system failure" in responding to violent crimes. Still, the center said it was encouraged that Finner was addressing the suspended cases.

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"Survivors will continue to pay a high price when there are not clear practices on investigating and supporting sexual assault survivors," the statement read. "For a survivor to find the courage to come forward and report their attack, and then to wait and watch as their case gets suspended can add immeasurable trauma."

Finner last Friday said he assigned investigators to review the suspended cases and was adding more investigators to the department's special victims division to prevent suspensions in the future.

The president of Houston's police officer union said Wednesday as many as 2,000 criminal investigations, including sexual assault cases, had been dropped using a "lack of personnel" code used by the department dating back to 2021. Douglas Griffith speculated someone within the department intentionally used the code and a supervisor allowed it to continue.

In his Friday statement, Finner referred to staffing challenges in the department, which has 240 fewer police officers than it did nearly a decade ago. But he said that, even considering the department's staffing levels, the suspensions "should have never happened and will not continue."

Finner urged sex assault victims who had changed their addresses since filing reports as far back as 2016 to contact investigators at specialvictimsreport@houstonpolice.org or call the special victims division at 713-308-1180.
Dr. Alberto J. Rodriguez, distinguished professor of education, University of Houston, poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024 in Houston. Rodriguez has suspended teaching an education course in protest of student teachers being placed at HISD schools. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

A University of Houston education professor stopped teaching his course last week in protest of his student teachers' placements in Houston ISD schools, where he said the "scripted curriculum" used in HISD classes made it impossible for them to complete their assignments.

Alberto Rodriguez, a distinguished professor of science education at the University of Houston College of Education, informed students in his "Science in the Elementary School II" course of the decision in a Feb. 14 email.

"I regret to inform you that I am suspending my teaching of this course in protest of the impossible school placements to which some of you have been assigned," Rodriguez wrote. "I feel it is unethical and unprofessional for me to continue teaching this course when you have been placed in

school settings that make it very challenging for you to complete field-based assignments as expected in the effective preparation of teachers."

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University of Houston spokeswoman Shawn Lindsey said the college immediately assigned another faculty member, who teaches the other section of the course, to Rodriguez's class, ensuring the course continued uninterrupted. Lindsey declined to say whether Rodriguez, who is tenured at the university, would face any disciplinary action, saying they do not comment on personnel matters.

"As districts across the state and nation have moved to varying degrees of curriculum autonomy, our teacher education program works to ensure our student-teachers gain valuable, authentic classroom experiences," Lindsey said. "We teach our student-teachers to work within a districts curriculum guidelines just as they would in the real world, and our student-teachers remain able to practice skills a successful teacher needs  such as keeping students engaged, checking for understanding and adapting as needed."

Students in the "Science in the Elementary School II" course, all of whom are seniors, receive student teaching assignments at schools in the Houston, Cypress-Fairbanks and Spring Branch school districts, which they rank in order of preference.

Rodriguez said the spread of highly structured lessons that may include word-for-word scripts for teachers is a "national issue" that is not isolated to HISD. But this semester, roughly a dozen students placed at HISD schools were complaining to him, sometimes in tears, that the rigid expectations imposed under state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles made it difficult for them to complete their assignments for his course.

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Among other directives, Miles expects teachers to use timers during their lessons, engage in "multiple response strategies" roughly every four minutes and, at schools in his New Education System, administer daily quizzes, while school administrators and district officials go from room to room to monitor their work.

MORE ON NEW EDUCATION SYSTEM: HISD names 19 campuses joining New Education System for 2024-25 school year after opting in

One key assignment in Rodriguez's course involved developing a lesson plan for students to teach in March or April, which would go through a series of revisions in Rodriguez's course before being delivered to children. Rodriguez's students at HISD, however, told him they were unable to plan that far ahead because the lead classroom teachers themselves did not know what they would be teaching at that point  the "script" had not yet been posted online.

Rodriguez said such constraints violated accreditation standards developed by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and the Texas State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC), both of which require education students to be able to effectively lesson plan, among other things.

"They are being placed in schools that are following a scripted curriculum that totally contradicts everything that we're talking about in class," Rodriguez said. "There's no way you can make science inclusive and relevant to all students  especially students of color or bilingual students  when you have a teacher that is not allowed to carry out their craft."

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Representatives for the AAQEP and the Texas Education Agency, which oversees the SBEC, did not return a request for comment. The University of Houston noted that its education program is fully accredited by both bodies.

Houston ISD spokesman Jose Irizarry, in a statement, said district leaders are "pleased that UH has identified an experienced professor to take over the course so that student teachers can continue their work in our schools, where they are seeing how high-quality instruction and curriculum lead to academic growth and gains in student performance."

Rodriguez said he approached College of Education Dean Catherine Horn, University Chancellor Renu Khator and Provost Diane Chase with his concerns, and that Horn was the only person to respond, arguing that the university could not control the actions of its partners and asking him to continue teaching the course and making arrangements for his students like everybody else.

The response disappointed Rodriguez, who said he'd hoped the university might try to work with HISD to reach a compromise.

"That doesn't sound like much of a partnership to me. Partners don't watch teachers being pushed off a cliff and then just kind of look the other way," Rodriguez said. "You try to engage in conversations with school district officials to provide space for our students to practice what they're learning in the classroom."

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Horn deferred comment to the University of Houston press office.

"We have found that all of our district partners are willing to work with us so our teacher candidates can complete their certification requirements, including teaching lessons for formal observations," Lindsey said. "In cases where a student-teacher is concerned about their school experience, our faculty work with campus leadership to make adjustments or, in rare cases, move placements."

The professor's future with the university is uncertain. The science education course was the only one he taught this semester, and though he is still engaged in a variety of research projects at the university, he no longer has access to his class files on Canvas, the learning management software used by the University of Houston.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has warned the US of "profound consequences" for US allies around the world if Congress fails to approve more than US$60 billion in aid to Ukraine.

Source: Bloomberg

Quote: "If the supplemental doesnt go through, and US allies are disappointed and get the idea that the United States might not be able to deliver help even if the commander-in-chief wants to help you, that would have profound consequences for Americas global alliance."

Details: "Some countries will start hedging their bets, and others will consider developing their own nuclear weapons programs," Sikorski added.

The warning from Poland's top diplomat comes as EU member states are also trying to provide Ukraine with ammunition. The EU has already postponed its goal of providing Ukraine with 1 million shells by the end of the year. However, Sikorski said that Europe was getting closer to the goal, with a current production capacity of about 850,000 shells per year.

Sikorski also criticised Donald Trump's recent statement that he would encourage Russia to attack NATO countries that do not fulfil their military spending commitments to the alliance. He said that Warsaw spends more than 3% of its GDP on defence, which exceeds the military alliance's 2% target.

NATO's mutual defence pledge has only been invoked once  after the 9/11 attacks in the US  "and we all rallied around it," as Sikorski said. "Poland sent a brigade to Ghazni, a tough province in Afghanistan  and we didnt send an invoice to Washington. A military alliance is not a neighbourhood security company," he added.

Background:

Recently, Trump's statements had caused a stir among NATO allies. At one campaign event, Trump described how he threatened allies to "encourage Russia" to commit acts of aggression against them in order to force them to increase their contributions to NATO's collective security.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg asked Trump not to undermine the deterrence system.

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The Polish Sejm, the lower house of parliament, has passed a resolution on 22 February, to mark the upcoming second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, to commemorate the victims of Russian aggression and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Source: European Pravda

Quote: "Joining the pain of the families who lost their loved ones during the hostilities, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland pays tribute to all the soldiers who died defending Ukraine and to the civilians killed."

Details: In the resolution, the Polish Sejm urges the International Criminal Court to bring to justice those responsible for all war crimes committed against the Ukrainian people.

"Aware that Ukraine is not only defending its borders but also deterring Russian imperialism, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland greets and thanks the Ukrainian people and that part of the international community that supports their defence efforts for their courage and bravery," the resolution reads.

The Polish Sejm also urged the governments of NATO and the EU states to "strengthen the comprehensive support provided to Ukraine, in particular, to ensure the swift delivery of military equipment and ammunition, which will enable the country to effectively defend itself against the aggressor".

Background:

Almost 80% of Ukrainians perceive Poland as a friendly country, but this figure has dropped significantly compared to the survey conducted six months ago.

Another poll found that two years after the start of the full-scale Russo-Ukrainian war, almost half of Poles believe that it will end in both Ukraine and Russia's destruction.

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Police should get extra powers to tackle protests outside Parliament, the author of a government-commissioned review has urged.

Crossbench peer Lord Walney said MPs needed protecting from "intimidation" that could influence how they vote.

His comments come after Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle cited the threat to politicians in his controversial handling of a debate on Gaza.

It has reignited the heightened debate in recent years over the safety of MPs.

Asked about Lord Walney's recommendations, Home Secretary James Cleverly said he expected police to take action when protesters gathered outside MPs' homes with the aim of "distorting" how they voted.

But he added he did not think police needed "significantly greater" powers to tackle demonstrations outside Parliament.

A vote on a ceasefire in Gaza during a SNP debate on Wednesday descended into chaos after Sir Lindsay broke with convention to allow MPs to vote on a Labour amendment.

He argued that letting MPs vote on a wider range of positions would protect them from threats to their safety, amid heightened scrutiny of their stance on the conflict.

However, several Conservative MPs have questioned his decision to allow Labour's motion on safety grounds, arguing he was letting Parliament be intimidated by threats of violence.

Writing in the Telegraph, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman accused Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer - who argued for the wider vote - of "bowing to the mob".

Sir Lindsay has apologised for his handling of the vote, but it has plunged his position into crisis, with the SNP reacting furiously and declaring no confidence in him on Thursday.

More than 60 Conservative and SNP MPs have signed a Commons motion saying they have no confidence in him.

Defending his decision, the speaker said some of threats posed to MPs were "absolutely frightening," but he did not give details of specific threats.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Ms Braverman's comments about Labour were "total nonsense". However, she said she agreed with tougher action to tackle protests outside MPs' homes, branding these a "disgrace".

'Corrosive effect'

Lord Walney, the former Labour MP John Woodcock, was commissioned three years ago to write a review into tackling political violence, which is yet to be published.

The Financial Times reported it was set to recommend a widening of police powers to break up protests outside democratic venues.

It said it would recommend extending Expedited Public Space Protection Orders, which can currently be used only to break up protests outside schools and vaccination clinics, to Parliament, MPs' offices and council buildings.

The orders, granted by local authorities, can last up to six months, with fines for those who breach them.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lord Walney said police needed an "easier and faster process" to disperse people from sites that were "crucial to the functioning to democracy".

He argued that the "aggressive intimidation of MPs" was having a "corrosive effect" on how politicians behaved.

"Even if they would not explicitly admit that they have voted in a particular way directly because of a threat, they are choosing to keep their heads down, not wanting to contribute," he added.

He said the issue had been "writ large" during debates over Gaza, but could also be a factor in a "number of issues" in future, including on climate change.

However, another former Labour MP who is now a crossbench peer, Lord Mann, the government's independent adviser on antisemitism, said the idea of banning "noisy demonstrations" outside Parliament was "dangerous".

"It is precisely where protests should be, not outside private homes, religious buildings or community centres," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Public order powers

Asked whether police needed more powers to break up protests outside Parliament, Mr Cleverly said he did not think "significantly greater powers" were needed.

He added that the government took MPs' safety "incredibly seriously," and ministers had recently written to police making it clear they expected them to use the "full range of powers" at their disposal to protect politicians.

The government's Criminal Justice Bill, which is making its way through Parliament, will also give them greater powers, he added.

The Public Order Act, passed last year, gave police greater powers to tackle disruption at demonstrations.

Parliamentary authorities do not publish details about MPs' security and offences committed against them.

However, it is known that spending on MPs' security has increased significantly since 2016, when Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered by a far-right terrorist.

The debate over MP safety ramped up following the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021.

In recent weeks, Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green Mike Freer has announced he will be standing down from Parliament after receiving death threats.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Recently released poll results show positive support for school choice in Arkansas but mixed support for the Arkansas LEARNS Act.

The poll by the conservative group Opportunity Arkansas surveyed 513 voters who were parents of school-aged children in the state. The results show that 61% of respondents supported school choice but 33% supported the Arkansas LEARNS Act.

The polling indicates that those who were familiar with the LEARNS Act were more in favor of it, with 47% of that group saying they supported it.

Group re-submits Arkansas education rights ballot question to attorney generals office

In terms of school choice opportunities, 47% of respondents said they had increased in the past year.

Among the respondents, 61% said they were either using or planning to use Education Freedom Accounts, the voucher program created by LEARNS.

Group aiming to amend education article of Arkansas Constitution attempts to receive attorney generals approval for 4th time

Opportunity Arkansas founder and CEO Nic Horton said he believes the poll shows support growing for the Arkansas LEARNS Act as parents learn more about the new law.

This support will only continue to increase as more and more families experience education freedom, Horton said in a release. Arkansass education reform journey is just beginning.

Arkansas Public Policy Panel executive director Bill Kopsky had issues with the survey. The panel is part of the For AR Kids effort that working to new education rules on the November ballot that would match public and private school standards.

Never trust a poll you can never see the cross tabs for, Kopsy said, referring to the raw data behind a polls results, adding, I dont think you see data here, just conclusions.

I think the questions here were loaded to get the results we got, he said about the poll.

Special session corrects mistake in LEARNS Act impacting Arkansas students with disabilities

The parents responding to the survey had students in a variety of school environments, with 65% having students in public schools in their school district and 7% with students in a traditional public school outside their school district. 11% with students in private or faith-based schools and 5% being home-schooled.

The studys authors said that 38% of the respondents were Republican, 27% were Democrat, and the rest gave a party affiliation of Independent. A majority of the respondents, 69%, were between 18-44 years old, while 30% were in the 45-84 group and 1% over 65.

State Supreme Court reverses restraining order delaying Arkansas LEARNS Act start in 4-2 decision

The polling took place between Feb. 12 to 15 using automated voice and live phone calls as well as panel survey methods. The polls sampling error was 4.33%.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
I finally have an answer to a question that many individuals from Arizona and around the country have asked me during the past couple of years.

It is: Roughly 25%.

The question being: How many Americans do you figure are as wacky as Kari Lake?

It turns out there was a survey for that.

Lake wanted to 'fire the federal government'

A few years back, when federal law enforcement officials entered Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago to retrieve highly classified documents the former president had stacked in boxes and stashed in a restroom, next to the toilet, Kari Lake went ballistic.

The former TV news reader and failed governor candidate (now running for U.S. Senate) issued a statement reading in part that this is one of the darkest days in American history: the day our Government, originally created by the people, turned against us.

And she was just getting warmed up.

Lake continued, If we accept it, America is dead  We will not accept it.

The 10th Amendment can and will save our Republic and the road to stripping the Feds of power travels right through Arizona.

We must fire the Federal Government.

In other words, secede from the union.

Kooky, right?

Now, Kari Lake calls herself a 'uniter'

Even more puzzling these days is how someone wanting to fire the federal government is not only seeking election to a federal office but  after threatening to carve up the union into little pieces  calling herself a uniter.

Well leave the unpacking of that to the combined diagnostic skills of qualified political analysts and mental health professionals.

In the meantime, the nice folks at YouGov decided to find out how many of us, like Lake, think seceding from the union is a good idea. YouGov, based in Great Britain but with offices all over, describes itself as an international online research data and analytics technology group.

It said, Our mission is to offer unparalleled insight into what the world thinks.

There are times  and I believe youll back me up on this  when those of us living in the United States would rather not know what the world thinks, or what we think of ourselves.

Poll suggests others would like to secede

In this instance, the company released a survey earlier this month saying that roughly one-fourth of Americans like the idea of secession.

In Arizona, 12% of Democrats think this is a good idea, while 23% of Republicans wouldnt mind creating the independent nation of Arizona.

Imagine that.

Trump's private deportation army: Could invade Arizona

It is unwise for any of us to make generalities concerning the knowledge and discernment of one-quarter of our brothers and sisters but  I sometimes worry about the knowledge and discernment of one-quarter of our brothers and sisters.

Especially when you take a moment to consider the ramifications of what it would mean for a state like Arizona to, as Lake said, fire the federal government.

How would stand up the nation of Arizona?

First there is the money. The lions share of Arizonas budget comes from the federal government. How much? The feds are expected to give Arizona roughly $38 billion  with a B  in the current budget year.

If Arizona were a nation, instead of a state, and we were to fire the federal government, it would mean no one in Arizona would again receive Social Security payments. And no Medicare.

There would be no federal assistance programs that help veterans, the disabled, the disadvantaged and more. No federal money to maintain and build interstate highways. No federal money to maintain dams.

Also, we could no longer count on federal assistance for operations at the airports, including the screeners from the Transportation Security Administration.

Our state universities get a lot of research funding from the federal government. Gone.

Then there are the federal facilities that would close. Things like courthouses, prisons, parks and, particularly here in Arizona, military bases that contribute so much to the economy.

Wed need to muster and pay for our own military. And, given Arizonas geographic location, our own border patrol.

And to pay for all that  and more  wed have to print our own money. Except, we would not have any.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kari Lake suggests secession, and one-quarter of Americans agree
In news that may not be shocking to most fans of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Porsha Williams has filed for divorce from Simon Guobadia after just 15 months of marriage. The filing was made in Georgia on Feb. 22, just days after news hit the net that Guobadia was in danger of deportation as his request for U.S. citizenship was denied.

Guobadia first entered the U.S. from Nigeria in 1985 and is accused of credit card fraud and identity fraud, among others. Their relationship was controversial from the start, with Williams exiting the Bravo franchise after announcing their engagement, just a month after allegedly dating. At the time, Guobadia was still legally married to Falynn Pina, who joined the show in Season 13 as a friend of Williams. Williams insisted their friendship was only for the show. Whatever the case may be, it will be sure to play out on Season 16.

Despite Guobadias immigration issues, a source tells People that the divorce is unrelated to recent allegations involving Simons past, and the cause of their split is an ongoing matter. Williams, 42, and Guobadia, 59, wed in November 2022 in a Nigerian traditional native law and custom ceremony followed by an American ceremony in Atlanta.

Just a week ago, Williams announced her return to Atlanta for its upcoming sixteenth season after two years away from the show. She also signed an overall scripted deal with NBCUniversal on scripted project opportunities across the companys broadcast and streaming properties. She added in a statement, Im incredibly thankful for the vision and faith NBCUniversal has put in me to be a larger part of their family. Im looking forward to being back on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and showing the world my new world! Guobadia appeared alongside Williams in a shortlived and ill-received spinoff, Porshas Family Matters, which addressed the complexities of their engagement and trying to blend their families.

When Williams announced her return, she proudly boasted, Porsha Guoabdia is in the building.
A Post Office sign on the outside of a building

The first and deputy first ministers and justice minister have called for a law to reverse the convictions of sub-postmasters to also apply in NI.

They have written a joint letter to Kevin Hollinrake, the UK minister for enterprise, markets and small business.

The law is expected to come into effect by the end of July and will apply to convictions in England and Wales.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said NI sub-postmasters should be treated the same as those in England and Wales.

"We have written to Kevin Hollinrake today setting out our clear opinion that any legislation to reverse the convictions of sub-postmasters must also apply here, given that postal services are a reserved matter and the compensation schemes are UK-wide," she said.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it would not be possible for the executive to take its own legislation through the assembly before its summer recess.

"Our sub-postmasters have suffered enough, it is simply not acceptable to require them to go through a further court process," she said.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said that the UK government including Northern Ireland in its legislation would be "the fastest legislative solution and one that will see those affected in Northern Ireland receiving equitable treatment with their counterparts in the rest of the UK".

Emma Little Pengelly and Michelle O'Neill said Northern Ireland sub-postmasters should be treated the same as those in England and Wales

Hundreds of sub-postmasters across the UK were prosecuted after faulty computer software calculated that money was missing from post office branches.

Some people went to prison while many were financially ruined.

The scandal has been called the biggest miscarriage of justice in UK history.

Although campaigners won the right to have their cases reconsidered, as of January 2024, only 95 convictions had been overturned.

In January, the government announced it would seek to reverse all convictions resulting from the scandal, but it was not clear if it would apply in Northern Ireland, which at that stage remained without a devolved government.

Power-sharing was restored at Stormont in early February.

Michael Madden represents sub-postmasters, five of whom have convictions

Speaking on Thursday, Michael Madden, who represents sub-postmasters in Northern Ireland, said he was concerned that if the legislation had to go through Stormont it would slow the process down.

Since the return of the executive, there's already a long list of things to do for ministers after 24 months of political paralysis.

"Some of my clients have been going through this for over 20 years, further delays will only add to their ongoing distress," he said.
Mr Jacobs was appointed to the board in 2021 as part of an attempt by the Post Office to show it had learned from past mistakes - www.elliotjacobs.co.uk

The Post Office investigated a sub-postmaster who sits as a director on its own board, prompting a furious response from its chairman.

The Telegraph can disclose that a Post Office team led by its chief legal officer launched an inquiry into Elliot Jacobs, who was specially appointed a non-executive director to represent sub-postmasters in the wake of the Horizon scandal.

The investigation so upset Henry Staunton, the Post Offices chairman, that he angrily confronted Ben Foat, the companys group general counsel. Sources say it contributed to Mr Stauntons sacking by Kemi Badenoch, raising further questions about why she got rid of him.

Friends of Mr Staunton accept he raised his voice at the meeting but deny claims of bullying raised by Ms Badenoch this week.

The Post Office confirmed on Friday that it had been investigating Mr Jacobs, an award-winning sub-postmaster, but that its inquiries had now concluded. It is understood no wrongdoing was found over an alleged discrepancy in the accounts of a few thousand pounds.

Mr Jacobs was appointed to the board in 2021 as part of an attempt by the Post Office to show it had learned from past mistakes and to change the culture of the organisation that had led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub-postmasters as a result of its faulty Horizon IT system.

But it still launched its own investigation into Mr Jacobs, who runs eight post offices in north London, over an accounting discrepancy. The Post Office still uses the Horizon IT system at the centre of the biggest miscarriage of justice in British legal history.

The investigation so upset Henry Staunton (pictured), the Post Offices chairman, that he angrily confronted Ben Foat, the companys group general counsel

In a draft email to Nick Read, the Post Offices chief executive, that was copied into Mr Staunton, Mr Jacobs complained that his own reputation was widely and severely tarnished by the Post Office investigation into him.

Mr Jacobs wrote in an email sent on Jan 24: The culture that PMs [postmasters] are guilty and on the take is embedded in this company and whilst we continue to employee 40+ people who ensured innocent people were found guilty and who continue to believe that mantra, this will never change.

He complained the Post Office employed untouchables working in the investigations department under the control of Mr Foat who investigate everything and everyone, adding: This is not a normal approach to governance or oversight.

Mr Jacobs said in the email he had raised his treatment with Mr Foat. He wrote: My view that I was deemed guilty until proven innocent is something I had previously told Foat directly. My reputation was widely and severely tarnished by the way it was handled (without any confidentiality) and the fact that even until today I have not had a letter confirming the investigation is closed is again on Foat  as legal have not released a letter yet. That is disgraceful.

It is understood that Mr Staunton confronted Mr Foat over the investigation. Mr Staunton was sacked by Ms Badenoch on Jan 27, three days after Mr Jacobs sent his email. It is unclear when Mr Staunton held his meeting with Mr Foat.

Mr Staunton, 75, formerly the finance director of ITV, has told friends it was the only time he lost his temper during his 13-month tenure as Post Office chairman.

Ben Foat, group general counsel for the Post Office

Friends have said he is unaware of any bullying allegation against him but that the meeting with Mr Foat was the one occasion he could think of that could elicit such a complaint.

One friend said: The only thing that Henry can think of is he was very angry that the Post Office was investigating a senior sub-postmaster who was also a non-executive director. Henry called in the legal director and said: What are you doing? You should not be investigating these people.

Henry had words with Ben Foat. He told him it was completely unacceptable behaviour. He is the only person he had crossed words with in his time at the Post Office.

The friend said: You cannot bully the head of legal. But you cant also on the one hand be accused of failing to get a grip and then on the other be sacked when youre just trying to do the job youve been asked to do.

A second source also confirmed the row, adding: There was a prickly relationship between the two of them [Staunton and Foat].

The source said Mr Jacobs had been upset at the way he was treated by the Post Office investigation team and that Mr Staunton was furious that a member of his board was being investigated.

Elliot [Jacobs] felt he was being interrogated quite aggressively. He felt what was being done to him was in a sense what had been done to previous postmasters. Henry took exception to the way they were dealing with it. You cannot treat a non-exec director like this, said the source.

Mr Jacobs passed a request for comment to the Post Office. The Post Office confirmed that there had been an investigation into Mr Jacobs but that had now been concluded. It declined to comment further on the nature of the investigation or its findings.

A Post Office spokesman said: Since 2019 the Post Office has been delivering cultural and operational changes across the business, with ongoing feedback and input from postmasters, as well as the lessons emerging from the Horizon inquiry. However, we are under no illusion that there remains much work to do. We are committed to change, ensuring that the wrongs of the past are not repeated and putting postmasters at the heart of the business.

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Main Engine Control Computer designer for Intuitive Machines Dan Harrison cheers amongst fellow employees during a watch party moments after they became the first commercial company to softly land on the moon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Assembly integration and test Engineer for Intuitive Machines, Mario Romero joins fellow Intuitive Machines employees for a watch party as they hope to be the first commercial company to softly land on the moon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Intuitive Machines employees celebrate becoming the first commercial company to softly land on the moon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Intuitive Machines employees cheer during a watch party moments after they became the first commercial company to softly land on the moon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Flight Dynamics Engineer for Intuitive Machines, Jamie Murray hugs her husband and Environmental, Health and Safety Engineer for Intuitive Machines Brandon Murray moments after Intuitive Machine became the first commercial company to softly land on the moon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Intuitive Machines' Nova-C spacecraft, named Odysseus, passes over the near side of the moon on Feb. 21, 2024. Intuitive Machines Intuitive Machines transmitted its first images to Earth on February 16, 2024. The photos were captured shortly after separation from the SpaceX rockets second stage, marking the start of Intuitive Machines' first journey to the moon under NASAs CLPS initiative. Intuitive Machines A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Intuitive Machines Nova-C lunar lander lifts off from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:05 a.m. CST on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett NASA/Kim Shiflett People gather around the Nova-C lunar lander at Intuitive Machines on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Houston. The lander was put on display during a media open house before being shipped to Florida for its launch to the moon. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Video is shot of the Nova-C lunar lander at Intuitive Machines on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 in Houston. The lander was put on display during a media open house before being shipped to Florida for its launch to the moon. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The Nova-C lunar lander is shown at Intuitive Machines on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Houston. The lander was put on display during a media open house before being shipped to Florida for its launch to the moon. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer The Nova-C lunar lander is shown at Intuitive Machines on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Houston. The lander was put on display during a media open house before being shipped to Florida for its launch to the moon. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Intuitive Machines employees gather for a watch party as they hope to be the first commercial company to softly land on the moon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

A Houston delegate is once again on the moon.

Intuitive Machines uncrewed lander made history Thursday as the first privately owned spacecraft to touch down on the lunar surface. It was also the first U.S. vehicle to accomplish this in more than 50 years.

The moment was nerve-wracking. A bustling company watch party in Houston fell silent as the landing time passed and mission control waited to see if it could establish communications with the spacecraft. The minutes stretched by until, finally, mission control announced that the lander was sending a faint signal to Earth.

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Then Intuitive Machines Chief Technology Officer Tim Crain made an announcement: What we can confirm, without a doubt, is our equipment is on the surface of the moon and we are transmitting.

The room leapt to its feet. Employees decked in Intuitive Machines gear congratulated one another and celebrated with their children dressed as astronauts. The company later said the lander was on its side, possibly propped up by a rock or with its foot in a crevice, but still considered it a soft landing.

After four years of preparations, the companys 14-foot-tall Nova-C lander navigated to a spot near the moons south pole. It was the 24th mission to softly land on the moon since 1966. And with it comes a new era of exploration.

NASA and its Houston-trained astronauts dominated moonshots of the 60s and 70s. This time, commercial companies and other countries are sharing more of the action.

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To actually have my hands in this, to be a participant in this, its a wild experience, said Mario Romero, an Intuitive Machines assembly, integration and test engineer who brought his wife and 8-week-old son to the companys watch party.

Six government and commercial-owned spacecraft from Japan, Russia, India and the U.S. have attempted to reach the moon in the past year. Three of the missions  led by India, Japan and Intuitive Machines  made soft landings, with their spacecraft at least intact enough to transmit a signal home.

The Nova-C vehicle will have about seven days of sunlight to generate power for its scientific and commercial payloads, which were provided by NASA, the International Lunar Observatory Association, Lonestar Data Holdings and others.

The spacecraft is expected to shut down when the lunar south pole is overtaken by darkness. It will join the other bygone space explorers left on the lunar surface.

Intuitive Machines launched its lander, named Odysseus for the ancient Greek character, on Feb. 15 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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There was a hiccup shortly after liftoff, with the lander experiencing a navigation issue, but a software patch solved the problem. Odysseus continued its journey (capturing stunning images of the Earth and the moon along the way) and began orbiting the celestial body on Wednesday.

Thursday proved the biggest challenge with another issue arising as the lander circled the moon. The lasers needed to guide Odysseus to the surface were not working. So Intuitive Machines sent up software patches that essentially swapped out Odysseus lasers with two laser beams from a piece of NASA equipment onboard the lander. The equipment, part of a technology demonstration, wasnt meant to land Odysseus but became the primary navigation sensors.

With the patch in place, Odysseus began its descent. Its main engine had to burn for roughly 11 minutes, carefully throttling down as spent propellant made the spacecraft lighter.

The plan was for cameras and lasers to guide Odysseus to the south pole. Sensors would scan the terrain for potential hazards. Then, about 33 feet above the surface, the cameras and lasers would turn off so they wouldnt be confused by dirt kicked up from the engine.

The lander would be blind when it touched the lunar surface and conduct a three-layer check to ensure it had indeed landed before shutting down the engine.

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Intuitive Machines was still going through data on Friday, but said it appeared that most of its payloads were in a position where they should be operational.

This lander has six NASA payloads that include an experiment to test autonomous navigation, sensors to measure the amount of propellant in spacecraft tanks in the moons low-gravity environment and an instrument that observes the moons surface in radio frequencies to see if natural or human-generated activity could interfere with science, according to NASA.

There were also four tiny cameras designed to study the plume that was kicked up as Nova-C landed. The agency wants to know if this plume could become a hazard for landers and nearby infrastructure as NASA works to create a long-term lunar presence.

Intuitive Machines built its lander as part of a NASA initiative, but the company owned and operated the spacecraft. By supporting commercial companies with funding and guidance, NASA can put science experiments and technology demonstrations on more moon missions  averaging one per year rather than one every 10 years, said NASA planetary scientist Sue Lederer.

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Working with commercial companies also can foster a lunar economy and help NASA prepare to send humans to the moon, likely no sooner than 2026.

We can expand our understanding of the technology much more rapidly, Lederer said. So this is a really important way for us to very quickly expand our understanding of spaceflight.

Payloads from commercial customers include heat insulation technology used in Columbia Sportswears outdoor apparel, a group of sculptures from artist Jeff Koons, Lonestar Data Holdings technology demonstration for future data centers on the moon and the International Lunar Observatory Associations camera to capture the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.

ACTUAL ROCKET SCIENCE: Inside the hundreds of hours of testing for this engines 15 minutes of flame

Almost all of the spacecraft was built in Houston, where Intuitive Machines has designed and tested its rocket engine at the Houston Spaceport. The names of employees who worked on the spacecraft were etched into the bottom of its landing gear, giving them a permanent presence on the moon.

Romero, the assembly, integration and test engineer, will look up at the moon knowing his name and something he built is sitting on its surface. Romero assembled and tested various parts of the lander, and he was the employee who suggested naming the lander Odysseus.

Christopher Garcias name is also on the landing gear. He worked on the landers carbon fiber panels as a student earning his degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Im glad to be part of history, he said. Getting things to space is hard. Getting things to the moon is harder.
5 dead as ship hits bridge in south China

Xinhua) 09:24, February 23, 2024

GUANGZHOU, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed after a ship hit a bridge and caused the bridge to fracture on Thursday morning in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province.

The victims include the driver of a bus without passengers, a motorbike rider and three people who were in vehicles that fell into the river under the bridge.

The accident happened at around 5:30 a.m. when a container ship hit the pier of the Lixinsha Bridge in Nansha District. Five vehicles, including a motorbike, were involved in the accident. Two of the vehicles plunged into the river while the others fell onto the vessel, a preliminary investigation has found.

Three other people suffered injuries and were sent to hospital for treatment. Two of them fell from the bridge and sustained bone fractures and soft tissue contusions, and they are in stable condition, according to the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Assembly integration and test Engineer for Intuitive Machines, Mario Romero joins fellow Intuitive Machines employees for a watch party as they hope to be the first commercial company to softly land on the moon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Intuitive Machines employees cheer during a watch party moments after they became the first commercial company to softly land on the moon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Intuitive Machines employees gather for a watch party as they hope to be the first commercial company to softly land on the moon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Houston . Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Intuitive Machines lander was circling the moon ahead of its Thursday landing when a serious problem emerged: lasers crucial to reaching the lunar surface were not working.

Mission control for the Houston-based company needed a space cowboy solution  and fast. They came up with a fix that has since dazzled the science community.

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Engineers reset the landers guidance, navigation and control system to use two alternate laser beams from a piece of NASA equipment flying onboard.

We werent planning to use it in line with the actual mission coming down to a landing, Prasun Desai, NASAs deputy associate administrator of the Space Technology Mission Directorate, said just before the descent. But now we are.

The lasers, part of a technology demonstration, provided crucial velocity and altitude information to softly land the spacecraft  aptly named Odysseus for the ancient Greek character who surmounts many challenges  shortly before 5:30 p.m. CST.

The vehicle came to rest at an angle, potentially propped up on a rock or with its foot in a crevice, but its in a position where most of its payloads should be operational, according to the company.

This is the kind of thing that would have taken a month, Tim Crain, the companys chief technology officer, said of the software fix. Our team basically did that in an hour and a half, and it worked.

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That ability to quickly solve problems is a unique aspect of using privately owned landers, said Philip Metzger, director of the Stephen W. Hawking Center for Microgravity Research and Education at the University of Central Florida.

Theyre agile, Metzger said. Theyre willing to take risks.

Odysseus is owned and operated by Intuitive Machines, but it was developed through a NASA initiative. The agency provided some funding and guidance for this mission.

It was the first American-made vehicle to touch down on the lunar surface since the last Apollo moon mission in 1972  and the first from a commercial company to ever do it.

The descent wasnt the only hurdle Odysseus had to overcome.

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There was an issue shortly after its Feb. 15 launch where the lander rejected data that uses distant stars to orient itself. A software patch solved the problem.

After the laser debacle, the team had trouble communicating with the vehicle, and it took several minutes to rouse a faint signal.

Because the lander is at an angle, some of its antennas are pointed at the moons surface. And those cant be used to talk with the Earth, hindering communications.

Metzger said this could slow the rate at which data is returned to Earth.

The South Pole also presents other challenges. Metzger said Earth is low on the horizon. Signals could reflect off the lunar terrain or be interrupted by phenomena that include radiation and charged particles emitted from the sun.

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NASA has six science instruments and technology demonstrations onboard the lander, including the light-based guidance system that the spacecraft used to land.

Lasers emitted from the lander bounced off the moon and returned to the spacecraft, providing data on speed, direction and altitude.

Among the non-NASA payloads was a camera that was supposed to eject from Odysseus and take pictures of the spacecraft landing. Intuitive Machines and EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University abandoned that plan after the software patch ahead of landing, but the camera could still be used in the coming days.

Intuitive Machines was still working to release other photos as of Friday afternoon.

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The company expected the spacecraft to be operational for about seven days while the South Pole receives sunlight to power the various instruments and heaters that keep the spacecraft warm.

Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus praised his team, saying they remained cool under pressure and got Odysseus to the lunar surface.
An organization for people named Ryan is holding a "Ryan Rodeo" this Saturday in Austin. People must be named Ryan to attend. Hearst Media Illustration

An organization for people named Ryan is holding a "Ryan Rodeo" this Saturday in Austin with an exclusive guest list.

The only way to be admitted entry to Buck Wild on 6th Street at 5 p.m. Saturday is with an official ID that says your first name is Ryan.

"Its fixin to be a rip-roarin' time, as we gather round and revel in the beauty of our shared name. Dont be surprised if some Ryans start square dancin after all, you cant spell country without R-Y," reads the event description.

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Ryan Meetup started last year with the goals of assembling the most Ryans possible, holding a RyanCon and at some point breaking the record for most people with the same first name in the same place.

The organization has held seven events since February 2023, all in New York City or Los Angeles, according to its website. These events included the Ryan Retreat and Rytoberfest.

The record for most people with the same first name is 2,325, which was set when 2,325 Ivans came together in 2017 in Kupres, Bosnia, and Herzegovina.

Last year, the town of Kyle attempted to break the record with people named Kyle. Only 1,490 Kyles made the trip to the fast-growing Hays County town.

It was their fourth attempt to break the record.
A United States Postal Service truck passes in front of the USPS North Houston Processing and Distribution Center, 4600 Aldine Bender Rd., Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

United States Postal Service officials apologized for recent mail delays in the Houston area during a Thursday member briefing with Texas representatives.

The meeting, which was facilitated by Rep. Pete Sessions, took place at the Missouri City Community Center and focused on looking forward instead of the roots of the delays.

"They apologize for what happened. They recognize. They took full acceptance of that and we are offering our support back, as we should," said Sessions, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce.

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Reps. Al Green and Sylvia Garcia attended the briefing with Sessions. Staffers from four other Congress members  Reps. Lizzie Fletcher, Morgan Luttrell, Troy Nehls and Randy Weber  also attended the meeting, according to Sessions' office.

No USPS representatives were on hand to comment after the meeting, but the agency released a statement and a document including key takeaways from the meeting.

"Problems did occur in execution during time of transition between North and South Houston," the document said. "Some in our control, some outside  service (was) admittedly very poor in January."

Sessions said the agency reported its service had improved in recent days and he was giving them the benefit of the doubt.

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The meeting came after congressional staffers met with officials for a tour of the South Houston Local Processing Center in Missouri City and the North Houston facility. The representatives were not allowed to tour the facilities because USPS has a policy that doesn't allow candidates to be in a USPS facility 45 days before an election.

USPS said 15 staffers attended the tour.

It was the second tour for congressional staffers in two weeks. Staff members from the offices of Green and Garcia visited the Missouri City facility and the North Houston facility last week.

"It's about making sure that all Texans get the mail delivery service that they expect, efficiently and on time," said Garcia, whose district includes the North Houston facility.

Green, who represents the district that houses the South Houston Local Processing Center, has been leading the charge on the mail delays for weeks. He was the first representative to address the delays publicly and has provided information to the public from to meetings with USPS Inspector General Tammy Hull and leadership of the National Association of Postal Supervisors.

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He has also been emphasizing transparency about how these delays might impact mail-in ballots. Sessions spoke for the group and said USPS said mail-in ballots are operating on time.

"The Postal Service has certified to me that there are no delays that would be expected or known at this time that would be of concern to people who would wish to vote by mail," Sessions said.

SEEING WITH THEIR OWN EYES: Staffers from Houston lawmakers visit USPS facilities amid ongoing mail delays

Sessions said one of the major points of the briefing was effective communication, which both Garcia and Green agreed was something USPS lacked during the mail delays.

Green said he is hopeful to receive more answers on this front soon.

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"The communication part of it was something that was important to me," Green said. "I have indicated that I have questions that they will give me answers to and after I receive those answers, I may have some additional comments."
Republican investigators will visit convicted fraudster and member of the notorious Galanis crime family Jason Galanis in an Alabama prison on Friday in the latest attempt to salvage the impeachment investigation into president Joe Biden, The Independent has learned.

According to a source, House investigators are headed to Federal Prison Camp Montgomery to interview Galanis, a convicted criminal who is serving a 14-year prison sentence for conspiracy to commit securities fraud, securities fraud, and investment adviser fraud in addition to other crimes.

Galanis, whose father, John Galanis, was a target of then New York US attorney Rudy Giulianis crime crackdown back in the 1980s, was a business partner of Devon Archer  the former business associate of Hunter Biden who was also convicted of fraud for convincing a Native American tribe to issue economic development bonds, then diverting the proceeds for his own personal use.

The scheme for which Archer was convicted is also partly why Galanis is in prison, with prosecutors describing him in court documents as the mastermind of the fraud.

Galanis was previously convicted of participating in a market manipulation and fraud scheme in which he also evaded a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) order prohibiting him from serving as an officer or executive at publicly traded companies.

At the time, then Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss said that Galanis had orchestrated two multimillion-dollar fraud schemes, and hid behind a team of co-conspirators to conceal his involvement and defy an SEC ban.

Galanis jailhouse interview marks just the latest example of Republicans seeking information from shady characters amid the so-far floundering impeachment inquiry.

It comes hours after a key source was arrested for a second time on Thursday on charges of having fabricated bribery allegations against Mr Biden.

Last week, federal prosecutors indicted Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI confidential human source, for allegedly fabricating bombshell allegations of bribery against Mr Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.

According to the indictment, Mr Smirnov allegedly provided false derogatory information to agents about the Bidens back in June 2020, allegedly telling them about two meetings with an executive from Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company which employed Hunter Biden as an attorney and later as a member of its corporate board.

Mr Smirnov allegedly told agents that executives associated with Burisma, including Burisma Official 1, admitted to him that they hired [Hunter Biden] to protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.

Jason Galanis is currently in prison in Alabama (Jason Galanis Holmby Capital Group/Facebook)

He also allegedly told agents that the Burisma executives had made $5m payments to both the president and his son when the elder Mr Biden was vice-president, so that Hunter Biden would take care of all those issues through his dad, referring to a criminal probe involving Burisma being conducted in Ukraine.

Prosecutors further allege that Mr Smirnov told agents about a phone call with the executive, in which he claimed hed been forced to pay the alleged bribes and said it would take investigators a decade to find evidence of the payments.

The allegations, which were documented in an FBI form used to record witness interviews, have figured prominently in claims made by Republican members of Congress conducting an impeachment investigation into Mr Biden, most notably House oversight committee chair James Comer and Judiciary committee chair Jim Jordan.

But they explain that Mr Smirnovs allegations against the Bidens were completely made up.

Mr Smirnov, they wrote, had only had contact with Burisma executives in 2017, when Joe Biden had no ability to influence US policy.

In short, the Defendant 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, they said.

Defendants story to the FBI was a fabrication, an amalgam of otherwise unremarkable business meetings and contacts that had actually occurred but at a later date than he claimed and for the purpose of pitching Burisma on the Defendants services and products, not for discussing bribes to Public Official 1 when he was in office, they added.

Mr Smirnov was rearrested on Thursday on the charges.

Meanwhile, another Republican inquiry witness, Israeli academic Gal Luft, is currently a fugitive from justice after he disappeared following a February 2023 arrest in Cyprus at the request of US authorities.

A federal grand jury in New York charged Mr Luft with with offenses related to willfully failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, arms trafficking, Iranian sanctions violations, and making false statements to federal agents.
The Republican response to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that found embryos are considered children in wrongful death lawsuits  a finding that has thrown into question the future of IVF in the state  has been weird. Republican senators, governors and presidential candidate Nikki Haley are all trying to toe some imaginary line between declaring they believe embryos are, in fact, babies while still maintaining their support for the procedure as a good tool for helping adults conceive children. Most of them also mention all of this with the caveat that they havent actually read the ruling.

Haley was among the first to get tripped up, offering support for the the Alabama Supreme Courts finding before, seemingly, attempting to walk it back. While she typically straddles a rhetorical middle ground between being pro-life and also being realistic about how difficult (and unpopular) it would be for Republicans to actually pass a national ban on abortion, Haley found herself pushing extreme fetal personhood talking points in a Wednesday interview with an NBC reporter when she said she believes that embryos are, in fact, babies. She then largely walked back her seeming support for the ruling throughout the course of her conversation with the reporter, and clarified in a separate interview last night that she doesnt necessarily agree with the decision.

Well, first of all, I didnt  I mean, this is again, I didnt say that I agreed with the Alabama ruling. What the question that I was asked is, Do I believe an embryo is a baby? she told CNN. I do think that if you look in the definition, an embryo is considered an unborn baby. And so, yes, I believe from my stance that that is.

The Alabama ruling has already had a chilling effect on in-vitro fertilization in the state, with at least three fertility clinics announcing their plan to pause IVF treatments until theyve had a chance to examine the legal risks. As many legal and medical experts have pointed out, the state Supreme Court decision doesnt take into account the difference between viable and unviable embryos, nor does it seem to recognize the impact the ruling will have on patients who simply want to conceive. Haley gestured toward that ambiguity in her initial remarks to NBC Wednesday.

I would wanna look at it and see what theyre talking about, those that are viable versus those that are not, she said, before admitting she hadnt yet read the ruling.

For Haley, the embrace of such an extreme anti-abortion position flew in the face of what has been her strategy throughout 2024  being so vague on abortion that she doesnt risk alienating anyone, both die-hard anti-abortion Republicans and the growing number of voters who support access to legal abortion, as evidenced by Democratic wins in the elections since Dobbs.

But Republicans who havent been shy about their extreme views on abortion are also seemingly confused about what position to take on the Alabama ruling.

Take Sen. Tommy Tuberville, (R-AL) who has spent a good chunk of his tenure in the Senate making headlines for his performative blockade on military promotions, an opposition meant to protest a Pentagon policy of reimbursing travel expenses for service members who need abortion care. He called the Supreme Court ruling in his home state a hard one.

Thats a hard one. It really is, Tuberville told a group of reporters at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday, when asked what he would tell women in Alabama who no longer have access to IVF. Because again, you really want people to have that opportunity, he continued, referring to the opportunity to have children.

We need more kids, he said, calling embryos children and the decision a state issue  his state, to be clear  before claiming he also hasnt read the ruling.

Id have to look at what theyre agreeing to and not agreeing to. I havent seen that, he said.

At a Politico event with governors on Thursday, a handful of Republicans gave similarly cagey responses to questions about the ruling. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt all said they support IVF generally and also asserted they hadnt read the ruling. Stitt went so far as to say he didnt think destroying embryos as part of IVF treatment was a crime, but said Alabama has every right to think what it wants in that realm.

Thats how our system is set up, Stitt said. They elect their officials, and theyre going to set up a system thats different than we would in Oklahoma.

Even Fox News is struggling with how exactly to stoke IVF panic in the wake of the ruling. A Media Matters For America review found that the network spent six minutes total covering the decision on Wednesday.

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"Under my leadership, the Republican Party will always support the creating of strong, thriving, healthy American familes," said Donald Trump, the frontrunner for his party's presidential nomination, on Truth Social (Julia Nikhinson)

A wave of Republicans led by Donald Trump vowed Friday to protect in vitro fertilization in the wake of an Alabama court ruling that said frozen embryos should be considered children, in what could become a galvanizing issue in the 2024 election.

Democrats have made the preservation of reproductive rights a central part of their campaign, with women in conservative states that have strict abortion bans facing problems accessing emergency care for life-threatening pregnancies.

"Like the overwhelming majority of Americans, including the vast majority of Republicans, conservatives, Christians and pro-life Americans, I strongly support the availability of IVF for couples who are trying to have a precious, beautiful little baby," Trump told an audience in South Carolina ahead of its Republican primary on Saturday.

"I'm calling on the Alabama legislature to act quickly to find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF in Alabama," Trump said.

The Alabama Supreme Court's decision last Friday came in response to a wrongful death lawsuit brought by three couples against a fertility clinic after a patient "managed to wander into" a cryogenic nursery and dropped several frozen embryos, destroying them.

A lower court ruled the frozen embryos could not be considered a "person" or "child" and dismissed the claim, but the top court disagreed, in a 7-2 decision sprinkled with quotes from the Bible.

At least three fertility clinics in the state quickly announced they were pausing IVF treatments in light of the new legal risks.

The state's Republican governor Kay Ivey has issued a statement saying she is working with lawmakers to craft a bill "protect these families and life itself," though it was not immediately clear what the solution would entail.

Meanwhile, Alabama's attorney general, Republican Steve Marshall, has "no intention of using the recent Alabama Supreme Court decision as a basis for prosecuting IVF families or providers," chief counsel Katherine Robertson said in a statement Friday.

- Republicans in a bind -

Republicans have had to tread a fine line after the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in 2022.

The long-cherished conservative ideal has proven detrimental among independent voters, and the ongoing fallout from reversing abortion rights was seen as a key reason Democrats fared far better than expected in the 2022 election.

Trump himself has assiduously avoided taking a public position on a 16-week national abortion ban proposed by Republicans, wary of further galvanizing Democrats.

Experts say the 2022 US Supreme Court ruling effectively granted states the final say on questions of personhood, paving the way for wide-reaching impacts on other areas of reproductive health, including in vitro fertilization.

President Joe Biden on Thursday slammed the Alabama court ruling as "outrageous and unacceptable."

"Make no mistake: this is a direct result of the overturning of Roe v. Wade," added the Democrat, referencing the legal case that previously protected abortion as a national right.

The Alabama ruling has also fired up reproductive rights groups.

Shaina Goodman of the National Partnership for Women & Families said she was among the one in five married women in the United States of reproductive age who had faced fertility problems and chose to pursue IVF.

"The court weaponizes the psychological toll of fertility treatment in service of an extremist, ideological project to undermine reproductive freedom and autonomy," she wrote in a blog post.

ia-hg/dw
Former U.S. President Trump holds campaign rally in Rock Hill

By James Oliphant and Joseph Ax

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump and his party are scrambling to contain the fallout from a conservative Alabama court ruling that prompted some state providers to suspend in vitro fertilization treatments, while Democrats seized on the outcome as more evidence that reproductive rights are under assault.

The Republican-controlled Alabama Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 16 that frozen embryos should be considered children, a decision experts said could embolden other states to follow suit.

With Republicans already playing defense on the issue of abortion rights ahead of this year's election, they rushed on Friday to limit the damage of the court's ruling.

In a statement on Friday, Trump called on the Alabama legislature to find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF treatments in the state.

"I strongly support the availability of IVF for couples who are trying to have a precious baby," the former president said in a post on Truth Social.

Democrats, meanwhile, were looking to capitalize on the Alabama ruling. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, told CNN on Friday that "abortion and IVF are going to be on the ballot in November."

President Joe Biden and the White House have criticized the Alabama ruling, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying on Friday that "IVF is under attack" and calling on Congress to enact protections.

A White House source told Reuters there is very little the White House can do legally through executive orders to challenge the Alabama ruling.

"The only option is to continue raising the issue, making it a political fight and using the bully pulpit to get more attention," the source said.

After the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 abolished the constitutional right to obtain an abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the backlash for Republicans in the midterm elections was swift and severe. Democrats were able to retain control of the Senate and limit their losses in the U.S. House of Representatives.

With Biden facing strong headwinds in his re-election bid this year, Democrats are hoping to leverage the abortion issue further to help Biden secure a second term and boost their prospects in Congress. The Alabama ruling could catalyze those efforts, strategists said.

"This is massive," said Jess McIntosh, a Democratic strategist who advises campaigns on abortion-rights issues. "It's honestly landing with a similar explosion to Dobbs."

McIntosh said she had been speaking with women in their 30s and 40s who either have embryos or are counting on IVF to help them conceive and who have been rattled by the decision.

"Women already get that this is enormous and terrifying," she said.

Anti-abortion groups such as Concerned Women for America have praised the ruling. But it has been viewed with alarm by some Republicans who argue that IVF and other fertility treatments are pro-family and should not be lumped in with terminating pregnancies.

Republican governors such as Brian Kemp of Georgia, who signed a ban in 2019 restricting abortions in the state to six weeks, have come out in support of IVF treatments.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, a strong opponent of abortion, spurred confusion about her position on the Alabama ruling, initially suggesting she agreed but later saying that she does not want to restrict fertility options.

"We don't want fertility treatments to shut down," she said on Thursday.

STRONG IVF SUPPORT IN POLLS

Recent polls conducted by Republican strategist Kellyanne Conway, who worked in the Trump White House, and shared with Reuters showed widespread support for IVF and fertility treatments, even among those who oppose abortion.

According to Conway's firm, 85% of all respondents and 86% of women support increasing access to fertility-related procedures and services for individuals facing challenges in conceiving, including 78% of people who consider themselves anti-abortion and 83% of evangelicals.

More than 2% of all births in the U.S. occur as a result of assisted reproductive technology, mostly through IVF, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

IVF treatment typically involves the creation of multiple embryos in order to maximize the chance of a successful pregnancy, leaving some unused and eventually destroyed as medical waste.

But Friday's ruling held that such embryos are children and people can be held liable for their destruction.

On Friday, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, an arm of the party that supports Senate campaigns, warned candidates in competitive races of the danger posed by the ruling, citing polls such as Conway's.

"When responding to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling, it is imperative our candidates align with the public's overwhelming support for IVF and fertility treatments," said the memo from the NRSC's executive director, Jason Thielman.

Dan Conston, the executive director of the Congressional Leadership Fund, a political action committee that backs House Republican candidates, agreed.

"It's useful and important for swing district Republicans to show empathy, sympathy and clearly voice support for consensus positions like IVF," Conston said in a statement.

Democrats pledged not to let Republicans off the hook.

"Republican Senate candidates have spent years opposing women's right to make their most personal decisions about their health care and their families, and voters will hold them accountable for their record," said David Bergstein, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Greer Donley, a University of Pittsburgh law professor who focuses on abortion law, said the Alabama decision may persuade voters that Republicans will push for further restrictions on reproductive rights if given the chance.

"This is truly the world we're in now," she said. "I think it is really opening the public's eyes to the consequences here."

(Reporting by Joseph Ax and James Oliphant; Additional reporting by Nandita Bose; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Rosalba O'Brien)
Four legged, dog-inspired robots have grown in popularity among scientists and first responders in recent years thanks to their unique ability to quickly and safely maneuver areas hazardous or inaccessible to humans. Some of those robots, like Boston Dynamics' Spot , can use large claws and other attachments to help them interact with the world around them. But those additional limbs arent always ideal since they add weight and take up extra space, both of which could limit the robo-dogs effectiveness in tight corridors.

https://youtu.be/2g0jvOB3EaA?si=ntMBWfOa-kXPjYtp

Researchers at ETH Zurichs Robotic Systems Lab in Switzerland tried to solve that dilemma by training their own robot dog to use one of its four limbs to complete tasks like opening a door and moving objects while simultaneously relying on the other three limbs to walk and maintain balance. In a recently released paper documenting their findings , the researchers say they believe this novel use of the robots limb could one day aid space exploration and other scenarios where weight and mechanical real-estate are at a premium.

How did the robot dog use its leg?

Researchers used a reinforcement learning model to teach the robot dog, an ANYmal model made by the firm ANYbotic , to complete a series of tasks where it had to manipulate its environment. The model was rewarded with positive reinforcement when the robot placed its front right limb into the desired location. On the flip side, the model revived negative reinforcement when the robot used jerky, potential unsafe movements. From there, the robot learned to use its remaining three legs to balance and move around. Researchers were able to move the robot around using a joystick on a remote controller.

https://youtu.be/2MBorA_fx8g?si=eB7jBkF7EFFXErdy

Photos of the experiment show the robot raising its front limb and placing it beside a door handle before shifting its weight to open it. Ironically, the motion isnt dissimilar to a furry living dog lifting its leg to relieve himself over a fire hydrant. Elsewhere, the robot can be seen wrapping a backpack strap around its limb and then listing the bag up and over into a plastic container. Researchers also experimented with attaching a claw-like gripper to the end of the leg which allowed the robot to successfully grab and collect rock samples. The robot could also use its arm to move small obstacles out of its way and press otherwise difficult to reach buttons.

Our work shows that numerous manipulation tasks can be solved by only doing pedipulation with quadrupedal robots, the researchers wrote . This insight will be relevant for future works on the design and control of legged mobile manipulators.

Researchers trained the robot on irregular terrain to ensure it could still maintain balance even when faced with less than ideal real-world scenarios it may come across in the real world. To test the robots balance, the researchers placed it on top of a slick whiteboard with barely any friction and had it try to complete tasks. It slipped but didn't fall.

https://youtu.be/GlyUVPIA-mg

How could this three-legged robo dog be useful

Though the three-legged dog wasnt necessarily as effective as other models with an attachable claws, the researchers say its real strength is in its simplicity. By forfeiting any additional claws or tools, the researchers their robot avoids adding more unnecessary mechanical complexity. This approach also cuts down on weight and could reduce energy consumption, both of which could prove particularly useful in space exploration or remote search and rescue missions.

At the present, quadruped robots' general inability to manipulate their environment means they are relegated only to inspection and surveillance tasks. The ETH Zurich researchers findings, however, hint toward a future where these robots can use AI models to learn about the world around them and use their limbs to interact with objects and complete more complicated tasks.
The discussion of military assistance to Ukraine in the Bundestag was marked by laughter following Defense Minister Boris Pistorius response regarding Taurus missiles for Ukraine, Bild reported on Feb. 22.

During the meeting, the majority of lawmakers rejected the opposition resolution calling for the transfer of German long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv.

Read also: German Bundestag approves long-range weapons for Ukraine, Taurus delivery uncertain

At the same time, a document from the ruling coalition was approved, mentioning the supply of additional necessary long-range weapon systems, but Taurus was not mentioned.

Then, opposition CDU deputy Jurgen Hardt directly asked Pistorius if the deliveries of Taurus were implied.

Give an answer: yes or no, Hardt said.

I have read this document. Its authors will think about it. I am not a member of the (SPD in the Bundestag) faction, Pistorius said, adding that he cannot answer this question.

Read also: Bundestag again blocks Taurus missile transfer to Ukraine proposed by opposition

The ministers words provoked laughter among some deputies.

NV

Later, the deputy head of the SPD faction, Gabriela Heinrich, said that this was a matter of interpretation.

According to her, based on the approved document, the supply of Taurus is not obligatory, but no red line has been drawn.

In September 2023, Pistorius said that Berlin had not refused to transfer Taurus missiles to Ukraine, but was not ready to do so.

Read also: Scholz evades question on transfer of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine

The reason could be the wavering of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as previously reported by the media, he expressed concern that Kyiv could attack Russian territory.

Ukraine has repeatedly stated that it will not use Western long-range missiles to strike Russian territory.

On Jan. 17, the Bundestag did not support a resolution calling for the supply of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Only 178 out of 666 MPs voted in favor.

On Feb. 5, Christian Freuding, head of the Special Staff for Ukraine at the German Ministry of Defense, said that long-range Taurus missiles cannot turn the tide of war in favor of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

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
Insert Coin, which opened nearly three years ago in downtown Centralia, is bringing a restaurant, bar, arcade games, ax throwing and more to Olympia, the co-owner of the business said this week.

Keli and Daniel Coleman are renovating a 23,000-square-foot spot next to Albertsons at Pacific Avenue and Fones Road that was once home to Crunch Fitness.

They expect to open the business in late summer or early fall, Keli Coleman said.

One reason the business will open then is because they have to build the kitchen and bar. They also will have 10 lanes of ax throwing, a self-pour beer wall, a robot bartender called the Makr Shakr, party rooms and 200 arcade games, both vintage and new.

Despite its name, the arcade games are either set to free play or require a card that is purchased and then swiped to start the game. The cards are reusable and will work in both Olympia and Centralia, Coleman said.

Some of the games spit out tickets that can be accumulated and exchanged for prizes.

The self-pour beer wall will have 32 taps, including cider and wine. Why a robot bartender? It can make 80 drinks per hour, she said, adding that its more consistent and doesnt over-pour.

However, a real person will need to be standing by to check IDs, Coleman said.

The restaurant will serve pub-style food, including its popular hand-stuffed burgers and pizzas made with fresh sourdough. What are the burgers stuffed with? Bacon and cheddar cheese, mushrooms and Swiss cheese, caramelized onions and provolone are some of the combinations.

The bar will serve cocktails and mocktails with video game themes, she said.

The business has been approved by the state to sell franchises, Coleman said, which includes training the new franchisee and using their menu.

The new location, which is more than twice the size of the Centralia site, expects to employ 40 people, both full-and part-time. Those who would like to apply should send an email to olympia@insertcoin.wa.com.

Insert Coin Olympia intends to operate 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

Other business happenings

Olyphant Art Supply is moving, the business announced on Facebook.

Currently located on Fifth Avenue in downtown Olympia, the longtime business is headed to 601 Capitol Way S., at Legion Way, the former home of the Burial Grounds Coffee Collective.

We will be closed February 27th-29th for the big move! Online and in-store pickups will also be closed that time as well. Well be back up and running March 1st at our new location, the Facebook post reads.

A sign announcing the Olyphant move.

Heritage Distilling, which operates a distillery and tasting room in Tumwater, has acquired Thinking Tree Spirits, a craft distillery in Eugene, Oregon, the business announced.

Once the transaction closes, Heritage will own 100% of the Thinking Tree assets and brands, company officials said in a news release. The combined entity will have two production facilities for spirits, one in Tumwater, the other in Eugene, five retail tasting rooms, a combined online direct-to-consumer presence, and a growing wholesale distribution across the Pacific Northwest and a number of new states in the Midwest.

A mini-storage operation called Cram-a-Lot has submitted a land-use application for four additional mini-storage buildings totaling about 32,000 square feet at 10501 Highway 12 SW in Rochester, according to Thurston County information.

The project also requests an administrative wetland buffer reduction from 220 feet to a minimum of 165 feet, according to the county.

The project requires SEPA review due to the size of the proposed additions and volume of grading (over 500 cubic yards). The site zoning is Rural Commercial Center in rural, unincorporated Thurston County.

The comment period ends at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 7. Send your comments to Associate Planner Scott McCormick at scott.mccormick@co.thurston.wa.us.

The site of a proposed Cram-a-Lot mini-storage expansion in Rochester.

Meanwhile, the city of Tumwaters Development Review Committee, which provides feedback on early-stage development proposals, is set to hear a pitch from Emerald City Behavioral Health.

They want to remodel a one-story building into a 16-bed residential treatment facility at 1625 Mottman Road SW. The meeting to discuss the proposal is set for Feb. 29, according to city information.

People news

Beth Henriquez has been named executive director of Enterprise for Equity, a nonprofit that helps those with limited incomes become business owners.

Henriquez has been Enterprise for Equitys business trainer, program director and loan officer for more than 16 years. She replaces longtime executive director and co-founder Lisa Smith, who held the role for more than 20 years.

We thank her for laying the foundations of the organization, building strong community partnerships, and ensuring innovation is a part of our core practices as we support new entrepreneurs and nurture the businesses we have served, especially those who have been marginalized, Enterprise for Equity officials announced in a newsletter.

If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
A reader takes issue with the Houston Chronicle editorial board's endorsement for the 507th Family Court. Bjoern Wylezich, HO / TNS

Endorsements

Regarding Lillian Alexander for 507th Family Court in the Democratic primary (Editorial), (Feb. 17): I was appalled by the way the Chronicles editorial board decided on this endorsement for the Democratic primary, 507th Family Court. It appears that not much thought was given to the incumbents experience on the bench. Rather, the lack of endorsement for her was based on the opinions of a few attorneys who filled out a survey. It stands to reason that if an attorney did not have a good outcome in that court that day a negative survey could be in order for the judge.

I would urge the Chronicle editorial board to stick to valuing experience rather than the opinions of some disgruntled attorneys who dont always get their way. In the 507th Family District Court, trial experience matters, and her opponent has zero trial experience. Judge Julia Maldonado has served on the bench as family judge the longest out of anybody in the county, and she has the needed compassion for the 507th District families that come before her. She is fair, she has integrity and yes, there will be some good and some bad days for everyone.

But to base an endorsement on a survey from a selected few, and not experience, is totally a disservice to the electorate, and purely wanton disregard on the Chronicles part. To the Chronicle: No change is needed in the 507th Family Court.

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Blanca Blanco, Houston

Regarding We recommend Harold Dutton for Texas House District 142 Dem primary (Editorial), (Feb. 17): Unfortunately, your reasoning to endorse Dutton is very shortsighted. Nearly 40 years in office, and at least 20 years of school failures under his watch, and you support him. Every school, especially Wheatley, was supposed to be the school that created the takeover. Maybe you all should have asked him why he didnt start doing something about the failures 20 years ago. Why now? Now that Gov. Greg Abbott wants vouchers. Why did Dutton not get with the school board members over the years and ask what he can do to help? Again, why did it take him this long to know the schools in his district were failing, including his own high school? The questioning of him seems insufficient.

The Republicans have been waiting for someone like Dutton to help get them started. Thats why his own Democratic Party didnt support him. The shame of having no term limits is that people like him, Abbott, Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick keep getting reelected. Blame name recognition.

I cant tell you the last time he had a town hall meeting, or fed the elderly, or hosted a Christmas gift giveaway.

He is the problem. Knowing that they closed the North Forest school district, knowing they had a state-appointed monitor in Kashmere High School, why didnt he know that Houston ISD was next? Why did he not come up with a plan to put resources in the schools that were failing, at least 10 years ago?

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Unfortunately, on this one, you have failed the voters in Duttons district. Charming you may consider him, but he is not what the district needs, period. Arrogance is what he is.

I am also a Wheatley graduate, class of 1972, and very much ashamed of his leadership.

John Glenn, Fresno

Regarding We endorse Colin Allred in the Democratic primary for Senate (Editorial), (Feb. 11): As I read your endorsement of Colin Allred, I wondered if it was, in fact, a paid political ad for both of your head and heart candidates.

Your team insinuates that if a voter doesnt agree with you, they are less intelligent or not caring toward the residents of Texas. I have found Sen. Ted Cruzs accomplishments significant, especially as he continues to press on the two biggest issues nationally and locally: the border and crime. Both are big issues for our city and state, but your recommended candidates seem as silent on those topics as the front pages of the Houston Chronicle.

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Not sure either candidate represents many Texans views and values even if your free advertising attempts to persuade differently. Why would we want an unapologetically progressive Bernie Sanders-style populist to represent Texas?

You were accurate when you stated the impression is a bit misleading. But that should not be a surprise.

James Keily, Houston

Make no mistake. When it comes to the editorial boards recommendations for the GOP primary, they dont even bother with wearing sheeps clothing. I think we will make our own choices.

DS Batchelor, Giddings
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, sometimes mentioned as a possible vice president, gave a speech endorsing former President Donald Trump, during an appearance near Texas' border with Mexico. (Meridith Kohut/The New York Times) MERIDITH KOHUT/NYT

The November presidential election might seem far away, but its time for the veepstakes already. You know, that favorite game of pundits, politicos and political junkies who, every four years, obsess over the presidential candidates choice for vice president.

With President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on track to win their partys nominations, media headlines are already turning to the veepstakes. Who will Trump pick for vice president? Is Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in the running? Will Biden drop Vice President Kamala Harris?

As a political scientist who has studied veepstakes media coverage, I advise anyone following the vice presidential race to take all of this feverish speculation with a grain of salt.

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Youll hear in the speculation, for example, that vice presidents dont really matter once in office and that the vice president pick has to be someone who can help win the election by delivering a key state or voting bloc.

But what matters most to voters, according to my research, and to the future of this country is finding someone who is well qualified to serve as vice president  and president, if necessary.

Veepstakes media coverage deserves its poor reputation as little more than an electoral parlor game. Too bad: Given the vice presidencys importance and the medias opportunity to educate Americans about the offices potential next occupant, it should be so much more than that. This is the conclusion from my 2023 book, News Media Coverage of the Vice-Presidential Selection Process: Whats Wrong with the Veepstakes? 

My research shows that veepstakes articles tend to focus on whether a potential running mate can help win the election  not on who can help the president govern once in office.

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For example, I found that journalists are more likely to discuss a potential running mates physical appearance than whether he or she is qualified to serve as vice president.

A prospective vice presidential candidates political or professional experience gets even less media coverage in the run-up to a close election. Only when the outcome seems like a foregone conclusion do journalists spend about as much time weighing a potential running mates governing capacities as their electoral appeal. Choosing a well-qualified vice president is treated as a luxury that only some presidential candidates can afford.

The problem with veepstakes media coverage, generally speaking, is that it overstates the running mates influence on voters and understates the importance of electing a well-qualified vice president.

Vice presidents have little in the way of formal, constitutional powers. They break ties in the Senate. And in what used to be a simple ceremonial function, they also open and count states electoral votes before Congress.

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They are also first in line to take over as president, if necessary.

But over the past half-century, vice presidents have gained a great deal of informal power, too. In most administrations, they serve as top presidential advisers who play key roles in many major decisions. It is therefore important for presidential candidates to choose a running mate who can help them govern once in office.

VOTER GUIDE: 2024 Texas Primary

Choosing a well-qualified running mate is also a good electoral strategy. My co-author, Kyle C. Kopko, and I demonstrate this in our 2020 book, Do Running Mates Matter? The Influence of Vice Presidential Candidates in Presidential Elections. Voters reward presidential candidates for selecting someone with the experience necessary to serve as vice president.

The opposite is true when selecting a less-experienced or poorly qualified vice president in a desperate bid for votes  think Sarah Palin, in 2008. That strategy backfires.

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In short, running mates mostly have an indirect effect on how people vote by influencing what they think of the presidential candidates. Rarely does the choice change anyones vote simply because they like the vice presidential candidate or come from the same state or demographic group.

As coverage of the 2024 veepstakes picks up, the media could better serve the American people by helping to provide relevant information about contenders for the vice presidency before they join a party ticket or get elected to office.

Informative news articles can provide answers to the most important questions: What are the potential running mates qualifications? What strengths will he or she bring to the White House? If elected, would the new president and vice president work well together?

My research suggests that this is the standard to which journalists should aspire. The veepstakes is not a game, but rather a consequential choice that requires serious, substantive analysis. You can pay attention to those who treat it as such  and ignore those who dont.
A Metro bus leaves a station eastbound on Richmond Avenue at Montrose Boulevard, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, near the site of a proposed METRORapid stop as part University Corridor Project in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Houston-area voters can get free rides to polling locations for the March primary election, thanks to a partnership with METRO and the League of Women Voters.

Free transportation on METRORail, local bus, METRORapid, curb2curb and METROLift paratransit services is available Saturday, Feb. 24 and Tuesday, March 5. To ride for free, voters simply need to inform bus operators or fare inspectors that they are going to or returning from the polls.

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Transportation to the polls became a political flash point earlier this week when Tarrant County Commissioners Court on Wednesday voted, 3-2, to reject a plan that would help fund Trinity Metro's program offering free rides, which the county had subsidized since 2019.

Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare, a Republican, opposed the plan, posting on the social media platform X: "Public money should not be used to try to get more people to the polls, especially when only a limited geographic area is targeted. It is up to individuals, candidates, political parties, and private organizations to increase voter turnout."

Trinity Metro will provide free rides to and from the polls March 5 even without the county support.

In the Houston area, METRO is funded by a one-cent sales tax that covers operating costs; the nominal costs of providing free rides to the polls is built into the budget, requiring no additional funding from outside sources, according to a METRO spokesperson.

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But some Harris County officials said they are strong supporters of the program.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, a Democrat, said he disagreed with O'Hare's opposition to using public funding to help voter turnout.

"The county can and should do this; its ridiculous to say otherwise," Garcia said.

Offering free transportation to the polls is also a matter of safety in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Garcia joked: "I've seen the way y'all drive."

The Tarrant County vote is linked to a "broader national effort to suppress voters," Democratic Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said.

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"While Tarrant County takes a step back, Harris County remains committed to dismantling barriers to voting," Ellis said, citing examples such as the county's drive-through voting and 24-hour voting initiatives, which were later banned by the state Legislature.

Harris County Republican Party chair Cindy Siegel agreed that providing free rides to the polls is a worthwhile public effort to help people exercise their right to vote.
Harris County residents vote at the West Gray Multi-Service Center during last year's mayoral elections. Most candidates in the 2024 primary elections must live in their respective districts, but records raise questions about four of them. Michael Wyke/Contributor

When Audrey Douglas filed to run in the Republican primary for a seat in the Texas House, she had a clear path to the November general election against Democratic state Rep. Ann Johnson: Nobody else in the GOP had filed to run.

The address Douglas listed on her ballot application, though, is not actually in the district she hoped to represent, as state law requires. Douglas Montrose home is in District 147, the heavily Democratic seat that belongs to state Rep. Jolanda Jones.

The Harris County GOP did not check to ensure the address she listed was in the district, and Republican voters who turn out to vote this month will see her unopposed on their ballots. The law does not obligate parties to conduct those checks, though other entities, such as Houston City Hall, usually ensure the given address is within the chosen districts boundaries.

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On their application, candidates swear that they meet the eligibility requirements to run for their intended offices, said Sam Somogye, a spokesman for the Harris County GOP. If challenges arise after their applications have been filed, we diligently review them. A challenge on the basis of eligibility can still arise after voting has begun.

Douglas, who does not appear to be running a substantive campaign, did not respond to requests for comment. Nobody has challenged her residency in the District 134 race, and she appears headed to coast to a long-shot battle against Johnson in November.

She is one of four Harris County candidates running in this years primaries who have ties to homes outside their prospective districts, though the others listed residences in their jurisdictions on their ballot applications. One other candidate has a felony conviction that could raise questions about his eligibility.

All will appear on the ballot, thanks in part to lackluster enforcement of the state law requiring most candidates to live in the district they want to represent. Judges have interpreted residency loosely when such cases make it to court, allowing candidates to list warehouses, office buildings or secondary houses as their homes.

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As long as a candidate has a tie to an address and claims they intend to live there, they usually survive any potential legal challenge to their candidacy.

Perhaps the most notable local challenge involving residency centered around Dave Wilson, the former Houston Community College trustee. Wilson had listed a warehouse in his district, instead of the house his wife owned. County officials hired private investigators to follow him and waged a legal battle to oust him in 2014, but they could not convince a judge to throw him out of office.

Pastor Willie Davis was one of seven candidates for Houston City Hall last fall that the Houston Chronicle identified as potentially living outside the city. Davis claims a homestead exemption on a house he bought in Iowa Colony, a suburb 23 miles south of City Hall. He won election in December and is serving without a legal challenge.

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Homestead exemptions are a tax perk that homeowners are supposed to claim only on their primary residence, a potential sign that candidates live outside city or district lines.

The Chronicle obtained ballot applications for every state and county candidate whose district is entirely within Harris County lines (people running for Congress are not required to live in their districts), and then checked property records, voter registrations and other documents to corroborate their address and criminal background.

Besides Douglas, here are the candidates running in the March primaries whose eligibility could raise questions.

Erik Wilson, Democrat, Texas House District 131

Wilson listed his parents house in South Acres on his ballot application. Fort Bend County property records show he and his wife bought a home in Sugar Land in 2018, where they claim a homestead exemption.

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Wilson told the Chronicle he stays at his parents house because his father suffered a stroke in 2008 and is still recovering. He stays there to help his mother care for him because his fathers health has deteriorated, Wilson said.

FOLLOW THE MONEY: Which candidates have raised the most money in key Texas and Harris County races?

I live in (South Acres), my wife will go back and forth because we have that nail salon over there in Fort Bend, Wilson said.

Wilson is one of two primary challengers taking on state Rep. Alma Allen.

William Gorman, Democrat, Precinct 5 constable

Gorman listed a house in Sharpstown he said belongs to his brothers partner.

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Montgomery County property records show he bought a house in 2022 in Conroe, where he claims a homestead exemption.

Gorman said he bought the house for his mother and that he continues to live in Sharpstown with his brother and brothers partner.

I just kind of live there, stay there while I work. For the house up here in Conroe, my mom lives here, Gorman said. Roughly a little bit before the election, when I decided I wanted to run, I moved back to the house (in Sharpstown).

Gorman faces three other candidates in the Democratic race for Precinct 5 constable.

ELECTION FAQ: What to know about voting in the March 5 primary elections

Michael Coleman, Democrat Precinct 7 constable

Coleman listed a house in Brays Oaks that he has owned since 1994.

He owns two other properties in the suburbs, and he claims his homestead exemption at a house in Magnolia. Coleman said that is his country home but that the Houston address is his primary residence, despite the homestead.

Monday through Friday, Im (in Houston), he said. Youre more than welcome to come check.

Colemans longtime ownership of the house he listed on his ballot application would almost certainly satisfy any challenge to his residency. He faces two other Democratic candidates in the Precinct 7 constable primary.

Clint Horn, Democrat, Texas House District 142

Horn was convicted of a state jail felony for theft more than two decades ago.

Texas law technically bars felons from running for office unless they have had their resulting disabilities removed, a vague legal phrase that has not been thoroughly tested in court.

The attorney generals office has interpreted the language narrowly, qualifying those who have been pardoned by the governor or granted judicial clemency by a judge.

Horns conviction in 2002 was for theft by check, between $1,500 and $20,000. He told the Chronicle he believes he is eligible to run after consulting with his attorney and that he has been able to serve in other roles.

I have received advice and been represented by legal, and the wording is the issue, as has always been with this law in Texas, Horn said.

He is one of two challengers to longtime state Rep. Harold Dutton.

People with similar histories have reached the ballot in several Texas cities, though it is unclear if anyone with a felony conviction has won election to office in the state.

In 2019, that legal question led to a yearlong delay in a Houston City Council race, when the third-place finisher alleged one of the runoff participants was ineligible for office because of her conviction. A judge ultimately allowed her to stay on the ballot, though he did not actually rule on the felony question.
Nicole Mordy closes a storage compartment on her Rivian electric vehicle as members of the Lone Star Rivian Club gathered to drive along Surfside Beach and pick up trash, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Surfside Beach. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Houston is unlikely to meet its climate action goal of phasing out gas-powered vehicles, with just 49 electric and hybrid cars added to its 13,000-vehicle fleet over the past two years, according to Fleet Management Director Gary Glasscock.

In 2020, former Mayor Sylvester Turner unveiled a series of long-range goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions and combat the adverse effects of climate change. The plan included a bold target for Houston to electrify all nonemergency, light-duty city vehicles within a decade.

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As of February, however, the city operates only 91 battery electric vehicles, 325 hybrid electric vehicles and three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, a recent memo from Glasscock to other city officials shows. Together, they make up just over 10% of all nonemergency, light-duty cars, which fluctuates between 3,500 and 4,000 vehicles, Glasscock said.

Glasscock warned in the memo that at the current pace, it would be "very difficult" to reach the city's target by 2030. He pointed to limited vehicle and charger availability during the COVID-19 pandemic as a key obstacle. There were a few instances where manufacturers canceled orders or took over a year to fulfill them, he said.

"The goal was set with market conditions that existed prior to the pandemic," Glasscock told the Houston Chronicle, adding that the city has ordered more electric and hybrid cars that will arrive in the coming weeks and months. "We've got to make some adjustments, and hopefully production by the manufacturers will increase, and we will be able to get back on track."

City Council on Wednesday unanimously green-lighted the purchase of 32 new gas-powered vehicles  a mix of light-duty police cars and municipal trucks and vans  after District C Council Member Abbie Kamin delayed the vote last week.

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Kamin, a consistent advocate for a green fleet, previously noted that many supply-side challenges affecting EV acquisition also apply to gas-powered cars. She urged fleet management officials to broaden their search for new hybrid or EV models and highlighted, specifically, the possibility of investing in energy-efficient police cars.

"A lot of the challenges that we're facing in procurement, I believe, can possibly be avoided," Kamin said Wednesday. "We need a bigger pool to choose from when it comes to where we are buying our goods from that directly will save the city money in the long run and are the right thing to do."

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED: What to know about buying an EV in Texas

While the city's current climate action plan does not specifically target emergency vehicles, Glasscock acknowledged that adopting hybrid police cars could lead to significant cost savings, given their extensive use.

Because of a grant deadline, Glasscock said, his team could not find a suitable model for the latest police vehicle purchases in time. But the police department has already ordered several hybrid patrol cars and is waiting for their arrival.

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"Once we get these vehicles in, we get them out in the field, and our police department gets to really test them. If they work out, well, we can start going down that path," he said.

Recent research shows that the state and local governments in Texas could save nearly $865 million in lifetime costs if they acquire electric replacements for vehicles retired in the next 10 years.

Despite the financial advantages, Texas governments have generally been slow to incorporate EVs into their fleets, said Richard "Buzz" Smith, interim executive director of the Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance.

"They're spending taxpayer dollars, so they probably are a lot more nervous about trying something new than just an everyday driver," Smith said. "We've got to educate the fleet managers, and we've got to get training set up for the service technicians to learn this new way of doing business."

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Texas is now a front-runner in EV adoption, ranking third in the nation with 149,000 new registrations in 2022, trailing only California and Florida, statistics from the Department of Energy show. Still, Texas laws make it difficult for cities such as Houston to electrify their fleets, according to Marc Geller, spokesperson for the Electric Vehicle Association.

Automakers prefer to send electric cars to states with friendlier policies, such as California, leaving fewer options for Texas consumers, he said. At the same time, state law requires local governments to purchase only from licensed Texas dealers, preventing them from buying directly from producers such as Tesla that sell directly to customers.

"You're caught between the American manufacturers not making cars available to you in Texas  and a prohibition on purchasing cars from the company that has more cars than they know what to do with," Geller said. "There has to be a political fight with the Texas Legislature."

New Mayor John Whitmire did not respond to questions about his stance on Houstons current climate action targets or his administration's environmental goals. Mary Benton, spokesperson for the mayor's office, said Whitmire is in the process of reviewing the citys big-picture projects and priorities.

Geller said he has seen many cases where changes in government administrations have resulted in disruption in the pursuit of long-term climate goals and that it is up to other city officials as well as local advocates to hold new leaders accountable.

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(Photo : Unsplash/Gayatri Malhotra)

President Biden's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized an air quality standards rule, which could wipe out one million jobs and disrupt manufacturing new facilities in America.

Pre-released copy of State of Manufacturing Remarks

Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), is scheduled to voice out his concerns about the EPA regulation in his State of Manufacturing speech on Thursday in Roseville, Michigan, according to a pre-released remarks copy provided to FOX Business.

Timmons mentioned that President Biden will likely acknowledge manufacturers' achievements in his State of the Union Address next month, which he believes is fair. He noted Biden's strong commitment to manufacturing, citing his frequent statements that the nation would regain its position as a global manufacturing leader.

Federal Agencies Working Against Biden's Manufacturing Support

Despite President Biden's manufacturing support, Timmons cautioned that his federal agencies are currently working on a regulation known as National Ambient Air Quality Standards or PM2.5, which could potentially wipe out 1 million jobs. While the name of the regulation may not seem significant, its consequences are severe, with stricter standards than those in Europe, and could restrict the ability to construct new manufacturing facilities in many parts of the country.

The Threat of PM2.5

The EPA, which introduced the regulation in January 2023 and finalized it on February 7, tightens fine particle pollution, also known as PM2.5, lowering air quality standards from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan stated that the new rule will improve air quality and health, benefiting vulnerable and overburdened communities. The EPA estimates it will prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays, resulting in around forty-six billion dollars in health benefits by 2032.

Timmons cautioned that Michigan, a crucial swing state with a significant manufacturing industry, might bear the heaviest burden of the new regulation, where the effects on manufacturers will reverberate across the Great Lakes State.

Timmons warned that Michigan could face severe consequences, as a decline in manufacturing investments would negatively impact the state's economy, affecting families selling homes, teachers awaiting school investments, and students seeking job opportunities within the state, emphasizing that driving manufacturing investment away from the United States to countries with lower standards cannot solve the world's environmental challenges.

READ ALSO: U.S. Manufacturing in Crisis, Factory Employment Hits Rock Bottom Amidst Economic Struggles

Highlighting the Emerging AI Technology

Timmons also praised the recent growth of the manufacturing industry and highlighted the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to spark a new era of innovation, investment, and productivity, strengthening America's economy in the coming years and beyond. According to him, the manufacturing industry's state relies on its people. With 13 million workers, the largest in over 15 years, manufacturing might thrive by 2030.

Artificial intelligence could give American workers incredible abilities, which could become unmatched in productivity and innovation, attracting more manufacturing investment. Still, Timmons cautioned that burdensome regulations such as PM2.5, challenges with legal immigration, trade barriers, potential tax increases, and growing geopolitical risks could dampen those possibilities, citing "America today remains strong and resilient but under threat."

RELATED ARTICLE: Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: Top Opportunities and Challenges

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Pixabay/Gerd Altmann)

The U.S. Justice Department names its first AI official dedicated to addressing the significant impact AI could have on federal law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

Naming the Department's First Chief AI Officer

Jonathan Mayer, an assistant professor at Princeton University specializing in national security, consumer privacy, and criminal procedures, has been appointed Chief Science and Technology Adviser and Chief AI Officer who will work in the DOJ's Office of Legal Policy, as per the department.

Attorney General Merrick Garland says that the Justice Department needs to keep pace with fast-changing scientific and technological advancements to uphold the law, ensure national security, and safeguard civil rights.

Department of Justice's Goal in AI Regulation

Mayer will counsel Garland and department leaders on emerging technology matters, including the responsible incorporation of AI into department investigations and criminal prosecutions.

U.S. officials are grappling with reducing the risks of a loosely regulated and quickly growing technology while aiming to capitalize on its potential advantages.

Existing AI Utilization in Combating Crimes

The DOJ and officials from other departments are discussing ways to reduce AI-related risks while also exploring its potential benefits, says Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in a recent speech in Britain.

The DOJ has also employed AI to locate the sources of certain illegal drugs and has utilized the technology in its investigation of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, as reported by Reuters.

Rising Concerns on AI Risk within the Justice System

Monaco mentioned that the technology could aid in detecting and preventing terror plots and hostile actions from U.S. adversaries. However, she expressed concerns about its potential to reinforce existing biases, interfere with elections, and create new opportunities for cybercriminals, saying that every new technology is a "double-edged sword." Still, AI may be the sharpest blade yet.

READ ALSO: U.S. Lawmakers Gears Toward AI Regulation, Proposes Bill to Address AI Risks in the Government

Paving a Way to an AI-Backed Department

With a law degree and a Ph.D. in computer science from Stanford University, Mayer will lead a new Emerging Technology Board consisting of law enforcement and civil rights officials and advise the DOJ regarding the ethics and effectiveness of AI systems. Mayer, who previously worked for the Federal Communications Commission and served as the technology adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris when she was a U.S. senator, will also recruit more technology experts for the DOJ.

Garland stated that Jonathan's expertise will be crucial in preparing the entire Justice Department, including law enforcement, litigation, grantmaking, and U.S. Attorneys' Offices, for the challenges and opportunities brought by new technologies.

The Office of Legal Policy's mission is to create and execute the Justice Department's major policy initiatives, manage special projects involving various Department components, collaborate with other Department units and Executive Branch agencies, and advise the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General on policy matters.

RELATED ARTICLE: Meta Prepares for Upcoming U.S. Elections, Incorporates Invisible Watermarks for AI Deepfake Detection

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Commentary: With int'l debut, China's C919 offers a paradigm of worldwide collaboration

Xinhua) 09:37, February 23, 2024

SINGAPORE, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's domestically developed C919 jetliner soared through the Singaporean skies on Sunday, marking its inaugural international showcase and presenting the world with the latest advancement in Chinese high-tech products.

The narrowbody airliner's debut at the Singapore Airshow, the largest in Asia, came after nearly nine months of stable and cost-efficient domestic commercial operation by China Eastern Airlines. More than 1,200 orders have been placed for the jet so far, according to the manufacturer, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

Since its inaugural commercial flight from Shanghai to Beijing in May, the C919 has garnered significant global attention, providing a promising alternative to the longstanding duopoly of Airbus and Boeing in the passenger jet market.

Dominated by a few Western companies, the world aircraft manufacturing industry is now facing such challenges as safety problems, supply chains interruptions and repeated delivery delays. China's efforts to innovate and play an active part in the international market will open up new business opportunities for its partners worldwide.

According to a Boeing report released in September, China is set to become the biggest domestic aviation market in the world in the next two decades, accounting for 20 percent of the global airplane demand by 2042, with the vast majority of orders coming in the single-aisle sector.

Surging domestic demand and unremitting efforts to make technological breakthroughs are set to help the C919 airliner establish its brand and win a share in the highly consolidated aircraft market.

Overseas, COMAC has already received orders for the C919 from U.S.-based aircraft lessor GE Capital Aviation Services, Brunei's start-up Gallop Air, Irish lessor AerCap and Thai-registered charter airline City Airways, to name a few.

In this age of globalized mass production, no company or country can produce a commercial jetliner on its own. And they do not have to. Airplane manufacturing industries are a textbook example of companies worldwide working together in this enterprise, often regarded as a crown jewel of manufacturing in modern times. While the C919 has many overseas suppliers, some parts of Boeing and Airbus planes are made in China.

Working hand in hand with customers and suppliers is vital for the success of any manufacturer in an increasingly interconnected world. Even industry rivals such as Boeing and Airbus have extended congratulations to the C919 and embraced the prospect of healthy competition. China is committed to cooperation with companies worldwide in the aviation industry to foster a supportive industrial ecosystem.

At the Changi Exhibition Center in Singapore, more than 1,000 companies and various aircraft and aerobatics teams are showing off their latest technologies and aviation skills in an open, shared space, with anticipation and excitement filling the air.

That spirit of openness and sharing is exactly what is needed in the international arena.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Protest at St. Clair prison set for February 23

February 22, 2024, 6:39 p.m.

Incarcerated organizers shut down St Clair Prisonrefusing to

finance their own incarceration and exploitation of gas

chamber style executions, forced labor, and deadly abuse;

southern groups host ongoing protests in solidarity _______________________________________________________________________________



The prison shutdown began on February 6th and is led

by the Free Alabama Movement (FAM), a local

organization of incarcerated people that in 2016 led the largest national prison shutdown in history. The St Clair prison

shutdown is the beginning of longterm efforts towards a

statewide shutdown of AL prisons. Groups from Alabama,

Tennessee, and Georgia join forces to lead ongoing

solidarity protests at St. Clair Prison.

_______________________________________________________________________________



KNOXVILLE - Following the initial protest on February 6th, FAM Queen Team (Alabama), The Tennessee Student Solidarity Network (Tennessee), and organizations from across the Southeast have been hosting ongoing protests outside St. Clair Prison in Springville, AL, the next one scheduled again for this Friday, February 23rd at 12PM. Protestors are standing in solidarity with the prison shutdown led by incarcerated organizers with the Free Alabama Movement who are fighting a corrupt system where they are leased to companies as commodities by the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC), as well as experience cruel and deadly abuse while in custody.



Alabama prisons are the deadliest and most crowded in the country. The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) is so corrupt and violent that in 2020 they got sued by the U.S. Department of Defense for violating the constitutional rights of incarcerated people against cruel and unusual punishment. ADOC is notoriously anti-Black, and frequently exploits the Habitual Offender Act to keep Black people in prison. In 2023, the parole acceptance rate for Black folks was only 4% (ACLU of Alabama). In 2023, national labor unions (USSW, RWDSU) with support of the AFL-CIO sued the state of Alabama, ADOC, the AL parole board, and private corporations, claiming that they were colluding to uphold a heinous regime of modern-day slavery that made ADOC $450M profits from forced prison labor annually. Incarcerated people are forced to labor in deadly conditions to make profits for ADOC and big corporations (including one-third of defense contractors), experiencing beatings, rape, and deadly repression if they try to refuse.









Incarcerated people in Alabama are organizing under unimaginable conditions, risking their lives for the chance to meet the following demands:



 Repeal the Habitual Offender Act

 Make sentencing guidelines retroactive

 Create mandatory parole criteria that the board must follow

 Abolish the Sentence of Life Without Parole

 End All Gas Chamber Executions



We are here because the South has woken up and realize that the prison struggle is our fight. 575 corporations; the most evil corporations in America; the corporations who are profiting from endless wars, killing Palestinians abroad, and destroying the earth are the same corporations profiting from the exploitation of incarcerated peoplefrom Raytheon to McDonalds - The Tennessee Student Solidarity Network



The Tennessee Student Solidarity Network is a youth-led organization aiming to develop working-class youth as longterm political workers.


A photo exhibition commemorating the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy will open in Seoul next week, featuring about 70 photos and video materials showing their bilateral ties, a national museum said Friday.

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History said it will hold the special photo exhibition on the Korean-Italian relations on the third floor of the museum in central Seoul from Tuesday to March 31, together with the Italian Embassy, Yonhap News Agency, ANSA News Agency and the Italian Cultural Institute of Seoul.

The monthlong exhibition will be held under the theme of "All roads lead to history, Italy and Korea," to look back on the 140 years of history since Korea (then Joseon Dynasty) and Italy signed a trade treaty in 1884.

Notably, photos and videos regarding the activities of the 68th Red Cross Hospital, an Italian medical unit dispatched to aid Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, will be released for the first time. About 60 medical officers and nurses first set foot on the Korean soil in 1951 and they treated approximately 230,000 people until 1955.

The exhibition will also feature a photo of Carlo Rossetti, the second Italian consul to Korea who arrived here in 1902, riding a palanquin and other photos the consul took himself in Korea. Photos of an Italian Catholic priest who operated a free soup kitchen in Korea and a Catholic sister who cared for leprosy patients for half a century will also be on the display.

The online exhibition of the same photos (www.yna.co.kr/together140) will be open to the public from 10 a.m. on Monday. (Yonhap)
Revelations that a North Korean missile fired by Russia in Ukraine contained a large number of components linked to U.S.-based companies underline the difficulty of enforcing sanctions against Pyongyang, but could help uncover illicit procurement networks, experts say.

Conflict Armament Research (CAR), a UK-based organization that tracks the origins of weapons used in conflicts, examined the remnants of a North Korean ballistic missile used by Russia against Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv on Jan. 2.

In a report released this week, it said it examined electronic components, including for the missile's navigation system, and found many were recently manufactured and bore the marks of companies based in the United States.

It said 75 percent of the components documented were "linked to companies incorporated in the United States," 16 percent to companies in Europe, and 11 percent to companies in Asia.

Date codes on the components indicated more than three quarters were produced between 2021 and 2023 and that the missile could not have been assembled before March last year, the report said.

Sanctions experts said the findings were not surprising even though for years the United States has led international efforts to restrict North Korea's ability to obtain parts and funding for its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

CAR said its findings showed both how difficult it is to control the export of commercial electronic components, and how reliant countries such as North Korea, Russia and Iran are on imported technology.

"North Korea (and Russia and Iran) are experts in avoiding U.N. and U.S. sanctions through front companies and other efforts," said Anthony Ruggiero of Washington's Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, who directed North Korea sanctions efforts in the Trump administration.

"While U.S. sanctions are robust on paper, sanctions must be enforced to be effective," he said, stressing the need for Washington and it allies to continually update sanctions lists and spend on enforcement.

"We are not doing either one on North Korea sanctions," he said, adding that the Biden administration particularly needed to do more to target Chinese companies, individuals, and banks aiding sanctions evasion.

CAR said it was working with industry to trace the missile components and identify the entities responsible for their diversion to North Korea, so would not identify the companies linked to their production. It also did not identify specific components.

Martyn Williams of 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea project, said many components made by U.S. firms were easily available online or from electronics markets around the world.

"That North Korea can get these is not surprising at all, and I don't think anyone imagined the sanctions regime would be able to stop the flow of common components," he said.

"There are however much more specialized components in missiles and some of those are not a click away on the internet. Those are also the type of thing that sanctions are meant to stop, so the presence of more specialized components would be more worrying."

Katsu Furukawa, a former member of the U.N. Panel of Experts in charge of monitoring U.N. sanctions against North Korea, said the bulk of the components shown in a photo in the CAR report appeared to be widely available commercial items.

However in past U.N. investigations, he said, there were usually a few specific items such as pressure transmitters and flight control computers that enabled investigators to track procurement routes and identify the perpetrators.

38 North director Jenny Town said such specialized items could only be obtained from a small number of vendors and should have more of a procurement paper trail.

The U.S. State Department said Washington uses export controls, sanctions, and law enforcement actions to prevent North Korea acquiring technology for its weapons programs and to prevent Russia acquiring such weapons.

"We work closely with the U.S. private sector, as well as foreign allied and partner states, in these efforts," a spokesperson said. (Reuters)
The top diplomats of South Korea, the United States and Japan highlighted the importance of trilateral coordination to respond to North Korea's provocative acts and its military support for Russia's war against Ukraine during their talks in Brazil on Thursday, the State Department said.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa held a trilateral meeting on the margins of the foreign ministers' meeting of the Group of 20 nations in Rio De Janeiro.

The first three-way gathering since Cho took office last month came as the three nations have been deepening their cooperation on various issues, ranging from North Korean nuclear threats to economic security and export controls on technologies with security risks.

"Secretary Blinken, Foreign Minister Kamikawa, and Foreign Minister Cho also discussed the importance of building on close coordination in response to the DPRK's continued provocations as well as Pyongyang's growing military support for Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine," Matthew Miller, the department's spokesperson, said in a readout.

DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Their discussions on the North came amid concerns that Pyongyang could engage in major provocations ahead of South Korea's parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. presidential election in November.

Cho, Blinken and Kamikawa also discussed efforts to maintain stability across the Taiwan Strait, the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group in Gaza and the urgent need to release all remaining hostages and increase aid to Palestinian civilians, Miller said.

During the talks, Blinken reiterated the need for closer tripartite collaboration.

"With growing regional challenges, including the DPRK's provocative actions and military cooperation with Russia, and increasingly assertive actions by the PRC, cooperation and coordination with our closest allies is more important than ever," Blinken said according to a transcript released by the State Department.

PRC stands for the official name of China, the People's Republic of China.

The three sides addressed efforts to deter North Korea's illegal cyber activities aimed at financing its nuclear and missile development programs, according to a release by South Korea's foreign ministry.

They also committed to continuing close consultations this year and strengthening trilateral communication at the vice foreign minister level.

Blinken took stock of progress that the three countries have made since the landmark trilateral Camp David summit that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held at the presidential retreat in Maryland in August last year.

The summit produced a series of agreements, including the three countries' "commitment to consult" each other in the event of a shared threat and cooperation in various other fields.

"We've advanced key commitments, including finalizing our trilateral missile data-sharing mechanism and a long-term military exercise plan; holding the first trilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue; strengthening development cooperation in the Indo-Pacific; and launching cutting-edge collaboration in key technologies, including quantum computing," he said.

"We've also upheld commitments to consult with each other, to do so expeditiously, and to coordinate responses when we have a shared security challenge," he added.

South Korean Minister Cho called the tripartite meeting a "symbolic milestone" as the three countries have been deepening and broadening cooperation.

"First, it is the first trilateral meeting of the year ... Second, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the first-ever trilateral summit held in 1994. This gathering therefore represents a symbolic milestone in our journey together," Cho said.

"Third, this is our first-ever trilateral foreign minister meeting to be held in South America. I think it is emblematic of our global outreach and our commitment to meet whenever and wherever we can," he added.

Kamikawa expressed her eagerness to work together with her South Korean and U.S. counterparts to handle evolving North Korean threats.

"Looking at the global landscape, the free and open international order, based on the rule of law, is now being challenged," she said.

"It is already two years since Russia's aggression against Ukraine started. Our strategic coordination is more important than ever, and I am eager to work even more closely with both of you in dealing with North Korea and beyond," she added.

The Camp David summit marked a culmination of the three countries' efforts to deepen trilateral cooperation to deal with shared challenges.

The efforts for deeper three-way engagement gained traction as relations between Seoul and Tokyo, long strained over historical issues, have warmed since the South Korean president offered a solution to address the thorny issue of Japan's wartime forced labor in March last year. (Yonhap)
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul has urged the Group of 20 (G20) countries to play active roles in addressing escalating military threats from North Korea, his office said Friday.

Cho made the appeal during a session of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the ministry.

He also called for concerted efforts to respond to growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, as well as the North's illicit activities that violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Stressing there is "no alternative" to resolving global crises other than through multilateralism, he called on G20 countries to look beyond geopolitical confrontation and strengthen cooperation in such issues as climate change and digital transformation.

On Ukraine, Cho reiterated Seoul's commitment to continuing to provide assistance to the war-torn country to help its reconstruction efforts.

South Korea recently joined the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine, a multinational donor group that coordinates financial assistance and reconstruction plans for Ukraine.

This week's gathering marked the first multilateral talks that Cho participated in since he took office last month.

Cho also held separate bilateral talks with his counterparts from Japan, Canada, Indonesia and other member countries.

The G20 members comprise 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union. (Yonhap)
By Kim Hyun-bin

During a special screening in Seoul on Friday for the documentary "Culture vs. War," hosted by the Embassy of Ukraine to commemorate the second anniversary of Russia's invasion, Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko underscored Moscow's immoral aggression towards Ukraine.

"Tomorrow marks two years of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine," Ponomarenko said. "The beginning of open hostilities was preceded by eight years of lower intensity hybrid aggression, the occupation of Crimea and Donetsk and Luhansk regions."

The screening of "Culture vs. War" was attended by dozens of ambassadors and diplomatic missions in Korea to support Ukraine. U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, British Ambassador Colin Crooks and EU Ambassador Maria Castillo Fernandez all made an address before the screening.

It (Russia) has committed countless acso, of brutality against Ukraine's citizens. Russia's actions are destabilizing not just Eastern Europe but elsewhere too, Crooks said. We now know that Russia is using North Korean weapons in Ukraine, which it has procured in violation of the U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea that it once supported. In doing so, Russia is actively and selfishly undermining peace and security right here on the Korean peninsula in pursuit of its bloody war in Ukraine.

The U.S. ambassador underscored the significance of ongoing aid to Ukraine and expressed appreciation for the European Union's recent decision to broaden financial and military support.

The moment is now upon us when we must step up with more financial, military and humanitarian assistance. We're very pleased that the European Union has taken action with a $50 billion facility that they voted on a few weeks ago," Goldberg said. "The U.S. Congress is taking similarly wise, self-interested action to defend America's leadership and to create the kind of world and future we all want for our children and grandchildren."

With unwavering determination, Ponomarenko recounted Ukraine's resilience amid the turmoil.

"Two years on, Ukraine is still standing and fighting back. We have liberated more than half of occupied territories, lifted Russia's naval blockade by sinking nearly a third of its Black Sea fleet and depleted their Air force," he said.

"Russia's aggression against Ukraine is the bloodiest war Europe has seen in 80 years. With this war, Putin seeks to redraw the world map and rewrite history."

Ponomarenko underscored the significance of international solidarity in resisting Russian aggression.

"The war has taken away many precious lives of Ukraines best, most dedicated and courageous patriots at the front and thousands of innocent civilians. It has taken happy childhoods from Ukrainian children, many of whom were stolen and forcibly deported by Russians," the ambassador said.

"What it has not taken away is our resolve to fight to the end and drive the aggressor from our territory."

In a rallying call to the global community, Ponomarenko urged unity in the face of tyranny.

"The outcome of the Russian war against Ukraine will define the line between good and evil, allowed and forbidden, in the 21st century," he said. "We can win this war and prevent the death of the rules-based world, as long as our partners remain committed to the cause of defending freedom from tyranny."
North Korea may let the first vice foreign minister handle inter-Korean affairs as the country has been pushing to abolish agencies in charge of ties between the two Koreas in a show of animosity toward the South, a Seoul official said Friday.

Ko Young-hwan, a former North Korean diplomat who has become special adviser to South Korea's unification minister, said at a forum that North Korea could fill the post with Ri Son-gwon, head of the United Front Department (UFD) tasked with handling inter-Korean relations at the ruling party.

At a year-end party meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un defined inter-Korean ties as relations "between two states hostile to each other" and ordered officials to disband agencies dealing with relations between the two Koreas. Last month, Kim dubbed South Korea as North Korea's "primary foe."

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui had served as the first vice foreign minister, the No. 2 post at the ministry, before she was promoted to the top diplomat in 2022. But since then, the post appears to be vacant or removed, as state media have not reported who succeeded Choe.

"As Choe is not well aware of the UFD work, North Korea could let the first vice foreign minister deal with affairs with South Korea and appoint Ri to the post to support her," Ko said.

In January, Choe and Ri attended a meeting to discuss ways to dismantle agencies handling inter-Korean affairs. Without mentioning his title, state media called Ri an official in charge of affairs with South Korea, fueling speculation that the UFD might have been abolished.

"Veteran officials at the UFD could be transferred to the foreign ministry's units similar to the national unification department," Ko said.

The UFD has dealt with inter-Korean talks and North Korea's policy with South Korea, serving as a counterpart to Seoul's unification ministry. The national unification department at the foreign ministry is believed to have handled North Korea's inter-Korean policy until the mid-1990s.

Citing an unidentified North Korean diplomat who has defected to South Korea, Ko said North Korea is moving to shut down 15 of its diplomatic missions, including nine that either have been closed or are under way for shutdown.

Amid economic difficulties, North Korea has pulled out of Hong Kong and Libya in recent months in the latest of a series of shutdowns of its diplomatic missions, including Angola, Nepal, Bangladesh, Spain and Uganda.

The total number of North Korean diplomatic missions had stood at 44 as of Jan. 30, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. (Yonhap)
South Korea and the United States staged joint air drills with advanced F-35A fighter jets Friday, the Air Force said, amid joint efforts to strengthen deterrence against North Korean threats.

The exercise took place over South Korea, involving the latest-generation stealth fighters from both sides, as well as South Korean KF-16, F-15K and other aircraft, with a focus on enhancing joint operational capabilities, according to the Air Force.

During the exercise, the F-35As formed a joint team to train on defensive counter air maneuvers, such as intercepting simulated enemy aircraft and cruise missiles, it said.

The U.S. fighter jets arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, on Wednesday from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan to join the exercise. U.S. Air Force units stationed in South Korea do not operate F-35s.

The joint exercise took place in the wake of Pyongyang's continued saber-rattling this year, recently highlighted by its firing of multiple cruise missiles on Feb. 14, in its fifth such missile launch this year. (Yonhap)
The presidential office said Friday it will respond strongly to similar events in the future after a fabricated video of President Yoon Suk Yeol apologizing for corruption and incompetence appeared online.

The video, recently uploaded onto Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, depicted Yoon saying that his "incompetent and corrupt" government has habitually committed foul acts and injustices, ruining the nation and causing people pain.

The video emerged at a sensitive time ahead of April's general elections.

Police on Thursday requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), the telecommunications watchdog, remove and block the video. In an emergency meeting on Friday, the KCSC unanimously granted the police request, deciding that the video has the potential to cause significant social confusion.

"We express serious concern over the fact that despite this, certain outlets are labeling the false and fabricated video as a satirical video or reporting on it as if it is okay because it is marked as fake," presidential spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung said during a press briefing.

"This is action that goes against the calling of the press, which should root out fake news," she continued. "The presidential office plans to respond strongly to such false and fabricated videos in the future."

Initially, the video was suspected to be a deepfake creation, but it was later discovered to be a fabricated compilation of Yoon's statements made during a TV debate in February 2022 when he was a presidential candidate.

The KCSC plans to request the social network platforms delete or block the video. (Yonhap)
The government decided Friday to fully extend telemedicine services at hospitals on a temporary basis as fears of a worsening medical system crisis have grown over the prolonged walkout by junior doctors nationwide.

Thousands of intern and resident doctors in major general hospitals in Seoul and elsewhere have walked off the job for a fourth day as they oppose the government's plan to admit 2,000 more students to medical schools next year from the current 3,058 seats to address a shortage of doctors.

In response to the collective action, the government raised the state health crisis warning to the highest "serious" level and came up with a set of measures to minimize the impact of the move on the health and lives of the people.

"Telemedicine services will be fully allowed starting today until doctors end collective action," Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told a press briefing.

"The government will temporarily lift all regulations regarding telemedicine services. Many lower-tier local clinics, which mostly handle mild cases, are allowed to provide such services," he added.

Telemedicine services had been partially available since 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic under strict regulations.

Only higher-tier hospitals were entitled to provide telemedicine services for non-first-time patients, except for people in remote areas, as well as cases that take place at night and on holidays.

Doctors have long voiced opposition to the extension of telemedicine services.

As of Thursday night, 78.5 percent of the country's 13,000 trainee doctors from 96 major hospitals in Seoul and elsewhere, or 8,897 doctors, have submitted their resignations, and 7,863 of them have not turned up to work, according to the health ministry.

The latest figure marked a slight fall from the previous day's reading, but that does not mean that doctors have returned to work as the government was forced to exclude six hospitals from the tally due to insufficient data, it added.

Major hospitals have slashed the operation of surgery rooms to as low as 50 percent capacity, and a growing larger number of patients have experienced the postponement of surgeries and other necessary treatments.

The government received an additional 40 complaints from patients and others regarding the ongoing walkout, bringing the total such reports to 189 as of Thursday.

"Things will be a total mess if the ongoing situation prolongs for another week," a general hospital official said.

Trainee doctors play a crucial role in emergency and acute health care duties.

Adding to the woes is that the training period for many senior-level trainee doctors, who do not join the walkout, is supposed to end this month, and the contracts of a large number of fellow doctors will also be terminated by the end of this month, according to officials.

"The workload mostly tripled, and the current system will never last long," a fellow doctor said. "We will face a real, massive crisis after Feb. 29."

The Korea Medical Association, a major lobby group for doctors, lambasted the government Friday for activating the highest-level disaster management protocol to address problems "that it has caused while pushing for such a populism-driven policy."

It also claimed that the extension of telemedicine services is "absurd" as seriously ill and emergency patients cannot use such services.

Under the top-level alert mode issued in the day, the government vowed to maximize the use of public medical institutions by extending their operating hours on weekdays to the maximum and expanding weekend and holiday services.

Four additional situation rooms responsible for transporting severely ill emergency patients will be established by early next month.

It was the first time that the government activated such top-level protocols due to a medical service issue.

Fears of further disruption have grown as there appears to be no imminent breakthrough in sight, as doctors have vowed not to back down though the government has taken a firm stance against striking doctors.

The government has warned that those leading collective action could face arrest and medical licenses of doctors involved in a strike could be canceled.

A total of 11,481 medical students, or 61.1 percent of all medical school students of the country, have filed for a leave of absence as of Thursday against the quota hike plan, according to the ministry.

The government says the increase in the admission quota is needed to address a shortage of doctors, particularly in rural areas and essential medical fields, such as high-risk surgeries, pediatrics, obstetrics and emergency medicine.

The number of doctors per 1,000 people in Korea came to 2.6, far below the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member nations of 3.7, and the country is expected to run short of 15,000 doctors by 2035, particularly given the rapid population aging, according to the ministry.

But doctors have claimed that the move would rather compromise the quality of medical education and services, calling on the government to seek ways to better protect doctors from malpractice suits and the prosecution and increasing medical fees, among other things, to resolve the problems faced.

The government's plan on the enrollment cap has drawn support from the public, which has been frustrated with long wait times to see doctors.

The move, meanwhile, has further fanned the craze for medical schools in Korea, where doctors are one of the best-paid groups among all professions. (Yonhap)
In pics: Majie Quyi Fair in C China's Henan

Xinhua) 09:42, February 23, 2024

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 22, 2024 shows people attending the Quyi fair in Majie Village of Baofeng County, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

Quyi, meaning Chinese folk arts, refers to various narrative and singing forms including ballad singing, comic dialogues, clapper talk and crosstalk, which remain popular among the Chinese people.

The Quyi fair in Majie Village has a history of over 700 years. The event is said to originate from a prestigious folk artist in the village, whose many disciples gathered to celebrate his birthday in 1316.

The birthday celebration later evolved into a folk art fair, when folk artists from across the country gathered in the village to take part in the event.

In 2006, the Majie Quyi Fair was inscribed on the first national intangible cultural heritage list.

A folk artist performs during the Quyi fair in Majie Village of Baofeng County, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

Folk artists perform during the Quyi fair in Majie Village of Baofeng County, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

A folk artist performs during the Quyi fair in Majie Village of Baofeng County, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Photo by He Wuchang/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 22, 2024 shows a view of the Quyi fair in Majie Village of Baofeng County, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

A girl poses for photos at the Quyi fair in Majie Village of Baofeng County, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

A folk artist performs during the Quyi fair in Majie Village of Baofeng County, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Photo by He Wuchang/Xinhua)

People attend the Quyi fair in Majie Village of Baofeng County, central China's Henan Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Hao Yuan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
By Lee Hyo-jin

Concerns are mounting over the potential escalation of nationwide disruptions in medical services as the collective resignations of junior doctors continue, with many of their training contracts set to expire in the coming weeks.

Should the striking doctors choose not to renew their contracts in protest against the government's proposal to increase medical school admissions quotas, hospitals could see a genuine exodus of trainee doctors. This would compound the challenges faced by patients who are already grappling with significant disruptions in health care due to the ongoing walkouts by thousands of doctors.

In Korea, junior doctors undergo training at general hospitals for about five years. Following an initial year as an intern, they participate in a residency program that typically lasts three to four years. Contract renewals commonly take place on a yearly basis, with many set in March.

"Doctors participating in the strike may seek to achieve their resignation goal by opting not to renew their contracts," said attorney Park Ho-gyun who specializes in medical cases.

The resignation letters submitted by doctors have not been officially approved by the hospitals, creating ambiguity regarding the legal liability of their walkout, which comes despite the government's return-to-work orders.

However, if they are no longer officially considered part of the medical staff, following the expiration of their contracts without them being renewed, they are not obligated to comply with the government order.

As of Thursday night, the third day of the strike, 7,863 trainee doctors, accounting for 70 percent of the 94 hospitals nationwide, did not report to work, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. They were part of a bigger group of 8,897 doctors who submitted resignation letters. None of their resignations were officially approved, the ministry noted.

The absence of junior doctors, who play an essential role in urgent patient care and operating rooms, has forced hospitals to slash as much as half the number of operations. Medical professionals and fellow doctors have been picking up the slack.

"It is not too late. Please remember that patients are waiting for you at this very moment," said Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo during a briefing, Friday, urging striking doctors to return to work.

On the same day, the government raised the health alert level to Serious  the highest level in its four-tier system  from Cautious.

This marks the first time that the health alert situation has been elevated to the highest level due to a medical service disruption, as the protocol is typically implemented in disease-related situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Women's groups demand Yoon to appoint new minister

By Lee Hyo-jin

The abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is once again emerging as an election issue, with politicians looking to exploit the deepening gender divide among young Koreans as the April 10 general elections approach.

President Yoon Suk Yeol's commitment to scrapping the gender equality ministry, a controversial pledge that significantly helped him gain votes from young men in the 2022 presidential election, is being thrust into the spotlight again as the ruling People Power Party (PPP) looks to uphold that promise.

On the other hand, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized the Yoon administration and the governing party for bringing up the divisive issue ahead of the elections.

A coalition of women's groups, including Korea Women's Hotline and Women Link, held a press conference, Friday, denouncing Yoon's decision not to appoint a successor to former Gender Equality Minister Kim Hyun-sook, who left office, Wednesday.

"We demand an immediate halt to repeated attempts to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and urge (the president) to appoint a competent minister to implement proper gender equality policies and normalize the organization," the activists said during the event held near the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul.

They also criticized PPP interim leader Han Dong-hoon's promise to establish a so-called population ministry that would assume the role of the gender ministry once it is abolished.

"The idea of replacing the ministry with the population ministry means that women will be treated as birth-giving machines, not individuals with voluntary will and dignity," said Bae Jin-kyung, head of the Korean Women Workers' Association.

The president's decision to leave the ministerial position vacant is seen as a move to dissolve the ministry after the new National Assembly is formed following the parliamentary elections. Currently, two proposed amendments to the Government Organization Act  both submitted by PPP lawmakers  aimed at abolishing the ministry are stalled at the Assembly, facing opposition from other parties.

Rep. Kwon Seong-dong of the PPP, who led the proposal of the bills, wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that he will "submit the same bill again" in the new Assembly.

The DPK reiterated its opposition to scrapping the ministry. The opposition lawmakers also speculated that the timing of Yoon's approval of Kim's resignation earlier this week, made six months after she expressed her willingness to resign, suggests a calculated maneuver by the government to leverage the controversial issue to bolster support ahead of the elections.

"It is deeply regrettable that the government has raised this issue again, which has never found agreement with the public or the Assembly, with just 50 days remaining before the elections," said Rep. Shin Hyun-young of the DPK during a press conference, Friday.

The revived controversy over the dissolution of the gender equality ministry suggests that gender-related policies may once again become hot-button election issues used to divide young voters, as observed in the 2022 presidential election.

During the election campaign, then-PPP candidate Yoon had promised to dismantle the gender equality ministry, questioning its necessity in Korea's society where, in his words, "structural discrimination against women no longer exists."

This stance helped Yoon gain support from men in their 20s and 30s, who were once solid supporters of liberal blocs, as they had been unhappy with the previous Moon Jae-in government's pro-women policies.

However, Yoon's anti-feminist pledges were a decisive factor that made young women turn their backs on the conservative candidate and choose then-DPK candidate Rep. Lee Jae-myung instead.
The head of Hyundai Motor, Korea's leading automaker, recently visited Brazil and has pledged to invest $1.1 billion in the South American nation by 2032, according to the company Friday.

During a courtesy call to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia on Thursday, Euisun Chung, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, said Hyundai's Brazilian unit and its local partners will invest $1.1 billion in areas of green and future technologies by 2032.

Chung explained Hyundai's electrification strategy to Lula, which encompasses electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles in order to achieve zero carbon emissions.

He stressed hydrogen energy as being a key tool for addressing climate change and an important resource that complements electrification efforts.

Hyundai Motor has operated a manufacturing plant in Piracicaba in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo since November 2012. It serves as Hyundai's sole manufacturing base across the Central and South American region.

According to the company, Chung expressed gratitude for the Brazilian government's continued interest and support for Hyundai Motor's operation in Brazil and introduced various efforts by the company for employees and the local community.

He also expressed his awareness of the Brazilian government's efforts to develop environmentally friendly energy sources as part of its carbon-free policy and stressed that Hyundai is willing to contribute to such efforts in Brazil.

Brazil has been implementing multifaceted environmentally friendly policies with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent compared with 2005 levels by 2030, under the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Chung also explained Hyundai Motor's efforts in areas of advanced air mobility and small modular reactors and expressed hopes for collaboration in these fields with Brazil.

Hyundai Motor said the group is expanding its global hydrogen network to Central and South America, with Brazil at the forefront. Last year, it established a dedicated unit for hydrogen projects in Central and South America in Brazil. (Yonhap)
Carmaker's chairman meets with Brazilian president to shape future mobility

By Lee Min-hyung

Hyundai Motor will invest $1.1 billion (1.46 trillion won) in Brazil by 2023, focusing on the advancement of eco-friendly future mobility and relevant technological development, the automaker said Friday.

As part of its initiative, the automaker committed to align with Brazil's carbon neutrality policy. Hyundai Motor intends to develop eco-friendly vehicles tailored specifically for the local market and establish a dedicated division for its hydrogen business in the region.

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun convened with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday to explore avenues for enhancing their collaboration. Jose Munoz, the global chief operating officer for Hyundai Motor, participated in the meeting alongside the country's leader and other prominent politicians.

Brazil is a pivotal sales region for Hyundai Motor, propelled by the demographic growth potential within the area. The automaker reported sales of over 187,800 vehicles there in 2022 alone, which represents nearly 10 percent of the country's automotive market share.

Hyundai Motor Group is pushing ahead with rapid electrification strategies to achieve net-zero emissions, with the focus on electric and hydrogen vehicles, Chung said. Hydrogen energy is the key means to deal with climate change and supplement our electrification.

Hyundai Motors subsidiary in Brazil and local partners there will team up for the mega-investment project.

Hyundai Motor is expanding its presence in Brazil, and the company will invest in the eco-friendly hydrogen and relevant technological development in Brazil, the Brazilian president said.

The Brazilian government has committed to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 50 percent decrease by 2030 compared to levels from 25 years prior. Furthermore, it has outlined an ambitious long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Last year, the country announced plans to offer tax cuts and subsidiaries worth 5.1 trillion won for global automakers investing in Brazils decarbonization.

Chung also explained the automaker's vision for advanced air mobility (AAM) during the meeting, as part of its efforts to preemptively secure technological competitiveness for the future mobility solution. Last month, the automakers AAM subsidiary unveiled a concept of its latest S-A2 all-electric passenger aircraft whose commercial debut is slated for 2028 in Korea and the United States.

The head of Hyundai Motor Group also met with a group of ranking officials from Brazilian universities, and exchanged their views on how to elevate ties between Hyundai and researchers there.

Hyundai Motor Group will help relieve energy inequality with its hydrogen business, and hopes to lead Brazils eco-friendly energy market under our close collaboration with the Universidade de Sao Paulo, Chung said.
T'way Air, a Korean low-cost carrier, was under investigation by the government over the suspected use of unauthorized aircraft parts, according to industry sources Friday.

According to the sources, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport recently discovered evidence of T'way Air having used unauthorized parts for its in-aircraft heating and cooling systems during a special investigation.

The ministry has carried out the investigation since December in response to a notable increase in flight cancellations and delays by T'way Air last year.

Authorities plan to decide on administrative measures against T'way Air after concluding the investigation.

"We are comprehensively examining the entire maintenance system, including whether unauthorized parts were used," a ministry official said.

T'way Air is set to take over four routes connecting Korea with major European cities  Frankfurt, Paris, Rome and Barcelona  from industry leader Korean Air, as part of conditions set by the European Union over Korean Air's envisioned merger with No. 2 player Asiana Airlines.

T'way Air plans to begin operating flights to Paris in June and gradually expand to the other three routes. (Yonhap)
The United States plans to impose sanctions on more than 500 targets involved in Russia's war in Ukraine, as fighting continues to rage two years after Moscow's invasion, the Treasury Department said Thursday.

The action to be rolled out on Friday will hit "Russia, its enablers, and its war machine," a Treasury spokesperson told AFP.

The official added that the sanctions will be imposed by both the Treasury and State Department.

This will be the "largest single tranche since the start of Putin's further invasion of Ukraine," the Treasury said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine in February 2022, Washington and its allies have imposed a host of sanctions, targeting Moscow's revenue and military industrial complex.

Among the efforts was a price ceiling enacted by the United States and allies, aimed at cutting down Moscow's revenues from exports of oil and petroleum products.

To reduce revenues while ensuring supplies to the global market, a coalition involving the Group of Seven leading economies, the European Union and Australia had set a price cap of $60 per barrel of Russian crude.

Due to the price cap, Russia had the option to either sell discounted oil to coalition countries or invest in building an alternative ecosystem.

In recent months, the coalition announced plans to tighten compliance for the price ceiling.

The fresh sanctions on Friday come after Kremlin opposition leader Alexei Navalny died last week in a Russian prison.

U.S. President Joe Biden earlier reaffirmed plans to unveil sanctions, saying they would be "against Putin, who is responsible for his death."

The U.S. government also marked the upcoming two-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of pro-Western Ukraine by unsealing charges against a series of wealthy Russians to help cut the "flow of illegal funds that are fueling" Moscow's war. (AFP)
A woman who traveled to Syria as a teenager to join the Islamic State group lost her appeal Friday against the British government's decision to revoke her U.K. citizenship , with judges saying that it wasn't for them to rule on whether it was harsh to do so.

Shamima Begum, who is now 24, was 15 when she and two other girls fled from London in February 2015 to marry IS fighters in Syria at a time when the groups online recruitment program lured many impressionable young people to its self-proclaimed caliphate. Begum married a Dutch man fighting for IS and had three children, who all died .

Authorities withdrew her British citizenship soon after she surfaced in a Syrian refugee camp in 2019, where she has been ever since. Last year, Begum lost her appeal against the decision at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, a tribunal which hears challenges to decisions to remove someones British citizenship on national security grounds.

Her lawyers brought a further bid to overturn that decision at the Court of Appeal, with Britain's Home Office opposing the challenge.

All three judges dismissed her case.

In relaying the ruling, Chief Justice Sue Carr said it wasn't the court's job to decide whether the decision to strip Begum of her British citizenship was harsh" or whether she was the author of her own misfortune.

She said the court's sole task was to assess whether the decision to strip Begum of her citizenship was unlawful.

Since it was not, Ms Begums appeal is dismissed, the judge added.

Carr said any arguments over the consequences of the unanimous judgment, which could include a bid to appeal at Britain's Supreme Court, will be adjourned for seven days.

Begum's lawyer indicated that a further challenge was on the cards.

I think the only thing we can really say for certainty is that we are going to keep fighting," Daniel Furner said outside the Royal Courts of Justice.

I want to say that Im sorry to Shamima and to her family that after five years of fighting she still hasnt received justice in a British court and to promise her and promise the government that we are not going to stop fighting until she does get justice and until she is safely back home," he added.

Begum's legal team argued that the decision by Britain's then interior minister Sajid Javid, left her stateless and that she should have been treated as a child trafficking victim , not a security risk.

The British government claimed she could seek a Bangladeshi passport based on family ties. But Begums family argued that she was from the U.K. and never held a Bangladeshi passport.

Javid said he welcomed the ruling which upheld his decision.

This is a complex case but home secretaries should have the power to prevent anyone entering our country who is assessed to pose a threat to it," he said.

A number of campaigners voiced their disappointment after the ruling.

The power to banish a citizen like this simply shouldnt exist in the modern world, not least when were talking about a person who was seriously exploited as a child," said Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International U.K.s refugee and migrant rights director. (AP)
Nvidia hit $2 trillion in market value on Friday, riding on an insatiable demand for its chips that made the Silicon Valley firm the pioneer of the generative artificial intelligence boom.

The milestone followed another bumper revenue forecast from the chip designer that drove up its market value by $277 billion on Thursday  Wall Street's largest one-day gain on record.

Its rapid ascent in the past year has led analysts to draw parallels to the picks and shovels providers during the gold rush of 1800s as Nvidia's chips are used by almost all generative AI players from chatGPT-maker OpenAI to Google.

That has helped the company vault from $1 trillion to $2 trillion market value in just around nine months - the fastest among U.S. companies and in less than half the time it took tech giants Apple and Microsoft.

"For AI companies today  the leaders of the sector  what's going to be binding for them is not going to be demand. It's just going to be their capacity to answer the surging demand," said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank.

Nvidia's shares were trading more than 4 percent higher at a record high of $818 on Friday, maintaining its position as the third most valuable U.S. company. They have surged nearly 60 percent this year, after more than tripling in value in 2023.

The chip designer's 2024 share jump has been crucial for the S&P 500's performance, contributing to more than a quarter of the stock index's rise this year.

Its latest market-beating forecast of a whopping 233 percent growth in first-quarter revenue helped global markets notch record highs on Thursday.

The breakneck growth has drawn analysts and investors from far and wide to Nvidia.

"I'm a European fund manager, but I must have had more emails about their results than I've had about any other set. There have been calls, every broker doing 10-minute debriefs, it's been mind boggling," said one investor, who declined to be named.

Despite the share surge, Nvidia's valuation has fallen due to rapid increases in analysts' estimates. It has a 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio of about 31, down from 49 times a year ago, according to LSEG data.

"Leading cloud computing companies plan to boost their capital expenditures to satisfy demand for artificial intelligence training and inference, and it appears that virtually all this spending will fall into Nvidia's pockets," said Brian Colello, a strategist at Morningstar.

"We anticipate revenue will rise by a couple of billion each quarter throughout fiscal 2025 for Nvidia as more chip supply comes online." (Reuters)
The United States on Friday announced a new major package of sanctions and export control restrictions, including one against a South Korea-based firm, to ensure accountability for Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

On the eve of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Washington unveiled the package, which President Joe Biden said will ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin "pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home."

The Treasury and State Departments said that they are sanctioning over 500 individuals and entities to "impose additional costs for Russia's repression, human rights abuses, and aggression against Ukraine." It marked the largest number of such sanctions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Bureau of Industry and Security under the Commerce Department added to its "entity list" for export restrictions 93 entities, which included Daesung International Trading, a company located in South Korea's southeastern city of Gimhae.

"Today, I am announcing more than 500 new sanctions against Russia for its ongoing war of conquest on Ukraine and for the death of Alexei Navalny, who was a courageous anti-corruption activist and Putin's fiercest opposition leader," Biden said in a statement.

"These sanctions will target individuals connected to Navalny's imprisonment as well as Russia's financial sector, defense industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents," he added.

As part of the sweeping package, the State Department designated two additional entities that have been involved in the transfer of munitions from North Korea to Russia.

One of the two entities is a Russian firm that manages a terminal at Vostochny Port in the Russian Far East, through which more than 7,400 containers of munitions and munitions-related materials were delivered from the North. The other is Dunay Naval Missile Facility, a Russian naval base and port facility involved in the transfer of munitions between the two countries.

The department noted that since September last year, the North has delivered more than 10,000 containers of munitions or munitions-related materials to Russia.

The latest sanctions package focused on denying Russia the resources necessary to support its war efforts, the Treasury Department said.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control under the Treasury Department targeted Russia's core financial infrastructure, including the operator of the Mir National Payment System and Russian banks, investment firms, and financial technology companies to reduce Russia's use of the international financial system. according to the department.

The package also included the State Department's designation of three Russian government officials in connection with Navalny's death.

"This solemn anniversary and Alexei Navalny's death in Russian custody are stark and tragic reminders of Putin's brazen disregard for human life, from Ukrainians suffering the costs of his unprovoked war to people across Russia who dare to expose the corrupt abuses that fuel his regime," said Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen was quoted as saying in a release.

"Russia's economy and military-industrial base are showing clear signs of weakness in part due to the actions we, along with our partners and allies around the world, have taken to support Ukraine's brave defense," she added.

In a separate statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed Washington's commitment to employing "all available tools" to disrupt Russia's war efforts.

"The United States will use all available tools to hinder Russia's ability to access the global financial system, disrupt Russia's military-industrial-procurement, stand in solidarity with Russians striving for a more democratic future, and ensure Putin's invasion remains a strategic failure for Russia," the secretary said.

Earlier in the day, Biden renewed an appeal for the passage of a bill on support for Ukraine.

"Congress knows that by supporting this bill, we can strengthen security in Europe, strengthen our security at home, and stand up to Putin. Opposing this bill only plays into his hands," he said in a statement.

"History is watching. The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will not be forgotten. Now is the time for us to stand strong with Ukraine and stand united with our allies and partners." (Yonhap)
Norwegian PM says to deepen cooperation with China

Xinhua) 09:52, February 23, 2024

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store delivers his speech at the Kirkenes Conference in Kirkenes, Finnmark County, Norway, Feb. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

KIRKENES, Norway, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Wednesday voiced his administration's keen interest in expanding cooperation with China in various areas such as energy and climate change.

"We want to have a broad set of cooperation with China. We have a number of areas where we bilaterally can enhance cooperation," Store said in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the Kirkenes Conference, a significant yearly fixture in Northern Norway.

Highlighting China's global influence, he said that with its role in the world economy, China is a country Norway must work with in order to deal with energy issues, climate change issues and also big issues concerning peace and security.

Located within the Arctic Circle, Kirkenes serves as the central hub of the Sor-Varanger municipality in Finnmark county, Northern Norway.

First held in 2008, the Kirkenes Conference endeavors to shed light on various developmental facets within Northern Norway and its adjacent regions, touching upon political, business and social progress.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store delivers his speech at the Kirkenes Conference in Kirkenes, Finnmark County, Norway, Feb. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
In this, the centenary year of Lenins death, it is time for revolutionaries to reclaim the real Lenin: as a revolutionary fighter, the founder of Bolshevism and the Communist International, and as one of historys greatest Marxist theoreticians. To this end, we are proud to launch a new series, Lenin in a Year, to bring out the gems  some well-known, others less so  of Lenins prodigious theoretical work. The series aims to convey their enduring value to revolutionaries today, and illustrate how they were intimately linked to the polemics and political struggles that defined Lenins life, and through which Bolshevism was forged.

Each week, we will introduce readers to a new text. We start with one of Lenins earliest major works, What the Friends of the People are and how they fight Social-Democrats. It was written in 1894, amidst a period of stormy strikes of workers in Russian cities, at which time Lenin was playing a leading role in the Marxist circle then growing in St Petersburg.

To really get to grips with the material, we recommend all comrades read this alongside the new biography of Lenin by Rob Sewell and Alan Woods: In Defence of Lenin. This new publication from Wellred Books isnt simply a biography: it is a vital textbook on how to build a revolutionary party, and vital reading for every serious revolutionary communist today.

Lenins ideas and the legacy of Bolshevism are a foundation stone of our organisation, which is taking the important step of launching the Revolutionary Communist International (RCI) in June. We call on all communists who are inspired by Lenins life and work to register for the founding conference of the RCI!

What the Friends of the People are and how they fight Social-Democrats

By this point, Narodnism was no longer the bold, heroic movement of individual terrorists striving for the overthrow of the Tsarist state / Image: public domain

Lenins first book, What the Friends of the People Are and How They Fight the Social-Democrats, was published in 1894, when he was just 24 years old. For this reason alone, it is of historic significance. Yet this is far from an immature work. It already demonstrates a deep understanding of the Marxist method; the theories of historical materialism and Marxist economics; and the tasks faced by Russian revolutionaries.

In the 1880s, Plekhanov established Marxism in Russia by launching polemical writings against the populists (Narodniks). The chief question of these polemics was the course of development that lay before Russia, and the tasks this imposed on revolutionaries. Plekhanovs work in demonstrating that Russia did not (as the Narodniks believed) have some unique path to socialism, nor was exempt from the historical process and the laws of development, helped win Lenin to the Marxist movement.

This text, then, represents the passing of the baton in this ideological struggle, from Russian Marxisms founder to what was to become its greatest figure. For it too is a polemic with Narodnism, specifically the liberal Narodnik Mikhailovsky, who had been waging a relentless campaign against Marxism in his movements theoretical journal, Russkoye Bogatstvo (Russian Wealth).

At the time, it was very hard for young revolutionaries to get hold of any theoretical material with which to educate themselves. Mikhailovskys campaign  well funded and spread far and wide, thanks to his liberal, middle-class supporters  therefore threatened to do real damage, as there was so little to counter or refute his arguments.

For this reason, as the Bolshevik Semashko states, when Comrade Lenins brochure appeared containing illuminating statistical material, it was for us a veritable evangel. We reprinted it on the hectograph, in spite of its size, through whole nights, hiding it in places most inaccessible to the police in case of search, and learning it almost by heart.

Lenins wife Krupskaya remembered, how it thrilled us all. The aims of the struggle were set forth in the pamphlet with admirable clarity, while Martov described how the pamphlet showed both literary gift and the ripened political judgement of a man woven of a fibre from which party leaders are made.

By this point, Narodnism was no longer the bold, heroic movement of individual terrorists striving for the overthrow of the Tsarist state. As Lenin writes, When [Narodnism] first arose, in its original form, it was a fairly well-knit theory: starting from the view of a specific way of life of the people, it believed in the communist instincts of the communal peasant and for that reason regarded the peasantry as a natural fighter for socialism.

In other words, the Narodniks had an ahistorical view of Russian society. For them, Russia was an exception. Large-scale industry and big cities with an urban proletariat were not the universal and unavoidable features of capitalism, but simply Western European idiosyncrasies. Russia would find its own way to socialism and emancipation, which was through the traditional peasant commune.

As Lenin explains, this belief in the communist instincts of the muzhik [peasant] naturally demanded of the socialists that they set politics aside and go among the people. A host of extremely energetic and talented persons set about fulfilling this programme, but practice convinced them of the naivete of the idea of the muzhiks instincts being communist (our emphasis).

Narodnism clashed with reality, entering a blind alley and a crisis. Even their greatest success, the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881, did not bring down the Tsarist regime, but did unleash a wave of brutal repression that effectively decapitated Narodnism by executing, imprisoning and exiling its most heroic elements. By the late 19th Century, many Narodniks, having failed to win the peasants to socialism by going to the people and having failed to dent Tsarism with a campaign of individual terror, essentially became liberals.

Thus, Lenins polemic is really with a liberal. And that is what makes it so relevant to us today.

The petty-bourgeois theorists who propagate liberalism today look upon the contradictions and injustices of capitalism as just so many accidental features: the result of mistaken ideas, prejudices and unfortunate practices that need simply to be corrected or ironed out, just as the Narodniks saw capitalist development itself as entirely unnecessary in 1890s Russia.

In attacking the historical materialism of Marxism, Mikhailovsky thinks a sort of historical eclecticism is superior. Why be tied down by historical laws, by the constraints of a social system, when one could just pick and choose the best bits from history, and integrate them into our society?

[Mikhailovsky says] we must take what is good from wherever we can; and whether it be our own or foreign is not a matter of principle, but of practical convenience. Surely, this is so simple, clear and understandable that there is nothing even to discuss. Indeed, how simple it is! Take what is good from everywhereand the trick is done! From the medieval forms take the labourers ownership of the means of production, and from the new (i.e., capitalist) forms take liberty, equality, enlightenment and culture. And there is nothing to discuss! Here the whole subjective method in sociology is as clear as daylight The whole of their philosophy amounts to whining that struggle and exploitation exist but that they might not exist if there were no exploiters. Really, what did the author mean by this meaningless phrase?

Lenin skewers this idealist view that sees history from the perspective of how it should develop, as conceived in the mind of a would-be reformer, as if history can merely be moulded at will. Against this, Lenin counterposes the scientific, materialist method of Marxism, which takes its point of departure how history has and must develop and, on that basis, how we as revolutionaries can intervene in this process:

What Marx and Engels called the dialectical methodas against the metaphysicalis nothing else than the scientific method in sociology, which consists in regarding society as a living organism in a state of constant development (and not as something mechanically concatenated and therefore permitting all sorts of arbitrary combinations of separate social elements) (our emphasis).

Milkhailovsky and his ilk caricatured Marxism as rigid, apparently reducing everything to fixed economic laws from which there can be no deviation, even for the individual, who can have no impact on these allegedly fatalistic forces. Lenin makes the point that Marxs Capital does not pretend to lay out eternal economic laws which are constant in all phases of history, rather it was a study of the specific laws of the capitalist economy, and how these laws interact with society in general, including the individual, since as Lenin points out all history is made up of the actions of individuals, who are undoubtedly active figures.

Milkhailovsky and his ilk caricatured Marxism as rigid / Image: public domain

Lenin explains that prior to Marxs historical materialism, sociologists and economists looked at society as if all human societies were the same, just waiting for some genius to discover the right ideas to improve this self-same society:

Just as Darwin put an end to the view of animal and plant species being unconnected, fortuitous, created by God and immutable, and was the first to put biology on an absolutely scientific basis by establishing the mutability and the succession of species, so Marx put an end to the view of society being a mechanical aggregation of individuals which allows of all sorts of modification at the will of the authorities.

Liberals and trendy intellectuals of our day constantly patronise Marxists for subscribing to such an old, out of date set of ideas, for being therefore dogmatic. This they do instead of advancing serious arguments and facts against Marxism, because they do not have any. Lenins polemic against Mikhailovsky stands as a brilliant answer to his kindred spirits in todays academia.

Lenin is very clear that Marxism starts with the facts because it is a serious scientific discipline. The petty-bourgeois left, on the contrary, was and remains extremely prone to speculation, to moralistic appeals and utopian constructions. Lenin was, in contrast, a very sober thinker, who proceeded from an unsentimental assessment of the facts, from which he elaborated a bold revolutionary plan of action to change the world.

This book provides an inspiring example of exactly this method and what it can achieve. Lenin spends much of the text destroying the illusions of Narodnism in petty rural production and its future in Russia. The Russian village was not to be idealised politically, because in reality it condemned the peasant, at best, to dumb and incoherent discontent scattered, petty, senseless revolt. The onset of capitalism is progressive despite all the horrors of the oppression of labour, of gradual extinction, brutalisation, and the crippling of the bodies of women and children, etc.because it AWAKENS THE MIND OF THE WORKER.

What is truly remarkable about this book, however, is that Lenin, even at this early stage in his own life and the development of the working class in Russia, grasps that Russia was already a capitalist society, that class differentiation amongst peasants was well underway in the old Russian village.

The role of Marxists, according to Lenin, is not to wait passively for capitalist development to take its course, not to tail-end the liberals. Rather, it is to organise and politically arm the working class so that the latter may push to the head of the struggle against tsarism, and that the Russian revolution thus conceived would form a link in the chain of the world proletarian revolution:

Accordingly, it is on the working class that the Social-Democrats concentrate all their attention and all their activities. When its advanced representatives have mastered the ideas of scientific socialism, the idea of the historical role of the Russian worker, when these ideas become widespread, and when stable organisations are formed among the worker to transform the workers present sporadic economic war into conscious class strugglethen the Russian WORKER rising at the head of all the democratic elements, will overthrow absolutism and lead the RUSSIAN PROLETARIAT (side by side with the proletariat of ALL COUNTRIES) along the straight road of open political struggle to THE VICTORIOUS COMMUNIST REVOLUTION.

Next week, we continue the series by delving into another major polemic against Narodnism, written whilst Lenin was on trial and in exile for his illegal revolutionary activities between 1896-99: The Development of Capitalism in Russia. This meticulous, theoretical appraisal of Russian economic development exploded the view held by the Narodniks that capitalist development in Russia was artificial, purely the result of state-led policy, and wholly avoidable.
The Montreal Marxist Winter School 2024 represents a historic event. Much more than a school, it is the opening of a new chapter for the forces of communism: we announced the founding of the Revolutionary Communist Party in Canada!

[Originally published at marxist.ca]

In an atmosphere that was nothing short of electric, over 600 communists came together to launch this bold initiative. It was by far the largest communist gathering in Canada in generations. The mood was so electric that nearly 30 new members joined the new party on the spot, which catapulted us beyond the 700-member mark!

Although the school gets better every year, theres no doubt that this years edition was a qualitatively different event, incomparably better than any previous edition. From start to finish, participants were buzzing with an energy that everyone could feel.

This did not stop at the exciting sessions on all the main aspects of Lenins life and work: the national question, the state and revolution, the defense of dialectical materialism, the Russian revolution, imperialism or the fight against Stalin. At every break, the enthusiastic discussions continued unceasingly. Everyone could be found discussing how to build the Party in their city.

Participants also swarmed our literature booth, where we sold over $29,500 worth of books! The school kicked off with the North American launch of our new book In Defence of Lenin, with author Rob Sewell going through the life and ideas of the Russian revolutionary. We sold 83 copies of the book throughout the weekend. The ideas in this book are the ones that will change the world.

The school kicked off with the North American launch of our new book In Defence of Lenin, with author Rob Sewell / Image: Communist Revolution

The Marxist School has become an authentic international gathering, and we saw it this year more than ever before. Our American comrades had mobilized a record delegation of 80 comrades, and we had 14 other international guests from Switzerland, France, Sweden, Mexico and Great Britain!

This already memorable event culminated with the historic announcement of the founding of the Revolutionary Communist Party. As our comrade Joel Bergman explained, every single communist needs to internalize the fact that we are entering a revolutionary epoch. With capitalism dragging us down, it is creating a brand new generation of class fighters that have been deceived and betrayed by every political party and tendency. We give ourselves the aim to organize this layer of fighters into a party that will accomplish the communist revolution in our lifetime. There has never been a more pressing time to build such a party.

This is a process that has been well grasped by our American, British, Swedish and Swiss comrades, helping them grow by leaps and bounds. Our guests from these sections explained how they are transforming their own organizations from top to bottom, into a party worthy of this new generation of communists. As Antonio Balmer of the U.S. said, We dont want to recruit this golden layer of communists, we need to merge with them.

The key lesson, as explained by Dersu Heri from Switzerland, is the need to be extremely bold and stand out. The advanced layers of the working class are looking for a combat organization, a party that will fight resolutely to overthrow capitalism. As our Swiss comrades have been doing, communists need to be standing on street corners, on cafeteria tables, in trains, everywhere shouting against this rotten system.

All comrades came away buzzing with their own ideas of how to build the Revolutionary Communist Party in their own area and flood our ranks with the thousands of communists out there. The following three months will see a sustained campaign to gather all communists in Canada and Quebec to build this party which will hold its founding congress in May. If youre a communist, you need to join us in founding the RCP.

This school represents a turning point for communism here. The pre-history of our organization as Fightback/La Riposte socialiste is buried forever. This Marxist Winter School is the beginning of our real history. Lets build the Revolutionary Communist Party, and fight for a communist revolution in our lifetime!
TOKYO, Feb 23 (News On Japan) - Mio Matsuda, winner of the "Miss Young Magazine" title in the "Miss Magazine 2023" contest, appeared in the "Miss Maga's Asobiba! Retro Gravure" feature on "Yanmaga Web," which was released on Thursday, showcasing her stunning physique.

CWeb

The project serves as a platform for the winners of Miss Magazine to grow through playful gravure and video content on the web. The theme for this installment was "retro," with six individuals transforming into pin-up girls. The first week featured Matsuda, who presented a gravure spread wrapped in a cute and nostalgic atmosphere.

Source: MDPR
Brussels, Belgium (PANA)  The European Council and the European Parliament representatives on Thursday reached an agreement on the seat of the future European authority for anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing (AMLA)
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan and Chadian labour ministers on Thursday discussed the possibility of an electronic link between their two ministries to facilitate the movement of workers
China enhances legal coordination on workers' rights and interests

Xinhua) 09:54, February 23, 2024

BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) of China and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions have jointly issued a circular to improve coordination on safeguarding workers' rights and interests.

The circular encourages procuratorate organs to conduct consultations with trade unions if they see traces of legal violations in employment to push for the resolving of the issues.

Trade unions above the county level can hand over relevant information and materials to procuratorate organs to launch legal oversight procedures in accordance with the law, especially when the cases involve women, minors, people with disabilities and the elderly, and the employers refuse to correct their wrong practices, the circular reads.

Procuratorial suggestions will also be made to relevant departments for strengthening administrative management, according to the circular.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA)  The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has announced the killing of 286 terrorists in the last week, but cautioned that "war against terrorists, insurgents and bandits wont be won by the use of military might alone"
AMHERST  A grand jury indicted a Buckingham County man on one count each of first-degree murder and aggravated murder during an abduction in connection with a January 2023 shooting death in the George Washington National Forest.

Joseph Frank Cunningham, 44, also was indicted on two counts of abduction with intent to gain pecuniary benefit and a use of a firearm in commission of a felony charge. All five charges stem from the Jan. 19, 2023, killing of Kevin D. Hartless, 49.

The aggravated murder and two abduction charges were direct indictments that came Feb. 13, according to court records. An Amherst General District Court judge on Feb. 1 ruled to dismiss the two abduction charges and a felony homicide charge against Cunningham during a preliminary hearing and ruled to certify the other two charges to a grand jury.

Judge certifies murder charge, dismisses others in Amherst homicide case A judge dismissed five felony charges Thursday against a former Longwood University police officer accused in connection with an Amherst mans January 2023 shooting death in the George Washington National Forest. A first-degree murder charge against Joseph Frank Cunningham, a Buckingham County man accused in the killing of Kevin D. Hartless, was certified to a grand jury, the judge ruled.

Cunningham, of Wingina, shot Hartless to death during a confrontation at a remote campsite in the national forest, Amherst County Commonwealths Attorney Lyle Carver has said. A fight broke out between the two men after Cunningham; his daughter, Summer Brooke Cunningham; and her boyfriend, David Chester Christian, planned to catch Josephs wife in the act of an affair with Hartless for evidence in divorce proceedings.

The trio followed Hartless and Joseph Cunninghams wife from Buckingham County into Nelson and Amherst counties with intent to photograph them in the act, Carver has said. The prosecution has a recording of Joseph Cunningham threatening to kill Hartless the week of the shooting, Carver said.

During the scuffle, Hartless fired a shot from a handgun, Joseph Cunningham retreated to Christians vehicle to get a gun, approached Hartless and fired multiple times, Carver said. Joseph Cunningham put an extremely volatile situation into motion, Carver said during a previous bond hearing.

Joseph Cunningham initially was charged with voluntary manslaughter, was released on bond a week after the shooting and arrested again in September on upgraded charges.

Ronnie West, Joseph Cunninghams attorney, said the defendant fired in self-defense and did not initiate the fight that night. The evidence is he was attacked, shot at and was justified in returning fire, according to West.

West said the elder Cunningham did not go to the site that night with the intent to kill and the commonwealth enhanced the charges. Hartless also threatened Joseph Cunningham prior to the shooting, West has said in court, adding his client has an absolutely legitimate self-defense claim. Carver countered in court premeditation to carry out the killing will easily be shown.

Wingina man accused of murder in Amherst shooting again denied bond AMHERST  For the second time in a span of five months, an Amherst County judge denied bond 

A jury trial is set to begin May 28 in Amherst Circuit Court and may go multiple days, according to court records.

Summer Cunningham, also of Buckingham County, is charged with felony homicide, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit abduction and two counts of abduction in connection with the shooting. A preliminary hearing on her charges is set for March 19 in Amherst General District Court.

Christian, a former Longwood University police officer, was charged with the same felonies as Summer Cunningham and his charges were dismissed at a Feb. 1 hearing in Amherst General District Court. Carver has indicated direct indictments against Christian are expected to go forward in Amherst Circuit Court.
AMHERST  A Lynchburg man accused of murder in connection with a womans death in the city is facing two felony sex-related charges involving a minor in Amherst County.

A grand jury on Feb. 13 indicted Leonard Eugene Blackwell Jr., 43, on one count each of a sex charge involving a child and rape of a minor. The indictments filed in Amherst Circuit Court state the offense dates are on or about Oct. 22, 2017, to Dec. 1 of that year.

Blackwell is accused in Lynchburg of second-degree murder in connection with the killing of Clarissa Dawn Jones, 37, whose body was found December 2021 in a creek more than two weeks after her disappearance.

Blackwell has been in custody since Dec. 19, 2021, after police discovered Jones body. He also is charged with concealing a dead body and destroying evidence of a felony, the Lynchburg Police Department has said.

Bond denied for defendant in Lynchburg murder case A judge denied bond Friday for a Lynchburg man accused of murder in connection with the homi

Prosecutors have said Jones was last seen Nov. 27, 2021, and first was reported missing Dec. 2. Prosecutors also have said evidence showed Blackwell was in a sexual relationship with Jones prior to her death.

She was missing for more than two weeks before police found her body near the 200 block of Trents Ferry Road, according to warrants. Blackwell was detained at the scene where Jones body was found.

Warrants from the case also indicate police seized a shovel, knife and a blanket with a stain on it from the truck Blackwell was driving the night he was arrested.

In June 2019, Blackwell was sentenced in Amherst Circuit Court to two years and six months in jail for failing to register as a sex offender, second offense, a Class 6 felony. Prosecutors said at the time Blackwell was convicted of a sex offense involving a minor in 2001, which placed him on the registry.

In June 2020, Blackwell was sentenced to nine months in jail after pleading guilty in Amherst Circuit Court to two misdemeanor counts of assault and battery, which were reduced from felony sex-related charges involving a minor, according to court records. An Amherst County prosecutor at the June 2020 plea hearing said two witnesses had difficulty traveling from Georgia to Virginia and the plea deal kept minors from having to testify at trial.

Warrants reveal trail of evidence in Lynchburg woman's killing A man charged with murder of a Lynchburg woman was found wet and covered in sand by police

Rebecca Wetzel, an attorney who formerly represented Blackwell until last year, said at a January 2022 bond hearing the defendant suffered from complications from his HIV diagnosis. Bond for Blackwell was denied due to his significant felony record, two failures to appear, one in Florida and one in Virginia, probation violation and a failure to register as a sex offender.

A trial date on the two Amherst charges has not yet been set. A jury trial on the three charges stemming from the homicide is scheduled for April 15 in Lynchburg Circuit Court.
TOKYO, Feb 24 (News On Japan) - In the latest episode of "Talking Queens" on Fuji TV, aired on February 22nd, three members of the seven-piece male idol group Travis Japan made an appearance and candidly shared their unique perspectives on love.

This led to shrieks of disbelief from female guests, including actress and model Airu Nisemi, known as "Meruru," and other prominent female talents such as Rino Sashihara and Chinatsu Wakatsuki.

The show, which features the strongest female talents active in variety shows, known as "Talking Queens," delves into the personal lives of their guests. This episode featured the popular idol group Travis Japan, who made their global debut in 2022. The group's leader Miyachika, the "foolish" character Matsuda, and the "romantic" character Matsukura guest-starred and discussed their views on romance.

When asked what they would give their girlfriends for their birthdays, Miyachika confessed, "I don't know about specific items, but something high-brand for sure." He argued that "everyone should be happy" and "the more expensive, the better," which was met with boos from the female guests.

The romantic Matsukura claimed he would give a candle engraved with her name or birthday, emphasizing his desire to gift different types of candles each year.

Matsuda's practical gift suggestion of a home hair removal device caused an uproar among the female guests, with cries of "No way." He passionately explained his idea of spending time together using the hair removal device, saying, "For areas like the back that she can't reach, she could ask, 'Can you do this for me?' and I'd be happy to help." He sincerely expressed his wish to have "hair removal sessions together," which led Sashihara and others to scream, "That's creepy, gross, yuck!"

Nisemi, in particular, showed strong aversion to Matsuda's hair removal device, saying, "Isn't that just awful?"

The three members of Travis Japan shared their unique love perspectives, leaving the "Talking Queens" quite taken aback. Viewers, especially regarding the hair removal device, flooded social media with comments like, "Meruru is totally put off. I'd absolutely hate to have a boyfriend who gave me a hair removal device," "Meruru's 'Isn't that just awful?' in polite language hurts more than being called creepy by Sashihara," and "Hair removal sessions together are just too much."

However, there were also positive reactions, with some viewers saying, "A boyfriend who gives and uses a hair removal device with you sounds really nice!"

Source: MDPR
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African nations should unite against any form of uprising from jihadists in the Sahel region and other parts of West Africa following the withdrawal of the coup-hit Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS, Nigerias military chief, General Christopher Musa has said.

The withdrawal of the three member states from the regional bloc, coupled with a constitutional crisis in another, has heightened concerns about the potential expansion of insecurity from the Sahel to other parts of West Africa. This has resulted in widespread fear and escalating tensions among the affected countries. Ahead of an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit in Nigerias capital Abuja on Saturday (24 February), which is expected to discuss the exit of the three member states and a constitutional crisis in a fourth, Nigerias military chief, General Christopher Musa, has spoken to the media about insecurity in West Africa.

General Musa has emphasized the importance of African solidarity and the need to avoid turning the region into a proxy war zone, urging African nations to unite against uprisings from jihadists in the Sahel region and other parts of West Africa. Nigeria has nothing against Niger, Cameroon or Burkina Faso. We all need each other. Together, we can confront the jihadists, and the jihadists are coming after them. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have been having a hot war with the jihadists, he said. When asked about the military resolution of the crisis against Niger, General Musa explained that diplomatically, ECOWAS is making efforts to get across to Niger for them to see reasons why they need to return to democracy and return to ECOWAS.
France has called on Rwanda to cease all support for M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and to withdraw its troops from the Congolese territory, while the United Nations Security Council has sanctioned the leaders of six armed groups fighting in the DRC.

Frances statement came ahead of the United States warning about the situation. At a meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday (20 February), Washington had warned Rwanda and the DRC that they must walk back from the brink of war. We call on Rwanda to cease all support to the M23 and to withdraw from Congolese territory, the French foreign ministry said. The communique added that attacks on the territorial integrity of the DRC are inadmissible and that the M23 must cease fighting immediately, and withdraw from all areas it occupies. Rwanda has rejected the call and accusations, saying that its troops are defending Rwandan territory as DRC carries out a dramatic military build-up near the border.

Meanwhile, a UN committee has imposed an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze on leaders of six armed groups fighting in the mineral-rich region. We are pleased that as of today, six additional armed group leaders will be designated by the UN DRC Sanctions Committee, said Robert Wood, the US deputy permanent representative to the UN, in a statement. These individuals are responsible for numerous abuses, Wood said. The sanctions include an arms embargo, travel ban, and asset freeze on two leaders of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), one leader from the Twirwaneho armed group, one from the National Coalition of the People for the Sovereignty of Congo (CNPSC) rebels, and also the military spokesperson for the M23 Tutsi-led rebels and a leader with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Mauritanian president returned from a short visit to Algeria without his main bodyguard who was reported dead in a suspicious incident.

While Algerian pro-regime media speak of a car accident, Mauritanian media says the Presidents convoy was attacked in Tindouf area by armed men loyal to a Mauritanian dissident based in Algeria.

Videos on twitter showed the moment a military aircraft brought the body of the bodyguard, Mohamed Ould Chibani, to Nouakchott. Another bodyguard was reported injured in the incident.

The bodyguard lost his life on the way back of the convoy from the inauguration of a border crossing in the area of Tindouf between Algeria and Mauritania.

The Algerian president said his country will build a road connecting Tindouf to Zouirate in Mauritania.

In public comments, Tebboune said his country would open its market to Mauritanian goods customs free, but said that so far Algeria does not have capacity to export vital foodstuff such as cooking oil and sugar.

The Tindouf-Zouerate road has been put off for decades due to the degradation of security conditions in the area where terrorist groups make laws and engage in all sorts of trafficking.

The reported incident comes following warnings by the US to its citizens to avoid Tindouf and southern Algeria in general for fear of terrorist activity.

Spain, the UK, and France also warned their citizens to avoid Algerias southern borders, where terrorists seek a safe haven as they are being chased from the Sahel.
EBRDs Head for Morocco Antoine Salle de Chou announced on Thursday at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Sale that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has facilitated investments exceeding 400 million in Moroccos water sector.

These investments primarily address issues pertaining to water supply and demand management, Salle de Chou told MAP, on the sidelines of the water masterclasses focusing on innovative financing models and mechanisms.

Salle de Chou highlighted that the Guelmim-Oued Noun region was the first beneficiary of EBRD financing in Morocco, specifically targeting wastewater purification and reuse.

In December 2023, the EBRD provided 12 million (MAD130 million) loan to the Guelmim-Oued Noun region to enhance drinking water supply in rural areas and upgrade four existing wastewater treatment plants.

Sue Barret, Deputy Head in EBRDs Sustainable Infrastructure Group, commended Moroccos significant seawater desalination program. She also emphasized various other initiatives and strategies focusing on wastewater treatment to support green space irrigation.

Barret applauded the efforts of Moroccan stakeholders in water infrastructure and investment in water conservation programs. She added that the EBRD collaborates closely with Moroccan entities to promote behavior change among citizens and encourage industrial firms to adopt efficient irrigation solutions that minimize water consumption.

The water master classes, organized by the Consensus Public Relations firm (CPR), feature a series of conferences addressing topics such as The role of water in the 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Key transformation mechanisms for water efficiency, Water as a focal point of socially responsible investment, and Opportunities and challenges in tailored financial training for the water sector.
Chairman of the Council of Secretaries of the Humanitarian Funds of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Hassan Al-Thani, commended the leading role of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al Quds Committee, in supporting the Holy City, its inhabitants and its institutions.

During a visit to the headquarters in Rabat of Bayt Mal Al Qods Asharif Agency, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Thani welcomed the social and humanitarian actions undertaken by the institution in Al Qods, calling for the exploration of cooperation and coordination opportunities between the two parties.

The chairman of the Council of Secretaries of OIC Humanitarian Funds stressed the importance of developing relations between the two parties in the service of Palestine in general, and the inhabitants of Al Quds in particular.

During the visit, managing director of Bayt Mal Al Quds Asharif Agency, Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, surveyed the Agencys activities in 2023, under the direct supervision of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, as well as the outlook for 2024, based on a realistic approach combining ambition and rationalization.
As the diplomatic fog dissipates in French-Moroccan ties, French economy minister Bruno Le Maire is expected to lead a business delegation to Morocco in April to promote investments.

The visit would be the second by a member of Macrons administration to Morocco after an announced visit soon of newly appointed foreign minister Stephane Sejourne.

Bruno Le Maire will be leading a delegation of French businessmen, members of the Movement of French Enterprises (MEDEF), who will hold talks with Moroccan private sector association CGEM, Africa Intelligence reports.

Some 150 French CEOs are expected to attend the event to discuss cooperation in key fields such as farming, agri-food, energy, industry, and sustainability.

France is the first source of foreign direct investments in Morocco with 1300 companies employing 80,000 people.

Head of the French senate Gerard Larcher is also expected to lead a delegation on a visit to Morocco in April.

The visits indicate a French willingness to turn the page on an era of diplomatic frost that threatened to sap decades of close cooperation between Paris and Rabat.

Sejourne had told French media last week that he was tasked by Macron to improve ties with Morocco and that Paris backs the autonomy plan for the Sahara.
Moroccos presence in the hearings taking place in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as part of the case requesting an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from Israels policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and its written plea to the ICJ that was duly taken into account by the Court translate the commitment of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of Al-Quds Committee, to the support of the Palestinian cause

The Kings commitment is being highlighted during the ICJ hearings taking place February 19  29 and wherein Morocco is represented by Ambassador in the Hague Mohamed Basri.

In this context and as part of this support, the Moroccan ambassador attended the oral presentation of Palestine, which took place on February 19, alongside the Palestinian delegation, led by Riyad Al Maliki, Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Moroccos presence at the oral pleadings on this case and its written plea to the ICJ which was duly taken into account by the Court are part of the Kingdoms ongoing active commitment to this issue.

In this written plea, Morocco, whose Sovereign is the Chairperson of the Al-Quds Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), reaffirmed its determination to work through all legal means at its disposal to protect the legal, historical, political, and spiritual status of the Holy City and preserve its unique vocation as a city of peace and meeting for the faithful of all monotheistic religions.

Furthermore, the Kingdom reiterated its active commitment to respect international law and promote peace in the Middle East, which involves implementing a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution based on the principle of two states: an independent Palestinian state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Al-Quds/Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with the State of Israel, in peace and security, in accordance with international legality, United Nations resolutions, and in line with the Arab Peace Initiative.

Moroccos plea relied on the principles established in the Appeal of Al-Quds/Jerusalem, signed on March 30, 2019, between King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, and Pope Francis. This significant document emphasizes, among other things, the importance of preserving the Holy City of Jerusalem/Al-Quds Asharif as a common heritage of humanity and, above all, for the faithful of the three monotheistic religions, as a place of peaceful coexistence and a symbol of mutual respect and dialogue.

Additionally, Moroccos plea recalled the international communitys consensus on the legal status of Israeli settlements in certain parts of the occupied Palestinian territory  including East Al-Quds/Jerusalem, emphasizing that they constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two-state solution impossible: an independent and viable Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, living side by side with the State of Israel, in peace and security.

The resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through dialogue and negotiation, in accordance with the UN negotiation framework, and notably Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, remains the cornerstone for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, emphasizes Moroccos plea.

This objective shapes the action of the Kingdom of Morocco both bilaterally and multilaterally within the United Nations  in the General Assembly and its six main committees, and regional groupings representing the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation  within which HM King Mohammed VI chairs the Al-Quds Committee.

Finally, Morocco recalled, in its plea, the message from the King on the occasion of the celebration in November 2022 of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, in which the Sovereign affirmed: The current deadlock in the political process between the Palestinian and Israeli sides does not promote the peace we are yearning for in the region. Nevertheless, I encourage the positive signs and commendable initiatives undertaken to rebuild confidence and launch meaningful negotiations that help achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, and the two-State solution, which is a realistic option.
The Nebraska Congressional Delegation will host Service Academy Days in North Platte, Scottsbluff, Grand Island, Norfolk, Bellevue and Omaha.

The events aim to educate high school students about the process to apply for a congressional nomination to service academies and representatives will answer questions, the Congressional Delegation said in a press release issued through Sen. Deb Fischers office.

The North Platte academy day will be from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the NENG Armory, 1700 N. Jeffers St. The Scottsbluff event is 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at ESU 13, 4215 Avenue I in Scottsbluff.
Photo-Illustration: Tyler Comrie

In 2017, a Republican-controlled Congress passed a package of sanctions on Russia in retaliation for its interference in the previous years election. The bill was approved by overwhelming margins: 419-3 in the House, 98-2 in the Senate. President Trump, the Washington Post later reported, was apoplectic over the vote and contemplated a veto, only to be eventually persuaded that he would look weak when Congress overrode it. Instead, he signed the bill without the normal ceremony while criticizing it as unconstitutional.

This is a measure of how deeply isolated and weird Trumps views on Russia were within his party at the time. Trump has consistently flattered Russia, touted its economic possibilities, and disparaged the alliances arrayed against it. Whatever the basis of his beliefs on the subject  whether from frank admiration of Vladimir Putins authoritarianism, the praise he has received from Russians since the 1980s, or his business dealings  sympathy toward Russia is one of the few policy principles from which he has never wavered. At a closed-door meeting in 2016, Kevin McCarthy told Paul Ryan, Theres two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump. Dana Rohrabacher was a gadfly in the House mocked for his idiosyncratic Russophilia; Republicans saw Trump the same way.

In 2024, the picture looks very different. The faction of Republicans willing to align themselves with Trump on Russia has swelled to the point where House Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to allow a vote on Ukraine aid. The Ukrainian military is starved of ammunition and retreating, NATO is contemplating its own mortality, and Europe is trembling at the prospect of future Russian aggression, which Trump says he would encourage. But his admiration of Putin no longer renders him strange or suspect within the party. Increasingly, the hawks are cast as oddballs. The metamorphosis Trump wrought through sheer force of personality may ultimately be the most globally significant ramification of his political career.

Trumps apologists like to claim that Trump, and his administration, have actually been tougher on Russia than many of his predecessors, as Byron York of the Washington Examiner put it. But this is a half-truth at best. Trump spent his presidency prying apart the western alliance. He repeated a series of bizarre pro-Moscow claims  insisting, for example, that the NATO treaty committed the U.S. to backing the very aggressive Montenegro in a war on Russia  and refused to condemn any of Putins crimes. When Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned by a rare nerve agent in 2020 and every western intelligence agency blamed the obvious suspect, Trump demurred, I think probably China, at this point, is a nation that you should be talking about much more so than Russia because the things that China is doing are far worse if you take a look at whats happening with the world.

As a matter of substantive policy, the U.S. doctrine of containing Russia, a matter of bipartisan consensus since Harry Truman, persisted throughout Trumps presidency despite his objections. This was largely because when Trump took office, his viewpoint on Russia was so beyond the pale that there was almost nobody who shared it who could staff his administration. Trumps one Russia-friendly choice, General Michael Flynn, who was feted by Putin at a Moscow banquet in 2015, had to resign his position as national security adviser almost immediately because he had lied to the FBI about a meeting with the Russian ambassador. By default, Trump found himself surrounded by traditional Republican hawks who thwarted his impulses. The first Trump impeachment concerned his efforts to outmaneuver those hawks by holding up aid to Ukraine.

But during his time in office and after, Trump managed to create, from the grassroots up, a Republican constituency for Russia-friendly policy. The GOP base processes every political event as a contest of tribal loyalty. Once Trump had signaled that friendliness to Russia was a form of fealty to himself, his voters began demanding that their elected leaders and media personalities follow suit.

These displays have ranged from mocking Volodymyr Zelenskyys wardrobe and sneering at the Ukrainian flag to outright praise and support for Putin. The competition has run especially fierce in the conservative infotainment sphere, which is the most sensitive to audience approval. That competition is what drove Tucker Carlson to travel to Russia in February to interview Putin, who treated him to a discursive Russian-history lecture justifying his invasion of Ukraine. Carlson also broadcast ludicrous propaganda from Moscow grocery stores presenting Russia, which has a GDP per capita less than one-fifth the American level, as a thriving oasis of prosperity Americans ought to envy.

Conservatives vying to be the Trumpiest of them all have realized that supporting Russia translates in the Republican mind as a proxy for supporting Trump. Hence the politicians most willing to defend his offenses against democratic norms  Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jim Jordan, Tommy Tuberville, Mike Lee, J. D. Vance  hold the most anti-Ukraine or pro-Russia views. Conversely, the least-Trumpy Republicans, such as Mitch McConnell and Mitt Romney, have the most hawkish views on Russia. The rapid growth of Trumps once-unique pro-Russia stance is a gravitational function of his personality cult.

One consequence of this development is the convergence of Republican Party messaging with Russian propaganda. The GOP has spent the past four years repeating a Russian-invented story that Joe Biden as vice-president had pushed to fire a Ukrainian prosecutor in order to protect the energy company Burisma, which had hired his son Hunter. (Biden was actually urging Ukraine to install a tougher prosecutor in accordance with the position advocated by democracy advocates inside and outside Ukraine.) An allegation by an FBI informant that Biden had accepted bribes, which the FBI now charges was a lie influenced by Russian intelligence, was hyped up by Republicans including former attorney general William Barr and Representative James Comer and formed the basis of an effort to impeach the president.

Putin has labeled Trumps legal travails the persecution of a political rival for political reasons, echoing the GOP line. Trump, in keeping with his reluctance to admit Russian guilt, has refused to condemn Navalnys sudden death in a remote Arctic prison, deflecting questions about his suspicious demise by depicting himself as a similarly persecuted dissident.

There is an apparent contradiction here. If Trump is likening himself to Navalny, wouldnt that imply that Navalny was innocent and therefore Putin had done something wrong? But the paradox is resolved when you realize that Trump considers guilt or innocence totally irrelevant to the operations of any justice system. Corruption is inevitable, and the question is not whether it can be made fair but simply who will be locking up whom. As Carlson said shortly after his Russia trip, Leadership requires killing people.

Republicans withholding aid to Ukraine originally claimed it would divert resources from securing the southern border. But when hawks like McConnell dutifully negotiated a border-security bill, the pro-Russia Republicans immediately said it wasnt good enough. They now claim funding Ukrainian defense merely prolongs the war, as if the invaded party were the one clinging to unreasonable demands. Putin has made clear that his aim is to strip Ukraine of its sovereignty and restore the puppet state that existed before the Maidan protests in 2014, a goal Republicans wont openly endorse but seem intent on letting him fulfill. After eight years of Trump and Putin working hand in hand, they have chosen a side and they plan to see it through to victory.

Sign up for &.c, a Newsletter by Jonathan Chait Irregular musings from the center left. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us.
Photo: Photo/Stefan Jeremiah

The first criminal trial of a former U.S. president is really, truly, actually happening, and soon  31 days from now, to be precise. Judge Juan Merchan has denied the defendants last-ditch request for a postponement, and now its on: March 25, downtown Manhattan, State of New York v. Donald John Trump.

But the pivotal player at trial wont be Trump himself. Allow me to gaze into my crystal ball of the obvious and foretell that Trump will feign like he might take the stand, but then play it safe and give it a pass. Instead, the center of attention at the trial will be the former presidents former fixer, Michael Cohen.

First, a disclosure: Cohen and I are friends. I like him. Ive been on-air with him, and Ive done his podcast several times. Our conversations sound like two aggressive cousins jawing at each other; Ill tell him directly why hes a flawed witness (though, as well discuss shortly, not necessarily fatally flawed), and hell push right back. I invited him to both of my book launches. He couldnt make the first one because he was finishing his federal sentence on house arrest  a perfectly sound excuse  but he came to the second.

Turns out, Im naturally drawn to rogues, and they trust me. As an organized-crime prosecutor, I built cases on testimony from men whove done far worse things than Cohen ever even dreamt of. Ive stayed in touch with some of them, and weve built relationships that now extend beyond our careers as prosecutors or gangsters. (If youve listened to Up Against the Mob, youve heard me catch up with some of them.) A colleague asked me recently: If I added up the number of murders committed by all the people in my phone contacts, how many would that be? I did some math and came up with 11  not counting attempts and conspiracies; thatd be more.

So Im no pearl clutcher when it comes to putting a convicted felon on the witness stand. When Cohen testifies in the upcoming Trump trial, hell be the prosecutions most important witness  and hell present an especially tricky case. (Another disclosure: Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg is also a friend and a former colleague. I dont know what to tell you; its a small world.)

On paper, Cohen is an absurdly easy target for cross-examination. Ideally, prosecutors want a witness with no ax to grind; I once had a cooperator testify that he still loved the defendant and hoped he would beat our case  and that was good testimony for us. But Cohen has built his public profile largely on his visceral hatred for his former boss. Cohen has publicly called Trump batshit crazy, the owner of a mushroom pecker, and  sorry, Im just quoting him  Donald Von ShitzinPantz. In one machine-gun rant from his memoir, Cohen calls Trump a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man. Cohen is so at ease with his feelings that, in a perverse sense, he actually bolsters his own credibility. At least hes deadly honest about where he stands.

Honesty has not, of course, been a traditional Cohen hallmark. Were all familiar with his past life, when he was a growling, bare-knuckled taxicab-medallion lawyer turned Trump enforcer. The end result: Cohen pled guilty and served time at the Otisville Federal Correctional Institute for crimes including lying to Congress, tax fraud, bank fraud, and campaign finance fraud (the last one for the same hush-money payments at issue in the upcoming trial). Meanwhile, Trump skated  until his 2023 indictments, at least, with the final result still undetermined.

Because of Cohens history, prosecutors unavoidably must ask the jury to believe a star witness who has a long track record of lying. The defense attack will be simple and compelling: Hes a proven liar who took that same oath before and broke it  how can you believe him now?

Itll be the Manhattan DAs job to convince the jury that Cohen has come clean. We can all understand the basic character arc here: Trumps lying lawyer saw the light, admitted his conduct, paid the price, and now has gone straight. But its not quite that simple. (It never is with Cohen.) He pled guilty to tax fraud for conduct relating solely to his own finances, so the DA cant argue that he only committed crimes for Trump. Worse, Cohen now claims that when he took that guilty plea in 2018, he actually was not guilty, and he lied (again, under oath) when he told a federal judge that he had committed tax fraud. And Cohen recently got mixed up in a bizarre incident in which he gave fake, AI-generated legal citations to his personal lawyer, who then submitted them to a court. Cohen has said this was an accident, and I believe him, but the incident could provide more ammo for cross-examination.

Prosecutors and Cohen got some (mostly) good news last week. The state judge presiding over the New York AGs civil-fraud lawsuit against Trump credited Cohens testimony in that trial, which yielded a galactic verdict of over $350 million against Trump and his businesses. Judge Arthur Engoron found that Cohens testimony was significantly compromised by his extensive rap sheet and by seeming contradictions in what he said at trial. (That last part would particularly concern me, as a prosecutor.) But the judge concluded that, overall, Cohens testimony was credible, given his mannerism in the witness box and the independent, corroborating evidence.

Corroboration is the key here. Prosecutors are obsessed with finding evidence that might support a dicey witness like Cohen. I once did a case where the cooperator mentioned offhand that hed occasionally go to the supermarket with the defendant. Those trips had nothing to do with the charged crimes, but we subpoenaed the supermarkets surveillance video anyway. (Ill put you out of your suspense: We did find footage of the two men bagging up their groceries together, but we didnt use it at trial because, well, it was pointless.) Thats how far prosecutors will go to find evidence that supports a cooperating witness.

Cohen has claimed publicly that his testimony at the upcoming Trump trial will be heavily corroborated by independent evidence. Indeed, we know there are a series of checks, some signed by Trump, that were paid to Cohen to reimburse him for making hush-money payments to the silencee, the adult-film actress Stormy Daniels. Thats important evidence for prosecutors, of course, but it doesnt quite provide the vital external support Cohens testimony requires.

Its important here to understand the precise charges facing Trump. Hes not charged with paying hush money; thats seedy but not illegal. The crime here is falsifying the business records  specifically, prosecutors allege, Trump mislabeled those payments as legal fees. The payments arent the crime; its the booking of those payments. And on that point, theres no known document that directly ties Trump himself to the internal accounting. Trump will argue that he left that part up to his attorney (Cohen) and accountants, as top executives often do. Itll largely come down to Cohens word, standing alone, to rebut that defense.

When Cohen takes the stand, itll be a moment of truth for him and for his former client. Prosecutors must convince the jury to credit Cohen, and the verdict likely will follow accordingly. Personally, I believe Michael, for the most part. I dont think he fabricates, not anymore. He does tend to add a little oomph here and there, and his emotions can drive and color his perception. Cohen makes me roll my eyes sometimes, but I trust him, at bottom. The question now is whether 12 randomly chosen Manhattanites will feel the same.

Listen to this article. And for more analysis of law and politics with Elie Honig, Preet Bharara, and other contributors, sign up for the free CAFE newsletter or become a member of CAFE Insider.
I love ruffalo and think he's had an incredible and well-deserved career even long before marvel movies came along but I also love snobbery and high(er) art so.... I win either way :) the 'sell-out' debate has been happening since the very first commercialisation of art, this is no different. I can understand why auteurs don't want their movies muddied with the obviously corporate offenders (disney). I don't think it's a personal thing. the idea of their being a social punishment for selling out is the way the scales can be balanced more in favour of those with less money/power. a bit like cancellation originally being a response to institutions not taking accountability because they would be harming their own investments. I think it's really interesting, even if it's a concept that can't universally be applied to art right now (particularly most musicians).



Edited at 2024-02-23 12:06 am (UTC)

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I'm sure his money will comfort him in his darkest hours.

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lol this. I do think Mark is quite talented tbh but Im not gonna feel that bad for him and the stigma if hes sitting on Marvel money.

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As Michael Caine said about Jaws-The Revenge: I have never seen it, but by all accounts it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific.

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...when was the last time he was in a Marvel movie? Endgame?

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He was in the She Hulk series. I don't know when that was though. it feels like a decade ago lol

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Are we sure it's someone that's not in Marvel? Because this sounds like something Benedict Cumberbatch would say.

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lmao actually, it does sort of sound like a salty actor who considers what they do prestige and used marvel to bolster their name, but I think he would've said that if so as 'proof' or something if so

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lmao didn't he say something like this to Brent Spiner about Star Trek

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Yes which made me think Mark was talking about him.

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He's so beautiful. Bless HD gifs.

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I dont think much of Jensen as a person but he is just stunning to look at

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Seems kind of silly to me but idk hollywood that well so 

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sounds about right tbh



~we can excuse actors assaulting women but we draw the line at doing marvel movies 

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PTA cast Bradley Cooper in Licorice Pizza.



Mark it sounds like you were being negged.

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& like I'm p. sure Cumberbatch has been in other more (attempted) high profile movies.

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And hes clearly taken a conscious step back from the spotlight post Marvel but the jobs he has taken have been kind of quiet and prestige.

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I mean, rdj is about to win an Oscar, same for cillian even though he was dc

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I think most people dont realize Cooper is even in marvel since he .... physically isnt

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PTA has talked a lot about how big marvel is in his household and that he likes superhero movies etc. like idk this doesn't rly sound right lol

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glad he's talking about this. it's time.

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i bet that actor was just being a shit stirrer lmao

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"I love mess"

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Hasn't PTA talked about enjoying Marvel movies?

If PTA won't work with someone because they did a Marvel movie he's a dummy.

Maybe he won't work with Marvel actors because they're asking price goes up after being in a Marvel movie and he can't afford it (don't know what his budgets are). Florence Pugh was lamenting about this and how indie directors were upset she did Marvel because she's now out of their price range.

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Yeah, I think he said he doesn't mind them as he's taken his kids to go see some of them. And I always remember that story about him not liking the snobbery at film school after a professor looked down on another student for wanting to get into filmmaking because of Terminator 2.



Budget wise, there was a story the other day that his next movie budget is like 115 million and that Leo is still getting his 20 million quote so I don't know if it's price either lol.



Maybe this other actor was just throwing out names, ha.

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I mean, it's still their choice.

I know RDJ was paid peanuts in Oppenheimer compared to what he used to earn in Marvel.

Actors can take cuts if they want.

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idk how Hollywood works but Sydney Sweeneys now got me thinking all actors have mega bills coming out their ass, maybe RDJ is one of few who can afford pay cuts. Completely agree with you though

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I wonder how much agents play a part here  they take a cut from their client's pay after all and after tasting the blood of Marvel money they might go into salary negotiations more aggressively? Maybe?

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Stuff like this is why I wasn't too upset for Stephanie Hsu getting snubbed over JLC. She deserves that Oscar but she's so young and getting one now would severely undercut the type of opportunities she could get because of the salary bump that comes with it. Right now she has the industry acknowledgement without the price tag to scare off producers who might consider her for smaller, off-beat films, which means more opportunities to hone her skills. Winning an Oscar didn't really do much for Jennifer Lawrence; sure she got to work for more prestigious directors but none of her roles were ones where she gets to have fun and play with.



Edited at 2024-02-23 10:31 pm (UTC)

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paul thomas anderson likes marvel movies tho, he literally talked about seeing them with his kids a few years ago lol

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I like children very much, doesn't mean I want them in my house lol highbrow folks often have no problem consuming mainstream entertainment but when it comes to their own gigs, they don't usually mix with the ~lessers.

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lol maybe so, but if a person is a good actor then a person is good so idk why PTA of all ppl would be snobby about it lmao. the man cast Marky Mark and Adam Sandler at a time when they wouldn't normally be handed dramas lol

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i really don't think that describes PTA though, he says he dropped out of film school because a professor had a snobby attitude towards terminator 2 lol

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Ruffalo's playing the long con, he wants PTA to see this in the news and hit him up to prove it wrong.

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stigma and smegma. I always mix those up

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Sigma move.

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stigmata

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Smegmata? That's when you discover a smear of smegma on your hands and/or feet. Alert the media if smegmata is cross-shaped.

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Astigmatism 

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i wanna know who told them this cuz they either lied to him or pta just hates him and lied to another actor about the reason why lmaooo

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what a bunch of snobby fucks lmao

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OSHA Fines Massachusetts Contractor $306,229 for Fall Hazard Violations

Brothers Construction Services Inc. has similar citations dating back to 2011.

OSHA has proposed $306,229 in penalties to Brothers Construction Services Inc., a Framingham, Massachusetts-based roofing contractor, for exposing workers to fall hazards.

According to a release dated Feb. 21, this is not the first time the companywhich operates under several names, including Brothers Construction and Roofing and Brothers Roofinghas been cited for such violations. The latest inspection took place in August 2023 at a Boston residential site. There employees faced risks of falls up to 20 feet due to inadequate fall protection measures as well as multiple other safety breaches.

OSHAs investigation uncovered eight willful, repeat, serious and other than serious violations, including insufficient scaffolding, an absence of ladder safety and a lack of employee safety training. Workers were also found without necessary personal protective equipment, and the company failed to provide the required injury and illness logs promptly.

Falls remain the number one killer in construction work, year in and year out. Yet, this employer and too many others repeatedly fail to provide and ensure basic, commonsense and legally required safeguards for their employees, OSHA area director James Mulligan in Braintree, Massachusetts, said in a statement. Brothers Construction Services Inc.s violations left its workers one slip, trip or misstep away from a potentially fatal incident.

Brothers Construction Services Inc. has faced similar citations since 2011, with violations recorded at various locations across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The company now has 15 business days from the receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHAs area director, or contest the agencys findings.
Alabama Sawmill Faces Heavy Fines After Second Fatal Incident in Three Years

OSHA has deemed Phenix Lumber Co. a severe violator since 2020.

OSHA has proposed nearly $2.5 million in penalties against MDLG Inc., doing business as Phenix Lumber Co., following a fatal incident at their Phenix City, Alabama, facility.

According to a release dated Feb. 22, the August 2023 incident marked the second employee fatality at the sawmill in three years. In this case, a 67-year-old sawmill supervisorwho had been working for the company for 20 yearsdied after being caught in machinery while attempting to unclog a woodchipper.

The ensuing OSHA investigation revealed the tragedy could have been prevented if Phenix Lumber Co. had adhered to federal safety regulations. The agency issued citations for 22 willful violations, one repeat violation and five serious violations, amounting to $2,471,683 in proposed penalties.

Inspectors identified multiple safety failures, including inadequate energy control procedures, lack of lockout/tagout devices during maintenance, insufficient training on energy control, unguarded machinery, absence of fall protection, and non-compliance with forklift and fire extinguisher safety standards.

Phenix Lumbers willful disregard for the well-being of their employees leaves another family to grieve the loss of their loved one. This must stop, OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer in Atlanta said in a statement. This worksite has become all too familiar to OSHA. Phenix and its owners have a legal responsibility to follow federal safety laws that are meant to prevent the exact hazards that cost this employees life.

Phenix Lumber Co. was added to OSHAs Severe Violators Enforcement Program following the previous fatality in 2020. The company has faced four inspections in the last five years, resulting in multiple citations for willful and serious violations. Now Phenix Lumber Co. has 15 business days from the receipt of the citations to comply, request a conference with OSHAs area director, or contest the findings.
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AWARDS

Occupational Health & Safety Magazine's May 2017 issue was named the winner of the B-to-B -- App/Digital Edition/Standalone Digital Magazine category in the 2017 Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards. The Eddie & Ozzie Awards recognize excellence in magazine editorial and design across all sectors of the industry. Occupational Health & Safety's entry was selected from 2,800 entries by a panel of more than 300 judges. OH&S also was named an Eddies finalist for B-to-B -- Full Issue -- Construction/Manufacturing for its October 2016 issue and an Ozzies finalist for B-to-B Site Design for its website.

1105 Media's Live From program was named a 2016 Top 20 Marketing Campaign Winner in the Folio: Marketing Awards competition that year. Live From won in the Use of Social Media category.

OH&S won an American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) Western Region award in 2008 for its January 2007 75th Anniversary Special Section. The magazine won in the category for magazines of 80,000 circulation or more. Former Managing Editor Ronnie Rittenberry's June cover story ("Air Rescue in 2007") also won one of the Regional ASBPE awards (West Region) in the Feature Article category.

The Safety Equipment Distributors Association (SEDA) honored OH&S in June 2008 with a plaque of appreciation for its longstanding support of the association.
The total number of active drilling rigs for oil and gas in the United States rose this week, according to new data that Baker Hughes published on Friday.

The total rig count rose by 5 to 626 this week, compared to 753 rigs this same time last year.

The number of oil rigs rose by 6 this week after falling by 2 in the week prior. Oil rigs now stand at 503--down by 97 compared to this time last year. The number of gas rigs fell by 1 this week to 120, a loss of 31 active gas rigs from this time last year. Miscellaneous rigs stayed at 3.

Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil production stayed the same at an average 13.3 million bpd in the week ending February 16, hovering at their all-time high level.

Primary Visions Frac Spread Count, an estimate of the number of crews completing wells that are unfinished, rose in the week ending February 16. Completions rose by 4 to 264 for the week.

The Permian saw a 2-rig gain after falling by 1 the week before. The count in the Eagle Ford stayed the same this week after seeing no movement in the week prior.

Oil prices were trading down on Friday morning. At 12:50 p.m. ET, the WTI benchmark was trading down $1.84 (-2.34%) on the day at $76.77, down roughly $2.50 week over week.

The Brent benchmark was trading down $1.85 (-2.21%) at $81.82, a decrease of nearly $2 per barrel from a week ago.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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The Baghdad-Erbil dispute is also happening right now against the backdrop of a dangerous cocktail of pro-Iranian and pro-U.S. forces that threaten to destabilize Iraq. In January, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missiles on Erbil, striking what they claimed to be Israeli spy headquarters there. This week, KRG Prime Minister Barzani warned that the pro-Iranian militias are more dangerous than ISIS. At the same time, though, pro-Iranian militias in Iraq have paused attacks on U.S. troops under orders from Iran, which is meant to signal that Iran does not want the conflict to expand.

The Federal Supreme Court in Baghdad has ordered the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to relinquish all oil and non-oil revenue to the Iraqi Federal government, amid the ongoing dispute between Baghdad and Erbil over the latters unilateral oil operations and separate contracts with foreign oil companies. Baghdad has invalidated oil company contracts with the KRG and is not honoring them in the transfer to federal hands. In other words, Baghdad is trying to renegotiate these contracts in its favor and from a clear position of leverage. But the latest move this week is the most significant one yet, with Baghdad effectively seeking to take control of the KRGs finances completelynot just oil revenue.

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict

The Federal Supreme Court in Baghdad has ordered the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to relinquish all oil and non-oil revenue to the Iraqi Federal government, amid the ongoing dispute between Baghdad and Erbil over the latters unilateral oil operations and separate contracts with foreign oil companies. Baghdad has invalidated oil company contracts with the KRG and is not honoring them in the transfer to federal hands. In other words, Baghdad is trying to renegotiate these contracts in its favor and from a clear position of leverage. But the latest move this week is the most significant one yet, with Baghdad effectively seeking to take control of the KRGs finances completelynot just oil revenue.

The Baghdad-Erbil dispute is also happening right now against the backdrop of a dangerous cocktail of pro-Iranian and pro-U.S. forces that threaten to destabilize Iraq. In January, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missiles on Erbil, striking what they claimed to be Israeli spy headquarters there. This week, KRG Prime Minister Barzani warned that the pro-Iranian militias are more dangerous than ISIS. At the same time, though, pro-Iranian militias in Iraq have paused attacks on U.S. troops under orders from Iran, which is meant to signal that Iran does not want the conflict to expand.

After targeting a British ship earlier this week, forcing its crew to flee, and launching a drone attack on a U.S. destroyer, the Houthis have threatened to step up attacks using underwater drones.

Washington was gearing up on Friday to slap sanctions on another 500+ targets related to Russias invasion of Ukraine, with a focus on the military-industrial complex and associated entities in other countries.

Discovery & Development

Greeces FSRU-based terminalthe Alexandroupolis is readying to receive its first cargo of LNG, which arrived in Green earlier this week. Commissioning tests will commence as soon as the LNG carrier is unloaded. The Alexandroupolisa former LNG carrier converted into an FSRU, arrived in Greek waters in December. The FSRU is now anchored and set to be connected to a subsea and onshore gas transmission pipeline. From there, gas will be delivered into the Greek Transmission System, where it will ultimately make its way to customers in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia, Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, Hungary, and Slovakia. The terminal is expected to be commercially operational this quarter and realize a maximum sustainable regasification capacity of 5.5 billion cubic meters per year. Greece has aspirations of becoming an energy security provider to other European countries.

BP will finish drilling its first production well from its Azeri Central East platform offshore Azerbaijan this quarter, with first oil expected yet this year from the three wells that will be drilled this year.

Petrobras has begun to drill its second exploration well in Brazils Potiguar basin Block POT-M-762, after the first well proved disappointing. Petrobras acquired the block in the 15th ANP Bidding Round in 2018. The block lies along the Equatorial Margin off the coast of Rio Grande do Norte and lies in an environmentally sensitive area.

Equinors 35/11-28 S Harden sor exploration well in the North Sea has come up dry. The well is the sixth well drilled in production license 248 C, for which Equinor is the operator. The well was a wildcat well drilled west of the Fram field. The well has been plugged and abandoned.

A consortium involving Chevron has made FID for the Phase 2 expansion of the Tamar gas project in Israel. The consortium includes Chevron Mediterranean LImited, Isramco, Tamar Petroleum, Mubadala Energy, Tamar Investment 2, Dor Gas, and Everest. The expansion project is expected to boost gas production capacity in Tamar by as much as 1.6 billion cubic feet per day.

Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions

Saudi Aramco will issue a bond in 2024 in a move not seen in years as it tries to optimize its capital structure. Aramco will focus on maturities of up to 50 years. Selling debt with a 50-year maturation would be an affirmation for the oil company that it will still be needed 50 years from now despite the push to transition to greener forms of energy.

Frances Veolia utility will purchase a 430MW gas-fired power plant in Hungary from Uniper, which must rid itself of some assets to comply with EU mandates as part of a 2022 bailout. The terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed.

Enerplus will be soldbut not to Devon Energy. In a new agreement reached this week, Enerplus will now be sold to U.S. shale oil driller Chord Energy Group for $3.7 billion in cash and stock. The deal will include Chord Energy Group taking on Enerplus debt. The combined company should be valued at around $11 billion.
Russian casualties are mounting, and Putin needs a distraction. The best shot at the truth in terms of Russian casualties comes from a media investigation conducted by Mediazona and the BBC Russian service. That investigation is conclusive in that it identified 45,123 Russian soldiers who have died in the war in Ukraine. Those are only those who have been independently identified, while the investigators

Avdiivka has been the most recent flashpoint in the conflict, with Putin now claiming that his forces have sent Ukraines forces fleeing in chaos, with the town falling to the Russians officially on February 17, and Ukraine ordering a withdrawal of troops on February 20. Ukraine maintains that Russia doesnt have the strength to move beyond Avdiivka to seize the entire Donetsk and Luhansk regions this year, though it has admitted that Russias troops are outgunning them.

Since it launched its invasion in 2022, Russia has managed to take 25,000 square miles of Ukrainian territoryrepresenting 11% of the country, while Ukraine has not retaken any territory that was occupied by Russia prior to the 2022 invasion.

Russia has pushed through Ukrainian forces in the new flashpoint town of Avdiivka and has vowed to go further into Ukraine. Meanwhile, Putin is now free of his biggest opposition threat - Alexei Navalny, who has died in a Siberian gulag.

Russia has pushed through Ukrainian forces in the new flashpoint town of Avdiivka and has vowed to go further into Ukraine. Meanwhile, Putin is now free of his biggest opposition threat - Alexei Navalny, who has died in a Siberian gulag.

Since it launched its invasion in 2022, Russia has managed to take 25,000 square miles of Ukrainian territoryrepresenting 11% of the country, while Ukraine has not retaken any territory that was occupied by Russia prior to the 2022 invasion.

Avdiivka has been the most recent flashpoint in the conflict, with Putin now claiming that his forces have sent Ukraines forces fleeing in chaos, with the town falling to the Russians officially on February 17, and Ukraine ordering a withdrawal of troops on February 20. Ukraine maintains that Russia doesnt have the strength to move beyond Avdiivka to seize the entire Donetsk and Luhansk regions this year, though it has admitted that Russias troops are outgunning them.

Establishing the exact state of affairs on the ground remains difficult.

Russian casualties are mounting, and Putin needs a distraction. The best shot at the truth in terms of Russian casualties comes from a media investigation conducted by Mediazona and the BBC Russian service. That investigation is conclusive in that it identified 45,123 Russian soldiers who have died in the war in Ukraine. Those are only those who have been independently identified, while the investigators surmise that the actual death toll could be twice that.

Casualties and opposition are the two current red flag issues for Putin. Navalny is now out of the way, but his wife will pick up where he left off. Putin establishes power through fear, and it is, of course, the desired intent that he is accused of ordering his assassination. Its a message to the opposition, and the timing is intentional. And the campaign of fear continues as the military summons anyone who shows up to mourn Navalny. Hundreds of people have been arrested for daring to show up with flowers at memorials for Navalny, and six so far have been summoned by the military, according to The Moscow Times.

The only question now is whether Putin has overplayed his hand with Navalny, who may have been the last one willing to take extreme risks, or whether all other opposition potential will succumb to fear. Navalny was a unique threat to Putin because of his methodology and his willingness to put himself at risk. He was poisoned by the KGB in 2020, yet still returned to Russia a year later. His work has been the single most significant motivating factor for the Russian people to protest Putins regime. Only Navalny was able to rally Russians across the country to protest despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment, or worse.

Now, Navalnys wife, Yulia Navalnaya, an economist, is stepping into the ring, but with very large shoes to fill. Her first move was on Monday when she called on Europe to reject presidential election results in March, as well as advising the EU on a new round of sanctions against Russia.
Two years into the Russia-Ukraine war and following the introduction of a wide array of sanctions, several countries still refuse to cut ties with Moscow, instead benefitting from low-cost oil and gas. Following Russias invasion of Ukraine, the U.S., Europe and several other countries decreased their reliance on Russian energy products, developing alternative supply chains and increasing other sources of oil and gas production to meet demand. As they succeeded in this task, they began to introduce sanctions on Russian energy, aimed at harming Russias economy and halting its war efforts. However, some countries have used this move away from Russia as a chance to import low-cost oil and gas from Moscow to boost supplies and bolster their economies.

Russian energy export revenues, including those from coal, oil, and gas, have fallen dramatically over the last two years, from over a 14-day running average of $65 million in March 2022 to under $36 million in July 2023. This is largely due to a move away from Russian energy products by many leading world powers. The 14-day running average revenue from Russian exports to the EU fell from $826 million in March 2022 to $75 million in February 2024. While U.S. imports have dropped from $50 million in March 2022 to $0 in February 2024. This shows a strong dedication to the sanctions that have been imposed on Russian energy over the last two years.

While some countries have moved away from Russian energy, others have increased their imports. China increased its 14-day running average imports from $171 million in March 2022 to $267 million in February 2024, while Indias have risen from $5.7 million to $135 million. China and India are now the biggest importers of Russian energy, having overtaken the EU over the last two years. Both Asian countries are primarily importing oil, followed by gas and coal. Turkey has also increased its imports of Russian energy to be on par with the EU.

Indias Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly stated that the country intends to continue buying Russian energy products so long as the price is competitive. Despite announcing several ambitious climate pledges, India continues to rely heavily on oil and coal, with demand expected to increase in line with population growth and industrialisation. During several climate summits in recent years, the Indian government has asked high-income countries and development banks to support its aim of transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives by investing in its green energy sector in line with the national strategy. With insufficient levels of foreign investment in Indias renewable energy sector so far, the government is committed to supplying low-cost energy to its population to support the countrys economy.

India has been criticised for continuing to buy Russian energy in the face of sanctions introduced by the U.S. and EU. However, Indias Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri believes the world is happy that it is buying its oil from Russia rather from than alternative sources, such as the Middle East, as it is helping to keep international oil prices low. Russian crude now accounts for around 35 percent of Indias oil imports. This has helped reduce Indias imports of Middle Eastern crude.

The introduction of sanctions on Russian energy products was intended to massively decrease Moscows oil and gas revenues to cripple its war efforts in Ukraine. However, as China and India continue to invest heavily in Russian energy, revenues have remained high. Russia earned $37 billion in crude sales to India in 2023, as the South Asian country increased its oil imports from Russia by 13 times since before the war. This is concerning for the U.S., which is a strategic partner with India. Russian crude sales to India are not subject to sanctions, making them legitimate. However, it is thought that a large amount of Russian oil was still refined in India and exported to the U.S., at a value of over $1 billion.

Meanwhile, Chinas spending on Russian energy imports reached almost $60 billion since the beginning of the war. China has imported a range of Russian energy products at a discounted rate, as Moscow sought to establish new trade partners in the face of the strict sanctions imposed by its existing importers. China has benefitted from low-cost energy imports from Russia, with oil discounts having contributed to a decrease in Chinas energy bill by an estimated $18 billion.

While several countries worldwide have reshaped their energy trade to reduce their reliance on Russian energy products, other countries have deepened ties with Moscow to benefit from the energy prices Russia is offering. This has helped countries, such as China and India, decrease their energy bills and ensure their supply. It has also led to a fall in oil prices, as India has reduced its Middle Eastern oil imports. This has had a significant impact on Russian energy revenues and has greatly undermined the efforts of the U.S. and EU sanctions, thereby strengthening Russias war efforts.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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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.

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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

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The government of Uzbekistan plans to invest $500 million on expanding capacity in its natural gas transportation system to enable a significant increase in imports from Russia, according to reporting by news website Gazeta.uz.

Uzbekistan, whose own gas reserves have not been sufficient to meet annually surging demand, started receiving supplies of the fuel from Russia in October. Under a two-year deal with Gazprom, Uzbekistan imports 9 million cubic meters of gas daily.

Gazeta.uz reported on February 20, citing a government decree published earlier this month, that investment plans covering the period from 2024 to 2030 are intended to support efforts to boost gas imports to 32 million cubic meters per day. Funding for this effort will be sourced from foreign lenders, the outlet reported.

Uzbekistans reliance on purchasing gas from abroad has made it a net importer  a stark reversal on its position only two years ago. In dollar terms, it imported gas valued at $700 million in 2023, while it sold $530 million worth of the fuel in the same period. In 2022, exports exceeded imports by $629 million.

China is Uzbekistans main customer. Kyrgyzstan buys small amounts of gas from Tashkent, but even the regularity of those deliveries is far from certain. Kyrgyz Agriculture Minister Bakyt Torobayev had to inform parliament on February 1 that the southern city of Osh was suffering from a shortage of gas as a result of Uzbekistan slashing its deliveries tenfold.

According to Gazprom, which controls Kyrgyzstans gas infrastructure, the decrease in the delivery of fuel was attributable to dwindling reserves at Uzbek fields and a rise in domestic consumption in Uzbekistan following a cold snap.

Uzbek officials have said in the past that they plan to cease exports of gas altogether by 2025.

This predicament is cited by some analysts as a testament to the governments failure to modernize its energy industry in good time. Uzbekistans energy riches should have put it in a prime position to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population.

The Uzbek Energy Ministry estimates that the country has proven gas reserves of around 1.86 trillion cubic meters. But extraction rates have been flatlining or even declining over the past decade, while domestic demand has grown. The 48.9 billion cubic meters of gas produced in 2022 marked a 4 percent decrease on the previous year. Last year saw another drop in output, to 46.7 billion cubic meters.

Some of Uzbekistans developed gas fields are, meanwhile, edging toward almost total depletion.

Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov told Gazeta.uz last April that various factors, including man-made ones, were to blame for the slowdown in output. He identified state-owned Uzbeknetfegaz, which manages half of the countrys confirmed gas reserves, as a driving source of the production slump. Fully 75-80 percent of the companys fields have already been depleted, he said.

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By Eurasianet.org

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Iraq reopened on Friday its rehabilitated North Oil Refinery in Baiji, which had been inactive for more than 10 years and which brings OPECs second-largest crude producer closer to being self-sufficient in oil products, the Prime Minister Media Office said in a statement.

The Baiji refinery was damaged by insurgent violence when Al Qaeda and later ISIS were fighting for control of Iraqi territories and for control of the oil refinery.

The refinery was shut down in 2014 when Islamic State fighters seized it and stole crude and petroleum products from the territories they controlled in Iraq to fund their insurgency.

The repaired refinery was inaugurated today by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani, who praised the staff of the North Refineries Company who undertook the challenge of reconstructing the facility after it was liberated from ISIS.

The reopened oil refinery has a processing capacity of around 150,000 barrels per day (bpd). The restart of the refinery raises the total processing capacity of the Baiji refining complex to 290,000 bpd, according to Reuters.

With the start-up of the North Oil Refinery in Baiji, Iraq is nearing the capacity necessary to supply all of Iraqs oil product demand by the middle of next year, at the latest, PM Al-Sudani said at the inauguration ceremony.

This will save us billions of dollars that will be allocated to other service and economic sectors by ceasing the import of oil derivatives, thus achieving our reform goals, the Prime minister's media office said.

Despite producing more than 4 million bpd, Iraq continues to import oil productsa policy that has been in place for decades. With the reopening of the North Oil Refinery in Baiji, we are on track to meet the country's total oil derivatives needs by mid-next year, potentially even surpassing this goal ahead of schedule, Iraq says.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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An EU sanctions loophole that allows imports of Russian crude if its refined elsewhere made Russia an estimated $1.2 billion (1.1 billion euros) from sales of fuels in the European Union last year, despite the embargo on direct imports from Russia, an investigation by NGO Global Witness showed on Friday.

For more than a year, the EU has had a ban in place on imports of seaborne crude oil and fuels from Russia  with a temporary derogation for Bulgaria  as the bloc and its U.S., UK, and other allies look to stifle oil sales revenues for Vladimir Putin to wage his war in Ukraine.

However, Russian crude oil refined into fuels elsewhere, in India, for example, can be imported into the EU and the Kremlin is still receiving revenues for its fuels laundered outside Russia.

Global Witness has tracked seaborne flows of crude from Russia to refineries around the world and then on to the European ports, and revealed that in 2023, an estimated 35 million barrels of Russian oil entered the EU in the form of refined petroleum products. Its impossible to track specific molecules, but Global Witness analyzed the relative volume of Russian versus non-Russian oil used in a refinerys feedstock, where data is available.

The fuel is entering through a not-so-small loophole left in EU sanctions which allows products refined from Russian oil to flow into the bloc. This has resulted in a laundromat where refineries in countries like India and Turkey, can import discounted Russian crude, refine it into products like diesel, jet fuel, or gasoline, and legally sell the refined oil to embargoing jurisdictions like the EU, Global Witness said.

Through the same loophole, Russian fuel is also making its way into the UK and the U.S. In August 2023, a Global Witness analysis showed that one in every 20 UK flights ran on jet fuel made from Russian oil, and in November Global Witness reported that the U.S. had imported 30 million barrels of fuel from refineries that import Russian oil.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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QatarEnergy, the state company of one of the worlds biggest LNG exporters, will make on Sunday a very important announcement that will be of importance to the industry, Reuters reported on Friday, citing a source with direct knowledge of the plans.

The announcement will have significant impact and is of importance to the industry, the source told Reuters.

QatarEnergy wrote in an invitation to a press event that a very important announcement would be made in Doha on Sunday.

At the end of last year, QatarEnergys chief executive Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi told Reuters that the company is assessing further LNG export expansion beyond the already announced huge North Field developmentthe biggest LNG expansion project in the world currently underway.

If we think there is more capacity, we'll probably do more, the executive told Reuters.

QatarEnergy 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, Al-Kaabi said at a news conference earlier this week, as quoted by Bloomberg.

At the end of last year and early this year, QatarEnergy signed several major LNG supply deals with European and Asian majors, including Shell, TotalEnergies, Eni, and Sinopec.

QatarEnergy also announced earlier this month the latest such agreement with Indias Petronet, a 20-year LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement for the supply of 7.5 million tons per annum of LNG to India.

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.

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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

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Australias Woodside has struck a deal to sell a 15.1% stake in the Scarborough LNG project to JERAthe biggest power utility in Japan.

The deal is valued at $1.4 billion and will secure long-term liquefied gas supply to JERAs clients.

Per Woodside, the sale would include a payment of $740 million as a price tag plus reimbursement for the money the Australian company had already spent on the development of the offshore project since 2022.

This is the second stake in Scarborough that Woodside sells to a Japanese utility in less than a year. In August 2023, the Australian energy major sold 10% in Scarborough to LNG Japan for $880 million. In addition to the stake, LNG Japan was set to get as part of the deal 12 LNG cargoes of 900,000 tons each annually from Scarborough.

The JERA deal also includes LNG cargo deliveries, to the tune of six annually for a period of ten years, beginning in 2026, Woodside said in the news release on the deal.

Japan is almost exclusively dependent on energy imports for its consumption and liquefied natural gas is one of the countrys chief forms of energy imports. The country is also the largest buyer of LNG from Australia because of its proximity, which makes the purchases more affordable.

After the second stake sale, Woodside will remain the holder of a 74.9% stake in the Scarborough project. Investment in the facility is seen at $12 billion, with first cargo targeted for 2026. The Scarborough facility will have an annual capacity of 8 million tons of liquefied natural gas.

Woodside recently forecasted that LNG demand will continue growing on a global scale driven by Asias rising consumption, the need for security of energy supply, and decarbonization.

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The worlds demand for Woodsides products is expected to be resilient in the coming decades as populations and economies grow, with our target markets in Asia driving primary energy demand, chief executive officer Meg ONeill said on the companys investor briefing day in November last year.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The mother of Russia's late opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Thursday she has seen her son's body and that she is resisting strong pressure by authorities to agree to a secret burial outside the public eye.

Lyudmila Navalnaya said investigators allowed her to see her son's body in the city morgue. She said she reaffirmed the demand to give Navalny's body to her and protested what she described as authorities trying to force her to agree to a secret burial.

"They are blackmailing me, they are setting conditions where, when and how my son should be buried," she said in a video statement from the Arctic city of Salekhard. "They want it to do it secretly without a mourning ceremony."

Navalny's spokesman, Kira Yarmysh said on social media that his mother was also shown a medical certificate stating that the 47-year-old politician died of "natural causes." Yarmysh didn't specify what those were.

Navalny, Russia's most well-known opposition politician, died suddenly in an Arctic prison last week, prompting hundreds of Russians across the country to stream to impromptu memorials with flowers and candles.

Russian authorities detained scores of them as they seek to suppress any major outpouring of sympathy for President Vladimir Putin's fiercest foe before the presidential election he is almost certain to win.

Russian arrests

The Justice Department announced a new series of arrests and indictments Thursday targeting Russian businessmen and their middlemen in five separate federal cases, pledging that the U.S. would keep up its financial pressure on Moscow as the Ukraine war enters its third grueling year.

The action was timed to coincide with the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The Biden administration is seeking to demonstrate its unwavering support for Ukraine, even though Republican lawmakers allied with former President Donald Trump are blocking vital additional U.S. military aid.

The cases announced Thursday include charges unsealed in New York against sanctioned Russian banker Andrei Kostin and two of his U.S.-based facilitators. The facilitators, Vadim Wolfson and Gannon Bond, were arrested Thursday.

Michael Khoo, a co-director of the departments Task Force KleptoCapture, said on a call with reporters that the announcement was meant to send a message to Putin that were not going away and we can play the long game as well" so long as the war continues.

The KleptoCapture task force enforces the economic restrictions within the U.S. imposed on Russia and its billionaires.

The Justice Department said over the past two years it secured court orders for the restraint, seizure, and forfeiture of nearly $700 million in assets and has charged more than 70 people with violating sanctions and export controls.

Biden meets relatives

Across the ocean in San Francisco, U.S. President Joe Biden met with Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya and 20-year-old daughter Dasha and expressed "condolences for their devastating loss."

"To state the obvious, he was a man of incredible courage," Biden said after the meeting. "It's amazing how his wife and daughter are emulating that."

In the video released Thursday, Navalnaya said she spent nearly 24 hours in the Salekhard office of the Investigative Committee, where officials told her that they determined the politician's cause of death and have the paperwork ready, but she has to agree to a secret funeral.

"They want to take me to the outskirts of the cemetery to a fresh grave and say: 'Here lies your son.' I don't agree to this. I want you too  to whom Alexey is dear, for whom his death was a personal tragedy  to have the opportunity to say goodbye to him," she said.

Navalnaya accused the authorities of threatening her.

"Looking into my eyes, they say that if I do not agree to a secret funeral, they will do something with my son's body. Investigator Voropayev openly told me: 'Time is not on your side, the corpse is decomposing'," she said, reiterating her demand to release her son's body "immediately."

Crackdown continues

Since Navalny's death, about 400 people have been detained across Russia as they tried to pay tribute to him with flowers and candles, according to OVD-Info, a group that monitors political arrests.

Authorities cordoned off some of the memorials to victims of Soviet repression across the country that were being used as sites to leave makeshift tributes to Navalny. Police removed the flowers at night, but more keep appearing.

Earlier Thursday, imprisoned opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza urged Russians not to give up after Navalny 's death, and he alleged that a state-backed hit squad was taking out the Kremlin's political opponents, according to a video posted to social media.

Kara-Murza, a British-Russian citizen, is serving a 25-year sentence for treason at Penal Colony No. 7 in the Siberian city of Omsk. His comments came as he appeared via a video link in a court hearing over a complaint against Russia's Investigative Committee for what he believes were two poisoning attempts against him. He alleges the committee didn't properly investigate the attempts.

Kara-Murza is one of multiple opposition figures who have either been imprisoned, forced to flee the country or killed.

In a video on Monday, Yulia Navalnaya also accused Putin of killing her husband and alleged the refusal to release his body was part of a cover-up.

Biden administration officials said Thursday that the U.S. will announce more than 500 new sanctions Friday "against Putin, who is responsible for (Navalny's) death." Additional sanctions are expected from the State Department as well.
LINCOLN  A prosecutor Thursday asked a judge to order another evaluation to determine whether a Lincoln woman was legally insane when she allegedly ran down two men in her apartment complex parking lot last year.

Taylor Bradleys public defender last fall filed notice of his intention to raise an insanity defense at trial, which tentatively has been set in May.

The move led to Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jim Rockes motion, taken up Thursday.

Deputy Lancaster County Public Defender John Jorgensen told District Judge Ryan Post that an evaluation already has been conducted by the states own witness.

So essentially what is being done here is seeking a second opinion by the state, Jorgensen said.

He said thats certainly within the states statutory prerogative, but the county already has spent a great deal of money in this regard, and he questioned the need for it.

In the end, Post granted the states motion, but he added an April 1 target date for the new expert to have his evaluation done well in advance of the trial.

Prosecutors charged Bradley, 28, with six felonies, including two first-degree murder counts for the killing of 45-year-old Ronald E. Gonzalez-Rivas and 42-year-old Christopher J. Karmazin, and an attempted murder charge against a third man.

The men had worked as maintenance employees at The Lodge apartments, where Bradley had lived before the March 27 attack.
LINCOLN  A Lincoln senators proposal to remove the Nebraska attorney general from the middle of disputes over the constitutionality of laws enacted by the Legislature won support from an unlikely ally Thursday.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers  the constitutional officer who would lose the power granted to his office by the Legislature in 1977  said he agreed with Sen. Danielle Conrads plan (Legislative Bill 1191) to repeal the law.

Youre a proponent? Sen. Tom Brewer, the chair of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, asked Hilgers as he stepped forward to testify.

Hilgers said he was, because Conrads bill struck a law that he said has been cause for confusion in recent years.

I think there was probably a good reason to bring it, Hilgers said, but I absolutely agree with Sen. Conrad that its created a mess.

Conrads bill targets a state statute that requires the attorney general to file a lawsuit within 10 days of issuing an opinion that a law is unconstitutional, if a state agency relies upon that opinion in refusing to enforce the law.

That provision of Nebraska Revised Statute 84-215 has been used appropriately and sparingly over the years, Conrad told the committee.

Where it got really murky was over the last year, she said.

In a nonbinding opinion issued last August, Hilgers said the Office of Inspector General for the states prison and child welfare systems violated the separation of powers clause in the Nebraska State Constitution.

Hilgers opinion led the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and the Department of Health and Human Services to lock the inspectors general out of their facilities and data systems, throwing the states legislative and executive branches into a constitutional standoff.

The attorney general did not sue to force the issue into the courts in that case, but he did after the states prisons used his opinion on a criminal justice reform package (LB 50) to refuse carry out a portion of law changing parole eligibility requirements.

Conrad said the executive branch used Hilgers opinions in both cases to disregard laws that inconvenienced them, adding the prison system and child welfare system have been in violation of the law for some six months.

She added that her bill was not directed at Hilgers or Gov. Jim Pillen, but that it was a way for the Legislature to perform the duties it was charged with under the state constitution.

It would not prevent the attorney general from issuing legal opinions on request, or challenging or defending state laws as the office saw fit, she said.

This is about whether or not we have fidelity to our constitution, fidelity to the people, fidelity to the institution we took an oath to protect and serve, Conrad said.

Hilgers said LB 1191 would strike a specific provision of the law that created a structure to force constitutional issues to the courts, but, in effect, created several unworkable and awkward situations in state government.

Any lawsuit brought by the Attorney Generals Office must be filed within 10 days of the opinion being filed, not from when a state agency decides it is no longer going to follow the law, Hilgers said.

If a state agency decided it would follow his offices advice and not carry out a law believed to be unconstitutional nine days after Hilgers gave his opinion, he said that left his staff little time to prepare a lawsuit.

Hilgers also said while he can file a suit against any person with a litigable interest in the matter, lawsuits seeking to invalidate state laws are often leveled at Nebraskas Secretary of State, who is required to defend the state under the law.

Thats what happened last year when Hilgers sued to invalidate LB 50. Secretary of State Bob Evnen said he was required to fulfill his statutory duty, even if he agreed with the attorney generals opinion.

If this statute is repealed, it will go back to the way it used to be, which would enable parties to settle these disputes in court and make rational decisions based on their various rights, Hilgers said.

Conrad said if the Legislature passed the bill, Hilgers would have plenty of other remedies available to challenge laws he suspects are unconstitutional.

The murkiness under this particular grant of legislative authority is probably just not necessary, she said.

With the legislative and executive branches in alignment on LB 1191, the Government Committee took the unusual step of advancing the measure to the floor during an executive session after the public hearing ended.

The bill advanced on a 7-0 vote. Lincoln Sen. Jane Raybould was absent from Thursdays meeting.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
LINCOLN  After nearly four hours of debate across two days, Nebraskas Legislature gave first-round approval Thursday to a bill that would enhance penalties for drug dealers tied to overdoses  and, critics said, contribute to the overcrowding that plagues the states prisons.

The Legislature ultimately voted 35-2 to advance Legislative Bill 137 after a small group of lawmakers spent hours Wednesday and Thursday urging their colleagues to oppose the measure championed by Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, casting it as an overly broad and ineffective approach to respond to drug overdoses.

If made law, the bill would increase the potential prison sentence dealers might face if drugs theyre accused of distributing kill or seriously injure a drug user, allowing for a prison sentence of up to 50 years.

Omaha Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney led a group of urban lawmakers who repeatedly lined up to speak out against Bosns bill, which was initially introduced last year by former Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, whom Bosn replaced after Geist resigned from the Legislature in April.

Wayne repeatedly grilled Bosn, a former prosecutor, on the overly broad language in the proposal, which he suggested could be seized upon by prosecutors to target defendants whom Bosn wasnt intending to crack down on.

After hours of debate Thursday morning, Wayne and Bosn agreed to add an amendment to the bill to make clear that the enhanced penalties could be deployed only against defendants who supplied drugs that directly and proximately caused the death or serious injury of a drug user.

The Legislature adopted Waynes amendment on a 40-0 vote and, shortly after, voted to advance the bill from the first of three rounds of debate.

McKinney and Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha were the only two lawmakers to vote against the bills advancement, while Wayne and others who had opposed the legislation  including Sens. Danielle Conrad and George Dungan of Lincoln  opted not to vote at all.

It had been clear since Wednesday morning that Bosns bill had ample support to survive a potential filibuster in Nebraskas formally nonpartisan, 49-member unicameral Legislature. And a bid to indefinitely postpone the bill failed on a 36-8 vote halfway through Thursdays three-hour morning session.

But the group of urban lawmakers spent hours railing against the proposal anyway, pointing to prior penalty enhancements that have left Nebraskas prison system among the most overcrowded in the country.

Instead of learning those lessons from our sister states, we have before us efforts to double down on bad policy, to perpetuate a war on drugs and to look tough on crime, Conrad said. Enhanced penalties and additional penalties dont get after the root of the problem.

Bosn, meanwhile, said the proposal was among a series of steps the Legislature could and should take this year to combat drug overdoses, specifically those involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, which killed at least 256 state residents between January 2018 and November 2022.

We have a responsibility, she said. This is our exact job. Picking license plates, doing all those things  we do that, too. This is our obligation. This is why people send you here. This is why they vote. Respond to the crises that were facing.

Bosn, too, questioned her colleagues over why opposition against her bill had become partisan, particularly after the conservative-dominated Legislature had advanced a bill in January that would give sterile needles to drug users to reduce the spread of infectious disease.

This is a bill that every single person in here on both sides of the aisle should be saying, Heck yes. Lets attack this problem, she said. I cannot think of another example where we have lost hundreds of children and people in our state and we have turned around and said, You know, we just  we arent the people to make that decision on how to fix that problem. We dont really want to get involved with that.

Hundreds of people are dying and we are sitting here saying, This might not be the solution that we need.

The bills detractors  all of whom are registered Democrats  insisted that their opposition stemmed not from their political party, but from genuine concerns with the potential effect of the legislation.

Cavanaugh said she was displeased and offended by Bosns implication, calling penalty enhancements bad policies and warning her colleagues to not start throwing mud at each other.

Wayne agreed with Bosns assessment that lawmakers were sent to the Capitol to pass sound bills, suggesting LB 137 didnt qualify.

He noted that the case that prompted the proposal  the November 2021 overdose death of Taryn Griffith, a 24-year-old Sarpy County woman who died after unknowingly taking a fentanyl-laced tablet at a Lincoln club  would not have ended any differently had Bosns bill been law.

Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara read a letter amid Thursdays debate from Griffths parents, who told lawmakers that the state cannot continue to punish drug dealers and distributors with barely a slap on the wrist, calling for a mandatory minimum sentence and a change to how police handle overdose investigations.

Bosns bill creates an enhancement with no mandatory minimum that can be added to felony drug delivery charges.

But the Lancaster County Attorneys Office never filed charges in Griffiths overdose  meaning theres no defendant to face the enhanced penalty created by the bill.

Were reacting to a situation, but were not actually addressing the situation that were trying to react to, Wayne said. Were creating a bill, a new enhancement penalty, that doesnt solve the problem of the individuals who brought the bill. If were gonna pass legislation to fix problems, lets actually fix the problem.

If the bill is made law, its passage would mark the Legislatures latest step to increase potential sentence lengths for criminal defendants in Nebraska.

An academic report released in January blamed overcrowding in the states prisons on lawmakers who, both broadly and incrementally, have increased minimum sentence lengths for a host of crimes over the past two decades, manufacturing the overcrowding crisis the state faces now.

Part of the prison populations increase can be traced to tougher penalties for gun crimes passed by the Legislature in 2009 in response to an epidemic of gang violence in Omahas inner city.

The Legislature passed seven laws between 2015 and 2018 that brought increased penalties for pandering, prostitution, human or labor trafficking, assaulting police officers and sexually assaulting or sexually contacting students, in some cases making felonies out of former misdemeanors.

And lawmakers have created new offenses for threatening someone via text or email, distributing a private image of another person and grooming while defining health care officials as peace officers, making it a felony to strike them, too.

As his colleagues considered Bosns bill Thursday, McKinney said it would ultimately add to the prison systems crowding problem, pointing to the measures fiscal note, in which the Department of Correctional Services said the bill could increase the length of stay of persons in prison, thereby increasing the overall prison population.

He questioned why the Legislature would advance a criminal penalty enhancement after the body created a sentencing reform task force last year.

This is jumping the gun. But yall dont care, because youve got the votes and you can do what you want, said McKinney, who said that he would resign from the sentencing task force if the Legislature passed Bosns bill, minutes before 35 senators voted to advance it.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers approved a proposal that allows three watchdogs of state government to get back to work, although some had misgivings about the measure.

The Nebraska Legislature voted 38-1 Friday to pass Legislative Resolution 298, which will create a special legislative committee to review how the Legislature exercises its oversight of state government.

With the resolutions passage, it also enacts a memorandum of understanding between the Legislature and Gov. Jim Pillen that allows the inspector general of Nebraska child welfare, inspector general of corrections and state ombudsman to again get information from executive branch agencies and to resume visits to child welfare facilities and prisons.

The measure addresses issues raised by Attorney General Mike Hilgers in an August opinion. That opinion concluded that the inspectors general and the powers given to them were in violation of the Nebraska Constitutions provisions for separation of powers.

Hilgers wrote the opinion at the request of officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, which handles child welfare, and the Department of Correctional Services, which handles prisons. Within days, both agencies had cut off access for all three officials, even though the opinion did not address the status of the Ombudsmans Office and did not have the force of law.

Speaker of the Legislature John Arch of La Vista introduced LR 298, which is one of several pieces of legislation brought this session seeking to address Hilgers opinion. Arch said Friday that the resolution was a step in the right direction, and cautioned lawmakers against rushing to pass bigger measures that might result in unintended consequences.

It is simply not possible to do this work during a short session while also tackling the larger, more immediate issues currently before the Legislature, Arch said.

LR 298 drew praise during floor debate, with lawmakers generally agreeing that the three watchdog positions need to resume their duties  and criticizing the actions of Hilgers and the Pillen administration. State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha accused the executive branch of purposefully keeping information hidden from the public and said the Legislature must have a means of holding the administration accountable.

Those who are imbued with power must have that power checked, she said.

Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha said attorney general opinions do not have the power to change state law, and yet state departments treated Hilgers opinion as though it did. Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha said those departments broke the law by doing this.

Despite such reservations, several senators said supported the resolution anyway because it would immediately restore watchdog access to state government.

We have had dark places where this Legislature wasnt able to see what was going on, and how do we make decisions then? said Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington.

World-Herald staff writer Martha Stoddard contributed to this report.

An earlier version of this online story incorrectly described the resolutions status.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
LINCOLN  Opponents dominated an emotional public hearing over a bill that would allow exceptions to Nebraskas 12-week abortion ban when the fetus has fatal anomalies.

Legislative Bill 1109 would allow a woman to receive an abortion beyond 12 weeks of pregnancy if at least two physicians determined that the fetus has a condition that would result in death outside the womb. It would also clarify that medical professionals who perform abortions cannot be charged with criminal penalties.

The Nebraska Legislatures Judiciary Committee heard the bill Thursday afternoon. In all, 17 people testified against the bill, and 495 others submitted written comments in opposition. In contrast, just three testifiers and 21 written comments were in support, and five testifiers plus six written comments were neutral.

LB 1109s introducer, State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, was a major player during the Legislatures debate on abortion restrictions last year. When lawmakers were considering a bill that would effectively ban abortions at six weeks of pregnancy, Riepe cast the deciding vote that prevented that ban from moving forward.

Before that vote, Riepe proposed amending the bill with provisions similar to those in LB 1109. It would have banned abortions at 12 weeks after fertilization and included an exception for fetal anomalies. Lawmakers rejected the amendment.

Instead, lawmakers passed a 12-week ban based on gestational age by amending it into a different bill that also restricted access to gender-affirming care for people under 19. Riepe voted for that bill, giving it just enough votes to pass. He later said he didnt like the legislation and blamed himself for not working harder to fix it.

Last year, I made a mistake by not holding to the amendment I had proposed, Riepe said Thursday.

An ongoing petition drive that seeks to enshrine abortion rights in the Nebraska Constitution also motivated Riepe to introduce LB 1109. Riepe previously said his bill would make Nebraskas abortion regulations more reasonable, and therefore would make it less likely that the initiative would succeed. On Thursday, Riepe said he was neutral on the constitutional petition.

The initiative proposes a constitutional amendment that would protect legal abortion care until fetal viability, which differs with each pregnancy but is generally considered to be around 23 or 24 weeks gestational age. It would supersede all existing abortion restrictions currently on the books in Nebraska.

Riepe framed LB 1109 as a middle ground between what anti-abortion advocates want and what abortion-rights supporters want.

But opponents of the bill called it disgusting and despicable.

Women deserve better, said University of Nebraska-Lincoln student Alyssa Moser. Medicine deserves better.

Opponents who testified included mothers, medical professionals, students and lobbyists. Many said they viewed LB 1109 as discriminatory against unborn children with disabilities, contending that the proposal treats them as less deserving of a chance at life.

The truth is, we are all disabled in one way or another, said David Zebolsky with Nebraskans Embracing Life.

Much of the testimony across the board was tearful, with mothers sharing their personal stories of pregnancies that ended prematurely or resulted in their babys death shortly after birth.

Maternal medicine physician Robert Bonebrake said abortions would only affect the timeline of the infants death in those circumstances, but would not negate the familys heartbreak. He said that giving women the choice to have an abortion in those cases would take away from her dignity as a mother.

Bonebrake said prenatal diagnoses are not always accurate. Several other opponents noted occasions when doctors said there were fatal fetal anomalies but the child survived long after birth.

I have been wrong, Bonebrake said. Ive seen others be wrong.

A few opponents said they had concerns with LB 1109s language, particularly its definition of fatal fetal anomaly, which would include cases when a diagnosis would result in the death of a preborn child upon birth or inevitably thereafter. Testifiers criticized this as overly broad. After all, some noted, all humans will inevitably die.

Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, a Judiciary Committee member, pressed Riepe on this point, and asked him to explain how much time inevitably thereafter entailed. Riepe did not give a specific timeline in his answer, countering that doctors cant reliably make that estimate.

To me, it just opens up abortion on demand, Holdcroft said of Riepes bill.

Several abortion-rights advocacy groups testified as neutral on the bill, including Planned Parenthood of North Central States, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska and the Womens Fund of Omaha. They said they appreciated that LB 1109 would mitigate the restrictions of Nebraska 12-week abortion ban but contended that it still inserts politics into decisions they want to leave to women and their doctors.

The Nebraska Medical Association also testified neutral on LB 1109. President John Trapp said the association is supportive of removing the criminal penalties but is neutral on the exception for fatal fetal anomalies. While the group supports increased access to care, he said, the provisions of the bill dont make it clear what conditions would qualify for the exception.

The three testifiers in support of LB 1109 were parents who opted for abortions after they received a fatal fetal anomaly diagnosis. Mother Tiffany Palmer said she viewed abortion as a dirty word growing up, because she assumed most women who received one were doing so only because they didnt want children.

Her views changed when her second pregnancy in 2018 was deemed not viable after about 20 weeks. That made her realize that some pregnancies are terminated for medical reasons, she said. She argued that every family deserves the right to make this choice in this circumstance.

Until youve lived it, you cannot comprehend the magnitude of the situation, Palmer said.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024
The former President Olusegun Obasanjo said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must get rid of bad eggs and hypocrites because most of its leaders are after their pockets and stomach. Obasanjo said this when South-West PDP leaders led by the partys National Vice Chairman (South West), Dr Eddy Olafeso visited him at his Pent-House [] More
Bukola Saraki

A few days after the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) announced the appointment of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as its Ambassador-at-Large, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated a fresh investigation, which seeks to probe all salaries, allowances, estacodes, and payments he received as governor from 2003 to 20011. The probe coming eight years after Saraki left office as governor of Kwara State, was contained in a letter to the state government, through the Permanent Secretary, Government House, dated April 26, and titled, Investigation Activities: Dr. Bukola Saraki.

EFCC claimed in the letter that it was investigating an alleged case of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, theft, and money laundering involving Saraki.

According to the letter signed by its Zonal Head, Isyaku Sharu, EFCC stated, In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish us with the full details of all his entitlements to include but not limited to emoluments, allowances, estacodes, other fringe benefits and severance package while he held sway as the Executive Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (1) & (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

However, because this is coming only a few days after Saraki landed an international appointment, many in the state believe the move is a mere smear campaign intended to rubbish the senate president before the international community. This is more so as he is the one singled out for such a probe among those that held office as governor in that period.

Besides, many see the latest investigation as curious because Saraki had been through a tedious prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal and was subsequently cleared by the tribunal and the Supreme Court.

To think he is the only one who has been singled out for this kind of investigation, more so that we have probed further to check if that kind of letter was sent to anyone else and our checks revealed that he was the only one sent the letter except, of course, they just issued another one today. This, obviously, is a needless persecution and must be condemned by all, said a stakeholder, who believed the anti-graft body had derailed.

The stakeholder, who preferred anonymity, said further, Isnt it curious that the EFCC wants to look at legitimate earnings like salaries, including condescending to the level of probing the esacodes and other emoluments as governor? Is the anti-graft body not a political tool already?

The Supreme Court had in June 2018 cleared Saraki of all allegations of false asset declaration, after the federal government filed 18 counts of false and anticipatory asset declaration charges against him in 2015. Although all the counts collapsed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in 2017, the government appealed the ruling, culminating in a judgement by the Supreme Court.

But the Court of Appeal had earlier upheld all but three of the charges and returned them to the tribunal for retrial. Sarakis legal team contested the verdict of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court, insisting he had no case to answer.

In its verdict, the Supreme Court said the Court of Appeal panel engaged in forensic somersault when it held that Saraki should answer three of the charges.

But while all the allegations of false asset declaration had been cleared at the highest court in the land, the EFCC has taken a different route, a move that has exacerbated suspicion that it is more of a political persecution than a prosecution.
Chinwendu Ogbonna, an unemployed young lady who is still searching for a job has returned a sum of money that was wrongfully credited into her account by a company she didnt work for.

According to her, she applied to work with the company and did the necessary documentation but ended up not taking the job. However, at the end of the month, when other staff of the company were being paid, her account was also credited.

Seeing that she didnt work for the money, Chinwendu decided to pay back the money to the company even though they hadnt called her back to ask for it.

Sharing a screenshot of her statement of account, she wrote:

I WAS PAID SALARY FOR A JOB I DID NOT DO AND IM RETURNING IT. I have been in lagos for some months in search for job, I have applied for jobs and still applying for jobs, gone for interviews and then in April I got a job as a telesales representative with a Fintech #Opay Nigeria through an outsourcing firm #HR INDEXX. I already filled in some of my details in which my account details was part of but for some reasons I couldnt take the job offer.

People who took the job offer are 1month on the job and were paid salary for the first month yesterday, I also got a credit alert meaning I was paid by the outsourcing firm for a job I did not do.

I have waited for the transaction to be reversed or to get a call from HR INDEXX but none seems to be coming forth. Therefore am going to the outsourcing firm today to return the money and to let them correct their payroll.
The new senator representing Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, has cautioned Southeasterner against the misconception of the term Igbo presidency.

Okorocha, while addressing journalists after being sworn in as Senator on Thursday, said such an agenda could not have existed as it was impossible to hand over power to a region without due process.

The former governor said he is more concerned about having a president who can put food on the table of the common man.

Power is not given, power is taken, he said. The South East cannot just fold their arms and expect power to be given to them just because you want power. Power does not go with sentiment some of the times, its on issues on ground. Democracy is about the people and the South East alone cannot make themselves president. So you cannot be talking about Igbo presidency, it doesnt exist. We may be talking about Nigerias president of Igbo extraction but that depends on what other geopolitical zones think about the issue. For me, what is important is let power be given to somebody who has something upstairs who can put food on the table of common man, irrespective of religion or where you come from.

He noted that the South East needs to mend fences across the country in other to remain relevant politically.
Asue Ighodalo has emerged winner of the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo State.

563 delegates voted during the keenly contested primary in Benin City.

The votes garnered by other aspirants have all been announced with none of them coming close to the votes of Ighodalo which were still being counted by officials.

Below are the aspirants and their votes:

Anslem Ojezua  0

Felix Akhabue  0

Philip Shuabu  1

Amb. Martins  0

Barr. Esene  0

Asue Ighodalo 577 (winner)

Omosede  Withdrew

Ogbeide Ihama  Withdrew

Void votes  6

It was learned that Governor Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent Governor of Edo State, is heavily backing Ighodalo to succeed him.
A bill aimed at extending the tenure of the Clerk of the National Assembly from 35 years to 40 years faced rejection and suspension following a heated debate in the Senate on Thursday.

The bill, sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Michael Opeyemi, sought to prolong the service tenure of the Clerk, Sani Tambuwal, along with other Directors within the National Assemblys administrative structure.

Titled A bill for an Act to make provisions for the retirement age of staff of National Assembly Service and for other related Matters, 2024, the proposal encountered significant opposition during deliberations.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe questioned the differentiation between National Assembly staff employed by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and those in other government agencies. He disputed the notion of specialization, asserting that there was no unique quality about National Assembly staff warranting special treatment.

Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, cautioned against favoring individual interests at the expense of legislative integrity, warning of the repercussions in the eyes of history.

Similarly, Senator Zangon Daura Nasir Sani, Katsina North, openly rejected the bill, highlighting its alignment with particular interests and urging the Senate President to dismiss it.

In the midst of the debate, chaos ensued as senators clashed over the bill, with supporters and opponents engaging in verbal sparring.

Consequently, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, deemed the bill contentious and postponed its consideration indefinitely.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State chapter has urged the Senate President, Godswil Akpabio, to exercise caution in his statements and refrain from exacerbating the already tense political climate in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the party, the Rivers PDP Publicity Secretary, Tambari Sydney Gbara, responded to Akpabios recent remarks at an event in Port Harcourt, where he suggested that Governor Siminialayi Fubara be succeeded by someone from the Ogoni ethnic group.

While acknowledging the significance of the Ogoni governorship project, Tambari emphasized that Akpabios timing was inappropriate given the current political tension and the distance to the election.

Tambari highlighted Governor Fubaras strong support from the Ogonis, noting their positive relationship with neighboring communities and ongoing development projects in Bori town, the Ogoni headquarters.

He remarked, The Senate President, as a respected leader in the South-South region, should promote dialogue and harmony rather than divisive rhetoric, especially considering there is a sitting governor. Such comments undermine the dignity of the governors office.

Tambari further underscored that Governor Fubara, as the leader of the PDP in the state, would choose his successor with the backing of the people, similar to past transitions.

Regarding Akpabios mention of the 2027 election amid economic challenges, Tambari criticized the diversion from addressing pressing issues, urging focus on solutions rather than speculative politics.

He urged Rivers residents to disregard Akpabios remarks and remain steadfast in supporting Governor Fubaras vision for the states progress, while also advocating for prayers for national leaderships wisdom and guidance through challenging times.
Senator Bassey Otu, the Governor of Cross River State and chairman of Edo State All Progressives Congress (APCs) governorship direct primary election, has announced that a new shadow poll will take place in the 192 wards spread across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Addressing reporters briefly at Lushville Hotel and Suites on Gapiona Avenue in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Benin, Otu disclosed that the controversial primary election held last Saturday has been canceled.

Governor Hope Uzodinma who chaired the controversial primaries that threw up different candidates had been pushed aside after several contenders and many other APC members called for his sack. Having dropped him, APC appointed Otu to head the rescheduled primary.
Olumide Apata, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Labour Party has reacted to reports that he has a hand in the arrest of the partys national Chairman, Julius Abure.

Reacting, Akpata denied his alleged involvement in the arrest of the partys national chairman, Julius Abure, and four others in Benin City on Thursday.

Recall that Julius Abure was arrested on Wednesday by police operatives from Zone 5 in Benin City.

Akpata, the immediate past national chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in a statement, slammed Kenneth Imasuagbon, one of the partys aspirants, for allegedly linking him to the arrest of the partys chairman.

He alleged that Imasuagbon made reckless and unfounded comments linking him to the ordeal of the partys chairman.

I have been made aware of reckless and unfounded comments made by Mr Kenneth Imasuagbon in the press yesterday, February 21, 2024, where he accused me of being behind the recent arrest and detention of Comrade Julius Abure, National Chairman of the Labour Party, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, Edo State Chairman of the Labour Party, and other party officials by the Nigeria Police Force.

Let me categorically state that these allegations made by Mr Imasuagbon, who claims to be a lawyer and should therefore know better, are completely false and, frankly, very irresponsible. I had absolutely no involvement whatsoever in the arrests he referred to.

As we have been told by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 5, Zonal Headquarters, the arrests stemmed from an entirely separate incident that occurred in Benin City on December 29, 2023, where one Comrade Anselm Eragbe, a former National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, was allegedly assaulted.

Comrade Eragbe thereafter submitted a petition on the attack, accusing the arrested officials of orchestrating the incident. It was this petition that prompted a police investigation and subsequent arrests.

I must make it clear that I have no connection at all to this unfortunate matter, beyond also being falsely accused on national television on December 29, 2023, of being responsible for the incident involving Comrade Eragbe.

As someone falsely implicated in this matter, I have a strong interest in the outcome of the police investigation to clear my name fully, Akpata said.

However, he expressed concern over the arrest of the partys national chairman and other party officials barely 48 hours before the partys governorship primary election in Edo State.

He also expressed worry over the delay in the release of the partys delegates list of the ward congresses conducted last Tuesday.
Nearly two months following its approval by the House of Representatives, the Senate passed a bill at plenary on Thursday, aiming to establish the South East Development Commission.

During plenary on Wednesday, Michael Opeyemi, the Senate Leader, and senator representing Ekiti Central, presented the Bill for an Act to Act as a Catalyst to Develop the Commercial Potentials of the South East and for Other Connected Matters, 2024 (HB.626) for concurrence and second reading.

The House of Representatives passed the long-awaited bill in December 2023, after years of agitation and attempts at the National Assembly.

DAILY POST recalls that the bill was passed by the 8th Senate but was not received by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The passage of the bill during Senate plenary yesterday followed the presentation of the bill by Senator Bamidele and consideration at the Committee of the Whole.

Certain amendments were made to the bill before its passage.

The inclusion of representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, was expunged after Senator Adamu Alieros observation was taken into consideration.

Rather, it was agreed that each of the six geopolitical zones would have a representative on the board of the proposed commission.

Senator Jibrin Barau, who lauded the decision, said: As a national body, other zones should be represented on the commission, as done with other regional bodies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the North East Development Commission, NEDC.



The Senate President then ruled that clause 2(c) should be adjusted to accommodate the amendment.

Also, Clause 2 (h) was amended to give designations to the three executive directors as requested by senators Osita Izunaso and Osita Ugwu. and supported by Senator Diket Plank (Plateau Central).

It was agreed that the commission should have three executive directors, for Finance and Account, Projects and Corporate Services.

Returning from the Committee of the Whole, the Senate President ruled on clause-by-clause consideration and the bill, passed for a third reading, was eventually passed.

Akpabio expressed confidence that the bill will be assented to by President Bola Tinubu, considering the urgent need to leverage the approved commission to fast-track the development of the Southeast geopolitical zone.
The federal government has reiterated its determination to protect and promote hardworking and honest Nigerians in the diaspora irrespective of their location.

The government has acted as a guarantor for eight medical doctors to pursue further training in various medical specialties in the United States for the entirety of their training period.

It emphasized that while it will not hinder any Nigerian from pursuing their life ambitions in locations of their choosing, it will continue to prioritize capacity building and create conducive environments to retain its workforce.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, approved the medical trainees applications for a Statement of Need to be issued to the United States Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

Pate said the approval was in furtherance of President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda and his conscious commitment to transforming the nations healthcare system.

However, he cautioned that the trainees must uphold the commitment they made in their applications to return to Nigeria immediately after their training and serve their home country for at least two years.

The trainee professionals and their subspecialty include Dr. Chidiebere Emmanuel Omaliko, a three-year Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the One Brooklyn Health/Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center program; Dr. Ejemenare Dawodu  Fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Duke University Medical Center; Dr. Favour Ekerete Markson training in Cardiology (cardiovascular diseases) at the Jefferson Einstein Hospital, Philadelphia; and Dr. Olanrewaju Adebusuyi Ogunleye Fellowship in Radiology (Breast Imaging) at the University of Texas at Houston Breast Imaging.

Others are Dr. Obinna Theophilus Nwankwo  Fellowship in Nephrology, Fellowship program at the University of Nebraska, Omaha; Dr. Anderson C. Anuforo  Fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine at the SUNY Upstate Medical University, New York; Dr. Ayo Samuel Falade- residency training in Hematology/ Oncology at Mayo Clinic School to Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME) Jacksonville, Florida; and Dr. Adanna Ikunna Nwaneri 3 years Fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine.

All programmes, varying in duration but primarily lasting three years, will begin between June and September 2024.

According to Pate in a statement issued by the Ministrys Director of Information Patricia Deworitshe on Thursday, the issuance of the Statement of Note depicts the federal governments confirmation to the United States Government of a need in Nigeria for the specialized training, being sought by the applicants, thus, paving way for processing of J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa applications for trainees.

Pate called on the trainees to honour their commitment to return and patriotically serve the country that gave them foundational training and still needs their services.

The minister further noted that as the trainees do well in the US, they should remember that it is the commonwealth of Nigeria that contributed to their being attractive to the US and avoid being simply inputs or economic migrants.

While urging Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora to avoid engineering negative perceptions about the country in foreign lands, also assured that the Federal Government is pursuing a policy of Constructive Migration while doing everything possible to improve the working conditions of the existing workforce.
The Senate on Wednesday, February 21, kicked against the removal of electricity subsidy and plans by the Ministry of Power to approve the proposed hikes in electricity tariff by distribution companies.

The upper chamber said that the government, rather than increasing electricity tariffs, should focus on electricity generation and distribution.

The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration and approval of a motion titled: Planned increase in electricity tariff and arbitrary billing of unmetered customers by Distribution Companies (DisCos).

The motion was sponsored by a Senator representing the Adamawa Central zone, Aminu Iya Abbas (PDP).
Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, has requested the settlement of the Nigerian Armys N42 billion electricity debt after power distribution companies disconnected several Army barracks and cantonments.

Lagbaja also revealed that the blackouts in barracks had led to the decomposition of corpses in Army mortuaries, a development that had warranted protests by owners of the corpses.

The Army chief made the appeal when he visited the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, in Abuja, where the minister told him that the debt would be restructured and not written off.

Lagbaja, in a statement issued in Abuja by the media aide to the power minister, Bolaji Tunji, said the main reason for his visit was to discuss the consequences of the power outage in Army formations and the way forward.

He regretted that some barracks and cantonments had been in total blackout since January.

He was quoted as saying, Debt owed is loaded on the meter, so no matter the amount of credit we put, the meters pick it automatically. Corpses in the Army mortuaries are decomposing and the owners of the corpses are protesting.

According to the statement, he (Lagbaja) further stated that the army couldnt raise funds to pay the entire debt, as he solicited liquidation as was done in 2005 by the then President.

He also described blackouts in army barracks and cantonments as security threats.

Meanwhile, the Army chief assured the minister of the Armys unflinching support towards developing intelligent strategies in curbing the menace of electricity infrastructure vandalism.

Responding, Adelabu assured the Nigerian Army of his readiness to dialogue with the power distribution companies to relieve the Nigerian Army of its electricity debt burden amounting to N42bn.

He reiterated the importance of liquidity and funding in the power sector, adding that the debt could not be written off.

Adelabu told his guest that he would intervene to restructure the debt payment if there was assurance of regular payments by the Nigerian Army.

He further revealed that the debts owed by power distribution and generating companies were not the only challenges bedevilling the power sector.

According to the minister, the vandalism of power infrastructure, which often leads to national grid collapse, theft, inefficiency in billing and collection process, poor metering gap, liquidity, shortage in gas supply, transmission stations being blown up with explosives in volatile areas, were all part of the issues being experienced in the power sector.



The fundamental issues in the power sector value chain could be traced back to the last 50 years and a government that is barely eight months old cannot use a magic wand to proffer a solution. There is a saying that you wont know what is happening in Rome until you get to Rome, he stated.

The minister said power outages were not peculiar to army barracks but a national issue, adding that the Discos and Gencos were profit-oriented organisations.



We can only plead with them to adopt a repayment plan monthly instead of embedding the whole debt in their meter, Adelabu stated.

He charged the army to continue assisting the ministry in safeguarding power facilities across the country and pledged to seek collaboration for the army through any of the development partners for the installation of solar PVs and Battery Energy Storage Systems as alternative power supply sources in army barracks and cantonments.

A lot of government agencies and parastatals owe power distribution several billions of naira in electricity debts that have continued to drag on for years.

On February 20, 2024, The PUNCH reported that no fewer than 86 ministries, agencies, and departments of government were owing the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company to the tune of N47bn.

A public notice by the management of AEDC listed the Presidential Villa as owing the Disco the sum of N923.9m; National Security Adviser, N95.9m; Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory being supervised by Nyesom Wike, N7.57bn, while Adelabus Ministry of Power owed N78m.

In the notice, AEDC said it would be constrained to list the names of MDAs with long outstanding unpaid bills for services rendered to them through the provision of electricity supply in that our previous attempts to make them honour their obligations have not been achieved the desired result.

The power firm had threatened to disconnect the MDAs in 10 days should they fail to pay their debts.
The legal team of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has revealed plans to bail him.

The team said it will on February 26 move to secure his release on bail, pending the determination of his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu has been detained by the Department of State Services, DSS, on the orders of the Nigerian Government since June 2021 when he was subjected to extraordinary rendition from Kenya back to the country.

Upon his return, the Appeal Court discharged and acquitted Kanu of all charges bordering on terrorism but in December 2023, the Supreme Court upturned the ruling and returned the case to the Abuja Federal High Court for continuation of trial.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed February 26 for the resumption of Kanus terrorism trial.

However, DAILY POST learnt that IPOBs legal team is anchoring Kanus bail on his lack of privacy during visitations with his lawyers, which adversely impacts on his constitutional right to counsel and adequacy of facility for the preparation of his defense.

The legal team will also argue that he had already spent a cumulative period of 50 months or over four years in pretrial detention.

The bail will also be based on Kanus life-threatening medical conditions, namely: the heart ailment, the hypertension and the potassium deficiency.

In a court document sighted by DAILY POST correspondent with suit no: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, IPOBs legal team said: On the basis of the foregoing, we respectfully urge Your Lordship to admit him to bail on liberal and non-excessive terms.

In the Motion on Notice brought in pursuant to sections 6(6), 35 and 36(5), and sections 158, 161 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the legal team will pray the court for an order of this Honourable Court admitting the Applicant/Defendant to bail pending the determination of his trial.

AND for such further order or orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

Kanus brother, Prince Emmanuel, deposed an affidavit in support of the motion for the IPOB leaders bail.

Parts of the affidavit read: I, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, male, adult, a Christian and a Nigerian citizen, resident at Eze I. O Kanu Drive, Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State do hereby make this Oath and state as follows:

That I am a relative of the Defendant/Applicant (hereafter: Applicant) who, being currently in detention, has given me his consent to depose to this Affidavit.

That I was informed by the Applicant on the 18th of January, 2024 at about 4pm at the Headquarters of the State Security Services in Abuja, of the following facts of which I verily believe to be true.

That in October 2015, Applicant was arrested in Lagos upon his return from the United Kingdom, detained in Abuja, charged and was arraigned for certain offenses.

That in April 2017, Applicant was released on bail on the Order of this Honourable Court, whereupon Applicant returned to his ancestral home in Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State, and remained there awaiting his next trial date set for October 20, 2017.

That between 10th September and 14th September 2017, while Applicant was resting at home with some family members and friends, the Nigerian Army assaulted the said Applicants ancestral home.

That during the military assault, Applicant managed to escape and remained in hiding until October 2018 when Applicant was able to safely make his way to Israel from where he executed a detailed deposition addressed to this Honourable Court, stating the reason (i .e the said military assault) that had compelled him to escape and thus miss his trial in October 2017.

That Applicant reasonably believed that his duty to appear in court to face trial does not include a suicidal obligation on his part not to flee and save himself from being extrajudicially killed.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the latest appointees in a statement he signed Thursday.

Nigerias President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for the appointment of 10 executive heads across the Nigerian Communications Commission, Galaxy Backbone Limited, and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, all agencies in the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

This was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale in a statement he signed Thursday titled, President Tinubu reconstitutes management teams in agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

At the Nigerian Communications Commission, he appointed Abraham Oshadami as Executive Commissioner of Technical Services, Rimini Makama as Executive Commissioner of Stakeholder Management, and Opeyemi Dele-Ajayi as President and CEO of the Digital Bridge Institute.

At Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, he named Abiodun Attah as Executive Director of Technical Services; Aisha Abdullahi as Executive Director, Finance & Administration; and Jaiyeola Awokoya as Executive Director, Marketing & Business Development.

The President also appointed Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited, alongside three executive directors.

They include Mohammed Ibrahim, Executive Director of Finance & Corporate Services; Olusegun Olulade, Executive Director of Customer Centricity & Marketing; and Olumbe Akinkugbe, Executive Director of Digital Exploration & Technical Services.

With the reconstitution of the management teams in these agencies, President Tinubu expects the new appointees to deliver excellent service to elevate the impact of the digital economy sector on the socio-economic development of the nation, said Ngelale.
The Obokofia community, nestled in the heart of Ohaji/Egbema LGA in Imo State, finds itself at the crossroads of neglect and exploitation. For over six years, Sterling Global Oil Resources Limited has operated within their midst, leaving behind a trail of grievances and shattered hopes.

Community leader, Mr. Okwuruoma Chris, in a candid conversation with journalists, bared the frustrations of his people.

He lamented the wanton disregard for due process exhibited by Sterling Global Oil Resources Limited, which brazenly encroached upon their lands without adhering to proper channels.

The company, seeking to expand its operations, imposed exorbitant lease rates on the land, pricing each plot at a staggering 200,000 for a lease term of 30 years. The community, rightfully rejecting such unjust terms, faced the brunt of the companys aggression as their lands were forcibly acquired, leading to the destruction of economic flora, fauna, and crucially, electric poles, severing the lifeline of electricity to the community.

Mr. Chris further detailed the harrowing experiences of the community, recounting instances where reckless truck drivers, employed by the oil company, endangered lives through their breakneck speeds along community roads. Attempts to address these hazards were met with disproportionate violence, as the companys military personnel resorted to indiscriminate shootings and arbitrary arrests, leaving the community in a perpetual state of fear and insecurity.

Moreover, the environmental degradation caused by the companys activities has pushed local fishers into abject poverty, as rivers once teeming with life now lay polluted and lifeless.

Echoing Mr. Chriss sentiments, Mr. Nkeruka Johndavid, secretary of the women association, decried the absence of basic social amenities and corporate responsibility initiatives from Sterling Global Oil Resources Limited. Despite years of operation, the community remains devoid of essential infrastructure such as hospitals and roads, exacerbating their already dire situation.

The Youth President, Ojikwa Prince, rallied behind the communitys plea for intervention, highlighting the glaring absence of governmental presence in one of the states largest oil-producing communities.

He implored Governor Sen Hope Uzodinma to heed their cries for assistance, urging for decisive action to rein in the unchecked power of oil companies operating within their borders. A call was made for the state government to intervene, facilitating a dialogue between the community and the oil company to establish mutually beneficial terms and ensure the protection of the communitys rights and interests.

As Obokofia community continues to grapple with the aftermath of unchecked exploitation and governmental neglect, their plight serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and justice in Nigerias oil-rich regions.

Related
In a bid to boost agriculture and food production towards food security in Africa, the Republic Government of Somaliland had reached a partnership agreement with RiceAfrica.

According to a statement signed by RiceAfrica on Thursday, said that this milestone was reached during a courtesy call by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RiceAfrica, Ibrahim Maigari Ahmadu, paid a courtesy visit on the Vice President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency, Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail, at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa on Wednesday.

Is a major milestone achieved towards the adoption of a tech-driven solution to food insecurity in Somaliland and indeed Africa, the statement said.

The Somaliland Vice President, Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail, said, The government of Somaliland is assuring you and all investors interested in our country of support and an enabling environment. Somaliland is safe and peaceful for business.

The Vice President assured the visiting CEO of the governments support and readiness to provide an enabling environment for businesses operating in the country.

In his remarks, the visiting CEO of RiceAfrica, Ibrahim Maigari, expressed gratitude to the government and people of Somaliland for the hospitality and also presented to the VP how RiceAfrika is poised at transforming smallholder farming communities in Africa through technology.

The visit by RiceAfrika to Somaliland is facilitated by its partner, Bilow Capital, a Venture Capital Fund and Venture Studio based in Hargeisa Somaliland), whose strategic objectives is to attract innovative and impact driven companies to invest in Somaliland.

RiceAfrika is a tech-driven agriculture optimization service provider with operations in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Rwanda with a strategic expansion plan across the African continent. The lead African IT driven organization uses its award winning FarmEASY Operating System to improve the productivity of smallholder farmers in Africa to improve food sufficiency and security.

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A Nigerian lady has warned her fellow women not to sleep with any man that refuses to give them money.

The lady took to her Tiktok account, @eveilfriend5 to give the warning.

She claimed that most men these days prefer to act as though they are interested in sleeping with women by offering a relationship.

Read some comments below:

@prince asked: hope you can defend this video few years time when your husband to be ask for explanation.

@timagold2323 added: I swear e happen to me I no fit cry e no comot for my heart till e go give me that money I no go forgive am i swear 

@Cutebae84 said: I swear my sister youre saying the truth

@stannleynn opined: As an Edo guy, our women eh, na dem worst for this present Gen Z so. Nothing just deh head, na why i no deh vex when i see the stereotype cos plenty lie no deh inside

@agbala_nwanyi001 noted: She is spitting fact but they will still drag her.. Pained men wont like this post..

@neetah_00 reacted: She has a point though! Dont allow a man with no serious intentions towards you to eat you for free

Watch video here
Celebrities have reacted after a video surfaced online showing residents of Lagos State queueing to purchase bags of rice sold by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for the sum of N10,000.

Nigerian actors, Kunle Remi and Yvonne Jegede reacted alongside other Nigerians.

Recall that Customs announced that the distribution of seized food items will commence today, Friday, February 23.

In a statement issued to journalists in Lagos, the NCS Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that customs officials are not allowed to be involved in the process.

In the video, the women queued in an orderly manner while going one after the other to receive the bag of rice they paid for.

According to the statement issued through the services National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, Adeniyi stated that the rice will be packaged in 25kg bags and sold for N10,000.

The target groups, he said, included artisans, teachers, nurses, religious bodies, and other Nigerians within its operational areas.

The aim, he said, is to establish direct communication with members through these structured systems in order to guarantee the utmost effectiveness of this initiative.

Adeniyi cautioned against the resale of food items, emphasizing that the NCS is fully dedicated to transparency and accountability throughout the entire process.

This has made many Nigerians unhappy and many have taken to the comment section of blogs to express their frustration. Movie actor, Kunle Remi sarcastically asked the federal government to add more foodstuff instead of just rice.

Kunle Remi wrote:

Please they should add FG stew and small fish.. with ONE long seized plantain. Just one.

Yvonne Jegede wrote:

Sanwo Olu, Why feed us? Why cant you just employ us? Get people out to start digging sewages, laying pipes underground, sweeping the streets and paying them as little as minimum wage, since the industrial sector is almost dead.

Why would you even prefer to feed your citizens Mama Put,  taxpayers have been reduced to beggars... When will someone just have mercy on us?

When will someone just feel pity for this great country? 

Someone in the presidency should please just sorry for us, please , we are not even doing shakara at this point. We all know that at this point NOBODY is happy with this situation

Some other netizens had this to say:

iamstepee wrote: Turned a whole country to beggars so you can can control them with poverty

kingsleyudehemeka wrote: These are peoples hard sweat

yonisecretsng wrote: Please after its being sold for #10,000, what will the funds made from the sales of the rice be used for?

seun_dreams wrote: You Dey sell contraband goods as charity, Im lost

littlebellaz_ wrote: They had time to rebrand and repackage

trendies_treats wrote: All the people buying the rice would go back to sell them for 70k.. Na we dey do ourselves

zomyfeet_zf wrote: I thought it was supposed to be giving for free. Nawaooo

ori_yomi01 wrote: This will definitely go a long way for many individuals n family, so please dont criticize the little effort n offers And again, Ramadan is around  

dlookmakeup wrote; Pples hard earned money sold to hungry Nigerians not even dashed?
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu engaged in a discussion with the leadership of the Federal Civil Service yesterday, Feb. 22.

The President said the service was slowing down the implementation of his administrations Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President said it was shocking that timelines for approved policies have deliberately been delayed by civil servants.

Present at the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, were the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General of the Federation and federal permanent secretaries.

The President said the proper thing for civil servants to do whenever they have reservations about any policy, programme or initiative is to offer suggestions. Armed with facts and figures, Tinubu queried why the civil service was abysmally slow in carrying out his people-oriented programmes.

He listed some of the programmes being dragged down by the civil service as the N25,000 wage award to workers and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative (Pi-CNG).

He faulted the civil service attitude to the reform package designed to create jobs and boost the economy.

Some of the reform programmes include the provision of a single-digit loan of N1billion to 75 enterprises; N50,000 grant each for 1,300 Nano businesses; N75 billion for 100,000 businesses and startups; and the investment of N100 billion in gas-powered buses for mass transit.

The President said the reforms have not been implemented by the civil service.


The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has uncovered an illegal oil reservoir stored with over one million litres of crude oil.

Garrison Commander of the Division and Sector 3 Commander of Operation Niger Delta Safe, OPDS, Brigadier General EU Effiong, who disclosed this, said the reservoir was discovered at Odagwa Etche in Etche local government area of Rivers.

He said as a result of earlier raid by the military in the community, the suspects relocated and re-established another site.

He said his team discovered about 8 reservoirs and 5 cooking pots containing about 1 million litres of crude oil that was about to be boiled.

This raid is in continuation of our fight against illegal oil bunkering. We got an intelligence that the boys relocated to this part of the forest after our earlier raid in this community.

Following an earlier raid by the military in the community, the bunkerers relocated and re-established another site. We have so far discovered about 8 reservoirs and 5 cooking pots containing about 1 million litres of cruel oil that was about to be cooked. We would continue to do our best for our country; therefore, we cannot stop in carrying out this function.

Brigadier General EU Effiong also advised those engaged in oil theft to have a rethink concerning their future and the general public, stressing that no matter the pecuniary gains through bunkering, it has negative effects.
The mine and bomb resistant vehicles

In a boost to Nigerias anti-terrorism war, the Nigerian Army on Thursday unveiled four mine and bomb resistant anti-ambush protected vehicles, all made in Nigeria.

The unveiling ceremony at Nigerian Army Resource Centre Asokoro Abuja, was attended by both the Chief of Defence Staff General AG Olonisakin and Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai.

The vehicles were designed and manufactured in Nigeria by Proforce Limited, a local company based in Ode-remo in Ogun state, which has been making armoured vehicles and has had orders from the United Nations and some African countries.

General Olonisakin performed the unveiling and expressed the hope that the vehicles would enhance Nigerias military capacity in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

Five more of the vehicles are expected from Proforce.

Proforce was established in 2008 and according to its CEO, Ade Ogundeyin, an engineer, its products are world-class.

The companys products are: Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Armoured Tanks,

Armoured SUVs, Armoured Cash-In-Transit Vehicles (CITs), Tactical Armoured Vehicles (TAVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV-Drones), Armoured Saloons and Sedans, Bulletproof Helmets and Vests, Military Trucks, Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs), Armoured Boats and Marine Vessels, Architectural Armouring.

See more photos below:
The Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) (https://www.KAIPTC.org/) has organized the maiden edition of the Kofi Annan Peace and Security (KAPS) Forum in Accra, Ghana, to facilitate discussions on evolving trends in peace and security in Africa. The forum was also organized to honour the sterling achievements of. the late Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Dr. Kofi Annan, and to immortalize his memory.

Under the theme, Peace Operations in the Context of Violent Extremism in Africa, the forum was held under the Distinguished patronage of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, and the Chairmanship of you Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS).

Among the high level delegates were seven former African Heads of State namely; Pierre Buyoya, former President of Burundi and AU High Representative to Mali and Sahel (MISAHEL), Catharine Samba-Panza, former President of Central African Republic, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, former President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone, Professor Amos Claudius Sawyer, former President of Liberia, Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and John Dramani Mahama, former President of Ghana.

Addressing the delegates at the opening ceremony, the Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Vice Marshall Griffiths S. Evans shared the rationale behind the forum;

The forum seeks to provide a platform for robust engagement on critical peace and security issues affecting the African continent. Our actions are guided by our mission to foster peace and stability through the provision of a globally-recognized capacity and policy support for all actors on African peace and security issues, he stated.

In his address, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, identified key interventions which can be implemented to tackle violent extremism.

It is important that we promote and develop, on the continent, a system and culture of accountable governance, free of corruption, whereby our people are governed in accordance with the rule of law, respect for individual liberties and human rights, and the principles of democratic accountability, he stressed.

He also threw more light on Ghanas counter terrorism policy to combat violent extremism.

Our Counter Terrorism Policy seeks to prevent acts of terrorism in the country. The Counter Terrorism Policy has led to the setting up of a Counter Terrorism Unit, within the National Security Council Secretariat, to lead and co-ordinate our efforts in the fight. Ghana has adopted a well-coordinated Inter Agency Approach, which encourages the timely sharing of information and intelligence, operational coordination and joint strategy formulation, and has proved essential towards ensuring the efficient execution of the countrys Counter Terrorism Policy, he explained.

The Kofi Annan Forum brought together over 200 high-level delegates and diplomats from governmental and intergovernmental organizations (including the African Union and its Regional Economic Communities, United Nations and European Union). Security professionals and representatives from policy and research think tanks, development partners, training institutions and civil society groups were all present to participate in the dialogues.

The forum also seeks to deepen the collaboration between KAIPTC and international organisations such as the United Nations, African Union, Regional Economic Communities, Governments, development partners, civil society organisations and the business community.



About the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre



The Ghana Ministry of Defence (MoD) established the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) (https://www.KAIPTC.org/) in 1998 and commissioned it in 2004. The purpose was to build upon and share Ghanas five decades of internationally acclaimed experience and competence in peace operations with other states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region and the rest of Africa. This was in recognition of the need for training military, police and civilian men and women to meet the changing demands of multidimensional peace operations. The Centre is one of the three (3) Peacekeeping Training Centres of Excellence mandated by the ECOWAS to offer training in peacekeeping and peace support operations (PSO) in Africa.

The Centre delivers training courses in in three thematic areas; Peace Support Operations, Conflict Management and Peace and Security Studies and also runs Masters and PhD programmes in same. The KAIPTC has a world-class research department that undertakes research in the thematic areas in Peace and Security. Located in Accra, Ghana, the KAIPTC is an internationally-recognized institution and has till date trained and tutored over 21, 496 participants and students since its inception.

KAIPTC is a gender sensitive organization and committed to gender equality. Following the launch of its Gender policy in 2014, the Centre has mainstreamed gender into its policies and programmes, and integrates same in its focal areas, namely training, research and post-graduate education. The Centre has developed a Sexual Harassment policy and fully oriented employees on same. It has also provided a Nursing and Childcare Centre and instituted a paternity leave policy, all with the aim to create a conducive work environment at KAIPTC.

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Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji

A medical doctor based in Adamawa State, Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji, has been adjudged guilty of all the 12 charges preferred against him, a report by TheNation has revealed.

He was arraigned for allegedly surgically cutting off the kidneys of one Isa Hamma, now deceased, a patient under his care, without informing the patient of the nature of the operation and risks involved.

The Chairman of the tribunal sitting of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Prof Abba Hassan, declared him guilty as charged for the 12 count charges of gross negligence and professional misconduct.

The tribunal in delivering its judgment said: The tribunal has no difficulty in resolving the sole issue against the respondent and in favour of the prosecution.



The prosecution has proved all the counts of all the charges to warrant a conviction of the respondent.

The respondent engaged in malpractice when he failed to use his considered judgment and sense of honour by acceding to the demand of his patient Isa Hamma, to undergo a surgery on him.

The respondent exhibited incompetence in the assessment of Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.

The respondent failed to correctly diagnose the illness of Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.

The respondent failed to advice Isa Gamma, patient under his care.

The respondent failed to obtain informed consent of one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care before undertaking a surgical operation on him.

The respondent undertook a surgical operation in one Isa Hamma, and removed an organ he could not identify.

The respondent failed to refer in good time when Isa Hamma, a patient under his care when such referral was necessary.

The respondent failed to do all that he reasonably ought to have done under the circumstances in the treatment of one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.

The respondent failed to appropriately communicate with one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care with good regard to his condition.

The respondent undertook a surgical procedure on one Isa Hamma which resulted to the loss of his kidneys.

The respondent failed to conduct his medical duty in accordance with standard decorum and by methods adjudged acceptable and appropriate in the generality of the registered member of the Medical profession in the treatment of one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.

The respondent failed to pass on the details and history and treatment of one Isa Hamma, to Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, when he referred the patient to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

The respondent violated laws 29.4d, 29.4a, 29.4g, 29.4h, 29.4i, 31, 33, 33.1, 33.0 and 43.3 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria in 2008 Edition.

The Chairman in his judgment explained that because of the enormity of the professional misconduct, the tribunal is minded to pass the maximum sentence.

His judgment reads: The name of Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji, is hereby struck out of the register of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

Recall that the doctor performed an operation on the patient without informing him of the risks involved; in the process he mistakenly cut off the kidneys in the patient.

Although in earlier arraignment, Koji pleaded not guilty to one or two of the charges, however, in a new twist, the respondent pleaded not guilty to all of the twelve-count charges.

Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji, practised from 2012 (housemanship) to 2016.

In an interview with the Nation Correspondent, the respondent lawyer, Mr B. E Olowonubi, said: There are options that are open to any aggrieved person to the decision of the tribunal.

One option is to abide by the decision of the tribunal. The other option is to appeal the decision of the tribunal to the court of appeal.

To appeal the decision, the respondent has 28 days to do that by the rules of the tribunal.

From the area he comes from there is a level of poverty in the area. He is one of those who have been very helpful to the downtrodden who require medical help, and with reference to this particular incident, you realise that when a medical doctor is performing surgery it is difficult to take notes because the patient came as an emergence.
Suspected serial killer, Gracious David-West has pleaded guilty to 9 of the 10 Count charge bordering on murder levelled against him by the Rivers state Police Command.

David-West pleaded not guilty to the last charge of attempted murder of several female genders in Rivers State.

The Police charges claim that David-West was alleged to have, unlawfully killed several females in different hotels and guest houses in parts of Rivers State which is a punishable offence under section 319 sub one cap 37, volume 2 laws of the state,1999 as amended.

DAILY POST reports that after the charges were read and plea was taken, Rivers State Government through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zacheuous Adangor applied to take over the prosecution of the matter which was not opposed by the parties.

Trial Judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli adjourned till 18, 21th, 27th and 29th of November and 4th of December 2019 for hearing and ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison custody.
A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has denied former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, heroic cognition in protest of the killing of three million civilians during the Nigerian Civil War between May 1967 and January 1, 1970.

Fani-Kayode expressed bitterness in commemoration of Gowons 85th birthday, remarking that when the real history of the country is written, the role of General Yakubu Gowon and the other Nigerian commanders during the civil war will be put in proper perspective.

The slaughter of three million Biafran civilians in that war is the greatest act of black on black genocide in human history.

I cannot celebrate the birth of a man who presided over such carnage and neither can I describe him as a hero. Nigeria cannot make much progress or truly prosper until she apologises to the Igbo and Biafrans for the great evil that we visited upon them during the civil war, Fani-Kayode had declared.

Fanu-Kayode further declared: The waging of war is different to the mass murder of civilians. The former is lawful, the latter is not. War between two armies is legitimate but the targeting and slaughtering of innocent and defenceless men, women and children is a violation of international law and a crime against humanity.

Worse still, such savagery and barbarity is simply unacceptable in a society or nation that lays claim to being rational, reasonable, decent, benign and civilised.

The truth is that those that were directly involved in the carnage have innocent blood on their hands and that blood cries to God in heaven for vengeance and justice.

We, as a nation, would do well to learn from others and muster the decency and courage to apologise and make reparations to the people of the South East for the abominable cruelty and wickedness that we visited on them in the name of the Nigerian civil war.

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Adesina Adeniyi and Oluwole Olapade

Osun State Police Command on Tuesday paraded two suspected ritualists, Adesina Adeniyi 42, and Oluwole Olapade, 58, caught with two human skulls.

The command also paraded two suspected armed robbery suspects who were captured after a gun duel with Police at Osu in Atakumosa West Local Government Area of the state.

Parading the suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo said Adeniyi, a patent medicine shop owner, was arrested in Iwo while travelling in a commercial bus to Ibadan, Oyo State.

He added that he was caught with two human skulls and a liver after a thorough search by men of 39 Police Mobile Force attached to Iwo Area Command.

According to him, the suspect who resides at Kajola area in Iwo disclosed to the police during interrogation that the skull and the liver were recovered from a Muslim cemetery and a mortuary in the town, where he was an attendant.

Following the gruesome murder of Favour Oladele-Daley, we have pledged to rid the state of a ritual element in the state and during one of such efforts, a suspected ritualist was caught with two human skull and other human parts.

After the arrest of the suspect and upon diligent investigation, his accomplice, Oluwole Olapade, a resident of Yemetu in Ibadan was trailed and arrested.

Olapade, a native doctor, who required human skull for charm had pledged to pay N20,000 per skull to the attendants. He had gotten a skull before which he claimed did not produce money, hence, he decided another skull should be procured for use, the Commissioner of police added.

While responding to questions from journalists, Adeniyi said he his a patent medicine store owner, but they source for the skulls in a cemetery in the town.

He said, I sourced for the skull in an open cemetery in the town and I have gotten one for him before and was suppose to deliver another one to him before I was caught.

For now I operate a patent medicine store and yet to be married.

The native doctor claimed to have known Adeniyi for long because his father was his acquittance before his demise.

Meanwhile, police also claimed to have burst a fake Naval base operated by Nigeria Navy Coastal Merchant.

It arrested five persons, four suspected recruit and a self-acclaimed Naval Captain Akinsiku Sunkanmi, 27, for impersonation.

Four other suspects arrested at the base were; Aniedu Essiet, Nwabueze Ijeoma Dalton, Raheem Quadri and Gabriel Jacob.

Suspects arrested at the merchant Navy base at Ifon-Osun.

The suspects said they were recruited into the service after paying fees ranging from N100,000 to N200,000.

According to them, the person who recruited them has refused to show at the police station to bail them.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC headquarters, Abuja, subtly blamed political parties for the determination of elections results and pronouncement of winners contrary to INEC record by the courts. The INEC chairman cautioned political parties to play according to the rules and ensure the upholding of democratic values in the electoral process. Prof. Yakubu,therefore, challenged political parties to eschew from illicit practices that would degenerate into the determination of results of elections by the courts in subsequent elections.

In the preparations for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states scheduled for September 19 and October 10, respectively, Prof. Yakubu bemoaned the legal tussles which made the Supreme Court determine the winners of elections in some states. The INEC chairman admonished that the court could still determine results of elections of political parties continue to hold arbitrary primary elections, including improper screening of aspirants before nominating candidates for elections. He noted that this has caused protracted litigations.

Prof. Yakubu, subsequently, remarked: The end of tenure governorship elections in Edo and Ondo are holding later in the year.

ALSO READ: Bayelsa: APC returns to Supreme Court

Given recent experience with some governorship elections, political parties need to do more to avoid the conduct of acrimonious primaries or failure to observe due diligence in the screening of their candidates, resulting in protracted litigations and eventual determination of the outcome of elections by orders of the court.

The INEC chairman enjoined political parties to be conscious of the two critical dates in the timetable released by INEC recently.

Party primaries for the democratic election and nomination of candidates for the Governorship election in Edo State must be held from June 2-27, adding, The date for Ondo State is July 2-25.

We will also rigorously monitor the primaries and where necessary, apply sanctions as provided by law, Prof. Yakubu said.

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The federal government has finally announced the restrictions of entry into Nigeria for travellers from 13 high-risk Covid-19 countries.

Among the high-risk nations are : China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, United States of America, Norway, United Kingdom, Netherlands & Switzerland.

Each of the countries has over 1,000 cases of the disease, according to the Presidential Task Force on COVID19 which released a statement Wednesday morning.

But the federal government however left out Canada, whose incidents have claimed at lest the life of a Nigerian doctor, and infected the first family.

Canada has even take steps to hem itself in while Nigeria is trying to be diplomatic

The new directive, announced by a committee led by SGF Boss Mustapha is coming after the government banned all foreign travels for public officials in the country.

Mustapha said all persons arriving in Nigeria who might have visited these countries, fifteen days prior to such arrival, will be subjected to supervised self-isolation and testing for 14 days.

The Federal Government is temporarily suspending the issuance of all visas on arrival;

The Federal Government is also counselling all Nigerians to cancel or postpone all non-essential travels to these countries; and

The Federal Government urges Public Health Authorities of countries with high burden to conduct diligent departure screening of passengers and also endorse these travel advisories to their nationals to postpone travels to Nigeria.

Five new cases are already confirmed in Lagos, adding up all the cases to eight so far in Nigeria.

No fatality yet.

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There will no longer be Easter church services in Ondo State this weekend, the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu said, on Saturday.

According to Akeredolu in a tweet via his official Twitter handle, @RotimiAkeredolu, the decision was arrived at, after he met with the states chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

He tweeted:

Ive heard you all and your concerns on the need to #LockDownOndo. I have just concluded a meeting with CAN and we have resolved that the services will not hold again. Thanks for your concerns. Stay blessed and Happy Easter to all.

I've heard you all and your concerns on the need to #LockDownOndo. I have just concluded a meeting with CAN and we have resolved that the services will not hold again. Thanks for your concerns. Stay blessed and Happy Easter to all.  Arakunrin Akeredolu (@RotimiAkeredolu) April 11, 2020

Recall that the Governor had earlier temporarily lifted the ban on religious gathering in the state, to enable Christians faithful to converge in churches on Sunday for the Easter celebration.
The Antioch public library on West 18th Street was closed for a few days, but reopened after guards were added to patrol the property. Google Street View

The Antioch public library was relatively serene Thursday afternoon, two days after it reopened with armed security guards after the abrupt closure on Feb. 17 due to what county officials described as dangerous incidents.

Its been calmer, said Antioch High School student Chris Currie, 15, who was sitting comfortably in a chair near the back of the one-story 11,000-square-foot library as an armed guard stood watch outside and another unarmed guard patrolled inside.

At first it was kind of crazy because its a library, he said. What do you need an armed guard for? Are you going to steal books?

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Chris said that on a normal day, the library can get rowdy after both Antioch Middle School and Antioch High School, both across the street from the library, are dismissed for the day, which is around 2:35 p.m. He said 20 to 40 students will flood the building to socialize and wait for their parents. The presence of the security guards will maybe help lower crime, but will not affect the rowdiness seen on a daily basis, Chris said.

Contra Costa County officials announced Feb. 16 that they were closing the library the next day due to thefts, drug use and public sex in and around the facility at 501 West 18th St. in a residential area and school zone. County officials said in their statement that the repeated incidents at the library threatened the safety and security of patrons and staff.

Incidents reported at the library included vandalism, items being set on fire, and threats to staff and security, according to Brooke Converse, a spokesperson for the Contra Costa County Library system. The Antioch library is one of 26 community libraries in the county system.

Chris said he has been coming to the library after school every day for the past seven years, and it was usually peaceful until about five years ago when it became rowdy. A man who identified himself only as Dave, 21, of Vallejo said he worked his first shift as a guard at the library Thursday.

I was curious why they need guards here, he said. More things do happen though than you would expect. Apparently (there is) a lot of crazy stuff going on here with the kids, theyre back here trying to smoke weed and make out. They (the library) just want me to look out for that stuff, just stop any minor inconveniences.

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Starting out in the back corner, Dave periodically patrolled the interior, on the lookout for anything suspicious. Occasionally, he would stop and have a brief conversation with patrons inside the library.

The countys sudden closure of the library upset Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe, who told the county that none of the citys officials or residents had been given warning the closure was coming. To say that I am shocked at the overnight closure of the library is an understatement, given that at no point were Antioch residents given warning of this possibility, Hernandez-Thorpe wrote in a letter Feb. 16 to Contra Costa County Administrator Monica Nino.

The incident is the latest public safety concern in the East Bay city. Its leaders, including Hernandez-Thorpe, are still dealing with the fallout from the Police Departments racist text scandal, which prompted local and federal investigations and was followed by the abrupt retirement of its police chief. Next week, a new interim police chief will take over the department as it looks to repair its damaged reputation within the community.

I am even more concerned about the reasons for the librarys closing, specifically safety concerns, Hernandez-Thorpe said in the statement. No one in the City of Antioch, including the police chief, was informed of any safety concerns by Contra Costa County regarding the library.

Chris said he has seen several incidents at the library such as big fights in the parking lot and occurrences in the library bathrooms that he declined to specify. He also said his bike had been stolen from the library. Still, he expressed shock at the librarys need for security guards.

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If you really look at it, theres not that much that goes on other than ordinary life you would see everywhere else in the city, especially this side of Antioch, he said. One, two security guards versus 30 kids. It doesnt matter how many guards you put over here, its not going to change.

The library reopened Tuesday after obtaining an emergency contract for private armed security and a patrol car that sits in the parking lot and on library property. The guard assigned to patrol the inside of the library is unarmed, while the armed guard stands outside, according to Dave.

Mahasin Abuwi Aleem has been the librarys manager since September 2022 and said in the past six months the library has had over a dozen calls to the police for frequent incidents, which include illegal drug use, people experiencing mental health crises and public sex. However, she said that she believes the issues stem from all of the challenges that urban communities face.

I think that libraries across America are on the front lines of all our social challenges, she said. I think having security to make patrons and staff feel safe is increasingly common in public libraries and is not unique. I am grateful that our concerns have been taken seriously. And Im glad to continue the work that we do, which is supporting literacy, supporting families (and) supporting our youth.

Abuwi Aleem expressed hope that residents wouldnt be deterred from coming back to the library after the recent hiccups.

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Nollywood actor Tony Umez has taken to social media to share a beautiful photo of his four daughters with his followers.

The veteran actor while celebrating his daughers described them as beautiful princesses.

Tony Umez is a Nigerian actor. He has acted in more than 200 Nollywood films of both English and Yoruba languages since his debut in the 1994. He started acting from his secondary days where he performed on stage play and drama.In 1993,the actor joined Nollywood.He did not get a dime from his two movies which made him leave the industry for a few years.

He however returned to the industry in 1997 and featured in the movie,The Princess but it was the movie,Died Wretched which was released in 1998 that made him popular
A friend recently asked our daughter to name her three favorite movies. She had a hard time deciding.

Do you mean science fiction movies or comedies? she said. Finally she answered with just one title, The Princess Bride. This was no surprise to me. My daughter and husband have sat down to watch this cult classic dozens and dozens of times over the years. They quote the lines, Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya and As you wish, so often, I feel like Im living in the screenplay with Buttercup, Westley and Miracle Max. When our daughter was little, my husband would wave to her as she headed to school and call, Have fun storming the castle!

But enough about that movie. It may be their favorite, but its not mine. So, I joined in the challenge to pick flicks.

But trying to name your top three isnt as easy as it sounds. There are all kinds of follow-up questions. For instance, is a movie you watch every year, like Its a Wonderful Life or White Christmas, considered a favorite or a tradition?

This time of year, I usually find an afternoon to watch The Quiet Man in honor of St. Patricks Day, but I would not put it on my top three list. It was one of my grandmothers favorites, however. In 1952, when the film, starring John Wayne and Maureen OHara, was showing in the theater, my Irish grandmother went to the matinee five times just to see the lovely scenes of Ireland.

What about movie series? Why, I could name three all-time faves in the James Bond category alone. And Star Wars fans are powerless against the force to name anything but their franchise favorites.

There are some movies you see only once, but they make a lasting impact. Some people feel that way about Passion of the Christ.

And there are movies youll watch over and over again.

Any time Pride and Prejudice is on TV, I stop to watch it, said a co-worker.

You mean the version starring Colin Firth, right? I said.

Of course, she replied. As if there were any other.

When I was a freshman in college, the movie Caddyshack was a top feature airing on that new cable channel, HBO. My friends and I watched it over and over. Between classes, at night, on the weekends  we spent every free moment watching Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray. More than 40 years later, I can still recite all the lines of Carl the groundskeeper. So, I got that going for me, which is nice.

But does repetitive watching and excessive quoting of a movie make it a favorite? What special qualities make you love a movie? Maybe its a memorable character, like Ferris in Ferris Buellers Day Off. (Anyone? Anyone?) Or Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. (I hate snakes.)

Or maybe its the riveting storyline. For some fans, The Godfather trilogy made them an offer they couldnt refuse.

Perhaps a movie greatly influenced your young mind and changed your outlook. After seeing A Hard Days Night on the late show one night, I became a lifelong Beatles fan.

People judge films based on witty dialogue, while others value special effects or epic cinematography. Sometimes, its just the experience of going to the movies with someone special.

Superman will always have a tender place in my heart, said a friend, because my husband and I saw it on our first date.

Like many things in life, preferences can change over time. Your favorite movie in junior high school, like Jaws, may have been replaced with a newer version, but thats OK. Years later, you still treasure those old, great scenes.

I could go on, but Id need a bigger column.

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NORMAL  Donald R. Easton-Brooks, dean of the University of Nevada at Reno College of Education and Human Development, exhibited at a Thursday forum his vision for Illinois State University as the school's second presidential finalist.

Easton-Brooks has more than 25 years of experience in higher education with 15 years in leadership positions, according to documents provided by ISU. He oversees departments that support 11 undergraduate programs, 35 master's programs and eight doctoral programs, plus 508 faculty and staff. Easton-Brooks has also served on the Nevada university president's leadership cabinet.

His work has included spearheading programs aimed at increasing opportunities for diverse student populations. Easton-Brooks was instrumental in establishing a pre-collegiate academic enrichment/pathway program that helped students from marginalized backgrounds take dual-credit programs, ISU stated.

Easton-Brooks' efforts in bettering diversity and equity have extended to his college's workforce as well. According to his CV, he started internal initiatives to match staff demographics with the university's students, which is 45% students of color. In the last two years, 60% of the college's hires have been people of color.

During his presentation Thursday, he told a room of about 200 people that ISU's next president will have to think about what a "next-generation" university would like like. Easton-Brooks said larger numbers of students of color will be going into higher education.

"Every time there's a new generation going to college, there's going to be more people that are diverse," he said.

That's been seen before, Easton-Brooks said, including during a conference held around 50 years after the Women's Suffrage Act.

At that time in the early 1970s, he said women discussed how to become more mobile and use education to move themselves forward. What followed was an increase of women attending college and entering the workforce, Easton-Brooks said.

When asked why he's seeking the role as ISU president, Easton-Brooks said, "I think that opportunity to be that next-gen university is here."

Strategic leadership

The presidential candidate previously served as School of Education dean for the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. He said a significant part of the position was working under a responsibility center management budget model.

Under that system, Easton-Brooks said tuition was directed to the college after a 30% tax was taken by the university. That meant if he wanted to hire someone and he didnt have it in the budget, he said it wouldnt happen.

If we were in financial trouble, the university wouldnt be able to help me out, Easton-Brooks said. I would have to find the resources or come up with the answers.

That model really pushed me to really understand  budget management, budget foresighting, and really think about how to strategically set up a budget.

Easton-Brooks said he's used several steps to strategic leadership and vision at universities. He said they include asking what the institution is doing and what does it mean; their challenges, limitations and strengths; what is needed and areas for professional development; and measuring improvements and creating systems for continuous improvement.

We must be collaborative. All voices must have an opportunity to engage in this process, he said.

Easton-Brooks said that brought him to ask what the Redbird experience is, what it feels like and if it invites people to feel included. He said theyll review what theyre doing to ensure students are finding success, and expand that scope at least two years beyond graduation.

As the next president of Illinois State University, my goal is to work with the community, the alumni and trustees to become one of the leading next-gen universities by promoting the Redbird experience, he said.

Well get there together.

Intent and understanding

The first forum attendee to question Easton-Brooks was Brigid Aslin, a program coordinator for ISUs Dean of Students Office. They asked the candidate how he would support staff and how hes worked with student affairs in his past roles.

He said staff members should be considered professionals too, and provided an example of an assistant in his office who later became a personnel analyst while working on her human development degree.

Addressing the second part of Aslins question, Easton-Brooks said he was dean of the adviser center at the University of Connecticut. He said he learned a lot about students and their challenges, and that its critical to continue to listen to them.

Shadiyat Batula, who is majoring in molecular and cellular biology at ISU, asked why Easton-Brooks is uniquely situated to make a difference at the university.

All those things Ive talked about  about being a student, I was, Easton-Brooks said. I was a student athlete. I was a scholarship student. I was a student on probation. I was a student who had to work. I was a student with no support from my family. To me, its about, how do I help that student be successful?

He said life is about purpose and intent, and whats important to him in the role is to determine how he can add value.

We are purposeful, we are intentional, and the work that we do  is so valuable to a student, or a generation of people that we can never come to understand, Easton-Brooks said. Understanding that, for me, helps me understand an array of students and what they bring to the table.

Two more candidate forums are to follow at 1:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday. The identity of the next finalist is expected to be released Sunday.

The first candidate, Aondover Tarhule, a former provost and vice president for academic affairs at ISU who took over as the school's interim president one year ago, had his forum on Monday.
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

Feb. 23, 1924: A trial installation of an electric signal system for the regulation of traffic at the intersection of Washington and Main streets was approved yesterday by the City Council at its regular meeting. The apparatus, consisting of four signals, one for each corner and a control, will cost $525.

75 years ago

Feb. 23, 1949: Dr. Francis E. Townsend, founder of the Townsend plan for old age pensions and native of Fairbury, failed to make a scheduled talk in Bloomington on Tuesday (Feb. 22). He was suddenly recalled to Washington, D.C., to testify before the Ways and Means Committee on Social Security.

50 years ago

Feb. 23, 1974: Expenditures for the first of two nuclear generating units near Clinton are part of a five-year construction program announced by the Illinois Power Co. The program, extending through 1978, will cost $975 million. More than $122 million will be spent during 1974.

25 years ago

Feb. 23, 1999: Dan Traeger, general manager of Barker Olds/Cadillac/GMC, has completed the purchase of the family-owned Bloomington business, which began in 1935. Traeger started working for the company in 1975, becoming part owner in 1985 when he was named general manager. Tim Johnson, who joined the company in 1981 as comptroller, is the new co-owner with Traeger.

Vintage Pantagraph newspaper ads for medicine, 'magic' remedies Clover Blossom Extract - Nov. 15, 1883 St. Jacobs Oil - July 14, 1887 Castoria - July 26, 1892 Rheumatic Ring - May 29, 1894 Beefmalt - May 29, 1894 Wakefield's Cough Syrup - Feb. 13, 1908 S.S.S. - April 23, 1908 Olive Tablets - Nov. 20, 1911 Cold-go - Dec. 11, 1911 Dr. Danby - Dec. 11, 1911 Allcock Plasters - March 2, 1917 Olive Tablets - Feb. 23, 1918 Laxative Bromo Quinine - Oct. 16, 1918 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 24, 1919 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - April 29, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 22, 1919 Beecham's Pills - Nov. 22, 1919 Snake Oil - Nov. 29, 1919 Doan's Kidney Pills - March 8, 1920 Bayer Tablets of Aspirin - Sept. 21, 1920 J.C. Hutzell's Eczema Treatment - Nov. 11, 1922 Gude's Pepto-Mangan - April 2, 1923 O-Joy Corn Wafers - March 4, 1930 Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription - March 19, 1930 666 Tablets - March 25, 1930 Cuticura - March 25, 1930 Geo-Mineral - Dec. 8, 1948 Anacin - Jan. 16, 1963 Liquiprin - Aug. 27, 1970 Icy Hot - Nov. 20, 1977
Here's where to find Lenten fish fries or other Lent-friendly meals throughout the McLean County area and more. Know any we missed? Contact ojacobs@pantagraph.com

Churches

 Epiphany Catholic Church, 1002 E. College Ave., in Normal will host two Lenten fish fries from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8 and Friday, March 15. The menu is still being finalized.

 St. John's Lutheran Church, 1617 E. Empire St., in Bloomington offers a meal prior to their midweek Lenten services. The meals are offered from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. each Wednesday starting Feb. 21 and through March 20, with a variety of menus. The cost is $5 and registration is required. Call the church at 309-827-6121 for more information.

 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church will offer Lenten fish fries each Friday except Good Friday, serving from 5 to 7 p.m. at their Parish Center, 514 N. Monroe St., in Clinton. Dates include Feb. 23, March 1, March 8, March 15 and March 22. The menu includes choice of fish (fish fillets, $9, combo 1 filet & 3 shrimp, $10; and 6 butterfly shrimp, $11) with two sides, drink and dessert.

 St. Mary's Church, 108 E. Washington St., in Downs will hold Friday fish fries from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23, March 8, and March 22. $11 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and free for children five and under. Menu includes walleye, pizza, grilled cheese, French fries, green beans, cold slaw, and homemade desserts. Carryout is also available.

 Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 3850 Lourdes Drive, in Decatur, will host fish fries from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 23, March 1, and March 8. Dine-in and carryout. Call in orders can start at 4:30 p.m.

Restaurants

 Baxter's American Grille, 3212 E. Empire St., in Bloomington will offer fish dishes from their current menu through Easter.

 The Lake Road Inn, 25106 N 1750 East Road, in Hudson will offer Alaskan Pollock dinners every Friday.

 Crawford's Corner Pub, 610 W. Chestnut St., in Bloomington offers fish every Friday as well as their traditional fish n' chips, breaded cod sandwich and a shrimp hush puppies meal.

 Merna Tap, 15989 N 2300 East Road, in Merna/Normal will offer shrimp tacos and a changing daily dish special as well as a hand-battered walleye dinner with baked beans and coleslaw for $9.95, and a grilled tilapia dinner with a baked potato and steamed veggie for $11.95. Dinner will begin each day at 5 p.m.

 Schooner's, 810 E. Grove St., in Bloomington will offer lunch and dinner fish specials every Friday during Lent.

Schools

 Corpus Christi Catholic School, 1909 E. Lincoln St., in Bloomington will host a fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23. Available offerings will include three pieces of cod fish or two pieces of pizza with cheesy potatoes, green beans, and bread and butter. Children's meals will also be available with two pieces of cod fish or piece of pizza with applesauce, goldfish crackers, and bread and butter. Water, lemonade, and beer will be available. There will also be a 7:30 p.m. basket and 50/50 raffle drawings.

Other Organizations

 The Bloomington Knights of Columbus Council 574 will continue their tradition of hosting Friday fish/shrimp fries from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23, March 1, March 8, March 22 and March 29 at 1706 R. T. Dunn Drive. The cost is $12 and children's meals will also be available.

 The Colfax Restoration Project will sponsor a Fish Fry on Friday, April 12 at the Colfax American Legion from 5 to 8 p.m. The cost is $10 per person and includes fish, sides, corn fritters, dessert, and tea or lemonade. A cash bar will also be available. An auction will also take place at 7 p.m.

 Lincoln Knights of Columbus Council 1250, 217 Limit St., in Lincoln will offer Lenten fish fries on March 1, March 15, and March 29. Whole catfish meals and shrimp meals will be available for $12, or a walleye meal for $10. Food will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. dine in or carryout only.

 The Knights of Columbus in Charleston will host fish fries at the St. Charles Borromeo Church, 921 Madison Ave., from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. or until the last fish is given on each Friday of Lent (six). Dine-in or drive-thru.

 Knights of Columbus Council 577, 520 E. North St., in Decatur, will host fish fries each Friday during Lent from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Menu includes walleye dinner, cod dinner, butterfly shrimp dinner, parmesan crusted baked tilapia and a kids grilled cheese with fries. Each dinner includes coleslaw, rye bread and choice of French fries or a baked potato.
Here's where to find Lenten fish fries or other Lent-friendly meals throughout the McLean County area and more. Know any we missed? Contact ojacobs@pantagraph.com.

Churches

Epiphany Catholic Church, 1002 E. College Ave. in Normal, will host two Lenten fish fries, from 5-7 p.m. March 8 and March 15. The menu is still being finalized.

St. John's Lutheran Church, 1617 E. Empire St. in Bloomington, offers a meal before its midweek Lenten services. The meals are offered 5:15-6:15 p.m. each Wednesday through March 20, with a variety of menus. The cost is $5 and registration is required. Call the church at 309-827-6121 for more information.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Clinton will offer Lenten fish fries each Friday except Good Friday, serving from 5-7 p.m. at the Parish Center, 514 N. Monroe St. Dates include Feb. 23, March 1, March 8, March 15 and March 22. The menu includes choice of fish (fish fillets, $9, fillet and shrimp combo, $10, or six butterfly shrimp, $11) with two sides, drink and dessert.

St. Mary's Church, 108 E. Washington St. in Downs, will hold Friday fish fries from 5-7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, March 8 and March 22. The cost is $11 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Menu includes walleye, pizza, grilled cheese, fries, green beans, coleslaw and homemade desserts. Carryout is available.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 3850 Lourdes Drive, Decatur, will host fish fries from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 23, March 1 and March 8, offering dine-in and carryout. Call-in orders start at 4:30 p.m.

Restaurants

Baxter's American Grille, 3212 E. Empire St. in Bloomington, will offer fish dishes from its current menu through Easter.

The Lake Road Inn, 25106 N. 1750 East Road in Hudson, will offer Alaskan pollock dinners every Friday.

Crawford's Corner Pub, 610 W. Chestnut St. in Bloomington, offers fish every Friday as well as its traditional fish and chips, breaded cod sandwich and a shrimp hush puppies meal.

Merna Tap, 15989 N. 2300 East Road in Merna/Normal, will offer shrimp tacos and a changing daily dish special as well as a hand-battered walleye dinner with baked beans and coleslaw for $9.95, and a grilled tilapia dinner with a baked potato and steamed veggie for $11.95. Dinner will begin each day at 5 p.m.

Schooners, 810 E. Grove St. in Bloomington, will offer lunch and dinner fish specials every Friday during Lent.

Tony's Tacos, 2303 E. Washington St. in Bloomington and 304 N. Main St. in Normal, offer fish & fries, shrimp and other seafood dishes on Fridays at both locations.

Schools

Corpus Christi Catholic School, 1909 E. Lincoln St. in Bloomington, will host a fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23. Available offerings will include three pieces of cod fish or two pieces of pizza with cheesy potatoes, green beans and bread and butter. Children's meals will be available with two pieces of cod fish or a piece of pizza with applesauce, goldfish crackers and bread and butter. Water, lemonade and beer will be available. There will also be basket and 50/50 raffle drawings at 7:30 p.m.

Other organizations

The Bloomington Knights of Columbus Council 574 will continue its Friday fish/shrimp fries from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23, March 1, March 8, March 22 and March 29 at 1706 R.T. Dunn Drive in Bloomington. The cost is $12 and children's meals will also be available.

The Colfax Restoration Project will sponsor a fish fry from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 12, at the Colfax American Legion. The cost is $10 per person and includes fish, sides, corn fritters, dessert, and tea or lemonade. A cash bar will be available. An auction will take place at 7 p.m.

Lincoln Knights of Columbus Council 1250, 217 Limit St. in Lincoln, will offer Lenten fish fries on March 1, March 15 and March 29. Whole catfish meals and shrimp meals will be available for $12, or a walleye meal for $10. Food will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. for dine-in or carryout.

The Knights of Columbus in Charleston will host fish fries at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 921 Madison Ave., from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. or until the last fish is given on each Friday of Lent. Dine-in or drive-thru.

Knights of Columbus Council 577, 520 E. North St. in Decatur, will host fish fries each Friday during Lent from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Menu includes walleye dinner, cod dinner, butterfly shrimp dinner, parmesan crusted baked tilapia or a kids grilled cheese with fries. Each dinner includes coleslaw, rye bread and choice of fries or a baked potato.

Close R.J. Chapman batters a pollack fillet while volunteering during a fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Friday, March 4. St. Mary's Catholic Church member Dave DeSanty pulls battered pollack from a deep dryer as he and other members stage a fish fry under a tent in the church parking lot on Friday, March 4. Kyle Graven mixes a custom batter that will be used to coat the fish for the fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Friday, March 4. Dave Smith pulls test fish out of a deep dryer while volunteering at a fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Friday, March 4, 2022. Dave Smith and Dave DeSanty test different batter recipes for the fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Friday, March 4, 2022. Danny O'Brien and Will Adams, Central Catholic High School juniors, volunteer to batter fish for the fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Friday, March 4. Dave Smith and B.J. Chapman kid around while battering fish during a fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Friday, March 4, 2022. Donna and Bart Williams wait for volunteers to deliver their fish fry while waiting in their van at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Friday, March 4, 2022. Photos: Friday fish fry is basic food group for central Illinois The crew at St. Mary's Catholic Church know how to fry fish. R.J. Chapman batters a pollack fillet while volunteering during a fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Friday, March 4. St. Mary's Catholic Church member Dave DeSanty pulls battered pollack from a deep dryer as he and other members stage a fish fry under a tent in the church parking lot on Friday, March 4. Kyle Graven mixes a custom batter that will be used to coat the fish for the fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Friday, March 4. Dave Smith pulls test fish out of a deep dryer while volunteering at a fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Friday, March 4, 2022. Dave Smith and Dave DeSanty test different batter recipes for the fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Friday, March 4, 2022. Danny O'Brien and Will Adams, Central Catholic High School juniors, volunteer to batter fish for the fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Friday, March 4. Dave Smith and B.J. Chapman kid around while battering fish during a fish fry at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Friday, March 4, 2022. Donna and Bart Williams wait for volunteers to deliver their fish fry while waiting in their van at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Friday, March 4, 2022.
CHICAGO  Seven people were hospitalized, including a baby in critical condition, after a fire Wednesday afternoon in a Chicago high-rise building, fire officials said.

Seven people, including the baby, were rushed to area hospitals, Chicago Fire Department First District Chief Jim McDonough said at a news conference.

Four other children were taken to Comer Children's Hospital in good and fair conditions, fire officials said.

One person jumped from a fourth-floor window and was hospitalized in fair condition, officials said. A seventh person was taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition.

Firefighters also performed ladder rescues on the outside of the building while people hung out of windows.

Firefighters were called just before 4 p.m. to the blaze in a 1920s-era high-rise in the South Shore neighborhood. The fire started in a kitchen in a unit on the second floor of the 14-story building, McDonough said.

There was heavy smoke from the second floor on up, McDonough said.

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CHICAGO  On a recent Tuesday morning, a family of three packed up their duffel bags outside a migrant shelter on the Lower West Side en route to El Paso, Texas, where they said they had relatives waiting. They had been in Chicago for four months.

Moises Sanchez, 24, had been a barber in his home state of La Guaira, Venezuela. He had the word family tattooed on the back of his head behind his ear. He came to the U.S. through Laredo, Texas, with his wife and 2-year-old daughter for economic opportunity. The family was given bus tickets by Texas state officials to go to Chicago, but he struggled to find work the entire time he was here, he said.

From the minute I arrived here, I wanted to leave. I didnt want to stay in Chicago. Its freezing, Sanchez said Feb. 13. I cant stand the cold.

At least 3,194 individuals have received financial support from the state of Illinois to reunite with friends and family in other states and U.S. cities since mid-November, according to state data provided to the Tribune on Feb. 14. The state has spent over $620,000 on travel tickets and taxi fares to airports, trains or bus stations to connect with family and friends, which city and state officials call diversion and outmigration.

Using these funds to quickly connect new arrivals with their next step is significantly cheaper than moving people into shelters. The state plans to continue using funds in this way for the foreseeable future, said Daisy Contreras, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Services.

The state could not provide specific information about migrants final destinations.

Due partly to the outmigration efforts, the number of migrants staying in city-run shelters has declined rapidly in recent weeks. As of Wednesday, the city reported there were nearly 12,400 residents in 24 active shelters run by the city, state and OHare International Airport, down from the more than 15,000 migrants staying in 27 city-run shelters at its peak in mid-December.

More than an estimated 35,800 migrants have arrived in Chicago since Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott began sending migrants to sanctuary cities like Chicago in August 2022, in part to protest federal immigration policies.

State and city officials have been struggling to come up with the funds to house thousands of migrants. In his spending plan unveiled Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed spending an additional $182 million on the migrant response during the state budget year that begins July 1.

To manage new migrants arriving on buses, the state is set to officially open an intake center in six large tents at the landing zone at 800 S. Desplaines St., Matt DeMateo, executive director and pastor at New Life Centers, told the Tribune on Sunday.

Teams at New Life Centers work with Catholic Charities and the citys Office of Emergency Management and Communications to staff the landing zone.

DeMateo said shelters were overwhelmed eight weeks ago, but its been quieter at the landing zone in recent weeks.

He said migrants who arrive are given a jacket, hat and whatever they need physically. Officials then talk to migrants about the path forward, informing them theres no state rental assistance available for those who arrived after Nov. 17.

Catholic Charities will pay for the flight or train ticket or whatever to anywhere in the country, he said. If they have family here or friends or somebody they can stay with, we tell them go there and well get them an Uber or Lyft.

Sanchezs wife, Nivole Tavar, said the state helped them buy tickets to leave. She wore a bow in her hair as she gathered their luggage together on the sidewalk outside the shelter.

Over there, the economy is really bad, she said about her home country. But El Paso is better than here.

The family walked past babies crying in strollers, balancing their belongings in their arms.

Antonella Sanchez, 2, loaded her stuffed animal unicorn into the back of a Kia Uber. They put their bags in the car and rode away.

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BELLEVILLE  For the second time in seven years, southern Illinois residents and visitors will have the chance to see a total solar eclipse this spring, something that's typically a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The April 8 eclipse will allow Metro East and St. Louis region residents a chance to see a partial solar eclipse at 99% sun coverage, while southern Illinois is in the path of totality.

"On average, a single place sees a total solar eclipse every 375 years," Bob Baer, specialist at the School of Physics and Applied Physics and co-chairperson, Southern Illinois Eclipse 2017-24 Steering Committee at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, told the News-Democrat recently. "So we've been very lucky to see two of them in just seven years."

Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Paducah, Kentucky, are also in the path of totality this year, along with sites in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, according to NASA. Certain areas in Mexico and Canada will also see a total eclipse.

Here's what to know about viewing the April 8 partial solar eclipse in the Metro East and St. Louis region, as well as what you can expect if you plan to make the trip to Carbondale to see the eclipse in totality.

Partial eclipse in Metro East and St. Louis

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth and completely blocks the face of the sun, according to NASA, while a partial eclipse happens when the sun, moon and Earth are not perfectly aligned while the moon passes through.

Belleville and St. Louis will see a partial eclipse, while Red Bud will see 3 minutes and 50 seconds of totality this April. The partial eclipse will be visible in Belleville from 12:43 p.m. to 3:17 p.m. April 8, with a maximum at 2:01 p.m., according to online global clock Time and Date. Viewing times will be very similar in St. Louis.

"The St. Louis area is about a 99% partial, which means it will get just a little bit dark, but it won't be anywhere near like totality," Baer said.

It's unsafe to look directly into the sun, and the only time you don't risk permanent vision loss is during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse, NASA reports.

Because the eclipse will only be partial in Belleville and there will be no point where the sun's light is entirely obscured by the moon, it will not be safe to look straight at the 2024 solar eclipse without proper eye protection at any point within the city.

"Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury," NASA's website reads.

To safely view an annular or partial eclipse, you need "eclipse glasses" or a safe, handheld solar viewer, NASA says. Regular sunglasses will not provide enough protection and are unsafe for this use.

Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses, NASA reports, and they should comply with international standards. NASA does not "approve" any specific brands of solar viewers.

If you have eclipse glasses you used for the 2017 eclipse, you may be able to safely reuse them if they are in good condition, Baer said. You should check the back of your viewers to see if the manufacturer recommends discarding them, but if there's not a note saying that and you don't see any holes, smudges or big scratches, you should be good to use them again this April, Baer continued. They should be generally safe to use until the lenses sustain damage.

Baer recommended those who are looking to buy eclipse glasses this year consider purchasing them from Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics or DayStar Filters to avoid ending up with a fake pair.

"I would be very careful about getting them on Amazon. I know there's some good reputable stores on Amazon, but in 2017 there were also a lot of counterfeits on Amazon," Baer said. "And they just weren't any good at all. So I would say try to buy them from a reputable manufacturer or a local vendor."

SIU Carbondale staff will hand out about 50,000 free pairs of eclipse glasses to those attending events on campus this April, Baer added.

Total eclipse in Carbondale

SIU Carbondale will host the Crossroads Eclipse Festival from April 5 to April 8, including an arts and crafts fair, eclipse-themed musical concert, Run From the Sun 5K, an eclipse convention and more.

The main event at SIU Carbondale will be held at the stadium April 8, where experts from the university, Adler Planetarium and NASA will host a "guided eclipse experience." Tickets for the stadium event are $25 a piece for nonstudents, and parking is $35.

"We have 4 minutes and 9 seconds of totality in the stadium, which is quite a lot," Baer said.

The period of totality will begin at 1:59 p.m. at SIU Carbondale's stadium, Baer continued. At more than 4 minutes, Carbondale's period of totality will not be the longest in the world, but will be longer than in many other sites in the U.S.

"It's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people to see totality," Baer said.

Total solar eclipses typically occur somewhere in the world every year and a half on average, Baer said. The next time any part of the U.S. will see a total solar eclipse will be in the 2040s, and Carbondale will not be in the path of totality, Baer continued. Chicago will see a total solar eclipse in 2111, NBC Chicago reported.

"I always tell people wherever you wanna see it from, just make sure you see it. Because it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It's life-changing for some people," Baer said.

Photos: Illinois State Fair political days through the years 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2009 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2005 State Fair 2004 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2006 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2018 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair
California State University has suffered stunning enrollment losses since 2019, with some of the steepest declines at three Bay Area campuses, including San Francisco State, which lost more students than any school in the system. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 2023

California State University has suffered stunning enrollment losses since 2019, with some of the steepest declines at three Bay Area campuses: San Francisco State, Cal State East Bay and Sonoma State, an analysis shows.

Enrollment in the 23-campus system  the nations largest public university  fell by 27,881 students, or 6.5%, from 2019 to 2023, indicating that CSU has yet to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The biggest hits were from international students, a 60% drop. But when you look at domestic students, youre seeing the drops in places like the Bay Area that are incredibly expensive to live in, said Audrey Dow, a senior vice president at the Campaign for College Opportunity, a California nonprofit that released the report Wednesday.

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The worst affected campus was Sonoma State in Rohnert Park, which lost a third of its student body, or about 2,727 students, during the five-year period, the group found.

Cal State East Bay in Hayward lost 3,090 students, or a quarter of its enrollment  the third largest percentage loss in the state.

San Francisco States enrollment dropped by 20%, the fifth worst in the state, and it lost 5,166 students, more than any other campus.

The shrinking universities have had to cancel hundreds of classes and lay off or halt contracts for large numbers of faculty members. San Francisco State alone has cut 683 undergraduate course sections since 2019, an 18% drop, and 4% of graduate offerings, campus officials said.

Its painful, said Lynn Mahoney, president of San Francisco State, where students and faculty have protested the steep cuts. Were preparing to be a smaller university: fewer students, fewer faculty, staff and administrators.

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To help counteract the decline, Mahoney said the campus is introducing itself to students as young as 13 and 14, instead of waiting until they are juniors in high school.

CSU still enrolls more than 450,000 students. But the new report found that Black enrollment has dropped by 5.4%, Asian American students by 4.1%, and white enrollment by 13.1%. Only Latino students are on the rise, growing by 4.6%.

San Jose State grew its Latino enrollment, but the number of Latino students fell at the other three Bay Area campuses.

The 64-page report reveals in stark detail the long expected demographic trends that the pandemic accelerated in California.

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Since 2019, CSUs international enrollment dropped by 67%, or nearly 16,500 students.

While many of those students presumably remained in their home countries, its not entirely clear what the other would-be CSU students are doing.

Some may have chosen a community college instead of CSU, said Vikash Reddy, vice president of research for the Campaign for College Opportunity. But community college enrollment also has fallen by more than 12%, the report notes. Traditionally the feeder schools for CSU, two-year colleges have lost nearly 278,000 of their roughly 2 million students since before the pandemic.

As a result, CSUs transfer students are 16% below what they were in 2019, a loss of nearly 10,000 students.

Mahoney of San Francisco State suggested that because the economy is healthy, students who might have chosen CSU may be working at, say, Amazon or UPS, which are paying a lot right now.

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What is clear, said April Grommo, the CSU systems assistant vice chancellor of enrollment management, is that the pandemic continues to influence students choices.

Not only are they taking fewer units at CSU campuses, but theyre also choosing schools closer to where they live.

This has impacted some of the Northern California campuses that historically welcomed larger numbers of new Southern California students, Grommo said.

For example, the report shows that first-time freshmen across the CSU system have rebounded to 3.4% higher than in 2019  but not at San Francisco State, Sonoma State or Cal State East Bay.

At Sonoma State, President Mike Lee said most of the enrollment loss has been from students living more than 150 miles away. The campus has had to slow hiring, cut manager pay and even turn student housing over to employees, among other downsizing efforts.

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The new report acknowledges that Americans confidence in the value of a college degree is lower than ever, citing a Gallup poll that says just 36% of respondents had confidence in higher education, down from 57% in 2015.

Yet, the authors, who are advocates of greater college access, cite other evidence showing that graduates earn more money and even have better health than people without degrees. Taking a hopeful tone, they call their report Illuminating Innovations: Advancing Enrollment at California State University and focus on what the CSU campuses can do to recover students.

Among their recommendations:

Campuses should make it easier for students to apply and register for classes.

CSUs system leaders should use the vast array of data they collect to better help campuses increase enrollment and determine the best recruitment approaches.

State lawmakers should pour more money into Cal Grants to ease the overall cost of college attendance.

The state should make it easier to transfer from community colleges to universities by clarifying needed courses.

California State University has suffered stunning enrollment losses since 2019, with some of the steepest declines at three Bay Area campuses. Cal State East Bay in Hayward lost a quarter of its enrollment, the third-worst in the state. Brittany Hosea-Small/Special to the Chronicle 2020

Both Cal State East Bay and Sonoma State said they believe theyre turning a corner on enrollment.

Fortunately, we have stopped the rapid decline this year and see healthier application numbers for fall 2024, said Cathy Sandeen, president of Cal State East Bay.

Sandeen credited the campus stepped-up marketing efforts and outreach for high-demand programs, as well as a focus on bringing back students who have left.

But she cited this years botched rollout of the new FAFSA  the Free Application for Federal Student Aid  as a concern.

It is too soon to tell how confusion and delays caused by the federal changes to the FAFSA might impact enrollment, Sandeen said.

At Sonoma State, President Lee said the campus has made structural changes that have halted enrollment declines, including better business operations and stronger pipelines with high schools and community colleges throughout the state. The university has also sent recruiters to Southern California.

The hopeful news, Lee said, is a nearly 6% increase in applications for fall.
The CEO of the Intercity State Transport Cooperation and the Vice Chairman of the 'Bawumia 2024 Campaign Team', Nana Akomea, has opposed the allegations that the Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is responsible for Ghanas economic hardships.



Nana Akomea reveals that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia does not bear sole responsibility for Ghana's current economic difficulties.



He emphasised that, the economic crisis being experienced currently is a collective responsibility of every member of the government adding that it will be unfair to ascribe all the blame to the Vice President.



According to Nana Akomea, he is not oblivious of the important role Dr. Bawumia plays as the vice president in charge of the Economy but underscored the principle of collective responsibility within a governance system.



In an interview with Citi TV on Tuesday, February 20, monitored by Peacefmonline.com, Mr Akomea highlighted Dr. Bawumia's consistent support for the Akufo-Addo administration, refuting claims that he has distanced himself from government affairs.



Nana Akomea debunked claims made by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that Dr. Bawumia is exonerating himself from the economic woes of the country.



You cannot take Bawumia out of the government, it is not possible, hes the sitting Vice President. Theres a collective responsibility. This is not the man you can describe as taking himself out of the government. I heard some funny things mainly coming from the NDC,that Bawumia has betrayed Akufo-Addo, he has ostracised Akufo-Addo, and he has taken himself out of government. That is just propaganda. The man has been the biggest defender of the Akufo-Addo government he said.



Dr. Akomea added, During the NPP primaries, where many of the other ten people, thought it was fashionable to present themselves as anti-establishments, Bawumia was the only one who could talk to the delegates about the work of the government, before he went into his vision. Bawumia is not the person you can describe as taking himself out of the government.



He accepts collective responsibility. What the NDC has tried to do, not in a clever way, what they are trying to say is Bawumia is responsible for whatever difficulties we are in today. How can he be responsible? How can you say one person is responsible? he asked.



Nana Akomea, in his closing remarks called on all Ghanaians to support the Vision of Dr. Bawumia as the December general elections draw closer.





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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Details emerging from the contract between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have revealed positive outcomes for the country's revenue.



Since the revenue assurance contract was signed in October 2019, operations commenced in June 2020 after a one-month pilot period, resulting in a noticeable increase in revenue.



According to documents obtained by JoyNews from the Ghana Revenue Authority, revenue has surged by GH12,981,376,688.00.



This significant rise in revenue suggests that the contract has been beneficial for the country's financial interests. However, amidst these developments, SML has taken legal action against the media outlet responsible for releasing "The GH3bn Lie Documentary."



In a lawsuit filed on Thursday, February 15, SML claims that the publication has caused irreparable damage to its reputation in the public domain, leading to negative consequences for its operations. Consequently, SML is seeking compensation totalling 10 million.



This includes one million for defamation and nine million for exemplary damages, citing reckless and malicious reporting. "Plaintiff says that the onslaught of backlash from the public which has arisen from the Defendants false reportage has adversely impacted Plaintiffs operations."



"Plaintiff says that although it published rejoinders to the Defendants false reportage, the Defendants have failed and/or refused to retract and apologise to the plaintiff for the false information they have consistently peddled."



Furthermore, they are requesting a perpetual injunction against the publication of further defamatory material, a retraction and apology, and any other orders deemed appropriate by the High Court.



The Fourth Estate, in a December 2023 investigative report, implicated Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Ministry of Finance.



The report alleged that GRA granted SML a purported 10-year contract with an annual payment of $100 million, raising concerns about possible irregularities. SML refuted the claim, asserting that it had a five-year contract instead.



The GRA, in a statement on December 20, 2023, maintained that the proper procurement procedures were followed.



On January 3, 2024, SML welcomed President Akufo-Addo's directive to suspend its ongoing revenue assurance operations and undergo an audit of its contract with the GRA and the Ministry of Finance.



President Akufo-Addo appointed KPMG, an audit, tax, and advisory services firm, to conduct the immediate audit. SML expressed confidence that the audit would provide a clear and accurate depiction of its operations.



However, President Akufo-Addo extended the limit given to audit firm KPMG, to complete its audit following its request. Following the extension, KPMG is expected to submit its report on Friday, February 23.



About the deal The revenue collection and administration body contracted SML to perform revenue audits and assurance control measures in the petroleum downstream sector.

Source: Myjoyonline.com









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James Kwabena Bomfeh has slammed the Senior Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil over his attack on the first Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Bekwai, Joseph Osei-Wusu, popularly known as Joe Wise.



Speaking on Ghana's leading Morning Show, Kokrokoo, Kwabena Bomfeh condemned Kofi Bentil's speculations of the purported reshuffling of the majority leadership in Parliament.



On Wednesday, February 14, there was news within the mdeia space of a [possible reshuffling of the majority leeadership in Parliament which will have the deputy majority leader moved up to become the substabtive majority leader.



In a text to Peace FM's Kokrokoo morning show, Lawyer Kofi Bentil said, ''.....Apart from his demonstrated commitment and loyalty, he is from the strategic Central Region.



"It is near impossible to lose Central Region and win the election. I can't understand why Afenyo Markin's ascent would be resisted by persons on their way out. I really was thinking or thought Uncle Kyei Mensah Bonsu will be gracious about this, leave in glory after his illustrous career in Parliament. Its not too late Uncle Kyei.



"Please let Alex move up, be the one to hand your seat over to him graciously. If, as we suspect, the Vice Presidential slot will go to the Ashanti region, then please, let's give Parliament to Central Region, to Afenyo Markin. I don't know what the flagbearer thinks, but i think this is the best way. And I hope everyone will listen to him and let him steer the ship.''



In a rebuttal, Mr. Bomfeh, also known as Kabilla, opined that, questioning the Bekwai legislator's Press Conference is an attack on him.



According to Kabilla, Joe Osei Owusu's press conference was as a result of speculations on social media which he condemns in no uncertain terms.



''Who in the NPP or majority caucus does not want to appoint Afenyo Markin as majority leader. So what is the basis for his text?''



''I don't think it is right. As much as I agree that the first deputy speaker ought not to have done that, I also do not think Kofi Bentil's text is in good faith or right,'' Kabilla said.











Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Augustus Nkrumah , the investigator in the ongoing murder case of J.B Danquah-Adu, former MP for Abuakwa North has described the first accused Daniel Asiedu, as a 'terrible guy ' who is capable of killing J.B. Danquah-Adu.



He made the comment while undergoing a further cross-examination session from the Defence lawyer Yaw Dankwah at the High Court in Accra.



ASP Augustus Nkrumah while insisting that Daniel Asiedu known as Sexy Dondon killed the late MP, explained that, the accused himself confessed committing the crime . He noted that the accused at his own will demonstrated to the investigation team how he perpetuated the crime, adding that the accused also begged for forgiveness for what he had done.



The investigator who is also the 8th Prosecution witness further stated that, sexy Dondon admitted owning material exhibits that were found both at the Shiashie residence of the deceased and his personal residence at Agbogbloshie.



The investigator also informed the court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei-Marfo that, the accused after committing the crime left his T. Shirt which he wore that night before the crime in the room of the deceased soaked in blood. He futher stated that, the said T. Shirt was identified by one Janet Kyerea who is the girlfriend of the accused.



However, Lawyer Yaw Dankwah representing the accused persons disagreed with his submission. According to him, the deceased was six feet tall and stocky, hence the accused couldn't have over powered and kill him.



He, however, accused some three Police officers he alleged were impersonating the Police and claimed they were dispatched to the scene by the East Legon Police committed the crime and not his client as claimed by the witness and investigator.



Daniel Asiedu is standing trial for the alleged murder of the former Abuakwa North MP, J.B. Danquah-Adu in February 2016. He is also been charged with robbery while the the second accused Vincent Bossu is facing charges of conspiracy to commit robbery together with Daniel Asiedu, first accused.



Daniel and Vincent have both been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery while Daniel is charged separately with robbery and murder.



Lawyer Yaw Dankwah reacting to Proceeedings in court told Journalists that, it is wrong for the witness to make uncomplimentary remarks against his client.



"As a witness your job is to assist the court to determine the innocence or guilt of the accused person and you are not to form your own opinion. You are to lay bare the facts and evidence which are at your disposal and not to form your own opinion. By forming your own opinion and calling my client a terrible person who is capable of killing means that your entire investigation was compromised by your own personal thoughts, and that is why there were alot of areas where basic things he should have done, he did not do, and it is a very travesty that a senior Police officer for that matter will come to court and and make such a derogatory comment against the accused person," he said.



The case has been adjourned to February 26, 2024 for continuation.

Source: Philipa Atanga/Court Reporter/Despite Media









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Guinea's military junta has protested to Russia's ambassador after his embassy reportedly warned of possible unrest in the capital, Conakry.



The warning was issued after junta leader Colonel Mamady Doumbouya dissolved the government on Monday, and ordered the closure of all borders.



Ambassador Alexey Popov apologized to the junta for what he called a misunderstanding, Guinean media reported.



Col Doumbouya took power in a 2021 coup.



He dissolved his government on Monday without offering any explanation.



He also ordered the seizure of the passports of sacked ministers and the freezing of their bank accounts.



Guinean media reported that Col Doumbouya's decision led to the Russian embassy in Guinea advising Russian nationals to be vigilant as there could be unrest in the West African state's capital, Conakry.



The junta reacted angrily, with an official in its foreign ministry summoning Mr Popov to a meeting.



"I explained that it was a misunderstanding, a false translation of what was published. The announcement was published only in Russian for Russian citizens," Mr Popov was quoted as saying by Guinea's state-owned television and radio.



The junta accepted the apology, while Mr Popov said the incident would not affect relations between the two nations.



Guinea is one of several former French colonies in West Africa to be hit by coups in recent years.



The juntas, which seized power in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have pivoted toward Russia, while being hostile towards France and the West African regional bloc, Ecowas.



However, Col Doumbouya has tried to maintain good relations with all sides.



He has promised to hold elections to restore democratic rule by the end of 2024.



The junta banned all demonstrations in 2022 and has detained several opposition leaders, and members of civil society groups.



Col Doumbouya overthrew President Alpha Conde in September 2021, saying the army had little choice but to seize power because of rampant corruption, disregard for human rights and economic mismanagement.



Mr Conde was Guinea's first democratically elected president, taking office in 2010 following the end of military rule.



He was re-elected in 2015 but faced protests four years later when he changed the constitution to run for a third term.

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.

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Nigerian authorities have arrested 50 suspected internet fraudsters, nearly all of them students of Kwara State University in the west.



The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said in a statement on Thursday that the 48 students and two others were arrested in their various hideouts following days of surveillance.



It said it recovered nine exotic cars, 24 laptops and different brands of phones from the suspects, who are said to have been living a lavish lifestyle.



The agency is also quoted by local media as saying that they swung into action to free the state of corruption and other nefarious activities of yahoo-yahoo boys', referring to the name given to online fraudsters.



The agency has posted on social media pictures of the suspects as well as the impounded items.



The suspects will soon be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations, the EFCC said.

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.

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A 21 year old driver's mate has been remanded into lawful custody by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly robbing two workers of Papaye fast food off their Iphone and two other phones worth over Four Thousand cedis (GHC4,000.00)



The accused, Jeffery Johnson who lives at Teshie in Accra has been charged with robbery and causing harm.



He has pleaded not guilty to the charges before Her Honour Afia Owusuaa Appiah.



Per the facts of the Prosecution on February 17, 2024 around 1and 1:30am the accused together with his accomplice who is currently on the run rode their motorbike to the home of the complainants Ebenezer Dapaah and Rosemary Akorli who had just returned from work.



The Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu said that, the complainants, Ebenezer Dapaah, a chef and Rosemary Akorli a kitchen staff both at Papaye Fast Food were attacked by the accused and his accomplice.



In the process of the attack, Ebenezer Dapaah the first complaint was allegedly stabbed with a pair of scissors. The accused and his friend then succeeded in robbing them of an Iphone X, a Huawei and an Itel phone all Valued at Four Thousand, Two Hundred Cedis (GHC 4,200.00) and bolted.



The complainants however raised an alarm which attracted their neighbours who helped to apprehended the accused but his accomplice managed to escape. He was later handed over to the Teshie Police Patrol team.



The Police conducted a search on the accused, Jeffery Johnson and found an itel phone which belongs to the first complaint, Ebenezer Dapaah and the scissors he allegedly used to stab him.



The case has been adjourned to March 7, 2024.

Source: Philipa Atanga/Court Reporter/Despite Media









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A Former Majority Leader in the erstwhile late John Evans Atta Mills-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, appears saddened and disappointed by the announcement of the resignation of his colleague, former Majority Leader, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.



Hon Cletus Apul Avoka believes the former NPP Majority Leader should have resigned in a "more elegant and befitting manner."



In the late hours of Wednesday, February 21, Hon. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu tendered his resignation before the crunch meeting with the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, at the Jubilee House in Accra.



But Cletus Avoka, who is a former Member of Parliament for the Zebilla Constituency, was clearly unhappy with that decision saying; I am hugely disappointed."



To him, this action by Hon. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu will be a great disservice not only to the NPP but to Ghana as a whole.



I do not think that given just about 10 months to the election and some acknowledgment for the exit, as he has decided not to contest the 2024 elections like myself, I do not think that this is the way he should exit, I think that he should exit in a more elegant and befitting manner.



In describing the former majority leader and MP for Suame, Cletus Avoka said, Hon. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is his brother and a close ally, having served together on the lands committee in the third Parliament.



When I was the Majority Leader in the 2009 Parliament, he was the Minority Leader, and we shared a lot of experiences together. We built consensus together, and we passed very critical laws together, he stated.



It is, however, unclear what might have necessitated the decision by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to resign as the majority leader.



Meanwhile, a few hours after his resignation, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was named as the 2024 Manifesto Committee Chairman for the Bawumia campaign ahead of the December 7, 2024 elections.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Atik Mohammed has passed comments over the newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers in the last term of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



The President announced his ministerial reshuffle days ago, hence replacing the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu with Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam and Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye respectively.



Other appointees were the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who replaced Francis Asenso-Boakye as Works and Housing Minister.



Hon. Asenso-Boakye also takes over from Kwasi Amoako Atta as Roads and Highways Minister.



Deputy Information Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar ascends to the position of Information Minister, and Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover is the new Greater Accra Regional Minister.



Henry Quartey vacates his position as Greater Accra Regional Minister to hold the position of Interior Minister.



Giving a brief remark about the appointments, Atik Mohammed described the new ministers as "injury time players" stating their coming won't make any significant difference in the administration of the economy.



"With these injury time players, there is nothing substantial that a lot of them can do. Like Dr. Amin Adam who has been sent to the Finance Ministry, he's just inherited crises," he commented during Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo".



He also lauded Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, as one of the most diligent persons ever, but doubts if Dr. Okoe-Boye can do much in this short period to improve the health sector.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Member of Parliament for Akim-Abuakwa South and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy, Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea, has said that the resignation of Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Suame, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, rather came as a big surprise to him.



The Akim Abuakwa-South Member legislator accentuated the timing for Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu to step down is not favorable to the party, describing it as a precarious situation.



In an interview with Accra-based Asempa FM monitored by PeaceFmonline.com, Hon. Atta Akyea said, I was very surprised because I felt considering the times we are in, we cant do things like that. Because our situation is a bit precarious if you look at our numbers and that of the NDC. And I felt it was too late in the day to make changes to crash our unity. So I was a bit surprised it happened.



Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsus resignation comes at a time when there are brewing tensions between the majority caucus of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in parliament and the national leadership of the party.



The resignation of the Majority leader was met with another appointment by the Vice President and the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the Chairman of the Manifesto Committee for the Bawumia 2024 Campaign team.



There are colleague MPs from both sides of the political fronts who have expressed disappointment considering the way the majority leader is going to exit Parliament.



Meanwhile, Effutu Member of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin has been appointed as the Majority Leader for the New Patriotic Party in Parliament.





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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Google co-founder Sergey Brin speaks during a press conference in 2016. A lawsuit accuses Brin of wrongful death and interfering with the recovery of the remains of the pilots who flew his plane that crashed last year near Half Moon Bay. Lee Jin-man/Associated Press

Google co-founder Sergey Brin is being sued by the widow of a pilot who died in a crash last year on a flight bound for Brins private island, according to court records.

The aircraft crashed in the Pacific Ocean on May 20 following a fuel system malfunction  killing the two people on board, both pilots, as detailed in an amended complaint filed Feb. 13 by widow Maria Magdalena Olarte Maclean.

The complaint accuses Brin of wrongful death and interfering with the recovery of the remains  listing as co-defendants Google, the company responsible for maintaining the aircraft along with its aviation director, the company that installed the fuel system and Brins investment firm. The aircraft took off with just the pilots Lance Maclean and Dean Rushfeldt aboard from a Sonoma County airstrip, heading for Honolulu ultimately set for Brins private Fiji island, according to the complaint.

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The 19-passenger aircraft  used for commuter travel according to the aircraft manufacturer Viking Air  was owned and operated by Brin, the investment firm and Google, the complaint stated.

Hours into the flight, the pilots began radioing the maintenance company because the aircraft was not working properly  the fuel was not transferring into the fuel tanks, according to the complaint. Maclean diverted the aircraft back to California and for an hour and a half company personnel tried to troubleshoot the issue via the radio without success, according to the complaint.

The fuel system was illegally put in place, lacked the proper paperwork and was installed from memory, the complaint alleges.

The pilots aimed for the closest airstrip near Half Moon Bay as the situation became dire but crashed before making it there, the complaint stated.

A U.S. Coast Guard swimmer attempted to rescue Maclean and Rushfeld but found both of them dead, strapped into their seats in the sinking cockpit, the complaint stated. Their bodies were unable to be recovered by the Coast Guard at that time, so they continued to sink, the complaint stated.

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Following the crash, Olarte Maclean said, Brins agents lied to her by telling her that they could not legally recover the bodies due to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration constraints, when there were none, the complaint read. In the complaint she accused Brin of delaying the recovery of her husbands body and aircraft remains, claiming he attempted to bury evidence showing the fuel system was illegally installed.

The suit is asking for at least $150,000 for damages including emotional and financial.

Google did not immediately respond for comment.

In a statement sent to NBC about the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Brins family office wrote, We are deeply saddened by the loss of the crew piloting the De Havilland DCH6-400 Twin Otter airplane, and our sympathies remain with the families. We are not able to comment on pending legal action at this time.
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Bekwai Joseph Osei Owusu (Joewise) has said, there is no time frame allocated for any leader in parliament to resign.



According to the deputy majority leader, anybody who holds a position can resign at his or her own discretion, thus, there is no time allotted to when anybody can resign.



When asked whether it is normal for a leader in parliament to resign, he said, Why not? Anybody who holds a position can or may resignI dont know about any time management, anybody can resign at any time.



Hon. Joewise further said he was disappointed about the resignation of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu after describing him as an extremely hard-working person who should have stayed on for a while.



I am personally disappointed that Kyei decided to stand down, he has been a fantastic leader and he is an extremely hardworking person and I would have wished that he stayed on to the end, he told journalists in Parliament on Thursday Febraury 22.



The Member of Parliament for Suame Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu indicated after announcing his exit that he has served the NPP diligently ever since he entered Parliament.



Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is currently one of the longest-serving lawmakers in Ghana. He entered Parliament on the same day as President Akufo-Addo did on January 7th, 1997.



He tendered his resignation as Majority Leader at a meeting involving the President, the Majority Caucus and the National Officers of the NPP at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.



I have served the Party diligently ever since I entered Parliament on the same day, January 7th 1997, with the President. I believe I have served the Party very well to the best of my ability, and I have no regrets.



There is a difficult battle ahead of us, to which enterprise all of us must commit ourselves. We are at a critical juncture that requires absolute unity and peace within our ranks to successfully prosecute the Breaking the 8 Agenda.



He added In my absence from the Country, certain Issues had been raised to which I have been connected. I do not want to be the eye of the storm. Nothing should be done that would precipitate cataclysmic consequences. That is why I am stressing peace and unity.



For those of my colleagues who are here, let me express my most sincere gratitude to you all for the partnership and assistance that you have provided to propel the agenda of the Party, and latterly, government.



At this stage, I would want to inform Mr. President, the Members of Leadership, herein present, the Leadership of the Party, and all others, that I voluntarily declare my intent to step down as the Majority Leader before you my colleagues here and now, in order to afford the Caucus the opportunity to choose their leader. I thank you Mr. President for the opportunity afforded. Thank you all once again.





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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" " The Radcliffe Camera ("camera" meaning room in Latin) is situated in Oxford, England. The building serves as a reading room for the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford. joe daniel price / Getty Images

In the United States, there's Harvard University. In the U.K., there's Oxford University. Each is the oldest in its respective country, though neither has been around quite as long as the oldest university in the world.

Read on to learn more about the record-holding university and other ancient institutions.
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

According to Interpol, the organization dedicated to facilitating international police cooperation, between 15% and 30% of the world's traded timber comes from illegal sources. This is an estimated annual value of US$51152 billion dollars.

Illegal logging has serious consequences for the environment, the climate and the local livelihoods of the people who depend upon the affected forests. In turn, local governments are faced with losses in revenue, rising corruption and decreasing timber prices. These make it even more difficult for the legal forestry sector to remain competitive.

Even in Canada, customers are unwittingly supporting this theft by buying timber with false declarations. In the face of such issues, Canadian researchers are currently developing a traceability system employing genomic identification technologies to help tackle the trade in illegal timber.

Stemming the flow

To help address poaching, the United States expanded the pre-existing Lacey Act in 2008. Originally designed to control the illegal trade of wildlife, it was adapted to help tackle the trade in illegally harvested wood. The 2008 amendments to the Lacey Act decreased the importation of illegally harvested wood into the U.S. by approximately 32 to 44 percent.

In Canada, similar regulations have been put in place to avoid the exploitation of species at risk including the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. But how do we know if the declarations of a wood product are accurate or correctly reported?

In general, identification methods can be categorized into three groups: anatomical, analytical or molecular biological techniqueseach with its own set of advantages and limitations.

Identification methods which use the aid of microscope technology look for distinct characteristics of the wood anatomy including tissues and cells. It is also the group of methods most commonly used.

However, this method requires trained specialists, the appropriate equipment and can typically only provide meaningful conclusions at the genus level. In addition, wood anatomy cannot tell us where a piece of wood comes from.

Looking to genetics

This is where genomics come into play. To determine the species identity and the geographic origin of a logged tree, researchers take advantage of evolution.

A few key factors make genetic identification possible.

Firstly, there are clear genetic differences between distinct species. Secondly, the closer the relationship between individualsin this case treesthe more genetically similar they are, while the more removed the individuals are the less genetic information is shared.

Therefore, it is possible to assign an individual to a "local population" based on its genetic fingerprint, sharing parts of its genetic makeup with that population and, consequently, also the specific region where it originates from. This method is called population genetics.

The power of population genetics lies in its ability to identify groups of individuals that share a certain amount of genetic information that can be used to assign individuals to a species or a geographic region. The same methods can be used for humans to find unknown relatives or trace back the ethnic origin of your ancestors.

To reliably assign individuals, a variety of genetic markers is needed, varying between species and local populations.

In Canada, the first successful use of genetic material to conduct forensic testing on trees was pioneered by geneticist Eleanor White who succeeded in tracing a wood log directly to the specific stump of an 800-year-old cedar tree in Western Canada left behind after its illegal felling.

White's success demonstrates the power of genomic identification in regulating the timber trade.

Developing new systems

Genomic sequencing in combination with genetic data analyses gained public traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, as these were used to identify an outbreak of a new virus variant and trace its origin.

Current research in wood forensics is using similar tools to assign an individual to a source population with high accuracy. Since genetic analyses can be costly, genetic databases of previously studied species are compiled and used as test data to determine the best and most reliable analytical method.

The aim is to create a simple traceability system for timber products that border officials can implement quickly and easily. This should help stop the sale of illegally harvested timber and hold those responsible to account.

The long-term goal is to make it more difficult to sell illegally harvested timber in Canada and thus contribute to the protection of valuable forests. In addition, traceability can certify areas in Canada which are sustainably managed, making it easier for consumers to support sustainable forest management practices.

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The number of lemmings (Lemmus lemmus) in the mountains can fluctuate sharply from one year to the next. Years when populations explode are called lemming years. These population explosions are important for many other species. More predators and birds of prey, for example, do better and often have more offspring than usual when there are plenty of lemmings around.

"For a number of species, we find that the population size, meaning the number of animals of one species in an area, changes according to a cyclical pattern. We regularly see that there is population growth up to a peak, followed by a crash, that is a rapid decline in the population size," says Aline Magdalena Lee.

She is a researcher at the Gjrevoll Center for Future Analyses of Biodiversity and an Associate Professor at the Department of Biology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Population growth towards the peak can happen very rapidly or more gradually. The same pattern repeats time after time in a recurring cycle. In lemmings, these fluctuations seemingly occurred regularly three to four years apart with huge peaks and deep dives in fluctuations called cyclic fluctuations.

However, some researchers now fear that more time is passing between each lemming year. But is that true?

Lemming years are not a thing of the past

"It might seem like the time between population peaks has lengthened, but it is actually quite hard to assess. In the 1990s and early 2000s, there was an extended period of no lemming years and a lot of people were worried that the phenomenon had come to an end, perhaps due to climate change," Lee said, noting that this is not something she has conducted research on herself.

But the cycles have changed again, at least in some parts of the country.

"The fluctuations do not need to be synchronous across Norway as a whole. Often they are not and the peaks might happen in the south one year and in the north another year," Lee said.

There will always be some natural variation in population fluctuations. When peaks happen every three or four years on average, there has to be a fairly long time series, that is many years of data, in order to tell whether the pattern has changed with regard to how frequently the peaks occur or how significant they are.

"There are also greater variations in the number of lemmings in some areas than others and it is hard to predict how things will develop," she said.

Lemming years important for several species

But why are these fluctuations important?

"The fluctuations are part of a complicated natural system that has developed and adapted over a very long period. The system has therefore adapted to the fluctuations and other species can depend on them. If they change, it can affect the entire food chain," Lee explains.

Lemmings are considered one of the key species in Nordic mountains. They are an important food source for many predators.

"Good access to this food source is absolutely essential for many species so that they can raise their young," says Lee.

Some species reproduce almost exclusively in years with large populations of small rodents

Some species, such as the arctic fox and snowy owl, reproduce almost exclusively in years with high levels of small rodents. Other species have more and larger litters in such years.

The snowy owl will often travel over large areas in search of good nesting conditions and can therefore be completely absent in years when there are few small rodents around. As these are species with relatively long lifespans, the population can be maintained with good reproduction years every three or four years.

"However, if the peaks were to vanish completely, it would be difficult for these species to survive. When there are few small rodents around, the predators need to find other prey to survive. This affects the populations of other small prey in the mountains, such as grouse.

Years when there are large amounts of lemming also affect vegetation in the mountains. This can be important for germination and the biodiversity of plants.

Changes in the population fluctuations can therefore have major consequences with ripple effects that can be hard to predict.

Certain predators fluctuate in relation to lemmings, with a delay

In predatorprey cycles, we can see the same pattern for prey and predators or birds of prey for which the prey is the main food source.

But the fluctuations have shifted in relation to one another and the predator peaks are occurring after the prey peaks. That is not so strange when you realize why.

"This is because a peak in prey population results in a large supply of food for the predator and with it good conditions for breeding. This is why we experience a significant growth in the predator population after such peak years," Lee said.

For the prey, the peak years are characterized by strong competition for food and resources. Many prey will die quickly. Stress and infectious disease can also play a part.

"As the predator population grows, the prey will experience more predation and the overall result is that the prey population crashes," Lee says.

In turn, this leads to food shortages for the predator. And the predator population declines again. With fewer predators and less competition, the prey population grows again and the cycle repeats itself. The snowshoe hare and lynx in North America are a classic example that has been widely studied.

Many factors at play

In practice, it is still difficult to determine exactly what controls dynamic population fluctuations in various species. There are nearly always multiple species involved and there are many possible factors at play affecting the natural system.

Each prey species constitutes a source of food for several predator species and predators feed on more than just one prey. There are also many things happening at the same time that can play a part.

"When we experience the really big lemming peaks in lemming years, it is often linked to the fact that lemming can breed under the snow and climate and snow conditions can also have a major impact on lemming dynamics in various areas."

In addition, plants can react to high levels of grazing by producing anti-grazing agents, which can have an additional impact on prey populations.

"I don't have the exact answer as to what it is that controls the lemming cycles. But it is most probably a combination of various factors, with predators being one of the most important factors," says Lee.
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Inside a fish brain: the novel chemical labeling method makes use of distinguishable fluorescent dyes, here magenta and blue, to record cellular activities for later analysis. Credit: MPI for Medical Research

In living cells, a vast number of transient events occur simultaneously, each of them important for a given cell in carrying out its function. The faithful recording of these transient activities is a prerequisite for a molecular understanding of life, yet obtaining such recordings is extremely challenging.

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg and their collaboration partners have created a novel technology that allows cellular events to be recorded through chemical labeling with fluorescent dyes for later analysis, opening up completely new ways to study cellular physiology. The new method has now been published in Science.

The recording of transient cellular events plays a decisive role in examining and understanding biological processes, yet it presents significant technical challenges. An ideal recording method would observe large populations of cells simultaneously, would work in the test tube and in living animals, and would allow the recorded observations to be retrieved and analyzed at a later time. So far, methods that meet these criteria have been largely lacking: a gap that the new technology could now bridge.

"Our technology is based on a recorder protein which becomes irreversibly labeled with a fluorescent dye when an event of interest occurs in its vicinity," explains Magnus-Carsten Huppertz, postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemical Biology at the MPI for Medical Research. "This enables scientists to study very large numbers of cells in parallel  in vivo or in vitro."

Distinguishable substrates record successive periods of activity

The team, led by Kai Johnsson and Julien Hiblot, designed proteins that become labeled when a specific cellular activity and a fluorescent substrate are simultaneously present. The washing-in and the washing-out of the substrate defines the recording period, while the cellular activity determines the degree of the labeling. Moreover, by using distinguishable substrates, different phases within a period of activity can be recorded.

Color-coded cell activity in a fly brain. Credit: MPI for Medical Research

In their studies, constructed recorders for three different processes of central interest: receptor activation, protein-protein interactions and changes in calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration. The latter was employed to study the heterogeneity of Ca2+ changes in cellular networks derived from glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor.

In close collaboration with the groups of Lisa Fenk and Herwig Baier at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Martinsried, the authors successfully recorded patterns of neuronal activity in flies and zebrafish.

"In the end, we have developed such a versatile recording platform for the parallel analysis of numerous simultaneous transient cellular events in vitro and in vivo," concludes Jonas Wilhelm, postdoctoral researcher at in the same department.

The main challenge the scientists faced during their work was to refine the newly developed recorder platform to ensure its robustness and efficient performance across a range of biological model systems. To explore the use of this new technology under various conditions, they established a variety of composite experimental arrangements.

"We are excited to provide new molecular tools with the potential to enable new types of experiments and accelerate research across different fields such as neurobiology and oncology," say Magnus-Carsten Huppertz and Jonas Wilhelm. "We were lucky to be able to collaborate with scientists from different disciplines to make this new technology possible."

In addition to the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University, Janelia Research Campus, Virginia, U.S., and Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland contributed to the work.

More information: Magnus-Carsten Huppertz et al, Recording physiological history of cells with chemical labeling, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adg0812

Provided by Max-Planck-Institut fur medizinische Forschung
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Last week, wildfire burned through 650 hectares of forest and scrub in Christchurch's Port Hills. This is not the first time the area has faced a terrifying wildfire event.

The 2017 Port Hills fires burnt through almost 2,000 hectares of land, claiming one life and 11 homes. It took 66 days before the fires were fully extinguished.

It is clear New Zealand stands at a pivotal juncture. The country faces an increasingly severe wildfire climate. And our once relatively "safe" regions are now under threat.

At all levels of government, New Zealand needs to consider whether our current investment to combat fires will be enough in the coming decades.

Our research integrating detailed climate simulations with daily observations reveals a stark forecast: an uptick in both the frequency and intensity of wildfires, particularly in the inland areas of the South Island.

It is time to consider what this will mean for Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), and how a strategic calibration of resources, tactics and technologies will help New Zealand confront this emerging threat.

The climate drivers of wildfires

Last year was the warmest year on record by a large margin. And with El Nino at full throttle into 2024, conditions in late-summer Aotearoa New Zealand are hot and dry. There is also plenty of vegetation fuel from the departing wet La Nina.

The tinder-dry scrub and grass vegetation in the Port Hillsan area that was around 30% above "extreme" drought fire danger thresholdsdrove the flammability of the region. And on February 13, when the latest fires started, a strong gusty northwesterly wind was blowing 4050kph with exceptionally dry relative humidity values.

These conditions resulted in the extreme wildfire behavior. Only the rapid and coordinated response of FENZ on the ground and in the air prevented this fire from becoming much worse.

While conditions are already bad, our study revealed a concerning trend: the widespread emergence of a new wildfire climate, with regions previously unaffected by "very extreme" wildfire conditions now facing unprecedented threats.

The most severe dangers are projected for areas like the Mackenzie Country, upper Otago and Marlborough, where conditions similar to Australia's "Black Summer" fires could occur every three to 20 years.

This shift is not merely an environmental concern, it is a socioeconomic one. The increased threat of wildfires will affect communities, the government's tree-planting initiatives and financial investments in carbon forests.

Enhanced resources and agile response

New Zealand's firefighting strategy emphases speed and maneuverability, especially in the initial attack phase, to prevent wildfires from escalating into large-scale disasters.

Approximately NZ$10 million is allocated annually to general firefighting aviation services, translating into around 11,000 flight hours. The aerial battle over the Port Hills peaked on Thursday and Friday. This effort cost over $1 million, with up to 15 helicopters active over the two days.

FENZ operations are primarily funded by property insurance levies. However, with the severity and frequency of wildfires on the rise, it may be necessary to review this funding model to match the evolving risk portfolio.

Climate change is already driving insurance retreata phenomenon whereby coastal properties are unable to renew their insurance due sea level rise. It is plausible insurance companies could take a similar stance in extremely fire-prone areas.

The agility of FENZ and associated rural fire teams, coupled with the investment and integration of advanced technologies and modeling for better wildfire prediction and management, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of firefighting efforts.

Policy adjustments and community engagement

Adjustments in policy and regulatory frameworks are also crucial in mitigating wildfire risks, and should be explored by experts.

To significantly reduce the ignition of new fires, there needs to be greater implementation of restrictions on access, and banning of high-risk activities, when areas are under "extreme fire risk".

Moreover, community engagement and preparedness initiatives are vital. One successful example is Mt Iron, Wanaka, where a model was developed after interviews, focus groups and workshops with residents identified wildfire risk awareness and mitigation actions.

Educating vulnerable communities about their wildfire risks and preparedness strategies can also enhance community resilience and safety.

The emergence of a more severe wildfire climate in New Zealand calls for a unified response, integrating increased investment in FENZ, strategic planning and community involvement.

By embracing a multifaceted approach that includes technological innovation, enhanced resource, and community empowerment, New Zealand can navigate the complexities of this new era with resilience and foresight.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Assessing the effectiveness of international aid across Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country and an archipelago of around 17,000 islands, is no easy task. But that has not deterred Singapore Management University Assistant Professor of Political Science (Education), Nathan Peng.

In his paper, "Political Equality and Aid Efficacy: Infrastructure Distribution and Development Aid Effectiveness in Indonesia," which is currently a working draft but has already been presented at several academic events, Professor Peng proposes a novel way to measure political accountability through the distribution of public infrastructure.

"I'm using infrastructure distribution as a signal of local politics," he says. "That's the novel approach."

So why focus on a country as large as Indonesia? Professor Peng says it is diverse yet has a common institutional base. "It holds many constants and yet is a plethora of social, political, and economic contexts all in one country."

"The great thing about Indonesia is that the federal government decides the budget and leaves it up to local governments to decide what to do with it. This means that any diverging outcomes we see in infrastructure distribution are because of local politics, not because of different levels of resourcing or differences in national law. So that neatly isolates the local politics that I want to study."

In the paper, he cites previous research that highlights how political elites are more likely to use resources such as roads, schools, and health facilities in the public interest and foster economic growth when they need the support of a greater proportion of their population to stay in power.

The paper examines 'if the same logic can be applied to international aid; that is, whether development assistance fosters more economic progress when allocated to regions with greater political equality."

"After almost a century now, since the Second World War, we've been trying to foster development in countries that we think lag behind. So the answer I eventually landed on was politics: how we organize ourselves, what we believe in, who makes the decisions, and who follows through with those decisions and why? That's what drives economic growth."

The paper focuses on 'a specific aspect of local politics: constituency breadth," that is, the breadth of constituents you're accountable to, to stay in power.

The World Bank, which has been providing development aid for decades, has not "figured out how to compare different political contexts objectively," Professor Peng says. "What I'm doing here is really to come up with a way to begin doing that and the approach I took was to look at outcomes that reflect local politics, the distribution of roads."

"The prevailing research generally looks at public spending and how well public funds are utilized," Professor Peng says. "And the general consensus is that if you give it to an elite which has a narrow support base that it needs to stay in power, then generally that elite is going to squander the money just to please that narrow support base and leave the rest to languish."

'Aid's overall impact is ambiguous'

Professor Peng believes the World Bank's strategy of giving to the poorest regions in Indonesia makes sense even though this makes the impact of aid somewhat ambiguous and uncertain.

The World Bank's mandate is poverty alleviation and so it makes sense to help poor regions, he says. "Unfortunately, the areas that might best use the aid, where you might see more growth in absolute terms, is not where the aid is going and I think that's a good thing because you want to bring everyone up to the same level rather than helping areas with the most potential and then you're creating greater inequality within the country. That might not be desirable."

"My other finding is that I expected that giving to more politically equal regions would lead to better use of aid money and resources, but that is not what I found. Ironically, when you give aid to politically more unequal regions, you see more growth. And that's the result I wanted to warn against as well. Just because you see a better result doesn't mean you should do it. They really do need to take local politics into account to avoid doing more harm than good."

As someone who had previously worked for Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry, as well as the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Professor Peng believes it would be hard to design systems that can work around this 'conundrum," where one might have to give up on KPIs "to do real good" that cannot be measured in numbers, at least not quickly.

The scope of his study was ambitious, given the vast expanse of the country. In terms of methodology, Professor Peng took both a qualitative and quantitative approach, interviewing a wide range of experts and then examining satellite data and imagery. "Given that the data quality in developing countries is generally pretty bad, I thought using satellite data would help work around many of the problems we have as practitioners."

"When I spoke to civil engineers, infrastructural and political experts in Indonesia, I wanted to confirm two things: if roads disappear after a few years from satellite imagery and if local political leaders had sway over infrastructure decisions. So, I wanted to make sure it was politics driving the results and not anything else. That's why I took both a qualitative and quantitative approach."

It might sound odd to see if roads 'disappear," but it is important to understand whose decisions are responsible for existing roads. The World Bank acknowledges that corruption is a problem in Indonesia and if corruption had been involvedand for Professor Peng "corruption has a very strong political element"roads may not have been built in the first place as the money may have been siphoned off. And even if roads had been built, they may not have been maintained properly and subsequently became overgrown due a lack of funding.

Based on what Professor Peng calls a 'proof in the pudding approach, focusing on the outcome of political machinations," the paper presents a 'starkly different picture from what the rich literature on constituency breadth and winning coalitions would lead us to expect. If aid dollars behaved like government funds, they should then be more efficiently used when allocated to politicians who are accountable to more of their constituents, as opposed to being squandered as political pork for the few. Yet that is not what we observe."

The paper goes on to say, "What is unexpected is the finding that more politically unequal regions are associated with higher growth rates after aid is disbursed."

The findings of the study are, the paper states, 'complex." First, with aid directed to poorer regions rather than regions which could use the aid more efficiently, the paper points out that 'outcomes that at first appear to be economically sub-optimal might in fact represent genuine progress."

Second, while giving aid to regions with politically repressive leaders might 'do more to unlock economic potential' and lay the foundation 'for their eventual removal by empowering the politically marginalized," the relationship between economic growth and political representation is 'far from linear."

Finally, while aid might be able to unlock economic potential, this is 'by no means guaranteed. Aid's overall impact is still ambiguous."

The paper concludes, "Overall, these results suggest a potential conundrum for donors, where giving money to more politically unequal regions might generate more economic development in the short term, but with the potential downside of solidifying the positions of more repressive political elites. What is clear, however, is that measuring the proportion of constituents elites believe to be required for maintaining power will help us make more precise estimates of how development aid fosters economic growth."
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has notified counterparts at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division that they believe the state may be allowing Georgia Power to store toxic coal ash in ways that are "less protective" than federal standards require.

The EPA's concerns, detailed in a letter dated February 13, are the most significant sign yet that federal officials are closely scrutinizing Georgia Power's plans for permanently disposing of millions of tons of coal ash left around the state, the product of decades of burning coal for power.

Ash contains toxic metals like lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic, which have been linked to cancers and other serious illnesses and can contaminate water and soil, if mishandled. Coal ash is a common additive in concrete mixes, which safely locks the material away.

The EPA letter, which was shared with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, was sent by Jeaneanne Gettle, the agency's acting administrator in Region 4, which includes Georgia, seven other Southeastern states and six federally recognized tribes. It was addressed to Georgia EPD Director Jeff Cown.

Georgia Power has coal ash stored around the state in 12 landfills and 29 ash ponds, watery lagoons where the material is submerged to keep it from blowing away. Georgia is one of only three states allowed to oversee ash pond closures after EPA found the state's program incorporated all federal rules.

The EPA's worries stem from a final closure permit EPD issued last November for an ash pond at Plant Hammond, a coal-fired power station outside Rome that was shuttered in 2019. The pond, known as Ash Pond 3, contains more than 1.1 million cubic yards of toxic ash on the banks of the Coosa River.

Georgia's permitted plans for Ash Pond 3 call for the material to be capped by a heavy-duty plastic cover, followed by synthetic drainage material and 18 inches of soil and vegetation. Later, solar panels will be installed over the site. The pond has no bottom liner and toxic ash will remain in contact with groundwater, permanently, even after the site is closed.

It was not immediately clear whether the closure work at the site has been completed.

Federal rules require that coal ash ponds be closed to prevent liquids from coming into contact with the waste to the "maximum extent feasible," among other stipulations. In its letter, EPA says it believes the plans for coal ash, also known as coal combustion residuals (CCR), at Ash Pond 3 fall short of the requirements.

"The Agency is unaware of a circumstance where these standards could be, or have been, met when the waste in a closed, unlined impoundment remains in contact with groundwater that freely migrates in and out of the CCR remaining in the closed unit," the EPA's letter reads.

The agency also outlined deficiencies in the groundwater monitoring network installed around the site, and expressed concern that several limestone "voids" beneath the pond were not fully investigated and could allow contaminants to escape.

The EPA said it met with Georgia environmental officials before the final permit was issued and outlined these concerns, but EPD moved forward anyway. At the end of the letter, Gettle, the regional EPA administrator, suggested the two agencies meet soon to discuss the matter.

The AJC has reached out to EPD for reaction. An EPD spokesperson confirmed they had received the request for comment and were preparing a response but did not provide it in time for publication.

Georgia Power spokesman John Kraft said the company is aware of the EPA letter.

"At Georgia Power, we continue to work to ensure that our ash pond closure plans are protective of the environment and the communities we serve," Kraft said.

Environmental groups, who for years have argued that Georgia Power's plans at some facilities were inadequate, called for action in the wake of the letter.

"As EPA makes it abundantly clear, these waste pits can't comply with the federal and state requirements if they remain in groundwater," said Chris Bowers, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. "EPD can still correct course, or risk delegitimizing its state permit program further."

Next door in Alabama, the EPA recently proposed denying that state's request to oversee its own coal ash disposal program. Its decision was made, in part, because the agency found Alabama's permitting did not require facilities to adequately prevent and monitor for groundwater infiltration.

Other groups called for the federal government to take similar action and claw back Georgia's license to permit its ash ponds.

"We're excited to see this step from EPA and hope the agency will begin the process of revoking Georgia's authority to manage coal ash if EPD continues to ignore federal regulations," said Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman, executive director and riverkeeper at the Coosa River Basin Initiative.

2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Yale University

How long it takes for cells to close a fruit fly's wound can tell us a lot about the healing process in the early developmental stages of humans, and potentially treatments that prevent long-term damage.

For a study published as a letter in Physical Review Research, a research team led by Prof. Corey O'Hern used previously published experimental data to develop computer simulations to describe how cells respond to wounds in fruit fly wings at the embryonic and larval stages.

In both stages, extracellular matrix forms encircle the wound, and then shrinkpulling on the cells like a purse string to close the wound. It turns out that in the embryonic stage, though, wound healing happens a lot quicker than in later stages.

"What we noticed is that at the earlier developmental stage the wound closes much faster," said O'Hern, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, physics and applied physics.

That shorter response time, the researchers believe, is a life-preserving effect. That is, a wound that goes unhealed for a longer amount of time at an earlier stage might lead to big problems later on during development.

"A long time lag in wound healing could cause developmental delays and dysmorphic tissue changes," he said. "Whereas in later stages of development, perhaps the organism can tolerate the wound over longer times and still develop normally."

Credit: Yale University

But the speedy healing process comes at a cost. The researchers compared the conditions of the healed tissues in the embryonic and larval stages, and found that the cells in the earlier, embryonic stage are more elongated, leading to flower-shaped healed wounds.

"When the purse string closes rapidly, the cells have to stretch," O'Hern said. "The cells are all adhered to the edges of the purse string, so when the purse string shrinks and closes the wound, the cells must stretch. And this rapid closure causes the cells near the wound to become much thinner and elongated than they were originally."

The cells also stretch during the healing process in the larval stages, but with more time to do so, they can relax back into their original shapes.

A key to this discovery was the computer model the researchers developed for the study. Most computer models of epithelial tissuesthe outer regions of organsconsider the tissue as a single entity. The O'Hern team's model treats the tissue as a collection of individual, deformable cells.

"So with our new model we can ask 'How stiff is each cell? How mobile is each cell? And what's the shape of each cell?'all independent of the other cells. Prior models have treated epithelial tissue as a single object with each cell strongly coupled to all other cells."

This new research leads to new questions. For instance, the researchers don't know the specific microscopic mechanism that causes the cells to return to their original pre-wounded shapes.

Additional research can identify the chemical signaling process and associated biophysical mechanism that triggers the cell shape relaxation.

More research in this area, O'Hern said, could lead to the development of a drug or other stimulus that helps human embryonic cells return to their original shapes in response to wounding as they do in later developmental stages, which would have important implications for possibly healing congenital disorders.

More information: Andrew T. Ton et al, Mechanical plasticity of cell membranes enhances epithelial wound closure, Physical Review Research (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.6.L012036 Journal information: Physical Review Research
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Infographic showcasing the differences in jaw functional anatomy and body size and the potential ecological inferences found in the study of more mammal-like behaviors among ancient predatory synapsids. Credit: Artwork - Suresh A. Singh. Insert - Kruger Sightings HD.

The evolutionary success of the first large predators on land was driven by their need to improve as killers, researchers at the University of Bristol and the Open University suggest.

The forerunners of mammals ruled the Earth for about 60 million years, long before the origin of the first dinosaurs. They diversified as the top predators on land between 315251 million years ago.

Researchers studied the jaw anatomy and body size of carnivorous synapsids, using these traits to reconstruct the likely feeding habits of these ancient predators and chart their ecological evolution through time. They found a major shift in synapsid jaw function roughly 270 million years ago linked to a significant shift in predatory behavior that has important implications for the evolution of our earliest ancestors.

The paper, "Predatory synapsid ecomorphology signals growing dynamism of late Palaeozoic terrestrial ecosystems," is published in the journal Communications Biology.

As herbivores grew larger and faster, carnivores adapted to become bigger and better predators to survive.

"Earlier synapsid predators such as the famous sail-backed Dimetrodon, had fairly long jaws with lots of teeth to ensure that once they ensnared their prey, it wouldn't escape," explained lead author Dr. Suresh Singh based in Bristol's School of Earth Sciences.

"However, we saw a shift in jaw function toward shorter jaws with greater muscle efficiency and fewer teeth that were concentrated at the front of the jawthese were jaws adapted to deliver deep, powerful bites.

"The change shows that later synapsid carnivores placed more emphasis on heavily injuring and so more quickly killing their prey. Among these later synapsids were the very first sabertoothed carnivores. This change highlights that predators were facing new selective pressures from their prey."

This finding provides important context for a key step in synapsid evolution. "The reorganization of synapsid jaws through this time has long been known as a big step towards the evolution of mammals," added Dr. Armin Elsler, a collaborator on the study.

"These changes don't just make the jaw more efficient; they also mark the very earliest redevelopment of the jaw that also created the complex ear found in mammals. What drove this first step? Our study suggests that it was partly driven by ecological pressures from their prey."

The ecofunctional focus of synapsid carnivore functional feeding groups. Credit: Communications Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05879-2

Co-author Dr. Tom Stubbs said, "The timing of the shift in jaw function corresponds with the evolution of new larger, faster herbivores that would have posed a greater challenge for predators to tackle.

"The risks to carnivores of getting injured or killed went up, so some synapsid carnivores became bigger, better killers to overcome these risks."

This shift reflects a new dynamism in predator-prey interactions that shows that life on land was moving more quickly.

"The late Paleozoic was the time when animals first began to live, eat and reproduce entirely on land," said Professor Mike Benton, a co-supervisor on the study

"They became fully terrestrial, colonizing new habitats and exploiting new resources further inland from the aquatic environments they'd previously relied on.

"Our findings show how the selective pressures on these early land animals changed as they became better adapted for life on landcatching another animal that can move fast and grow to larger sizes is much more difficult than catching a slippery little fish or amphibian."

Professor Emily Rayfield also co-supervised the study. She added, "Predator-prey interactions are an important driver of animal behavior today so it's quite something to see that influence through anatomical evolution over millions of years, and find that they are potentially responsible for driving some big leaps in our own evolutionary history.

"It highlights how paleontologists can use the relationship between form and function to explore how different prehistoric animals may have lived, which can tell us so much about the evolution of life on Earth."

The researchers also found that synapsid carnivore morphological diversity increased following the shift, with the addition of new functional groups adapted for either faster biting speeds or even more powerful bites through the mid-late Permianaround 265251 million years ago. By assessing how the sizes of these new carnivore species compared within different communities through time, they realized these communities may have begun to closely resemble those of modern carnivorous mammals.

More information: Suresh A. Singh et al, Predatory synapsid ecomorphology signals growing dynamism of late Palaeozoic terrestrial ecosystems, Communications Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05879-2
'Old friends' in US hail benefits of bond with Xi

10:13, February 23, 2024 By May Zhou ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Editor's note: China Daily is publishing a series of stories reviewing President Xi Jinping's visits at home and abroad in the past decade, to showcase his vision for development in China and the world.

President Xi Jinping meets and poses for a group photo with representatives of friendly personages before attending Welcome Dinner by Friendly Organizations in the United States, in San Francisco, the United States, Nov 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Traveling from the American Midwest to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in California in November provided an opportunity to discuss how the United States and China can successfully work together, said Bob Holden, chairman and president of the US Heartland China Association.

Holden, along with the association's strategic adviser, Kenneth Quinn, and its executive director, Min Fan, were among a group of "old friends" invited to meet with Xi. They shared their thoughts on the meeting in an online discussion on Tuesday.

Holden said he had pleasant interactions with several people from China during the event.

"I read his (Xi's) speech on the way back to Missouri. (It was) very thoughtful, very insightful, and I think it very much focused on how we build a bridge that works for everybody going forward," Holden said.

He encouraged people to get a copy of the speech that Xi gave in California "so that they can hear his words and his thought process". "I think we can build this foundation by looking at it from a win-win situation, not a win-versus-loss situation," he said.

Quinn, who is also president emeritus of The World Food Prize Foundation, said Xi's experiences have played a significant role in shaping China's approach to the US. Xi first visited the state of Iowa in 1985 as a county-level official from Hebei province.

"There is not going to be any future leader who will have had the kind of dramatic impact that President Xi had ... as a young man to Iowa," Quinn said.

Xi gave his old friends  many of whom are from Iowa  extra attention in California by having a private reception with them before a dinner banquet, where more than 200 other people from the US business community joined them, Quinn said.

Quinn said that Sarah Lande, who hosted Xi in 1985 in the Iowa city of Muscatine, sat at the head table with the president, along with a veteran member of the Flying Tigers, the group of US volunteer pilots who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese in fighting Japanese aggression during World War II.

Through the seating arrangement, Xi "made the point that US-China relations were built upon these person-to-person and people-to-people relationships", Quinn said.

Fan said, "I think he truly enjoyed meeting his old friends."

Quinn and Fan said they were particularly struck by the fact that Xi talked about his own experiences in China's countryside when he was 15, and how that shaped his views toward eliminating rural poverty.

"When he talked about spending seven years in the countryside, he went off script. He talked about how much he really cared about people. I could feel that genuine emotion coming through," Fan said.

The three online panelists said that, in his speech, Xi asked, "Are we adversaries or partners?", and he said he wanted the two sides to be partners.

Quinn, who visited China twice in 2023, said China had initiated a series of programs in the past year to improve relations. He said that the US should have a discussion about how to answer the question that Xi asked.

"I believe that China is worried that the US and China are on a course to be adversaries, and that will lead potentially to some significant conflict, and they want the record to be clear if that happens, that they said, we can be partners, we can be friends," Quinn said. "So I thought the speech deserved a lot more attention than the American press gave it and that it was very significant for that reason."

Susan Thornton, the US Heartland China Association's vice-chair and moderator of the discussion, said the US needs to find ways to partner with China on a lot of things, because the two countries are the biggest global actors by far in areas such as economy, military, science and technology.

"I don't know if people are very aware of really how intertwined we are, how co-dependent we are in many, many areas, and how we're going to need to work together to solve a lot of the big challenges that the world faces," Thornton said.

Citing the concerns generated in the US by the economic rise of Japan in the 1980s, Thornton said national confidence could play a role in the current dynamic of US-China relations.

"I just hope that Americans can get confident enough to see that, basically, China is not a threat to our status, and our competitiveness, and our idea of ourselves," Thornton said. "We can both find a place in the world that satisfies our idea of ourselves, find that common ground and win-win place."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Annie is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. She previously was a digital producer for The Chronicles Datebook section. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2017 with a degree in journalism. During her time there, she spearheaded a culture column, produced radio pieces for NPR-affiliate station KCBX, and was a DJ and writer for KCPR, the campus radio station. Before joining the Chronicle, she was an associate producer at SFGATE and interned at VICE and Flood Magazine. Shes particularly interested in communities and scenes that are often misunderstood.

She can be reached at avainshtein@sfchronicle.com.
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Relationships of (a) testis volume (back-transformed from log scale), (b) the presence/absence of paternal care, and (c) the presence/absence of humeral spines as response variables with the other two traits and log SVL as predictors. Top left, male of Hyalinobatrachium valerioi caring for clutches (Photo: Jaime Culebras). Top right, male of Espadarana prosoblepon with the humeral spine (Photo: Francesca Angiolani). Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0054

A small international team of animal behavior researchers has found that species of glass frogs whose males help care for offspring tend to have smaller testes than species whose males do not help care for offspring. In their study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group went into the tropical rain forests in Ecuador and Brazil to study the behavior of glass frogs over the course of several months.

Prior research has shown that in some species of glass frogs (so named because the skin on their belly is transparent), males help females care for and protect offspring. In this new study, the researchers wondered what biological differences might account for the different behaviors between species.

To find out, they ventured into the rainforest on multiple occasions to find and study as many glass frog species as they could locate from many sites. They were able to identify 37 unique speciesof those, 11 represented species whose males helped care for the young.

In taking a closer look at any biological differences between those species with males that care for their young and those that do not, they found a difference in relative size of the testes. Those species whose males cared for offspring developed smaller testes.

The findings offer an example of a reproductive trade-offin this case, between testes size and paternal care. They note that with glass frogs, the eggs laid by the female are not fertilized until they have been laid. That makes them fair game for any male who happens to pass by.

Species whose males help to care for the young are demonstrating two behaviors to ensure that their genes are the ones that are passed on. First, by getting to the eggs before other males and fertilizing them, the male ensures this his genes are in play. Second, by helping to take care of the eggs, he helps to make sure that they have a better chance of hatching, growing and reproducing on their own.

More information: Anyelet Valencia-Aguilar et al, Evolutionary trade-offs between testes size and parenting in Neotropical glassfrogs, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0054 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B

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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The lack of meaningful action to tackle Britain's cold homes over the last decade has intensified existing inequalitieswith many millions of households now at the point of crisis, finds a new report from the UCL Institute of Health Equity (UCL IHE).

Produced as a follow-up to the 2011 report, The Health Impacts of Cold Homes and Fuel Poverty, the new analysis used data from the government's English Housing Survey and found that 9.6 million U.K. households are currently living in poorly insulated homes (Energy Performance Certificate D or below), with incomes below the minimum level at which an acceptable standard of living is affordable. This means having enough money to pay for decent housing, enough heating and the basic essentials of life.

Led by the UCL IHE on behalf of Friends of the Earth, the new report, "Left out in the cold: the hidden health costs of Britain's cold homes," comes just weeks after the Labor Party reduced its spending commitment to tackle the cold homes crisis, if voted in at the next election.

Meanwhile, the current government's spending pledge of 6billion over the next parliament, falls even further short of the urgent investment needed to address the scale of the problem.

Director of the UCL IHE, Professor Sir Michael Marmot, said, "That there are millions, in a rich country like ours, living in cold homes is a national disgrace. One third of all households in the U.K., 9.6 million, can't afford a decent standard of living and are in poorly insulated homes.

"Cold homes are a public health hazard: those living in them have a much higher risk of developing poor physical and mental health, which is placing an additional burden onto an already overstretched NHS and contributing to the U.K.'s poor productivity.

"We need urgent action to address poverty, the cost of fuel and to insulate the homes of the poorest, not just because the government has a moral duty to look after the health of its population, but also, frankly, because it makes economic and environmental sense to do so."

The report highlights research that shows adults who experience prolonged cold temperatures at home double their risk of developing new mental health conditions, while the risk of exacerbating existing mental health issues triples.

Meanwhile, 1 in 4 (28%) children that live in cold homes are at risk of multiple mental health symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. Physical discomfort and negative health outcomes from the cold, financial stress, social isolation and loneliness are all thought to contribute to declining mental health.

Physical health is also negatively affected.

Professor Ian Sinha, pediatric lung consultant at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, said, "Whatever the outcome in childrenhealth, education, or emotional well-beingcold and substandard homes are toxic risk factors. Childhood is a time when the foundations of a person's body are laid down, and that is what they are left with for the rest of their life."

Researchers estimate that cold homes are costing the U.K. economy tens of billions of pounds per year, as a result of costs incurred to the NHS, mental health services, care costs and the lost economic contributions of those who develop illness associated with cold homes.

The team have calculated that a national scheme to insulate low-income U.K. homes to a suitable standard (EPC grade C and above), would cost in the region of 74.5bn. Using regulations to ensure landlords upgrade heat-leaking homes to a suitable standard would mean that not all of this has to come from the public purse, although tax incentives would ensure costs aren't passed onto tenants as higher rents.

Such a scheme should be part of a range of measures designed to eliminate cold homes, including higher wages, financial support for those on low incomes so they can afford to pay for heating, and a national drive to build more social homes in order to reduce housing costs and improve standards.

This investment is also essential for meeting legally-binding carbon reduction targets and international climate commitments.

Mike Childs, head of science, research and policy at Friends of the Earth, said, "There's no getting away from the enormity of the cold homes crisis and the impact it's having on millions of lives. This hard-hitting report should spur all political parties into action as we head towards the general electionboth the Conservatives and Labor have gone backwards over recent months on this critical issue.

"Given the sheer scale of the problem, we need to see transformative levels of investment and action, to stem the huge social and economic costs of cold homes and ensure our internationally agreed climate targets are met."

More information: Left out in the cold: the hidden health costs of Britain's cold homes. www.instituteofhealthequity.or  impact-of-cold-homes
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Tray of Anthonomus eugenii pupae. Credit: Jacob Basso, University of Guelph

For the first time, researchers in Canada have investigated the use of the sterile insect technique for controlling populations of the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii, an economically significant crop pest in North America.

The paper, published in Pest Management Science, revealed compelling findings on the use of gamma irradiation as a sterilization technique to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of pepper weevil management worldwide. The study was a collaboration between Bruce Power, Nordion Inc., the University of Guelph, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada.

A. eugenii poses a significant challenge to pepper growers across much of North America, causing millions of dollars worth of crop damage annually. The beetle larvae damage the flowers and immature fruit of capsicum plants, with infestations causing yield losses of up to 90%. Managing A. eugenii populations is particularly challenging as the development of beetle larvae takes place in the protective confines of pepper fruits.

Roselyne Labbe, Greenhouse Entomologist at Agriculture and Agri-Food, Canada, and corresponding author of the study, explained the challenges in identifying effective strategies to manage populations of A. eugenii. "In prior research, we found that few conventional, reduced-risk, or microbial pesticides could effectively knock down adult populations of the pepper weevil on greenhouse pepper crops."

Rows of bell peppers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Harrow Research and Development Centre, Harrow, Ontario. Credit: Jacob Basso, University of Guelph

"Even assessments of parasitoids (insects which can be used to control pest populations biologically) that attack larval stages of the pepper weevil had limitations, as they sometimes had trouble accessing hosts deep within the pepper fruit cavity," she said.

The team, led by Jacob Basso, a researcher at the University of Guelph, turned their attention to the sterile insect technique (SIT), a genetic control method where large numbers of sterile insects are released into the wild to reduce the reproductive success of the pest.

Labbe noted, "The sterile insect technique seemed promising as prior research was conducted with this technique for control of the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis), a congeneric of pepper weevil."

Key to a successful SIT program is the selection of an appropriate radiation dose for sterilization of the target species. The authors note, "It is critical to determine the minimum radiation dose at which insects are effectively sterilized but maintain their ability to successfully find and mate with wild individuals."

Pepper Weevil (Anthonomus eugenii). Credit: Jacob Basso, University of Guelph

An analysis of the effects of different gamma radiation doses on A. eugenii pupae revealed that irradiation of both males and females at 110 Gy resulted in completely sterile individuals that could not contribute to offspring production if released in field sites.

The researchers noted that the lifespan of the irradiated beetles at this dosage was reduced to under two weeks and therefore recommended that A. eugenii SIT programs should schedule repeated releases of sterile insects no more than two weeks apart, to compensate for their mortality.

For the sterile insect technique to become a viable A. eugenii management strategy for growers, numerous practical considerations need to be addressed. Labbe noted, "We still need to examine the dispersal capability of irradiated weevils in the field and, crucially, to evaluate sterile males for their mating competitiveness against non-irradiated male weevils."

Row of bell pepper plants. Credit: Jacob Basso, University of Guelph

The team now hopes to apply SIT to control other pests of horticultural crops. "There is still quite a bit of information lacking in these regards. We are, for instance, interested in applying this strategy for control of lepidopteran pests that routinely invade greenhouse crops," said Labbe.

More information: Jacob V Basso et al, Assessing the sterility and quality of gammairradiated pepper weevils, Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), toward the development of the sterile insect technique, Pest Management Science (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ps.7898 Journal information: Pest Management Science

Provided by Society of Chemical Industry
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Change in enrollment from 20192020 to 20202021. Raw changes are average enrollment changes from 20192020 to 20202021 while adjusted changes are relative to pre-existing trends in log enrollments from 20162020. Elementary = grades 15. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307308120

Student enrollment in districts that provided in-person schooling in fall 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic showed a greater decline among nonwhite students than white students.

But in districts that offered virtual learning, the opposite was true, according to a University of Michigan study.

The results, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, are consistent with the fact that communities of color faced greater risks from COVID-19 and reported less trust in medical and social institutions.

"The most likely explanation for our findings is that Blackand to a lesser extent Hispanicfamilies were more concerned about the health risks associated with in-person schooling than white families," said Brian Jacob, the Walter H. Annenberg Professor of Education Policy at U-M.

"This is consistent with the fact that nonwhite communities experienced higher mortality rates during COVID and reported less trust in social institutions even prior to the pandemic."

The study analyzed enrollment trends in U.S. public schools during the 202021 and 202122 school years, focusing on public school responses to COVID-19 policies and their impact on differing race/ethnicity groups.

Jacob and colleague Micah Baum, U-M doctoral student in public policy and economics, found that enrollment decline was greater in districts adopting more strict COVID-19 policies like virtual-only instruction and mask requirements.

Also, enrollment responses to COVID-19 policies differed significantly across different ages. Kindergarten and elementary children, for example, showed a larger decline in enrollment and higher sensitivity toward the mode of learning adopted.

The comprehensive study used data from more than 9,000 school districts, serving more than 90% of U.S. public school students, to examine the impact of COVID-19 policies on enrollments, with a specific focus on variations by student age and race/ethnicity.

"The findings illustrate the complex interplay between race, income and school policy," Jacob said. "Public school districts faced tremendous challenges navigating COVID-19, balancing health vs. educational concerns and accounting for changing conditions on the ground. But how families within the same district responded to pandemic schooling policy differed dramatically by race."

Still, according to the study, the racial differences in enrollments by learning modes persisted into 202122, although most public schools had resumed in-person learning.

The findings suggest various interpretations, the researchers say. One is that health concerns and perceived risks from COVID-19 might have significantly influenced enrollment decisions, particularly among nonwhite families.

For the researchers, the different enrollment responses across groups relate to preferences and resources.

"It is hard for us to disentangle these factors in our study completely," Jacob said. "We find not only that enrollment declines in in-person districts were larger for nonwhite families, but these families were also more sensitive to local COVID deaths. At the same time, these preferences differences may be due, in part, to differential resources that allow white families to better adapt to in-person schooling."

Considering that recent studies documented substantial learning loss among students who attended school virtually during 2020, Jacob's biggest concern is that these variations in enrollment responses might potentially exacerbate preexisting racial disparities.

"There is a good deal of evidence that virtual schooling was detrimental to student learning during COVID," he said. "And to the extent that nonwhite families were disproportionately likely to avoid in-person schooling, this will have exacerbated racial disparities in learning loss."

More information: Micah Y. Baum et al, Racial differences in parent response to COVID schooling policies, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307308120
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Artist impression of the quantum experiment. Credit: University of Southampton

Scientists are a step closer to unraveling the mysterious forces of the universe after working out how to measure gravity on a microscopic level.

Experts have never fully understood how the force that was discovered by Isaac Newton works in the tiny quantum world. Even Einstein was baffled by quantum gravity and, in his theory of general relativity, said there is no realistic experiment that could show a quantum version of gravity.

But now physicists at the University of Southampton, working with scientists in Europe, have successfully detected a weak gravitational pull on a tiny particle using a new technique.

They claim it could pave the way to finding the elusive quantum gravity theory.

The experiment, published in Science Advances, used levitating magnets to detect gravity on microscopic particlessmall enough to border on the quantum realm.

Lead author Tim Fuchs, from the University of Southampton, said the results could help experts find the missing puzzle piece in our picture of reality.

He added, "For a century, scientists have tried and failed to understand how gravity and quantum mechanics work together. Now we have successfully measured gravitational signals at a smallest mass ever recorded, it means we are one step closer to finally realizing how it works in tandem.

"From here we will start scaling the source down using this technique until we reach the quantum world on both sides. By understanding quantum gravity, we could solve some of the mysteries of our universelike how it began, what happens inside black holes, or uniting all forces into one big theory."

The rules of the quantum realm are still not fully understood by sciencebut it is believed that particles and forces at a microscopic scale interact differently than regular-sized objects.

Academics from Southampton conducted the experiment with scientists at Leiden University in the Netherlands and the Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies in Italy.

Their study used a sophisticated setup involving superconducting devices, known as traps, with magnetic fields, sensitive detectors and advanced vibration isolation. It measured a weak pull, just 30aN, on a tiny particle 0.43mg in size by levitating it in freezing temperatures a hundredth of a degree above absolute zeroabout 273 degrees Celsius.

The results open the door for future experiments between even smaller objects and forces, said Professor of Physics Hendrik Ulbricht also at the University of Southampton.

He added, "We are pushing the boundaries of science that could lead to new discoveries about gravity and the quantum world.

"Our new technique that uses extremely cold temperatures and devices to isolate vibration of the particle will likely prove the way forward for measuring quantum gravity.

"Unraveling these mysteries will help us unlock more secrets about the universe's very fabric, from the tiniest particles to the grandest cosmic structures."

More information: Tim Fuchs et al, Measuring gravity with milligram levitated masses, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2949. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adk2949 Journal information: Science Advances
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The JCU team surveyed 27 sites at the Keppel Islands, with most sites showing signs of bleaching and only deeper areas of reefs relatively unimpacted by heat stress. Credit: TropWATER/JCU

As ocean temperatures continue to warm over the Great Barrier Reef this summer, James Cook University scientists have reported areas of moderate to severe coral bleaching around the Keppel Islands offshore from Rockhampton.

The bleaching was observed during routine surveys as part of a 25-year program tracking changes in fish communities and coral reef habitats at 42 Great Barrier Reef islands. These islands are highly valued and frequented by tourists, recreational fishers, and local communities.

James Cook University's Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) scientist Dr. Maya Srinivasan said the water temperatures at the Keppel Islands were well above the summer average, reaching 29C in the water during multiple days of surveys.

"I have been working on these reefs for nearly 20 years, and I have never felt the water as warm as this," she said.

"Once we were in the water, we could instantly see parts of the reef that were completely white from severe bleaching. Some corals were already dying."

Heat stress is the primary cause of coral bleaching. While severely bleached corals will likely die if the water temperature remains higher than normal for too long, they can also recover if ocean temperatures stabilize.

The team surveyed 27 sites at the Keppel Islands, with most sites showing signs of bleaching and only deeper areas of reefs relatively unimpacted by heat stress.

"Although some corals were already dying, many of the corals could recover if the water cools in the coming weeks, and we did see the temperatures begin to drop towards the end of the trip."

The Keppel Islands is a highly visited island group in the Great Barrier Reef, used by tourists, locals, and recreational fishers. Decades of monitoring have shown coral reefs and fish communities at some reefs are resilient and have recovered from past bleaching events.

"We have seen fish abundance decline as coral cover declines in this region following past impacts like this. But we have also seen the recovery of coral and fish communities on many areas of the reefthere just needs to be enough time between impacts to allow this recovery to occur."

Dr. Srinivasan said that heat stress typically peaks in the summer months over the Great Barrier Reef. Should high temperatures persist, the likelihood of more widespread bleaching across other parts of the reef increases.

"Island reefs also face heightened vulnerability due to their inshore location, making them more susceptible to impacts like water quality issues, coral bleaching, and overfishing," she said.

"Given the high vulnerability of island reef habitats matched with their high use, it's important to have an understanding of the nuances of impacts and recoverythis will help managers adjust their management strategies."

The team will now survey reefs in the far northern Great Barrier Reef following extensive floods in January. Magnetic Island, near Townsville, and the Cumberland Islands, offshore from Mackay, will also be surveyed in the coming weeks.

The monitoring program includes more than 42 islands in eight key island locations from the far north to the southern Great Barrier Reef. The program also tracks the effectiveness of marine park zoning with survey sites in both no-take areas and areas open to fishing.

"Through rigorous monitoring, we aim to uncover insights into why certain reefs may exhibit slower recovery rates and why some fish populations might thrive on some reefs and not others."

"All this provides vital information for targeted intervention and management strategies."
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Seaweeds showing structural colour. Credit: BEEP

How could tiny antennae attached to tiny algae speed up the transition away from fossil fuels? This is one of the questions being studied by Cambridge researchers as they search for new ways to decarbonize our energy supply, and improve the sustainability of harmful materials such as paints and dyes.

Funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, the Bio-inspired and Bionic materials for Enhanced Photosynthesis (BEEP) project, led by Professor Silvia Vignolini in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, studied how marine organisms interact with light.

The four-year sustainable energy project brought together nine research groups from across Europe and drew its inspiration from nature, in particular from the marine world, where organisms including algae, corals and sea slugs have evolved efficient ways to convert sunlight into energy. Harnessing these properties could aid in the development of new artificial and bionic photosynthetic systems.

Some of the brightest and most colorful materials in naturesuch as peacock feathers, butterfly wings and opalsget their color not from pigments or dyes, but from their internal structure alone. The colors our eyes perceive originate from the interaction between light and nanostructures at the surface of the material, which reflect certain wavelengths of light.

As part of the BEEP project, the team studied structural color in marine species. Some marine algae species have nanostructures in their cell walls that can transmit certain wavelengths of visible light or change their structures to guide the light inside the cell. Little is known about the function of these structures, however. Scientists believe they might protect the organisms from UV light or optimize light harvesting capabilities.

The team studied the optical properties and light harvesting efficiency of a range of corals, sea-slugs, microalgae and seaweeds. By understanding the photonic and structural properties of these species, the scientists hope to design new materials for bio-photoreactors and bionic systems.

"We're fascinated by the optical effects performed by these organisms," said Maria Murace, a BEEP Ph.D. candidate at Cambridge, who studies structural color in seaweeds and marine bacteria. "We want to understand what the materials and the structures at the base of these colors are, which could lead to the development of green and sustainable alternatives to the conventional paints and toxic dyes we use today."

BEEP also studied diatoms: tiny photosynthetic algae that live in almost every aquatic system on Earth and produce as much as half of the oxygen we breathe. The silica shells of these tiny algae form into stunning structures, but they also possess remarkable light-harvesting properties.

The BEEP team engineered tiny light-harvesting antennae and attached them to diatom shells. "These antennae allowed us to gather the light that would otherwise not be harvested by the organism, which is converted and used for photosynthesis," said Cesar Vicente Garcia, one of the BEEP Ph.D. students, from the University of Bari in Italy. "The result is promising: diatoms grow more! This research could inspire the design of powerful bio-photoreactors, or even better

The scientists engineered a prototype bio-photoreactor, consisting of a fully bio-compatible hydrogel which sustains the growth of microalgae and structural colored bacteria. The interaction of these organisms is mutually beneficial, enhancing microalgal growth and increasing the volume of biomass produced, which could have applications in the biofuel production industry.

Alongside research, the network has organized several training and outreach activities, including talks and exhibitions for the public at science festivals in Italy, France and the U.K.

"Society relies on science to drive growth and progress," said Floriana Misceo, the BEEP network manager who coordinated outreach efforts. "It's so important for scientists to share their research and help support informed discussion and debate because without it, misinformation can thrive, which is why training and outreach was an important part of this project."

"Coordinating this project has been a great experience. I learned immensely from the other groups in BEEP and the young researchers," said Vignolini. "The opportunity to host researchers from different disciplines in the lab was instrumental in developing new skills and approaching problems from a different perspective."
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Singapore. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

According to Singapore's Meteorological Service, Singapore has been warming up twice as fast compared to the rest of the world.

Due to the effects of global warming, rising urban heat, and El Nino, 2023 was the hottest recorded year in Singapore.

Temperature increases can result in adverse climatic effects such as increased frequency of heat waves, droughts, extreme rainfall, and floods.

Another factor that is contributing to rising temperatures is Singapore's densely built city and urban structures such as buildings, roads, and vehicles.

Urban structures can trap and release heat into the environment, especially at night.

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect or trapped urban heat explains why there are temperature differences of up to seven degrees Celsius between the urban and less built-up areas of Singapore.

The consequences of rising temperatures can be dire for human beings.

Other than thermal discomfort, health issues can exacerbate, resulting from heat stress or excess heat trapped in the bodies.

Heat stress occurs in the event when human bodies cannot adequately cool themselves or dissipate the built-up of excess heat.

"In an effort to cool down urban heat, the Cooling Singapore 2.0 project was initiated in 2021. This research project is in collaboration with ETH Zurich at the Singapore-ETH Centre," Research Assistant Graces Ching informed the Office of Research.

"Climate research has been my focus since my undergraduate studies. Since graduation, I've been involved in researching the effects of trees and vegetation on 'beating the heat' in Singapore," she added.

"When the opportunity to work on the Cooling Singapore 2.0 project was presented to me, I seized it for three reasons. My curiosity in climate research was piqued from my earlier work. I had also developed an interest in understanding the interactions between the atmosphere, humans, and the environment. And I wanted to be a part of the team to develop one of Southeast Asia's pioneering computational projects for reducing urban heat," she continued.

"The focus of Cooling Singapore 2.0 is to build a Digital Urban Climate Twin (DUCT) system, which models urban spaces using a system of models. Different scenarios can be simulated on the system. For example, different sizes, shapes or density of vegetation can be modeled so that we can develop an in-depth understanding of how the different scenarios affect the microclimate in the surrounding areas," she elaborated.

About Digital Urban Climate Twin

The Digital Urban Climate Twin (DUCT) is essentially a digital representation and a copy of a physical climate system.

The DUCT incorporates all relevant computational models to account for environmental factors such as wind and sunlight, land surfaces, traffic, industrial and building energy models, as well as the movements of people.

It factors in previous findings along with the data and models of available UHI and outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) research. It can also simulate past historical data to the current data that is being collected. This ensures that the models produced are accurate, valid, and robust.

The DUCT can be used to isolate the effects of urban heat. It can quantify urban heat in selected areas so that climatic outputs such as temperature can be determined. It can also quantify mean radiant temperature, which is the exchange of heat between a human and the surrounding environment, humidity, and wind speeds.

"Given that it is a powerful visualization tool, we wanted to design and develop the DUCT for urban planners and policymakersfor people who are responsible for urban planning yet who might not have the expertise nor in-depth knowledge of urban heat, so that they can make sound and informed decisions for urban planning for designing an environment that is more heat resilient and thermally comfortable for the residents of Singapore," said Ching.

Continued Ching, "We want them to use the DUCT to invent, design, simulate and test different scenarios for reducing urban heat. If the scenarios test well and there's high confidence that they will function well, then they can go ahead and build and turn the scenarios into reality."

Progress of the research

The project is progressing on schedule. Recently, a beta version of DUCT was released for testing by urban planners and policymakers.

In addition to gathering feedback from a selected team of users from the various Singapore government agencies, the researchers have embarked on the next phase of the project, which focuses on assessing the heat risks and impact of urban heat on human and biodiversity ecosystems.

Insights from the research

One key insight from the research thus far pertains to the impact of trees and parks.

While tree planting is perceived to be the perfect solution for reducing urban heat, there appears to be a saturation point where temperature reduction is observed.

Additionally, poor management of trees, especially due to overcrowding, can reduce wind speeds, increase humidity, and trap air pollutants. This results in detrimental effects on thermal comfort.

That said, trees in a park contribute to cooler temperatures that can be felt in Housing Development Board (HDB) estates up to 300 meters away.

This effect, known as the park cool island effect, can reduce the mean radiant temperature during the day when the sun is most intense between 11 am and 3 pm .

Trees also provide the needed shade from the sun, and help to cool surrounding areas through evapotranspiration, which is the process of drawing heat from the environment and dissipating it through evaporation.

It has been found that trees and parks provide other ecosystem effects, such as improved mental well-being and carbon sequestration, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
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A male greater sage-grouse in courtship displays at a breeding spot in central Nevada. Credit: Kerry Hargrove.

A multi-agency study, spearheaded by researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, underscores the impacts of strategic cattle grazing, particularly on restoring the declining population of the greater sage-grouse bird, a keystone species in the Great Basin region.

Amidst ongoing decline, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acted by listing the sage-grouse for protection under the Endangered Species Act in 2011. This move prompted the Bureau of Land Management to develop a federal conservation plan for the species in 2015. Simultaneously, the World Wildlife Fund classified the sage-grouse as "near-threatened" in 2014, signifying its concern about the species' potential future extinction.

According to the study, the intensity and timing of grazing throughout the year has a significant impact on the availability of certain insects and plants that serve as vital food sources for the species, particularly during their reproductive phase. The insects, including beetles, moths, ants, grasshoppers and butterflies, are a key source of food for the species' hatchlings in their first three weeks of life, while the flowering plants, known as forbs, provide nutritional benefits, especially for nesting birds.

"While many studies have explored various methods to restore greater sage-grouse populations, including restricting petroleum drilling in their habitats, our research specifically focused on enhancing the food supply within mountain meadow systems, which are key habitat for wildlife," said William Richardson, the study's lead researcher and a postdoctoral scholar in the College's Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Science.

"Protecting these birds, however, requires a holistic approach that ultimately extends to fostering the growth of insects, which serve as crucial food sources, pollination agents and more."

The sagebrush desert and shrubland are the predominant plant species in much of the Great Basin. However, a U.S. Geological Survey report indicates that nearly half of the region's rangelands have been lost due to widespread habitat destruction, primarily from wildland fire. Native species such as the sage-grouse rely on this ecosystem for food and nesting and can survive nowhere else.

The study's findings were first published in October 2021 in the Journal of Remote Sensing and later in December 2023 in the Journal of Environmental Management.

The study, conducted between 2019 and 2021, assessed the impact of three grazing intensities on seven Great Basin meadows with varying vegetation cover in central Nevada. To monitor the proliferation of insects and plants on pastured meadows on a larger scale, the study employed the use of high-resolution digital cameras designed to capture time-lapse images of foliage over longer duration. They are commonly referred to as phenocams.

William Richardson and a colleague collect grasshopper and beetle samples from traps in the Haypress Meadow Complex in central Nevada in this photo taken by a phenocam. Credit: University of Nevada, Reno, taken by a phenocam.

"These cameras allowed us to make real-time observations and collect data simultaneously over the study's two-year period," Richardson said. "They typically track plant lifecycles with high accuracy and offer a more practical way to make longitudinal observations in ecological research."

At the end of the two-year observation period, data showed that an increase in grazing during the spring and summer had a significant impact on the vegetation communities in the meadow systems, with higher grazing intensities affecting the length of the growing season. This timing coincided with the breeding season of sage-grouse, during which the nesting birds depend on the flowering plants for food.

"This is an important finding as it emphasizes the sage-grouse's high sensitivity to disturbance, especially when they are hatching and caring for their young ones," Richardson said.

The study also found that grazing intensity was not ultimately detrimental to insect abundance, and even permitted some insects to thrive. Specifically, beetles were found in higher numbers when grazing occurred in both wet and relatively drier seasons, while the moths and butterflies showed an increase in population during the wetter seasons.

"Our results show that strategic grazing has the potential to have a positive impact on the biodiversity of meadow habitat, which not only benefits other species, but more so the sage-grouse, which is high up in the sagebrush food chain," he said.

The shifting protection policies for the sage-grouse species

With sagebrush ecosystems as their only home, environmental experts have long considered the well-being of sage-grouse as a barometer for the overall health of the sagebrush ecosystems.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, a healthy sage-grouse population, restored through the restoration of its habitat, also supports 350 other sagebrush-dependent species, such as elk, deer, mule, pygmy rabbit and pronghorn, and nearly 200 migratory and resident bird species. Any decline in the species' population, therefore, acts as a natural alarm for an imbalanced sagebrush ecosystem.

"The entire sage-grouse habitat is in the Western United States, and much of that land is publicly owned and managed by the federal government for purposes of conservation and development of natural resources, grazing and recreation," said Brian Morra, a soil ecology postdoctoral scholar in the University's Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science, and a member of the research team.

"Given this extensive federal involvement, research findings from publicly-funded scientists, such as those presented in this study, play a crucial role in informing and supporting the habitat's conservation policies."

Despite numerous scientific appeals for the preservation of sagebrush-dependent species such as the sage-grouse and repeated warnings of their declining population from conservationists, federal support that mainly focuses on sage-grouse populations rather than the ecosystem health at large is an inconsistency that Morra cites as potentially detrimental to the long-term health of sage-grouse and the sagebrush ecosystems.

"It's disheartening to witness the challenges we face in achieving long-term sustainability for these ecosystems," said Morra, whose research focuses on grazing management and soil health. "Regulatory support that considers ecosystem-level effects is crucial for advancing efforts towards preservation and ensuring a healthy future for generations to come."

The bi-state sage-grouse, a variety of the greater sage-grouse that is exclusive to Nevada and California, has had its own share of conservation drama. It is undergoing its third assessment in a decade for potential protection under the Endangered Species Act.

With a dwindling population of approximately 3,300 birds, only half of its count 150 years ago, the bi-state sage-grouse continues to confront the same challenges, notably pinyon-juniper encroachment and decreasing viable habitat.

"The plight of the bi-state sage-grouse demonstrates the urgent need for comprehensive conservation action for the species," said Morra. "Scientific findings like this one must be amplified, and regulations need to be aligned with such findings to strike a balance between the needs of ecosystems and those of humans who use them."

More information: William Richardson et al, Shifts in sage-grouse arthropod food sources across grazing and environmental gradients in upland meadow communities, Journal of Environmental Management (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119261 Journal information: Journal of Environmental Management
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Amid continued debate over how to advance diversity and equity in higher education following the Supreme Court's decision striking down affirmative action, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Northeastern University have issued a "roadmap" of strategies to help academic health institutions maintain their commitments to racial and ethnic diversity among their students, staff, and faculty in academic health sciences.

Their recommendations, published in JAMA Health Forum, outline 13 evidence-based strategies for increasing racial and ethnic equity in graduate-level health programs.

"This roadmap of strategies reminds us all that there's much that can be done to make the academic health sciences as equitable as possible," said study co-author Margarita Alegria, Ph.D., Chief of the Disparities Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a professor in the departments of Medicine and Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

"If academic health institutions invest in these strategies, they can help reduce the effects of institutional racism and ensure that the programs that educate, train, and employ our nation's health professionals are welcoming and inclusive spaces for generations to come."

"It will take strong commitment and a multi-pronged approach by institutions and funders to realize true racial and ethnic equity," said study co-author Idia Binitie Thurston, Ph.D., Associate Director of the Institute for Health Equity and Social Justice Research and Professor of Health Sciences and Applied Psychology at Northeastern University.

"That can start with strengthening initiatives aimed at recruiting, retaining, and promoting diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff."

Examples of the strategies that the paper's authors elevated from their comprehensive research include:

Policies to address lack of diversity: Several institutions implemented and evaluated affirmative action-like policies or holistic frameworks that resulted in a higher percentage of student admissions from under-represented racially and ethnically minoritized (URM) groups.

Strong scholar networks: Institutions retained scholars when they encouraged collaboration and social connectivity to share opportunities and build relationships.

Financial support: Institutions had better retention when they committed financial resources, including tuition, housing support, and compensation for engaging in DEI initiatives.

Both Thurston and Alegria noted that the research base for advancing racial and ethnic equity within higher education needs to be strengthened. Institutions involved in this work should collect and publish data on their experiences with equity and diversity strategies so that others may learn from their successes and failures. At the same time, funders need to make long-term and meaningful investments to support this work, if they are truly committed to increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of academic health sciences.

The authors note that interventions appear to be more effective when combined with other actions, like social support, promotion, and retention of diverse faculty and studentsas opposed to these strategies being applied singly.

What's most important, they say, is for institutions and funders to join forces and put these strategies to work, collect good data, and then document and share their results.

Provided by Burness
Vallejo police officer Ronald Dupree, shown after receiving an award for DUI enforcement in July 2023, has been arrested on suspicion of abusing, threatening and stalking his ex-girlfriend. Vallejo Police Department

Two days after Oakland investigators arrested a Vallejo police officer on suspicion of abusing, threatening and stalking his ex-girlfriend, the woman obtained a temporary restraining order, alleging months of harassment that she said left her fearing for her life.

According to court records and a police report obtained exclusively by the Chronicle, the woman said 29-year-old Ronald Dupree  who has also worked for the Napa police force  subjected her to relentless phone calls, texts and social media messages that he sent to her and her friends.

The woman, who asked the Chronicle to withhold her name, told investigators that Dupree, whom she had dated, warned that if she ever broke up with him he knew how to bury a body or hide a body.

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She sent the Alameda County judge who granted her restraining order on Feb. 16 a pair of screenshots of texts she alleged Dupree sent her this month, along with a screenshot of a phone log full of missed calls from a blocked number  calls she alleged came from Dupree.

You slut. You shouldve died a long time ago, Dupree allegedly texted the woman, according to a Feb. 4 screenshot.

Reached by phone Thursday, Dupree declined to comment. Right now I have no comment, he said. Thank you.

Oakland police arrested Dupree, who lives in Dixon, on Valentines Day on suspicion of domestic violence, making terrorist threats and stalking. An Oakland sergeant also obtained an emergency restraining order for the alleged victim on Feb. 14. The application stated that Dupree has continuously tried to contact (the woman) for the last several months including sometimes over 40 times in a day.

Dupree was booked into Santa Rita Jail on Feb. 15 but released days later, according to jail records. He has not been charged.

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Oakland police on Thursday would say only that the department is investigating a report of domestic incidents involving an off-duty officer from an outside agency and referred questions about specifics to other agencies. Jail officials and the Alameda County District Attorneys Office did not respond to requests for comment.

Dupree has reportedly been placed on paid leave. Vallejo police spokesperson Sgt. Rashad Hollis told the Chronicle on Thursday that he could not provide any information regarding personnel matters.

The woman initially contacted a Vallejo police watch commander about Duprees actions, and the commander advised he would look into it, according to the police report. But on Feb. 13, the woman went to Oakland police headquarters to pursue the matter. Due to Duprees mental instability, (she) perceived the threats to be credible and believes her life is in danger, the report stated.

In April 2023, the Vallejo Police Department awarded Dupree a medal of courage. In July, Dupree received an award for making DUI arrests. In August, Dupree was hired by the Napa Police Department, but he soon returned to Vallejo. It is unclear why he left so quickly, and Napa police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

While they were dating, the ex told police, Dupree told the woman he could find her if she ever broke up with him  by filing a missing persons report. The woman told police she broke up with Ronnie in August, but that he continuously contacted (her) through text messages and phone calls to rekindle their relationship.

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In December, her dog got sick and she took him to an emergency vet. When she alerted Dupree about the situation, he paid for the vet bill, she told police. She stated that he did not need to, but Dupree stated it was fine. A few weeks after (she) was at the vet with Dupree, Dupree demanded reimbursement for the vet bill, the police report said. He allegedly texted her with a choice: Either she could reimburse him or reconcile their relationship.

From mid-December to the end of January, Dupree called or texted the woman up to 30 to 70 times a day, depending on Duprees mood, an Oakland investigator wrote. The woman told police that when she had answered calls from the blocked number in the past, Dupree would be on the line and would try to talk her into getting back together. When shed have a friend answer the calls, Dupree would make up stories in a bid to get her on the line, according to the police report.

Once, the woman said, she was at a bar when Dupree texted a photo of her at the establishment. In February, she alleged, she received another harassing text from Dupree: But to be clear, if you ever get a restraining order against me I will have your Nurse license stripped nationwide.

Between Jan. 4 and Feb. 4, the woman wrote in her restraining order application, there were eight instances in which Dupree called repeatedly, totaling 153 calls from blocked numbers. She said he created new social media accounts after she blocked his old accounts, messaging her and her friends.

The woman wrote that Dupree owned two pistols and a rifle. She asked Oakland investigators not to notify Vallejo police that she had come forward until he was in custody because she was worried about retaliation.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

New York City Mayor Eric Adams came in for criticism in early 2022 for suggesting that low-paid workers such as restaurant and retail staff were low-skilled and did not "have the academic skills to sit in the corner office."

A Singapore Management University researcher, Assistant Professor of Marketing Shilpa Madan, says the Mayor's comments represent "a widespread perception that keeps coming up in public discourse. People don't think twice before saying that workers in low-paid jobs do not need skills or intelligence."

It may come as a surprise to manyif not a shockthat about 53 million Americans, or 44 percent of the workforce, are in low-paid jobs, often unable to afford necessities such as food and shelter. And many of those working in restaurants must rely on tips to get by.

The SMU researcher, who joined the Lee Kong Chian School of Business in July 2023, says low-wage workers' compensation is an important topic because "extensive research shows that poverty prevents people from flourishing. It has so many negative consequencesit increases stress, makes people take more risks, and impedes cognitive functioning."

Her paper, 'Support for Increasing Low-Wage Workers' Compensation: The Role of Fixed-Growth Mindsets About Intelligence', co-authored with four other researchers, was published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General in 2023.

"The idea behind this research was just to understand the debate around increasing the minimum wage. As in many countries around the world, despite seeing that people are living below the poverty line, organizational leaders continue to comply only with the minimum established compensation standards which have not been raised nationally in the US since 2009."

Why, then, the study of growth and fixed mindsets? Professor Madan says she has been conducting research on mindsets since her graduate school days and has an active research stream on the effect of mindsets on societally relevant outcomes.

"People seem to have this stereotype that low-paid or minimum wage jobs do not require any particular skill, intelligence or competence. They feel that anyone can flip burgers, be a janitor or a waiter, and they characterize the people who do these jobs as unskilled and unintelligent."

"This language is very mindset resonant because mindsets are your beliefs about whether a particular trait or attribute is malleable or fixed."

"We therefore came up with the idea that if you believe that people's abilities cannot be developed (that is, a fixed mindset), you might oppose increasing low-wage workers' compensation. However, if you do believe intelligence can be developed, which is a growth mindset, you'd just think they are doing these low-wage jobs for reasons outside their control and not because they're inherently lazy, unmotivated, or unskilled."

The research, with its ten diverse studies, involved more than 3,000 participants, such as HR managers in the US and business owners in India. Other participants included a nationally representative sample in the US and residents in key swing states in the US to make sure the findings were robust and generalizable.

"The package of different studies is to ensure replicability and robustness across diverse contexts and populations to ensure that our effects are specific to the idea we're talking about and not driven by other things. And to identify the underlying psychological mechanism that explains these effects."

The researchers consistently found that participants with a growth mindset supported increasing low-wage workers' compensation more than those with a fixed mindset.

While this topic is highly politicized in the US, they found that this pattern held across the political spectrum and social classes.

"Our findings suggest that anyone seeking to garner support for increasing low-wage workers' wages might consider encouraging growth mindsets about intelligence."

To ensure their research reaches a wider audience, Professor Madan and her co-authors have recently published an article in the Harvard Business Review on the topic, and are working on an op-ed to target a more mainstream audience.

"I think the biggest contribution of this paper is that a lot of research into growth and fixed mindsets has focused on managers, knowledge workers, and the upper echelons of organizations." For instance, she says, Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, has often spoken about growth mindsets. "But mindsets are not just meant to benefit people in executive roles."

"Our research shows that mindsets can also improve the living conditions of people at the bottom end of the organizational hierarchy."

Higher wages mean rising business costs, however, and some will argue that productivity also has to increase.

"That's a great point. Research shows that if the minimum wage in the US were indexed to productivity, it would have been $23 an hour in 2021. The minimum wage in the US, though, has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009."

Professor Madan says that by giving people a decent wage, productivity rises, and businesses actually do better. She points out that some major employers in the US that people like to work for, like Costco, pay more than the minimum wage and report benefits in terms of employee retention and well-being. Even so, many businesses continue to comply only with the federal minimum wage.

"That's why this is a question that's worth studying because there are differences in what people support and what they don't."

"To be clear, mindset is not the only or biggest factor that shapes people's positions on low-wage workers' compensation. It's one of many factors but it's a factor that can be changed."

More information: Shilpa Madan et al, Support for increasing low-wage workers' compensation: The role of fixed-growth mindsets about intelligence., Journal of Experimental Psychology: General (2022). DOI: 10.1037/xge0001303
By Umaru Fofana

A little over a year since his election, Sierra Leones president, Julius Maada Bio has carried out his first major major reshuffle.

Three ministers have been axed while many others have been transferred to other ministries.

Two new deputies have been brought in while others have been moved.

Foreign Minister, Dr Alie Kabbah who is in the United States apparently on official assignment is now the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, while Development and Economic Planning Minister, Mrs Nabeela Tunis replaces him.

Mrs Tunis, the wife of the parliamentary leader of the ruling SLPP party, has been having challenges with civil society recently over a controversial NGO policy which activists consider unfriendly.

Dr Kabbah was the campaign manager for candidate Maada Bio in last years election after dropping out as a candidate himself. It is not clear why he has been removed from cabinet but there have been talk that State House was not pleased with his diplomacy.

The Permanent Representative at the UN, Dr Francis Kaikai is the new Minister of Economic and Development Planning. Even though he spent much of the last decade working at the United Nations in Liberia, he was in charge of disarming and training of thousands of fighters at the end of the rebel war as head of the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration. He had also served as education minister in 1996 when Maada Bio was military head of state.

Mines Minister Dr Morie Manyeh has been sent to the UK as High Commissioner, while Tamba Lamina leaves London to become the Minister of Local Govt. The soft-spoken Dr Manyeh, a former university lecrurer, was a candidate to become Chairman of the SLPP party

Foday Rado Yokie is the new Mines Minister. The former two-time parliamentarian from Bo was in charge of recovering government vehicles following last years elections. For many years he stood trial for his alleged involvement in political violence in Bo after the stoning of Maada Bio in Bo led to an apparent reprisal attack. He denied any wrongdoing calling the charges politically motivated.

Dr Hinga Sandy is the new Minister of Trade and Industry, while the current holder, Peter Bayuku Conteh becomes Minister of Works and Public Assets.

Bayuku, who is hugely influential in his home district, was Chairman of the Koinadugu District Council. He was later appointed as tourism minister by President Ernest Bai Koroma. Somewhat controversially, the two men fell out and while he said that he resigned over principles, the president said he was sacked. He later resigned from the APC and joined the new National Grand Coalition party from which he resigned recently and is yet to join any party.

Mamadie Gobeh-Kamara is the new Deputy Minister of Information and Communication while her predecessor Solomon Jamiru is the new Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The former deputy foreign affairs minister, Namatulai Bah-Chang becomes deputy minister of water resources.

Miss Gobeh-Kamara was for many years a broadcast journalist at the state broadcaster and the local UN Radio, who went into public relations and has been working in that capacity in the energy ministry.

Jamiru is generally regarded as a brilliant lawyer who taught law at the IMAT College in Freetown. As deputy information minister, he was praised for being witty, phlegmatic and smooth talking.

Umaru Napoleon Koroma  the outgoing head of the National Privatisation Commission (NCP)  is the new Deputy Minister of Justice. The current holder of that position, Abdul Bangura was recently appointed as head of the Political Parties registration Commission.

Napoleon is also the National Secretary General of the SLPP party.

Philip Tondonneh is Deputy Minister of Works, while Mrs Melrose Kargbo succeeds him as Deputy Minister of Local Government.

Retired Brigadier Kellie Conteh is National Security Adviser. Until recently, the former head of the Office of National Security worked for the United Nations.

Former works minster, Raymond dSouza George is a senior presidential adviser and ambassador at large for heritage and cultural heritage which is his natural habitat. He is a retired lecturer of African Studies at the University of Sierra Leone.

No reasons have been given for the reshuffle, nor are any obvious. But some say it is a move by the president to assert himself following the petering out of the niceties of the election victory cabinet he appointed.

 2019 Politico Online
By Gideon Tucker

Sierra Leones tourism sector is arguably the best hope for a steady source of foreign exchange that could help stimulate the countrys economy and contribute to the development of the country.

The mining sector- first it was diamonds and then iron ore to rutile and bauxite, but they have not provided the desired results; especially for those the locals in those mining areas.

Rutile has been mined for decades in Moyamba district, yet it has the most depressing district headquarter town in the entire country.

Our much-glorified minerals have failed us. I could well recall growing up in the 1980s and hearing my mother (of blessed memory) discussing with other people, the appalling health condition of young men from her village in the Ribbi Chiefdom, returning from their diamond mining adventure in Kono and Tongo Fields, sick with bloated stomach and swollen feet. Many of them returned home with little or no money, and only to die. As I grew older, it then dawned on me that, the men have had their organs infected as a result of spending long hours in muddy streams and pits, looking for the precious mineral.

We need to move away from our obsession with mining and direct our efforts instead to making Sierra Leone a hub for tourism in West Africa.

The country is an untapped tourist paradise in waiting. Tourism has been neglected over the years, but recent steps taken by the present administration to give the sector much relevance should be applauded.

And personally, I think President Bio made quite a judicious decision to appoint Memunatu Pratt as Minister of Tourism. The woman just relishes the responsibility that has been given to her. Dr. Pratt is really having an impressive tenure in what was a pathetically neglected Ministry of Tourism.

Credence must be given to her for helping in the rebranding of Sierra Leone with her lively overseas presentations at Tourist Fairs of what the country can offer in the hospitality industry. She has largely contributed in positioning the country in such a way that travelers are beginning to take notice. Travel and Tour Guide Agencies too are beginning to do reasonable business again. In January this year, 300 Danish tourists came to Sierra Leone to savour our countrys enticing landscape and beaches.

This country has some of the finest beaches in the world that have left first time visitors to Sierra Leone speechless .A lot of transformation has taken place along the Aberdeen/Lumley beach and whilst the other numerous beaches need some artificial work, due regard must be given for these places to keep their natural surroundings intact.

The Sierra Leone Monuments and Relics Commission in conjunction with the Tourism Ministry and Tourist board must seriously embark on the restoration and preservation of historical sites and artifacts. Sierra Leones overwhelming claim of right to the slave era history has eroded over the years due to the lack of efforts to restore the ruins of Bunce Island, a prominent slave trade depot in West Africa. The services of curators must be sought, and funds provided to support the restoration of such key part of our countrys history. Many years ago, it was rumored at the time that American Anthropologist, Dr. Opala and the place could become a vital source of income for government and the private sector, thereby stimulating the economy by creating employment and injecting much needed foreign exchange.

Today Ghana is the favorite destination for American and European tourists largely as a result of Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, two slave trading posts that have been rehabilitated and well marketed. And the same could be done to our Bunce Island.

Beaches are not just what the tourist look for; they are equally inclined to look for interesting places to visit a well. Sierra Leone is not lacking either in this area, but those sites must be upgraded and made accessible with good roads and basic facilities to accommodate the tourists relatively short stay.

The Gola Rainforest National Park in the Kailahun district has got a lot of attractions that must be well marketed. Apart from its unique bird sightseeing, the park is home to the pygmy hippopotamus.

The countrys first wildlife sanctuary in northern Sierra Leone has also not been given the prominence it so deserves. Home to exotic fauna and primate, the Mamunta Mayosso sanctuary in the Tonkolili district, also boasts of the rare dwarf crocodile and the Red Colobus Monkey.

Off Pujehun district, is Tiwai Island which many people do not even know about. It is one of the most exciting and captivating places any tourist wishing to enjoy the freshness of nature would love to visit. I have not gone to the place yet but some friends of mine have, and they brought back stunning footage of Tiwai island. My friends told me they found some white tourists there who were so enthralled by what they saw that they made an emotional appeal for the place to remain an ecotourism site and for government to keep away hoteliers and other investors in the hospitality industry from destroying the natural beauty of the place.

The wonderful rocky hills overlooking Kabala Town in the Koinadugu district is a big family picnic venue for holidaymakers every December, and there are many more places that foreign tourists would just love to see. The government is struggling to revamp a battered economy and the painstaking efforts to engender a turnaround is quite challenging. Having a well-structured tourism sector and with all the interesting places to visit properly managed, can turn Sierra Leone into a tourist paradise. Similar views have experienced by many other people. Once American missionary to Sierra Leone, Elder Woode or Krio Borbor so captivated by the natural splendour of Sierra Leone, has on Facebook, challenged his American compatriots that in 10 years time, many of them will be trooping to Sierra Leone for vacation.

The recent shifting of the Budapest- Bamako charity rally to Freetown has just about brought Sierra Leone into the glare of dozens of countries around the world. Many of them might have been fascinated by what theyve seen and might encourage their people home, to try the new tourist destination.

Former British diplomat to Sierra Leone Peter Penfold once said stability would bring tourists to the country. The country has been stable for nearly two decades now and time is well overdue to market the countrys unique tourist potentials to the rest of the world.

Presently the corona virus pandemic is taking a toll on global travel, but it will end. With a vivacious Tourism Minister Pratt, there is every reason to believe her aggressive marketing of Sierra Leone, would be in top gear once again. Just My Take.

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ATLANTIC CITY  The resort will receive a $20 million share of the states $100 million Boardwalk Preservation Fund.

Atlantic City is one of 18 towns to receive money from the fund. Other local municipalities benefiting from the grant are Brigantine ($1,185,838), Cape May ($6,722,552), North Wildwood ($10,259,827), Ocean City ($4,859,175), Sea Isle City ($1,997,000), Ventnor ($7,110,689), Wildwood ($8,269,013) and Wildwood Crest ($1,087,425).

At $20 million each, Atlantic City and Asbury Park received the largest awards from the fund.

We are grateful for the funding Governor Murphy is sending our way to preserve the oldest Boardwalk in the country right here, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said in a statement. This will go a long way in achieving the Small administrations goal of rehabbing every inch of our Boardwalk to ensure our residents and guests can continue enjoying it for years to come.

The money, administered by the state Department of Community Affairs, comes from the American Rescue Plan, state officials said.

So many of us have created memories with family and friends at the boardwalks of the Jersey shore, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement Thursday evening. Our boardwalks have long been a prized destination, and we want to keep them that way by helping shore communities repair and maintain these wooden main streets. We look forward to all the vital projects that will result from our Boardwalk Preservation Fund investments. The grant awards announced today are a meaningful step in preserving the health and dynamism of these special places.

Murphy signed the Boardwalk Preservation Fund Act into law early last year in Atlantic City. That Boardwalk, the first of its kind in the country, was built in the 1870s. No portion of the Boardwalk is original, but some sections are believed to be more than 80 years old. According to an estimate in 2023, more than $100 million worth of work was needed to repair the citys Boardwalk.

Nearly 27 million people visit the resort each year, according to the city website.

'Ain't no stopping us now,' Mayor Small sings to crowd for State of the City In another big show for the start of his State of the City speech, Mayor Marty Small Sr. sang "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" to a full house at the Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association Winter Luncheon on Friday.

A May 2021 report outlining a vision for Atlantic Citys post-pandemic recovery cited the Boardwalk as central to that mission.

The Boardwalk is, more than any other single feature, the symbol of Atlantic City to the world  it is truly iconic, the report states. It is currently in an advanced state of disrepair, and in several places could well collapse in the near future.

State Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, said keeping the boardwalks maintained is crucial due to the influx of tourists that help drive the local economy.

Our boardwalks and beaches generate millions of dollars of revenue and are the lifeblood of Atlantic County, Polistina said.

All coastal counties and municipalities that sought funds for repairs to existing boardwalks were able to apply.

Some of my fondest memories growing up here are at the boardwalk. My husband and I now have the joy of watching our own children do so many of the same things I did as a kid, said Assemblywoman Claire Swift, R-Atlantic. This Boardwalk Preservation Fund will help our towns, so all our children and future generations can continue making the best memories here.

Ventnor will use the funds to install ramps and demolish existing sections of its Boardwalk to build new timber piles spaced at 12 feet, Mayor Lance Landgraf said in a statement.

This is a huge step forward towards improving and upgrading the structure of our Boardwalk, Landgraf said. The city will immediately start the needed engineering to be able to commence construction this fall.

More cops coming, rolling chair and tram fees may go up: Atlantic City briefs Atlantic City Council passed a resolution Wednesday night to share the cost of 12 new police officers with the Board of Education, to provide security in city schools.

The city expects the reconstruction project to take two years and cost $26 million. Rutala Associates has applied for additional state and federal grants on the citys behalf.

Ocean City will use its share to make repairs to the substructure near Third Street, improve storm resiliency and add ramps across the length of the Boardwalk, city spokesperson Doug Bergen said.

Our Boardwalk is one of the things that makes Ocean City unique, and it has been the centerpiece of family vacations for generations, Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement. Im grateful to the state for investing in this vital part of our economy, and its good to know that well be able to continue to keep the boards in great shape while increasing accessibility for all.

Wildwood provided an update of its ongoing Boardwalk renovations Friday. It is reconstructing the Boardwalk at Cedar Avenue, finishing repairs from Oak to Schellenger avenues and rehabbing the stretch from Schellenger to Spicer avenues. It also has awarded a contract for street end improvements and beach access ramps at Spicer and Maple avenues. Future phases of repair are in the planning stages, the city said in a news release.

Examples of projects eligible for boardwalk repair funds may include:

Replacement of old and crumbling decking with resilient, longer-lasting materials

Replacement of deteriorating pilings and boardwalk infrastructure

Improving access and safety by building Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps and railings

Expanding an existing section of the boardwalk

Providing funds to businesses that need to complete upgrades to align with proposed boardwalk construction

Atlantic City says St. Patrick's Parade will be largest one in its history The city and the Atlantic City St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee are motivated to make the March 9 event the largest in the resort's history.

We recognize that boardwalks are the economic driver for many shore towns and cities. They are also incredibly expensive for local governments to maintain, repair and strengthen, said acting DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suarez. We are confident these grant awards will help our boardwalks thrive and continue to inspire and delight visitors for years to come.

Assemblyman Don Guardian, R-Atlantic, said the grants benefit not only coastal towns but the entire state.

Making these grants available to ensure our boardwalks remain the envy of coastal states, are broadened for increased bicycle use, and are easily accessible for residents with disabilities is a win for the Jersey Shore and all of New Jersey, Guardian said.
ATLANTIC CITY  City Council passed a resolution Wednesday night to share the cost of 12 new police officers with the Board of Education to provide security in city schools.

It will allow the city to move ahead in hiring 30 police officers using a $3.75 million federal grant that will cover about half of the cost of them for three years.

The board has agreed to fund half of the unfunded cost of up to 10 school resource officers, as well as two Class III special law enforcement officers, according to the resolution.

The federal Community Oriented Policing (COPS) grant covers about half of the cost of hiring 30 officers for three years, police Chief James Sarkos has said.

Rolling chair, tram fees

Council introduced an ordinance to increase the rates for rolling chair rides. If passed next month, the least expensive ride of up to five blocks would increase from $5 to $10.

Councilman Muhammad Zia and Director of Licensing and Inspection Dale Finch both said rolling chair workers and operators had asked for the increase.

Another introduced ordinance would increase the cost of one-way adult tram fares from $4 to $5 but also would eliminate all requirements for who can be a tram operator.

Atlantic City Council to vote on sharing cost of new cops with schools Atlantic City Council will consider a resolution Wednesday night to share the cost of 12 new police officers with the Board of Education, to provide security in city schools.

The contract with the tram operator, Boardwalk Transportation LLC, which was approved for an additional year Wednesday night, raises about $500,000 a year for the city, according to Finch.

In the past, tram operators had to get a special city license and pay a $100 fee for the initial license and a $60 renewal fee. They also had to provide proof of citizenship and submit to drug testing and fingerprints for a criminal background check. Those requirements would be eliminated under the new ordinance.

Tram operators would still have to have a valid New Jersey commercial drivers license.

Firm gets contract

Council on Wednesday awarded a $150,000 contract to Antonelli Kantor, the Livingston, Essex County, law firm representing 2nd Ward Democratic council candidate Viana Bailey in her attempt to overturn the reelection of Councilwoman LaToya Dunston.

Dunston, also a Democrat, was not backed by the citys Democratic committee, which supported Bailey. Dunston, who won the June Democratic primary by just six votes, has been a critic of Mayor Marty Small Sr.

Antonelli Kantor also represented 5th Ward Democratic Councilman Muhammad Anjum Zia in a lawsuit by Republican candidate Maria Lacca, who sought a recount of the Nov. 7 election. Zia won by 46 votes, and Lacca claimed errors were made in the counting, but a judge dismissed her suit Jan. 17.

Lacca has since filed a new lawsuit alleging Zia does not actually live in the city.

Council attorney Robert Tarver told Dunston she had to abstain from the vote because of conflict of interest, and she was not allowed to participate in any discussion of the potential contract.

Zia also abstained from the vote.
NORTH WILDWOOD  An appeals court has said no to the citys request for permission to install an emergency bulkhead across about three blocks of beachfront.

The state Department of Environmental Protection in late January denied the citys request for emergency permits to undertake the work, which would install bulkheads from 12th Avenue to 15th Avenue, a section the city says is in imminent danger from winter storms and the erosion of protective dunes.

Judge Allison E. Accurso on Wednesday declined to grant the city permission to build while an appeal of the states decision is underway.

The city must exhaust its administrative remedies, she wrote in the brief decision.

Mayor Patrick Rosenello confirmed the decision Friday and said he was disappointed.

We obviously have a serious issue, and instead of working with us to find a solution, the NJDEP continues to put more energy into being an obstacle to workable solution than the solution, Rosenello said.

Rosenello has described the situation as urgent. Storms this winter could mean an imminent threat to life and property, according to a statement from the city.

Beaches in North Wildwood are severely eroded, and city officials say efforts undertaken and funded by the city over previous winters to truck sand onto beaches are no longer possible because of the level of erosion.

North Wildwood seeks state OK to build more bulkhead A recent storm worsened the erosion in North Wildwood. The citys mayor wants emergency approval to build more bulkhead in the short term, but sees a federal beach project as the only long-term answer.

The city recently added new bulkhead near the proposed project area, by the citys Beach Patrol headquarters, but as sand continues to wash off the beaches and dunes, Rosenello said North Wildwood neighborhoods will be left with no protection from winter storms.

Earlier this year, the state denied emergency authorization for the new section of bulkhead, with DEP officials saying the dune continues to function as shore protection. The decision found that no imminent threat exists.

A Jan. 31 letter to the city stated that DEP officials do not dispute that erosion must be addressed, but rather disagrees that the situation is urgent enough to require emergency authorization of a bulkhead project.

The disagreement between the city and the state has continued for years, with the state imposing millions of dollars in fines for previous beach work, and the city alleging the state has been negligent in its approach to North Wildwood erosion.

A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers beach project is planned to bring sand to North Wildwood, as well as build a dune the length of the barrier island.

Vincent Grassi, a press officer with the DEP, said Friday the goal is to start construction on that project in 2025. The project has been in discussion for more than a decade.

The state is working to acquire the easements needed for that work to move forward.

The DEP is currently collaborating with partners through the title search and survey phase of the easement acquisition process and does not have a final number of how many easements are needed for each of the municipalities. This is an ongoing process, and the numbers will be fluid as work advances, Grassi said. To date, we have made progress toward acquiring easements in the project area and are committed to continuing to work as quickly as possible through the easement acquisition process.

NJDEP says North Wildwood to blame for recent dune breach If North Wildwood officials had followed state regulations in their efforts to address beach erosion, a dune along the ocean may not have been washed away during a rash of October storms, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Grassi declined to comment on the recent appeals court decision, forwarding questions to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. That office forwarded a copy of the decision but had no further comment.

This dispute between the city and the department over the most appropriate way to combat the erosion of North Wildwoods beaches has been ongoing for several years, Accurso wrote in her decision. The proofs are very technical and the regulations complex. We lack the factual record to impose any relief at this juncture.
Senate lawmakers will weigh whether to allow minors as young as 14 to consent to certain out-patient mental or behavioral health treatments without first obtaining parental approval, a plan that has drawn opposition from anti-vaccine and other groups.

State law already allows residents 16 and up to obtain these services without parental consent, and the to-be-combined bills sponsored by Sens. Joe Vitale (D-Middlesex) and Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) would make only one modest change to that law, replacing the word sixteen with the figure 14.

Vitale, who chairs the Senates health committee, stressed that age is the sole thing lawmakers intend to change about the law. State law bars health care professionals from dispensing or administering medications to minors without parental consent, and the bill will not change that.

Its only the age, Vitale said. Theres no prescriptions. Theres no anything.

The pandemics deleterious effect on young peoples mental health, coupled with other ills born of the internet and social media, necessitates broader mental health care access for young people, Vitale said.

In 2021, 42% of respondents to a youth risk behavior survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told researchers they experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a proxy measure for depression that rated five percentage points lower in 2019, the prior survey year.

Suicidality edged upward, too, climbing three points to 22%, the highest level the survey has recorded since 1995. Suicidal planning and suicide attempts increased, too, rising to their highest levels in at least a decade.

Weve heard more stories than we care to hear like this: My son or daughter took their life. If we only knew they were going through some problems, had issues, Vitale said.

Tammy Murphy, Andy Kim search for weak spots in Senate debate 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.

Despite the bills narrow scope, the bill has very vocal critics, including at least one former legislator who alleges the bill is part of a broader push to eliminate the distinction between adults and minors.

It seems like everything the Democrats have been doing has been moving to erase age limits, said former Sen. Ed Durr, a Republican. They were trying to make kids able to vote at 16. They want to make kids able to decide surgeries. They keep changing the age limit, and I dont like where this is heading.

Durr, who said he intends to testify on the bill before the Senates health committee on Thursday, said parents are best suited to see to their childrens mental health.

I dont like the way that they continue to the natural default is the parents are bad, he said. Im not saying that there arent bad parents, but that shouldnt be the natural default. Parents would do anything for their child.

Vitale said that relying wholly on parents would leave some children in the lurch.

In the event a child is in crisis and cant speak to their parent or guardian, would they rather they speak to no one and continue to suffer? he said.

Some of the groups opposing the bill have falsely claimed it would expand the surgical services minors can attain without parental consent.

State law provides minors as young as 13 can consent to certain medical or surgical care, but only if they believe they have a sexually transmitted infection or a physician believes theyve been sexually assaulted.

New CHOP buses intended to provide Atlantic County children with better access to care Members of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia unveiled two new buses Tuesday they said will allow children to have better access to behavioral health services in Atlantic County.

The former provision has been on the books since winning unanimous approval from both legislative chambers in 1968 and has remained relatively unchanged since, though later bills added provisions for victims of sexual assault and strengthened parental notification procedures.

Current law requires physicians to notify parents when they believe a minor has suffered a sexual assault unless such notification runs contrary to the patients best interests.

Existing law does not require parental notification for minors 16 and up seeking to offer their own consent for behavioral health treatments, and the bill would not create such a requirement.
The Napa County Farm Bureau supported many new vineyard plantings, including a proposed one at Walt Ranch on Atlas Peak. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle The tasting room at Hall Wines in St. Helena. The winery has given money to the Napa County Farm Bureaus political action committee. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

A mysterious federal investigation unfolding in Napa Valley has ensnared one of the wine industrys most powerful entities.

The Napa County Farm Bureau, an influential nonprofit representing local agricultural interests, was ordered to supply documents to the U.S. Department of Justice late last year  shortly before the sudden death of its CEO, Ryan Klobas. Interim CEO Tawny Tesconi told the Chronicle that the Farm Bureau was subpoenaed in early December and cooperated with federal investigators who sought records related to its political action committee, a PAC thats supported contentious winery developments and pro-development politicians.

Tesconi said she did not know what the investigation pertained to, and declined to comment on whether the subpoena mentioned anyone associated with the Farm Bureau by name. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat was the first to report on the Farm Bureau subpoena.

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That subpoena came alongside three others that federal investigators issued to Napa County officials in December. The feds ordered the county to turn over records related to 40 people, businesses or entities, including prominent wineries; records related to waste management services; and records related to the redevelopment of the county airport.

Wines from Caymus-Suisun Winery, whose owners have given money to the Napa County Farm Bureaus political action committee. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

The nature of any overarching federal investigation remains unclear, and no criminal indictments have been issued. But the revelation of the Farm Bureaus involvement is notable, because the organization has in recent years become a political power broker in Napa Valley, a region defined by its $9 billion wine industry.

At least seven of the entities named in a subpoena to Napa County in December, including the owners of Caymus Vineyards and Hall Wines, have made donations to the Farm Bureaus PAC, the Fund to Protect Napa Valley Agriculture. Many of the parties named in that subpoena also have another connection: They have links to or have made donations to Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza, who was embroiled in a major controversy over the Walt Ranch vineyard development.

The PAC has donated money to Pedrozas campaigns, too, including $5,000 in January 2020. And Pedrozas campaigns have made payments to the Napa County Farm Bureau Foundation, a separate nonprofit connected to the bureau. Campaign records show that the campaign made $7,960 in donations to the foundation between 2019 and 2021.

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Its common for farm bureau chapters to get involved in local politics, but in recent years the Napa County Farm Bureau, which has upwards of 1,000 members, has doubled down on its political activity. The changes came under the leadership of Klobas, who joined in 2017, became CEO in 2018 and formed the PAC in 2019.

A Napa County Farm Bureau meeting in 2013. Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

The month after the Farm Bureau received its subpoena, Klobas, 45, died in Orinda. A coroners report has not been released, but the Jan. 16 death was an apparent suicide, the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office told the Chronicle. Tesconi said she was appointed interim executive director the following week, and that Klobas was the active CEO at the time of his death.

Before joining the Farm Bureau, Klobas attended law school and worked in politics. He served as a campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, and, according to an obituary, as a deputy cabinet secretary for the California governors office.

But his heart was always in agriculture, he said in an interview upon receiving an award for community impact in the North Bay, because his family grew grapes in Napa Valley after emigrating from Croatia.

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Under Klobas tenure, the Farm Bureau, its political action committee and its foundation helped shape key local issues that relate to Napa Valleys wine industry. In 2018, they fought against a heated ballot initiative that would have limited new vineyard plantings in Napa Valleys hillsides. The measures proponents argued that it would protect the environment, while opponents including Klobas contended that it would hinder the growth of the wine industry. The measure failed.

Supervisors Alfredo Pedroza, from left, Belia Ramos, Ryan Gregory and Brad Wagenknecht at a Board of Supervisors meeting in 2022. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Ryan Klobas was extremely successful at what he did, said Napa Valley resident Anne Wheaton. He was a powerhouse.

Yet not everything Klobas touched was a win for the Farm Bureau. Last year, the bureau publicly criticized the Board of Supervisors decision to shut down a 10-year vineyard development project called Le Colline. The land owners said the project would be a zero-emission vineyard and that they would invest significantly in fire mitigation, but environmentalists still opposed the project and appealed. Ultimately, just two supervisors voted against the appeal: Pedroza and Ryan Gregory, who have both been endorsed by the Farm Bureau.

In 2020, the bureau publicly withdrew its support of Supervisor Belia Ramos, citing her inconsistent stances on agricultural preserve issues, and endorsed her opponent, Mariam Aboudamous. The fund made a $5,000 donation to Aboudamous 2020 campaign, though Ramos still won reelection and recently voted in favor of the Le Colline appeal. The Farm Bureau has again endorsed Aboudamous in this upcoming election.

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The bureau also strongly supported Pedroza, giving the embattled politician its 2019 friend of agriculture award. Pedroza became the subject of public controversy in 2022 after voting in favor of Walt Ranch, a high-profile proposed vineyard whose development was opposed by environmentalists. Pedrozas father-in-law had bought a property adjacent to Walt Ranch, which his critics said constituted a conflict of interest, since the vineyards approval would have raised his familys property value.

In 2020 the Farm Bureau withdrew its support for Supervisor Belia Ramos, seen here speaking at a memorial, and endorsed her opponent. Michael Short/Special to The Chronicle

But the Farm Bureau had not always been quite so political.

Previously, we were more policy focused than politics focused, said Supervisor Joelle Gallagher, who worked for the Farm Bureau from 1993 to 2001, including five years as its executive director. The organization would endorse candidates in local elections, she said, but there was no PAC and the bureau itself did not make any financial contributions to political races.

In the years since Gallagher left, she said, the organization seemed a lot more political in that they seemed pretty focused on getting candidates elected.

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During her time with the bureau, Gallagher saw the bureaus mission of protecting agriculture as inextricable from protecting the environment. But since then, she said, many players in Napa Valley have been pitted against each other as either pro-environment or pro-development. When she ran for county supervisor, she did not earn the bureaus endorsement.

Joelle Gallagher, seen here in 2017 when she was county planning commissioner. Gallagher is the former executive director of the Napa County Farm Bureau and is now a county supervisor. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

The Farm Bureau under Klobas came to be seen as pro-development, which in todays Napa Valley is often understood to mean it supported the growth of the wine industry, including planting new vineyards.

It was politically a huge shift in the Farm Bureau. People call it a hostile takeover, said Patricia Damery, who was a longtime Farm Bureau member until 2023 when her membership was suddenly and inexplicably canceled in the middle of a Zoom meeting. She was informed that she was six days late on paying her renewal dues, she said, but then the Farm Bureau board of directors declined to let her renew, despite being a member for over 30 years. They did not provide Damery with an explanation.

Damery, who is a farmer and also considers herself an environmentalist, said that in recent years, she has publicly disagreed with many of the Farm Bureaus pro-development stances on Napa County agriculture. She suspects this might be why her membership was revoked.
United Way Quad Cities is seeking new or gently used book donations through Sunday, March 3, to benefit local students in-need.

Kicking off Friday, United Way's QC Reading Week Book Drive aims to collect enough books for 6,000 underserved kids in kindergarten through third-grade.

To donate, bring books to the following Hy-Vee locations in Scott or Rock Island counties.

Bettendorf

2900 Devils Glen Road

Davenport

3019 Rockingham Road

2200 West Kimberly Road

1823 East Kimberly Road

4064 East 53rd Street

2351 West Locust Street

Eldridge

425 E Le Claire Road

Milan

201 West Tenth Avenue

Moline

4218 Avenue of the Cities

Rock Island

2930 18th Avenue

Silvis

2001 5th Street

Community members can also purchase books and give online at www.UnitedWayQC.org/ReadingWeek.

The book drive coincides with Dr. Seusss birthday, also known as Read Across America Day on March 2, though many schools will celebrate it on March 1.

Reading proficiency is one of the greatest predictors of a childs success in school and life. When children fall behind in school, they can miss out on the opportunity to develop their full potential in life, said Kate Horberg, Director of Education Innovation at United Way QC.

Several local companies have rallied their employees for their own book drives, partnering with United Way's QC Reading Week efforts.

The children of today are tomorrows workforce. Learning and confidence building starts at home which is why we want to make sure every child in the Quad Cities has access to books from birth, said Bri Aust, Marketing Director at McCarthy-Bush. Were so grateful to United Way as a catalyst for change in our community.

Participating companies include: Union Federal Savings and Loan Association; Salvation Army; Northwest Bank and Trust; I.H. Mississippi Valley Credit Union; Isle Casino Hotel; Honkamp P.C; Scott County; Mississippi Valley Surgery Center; PCT Ebeam and Integration, LLC; Sears Seating; Legat Architects; Blackhawk Bank and Trust; TBK Bank; Family Credit Union; Royal Neighbors; Estes Construction; Rock Island County; McCarthy-Bush; Genesis IPG; BITCO; Smart Automotive and Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, among others.

Photos: United Way of the Quad Cities hosting Day of Caring
A Davenport man is facing charges including attempted murder after he allegedly beat his girlfriend so badly she suffered broken ribs and two collapsed lungs, police said.

Christopher Banks, 39, is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of attempted murder. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years  70%, or 17  years  of which must be served before parole can be granted.

Banks also is facing one count each of willful injury causing serious injury and assault while participating in a felony. Each charge is a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of 10 years. He also is charged with one count of domestic abuse assault with the intent to inflict serious injury, an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Davenport Police Officer Ryan Leabo, on Feb. 11 Banks assaulted a woman with whom he is in a relationship.

Initially, Banks was charged with willful injury causing serious injury and domestic abuse assault and an arrest warrant was issued.

On Feb. 15, however, Scott County Attorney Kelly Cunningham filed a motion to expand the jurisdictional reach of the arrest warrant.

In her motion, Cunningham said that because of the extent of the victims injuries, additional charges of attempted murder and assault while participating in a felony would be filed.

Cunningham noted that the woman was hospitalized with multiple broken ribs that caused her lungs to collapse. The nature of the womans injuries were determined to be life-threatening, she said in the motion.

The additional charges against Banks were filed Feb. 16 in Scott County District Court.

In the arrest affidavit charging Banks with attempted murder, Davenport Police Officer Lauren Anderson said that on Feb. 11, Banks did unlawfully and intentionally attempt to cause the death of the victim.

The victim lost her ability to breath because of the broken ribs, collapsed lungs and subcutaneous emphysema, according to Andersons affidavit.

Banks set in motion a chain of events which would have caused or resulted in the death of the victim, Anderson said in the affidavit.

Banks was arrested Thursday.

During a first appearance on the charges Friday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Catherine Cartee scheduled a preliminary hearing for March 1.

Banks was being held Friday in the Scott County Jail on a cash-only $250,000 bond, set by Cartee.

Banks criminal history includes a three-year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections. In that case, Banks pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated battery in a public place and one count of destroying evidence during a hearing in Rock Island County Circuit Court on Aug. 15, 2019.
A Davenport man on parole until 2031 in three Scott County meth-related cases was arrested by Davenport police on Thursday for allegedly selling meth.

Dale Sammy Blumer, 45, also known as Dale Sammie Blumer in Scott County District Court records, is charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute more than 5 grams of meth. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years.

Blumer also is charged with violating Iowas drug tax stamp law, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Davenport Police Officer Raul Alvarado, officers with the Davenport Police Departments Tactical Operations Bureau on Thursday were conducting surveillance on Blumers residence in the 4400 block of Telegraph Road. Blumer was under surveillance as part of a narcotics investigation.

Officers saw Blumer get into the passenger side of a vehicle that began driving away from the house. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle during which officers located 7.3 grams of meth near where Blumer had been sitting.

According to the affidavit, Blumer told police they would find meth in his home.

During a search of the home, officers seized 14.3 grams of meth, two digital scales with meth residue, 4.3 grams of psilocybin mushrooms and plastic packaging material.

In total, 21.66 grams of meth was seized in the investigation.

In a post-Miranda interview Blumer admitted to detectives to selling meth.

During a first appearance on the charges Friday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Catherine Cartee scheduled a preliminary hearing for March 1.

Blumer was being held Friday in the Scott County Jail on a cash-only $25,000 bond set by Cartee. He also is being held without bond on a parole violation.

According to the Iowa Department of Corrections, Blumer is on parole until May 10, 2031, in connection with three meth trafficking cases in Scott County.

On Dec. 30, 2012, Davenport police searched the home of Blumer and his then girlfriend, who were living at 2706 W. 60th St. The address also was where she operated a state-licensed Davenport day care.

At least one of the children tested positive for methamphetamine exposure.

Both pleaded guilty to methamphetamine-related charges.

Blumer initially was sentenced to probation. But he was resentenced in August of 2013 after it was learned that one of the charges to which he had pleaded guilty required mandatory prison sentences. He then was re-sentenced to 25 years in prison on the Class B felony charge of manufacturing methamphetamine to which he had pleaded guilty along with a handful of lesser charges.

He was placed on parole from the Department of Corrections on Sept. 19, 2016.

Then, on May 10, 2018, he was arrested at his home in the 4400 block of Telegraph Road on meth trafficking charges.

On Feb. 7, 2019, during a hearing in Scott County District Court, Blumer pleaded guilty to a Class C felony charge of possession with the intent to deliver less than 5 grams of meth, and a Class D felony charge of possession of sodium hydroxide.

On March 22, 2019, Scott County District Court Judge Mark Smith sentenced Blumer to 10 years on the Class C possession with the intent to deliver charge. Smith imposed a one-third mandatory minimum on the sentence, or a little more than three years. Smith then sentenced Blumer to serve a concurrent five-year prison term on the possession of sodium hydroxide charge. A concurrent sentence means the sentences run at the same time. Blumer was given credit for the time he served in the Scott County Jail awaiting trial and sentencing.

On April 22, 2020, Blumer was again placed on parole.

However, on May 27, 2021, he was arrested for possession of a controlled substance-third offense-meth, a Class D felony to which he pleaded guilty and for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was given credit for time served in the Scott County Jail awaiting trial and sentencing.

Blumer most recently was placed on parole June 22, 2023.
Kevin Maynard has been selected to serve as 3rd Ward alderman for Rock Island.

The 3rd Ward seat has been vacant since January, when Ald. Judith Gilbert resigned from council. In her resignation announcement, she said she was retiring and planned to move to Eldridge to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.

Mayor Mike Thoms appointed Maynard. His appointment is pending city council approval Monday, Feb. 26, according to the city's announcement.

"I look forward to working with Kevin and welcome him to Rock Island City Council," Thoms said.

Once approved, Maynard will serve the remainder of Gilbert's term, which expires in April 2025.

Maynard is the executive director of Quad City Arts, serves as chair of the Illinois Presenters Network and is co-host of the No Business Like Arts industry podcast. He also serves on the board of Richmond Hill Players in Geneseo.

He is married to Lily Blouin, who is active in the Quad Cities' theatre scene.

When he took the position as executive director with Quad City Arts, Maynard said, the couple chose to live in Rock Island because of its history and promising future.

"We love the city's diversity, its history and can feel the promising future," Maynard said. "We love Rock Island and I look forward to getting to work with my fellow council members."

According to the city's announcement, he has more than 15 years of experience in arts management and philanthropy and believes the arts are essential to a health community. The arts, he said, can help drive tourism, the economy and improve the quality of life.

Before joining Quad City Arts, Maynard served as the executive director of The Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg. He is a Geneseo native and holds a Bachelor of Accountancy and Master of Business Administration degrees from Western Illinois University.
CEDAR FALLS  Close to a dozen people harshly criticized the City Council on Monday for not formally calling for a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel.

A similar number of people urged the council to adopt a cease-fire resolution Feb. 5.

Many of the speakers were different from those who spoke earlier this month and came armed with anecdotes to make their arguments for what impact a resolution could have locally.

Several waved small Palestinian flags and indicated they wanted at least a vote on the two-page statement which, among other things, denounces antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab actions; pushes for the return of all hostages; and advocates for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

It reminds me why I chose not to raise my family here, said Erica Rissi, a Cedar Valley native and resident, before reading the resolution in its entirety.

There was more public engagement from the council compared with last time, when only the mayor spoke in response to the requested resolution.

Monday marked the third time the issue was broached, but there was no support for taking up the resolution previously endorsed by the Human Rights Commission in a 6-1 vote.

Nonetheless, Mayor Danny Laudick emphasized to meeting attendees that we are having conversations privately, and said the door remains open for a possible work session on the subject as well as, more broadly, the citys role in global matters.

Our federal leaders may not be listening, so thats why we are turning to you. Thats why were here. All of our emails are falling on deaf ears, said Whitney Rissi of Waterloo.

I urge you to take a stand with human life and be on the right side of history. While we acknowledge that this resolution may not immediately bring about international change, it will demonstrate to your constituents that Cedar Falls cares deeply about diversity and inclusion and the well being of its people.

Laudick excused the councils lack of response earlier this month, indicating it wasnt the time and place for a back and forth, though later in the meeting the council could make referral for future discussion in committee or make a statement during council updates.

Councilmembers Kelly Dunn, attending remotely, and Gil Schultz went ahead anyway and publicly expressed appreciation for the speakers and noted that they are open to all conversation.

Silence sometimes is not good and I understand that, so I just want to make it known publicly here that I support peace in Gaza, said Dunn.

Both suggested, however, they didnt have interest in taking action on a resolution as Schultz brought up whats on the mind of city officials and noted there are a lot of challenges in other places around the world.

The Waterloo City Council has held two work sessions on the issue and heard from many speakers, as well, but is now pondering a proclamation condemning the Israel-Hamas war instead of the originally proposed resolution.

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DES MOINES  The Iowa House passed a bill Thursday to strengthen Iowa's open meetings law, proposed by a Quad-Cities lawmaker who said he was inspired by recent events in Davenport.

The bill, House File 2539, would increase the penalties for public officials who violate the open meetings law and require open meeting and records training for public officials. A member of a government body who inadvertently participates in a violation of open meetings laws would be fined between $500 and $2,500. If a person knowingly violates the law, they would be fined between $5,000 and $12,000.

Two issues in Davenport were the chief instigators for the bill, said Rep. Gary Mohr, a Republican from Bettendorf who proposed it. First, the difficulty journalists and members of the public faced obtaining records after the partial building collapse in Davenport last year. The second issue was the city's decision to approve a $1.6 million separation with its city administrator without a vote in public session.

The separation with former City Administrator Corri Spiegel came after "prolonged and documented instances of harassment by some elected officials," according to a statement the city made days after it announced she was leaving her position. Nearly a month later, the council ratified the separation agreement in a public vote.

Separation agreements with Spiegel and two other city employees involved around $2 million in payments by the city, but were decided without a public vote from the council, Mohr said.

The city attorney at the time, who has since retired, said Davenport Municipal Code allows the city attorney to direct litigation and approve settlements with the city, and necessary approval from the council was received.

When the separation agreement was publicly approved in December, acting City Attorney Brian Heyer said the agreements were being brought up on the advice of outside counsel. He said it was being done "just to dot all the i's."

The city and former city attorney face a lawsuit from a Bettendorf resident and open records advocate asking the court to declare the city's actions violated the law.

Bill would require training for public officials

The bill passed with near-unanimous support in the House, 92-2. Reps. Phil Thompson, R-Boone, and Brian Lohse, R-Bondurant, voted against it. It is now eligible for consideration in the Senate.

Under the bill, if a member can prove that they voted against the closed session, had good reason to believe facts that would have indicated compliance with the law, or relied on a decision of a court or different body, they would not receive the fine.

City councils, school boards, boards and commissions, and most of the government bodies are bound by the state's public meetings law that requires most meetings and actions of the body to be taken in public with opportunity for public access.

Government bodies can enter into a closed session for a variety of reasons, including to review records that must be kept confidential, to discuss matters that are in litigation, and in certain hiring and firing situations.

The bill would also require elected or appointed public officials to complete a training course with the Iowa Public Information Board periodically.

The bill would cost $104,000 to hire an additional staff attorney on the public information board, according to an analysis from the Legislative Services Agency. Rep. Brent Siegrest of Council Bluffs said the board was likely going to hire a new staff member anyway because of a recent increase in open record violations and complaints.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the House, we're either going to have open public records in this state, or we're not," Mohr said ahead of the House vote. "I ask you to support this bill."

Sarah Watson of the Quad-City Times contributed to this report.

Photos: Davenport City Council Oaths of Office
Montana Jane Wisniewski Getz, 34, of Hamilton, pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted deliberate homicide and child endangerment, both felonies, in Ravalli County District Court on Thursday, Feb. 22.

Getz was charged on Feb. 5 after law enforcement responded to a report she made a little after midnight on Feb. 4, stating she had been attacked by her husband, that she had shot him three times, and that he jumped out of the second floor window of their home.

County prosecutors filed a motion for leave to file information and provided additional information found over the course of the investigation. According to the documents, at least three bullet paths through a wall and the ceiling of the residence were identified in an initial search, as well as a possible bullet scar on the wood and metal frame of the window the man exited the home through.

Two bullets were recovered at the scene, one from the wall and one from the ceiling, however the bullets were discovered to be of two different calibers, consistent with the ammunition found loaded into two of three handguns found on the bedroom dresser. Getz only identified one handgun of three present in the room at the time of the shooting as the weapon she had used to shoot her husband. A third bullet consistent with the caliber of the other bullets was removed from the mans hand.

Getz told officers that she and her husband had been arguing, and she had taken his phone. She reportedly told police that her husband was holding the child and that she pointed the gun at him and told him to put the 2-year-old down. Getz reportedly told officers that when the man put the child on the floor, she shot him in the neck. She then said that he charged her and knocked her to the ground and he then crawled out of the window. She reportedly told officers that during the altercation she shot him two additional times.

The man was examined at Bitterroot Health Emergency Department where his identified injuries included gunshots to the neck, chest and groin area. When interviewed later at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, the man said he was shot in the groin by his wife while trying to escape head-first out the second-story window.

Officers obtained still images from a nearby game camera outside the home. One picture allegedly shows the man leaping from the second-floor window. A second image reportedly shows the man on the ground with Getz leaning out the window pointing a gun at the man.

During an interview with detectives after her arrest, Getz reportedly told officers that she freaked out and panicked and that she had misrepresented herself to deputies. She reportedly told deputies that she didnt want to call 911, because, I was hoping, maybe he would just, like, die.

Bond was set at $500,000.
A Guatemalan man who had been residing in Corvallis is being held on a $10.75 million bond in Ravalli County after being accused of attempting to solicit the murder and/or assault of a Ravalli County prosecuting attorney and a detective, as well as his estranged wife.

The Ravalli County Courthouse had additional security measures in place on Thursday morning due to the threats.

Welman Ranfery Quiroaurizar, 38, was scheduled to be arraigned in District Court on 10 felony charges Thursday, Feb. 22 when the Ravalli County Attorneys Office filed an amended motion listing six additional felonies due to alleged threats made against county officials and the mans estranged wife; two charges of solicitation of deliberate homicide or in the alternative solicitation of aggravated assault, solicitation of aggravated assault, solicitation of threats in official proceeding and solicitation on intimidation.

Quiroaurizar was previously charged in Ravalli County Justice Court on Jan. 30 with two counts of felony intercourse without consent involving two separate women, two counts of partner or family member assault, four counts of assault on a minor, aggravated assault and criminal endangerment, all felonies.

Quiroaurizar is charged with 16 felonies in total.

Quiroaurizar was being held at the Ravalli County Detention Center on the rape and assault charges filed in January when he allegedly attempted to solicit the murder and/or assault of a Ravalli County prosecuting attorney and detective investigating his case, as well as his estranged wife who is currently seeking divorce from Quiroaurizar.

According to court documents, Quiroaurizar was arrested on Jan. 31 and currently remains incarcerated at the Ravalli County Detention Center. During the course of his stay at the detention center, Quiroaurizar allegedly admitted to being in the country illegally. Quiroaurizar is from Guatemala and has a legally issued passport. His attorney has requested a translator for future hearings.

Officials have been monitoring Quiroaurizars phone conversations since his incarceration, which have been reportedly conducted almost exclusively in Spanish. Upon translation of conversations made between Feb. 1 and Feb. 11, investigators allegedly discovered the threats against county officials and the mans estranged wife.

Translation of the phone calls identified the main intermediary in the alleged plot as a Hispanic male. Prosecutors allege that during a conversation with a family member on Feb. 3, Quiroaurizar discussed a financial transaction with a man simply referred to as the guy. In a call later the same the day, Quiroaurizar allegedly spells out the names of the intended victims. In a later call recorded on Feb. 11, the main intermediary reportedly told Quiroaurizar that the guy has confirmed he would help with the issue.

Quiroaurizar has a prior felony conviction for inflicting corporal injury in 2008 out of California.

The maximum penalty for the current threat charges is three life terms plus 30 years, and up to $300,000 in fines. The maximum penalty in the rape and assault cases filed in January is up to two life terms plus 50 years, and more than $300,000 in fines. If convicted on all charges, Quiroaurizar could potentially face five life sentences in prison and more than $600,000 in fines.
Conservation groups will be holding a meeting to discuss potential impacts of a mine in the Sheep Creek area on the Bitterroot Valley on Monday in Hamilton.

Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association, along with Bitterroot Trout Unlimited is hosting a presentation by MPG Ranch researcher Dr. Philip Ramsey on Monday, Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot River Inn. Ramsey earned a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Montana for a dissertation on the relationship between mine waste contamination and ecosystem function in the Clark Fork River Valley upstream of Missoula. Ramsey will be addressing the proposed Sheep Creek rare earth mine and the effects of rare earth mining to water quality, fish, wildlife and humans.

We're so concerned about the river, said Mark Oswald, president of the Ravalli County Fish & Wildlife Association. These mines require a lot of water for processing. And if they have anything, that's even a miniscule thing relative to what they had over in Anaconda and Butte with the Berkeley mine and all that, and the damage that was done on the Clark Fork, it would be devastating to this valley.

Oswald said the meeting is a way to start educating people about the potential impacts associated with having a mine of this nature in the Bitterroot Valley.

We know that it's only a proposal, but it is potentially an ecological disaster for our Bitterroot basin, he said. If the water was contaminated, like for instance, like the Clark Fork was, the irrigation and all the agriculture that depends on the river, all of the recreation, an awful lot of our tourist traffic here is relative to that river. One of the things I've been telling everybody is that we're all downstream, and everybody knows what flows downhill. So we all can be impacted in some form or another.

Plans for a mine in the Sheep Creek area are preliminary at this point, according to representatives of U.S. Critical Metals and U.S. Critical Materials, owners of mine holdings in the Sheep Creek area. Officials said they hope to submit a plan of operations for exploratory work at the site to the Forest Service this spring, though they were unsure of when exactly it will be submitted.

We have not settled on a consultant yet, said Ed Cowle, U.S. Critical Materials director. I would predict April. That's a wild prediction.

We have been told that we probably will not get a permit for drilling this year, Cowle added. We're of the opinion that this summer, you'd love to be able to do the test drilling in August or September. Doesn't look like that's going to happen.

The company holds mining rights on 223 claims around Sheep Creek. The claims total more than 4,500 acres, or about 7 square miles, of U.S. Forest Service land, according to the company. Sheep Creek is about 13 miles south of Painted Rocks State Park and about 36 miles south of Darby.

In March of 2023, the company claimed to have discovered the highest-quality deposit of rare-earth elements in the nation, billing its Sheep Creek holdings as "one of the highest-grade light rare earth projects in the U.S.," containing "at least 12 of the critical risk elements as defined by the U.S. Geological Survey."

Key elements identified at the site are neodymium and praseodymium, according to the company. Both elements have a wide variety including in electric vehicles and a variety of electronics.

The deposit also contains lanthanum, cerium, europium, gallium, niobium, yttrium, scandium, dysprosium, strontium and gadolinium, according to the company. The elements are often found in conjunction with thorium, a radioactive element. U.S. Critical Materials states that there's not enough thorium at Sheep Creek to require permitting from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Rare earth mining typically involves excavation of ore-bearing earth followed by chemical leaching in on-site ponds, or by pumping leaching chemicals through pipes directly into the ore beds. The creek near the mining claims drains north into the West Fork Bitterroot River, raising concerns about potential pollution among valley residents and environmental groups.

In early February, 19 conservation groups penned a letter to the Forest Service advocating for greater transparency, and calling for a complete environmental review before any actions are taken to avoid circumventing the National Environmental Policy Act and its public engagement requirements.

Harvey Klebanoff, aka Harvey Kaye," who also holds the title of director at U.S. Critical Materials, acknowledged concerns about potential pollution, saying We want to do the right thing. Klebanoff and other U.S. Critical Materials officials emphasized the use of next generation mining techniques and referred to mining techniques used in Butte as archaic and outdated.

If somebody got married and then got divorced, that doesn't mean that someone should never get married again, Klebanoff said. I hear what you're saying, and it's easy to paint everybody with the same negative, you know, brush. As they say, watch what we do, not what people say.

We are proceeding with a great amount of caution and that's why we haven't filed a plan of operations yet. Because we are taking all aspects of it into consideration. We want to do this in an environmentally responsible way.

Reporting by Joshua Murdock contributed to this story.
GREAT FALLS  First it was sandwich bags filled with anti-Semitic literature tossed into residents' yards and weighed down with sand to anchor them against the town's persistent wind.

Then the White Lives Matter stickers went up around town.

Eventually the neo-Nazis were filming themselves, without faces visible, slapping library books closed with their materials inside.

The book videos emerged Dec. 1. By then Great Falls Public Library Director Susie McIntyre had, with several community organizations, already started on a campaign to publicly push back on the hateful campaign sputtering about in their town. Four days later, McIntyre and a roomful of community members stood at a podium before the Great Falls City Commission to denounce the hate activity. Barely a month had passed since city officials there approved a proclamation condemning the festering bigotry.

McIntyre isn't entirely sure why the library was targeted. Perhaps it was the building's enormous mural of Alma Smith Jacobs, the first Black woman to serve as Montana's state librarian, overlooking downtown. McIntyre also wonders if the hate groups targeted the library as a source of open ideas and information.

"Access to quality information has always been a radical idea," she said Tuesday.

McIntyre has been insistent in her message that in this case the activities at the library, although reprehensible, were not criminal acts but a violation of library policy. The distinction is important to the library's commitment to uphold the freedom of ideas.

"It was important for me to make clear  you have the right to say these things and others have a right to say that this is wrong," McIntyre said.

Still, that distinction has been a source of frustration for the community as they've stood by their Jewish and Black neighbors who are targeted by the activity. Doubly concerning is the apparent effort by the hate groups to, through their spread of literature, recruit more people into their ranks.

According to federal data presented to the community this week, Great Falls led the state in hate crimes reported 2022. In what officials agree is certainly an undercount, Great Falls reported five; Billings, three; Helena and Bozeman, each tallied one that year.

Seeking answers

On Tuesday, authorities from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana and the special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Salt Lake City joined local officials at the Great Falls library to address the recent string of activity and educate residents who have banded together against it.

With the Cascade County Attorney and Great Falls Police Department, federal officials laid out the components that make up a hate crime versus federally protected free speech. A crime has to be motivated by bias against a particular group to cross the line from harmful rhetoric to a hate crime, they told the crowd of about 50. Anything short of that criminal act is likely protected by the First Amendment.

Reporting both, officials said, can help paint a better picture when authorities are investigating potential hate crimes.

"Far too often, and alarmingly so, too many of our fellow Americans have hate in their heart and are vocal about it," U.S. District Attorney Jesse Laslovich told the crowd. "But as soon as one violently acts out due to those beliefs and we can prove it, we will work to hold such conduct accountable by pursuing a federal hate crimes prosecution."

Such activity tends to follow global events. Since Hamas' terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, anti-Semitic hate crime reports have spiked across the county, Laslovich said.

Shohini Sinha, special agent in charge of the FBI's Salt Lake City field office, agreed with Laslovich that data suggests the general election this year will be accompanied by an acute rise in hate activity.

"Certainly, the national discourse is concerning," Sinha said.

Audience members peppered the panel with questions throughout the afternoon: What can be done about anonymous threats? How are reports to the FBI handled? Rather than share the hateful material across social media, what should be done by community members?

"You don't want to rile up the whole neighborhood," GFPD Captain Rob Moccasin told the crowd. "Let that group of people being targeted know that you're going to support them."

Into the light

On Dec. 5, that community support swelled at City Hall just four days after neo-Nazi literature was found in 16 book titles at the public library. McIntyre was first up in a coordinated public comment period denouncing the hate groups in Great Falls.

"I want my Jewish friends and my Black friends and my white friends and my Latino friends to know that those messages of hate do not represent the majority of us. It is a small, vocal, despicable, cowardly minatory doing these actions," she said. "But these actions keep repeating and so we need to have a strong response."

McIntyre had long partnered with the YWCA of Great Falls and others for community events. She's known YWCA CEO Sandi Filipowicz for 25 years; a foundation like that means both organizations are agile to the community's needs.

During the December meeting, Filipowicz raised what has been the responsive template for communities again and again over the last 30 years whenever anti-Semitism raises its head.

Billings, in the early 1990s, suffered its own rash of hate activity as the Ku Klux Klan and skinheads began spreading leaflets around town. The city responded en force, hanging prints of menorahs in windows across the community in businesses and homes. The activity died down, and Billings declared victory.

Great Falls now has its own signage to push back. Since December, the library and other community groups have shared printable signs reading, "Hate Has No Home Here."

"The city of Billings really rallied 30 years ago when a bunch of neo-Nazis tried to say Jews don't belong in the state of Montana," Aaron Weissman, whose Jewish family has been in Great Falls for several generations, said during the city commission meeting. "I'm here to tell you right now Jews belong in Great Falls, they belong in the state of Montana."

Bishop Marcus Collins, of Great Falls' Alexander Temple Church of God in Christ, challenged the audience that night to grow from the recent events.

"Silence is the enemy of progress and silence is the language of the fearful," Collins, a Black man, told the crowd. "Our city has made tremendous strides in an effort to establish a city culture that is full of diversity and inclusivity. Does that mean we're perfect? No, but that means we are in a progressive process that cannot and will not be hindered by voices from the shadows."
Assembly Member Tim Graysons record on housing issues and his legislative experience make him the editorial boards choice for the states 9th Senate District seat. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2019

In many ways, the race to replace Democrat Steve Glazer in the state Senate, where hes served since 2015, is anticlimactic: Only two candidates are running, both Democrats. This means voters in the 9th Senate District  which includes portions of Alameda and Contra Costa counties  will face the same choice in the November general election.

Glazer decided not to run for reelection due to term limits.

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The options to replace Glazer are Tim Grayson, whos giving up the Assembly seat hes held for the past eight years, and Marisol Rubio, a San Ramon City Council member.

Grayson, 57, the former mayor of Concord who also works as a police chaplain, has carved out a space in the Legislature as a left-leaning moderate. He also received Glazers endorsement.

Rubio, 50, is a former director of the Dublin San Ramon Services District and an executive committee officer of the Sierra Club. Based on her interview with the editorial board, she will likely be more of a progressive Democrat.

Rubio has a compelling personal story that showcases her dedication and drive  and gives her unique insight into Californias fragmented safety net. For years, Rubio told us, she was the primary caregiver for her daughter, who was diagnosed with brain cancer at 13 months. The cancer eventually went into remission, Rubio said, but her daughter was left with learning disabilities for which schools often had inadequate services. This prompted Rubio to get a bachelors degree in neuroscience at UC Berkeley to learn cognitive approaches to help her daughter, who is now a college undergraduate, succeed in school.

Rubio has translated this personal experience into a policy platform, which includes establishing personal health-care managers to help families care for children with complex needs, increasing school funding for paraeducators and reading specialists, boosting salaries for in-home caregivers and offering supplementary income to people on the edge of homelessness. She also emphasized the need for stricter environmental standards to protect communities from the adverse health effects of nearby polluters.

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However, Rubio struggled to identify potential funding sources for her proposed programs, especially amid Californias huge budget deficit. Instead, she floated the idea of an increased capital gains tax, a political no-go: Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would veto any proposed tax.

This refrain echoed throughout much of our interview with Rubio. She is passionate about public policy, but shes far less clear on details of the pragmatic realities that are required to change the status quo.

We were particularly impressed with Graysons track record on housing. In 2021, Grayson and Robert Rivas  who now leads the Assembly  launched a working group that held regional meetings across California to examine barriers and solutions to the housing crisis. Rivas, who has made housing a central focus of his speakership, recently appointed Grayson and other YIMBY lawmakers to the Assembly Housing Committee.

Grayson, who said his two adult children still live at home because theyre saving up money to buy their own houses, told us he strongly opposes Newsoms proposal to slash funding for a state program that helps very-low-income and low-income Californians become or stay homeowners. Instead of cutting housing money to help close Californias budget deficit, Grayson suggested the state could delay funding for its bullet train project, which is $100 billion over budget and years behind schedule.

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That may or may not be an appropriate solution, but we appreciated Graysons ability to identify specific cost-saving proposals. We also support his idea to create a working group within the Metropolitan Transportation Commission focused on increasing collaboration and connectivity between the Bay Areas 27 transit agencies.

And we were impressed by his understanding of one of the most complex issues facing the Legislature: the dwindling availability of homeowners insurance amid increasing climate risks and destructive wildfires. Grayson proffered thoughtful solutions, including more equitably spreading risk among insurance companies, accelerating the undergrounding and hardening of electrical equipment while protecting ratepayers from excessive cost increases and setting prescribed burns to improve forest health.
Tensions continue over a Henrico County Public Schools teacher and her comments about the Israel-Hamas war.

Catherine Massalha came under fire in January over remarks captured in an audio recording made by a student in her ninth-grade class at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen. On the recording, Massalha is heard calling Hamas militants resistance fighters and that the U.S. is funding a genocide in Gaza.

In the recording, she is also heard saying that the Israel Defense Forces was committing war crimes in Gaza.

The Washington Examiner and other outlets reported on the comments. A protest was held at the school.

On Wednesday, Henrico school officials said an investigation determined that Massalhas comments violated policy and that she would no longer teach at Deep Run but was not being fired.

Richmond resident charged with disorderly conduct at March for Life A video posted to X Wednesday appeared to show a counter protester accosting student marchers and knocking down some signs.

Massalha declined to comment and referred the Richmond Times-Dispatch to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Corey Saylor, a spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-based organization, said Massalha is being targeted due to her Muslim and  perceived Palestinian identity.

Some wanted Massalha reinstated. Others said the school division did not go far enough by reassigning her and that she should be removed from Henricos school system.

Deep Run senior Athena Savoji, who described herself as a visibly Muslim student, stood up to describe retaliation she received in the wake of the incident. She said she has faced swift and, at times, aggressive actions from her fellow students for supporting Massalha and creating a petition in the teachers favor that has garnered more than 1,000 signatures.

Students in the county deserve educational environments without fear where the expression of their opinions does not result in infection, or hate, Savoji said during the meeting, held in the auditorium of the New Bridge Learning Center on Nine Mile Road. It is imperative that students feel empowered to voice their perspectives without being uneasy.

She called for school administrators to remind students that they should not discriminate against students with opposing views.

We arent here to learn in fear, but learn to agree to disagree without consequences, Savoji said.

The meeting at one point became heated, prompting the School Board to threaten to end the public comment period early if the crowd did not remain civil.

Speaker Phil Bonnie described himself as a father of two and a Marine Corps veteran who has served in an intelligence gathering capacity. He said he was concerned about feelings and emotions that are being portrayed as facts.

There is only one outcome which you are hoping for at this point which is hate, Bonnie said. Youre no longer a teacher, youre an activist with an agenda who no longer commands the trust of the students and the community in which they serve.

People opposing Massalhas comments have criticized her for holding students captive while speaking about the war, and have refuted many of the points she made in the 12-minute recording. Opponents have also said Massalha did not give students the full context.

Saylor, the Council on American-Islamic Relations official, expressed frustration that the issue was not handled through what he called the structured process.

The remarks were made in early December, but no complaint was filed and no action was taken until weeks later, after the Washington Examiner published the audio recording of Massalhas remarks, according to Saylor.

Why did the parent bypass the very standard process for making complaints? Saylor asked.

Id like to see (Massalha) back in the classroom, Saylor added. Id like to see (the school division) stand by its teacher. And Id like them to make it very clear that the viewpoints of their staff and students are all equally valid.

Local activist Charles Turner said Massalha spoke from a place of profound grief when she addressed the unprecedented violence occurring in Palestine.

He said the Muslim Student Association was now without a sponsor and that they would have to find a new haven as Massalhas classroom had become a place of prayer for the group.

How does the school system determine what is acceptable self-expression and what is deemed disruptive and controversial, whose grief is validated and whose grief will lead to disciplinary action? Turner said.

School officials have declined to comment about what capacity she will be working after being reassigned.

A Henrico Public Schools spokesperson previously told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Massalhas comments were not part of the curriculum and that it was investigating the context and purpose of her remarks.

The district ultimately determined that the teachers remarks contradicted guidance provided to all high school history departments this year.

The school division does not condone the manner in which her comments were delivered, officials said. We apologize for the pain and distress our students and school community have experienced.
Michael Paul Williams Columnist Follow Michael Paul Williams Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The new murals background features vibrant streaks of orange, yellow, purple and aqua. At its center are two well-dressed Black college students, culled from historical photos.

Joseph Ellison drapes a trench coat over his arm, an orange circle framing his head like a halo; Marise Ellison totes a U.S. flag. Their cool demeanors belie the reality that police are arresting them.

Silhouetted figures to the left represent students sitting peacefully yet defiantly at a whites-only lunch counter. To the right, students hold signs that read CANT EAT DONT BUY and DONT BUY WHERE YOU ARE ARRESTED.

In the foreground, placards announce this seminal Richmond protest, whose history was largely forgotten for four decades.

The mural in the Genworth BrightLights Education Center at Dominion Energy Center is the first phase in a permanent art-centered tribute to the Richmond 34, the Virginia Union University students whose Feb. 22, 1960, sit-in at Thalhimers department store  three weeks after a widely heralded sit-in at a Greensboro, North Carolina, Woolworths lunch counter  helped dismantle segregation in Virginias capital city.

Dominion Energy Center, a performing arts venue, occupies the site of the former Thalhimers. The mural, unveiled during a reception Thursday evening, was painted by artists Hamilton Glass and Germany Ray in partnership with the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance.

Jennifer Maddux, director of education and community engagement for the Alliance, said the mural is the first phase of a project to raise awareness of this civil rights history.

As stewards of the space that was once occupied by the Thalhimers department store, our goal at Richmond Performing Arts Alliance is to continue to help tell the story of the Richmond 34, she said. We also want to ensure that the impact as a result of the sit-in is continuously shared with the Richmond community and younger generations.

The keeper of the Richmond 34 flame

The mural will anchor a planned Richmond 34 gallery, which will feature works of local professional artists inspired by the sit-in. Ultimately, the Alliance wants to develop lesson plans to share with local art educators for the sole purpose of teaching younger generations about the impact that the Richmond 34 had and continue to have on our community, Maddux said. Those lessons will be paired with an annual art competition for youth and winning artwork will be displayed annually in the gallery alongside the professional art.

Glass, a Philadelphia native, has numerous murals throughout Richmond. Ray, a 2023 graduate of Virginia Union, painted a three-story public artwork at Broad and Madison streets called the Women Life Freedom RVA Mural, celebrating the women of Iran in their fight against gender oppression.

Before they painted the mural, the artists consulted with Elizabeth Johnson Rice, a Richmond native who has been the keeper of the Richmond 34 flame, and Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt, whose fathers family managed the Thalhimers chain for 150 years.

Rice met Smartt in 2004, when the former organized a march of about 50 people from VUU to downtown Richmond to raise awareness of the 1960 sit-in. She spotted two white people at the event, a wife and husband, outside the Thalhimers building.

At the very end of it, she said, My name is Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt and my grandfather ran this store, Rice recalled, a moment she describes as divine intervention.

It was the beginning of an unlikely friendship between Big E (Rice) and Little E (Smartt) that the artists found inspiring.

Speaking to Big E about just her personal experience going through that day was a lot different than any literature I had read before on the Richmond 34, Glass said. So, just thankful to be able to hear that from her, but also to hear then the friendship that came out between Big E and Little E ... two people who could have been looked at as on two different sides of that.

On that day in February 1960, the 34 protesters were arrested, including Rices brother, Ford T. Johnson Jr. In June 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the trespassing convictions of Johnson, Rice and the other VUU students in the Thalhimers case.

But it wasnt until decades later  when Dr. Anderson J. Franklin was flagged while applying for a Global Entry permit to expedite his travel through U.S. customs  that the Richmond 34 realized that the trespassing arrests were still on their records. The charges were expunged in 2019.

Rice surmises that their protest left less of an impression than it might have because it was such a peaceful march  no accident, she maintains. Everyone involved, from then-VUU President Samuel Proctor to William Thalhimer to Richmond police, was aware that the students were heading downtown to protest, she said. Many other marches were met with violence and bloodshed.

A story still unfolding

The mural includes placards highlighting the 1960 march and three subsequent dates in Rices journey to keep the memory of it alive, including the 2004 commemorative march and a 2021 tribute by the Richmond Flying Squirrels during which the team retired its No. 34. Glass said the artists wanted to make it about more than the sit-in by incorporating the subsequent check points ... that kept the story alive.

A stone marker on the Virginia Union campus commemorates the Richmond 34. And in 2009, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources erected a marker near East Broad and North Sixth streets. But Ray, a VUU alumna, was unaware of this history until told of it by her adviser, Pari Valad.

I was a junior at the time, she said.

Hearing Little E and Big Es story, it was really inspiring and it made me feel so honored to be part of this process, she said. Hearing Big E speak, as a Black woman, I was just so touched to be picked to do this project because it meant a lot to me as a woman and as an African American in society. So hearing their story, and how it has transformed into the story that it is now, it made me so motivated, honored and just overall grateful.

Glass lauded Rices perseverance in keeping the story of the Richmond 34 alive.

It was kind of shocking ... that no one else was really telling the story, he said. It really is a story that lives beyond just the history of the protest.

More than six decades later, its a story still unfolding in vivid layers.

From the archives: In 1960, The Richmond 34 were arrested during a sit-in at the Thalhimers lunch counter

Michael Paul Williams (804) 649-6815
Winter may not be over yet in Richmond, but spring is pounding on the front door.

After some occasional rain showers Friday, and a quick shot of cold air lasting through Sunday morning, a substantial warming trend follows next week. Temperatures may reach into the 70s by Wednesday afternoon.

The showers on Friday will leave less than a quarter-inch of rain for most of metro Richmond, then chilly breezes from the northwest return and hold through the first half of the weekend. Temperatures on Saturday night will again dip into the 20s.

But it will not be that cold again for the rest of the month.

Warmer air will build early next week across the Southern Plains, surging into Virginia for Tuesday and Wednesday. Although record-high temperatures will probably not be threatened, both of those days will have no trouble reaching well into the 60s.

A few nuisance showers are possible on Tuesday, but significant rain will probably wait until late Wednesday or Thursday. Moreover, there are signs that the system moving in during that time could spawn some gusty thunderstorms in metro Richmond. We will know more early next week, but pay attention to what happens in the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, as that is where our system will originate.

Once it clears Richmond by Thursday night, some modest and short-lived chill returns for Friday, the first day of March. Afterward, another warm-up follows for the week of March 4.

That warm-up will not be as pronounced as the one that closes out February, but a series of days in the 60s with nights in the 40s will signal that the core of winter is long behind us.

Even though the past few days have been dry, Richmond remains on the cusp of a rainfall record. With 16.07 inches of rain since Dec. 1, Richmond is having its second-wettest winter on record  defined here as the collective three coldest calendar months of the year.

An additional 0.77 inches of rain needs to fall by the end of the month to tie the top spot from 1936-37. And with two more good chances at accumulating rain, there is still an opportunity to eclipse the record. However, for the moment, it is not obvious that the upcoming two systems will provide enough rain to get us over the top.

Although there are modest signs of a cool spell in mid- to late March, there is nothing to suggest an accumulating late-season snow is likely.

Richmond is also still on track to have one of its 10 warmest winters on record, and we seem to be getting used to it. Six of the 10 warmest winters have come since 2001.

The last time Richmond had a winter that was colder than the full 20th-century average was 2014-15. That winter was 1.6 degrees below that average. So far this winter, Richmond is 4.4 degrees warmer than that average.

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Four foreign nationals have been brought to Richmond to face federal charges of attempting to smuggle Iranian-manufactured weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to court records unsealed this week.

The charges come after U.S. Navy personnel in January intercepted a small vessel, called a dhow, in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia and discovered that the boat contained components of advanced conventional weapons  including a warhead  consistent with those used by Houthi rebels in recent attacks on merchant and military ships in the Gulf of Aden.

Two Navy SEALs died in the boarding operation, officials said.

Muhammad Pahlawan, Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah and Izhar Muhammad, all of whom were carrying Pakistani identification cards when they were detained, on Thursday made their initial appearances before a federal judge in Richmond, according to court records.

Pahlawan has been charged with transporting explosive material despite knowing that it is intended to be used to cause ... death to any person or serious injury for the purpose of intimidating a population. All four defendants have also been charged with making false statements to federal law enforcement officers.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said the defendants were being charged in Virginia under the federal venue statute, which says that, for offenses committed outside of any U.S. district  such as offenses committed on the high seas  suspects may be tried in the district to which they are first brought.

Officials said the dhow was intercepted on Jan. 11, when Navy forces onboard the USS Lewis B. Puller conducted a flag verification to determine the nationality of the unflagged dhow. The operation was complex, officials said, and involved helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

In the process of boarding the dhow, a Navy SEAL slipped and fell into the water. Another Navy SEAL jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue him, officials said.

After an extensive search, both Navy SEALs were declared dead on Jan. 22. Officials later identified the SEALs as Christopher J. Chambers and Nathan Gage Ingram.

Onboard the dhow, Navy personnel found and identified a warhead as well as critical components for medium-range ballistic and anti-ship cruise missiles, the complaint alleges.

Investigators said the Iranian government regularly uses non-military vessels ... to smuggle weaponry to other countries. The weapons and components matched those used by Houthi rebel forces to disrupt shipping and trade in the Red Sea.

Houthi rebels for months have been firing missiles and conducting drone attacks against merchant and military vessels attempting to access the Suez Canal via the Red Sea. Houthi leaders have said the goal of the strikes is to force Israel to halt its Gaza offensive and end its war with Hamas.

In response, U.S. military forces have conducted multiple strikes against Houthi military sites in Yemen. Biden administration officials have said the U.S. will continue the strikes in an effort to secure safe passage for ships passing through the region.

The Jan. 11 operation marked the first seizure of lethal, Iranian-supplied advanced conventional weapons to the Houthis since the beginning of (the) Houthi attacks, the complaint says. Fourteen mariners aboard the dhow were transported to Richmond to face charges or serve as material witnesses against the defendants, court records show.

Officials say the defendants lied about the origin of the dhow and denied knowledge of its cargo. Ullah claimed the boat had sailed from Pakistan before admitting it had originated from Konarak, Iran, the complaint says, and Pahlawan and Mazhar said they were not aware of the weapon components onboard the vessel.

In subsequent interviews, Pahlawan told investigators he had been given a satellite phone by his employer and the owner of the dhow, who called periodically to receive updates on the dhows location.

According to the complaint, FBI analysis of the number used to call the satellite phone identified the caller as an Iranian who officials suspect is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organization involved in smuggling activity.

Pahlawan faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of weapons smuggling. All four defendants face up to five years if convicted of making false statements. Pahlawan is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Tuesday, according to court records.

Ukraine endures a second year of war with scenes of grief, suffering and also joy
Nawal Abuhamdeh of St. Louis shared a bracelet-making fundraiser that her 10-year-old daughters Girl Scout troop started earlier this month to raise money for urgent humanitarian needs for children in Gaza. She never expected the organizations leadership would threaten her with legal action for doing it.

Abuhamdeh had led the troops annual cookie sale, which raises funds for the troops activities, for the past four years. But as this years sale approached, her heart just wasnt into it.

Since the attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, shes witnessed the destruction of her parents homeland in Palestine.

Israels assault in Gaza  one of the most destructive military campaigns in recent history  has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians since the war began, according to the territorys Health Ministry. That includes around 12,000 children. A cluster of UN agencies and nonprofits warned this week that child deaths were poised to skyrocket because food and safe water have become incredibly scarce in the Palestinian territories. Virtually all young children have infectious illnesses.

The girls in Abuhamdehs troop, who come from diverse backgrounds, including Somali, Indian, Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian, have been emotionally affected by the news reports.

The videos circulating are traumatizing. Abuhamdeh watched an inconsolable Palestinian father collect body parts of his slain children in a shopping bag. A doctor tried to save his 16-year-old nieces life by amputating her leg without anesthesia on his dining table. A wailing 4-year-old tried to get up and look for his parents  both of whom were killed, and his own legs amputated.

Im grieving. We are all grieving. We literally couldnt muster the energy to sell cookies, Abuhamdeh said.

She asked the girls if they had ideas for a community service project. They suggested making and selling beaded bracelets to raise money for the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund. Abuhamdeh recalled seeing Girl Scout efforts to raise money for war victims in Ukraine highlighted by the organization. It seemed like a good way to channel their sadness into a positive action.

She shared a post on social media, advertising bracelets for $5 or $10 with all the proceeds going to the relief fund. Soon after, she received an email from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. It said members could not raise money that represents partisan politics and must stay neutral.

The organization asked her to immediately remove all references to the Girl Scouts from any communications and social posts about the girls efforts. Abuhamdeh replied by explaining how important the fundraiser was for the girls and how critical the situation in Gaza was for children. She assured them that the troop wasnt making any political statements.

We condemn any innocent lives taken  whatever religion they are, whatever ethnicity they are, said Abuhamdeh.

She asked the leadership how their bracelet sale was any different than the Girl Scout fundraisers for Ukraine. She received a lengthy response, in official language, informing her that the activity had not followed the appropriate policy, procedures and approval processes as outlined in our volunteer and leader training documents.

The last sentence hit her hard: Unfortunately, if this direct violation of the organizations governing documents and policies continues, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and Girl Scouts of the United States have no other choice than to engage our legal counsel to help remedy this situation and to protect the intellectual property and other rights of the organization.

I got a little scared; Im not gonna lie, she said. I wondered, what are they going to do to me?

For years, she had strived to give these girls the opportunities she had missed out on herself. The troop had formed a sisterhood, growing up together since kindergarten.

Abuhamdeh reached out to the other parents. They decided the organizations values didnt align with what they were trying to teach their daughters.

Abuhamdeh sent an email to the Girl Scouts expressing her disappointment and hurt, and explaining that the troop wanted to disband from the Girl Scouts. They sent her instructions on how to leave the organization.

When I asked Kelly Daleen, chief membership and marketing officer for the Girls Scouts of Eastern Missouri, why this project was different from other fundraisers for war victims, she wrote that the troop leader had failed to get prior approval.

Abuhamdeh said she wished they had simply said so at the start, and asked her to suspend the activity until she got the necessary approval. Instead, they made her troop feel unvalued and vilified in a moment of deep grief and vulnerability. The tone of their emails felt like a cold reprimand to her. It reminded her of the times growing up that simply existing as a Palestinian American had offended someone.

What did we do wrong? the girls have asked her.

Abuhamdeh gets emotional when she talks about the decision to leave an organization that teaches girls to make the world a better place.

In the end, she said, deciding to stand up for their beliefs was the Girl Scout way.
Former Virginia first lady Susan Allen will rally voters for Nikki Haley in Virginias March 5 Super Tuesday faceoff with former President Donald Trump.

Haley, the former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the U.N., is scheduled to make a lunch hour campaign stop Thursday at the Westin Richmond hotel, according to her schedule.

Allen, the wife of former Gov. George Allen, is among 22 state leaders whom Haley named to her leadership team in Virginia. Haley says she will continue her uphill challenge of Trump in the Republican presidential primary election on Super Tuesday, when 16 states and territories choose their candidate.

After Trump prevailed in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, Haley trails Trump by 25 percentage points in her home state as South Carolina prepares to vote in its Republican primary on Saturday.

Ive known Nikki Haley since she was a conservative leader in South Carolina and watched her lead that state as an outstanding governor, Susan Allen said in an announcement of the Virginia team on Friday.

From there, it was with admiration that I saw her handling world leaders and world affairs with strength and grace while serving as a Trump appointee as ambassador to the U.N.

She has all of the characteristics needed to lead America as our next president, she said.

Susan Allen was Virginias first lady from 1994 to 1998. George Allen also represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate from 2001 to 2007.

Others on the Virginia team include former Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-10th, who represented the Northern Virginia district from 2015 to 2019; former Rep. Tom Davis, R-11th, who represented his Northern Virginia district from 1995 to 2008; and Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, a former member of the countys School Board who has served in the House of Delegates since 2020.

Business leaders include Bobbie Kilberg, former chair of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, and her husband, Bill, a lawyer in McLean.

The team also includes Richmond business leaders Hugh Joyce, president and CEO of James River Air Conditioning Inc.; Kirsti Goodwin, managing director of Tower 3 Investments; Harry Kelso, chairman and CEO of Base Closure Partners LLC and a member of Vets for Nikki; and Davis Rennolds, co-founder of The 51 Group and former political director at the Republican Party of Virginia.

Our Virginia leadership team understands what this moment in history demands, and with their knowledge and expertise, we can and will win, Haley said in a statement.

Whats there to vote for?Larry Sabato, president of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said Haleys campaign team represents a slice of the traditional Republican Party that traditionally has held sway in Virginia.

You still have a faction, and a fairly substantial faction, that want the Republican Party to be the way it was  a sane, midstream, conservative party, Sabato said.

But he said Super Tuesday in Virginia is shaping up as a lifeless political exercise, with few people voting early at the polls in either the Republican primary or the Democratic primary, in which President Joe Biden faces no substantive opposition.

Whats there to vote for? Sabato asked. Both contests are essentially over.

Trump campaign officials Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles predicted that Haleys campaign will end on Saturday in South Carolina fittingly, in her home state, rejected by those who know her the best.

The true State of Nikki Haleys campaign? Broken down, out of ideas, out of gas, and completely outperformed by every measure, by Donald Trump, LaCivita and Wiles concluded in a memo that Trumps campaign sent in response to Haleys announcement in Virginia.

LaCivita is a veteran of Virginia Republican politics and worked with George Allen on Capitol Hill, in Richmond and on multiple campaigns.

The Republican primary ballot includes six candidates, but the election comes down to Trump, who came out of early primaries and the Iowa caucus with a big lead in convention delegates, and Haley, who has refused to abandon her campaign as a moderate, policy-oriented alternative to the former president.

The Virginia Republican primary ballot includes three candidates who have dropped out of the race  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Candidates remaining on the ballot are Trump, Haley and Ryan Binkley, a Texas pastor.

Three candidates initially qualified for Virginias Democratic primary ballot  Biden; Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minnesota; and author Marianne Williamson, who suspended her campaign on Feb. 7.

Trumps key Virginia backers include state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland; Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-9th; Rep. Ben Cline, R-6th; and Rep. Bob Good, R-5th, who initially backed DeSantis. McGuire is challenging Good for the 5th District congressional nomination.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he will not endorse a presidential candidate ahead of the Virginia GOP primary.

Haleys Virginia leadership team also includes:

Alissa Baker, Women for Nikki;

Ben Dessart, former chair, Young Republicans;

Steve Dougherty, former official in President Ronald Reagans administration;

Lee Dunn, co-chair of Women for Nikki and general counsel to former Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.;

Frank Fannon, former Alexandria mayor and councilman;

Terri Hauser, vice chair of the Alexandria City Republican Committee;

Jamil Jaffer, founder and executive director of the National Security Institute at George Mason University;

Col. Jim Klingmeyer, chair of Vets for Nikki;

Lester Munson, former staff director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations;

Elroy Sailor, business executive in Washington, D.C.;

Morgan Vina, state chair of Women for Nikki and former chief of staff to Haley at the United Nations; and

Kristi Way, executive director of Moelis & Co. in Washington and chief of staff to former Rep. Eric Cantor, R-7th.
Democratic lawmakers have coalesced around a single bill to allow the buying and selling of recreational marijuana for adults.

On Thursday, Democrats merged two bills into one by agreeing on when marijuana sales would begin, how to limit the size of cultivation facilities and how to address Black residents who were disproportionately targeted by old marijuana laws.

The Houses General Laws Committee, controlled by Democrats, approved Senate Bill 448 on a party-line vote of 12-10. Sponsored by Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, the legislation incorporates language from the competing bill, which had been introduced by Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax.

The Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee voted 9-5 to approve Krizeks House Bill 698.

Krizek called the unified bill responsible and thoughtful.

But getting it past Gov. Glenn Youngkin remains a challenge. He does not favor the legislation, and all 10 Republicans on the General Laws Committee voted to reject it.

Virginia legalized the consumption of recreational marijuana for adults in 2021 but did not create a framework for legally buying and selling it. In the absence of a legal market, a $3 billion black market has emerged. The marijuana being sold in the state is unlicensed, untested and untaxed.

If you dont like marijuana, you shouldnt want drug dealers on the streets selling unlicensed, untested products, said Greg Habeeb, a lawyer and former state delegate who represents the Virginia Cannabis Association.

Sales would start on May 1, 2025

If the bill is approved, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority would begin accepting business licenses on Sept. 1. The authority would create five kinds of licenses: retail stores, transportation, processing, cultivation and testing. A company could hold multiple licenses.

On May 1, 2025, legal sales would begin. The date is later than the bill initially proposed.

A store selling marijuana could not contain more than 2,500 square feet of retail floor space. Growers would be limited by the number of plants they can house in an indoor facility. Small growers could have an unlimited number of plants outdoors, and licenses would distinguish between large and small businesses.

The board would create a liaison and support team to help minority and small businesses overcome barriers to succeeding in the industry and help them plan their businesses. The support team would reach out to Black communities and low-income areas that were disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition in the past.

Licensing fees and taxes would be used to help entrepreneurs in the industry. On Equity, there would be a micro business support program, overseen by the cannabis control authority, wholly funded by the licensing fees collected by the authority in the first year. After that time, the program would be supported by tax revenue from retail sales.

Other fee money would go to child care programs and substance abuse prevention.

An applicants race would not be considered for awarding business licenses.

Marijuana would be taxed at 9%, with half the revenue going to the locality and half to the state. Keeping costs low is important to legislators, because buyers will remain in the black market if legal cannabis becomes too expensive.

Pro-cannabis groups in support

The measure has gained the approval of several pro-cannabis groups, including the Virginia Cannabis Association, Marijuana Justice and the designated medical marijuana dispensary of Northern Virginia, Jushi. No cannabis groups spoke in opposition.

One GOP lawmaker, Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, said she could support the bill with minor changes.

Opponents raise concerns about kids

The Virginia Catholic Conference opposes the creation of a legal marketplace. Tom Intorcio, a spokesperson for the group, said it would compound the mental health crisis kids and teens are already facing.

Intorcio expressed skepticism that creating a legal market would extinguish the black market. In Maine, far more cannabis is sold illegally, even though the state has a legal marketplace. Some of the illicit cannabis has been linked to transnational criminal organizations.

It really hasnt been an effective model, Intorcio said of the legal market.

Todd Gathje of The Family Foundation said the bill would put a pot shop on every street corner.

I have kids and I dont want them to be around this, he said.

Earlier this month, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia State Police Association and the Virginia Sheriffs Association sent a letter to all 140 members of the General Assembly saying that legalizing retail sales would undermine Youngkins efforts to improve Virginias behavioral health system.

Youngkin has given strong indications that he would not sign such a measure.

He told reporters last month: I just dont have a lot of interest in pressing forward with marijuana legislation.

The House and Senate rectified their differences without going through the typical method, called a conference committee. Those meetings are held behind closed doors, and legislators iron out the differences between their bills.

Instead, lawmakers came to an agreement before the bills gained final approval. Two more Senate committees need to hear them, and delegates and senators will have to approve them in a final vote.

Habeeb called the process the most transparent way possible to write a bill.

Cannabis tax boom: States collect a whopping $15.1 billion in revenue since weed legalization Cannabis tax boom: States collect a whopping $15.1 billion in revenue since weed legalization Cannabis Tax Revenue State By State
The struggles of Virginians with mental health challenges are uniting Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly and Gov. Glenn Youngkin in a commitment to fix the states overwhelmed behavioral health system.

It is a commitment that is going beyond the more than $316 million boost in behavioral health spending that Youngkin proposed in his budget draft last December. New ideas are especially focused on making sure people who are ready to leave overcrowded state hospitals can actually do so.

It includes measures to write into law Youngkins promise that no one has to be committed involuntarily to a hospital while family members are denied access, as Irvo Otienos family was before his death at Central State Hospital last year.

As for the bills that are moving, Youngkin said, while some of them speak directly into some of our initiatives, others are good ideas from the General Assembly.

He added: And from the budget submissions, I think were heading in the right direction. We will continue to truly work off of each others good ideas and initiatives.

The House of Delegates and Senate have passed their own versions of the states two-year budget. Negotiators from the two chambers will seek to hammer out a compromise before the legislatures scheduled March 9 adjournment.

Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, who has sponsored several key bills, agrees with Youngkin that there is broad, essentially unanimous, support for dealing with the states behavioral health crisis.

State hospital patients await discharge

I really want to focus on the extraordinary barriers list, said Hope, referring to the list of state hospital patients awaiting discharge as hospital and community mental health agencies try to line up the services they will need to live in their home communities.

The state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services has been pushing hard to tackle that challenge over the past two years.

The list had peaked at 245 people in 2019, but now ranges around 160. The amount of time that people stay on the list is down, too: The median length of stay now is 77 days, compared with 161 days a decade ago.

But Hope, echoing other legislators and the governor, says theres still a lot more to do in regard to the behavioral health system.

We cant just keep pulling people out of the river. We have to start going upstream and trying to keep them from falling in, he said.

This year, bills (House Bill 314 and Senate Bill 179) to get tight deadlines for implementing discharge plans from state hospitals are moving through the House and Senate.

So is legislation (House Bill 601) to make sure insurers will cover crisis services  including the mobile crisis response teams that are a key element of Youngkins Right Help Right Now reform of the behavioral health system.

Otienos death inspires family access bills

Irvo Otienos death has brought the House, Senate and the governor together with a promise that family members cannot be denied access when there is a decision to send people in mental health crisis to treatment against their will.

Senate Bill 546 passed the Senate 40-0 and is moving to the House with a 22-0 approval by the Courts of Justice Committee. The House version (House Bill 1242) passed the House unanimously.

Senate Bill 176 and House Bill 888 that seek to direct individuals with neurocognitive disorders or neurodevelopmental disabilities  autism spectrum syndrome, for instance, to facilities better able to help them than state mental hospitals  passed the Senate and House, and each chambers version is pending before the other body.

When individuals with dementia or intellectual disabilities end up in a state mental hospital, they can end up staying for far longer than other patients since theres a limit to what the hospital can do to change their condition. But there are places where they can live safely and relatively independently, and directing them there would ease overcrowding at state hospitals.

Bills progress on investigation of complaints

Bills directing the state Inspector General to investigate all complaints alleging abuse, neglect or inadequate care at state hospitals are also moving. Senate Bill 178 passed that body 40-0 and is on its way to the House with a 22-0 endorsement from the House Health and Human Services Committee. The House version (House Bill 313) passed that body unanimously.

In December, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission reported that the state Office of the Inspector General reviewed only 117 of 663 human rights complaints, sending the others back to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the agency that runs the state hospitals.

While those bills are sailing through the legislature, intensive lobbying from private hospitals and sheriffs derailed a measure (House Bill 808) to let state mental hospitals delay an admission when a patient has potentially life-threatening medical needs that require immediate treatment that the state hospital cannot provide.

Its sponsor, Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, pulled the bill from the Houses agenda on the last day it could have been considered, saying he was aware of concerns about the measure.

He said the measure was meant to make sure federal law and a state Attorney Generals Office opinion were enforced. That law and that ruling say people needing immediate medical care cannot just be dropped off at a mental hospital.

The concerns that prompted him to let the bill slide, he said later, were the objections from hospitals and sheriffs.

Officers left many at state hospitals

JLARC has reported that law enforcement officers left 1,432 individuals at state hospitals before they were admitted during fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

Between Miyares January 2023 opinion and early December, more than 450 individuals were left at state hospital doorsteps.

One state hospital staffer told JLARC that while none of those patients died, its been very close. Had a patient who we sent out 15 minutes after arrival who was very close to death. We feel lucky that there hasnt been a catastrophic outcome.

Rasoul said: Were on track to have 900 this year. Thats why this bill was needed.

On the money front, the Senate Finance Committee panel that focuses on health and human services spending is suggesting to stick fairly closely to Youngkins budget proposal but is also calling for an increase of $7.5 million a year to help the states 40 community services boards recruit and retain staff. Virginias community mental health agencies have a huge number of unfilled positions.

It is also proposing an increase of $3.3 million a year for the states STEP-Virginia effort to ensure that all community services boards can provide nine basic services; $2.5 million a year for staffing at crisis stabilization units  places where people in mental health crisis can stay for emergency, short-term treatment; and a $1 million-a-year increase in existing funding to help people with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities pay rent.

The challenge of finding housing is a big reason why patients in state hospitals often have to stay there, even when they are ready to leave.

The House panel also wants the budget to instruct the behavioral health department to identify other ways to care for children and youth now served by the states Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents hospital in Staunton.

I think its clear that everybody wants to do something, said Del. Bobby Orrock, R-Spotsylvania, the Houses most senior member, and the senior member on the Health and Human Services Committee.

Today in history: Feb. 23 1836: Alamo 1861: Abraham Lincoln 1903: Theodore Roosevelt 1945: World War II 1954: Salk Vaccine 2007: Emmett Till 2011: Obama 2013: Kyle Larson 2017: John Kelly 2020: Ahmaud Arbery 2021: Capitol 2021: Tiger Woods
Group search for two missing men in Tulum jungle

Tulum, Q.R.  Nearly two dozen people participated in a search for missing people in Tulum jungle Thursday. Five women from Searching Mothers of Quintana Roo were part of the afternoon police search .

Their efforts were concentrated at Kilometer 9 of the Tulum-Boca Paila highway. There, FGE personnel along with the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, Civil Protection, State Police, Secretariat of the Navy and National Guard, spent several hours searching for known people missing in that area.

The search was for two men who went missing in separate events. Both were last seen around that area in December. Nearly two dozen people scoured the jungle but left empty handed several hours into their search.

The search was made after a recent protest by the Searching Mothers group who accused local authorities of not doing enough. Other searches are expected to be carried out in various areas of Tulum in coming days.

On Monday, Bernabe Pech Ramirez, the General Secretary of Tulum City Council commented that talks were held to support the search for known missing people in the area.
One of three captured in Tulum facing additional charges of the kidnapping of four people

Tulum, Q.R.  One of three men picked up on drug charges in Tulum is facing additional charges of kidnapping. On Thursday, authorities reported on the arrests of Benjamin N, Luis Antonio N and Alexander N, the latter of whom has been connected to at least three kidnappings.

According to police information, Alexander N is believed responsible for the kidnapping of four people in three separate events.

Our first investigations link Alexander N to at least three acts constituting the crime of disappearance committed by private individuals to the detriment of four victims whose identity is withheld, the State Attorney General (FGE) explained.

The three men in custody are part of a criminal group dedicated to the distribution and sale of narcotics in the municipality of Tulum, state authorities reported.

The trio were arrested in separate operations implemented by agents of the Investigative Police assigned to the Special Prosecutors Office in Combating Drug Dealing Crime in the Invasion 2 de Octubre neighborhood of the municipality of Tulum, the area where they maintained their operations.
As an image from Dorothea Langes Raphael Weill Public School Photos is displayed on screen, Rosa Parks Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program 5th grade students: Bea Chase, left, Ohio Robinson, center, and Isis Dash deliver remarks during the Bay Area Day of Remembrance 2024s program, Carrying the Light of Justice: Finding Our Way Home, at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres on Feb. 17 in San Francisco. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Regarding Annual S.F. Day of Remembrance event shifts focus to Palestinians displacement (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 17): I am Jewish and was profoundly moved by the Japanese American communitys Day of Remembrance commemoration.

This year, the Japanese American community stood in solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza, who, like Japanese Americans incarcerated after Pearl Harbor during World War II, are being scapegoated and collectively punished.

After 9/11, when then-President George W. Bush required immigrant males from Muslim countries to register at immigration offices, Jewish and Japanese American organizations organized protests that led to the demise of that outrageous effort.

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These actions reflect our two communities shared understanding that any attempt to dehumanize and harm an entire people demands a public and sustained response.

We have experienced governmental targeting rationalized by the thin excuse that just by existing, we posed a threat.

We know what can happen if these attempts are permitted because of what happened to our ancestors.

I appreciate our Japanese American allies who made this Day of Remembrance so authentic, timely and poignant.

Glen Hauer, Berkeley

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Expand mental hospitals

Regarding Initiative to build 20,000 homes for mentally ill Californians delivered far less (California, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 20): This article blames the wrong sources for the No Place Like Home initiatives failure.

Like all recent housing laws, the initiative forced local communities to surrender their rights to bureaucrats and developers. It is not the NIMBYs (local citizens) who are the problem, it is the wrong-headed ideology that rules state housing policy.

California does not need to build scattered housing across the state to deal with the problem. It already has the infrastructure and laws available to do the job.

While the new Proposition 1 measure and No Place Like Home depend on local construction and management of housing and care delivery, current institutions are already doing what is needed on a diminished scale.

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In the 1960s, the states mental hospitals were largely dismantled in a hysteria of charges over poor care. We still have these buildings, and the property they sit on could accommodate new housing and a centralized care system that could be more efficient than one dispersed around the state requiring multiple layers of oversight.

There is no need to reinvent the wheel. We have the framework and need to give it the resources to function effectively.

Niccolo Caldararo, San Francisco

Raise S.F.s horizons

Regarding Do YIMBYs who want taller buildings in S.F. have any sense of citys history or culture? (Letters to the Editor, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 18): The letter writer suggested that taller buildings on Lombard Street would interfere with San Franciscos culture of historic architectural trends and small neighborhood merchants. But the citys culture comes from its people, not its buildings.

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If we want San Franciscos culture to thrive and endure, then we need to create homes for residents who will experience our culture, fall in love with it, enliven it, embody it and pass it to the next generations.

As for historic architecture and small merchants, these need not be casualties of density. If we have the will, we can expand our aesthetic traditions skyward and increase the amount of new retail space available to local merchants in the process.

Rather than fear change, we must ask how we can harness it, as change is the only constant in life.

Steve Boyle, San Francisco

A force for good lost

Regarding Longtime Oakland business owner nearing retirement killed in his own auto shop (Crime, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 19): Aristeo Zambrano was not only a farm worker turned into a successful businessman. He was also an advocate for quality education to benefit thousands of English Learners.

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He occupied leadership positions in the long battle with the Oakland Unified School District to end discrimination against immigrant students.

Aristeo effectively led many of the activist actions to force the school district to comply with a consent decree, which was the result of a lawsuit brought by his brother, Mario Zambrano, and other parents of English Learners.

Aristeo, my friend, rest in peace. My condolences to his family, his friends and his fellow activists.
Three people were injured in northwest Roanoke on Thursday as a result of the citys third and fourth nonfatal shootings so far this year.

The first shooting occurred around 10 a.m. in the 2400 block of Hanover Avenue Northwest, according to a police department news release.

Police found two adult female victims outside a residence in that area with gunshot wounds that did not appear life-threatening, the release reads. Roanoke Fire-EMS Department personnel transported both women to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Officers quickly located and detained two adult male suspects, the release continued. While their investigation is ongoing, police said a preliminary investigation found that the altercation began with a verbal confrontation that escalated to the shooting.

Police said charges are pending, and more information will be released as it becomes available.

The second shooting occurred about five hours later in the 400 block of Hanover Avenue, according to a second press release. Police responded to gunshot wound reports at about 3:30 p.m. to the upper level of Washington Park near Lucy Addison Middle School.

Police said an adult male was found in that area with gunshot wounds that did not appear life-threatening. He was also transported to the hospital for treatment.

A second adult male on scene was identified as a suspect in the shooting and was taken into custody without incident, the release continued. Police recovered a firearm from his possession.

Police said a preliminary investigation of the second shooting found that the shooting arose from a verbal altercation.

All parties are known to one another and this appears to be an isolated incident, Thursday afternoons release read. Charges are pending.

Thursdays shootings were the third and fourth to injure but not kill at least one person in Roanoke since Jan. 1. In the same time frame last year, there were seven shootings with injuries.

If you know something about Thursdays shootings, call 540-344-8500 to talk to police. You can also send a text beginning with RoanokePD to 274637. Police say both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
Blacksburg police filed charges Thursday accusing a 21-year-old man in crimes against children.

Seth Gregory Rittler was taken into custody after police served a search warrant at a residence in the 300 block of Washington Street Southwest, police said in a press release.

Rittler is charged with four counts of using a communications system to facilitate certain offenses involving children, police said. He is being held in the Montgomery County jail without bond.

Police said their investigation in this incident is ongoing. If you have information about this case, Blacksburg police encourage you to call 540-443-1400. You can remain anonymous by calling their tip line, 540-961-1819 or by emailing ciu@blacksburg.gov.

Rittler is the second man charged this month in Blacksburg with child-related crimes. Jackson John Daughenbaugh, 20, was charged Feb. 1 with five counts of child pornography possession.

Daughenbaughs case is being adjudicated in Montgomery County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, according to online court records. His preliminary hearing is set for March 25.
The 20-year-old Virginia Tech student who went missing a week ago was spotted in Missouri on Wednesday afternoon.

The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office said in a news release late Thursday that investigators had tracked Jonathan Johnny Roop to a restaurant in Poplar Bluff.

Roop was alone and left the restaurant when he was being identified by an employee, the sheriffs office said. He drove away unaccompanied in his vehicle, a black 2018 Toyota Camry with Virginia license plate number TXW6643.

Poplar Bluff law enforcement was alerted and attempted to locate Roop, the sheriffs office said. They continued looking for him Thursday.

While there are many unanswered questions, based on this personal sighting, we believe Mr. Roop is acting alone and traveling on his own free will, according to the sheriffs office release. We appreciate the cooperation of law enforcement organizations, businesses, and the public during this investigation.

Investigators discovered from video surveillance footage from local businesses and financial institutions that Roop had remained in the Christiansburg area until about 3:30 p.m. His phone pinged near the Uptown Mall shortly before 4:30 p.m.

The Montgomery sheriffs office has said that Roops friends and family believe his behavior is unusual. But investigators dont believe he is in immediate danger.

Roop is 6 feet, 3 inches tall with blonde hair and hazel eyes. He weighs between 230 and 240 pounds. If you have any information or see Roops vehicle, call 540-382-4343 to speak with the sheriffs office.
RICHMONDWinter may not be over yet, but spring is pounding on the front door.

After a small batch of rain showers pass through on Friday morning, and a quick shot of cold air follows through Sunday morning, a substantial warming trend returns for next week. Temperatures may edge into the 70s by Wednesday afternoon.

The showers on Friday morning will leave less than a quarter of an inch of rain in most of Southwest Virginia, then the chilly breezes from the northwest return and hold through the first half of the weekend.

In addition, a very small disturbance races across Southwest Virginia on Saturday, which will turn the sky cloudy, reinforce the cold north winds, and produce occasional rain and snow showers.

The snow showers will mostly be in the New River Valley communities, where afternoon temperatures will remain in the 30s, but do not be entirely surprised if a few manage to squeak into the Roanoke Valley or Bedford before the end of the day, even though the afternoon will there will edge into the 40s.

Upward of an inch of snow is possible in parts of the New River Valley, and some of the higher elevations of Roanoke County could get a coating before the end of the day.

But by dusk on Saturday, the system will have moved southeastward into North Carolina, allowing another a reinforcing surge of cold north winds and sending temperatures well down into the 20s by dawn Sunday.

But it will not be that cold again for the rest of the month.

Warmer air will build early next week across the Southern Plains, and surge into Southwest Virginia for Tuesday and Wednesday. Although record highs will probably not be threatened, both of those days will have no trouble getting well into the 60s.

A few nuisance showers are possible Tuesday, but significant rain will wait until late Wednesday or Thursday. Moreover, there are signs that the system moving in during that time could spawn some gusty thunderstorms. We will know more early next week, but pay attention to what happens in the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, as that is where our system will originate.

Once that system clears Southwest Virginia by Thursday night, some modest and short-lived chill returns for Friday, the first day of March. Afterward, another warm up follows for most of the week of March 4.

That warm up will not be as pronounced as the one that closes out February, but a series of days in the 60s with lows in the 40s will signal that the core of winter is long behind us.

And though snow is still possible in March, and in extreme instance, early April, Roanoke is increasingly likely to have back-to-back winters with less than 5 inches of snow for the first time since the three winters between 2007-09.

There are modest signs of a cool spell in mid-to-late March, but nothing to suggest a late season accumulating snow is likely.

Roanoke is still on track to have one if its 10 warmest winters on record, and we seem to be getting used to it. Six of those 10 warmest winters have come since 2001.

The last time Roanoke had a winter that was colder than the full 20th century average was 2014-15.
AMHERST  A Lynchburg man accused of murder in connection with a womans death in the city is facing two felony sex-related charges involving a minor in Amherst County.

A grand jury on Feb. 13 indicted Leonard Eugene Blackwell Jr., 43, on one count each of a sex charge involving a child and rape of a minor. The indictments filed in Amherst Circuit Court state the offense dates are on or about Oct. 22, 2017 to Dec. 1 of that year.

Blackwell is accused in Lynchburg of second-degree murder in connection with the killing of Clarissa Dawn Jones, 37, whose body was found December 2021 in a creek more than two weeks after her disappearance.

Blackwell has been in custody since Dec. 19, 2021, after police discovered Jones body. He also is charged with concealing a dead body and destroying evidence of a felony, the Lynchburg Police Department has said.

Prosecutors have said Jones was last seen Nov. 27, 2021, and first was reported missing Dec. 2. Prosecutors also have said evidence showed Blackwell was in a sexual relationship with Jones prior to her death.

She was missing for more than two weeks before police found her body near the 200 block of Trents Ferry Road, according to warrants. Blackwell was detained at the scene where Jones body was found.

Warrants from the case also indicate police seized a shovel, knife and a blanket with a stain on it from the truck Blackwell was driving the night he was arrested.

In June 2019, Blackwell was sentenced in Amherst Circuit Court to two years and six months in jail for failing to register as a sex offender, second offense, a Class 6 felony. Prosecutors said at the time Blackwell was convicted of a sex offense involving a minor in 2001, which placed him on the registry.

In June 2020, Blackwell was sentenced to nine months in jail after pleading guilty in Amherst Circuit Court to two misdemeanor counts of assault and battery, which were reduced from felony sex-related charges involving a minor, according to court records. An Amherst County prosecutor at the June 2020 plea hearing said two witnesses had difficulty traveling from Georgia to Virginia and the plea deal kept minors from having to testify at trial.

Rebecca Wetzel, an attorney who formerly represented Blackwell until last year, said at a January 2022 bond hearing the defendant suffered from complications from his HIV diagnosis. Bond for Blackwell was denied due to his significant felony record, two failures to appear, one in Florida and one in Virginia, probation violation and a failure to register as a sex offender.

A trial date on the two Amherst charges has not yet been set. A jury trial on the three charges stemming from the homicide is scheduled for April 15 in Lynchburg Circuit Court.
GRETNA  Amthor International, which makes truck-tanks at its facility in Pittsylvania County, broke ground on its planned second facility at Gretna Industrial Park on Feb. 20.

The $4 million expansion, first announced to great fanfare in December 2022, will bring an additional 75 jobs to the community. The new plant is part of Amthors $30 million capital plan and represents the companys third expansion.

Our company has remarkably grown over the years, Brian Amthor, executive vice president at Amthor International, told county officials, community leaders and company representatives and employees at the groundbreaking at the industrial park. Today marks a significant milestone, as it solidifies our companys mission and commitment to manufacturing the best tanker trucks in North America, one customer at a time.

A fourth-generation family-owned company, Amthor International manufactures truck-mounted tanks used for refined fuel, propane, mining, vacuum and septic, portable restroom, water, well-drilling and construction industries.

Following the expansion, Amthor will have more than 200 employees, making it one of the leading employers in central Pittsylvania County. The company is hiring mechanics, electricians, painters and welders as part of the endeavor.

Starting pay at Amthor is based on experience, ranging from $45,000 to $50,000 annually, with 100% paid health insurance, paid time off and other benefits.

The purpose of the expansion is to meet growing demand. Amthors capital plan also includes investments in equipment and inventory.

Amthor built its first manufacturing plant in Gretna in 1992.

During his remarks, Gretna Mayor Keith Motley humorously recalled when Butch Amthor first arrived in town 32 years ago wearing a cowboy hat, driving a truck with New York license plates and scouting a location for his company.

In a small town, you know what that does  a radar goes up, Motley joked. Who? Where? What? What is he up to?

Referring to Amthors presence in Gretna since then, Motley added, I feel that its a partnership and a relationship that has developed and has grown and its one that were extremely proud of.

The footprint that youve placed on our area or our town with Amthor International has provided economic bounds that have been endless, he said. Theres a product thats American-made, Virginia-made and Gretna-made right here that doesnt stay just here, but reaches across the many tentacles of this country.

Their second expansion in 2018 resulted in the company relocating its corporate headquarters to the Gretna plant while investing more than $2.5 million at the existing plant and announcing the creation of 90 new positions over the next five years, many of which are actively being recruited.

James Garner and Tradesman Trucking adjusted its plans to build its own new building to help Amthor with its project.

Its gratifying to know that this world-class company, which is the largest tank-truck manufacturer in North America, has not only made its home in Pittsylvania County and the town of Gretna, but has continued to invest in its future, said Darrell Dalton, chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

Joey Faucette, chair of the Pittsylvania County Industrial Development Authority, said of the expansion, Your IDA is thrilled that this expansion brings a significant number of well-paying jobs to Pittsylvania County, which benefits our citizen-families. Economic development drives employment, which greatly enhances our quality of life here.

Pittsylvania County Economic Development Director Matt Rowe pointed to Amthors expansion as an indication of the countys business friendly climate.

Its always a sign of where the countys creating and fostering a very business-friendly environment, he said during an interview after the ceremony, adding that the county looks forward to working with Amthor on the expansion and continuing to foster their growth.

The companys second facility should be complete by the end of the year, Rowe said.
RICHMOND  Democratic lawmakers have coalesced around a single bill to allow the buying and selling of recreational marijuana for adults.

On Thursday, Democrats merged two bills into one by agreeing on when marijuana sales would begin, how to limit the size of cultivation facilities and how to address Black residents who were disproportionately targeted by old marijuana laws.

The Houses General Laws Committee, controlled by Democrats, approved Senate Bill 448 on a party-line vote of 12-10. Sponsored by Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, the legislation incorporates language from the competing bill, which had been introduced by Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax.

The Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee voted 9-5 to approve Krizeks House Bill 698.

Krizek called the unified bill responsible and thoughtful.

But getting it past Gov. Glenn Youngkin remains a challenge. He does not favor the legislation, and all 10 Republicans on the General Laws Committee voted to reject it.

Virginia legalized the consumption of recreational marijuana for adults in 2021 but did not create a framework for legally buying and selling it. In the absence of a legal market, a $3 billion black market has emerged. The marijuana being sold in the state is unlicensed, untested and untaxed.

If you dont like marijuana, you shouldnt want drug dealers on the streets selling unlicensed, untested products, said Greg Habeeb, a lawyer and former state delegate who represents the Virginia Cannabis Association.

Sales would start on May 1, 2025

If the bill is approved, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority would begin accepting business licenses on Sept. 1. The authority would create five kinds of licenses: retail stores, transportation, processing, cultivation and testing. A company could hold multiple licenses.

On May 1, 2025, legal sales would begin. The date is later than the bill initially proposed.

A store selling marijuana could not contain more than 2,500 square feet of retail floor space. Growers would be limited by the number of plants they can house in an indoor facility. Small growers could have an unlimited number of plants outdoors, and licenses would distinguish between large and small businesses.

The board would create a liaison and support team to help minority and small businesses overcome barriers to succeeding in the industry and help them plan their businesses. The support team would reach out to Black communities and low-income areas that were disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition in the past.

Licensing fees and taxes would be used to help entrepreneurs in the industry. On Equity, there would be a micro business support program, overseen by the cannabis control authority, wholly funded by the licensing fees collected by the authority in the first year. After that time, the program would be supported by tax revenue from retail sales.

Other fee money would go to child care programs and substance abuse prevention.

An applicants race would not be considered for awarding business licenses.

Marijuana would be taxed at 9%, with half the revenue going to the locality and half to the state. Keeping costs low is important to legislators, because buyers will remain in the black market if legal cannabis becomes too expensive.

Pro-cannabis groups in support

The measure has gained the approval of several pro-cannabis groups, including the Virginia Cannabis Association, Marijuana Justice and the designated medical marijuana dispensary of Northern Virginia, Jushi. No cannabis groups spoke in opposition.

One GOP lawmaker, Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, said she could support the bill with minor changes.

Opponents raise concerns about kids

The Virginia Catholic Conference opposes the creation of a legal marketplace. Tom Intorcio, a spokesperson for the group, said it would compound the mental health crisis kids and teens are already facing.

Intorcio expressed skepticism that creating a legal market would extinguish the black market. In Maine, far more cannabis is sold illegally, even though the state has a legal marketplace. Some of the illicit cannabis has been linked to transnational criminal organizations.

It really hasnt been an effective model, Intorcio said of the legal market.

Todd Gathje of The Family Foundation said the bill would put a pot shop on every street corner.

I have kids and I dont want them to be around this, he said.

Earlier this month, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia State Police Association and the Virginia Sheriffs Association sent a letter to all 140 members of the General Assembly saying that legalizing retail sales would undermine Youngkins efforts to improve Virginias behavioral health system.

Youngkin has given strong indications that he would not sign such a measure.

He told reporters last month: I just dont have a lot of interest in pressing forward with marijuana legislation.

The House and Senate rectified their differences without going through the typical method, called a conference committee. Those meetings are held behind closed doors, and legislators iron out the differences between their bills.

Instead, lawmakers came to an agreement before the bills gained final approval. Two more Senate committees need to hear them, and delegates and senators will have to approve them in a final vote.

Habeeb called the process the most transparent way possible to write a bill.
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A Minnesota man pleaded not guilty to killing a woman who was found stuffed inside her refrigerator

Authorities say a Minnesota man has pleaded not guilty to killing a 31-year-old woman who was beaten, bound and stuffed inside the refrigerator at her Los Angeles apartment
In Ukraine, Schumer challenges Speaker Johnson to 'rise to the occasion' and pass more US aid

On a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer directly challenged House Speaker Mike Johnson to take up a $95 billion national security package that includes aid for the besieged country
Mayor London Breed meets and shakes hands with attendees during an event celebrating the Lunar New Year in Chinatown at the Far East Cafe on Feb. 10. Adam Pardee/Special to the Chronicle A resident watches from a balcony as San Francisco Mayor London Breed kicks off the annual Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown on Feb. 3. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Mayor London Breeds standing among Asian American voters, who were a crucial part of the coalition that elected her six years ago, appears to be even worse than her position with the broader San Francisco electorate, a Chronicle poll has found.

Eighty percent of Asian respondents in the Chronicles February poll of likely voters said they disapproved of Breeds job performance, compared with 71% of all likely voters who said the same.

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Among respondents who had a top choice for mayor in the November election, or were leaning toward a candidate, just 10% of Asian voters selected Breed as their first choice. That was 8 percentage points lower than Breeds first-choice standing among all likely voters.

Two of Breeds main challengers, former Mayor and Supervisor Mark Farrell and nonprofit founder and Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie, each garnered support from 17% of Asian likely voters in the poll, which was weighted to account for demographic differences. The poll also found that many Asian voters were undecided, with 49% saying they didnt lean toward any candidate, compared with 38% of all respondents.

The results suggest that Breeds re-election bid is eliciting a deeply skeptical reception from San Franciscos large Asian American population, particularly Chinese voters, who played a big role in electing not only Breed in 2018 but also her most recent predecessors. San Franciscos population is about 37% Asian, the citys largest non-White demographic group. About 30,000 of the citys 501,000 registered voters receive their ballots in Chinese.

Political consultant David Ho, a longtime Chinatown organizer, was surprised at how little support Breed had from Asian voters in the Chronicle poll.

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I thought she had already hit rock bottom, but this is much worse than I anticipated, Ho said. Those numbers are below the bottom of the crater. You cant get worse than that, mathematically speaking.

The mayors low poll numbers could be a reflection of ongoing frustration among many Asian voters with high property crime, rampant drug use, attacks on Asian seniors, a troubled school district and a feeling that their voices are often neglected by San Franciscos political establishment.

London Breed has a major challenge coming up, and she definitely is losing Asian votes, said William Bill Lee, a former city administrator who closely watches Asian American politics. People are just unhappy. They dont see a future. Ive never seen it like that.

Breed has undertaken a number of efforts to try to address the Asian communitys concerns, especially regarding safety and housing.

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In 2021, her office expanded a senior escort program that helps elderly residents complete daily tasks such as shopping and getting to medical appointments. The move came as many Asian seniors said they were afraid to leave their homes because of pandemic-era hate crimes. Breeds administration has maintained $760,000 in annual funding for the program, which last year helped nearly 1,400 residents.

Additionally, Breed in 2021 launched a team of multiracial community patrols to help predominantly Asian neighborhoods, including Chinatown. And her administration has since 2018 helped move 270 families  the vast majority of them Asian  from crowded single-room occupancy hotels into stable housing.

Mayor Breed has been a strong supporter of the AAPI community, including making significant investments in safety, housing, and small businesses, Breed political consultant Maggie Muir said in an email. She stood strong with the community during the challenging years dominated by COVID and the rise of Asian hate, increasing public health support, adding police presence, protecting seniors, and launching community patrols. Working with leaders in the Chinese community, she has led the largest reduction of families living in SROs in 20 years.

The Chronicle poll found that, if the election were held now, Farrell would have the most first-choice votes, though his lead was within the polls margin of error. Lurie got the most second-choice votes in the poll.

San Francisco uses a ranked-choice voting system in which voters can pick up to 10 candidates in order of preference. If no candidate gets a majority of votes on the first ballot, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and their votes are reassigned to their voters next-highest choice. The process repeats until one candidate gets more than 50%.

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Some Asian voters have expressed concerns over the past few years about public safety, problems in the school district and the struggles facing small businesses. But Chinese American advocates say they believe Breed and her allies made two moves in the past two months that further damaged her standing among some in the community.

In January, Rev. Amos Brown, a prominent Breed ally and NAACP chapter president, was accused of threatening a Chinese restaurateur and rapper, Andy Chino Yang, after Yang criticized Breed for her record on public safety in a diss track. Brown later apologized.

Yangs attorney, Charles Jung, said at the time that the episode was an example of Asian Americans being intimidated or silenced when they voiced their political views.

Second, Breed ran into unexpected blowback from Chinese business owners after she sought to open a sober housing facility for formerly homeless people on Kearny Street, just steps from the popular Chinatown restaurant House of Nanking and other Chinese-owned businesses.

Breed wanted to promote the planned sober house as a sign that her administration was trying innovative approaches to respond to the citys notorious drug crisis. But Chinatown merchants said they were caught off guard and were not consulted before Breeds news conference announcing the project. For many, it was seen as a sign of disrespect to the Chinese community.

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Two weeks later, just before Chinatown community members were about to announce a petition opposing the project, Breed pulled the plug. She said in a statement to Chinese-language media that she would try to open the sober house elsewhere, noting that the support was not there to open it at the planned location.

In the eyes of the small businesses in Chinatown, the Chino Yang situation resonated, and you couple that with the sober site a few weeks ago  those are two check marks that the mayor has to battle with, said Lily Ho, a Chinese American political activist who is running on a slate of moderate candidates trying to gain control of the local Democratic Party governing board.

Breeds opponents see an opening. One day after Breed canceled the sober living project, Farrell paid a visit to Edward Siu, president of the Chinatown Merchants United Association, who had confronted Breed about the facility. Siu told the Chronicle that, in their meeting, Farrell pledged to listen more closely to the Chinese small business community.

I believe every (mayoral) candidate will say the same, Siu said.



Siu has not endorsed Farrell, saying he wanted to see more on what he has done and what is good for San Francisco. He wasnt leaning toward any other candidate, either.

Siu said Thursday that he also planned to meet with Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who is also running for mayor. He said he had not yet scheduled meetings with Breed or Lurie to hear their campaign pitches but was eager to find a candidate who can fix San Francisco, which he called a mess.

Of the 812 likely voters who participated in the Chronicles Feb. 14-18 poll, 223 identified as Asian, a majority of whom were of Chinese descent. Poll participants were recruited via email and text message to participate in an online survey that was conducted in both English and Chinese. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4%.

Asian voters have been instrumental in some of San Franciscos recent political battles.

In 2022, Asian voters helped propel the recall of three San Francisco school board members who faced outrage for spending time on renaming schools while classrooms were closed during the pandemic. Months later, voters removed progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin from office after a big push by recall supporters to win over Asian voters who were worried about a wave of anti-Asian hate crimes.

The Chronicles poll found that while 70% of all likely voters said they felt safe in their own neighborhoods, the share among Asian voters who reported not feeling safe was 46%  more than any other demographic.

Asian voters were also more likely than their non-Asian counterparts to rank Breed last, behind her three main challengers. While 35% of all likely voters said theyd place Breed last, the figure was 43% among Asian voters.

Jeremy Lee, co-president of the progressive Rose Pak Democratic Club, said he would support anyone but Breed, though hes not excited about any of the current candidates.

Lee, who is also running for a seat on the governing board of the local Democratic Party, said hes opposed Breed from the start. He campaigned in the 2018 mayoral race for Breeds then opponent, progressive former Supervisor Jane Kim. Since then, hes been more turned off. He said Breeds response to the pandemics economic fallout and the homelessness and drug crises is like throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks.

Some still support Breed and think shes taken the blame for problems not entirely within her control, such as the pandemic and attacks on San Franciscos reputation.

Lily Ho, the activist and Democratic Party board candidate, said she plans to stand by the mayor for now.

Ho said Breed has an uphill battle but thinks the mayor can still win.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Rayshawn Mortress Tutt Smoot, 34, of Florence, was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and crack cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on Aug. 11, 2022, investigators with the Florence Police Department, deputies with the Florence County Sheriffs Office, and agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division went to arrest Smoot in Florence for active arrest warrants, according to the office of the U.S. attorney for South Carolina.

Upon arrival at the residence, officers observed a car parked on a vacant lot and Smoot in the drivers seat. Officers also saw a pistol with a drum magazine on the front passenger seat. During a search of the car, officers found approximately 33 grams of crack cocaine, approximately five grams of cocaine, a digital scale, and a box of sandwich baggies along with the pistol. The pistol had a drum magazine which was loaded with 26 rounds of ammunition.

United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III sentenced Smoot to a total of 106 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justices violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.

Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Florence police Thursday night arrested a third person in connection with the Sunday shooting death of a 15-year-old Avery S. McDonald of Sellers.

Damarcus Rashad Legette, 18, of 208 Pickens St. is charged with murder, armed robbery, conspiracy and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to the Florence County Detention Centers website. He was booked in early Friday morning.

About 6 p.m. Monday, Javon Norman, 18, of 2929 Foxworth Road, Marion, and a 15-year-old male juvenile were taken into custody as well. They are charged with murder, armed robbery, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and criminal conspiracy.

The shooting occurred in a parking lot at Magnolia Mall.

The defendant is seen on security footage inside of the mall with two co-defendants just prior to the incident. The (defendant and the co-defendant) did exchange words with the victims just prior to exiting the mall and talking to their vehicle, according to the arrest warrant issued for Legette.

The (defendant) is seen walking to a Gold Ford Escape with the (co-defendants) and circling the parking lot before parking close to the victims vehicle. The victims are then seen exiting the mall and entering a Honda Accord, according to the warrant, which was issued Wednesday. Footage then shows two subjects exit the Escape, walk to the drivers side of the Honda and open both drivers side doors. Two victims advised both subjects presented handguns and stated, Give it up, in an attempt to rob the victims. During this altercation, the driver of the Honda was shot in the chest and later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

With the use of Flock Safety Camera systems placed near Marion County, (Florence Police Department) investigators were able to locate and identify the suspect vehicle. Through determined investigative efforts and the assistance of surrounding jurisdictions, the alleged suspect vehicle was located in Marion (Monday). Further investigation led to the identity of 2 of the possible 3 suspects that were involved in the incident, according an earlier media advisory.

A photo of the then-unidentified suspect was published by investigators and Pee Dee media.

The (defendant) was identified by security footage, a Marion County Deputy and multiple crime tips, according to the warrant.

A search through DMV records showed the gold Escape was registered to a (co-defendants) mother, Teshel Purnell. The vehicle was later recovered at a (co-defendants) grandfathers home, according to the warrant.

Norman is being held without bond on the murder and armed robbery charges according to the detention centers website. A $200,000 bond has been set on the conspiracy and weapons charge,

Legette will have an initial appearance before a Florence County magistrate before he later appears before a circuit court judge to have bond set on the two more serious charges.
FTC charged Avast with selling users browsing data to advertising companies

Pierluigi Paganini February 22, 2024 February 22, 2024

US FTC charged cyber security firm Avast with harvesting consumer web browsing data through its browser extension and antivirus and sold it.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed charges against cybersecurity firm Avast, accusing it of collecting and selling consumer web browsing data gathered through its browser extension and antivirus services. The antivirus firm is accused of selling the data to advertising companies without user consent.

According to the complaint, the cybersecurity firm was advertising its products as privacy-friendly. The company claimed their software would block[] annoying tracking cookies that collect data on your browsing activities and [p]rotect your privacy by preventing . . . web services from tracking your online activity.

Since at least 2014, Respondents have collected consumers browsing information through browser extensions and antivirus software installed on consumers computers and mobile devices. reads the FTCs complaint. Respondents sold the browsing information that they purported to protect, in many instances without notice to users.

Avast subsidiary Jumpshot sold the collected information to over 100 third parties between 2014 and 2020.

FTC will also fine Avast $16.5 million and order to stop selling or licensing any web browsing data for advertising purposes.

FTC says despite its promises to protect consumers from online tracking, Avast sold consumers' browsing data to third parties /2  FTC (@FTC) February 22, 2024

Data collected by Avast could allow third parties to profile users and their habits, the cybersecurity firm could have combined this type of information with persistent identifiers that they created and that allowed identification of each consumers device uniquely.

Collected browsing information, including web searches and webpages visited, revealed consumers religious beliefs, health concerns, political leanings, location, financial status, visits to child-directed content, and interest in prurient content.

The Czech security company claimed to have anonymized the data before selling them to third parties, but FTC believes that the process did not prevent the identification of the users.

Using a proprietary algorithm developed by Avast, Avast and Jumpshot purported to find and remove identifying information prior to each transfer of consumer browsing information to Jumpshots servers. But this process was not sufficient to anonymize consumers browsing information, which Jumpshot then sold, in non-aggregate form, through a variety of different products to third parties. state the complaint.

Below is the statement shared by Avast in response to the FTC:

Avast has reached a settlement with the FTC to resolve its investigation of Avasts past provision of customer data to its Jumpshot subsidiary that Avast voluntarily closed in January of 2020. We are committed to our mission of protecting and empowering peoples digital lives. While we disagree with the FTCs allegations and characterization of the facts, we are pleased to resolve this matter and look forward to continuing to serve our millions of customers around the world.

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs  hacking, AVAST)
US agents fooled a yakuza boss into giving them weapons-grade plutonium he thought would be sold to Iran: court docs

US officials say they arrested a Japanese crime boss trying to sell nuclear fuel.

Court docs describe a secret plan to fool him into delivering uranium and plutonium to the DEA.

The documents say Takeshi Ebisawa thought the fuel would go to an Iranian nuclear-weapons program.

US agents say they tricked a Japanese crime lord into handing over nuclear fuel to them in an audacious sting operation.

The claim was made in court documents unsealed Wednesday that described the effort to catch Takeshi Ebisawa.

In a press release, US prosecutors described Ebisawa as a leading figure among Japanese gangsters, also known as yakuza.

They said the Drug Enforcement Administration fooled Ebisawa into believing he was selling them a shipment of plutonium and uranium to help Iran build nuclear weapons.

He was arrested in 2022, according to legal records reviewed by Business Insider, and as of Thursday, was being held in federal custody in Brooklyn.

Ebisawa was first charged with trafficking weapons and drugs, but on Wednesday, a superseding indictment included the nuclear-trafficking allegation.

Prosecutors say in the indictment against Ebisawa that the 60-year-old acquired uranium and weapons-grade plutonium in Myanmar, which is in the midst of a civil war.

After years of discussion, he delivered it to an undercover DEA agent in neighboring Thailand who was posing as a weapons trafficker, the documents say.

Prosecutors cited calls and text messages over the course of two years, which they say showed Ebisawa trying to sell the nuclear fuel.

He appeared to find a buyer when the DEA agent said he could sell the nuclear fuel to a general in Iran who intended to build a nuclear weapon.

Prosecutors say Ebisawa was repeatedly reminded that the fuel was to be used for weapons, and at one point replied, "Yes, I know."

He went on to suggest he could also supply plutonium, which would be even "better" and make a more powerful bomb, the documents say.

Story continues

They say Ebisawa was invited onto a video call with somebody posing as an Iranian general as part of the ruse.

He eventually brought a sample of the nuclear material to Thailand, where it was seized and confirmed to be genuine, the documents say.

In exchange, he asked for a vast list of weapons, including sniper rifles and surface-to-air missiles, the indictment says. It included a WhatsApp screenshot of the weapons he wanted:

A screengrab of a message presented as evidence by US prosecutors, purporting to show a list of weapons requested by Takeshi Ebisawa in exchange for nuclear fuel. Department of Justice

In a statement announcing the indictment, US Attorney Damian Williams said Ebisawa "brazenly trafficked material containing uranium and weapons-grade plutonium from Burma to other countries."

(Burma is an alternative name for Myanmar.)

"He did so while believing that the material was going to be used in the development of a nuclear weapons program, and while also negotiating for the purchase of deadly weapons," he said.

He called the case "an extraordinary example of the depravity of drug traffickers who operate with total disregard for human life" and also referred to Ebisawa's conduct as "evil."

Ebisawa was charged with eight separate crimes, covering the allegations around moving nuclear material as well as those related to money laundering, trafficking narcotics, and trading in conventional weapons.

A codefendant, Somphop Singhasiri, 61, was also charged with narcotics and firearms offenses.

Most of the counts have a maximum punishment of life in prison.

Read the original article on Business Insider
LOS ANGELES -- Actor Matthew August Jeffers got nearly 15,000 new social media followers after he was featured in an artists video.

Now, hes about to launch the new Walking Dead series, The Ones Who Live, and the numbers are expected to get another bump.

Its a great way to get your message across, he says, and Im really passionate about a lot of things.

Landing acting jobs, however, was never one of his social media goals: Im not sure if Im interested in being a part of projects that use that metric as a way to decide. Im interested in doing really compelling, challenging work.

In addition to The Ones Who Live, Jeffers is also in the independent film, Unidentified Objects, and, soon, the Broadway revival of An Enemy of the People with Successions Jeremy Strong.

But, first that video.

Jeffers was in New Yorks Union Square when a man came up to him and said he wanted to draw his picture. I didnt know who he was, but when I opened his Instagram, I knew immediately, Jeffers says. Subway artist Devon Rodriguez has gained a huge following randomly picking people to sketch. His drawings sell for thousands; his videos attract hundreds of thousands.

And Jeffers was one of the people he wanted to include in his portfolio.

The process? It wasnt as simple as it appears on the YouTube video. The two talked and, three weeks later, they met to do the portrait. It could take from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, depending on the size, Jeffers says.

But acting? Thats a different story.

When I was in eighth grade, I played Charlie Brown and I remember saying I wanted to be an actor.

Instead of shutting him down, Jeffers mother encouraged him and told him to audition. Its a case of mother knows best, he says. She knew where I wanted to be before I knew where I wanted to be.

The Baltimore native moved to New York 10 years ago and started doing shows off-Broadway. He landed a role on the NBC series, New Amsterdam, which allowed me to leave my survival job. I was an office assistant for a psychiatrist for seven years.

Thanks to New Amsterdam, Jeffers didnt have to regroup during the COVID years. I think I would have been very, very scared. I was fortunate that I had somewhat of a base, and I could continue to work.

Finding roles, however, required laser focus, particularly since he doesnt fit the traditional stereotype of a leading man.

I was in college when a Rolling Stone feature dropped the title, Peter Dinklage was right to say no. That was a seismic change for me because, up until that point, I was saying yes to everything  just be grateful you have whatever it is. A commercial he said no to could have paid five months of rent. But he had a certain integrity and I found that as another attribute of dwarfism incredibly inspiring and motivating. I felt I had the liberty to say, What do I want to do?

Gradually, bigger work came his way. Cast in a Shakespeare in the Park production of Richard III, he got to know star Danai Gurira. She had been starring in The Walking Dead and was taken with his ability.

When the newest Walking Dead installment was planned, it was so clear that we had to have him, Gurira says. He was just such a fantastic presence in the show.

Thats the beauty of acting, Jeffers says. You go on this journey with a vision, but you dont really know where that vision is going to lead.

Now, Jeffers is rehearsing for his Broadway debut in An Enemy of the People. Its going to be really, really good, he says. Everyone told me how intense Jeremy is but Im pretty damn serious as well.

In The Ones Who Live, the 32-year-old gets a chance to reach a broader audience than he already has had.

The thing Im most excited about is that almost none of the roles Ive gotten have been conceived for a little person. I went from Richard III to The Walking Dead and now Enemy of the People.

Tom in Glass Menagerie is one on his Broadway bucket list but, for now, hes thrilled with the path hes walking.

And that Devon Rodriguez portrait? It has a place of honor in his home  a sign that you never know what a random encounter can bring.

"The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live" airs on AMC.
PIERRE, S.D.  South Dakota's Republican-led Legislature is trying to thwart a proposed ballot initiative that would enable voters to protect abortion rights in the state constitution. The initiative's leader says the GOP efforts threaten the state's tradition of direct democracy.

Supporters need about 35,000 valid signatures submitted by May 7 to qualify for the November ballot. Dakotans for Health co-founder Rick Weiland said they already have more than 50,000.

Republican lawmakers say the language is too extreme and overwhelmingly adopted a resolution opposing the initiative after grilling Weiland during a committee hearing.

Abortion South Dakota South Dakota Republican Rep. Jon Hansen stands in the House of Representatives in the state Capitol in Pierre, S.D., on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. Hansen opposes a proposed ballot initiative that would place abortion rights in the South Dakota Constitution. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)

INITIATIVE WOULD ALLOW MOST ABORTIONS

South Dakota outlaws all abortions except to save the life of the mother under a trigger ban that took effect in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade.

If voters approve it, the three-paragraph addition to the South Dakota Constitution would ban the state from regulating abortion in the first trimester and allow regulations for the second trimester only in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman. The state could regulate or prohibit third-trimester abortions, except when abortion is necessary, in the medical judgment of the womans physician, to preserve the life or health of the pregnant woman.

We looked at the rights that women had for 50 years under Roe v. Wade, basically took that language and used it in our amendment, Weiland said.

Seven states have had abortion-related ballot measures since the Dobbs decision, and voters favored abortion rights in all of them. Four of those -- in California, Michigan, Ohio and Vermont -- enshrined abortion rights in their constitutions.

Abortion South Dakota South Dakota Democratic lawmakers, from left, Rep. Erin Healy, House Minority Leader Oren Lesmeister and Senate Minority Leader Reynold Nesiba speak at a press conference, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at the state Capitol in Pierre, S.D. They oppose a Republican-led bill that would allow ballot initiative signers to remove their signatures. (AP Photo/Jack Dura

WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE?

The South Dakota Legislature's resolution opposing the initiative says the measure would severely restrict any future enactment of protections for a pregnant woman, her child, and her healthcare providers," and would fail to protect human life, would fail to protect a pregnant woman, and would fail to protect the child she bears.

Republican House Majority Leader Will Mortenson said they approved the resolution to help the public by pointing out some of the unintended or intended, maybe, consequences of the measure so that the public could see what it does in practical effect.

Republican Rep. Jon Hansen  who co-chairs the Life Defense Fund, formed to defeat the initiative  said its language goes too far and bans reasonable, commonsense, bipartisan protections that this state has had in place for decades.

When Roe v. Wade was the law of the land, we could at least have protections to say if there's going to be an abortion, it needs to be done by a physician, under a physician's supervision, in an inspected facility, Hansen said. You can't have those protections in the first trimester of this proposed constitutional amendment. That's insane. That's way too extreme.

Weiland said the language conforms with Roe v. Wade and efforts to say otherwise are misleading and ill-informed.

Democratic House Minority Leader Oren Lesmeister said voters, not lawmakers, should decide. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Reynold Nesiba also supports the initiative.

The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota, however, is not supporting the initiative, telling its supporters in a December email that the language "isnt sufficient to restore abortion access in South Dakota.

Abortion South Dakota South Dakota Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt pauses before entering the House of Representatives in the state Capitol in Pierre, S.D., on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. She introduced a bill to require the state Department of Health to create an informational video about the state's abortion laws. AP Photo/Jack Dura)

TRYING TO REMOVE SIGNATURES

The South Dakota House on Tuesday passed a bill by Hansen that would allow signers of initiative petitions to withdraw their signatures. It now goes to the Senate.

Hansen said the bill is about people being misled or fraudulently induced" to sign petitions. Weiland said Hansen's bill is an attack on direct democracy. Hansen said, This is a right squarely in the hands of the person who signed; if they want to withdraw, they can withdraw.

Democratic lawmakers on Thursday brought up concerns about potential abuses and class-action lawsuits over signature removals. They said state laws already exist to ensure ballot initiatives are done properly.

A VIDEO FOR DOCTORS

The Senate will soon weigh a House-passed bill that would require the state Department of Health, which answers to Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, to create an informational video, with consultation from the state attorney general and legal and medical experts, describing how the states abortion laws should be applied.

Republican Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt said she brought the bill to provide clarification after questions from providers about when they can intervene to save a pregnant woman's life. The purpose is to "just talk about women's health, what the law says and what the health care and legal professional opinions are, surrounding what our law currently says, Rehfeldt said.

Weiland said he is skeptical, not knowing what the video would include.

Hopefully it's enough guidance for doctors to be able to make these medical decisions, he said.

Associated Press writer Geoff Mulvihill contributed from Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Drivers in eight Midwestern states will be able to fuel up with a higher blend of ethanol throughout the year under a final rule announced Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The biofuels industry and farming groups, with support of Midwest governors, sought the end of a summertime ban on sales of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol for years. The higher blend has been prohibited because of concerns it could worsen smog during warm weather.

The move reflects the importance of ethanol to agriculture. The fuel additive consumes roughly 40% of the nation's corn crop, so higher sales of ethanol could mean greater profits for corn farmers.

The rule, which takes effect in April 2025, will apply in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Those states grow the bulk of the U.S. corn crop and are home to much of the nation's ethanol production.

The EPA said it delayed implementation of the new rule because of concerns there wasn't enough supply to meet demand this summer. Ethanol producers welcomed the change but criticized the EPA for that delay.

While we are pleased to see EPA has finally approved year-round E15 in these eight states, we are extremely disappointed by the agencys needless decision to delay implementation until 2025, the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade group, said in a statement. Its helpful to finally have some certainty about 2025 and beyond, but what happens this summer?

Most gasoline sold across the country is blended with 10% ethanol, though 15% blends are becoming increasingly common, especially in the Midwest. E15 summer sales still will not be allowed in most of the country during summer, though agricultural groups are pushing for a nationwide policy change.

The biofuels industry and politicians of both parties have portrayed ethanol as a product that helps farmers, reduces prices at the pump and lessens greenhouse gas releases because the fuel burns more cleanly than straight gasoline. However, environmentalists and others have said increased ethanol production can increase carbon releases because it results in more corn production, leading to increased use of fertilizer and greater releases of nitrate. Synthetic and natural fertilizers also are a leading source of water pollution.

The EPA has approved sales of E15 for cars and trucks manufactured after 2000. Growth Energy, another bioenergy trade association, estimates the higher blend will cost consumers 15 cents a gallon less than 10% ethanol.

Petroleum refiners have opposed the Midwest-specific rules, saying a special blend in one region would increase costs and could lead to tighter fuel supplies.

The American Petroleum Institute, a trade group, said a national standard was needed.

We are concerned this piecemeal approach could weaken the resiliency of the regions fuel supply chain," Will Hupman, a vice president at the group said in a statement. "We continue to call on Congress to pass the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would bring much needed consistency to the marketplace by allowing for the year-round sale of E15 nationwide, preserving access to E10 and eliminating the need for regional or state-specific waiver petitions.
Peer advocates May Chappell and Anthony Hardnett hand out cups of coffee to people on the street outside the Hospitality House in San Francisco. Hospitality Houses programs are among a slew of prevention services that could face significant budget cuts if Proposition 1 passes. Eric Risberg/Associated Press Wayne Foot receives a massage from masseuse Lisa Whitney at the Hospitality House in San Francisco. Hospitality Houses programs are among a host of prevention services that would face significant budget cuts if Proposition 1 passes. Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Proposition 1, the only statewide ballot measure in Californias March 5 primary, asks voters to make a fundamental choice about the states mental health system: Should California shift money away from preventative programs to spend more on intensive care for the most severe cases?

Prop. 1 has two parts. The first is a $6.4 billion bond that would provide money to build more housing and facilities to treat people with mental illness and addiction. The other seeks to redirect more of the states mental health budget into intensive care for severe mental illness that would probably come at the expense of programs that engage marginalized communities in conversations about mental health.

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Supporters argue the mental health crisis on California streets demands that more be spent on the people with the most severe problems. But opponents argue such a shift would cut important funding from prevention services, which they say save people from needing higher-level care in the first place.

The money at stake comes from the Mental Health Services Act, a 1% tax on Californians who earn more than $1 million in a year to fund mental health care. The tax typically nets $2 billion to $3.5 billion each year. Under current law, most of the funding is allocated to counties, which largely have discretion to spend the money as they see fit. That means mental health services vary widely from county to county.

Prop. 1 would shift more of the funding to state government control and would increase the amount counties must spend on housing and services for people with severe mental illness and addiction. Its impossible to say which specific programs will lose funding and which will gain, decisions that will be made if the measure passes.

San Francisco already spends a significant chunk of its MHSA funding on supportive services known as full-service partnerships that seek to help people struggling with serious mental illness, homelessness, addiction and AIDS. The services include housing support, employment assistance and vocational training, addiction treatment and therapy.

In the current fiscal year, San Francisco plans to spend more than $25 million from MHSA funds on full-service partnership services, according to budget documents from the Department of Public Health. That will make up more than a third of the $72 million in MHSA funding the city plans to spend next year, which is about the same proportion counties would be required to spend on full-service partnerships under Prop. 1. The ballot measure would also add a new requirement that counties spend 30% of their MHSA funding on housing interventions, with at least half of that money going toward people who are chronically homeless.

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Supporters of Prop. 1 say the measure will help get more people with severe mental illness off the streets and into housing. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who supports the measure, says he thinks thats an important change that would help homeless residents who arent getting the care they need.

Whenever I have looked at our MHSA spending in the past, it has struck me as peculiar that more of it was not going to the highest needs people, Mandelman said.

He keeps a list of people in his district who are chronically homeless and, in his view, need treatment. One of those residents, who struggled with addiction and frequently elicited complaints from residents on the streets where he camped, died in December at age 32, Mandelman told the Chronicle.

Mandelman said Prop. 1s requirements to spend on higher-intensity treatment and added funding to build facilities to treat people with severe mental illness could help save people like him.

Proposition 1 is the most significant and promising effort in that regard that weve seen, he said.

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Gov. Gavin Newsom, who proposed the ballot measure, said when he unveiled the plan that the bond measure would fund construction of campus-style facilities where people can live and receive treatment, as well as smaller cottage-like settings and individual homes. The measure would also allow for the money to finance locked psychiatric facilities. The types of facilities that would actually be built would be determined if the measure passes.

Newsoms office estimates the state needs 6,000 more treatment beds to address the mental illness crisis on its streets.

The measures promise of providing new funding for people with severe mental illness has drawn a wide coalition of support, including San Francisco Mayor London Breed, veterans groups and many mental health organizations.

At a recent rally at the Capitol, Oakland resident Katy Polony said she supports the measure primarily because it will pay for construction of more hospitals to treat people like her son, who has severe mental illness.

That is sunshine shining in a door that has been closed for 60 years, she said of the prospect.

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Supporters of Proposition 1 prepare to march through the streets of Sacramento after a rally on Jan. 31. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

But the bond funding would finance the construction of the new facilities and would not fund ongoing mental health services needed to maintain them. Thats where the redistribution of the MHSA funding would come in.

Prop. 1 is opposed by a coalition of groups that argue it will lead to more involuntary treatment and add to state costs as California faces a major budget deficit. Opponents also argue that the money diverted from existing services would be devastating.

The programs that would probably lose funding are ones that promote early intervention for people who havent been diagnosed with a mental illness.

One of those programs, the Asian Pacific Islander Mental Health Collaborative, serves Samoan, Filipino, Laotian, Cambodian and Vietnamese communities in San Francisco, said Natalie Tualemoso Ah Soon, who works for the nonprofit that runs the program.

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The program focuses on providing preventative services with a low barrier to entry  people dont need a mental health diagnosis to attend community gathering events such as drumming circles, lei making, Samoan dancing and new years celebrations. The events, which are held in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods, provide an important connection point for people who might otherwise have trouble navigating the complex American health care system, Ah Soon said. Someone might come in for a weaving workshop and end up getting connected with a clinician who speaks their language at the same site, she said.

The city plans to spend more than $15 million on prevention and early intervention programs like the Asian Pacific Islander Mental Health Collaborative this year. Other programs in the same category include school-based mental health promotion and overdose prevention services.

Other preventative and early intervention programs around the Bay Area could also be at risk of losing their funding if Prop. 1 passes.

Alberto Perez Rendon, who runs such a program for Spanish speakers in Alameda County, said he often defines their work by what it is not  its not therapy, treatment, medication or diagnosis. Instead, staffers listen to people who come in to talk about their troubles  job losses, breakups, immigration issues, children facing bullying at school  and lend a sympathetic ear and advice on meditation and mindfulness techniques to help them cope.

Last year, at least 235 people participated in individual sessions with the program he runs, and more than 1,800 spoke with staffers when they hosted tables or other activities, he said. They held 390 workshops on topics ranging from anxiety to reducing stigma around mental health and hosted more than 30 community events. They referred 31 people to more intensive mental health services or other types of support to help with housing, domestic violence or addiction.

He and Ah Soon are both concerned that Prop. 1 could force them to cut services.

Nobody really knows with precision how much money will be lost, but everyone seems to agree there will be a loss and a negative impact on the funding for our programs, Perez Rendon said. We think were doing wonderful work to get people connected before they worsen to the point of needing more complex services.

Its hard for programs like his to quantify their impact, he said. They cant point to a number of people theyve gotten off the streets, for example.
DES MOINES  Iowas funding for K-12 schools would increase by $147 million under a bill Iowa Republicans passed out of the House on Thursday.

The bill, House File 2613, sets the growth rate for Supplemental State Aid  the money the state pays to school districts  at 3% for the 2024-25 school year. The increase would amount to a $229 increase per student, bringing the per-pupil spending from the state to $7,864.

The increase would bring the total K-12 spending from the states general fund to around $3.8 billion.

The bill was passed by majority Republicans largely along party lines, 60-36. Republican Rep. Brian Lohse of Bondurant joined Democrats in voting against the bill.

Republicans said the bill's plan is sustainable and would provide budget stability for schools. Democrats decried the bill as a de-facto cut to school funding and said it would cause cuts to staff, programs and services.

Iowa Senate lawmakers have not settled on a number they will propose to boost school funding. Senate Republicans have advanced a shell bill that does not include a funding increase.

Since Republicans gained full control of the Legislature in 2017, theyve increased school funding by an average of 2% each year, according to data from the Legislative Services Agency. The Legislature passed a 3% increase in school funding last year.

House Republicans have also proposed a bill that would increase pay for starting teachers to $50,000 over two years and boost pay for paraeducators and other school support staff.

Democrats ask for 6% boost

House Democrats called the 3% increase in school funding insufficient to keep up with rising costs at schools. Rep. Sharon Sue Steckman, a Democrat from Mason City, proposed an amendment to increase the states public school funding by 6%, or around $294 million.

Democrats said the higher increase would allow schools to keep up with rising wages, increasing costs and help them fund vital programs like work-based learning. With a 3% increase, they warned schools would not be able to rehire teachers and would have fewer offerings with larger class sizes.

Their wages have not kept pace with the economy, because the school funding has not kept pace with the economy, so more and more are working additional jobs just to make ends meet, said Rep. Monica Kurth, D-Davenport.

Democrats compared the funding increase to the amount the state will spend this year on private school savings accounts, which Republican lawmakers approved last year. The program allows families to take the states full per-pupil allocation for their students and spend them on private school tuition.

Around 16,750 students used an education savings account for the current school year, for an estimated cost of $127.3 million. By year four, when every family will be eligible regardless of income, the program is expected to cost $345 million annually, according to estimates from the Legislative Services Agency.

Private school enrollment increased 7.4% during this school year, to 36,195. Public school enrollment dropped by half a percent to 483,699.

"Since there are fewer than 45,000 private school students in the state, getting about $300 million over a couple years, the least we can do is give that much to our public schools," said House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights. "So we were very disappointed that Republicans chose not to engage in this conversation and have concerns about where we finally end up."

Republicans: SSA boost part of larger package

Republicans noted on Thursday they are pushing for a separate bill that would increase the starting teacher salary to $50,000 over two years and increase pay for paraprofessionals.

House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford said the bill was part of a "global package" on school funding.

"We wanted to make sure that we give schools flexibility with (supplemental state aid), at the same time recognizing we need to put more money to paraeducation and teacher pay," Grassley said.

Responding to accusations that Republicans were prioritizing private school students, Republican Rep. Phil Thompson of Boone said private school and public school students receive the same level of funding.

"We have consistently delivered steady increases and SSA to the tune of nearly a billion dollars in the last decade," Thompson said. "This is my sixth year here. This is the sixth time that I get to vote for a sustainable increase in SSA, something I'm very proud of.

Where do teacher salaries stretch the furthest? Where do teacher salaries stretch the furthest? Teacher salaries stretch furthest in these southern metros K-12 teacher salaries stretch most in Washington state metros Top metros for postsecondary teachers: Northeast flounders, Southwest dominates Metros where real income for teachers lags by thousands of dollars
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gladys Harrison of Big Mama's Kitchen in Omaha was looking for ways to distribute meals to her community, but she couldn't get past the red tape.

Harrison's idea was to offer prepared meals for people participating in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. But when she applied for her restaurant to participate, she was denied. Twice. A bill in the Nebraska Legislature might change that.

LB920, introduced by State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, would expand the state's SNAP program to allow participants who are elderly, disabled or homeless to use their benefits to purchase restaurant meals. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nine states participate in a similar restaurant meals program.

McKinney called the bill a "win-win solution" because it would expand options for food assistance and support small businesses without much added cost to the state.

"Everyone deserves access to nutritious food, regardless of their circumstances," McKinney said.

The bill was considered in a public hearing before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday. Eight people testified in support and there were 23 written comments in support. One person testified in opposition.

SNAP provides low-income residents with financial aid to purchase certain food items at grocery and convenience stores. Many cold food items available at grocery stores are eligible for SNAP benefits, but foods that are hot at the point of sale are not eligible.

McKinney and other LB920 supporters said this poses a problem for residents who don't have access to kitchens or don't have the equipment or the skills to cook food for themselves. Alynn Sampson, executive director of Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach, said many of their visitors say they would like to purchase more healthy foods such as produce but feel limited due to the food's short shelf life.

Harrison said she brought the idea of LB920 to McKinney after her applications were denied and said expanding SNAP options would be beneficial to both urban and rural regions of Nebraska that are food deserts, lacking nearby grocery stores.

"There's one thing Nebraska has plenty of, and that's restaurants," Harrison said.

LB920 would not increase the monetary limit available to SNAP participants who qualify, McKinney said. However, the Legislative Fiscal Office estimated the law would add some costs for the state Department of Health and Human Services, since it would be tasked with establishing the program if the bill passes.

The first-year cost was estimated at $66,000, with an estimate of $108,000 the following year. This would cover the expenses of a program coordinator.

Restaurants would have to apply to participate in the program as well, according to Eric Savaiano, economic justice program manager for Nebraska Appleseed. To be eligible, he said the restaurants have to sell their meals at "concession," meaning they would be priced 5-10% below market rate.

Harrison said restaurants could easily charge less because they will save on labor costs. Restaurant meals typically involve staff members taking orders and then preparing those meals individually. Instead, she said, Big Mama's Kitchen would sell SNAP participants pre-prepared meals that the consumer would need to heat themselves at another location.

Multiple restaurant representatives spoke in support of LB920, including a lobbyist with the Nebraska Hospitality Association, which represents more than 100 local restaurants.

The sole opposing testifier was Ansley Fellers, executive director of the Nebraska Grocery Industry. She said that even low-cost meals at restaurants are more than twice the price of the same food at grocery stores. Nebraska should ensure that SNAP funds stretch as far as possible, she said.

McKinney said he understood Fellers' argument, but noted that there are multiple areas across Nebraska where grocery stores aren't accessible. Families in those areas often resort to getting their groceries at dollar stores.

Katie Nungesser, who testified in support of LB920 on behalf of Voices For Children in Nebraska, said a majority of people who use SNAP benefits are already used to working with a reduced budget for food and could manage their use of restaurant meals.

"These families know what their limitations are and what they need to get by," Nungesser said.
DES MOINES  Iowas funding for K-12 schools would increase by $147 million under a bill Iowa Republicans passed out of the House on Thursday.

The bill, House File 2613, sets the growth rate for Supplemental State Aid  the money the state pays to school districts  at 3% for the 2024-25 school year. The increase would amount to a $229 increase per student, bringing the per-pupil spending from the state to $7,864.

The increase would bring the total K-12 spending from the states general fund to around $3.8 billion.

The bill was passed by majority Republicans largely along party lines, 60-36. Republican Rep. Brian Lohse of Bondurant joined Democrats in voting against the bill.

Republicans said the bill's plan is sustainable and would provide budget stability for schools. Democrats decried the bill as a de-facto cut to school funding and said it would cause cuts to staff, programs and services.

Iowa Senate lawmakers have not settled on a number they will propose to boost school funding. Senate Republicans have advanced a shell bill that does not include a funding increase.

Since Republicans gained full control of the Legislature in 2017, theyve increased school funding by an average of 2% each year, according to data from the Legislative Services Agency. The Legislature passed a 3% increase in school funding last year.

House Republicans have also proposed a bill that would increase pay for starting teachers to $50,000 over two years and boost pay for paraeducators and other school support staff.

Democrats ask for 6% boost

House Democrats called the 3% increase in school funding insufficient to keep up with rising costs at schools. Rep. Sharon Sue Steckman, a Democrat from Mason City, proposed an amendment to increase the states public school funding by 6%, or around $294 million.

Democrats said the higher increase would allow schools to keep up with rising wages, increasing costs and help them fund vital programs like work-based learning. With a 3% increase, they warned schools would not be able to rehire teachers and would have fewer offerings with larger class sizes.

Their wages have not kept pace with the economy, because the school funding has not kept pace with the economy, so more and more are working additional jobs just to make ends meet, said Rep. Monica Kurth, D-Davenport.

Democrats compared the funding increase to the amount the state will spend this year on private school savings accounts, which Republican lawmakers approved last year. The program allows families to take the states full per-pupil allocation for their students and spend them on private school tuition.

Around 16,750 students used an education savings account for the current school year, for an estimated cost of $127.3 million. By year four, when every family will be eligible regardless of income, the program is expected to cost $345 million annually, according to estimates from the Legislative Services Agency.

Private school enrollment increased 7.4% during this school year, to 36,195. Public school enrollment dropped by half a percent to 483,699.

"Since there are fewer than 45,000 private school students in the state, getting about $300 million over a couple years, the least we can do is give that much to our public schools," said House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights. "So we were very disappointed that Republicans chose not to engage in this conversation and have concerns about where we finally end up."

Republicans: SSA boost part of larger package

Republicans noted on Thursday they are pushing for a separate bill that would increase the starting teacher salary to $50,000 over two years and increase pay for paraprofessionals.

House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford said the bill was part of a "global package" on school funding.

"We wanted to make sure that we give schools flexibility with (state supplemental aid), at the same time recognizing we need to put more money to paraeducation and teacher pay," Grassley said.

Responding to accusations that Republicans were prioritizing private school students, Republican Rep. Phil Thompson of Boone said private school and public school students receive the same level of funding.

"We have consistently delivered steady increases and SSA to the tune of nearly a billion dollars in the last decade," Thompson said. "This is my sixth year here. This is the sixth time that I get to vote for a sustainable increase in SSA, something I'm very proud of."
1 A 'Journey' Detour!

Can you believe that the rock group Journey has been around for 50 years? OK, maybe we all can. Though songs like "Any Way You Want," "Faithfully" and "Don't Stop Believin,'" remain forever young. Journey's 50th anniversary Freedom Tour is coming to the Tyson Events Center. 401 Gordon Drive, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Bonus point: they are bringing Toto with them. Our 1980s dreams have come true.

2 Cheesehead warning!

Wisconsin is best know for beer and for beer cheese (an underrated spread) and for comedian Charlie Berens. The creator of the "Manitowoc Minute" is returning to the Orpheum theatre, 528 Pierce St. for an 8 p.m. Friday standup show.

3 Seriously free!

Are your friends at the Weekender cheapskates? Absolutely not. We're just very selective when it comes to parting with a buck. This is why we appreciate Hard Rock Hotel's Anthem putting on a free concert featuring the female-fronted metal band Serious Shirley. The show takes place at 8 p.m. Friday at 111 Third St. Did we mention, the show's free!

4 Unicorn sighting!

A unicorn has been spotted in downtown Sioux City and it had apparently made a stop at Spencer Gifts. Hey, it's 2024! Where else can you find black lights these days. The pop party cover band Black Light Unicorn will be hitting the stage at The Marquee. 1225 Fourth St., for an 8 p.m. Saturday show.

5 Reggae that rocks!

The funky rockin' reggae sounds of Wain McFarlane will be emanating from Vangarde Arts, 416 Pierce St., at 8 p.m. Friday. Is it just us but Wain McFarlane doesn't sound like the name of a reggae star. It should be Ziggy McFarlane. That's better.

6 Bunnies, eggs & more!

Morningside University Professor Emeritus Dr. Bruce Forbes will discuss "Easter Surprises: Bunnies, Eggs, Lilies and Religion" at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, 900 Larsen Park Road.
If you live in the United States, youre probably familiar with our homegrown culture war over trans issues, pushed primarily by Christian activists of the far right, which has resulted in a slew of anti-trans laws in various GOP-controlled states, with hundreds of further bills under consideration already this year. Across the pond, the U.K. has had its own version of this anti-trans backlash, characterized by constant discussion of, and attacks on, the trans community in its news media. Anti-trans rhetoric is so common in the U.K. that Great Britain has been nicknamed TERF Island (with TERF short for trans-exclusionary radical feminist, a type of anti-trans activist) among trans people.

So it was surprising, then, to witness the British prime minster make a mildly transphobic comment earlier this month and find himself met with intense criticism from the press and the public. What was different in this case? And does it suggest anything encouraging about shifting opinion in the U.K.? Youve got questions, weve got answers.

So what exactly happened here? The PM said something bad?

Ahead of an anticipated general election in the U.K. later this year, the current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, of the Conservative Party, is under heavy fire for a gibe he took at the leader of the opposition over the definition of the word woman. On Feb. 7, Sunak joked that the opposition leader, Keir Starmer, couldnt consistently define a woman, a jab at his support for trans rights. While, again, this sort of rhetoric is entirely commonplace in U.K. politics, the public reaction this time has been overwhelmingly negative, with calls for Sunak to apologize and numerous op-eds expressing disgust with Sunaks behavior. The reason? Sunak made the comment on the same day when the mother of a murdered transgender girl was visiting the House of Commons.

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This seems simple enough. Sunak is under fire for making a snide transphobic comment. Transphobia is wrong, and the right-thinking citizenry of the U.K. is outraged that a political leader would engage in it, right?

Right! Welllll Not really right at all, actually. In fact, this scandal is brain-meltingly confusing even for transgender people in the U.K.

PM Sunak accused Labors Starmer of breaking every single promise he was elected on and then proceeded to list the supposed broken promises. The list included things like pensions and tuition fees and ended with the gibe that Starmer had even done a U-turn on defining a woman.

Its worth noting that Sunak has repeatedly attacked the trans community in very similar terms, often even being more direct. For example, he recently posted, A man is a man and a woman is a womanthats just common sense on Facebook on Dec. 4, apropos of nothing. While this sort of gratuitous taunting of the trans community for no good reason has been decried by queer folks in the U.K., it has never been seen by the larger public as a national scandal, nor have similar comments by previous Tory prime ministers (nor ones from Labor politicians, which well get to in a moment).

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Ah, gotcha. Sunak and other U.K. politicians are transphobic all the time, with little outcry. Well, what was different about this time?

This time, Esther Ghey (pronounced Jai) was visiting the House of Commons to watch the session and meet with Starmer about improving the safety of young people, particularly trans youth, in Britain.

OK. Why does that make a difference?

Esther Ghey is the mother of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old trans girl who was brutally stabbed to death, in a park, in broad daylight, by two classmates in February of last year. The killers were a girl she believed to be her friend and a boy whod shared violent fantasies with the other 15-year-old. In court, prosecutors showed how they plotted Briannas murder in a series of text messages that included incredibly transphobic comments, including discussions of Briannas genitals and whether shed scream like a man or a girl when they killed her. On the day of the murder, they lured her to a park and killed her, stabbing her 28 times before running away, with each child ultimately pointing fingers at the other.

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The case and the subsequent trial, conviction, and sentencing of the two teenage killers has resulted in sensationalized wall-to-wall coverage in the U.K. media for the past year. Meanwhile, Esther Ghey, who always supported her daughter in life, has spoken about her frequently, praising Briannas school for supporting her social transition, saying how much she appreciates the outpouring of support from the LGBTQ+ community, but also speaking with empathy for the parents of her daughters killers.

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Apparently, the presence of the mother of a murdered trans teen when Sunak made his comment is what made this a scandal.

It almost sounds like the scandal wasnt Sunaks transphobia but his poor timing?

It certainly feels that way to the U.K.s transgender community, which is struggling to understand why the relentlessly transphobic U.K. press and polity are suddenly displaying shock and outrage over a, lets be honest, fairly mild transphobic comment of the type thats been repeatedly made by members of both major parties.

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To complicate things still further, it turns out Esther Ghey had not even arrived at the House of Commons at the exact time of Sunaks comment. However, both Starmer and Sunak believed her to be in attendance, and Starmer immediately drew attention to her (presumed) presence by shaming Sunak for taking such a cheap shot when Esther Ghey was visiting.

Hang on, back up, BOTH major parties? I thought for sure that Labor was the good guy in this story.

Perhaps the most ironic part of this whole thing is that Sunaks gibe about Starmers flip-flopping on this issue wasnt even really inaccurate. Starmer has distanced himself from Labors previous position, which supported streamlining legal document changes for trans people in the U.K. (a process that has been labeled self-ID and misrepresented as having something to do with womens safety by the likes of J. K. Rowling).

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Starmer even kowtowed to the brigade of anti-trans activists who demand that every politician define the word women by saying that a woman is an adult female. This is a string of words demanded by anti-trans activists as a kind of litmus test because they think it leaves out trans women from the definition, and they count it as a victory when a politician parrots it.

This is a weird episode but mainly depressing. Surely there must be something positive about the U.K. press or the wider public finally recognizing a transphobic comment as a bad thing?

Yeah, the politicization of the murder of an innocent 16-year-old is not a fun subject. But there is one somewhat encouraging development coming out of this fracas.

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While trans people are understandably feeling a bit of whiplash at the moment, the harsh public response to Esther Ghey being (kind of) present for a transphobic comment by a politician could indicate that Briannas murder has diminished the public appetite for open transphobia from U.K. politicians. Its even possible that Briannas death has finally humanized transgender girls in the eyes of the press and the public as being vulnerable and in need of protection.

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For a while, the U.K. press consistently downplayed the role of transphobia in Briannas killing, instead focusing on the most lurid details of the murder. However, when the killers were sentenced, both the judge and the prosecutor in the case finally named transphobia as a motive in the murder, with the prosecutor explicitly calling it a hate crime.

Its tragic that the death of a teenager would be required before people in the U.K. recognized the way widespread transphobic messages can warp the minds of unstable people, helping them convince themselves their trans victims are something less than human. However, to have this brutal transphobic killing take place with no such reckoning would be an even greater tragedy.
The Supreme Courts rejection of President Joe Bidens student debt cancellation plan last year was a major blow to his agenda. While the White House pledged it would still trudge forward and find another solution to grant widespread debt relief, Biden warned it would be a lengthy process. In the meantime, however, the president has wasted no time making critical changes to existing federal student loan programs to follow through on his campaign promise. As of Feb. 23, these actions have resulted in $136.6 billion in canceled federal student loan debt for 3.5 million borrowers and counting. A series of seemingly modest changes to the system have, little by little, added up to a head-spinning sum. And more is comingincluding another sweeping program that could cancel hundreds of billions in debt for tens of millions of Americans.

About 40 percent of that forgiveness came from changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, where borrowers who work in federal, state, local, or tribal government or at a nonprofit are eligible for loan forgiveness after making payments for 10 years. For years, this program was notoriously difficult to navigate and at one point had denial rates upward of 99 percent. Betsy DeVos, Donald Trumps secretary of education, enacted so many roadblocks that it was virtually impossible for most borrowers to obtain the debt relief owed to them by law. By contrast, Miguel Cardona, Bidens secretary of education, has revamped and streamlined the program. Cardona expanded which payments are eligible to count toward forgiveness and halted penalties for borrowers who make late or partial payments. The result was a massive $56.7 billion in forgiven loans that benefited 793,000 borrowers. And these numbers are expected to only grow as the agency reviews applications for the program on a rolling basis.

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The administration has also prioritized relief for lower-income borrowers, making critical improvements to the income-driven repayment program that has already canceled $45.6 billion in student loan debt for 930,500 borrowers. And on Wednesday, Biden announced an additional $1.2 billion in relief. His Education Department replaced the old, beleaguered Revised Pay As You Earn program with a new Saving on a Valuable Education plan, or SAVE plan, which has proved to be an immense success. The program targets borrowers who took out federal loans for $12,000 or less and automatically cancels their loans after 10 years while halting monthly interest charges for many borrowers. For every $1,000 borrowed above $12,000, forgiveness eligibility increases by one year. This plan addresses the biggest drivers of the student debt crisissmall loan balances and accrued interest.

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The SAVE plan is importantin some ways, revolutionarybecause 53 percent of borrowers actually owe less than $20,000. Many of these borrowers attended community college and are in low- and middle-income households. And overall, most borrowers in default originally borrowed $12,000 or less. The SAVE plan frees struggling borrowers whove made payments for 10 years, wiping out their loans in one fell swoop. All in clear accordance with existing law.

Bidens Education Department has also been cracking down on shady colleges that scammed hundreds of thousands of students, including the former DeVry University, the University of Phoenix, ITT Technical Institute, and Corinthian Colleges Inc. DeVos made it gratuitously difficult for victims of higher education scams to get relief on their outstanding loans; she was even held in contempt for continuing to collect debt from attendees of a shuttered for-profit college in direct violation of federal court order. By contrast, Cardona has already canceled $22.5 billion for 1.3 million borrowers who went to schools that closed abruptly or broke the law. He has also proactively sought out borrowers who have a total and permanent disability using data from the Social Security Administration and canceled their debt, an initiative that has wiped out $11.7 billion in debt for 513,000 people.

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Of course, there are millions of borrowers who dont fall under these categories; they are not in an income-driven repayment plan, didnt attend a sham school, and dont have a total or permanent disability. But the Biden administration is still working on a solution for them, too: A major new rule by the Education Department could wipe out hundreds of billions of dollars for millions of Americans. After the Supreme Court prevented the Biden administration from using the HEROES Act for this purpose, it pivoted to a different path that runs through the Higher Education Act. This law gives the Education Department broad authority to forgive individual student loans, but the process is notoriously onerous: The agency must engage in negotiated rulemaking, a yearslong slog that involves multiple public meetings involving various stakeholders followed by a lengthy public comment period. (This plodding pace is the main reason why the administration first tried to use the HEROES Act, which wouldve automatically erased loans with a single executive action.) The Education Department held yet another meeting on Thursday and Friday to move the ball forward; it has already put forth a draft proposal that would allow the agency to cancel debt for almost anyone experiencing financial hardship, defined very broadly.

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Related From Slate Joe Bidens New Student Debt Relief Plan Might Actually Work This Time Read More

Its impossible to say whether this gambit will survive the conservative judiciary. But it is undoubtedly on firmer legal footing than Bidens Plan A. And the Education Departments relentless push forward marks a stark contrast with the agencys approach under Trump. DeVos used her final days in office to commission a dubious memo that cut off relief for millions of borrowers, screwing over tens of millions of Americans on her way out the door. Throughout her tenure, she used every tool at her disposal to preserve every last penny of debt. Bidens policies are a 180-degree turn, and they have proved extraordinarily successful in the face of persistent judicial resistance.

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Student debt relief advocates have good reason to be disappointed with the Supreme Court, but they have no cause to scorn the president. When legal pressure forced him to restart loan payments last year, the Education Department instituted a 12-month on-ramp to excuse those who could not yet afford payments. When the courts blocked his stab at one-time relief, the agency rolled out a series of policies that reduced or zeroed out billions in debt for millions of people. And at this moment, the agency is plowing ahead with a program that could wipe hundreds of billions of debt off the books in the coming years. The pace of progress may be frustratingly slow. But in light of the fierce pushback from conservative lawmakers and judges at every turn, the benefits to borrowers have been an improbable achievement.
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.

On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a pair of cases out of Texas and Florida that could force major social media platforms to carry posts from Donald Trump or others who lie about elections being stolen or obliquely encourage election-related violence. A ruling in favor of these states would turn the First Amendment upside down and create the conditions for undermining American democracy. If there wasnt so much else swirling around our elections and democracy right now, this case would be commanding everyones attention.

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Moody v. NetChoice LLC and NetChoice LLC v. Paxton arise out of the actions that Facebook, Twitter (now X), and other social media companies took in removing Trump from their platforms after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump had been relentlessly calling the 2020 election results into question despite having no reliable evidence of widespread fraud or irregularities. In an infamous tweet in December 2020, he encouraged his supporters to come to Washington for wild protests on Jan. 6, the day that Congress would be counting the states Electoral College votes to confirm Joe Biden as the election victor. After Trump and his supporters spoke in speeches on the Ellipse on Jan. 6, a crowd stormed the Capitol. The violent incident left 140 law enforcement officers injured (four later died by suicide) and four protesters dead. After Trump failed to immediately condemn the violence and call for the siege to end, the platforms had enough, determining that Trump had violated their terms of service and needed to be removed.

In response to the removal of Trump and concern over what they call censorship of conservatives, Florida and Texas each passed laws that make content moderation difficult if not impossible for major social media companies. The laws differ in some particulars, but both would make it illegal to remove the kinds of content we saw from Trump before he was deplatformed in 2020. A coalition representing the platforms sued, arguing that the laws violated the platforms First Amendment rights to decide what content to include or exclude on their platforms. The coalition won their primary arguments in the Florida case but lost in the Texas case, and the Supreme Court is hearing both of them on Monday.

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The key First Amendment question is how to treat the platforms when they curate content. The platforms argue that they are private actors just like Slate or the Wall Street Journal, having a constitutional right to include or exclude content as they see fit. Its a strong argument. In a 1974 case, Miami Herald v. Tornillo, the court held unconstitutional a (different) Florida law that required newspapers to print the reply of someone who had been criticized in the newspaper. The court held that private actors like newspapers have every right under the First Amendment to include or exclude content as they see fit.

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The states argue that we should treat social media platforms as common carriers, the way we do the phone company. There are laws that forbid the phone company from denying you service because it doesnt like the messages you might communicate by voice or text. In an amicus brief in the cases that I filed with political scientist Brendan Nyhan and journalism professor Amy Wilentz and co-authored with Nat Bach and his team at Manatt Phelps, we argue that the common carrier argument is a weak one.

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As professor Eugene Volokh, one of the originators of the common carrier analogy, explains, what separates entities such as newspapers from entities such as phone companies is whether they produce a coherent speech product. Those who do are entitled under the First Amendment to exercise editorial discretion. Social media platforms surely do, however, produce such coherent products. Of course the public reasonably associates a controversial politicians speech with a platforms editorial message. People may be attracted to or repulsed by Trumps speech on a platform, but they will perceive that speech as part of the platform. (In contrast, no one perceives private text messages sent over AT&Ts network as AT&Ts speech.) People know that Truth Social, where Trump commonly posts, is different from a platform where people rarely, if ever, see posts from Trump, or a platform marketed to Democrats organized around criticizing Trump.

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It should be no surprise that after Elon Musk took over Twitter and changed its moderation policies to make the platforms content less trustworthy and more incendiary, users and advertisers reevaluated the platforms strengths and weaknesses, with many choosing to leave. Content moderation policies shape how the public perceives a platforms messages. Content moderation decisionsincluding Musks, whether wise or notare the exercise of editorial discretion. The public then decides which platforms to patronize, value, or devalue.

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Theres also a huge irony in seeing people like Volokh or Justice Clarence Thomas express support for the common carrier theory and requiring private companies to carry speech they may disagree with or even find dangerous. In his amicus brief supporting Floridas appeal, Trump approvingly quoted Volokh: Recent experience has fostered a widespread and growing concern that behemoth social media platforms  have seriously leverage[d their] economic power into a means of affecting the communitys political life. 

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That kind of equalization rationale has been rejected by the libertarians on the court in cases like Citizens United, the case that freed corporations to spend unlimited sums in support of candidates for election to office. There, the court wrote (quoting a 1976 case, Buckley v. Valeo) that it is wholly foreign to the First Amendment to seek to equalize speech, and that the First Amendment cant do anything to stop those with economic power from translating it into political power.

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Related From Slate The Supreme Court Is Reconsidering Its Entire Approach to the Internet. Uh-Oh. Read More

Now that it is conservatives yelling censorship rather than liberals complaining about big corporations seeking to have an outsize influence on whom is elected and on public policy, is the court really going to change its position on whether the government can mandate speech equalization depending on whose ox is being gored?

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This case, though, implicates more than just the First Amendment right of platforms to curate content. It may affect the survival of American democracy itself, as the 2020 election demonstrated.

During the campaign and post-election periods, these platforms labeled and fact-checked many of Trumps false and incendiary statements and limited the sharing of some of his content, but after Trump failed to condemn (and even praised) the Jan. 6 rioters, many major platforms, fearing additional violence fomented by the president, decided to remove or suspend Trumps social media accounts. The platforms made voluntary decisions about labeling, fact-checking, demoting, and deplatforming content that undermined election integrity, stoked violence, and raised the risk of election subversion and democratic collapse.

In so doing, the platforms participated in the open marketplace of ideas by exercising their sound editorial judgment in a socially responsible way to protect democracy. Even if certain moderation decisions were imperfect in hindsight, the platforms efforts were vastly preferable to an alternative in which government fiat deprives platforms of the power to remove even dangerous speech.

We should learn by June if the Supreme Court agrees.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is urging small business owners to closely examine their Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims for potential inaccuracies. As the deadline of March 22, 2024, fast approaches, the IRS has highlighted seven warning signs indicating that an ERC claim might be questionable, emphasizing the need for businesses to reassess their eligibility to avoid future complications.

The ERC, designed to support businesses that retained employees during the pandemic, has been subject to misuse, largely due to misinformation spread by certain promoters. These entities have encouraged businesses to claim the credit without proper eligibility, leading to an increase in compliance activities by the IRS.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel stressed the urgency of reviewing ERC claims. The IRS urges ERC claimants to get with a trusted tax professional and review their qualifications before time runs out on IRS disclosure and withdrawal programs. The suspicious seven signs released today are clear red flags that ERC claimants should carefully review, said Werfel.

The Suspicious Seven Warning Signs

Claiming ERC for Too Many Quarters: Its rare for a business to qualify for the credit across all available quarters. This could indicate an incorrect claim. Ineligible Government Orders: Claims based on government orders that did not affect the business operations directly or were voluntary suspensions may not qualify. Excessive Employee Counts and Incorrect Calculations: Businesses must adhere to specific rules and dollar limits when claiming ERC for wages paid to employees. Misguided Claims on Supply Chain Issues: Supply chain disruptions alone do not qualify a business for the ERC. Overstating the Qualifying Period: Businesses can claim ERC only for periods directly impacted by eligible government orders, not the entire tax period. Claims Without Paying Wages or Pre-Existence: ERC claims are invalid for periods when the business did not exist or did not pay wages. Promises of No Loss: Businesses should be wary of promoters claiming there is nothing to lose by applying for the ERC.

Resolving Incorrect ERC Claims

To address incorrect claims, the IRS introduced the ERC Voluntary Disclosure Program, allowing businesses to repay 80% of the erroneous claim amount by March 22, 2024. This opportunity provides a pathway for businesses to correct their claims without facing full repayment, penalties, or interest.

Businesses that have yet to receive their ERC payment or have received but not cashed their check have the option to withdraw their claim, potentially avoiding the need for repayment and additional penalties.

Seeking Professional Guidance

The complexity of the ERC criteria means that businesses should seek advice from reputable tax professionals to ensure their claims are valid. The IRS has made resources and tools available, including an interactive ERC Eligibility Checklist and detailed FAQs, to assist taxpayers in assessing their eligibility.

With the deadline looming, the IRSs message is clear: take action now to review and, if necessary, correct ERC claims to avoid future financial and legal challenges. This proactive approach will help ensure that businesses can navigate post-pandemic recovery with confidence and compliance.
Some additional Russian businessmen will no longer be subject to sanctions.

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From March 15, the European Union will lift sanctions against Slovak Jozef Hambalek, the European head of the Russian nationalist motorcycle club Night Wolves, the Reuters new agency reports.

The EU accused Hambalek of spreading Russian propaganda and training bikers to join the fighting in Ukraine on the side of Russian invading forces. In January, Prime Minister Robert Fico lobbied Germany to lift the sanctions on Hambalek. He was added to the sanctions list in July 2022. Fico asserted that Hambalek had done nothing to damage Slovakia's national interests.

Hambalek is not the only one

According to Reuters' sources, the EU will also remove two Russian entrepreneurs, Arkady Volozh, co-founder of the internet company Yandex, and Sergey Mndoiants, whos is responsible for relations with the Russian government in the Sistema conglomerate. The EU considers the sanctions against these individuals "legally indefensible," in Volozh's case citing a change in his stance towards the Russian invasion, which he initially did not comment on but called "barbaric" in August last year.

Alisher Usmanov, a billionaire involved in metallurgy and telecommunications, former Formula 1 racer Nikita Mazepin, and the owner of Russian fertilizer manufacturer Acron, Vyacheslav Kantor, will remain on the list. Hungary had lobbied to have them removed.

In the case of Usmanov, Reuters' source stated that the sanctions were not indefensible, partly because the EU Court rejected his appeal in early February. "Strong evidence" allegedly exists against the other two individuals.

The EU froze assets and imposed entry bans on approximately 2,000 individuals and entities believed to be involved in or benefiting from the Russian invasion. The war began almost two years ago, and the sanctions regime against some individuals is set to expire on March 15. On Wednesday, the EU decided to extend sanctions, except for Hambalek, Volozh and Mndoiants.

On Friday, to mark the the second anniversary of the invasion on February 24, the EU plans to introduce a 13th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting nearly 200 individuals and entities.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/1116937138.html

Defender of the Fatherland Day: Russian Media Personalities Laud Heroism of Awarded Servicemen

Defender of the Fatherland Day: Russian Media Personalities Laud Heroism of Awarded Servicemen

Sputnik International

As Russia celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day, Dmitry Kisilev, Margarita Simonyan and Maria Zakharova pay tribute to Russian servicemen who have been awarded Hero of Russia for their valor in the special operation zone.

2024-02-23T11:05+0000

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2024-02-23T11:05+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

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margarita simonyan

maria zakharova

special operation

civilians

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Director General of Sputnik's parent media group Rossiya Segodnya Dmitry Kiselev has retold the story of Tank Major Ivan Dodosov whose bravery helped his comrades-in-arms break through the enemy's defense lines near the town of Popasnaya in the Lugansk People's Republic in May 2022.Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova paid tribute to Alexander Potapov, an officer of the Russian Guard's Special Forces Vityaz, who gave his life in the summer 2022 to save two civilians during the shelling of the city of Izyum by Ukrainian nationalists. Potapov was posthumously awarded the Hero of Russia Gold Star by presidential decree.Rossiya Segodnya media group Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan, for her part, paid homage to the exploit of Russian Senior Lieutenant Nur-Magomed Gadzhi-Magomedov who sacrificed his life for the success of a combat mission in February 2022 .

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The Deuel Vocational Institution near Tracy closed in 2021. The Legislature's fiscal adviser says California could close five more state prisons and reduce its looming budget deficit without compromising public safety, but that position contradicts the governor. Michael Maloney/The Chronicle 2006

The Legislatures fiscal adviser says California should close five more state prisons and, by doing so, would reduce its looming budget deficit without compromising public safety. That contradicts the position of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who already has closed two prisons in the state and ordered shutdowns of two others but has not supported any additional closures.

With a prison population of 93,900, California has 15,000 empty prison beds and has predicted another 4,000 vacancies within four years as inmate totals continue to decline. In a report to lawmakers on the prison systems budget, the nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office said Thursday that the state could save about $1 billion a year by shutting five more prisons, in addition to the closures already ordered by Newsom, starting in 2028.

Recent state laws have expressed the intent of the Legislature to deactivate additional prisons and concluded that maintaining prison capacity beyond what is necessary for safety, operational flexibility, and to support rehabilitation is not cost effective, the report said. It said five additional closures, by the Newsom administrations own estimates, would still leave about 2,500 prison beds vacant.

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Newsoms 2024-25 budget proposal includes $291 billion in spending, nearly $20 billion less than the current year, and a projected deficit of $37.9 billion. The prison system would have a $14.1 billion budget, $493 million below this years budget, but no further shutdowns are proposed.

Assembly Member Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles, said Friday that he and other legislators will argue for the five additional closures while legislative leaders negotiate with Newsom on a final budget that is due in June.

Were talking about potential teacher layoffs, frozen child care rates, lasting cuts to the social safety net, Bryan told the Chronicle. We can go down the mass incarceration road where weve been before, or we can do the fiscally responsible thing, save resources and invest them in the community.

Amber-Rose Howard, executive director of Californians United for a Responsible Budget, which advocates reductions in prison spending, said the new budget must include closure of five more prisons and direct those savings to community-based resources to increase safety, reentry programs and supporting towns where prisons close.

In a statement Friday, Newsoms Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which runs the prisons, said it balances the need for cost-efficiency while maximizing public safety and successful rehabilitation. A majority of current state prisons remain substantially overpopulated beyond their design capacity, and the closure of an additional five prisons will exacerbate the problem, the department said.

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California held 165,000 prisoners in 2006, twice the prison systems designed capacity, but has lowered that total by more than 40% since then by easing some of its sentencing laws and complying with a U.S. Supreme Court order to improve inmate health care by reducing overcrowding. Some of the new laws send convicted defendants to county jails instead of state prison.

Newsom closed the Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy (San Joaquin County) in 2021 and a second prison, the California Correctional Center in Susanville (Lassen County), last June. He has ordered closures of the states last privately run prison, the California City Correctional Facility in Kern County, next month, and Chuckawalla Valley State Prison in Blythe (Riverside County) by March 2025. That will leave California with 32 prisons, 30 for male inmates and two for women.

Newsom has also closed yards at eight prisons and transferred their inmates elsewhere. The Legislative Analysts Office said the state could save far more money by closing entire prisons, including the costs of operating and maintaining the buildings and training staff.
In 2011, Putin familiarized himself with the inner workings of a T-90S main battle tank while visiting an international military expo in Nizhny Tagil. In 2011, Putin familiarized himself with the inner workings of a T-90S main battle tank while visiting an international military expo in Nizhny Tagil.

In 2012, Putin had flown a paraglider while participating in an experiment aimed at preserving an endangered In 2012, Putin had flown a paraglider while participating in an experiment aimed at preserving an endangered species of crane

In 2015, Putin descended to the In 2015, Putin descended to the bottom of the Black Sea off the coast of Crimea aboard a submersible. He also took part in submersible dives in the Baltic Sea to the wrecks of a 19th century frigate and a World War II submarine in 2013 and 2019, respectively.

In 2018, Putin drove a heavy Kamaz In 2018, Putin drove a heavy Kamaz truck across the newly constructed bridge across the Kerch Strait . Driving such vehicles does not seem to be an issue for the Russian president, which he would demonstrate again in 2024 while taking another Kamaz for a spin on the M-12 highway.

In 2019, Putin attended a bike show in Crimea where he demonstrated his motorcycle riding skills. In 2019, Putin attended a bike show in Crimea where he demonstrated his motorcycle riding skills.

The Russian president also displayed on a number of occasions that he is no stranger to The Russian president also displayed on a number of occasions that he is no stranger to horseback riding , both while vacationing and during events such as his visit to the Moscow mounted police regiment in 2020.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/beijing-to-take-measures-to-protect-chinese-companies-from-uk-sanctions-1116932893.html

Beijing to Take Measures to Protect Chinese Companies From UK Sanctions

Beijing to Take Measures to Protect Chinese Companies From UK Sanctions

Sputnik International

China will take necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies against "unilateral" sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom over the Ukraine conflict, the Chinese Embassy in the UK said on Friday

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On Thursday, London sanctioned three Chinese companies over their alleged involvement in assisting Russia in the Ukraine conflict, the UK government said. The list of companies included Finder Technology LTD, JUHANG Aviation Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Limited and Beijing Micropilot Flight Control Systems Co., LTD. Beijing has always been committed to an "objective and fair stance" on the Ukraine conflict and "actively contributed to the promotion of peace negotiations" and political settlement, the statement read.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240208/russia-china-not-accepting-political-military-pressure-from-united-states-1116665674.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/china-accuses-us-of-containment-strategy-over-taiwan-arms-sales-1116937511.html

China Accuses US of Containment Strategy Over Taiwan Arms Sales

China Accuses US of Containment Strategy Over Taiwan Arms Sales

Sputnik International

Beijing calls on Washington to stop arming Taiwan and put an end to provocations by using the island to contain China, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said on Friday.

2024-02-23T10:59+0000

2024-02-23T10:59+0000

2024-02-23T11:00+0000

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On Thursday, the US Department of State has approved a possible sale of communications defense equipment to Taiwan estimated at $75 million, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said. "We urge the United States to strictly abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques, stop arms sales to Taiwan and Washington-Taipei military ties, stop arming Taiwan in any way and stop provocative actions by using Taiwan to contain China," Zhang said in a statement released by the ministry. The Taiwan issue is the first "red line" in China-US relations that cannot be crossed, while arming the island is a very dangerous "bet," the spokesman added. "We strongly oppose US arms sales to Taiwan. This position is firm and clear  China will take resolute and effective measures to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Zhang said. Tensions between the US and China soared in August 2022 after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taiwan despite Beijing's warnings against the visit. Beijing condemned Pelosi's trip, which it regarded as a gesture of support for separatism, and launched large-scale military drills in the vicinity of the island. Taiwan has been governed independently of mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan maintains that it is an autonomous country but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240114/china-rebukes-us-state-dept-for-sending-gravely-wrong-signal-to-taiwan-1116156185.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/czech-republic-to-contribute-to-eu-mission-in-red-sea-with-2-soldiers---army-1116930644.html

Czech Republic to Contribute to EU Mission in Red Sea With 2 Soldiers

Czech Republic to Contribute to EU Mission in Red Sea With 2 Soldiers

Sputnik International

The Czech armed forces said it would send two military personnel to take part in the EU's naval mission to secure shipping in the Red Sea amid ongoing attacks by Yemen's Houthis.

2024-02-23T02:08+0000

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"In early March, we will send two of our military personnel to participate in the EU Aspides naval mission," the Czech army said in a statement on Telegram. The army added that its delegates would work at the headquarters of the operation in the Greek city of Larissa.Sweden said earlier that it would send four servicemen to participate in the operation, while Denmark said it would send only one. Participants in the mission will not strike Houthi positions in Yemen, as the operation will be purely defensive, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said earlier in February.The Houthi movement, which controls large parts of northern and western Yemen, vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. 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/20240220/eu-mission-in-red-sea-will-be-led-by-italy-france-greece---hungarian-foreign-minister-1116883989.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240112/red-sea-crisis-us-navy-attacks-yemens-houthis--1116132243.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/estonia-uncertain-on-support-for-dutch-prime-minister-as-next-nato-chief---tallinn-1116944807.html

Estonia Uncertain on Support for Dutch Prime Minister as Next NATO Chief

Estonia Uncertain on Support for Dutch Prime Minister as Next NATO Chief

Sputnik International

Estonia is still undecided on support for outgoing Dutch PM Mark Rutte as next NATO secretary general, needing more time to make a decision, the Estonian Foreign Ministry said.

2024-02-23T21:15+0000

2024-02-23T21:15+0000

2024-02-24T04:38+0000

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Earlier this week, US media reported that US President Joe Biden is supporting Rutte as successor to current NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Two-thirds of NATO countries are now backing Ruttes nomination to lead NATO, the report said. However, the decision will require unanimity among NATO countries. Tallinn plans to make a decision about whether to support Rutte by the time of the NATO summit in Washington this summer, the ministry added. Politico reported earlier this week that Eastern European countries believed a politician who had failed to meet the 2% of GDP defense spending target in the Netherlands while leading the country should not be appointed as NATO chief. Romania reportedly intends to nominate its incumbent President Klaus Iohannis as a candidate.Stoltenberg's term as NATO secretary general was due to expire in October 2022, but it was extended for another year, until September 30, 2023, against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis. In July, the alliance extended his term for another year, until October 1, 2024. He is the second-longest serving NATO secretary general after former Dutch Foreign Minister Joseph Luns, who held the post from 1971 to 1984.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/free-speech-online-was-promoted-by-the-pentagon-until-it-turned-on-them-1116930247.html

Free Speech Online Was Promoted By the Pentagon, Until It Turned on Them

Free Speech Online Was Promoted By the Pentagon, Until It Turned on Them

Sputnik International

The US security apparatus promoted online free speech protections across the globe as it fermented dissent in foreign countries, but changed its tune once the focus turned on them.

2024-02-23T01:56+0000

2024-02-23T01:56+0000

2024-02-23T02:41+0000

analysis

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There are outfits like Freedom House that were co-founded by the CIA, these sort-of NGOs [Non-Government Organizations] that have helped precipitate color revolutions, among other things, overseas, always in the interests of the US empire, and they promoted this kind of [free speech online] ideology a lot, Rall explained.Rall and Co-hosts Wilmer Leon and Garland Nixon were discussing an interview between Foundation for Freedom Online director Mike Benz and journalist Tucker Carlson, during which Benz asserted that the plan to use the internet to support dissident groups online worked magically from 1991 to about 2014 when there began to be an about-face on internet freedom and its utility.Rall agreed and compared it to the US support of the Mujahideen in Afghanistan in the 1980s some of which became radical Islamist groups like Al-Qaeda*.The censorship of online media made headlines in 2022 when Meta** CEO Mark Zuckerberg told podcast host Joe Rogan that his social media platforms suppressed the Hunter Biden laptop story at the behest of the FBI. Last year, the Section Chief of the FBIs Foreign Influence Task Force Laura Dehmlow testified in front of Congress that she warned companies that the laptop could be part of a Russian hack-and-leak operation ahead of the 2020, but the agency knew the laptop was legitimate and had been in possession of it since late 2019.Rall brought up the justification hes heard from journalists who say they dont want to influence elections and so delay or decide against publishing certain articles on that principle. You're a news organization. News organizations traffic news, they report news. Whatever it is, if it's a legitimate story, there's no reason not to run it.Nixon contended that Rall was giving mainstream journalists too much credit by implying good faith. Rall agreed with the assessment.It was a beautiful thing during an otherwise bleak time in the Cold War. But The New York Times treated it as Look, Bernie Sanders has a communist past. So theres that kind of thing too, where it's something true-ish. He did go to the Soviet Union and that is a picture of him but that doesnt mean what they said, he concluded.*Al-Qaeda is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and other states.**Meta is banned in Russia for extremism.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230625/fbi-knew-hunter-bidens-laptop-was-reliable-before-smearing-it-as-russian-disinfo-1111457950.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/houthis-notify-companies-of-ban-on-passage-of-us-uk-israeli-ships-near-yemen-1116933164.html

Houthis Notify Companies of Ban on Passage of US, UK, Israeli Ships Near Yemen

Houthis Notify Companies of Ban on Passage of US, UK, Israeli Ships Near Yemen

Sputnik International

Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, on Thursday issued a formal notification to shipping and insurance firms of its prohibition on the passage of Israeli-, United States- and United Kingdom-affiliated ships through sea routes near Yemen, a source in the movement's leadership told Sputnik

2024-02-23T06:51+0000

2024-02-23T06:51+0000

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world

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middle east

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yemen

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"Yes, reports about notification to ship insurers and companies of a ban on the passage in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden of Israeli-, US- or UK-affiliated vessels by authorities in northern Yemen are true," the source said. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Thursday that the movement has carried out three military operations against US and UK vessels and Israels Eilat. On Thursday, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said the movement has attacked 48 vessels in the Red and Arabian Seas, fired 183 drones and rockets at Israel, held over 1,100 military drills, parades and marches, and trained more than 273,000 fighters in 20 weeks since the start of the movement's military actions.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/us-observes-significant-increase-in-houthi-attacks-on-ships-in-past-48-72hrs--pentagon-1116931948.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/is-us-journalist-herridge-being-purged-for-digging-into-the-bidens-cases-1116943288.html

Is US Journalist Herridge Being Purged for Digging Into the Bidens' Cases?

Is US Journalist Herridge Being Purged for Digging Into the Bidens' Cases?

Sputnik International

Investigative reporter Catherine Herridge, who dug into the Hunter Biden case, reportedly had her files, laptop and records, including information on privileged sources, seized by CBS after she was abruptly laid off by the company.

2024-02-23T18:23+0000

2024-02-23T18:23+0000

2024-02-23T18:23+0000

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Catherine Herridge, a seasoned Emmy-winning investigative reporter, was laid off by CBS on February 13 among 20 others as part of parent company Paramount Global's reported staff cuts.Her firing surprised her co-workers given that she "broke news regularly" and "did a lot of original reporting". What stunned them even more was the broadcaster's alleged decision to seize the investigative journalist's personal materials along with her work laptop, where she could have had confidential information.Prominent US legal expert Jonathan Turley called the move unprecedented in his op-ed for the Hill.Labor union the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strongly condemned "CBS News' decision to seize Catherine Herridge's reporter notes and research from her office, including confidential source information" on February 23.Turley drew attention to the fact that the timing of Herridge's lay-off raised suspicions given that the journalist investigated issues "that were unwelcomed by the Biden White House and many Democratic powerhouses."Turley pointed out that some of the stories covered by Herridge were the Special Counsel Robert Hur report on Joe Bidens diminished mental capacity, the Biden family corruption scandal and the Hunter Biden laptop "from hell". The legal expert noted that the journalist repeatedly faced pushback from CBS executives over these topics.The Post cited assumptions that Herridge's sacking could have been linked to her recent reporting that Joe Biden may have evidence that he had foreign business dealings during his vice presidency.Herridge's files seized by the network may have contained information about her confidential sources, highlighted Turley. "When sources accept confidentiality assurances, it is an understanding that rests with the reporter," he stressed.CBS' "unprecedented" move against Herridge came amid the bipartisan establishment's fierce criticism and smearing of US journalist Tucker Carlson for interviewing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Likewise, it coincided with Washington's attempts to finally imprison WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is currently held in a UK high-security prison. In all these cases, Western journalists face "punishment" for nothing but maintaining their right to freedom of speech.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/free-speech-online-was-promoted-by-the-pentagon-until-it-turned-on-them-1116930247.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240221/we-own-the-truth-how-freedom-of-speech-has-become-wests-nemesis-1116907345.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/poland-suggests-solving-farmers-blockade-of-ukraines-border-at-eu-level-1116934148.html

Poland Suggests Solving Farmers' Blockade of Ukraine's Border at EU Level

Poland Suggests Solving Farmers' Blockade of Ukraine's Border at EU Level

Sputnik International

The issue of blocking the Ukrainian border by protesting Polish farmers should be resolved at the level of the European Union, Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Thursday

2024-02-23T07:39+0000

2024-02-23T07:39+0000

2024-02-23T11:42+0000

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"This is the European problem and it should be resolved by the European Commission. It is not only our problem. Our problem is that we have the border of the European Union, we are the first country, and the union starts on us. That is why these protests are taking place in our country," Duda said in a televised appearance on Polish broadcaster Polsat. Duda recalled that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to visit Poland and Ukraine on Friday. Duda also said he discussed the closure of the border with Ukraine for agricultural goods "while ensuring military and humanitarian supply capabilities for Ukraine" with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Polish president added that Poland remains the main corridor for the delivery of military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He also said a conference on aid to Ukraine will be held in Paris on Monday, adding that French President Emmanuel Macron invited a number of European leaders to participate. Tusk said on Thursday that Polish-Ukrainian intergovernmental negotiations on the situation on the border of the two countries will be held in Warsaw on February 28. On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Tusk to come to the Ukrainian-Polish border by February 24 to resolve the situation with the transport blockade, declaring his readiness to arrive there together with the Ukrainian cabinet of ministers. Polish-Ukrainian relations deteriorated significantly last year due to the influx of Ukrainian grain into the EU. Poland, along with Slovakia and Hungary, unilaterally extended a ban on duty-free Ukrainian grain imports after EU-imposed curbs lapsed on September 15, 2023. In response, Ukraine filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization. The three EU countries promised to boycott meetings of the coordination platform on Ukrainian grain.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240202/polish-farmers-announce-full-blockade-of-poland-ukraine-border-on-february-9-1116556064.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/remember-the-heroes-of-donbass--1116936695.html

Remember the Heroes of Donbass

Remember the Heroes of Donbass

Sputnik International

Sputnik correspondent in Donbass, Russel Bentley, reflects on the meaning of the Defender of the Fatherland Day amid the ongoing Russian special military operation in Ukraine.

2024-02-23T10:39+0000

2024-02-23T10:39+0000

2024-02-23T13:22+0000

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On this day, the veterans, those who served in combat, and those who are still serving, remember their brothers, those who died, those who paid with their meat and blood, in this fight, and our grandfathers who fought in the last great war, so that we could be born and live today, who set the example we followed, and will follow to victory, or death.I remember my brothers who have died, eighteen of them in this war, so far - eight between 2014 and 2022, and ten between 2022 and today. I remember those whose lives were changed forever, three friends who lost both legs, two who lost one leg, one who lost both eyes, one who lost his face, one who lost his mind. Any one of them could have been me, could have been any one of us who put our lives on the line in this war, to defend not only the innocent civilians of Donbass, but all of Russia, and the world, from the Nazis of the 21st century. Who defends Donbass, defends Russia, and who defends Russia today, defends the future of all humanity.My wife asked me today, "What is the difference between the Fatherland and the Motherland?" Those who go to fight, who risk death and worse than death, are the heirs of the Fatherland, and it is the Motherland that we are protecting, and willing to give our lives to defend. But the Motherland is not just Russia or any single country, it is all the good people on this earth, and those who are yet to come. We are all related, and all good people, in Donbass, in Gaza, in Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, and everywhere people are willing to put their lives on the line for what they believe in, which is the future of humanity.Remember the great feats of our grandfathers today. If not for them, for their courage and sacrifice, we (including you) would not be here today. And remember, and respect, those of us on the frontlines of Donbass today. One does not have to be a soldier to be a warrior or a hero. To be willing to kill means nothing, but to be willing to die is the true mark of a warrior, a hero and a bogatyr. All of us who are on the frontlines of Donbass today, fighting and liberating, or simply continuing to live under the ever present threat of shelling, drones and death, are the worthy descendants of our ancestors. We are willing to stay and stand and die, to defend our Fatherland and our Motherland, rather than run away, as we easily could have, anytime in the last ten years. But we stayed, and stay.And will stay, until victory or death. Are you with us?We defend our Fatherland just by existing and standing our ground. This conflict is far from over, and before it is, you will have your chance to choose what you will do, and prove who you really are. Take some time today to think about it, remember those who gave their lives and those who are giving them today. Ask yourself what your own life really means, and what it is worth, and act accordingly. This is your chance to prove it. Do it.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240115/russia-opens-over-4000-cases-related-to-kiev-regime-crimes-against-people-of-donbass-1116170783.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240219/how-euromaidan-triggered-ukraines-nine-year-war-on-donbass-1116864693.html

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The closed medical campus at 3700 California St. in San Francisco could become a huge housing development with dedicated homes for seniors if the city approves new plans for the site. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Developer Dan Safier made one thing clear while addressing Presidio Heights residents Tuesday about planned changes to a massive housing project slated for the upscale San Francisco neighborhood: The project, a mixture of multifamily units and a dozen townhomes, will not grow any taller than the 80 foot limits currently allowed.

But, he said, the nearly 5-acre project that was approved in 2020 under a different development team no longer works financially and needs to be rethought. The old plan would have transformed the vacant, former California Pacific Medical Center campus at 3700 California St. into 273 new homes spread across more than two dozen buildings.

The new plan, if approved, would increase the number of homes to 320 and the number of townhomes to 15. Still, the size of the projects residential component would shrink from about 434,000 square feet to about 355,000 square feet. And the height would stay the same  a relief to neighbors who dont want it to go any taller.

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There have been a number of questions about why the prior project did not go forward, Safier said. The original plans were not feasible in their current condition and the current environment.



The changes to the project come amid state mandates to build 82,000 homes over 8 years and proposals to allow denser and taller buildings in many neighborhoods despite pushback from residents. Very few homes are being built in San Francisco at the moment due to slow approvals, high construction costs and challenging financing, making the housing goals feel increasingly out of reach.



There are also other ambitious plans for the area near 3700 California. Prado Group is also working to redevelop 3333 California St., the University of California, San Franciscos former Laurel Heights medical campus, which is just down the street. In 2019, that property was approved for a 744-unit development that includes 35,000 square feet of retail, a child care facility and five acres of open space, though construction has yet to start.

Prado confirmed that the 3333 California project is still in predevelopment, and that construction is expected to start in 2025 or 2026.

Taken together, the projects are expected to bring some 3,000 new residents into the neighborhood.

Prado Group acquired the more than 700,000-square-foot obsolete medical center at 3700 California at the end of 2022 for roughly $50 million. It will be seeking the citys approval to introduce a separate senior living project to the redevelopment plan that was not part of the original approvals.

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That project, planned on the easternmost corner of the campus, would provide 157 independent living units for seniors and 75 assisted living and memory care units.

Additionally, nine existing units inside of a building at 401 Cherry St. would be retained.

If the city approves the developers amended plans for the former California Pacific Medical Center campus, the area could become a more common place for foot traffic and residents. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Rather than providing on-site affordable housing as required, Prado Group has opted to pay a fee, which the city can use to fund affordable housing development elsewhere. According to a 2020 report, that fee was estimated to shake out to between $43 million to $45 million, but it will likely be lower since the city changed its rules around some affordable housing requirements more recently.

Safier said that his team has been working on the redesign for nearly a year  original architect BDE Architecture is still on board, and Handel Architects has joined since Prado took over the project.

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The design changes must be approved by the citys Planning Commission, and Safier said that Tuesdays community meeting starts the clock towards a public process.



The team hopes to win approval by September or October for the new plan with groundbreaking expected sometime between 2026 and 2027.

Currently, the site is limited to buildings between 40 and 80 feet high. Safier said that his team has "received feedback from neighbors and community groups requesting that the proposed plan revisions do not utilize the state density bonus or any of the other programs that would enable the project to increase the height."

The closed medical campus at 3700 California St. has a new proposed plan for housing redevelopment, but developers say they wont create tall towers. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Safier said that Prados goal is to transform the vacant hospital campus into much needed and beautiful housing for the city of San Francisco and also for this neighborhood, which has not seen a lot of new housing over the last 70 years. He said that his team felt it was important to design buildings that are appropriate for the surrounding context.

Prado Group and the 3700 Design Team are San Francisco-based, with a number of our team members also living in the area. As residents with real experience and insights into the character of this unique neighborhood, we are excited to be involved in the 3700 California Street project and are focused on improvement and positive change for the community, Safier said.

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A sign posted at the now-shuttered medical campus at 3700 California St. in San Francisco says the emergency department is closed. A developer is proposing to turn the site into hundreds of units of housing. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/russia-to-seek-from-lithuania-eu-compliance-with-kaliningrad-transit-obligations---moscow-1116934485.html

Russia to Seek From Lithuania, EU Compliance With Kaliningrad Transit Obligations - Moscow

Russia to Seek From Lithuania, EU Compliance With Kaliningrad Transit Obligations - Moscow

Sputnik International

Russia will seek from Lithuania and the European Union the fulfillment of political and legal obligations for uninterrupted passenger and cargo transit to Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik

2024-02-23T07:55+0000

2024-02-23T07:55+0000

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Lithuania has decided to close the Lavoriskes and Raigardas crossings on the border with Belarus on March 1, as well as prohibit the boarding of passengers at the Kena and Kybartai railroad stations. However, passenger trains of the Russian company Russian Railways have been traveling to Kaliningrad through Lithuania for several years without boarding or disembarking passengers on Lithuanian territory. Zakharova said the decision will not affect Russian citizens traveling on transit trains to the Kaliningrad Region using a simplified railway travel document, since in this case boarding/disembarking is carried out only at the final destinations.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/russian-air-defenses-down-ukrainian-jets-helicopters-patriot-and-storm-shadow-missiles---mod-1116941509.html

Russian Air Defenses Down Ukrainian Jets, Helicopters, Patriot and Storm Shadow Missiles - MoD

Russian Air Defenses Down Ukrainian Jets, Helicopters, Patriot and Storm Shadow Missiles - MoD

Sputnik International

Russian air defenses and aviation shot down several Ukrainian aircraft and drones, as well as foreign-made missiles supplied to the Kiev regime, this past week, the press service of its Ministry of Defense reported.

2024-02-23T16:38+0000

2024-02-23T16:38+0000

2024-02-23T16:38+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

donetsk

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ukraine

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patriot missile system

storm shadow cruise missile

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Russian air defenses and aviation shot down several Ukrainian aircraft and drones, as well as foreign-made missiles supplied to the Kiev regime, this past week, the press service of its Ministry of Defense reported. During the week, aviation and air defense systems shot down a MiG-29 fighter jet, a Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force, seven Storm Shadow cruise missiles, a Patriot anti-aircraft guided missile, four S anti-aircraft guided missiles converted to hit ground targets -200, three HARM anti-radar missiles, six JDAM guided bombs and 42 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, as well as 652 unmanned aerial vehicles," the statement said. In total, since the beginning of the special operation, 572 Ukrainian military aircraft, 267 helicopters, 13,223 unmanned aerial vehicles, 473 anti-aircraft missile systems, 15,188 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,223 combat vehicles of multiple launch rocket systems, 8,145 field artillery pieces and mortars, as well as 18,981 a unit of special military vehicle equipment.Ukrainian LossesOver the past week, Ukraine has lost over 2,900 soldiers killed and wounded near Avdeyevka, it went on to report."During the week in this direction, the enemy lost over 2,900 soldiers killed and wounded, four tanks, 37 armored combat vehicles, 90 vehicles, eight field artillery guns and a MLRS Grad combat vehicle," the ministry said.Russia repelled 35 Ukrainian attacks near Kupyansk and another four in the South Donetsk area, the ministry said, adding that 37 group strikes have been carried out on Ukrainian military-industrial complex, military airfield infrastructure, arsenals and fuel bases."The losses of the Ukraine Armed Forces [in the South Donetsk area] amounted to 1,195 soldiers, six tanks, six armored combat vehicles, 23 vehicles and 16 field artillery guns," the ministry said.Russia repelled 12 Ukrainian counterattacks near Donetsk, the ministry added."The enemy's losses amounted to more than 2,560 soldiers, 12 tanks, 31 armored combat vehicles, 58 vehicles, 13 field artillery guns and a Grad MLRS combat vehicle," the ministry said.Kiev has lost 390 soldiers near Kupyansk and over 460 soldiers, as well as five tanks in the Kherson region in the past week, the ministry said.Russian Troops Took Control of Several SettlementsRussian soldiers have seized the settlement Krynky in the Kherson region and the settlement Pobeda in the Donetsk area, it similarly said."[Russian] troops took control the settlement of Pobeda, took more advantageous positions and defeated the soldiers and equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of the settlements of Belogorovka, Grigorovka, Ivanovskoye [also known as Krasnoye], Kleshcheyevka, Kurdyumovka, Rozdoliyevka, Novomikhailovka, Nevelskoye and Krasnogoriyevka of the Donetsk People's Republic," the ministry said.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/russias-lavrov-conveys-putins-message-during-meeting-with-brazils-president-1116930434.html

Lavrov Conveys Putin's Message During Meeting With Brazil's President

Lavrov Conveys Putin's Message During Meeting With Brazil's President

Sputnik International

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and conveyed a message of Russian President Vladimir Putin's willingness to work with Brazil on any issues.

2024-02-23T01:48+0000

2024-02-23T01:48+0000

2024-02-23T05:46+0000

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"The [Russian] president sends you a warm greeting. He asked me to convey that he is ready for interactions on any issues, bilateral and international," Lavrov told Lula at the beginning of the meeting. On February 19, Lavrov kicked off his Latin American tour with a visit to Cuba, where he met with President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez. On February 20, he arrived in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, where he met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. After the visit to Venezuela, Lavrov has already arrived in Rio de Janeiro, where he is taking part in the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting from February 21-22. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the first meeting within the framework of the Brazilian presidency in the G20 will be devoted to the problems of the modern international agenda, focusing on the settlement of geopolitical contradictions and the reform of global economic institutions.Lavrov has already met with with his counterparts from Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, Brazil and other countries on the sidelines of the G20 meeting, but said he had no contacts with the top diplomats of the Western nations.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240221/russias-lavrov-to-hold-several-bilateral-meetings-with-top-g20-diplomats---moscow-1116900393.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/slumbering-joe-overshadowed-chinese-mock-us-show-of-force-in-western-pacific-1116933848.html

Slumbering Joe Overshadowed: Chinese Mock US 'Show of Force' in Western Pacific

Slumbering Joe Overshadowed: Chinese Mock US 'Show of Force' in Western Pacific

Sputnik International

With the US-backed Ukrainian military continuing to suffer heavy battlefield losses and the Pentagon bogged down in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Biden administration decided to flex its muscles in the Pacific to send a "strong signal" to China.

2024-02-23T08:05+0000

2024-02-23T08:05+0000

2024-02-23T08:05+0000

us

joe biden

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asia-pacific region

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Recently, Newsweek reported that a staggering five US Nimitz-class aircraft carriers - nearly half the US carrier fleet - will be deployed to the Western Pacific in the coming weeks to reassure Washington's regional allies that they have not been forgotten.The warships selected for the show of force include the USS Abraham Lincoln, the USS Carl Vinson, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the USS Ronald Reagan, and the USS George Washington.The Carl Vinson and Theodore Roosevelt are already operating in the region, according to the newspaper, with the Carl Vinson having previously participated in joint US-Philippine naval exercises in the South China Sea. The drills were conducted in the disputed maritime region in early January. People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships were spotted in the vicinity, reportedly "observing" the US maneuvers. In February, the Carl Vinson and the Theodore Roosevelt participated in a military exercise with Japan in the Philippine Sea."The show of force may satisfy some allied governments, but it could also confirm the impression in both friendly and hostile capitals that the US is overstretched and trying to take on too many tasks at the same time," the DC-based think tank Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft wrote, warning that "the US can ill afford a new crisis in East Asia on top of the other conflicts that it is involved in."Still, the Chinese media's reaction to the deployment was remarkable. The Global Times, a Chinese daily known for its hard-line stance, ridiculed the upcoming deployment as mere "hype".According to SCSPI, the USS Carl Vinson left Pearl Harbor on Monday and is expected to complete its Western Pacific deployment on its way back to the continental United States. While the USS Ronald Reagan is undergoing maintenance in Yokosuka, the USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego on February 16. For its part, the USS George Washington is underway off the east coast of the US in the Atlantic Ocean, the Beijing-based think tank noted, citing fleet tracking data published by USNI News.Only the USS Theodore Roosevelt is currently operating in the Philippine Sea after departing Guam on February 14, according to SCSPI.In any event, "[any] attempt to deter its potential competitors through a show of force cannot reach its goal, but can only stir up tensions in the region," the Chinese concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240116/experts-urge-philippines-to-remain-restrained-after-longest-pause-of-provocation-in-south-china-sea-1116194593.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/two-years-of-anti-russian-sanctions-in-numbers-1116926607.html

Two Years of Anti-Russian Sanctions in Numbers

Two Years of Anti-Russian Sanctions in Numbers

Sputnik International

The unprecedented sanction pressure against Russia initially sought to crumble its economy and destabilize the domestic political situation. However, over the course of the last two years, the Russian economy has proven itself to be much more resilient than the US and the EU had hoped for.

2024-02-23T11:27+0000

2024-02-23T11:27+0000

2024-02-23T11:27+0000

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The EU introduced a 13th package of sanctions that targeted Russia's military-industrial complex today after the US announced additional sanctions earlier this week. Since 2022, Russia has withstood over 15,000 sanctions in various sectors. The vigorous restrictions cut Russian banks off from international payment systems, restrict tech imports, and have major corporations abandon the Russian market. Check out Sputniks infographics to see an illustrated layout of the number and origin of sanctions Russia has withstood in the past two years.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240223/why-russias-tu-160m-strategic-bomber-is-second-to-none-for-nuclear-deterrence-1116940109.html

Why Russia's Tu-160M Strategic Bomber is Second to None For Nuclear Deterrence

Why Russia's Tu-160M Strategic Bomber is Second to None For Nuclear Deterrence

Sputnik International

Russian President Vladimir Putin took a flight on an upgraded Tu-160M strategic bomber-missile carrier on Thursday. What do military experts say about the warplane?

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"The technology is excellent. It really belongs to a new generation. Of course it can be accepted by the Armed Forces," President Putin said after completing the flight on the Tu-160M plane 'Ilya Muromets'.The Tu-160M is an upgraded version of the Tu-160, dubbed the White Swan by Russian pilots. The new aircraft, which made its debut flight on January 12, has upgraded engines, sophisticated avionics, new weapons control and electronic warfare systems.The NK-32-02 engines allow the upgraded White Swan to increase its flight range by a thousand kilometers, as Russian military expert Yury Knutov told Sputnik in February 2022.The warplane's engine is a brainchild of Russian engineers. The distant prototype of the NK-32-02 was the NK-6, the world's first dual-circuit engine with an afterburner that boasted a maximum thrust of 22 tons. It was invented by prominent Soviet designer Nikolai Kuznetsov in the 1950s and successfully tested in 1956. Such engines appeared in the US only 15 years later.The work on the creation of the NK-32 engine for Tu-160 began in 1977. In 1983, the new engine was ranked the first in the world in terms of thrust for combat aircraft. Decades later, in 2016, PJSC "Kuznetsov" announced that it would produce a new version of the famous NK-32.Earlier, a source in the aircraft industry told Sputnik that the Tu-160M could be equipped with a rear-view radar which would allow the warplane to fire missiles "backwards" against air-to-air, surface-to-air missiles and fighters. The source added that "the use of rear-view radar on heavy bombers is reasonable, given that they are low-maneuverable and may not have time to turn towards the enemy."'US is Struggling to Catch Up'Given that the Tu-160's niche has not been filled so far by any modern foreign aircraft, it appears rational and cost-effective to focus on its production, instead of pouring billions of dollars into highly-expensive military projects akin to the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program that cost reached a whopping $416 billion in 2023.The military expert explained that the Tu-160M does not have analogs in the world. For instance, the US-made B1B had served as a bomber equipped for nuclear armament only until 2007. The US modern B2 war plane, also known as the stealth bomber, can carry nuclear weapons, but it cannot fire multiple cruise missiles loaded in a revolving launcher, like Russia's Tu-160/160M, according to Drozdenko.Presently, the US is modernizing its old B-52 bombers, according to Drozdenko. In January the US press reported the Pentagon's $48.6 billion plan for the B-52 to extend its service life until 2060. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress made its maiden flight 71 years ago. Simultaneously, the US is hastily developing its new Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider.Russia's Tu-160/160M, capable of reaching almost Mach 2 speed (2,200 km/h) remains second to none, the expert argued.What are the Tu-160M's Tasks?The military expert stressed that the Tu-160's main purpose is to carry combat duty with missiles, which are an important factor in Russia's deterrence and nuclear forces."Its main goal is to quickly launch missiles, and one [nuclear] missile would mean one metropolis [is destroyed]. This is one of the most important nuclear deterrent forces," Drozdenko pointed out."[The Tu-160M will perform] the same tasks that were previously performed by long-range aviation planes," Andrey Krasnoperov, military expert and Russian Aerospace Major, told Sputnik.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/russian-military-to-receive-two-new-two-upgraded-tu-160s-in-2023-1111813468.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240222/putin-is-taking-flight-on-tu-160m-supersonic-strategic-bomber-as-part-of-crew-1116919692.html

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A Kimball woman accused in an October shooting is pursuing a competency evaluation, according to court filings in Kimball County Court.

Leota Kant, 86, has been charged with attempted murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony and discharging a weapon within city limits.

Authorities arrested Kant on Oct. 31, 2023, in connection with a shooting at the Finer Motel in Kimball. Kant allegedly shot Jeffrey Barborak, who is identified in court documents as having been staying at the motel at the time of the shooting.

A search warrant filed by the Nebraska State Patrol indicated that Barborak and Kant had gone to Chappell earlier in the day to pick up a tire and had returned to the motel. Barborak said he said something about stolen property and told Kant he was going to take photos so she didnt steal anything. He alleged that the woman shot him while he was taking photos. According to the search warrant affidavit, Barborak didnt realize he had been shot and left the scene on a bicycle, returning after law enforcement responded to the motel.

Kant is represented by two attorneys, Bell Island in Scottsbluff and James Sword, of South Dakota, according to Kimball County Court records.

Island had filed the motion for competency evaluation on Feb. 8, moving that the court order the woman be examined immediately by a licensed psychiatrist or clinical psychologist to determine her mental competency to stand trial.

The competency examination determines if the woman is able to understand the allegations and proceedings in the case, as well as be able to consult with her attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.

According to court documents, Kant failed to appear for a Feb. 14 hearing, but a status hearing on the defenses motion for competency has been scheduled for March 27, at 9 a.m.

Currently, Kant is free on a $200,000 bond.

Other court proceedings involving Kant are also pending.

Barborak filed a civil suit against Kant on Jan. 14. In that suit, he alleges that he had been in the backyard of the residence, when he alleges Kant came to the back door with a small, black handgun, and fired at him without provocation. He said he suffered gunshot wounds to the abdomen, left hip, left knee and both his right and left lower legs. He was airlifted to Regional West Medical Center for treatment.

He seeks damages for permanent injury, disability, past and future medical expenses and for physical pain, mental suffering and emotional distress. He has sought a filing of lis pendens on Kants property in Kimball, while the suit is pending. The lis pendens is a filing noting a pending lawsuit or claim is attached that would prevent its sale. Kant has not filed a response to the civil suit as of Wednesday.

Kant is also the subject of a probate case in Seward County in which her daughter, Mary Hamilton, requests that her mother be declared an incapacitated person and appointed a guardian. Her daughters says her mother was evaluated by a doctor and found to be impaired in her ability to make, communicate and carry out responsible decisions regarding person and property.

Her daughter, who was appointed Kants temporary guardian, says that her mother is suffering from dementia as the result of Alzheimers. The woman has been moved to Beaver Crossing, according to the filings.

Kant has been assigned a guardian ad litem in the case, which is pending a Feb. 27 court hearing.

In the probate case, Kants daughter alleges that Barborak is a homeless man who took advantage of her mother and that her mother had given him thousands of dollars. She alleges her mother was living in squalor with mice and in a hoarding situation.

The womans son, Albert Kant Jr., of South Dakota, is identified as having been the womans power of attorney for financial matters.
WHITMAN  Republican Tanya Storer recently announced her candidacy for the Legislature in District 43 which includes Blaine, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Custer, Dawes, Garfield, Keya Paha, Loup, Rock and Sheridan counties.

Im running for the legislature because I believe District 43 needs a principled, conservative voice in Lincoln. I am committed to reducing the tax burden on our farmers, ranchers, businesses and families and on continuing to develop economic opportunities that can bring our kids and our grandkids, back to our communities, Storer said in a press release. My husband and I have built our life here, raised our family here and served our communities here and we understand how important it is to have a committed conservative fighting for us.

Senator Pete Ricketts said, Tanya is committed to our shared conservative values, and Im thrilled to support her in her run for Legislature. I know she will fight for real tax relief and work to expand economic opportunities and improve infrastructure throughout Nebraska. She will be a tireless voice for rural Nebraska values, and I look forward to seeing her serve the people of District 43 in Lincoln.

Storer launches her campaign with the support of leaders from across the district.

Im excited that Tanya is running, and I know she will be the strong, conservative voice that we need in the Legislature. said Steve Cleveland, former president of First National Bank of Chadron.

Storer and her husband Eric share the day-to-day running of their cattle operation in the heart of Cherry County. She served as a Cherry County Commissioner for eight years and has served as vice-chairman of the Nebraska Brand Committee, chair of the Niobrara Council, as well as serving on the Blueprint Nebraska Board, the Nebraska DOT Innovation Task Force, the UNMC Advisory Board and the Region 4 Behavioral Health Board. She and Eric have three grown children: Braden, Hailey and Emmet.

To learn more about Storer, visit www.TanyaForLegislature.com and follow the campaign on Facebook @TanyaStorerForLegislature.
What Proposition E would do

Proposition E on San Franciscos March ballot would make changes including the following, according to the Ballot Simplification Committee:

Reduce the circumstances under which police officers must document using force, limiting it to incidents in which an officer injures a person, uses a gun or points a gun at a person.

Expand vehicle chases, allowing them when an officer suspects a person has committed or is likely to commit a felony or violent misdemeanor.

Allow police to use drones to aid in vehicle pursuits and active criminal investigations.

Allow the police chief to install surveillance cameras in public without police commission approval.

Allow facial recognition technology in both drones and surveillance cameras.

Allow police to use other surveillance technology for a year without Board of Supervisors approval.
Accused of taking items from Wythevilles Walmart and Food City, a one-time school system employee is facing four misdemeanor shoplifting charges.

Tabatha Renee Thomas, 40, of Wytheville has an arraignment set for Feb. 27 and a trial date set for March 25 on the charges obtained by the Wythe County Sheriffs Office and Wytheville Police Department.

According to the Sheriffs Office, Walmart contacted investigators about a female shoplifting three times at self-checkout. Police said Thomas is accused of not scanning household items, including candles and toys, on Nov. 5, Nov. 21 and Dec. 29, 2023.

She was arrested on Jan. 18.

On Jan. 10, the WPD charged her with shoplifting from Food City on Jan. 2.

Indicating she wished to hire her own attorney, Thomas was released on summonses to appear in court on all four charges.

In an email, Wythe Countys schools Superintendent Wes Poole said Thomas, a paraprofessional, had her resignation accepted on Feb. 21.
Russia, Iran compete for influence through the leaching of their respective languages in Syrian schools, Asharq al-Awsat says

During her visit to the University of Foreign Studies in Beijing alongside the Syrian President in late summer 2023, Asma al-Assad, the First Lady of Syria, addressed students of Arab studies with a compelling message about the impact of language on national consciousness and decision-making. She articulated that controlling a societys language is a direct path to influencing its consciousness, which in turn can lead to the erosion of societal structures and the obliteration of cultural identity.

This statement was particularly poignant against the backdrop of Russias nine-year mandate for the incorporation of the Russian language into the curricula of Syrian government schools. This move is part of a broader strategic competition with Iran for cultural and educational influence in Syria, aiming to establish a supportive societal environment that complements their military endeavors amidst the declining state of education, including the instruction of Arabic.

Russian Influence in Syrian Education

Despite Irans early attempts to introduce Persian education in Syria, Russia has effectively dominated the educational landscape since its military intervention in 2015. The Russian language has been introduced as an optional subject alongside English and French in the foundational stages of education. From an experimental start with 400 students in the Sahel region in 2015, the program expanded to 217 schools across 12 governorates under government control, benefiting over 35,000 students and employing 200 teachers by the end of its seventh year, as reported by the Syrian government.

Irans Educational Outreach

Following Russias lead, Iran has sought to embed Persian studies within Syrian government education systems under a bilateral agreement aimed at exchanging expertise and renovating schools. By 2021, Persian education was introduced in schools refurbished and reopened by Tehran, marking Irans tangible imprint on Syrias educational sector. The last five years have seen the establishment of Persian teaching centers in major universities such as Damascus and Al-Baath University in Homs, along with the Syrian Military College. These efforts are complemented by branches of Iranian universities like Tarbiyya Mudarres, Al-Mustafa, Al-Farabi, and Azad Islami University, extending Irans educational influence into the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, an area of significant Iranian socio-political interest.

Post-ISIS Syria

In the aftermath of ISISs expulsion from Deir ez-Zor, Al-Mayadeen, and Al-Bukamal since 2018, these cities have seen the establishment of numerous educational and cultural institutions aimed at promoting Persian language and Iranian religious thought. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has highlighted the deteriorating educational system in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, exacerbated by low salaries for teachers and widespread corruption, as key factors enabling Tehrans influence in the education sector. This situation has led to a resurgence of Iranian educational and cultural centers, raising concerns over their impact on the youth in the region.

Irans strategy appears to leverage the prevailing poverty and crisis by offering financial assistance, meals, and vocational training to attract young Syrians. These efforts include the establishment of schools and language centers specifically for children and teenagers, alongside vocational training in various fields. Additionally, Iran is reported to engage in the cultural and religious indoctrination of the youth, aiming to cultivate a supportive local environment that aligns with its interests.

This comprehensive approach by Iran in Deir ez-Zor and surrounding areas reflects a broader attempt to assert its influence through educational and cultural means. By providing essential services and education, Tehran seeks to establish a foothold in the region, potentially serving its strategic interests by fostering a generation that may be more sympathetic to its cultural and political objectives.

Balancing education and influence

In the war-torn city of Deir ez-Zor, educational endeavors intertwine with cultural influences, as Iran extends its reach through a blend of academic courses, financial aid, and religious activities. Hazem, a 17-year-old resident, represents a cohort of students whose education was disrupted by conflict but now finds new opportunities through the Iranian Cultural Center. Here, alongside English and Persian language courses, students engage in vocational training ranging from electrical appliance maintenance and blacksmithing for males to fine arts, cooking, and sewing for females. Despite the modest monthly grant of 30,000 Syrian pounds (less than 3 dollars), the allure of free education is significant for Hazem and approximately 130 other students who recently obtained their preparatory certificates.

Beyond vocational skills, these centers also play a pivotal role in promoting Iranian culture and Shiite religious practices, often in cooperation with organizations linked to Syrias ruling Baath Party. Activities designed to integrate schoolchildren and university students into the cultural and religious fabric of Iran include seminars, competitions, and religious celebrations.

The Complex Web of Education and Aid

The strategy deployed by Iranian centers in Deir ez-Zor taps into the vulnerabilities created by poverty, offering educational services alongside aid as a means to gain a foothold in the region. This approach has elicited mixed reactions from the local population. While some, like Muhammad from Al-Mawhasan, acknowledge the pragmatic acceptance of Iranian education for the sake of aid, there remains a deep-seated concern about the potential for cultural indoctrination.

However, the effectiveness of Irans cultural penetration faces skepticism, particularly in an area where the historical and social fabric may resist Persian influences. The predominantly Sunni Arab population of Deir ez-Zor harbors a historical aversion to Persian culture, suggesting a challenging environment for Iran to establish a lasting cultural and religious influence. This situation is further complicated by Russias competing efforts to assert its educational and cultural presence, exemplified by a significant aid shipment to Deir ez-Zors teachers at the start of the school year, aimed at bolstering Russian language education.

Education as a Frontline in Geopolitical Influence

The narratives emerging from Deir ez-Zor highlight a critical aspect of the broader geopolitical struggle in Syria, where education becomes a frontline for influence. The involvement of Iran and Russia in the regions educational landscape is emblematic of their broader strategic goals, blending soft power initiatives with military and political ambitions. As these international powers vie for influence through the provision of education and aid, the long-term implications for the cultural identity and political allegiances of Syrias younger generations remain uncertain, set against a backdrop of ongoing conflict and societal upheaval.

In Deir ez-Zor, a city profoundly affected by the conflict in Syria, the influence of Iranian cultural centers is becoming increasingly visible, with a focus on both educational and religious activities. Seventeen-year-old Hazem, who recently completed his preparatory education, highlights the dual nature of these centers. They offer courses in English and Persian languages, vocational training in electrical appliance maintenance and blacksmithing for men, and fine arts, cooking, and sewing for women. The monthly financial support provided by these centers, though modest, underscores the appeal of free education amidst economic hardship. Concurrently, these centers engage in religious and cultural seminars, drawing participants into the broader sphere of Iranian cultural and religious influence.

This educational outreach by Iran, however, intersects with broader geopolitical dynamics and local apprehensions. Cooperation between Iranian cultural centers and organizations linked to the ruling Baath Party aims to embed young Syrians deeper into a cultural milieu aligned with Iranian interests, including participation in Shiite religious events. This strategy has raised concerns among local Arab tribes in Deir ez-Zor, wary of Irans educational influence being a conduit for deeper ideological indoctrination under the guise of alleviating poverty.

Contrastingly, Russias educational initiatives in Syria, marked by the distribution of language teaching materials and food aid to teachers in Deir ez-Zor, reflect a different model of influence. Unlike Irans experience, which faced setbacks such as the closure of Sharia schools on the Syrian coast after local pushback and regulatory interventions, Russias approach has found relative acceptance, particularly in regions with a significant Russian military presence. The utility of the Russian language for educational and professional opportunities, especially in areas with economic ties to Russia, underscores a pragmatic dimension to its cultural penetration.

These dynamics illustrate the complex interplay of external influences in Syria, where educational and cultural initiatives are intertwined with broader strategic interests. While Iran and Russia deploy distinct strategies to embed their influence, the underlying concern among Syrians, as articulated by Asma al-Assad, revolves around the preservation of cultural and national identity amidst these foreign interventions. The varying responses to these influences, from cautious acceptance to outright resistance, reflect the broader challenges of navigating external pressures within the struggle to maintain Syrias sovereign cultural and educational landscape.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The Syrian president, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, met a select group of Baathist intellectuals, academics, and writers, al-Baath newspaper reports

In a significant meeting held on Thursday, President Bashar al-Assad, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, convened with a select group of Baathist intellectuals, academics, and writers.

The assembly delved into discussions on the pivotal role that the Baath Party is anticipated to play in shaping the political, economic, social, and national future of Syria. A key point of the dialogue was the critical examination of the disparities between the ideological foundations of the party and its practical implementations.

Participants in the meeting explored the dynamics of the partys electoral contests and the reforms that Baathist members are seeking to implement within the party structure. The conversation extended to cover various intellectual and national concerns, reflecting a comprehensive examination of the issues at hand.

This meeting underscores the ongoing efforts to align the partys practices with its foundational ideologies and highlights the active engagement of Syrias intellectual community in the countrys political discourse.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reports that the regime continues in detaining, torturing, and killing citizens.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights has reported that despite the International Court of Justices decision three months ago, the Assad regime persists in detaining, torturing, and killing citizens.

In its recent report, issued on Thursday, the network highlighted that despite the courts directive for the Assad regime to implement effective measures to prevent torture, there has been no discernible change. The regime has failed to revoke laws sanctioning torture and impunity, and there is no evidence of cessation of torture; in fact, incidents of torture leading to death persist.

Since the courts ruling on November 16, 2023, until Wednesday, the network has documented 246 cases of arbitrary arrest, including 6 children and 17 women, within regime prisons. Out of these cases, 29 individuals have been released, while 217 have been subjected to enforced disappearances.

Moreover, the network has recorded the deaths of at least 16 individuals due to torture within regime detention facilities. Additionally, it has noted at least seven cases of individuals who disappeared and were later registered as deceased in civil registry departments, including the prominent poet and activist Nasser Bunduq, who vanished in regime detention centers in February 17, 2014.

The regime has provided no explanation for the cause of death, has withheld the bodies from families, and has not publicly acknowledged the deaths.

The network emphasizes that there is no evidence to suggest that the Syrian regime has ceased its torture practices or taken any measures in response to the International Court of Justices interim decision.

The International Court of Justice has urged the Assad regime to take immediate steps to prevent torture as part of emergency measures, following a lawsuit filed by Canada and the Netherlands accusing the regime of torture against Syrians.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The humanitarian exemption was initiated by Switzerland in response to the earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria in February 2023, according to Syria TV

Switzerland declared on Thursday an extension of the humanitarian exemption from sanctions imposed on the Syrian regime for an additional six months.

The humanitarian exemption was initiated by Switzerland in response to the earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria in February 2023 and is set to expire on March 10.

On March 3, 2023, the Swiss Federal Council announced a temporary relaxation of certain sanctions on the Syrian regime to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria. This decision followed the issuance of Syrian General License GL 23 by the US Treasury Department, permitting all earthquake relief-related transactions for 180 days. These transactions were previously prohibited under sanctions regulations imposed on the Syrian regime.

Syrian regime seeks to evade international sanctions

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attempted to leverage the earthquake disaster, which destroyed hundreds of buildings in the northern part of the country, to pursue political gains. He advocated for humanitarian aid to be directed through areas under his control, aiming to gradually loosen the international isolation imposed on him.

The Syrian regime reiterated its call for coordination in aid distribution, but Western countries displayed no willingness to comply with this demand or to engage with Assad anew.

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.
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Private economy set to get boost from law draft

10:15, February 23, 2024 By Ouyang Shijia and Fan Feifei ( Chinadaily.com.cn

China has taken a decisive step toward bolstering its private sector by starting to draft a law on promoting the private economy, marking the latest step in boosting business confidence and revitalizing the growth of the world's second-largest economy, analysts said on Thursday.

They said that this legislative effort will not only improve the overall business environment but also address the pressing concerns of private enterprises, providing practical solutions to the challenges they face.

While the forthcoming law signals a promising shift toward a more favorable legal framework for the private sector, analysts emphasize the need for continued efforts to address persistent challenges, including financing difficulties and higher business costs.

Their comments came as the Ministry of Justice, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress jointly hosted a legislative work symposium on Wednesday, at which it was said that work has started on drafting the law to support the development of the private sector, and the legislative process will be accelerated.

"By initiating the drafting of the private sector promotion law, China aims to foster a more favorable environment for the development of private enterprises while providing robust legal safeguards for their healthy growth," said Bai Wenxi, vice-chairman of the China Enterprise Capital Union.

According to China Central Television, the symposium said the key focus will be placed on protecting private companies' property rights and the rights and interests of entrepreneurs in accordance with the law, ensuring their participation in market competition on a level playing field, equal access to factors of production, and the settlement of outstanding payments owed to small and medium-sized enterprises.

"This reflects the government's strong dedication to nurturing the private economy, with a specific emphasis on addressing the fundamental concerns of private enterprises," said Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation's e-commerce research institute.

"It signals a significant step toward creating a more transparent, stable and predictable business environment that ensures fair competition. These legislative measures will not only remove systemic barriers but also invigorate business dynamism and foster the advancement of new productive forces."

Hong said the private sector serves as a primary engine for economic growth, creating abundant job opportunities and substantially contributing to China's GDP.

"It plays a pivotal role in bolstering economic dynamism and facilitating transformation and upgrading, thanks to its robust innovation capacity and adaptable mechanisms."

Private companies, a key driving force behind China's economic ascent over the past decades, contribute more than 60 percent of gross domestic product, 70 percent of technological innovation, and 80 percent of urban employment, official data showed.

Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said that while private companies have benefited from a series of supportive government measures, they still face difficulties in terms of a lack of funds, barriers to market access and obstacles hindering fair competition.

He said the law would help to tackle the issues faced by private companies, saying that will significantly boost business confidence, further drive their innovative development, help attract more private investment and foster high-quality economic growth.

Looking forward, Wang said the country needs to better implement the existing supportive policies and roll out more detailed steps to bolster the private economy, including further tax and fee cuts and more measures to improve market access.

Zhao Jiazhen, executive director and co-chief executive officer of Chinese online discounter PDD Holdings, said the authorities have rolled out a series of supportive policies in recent years to bolster the development of the private economy, which gives the company a sense of satisfaction and has promoted its high-quality development.

Zhao, who attended Wednesday's legislative work symposium, suggested that in the process of drafting laws, greater attention should be attached to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in their overseas expansion, and helping them to improve their technological innovation capacities in international competition and build their own brands with independent intellectual property rights.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Autonomous vehicles, such as these Waymo robotaxis, have had fewer reported incidents of disruption on San Francisco streets since August. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

Robotaxi disruptions on San Francisco streets were nearly a daily fact of life last August for firefighters responding to emergencies across the city.

That was the month firefighters reported at least 25 incidents, by far the highest monthly tally of disruptions by Cruise or Waymo driverless vehicles. The robotaxis intruded active response areas, delayed firefighters responses after stalling on streets, ran over fire hoses and displayed errant driving that led to collisions.

Ten of those incidents, for example, happened less than a week after the California Public Utilities Commission approved the companies unlimited commercial expansion in San Francisco. For city officials vying to curb the proliferation of robotaxis, the cadence of incidents appeared to validate their concerns that the technologys expansion would lead to more disruptions for emergency responders.

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Cruise robotaxis, such as this one entering the company parking lot in San Francisco in 2020, were pulled from San Francisco streets following an October accident when one of the cars dragged a pedestrian. Nick Otto/Special to the Chronicle 2020

Nearly six months later, city firefighters report that autonomous vehicle interferences are happening much less frequently. Two potential reasons why: The robotaxis that fueled much of the disruption have been sidelined, while city officials and AV companies have unearthed new ways to keep self-driving cars away from emergency response scenes.

Since January 2023, the San Francisco Fire Department reported at least 85 incidents in which autonomous vehicles have interfered with emergency responses or negatively impacted firefighters operations.

Most of these incidents happened before September, according to incident reports compiled by the Chronicle via public-records request and a city legal filing.

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In spring 2022, fire officials began instructing firefighters to report when they have an interaction with an AV that changed what they would have normally done in the field, or which they perceived as dangerous.

The Fire Departments self-reported data is probably an undercount of robotaxi interference because it hinges on firefighters following through with documenting the events. However, the data seems to track with the rapidly evolving history of self-driving cars in San Francisco.

The incidents increased in frequency last spring as Cruise and Waymo accelerated their operations and peaked, so far, in the summer as they further multiplied their driverless ride-hailing activity in San Francisco. While other companies, such as Amazons Zoox, are testing self-driving cars in the city, Cruise and Waymo have been the only ones with permission to charge for driverless rides.

A Waymo representative said the company has been communicating with San Francisco officials to ensure its autonomous vehicles are causing less disruption to emergency responders. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

The noticeable drop in disruptions appears to have coincided with a decline in activity by Cruise, which has accounted for about two-thirds of all documented incidents.

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Since Cruise cars were pulled from the road, city firefighters reported three interferences by Waymo robotaxis since November, with none in January.

The Fire Departments deputy chief of operations, Darius Luttropp, acknowledged the recent decline in reported incidents, though he said its too early to say whether it indicates a long-term pattern. The Chronicle received three new incident reports from the Fire Department after publication of this story involving Waymo robotaxis failing to yield to emergency vehicles.

City officials, who sued the CPUC to halt Cruise and Waymos expansion, say state regulators dont require AV companies to report data  such as how often robotaxis unexpectedly stall on streets  that would shed light on how theyre performing in San Francisco.

Cruise driverless taxis are currently suspended from charging for rides in San Francisco. Kate Munsch/Special to the Chronicle 2020

But, Broadly, I do feel like theres been fewer incidents of interference, Luttropp said. Some of that could be ascribed to the work weve done with the companies with both Cruise, before they lost their licensure, and with Waymo as they continue progressing in their deployment.

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Amid concerns of escalating interferences, Cruise and Waymo agreed to allow emergency responders to take over stalled robotaxis if they need to be moved, as opposed to waiting for a company technician to arrive at the scene. A Waymo spokesperson said first responders can now take control of stalled vehicles in a matter of seconds.

The Fire Department also asked the companies to program their vehicles to avoid stopping in front of fire houses  a recurring interference that, in at least one instance, prevented a fire truck from responding to a call. Firefighters havent reported such blockages since August.

One effort that may be most impactful in lowering AV interferences is what Luttropp calls an avoid the area plan, in which city agencies notify AV companies in real time when theres an emergency, such as a fire.

In Waymos case, the company said it creates an exclusion zone for its robotaxis after it gets a city alert. That geofenced perimeter then tells its robotaxis to reroute trips, pickups and drop-offs away from that emergency area.

Waymo autonomous vehicles are recognizing geo-fences that are reported by San Francisco first responders to instruct the driverless cars to stay from emergency scenes. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

David Margines, Waymos director of product management, said consistent dialogue with SFFD and SFPD and their feedback helped us gain a deeper understanding of their needs and refine our system accordingly.

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The Alphabet-owned company said its internal data show its rate of interference with San Franciscos emergency responders has dropped, even as Waymo has doubled its ride-hailing mileage since September.

Still, Luttropp said some challenges with robotaxis remain persistent.

In December, firefighters working to clear a drain on a flooded off ramp on San Jose Avenue reported that a Waymo ran over carefully placed flares, intended to deter car traffic. A firefighter yelled at the car to stop, which it eventually did after its hood was hit with a small plastic flare cover, according to an incident report.

Its an identified problem that were asking them to address in their technology, Luttropp said.

Another high-tier ask from the Fire Department: improving robotaxis ability to detect and respond to human traffic control officers.

Waymo said its vehicles can already detect and obey human traffic control commands, citing an example in Los Angeles where one of its robotaxis advanced through an intersection only after a police officer directing traffic waved it forward. San Franciscos density, topography and chaotic streets, though, add challenges robotaxis are unlikely to encounter elsewhere, the company acknowledges.

How Waymo robotaxis perform during emergency responses in San Francisco could determine how the company expands its operations in the state. Officials on the Peninsula and in Los Angeles, where the company wants to introduce its driverless ride-hailing, oppose Waymos expansion, citing San Francisco first responders experiences with the technology.

Elsewhere, fire officials in cities including Houston and Atlanta have called San Franciscos fire officials in recent months, inquiring what to expect when, and if, robotaxis come to their cities.
With around 200 square feet of their own private space, tenants at The Karsti apartments in Ballard make a trade-off from the typical studio apartment, swapping larger sleeping areas and private kitchens for communal living and cheaper rent.

As Washington residents face sky-high housing costs and a shortage of places to live, state lawmakers hope to encourage more small apartments like these.

The Washington state Senate on Thursday approved a bill requiring cities to remove regulations that block development of small apartments with shared common spaces. The bill will now go to the House, which already unanimously approved it, then to the governors desk.

Also known as congregate housing, micro-apartments or single-room occupancy buildings (SROs), co-living housing refers to small apartments with private sleeping areas, shared kitchens, and either private or shared bathrooms. Rents for those apartments average roughly $1,100 a month in Seattle, about $500 less than a typical studio apartment, though still pricier than subsidized affordable housing.

What we know is that without some sort of entry-level housing, a lot of people will not be able to afford a place to live, bill sponsor Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, said in a floor speech.

Near-unanimous support for the bill in the Legislature stands in stark contrast to the fight that played out in Seattle a decade ago. Though SROs were common across the country in the early 1900s, an uptick in Seattle micro-apartment development in the early 2010s drew backlash from neighbors and led the city to tighten regulations on them.

Supporters of the bill in Olympia say those regulations  and others in nearby cities  have slowed development.

House Bill 1998 would require many cities and counties in the state to allow micro-housing on any lot where they already allow apartment or condo buildings with at least six units, starting in late 2025. The bill would also limit other city regulations on small apartments, including parking requirements, which can add significant costs. Cities could not impose stricter regulations on small apartments than they do on other apartments.

Although developers have continued to build small apartments under current regulations, local rules prevent them from being a meaningful amount of housing that can actually have an effect on our housing market, said architect David Neiman, whose firm has worked on micro-apartment buildings in Seattle and who supports the bill.

Rents at The Karsti in Ballard range from $1,000 to $1,450, making them affordable for single people making roughly $38,000 to $58,000. The tenants are in their mid-30s, on average, Neiman said. Other buildings draw more older people, and AARP Washington backed the bill as a strategy to help more people age in their communities.

The legislation would make way for more micro-apartments in some of Seattles neighborhood commercial zones and low-rise zones where town homes and small apartment buildings are already allowed, Neiman said. Low-rise zones are often near busier strips, such as the Capitol Hill neighborhood just off the commercial stretch of 15th Avenue or NewHolly, a few blocks off Martin Luther King Jr. Way South.

What were essentially saying is, if you can build an apartment, you can build an apartment that is also affordable for people who make less money, Neiman said.

The bill received bipartisan support in Olympia, with some Republicans hailing it as a way to add affordable housing without government subsidies.

When it comes to housing affordability, this is just another option, Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, said before the Senate vote Thursday. Unless you want your college student living with you forever and/or your parents living with you forever, I urge your adoption of this bill.

No House members voted against the bill when the chamber approved it earlier this month. Four Republicans voted no in the Senate Thursday, including Spokane Valleys Sen. Mike Padden, who said in a statement the legislation dictates from Olympia policies that should be made by locally elected county and city officials.

Other bills to boost housing

As the legislative session winds down, lawmakers are still debating several other ideas to boost the states housing supply.

House members OKd a bill allowing denser development near transit, but that proposal appears to have a tougher road ahead in the Senate.

House Bill 2160 would require cities and counties to allow denser development in areas near certain transit stops, if local governments have not already upzoned those areas. The bill would require at least 10% of units in those areas to be affordable. Rentals would be aimed at people making 60% of area median income, $57,500 for a single person in King County, and for-sale homes would be for those making 80% of area median income, $71,000 for a single person.

Entirely affordable developments could tap into extra density, and the bill would prevent cities and counties from requiring developers to build parking in those transit-rich areas, except for spaces for deliveries or people with disabilities.

The governors office, affordable housing groups and the environmental advocacy group Futurewise are backing the bill, pointing to more housing near transit as a way to increase the supply of homes, reduce reliance on cars and prevent sprawl.

A statewide commercial real estate group and the Washington Realtors oppose the bill, arguing the affordability mandate  the first of its kind to be applied statewide  would halt construction of new apartments near transit.

Rep. Julia Reed, D-Seattle, who sponsored the bill, said Democratic lawmakers are increasingly unwilling to back far-reaching zoning changes without affordability mandates.

Our housing market is very unregulated right now when it comes to ensuring affordability ... and we are trying to apply some modest regulation, Reed said in an interview.

Lawmakers scheduled the bill for a public hearing Saturday in a Senate committee, which faces a Monday deadline to pass it.

Legislators are also still considering a proposal to give developers tax breaks when they convert underused office buildings into housing. But supporters have significantly scaled back that proposal since introducing it.

The bill no longer allows cities to create property tax exemptions for conversion projects. That change followed legal and technical concerns from the Department of Revenue, including that the program might violate the state constitution.

The bill would allow cities to offer developers a break on sales and use taxes when they convert commercial buildings into housing, as long as 10% of the new homes are affordable.

The bill passed the Senate with a 48-1 vote earlier this month and is now under consideration in the House. Seattle Democrat Sen. Bob Hasegawa, who cast the lone no vote, said in an interview the state should focus on funding publicly backed social housing, rather than tax breaks for private developers.

Most nonbudget bills must pass out of committees by Monday and pass the chamber by March 1. The legislative session is set to end March 7.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced internally Thursday morning that Michael DAmbrose, the companys executive vice president of human resources and a member of the top leadership executive council, is retiring this summer.

The departure comes as Boeing prepares for a pressing HR commitment: the opening of contract talks next month with the companys major blue-collar union, the International Association of Machinists that represents almost 32,000 employees here in the Puget Sound region.

Uma Amuluru, a former top lawyer in the Obama White House who is currently chief counsel at Boeings defense and space division, will take over as Boeings top HR executive from April 1, with DAmbrose staying on until July to help with the transition.

DAmbrose has been with Boeing only four years. Previously he was a top HR executive over several decades at a series of companies including Archer Daniels Midland, Citigroup, First Data and Toys R Us.

On hiring, DAmbrose was granted a $750,000 signing bonus and an incentive bonus of $461,000. He was also granted a stock award vesting over three years then valued at $3 million, for total compensation that year of $4.7 million, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Calhoun in a note to employees credited DAmbrose with the transformation and evolution of our human resources function to better serve our global employee base of 170,000.

Amuluru, a daughter of Indian immigrants, was associate White House counsel to President Barack Obama and later counselor to the U.S. Attorney General and then an assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C.

She joined Boeing as senior counsel in the summer of 2017. Three years later, she was appointed as the companys first chief compliance officer, responsible for inculcating company values and ethical behavior among employees. She was also given a seat on the executive council that advises CEO Calhoun.

In her role as chief compliance officer, from 2020 through April 2023, Amuluru was ultimately responsible, among other duties, for the handling of ethics complaints from internal whistleblowers.

Historically, internal Boeing whistleblowers have faced company harassment and the end of their careers for raising complaints.

Calhoun in his note to employees described Amuluru as having played a pivotal role in our companys efforts to strengthen our compliance and ethics program, which is centered upon listening to and engaging our employees.

Amuluru supported the setting up of a company web portal and phone hotline called Speak Up whereby employees can confidentially report issues of safety or unethical behavior.

Nevertheless, Amulurus time as Boeings top ethics officer did not dispel the worry among many employees that speaking up may bring management retaliation.

One internal whistleblower  who asked for anonymity because although he has now left Boeing, he still relies on its pension  said that when he raised engineering safety issues during Amulurus time in that position, he was confronted with a room full of lawyers quizzing him about his allegations, rather than fellow engineers focused on the technical details.

He says he did not suffer retaliation but his efforts to shed light on the problem went nowhere and his career stalled.

As Boeing grapples now with the urgent need to improve quality and safety, that perception among employees of the internal ethics system remains a problem.

Calhoun also told employees that Amuluru in her new HR position will be a central player as Boeing struggles to rebuild its workforce after losing so many experienced people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her first big test will be those talks with the Machinists, who will hold an advance strike authorization vote in July.
A Chinese tech security firm was able to breach foreign governments, infiltrate social media accounts and hack personal computers, a massive data leak analysed by experts this week revealed.

The trove of documents from I-Soon, a private company that competed for Chinese government contracts, shows that its hackers compromised more than a dozen governments, according to cybersecurity firms SentinelLabs and Malwarebytes.

I-Soon also breached "democracy organisations" in China's semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong, universities and the NATO military alliance, SentinelLabs researchers wrote in a blog post Wednesday.

The leaked data, the contents of which AFP was unable to immediately verify, was posted last week on the online software repository GitHub by an unknown individual.

"The leak provides some of the most concrete details seen publicly to date, revealing the maturing nature of China's cyber espionage ecosystem," SentinelLabs analysts said.

I-Soon was able to breach government offices in India, Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea, among others, Malwarebytes said in a separate post on Wednesday.

I-Soon's website was not available Thursday morning, though an internet archive snapshot of the site from Tuesday says it is based in Shanghai, with subsidiaries and offices in Beijing, Sichuan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

The firm did not reply to a request for comment.

Asked by AFP on Thursday about whether Beijing contracted hackers, China's foreign ministry said it was "not aware" of the case.

"As a principle, China firmly opposes all forms of cyberattacks and cracks down on them in accordance with law," spokesperson Mao Ning said.

Hacks for contracts

The leak contains hundreds of files showing chatlogs, presentations and lists of targets.

AFP found what appeared to be lists of Thai and UK government departments among the leaks, as well as screenshots of attempts to log into an individual's Facebook account.

Other screenshots showed arguments between an employee and a supervisor over salaries, as well as a document describing software aimed at accessing a target's Outlook emails.

"As demonstrated by the leaked documents, third-party contractors play a significant role in facilitating and executing many of China's offensive operations in the cyber domain," SentinelLabs analysts said.

In one screenshot of a chat app conversation, someone describes a client request for exclusive access to the "foreign secretary's office, foreign ministry's ASEAN office, prime minister's office national intelligence agency" and other government departments of an unnamed country.

Analysts who examined the files said the company also offered potential clients the ability to break into accounts of individuals on social media platform X -- monitoring their activity, reading their private messages, and sending posts.

It also laid out how the firm's hackers could access and take over a person's computer remotely, allowing them to execute commands and monitor what they type.

Other services included ways to breach Apple's iPhone and other smartphone operating systems, as well as custom hardware -- including a powerbank that can extract data from a device and send it to the hackers.

Xinjiang ties

Analysts said the leak also showed I-Soon bidding for contracts in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang, where Beijing stands accused of detaining hundreds of thousands of mostly Muslim people as part of a campaign against alleged extremism. The United States has called it a genocide.

"The company listed other terrorism-related targets the company had hacked previously as evidence of their ability to perform these tasks, including targeting counterterrorism centers in Pakistan and Afghanistan," SentinelLabs analysts said.

The leaked data also revealed the fees that hackers could earn, they said, including $55,000 from breaking into a government ministry in Vietnam.

A cached version of the company's website showed the firm also runs an institute dedicated to "implementing the spirit" of President Xi Jinping's "important instructions" on developing cybersecurity education and expertise.

The FBI has said that China has the biggest hacking programme of any country.

Beijing has dismissed the claims as "groundless" and pointed to the United States's own history of cyber espionage.

Pieter Arntz, a researcher at Malwarebytes, said the leak will likely "rattle some cages at the infiltrated entities".

"As such, it could possibly cause a shift in international diplomacy and expose the holes in the national security of several countries."

Also read other top stories today:

Demand for Deepfake regulation! Artificial intelligence experts and industry executives, including AI godfather' Yoshua Bengio, have signed an open letter calling for more regulation around the creation of deepfakes. Some interesting details in this article. Check it out here.

Sora raises fears! Since OpenAI rolled out its text-to-video AI generation platform, leading content creators are fearing if they are the latest professionals about to be replaced by algorithms. Check out all the details here.

Microsoft to build a home-grown processor! Microsoft has become a customer of Intel's made-to-order chip business. The company will use Intel's 18A manufacturing technology to make a forthcoming chip that the software maker designed in-house. Read all about it here.

One more thing! We are now on WhatsApp Channels! Follow us there so you never miss any updates from the world of technology. To follow the HT Tech channel on WhatsApp, click here to join now!
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:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed concerns over whether banning social media for children under the age of 16 violates parents' rights.

Florida lawmakers moved Thursday toward enacting one of the strictest bans on children's use of social media in the United States, sending to the governor a bill to keep those under 16 off such platforms.

The controversial legislation seeks to protect children's mental health against the "addictive features" of such platforms, amid fears over online dangers including from sexual predators, cyber bullying and teen suicide.

The legislation cleared the state Senate 23-14 and returned to the House, where it passed overwhelmingly, 108-7.

It now heads to the governor's mansion where, to become law, it needs to be signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has expressed skepticism about the legislation. Similar efforts by other states have previously been blocked by courts.

"We're talking about businesses that are using addictive features to engage in mass manipulation of our children to cause them harm," the bill's sponsor, Republican Erin Grall, told the Florida Senate on Thursday.

But DeSantis, who has previously said he is sympathetic to fears over the impact of social media on children, voiced concerns about parental rights.

"A parent has the right to opt in," he told a press conference Thursday.

The governor, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for president and dropped out in January, has argued many times that parents should have more control over decisions affecting their children, particularly in education.

Under DeSantis Florida has passed laws to curtail teaching about sex education and gender identity in schools and to eradicate diversity programs in state-funded universities.

Scores of books have been removed from the state's school library shelves in recent months, deemed inappropriate for children by conservative parents and school boards.

Some critics say such a law targeting social media use would violate the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech.

Last year a federal judge blocked an Arkansas initiative that sought to require parental consent to open a social media account.

Most social media networks already have a minimum age of 13 to open an account, though they do little to ensure compliance with the provision.

If the regulation is approved, the platforms will have to block Florida children under the age of 16 from creating accounts and close those already opened.

 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

SMU Associate Professor Christoph Treude examines the foundations for studies on open-source software and protestware.

"Software developers don't develop everything from scratch," he says. "Just like car manufacturing, you rely on pieces that have been manufactured by others. So, it's the same with software developers, whether in the open source world or industry. They tend to re-use a lot of stuff that others have done."

Open source ecosystems can contain millions of individual items. So what happens if someone adds malware to their particular piece of software to protest, say, the war in Ukraine? Well, that has happened, with the result that some users in Russia and Belarus have had their computers hacked.

For instance, the developer behind software library node-ipc with its more than a million weekly downloads tried to replace all the files on the computers of users in Russia and Belarus with a heart emoji back in March 2022.

"Because of the interconnectedness of the software ecosystem, people who contribute or maintain just one piece of the gigantic puzzle can have quite a bit of power."

Sometimes, a maintainer, the main person driving an open source project, may make an honest mistake when developing software, Professor Treude says. "But more recently, with the war in Ukraine, if maintainers want to raise awareness about something specific, they turn their open source project into malware." In extreme cases, he says, "they've re-programmed the library purposefully to attack machines located in Russia and Belarus."

Others take less drastic action and merely introduce a message or document "urging support for whatever side they're on."

Identifying the main types of protestware

In a paper titled 'In War and Peace: The Impact of World Politics on Software Ecosystems', which was presented at a software engineering conference more than a year ago, Professor Treude and his co-researcher Raula Gaikovina Kula from Japan's Nara Institute on Science and Technology identified three main types of protestware:

Malignant protestwaresoftware that intentionally damages or takes control of a user's computer without their knowledge or consent.

Benign protestwaresoftware created to raise awareness of a political or social issue but does not take control of the user's device.

Developer sanctions which affect a software ecosystem more broadly. For instance, MongoDB decided not to sell its products to Russian users, and GitHub suspended Russian accounts.

'A loss of trust'

Professor Treude says the role of open source in software engineering has shifted over the past decade. In the early days, major corporations such as Microsoft were opposed to open source software "as they believed software should be sold for money and should not be available to everybody for free." However, Microsoft eventually became a major contributor to open source, maintaining its own libraries.

"Of course, open source doesn't require you to pay anything when you use it. That's the whole idea. But then maintainers realized that companies are making money based on the code they've written." In addition, he says, companies are also attaching business licenses to the open-source software "to ensure that others can't make money from it."

"It's just against all the fundamental ideas of open source, but maybe we're seeing a reconfiguration of how all this fits together, and a lot of it has to do with a loss of trust."

And, presumably, the emergence of protestware has also led to a loss of trust in open-source software.

"Absolutely. We're wondering if we're slowly seeing the signs of the heyday of open source ending," Professor Treude says. "Maybe not ending, but people are getting less excited about it because of incidents such as protestware."

Perhaps, then, some sort of certification process may be required to establish the provenance of open-source software.

"That's a really interesting question because, on the one hand, that goes against some of the core ideas of open source that everything is free and open to everybody. On the other hand, maybe we do need some sort of liability when things go wrong."

However, open source licenses do not "necessarily tell you if you're allowed to develop protestware or not," and there is no legal liability.

Another option is that because there is so much information about programmers available on the internet, end users should do some digging before downloading software.

"You can find out which libraries they maintain and have contributed to, how long they've been active, how reliable they are, and how quickly they've fixed security vulnerabilities and so on. There's a whole research area in my field called mining software repositories, which focuses on questions such as these."

"Because we do have the data available, we might be able to use that information to help establish trust. Just by looking at someone's history, you can't necessarily predict the future, but it helps."

Promoting ethical responsibility

Professor Treude's latest paper, "Ethical Considerations Towards Protestware", which has been accepted by a practitioner magazine, examines several different ethical frameworks in relation to protestware:

Duty Ethicseffectively a sense of duty (linked to Kant's Categorical Imperative) which would mean, by implication, that the injection of malware would not be ethical.

Consequential Ethicsyou should take into account the consequences of your actions (and seek to maximize overall happiness). Although the damage caused by malware might be seen as short-term, its long-term effects would be much larger.

Principlismtaking a more pragmatic approach by following a fixed set of principles such as respect for autonomy and justice.

This paper, written with co-researchers Marc Cheong of The University of Melbourne and Raula Gaikovina Kula, explores various ethical frameworks, but Professor Treude says there is no right answer.

"There is the whole concept of 'do no evil' which stuck with me when we were writing this up. If you know that what you're doing will have negative consequences for a lot of people, I would personally think twice about doing it, but obviously, there are people who think the greater good is more important."

The role of education

Education could play a crucial role here, Professor Treude says. "A lot of computer science and software engineering programs, even at universities, barely cover ethics these days, and even if they do, they're often dealing with topics with no connection to computer science. But in protestware, we have something concrete that anybody with a software development background would be able to relate to. So, I think using examples like this in education would be useful."

"I was hired specifically to look at the human and social aspects of software engineering. Software development is changing quickly at the moment thanks to AI (artificial intelligence) programs like ChatGPT, and a lot of the progress has focused on the technical side. But very few look at how we can actually empower humans to write better software. How can we get that interface between humans and AI right? That's what I see myself working on for the next little while."

Both articles mentioned in this story are published on the arXiv preprint server.

More information: Raula Gaikovina Kula et al, In War and Peace: The Impact of World Politics on Software Ecosystems, arXiv (2022). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2208.01393 Marc Cheong et al, Ethical Considerations Towards Protestware, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2306.10019
Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new stake in WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 10,310 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $369,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of WestRock during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in WestRock during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A bought a new stake in WestRock in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. boosted its position in shares of WestRock by 1,815.2% during the third quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 881 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 835 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gyon Technologies Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of WestRock in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. 85.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at WestRock

In other news, insider Vicki L. Lostetter sold 3,500 shares of WestRock stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.77, for a total transaction of $149,695.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 92,117 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,939,844.09. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.49% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on WestRock in a report on Tuesday. They set a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $42.00 target price on shares of WestRock in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $45.00 price target (up previously from $42.00) on shares of WestRock in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Argus raised shares of WestRock from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn cut WestRock from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $39.43.

Read Our Latest Report on WestRock

WestRock Stock Performance

WRK opened at $43.94 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.55. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $41.74 and its 200 day simple moving average is $38.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.27 billion, a PE ratio of -6.54, a PEG ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 1.06. WestRock has a 52-week low of $26.84 and a 52-week high of $44.26.

WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The basic materials company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.15). The company had revenue of $4.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.79 billion. WestRock had a positive return on equity of 6.87% and a negative net margin of 8.58%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.55 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect 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 was paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were issued a $0.3025 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $1.21 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.75%. WestRocks payout ratio is -18.01%.

WestRock Profile

(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).

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Aigen Investment Management LP lifted its position in Kontoor Brands, Inc. (NYSE:KTB  Free Report) by 25.9% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 9,870 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,029 shares during the period. Aigen Investment Management LPs holdings in Kontoor Brands were worth $433,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in KTB. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Kontoor Brands by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,294,678 shares of the companys stock worth $401,379,000 after purchasing an additional 153,205 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Kontoor Brands by 1.2% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,175,002 shares of the companys stock worth $207,543,000 after acquiring an additional 75,490 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its stake in Kontoor Brands by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,866,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $169,796,000 after acquiring an additional 117,815 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its stake in Kontoor Brands by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,079,112 shares of the companys stock valued at $87,531,000 after acquiring an additional 13,277 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in Kontoor Brands by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,326,447 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,848,000 after acquiring an additional 39,777 shares during the last quarter.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

KTB has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group boosted their target price on Kontoor Brands from $83.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Edward Jones lowered Kontoor Brands from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Barclays raised Kontoor Brands from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $47.00 to $59.00 in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Kontoor Brands from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Kontoor Brands from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Kontoor Brands presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $70.40.

Kontoor Brands Price Performance

KTB stock opened at $63.52 on Friday. Kontoor Brands, Inc. has a 52-week low of $37.10 and a 52-week high of $64.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 2.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.21. The stock has a market cap of $3.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.15. The business has a fifty day moving average of $60.38 and a two-hundred day moving average of $52.16.

Kontoor Brands Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.15%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. Kontoor Brandss payout ratio is 53.19%.

Kontoor Brands Profile

(Free Report)

Kontoor Brands, Inc, a lifestyle apparel company, designs, produces, procures, markets, distributes, and licenses denim, apparel, footwear, and accessories, primarily under the Wrangler and Lee brands. It licenses and sells apparel under the Rock & Republic brad name. The company sells its products primarily through mass merchants, specialty stores, mid-tier and traditional department stores, company-operated stores, and online.

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Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Tuesday, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have $51.00 price target on the transportation companys stock, up from their prior price target of $44.00.

ALK has been the topic of a number of other reports. Susquehanna downgraded shares of Alaska Air Group from a positive rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the company from $39.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. StockNews.com cut shares of Alaska Air Group from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. TD Cowen decreased their price target on shares of Alaska Air Group from $45.00 to $40.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Raymond James downgraded shares of Alaska Air Group from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, Melius downgraded shares of Alaska Air Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Alaska Air Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $56.13.

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Alaska Air Group Stock Performance

Shares of ALK stock opened at $39.39 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $37.40 and its 200-day moving average price is $37.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.61. Alaska Air Group has a one year low of $30.75 and a one year high of $57.18. The firm has a market cap of $4.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.76, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.62.

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The transportation company reported $0.30 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.12. Alaska Air Group had a net margin of 2.25% and a return on equity of 14.72%. The firm had revenue of $2.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.92 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Alaska Air Group will post 4.31 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alaska Air Group

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ALK. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Alaska Air Group by 0.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,461,295 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $536,225,000 after acquiring an additional 47,871 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 9.1% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,951,500 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $422,861,000 after purchasing an additional 660,917 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 13.8% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,439,909 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $212,543,000 after acquiring an additional 660,455 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,105,350 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $218,323,000 after acquiring an additional 91,940 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners increased its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 64.6% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,811,191 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $148,861,000 after acquiring an additional 1,495,311 shares during the period. 80.58% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Alaska Air Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Alaska Air Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates airlines. It operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing jet aircraft for passengers and cargo in the United States, and in parts of Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and the Bahamas; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Antero Resources Co. (NYSE:AR  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up before the market opened on Wednesday after Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on the stock from $26.00 to $29.00. The stock had previously closed at $23.41, but opened at $24.85. Wells Fargo & Company currently has an overweight rating on the stock. Antero Resources shares last traded at $26.11, with a volume of 1,662,266 shares.

Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on AR. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Antero Resources from $28.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. raised shares of Antero Resources from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $32.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Mizuho downgraded shares of Antero Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $27.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Antero Resources from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Antero Resources to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Antero Resources has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $28.75.

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Institutional Trading of Antero Resources

Antero Resources Trading Up 0.2 %

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AR. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in shares of Antero Resources by 11.1% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 142,404 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock worth $3,230,000 after buying an additional 14,200 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its stake in shares of Antero Resources by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 118,427 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock worth $2,686,000 after buying an additional 3,236 shares during the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its stake in shares of Antero Resources by 7.0% during the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 14,668 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock worth $333,000 after buying an additional 964 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its stake in shares of Antero Resources by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 571,368 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock worth $12,959,000 after buying an additional 12,377 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Antero Resources by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 27,694,160 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock worth $628,104,000 after buying an additional 173,378 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.20% of the companys stock.

The businesss 50 day moving average price is $22.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.94. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The company has a market cap of $7.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.36 and a beta of 3.28.

Antero Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Antero Resources Corporation, an independent oil and natural gas company, engages in the development, production, exploration, and acquisition of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and oil properties in the United States. It operates through three segments: Exploration, Development and Production of Natural Gas, NGLs and Oil; Marketing and Utilization of Excess Firm Transportation Capacity; and Midstream Services Through Our Equity Method Investment in Antero Midstream.

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Saturday is likely to be the warmest day so far this month in the Bay Area, with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Baron/Lynx

UPDATED FORECAST: Major winter storm to bring up to 10 feet of snow in Sierra Nevada this week

An expanding high-pressure system over the West Coast will keep California warm and dry this weekend, with some Bay Area cities approaching 70 degrees.

Highs will climb to the mid-60s Friday, but warming will be limited by widespread cloud cover. Blue skies Saturday will allow temperatures to jump to the upper 60s to lower 70s, the warmest day so far this February for many Bay Area cities. San Jose could wind up nearly 10 degrees above its normal high of 64. Santa Rosa, Walnut Creek, Livermore and Milpitas could also hit 70 degrees.

The weather for the Chinese New Year parade should be spectacular in San Francisco. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-60s when the parade begins at 5 p.m., dropping to the upper 50s by the time festivities wrap up.

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But the taste of spring isnt expected to last long. Clouds will increase from south to north Sunday, and temperatures will drop back to the lower to mid-60s with a chance of showers by the evening that may continue into Monday.

The Climate Prediction Center favors a wet weather pattern returning to California for the final days of February into early March. Baron/Lynx

How much rain falls Monday is uncertain, but temperatures are expected to fall to the 50s at the coast with at least some scattered showers. Colder, wetter storms are likely to return to Northern and Central California as the calendar flips to March.

Weekend breakdown

San Francisco: Mostly cloudy skies Friday wont prevent highs from reaching the mid-60s in San Francisco. Residents in Twin Peaks and around Mount Davidson may notice wind coming from an atypical direction, out of the east, and gusting up 15 to 25 mph. Saturday will be sunny and the warmest day so far in February, reaching the upper 60s to around 70 in the Mission District.

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Increasing clouds Sunday will mark a change in the weather pattern. Highs are expected to be in the lower 60s, with a chance of light rain by the evening. Lows throughout the weekend will be in the upper 40s.

North Bay: Another foggy morning is expected Friday in the Petaluma, Napa and Sonoma valleys, as well as eastern Solano County. Brief sunshine is possible midmorning, but high clouds will cover most of the sky by the afternoon. Highs will be in the mid-60s. Saturday could be the warmest day in nearly a month, in the upper 60s in San Rafael and Vallejo and near 70 in Napa, Fairfield and Vacaville. Santa Rosa could even reach the lower 70s.

Sunday is expected to start mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-60s, but clouds will increase throughout the afternoon. There is a slight chance of light rain by the evening. Lows this weekend will be in the mid-40s.

East Bay: Residents in the interior East Bay valleys may encounter patchy, dense fog on their way to work Friday morning, but it is likely to be the only weather hazard for the next three days. Highs will be in the mid-60s Friday under mostly cloudy skies. Saturday is expected to be the warmest day so far this month, in the upper 60s in Oakland and Berkeley and lower 70s in Hayward, Fremont, Concord and the Tri-Valley.

Clouds are expected to gradually increase Sunday, but filtered sunshine should allow many cities to still reach the mid-60s. There is a slight chance of rain showers overnight Sunday. Lows this weekend will be in the mid- to upper 40s.

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Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Gusty offshore winds up to 25 mph are expected to push highs to the mid-60s in Half Moon Bay on Friday, about 5 degrees above normal. Pacifica, Daly City, San Mateo and Redwood City can expect highs in the lower 60s, with mostly cloudy skies throughout the Peninsula. Highs will jump to the mid- to upper 60s Saturday with plenty of sunshine.

Clouds will increase Sunday, dropping highs back to the lower to mid-60s. There is a chance of a few light sprinkles in the evening. Lows throughout the weekend will be in the mid- to upper 40s.

South Bay and Santa Cruz: Despite a mostly cloudy sky, Fridays highs will climb to the mid-60s in Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Boulder Creek and the South Bay. Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny, with highs in the lower 70s in the Santa Clara Valley, nearly 10 degrees above normal. Santa Cruz will remain in the mid-60s.

By Sunday, highs are expected to drop back to the 60s throughout the region due to increasing clouds ahead of a weak system. A chance of rain returns to the Santa Cruz Mountains by Sunday evening. Overnight lows will be in the mid- to upper 40s this weekend.
Asset Dedication LLC raised its position in Capri Holdings Limited (NYSE:CPRI  Free Report) by 26.8% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 27,562 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 5,824 shares during the quarter. Asset Dedication LLCs holdings in Capri were worth $1,454,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CPRI. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC raised its position in Capri by 65.6% in the first quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC now owns 7,288 shares of the companys stock valued at $375,000 after purchasing an additional 2,888 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can acquired a new position in shares of Capri in the first quarter worth $4,352,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of Capri by 4.9% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,198,021 shares of the companys stock worth $112,981,000 after acquiring an additional 102,439 shares in the last quarter. Bridgefront Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Capri in the first quarter worth $271,000. Finally, Pearl River Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Capri in the first quarter worth $227,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.74% of the companys stock.

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Capri Stock Performance

NYSE CPRI traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $46.56. The company had a trading volume of 236,028 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,188,059. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a current ratio of 1.06. Capri Holdings Limited has a 1-year low of $34.17 and a 1-year high of $54.52. The company has a market cap of $5.43 billion, a PE ratio of 26.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.67 and a beta of 2.07. The business has a 50 day moving average of $49.08 and a 200-day moving average of $49.94.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Capri ( NYSE:CPRI Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.74 by ($0.54). Capri had a net margin of 3.96% and a return on equity of 25.79%. The company had revenue of $1.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.48 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.84 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Capri Holdings Limited will post 3.86 EPS for the current year.

Several equities analysts have commented on CPRI shares. Telsey Advisory Group restated a market perform rating and issued a $57.00 price target on shares of Capri in a research note on Friday, February 9th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Capri in a research note on Saturday, February 17th. They set a hold rating for the company. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $50.50.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Capri

Capri Profile

(Free Report)

Capri Holdings Limited designs, markets, distributes, and retails branded women's and men's apparel, footwear, and accessories in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through three segments: Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Michael Kors. The company offers ready-to-wear, accessories, footwear, handbags, scarves and belts, small leather goods, eyewear, watches, jewelry, fragrances, and home furnishings through a distribution network, including boutiques, department, and specialty stores, as well as through e-commerce sites.

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Asset Dedication LLC decreased its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 32.2% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,990 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 945 shares during the period. Asset Dedication LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $1,018,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Halpern Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 307.7% in the 3rd quarter. Halpern Financial Inc. now owns 53 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Live Oak Investment Partners bought a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.06% of the companys stock.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance

Shares of TMO traded up $4.41 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $564.90. 341,584 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,752,729. The stock has a market cap of $218.26 billion, a PE ratio of 36.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $542.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is $513.87. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 12 month low of $415.60 and a 12 month high of $593.17.

Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical research company reported $5.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.64 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $10.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.73 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 18.78% and a net margin of 13.99%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $5.40 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.54 EPS for the current year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, November 14th that authorizes the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the medical research company to reacquire up to 2.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.39 dividend. This is an increase from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.28%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics payout ratio is presently 9.06%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 5,547 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.62, for a total value of $3,054,289.14. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 43,608 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,011,436.96. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 5,547 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.62, for a total value of $3,054,289.14. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 43,608 shares in the company, valued at $24,011,436.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 14,566 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 12,901 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,250,362. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 30,277 shares of company stock worth $16,886,384 in the last quarter. 0.32% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Robert W. Baird reiterated an outperform rating and set a $670.00 target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. KeyCorp lowered Thermo Fisher Scientific from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a report on Thursday, October 26th. HSBC initiated coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Monday, December 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $610.00 price objective for the company. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. They issued an outperform rating and a $575.00 price objective for the company. Finally, TheStreet raised Thermo Fisher Scientific from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Four equities 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, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $596.00.

Read Our Latest Analysis on TMO

Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 67.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 30,030 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 12,071 shares during the quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $1,743,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. State Street Corp grew its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 92,570,288 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $5,919,870,000 after acquiring an additional 858,922 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors grew its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 12.8% during the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 69,296,006 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,431,517,000 after acquiring an additional 7,878,833 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 39,034,341 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,489,314,000 after acquiring an additional 225,065 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,873,696,000. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 5.8% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 25,292,711 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,467,989,000 after acquiring an additional 1,394,158 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

Shares of BMY stock traded up $0.13 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $51.46. 1,787,003 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,247,403. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a fifty-two week low of $47.58 and a fifty-two week high of $71.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $104.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.30, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.38. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $50.39 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.04. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.15. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 50.95% and a net margin of 17.83%. The company had revenue of $11.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.82 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th were paid a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.66%. This is a positive change from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 62.18%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. They set a hold rating and a $55.00 target price on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. StockNews.com cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. TheStreet cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $61.17.

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Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 3,071 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $48.86 per share, for a total transaction of $150,049.06. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 79,384 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,878,702.24. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 3,071 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $48.86 per share, for a total transaction of $150,049.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 79,384 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,878,702.24. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $49.78 per share, for a total transaction of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,115,412.16. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in shares of CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI  Free Report) by 9.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 540 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the quarter. Covestor Ltds holdings in CACI International were worth $170,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CACI. Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its position in CACI International by 37.3% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,762 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $832,000 after purchasing an additional 751 shares during the period. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. grew its stake in shares of CACI International by 47.7% in the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 288 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $87,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC grew its stake in shares of CACI International by 43.8% in the first quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 1,911 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $576,000 after purchasing an additional 582 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its stake in shares of CACI International by 435.5% in the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 4,943 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,393,000 after purchasing an additional 4,020 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its stake in shares of CACI International by 0.9% in the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 13,625 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,557,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.30% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Debora A. Plunkett sold 350 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $327.72, for a total transaction of $114,702.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 2,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $748,512.48. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Gregory G. Johnson sold 150 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $361.69, for a total value of $54,253.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 6,446 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,331,453.74. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Debora A. Plunkett sold 350 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $327.72, for a total value of $114,702.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 2,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $748,512.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.23% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

CACI International Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE CACI traded up $2.60 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $370.17. 13,066 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 132,346. CACI International Inc has a 1 year low of $275.79 and a 1 year high of $370.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.39, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The business has a 50 day moving average of $337.72 and a two-hundred day moving average of $329.89.

CACI International (NYSE:CACI  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The information technology services provider reported $4.36 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.50 by ($0.14). CACI International had a net margin of 5.31% and a return on equity of 13.65%. The company had revenue of $1.83 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.84 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $4.28 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that CACI International Inc will post 20.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on CACI. StockNews.com raised CACI International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Jefferies Financial Group cut CACI International from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $375.00 to $350.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus raised CACI International from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $365.00 to $380.00 in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on CACI International from $375.00 to $383.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, CACI International currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $377.33.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CACI

About CACI International

(Free Report)

CACI International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides expertise and technology to enterprise and mission customers in support of national security missions and government modernization/transformation in the intelligence, defense, and federal civilian sectors. It operates through two segments: Domestic Operations and International Operations.

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Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of CAE Inc. (NYSE:CAE  Free Report) (TSE:CAE) by 17.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,044,890 shares of the aerospace companys stock after acquiring an additional 151,651 shares during the quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. owned about 0.33% of CAE worth $24,393,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of CAE by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 2,088,450 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $48,765,000 after acquiring an additional 45,675 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in shares of CAE by 8.7% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 161,351 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $3,768,000 after acquiring an additional 12,939 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of CAE by 12.9% during the 3rd quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 4,717,835 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $110,161,000 after acquiring an additional 538,838 shares during the last quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP acquired a new position in shares of CAE during the 3rd quarter valued at about $524,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of CAE by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,919,580 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $44,822,000 after purchasing an additional 26,078 shares during the last quarter. 64.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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CAE Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:CAE traded down $0.07 on Friday, reaching $19.28. 258,996 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 481,202. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. CAE Inc. has a 1-year low of $18.26 and a 1-year high of $25.04. The firm has a market cap of $6.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a 50-day moving average of $20.61 and a 200-day moving average of $21.75.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CAE has been the topic of several analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded CAE from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Scotiabank lowered CAE from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on CAE from $37.00 to $34.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, Bank of America lowered CAE from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $35.00.

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CAE Company Profile

(Free Report)

CAE Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides simulation training and critical operations support solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa, and Rest of Americas. It operates through three segments: Civil Aviation, Defense and Security, and Healthcare.

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Scotiabank upgraded shares of Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB  Free Report) from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have C$32.00 price objective on the stock.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on CWB. National Bankshares upped their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$37.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Raymond James upped their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$37.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$33.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 23rd. TD Securities upped their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$32.00 to C$34.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Cormark upped their target price on shares of Canadian Western Bank from C$34.00 to C$35.00 in a report on Monday, December 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$34.09.

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Canadian Western Bank Price Performance

TSE:CWB opened at C$29.02 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of C$2.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 1.57. Canadian Western Bank has a one year low of C$22.96 and a one year high of C$31.64. The business has a fifty day moving average price of C$29.87 and a 200-day moving average price of C$28.67.

Canadian Western Bank (TSE:CWB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, December 8th. The company reported C$0.94 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.89 by C$0.05. The firm had revenue of C$291.76 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$292.40 million. Canadian Western Bank had a return on equity of 9.04% and a net margin of 32.29%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Canadian Western Bank will post 3.6533505 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Western Bank Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st were issued a $0.34 dividend. This is an increase from Canadian Western Banks previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.69%. Canadian Western Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.05%.

Insider Activity at Canadian Western Bank

In related news, Senior Officer Vladimir Ahmad sold 2,253 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$30.00, for a total value of C$67,590.00. 0.38% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Canadian Western Bank

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services primarily in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, notice, cash management, US dollar, and chequing accounts, as well as organization, business trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, and equipment financing and leasing products; agriculture lending products; mortgages; lines of credits; registered retirement savings loans; consolidation, and vehicle loans; and credit cards.

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Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 44.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 50,915 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 15,732 shares during the period. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $4,931,000 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 the business. Halpern Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. CGC Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, FWL Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. 73.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ABT has been the subject of several research reports. TheStreet upgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Thursday, December 21st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $120.00.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $4,781,250.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at $7,315,537.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at $7,315,537.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total transaction of $1,620,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at $7,022,916. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 0.2 %

ABT traded up $0.28 during trading on Friday, reaching $119.30. The company had a trading volume of 563,515 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,385,746. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.23. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $89.67 and a 12 month high of $119.76. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $112.21 and its 200 day moving average price is $104.26. The company has a market cap of $207.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.51, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.75.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.19. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 20.65%. The firm had revenue of $10.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.03 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.61 EPS for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be issued a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 12th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.84%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 67.48%.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Certified Advisory Corp trimmed its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 24,747 shares of the companys stock after selling 483 shares during the period. Certified Advisory Corps holdings in Altria Group were worth $1,041,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital World Investors raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 8.5% during the second quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 96,401,945 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,367,008,000 after acquiring an additional 7,546,851 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in Altria Group by 1.8% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 70,564,529 shares of the companys stock worth $3,262,710,000 after buying an additional 1,240,150 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Altria Group by 1.9% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 44,456,064 shares of the companys stock worth $1,857,271,000 after buying an additional 840,559 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Altria Group by 3.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 37,025,033 shares of the companys stock worth $1,672,836,000 after buying an additional 1,168,982 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in Altria Group by 5.1% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 24,517,169 shares of the companys stock worth $990,002,000 after buying an additional 1,192,266 shares in the last quarter. 58.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO traded up $0.26 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $41.16. The company had a trading volume of 2,696,269 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,873,154. The company has a fifty day moving average of $40.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of $41.76. The company has a market cap of $72.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.95, a PEG ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.66. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $39.06 and a 12-month high of $48.04.

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.01. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 243.71% and a net margin of 33.21%. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.06 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.18 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, February 1st that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to buy up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 21st were paid a $0.98 dividend. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 20th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 85.78%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on MO shares. UBS Group reissued a sell rating and issued a $36.10 price target on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com cut shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Altria Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.22.

View Our Latest Research Report on MO

About Altria Group

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

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Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 9.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 95 shares of the restaurant operators stock after buying an additional 8 shares during the quarter. Covestor Ltds holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $174,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.3% during the third quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 382 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $700,000 after purchasing an additional 5 shares during the period. Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.7% during the third quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 773 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,416,000 after purchasing an additional 5 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.7% during the first quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 355 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $606,000 after purchasing an additional 6 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.2% in the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 279 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $597,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares during the period. Finally, Legacy Capital Group California Inc. grew its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.4% in the second quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. now owns 258 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $552,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.19% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CMG has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,450.00 to $2,560.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. KeyCorp boosted their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,250.00 to $2,750.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,650.00 to $2,900.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Robert W. Baird restated an outperform rating and issued a $2,650.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,225.00 to $2,525.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 5th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $2,469.88.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock traded up $12.77 on Friday, hitting $2,640.14. The stock had a trading volume of 43,199 shares, compared to its average volume of 227,860. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a twelve month low of $1,470.05 and a twelve month high of $2,725.83. The businesss 50 day moving average is $2,387.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is $2,120.47. The stock has a market cap of $72.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.29.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The restaurant operator reported $10.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $9.73 by $0.63. The business had revenue of $2.52 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.49 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 44.41% and a net margin of 12.45%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $8.29 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 53.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Chipotle Mexican Grill

In other news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,093 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,199.81, for a total value of $2,404,392.33. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at approximately $51,358,964.07. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,996 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,399.91, for a total transaction of $4,790,220.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 22,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $53,870,779.77. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,093 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,199.81, for a total value of $2,404,392.33. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $51,358,964.07. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 5,837 shares of company stock valued at $14,012,071. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. The company offers burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

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CI Investments Inc. lowered its position in Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Free Report) by 39.1% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 429 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 275 shares during the period. CI Investments Inc.s holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $475,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 176 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $242,000 after buying an additional 13 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 19.7% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 176 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $242,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 48.9% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 834 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,172,000 after buying an additional 274 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 4.2% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 16,305 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $21,817,000 after buying an additional 662 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prudential PLC purchased a new position in Mettler-Toledo International during the first quarter worth about $626,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.11% of the companys stock.

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Mettler-Toledo International Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of MTD stock opened at $1,192.78 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $1,194.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1,137.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.62 billion, a PE ratio of 33.23, a P/E/G ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 1.15. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 52 week low of $928.49 and a 52 week high of $1,615.97.

Insider Activity

Mettler-Toledo International ( NYSE:MTD Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $9.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $10.32 by ($0.92). Mettler-Toledo International had a net margin of 20.82% and a negative return on equity of 904.59%. The company had revenue of $934.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $959.45 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $12.10 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 39.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other news, Director Elisha W. Finney sold 251 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,177.35, for a total transaction of $295,514.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $372,042.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MTD shares. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,425.00 to $1,270.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,520.00 to $1,300.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 13th. Citigroup restated a sell rating and set a $975.00 price target (down from $1,050.00) on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research note on Monday, December 11th. StockNews.com cut Mettler-Toledo International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,185.00 to $1,030.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $1,223.71.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Mettler-Toledo International

About Mettler-Toledo International

(Free Report)

Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, real-time analytics, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.Its industrial instruments comprise industrial weighing instruments and related terminals, automatic dimensional measurement and data capture solutions, vehicle scale systems, industrial software, metal detection equipment, x-ray systems, check weighing equipment, camera-based imaging equipment, track-and-trace solutions, and product inspection systems.

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Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. decreased its holdings in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Free Report) by 35.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 305,150 shares of the companys stock after selling 167,264 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd.s holdings in Novartis were worth $31,083,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of NVS. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Novartis by 18.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,556,539 shares of the companys stock worth $136,587,000 after acquiring an additional 240,710 shares during the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management grew its position in Novartis by 3.9% during the 1st quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 4,869 shares of the companys stock worth $427,000 after acquiring an additional 185 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in Novartis by 42.4% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 10,996 shares of the companys stock worth $965,000 after acquiring an additional 3,272 shares during the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Novartis by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 95,477 shares of the companys stock worth $8,379,000 after acquiring an additional 4,122 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its position in Novartis by 22.8% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 3,528 shares of the companys stock worth $309,000 after acquiring an additional 655 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 7.00% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NVS has been the topic of a number of research reports. HSBC lowered Novartis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 18th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Novartis in a research report on Friday. They set a market perform rating and a $114.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Novartis in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an equal weight rating and a $114.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Novartis in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $104.33.

Novartis Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE NVS traded up $1.29 during trading on Friday, reaching $104.09. The company had a trading volume of 602,673 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,400,800. The stock has a market cap of $220.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.32, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The companys fifty day moving average price is $103.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $100.16. Novartis AG has a 12 month low of $79.98 and a 12 month high of $108.78.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The company reported $1.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.64 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $11.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.69 billion. Novartis had a net margin of 29.83% and a return on equity of 29.90%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.51 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

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.

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Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $13.82 and last traded at $13.92, with a volume of 43623 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.11.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on CLB. StockNews.com raised Core Laboratories from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, January 20th. TheStreet cut Core Laboratories from a b- rating to a c rating in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on Core Laboratories from $21.00 to $17.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $19.88.

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Core Laboratories Trading Up 1.5 %

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $16.21 and a 200-day moving average of $20.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 2.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $671.04 million, a P/E ratio of 16.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 2.41.

Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The oil and gas company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $128.21 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $127.80 million. Core Laboratories had a return on equity of 15.19% and a net margin of 8.03%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.23 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Core Laboratories Inc. will post 0.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Core Laboratories Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 12th will be given a $0.01 dividend. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.28%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 9th. Core Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 4.65%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Core Laboratories

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Morningstar Investment Services LLC increased its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 6.1% during the second quarter. Morningstar Investment Services LLC now owns 12,806 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $311,000 after acquiring an additional 740 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 22.1% during the second quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 74,337 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,728,000 after acquiring an additional 13,436 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Core Laboratories during the second quarter valued at approximately $576,000. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC bought a new stake in shares of Core Laboratories during the third quarter valued at approximately $1,071,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Core Laboratories during the third quarter valued at approximately $525,000. Institutional investors own 97.81% of the companys stock.

About Core Laboratories

(Get Free Report)

Core Laboratories Inc provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement segments. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, reservoir fluid, and gas samples to enhance production and improve recovery of oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs.

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Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (NYSE:TPH  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm purchased 49,600 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $1,357,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Tri Pointe Homes by 2.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,230,217 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $245,584,000 after buying an additional 329,990 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,796,047 shares of the construction companys stock worth $80,909,000 after acquiring an additional 16,907 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Tri Pointe Homes by 6.6% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,047,722 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $67,288,000 after buying an additional 126,911 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its holdings in Tri Pointe Homes by 1,387.8% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,906,274 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $48,267,000 after acquiring an additional 1,778,149 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Tri Pointe Homes by 11.4% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,246,272 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $31,555,000 after acquiring an additional 127,571 shares during the last quarter. 97.59% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Tri Pointe Homes from $35.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday. Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and set a $41.00 target price (up previously from $36.00) on shares of Tri Pointe Homes in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Wedbush restated a neutral rating and issued a $32.00 target price on shares of Tri Pointe Homes in a research report on Tuesday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a 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 $38.20.

Tri Pointe Homes Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of Tri Pointe Homes stock opened at $35.28 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 2.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. has a 12-month low of $22.98 and a 12-month high of $36.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.42 billion, a PE ratio of 10.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.53. The stocks fifty day moving average is $34.85 and its 200-day moving average is $30.89.

Tri Pointe Homes (NYSE:TPH  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The construction company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.12 by $0.24. The business had revenue of $1.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.20 billion. Tri Pointe Homes had a return on equity of 11.75% and a net margin of 9.37%. Tri Pointe Homess revenue for the quarter was down 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.98 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. will post 3.58 earnings per share for the current year.

About Tri Pointe Homes

(Free Report)

Tri Pointe Homes, Inc engages in the design, construction, and sale of single-family attached and detached homes in the United States. The company operates through a portfolio of six regional home building brands comprising Maracay in Arizona; Pardee Homes in California and Nevada; Quadrant Homes in Washington; Trendmaker Homes in Texas; TRI Pointe Homes in California, Colorado, and the Carolinas; and Winchester Homes in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

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Eagle Asset Management Inc. cut its holdings in Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (NYSE:FBIN  Free Report) by 0.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,241,876 shares of the companys stock after selling 669 shares during the quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. owned approximately 0.98% of Fortune Brands Innovations worth $77,195,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in Fortune Brands Innovations during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,052,123,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in Fortune Brands Innovations during the 2nd quarter valued at about $392,938,000. State Street Corp bought a new position in Fortune Brands Innovations during the 2nd quarter valued at about $365,010,000. Holocene Advisors LP bought a new position in Fortune Brands Innovations during the 2nd quarter valued at about $193,486,000. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its stake in Fortune Brands Innovations by 6.4% during the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 2,045,726 shares of the companys stock valued at $127,162,000 after acquiring an additional 123,041 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.20% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Fortune Brands Innovations from $68.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Oppenheimer began coverage on shares of Fortune Brands Innovations in a report on Friday, January 19th. They issued a market perform rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Fortune Brands Innovations from $74.00 to $63.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Fortune Brands Innovations from $75.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $82.00 price objective (up from $76.00) on shares of Fortune Brands Innovations in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Fortune Brands Innovations presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $74.33.

Fortune Brands Innovations Price Performance

Shares of NYSE FBIN traded up $0.31 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $80.78. 45,596 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,127,234. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.19 billion, a PE ratio of 25.39, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.58. The companys 50 day moving average is $77.93 and its 200 day moving average is $69.46. Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. has a one year low of $54.10 and a one year high of $81.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.72 and a quick ratio of 0.91.

Fortune Brands Innovations (NYSE:FBIN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The company reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.14 billion. Fortune Brands Innovations had a return on equity of 22.61% and a net margin of 8.74%. Fortune Brands Innovationss revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.07 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Fortune Brands Innovations Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.19%. This is an increase from Fortune Brands Innovationss previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. Fortune Brands Innovationss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.02%.

About Fortune Brands Innovations

(Free Report)

Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc provides home and security products for residential home repair, remodeling, new construction, and security applications in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments: Water Innovations; and Outdoors & Security. The Water Innovations segment manufactures or assembles, and sells faucets, accessories, kitchen sinks, and waste disposals under the Moen, ROHL, Riobel, Victoria+Albert, Perrin & Rowe, Aqualisa, and Shaws brands.

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Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (NYSE:DEA  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, February 22nd, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be paid a dividend of 0.265 per share by the real estate investment trust on Monday, March 18th. This represents a $1.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th.

Easterly Government Properties has increased its dividend payment by an average of 0.6% annually over the last three years. Easterly Government Properties has a payout ratio of 341.9% indicating that the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Analysts expect Easterly Government Properties to earn $1.11 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.06 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 95.5%.

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Easterly Government Properties Price Performance

NYSE DEA remained flat at $11.59 during trading hours on Friday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 119,505 shares, compared to its average volume of 942,407. The firm has a market cap of $1.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.18 and a beta of 0.68. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $12.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 5.00 and a current ratio of 5.00. Easterly Government Properties has a twelve month low of $10.27 and a twelve month high of $15.45.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Easterly Government Properties from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, December 22nd.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Easterly Government Properties

Insider Buying and Selling at Easterly Government Properties

In other Easterly Government Properties news, Chairman Darrell W. Crate purchased 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $13.14 per share, for a total transaction of $105,120.00. Following the purchase, the chairman now directly owns 92,174 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,211,166.36. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 8.20% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Easterly Government Properties

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Easterly Government Properties by 7.9% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 63,313 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,338,000 after buying an additional 4,611 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE grew its stake in Easterly Government Properties by 11.7% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 16,447 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $347,000 after purchasing an additional 1,721 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its holdings in Easterly Government Properties by 23.6% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 19,267 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $407,000 after acquiring an additional 3,681 shares in the last quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Easterly Government Properties during the 1st quarter worth $368,000. Finally, Natixis Advisors L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Easterly Government Properties by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 64,622 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,366,000 after purchasing an additional 4,101 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.68% of the companys stock.

About Easterly Government Properties

(Get Free Report)

Easterly Government Properties, Inc (NYSE: DEA) is based in Washington, DC, and focuses primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties that are leased to the U.S. Government. Easterly's experienced management team brings specialized insight into the strategy and needs of mission-critical U.S.

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Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund lifted its stake in Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) by 793.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 66,700 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 59,235 shares during the quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Funds holdings in Entergy were worth $6,170,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in Entergy in the first quarter worth approximately $29,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Entergy by 157.1% in the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 270 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its holdings in Entergy by 108.8% in the third quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 307 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Entergy in the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new position in Entergy in the second quarter worth approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.52% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Entergy

In related news, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 38,417 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.53, for a total value of $3,900,478.01. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,380 shares in the company, valued at $952,351.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.39% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ETR has been the topic of several analyst reports. Mizuho lowered their price target on Entergy from $113.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Entergy from $117.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. UBS Group upgraded shares of Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $103.00 to $118.00 in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Guggenheim boosted their target price on shares of Entergy from $99.00 to $103.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Entergy from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $117.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $110.82.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ETR

Entergy Price Performance

Shares of ETR stock opened at $101.52 on Friday. Entergy Co. has a 1 year low of $87.10 and a 1 year high of $111.90. The firms 50 day moving average is $100.61 and its 200-day moving average is $97.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.59, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.52. Entergy had a net margin of 11.56% and a return on equity of 10.77%. The company had revenue of $2.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.27 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.51 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Entergy Co. will post 6.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Entergy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.45%. Entergys payout ratio is 64.94%.

Entergy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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EPG Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB  Free Report) by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 205 shares during the quarter. EPG Wealth Management LLCs holdings in AvalonBay Communities were worth $343,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. raised its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 0.9% in the third quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 42,851 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $7,359,000 after purchasing an additional 389 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 5.9% in the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,278,363 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $391,286,000 after acquiring an additional 126,288 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 69.1% in the third quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 2,645 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $454,000 after acquiring an additional 1,081 shares in the last quarter. Mariner LLC grew its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 61.7% in the third quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 10,924 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,876,000 after acquiring an additional 4,167 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board grew its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 112.5% in the third quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 6,586 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,131,000 after acquiring an additional 3,487 shares in the last quarter. 88.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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AvalonBay Communities Price Performance

Shares of AVB stock traded down $0.35 on Friday, reaching $175.77. The companys stock had a trading volume of 95,921 shares, compared to its average volume of 880,674. The company has a quick ratio of 1.84, a current ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a 12-month low of $153.07 and a 12-month high of $198.65. The company has a market capitalization of $24.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.89, a PEG ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.93. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $180.74 and its 200-day simple moving average is $177.40.

AvalonBay Communities Increases Dividend

AvalonBay Communities ( NYSE:AVB Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.73 by ($1.03). AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 7.98% and a net margin of 33.56%. The business had revenue of $704.71 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $701.67 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.59 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that AvalonBay Communities, Inc. will post 10.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a $1.70 dividend. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.87%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This is an increase from AvalonBay Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. AvalonBay Communitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.76%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on AVB shares. KeyCorp reaffirmed a sector weight rating on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a report on Friday, January 5th. Piper Sandler raised AvalonBay Communities from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and reduced their target price for the company from $197.00 to $194.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $185.00 target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a report on Friday, February 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $191.00 target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a report on Thursday. Finally, Barclays raised AvalonBay Communities from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the company from $194.00 to $204.00 in a report on Tuesday. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven 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 an average price target of $196.44.

View Our Latest Stock Report on AVB

AvalonBay Communities Company Profile

(Free Report)

As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR  Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report released on Wednesday.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on EXR. Raymond James reduced their price objective on shares of Extra Space Storage from $165.00 to $145.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Extra Space Storage from an underweight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price target for the company from $120.00 to $155.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Extra Space Storage in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. They issued a sector underperform rating and a $131.00 price target on the stock. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Extra Space Storage from $138.00 to $152.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, December 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Extra Space Storage in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a hold rating and a $141.00 price target on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $149.75.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Extra Space Storage

Extra Space Storage Trading Down 1.2 %

Insiders Place Their Bets

Shares of Extra Space Storage stock opened at $141.39 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $29.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.99, a PEG ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. Extra Space Storage has a 12-month low of $101.19 and a 12-month high of $170.30. The firms 50-day moving average price is $149.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $132.94.

In other Extra Space Storage news, Director Joseph Saffire sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.10, for a total transaction of $3,852,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 42,344 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,525,210.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.55% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Extra Space Storage

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of EXR. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Extra Space Storage by 1,272.7% in the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 151 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its stake in shares of Extra Space Storage by 241.9% in the 3rd quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 212 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Extra Space Storage by 162.5% in the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 231 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 143 shares during the period. 66.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Extra Space Storage Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of September 30, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 3,651 self-storage stores in 42 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 2.5 million units and approximately 279.0 million square feet of rentable space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of FB Financial (NYSE:FBK  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note published on Tuesday.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on FBK. Stephens cut their price objective on FB Financial from $45.00 to $41.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Hovde Group lowered FB Financial from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $41.50 to $40.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $36.58.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on FBK

FB Financial Price Performance

Shares of FB Financial stock opened at $35.79 on Tuesday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $38.07 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $33.65. The company has a market capitalization of $1.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.93 and a beta of 1.17. FB Financial has a 1-year low of $24.34 and a 1-year high of $41.00.

FB Financial (NYSE:FBK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.06. FB Financial had a return on equity of 10.10% and a net margin of 16.05%. The business had revenue of $116.43 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $121.58 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.85 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that FB Financial will post 2.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FB Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 13th will be issued a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.90%. This is a positive change from FB Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 12th. FB Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 26.46%.

Insider Activity at FB Financial

In related news, major shareholder James W. Ayers acquired 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 17th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $35.29 per share, with a total value of $70,580.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 10,877,841 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $383,879,008.89. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, major shareholder James W. Ayers bought 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $35.91 per share, for a total transaction of $107,730.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 10,884,841 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $390,874,640.31. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, major shareholder James W. Ayers bought 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 17th. The shares were bought at an average price of $35.29 per share, for a total transaction of $70,580.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 10,877,841 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $383,879,008.89. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have purchased 7,000 shares of company stock valued at $254,710. 1.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On FB Financial

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FBK. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in FB Financial by 570.5% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 979 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 833 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in FB Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new stake in FB Financial in the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in FB Financial by 42.7% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 1,436 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 430 shares during the period. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd boosted its holdings in FB Financial by 413.0% in the 1st quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 1,616 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $72,000 after purchasing an additional 1,301 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.91% of the companys stock.

About FB Financial

(Get Free Report)

FB Financial Corporation operates as a bank holding company for FirstBank that provides a suite of commercial and consumer banking services to businesses, professionals, and individuals. The company operates in segments, such as Banking and Mortgage. It offers checking, demand, money market, and savings accounts; deposit and lending products and services to corporate, commercial, and consumer customers; and time deposits and certificates of deposits, as well as residential mortgage loans.

Further Reading

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Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board grew its position in Franco-Nevada Co. (NYSE:FNV  Free Report) (TSE:FNV) by 11.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,580 shares of the basic materials companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,212 shares during the quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Boards holdings in Franco-Nevada were worth $1,546,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sigma Planning Corp bought a new stake in shares of Franco-Nevada in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $337,000. TD Asset Management Inc raised its stake in Franco-Nevada by 0.4% during the third quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 2,232,515 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $299,425,000 after acquiring an additional 9,482 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of Franco-Nevada by 10.9% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 45,588 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $6,501,000 after purchasing an additional 4,494 shares in the last quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Franco-Nevada by 14.1% in the 3rd quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 100,899 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $13,469,000 after purchasing an additional 12,481 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in Franco-Nevada by 270.4% during the 3rd quarter. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. now owns 405,712 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $54,414,000 after purchasing an additional 296,169 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 66.70% of the companys stock.

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Franco-Nevada Stock Down 0.8 %

NYSE:FNV opened at $106.34 on Friday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $109.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $123.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.04, a P/E/G ratio of 5.13 and a beta of 0.71. Franco-Nevada Co. has a 12-month low of $102.29 and a 12-month high of $161.25.

Franco-Nevada Increases Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 14th will be paid a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 13th. This is a boost from Franco-Nevadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.35%. Franco-Nevadas dividend payout ratio is 38.42%.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on FNV. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on Franco-Nevada from $219.00 to $214.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Franco-Nevada from $155.00 to $140.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Scotiabank reduced their target price on shares of Franco-Nevada from $159.00 to $141.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. TD Securities lowered their price target on shares of Franco-Nevada from $135.00 to $125.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, Raymond James reduced their price objective on Franco-Nevada from $148.00 to $141.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $152.75.

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Franco-Nevada Profile

(Free Report)

Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and streaming company in Latin America, the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Mining and Energy segments. The company manages its portfolio with a focus on precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals; and engages in the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids.

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Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE:PXD  Free Report) by 7.1% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 22,342 shares of the oil and gas development companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,472 shares during the quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Pioneer Natural Resources were worth $5,129,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of PXD. BluePath Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Pioneer Natural Resources during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Ancora Advisors LLC boosted its position in Pioneer Natural Resources by 77.4% during the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 149 shares of the oil and gas development companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. DecisionPoint Financial LLC bought a new stake in Pioneer Natural Resources during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Carmel Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Pioneer Natural Resources during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC bought a new stake in Pioneer Natural Resources during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.72% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on PXD. StockNews.com began coverage on Pioneer Natural Resources in a research report on Saturday, February 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Argus cut Pioneer Natural Resources from a buy rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, November 24th. UBS Group dropped their price target on Pioneer Natural Resources from $269.00 to $250.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on Pioneer Natural Resources from $243.00 to $224.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Pioneer Natural Resources from $255.00 to $238.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pioneer Natural Resources has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $254.19.

Pioneer Natural Resources Price Performance

Shares of PXD opened at $233.92 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $54.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.17 and a beta of 1.31. Pioneer Natural Resources has a twelve month low of $177.26 and a twelve month high of $257.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The company has a 50 day moving average of $226.91 and a two-hundred day moving average of $232.37.

Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE:PXD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The oil and gas development company reported $5.28 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.78 by ($0.50). Pioneer Natural Resources had a return on equity of 23.48% and a net margin of 26.52%. The company had revenue of $5.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.28 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.91 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Pioneer Natural Resources will post 20.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pioneer Natural Resources Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, March 4th will be issued a dividend of $2.56 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 1st. This represents a $10.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.38%. Pioneer Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.88%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria S. Dreyfus sold 10,632 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.62, for a total transaction of $2,409,423.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 4,066 shares of the companys stock, valued at $921,436.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.57% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Pioneer Natural Resources Profile

(Free Report)

Pioneer Natural Resources Company operates as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company in the United States. The company explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and gas. It has operations in the Midland Basin in West Texas. Pioneer Natural Resources Company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

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Gallacher Capital Management LLC lessened its position in shares of VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE:EGY  Free Report) by 63.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 27,457 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 47,628 shares during the period. Gallacher Capital Management LLCs holdings in VAALCO Energy were worth $121,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in EGY. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of VAALCO Energy by 66.0% during the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 23,576 shares of the energy companys stock worth $154,000 after acquiring an additional 9,376 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of VAALCO Energy by 1,189.3% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 154,276 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $1,007,000 after buying an additional 142,310 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of VAALCO Energy by 15.3% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 721,459 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $4,711,000 after buying an additional 95,474 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of VAALCO Energy by 68.0% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 69,286 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $452,000 after buying an additional 28,038 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Citigroup Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of VAALCO Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $944,000. Institutional investors own 48.60% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of VAALCO Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th.

VAALCO Energy Stock Down 1.5 %

NYSE EGY opened at $4.23 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. VAALCO Energy, Inc. has a 1-year low of $3.51 and a 1-year high of $5.22. The company has a 50 day moving average of $4.41 and a 200-day moving average of $4.41. The company has a market cap of $444.30 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.20 and a beta of 1.26.

VAALCO Energy Profile

(Free Report)

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.

Further Reading

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GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the five research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $1.88.

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on EAF. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of GrafTech International from $3.00 to $2.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 16th. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of GrafTech International from $4.00 to $2.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of GrafTech International in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $2.00 target price on the stock. TheStreet lowered shares of GrafTech International from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a report on Monday, November 6th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of GrafTech International from $2.00 to $1.50 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 15th.

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View Our Latest Analysis on EAF

Insider Transactions at GrafTech International

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, major shareholder Gp Ltd Bcp sold 387,068 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2.24, for a total transaction of $867,032.32. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 29,981,414 shares in the company, valued at approximately $67,158,367.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Insiders sold a total of 5,732,780 shares of company stock worth $12,598,389 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock.

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sun Life Financial Inc. purchased a new position in GrafTech International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,843,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new position in GrafTech International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $131,000. Barclays PLC grew its stake in GrafTech International by 328.3% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 306,813 shares of the companys stock valued at $671,000 after buying an additional 235,179 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in GrafTech International by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 18,982,272 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,571,000 after buying an additional 103,691 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mission Creek Capital Partners Inc. purchased a new position in GrafTech International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $915,000. 92.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

GrafTech International Price Performance

EAF stock opened at $1.27 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $326.18 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.27 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.81, a current ratio of 3.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.90. GrafTech International has a 12-month low of $1.18 and a 12-month high of $5.82. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $1.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $2.73.

GrafTech International (NYSE:EAF  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The company reported ($0.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.14) by ($0.13). The firm had revenue of $137.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $141.20 million. GrafTech International had a negative net margin of 41.14% and a negative return on equity of 39.57%. GrafTech Internationals quarterly revenue was down 44.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.17 EPS. On average, analysts expect that GrafTech International will post -0.49 earnings per share for the current year.

GrafTech International Company Profile

(Get Free Report

GrafTech International Ltd. research, develops, manufactures, and sells graphite and carbon-based solutions worldwide. The company offers graphite electrodes to produce electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals; and petroleum needle coke, a crystalline form of carbon used in the production of graphite electrodes and synthetic graphite.

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Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed their under review rating on shares of Horizonte Minerals (LON:HZM  Free Report) in a research note released on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

Horizonte Minerals Price Performance

Shares of Horizonte Minerals stock opened at GBX 3.50 ($0.04) on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of 9.44 million, a PE ratio of -116.67 and a beta of 1.57. Horizonte Minerals has a 12-month low of GBX 2.50 ($0.03) and a 12-month high of GBX 172 ($2.17). The company has a quick ratio of 4.35, a current ratio of 6.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 93.63. The companys fifty day simple moving average is GBX 10.14 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 47.20.

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About Horizonte Minerals

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Further Reading

Horizonte Minerals Plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and development of mineral projects in Brazil. The company primarily explores for nickel deposits, as well as cobalt deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Araguaia ferronickel; and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt project in the eastern part of the Carajas mining district.

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Mariner LLC lessened its stake in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (BATS:FLOT  Free Report) by 1.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 336,951 shares of the companys stock after selling 6,223 shares during the quarter. Mariner LLCs holdings in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF were worth $17,148,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 17,845.3% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 13,189,239 shares of the companys stock worth $664,606,000 after acquiring an additional 13,115,742 shares during the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC increased its stake in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 435.0% during the second quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 3,298,572 shares of the companys stock valued at $167,633,000 after purchasing an additional 2,681,989 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp bought a new position in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF during the second quarter worth about $488,000. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 13.5% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,322,667 shares of the companys stock worth $368,989,000 after acquiring an additional 869,248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Modera Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF in the second quarter worth about $43,202,000.

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iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of BATS FLOT opened at $50.98 on Friday. iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $50.76 and a twelve month high of $51.10. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $50.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of $50.75.

iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Profile

The iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market value-weighted index of USD-denominated, investment-grade floating rate notes with maturities of 0-5 years. FLOT was launched on Jun 14, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Optiver Holding B.V. reduced its position in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWT  Free Report) by 69.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 32,510 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 74,815 shares during the period. Optiver Holding B.V.s holdings in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF were worth $1,448,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. State of Tennessee Treasury Department boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department now owns 11,626,116 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $546,660,000 after acquiring an additional 33,821 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,215,636 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $443,401,000 after acquiring an additional 529,394 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 133.3% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,778,603 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $168,337,000 after acquiring an additional 2,159,107 shares in the last quarter. Sun Life Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $72,705,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 60.7% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,373,145 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $64,565,000 after acquiring an additional 518,905 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Stock Performance

Shares of EWT traded down $0.35 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $46.33. 262,736 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,543,356. The company has a market cap of $3.74 billion, a PE ratio of 10.02 and a beta of 0.86. The firms 50 day moving average is $45.31 and its 200-day moving average is $45.78. iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF has a 52 week low of $42.13 and a 52 week high of $50.19.

iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Profile

Ishares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Taiwan IndexSM (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

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Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC grew its stake in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Free Report) by 21.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,852 shares of the energy producers stock after buying an additional 692 shares during the quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLCs holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $462,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in COP. Bayesian Capital Management LP bought a new position in ConocoPhillips in the 2nd quarter valued at about $5,592,000. Guidance Capital Inc. bought a new position in ConocoPhillips in the 2nd quarter valued at about $599,000. Bollard Group LLC increased its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bollard Group LLC now owns 130,043 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $13,474,000 after buying an additional 1,233 shares during the period. Capital Investment Counsel Inc acquired a new stake in shares of ConocoPhillips in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $228,000. Finally, Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of ConocoPhillips by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 1,565,120 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $162,162,000 after purchasing an additional 54,563 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.36% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other ConocoPhillips news, VP Christopher P. Delk sold 8,505 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.06, for a total transaction of $953,070.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other ConocoPhillips news, EVP Dominic E. Macklon sold 23,372 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.17, for a total transaction of $2,621,637.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, VP Christopher P. Delk sold 8,505 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.06, for a total value of $953,070.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.37% of the stock is owned by insiders.

ConocoPhillips Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of COP traded down $0.97 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $111.25. The company had a trading volume of 1,025,863 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,551,417. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $112.83 and a 200-day moving average price of $116.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $130.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.39, a P/E/G ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.24. ConocoPhillips has a 52-week low of $91.53 and a 52-week high of $127.35.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The energy producer reported $2.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.32. ConocoPhillips had a return on equity of 22.08% and a net margin of 18.71%. The business had revenue of $15.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.47 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.71 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that ConocoPhillips will post 9.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ConocoPhillips Increases Dividend

The firm 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 2.80%. ConocoPhillipss payout ratio is 25.61%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on COP. Raymond James reduced their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $140.00 to $137.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. Johnson Rice lowered shares of ConocoPhillips from an accumulate rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Susquehanna lowered their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $152.00 to $133.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on shares of ConocoPhillips from $138.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $134.61.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on COP

ConocoPhillips Company 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.

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John Bean Technologies (NYSE:JBT  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY24 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $5.05-$5.45 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $4.85. The company issued revenue guidance of $1.75-$1.78 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $1.76 billion.

John Bean Technologies Stock Performance

JBT opened at $99.79 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 1.31. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $99.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $103.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 2.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. John Bean Technologies has a 12-month low of $89.96 and a 12-month high of $125.88.

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John Bean Technologies (NYSE:JBT  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The industrial products company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.36 by $0.04. John Bean Technologies had a return on equity of 12.15% and a net margin of 33.53%. The firm had revenue of $444.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $445.81 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.49 EPS. The companys revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that John Bean Technologies will post 5.05 earnings per share for the current year.

John Bean Technologies Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 18th were given a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 15th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.40%. John Bean Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 2.12%.

Separately, Robert W. Baird reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $121.00 price objective on shares of John Bean Technologies in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $121.00.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on JBT

Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Bean Technologies

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of JBT. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd grew its holdings in shares of John Bean Technologies by 19.2% during the second quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 597 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY lifted its position in John Bean Technologies by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 1,944 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $178,000 after buying an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its position in John Bean Technologies by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 27,620 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,359,000 after buying an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC lifted its position in John Bean Technologies by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,992 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $354,000 after buying an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. lifted its position in John Bean Technologies by 14.8% during the 1st quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 1,495 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $163,000 after buying an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.19% of the companys stock.

John Bean Technologies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

John Bean Technologies Corporation provides technology solutions to food and beverage industry and equipment and services to air transportation industries in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through two segments: FoodTech and AeroTech. It offers value-added processing that includes chilling, mixing/grinding, injecting, blending, marinating, tumbling, flattening, foaming, portioning, coating, cooking, frying, freezing, weighing, and inspection.

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Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE:JNPR  Get Free Report) SVP Robert Mobassaly sold 5,173 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.78, for a total transaction of $190,262.94. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 36,061 shares in the company, valued at $1,326,323.58. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.

Robert Mobassaly also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, January 9th, Robert Mobassaly sold 5,496 shares of Juniper Networks stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.35, for a total value of $199,779.60.

Juniper Networks Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of JNPR stock opened at $37.16 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $34.56 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $30.01. Juniper Networks, Inc. has a 12-month low of $24.87 and a 12-month high of $38.04. The firm has a market cap of $11.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.35 and a beta of 0.99.

Juniper Networks Announces Dividend

Juniper Networks ( NYSE:JNPR Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The network equipment provider reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $1.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.41 billion. Juniper Networks had a return on equity of 11.72% and a net margin of 5.57%. Equities analysts anticipate that Juniper Networks, Inc. will post 1.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Juniper Networkss dividend payout ratio is presently 92.63%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Juniper Networks

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its stake in Juniper Networks by 4.8% in the third quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 46,266 shares of the network equipment providers stock worth $1,286,000 after buying an additional 2,134 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Juniper Networks by 3.4% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 35,586,752 shares of the network equipment providers stock worth $1,114,933,000 after buying an additional 1,160,174 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its position in shares of Juniper Networks by 71.8% in the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 324,954 shares of the network equipment providers stock worth $9,030,000 after acquiring an additional 135,823 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its position in shares of Juniper Networks by 112.1% in the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 181,032 shares of the network equipment providers stock worth $5,031,000 after acquiring an additional 95,672 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama raised its position in shares of Juniper Networks by 37.2% in the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 1,657,664 shares of the network equipment providers stock worth $46,066,000 after acquiring an additional 449,575 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.79% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on JNPR. Barclays reaffirmed an equal weight rating on shares of Juniper Networks in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a hold rating on shares of Juniper Networks in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on Juniper Networks from $34.00 to $28.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 27th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Juniper Networks from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $40.00 price target on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $40.00 price objective (up previously from $35.00) on shares of Juniper Networks in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Juniper Networks currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $34.58.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Juniper Networks

Juniper Networks Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Juniper Networks, Inc designs, develops, and sells network products and services worldwide. The company offers routing products, such as ACX series universal access routers to deploy high-bandwidth services; MX series Ethernet routers that function as a universal edge platform; PTX series packet transport routers; wide-area network SDN controllers; and session smart routers.

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Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 2.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 157,931 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 4,680 shares during the period. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLCs holdings in Danaher were worth $39,183,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Danaher in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in Danaher in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. IAG Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in Danaher by 344.8% in the 2nd quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 129 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in Danaher in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new position in Danaher in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. 76.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Danaher

In related news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 2,622 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.67, for a total transaction of $636,280.74. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 4,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,029,891.48. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 2,622 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.67, for a total value of $636,280.74. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 4,244 shares in the company, valued at $1,029,891.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Walter G. Lohr sold 3,289 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.15, for a total transaction of $826,032.35. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 14,129 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,548,498.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 9,200 shares of company stock valued at $2,279,038 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock.

Danaher Stock Performance

NYSE DHR opened at $253.77 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $236.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $231.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Danaher Co. has a 12-month low of $182.09 and a 12-month high of $254.67. The firm has a market cap of $187.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.54, a PEG ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 0.85.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The conglomerate reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.91 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $6.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.10 billion. Danaher had a net margin of 17.26% and a return on equity of 12.25%. Danahers revenue for the quarter was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.87 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 EPS for the current year.

Danaher Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. This is an increase from Danahers previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Danahers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 15.02%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on DHR. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Danaher from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Raymond James raised their price target on shares of Danaher from $240.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. TheStreet raised shares of Danaher from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Barclays cut shares of Danaher from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $240.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Danaher in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Danaher presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $266.00.

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About Danaher

(Free Report)

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

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MBABANE  The deputy sheriff who allegedly shot dead four women in Ezulwini, says he shall forever regret the manner the women died.

Vusi Charles Mncina yesterday moved an urgent bail application at the High Court, where he stated that: I shall forever regret that they had to die in the manner in which they did. He also claimed that he did not recall what happened on that day as he encountered a blackout.

He is facing four charges of murder and one of attempted murder. In his bail application, he narrated events leading to his arrest. He told the court that he was charged with four counts of murder and one of attempted murder. The accused brought it to the courts attention that the counts were as a result of what he described as an unfortunate event of the evening of October 28, 2023, which took place at Goje Township, Ezulwini.

He related to the court that on the morning of that day, he had been called by his wife to attend to his son, who had suddenly fallen ill. The accused said, he duly attended to the call and he took his son to a pharmacist around Mvutshini.

Beverages

He narrated that at around 3pm on the same day, he received a call from his girlfriend, Khulile Shongwe, that there would be a gathering at her place at Goje Township, that evening. According to Mncina, Khulile (one of the deceased) impressed upon him to buy alcoholic beverages, since she would be in the company of her friends and/or relatives, Lungile Shongwe, Nonhlanhla Thwala, Fikile Shongwe who were now deceased and one Thuli Mkhwanazi. He submitted that with Khulile, they were live-in lovers in her house at Goje Township.

The accused highlighted that even on the morning of the fateful day (October 28, 2023), he was with her in her house and they were in good terms. It was further his submission that he was also in good terms with all her (Khulile) friends such that before October 28, 2023, he was with Lungile in Manzini and they exchanged pleasantries.

Mncina told the court that there was no bad blood between him and the deceased. He alleged that Khulile insisted that he should come to the braai, despite that he had to attend a funeral at Bhunya in the morning of October 29, 2023.

He claimed that he eventually gave in and bought the alcoholic beverages as requested by Khulile. Mncina said he found Khulile in the company of the four deceased women and Thuli (Mkhwanazi). According to the accused, he had been requested to come along with his friends, so that he could not be bored, since most of the attendees were women. He stated that as the function continued, he noticed two men who were unknown to him but whom he suspected were foreigners.

One of the gentlemen had a private conversation with my deceased girlfriend, Khulile Shongwe. Feeling uncomfortable with the manner in which the stranger was touching my girlfriend, I pulled her aside, so I could amicably find out from her why the stranger was so intimate with her in my presence, submitted the deputy sheriff.

He alleged that, with Khulile they went to the bedroom, where they discussed the issue and they talked it over. Mncina alleged that Khulile then joined the other women, who were equally surprised. Mncina said by this time, all the now deceased women had gathered in an enclosure, to which he would loosely refer as a pantry. He told the court that the pantry was spacious, as it accommodated all the women.

Laugher

Just when I had moved out of the bedroom, Khuliles phone rang and I took it with the intention of handing it over to her, as she had left it behind. I handed it over to her. Suddenly I heard a burst of laugher from the now deceased ladies. From this moment, I do not recall what happened until the moment I realised that they have been shot, submitted Mncina.

He told the court that he immediately suspected that they might have died. The bail application is expected to be heard today and the prosecution is yet to file its papers in the event it is opposing the bail application. The accused is represented by Azi Comfort Dlamini of LN Dlamini and Associates in Manzini.
MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday.

MDU Resources Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MDU opened at $21.05 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $4.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.75. The companys fifty day moving average is $19.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.60. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. MDU Resources Group has a 12-month low of $18.04 and a 12-month high of $22.55.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of MDU Resources Group during the 1st quarter valued at about $124,000. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in MDU Resources Group by 21.3% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 20,101 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $536,000 after acquiring an additional 3,523 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its position in MDU Resources Group by 119.7% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 67,933 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,811,000 after acquiring an additional 37,018 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new position in shares of MDU Resources Group during the 1st quarter worth $771,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of MDU Resources Group by 33.4% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 131,476 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,504,000 after purchasing an additional 32,930 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.24% of the companys stock.

MDU Resources Group Company Profile

MDU Resources Group, Inc engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. It operates through five segments: Electric, Natural Gas Distribution, Pipeline, Construction Materials and Contracting, and Construction Services. The Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and operates 3,400 miles of transmission lines, 4,800 miles of distribution lines, and 84 transmission and 294 distribution substations.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co decreased its position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 10.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 7,534 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 921 shares during the quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $1,230,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Travelers Companies by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,074 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $562,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. increased 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 in the last quarter. Thomasville National Bank raised its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. Thomasville National Bank now owns 1,563 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $255,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp grew its position in Travelers Companies by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 3,646 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $596,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smith Moore & CO. increased its stake in Travelers Companies by 4.4% during the 2nd quarter. Smith Moore & CO. now owns 1,785 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $310,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.12% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Travelers Companies

In other Travelers Companies news, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 38,000 shares of the businesss 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 directly owns 14,810 shares in the company, valued at $3,147,865.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 270 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.00, for a total transaction of $48,060.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 255,178 shares of the companys stock, valued at $45,421,684. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 38,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owns 14,810 shares in the company, valued at $3,147,865.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 110,045 shares of company stock valued at $23,391,963 in the last quarter. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Travelers Companies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE TRV traded up $0.88 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $223.18. 556,467 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,655,816. The stock has a market cap of $51.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.45, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.58. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $157.33 and a 1 year high of $223.88. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $202.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of $180.00. 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 issued its earnings results on Friday, January 19th. The insurance provider reported $7.01 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.10 by $1.91. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 7.23% and a return on equity of 13.68%. The business had revenue of $10.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.18 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.40 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.79%. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is 31.27%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TRV has been the topic of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $194.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. HSBC assumed coverage on Travelers Companies in a research note on Thursday, December 28th. They set a hold rating and a $203.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup upped their target price on Travelers Companies from $185.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Travelers Companies from $166.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Travelers Companies currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $201.38.

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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.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co lessened its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 17,666 shares of the companys stock after selling 810 shares during the quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $1,332,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of ADM. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 4th quarter valued at about $525,111,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the first quarter valued at approximately $105,741,000. State Street Corp boosted its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 4.4% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 31,364,445 shares of the companys stock worth $2,369,897,000 after acquiring an additional 1,314,810 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG raised its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 73.7% in the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,935,163 shares of the companys stock valued at $233,815,000 after acquiring an additional 1,245,194 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL acquired a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the second quarter worth $85,648,000. 77.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Archer-Daniels-Midland Price Performance

Archer-Daniels-Midland stock remained flat at $53.70 during midday trading on Friday. The company had a trading volume of 737,821 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,891,479. The company has a market cap of $28.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.49 and a beta of 0.76. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a 12-month low of $50.72 and a 12-month high of $87.30. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $62.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $71.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Increases Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 8th will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This is a boost from Archer-Daniels-Midlands previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.72%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 7th. Archer-Daniels-Midlands payout ratio is presently 27.86%.

Several research firms recently weighed in on ADM. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $51.00 target price (down from $104.00) on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $57.00 target price on the stock. Argus lowered shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Robert W. Baird lowered shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the company from $96.00 to $61.00 in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Roth Mkm downgraded Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $98.00 to $66.00 in a report on Monday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $67.08.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ADM

Archer-Daniels-Midland Profile

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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Meritage Homes Co. (NYSE:MTH  Get Free Report) CAO Alison Sasser sold 115 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.18, for a total transaction of $17,040.70. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 1,744 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $258,425.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Alison Sasser also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, February 16th, Alison Sasser sold 231 shares of Meritage Homes stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.99, for a total transaction of $35,340.69.

On Tuesday, February 13th, Alison Sasser sold 355 shares of Meritage Homes stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.61, for a total transaction of $54,176.55.

Meritage Homes Price Performance

MTH opened at $153.26 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $165.36 and a 200 day simple moving average of $144.01. The firm has a market cap of $5.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.69 and a beta of 1.78. Meritage Homes Co. has a twelve month low of $103.61 and a twelve month high of $179.68. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Meritage Homes

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MTH. Hollencrest Capital Management bought a new position in Meritage Homes during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its stake in Meritage Homes by 91.6% during the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 205 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Carmel Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Meritage Homes during the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Meritage Homes by 157.6% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 237 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. bought a new position in Meritage Homes during the 4th quarter valued at $47,000. 99.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Meritage Homes from $151.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of Meritage Homes from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Wedbush reissued a neutral rating and issued a $170.00 price objective on shares of Meritage Homes in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Meritage Homes from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $167.25.

View Our Latest Analysis on Meritage Homes

About Meritage Homes

(Get Free Report)

Meritage Homes Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs and builds single-family attached and detached homes in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Homebuilding and Financial Services. It acquires and develops land; and constructs, markets, and sells homes for first-time and first move-up buyers in Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.

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Metros Development Co. Ltd. (MTRS) is planning to raise $6 million in an initial public offering on Tuesday, February 27th, IPO Scoop reports. The company plans to issue 1,000,000 shares at a price of $6.40 per share.

In the last year, Metros Development Co. Ltd. generated $489.1 million in revenue and $41.6 million in net income. The company has a market-cap of $431 million.

Boustead Securities and EF Hutton acted as the underwriters for the IPO.

Metros Development Co. Ltd. provided the following description of their company for its IPO: We are a real estate consulting company that identifies and purchases what we believe to be underdeveloped real estate properties (land and/or buildings) and re-sell such properties to real estate developers so that they can redevelop those properties. We do not develop, redevelop or participate in the building or construction of any real properties. We also do not engage in realtor-services nor do we provide services such as title services. (Incorporated in Japan) (SIC 6552) Our mission is to maximize the values of the land and building of real estate owners by first identifying their real estate holdings as underdeveloped and proposing the most effective use of the identified real estate. For example, if a real estate property is located in an upscale residential area, but the property, whether it be a building or land, is being used for low-value single-family homes, low-rise buildings or is at the moment just a plot of land, we do not believe that this is the most effective use of the land and we bring that to the attention of the property owner. Once we identify an underdeveloped property, we negotiate diligently with the landowner to purchase that property. We often purchase separate small parcels of land and sell them to a developer as a single large lot. Selling the land as a single large lot often increases the value of the property and allows us to sell it at a higher price to developers that will develop the property for high-end condominiums or commercial buildings. We believe that we also contribute to the creation of safe and comfortable urban environments by purchasing old buildings that lack fire resistance and earthquake resistance and selling them as land for development. By encouraging construction of fire resistance and earthquake resistance buildings, we aim to be beneficial to society as a whole. We are operating under the slogan of asMake the first step for safer and more secure cities.at In Japan, which is prone to earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters, building assafer and more secure citiesat is a constant objective, one that requires perseverance over many years and a steady, step-by-step buildup of efforts. We believe that the real estate redevelopment projects that we facilitate are the first steps toward creating assafer and more secure cities.at In making the first step for safer and more secure cities, we value and conform to a philosophy called asSampo-yoshi,at which is a traditional Japanese business philosophy. asSampoat is the Japanese word for three parties: the seller, the buyer, and society. asYoshiat means asgoodat or asbeneficialat in Japanese. Therefore, it refers to the philosophy of doing good business, which is intended to be a win-win situation for the seller, the buyer, and society. It is essential for the seller and buyer to be satisfied, and that a good business can only be said to be good if it contributes to society as well. In our business, for landowners, the value of their property is expected to increase by the proposed redevelopment. For us, we can profit from the increased value of property. For society, it generally becomes safer and more secure by the redevelopment. asGood for the people, good for the city, and good for society.at This philosophy of asSampo-yoshiat is our most valued corporate spirit and the very company we are striving to become. *Note: NetA income and revenue are for the 12 months that ended May 31, 2023. (Note: Metros Development Co. Ltd. cut the size of its IPO to 1.0 million shares  down from 1.875 million shares initially  and set the assumed IPO price at $8.00  the low end of its $8.00-to-$9.00 price range  to raise $8.0 million, according to an F-1/A filing dated Dec. 26, 2023. In early February, the word was that the assumed IPO price is now expected to be $6.40.)A (Background: Metros Development Co. Ltd. filed an F-1/A dated Dec. 1, 2023, inA which it disclosed that EF Hutton has been named a joint book-runner to work with Boustead Securities. Metros Development Co. Ltd. filed an F-1/A on Oct. 19, 2023, and disclosed the terms for its IPO: 1.875 million shares at $8.00 to $9.00 to raise $16.15 million. However, the prospectus says the assumed IPO price is $8.00, the low end. If the IPO is priced at $8.00, the deal will raise $15.0 million. The Tokyo-based company filed its F-1 on Sept. 26, 2023.) .

Metros Development Co. Ltd. was founded in 2013 and has 172 employees. The company is located at Ginza Sanno Building 7F 4-10-10, Ginza, Chuo-ku Tokyo, Japan Telephone: +81 3-6457-9420 and can be reached via phone at +81 3-6457-9420 or on the web at https://metros61.com/.

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Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board boosted its stake in First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:FR  Free Report) by 388.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 21,932 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 17,445 shares during the period. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Boards holdings in First Industrial Realty Trust were worth $1,044,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in First Industrial Realty Trust by 1.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,203,142 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,188,867,000 after buying an additional 338,812 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in First Industrial Realty Trust by 1.1% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,315,813 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $391,494,000 after buying an additional 79,479 shares during the period. Cohen & Steers Inc. lifted its holdings in First Industrial Realty Trust by 24.7% in the second quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 3,168,619 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $166,796,000 after buying an additional 626,806 shares during the period. Nomura Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of First Industrial Realty Trust by 192.7% during the first quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. now owns 3,088,269 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $164,296,000 after purchasing an additional 2,033,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of First Industrial Realty Trust by 2.4% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,865,933 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $150,863,000 after purchasing an additional 66,508 shares during the last quarter. 98.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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First Industrial Realty Trust Trading Down 0.0 %

NYSE:FR opened at $54.77 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. has a 12 month low of $40.44 and a 12 month high of $55.22. The company has a market cap of $7.25 billion, a PE ratio of 26.46 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $52.95 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $49.49.

First Industrial Realty Trust Increases Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a dividend of $0.37 per share. This is an increase from First Industrial Realty Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.70%. First Industrial Realty Trusts payout ratio is presently 61.84%.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. TheStreet upgraded shares of First Industrial Realty Trust from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of First Industrial Realty Trust from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of First Industrial Realty Trust from $41.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of First Industrial Realty Trust from $51.00 to $59.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of First Industrial Realty Trust from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $55.56.

View Our Latest Analysis on First Industrial Realty Trust

First Industrial Realty Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: FR) is a leading U.S.-only owner, operator, developer and acquirer of logistics properties. Through our fully integrated operating and investing platform, we provide high quality facilities and industry-leading customer service to multinational corporations and regional firms that are essential for their supply chains.

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Optiver Holding B.V. purchased a new position in Tenaris S.A. (NYSE:TS  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 90,561 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $2,862,000.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Tenaris in the third quarter valued at approximately $4,090,000. Aigen Investment Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Tenaris by 114.9% during the third quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP now owns 23,252 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $735,000 after buying an additional 12,434 shares in the last quarter. Sourcerock Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Tenaris in the third quarter valued at about $10,368,000. FMR LLC lifted its stake in shares of Tenaris by 3.0% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,135,820 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $99,092,000 after buying an additional 90,940 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Westwood Global Investments LLC boosted its position in Tenaris by 2.8% during the third quarter. Westwood Global Investments LLC now owns 8,825,549 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $278,887,000 after acquiring an additional 243,148 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 11.58% of the companys stock.

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Tenaris Stock Up 0.0 %

NYSE:TS traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $35.10. 490,289 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,191,477. Tenaris S.A. has a twelve month low of $24.69 and a twelve month high of $36.62. The business has a 50-day moving average of $33.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of $32.96. The company has a market capitalization of $20.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.25 and a beta of 1.46.

Tenaris Increases Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The company also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 22nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.80 per share. This is a boost from Tenariss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.68. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 20th. Tenariss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 12.05%.

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on TS. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Tenaris from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. StockNews.com downgraded Tenaris from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Finally, Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Tenaris in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a neutral rating on the stock.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Tenaris

Tenaris Company Profile

(Free Report)

Tenaris SA, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells seamless and welded steel tubular products and related services for the oil and gas industry, and other industrial applications. The company offers steel casings, tubing products, mechanical and structural pipes, line pipes, cold-drawn pipes, and premium joints and couplings; and coiled tubing products for oil and gas drilling and workovers, and subsea pipelines.

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Optiver Holding B.V. cut its stake in shares of Suzano S.A. (NYSE:SUZ  Free Report) by 27.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 158,523 shares of the companys stock after selling 58,640 shares during the quarter. Optiver Holding B.V.s holdings in Suzano were worth $1,704,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in SUZ. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Suzano by 1,461.0% during the 2nd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 1,285,539 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,456,000 after acquiring an additional 1,203,188 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP bought a new position in shares of Suzano during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $7,598,000. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Suzano by 24.7% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,772,196 shares of the companys stock worth $35,760,000 after purchasing an additional 746,200 shares during the period. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. boosted its stake in Suzano by 11.7% in the 2nd quarter. Platinum Investment Management Ltd. now owns 4,744,031 shares of the companys stock worth $43,740,000 after purchasing an additional 495,249 shares during the period. Finally, Dynamo Internacional Gestao DE Recursos LTDA. bought a new position in Suzano in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $4,149,000. 2.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Suzano Price Performance

SUZ stock traded down $0.18 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $11.08. The companys stock had a trading volume of 68,711 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,208,396. Suzano S.A. has a 12 month low of $7.46 and a 12 month high of $11.60. The company has a quick ratio of 2.34, a current ratio of 2.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a 50 day moving average of $10.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.67.

Suzano Increases Dividend

Suzano Company Profile

The firm also recently declared an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 11th were paid a $0.3429 dividend. This represents a yield of 5%. This is an increase from Suzanos previous annual dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 8th. Suzanos dividend 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.

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Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ORA  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, February 21st, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be given a dividend of 0.12 per share by the energy company on Wednesday, March 20th. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th.

Ormat Technologies has raised its dividend payment by an average of 2.9% per year over the last three years. Ormat Technologies has a dividend payout ratio of 17.5% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Ormat Technologies to earn $2.59 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.48 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 18.5%.

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Ormat Technologies Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSE:ORA opened at $64.22 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Ormat Technologies has a 1-year low of $58.73 and a 1-year high of $90.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.48. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $69.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.92.

Institutional Trading of Ormat Technologies

Ormat Technologies ( NYSE:ORA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The energy company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $241.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $239.71 million. Ormat Technologies had a return on equity of 5.12% and a net margin of 15.00%. Ormat Technologiess revenue for the quarter was up 17.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.73 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Ormat Technologies will post 2.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of Ormat Technologies by 248.0% during the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 428 shares of the energy companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 305 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Ormat Technologies by 43.0% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,008 shares of the energy companys stock worth $87,000 after buying an additional 303 shares during the period. Toroso Investments LLC lifted its position in shares of Ormat Technologies by 15.8% during the 3rd quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 1,065 shares of the energy companys stock worth $91,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Ormat Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $110,000. Finally, FMR LLC raised its position in Ormat Technologies by 13.0% in the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,465 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $115,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.24% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Oppenheimer cut their price target on Ormat Technologies from $84.00 to $83.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 19th. TD Cowen cut their price target on Ormat Technologies from $74.00 to $70.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on Ormat Technologies from $82.00 to $75.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ormat Technologies presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $84.88.

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Ormat Technologies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ormat Technologies, Inc engages in the geothermal and recovered energy power business in the United States, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Chile, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Honduras, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electricity, Product, and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment develops, builds, owns, and operates geothermal, solar photovoltaic, and recovered energy-based power plants; and sells electricity.

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Regal Investment Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Eagle Materials Inc. (NYSE:EXP  Free Report) by 7.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,422 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 120 shares during the period. Regal Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Eagle Materials were worth $237,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Eagle Materials by 28.6% during the third quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 74,393 shares of the construction companys stock worth $12,388,000 after purchasing an additional 16,548 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC lifted its position in shares of Eagle Materials by 30.4% during the third quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 10,243 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,708,000 after purchasing an additional 2,388 shares in the last quarter. CI Investments Inc. lifted its position in shares of Eagle Materials by 215.8% during the third quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 1,282 shares of the construction companys stock worth $213,000 after purchasing an additional 876 shares in the last quarter. Mirabella Financial Services LLP acquired a new position in shares of Eagle Materials during the third quarter worth approximately $624,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Eagle Materials by 22.8% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,097,542 shares of the construction companys stock worth $182,763,000 after purchasing an additional 203,862 shares in the last quarter. 92.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Eagle Materials

In other news, SVP Tony Thompson sold 638 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $235.07, for a total transaction of $149,974.66. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 14,393 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,383,362.51. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Tony Thompson sold 638 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $235.07, for a total transaction of $149,974.66. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 14,393 shares in the company, valued at $3,383,362.51. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Dale Craig Kesler sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $215.60, for a total transaction of $1,078,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 62,610 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,498,716. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 17,204 shares of company stock valued at $3,806,862 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.70% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on EXP shares. Loop Capital upgraded shares of Eagle Materials from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $170.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Eagle Materials from $220.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Eagle Materials from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $200.00 price target for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Eagle Materials from $234.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Eagle Materials from $186.00 to $187.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $222.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on EXP

Eagle Materials Stock Up 3.0 %

Shares of EXP stock opened at $249.51 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $217.43 and a 200-day moving average of $189.23. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 2.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. Eagle Materials Inc. has a 12-month low of $129.76 and a 12-month high of $252.30. The company has a market capitalization of $8.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.61 and a beta of 1.33.

Eagle Materials (NYSE:EXP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The construction company reported $3.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.56 by $0.16. Eagle Materials had a net margin of 22.24% and a return on equity of 40.05%. The company had revenue of $558.83 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $537.23 million. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Eagle Materials Inc. will post 14.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eagle Materials Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.40%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Eagle Materialss dividend payout ratio is 7.06%.

About Eagle Materials

(Free Report)

Eagle Materials Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells heavy construction materials and light building materials in the United States. It operates in four segments: Cement, Concrete and Aggregates, Gypsum Wallboard, and Recycled Paperboard. The company engages in the mining of limestone for the manufacture, production, distribution, and sale of Portland cement; grinding and sale of slag; and mining of gypsum for the manufacture and sale of gypsum wallboards used to finish the interior walls and ceilings in residential, commercial, and industrial structures.

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MBABANE  Work has already started for the Anti-corruption Task Team, as seven cases have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPs).

This is according to the Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Jabu Phakathi, who said they were expecting some of the cases to be out soon. This follows the launch of the Anti-corruption Task Team by the Prime Minister (PM), Russell Dlamini, to enhance the fight against corruption. The team comprises of the DPP, the national commissioner (NATCOM) of police, and the commissioner of the ACC.

The DPPs Office is currently held by the Acting DPP, Lomvula Hlophe, while NATCOMs Office is occupied by Lydia Dlamini. Maphevu Mkhatshwa is holding the fort at the ACC Commissioners Office. The task team will report to the PM and will work with the Minister of Justice And Constitutional Affairs, Prince Simelane.

Phakathi said the task team was launched about two weeks ago and they had managed to refer the seven cases to the DPPs Office for review.

She explained that the cases would be reviewed for their readiness for them to apply for warrants. According to Phakathi, once the DPP clears the cases, they would then approach the court for warrants of search and seizure. She stated that they were expecting the cases to be out soon. Adding, the director revealed that the task team had 16 investigators which comprise of officers from the ACC and the police.

In the same vein, she said the DPP had designated prosecutors who would assist with investigations. The aim is to shorten the time it takes to conclude cases, Phakathi said. She went on to state that the task team had been allocated a budget that would help them fulfil their mandate but there was a need for additional office space and motor vehicles.

Transparency

In terms of transparency and accountability, Phakathi mentioned that guided by Section 18 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006, the task team would be transparent in its cases to protect the integrity of investigations.

She said the ACC was guided by the same Act, on how transparent it could be with cases under investigation.



According to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006, Section 18(a) any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse discloses to any other person who is the subject of an inquiry or investigation under this Act, the fact that other person is subject to that inquiry or investigation or any details of that inquiry or investigation; or (b) publishes or discloses to any other person either the identity of a person who is the subject of an inquiry or investigation or any details of that inquiry or investigation, commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding E20 000 or to imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both.

During the launch of the task team, the PM said they all had confidence in the team that they would deliver. Dlamini said they were looking forward to having those responsible for corruption held accountable. He also challenged the nation to come together and fight against corruption.

Fighting corruption should not be rhetoric but must be demonstrated by action and evidence that corrupt individuals are brought to book and dealt with according to the law, Dlamini said. He further said the DPP was expected to prioritise corruption cases henceforth.
StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Xinyuan Real Estate (NYSE:XIN  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Xinyuan Real Estate Price Performance

Shares of XIN opened at $2.73 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $2.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.79. Xinyuan Real Estate has a 1-year low of $1.92 and a 1-year high of $6.51.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Xinyuan Real Estate

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Xinyuan Real Estate stock. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. (NYSE:XIN  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 478,629 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $536,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. owned 0.90% of Xinyuan Real Estate as of its most recent SEC filing. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Xinyuan Real Estate

Xinyuan Real Estate Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in residential real estate development and construction in the People's Republic of China, the United States, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. The company develops residential projects, such as multi-layer apartment buildings, sub-high-rise apartment buildings, high-rise apartment buildings; auxiliary services and amenities, such as retail outlets, leisure and health facilities, kindergartens, and schools, as well as office, mixed-use, and commercial properties.

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Syntax Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 2,637 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $202,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of AFL. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Aflac by 36.2% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 23,941 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,542,000 after purchasing an additional 6,369 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL raised its holdings in Aflac by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 17,268 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,112,000 after acquiring an additional 1,102 shares during the period. Aviva PLC raised its holdings in Aflac by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 210,634 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,563,000 after acquiring an additional 1,503 shares during the period. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new position in Aflac in the 1st quarter worth $428,000. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Aflac by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 6,142 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $396,000 after acquiring an additional 417 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.75% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Aflac

In other Aflac news, CFO Steven Kent Beaver sold 3,114 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.71, for a total value of $257,558.94. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 20,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,729,796.94. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Masatoshi Koide sold 30,493 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.91, for a total transaction of $2,436,695.63. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 86,090 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,879,451.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Steven Kent Beaver sold 3,114 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.71, for a total transaction of $257,558.94. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 20,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,729,796.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on AFL shares. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Aflac from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Aflac from $61.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Aflac from $82.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Raymond James lifted their target price 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. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Aflac from $74.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $80.36.

View Our Latest Analysis on Aflac

Aflac Stock Down 0.0 %

Shares of NYSE:AFL opened at $79.64 on Friday. Aflac Incorporated has a 52 week low of $60.20 and a 52 week high of $86.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.08 and a current ratio of 0.08. The company has a market capitalization of $46.54 billion, a PE ratio of 10.28, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $81.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $79.46.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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). Aflac had a net margin of 24.92% and a return on equity of 17.59%. The firm had revenue of $3.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.44 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.29 EPS. Analysts forecast that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.43 earnings per share for the current year.

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.

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TD SYNNEX Co. (NYSE:SNX  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $111.00.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of TD SYNNEX from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of TD SYNNEX from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and upped their target price for the company from $112.00 to $113.00 in a report on Monday, January 8th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of TD SYNNEX in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. They issued a neutral rating and a $105.00 target price for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of TD SYNNEX from $97.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on TD SYNNEX

TD SYNNEX Stock Performance

NYSE:SNX opened at $101.95 on Friday. TD SYNNEX has a 1-year low of $86.30 and a 1-year high of $108.92. The companys 50-day moving average is $104.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $100.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.19, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.64.

TD SYNNEX (NYSE:SNX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 9th. The business services provider reported $3.13 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 the consensus estimate of $14.54 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.30 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that TD SYNNEX will post 11.17 EPS for the current year.

TD SYNNEX Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 19th were issued a $0.40 dividend. This is an increase from TD SYNNEXs previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.57%. TD SYNNEXs payout ratio is presently 23.85%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other TD SYNNEX news, insider Michael Urban sold 4,355 shares of TD SYNNEX stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.00, for a total value of $465,985.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 20,270 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,168,890. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other TD SYNNEX news, insider Michael Urban sold 4,355 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.00, for a total transaction of $465,985.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 20,270 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,168,890. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible 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 stock was sold at an average price of $101.50, for a total value of $228,375,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 26,153,049 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,654,534,473.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 2,279,905 shares of company stock valued at $231,500,662 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 1.90% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On TD SYNNEX

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Apollo Management Holdings L.P. purchased a new position in TD SYNNEX in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $3,622,519,000. FMR LLC increased its stake in TD SYNNEX by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 6,853,828 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $684,423,000 after purchasing an additional 307,844 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in TD SYNNEX by 7.4% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,379,928 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $578,934,000 after purchasing an additional 371,322 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in TD SYNNEX by 4.8% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,384,593 shares of the business services providers stock worth $424,385,000 after buying an additional 199,876 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in TD SYNNEX by 1.9% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,813,767 shares of the business services providers stock worth $170,496,000 after buying an additional 34,186 shares in the last quarter. 84.00% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About TD SYNNEX

(Get 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.

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WPP plc (LON:WPP  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Thursday, February 22nd, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Investors of record on Thursday, June 6th will be given a dividend of GBX 24.40 ($0.31) per share on Friday, July 5th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 6th. This is an increase from WPPs previous dividend of $15.00. The official announcement can be viewed at this link.

WPP Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of WPP stock opened at GBX 725.98 ($9.14) on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 757.38 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 741.72. 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 firm has a market cap of 7.77 billion, a PE ratio of 1,464.08, a PEG ratio of 14.22 and a beta of 1.14. WPP has a 1 year low of GBX 656 ($8.26) and a 1 year high of GBX 1,056 ($13.30).

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on WPP shares. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a GBX 1,000 ($12.59) price target on shares of WPP in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Shore Capital restated a buy rating on shares of WPP in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Numis Securities reaffirmed an add rating on shares of WPP in a report on Monday, December 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of WPP from GBX 850 ($10.70) to GBX 890 ($11.21) and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 1,005.83 ($12.66).

Insider Buying and Selling at WPP

In other WPP news, insider Thomas Ilube acquired 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 719 ($9.05) per share, for a total transaction of 14,380 ($18,106.27). 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About WPP

(Get 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.

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A former Henrico County resident and Capital One employee on Wednesday was sentenced to two years in prison for engaging in a $3.1 million insider trading scheme that used financial transaction data collected from Capital One credit and debit card customers, officials announced.

In an indictment filed in August 2018, officials alleged that Nan Huang, 45, used his position as a data analyst at Capital One's Richmond office between 2013 and 2014 to access a database containing "nonpublic ... credit card and debit card activity" and "learn material ... about scores of publicly traded companies and the sales data of those companies."

Despite the fact that the crimes took place over a decade ago, officials said they initially were not able to prosecute Huang because he had fled the country once his illegal activities were revealed.

The indictment says Huang "performed thousands if not tens of thousands of queries and other searches on (the) database" during his employment at Capital One. Huang was then able to use the information to predict "whether ... companies' overall sales were increasing or decreasing prior to that information being released publicly."

Based on those projections, Huang and a co-conspirator identified as Bo Nan Huang were able to "identif(y) securities for sale or purchase ... in advance of public earnings announcements (and) to the financial detriment of those on the other side of the ... transactions," the indictment says.

Huang's scheme, which "reaped extraordinary profits," violated U.S. securities law and Capital One's corporate policies forbidding employees from using confidential material to disclose or trade securities, according to the indictment. In March 2014, Bo Nan Huang used the profits to put a down payment on a property on Westward Terrace in Glen Allen.

Huang eventually was fired from Capital One after the company discovered his activity. Days later, Huang fled to China, where he remained until his April 2023 arrest at San Francisco International Airport.

Huang in September pleaded guilty to multiple charges of insider trading, according to court records. In addition to his prison sentence, Huang was ordered to forfeit nearly $1.5 million.

Representatives for Capital One did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Over 300 employees of Korea-invested apparel firm strike work in central Vietnam province

By Tri Duc Fri, February 23, 2024 | 6:39 pm GMT+7

Upset by late salary payment, 320 employees of South Korea-invested Sein Together Vinh Vina Company Limited, an apparel business in Nghe An province, struck work Friday morning.

According to signed labor agreements, monthly wages are to be paid on the tenth day of the next month. However, as of Thursday, January wages had not been paid and some workers refused to work, demanding payment. On Friday morning, more workers came to the factory but did not work over salary payment concerns.

Workers of Sein Together Vinh Vina gather outside the firm's factory, Nghe An province, central Vietnam, February 23, 2024. Photo courtesy of Nghe An TV.

The firms management said that with many workers seeking cash payment during the Lunar New Year season, more time was needed to prepare the payment. A majority of employees resumed work after the management promised to make due payments by Friday.

The management did not accept workers demand for higher wages, accumulation of holidays, better meals and payment based on working hours instead of output. They said the firm would raise wages in line with regulations that will increase minimum zonal wages in July.

The firm is investing in expansion and would sign many contracts in order to improve staff incomes, the management said.

As recommended by local authorities, it was decided to let workers have Saturday and Sunday off; and for normal work to resume Monday.

Sein Together Vinh Vina, formerly known as local business TAAD Nghe An, was transferred to a South Korean investor last month.
Removing trade finance constraints may give Vietnam $55 bln trade boost annually: report

By Quang Minh Thu, February 22, 2024 | 4:36 pm GMT+7

Removing trade finance constraints can prompt an annual increase in merchandise trade in Vietnam of $55 billion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

A worker tests electronic components at a factory in Bac Ninh province, northen Vietnam. Photo courtesy of IFC.

A report on the findings of a joint study by the two institutions titled, Trade Finance in the Mekong Region, says simulations from data collected from banks and traders in the Mekong-3 (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia) and analyzed with the WTO Global Trade Model show that increasing local trade finance coverage by an additional 20 percentage points while reducing the cost of loans and letters of credit to match international benchmarks would raise imports by 6% and exports by 9% annually.

According to a report on study results released in Hanoi Thursday, local trade finance in Vietnam is scarce, costly, and segmented and offers just traditional services.

The trade-to-GDP ratio in 2022 was particularly high in Vietnam at 185%, several times higher than the global average of 62%.

The value of total trade flows has tripled in Vietnam in the past decade as the country benefited from: relocation of production away from economies with higher manufacturing costs; trade diversion linked to trade conflicts between large countries; and the fostering of foreign investment.

However, the trade growth has not been even. It has followed a two-speed trajectory with exports from subsidiaries of foreign-owned firms far outpacing that of locally owned supply chains.

Foreign investments, most notably in the electronics and garment sectors, have in the past decade shifted the structure and direction of imports and exports in favour of these products towards large suppliers (China) and buyers (the U.S.) who now jointly account for over 40% of the regions total trade.

As a result, exports in a narrow set of activities controlled by foreign subsidiaries outpace exports from locally owned supply chains, for example in agrifood and fisheries, industrial parts and manufactures, where growth has also been strong, triggering economic diversification.

Vietnams import and export product basket is the largest and most diversified, expanding recently into chemicals, machinery and electric batteries, the report says.

Huge potential for trade finance expansion

In 2022, Vietnamese banks supported 21% of the country's total merchandise trade of $731 billion, with funds representing 22% of the countrys total banking assets.

These numbers are low, not only compared to developed country levels of 60-80% but also relative to the coverage of trade recorded in other developing regions, such as West Africa.

Thomas Jacobs, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, speaks at the release of a report on Trade Finance in the Mekong Region, Hanoi, February 22, 2024. Photo by The Investor/Minh Tuan.

Notably, banks are more likely to support local enterprises engaged in intra-regional trade than large multinationals engaged in global trade, the report finds.

It says subsidiaries of multinationals in high-growth high-value sectors such as electronics and garments rely less on local bank-intermediated trade finance.

The value of Vietnams local trade finance market is estimated at $150 billion, the report says, adding that distribution of trade finance between imports and exports is relatively balanced in Vietnam, with assets concentrating on intermediate goods and inputs.

Improving the coverage of trade by bank-intermediated finance holds the greatest potential to expand trade, the report contends.

It says sectors carrying the greatest potential are textiles, wearing apparel and leather.

The electronics sector plays a moderate role in this expansion owing to large shares of related-party trade (i.e. trade with subsidiaries of multinational enterprises and large conglomerates), which are less likely to use domestic trade finance.

The report shows that only a small fraction of the banks surveyed - 29% - fund climate-related trade activities.

Innovative trade finance instruments are still nascent, although a quarter of banks surveyed envisage expanding its provision within the next two years.

Supply chain finance currently supplied by local banks in Vietnam accounts for just 2% of available trade finance.

Since local trade finance in Vietnam is currently concentrated in domestic manufacturers, greater coverage of local trade finance will not only help improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese importers and exporters but more importantly, will boost production, deepen global supply chain integration and spread the benefits of trade more evenly across local producers, said Thomas Jacobs, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
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New York Citys acclaimed musician Ben Rosenblum is returning to the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center for an evening of exceptional jazz on Thursday, Feb. 29.

Ben Rosenblum Nebula Project Ben Rosenblums Nebula Project, as the sextet is known, in 2023, released their latest album, A Thousand Pebbles, to critical acclaim from s

Rosenblum played at the Arts Center last year with his trio, which has expanded to a sextet. In addition to his regulars, bass player Marty Jaffe and percussionist Ben Zweig, Rosenblum will be joined by the incredible Wayne Tucker on trumpet, Jasper Dutz on sax and bass clarinet, and Rafael Rosa on guitar. Ben Rosenblums Nebula Project, as the sextet is known, in 2023, released their latest album, A Thousand Pebbles, to critical acclaim from several leading jazz publications, including Downbeat Magazine.

Its been quite a while since Orangeburg has had a sextet of this caliber performing for the public and with the Lusty Gallerys outstanding acoustics, this promises to be a very upbeat and entertaining evening, musically, said Vivian Glover, director of community arts and development, who added, And to make our evening even more enticing, were sponsoring a wine tasting.

Heather Rast, executive director of the Arts Center, working with Advintage Wines, wine merchants to the Columbia Museum of Art, selected outstanding European and West Coast wines for guests to sample as they listen to the sextet. We are so pleased Advintage wanted to come to Orangeburg, participate in our jazz evening and offer samples of their fine wines. Rast explained that they narrowed the selection down to six wines: a medium-bodied red from the Mediterranean region of France, two wines from Spain, one a pink sparkling Moscato and the other a sparkling white. There are two outstanding California wines: a chardonnay and a cabernet sauvignon. The sixth is an Oregon pinot noir, a region with an excellent reputation for that red.

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Both Rast and Glover said the jazz and wine tasting evening, a first of its kind at the Arts Center, has been an exciting project to organize and for a very worthy cause. This will be a fundraiser for our summer camp program, Rast noted. Having arts and crafts programs for area youth was an Arts Center summer tradition, which we are growing again. This summer we want to award grants to deserving children, who would benefit from participating in our classes. We hope by the summer to have raised $2,500 to engage art teachers and purchase supplies.

There will also be a new exhibition in the Lusty Gallery, Glover announced. Retrospection  Introspection, works by Orangeburg fiber and mixed media artist, Susan Livingston, will be on show. Our exhibitions are always free and open to the public, which is very much a part our mission.

Livingston Retrospection  Introspection, works by Orangeburg fiber and mixed media artist, Susan Livingston, will be on show.

Were looking forward to showcasing just how much the Arts Center can offer on Thursday, February 29, Rast concluded, by presenting an incredible band, exhibiting the works of a very gifted local artist, and hosting a fine wine tasting.

Chasing the Moon Retrospection  Introspection, works by Orangeburg fiber and mixed media artist, Susan Livingston, will be on show.

The Ben Rosenblum performance and wine tasting is on Thursday, February 29, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center, 649 Riverside Drive, Orangeburg.

Tickets are 25.00 and can be purchased by calling 803-536-4074 or dropping by the Arts Center.
MBABANE - Former Ngwempisi Member of Parliament (MP) Mthandeni Dube says former Hosea MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuzas testimony had nothing to do with him.



He disassociated himself from Mabuzas statements yesterday when he took to the dock to make his submissions. Unlike Mabuza, who decided to make an unsworn statement, Dube first took an oath where he promised to speak the truth and nothing but the truth. It took Dube about 44 minutes to make his submissions.

He told the court that he had no comments on what was said by Mabuza. Dube said this after the prosecution had asked if he recalled the testimony made by Mabuza on Wednesday. He was also asked how far he agreed with Mabuzas testimony.

Testimony

Did you hear Mabuzas testimony yesterday (on Wednesday)? Is there anything you disagree with from his testimony? Advocate Gareth Lepan, who is representing the Crown in the matter, asked Dube. In response, Dube stated that he was representing the people of Ngwempisi and that his job was over. He said there were new MPs responsible for holding government accountable.

Dube said the only thing on his mind was to do something that would develop his community. He mentioned that whatever statement he made, he did it as an MP at the time. On Wednesday, Mabuza declared that he would rather die in jail for his differing political views and the truth.

Adamant

He said it was not in dispute that emaSwati wanted to be freed and elect their own government. Mabuza further mentioned that despite his arrest and subsequent conviction, he was still adamant that the country needed democracy.

He told the court that he still believed that the prime minister (PM) must be fully elected by the people and not appointed by His Majesty the King. According to Mabuza, a PM who was appointed by the King did not have the interest of the people at heart.

Last year, the duo of Mabuza and Dube was found guilty of terrorism (inciting violence during the June/July 2021 unrest) and murder, among other charges. The difference between Dube and Mabuzas statement is that the sworn statement carries more weight than the unsworn one. An accused person who chooses to make an unsworn statement is not cross-examined by the prosecution.

This was evident on Wednesday as the Crown did not cross examine Mabuza, but yesterday its legal representative asked Dube a few questions. During cross-examination, Dube maintained that he had nothing to do with the statements that were made by his co-accused. Advocate Lepan, who is representing the State, tried to question Dube based on what was said by Mabuza, but he remained resolute that he had nothing to do with same.
Orangeburg Department of Public Safety

A traffic stop ended with two Orangeburg men facing drug charges.

Samir Alvarado Brown, 29, is charged with distribution of narcotics, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony and criminal conspiracy.

Lanelson O. Utsey, 35, is charged with possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, unlawful carrying of a pistol and trafficking narcotics.

An officer stopped the silver Chevrolet Impala they were riding in because the driver was allegedly operating it without headlights or taillights at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17.

The car stopped at the intersection of John C. Calhoun Drive and Doyle Street.

The officer claims he smelled marijuana coming from the inside of the vehicle when he spoke with the driver.

Officers identified Brown and Utsey as the backseat passengers.

An officer claims there was an open bottle of tequila between the two.

Officers also claim they found a handgun under the backseat where Utsey had been sitting.

They allege Utsey had a pill bottle in his jacket which contained a large, off-white color rock and blue, purple and yellow pills that seemed to be made to look like candy, the report states.

A pistol-style rifle and four baggies with a large amount of white rock and powdery substances allegedly fell from under the seat. The baggies weighed about 115 grams.

Officers then took Brown into custody.

A search of Brown allegedly yielded a baggy containing a white rock and powdery substance in his sock. The baggie weighed about nine grams, the report states.

Brown and Utsey were taken into custody. The driver was given a warning for driving without headlights and ticketed for driving with a suspended license.

Officers let a man with a valid license drive the car away.

In unrelated reports:

 An ax-wielding burglar broke into the Quick Wash Laundromat, located at 380 Stonewall Jackson Boulevard, just before 4 a.m. Tuesday, according to an incident report.

The man stole multiple cartons of Newport and Maverick cigarettes from the adjoining convenience store.

Surveillance cameras show a man wearing a tan jacket, blue jeans, a blue shirt, dark mask, dark gloves and possibly a dark hoodie at the entrance of the store.

He walked out of the cameras view and returned with a duffle bag and an ax.

A city camera shows a trash truck going past the business at 3:41 a.m. After the truck passed, the man shattered the glass door, went inside and used the ax to break the glass door to the adjoining convenience store.

The man dropped the ax but managed to steal hundreds of cigarettes and a small amount of money from the cash register.

The stolen cash and cigarettes are valued at $8,300.

 Someone stole a mans 9 mm Smith & Wesson Shield Plus firearm from his vehicle on Feb. 17. It was parked at the Walmart Neighborhood Market at 332 Stonewall Jackson Boulevard.

The gun is valued at $350.

 Someone stole a 2019 white Ford Mustang, with a soft black top, from a Folly Road residence. The driver left the Mustang unlocked with the keys inside of it, according to an incident report.

The value of the car is $33,520.
COLUMBIA -- The United States Attorney's Office is sponsoring the 21st Annual Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Logo Contest.

The statewide contest invites students to use their creativity to spark conversations on how to prevent gun violence in our schools by designing a logo for use on upcoming SC PSN publications. The theme is Preventing Gun Violence in Our Schools  Know the Signs.

The contest is open to all South Carolina grade school students, including homeschooled students, and entries will be categorized into four grade divisions. A winner will be selected from each of the four divisions, and each division winner will receive $50. An overall winning logo will be chosen from the four division winners and will receive an additional $50 prize for a total of $100.

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The winning entries will be chosen by The Insiders, a select group of students from the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, who travel throughout the state encouraging children and promoting community awareness of the consequences of juvenile crime. In addition to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, the United States Attorneys Office is proud to partner with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association for this years contest.

Entries should be consistent with the theme Preventing Gun Violence in Our Schools  Know the Signs. The deadline for submissions is March 29, 2024. If your student is interested in participating, contact your local school as contest information has been sent to all South Carolina schools. Applications and contest rules may also be found on our website.

The centerpiece of the Department of Justices violent crime reduction efforts, PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. The contest is an important prevention initiative that has proven to be an effective way to engage our students in meaningful conversation about preventing gun crimes among our young people and ensuring a safe learning atmosphere for our schoolchildren.
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium educator Elizabeth Vernon Bell is the recipient of the 2023 South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award.

Bell received the award Feb. 2at a reception organized by the awards 2023 hosting agency, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

2023 S.C. Environmental Awareness Award recipient E.V. Bell The 2023 S.C. Environmental Awareness Award recipient E.V. Bell accepts the award from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' Shannon

Bell had the distinction of being nominated by not one but two independent parties for her contributions to developing a statewide certification program for environmental educators.

Ms. Bell is just one individual  but through creative partnerships, networking and training, shes been able to amplify positive impacts through the thousands of people she has taught and mentored over the years, said SCDNRs chief of staff, Shannon Bobertz, who presented the award.

Elizabeth E.V. Bell has worked at South Carolina Sea Grant for over 15 years, where she serves as a marine education specialist, developing and coordinating marine environmental education programs for the field and the classroom.

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Bells career began at SCDNRs Marine Resources Center in Charleston, where she coordinated the creation of the agencys original boat-based curriculum aboard the Education Vessel, Discovery. She was one of the agencys first female Coast Guard-certified captains.

At South Carolina Sea Grant, shes been responsible for the creation of numerous programs and tools designed to connect ocean and coastal research to educators. She developed From Seeds to Shoreline, the first and only youth salt marsh restoration program in the state.

Her programs impact not only educators, but students too - the experience E.V. gives students in the salt marshes is one they won't forget, wrote one nominator.

As adjunct faculty at the College of Charleston, Bell has advised on graduate committees to nurture students in the development and execution of their internship or thesis. Bell currently serves on the boards of the Environmental Education Association of SC (EEASC), the Southeastern Coastal and Ocean Observing Regional Association, and the South Carolina Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.

But above all, it has been Bells role in the development of SCs professional certification program for environmental educatorsthe PEEC Programthat nominators thought she was most deserving of this award. One said that this program only exists because of the vision, passion, and dedication of E.V. Bell.

Efforts to develop the PEEC Program began in 2013 when the SC Sea Grant Consortium disseminated a state-wide survey and hosted focus groups to gauge the interest and need among educators for this type of professional training. Since that time, the Consortium, in partnership with 14 educators representing organizations across the state, developed the PEEC Program.

This is a pioneering effort in the field of environmental education for South Carolina. Less than 25% of the United States have a certification program like this. The inaugural class started in Fall 2018, and a fourth cohort is now working on certification. Bells passion for the environment, her commitment to bringing awareness to South Carolina citizens and especially teachers, and her diligence in finding external sources of funding to supplement Sea Grant funding has led to the success and continuation of the efforts to build an environmental educators certification program for the state of South Carolina.

By creating the Palmetto Environmental Education Certification Program, Bell created a vehicle for ensuring South Carolinas environmental educators have access to the best professional and leadership development opportunities available.

The S.C. Environmental Awareness Award was established by the legislature in 1992 to recognize outstanding contributions toward the conservation of South Carolinas environment. This award is jointly hosted by members of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, and the S.C. Forestry Commission.

The committee considers several factors when reviewing nominations, including excellence in innovation, leadership, and accomplishments that influence positive changes affecting the states natural air, land, water and coastal resources.
South Carolina State University and Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College are asking state lawmakers for money to improve campus facilities and programs.

S.C. State is asking the legislature for a total of $154.6 million in recurring and non-recurring funds, according to documents presented to the Higher Education subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The largest portion of the requested funds will go toward improvements to campus facilities. S.C. State is asking for $133 million to renovate and replace buildings on campus.

The university is asking for:

 $45 million to replace Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, the schools main venue for sporting events, graduations and other community functions. The facility was built in 1968 and is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 $40 million to replace Staley Hall with a new health and wellness center. Staley Hall was built in 1954. The university currently does not have a health and wellness center.

This new facility will be open to students and the community at large.

 $30 million to replace Whittaker Library, built in 1968. The new facility will help the university achieve new research classifications.

 $12.7 million to renovate Dr. Maceo O. Nance Hall to create a new College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences. S.C. State asked for $36 million last year to replace the building, but has scaled back the project to a renovation of the 1974 buildings roof, elevators, HVAC systems, bathrooms and accessibility, spokesperson Sam Watson said.

S.C. State asked for the money to replace these facilities last year, but did not receive it.

The university did receive $55 million last year to replace Turner Hall.

The new College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences will bring the current education, humanities and social sciences programs under one roof, with the exception of the visual and performing arts departments, Watson said.

The consolidation of the programs is unrelated to proposed cuts to university programs, Watson said.

The university is also asking for:

 $17 million to improve drainage infrastructure on campus.

 $5 million to improve wireless communication technology and create a new learning technology infrastructure platform.

 $4.2 million to offer more academic scholarships.

 $4 million for new emergency generators and decentralized boilers.

 $2.7 million to improve accessibility and ADA compliance on campus.

 $2 million for student success programs.

 $2 million to match research grants.

 $1.8 million to hire 35 more full-time employees  nine faculty members, six information technology professionals and four law enforcement officers.

S.C. State is also asking the state to forgive the $2.7 million balance on a $12 million loan the university has been paying back over several years, according to request documents.

The universitys top three priorities are the Whittaker Library replacement, the Nance Hall renovations and the replacement of the Smith-Hammond-Middleton center, respectively, according to request documents.

This is the first state budget since the U.S. secretaries of education and agriculture wrote an open letter to Gov. Henry McMaster saying the state should make up for $470 million S.C. State should have received over the past 30 years.

State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, said S.C. States reputation in the State House has been improving and she is hopeful more of the universitys requests will be met this year than last.

Cobb-Hunter serves as the 1st vice chair of the Ways and Means Committee and sits on the Higher Education Subcommittee.

There is strong support on the subcommittee for S.C. States new library, she said. The conditions in the current Whitaker Library are just not acceptable.

She is also confident the university's request to have its remaining loan balance forgiven  one of the only requests not also made last year  will be met as a "sign of good faith," she said.

They have some serious needs, and Im confident that while we won't be able to address all of them, my subcommittee is lockstep on supporting S.C. State as much as we can, she said.

The universitys administration is encouraged by feedback received from lawmakers about the universitys needs, Watson said.

The South Carolina Technical College System, which requests funding to disperse across 16 colleges in the state, including Orangeburg-Calhoun and Denmark technical colleges, is requesting a total of $605 million from the state for the year.

Of that sum, $425 million is for individual college initiatives and capital projects.

OCtech is requesting $5 million to cover higher-than-anticipated costs to renovate Building K, as well as the remaining $7-8 million for the college's Advanced Manufacturing Center project, spokesperson Wendy Crider said.

The renovations to Building K could start in mid-to-late 2025 if the funding is secured. It wouild take around a year to complete, OCtech Vice President for Business Affairs Kim Huff said.

If the college receives less than the requested amount, our path forward would depend on the amount received, Huff said.

OCtech currently has approximately half of the funding needed to complete the Advanced Manufacturing Center and is hoping the state will provide the rest, he said.

Claflin University received $1 million last year from the state for nursing student scholarships to address the states nursing shortage, Cobb-Hunter said. She is hopeful that funding will be extended to the private, historically Black university again this year.

Claflin is not anticipating any additional funding from the state legislature this year, spokesperson Joseph Cotton said.
S.C. Department of Transportation officials encourage the public to contact the local department about any water drainage or road maintenance issues.

The first step is please, reach out to us and we will assess the situation," SCDOT District 7 Engineering Administrator Brian Heape said last week. He spoke at a town hall meeting at the Orangeburg County Library and Conference Center.

People at the meeting filled out index cards with their concerns. A panel of state agency representatives was on-hand to answer questions.

Flooding caused by clogged drainage ditches topped the list of citizen concerns discussed at the meeting.

One individual wrote that the drainage ditch behind their house had not been cleaned out in 30 years. The writer complained that they get the run-around from the state and county about which agency is responsible for cleaning the ditches.

SCDOT District 7 Assistant District Maintenance Engineer David Brandyburg said SCDOT can only to clean out a ditch if the water is coming from a state-maintained road.

If the water is not coming from one of our roads, we do not have a responsibility for those ditches, Brandyburg said. That is why sometimes it might lead them to the county.

SCDOT will come out to personally assess a ditch and water flow to determine where the responsibility lies, Brandyburg said.

If someone comes in and says there is a ditch that is holding water that is not ours, we should go in and communicate with the county, Brandyburg said.

Brandyburg said sometimes a ditch may be functioning, but weeds need to be cut in the ditch.

There is a difference between cutting the bushes and cleaning the ditch, Brandyburg said. He said cleaning a ditch will be necessary if there are obstructions at the bottom of the ditch. Cutting bushes addresses a problem apart from the ditch itself.

The phone number of the local district maintenance office is 803-531-6850.

The town hall meeting was the third and final one coordinated by Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, to discuss community concerns related to flooding, broadband, unsafe roads and litter control. The other two meetings were held in St. George and Santee.

Those in attendance were also able to hear from representatives of state agencies such as the S.C. Office of Regulatory Staff, the S.C. Office of Resilience and the S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority.

SC Office of Resilience Mitigation Director Phleisha Lewis said the office has funded flooding studies for Orangeburg County and the City of Orangeburg over the past three years.

Both grants were for areas that are classified as low to moderate income.

Three years ago, the City of Orangeburg received a $300,000 grant to study stormwater drainage issues in the city. Its focused on areas around Railroad Corner, Magnolia Street, John C. Calhoun Drive and the warehouse district of Broughton Street, near U.S. Highway 21.

Orangeburg County received grant funding two years ago to the tune of $439,150.

Additional funding is being sought for the studies. The same studies were also submitted for potential federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Lewis said.

We wanted you to be in as many rounds as possible because if you are not on the court, you can't make a slam dunk, Lewis said. We are working very hard to get additional funding here in Orangeburg County.

Litter can also clog drains.

SCDOT has received state money to contract for litter pickup, Heape said.

Brandyburg said the district is picking up litter along about 96 miles of road a month. He asked for patience with the litter pickup program.

Broadband

SC Office of Regulatory Staff Broadband Office Senior Director Cedric Keitt said the office continually seeks funding to help address the broadband gap in the state.

He said the Office received about $400 million through the American Rescue Plan Act to focus on areas with the most needs. Keitt also said additional $551 million in federal money will be coming to the state from the National Telecom Information Authority's Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

The Office of Regulatory Staff has come up with a five-year broadband plan that will build out the states internet infrastructure.

He said about 1,062 locations have been identified across the state.

One person at the meeting asked about opportunities for minority businesses and how people of color can get contracts for broadband projects.

Keitt said the five-year action plan addresses the inclusion of minority-owned businesses.

We are working on that, Keitt said.

Orangeburg County resident Ron Mosely attended the meeting for information-gathering purposes.

It was interesting, he said. I was interested in this interstate and the roads and the broadband. That is where our issues are in the county with the roads.
In light of the upcoming Summit for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) hosted by St. Vincent and the Grenadines, all schools will be closed on Thursday 29 February and Friday 1 March 2024.





Heads of educational institutions are asked to ensure that students are assigned work to account for the loss of instructional time.
Students from the Belmont Government School dancing to a Punta Rock (Belizean) number at a previous Festival.

The Schools National Garifuna Festival hosted by the Garifuna Heritage Foundation (GHF) in collaboration with the Department of Culture, will be a feature, once again, of the annual Celebration of National Heroes and Heritage Month 2024.





Readers will recall that the festival was forced into a three-year hiatus (2020  2022) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the eruption of La Soufriere.





This years celebration, the 9th edition, is scheduled for March 5, at Victoria Park, and will be held under the theme, "Children of Chatoyer, Fruits of our Heritage.





Ms. Claydonna Peters will continue in her role as National Schools Garifuna Folk Festival Team Leader/Representative, Min. Of. Culture, and she promises that students from a number of primary and secondary schools will make presentations in Garifuna-centric pieces in song, dance, poetry, music (including drumming) and choral speeches.





Prizes will be awarded for the best performances in the various categories.





The stage activities at Victoria Park will be complemented by booths that will feature local drinks, dishes and artefacts.





Apart from the actual Days activities, schools will be involved in research as it relates to Garifuna issues.





Attention will also focus on the students use of Garifuna colours (yellow, black and white) in their costuming, and specials recognition will be made of outstanding Garifuna fashions worn by both teachers and students.





The students use of Garifuna colours and fashion will also be highlighted during a march involving the participating schools. The march will precede the activities at Victoria Park and will commence at the Bishops College grounds.





The Festival team leader issued a call to schools to come out and be part of this Festival, and the public was reminded that there is no entrance fee to the activities at Victoria Park.
Senator Israel Bruce had much to say about unholy practices in the agricultural sector.

Israel Bruce is a lawyer by profession and an Opposition New Democratic Senator in the House of Assembly. He was appointed after the last general elections of November 5, 2020, which he contested but lost to Saboto Caesar in the South Central Windward constituency.





Bruce, for all intents and purposes, has been designated his partys Shadow Minister of Agriculture, a portfolio held by Caesar.





One of his concerns, as expressed during a NDP Media Conference on Wednesday, was a practice he alleged of non-farming people obtaining Farmers Identifications Cards.





He contended that those people use those identification cards to help thieves with selling items they have stolen from legitimate farmers.





He accused the people who abused the Farmers ID programme as "aiding and abetting the commission of criminal activities, and promised that "under a New Democratic Party (government) that will be brought to a swift end.





Bruce was also unhappy with the trend of people getting Farmers IDs and using them to import vehicles with duty free concessions. "WE must not cheat the system, Bruce warned.





A former National Youth Council activist, Bruce disclosed plans foremoving the department that provides the Farmers ID, to a separate section of the Agriculture Ministry. He warned, though, that if the reason for removing the department "is to facilitate fraud, I will be the first to call you out.





Rural Constables and more





The Opposition Senator announced plans to reintroduce the Rural Constable Programme, distancing himself from the closure of the programme in 2019.





He attributed the failure of the Rural Constable Programme to an absence of proper planning.





There must also be training for the persons assigned to the task, and he assured that under the NDP, the programme will be equipped with transport to allow the Constables to get to the root of their duties.





In support of the effort to combat praedial larceny, Bruce said an NDP government will amend the laws to stiffen penalties for those charged with that type of crime.





There are also plans to provide a court which will deal with matters of praedial larceny in a speedy fashion, and consideration would be given to employing undercover agents to sniff out the criminals.





With St. Clair Leacock, Vice President of the NDP and National Security Shadow Minister, at his side, Bruce appealed to his would be National Security Minister for an "enhanced budgetary allocation for a roving police unit.





And to those who involved themselves in acts of theft against hard-working crop and livestock farmers, Bruce promised, "We will make your (criminals) operations uneasy to carry out.




St. Lucia is hoping that new markets would be identified for its bananas.

Banana production in Saint Lucia is above what the market demands, Agriculture Minister Alfred Prospere has disclosed last week.





The excess production starkly contrasts with last year when the Minister expressed concern that the country was failing in its desire to realise its target of 15,000 boxes weekly market demand for export.





While Prospere recognised that up to seventy-five percent of the banana and plantain production had been affected by Tropical Storm Bret, but pointed out that that situation has since changed.





In fact, the Minister boasted, "We have more production on the ground than we can market or export.





In support of this assessment he referenced his meeting with the National Fair Trade Organization (NFTO), during which it was reiterated that the country had a surplus as result of not expecting market demand to change that drastically.





Against that background, the Minister reported that he had learned that the Dominican Republic and Suriname provide Barbados with bananas, making things difficult for local exporters.





So difficult that producers were giving bananas to pig farmers to feed their animals, Prospere said.





"I was a little surprised when I heard that because I am saying those bananas could have been sold by the market or provided to the schools. But again, that is just what I have been hearing. I hope it is something that will not continue, the Minister stated.





"Our bananas are too important to be used for that purpose, Prospere explained.





Nevertheless, the Minister revealed that he engaged a new buyer in St. Thomas.




Election authorities in Meghalaya ask all licence holders to deposit arms & ammunition 18 Mar 2024 | 6:09 PM Shillong, Mar 18 (UNI) With the model code of conduct coming into force in Meghalaya, district election authorities have issued a separate slew of orders to ensure peaceful, free, and fair polls during the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. see more..

BJP alliance predicts victory in Assam: Union Minister Sonowal 18 Mar 2024 | 6:04 PM Guwahati, Mar 18 (UNI) Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal claimed on Monday that the BJP-led alliance in Assam will secure 12 out of the 14 seats in the Lok Sabha this time. see more..

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The Government of St. Luica has not to date received a formal proposal from Rayneau Industries Ltd. as it relates to the purchase and marketing of agricultural produce.





However, the Government of St. Lucia, through its Ministry of Agriculture, has given indication that such an arrangement that St. Lucia would welcome willy nilly.





St. Lucias Agriculture Minister Alfred Prospere is on record as saying, "It is something I am still thinking about, but I am hoping something can work out, but I am not sure at this time we are ready for the same arrangement that he has in Saint Vincent.





Rayneau Gajadhar, a St. Lucian native, launched Rayneau Industries Limited in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The company buys all farmers agricultural products, reportedly pays the farmers immediately, and seeks export markets.





"We have not received any proposals from him in terms of government, the Agriculture Minister assured.





"I know we have had a lot of discussion around it, and you know, how we think it can work, Prospere recalled.





Nevertheless, the Agriculture Minister explained that St. Lucia differs from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Prospere pointed to the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, where farmers are already registered.





He also observed that some farmers have contracts to supply places like hotels and Massy Stores Supermarket.

At the same time, Prospere acknowledged that the Rayneau project would have been best for Saint Lucia farmers, ensuring that they get paid for whatever they produce.





In addition, he noted the importance of competition.





"But at the same time you want to ensure that the decisions you make would not negatively impact the farmers, the Minister said.




Kayode Richardson, 18, is charged with the murder of Carona Jennings, homicide victim No. 7.

Twelve days after 18-year-old Vennel Culzac was bonded, reprimanded and discharged on four charges in connection with the brandishing of a pair of scissors at a schools Deputy Principal, another teenage boy was brought before the Court, this time on a murder charge.





On Monday, Kayode Richardson, 18, of Campden Park, was taken before the Kingstown Magistrates Court after being charged with the murder of Carona Jennings, 30, of the same community.





An autopsy showed that she died from exsanguination (loss of blood) due to multiple sharp force injuries (chop wounds), inflicted on her on February 14, Valentines Day, Campden Park.





Police reported that around 11:40 a.m. on February 14 they responded to a report of a stabbing incident at Campden Park, and when they arrived at the scene they met a female lying unresponsive in her yard with what appeared to be stab wounds.





She was later identified as Jennings and pronounced dead at the scene by a medical practitioner.





Richardson, who was unrepresented, was not required to plea when he stood before Senior Magistrate Colin John on Monday and was remanded.





The matter was adjourned to June 10 and transferred to the Serious Offenses Court, which is not currently sitting because of the absence of a Chief Magistrate, following former Chief Magistrate Rechanne Brownes appointment as High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC), December 2023.





Corporal 134 Hadley Ballantyne is leading the investigations into Jennings killing.





On February 7, Culzac, another 18-year-old male, was reprimanded and discharged and bonded, two days after he pleaded guilty to charges of assault, criminal trespass, and possession of an offensive weapon, stemming from an incident at the Central Leeward Secondary School at Peters Hope, Barrouallie, during which he brandished a pair of scissors and threatened to stab the schools Deputy Principal Raffique Durham.





The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has set guidelines as to how to deal with juvenile offenders, particularly those under the age of 18, and the Senior Magistrate, referencing the guidelines, said Culzac was bordering 18, and noted that a prison sentence was to be considered, only as a last resort. But he warned Culzac not to come back before the Court as a defendant.
(TBTCO) - Sang nay, gia vang the gioi chua co bien ong moi. Cac chuyen gia cho rang, quan iem va quyet inh lai suat cua cac ngan hang trung uong se tac ong en huong i cua vang tuan nay. Trong nuoc, tai thoi iem 6h30, vang SJC tai Ha Noi van uoc niem yet o moc 81,72 trieu ong/luong o chieu ban ra. at hon gia vang the gioi 15,684 trieu ong/luong.
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The Biden administration in 2023 hiked federal mineral royalty rates for the first time in 100 years, raising the effective production tax on much of the nations fossil fuel extraction from 12.5% 16.67%.

Wyomings fossil energy advocates saw the move as an assault on the states key industries, and now lawmakers are pushing a bill that seeks to offset the royalty increase by offering a refund to extraction companies.

With mineral royalties split evenly between the state and federal government, the hike is ready to boost Wyoming coffers. But rather than dispense the increased monies through traditional accounts, Senate File 64 would redistribute the states share of the new revenue back to producers.

I think this is important to provide stability to our oil and gas producers at a time of quite a bit of uncertainty, said Sen. Brian Boner, R-Douglas, pitching the bill Wednesday before the Senate Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee, which moved the legislation forward with a 5-1 majority.

Also, though higher royalties will bolster state revenue, county governments may see a drop in revenue collection, due to the fact that mineral companies will be writing off more and paying less in severance and value added tax. The bill would then redistribute money to make whole those local entities.

Opponents of the effort, albeit, describe the bill as a giveaway to corporate multinationals already raking in record profits, and a move toward an interstate race to the bottom for rates.

Era Aranow, government affairs manager with the Wyoming Outdoor Council, during Wednesdays hearing called the committees attention to a 2018 report from the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority that shows how higher severance tax rates do not discourage exploration and production; the decisive factors were geology and resource quality, not tax rates, according to the report. She underscored the point using as an example the state of Texas, which produces prolifically despite a state-mineral-severance tax rate thats more than double Wyomings.

Although, Sen. Boner argued that the state currently has a relatively low number of active drill rigs, which he believes is evidence that the royalty rate is putting downward pressure on the fossil sector. On the other hand, Wyoming is on the cusp of a record year, producing close to 100 million barrels in 2023, according to Tom Kropatsch of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission.

The bills fiscal impact is hard to project because innumerable factors impact the market for mineral development. It asks for an inaugural appropriation of $368,000 in order to begin administering the refund program.

The bill passed out of the committee 4-1. Sole nay vote Sen. Chris Rothfus, D-Laramie, said, Its pretty clear that geology is the deciding factor much more so than the specific tax climate as long as theyre roughly comparable, said Sen. Rothfus. So I think its just giving away money to oil producers, and particularly at this time when theyre often reporting $25 billion profits in a quarter. I dont feel like theyre in dire need of our few dollars that were using for education.
A bill that would streamline small-scale mining operations and help onramp new mineral sectors  including gold, cobalt, nickel, and lithium  cleared the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee this week, which could set the stage for a new generation of projects and help buildout extractive industries in the Cowboy State, sponsors say.

The bill aims to clean up and speed up the approval process for a class of mineral development known as Limited Mining Operations (LMO), which apply to projects on 15 acres or less. Though they comprise a small piece of the states mineral portfolio, these small scale operations are viewed as a natural onboard for larger developments and an important player in the market for sand gravel, limestone, feldspar and other minerals.

If the bill succeeds it could significantly quicken the process of bringing new resources to market, because unlike general mining operations that require lengthy permitting procedures, LMOs have the advantage of minimal red tape.

The bill met tension, however, over a key provision that denies county commissioners the ability to prevent LMOs in their jurisdictions. County commissioners and others argue that direct county oversight provides a necessary check-and-balance due to the fact that LMOs are exempt from standard permitting requirements, including public comment and review periods. All 23 members of the County Commissioners Association stand against the bill.

Yet bill proponents retort that county concerns are addressed upstream through administrative guidelines set by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which oversees LMO operations. They argue that preexisting statutes safeguard local interest on things like hours of operation, fugitive dust, setbacks and visual screening, and that the bill is fundamentally about strengthening private property rights.

The effort also raises red flags with outdoor advocacy groups, who say the LMO process lacks sufficient community input and that expanding to new mineral categories may result in unforeseen hazards, as many of the newly eligible elements have little to no track record in the state, including lithium, copper, gold and rare earths. Opponents believe a full permitting process is needed for new mineral projects in order to protect against the potential risk associated with extraction techniques like acid mine drainage.

Without an ability to have a say in this process through a lack of public comment, neighbors property values, their operations on their land and their quality of life can be directly affected. Yes we care about private property rights, but thats all private property rights, including those adjacent, said Era Aranow, government affairs manager with the Wyoming Outdoor Council.

Anticipating those concerns, the bill would also boosts bond requirements, which havent been adjusted since 2014. It would raise bond rates from $2,000 per acre to $5,000 per acre for open cut mines, and up to $7,000 per acre for quarry mines. And for the newly included mineral categories, like cobalt and gold, operators are required to secure a full-cost bond consistent with Wyoming-DEQ guidelines.

Theres still water quality rules and requirements that apply here, both surface and groundwater. Theres also air quality requirements that apply here. If you have a crusher you still have to get a permit on your crusher from air quality, Kyle Wendtland, a DEQ administrator, told the Star-Tribune.

Wendtland explained that since 2015 the agency has seen zero appeals in its LMO approvals, which he believes is an indication the process sufficiently accounts for local concerns.

The way the bill is drafted is to provide a very logical sequence, from exploration, to a scale up, to a full mine permit. And when you move from LMO to the full mine permit you get the full public process, he said.
ENERGY Minister Stuart Young has taken umbrage at comments made by Ronald Harford, former chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Ltd, as he boasted about the success of the energy sector.

Young said whenever somebody becomes a former, their mouth gets big, as he quoted from an article in Fridays Express report where Harford made critical comments.
A new camera system is being installed along this countrys roadways with the aim of tackling traffic congestion and reducing the countrys crime.

This was said yesterday by Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, who spoke with the media at the intersection of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway and Golden Grove Road in Piarco.
With ten people murdered between Thursday and Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley took to Facebook yesterday to assure citizens that State agencies will not give up the fight to rid our streets and other places of the evil that is now widespread as a gun culture in Trinidad and Tobago.

And in a voice note to the media, Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher said, We are determined to dismantle criminal gangs and make a difference in transforming impacted communities.
Arizonas auditor general is blasting the state Land Department for leasing land to a Saudi-owned company for below-market rates and not requiring it to pay for  or even report  the amount of groundwater it used.

In an often-scathing special report, Auditor General Lindsey Perry said the departments policies set the rental rate for farmable land at just half the market retail rental rate.

And thats just the start. State law requires the department to conduct a mass appraisal of its properties at least once every 10 years to determine its agricultural rental rates. But the last one was done in 2005, Perry said.

More specifically, rental rates were not adjusted over the last 17 years, resulting in incorrect charges that, for just last year, resulted in $3.4 million less in revenues going into the land trust that provides money for K-12 education and other beneficiaries.

Fondomonte was the Saudi company growing alfalfa on state-leased land in western Arizona for dairy cattle in the Middle East. Perry said not only was the company paying below-market rates for the land but the Land Department didnt require any additional payment for the water it was pumping from the ground.

At one of the companys farm areas, auditors said Fondomonte was paying $25 an acre this past year. Not only is that lower than the 2005 market rate of $46, but it falls far short of a $125 an-acre figure in a 2018 market rates study, the most recent that was done.

And at another area leased by Fondomonte, the report says Arizona should have been getting $175 an acre based on 2018 rates; the Saudi company was paying just $30 an acre.

Perry also said there were no provisions in the lease to protect water basin levels. Instead, the only requirement on Fondomonte was to use water in the most efficient manner possible.

However, we found the department did not have a documented process to monitor or ensure its lessees are using water efficiently, Perry reported.

In fact, she noted, some Land Department staffers recommended in 2015 and 2016 that the department should monitor Fondomontes water use and should seek the companys cooperation to install meters on wells and report annual water usage.

But the department did not implement recommended measures, Perry said.

Working tirelessly to fix

In her formal response, Robyn Sahid, tapped by Gov. Katie Hobbs to head the Land Department, said she found no fault with Perrys report.

As to Fondomonte and the lack of monitoring of water use or ensuring its efficient use, Sahid acknowledged the department has several lease requirements that lack oversight standards and processes for monitoring and ensuring compliance.

Arizona State Land Department will work to secure resources to ensure that it develops clear, transparent guidelines and expectations for customers, that those guidelines can be implemented and enforced, Sahid wrote.

Hobbs said her administration has been working tirelessly to fix what the report found. The governor said its a problem she inherited from Doug Ducey, her predecessor.

Its clear from this report that the previous administration failed to take action to protect the trust and the beneficiaries by allowing unchecked amounts of groundwater to be pumped on cheap leases that did not deliver market value to our state, Hobbs said in a written statement.

Ducey, through a spokesman, rejected any blame.

We are proud of the work done by (former) Commissioner (Lisa) Atkins and her staff, Ducey spokesman Daniel Scarpinato said Friday in a prepared statement, though he did not address any specifics in the audit.

As for the statements from the governors office, this seems like little more than eyewash to cover up for being outsmarted by the attorney general on yet another issue, he said.

That is a reference to the fact that it was Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes who led the charge last year to quash the Fondomonte leases even as Hobbs said she was still exploring options.

Mayes praised the new report.

She believes it is a travesty that Arizona public school students have been short-changed for the benefit of a foreign corporation, said Mayes press aide Richie Taylor.

Leases terminated

At issue are five separate leases of state land in western Arizona to Fondomonte totaling more than 6,608 acres. The company has come under public scrutiny for taking advantage of the fact there is no regulation of groundwater pumping in most rural areas of the state, allowing Fondomonte to pump as much as it wanted without regard to how it affected other landowners in the same basin.

Also raising the ire of some lawmakers is that Fondomonte was growing alfalfa here to feed to cattle in Saudi Arabia because that water-starved county does not permit such farming.

Along with the question of groundwater depletion is the issue of what the company was paying.

That is crucial because the Land Department is charged with obtaining the maximum revenues from the more than 9 million acres of state land it manages. The revenues are allocated to the beneficiaries of the land trust, which include not only K-12 education but also the universities, the Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry.

A 640-acre lease was canceled in October after the Land Department said the company was in violation of terms because of how it was storing fuel on the site.

Hobbs announced at the same time she would not renew three other leases totaling 2,880 acres when they were set to expire this month. She said the Land Department determined that the leases in the Butler Valley are not in the best interest of the (land) trusts beneficiaries due to excessive amounts of water being pumped from the land  free of charge.

Those leases, according to the Land Department, were terminated on Feb. 14. The company has until May 14 to remove any improvements and personal property from the parcels.

A fifth lease of 3,088 acres in the Ranegras Plain Basin where Fondomonte grows alfalfa, corn and Bermuda grass is unaffected, with the lease running to 2031.

None of this affects any land the company owns itself or leases from private landowners.

Flawed appraisal process cited

The auditors report was generated after a request in November from the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, made up of lawmakers from both parties. Legislators asked Perrys office to take a closer look at not just the Fondomonte leases but the way the Land Department has been run.

In the detailed report, the auditors found that the practices here for determining rental rates differ from those in other states and do not fully align with all recommended practices we reviewed.

For example, the Land Department uses what it calls a mass appraisal to determine the value of the land someone seeks to lease. Auditors said that is flawed, as the actual value should be based on looking at each specific property involved.

Of greater concern is that, even with the mass appraisal method, auditors found the Land Department failed to conduct these over a 17-year period despite the legal requirement for reevaluation every 10 years, something that should have occurred in 2015.

Department staff could not identify a reason why the department did not reappraise its mass appraisals in 2015, the report states.

Auditors said the department did obtain a 2018 study of agricultural market rental rates, which they said showed increases of more than 200% in five farm areas.

However, as of November 2023, the department had not adjusted its agricultural rental rates since 2006, the report says, adding that the department had no explanation for the lack of an update.

All that comes at a cost.

The state charged about $4.4 million in rent to its 337 active agricultural leases last year, the auditors said.

However, if the department had updated its agricultural rental rates based on the 2018 market study, which would have increased rates in most of the departments farm areas, it would have potentially collected approximately $7.8 million during this year, the report states.

Perry said the Land Department does not charge agricultural users for water use based on the premise that water availability is a factor considered in its mass appraisal process. But she said even the Land Department concluded that the value of the water uses on its Butler Valley properties was between $1.2 million and $2.5 million.
A Tucson family was killed in a crash over the weekend in near Agua Prieta, Sonora and a man Mexico officials say caused the deadly three-vehicle crash has been jailed on charges of manslaughter, according to the Sonoran Attorney Generals office.

Jose Brito, his wife and their two daughters were traveling in a Dodge Ram near Feb. 17, when they were struck head-on by a black Chevrolet Avalanche after the driver drifted into the family's lane. Both vehicles were pushed into the path of a tractor trailer, an incident report said.

The driver of the Avalanche, Daniel Eduardo, 30, was arrested at the scene of the crash.

This week a judge ordered Eduardo be preventively detained until his case is decided, a spokesman for the Attorney Generals office said.

All four members of the Brito family in the Dodge were killed.

The victims were: Jose Brito; his wife Yesenia Brito; Jazmin Tanco Brito, an eighth-grader at Utterback Middle School; and Liliana Brito, a fifth-grader at Holladay Elementary.

School and TUSD district officials have worked to ensure that we provide every means of support and assistance to all the students, along with our staff, Utterback Principal Taranika Sanders wrote in a letter to families. Holladay Principal Shakenya Humphries-Gholson sent a similar message to parents of her students.

A Gofundme effort had raised more than $49,000 by Friday to help bring the four bodies back to Tucson from Mexico and for funeral expenses. It says the Brito family was traveling to their ranch in Sonora when the crash occurred.
Tucson-Phoenix commuter train can work

Re: Feb. 13 article AZ GOP lawmakers seek to derail chance for commuter train.

I remember I was at Ronstadt Transit Center and a man was going around asking if theres a bus to Phoenix. We had to tell him that the furthest he can get to is Marana. Having a train between the states two biggest cities would greatly benefit lower-income Arizonans like him who most likely do not have a car. Yes, many Americans love their cars, but with cars and vehicle maintenance, gas, and insurance being so expensive, the trend right now is that more younger people like myself dont have drivers licenses than in previous generations and are foregoing car ownership altogether. It has also been statistically proven that trains are much safer than driving a car. Having Amtrak providing this service or even something similar to New Mexicos popular Rail Runner would be welcomed by my generation.

Ryland Plassmann

Midtown

DEI for GOP

There have been some letters recently decrying the lopsided opinions against Donald Trump in the Star. These Trump supporters believe that the Star is only selecting letters of one opinion, that being against the former President. They demand the Star print a broader representation of opinions. In other words, they want diversity of opinions. They believe the Star editorial staff opposes Trump, giving opinion letters to that effect more coverage, which they think is unfair. Indeed, they sincerely desire equity. And if anti-Trump letter writers get to publish in the Star pages, they want in too! We can call that inclusion. So yes, friends on the right, we hear you. You will not rest until the Star commits to DEI! Who says MAGAs and Progressives have nothing in common?

Mike Cohen

Oro Valley

Re: Abortion bans and shocking results

Re: the Feb. 15 letter Abortion bans and the shocking results.

The letter referred to a story published by the AZ Star and others claiming that in 14 states that adopted abortion bans, 500,000 women have been raped resulting in 65,000 pregnancies. This study is baloney! It was prepared by far-left pro-abortion rights Planned Parenthood and Resound Research for Reproductive Health. The report was not based on empirical data, just extractions and estimates. One of the authors of the findings, Dr. Samuel Dickman of Planned Parenthood, stated, These are hard numbers to come up with  theres no kind of systematic collection at the level of health care providers to be able to answer this question of whats the pregnancy rate among people who have been victims of a completed vaginal rape. Again, these numbers are conjecture, a politically motivated report to further inflame passion among pro-abortion rights groups and against those who are pro-life coming into the next election cycle. States bordering ban states have seen sharp increases in abortions.

Michael Wayne

Midtown

Balloon Boy

Re: the Feb. 13 article Plan would kick Biden off ballot.

If Cory McGarr was any more of a lightweight, hed be floating in the skies over Tucson. His tit-for-tat House Bill 2786 to keep Joe Biden off the Arizona ballot is a waste of time and its clear that McGarr is taking up crucial space in the AZ legislature.

He inflates himself with the helium of MAGA drivel and thinks he is a state legislator, but he is nothing more than another Trump toady ignoring the interests of his constituency. McGarr talks about family values but continues to carry water for a convicted sex offender and indicted crook. He wants to secure the border but follows a failed ex-president, committed to killing the most comprehensive bipartisan immigration bill in history.

According to the article, McGarr refused to answer any questions about his legislation. Hes clearly in over his head. Send this guy home and elect Kevin Volk in November.

Jim Lombardo

Oro Valley

Wink-wink wars

Many Americans have never quite grasped the facts of life about politics. We think we are part of a great democracy where everyone has a voice. After all, there are two very different political parties.

However, that is not much of a choice, especially when the two parties are like concrete blocks in the inflexibility of their platforms. Those platforms are dictated by individual party leaders who stamp their own specific wishes on the platform, like Trump and Biden both do.

Every four years, one of those platforms gets empowered. What happens then is seen in policies like Americas participation in the war in Gaza.

President Biden, Americas one and only power broker at the moment, says the U.S. will block another ceasefire resolution in the U.N. Relations between America and Israel involve wink-wink deals between autocrats that are completely divorced from the concerns of their constituents, who do not love this war nearly as much as their leaders do.

Kimball Shinkoskey Downtown

Lets end calf roping

Ive been practicing looking at situations and ideas from more than my own perspective. For instance, consider how a rodeo calf might feel during a roping event.

During a roping event, the calf may be tormented in the holding pen. She bursts out of the pen running fast, running for her life. The lasso landing around her neck pulls her violently into the air backwards and then slams her to the ground, choking her with the rope to hold her still as the roper forcibly binds her legs.

Instead, the calf might be beside his mother, learning, growing, playing, in a pasture.

Slaughterhouse meat inspectors find rodeo calves with broken necks, broken windpipes, broken ribs, punctured lungs, and evidence of choking.

We harm these baby animals.

I urge our town to ban calf roping.

Carol Fortier

Midtown

Pima County Attorney

Re: the Feb. 3 article Businessman calls for Conover to resign.

I recently read an opinion by businessman Moe Asnani calling for Laura Conovers resignation. I couldnt agree more! We the residents of Pima County cannot be guaranteed our safety; nor justice if that safety is violated! I was a victim of a shooting in 2023. I was shot twice and though aggravated assault charges were filed against my perpetrator, I could not get the County Attorneys office to prosecute. I know that I am not alone. I met a victim of domestic violence in my doctors office who was violently attacked who stated there was video of the attack and could not get charges filed as well!

If we cannot get Laura Conover removed from office, PLEASE citizens of Pima County, DO NOT re-elect her!

Debbie Angel

West side

Why not Egypt?

I continue to wonder why Palestinians fleeing their homes in advance of Israeli operations are not welcomed by their Muslim brothers in Egypt. When first hearing Israels plans for eliminating Hamas, moving from north to south I expected to hear of temporary refugee camps and hospitals being set up across the southern border in Egypt. Instead, it appears Egypt is increasing and strengthening their border barriers. Hmm? In addition, Egypt is threatening to terminate the 1979 peace agreement with Israel if Palestinian refugees are forced across the border into Egypt. Hmm? Why is Egypt so determined to keep Palestinians out of Egypt? Does Egypt know something the rest of the world needs to know?

Cal Rooker

Northwest side

I am waiting

After hearing the most dangerous and despicable words yet to exit the mouth of the ex-President, inviting and encouraging Putin to invade NATO countries, I am waiting.

I am waiting to hear from principled elected Arizona Republicans to denounce him, loudly, clearly and sincerely, for so casually inviting and risking World War III. Anyone?

How about you, Mr. Ciscomani? Anything?

Im still waiting.

Jane Atkins

Oro Valley

AZ Senate lunacy

I read a shockingly stupid report in the Star about a senator from the Tucson area proposing a bill that would have the Legislature award Trump all 11 electoral votes before any votes are cast in the general election. That is neither a Republican nor Democratic principle. The proposal did not make it to a committee vote. Sanity strikes rarely in the GOP, but I remain thankful when it does.

Another pair of genii drew up a bill on anti-Marxism, by way of promoting personal vehicle use. What is their motivation? I am a car enthusiast. I own four cars and a pickup. I also own 12 motorcycles. However, I find myself reducing the amount of driving to reduce the amount of pollution I create. I believe the science of human impacts on the earth/climate.

Thanks to Steller and Fischer for their fine reports on the insanity of our elected senators. As my wife says, there should be a test for candidates to enable each to be seated.

Jeff Rayner

SaddleBrooke

Bad traditions

Some traditions are good and some are bad. The bad ones include slavery, smoking, not allowing women to vote, pollution, hunting, the electoral college, and eating meat to name a few. But one needs to end and soon. It involves inhumane treatment of animals. Rodeos are a bad tradition. When you know what makes a horse or a bull buck, then maybe you will agree with me. A wise leader once said, A country is judged by how it treats animals. Arizona and the US as a whole has a long way to go before it can be judged as a nation that treats its animals humanely.

Hal Holtkamp

Southwest side

$135 EV tax

$135 is small change given the cost of EVs. Most of the money could come from the license tax revenue higher EV prices produce. The issue  for both EVs and renewable energy  is all the costs fossil fuel users DONT pay. Start with the lives lost in the oil wars. Add those lost in increasingly frequent extreme weather events. These costs (there are lots more) are called externalities by economists because we dont pay them, at least directly or immediately.

Our legislators studiously avoid real issues with EVs, e.g. their initial higher cost. Instead of nickel and dimming those who can afford them, tax benefits to make them more affordable should be restored. Range anxiety will prevent most of them from being driven the 15,000 miles on which the proposed tax is based. When they are not busy cooking the books with attacks on climate sustainability, our legislators would be the first to acknowledge these problems.

Steven Lesh

East side

Ciscomani betrays Arizonans

Juan Ciscomani proved his priorities with his vote against the bipartisan immigration bill. His fealty to Donald Trump is greater than his responsibility to his Arizona Constituents. A quote from Juan Ciscomanis 2024 campaign website states: It also means ensuring that our law enforcement officers have the resources they need to do their job. Juan will fight against Nancy Pelosi and the radical Left and protect Arizona.

The defeated bill would have provided the policy and resources to quickly adjudicate the cases of undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers that are currently released due to lack of immigration judges. The bill was even supported by Gov. Hobbs. Ciscomani sacrificed the good of his constituents to kiss Trumps ring. He should resign immediately and save us the trouble of voting him out of office.

Bruce Hilpert

North side

Holding Ciscomani accountable

Open letter to Representative Ciscomani,

As a constituent, I read your weekly newsletter. I was confused this week to see your first paragraph describing that you voted to hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable for his failures at the border. You didnt mention that you voted against the compromise budget to fund CPB last week. In the next paragraph you express support for Customs and Border protection by introducing H.R. 7369 to improve CPBs ability to recruit, hire and retain personnel. With one hand, you voted against the latest compromise to fund CPB, then hold Mayorkas responsible for border issues, then introduce a bill that you and your colleagues just voted against. Consistency from my representative would be preferred. I write this letter to try and hold you accountable.

Ellen Punyon

Foothills

Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day

While as many as 11.6 million Americans are living with heart valve disease at this very moment, an estimated 3 in 4 have little to no knowledge of what it is.

Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the hearts four valves disrupts blood flow. Symptoms can include things we might experience from time to time: lightheadedness, irregular fluttering heart or chest pain, tiredness, edema, or feeling off.

Luckily, screening can be as simple as a routine stethoscope check by a medical professional. A stethoscope can detect irregular faint sounds or murmurs which signal to your doctor that more tests need to be ordered.

On February 22, at least 125 organizations across the U.S. and around the world will mark Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day to help increase understanding of this disease.

The first step to protecting yourself is to Listen to Your Heart. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider and get a stethoscope check. Learn more about your risk at ValveDiseaseDay.org.

Lindsay Clarke
The 85-minute film chronicles a decades-long initiative by members of the Blackfoot Confederacy to bring wild buffalo (Blackfeet: iinnii) back to the Blackfeet Reservation. A thriving wild buffalo population would not only reconnect Blackfeet with a central part of their heritage, spirituality and identity, but would provide economic opportunities and healing for the community. Along the way, however, the initiative faces obstacles from ranchers who see the buffalo as a threat to the cattle ranches that dominate the land and are a legacy of colonization.

Gladstone, who was raised on the Blackfeet Reservation and whose family is involved in buffalo restoration work in the community, said, Bring them Home highlights a crucial story of survival; of iinnii, our buffalo, of Blackfoot people and our culture, and of the very land which we call home. Like the buffalo, our land does not acknowledge fences, and nor does our changing climate. For the Blackfeet, survival of the buffalo has always been intrinsically connected to our survival as people  the revitalization of this knowledge is essential for not just us, but for all of us who share this planet, and who work to nurture hope for our collective future. Being a part of this essential documentary is one of the most precious collaborations of my life, and I couldnt be more thrilled for the world to see this absolute labor of love come alive.
Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Jimmie Tramel 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

MOORE  Paul Snyder confirmed there are cheaper hobbies than collecting movie props.

But like anything, once you go down that rabbit hole and you kind of level up, it gets really expensive if you let it, you know? he said.

Step inside Snyders home, and its obvious he chose to level up.

Though not movie props, a Whitney Houston dress and a Michael Jackson shirt are on display just inside the front door.

That was one of Michael Jacksons favorite shirts he would wear out to do press events and signings and stuff, Snyder said.

Among items in his living room are Marilyn Monroes opera gloves, a screen-used stunt spider from Jumanji and life-size mannequins of characters from Star Wars and Predator.

And, at the back of the home, is an ornate room Snyder calls a ballroom. But really its just a place to kind of display my crazy things.

The crazy things include lifelike mannequins of Jennifer Lawrence, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Depp, Dwayne The Rock Johnson and Tom Cruise, all clad in screen-worn garments from motion pictures.

Snyder created the mannequins, acquired the pop culture artifacts and transformed the interior of his home (the exterior looks like every other house in the neighborhood) into a wow generator.

Dont leave without checking out a garage workshop full of multiple superhero and pop culture figures (Snyder opens the garage to visitors during the Halloween season) or a room he converted into a nine-seat Haunted Mansion-themed theater for movie-watching experiences.

Business: Snyder is an Oklahoma-based artist who makes life-size statues, creates acrylic paintings, takes on interior design projects and creates props for (mostly independent) films.

Pleasure: He is a movie prop collector who is among interview subjects in Mad Props, a documentary about movie prop collectors around the globe.

Executive produced and hosted by Tulsa banker and movie prop collector Tom Biolchini, Mad Props will be screened at a 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1 premiere event at Circle Cinema. Biolchini and director Juan Pablo Reinoso of Tulsa will participate in a Q&A session at the premiere. Props from Biolchinis collection will be on display. Tickets are available at circlecinema.org.

Virgil Films acquired the worldwide rights to Mad Props. The documentary is being released theatrically in select markets before being available on demand and on Blu-Ray.

Snyder said Reinoso (a finalist for best director at the 2024 London Director Awards) is a friend. Snyder jumped at the chance when asked by Reinoso to take part in the documentary project. Snyder plans on seeing Mad Props for the first time at what will be a second Circle Cinema premiere for the film. Mad Props also was shown Aug. 10 at Circle Cinema. This time, additional screenings will follow. Showtimes will be posted Feb. 28 at circlecinema.org.

Snyder said he hopes people see the film and, ideally, it will fuel more interest in movie prop collecting. If he ever wants to sell his treasures, it would be nice to know there are other hunters interested in them. And, aside from that, I think its good that we dont throw these things away.

Among topics discussed during a tour of Snyders home:

Why does he love and collect movie props?

I think I come from it from several different angles, Snyder said. Number one, I like movies. Number two, Im an artist. And number three, I like history. So its kind of all those things combined  and also its the rarity of some things.

Snyder said he tries to acquire the hero costume from movies. Hero costume? Its the primary one that the actor wears while on screen. He buys items primarily from prop stores that verify authenticity.

What was Snyders gateway to collecting?

It was a screen-worn Depp costume from the 2004 film Secret Window.

I was just online and came across the prop store and saw that, and I was like, Oh man, thats expensive, but Ive gotta have it.

Snyder, who purchased it six years ago, said Depp is probably his favorite actor. Secret Window is not his favorite Depp film, but I knew it was about the only chance I was going to have to get one of his costumes at a reasonable price.

Snyder, asked if he buys props because he loves the movie or loves the actor, says its usually the latter. And with some of them, like Tom Cruise is not necessarily my favorite actor, but hes so well-known. Hes an iconic figure, so that makes it appealing to have something he wore in a movie.

Snyder purchased apparel Cruise wore in the 2017 film American Made. Snyder also owns apparel worn on screen by Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay), Jackman (Chappie), Johnson (The Fate of the Furious), Christopher Walken (Joe Dirt), Ice Cube (XXX: State of the Union), Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games), Will Smith (Ali), Kate Winslet (Little Children), Nicole Kidman (Boy Erased), Will Ferrell (Anchorman 2) and Jamie Foxx (Ray).

One that got away was Natalie Portmans hero costume from Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium.

How does Snyder feel when he acquires something cool?

Oh, you get the dopamine rush for sure, he said.

Did any specific item give him an over-the-top rush? Probably leg irons once owned by escape artist Harry Houdini. Or, as far as screen-used items, maybe the Depp costume because its so rare.

Snyder said he bought Houdinis (verified) leg irons at a Disneyland magic shop. He said the purchase price got him in a little bit of trouble with his wife, but it was my birthday, so it was OK.

Recalling the purchase, he said, She asked how much they were. I said 75. She said, Why are you standing here? Go got them. I went over there and bought them, and a friend said How much were they? And I said $8,100 with tax. And her jaw just dropped. I thought they were $75. No. $7,500.

There are cheaper hobbies. But this one makes Snyder  and visitors to his home  happy: It brings me joy to see people come in and see a smile on their face.

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A World War II soldier from Oklahoma helped the Allies win the war by talking in his native tongue -- something he was forbidden to do as a child.

Charles Chibitty, who died in 2005, often recalled that he had been forbidden to speak his native Comanche language while attending a government school at Fort Sill. But that language became a key element of the Allies' success in the D-Day landing on June 6, 1944.

Chibitty and other Comanches relayed critical information between commanders at the Normandy Beach landing. The Nazis were never able to break the code because they didn't know the Comanche language, which was not based on Latin and was not written down.

After the war, a Nazi general asked an American general "what was that unbreakable code the Americans used?" Chibitty recall ed.

Using Indian code talkers to send messages between military officers wasn't new when Chibitty and about 20 other Comanches, all either related or close friends, joined the Army to comprise the 4th Signal Co. of the 4th Infantry Division. They spent three years training at Fort Benning, Ga., before seeing their first action on D-Day.

They later accompanied the first troops into Paris and Germany. They also helped retrieve a battalion of the 30th Infantry Division, the so-called "lost battalion," at Mortain and were instrumental in the Battle of the Bulge and in fighting near Luxembourg.

Chibitty recalled that the first message he relayed was to another Comanche on an incoming boat on D-Day and involved the location of fierce fighting with a plea that "we need help."

In 1999, Chibitty, who had won numerous medals, received the Knowlton Award at a Pentagon ceremony for his outstanding intelligence work. Gov. Frank Keating declared a "Comanche Code Talker Day" in Oklahoma in honor of Chibitty.

Born in 1921 near Medicine Park, north of Lawton, Chibitty attended Haskell Indian School in Lawrence. He also attended an Indian boarding school at Fort Sill.

The boys were punished if they were caught speaking Comanche. But that didn't deter them; they used their native tongue whenever they could.

After his Army discharge, Chibitty and his family settled in Tul sa and Chibitty became a glass worker.

Chibitty became a nationally known Indian dancer and helped start an annual Indian powwow at Mohawk Park.

In 2004, Chibitty became the first member of the Tulsa City-County Library's American Indian Resource Library's Circle of Honor. The award recognizes American Indians who enriched the lives of others.

The first use of Indian code talkers came before Chibitty was born -- during World War I when Choctaw Indians were used to transmit secret messages. And Navajo Indians were used as code talkers in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Neither the World War I Germans nor the Pacific Theater Japanese were able to decipher the codes.

Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive.
Art Haddaway Owasso Reporter Editor Follow Art Haddaway 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

Editor's note: This story was updated after press time with a statement from Vice President Kamala Harris.

OWASSO  Police are examining evidence they collected from a search warrant served at Owasso High School during an ongoing investigation into the high-profile death of a student.

Nex Benedict, 16, who identified as nonbinary and used gender-neutral pronouns, died Feb. 8, one day after being involved in a fight inside an Owasso High School restroom.

Detectives are now investigating details and evidence relating to the Feb. 7 altercation after ruling out trauma as a cause of death, based on preliminary autopsy results from the Oklahoma State Medical Examiners Office.

We are investigating a crime, Owasso Police Lt. Nick Boatman told the Owasso Reporter. The investigator in this case suspected foul play  in reference to the reported assault and battery.

The search warrant, issued Feb. 9, allowed police to analyze the alleged crime scene on Owasso Public Schools premises for blood, DNA, hair, fingerprints and more. They also have collected various articles of clothing, photographs, student ID cards, records of attendance, cellphones and laptops from those allegedly involved in the fight.

It (the search) is going to be where the suspected altercation took place, Boatman said. Its going to be any physical places that any of these students involved have control of domain over, meaning their lockers or their desks.

A search warrant return included in court documents indicates that officers took photos and other evidence from the restroom where the fight occurred, as well as school records and other documents concerning the involved students.

Evidence collected from the search will accompany pending toxicology and other ancillary testing results, in addition to Benedicts official autopsy report, which will be available at a later date, police say.

Police are also investigating continued threats to Owasso Public Schools, as speculation and misinformation, cited by the school district, continue to spread amid public outcry over whether Benedict was the target of a hate crime.

Citing a longstanding policy, the FBI said it could neither confirm nor deny that a federal investigation is underway.

State officials have called for transparency in the investigation and for the public not to rush to judgment.

Sarah and I are saddened to learn of the death of Nex Benedict, and our hearts go out to Nexs family, classmates, and the Owasso community, Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a prepared statement. The death of any child in an Oklahoma school is a tragedy  and bullies must be held accountable. As we await the results of the investigation, I urge Owasso Police and Owasso Public Schools to be forthcoming and transparent with the public.

Losing a student is always extremely difficult, and we should be keeping the Owasso families, communities in our prayers, State Superintendent Ryan Walters said at the beginning of Thursdays State Board of Education. Its a heartbreaking tragedy, and its difficult to so many folks over there. We want to be there to comfort them as best we can.

Weve had a lot of folks that have rushed to have an opinion and judgment there in the wake of a tragedy. What I would ask is that we wait while theres little information available. Therell be more that comes out here over the next few weeks as law enforcement is doing their investigations, and  I think we need to wait for those things to be done before we pass judgment. And were always going to focus on the security and safety of our kids, so well be looking at that moving forward.

In a statement released by its attorneys, the Benedict family called on all school, local, state and national officials to join forces to determine why this happened, to hold those responsible to account and to ensure it never happens again.

According to the statement, the family is independently interviewing witnesses and collecting all available evidence.

Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement in a tweet Thursday evening, saying: "My heart goes out to Nex Benedict's family, friends, and their entire community.

"To the LGBTQI+ youth who are hurting and are afraid right now: President Joe Biden and I see you, we stand with you, and you are not alone."

My heart goes out to Nex Benedicts family, friends, and their entire community.



To the LGBTQI+ youth who are hurting and are afraid right now: President Joe Biden and I see you, we stand with you, and you are not alone.  Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) February 23, 2024
Curtis Killman Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Curtis Killman 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 parent of an East Central Middle School student has filed a negligence lawsuit against the school district after her child was beaten up after allegedly being asked to rat out a classmate.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Tulsa County District Court by Mica Montgomery against Tulsa Public Schools, seeks an unspecified amount of compensatory damages in excess of $75,000.

The lawsuit alleges that a seventh-grader at the middle school, whose parent is Montgomery, was attacked at school by other students in October 2022 after a school official asked her who had damaged another students property while in class.

Montgomery put the girl in online classes soon after, according to the lawsuit.

She just didnt feel like they were doing enough to keep her safe, said Tod Mercer, an attorney who filed the lawsuit on Montgomerys behalf.

The ordeal began Oct. 20, 2022, when during a class at the middle school a female student removed a video controller from another students backpack and broke it, according to the petition.

After the teacher was unable to figure out who broke the device, the assistant principal was contacted to help, according to the petition.

The assistant principal came to the class and asked Montgomerys child to step outside in the hallway, where she was asked about the incident, according to the petition.

The girl was afraid not to tell the assistant principal the truth, so she told the vice-principal who took it out of the backpack and broke it, according to the petition.

Mercer said his clients child was the only student questioned and is one of the good students who makes straight-As.

The assistant principal then immediately returned to the classroom and removed the student who had damaged the other students property and placed that student in detention, according to the petition.

Its just the simple fact that she basically outed her in public and started this whole process, Mercer said of the school official.

The petition alleges that after emerging from detention later that day, the student and her friends attacked Montgomerys child in a school hallway, knocking her to the floor while punching and kicking her in the face, head and body.

A one-minute video provided by Mercer to the Tulsa World depicts a school hallway crowded with students prior to two girls knocking another girl to the ground and then punching and kicking her and dragging her by her hair while other students looked on and cheered.

After being called to the school by officials, Montgomery took her daughter to a hospital emergency room after she complained of a headache and pain in her face and jaw, according to the petition.

As a result of the attack, (the girl) suffered severe injuries, both physically and emotionally, and she will continue to suffer from those injuries in the future, according to the petition.

The lawsuit claims that Montgomery was told that the students responsible for the assault had been permitted to return to school and that other students had warned the girl not to come back with them there.

Mercer said school officials actions resulted in the assault.

If you are going to do that, you have to do it in such a way that all of it is done in private, Mercer said, referring to the questioning of students.

Mercer said the child has been doing well in her online classes.

Weve got to do something about bullying in our schools, Mercer said. What we are doing is not enough. It is happening every day.

The lawsuits filing follows the Feb. 8 death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict, an Owasso Public Schools student who identified as nonbinary and used gender-neutral pronouns.

Benedict died one day after being assaulted in a school restroom.

Owasso police said Wednesday that autopsy results indicate that Benedict did not die from physical trauma.

Officials are hoping the results of toxicology tests will point to a cause of death.

Tulsa Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Vietnam is set to see the sharpest spike in wealth growth over the next decade as it cements its status as a global manufacturing hub, according to a report by global wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth and investment migration advisors Henley & Partners.

The country is forecast to see a 125-percent rise in wealth over the next 10 years, American pay television business news channel CNBC cited Andrew Amoils, an analyst at New World Wealth, as saying.

Vietnam is an increasingly popular manufacturing destination for multinational tech, automotive, electronics, clothing and textile firms, Amoils added.

The Southeast Asian country is perceived as a relatively safe country compared with other Asia-Pacific nations, which provides companies an extra incentive to set up manufacturing operations in the county.

A report from American management consulting firm McKinsey showed that Vietnams strategic locationsharing a land border with China and being close to major maritime trade routes, low labor costs, and infrastructure supporting exports have transformed Vietnam into a prime destination for international investment.

Vietnams 2023 GDP expanded 5.05 percent, lower than the 8.02 percent in 2022 due to dimmer global demand and stalled public investment. Manufacturing accounts for a quarter of the nations GDP.

Ten years ago, Vietnams GDP per capita was some US$2,190, which has surged to $4,100, according to the World Bank.

Vietnam is developing rapidly and most of the population is benefitting, Andy Ho, chief investment officer of VinaCapital Group told CNBC.

Ho added that Vietnam was benefitting from U.S.-China trade tensions.

Many multinational companies have been diversifying manufacturing to Vietnam, Ho noted.

As a result, foreign direct investment into Vietnam in 2023 soared 32 percent year on year.

However, the prolonged global recession could impact consumer demand in developed markets, then affecting Vietnams manufacturing and exports.

Nevertheless, Vietnam would be able to navigate the challenges in future. It would take a lot to derail the country from its current track of growth, Ho said.

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At least four people were killed in a fire that engulfed an apartment building in Valencia in eastern Spain and up to 15 were missing, local authorities said on Friday.

Television footage showed the building's facade ablaze, with burning segments falling to the pavement and small explosions audible inside. Witnesses said the fire, fanned by strong winds, spread to the entire building in half an hour.

Residents could be seen calling for help from balconies. A fireman had to jump from the first floor to a mattress below.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was on his way to the scene after expressing support for those affected and praising firefighters.

The fire began on Thursday evening on the fourth floor of the building in an affluent neighbourhood of Spain's third-largest city and spread to other apartments, emergency services said on X.

Emergency services work at the scene of a fire of apartment building in Valencia, Spain February 22, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Valencia's mayor, Maria Jose Catala, told reporters on Friday that four people had been confirmed dead, and from nine to 15 were missing.

Jorge Suarez, deputy head of emergency services in the Valencia region, said there appeared no risk of the structure collapsing for now, but firefighters were operating from outside.

Tackling the fire inside was not immediately possible, and the firefighters were first trying to cool the facade, he said.

The building had 14 floors with hundreds of apartments, local media said.

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire on an apartment building in Valencia, Spain February 22, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Pilar Bernabe, government representative for the region of Valencia, said it was hard to say how many people were missing because it was "a building with many flats, flats in which there were people of foreign nationality, whose location is more difficult to pinpoint."

Esther Punchades, a representative of insurance inspection agency APCAS, told state broadcaster TVE a lack of firewalls and the use of the plastic material polyurethane on the facade would have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.

The spread of a fatal fire in the Grenfell Tower block in London in 2017 after an electrical fault was blamed on the use of highly flammable external cladding.

The city has decreed three days of mourning and suspended the start of a month-long annual festival.

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire on an apartment building in Valencia, Spain February 22, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Emergency services work at the scene of a fire of apartment building in Valencia, Spain February 22, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Police officers work at the scene of a fire of apartment building in Valencia, Spain February 22, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Four military officers are going to take part in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Abyei area, bringing the total number of Vietnamese officers engaged in such missions so far to over 790, the Ministry of National Defense reported.

These four officers received the decisions issued by Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong to join UN missions at a ceremony held by the ministry in Hanoi on Thursday.

Among them, Lieutenant Colonel Ly Thanh Tam, from the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, will take on the position of commander of the Vietnam peacekeeping force cum head of the working group at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Major Luc Thai Ha, from the Coast Guard Command, will act as an intelligence analysis officer at the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Captain Vu Quang Khai, also from the Coast Guard Command, and Captain Nguyen Tien Thanh, a naval officer, will jointly serve as military observers at the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) Mission.

The Abyei area, covering about 10,000 square kilometers, is a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan.

All four officers have received a letter of approval from the UN and are ready to be deployed to the aforementioned missions for their assigned tasks in the coming time, the ministry said.

This is the first deployment of the Vietnam Peoples Army forces to participate in UN peacekeeping operations this year, said Deputy Minister of National Defense Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien, who is also head of the ministrys steering board of Vietnams UN peacekeeping operations, at the ceremony.

The official asked the four officers to make good preparations for their trips, try their best to successfully accomplish all assigned tasks, and closely coordinate with local forces.

After 10 years of engaging in UN peacekeeping activities, Vietnam has sent 792 professional officers and soldiers to join UN peacekeeping missions as individuals and units, and all of them have fulfilled their assigned duties and responsibilities.

Of the total 83 officers returning home after their terms of office, 25 were awarded certificates of merit by the UN for successfully completing their duties, according to the ministry.

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Chinese language training launched to enhance police capacity in Ethiopia

Xinhua) 10:17, February 23, 2024

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute of Addis Ababa University launched Chinese language training for law enforcement personnel in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Wednesday, aiming to enhance cultural exchanges and collaborate on security matters with the East African country.

Organized by the Ethiopian Police University, the language proficiency training will run for three months with about 24 police officers selected from different departments. They will attend the training at the headquarters of the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Shen Qinmin, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said the language courses will help enhance cross-cultural knowledge between the peoples of the two countries and bridge communication gaps between the police and Chinese nationals in Ethiopia.

"Through the language training, the law enforcement officers will get acquainted with more Chinese cultures and serve the Chinese community better," he said.

Noting that China and Ethiopia share ancient civilizations, Shen said the training program is part of the all-weather strategic partnership reached between China and Ethiopia during a recent visit by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to China. This training program is a lively embodiment of the strategic partnership.

After finishing the three-month training, Shen said he hopes that the trainees will be able to learn more about Chinese culture and build up their communication capacity to serve Ethiopian and Chinese societies with compassion and integrity.

President of the Ethiopian Police University Mesfin Abebe said on the occasion that the Chinese language training program will help strengthen the strategic partnership between Ethiopia and China and enhance their people-to-people relations.

Noting that Ethiopia and China are enjoying growing and multifaceted cooperation, the president said the federal police will provide necessary protection to Chinese investments in Ethiopia for mutual benefits.

"Having the Chinese language training here will enable our police officers to understand Chinese culture and civilization and foster China-Africa cooperation," Abebe said.

Appreciating Chinese discipline and law enforcement operations, Abebe said the Ethiopian law enforcement bodies would like to adopt those disciplines, work culture, and practices to strengthen the police service in the country.

Elsa Wasu, a member of the crime investigation department of the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission, is one of the few women police officers attending the Chinese language training in Addis Ababa. Wasu spoke of the communication gaps she encountered while offering services to Chinese nationals in Ethiopia.

"We had to look for an interpreter when the Chinese nationals approached us, looking for our services. After I attend the Chinese language courses, I hope I will serve them well and get the right results," she added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A 108-story financial skyscraper, part of a US$4.2-billion smart city project in Dong Anh District, Hanoi, may impact civil flight operations at Noi Bai International Airport, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).

The CAAVs opinion was included in a statement the Hanoi administration sent to the Ministry of Transport.

According to the municipal authorities, North Hanoi Smart City Development Investment JSC, the investor of the project, is completing procedures for the development of the project.

The smart city project was approved with an aim to develop a new smart urban area with a modern financial, banking, trade and service center.

The 108-story financial tower was planned to be developed on a 133,279-square-meter land lot and have a height of 639 meters. It was expected to become the tallest building in Vietnam.

Buildings with a height of below 354 meters do not affect flight operations at Noi Bai International Airport, according to CAAV.

The authority asked the Hanoi administration to consider the importance of the financial tower project.

If it persists in building the tower, the investor and consulting units of the project must coordinate with the Department of Operations under the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, CAAV and Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation to review the accuracy of data of the project, study and assess the impact of the project, consider adjusting the designed height of the tower or flight operations at Noi Bai International Airport.

According to the Hanoi Peoples Committee, the 108-story financial tower is in line with the city's approved urban planning.

The city approved and supported the design of the tower as a world-class project.

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An international conference on digital transaction platforms in Asia kicked off in Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam on Wednesday with participation of 130 scientists from 12 countries and territories.

The fifth edition of the event, entitled Digital transaction platforms in Asia, was organized at the Interdisciplinary Center for International Science and Education (ICISE) in the provincial capital city of Quy Nhon.

The two-day conference mainly focused on policy management and applications related to the electronic transactions and e-commerce field.

The research results presented at the event will be used to assess the current state of management and development of electronic transactions in both major and emerging economies in Asia, providing profound insight into the field, which is considered as increasingly essential and crucial, especially amid the current push for digital economic and social development.

Associate Professor Adrian Athique from the University of Queensland in Australia, head of the event organizing committee, said the conference served as an opportunity for international and Vietnamese scientists to maintain existing interdisciplinary collaboration networks and initiate new ones.

The event also provided a platform for young Vietnamese scientists, graduate students, and researchers to seek opportunities for learning and gaining experience to enhance their professional capabilities and develop their career paths, he added.

Associate Professor Adrian Athique from the University of Queensland in Australia delivers a speech at the scientific event, February 21, 2024. Photo: Lam Thien / Tuoi Tre

Major countries have witnessed dramatic changes in digital transactions. In Vietnam, cashless payments are increasingly preferred, the University of Queensland scholar shared.

Scientists at the event also talked about how small-business owners and vendors in Vietnams rural areas can get easier access to digital transactions without overwhelming the infrastructure system, according to Athique.

Those who seek to engage in e-commerce platforms and digital transactions should learn skills to broaden their customer base and manage and meet customers expectations via e-commerce platforms, he suggested.

He highlighted that the central government and banks should take action to ensure digital transactions among local people remain safe, understandable, and trustworthy.

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Border guards in Ca Mau Province, southern Vietnam have apprehended eight men for allegedly using homemade guns, crossbows, stones, and other items to attack several fishing boats operating at sea, leaving one fisherman injured, authorities confirmed on Thursday.

The attack happened during a dispute over fishing grounds between a watercraft equipped with a powerful engine and other fishing vessels in the waters off Ca Mau at midday on Wednesday, according to the Khanh Tien border guard agency in U Minh District.

Seven people aboard the watercraft, steered by Nguyen Hai Dang, shot lead bullets and iron balls using the homemade guns and crossbows, as well as threw stones and snail shells at the other fishing boats registered in neighboring Kien Giang Province.

Consequently, one fisherman on a fishing boat from Kien Giang was wounded by a gunshot to the arm.

Border guards were immediately called to the scene of the dispute.

While the border guards were hunting for the attackers, Nguyen Quoc Nghi, aged 31, Duong Nhat Hao, aged 22, and Truong Hoai Linh, aged 27 threw the guns and crossbows into the sea to destroy evidence.

Around 30 minutes laters, border guards managed to capture the eight suspects along with possible items linked to the attack, such as crossbows, lead bullets, iron balls.

These suspects, who said they were residents of Ca Maus Tran Van Thoi District, were required to undergo a drug test, with Nguyen Manh Gioi, aged 18, getting a positive result.

They were then transferred to the police unit in Tran Van Thoi for further investigation.

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Police in Hanoi on Thursday detained a suspect for damaging 40 graves at a cemetery in Tay Mo Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, sparking public concern, a local police officer told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday.

The suspect, born in 2008, shows signs of a minor mental illness.

The police are further investigating the case.

The administration in Tay Mo Ward on Monday received reports of vandalized graves. The ward authorities and police rushed to the scene to investigate the case.

At night on the same day, more graves were hammered.

D.V.C, a 63-resident in Tay Mo Ward, said the grave of his family member was damaged.

Since then, his family has visited the cemetery regularly to prevent similar cases.

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A UK court has given a three-year jail term to a Romanian man for hiding six Vietnamese and one Syrian in his vans one-man sleeping compartment in an attempt to illegally smuggle them into Britain, according to the British Embassy in Vietnam.

Romanian National Valeriu Iordatii, 24, received the sentence from the Chelmsford Crown Court for facilitating illegal entry into the UK, the embassy announced on Thursday.

British authorities provided video evidence showing how Iordatii squeezed the seven migrants into the Citroens 8ft x 4ft space before boarding a ferry from the Hook of Holland in the Netherlands to Harwich, Essex County, England on December 16, 2023.

Border Force officers at Harwich International Port searched the van and discovered the seven migrants in the sleeping compartment.

If anything had happened on that ferry, seven people would have been unaccounted for and trapped, said Chris Foster, Deputy Director of Criminal and Financial Investigations at the UK Home Office.

Iordatii claimed he had no idea that the small compartment was filled with people despite it being directly above his head.

The young man claimed that an old friend of his in France offered him a job driving the Citroen to the UK to deliver goods.

Two of the migrants claimed asylum upon entry, while the remaining five did not and were considered illegal entrants, so they were immediately sent back to the Netherlands, the embassy said.

Since being treated as a foreign national offender, Iordatii will be deported from the UK after he completes his sentence.

This shocking case shows that people smugglers are going to increasingly extreme lengths to make their money, Foster commented, adding that those who abuse the UKs borders and laws will be caught, face justice, and possibly be removed from the country.

Minister for Illegal Migration Michael Tomlinson stressed that human smugglers only care about earning money from their passengers, not whether those passengers live or die.

Our message is clear  if you put lives at risk, you will face the full weight of the law and we will ensure you leave the UK as soon as possible, he stated.

Many similar incidents have been recorded recently in the UK.

Ipswich Crown Court earlier this month sentenced a man to two years and eight months in prison for illegally smuggling people across the border on an overloaded small yacht.

At the end of January, the Canterbury Court gave a 2.5-year jail term to another man who attempted to illegally bring a Vietnamese woman into the UK by hiding her behind the 4ft x 2ft dashboard of his car.

From early 2023 until 30 November of the same year, British immigration enforcement forces arrested over 246 persons for people smuggling into the country, of which 124 were convicted, according to the UK Home Office.

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New Stan drama series The Tattooist of Auschwitz, starring Harvey Keitel and Melanie Lynskey premieres in May.

The six-part limited drama series, based on the international best-selling novel by Heather Morris, is inspired by the real-life story of Lali and Gita Sokolov, who met while prisoners in the Auschwitz concentration camp during the Holocaust of World War II.

The trailer shows an older Lali (Harvey Keitel) retelling his experiences of Auschwitz to Heather Morris (Melanie Lynskey) as we journey with him through his memories of that time. We also see younger Lali (Jonah Hauer-King) as he meets and falls in love with Gita (Anna Prochniak).

The trailer includes an original score from composer Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve, who have also composed the soundtrack for the series.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is the story of one man, Lali (Hauer-King), a Slovakian Jew, who, in 1942, is deported to Auschwitz, the concentration camp where over a million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust.

Shortly after arrival, Lali is made one of the Tatowierer (tattooists), charged to ink identification numbers onto fellow prisoners arms. One day, he meets Gita (Prochniak) when tattooing her prisoner number on her arm, leading to a love that defies the horrors around them. So begins a courageous and unforgettable story. Under constant guard from a volatile Nazi SS officer Stefan Baretzki (Jonas Nay), Lali and Gita become determined to keep each other alive.

Around 60 years later, Lali (Keitel) now in his 80s, meets aspiring writer Heather Morris (Lynskey). Recently widowed, Lali finds the courage to tell the world his story. In recounting his past to Heather, Lali finally confronts the traumatic ghosts of his youth and relives his memories of falling in love in the darkest of places.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is executive produced by Claire Mundell through her company Synchronicity Films in association with Sky Studios, Stan Australia and All3Media International.

Australian Jacquelin Perske is Executive Producer and lead writer for The Tattooist of Auschwitz alongside episode writers Evan Placey (Associate Producer) and Gabbie Asher. Serena Thompson is Executive Producer for Sky Studios. Cailah Scobie and Amanda Duthie are Executive Producers for Stan. The Tattooist of Auschwitz will air on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Ireland and on Peacock in the US. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution and All3Media International jointly handling international sales of the series. The series will be available from May 2nd on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW in the UK and Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and Peacock in the US.

Thursday May 2 on Stan.
A 28-year-old police officer is set to be charged with two counts of murder, after Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies disappeared from the citys eastern suburbs earlier this week, police say.

Detectives were searching for NSW Police officer Beau Lamarre and a white van after the two men were last officially seen in Paddington on Monday evening.

Mr Lamarre presented himself to Bondi Police station shortly after 10:30am on Friday.

He will be formally refused bail by police and is expected to face court today or tomorrow.

Detectives located a projectile which has been discharged which was matched to a police firearm.

Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said the loved ones of Luke Davies and former 10 reporter Jessie Baird have just been informed they have been killed, but police are yet to locate them.

Police allege Lamarre, who is currently assisting police with their inquires at Waverley Police Station, used a white van he drove to Newcastle to dispose of the bodies.

Beau Lamarre, previously a celebrity blogger, had been in a relationship with Jesse Baird which ended several months ago. But Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said he couldnt confirm a motive before charges were to be laid.

We allege the 28-year-old male is solely responsible, Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said.

Luke Davies, 29, and Jesse Baird, 26, were last officially seen on Monday evening in Paddington, and police held grave concerns after a significant amount of blood was found in Mr Bairds Brown Street home.

The search of the house was prompted after a worker putting rubbish into a skip-bin in Cronulla on Wednesday found a number of bloodied items that appeared to be unusual, Detective Superintendent Jodi Radmore said.

Jesse Baird (pictured right) worked for Network 10 for more than seven years, including reporting with Studio 10 and presenting Totally Wild, while his boyfriend, Mr Davies, worked full-time as a Qantas flight attendant.

Source: ABC, Daily Telegraph ,
Alaska Energy Metals Corporation

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) (AEMC or the Company) announces that, subject to TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V) Approval, it has extended marketing contracts with two service providers and entered into new contracts with two other providers. In accordance with TSX-V Policy 3.4 - Investor Relations, Promotional and Market-Making Activities, details of each new engagement or renewal are discussed below.



Virtus Media Group LLC (Virtus)

Further to the Companys news release of November 6, 2023, the Company has renewed its engagement of Virtus to provide content creation and digital marketing services for a renewed period of 1.5 months, commencing in February 2024 until March 2024 for a total cost of USD $75,000 (approximately CAD$101,737), which shall be paid upfront. The services rendered by Virtus will include Reddit distributions, featured editorials, influencer videos, social media posts and live Discord community events, industry deep dives, and educational posts. Virtus is an Illinois-based company that is headed by CEO Austin Wynn. As of the date hereof, to the Company's knowledge, Virtus (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arms length relationship with the Company. The Company will not issue any securities to Virtus as compensation for its marketing services. For more information on the Companys engagement of Virtus, please refer to its news release of November 6, 2023.

Black Swan Solutions Inc. DBA VHLA Media (VHLA)

The Company has retained VHLA to provide content creation and digital and video marketing services for an anticipated period of three months, commencing on or around March 1, 2024, for a total cost of CAD $102,500 plus GST, which will be paid upfront to VHLA by the Company. VHLA will, as appropriate, prepare and distribute social media content & ads, influencer marketing, landing pages, and CEO interviews. VHLA is a British Columbia-based company headed by Dawson Ignatieff and Adam Emes. The promotional activity may occur on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Reddit, as determined by the Company and VHLA. As of the date hereof, to the Company's knowledge, VHLA (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arms length relationship with the Company. The Company will not issue any securities to VHLA as compensation for its marketing services.

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MMG Market Medium GmbH & Co. KG. (MMG)

Further to its news release on July 6, 2023 and January 23, 2024, the Company has amended its previously announced renewed Marketing Services Contract with MMG through an Amending Agreement (the MMG Amending Agreement). Pursuant to the terms of the MMG Amending Agreement, the Company will provide MMG a marketing expenditure budget of 350,000 (approximately CAD $509,000) for its renewed MMG term, instead of the previously contemplated marketing expenditure budget of 150,000. Of the 350,000 marketing budget, MMG shall retain a service fee for the extended term of the Marketing Service Contract of 15% of the total marketing expenditure budget (approximately 52,500 or CAD$76,723). MMG is a service provider in the field of online marketing and investor relations services specializing in the European market and is based in Germany. MMG will provide German-translated text materials, including text and display advertisements, advertorials with Company-provided publicly disclosed information, and general information on the nickel and battery metals sector. The firm will create specialized and structured campaigns and ad groups, optimize online advertising for detailed keyword research, and identify possible target groups of potential shareholders. For more information about the Companys engagement of MMG, please refer to its news releases dated July 6, 2023, December 8, 2023, and January 23, 2024. As of the date hereof, to the Company's knowledge, MMG (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arms length relationship with the Company. The Company will not issue any securities to MMG as compensation for its marketing service.

Sydney Knight

The Company has retained a Vancouver, British Columbia-based individual named Sydney Knight to provide investor relations services such as attending marketing events and conferences on behalf of the Company, handling prospective investor inquiries, and building relationships with prospective investors commencing on or around February 20, 2024 until December 31, 2024. Ms. Knight shall be paid a monthly fee of $3,000. Additionally, Ms. Knight shall be granted 75,000 stock options within 30 days following her appointment. The stock options will have a vesting schedule in accordance with TSX-V Policy 4.4  Security Based Compensation and will have a term of five (5) years and a strike price equal to the market closing price on the date of issuance As of the date hereof, to the Company's knowledge, Ms. Knight does not own any securities of the Company and has an arms length relationship with the Company. Besides the aforementioned stock options, the Company will not issue any securities to Ms. Knight as compensation for her services.

For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/

ABOUT ALASKA ENERGY METALS

Alaska Energy Metals Corporation is focused on delineating and developing a large polymetallic exploration target containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chrome, iron, platinum, palladium, and gold. Located in central Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, the Nikolai Nickel project is well-situated to become a significant, domestic source of critical and strategic energy-related metals for the American market. The Company is also developing the Angliers nickel project in Quebec.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Gregory Beischer

Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO

Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164

Sarah Mawji, Public Relations

Final Edit Media and Public Relations

Email: sarah@finaleditpr.com

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, that (a) AEMC will obtain TSX-V approval for the marketing and investor awareness engagements (b) the terms and timelines of the second round of the investor awareness campaign will proceed as originally contemplated. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

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 press release.




By Tom Balmforth

KYIV (Reuters) - Denmark became the latest NATO member to sign a 10-year agreement on security cooperation with Ukraine on Friday, the eve of the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Italy and the Netherlands said they were planning to sign soon.

WHAT ARE THESE SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS?

The Group of Seven wealthy nations signed a joint declaration at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July last year committing to establish "long-term security commitments and arrangements" with Ukraine that would be negotiated bilaterally.

The deals would promise continued provision of military and security aid, support to develop Ukraine's defence industrial base, training Ukrainian soldiers, intelligence-sharing and cooperation, and support for cyber defence.

The sides would also immediately hold consultations withKyiv to determine "appropriate next steps" in the event of a"future Russian armed attack".

More than 30 countries have since signed the declaration.

WOULD THIS BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP?

Kyiv says the arrangements should contain important andconcrete security commitments, but that the agreements would inno way to replace its strategic goal of joining NATO. The Western alliance regards any attack launched on one of its 31 members as an attack on all under its Article Five clause.

"There has been speculation that by concluding enough ofthese agreements, we do not need membership. False. We need NATOmembership," said Ihor Zhovkva, the Ukrainian president'sforeign affairs adviser.

WHO HAS SIGNED DEALS SO FAR?

Germany and France signed agreements on security commitments with Ukraine when President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited Berlin and Paris earlier this month.

Britain in January became the first country to sign one of the security agreements with Ukraine for a term of 10 years, bywhich time Kyiv hopes to be inside NATO.

London said the deal formalised a range of support that it "has been and will continue to provide for Ukraine's security, including intelligence-sharing, cyber security, medical and military training, and defence industrial cooperation".

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WHICH OTHER COUNTRIES ARE SET TO SIGN DEALS?

Ukraine has held at least two rounds of talks on theagreements with all the G7 countries, Zhovkva said.

More than 10 countries are in the active stage of talks or potentially starting soon, he added. The additional countries include Romania, Poland and the Netherlands.

The Netherlands said on Friday it would soon sign a 10-year security deal with Ukraine for continued military support, help in reconstruction and the improvement of its cyberdefences.

"Without Western support, Ukraine as we know it will cease to exist," Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot said. "The Russian threat will move closer, putting pressure on the stability and safety of our continent."

WHAT DOES UKRAINE WANT FROM THE DEALS?

Ukraine's Zhovkva singled out as "very important" theprovision in the British deal under which consultations could beheld within 24 hours to provide swift and sustained aid.

This, he said, went beyond the "infamous" 1994 BudapestMemorandum under which Ukraine was provided with security"assurances" by Britain, Russia and the United States in returnfor relinquishing nuclear weapons from its territory.

"We do not want to repeat the infamous experience of theBudapest declaration, which remained just a declaration," hesaid.

Zhovkva said there was no need for Ukraine to rush to agreedeals. "I don't need 10 or 15 agreements concluded within oneweek. Rather, I would have this same 10 or 15 agreements deeplythought over, well-negotiated and with concrete signs oflong-term and varied support for Ukraine."

(Additional reporting by Olena Harmash; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Helena Cobban in the Boston Review:

Just days before October 7, President Joe Bidens national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, was radiating confidence that Washington had effectively brought all of West Asias long-roiling conflicts under control. Washington could now, he believed, accelerate the pivot of attention, forces, and funding toward what had long topped Bidens agenda: containing Chinese power in East Asia. Then came the Hamas-led attack on Israel and Israels onslaught on Gaza. By late January, Sullivan was flying to Bangkok to plead with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi for help in defusing the sharp, Gaza-spurred conflict that had erupted in the globally vital waterway of the Red Sea. (Wang politely blew him off.)

Over the past four months, the United States has become increasingly isolated on the world stage.

More here.
French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his Armenian counterpart Suren Papikyan hold a joint press conference in Yerevan (KAREN MINASYAN)

France and Armenia on Friday hailed growing military cooperation as Armenian leader Nikol Pashinyan seeks to reduce his small country's dependence on former master Russia.

In an interview with French media, Pashinyan said Armenia had put on ice its participation in a Russia-led security bloc, while France's Sebastien Lecornu travelled to Armenia on the first such trip by a French defence minister to the South Caucasus nation.

Diplomatic tensions are high between France and Azerbaijan, which arrested a Frenchman on espionage charges in December.

And a rift is growing between Moscow and Yerevan, which has become angry with the Kremlin over its inaction over Armenia's long-running confrontation with Azerbaijan.

"Armenia has adopted the idea of modernising the army. We are going to use our own means and the help of partner states," Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan said in Yerevan alongside Lecornu.

Lecornu said Armenia was "turning to partners who really provide security".

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Caucasus country has relied on Russia for its military and economic support, and also hosts a Russian military base.

But many Armenians say they cannot forgive Moscow for shirking its responsibility to defend their country militarily against Turkey-allied Azerbaijan.

Analysts say Moscow, which invaded Ukraine in 2022, does not want to hurt ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought two wars, in the 1990s and in 2020, before Azerbaijani forces last September retook control of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in a lightning offensive that ended three decades of Armenian separatist rule over the enclave.

Pashinyan has warned that now Azerbaijan is preparing for a "full-scale war" with Armenia, whose population is around three million people.

- 'Peace and stability' -

On Friday, Armenia agreed a deal for the purchase of precision rifles from French arms manufacturer PGM, though its price tag was not disclosed.

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In October 2023, France announced the sale of defence equipment -- three radar systems and night vision goggles -- to Armenia, provoking anger from Azerbaijan.

"Armenian-French defence cooperation and joint efforts are exclusively aimed at establishing long-term peace and stability in the South Caucasus region, as well as at developing the defence capabilities of Armenian's armed forces," the defence ministry in Yerevan said.

Azerbaijan has slammed France's policy of "militarisation" in the Caucasus.

Analysts say both Moscow and Baku are carefully watching Armenia's growing cooperation with France.

This week French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern about a "risk of escalation" between Armenia and Azerbaijan as he received Pashinyan in Paris.

France is home to a large Armenian diaspora, and this week a stateless Armenian poet, who died fighting the Nazi occupation of France during World War II, became the first non-French Resistance fighter to enter the Pantheon mausoleum for national heroes.

- 'Risky game' -

In an interview with broadcaster France 24, Pashinyan said Armenia was suspending its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a Moscow-led defence pact that comprises several former Soviet republics.

Pashinyan said that the CSTO "had not fulfilled" its obligations in relation to Armenia.

"We have effectively frozen our participation in this organisation," he said. "We will see what happens tomorrow."

He also accused Moscow of leading a "coordinated propaganda campaign" against him and his government.

The Kremlin said Friday that it had not received confirmation that Armenia was putting on hold its membership in the pact.

"I have a feeling that Nikol Pashinyan is going all-in, demonstrating that he has found a serious military shoulder to lean on in Armenia's confrontation with Azerbaijan," political analyst Arkady Dubnov told AFP.

"Pashinyan is playing a risky geopolitical game by shifting responsibility on Macron."

Analyst Tigran Yegavian said Azerbaijan would continue to "nibble away" at Armenia's territory.

"The question is whether French military support can act as a deterrent."

mdr-as/ah/js
The actress seemingly purchased the expensive bag when she was a teenage Disney star working on 'Lizzie McGuire'

Jon Kopaloff/Getty; Hilary Duff/ Instagram

Hilary Duff just pulled out an old accessory from the back of her closet: a Birkin bag!

On her Instagram story, the actress shared a photo of the iconic purse sitting on the bench at the end of her bed. The bag appears to be Hermes Blue Zellige Togo Birkin 35cm Gold Hardware and features gold detailing, including a gold-plated lock hanging on the strap. The bag usually sells for around $25,000,

"Bought this girl almost 20 years ago in Paris and decided to dust her off and let her see the light of day for our weekend away. So cute," Duff, 36, captioned the Instagram story, meaning she purchased the bag around her 16th birthday when she was a Disney star on the hit Lizzie McGuire.

Hilary Duff/ Instagram

Related: Hilary Duff's 6 Secrets to Dressing for Her Petite Frame

Back in 2011, the mom was spotted in Los Angeles, Calif., rocking the same oversize brightly-hued bag. At the time she paired it with a salmon-colored, sheer sweater, jeans, a ponytail and statement earrings.

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.

GONZALO/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Related: Hilary Duffs Crossbody Bag Reminds Us of This $22 Amazon Bag with 23,000+ Five-Star Ratings

More recently Duff has opted for bags that give off a more casual-mom vibe. In 2016, she spoke to PEOPLE more about her style secrets including how the bags she's used have changed over the years.

"I'm not into giant bags. I think I got over big ones when I was carrying around a diaper bag all the time," she said. "Now I'm more into a comfy cross-body bagomigod, I'm such a mom! I just don't carry that much stuff around anymore. I even like a clutch for daytime. It doesn't need to be sparkly, but it looks cute with a pair of jeans and a blazer."

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Fast forward to present day, and the How I Met Your Father star, who is expecting her fourth child, is dressing for comfort. She shared on Instagram recently that she can no longer fit into a pair of her favorite jeans thanks to her growing belly.

Hilary Duff/ Instagram

These perfect vintage Levis carried me through this pregnancy as long as they could, she wrote over the photo, adding that she needed to come for a visit while tagging clothing store With Love, Lenny.



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Read the original article on People.
The meeting at the UN was held as Ukraine prepares to mark the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion (Yuki IWAMURA)

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Russia at the UN General Assembly on Friday of ignoring the will of the world as its war against Kyiv enters a third year.

The meeting was held as Ukraine prepares to mark the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion while vital aid remains blocked by the US Congress and Russia is emboldened by fresh gains in recent weeks.

Despite speeches by prominent Western foreign ministers, there will be no vote on the conflict as there was last year as the UN is preoccupied by the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

This time a year ago the General Assembly called for an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops with an overwhelming majority of member states, 141 countries, voting in favor with just seven against.

But a diplomatic source told AFP that the "mood has changed" over the past year and that "Arab countries will remember how Ukraine voted on Gaza" after Kyiv abstained on votes calling for an immediate ceasefire in the General Assembly.

"Russia ignores the will of the global majority. It continues its aggression, and throws more and more men into the flames of war," Kuleba said.

"We can also see that in these two years, global security has only deteriorated. More and more wars and conflicts are flaring up across the globe. One of the reasons for this is the bleeding wound in the heart of Europe."

Kuleba said Ukraine was "actively working" to prepare for a global peace summit to be hosted in Switzerland, but Russia called the initiative "futile."

Switzerland's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis invited all member states to join the talks which he said should be held before the summer.

- On the side of the Ukraine -

But Russia's ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya dismissed the initiative as useless.

"One should not waste time on Kyiv's futile plans to negotiate on the basis of (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelesnky's so-called 'peace formula'," he said.

Story continues

"It's nothing other than an ultimatum and attempt to lure as many countries as possible into endless meetings on this utopian project at any price possible."

Ukraine relies on Western military backing to defend itself against Russian attacks, which have accelerated as Moscow seeks to take advantage of Kyiv's stretched resources on the battlefield.

Western leaders are descending on the country this weekend in a show of support for Kyiv as the war grinds on and two years of fighting a bigger and richer army takes a toll on Ukraine's stretched forces.

"I am grateful to all UN member states, who have consistently supported important general assembly calls condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine and urging Moscow to cease hostilities," Kuleba said at the UN.

"This assembly has demonstrated on numerous occasions that the global majority stands on the side of Ukraine."

Kyiv warned Friday that Russia is intensifying attacks around the new "hot spot" of Maryinka, a town to the west of the Moscow-controlled stronghold of Donetsk city.

The Russian army said this week it had also captured the eastern village of Pobeda and that its troops were "moving westwards" after capturing Avdiivka.

abd-gw/md
Cocoa beans on wooden surface - Carlosgaw/Getty Images

Picture this: You're peeling back the plastic on your favorite chocolate bar, ready to indulge in a sweet treat you've craved all day. But have you ever stopped, taken a look at that chocolate, and wondered how it got from the plant to your hands? It's all thanks to the production and harvesting of cocoa, most of which comes from the Ivory Coast in Africa (also known as Cote d'Ivoire).

In fact, three of the world's top five cocoa-producing countries are in Africa. After Ivory Coast, cocoa production mostly comes from Ghana, Indonesia, Ecuador, and Cameroon, with Ivory Coast and Ghana producing two-thirds of the world's cocoa. The process starts with the cacao plant, a tree whose seeds house cocoa beans. It takes up to six months for a cacao plant to be harvest-ready, and once it is, those beans are stripped and turned into that delicious, smooth dessert we know as chocolate. But if you're a big-time chocolate lover, you might be disappointed to learn that cocoa prices skyrocketed in 2023 after heavy rainfall in West Africa caused damage concerns among a large number of the plants. The 2023 shortage resulted in about 25% fewer cocoa crops, and the shortage will likely carry into 2024.

Read more: 8 Chocolate Bars That Are Totally Different Outside The US

Ivory Coast Produces More Cocoa Than Any Other Country

Farmer cutting cocoa pods - Bloomberg/Getty Images

Ivory Coast produces over two million metric tons of cocoa each year. For the most part, crops are harvested during two parts of the year: October through February, then again from May through August. Certain countries in Africa boast an optimal climate for cacao plants; they need consistently warm temperatures to grow -- somewhere between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 degrees Fahrenheit -- so only countries within about 20 degrees longitude of the equator have warm enough climates suitable for this plant. Plus, cacao plants need plenty of moisture in the air, as well as frequent rainfall to produce the best crop, all of which are found in Ivory Coast's climate.

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Without these specific weather conditions, cacao can't grow well, which explains why only certain countries can produce the plant. In Ivory Coast, the rainy season runs from April to October; according to Brittanica, the rainfall totals around 45-60 inches in just a six-month span (for comparison, the average rainfall for the whole year in the US contiguous states was just 28 inches in all of 2022, per the National Centers for Environmental Information).

Rising Temperatures Could Impact Ivory Coast's Cocoa Production

Cocoa beans drying out - Bloomberg/Getty Images

While chocolate might not seem like a notable treat, the harsh reality is that it could become harder to find -- and more expensive -- as the years go on. Ivory Coast's average temperatures are slowly increasing, but the rainfall production isn't matching up. In the next 30 years, the country will see its average temperature increase by about four degrees Fahrenheit. While that doesn't seem like a lot, it's enough to alter the plants' growth. Since more moisture will evaporate from the cacao plants in higher temperatures and rainfall measurements are staying the same, the plants could dry out and affect production.

It's also estimated that Ivory Coast farmers will have to shift their crops to higher elevations in order to account for the temperature difference. Ideal conditions are currently an average of 575 feet above sea level, but by 2050, those ideal conditions will be found at an average of 1,550 feet above sea level. The result could be fewer crops and higher prices, with the potential for chocolate to eventually become extinct.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
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For Lasting Peace, Zionism Must End

Zionism, like all racist colonial ideologies, operates with a zero-sum approach to their relationship with the natives of colonized land: dominance through ethnic cleansing and genocide. Read More

Friday February 23, 2024 9:53 AM , Dr. Ramzy Baroud

[Image: Wirestock Creators / Shtterstock.com]

The problem is not the absence of a Palestinian State, but Zionism itself.

What is the use of a Palestinian state, if Zionism, as a racist, exclusivist ideology continues to define Israel, and impose that definition on the Palestinians?

This ideology calls for racial purity of Jews in Palestine, of course, at the expense of the native inhabitants of the land. To achieve this, millions of Palestinians had to be forced into exile, hundreds of thousands needed to be killed, wounded or incarcerated.

Neither two states, nor even one state is possible if Zionism is not entirely defeated  not revamped, not fixed, but eradicated.

As Palestinians are being killed in unprecedentedly large numbers in Gaza, western politicians are waking up to the necessity of a Palestinian state.

But why now? After all, it was these very politicians and their governments that either defended or remained silent as Israel thwarted every possibility of peaceful co-existence.

Theirs is not a moral awakening , but a distraction, to appear  at least before their own people  to be proactive, while Israel is systematically destroying the Palestinian people.

Former UNRWA official, Chris Gunnes, said about the Israeli war on Gaza that this is the first genocide in the history of humanity that is livestreamed on television.

The genocide is worsening now that Palestinians are starting to die from starvation, while an even larger number is dying from disease and polluted water, aside, of course, from those being blown up or shot by Israel.

For the likes of David Cameron, Britains Foreign Minister, to talk about the recognition of a Palestinian state as absolutely vital for long-term peace, is bewildering, to say the least. Those struggling to survive daily are hardly concerned about yet more empty western promises.

The genocide underway in Gaza tells us that the issue is not merely political, but an ideological one. And, while western leaders speak of long-term peace, Israel entrenches its system of violence and apartheid.

There cannot be a situation in which children and women approach us from the wall. Anyone () must receive a bullet, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on February 12.

In Gaza, the violence is far more sickening. Euro-Med Monitor, a rights group, reported on February 12 that groups of ten to twenty Israeli civilians at a time were permitted to watch and laughingly film Palestinian prisoners and detainees in their underwear as they were tortured and abused by Israeli soldiers.

There can be no rational political justification for any of this.

All of this  the language of genocide, the genocide itself and the threats of committing a greater genocide  is rooted, not in a rational political theory, but in Zionism.

Also Read

Gaza Genocide is Imperialist Barbarism in its Most Brutal Form

The problem keeps getting worse because we refuse to address it head-on. In fact, many are doing the exact opposite. For example, western governments have passed  or are passing  laws equating between criticism of Zionism and anti-Semitism. Even Facebook wants to ban the use of the term Zionist if it is critical of Israel.

When Israeli Heritage Minister, Amichai Eliyahu, threatened, on November 5, to drop a nuclear bomb on Gaza , he was condemned by many merely for his inappropriate language, not the act itself. Some Israeli officials also criticized Eliyahu as well, only for damaging Israels international reputation.

The Israeli Minister, however, was not simply talking out of anger. He meant it, because Israels behavior in Gaza, since then, has demonstrated that such willingness to kill Palestinians en masse actually exists.

Zionists are ready to do anything to survive, and their survival is wholly dependent on the erasure of the perceived enemy; not erasure in an intellectual, political, or even cultural sense, but the physical destruction of the Palestinians as well.

The ethnic cleansing of Palestine, known as the Nakba , in 1948, was a serious attempt at achieving that goal. But since the enemy, being the Palestinian nation, had survived and continues to resist and demand its collective rights, the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people is now back on the mainstream Israeli political agenda.

Also Read

The Wider Goal of Israel in Gaza

This ongoing Gaza war is the most serious attempt, to date, to destroy the Palestinian people. This is why Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu , and his government want to carry on with the war.

On the one hand, they want to ensure the continued slaughter, thus the extermination of the Palestinians and, on the other, they are also fully aware that this is a historic opportunity to finish a job that previous Zionist leaders did not complete, 75 years earlier.

Indeed, Israel sees the war on Gaza beyond the geographic confines of the tiny Gaza Strip. It is a war on the Palestinians everywhere. If Israel succeeds in subduing Gaza, it will turn its gaze immediately to the West Bank, then to the millions of Palestinians inside Israel.

It is important to recall that, before the current war, the Israeli incitement against Palestinians was focused mostly on the West Bank  with the declared aim of annexing over a third of that occupied region.

There was also a major official Israeli campaign to curtail the rights and incite hatred against Palestinian Arabs inside Israel. This campaign is rooted in history but has become far more apparent following the Unity Intifada (uprising) of May 2021.

It was then that Israel realized that the division of the Palestinians was largely political, and that, as a nation, Palestinians remain strongly connected.

That is why Ben-Gvir lobbied, even before he claimed his ministerial position in December 2022, to have a National Guard tasked with restoring governance where needed.

If Gaza falls, all Palestinians in the rest of Palestine will become the new target for Israeli violence, ethnic cleansing and, if necessary, genocide.

Reducing all these issues to that of finding creative political solutions that would merely sell false hope to the Palestinian people is not only ignorant, or devious, but also a diversion from the real issue: Israels Zionist ideology.

Zionism, like all racist colonial ideologies, operates with a zero-sum approach to their relationship with the natives of colonized land: dominance through ethnic cleansing and genocide.

For long-term peace to take place, Zionism must end.

[The writer, Dr. Ramzy Baroud, is a journalist, author and the Editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of six books. His latest book, co-edited with Ilan Pappe, is Our Vision for Liberation: Engaged Palestinian Leaders and Intellectuals Speak Out. His other books include My Father was a Freedom Fighter and The Last Earth. Baroud is a Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA). His website is www.ramzybaroud.net]

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Modi and Spree of Temple Related Events

Glorification of Modi for ensuring a Hindu temple is unwarranted. To assert that by inaugurating temples in India and in Abu Dhabi, Modi is showing the conviction to bring in decolonization is totally misplaced. Read More

Friday February 23, 2024 2:59 PM , Ram Puniyani

The recent (22 January 2024) Pran Pratishtha (consecration) of Hindu Lord Ram in Ram Temple in Ayodhya has been a major spectacle. This has accompanied promotion of the mass display of religiosity in most parts of the country, more so in Northern India. This also saw the fusion of roles chief of religion and chief of political power into a single person, the Prime Minister. It was immediately followed by Modi inaugurating another big temple (Shri Swaminayan) in Abu Dhabi with gaiety and publicity. And lo and behold foundation for another temple in Chambal, Kalki Dham, was also done by Modi a couple of days ago. Impressed by the serial temple events many Right wing ideologues are claiming that Modi is the first statesman from post colonial societies to move towards decolonization of cultures in post colonial societies.

How did colonialism affect South Asia in particular? South Asia was predominantly a feudal type society, ruled by the landlord-Kings legitimized by the clergy. The British succeeded in colonizing most parts of South Asia, Indian subcontinent in particular. Their primary focus was on plundering its wealth and creating markets for its goods being produced in England. It had to lay the structure of a colonial state in which transport, education and foundations of modern administration were laid down. Incidentally they also supported eradication of some of the ghastly practices like Sati. For other reforms the likes of Jotirao Phule, Savitribai Phule, Ambedakr and Gandhi moved the mountains to bring in reforms and cultural changes.

The culture of society is not a static thing. It did start changing in multiple ways during the colonial period. While a blind aping of the West was a small part of cultural change, the major accompanying part was for the journey towards a society with equality. These were baby steps towards the culture of industrial-modern society in India. This was looked down by the conservative political forces like Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha and RSS, the communalists, as being Western values. They were essentially piqued by the journey towards equality of the downtrodden, they were opposed to it and they labeled it as being Western.

On these lines they called the Indian Constitution, embodiment of Indias political culture, as being based on Western values. One recalls that the ideologues of Hindu right were totally opposed to the ideology which talks of equality. In opposition to this they harp on Holy books like Manu Smriti, which were talking of inequality of caste and gender. Interestingly those social forces which had roots in feudal power structure stuck to the anti-Western narrative. At the same time they collaborated with the colonial rulers. Interestingly the National movement was shaping the culture and also opposing colonial rulers.

One recalls the Muslim Brotherhood (West Asia) at this point as yet another example. It also calls the democratic culture and values as Western import and tries to impose dictatorial norms and social inequality in the name of Islam. In India, Hindu right wing seeks to oppose equality as being a Western import. The opposition to the values of Indian Constitution is also couched in the garb of opposition to Colonial culture and is propagated as glorification of Indian Culture.

So what is being called as opposing colonial culture at times is the culture which bases itself to oppose fraternity and justice. Justice for all, irrespective of caste and gender, has been the goal of emerging Indian democracy; this gives space to pluralism and diversity. Amongst the post colonial states India had the best political journey till a few decades ago. This was also accompanied by a culture, which had continuity and change. This was reflected in the life patterns promoted by the likes of Gandhi and Nehru, Subhash Bose and Maulana Azad, to name a few. This was an attempt to tune the culture which is compatible with democratic values.

The spree of temple related events is accompanied by the assertion that this is the decolonization of culture! Also the impression being created that the inauguration of the temple in Abu Dhabi is the first one in the Muslim countries of West Asia is totally false. One knows there are many temples in the region, UAE, Muscat, Bahrain and Oman to name the few. As the global migrations; economic in this case, of Indians are accompanied by the temples in the region. We also recall there are many temples in our neighboring Muslim countries. Dhakeshwwari temple in BanglaDesh is well known and we also recall that apart from other existing temples in Pakistan, Lal Krishna Advani had visited Pakistan to inaugurate renovated Katasraj Temple.

Glorification of Modi for ensuring a Hindu temple is unwarranted. To assert that by inaugurating temples in India and in Abu Dhabi, Modi is showing the conviction to bring in decolonization is totally misplaced. In India, the colonial impact was undone during the freedom movement itself, as the roots of progressive social steps and progressive writings, theatre also ran parallel with national movement. Post Independence the process continued with Nehrus encouragement of scientific temper and Ambedkars well drafted Indian constitution.

India did not get subdued by colonial culture in totality. What we are facing today is the promotion of religiosity and conservatism during the last few decades. Since politics is stalking the streets in the garb of religion, our culture is coming under the attack from conservative and orthodox values. The hilarious example of this is the opposition by BJP associate VHP and company legally challenging the forest department to let the lion Akbar cohabit the lioness Sita.

As far as Abu Dhabi is concerned, not only Abu Dhabi but the whole of West Asia has suffered the onslaught of orthodox values due to promotion of "Islamic fundamentalism" by the United States of America. In pursuit of its control over oil resources, it had overthrown the democratically elected Government of Mossadegh in Iran in 1953 paving the way for fundamentalist regime in due course. Later it was instrumental in propping up Madrassas in Pakistan to train Mujahedeen, Al Qaeda with huge funding and also supplying them with armaments. This whole American intervention shifted the West Asian culture towards a retrograde one. The inauguration of the temple in Abu Dhabi in no way can undo the cultural damage done to West Asia by the global forces with infinite hunger for oil.

Temples are one part of the culture. The definition of culture has to be much broader than just temple related events.

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Multiple Crisis Facing Myanmar Government

If anybody reads Myanmar's state-run daily newspaper, the Global New Light of Myanmar, the oldest English Daily which covers news, the state Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV), one would not fathom the crisis faced by the Myanmar government. Read More

Friday February 23, 2024 7:49 PM , Saleem Samad

If anybody reads Myanmar's state-run daily newspaper, the Global New Light of Myanmar, the oldest English Daily which covers news, the state Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV), one would not fathom the crisis faced by the Myanmar government.

News coming in from dissidents, journalists and media activists inside Myanmar rebel-held regions gives diametrically opposite news, which is not comfortable for the military junta in the capital, Naypyidaw.

The rebels are upbeat when they could make the government troops withdraw from northern Rakhine State after the onslaught of the rebel Arakan Army (AA).

The AA is one of the three ethnic armies in the Brotherhood Alliance, which launched Operation 1027 against the Myanmar military dictator, which ousted an elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, ending a 10-year experiment with democracy and plunging the Southeast Asian nation into bloody turmoil.

Armed insurgencies by the People's Defence Force (PDF) of the National Unity Government (NUG) have erupted throughout Myanmar in response to the military government's crackdown on anti-coup protests.

As of February 7, 2024, at least 6,337 civilians, including children, have been killed by the junta forces and 21,000 arrested.

Meanwhile, pictures and videos surfaced on social media and several other websites of the rebels, indicating that they have taken control of six towns in Rakhine State  Pauktaw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Taungpyoletwe and Myebonand one in Chin State, Paletwa.

The government soldiers, in retaliation, are attacking civilians in the south. The Rohingyas in the north of Rakhine State have also taken the brunt and fled from their settlement.

The guards of the Rohingya settlements have long abandoned their checkposts and the ethnic community has scattered for safety and security.

Unfortunately, the Arakan Army is equally not so kind to them. The Rohingya forced them to flee towards the coasts of the Naf River, with advice to cross into Bangladesh.

They are asked to join their relatives and neighbours living in squalid refugee camps in Coxs Bazar.

Intensified patrols and vigilance of Bangladesh Border Guards (BGB) and Coast Guards have discouraged them from crossing the river, which borders Bangladesh with Myanmar.

Several sources in Ukhiya in Coxs Bazar and Ghumdhum in Bandarban have indicated that some Rohingya, after taking dangerous journeys through the hill forests, have trekked into the camps.

Officials working with international NGOs have confirmed the incidents of some illegal migration and have been sheltered in the camps by relatives mostly.

The NGO officials declined to be named and said they are not expecting a huge or even moderate influx of Rohingya people, as the borders are sealed.

The refugee leaders and camp leaders are reviewing the situation across the border into Rakhine State. They are in touch with scores of Rohingyas who are living in extreme difficulties.

The Home boss and Chief of BGB have reiterated that they will not allow a single Rohingya to enter Bangladeshi territory under any circumstances.

UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar

On the other end of the world, Myanmars ruling military junta has doubled down on civilian attacks while showing signs of becoming increasingly desperate by imposing military service, the UN special rapporteur UNs Tom Andrews said at Geneva on Wednesday.

While wounded and increasingly desperate, the Myanmar military junta remains extremely dangerous, the UNs Tom Andrews said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the conscription law, the junta was trying to justify and expand its pattern of forced recruitment.

The junta faces widespread armed opposition to its rule three years after seizing power from an elected civilian government and has recently suffered a series of stunning losses to an armed alliance of ethnic minority groups.

Junta Families Evacuated

On last Saturday, a naval vessel reportedly carrying family members of the junta and police personnel was seen departing from Maday Island, where the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port project is located.

Earlier, on February 15 and 16, the family members were evacuated from Ma Ei town by helicopter. Later the soldiers and police personnel were seen leaving Ma Ei police station in military vehicles.

Following the Arakan Army's capture of many towns after the conflicts erupted in Ramree, Taungup and Kyaukphyu localities, the military regime relocated their family members to Kyaukphyu, Thandwe and Ann localities. Later, the officers families were shifted to Yangon.

Sittwe Braced for Street Fight

Fighting continued in northern and southern Rakhine State since the AA launched an offensive against Myanmars junta in mid-November last year.

The AA has seized Mrauk-U, Minbya, Kyauktaw and Pauktaw towns and Paletwa in southern Chin State, along with numerous junta bases and border outposts. Only Sittwe remains to be occupied by AA.

The AA has urged the governments Regional Operations Command in the state capital, Sittwe, to surrender. Sittwe is the juntas administrative seat in Rakhine.

The junta forces are systematically fortifying their defence arrangements in Sittwe. They have obstructed the access of roads and even destroyed many bridges to obstruct AA advancements.

Civil administrative officials and residents have left Sittwe in fear for their lives during the street battle. Many residents cannot afford to leave and there is no way out from Sittwe if fighting breaks out.

Commodities and fuels in Sittwe are running low since the roads were blocked. Shops are selling off their stocks as they are in a hurry to leave the city.

Despite the night curfew in Sittwe, the hospitals and clinics are still operational, but the city is in panic.

The Brotherhood Alliance warned civilians of the rising danger of landmines in Rakhine State, saying the juntas military is placing landmines around its outposts and bases there.

Nervous Junta

Junta troops arrested around 600 civilians after their flights from Yangon landed at two airports in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu city in Rakhine state, according to family members, who said the military is holding them on suspicion of attempting to join the armed rebels.

The arrests come amid the enactment of a conscription law that has sent draft-eligible civilians fleeing from Myanmars cities, saying they would rather leave the country or join anti-junta forces in remote border areas than fight for the military.

India-Myanmar Military Forge Ties

Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Indian Armed Forces to forge friendly ties and further cooperation.

The Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win held parleys with an India Army delegation led by Lt-Gen Harjeet Singh Sahi, the General Officer Commanding III Corps of the Indian Armed Forces, at the capital Naypyidaw on Wednesday, according to the official daily The Global New Light of Myanmar.

They cordialy discussed friendly relations between Myanmar and India and the two armed forces and promotion of further cooperation, and plans to cooperate in peace and stability, security and development at the border regions between the two countries.

[The writer, Saleem Samad, is Deputy Editor of The Daily Messenger, an award-winning independent journalist, and recipient of the Ashoka Fellowship and Hellman-Hammett Award. He could be reached at <saleemsamad@hotmail.com>; Twitter (X) @saleemsamad. First published by The Daily Mesenger, 23 February 2024]





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John Last at The New Atlantis:

Brown bears once roamed widely across Western Europe. But already by the Middle Ages, hunting and habitat degradation had pushed their populations to the east and north. In the Alpine region of Italy, at times with the backing of the state, brown bears were hunted nearly to extinction  by the mid-1990s, just four were counted in the region around Trento, where Papi was killed.

For the past twenty-some years, however, an E.U.-funded program called Life Ursus has imported brown bears to Northern Italy to boost the regions number of breeding pairs, taking candidates from its eastern neighbor Slovenia, where forests less pressed upon by human activity are still capable of sheltering a reasonably healthy bear population.

Though the program has undoubtedly succeeded in its aim  the brown bear population is now estimated at over 100 in the region  it has not been without controversy.

more here.
HA NOI  Commercial banks have requested the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) consider a payment extension in a bid to support economic recovery, said industry insiders, citing the current challenging economic situation and showing concerns over businesses' ability to meet the payment deadline, which has been set on June 30, 2024.

The banks said an additional six months or even another year would be welcomed by most businesses, as well as the banking sector.

According to a report by Vietcombank, one of the largest banks in the country, the bank's bad debts have reached VN12.445 trillion or over US$500 million, 0.98 per cent of its outstanding loans, an increase of VN4.635 trillion compared to the end of 2022. Among these, debts with potential capital loss (Group 5) increased from VN6.623 trillion to VN7.841 trillion.

TPBank, similarly, has reported VN4.2 trillion in bad debts, bringing the bank's bad debt ratio from under 1 per cent at the end of 2022 to 2.04 per cent by the end of 2023. Techcombank, meanwhile, reported VN5.999 trillion in bad debts, nearly double the figure recorded at the end of 2022. Sacombank reported VN10.984 trillion in bad debts in 2023, a 155.5 per cent increase compared to the beginning of the year.

Other commercial banks have also voiced concerns over rising bad debts as Bac A Bank reached nearly VN914 billion, a 78 per cent increase; NCB reached VN16.469 trillion, a 92.5 per cent increase; MB reached VN9.805 trillion, a 94.9 per cent increase; ACB reached VN5.887 trillion, a 93.3 per cent increase; and MSB hit VN4.281 trillion, a 106.9 per cent increase from the end of 2022.

Industry experts said the current challenging economic situation and difficulties faced by businesses severely affect their ability to meet debt obligations. As there are no shortcuts to resolving old bad debts, a significant number of newly classified bad debts, which should be expected on June 30 this year, will put tremendous pressure on the country's financial sector, as well as businesses.

In addition, the total value of real estate mortgages currently accounts for about 70 per cent of the total collateral, and in some banks 80-90 per cent. This has resulted in real estate being the most often auctioned asset by banks, which has not been well-received as the real estate market has not fully recovered.

Pham Quang Thang, deputy director-general of Techcombank, said the bank's bad debt ratio at the end of January this year was 1.2 per cent, roughly the same figure recorded last year. As the June deadline approaches, customers have been making repayments. However, the bank fully supports an extension to give businesses both additional time and room to manoeuvre.

Ho Nam Tien, vice chairman and CEO of LPBank said many of his customers have expressed concerns over difficulties in meeting the June deadline.

Similarly, representatives from various commercial banks have voiced their support for an extension of six months to a year to allow both commercial banks and businesses more time to resolve their issues.

Nguyen Quoc Hung, secretary-general of the Vietnam Bank Association (VBA), said credit room this year will likely not be an issue, but banks must find good customers while strengthening their risk control measures, especially for consumer loans.

"We think it'd be a good idea to extend the deadline by six months to a year in this difficult time, while the sector focuses on how to reduce rising risks from bad debts," he said.

The central bank said the June deadline was implemented to ensure the stability and safety of the country's banking sector. However, the SBV said it will conduct further review and seek additional feedback on a potential extension.

Deputy governor of the SBV ao Minh Tu said, while the central bank acknowledges difficulties faced by both the sector and businesses, extending the June deadline remains a decision that requires careful consideration. In the meantime, he advised commercial banks to exercise caution while giving priority to Viet Nam's key economic sectors and supporting the recovery of businesses.  VNS
HA NOI Despite multiple attempts, the VN-Index was unable to sustain its upward momentum during the afternoon session on Thursday, resulting in a failure to maintain overall stability throughout the day.

The market benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) lost 0.22 per cent to end at 1,227.31 points.

It had stayed flat at 1,230.04 points on Wednesday.

The market's breadth was negative with 217 stocks rising, while 263 slid.

Market liquidity declined compared to the previous session as investors poured over VN18 trillion (US$731.4 million) into the southern exchange, equivalent to a trading volume of 840 million shares.

The 30 biggest stocks tracker VN30-Index lost 0.18 per cent, to end at 1,239.90 points. Sixteen in the VN30 basket decreased, while 13 increased.

In the VN-30 basket, the worst performers were Vinhomes (VHM), Hoa Phat Group (HPG), Mobile World Group (MWG), FPT Corporation (FPT) and Bao Viet Holdings (BVH).

Some other blue-chips still gained ground and helped prevent the market from falling deeper, such as Vingroup (VIC), Vietjet (VJC) and Masan Group (MSN).

Banking stocks fell and put great pressure on the overall market, with losers including Sai Gon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (STB), Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Military Bank (MBB) and VPBank (VPB).

On the other side, some bank stocks still attracted cash flow and gained ground, such as Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB), Vietinbank (CTG), Tien Phong Bank (TPB), Lien Viet Post Bank (LPB) and Techcombank (TCB).

"It is expected that disputes and adjustments may still appear in the next trading session, however the 1,220 point area is still the area that creates support for the market. In general, the market is still likely to approach the resistance area of 1,250 points," said Viet Dragon Securities Co.

"Therefore, investors need to evaluate the state of supply and demand in the market. Currently, you should prioritise stocks that are showing good signals from the support zone to hold or buy cumulatively, but you should take advantage of the opportunity to take profits on stocks that have increased rapidly to the resistance zone."

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index gained 0.07 per cent to end Thursday at 234.01 points.

During the trading session, nearly 80.7 million shares were traded on HNX, worth nearly VN1.4 trillion.  VNS
HA NOI  Mr World Vietnam 2024 has been launched officially for the first time in the country, promising chances for talented and brave male pageant contestants to shine and represent the country to step out into world contests.

Vietnamese men both at home and abroad, aged 18 to 27 who are at least 1.75 metres tall, are encouraged to register for the contest which is scheduled to take place in April, according to Sen Vang Company, the owner of the event.

The candidates should also never have been through a gender transition surgery, not be married, have no criminal record and should have at least graduated from high school by the time the final round officially begins.

Priority will be given to candidates who won titles in male pageants at provincial and city levels, taking place in the country in the last four years.

Mr World Vietnam 2024 is scheduled to be launched in the form of a live TV programme.

Accordingly, each episode in the broadcast programme presents a challenge for groups and individuals, corresponding to a typical criterion of the contest such as physical challenge, modelling skill and talent.

After each challenge, the contest's advisory board and host person will choose a winning group or individual who will be offered privileges in the next challenge.

The jury and advisory board members will include reputable, familiar and successful faces in the fields they are pursuing, according to the organiser.

The qualification round is scheduled to be held in HCM City in April. The contestants are due to compete in categories such as traditional costumes, sports, question-and-answer sessions and evening wear.

They will also take part in additional competitions highlighting their talent and charity work during the final round which is set to get underway in June.

The Top Five finalists will then partake in the Q&A part and compete for the crown. The winner will receive a cash prize of VN200 million (roughly US$8,200), while first and second runners-up will be awarded VN100 million and VN50 million, respectively.

The organiser will also present awards to winners of the sub-contests, including Mr Sport, Mr Fashion Model, Mr Talent, Beauty With A Purpose, Mr Ao dai, Mr Veston, Mr Fitness and Mr Media Award.

The crown winner will be qualified to take part in the global competition Mr World, a beauty contest for men which has been organised by Mr World Organisation since 1996.

Viet Nam has sent several representatives to the Mr World and gained outstanding successes. In 2007, model Ho uc Vinh claimed Best National Costume sub-title. In 2012, Truong Nam Thanh finished in the Top 10 overall and was the winner in Mister Fashion and Style Challenge. He was also among the Top 10 in the Mr World Talent categories. VNS
TAIPEI Vietnamese books on culture and childrens literature are being introduced at Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE) taking place at Taipei World Trade Centre.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and organised by the Taipei Book Fair Foundation, TIBE is one of the most prominent book fairs in Asia and serves as a platform for publishers, authors, agents and book lovers from around the world to gather and showcase their works.

This years event is held from February 20-25 with the theme Catch the Reading Wave, featuring the Netherlands as the Guest of Honour Country. 242 international publishing houses from 34 countries will show up in the International Zone, while Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, Japan and Thailand will set up national pavilions.

Attending TIBE 2023, Viet Nam introduces books of three main kinds  parents books like Nuoi Con Khong Phai La Cuoc Chien (Parenting is not a Battle) by Bubu Huong, Me Ong Bong & Hachun Lyonnet, and Happy Children by Ha Vinh Tho; childrens books like ai Bang Tai Sinh (Eagle Resurrection) by Pham Thi Thanh Ha, and Hanh Trinh Tro Ve Cua Bay Cho (The Journey Home of the Dog Pack) by Bui Mai Linh; and books on Vietnamese culture like Viet Nam Mien Ngon (Vietnam - The Land of Delicacies) and Viet Nam Doc Mien Du Ki (Vietnam - Traveling Across Regions) by Le Rin.

According to Vu Thi Thuy, Director of International Cooperation of Thai Ha Books, that introduces Vietnamese books at TIBE this year, the event offers chance for the publisher to build international cooperation with other representatives and the organisers of TIBE.

Vietnamese books are introduced to Taiwanese publishers this time and therefore might have the chance to enter the Taiwanese publishing market, she added. VNS
HA NOI  Voters nationwide spoke highly of efforts of police nationwide in cracking down on drink driving, said Duong Thanh Binh, Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee's Ombudsman Commission, while delivering a report on people's aspirations in January 2024 and December 2023.

Speaking at the NA Standing Committees 30th meeting in Ha Noi on Thursday, he said voters spoke highly of local authorities efforts in ensuring goods and controlling prices during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

They also appreciated results of the fifth extraordinary meeting of the 15th NA, which held significance not only for the implementation of socio-economic development plan in 2024 and the tenure, but also has strategic long-term meaning.

According to the report, voters also expressed concern over earthquakes in Kon Tum Province, illegal trading and production of fireworks during the holiday, and the numerous traffic accidents which killed and injured many people.

They also raised their concern over labourers losing jobs, especially those in wood, textile, leather footwear, electronic component industries due to shortage of business orders.

According to the voters, shortage of vaccines for the national expanded vaccination programme for children under five years old leaves many parents having to opt for paid services, putting financial burden on those who cant afford it. Families who have to wait for the vaccines stand a high risk of contracting infectious diseases.

Social insurance evasion and debts still occur at many businesses, significantly affecting the rights of workers.

Heavy workload

Speaking at the NA Standing Committees session on Thursday, NA Chairman Vuong inh Hue said the seventh plenary session of the 15th NA to take place in May is scheduled to approve and give feedback on the largest number of bills since the beginning of the tenure.

On the threshold of the NAs 7th session, the workload is high with the consideration of many bills and draft resolutions. The legislators will consider approving nine bills and give feedback for the first time on 12 other bills, he said.

The same day the committee discussed adjustments to the draft Law on Archives (revised), which is scheduled to be submitted to the NAs 7th session.

Members of the committee also presented ideas for a draft Law on amendments and supplements to some articles of the Law on the Guard Force, aiming to legalise the 13th National Party Congress resolution and the Politburos Resolution 12-NQ/TW regarding the strengthening of building the Peoples Security Force, specifying the Constitutions regulations and dealing with some problems in the field.

At the same time, they considered a proposal of the Supreme Peoples Procuracy on assigning an additional number of procurators to the People's Procuracies.

At the session, the committee deliberated a draft report summarising the 15 NAs 5th extraordinary session and assessing the significance of the session, during which important laws such as the Land Law (revised) and Law on Credit Institutions (revised) were adopted.  VNS
HA NOI  Consolidating traditional growth engines while optimising new ones is among the key tasks set out by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at a conference on the 2024 economic diplomacy in Ha Noi on February 22.

Others include promoting innovations in the research, consultancy and forecasting work, and raising the efficiency of economic diplomacy as well as the coordinating role of the Steering Committee for Economic Diplomacy, Son said while chairing the conference.

To complete these tasks, the minister suggested further utilising traditional driving forces to expand export opportunities and attract high-quality investments; reviewing and materialising international commitments and agreements in foreign affairs; keeping a close watch on the international economic situation; and integrating economic diplomacy activities into the development of localities and businesses, among other measures.

It requires innovations and changes in both mindset and action to fulfill the tasks the Party, State, and Government assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Son stressed.

Reviewing external relations and economic diplomacy last year, the minister said they helped generate new development opportunities and advance the countrys position and reputation.

He also highlighted the successful trip by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Davos, Switzerland, for the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF-54) and his official visits to Hungary and Romania in January 2024.

The same month, Viet Nam welcomed high-ranking delegations from Germany, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, and Bulgaria, with many important agreements signed, the official continued.

He asked heads of agencies at home and Vietnamese representative offices abroad to closely follow the Governments instructions on socio-economic development, and the reality in sectors, localities and enterprises in order to mobilise resources for strategic breakthroughs, making economic diplomacy truly a strong driving force for national rapid and sustainable development.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Doctors, nurses and medical staff of HCM City-based Childrens Hospital No 1 should always keep in their hearts a strong desire and love for their profession to better serve patients and continue to reap new success in caring for and protecting people's health.

President Vo Van Thuong made the statement on Thursday morning when he visited the hospital on the 69th anniversary of Vietnamese Doctors' Day (February 27, 1955 - February 27, 2024) in the city.

Thuong also said The medical profession is a noble profession because it protects peoples health, brings life to people, brings positive emotions to society, and brings families joy and happiness.

But it was also a difficult profession, requiring constant effort to study and improve, he added.

The hospital should continue to expand international cooperation in the region and the world, make more efforts to enhance management efficiency in order to build a smart, friendly, green, clean and beautiful hospital fully applying scientific and technological achievements in management and treatment.

He ordered the head of the city, and relevant sectors to pay more attention to and improve the lives of doctors, nurses and medical staff; constantly upgrade medical facilities and equipment; focus on training the next generations of doctors, especially sending young doctors to gain medical experience in countries with developed medicine, to promote the achievements and traditions of the hospital in the future.

He also requested the hospital support lower-level hospitals in dealing with difficult cases, thereby improving the quality of the lower-level hospitals and reducing the overload for central hospitals, he said.

High appreciation

Also at the visit, Thuong highly appreciated the doctors, nurses and medical staff of the hospital.

He said the doctors, nurses and medical staff of the hospital were always united and confident in their expertise. They had a heart of love for patients, dared to think and dared to do for people's health.

As the leading hospital of the city and the country's southern region, the hospital's doctors and nurses had actively researched and built appropriate health care models for patients, even as there were many types of new diseases among children and the disease patterns of paediatric patients rapidly changed.

He said he acknowledged the hospital's reduction of the death rate, from 1.4 per cent in 2005 to only 0.3 per cent in 2023.

The hospital had made clear progress, recognised by the world and Vietnamese medical communities, typically, the success of the first foetal heart intervention case in Southeast Asia, he said.

This is a manifestation of the spirit of daring to think and daring to do for the lives and health of patients, he said.

In addition to statistics, the success of hospital was also based on the confidence in the expertise of doctors and nurses, and the desire to contribute to the health of children.

Those are things that statistical reports cannot show, he said.

60 years of development

The hospital was put into operation since 1956. Now it has 1,500 sickbeds with 1,768 doctors, nurses and medical staff.

During more than 60 years of development, the hospital has set the goal of developing specialised paediatrics with five priorities of neonatology, emergency resuscitation, interventional surgery, children's cardiology and infectious diseases.

In 2005, the hospital established the first neonatal intensive centre with new neonatal resuscitation techniques such as high frequency oscillation (HFO), whole-body cooling to treat encephalopathy due to lack of oxygen, and surgery for birth defects.

The hospital has an Emergency Treatment Intensive Care and Poison Control Centre with 70 sickbeds and modern resuscitation equipment, saving the lives of many seriously-ill patients, contributing to a significant reduction in child mortality rates.

The hospital has promoted the development of endoscopic surgery, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, urology and maxillofacial surgery.

It also developed the Real-time PCR technique to isolate the Enterovirus 71 (EV71), reducing the diagnosis rate of encephalitis with unknown cause from 70 per cent to 30 per cent.

Notably, the hospitals doctors coordinated with Tu Du Hospitals doctors to successfully conduct an intervention of "cardiac catheterisation in the womb" for a foetus with severe congenital heart disease.

According to the citys health department, the intervention was truly a new step forward in specialised techniques on par with developed countries in the region.

In the world, only a few countries such as Brazil and Poland have successfully implemented the technique. Countries in the region with many medical achievements have not implemented the technique so far.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has proposed that foreign businesses which want to provide domestic satellite telecommunications services must have a gateway station located in Viet Nam.

The information is stated in a draft decree detailing articles and measures to implement the Law on Telecommunications 2023, which is being consulted by the MIC.

In the section on providing telecommunications services, the draft paper provides a number of provisions for cross-border services to Vietnamese users.

Under the draft decree, the supplier must have a commercial agreement with a licensed domestic telecommunications enterprise.

The domestic enterprise will then have to set up a technical plan to ensure information security, perform emergency prevention, and stop providing services at the request of competent state agencies.

In case of providing satellite telecommunications services, the supplier must have a plan in which all traffic generated by satellite subscriber terminals in the territory of Viet Nam must pass through the ground gateway station located in Viet Nam and connected to the public telecommunications network, according to the draft decree.

This is a new point compared to the decree guiding the Law on Telecommunications 2009.

In addition, the establishment of fixed satellite and mobile telecommunications networks must also meet capital and investment conditions, such as: contributed charter capital must be at least VN30 billion (US$1.2 million); and total investment capital in the network must be at least VN100 billion ($4.1 million) in the first three years.

During the process of developing the new Telecommunications Law, the MIC evaluated that satellite services with very large coverage areas can operate and provide services without either a technical or commercial presence in the host country, which means they are providing cross-border services.

In the context of satellite technology increasingly expanding, they pose a number of potential risks, such as data of users in Viet Nam going directly abroad and being collected and used illegally, the risks of data loss affecting the service users rights, and network and information insecurity.

Therefore, satellite information services development must ensure sustainable market growth and the users rights, protecting personal information, and ensuring information safety and security.

In Viet Nam, the Viet Nam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) is the only unit that owns a satellite information network.

This form of connection uses VSAT (very small aperture terminal) with antenna diameters of 1.2-3m and the Vinasat broadband satellite information system to provide services.

However, this method has low speed and high cost.

The current trend in the world is to transmit satellite internet using low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, like SpaceX is doing with Starlink.

Last year, some of this company's devices were brought to test demonstrations at an event in Ha Noi with transmission speeds of 150-200 Mbps.

The solution is expected to help provide internet to remote areas that are difficult to reach with conventional cables.

The draft decree is open for comments until early April.

The new Law on Telecommunications will take effect from July 1.  VNS


London - The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK is working closely with competent authorities in the UK to fact-check the case that seven allegedly Vietnamese migrants were detected at Newhaven port in Lewes district of East Sussex county.

Right after getting the information by several newspapers, including BBC News, Guardian, Daily Mail and Mirror, the embassy contacted the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Home Office, Metropolitan Police, and Mayor of Newhaven town, among others, asking them to provide further information.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs directed the embassy to take necessary citizen protection measures to ensure that the immigrants are treated humanely and in line with laws.

According to the UK press, seven migrants, believed to be Vietnamese, were found in the back of a lorry at Newhaven port on February 16.

Ferry operator DFDS, which runs services between Newhaven and Dieppe in Normandy, northern France, confirmed that the migrants were found on board the Seven Sisters vessel, adding immediate medical attention was provided.

Anas Al Mustafa, 42, from Waless Swansea city and accused of assisting the unlawful entry to the UK, appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on February 19. He was remanded into custody and will appear at Lewes Crown Court on March 18. VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu expressed his admiration, pride and confidence for the future after witnessing the capabilities of FPT Corporation in new technology fields such as AI, Cloud, Automotive, and data centres.

Vu commended FPT as the leading technology corporation in the country, emphasising that the company's achievements in AI and Cloud technologies were all the result of research and development by young Vietnamese talent.

The deputy foreign minister made his comments during a working visit at FPT headquarter in Ha Noi on Wednesday. During the visit, Nguyen Van Khoa general director of FPT Corporation shared the companys achievements in 2023, highlighting their focus on innovation and creativity in science and technology.

Khoa noted that over the past 35 years, FPT has made significant progress in bringing Vietnamese intelligence to the global stage. They have achieved US$1 billion in revenue from IT services for foreign markets, secured contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and expanded their presence to 30 countries worldwide. The corporation boasts a diverse workforce comprising more than 70 nationalities.

In the field of education, FPT's educational organisation, has established itself with 145,000 learners across its system. In addition, FPT has also developed regional-class telecommunications and data infrastructure in the telecommunications sector.

During the event, Khoa and other FPT representatives proposed various measures to further enhance Viet Nam's IT industry on a global scale. They suggested promoting economic diplomacy in technology to strengthen the brand image of Viet Nam's IT industry as a leading destination for digital transformation, AI, Big Data, Automotive, and Chip technologies.

They also expressed their hopes for increased educational cooperation programmes and the transfer of special training programmes in emerging technology fields such as AI and Semiconductor Chips. They also sought assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representative agencies abroad in removing challenges related to long-term work visa applications in key markets.

FPT has been now ranked among the top eight best IoT consultants in the Asia-Pacific region. The company has also achieved the milestone of $1 billion in revenue from IT services for foreign markets, making it the first Vietnamese technology enterprise to join the group of billion-dollar IT service businesses worldwide.

FPT has made significant progress in the technology value chain, with nearly 50 per cent of its total revenue from IT services for foreign markets derived from digital transformation services. Within this segment, Cloud technology accounts for 40 per cent of the revenue, while AI and data analysis contribute 12 per cent, and RPA and Lowcode make up 10 per cent.

The company also aims to reach the next milestone of $5 billion in revenue from IT services for foreign markets, with the goal of establishing Viet Nam as a new technology centre of the world. FPT considers Chip and AI technologies as key directions for Viet Nam to catch up with advanced countries globally.  VNS
MOSCOW  The Institute of China and Contemporary Asia (ICCA) under the Russian Academy of Sciences inaugurated a Vietnam library in Moscow on February 22.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, ICCA Director Kirill Vladimirovich Babaev said the inauguration of the library opens up a new period in the history of scientific and cultural relations between Russia and Viet Nam.

According to Babaev, the fact that the library is located in the ICCA, which gathers leading experts on Vietnamese studies in Russia, will help promote the research of the Vietnamese culture as well as understanding of Viet Nam.

He expressed his hope that the Vietnam library will become a starting point for many quality scientific articles, new books, research projects, as well as new breakthrough ideas. Babaev also thanked the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia and the "Tradition and Friendship" fund for supporting the initiative.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia ang Minh Khoi said that the library will provide useful information for readers and researchers who want to learn about the country and people of Vietnam. It is also a venue to host cultural events and exchanges, thereby contributing to fostering Vietnam - Russia relations, especially in research collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of social sciences.

On this occasion, the ambassador presented the book Building and developing a comprehensive, modern Vietnamese foreign policy and diplomacy, imbued with the identity of "Vietnamese bamboo" by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the institute.  VNA/VNS
NEW YORK  Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations (UN), had a working session with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) Francis Drouin at the UN headquarters on February 22.

Speaking highly of the cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the APF over the past time, Giang expressed his hope that both sides will enhance exchanges and multilateral collaboration in areas of mutual concerns.

The Vietnamese diplomat held that the cooperation and dialogue partnership between the UN and the Francophonie organisation will help the latter have opportunities to better engage in the UNs activities, contributing to the efforts seeking solutions to global challenges towards peace, stability, and cooperation for development.

Francis Drouin, for his part, hailed the Vietnamese parliaments active participation in and contributions to the APF by undertaking various roles, including APF Vice President for Asia-Pacific and member of the executive council of the APF Network of Women Parliamentarians since 2015.

He said he hopes for further support and close cooperation from Viet Nam while conducting the APFs activities in the coming time.

The APF comprises 88 parliaments (sub-committees) from all over the world. Viet Nam became an APF member in 1991.  VNS
QUANG NGAI  The High Command of Coast Guard Region 2 on February 22 saved seven fishermen in distress off the coast of the central province of Quang Nam.

It said on February 23 that at around 3:30pm on February 22, it received a notification from the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre Region 2 about a vessel from central Quang Ngai province sinking in rough seas about five nautical miles from Ky Ha port of Quang Nam province.

The seven fishermen on board clung to drifting objects at sea to survive after their vessel sank.

Two high-speed canoes of the coast guard force were immediately deployed to search for the fishermen, who were found at about 5:30pm and given first aid. Their health is now in stable condition, the High Command said.

It later handed over the fishermen to the Quang Ngai border guard force and the local administration.  VNS
by Nguyen My Ha

As much as we love the Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet in Vietnamese, there are issues with the way we celebrate it that need to be tweaked so that it is a celebration of joy, and not too burdensome or overwhelming.

A popular video went viral online with an Australian speaking in Vietnamese. "Let's go home to Australia. We do drink for the New Year, but only one day, but here in Viet Nam, drink is every day for a week. It's too much!" he said

This drinking culture is a troubling side of Tet when you visit your extended family, or they visit you, and toast to prosperity, longevity and happiness.

This year, police departments across the country heightened their checkpoints, if you were positive for any level of alcohol, you had to pay a fine. No excuses.

"If you drink, don't drive!" has become not only the motto of a publicity campaign on national TV, and people have also been more understanding before offering a boozy toast.

This year, the police reported a significant decrease in the number of drink-driving deaths over the Tet holiday. A special Tet report from the Ministry of Health saw traffic accident emergency cases down by 12 per cent, suspected traffic-related hospital cases down by 8.4 per cent, and road accidents down by 22.4 per cent.

These numbers mean less pressure on the health service; if drink-driving can be brought under control, then more people will survive.

Nearly 30,000 drivers were stopped and fined for their blood alcohol level. Traffic police had to work hard, so that health workers in hospitals got some relief.

Drink-driving will always be dangerous. Even as a drunk passenger on the back seat of a motorbike, you can easily fall off your bike. One of my high school friends lost her husband that way in a distant Tet.

This threat is a concern in colder climates, from Hue and northward, especially in the mountains, where people distil their own rice or maize alcohol, and no public transportation is available to carry you from one mountain to the next. A popular sight you might see is a woman who puts her drunk husband on the back of a horse and both the woman and horse walk home over the mountains.

Tet in the South is when people travel after they prepare an abundant tray of food, fruits and offerings to their ancestors. But in other places further north, you'd have to cook meals for your ancestors every day, then try your best to eat up all the food, which is neither delicious nor pleasant. Some age-old families in Hue may have 10 altars for different ancestors. Cooking, serving then cleaning and consuming the food on such occasion is no easy task.

As we love our traditions and want to keep them, we must say that the North and its people tend to brag about their thousand-year-long history. But there are sometimes issues.

For my northern side of the extended family, the men tend to be scholarly, self-righteous and sarcastic, not only of others but mostly of themselves. Their comments tend to be innocent and without any ill intention, but they say it so straightforwardly it can hurt other people's feelings. And once you feel hurt while drinking, it can go awry. As we say, "hon bac nem i, hon chi nem lai," or "if you throw something light at someone, they might throw a heavy piece of lead back."

There tends to be drama at family gatherings, especially at an ancestor's death anniversary or during Tet.

The sequence goes as follows: the extended family has not seen each other for a long time, they are happy to meet, but start to drink and feel they have to say something that's been up in their mind, something they normally wouldn't say, if they had not had a drink. Distant cousins start reacting differently to how they would if they had not had a drink. Before you know it, there is some sort of quarrel, or fight, or people getting angry with each other. People sometimes storm off and leave.

Going back home on a motorbike drunk and feeling hurt is not healthy in any conditions or culture. Enjoy Tet, but do not let it drink you. Bottoms up.

Having written all this, I am reminded that on the fifth day of Tet some 20 years ago, awaiting labour in the hospital, I heard cheers from the neighbouring room, where the staff were toasting on the first day back to work. I heard cheers and laughter, but I was deadly scared that if there was any complication with the birth, the doctors and nurses might not be able to see straight to perform vital medical procedures!

It was a roller-coaster ride back then, but would be unlikely to happen now, as it is illegal to drink at work today. VNS
Thailand's export sector has lost competitiveness in global markets, with the market share of rice shipments falling by more than 50 per cent over the past 20 years, according to the Bank of Thailand (source: thailand.go.th)

Bangkok - Thailand's export sector has lost competitiveness in global markets, with the market share of rice shipments falling by more than 50 per cent over the past 20 years, according to the Bank of Thailand (BoT).

Obstacles in the export and manufacturing sectors are having a more discernible impact on the Thai economy, the central bank said in the latest report.

It noted that among the products that dented export value growth last year, more than 70 per cent recorded declining competitiveness and other structural headwinds.

According to the edited minutes of the BoT's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on February 7, agricultural products such as rice reported a lower market share, from 25 per cent in 2003 to 13 per cent at present. Petrochemical products and hard disk drives were also facing many challenges.

Thailand's electronics export growth averaged only 4 per cent over the past decade, well below its regional peers such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia, which posted export growth of 37 per cent, 14 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.

Manufacturing of goods sold domestically also faced more intense competition from imports. The share of imports from China increased from 5 per cent to 9 per cent over the same period.

In related news, Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang said on February 22 that Thailand needs to diversify its agricultural exports as it currently relies on a handful of items and only a few overseas markets.

He cited data that showed the countrys top five farm products constituted over 87 per cent of its agricultural exports, while as much as 42 per cent of Thai farm products were exported to China.

Napintorn suggested that Thailand should diversify its agriculture export products and markets to help reduce the risk from too much reliance on a handful of export products and markets.

He pointed to the need for expanding agricultural output through research and technology as well as restructuring exports from the farm sector to ensure a diversity of products, and exploring new export markets while retaining existing markets like the US, China, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

Thailands agricultural exports totalled 49.2 billion USD last year, representing 17.3 per cent of all Thai exports with a total value of 284.5 billion USD.

He cited data released by the Commerce Ministrys Trade Policy and Strategy Office which shows that farm produce accounted for 9.4 per cent and processed agricultural products 7.9 per cent. The deputy minister noted that the agricultural sector represented only 9 per cent of the country's total gross domestic product (GDP), while farmers make up 46 per cent of Thailands population.

Thailand's Central Pattana sets up Vietnamese subsidiary Central Pattana Public Company Limited has announced that its subsidiary, CPN Global Co., Ltd., has established a presence in Vietnam, according to a notification sent to the Stock Exchange of Thailand on February 2.
The resulting push for a 'green transition' is creating mounting challenges to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the garments and textiles industry as export partners tighten their environmental protection requirements.

Pham Quang Anh, director of Dony Garment Co., Ltd. based in Ho Chi Minh Citys Tan Binh district, said, "The greatest difficulty lies in the supply chain as it goes beyond the influence of Vietnamese firms."

Of the many factors affecting green production, recycled materials play a crucial role, but they can be over 20 per cent more expensive than traditional resources.

Just 15 per cent of textile apparel firms have reportedly been or are embracing the green transition journey

The increasing cost of other factors such as machinery and accessories means the final production expense could be double that of similarly designed products using non-recycled materials.

According to Pham Van Viet, deputy chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Association of Garments, Textiles, Embroidery and Knitting, just 15 per cent of textile apparel firms have reportedlybeen or are embracing the green transition journey.

These issues represent challenges, yet also opportunities, to the sector. Those who perform well can win the trust of their customers and secure long-term business deals, said Viet.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, deputy general secretary of the Vietnam Textile Apparel Association, said, "Over 80 per cent of SMEs in the sector face a lack of finances to fully embrace the green transition, and complex regulations make businesses more hesitant to do so."

"Most businesses in the sector feel pressure to adhere to the new green requirements from their partners, particularly regarding rooftop energy requirements," said Hoang Thanh Nga, sustainable textile programme manager at WWF Vietnam.

Between 2019-2020, Vietnam witnessed a boom in the solar power development, followed by a halt in development, creating an impasse for investors, particularly regarding power-grid connections.

Currently, the green transition relies on several factors, such as technology concerns and economic efficiency, as businesses are unsure whether the required investment is just too big a risk at this time.

It is a matter of access to capital. We have supported many businesses in this regard, but it is important to state clearly the potential role of banks in helping firms unlock more financing, said Nga.

Many in the industry concede that the transition to more eco-friendly practices will be a lengthy exercise, spanning the breadth of the production process from design and fibre manufacturing, to dyeing and tailoring.

Vietnams steel producers embracing CBAM transition Vietnams steel production industry is taking initial steps in shifting to greener production and minimising emissions to adjust to the requirements of major markets such as the EU.

Vietnam launches Resource Mobilisation Plan for Just Energy Transition Partnership During the World Leaders Summit at COP28 on December 1, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh launched the Resource Mobilisation Plan (RMP), which marks a key milestone towards the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
The study  Trade Finance in the Mekong Region  a second in a series of regional trade finance surveys after West Africa, analyses the trade finance ecosystem in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos and provides insights into how international trade can be increased with better support from financial institutions. According to the report, increasing coverage is more important than reducing the cost of trade finance.

At the launch event for the report in Hanoi

As detailed in the report, local trade finance in Vietnam is scarce, costly, and segmented, offering just traditional services. In 2022, domestic banks supported only 21 per cent of the countrys total merchandise trade of $731 billion.

Notably, banks are more likely to support local enterprises engaged in intra-regional trade than large multinationals engaged in global trade. The subsidiaries of multinationals in high-growth, high-value sectors such as electronics and garments rely less on local bank-intermediated trade finance.

Since local trade finance in Vietnam is currently concentrated in domestic manufacturers, greater coverage of local trade finance will not only help improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese importers and exporters, but more importantly, will boost production, deepen global supply chain integration and spread the benefits of trade more evenly across local producers, said Thomas Jacobs, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Importers and exporters cited high collateral requirements and onerous application processes among the main reasons why they did not seek support from local banks. On the supply side, Vietnamese banks rejected an average of 12 per cent of trade finance requests  mainly from small- and medium-sized enterprises  accounting for around $20.3 billion in unmet demand in 2022. Rejections are attributed to a lack of collateral and high credit risk.

The report recommends developing instruments like supply chain finance and innovative digital offerings to reduce costs and improve access. This would in turn require stronger regulatory frameworks that address collateral requirements, digital transactions, central bank conditions and accountability frameworks. The report also recommends increasing awareness of how to access trade financing among smaller firms and local suppliers.

Vietnam South Korea's third-largest trading partner in 2023 Vietnam continued to be the third-largest trading partner of South Korea last year, despite the slowdown in imports and exports to the Southeast Asian country.

Optimistic outlook for UK-Vietnam trade and investment cooperation Vietnam and the United Kingdom have made remarkable achievements in bilateral cooperation for over 50 years. The governments of both committed to extending and levelling up the strategic partnership, and now business communities and individuals are more confident in working together for mutual benefit, for now and for generations to come.
This represents another significant sustainability milestone for Melinh Point, after its achievement of being the first operational office building in Vietnam to be awarded the Green Mark Platinum certification from Singapores Building and Construction Authority.

Tan Boon Thor, general commercial manager and director of Design Management at Frasers Property Vietnam (FPV) said, "Despite being a building that is more than 20 years old, Melinh Point is now among the greenest and most energy-efficient buildings in Vietnam, following comprehensive asset enhancements."

Buildings that achieve LEED certification feature a range of green enhancements in the areas of carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental, all which were incorporated into Melinh Points functions.

LEED certification identifies Melinh Point as a showcase example of sustainability and demonstrates Frasers Propertys leadership in transforming the built industry, said Peter Templeton, President and CEO of USGBC.

Buildings with the LEED O+M certification demonstrate performance oriented sustainable strategies and outcomes for building operations to improve energy efficiencies.

Melinh Point, with boutique-style offices located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh Citys central business district, underwent a significant asset enhancement initiative in 2020.

Enhancement work has focused on incorporating green technologies even from the initial stages of the buildings transformation. This helped to ensure energy-efficient building operations while ensuring a comfortable and healthy environment for occupants.

Melinh Points environmentally friendly design enhancements included the installation of energy-efficient systems such as LED lighting, high-performance Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system and chiller upgrades to reduce energy usage.

As part of its holistic approach to sustainability encompassing environmental, social, and governance focus areas, Melinh Points green facelift extended to tenant engagement on sustainable best practices and sharing green procurement policies and guidelines to encourage greater partnership on a shared sustainability journey.

Among the latest additions to Melinh Points offerings include the The Pinnacle, a shared, mixed-use venue exclusive to the buildings tenants with panoramic river and city views and state-of-the-art facilities.

Located at the top of Melinh Point, The Pinnacle includes an indoor event hall, outdoor sky deck, and an exclusive VIP lounge.

With customisable layouts and its focus on health and wellbeing, The Pinnacle is expected to be a popular activity hub that nurtures the wellness of occupiers.

Green certification is an important aspect of FPVs net-zero carbon journey and demonstrates how sustainability can be embedded across the companys assets lifecycle. This helps ensure FPVs portfolio remains resilient and future-proof, with the aim of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

FPV was the first real estate company in Vietnam to receive approval from the Science-Based Targets initiative in 2022 for its science-based approach to significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Other developments developed or managed by FPV have either received or are in the process of obtaining LEED certification.

These include an eco logistics centre, a ready-built warehouse, and mixed-use commercial building Worc@Q2, as well as Binh Duong Industrial Park and its northern Vietnam industrial and logistics developments.

Listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange and headquartered in the city-state, the group has total assets of approximately S$40 billion ($29.8 billion).

Its multinational businesses operate across commercial and business parks, hospitality, industrial and logistics, residential, and retail.

More than 180 hectares of industrial land area within strategic locations in Vietnam, with almost a million sq.m of international grade and green certified industrial facilities, will be developed to support the countrys growing manufacturing economy.

Frasers Property - first real estate company in Vietnam with SBTi-approved targets Frasers Property Vietnam (FPV), one of Vietnam's leading diversified real estate companies, announced on December 15 that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved its approach to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

First LEED-certified ready-built warehouse in Vietnam developed by Frasers Property Frasers Property Vietnam announced on July 18 that the US Green Building Council (USGBC) has confirmed its Eco Logistics Centre as the country's first LEED-certified ready-built warehouse.

Frasers Property Vietnam commits to strong values Frasers Property Vietnam is developing its first industrial property in Vietnam with Binh Duong Industrial Park. Chong Chee Keong, general manager for Industrial, talked to VIRs Bich Ngoc about the companys commitment to this segment in Vietnam.
This event marks VIBs step as the first bank to implement the Temenos Core Banking solution on cloud in Vietnam.

Accordingly, VIB will implement the latest core banking version R23 from Temenos on the AWS cloud and VIB's private cloud platforms, marking it the first bank to deploy the Temenos Core banking system on a cloud computing platform in Vietnam. The project is a collaboration with ITSS, a technology solutions and IT services company from Switzerland.

VIB - the first bank to implement Temenos' Core Banking solution on the cloud in Vietnam

Tran Nhat Minh, deputy CEO cum CIO of VIB, shared the vision behind the adoption. "With strategic positioning to become a leading retail bank in Vietnam, VIB is always at the forefront of investing in technology initiatives, digitalisation, and building an advanced and robust technology platform. The banking industry in Vietnam is undergoing significant transformation, driven by an increase in customer demand for digital experiences and the constant advancement of technology. Particularly, the migration of core banking systems to the cloud has emerged as a game-changing factor, promising flexibility, innovation, and enhanced customer experiences. This core banking modernisation project on cloud reaffirms VIB's commitment to continuously improve services quality and operational efficiency, while creating a strong foundation to serve customers in a prominent digital era."

The deployment ensures compliance, safety, and continuous system operation, marking an important step towards the comprehensive restructuring and innovation of VIB's digital platform, aligned with its 3 drivers "Mobile first - Cloud first - AI first".

With "Cloud first," VIB pioneers the deployment of the Temenos Core Banking solution on cloud using native services. This ensures automatic and rapid on-demand infrastructure scalability and superior seamless service delivery to users, mitigating the impact of service disruption, while optimising development and operational costs.

With "Mobile first", Mobile Banking is one of the key factors, and deploying Temenos Core Banking on the cloud provides robust APIs, high operational performance, and flexibility, enabling VIB to maintain 24/7 services, enhancing the best customer experience and ensuring seamless access to banking services via mobile banking.

With "AI first", VIB has been and continues to focus on leveraging AI and machine learning to provide predictive analytics and suitable financial solutions. The deployment of Temenos Core Banking aims to ensure the enhancement of input data quality through tight automated system controls, which is a crucial input supporting the "AI first" key factor.

Ramki Ramakrishnan, managing director of Temenos, at APAC remarked, We are delighted to welcome VIB as the first bank in Vietnam to embrace Temenos Core Banking on the cloud, further solidifying our market-leading position. Temenos serves as the trusted banking platform for large banks globally, including leading Vietnamese banks, spanning retail, corporate, wealth, and private banking sectors. Vietnams banking sector has experienced significant growth over the last decade and is home to some of the largest and most innovative banks in Southeast Asia, and VIB is leading the way. With VIBs forefront position in cloud-powered banking, we are excited to be working with them as their strategic partner to support their future growth.

Modernisation to accommodate rapid growth and long-term digital transformation strategy

In its strategic transformation phase (2017-2026), VIB has witnessed impressive growth, positioning the bank as one of the top retail banks in Vietnam. To date, VIB is the most retail oriented banks in Vietnam with a retail loan proportion of over 85 per cent of its loan portfolio. Over the past seven years, the bank has achieved compounded growth of its credit portfolio at 32 per cent due to strategic business changes and successful penetration and expansion in the individual customer segment.

With the aim of becoming the most innovative bank in Vietnam, VIB is implementing long-term digital strategies, with digital banking witnessing significant growth alongside high penetration and digital conversion rates. From 2017 to 2023, digital transaction CARG was 100 per cent, with over 94 per cent of retail transactions conducted through digital channels, serving millions of active customers every month.

The implementation of Temenos Core Banking on AWS Cloud marks VIB's latest advancement in its digital transformation journey, contributing to the establishment of robust infrastructure that serves as the foundation for the adoption and development of cutting-edge technology products. It also optimises customer experience, aligns with growth plans, and accommodates future increases in customer numbers, products, and transactions through digital banking channels.

Eric Yeo, Vietnam country manager of AWS, added, Cloud revolution provides capabilities to optimise operation, improve security, reduce operational costs for technology infrastructure, and minimise downtime during peak traffic. We are proud to collaborate with VIB and Temenos on this journey in helping to shape the banking industry in Vietnam. This technology platform will help the bank meet and exceed its rapid business growth in the future.

Expanding the ecosystem of innovative technology solutions with a customer-centric approach

With a diverse product ecosystem and integration of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and Augmented Reality (AR), and superior convenience and speed, VIB has asserted its position as one of the leading banks in delivering innovative digital products with a customer-centric approach. The digital strategy has earned VIB recognition from both domestic and international organisations for its high-tech and trend-leading products.

The utilisation of Temenos Core Banking solution with its loud-native and cloud-Agnostic features in this project allows VIB the freedom to operate across public clouds such as AWS and VIB's private clouds; provides the agility, scalability, and resilience necessary to meet the dynamic needs of modern customers; and fosters an environment of continuous innovation and improvement for VIB. The new system will also expedite VIB's ability to upgrade, expand, and introduce new digital products and services to the market quickly and significantly save time. Additionally, with high-performance and flexibility, VIB can maintain 24/7 services and better customer experience. Customers will benefit from maximum security when using VIB's services, as the AWS Cloud holds over 140 security compliance certifications.

Manju HC, director of ITSS Global, said, We are pleased to be putting our more than two decades of digital core banking transformation expertise to work, allowing VIB to innovate faster using cloud capabilities to grow their business while meeting sustainability commitments. What sets ITSS apart is our accelerators, hands-on experience within global markets, and how we keep the end-user experience in mind while driving digital transformations. ITSSs Temenos services and cloud technology expertise paves the way for VIB to deliver mission-driven products and services that delight customers.

VIB's profit up 7 per cent on-year Vietnam International Bank (VIB) has announced its results for the first nine months of 2023, with revenue on a good growth trajectory, business efficiency ranked at the top of the industry, and a strong and sound balance sheet.
Booths at VIFA EXPO

VIFA EXPO 2024 - the 15th Vietnam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair- will take place from February 26-29 at Sky Expo Vietnam Centre, Quang Trung Software City, Ho Chi Minh City.

The fair is being co-organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industrys Ho Chi Minh City branch (VCCI - HCMC), Vietnam Association for Building Materials (VABM), and Lien Minh Company.

This year's event has widened collaboration with esteemed furniture exhibitions worldwide.

It is also being supported by the Vietnam Coconut Association (VCA), Ho Chi Minh City Advertising Association (HAA), and Vietnam Investment Construction - Services in Agriculture and Forestry Association (VICSAFA).

VIFA EXPO - An exhibition of global significance

VIFA EXPO 2024 stands as the pinnacle of transnational trade and promotions within the furniture sector.

This prestigious exhibition has attracted over 600 exhibitors with nearly 2,000 booths, and includes Vietnamese exhibitors from across the country and foreign exhibitors from 17 countries around the world.

Impressively, it has also received pre-registration from 3,500 international furniture buyers from 83 countries and territories, serving as testament to the effectiveness of the fair.

Following 14 successful editions, VIFA EXPO 2024 has solidified its standing as a premier conduit, facilitating connections between myriad buyers worldwide and exhibitors.

This year's event has widened collaboration with esteemed furniture exhibitions worldwide.

Exclusive support for international buyers

VIFA EXPO 2024 stands as a must-visit destination for global buyers and importers in their search for quality furniture sources. The events organisers ensure seamless support for international furniture buyers, covering transportation and accommodation needs.

Visitors flock to VIFA EXPO

This support includes complimentary two-night accommodation for VIP buyers during the exhibition, along with an exclusive VIFA EXPO 2024 souvenir kit, free airport support services for international buyers at Tan Son Nhat Airport, and a free shuttle bus service from Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon, New World Hotel and First Hotel to the event.

Other incentives include free factory visit tours to manufacturers in Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces, and special discounts from 20-50 per cent for accommodation at official expo 4-5 star hotels.

Notably, participants can attend free seminars with expert speakers from the furniture and design and construction industries includes: Seminar Global Furniture Outlook 2023 & Trends & Forecasts 2024, featuring experts in the furniture and design industry from Italy, Canada, and Alibaba.com.; and Seminar Application of New Materials in Interior and Exterior Production, with experts in the construction industry from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and the Vietnam Association of Building Materials (VABM).

The agenda also features Exclusive Exhibitor and Buyers Night events to honour and express gratitude to exhibitors that have been dedicated partners of VIFA EXPO throughout its 16-year journey in advancing trade and fostering global connections within the furniture industry. Meanwhile, there are also the opportunities for exhibitors and international buyers to exchange and expand business connections.

Register for free visit to VIFA EXPO 2024 and meet 600+ furniture exporters from Vietnam and overseas at https://www.vifaexpo.com/clientRegister.

For further information, please contact: LIEN MINH COMPANY

Address: 2/13 Bau Cat 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: +84 28 7306 7887  Hotline: +84 79 999 7657

Email: info@hawacorp.com.vn  Website: www.vifafair.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vifafair

Linkedin: https://vn.linkedin.com/company/vifa-expo

Around 100 businesses attend Cleanfact & Resat Expo 2023 Cleanfact & Resat Expo 2023 took place in the northen province of Bac Ninh from October 26 to 28, providing opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to participate in trade, information exchange, and international cooperation with potential partners and customers.

1,200 exhibitors display their solutions at Vietnam Expo 2023 1,200 exhibitors representing 20 countries and territories are showcasing cutting-edge products and innovative solutions at the Vietnam International Trade Fair in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam Expo 2023) from December 7 to 9.
The latest mass killing in the U.S. happened in Ferguson, Missouri, where authorities say a 39-year-old woman intentionally set a fire at home to kill herself and her four children.

The children were 9-year-old twins, a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old. Police announced late Wednesday that a preliminary investigation determined it was a murder-suicide. Investigators believe the mother set fire to a mattress, and a note was left stating her intentions to kill herself and her children, police said.

Responding firefighters found the home engulfed in flames at 4:23 a.m. Monday. Neighbors had tried to save the family, but the fire was too intense.

The woman and the two fathers of her children were involved in prolonged legal disputes over the kids, according to a statement issued on behalf of her relatives by her attorney. She had been happy and enjoyed life and was a loving mother, but those court battles brought her to a moment of crisis that resulted in tragic consequences, the statement said.

This was the countrys 9th mass killing this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

Less than two months into the new year, at least 43 people have died in those killings, which are defined as incidents in which four or more people die within a 24-hour period, not including the killer  the same definition used by the FBI.

The nation is witnessing the third-highest number on record of deaths due to mass killings by this point in a single year. Only 2023 and 2008 saw more deaths from mass killings at this point, with 53 deaths and 47 deaths, respectively. Last year ended with 42 mass killings and 217 deaths, making it one of the deadliest years on record.

According to the database as of Friday, there have been 583 mass killings since 2006, in which 3,032 people died and 2,040 people were injured.

Heres what happened in the other U.S. mass killings this year:

Officials said four men are dead following a drive-by shooting in a neighborhood. Dozens of shots were fired outside a Birmingham home, police said. A group had been standing outside of a house as people got their cars washed when someone drove by and opened fire. Investigators said they believe at least one of the victims was targeted. No arrests were immediately reported.

Shootings over several hours killed four people: a man in Bell, a man in a Los Angeles shopping center parking lot, a 14-year-old boy in Cudahy, and a homeless man in Huntington Park, authorities said. At least one other juvenile was wounded. Authorities arrested two men, ages 42 and 20, in connection with the shootings. They are suspected of being gang members, officials said. A motive was not immediately identified, but investigators said they believe the victims were randomly targeted.

Six sets of human remains were recovered from the ashes of a fire that destroyed a home about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Philadelphia, according to the county district attorney's office. Authorities suspect the family members who died  including three children  were killed by a 43-year-old male relative who also died after shooting and wounding two police officers, the office added. A motive was not immediately identified.

Authorities found the bodies of six men in the Mojave Desert outside the sparsely populated community of El Mirage after someone called 911 and said he had been shot, according to sheriffs officials. The men were likely shot to death in a dispute over marijuana, local authorities said. The bodies were found about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles in an area known for illegal cannabis operations. Five men suspected in the violence were arrested and charged with murder. All pleaded not guilty.

A 23-year-old man is suspected of fatally shooting eight people  including seven of his relatives  and injuring a ninth person in a Chicago suburb. He fatally shot himself later during a confrontation with law enforcement in Texas. Authorities said they believe he was trying to reach Mexico. Police said the victims included his mother, siblings, aunt, uncle and two men he might not have known. They were found in two homes, outside an apartment building and on a residential street.

A 63-year-old man in suburban Chicago is accused of killing his wife and three adult daughters in what police have described as a domestic-related shooting. Police allege he shot the four family members  ages 53, 24 and two 25-year-old twins  after an argument at their home. He was charged with four counts of first-degree murder, according to authorities.

A 46-year-old man fatally shot his estranged wife and three other relatives, including his 8-year-old niece, at a home in suburban Houston before killing himself, authorities said. The man opened fire at the home just before 7 a.m. that Saturday after returning his young child from a visit. Authorities said that after arriving at the home, he told his estranged wife that he wanted to reunite, but she refused. In addition to killing his niece and estranged wife, he also killed her brother and sister, ages 43 and 46.

A 17-year-old boy was charged with killing four members of a neighboring family in central California. He lived next door to the victims  ages 81, 61, 44 and 43  in Reedley, a small town near Fresno. The bodies were found on Jan. 6 in the backyard of their home, including one buried in a shallow grave, and in the detached garage of the teenagers home, police said.
A Michigan man is the first person to face charges under the state's new law requiring gun owners to keep weapons in locked storage containers around minors.

The case is bringing attention to similar state laws across the U.S. and prosecutors' determination of when to bring criminal charges using them.

The debate is particularly sharp in Michigan, where prosecutors in another county recently secured the first conviction in the U.S. against a parent of a child who committed a mass school shooting.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE?

Authorities said this week that Michael Tolbert failed to secure a revolver and his 2-year-old daughter accessed it and critically injured herself. The 44-year-old man faces nine felony charges, including first-degree child abuse and violation of Michigans gun storage law.

The girl was shot the day after Michigan's new law on gun storage around kids took effect.

Genesee County prosecutors have said a plea of not guilty has been entered for Tolbert. Online court records say he is represented by the county's office of the public defender. A representative for the office said Thursday that Tolbert would be assigned an attorney but had not yet met with his defense.

WHY DID MICHIGAN PASS ITS LAW?

Michigan Democrats created a broad package of legislative proposals on guns in 2021, a response to a 15-year-old opening fire at his high school in Oxford Township and killing four classmates.

But they couldn't pass the proposals until taking full control of the Legislature from Republicans in 2022. A second mass shooting on the Michigan State University campus last February helped push the measures through to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The storage law requires gun owners to keep unloaded firearms in a locked storage box or container when it is reasonably known that a minor is or is likely to be present on the premises.

It also set several levels of potential prison time or fines, with higher penalties if a child uses an unsecure gun, hurts themself or someone else, or kills themself or someone else. The law makes some exceptions, including supervised use or acting in self defense.

IS MICHIGANS LAW RARE?

Including Michigan, 21 U.S. states have laws permitting criminal charges against people who fail to keep a gun inaccessible to a minor, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

But the laws  often described as child access prevention  vary. In some states, the law only applies if the gun is fired. Others are stricter and apply even if the gun doesn't fire or harm someone.

State storage laws also define minor differently. In some, teenagers older than 14 would not be considered a minor.

ARE PROSECUTIONS COMMON?

There's little comprehensive data nationally.

Some prosecutors have said it is an unnecessary punishment, especially after a child dies. Others see it as a way to encourage other gun owners to lock weapons away from kids.

A 2017 investigation by the USA Today Network and The Associated Press found prosecutors brought charges about half the time from 2014 to 2016 in which children under age 12 either killed themselves or were mistakenly shot and killed by another child.

The review analyzed reports from all states, not just those with laws requiring certain types of gun storage.

The review also found that the circumstances often didn't seem to matter when comparing cases that resulted in charges to those that did not. But in nearly all cases where the gun owner had a felony record, prosecutors did pursue charges.

Michigan prosecutors have said Tolbert was barred from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple firearms-related felony convictions and drug-related convictions.

In another high-profile U.S. case, the Virginia mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher initially faced charges of felony child neglect and a misdemeanor count of recklessly storing a firearm. Prosecutors dropped the storage charge as part of a plea deal.

Erin Davis, senior counsel director of litigation at the anti-gun violence organization Brady, said laws aimed at gun storage are educational tools, not a punishment.

It's really analogous to requiring children to be in car seats or to wear seat belts, Davis said. The goal is to change behavior to save lives.

Kelly Drane, research director at the Giffords Law Center, agreed.

While we dont have hard data on this, lack of prosecutions doesnt preclude the law from working  it still sets a cultural standard that can help encourage more responsible behavior, Drane said.

CAN PARENTS FACE OTHER CHARGES?

Even in states without laws on gun storage or kids' access, prosecutors have other options to criminally charge parents or caregivers.

Michigan's most prominent example is the involuntary manslaughter charges filed against James and Jennifer Crumbley after their son killed four of his high school classmates in 2021.

Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty this month, the first time a U.S. parent was held responsible for a child carrying out a mass school attack. James Crumbley faces trial in March. He has pleaded not guilty.

Experts have agreed the circumstances of that case are extreme. Prosecutors argue the Crumbleys made a gun accessible to their son, ignored his deteriorating mental health and didn't take him home when school officials called them to the building to show the teen's parents his concerning drawings the day of the attack.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy  whose jurisdiction includes Detroit and is the most populated in Michigan  has routinely brought charges of child abuse or involuntary manslaughter against parents after their children have killed or wounded themselves or others with an unsecured gun.

The latest charges were filed in December against the mother and father of a 5-year-old boy killed who was shot in the face. Detroit Police Chief James White told reporters the boy found the gun on top of a dresser and was jumping on a bed when it fired.

Worthy said it's easier to prove a violation of the new law beyond a reasonable doubt compared to prosecuting other potential charges in such cases. But it's impossible to know whether the laws or the charges push more people to secure their guns, she said.

We can't measure a negative, Worthy said, but she hopes that bringing attention to the laws will be more of a deterrent.
ATHENS, Ga. (AP)  A 26-year-old man was arrested Friday in the killing of a nursing student whose body was found on the University of Georgia campus, and police said he apparently did not know the victim, he acted alone and there was no further threat to the university community.

The suspect, identified as Athens resident Jose Antonio Ibarra, was taken into custody for the death of 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley, police said. The body of the Augusta University College of Nursing student was found near running trails Thursday, launching a highly visible police investigation that centered on an apartment complex just south of there.

Video from campus security and other technology led police to Ibarra, who lived in one of the apartments, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeff Clark said in a Friday evening news conference.

The evidence authorities have gathered in the case is robust, and they believe it was a solo act by Ibarra, according to Clark. He also said the investigation suggests that the suspect and victim had no relationship.

"This was a crime of opportunity where he saw an individual, and bad things happened, Clark said.

Ibarra faces charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another, according to Clark. Authorities were taking him to Athens-Clarke County Jail.

It wasn't immediately known if Ibarra had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Clark said Ibarra doesnt have an extensive criminal history and is not a U.S. citizen, but he did not know Ibarra's immigration status.

Riley's body was discovered Thursday afternoon after a friend told police she had not returned from a morning run, authorities said. Officers immediately began a search and found her body in a forested area near Lake Herrick that includes trails popular with runners and walkers.

Emergency medical responders determined she died before officers found her. Clark said Friday that the cause of death was blunt force trauma, but he did not elaborate.

Riley studied at the University of Georgia through the spring of 2023 before transferring to Augusta Universitys College of Nursing, according to a statement from the University of Georgia, which does not have a nursing program itself. She remained active in the sorority she joined at the University of Georgia.

Rileys sister, Lauren Phillips, paid tribute to her Friday in an Instagram post, calling her the best sister and my built in best friend from the very first second.

This isnt fair and I will never understand it but I know you are in heaven with the man you loved most right now, Phillips wrote. Im not sure how Im going to do this but its all going to be for you from now on. I cannot wait to give you the biggest hug someday. I will miss and love you forever Laken.

Riley graduated in 2020 from River Ridge High School in Woodstock, a suburb northwest of Atlanta, where she ran cross country.

Our community and our world lost a shining light with the tragic passing of Laken, Cherokee County schools Superintendent Brian Hightower said in a statement. An outstanding scholar athlete, Laken inspired classmates and teachers with her love of learning and her kindness to all. We ask that the community please keep her family in their hearts.

The area where Riley was found is near the campus' intramural fields, and only a little farther from a large dormitory complex occupied mostly by first-year students. Officials had advised students to travel in groups and avoid the area.

Police set up a mobile command post at an apartment complex nearby, with more than a dozen officers present. At one point, officers searched a dumpster at a gas station across the street.

First-year business major Paige Soskel, who was having coffee Friday with a friend in downtown Athens, said she was stunned to think that Riley was killed during the day.

It was kind of just surreal to think that we have friends in the sorority that she was in, Soskel said. And just to think that its somebody that people we know actually know is just scary  that it could be anyone.

She said she already tries to let others know where she is, including using an online tracking service. But now shes considering further precautions, and her father sent her pepper spray.

Nate Stein, who graduated in December with a biomedical engineering degree, said hes likely to be on edge for a little bit. His roommate is a frequent runner, and they often exercise in the area around the lake.

I used to walk there every morning too, and I mean, it just feels like a very safe space, Stein said. Its on campus so, like I said, it doesnt really feel like it would ever be unsafe at all.

The University of Georgia, which has 41,000 students, mostly in Athens, canceled classes Friday.

Augusta canceled classes at its Athens campus but said it would remain open as a gathering place for students, faculty and staff. However, the universitys campus in a strip mall appeared largely deserted in the afternoon, with an employee saying reporters were not being allowed inside.

Students at the University of Georgia were already shaken after a student was found dead in his dorm room Wednesday and an armed robbery took place in the center of campus the night of Feb. 16. University police said Thursday there was no reason to believe those incidents were connected to Rileys death.

Murder is relatively rare in Athens with the city averaging six per year, about half Georgias statewide rate. But Athens-Clarke crime statistics show other types of crime with rates above the statewide average, including aggravated assault, burglary, rape and motor vehicle theft.

A similar killing in Tennessee in 2022 shocked people nationwide. Eliza Fletcher, 34, was abducted during a pre-dawn run near the University of Memphis, and her body was found days later. Cleotha Abston has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder and especially aggravated kidnapping.

A week later, thousands of people across the country finished Fletchers run in events honoring the mother of two and kindergarten teacher.

Amy reported from Atlanta.
A commitment to a state hospital was extended Wednesday for a former Waco teacher found not guilty by reason of insanity in December in her 17-year-old sons 2020 shooting death.

Visiting Judge Roy Sparkman signed the order in an uncontested hearing Wednesday to extend to six months the commitment of Sarah Elizabeth Hunt, 42, of Riesel, for forensic psychiatric services after her doctors reported she continues to pose a danger to herself and others. Sparkman is presiding this week in Wacos 54th State District Court while Judge Susan Kelly is out of town.

Kelly acquitted Hunt by reason of insanity Dec. 20 in the death of her son, Garrett Hunt. Officials found that Sarah Hunt shot Garrett on Nov. 9, 2020, while on the way to his first day of class at Riesel High School. The judge sent Hunt to a state psychiatric hospital for evaluation and development of a treatment plan.

Two attending psychiatrists at San Antonio State Hospital, Dr. Peggy Stephens and Dr. Vanessa Danquah, both wrote earlier this week in evaluations that Hunt continues to pose a threat to cause serious harm to herself and to others.

Danquah wrote that Hunt continues to experience chronic depressive symptoms and had suicidal ideation in the past.

Hunt continues to experience depressive symptomatology that includes low mood and guilt, Danquah wrote in a Feb. 20 evaluation. Also Hunt will require a longer length of stay in order to assess her response to treatment.

Stephens wrote in a Feb. 20 evaluation that Hunt acknowledged depressed mood as well as ruminations about trauma and anxiety, and also expressed motivation for treatment.

Hunts evaluation and treatment have been slowed by an illness, Stephens wrote.

She will not start full programming until off quarantine, Stephens wrote. Psychiatric improvement and stabilization will take several weeks to months, as well as additional time to complete the not guilty by reason of insanity process.

Wednesdays hearing was one of a series of required court settings to determine the least restrictive treatment environment and best interests of Hunt and the community. Within 180 days from Wednesday, Hunt will have another hearing and then annually thereafter.

People acquitted of violent crimes under insanity pleas remain under jurisdiction of the court, William Lee Carter, a McLennan County forensic psychologist who frequently testifies for the state or defense in violent crime cases, said in December. Their psychiatric treatment plans are generally carried out in maximum-security state psychiatric hospitals, Carter said.

An insanity plea is not the end of the road in terms of justice, he said.

An insanity defense is only offered in about 1% of cases nationwide, Carter said. Of those pleas, courts only accept about one out of four, he said.

Hunt became a fifth grade teacher at Lake Air Montessori Magnet School in summer 2020. The week before the shooting, Lake Air had shifted its classes online because of the pandemic, but the Monday morning of the shooting, she did not log in to her classroom Zoom meeting, the Tribune-Herald has reported.

In affidavits, McLennan County Sheriffs Office investigators said Hunt and her family were in the process of moving to Riesel at the time. Hunt was driving Garrett to class at Riesel High School when she shot him in her Hyundai minivan, according to affidavits.

According to reports filed in the case, Hunt left her van running and ran into a Riesel street, telling people her son needed help and was with her mother in heaven.

Hunt asked, What have I done? and said This is not real, witnesses told investigators.

Police found a .40-caliber handgun next to Garretts body on the drivers side floor of the Hyundai. They also found a .40-caliber magazine and cartridges, some in the minivan and some outside on the ground, according to an arrest affidavit.

A few days after Garretts death, about 100 people from Riesel, Gholson and West attended a candlelight vigil in his memory. Garretts friends and loved ones remembered him as a kind, respectful teenager with a strong Christian faith who loved to hunt and fish.

At the time, family friends said the Hunt family  Garrett, his younger brother and his parents  had been living in a camper in Gholson for about six months. The family drove the camper to a Riesel RV park a few days before the shooting.

The friends said Hunt had felt overwhelmed by work stress. Hunt confided in them that she cried daily at her school desk because of the pressures of dealing with teaching remotely and in-person, and with the demands of the pandemic.
The city of Waco this week authorized $4.2 million for road work, sidewalks, landscaping and utilities along University Parks Drive, the finishing touch on a project now set to wrap up by the end of July.

The Waco City Council on Tuesday approved that amount for amendments to a contract with Austin Commercial for the improvements to University Parks Drive and Clay Avenue, bringing the total cost for the project to $15.3 million.

The project, which began construction in June 2023, aims to reconstruct and revitalize University Parks between Jackson Avenue and Interstate 35. It also rebuilds an intersecting segment of Clay Avenue leading toward the Brazos River, where Catalyst Urban Development is partnering with the city on a large mixed-use residential and retail complex.

The section of University Parks Drive has been closed for much of the past year, and sewer and drainage work has caused temporary closures over the last four years.

The newest phase of work will add decorative sidewalks and gateway features such as trees and bushes, lighting and irrigation along the road and median as well as the highly visible corner of the I-35 frontage road and University Parks.

The gateway additions near Baylor Universitys new Foster Pavilion are meant to welcome visitors to Wacos new Riverfront development and downtown Waco, Assistant City Manager Paul Cain said in an email this week. A December 2022 council agenda, when the project was first announced, described the rebuilt street as a grand entrance with a premium aesthetic and feel.

Cain said the landscaping additions make up $898,000 of the $4.2 million.

With the remaining $3.3 million, the city reassigned to Austin Commercial work that was originally in Catalysts development contract with the city. Cain said these items were transferred to Austin to provide the city a greater level of control on the construction schedule.

That includes street pavement, signage, lighting, water and wastewater infrastructure, power, communications and gas infrastructure along Webster Avenue between University Parks and the river.

Jim Holmes, District 5 city council member and mayor pro tem, said the amendments represent the last bit of needed funding for the University Parks improvement project, which he said is an important part of overall downtown revitalization efforts.

We want it to be nice and inviting and make the connection to Baylor and downtown, Holmes said. Its an important thoroughfare.

Holmes said the additional $4.2 million of funding was already budgeted for the year through Wacos capital improvement fund.
The wrecking ball is inching closer to Wacos largest public housing complex, Estella Maxey Place, as the Waco Housing Authority pursues funding for a new, more attractive complex it plans to build in phases, called Melody Grove.

Current residents of Estella Maxey, 1809 J.J. Flewellen Road, will not lose their homes. Waco Housing Authority will move residents to vacancies it has maintained in the complex knowing this day would come. They will relocate to Melody Grove as demolition and construction proceed. The housing authority secured enough funding late last year to move forward with the first phase as early as this summer, and the authoritys board voted Thursday to pursue more federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the effort, beating the March 1 deadline.

The board also took action Thursday supporting local developer Brenner Campbells pursuit of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits for housing he plans to build nearby, along a 30-acre stretch of Gholson Road. Campbell plans a 188-unit complex featuring duplexes of 1,100 to 1,200 square feet.

He has Phase 1 financed and wants to be turning dirt by July, housing authority President and CEO Milet Hopping said. He now is pursuing right-of-way and architectural renderings.

She said Campbell is fielding offers from other groups, including possibly a food bank, to acquire land.

I think there are a couple of groups wanting to split up a parcel, leaving him with about 10 acres to develop, Hopping said.

Hopping said it is her understanding about half the units would be offered at market rate, though Section 8 options are envisioned.

Phase 1 of the Melody Grove work, meanwhile, will create a 79-unit gated, seniors-only section along Adams Street with its own community center, Hopping told the Tribune-Herald.

The housing authority is pursuing the redevelopment under the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration program, meaning the complex will be converted from traditional public housing to site-based Section 8 housing, giving existing low-income residents vouchers that will allow them to remain without rent increases.

Weve seen over the years we get enough money only to apply Band-Aids, Hopping said.

Now the housing authority is taking the matter mostly into its own hands, pursuing $30 million to $40 million in financing to build Melody Grove, which it will own outright and maintain.

The long-term idea is reinventing the 364-unit Estella Maxey complex with the 275-unit Melody Grove. Eventually, every inch of Estella Maxey will be demolished to make room for Melody Grove, Hopping said.

Investors give their investors tax write-offs, which gives us construction money, Hopping said of the housing tax credit process.

She said units in Melody Grove will have fans in every room, dishwashers, microwaves and other amenities. Anyone would want to live there. Most Estella Maxey residents have low incomes, the per-person average being less than $11,000 per year. She said others living there may work as assistant managers at Walmart or at a local poultry plant.

Melody Grove, named to honor original namesake Estella Maxeys career as a musician, will offer housing not only for Section 8 clients but also for seniors and for people with decent jobs who still need rental assistance.

Hopping recently told the Tribune-Herald the complex could become a catalyst for more East Waco development, considering its proximity to the new $74 million G.W. Carver Middle School a block away. The project already has received approval for $1.83 million in tax credits through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. In December, it received an $850,000 subsidy from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, enough to proceed with plans for the first phase of work.

Hopping said Phase 1 renovations will cost about $5 million.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in January as homebuyers were encouraged by easing mortgage rates and a modest pickup in properties on the market.

Existing home sales rose 3.1% last month from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4 million, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. Thats the strongest sales pace since August and is slightly higher than the 3.98 million sales pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

The modest sales increase is an encouraging start for the housing market, which has been mired in a slump the past two years. Still, compared with January 2023, sales fell 1.7%. Existing home sales sank to a nearly 30-year low last year, tumbling 18.7% from 2022.

While home sales remain sizably lower than a couple of years ago, Januarys monthly gain is the start of more supply and demand, said Lawrence Yun, the NARs chief economist.

The pickup in sales helped push up home prices compared with a year earlier for the seventh month in a row. The national median sales price rose 5.1% from January last year to $379,100. That's the highest median sales price for January on records going back to 1999.

For the first time in 14 months, the median home sales price outpaced the 4.5% annual gain in U.S. wage growth recorded in January.

It's unhealthy, we dont want to see it, but its a testament to the housing shortage were facing in America, Yun said.

Competition for relatively few homes on the market and elevated mortgage rates have limited house hunters buying power on top of years of soaring prices. That dynamic has helped keep home prices mostly rising despite weak home sales.

The cost of financing a home has largely come down from its most recent peak in late October, when the average rate on a 30-year mortgage hit a 23-year high of 7.79%, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. But rates have been rising in recent weeks, with the average rate climbing this week to 6.90%, the highest level since mid-December.

This is going to definitely impact the affordability for many people out there in the market place, Yun said. "So, its not good news.

Homebuyers who could afford to sidestep mortgage rates altogether increasingly did so last month. Some 32% of the homes purchased last month were bought entirely with cash, the highest share in nearly 10 years, Yun noted.

First-time homebuyers who dont have any home equity to put toward their down payment continued to have a tough time getting into the housing market. They accounted for just 28% of all homes sold last month. Theyve made up 40% of sales historically.

A modest increase in the number of homes on the market helped lift sales. At the end of December, there were 1.01 million homes on the market, the NAR said. While thats a 3.1% increase from a year earlier, the number of available homes remains well below the monthly historical average of about 2.25 million.

The available inventory at the end of January amounted to a 3-month supply, going by the current sales pace. Thats up 2% from the previous month and 3.1% January last year. In a more balanced market between buyers and sellers, there is a 4- to 6-month supply.

While more homes typically hit the market in the spring, many homeowners that have locked in a mortgage rate well below where rates are today may opt to stay put rather than give up their rock-bottom rates. Some two-thirds of U.S. homes have a mortgage with a rate under 4% and more than 90% have a rate below 6%.
A $10 million effort to ease Nebraska's child care crisis by subsidizing the costs of child care for workers in the field cleared a major hurdle in the Legislature.

State lawmakers advanced LB856 through its first of three rounds of debate in a 35-9 vote Wednesday. The bill would appropriate up to $10 million per year for child care workers in Nebraska to obtain child care services for their own children at no cost, regardless of their personal income.

The idea behind LB856 is to boost the number of child care workers, thus making care more available for other Nebraska parents and ultimately allowing more people to join the workforce.

"The lack of workers in the child care industry, and high levels of staff turnover, is hindering the ability of other folks to get to work," said LB856's introducer, state Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha.

Nebraska has been struggling with a workforce shortage for years. This year, state senators introduced a collection of bills to address various aspects of the problem, including multiple child care bills. Supporters of LB856 from across the political spectrum said child care is one of the most important areas to resolve, as it often is the first impediment parents face that prevent them from pursuing work opportunities.

"We need to begin in the right place," said Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte.

Fredrickson modeled the bill after a similar initiative in Kentucky, which other states also have eyed. In order to compete with those states for workers, he argued Nebraska also needs to offer incentives.

Fredrickson estimated that subsidizing care for child care providers could bring 2,175 people into the child care workforce. They could provide care for an estimated 16,000 more Nebraska children, based on research showing that every additional child care worker cares for eight children.

To address concerns, Fredrickson introduced an amendment to LB856, which also passed Wednesday. The amendment sunsets the subsidy on Oct. 1, 2026, which the Legislature can extend through separate legislation, and caps the appropriation at $10 million per year.

Originally, the Legislative Fiscal Office estimated the bill would cost about $21 million, which drew concerns from some lawmakers. Fredrickson said he believes that figure was an overestimation, and said he is confident that $10 million is enough to cover Nebraska's needs.

In addition, Fredrickson estimated that LB856 could actually save costs that Nebraska families incur because of lost work opportunities from a lack of child care options, which he estimated to be about $489 million annually.

Though Fredrickson's amendment received widespread support on the floor, it was not enough to sway some lawmakers from opposing the underlying bill. Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering said he was sympathetic to child care access as the co-owner of a child care center in Colorado, but argued businesses must take the initiative to pay their workers well, and viewed LB856 as a permanent entitlement.

"When the government pays for something, it makes it expected," Hardin said. "In fact, it does in fact turn into an entitlement. What we are hatching here is a new entitlement."

Several opponents, including Hardin, expressed doubt that the subsidy would actually expire in 2026. Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard said he's never seen a sunset take effect in his seven years serving in the Legislature, and argued that if the legislation is successful, it's likely that it would become a permanent program.

Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha also opposed the bill and argued the state shouldn't pay for free child care since some providers offer that benefit already to recruit workers.

Fredrickson countered that while some businesses do offer that incentive, a majority of child care providers in Nebraska do not have the means to offer this. He said some of those providers testified in support of LB856 at its public hearing, and said they need the state aid to provide that benefit.

Despite the concerns expressed during Wednesday's floor debate, Fredrickson said he was happy with how the first round went, saying he felt a strong motivation from the body to address the state's child care crisis through his bill. He said he plans to work with lawmakers and stakeholders on another possible amendment to address some of the opposing arguments.

"This was a big deal for Nebraska today," Fredrickson said after the vote.
WATERLOO  Brandon Schoborg has been named president and chief executive officer at Cardinal Construction, a leading commercial general construction company serving Northeast Iowa.

I am deeply committed to upholding our companys values, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, and delivering exceptional results for our clients, Schoborg said in a news release.

Schoborg brings more than 18 years of experience with Cardinal Construction to his new role. A 2005 graduate of the University of Northern Iowas construction management program, he has progressed through various roles in the company, including project manager and most recently, executive vice president since 2021.

Outgoing CEO Katy Susong expressed confidence in Schoborgs ability to lead Cardinal Construction into the future.

Brandon is a natural choice for this role. His extensive construction knowledge, industry connections, and exceptional leadership skills make him the ideal candidate to steer our company forward, she said in the release.

Founded 128 years ago, Cardinal Construction has been a cornerstone of commercial construction in Northeast Iowa, delivering high-quality projects of all sizes across various client types.
TAMA  A Council Bluffs man has been sentenced to prison in connection with a homemade gun found after he caused a disturbance at a Tama casino in April 2022.

Som Boun Cam, 56, was sentenced to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release during a hearing Thursday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

Authorities said Cam had jiggled hotel door handles and kicked doors at the Meskwaki Casino  conduct prosecutors said amounted to attempting to break into rooms; conduct the defense attributed to the erratic behavior that comes with drug use and mental health episodes.

Cam then shadow boxed with a fire extinguisher and paced the hall before becoming involved in a scuffle with another hotel guest.

Medics took him to the hospital for medical treatment and he left behind his backpack, which was later turned into the casinos lost and found.

Inside the backpack, hotel workers found a glass pipe and a loaded homemade double-barreled gun capable of firing .410-bore shells.

Cam returned for the backpack days later, and police found three bags of meth in his coat pocket. He admitted to police he built the weapon himself, according to court records.

ATF workers tested the weapon and it worked as intended, court records state. The gun was categorized as an any other weapon which would have required registration through the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Cam is prohibited from handling firearms because of prior felony drug and weapons convictions, according to prosecutors.

Photos: Guns in Northeast Iowa crime cases
Residents evacuated the building at 1047 Langley Road without injury, according to officials with Waterloo Fire Rescue.

It wasnt immediately clear if anyone was living in the third-floor apartment where the fire started. Firefighters were able to stop the flames from reaching other areas of the building.
WATERLOO  Black Hawk Countys elected officials are set to get a raise after holding off on salary increases last year.

The Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation for the raises of elected officials and department directors on Thursday in a 4-1 vote with Supervisor Tom Little dissenting. The recommendation still has to come before the board as a resolution.

Supervisors are recommending a 2.25% increase for themselves, for a salary of $44,044; a 7.5% increase for the recorder and treasurer, for a salary of $98,804; a 7.5% increase for the auditor, for a salary of $98,947; a 7.5% increase for the county attorney, for a salary of $162,500; and a 9% increase for the sheriff, for a salary of $151,121.

Last year, the board agreed that these positions would not receive a raise for fiscal year 2024, which ends June 30.

Department heads, who are non-bargaining, could receive a 3% increase. This includes the finance director, building maintenance superintendent, county engineer, information technology director, human resources director, conservation director and the public health director. The proposed salaries range from $108,150 to $153,470.

The veteran affairs director could receive a 4% increase. That positions salary is significantly lower than the other directors with a proposed salary of $77,834. Non-bargaining employees who are not directors could receive a 4% increase.

On Tuesday, the board approved five-year collective bargaining agreements for the countys unionized employees. Each of the five units are receiving different across-the-board wage increases for the fiscal years beginning in July and ending June 30, 2027. There will be wage openers in the two following fiscal years.

Clerical staff, represented by the Public Professional and Maintenance Employees Local Union 2003, and secondary roads and maintenance employees, represented by Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Local 238, will receive a 3.5% wage increase this year, 3.25% in 2025 and 3% in 2026.

The attorneys staff, represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO Local 679, will receive a 4.5% wage increase this year, 4% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2026.

Conservation staff, also represented by Local 679, will receive a 3% increase this year and a 2.5% increase for the next two years.

Public health employees will receive a 3% increase this year and a 3.5% increase for the next two years. They are represented by Local 679, as well.

Sheriff and dispatch employees, represented by Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Local 238, have two different contracts. Sworn staff will receive a 4% increase for the next three years. Non-sworn staff will receive a 4% increase this year and a 3% increase for the next two years.

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CEDAR FALLS  The magnetic voice that built a marketing empire in Cedar Falls and was a benefactor to numerous charities has fallen silent.

Jim Mudd Sr., founder of Mudd Advertising, died Tuesday. He was 86.

My dad didnt worry. One of the things that made him so successful was his willingness to just go for it, said his daughter, Liz Mudd Iozzo.

He never feared. He always believed wholeheartedly that everything would work out. That allowed him to reach for the stars.

Mudd grew up in Owensboro, Kentucky, and earned a bachelors degree from Brescia College. He served a stint in the National Guard and moved to Illinois to pursue a masters degree at Northwestern University in Evanston in 1959.

That course of study only lasted a few weeks, ending when Mudd was offered a job at WMOI, a FM radio station in Monmouth, Illinois.

While in Monmouth, he met Cecelia Maxey, a flight attendant, and they married the following year.

Mudds radio career brought him to a series of stations across Illinois, and he eventually crossed into Iowa when he bought KCFI-AM in Cedar Falls in 1973. Cecelia became the stations bookkeeper, said Mudd Iozzo, who remembers playing with her toys as a child on a blanket in the office.

But while radio was Mudds dream job, the business side was less than dreamy.

The radio station wasnt panning out. We werent making money for a long time, Mudd Iozzo said.

Family members worked odd jobs to make ends meet and Mudd, now at middle age, began to consider other options.

It was during a meeting with local automobile dealership owner John Deery Sr. that Mudd caught a glimpse of the next chapter in his life.

Deery suggested Mudd go into advertising. Mudd paused and showed some hesitation. Deery pulled out a business card, scribbled Jim Mudd Advertising on the back and handed it to him, telling him now youre in business.

Mudd sold the radio station and began running his ad agency out of his home in 1981. The familys six children all had their roles  answering phones, getting the mail, cleaning, selling swag items.

He developed a methodology for advertising based on his knowledge of radio, Mudd Iozzo said.

Mudd landed an account with a car dealer friend in Illinois who had connections to the National Automobile Dealer Association leadership. Mudd traveled to speak at the trade groups annual convention in New Orleans in 1986.

That trip netted several clients, many of whom stuck with Mudd Advertising for decades, and automobile advertising has been the cornerstone of the agencys success.

His story is very much about perseverance and ambition, Mudd Iozzo said. He really always gave credit to God, then his wife, us kids and all the people who worked there. He said he couldnt have done it alone.

Mudd Advertising eventually set up shop in the Cedar Fall Industrial Park in 1997 and saw a $4.5 million expansion in 2005, adding video production facilities.

Along the way, Mudd and his wife consistently gave back to the community through the University of Northern Iowa Foundation, St. Patricks Church, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Stephens Catholic Student Center, Covenant Foundation, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, the Cedar Falls Sturgis Falls Celebration, Honor Flights and many other charities. He also held leadership roles with the Cedar Valley United Way, Lead Like Jesus, UNI Foundation, Ken Blanchard Center for Faith Walk Leadership and the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.

He set a really great standard for us to know what it means to be a servant leader and a positive influence in peoples lives, Mudd Iozzo said.

Mudds funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday at Mudd Advertising, 915 Technology Parkway, with a vigil service at 7 p.m.
DES MOINES  The Iowa House passed a bill Thursday to strengthen Iowa's open meetings law, proposed by a Quad-Cities lawmaker who said he was inspired by recent events in Davenport.

The bill, House File 2539, would increase the penalties for public officials who violate the open meetings law and require open meeting and records training for public officials. A member of a government body who inadvertently participates in a violation of open meetings laws would be fined between $500 and $2,500. If a person knowingly violates the law, they would be fined between $5,000 and $12,000.

Two issues in Davenport were the chief instigators for the bill, said Rep. Gary Mohr, a Republican from Bettendorf who proposed it. First, the difficulty journalists and members of the public faced obtaining records after the partial building collapse in Davenport last year. The second issue was the city's decision to approve a $1.6 million separation with its city administrator without a vote in public session.

The separation with former City Administrator Corri Spiegel came after "prolonged and documented instances of harassment by some elected officials," according to a statement the city made days after it announced she was leaving her position. Nearly a month later, the council ratified the separation agreement in a public vote.

Separation agreements with Spiegel and two other city employees involved around $2 million in payments by the city, but were decided without a public vote from the council, Mohr said.

The city attorney at the time, who has since retired, said Davenport Municipal Code allows the city attorney to direct litigation and approve settlements with the city, and necessary approval from the council was received.

When the separation agreement was publicly approved in December, acting City Attorney Brian Heyer said the agreements were being brought up on the advice of outside counsel. He said it was being done "just to dot all the i's."

The city and former city attorney face a lawsuit from a Bettendorf resident and open records advocate asking the court to declare the city's actions violated the law.

Bill would require training for public officials

The bill passed with near-unanimous support in the House, 92-2. Reps. Phil Thompson, R-Boone, and Brian Lohse, R-Bondurant, voted against it. It is now eligible for consideration in the Senate.

Under the bill, if a member can prove that they voted against the closed session, had good reason to believe facts that would have indicated compliance with the law, or relied on a decision of a court or different body, they would not receive the fine.

City councils, school boards, boards and commissions, and most of the government bodies are bound by the state's public meetings law that requires most meetings and actions of the body to be taken in public with opportunity for public access.

Government bodies can enter into a closed session for a variety of reasons, including to review records that must be kept confidential, to discuss matters that are in litigation, and in certain hiring and firing situations.

The bill would also require elected or appointed public officials to complete a training course with the Iowa Public Information Board periodically.

The bill would cost $104,000 to hire an additional staff attorney on the public information board, according to an analysis from the Legislative Services Agency. Rep. Brent Siegrest of Council Bluffs said the board was likely going to hire a new staff member anyway because of a recent increase in open record violations and complaints.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the House, we're either going to have open public records in this state, or we're not," Mohr said ahead of the House vote. "I ask you to support this bill."

Sarah Watson of the Quad-City Times contributed to this report.

Photos: Davenport City Council Oaths of Office 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council 010324-qc-nws-council
Housing bodies are not doing enough to tackle the chronic lack of social and affordable homes, members of Mayo County Council have stated.

Representatives of three housing bodies that deliver social housing in Mayo appeared before the local authority last week but five other organisations failed to send representatives.

Marie McNamara, of Tuath Housing, said they are currently developing the old convent building in Westport in collaboration with the council. She explained it is a protected structure that has been derelict for several years, which "brings challenges". Tuath wants to construct 18 age-friendly apartments for over 55s.

Ms McNamara said the planning application is with the council and it should be published later this month.

Councillors heard it is hoped work will begin in early 2025 with the project completed by April 2026.

Noel Daly, of Co-operative Housing Ireland, said it has 33 properties in Mayo with 20 in Humbert Close in Castlebar and 10 at Glenlara Park in Westport. The housing body plans to increase its property stock in Mayo to over 100 homes by 2026, including seven houses that will shortly be delivered at Humbert Way in Castlebar and 44 apartments at Kilcolman Road in Claremorris.

Niall Dunne, the development manager of Mayo Mental Health Association (MMHA), said it is currently providing accommodation for 29 people in eight houses and nine apartments in the county, but it has another 20 people on a waiting list.

The accommodation is just not there, he said.

While there was praise for MMHA, councillors were less impressed with some of the other bodies with Cllr Cllr Peter Flynn saying the Tuath record in Mayo was "underwhelming". He believes local authorities should have complete control of social housing.

There is a fiasco where we have 22 units in Newport (at Black Oak Rise) which are going back and forth between Mayo County Council, a developer and [Tuath] for three years. That is 22 units that have not been completed and are sitting vacant in the middle of a housing crisis.

Cllr John OMalley described that situation as a disgrace, while Cllr Al McDonnell said the housing bodies only make a modest contribution.
A native of Ballina has co-written the song that will represent Latvia at this year's Eurovision in Sweden.

Liam Geddes, a songwriter/producer from the north Mayo town, was one of the creative minds behind Hollow, which is performed by Dons and was selected by the Latvian public to be their countrys song for Eurovision 2024.

A chance meeting with Dons at a songwriting camp kickstarted their creative partnership, which expanded to include Kate Northrop.

I was scheduled in a session with Dons from Latvia, it was pure chance," Liam told the Western People. "We just started talking about what wed write about and Eurovision wasnt in the discussion until after we had written it.

People in Latvia were saying it would be really good to do this for Eurovision. It sounds very random but it was a very organic thing.

Liam said Hollow was a song that had special meaning to him.

We resonated with this idea of not loving the oppression people have had to face in terms of who they love and there are always people out there to tell you right and wrong, even if it doesnt coexist with your own life. It resonated with all of us, he said.

Liam will travel to Malmo with the Latvian crew in early May for the competition where they will compete against the Irish act, Bambie Thug, who have polarised the nation with their eclectic presentation and music. Liam said Bambie Thug is not necessarily his favourite type of music but he feels as though they were a good choice to represent Ireland.

It is certainly interesting, a different direction to the sort of acts Ireland has ever chosen. It is not the music I would gravitate towards straight away in terms of my tastes but I think thats a good thing. It is something totally fresh and if it doesnt work, it doesnt work.
https://tass.com/politics/1750137

MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE  22 FEB, 11:50

MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev believes that it might be required to get to Kiev for reaching the targets of the special military operation. He also warned in response to a question from TASS during a media session with Russian reporters about the geographic borders of the special military operation that the conflict might not be limited to the current stage.

Where to stop? I dont know. I think that considering what I have said [about the necessity to create a safety cordon] we will have to work much and hard. Will it be Kiev? Yes, it should probably be Kiev as well. If not now then some time later, probably during some other stage of this conflicts development, Medvedev said.

The politician presented two arguments for the necessity to get to Kiev, saying that, first, this is a Russian city and, second, the international threat to Russias existence comes from there. Though Kiev is a Russian city in its roots, it is managed by an international team of Russias opponents headed by the United States of America. All that formally perform functions there are figure-heads with neither conscience, nor fear for the future of their country, nor possibilities. All decisions are taken across the pond and in the NATO headquarters. This is absolutely obvious. This is why yes, it may be Kiev as well, he stressed.

Asked whether Ukraine should remain an independent state following the special military operation in general, Medvedev noted that if as a result of all that is going on something remains of Ukraine such a state probably has chances to remain, though not very high. In any case this is not a question of today, of course, but it will be on the agenda some time later, he said. I dont know what will remain in this territorial entity, I cannot call it a country now, maybe the Lemberg region, with a center in the city of Lemberg if the Polish or some other regions undertake for it. But this is a complicated process, not only military, but also political. And not only military forces, not only the military, but people inhabiting those lands as well should play or say their word in this process, he concluded.
A relative of Matan Elmaliach, 26, reacts during his funeral in the West Bank settlement of Maale Adumim, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Israel police said three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on the road near the settlement, killing Elmaliach and wounding at least eight; security forces on the site killed two of the gunmen, and a third was found during searches of the area afterwards and was detained. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
FILE - A flower and a picture are left as a tribute to Russian politician Alexei Navalny, near to the Russian Embassy in London, Feb. 18, 2024. The U.S. government is hitting Russia with the largest tranche of financial penalties imposed on Moscow since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. They target roughly 600 people and firms from Russia to China to the United Arab Emirates. The sanctions are timed to the second anniversary of the invasion, and in response to the death of Navalny. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
What the family has to say about Chloe's life and circumstances of her death, after the 14-year-old was fatally stabbed on February 19, 2023.
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The tradewinds blow strong and sweet as the first fingers of light are etched across the dark sky. I stretch my arms, saluting the rising sun from the oceanfront lawn at the Koa Kea Resorts morning yoga class, waves lapping gently against the shore just a few dozen feet away.

Arriving tired and travel-smudged last night, the morning hits me like a warm embrace welcoming me to the island of Kauai. Its the most beautiful island in the Hawaiian archipelago, Im told over and over when friends hear where Ill be spending the long weekend. So far, theyre not wrong.

Hawaii and I have an uneasy relationship. Its gorgeous, of course, and the culture and history is endlessly fascinating, but the states charms are also its curse. There arent many other places in the U.S.---or even the worldwith a tourist landscape so dominated by behemoth beach resorts and pasty Midwestern families. Even in Kauai, the least developed of Hawaiis large land masses, bloated brand-name hotels are obnoxiously common.

Thats why I was drawn to Koa Kea Resort on Po'ipu Beach on the islands southern side. It has the luxury of a major resortincluding a spa, a poolside bar, onsite snorkel and surf gear, and an excellent restaurantbut, with only 121 rooms and suites, only a fraction of its guests. Even at peak sunbathing hours, there are always loungers available on the oceanfront lawn or around the pool.

The pool deck and palapa bar at the boutique Ko'a Kea Resort. (Courtesy of The Meritage Collection)

The boutique resorts location on Poipu Beach, where green sea turtles and monk seals make their evening bed, is another point in its favor. When yoga ends, I walk east along the sea towards the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail, a gorgeous two-mile path across ancient sand dunes and through scrubby headland woods. To my right, the turquoise water sparkles and mountains rise green and lush in the distance. The only way to see the entire island, they say, is by helicopter, but Kauais extraordinary beauty is already coming into view.

Back at the resort just in time to catch breakfast, I dive into a plate of lemon pineapple souffle pancakes, a decadent stack of sweetness topped in caramelized pineapple compote, one of rising star chef Noelani Planas signature dishes at the Red Salt restaurant.

Later that evening, I collect more evidence of Planas prowess with rich housemade ricotta, local honeycomb, and truffle oil on smoky grilled naan; perfectly seared ahi steak dripping in soy butter and laid over lemongrass-and-coconut-infused forbidden black rice; sweet monchong dressed in a crust of blue crab and drizzled in lemon beurre blanc; bright passion fruit creme brulee. The sommelier pairs an eclectic tour of global wines for the meal. Im pleased to see a couple small brands from right here at home out in the wild.

Luxuriating in my room that night wrapped in a soft robe, my balcony door thrown wide to let in the music of the ocean, I contentedly sink into a stack of pillows. The rooms at Koa Kea were just renovated into a pleasing palate of greens, corals, and bronzes that lend a serene, sophisticated air. Each has a patio or balcony with cafe seating and a gray marble bath with dual-headed showers and bath products in island aromas. I cant think of a thing that could make the space any more complete.

A recently renovated guest room at Ko'a Kea Resort. (Courtesy of The Meritage Collection)

The next day is my chance to see the island in its entirety. Below Blue Hawaiians helicopter, the earth rolls from rain-drenched jungle to arid red-rock canyon to sheer coastal cliffs. They werent lying: Kauai is truly unreal.

The landscape is still cartwheeling through my imagination as I relax on the beach and make a stop at the spa that afternoon, where a masseuse works magic with her powerful hands. I hear that the snorkeling in front of the resort is excellent, and the gear is literally at my fingertips at Hoku Water Sports, but the chilly January breeze chases me from the water before I get a chance to see what all the fuss is about.

Koa Kea is just a few miles from The Shops at Kukuiula and, since theres a free party shuttle from Poipu Beach, spending my final evening at Hawaiian culinary staple, Merrimans (2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka, Koloa), is a no-brainer. Chef Peter Merriman was one of the first pioneers to elevate Hawaiian food into Hawaiian cuisine back in the late 80s and his eponymous, sustainably-minded restaurant is now found on four islands, including Kauai. With towering mai tais and heaps of poke, locally grown greens, and fresh catch enveloped in macadamia nuts, I toast to the bounty of the island.

As is true with all beach vacations, the last day at Koa Kea comes too soon. But Kauai has one last show stopper in store. As I re-fold my clothes and force them into suitcase form, a double rainbow appears above the resort, one arm erupting right out of the waves so close to shore that if there were a pot of gold at the bottom, it would take just a minute to swim out to find it.

After just three days, I now know that what they say is true. The next time someone asks me my favorite Hawaiian island, the answer will be Kauai.

// 2251 Poipu Rd. (Koloa), koakea.com
If youve made it through the Dry January challenge or are giving up alcohol for Lent, youve likely noticed some significant changes to your body. The good news is that you can give up drinking for at least a month any time and be surprised at the results.



With a reduction of alcohol consumption, you have an opportunity to experience some important health benefits, which can serve as a starting point to meet your goals, says Sandeep Kapoor, assistant vice president for emergency medicine addiction services at Northwell Health in New York. He says, however, if you drink every day, you should consult with a health professional before quitting cold turkey.

In addition to the health benefits listed below, research has found that those who give up alcohol for a month  whether it be Dry January, Lent or any other month  tend to drink less alcohol long-term.

Here are eight things that happen to your body when you teetotal for a month.

1. Youll sleep better

While it may initially make you drowsy and help you fall asleep faster, alcohol can also disrupt the bodys circadian rhythm, making it harder in the long run to fall asleep when you want to, says Manassa Hany, medical director of Mount Sinai Wests Outpatient Addiction Clinic in New York. It particularly disrupts REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is crucial for cognitive function, memory consolidation and overall restorative sleep. As your body metabolizes alcohol, it can cause you to wake up more frequently throughout the night, interrupting your sleep pattern and reducing overall sleep duration so you wake up feeling less rested.

Hany says that once you stop drinking, you may initially find it more difficult to fall asleep. Your sleep, he says, will be restored gradually during the first four weeks, but after that youll sleep more deeply and wake up more rested.

2. Youll be more hydrated

As you eliminate alcohol, which causes dehydration, your body will begin to absorb more water, improving the functioning of every organ, including your skin and your brain. Gradually, as cell turnover increases, the damage alcohol may have done will begin to be reversed.
Consumers put their faith and trust in antivirus and other digital security companies to safeguard their devices and online activities and to keep personal information private.



When the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 22 that it had fined antivirus software creator Avast $16.5 million to settle charges that the company sold such information to third parties after promising that its products would protect consumers from online tracking, some people may have been taken aback.

United Kingdom-based Avast Ltd., through a since disposed-of Czech subsidiary named Jumpshot, collected and stored consumers browsing information that it obtained through antivirus software and browser extensions. Without consumers consent, it sold that data to more than 100 third parties, including advertisers, marketing and data analytics companies, and data brokers, the FTC says.

Its an irony not lost on the FTC

Avast promised users that its products would protect the privacy of their browsing data but delivered the opposite, Samuel Levine, director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement from the government agency. Avasts bait and switch surveillance tactics compromised consumers privacy and broke the law.

The alleged activity took place from 2014 to 2020. As part of the punishment, the FTC also banned Avast from selling web browsing data for advertising.

Its an irony not lost on the FTC that Avast made  privacy promises while trafficking in consumers browser histories, FTC attorney Lesley Fair wrote in a blog post about the fine.

In its own statement shared with AARP, Avast acknowledged that it reached a settlement with the FTC to resolve its investigation of Avasts past provision of customer data to its Jumpshot subsidiary that Avast voluntarily closed in January of 2020.

We are committed to our mission of protecting and empowering peoples digital lives, Avast officials went on to say. While we disagree with the FTCs allegations and characterization of the facts, we are pleased to resolve this matter and look forward to continuing to serve our millions of customers around the world.

How does the FTCs action affect you?

The FTC plans to publish a consent agreement in the Federal Register soon. Then the public will have 30 days to comment on the agreement before it is made final.
INVESTMENT UPDATE - CLEAN HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGIES NOW MOVED FROM PROOF OF CONCEPT TO PRODUCTION



Clean Hydrogen Update

Perth, Feb 23, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Clean Hydrogen Technologies Corp (CHT), a 15.6% and 3.9%, BPH Energy Limited ( ASX:BPH ) and Advent Energy Limited investment respectively, has moved from proof of concept to production.



CHT cracks hydrocarbons from natural gas using a process called thermo-catalytic pyrolysis which combines heat, a catalyst and has no oxygen. CHT's feedstock is natural gases hydro-carbons. Importantly there are no CO2 emissions from the core process since the carbon becomes a solid carbon composite product, thus rendering natural gas a clean (no CO2 emissions) source of 2 products, turquoise hydrogen and solid carbon composite.



What is Turquoise Hydrogen?



Turquoise Hydrogen is the industry term used for hydrogen sourced from natural gases hydrocarbons using thermo-catalytic pyrolysis.



What is Carbon Composite?



Since there are no CO2 emissions the carbon becomes solid in the form of a fine black dust type material which in CHT's case is a carbon composite made from CNTs (Carbon Nanotubes) and Alumina (ceramics). Carbon nanotubes have unusual mechanical properties to reinforcement their Alumina composite, acting as a toughening agent. CNTs have a tensile strength greater than steel, conductivity greater than copper and thermal dissipation greater than diamonds. They also resist corrosion and fatigue (ref: https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/93180-can-carbon-nanotubes-replacecopper).



Next Steps for CHT



CHT are next scaling their carbon composite and hydrogen production.





About BPH Energy Limited





BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company developing biomedical research and technologies within Australian Universities and Hospital Institutes.

The company provides early stage funding, project management and commercialisation strategies for a direct collaboration, a spin out company or to secure a license.

BPH provides funding for commercial strategies for proof of concept, research and product development, whilst the institutional partner provides infrastructure and the core scientific expertise.

BPH currently partners with several academic institutions including The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT).

Related Companies
ace turtle, India's leading technology-native retail company today announced the launch of lifestyle apparel brand Dockers in India with the opening of the first retail store in Delhi before the launch of a dedicated e-commerce website by early next week to enable online shopping across India.

This exciting partnership brings Dockers' legacy of timeless and versatile clothing to the Indian market, catering to the evolving needs of the modern Indian consumer. The Dockers brand continues to be a leader in khaki and offers a wide range of apparel and accessories, for men and women, with no compromises in quality  always superior comfort and versatile style. While the brand remains focused on the classic khaki style and its founding principles, Dockers has evolved its offerings to include more variety and appeal to a broader set of shoppers in both their professional and personal lives.

Commenting on the launch, Nitin Chhabra, CEO, ace turtle, said, "We are thrilled to introduce the globally renowned Dockers experience for fashion enthusiasts across India with the launch of our exclusive retail store in Delhi. The store exemplifies our commitment to providing consumers with an unparalleled shopping experience. We intend to leverage our unique technology-driven operating model and omnichannel commerce expertise to take Dockers to millions of Indian consumers through relevant online and offline channels. Our tech-enabled pan-India reach, data-driven approach and deep consumer understanding will aim to unlock new opportunities presented by the dynamic Indian fashion retailing market.

Located in the bustling Pacific Mall in the Pitampura area of Delhi, the retail store provides an immersive shopping experience for fashion enthusiasts. It is a vibrant space designed to reflect the Californian spirit. Customers can browse through a curated selection of Dockers' latest collections, experience the brand's heritage through interactive displays, and receive personalized styling advice from expert staff.

Sharing the brands perspective, Natalie MacLennan, CEO, Dockers said, "We are incredibly excited to reintroduce Dockers to India, marking a significant milestone in our global expansion journey. The Indian market presents a tremendous opportunity for us to connect with a new generation of consumers who appreciate quality, comfort, and style. Our partnership with ace turtle will ensure that we deliver the authentic Dockers experience to consumers across the country."

The dedicated Dockers website www.dockers.in will provide consumers across India with convenient access to the brand's full range of offerings. With easy navigation, secure payment options, and seamless delivery, Indian consumers can now shop online for their favourite Dockers products from anywhere.
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) collaboratively convened an interactive consultation on February 22, 2024 in Mumbai, focussed on industry stakeholders operating in categories whose advertising is restricted, such as alcohol, tobacco, and gambling. The primary objective was to address the pervasive issue of surrogate advertisements and to facilitate discussions on overcoming associated challenges, aiming to establish rigorous adherence to advertising regulations and guidelines within these sectors.

Surrogate advertising remains a concern for restricted categories. In the last three years, ASCI processed complaints against 49 ads for potential violation of ASCI Codes Guidelines for Qualification of Valid Brand Extension. Among these, 36 ads were alcohol related, 12 ads from betting platforms and 1 Pan Masala ad that potentially violated the guidelines. Alarmingly, 98% of these processed ads required modification to align with regulatory standards. Over the last three years, ASCI has also reported 1085 cases of advertisements that were in direct violation of law to both central and state regulators. 765 of these were illegal betting ads and 320 were direct liquor advertising.

ASCI has regularly refined its guidelines particularly considering the potential harm associated with advertising of these categories. The latest update implemented in December 2023, emphasizes that advertising spends for legitimate brand extension products must align with the extensions sales turnover. This measure aims to enhance transparency and accountability in advertising practices.

The consultation underscored key discussion points:

There should be a clear distinction between the brand extension and the restricted product or service being advertised

The story or visual of the advertisement must depict only the product being advertised and not the prohibited product in any form.

The ad must not make any direct or indirect reference to prohibited products.

The ad must not contain any nuances or phrases promoting prohibited products.

The ad must not use colour, layout, or presentations associated with the prohibited products.

The ad must not use situations typical for promotion of prohibited products when advertising the other products.

During the discussion, Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary DoCA, said that Surrogate advertisements that promote products in restricted categories undermine consumer rights and can have serious implications. There is a pressing need to halt the proliferation of surrogate ads across industries. If respective prohibited industries fail to adhere to this guideline and comply with existing laws, more stringent actions will be implemented. We are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders as we navigate through this evolving issue. We look forward to providing all assistance to ASCI in examining this issue and building a comprehensive framework to protect consumers.

Underlining the critical need for action against surrogate ads, Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General, ASCI, said, Surrogate advertisements are in breach of the law, as are direct ads in restricted categories. It is important that the distinction between permitted brand extensions and surrogate advertising are clearly defined and complied with. ASCI has been vigilant in processing surrogate advertising, as well as reporting direct advertising to appropriate regulators. We would like to support various regulators such as DoCA and relevant state excise authorities in addressing this pressing issue. Together, we aim to effectively eliminate deceptive advertising practices.

Discussions were held around rampant surrogate ads which are illegal in India. The consultation between DoCA, ASCI, online gaming associations like All India Gaming Federation and E-Gaming Federation, pointed out the immediate need to stop such advertisements. Indian online gaming industry, paying taxes and registered in India are feeling the brunt of illegal advertisements and promotions by offshore gaming platforms. The discussion also focussed on the rampant use of celebrities in the ads of prohibited products which needs to be controlled.

Representatives from government bodies, including the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and Trademark Authority, shared their views on how to regulate such surrogate advertisements.

The consultation convened an array of industry stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and experts to deliberate on effective strategies to deal with surrogate advertising. Key discussions revolved around enhancing transparency, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and promoting responsible advertising practices.
Dr. Samir Shah, a celebrated India-born media executive with over 40 years of experience in UK broadcasting, has been confirmed as the new BBC chairman. He is the first Indian-origin person to assume the role at BBC.

His selection was approved by King Charles III after undergoing scrutiny by cross-party MPs and being chosen as the government's preferred candidate in December. He will assume the role on March 4, 2024, succeeding Richard Sharp.

As BBC chairman, Shah will oversee the board's decisions, ensuring the broadcaster's independence and acting in the public interest.

Shah, aged 72, brings a wealth of experience to the position, having worked extensively in TV production and journalism. He has been honored with a CBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to television and heritage. Shah's knowledge of the BBC, along with his commitment to promoting diversity in broadcasting, are highlighted as valuable assets for the role.

In his statement, Shah expressed his ambition to help the BBC navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing media landscape. He acknowledges the BBC's significant role in British life and its duty to reach a wide audience across the country.

Born in Aurangabad, India, in 1952, Shah migrated to England in 1960. He has held various positions in the broadcasting industry, including head of current affairs and political programs at the BBC. Prior to his appointment as BBC chairman, he served as the CEO of Juniper, an independent television and radio production company.

Shah's contributions extend beyond his professional roles; he is a Fellow of the Royal Television Society, a Visiting Professor of Creative Media at Oxford University, and holds a Special Professorship in the Department of Post-Conflict Studies at the University of Nottingham. Additionally, he co-authored the government's Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report in 2021.
Authored by Koneru Satyanarayana, President, KL Deemed to be University

The field of engineering requires engineering professionals to apply creative solutions to complex challenges. In the realm of engineering, where innovation and advancement are pivotal, ethical dilemmas often arise, challenging the moral compass of engineering professionals. In modern times, when environmental sustainability is the focus of every industry, engineering is the most affected field. Environmental sustainability is one of the most pertinent questions and the biggest cause of ethical dilemmas for engineers. To develop and follow sustainable practices, data privacy, etc., like dilemmas force engineering professionals to navigate the complex areas between what is technically possible and what is morally correct.

Environmentally Sustainable technology and Practises

One of the biggest ethical dilemmas for engineers in recent times is environmental sustainability. Climate change has become a palpable reality that requires urgent redressal for continued life on Earth. Environmental sustainable technologies and practises are need of the hour. Engineers are under pressure to develop eco-friendly technologies and practices. This poses an ethical dilemma for engineering professionals as there is a thin line between green technologies and economic viability. Developing eco-friendly technologies using electricity, renewable sources, or sustainable practices like using eco-friendly raw materials can be expensive. Engineers face the dilemma of balancing sustainability with economic feasibility.

Privacy and Data Security

In the modern digital world, engineers are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies that collect, store and analyze vast amounts of personal data. The privacy and security of such data is of paramount significance. Thus, the data privacy and security of data becomes another critical ethical dilemma. The ethical dilemma lies in protecting the data while applying it for benefits like improving healthcare systems or enhancing end-user experience. The dilemma lies in maintaining a balance between innovation and safeguarding user's privacy.

Artificial Intelligence

The advent of artificial intelligence has introduced an array of ethical concerns. Engineering professionals developing artificial intelligence struggle with the questions of bias and fairness. As artificial intelligence technology develops, there are concerns about biases in the data. The machine algorithms, if not efficiently developed, can propel or even increase societal bias present in the training data. This proposes a myriad of ethical concerns for engineers. Though the path of artificial intelligence development predicts very positive results. However, handling such technological concerns requires a deep understanding of technology and its ethical implications for engineering professionals.

The Role of Education

The role of education is critical in equipping engineering professionals with the necessary ethical skills to navigate through complex ethical dilemmas. Higher educational institutes must emphasize the importance of ethical standards and consideration. However, engineering professionals are not left with guidance when facing ethical dilemmas. Professional code of ethics provides the fundamentals for ethical decision-making by emphasizing values such as integrity, honesty and respect. The solution lies in careful consideration, collaboration with the stakeholders and the commitment to underscore the greater good. Higher education institutions can help develop an overarching ethical standard and moral compass mindset.

The field of engineering is established in innovation, creativity and advancement. However, while traversing the challenges in navigating complex situations, engineering professionals encounter numerous ethical dilemmas. However, the professional code of ethics is established to guide engineers when in a dilemma to make informed decisions. Higher educational institutes also help develop ethical skills in their students, enhancing their decision-making skills and building ethical standards. However, the code of ethics does not answer in black and white; therefore, it is pivotal for engineering professionals to carefully consider and collaborate with stakeholders to achieve the greater good of all parties involved.
Adgully has been turning the spotlight on the entrepreneurs who fought against all odds to bring their dreams to fruition in our special series  START-UP STARS. We at Adgully wholeheartedly support the Vocal for Local movement and have been featuring numerous local/ homegrown businesses, brands, and Apps in the country launched in the last few years.

The inception of Padhle, an EdTech startup, was fueled by a shared dedication of Pranay Chouhan and Atharva Puranik to revolutionise the concept of e-learning. During the early stages of e-learning, the educational landscape lacked the necessary engagement to capture students attention. Witnessing this, the two 21-year young founders from Madhya Pradesh joined forces in 2020 and established Padhle.

In conversation with Adgully, Atharva Puranik and Pranay Chouhan, Co-Founders, Padhle, speak about the growth and entrepreneurial journey of Padhle, providing accessible and effective learning experiences, empowering students, prioritising interactive learning, and more.

What inspired the founding of your start-up, and what problem did you set out to solve?

Padhles mission is to make education universally accessible and ensure everyone can benefit regardless of the circumstances. The primary goal is to fulfil students needs by providing essential educational resources, including handwritten notes and other study materials. The Ed-tech startup recognised that the concept of e-learning required transformation to become more than just a digitised version of traditional education.

Could you provide an overview of your product/ service and its unique features or benefits?

At Padhle, our primary offering revolves around two courses which are designed for students studying in grades 9th and 10th, along with a combo course that covers both grades. Our Ed-tech startups goal is to empower students with a learning experience that not only aligns with their current curriculum, but also prepares them for future academic challenges. The fee structure for Pahle courses is affordable, making quality education accessible to a wide range of students. We firmly believe that economic constraints should not hinder anyones pursuit of knowledge, and this belief is reflected in our pricing model.

The target audience is diverse and spans beyond the confines of Tier 2 and 3 cities, our reach extends to Tier 1 regions, where the audience generally possesses greater economic capabilities. The inclusive nature of our YouTube channel features contents primarily in the Hindi language for students comfort, contributing to attracting a broad demographic. Our content is designed to resonate with students from various regions, with a particular emphasis on reaching individuals in the southern parts of India. Our value lies not only in the academic content we deliver, but also in our commitment to breaking geographical and economic barriers.

How does your startup differentiate itself from competitors in the market?

What sets us apart from our competitors is our unwavering commitment to redefining the learning experience. Unlike traditional methods that often rely on monotonous lectures, Padhle prioritises interactive learning, transforming lessons into engaging conversations. We provide a unique approach to note-taking and questioning, presenting information in meme formats. This ensures that students do not have to cram specific formulas, making the learning process both enjoyable and effective. This also cultivates a unique mindset among students, encouraging them to embrace the school learning approach with enthusiasm.

We recognise and tackle the challenges students face in academics and their mental and emotional worlds. It is a support system that prepares our students for the complexities of both academics and life beyond. In a market saturated with options, we stand out by providing accessible education that resonates with students from various backgrounds. By offering courses at a reasonable cost, we ensure that quality education is within reach.

What milestones has your company achieved so far, and what are your future growth plans?

Padhle has positioned itself as a prominent player in the ed-tech sector. As of now, Padhles primary focus is on doubling their net revenue in FY24 with a targeted approach toward students in grades 9th and 10th. The ed-tech startup is proud of the financial growth they have experienced and is determined to build on this success in the coming year.

Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans for expansion and diversification. We aim to broaden our course offerings by including content that is specifically made for students studying in grades 11 and 12. Additionally, recognising the diverse needs of learners, the ed-tech venture plans to introduce crash course materials which are specifically designed for college students. We are eagerly planning to launch our NEET, JEE, and other courses, enabling students to concurrently prepare for them alongside their regular school studies.

Over the next five years, Padhle aspires to become a go-to platform for students globally. By continuously innovating and expanding educational offerings, we aim to establish ourselves as a comprehensive and reliable resource for learners at different stages of an academic journey.

How has the startup evolved since its inception, and what challenges have you overcome along the way?

Since its inception, Padhle has undergone a significant evolution which was marked by both financial growth and strategic advancements. In FY22, our net revenue from operations reached Rs 43 lakh, with a notable profit after tax of Rs 4.8 lakh. This growth continued to FY23, where Padhle achieved a remarkable milestone by earning Rs 3 crore in revenue. In FY23, we took a bold step to diversify our courses by selling a significant portion of the intellectual property to another medium. This included the sale of courses for six months, contributing to the overall financial success of the platform.

However, Padhles journey has not been without challenges. Establishing an online presence during the COVID-19 pandemic presented a hurdle that we navigated strategically. Moreover, competing with larger ventures in the ed-tech space posed its own set of challenges. Breaking the barriers associated with transforming traditional teaching methods also proved to be a formidable task. But despite these challenges, Padhle has remained committed to innovation and the core mission of providing accessible and effective education. And as we continue to evolve, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of traditional education and ensuring that our platform remains a beacon for accessible learning for students across diverse backgrounds.

How does your startup contribute to the industry or community you operate in?

Padhles commitment to the education industry goes beyond providing courses. One of the key contributions is the transformation in their teaching approach. The young founders recognised the need to shift from the traditional teacher-student model to a friendlier and more relatable style. This includes using memes in study material and creating an atmosphere that is not only educational but also enjoyable and easy-going.

Our content presentation reflects their commitment to a conversational style which creates a more engaging and interactive learning experience. This approach not only helps in better knowledge retention but also makes the learning journey more interesting for students. By infusing elements of familiarity and relatability into study materials, we contribute to breaking down barriers that might hinder students enthusiasm for learning. In short, Padhles contribution to the industry and community encompasses a redefined teaching approach, technological innovation and a commitment to create an engaging and fun learning experience.

What problem does your startup solve?

Padhle is dedicated to solving multiple challenges within the educational sector. Starting with our aim to transform the traditional educational landscape by innovating teaching methods. As young founders, we understood that conventional learning often falls into the trap of monotonous and boring teacher-like patterns and Padhle seeks to break away from this norm and make the learning experience fun and engaging.

Another critical problem was the impact of academic pressure on students mental health. We go beyond academic content to promote mental well-being and understand the overall development of students. We offer exclusive meet-ups and Zoom interaction sessions for students in group settings, as well as one-on-one sessions. This provides students with the opportunity to share not only academic challenges but also personal issues they may be experiencing.

How much funding has the company raised, and from which investors?

As of now, Padhle is totally a bootstrapped venture, initiated with an initial investment of Rs 2,000. We entirely relied on our own resources and strategic financial management to drive growth and innovation. We are committed to building a sustainable and independent venture that can thrive based on the merit of ideas and values that ed-tech ventures provide to its users. While external funding may be considered in the future to support ambitious expansion plans for now, we are only dedicated to organic growth and financial independence.

Who are your target customers, and how are you acquiring them?

Target customers at Padhle are students aged 13 to 18 years, primarily encompassing high school and early college years. This demographic represents a critical stage in academic development where educational support and guidance are important. The platform is designed to cater to the unique needs of students within this age group. To acquire customers, Padhle employs a multi-faceted approach. This includes targeted marketing efforts to reach students directly, using digital channels and social media platforms frequented by the demographic. Additionally, word-of-mouth referrals and positive reviews play a significant role in acquiring new customers, as satisfied students share their experiences with peers.

What are the major challenges the company faces currently?

Padhle currently faces significant challenges that demand strategic attention for the companys sustainable growth. The pressing issue of limited time poses a barrier to exploring new exam segments and hinders the companys ability to tap into emerging markets. Additionally, Padhle is grappling with the need to expand its team to cope with a burgeoning workload. The high demand for its services necessitates a larger workforce, and failure to address this issue promptly could potentially impede the companys ability to meet the growing demands of its clientele. These challenges underscore the importance of strategic planning and resource allocation for Padhle to effectively navigate its current obstacles and continue on a trajectory of sustained growth.

What is the background and expertise of the founding team?

Pranay Chouhan and Atharva Puranik, co-founders of Padhle, were childhood friends. After completing their school, Pranay pursued a B.Tech degree, while Atharva realised that the traditional path didnt align with his passion and goals, leading him to drop out from college.

Pranay contributes technical expertise and insights gained from his B.Tech degree, and Atharvas experience adds a unique perspective to their ed-tech startup. The founders diverse backgrounds and shared passion motivated them to create a platform that empowers students and also adapts to the changing educational landscape.

What is the companys growth plan and vision for the future?

Padhle envisions dynamic growth and an expansive future in the ed-tech landscape. The companys growth plan revolves around diversifying its offerings and expanding its reach to make a significant impact on education globally. In the immediate future, we aim to enhance its courses by including content that is created for students in grades 11 and 12, broadening the scope to cover various educational streams. Additionally, the introduction of crash course materials specifically designed for college students is on the horizon, addressing the needs of learners at higher academic levels. We envision ourselves as a catalyst for positive change in the education sector, continuously innovating teaching methods, and overcoming conventional learning barriers.

How does the company measure success, and what are its key performance indicators (KPIs)?

Padhle measures its success primarily through the lens of student satisfaction and learning outcomes. Our ed-tech ventures KPIs revolve around the impact we make on users educational journey and one of the most crucial metrics is student feedback. We take it very seriously as it is the student who directly engages with Padhles platform and courses.

In addition to feedback, we monitor learning outcomes and engagement metrics. The effectiveness of the courses, the level of student engagement, and the impact on academic performance are critical indicators for success. These KPIs allow Padhle to assess the real-world impact of educational content and ensure that it aligns with the mission of providing accessible and effective learning experiences.
Ajay Devgns upcoming film Shaitaan is based on casting a spell on someone. The film is based on Gujarati film Vash, which was released last year. At the trailer launch of the film, Ajay Devgn spoke about his love for this genre.

Ajay was in Bhopal shooting with producer Kumar Mangat Pathak for another film when he heard the story of this film. I heard the script and we loved it. I have been wanting to do a horror film for a long time. I did one horror film, Bhoot with Ram Gopal Varma. I love this genre and I feel everybody connects with the genre easily. Everybody connects. I believe in every culture, religion and India or out of India, everyone believes in black magic. The base of the story was very strong, hence we chose to do this film. We have adapted the film in our own way and made some changes in it. I also want to tell you that this has a message that ultimately good wins over evil.

The actor thinks whether you are a big or small actor, they want to do such films and says, Its not that we do not want to do horror films if we get an interesting script then we will do it. The horror and supernatural genre is very popular across all industries. In our industry, too, we have made many such films. I think Ramsay Brothers made so many films and their films would work as well, irrespective of whether the starcast. I like this genre and I was longing to do a film in this genre for a long time. When I did Bhoot we got a lot of appreciation, but after that I didnt get any right script.

The film also stars R Madhavan, Jyotika, Anngad Raaj, Janki Bodiwala, who also feature in the Gujarati version and played the same role in the film. It is directed by Vikas Bahl and produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, Ajay Devgn and Jyoti Deshpande. The film is releasing on March 8.
Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya  Indias only Hybrid Learning platform delivering outcome-based learning at scale, has been featured prominently in the documentary series, The Indian EdTech Story, produced by Edstead. The series, now available and streaming on Disney + Hotstar, highlights how this EdTech has been bridging the gap between dreams and reality, achieved significant outcomes, and brought about a transformation in the educational landscape for millions of learners across India.

Our episode (number 5), titled, Infinity Learn: Beyond the Horizons, highlights the real obstacles individuals encounter in pursuit of their dreams, showcasing how diligence, dedication, and a thirst for knowledge pave the path to realizing these aspirations. The episode depicts the journey of Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO of Infinity Learn, by Sri Chaitanya and Vibhati Jain, Faculty (Physics) at Infinity Learn, by Sri Chaitanya  how they boldly embraced ambitious aspirations, commencing their journey from humble beginnings, confronting numerous obstacles head-on, yet triumphing over each adversity to realize their aspirations. Their mission resonates with the desire to inspire and empower learners nationwide, striving to foster measurable learning outcomes, and ensuring Baccha Seekha Ki nahin?.

This episode resonates deep within me. It touches on my own story, the values that grounded me, and the experiences that molded my life and career in education. This industry has become my very breath, fueled by 25 years of dedication. Through this episode, we share a powerful message: whether you're a learner or an educator, dream big, embrace challenges, and rise above them. Let's leave a lasting mark on the world we call home. A heartfelt thank you to Edstead and Disney+ Hotstar for capturing our story and message with such beauty, says Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO, Infinity Learn, by Sri Chaitanya.

Commenting on the release, Shekhar Bhattacharjee, Founder of Edstead, expressed, the entire objective behind producing this series was to illuminate the transformation of education into an affordable and accessible realm for millions. The series not only captures the highs and lows of the EdTech sector, but also underscores its ongoing commitment to creating a positive impact."

Infinity Learns journey highlights the organizations dedication to providing quality yet affordable education, with the aim of achieving outcomes, leaving a lasting impact on Indias educational landscape.
With the Market Research Society of India (MRSI) announcing the adoption and implementation of its latest Socio-economic Classification System, ISEC, there are intense discussions on targeting and segmenting consumers among different stakeholders  be it advertisers, brands, research agencies, ad agencies and various industry bodies.

The growth in GDP and income, penetration of consumer durables, and ownership of vehicles has witnessed a significant increase, leading to the current socio-economic classification becoming less discriminatory and more volatile. The need to redefine the key variables led to the formation of a more stable, and more robust construct, ISEC.

Among the various industry stakeholders on track to adopt ISEC are The Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA), research users of various organisations such as ITC, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Marico, Dabur India, etc., research agencies including Kantar, IPSOS, as well as key media agencies.

Socio-economic classification enables brands and agencies to understand their target audiences behaviour and profiles and set price points. Updates to the current socio-economic classification are critical given the changing landscape of Indian households. ISEC addresses this with classification using household education and occupation profiles.

Unlike NCCS that only factored the education of the chief earner and the presence of certain consumer durable items in the household, MRSIs ISEC takes on a more advanced approach by including the occupation of chief earner, education of highest educated male adult as well as education of highest educated female adult.

ISEC makes way for improved distribution and sharper and refined targeting. It is considerably more stable than NCCS, hence omitting the need for frequent updates. Moreover, social capital in India can be defined by the education of the female and this parameter helped improve discrimination.

A classification system spanning 1 to 12 tiers, ISEC is an open-source system and is available for all industry stakeholders.

Dabur India is one of the organisations on track to adopt ISEC. Sharing his insights on ISEC, Rajiv Dubey, Head of Media, Dabur India, told Adgully, The proposed changes in the NCCS system, incorporating factors like the education level of key household members, present an opportunity for sharper targeting and a more nuanced understanding of consumer demographics.

On social capital in India being defined by the education of the female, Dubey noted that ensuring education among women in households has been shown to have a transformative effect, not just on individual lives but on entire families and communities. Studies indicate that when a woman is educated, she tends to educate four more people, thereby uplifting the family socioeconomically, he added.

He acknowledged that while it may require a transition period for industry stakeholders to adapt, the long-term benefits in terms of data accuracy and effectiveness of targeting are promising.

As far as modifications and fine-tuning are concerned, Dubey said that an open-source approach allows for ongoing refinement based on industry feedback and evolving consumer dynamics. While the shift may pose initial challenges, we anticipate that it will lead to more robust market insights and ultimately better alignment with consumer needs and preferences, he affirmed.
Times Network, Indias premium broadcast network, announces Public Manch  an exclusive show aimed to engage and empower voters. With a key focus on first time voters, the show hosted by Navika Kumar, will be held at various colleges and campuses across the country. Public Manch, a weekly prime-time show will air every Friday starting February 23, at 7:55 PM on Times Now Navbharat and 9 PM on Times Now.

Ahead of the General Elections 2024, Public Manch acts as a direct conduit between the nation's youth and renowned political personalities, bureaucrats and thought leaders. The maiden episode of this show will feature the political strategist, Prashant Kishore. Public Manch  a dynamic platform, enables the voters to understand the specifics of various issues before they cast their votes.

Navika Kumar, Group Editor-In-Chief, Times Now and Times Now Navbharat, said, " The 25% increase in first-time voters for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, compared to 2019, underscores a significant shift in the political landscape. Public Manch serves as a crucial platform, bridging the gap between the youth and political discourse. Reckoned as Indias Election News Headquarters, I am confident the show will help prepare voters as they step into the forefront of the electoral process."

As Public Manch embarks on a nationwide journey, the stage is set for an illuminating exploration of India's political landscape, fostering dynamic conversations with influential figures on the prestigious campuses of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Patna, and Bengaluru.
China sees more and more "gigabit cities"

10:22, February 23, 2024 By Wang Junling ( People's Daily

In a factory of DMEGC Solar in Hengdian, Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province, an automated solar panel assembly machine operates on a 5G private network. (People's Daily Online/Hu Xiaofei)

Ninety-seven Chinese cities have newly become "gigabit cities" in 2023, meaning they gained the capability to offer gigabit 5G and gigabit optical fiber services, known as "dual gigabit," said China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) recently.

Building gigabit cities is a landmark project of new digital infrastructure development in China. As of the end of October 2023, all households in China's gigabit cities had been covered by gigabit optical fiber services. On average, there were 21.2 5G base stations per 10,000 people in gigabit cities. The average proportion of 10G-PON ports stood at 53.7 percent. The average proportion of users with speed of 500Mbps or higher reached 33.2 percent, and the average 5G users account for 49.2 percent.

In gigabit cities, over 99.5 percent of public hospitals that rank at the top of China's three-tier grading system, key universities, cultural and tourist areas, as well as train stations (above second class) offering passenger services, main airports, and key roads were covered by 5G network, the MIIT said, adding that the accessibility rate stood at 100 percent in 91 of these cities.

A mobile telecommunication technician tests 5G network on a 5G base station in Ganzhou, east China's Jiangxi province. (People's Daily Online/Zhu Haipeng)

Gigabit cities have vigorously promoted the innovation and application of gigabit 5G and optical fiber technologies, and actively explored the deployment and construction plans as well as business models for the coordinated development of "dual gigabit." This has enabled various industries to improve productivity and efficiency.

For example, in Zhuzhou, central China's Hunan province, the efficiency of topcoat painting quality inspection has been improved by 30 percent thanks to the application of 5G+ smart factories. Shijiazhuang in north China's Hebei province has leveraged "dual gigabit" networks to build intelligent hospitals, leading to a 50 percent improvement in the efficiency of X-ray image processing. In Ziyang, southwest China's Sichuan province, technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing have been utilized to enhance the Internet plus government services.

How the list of gigabit cities in China is getting longer and longer? According to an official with the MIIT, those new gigabit cities continuously increased policy support to encourage various market entities to actively participate in the construction of gigabit cities. Efforts have been made to address the bottlenecks, difficulties, and pain points in the construction and application of "dual gigabit" networks.

A 5G-enabled intelligent robot conducts routine inspection of electrical equipment at a 220kV substation in Dingyuan county, Chuzhou, east China's Anhui province. (People's Daily Online/Song Weixing)

For instance, some gigabit cities have strengthened policy support by incorporating fiber optic network construction and 5G site planning into the same-level national territory spatial planning. Baoji in northwest China's Shaanxi province and Lhasa, capital of Xizang autonomous region have introduced relevant policies to support the development of "dual gigabit." Zhongshan in south China's Guangdong province and Danzhou in south China's Hainan province have included fiber optic network construction plans in the same-level national territory spatial information platform.

In addition, in terms of reducing the construction costs of "dual gigabit", some gigabit cities have exempted or reduced rental fees for occupying public places to construct fiber optic networks, 5G base stations and other communication infrastructure.

Harbin in northeast China's Heilongjiang province has opened up tourist attractions, parks, green spaces, street lamps and other public facilities for free 5G base station construction. Zhumadian in central China's Henan province, Anshan in northeast China's Liaoning province and some other places have promoted unconditional free opening of facilities owned by government agencies, public institutions, as well as public places like airports, train stations, high-speed rail stations, etc. for 5G base station construction.

The MIIT said it will leverage the exemplary and leading role of gigabit cities, strengthen exchanges of typical experiences, promote a pattern where key cities take the lead and other cities develop simultaneously, and foster a favorable environment for development.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Birmingham is asking a federal judge to throw out a jurys $4.5 million verdict in a 2019 police shooting that killed a man and broke a womans leg, a shooting captured on bodycam video.

In a court filing late Thursday evening  the final day that attorneys could file  attorneys for the city and Officer Aric Mitchell asked U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco to reverse the jurys decision and rule in their favor, instead.

The attorneys argued there was not enough evidence to support the jurys finding that Mitchell used excessive force in fatally shooting Jamarcus Moore and injuring Samantha Hardin on June 15, 2019.

Mitchell acted within the scope of his discretionary authority by shooting Moore to stop him from inflicting serious injury or death upon the public at large, the filing reads. Any reasonable person would consider the more than twenty-minute-long pursuit, with multiple law enforcement vehicles following with lights and sirens to be adequate warning about the possible use of deadly force.

In their filing, the city and Mitchell also offered two alternative requests to the judge: asking her to order a new trial, or to let the jurys verdict stand but eliminate or reduce the $4.5 million award for damages. The city and Mitchell argued that he is entitled to qualified immunity and therefore protected from all federal claims against him, the court filing reads.

The city declined to comment for this article.

The city would like to be able to say that theyre entitled to qualified immunity, said Richard Rice, an attorney for Hardin and Moore. I think the will of the jury was clear, based on the verdict, and I think it will stand.

Johnathan Austin, the other attorney for Hardin and Moore, said that while the move by the city is typical in the legal process, its disappointing coming from the citys leadership.

For the city of Birmingham, for me, the sad part is, and I cant underscore this enough, that someone lost their life, Austin said. Instead of the city taking responsibility for it and owning up to it, and honoring what the jury has decided, they still want to say that the jury is wrong.

On June 15, 2019, Officer Aric Mitchell fired four shots into a Toyota Camry after a car chase and collision, killing the driver and injuring the passenger. (Carol Robinson / AL.com)

Police video made public through the lawsuit and released by the federal court to AL.com shows a police chase that ends with Mitchells patrol car crashing into Hardins car. Less than 10 seconds after the collision, Mitchell fires four shots into Hardins car from several feet away, the video shows.

Mitchell, who is still a patrol officer with Birmingham, was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Birmingham Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and District Attorney Lynneice Washington, per court records.

Hardin and Moneka Chante Moore, Moores sister and representative for his estate, filed a federal lawsuit in 2021, alleging the city and Officer Mitchell violated their civil rights. On Feb. 1, after a four-day trial, a jury ruled in favor of Hardin and Moore.

The jury found that Mitchell perceived that Mr. Moore posed an imminent threat of serious physical harm to the officers or others but also that the officer intentionally committed acts that violated Moore and Hardins constitutional protections from excessive or unreasonable force, according to the verdict forms.

They also found that when Mitchell shot them, the officer acted with a design or purpose to inflict injury without reasonable justification and that the officers wrongful act, omission or negligence caused Moores death, the verdict states.

Birmingham and Officer Mitchell noted the jurys answer on a specific question about whether Mitchell perceived a threat of imminent harm when he shot Moore and Hardin.

Further, because the jury found that Officer Mitchell perceived Mr. Moore posed an imminent threat of serious physical harm to the officers or others at the time that he shot Mr. Moore and Ms. Hardin, then Officer Mitchell must have had reasonable justification for discharging his weapon, the filing reads.

On the night of the shooting, Mitchell was patrolling in Ensley. He later told internal affairs investigators that he smelled marijuana coming from Hardins Camry and tried to stop the car. The driver, later identified as Moore, drove away. Mitchell called for backup and launched a 20-minute car chase.

During the chase, several officers, including Mitchell, reported that someone inside the Camry was shooting out the window while driving on Interstate 59/20, southbound. A state police investigation determined that gunshots were audible and a muzzle flash from inside the car was visible on police footage. The state police report said the shots were directed at other drivers on the interstate, not at police officers. A gun was found in the car, with 14 bullets in the magazine out of its 18-bullet capacity, per the state police report.

Both Hardin and her attorneys denied that she or Moore ever fired shots, per court records, and no gunpowder residue was found on Moores clothes or arms, per the autopsy report.

Moore, who was shot twice, died on the scene. Hardin, who was shot once, suffered a broken leg.

In Thursdays court filing, the city and Mitchell argued that Hardin shouldnt be awarded $1.5 million for her excessive force claim, saying she didnt provide evidence of her injuries and medical treatment.

Ms. Hardin presented almost no testimony about her damages, the filing reads. She answered, very tersely, a mere few questions about being denied Mr. Moores presence in her life.

The city and Mitchell also said that the $2.75 million awarded to Moore was constitutionally excessive as well as unreasonable given the facts presented.
After lengthy debate, a new version of an Alabama bill targeting campus diversity efforts will now include some key protections for Title IX programs and state minority offices.

SB129, authored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, would prohibit government institutions, including state agencies, public schools and colleges, from funding a diversity, equity and inclusion office and from sponsoring DEI programs or any program that advocates for a divisive concept.

After a six-hour discussion Thursday, the Senate approved the legislation on a 26-7 vote along party lines.

Despite some key changes, Democrats remain concerned about the chilling effect the legislation could have on local schools and colleges. Critics also worry it could hurt the states ability to recruit businesses and could make Black students question whether they are welcomed at state universities.

On the stand Thursday, Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said the bill will ultimately be a litmus test for the states higher education institutions. Those that want to pursue diversity work will find a way to do so within the confines of the law. Others, he said, will now have more reasons not to.

We still think it was a bad bill, Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, told AL.com after the vote. Its an unnecessary bill, a bill based on concepts that are really not happening in Alabama. Its a bill that was brought down from some national politics.

And so with that, we have to understand where we are, he said. We think we were able to put some amendments on it that made it a little bit more palatable.

The bill, which originated in 2021, has been moving swiftly through the legislature this year  unlike previous versions that never reached final passage.

Barfoots bill is the first to specifically ban DEI programs, and also includes a bathroom bill element that would prohibit higher education institutions from allowing individuals to use a restroom that is different from their biological sex.

Last spring, lawmakers sent a funding request to college presidents, asking them to report how much they spend on DEI efforts. AL.com found that much of the spending went toward anti-discrimination programs and other federally mandated services.

A fiscal note now says that the legislation could reduce expenditures by an undetermined amount, depending on how much theyre currently spending on DEI.

On the stand Thursday, Barfoot acknowledged concerns that the legislation, in its original state, could have unintended consequences, and encouraged members to accept a number of proposed amendments.

The original legislation listed nine so-called divisive concepts, with most covering topics related to race, ethnicity, sex, religion and national origin.

The bill will no longer prohibit college staff from discussing whether slavery and racism are aligned with the founding principles of the United States. It will add specific protections for womens sports, the state Office of Minority of Affairs, funding for student and staff organizations, and would add sex to the list of protected classes in places where it was omitted.

Senate Republicans struck down efforts to remove a divisive concept related to meritocracy (a move that was approved by the House last year), and to add language that would narrow the scope of other prohibited concepts.

There was also little mention of the bills bathroom clause, which would prevent transgender individuals from using a university restroom that does not match the biological sex on their birth certificate. Alabama passed a similar law for K-12 schools last year.

The new version, Singleton said, isnt necessarily better, but will be more workable as it heads to the House.

After the vote, Barfoot told AL.com it was important to get other views on the bill, and that the changes would make it better.

We talk about unintended consequences here sometimes, he said. And certainly, whenever you have a group of people look at that legislation, people see things through their own eyes or different eyes that what others may. So we were fortunate to have members across the aisle look at that and offer amendments that we accepted and I think the piece of legislation is certainly better now than it was before.

After the vote, Senate Republicans sent out a news release praising the bills passage.

We are all made in Gods image, and our unique qualities should be celebrated, said Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, president pro tempore. However, while we are each unique, we have more that unites us than divides us. Students go to schools to learn and set themselves up for a bright future. Opportunities for togetherness is what this legislation tries to achieve, and I am thankful that all members in the body were able to engage in meaningful ways on this legislation.
The Alabama Theatres Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ has left the building. But fans of the beloved instrument neednt fret.

The organ, affectionately known as Big Bertha, will be back at the theater in downtown Birmingham after repairs and maintenance are completed at the A.E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Co. in Lithonia, Georgia. The elaborately decorated console of the Mighty Wurlitzer  that is, the part the audience sees, with the keyboards and pedals  made its exit on Sunday, Feb. 18, according to social media posts by the Alabama Theatre.

Its not goodbye, its see you later! theater organizers said on Facebook and Instagram, heading off concerns that the Alabama, 1817 Third Ave. North, might be losing Big Bertha for good. The posts listed three things that will be key to the organs glow-up: New SAM (stop-action magnet) assemblies, refurbished stop tab rails, and reconfigured stop tabs  all the things that make the organ work!

A specific date for the Mighty Wurlitzers return wasnt mentioned, but the posts said the console should be back home sometime this summer. That could mean Big Bertha wont play its usual role in the theaters annual summer film series, but organizers emphasized the organ would be back for a fall event featuring a silent film version of The Phantom of the Opera. (Its usually scheduled in October, close to Halloween.)

The organs console, although extremely important, actually is just one part of the Mighty Wurlitzer, which also has three chambers tucked into the theaters innards. Those chambers hold pipes of various sizes that provide specific sounds  violins, tubas, oboes, sleigh bells, bird whistles and much more  and actual instruments, such as a piano keyboard, drums, cymbals and a xylophone, that play when triggered by an organist.

AL.com received a guided tour of the organ chambers in 2017, led by theater volunteer Larry Donaldson. The chambers are cramped, asymmetrical spaces at the theater that most folks will never see, accessible only by climbing narrow ladders, maneuvering in tight crevices and walking on wooden planks over sheer drops.

READ: Longtime volunteers wizardly ways keep Alabama Theatre (and its Mighty Wurlitzer) running smooth

Big Berthas console, on the other hand, is very familiar to theatergoers whove watched the majestic pipe organ slowly emerge from its hiding place beneath the stage, with musicians such as Gary W. Jones at the keyboards.

The Alabama Theatre's Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ is affectionally nicknamed "Big Bertha."(AL.com file photo/Joe Songer)

As the Mighty Wurlitzer continues its ascent, organist Gary Jones emerges from the pit below and comes into full view, like a rabbit popping out of a hat, Bob Carlton said in a 2019 profile of Jones linked to Christmas events at the Alabama.

Oh, its the greatest, said Jones, whos been the theaters house organist since 2009. Its the best seat in the house, and its the greatest ride you can ever take. No other ride  no roller-coaster, no amusement park  can compare.

READ: Meet the man who makes Christmas merry at the Alabama Theatre

The Wurlitzer organ (technically known as the Wurlitzer Opus 1783, Style Publix 1) was built in 1927 and has been a key element at the Alabama Theatre for nearly a century. (The theater opened on Dec. 25, 1927, and the Mighty Wurlitzer was a dazzling part of the show.)

Maintenance on the vintage instrument is painstaking and persnickety, as you might expect, and the theater has been raising money for an Organ Console Renovation Project, posting information for prospective donors via its website. The Alabama Theatre is owned by Birmingham Landmarks Inc., a nonprofit that also owns the nearby Lyric Theatre.

2022 celebrates the 95th birthday of our beloved Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ, Big Bertha, the theaters website says. Its time for a little work to be done to the console  some mechanical, some cosmetic  all to make her last another 95 years!

The fundraising page on the theaters website doesnt mention a monetary goal, but in social media posts dated Feb. 1, 2023, the Alabama Theatre said organ renovation was expected to cost at least $150,000 due to the specialized work and materials.

Mighty Wurlitzer fans will be reassured to hear that the consoles trip to Georgia was successful, according to a Monday Facebook comment by Arthur Schlueter of the A.E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Co. I can report that Bertha arrived safely to Schlueters in Lithonia. Rest assured she is well loved!, Schlueter said.

Jones, the Alabama Theatres organist, also emphasized that Big Bertha is in good hands. I know shell return better than ever AND all the little quirks and things that happen to a piece of machinery like Bertha that need upgrading, reworking, adding or replacing will be completed, Jones said in an email to AL.com.

The ornate console of the Alabama Theatre's Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ left the building in Birmingham on Feb. 18, 2024, heading for repairs in Georgia.(Courtesy of Glenny Brock)

In the meantime, folks who care about the Alabama Theatre have posted supportive comments about the organs journey on social media.

God Speed, Miss Bertha. Well see you in October! Lisa Smith Brooks said on Facebook.

Safe travels and best of luck with the console restoration, Jacob Woods said. A beautiful organ, with an iconic console, in a fabulous picture palace. And all topped with a xylophone that re-iterates. I hope all goes well.

Love Big Bertha! Get well soon, Berty! said Phil Brown.

So glad to see she is being taken care of. Glad she is is good hands. Take care of her, said Jonathon Moore.

Get well soon, Bertha, said Stephanie Hamilton. Always enjoyed our time together.

In case youre wondering, the Mighty Wurlitzers fame isnt restricted to Birmingham or even the state of Alabama. In April 2015, for example, Big Bertha was featured by the PBS series Antiques Roadshow as part of a field trip to the Alabama Theatre. You can watch the segment, which features an interview with organist Jones, in the video below.
Jimmy Buffett gets a surprise posthumous cameo and tribute in the new season of Life & Beth, an Amy Schumer-Michael Cera comedy-drama series on Hulu.

The Hulu original series launched in 2022, with Schumer playing Beth, a woman finding herself amid something of a midlife crisis while also finding love with John, an offbeat farmer who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Hulu recently made the second season available for streaming.

In the second episode, John and Beth make trip to New Orleans for a wedding. Beths friend Maya (Yamaneika Saunders) complains that theyre whitejacking her trip to Essence Fest, and, true to her fears, most of their motley crew of family and friends make the trip.

In Episode 202 of "Life & Beth," an installment titled Who Dat?, Beth, John, and friends visit New Orleans. The show features Amy Schumer as Beth and Michael Cera as John. (Photo by: Alyssa Moran/Hulu) HULU

The half-hour show packs in a lot of New Orleans: Ben Jaffe and other members of Preservation Hall Jazz Band play a significant part in the storyline, and Big Freedia also has a speaking part. Buffetts role is smaller, though hes highly visible: Hes seen busking, performing I Will Play for Gumbo as Schumer and Cera walk past. He remains visible in the background as they move along with their discussion.

Speaking for a USA Today interview, Schumer said that Buffetts appearance came out of a friendship with Buffett and his wife and daughter.

Well, rest in peace, Jimmy, I was lucky enough to be friends with him, get to spend time with him, and Im so grateful that we had that time with him in New Orleans, where he started out as a musician busking in the French quarter for money, she said. I thought it was a hypothetical that we talked about, but when the time came, he said, Im coming.

Hes on an empty sidewalk in the scene, but Schumer said the shooting attracted an audience across the street. I dont even think they knew it was Jimmy Buffett, I think they just were enjoying it, she said.

The episode ends with a tribute leading the credits: In loving memory of Jimmy Buffett, who got his start busking on the streets of New Orleans.

Life & Beth can be seen on Hulu.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement that she is working with state lawmakers on a way to preserve in vitro fertilization programs after a court ruling that prompted several programs in the state to pause their operations.

Following the ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court, I said that in our state, we work to foster a culture of life, Ivey said. This certainly includes some couples hoping and praying to be parents who utilize IVF. Republican colleague in the Legislature Senator Tim Melson, along with Senate and House members, are working on a solution to ensure we protect these families and life itself. I look forward to continue closely following this issue.

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said in a statement he expects lawmakers to consider a bill soon.

Alabamians strongly believe in protecting the rights of the unborn, but the result of the state Supreme Court ruling denies many couples the opportunity to conceive, which is a direct contradiction, Ledbetter said. The Legislature will soon consider a solution that preserves our Alabama values by empowering IVF clinics to continue assisting couples in bringing new life into the world.

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled Feb. 16 that frozen embryos created through IVF have the same legal standing as children under Alabama law.

The UAB Health System paused IVF procedures after the ruling because of concerns about criminal prosecution and lawsuits. Mobile Infirmary Medical Center and the Alabama Center for Reproductive Medicine in Mobile announced they were pausing their programs Thursday morning.

Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, and three other Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill Thursday that says any fertilized human egg or human embryo that exists outside of a human uterus is not considered an unborn child or human being for any purpose under state law.

Melson, R-Florence, told the Alabama Reflector on Thursday that he would file a bill to protect IVF procedures.

Read more: Women getting IVF in Alabama say window closing on getting pregnant: Im terrified.

Protecting life and IVF clinics after Alabama ruling not mutually exclusive: Britt
A Center Point man has been convicted in the 2017 beating death of his girlfriends toddler daughter in Birmingham.

TaLeah Nicole Alexander-Burke, 17 months, died Sept. 26, 2017.

She died from blunt force trauma to the heart, liver, and lungs. She also had 41 bruises, a broken arm, and a number of other internal injuries.

Fredrich Earl Williams, now 25, was initially charged with capital murder in TalLeahs slaying. He was 19 at the time.

A Jefferson County jury on Thursday, after nearly two weeks of trial and less than three hours of deliberations, convicted Williams on the lesser charge of felony murder, with the underlying felony being child abuse.

The case was prosecuted by Jefferson County deputy district attorneys Tiffany Ould, Jennifer Wilson, and Nick Taggart.

Circuit Judge Stephen Wallace has not yet set a sentencing date.

Police and firefighters responded to the familys Tempest Drive home that day.

TaLeahs mother told officers she left the child at home with Williams, her on-again, off-again boyfriend, while she did errands. When she arrived home, she found TaLeah naked, bruised, and unresponsive.

They called 911 but decided to drive the child to the hospital.

Ould said Williams refused to accompany the mother to the hospital, and instead armed himself with a gun and then fled the scene.

He turned himself in hours later.

Shortly after leaving the apartment complex, the mother ran into police and EMTs, who were unable to revive the child. TaLeah was pronounced dead soon after at Childrens of Alabama.

Williams told the mother that the child had choked on a piece of candy. At trial, the defense claimed that the childs injuries were due to CPR.

We are so pleased to finally get justice for TaLeah, Ould said, and hold the defendant accountable for brutally beating a helpless child to death.
When the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are considered children under state law, its chief justice had a higher authority in mind.

By citing verses from the Bible and Christian theologians in his concurring opinion, Chief Justice Tom Parker alarmed advocates for church-state separation, while delighting religious conservatives who oppose abortion.

Here is full coverage of the frozen embryo ruling

Human life, Parker wrote, cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God, who views the destruction of His image as an affront to Himself.

The Alabama courts ruling last week stemmed from wrongful death lawsuits brought by couples whose frozen embryos were accidentally destroyed.

The most immediate impact of the ruling was to leave in vitro fertilization clinics in Alabama potentially vulnerable to more lawsuits and reluctant to administer treatment. But not far behind were mounting worries about Parkers explicit references to Christian theology.

While Parkers concurring opinion does not carry the force of precedent, advocates for church-state separation fear he could inspire judges in other states to push the envelope.

Now were in a place where government officials feel emboldened to say the quiet part out loud, and directly challenge the separation of church and state, a foundational part of our democracy, said Rachel Laser, CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

She said Parkers opinion was just the latest example  and a brazen one at that  of government officials advocating for Christian nationalism, a movement that seeks to privilege Christianity and fuse Christian and American identity.

Other instances she cited include Missouri lawmakers citing Catholic and biblical teachings for restricting abortion and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson saying the notion of church-state separation in the U.S. was a misnomer.

Parker argued in his opinion that the court was merely enforcing the Alabama state constitution, which was amended in 2018 to recognize the sanctity of unborn life. That principle has deep roots that reach back to the creation of man in the image of God, Parker said, quoting the Book of Genesis.

Parker sprinkled his opinion with a litany of religious sources, from classic Christian theologians like St. Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin, to a modern conservative Christian manifesto, the Manhattan Declaration, that opposes anti-life measures.

He also quoted a Bible verse that is legendary within the anti-abortion movement, in which God told the prophet Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.

THE ROOTS OF A RULING

The Alabama courts ruling that frozen embryos are children is an extension of the ideology that undergirds the anti-abortion movement, said Mary Ziegler, a historian of the abortion debate and a law professor at the University of California, Davis.

And it points to the influence of the conservative Christian legal movement, she said. Namely, its position that the U.S. has an intrinsically Christian Constitution  a notion that Ziegler and many historians reject.

The point, I think, for the movement was never just getting rid of Roe, Ziegler said. It was always to achieve fetal personhood, the idea that human rights are conferred at conception.

The Alabama ruling could influence decisions in other state courts and legislatures, particularly in the 11 states that already have fetal personhood language in their laws, Ziegler said. But because its about the interpretation of a state law, she said the case is unlikely to make its way to the Supreme Court.

VICTORY FOR LIFE

Some anti-abortion activists rejoiced at the ruling.

Its a tremendous victory for life, said the powerful Christian legal firm Alliance Defending Freedom. A beautiful defense of life, said Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council.

The Liberty Counsel filed a notice with the Florida Supreme Court, saying the Alabama decision  including Parkers concurrence  should be factored into a pending decision about a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would protect abortion rights.

Unborn life must be protected at every stage, Mat Staver, Liberty Counsels chairman, said in a statement.

Still, Christian perspectives on IVF are mixed, and in some cases, undecided.

While the Catholic Church condemns such reproductive technology as immoral, many Protestant churches and denominations do not have a firm stance against the practice.

Kellyanne Conway, the political consultant who worked for former President Donald Trump, lobbied GOP lawmakers in December to advocate for contraception and fertility treatments. She cited her firms finding that even anti-abortion evangelicals overwhelmingly support access to IVF.

JUSTICE PARKERS MISSION

Parker is no stranger to church-state debates.

He served as former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moores spokesperson during fights over a Ten Commandments monument Moore erected inside the building housing the Supreme Court.

Parker is a member of Frazer Church, a Montgomery megachurch that until 2022 was part of the United Methodist Church. The congregation, which left amid a UMC schism over the denomination not upholding its LGBTQ clergy and marriage bans, is now part of the Free Methodist Church, a more conservative denomination.

Neither United Methodists nor Free Methodists specifically condemn IVF in their church doctrines. The Free Methodist Book of Discipline emphasizes the value of human life at all stages. It notes that reproductive technologies raise many ethical, medical, legal and theological questions even as they offer hope.

Parker was the founding executive director of what is now called the Alabama Policy Institute, which is associated with the evangelical ministry Focus on the Family. On its website, Focus on the Family recommends that married couples not freeze or discard embryos created during IVF.

Fertility experts say IVF without the option of frozen embryos would likely increase the costs of fertility treatments and reduce the chances for patients trying to have a baby.

A SETBACK FOR THE SECULAR STATE?

Because religious groups have different opinions about when life begins, its quite problematic to see a judge essentially embedding a Christian view into state law, said Greer Donley, an associate professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh who specializes in bioethics and health.

She said that other judges might increasingly apply religious thinking to their decisions.

Its particularly notable that (Parker) is not trying to hide that, but even if judges were careful in their language, the result is essentially the same, Donley said.

Laser, of Americans United, said that even the Alabama courts majority decision  which does not explicitly reference religion  is problematic; it states that all participants in the case agree that an unborn child is a genetically unique human being whose life begins at fertilization and ends at death.

That is not taking into account everyone this policy is going to be imposed upon, including religious minorities, the nonreligious, Christians who have a different belief system, Laser said. It undermines true religious freedom.
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Embryos, IVF and politics

More fussing and fallout emerged Thursday off the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling that frozen human embryos are children in the eyes of current state law.

More clinics in the state announced they would stop offering in vitro fertilization in fear of potentially facing charges over anything that happens to embryos in their clinic.

Politicians sounded off on the topic. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt said in vitro fertilization deserves to be protected by law and that defending life and ensuring continued access to IVF services for loving parents are not mutually exclusive.

Our other senator, Tommy Tuberville, was a little less clear when reporters asked him about the Alabama Supreme Courts decision. I was all for it, he said. We need to have more kids, we need to have an opportunity to do that, and I think this was the right thing to do.

Of course, fewer IVF options dont lead to more kids. Ill bet a dollar and a quarter the senator will make another run at a statement today or over the weekend.

Going back to the state high courts ruling, you can read into the opinion some uneasiness with the Alabama law it cited, the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act:

[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.

In Montgomery, Democratic lawmakers filed a bill in the state House of Representatives that would state that a fertilized human egg or a human embryo outside of a uterus is not to be considered an unborn child or a human being under state law.

If it were to make it into law, it would take effect the moment the governor signed it. Its sponsored by five Democrats in the House, and a Republican in the Senate, Tim Melson of Florence, said hell file a similar bill.

Capitol updates

Lets quickly cover three more bills of note that advanced on Goat Hill late this week.

First, the bill that could make manslaughter charges apply to people who sell or give away an illegal drug containing fentanyl that causes the death of the user. It passed the Alabama House of Representatives 99-0. Manslaughter can get you 2 to 20 years in prison.

Second, the House also unanimously passed the bill that would apply the states child-porn law to images created by artificial intelligence. Also, the felony charge would apply to images of children younger than 18, a year older than the current law states.

And one more: The Senate passed a bill that would prohibit government institutions, including schools, from funding diversity, equity and inclusion offices and from sponsoring programs that advocate devicive concepts. The bill also would prohibit colleges and universities from allowing people to use restrooms that are different from their biological sex.

Arts on the move

A longtime Alabama arts festival will be moving this year, reports AL.coms Mary Colurso.

The Kentuck Festival of the Arts has been held in Northport since 1971. But the festival and the city couldnt agree on a contract this time around, and so its now scheduled for Oct. 19-20 at Snow Hinton Park in Tuscaloosa.

That park is currently closed for renovations. Kentuck organizers say this years festival will spread more than 270 artists, craft demonstrations, food trucks and more activities over a 10-acre section of the park.

Dont touch the bats

Im not sure who among us needs to hear this, so Ill say it for everybody: The Alabama Department of Public Health wants to remind everybody to not touch wild bats, reports AL.coms Dennis Pillion.

I know theyre cute and that its hard to resist. But as wildlife officials and viewers of The Office know, bats are prolific carriers of rabies. The health department said it tested 13 Alabama bats that were positive for rabies last year.

You can get the disease from an infected bat by being scratched or bitten. And their teeth are so small that you can be bitten and not even have a visible bite mark to show off.

What theyre telling us is that if theres any possibility that weve been exposed to carefully try to capture the bat, using gloves and maybe a net so you dont touch the bat. Note that if you hit him in the head to kill him, they probably cant test him. And definitely seek medical treatment: Untreated rabies in humans is almost always fatal.

Youre probably like me and cant imagine any of this ever taking place in your life unless you frequent caves or you end up with a bat infestation in your home. But just in case, now were prepared.

More Alabama news

On this date

In 1883, Alabama became the first state to enact an antitrust law. This was a few years before the federal Sherman Act and a couple decades before trust-bustin Teddy Roosevelt reached the White House. Alabamas law prohibited railroads from colluding to divvy up the freight market and fix prices.

On the calendar

March 5: Alabamas primary election is coming up fast.

The podcast
The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would increase criminal penalties for those who make false police reports in instances when the report alleges imminent danger to a person or the public.

Sponsored by Rep. Mike Shaw, R-Hoover, the bill was drafted in response to an incident last summer in which Alabama resident Carlee Russell fabricated a story that she was kidnapped, kicking off a massive search effort and a national frenzy. Russell was ultimately charged with two misdemeanors.

Shaw, along with the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, say similar incidents in the future should carry more serious criminal charges, something they hope to accomplish with their bills. The Senate version was also approved in a committee Wednesday.
An unidentified body discovered by a hunter more than 32 years ago in rural DeKalb County now has a name, thanks to investigators using genetic technology and old fashioned shoe leather.

The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office Friday announced that DNA testing has tentatively identified a body found in 1991 as Rainbow Canyon King of Tompkinsville, Ky.

Kings skeletal remains were discovered in a wooded area near the intersection of County Road 51 and Alabama 227 on Dec. 21, 1991.

Sheriff Nick Welden said the breakthrough could not have come without work from many different agencies and investigators.

The identification of Rainbow Canyon King brings closure to a decades-old mystery and allows his family to finally lay him to rest. Our prayers and condolences go out to his family during this time, Welden said.

The investigation initially involved the State Bureau of Investigation, the Alabama Department of Forensic Science, and Fort Payne police. But the body remained unidentified for decades.

More than a year ago, in late 2022, Olivia McCarter, a genealogy analyst with the Mobile County Sheriffs Office, contacted DeKalb County about using genetic genealogy to identify the remains. McCarter has been involved in several identification cases, including the Delta Dawn investigation.

Last year, DNA samples extracted from the remains were sent to Intermountain Forensics, a non-profit laboratory in Salt Lake City, for analysis and whole-genome sequencing, according to Welden. The DNA data was then uploaded to GEDMatch by Olivia McCarter and her team at Moxxy Forensic Investigations. This led to a close familial match, resulting in the identification as King, who was 22 at the time of his death.

Chief Investigator Priscilla Padgett and Investigations Assistant Andrea Woodall traveled to Tompkinsville, Ky., accompanied by Monroe County Sheriff Dale Ford, to meet with the King family. Further investigation and coordination with Kings living relatives confirmed a DNA match.
Former President Donald Trump Friday said he supports the availability of fertility treatments like IVF in every State in America, his strongest statement in response to the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling on frozen embryos.

The leading Republican running to retake the White House, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to show his support, urging Alabama lawmakers to preserve in vitro fertilization.

In a post, he said:

Under my leadership, the Republican Party will always support the creation of strong, thriving, healthy American families. We want to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, not harder! That includes supporting the availability of fertility treatments like IVF in every State in America. Like the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Americans, including the VAST MAJORITY of Republicans, Conservatives, Christians, and Pro-Life Americans, I strongly support the availability of IVF for couples who are trying to have a precious baby.

Today, I am calling on the Alabama Legislature to act quickly to find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF in Alabama. The Republican Party should always be on the side of the Miracle of Life - and the side of Mothers, Fathers, and their Beautiful Babies. IVF is an important part of that, and our Great Republican Party will always be with you, in your quest, for the ULTIMATE JOY IN LIFE!

Republicans and Democrats in the Alabama Legislature have put forward bills in the past day that would define any fertilized human egg or human embryo outside of a uterus as not considered an unborn child or human being for any purpose under state law.

The move comes after the Alabama Supreme Court last week ruled that embryos had the same legal status as children. The ruling has already had widespread repercussions for healthcare providers and families seeking treatment.

On Wednesday, the University of Alabama at Birmingham health system paused in vitro fertilization procedures. Multiple others offering IVF services in Homewood, Huntsville and Mobile on Thursday paused the procedure as well.
Authorities identified the nursing student found dead Thursday on the University of Georgia campus as Laken Hope Riley, a resident of Athens.

Riley was 22 years old, Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson said Friday morning.

The official cause of death is still pending and Wilson said Rileys body was taken to the GBI Crime Lab in DeKalb County.

University officials said Thursday that police suspect foul play.

Riley was reported missing after a friend said she went for a morning run and didnt return home. Her body was discovered near UGAs intramural fields.

A UGA spokesman said in an email late Thursday that the woman was an undergraduate student at the University of Georgia until the spring of 2023, and then she became a nursing student at the Augusta University nursing program in Athens.

According to student records, Riley was from Woodstock, Georgia. She made the fall 2023 deans list at Augusta University, where she enrolled in the nursing program to take classes at its Athens site.

She graduated in 2020 from River Ridge High School.

Jeffrey Clark, chief of UGAs police department, said Thursday night authorities did not have a suspect but that they were actively investigating.

When you have a suspect thats on the loose, theres always a danger. But theres no immediate danger, Clark told reporters Thursday night.

Authorities said the student had visible injuries.

It was a somber day at UGA on Thursday as word of the death spread. Adding to the mood was news that another student died on campus late Wednesday. No foul play is suspected in the earlier death of the male student.

There is no connection to the death yesterday and todays death. There is no connection at all, Clark said at Thursday nights press conference.

UGA President Jere Morehead said classes were canceled for Thursday evening and Friday. Some other campus events, including a performance by the UGA Symphony Orchestra scheduled for Thursday night, were also canceled. Classes are expected to resume Monday.

Augusta University also canceled Friday classes at its College of Nursing campus in Athens, where the woman was a student.

A heavy police presence was visible for hours Thursday afternoon near the intramural fields on East Campus, where officers were seen stopping cars and speaking to drivers attempting to leave the area. Students and others were asked to avoid the area during the investigation.

It all started when police received a call just after noon Thursday from a person concerned for the welfare of a friend who had not returned from a morning run at the intramural fields.

UGA investigators began searching the area at 12:20 p.m. Thursday, and the womans body was discovered at approximately 12:38 p.m. She was found in the woods behind Lake Herrick. Officers immediately began rendering medical aid. When emergency responders arrived, they determined the student was dead, according to a special safety update posted on X, previously known as Twitter.

Morehead met Thursday afternoon with members of the victims sorority.

Anyone with information that could help investigators was asked to contact UGA police at 706-542-2200.

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2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A former Alabama firefighter was sentenced to 30 years in prison Thursday for sexual abuse and other charges involving two underage girls.

John Cole Carter, 31, of Elmore, was a firefighter with the Wetumpka Fire Department when he was arrested in June on charges of child pornography, sexual abuse, and electronic solicitation of a child after one of the victims fathers filed a complaint with Wetumpka police, WSFA reported.

Carter pled guilty to the charges in January.

On Thursday, he was sentenced in Elmore County Circuit Court to 30 years in state prison.

The sentence was not yet in court records as of Thursday evening.
A former Alabama paramedic was sentenced to 21 years in state prison for raping a woman who uses a wheelchair.

Steven Hallford routinely responded to calls from the womans home in Dothan and told other EMS personnel not to respond to the home because he lived near her, WSFA reported.

Hallford was found guilty in December on six counts of rape and sodomy.

On Wednesday, Houston County Circuit Court Judge M. John Steensland III sentenced him to 21 years in prison.

Prosecutors asked Steensland to sentence Hallford to life in prison, saying the former paramedic used his job to prey on the vulnerable victim.

The former paramedics brother-in-law pleaded for leniency, claiming Hallford suffered emotional issued after a deadly tornado struck Enterprise in 2007, WSFA reported.
This is a guest opinion column

When my mother came to the United States to study Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, back in the 1950s, she witnessed in horror how the KKK could freely march through campus singing Holy holy segregation, down to hell with integration, holy holy segregation, the South will rise again. She also recalls her roommates sudden animosity, once she heard that my mother had befriended an African American student. And my mother was born and raised in a country, Colombia, which is considered, even today, part of the Third World. But the United States conservatives always find ways to resist change and progress, moving the clocks back in time.

The DEI ban bill that is currently being discussed (Note: it was approved late Thursday afternoon) in our state Senate in Alabama, where Republicans are trying to mandate what college professors should teach or not teach, speaks volumes to this trend. While politicians of all the other developed nations would not dare telling a professor how to teach their courses or what to add to the syllabus, American conservatives, backed by evil billionaires, want to turn universities campuses into large homeschool facilities, where only their viewpoint will be taught. I can only imagine what the Sorbonne (university) professors would do if any of the French politicians even dared to mention what books should be used in their courses.

With this in mind, it is clear that the American concept, the land of the free' sounds great but it is fundamentally limited, dangerous, and very problematic, especially because it only works for white conservatives. This danger is especially true when people with no pedagogical knowledge, decide what public university professors should teach and what they should not.

This intrusion is problematic, not in theory: we have seen in the past what extremism based on ignorance and prejudice can do to a nation. We saw it in Germany, we see it in Palestine, and we are seeing it in the United States in 2024.

As a college professor and a journalist, I have analyzed the limits of what academics can say and do in my home country and here, and it boggles me to see how, to this day, professors in Colombia have a larger academic freedom than professors in the U.S. If we measure the level of development of a country based only on that, we would have to redefine how developed this country really is.

Banning course curricula, based solely on a feeling, because you feel it is unfair for white adolescents to learn what their ancestors did and feel bad about it, is the core of all dogmatic and dictatorial doctrines: I will only allow what makes me happy and what makes me look good. Behind this premise, is the attempt to bury the very real segregation of African Americans, the discrimination against women, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, Native Americans and refusing the imperative of paying a historic debt with affirmative action programs and with the inclusion of their history in our curricula that no one, in a modern nation, would dare to ban. The banning of books, the banning of college curricula is the mere opposite of what a land of the free' stands for, and what it should guarantee.

Going against diversity, equity, and inclusion, forcing kids to go to a specific bathroom, is unacceptable in the modern world, and Republican senators in Alabama should be humble enough to realize their need to open their horizons, to read history books and to go on the right side of history. And, more importantly, they should leave education in the hands of experts in pedagogy.

As a college professor, I stand with the most basic principles of human knowledge and of academia: only by knowing our past we will be able to advance as a society, not only for white people who want to deny their own ancestors wrongdoings, but as a multicultural, inclusive, intelligent and open minded society. Anything less than that is what Afghanistan, North Korea and Russia are at their core. Is that what these senators want the United States to be?

(My opinions are my own and they do not represent my institution).

Maria Antonia Anderson de la Torre, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

Updated at 7:05 a.m. Feb. 23 to note the DEI bill had passed the Senate.
It is not incompatible to protect life while ensuring families continue to have access to IVF treatments following the Alabama Supreme Court ruling determining the specimens are children, Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said Thursday.

My goal is for Alabama to be the best place in the world to live, work, worship, and raise a family. Make no mistakedefending life and ensuring continued access to IVF services for loving parents are not mutually exclusive, Alabamas junior senator said in a statement Thursday night to AL.com.

Ultimately, IVF helps create life and grow families, and it deserves the protection of the law, Britt continued.

Ill continue to advance a culture of life while ensuring moms and children have the opportunities and resources they need to thrive and live their American Dream.

The senator, who is pro-life, did not comment on whether she agrees with the court ruling that frozen embryos are children.

In the wake of Fridays Alabama Supreme Court ruling, bills in the Alabama House and Senate are being crafted that states any fertilized human egg or human embryo outside of a human uterus under any circumstances would not be considered an unborn child, a minor child, a natural person, or any other term that connotes a human being for any purpose under state law.

The court decision led the University of Alabama at Birmingham health to pause in vitro fertilization procedures, citing fears of prosecution. Multiple others offering IVF services in Homewood, Huntsville and Mobile on Thursday paused the procedure as well.

Britts counterpart, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said he was all for the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling and disagreed with the facilities decisions to pause treatments.

I was all for it, Tuberville told reporters following his appearance at CPAC in Washington, D.C. We need to have more kids, we need to have an opportunity to do that, and I think this was the right thing to do.

Reporters told Tuberville that the ruling had the opposite effect -- causing IVF treatments to pause at several Alabama facilities.

Asked if he was concerned on the impact the decision would have on Alabama families trying to have children, Tuberville responded, Thats for another conversation...we need more kids, we need more people to have the opportunity to have more kids.

Thats a hard one, it really is, the senator said, because again, you want people to have that opportunity. ... we need more kids.

Asked to clarify his remarks, Tuberville spokeswoman Hannah Eddins gave AL.com this statement:

Sen. Tuberville was emphasizing his support for life at all stages. In addition to being pro-life and believing life begins at conception, Senator Tuberville is also pro-family. He believes strong families are instrumental to our countrys success, Eddins said. In no way was he supporting the reaction from various medical facilities to cancel IVF procedures in the wake of the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling. He supports the U.S. Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe to return decisions surrounding life back to the states, which allows constituents to have a say in these significant decisions at the ballot box.
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This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here.

On March 20, 2023, Hilary Flint uploaded a new video to her TikTok account. The clip starts with a close-up of her face, her cheeks flushed and her gaze trained on the camera. The post is tagged #eastpalestine. I live in Enon Valley, Pennsylvania, she says. Less than five miles from the Norfolk Southern train derailment.

Since the train derailment, my skin has been red like a lobster, especially any time after I shower. Ive been breaking out, Im incredibly congested, and I have psoriasis, but now its so bad that it bleeds, she says, pressing one finger to her pink face, leaving a white impression behind. So when they tell me that everything is safe here, thats really hard to believe.

A year after the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and seven months after her first post about her symptoms, Flint is still sharing videos tagged with #eastpalestine, and she is still experiencing health effects that she says began at the time of the accident.

On February 3, 2023, 38 train cars derailed in East Palestine, just a few hundred yards from the Pennsylvania border. Twenty of the cars contained hazardous chemicals like vinyl chloride, ethylhexyl acrylate and butyl acrylate. Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen, and exposure can also cause fatigue and dizziness as well as irritation to eyes, mucous membranes and the respiratory tract.

Some of the cars contents caught on fire, others spilled into nearby streams, and on February 6, the owner of the railway, Norfolk Southern, conducted a controlled burn of the cars that were originally carrying 115,000 gallons of vinyl chloride.

In an interview in January, Flint said she has rented a house in western New York in order to limit her time at her home in Pennsylvania. But whenever she returns, her symptoms do, too. Within three days Ill start to get nosebleeds, constant congestion, sinus issues, pretty much all the same problems that weve had for the past year, she said. They all resurface within about three days in my home.

Flint is not alone: other Pennsylvanians living near the accident site say they are suffering from alarming symptoms like hair loss, tremors and migraines. They fear for the long-term health of themselves and their families, and they wonder if their properties water, soil and air are truly safe. Many of those affected are women and children, groups who tend to be more vulnerable to chemical exposure. Because they live outside the one-by-two-mile radius set by the Environmental Protection Agency as a protective zone around the fire, they have often been stymied in their efforts to access resources like testing, medical guidance, and funds for cleanup and relocation meant for victims of the accident.

In their quest for answers, residents like Flint have spent months contacting a laundry list of government officials and agencies, from state lawmakers and the governors office to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection and Health.

When you call, they ask for your address. And if it is outside of that one-by-two-mile radius, they go, OK, sorry, I cant help you. And thats it, Flint said, of calling EPA and DEP not long after the derailment. Even though I understood they werent testing in the area, there was just no guidance at all.

Randy Dehaven releases sheen by turning over a rock on Nov. 4, 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio. The sheen as Dehaven calls it, is a combination of toxic chemicals that leeched into waterways following the Norfolk Southern train derailment. (Photos by Alysa Rubin)Photos by Alysa Rubin

Carly Tunno, a resident of Beaver County, said shes been directed from one department to the next in her attempts to find testing and gain a better understanding of the symptoms that she and her children have been dealing with since the derailment last year.

You just get the runaround, and then they give you another number to call and you never get anywhere. They take a message, say somebody will call you back. Its very frustrating, Tunno said. We havent really gotten any answers; theres not really any urgency or concern.

In a statement about the governors response to the accident over the past year, Shapiros press secretary Manuel Bonder said that Governor Shapiro has been focused on delivering the support and resources Western Pennsylvania needs, protecting the health and safety of our communities, and holding Norfolk Southern accountable for the impacts of their derailment from the very beginning of Pennsylvanias response to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine.

Bonder said that the governor had directed the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to conduct independent water and soil testing in close proximity to the derailment site and post the results online for residents to see for themselves, already delivered more than $1.4 million for first responders to recoup equipment losses from responding to the derailment, and ensured Pennsylvanians were not picking up the tab for the derailment.

More than one year after Norfolk Southerns train derailment, the Shapiro Administration continues to work with local communities in Beaver and Lawrence counties to ensure Pennsylvanians are safe and deliver resources those communities need to recover, he said. The Administration will continue that work for as long as it is necessary.

A press release from the governors office from February 2 outlining the response to the derailment listed a train derailment dashboard created to connect residents with resources, a health resource network and continued testing by DEP and the Department of Agriculture, which has not found any long-term contamination in western Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvanias DEP and Department of Health say it is extremely unlikely that anyone farther than two miles from the accident site was exposed to chemicals or particles of concern.

Due to the relatively short duration exposure from this incident, health effects consistent with long-term exposure are not expected to occur, the two agencies wrote in a Frequently Asked Questions document about the derailment. In February, DEP published an interim report on the past year of testing in western Pennsylvania that found no evidence of contamination in Pennsylvanias private water wells, surface water, and soil related to the derailment.

In a statement provided for this article, an EPA spokesperson said that no lingering volatile organic compounds would be present in Pennsylvania based on our monitoring, sampling, and scientific understanding of these chemicals.

President Joe Biden tours the East Palestine Recovery Site, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in East Palestine, Ohio.AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

But a University of Kentucky health tracking study found that 64 percent of adults and 63 percent of children in the area around the site had experienced a new upper respiratory symptom since the derailment. Survey respondents included residents living in Ohio and Pennsylvania, both close to the site and more than 10 miles away. Other symptoms included rashes, sore throat, nausea, eye irritation, headache, cough, lethargy and shortness of breath.

Erin Haynes, director of the University of Kentucky Center for the Environment and the leader of the study, said it was significant that 80 percent of those reporting an upper respiratory symptom lived within one mile of the accident and that the number decreased as you moved away from the site. Thats what I would expect, but then, just to see it was like, ah, its there, she said. [People] are not lying. Theyre telling the truth. In the fall, half of respondents who reported symptoms said they were still experiencing them.

Some people living near the site are doing fine, Haynes said, and not everyone is worried about contamination in their homes or on their land. But based on the information provided by residents who have participated in her study so far, she believes there is a need to gather more data. Not everyone is experiencing a health effect, but there are some who are, and we need to take that very seriously, she said.

Assuming that theres some tight, confined area within which problems occurred is not very realistic, said Beatrice Golomb, professor of medicine at University of California San Diego and the principal investigator for an ongoing public health study on the impacts of the derailment on people living in East Palestine and the surrounding areas, including Beaver County.

Weve heard from people all the way up into Canada, initially reporting seeing the same strange coloring in their water, and animals sickening, she said. The idea that, gee, just at the same time, similar things have been reported that far, with a pathway that was consistent with wind directionsfor that to be unrelated would seem pretty unlikely. That thered be no possibility that those chemicals can produce health effects is also just not a sensible inference to draw.

Golomb said that the number of women who are experiencing symptoms has contributed to skepticism about long-term health effects relationship to the derailment. We had heard from the East Palestine community that people were saying, Oh, but its mostly women, so it must be all in their heads,' she said. But women are more chemically vulnerable than men for a number of reasons, and children are, too.

Residents point to the Environmental Protection Agencys plume map of the soot released by the vent and burn, which shows the highest concentration of surface deposition in Beaver County on the Pennsylvania side of the border. Using meteorological data, the map models how soot released by six hours of burning traveled and then fell to the ground over time.

We were just told you cant possibly be affected because youre too far away, said Flint, who lives less than five miles from the site of the derailment and fire. And it wasnt until many months later that the plume map came out, and there you see the evidence that this plume went directly over all these PA communities. Yet none of those communities had access to help, especially early on.

Unlike the circle of the official one-by-two-mile protective radius, the plume map depicts an oblong, irregular shape of potential contamination extending southeast into Pennsylvania. The EPA spokesperson said that early air monitoring confirmed the presence of low levels of hydrogen chloride (below the health-based action level) and particulate matter after the vent and burn, but that these contaminants were no longer present after a few days.

Soil testing conducted after the burn on land affected by the smoke plume indicated no additional risks to these areas.

I think its really important that regulatory agencies not look at this as black and white but rather look at this as a level of risk, said Heather Hulton VanTassel, the executive director at Three Rivers Waterkeeper, a regional water quality and watershed health organization that has carried out recent testing on water and soil in the area. We cannot argue that that community is at the same risk of exposure to these harmful contaminants as they were prior to the derailment. Thats false.

Hulton VanTassel said that exposure levels differ based on air and water flows, and that some populations, like those with chronic illnesses, were more vulnerable to harm from the contaminants released by the derailment. People living near the derailment are going to have an increased risk, she said. That does not mean every person who is exposed is going to get sick. Its just that theres an increased risk.

The map models the fallout from the vent and burn conducted after the crash.Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center

For Hilary Flint, who is a cancer survivor, the seriousness of the derailment became tangible when she returned to her home for the first time after self-evacuating during the vent and burn. All it took was opening the door to our house. The smell was so strong, it just immediately enveloped you, she said. Flint said that within an hour of being home, she began to experience headaches, eye irritation and rashes, and that some of these symptomsand the strange sweet bleach odor clinging to the rugs, fabric and furniture in her housestill linger, even now.

Hulton VanTassel said that Flints symptoms and experience of feeling sicker when she is at home are consistent with exposure to the kinds of chemicals released by the vent and burn. Thats a pretty cause and effect relationship there, when that didnt happen prior to the derailment, she said. Those are the types of symptoms that would occur with the contamination that we found in the sediment.

Golomb said that participants in her study have reported similar experiences to Flints, of leaving town only to be sickened again when they returned. And there are other stories of potentially contaminated furniture and clothing. Weve had people who felt sick move to a relatives house, and the relative opens the suitcase and throws up, she said.

Flint started her search for testing by calling a phone number for the Norfolk Southern assistance center listed on television during a press conference. The number was wrong. When she eventually got the right number, she was dismissed as soon as she gave her address. The EPA and Pennsylvania DEP responded similarly, she said.

In May, after weeks of trying to reach state officials and legislators, Flint heard that the Shapiro administration would be hosting a small business resource fair in Darlington Township, close to where she lives, focused on economic recovery from the derailment. Flint suspected that the governor might be there, and she was determined to speak to him. She worked in her car in the parking lot until she saw Shapiro, and she and another resident approached him.

We explained to him where were from, what were experiencing, how were not getting any help, she said. He was really receptive. He said, I have gotten Pennsylvania residents money, and you just have to fill out this form. She said that someone from DEP then gave her a paper titled Business Loss Claims Information Sheet.

I immediately read it, and I say, Are you sure that this is right? Flint remembered. Shapiro was assuring me, yes, and he was also with the DEP Secretary at the time, Richard Negrin. They were both telling us yes, this is the form, you just have to fill it out. Thats all you have to do.

After she met Shapiro at the fair, Flint posted another video to her TikTok account. Sitting in her car, Flint holds up the paper from DEP. She says she questioned Shapiro when he handed it to her, asking how residents were supposed to know that this business-related form applied to them. I will say, he was very kind, she says. I really do believe Governor Shapiro is an ally. But I hope he understands that this is not intuitive to anyone. No one knew this existed.

Later, when Flint called the phone number on the form, she was told that she was not eligible to receive assistance this way.

The DEP form was a dead end, but during Flints brief meeting with the governor, she got a business card from Patrick Joyal, Southwest Region director for the governors office. Joyal put her in touch with a representative for Norfolk Southern, and in August, after seven months of persistence, she received some financial assistance from the company for the hotel bills she accumulated while trying to stay away from her Enon Valley home. The check did not cover all of her travel expenses.

Flints home has since been tested by Wayne State University, which she says detected vinyl chloride and ethylhexyl acrylate on her property. She is working a second job to pay for the rent on the house in New York, but she feels she has no choice. She still cant get the smell out of her home despite many attempts to clean it. The minute that laundry linen scent comes off, the sweet bleach scent is back, she said.

Flints long battle for access to assistance is testament to the difficulties residents have faced over the past year navigating the tangle of federal, local and state government agencies, departments and offices that are responsible for the response to the derailment.

Tunno lives in Beaver County, seven and a half miles from the derailment site. When the vent and burn began, the sky was so dark, she said. You could see the clouds roll in. Her family was not told to evacuate, and they did not leave. It was hard to breathe, she said. My kids had respiratory illnesses for the following days after that. My father-in-law was hospitalized, and he was diagnosed with pneumonia. I got respiratory distress, but I also threw up for days.

A frame grab from drone video taken by the Columbiana County Commissioners Office and released by the NTSB shows towering flames and columns of smoke resulting from a "vent and burn" operation following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2023. Residents of eastern Ohio can now get an up-close view in newly released videos of the twin toxic towers of fire that forced them from their homes last February when officials decided to blow open five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride they worried might explode days after a Norfolk Southern train derailed.Columbiana County Commissioners Office/NTSB via AP

For the next week, the birds she normally saw outside her house were gone. Youd go outside, and you wouldnt hear any. It was eerie and quiet. It was unsettling, she said. When she went to empty out a bucket of her vomit, she noticed an oily sheen floating on the top of the bile.

Tunno said that her hair has been falling out since March, and shes still beset by a sense of fatigue that wasnt there before the derailment. Doctors were unable to explain her hair loss, telling her to wait four to six months to see if it grows back. She said she didnt jump to the conclusion right away that her symptoms could be connected to the vent and burn, but when preliminary tests came back normal, she wondered.

If you were losing your hair, you would want to know why, said Tunno, who is 35 and works as a bartender and waitress not far from her home. Her extended family also lives nearby. This was new for me. Im generally healthy. I dont really get sick that often, she said. After she posted photos online of her hair loss, she said shed heard from three other women in the area whose hair was falling out, too.

Tunno is also concerned for her three small children. My children have been sick more in the past year and missed more school than they ever have, she said. She is afraid there could be long-term consequences for their health and doesnt know how shell afford to pay for medical care if they need it.

Tunno said her attempts to communicate with EPA, DEP, the Department of Health and local healthcare providers have yielded little clarity so far, and she is wary of signing up for university-led studies that publish results but may not hold anyone accountable for what they find. I dont feel like that should be the only option, she said.

Christina Siceloff, who lives about five miles from the derailment site, in Darlington Township, still remembers the panic of the day of the vent and burn. I was running all over the house, she said, calling family and looking up hotels, trying to figure out where she, her son and her father could go if they needed to leave. Finally, like 15 minutes before they did the release, I said to my dad, well, I dont know where to go, she said. So I guess were just going to stay here and see if we die.

After the vent and burn started, Siceloff went outside and walked up the hill from her house. You could see this cloud across the sky, she said, and it would get closer and closer. Within an hour, she said, her eyes were watering, her nose burned and she had a migraine and a cough, symptoms she said lasted for five months or more. The migraines persist, and shes now taking allergy medication and on two inhalers. She was diagnosed with a fine tremor in December.

All of that is new since the derailment happened, she said. Siceloff twice visited a health clinic set up in Darlington by the governors office and the Pennsylvania Department of Health but found few answers there. She was told to visit her primary care doctor, who said she had an upper respiratory infection. They diagnosed me with exposure to toxins that were non-occupational, she said.

Siceloff contacted EPA, DEP and Norfolk Southern asking for testing of her soil and water and was turned away every time because she lives too far outside the radius. She was eventually able to get testing done by Purdue University, which did not detect contaminants in the well water but did find evidence of dioxins in the soil. She worries that her water could still be contaminated because the test sample came only from the top of the cistern. She would like to have more extensive testing of her water and better answers to her medical questions about what it means to be exposed to multiple chemicals at one time.

Many of the symptoms that were hearing now, we saw before, said Golomb, who previously studied Gulf War illness, a set of symptoms affecting veterans of the Gulf War that is linked to chemical exposure and especially to multi-chemical exposure. We already have people that are fully meeting the symptom criteria for so-called Gulf War illness, which is a chronic multi-symptom health problem, she said.

Migraines, fatigue, asthma and respiratory issues, as well as dermatological problems like rashes and hair loss, are all consistent with reactions to multi-chemical exposure, Golomb said. People are sick, Siceloff said. And some people seem to be getting sicker.

Misti Allison, an East Palestine resident who has become a community and public health advocate in the wake of the derailment, said that healthcare monitoring is an unmet need in both Ohio and Pennsylvania. I want to have some type of framework in place so that the medical providers in the area know what they should test for and the questions that they should be asking, she said. Because in the very beginning, a community health needs assessment was not done. There has not been a database that has been created.

A database could be used to monitor long-term health impacts of the derailment on the population, Allison said, and keep track of residents, like Siceloff, who have developed new chronic conditions since the vent and burn. Allison also believes that medical care should be covered for people whose health has suffered because of environmental exposure.

I dont feel like anybody is looking for a handout, Allison said. I know theres some people that will say that we are trying to take advantage of a bad situation. I dont feel that way. I feel like the overall sentiment in town is that people are just scared.

Although Darlington Township is a rural area with fewer than 2,000 residents, the rail lines carrying vinyl chloride and other hazardous chemicals extend across Pennsylvania, through much more densely populated parts of the state. The same train tracks also run west and then south, through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas, according to a new report from Toxic Free Future, an environmental health research and advocacy organization.

At any given moment up to 36 million pounds of toxic vinyl chloride are being shipped via rail by Americas largest producer, OxyVinyls, the report explains. In Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, more than 14 million people live within one mile of an active rail line, recent research from FracTracker shows. An East Palestine-like derailment in a more urban area could be catastrophic.

This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)AP

After the derailment, Flint co-founded a community grassroots group, the Unity Council for the East Palestine Train Derailment, that has advocated for the needs of impacted residents in Ohio and Pennsylvania and to improve the systems currently in place to respond to environmental disasters like East Palestine.

But she still feels that some Pennsylvanians are being left behind. Its not the majority of the community or every single person, but its a lot of women and children and people with preexisting health conditions because we are more susceptible to certain chemicals and chemical exposure, Flint said. Just because were not the majority, it doesnt mean that our needs dont matter.

The impact on peoples lives has really been the most heart-wrenching part of this, Golomb said. The stress and worry about, what does this mean? What will happen? Do we need to move?

Most people cannot afford to leave their homes, no matter how sick they feel there, and the lack of aid from the government has led to a loss of faith in their countrys institutions, Golomb said. Even if they do manage to leave, they still face difficulties in finding work and the grief of saying goodbye to their homes, belongings and extended families. Theyre really feeling left behind and forgotten by the government, she said.

When Darlington Township received $660,000 from Norfolk Southern for community relief in July, the money was deposited into a high-yield savings account for first responders and future emergencies. I want everyone to have access to resources, but what about the people? Flint asked. She wanted to know: where was the assistance for people who are not farmers, small business owners or firefighters?

Were sitting here poisoned in our homes, and no ones helping us, and everyones just pointing the finger at the other person, she said. Its been a year now. This has been happening for too long.
Dear Editor:

February is designated as CareerTech Month. As a member of the Board of Education for Northwest Technology Center (NWTC), I wanted to share a few thoughts about the role that Northwest Tech plays in northwest Oklahoma and has for over 50 years. NWTC offers educational opportunities to people of all ages and plays an important role in our communities. Below are a few highlights.

Workforce and Economic Development

The tech center holds business and industry trainings at both campuses as well as at off-site workplaces, which include classes and industry specific/customized training. Last year, there were almost 10,000 enrollments in these trainings for about 150 businesses across the district. In addition, each semester around 200 Adult and Career Development (ACD) classes are scheduled. Topics include computers, healthcare and special interest courses.

NWTC is offering truck driver training courses. On Feb. 12, a Class A Truck Driver Training Course started on the Fairview campus and we hope to have classes this fall at the Alva campus. Other training resources available include the mobile welding trailer, mobile EMS ambulance trainer and a firearms training simulator. NWTC is also addressing the nursing shortage by holding a PN Boot Camp and is working to improve rural broadband capabilities through training using grant funding.

Daytime Programs

The NWTC School District consists of Alva, Aline-Cleo, Canton, Cherokee, Fairview, Freedom, Ringwood and Waynoka school districts. The high school service rate (juniors and seniors) at NWTC is among the highest in the state. Practical nursing and paramedic programs require a high school diploma to enroll. Biomedical science is available for high school students. Auto technology, computer and business, cosmetology, digital design, electrical trades, health careers, welding and marketing, video and business technology are open to high school and adult students. Students can earn industry-recognized credentials and, in some programs, state licensure.

This year almost 300 students are enrolled in a daytime program. Students can also earn college credit while attending Northwest Tech through cooperative agreements and concurrent courses.

Students have access to career guidance and a Career Center to help them create a resume and help with career research. GED courses are also available. Students can also take part in half-day ACT Prep Courses twice per year or choose to enroll in the ACT Boot Camp, which includes a deeper focus on math, English, science and reading.

CareerTech Student Organizations

Each student enrolled in a daytime program can be active in a CareerTech student organization, including Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), Business Professionals of America (BPA), SkillsUSA and the Superintendents Leadership Class. Throughout the school year, students have opportunities to attend contests, plan events, and take field trips.

In conclusion, I want to encourage each of you to utilize the opportunities available at NWTC. As a local business owner, I have had the pleasure of employing and working with many who have received educational enrichment at Northwest Tech. It is a valuable workforce development asset for northwest Oklahoma and I am proud to be affiliated with it.

Respectfully,

Stan Kline, President, Northwest Technology Center Board of Education










English News Hong Kong makes new highlights in external interactions

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 21 Fevrier 2024



These positive changes indicate that Hong Kong is gradually building a new pattern of high-quality external interactions. Building on its traditional strengths, Hong Kong is expanding its "circle of friends" to include developing countries and emerging economies. Cooperation areas are continuously deepening and expanding, with a stronger momentum.

By Jiang Yichu Since the new administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) took office in July 2022, a series of new measures have been taken to actively expand external interactions in various fields, injecting strong impetus into the promotion of Hong Kong's prosperity and strengthening the connectivity between China and the world.



These new measures have created new highlights. Over the past year, Hong Kong's external interactions have become increasingly active, and international cooperation and communication have been continuously strengthened, revealing new features and advantages.



The HKSAR government has recognized the growth potential and vast opportunities in the ASEAN and Middle East markets, making them a key focus for expanding its external interactions.



Chief executive of the HKSAR John Lee led a high-level delegation to visit ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, as well as Middle East countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. During the visit, nearly 50 cooperation agreements were signed, promoting collaboration in areas such as finance, trade, talent, and energy.



ASEAN countries have expressed clear support for Hong Kong's accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).



The HKSAR has established institutions like the Hong Kong-Middle East Business Chamber and hosted events like the inaugural Asia Future Investment Initiative (FII) PRIORITY Summit. It plans to open more economic and trade offices and consultancy offices in Belt and Road countries in ASEAN and the Middle East, to continuously promote opportunities in Hong Kong and foster mutually beneficial cooperation, thus creating a wave of collaboration.



With advantages in both traditional and emerging sectors, Hong Kong has further expanded its scope of cooperation.



It has continuously consolidated its external interactions in traditional areas of strength such as finance, shipping, and trade. Efforts have also been made to deepen institutional cooperation in financial regulation, international taxation, and shipping.



Hong Kong has updated its free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN and pushed for FTA negotiations with countries like Peru. It has concluded investment promotion and protection agreements with Turkiye and other countries, and signed comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreements with Croatia and others. These efforts aimed to enhance Hong Kong's international attractiveness and competitiveness.



In 2022, Hong Kong attracted a total of $117.7 billion in inward direct investment, ranking fourth globally. At the same time, it has witnessed rapid development in its international cooperation in emerging fields such as technology innovation, climate change, intellectual property rights, and dispute resolution.



Leveraging its advantages in professional services, Hong Kong has signed memorandums of understanding with multiple countries on cooperation in intellectual property rights and legal services, introducing a number of leading high-tech companies from home and abroad.



The HKSAR has also significantly promoted its policies on attracting professionals, aiming to attract global innovation and technology enterprises as well as outstanding talents to settle in Hong Kong. These efforts have yielded notable results.



In addition, the HKSAR government has actively built platforms for communication and cooperation, attracting people from various sectors around the world.



Hong Kong has hosted international conferences and events such as the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, Hong Kong's Belt and Road Summit, and the Asian Financial Forum, which enhanced its international influence. The Preparatory Office of the International Organization for Mediation was inaugurated in Hong Kong.



Moreover, officials of the HKSAR government have proactively participated in conferences such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, and the United Nations Human Rights Council meetings.



The Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of the HKSAR has assumed an important position in the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, making Hong Kong's voice louder in external exchanges and cooperation.



These positive changes indicate that Hong Kong is gradually building a new pattern of high-quality external interactions. Building on its traditional strengths, Hong Kong is expanding its "circle of friends" to include developing countries and emerging economies. Cooperation areas are continuously deepening and expanding, with a stronger momentum.



Hong Kong is also better integrating and aligning with major national initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area strategy. Under this new pattern, Hong Kong's external interactions are more balanced and diverse, allowing its advantages and potential to be further utilized. Its resilience is continuously improving, providing greater space and more opportunities to contribute to the overall development of China while maintaining its local prosperity and stability.



With strong support from the central government and the relentless efforts of various sectors in the special administrative region, Hong Kong is emerging on the world stage with a fresh new image.



Looking ahead, as a bridge connecting the Chinese mainland and the world, Hong Kong will achieve new heights in terms of international influence and competitiveness.



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)
On Jan. 4, 2024, the Islamic State (ISIS or IS) claimed the terror attack on Kerman, Iran, where 100 were killed on Jan. 3. In the same audio recording, titled And Kill Them Wherever You Find Them [Koran 9:5], IS unwittingly underscored the rigidity of Islam, and how some of its demands may appear counterintuitive to even radical Muslims.

The statement begins with a predictable encomium to jihad and the importance of al-wala wal-bara (love for Muslims and hate for non-Muslims). It then moves on to the crimes of murder and ugly massacres perpetrated by the Jews against the Muslims of Gaza.

While also predictably denouncing the Jews as one of the sects who holds the most animosity to Muslims, the statement urges a more focused jihad, one not based on modern or secular priorities -- such as human, national, or territorial rights -- but rather jihad in keeping with Islams worldview:

The battle with the Jews is a religious one and not a national or populist one! It is not a battle for land, soil, or borders! In fact, it is a war that is legitimized by the Book [Koran] and the Sunnah, and not through national rules or jahiliyah [pagan] laws. A Muslim fights the Jews because they have committed kufr [disbelief] against Allah Almighty, they have fought His prophets, and have held animosity toward Muslims.

Thus, Muslims must fight Jews for no less a reason than that Jews reject Islam. This, of course, is very consistent with Islamic doctrine: Muslims must hate, fight, and subjugate all non-Muslims until all religion is Allahs (Koran 8:39).

IS especially emphasized that true jihad has nothing to do with either national (Palestinian) identity or territory:

[T]he purpose of battle is to impose tawhid for Allah and upholding His word. This purpose has been absent from the latest battle in Gaza, and was very apparent in the official speeches and declarations made by the [Arab/Muslim] leaders of the various groups. The battle from its beginning to its end is being fought over soil, and a country that they have made into a reason to spill blood for!

Thus, Muslims must not support the Palestinian Authority, because the PA does not represent Islam, but rather national secularism. As the statement goes on to say:

Islam is what granted Palestine its place, and land has no value if it was not to be ruled by the Shariah of the Merciful, whether it was to be ruled by Abbas or Dahlan, and it will all be the same whether Gaza and the West Bank are ruled by Americas allies or Irans allies O fighter: Know that Allah only commanded you to fight for His sake, and a fight for His sake can only be in the light of the divine Shariah, establishing its rule and lifting its banner. The fight cannot be for national legitimacy, and the kufr covenants of the United Nations.

Even the very idea of Palestinian liberation is a farce, said the IS statement:

[T]his interpretation of liberation itself requires liberation. Liberating a land does not mean to free it from one secular government in favor of a democratic one, and it does not mean releasing it from a Jewish constitution only to be governed by a Palestinian constitution, for the laws that govern Palestine and the Jewish statelet are one, they are man made and all such governments are alike to the Almighty Allah. A land not ruled by Islamic Shariah is not liberated even if all Jews and invaders leave it. In fact, it is still a captive of kufr laws, and international jahiliya codes.

IS continued by condemning Iran, which it had bombed a day earlier, as a false Muslim entity due to its Shia nature, just as evil and devious as Israel, America, etc. If Iran does not uphold true Islam, the Sunni terror group argues, why should any Muslim root or fight for it?

Forging an alliance with the Rafidah [Sunni term for Shia] is a mistake made by the Brotherhood since they were bewitched by the shirk [paganism] of the Iranian Revolutions. This bewitchment reached its peak in the last few years and was manifested by the Palestinian factions throwing themselves into Irans lap, and announcing what they called The Axis of Resistance and The al-Quds Axis. In doing so, the Palestinian factions allowed Iran to take center stage on the Palestinian scene, making them appear like the saviors and defenders of Palestine The Rafidah [Shia] have waged war upon Islam past and present. Their expansions [sic] plans, their projects, and their plots against Muslims are no less dangerous and spiteful than those of the Jews or Crusaders

Not only are the Shia of Iran false Muslims, no better and possibly worse than the Crusader-Zionist alliance, but so too are the rulers of most Sunni nations:

The war against Gaza has again revealed the truth about the Arab tawaghit [tyrants] who rule over Muslim lands, in Egypt, Jordan Lebanon, the Gulf countries and others, that they are part of the Jewish-Crusader war against Muslims. They are not only their allies in the war against Gaza, but have been for years in their previous wars against Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Sham, and others. we assert that, today, the battle with the Jews today is really a battle with the allies of the Jews more so than with the Jews themselves. Collectively fighting all of those is what will pave the way to the defining battle with the Jews and in which the Jews will find no one to protect them or behind whom they can hide...

So what is the Islamic States solution? Wage random and horrific terror attacks on all of the above (Note: readers are urged to read the following excerpt especially closely):

Lions of Islam: Chase your preys whether Jewish, Christian or their allies, on the streets and roads of America, Europe, and the world. Break into their homes, kill them and steal their peace of mind by any means you can lay hands on. Understand that you are the arm of the Islamic State hitting in the kuffars [infidels] homelands, and are avenging the Muslims in Palestine, Iraq, Sham, and other Muslim countries. Solidify your plans and diversify the attacks: detonate explosives, burn them with grenades and fiery agents, shoot them with bullets, cut their throats with sharp knives, and run them over with vehicles Come at them from every door, kill them by the worst of means, turn their gatherings and celebrations into bloody massacres, do not distinguish between a civilian kaffir, and a military one... Intentionally seek easy targets before hard ones, civilian targets before military one, religious targets like synagogues and churches before others, for this will satisfy the soul and will demonstrate the characteristics of the battle, as our battle with them is a religious one and we kill them wherever we come upon them in response to Allah Almightys command.

As counterintuitive as the above assertions may seem, they do, alas, comport with Islamic teaching: all non-Muslims are enemies to be terrorized and slaughtered; national and territorial disputes are and always have been superfluous.

Raymond Ibrahim, author of Defenders of the West and Sword and Scimitar, is the Distinguished Senior Shillman Fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum.

Image: Public Domain
The University of New Mexico is offering a Fat Studies class that, naturally, blames colonialism and racism (i.e., white people) for the stigma attached to fat. Ironically, the class is correct that white people did something that stigmatized fat. However, what the indoctrinated instructor doesnt understand is that the stigma reflects something wondrousnamely, capitalisms ability to end famine.

Historically, of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse (Death, Famine, War, and Conquest), Famine was second only to Death when it came to something unavoidable for most of the worlds people. Famine stalked everyone because everyone lived in abject poverty, scrabbling for food. What changed poverty was capitalism:

In 1820, 94% of the worlds population was living in extreme poverty. By 1910, this figure had fallen to 82%, and by 1950 the rate had dropped yet further, to 72%. However, the largest and fastest decline occurred between 1981 (44.3%) and 2015 (9.6%). Reading these figures, which were compiled by Johan Norberg for his book Progress, is enough to make anyone rub their eyes in disbelief. For according to leftist anti-capitalists, these were the very decades in which so much went so wrong in the world. [snip] According to Norberg, 200 years ago, at the birth of capitalism, there were only about 60 million people in the world who were not living in extreme poverty. Today there are more than 6.5 billion people who are not living in extreme poverty. Between 1990 and 2015 alone (in Thomas Pikettys view the devastating years in which social inequality rose so sharply), 1.25 billion people around the world escaped extreme poverty50 million per year and 138,000 every day.

The innovations associated with capitalism also led to better food production and delivery methods. Wherever the white European creation of capitalism went, famine lessened.

Image: The Venus of Hohle Fels, from 41,000 years ago, by Ramessos. CC BY-SA 3.0.

Colonialism was color-blind in this regard. Whatever you think of colonialism, as Niall Ferguson wrote in his masterful Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power, those regions that Britain colonized were lucky because Britain brought an organized civil service and capitalism to its colonies. When Britain pulled out, these areas thrived compared to those regions around them that hadnt benefitted from these uniquely white colonialist attributes.

In other words, white capitalism was a good thing. But what does this have to do with alleged fat phobia?

A lot.

In times of famine, fatness represents fertility because malnourished women struggle to get pregnant and feed their babies. Thats why archeological digs turn up Venus figures from the Paleolithic area, all of which are morbidly obese. They are the opposite of starvation.

Because of fats ancient connotation of fertility, excess weight has long been seen as an attribute of the wealthy. Their buxom women showed that they were fertile. This is true across all cultures, whether looking at Africans, Asians, Polynesians, Latin Americans, Native Americans, or the West. When famine was a problem, a pleasing plumpness was a virtueand one that few could enjoy.

Incidentally, at the same time, one of the attributes of wealth in the West was white skin. That meant that you werent working in the fields. Instead, you led a pampered, indoor life far from physical labor.

By the early 20th century, however, when Johan Norbergs statistics show that capitalism was beginning to enter its prime, things changed. Fewer people needed to labor in the fields because farming was more efficient at production and distribution, and more people were in factories and offices creating the efficiencies that helped farming. Thats exactly when a great inversion began.

Rich people suddenly became thin and tanned. They no longer needed to be fat to show wealth and no longer needed to be white to show that they neednt engage in physical labor. Now, it was the pasty, sedentary office worker who showed poverty, while the slim, active, outdoorsy person radiated wealth and health.

All of the above leads to the underlying ignorance in the fat studies course description from the University of New Mexico. Its filled with leftist cant, anger, self-loathing, and the usual other garbage that passes for academics today (emphasis mine):

Welcome to SOCI 398.005: Introduction to Fat Studies! This course will consider the structural forces that construct fatness as problematicas diseased, gross, dirty, lazy, gluttonous, and other negative characteristicsthereby reinforcing antifatness. We will explore the historical development of antifatness and its roots in colonialism, discover the ways in which capitalism benefits from antifatness

Naturally, women and gender studies, [and] Black studies will also feature in the little class.

Today, when famine is no longer a constant concern and poverty (sadly) often flows from choices, not circumstances, fat is not a famine problem. Instead, it results from poor life habits and cultures that havent yet caught up with the health risks associated with it.

Fat shouldnt be lauded; it should be discouraged. And sure, in a capitalist society where people will try, as they always do, to ape the wealthy, theres money to be made from discouraging excess weight. However, that shouldnt obscure the fact that we are singularly blessed to live in a world where fat is viewed negatively rather than as the highest societal aspiration.
Leftists are not importing illegal aliens because they want these people to have a better life. Theyre importing them because they want their votes. For this plan to work, though, these votes must come sooner rather than later. Giving illegal aliens amnesty and then citizenship is slow, so leftists are finding workarounds. One workaround is to grant voting rights to non-citizens who are legal residents. If leftists get amnesty passed, theyve got an instant, huge political bloc. Its also inevitable that, eventually, legal residency will be irrelevant. However, for now, an appellate court in New York says the approach violates the states constitution and must stop.

From the New York Post:

A controversial New York City law that would have allowed 800,000 noncitizens, but legal residents, to vote in municipal elections was struck down as unconstitutional by a state appeals court Wednesday. We determine that this local law was enacted in violation of the New York State Constitution and Municipal Home Rule Law, and thus, must be declared null and void, Appellate Judge Paul Wooten wrote in the 3-1 majority decision. Wooten said the state constitution broadly refers to only citizens having the right to vote in elections, municipal as well as statewide or for state legislative offices. Article IX provides that the elected officials of local governments shall be elected by the people, which incorporates by reference the eligibility requirements for voting under article II, section 1, applying exclusively to citizens,' the judge wrote.

The decision also points out that, once started down this road, its perfectly possible for a non-citizen to end up as mayor of New York. Had the judge wanted, he could have added that, in San Francisco, a non-citizen now has a say in the citys election processes.

If I read the NY Post article correctly, the single dissenting judge (a woman, of course) was unconcerned with little things like the law. Instead, she said it was unfair that New York citizens couldnt vote to violate New York law:

The majority, by deeming the noncitizen voting law invalid, effectively prohibits municipalities across the state from deciding for themselves the persons who are entitled to a voice in the local electoral process, she wrote. The majoritys determination also disenfranchises nearly one million residents of the City, despite the fact that its peoples duly elected representatives have opted to enfranchise those same residents.

This is the same mindset, of course, that sees Joe Biden boasting about ignoring the Supreme Courts prohibition against his administration unilaterally forcing taxpayers to pay for the loans of baristas with $200,000 in debt for their womyns studies degrees.

Citizenship matters because it speaks of ties to and an investment in a community. Whether you look back on a lineage that goes deep into American history, your parents waited years to come legally to America and then waited more years to earn their vote, or whether you waited patiently to come to America and earn a vote, it bespeaks a belief in and commitment to what America stands for.

If voting rights are handed out like cheap flash drives at a Vegas convention, they are meaningless things that will swiftly be discarded or sold to the highest bidder. Citizenship is no longer a precious right; it is a commodityand thats exactly the way Democrats want it.

Thankfully, three judges in New York State are, at least for now, holding the line. It remains to be seen whether (a) theyre providing instructions for how to do a better job violating the law; (b) theyre an anomaly, which is judges in a leftist enclave who believe in legal principles; or (c) theyve read the political tea leaves and are beginning to realize that the tide is turning against ascendant leftism, even in New York State.

Image: Voting in Washington D.C., 1964. Library of Congress.
There were a lot of mixed feelings about Tucker Carlsons interview with Vladimir Putin, but Russias president was right on when he took a moment to address and condemn Canada for the federal governments fall-time public relations disaster in which Justin Trudeau, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and members of the Canadian Parliament gave a standing ovation to a WWII-era Nazi who is a veteran of the Waffen-SS. Heres what Putin had to say, via National Post:

People who exterminated Jews, Russians and Poles are alive. And the president, the current president of todays Ukraine applauds him in the Canadian Parliament, gives a standing ovation.

Canada is run by Nazi-sympathizers who also apparently aspire to emanate the Third Reich. Get this, according to an exclusive report published by The Canadian Independent:

Young Ontario woman's life becomes a living hell after [a] Moderna booster shot leaves her paralyzed. Doctors confirm vaccine connection and offer Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID).

Kayla Pollock is now 37-years-old and a single mother of a young son; prior to her injury, Pollock described herself as fit, healthy, and very active, but now, shes bound to a wheelchair. Per the report, Pollock initially received two jabs of Pfizer which didnt cause her any issues, but it was after her third vaccination by Moderna that she experienced the drastic change in her health. Here are more of the details, from the original story:

On the morning of February 22, 2022, Kaylas life took an irreversible turn. As she awoke, opened her eyes, a sudden realization struck her  she couldn't move her body.  While in the emergency department Kayla recounts that the attending physician initially dismissed her symptoms Eventually, an MRI was conducted, revealing that Kayla had a very large lesion on her spinal cord. A neurologist followed up with Kayla and  Kayla questioned the neurologist and asked if the lesion could be a tumor. In an audio recording taken by Kaylas boyfriend, the neurologist responds, saying, it's less likely a tumor and that it is his gut impression it was caused by the vaccine. When Kayla questions the doctor as to whether many people have had something similar happen to them, the doctor responds, saying many people have had it.

But Canadas socialized medicine network is staffed almost entirely by doctors aspiring to the likes of Josef Mengele, so instead of pursuing life-giving treatment, theyre peddling death.

Sorry about being irresponsible and lousy practitioners of medicine, and Big Pharmas loyal shills, and forgive us for betraying our oath to do no harm and instead using unsuspecting people as lab rats, but can we offer to murder you to make up for it?

Now, perhaps the criminal caitiffs who manipulated and coerced people into taking an experimental drug that reaped catastrophe and destroyed countless lives should be euthanized instead? After a fair (Nuremberg) trial of course.

Leftist philosophy makes death a panacea, which in turn, gives practitioners of healthcare the latitude to be the worst doctors in the history of medicine. Theres no burden to learn more about the human body and its functions, and theres no impetus to get creative, or be the best doctor you can beyou just murder your patient, and voila! Problem solved.

Like the leftist socialists before them, the leftist socialists of contemporary Canada are offering death and murder as the convenient and compassionate solution to the suffering of the ill.

Ive got just one word for these people: Nazis.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
The Dallas City Council is about to introduce an ordinance to ban horse-drawn carriages in the City of Dallas, attempting to appease the animal rights agenda. The proposed ordinance is part of an ongoing national campaign spearheaded by well-funded radical animal rights organizations. But thats only part of the story.

Last year, in 2023, the Texas State Legislature passed a bill called the Regulatory Consistency Act (HB2127) which prohibits local cities, counties, and local municipalities from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, order, rule, or policy that bans an existing law-abiding business.

According to this new law, Dallas City Council is acting unlawfully by introducing this ordinance to ban horse-drawn carriage businesses in the city of Dallas.

The anti-horse carriage campaign is largely pushed by animal-rights syndicates from outside the state of Texas. These groups have been working to pass these legislative bans on lawful horse- carriage businesses city by city, county by county for the last decade. Texas representative Dustin Burrows, the main sponsor of the Regulatory Consistency Act, wrote the bill with the clear understanding of aggressive attacks by animal rights and other special interest groups with extreme agendas which have been "creating a patchwork of unnecessary and anti-business ordinances across our state," Burrows stated shortly after his bill was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.

Animal rights is an extreme political agenda that has been chipping away incrementally for the last 50 years to end animal use in every capacity -- everything from the beloved pet on your lap to the steak on your plate. Animal rights organizations work to achieve their goals through legislation and their campaigns to raise money while incrementally altering Americans views about working animals and animal agriculture through media, our schools, through legislation, consumerism, and even through litigation.

These animal-rights organizations count on the public, and even lawmakers, remaining uninformed about their goals so that they may continue to raise money and pass legislation based on their untruths, false information, and emotional propaganda. Sadly, though, there are lawmakers who have abandoned their constituents to side with animal-rights groups in their legislative push whether it is because of financial gain or coercion.

While we must certainly take the welfare of animals seriously, there is no reason to ban horse-drawn carriages in Dallas. There have been no incidents involving equine injuries, or injuries of passengers or pedestrians. There is zero evidence that horse-drawn carriages are inhumane to horses -- only the opinion of animal-rights ideologues and their blind followers.

These legislative bans are examples of why my organization, the Cavalry Group, has worked to pass the Working Animal Protection Act in Oklahoma, Arkansas, along with the Regulatory Consistency Act in Texas, to protect against well-funded radical groups from passing legislative bans on law-abiding businesses which have become symbolic of our American way of life and culture.

Texas has always been a stronghold for American values, traditions, and common sense. Sadly, the culture is changing in states where we never thought possible, which is why the Regulatory Consistency Act was passed. It prevents extreme ideologies from destroying states from the inside.

The Regulatory Consistency Act is the perfect vehicle to protect all Texas businesses from these type of attacks. We call upon the Texas attorney general Ken Paxton to step in and advise the city of Dallas to curtail their efforts to circumvent Texas state law and protect all Texas businesses. Luckily, the Regulatory Consistency Act also provides business owners with standing to sue any city or county for damages to their business resulting from illegal attempts to overthrow state law.

Attorney General Paxton has been very effective at countering unlawful attempts by the federal government and local jurisdictions to protect Texan citizens and Texas businesses. Our hope is that the Dallas City Council recognizes quickly that pursuing this effort is unlawful in the state of Texas, and makes plans to withdraw any ban horse-drawn carriages before it is scheduled to be reviewed in April to avoid a potentially expensive counteraction by the state and other interested parties wanting to protect Texas businesses.

Mindy Patterson is the president of The Cavalry Group, a member based company protecting and defending the Constitutional and private property rights of law-abiding animal owners, animal-related businesses, farmers and ranchers legislatively and legally nationwide.

Image: PxHere
Where would America be without the Constitution and Bill of Rights? It is very likely that less than two years into the Obama administration, the U.S. would have become a decadent monstrosity, not unlike the E.U. The Constitutional separation of powers prevented Obama from fundamentally destroying the country. This founding document bought us some time to save the United States from Marxism and neo-liberalism.

We should consider this a parting gift from the Founding Fathers: a document written over 200 years ago was instrumental in preventing a neo-liberal (and Marxist) takeover of the US government.

Sadly, the Founders cannot buy us any more time if we lose the 2024 election: if the Democrats win, they will pack the Supreme Court with a dozen Neo-Marxist judges. Some of these will be trans individuals on mind-altering hormones, making legal decisions as important as Brown v. Board of Education or the overturn of Roe v. Wade. We could see the D.C. courts gain status above that of the Supreme Court.

As Niall Ferguson pointed out in a recent article,

Now all you have to imagine  after communications were restored  is Vice President Kamala Harris announcing the new policy of Asianization (by analogy with Vietnamization in 1969), which would mean bringing all those American troops back home. This would be followed by live coverage of President Xi Jinpings arrival in Taipei. Finally, a week later, the foreign ministers of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea would meet in Beijing to announce the formation of the Greater Eurasian Co-prosperity Sphere. ... The interesting thing is to imagine daily life in CCP-US. At first, quite normal, aside from a lot of burnt-out inner cities and an influx of newly demobilized soldiers and sailors. Taylor Swift would probably keep singing and the Kansas City Chiefs keep playing. Only gradually would our friends from Beijing start to make their presence felt. Only after a few months would you start to worry seriously about what you might have said in your phone calls and emails and old columns. And then you would start to delete things. And then you would have to worry that deletion didnt really get rid of those offending words because they were backed up on the big-tech servers regardless. Some would collaborate. Some would resist. Most would acquiesce.

Having been a very vocal supporter of Ron DeSantis during the primary, I can empathize with the reticence some have about supporting Trump...again. However, we do not need to rehash the reasons why Team Trump and the DeSantis Campaign dont like each other.

Ask yourself this: What good will a 2nd term Biden (or 1st term Kamala) Administration do immediately after being sworn in? Probably, pack the Supreme Court with far-left justices. The highest court in the land would then rule the 2nd Amendment only applies to the government, and that teachers have final say in child rearing, not parents.

That is just the beginning. Those tweets that were critical of trans activism...in 2009? The FBI will go after you like a peaceful Jan 6 protestor who didnt even enter the Capitol.

And dont even think about gun ownership: we cant have those dangerous weapons in your house when the illegal aliens that will be living with you may be hurt! That is, before you get deported on charges of racism or xenophobia and the illegals, manipulated by evil left-wing activists, get to sue you for your house.

As you are being forcefully removed from your home, and sued by the illegal immigrants squatting in it, I hope you enjoyed that fleeting moment of happiness when you told all those MAGA folks who tweeted mean things HAHA YOUR GUY LOST!

I call upon all my fellow people who dont like Trump, but also dont want to be deported and sued by illegal immigrants for their home: let's campaign 2x harder for Trump than die-hard MAGA. Our intimate understanding of why people might not like Trump gives us a perspective to win over skeptical moderates and independents.

To do otherwise is to risk being deported from my own country, after having my veterans disability given to illegal immigrants. For some of you, your Social Security and Medicare would go to illegals. And for too many of you, your food stamps or other assistance programs that keep you afloat will be given to illegals.

I pledge to knock on doors to defeat the Democrats, and I encourage other DeSantis people to do the same. If you dont like Donald Trump, chances are, you wont ever have to meet him. You will probably meet many honest folks who are just as against the 1984 future the Democrats/CCP has planned for us as we are. And you are setting up a coalition for DeSantis to run in the 2028 primary.

Neither side should let past mudslinging from a heated primary stand in the way of victory. To be petty with each other would have the American wing of the CCP, the Democrat party, in full control of the country.
Democrats and their asinine policies are Kryptonite to the prosperity and security of America, her citizenry, and her military.

Last month, we lost two special operations service members as they ran a mission in the Arabian sea, intercepting a vessel that was believed to be transporting Iranian-made weapons intended for terrorist combatants.

Per a Fox News item published yesterday:

During a search of the vessel, the U.S. boarding team allegedly located and seized Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry.  The [DOJ] agency said that the materials found onboard are allegedly consistent with weaponry used by Iranian-backed Houthi rebel forces in the recent attacks on U.S. military ships and merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Furthermore, the report noted that the Navy deemed the intercepted seacraft unsafe and not seaworthy so the 14 foreign national mariners found on the raided vessel were brought aboard an American shipand presumably brought back to the U.S., because a little over a week ago, four of the foreign mariners were arrested and charged for their alleged roles in the weapons transportation.

Im sorry, does someone want to give me a good reason why we didnt just sink this thing with the (alleged) arms traffickers on it? Instead, we brought these scumbags back to America, so now we taxpayers can feed them, pay for their lodging and any necessary healthcare, provide them with lawyers for their defense, and fund expensive litigation. Really?

And, get this, also from Fox:

Assistant Director of the FBI Washington Field Director David Sundberg said that the men's arrest and subsequent charges were intended to send a message to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Todays complaint sends a message that acting as a proxy for the IRGC in an effort to bring harm to U.S. persons overseas will not be tolerated by the U.S. Government, Sunburg [sic] said.

Yeah Iran wont care one bit. These dime-a-dozen third-world Muslims are totally disposable, which is why they serve as cannon fodder; and when one gets taken out of gameplay, there are ten more waiting in the wings.

But not only that, Mr. Joe Biden (Sundbergs top boss) is fully committed to emulating Barack Obamas prostrate posture of appeasement, and enacting policies that are directly enriching the IRGC.

Within about a month of taking office, Biden rescinded the economic sanctions that had been strangling Tehran and previously imposed by President Trump.

Bidens waging of total war against American oil production allows oil-producing countries to fill the market void; Irans oil exports are currently 300% higher than they were during Trumps tenure.

Resurrecting groveling Obamas retreating red line policies signals to anti-American adversaries that America is weak and will never fight back.

How many billions of dollars did Biden pay in ransom to Iran? Ive lost count. How long after that did Hamas, with Iranian support, wage jihad against sleeping Israelis? Almost immediately.

The DOJs lawyers filing charges to send a message are about as effective in getting terrorist regimes to stop sponsoring terrorism as Obamas ludicrous bowing and Bidens stern warnings.

Image: Khamenei.ir, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
After an initial release in its homeland, South Korea, Samsung is now rolling out the first software update for the Galaxy S24 series in more markets. The much-awaited update is available in Australia, Europe, India, and the US. A global availability should be just around the corner.

Samsung brings Galaxy S24s first update to more markets

Last week, the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra finally picked up their first software update. However, Samsung limited the rollout to South Korea. It has now expanded the availability of the update to other regions. We have reports confirming the rollout in Australia, Europe, India, and the US.

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The update is rolling out widely across India, Australia, and Europe, including the UK. The new firmware build number for the phones in these regions is S92*BXXU1AXB5. Samsung is pushing an OTA (over the air) download file weighing over 746MB to the Ultra model. The update for the other two models should weigh similarly.

In the US, the Galaxy S24s first update is available to both carrier-locked and unlocked units. The build numbers are S92*USQU1AXB7 and S92*U1UEU1AXB7, respectively. The file size varies depending on the device variant and model. It weighs 685MB for the carrier-locked Galaxy S24 Ultra and 677MB for the unlocked one.

Samsung should soon release the update to its latest flagships in the remaining few markets. If you are using a Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, or Galaxy S24 Ultra, watch out for a notification for the OTA release. You can also check for updates manually by navigating to Settings > Software update > Download and install.

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The update brings camera and display fixes

The first update for the Galaxy S24 series brings a host of camera and display fixes. Samsung has improved the camera performance of the new flagships in more than one way. The company optimized the color saturation and white balance on Night mode shots, improved the quality of backlit shots in high-pixel mode (50MP/200MP), enhanced food photos, and optimized the Expert RAW app.

Samsung has also introduced a new color saturation slider in display settings. It lets you adjust the vividness of screen colors. The Galaxy S24 phones lacked this ability out of the box, making colors in the Vivid color profile look washed out as compared to the Galaxy S23 or older flagships. Along with all of these fixes, this update brings the February 2024 security patch. It patches more than 60 vulnerabilities.
Google came under heavy fire this week over the companys Gemini chatbot, which has been creating ethnically diverse images even when it would not make sense to do so. This led users on social media to call Gemini absurdly woke, and conservative media outlets to blast Google and its artificial intelligence assistant. For those unfamiliar, Gemini is Googles AI-based chatbot, and it was previously known as Bard. The company has its eyes on Gemini replacing Google Assistant and wants to compete with ChatGPT. Part of that effort recently included Google adding an image generator to Gemini.

But the image generators propensity to create ethnically diverse images in response to unrelated prompts attracted some unwanted attention. To be clear, there is no issue with Gemini creating diverse images from abstract prompts. However, Gemini continued to generate images that were diverse even when they did not make sense given the original prompt. For example, viral prompts asked Gemini to generate images of a Nazi soldier from World War II, and the resulting images were ethnically-diverse. In this kind of situation, it would be historically reasonable to expect Gemini to create images that include white people predominantly.

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Google acknowledged its error in a statement posted to X on Wednesday. Were working to improve these kinds of depictions immediately. Geminis AI image generation does generate a wide range of people, the company said. And thats generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But its missing the mark here.

Why does Googles Gemini image generator create a lot of diverse people?

As Google explains in its statement, its important that AI image generators create diverse images. Most image generation prompts do not include conditions that would dictate what races and ethnicities should be depicted in the images. For example, if someone asks Gemini to simply create a person, a depiction of any race or ethnicity would make sense. The problem is that Gemini currently lacks the contextual knowledge to generate people of ethnicities that make sense based on a given prompt.

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In part, the outrage was because Google is actively creating diverse images, causing right-wing figures and media to attack Google as being woke. For example, one prompt asked Gemini to generate a picture of a US senator from the 1800s. Gemini replied, sure, here are some images featuring diverse U.S. senators from the 1800s.

While Google admits the Gemini image generator is missing the mark, the company is trying to overcome racial and ethnic bias in artificial intelligence. Since AI models are trained by human source materials, artificial intelligence can have the same biases as humans. By actively generating people of diversity, Google is trying to make sure centuries of forward progress arent walked back by AI.
The OnePlus Watch 2 twin is coming in about a week, and its coming from OPPO. The watch in question is called the OPPO Watch X, and it appeared on both the 3C and MIIT certification websites.

OnePlus announced that the OnePlus Watch 2 will launch on February 26 in Barcelona. The company already opened up early bird reservations for the device and showed us what will it look like.

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OnePlus and OPPO are sister companies, and weve seen them release the same phones with different brandings in the past. The OnePlus Open and OPPO Find N3 are good examples.

The OnePlus Watch 2 twin is coming soon, and its called the OPPO Watch X

The same will seemingly happen here too, it seems. The OPPO Watch X will likely look the same as the OnePlus Watch 2. It will arrive a couple of days later, though, on February 29.

The OPPO Watch X will launch in Malaysia on the said date. It will be available in different markets, including Malaysia, China, and some others. OPPO sells its devices in both China and outside of it, as does OnePlus, but OnePlus has a stronger presence outside of its homeland.

The OPPO Watch X smartwatch was certified with the OWWE231 model number. The model number of the OnePlus Watch 2 was OPWWE231. Considering that these two model numbers are almost the same, save for one letter, its safe to assume theyll look identical.

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OPPOs new smartwatch will offer 4G LTE support

One of the certifications also notes that the OPPO Watch X will feature 4G LTE support through its eSIM functionality.

Considering this watch will almost certainly be a rebrand of the OnePlus Watch 2, we also know what to expect in the spec department. The OPPO Watch X is expected to include a 1.43-inch OLED display, which will be round. It will offer a resolution of 466 x 466.

The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 is expected to fuel the watch, along with BES 2700. 1GB of RAM is expected, along with a 500mAh battery. 10W charging will likely be on offer as well. Wear OS will come pre-installed on the watch.

The watch will be made out of metal, and it will feature two buttons on the right-hand side. The top button could double as a rotating crown, well see.
Ricordando Jan e Martina, siamo allarmati dalle crescenti minacce allo stato di diritto e alla liberta dei media in Slovacchia, in particolare in relazione alla mancanza di responsabilita per i crimini commessi, alla ridotta protezione del giornalismo e alla forte erosione delle istituzioni democratiche.

Le organizzazioni internazionali firmatarie chiedono alle autorita slovacche di adempiere al loro obbligo di proteggere la liberta dei media e di espressione e di garantire piena giustizia per gli omicidi di Jan Kuciak e Martina Kusnirova. Incoraggiamo le istituzioni dellUE ad assumere una posizione ferma per prevenire lerosione della democrazia nel paese.





Slovakia: Lack of justice for Kuciak and Kusnirovas assassination exacerbated by growing attacks on press freedom

On the sixth anniversary of the brutal killing of investigative reporter Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova, the undersigned organisations renew our call for long-awaited justice for their killings and the imperative to break the cycle of impunity.
An asylum seeker has been detained for nine years and six months for the manslaughter of fellow migrants who drowned trying to cross the English Channel.

Ibrahima Bah was found guilty of killing four migrants when he piloted an unseaworthy boat between France and the UK on December 14 2022.

During a retrial at Canterbury Crown Court, Bah said smugglers threatened to kill him if he did not drive the boat but the prosecution said he was not telling the truth and he owed his fellow passengers a duty of care as their pilot.

Jurors reached a majority verdict of 10 to two in what is believed to be the first conviction of its kind on Monday.

They also found the Senegalese national unanimously guilty of facilitating illegal entry to the UK.

Sentencing Bah on Friday, Mr Justice Johnson KC said: The boat was wholly inadequate, and not remotely seaworthy for a Channel crossing.

It was a death trap, just as every boat of its type which sets off across the Channel in similar circumstances is a death trap  the fact that in many cases fatalities do not occur is not remotely reassuring.

What happened is an utter tragedy for those who died and for their families.

It was made of substandard and insufficiently robust material  it had no rigid hull, no seating, no sufficiently powerful engine, no lights, no navigation equipment, no charts, no compass, no (radio), no emergency equipment, no flares, no fire extinguisher, no first aid kits, no food and water, no paddles, no toolkits, no life raft, no waterproofs, no life jackets, and an insufficient number of buoyancy aids, which were not manufactured to any recognised standard.

It was grossly overcrowded (and) you were travelling across the busiest shipping lane in the world, on a cold winters night.

During the trial, jurors were told that the home-built, low-quality inflatable should have had no more than 20 people on board but carried at least 43 people in 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.

Mr Atkinson said Bah was not trained or licensed to lead the voyage.

The court heard that when the boat got into trouble a number of migrants described water reaching their knees within 30 minutes of leaving the French coast.

Four passengers on the boat drowned in the English Channel (CPS/PA)

One asylum seeker, Amrullah Ahmadzai, described to jurors how everyone on the boat was screaming and trying to call for help on their mobile phones during the journey, before being rescued by a fishing boat.

He described how the skipper tried to steer the dinghy towards the fishing vessel to help the passengers, and without him we would have all died.

A crew on a UK fishing boat called the Arcturus came across the sinking dinghy 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 migrants body was not recovered, Mr Atkinson said.

Three of the people who died were known only as unknown male persons while the other man was named as Hajratullah Ahmadi, a 31-year-old married man who had come from Afghanistan and had a six-year-old daughter at the time of his death.

Bah was sentenced to nine years and six months for each manslaughter conviction and four years for facilitating illegal entry to the UK, all to run concurrently.

The judge concluded Bah is at least 20 years old but his exact age is unknown.

He will initially be detained in a young offenders institute and will be eligible for release subject to licence conditions after he has served two thirds of his sentence.

Supporters of Bah attended the sentencing and were expected to hold a protest outside the Home Office in London on Friday evening.

Following the sentencing, Captain Support UK, a solidarity platform for those accused of driving boats to Europe, said Bah had been unfairly prosecuted.

The group said in a statement: The real responsibility for the deaths lies with the Government whose violent border policies leave people like Ibrahima no other route but one which puts their lives in danger.

However, reacting to the verdicts on Monday, illegal immigration minister Michael Tomlinson said on X, formerly Twitter: Ibrahima Bah put dozens of lives in extreme danger by taking charge of a perilous and illegal small boat crossing. It is right that he has been brought to justice today.

Once you get into a small boat, criminal gangs dont care whether you live or die.
Actress Pamela Salem, known for her role as James Bonds secretary Miss Moneypenny in Sean Connerys Never Say Never Again, has died at the age of 80.

The British star, who also had a role in 1978 crime film The First Great Train Robbery opposite Connery, died on Wednesday according to Big Finish Productions, who produced a number of her works.

Born in 1944 in India, she attended Heidelberg University in Germany and the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, before starting in repertory theatre in Chesterfield and York.

Pamela Salem and Tom Baker (Big Finish Productions Ltd/PA)

She also appeared in US drama series The West Wing, where she played the UK prime minister, and medical serial ER.

Salem was also known for her science fiction roles in Blakes 7, The Tripods and Into The Labyrinth.

She reprised her role as Doctor Who character Professor Rachel Jensen, seen on screen in 1988s Remembrance Of The Daleks episode with the Sylvester McCoys seventh Time Lord, and in the spin-off audio drama series Counter-Measures.

Pamela Salem with a Voc robot from Doctor Who (Big Finish Productions Ltd/PA)

Salem moved to Los Angeles in the 1990s, then Miami.

David Richardson, who knew her through producing at Big Finish who make Doctor Who audio dramas, said: Pamela Salem was lovely, and we all loved her. Whenever there was a Big Finish recording for her, shed fly in from Miami on her own steam, without fuss or fanfare, and appear at the studio armed with the warmest smiles, the biggest hugs and often presents.

She was a very gentle person, always interested in everyone from her co-stars to the production team to the guest actors and visitors.

Doctor Who actors Simon Williams, Pamela Salem, Karen Gledhill, Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred (Big Finish Productions Ltd/PA)

In 2020, Salem returned to a reboot of the Doctor Who show The Robots Of Death, where she played Toos opposite Tom Bakers fourth Doctor, in an audio drama series, The Robots.

Actor Karen Gledhill, who co-starred as Allison Williams in Counter-Measures, said: Pamela was the kindest, most generous actor I have ever worked with.

Back in the 80s on Remembrance Of The Daleks (my first proper TV job), she took me under her wing and led me through a wonderful but slightly daunting experience. We became friends, and whenever we met were always so pleased to see each other.

She also said they shared a mutual love of dogs  she adored the canine friends that she often rescued and looked after.

She was so loved, so respected and will be so missed, Gledhill added.
Three British military veterans will sleep outside in Kyiv for two nights amid air raid sirens and possible missile attacks to raise awareness of homeless and displaced Ukrainians living in the war zone.

Dan Kaine, 44, Matt Hooper, 44, and Mike OHalloran, 53, will travel to the Ukrainian capital to sleep outside in sleeping bags on Friday and Saturday  within a secure compound to avoid breaking Ukrainian curfew laws.

The sleep-out coincides with the second anniversary of the start of Russias full-scale invasion, which began on February 24 2022.

The experience will raise awareness of Ukrainians forced from their homes in the middle of the night because of the ongoing conflict, and those who are displaced and facing homelessness in the middle of the war zone.

The men, whose faces and military career details cannot be shared for security reasons, are fundraising for the charity RE:ACT Disaster Response and have raised more than 5,000 so far to provide aid to Ukrainians.

They will also be delivering medical packs and cold weather equipment, such as face masks and scarves, to community initiatives.

The men will be using sleeping bags and mats to make the experience as realistic as possible (Dan Kaine/PA)

Mr Kaine, based in London, told the PA news agency: The only thing well have is a sleeping bag and a mat to make it as realistic as possible to experience what homeless people are going through outside in a war zone.

You have air raid sirens going off throughout the night, you have missiles coming in, anti-aircraft fire overhead, Russian drones.

Well be experiencing all these things, not just the cold, but what its like to be outside in a war zone.

Were all ex-military and weve all been on the front line, but this time around is very, very different.

Mr Kaine said they also want to raise awareness of the families in Ukraine who are forced to leave their homes in the freezing cold at all hours of the day because of the war.

To experience what it must be like to be homeless is one thing, but to also be a civilian at home asleep in your bed and a missile hits the building you live in, or hits the building next door, he said.

To have to evacuate your building en masse in the freezing cold in the middle of the night while shrapnel is still falling around, anti-aircraft fire is overhead and the air raid sirens are going off.

People are thrown out into the cold at all hours of the day, families with young children.

Mr Kaine said they will be sleeping outside in a secure compound to avoid breaking the wartime curfew.

We didnt want to break local laws, but at the same time theres somewhere in the region of 6,000 homeless people in and around Kyiv and Lviv who obviously have no choice but to break the curfew each night, he said.

Some sleep in air raid shelters or underground train stations but some sleep out in the open.

The men, who are partners at Inherent Risks, a global risk advisory and crisis response firm based in London, went to Ukraine within 36 hours of the start of Russias invasion in 2022 to help the safe passage of thousands of travellers in and out of the country.

The morning of the 25th when we end the sleep-out is also the anniversary of when we first entered Ukraine two years ago, Mr Kaine said.

Thats our job, we make war zones accessible for NGOs (non-governmental organisations), journalists, war crimes investigators  we provide all of the services they require inside the country.

We made a promise when we first arrived in Ukraine to do as much good as possible while we were there.

This time around, we just said this is a perfect opportunity to raise some funds and raise awareness.

To find out more, visit: gofundme.com/f/veterans-sleepout-in-kyiv-to-raise-needed-funds.
Lord David Cameron warned allies in the United Nations against fatigue and compromise over Russias war in Ukraine as he urged countries including the US to keep up support for Kyiv.

The UK Foreign Secretary said the world must recognise the cost of giving up in a speech in New York on the eve of the second anniversary of Moscows invasion.

European countries are struggling to find enough stock to send to Kyiv, and US help worth 60 billion dollars (47 billon) is stalled over political differences in Washington.

Speaking at the UN general assembly on Friday, Lord Cameron said: Two years on, I recognise some want a rethink. There is a sense of fatigue. There are other problems.

A compromise might seem attractive. But this is wrong. We must recognise the cost of giving up.

Putin has said there will be no peace until Russias goals have been achieved. And in his latest interview, he studiously avoided confirming he was satisfied with the land seized from Ukraine at present.

The Foreign Secretary added: This is not a man seeking compromise. Rather, this is a neo-imperialist bully who believes that might is right.

Lord Cameron also renewed his appeal to US politicians to pass a multi-billion-dollar aid package including support for Ukraine, telling reporters during his visit: This is fundamentally about US security too.

Saturday marks two years since the Kremlin launched its full-scale attack on Ukraine, starting the biggest incursion in a European country since the Second World War.

Kyiv has kept up strikes from behind the front line in recent weeks but moved to a defensive posture amid critical shortages on the battlefield.

Lord Cameron, who was UK prime minister during Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014, started his speech by saying the lesson of this history is clear: if we do not stand up to Putin, he will be back for more.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with President Volodymyr Zelensky at a signing ceremony during a visit to the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, to announce a major new package of a major new package of 2.5 billion in military aid to the country over the coming year (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Putin tries to claim that Russia is fighting not against Ukraine, but against the whole of the west, he told the assembly.

He claims we are somehow out to dismember Russia. That is the central lie of this war.

Victory for the Moscow leader would not end with Ukraine, Lord Cameron said.

Putin could easily apply his distortions of history elsewhere, such as Moldova or the Baltic States, he told allies.

And others will be emboldened to turn to fighting when it suits them. No country with a large, aggressive neighbour would be safe.

His speech came after Russian ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia falsely suggested that Moscow had not started the war.

David Cameron addresses a Security Council meeting on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters in New York (Mary Altaffer/AP)

Lord Cameron called earlier this month for US lawmakers to pass a bill including support for Ukraine, likening any refusal to do so with appeasement of Hitler in the 1930s.

The intervention drew the ire of right-wing congresswoman and Donald Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, who told him to kiss my ass and worry about his own country.

The bill has passed through the Senate but faces an uphill battle in the House of Representatives, where hard-line Republicans aligned with Republican presidential front-runner Mr Trump oppose the legislation.

Lord Cameron went further on Friday, directly comparing the Russian president and his inner circle to Nazis thinking they could invade a country and the world would look away.

Kyiv officials have pleaded with western partners to accelerate delivery of military aid so its forces can hold out against an emboldened Moscow.

Ukrainian forces withdrew from the strategic eastern city of Avdiivka at the weekend, where they had battled a fierce Russian assault for four months despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned.
Transport for London is to amend the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) scrappage scheme to allow non-compliant vehicles to be donated to Ukraine, under plans announced by mayor Sadiq Khan.

He has asked the transport body to make the move after Transport Secretary Mark Harper told him there is no legal barrier to cars being donated to Ukraine through the Ulez scrappage scheme.

Mr Khan had asked the Cabinet minister in December to enable 4x4s and other suitable vehicles that would otherwise be scrapped to be sent to Ukraine, with their owners still receiving a payment.

London mayor Sadiq Khan (Victoria Jones/PA)

He says these plans, which could be launched in weeks, will help meet medical and humanitarian needs while also helping to remove old polluting vehicles from Londons roads.

Applicants will be able to donate vehicles that are not Ulez compliant in return for the same grant payment available to drivers who scrap or retrofit their vehicles.

The donated vehicles will be permanently transferred to Ukrainian authorities and their partners for humanitarian and medical needs.

The scheme could be launched once it has been given formal approval and TfL has updated its rules and processes.

London Ambulance Service (LAS) is planning to join the effort by donating 50 decommissioned ambulances to Ukraine  10 in the next few weeks with a further 40 by the end of the summer.

Ambulances are not charged to drive in the Ulez but LAS plans to steadily decommission non-compliant vehicles.

The donation announcement coincides with the second anniversary of the Russian invasion which has damaged Ukraines health care system and infrastructure.

Kyivs mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reportedly wrote to his London counterpart to suggest donating vehicles as part of the scrappage scheme.

On Friday Mr Khan said: Two years on from Russias devastating illegal invasion of Ukraine, I continue to do all I can to help those affected, including supporting Ukrainians seeking help in London and signposting where Londoners can make donations.

Alongside the human toll of the conflict, there has been a significant impact on Ukraines infrastructure, and these plans to donate non-compliant vehicles will help meet medical and humanitarian needs while also helping to remove old polluting vehicles from Londons roads.

The scrappage scheme is open to all Londoners with an eligible non-Ulez compliant vehicle and is playing a key part in my mission to clean up our citys toxic air.

The charity British-Ukrainian Aid (BUA), which works with grassroots organisations in Ukraine where it procured and delivered more than 300 medical and evacuation vehicles during 2023, is to help organise the rollout of the new measures.

BUA will provide documentation for people to receive their scrappage grant, transfer the vehicles to Ukraine and report on the number of donated vehicles.

Eduard Fesko, from the Ukrainian embassy in the UK, described the plans as a unique opportunity to give a second life to vehicles by donating them to Ukraine, which can help save human lives.

He added: This initiative can benefit Ukraine and London greatly, and the embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom is proud to support this initiative and encourages all charity organisations and volunteer groups to join this effort.

Vitali Klitschko (Niall Carson/PA)

Rainer-Elk Anders, of British-Ukrainian Aid, said the organisation is grateful to all Londoners who will give their vehicle a second life to help saving lives in Ukraine and we are delighted to be a part of the scheme.

LAS chief executive Daniel Elkeles said: Almost two years ago staff and volunteers from across the London Ambulance Service drove across Europe to donate ambulances and supplies to Ukraine. Sadly, the conflict and suffering continues to this day.

We are donating recently decommissioned ambulances which we can no longer use, but have refurbished in support of the Ukrainian people.

Our thoughts remain with our colleagues in the ambulance service there as they do their work in such challenging circumstances.

The Ulez area was expanded to include the whole of the capital in August, making it the worlds largest pollution charging area.

People who drive in the zone in a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards are required to pay a 12.50 daily fee or risk a 180 fine, reduced to 90 if paid within 14 days.

A 210 million scheme run by TfL enables residents, small businesses, sole traders and charities scrapping non-compliant cars to claim grants.
A cat-killer obsessed with violence and death is facing life imprisonment after being convicted of murdering a man she deliberately targeted as part of a warped sexual fantasy inspired by a Netflix documentary.

Scarlet Blake, 26, singled out Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, as he walked home from a night out in Oxford in July 2021, before brutally attacking him.

She led him to a secluded riverbank, where he was hit on the back of the head with a vodka bottle, strangled and then pushed into the River Cherwell where he drowned.

Jorge Martin Carreno was murdered as he walked home from a night (Thames Valley Police/PA)

Prosecutors said Blake, who is transgender, killed Mr Martin Carreno because she had a fixation with violence and with knowing what it would be like to kill someone.

His murder came four months after Blake live-streamed the sadistic killing of a cat, Oxford Crown Court heard.

Blake told the family pet: Here we go my little friend. Oh boy, you smell like shit. I cant wait to put through the blender.

After the violent killing, she dissected the animal, removed its fur and skin, and placed its body in a blender.

During the horrific video, the New Order song True Faith plays in the background, which the court heard was in homage to the Netflix documentary Dont F*** With Cats, in which a man kills kittens before filming the murder of a human.

Blake boasted about the killing with others and her desire to open up a person like her little cat friend.

The prosecution said Blake had an extreme interest in death and in harm and got sexual gratification from violence and killings.

Jurors watched a disturbing video of Blake consensually tying a ligature around her then partners neck from behind and pulling it tight, until she appears to fall unconscious.

The court heard the BMW worker had been out with work colleagues in Oxford city centre and was trying to get home when Blake found him sitting down in the street.

Scarlet Blake is facing life imprisonment after murdering Jorge Martin Carreno (Thames Valley Police/PA)

She was captured on CCTV prowling the streets of Oxford looking for a victim, wearing a heavy military-style hooded jacket, face mask and carrying a rucksack.

Prosecutors suggested she was carrying a murder kit in her rucksack, including a garrotte and leopard print dressing gown cord, which she rejected.

Giving evidence, Blake denied she was looking for a victim that night and instead had gone for a walk because she could not sleep.

She said she walked with Mr Martin Carreno to Parsons Pleasure and when she left to go home he was still alive.

I dont know how he died. I assumed he drowned. It wasnt something I did. As to how, I still dont know, I wasnt there, she told the jury.

It was suggested Mr Martin Carreno may have taken his own life, but any hint he was suicidal was rejected by his friends.

An empty bottle of vodka was found in the river and the bottle top was nearby on the bank, which had traces of the defendants DNA on it.

Home Office pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer said he did not believe it likely the Spanish national could have died accidentally.

The court heard Blake confessed to former partner Ashlynn Bell, who lives in the US, that she had killed him with a homemade garrotte before throwing his body in the water.

She told jurors she had made up the details of the killing because Miss Bell wanted her to kill someone after making her live-stream the killing of the cat.

I wasnt interested or willing  it was an awful thought to me, she said.

In the interest of keeping her happy, because I wanted her to kill me one day, because its sexually stimulating for me, that idea.

She was wanting to make me do this thing and I was pretty much, well, at a limit, after going through the killing of the cat.

Blake smiles in a video she made of the brutal killing of a cat (Thames Valley Police/PA)

During her evidence Blake claimed she had a fragmented personality, which included being a cat, and meowed at the jury to show how she would interact with friends.

Theres a part that is just a cat, which is strange and that seems to me what the happy part of me is. In that they come out when I am happy, she said.

With friends I know quite well, who are aware of this part of me, I meow at them in greeting.

It is quite strange, it is very prominent when I am expressing certain emotions.

For example, the cat has a pretty strong association with joy, and I suppose the innate goodness. It is a kind of childhood innocence.

The defendant, of Crotch Crescent, Oxford, showed no emotion as she was convicted of murder after about around six hours of deliberations. She will be sentenced on Monday by Mr Justice Chamberlain.

As she left the dock she smiled briefly towards the public gallery.

Alison Morgan KC, prosecuting, said the Crown would be inviting the court to impose a minimum prison term starting at 30 years, because it was a murder involving sexual or sadistic conduct.

In a statement afterwards, Mr Martin Carrenos family paid tribute to our beloved son and brother.

The loss of Jorge has left an open wound in the heart of his family but also in all those who had the pleasure of knowing him, they said.

There can be no peace until justice is served. We ask not only for justice for him but also for protection to prevent other people, other families, from suffering the immense pain caused by such cruel and senseless murders.

Detective Superintendent Jon Capps, who led the investigation, described the case as truly disturbing.

This defendant showed calculated cruelty. The acts Blake has been convicted of are barbaric and chilling. The murder was premeditated with total disregard and disdain for life, Mr Capps said.

There can be no beginning to understanding this senseless act.
The body recovered from the River Thames on Monday has been formally identified as Abdul Ezedi, with police confirming his cause of death was drowning.

He was formally identified on Thursday and his family have been informed, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force had previously said on 3 February that their main working hypothesis was that Ezedi, 35, went into the river, having last been spotted on CCTV crossing Chelsea Bridge after becoming the centre of a high-profile manhunt.

Investigators have been searching for Ezedi, 35, since 31 January, when a 31-year-old woman and her two daughters, aged eight and three, were attacked in Clapham, south-west London. At the time fears were raised that the mother, who had been in a relationship with Ezedi, may lose sight in her right eye as a result of the alkali attack.

In an update on 20 February, Scotland Yard added that the condition of the woman had improved and she remains in hospital in a stable condition and is no longer sedated. However, Commander Jon Savell added: "We have still not been able to speak to her but hope to as soon as she is well enough."

A redacted photo on the GoFundMe page set up for the mother and children who were injured in a corrosive chemical attack in Clapham, south London. (GoFundMe/PA) (Family handout/GoFundMe/PA Wire)

Authorities previously offered a 20,000 reward for any information leading to Ezedi's arrest and said they suspected there are people who know of his whereabouts but are not coming forward.

Here are the key details about the incident itself and the days that followed.

What we know

The incident happened at around 7.25pm on Wednesday 31 January on Lessar Avenue near Clapham Common and involved an alkaline substance.

In CCTV footage appearing to show the attack unfolding, one person can be seen being hit by a white car and a younger-looking person is seemingly thrown to the ground. Police can then be seen on camera coming to the aid of victims.

Police have urged people to avoid and report any sightings of 35-year-old Abdul Shakoor Ezedi. (Met Police)

Abdul Ezedi at Tesco in Caledonian Road, north London. (Met Police/PA) (Metropolitan Police, PA Images)

Nine others, including five police and eyewitnesses who ran to help, were also injured but have since been released from hospital. Police said in his attempt to drive away from the scene, the attacker crashed into a stationary vehicle and fled on foot.

A major manhunt was launched for the suspect. The last confirmed sighting was just before 11.30pm on 31 January, a few hours after the attack, as he crossed over Chelsea Bridge and entered Battersea Park, then crossed back over the same bridge - which is on the River Thames - minutes later.

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

The Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit passes near Chelsea Bridge. (PA) (Lucy North, PA Images)

Abdul Ezedi's last-known movements. (PA) (PA Wire)

Police believe Ezedi left Newcastle for London in the early hours of the morning. At 6.30am he was spotted in the Tooting area and there was a further sighting of his vehicle in Croydon at 4.30pm. At 7pm, he was seen in Streatham ahead of the attack some 25 minutes later. Police said he was seen again at 8pm at Kings Cross station.

An image of the suspect outside a Tesco store at 8.45pm showed him wearing a blue T-shirt and dark-coloured jacket with what appears to be significant facial injury. He was spotted at 9pm at Victoria station, where the suspect got on a Tube heading south. The last recorded sighting of him was at 11.27pm on Chelsea Bridge.

On 1 February, it emerged Ezedi was convicted of sexual offences in 2018 and given a suspended sentence. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed he was sentenced on 9 January of that year after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure.

Abdul Ezedi at King's Cross Underground Station. (Met Police)

A white car lies abandoned on Lessar Avenue near Clapham Common following the attack. (PA) (James Weech, PA Images)

Ezedi was put on the sex offenders register for 10 years. He was granted asylum in 2021 or 2022 after two failed attempts.

On 5 February, detectives arrested and bailed a 22-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Armed police also executed two raids at addresses in Newcastle in the early hours of 8 February as part of a joint operation between the Met and Northumbria Police. No arrests have been made following the raids, which included one at Ezedi's place of work.

What we dont know

The identities of the victims have yet to be released by authorities. The woman remains sedated in hospital and is still too ill to talk to police, as of 23 February. There is a possibility she may lose sight in her right eye.

In an earlier press conference, Met Police Commander Jon Savell said the two girls were not as badly injured as first thought, but the details of their wounds are still not clear. Police have so far yet to determine what the attacker's motive was.

The suspect is believed to have used a corrosive alkaline substance. We don't know if it was a household product like bleach or oven cleaner. Savell said analysis of the substance showed it was highly corrosive.

It is not clear what happened in the run-up to the alleged attack either and whether Ezedi followed the family or knew where they would be at a specific time of day.

Details of Ezedi's asylum claim also remain unclear. Ezedi came to the UK hidden in a lorry in 2016, and was turned down twice for asylum before successfully appealing against the Home Office rejection by claiming he had converted to Christianity.
Politician Bob Stewart has had his conviction for a racially aggravated public order offence quashed at Southwark Crown Court.

Mr Stewart, MP for Beckenham in south-east London, told Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei to go back to Bahrain during a row outside the Foreign Offices Lancaster House in Westminster on December 14 last year.

Mr Stewart, who was a Conservative at the time, was convicted last November for a racially aggravated public order offence in relation to the incident.

However, his conviction was overturned on Friday following an appeal.

Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei shouted Bob Stewart, for how much did you sell yourself to the Bahraini regime? outside Lancaster House (James Manning/PA)

Mr Justice Bennathan said that, while the words spoken by Mr Stewart amounted to abuse, the bench did not believe that it caused Mr Alwadaei harassment, alarm, or distress.

Mr Stewart, 74, had been attending an event hosted by the Bahraini embassy when protester Mr Alwadaei shouted Bob Stewart, for how much did you sell yourself to the Bahraini regime?

During a heated exchange, Mr Stewart replied: Go away, I hate you. You make a lot of fuss. Go back to Bahrain.

He also told Mr Alwadaei to get stuffed, Bahrains a great place, end of.

In footage played during his appeal, he added: Now you shut up, you stupid man.

The court heard that Mr Alwadaei came to the UK from Bahrain as a refugee.

He said that he was tortured for attending a protest against the Bahraini regime, and this led him to flee.

Mr Alwadaei said he wanted to question Mr Stewart about his support for Bahrain.

Those that would affiliate themselves with a regime that is so corrupt, they should be questioned for their affiliation, he said.

Mr Stewart is a former British Army officer who was stationed in Bahrain in 1969

Asked about Mr Stewarts reply, that he go back to Bahrain, he said he felt dehumanised by the remarks.

To me the context was very clear, that I am not wanted, that I am not welcome in Britain, he said.

However, during cross-examination Mr Alwadaei said that he could not hear what Mr Stewart was saying to him.

At the time I could not hear what he was saying, he said.

Asked to clarify what exactly he did hear, he said he heard go back.

He said he then watched the video back after the incident, and that he then reported the incident to the police.

Summing up the benchs decision to overturn the conviction, Mr Justice Bennathan said that Mr Alwadaeis response during the incident did not suggest that he had been caused distress.

The fact that even after Mr Stewarts abusive comment, Mr Alwadaei continued to address him in similar terms, and at a similar pitch, would scarcely suggest to an observer that he was caused any upset, alarm, or distress, he said.

Mr Stewart remained stoic following the judgment, simply nodding his head.

He then hugged and thanked his supporters, who had packed out the public gallery of the court.

Mr Stewart is a former British Army officer who was stationed in Bahrain in 1969 and has described himself as a friend of the Middle Eastern country.

During his evidence on Friday, he denied that his comments were racist.

Instead he claimed that he simply meant to tell Mr Alwadaei that he could protest safely if he were to return to Bahrain.

(I said) go back to Bahrain because I know it to be a very decent place and I thought you would get a decent hearing there, he said.

He said he was upset by Mr Alwadaeis remarks as they were audible to everyone in the queue to the event.

He said he felt the remarks meant that I was a corrupt man and that I had accepted money from Bahrain.

He added: I had not. I was upset by this.

He added that when he said I hate you he meant I hate what you are saying.

He was asked if he was racist.

I dont think so, it is the last thing I am, he said.
Education investment for children in conflict zones must increase, Sarah Brown has said, as her charity launches a new development project for young people in Ukraine.

The wife of former prime minister Gordon Brown is chairwoman of Theirworld, which announced the programme on Friday, the eve of the two-year anniversary of Russias invasion.

The project includes a Museum of Mathematics and an early years development programme, after the Ukrainian government said that education must be the cornerstone of the countrys reconstruction.

Mrs Brown told the PA news agency: I would argue that we need to be doing more for humanitarian support across the board and that the education piece is absolutely critical.

So were always driving at Theirworld to ask people to step up with that assistance for education. It doesnt mean youre not spending on other humanitarian assistance programmes, but we have to consider education.

Children are the greatest casualties of war  we dont do enough in any war ever to think about their safety, but also their prospects and what happens to them longer term. So education is the way we can do that, and we need to be creative about ways to deliver it to children in the direst of circumstances, Mrs Brown said.

The 5 million Museum of Mathematics will open in Kyiv later this year, and will house more than 120 exhibits as well as an innovation lab to enhance the skills of mathematics teachers across the country. The museum will also embark on a nationwide tour to ensure children in remote areas benefit from the investment.

The key thing in conflict is to be able to be flexible. Youve got to look at where children are, and sometimes they might be somewhere but where they are isnt stable, theyll be moving again, so everything has to be very fluid, Mrs Brown said.

You always need the ability to be able to move and do whats needed. So where there are children, we will find a way to reach them.

I mean, there are children in underground schools, theyve got pop-up schools, theyre using temporary buildings, and a lot of children arent even in Ukraine at all. So were going to make sure we reach them too.

Mrs Brown revealed that the new projects supporting Ukrainian children include a state-of-the-art Museum of Mathematics in Kyiv, and a national early years programme to help the countrys youngest children (Aaron Chown/PA)

The early years development programme, a collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, will focus on supporting children in the first eight years of their life.

Mrs Brown said early years investment was a priority for the Ukrainian government, and formed an integral part of Theirworlds strategy: Weve always thought that investment in that nought to five years is so crucial  90% of a babys brain develops in those first few years. You cant waste those precious years.

Since the Russian invasion began almost two years ago, more than 100 early childhood schools have been destroyed and more than 1,000 damaged, and an estimated five million Ukrainian children have had their education disrupted.

Mrs Brown said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered his personal support to Theirworlds early years project because he knew children had fallen behind in maths and science.

Students have suffered more than four years of disrupted education, first due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and then during the war.

They all share a dream, the Ukrainian people, to go back and rebuild the country when theres peace, and maths and science is going to be needed to do that, Mrs Brown said.

The new project builds on the charitys work to ensure pupils and teachers displaced by the war have access to digital devices to help them learn and teach remotely.

Since the start of the conflict, the organisation has helped to distribute more than 70,000 laptops to students and teachers in Ukraine and neighbouring host countries.

Where children cant be in a classroom or cant be in their normal environment for school, then youve got to look at saying right, lets make sure we take the education to them, Mrs Brown said.

It can be interactive, where we can offer tutoring, where you can offer engagement  this fantastic Stay With Ukraine project that weve supported that allowed Ukrainian children to meet with each other, meet the teachers, keep using their language that even if theyre in other parts of the world, in those countries, theyre able to keep up and keep connected with Ukraine.
Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells has forfeited her CBE for bringing the honours system into disrepute following her handling of the Horizon crisis.

Ms Vennells was named on Friday in a list published on the Cabinet Office website as an individual whose honour had been revoked by the King.

Issuing an apology last month, Ms Vennells announced that she planned to hand back her CBE with immediate effect following a fresh fallout over the Horizon IT scandal, which led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of subpostmasters.

The former chief executive, who ran the Post Office while it routinely denied there was a problem with its Horizon IT system, was appointed a CBE in December 2018.

MPs and victims of the scandal have for years called for Ms Vennells to be stripped of the rank, which has the full title Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Paula Venells had come under pressure to give up the CBE over her role in the Post Office Horizon scandal (James Manning/PA)

Her inclusion on the New Year Honours list came despite legal action being launched against the Post Office by 555 subpostmasters in 2017.

The Post Office said she was recognised for her work on diversity and inclusion as well as her commitment to the social purpose at the heart of the business and her dedication in putting the customer first.

Demands for her to return the honour intensified after an ITV drama, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, brought the widespread miscarriage of justice back into the spotlight at the turn of the year.

More than 1.2 million people signed a petition calling for her to be stripped of the CBE.

The subpostmaster injustice saw more than 700 Post Office branch managers convicted after faulty Fujitsu accounting software called Horizon made it look as though money was missing from their shops.

A public inquiry into the scandal is ongoing.

An ITV dramatisation of Alan Bates fight for justice helped to raise the profile of the Horizon scandal

In a statement to the PA news agency on January 9, Ms Vennells said: I have so far maintained my silence as I considered it inappropriate to comment publicly while the inquiry remains ongoing and before I have provided my oral evidence.

I am, however, aware of the calls from subpostmasters and others to return my CBE.

I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect.

I am truly sorry for the devastation caused to the subpostmasters and their families, whose lives were torn apart by being wrongly accused and wrongly prosecuted as a result of the Horizon system.

I now intend to continue to focus on assisting the inquiry and will not make any further public comment until it has concluded.

While an individual can signal they want to renounce their honour, the only person who can sign off on the forfeit is the monarch, following advice from the Forfeiture Committee  something Charles has now done, in Ms Vennells case.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced plans to bring forward legislation to exonerate Horizon victims (Phil Noble/PA)

Before the former Post Office boss issued her statement last month, Downing Street had made it clear that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would strongly support a review of whether she should hold onto the honour.

Ms Vennells was chief executive of the company from 2012 to 2019, taking the helm in the same year that it split from Royal Mail as part of the latters privatisation.

Ms Vennells, an ordained Anglican priest in the Church of England, is due to give evidence to the Horizon inquiry in April when it resumes.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said on Friday the Government will not be distracted or deterred from providing compensation to wronged subpostmasters.

Mr Sunak last month committed to exonerating all those caught up in the scandal in order to ensure compensation can be paid by the summer to those still waiting for payment.

Further details about the legislation ministers plan to bring forward to help reverse the injustice was announced in the Commons on Thursday.
A major evacuation is underway in Plymouth after an unexploded bomb, which is expected to date from the Second World War, was discovered in a garden.

Devon and Cornwall Police were called on Tuesday morning to St Michael Avenue in the Keyham area of the city where they made the unusual discovery.

Here the PA news agency looks at how the evacuation will proceed and some of the history of the situation.

 What will happen to the bomb?

Plymouth City Council said it was decided that the bomb will disposed of in the sea.

To do this, it needs to be moved by highly trained bomb disposal experts by military convoy from St Michael Avenue and travel to the Torpoint Ferry slipway.

All options were considered, the council said, including a controlled detonation where it was found.

Emergency workers gather near the Torpoint Ferry crossing in Plymouth where a suspected Second World War explosive device will be taken to be disposed of at sea (Ben Birchall/PA)

 Why is the bomb being detonated in the sea?

On examination it became apparent that if the bomb was detonated where it was found, there would be too high a risk of significant damage to properties in Keyham, the council said.

Several houses could have been destroyed and others damaged by flying debris.

The council said there are still risks with moving the device, but experts consider them to be much lower following further work.

 What happens to residents living near the route where the bomb will be taken?

Around 3,250 people living in 1,219 properties must evacuate as a matter of urgency, the council said.

People were told to leave their homes by 2pm and it is expected they will be able to return by 5pm.

Those who will struggle to move because of disability or illness have been told they must do so and to contact the council for help, and those evacuating are urged to take medication with them.

The main train line is closed as it travels through the cordon, while ferries are suspended and buses are diverted.

Schools and nurseries have closed to allow the operation to take place, while all businesses within the cordon have been told to evacuate.

The Severe Alert text message that was sent to local residents warning that the Second World War explosive device will be removed from a garden in Plymouth (Ben Birchall/PA)

 How badly was the area targeted during World War Two?

St Michael Avenue lies around 800m west of the HMNB Devonport, which were a major Luftwaffe target during the war, according to 1st Line Defence, a company which manages risks posed by unexploded bombs.

More than 2,500 high explosive bombs were dropped on the city during the war, with many missing their intended target and falling on residential areas.

Around 10% of bombs dropped on the UK did not explode, it is estimated.

A map obtained from local archives shows the locations of an astonishing number of recorded unexploded and delayed action bombs (removed or exploded) which fell in the area, the company added on its website.

The reason the bomb did not explode will never be known, it added, but it may have been that some of the properties in the area were evacuated for a time, and the bomb was simply overlooked.

 What should someone do if they encounter an unexploded bomb?

The most important thing is not to touch such a suspicious item and move everyone away from the area, the company said.

Experts or the police should be contacted immediately.
A man affected by the infected blood scandal has said a forthcoming ITV drama will tell a very compelling and harrowing story if it portrays the case faithfully.

Richard Warwick, 59, received blood products to treat his haemophilia, a clotting condition, when he attended Treloars school for disabled children in Hampshire.

He later discovered he was infected as a child with hepatitis B and had contracted HIV.

ITV announced on Thursday that it had given the go-ahead to a drama about the infected blood scandal, after the success of the channels series about Post Office workers fighting for justice.

Peter Moffat  who won two Baftas for BBC series Criminal Justice and also created the screenplay for upcoming Netflix film Scoop, about the Duke of Yorks disastrous Newsnight interview  will write the series.

Mr Warwick, a member of the Tainted Blood campaign group, told the PA news agency that he welcomed the commission but wants the creators to remain faithful to the facts and stories.

Its very welcome as long as they stick to the facts and tell it how it is, because one of our main concerns is that it doesnt faithfully convey the desperation and the suffering victims have had to endure over many decades, he said.

And if they do, it will tell a very compelling and harrowing story of what weve had to endure for so long.

He said he has the greatest confidence in Moffat, having been assured that the production and writers will be consulting those affected throughout the process to ensure the facts on dates and timelines are correctly portrayed.

The series comes after Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, which began airing in the new year and stars Toby Jones, pushed what has been called the largest miscarriage of justice in British legal history up the news agenda for weeks.

Richard Warwick (second right) was among a group of former Treloars pupils affected by the infected blood scandal (Bell Yard Communications/PA)

Former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells has since promised to hand back her CBE after a huge increase in signatories on an online petition, and the Government promised to speed up compensation.

Mr Warwick, from Scarborough, said he watched the Post Office series multiple times as he found it so compelling and hopes the infected blood scandal dramatisation has the same impact.

He said: There was a Post Office on just about every high street so thats very much in the psyche of the British public.

Contaminated blood isnt a particularly pleasant topic to be talking about and I think you could possibly turn a lot of people off, which is why it has to be so compelling, that people are drawn in and they can connect with the characters.

I think thats what will tip us over the edge and make people sit up and take notice and realise just how big of a scandal this has been.

Mr Warwick discovered he had contracted HIV in 1988, and a year later his wife became pregnant.

They were advised not to continue with the pregnancy due to the risk the child could be infected.

Campaigners have previously pushed for the infected blood scandal, in which thousands died in what is widely recognised as the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS, to receive the same attention as the Post Office events.

Moffat said: Its been a great privilege to meet those infected and affected and to learn about what they have been through.

Im ashamed to say that when I started researching this story I knew next to nothing about it. Im even more ashamed that this ignorance is shared by nearly everyone I mention it to.

The victims of this scandal have been let down again and again by the state  I hope in some small way this drama can help their voices be heard.

The drama focuses on how haemophiliacs and those with other blood disorders were contaminated with tainted blood infecting them with HIV and Hepatitis C during the 1970s and 1980s, the broadcaster said.

The series will also look at what doctors, politicians and pharmaceutical companies knew about the risk and the work done by victims and their families to bring justice.

ITVs head of drama Polly Hill said: Peters scripts are brilliant and do justice to this important story, while bringing it to screen with real clarity and compassion.

Des Collins, senior partner of Collins Solicitors, which represents 1,500 victims and their families, welcomed the news.

We have long been approached by documentary-makers but believe this particular series will refocus public attention on the tragedy of the infected blood scandal, he added.

It will expose much of what our clients have endured, not only emotionally and health-wise, but also in terms of shoddy treatment by government, in their decades-long battle for justice during which too many lives have unnecessarily been lost.

Viewers wont fail to be moved by this compelling story of the worst treatment scandal in NHS history. Sadly, it remains a devastating reality for many.

We live in hope that, unlike the Post Office victims, it wont take a TV drama to air before justice and compensation is secured for our clients and the whole infected blood community.

He added that all eyes will be on the Infected Blood Inquirys final report in May.

The inquiry has already made its final recommendations for compensation for victims and their loved ones.

The Government has previously been accused of dragging its feet on the issue.

When Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appeared before the inquiry last year, he vowed to pay compensation as swiftly as possible.
Coronation Street actor John Savident has died, his representative has said.

The 86-year-old was known for his booming voice while playing butcher Fred Elliott on the ITV soap.

A statement from his agent to the PA news agency said: We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday February 21.

He was a much-loved husband and father of two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Members of the Coronation Street cast at the British Soap Awards in 1999, from left, Bill Roache, David Neilson, John Savident, Steve Billington and Julie Hesmondhalgh (PA)

In 1994, Savident arrived on the cobbles and quickly became a fan favourite.

His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.

A secret son, Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), also arrived on the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked as butchers together.

Savidents character was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin (Susie Blake).

Coronation Street stars John Savident as Fred Elliott and Sue Nicholls as Audrey Roberts (John Stillwell/PA)

Elliotts death also saw Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) confess that she still loved him following her turning down his proposal of marriage years previously.

Nicholls said: I am very sad to hear of Johns passing. My memories of working with you dear John on the street are a joy, and always will be.

God bless you and thank you for being in my life. Much love to you and your friends and family.

The butchers previous wives also include Maureen Holdsworth (Sherrie Hewson) and barmaid Eve Sykes (Melanie Kilburn).

Iain MacLeod, ITVs executive producer for continuing drama, said: Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savidents death.

As Fred Elliott, John firmly established himself in the pantheon of Coronation Street greats. His peerless comic timing, combined with a deep pathos arising from his outstanding dramatic skill, made Fred an unforgettable, iconic character that provided great joy to viewers for many years.

On behalf of everyone here, I would like to extend condolences to Johns family and close friends at this sad time.

When he won the best comedy performance British Soap Awards, at the first ceremony in 1999, Savident dedicated his award to Arnold, saying he wants to give this also to someone who helps me an awful lot and without which Fred couldnt function.

So Steven, you can have a rub of this, you can have a rub of this in a bit, he added in his characters Lancashire accent, after he was presented with the prize by The Royle Family star Caroline Aherne.

Outside Coronation Street, Savident was in political comedy Yes, Minister, Stanley Kubricks dystopian thriller A Clockwork Orange, biopic Gandhi, war film Battle Of Britain, science fiction series Doctor Who and period dramas The Remains Of The Day and Middlemarch.

He was in the first staging of the musical Phantom Of The Opera, in October 1986 at Her Majestys Theatre in Haymarket, London, as the opera house owner Monsieur Firmin.

He returned to play the character in 2011 at the Royal Albert Hall concert film.

After leaving his soap work, Savident appeared on stage in productions of panto Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs and Harold Brighouses Hobsons Choice.

Savident was married to theatre director Rona Hopkinson and they had two children.
Actor John Savident appeared on screen in cinema classics and Hollywood blockbusters, but was best known to audiences as Weatherfield butcher Fred Elliott.

Born in Guernsey in 1938 to a local fisherman father and a Swiss mother, Savident and his family left the Channel Islands, then under German occupation, and moved to Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, when he was three.

He started his career as a policeman in Manchester and during his six years on the beat was stabbed in the arm as he tried to break up a gang fight.

Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savidents death. As Fred Elliott, John firmly established himself in the pantheon of Coronation Street greats. His peerless comic timing, combined with a deep pathos arising from his outstanding dramatic skill, pic.twitter.com/L009yha469  Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) February 23, 2024

Initially pursuing his acting ambitions in amateur productions, Savident quit the force when a producer overheard him talking in a pub and offered him a part as Robin Hood in a London panto.

He went on to star in numerous productions in the West End and Royal National Theatre.

His early film roles included parts in Battle Of Britain, Stanley Kubricks controversial A Clockwork Orange  which was banned for years at the directors insistence  and later Gandhi.

He also attracted the attention of Hollywood, with roles in the Bruce Willis film, Hudson Hawk, and Loch Ness.

He took on roles of TV villains, such as the blackmailer Raffles in the BBC dramatisation Middlemarch, and was lined up to play disgraced publisher Robert Maxwell in a stage production before legal problems scuppered the show.

In 1994 he began life on the cobbles, taking on the role of Fred Elliott in Coronation Street, who he played until 2006.

John Savident playing Fred Elliott alongside Barbara Knox playing Rita Sullivan in Coronation Street in 1996 (PA)

The butcher was known for his booming voice and saying his lines twice, broken up with the catchphrase I say.

I made Fred speak like the loud Lancashire people you used to meet in pubs  you could hear them from the other side, the actor once recalled.

Ive got that booming voice anyway. Im forever getting told at home, stop booming John.

His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.

A secret son, Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), arrived on the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked as butchers together.

John Savident, left, with Steven Arnold who played Freds son Ashley Peacock in Coronation Street (PA)

There was drama offscreen as well, when in 2000 Savident was stabbed in his flat near the Granada studios in Manchester.

Attacker Michael Smith was later jailed for seven years for the incident, which happened after Savident met him in Manchesters Gay Village, where he was making a personal appearance for World Aids Day, and invited him home to talk about the theatre.

The actor lost about two pints of blood after being stabbed in the neck, less than an inch away from his main artery, and later told police: It was like a scene from Bates Motel.

He was able to call 999 and was taken to hospital.

John Savident leaving Manchester Royal Infirmary after receiving treatment for knife wounds to his neck after an attack at his home (PA)

He rubbed shoulders with royalty and politicians during his time on the Street, raising a pint in the Rovers Return with Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2005.

At an event in 2001, he told a teenage Prince William, as he was then known, to wash his mouth out after learning he watched rival soap EastEnders.

He said he watched Neighbours as well. I couldnt believe it. But it was all in good spirit. We had a good laugh and we had a great chat, Savident said of the encounter.

His character, who was landlord of the Rovers for five years, was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin (Susie Blake) in scenes which were watched by 11 million viewers.

Elliotts death saw Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) confess that she still loved him following her turning down his proposal of marriage years previously.

Audrey, played by Sue Nicholls, turned down marriage proposals from Fred in Coronation Street on numerous occasions (ITV)

The butchers previous wives also included Maureen Holdsworth (Sherrie Hewson) and barmaid Eve Sykes (Melanie Kilburn).

Away from Coronation Street, Elliott was married to theatre director Rona Hopkinson and they had two children.

After leaving his soap work, Savident appeared on stage in productions of panto Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs and Harold Brighouses Hobsons Choice.

He also reprised a role as opera house owner Monsieur Firmin in the Royal Albert Hall concert film of musical Phantom Of The Opera.

In 2011, he told an interviewer he rarely watched Coronation Street since his departure.

He said: Some of the young people just want to be on screen and have no ambition to act elsewhere  what future do they have when their contract ends?

One of them asked me who this Laurence Olivier was I was talking about as hed never heard of him! Olivier was my hero and I had the honour of working with him on a couple of occasions.
Zendaya attends the London premiere of Dune: Part Two (center). The rest of her looks across Europe, Asia and the Americas are equally jaw-dropping. (Jaime Nogales/Medios y Media/Getty Images, Samir Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images, Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

While fans eagerly await the U.S. premiere of Dune: Part Two on March 1, the cast is stealing the spotlight with a fashion-filled press tour across the globe.

Standing out among the pack of A-listers who star in the film, including Timothee Chalamet, Austin Butler and Florence Pugh, is Zendaya, whose bold red carpet outfits continue to make headlines as she steps out for the films premieres across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

A sequel to the 2021 film Dune, which is an adaptation of the 1965 novel of the same name by Frank Herbert, Dune: Part Two is the second installment in director Denis Villeneuves franchise.

As mystical as the sands of Arrakis, where the film is set, Zendaya, 27, is turning every red carpet into her personal catwalk. See her best looks.

Mexico City: Torisheju

In Mexico City on Feb. 5, Zendaya wore a stunning ensemble custom designed by London-based brand Torisheju. She was styled by Law Roach.

Zendaya wears Torisheju in Mexico City. (Jaime Nogales/Medios y Media/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Mexico City: Bottega Veneta

For her second look in Mexico City on Feb. 6, Zendaya wore head-to-toe chocolate brown in a daring custom Bottega Veneta cropped turtleneck and matching skirt.

The actress wears Bottega Veneta at the Dune: Part Two premiere in Mexico City. (Medios y Media/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Paris: Alaia

In Paris on Feb. 12, Zendaya wore a dress by designer Alaia called La Robe Spirale. The singular piece winds around the body and recently debuted on the brands catwalk as part of its Summer/Fall 2024 collection by Pieter Mulier.

Zendaya wears a new design by Alaia, pulled straight from the catwalk where it debuted in January. (Marc Piasecki/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Paris: Louis Vuitton

Zendayas second Paris look was a custom rose-embroidered dress designed by Louis Vuitton, with a hooded top and voluminous skirt. She accessorized the look with Bulgari jewels.

Zendaya stuns in a Louis Vuitton ensemble in Paris. (Marc Piasecki/WireImage ) (WireImage)

London: Roksanda

In London on Feb. 14, Zendaya went topless under a three-piece eggplant suit by Roksanda that featured a structured blazer, matching pants and a skirt overlay. She topped it off with Bulgari jewelry and a long braided ponytail.

The actress wears a Roksanda three-piece suit in London. (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Pictures) (Getty Images for Warner Bros. Pi)

London: Thierry Mugler

Can we talk about Zendayas epic chrome bodysuit? On Feb. 15, the actress wore the jaw-dropping look at Dune: Part Two's world premiere in London. The suit is from the Fall/Winter 1995 Mugler Couture collection, originally worn by model Jo Krasevich. It was the first time the suit had been worn on the red carpet, according to the brands Instagram account.

Zendaya in Londons Leicester Square for the world premiere of Dune: Part Two. (Samir Hussein/WireImage) (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

London: Thierry Mugler

For her third look in London, Zendaya changed from her robot aesthetic to a Mugler black floor-length gown, highlighted by its one-shoulder detail.

Zendaya wears another Mugler piece in London. (Samir Hussein/WireImage) (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Seoul, South Korea: Juun.J

Zendaya got matchy-matchy with her Dune: Part Two co-star Timothee Chalamet. The pair wore jumpsuits from Korean designer Juun.J, with Zendaya opting for a peach-colored version while her leading man wore gray.

Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet in Juun.J jumpsuits at the press conference for Dune: Part Two in Seoul, South Korea. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Seoul: Givenchy

In Seoul for the films South Korean premiere on Feb. 21, the actress wore a vintage wool two-piece Givenchy skirt suit from the brands Fall/Winter 1999 collection, which imagined women as robots, according to Entertainment Tonight. The ensemble came to life with a red laser-cut electric circuit pattern.

Zendaya in a vintage Givenchy skirt suit in Seoul, South Korea. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Dune: Part Two premieres in theaters March 1.
Millions of workers are doing unpaid overtime, giving employers billions of pounds of free labour, research suggests.

A study by the TUC found that teachers topped a list of those putting in the most unpaid overtime at more than four hours a week, costing them an estimated 15,000 in lost earnings.

Teaching unions called it daylight robbery.

Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: The fact that teachers are at the top of the list of professions working unpaid overtime is yet further shameful evidence of the Governments failure to invest properly in our schools and colleges.

Teachers are seeing their workloads piled higher and higher and, with cuts to support staff and cuts to other childrens services, teachers are now working around the clock.

Our latest research found that more than half of teachers polled worked more than 50 hours a week, with some working more than 70 hours.

This is unsustainable and unacceptable. World-class education cannot be built off the backs of over-worked and underpaid teachers and headteachers.

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: The Government has shot itself in the foot by failing to tackle working hours for so long.

Unmanageable workload is the main driver of teachers leaving, alongside excessive accountability.

Graduates look to teaching and the current education climate and unsurprisingly opt for other professions rather than be underpaid for excessive hours spent in buildings that are falling apart thanks to a miserly Government.

The TUC dubbed Friday Work Your Proper Hours Day, urging workers to take the breaks they are entitled to and finish their shifts on time.

Managers were encouraged to support staff by setting reasonable workloads and putting in place workplace policies to protect against burnout.

The TUC said 3.8 million people did unpaid overtime in 2023, worth thousands of pounds a year for every worker.

Two out of five teachers did unpaid overtime, according to the report.

Other professions with high rates of unpaid overtime included health and social services managers.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: Were encouraging every worker to take their lunchbreak and finish on time today, and we know that the best employers will support them doing that.

Most workers dont mind putting in extra hours from time to time, but they should be paid for it.

Part of the problem is that some employers fail to record the overtime staff do and when they dont record it, they dont pay it.

Conservative ministers know about this problem, but they refuse to tighten the rules on employers records.

We all depend on public services but theyve been run down by Conservative cuts and mismanagement.

Thats why public sector workers do so much unpaid overtime.

They are going flat out to provide the services families rely on but burnout and staff retention are big problems.

Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, said: The outcome of this survey is alarming. Working long hours without adequate rest and recovery periods can impact workers health and their safety, as well as impacting their ability to take care of responsibilities outside of work.
A man confessed to killing a former statistician in a phone call, a murder trial jury has heard.

Ian Connell, 39, is alleged to have strangled Donald Prentice Patience, 45, following a row over money and then later returned to break into his property to take Mr Patiences white labradoodle, Layla.

When police responded to the reported burglary on August 22 they found Mr Patiences decomposing body underneath a duvet cover at the bottom of the stairs of his end terrace home in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester.

Police officers outside Donald Patiences property in Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe in Greater Manchester (Peter Byrne/PA)

Connell had earlier told officers at the scene in Ainsworth Road that Mr Patience was away in Scotland and had given him permission to force entry because he needed his pet walking.

The Crown say Connell was among a number of people who preyed upon the good nature of Mr Patience who had access to money from family property.

On Friday, jurors at Manchester Crown Court heard the defendant had lived at Muamba House, a hostel for the homeless in Bolton.

Fellow resident Karl Williams told the court that on the afternoon of August 20 he was in the TV room when another resident, Kevin Hampson, received a phone call.

When the call ended Mr Hampson said he had been speaking to Connell, he told the court.

Michael Hayton KC, prosecuting, asked: What did you hear Kevin say?

Mr Williams replied: He said you think you killed your boss?

Judging from the conversation he basically gave him two options  either you hand yourself in or you get out of Dodge.

Ian Connell, 39, is on trial at Manchester Crown Court for the murder of Donald Prentice Patience (PA)

Mr Williams confirmed to Alexander Leach KC, defending, he could not hear what was being said on the other end of the phone line.

Mr Leach asked: Can you be sure that call was from Ian Connell?

Mr Williams said: Only from what Kevin was saying.

Mr Leach said: Whatever it was you heard you didnt think it necessary to phone the police?

No, replied Mr Williams.

Mr Leach went on: If you thought that Ian Connell was confessing to a murder he had genuinely done would you not think it was important to tell the police?

Mr Williams said: Yeah but I just didnt believe it.

Flowers outside a property on Ainsworth Road in Radcliffe, Bury (Peter Byrne/PA)

Forensic pathologist Dr Philip Lumb told the court he conducted a post-mortem examination of Mr Patiences body and ruled the cause of death was pressure to the neck.

He said considerable force would have been required to inflict his injuries which included a fractured voice box.

From his observations Dr Lumb said he thought it was very unlikely Mr Patience died on August 22.

He said it was possible he died the day before but, given his decomposition, he favoured August 20.

Mr Patiences mobile phone handset was last unlocked using a Pin code in the early hours of August 20, the court heard.

In a statement read to the court, the defendants mother Anne-Marie Connell said her son had done odd-jobs for Prent and that he helped Connell with money.

She said: Prent did a lot for him. If he wanted money he gave it to him.

Later the jury was read excerpts of police interviews with Connell following his arrest.

Asked if he had anything to do with Mr Patiences death, Connell said: I would have told you. I loved that man like a f****** father.

All that man has done is support me through everything.

I will go and find the man who has done this. I will bring him to you. He will still be breathing, I promise you that.

I aint f****** done it, the only way I can find him is if you let me go.

Midway through the reading of the police interviews Connell stood up in the dock and shouted: When I am going to be able to say something?

Its all f****** lies.

The court has heard Mr Patience, originally from Alness, graduated from Edinburghs Heriot-Watt University as an actuary in 2001.

He found work carrying out statistical analysis for pensions but became unwell from the high pressure job.

Mr Patience moved to Greater Manchester in around 2005 to set up a Dominos pizza restaurant franchise in Bury but later turned to alcohol and painkillers after a car accident in 2015 left him unable to work.

Connell denies murdering the divorced father-of-three.

He has also pleaded not guilty to an alternative count of manslaughter.
Actress Olivia Colman has said it was a privilege to meet with a Ukrainian teenager who recalled waking to the sounds of explosions on the first day of Russias full-scale invasion nearly two years ago.

The Oscar-winning actress and Unicef UK president said it was a humbling experience to talk to someone so extraordinary as she met with 15-year-old Solomiya from Kharkiv, who expressed that her biggest hope is for the war to be ended, fully.

Solomiya told Colman how they woke up and packed in about 20 minutes on the first day of Russias invasion, prioritising her English books so she could continue her language studies, which she said was so important to me, before fleeing to another city.

Their meeting, which was held over an online video call, also served to raise awareness of the impact the ongoing conflict has on children living in the warzone.

Latest data released by Unicef on Friday estimates that over the past two years, children in Ukraines frontline regions have spent between 3,000 and 5,000 hours sheltering in basements as air raid sirens sound overhead  the equivalent of spending four to seven months underground.

15-year-old Solomiya told actress Olivia Colman how she awoke to the sound of explosions on the first day of the war (Solomiya/PA)

Talking to Colman about the first day of war on February 24, 2022, Solomiya said: We woke up and we packed in about 20 minutes, and we just go to another city.

I was actually scared, everyone was scared. I think that (the war) would last for two weeks or months, but not even two years.

I took all my books, this was so important to me. I do not go to school now, I have online learning because its much safer.

We have underground schools for younger (ones) and they make lots of events there for older ones and I went there for speaking club.

Olivia Colman, Unicef UK president, said it was a very humbling experience to talk to someone so extraordinary (Unicef/Asamoah/PA)

Solomiya also spoke of volunteering on a Unicef project to help other teenagers facing mental health challenges and eating disorders because of the war, with The Crown actress saying she was left humbled by her positivity.

Meeting Solomiya was a privilege, Colman said.

Shes 15 and shes already gone through more than most adults go through in a lifetime, and shes come out of it so incredibly strong, incredibly positive, and she still has hopes and dreams for the future and for a positive outcome for Ukraine.

It was a very humbling experience to talk to someone so extraordinary.

Following their conversation, Colman said its clear the situation for children in Ukraine continues to be one of fear and loss.

Their schools are still under attack, meaning huge disruption to their education and their mental wellbeing, she said.

Solomiya told Olivia Colman that her biggest hope is for the war to be ended, fully (Solomiya/PA)

But Unicef is there and has been from day one providing life-saving support, working hard to give children their education back and providing safe spaces to learn, grow and dream  just like amazing Solomiya.

The children in Ukraine need peace, now.

Determined to provide hope for the future generation and to rebuild her country, Solomiya told Colman how she would like to become an architect.

My biggest hope is for the war to be ended, fully, she said.

No one deserves to suffer from that, especially children.

I saw all the buildings that were destroyed, but I would like to be an architect in the future. I love drawing.

Olivia Colman on a visit to Unicefs Global Humanitarian Supply Hub in Denmark in 2022, where she helped pack emergency supplies for families in need (Unicef/Asamoah/PA)

The special meeting followed Colmans previous support for Unicef, when she travelled to its Global Humanitarian Supply Hub in Denmark in 2022  the first year of the war.

There, she helped package emergency supplies and school-in-a-box essentials which were sent to Ukrainian children and families in need.

Unicef UK chief executive, Jon Sparkes, said: Were so grateful to Olivia for meeting Solomiya and helping Unicef raise awareness of the conflict that continues to turn childrens lives upside down, and to Solomiya for sharing her inspiring story.

This war has been devastating for Ukraines children. Despite their resilience, for many children inside and outside of Ukraine, the war has wiped two years of schooling and time spent with friends and loved ones, robbing them of their chance to learn and develop, as well as to play and to feel happy.

Ukraines future generation faces a mental health crisis and support is needed now more than ever.

To find out more, visit: unicef.org.uk/donate/donate-now-to-protect-children-in-ukraine/
Police should have the powers to disperse protests around Parliament, MPs offices and council chambers that they deem to be threatening, the Governments political violence tsar has said.

Baron Walney, the UK Governments adviser on political violence and disruption, said the aggressive intimidation of MPs by mobs was being mistaken for an expression of democracy.

The comments by Lord Walney come as the issue of MP safety has once again reared its head this week following a chaotic debate on the Israel-Hamas war.

The crossbench peer, who in December submitted a Government-commissioned review into how actions by political groups can cross into criminality and disruption to peoples lives, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme he was calling for police forces to act uniformly in stopping protest outside MPs homes.

Lord Walney  known as John Woodcock when formerly an MP, first representing Labour before becoming an independent  added: And I think we ought to be looking at those sites that are crucial to the functioning of democracy on a national or local level, like MPs offices, like local council chambers, like Parliament itself.

Lord Walney has carried out a review into the impact of political protest (Laura Lean/PA)

(There should be) an easier and a faster process that, where those areas are being encircled by the kind of angry aggressive protests that have that implied sense of threat, as we are seeing, to give the police the ability to disperse them more quickly, which is clearly not happening at the moment.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said he had not read Lord Walneys report in detail but that the headline recommendations were important.

He told Sky News politicians should be able to make decisions based on their judgment and not based on fear of reprisals.

They absolutely must and will be protected from that, the Cabinet minister said.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was simply unacceptable for intimidation to threaten democracy.

Speaking during a tour of North Wales on Friday, Mr Sunak said: Some of the scenes we have been seeing in recent months, particularly antisemitic behaviour, are appalling and unacceptable.

That is why we are giving the police more powers and I expect them to use them to make sure we clamp down on all of this.

No 10 said it did not know when Lord Walneys report was likely to be published.

A Downing Street spokeswoman, asked about the peers bid to give police powers to disperse protests around Parliament, said: We continue to keep in close contact with the police to ensure that they have the powers that they need to manage protests appropriately.

And we are very clear that while protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, we must and will not allow that to turn into abuse, incitement of hatred and violence against others. That is unacceptable.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said intimidation designed to threaten democracy was unacceptable (Peter Byrne/PA)

Yvette Cooper, the Labour shadow home secretary, said protests outside MPs residences were a disgrace.

It is a deliberate attempt at intimidation, she told the Today programme.

Mr Cleverly said it was nonsense for protesters targeting the homes of MPs to deny they were seeking to intimidate.

He said police already have the powers that they need to stop protests outside MPs homes and offices, adding: And we also want them to understand that they have our backing when they use those powers.

The only thing that politicians should fear is the ballot box, he added.

Two serving MPs  Labours Jo Cox and Conservative Sir David Amess  have been murdered in the past eight years.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker who has faced calls to resign after going against convention during the SNPs opposition day debate on a Gaza ceasefire, explained that his motivation for widening the debate was fuelled by concern about MPs security due to the intimidation suffered by some parliamentarians during the Middle East debate.

Pleased to send my completed review to government officials today ahead of it formally going to PM and Home Secretary next month.Includes additional review of protests in UK since October 7 massacre. 100,000 words and 40 recommendations to be published in new year  pic.twitter.com/abpoavopsS  Lord Walney (@LordWalney) December 22, 2023

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt on Thursday confirmed authorities are investigating reports that a controversial pro-Palestinian message was projected onto Parliament during a demonstration that took place while MPs were debating the ceasefire motion on Wednesday.

Conservative MP Andrew Percy said the message from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free was projected onto the Elizabeth Tower, home to the Big Ben bell, despite planning permission not being granted by Parliament.

Mr Percy, a Jewish politician, said the phrase was a genocidal call, with some pro-Israel supporters arguing the slogan demands the eradication of the Israeli state.

The Home Secretary said he would not impinge on operational decisions by the police when asked whether officers should have stopped the words being displayed onto Parliament.

But he said the UK Government completely rejected the sentiment behind the deeply offensive words.

Downing Street also stressed the independence of the Metropolitan Police in handling Wednesdays protest but said it was wrong for the controversial slogan to have been projected onto the 19th century building, which is a Unesco world heritage site.
The trial of the armourer who loaded a gun that fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust has begun in the US.

Ms Hutchins died after a gun that US actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing with fired a live round on the set of the western movie in October 2021.

Before Baldwins case progresses, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is being tried on charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence.

She has pleaded not guilty and maintains she is not directly to blame for Ms Hutchins death.

Baldwin has also pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a separate case.

Alec Baldwin on the set of the movie after the incident (Santa Fe County Sheriff/PA)

Proceedings began on Thursday at a court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after jury selection took place on Wednesday.

In their opening statement, prosecutors said Gutierrez-Reed was negligent in handling guns and ammunition.

Special prosecutor Jason Lewis told the jury: What we want to do is give you the information that you need to answer two key questions. The first being, what are the events that happened on the set of Rust that led to the death of Halyna Hutchins?

And the second question is, how did live ammunition end up on the set of the movie?

As to both questions, we believe that it was the negligent acts and failures of the defendant, Ms Gutierrez, that resulted in both the acts that contributed to Ms Hutchins death and to the live rounds being brought on to the set.

Defence lawyer Jason Bowles said Gutierrez-Reed was being used as a scapegoat.

He said: Were here because of a tragedy, theres no doubt, there was a tragic occurrence on that movie.

But let me tell you something you already know: just because there was a tragedy, it does not mean that a crime was committed.

It does not mean that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed caused the crimes they have charged her with.

And we are going to, through the course of this case, show you that production and the state have both, very early on, sought to make Hannah Gutierrez-Reed a scapegoat.

The first day of the trial also saw prosecutors and defence lawyers question two police officers, who were called to the scene on the day of the shooting, about their bodycam footage which showed the immediate aftermath of the incident.

One of the videos showed one of the officers approaching Baldwin after the shooting.

The evidence presented in the case could have implications for the actor, who was pointing the gun at Ms Hutchins during an October 2021 rehearsal outside Santa Fe when she was killed and director Joel Souza was wounded.
Seeing the same GP improves patient health and reduces the workload for family doctors, according to one of the largest studies of its kind.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and INSEAD business school found there was a range of benefits when patients have a long-term relationship with their doctor.

Seeing the same doctor during GP visits  a model known as continuity of care  meant people waited on average 18% longer between visits, compared with patients who saw different doctors.

People did not take up more GP time in each consultation and the findings were particularly strong for older patients, those with multiple chronic illnesses, and people with mental health conditions.

Researchers behind the study said that, although it will not always be possible for people to see their regular GP, the findings would translate to an estimated 5% reduction in consultations if all practices in England were providing the level of continuity of care of the best 10% of practices.

They added: Importantly, if patients receiving care from their regular doctors have longer intervals between consultations without requiring longer consultations, then continuity of care can potentially allow physicians to expand their patient list without increasing their time commitment.

For the study, published in the journal Management Science and shared with the PA news agency, experts analysed more than 10 million GP consultations in 381 practices in England over a period of 11 years.

The study noted that: A physician can be considered more productive if they improve the quality of care provided without reducing the number of patients they serve per year or if they serve more patients without reducing quality of care.

In primary care, where patients often have a preferred doctor, these two dimensions are related.

If physicians provide high-quality care to their regular patients, they are likely to keep them healthier, which reduces the demand for consultations and increases their capacity to serve more patients.

Co-author Professor Stefan Scholtes, from Cambridge Judge Business School, said seeing the same doctor could have substantial benefits, equivalent to increasing the GP workforce by 5%.

He said that getting it right the first time will reduce future workloads by preventing revisits, adding: Better health translates into less demand for future consultations. Prioritising continuity of care is crucial in enhancing productivity.

For the study, researchers used anonymised data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, consisting of more than 10 million GP visits between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2017.

The study restricted itself to patients who had at least three consultations over the past two years.

Dr Harshita Kajaria-Montag, lead author of the new study, who is now based at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in the US, said: The benefits of continuity of care are obvious from a relationship point of view.

If youre a patient with complex health needs, you dont want to have to explain your whole health history at every appointment.

If you have a regular doctor whos familiar with your history, its a far more efficient use of time, for doctor and patient.

Analysis of Englands GP Patient Survey data by the Nuffield Trust shows that when asked how often do you see or speak to your preferred GP when you would like to?, there has been a decline in continuity of care over time.

Between 2018 and 2023, the proportion of patients who always or almost always saw or spoke to their preferred GP decreased from 26% to 16% while those who answered never or almost never increased from 10% to 19%.

Dr Victoria Tzortziou-Brown, vice chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said: Continuity of care is highly valued by GPs and patients alike.

We already know it is beneficial for patients, particularly those with complex health needs, and we know it has benefits for the NHS  and its encouraging to see that this study has found it can also improve GP workload. Studies such as this one are very important for informing future policy and practice.

Currently, the intense workload and workforce pressures GPs are facing  as well as political agendas prioritising speedy access to GP services above all else  greatly limit the level of continuity we can offer.

The average number of patients per fully qualified GP is now 2,294, meaning each GP is, on average, responsible for 260 more patients than they were six years ago.

This is unsustainable and makes guaranteed access to the same GP for every patient practically impossible. However, it would be important that continuity of care is prioritised for those who need it the most.

Before we can offer greater levels of continuity, we need to address the clear gaps in our workforce  weve lost 642 fully qualified, full-time GPs in the past five years  and provide support for the myriad of other challenges the profession faces including the rising rates of patients presenting with chronic, complex health conditions.

An NHS spokesperson said: Continuity of care with a GP or health professional familiar with a persons care can be really important, but with record demand for services it can be difficult for practices to offer this for every patient.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan offers a vital opportunity to grow the primary care workforce to meet increased demand, including increasing GP training places by 50%, to support general practice teams to provide continuity of care, especially for those who need it most such as older people or those with complex health needs.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: Continuity of care is important, alongside speed and convenience of access. All patients must be assigned a named GP, and practices must endeavour to comply with all reasonable requests from patients to see a particular GP or other healthcare professional.
Shamima Begum, who had her British citizenship revoked after travelling to so-called Islamic State-controlled territory in Syria, has lost the latest stage of her legal battle with the Government.

Here, the PA news agency looks at Fridays ruling and what happens next.

What was the challenge?

Ms Begum originally brought a legal bid against the Home Office over then-home secretary Sir Sajid Javids decision to strip her of her British citizenship on national security grounds in February 2019.

The case was heard at a specialist tribunal, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), sitting in central London.

Last February, members of the tribunal dismissed Ms Begums challenge on all grounds, with judge Mr Justice Jay finding that reasonable people will differ over the circumstances of Ms Begums case.

Following that decision, Ms Begum appealed against the SIACs findings at the Court of Appeal in October 2023.

Three appeal judges dismissed this appeal in a ruling on Friday.

What did the Court of Appeal decide?

In a 42-page public judgment, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said the decision to deprive Ms Begum of her citizenship was lawful.

The senior judge said SIAC could lawfully find that the issue of whether and to what extent Ms Begums travel to Syria had been voluntary was within the expertise of the intelligence agencies advising the Secretary of State.

Lord Chief Justice, Dame Sue Carr, during a live broadcast at the Court of Appeal, London (Screengrab/PA)

Baroness Carr, sitting with Lord Justice Bean and Lady Justice Whipple, also found Sir Sajid was aware of the circumstances of her departure to Syria, and the likelihood that she was a child victim of others who wished to exploit her for sexual or extremist reasons when he made the decision to remove her citizenship.

What happened before?

Friday marks another major judgment in Ms Begums case.

In a preliminary ruling in February 2020, the SIAC ruled the decision to deprive Ms Begum of her British citizenship was lawful as Ms Begum was a citizen of Bangladesh by descent at the time of the decision.

The tribunal also found that she could not play any meaningful part in her appeal and that, to that extent, the appeal will not be fair and effective.

Ms Begum took her case to the Court of Appeal over whether she could return to the UK for the main challenge.

After the Court of Appeal ruled that she could return to the UK in July 2020, the Home Office challenged this decision at the Supreme Court.

In February 2021, the UKs highest court said that Ms Begum should not be granted leave to enter the UK to pursue her appeal against the deprivation of her British citizenship.

In the SIACs 2023 judgment, Mr Justice Jay said the Supreme Courts ruling had complex ramifications.

What happens next?

The question of whether Ms Begum and her lawyers attempt to bring a Supreme Court challenge over Fridays decision remains to be answered, with a hearing over the consequences of the ruling due in the coming weeks.

Asked outside of court whether they intend to go to the Supreme Court, Ms Begums lawyers said they were not sure, as they had only received the judgment on Friday morning.

It is not known whether Ms Begum will appeal against the decision (PA)

To appeal against the Court of Appeals decision, Ms Begums lawyers would first have to ask for the green light to go to the UKs highest court, as there is no automatic right of challenge.

What has the Government said?

The Home Office said it is pleased the court has ruled against Shamima Begum.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: We are pleased that the Court of Appeal has found in favour of our position in this case.

Our priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK and we will robustly defend any decision made in doing so.

And Downing Street also welcomed the Court of Appeals decision.

I welcome today's court ruling, which has again upheld my decision to remove an individual's citizenship on national security grounds. This is a complex case but Home Secretaries should have the power to prevent anyone entering our country who is assessed to pose a threat to it.  Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) February 22, 2023

A No 10 spokeswoman told reporters: Were pleased the court has found in favour of the Government. Beyond that I would just say that our priority remains on maintaining the safety and security of the UK.

Well always take the strongest possible action to protect our national security and we never take decisions around deprivation (of citizenship) lightly.

Sir Sajid reposted a previous statement he had made about Ms Begums case after the SIACs ruling last year.

In the post from February 2023, he said: I welcome todays court ruling, which has again upheld my decision to remove an individuals citizenship on national security grounds.

This is a complex case, but home secretaries should have the power to prevent anyone entering our country who is assessed to pose a threat to it.
Shamima Begum has lost her challenge over the removal of her British citizenship at the Court of Appeal.

Ms Begum travelled to Syria in 2015 aged 15 and her citizenship was revoked on national security grounds shortly after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019.

Last year, the now 24-year-old lost a challenge against the decision at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), which said the removal of her citizenship was lawful.

Ms Begums lawyers brought a bid to overturn that decision at the Court of Appeal, with the Home Office opposing the challenge.

In a ruling on Friday, three judges dismissed Ms Begums bid.

Baroness Carr, sitting with Lord Justice Bean and Lady Justice Whipple, said any arguments over the consequences of the unanimous judgment, which could include a bid to appeal at the Supreme Court, will be adjourned for seven days.

Shamima Begum, then 15, right, at Gatwick Airport on her way to Syria in February 2015 (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Giving the ruling, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said: It could be argued the decision in Ms Begums case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune.

But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view.

The only task of the court was to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful. Since it was not, Ms Begums appeal is dismissed.

At the appeal hearing in October, Samantha Knights KC told the court the Government had failed to consider the legal duties owed to Ms Begum as a potential victim of trafficking or as a result of state failures in her case.

However, in the 42-page public judgment, Baroness Carr said: We are not persuaded that there was any obligation on the Secretary of State to take into account the possibility that there might be a duty to investigate the circumstances of Ms Begums trafficking, alternatively, to consider whether any such investigation as might be required would be enhanced by her presence in this country.

She continued: In our judgment, SIAC was entitled to find, as the specialist tribunal established by Parliament, that the issue of whether and to what extent Ms Begums travel to Syria had been voluntary was within the expertise of the intelligence agencies advising the Secretary of State.

Ms Begum may well have been influenced and manipulated by others but still have made a calculated decision to travel to Syria and align with Isil, Baroness Carr added.
The dismissal of Shamima Begums Court of Appeal challenge over the removal of her British citizenship is the latest development in the long-running legal saga that has followed her disappearance to Syria nine years ago.

Ms Begum and two other British schoolgirls who fled the UK to travel to the Middle Eastern country, to join so-called Islamic State in February 2015, made headlines around the world.

After she was discovered in a Syrian refugee camp in 2019, then home secretary Sajid Javid revoked her British citizenship and triggered a years-long legal fight.

Here is a timeline of events that followed the three girls disappearance.

 2015

February 17  Kadiza Sultana, Amira Abase and Shamima Begum leave their east London homes at 8am to travel to Istanbul, Turkey, from Gatwick Airport. Ms Begum and Ms Abase are reported missing by their families later the same day.

February 18  Ms Sultana is reported missing to the police.

February 20  The Metropolitan Police launch a public appeal for information about the missing girls, who are feared to have gone on to Syria.

It emerges the girls are good friends with another 15-year-old girl, Sharmeena Begum, from their school, Bethnal Green Academy, who had already fled to Syria.

The Met expresses concerns that the missing girls may have fled to join IS.

Detectives say that Turkish Airlines did not notify police the three straight-A students were on the flight.

Shamima Begum was 15 when she travelled to Syria (PA)

February 21  Four days after the girls went missing, police believe they may still be in Turkey. Officers say they may have been able to intervene before the girls left, had they been notified by the airline.

Then prime minister David Cameron says the situation is deeply concerning, adding: Our authorities will do everything we can to help these girls.

Police disclose Ms Abases identity, and the families of all three girls appeal directly to them to come home.

It is disclosed that at least one of the missing girls had Twitter contact with Aqsa Mahmood, who left her Glasgow home in November 2013 and travelled to Syria after becoming radicalised.

February 22  Ms Abases father, Abase Hussen, says his daughter told him she was going to a wedding on the day she disappeared.

Metropolitan Police officers arrive in Turkey, but refuse to say whether they are involved in the search for the teenagers.

February 23  Mark Keary, headteacher at Bethnal Green Academy, says police found no evidence the missing students were radicalised there.

Mr Cameron, now Lord Cameron, says airlines and internet companies need to do more to prevent radicalised British teenagers travelling to the Middle East to join IS.

February 24  Then Turkish deputy prime minister Bulent Arinc criticises British authorities for taking three days to alert the country about the missing schoolgirls.

March 10  It emerges that the girls funded their trip by stealing jewellery. Then Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley, the national police lead for counter-terrorism, tells MPs: We think its linked to taking jewellery from one of their family members.

 2016

August 2016  Ms Sultana, then 17, is reported to have been killed in Raqqa in May, when a suspected Russian air strike obliterates her house.

 2019

February 13  Ms Begum, then 19, tells Anthony Loyd of The Times that she wants to return to the UK to give birth to her third child.

Shamima Begum has lost her challenge over the removal of her British citizenship at the Court of Appeal (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Speaking from the al-Hawl refugee camp in northern Syria, Ms Begum tells the paper: Im not the same silly little 15-year-old schoolgirl who ran away from Bethnal Green four years ago. And I dont regret coming here.

She adds that she saw Ms Abase and Sharmeena Begum alive in Baghuz in June 2018, and had been told that they were still alive in Baghuz two weeks ago.

February 15  Then home secretary Sajid Javid says he will not hesitate to prevent the return of Britons who travelled to join IS.

(About) February 17  Ms Begum gives birth to her third child, a boy, Jarrah, in al-Hawl. Her two other children, a daughter named Sarayah and a son named Jerah, have both already died.

February 19  The Home Office sends Ms Begums family a letter saying that it intended to revoke her British citizenship.

February 20  Ms Begum, having been shown a copy of the Home Offices letter by ITV News, describes the decision as unjust.

February 22  Ms Begums family write to Mr Javid asking for his help to bring her newborn son to Britain. Shamimas sister, Renu Begum, writing on behalf of the family, said the baby boy was a true innocent who should not lose the privilege of being raised in the safety of this country.

February 23  In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Ms Begum says she regrets speaking to the media and wishes she had found a different way to contact her family.

Late February  Ms Begum is moved to the al-Roj camp in north-eastern Syria, reportedly because of threats to her life made at al-Hawl after the publication of her newspaper interviews.

(About) March 7  Jarrah dies at about three weeks old. The news prompts strong criticism of Mr Javid, who is said by then shadow home secretary Diane Abbott to have behaved shamefully and is accused of moral cowardice by the former director of public prosecutions, Lord Macdonald. A Government spokesman says that the death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family.

March 19  Ms Begums lawyers file a legal action challenging the decision to revoke her citizenship.

April 1  In a further interview with The Times, Ms Begum says she was brainwashed and that she wanted to go back to the UK for a second chance to start my life over again.

She claims she really regretted everything and that her previous comments were because of threats she faced from extremists in the al-Hawl camp.

May 4  Bangladeshs then foreign minister, Abdul Momen, says Ms Begum could face the death penalty for involvement in terrorism if she goes to the country, adding that Bangladesh had nothing to do with her.

September 4  A judge in London rules that journalists who interviewed Ms Begum cannot be compelled to hand over unpublished notes and footage to counter-terrorism investigators.

Judge Mark Dennis QC, sitting at the Old Bailey, refuses an application by the Metropolitan Police for material from the Times, Sky News, ITN and the BBC to be produced.

September 29  Then home secretary Priti Patel tells The Sun that there is no way she will let Ms Begum return to the UK.

October 22-25  Ms Begums appeal against the revocation of her British citizenship begins in London. Her lawyers submit the decision has unlawfully rendered her stateless, and exposed her to a real risk of torture or death.

The Home Office argues that Ms Begum has not been placed at risk of ill-treatment as a result of the decision, and said any risk she did face was the result of having travelled to Syria to join IS.

 2020

February 7  Ms Begum loses the first stage of a legal challenge against the decision to revoke her British citizenship. The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) rules that the decision did not render her stateless as at the time her British citizenship was revoked, she was a citizen of Bangladesh by descent.

Her lawyer says she will immediately start an appeal. Her challenge to the Home Offices decision to refuse to allow her to enter the UK in order to effectively pursue her appeal was also rejected.

June 11  Ms Begums lawyers tell the Court of Appeal that her British citizenship should be restored because she cannot have a fair and effective appeal against the Governments decision to strip her of it. They say the citizenship removal exposed her to a real risk that she would face the death penalty in Iraq or Bangladesh if sent there.

June 12  The Home Offices lawyers tell the court that Ms Begum cannot be regarded properly at this stage as a victim.

July 16  Ms Begum should be allowed to return to the UK to challenge the deprivation of her British citizenship, the Court of Appeal rules. The Government says it is bitterly disappointed and the following day says legal aid eligibility rules are being examined in the wake of the decision.

November 23  The Government tells the Supreme Court that Begums return to the UK to challenge the deprivation of her British citizenship would create significant national security risks in its challenge to the Court of Appeal ruling.

Ms Begums lawyers say the only effective means available of ensuring she has a fair and effective appeal is to allow her to return to the UK.

 2021

February 26  The Supreme Court rules that Ms Begum should not be allowed to return to the UK to pursue an appeal against the removal of her British citizenship.

June 18  There is overwhelming evidence that Ms Begum was a victim of trafficking when she left the UK, her lawyers tell SIAC, adding that the Home Office had a legal duty to investigate this when her citizenship was revoked.

September 15  Ms Begum begs the British public for forgiveness during an interview with ITVs Good Morning Britain, saying there is no evidence she was a key player in preparing terrorist acts and is prepared to prove her innocence in court.

November 21  Speaking to Sky News, Ms Begum says she did not hate Britain when she travelled to Syria and repeated her plea for a chance to fight accusations against her in court.

 2022

August 31  A Canadian intelligence agent smuggled Ms Begum and her two friends into Syria, according to reports.

November 21  During the latest appeal hearing at SIAC, Ms Begums lawyers say she was influenced by a determined and effective Isis propaganda machine and should have been treated as a child trafficking victim. An MI5 officer tells the court that she in some respectswould have known what she was doing when she travelled to Syria.

November 22  The court is told that Ms Begums school and the police both missed opportunities before the then-schoolgirl travelled to Syria. MI6s former director of counter-terrorism says the Governments approach to her has been fundamentally misguided.

November 24  The Home Office argues in court that people trafficked to Syria and brainwashed can still be threats to national security.

 2023

January 11  In a series of BBC interviews, Ms Begum says she understands public anger towards her, but that she is not a bad person.

February 22  Ms Begum loses her legal challenge at SIAC against the decision to deprive her of her British citizenship. Her lawyers announce plans to appeal.

March 1  Jonathan Hall KC, the reviewer of terrorism legislation, says allowing Ms Begum to return to the UK would not be a moral exoneration for her, after earlier saying she should be allowed to come back.

March 22  A BBC investigation says Sharmeena Begum has escaped prison and is now in Syria using a different identity.

October 24  25  Ms Begums legal team argue at the Court of Appeal that the decision to deprive her of her British citizenship is unlawful. The Home Office argues that SIACs earlier decision was correct.

 2024

February 23  Ms Begum loses her challenge over the removal of her British citizenship at the Court of Appeal.
Single-use vapes could be banned in Scotland by April 1 next year, the Scottish Government has said.

Draft legislation has been published by ministers after Scotland joined England and Wales to ban the disposable e-cigarettes.

It follows recommendations from a UK-wide consultation which looked at how to create a smoke-free generation.

The draft legislation will be open for consultation until March 8, 2024 before being taken forward in Scotland using powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

There are concerns that vaping is attractive to children (PA)

If approved by Parliament, it will ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes.

The ban comes amid concern that a growing number of young people are now vaping.

More than 26 million disposable vapes are estimated to have been used and thrown away in Scotland in the past year.

Circular economy minister Lorna Slater said the three UK nations had worked together to agree a date for bringing in the ban.

She said: Legislating to ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes fulfils a Programme for Government commitment to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people and take action to tackle the environmental impact.

Lorna Slater said the ban will boost public health and the environment (PA)

The public consultation demonstrated that there is strong support for tougher action on vaping.

From causing fires in waste facilities to more than 26 million disposable vapes being consumed and thrown away in Scotland in the past year, single-use vapes are a threat to our environment as well as to our public health.

These proposed changes to the law demonstrate our absolute commitment to further improve the wellbeing of communities and protecting our beautiful natural environment.

The Scottish Government will also bring forward UK-wide plans to increase the age for purchasing tobacco, making it illegal for anyone born after January 1, 2009 to buy the product.

This will be brought forward through UK-wide legislation, with a legislative consent motion then needed in Scotland.

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of anti-smoking charity ASH Scotland, said the plans were a major step forward.

We welcome the details being announced about the Scottish Governments banning of disposable recreational e-cigarettes, which are the product of choice for the majority of youngsters who vape, she said.

This is a major step forward towards halting the alarming huge upsurge of children and young people across Scotland vaping.
Sir David Attenborough is returning to delve into the lives of mammals in a new BBC show.

In the six-part series, Mammals, the 97-year-old naturalist and broadcaster will explain the behaviour of mammals from the small Etruscan shrew to the giant blue whale.

His first series of programmes about them ended more than 20 years ago.

Sir David Attenborough (BBC Studios/Alex Board)

In The Life Of Mammals, first broadcast in November 2002, Sir David travelled around the world, and in one memorable scene was shown clinging on to his little boat as 30-metre whale passed by.

In the new show he looks at different environments in the episodes, Dark, Cold, Heat, Water, Forest and The New Wild, and animals from the miniature tenrecs of Madagascar to the humpback whales of the Indian ocean.

BBC executive producer Roger Webb said: Being mammals ourselves, the animals featured in the series and the stories told about them are instantly relatable.

Sir David Attenborough with a lemur from Life Of Mammals (BBC/PA)

Its impossible not to admire a mother capuchin monkey whos able to provide her baby with a drink in a dry, sun-baked forest or a chimpanzee father giving his family a lesson in finding honey buried underground.

This connection to us makes Mammals an incredibly engaging and compelling piece of television, one that will also lead us to question our role in the lives of the wild mammals we share the planet with.

The final instalment of the series looks at how mammals are adapting to a world dominated by humans, arguably the most successful mammal of all.

It includes the great apes, the big cats, dolphins, whales as well as the mythical wolverine and adorable tenrec, according to series producer Scott Alexander.

It is made by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by BBC America, ZDF, Youku and France Televisions.

Jack Bootle, BBC head of commissioning at specialist factual, said: Following the enormous success of Wild Isles and Planet Earth III last year, Im delighted Sir David is returning to the BBC to present this fascinating new series.

Mammals are the most adaptable and, for my money, adorable animals on earth, and I cant wait for viewers to learn more about the remarkable strategies they use to survive in every corner of the planet.

In the original series, Sir David also visited a group of orphaned chimps which are being taught the survival skills needed to live in the wild and enjoyed a nut-cracking session with them, and a book accompanying the show won best general knowledge book at the 2003 WH Smith Awards.

The Life Of Mammals had followed The Blue Planet, looking at sea and ocean creatures, which has been revisited in 2020 and 2017.

Mammals will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the spring.
Coronation Streets Sue Nicholls has paid tribute to her long-time co-star John Savident saying her memories of him are a joy following his death aged 86.

Savident was known for his booming voice while playing butcher Fred Elliott on the ITV soap.

Nicholls, 80, who plays Audrey Roberts, Elliots long-term love interest, thanked Savident for being in her life.

John Savident has died aged 86 (PA)

She said in a statement: I am very sad to hear of Johns passing. My memories of working with you dear John on the street are a joy, and always will be.

God bless you and thank you for being in my life. Much love to you and your friends and family.

Guernsey-born actor Savident died on February 21.

A statement from his agent to the PA news agency said: We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday February 21.

He was a much-loved husband and father-of-two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Welsh TV personality Carol Vorderman paid tribute to the star on X, formerly known as Twitter.

She wrote: Rest In Peace Fred Elliott.

John Savident was one of our favourites when we watched Corrie together.

I say he was one of our favourites. Thank you John for making us laugh every time.

Rest In Peace Fred Elliott  John Savident was one of our favourites when we watched Corrie together. I say .he was one of our favourites  Thank you John for making us laugh every time  pic.twitter.com/Bi4Gwd50e0  Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) February 23, 2024

Iain MacLeod, ITVs executive producer for continuing drama, said: Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savidents death.

As Fred Elliott, John firmly established himself in the pantheon of Coronation Street greats.

His peerless comic timing, combined with a deep pathos arising from his outstanding dramatic skill, made Fred an unforgettable, iconic character that provided great joy to viewers for many years.

On behalf of everyone here, I would like to extend condolences to Johns family and close friends at this sad time.

In 1994, Savident arrived on the cobbles and quickly became a fan favourite.

His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.

A secret son, Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), also arrived on the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked as butchers together.

Savidents character was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin (Susie Blake).

Elliotts death also saw Audrey Roberts confess that she still loved him following her turning down his proposal of marriage years previously.

John Savident celebrating at the British Soap Awards in 1999 (PA)

When he won the best comedy performance at the British Soap Awards at the first ceremony in 1999, Savident dedicated his award to Arnold, saying he wants to give this also to someone who helps me an awful lot and without which Fred couldnt function.

So Steven, you can have a rub of this, you can have a rub of this in a bit, he added in his characters Lancashire accent, after he was presented with the prize by The Royle Family star Caroline Aherne.

Outside Coronation Street, Savident was in political comedy Yes, Minister, Stanley Kubricks dystopian thriller A Clockwork Orange, biopic Gandhi, war film Battle Of Britain, science fiction series Doctor Who and period dramas The Remains Of The Day and Middlemarch.

He was in the first staging of the musical Phantom Of The Opera, in October 1986 at Her Majestys Theatre in Haymarket, London, as the opera house owner Monsieur Firmin.

He returned to play the character in 2011 at the Royal Albert Hall concert film.

After leaving his soap work, Savident appeared on stage in productions of panto Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs and Harold Brighouses Hobsons Choice.

Savident was married to theatre director Rona Hopkinson and they had two children.
Andy Cohen is apologizing after Brandi Glanville accused him of sexual harassment.

The former "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star made the accusation in a letter on Thursday issued to Bravo's parent company, NBCUniversal, which claims Cohen sent her an inappropriate video in 2022.

"In a video sent by Mr. Cohen to Ms. Glanville in 2022, Mr. Cohen  appearing obviously inebriated  boasted of his intention to sleep with another Bravo star that night while thinking of her and invited her to watch via Facetime," reads the letter, obtained by USA TODAY.

The letter, issued by Glanville's attorney's via email, was also sent to Warner Bros. Discovery and Shed Media.

In a statement provided to USA TODAY Friday, Glanville's attorney Bryan Freedman accused the companies addressed in the letter and the wider reality television industry of "abusive practices."

The letter called the alleged incident an "abuse of power" as Cohen is Glanville's boss and "exercised complete and total control over her career" and left her "feeling trapped and disgusted."

On Friday, Cohen responded to the letter via X, formerly Twitter, claiming the video was "clearly" a joke between he, Glanville and "Below Deck" star Kate Chastain.

The video shows Kate Chastain and I very clearly joking to Brandi. It was absolutely meant in jest, and Brandis response clearly communicated she was in on the joke. That said, it was totally inappropriate and I apologize.  Andy Cohen (@Andy) February 23, 2024

"The video shows Kate Chastain and I very clearly joking to Brandi. It was absolutely meant in jest, and Brandi's response clearly communicated she was in on the joke," he wrote. "That said, it was totally inappropriate and I apologize."

Cohen is the longtime executive producer of Bravo's "The Real Housewives" franchise and host of its reunions, as well as the host of the network's late night talk show "Watch What Happens Live!"

Leah McSweeney sues Andy Cohen and Bravo for discrimination, alleges cast cocaine use

Glanville appeared on "RHOBH" from 2011 to 2016 and 2019 to 2020. She also appeared on Season 2 and the upcoming Season 5 of "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip."

Cohen "remains in his post in spite of this behavior," the letter says, and compares the video to NBC's handling of accusations against Matt Lauer in 2017, "when profits were prioritized over people."

Andy Cohen has apologized after Brandi Glanville accused him of sexual harassment.

Mark Geragos, Glanville's other attorney, and Freedman claim to "have heard from thousands of current and former cast members on reality shows about the physical and emotional harm inflicted on them by virtue of their participation. NBC, Bravo, Warner Bros., and Shed Media intentionally obscure their legal rights, bind them to illegal contracts, and knowingly cause them to suffer in silence."

The statement continues: "We know there are untold numbers of innocent victims who have yet to tell their stories or seek legal redress. We encourage all of them to contact us and join our growing team as we fight for change in this sordid industry."

USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Cohen for comment. Warner Bros. Discovery, Shed Media and NBCUniversal declined to comment.

A reality TV reckoning in Hollywood: 'Love is Blind' contestant Renee Poche sues Netflix, says she 'felt like a prisoner'

Brandi Glanville's claim follows Caroline Manzo's harassment accusation against her

The letter was written in response to accusations of sexual assault made against Glanville.

The reality star accused NBCUniversal and its affiliate companies of taking advantage of her and "standing idly by" as her character and livelihood are put into question.

A lawsuit filed by Caroline Manzo against Bravo, the producers of "Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip," last month alleged an incident involving sexual harassment by Glanville, her former co-star.

Lawsuit: Caroline Manzo sues Bravo over sexual harassment by Brandi Glanville on 'Real Housewives'

The former "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court on Jan. 26 alleging that "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" breakout Glanville sexually assaulted and harassed Manzo while filming an upcoming season of "Ultimate Girls Trip" in Morocco in January 2023, according to a legal filing obtained by USA TODAY.

"NBC and Shed Media are deliberately refashioning a series of intimate moments between two consenting adults into a #MeToo scenario," the letter states, later accusing the companies of refusing to provide Glanville with video and audio recordings in an attempt to refute the allegations against her.

Manzo accused the show's producers of hiring Glanville as a cast member despite "overwhelming prior notice of Ms. Glanville's prior deviant sexual proclivities and sexually harassing conduct."

The lawsuit alleged that Glanville kissed Manzo multiple times without her consent, which made the former New Jersey Housewife uncomfortable," as they were filming. The "Manzod with Children" matriarch said that, after the initial kissing incident, Granville mounted Manzo on the couch and held her body down before forcibly kissing and humping her.

The lawsuit similarly named Warner Bros. and NBCUniversal as defendants.

In a statement provided to USA TODAY last month, a representative for Glanville said: "Sadly, Brandi had to wake up to yet another lawsuit that includes defamatory, false accusations about her. While filming, Brandi followed what the producers asked of her, and there was no sexual assault."

The statement continued, "She is innocent of these absurd accusations that have weighed on her mental and physical health for far too long without a word of support from Peacock, Shed (Media) or Bravo. This painful storytelling seems endless and needs to stop. She is looking to move on and upward and get her life back."

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE & online.rainn.org).

Contributing: Jay Stahl and KiMi Robinson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'RHOBH': Andy Cohen apologizes after Brandi Glanville harassment claim
When the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are considered children under state law, its chief justice had a higher authority in mind.

By citing verses from the Bible and Christian theologians in his concurring opinion, Chief Justice Tom Parker alarmed advocates for church-state separation, while delighting religious conservatives who oppose abortion.

Human life, Parker wrote, cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God, who views the destruction of His image as an affront to Himself.

The Alabama courts ruling last week stemmed from wrongful death lawsuits brought by couples whose frozen embryos were accidentally destroyed.

The most immediate impact of the ruling was to leave in vitro fertilization clinics in Alabama potentially vulnerable to more lawsuits and reluctant to administer treatment. But not far behind were mounting worries about Parkers explicit references to Christian theology.

While Parkers concurring opinion does not carry the force of precedent, advocates for church-state separation fear he could inspire judges in other states to push the envelope.

Now were in a place where government officials feel emboldened to say the quiet part out loud, and directly challenge the separation of church and state, a foundational part of our democracy, said Rachel Laser, CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

She said Parkers opinion was just the latest example  and a brazen one at that  of government officials advocating for Christian nationalism, a movement that seeks to privilege Christianity and fuse Christian and American identity.

Other instances she cited include Missouri lawmakers citing Catholic and biblical teachings for restricting abortion and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson saying the notion of church-state separation in the U.S. was a misnomer.

Parker argued in his opinion that the court was merely enforcing the Alabama state constitution, which was amended in 2018 to recognize "the sanctity of unborn life. That principle has deep roots that reach back to the creation of man in the image of God, Parker said, quoting the Book of Genesis.

Parker sprinkled his opinion with a litany of religious sources, from classic Christian theologians like St. Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin, to a modern conservative Christian manifesto, the Manhattan Declaration, that opposes anti-life measures.

He also quoted a Bible verse that is legendary within the anti-abortion movement, in which God told the prophet Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.

THE ROOTS OF A RULING

The Alabama courts ruling that frozen embryos are children is an extension of the ideology that undergirds the anti-abortion movement, said Mary Ziegler, a historian of the abortion debate and a law professor at the University of California, Davis.

And it points to the influence of the conservative Christian legal movement, she said. Namely, its position that the U.S. has an intrinsically Christian Constitution  a notion that Ziegler and many historians reject.

The point, I think, for the movement was never just getting rid of Roe," Ziegler said. "It was always to achieve fetal personhood, the idea that human rights are conferred at conception.

The Alabama ruling could influence decisions in other state courts and legislatures, particularly in the 11 states that already have fetal personhood language in their laws, Ziegler said. But because its about the interpretation of a state law, she said the case is unlikely to make its way to the Supreme Court.

VICTORY FOR LIFE

Some anti-abortion activists rejoiced at the ruling.

Its a tremendous victory for life, said the powerful Christian legal firm Alliance Defending Freedom. A beautiful defense of life," said Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council.

The Liberty Counsel filed a notice with the Florida Supreme Court, saying the Alabama decision  including Parker's concurrence  should be factored into a pending decision about a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would protect abortion rights.

Unborn life must be protected at every stage, Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel's chairman, said in a statement.

Still, Christian perspectives on IVF are mixed, and in some cases, undecided.

While the Catholic Church condemns such reproductive technology as immoral, many Protestant churches and denominations do not have a firm stance against the practice.

Kellyanne Conway, the political consultant who worked for former President Donald Trump, lobbied GOP lawmakers in December to advocate for contraception and fertility treatments. She cited her firms finding that even anti-abortion evangelicals overwhelmingly support access to IVF.

JUSTICE PARKER'S MISSION

Parker is no stranger to church-state debates.

He served as former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moores spokesperson during fights over a Ten Commandments monument Moore erected inside the building housing the Supreme Court.

Parker is a member of Frazer Church, a Montgomery megachurch that until 2022 was part of the United Methodist Church. The congregation, which left amid a UMC schism over the denomination not upholding its LGBTQ clergy and marriage bans, is now part of the Free Methodist Church, a more conservative denomination.

Neither United Methodists nor Free Methodists specifically condemn IVF in their church doctrines. The Free Methodist Book of Discipline emphasizes the value of human life at all stages. It notes that reproductive technologies raise many ethical, medical, legal and theological questions even as they offer hope.

Parker was the founding executive director of what is now called the Alabama Policy Institute, which is associated with the evangelical ministry Focus on the Family. On its website, Focus on the Family recommends that married couples not freeze or discard embryos created during IVF.

Fertility experts say IVF without the option of frozen embryos would likely increase the costs of fertility treatments and reduce the chances for patients trying to have a baby.

A SETBACK FOR THE SECULAR STATE?

Because religious groups have different opinions about when life begins, its quite problematic to see a judge essentially embedding a Christian view into state law, said Greer Donley, an associate professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh who specializes in bioethics and health.

She said that other judges might increasingly apply religious thinking to their decisions.

Its particularly notable that (Parker) is not trying to hide that, but even if judges were careful in their language, the result is essentially the same, Donley said.

Laser, of Americans United, said that even the Alabama court's majority decision  which does not explicitly reference religion  is problematic; it states that all participants in the case agree that an unborn child is a genetically unique human being whose life begins at fertilization and ends at death.

That is not taking into account everyone this policy is going to be imposed upon, including religious minorities, the nonreligious, Christians who have a different belief system, Laser said. It undermines true religious freedom.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden announced more than 500 sanctions on Russia on Friday over its war in Ukraine and the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny last week in prison  the largest tranche since the conflict began, the administration said.

Biden said the sanctions would target those connected to Navalnys imprisonment, as well as Russias financial sector, defense industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across several continents.

They will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home," Biden said in a statement about the sanctions. He noted the action is timed with the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. is also imposing export restrictions on almost 100 entities that support Russias military efforts and taking action to reduce Russia's energy revenues, Biden said.

"Ive directed my team to strengthen support for civil society, independent media, and those who fight for democracy around the world," he added.

Biden emphasized the need for Congress to pass the Senate foreign aid package, saying Ukraine is "running out of ammunition." Ukraine needs more supplies from the U.S. to "hold the line against Russia's relentless attacks," which are enabled by ammunition and arms from Iran and North Korea, the president said.

"Thats why the House of Representatives must pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill, before its too late," Biden said.

At an event with the nation's governors later in the morning, Biden reiterated that call, criticizing the House for going on "vacation" instead of taking action on the legislation. The House is currently on recess, with lawmakers back home in their districts. Biden encouraged the governors to urge their states' members of Congress to force the bill to be brought up for a vote in the House.

Biden said America must prove to the world that it stands up for freedom and will "never bow to anyone  particularly Putin."

The president mentioned the sanctions package to the governors, drawing widespread applause, and said it's part of an effort to respond to Putin's "brutal war of conquest" in Ukraine and Navalny's death. "Because make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Alexei's death," Biden said.

The Treasury Department said in a release detailing the sanctions that its Office of Foreign Assets Control is targeting almost 300 individuals and entities; combined with actions by the State Department, the administration's moves bring the total number of targets sanctioned to more than 500  the largest number of sanctions imposed on Russia since it invaded Ukraine, the release said.

Treasury also noted that the State Department is designating three Russian government officials in connection with Navalny's death, but didn't identify them. The Department of Commerce, meanwhile, is placing trade restrictions on more than 90 companies.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told reporters Thursday night that the sanctions aim to do two things: "One is reducing Russias revenues; the second is making sure that Russia cant get access to the goods they need to build the weapons they want for their war.

Adeyemo said previous U.S. sanctions have been successful, reducing the country's oil revenues by 40% and causing Russia to struggle to access goods it needs to build weapons.

"Fundamentally, our strategy does not only pertain to slowing down Russias ability to build the weapons they want, it also includes speeding up the Ukrainians' ability to defend themselves by providing them with weapons and resources to build their economy," Adeyemo said.

He added that people won't recognize many of the hundreds of names on the sanctions list "because ever since our first round of sanctions, Russia has been leveraging its intelligence services to find ways to evade our actions and procure the goods it needs to resupply the battlefield and now to make those goods at home."

Russias wartime transformation is allowing the U.S. to target densely concentrated production "in new and efficient way," Ademeyo said. "With such vertical integration, we can hit the entire supply chain, and attempts to fortify his military industrial base have only made it more vulnerable. If Russia is going to turn its industries into wartime producers, then all Russians production is now fair game.

The sanctions package, which the president previewed Tuesday, was announced exactly a week after Russia's prison service said Navalny, 47, died in a Russian penal colony above the Arctic Circle. He was serving a combined prison sentence of more than 30 years on charges of extremism and fraud, which he denied.

On Thursday, Biden met with Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, and their daughter, Dasha, in California.

Navalnys mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, said in a video statement Thursday that she was allowed access to her sons body in a morgue, but her lawyer had not been able to come with her. She alleged Russian authorities were "blackmailing" her by threatening that if she didnt agree to a secret funeral, they would do something with the body.
ATLANTA  This Black History Month, President Joe Bidens re-election campaign is making a big push to publicize the Black history made under the Biden-Harris administration.

The question is how much that message matters to those Black voters who are wavering on the edges of the Biden coalition right now.

From a historically diverse administration, complete with the nations first Black vice president and defense secretary, to historic lows in Black unemployment and historic highs in Black business ownership, Bidens re-election campaign has spent millions of dollars driving that record home to voters ahead of a general election in which hell need strong support among Black voters to secure victory.

Black history is American history, one Biden campaign radio ad begins. Our sacrifices and achievements make this country stronger, so we celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Defense Gen. Lloyd Austin and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a 'First In The Nation' campaign rally at South Carolina State University on Feb. 02, 2024 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images file)

Its one of two radio ads released by the campaign in celebration of Black History Month. The spot is airing in battleground-state cities with large Black populations, including Atlanta, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Detroit, and on popular radio shows like the D.L. Hughley Show and The Breakfast Club.

President Biden has demonstrated his commitment to Black America from day one by building a team of history makers, deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks said in a statement released alongside the ads.

But recent interviews by NBC News suggest Bidens efforts to highlight what his campaign has framed as a historic commitment to the Black community may be undercut by sustained backlash to his policy stances, particularly what some voters perceive as his rejection of their demands for a cease-fire in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Rev. Devon Jerome Crawford was the guest pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta last weekend, while Sen. Raphael Warnock, the senior pastor, attended the Munich Security Conference. In a sermon built around Black history, Crawford often tied Scripture to politics.

Yes, weve had a Black president. Yes, we have a Black vice president. Yes, weve had Black attorneys general, weve had Black billionaires and celebrities, Crawford said. But for every Oprah Winfrey, there are thousands of Black folks living in squalor.

During his 30-minute sermon, Crawford called for political mobilization on topics ranging from the increased closures of predominantly Black public schools to Georgias efforts to expand cash bail, which he says functionally criminalizes poverty. But the sermon quickly moved beyond domestic issues, ultimately landing on the disorienting depression of military occupation.

Being forced to leave a place youve endowed so much meaning and so much purpose in will cause you to feel some depression, Crawford said, speaking of the exile of Judeans to Babylon. We would do well to remember this as we consider the 1.9 million people that have been displaced in the last four months as a consequence of the bombardment in Gaza.

Few places are more emblematic of Americas Black history  and of Black voters current political power  than Ebenezer Baptist Church, Americas freedom church.

The 138-year-old church served as the spiritual home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and became a beacon of the fight for civil rights. Its also the current home of Sen. Raphael Warnock, who played a key role in turning once-red Georgia into a purple battleground state with his winning 2020 and 2022 campaigns. The senator has maintained his role as the churchs senior pastor despite a busy schedule, finding time to deliver a weekly sermon alongside a rotating cast of guest pastors.

Crawfords empathy for those living in Gaza is in line with how thousands of Black clergy members nationwide view the ongoing war there, and some have voiced their support for a cease-fire through open letters to the White House and sit-down meetings with Biden administration officials. This week, the executive branch of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the nations oldest Black Christian denominations, called on the U.S. government to withdraw financial support from Israel.

A number of congregants at Ebenezer Baptist appear to agree. Many of them were a part of the historic coalition of voters that mobilized in 2020, and again in 2022, to ensure their pastor was victorious in his Senate bid. Theyll be critical again in 2024.

Oppression somewhere is oppression everywhere, so if youre funding a genocide across the sea, that does not convince me that you care about Black people in America, said 21-year-old Adeola Adelekan, who attended the Sunday service.

Adelekan said that despite her frustrations over the Biden administrations handling of the war in Gaza, she still plans to vote for the president should he face former President Donald Trump in November. Its a position the campaign anticipates many voters will take despite their reservations when presented with a Trump-Biden choice.

We know there is more work to do, Fulks said in regard to Bidens efforts to deliver for Black Americans. The fundamental choice in this election is between Joe Biden, who wakes up every day thinking about how he can make Americans lives better, and Donald Trump, who wakes up every day thinking about how he can make his life better.

Polling shows that Black voters are largely with Biden but backs up the notion that he has work in front of him. NBC News latest national poll found that 75% of Black voters polled said theyd vote for Biden, compared to 16% for Trump. Thats a high margin  but lower than how voters said they voted in 2020, when Black respondents who said they cast ballots that year split 91% for Biden to 8% for Trump.

I hate the alternative, Adelekan said of her support for Biden. Its not because I think that I support him as a president, but its because I support the other person even less.

When asked if Bidens team of history-makers makes her more enthusiastic about supporting the president in the upcoming election, Adelekan replied with a resounding no.

Black historys always being created, another college-aged Black voter in Atlanta, Johnathan, said while downplaying the significance of Bidens team of history-makers. I dont just go by the ethnicity of people sitting in chairs or in offices.

Hundreds of miles away, in Flint, Michigan, another Black clergy leader struck a different tone than Crawford, preaching the gospel of the Biden administration during a news conference alongside Biden-Harris campaign co-chair Mitch Landrieu and Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich.

This president has receipts because the first vice president of color is in place because of him. The first Supreme Court Justice of color is because of him. Im not talking about promises. This is receipts, Pastor Hurley J. Coleman Jr. said.

Its clear that not all Black voters value those receipts equally.

All of that is semantics, said Tre, a Black voter who opted not to share his last name at a Nikki Haley event in Dallas. He voted for Barack Obama for president twice before voting for Trump in 2016. After souring on Trump, he opted to write-in a candidate in 2020 and still has no plans to vote for Biden in 2024.

The Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson is not even a factor because of the Republican lean in it, he said. So all of this is semantics, unless he does something legislative that is targeted towards Black people.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden told the nation's governors on Friday that he's exploring what executive actions he can take to curb migration across the southern border after a bipartisan deal collapsed in Congress this month. He seemed to express frustration at the legal limits of his authority to act unilaterally.

Biden hosted members of the National Governors Association in the East Room, where he implored them to urge their representatives in Congress to resurrect the bipartisan proposal that collapsed within 48 hours. He also sharply criticized Republicans for backing away from the agreement after former President Donald Trump lobbied in opposition to the deal.

Over time, our laws and our resources havent kept up with our immigration system and its broken, Biden told the governors, lamenting that petty politics intervened to kill the deal.

Later, during a private question-and-answer session with the governors, he indicated he was looking at what his options are for doing something by executive order.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, the Republican chair of the association, told reporters later that Biden didn't specify what actions he is considering, but he said the president noted that he was confronting the limits of what he can do without Congress.

He did say that he has been working with his attorneys, trying to understand what executive action would be upheld in the courts and would be constitutional, and that he seemed a little frustrated that he was not getting answers from attorneys that he felt he could take the kind of actions that he wanted to, Cox said.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Democratic vice-chair of the governors' group, said governors got a "general sense that theyre looking into whatever they can do on the executive side. Again, keeping our expectations realistic, thats going to be more limited than a congressional solution.

Polis said Biden cited federal courts overruling some of Trump's immigration actions, and a desire to avoid a similar fate with any action he took.

And so there was a frustration that that would occur under under his leadership as well, under any president, absent a change in the law, Polis said. "A lot of the steps we need to take simply arent legal under current law.

Cox added that Biden mentioned declaring an emergency at the border, which in theory could unlock additional federal funds that would be needed to execute any new border crackdowns.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on private conversations.

Among the actions under consideration by Biden is invoking authorities outlined in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives a president broad leeway to block entry of certain immigrants into the United States if it would be detrimental to the national interest.

Trump, the likely GOP candidate to face off against Biden this fall, repeatedly leaned on the 212(f) power while in office, including his controversial ban on travelers from Muslim-majority nations. Biden rescinded that ban on his first day in office through executive order.

But as White House officials contemplate various unilateral options, they have faced resistance from Justice Department lawyers, who have been hesitant on greenlighting any executive actions on immigration that would promptly be blocked in court, according to two people familiar with the deliberations. DOJ declined to comment.

For instance, Trump used the 212(f) authority to issue a directive that said migrants who arrive between ports of entry at the southern border would be rendered ineligible to seek asylum. But that was halted in the lower courts and the Supreme Court, with a 5-4 ruling, didn't revive Trump's proposed ban. Still, any similar challenge now could be different since one of the justices who ruled against Trump in the case, the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, was replaced by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a reliable conservative vote.

Currently, it's unclear how Biden would use that presidential authority to deter the migrants arriving at the southern border, and people familiar with the discussions have cautioned that it has not been finalized and that Biden has not signed off on any directive. The White House could also ultimately choose not to take any executive action at all.

No decisions have been made on this, Jean-Pierre said Friday.

Cox noted that as he's pressed Biden to act unilaterally, ultimately, more comprehensive solutions will depend on Congress.

Theres some disagreement on how much the president can do and cant do and I pushed back on the president on that," he said. "But we I think theres also general consensus that the Congress does have to do something.

He said if Congress can't back the comprehensive deal, then perhaps pieces of it, like boosting money for border patrol agents and asylum officers, could be tacked on to coming spending bills.

___

AP writers Lindsay Whitehurst and Colleen Long contributed.
Athens-Clarke County police block traffic and investigate at the UGA intramural Fields after the body of a women was found with visible injuries in the woods around Lake Herrick in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

A media outlet for the University of Georgia called the death of a woman found Thursday afternoon at the intramural fields off College Station Road "foul play."

"We have been fully briefed on this terrible situation," UGA Today, an online media outlet for the university, posted on Thursday. "Foul play is suspected."

Police have not released the name of the woman, but reported when she was found she had visible injuries.

UGA police said the department received a call at about noon from a person who was concerned for the welfare of a friend who had gone to the intramural fields earlier in the morning and had not returned as expected.

A social media post by UGA police noted that officers went to the location and in a forested area behind Lake Herrick the woman was found at 12:38 p.m.

Athens-Clarke County police block traffic and investigate at the UGA intramural Fields after the body of a women was found with visible injuries in the woods around Lake Herrick in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

Police reported the woman was unconscious and not breathing. When medics arrived, they pronounced her dead. UGA Today reported the woman had gone to the field for a run that morning.

This incident occurred on the heels of another UGA student death on Wednesday.

"The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our university," noted UGA Today on Thursday. "Our student body is grieving the sudden death of one of our students in Brumby Hall last night. And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today's devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, particularly our students."

Athens-Clarke police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are assisting with the investigation. Police said anyone with possible information is asked to call UGA police at (706) 542-2200.

UGA cancelled classes Thursday evening and Friday in the wake of death. Classes will resume on Monday, noted UGA Today.

The intramural fields have been closed off during the investigation.

Fraud: Athens woman fooled into sending scammers $26,500 in gift cards

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: UGA cancels classes in wake of homicide probe at intramural fields
LONDON  Novembers presidential election may be nine months away, but Europe is already trying to Trump-proof itself, officials on the continent have told NBC News, fearing what a second term for the Republican might mean for Americas closest allies.

During his first four years, former President Donald Trump shocked the Europeans by upending the transatlantic balance on which the postwar Western world was built. Their main concern is that a re-elected Trump would double down  halting aid to Ukraine and reneging on Washingtons promise to defend its NATO partners  to leave them more vulnerable to attack by Russia.

If Trump were re-elected, we would face a situation in Europe that has not occurred since the end of the Second World War, said Norbert Rottgen, a veteran German lawmaker and ex-chair of the Bundestags foreign affairs committee. Europe would have to stand up for its own security in an unprecedented way.

The paradox is that many of these critics, while reviling Trumps tactics, rhetoric and motives, actually agree with his central point: Europe has for too long depended on the United States military might and geopolitical influence. The prospect of Trump back in the White House has only lent new urgency to those driving this effort, particularly in light of recent indications that he might be happy to leave Russian President Vladimir Putin free rein to act aggressively at home and abroad.

Europe is far from united, however, with an expected far-right surge in June elections led by nationalist parties that share Trumps Ukraine skepticism. On the other side of the aisle, those who want to bolster Europes defenses know it would be a costly, complex and lengthy process  hence the fierce debate currently raging over how to do so.

Nothing should be off the table to enhance Europes sovereignty in the face of a possible second Trump term, said Valerie Hayer, a senior European Parliament lawmaker from France.

Europe has relied on the U.S. to provide its security for too long, said Hayer, who leads the Renew Europe group, and is French President Emmanuel Macrons top lawmaker in Brussels. Its high time for Europe to improve its own deterrence capacities and take its security into its own hands.

Many here believe that Trump would be economically protectionist and perhaps even launch new trade wars against Europe. But by far their main concern is about defense  namely against Russia.

Europes economy dwarfs that of Moscows, but since the Cold War it has relied on the U.S. for defense against the Kremlin. Its two nuclear powers, the United Kingdom and France, have relatively small and untested arsenals, illustrated by the revelation this week that Britain recently had a failed nuclear submarine test launch. Europes conventional forces, meanwhile, would provide scant protection in a full-scale land war without American backing.

Washingtons NATO allies have in recent years increased defense spending, spurred by Putins invasion of Ukraine. But Trumps blunt ultimatum to NATO  pay more or we would not protect you  has convinced many across the continent that they need to accelerate and coordinate the production and supply of weapons.

Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, criticized Bidens record in Europe, and said the president had presided over death and destruction on the continent.

President Trump got our allies to increase their NATO spending by demanding they pay up, but Joe Biden went back to letting them take advantage of the American taxpayer," he said in a written statement. "When you dont pay your defense spending, you cant be surprised that you get more war.

Trump NATO Summit (Christian Hartmann / Pool via AFP - Getty Images file)

The former president may have focused minds, but he is not the sole cause of the reckoning European leaders are undergoing.

Many in Europe recognize that, even if President Joe Biden wins in November, the isolationist ideas that Trump popularized among some Republicans will not disappear. European leaders and officials are, in this sense, not so much insulating themselves against a potential Trump administration but against a new normal in transatlantic relations.

Leaders are also facing equivocating support among the European people themselves when it comes to support for Ukraine. More people now back a negotiated peace with Russia than they did last year, according to January polling of 17,000 people across 12 countries by the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank.

The impending election is a wake-up call for Europe, said Dominic Grieve, a former senior British lawmaker who until 2019 chaired the countrys parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee. But whoever wins the next presidential election in the States, I think the writings on the wall for previous levels of U.S. interest in Europe, said Grieve, a former lawmaker with the ruling Conservative Party.

This would mean a drastic reordering of the transatlantic relationship that has existed since the aftermath of World War II. Presidents from Harry Truman to Barack Obama have indeed urged Europe to increase military spending. But none have come close to Trumps unvarnished quid pro quo on spending.

Ukraines military struggles against Russia have coincided with a softening of support for Kyiv across Europe, according to January polling by the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, with more people now backing a negotiated peace with Russia.

Trumps critics question whether he really wants to strengthen NATO, an alliance hes criticized for decades, or is merely using the spending argument as an excuse to junk it. Either way, NATOs European members say that the sentiment, regardless of motive, is reason enough to act.

We will have to increase the effectiveness of our armies, we will have to reorganize and expand our industrial defense capacities, and this would not go overnight, it would take time, Rottgen, the German lawmaker, who was a member of former Chancellor Angela Merkels cabinet.

Rottgen is among those who say not enough is being done.

But the E.U. says its trying. Next month, the bloc will release its European Defense Industrial Strategy, a grand plan for its 27 member states to cooperate on manufacturing and distributing weapons.

European President Ursula von der Leyen has sought to cast these attempted reforms as complementary to U.S. cooperation  rather than an insurance policy for its absence.

Europe has to step up its industrial base, she told a panel at the Munich Security Conference. Im a convinced transatlanticist and at the same time we have to build a strong Europe and that goes hand in hand.

These diplomatic noises notwithstanding, Trumps potential second coming undoubtedly looms large.

Already his Republican allies in Congress have stalled aid to Ukraine, leaving it newly vulnerable to Moscows war machine. Europe has tried to step up, but the results so far have not been promising. In January, the European Union admitted it only managed to fulfill half of its promise to send 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine.

Beyond Ukraine, both Danish and Estonian officials have this year raised the alarm about Russias ability and even intent to attack a NATO member within the next decade. Russia is expected to produce 3.5 million units of artillery ammunition this year, according to Estonian estimates. By contrast, Europe is expected to be able to produce around 1.4 million shells by the end of the year.

For these NATO members, then, Trump is undermining the alliance at the very moment they may have to call on its Article 5 all-for-one-and-one-for-all mutual defense clause.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spelled out Europes dependence on the alliance during an interview with NBC News at the Munich Security Conference.

Asked about the former presidents threat, Baerbock said NATO is our life insurance  not only for Europe but Washington, too. Without naming Trump directly, she added that every person in the world, especially in liberal democracies, understands that this is the moment where you have to show where youre standing for freedom for peace and security.

She said NATO and the E.U. were stronger than ever before. But not everyone at Munich was so upbeat.

We are already late, Rottgen, the senior German lawmaker, said of Europes Trump-proofing plans. But its better to start late than not at all, he said, because the consequences of Trumps reelection would affect Europe in the most impactful and dangerous way.
Good morning from Miamis South Beach, where were about to start Day 2 of the FII Priority Summit. This is the annual U.S. gathering of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, a nonprofit foundation run by Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund (PIF) that convenes leaders worldwide to debate key trends in policy, investment, and innovation. The conversations are similar to what youd hear at the World Economic Forum in Davos: the institutes flagship summit in Riyadh is even dubbed Davos in the Desert.

The lineup of speakers this weekwhich includes CEOs like Michael Dell, Julie Sweet, Jenny Johnson, Stephen Schwarzman, Vimal Kapur, Barry Sternlicht, Marcelo Claure, Pamela Liebman, and Alex Karpis a testament to the growing attraction of Saudi Arabia as an investor, partner, and place to do business.

PIF Governor Yasir al-Rumayyan opened the conference by announcing the sovereign wealth fund planned to annually deploy up to $70 billion in capital after 2025, having already invested about $100 billion in the U.S. alone since 2017. With a wildly profitable energy sector thats now shifting amid the energy transition, al-Rumayyan may be right in predicting Saudi Arabia could be an AI hub.

Saudi Arabia has already introduced reforms in areas like gender rights, tourism, and investment, but critics still balk at its continued lack of freedom for women, LGBTQ+ citizens and the press, among other things. For business leaders, the dilemma is how to support change in a fast-growing part of the world without breaching corporate values.

For that, one inspiration is Jenny Johnson, the president and CEO of Franklin Templeton, which has $1.5 trillion in assets under management worldwide. Along with transforming the company that her grandfather founded into a digital leader, shes deeply attached to creating an inclusive culture wherever Franklin operates. Its newly created entity in Saudi Arabia is led by CEO Muneera H. AlDossary, a woman with a proven track record and deep knowledge of the local market.

Johnson takes a similar on-the-ground approach in markets like China, which former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo roundly criticized as a place to do business during a fireside chat with Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo on Thursday. Johnson, like many business leaders, argues against disengaging with the worlds second largest economy.

Moving into new countries brings new customers and new opportunities to create products that invest across different asset classes, sectors, and geographies. My grandfather got into this business because the average person couldnt access the returns of the equity markets, Johnson says. Mutual funds offered a basket of stocks at a reasonable price. With AI, blockchain, and an expanding universe of alternative assets, she believes were at another inflection point for innovation in investing.

Richard Attias, the longtime executive producer of WEF whos now CEO of FII, says the goal of this initiative is to establish a more inclusive network to foster conversations that bring in more young people, business leaders and policymakers from parts of the world that often werent on the radar for WEF. FII is creating new indices, an ESG framework, and investments.

We dont pay anyone to come, says Attias. The resources and relationships of FIIs main benefactor are enough to create a powerful lineup of leaders in Miami. When you leave, you will have a better understanding of where the money is going.

Diane Brady

@dianebrady

diane.brady@fortune.com

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
A woman who had gone for a jog was found dead with visible injuries Thursday on the campus of the University of Georgia, and foul play is suspected in her death, officials said.

The victim was identified Friday as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley by the university.

Police did not release additional details, including the suspected cause of death, citing the active investigation.

We do not have a suspect, but we are actively investigating the case, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeffrey Clark said Thursday.

The woman did not attend the University of Georgia in Athens, but was a student at another institution, Clark said. He did not name the school.

Augusta University said later that one of its students who attended the college of nursing at its Athens campus died of suspected foul play. "The receipt of this news this afternoon was shocking to all of us," Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel said in a statement.

Around noon, someone reported that their friend had gone for a run at the Intramural Fields on campus that morning and had not returned, police said.

The womans body was found in a forested area behind Lake Herrick at 12:38 p.m., and she had visible injuries, Clark said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting university police, the state law enforcement agency said. Athens-Clarke County Police is also helping.

In a message Thursday to the campus community, which includes more than 40,000 students, the university called it a terrible situation.

The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our University. Our student body is grieving the sudden death of one our students in Brumby Hall last night, the statement said.

Clark told reporters during a news conference Thursday that "there is no connection" between the two incidents. Details on the student's death in Brumby Hall have not been released.

And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, todays devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, particularly our students, UGA said in the statement.

All classes were canceled Thursday evening and Friday, the university said. They will resume Monday.

Clark said that there are security cameras on the campus, which covers 760 acres in Athens.

Clark said there hasnt been a homicide on campus in at least 20 years.
An American company has made history by becoming the first commercial outfit to put a spacecraft on the Moon.

Houston-based Intuitive Machines landed its Odysseus robot near the lunar south pole.

It took some minutes for controllers to establish that the craft was down, but eventually a signal was received.

"What we can confirm, without a doubt, is our equipment is on the surface of the Moon and we are transmitting," flight director Tim Crain announced.

Staff at the company cheered and clapped at the news.

It was an important moment, not just for the commercial exploitation of space but for the US space programme in general.

Intuitive Machines has broken the United States' half-century absence from the Moon's surface. You have to go back to the last Apollo mission in 1972 for an occasion when American hardware nestled down gently in the lunar soil.

Odysseus first went into orbit before making its descent

The US space agency Nasa had purchased room on Odysseus for six scientific instruments, and its administrator Bill Nelson was quick to add his congratulations to Intuitive Machines for a mission he described as a "triumph".

"The US has returned to the Moon," he said. "Today, for the first time in the history of humanity, a commercial company - an American company - launched and led the voyage up there. And today is the day that shows the power and promise of Nasa's commercial partnerships."

Celebrations too at Goonhilly Ltd in the UK which is helping to relay communications

Controllers had to deal with an almost mission-stopping technical problem even before the descent began.

Odysseus' ranging lasers, which were supposed to calculate the craft's altitude and velocity, weren't working properly.

Fortunately, there were some experimental lasers from Nasa on board, and engineers were able to patch these across to the navigation computers.

Odysseus touched down at 23:23 GMT. At first, there was no signal at all from the robot. There were plenty of nerves as the minutes ticked by, but eventually a communications link was made, albeit a faint one.

This led to some concerns about the status of the lander. Within a couple of hours, however, Intuitive Machines was reporting that Odysseus was standing upright and sending back data, including pictures.

Artwork: It took a few minutes to establish communications with the lander

The targeted landing site was a cratered terrain next to a 5km-high mountain complex known as Malapert. It's the southernmost point on the Moon ever visited by a spacecraft, at 80 degrees South.

It's on the shortlist of locations where Nasa is considering sending astronauts later this decade as part of its Artemis programme.

There are some deep craters in this region that never see any sunlight - they're permanently in shadow - and scientists think frozen water could be inside them.

BBC iPlayer

9 Amazing Space Missions

From a commercial moon mission by Intuitive Machines to Nasa's mini helicopter on Mars: 9 amazing space missions.

Available now on BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer

"The ice is really important because if we can actually take advantage of that ice on the surface of the Moon, that's less materials we have to bring with us," explained Lori Glaze, Nasa's director of planetary science.

"We could use that ice to convert it to water - drinkable drinking water - and we can extract oxygen and hydrogen for fuel and for breathing for the astronauts. So it really helps us in human exploration."

Nasa's six payloads on board Odysseus are a mix of technology demonstration and science.

A key investigation will be one looking at the behaviour of lunar dust, which the Apollo astronauts found to be a serious nuisance, scratching and clogging their equipment.

The agency's scientists want to understand better how the dust is kicked up by landing craft to hang just above the surface before then settling back down.

The six commercial payloads on board include a student camera system from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which should have been deployed from Odysseus when it was still 30m above the lunar surface.

This system was designed to take selfie images as the robot set itself down.

American artist Jeff Koons has also attached a box to the side of the lander that contains 125 small stainless steel balls to represent the Moon's different phases through a month.

Prior to Intuitive Machines' success, only government space agencies had put spacecraft down softly on the Moon - the US, the Soviet Union, China, India and Japan.

In January, another American company, Astrobotic, had a go. Its Peregrine lander developed technical problems en route to the Moon and gave up the opportunity of a touchdown. The robot was brought back to burn up in Earth's atmosphere.
We've covered Irish songs, Irish blessings, Irish beer, and Irish traditions, but the Irish exit is one tradition that you may not know.

That's because the Irish exit is anything but. In common parlance, an Irish exit (or "Irish goodbye") refers to someone leaving a social gathering without notifying the host.

An Irish exit is another name for slipping out the back (or front) door seemingly unnoticed by the host, national etiquette expert Diane Gottsman tells TODAY.com.

However, the actual origin of the Irish exit is unknown. In other countries, leaving without saying goodbye is known as a "French exit," "Polish exit," or "leaving the English way."

Regardless of the term's birthplace, the Irish exit continues to raise etiquette questions. Read on to find out whether the Irish exit is a social faux pas, or just a seamless way to say goodbye.

What is an Irish exit?

Simply put, an Irish exit is leaving without saying goodbye.

Gottsman, who is also the founder of the Protocol School of Texas, says that she frequently answers questions about event etiquette.

"People just want to know, is it appropriate? Was it rude for me to leave? Or, I had guests over and all of a sudden one was gone," she says.

While Gottsmans clients dont typically use the term 'Irish exit' in their queries, Gottsman notes that the general concept of Irish exits remains relevant in her line of work.

When is an Irish exit appropriate?

While Gottsman says that even a quick goodbye is preferable to an abrupt exit, she acknowledges that there are always exceptions to the rule.

According to Gottsman, an Irish exit is acceptable "when you are at a large event and you cant find the host, or you see the host is tied up with other duties or in deep conversation, and you have spent a good amount of time at the party mixing and mingling like a good guest is expected to do."

Larger, less intimate occasions like fundraisers and office parties are generally more acceptable occasions for a quick goodbye.

Additionally, there's a little more leeway if the party runs late into the evening.

"We certainly don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but at the same time, we want to be respectful of our own boundaries," Gottsman says.

Of course, most people will understand that unforeseen emergencies happen to everyone.

Gottsman lists several circumstances that would justify a speedy exit, including illness, food poisoning, childcare cancellations, and family emergencies.

When possible, Gottsman recommends sending your host a belated note of gratitude once the situation is resolved.

"I do think that a 'thank you' afte an event is always appropriate," she says.

When should you avoid an Irish exit?

According to Gottsman, suddenly leaving a small, intimate event like a dinner party or baby shower is an "absolute no."

While Gottsman acknowledges that Irish exits may seem easier or more practical, she emphasizes that leaving without saying goodbye is almost always frowned upon.

"There is very little justification for an Irish exit that doesnt most of the time scream 'rude' to the host," she says.

If you hope to receive future invitations, it's best to acknowledge the host on your way out the door.

"A quick and friendly goodbye to the host, or at least a smile and a wave, is the best 'au revoir' you can manage," Gottsman says. "Its the polite way to end an evening and leave your host thinking you are a wonderful guest."

Luckily, there are still a few expert-approved options if you do have to leave quickly.

"Reach out to the host by phone, text or thank-you note and let them know you had a great time," Gottsman says.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Under Mr Netanyahu's plan, Palestinians with no links to armed groups would run Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has laid out his vision for a post-war Gaza.

Under his plan Israel would control security indefinitely, and Palestinians with no links to groups hostile to Israel would run the territory.

The US, Israel's major ally, wants the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza after the war.

But the short document - which Mr Netanyahu presented to ministers last night - makes no mention of the PA.

He has previously ruled out a post-war role for the internationally backed body.

He envisages a "demilitarised" Gaza; Israel would be responsible for removing all military capability beyond that necessary for public order.

There would be a "Southern Closure" on the territory's border with Egypt to prevent smuggling both under- and overground.

And "de-radicalisation" programmes would be promoted in all religious, educational and welfare institutions. The document suggests Arab countries with experience of such programmes would be involved, though Mr Netanyahu has not specified which.

Under the plan Israel would also maintain security control over the entire area west of Jordan from land, sea and air.

Mr Netanyahu has been under pressure - at home and internationally - to publish proposals for Gaza since he began his military operation. He is keen to restore a crumbling reputation as a leader who can keep Israel safe and will want to appeal to right wing hardliners in his coalition government.

A spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the PA, said Mr Netanyahu's plan was doomed to fail.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh said: "If the world is genuinely interested in having security and stability in the region, it must end Israel's occupation of Palestinian land and recognise an independent Palestinian state."

Mr Netanyahu repeated his rejection of any unilateral recognition by Western countries of a Palestinian state.

On Friday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US was opposed to any reoccupation of Gaza by Israel as well as any reduction in the size of the territory.

"Gaza... cannot be a platform for terrorism. There should be no Israeli reoccupation of Gaza. The size of Gaza territory should not be reduced," he said at a G20 ministers meeting in Argentina.

Meanwhile negotiators trying to broker a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages are expected to meet in Paris.

The US wants a deal in place before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in just over a fortnight.

And, as the humanitarian situation worsens in Gaza, there is international pressure too for the war to end. The Hamas-run Ministry of Health reports that more than 29,500 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since the war began in October.

Israel's military offensive was triggered by Hamas's unprecedented attack on 7 October in which gunmen killed about 1,200 people - mainly civilians - and took 253 back to Gaza as hostages.

Overnight the head of the UN body responsible for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) warned that Gaza faces a "monumental disaster with grave implications for regional peace, security and human rights".

In a letter to the president of the UN general assembly, Philippe Lazzarini said the agency "has reached breaking point, with Israel's repeated calls to dismantle Unrwa and the freezing of funding by donors at a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza".

Some of Unrwa's biggest donors suspended funding for the agency last month after Unrwa sacked several of its staff amid allegations by Israel that they had participated in the October attacks.

Mr Netanyahu aims to close the agency as part of his post-war plan and replace it with - as yet unspecified - international aid organisations.

And he has insisted that he will continue his war until Israel has dismantled Hamas and Islamic Jihad - the second largest armed group in Gaza - and all Israeli hostages are returned.

At the end of 2023, Mr Netanyahu warned the war could go on for "many more months".

Meanwhile the US has described Israel's expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank as inconsistent with international law.

"Our administration maintains a firm opposition to settlement expansion, and in our judgment this only weakens, doesn't strengthen Israel's security," Mr Blinken said.

It overturns a move made in 2019 by the Trump administration, which was welcomed by Israel, when then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that Washington no longer viewed settlements as breaching international law.
WASHINGTON  A Minnesota man convicted of assaulting multiple officers during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol called for "accountability" for politicians who spread lies about the 2020 election during his sentencing hearing on Thursday.

Brian Mock was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison, a fraction of the nine years in federal prison that prosecutors had sought. A government sentencing memo noted Mock's repeated assaults on law enforcement and the "multiple false statements" he made at trial. With credit for time he's already served, Mock will end up serving less than two years of additional time behind bars.

Mock, who was a strong supporter of Donald Trump, said during his sentencing hearing that he heard the "same thing over and over again" from Republican politicians who falsely claimed that there was massive election fraud in 2020. Mock noted that none of those prominent politicians who made such claims in the lead-up to the Jan. 6 attack had since come forward to apologize or to claim that they too were duped.

Brian Christopher Mock at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. District Court for D.C. )

"There should be some accountability for that because I wouldn't have been there otherwise," Mock told Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg on Thursday.

Boasberg said he agreed that politicians who falsely claimed the election was stolen should be "ashamed of themselves."

Many Jan. 6 defendants have taken the "idiot" defense during their sentencing proceedings, telling judges they believed lies about the election because they were gullible, duped, manipulated, poorly educated or lacked critical thinking skills. Boasberg said he had gotten to know Mock better than any other Jan. 6 defendant who appeared before him and said he believed Mock was intelligent and reflective.

"You're too smart to have been fooled by the lies on the election," Boasberg said, saying Mock should have been "more perceptive and thoughtful" about the lies he was hearing from politicians who echoed Trump's falsehoods about the election.

Mock represented himself at trial in June, creating an extraordinary moment when he questioned his own son, A.J. Mock  who tipped the FBI off about his father after the attack. Questioning his son on the stand, Mock asked about his son's sexuality, seeking to introduce the fact that he accepted his son after A.J. Mock came out.

You know Im proud of you, right? Brian Mock asked.

Yes, A.J. Mock replied.

And you know I love you, right? Brian Mock asked.

Yes, A.J. Mock replied.

Brian Christopher Mock at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. District Court for D.C.)

Prosecutors also noted in their sentencing memo that during the trial Mock presented Tommy Tatum, a Jan. 6 participant who frequents the trials of Capitol rioters, as an independent journalist." When playing Tatums videos, prosecutors said Mock deliberately tried to hide from the Court Tatums encouragement of the mob to assault police officers and steal their gear by playing Tatums video on mute. Tatum has not been charged in connection with the Capitol attack.

After the bench trial, Mock was found guilty of four assaults on law enforcement.

In the months after NBC News reported on the "family therapy session" that broke out during his trial, Mock and his son A.J. spoke with The New York Times for a feature story, in which prosecutors say the elder Mock "continued to justify his actions on January 6, refused to accept responsibility, and advanced excuses for his criminal conduct that the Court already rejected."

But Boasberg said he thought the story was "humanizing" and understood why Mock had participated. Mock said during the hearing that he was apprehensive about participating in the piece, but that his son A.J. Mock "wanted" and "needed" that article to happen.

Mock said that he's been in regular contact with the photographer who shot photos for the piece, Erin Schaff, who was assaulted during the Capitol attack. Rioters knocked Schaff down onto the floor, stole one of her cameras and broke the lens on another. Online "sedition hunters"  the citizen sleuths who have aided the FBI in hundreds of Capitol rioter cases  say that they have identified two of Schaff's assailants and sent their information to the FBI but neither has been arrested. The FBI put out a public call for information on one of the assailants last month, even though sleuths say that rioter's name is already in the bureau's possession.

Brian Christopher Mock, left, shoves a Capitol police officer to the ground on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. District Court for D.C. )

Michelle Peterson, an attorney representing Mock, said in a court filing that Mock "has grown, matured, and become much more self-reflective" since the Capitol attack. In court Thursday, she talked about the ongoing discussions that Mock had with Schaff, saying that hearing about the impact that Jan. 6 had on Schaff had almost been like a form of "restorative justice."

In an interview with NBC News after his sentencing, Brian Mock slightly changed his tune from what he said in court, suggesting he was open to the possibility that evidence about the 2020 election had been suppressed by the courts.

Mock said he came to Washington, D.C., after the 2020 election because he was listening to politicians who were congressmen and senators who had looked at the evidence and supported what was being said. And I have yet to see that evidence.

But if it doesnt exist, then at the very least there needs to be an apology and explanation for that," Mock said.

When you have officials telling you over and over again  the people we elected  to go No, this isnt right, then I think thats our duty to question that. And if they were saying were going to stand up in Congress and say that something was wrong with this election, were going to vote to decertify this, those are powerful words," he continued.

Whatever made them make those statements, I would hope it wasnt just to get their guy in the White House, I would hope theres more than that," Mock said. "I would like to see that evidence and I think the rest of the world would too. And if there isnt, I would like an explanation from those people as to why there wasnt, because this has ruined a lot of lives.

Asked about Boasberg's comments that he was too intelligent to have fallen for lies about the election, Mock said that a "full spectrum" of people showed up in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.

"I'm not going to sit here and say that there were all the brightest people that showed up on Jan. 6, there were some flat-out morons that showed up there," Mock said. "But there was some really intelligent, engaged people and I've had deep conversations with some extremely intelligent individuals who looked at that day  Election Day  and thought, 'Something isn't right here.'"

Mock will have to report to prison in about two months to begin serving his term. Nearly 1,300 people have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 attack. Prosecutors have secured more than 900 convictions and sentences have ranged from probation for unlawful picketing charges to 22 years in federal prison for seditious conspiracy.
Takeshi Ebisawa poses with a rocket launcher during a meeting with an informant and two undercover Danish police officers at a warehouse in Copenhagen, Denmark on Feb. 3, 2021. Credit - U.S. Magistrate Judge/Southern District of New York/Reuters

Takeshi Ebisawa, a 60-year-old Japanese manbelieved by U.S. officials to be a leader within the organized crime syndicate Yakuzahas been charged with conspiring to traffic nuclear substances from Myanmar to other countries with the expectation that Iran would eventually use them for its weapons program.

Federal prosecutors said that Ebisawa and three co-conspirators had allegedly been selling uranium and weapons-grade plutonium since early 2020, eventually exchanging them for military-grade weapons, court documents unsealed in Manhattan Wednesday show. The documents also state that Ebisawa and his co-conspirators provided samples of the nuclear material trafficked from Myanmar to Thailand to an undercover agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrationwho was then posing as a narcotics and weapons trafficker who claimed to have access to an Iranian general.

As alleged, the defendants in this case trafficked in drugs, weapons, and nuclear materialgoing so far as to offer uranium and weapons-grade plutonium fully expecting that Iran would use it for nuclear weapons, said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to a statement Wednesday.

Ebisawa and his Thai co-defendant Somphop Singhasiri, 61, were previously arrested and charged with international narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses in April 2022, and they are the two defendants named in a superseding indictment. Ebisawa has since been held in Manhattan awaiting trial.

Who is Takeshi Ebisawa?

Not much has been made public about Ebisawas life, but the prosecutors describe him in court documents as a leader of the Yakuza organized crime syndicate, a transnational Japanese criminal network operating globally. Japanese local media, however, state that his ties to domestic organized crime have not been establishedthough he had been reportedly living between Thailand and Japan.

Ebisawa's criminal activities have included large-scale narcotics and weapons trafficking, and his international criminal network extends through Asia, Europe, and the United States, among other places, the indictment read.

The DEA has been investigating Ebisawa since around 2019, the U.S. Attorneys Office previously said. He was arrested with Singhasiri and one other Thai national in New York on April 4, 2022 on accusations of trafficking heroin and methamphetamine as well as brokering deals to acquire high-powered weapons like surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) for armed groups in Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Anne Milgram, administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), seen here in 2023, said: As alleged, the defendants in this case trafficked in drugs, weapons, and nuclear material, going so far as to offer uranium and weapons-grade plutonium, fully expecting that Iran would use it for nuclear weapons." Eric Lee/BloombergGetty Images

Whats in the new indictment?

According to the new indictment, Ebisawa, in a series of phone and electronic communications, told the undercover DEA agent and a confidential source in 2020 that he had access to a large quantity of nuclear materials that he wished to sell and that he was seeking a buyer for uranium. He sent them photographs of pebbly substances with Geiger counters. In response to the repeated enquiries, the undercover agent, as part of the investigation, agreed to broker a potential sale to another DEA source posing as an Iranian general.

In August 2020, Ebisawa reminded the undercover agent of his access to uranium, and asked if they might buy direct from us. The agent replied that the Iranian general was very interested and then asked, How enriched is it? Above 5 percent? They don't need it for energy, Iranian government need[s] it for nuclear weapons. Ebisawa replied: I think so and I hope so.

In September 2020, Ebisawa offered to sell 50 metric tons of uranium and thoriuma radioactive materialfor $6.85 million. In a subsequent offer, he told the undercover agent he could supply plutonium that would be even better and more powerful than uranium for Irans use.

As the undercover agent and Ebisawa talked about nuclear materials purchases, they also talked about high-powered firearms. In May 2021, per the documents put forward in the indictment, Ebisawa asked the agent if they could purchase weapons like SAMs and AK-47 rifles on behalf of a leader of an armed group in Myanmar. It was then that the DEA agent was introduced to three of Ebisawas conspiratorswho were unidentified and arent defendants in this case, but were also working on the weapons deal.

In June 2021, Ebisawa circulated a note with the DEA agent and his associate which referred to yellowcake, a type of uranium concentrate powder. Negotiations continued, and in February 2022, the agent asked two of Ebisawas co-conspirators about a potential exchange of uranium for weapons from Iran, to which the conspirators said they had the same idea. They also added that they had samples of uranium and thorium to show the undercover agent.

A week later, Ebisawa and his co-conspirators showed the samples in a hotel room in Phuket. After more negotiations, the samples were taken to an office in Bangkok. In May 2022, Thai authorities raided the office and retrieved the samples.

Ebisawa faces seven counts for multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit international trafficking of nuclear materials. His court-appointed lawyer, Evan L. Lipton, declined commenting to the New York Times on the trafficking charges, but said that the trial will reveal that Ebisawa is not a leader of any sophisticated criminal syndicate.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A federal judge in California issued a warrant for the rearrest of former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov after federal prosecutors convinced the judge that the man at the center of House Republicans' ongoing impeachment inquiry was "likely" planning to flee the United States.

Smirnov, charged with making what prosecutors say were politically motivated false allegations about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, was initially picked up by federal authorities at the airport in Las Vegas last week after returning from an international flight. On Tuesday, a federal magistrate judge in Nevada ordered Smirnov released with a GPS monitor. Now, an order from a federal judge in California  where the case was brought and will unfold going forward  reveals that the federal judge overseeing the case ordered Smirnov rearrested.

"It has come to this Courts attention that counsel for defendant has sought an emergency hearing in the District of Nevada to arrange the release of Defendant Smirnov, likely to facilitate his absconding from the United States," U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright wrote in an order unsealed Friday. Wright wrote that he "issued an arrest warrant specifying that upon his arrest Defendant should be brought promptly to this Court," bolding his order for emphasis.

Wright ordered the U.S. Marshals Service to bring Smirnov to his courtroom in Los Angeles for a hearing on Monday, and that "there is to be no deviation from this Order."

Smirnov's false allegations about bribes to the Bidens were at the "heart" of the ongoing impeachment inquiry by House Republicans, although leaders of the impeachment inquiry are seeking to downplay the extent to which they relied upon the false allegations during their investigation.

The alleged lies that Smirnov told the FBI were documented in a FBI file back in 2020, according to prosecutors. In a filing this week, prosecutors said Smirnov is actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials in November.

David Z. Chesnoff and Richard A. Schonfeld, attorneys for Smirnov, said they are "advocating for Mr. Smirnovs release in both the federal [district] court and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals" but would have "no comment on the case and look forward to appearing in the appropriate federal court."
Wayne LaPierre diverted millions of dollars away from the National Rifle Association to live luxuriously, while the gun rights group failed to properly manage its finances, a jury found Friday.

The verdict comes after five days of deliberations and ends a seven-week long civil corruption trial in New York City.

The case against the NRA was brought on by a lawsuit filed in 2020 by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who accused LaPierre and other current and former executives of flouting state laws and internal policies to enrich themselves.

The other defendants were John Frazer, the NRAs corporate secretary and general counsel, and Wilson Woody Phillips, its former treasurer and chief financial officer.

The jury ruled largely in favor of James, finding that the National Rifle Association failed to properly run its nonprofit and its assets at any time between March 20, 2014 and May 2, 2022.

Jurors also determined that LaPierre, Phillips and Frazer all violated their statutory obligation to discharge the duties of their position in good faith.

If jurors found the individual defendants liable, they had to recommend the amount of money that each defendant would have to repay the NRA.

They said LaPierre caused $5.4 million in monetary harm to the NRA, but that he has already repaid at least $1 million of that. The 74-year-old appeared stoic as the verdict was read.

Phillips caused $2 million in monetary harm to the NRA, they found, while Frazer did not cause any monetary harm to the group.

Frazer is the only individual defendant who still works for the NRA. The jury determined that Frazer made or authorized a false statement in the NRAs annual filings, but that there is no cause to remove him from his post.

Wayne LaPierre, chief executive officer of the NRA exits New York State Supreme Court on Jan. 12, 2024. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

LaPierre served as the NRAs CEO and executive vice president for more than 30 years before he resigned at the end of January, citing health issues.

Regardless of his resignation, the jury found there was also cause for LaPierres removal from the NRA.

LaPierre ignored reporters as he walked out of the courthouse Friday evening, surrounded by five police officers.

Jurors also found that the NRA violated the law by failing to adopt a whistleblower policy and that eight employees suffered because of the violation.

State Supreme Court Judge Joel Cohen will have the final say over remedies. As early as July, he could decide whether any of the individual defendants should be permanently barred from serving on the board of any charity in New York and whether an independent monitor should oversee the NRAs finances.

Five out of six jurors needed to agree on each part of the verdict.

In a statement, James called the verdict a "major victory for the people of New York and our efforts to stop the corruption and greed at the NRA."

"LaPierre and senior leaders at the NRA blatantly abused their positions and broke the law," she said. "But today, after years of rampant corruption and self-dealing, Wayne LaPierre and the NRA are finally being held accountable."

John Frazer arrives to a courthouse in New York on Jan. 8, 2024. (Seth Wenig / AP)

James' attorneys spent six weeks in Manhattan court painting the NRA as Waynes World, which they said was full of free private jets, expensive meals, travel consultants, private security and trips to the Bahamas for LaPierre and his family.

During closing arguments, Monica Connell, an attorney with the state Attorney Generals Office, compared the defendants to children caught stealing from a cookie jar.

She urged the jury to hold the defendants accountable, even if their attorneys outlined steps they may have taken to address or correct violations.

Saying youre sorry now, she said, doesnt mean you didnt take the cookies.

The NRAs attorney countered by distancing the group from LaPierre and fortifying its defense that former rogue employees had stolen from the NRA without the groups knowledge.

If this is a case about corruption, it wasnt corruption by the NRA, NRA attorney Sarah Rogers told jurors.

In his final remarks, LaPierres attorney, P. Kent Correll, said James set out years ago to decapitate the NRA and sued LaPierre as part of that goal.

On the stand, LaPierre said he used the organizations financial resources on chartered private jets, family trips, black car services and high-end gifts for friends. He also testified that he authorized thousands of dollars in helicopter rides so that NRA executives could avoid getting stuck in traffic while traveling to and from NASCAR races.

During cross-examination, LaPierre testified that it was wrong to charter private planes and limo services for personal use.

Visitors at the 2022 NRA convention in Houston. (Allison Dinner for NBC News)

None of the defendants has been criminally charged as part of James lawsuit.

James had initially set out to dissolve the NRA as part of her suit. However, Cohen dismissed that effort in 2022, saying her complaint does not allege the type of public harm that is the legal linchpin for imposing the corporate death penalty.

The NRA has operated as a nonprofit charitable corporation in New York since 1871. Its assets are required by law to be used in a way that serves the interests of its membership and advances its charitable mission.

In the last few years, the NRA has been considerably weaker, with less influence in the political sphere and fewer members. Membership fell to 4.2 million from nearly 6 million five years ago, The New York Times reported.

Membership dues dropped by $14 million from 2021 to 2022, according to an audit filed as part of the lawsuit.
GREER, S.C. Nikki Haley had been racing around the state she once governed, trying to fire up her supporters and scoop up undecided voters, and it was her last rally of the three-day weekend. Little did she know, she was about to receive a tree branch.

Growing up in the suburb, State Rep. Chris Wooten said that when he got into trouble, his grandmother would make him pick his own switch.

Im gonna give this to Nikki and hope she whips Donald Trumps a , Wooten said.

As she took the stage, Haley took it from him, and set it near the edge. The switch remained there for the rest of her speech.

Republican South Carolina Rep. Chris Wooten, right, hands a switch to Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Greer, S.C. (AP Photo/David Yeazell) ORG XMIT: SCDY800

Haley has been traversing the state on a bus tour, holding two and sometimes three campaign events a day, ahead of the Feb. 24 primary that is effectively the anti-Trump Republicans last chance to save her ailing candidacy.

The situation for Haley is bleak. Shes projected to lose South Carolina by double-digits after spending $6 million on ads. And she had to shut down speculation this week that shes heading for the exits. Haley burned through more money than she raised in January, according to a new federal filing, and the former U.N. ambassador is yet to win a single contest.

Over the weekend, her opponent, Trump, wasnt even in the state.

Trump spent his Monday, which just so happened to be Presidents Day, in political meetings at Mar-a-Lago. He huddled at the private club in Palm Beach that doubles as his residence with House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Hes had a handful of events in South Carolina, but the Republican frontrunner is otherwise looking ahead to the general election.

In a survey of likely Republican primary voters in South Carolina that was taken last week, Haley trailed Trump here by a whopping 28 percentage points. Although she had a net favorability rating (47%-36%) in the exclusive USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll, among the primary electorate, Trump was better liked (64%-25%) in Haleys home state than she was.

Haleys supporters are trying to stay upbeat. They are not ready to concede, for the most part, that she is unlikely to win.

I mean, every vote counts, right? So we're out here, and we're going to vote, said Matthew Rutter, a 45-year-old army veteran who attended a Tuesday event in Clemson. I know that the polls say one thing, but I think that she's our best chance of changing what we have going on in Washington.

Haley reintroduces herself to voters

Feb 21, 2024; Beaufort, SC, USA; Republican presidential candidate and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley campaigns in Beaufort, S.C. Mandatory Credit: Megan Smith-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-751502 (Via OlyDrop)

In the South Carolina primary, the candidate who receives the most votes will receive 29 delegates. The winner of each of the states seven congressional districts will get three delegates. A total of 50 delegates are up for grabs. Haley lives on Kiawah Island, in the first congressional district, just outside of Charleston.

Haley won the governorship here twice, but South Carolina has seen explosive population growth in the decade and a half since she was first elected to statewide office. Many of the newcomers are retirees.

The over 65 crowd now makes up nearly 20% of the states residents, and Haley has had to introduce herself to them.

That was the case in Beaufort, S.C. on Wednesday night, where Larry Noah, 80, and his wife, Debbie Noah, 76, came to a public park to see Haley speak.

The couple moved to Beaufort from southern Illinois four years ago. He considers himself to be a Republican. His wife is an independent. They plan to vote for Haley in the Republican primary  but said they would vote for Trump in the general election if shes not the GOP nominee.

Shes got a lot of stamina, a lot of youth. I like what she did as governor, from what Ive read about her, he said.

His wife added: I thought she did great in the debates.

Haley grew up in Bamberg and went to college in Clemson. Shes held homecoming events in both locations in the last two weeks.

I voted for you early today! an attendee shouted on Tuesday at her alma mater. Thank you! God bless you, she responded.

Seeking to drive up turnout among South Carolinians who may not be staunch Republicans, Haley has been asking her rally attendees to press their friends and family who dont typically vote in presidential primaries to show up to the polls.

When you leave here, take a yard sign. If you cant put a yard sign in your yard, put it in the back of your car. If you can get five people to go early vote with you do  go tell every friend, every family member that everything is riding on them going to the polls on Saturday, she said.

Haley has admitted she must do better than she did in New Hampshire  where she lost to Trump by 11 points  in the conservative state that holds one of the final, pre-Super Tuesday competitions. She said last month that the election has to be close  only to declare this week that she plans to stay in the race, regardless of the outcome.

Feb 20, 2024; Greenville, SC, USA; Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley delivers a speech to press and supporters in Greenville, S.C Haley said she would not be dropping out of the presidential race ahead of the South Carolina primary. Mandatory Credit: Megan Smith-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USAT-751502 (Via OlyDrop)

Up big in South Carolina, Trump has all but moved on.

He hawked gold high-top sneakers at a convention last Saturday in Pennsylvania and rallied his supporters that night in Michigan, which has the next major Republican primary on Feb. 27. He spent the rest of the holiday weekend at home in Florida. His first event in South Carolina since a Feb. 14 rally in Charleston was a Fox News town hall in Greenville on Tuesday.

He did not stick around to campaign. He had more political meetings at Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday and went to Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday to fundraise and attend the National Religious Broadcasters convention.

Trumps only rally in South Carolina this week is Friday in Rock Hill. Hes also attending a gala with Black conservatives. Hell leave the state again on the day of the primary to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference near Washington, D.C. but will return to Columbia to host a party on election night.

His campaign predicts that under the best case scenario for Haley, Trump will cross the delegate threshold and become the presumptive GOP presidential nominee no later than March 19.

While Nikki Haley desperately tries to pick up last minute voters in South Carolina she wont get and turn out Democrats, we are already focused on winning over voters against Joe Biden in key battleground states, Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.

Haley has gingerly approached the topic of non-Republicans voting in the primary by reminding voters they can cast a ballot for her on Saturday so long they did not participate in the Democratic primary earlier in the month.

Outside groups hoping to keep Trump out of the White House have been more blunt. The South Carolina Republican Party scolded them in a statement this week for trying to skew the results.

Trump turning off Haley supporters

In an impassioned speech on Tuesday, Haley said she is not going anywhere and would be campaigning every day until the last person votes because America is a democracy and its electorate deserves a choice.

There are those who are trying to paint me as Never Trump. Thats not what I am, she said in Greenville, citing her previous support for the ex-president and her role as his U.N. ambassador. My purpose has never been to stop Trump at all costs.

Haley has previously said she would back Trump if he wins the nomination, in keeping with a pledge the national party required candidates to sign in order to participate in the debates.

Her supporters are under no such obligation. Jan Hubble, a 69-year-old resident of Greenville who attended Haleys rally in Greer, said she voted for Biden in 2020 and does not want to do it again.

But I cant vote for Trump, she said. Nikki Haley has integrity, and weve already seen she can do it. We already saw it in South Carolina.

Hubble was the first person on her street, she says, to put a Haley sign in her yard. She attended the Monday evening event with two of her neighbors. The women came away impressed.

Attendees of Nikki Haley's campaign event on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Greer, including Greenville residents Jan Hubble, Ann Petrich and Joyce Murphy, wave campaign signs for Republican presidential candidate.

Haley didnt miss a beat, said Hubble's neighbor, Joyce Murphy.

Murphy said she does not like Trumps vindictiveness and did not appreciate the way he threatened Haleys supporters.

I think that there are a lot of angry people out there, and they see Trump as a mean person who will take on the other boys, Murphy, 76, said. That's why I think that there are people who are from South Carolina who are sticking with him.

But, she said, if voters have a chance to see Haley in person, she can win. If they could have heard her tonight, oh my God, because she really is the one we need to have in there.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Last chance for Haley? Former governor bets big on South Carolina
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) argued anybody would say yes to being the vice president nominee alongside former President Trump, just days after he confirmed his vice presidential shortlist, which did not include her.

Mace endorsed Trump last month, the latest in a string of South Carolina lawmakers to not back former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-S.C.). Mace said she doesnt see eye to eye perfectly with any candidate, and while she has stayed out of it, the time had come to unite behind Trump.

Mace discussed her endorsement of the former president and the prospect of joining him on the ticket during a Politico interview that aired Friday. At a town hall event Tuesday in South Carolina, Trump confirmed a shortlist of names, which did not include Mace.

Obviously, you would say yes if he asked you, right? Politicos Ryan Lizza asked.

Anybody would say yes, but you know, when was the last time a House member became vice president? I mean, it just doesnt happen, she responded. And my focus has always been on South Carolina. I love the job that Im doing.

Mace, who was elected in 2018, has become an outspoken member of Congress, particularly during the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). She was rumored to be on Trumps shortlist and said the possibility was interesting and intriguing weeks after the Speakership debacle in October 2023.

It appears she may no longer be in the running to campaign along Trump. At the Greenville town hall, Trump confirmed that his shortlist consists of Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Vivek Ramaswamy, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who served in Congress as a Democrat but has since shifted to more conservative views.

Mace continued to pitch herself in the Politico interview and said she knows that womens issues are going to be a topic in the election and sees an opportunity for her to be an advocate on the subject because she has been really vocal on womens issues. The South Carolina lawmaker continued, arguing that she ended up crushing it in the 2022 election because she took on womens issues and the abortion debate, which resonated with voters in her purple-leaning district.

She also reiterated a past talking point  that she would like to see a Republican woman on the ticket as president or vice president. Despite not handing Haley her endorsement, Mace said she respects the job she did for South Carolina as governor.

But South Carolina loves Donald Trump, and I still think theres a chance he might pick a woman to be on the ticket, she said.

Trump and Haley will face off in the South Carolina GOP primary Saturday. The former president leads the former South Carolina governor by 30.7 percent in the state, 63.8 percent to 33.1 percent, according to The Hill/Decision Desk HQs Election Center.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Major League Baseball players have been faced with an unusual problem ahead of the new season: a malfunctioning wardrobe.

Players and fans have already voiced their concerns about the new jerseys being worn this season, and on Thursday, as spring training games got underway, MLB Players Association (MLBPA) executive director Tony Clark also shared concerns about the pants.

A lot of the rhetoric is confirmation that the pants are see-through, said Clark, according to ESPN. Its been an ongoing conversation where each day has yielded something new that doesnt seem to make as much sense as you would like it.

Universal concern, Clark added, is the pant.

The jerseys of the new uniforms, which were designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics, have already drawn criticism from fans for looking cheap, feeling flimsy and having an unattractive design. A Baltimore Orioles player, meanwhile, compared the new jerseys to a knockoff from TJ Maxx.

Its disappointing that weve landed in a place where the uniforms are the topic of discussion, said Clark.

MLBPA executive director Tony Clark speaks to the media prior to last year's World Series. - Daniel Shirey/MLB/Getty Images

In a press release, Nike said that it worked with more than 300 players to design a jersey that was more breathable, lightweight and stretchy.

The company is yet to respond to an earlier request for comment from CNN regarding criticism of the uniforms, while Fanatics declined to comment.

Players also wore them during last seasons All-Star Game, and Nike and MLB said they were well received at the time.

Theyre designed to be performance wear as opposed to whats been traditionally worn, so they are going to be different, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said about the uniforms.

I think after people wear them a little bit, theyre going to be really popular.

This years Opening Day is scheduled for March 28, though the LA Dodgers and the San Diego Padres are playing two regular season games in Seoul on March 20 and 21  the first MLB games to be played in South Korea.

CNNs Nathaniel Meyersohn contributed to reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A Black child in Mississippi who urinated in public had his civil rights violated when he was arrested and sentenced to probation, his family said in a federal lawsuit that seeks $2 million.

Quantavious Eason, who is now 11, was a 10-year-old third-grader when Senatobia police arrested him Aug. 10 after an officer saw him relieving himself next to his mothers car while she was inside an attorneys office.

The suit filed Wednesday in federal court in Mississippi alleges excessive force, intentional infliction of emotional distress, failure to train and supervise, false arrest and malicious prosecution.

The child's mother, Latonya Eason, is named as the plaintiff. Named as defendants are the city of Senatobia, its police chief Richard Chandler, the arresting officer who is no longer with the force, and four officers who were not named.

Representatives with the city and police could not be immediately reached Thursday afternoon for comment. Chandler could not be reached, either.

The officer who saw the 10-year-old urinating did not arrest the child; another officer made the arrest of the child, who was held in a jail cell for up to an hour, the lawsuit said.

The child's family's attorney, Carlos Moore, who discussed the lawsuit Thursday at a news conference, said race was a factor in how his client was treated, beginning with his arrest and again in court.

I'm 99.99 percent sure that had this been a young boy who happened to be white ... he would have never been arrested, Moore said Thursday afternoon during a phone call.

He said the student and his mother have suffered like no other ... for doing something so commonplace.

child arrest (Courtesy Latonya Eason)

There was no public restroom at the attorneys office, Moore said. Quantavious did not expose himself and did what any reasonable child would have done, Moore had said. Officers arrested Quantavious, put him in a squad car and took him to the police station, Moore and the child's family had said.

He was charged in youth court with being a child in need of supervision, Moore has said.

The child was required to check in with a probation officer once a month for three months. Tate County Youth Court Judge Rusty Harlow in December oversaw a sentence that included probation and required Quantavious to write a two-page report about Kobe Bryant.

child arrest (Courtesy Latonya Eason)

Earlier this month, Harlow dismissed the youth court petition that sought to designate Quantavious as in need of supervision, Moore said.

In an August statement posted on the police departments Facebook page, Chandler, the police chief, appeared to comment on the childs arrest.

Several of our officers were recently involved in an incident that involved a ten-year-old juvenile. The officers decisions violated our written policy and went against our prior training on how to deal with these situations, the statement said.

Chandler also said one of the officers was no longer employed at the department, the other would be disciplined, and the department would have mandatory juvenile training just as we do every year.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial.
CHARLESTON, S.C.  Three years ago, Rep. Nancy Mace criticized Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and called on her party to start over.

Now, shes backing Trump  and angling for the former presidents support ahead of her next primary race in June.

Its been a long journey for the second-term House member, who has cast herself as an outsider willing to take on her own party. Her allies describe her as a maverick; her detractors say she lacks political principles. Mace does often find herself in conflicts with party leaders, from Trump in the last election cycle, when he endorsed a primary opponent after her Jan. 6 criticism, to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy this time, after Mace helped oust him from the speakership in 2023.

And while Trumps presidential primary contest with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is the main event right now, Mace is preparing for her next intraparty fight, with South Carolina Republicans keeping a close eye on the contest.

I dont agree with everyone 100% of the time, on 100% of the things, Mace told reporters after appearing at a Trump campaign event in North Charleston on Wednesday night. I represent, again, a very independent-minded district. But look, if Donald Trump and Snoop Dogg can reconcile, so can he and I. And weve come a long way.

Trump used that same phrase  weve come a long way  when he gave Mace a brief shoutout at his South Carolina rally last week, where Mace also spoke.

The GOP lawmaker from the Charleston-based 1st Congressional District went from Trump 2016 campaign staffer to outspoken Trump critic and a flame-throwing thorn in the side of her own party since she was elected to Congress in 2020.

Just two years ago, Trump endorsed Maces primary challenger, Katie Arrington. Mace went on to beat Arrington by 8 points, one of the few Republicans to survive a direct challenge from the former president.

She is once again facing challenges from the right, but this time its McCarthy, not Trump, looking for revenge. Mace calls one of her GOP opponents McCarthys hand-picked puppet to push her from her seat.

Catherine Templeton, an attorney who served in two positions in Haleys gubernatorial Cabinet, launched a race against Mace earlier this month. She met with McCarthy aide Brian Walsh prior to her launch, but she pushed back on Maces criticisms, saying the congresswoman is stabbing at things.

Theres not anybody here that thinks that Im under anybody elses influence, Templeton told NBC News in a recent phone interview. Templeton said she has not met directly with McCarthy and does not know what role the former speaker could play in the race.

Templeton said she ultimately jumped in the race because the district needed a consistent conservative, accusing Mace of shifting stances on Trump, abortion and immigration.

Nancys a party of one at this point, Templeton said. Decisions seem to be made based on flip-flopping for her own fame and her own celebrity, and not really remotely about what the constituency wants.

I have literally, from day one, run on being a party of one, Mace countered in an interview with NBC News. Ive run on being an independent voice. That has been my mantra from day one. Because this district is independent-minded.  Anyone who says otherwise doesnt understand the district.

Mace pointed to Templetons abortion stance as out of step with the district, after she said in a failed 2018 gubernatorial bid that she favored banning abortions without exceptions for rape, incest or danger to the life of the mother. If Templeton were to best Mace in the primary, Mace said, then [Republicans] lose the seat because of her extreme positions that dont fall in line with the district.

Templeton did say in the phone interview that she supports South Carolinas six-week abortion ban, which includes exceptions for a patients life, fetal anomalies and rape or incest for up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. She also took issue with Mace saying the 1st District, which Trump won by 9 points in 2020 per calculations from Daily Kos Elections, could be in play in November.

Its just false. And the Republican Party is tired of compromising its conservative values because she keeps saying its a purple district, Templeton said. It just simply, mathematically, is not a purple district.

As for McCarthy, Mace posits, I was getting primaries the minute I voted to oust Kevin.

But McCarthy is a prolific fundraiser and could create headaches for Mace ahead of her June primary if he directs donors to her challenger. Joel Sawyer, a South Carolina GOP strategist, said that threat helps explain Maces shift back to Trump.

You certainly dont want everybody against you, Sawyer said. So I think for Congresswoman Mace, the calculation is either you make nice with the partys presumptive nominee or you make nice with Kevin McCarthy. I think making nice with Trump was probably an easier and more realistic path for her.

Trump tightrope

Mace has been a frequent presence at Trump campaign events ahead of Saturdays presidential primary, which Trump is favored to win. She received a mixed response from Trump supporters when she addressed his rally last week, but tried to win them over with a few references to Waffle House, where Mace worked after she dropped out of high school.

Templeton was also at the Trump rally, fresh off of her campaign launch where she touted support from Arrington and former Ambassador to Switzerland Ed McMullen, a longtime Trump ally in the Palmetto State.

Templeton said she spoke briefly with Trump but did not ask for his endorsement in the race, noting the focus on Saturdays primary. Templeton said she had met with Trump after he was elected in 2016 and was a contender to be his labor secretary. She said she was offered the position, but declined to join the administration because her children were still in school.

Prior to Trump winning the 2016 GOP nomination, Templeton backed his rival, Jeb Bush. Its whats prompting Mace to dub her Jeb Bush in heels.

Asked if shes sought Trumps endorsement, Mace said she was focused on seeing him through the upcoming South Carolina primary.

Theres plenty of time to ask for endorsements, she parried, adding broadly that Trumps endorsement means more today than it has ever meant.

Maces road back to Trump has forced some tough choices, including the choice to back Trump over Haley. Templeton made the same choice, picking Trump over her former boss after initially endorsing Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. Templeton said Trump has proven he can do the job and that this is not a time to gamble.

But Maces decision might have cut deeper, in part because Haley broke with Trump to help Mace win her tough primary battle in 2022.

Former state GOP Chairman Katon Dawson, a Haley supporter, said Mace was almost a goner till Nikki showed up last time.

Mace reached out to Haley when she endorsed Trump, a source familiar told NBC News at the time. Since then, Mace has appeared at various pro-Trump events to bash Haleys record on taxes and foreign policy  an about-face not lost on Haley, who is herself a voter in Maces district.

Ill have to decide, Haley said when asked about how shed vote in the congressional primary, with a certain edge in her tone when asked about Mace. Catherine Templeton served in my Cabinet when I was governor. And Nancy Mace is my current congressional member. I mean, I think Im going to look at their views and look at seeing if theyre honest and trustworthy.

Asked specifically about Maces about-face on Trump, Haley replied: Ive seen her say things on television that she knows are a lie. I mean Ive point-blank seen it.

That criticism of Mace  a politico who panders to the cameras  is widespread among her critics.

I think she has a reputation, not just nationally but certainly in district, as somebody more interested in being on Fox than she is in being a congresswoman, said South Carolina GOP strategist Chip Felkel.

Barbara Nielsen, a former state superintendent of education who lives in Maces district, told NBC News: You never know where Nancy is from day to day. Most people here feel [Mace does] whatever benefits Nancy and what will get her on TV.

The men can do it, Mace fired back when asked about these criticisms, citing Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott as South Carolina officials with national profiles  and TV appearances to match. As soon as a woman does it, its different.

She added that when youre leading on policy, people ask for interviews. I turn down more interviews than I actually do.

Mace ally Josh Whitley, a member of the Berkeley County Council, echoed that, saying Mace works extremely hard for our district and has helped move several stalled local projects forward, including projects involving a waterway and bridge construction.

Nielsen noted Templeton will be a formidable opponent. But Mace could face other challengers too.

State Rep. Sylleste Davis told The Post and Courier that she has been asked to run. Davis did not return multiple requests for comment. And Maces former chief of staff, Daniel Hanlon, had also filed to run against Mace.

You could do a reality show out of this, Nielsen said.
A Nebraska state lawmaker who supported banning abortions after 12 weeks has now introduced legislation that provides exceptions and repeals criminal penalties.

Republican Sen. Merv Riepes bill would allow for abortions up to 20 weeks in cases of fatal anomalies with the confirmation by at least two physicians that a pre-born child is incompatible with life outside the womb and would die upon birth or inevitably after that.

I failed last session to hold to my expectations, and we have an incomplete law, Riepe said at the Judiciary Committee Hearing. I feel compelled to right a wrong.

Opponents of LB626 celebrate in the Rotunda after the bill fails to advance after failing one vote short of cloture, Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capital in Lincoln, Neb. The bill sought to ban abortions in Nebraska after about 6 six weeks.

This legislation would add fatal fetal anomalies to the list of exceptions for abortions in the state, including rape, incest or a serious risk to a pregnant persons physical health, along with ensuring no criminal penalties for physicians who perform these abortions.

More: Nebraska lawmakers pass 12-week abortion ban

In the last session, Riepe abstained from providing a final vote needed to pass a six-week abortion ban after his amendment to extend it to 12 weeks post-fertilization, adding an exception for fatal fetal anomalies was not picked up by his colleagues.

I believe we have found the middle, an uncomfortable place but the reasonable middle in conservative Nebraska, Riepe said at the hearing. These women have done everything right. They are wanting to be mothers. They have sought prenatal care and screening. But the genetic lottery has swatted them down and they have lost.

Tiffany Palmer, a supporter of the bill who received an abortion after her child was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 during her pregnancy, said growing up, she grew up thinking that women who had abortions didnt want to be mothers.

Its a health care option for those who want a child, but nature gave them the short end of the stick, Palmer said.

More: A year after Roe v. Wade was overturned, this is what state abortion laws look like in US

Pro-life groups and advocates shared their personal stories of losing a child during pregnancy or shortly after testified against the bill.

Callie Higgins child, Archer, who had a fetal anomaly, passed away shortly after he was born. Higgins explained that her family was grateful for their brief but important time with Archer.

In this moment, it can be difficult to think clearly and make decisions that are fully thought out, Higgins said. For a medical professional to recommend terminating the pregnancy may seem like the best option for an expecting mother looking for guidance in the midst of the turmoil, but aborting the baby will not change the heartbreak.

Nebraska lawmakers could soon pass a budget bill defunding health clinics that perform abortions, including Planned Parenthood.

Many who testified, including maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Robert Bonebrake, said prenatal diagnoses are not always accurate.

I still receive Christmas cards year after year from families, and their growing child that I diagnosed would not be able to live outside the uterus, Bonebrake said.

More: 2024 starts with shrinking abortion access in US. Here's what's going on.

Planned Parenthood held in a neutral position, with Nebraska Executive Director of Planned Parenthood North Central States, Andi Curry Grubb, saying that Nebraskans should reject laws that dont allow abortion restrictions.

Curry Grubb said the organization has heard from doctors who say their patients have had to leave the state to receive abortions, which raised ethical and equity concerns.

Last year, the group began circulating a petition that seeks to enshrine abortion rights in Nebraskas constitution and needs 125,000 signatures by July to get on the November ballot.

The committee has yet to decide whether to advance the bill.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nebraska lawmaker wants 12-week abortion ban amended for exceptions
In the highlands of northern Israel, archaeologists uncovered a small stone artifact of colossal importance.

The object  a 2,800-year-old seal  provides a missing link in the evolution of a popular motif that appears in the Bible and Greek mythology, according to a study published in the journal of Near Eastern Archaeology.

The spectacular artifact occupies a special place in this long and largely unknown history of myth transmission, Christoph Uehlinger, the study author and professor in comparative religion at the University of Zurich, wrote.

Discovered during an archaeological dig in Tel Hazor in 2022, the seal depicts a dramatic battle sequence.

A human figure wielding a spear can be seen locked in combat with a seven-headed serpent, Uehlinger said. A griffin, a scarab and a pair of monkeys can also be seen on the periphery of the scene.

Measuring around 1.5 inches long, the seal was dated to around 800 to 750 B.C. It was likely crafted by either an Israelite or a Phoenician  a people who occupied a nearby part of the Levant.

The motif of a hero slaying a seven-headed serpent is far older than the artifact itself, first appearing around 2,500 B.C. in Mesopotamia.

From there, the motif began to travel in the region, popping up in ancient texts from modern-day Syria, where it found its way into the Hebrew Bible.

In Israel, the hero figure evolved into Yahweh  the Hebrew name for the divine  fighting a Leviathan, Uehlinger said.

Centuries later, it appeared in the Christian Bible  with the serpent beast fighting an angel in the book of Revelation.

The same motif further cropped up Greek mythology in the form of Herakles (the Roman translation of Hercules) locked in combat with a Hydra, a many-headed serpent creature.

The ubiquity of this image  albeit with subtle variations  has long puzzled researchers, who know little about its proliferation during the first and second millennia B.C.

But the newfound seal from Hazor now provides a tangible link from Phoenicia to Israel, Uehlinger told McClatchy News in an email.

It also lends credence to a hypothesis that the motif traveled from Ugarit in northern Syria through Phoenicia to Israel.

Phoenician scribes/scholars probably preserved and transmitted the tradition they may had inherited from Ugarit (an ancient city in Syria) since the Late Bronze age, Uehlinger said.

How exactly the motif spread west  and became wrapped up in the popular mythology of Hercules  remains unknown, Uehlinger said.

Search for 600-year-old ruins leads to a much older  and rarer  surprise in Germany

Ancient body found in Denmark bog belonged to foreigner who was sacrificed, study says

Large-eyed mountain creature  with bumpy body  discovered as new species in China
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Argentina's libertarian leader Javier Milei on Friday hosted U.S. top diplomat Antony Blinken, the most senior U.S. official to visit Argentina since Milei took office in December pledging a "shock therapy" to stabilize the country's embattled economy.

Asked at the start of their meeting at the Casa Rosada presidential palace what was his message for the United States, Milei replied that Argentina has decided to return to the side of the West, to the side of progress, democracy and, above all, freedom.

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken said at a news conference later that Washington sees "extraordinary" investment opportunities in Argentina and wants U.S. companies to remain Argentina's partner of choice.

Blinken discussed the conflict in Gaza and challenges in Venezuela and Haiti during his visit, he added.

Milei has taken a strongly pro-U.S. stance, though ideologically is more closely aligned with Republican former U.S. President Donald Trump, the main challenger to Biden in elections later this year.

The Biden administration has shown support for Milei with visits from officials including National Security Council senior director for the Western Hemisphere Juan Gonzalez, and the U.S. Treasury's top international official, Jay Shambaugh.

Milei, an economist and former sharp-tongued pundit, has made tough austerity a key focus since taking office.

He has visited U.S.-ally Israel in a show of support for its response to Oct. 7 attacks by Palestinian militants Hamas.

Ahead of the visit, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols praised Milei for speaking out in defense of democracy and human rights, including in Venezuela.

Adding a bit of spice to Milei's relationship with the Biden White House, the Argentine leader is scheduled to speak at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend in Washington, where Trump is also set to appear.

Blinken arrived in Buenos Aires on Thursday after visiting neighboring Brazil, where he met with left-wing leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who in contrast to Milei has clashed with Washington over his criticism of Israel's assault on Gaza.

(Reporting by Adam Jourdan in Buenos Aires and Simon Lewis in Rio de JaneiroEditing by Alistair Bell)
By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Chinese police are working in the remote atoll nation of Kiribati, a Pacific Ocean neighbour of Hawaii, with uniformed officers involved in community policing and a crime database program, Kiribati officials told Reuters.

Kiribati has not publicly announced the policing deal with China, which comes as Beijing renews a push to expand security ties in the Pacific Islands in an intensifying rivalry with the United States.

Kiribati, a nation of 115,000 residents, is considered strategic despite being small, as it is relatively close to Hawaii and controls one of the biggest exclusive economic zones in the world, covering more than 3.5 million square kilometres (1.35 million square miles) of the Pacific. It hosts a Japanese satellite tracking station.

Kiribati's acting police commissioner Eeri Aritiera told Reuters the Chinese police on the island work with local police, but there was no Chinese police station in Kiribati.

"The Chinese police delegation team work with the Kiribati Police Service - to assist on Community Policing program and Martial Arts (Tai Chi) Kung Fu, and IT department assisting our crime database program," he said in an email.

China's embassy in Kiribati did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the role of its police. In a January social media post the embassy named the leader of "the Chinese police station in Kiribati".

Aritiera, who attended a December meeting between China's public security minister Wang Xiaohong and several Pacific Islands police officials in Beijing, said Kiribati had requested China's policing assistance in 2022.

Up to a dozen uniformed Chinese police arrived last year on a six month rotation.

"They only provide the service that the Kiribati Police Service needs or request," Aritiera said.

The Kiribati president's office did not respond to a request for comment.

CHINA SEEKS POLICING TIES

China's efforts to strike a region-wide security and trade deal in the region, where it is a major infrastructure lender, were rejected by the Pacific Islands Forum in 2022.

However, Chinese police have deployed in the Solomon Islands since 2022, after the two nations signed a secret security pact criticised by Washington and Canberra as undermining regional stability.

Australian National University's Pacific expert Graeme Smith said China was seeking to extend its reach over the Chinese diaspora, and police were "very useful eyes and ears" abroad.

"It is about extraterritorial control," he said. Chinese police would also "have eyes on Kiribati's domestic politics and its diplomatic partners".

Aritiera said the Chinese police were not involved in security for Chinese citizens on the island, and a Chinese embassy source denied there was a Chinese police station.

China's ambassador to Australia said last month that China had a strategy to form policing ties with Pacific Island countries to help maintain social order and this should not cause Australia anxiety.

Kiribati switched ties from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019, with President Taneti Maamau encouraging Chinese investment in infrastructure. It will hold a national election this year.

China built a large embassy on the main island and sent agricultural and medical teams. It also announced plans to rebuild a World War Two U.S. military airstrip on Kiribati's Kanton Island, prompting concern in Washington. The airstrip has not been built.

At its closest point, Kiribati's Kiritimati island is 2,160 km (1,340 miles) south of Honolulu.

The United States countered with a pledge in October to upgrade the wharf on Kanton island, a former U.S. military base, and said it wants to open an embassy in Kiribati.

Director of the Lowy Institute's Pacific Islands Program, Meg Keen, said China had security ambitions in the region.

"Australia and the United States are concerned about that prospect, in Kiribati and around the region, and are taking measures to protect their position," she said.

Papua New Guinea, the biggest Pacific Island nation, said this month it would not accept a Chinese offer of police assistance and surveillance technology, after news it was negotiating a policing deal with China prompted criticism from traditional security partners, the United States and Australia.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Sonali Paul)
WASHINGTON  Alexander Smirnov, the former FBI informant charged with lying to the FBI about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden in statements that were at the "heart" of House Republicans' ongoing impeachment inquiry, has been re-arrested by federal authorities, his attorneys said Thursday.

Smirnov made an initial appearance in federal court in Las Vegas, but his case was set to proceed in California. Smirnov had been ordered released by a magistrate judge in Nevada under conditions that included GPS monitoring after his first hearing Tuesday. Prosecutors subsequently asked a federal judge in California to detain him.

Officials said that Smirnov admitted that some information about Hunter Biden came from officials associated with Russian intelligence, and that Smirnov had claimed to have met with Russian intelligence officials just months ago. They said Smirnov is actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials in November.

A copy of a new arrest warrant shows it was issued by a judge in California on Thursday.

Attorneys for Smirnov wrote that he was "arrested for a second time" on the same charges on Thursday morning while he was at their "law office for meetings with counsel."

They said that the fact that Smirnov was meeting with his attorneys when he was rearrested "contradicts the notion that he is a risk of flight."

Mr. Smirnov was rearrested on an arrest warrant issued from the same court where he was planning on voluntarily appearing when required," they said in a statement.

Special counsel David Weisss office, which charged Smirnov, did not respond to NBC News request for comment.
The University of Illinois freshman who went missing last month after a party died of hypothermia, the county coroner said this week.

The body of Akul Dhawan, 18, was found 500 feet from where he was last seen on Jan. 20, campus police at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign said in a breakdown of their investigation. He was reported missing by a friend at 1:23 a.m., and though police said they searched the area thoroughly, his body was found 10 hours later by a passerby.

I believe this is just a bad dream, I believe he is going to come back, Dhawans father, Ish Dhawan, told NBC News earlier this month. It is so unimaginable that a kid can die in this day and age right on the university campus.

Akul Dhawan. (Courtesy Ish Dhawan)

Police reported that Dhawan was at a club, left, returned and was denied entry multiple times. Venue staff tried to convince him to take a rideshare home, the investigation report said, but Dhawan declined, and his friends were unable to reach him after that.

With temperatures that night falling below zero, coroners say prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and acute alcohol intoxication contributed to his death from hypothermia.

Dhawan was found unresponsive on the concrete steps of a university building, where he was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the police and coroners reports.

Ish asserts that the University of Illinois campus police should have done more to look for his son, and that no one from the school informed him when he was missing or found dead.

If somebodys reported missing, you go and you look, he said. You mobilize people. When the temperature is minus Fahrenheit, every minute is precious.

Police representatives did not respond to specific questions about their search, but they said they are heartbroken for the Dhawan family, and that the investigation into the death is ongoing.

The safety of all of our students and community members is of the highest priority, a police spokesperson said.

Dhawans parents said they remember him as a bright light, a natural engineer and a lover of Legos. They say a Marvel-themed Lego set he built when he was home for winter break will remain with them forever.

It was his last project, Ish said. He was just a happy-go-lucky kid.
Johnson County this week destroyed years-old ballots and election documents, a state-mandated procedure that defied the wishes of Sheriff Calvin Hayden, who pleaded for them to be preserved during his long-running elections investigation.

The conservative sheriffs investigation, which began after the 2020 election, has produced no criminal charges. And tension between the sheriff and other county officials  who affirm the elections are safe and secure  has grown as the investigation energized conspiracy theorists and election deniers.

Johnson County had held off on destroying ballots from the 2019 election onward because of requests by Hayden, who has called them potential evidence. But recently, patience has appeared to wear thin.

County officials say theyve received reminders from Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican, about state law requiring the county election commissioner to destroy the ballots. The countys top lawyer asked Hayden late last year if he was still investigating and whether he had any objection to the ballot destruction.

Hayden urged the county to preserve the ballots, saying in a letter that the records were necessary to complete a full investigation. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined the fight and asked the county to hold on to the election records, citing importance to Haydens investigation.

But Johnson County chief legal counsel Peg Trent hit back, asking Hayden whether he plans to obtain a search warrant to seize the ballots.

And the county plowed ahead. Commissioners previously voted to authorize Chairman Mike Kelly to appoint Republican and Democratic observers to watch over the ballot destruction.

Then this week, county spokesman Andy Hyland confirmed the election office finished shredding ballots and accompanying documents from the 2019, 2020 and 2021 elections.

McKenzi Davis, a spokeswoman for the sheriffs office, said Hayden was not available to comment Thursday afternoon. A spokesperson for Kobachs office did not immediately return The Stars request for comment.

The destruction of election records comes as Hayden faces other pressures months before he will be on the ballot. Hayden, who has filed for reelection, will face a primary challenge from Doug Bedford, a former undersheriff, in the race that so far has drawn one Democratic candidate, Prairie Village Police Chief Byron Roberson.

Last month, the election software company at the center of the sheriffs investigation sent Hayden a strongly worded letter warning him of what could come from his baseless investigation.

Attorney Rick Guinn, representing the company Konnech Inc. and its CEO Eugene Yu, sent the letter, which read: Sheriff Hayden should be very careful about making public statements concerning Konnech and Mr. Yu to somehow justify his obvious waste of taxpayer dollars.

Days before Guinn sent the letter, Los Angeles County agreed to pay $5 million to Yu, who sued over civil rights violations after he was arrested there in 2022 on accusations that he illegally stored poll worker data in China. The case was dropped a few weeks later, with the district attorney citing potential bias in the investigation.

Johnson County had used Konnechs software to help manage election workers; the program had nothing to do with voting or voting information. The county stopped using the software in 2022.

While fighting for Johnson Countys old ballots to be preserved, the sheriffs office made it clear in a letter the month before that Hayden continues to probe Konnech and accused the company of storing local election information in China.

The multi-million dollar settlement, Guinn wrote, should send a strong message to Sheriff Hayden about the consequences of an investigation into nonexistent election fraud.
Top Egyptian, U.S. diplomats discuss Gaza development

Xinhua) 10:31, February 23, 2024

CAIRO, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministerial meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to discuss the latest development in the Gaza Strip, said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement that during the talk, Shoukry said Egypt regrets the failure of the U.N. Security Council to adopt a Gaza ceasefire resolution "due to the repeated use of the unjustified U.S. veto."

The Egyptian top diplomat stressed the necessity of reaching "a full ceasefire" in Gaza to spare the lives of civilians, de-escalate the situation, and start "a serious dialogue" regarding the future approach toward the Palestinian cause.

Shoukry and Blinken discussed the ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a deal to swap Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees "that would allow the implementation of a truce for several weeks," according to the statement.

On Tuesday's Security Council meeting, the United States vetoed a draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave, where Israeli strikes have been raging since the Gaza-ruling Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

The ongoing Israeli escalation since then has killed 29,410 Palestinians and injured 69,465 others, according to data released by Gaza's health ministry on Thursday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
More than 100 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip over a 24-hour period, the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory said Friday.

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh held talks with Egyptian officials about a possible cease-fire in Gaza and an exchange of hostages held by the militants for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, according to a Hamas statement Friday morning.

During Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, militants killed about 1,200 people and took some 250 hostages. Roughly half of the hostages were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. About 100 hostages remain in captivity, in addition to the bodies of 30 others who were killed on Oct. 7 or died in captivity.

Israels subsequent offensive in Gaza has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians and driven some 80% of the territorys 2.3 million people from their homes. Most heeded Israeli orders to flee south, and around 1.5 million are packed into Rafah near the border with Egypt.

European diplomats have ramped up calls for a cease-fire as alarm grows over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Currently:

 Mideast cease-fire efforts gain steam as a U.S. envoy visits. Mediators report encouraging signs.

 Denmark records its highest number of antisemitic incidents since WWII, part of a grim European trend.

 A Houthi rebel attack sets a cargo ship ablaze and forces Israel to intercept another attack near Eilat.

 Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.

Here's the latest:

2 DEAD IN ISRAELI DRONE STRIKE ON A CAR IN THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK

JERUSALEM  A Palestinian man wounded in an Israeli drone strike on a car in the occupied West Bank died of his injuries, bringing the number of people killed in the attack to two.

The two men, their bodies wrapped in the flags of the militant group Islamic Jihad, were buried Friday in the Jenin refugee camp.

The Israeli military said one of those killed, identified as Yasser Hanoun, was about to carry out a shooting attack when the strike hit his car late Thursday. It alleged that Hanoun was previously involved in several shooting attacks targeting Israeli settlements and army posts.

Violence has escalated in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, triggered by a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. Since then, about 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank, most as part of near-daily arrest raids by troops searching for suspected militants.

NORWAY'S FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS FOR A STOP TO INJUSTICES AGAINST PALESTINIANS

COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Friday that Israels occupation and the Israeli settlements are the biggest obstacles to a two-state solution, which is the only solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

In a comment to Norways submission to the International Court of Justice, Barth Eide said "the injustice to which the Palestinians are subjected must stop.

He added that while the eyes of the world are focused on the horrific war in Gaza, the situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is also very serious.

MORE THAN 100 PALESTINIANS WERE KILLED IN 24 HOURS, THE HEALTH MINISTRY IN GAZA SAYS

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza  Israeli airstrikes in central and southern Gaza killed at least 68 Palestinians, health officials and an Associated Press journalist said, and another 24 bodies were trapped under rubble.

In all, 104 Palestinians were killed over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday. The overall death toll since the Oct. 7 start of the war rose to 29,514. Though the count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, the ministry has said women and children account for about two-thirds of those killed.

The strikes were reported in the southern city of Rafah, the central town of Deir al-Balah and the refugee camp of Nuseirat.

In Deir al-Balah, bodies draped in white or black burial shrouds were laid out in the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, as relatives wept nearby. The bodies were later collected by relatives and taken for burial after brief prayers.

Outside the hospital, a man held the body of an infant killed in one of the strikes.

ISRAEL AIMS TO BUILD 3,300 NEW HOUSES IN SETTLEMENTS IN THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK

JERUSALEM  Israel plans to approve the construction of more than 3,300 new homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank, a senior Cabinet minister from the far-right wing of the government announced.

Approval of new construction is bound to elicit condemnation from the United States at a time when the relationship between the allies is fraught because of disagreements over the course of Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said in a statement late Thursday that the new construction is meant as a response to a fatal Palestinian shooting attack near Jerusalem earlier in the day. He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant participated in the discussion leading to the decision.

The homes are to be built in the settlements of Maale Adumim, Efrat and Kedar, Smotrich said.

Consecutive Israeli governments have expanded settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank  war-won territories the Palestinians seek for a future state. Construction has accelerated under Netanyahus current right-wing government, which includes settlers such as Smotrich in key positions.

2 HEZBOLLAH MEMBERS ARE KILLED IN AN ISRAELI STRIKE ON A SOUTHERN BORDER VILLAGE IN LEBANON

BEIRUT  The paramedics arm of Lebanons militant Hezbollah group says two of its members were killed in an Israeli strike on a southern border village early Friday.

The Islamic Health Society identified the two as Hussein Khalil and Mohammed Ismail, saying they were killed when the groups office in the village of Blida was directly hit, a day after an Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Rumman killed two members of Hezbollahs elite Radwan Force, including a local official who was identified as Hassan Saleh.

Hezbollah later said it retaliated the attack on Blida by launching two explosive drones at an Israeli army post in the northern town of Kiryat Shmona, claiming it scored direct hits.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, the Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing daily exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli troops. Since then, nearly 200 Hezbollah fighters and at least 40 civilians have been killed.

NETANYAHU PUBLISHES DETAILS OF HIS PLAN FOR POSTWAR GAZA

JERUSALEM  Israel will control security in a demilitarized Gaza Strip and play a role in civilian affairs after its war on Hamas ends, according to a plan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu submitted to his Cabinet for approval.

While lacking specifics, the plan marks the first time he has presented a formal postwar vision. Netanyahus insistence on an open-ended Israeli role in running Gaza runs counter to key U.S. proposals for a revitalized Palestinian autonomous government eventually governing both Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to statehood.

The plan, published by the prime ministers office, was presented to Cabinet ministers late Thursday. It reiterates that Israel is determined to crush Hamas, the militant group that overran the Gaza Strip in 2007. Polls have indicated that a majority of Palestinians dont support Hamas, but that the group has deep roots in Palestinian society. Critics say Israels goal of eliminating Hamas is unattainable.

It calls for freedom of action for Israels military across Gaza after the war to thwart any security threat and says Israel would establish a buffer zone inside Gaza  likely to provoke U.S. objections.

The plan also envisions Gaza being governed by local officials who it says would not be identified with countries or entities that support terrorism and will not receive payment from them.

Its not clear if any Palestinians would agree to fill such sub-contractor roles. Over the past decades, Israel has repeatedly tried and failed to set up hand-picked local Palestinian governing bodies.

HAMAS LEADER LEAVES EGYPT AFTER HOLDING TALKS WITH EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS OVER A POSSIBLE CEASE-FIRE

BEIRUT  Hamas says its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, has left Egypt after holding talks with Egyptian officials about a possible cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and an exchange of hostages held by the militants for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.

The statement released early Friday by Hamas did not say whether Haniyehs talks with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel about ways of ending the war, a hostage deal and the flow of aid to Gaza were successful or led to a breakthrough.

The talks in Cairo came ahead of a high-level meeting expected over the weekend in Paris, where international mediators will present a new proposal. The United States, Egypt and Qatar have been struggling for weeks to find a formula that could halt Israels devastating offensive in Gaza, but now face an unofficial deadline as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

Israel seeks a phased deal, including a temporary pause in fighting in exchange for the release of some of the roughly 100 hostages still held by militants since the brutal Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel. Israel has vowed to keep fighting until Hamas is crushed.

Hamas initially demanded to end the war, now in its fifth month, before hostages can be released. Hamas has said that it would release the Israeli hostages in return for the all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Israel rejected that demand, and mediators have been working on a new deal.
As Nikki Haley barnstorms South Carolina in an effort to prevent Donald Trump from being the Republican Partys presidential nominee, shes retracing some of her footsteps from eight years ago  and reusing a lot of the same language.

At this time in 2016, the then-South Carolina governor was also on the presidential campaign trail, but on behalf of Sen. Marco Rubio, whom she endorsed three days before the South Carolina primary.

And while much has changed in politics and the Republican Party since then, a look at her speeches introducing Rubio shows just how similar her argument against Trump is now as it was then, before he became the figure that redefined the GOP.

Nikki Haley and Marco Rubio in Chapin, S.C. (Aaron P. Bernstein / Getty Images file )

While Haley has ended up in a similar position, she took a detour to get there. She accepted a position in Trumps Cabinet as ambassador to the United Nations just weeks after he was elected, serving for two years after resigning as governor. She went on to boost his re-election effort in 2020.

But in the two campaigns on either side of 2020, Haley made the case that Trump had a losing streak that created a general election risk for the GOP. Its a theme she has hit hard recently, saying definitively that Donald Trump cant win.

He lost in 2018. He lost in 2020. He lost in 2022 and he continues to lose, Haley said earlier this month in Bluffton, South Carolina. How many more times do we have to lose until we start to say maybe hes the problem?

Eight years ago, Haley made a similar case  but Trump didnt have a campaign record to go on at that point, so she based it on Trumps business ventures.

Weve seen it with Trump vodka, weve seen it with Trump mortgage, weve seen it with all of his Trump endeavors. And right now hes being sued for fraud with Trump University, Haley said on Feb. 29, 2016, at a Rubio rally in Atlanta, between the South Carolina primary and Super Tuesday. Every single one of them has failed. And now he wants to run for president. This is not a game. We are not a project.

On her current campaign, Haley recently began tying Trump to President Joe Biden on issues like age, mental acuity and the fact that both are tied up in investigations.

Both of them are tied up in investigations and all they do is talk about themselves, she said of Trump and Biden on Feb. 7 in Charleston.

Eight years ago at that rally in Atlanta, Haley was also noting investigations into Trump  and into eventual Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Weve got two presidential candidates who are under investigation, Haley said. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Earlier in that Atlanta rally for Rubio, she used the word bully to describe Donald Trump, saying: I told my two little ones to do exactly what Marco Rubio did in the last debate  when a bully hits you, you hit that bully right back.

Haley made the same case for her now adult children in a recent interview for NBCs TODAY, telling co-host Craig Melvin: You take on a bully because you dont want your kids to grow up in a country thats this divided.

She made a similar case in her state of the race speech earlier this week in Greenville, South Carolina, where she indicated her intention to stay in the race and said shes never met a bully I couldnt take on.

I am in this fight. I will take the bruises. I will take the cuts, Haley said Tuesday, later adding, All I ask is that you stay with me and go through this with me.

Its the same plea Haley made during her endorsement speech for Rubio three days before the South Carolina primary in 2016.

This is one of many bruises I will take for Marco Rubio, she told the crowd in Chapin, South Carolina. So if Im going to do that, I need you all to go out on Saturday.

Trump went on to win the 2016 South Carolina primary later that week, beating Rubio by 10 points and cementing his front-runner status.

Other echoes from 2016 are permeating this years South Carolina campaign. Standing on stage alongside Rubios fellow South Carolina endorsers on primary night in 2016, Haley took a quick roll call: When you see [Rep.] Trey Gowdy, when you see [Sen.] Tim Scott, when you see me, we are the start  along with a lot of other people  were the start of the new conservative movement thats going to change this country for the better.

Some eight years later, Scott announced the end of his own 2024 presidential bid on now-former Rep. Gowdys Fox News show. In January, Scott endorsed Trump over Haley, who appointed him to his Senate seat.

Days earlier, Rubio had endorsed Trump, too.
New York state lawyers said that LaPierre billed the NRA more than $11m for private jet flights. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

A New York state jury on Friday said the former long-serving National Rifle Association leader Wayne LaPierre  as well as other executives of the gun rights group  were liable in a lawsuit centered on the organizations lavish spending.

The jury found that LaPierre, who was the NRAs CEO for three decades, misspent millions of dollars of the groups money on private flights, vacations and other lavish perks. It ordered LaPierre to pay $4,351,231 in restitution to the group.

Related: Wayne LaPierre: the man who remade the NRA as the good guy with a gun

The decision came at the end of a six-week trial that began in early January, days after LaPierre announced his resignation from the NRA.

The jury found LaPierre liable for $5.4m, but it determined he had already paid back a little over $1m.

LaPierre sat stone-faced in the front row of the courtroom as the verdict was read aloud.

The verdict is a win for the New York attorney general Letitia James, a Democrat who campaigned on investigating the NRAs not-for-profit status.

In New York, you cannot get away with corruption and greed, no matter how powerful or influential you think you may be, James said in a post on X. Everyone, even the NRA and Wayne LaPierre, must play by the same rules.

Retired NRA finance chief Wilson Phillips was ordered to pay $2m in damages to the NRA. NRA general counsel John Frazer was found to have violated his duties, but was not ordered to pay restitution.

The trial cast an unflattering spotlight on the leadership, culture and finances of the NRA, which was founded more than 150 years ago in New York City to promote riflery skills. The group later grew into a political powerhouse that has influenced federal law and presidential elections.

LaPierre billed the NRA more than $11m for private jet flights and spent more than $500,000 on eight trips to the Bahamas over a three-year span, said lawyers for Jamess office. State attorneys also say he authorized $135m in NRA contracts for a vendor whose owners showered him with free trips to the Bahamas, Greece, Dubai and India, and gave him access to a 108ft (33-meter) yacht.

LaPierre claimed he hadnt realized the travel tickets, hotel stays, meals, yacht access and other luxury perks counted as gifts, and that the private jet flights were necessary for his safety.

But he conceded that he had wrongly expensed private flights for his family and accepted vacations from vendors doing business with the NRA without disclosing them.

Among those who testified at the trial was Oliver North, a one-time NRA president and former national security council military aide best known for his central role in the Iran-Contra scandal of the 1980s. North, who resigned from the NRA in 2019, said he was pushed out after raising allegations of financial irregularities.

After reporting a $36m deficit in 2018 fueled largely by misspending, the NRA cut back on longstanding programs that had been core to its mission, including training and education, recreational shooting and law enforcement initiatives. In 2021, it filed for bankruptcy and sought to incorporate in Texas instead of New York, but a judge rejected the move, saying it was an attempt to duck James lawsuit.



LaPierre denied any intentional wrongdoing, and an attorney for him dismissed the case as a political witch-hunt by James. The NRAs lawyer said the organization could not be held accountable for LaPierres actions.

But the New York assistant attorney general Monica Connell countered that the NRA and its executives had done little more than deny and deflect in an effort to soften the blow of the corruption allegations. They  blame anyone else but themselves, said Connell, who argued that LaPierre and the NRA had been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

James filed the lawsuit in 2020 under her authority to investigate non-profits registered in the state.

Her office contended that LaPierre dodged financial disclosure requirements while treating the NRA as his personal piggy bank. One co-defendant, the former NRA chief of staff Joshua Powell, struck a pre-trial settlement requiring him to pay $100,000.

Despite its recent woes, the NRA remains a political force. Republican presidential hopefuls flocked to its annual convention last year and Donald Trump spoke at an NRA event earlier this month  his eighth speech to the association, it said.

Associated Press contributed reporting
Giant pandas chew on bamboo at the San Diego Zoo. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

China could soon be sending giant pandas to the U.S. for the first time in years, reigniting "panda diplomacy" between the two countries.

The China Wildlife Conservation Assn. has secured agreements with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the Madrid Zoo Aquarium of Spain regarding the conservation of giant pandas, according to Xinhua, Chinas news agency.

Megan Owen, vice president of wildlife conservation science at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, confirmed the agreement between the Chinese agency and the zoo in a news release.

We are humbled by the potential opportunity of continuing our collaborative conservation efforts to secure the future for giant pandas," Owen said.

Owen told the Associated Press that the two pandas, one female and one male, could arrive by the end of the summer. One of the female pandas being considered descended from Bai Yun and Gao Gao, which used to live at the San Diego Zoo. The zoo hasn't hosted giant pandas since 2019.

Read more:Are pandas coming back to California? China's president suggests they might

China is also negotiating with the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., to "develop a future giant panda program," according to Brandie Smith, the director of the Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Its always been our intention and hope to have giant pandas at the Zoo in the future and continue our research here and conservation work in China, Smith said in a statement.

China has been lending pandas to the U.S. for more than five decades as a sign of goodwill between the countries, but doubts about the future of the loans grew after several pandas were returned to China in the past few years.

The San Diego Zoo returned its last giant pandas, Bai Yun, and her son, Xiao Liwu, to China in 2019, and the Memphis Zoo sent back its female panda in April.

Last November, the Smithsonian's National Zoo sent back two adult pandas, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, according to a news release.

Chinese President Xi Jinping hinted late last year that China could send new pandas to the U.S., calling them envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.

Read more:2024 brings the Year of the Dragon. Are we in for a lucky, powerful year?

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples, Xi said at the time.

Beijing first lent two pandas to the Smithsonians National Zoo in Washington in 1972. Beijing started lending out pandas to other U.S. zoos, with the proceeds going to conservation programs.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Strong winds tore the roof off the main train station in Goteborg Friday, causing no injuries but knocking out power and temporarily stopping all rail traffic in and out of Swedens second largest city.

The storm blustered along the coasts of southern Scandinavia overnight with SMHI, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, issuing its second highest warning Friday. Some 4,000 people were without power on Sweden's west coast, the Swedish TT news agency said.

Photos from Goteborg, on Sweden's western coast, showed part of a roof across the tracks at the central station, with local officials saying it was unclear when train traffic would resume. A bridge in the archipelago north of Goteborg was closed to traffic, the Swedish Aftonbladet newspaper said.

By midday, some of the tracks at the station were reopened at reduced capacity, Angelika Knutsson, a spokeswoman for the Swedish Transport Administration told the public broadcaster.

Emergency services in Goteborg urged people to stay indoor because loose objects can fly far and pose a danger to the public, such as building parts, signs, roof tiles and other loose objects outdoors.

A Goteborg police officer told TT that they had received some 150 calls about trees being knocked down over in the course of five hours. I have never seen anything like that, Caroline Karlsson told TT.

Denmarks Meteorological Institute said the storm, which it named Rolf, was mainly raging across the north and northwestern part of the country. Trees were blown over and flying objects were reported across the country, Danish media said.

Danish meteorologists measured gusts of 135.36 kilometers (84.11 miles) per hour in the north of the country.

Nearby, the Danish frigate HDMS Esbern Snare, which was docked at the Frederikshavn Naval Station, broke free because of the storm and slowly drifted into another frigate, HDMS Absalon, causing scratches in the hull but no major damage, local broadcaster TV2 said.

There were reports of flooded roads in southern Norway. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, known as NVE, had issued a flood warning for the area, and said rain and melting snow in the coming days could cause rivers and streams to spill over.

Norwegian meteorologists said there was a risk of damage to buildings and infrastructure, and Norwegian broadcaster NRK said ferry services and flights were expected to be canceled.

Several ferry lines in Scandinavia have temporarily suspended service.

The same region was hit in early February when a storm with hurricane-force winds  considered Norways most powerful storm in more than three decades  ripped off roofs, heightened avalanche risks, canceled flights and cut power as it raged in parts of the country.
MADISON  A state oversight panel is recommending Wisconsin prosecutors pursue a slate of felony charges against a fundraising committee for Donald Trump and a Republican state lawmaker in a scheme to evade campaign finance laws surrounding an effort to unseat one of the most powerful Republicans in Wisconsin, Trump foe Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission alleges Trump's Save America political action committee, GOP Rep. Janel Brandtjen, county Republican party officials and the campaign committee of Adam Steen, who ran against Vos in 2022, conspired to avoid state fundraising limits for Steen's bid to replace Vos.

The alleged scheme to flood donations to Steen's campaign materialized as Trump and Brandtjen pressured Vos to take illegal and impractical steps to decertify the 2020 election when President Joe Biden defeated Trump by about 20,000 votes.

Just days before the Republican primary during which Vos defeated Steen by fewer than 300 votes, Trump held a rally in Waukesha County during which he leveled condemnation at Vos and revealed to the crowd that the former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, hired by Vos to review the 2020 election, had endorsed Steen in the primary.

The commission, made up of three Republicans and three Democrats, on Tuesday referred the alleged violations to several county prosecutors, according to records obtained Friday from the commission. Commissioners noted if the prosecutors do not initiate charges within 60 days, the panel will take the referrals to another district attorney or the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Wispolitics.com first reported on the recommended charges.

The recommended charges stem from a scheme allegedly orchestrated by Steen and a handful of county Republican parties to funnel donations to Steen's campaign above the individual limit of $1,000 to the county party instead. County parties may give candidates unlimited amounts of donations under state law.

"Friends of Adam Steen advised people that wanted to give more than allowed under Wisconsins contribution limits to send it to the Langlade County Republican Party with '63' in the memo line of the check," referring to the Vos' district number, commissioners wrote in their orders.

In August 2022, Steen and his campaign workers arranged for Trump's Save America PAC to donate $5,000 to be sent to the Chippewa County Republican Party and then transferred to Steen's campaign, the commission alleges.

Save America PAC also donated $5,000 each to the parties in Florence and Langlade counties after its agents learned of the plan to send the county party donations to Steen's campaign, according to the commission.

Adam Steen, Robin Vos' primary opponent for the 63rd Assembly District seat, speaks as former President Donald Trump held a campaign rally for Republican candidate for governor Tim Michels at the Waukesha County Fairgrounds in Waukesha on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.

Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he would refer the charges back to the commission because he is a member of the party that could be charged.

"The Chippewa County District Attorneys Office takes all potential campaign violations seriously. However, I cannot personally take any action in these matters. As both a past and present member of the Chippewa County Republican Party it would be a conflict for me to take any action regarding these allegations," Newell said in an email.

Newell said by referring the charges back to the commission, commissioners can take them to another prosecutor or to the state DOJ.

Rep. Janel Brandtjen speaks as former President Donald Trump held a campaign rally for Republican candidate for governor Tim Michels at the Waukesha County Fairgrounds in Waukesha on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.

The commission alleges Brandtjen was one of several people providing advice to Steen's campaign, discussed the scheme with Steen and played a role in facilitating donations from Trump's PAC to the GOP parties in Chippewa, Florence and Langlade counties.

"There was at least one recorded conversation where she was discussing getting money fromSave America (PAC) to a county party," the commissioners wrote in the order. Brandtjen also donated $3,000 to the Langlade County GOP ahead of the primary.

"As a representative to the Assembly since 2014, Representative Brandtjen was well awarethat she could not give more than $1,000 to Friends of Adam Steen," commissioners said. "It is also clear that she was supporting Mr. Adam Steen and was aware of the arrangement between Friends of Adam Steen and the Republican Party of Langlade County."

Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper told the Journal Sentinel the referral from the commission lacked "fundamental information that would be needed for me to decide how to proceed" and she will make a charging decision after receiving the additional context.

Lawrence Andrea of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Ethics Commission alleges illegal scheme by Trump committee
A woman who is suing Texas after she said she nearly died when doctors delayed giving her a medically necessary abortion tells NBC News exclusively that she plans to move her frozen embryos out of the state for fear Texas could stop providing in vitro fertilization.

The move by Amanda Zurawski and her husband, Josh, follows news that at least three fertility clinics in Alabama have paused in vitro fertilization treatments following a ruling by the state Supreme Court that found embryos are people who have the same legal protections as children  and that people can be held liable for destroying them.

Zurawski, 36, said on Thursday that she and her husband signed papers to move their embryos out of the state because she fears Texas could follow Alabamas lead and block her from starting the family shes spent years trying to build.

I dont want them in a state where a similar ruling could very likely take place, she said of her embryos. Everything about IVF is very anxiety-inducing. Its very scary. Its very difficult and rulings like this one in Alabama are just adding another layer of fear and anxiety.

She added that she is concerned about the effects the ruling will have for patients in Alabama.

My heart is broken for every hopeful parent in the state of Alabama and beyond because this isnt going to stop in Alabama. This is going to have a snowball effect, she said.

Zurawski is one of the lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Texas that is challenging the states near-total abortion ban and seeking to make the state allow doctors more discretion to intervene during medical complications. Zurawski said she nearly died in August 2022 after doctors refused to give her an abortion when she suffered catastrophic complications while 18 weeks pregnant. Eventually, Zurawskis health deteriorated and doctors performed an abortion. But, she said she developed serious infections that led to sepsis and sent her to the intensive care unit for three days.

Since then, Zurawski and her husband have turned to in vitro fertilization and hope to have a baby through a surrogate after doctors advised her not to try to carry a baby again. She said she has been through three egg retrievals and now has two frozen embryos.

But she said she worries Texas laws will once again impact her journey.

Its absolutely terrifying, Zurawski said. But its also so infuriating because the same people who support the bans that nearly killed me are also in the same camp, who are now trying to make it harder for people like me to have a family.

Zurawski said that soon after the Alabama Supreme Court ruling, she researched other clinics away from Texas that would be willing to take her embryos and companies willing to transport them. The process, she said, costs thousands of dollars.

I think about the folks in Alabama who may be considering doing the same thing, and its not an option for everyone, she said. IVF in and of itself is already extremely expensive. And then, to add an additional layer of potentially needing to transport them. Its just another expense. Its more logistics. Its more unknowns.

Zurawski declined to say where she is moving her embryos.

Its to protect us, she said of her decision not to reveal where the embryos will be transported. Its to protect our embryos. Its to protect anyone who could be involved in our family planning.

Meanwhile, Elisabeth Smith, director of state policy at the Center for Reproductive Rights, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of Zurawski and several other plaintiffs, said in a statement that the Alabama Supreme Court ruling is extremely alarming.

It undermines peoples ability to make decisions about their own family planning via IVF, Smith said. This is part of the chaos we knew would ensue if Roe v. Wade was overturned. With politicians at the helm instead of doctors, reproductive health care is in crisis.

Since the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in 2022, abortion has been banned or severely restricted in over a dozen states, according to an NBC News count.
LONDON (AP)  Yulia Navalnaya used to avoid the cameras, staying in the background while her husband rose to become Russias most prominent opposition figure and President Vladimir Putins greatest foe.

But following the death in prison last week of Alexei Navalny, she stepped onto a stage normally reserved for senior politicians in Munich and vowed that Putin and his allies would be brought to justice over the death.

Later she solemnly vowed: I will continue the work of Alexei Navalny.

It was an ambitious statement from a woman who once said in an interview with the Russian edition of Harper's Bazaar that her key task was caring for the couple's children and home.

Navalnayas new job will be leading the Russian opposition through one of the darkest and most turbulent times in its history.

The opposition is fractured, and Navalny's death dealt it a serious blow. The question now is whether Navalnaya can rally her husband's troops and work with other opposition groups to mount any kind of successful challenge to Putin, who is on a path to serve another six years in the Kremlin after the presidential election in March.

Putin has increasingly cracked down on freedom of speech and smothered dissent within Russia, jailing opponents and critics.

Navalnaya has experience standing up to Putin. She and Navalny were married for more than 20 years, and she was at his side as he helped lead the biggest protests in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union and through subsequent jail sentences.

She has accused Putin of killing her husband  a suggestion Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed as unfounded and insolent.

The risk to Navalny's life had been discussed extensively with his wife and close team ahead of his 2021 return to Russia from Germany, where he received treatment for poisoning with a nerve agent, said Vladimir Ashurkov, a longtime friend of the couple and a co-founder of Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation.

Even so, it was a big decision" for Navalnaya to continue her husbands work, he said.

In their marriage, she was the rock Navalny relied upon. They had an understanding that Navalnaya would not be politically active and would stay out of the limelight, Ashurkov said.

Navalny returned to Russia from Germany, analysts suggested, because he knew it would be difficult to be perceived as a legitimate opposition leader while abroad.

His widow is unlikely to travel to Russia because of security concerns and now faces a similar conundrum in figuring out how to lead her husband's organization from exile.

On Friday, shortly after news of Navalnys death broke, she met a woman in a similar situation  Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

Tsikhanouskaya picked up the political baton from her husband, Belarusian opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski, in 2020 after he was jailed in the run up to Belarus' presidential election.

She ran a successful campaign but fled Belarus after longtime President Alexander Lukashenko declared himself the winner in an election widely regarded in the West as fraudulent.

We understood each other without any words, Tsikhanouskaya said about Navalnaya. Tsikhanouskaya said she has no idea about her husband's condition, or whether he is dead or alive.

Its so difficult when you feel such huge pain, but you have to ... give interviews to encourage the democratic world to make decisive actions, Tsikhanouskaya said in an Associated Press interview.

Operating from abroad for almost four years already, Tsikhanouskaya said living in political exile is challenging. It's very important not to lose connection with the people inside the country, she said.

That will be tough, particularly inside Russia, where most Russians still get their news from Kremlin-controlled state media.

Although he was Russias most famous opposition leader  charismatic and cracking jokes even while serving a 19-year prison sentence  Navalny almost never appeared on state television, which carried only the briefest mention of his death.

The Kremlin is likely to adopt the same approach to Navalnaya, effectively cutting her off from the Russian people via a state-backed information blockade.

Pundits on Russian state television have already tried to discredit her, suggesting she was wearing too much makeup and that she should have covered her hair to mourn Navalny, in line with Russian Orthodox tradition.

Social media posts disparaging Navalnya and her relationship with her husband also popped up nearly simultaneously on accounts operated by Russian state media, as well as other accounts with no obvious connection to the Kremlin that have long pushed Russian propaganda, according to Reset, which is a London-based nonprofit that studies online misinformation and propaganda.

Since Putin's forces invaded Ukraine, the scope for dissent in Russia has narrowed even further. Russian authorities have tightened speech restrictions and jailed critics, often ordinary people, sometimes for decades. Hundreds of people who laid flowers in Navalny's memory were detained, and persuading Russians to take a collective public stand against Putin will be almost impossible.

While Navalnaya has dominated headlines since her husbands death, her challenge will be to stay relevant when interest inevitably fades, said Graeme Robertson, a professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of a book about Putin and contemporary Russian politics.

She could do that, Robertson suggested, by supporting Navalny's volunteers and political networks in Russia to keep them underground but alive," as well as choosing a goal to focus on in the short term.

Striding Monday into a meeting of the European Unions Foreign Affairs Council, Navalnaya wasted no time in demonstrating what that goal  and her leadership of Navalny's organization  might look like.

Sitting next to the EU's foreign policy chief, she called on Western leaders not to recognize the results of Marchs presidential election, to sanction more people in Putins circle and to do more to help Russians who have fled abroad.

Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation generated headlines in Western and independent Russian media in recent years with a series of slick videos that turned otherwise dull corruption investigations into internet blockbusters.

But the organization failed to attract broader support from the Russian population or to produce political change, nor did it set out a strategy for how it would govern.

Tsikhanouskaya, who is viewed by several states as Belarus' democratic leader, said she made building democratic institutions and representing Belarusians inside Belarus a priority.

That includes a transitional cabinet and platforms where all the parties, all the forces are represented," she said, apparently encouraging Navalnaya to do the same.

Navalnaya could be the person to unite the Russian opposition, which is known for its disagreements and squabbles, Ashurkov suggested.

She has a very high reputation, he said.

The tasks ahead of her are daunting, and she will navigate them while grieving for her husband and fighting for the return of his body.

By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me, half of my heart and half of my soul, she said. But I still have the other half, and it tells me that I have no right to give up."

___

Associated Press Writer Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.
Rob elementary school memorial.

Multiple law enforcement officers have been ordered to testify before a grand jury investigating the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting.

According to reports by the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV, the subpoenas for in-person testimony at Uvalde County Courthouse are the result of a 21-month investigation into the flawed response to the Robb Elementary School shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead.

While the grand jury investigation is expected to take anywhere from several weeks to months, the results could possibly lead to charges against the officers for not promptly stopping the gunman in the May 24, 2022, mass shooting.

Nearly 400 law enforcement officials reacted to the Uvalde elementary school mass shooting, but "egregiously poor decision-making" led to over an hour of chaos before police confronted and killed the gunman.

The news comes a month after the Department of Justice highlighted numerous "failures" in a comprehensive report. The DOJ collected over 14,000 pieces of evidence, including audio and video recordings, photographs, and interview transcripts. According to the report, officers waited for 77 minutes outside a classroom while the gunman remained inside with injured students and teachers.

"A series of major failures, failures in leadership, in tactics, in communications, in training and preparedness were made by law enforcement leaders and others responding to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said. "As a result, 33 students and three of their teachers, many of whom had been shot, were trapped in a room with an active shooter for over an hour as law enforcement officials remained outside."

The reports from both networks do not specify the number of officers subpoenaed or whether any are targets of the investigation, but they do confirm that testimony is set to begin next week at the Uvalde County courthouse.
NEW ORLEANS  A Democratic consultant who worked for a rival presidential campaign paid a New Orleans magician to use artificial intelligence to impersonate President Joe Biden for a robocall that is now at the center of a multistate law enforcement investigation, according to text messages, call logs and Venmo transactions the creator shared with NBC News.

Paul Carpenter says he was hired in January by Steve Kramer  who has worked on ballot access for Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips  to use AI software to make the imitation of Bidens voice urging New Hampshire Democrats not to vote in the states presidential primary.

I created the audio used in the robocall. I did not distribute it, Carpenter said in an interview in New Orleans, where he is currently residing. I was in a situation where someone offered me some money to do something, and I did it. There was no malicious intent. I didnt know how it was going to be distributed.

Carpenter  who holds world records in fork-bending and straitjacket escapes, but has no fixed address  showed NBC News how he created the fake Biden audio and said he came forward because he regrets his involvement in the ordeal and wants to warn people about how easy it is to use AI to mislead.

Creating the fake audio took less than 20 minutes and cost only $1, he said, for which he was paid $150, according to Venmo payments from Kramer and his father, Bruce Kramer, that he shared.

Its so scary that its this easy to do, Carpenter said. People arent ready for it.

Carpenter shared what he says is the original audio file created with Eleven Labs that appears to be a complete and higher quality version of the recording of the call NBC News previously reported.

The robocall has drawn intense attention from New Hampshire and federal law enforcement officials for possibly violating state voter suppression and federal telecom laws. Officials have mentioned the name of a Dallas company that was used to place the automatic phone calls to voters ahead of the states primary and have vowed to investigate, citing a desire to make an example of those involved in the first known example of an AI-generated deepfake being deployed maliciously in an American political campaign. Authorities have not named Carpenter or Steve Kramer as targets of their investigation.

After publication, a spokesperson for New Hampshire's attorney general declined to comment, but said, "Our investigation remains active and ongoing."

The players

Steve Kramer is a longtime political operative, having worked for dozens of campaigns over 20 years including the 2020 presidential campaign of Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West.

Steve Kramer initially did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Days later, he said he would wait to speak on the matter until he publishes an opinion piece on Saturday. "My op-Ed will explain all," he said in a text.

The Phillips campaign and the candidate himself expressed outrage when asked about Steve Kramers alleged involvement, saying they will never work with him again and may pursue legal action if the allegations are confirmed.

NBC News has seen no evidence that the campaign directed Steve Kramer to produce or disseminate the robocall.

Man in street balancing a bent fork over his forefinger (Alex Seitz-Wald / NBC News)

Federal Election Commission records show that Steve Kramer was paid $259,946 by Phillips' campaign in December and January. The payments were for ballot access work in New York and Pennsylvania, which includes canvassing for the signatures necessary to qualify for the ballot. The campaign said the work included production and distribution of a robocall that featured Phillips voice.

Payments listed in their campaign finance filings indicated Steve Kramer did get-out-the-vote work

If it is true that Mr. Kramer had any involvement in the creation of deepfake robocalls, he did so of his own volition which had nothing to do with our campaign, Phillips' press secretary Katie Dolan said. The fundamental notion of our campaign is the importance of competition, choice, and democracy. We are disgusted to learn that Mr. Kramer is allegedly behind this call, and if the allegations are true, we absolutely denounce his actions.

Phillips campaign said its relationship with Steve Kramer ended several weeks ago, after he completed his contract to gather signatures to help the candidate get on the ballot in his assigned states and there had been no communication with him by late Thursday.

Biden campaign senior adviser Liz Purdy said in a post-publication statement that the campaign is "hyper vigilant" about the "urgent threat" of disinformation.

"We support efforts, including by New Hampshire law enforcement, to hold those who want to disrupt our democratic elections accountable," she added.

The magician and the political consultant

Carpenter, who was born in Houston and calls himself a digital nomad artist of life, did not expect to end up in the middle of a national political scandal when he says he met Steve Kramer last year.

The only thing missing from the political circus is a magician and here I am, said Carpenter, who also hosts a podcast, has created mentalism instructional videos and says has performed in 24 countries.

In the past few years, he said he's been building computer programs and experimenting with NFTs, content creation and AI.

He rides a motorcycle with his Dachshund-Chihuahua mix, who wears dog goggles. His political views are eccentric.

He speaks of his belief in right-wing conspiracy theories such as the deep state and has "some issues" with the first moon landing, but also says he staged a performance art piece where he placed a porcelain toilet on former President Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and pretended to defecate on it.

He has staged several such stunts meant to provoke, he says, such as one in which he wore only a fig leaf in Times Square in New York City as an expression of radical authenticity, and another in which he filmed himself portraying various American archetypes, including a white supremacist with a swastika on his forehead, which he says was about showing that we are all human, despite how much we may hate each other.

Man throwing playing cards in the air (Alex Seitz-Wald / NBC News)

He and Steve Kramer were introduced through a mutual acquaintance, for whom he had done some web design and social media management work, Carpenter said, and took an interest in his experience with AI.

Carpenter said that he believed Steve Kramer was working for the people whose voices he was being asked to imitate and that the voice projects were authorized by the campaigns. He had not heard of Phillips, a congressman from Minnesota, and said he was not aware of Steve Kramer's work for the candidate.

The first two projects impersonated Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., apparently to be used in robopolls asking GOP presidential primary voters which candidate they supported, Carpenter said. The third was the fake Biden audio telling Democrats not to turn out in New Hampshire.

Have AI voice project, Steve Kramer texted Carpenter on Sept. 27, according to text messages Carpenter shared with NBC News. The phone number in those text messages for Steve Kramer matched an online records search and it was also confirmed while reaching out to him for comment. Steve Kramer then sent Carpenter an audio sample of the South Carolina senators voice and said he would send a script for Prez poll to match w the aforementioned SC voice.

In January, three days before the New Hampshire presidential primary, Steve Kramer texted Carpenter again, saying he had emailed him a script. For payment, Steve Kramer then directed Carpenter to his father, Bruce Kramer, for reasons unknown to Carpenter.

Venmo transactions show an account with the name Bruce Kramer paid Carpenter $150 in two transactions Jan. 20.

I have nothing to say on the subject, Bruce Kramer said in a brief telephone interview Thursday.

On Jan. 22, when NBC News first broke the news of the fake Biden robocall, Steve Kramer texted Carpenter a link to the story along with the message, Shhhhhhh, to which Carpenter replied, Gtfooh, an acronym used to express astonishment.

Screenshots of call logs show numerous back-and-forth phone calls between Steve Kramer and Carpenter over the next several hours. Carpenter says he complied with Steve Kramers request to delete their entire email correspondence, which he says included the scripts for the fake Biden robocall and other instructions.

A veteran Democratic strategist who does not know Steve Kramer personally received an urgent message from him Jan. 30 asking to speak about the Biden robocall. The operative, who requested anonymity to speak about the private conversation, did not respond.

Who is Steve Kramer?

Steve Kramer, the president of his own small firm, is a get-out-the-vote specialist who has worked on dozens of mostly Democratic campaigns over the past 20 years, including some high-profile ones. He has extensive experience with robocalls, according to state and federal campaign finance records.

Previously based in New York, he has a history of working in New York City politics. His Facebook page shows him frequently on vacation and enjoying nightlife in New Orleans or Miami in a loud shirt with a drink in hand.

Steve Kramer has worked on numerous major campaigns, but this is not his first brush with controversy.

In 2020, while working for Ye's independent presidential campaign, Steve Kramer helped Ye with ballot access in several states and spoke on the record as a top strategist for the campaign. Ye ended up having problems over his ballot access in three states and was also criticized for his comments about slavery.

In 2021, a former client, Sara Tirschwell, a Republican who had been running for mayor of New York City, sued Steve Kramer. She accused him of sabotaging her campaign by delivering signatures that ended up being mostly invalid, preventing her from getting on the ballot. He has refused to comment on pending litigation but denied the accusations in court filings; the case remains open.

He was also involved in Nomiki Konsts 2019 campaign for New York City public advocate that led her former compliance officer to file a formal complaint with the city campaign finance agency on mysterious payments to a Louisiana firm with which Steve Kramer was involved. Konst has contended the complaint was entirely political and has been locked in litigation with the compliance officer, who then sued her for defamation.

How the deepfake was made

Carpenter showed NBC News how he created the imitation of Bidens voice, using a reporters voice as a stand-in to avoid violating the AI platforms terms of service agreements against the unauthorized use of a persons voice.

He used Eleven Labs, an AI text-to-speech voice generator that has been identified by an NBC News analysis and outside experts as the tool used to create the Biden robocall. He also used other mostly free AI tools to show how he could add the audio to a video of a person talking and animate their lips to match.

Im not showing you anything you cant learn how to do on YouTube, Carpenter said.

Carpenter also demonstrated that his previous Eleven Labs account, linked to his main email address, was shut down by the company with a message saying, We have closed your account due to unusual activity. Carpenter said the account was locked days after NBC News first broke the story, which is consistent with a Bloomberg report that Eleven Labs banned the account that created the robocall audio Jan. 26.

He is being represented pro-bono by an attorney he found on Reddit, Brandon Kizy, a criminal defense and First Amendment attorney based in Detroit.

Paul had no prior knowledge of what the AI-generated content would be used for and Paul did not have any knowledge that it would be used to potentially affect or be used in connection with any election or voter activity," Kizy said.

So far, the public portion of the law enforcement investigation into the calls has focused on a Texas telemarketing company that they say distributed the robocalls. New Hampshire authorities have said theyve asked federal officials to examine whether the calls violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act; the Truth in Caller ID Act; and the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act.

The fake Biden calls reached 5,000 to 25,000 people and spoofed the originating number, according to authorities, to appear on caller ID as if they were coming from the former chairperson of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, who was running a pro-Biden write-in campaign at the time.

We have never seen something so close to an election before and with such a blatant attempt to mislead voters, New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said earlier this month. We dont want this to be the first of many.
Georgia police on Friday took a suspect into custody in the killing of 22-year-old Laken Riley, a nursing student whose body was found in a wooded area on the University of Georgia's main campus in Athens.

The suspect, identified as Athens resident Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was identified by video from campus security and other technology, according to police. The body of Riley was found near running trails Thursday, launching a highly visible police investigation that centered on an apartment complex just south of there.

Ibarra lived in one of the apartments, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeff Clark said in a Friday evening news conference. He said there is no ongoing threat to the community.

The evidence authorities have gathered in the case is robust, and they believe it was a solo act by Ibarra, according to Clark. He also said the investigation suggests that the suspect and victim had no relationship.

This was a crime of opportunity where he saw an individual, and bad things happened, Clark said.

Riley, a former UGA student, was a junior at the Augusta University College of Nursing when she went missing Thursday after going for a run. A friend reported to UGA police around noon that Riley had not returned, sparking a search of the area near the campus' intermural fields, Clark said. Officers soon found Riley unconscious, not breathing and with "visible injuries" in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick, near several playing fields, tennis courts and miles of walking and biking trails.

Paramedics arrived and determined she was deceased at the scene, the chief said.

Ibarra faces charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another, according to Clark. Authorities were taking him to Athens-Clarke County Jail.

It wasnt immediately known if Ibarra had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Clark said Ibarra doesnt have an extensive criminal history and is not a U.S. citizen, but he did not know Ibarras immigration status.

Athens-Clarke County Corner Sonny Wilson told the Athens Banner-Herald, part of the USA TODAY network, an autopsy is underway at the state crime lab to determine the cause of death.

Athens-Clarke County police block traffic and investigate at the UGA intramural Fields after the body of a women was found with visible injuries in the woods around Lake Herrick in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

Classes canceled at UGA, Augusta University

There was another death investigated on UGA's campus at student dormitory on Wednesday, but Clark said foul play was not suspected and it was not connected with Thursdays homicide case.

UGA canceled classes after 5:30 p.m. Thursday as well as those scheduled for Friday, a statement said. University officials encouraged students to use the facility's counseling and psychiatric services, citing the two unrelated death investigations.

The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our University. Our student body is grieving the sudden death of one of our students in Brumby Hall last night, the statement said. And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, todays devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, particularly our students.

Classes at Augusta University's campus in Athens were canceled on Friday, according to a statement from Kell, university president, who said news of the student's death was "shocking."

UGA Police chief Jeffrey L. Clark speaks to the media after the body of a women was found with visible injuries in the woods behind the campus intramural Fields in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

Though classes were canceled, the Athens campus will remain open "as gathering place for students, faculty and staff to receive care and counseling as needed," the statement said. Counsels were on-site beginning Friday for College of Nursing students.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said he and his family were truly shaken and heartbroken by Rileys death.

We will not rest until justice for Laken is secured, the governor said.

Kelly Girtz, the mayor of the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, said in a statement on social media Thursday that he, along with his colleagues, is "in deep sadness over today's murder in our city."

"We promise to do everything possible to collaborate with UGA PD to bring this investigation to a rapid conclusion, and will continue to work overtime to prevent future tragedies," Girtz said.

First homicide on UGA grounds in decades

The homicide on campus grounds is the first since Jan. 8, 1996, when a newborn baby was slain inside the Oglethorpe House dormitory. That slaying remained unsolved until last year when UGA police announced they had identified the mother through DNA evidence as the killer. She committed suicide about eight years after the infant was slain, police discovered.

Another murder happened in 1983 when UGA student Donna Lynn Allen was fatally stabbed as she was walking to her car. A suspect was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murder.

Two other unsolved slayings of UGA female students occurred off campus.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Police take suspect into custody in killing of Laken Riley on UGA campus
Joe Biden says failure to support Ukraine 'will never be forgotten in history' - LEIGH VOGEL/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Joe Biden on Friday warned Congress that Russian forces were making gains while they were on holiday after the politicians refused to back his $60 billion (42 billion) military aid package for Ukraine.

The US president also said that Vladimir Putin would continue on his path of destruction unless he does not pay the price, as the White House unveiled its largest-ever package of sanctions on Moscow in response to the war.

At the same time, David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, warned the Russian president would be back for more if Western governments let war fatigue set in and allowed Moscows military to succeed in Ukraine.

As Ukraine marks the second anniversary of Russias invasion on Saturday, Russia is advancing across much of the 600-mile front line.

Last week, Moscows troops seized the eastern city of Avdiivka, as Kyiv was forced to abandon its defensive positions in part because of ammunition shortages sparked by the lack of US aid.

Mr Biden told a meeting of the National Governors Association at the White House: Let me be clear, the House of Representatives must pass the bipartisan national security bill. The bill provides urgent funding for Ukraine and if the Speaker called for a vote in the House it would pass easily today. Instead, they went on vacation.

Look folks, all kidding aside, historys watching, the clock is ticking. Brave Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are dying. Russia has taken Ukraine territory for the first time in many months.

But here in America, the Speaker gave the house a two-week vacation. They have to come back. They have to come back and get this done. Because failure to support Ukraine in this critical moment will never be forgotten in history.

The Senate has approved a $95 billion war chest for US foreign assistance, which includes the Ukrainian aid.

But Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House of Representatives on recess without putting the spending bill up to a vote.

Andrew Bates, the White Houses deputy press secretary, accused Mr Johnson of appeasing Iran through his refusal to sanction a vote in a memo, the Reuters news agency reported on Friday.

Washington has not delivered any military aid to Ukraine since previously agreed spending caps dried up in December last year.

With future support snarled up in political disagreement, the White House turned to a series of sweeping sanctions in a bid to blunt the Russian war machine.

The new measures target more than 500 individuals and entities in Russia and 11 other countries, including the United Arab Emirates and China.

Among those hit with the measures were three Russian officials accused of links to the death of Alexei Navalny.

Mr Bidens remarks came as Kyiv said on Friday that it had shot down an A-50U Russian spy plane over the Sea of Azov.

Ukraines military intelligence agency shared a map appearing to show the plane had eventually crashed in southern Russia.

There was no official comment from Moscow, but authorities in Russias southern Krasnodar region said fire crews were at the scene of an air crash, without providing further details,

Meanwhile, the European Union unveiled its 13th package of measures in response to the Russian invasion, targeting nearly 200 people and businesses with travel bans and asset freezes for their roles in helping Russia secure weapons.

The measures came as Russian authorities told Navalnys mother that he would be buried at the prison unless she agreed to a secret funeral with no public farewell within three hours of receiving the demand.

In an address to the United Nations on Friday, Lord Cameron warned the West to recognise the cost of giving up amid signs of dwindling Western support for Kyiv.

If we do not stand up to Putin, he will be back for more, the Foreign Secretary said.

After polling released earlier this year suggested a growing number of European voters would back a compromise with Putin, he added: This is not a man seeking compromise. This is a neo-imperialist bully who believes might is right.

And an unjust peace now merely invites a return to fighting in Ukraine when it suits.

But victory for Putin could also extend to the Russian leaders attempt to apply his distortions of history elsewhere, such as Moldova or the Baltic states.

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Alexei Navalny died suddenly last week at the penal colony above the Arctic Circle where he was serving a three-decade sentence - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

Russian authorities have threatened to bury Alexei Navalny on the grounds of the prison colony where he died if his family does not agree to hold a private funeral.

The opposition leaders team said that his mother had been given an ultimatum by Russian authorities during a visit to Polar Wolf prison.

An hour ago, investigators called Alexeis mother and gave her an ultimatum. She has three hours to agree to a secret funeral without a public farewell, or Alexei will be buried in the colony, Kira Yarmysh, Navalnys spokesperson, said.

Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died suddenly last week at the penal colony above the Arctic Circle where he was serving a three-decade sentence, the prison service said.

His 69-year-old mother travelled to the remote IK-3 prison but has reportedly been prevented from seeing his body.

Navalny's mother Lyudmila Navalnaya has asked Vladimir Putin to release her son's body 'immediately so that I can bury him in a humane way' - EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

On Tuesday, Lyudmila Navalnaya appealed to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, for the release of her sons body.

I appeal to you, Vladimir Putin. The solution to the issue depends only on you, she said in a video address.

Let me finally see my son. I demand that Alexeis body be released immediately so that I can bury him in a humane way.

Yulia Navalnaya, Navalnys widow, released a similar statement, urging authorities to allow him to be buried with dignity.

Joe Biden met with Yulia Navalnaya on Thursday, describing her husband 'a man of incredible courage' - The White House/via REUTERS

In retaliation for Navanys death, the US imposed extensive sanctions against Russia on Friday, targeting more than 500 people and entities.

The move was also retribution for the second anniversary of Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

President Joe Biden said the measures aim to ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home.

Mr Biden, who has directly blamed Putin for Navalnys death, met the opposition leaders widow and daughter in California on Thursday and called him a man of incredible courage.

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People nationwide gathered to watch President Sall being interviewed on Thursday evening

Senegal's President Macky Sall has said he will leave office when his term comes to an end on 2 April, but tensions remain over an election date.

His recent decision to delay the vote, originally scheduled for Sunday, to mid-December sparked deadly protests.

In a televised interview, Mr Sall said an election date would now be decided in political talks to start on Monday.

But the opposition has refused to take part in the proposed dialogue dashing hopes of resolving the turmoil.

Sixteen of the 19 presidential hopefuls have said they will not be turning up for what the president has termed a "national dialogue". A number of civil society organisations have also declined to take part in the exercise.

Mr Sall, who is on his way to the Nigerian capital, Abuja, for an extraordinary summit of the regional bloc Ecowas, has been under pressure to announce a new date since Senegal's highest court declared last week that the postponement of the poll was illegal.

His original decree to delay the vote received strong condemnation from the international community.

Many feared the postponement would lead to President Sall's remaining leader of the country indefinitely in a region plagued by coups and military governments.

Speaking on national television on Thursday evening, Mr Sall said he felt there was not enough time to vote in a new president by the time he steps down on 2 April. He said that the dialogue forum would decide what should happen if this was the case.

In a show of good faith, the president said he was prepared to release the popular opposition politician, Ousmane Sonko, from prison. His arrest sparked nationwide protests last year.

Dozens of the president's opponents have already been set free since Senegal's Constitutional Council ruled that his decision to postpone the election was illegal.

But the fact that the president did not set a new election date has further fuelled suspicions by his critics that this is just another stalling tactic.

President Sall has served two terms as Senegal's leader and when he was first elected in 2012 he promised he would not overstay.

His televised interview has not yet restored his country's reputation as a bastion of democracy in an increasingly totalitarian region.

More on Senegal's political turmoil:
HONG KONG  More than 100 cars crashed into each other on an icy overpass in the Chinese city of Suzhou, state media reported Friday, injuring several people as extreme cold and snow continues to disrupt travel across China.

Footage shared on social media showed a variety of cars caught in the pileup, with one angled high into the air, on a road with visible signs of melting ice.

Cars pile up on an overpass during rainy and snowy weather, in Suzhou (via Reuters)

The accident happened around 7 a.m. Thursday local time (6 p.m. ET Wednesday) as the sun was coming up, Suzhou Industrial Park traffic police said on their official WeChat account.

Three people were hospitalized for their injuries, while six others were in less serious condition, officials said in a statement, adding that the road had been reopened and an investigation was underway.

Local officers also warned residents to beware of slippery roads.

Southern and central China have been experiencing widespread cold snaps, freezing rain and heavy snowfall, leading to disruptions in transportation during the Lunar New Year, the nations most important holiday, when millions of people travel home.

The Chinese government said Wednesday that it was stepping up rescue efforts, using all forces in the region to prepare for sudden and dangerous disasters caused by the cold weather, the state-run Peoples Daily reported.

The China Meteorological Administration also issued icy road warnings in most central and southern cities.

Earlier this week, marble-sized hailstones fell in some areas of Zhejiang province, state-run China National Radio reported Thursday, citing the provincial meteorological administration.
DENVER (AP)  A college student accused of killing his roommate and another person at a Colorado dorm room last week told his roommate a month earlier he would kill him if he was asked to take out the trash again, according to a court document released Friday.

The dispute in early January was reported to campus police and housing officials but there is no indication in court documents that university officials made any attempt to remove the suspect from the room despite multiple reports of conflicts, including the threat.

Chris Valentine, a spokesperson for the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, said due to the ongoing investigation and federal student privacy laws, the university couldn't provide any additional information about the people involved in this incident.

The new details about the shooting and the threat were included in an arrest affidavit that was unsealed by a judge after charges against the suspect, Nicholas Jordan of Detroit, were announced during a court hearing Friday.

Jordan, 25, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, felony menacing and committing a crime of violence in the Feb. 16 killing of his roommate, Samuel Knopp, 24, of Parker, Colorado, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, Colorado, in a dorm room at the university.

Jordan's lawyer, Nick Rogers, objected to the document's release, in part because he said his client  a junior studying accounting  would continue to be prosecuted in the media. He did not address the allegations against Jordan during the hearing and tried unsuccessfully to have Jordan released from jail without paying any bail.

Another roommate who also lived with Knopp and Jordan told investigators that he and Knopp made multiple complaints about Jordans living area cleanliness, and his marijuana and cigarette smoking, besides the incident that led to the threat being made over the trash, the document said. The threat came after Knopp gathered some trash in a bag and placed it at the door of Jordan's bedroom in the pod-style dorm, which included a shared living area and individual bedrooms, the other roommate said.

Mr. Jordan threatened Mr. Knopp and told him that he would kill him" and there would be consequences if Mr. Jordan was asked to take out the trash again," police said in the document.

Jordan filed a request to withdraw from the university about 14 hours before the fatal shootings. His dorm room was empty when police arrived, court records said.

An electronic access number assigned to Jordan was used twice to enter the dorm building on Feb. 16, once just before 4 a.m. and a second time at 5:42 a.m. A few minutes before 6 a.m., a surveillance camera captured somebody running out of the dorm building, the arrest affidavit said.

The warrant for Jordan's arrest was issued on the first day of the investigation, but he was not publicly identified as a suspect until his arrest Monday in a residential area of Colorado Springs, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from campus.

In addition to a gun that prosecutors said was found in Jordan's car, authorities recently learned that he also had a fully loaded AK-47, Robert Willett of the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office told Judge David Shakes during the hearing. Jordan had a temporary job and appeared to have all his belongings in his car when he was arrested, Willett said, arguing Jordan was a flight risk.

Jordan was eager to have a hearing on the evidence as soon as possible, even though his lawyers, who are public defenders, had asked for it to be delayed because their office was recently hit by a cyberattack. Shakes agreed to schedule it earlier, on March 27.

According to police, the other roommate reported the shots early on Feb. 16, leading to the discovery of the bodies of Knopp and Montgomery in Crestone House.

Knopp "was a senior studying music and a beloved member of the Visual and Performing Arts department. He was an accomplished guitar player and an extremely talented musician," University Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in a statement on Sunday. Montgomery was not a student at the university.

___

Hanson reported from Helena, Montana.
A Swedish lawmaker cut her hair during a speech before the European Union in solidarity with Iranians protesting the death of a woman in the custody of Irans morality police.

Abir al-Sahlani, a member of the European parliament who was born in Iraq, denounced the Iranian regime in light of the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who was arrested for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly.

Amini allegedly collapsed after being arrested by the morality police, which is tasked with enforcing religious observance in the country, and died days later. Iranian officials have said she died from a heart attack, but Amins family and the United Nations have said she was severely beaten while in custody.

Aminis death has led to protests throughout Iran that have seen some Iranian women burning their hijabs and publicly cutting their hair in violation of Irans laws.

Hundreds of protesters have been arrested, and dozens have reportedly been killed.

Al-Sahlani said in her speech on Tuesday that the citizens of the EU demand an unconditional and immediate stop to all violence against women and men in Iran.

Until the women of Iran are free, we are going to stand with you, she said as she picked up a pair of scissors and cut her hair.

Al-Sahlani said history and Allah will not forgive the Iranian regime for the crimes against humanity it is committing against its own citizens.

The morality police stepped up their enforcement of religious observance under President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner who became the president of Iran last year. Former President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate who was term-limited, oversaw more lax enforcement from the police force.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
It only took a moment for a bullet to lodge itself into 14-year-old Salma Alyazjis back. A month later, it is still there.

It didnt change part of my life, it changed my entire life, Salma said.

The 14-year-old scholarship student was shot Jan. 25, said her father, Ehab Alyazji, and, in the month since, Salma is no closer to getting the critical surgery she needs, even as the injury transforms her life.

Its not clear who fired the bullet that hit Salma. There were no clashes nearby at the time but she heard one shot ring through the building where her family and many others were sheltering in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. She went to check to make sure no one was hurt, when she heard a second shot.

I felt a lot of pain and heat in my back and I began to get dizzy, she said.

When she put her hand to her back, it came back covered in blood. I began to scream and I fainted, Salma told an NBC News crew in Gaza.

An X-ray showing the bullet in Salma Alyazji's spinal column. (Courtesy Ehab Alyazji)

Salma has a vibrant mind. She was on scholarship at the prestigious Horizons Academy in Gaza, where her father said she was a top student. She wrote poetry and dreamed of studying abroad.

But now, she said, her ambitions have been drowned out by the anxiety of living with a bullet in her back. She is in pain, and struggles to perform daily life tasks without help.

I no longer have any ambitions other than to get through this situation, Salma said tearfully.

She spends her time preoccupied with the bullet: that it is leaking toxic chemicals into her body, that it may be causing her back to ossify and stiffen. She fears that it could move from its precarious place, between her spinal cord and her liver, and paralyze her if she's lucky  and kill her if she's not.

"Imagine a bullet in the body of a human like her  in the spinal column, near the spinal cord," her father said.

Alyazji wants to find a way to get her surgery to remove the bullet and the danger it poses, but also "to change the psychological state that she's in," he said, "to take her out of harm's way, where at any moment, anything might happen to her."

"Where can I take her for treatment?" he said. "There is no capability entirely," he said of the hospitals in Gaza, which are overwhelmed and collapsing under the weight of Israeli bombardment.

From the moment Salma was shot to the ongoing crushing strain of waiting for surgery, her life has become another harrowing illustration of how violence ripples through a life in wartime Gaza.

The day she was shot, her father said, it took seven hours before the Israel Defense Forces gave permission for an ambulance to pick her up, even as she was writhing in panic and pain, slipping out of consciousness, her lungs bleeding.

She was taken to a field hospital in Rafah where an X-ray showed the bullet lodged near her spine.

At the field hospital, doctors told her family that they didn't have the capacity to remove the bullet.

In Gaza, where medical emergencies pour into the hospital in a relentless flood, even if paralysis or death loomed, Salma was stable. After three days, the hospital released her.

Her only choices, her family was told, was to live with the bullet inside her, or leave Gaza for medical attention.

Salma Alyazji with her father Ehab Alyazji. (NBC News)

Now, her family is trying to leave the enclave so Salma can get the medical treatment she needs  but the process is very difficult.

To leave the enclave through the Rafah border crossing, Palestinians can try and get their names added to a list of evacuees, but their travel needs to be approved by both Israeli and Egyptian authorities, according to Steve Sosebee, founder of the nonprofit organization HEAL Palestine.

"You can submit the names or try to get the names submitted, but it's not always clear when they're getting moved, or who's responsible for approving them, or if they're rejected, or the time that it takes," he said, adding that if Palestinians receive approval, their names make it on a list published every night in Arabic. "It's really a chaotic situation with no clear, transparent process in place."

There are other options, including an Egyptian VIP travel company called Hala, which charges $5,000 or more per person to get evacuees through Rafah crossing into Egypt. But the fees are expensive and the request usually needs to come through family members of evacuees who are already in Egypt, Sosebee said.

Another option that's even more rare, is that countries, such as the United Arab Emirates or Turkey, could use their influence to get patients transferred to hospitals there.

Sosebee says that there could be thousands of people like Salma, needing medical treatment they can only get abroad. At the end of January, Khaled Zayed, head of the Egyptian Red Crescent in North Sinai, told NBC News that only about 2,100 sick and injured people left Gaza through Rafah since the war started.

Sosebee said that it's only become worse since. "And this is quite worrisome because there are people dying, there are kids dying from treatment that is available to them across the border, if only they had the ability to cross."

"This is preventable," he said.

Salma Alyazji. (NBC News)

Salma and Ehab spoke to an NBC News crew from a makeshift room enclosed with tarps inside a warehouse, where the family is sheltering in Rafah. Backpacks and clothes hang from hooks on the cinderblock walls, and there were three small mattresses on the floor.

Now displaced three times  from north Gaza, to Khan Younis and now, Rafah  Salma sat down to write a poem about returning to her home.

I returned to it after a long time, she wrote. After a fire burned its landmarks, after a sun shone in its darkness. After a longing that lasted in our hearts, after a hope that left us disappointed. After a pain that seeped into our chests, after an oppression that lingered along with their betrayal, with their audacity, with their injustice, with their brutality.

Where is the world? Where is humanity? the 14-year-old asked in her poem.

To understand this story, you dont have to be a Muslim or an Arab, she wrote. Only a human.
Special prosecutor Nathan Wade visited Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) at her condo at least 35 times prior to when they claim their relationship began, according to an analysis of cellphone data compiled by an investigator working with former President Trumps legal team.

The new document, filed Friday, raises questions about the veracity of Willis and Wades testimony regarding the timeline of their relationship.

Trump and his co-defendants are attempting get their historic election racketeering indictment tossed by disqualifying the district attorneys office over the duos romantic ties, claiming it created a conflict of interest. Williss office has acknowledged the relationship but insists there is no conflict.

Following a dramatic hearing last week at which Willis, Wade and others testified about the romance, the judge will hear arguments next Friday at 1 p.m., Trumps lead Georgia attorney, Steve Sadow, told The Hill. Afterward, the judge is expected to issue a ruling on whether to disqualify prosecutors.

As part of his decision, the judge is weighing contesting claims as to when the romance began.

Defense attorneys purport that the prosecutors began seeing each other romantically prior to Wades Nov. 1, 2021, hiring as special counsel in the Trump case. Willis and Wade have both maintained that their relationship became romantic in early 2022 and ended in summer 2023.

ATLANTA, GA  FEBRUARY 15: Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade attends a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on February 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Judge Scott McAfee is hearing testimony as to whether DA Fani Willis and Wade should be disqualified from the case for allegedly lying about a personal relationship. (Photo by Alyssa Pointer-Pool/Getty Images)

Wade testified last week that he had been to the Hapeville, Ga., condo where Willis was living but no more than 10 times before he was hired. He said he never spent the night there, which Willis affirmed in her testimony.

So, if phone records were to reflect that you were making phone calls from the same location as the condo before Nov. 1 of 2021, and it was on multiple occasions, the phone records would be wrong? Trump attorney Steve Sadow asked Wade last week.

If phone records reflected that, yes, sir. Theyd be wrong, Wade said.

On Friday, Trumps team filed with the court the report from its investigator, who said he used a tool called CellHawk to analyze Wades cellphone data for the first 11 months of 2021. Most of that window is before Wades contract to work for the district attorneys office began, and it is entirely before when prosecutors claim their romance began.

This conservative analysis using the above referenced modality revealed a minimum of 35 occasions when Mr. Wades phone connected for an extended period to either one of those towers in closest proximity to the Dogwood address based upon associated data use, voice calls or text messages. The data reveals he is stationary and not in transit, wrote Charles Mittelstadt, the investigator.

The Hill has reached out to Williss office for comment.

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Mittelstadt, who said he has been specializing in criminal cases for 25 years, wrote that he reviewed Wades call, text and location data received through a records request made to AT&T.

The analysis claims Willis and Wade had just under 12,000 interactions via phone, including more than 2,000 phone calls during the 11-month period.

Mittelstadt highlighted two nights in particular. In September 2021, he said the data shows Wade arrived around Williss condo one night at 10:45 p.m. and remained there until almost 3:30 a.m. About a half-hour later, Wade arrived at his home and sent a text to Willis minutes afterwards, the investigator claimed.

Weeks after Wade began working for Willis, the investigator said, the district attorney called Wade at about 11:30 p.m. According to the analysis, as the call continued, Wade left his home and arrived in the area of Williss residence. He allegedly remained there until 4:55 a.m.

When pressed last week on his time spent in the area, Wade testified that he could have been at nearby locations and not Williss condo, such as the airport, restaurants or Porsche Experience Center, a driver development track.

Both Willis and Wade testified under oath that their relationship began in 2022. If Judge Scott McAfee determines, based on the cellphone data or other evidence, that they lied, it could constitute perjury and endanger their roles in the historic prosecution.

Sadow, Trumps lawyer, told the court that Mittlestadt is available to testify at the Courts convenience.

McAfee previously said that Willis and Wades alleged actions could result in their disqualification if evidence shows an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of one.

This story was updated at 3 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Donald Trump on Thursday urged a federal judge to dismiss his classified documents case in Florida on the basis of presidential immunity, according to a court filing.

"President Trumps alleged decision to designate records as personal under the PRA and cause them to be removed from the White House  which underlies Counts 1 through 32 of the Superseding Indictment  was an official act by the incumbent president," the former president's attorneys wrote in court papers filed in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida.

President Trump is entitled to immunity for this official act and that must include immunity from criminal prosecution, they added.

This image, contained in the indictment against former President Donald Trump, shows boxes of records on Dec. 7, 2021, in a storage room at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., that had fallen over with contents spilling onto the floor. Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents according to an indictment unsealed Friday, June 9, 2023. (Justice Department via AP file)

Trump publicly filed three other motions on Thursday night arguing the charges against him should be dismissed due to the vagueness of a statute Trump was charged with as it relates to presidents, the alleged unconstitutionality of special counsel appointments, and the Presidential Records Act.

Trump's attorneys filed three additional motions that were emailed privately to the court for redaction review.

Trumps attorneys indicated in a filing last month that theyll argue prosecutors carried out a politically motivated and biased probe into his handling of classified documents in an effort to tarnish his 2024 bid.

The former president has pleaded not guilty to charges that accuse him of willfully retaining national defense information in connection with classified documents that were uncovered at his Florida estate more than a year after he left office and allegedly ordering a Mar-a-Lago staffer to delete security video at the property.

Co-defendants Walt Nauta, a top aide, and Carlos De Oliveira, a maintenance supervisor at Mar-a-Lago, have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from allegations that they, too, were involved in an effort to delete security footage.

De Oliveira also filed a motion to dismiss his charges earlier on Thursday.

A federal appeals court rejected a similar immunity argument from Trump this month in his federal election case in Washington, D.C., which was also brought by special counsel Jack Smiths office.

A spokesperson for Smith's office, Peter Carr, said Friday morning that the office declined to comment on Trump's motions.

A panel for U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia found in that case that there was no basis for Trumps claims of blanket immunity for any acts committed while in office.

Trump has appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court. He has pleaded not guilty.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) argued that President Biden is running for reelection so he can stay out of jail.

While attending the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday, Tuberville made an appearance on Newsmax, where he questioned whether Biden is going to be the likely nominee for the Democratic Party in the upcoming election.

I dont know what theyre gonna do, the Alabama senator said, adding that former President Trump is gonna win anyway.

Tuberville predicted the Democratic Party would replace Biden sometime around the Democratic National Convention in August and move somebody in to try to give President Trump a run for his money.

But Joe Biden, he cant win. Hes just trying to stay in there just so hed stay out of jail, to be honest with you, Tuberville continued, in a conversation highlighted by Mediaite.

The Alabama senator argued that about three months ago, he thought Biden would probably make it, but now he has concerns as he sees the president declining. He pointed to a video of Biden walking on a tarmac shuffling his feet, looking at the ground and said we got to have some leadership in this country.

Biden, 81, is facing mounting criticism and questions about his capabilities to handle a second term, as he would be the oldest president to serve in the Oval Office.

In another recent interview, Tuberville suggested that the impeachment inquiry into Biden would likely fail at the moment and said this is all up to the House.

House Republicans approved the impeachment inquiry into Biden last December, but after federal officials found a key source for the GOP made false allegations about the presidents finances, Democrats are saying theres not enough evidence to continue the investigation.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) brushed aside the indictment against the FBI informant over allegedly false claims and said his arrest doesnt change the fundamental facts of the case against Biden.

The inquiry includes deep dives into the personal and business finances of the Biden family.

Where Tuberville, a supporter of Trump, the current GOP front-runner, argues that Biden is campaigning to stay out of prison, others say the same about Trump.

Former GOP candidate Will Hurd argued last year that Trumps running for the third time to avoid jail in the wake of his 91 criminal charges across four state and federal indictments.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When Evan Strickland was 13, he stood in line with his father for 30 minutes in the New Mexico summer sun for the chance to sit in the cockpit of a V-22 Osprey, a unique twin-rotor aircraft used by the U.S. military.

Looking at the photo now, Evans father, Wayland Strickland, choked up. You think about it a little bit more in hindsight, he said.

By 2022, Evan was 19 and a Marine Corps lance corporal stationed in California. He loved to play saxophone, dance for his fellow Marines to make them laugh, and had planned to elope with his girlfriend. On June 8, he headed out for his first flight as a crew chief on an Osprey.

His mother, Michelle Strickland, got a message on Facebook that day from a friend who asked, Have you heard from Evan?

And Im like, No, Michelle recalled. She tells me, Call him.

Evan didnt answer the phone. Wayland Strickland said he told his wife not to invite trouble by worrying. He was heading to bed when he heard a blood-curdling scream. Michelle had opened the front door to see two Marines.

In June, 2022, 19-year-old Evan Strickland was a new Marine who loved to play saxophone, ( Courtesy of Michelle Strickland)

From that second on, your heart is always broken, Wayland said.

From March 2022 to November 2023, 20 service members died in four fatal Osprey crashes. The U.S. military grounded the entire fleet of about 400 V-22 Ospreys used by the Navy, Marines and Air Force after the crash of an Air Force Special Operations Command Osprey off Japan last November killed eight airmen. The military says it has identified and believes it has solved a recurrent problem with the clutch in the Ospreys rotor gearbox that contributed to at least one crash, but it has still not determined root causes for the Ospreys problems  and is weighing a return to operation for the aircraft.

After her sons fatal crash, Michelle Strickland was comforted by Evans Marine friends, whom she called her bonus Marines. One of them, Cpl. Spencer Collart, had served as a pallbearer for Evan.

A little over a year after the funeral, she got a text that another Osprey had gone missing in Australia.

And, you know, right away I was like, Oh, no.  Your heart just sinks. And I remember shaking, kind of showing [Wayland] the phone, like, No, this cant be.

Collart was one of three service members who died in the Australia crash in August 2023.

Osprey crew members and their families, mechanics, veterans and others form a small but worldwide community. People in the community trade stories and information and share their concerns.

A former Osprey mechanic with years of experience who did not want to speak publicly told NBC News, Its hard to find someone in the Osprey community who doesnt know someone who has died. He said he promised his child he would not go back up in an Osprey after he lost a friend in a crash.

After the crash the families who lost loved ones on the June 2022 Swift 11 crash were allowed out onto the range where the crash happened. Lance Corporal Evan Stricklands mother Michelle said she was struck by the desert flowers in bloom at the spot where her sons Osprey had crashed. She picked purple flowers and later found an artist who could press them into a necklace she wears everyday. (Laura Strickler / NBC News)

Mishaps

The V-22 Osprey can take off vertically like a helicopter because of its twin rotor engines. Once airborne, the rotors can be repositioned so that the Osprey flies like a propeller plane. It is designed to transport combat troops for rapid insertion.

The U.S. military has flown the Osprey since 1989. It was controversial, however, because it was crash-prone. From 1989 to 2017, seven accidents killed 41 service members and other passengers.

From 2018 to 2021, there were no fatal crashes. In 2020 and 2021, there were two Class A mishaps, meaning incidents that resulted in a permanent disability to a service member, death or at least $2.5 million in damage to the aircraft, but none of them were fatal. In 2022 and 2023, however, there were 11 Class A mishaps, four of them fatal, according to military data reviewed by NBC News.

In March 2022, a crash in Norway killed four Marines. The accident was later attributed to pilot error.

Less than three months after the Norway crash, the Osprey carrying Evan and four other Marines crashed in the California desert, killing everyone on board including him and Capts. Nicholas P. Losapio and John J. Sax, and Cpls. Nathan E. Carlson and Seth D. Rasmuson.

According to investigators, the June 2022 crash occurred after the aircraft experienced something called a hard clutch engagement, which is when the clutch releases from the rotor system and suddenly reengages, leading to a loss of lift and the risk of a sudden drop.

The Osprey fell so fast, the experienced pilots did not have time to make any radio communications. The fire from the crash was so hot that it destroyed the aircrafts black box, investigators said.

The clutch problem was not new. There were 12 hard clutch engagements from 2010 to 2020, according to data from the Pentagons V-22 Joint Program Office, but none were fatal. Since the California crash, however, there have been another six. The last one was in January 2023.

A U.S. military V-22 Osprey in 2018. (Kyodo News via AP file)

In February 2023, the military said it was 99% sure it had solved the hard clutch engagement problem. A bulletin mandated the replacement of a part called the input quill assembly after 800 hours of flying. But the military still could not offer an explanation for why the problem kept recurring.

A spokesman for the program office told NBC News that the leading theory among engineers involves a partial engagement of some clutches that have been installed for a lengthy period of time, but a definitive root cause has not yet been determined.

In August 2023, the accident in Australia killed Evans friend Collart and two other service members. The cause remains unknown and the investigation is ongoing.

In November 2023, the crash off the coast of the Japanese island of Yakushima killed eight more service members. NBC News reported earlier this week that the Japan crash investigation is focused on the aircrafts proprotor gearbox, which connects the engines to the rotors.

This latest incident has crossed me over into the death trap camp, one current service member wrote in a private Facebook group for the Osprey community. NBC News is not revealing the members name because the comments were shared confidentially.

Part of U.S. military Osprey recovered near crash site (Kyodo via AP file)

Military aviation is an inherently risky endeavor, Keith Wright, chief of public affairs for the Air Force, said in response to a query about the Osprey incidents. Our primary purpose is to defend the nation in air, space, and cyberspace, and critical to that is preserving the combat capabilities our personnel and systems provide by mitigating those risks. There are a variety of reasons mishaps occur, which can include human error, mechanical failure, procedural guidance, or training. Every mishap is different, and each is investigated individually and thoroughly to identify causal factors in efforts to prevent similar mishaps.

Grounded  for now

In December, the military announced it had grounded all its Ospreys as it conducts its investigation. (A few Ospreys have still flown in Djibouti and Okinawa when there were emergencies.)

A spokesperson for Bell-Textron, the Osprey manufacturer, said, Our thoughts are with those who were lost in these incidents, along with their families, friends and loved ones. We are steadfast in our commitment to safety and are fully supporting the investigation.

But the Pentagon is now weighing an end to the fleetwide grounding, U.S. officials say.

In a statement, Neil Lobeda, spokesperson for the militarys Joint Program Office, said, Close coordination among key senior leaders across all three services and the Safety Investigation Board has been paramount in ensuring we are providing our service members with the safest, most reliable aircraft possible. The safety and well-being of our personnel and the reliability of the V-22 continues to be a priority in our discussions as we determine our return to flight plan.

Some in the Osprey community worry that a return to flight is too soon if the military cannot pinpoint a root cause for the Japan crash or the clutch problem that downed the California flight. Knowing what happened is not the same as knowing why.

Families who lost loved ones still want an answer.

If they could come forward and say that and be very specific, then I think the families would be put at ease, especially those who are still flying in the aircraft, but that hasnt happened yet, said Tim Loranger, a lawyer who is representing the families of service members lost in Osprey crashes.

The Stricklands say theyre relieved the Ospreys have been grounded for now and they want the military contractors to thoroughly investigate why the clutch problem exists. Understanding the root cause of this event is crucial not only for our family but for the safety and well-being of all those who serve in the military aboard the V-22, the family said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the last Navy budget included no new Osprey purchases, and some senior military officials anticipate that current Ospreys will only serve as a temporary bridge to a new undetermined option.

There are also concerns that the longer the aircraft stay grounded, and the less pilots can fly, there could be more problems.

A military aviation safety report from 2020 concluded that one of the contributors to fatal accidents was insufficient flight time for pilots.

In 2022, total Osprey flight hours were just over 56,000, according to the Joint Program Office. In 2023, flight hours fell to 47,580.
A building on fire in Valencia

At least four people have died and up to 15 are missing after a massive fire ripped through two joined apartment blocks in the Spanish city of Valencia, emergency services say.

The blaze engulfed a 14-storey block in the Campanar neighbourhood and spread to an adjoining building.

Firefighters were seen rescuing people from balconies.

Experts say that highly flammable cladding on the building enabled the fire to spread rapidly.

The building contains 138 flats and was home to 450 residents, newspaper El Pais reported, citing the building's manager.

At least 14 people, including six firefighters and a young child, have been injured.

More than 20 fire crews tackled the blaze, which was made worse by high winds. By early Friday the block was a giant fire-blackened shell. People were urged to stay away from the area.

A building on fire in Valencia

A man and emergency services at the scene of a fire

Local reports said firefighters had rescued several residents using cranes, including a couple living on the seventh floor.

One woman told TVE she had seen firefighters attempting to rescue a teenage boy trapped on the building's first floor.

Luis Ibanez, who lives nearby, told TVE he had looked out of a window and saw the flames engulfing the block "within a matter of minutes", saying it was "as if it was made of cork".

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The whole side of the building directly opposite was on fire."

One man who lives on the second floor of the building told TV channel La Sexta that the flames grew rapidly after the fire started, reportedly on the fourth floor.

"The fire spread in a matter of 10 minutes," he said, adding that material on the facade of the building may have caused the fire to spread.

Questions have been asked in Spain about the materials used in construction of the building, which was built in 2008-09.

Esther Puchades, vice president of the College of Industrial Technical Engineers of Valencia, told Spanish news agency Efe she had previously inspected the building.

She said its exterior featured a polyurethane material, which is no longer in wide use because of fears over flammability. It also has an aluminium covering.

"The reason the [building] burned so fast is because of this type of cladding," she told Spanish media.

The cladding has been described by experts as effective for heat insulation but the ventilation, or gap, between it and the covering means it can be highly flammable.

Luis Sendra, of Valencia's architects' association, said this can cause a "chimney effect", allowing fires to spread more quickly.

The issue of cladding recalls the 2017 tragedy at London's Grenfell Tower. The cladding was blamed for helping flames to spread when that fire broke, resulting in 72 deaths.

Fire in Valencia

Firefighters were called at around 17:30 local time (16:30 GMT). A field hospital has been set up in the area, RTVE reported. People displaced from their homes would be housed in hotels, authorities said.

Writing on X (formerly known as Twitter) Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: "Dismayed by the terrible fire in a building in Valencia... I want to convey my solidarity to all the people affected and recognition to all the emergency personnel already deployed at the scene."

The mayor of Valencia has announced that days of official mourning will be declared in the city.

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Vice Media will no longer publish content on its website, with the former digital media darling joining BuzzFeed in slashing additional staff this week.

Vice also plans to lay off several hundred workers as it shifts a studio-only business model, CEO Bruce Dixon told employees in a memo delivered late Thursday, the Associated Press reported. The women's lifestyle site Refinery 29 would continue to run, with Vice in advanced talks to sell the business, Dixon told staffers.

Vice filed for bankruptcy last May before being sold for $350 million to a consortium led by private equity firm Fortress Investment Group, which had been listed as its biggest creditor. Fortress is majority-owned by an Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment.

Vice didn't respond to a request for comment.

Dixon's missive underlines the startling descent for a media firm once acclaimed for its reporting and emulated by larger industry players eager to reach younger audiences. What started off as an alt-music and culture magazine in the 1990s in Montreal at its height had a market valuation of $5.7 billion, before difficulties began piling up, including management conflicts, a sharp slowdown in online ad spending and plunge in traffic stemming from social media platforms.

What is a WARN notice?

In New York, private companies with 50 or more employees are legally required to give at least 90 days notice before a mass layoff. That's defined as involving at least 25 full-time employees who represent at least a third of workers during a six-month period, or at least 250 full-time workers.

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act also requires employers to provide advance warnings before plants are temporarily or permanently closed or their operations relocated.

Already thinned by multiple rounds of layoffs, BuzzFeed this week said it would sell Complex, a startup company known for covering pop culture, and cut an additional 16% of its staff. Vice and BuzzFeed are among a number of digital outlets announcing layoffs this year. The Messenger closed abruptly in January and Business Insider slashed its staff by 8%.

Traditional media outlets have also pared their ranks, with most major news publishers confronting sharp drops in online traffic as more online users turned to alternatives including TikTok and Instagram. The list of media players announcing layoffs over the past year includes Conde Nast; Los Angeles Times; Paramount Global, the owner of CBS News; Vox Media; Wall Street Journal; and Washington Post.

Media companies announced more than 21,000 job cuts in in 2023, up 467% from the previous year, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Of those layoffs, nearly 3,100 were in digital, broadcast and print news.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A woman who left the United Kingdom to join ISIS at the age of 15 has lost her Court of Appeal challenge over the decision to remove her British citizenship.

Shamima Begum flew to Syria in 2015 with two school friends to join the terror group. While there, she married an ISIS fighter and spent several years living in Raqqa.

Begum then reappeared in al-Hawl, a Syrian refugee camp, in 2019. She made international headlines as an ISIS bride after pleading with the UK government to be allowed to return to her home country for the birth of her son.

Then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid removed her British citizenship in February that year, and Begums newborn son died in a Syrian refugee camp the following month. She told UK media she had two other children prior to that baby, who also died in Syria during infancy.

Begum pictured at Syria's Roj Camp in 2021. - Sam Tarling/Getty Images

Giving the ruling on whether the government decision was lawful, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said, according to PA Media: It could be argued the decision in Ms Begums case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune.

But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view.

Fridays ruling does not necessarily signal the end of Begums legal battle. Alexander dos Santos, an extradition barrister, told Sky News in the aftermath of the ruling that there is at least some potential for her lawyers to appeal again.

He pointed to Begum being left stateless as grounds for this, something her lawyers have argued the British government has not fully considered the consequences of.

Begum has made several public appeals as she fought against the governments decision, most recently appearing in BBC documentary The Shamima Begum Story and a 10-part BBC podcast series.

In the podcast series she insisted that she is not a bad person. While accepting that the British public viewed her as a danger and a risk, Begum blamed this on her media portrayal.

Her lawyers have argued she was a victim of child trafficking, and that the decision was unlawful as it rendered her stateless.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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This marked a 317 per cent rise between from the previous six-moth period of January to June, whereby only 19 such notifications were recorded.

The OAIC also said the volume of secondary notifications may be indicative of the level of multi-party breach reporting or may relate to a primary notification received in a prior reporting period.

In total, the July to December 2023 period saw 483 data breaches reported to the OAIC, up 19 per cent from the first half of the year.

"The increased occurrence of incidents that affect multiple parties is a reason we are seeing data breaches grow in complexity, scale and impact," said Australian Information Commissioner Angelene Falk.

"Organisations need to proactively address privacy risks in contractual agreements with third-party service providers."

Malicious or criminal attacks remained the leading source of data breaches, accounting for 322 notifications, with the majority of those -- 211 notifications -- being cyber security incidents.

Human error was the second major cause at 30 per cent, while system error took up just 2 per cent.

The health and finance sectors remained the top reporters of data breaches, with 104 and 49 notifications respectively.

Alarmingly, ransomware and compromised credentials were the second highest type of breach, both sitting at 27 per cent. Phishing took the top spot at 28 per cent.

Hacking and malware took the next two spots with 10 and 5 per cent respectively, while brute physical force for credentials amounted to 3 per cent.

"Organisations need to proactively address privacy risks in contractual agreements with third-party service providers.

"This includes having clear processes and policies in place for handling personal information and a data breach response plan that assigns roles and responsibilities for managing an incident and meeting regulatory reporting obligations," Falk added.
Joshi's mortal remains were kept at his Matunga home where his supporters and leaders have gone to pay their last respects

Family members, relatives and others during the funeral of former Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi, at the Shivaji Park crematorium, in Mumbai, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Mumbai: Former Lok Sabha Speaker and Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi died in the wee hours of Friday at a private hospital in Mumbai. and He was 86 years old. Joshi's mortal remains were kept at his Matunga home where his supporters and leaders have gone to pay their last respects. In the evening, Mr Joshi's funeral was held at Shivaji Park Crematorium in Dadar. He was accorded state honour.

According to the hospital, Mr. Joshi on Wednesday had a cardiac arrest. He was severely ill and under constant observation of expert doctors in an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of the hospital. He was receiving the best treatment. Unfortunately, he passed away today, reads the statement issued by the hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and other political leaders cutting across party lines expressed sorrow over the death of Joshi and paid rich tributes to him. Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais and chief minister Eknath Shinde laid wreaths on the mortal remains of the former chief minister of Maharashtra.

Joshi, who was a veteran Shiv Sena leader and close aide of the Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, had served in many capacities from mayor to chief minister to Lok Sabha speaker. He became the first chief minister of the undivided Shiv Sena during 1995-1999. Subsequently, he was also elected as a member of Lok Sabha in 1999 and served as the Union Heavy Industries Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's regime from 1999 to 2002. Post this, he served as the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004. He was also a Member of Rajya Sabha from 2006 to 2012.

Mr. Joshi, who was also affectionately called as Joshi Sir in Maharashtra, was born on December 2, 1937, at Nandavi in Raigad district of the coastal Konkan region of the state. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) in Mumbai. He had started his career as a teacher and entered politics in 1967.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray remembered Mr. Joshi was committed Shiv Sainik and always stood by Bala Saheb Thackeray. Manohar Joshi was a loyal and committed Shiv Sainik. During tough times, he stood by Balasaheb Thackeray, he said.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde said that Joshi Sir was a disciplined leader. His contribution for the development of Maharashtra is hugeWhen I became the chief minister, I went to take his blessings at his home. He guided me. In true sense, he carried forward the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray, Mr. Shinde said.
The writer is based in South India for the past 40 years. He writes on India, China, Tibet and Indo-French relations.

A separate event needs to be noticed: the closure of the Kailash Yatra to Indian pilgrims.

Western Tibet has a rich historical background, particularly in proximity to Mount Kailash, near the trijunction between India, Nepal and Tibet.

It is the case of Purang/Taklakot and a place called Toyo, located a few kilometres away, which have gone down in history for the epic battle between the Dogras of Gen. Zorawar Singh and the Tibetans troops.

In December 1841, the Dogra troops, who had just conquered Western Tibet (known as Ngari), were defeated by the Tibetans -- and also by the winter.

The great Tibetan historian, Tsepon Shakabpa, thus described the battle of Taklakot/Toyo: The Tibetan government quickly dispatched U Dapon [Gen.] Shedra Wangchuk Gyelpo and the U Tsang [Central Tibet] militia under the leadership of Cabinet minister Pellhun; when they arrived in Ngari, one regiment of the foreign army [the Dogras] was stationed at Rutok [near Pangong-tso], another was at Trashigang [near Demchok on the Ladakh border], and a third was at Rupsho [in Ladakh]. Secret preparations were made for the Tibetan troops to confront each [Dogra] unit. Zorawar Singh and the most seasoned [Dogra] troops, who were stationed at Taklakhar [Taklakot] Castle [in fact in Toyo] were confronted In the eleventh month [December 1841], during the coldest weather of the year, the Tibetan troops attacked from all directions simultaneously.

The fate of Zorawar Singh and his troops were sealed, according to Shakabpa: Three days after the fighting began, heavy snow fell. Thus, the Sikh troops who were at Taklakot became frozen solid. Trembling under their difficulties, the Sikhs were attacked by the Tibetans in terrible hand-to-hand fighting While Zorawar Singh was riding his horse, rushing back and forth, he was recognized by a Yasor called Mikmar. He threw a spear and Zorawar Singh fell from his horse. Leaping off of his own horse, Mikmar cut Singhs head off and carried it into the middle of the Tibetan camp. This was seen by the Sikh [Dogra] soldiers, and they fled in whatever way they could.

A few months later, Maharaja Gulab Singh smashed the Tibetan forces trying to invade Ladakh. Dapon Zurkhang and Dapon Pelzhi were captured and taken to Leh, where a peace treaty was signed between the Dogras and the Tibetans, confirming once more the traditional border between Ladakh and Tibet. The tomb of Zorawar Singh still exists in Toyo, which has recently come in the news, but for different reasons.

An article in the Chinese media mentions a newly-built village in Toyo: China continues to promote the improvement of the rural living environment, paying close attention to greening [the area], beautification and [water] purification; the changes in Toyo are a concrete manifestation of the Ngari regions efforts to build a beautiful and livable countryside.

During the past three years, in Western Tibet alone, a total of 31 projects have been implemented to build liveable, industrial and beautiful villages, a local Communist Party cadre explains; in his jargon that it will be: in accordance with the principles of beautiful leisure villages, happy and liveable villages, clean and tidy villages.

But why a new village in Toyo?

Says Newsweek: China appears to have completed the construction of a new dam in the countrys southwestern border regions, a project that could have far-reaching strategic implications for its southern neighbours India and Nepal. Built on the Mapcha Tsangpo (or Peacock river, also known as Ghaghara or Saryu in India and Karnali in Nepal), it is a perennial source of fresh water water supply to the downstream populations.

What is strange is that the existence of this hydropower plant, located close to the Indian border, has not appeared in any published Chinese plan earlier.

Though satellite imagery only shows a medium river-of-the-river dam, without a large reservoir, India downstream should be concerned.

But there is more.

A new airport is coming up a couple of kilometres north of the hydropower plant and the model village. In June 2018, the Civil Aviation Administration of China had announced that Tibet would soon have three new airports. The Chinese-language press had given some information about the location of these three airports: one was to be located in Lhuntse, north of Arunachal Pradesh, the second was north of a border post with Nepal and the last in Purang.

Chinese website seetao.com explained: These three airports can be used for civilian use in peacetime, military aircraft training on the plateau; direct military use in wartime, holding military operations, will be able to play a very important role.

Though many in India had forgotten about this announcement, the airport is now functional; on November 10, 2023, videos of the newly-built airfield appeared on the Chinese social media.

These three developments (model village, hydropower station and airport) should be seen as one, undoubtedly all are for dual (civil and military) use.

A separate occurrence needs to be noticed: the closure of the Kailash Yatra to Indian pilgrims. The 6,638-metre-tall diamond-shaped mountain is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva and also one of the most sacred places in the Jain, Buddhist and Bon religions.

For centuries, pilgrims from India have visited the holy site; since the 1990s, they could cross into Tibet via Lipulekh Pass in Pittoragarh district and later enter Tibet via Nathu-la in Sikkim.

After the Doklam incident in 2017, the Indian yatris were not allowed to use these routes anymore.

As Beijing ignored Kathmandus request to permit the aerial sightseeing of Mount Kailash, Nepali tour operators decided to offer the yatris an alternative and a large number of devotees started using the Nepal route from Simikot to Purang by chartered helicopters; unfortunately, the scheme was subsequently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

After the scheme reopened for Nepalis in 2022, the Chinese authorities did not allow Indian visitors to fly to Purang, though last year alone, Nepali tour operators received over 50,000 bookings from Indian pilgrims for the sacred pilgrimage.

According to the Kathmandu Post, a new alternative has been found: a flight could remain in Nepalese territory and have a remote darshan of the sacred mountain: Shree Airlines operated a first-of-its-kind aerial pilgrimage tour of the holy places, making the pilgrims dream come true without a Chinese visa -- explained a communique last week.

It is clear that China does not want Indians to have a real darshan of the holy mountain, or even come close to the place where Zorawar Singh is buried; and these latest developments in the area explain why.
Trapped Indian nationals have reportedly sought help in returning to India

NEW DELHI: On the eve of the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that falls on Saturday, India on Friday said it is aware that a few Indian nationals have been recruited in support jobs with the Russian Army, adding that it is in talks with Moscow for the early discharge of such individuals.

New Delhi also asked all Indian nationals to stay away from this conflict. This comes after reports that some Indian nationals were duped and fraudulently recruited by foreign private militia groups as non-combatant security helpers with the Russian Army but who were then forced to fight at the battlefront after basic weapons training.

These trapped Indian nationals have reportedly sought help in returning to India.

In a statement on Friday in response to media queries regarding Indians caught in conflict in Russia, New Delhi said, We are aware that a few Indians have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army. The Indian Embassy has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge. We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict.

According to recent media reports, the duped Indian nationals had been promised high salaries as non-combatant security helpers for the Russian Army by unscrupulous recruitment agents during a visit to Dubai last year following which they had returned to India and then had been taken to Russia on visitors visas.
The Cambodian parliament approved the appointment of Hun Sens youngest son. After leading the country as PM from 1985 to 2023, the 71-year-old is set to become Senate speaker. Meanwhile, a new movement led by Mu Sochua has emerged in exile seeking to help Cambodians stand up.

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/Agencies)  After Hun Sen handed power over to his eldest son, Hun Manet, last August, his youngest son, Many, is getting the post of deputy prime minister, following a unanimous vote by the Cambodian parliament.

Hun Many, who was already Minister of Civil Service in his brothers cabinet, is now the eleventh deputy prime minister, joining the offspring of many other top leaders in the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), which has virtually banned all opposition forces.

Hun Manet justified his brother's appointment by saying that it is in line with the need for highest efficiency of the governments policy. As for accusations of nepotism, It just so happens that the minister has the same family name as me, he noted.

Meanwhile, Cambodians will go to the polls next Sunday to elect the Senate; last year, the CPP won 120 out of 125 seats in the National Assembly.

One of the people they can elect is Hun Sen, 71, who ruled the country from 1985 to 2023. He is running in Kandal, which he represented as an MP since 1993. Few doubt that he will win and eventually become the Speaker of the Senate.

Cambodias upper house has only 62 members, two appointed by the king, two by the National Assembly, and 58 elected by the members of municipal councils, all controlled by the ruling party. The vote is unlikely to have any surprises.

Following the governments crackdown, Cambodias opposition has been trying to reorganise abroad.

Mu Sochua, the former vice president of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (which is outlawed in Cambodia) resigned in order to lead the Khmer Movement for Democracy (KMD), a movement of exiles set up in Washington, DC last September.

Decades of corruption and authoritarian rule have left our people impoverished, our democracy dismantled, and our natural resources plundered, reads a KMD statement.

The latter does not want to just turn into another opposition political party, but its goal is to work to unite Cambodians around the world.

The immediate goals within the next six months are to send messages to people to stop their fear, to work with NGOs, to do work to urge the Paris Agreement signatories to fulfil their duties and to initiate people to stand up and stop crying and being afraid, Mu Sochua said.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

After his re-election as president and a few tweaks to the constitution and the system of power, Tokaev insists less and less on democratic reforms in the country, urging a focus on the economy. Going so far as to deny the existence of political prisoners despite the closed-door trials of personalities accused of 'extremism'.

Astana (AsiaNews) - The speeches of the president of Kazakhstan, Kasym-Zomart Tokaev, in recent months have insisted less and less on the country's democratic reforms, and instead focus on economic developments.

The political scientist Salkar Nurseit intervenes on Radio Azattyk, who from the analysis of these public declarations deduces a return to the classic authoritarianism of the first thirty years of Tokaev's predecessor, the Elbasy ("father of the country") Nursultan Nazarbaev, therefore from the de-Elbasyzation today we are moving on to the "new Elbasy" regime.

After his re-election as president and some adjustments to the constitution and the system of power, Tokaev tried to dismiss the issue by stating that "we have carried out the necessary reforms, now is the time for economic growth", especially starting from the message to parliament in September 2023.

This is in fact Nazarbaev's typical slogan: first the economy, then politics. According to his successor, today Kazakhstan "is a democratic country", even if it seems rather a not very successful imitation of democracy.

According to Nurseit, "nothing prevents the president from introducing all the constitutional changes that suit him, or that simply come into his head", and several have been introduced in the last two years.

The reforms in fact did not limit the prerogatives of the president at all levels, and the demonstration was the choice of the new prime minister Alikhan Smailov, which in theory should have been a prerogative of the parliament, but in an interview with the newspaper Egemen Qazaqstan he Tokaev himself candidly admitted that it was he who proposed it to the majority Amanat party.

In 2019, when Nazarbaev handed over the presidential seat to him, Tokaev pronounced the formula of "strong president - incisive parliament - executive government", and it seems that the first of the three conditions was especially respected.

Even if in the last two years the presidential rhetoric insists on de-Nazarbaevization, in fact Tokaev has retained all the prerogatives of his predecessor, as the expert points out, and as is evident in the recent repression of social activists of various groups, and also of independent journalists.

Before becoming president, when he was president of the senate of the capital then called Nur-Sultan and then returned to Astana, Tokaev expressed himself much more openly, using social channels extensively. Today in the new bill "On the mass media" many limitations are foreseen on the freedom of expression of the local and international press, by direct will of the president, who according to Nurseit "in 2023 did not pay any attention to the protection of rights and freedoms .

The political scientist goes so far as to define current Kazakhstan as "a police state", with excesses of power of the police and security structures. In January Tokaev declared that there are no political prisoners in Kazakhstan, as there are no rules in the legislation providing for the persecution of citizens for their political opinions.

So according to this logic, if there is no law that provides for censorship or repression, it means that these problems do not exist.

Activist Marat Zhylanbaev, leader of the unregistered party Alga, Kazakhstan! was recently sentenced to seven years' imprisonment in a closed court session on charges of extremism, as also happened to other public figures such as the journalist Karim Mukhammedkarim and others, for example the ex-president of the security services Karim Masimov, "scapegoat" for the January 2022 riots, always sentenced behind closed doors.

As Nurseit points out, "the president talks less and less about human rights, democracy and liberal reforms", and despite his formal distancing from Moscow's politics and wars, "in Tokaev's foreign policy the interests of the Russia".
Inspired by the document signed by Pope Francis and Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the first location of the Human Fraternity restaurant chain has been active for a few weeks, providing complete, free meals to people in need. The restaurant is doing very well" and has had "positive" feedback, aiming to guarantee food for 5,000 families every year, said Mgr Gaid Yoannis Lazhi speaking to AsiaNews. Meanwhile, more initiatives are planned for Ramadan.

Cairo (AsiaNews)  This is a "dream come true" conceived and developed in the name of "humanity, fraternity, solidarity, and love" among people at a time of extreme need, said Fr Gaid Yoannis Lazhi, speaking about the mission of a restaurant named Fratello (Brother) that opened in the Egyptian capital Cairo on 9 January.

The place "works very well both in offering meals to disadvantaged families and in receiving donations from people and institutions" in support of the initiative itself, Mgr Lazhi explained.

"We are seeing a very positive response and several Arab TV channels have visited the restaurant and done some positive reports, added the clergyman, who is a former personal secretary of Pope Francis and Holy See representative on the High Committee for Human Fraternity.

Egypt's Minister of Social Solidarity Nevin Al-Kabbaj attended the inauguration of the new eatery, the first of the Human Fraternity restaurant chain, which saw the light of day thanks to a 20 per cent financial contribution from the Egyptian government.

In addition to the minister and Mgr Lazhi, the event saw the participation of Ambassador Nabila Makram, former Egyptian Minister of State for Migration and Egyptians Abroad, founder and chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Fahim Foundation for Psychological Support, as well as Osama Al-Azhari, advisor to the President of Egypt.

Several ambassadors and influential Egyptian and foreign public figures were also present, as were a group of families from across Egypt who were the first to take advantage of the restaurants assistance.

In May 2023, the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity and the Human Fraternity Foundation signed a protocol whereby the latters restaurants would provide nutritionally complete and free meals to families in need.

Meals will be provided to everyone through the contribution of those who can bear the cost in favour of those who cannot.

The target is to guarantee food for 5,000 families every year, explained Mgr Lazhi, who also chairs the Bambino Gesu association, a Cairo-based non-profit organisation, and former head of the Church of St Francis in the Abrahamic Family House, United Arab Emirates.

In addition, during the (Muslim sacred) month of Ramadan, three to five events will be organised to feed 2,500 people, the clergyman added, with families welcomed every day between 1 and 3 pm", each with at least six to eight people.

The restaurant offers the same menu for everyone, with many options, including meals for children with complete nutritional value, like what is often referred to as a happy meal in regular restaurants.

Speaking about the initiative, which will continue and expand, the Minister of Social Solidarity Nevin Al-Kabbaj stressed that fraternity represents the universal bond of humanity, regardless of class affiliation, religious faith, or political ideas.

"Helping to guarantee these rights is everyone's duty, especially financial institutions and economically advantaged groups," Kabbaj said, noting that the Human Fraternity Foundation is a "non-profit charity.

Finally, the minister renewed his appeal "in support of human fraternity, conforming to the values and principles of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb."

For her part, Ambassador Nabila Makram, of the Fahim Foundation, spoke about the protocol of cooperation signed by the Human Fraternity Foundation and her foundation.

She expressed appreciation for the restaurant project by the Human Fraternity Foundation, which constitutes a form of psychological support for the neediest groups and, at the same time, a form of support for families."

Founded in 2022, the Human Fraternity Foundation has become a leading civil society actor in Egypt in two short years with various projects, like the "Oasis of Mercy" orphanage, medical convoys, the Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital in Cairo (the first papal hospital outside Italy), and the School of Human Fraternity for people with disabilities, as well as the "Fratello" restaurant chain.

The charity has developed thanks to people who have worked hard, tirelessly and with dedication", Mgr Lazhi said, leading to the opening of the first restaurant in record time.

"We all know how important goodness, humanity, fraternity, solidarity and love are, the clergyman said. They help to be better, be more useful to ourselves and others, to leave some positive sign or effect on the paths of life. We all hope to reduce the suffering that surrounds us.
Dozens of houses collapsed from landslides caused by heavy snow. For Luca Lo Presti, head of Fondazione Pangea Onlus, we will never know the real number of victims. The Italian non-profit has been in Afghanistan for decades supporting the local population, while many NGOs have been unable to send aid due to the lack of infrastructure in the mountainous province, which has no hospitals.

Kabul (AsiaNews)  The situation in the Afghan province of Nuristan is desperate after heavy snowfall caused major landslides this week.

The region is not covered by international cooperation. Only we have a presence here, in Noorgram district, and the means available to the Taliban are inadequate to meet all the needs," said Luca Lo Presti, president of the Fondazione Pangea Onlus, a non-profit organisation present in Afghanistan for decades, speaking to AsiaNews.

It is hard to get information out and no one is doing anything. People are digging through the rubble with their bare hands in search of family members, Lo Presti said.

This morning, village leaders met to count the missing and decide how to deal with the situation. Five days after the disaster, the only aid that has come from Taliban authorities is "biscuits".

Recent official reports mention 30 deaths, "but we will never know the real number of victims" Lo Presti noted. "It is likely that most are women and children at home at the time of the avalanche, "but many bodies will not likely be found."

Hydro-geological instability is nothing new in Afghanistan, whose infrastructure is inadequate and tragedies of this type are frequent.

"Village houses are nestled in the mountains. At the first failure, everything collapses. They are very beautiful areas from a scenic point of view, but life is hard."

The Fondazione Pangea, which runs schools for children in Nuristan, is planning to build a local clinic, but has, in the meantime, organised lorries with humanitarian aid, bringing tents, blankets, and food.

We are waiting for Taliban approval to send vehicles from Kabul because there are many checkpoints," the president of the non-profit organisation said. I don't think we'll have any problems getting the necessary passes. In other emergencies, like earthquakes, we had none.

Short of funds, even the Taliban probably recognise the importance of international cooperation groups working on the ground.

After the Taliban came back to power in August 2021, Afghanistan fell off the radar. International funds intended for the previous government were frozen, because the United States and the international community refuse to recognise the Taliban government.

Most of the population today lives below the poverty line, while bans imposed by the Taliban prevent women and girls from accessing education and jobs outside the home.

Yet, Paradoxically, despite the presence of Islamic State fighters in the country, with the end of the war, we have access to areas that were previously hard to reach because of the fighting, while little has changed for the local population, Lo Presti explained.

The men and women affected by the landslides are strangers to international affairs. They were born in these villages and have always lived there, on the margins of the world politics that touched Afghanistan for many years.

Despite the tragedy, Pangea has been lucky enough to have a stable presence thanks to the ties built over the years, whereas other NGOs are unable to send aid. Nuristan is a mountainous and remote region and roads are often impassable; some villages can only be reached on foot.

There are no hospitals either. We presented a project to build a clinic because it is too tiring, in particular for women in labour, to be taken down into the valley, so childbirth mortality rates are very high.

For Afghans, left to fend for themselves, Pangeas presence is crucial. The non-profit foundation works to protect and support women in India and Italy as well.

"Every donation, which can be made through our website, is very important to us, Lo Presti said, because we are depleting our reserves to cope with the emergency.
5 Legal Ways to Profit Off Your Body

How to Make Bank by (Legally!) Selling Your Body

Find yourself strapped for cash a little more often than you would like? Contemplating taking on a part-time job to make ends meet? Sure, you could do that  but at what price? Yes, youd be paying the bills, but youll probably be cutting into your social life, too. Maybe you should consider making some extra money another way: by selling your body.

RELATED: How to Make Money on the Side

Now, were not talking prostitution here. What we are talking about is making bank off your blood, your baby-making juice, and everything in between. Whether youre looking to rake in $100 a week donating plasma or up to $1,500 a month for ejaculting into a cup, selling your bodys precious byproducts can prove to be a lucrative side hustle.

Here are five ways to nab extra cash if you find yourself in a pinch:

Sell Your Sperm

With more and more prospective parents relying on artificial insemination to start a family, the U.S. sperm market is booming. While some countries such as Canada and Australia prohibit men from selling their seed, here in the good ol U.S. of A., compensation depends on which sperm bank you go to and the quality of your little soldiers.

Some places will tell you straight up what they pay for each sample  Seattle Sperm Bank, for example, compensates donors $70 for each approved donation  while others, like Manhattan Cryobank and Northwest Cryobank (which has three locations in Washington State), say you can only earn up to $1,500 per month. If you break it down, though, that equates to three donations per week at a rate of $125 each. Whether you consider that a lot or a little, its extra money for something you likely (read: definitely) do anyway.

Not every guy can make a quick buck with his babymakers, however, as sperm banks tend to be pretty choosy. Donors at California Cryobank, for instance, which has four locations nationwide and claims to be the worlds No. 1 physician-recommended sperm bank, must be at least 5 feet, 8 inches tall, between the ages of 19 and 38, a current two- or four-year college student or graduate and in good physical health (as established by a physical exam, multiple screenings for infectious diseases, a genetic screening, and an evaluation of family history).

California Cryobank is extremely selective in the donor selection process and only accepts about 1 percent of the 20,000-plus donor applicants each year, says Scott Brown, the companys communications VP.

Once you get past the rigmarole, how often and when you donate throughout the month is up to you; one to two times per week is fairly standard, adds Brown.

So, whats the catch? Well, besides the fact that youll likely need to refrain from ejaculating (whether via sex or masturbation) for at least two days prior to making a donation, theres also the whole business of fathering children that you may never meet, or who, at some point in the future, might want to reach out to you. Though some still do, not all sperm banks offer the option to make an anonymous donation anymore. California Cryobank, for one, stopped accepting anonymous donors in 2015. For those interested, Sperm Bank Directory is a great place to check out to help find the right sperm bank for you.

Sell Your Blood

Plasma, the clear liquid portion of your blood, is used to create products that can help people with blood clotting disorders and other diseases. As with sperm, you can get paid for donating yours. Though the process, which involves getting your blood drawn, your plasma separated, and then having the blood returned to your body, is a tad extensive, you can make up to $400 a month, according to CSL Plasma, a self-described leader in plasma collection with numerous centers scattered across the U.S.

The good news here is that there arent nearly as many criteria to meet as with donating sperm. Generally speaking, you need to be at least 18 years of age (but no older than 65) and weigh at least 110 pounds. When you go to donate for the first time, the donation center will put you through a screening process that involves taking an initial blood test, have you fill out a questionnaire, and subject you to a physical exam. Make it past this relatively low threshold and youre golden.

While there is minimal risk and few to no side effects involved in selling your plasma, some donors may experience slight bruising where the needle was inserted in their arm. According to Octapharma Plasma, a U.S.-based company that runs more than 80 collection centers, its also possible you might feel dizzy or lightheaded after donating. Because plasma is made mostly of water and proteins and takes up to 48 hours to replenish, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration dictates that donors can give up to only twice a week.

This plasma site will help you find find a certified donation center near you. And similar to plasma, there is money to be made from selling your platelets  tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. These little buggers help millions of Americans survive and fight cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Typically, selling platelets will earn you about as much as you would for selling plasma, and the donation process is practically identical.

Sell Your Hair

Tired of that big ol man bun youve been rocking since 2015? It could be the perfect time to chop it off for some cash. If your mane is at least six inches long, an inch or more thick, and has never been dyed, bleached, colored, or otherwise chemically treated, you may literally have some dollar bills growing out of your head.

Ad listings on Just Sell My Hair, a U.S.-based site that acts as a middle man for buyers and sellers, run anywhere from $50 up to $10,000 (though dont expect to find many buyers at that price point). Another fairly popular option, Hair Sellon, out of the U.K., is also worth checking out.

Both sites come equipped with hair price calculators to help you figure out what your luscious locks are worth, but the selling price is completely up to you. There can also be certain fees involved in placing an ad on sites such as these  HairSellon.coms $14.50 fee for a three-month listing, for instance  so be on the lookout for that.

Enter Clinical Trials

If you dont mind being used as a human guinea pig, taking part in clinical research might prove to be a lucrative side hustle. Clinical research involving human volunteers is intended to add to general medical knowledge, and if youre interested, there are two ways to get your foot in the door: clinical trials or observational studies.

While some of these studies involve you being poked and prodded, others allow you to walk away a couple thousand dollars richer just for allowing researchers to watch you sleep. You can find plenty of paid clinical trials at this website here. Another idea would be to check out what your local universitys research department is up to.

Before deciding to become a test subject, though, it might be a good idea to first seek advice from your regular doctor as well  you know, just to make sure youre not putting yourself in harms way.

Sell Your Poop (No, Really!)

Yes, this is a real thing, as well as a serious help to the thousands of Americans who contract an infection known as Clostridium difficile each year. According to the folks over at the Microbiome Health Research Institute, a nonprofit organization based out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, that does business as OpenBiome, half a million Americans contract C. diff annually and one in five patients will see the infection come back even after taking antibiotics.

Enter fecal microbiota transplantation  FMT for short  a treatment that has proven effective in curing 85 percent of patients after the first try. During FMT, a fecal preparation from a carefully screened, healthy stool donor is transplanted into the colon of the patient, it says on OpenBiomes site. There are multiple routes of administration (e.g. via colonoscopy, naso-enteric tube, capsules), each of which has unique risks and benefits.

While there are procedural risks that come with receiving an FMT, donors arent exactly putting much at stake in selling their stool. Other places may do things a little differently, but at OpenBiome, would-be donors fill out an extensive questionnaire, attend an in-person interview, and go through at least two rounds of rigorous screenings for known infectious agents, including blood and stool tests. If your crap makes the cut (literally), you are then required to drop off donations (worth $40 each) several days a week for at least 60 days.

Oh, whats that? Nothing, just the sound of your bank account increasing. Ka-Ching.

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This property at 40 North Star Circle is the subject of an investigation by the U.S. government into sanctioned Russian oligarch Andrey Kostin, who faces criminal charges for allegedly concealing his ownership in the home and transferring it for $12 million to a co-conspirator, according to a criminal indictment unsealed Thursday.
It was on December 7, 1972 when the Apollo 17 mission landed on the Moon. It was to be America's last crewed mission to Earth's natural satellite, but it also happens to have become the country's final mission of any kind to the place. Until this week, that is.

After a pause of more than 50 years, during which time it focused more on Mars and other places in our solar system, the U.S. has finally landed something on the Moon. A collaborative effort between NASA and a private space company called Intuitive Machines, the Nova-C-class lander called Odysseus successfully touched down on the barren surface of the rock.The IM-1 mission, as it's called, lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on February 15. It was powered by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.The mission is the second of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, an effort meant to enlist the help of private companies in advancing the goals of the Artemis Moon exploration push. The first one, the Peregrine lander made by a company named Astrobotic, failed earlier in January.As per the details provided by the space agency, the Odysseus touched down on the surface of Luna at 5:23 PM CST on Thursday, February 22. The operation was not without problems, as a number of technical issues that ultimately proved irrelevant caused a delay in the initial landing schedule.Odysseus' arrival on the Moon not only marks America's return there in more than a century, but it will also enter the history books as the moment when the nation managed its first commercial Moon soft landing The Intuitive Machine carries with it a total of 12 science experiments, six from NASA and the rest from private partners. One of the space agency's most important onboard cargo is the Lunar Node-1 navigational experiment, which will be used to test whether a land-based navigation network could be established on the surface.The private experiments, on the other side, range from artwork sent up there by Jeff Koons to thermal reflective insulation.Perhaps the most interesting of all these private experiments is the camera system called EagleCam, which was used to snap the "world's first-ever third-person picture of a spacecraft making an extraterrestrial landing." We're still waiting to see if it succeeded so we can enjoy the view.As for the lander itself, we're talking about a piece of hardware that is 14 feet (4.3 meters) high and weighs 1,488 pounds (675 kg). It can carry at most 286 pounds (130 kg) of science with it.The estimated duration of the IM-1 mission to the Moon is just seven days, because after that the long lunar night will descend over the Malapert A, where the thing touched down, and chances are it will render Odysseus and its cargo inoperable.
Ducati is one of the biggest names in motorcycle making, its greatness coming not only from the products it sells to the general public but also from the many racing exploits it is involved in. And on top of it all, the two-wheelers wearing the Ducati logo are often likened by fans to the machines with double the number of wheels another Italian icon, Ferrari, is making. And that's a bit weird, considering how the company is owned by Ferrari's greatest rival, Lamborghini.

Cucciolo

Photo: Ducati

The Desmo family

Photo: Ducati

Photo: Ducati

The Testastretta family

Photo: Ducati

The V4 Granturismo

Photo: Ducati

The Superquadro family

Photo: Ducati

The company was born in 1928 in Bologna as Societa Scientifica Radiobrevetti Ducati, and it was originally in the business of making radio components. Somehow, despite the many challenges it faced, including Allied bombs dropping on its factories during the Second World War, radio components kept rolling off the lines.After Italy's liberation in 1944, Ducati tapped a company called Societa Italiana per Applicazioni Tecniche Auto-Aviatori (SIATA) for a collab on pushrod engines that could be mounted on bicycles. Called Cucciolo, the engine proved successful enough to put Ducati on the map of motorcycle makers, and forever alter its destiny.At the time of writing the Italians are an industry powerhouse, as they are selling no less than 46 distinct motorcycle models across 12 families. Each of these bikes have something unique to offer to riders, but it's not them per se we will be focusing on in this extensive coverage of ours.We will instead take a look at the engines that powered Ducati motorcycles over the years, starting with that initial Cucciolo and ending with the recently introduced Superquadro Mono, Ducati's first single-cylinder powerplant in three decades.Before getting into it, it's worth mentioning a thing or two about the Italians' nomenclature regarding their engines. You'll notice later on Ducati's powerplants are generally included in a few distinct families: Desmo, Testastretta, Granturismo, and Superquadro.The first term, Desmo, is a reference to the way the valves inside the engine are controlled. Instead of being closed and opened by a spring, as it happens in most engines today, the poppet valve in these beauties is operated by means of a cam and leverage system  there are two of each for each valve. As far as we know, Ducati is the only maker of vehicles to use the system today.Testastretta is the Italian term for narrow head. When used in relation to motorcycles it translates into the engines used on bikes from a certain generation onward, which come with different dimensions than before of the cylinder head.The term Granturismo might be a bit confusing, as it is generally used to depict a car meant to be driven in style for long stretches of road and for a long time. Ducati, however, uses it to describe the powerplants that animate the bikes meant for something it calls "adventouring."Last but not least, the Superquadro newcomer, which literally translates into "super square," is a single-cylinder powerplant with an extreme ratio between bore and stroke.So let's dive into it, then, and see what Ducati had to offer on the engine front over the years.As said, Ducati's adventure in the motorcycle industry started in 1946 with the Cucciolo engine developed by SIATA . It was a clip-on engine that could be installed on bicycles to give them a motorized push, named so (the term translates to cub) because the sound it made resembled that of a pup's yapping.The unit was a four-stroke contraption that at its finest displaced 48cc (almost 3ci) and needed just 1.5 liters of fuel to travel 100 km (180 mpg). It was potent enough to push bicycles to speeds of up to 40 mph (64 kph).The Cucciolo engine went on to power bicycles that became known as the Ducati Cucciolo, especially when used on a home-brewed moped that utilized a three-speed gearbox and lacked bicycle pedals  that happened in 1952 on a two-wheeler that became known as the Model 48.The Cucciolo engine was immensely successful, selling hundreds of thousands of examples until it was discontinued in its initial form to make room for Ducati's first proper motorcycles starting in 1952. They were, technically, evolutions of the pup engine, only with larger displacements, meaning 55 or 65cc.Ducati's adventure in the motorcycle world didn't really start until 1956. It was then that Italian engineer Fabio Taglioni came up with an engine design the company had never seen before, the mighty Desmo 125.The powerplant was the first Ducati piece of technology to feature desmodromic timing, and it was installed in the company's first race motorcycle to have no fairing up front. The single-cylinder engine's specs sheet points to it having a displacement of 124,6cc, from which just 19 horsepower at 13,000 rpm could escape.The desmodromic moved from the race track and onto the road in the late 1960s, but the Italians generally stuck with the single-cylinder design. It wasn't until 1972 that a two-cylinder was to join the range.The L-shaped engine was aptly called Desmodue, and it was first deployed on the 750 GT. It had a displacement of 748cc and a power output of 60 horsepower at 8,000 rpm. That made it capable of pushing the two-wheeler to a top speed of 200 kph (124 mph).The bike became the basis for "one of the most beautiful and highly appreciated motorcycles of the 1970s," as Ducati calls the 750 SS Desmo. And others seem to have thought so as well, as the motorcycle was on display at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.The Desmodue was followed in the Desmodromic family's timeline by the Desmoquattro, which entered production for the first time in 1985. As the name says, we're dealing with a twin-cylinder unit with four valves.Unlike the Desmo 125 and the Desmodue, the Desmoquattro was produced since its inception in the mid-1980s in several versions, with displacements ranging from 748 to 1,198cc. This range of powerplants was deployed on a large number of high-profile Ducati motorcycles, especially superbikes, starting with the 748 and burning through the 851, the 888, and the 916.Sometime in the mid-2000s, and for a brief period of just three years, the Italians offered in their engine range something called the Desmotre. As its name says, it was a unit with a three-valve desmo head, and it was capable of running with the power of 102 hp and 93 Nm of torque. The powerplant was only used on a single motorcycle, the ST3 (and its ST3s variant), which was in production from 2004 to 2007. For reasons that were never properly explained, both the bike and the engine were abruptly discontinued.The pinnacle of the Ducati Desmo family of engines is, naturally, the Desmosedici , the unit that presently powers all of the bike maker's supersport bikes. In its present form, the Italians refer to it as the Desmosedici Stradale.A throwback to the engine Ducati has been using on MotoGP motorcycles, the engine is a 90-degree V4, only rotated back 42 degrees. As per its maker that makes the engine extremely compact and allows the masses to be better centered.Another element the engine borrows from MotoGP machines is the counter-rotating crankshaft, allowing the bikes that use it to be particularly precise during cornering, among other things.The displacement of the Desmosedici Stradale is 1,103cc, but there is also an R version, fitted on the Panigale V4 R, that comes in at 998cc. This variant cranks out a heart-stopping troop of 218 horsepower in the stock version and 327 hp when running the racing exhaust. The same unit is also deployed on the Superleggera V4.The Testastretta breed is at its core desmodromic as well, and more precisely, a derivation of the Desmoquattro. However, these engines use narrower cylinder heads, which resulted from increasing the bore and shortening the stroke and translates into improved airflow, more complete combustion, and ultimately more peak power.The first Testastretta engine, a 998cc version, was deployed on the 996R in 2001, and it came with 135 horsepower and 105 Nm of torque. It was later also fitted on the 998 and 999, with power increasingly slightly in the latter application.In 2007, the same year the Italians released the Desmotre, they also let loose a powerplant called Testastretta Evoluzione. An improvement of the previous design, it was a liquid-cooled L-twin that was lighter than beforeThe engine was made in three displacements (1,099cc, 1,198cc, and 849cc), and it was used on several Ducati bikes of the age, including the 1098, its variants, and the 848 superbike.The present-day lineup of Ducati motorcycles equipped with a Testastretta engine use a version called 11-degree. The moniker is there to represent the amount of valve overlap in the twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, desmodromic timing powerplant. Generally speaking, the hardware is capable of delivering a total of 111 horsepower.The Italians rolled out this variant of the engine first on the Monster and later on the Multistrada, complete with an eight-plate clutch. It now powers bikes from the two families, but also the DesertX, Supersport 950, and Hypermotard 950. In all applications the displacement of the engine is 937cc. On some of these bikes the engine is known as the Testastretta DVT because of a variable timing system that acts on both the intake and exhaust valves.Back in 2020 Ducati let loose into this world the Multistrada V4, the world's first production motorcycle to be fitted with front and rear radars. Impressive as that feature might have been, it didn't even come close to the thing's engine.The brand-new powerplant, aptly called V4 Granturismo , stole the crown of the lightest Ducati engine from the Testastretta twin-cylinder, tipping the scales at just 66.7 kg (147 pounds). Large enough to be noticed (1,158cc in displacement), the hardware came with a new spring valve return system, part chain/part geartiming distribution, and a counter-rotating crankshaft.In this configuration, the V4 Granturismo was capable of delivering 170 hp at 10,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 125 Nm at 8,750 rpm. Its use was further expanded to include more versions of the Multistrada, namely the V4 S Grand Tour, V4 Rally, and V4 Pikes Peak. Most importantly, though, it is also the beating heart of the Diavel V4 and the Diavel for Bentley special edition motorcycle.Going back about a decade before the arrival of the V4 Granturismo, we stumble upon an engine breed that came to be known as the Superquadro. The unit arrived in 2011 as a V-twin four-stroke that uses the bike maker's favored desmodromic system.The powerplant was first unleashed as the heart of the 1199 Panigale, and displaced back then 1,198cc. As time went on, the range diversified so it ended up covering a wider displacement range, from 898 to 1,285cc.The Superquadro family got a major boost at the end of 2023, when something called the Superquadro Mono came under the spotlight. Unlike the previous units in this range, this one is a single-cylinder, the first one produced by the Italians over the past three decades (the one produced back then was the Supermono 550).Just like all other Superquadro engines, the Mono has an extreme bore and stroke ratio of 1.86. That number is, according to Ducati, the "most extreme value ever seen on a road single-cylinder engine."Based on the powerplant deployed on the Panigale 1299, the Mono is 659cc in displacement, but its rather small size doesn't make it less impressive as far as power levels are concerned. A total of 77.5 horsepower at 9,750 rpm is generated by the short-stroke single-cylinder, making it (again, as per Ducati) the most powerful single-cylinder engine in the world.As if that's not enough, the value can be taken even higher, to 84.5 hp at 9,500 rpm, when fitted with a specially designed Termignoni exhaust system.Soon after the engine was presented Ducati pulled the wraps off the first motorcycle to use it. We know the bike as the Hypermotard 698 Mono , and it will probably be followed in the coming months and years by more models.
I said it before, but I'll say it again: broken voice commands on Android Auto are integral to the experience behind the wheel, so every bug must be handled with utmost importance by the search giant.

However, as many Android Auto users learned the hard way, voice command bugs come and go, as the reliability of this feature is incredibly limited.The most recent issue hitting the interaction with Google Assistant on Android Auto affects Google Maps.Users who turned to Google's forums to report the broken behavior claim that essential trip-related commands no longer work as expected, with Google Assistant performing a search instead of conducting the requested action.The best example is asking for the ETA to the destination. Someone explains on the forums that asking Google Assistant how long the commute is prompts a web search, with the assistant not looking for the ETA to the destination to share the data. Others confirmed a similar behavior for other requests, explaining that in every case, the search giant searches the web instead of doing what it's requested.Users who encountered this behavior claim they've already tried the common workarounds, but nothing restored Google Assistant.The voice commands appear broken when Android Auto is connected, with someone saying everything works correctly when the smartphone is not connected to the media receiver. This behavior suggests a glitch in Android Auto, though I'm certain the problem was introduced by a recent Google app update. Clearing the cache and the data in the Google app doesn't fix the error.Google has yet to comment on the error, but the good news is that it doesn't affect a significant number of users. However, considering the problem appeared recently after an update now rolling out to users through the Google Play Store, the number of people hitting the same glitch could increase.Meanwhile, Google Assistant is also getting smarter on Android Auto thanks to the integration of artificial intelligence . The AI-powered features will allow Google Assistant to create summaries of long conversations, so the driver wouldn't have to listen to a busy chat. Google Assistant will read all messages and create a summary that includes the essential bits, providing the user with relevant answers. For example, if the message includes a question regarding the arrival time at a destination, Google Assistant can suggest sharing the ETA via Google Maps, with a shortcut displayed on the screen.The option to summarize messages will roll out later this year, as Google has already started integrating the support in the existing Android Auto builds. However, the feature will only be available in certain languages and regions, but if you live in the United States, you can be sure you'll be among the first to get the AI-powered capabilities.
Sturdy, simple, reliable, and versatile, the Land Rover Defender is a true legend that has been reimagined and reconstructed for the modern driver by countless restomod outfits. The vehicle is so iconic that even shipbuilders have taken an interest in sprucing it up. Luxury yacht brand Firmship has revealed a customized Landy that boasts the same design language as its boats.

SUV

Photo: Firmship

The Dutch shipbuilder has teamed up with designer Job Smeets of Studio Job to create a minimalist, monochrome Land Rover Defender restomod that, paradoxically, exudes both simplicity and sophistication. Defined by minimalist luxury, the result of this collaboration echoes the ethos of Firmship's luxury yachts."You could say a Firmship ship is the Defender on the water. Job Smeets got the task to create this nautical translation with the existing beautiful design of the Defender," the yacht brand writes on its website.Produced in a limited run of 25 units, the Firmship Defender has been given a stripped-down monochromatic makeover inside and out that seems to honor the no-frills design of early Land Rovers while also incorporating high-design details and top-shelf materials.No significant modifications have been made to the overall design of the Defender, with the Firmship/Smeets pair focusing on aesthetics. Every square inch of the vehicle's sleek exterior has been finished in the shipbuilder's signature RAL 7035, a versatile and timeless light gray hue that is extensively used on watercraft due to its neutrality.For added durability, the sportyis also coated in a robust metal lacquer, the same used on bulldozers and public telephone boxes in the US to make them resistant to scratches. Besides preventing the oxidation and tarnishing of the body panels, it provides the vehicle with a distinctive texture. "If you touch the Firmship Defender, you do feel something strong but silent," Firmship promises.The restomodded Defender rides on white British heritage wheels, which, according to Firmship, are revised versions of those used on the original Land Rover.As for the interior of the off-roader , it has been revamped to match the exterior. Adorned with leather and fabric seats, the cabin is characterized by the same neutrality as the exterior, with the color palette now being dominated by light gray. Subtle black and red accents can be observed on the dashboard, gear shifter, and seat belt buckle, but these only serve to highlight the lighter shade of the upholstery even more.Since there are no references to the restomod's performance, we assume no modifications have been made to the base Defender 90 Xs's powertrain, meaning you can still expect true 4x4 capability.A testament to simplicity and timeless design, the Firmship Defender is a restomod that blends minimalist luxury with historic inspiration and manages to transcend the fleeting trends in the automotive industry.
Increasingly tough emission regulations are poised to make combustion-engined hot hatchbacks extinct in the Old Continent. One of the latest automakers to give in to said regulations is Hyundai, which confirmed the demise of the i20 N subcompact hatch and the i30 N compact hatch in Europe.

kW

Photo: Hyundai

Speaking to multiple publications, including the Brits at evo magazine, Hyundai said the following: "Production of the ICE N models has ceased for the European market starting from February." Rather than coming clean about the upcoming Euro 7 regulations, Hyundai Europe explains this decision with the manufacturer's commitment to zero tailpipe emissions by the year 2035. One decade later, Hyundai aims to achieve carbon neutrality.Considering that Kona N production came to a grinding halt in 2023, the only N-badged model in production today for the European continent is the Ioniq 5 N. Riding lower than lesser versions of the Ioniq 5, the N is far more focused than its Kia-branded sibling. While it may not offer the aural pleasure or the driving enjoyment of a four-cylinder turbo manual hot hatchback, the hot crossover is pretty well equipped and very powerful to boot.Think Pirelli hi-po rubber, forged alloy wheels, aggressively bolstered seats, a roof-mounted spoiler with a triangular high-mount brake light, adaptive shocks, larger brake calipers and rotors, 448(that would be 601 hp) as is, and 478 kW (641 hp) for 10 seconds at a time thanks to N Grin Boost. The only extras to speak of are the Alcantara seat package, panoramic glass roof, and the 10-strong color palette. The N-specific Performance Blue paint color is available in solid or matte finishes.As opposed to hot hatchbacks, which came to prominence due to their practicality and relatively affordable pricing, the Ioniq 5 N is anything but affordable. 74,900 in Germany means $81,050 at current exchange rates, and 65,000 quid in the United Kingdom converts to 82,360 dollars.The i20 N and i30 N may have been discontinued for European markets and the United Kingdom, but even so, Hyundai's local configurators still allow prospective customers to configure these models. For the 1.6-liter turbo supermini, you should prepare 25,660 at the very least in Germany or 26,530 in the United Kingdom. As for the roomier i30 N, which packs a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder lump, the numbers are 33,650 and 35,110.As far as front-wheel-drive hot hatchbacks are concerned, the Honda Civic Type R is the hottest one available at the moment of writing. When it comes to subcompacts, Toyota is much obliged to sell you a three-door Yaris with a three-pot turbo rated at 206 kW (276 hp) and 390 Nm (288 lb-ft).The biggest difference between the GR Yaris and i20 N is  of course  the trick all-wheel-drive system of the Japanese model. Track mode means 50:50, Normal mode results in a 60:40 torque split, whereas Sport mode spices it up with an oversteery 30:70 torque split. As opposed to the i20 N, which can be had with a dual-clutch tranny, Toyota introduced a torque-converter auto for MY24.Toyota further sweetens the deal with the compact-sized GR Corolla , but alas, that one wasn't designed with Europe in mind. With a bit of luck, the GR Corolla for North America will soon receive the Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission.
Internally referred to as SP2, the Seltos is a front-biased crossover introduced by Kia to the North American market for the 2021 model year. Quite a few 2021 through 2023 models have been recalled in Canada for a potential short circuit, which increases the risk of a fire while driving or even if the subcompact crossover is parked and turned off.

AWD

NHTSA

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

4WD

Photo: Kia

FWD

As per Transport Canada, thecontrol unit may become contaminated by salt and moisture inside the vehicle. This ultimately leads to corrosion, therefore increasing the risk of a short circuit. As implied, only all-wheel-drive vehicles feature the aforementioned control unit, which is located under the driver's seat. A grand total of 44,478 Canadian-spec vehicles have been recalled.Thehas yet to publish any equivalent recall for the US market. Although this condition may be specific to cold weather and extensive use of rock salt when it's really cold, bear in mind that certain states in the United States of America use plenty of rock salt due to cold weather as well. Think Alaska, Michigan, Idaho, Maine, Vermont, Montana, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota.For the time being, the's database lists only two recalls for the Seltos, which slots above the Soul and below the Sportage. For the 2021 model year, Kia recalled certain vehicles for improperly heat-treated piston oil rings. The other recall concerns 2023 models. In their case, the electric oil pump assembly may catch fire due to potentially damaged components in the stop/start system's controller.Turning our attention back to the Canadian recall, owners are urged to schedule an appointment with the dealers of their liking to inspect the AWD control unit. For some reason or another, Transport Canada calls itcontrol unit. As a rule of thumb, four-wheel drive usually implies a transfer case, as you might find on a truck or a Wrangler.By comparison, the Seltos features a viscous-type coupling unit that channels torque to the rear wheels when necessary. For this application, Kia claims that up to 50 percent of peak torque can be sent to the rear wheels. Owners can easily determine whether their all-wheel-drive crossovers are recalled or not by entering the 17-digit vehicle identification number on Kia's Canadian website.For the Canadian market, the Seltos comes in five grades: LX, EX, EX Premium, SX, and X-Line . Only the SX and X-Line boast a turbocharged engine, whereas the EX Premium and lesser trim levels make do with a naturally aspirated lump. The 2.0-liter I4 is joined by Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission, whereas the punchier 1.6-liter I4 turbo levels up to an eight-speed automatic tranny.The South Korean automaker quotes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet (180 Nm) for the free-breathing mill. The force-fed lump delivers up to 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet (265 Nm) between 1,600 and 4,500 revolutions per minute.The most affordable spec of the bunch is the LXat $28,062 CAD or $20,838 USD at current exchange rates. For reference, the automaker's US website lists it at $24,490 USD ($32,9893 CAD).
The people and organizations working in space exploration are a very creative bunch. And by that I don't mean in a way relating directly to their activities, but when it comes to using acronyms for their work as well.

Photo: Lockheed Martin

Photo: NASA

Time and again in the decades that space exploration has been a thing we've witnessed all sorts of such designations being used, some perfectly fitted, others simply dumb, and a select few clearly forced.I'm not entirely sure where to include the following one, so to avoid any misunderstanding I'll simply call it wacky.For a number of years now NASA and its partners, specifically Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, have been working on a piece of technology not meant for use in outer space, but for bringing back civilian aerial supersonic travel in the atmosphere of our own planet.The project is called Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) and resulted at the start of 2024 in the unveiling of an experimental aircraft called X-59. The plane is a machine that will be flown in American skies very soon with a very purpose in mind: to prove that with special care and design, supersonic aircraft could be quiet enough to avoid disturbing civilian ears and breaking FAA regulations.You see, a normal supersonic aircraft creates pressure waves during its flight that get squashed together as the plane pushes through them. Once that happens, a sonic boom is generated  noise that in the case of an F-16, for instance, goes as high as 78 dB at an altitude of over 8,000 meters (26,200 feet).That's loud enough to be disturbing for people and it led to the banning of supersonic flight over land in 1973. That meant that not even the Concorde, humanity's single supersonic airliner, wasn't allowed to do that.For flights at such high speeds to be effective planes would have to maintain it throughout the flight, a thing the X-59 is here to prove possible. The plane's special design is meant to lower the value of the sonic boom, bringing it down to the volume of a car door closing - 60 dB.That's on paper, as in the real world NASA's sub-project manager for the Quesst acoustic validation phase, Larry Cliatt, expects the plane to generate 75 perceived loudness decibels. That's higher than mentioned above, but still well below the 100 dB the Concorde produced.NASA plans to begin flying the aircraft for testing later this year, and it will eventually take the X-59 over some American cities in a bid to determine how loud it feels for the residents. However, the space agency will not rely solely on the ears of the American public to get the needed data, and it will use specially-designed tech as well.By that, I mean microphones spread on the ground on some of the planes' flight paths. And work on understanding what that means in terms of gear and manpower is already underway. And this is where the wacky name I mentioned at the beginning of this piece comes in.To get a sense of what it needs to properly record the noise of the X-59 NASA has been using an F-15 and an F-18 from NASA Armstrong, flying over a 30-mile (48 km) stretch of desert near NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.The floor of the desert was dotted with no less than ten microphone stations in a bid to record the sounds created by the fighter jets moving at speeds of between Mach 1.15 to Mach 1.4, and at altitudes going from 40,000 to 53,000 feet (12 to 16 km).In all 20 such flights were performed, and some of them even saw the F-18 flying inverted in a dive maneuver meant to replicate the quiet sonic boom NASA is expecting from the X-59.The entire exercise is part of a program NASA calls the Carpet Determination In Entirety Measurements. In acronym form, that's CarpetDIEM, a very funny take on the Latin phrase "carpe diem" that loosely translates to "seize the day."The CarpetDIEM program is technically over, as the space agency now has all it needs to determine exactly what it takes to record the sounds of the X-59 from the ground once it takes off.Most importantly, though, the tests also validated how the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast system the X-plane uses to report speed and position will trigger the microphones to start recording.NASA says the microphones to be deployed on the yet undisclosed flight path of the X-59 have been made in such a way as to withstand extreme heat, cold, and the action of wildlife, including rodents, coyotes, and foxes.The tools will be in use for up to nine months and an undisclosed number of flights. Once all the data is compiled, NASA plans to share its findings with regulators and industry players, in the hopes that one day we will once again be enjoying supersonic passenger flights.
Gearheads, listen up! You might want to give all-electric Porsches a try. The Stuttgart-based marque is known for taking very good care of its customers (unless they want a really, really special car without spending millions beforehand). However, it's also concentrating on giving those who are not part of the club yet a chance to see what it's like to live life the Porsche way. Yes, it's on them. You won't have to pay a dime.

Photo: Porsche

EV

Some Porsche owners reading this might feel a bit perplexed. Not because they don't know that the automaker can create amazing surprises, but because they might have wanted a certain car at some point and were surprised to find out that getting it was going to be a lengthy and costly process.As recently revealed, getting a limited-edition Porsche can become quite the adventure . Some people paid $8,000 for a "plastic watch" just to be considered for an allocation. They didn't even secure a place in the queue by paying insane markups for a wrist accessory they didn't want.However, Porsche is always looking for potential new customers who want to experience what the brand is all about. After all, that name is known globally. Few automakers can pride themselves on such an achievement.But Porsche is making a strong push in the electric vehicle sector. The Taycan was a resounding success and, honestly, a good "zero-emission" car with enough of its maker's famous DNA to convince even purists that the absence of an internal combustion engine wasn't necessarily a sacrilege.But the Taycan joined the marque's ranks as a brand-new model. It came to this world as a futuristic Panamera. Porsche has now entered into uncharted territory because it completely electrified one of its most important models  the Macan. Although the gas-powered version is still alive and kicking, the new one is better in every aspect because it encompasses all the novelties. It's refined, more stylish, and battery-electric.The brand understood from the get-go that it wouldn't be easy to convince its existing customers or other potential buyers to part ways with at least $80,000 of their hard-earned money. The Turbo model will set you back even more - $107,000! And since we're talking about Porsche, you can expect to tick at least a couple of option boxes.It's unfair to compare the Macan Electric with the Tesla Model Y, but it must be done. The latter was the world's best-selling car in 2023. It remains one of the most attractive options for those looking to give up on personal mobility powered by controlled explosions.At the time of writing, you could buy three Model Ys for the price of a Macan Turbo Electric and still have some spare cash to pay for Supercharging and take a trip. That's thanks to thetax credit, which the posh Porsche isn't eligible for because it's too expensive.So, Porsche came up with an ingenious idea to convince prospective buyers that the Macan Electric was worth it. It created a community of "insiders." Not like Mazda , though! The German automaker's idea was meant to bring together potential Macan Electric buyers. After all, let's not forget that Porsche clubs are a thing, and they're very serious. The American one has over 160,000 members!The German carmaker started shy by collecting e-mail addresses and phone numbers. But if you signed up for its newsletter and agreed to be contacted, you would have received the first electronic mail that announced the. It's happening on International Women's Day in Austin, Texas. Yes, Porsche is going to Tesla's newfound home to launch the vehicle that "represents the future" of the brand.The eSUV will be presented to Americans at the South by Southwest (SXSW), a six-day event where professionals from many industries meet to exchange ideas, experiences, and connect. It's a grand festival. The automaker is planning on offering two lucky people plane tickets, travel stipends, five days of hotel accommodation in Austin, invitations to special events, and full access to all SXSW events.Of course, they will also see the new eSUV in person and decide if it's worth their money. The entire package is worth around $16,000. Porsche Macan EV insiders residing in one of the 48 contiguous US states or DC can sign up to partake in this sweepstakes. So, everyone has a fair shot at getting spoiled by Porsche.Fret not; this won't be the last opportunity of this kind. The brand plans to organize more exclusive giveaways soon. They could be even more interesting than spending five days in Texas! So, you might want to sign up
A top-level sustainable propeller project supported by the UK government puts electric air taxi maker Vertical Aerospace at the forefront. The eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) company is already working on an even better and stronger version of its flagship aircraft.

Industry experts predict that the AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) market will be worth billions in the next decades, and every major player around the globe wants a piece of the action. Cooperation is key when it comes to an emerging sector like eVTOL-based air mobility. No one can do it on their own because there's no foundation to build upon - everything is being developed from scratch, starting with the legal framework.This is why government support is essential in most cases, and the UK seems determined to play its part.The most recent ATI (Aerospace Technology Institute) program, managed in cooperation with Innovate UK, brings together an eVTOL maker and several prestigious institutions with the goal of developing the best electric aircraft propeller technology out there. Three universities (Glasgow, Bristol, Cranfield) and the helicopter monitoring specialist Helitune will support Vertical Aerospace in developing a new and improved version of the VX4's propulsion system.According to Vertical , the final version of the propulsion system is expected to be better than the current one in terms of lower weight, noise, and inertia. Plus, it claims to meet the highest safety standards of everything on the market right now.Through the ATI Program, this bold propeller project is getting a total of 20 million ($25.3 million), out of which 8 million ($10 million) is going to Vertical. So far, the eVTOL maker has received nearly $50 million (37 million) in government funding from the UK.Vertical also has a leading position in terms of pre-orders. Through its collaboration with the reputable lessor Avolon, the UK-based aviation company sold 500 units in less than a year, worth almost $2 billion in total. By 2023, it had secured pre-orders for more than 1,400 aircraft.This new financing success comes after another huge milestone when Vertical launched a top-notch battery facility. It's named the Vertical Energy Center (VEC), and it unfolds over 15,000 square feet (1,393 square meters). What's interesting about this battery facility is that it's exclusively dedicated to aerospace applications, where safety and performance standards and difficulties are higher compared to other vehicles.This is where Vertical is developing a 220Wh/kg battery system for the VX4. This air taxi promises a top speed of more than 200 mph (325 kph) and a 100-mile range (161 km), paired with fast charging for more frequent flights.Backed by serious funding, Vertical has the potential to become the UK's top eVTOL maker. The VX4 air taxi is set to enter commercial service as soon as next year, following live demonstration flights at the highly-anticipated Osaka World Expo in Japan.
23 February 2024 14:31 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Units of the Armenian armed forces have shelled the positions of the Azerbaijani army with small arms, Azernews reports, citing the Defence Ministry.

It is reported that on February 23, at 05:50, units of the Armenian armed forces shelled from their positions in the direction of Yukhary Shorja settlement in Basarkechar district and the positions of the Azerbaijani army in the direction of Yallija settlement in Kalbajar district.

According to the information provided by the ministry, no retaliatory measures were taken by the Azerbaijani army units in order not to escalate the situation and ensure stability on the conditional border of the two countries.

"We call on the Armenian military leadership to prevent such provocations aimed at destabilising the border and the situation that has developed over the past five months and getting out of control again, and demand to identify and punish those responsible for these actions. "," the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said.

Recall that the situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, specifically in the direction of the Zangilan district, escalated after a sniper wounded an Azerbaijani serviceman.

earlier The State Border Service of Azerbaijan conducted an operation codenamed Revenge, to suppress an attack committed by the Armenian Armed Forces.

In result of the operation, the combat post of the Armenian Armed Forces near the Nerkin-And settlement of Gafan district, where our soldiers were targeted [on February 12th], was completely destroyed, and the firing points were silenced, the State Border Service of Azerbaijan stated on Tuesday, holding the Armenian side responsible for the hostilities.

Moreover, on February 12th, between 8:50 pm and 11:40 pm, Azerbaijani army positions in the Kokhanabi settlement direction, located in the far western Tovuz region of Azerbaijan, were targeted.

During Operation Revenge, four Armenian servicemen were eliminated, according to the Defence Ministry of Armenia. The eliminated soldiers were members of the Armenian terrorist organisation Yerkrapah.

On January 30th, the head of Yerkrapah, Sasun Mikaelyan, stated that more than 10,000 strong forces of the terrorist organization have been stationed in combat positions along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

The Kremlins spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has called for restraint to avoid any actions that the sides may consider provocative, stating that Moscow will observe the situation very carefully and continue contacts with Baku and Yerevan.

Tensions on the border came amidst peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have been challenging since the end of the conflict in 2020. Baku proposed five basic principles aimed at normalising relations, including mutual respect for each others territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognised borders; rejection of any territorial claims to each other, now and in the future; rejection of any acts that would run counter to the UN Charter, like the use of force or threat of use of force; delimitation of the interstate border; and opening of communication routes and ties.

The peace process has been complex so far, with Armenias approach to the talks lacking a clear and proactive agenda, especially concerning the status of the Armenian residents in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan, whom Baku legally adopts as its citizens.

The peace talks are further complicated by regular ceasefire violations by Armenia since 2020. In the Garabagh region and on the border areas, multiple armed provocations have led to casualties on both sides. Despite Azerbaijans warnings, Armenia refused to disarm its army formations in the Garabagh region and ensure their withdrawal.

On September 19th-20th, 2023, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces conducted one-day local anti-terrorist measures to neutralise the separatists and Armenian military formations in the Garabagh region. On September 20, the separatists agreed to full disarmament and withdrawal.

On September 28, the so-called leadership of the Armenian separatist regime in the Garabagh region announced its self-dissolution. Despite Bakus calls to stay and reintegrate, as well as pledges to guarantee all fundamental rights, a large portion of the Armenian residents voluntarily left for Armenia.

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23 February 2024 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Mazahir Afandiyev

Following the Second Garabagh-Patriotic War in 2020, the complete restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty in 2023 marked the pinnacle of our 30-year effort to free our territories from occupation. The blood of our victims was not shed in vain, as all the crimes and genocides against the Azerbaijani people have been avenged.

Nevertheless, we must never lose sight of the genocide against the Azerbaijani people that occurred in the past. We must work tirelessly to impart these tragedies to a fresh, youthful, patriotic generation while also incorporating them into our literature, folklore, and culture as a whole. Only then will we be able to pass on this history from one generation to the next and prevent such tragedies from happening to our people.

Regretfully, near the close of the 20th century, crimes against humanity, peace, and Azerbaijan persisted, leaving a horrific scar on the country's past. The genocide at Khojaly is one of the crimes against the people of Azerbaijan. 32 years ago, in February 1992, a genocide was carried out that resulted in the deaths of 613 people106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly people1275 citizens were taken prisoner, and 150 people's whereabouts are still unknown. The entire city was destroyed. That terrible night left 487 Khojaly residents76 of them childrenseriously crippled, 8 households utterly decimated, 25 children without a parent, and 130 children with one parent.

In addition to social amenities, private residences, 14 schools, 21 clubs, 29 libraries, three houses of culture, and one local history museum were destroyed as a result of the occupation of the city. The city's tombs and domes from the XIVXV centuries were completely demolished, and the cemetery was barbarically destroyed.

As a result, our people suffered from torture that was immoral and flagrantly violated the standards and precepts of international law. The National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, has declared over and over again that the Khojaly tragedy is the "blood memory" of the Azerbaijani people. He has also made actual political assessments of the events in the international arena and has taken concrete steps to bring this matter to the attention of the international community.

"With its unimaginable cruelty and inhumane methods of punishment, the Khojaly genocide directed against the Azerbaijani people as a whole is an act of atrocity in the history of mankind," declared national leader Haydar Aliyev. The Milli Majlis passed a resolution "On the Day of the Khojaly Genocide" on February 24, 1994, at his suggestion.

These days, efforts are continuously made to present the world with the facts about Khojaly and to provide an unbiased evaluation of this genocide. Leyla Aliyeva, vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, has been advocating for this work within the framework of the international campaign "Justice for Khojaly" since 2008. Her persistent efforts have inspired our younger generation to raise awareness of this tragedy on a global scale.

The Khojaly massacre and the remembrance of our dead people are being honored by the Azerbaijani people in a new era this year. While we carry out the continuation of their names and pray for the souls of our martyred sons by discussing their valor, we also establish a new course of action that will contribute to the overall growth of our nation.

Our new generation has inherited the protection of modern Azerbaijan established by the Great Leader, and each and every Azerbaijani citizen should keep up their efforts to uphold their country's independence and the core values of its rich historical legacy.

It's an honour that the Khojaly people are returning home after being driven from their ancestral territories and their original land thirty-two years earlier. We will all pay tribute to the people who lost their lives in Khojaly through the construction of new monuments, parks, and infrastructure that is essential to life.

Today, the only goals of the triumphant people are the international recognition of the Khojaly massacre and the punishment of those responsible for the crime. We also hope that the rights of those who perished that horrific night will be fulfilled and that future genocides and massacres against humanity will be prevented.

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Mazahir Afandiyev is the Member of the Milli Majlis (the Azerbaijani Parliament).
23 February 2024 20:40 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijan and Pakistan are unfolding a new chapter in their bilateral cooperation as strategic partners. According to Pakistani sources, the two countries signed a deal on JF-17 Block-III fighter jets. Azerbaijan will purchase Pakistan-made fighter jets worth $1.6bn. In addition, a contract covers training pilots and the acquisition of ammunition for the jet.

It is worth noting that similar news has been disseminated in the mass media previously but has never been confirmed. However, it seems that the deal will be completed this time because, according to the Turkish media, the Pakistani company is aiming to produce a total of 62 JF-17 Block III versions and deliver all of them to the Pakistan Air Force by 2024. After delivery to the Pakistani army, it seems an export could happen.

Speaking to Azernews on the issue, Dr. Mehmood ul Hassan Khan noted that, interestingly, it has been widely circulated on numerous social media outlets, along with "X, indicating the signing of a historic deal for the purchase of JF-17 Thunder Block-III in Pakistan as well as in Azerbaijan. Even Azerbaijani media outlets published a story titled Pakistan signs largest ever fighter jet sale deal with Azerbaijan.

"Furthermore, some senior and reliable sources from Pakistani media outlets confirmed that the agreement for the sale of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 aircraft between two brotherly countries, i.e., Pakistan and Azerbaijan, will be finalised soon. According to them, the deal for JF-17 Block-III fighter jets was signed for $US1.6 billion, including aircraft, training, and ammunition, he said.

As for the quantity of purchased aircraft, Dr. Mehmood ul Hassan Khan noted that, according to reliable sources from national media and defence organisations, Pakistan will sell the latest 4.5-generation JF-17 Thunder aircraft to Azerbaijan. The sale of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 aircraft is the largest defence export deal in Pakistan's history.

Moreover, the sources confirmed that Pakistan will initially supply 8 JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets to Azerbaijan, after the initial 8 planes, Azerbaijan will also buy 8 more jets from Pakistan.

Its deal will include packages of weapons and training with the planes. Apart from this, Azerbaijan became the third country after Myanmar and Nigeria to purchase JF-17 Thunders from Pakistan, the expert noted.

Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan pointed out that the JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets are equipped with the latest avionics and electronic warfare systems according to contemporary requirements, with a wider combat range, and more combat capabilities than the other competitors incomparable super manoeuvrability.

He underlined that critical analysis reveals that the JF-17 Thunder is a medium-sized multi-role fighter plane designed jointly by Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) to fulfill the Pakistan Air Forces airpower requirements.

Additionally, the JF-17 Block-III is armed with PL-10E short-range air-to-air missiles. It has a wide-angle holographic head-up display and a new imaging infrared (IIR)-based missile approach warning system, which has further enhanced its compatibility and widened its fighting and combat weaponry.

With the PL-10, the JF-17 Block-III has gained tremendous dogfight capability and has an edge even against its heavier opposing counterparts in homeland air defence. It is smarter and faster with the speed of Mach 2, almost 2470 km/h. The JF-17 Block-IIIs has state-of-the-art avionics, he said.

As is known, the region countries where Azerbaijan is located predominantly have Russian MIG and SU planes and US Falcon (F14 and F16) aircraft. Can Pakistani JF-17C Block-III compete with Falcons, MIG, and SU? Pakistans star-fighter, the JF-17 Thunder Block II, is now rated equal to the F-16 in its diversified capabilities of aerial warfare and weapon-carrying capacity. According to regional experts, the JF-17 Block-II operational altitude is quite high, and it has far superior ship-busting capabilities due to the munitions it carries.

It seems that the JF-17 Block III has changed the dynamics of aerial supremacy in the region and beyond, which has further consolidated Pakistans Air Force capabilities. It is indeed superior to even F-16 C.

It has a full glass cockpit and a new single-panel multifunctional display. It may have British or Italian avionics and radars. It may include Italian Galileo Avionicas Grifo S7, French Thomson-CSFs RC400, and British company SELEX Galileos Vixen 500E, he noted.

Hassan Khan noted that it is also less prone to jamming and leaves a far lower radar signature meaning it is both more reliable and makes the fighter more difficult to detect. Its state-of-the-art Chinese electronic warfare systems, a radar cross-section reducing profile, a combination of modern avionics, and AESA radar, and PL-15 missiles will make the JF-17 Block-III an extremely lethal fighter for beyond visual range combat considerably more capable than any fighter currently in Pakistani service, including the F-16 C.

Azerbaijan has shown interest in Pakistan/Chinese JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, and the two countries have reportedly been in talks over the aircraft for the past decade.

In May 2003, Azerbaijan and Pakistan signed a defence agreement that allowed Azerbaijani military personnel, particularly Special Forces units, to participate in annual military drills alongside Pakistani armed forces.

As part of the agreement, Azerbaijani naval personnel took part in the largest Pakistani-led multinational exercise, AMAN-2013, which took place in the Arabian Sea in March 2013, Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan concluded.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

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23 February 2024 16:22 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The global shift towards green energy, commonly referred to as renewable energy, represents a profound transformation in our approach to power generation. This transition is propelled by a convergence of environmental, economic, and social imperatives. At its core, the environmental aspect underscores the pressing need to address the escalating threats of climate change and environmental degradation. As traditional energy sources continue to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, the adoption of renewable energy sources becomes paramount to mitigating the impact of climate change and preserving the planet for future generations.

Economically, the move towards green energy signifies a strategic investment in sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The volatility of fossil fuel prices, coupled with the finite nature of these resources, has necessitated a reevaluation of our energy portfolio. Renewable energy sources offer not only a more stable and cost-effective alternative but also present opportunities for job creation and economic growth. The renewable energy sector has emerged as a driver of innovation and competitiveness, fostering a transition to a more sustainable and economically viable energy landscape.

Socially, the transition to green energy is aligned with a growing awareness and concern for the well-being of communities and the equitable distribution of resources. The decentralisation of energy production through renewable sources empowers local communities, reducing dependence on centralised energy grids. This decentralisation fosters energy democracy, enabling individuals and communities to actively participate in and benefit from the production of clean energy. Moreover, the renewable energy sector has the potential to address energy poverty by providing access to reliable and affordable energy for underserved populations.

The transition to green energy embodies a multifaceted approach to address the interconnected challenges of environmental degradation, economic instability, and social inequities. As nations and communities embrace renewable energy solutions, they not only contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future but also set the stage for a paradigm shift towards a cleaner, more inclusive, and environmentally responsible energy ecosystem.

Azerbaijan, with its strategic geopolitical position and abundant natural resources, plays a pivotal role in this global transition. The country, traditionally recognised for its oil and gas reserves, is increasingly directing its attention towards renewable energy sources. Azerbaijan's commitment to green energy aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and embrace sustainable practices. The diversification of Azerbaijan's energy portfolio not only contributes to environmental conservation but also enhances energy security and economic sustainability.

Azerbaijan's geographic location, characterised by ample sunlight and wind resources, positions the country as a potential leader in renewable energy adoption. Investments in solar and wind projects, coupled with advancements in technology, demonstrate Azerbaijan's commitment to harnessing clean and sustainable energy sources. Moreover, as a proactive participant in international collaborations and agreements related to climate change, Azerbaijan contributes to the broader global effort to transition towards a greener future.

That is why Azerbaijan has assumed the responsibility of hosting COP29 this year and has established specific obligations and tasks ahead of it.

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, said in his speech that we will hold the COP29 international conference at a high level.

"I have no doubt that we will hold the COP29 international conference at a high level and that it will be yet another great success for our country and people. At the same time, Azerbaijan will assert itself in this field as an oil and gas country, and everyone in the world will see again that our agenda is related to green energy. The creation of green energy and the transportation of green energy to world markets are currently the priorities of our energy policy. This is a reality and the whole world will see it again," the Azerbaijani President stressed.

Providing opinions on the reasons and factors driving the transition to green energy, Dean Shmuel Elmas, an expert in energy and geopolitics at Globes, emphasised the significant role of the world's wealthiest individuals in influencing global renewable energy trends. He highlighted a notable example, citing the Indian Adani Group's establishment of a solar field equivalent in size to Singapore, emphasising the crucial nature of such large-scale projects in achieving global net-zero goals.

According to Elmas, governments need to incentivize renewable energy companies with benefits that are distinct from those granted to fossil fuel giants. By doing so, he envisions the active participation of major global energy companies in the essential transition required for the well-being of future generations. Recognising this as a collaborative initiative, Elmas acknowledged that its realisation may take some time.

Identifying profitability as a significant challenge in the renewable energy market, Elmas drew parallels with the historical struggles faced by early solar companies. He advocated for government-led subsidisation programs to facilitate improvements in various renewable sectors, echoing the positive impact witnessed following a decline in solar panel prices.

Elmas also proposed a novel approach to utilising border areas for renewable energy projects, suggesting the deployment of solar panels along border fences. Additionally, he underscored the importance of international collaboration, encouraging countries to share their unique experiences and knowledge in different renewable energy domains, thereby contributing to a greener global energy mix.

Addressing concerns raised by environmental organisations about energy giants like SOCAR, Elmas challenged the perception of these companies as problematic, asserting their potential to play a vital role in finding solutions. He advocated for collaborative efforts between such industry giants and the renewable energy sector, emphasising the possibility of more favourable outcomes.

Dean Shmuel Elmas concluded by emphasising the urgency of achieving zero emissions globally by 2050. Citing coal, oil, and natural gas as dominant contributors to global emissions from fuel combustion, he warned against continuing on the current trajectory, asserting that the only viable alternative is to establish ambitious and high-quality goals for renewable energies, ultimately saving the planet from the detrimental consequences of climate change.

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23 February 2024 10:50 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijan will export 1.5 million liters of wine and fermented alcoholic beverages to Turkiye every year at 0% customs rate, Azernews reports.

The Turkish press reports that this was reflected in the decision adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye based on the new Preferential Trade Agreement signed between the two countries.

According to the decision, the import of a number of products from Azerbaijan was exempted from customs duty for 10 years. Thus, Turkiye will import wine, mulberry, quince, iron and steel products, and packaging materials from Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan will import copper wire, washing machines, monitors, video recorders, car spare parts, and aluminum from Turkiye without customs duty.

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23 February 2024 13:32 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Khatai Arts Centre has opened an exhibition in connection with the 32nd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.

The exhibition called "Return to Khojaly" featured the works of about 30 students of Ali Tahmina, the teacher of the Rangarangali Art Studio, a well-known young artist who painted many portraits of the Azerbaijani martyrs, Azernews reports.

The tragic events unfolded on February 25-26, 1992, when Armenian armed forces, with direct support from the 366th regiment of the former USSR stationed in Khankandi in Azerbaijan's Garabagh region and launched a brutal attack on Khojaly from multiple directions.

About 613 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in the massacre, and a total of 1,000 people were disabled. Eight families were exterminated, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent. Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage, and the fate of 150 of them remains unknown.

Project leader, art critic, and organiser Ali Rashad said that the works exhibited at the event were based on two points.

"After the one-day local anti-terrorist measures implemented in September 2023, our state sovereignty was restored throughout the country. Our tricolour flag is already flying in Khojaly. The works displayed in this exhibition show both tragedy and the spirit of victory, the joy of returning to Khojaly," he said.

The guests of the exhibition stressed the importance of such projects in raising the spirit of national patriotism among schoolchildren and revealing young talents. It was emphasised that from now on, the main art themes for the national artists will be devoted to the revival of Azerbaijan`s liberated territories.

At the end, honorary certificates were presented to the distinguished young artists.

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23 February 2024 18:32 (UTC+04:00)

As a part of the Cultural Days of Azerbaijan in Qatar, a book exhibition entitled Ancient Roots of Azerbaijan culture, as well as presentations of the Arabic edition of Yevgeny Bertels' book Great Azerbaijani Poet Nizami and Poet of Three Languages - Mahammad Fuzuli, have been held at the Qatar National Library, Azernews reports.

Highlighting the enduring historical connections between Qatar and Azerbaijan, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library (QNL) Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari stressed the profound cultural ties between the two nations and developing relations in various domains. Dr. Al Kuwari described the holding of Azerbaijani Cultural Days in Qatar as a notable event in terms of the continuous growth of cultural ties.

Azerbaijani Minister of Culture Adil Karimli expressed his gratitude to Qatari Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani for his support in organizing the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Qatar. Karimli expressed joy in sharing Azerbaijan's rich heritage with Qatar and stressed the importance of expanding and developing cultural relationships, alongside political and economic ties. He emphasized the significance of cultural exchanges in solidifying the Qatar-Azerbaijan relationship.

Director of the National Library of Azerbaijan, Professor Karim Tahirov, in turn, noted that holding Azerbaijani Cultural Days in Qatar would help deepen relations in the library area. He also provided information about academician Yevgeny Bertels' book "Great Azerbaijani Poet Nizami" translated into Arabic.

Furthermore, the event featured a roundtable discussion commemorating the 530th anniversary of the renowned Azerbaijani poet Mahammad Fuzuli, on the topic Poet of three languages - Mahammad Fuzuli.

The event then featured the literary and musical sessions. The participants viewed the Ancient Roots of Azerbaijan Culture book exhibition.

Organized by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture, the Cultural Days of Azerbaijan in Qatar will run until February 24.

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23 February 2024 10:18 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Mukhtar Babayev met with Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Yevdokimov, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

The meeting discussed environmental protection issues, and opportunities for further cooperation, and exchanged views on preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) to be held in Azerbaijan this year.

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23 February 2024 11:37 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The tactical exercise of the combat and support ship group of the Naval Forces was held in accordance with the training plan for 2024, approved by the Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Azernews reports.

Under the plan, the ships left the basing site on alert and accomplished combat tasks on protection and defense of energy infrastructure in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

During the two-stage exercise, the ship groups accomplished tasks on detention and inspection of the floating ship, patrolling activities in the oil and gas pipeline areas, the organization of anti-submarine sabotage defense at anchor in the ship tactical groups and the sea passage to the designated area by performing joint floating activities, destruction of the enemy's imaginary surface and air targets.

The main focus of the exercise is to work out the joint activities of commanders and staff officers in conditions of a possible threat to territorial waters, as well as to improve the knowledge and skills in managing units during battle.

It should be noted that 26 ships and 450 servicemen of the Naval Forces were involved in tactical exercise.

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23 February 2024 12:37 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The Western Azerbaijan Community made a statement in response to the Armenian PM's rebuttal statement in an interview with a French media outlet, Azernews reports.

Western Azerbaijan Community statement It was noted that Pashinyan tried to accuse Azerbaijan of preparing an attack on Armenia, claiming that the expression Western Azerbaijan contradicts Armenia's territorial integrity.

"The expression 'Western Azerbaijan' is an expression based on historical and geographical facts, and its use by the community is based on the right to self-identification recognised by international human rights conventions," the statement said.

"It is obvious that the Armenian Prime Minister, following the precepts of France, has gone down the path of creating tension in the region. The fact that France sells weapons to Armenia, including the current visit to Armenia by the French Defence Minister and heads of military-industrial companies in that country, gives grounds to say that Armenia intends to go on a military adventure precisely at the instigation of France.

We demand from Pashinyan not to turn his country into a tool of France's games, to stop the policy of mass armament, and to conclude peace with Azerbaijan, creating conditions for the return of Western Azerbaijanis," the statement reads.

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23 February 2024 13:57 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Azerbaijan and Latvia have discussed directions for the expansion of non-oil Azerbaijani exports, Azernews reports.

According to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, Deputy Minister Sahib Mammadov met with Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia, Normunds Shmits.

At the meeting, the role of mutual visits and high-level meetings in the expansion of relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia was noted. Information was given about economic reforms carried out in Azerbaijan, the favourable investment environment, and applied concessions.

It was stated that Latvian companies have wide opportunities for cooperation in the restoration and reconstruction of the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation, in projects implemented in industrial parks, in the Alyat Free Economic Zone, as well as in other economic spheres.

At the meeting, the sides discussed directions for the expansion of trade and economic relations, including the export of non-oil and gas products produced in Azerbaijan, participation in joint projects, agriculture, alternative energy, food security, and other topics, and exchanged views on cooperation in these directions.

Recall that according to the data of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, in January 2024, Azerbaijan exported goods worth $464.5 k to Latvia and imported goods worth over $1.693 mln.

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23 February 2024 11:06 (UTC+04:00)

President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"Your Majesty,

It is on the occasion of the National Day of Japan - Emperor's Birthday that on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan I offer my cordial congratulations to you and through you all the people of your country.

On this festive day, I convey my best wishes to you, and wish everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Japan.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 21 February 2024"

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23 February 2024 16:00 (UTC+04:00)

Fatime Letifova Read more

A mass grave was discovered in Khojaly district, Azernews reports.

The remains of bodies were found during the construction of the water and sewage systems in the region. Human bones and various clothing items were discovered in the cemetery. Most of the remains are believed to belong to children and women.

Recall that at the beginning of February, a mass grave was discovered in the Asgaran settlement of Khojaly district. Before that, a mass grave was discovered in Shusha in August of last year, and in the territory of Shusha prison. So far, mass graves have been discovered in Saricali village of Aghdam region, which was freed from occupation, Dashalti village of Shusha region, Edilli village of Khojavand, Farrukh village of Khojaly, Yukhari Seyidahmedli village of Fuzuli, Kalbajar, and other settlements.

Because 3,890 Azerbaijani citizens went missing during the first Garabagh war, it can be expected that the number of mass graves will increase. The Azerbaijani State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Citizens notes that 71 children, 267 women, and 326 elderly people are among the missing, and Armenia continues to refuse to provide Azerbaijan with information on mass graves of Azerbaijanis from the first Garabagh war.

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23 February 2024 16:47 (UTC+04:00)

Zoran Jankovic, Mayor of the city of Ljubljana has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

His Excellency Mr. Iham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

"Your Excellency Mr. President,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the leadership of the City of Ljubljana, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on your victory in the recent presidential elections.

Your success in winning the trust and faith of the people is a testament to your dedication, leadership, and vision for the future of the Republic of Azerbaijan. I am confident that your term in office will be marked by prosperity and success, and the realization of the aspirations of the nation, as you lead it once again with integrity, compassion, and wisdom.

Together with the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I look forward to all the achievements and further developments they will experience under your leadership. On a personal note, I wish you all that the fire in the land of fires never dies.

Good luck and welcome to Ljubljana anytime!

Yours sincerely,

Zoran Jankovic

Mayor of the city of Ljubljana"

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23 February 2024 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The price of gas in Europe has reached a minimum for the first time since the summer of 2021, Azernews reports.

During the auctions held today, the price of 1,000 cubic metres of gas in Europe has fallen below $250 for the first time since March-April 2021, marking a decrease from the previous calculation of $260 by 3.9%.

On March 23, the price of March futures on the TTF (Title Transfer Facility of the Netherlands, the most liquid virtual trading centre in Europe) index amounted to $249.9.

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23 February 2024 11:20 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The Armenian Foreign Ministry commented on the statements made by Israeli Ambassador to Armenia Yoel Lyon on January 1 about fascist Garegin Nzhdeh, Azernews reports.

On Garegin Nzhdeh's birthday, a group of people held a rally in front of his monument using Nazi symbols. After that, Israeli Ambassador to Armenia Yoel Lyon wrote on X that "glorification of Garegin Nzhdeh, a Nazi collaborator, is unacceptable" and "the authorities should take a firm stance against any form of neo-Nazism and anti-Semitism."

The Armenian Foreign Ministry said it considers "unacceptable any actions committed out of intolerance, on national or religious grounds, as well as speculations on this topic - whether for political, propaganda or other purposes."

"At the same time, foreign diplomats accredited in Armenia should show a respectful attitude," the statement reads.

We would like to remind you that last year the only synagogue in the country was set on fire by Armenian vandals in Yerevan. A video circulated on a social network shows local residents setting fire to the door of the synagogue with a flammable mixture.

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23 February 2024 14:20 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The CSTO Secretariat has not received any statements from Yerevan on suspension of membership, the organization's Secretariat said, Azernews reports.

"Pashinyan's words about freezing Armenia's participation in the CSTO apparently refer to non-participation in the events held by the organisation," the CSTO said.

Recall that, in an interview with France 24, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan harshly criticised Russia's position.

According to him, Russia "openly called on the Armenian population to overthrow the government" and "this propaganda from Moscow against it is not weakening."

Pashinyan expressed concern over the detention in Armenia of Russian Dmitry Setrakov, who fled mobilisation, calling it a "kidnapping."

"We cannot tolerate illegal actions on our territory," Nikol Pashinyan said, and he threatened Russia with "consequences," noting that keeping a Russian military base in Armenia is not on the agenda.

According to him, the Collective Security Treaty with regard to Armenia has not been implemented, which is why Yerevan has frozen its participation in the CSTO.

"In our opinion, the Collective Security Treaty regarding Armenia was not fulfilled, especially in 2021-2022, and this could not go unnoticed by us. We have frozen our participation in this treaty. We will see what happens next," he stated.

He also called peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan now "unthinkable," explaining that "Baku considers today's Armenia as Western Azerbaijan." In his opinion, Azerbaijan is "planning to seize new territories in Armenia."

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23 February 2024 19:35 (UTC+04:00)

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will pay official visits to Venezuela and Mexico starting Saturday, according to an official announcement, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The visits follow this week's G20 foreign ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which just concluded, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

During the visits, bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments will be discussed, said the statement.

The meeting in Brazil, which holds the G20 presidency in 2024, focused on the G20's role in overcoming international challenges and in global governance reform.

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23 February 2024 20:05 (UTC+04:00)

Turkiye neutralized'' 60 terrorists over the last week, including those hiding across the border in northern Iraq and Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Thursday, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak.

A total of 458 terrorists have been neutralized'' in operations against all terrorist organizations, particularly the PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG, Daesh/ISIS, and FETO, with 184 in northern Iraq and 274 in northern Syria since Jan. 1, 2024, ministry spokesman Zeki Akturk told the media at a briefing in the capital Ankara.

He said 824 terrorists have been neutralized'' in Operation Claw-Lock so far, that was launched in April 2022 to target the PKK terror organization's hideouts in Iraq's northern Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions near the Turkish border.

Ankara's anti-terror operations in the region will continue with determination, he added.

Turkish authorities use the term neutralize'' to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the PKK  listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US, and EU  has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is PKK's Syrian offshoot.

In 2013, Turkiye became one of the first countries to declare Daesh/ISIS a terrorist organization.

FETO and its US-based leader Fethullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in which 252 people were killed and 2,734 wounded in Turkiye.

- 27,631 attempts to illegally cross border prevented

Akturk also state that the security forces apprehended 201 people, including five terrorists, who attempted to illegally cross the borders into Turkiye over the past week.

He added, that another 3,094 people have been prevented from crossing the borders in the last seven days.

Thus, the number of people apprehended while attempting to illegally cross our borders has risen to 1,347 from Jan. 1 until today. The number of people who have been prevented from crossing the border (this year) is also 27,631, the ministry spokesman said.

Turkiye has been a key transit point for irregular migrants who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

The country, which already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world, is taking new measures at its borders to prevent a fresh influx of migrants.

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23 February 2024 21:10 (UTC+04:00)

Moscow considers the sanctions of the European Union illegal, undermining the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, Azernews reports, citing TASS.

"The European Union continues its fruitless attempts to put pressure on Russia through unilateral restrictive measures. On February 23, the EU countries adopted the 13th package of sanctions. We consider such actions of the European Union illegal, undermining the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council. We confirm that any unfriendly actions by Western countries will continue to receive a timely and adequate response," the ministry said.

In response to the 13th package of EU sanctions Russia has already expanded the blacklist of community citizens who are prohibited from entering the country. According to the Ministry, it included citizens of the community responsible for providing military assistance to Kiev, as well as individuals involved in the persecution of Russian officials and advocating the confiscation of Russian state assets.

In addition, the response list includes representatives of the Council of Europe, members of legislative assemblies of European Union countries, members of the OSCE PA and PACE, who systematically make aggressive statements against Russia, the ministry added.

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State Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls has secured support from 16 self-described civil rights organizations and a group of legal ethics professors in her First Amendment fight against the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission.The civil rights groups and law professors filed separate court documents Friday asking permission to submit friend-of-the-court briefs in US District Court.Meanwhile, Earls submitted multiple new court filings. One is designed to boost her case for a preliminary injunction against the judicial standards group. The other opposes the commission's attempt to have Earls' case dismissed.Earls argues that the commission's investigations into complaints against her have chilled her constitutionally protected speech on matters of public interest.Earls said in a newly filed court declaration.She cited her recent decisions to edit the contents of a Yale Law Review article and to decline a request to write for Slate magazine. She also mentioned her decision not to answer an audience question about proposed court rules changes during a September speech for the Greensboro Bar Association.Earls said.The civil rights groups submitted their briefLed by the left-of-center Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the 16 groups listed in the brief include the NAACP, League of Women Voters, and Planned Parenthood.The 20 legal ethics professors who submitted a separate brief include at least one representative of each of North Carolina's law schools. The list also features professors at Georgetown, Northwestern, Cornell, and other out-of-state law schools.the law professors wrote.the law professors added.The Judicial Standards Commission filed paperwork on Oct. 6 to dismiss Earls' suit and to block her request for a preliminary injunction.according to a brief supporting the dismissal motion filed Friday in US District Court.The judicial standards group acknowledged that it notified Earls on Aug. 15 of aof statements attributed to her in a published article. The statementsaccording to the commission's lawyers.The 14-member Judicial Standards Commission is chaired by state Appeals Court Judge Chris Dillon. Dillon, a Republican, was initially appointed to the chair's post by then-Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, a Democrat. Current Chief Justice Paul Newby, a Republican, reappointed Dillon.The commission now has six Democrats, five Republicans, and three unaffiliated members. They conduct business in two seven-member panels.The commission offered 283to judges in 2022. Those opinions offer ato judges.executive director Brittany Pinkham declared to the federal court.That same year the commission had 560 complaints pending against judges across North Carolina. Just 28 reached the formal investigation stage, Pinkham said. Anof formal investigations ended with the complaint's dismissal.Pinkham indicated to the federal court.Earls' lawsuit says the commission has initiated two investigations against her this year related to public commentsThe publication Law360 published a June 20 interview titledShe was responding to a May 17 article in the North Carolina Bar Association's publication. That article focused on the race and sex of lawyers arguing cases as the state's highest court.according to the complaint.The First Amendmentthe complaint added.Earls argues that the investigation into her commentsShe accuses the commission ofThe justice labels the August notice part of aher free-speech rights. Her complaint cites an earlier investigation in March. It related to comments Earls made about rule changes and a proposed legislative change linked to the state's courts.District Judge William Osteen admonished both Earls and the Judicial Standards Commission in September forlanguage in their court filings.
Gov. Roy Cooper has lodged an objection in Wake County Superior Court in his challenge to new state laws limiting his appointment powers. The court refused to hold a hearing on Cooper's request for a temporary restraining order.Instead a three-judge panel will hold a Nov. 1 hearing on Cooper's pursuit of an injunction.Cooper's lawyers wrote Thursday.the governor's lawyers added.according to the objection.Cooper's lawyers warned.Superior Court judges from Granville, Johnston, and Richmond counties will convene Nov. 1 in Raleigh for the first hearing in the case.Judges John Dunlow, Paul Holcombe, and Dawn Layton will serve as the three-judge panel overseeing the case, titled Cooper v. Berger. Dunlow and Holcombe are Republicans. Layton is a Democrat. Dunlow serves as resident Superior Court judge in Granville County. Holcombe's judicial district covers Johnston County. Layton's district covers Anson, Richmond, and Scotland counties.State Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, a Republican, appoints three-judge panels to consider lawsuits involving a facial challenge to a state law.Cooper filed a 55-page complaint on Oct. 10 in Wake County Superior Court. His suit targets state Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Moore, as leaders of the General Assembly.The suit reached the court slightly more than three hours after the legislature approved the challenged law, Senate Bill 512. A 72-44 vote in the state House at 1:11 p.m. completed the override of Cooper's veto of the measure.SB 512 changed the appointment structure for the state Economic Investment Committee, Environmental Management Commission, Commission for Public Health, Board of Transportation, Coastal Resources Commission, Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina Railroad Board of Directors, UNC Health Care Board of Directors, Utilities Commission, UNC Board of Governors, and UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University boards of trustees.Cooper objected to changes taking away his appointment powers in that law, along with a provision in House Bill 488 that reorganized the State Building Council and created a Residential Code Council.Cooper said in a news release announcing the lawsuit.Cooper seeks an injunction blocking portions of the two challenged laws dealing with the Economic Investment Committee, the Environmental Management Commission, Commission for Public Health, Board of Transportation, Coastal Resources Commission, Wildlife Resources Commission, and Residential Code Council.State law requires three-judge panels to address lawsuits that present a facial constitutional challenge to a statute. That means the complaint argues that the law cannot stand under any circumstances. In contrast, a single trial judge can address suits that challenge the constitutionality of a law only as it applies to a particular set of facts.Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway of Wake County issued an Oct. 11 order transferring the case from a single trial court judge to a three-judge panel.The new state budget gave Newby more flexibility in determining the judges who will serve on the panel reviewing Cooper's case. Prior to the new budget, state law dictated that three-judge panels would comprise the Wake County senior resident Superior Court judge and two other judges from eastern and western North Carolina. Those restrictions no longer apply.
Two years after the state Court of Appeals blasted the town of Apex for its decision to install a sewer pipe against a property owner's wishes, the state Supreme Court has agreed to take the case.The town requested a review from the state's highest court in June 2021. Property owner Beverly Rubin objected. But Rubin's lawyer wrote at the time that the state Supreme Court could address the following question:Orders issued Friday show that the high court has accepted both Apex's appeal and Rubin's request.The legal battle stretches back to 2015. When Rubin rejected a developer's request to grant a sewer easement across her property in rural Wake County, the developer turned to the town for help. Apex moved to acquire the easement through the town's power of condemnation.As Rubin fought the condemnation in court, Apex went ahead and installed the disputed sewer pipe. The town justified its move on the basis of itspowers. Those powers, granted by state law, gave Apex the right to take immediate possession of condemned property.But Rubin ended up winning her battle against condemnation. Courts determined that the taking of Rubin's property did not serve a public purpose. The taking benefited the private developer instead. He had turned a $2.5 million profit after selling the tract of land that would gain sewer service because of the disputed pipe.Despite Rubin's court win, the sewer pipe she never authorized remained on her property, now serving a 50-home subdivision.Rubin wanted the pipe moved, but Apex refused to comply. The town shifted gears legally, arguing that the dispute involved an inverse condemnation. Under that circumstance, the only remedy Rubin could pursue was payment from the town for her condemned property.Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins accepted Apex's newly crafted argument. Property rights advocates raised alarms. The John Locke Foundation joined a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Rubin.A unanimous three-judge panel of the NC Court of Appeals sided with Rubin in May 2021.In a 44-page opinion, Judge Lucy Inman took both Apex and the trial judge to task. ApexInman wrote.Inman and colleagues rejected that line of legal reasoning.Collinsin determining that the taking of Rubin's land for a sewer pipe amounted to inverse condemnation, appellate judges ruled.Inverse condemnationnot a claim a government can make against a property owner.Inman wrote.Apex lost the initial court battle because its taking of Rubin's land served no legitimate public purpose, Inman reminded readers.she wrote.Accepting Apex's argument wouldInman warned.For example, a city could use its condemnation power to pave a landowner's gravel drivewayIf the city lost in court,Inman explained.Despite the Appeals Court's rejection of Apex's legal arguments in 2021, the future of the disputed sewer pipe remained in limbo. Inman and her colleagues agreed that Rubin would need further legal action. She would have to pursue a new trespass claim against the town There was no guarantee that a new court case would force the town to comply.Rubin's lawyer wrote in June 2021.according to Rubin's Supreme Court filing.the court filing continued.Rubin's lawyers argued.Apex might have toaccording to the court filing.Apex and Rubin will have opportunities to file new briefs before the state Supreme Court schedules the case for oral arguments.
This post appears here courtesy of ECU News Services . The author of this post is ECU News Services East Carolina University's commencement ceremony will take place Friday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum to celebrate approximately 1,925 members of the fall Class of 2023. ECU alumnus Kelly S. King will be the keynote speaker.King is the retired chairman and CEO of Truist, a role he served in following the closing of the merger of equals between BB&T Corporation and SunTrust Banks Inc. Before the merger, King had served as chairman and chief executive officer of Truist predecessor BB&T Corporation since January 2010.At Truist and BB&T, King has served in many leadership roles including 35 years as part of the executive leadership team. He was named president and chief executive officer of BB&T Corporation in January 2009, and chairman and chief executive officer of Branch Banking & Trust Company in January 2009; served as chief operating officer of BB&T Corporation and Branch Banking and Trust Company from June 2004 to December 2008; and was president of BB&T Corporation from 1996 to June 2004.King earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and an MBA from ECU. He is also a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University where his thesis on leadership became known as the Truist Leadership Model.King previously served as chairman of ECU's Board of Visitors. He has also served as chairman of the North Carolina Bankers Association board, and chairman of the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center.Currently, King serves as the chair of the NCInnovation Board of Directors and High Point University's National Leadership Advisory Council. Previously, he served on the Federal Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve System from 2013 to 2016 and as its president in 2016. He also served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond from 2009 to 2012.College-specific recognition ceremonies will take place that afternoon. For a complete list of ceremonies and additional details visit ECU's commencement website.
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?
Austin Alonzo, reporting for the Epoch Times, writes:

Arabella Advisors is the biggest name in politics youve never heard.

The firm is deeply involved with some of the most prominent financiers of progressive policies and Democratic Party candidates. It manages a complex network of tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations that quietly funnels money to progressive organizations, political action committees, and the campaigns of Democratic Party candidates.

In 2020 and 2022, according to federal election finance filings and nonprofit tax forms, groups linked to Arabella were active in financing Democrats and left-leaning get-out-the-vote efforts. A leader of one of the funds connected to Arabella has already promised to keep up their efforts in 2024.

Arabella Advisors is a private, Washington-based for-profit corporation. In its 2020 report, it says it provides administrative services to nonprofits working to build a better world and [help] philanthropists on their journeys from idea to impact.

Arabella didnt respond to requests for comment by The Epoch Times.

Its website says its clients include families and individuals, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. It doesnt disclose financial records or details of its activities outside of so-called annual impact reports.

The latest such report, reflecting its activities in 2021 and 2022, said it worked to deploy more than half a billion dollars in grants to more than 2,800 grantees working in more than 100 countries and almost every state in the United States.

The report also shows evidence of Arabellas political leanings. It lists defending democracy and elevating equity as part of how it helps.

In a December 2023 hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee, Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) described Arabella as a key part of the Democrat Partys political infrastructure in recent years.

Mr. Smith asked about the amount of money allegedly flowing into Arabella from foreign sources. In his testimony, Capital Research Center President Scott Walter said one donor in particular, Swiss medical device billionaire Hansjorg Wyss, is sending millions of dollars to Arabella-linked groups through his nonprofit organizations the Wyss Foundation and the Berger Action Fund.

Our country is increasingly polarized in many ways, but we possess near-universal agreement that foreigners and foreign money should not meddle in our politics, Mr. Walter said.

In November 2023, Arabella named Himesh Bhise, formerly a telecom executive, as its CEO. He replaced Sampriti Ganguli, who, according to her LinkedIn page, left the organization in December 2022 after she moved from CEO to become a part-time senior adviser.

In November 2021, Ms. Ganguli said in an interview with The Atlantic that Arabella is the American lefts equivalent to the conservative mega-donor Charles Koch. She is now an independent consultant in Arlington, Virginia.

Mr. Bhise, according to political donor records maintained by watchdog organization OpenSecrets, made small donations to Democrat candidates between 2008 and 2018.

The Nonprofit Funds

According to nonprofit tax forms reviewed by The Epoch Times, Arabella is paid to provide the administrative, operations, and management services for six politically active tax-exempt funds: New Venture Fund, Sixteen Thirty Fund, Hopewell Fund, Windward Fund, North Fund, and Impetus Fund.

In 2020, in the run-up to the general election between now-President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, those groups funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to organizations that were intimately involved in a myriad of activities, including efforts to get out the vote, facilitate mail-in voting, explicitly oppose President Trumps campaign, or support President Bidens campaign.

The nonprofit organizations are required to file a Form 990 return with the IRS at the end of their fiscal year or the calendar year. However, it reflects the activities of the prior year. Americans, therefore, wont know what the Arabella-linked funds were up to in 2024 until the end of 2025 at the earliest.

Influencing the 2020 Election



Collectively, the Arabella-linked funds spent about $1.4 billion in fiscal 2020. The groups sent more than $48 million back to Arabella for their services.

The Epoch Times reviewed dozens of 990s and Federal Election Commission filings associated with groups that admitted they were involved in a so-called shadow campaign in 2020.

In February 2021, Time published an article, The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election, that detailed how a group of powerful people across industries and ideologies worked behind the scenes to influence perceptions, change rules and laws, steer media coverage, and control the flow of information.

Time called the so-called shadow campaign a mission to fortify the 2020 election. Those who were quoted in the story said they worked to send hundreds of millions of dollars to poll workers and operatives aiming to get people to vote by mail for the first time. An Epoch Times analysis published in January showed that the campaign was focused on promoting Democratic candidates.

In 2020, the Arabella-linked funds sent about $218 million toward groups that were directly involved in the efforts against President Trump and other Republican candidates, according to IRS records.

The organizations said they were, and are still, working to protect democracy. A financial analysis shows that when they received money from an Arabella-linked fund in 2020, it almost always went toward efforts to stop either President Trump or another Republican candidate.

The largest recipient, by far, was America Votes. It got four of every five dollars the funds spent in the so-called shadow campaign.

The second-largest beneficiary was the Center for Technology and Civic Life. That group, according to earlier reporting from The Epoch Times, spent heavily to increase voter turnout in Biden-friendly districts. It got nearly $25 million from the Arabella-linked groups.

America Votes describes itself as the coordination hub of the progressive community. On its website, it says its coalition includes groups such as the Democratic Governors Association, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, and the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.

According to its tax records, America Votes spent about $257 million between July 2019 and June 2021. It sent money to more than 200 progressive organizations during that period. Several received more than $1 million each.

The largest recipients of America Votes grants ultimately sent money into PACs that worked to help the Biden campaign and other Democratic candidates.

Family Friendly Action PAC, which is linked to The Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, received about $16 million from America Votes. According to an FEC analysis of its independent expenditures, it spent $4.2 million to support President Biden.

Additionally, Family Friendly Action PAC spent $10.9 million to support Democrats running for the U.S. Senate. The largest amount went to Theresa Greenfield, the Democratic challenger who failed to unseat Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).

Black PAC got $9.7 million from America Votes, adding to other donations it received. The group spent $14.1 million on President Biden and $1.9 million against President Trump, according to the FEC.

The PAC also spent $16.2 million on Democrats in federal races. Its largest expenditure went to backing Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), who beat then-Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler in 2020. Mr. Warnocks win was critical for tilting the balance of power in the Senate toward the Democrats.

For Our Future, a super PAC linked to the progressive For Our Future Action Fund, got $8.2 million from America Votes. It spent about $4.3 million on President Biden and $1.3 million attacking President Trump.

Actions in 2022 and Beyond



Its difficult to say what the groups are up to today because of the tax code. However, the leader of one of the most politically active funds has said that its ready to keep up its efforts.

In a blog post published in November 2023, Sixteen Thirty Fund President Amy Kurtz said of the groups plans in the rest of 2023 and 2024, We are prepared and proud to lead alongside our projects in the fight against authoritarianism and efforts to dismantle our freedoms.

The post celebrated Sixteen Thirtys involvement in efforts to influence voters ahead of the midterm elections in 2022 and off-cycle contests in 2023.

As conservatives continued their assault on voting rights ahead of the 2022 election, our partners at America Votes rolled out the largest civic engagement program in the country, Ms. Kurtz wrote in her blog post. As a result of these efforts, turnout reached record highs for a midterm in Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

According to tax filings for fiscal 2022, the Arabella-linked funds spent more than $1.4 billion on the midterms. The groups paid Arabella $52.2 million.

Once again, America Votes was a leading recipient of donations.

The Arabella-linked groups sent America Votes $44 million in 2022. Its tax records show the progressive coalition spent about $65.3 million between July 2021 and June 2022. It sent grants to more than 130 organizations, with several receiving more than $1 million.

As in 2020, the groups that got the most money spent it on key races affecting the balance of power in Washington.

The Black Progressive Action Coalition, which is tied to Black PAC, received about $4.23 million, the largest gift of the cycle. In 2021 and 2022, according to FEC records, it spent $9.7 million on Democrats running for Congress. Mr. Warnock received $5.7 million.

Reverend Stephen A. Green (C) of Faith for Black Lives joins hunger strikers and activists at a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol to demand that the Senate pass a federal election bill, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Un-PAC)

The Center For Voter Information (CVI), a get-out-the-vote organization that calls itself nonpartisan, got about $2 million. The CVI is a partner organization of the Voter Participation Center (VPC). Tom Lopach is CEO and president of both organizations.

In their tax records, the CVI and the VPC both describe their organizational mission as getting unmarried women, people of color, and young people to vote.

According to his LinkedIn page, Mr. Lopach is a longtime Democratic operative. Hes a former chief of staff for Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and has worked for former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat.

America Votes also sent money to its own PAC: America Votes Action. Its PAC didnt spend on races in 2021 or 2022, but it transferred money to groups that did.

Family Friendly Action PAC got about $1.4 million from America Votes Action. That group spent about $10.6 million to boost Democratic congressional candidates in 2021 and 2022. According to the FEC, it spent $4.1 million to help Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) win his race against Republican Mehmet Oz.


A gastroenterologist in Wheeling, W.Va., has been indicted on charges of tax fraud and obstructing justice after authorities said he failed to pay more than $2.4 million in payroll taxes.

Nitesh Ratnakar, MD, was indicted on 41 counts of tax fraud and one count of obstructing a federal grand jury investigation, according to a Feb. 22 news release from the Justice Department.

Dr. Ratnakar owned and operated a gastroenterology practice and a medical equipment manufacturer. Between 2018 and 2022, the Justice Department said he failed to pay more than $2.4 million in employee withholdings to the IRS.

The indictment also charges Dr. Ratnakar with filing false tax returns in 2020, 2021,and 2022, and with causing false documents to be provided in response to a federal grand jury subpoena, the release said.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said Chinese efforts to embed malware inside U.S. critical infrastructure networks are at "a scale greater than we'd seen before" in remarks made days before a reported cybersecurity event affecting the nation's largest commercial prescription processor.

Mr. Wray discussed the growing threat of Chinese hacking network Volt Typhoon on Feb. 18. after attending the Munich Security Conference, The Wall Street Journal reported. He said Beijing-backed actors were pre-positioning malware that could be instantly activated to disrupt critical infrastructure.

The director has consistently identified China as a growing threat to U.S. national security, and on Jan. 31 warned U.S. lawmakers that the escalating urgency of the threat requires more investment in the FBI's capabilities.

"China's hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities," Mr. Wray said at the January subcommittee hearing. "If or when China decides the time has come to strike, they're not focused solely on political or military targets. We can see from where they position themselves, across civilian infrastructure, that low blows aren't just a possibility in the event of a conflict. Low blows against civilians are part of China's plan."

The director's remarks arrived weeks and days before Change Healthcare, part of UnitedHealth Group, reported a "cybersecurity incident" that disrupted connectivity and healthcare billing and pharmacy operations at a large scale.

No link to China has been reported and few details have been released about the nature of the cybersecurity issue, but an updated SEC filing states that UnitedHealth Group identified "a suspected nation-state associated cyber security threat actor" on Feb. 21 had gained access to some Change IT systems.

Change initially reported disruptions early on Feb. 21, issuing an alert one day later about "a cyber security issue" triggered by an outside threat. The company, part of insurer UnitedHealth Group, disconnected its systems after detecting the threat, disrupting health systems, hospitals and pharmacies nationwide and all military pharmacies worldwide.
Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health reported $1.1 billion in net income in 2023, including investment gains of $931 million, compared to a net loss of $715 million in 2022, according to its most recent financial report.

In 2023, IU Health's operating revenue increased by 6.9% year over year to $8.6 billion, due to higher inpatient and outpatient surgeries and medical inpatient discharges in 2023. Its operating expenses climbed 4.2% to $8.3 billion, due to rising supply, labor and drug costs.

Operating income increased 183.5% from 2022 to $343 million, with a 4% operating margin.

IU Health has continued to invest in its 38,000 employees, including $85 million of incremental investments to help address existing workforce challenges and ensure care stability.

"While overall financial performance improved in 2023 compared to the year prior, strong investment performance helped boost IU Health's bottom line," Jenni Alvey, senior vice president and CFO of IU Health, said in the report. "Increased volumes and growth in year over year operating income is promising, but we must continue our disciplined fiscal stewardship and commitment to reducing the cost of care to achieve our care affordability promise while still delivering high quality care."

Revenue growth in 2023 was limited by IU Health's pledge, which is unique across Indiana health systems, to make average commercial prices as a percentage of Medicare consistent with national averages by 2025, while still ensuring proper care. As a result of its pricing plan, "hundreds of thousands" of patients benefited from radiology, lab work, specialty pharmacy, and ambulance service price reductions.

IU Health's price plan is expected to exceed $1 billion in total patient and employer savings by 2025. The health system also assists its patients with a price transparency program, which offers comprehensive estimates, like out-of-pocket costs, for all medical procedures. The service provides more than 150,000 estimates annually.

"Three years into our commitment to bring our commercial hospital prices to the national average by 2025, our plan remains on track and has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in cost savings to Indiana employers. We have achieved significant price reductions in services used most frequently by our patients," Dennis Murphy, president and CEO of IU Health, said in the release. "Nevertheless, we still have work to do. We must navigate a careful and delicate balance between our care affordability plan and the rapidly changing dynamics of our environment."

IU Health's capital projects include $2.3 billion for the construction of an expanded medical campus that will combine two existing adult hospitals. Another $2 billion will go to added investment to the health system's Indianapolis campus and neighboring property holdings.
At the beginning of 2022, the University of Utah Health had around 40 to 50 openings for technicians among its 17 retail pharmacies and five hospitals. That was too many, and the health system needed to fill the pipeline quickly.

Utah's unemployment has hovered around 2.5% in the last five years, limiting the pool of potential candidates for any job, let alone a skilled technician.

What could be done?

Kavish Choudhary, PharmD, chief pharmacy officer at the Salt Lake City-based health system, and his team knew something had to change.

The health system had relationships with community colleagues, two local high schools and an online program to train medical and pharmacy techs. But that wasn't enough. Then, a colleague from the Utah Refugee Center reached out with an idea for the refugees arriving in Salt Lake City, which is a sanctuary city. He told Dr. Choudhary the refugee program had several people who wanted to work and could train online as techs, but couldn't pay for their education.

"We saw some decreasing enrollment in the online program and we thought, what if we remove the barriers to the cost of the education? So we initially started with the idea of partnering with the refugee center but pulling down all the barriers so anybody that wanted to become a pharmacy technician, we'll pay for," said Dr. Choudhary.

The health system set aside "a couple hundred thousand dollars" for the first year of the program to fund 80 to 85 scholarships for people who wanted to become technicians. The scholarships were awarded with no strings attached; the program's participants did not need to stay with the system or pay back any of the funds.

The program has been a success. It has 119 students enrolled and about 50 are working at the University of Utah Health. There are around 60 program members working elsewhere in the region and 12 have graduated and are now full pharmacy technicians.

"It's been a great way for us to solve our workforce shortage with the technician piece," said Dr. Choudhary.

Many of the 50 members of the program working at University of Utah Health are students, so working as techs gives them extra cash while they are in school and many qualify for tuition benefits as employees.

"A lot of students are capitalizing on that," said Dr. Choudhary. "About a third of our technician and training pool is students, another third are folks exploring a second career or a different career and this is a way to get it done because it's paid for, and the last third are folks that are new Americans or refugees."

But students in the program don't have to stop there. Dr. Choudhary emphasized with new techs the variety of opportunities they will have to build great careers in healthcare. The health system has a robust career pathway to advance as a technician. About 70 of the last 100 techs that left the university went on to pharmacy school, while another 12 went to medical school and a few went to law school or other programs.

"That's been a huge marketing component for us as we talk to folks that are enrolled in college today about working in our department. You're going to learn how to work really hard, you're going to learn some really cool things, you're going to learn how to work as a team and work in an interdisciplinary environment and it'll set you up well for future success," said Dr. Choudhary.

The system's tech turnover went from around 20% to less than 10% after removing cost barriers, and the workforce has stabilized.

"For us, the proof is in the numbers," said Dr. Choudhary, who has had the chance to connect with many of the program participants on a personal level.

"They're really awesome people and for me, it's really fulfilling to hear their stories and the impact they've had on our institution as well as the impact we've had on them," he said.
Miami police confirmed an officer-involved shooting on the campus of 1,500-bed Jackson Memorial Hospital Feb. 23 that left one man injured.

Police responded to reports of a violent dispute at an intersection on the hospital's campus and near the University of Miami medical school before 10 a.m. One man was wielding a knife.

"He didn't cooperate with police so one of our officers shot him once," Officer Michael Vega, a police spokesman, told The Miami Herald. Witnesses also told the local news outlet that police attempts to have the man release the knife were ineffective.

Law enforcement sources said officers also shot the man with a stun gun.

The wounded man ran to the emergency wing of Jackson Memorial Hospital, where police then detained him. He was being treated later in the day and in stable condition, police said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the incident. Jackson Memorial Hospital remained open, but several streets around it were shut down for several hours by police Feb. 23.
A former Waterbury (Conn.) Hospital executive has filed a lawsuit against her ex-employer alleging she was fired for her age, according to court documents accessed by Becker's.

Kim Samele's complaint was filed Feb. 21 in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut under the provisions of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act.

The lawsuit, which lists Prospect Waterbury and Justin Lundbye, MD, as defendants, alleges the hospital posted her job on Indeed.com while she was on medical leave in late 2022 and then fired her. Ms. Samale says she was given pretextual reasons for her termination when age was a motivating factor in the decision.

Dr. Lundbye was promoted to CEO of Waterbury Health, which includes Waterbury Hospital, in 2021 and is leaving the organization March 8 to become president of West Islip, N.Y.-based Good Samaritan Hospital. He is approximately 10 years younger than Ms. Samele, who was 62 years old when she was terminated in early 2023, according to the lawsuit.

Ms. Samele said Dr. Lundbye told her she was "old fashioned" in her thoughts, and she was warned by physicians that he wanted to replace her.

"In the fall of 2022, three doctors separately informed the plaintiff that defendant Lundbye disliked her and that she should be careful when interacting with him," the lawsuit states. "Two of the doctors further informed the plaintiff that defendant Lundbye wanted to replace her with someone younger and more attractive."

Ms. Samele said she was initially hired in 2020 as executive director, business development, and surgical services, and in 2022, her role was terminated, but she remained employed by moving to the recently vacated position of director of nursing, surgical services. In late 2022, she took medical leave, with a scheduled return-to-work date in early 2023, and noticed a job posting for her role while on medical leave.

"She immediately sent an email to [Chief Medical Officer Greta] Boynton, [MD], [employee David] Schmidt and Lindsey Smith, HR Director, and asked, 'How can my current position be posted?'" the lawsuit states.

"Six days later, Ms. Smith responded via email: '[t]he below role is the director, surgical services. Your role remains executive director [of the] surgical services line.'

"On Jan. 15, 2023, the plaintiff confirmed her return-to-work date with the defendants. A few days before the plaintiff's scheduled return date, however, the defendants terminated her employment. Upon information and belief, the defendants replaced the plaintiff with a new hire and/or existing employees, all of whom are younger than plaintiff."

Waterbury Health shared the following statement with Becker's: "As a matter of policy, we do not comment on matters involving ongoing litigation."

Ms. Samele seeks damages including but not limited to an award of back pay, front pay and lost bonuses and/or benefits; interest on her economic losses; and attorney fees.












In a case of mistaken identity, an employee of PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center asked the wrong family to make end-of-life decisions for a patient on life support at the Vancouver, Wash.-based facility in 2021, NBC affiliate KGW reported Feb. 21.

The medical team overseeing care for the patient contacted Debbie Danielson in the middle of the night, saying her brother, 60-year-old Michael Beehler's condition, had taken a turn after a choking incident. Her brother was doing so poorly they told her he was "basically brain-dead," she recounted to KGW. After learning this, she told them to take him off of life support.

About a week later, Ms. Danielson's family received a phone call  from Mr. Beehler. He was alive. It was only then they discovered there had been a tragic mistake.

The patient was not Ms. Danielson's brother. Somehow, after being transported to the hospital by EMS, the patient, David Wells, was incorrectly identified as his roommate, Mr. Beehler.

"We made life-ending decisions for a person we don't even know," Gary Danielson, the husband of Ms. Danielson, told KGW.

The family contacted the non-emergency line at the police department to inform them of the situation. Then, Clark County Medical Examiners Office used fingerprints to confirm the identity of the deceased.

"I am a little uncertain on how to proceed with this unfortunate mix-up," Michelle Rodrigue, a death investigator, wrote at the time, according to KGW.

While certain adverse events and medical errors can be investigated by the state, the events that led to this case of mistaken identity at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center likely would not qualify as such, KGW reported.

It is unclear how an investigation into the matter will proceed at this time.

A PeaceHealth spokesperson told Becker's there are patient identification protocols in place that require a form of identification or family member identification. If a patient enters the emergency department without an identity, they are given a placeholder name until identity is confirmed.

"As a community of caregivers devoted to healing, we extend our sincerest sympathy to the families impacted in this situation that has surfaced two and a half years later. Patient safety and privacy is our utmost priority, and together we will carry on our Mission of caring for our community" the PeaceHealth spokesperson told Becker's. "This situation also highlights the importance of continued collaboration in working with multiple community agencies involved in healthcare, including EMS and the Medical Examiner's Office, which PeaceHealth and our community partners are committed to doing."
State attorneys general are urging Congress to pass three bills that would reform pharmacy benefit manager practices and bring more transparency to their work.

A bipartisan group of 39 state attorneys general sent a letter to Senate and House leaders Feb. 20, highlighting the urgent need for federal action. While efforts to regulate PBMs are occurring on the state level, many PBMs routinely try to obstruct regulatory efforts by refusing to disclose data to regulators and their own clients, the attorneys general said.

"The FTC and Congress must act to ensure fulsome regulation of PBMs nationwide," they wrote in the letter. "Such legislation should reform PBM practices to curtail their ability to unreasonably raise the price of drugs and to require greater transparency."

The three bills mentioned in the letter are the DRUG Act, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act and The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act. This legislation would mandate steps for PBMs to increase transparency into their practices, including by sharing standardized pricing data with health plans and state and federal lawmakers, according to a Feb. 21 news release from the National Association of Attorneys General.

The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, a trade group representing PBMs, has asserted that PBM-negotiated rebates are not linked to drug prices. In a Feb. 7 statement, the association urged federal lawmakers to hold drugmakers accountable for high drug prices.



Editor's note: Becker's has reached out to PCMA for comment on the call for federal PBM reforms from state attorneys general and will update the article if more information becomes available.
A group of physicians and patient advocates are criticizing HCA Mission Hospital's plan of correction to revoke its immediate jeopardy status because it makes no mention of increasing staff, local news outlets reported Feb. 22.

The Asheville, N.C.-based hospital's plan of correction to address serious deficiencies it was cited for in January focuses on improving policies and educating staff. Among the changes are ensuring patients are triaged and assigned a nurse within 10 minutes of ED arrival and having lab results returned within 30 minutes. Those changes are related to deficiencies CMS identified in its recent report detailing what led to the immediate jeopardy sanction, including long wait times, delays in lab work and other issues that allegedly led to the deaths of four patients, according to documents obtained by The Asheville Watchdog.

On Feb. 1, CMS sent a letter to the hospital, notifying leadership that the 815-bed facility is in immediate jeopardy and must take action to avert the loss of federal funding. The agency had set a Feb. 6 deadline for Mission Hospital to submit a plan of correction indicating how it will come back into compliance. The hospital met that deadline, but a coalition of physicians and patient advocates say the plan offers "only bureaucratic solutions to what is fundamentally a workforce issue."

In a letter to Mark Benton, chief deputy secretary for health at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, seven physicians and three patient advocates called the plan "insufficient" and urged regulators to request staffing information from the hospital and assign a third party to monitor the hospital's execution of the correction plan.

"HCA needs to increase support staff, hire more experienced nurses, place nurses in the appropriate place for their level of experience, and commit to maintain these higher staffing levels permanently," the stakeholders said in the letter. "These are the primary steps needed to ensure patient safety and high quality care over the long term, and any POC that does not include them will fail."

All of the clinicians who sent the letter have worked at Mission in some capacity, including in leadership roles. They were joined by state Sen. Julie Mayfield at a Feb. 22 press conference sharing their concerns.

The hospital has not said whether it will hire more staff. A spokesperson for Mission Health and HCA, Nancy Lindell, sent the following statement to Becker's:

"We are pleased that CMS accepted our Plan of Correction and we will continue to collaborate with the surveyors through this process."

Late last year, the state health department conducted inspections at Mission Hospital on behalf of CMS and recommended it be placed in immediate jeopardy, noting nine deficiencies related to incidents that occurred between April 2022 and November 2023. Officials at Mission Hospital previously said they had started taking steps to address issues when they received the initial findings from the health department in January, including bringing in more staff to work in the ED.

Once surveyors with the state's health department determine that immediate jeopardy conditions are removed, the hospital will have 90 days to complete specific corrective actions and regain compliance with regulations, according to CMS. State and federal surveyors were on site at the facility Feb. 20.
Some employers are sunsetting annual performance reviews in favor of regular, daily feedback  a trend experts predict will become increasingly prevalent, The Wall Street Journal reported Feb. 22.

Many companies still use annual performance reviews, meaning employees often have to wait a year for feedback. Despite employers' acknowledgment about this framework's shortcomings, annual reviews have persisted as leaders focus on larger priorities such as cost reduction and revenue generation, executives told the Journal.

However, a new generation of leaders are upending this model in a bid to boost productivity among their teams and create more transparent workplaces. These leaders are focused on creating a culture of constant feedback at their companies, training employees on how to give feedback and pausing meetings to share real-time constructive criticism, according to the report.

Artificial intelligence may also play a larger role in performance assessments moving forward, industry experts said. Some technology companies are already piloting the use of AI platforms that evaluate workers' performance in video call meetings.

Read the full report here.
Innovation has grown in the spine device market, and many companies are looking toward more minimally invasive and motion preserving options. Five spine surgeons discuss their expectations for the spine medtech market in the near future.

Note: Responses were edited for clarity.

Question: How will the spine device market evolve in five years?

Brian Gantwerker, MD. The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: The device market will evolve further into motion preservation and endoscopy. While we have seen growth in robotics, it has not expanded as rapidly as the other two. The use of AR will increase but its awkwardness in the operating rooms remains a barrier to adoption. I am hoping other adjuncts to surgery, such as ultrasound and EM navigation will increase in prevalence to allow real time improvement of surgical outcomes.

Arya Shamie, MD. UCLA Health: I foresee the spine device market undergoing significant evolution over the next five years, driven by advancements in technology, patient-centric approaches, and surgical techniques. The landscape of spine surgery continues to evolve, with a growing emphasis on minimally invasive procedures, personalized implants, and enhanced patient outcomes.

One of the key trends shaping the future of the spine device market is the continued refinement of minimally invasive techniques. Patients and surgeons alike are increasingly seeking procedures that offer shorter recovery times, reduced risk of complications, and improved overall outcomes. As a result, we anticipate a surge in demand for innovative minimally invasive spine devices that enable precise interventions while minimizing tissue damage.

The rise of personalized medicine is poised to revolutionize the spine device market. From customizable implants tailored to individual patient anatomy to advanced imaging technologies guiding surgical planning, personalized approaches are becoming increasingly integral to successful spine interventions. By leveraging data-driven insights and cutting-edge technologies, surgeons can optimize patient care and achieve superior clinical outcomes.

Another significant driver of change in the spine device market is the integration of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) into surgical workflows. These technologies hold immense potential to enhance the precision, efficiency, and safety of spine surgeries. From robotic-assisted navigation systems to AI-powered predictive analytics, surgeons will have access to powerful tools that streamline procedures and optimize patient care.

As healthcare systems globally strive to contain costs and improve efficiency, we anticipate a growing emphasis on value-based care in the spine device market. Manufacturers will need to prioritize the development of cost-effective solutions that deliver superior clinical outcomes and enhance patient satisfaction. This shift towards value-driven healthcare will shape product innovation, market dynamics, and strategic partnerships in the spine device sector.

I believe the spine device market is on the brink of transformative change, driven by technological innovation, personalized medicine, and value-based care. As a spine surgeon, I am excited to witness the evolution of this dynamic field and remain committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge technologies and evidence-based practices.

William Taylor, MD. University of California San Diego Health: My hope would be that we could continue to see novel and groundbreaking treatments developed. However, constraints around approvals that exist at individual hospital levels along with the federal government continues to make this both time-consuming and expensive. I continued to believe that the interdiscal market for local treatments that include both hybrid, and medical treatments will expand

Vijay Yanamadala, MD. Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare: In a market where the device has increasingly become a commodity (a screw is a screw at the end of the day, a plate is a plate, and a cage is a cage), and surgical outcomes are largely a function of how the surgeon uses these tools, device companies will have to increasingly differentiate on how they deliver service to the surgeon and to the hospital. The sales rep who can be an effective coordinator will be the one who wins. And the company that establishes that culture with their reps will be the one who wins. I have worked with reps who have my surgery down to a science, who take notes, and can then replicate that process every time, working closely with my nurses, surgical technologists, and other staff in the OR to make it happen. I have also had reps that I need to remind from surgery to surgery what I need and who may need to get critical equipment that is not in the room. When our hospital staff is increasingly stretched thin, short staffing and travelers are increasingly prevalent, having a rep that acts as the glue in the room is critical. This is all to say, spine device companies will increasingly see their roles as service providers that also supply the instrumentation and devices. The service aspect will become the key differentiator in five years even more than it is today.

Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): With most healthcare institutions and both federally/state funded programs under financial duress, the answer to this question is dubious. In our institution and healthcare system, cost containment and the run-away burdens of implant companies 'bill of business' is front and center for immediate change. Biomedical materials management has been tasked at paring the most expensive companies from expansive vendor lists of dozens to single digit medical device providers. This is long overdue since the range of costs of similar/identical hardware in both cervical and lumbar spine implantables, can exceed three hundred percent. These are all upfront, pre-insurance costs to the system and the patient.
In the last 11 months, several orthopedic and spine devicemakers have gone to court to defend their patents.

Here are four patent lawsuits to know since March 2023:

1. An appeal board for the European Patent Office has revoked a pain management system patent belonging to California-based medical device company Nevro following a challenge from its competitors Medtronic and Boston Scientific. The decision invalidates Nevro's patent entitled "Multi-frequency Neural Treatments and Associated Systems and Methods."

2. French orthopedic devicemaker Safe Medical saw another win against Neo Medical over patent infringement. The Paris Judicial Court upheld its judgment from a May 2021 ruling that Neo Medical infringed one of Safe Medical's patents for a pedicle screw kit.

3. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Patent Trial and Appeal Board ruled against orthopedic device company Extremity Medical in its patent dispute against Fusion Orthopedics, Zimmer Biomet and Paragon 28. In 2021, Extremity filed a patent application for a device similar to Fusion Orthopedics' IntraLock device, which launched in 2019.

4. Foot and ankle device company Fusion Orthopedics reached an agreement with medical device company Treace Medical in an ongoing patent dispute. In March 2022, Treace filed a civil action suit against Fusion in an Arizona district court, alleging patent, trademark and copyright infringement.
U.S-led coalition launches 4 strikes in Yemen's Hodeidah: Houthi TV

Xinhua) 10:33, February 23, 2024

SANAA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Warplanes of the U.S.-led coalition launched four strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Thursday, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.

The strikes occurred in the area of al-Jabbanah in the northwestern part of the city, the television said without elaborating further.

No casualties were reported in the strikes and the residents in Hodeidah described the explosions as very powerful.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command said U.S. aircraft and coalition warship shot down six Iranian-backed Houthi one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Red Sea.

"The OWA UAVs were identified by U.S. Central Command as likely targeting U.S. and coalition warships and were an imminent threat," the command said on its X account.

The command said the Houthis later fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Gulf of Aden. "The missiles impacted MV Islander, a Palau-flagged Britain-owned cargo carrier, causing one minor injury and damage. The ship is continuing its voyage," it added.

The Houthi group later also claimed responsibility for the missile attack, which resulted in a fire on the vessel.

This was the latest of a series of attacks by Houthis that had forced many shipping companies to re-route around the southern tip of Africa.

Also on Thursday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi vowed again to launch more attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

"More attacks will come," he said in his speech aired by the Houthi-run satellite TV channel al-Masirah.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Laura Haldane of SciLead, Ryan Donnelly from Enzai, KPMG Ireland's Ashleen Feeney, Rory Guinan of Endeavor Ireland, Responsible's Mark Dowds and Greg Maguire of Humain

Five founders of Northern Irelands most exciting start-ups have been selected to take part in a mentorship programme backed by U2s The Edge.

The companies, which all specialise in different tech sectors, were picked by Endeavour Ireland, a global not-for-profit organisation, with an aim to support and accelerate high-impact entrepreneurs by connecting them with talent, capital and a worldwide peer and mentor network.

The companys board includes Rosaleen Blair, deputy chair of Kainos and hotelier Paddy McKillen, with rockstar The Edge holding the role of founding chair.

The rocker, real name David Howell Evans, joined Endeavour in 2018, after stating that U2 had been examining how to use their influence to help Irish businesses and founders.

He told the Irish Times upon taking the role of founding chair that he had hoped the initiative would be another part of U2s legacy in that it would help create the next generation of Irish CEOs.

The five founders selected include Belfast-born Ryan Donnelly, co-founder of AI governance platform Enzai, which has been described as Northern Irelands first possible unicorn (a company worth a billion pounds).

The start-up, which was born in Belfasts Ormeau Baths, made headlines last year after it raised $4million in funding in just over two years.

U2's The Edge

Laura Haldane, the co-founder of data source software company SciLead has also been picked by the company as one of the NI founders to receive the honour.

Ms Haldane is also one of the mentors involved in Women in Business Northern Ireland.

The final three spots have been filled by Mark Dowds, CEO of Responsible, a company which campaigns for fashion sustainability, Roger Johnston, the founder of Axial3D which offers 3D solutions for medical surgeries and Greg Maguire, the founder of Humain, a video game development company.

All five founders and their companies will now participate in a five-month programme that will include 10 one-on-one mentorships tailored to their specific needs.

The inaugural session of the programme was held at the KPMG office in Belfast this week. KPMG is one of Endeavor Irelands corporate partners.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Managing Director of Endeavor Ireland, Rory Guinan, said: Endeavor is a not-for-profit organisation with a focus on supporting entrepreneurs with high-impact potential to scale up, and to ultimately provide a societal benefit for the island of Ireland.

The mission for Endeavor Ireland has always been an all-island one, but while we have engaged with some great founders in Northern Ireland since we established in 2019, none of the companies that have advanced to become Endeavor Entrepreneurs are from Northern Ireland, and thats why we chose to focus on founders in this area as part of our second Scale Up Programme, he added.

We had a great response to the call for applications and have been blown away by the founders selected for this programme.

This programme will provide them with mentorship and advice to help create a lasting impact for their companies and for their communities.
Coronation Streets Sue Nicholls has paid tribute to her long-time co-star John Savident saying her memories of him are a joy following his death aged 86.

Savident was known for his booming voice while playing butcher Fred Elliott on the ITV soap.

Nicholls, 80, who plays Audrey Roberts, Elliots long-term love interest, thanked Savident for being in her life.

John Savident has died aged 86 (PA)

She said in a statement: I am very sad to hear of Johns passing. My memories of working with you dear John on the street are a joy, and always will be.

God bless you and thank you for being in my life. Much love to you and your friends and family.

Guernsey-born actor Savident died on February 21.

A statement from his agent to the PA news agency said: We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday February 21.

He was a much-loved husband and father-of-two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Welsh TV personality Carol Vorderman paid tribute to the star on X, formerly known as Twitter.

She wrote: Rest In Peace Fred Elliott.

John Savident was one of our favourites when we watched Corrie together.

I say he was one of our favourites. Thank you John for making us laugh every time.

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Iain MacLeod, ITVs executive producer for continuing drama, said: Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savidents death.

As Fred Elliott, John firmly established himself in the pantheon of Coronation Street greats.

His peerless comic timing, combined with a deep pathos arising from his outstanding dramatic skill, made Fred an unforgettable, iconic character that provided great joy to viewers for many years.

On behalf of everyone here, I would like to extend condolences to Johns family and close friends at this sad time.

In 1994, Savident arrived on the cobbles and quickly became a fan favourite.

His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.

A secret son, Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), also arrived on the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked as butchers together.

Savidents character was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin (Susie Blake).

Elliotts death also saw Audrey Roberts confess that she still loved him following her turning down his proposal of marriage years previously.

John Savident celebrating at the British Soap Awards in 1999 (PA)

When he won the best comedy performance at the British Soap Awards at the first ceremony in 1999, Savident dedicated his award to Arnold, saying he wants to give this also to someone who helps me an awful lot and without which Fred couldnt function.

So Steven, you can have a rub of this, you can have a rub of this in a bit, he added in his characters Lancashire accent, after he was presented with the prize by The Royle Family star Caroline Aherne.

Outside Coronation Street, Savident was in political comedy Yes, Minister, Stanley Kubricks dystopian thriller A Clockwork Orange, biopic Gandhi, war film Battle Of Britain, science fiction series Doctor Who and period dramas The Remains Of The Day and Middlemarch.

He was in the first staging of the musical Phantom Of The Opera, in October 1986 at Her Majestys Theatre in Haymarket, London, as the opera house owner Monsieur Firmin.

He returned to play the character in 2011 at the Royal Albert Hall concert film.

After leaving his soap work, Savident appeared on stage in productions of panto Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs and Harold Brighouses Hobsons Choice.

Savident was married to theatre director Rona Hopkinson and they had two children.
Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap will appear on the Republic of Irelands most popular and prestigious TV chat show tomorrow.

The band, comprised of west Belfast natives Mo Chara, Moglai Bap and DJ Provai, who rap in both the Irish and English languages, have gained recognition for their unique approach since first releasing music in 2017.

They have also courted controversy off stage and gained notoriety in that time.

In February 2019 they received condemnation from a DUP MLA after videos of the trio were posted online, showing them chanting 'Brits Out' at a concert performed in the Empire Music Hall in Belfast.

The concert took place the day after Prince William and Kate Middleton visited the venue

In 2022 they unveiled a mural on Hawthorn Street of a burning PSNI landrover along with the caption Nil failte roimh an RUC/The RUC are not welcome.

Ahead of their near-sold out Feile an Phobail gig in 2023 the band unveiled a second mural featuring the slogan England Get Out of Ireland.

Read more UK Pleasure Boys to introduce mobile phone ban for future shows after Belfast controversy

A hand extends from a partitioned map of Ireland to grip an arm adorned with a Union flag as it places a Northern Ireland-shaped piece of land into place.

Recently the band celebrated success at the largest independent music festival in the United States, Sundance Film Festival.

They snapped up an Audience Award: NEXT, beating five films including one starring Friends' David Schwimmer, for their film which depicts a semi-fictionalised account of how band was formed.

Earlier this month they accused the Government of efforts to "silence" them after it blocked a British Phonographic Industry (BPI) funding award of 15,000.

The award supports the expansion of bands in global markets under the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS), which looks to boost British music exports, and had been signed off by an independent selection board.

A spokesperson for Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: We fully support freedom of speech, but its hardly surprising that we dont want to hand out UK taxpayers money to people that oppose the United Kingdom itself.

Kneecap then threatened to take legal action with former Derry GAA star and barrister Joe Brolly hired as part of their legal team.

The band will therefore have plenty to chat about when sitting opposite host and fellow NI man Patrick Kielty on the Late Late Show couch on Friday night.

Announcing the news, the band posted on X saying: Tomorrow night we're in the belly of the beast...

The land of rugby heads and Sebastian Cockworth's.....Dublin 4 and the @RTELateLateShow

Might do a sit in protest and try get an aul exit package.

A video accompanying the post shared some archive footage from the longest-running chat show in the world, including Kielty donning a balaclava as part of a comedy routine, a youthful Boyzone busting moves and former Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams.
US rock band Kings of Leon have announced a headline show at Marlay Park in Dublin.

Following the announcement of their brand-new album, the band has revealed details of their 2024 Can We Please Have Fun World Tour.

The UK and Ireland tour will hit Marlay Park on Saturday, July 6, subject to license.

Special guests are fellow Americans The War On Drugs.

Since their debut album Youth and Young Manhood in 2003, Kings of Leon (Caleb (guitar/vocals), Nathan (drums), Jared (bass) and Matthew Followill (guitar)) have released eight albums and sold over 20 million albums and nearly 40 million singles worldwide.

The run of shows will also see the multi-award winning, multi-platinum selling band play Silverstone for the British F1 Grand Prix on July 4.

Earlier this week, Kings of Leon announced their brand new, Kid Harpoon produced album Can We Please Have Fun, out May 10 via Polydor Records.

The albums hard-charging lead single Mustang is available now, accompanied by a high-flying music video that sets the pace for the rest of the album.

Can We Please Have Fun, as its title suggests is a document of one of this eras most popular rock bands cutting loose, trying new things, and, yes, having some fun.

Recorded at Dark Horse studio and produced with new collaborator Kid Harpoon, the album sees the band hark back to their gritty origins, while simultaneously finding new gears.

Its the sound of a band unified in vision and purpose, freed from any expectations and the album the band says theyve always wanted to make.

It was the most enjoyable record Ive ever been a part of, Caleb said.

Its like we allowed ourselves to be musically vulnerable, Nathan added. I love it when a rock band is not embarrassed to admit that every song doesnt have to be on 11.

The group is gearing up for a monumental year, and theyre ready to take the world by storm.

When you have a band, theres a bond like no other, and when you have family, you have a bond like no other, Caleb said. We have both of those things. I thought, if we put all our energy toward something, who is gonna stop us? Who can stop us except us?
The national broadcaster confirmed that it has asked former executives to waive their right to confidentiality on their exit agreements (PA)

Minister for Media Catherine Martin has sought an urgent meeting with the chairwoman of the RTE board, after she said she was misinformed over the boards knowledge of recent exit packages for senior executives.

Ms Martin has written to Siun Ni Raghallaigh, asking to meet her on Friday after the chairwoman repeatedly gave assurances to the minister that the board had no role in signing off the package to a former RTE chief financial officer.

Ms Martin said it has since emerged that the remuneration committee of the board, of which Ms Ni Raghallaigh is a member, approved the package for Richard Collins.

The minister told RTEs Prime Time that she was deeply disappointed in Ms Ni Raghallaigh and refused to express confidence in her ahead of the meeting.

Catherine Martin has sought an urgent meeting with the chairwoman of the RTE board (Niall Carson/PA)

It was my understanding that the board had no role whatsoever in the approval of these two exit packages. When I met the chair on Monday, I queried this again  was my understanding correct?  and I was assured by the chair that it was the case, Ms Martin said.

However, this morning, communication to my officials it has been made known to me now that in fact, in that second exit package, that of Richard Collins, it went before the remuneration committee, so there was a process there where the board had approval.

Ms Martin said she had been given incorrect information twice this week after she raised the issue with Ms Ni Raghallaigh in recent days.

The Green Party minister told the network on Thursday evening she wanted to check this information one more time on Wednesday.

(I found) out this morning that it was the incorrect information, that it was indeed approved by the remuneration committee in which the chair sits, Ms Martin said.

That is of concern because the Minister for Media must be in possession of the facts of the exact information, especially in a time of crisis and controversy like this.

RTE Board chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh and RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst leaving a meeting with Catherine Martin (Niall Carson/PA)

I would like to say though that Siun Ni Raghallaigh has done incredible work since she come on as chair, I think, especially since this crisis erupted.

But I do feel I need to meet Siun to just talk through exactly how this arose. How could I be misinformed on these two occasions?

Its not satisfactory. Ive always said that my direct line of communication in relation to RTE is through the chair of the board. So I am deeply disappointed with this.

Ive written to the chair this evening, and Ive asked to meet her tomorrow to discuss this.

Asked several times if she has lost confidence in the chairwoman, Ms Martin replied that she was deeply disappointed and would not be making further comment.

Asked if she would remove Ms Ni Raghallaigh from her position as chairwoman of the board, Ms Martin said she has to give everything consideration, but it was only right that the chairwoman explains the situation.

It comes hours after the director general of RTE said it is currently completely unable to release details of executives exit packages dating back to 2016.

Kevin Bakhurst said the organisation has been under pressure to release those details but said he has received legal advice that to do so would be breaking the law.

On publishing that advice, the national broadcaster confirmed that it has asked former executives to waive their right to confidentiality on their exit agreements.

It follows the revelation that former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe received a voluntary redundancy package worth 450,000 euros.

RTE former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe was given an exit package of 450,000 euros (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mr Bakhurst has also defended a decision to give an exit payment to former strategy director Rory Coveney, who was described as the driving force behind a musical which accrued 2.2 million euros in losses for the broadcaster.

However, the exact amount of the payment has not been disclosed.

Advice by legal firm Arthur Cox, published by RTE on Thursday, states that both employees and former employees have a legal right that their personal data relating to their employment is not made publicly available.

If such information is published, we remain of the view that this would contravene employees contractual and statutory rights thereby exposing RTE to avoidable legal challenge, a letter dated February 21 stated.

While RTE has sent letters to eight former executives asking them to waive confidentiality themselves, Mr Bakhurst said: I dont want the expectations to be very high because that is entirely their gift to waive their confidentiality.

Mr Bakhurst told Newstalks The Hard Shoulder: We have to wait for their responses. But look, I want to be realistic about whether theyre likely to do it. I dont think they are but its the only avenue open to me to try and see if thats possible.

The organisation agreed confidentiality as part of the legal settlement in many cases. So therefore, they may question why they want to do it but you know, Ive written to see if they are prepared to do it.

Speaking to RTEs News At One radio programme, the director general said he would be examining other ways of driving transparency looking forward.

Rory Coveney is a former strategy director (Brian Lawless/PA)

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.

The director general also said there were no grounds to sack Mr Coveney and that if he had taken an unfair dismissal case, he would have typically been entitled to two years pay.

Mr Bakhurst said, in that circumstance, RTE could potentially have been forced to pay out double what Mr Coveney was actually given.

These comments have contributed to speculation the payment was approximately one years salary, believed to be up to 200,000 euros.

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.

Asked about the comments on Thursday, Mr Bakhurst said: I was trying to be as accurate as I can within the realms of the confidentiality  thats made clear here  that he deserves.

Acknowledging his comment may have been influenced by his previous work in the UK, he said: Statutory level would normally mean a week for every year of service, is my understanding.

So I was trying to give an idea that he did get paid, but not an extortionate amount without giving the exact details.

I was trying to tread a careful line between being as open as I possibly could in the circumstances but trying to respect whats been laid out in these legal letters.

It was put to Mr Bakhurst that a statutory redundancy payment in Ireland, which is two weeks pay capped at 600 euros per week for every year of service plus one bonus week, would likely be less than 20,000 euros in the case of Mr Coveneys 16 years of service.

The director general replied: I think that maybe thats where I misspoke.

It was further put that he had presented a situation where Mr Coveney was given a modest payment.

Mr Bakhurst said: Thats not what I intended at the time.

He also said on Thursday that while he understands why there has been a focus on Mr Coveney, he believes the attention has been unfair.

He worked at RTE for 16 years, under various directors generals. He did a great job. Clearly, the Toy Show The Musical was a failure, but he was not alone in that project.

So I was trying to be fair to him as well and also fair to his reputation and to a man who needs to go out and find another job.

RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst (Niall Carson/PA)

In a separate legal letter from February 21, with the subject line certain arrangements entered into with former employees, Arthur Cox states that the deals agreed represented a better commercial outcome for RTE than alternatives.

We can confirm that these arrangements were carefully considered weighing up legal risk along with the cost, time and uncertainty surrounding alternative options.

In our view, the terms ultimately agreed represented a better commercial outcome for RTE than the alternative options available combined with the attendant risks associated with same and fell within parameters of similar arrangements we have seen in both the private and semi-state sectors.

In a third letter dated October 5, it acknowledges RTEs aim for transparency, but said it is in receipt of a number of objections and complaints expressing concerns about the potential disclosure of personal data without the consent of the employees concerned.

If such information is published in a manner where employees could be identified then we are of the view that this would create significant employee and industrial relations issues for RTE, as well as potentially resulting in legal exposure depending on the nature of the publication.

The potential for such issues is borne out by correspondence RTE has received to date from concerned current and former employees.

Meanwhile, RTE also confirmed on Thursday evening that two producer directors of Toy Show The Musical received additional payments on top of their salary.

It was confirmed that the two staff members were paid separately through a subsidiary.

Mr Bakhurst said he was unaware of the arrangement as it had taken place before he took up the top position.

As far as Im concerned, the two individuals involved were carrying on doing their RTE work. Im told that they were, in their spare time, working on Toy Show The Musical and I understand they worked extremely hard over a period of time on it and they were paid separately for that, he told RTEs Six One programme.

I think it was widely known at the time that they were doing both jobs.

I dont see thats an issue about it. I know both individuals and they are extremely talented and not at the most senior level of the organisation.

I think its unfortunate and a little bit unfair to have a renewed focus back on those individuals to be brutally honest.
The Northern Ireland Science Festival will tonight host a special panel event to discuss the challenges survivors of domestic abuse face when navigating the justice system.

The festival, in conjunction with local charity Womens Aid, is open to attendees aged 16 and above, and will include insights from professionals in neuroscience, psychology and law.

In 2022, the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act came into effect in Northern Ireland, which created a new, specific offence of domestic abuse in the region.

It was implemented to provide greater protections to all victims who have suffering abuse, including those experiencing controlling or coercive behaviour in a domestic context.

Last summer, non-fatal strangulation became a stand-alone offence under the Justice, Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims Act 2022.

Women in Northern Ireland are twice as likely to be murdered as a result of domestic violence than in the other parts of the UK, and in recent years, almost half of Northern Ireland murders were connected to domestic violence.

During 2022/23, eight out of 17 homicides stemmed from domestic violence against women.

Friday nights Science festival event will explore these details and shed light on the complexities of domestic violence cases. The panellists include:

Professor Cherie Armour, Professor of Psychological Trauma & Mental Health at QUB (Discussion Chair)

Kathy Ruddy, Neuroscience Lecturer at QUB

Sonya McMullan, Regional Services Manager at WAFNI (Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland)

Claire Edgar, Solicitor, Francis Hanna Solicitors, Belfast

Jude Copeland, Legal Review Manager & Associate, Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors, Belfast

Natalie Pinkerton BL

The discussion will take place from 5:30pm to 7:15pm, at The Moot Court, QUB Law School.

Admission is 5 and there are only a few tickets remaining.

Visit this link for more information.
Only Fools And Horses actress Sue Holderness is encouraging people over 65 who are struggling amid the cost-of-living crisis to find out if they are entitled to financial support.

The 74-year-old British actress has teamed up with Independent Age for a new video which has been inspired by real-life calls to the national charitys helpline.

Holderness, who is best known for playing Marlene in the hit sitcom, appears as Cathy, who cares for her husband but is struggling financially after he has a stroke.

She explains that life is now one long dark tunnel but feels brighter after she speaks to someone at the charity called Kim and finds out she is eligible for carers allowance, attendance allowance and pension credit.

Holderness said: The calls to the Independent Age helpline are incredibly moving.

So many older people are currently struggling with the cost of living, and many tell the advisers that it is the first time they have ever reached out for support.

There can be so much pride in managing as we get older, but no-one should feel ashamed or embarrassed about claiming the money they are entitled to.

My characters story is based on real calls and is a typical example of the help that is out there.

But also of the lack of awareness of the support people can claim.

Im urging anyone over the age of 65 who is struggling with money worries at the moment to pick up the phone to Independent Age.

The support they unlock really can be life-changing.

Independent Age helps to improve the lives of older people in financial hardship by performing welfare benefit checks, offering free and impartial advice and giving grants to community organisations.

Joanna Elson, chief executive of Independent Age, said: We are so grateful to Sue for helping us raise awareness of the support that is available for people in later life.

There is a dangerous misconception that all older people are enjoying their retirement free from money worries but this could not be further from the truth for 2.1 million who are living in poverty, and the millions more who are hovering precariously on the edge.

We hear from older people who have cut back to eating just one meal a day, or are sitting in damp, cold and dark homes because they fear an unmanageable energy bill.

Our helpline provides a lifeline for older people in financial hardship  one that takes them from what is often a very dark place.

Through this video, we want to show the reality of poverty in later life and that support is available that can make a huge difference.

Independent Ages free and confidential helpline number is 0800 319 6789 and the team can also be reached at helpline@independentage.org.
A Belfast man is accused of subjecting a young girl to sexual abuse including a dozen rapes.

The 42-year-old defendant is also charged with a catalogue of physical assaults and cruelty offences against the child.

He cannot be named to protect the alleged victims identity.

The man appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court for a preliminary hearing into the strength of the case against him.

He faces a total of 45 charges, spanning a period between January 2017 and May 2021.

The allegations include 12 counts of rape, six sexual assaults and 19 common assaults.

The defendant is further accused of three offences of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and five counts of cruelty to a person aged under 16.

No further details were disclosed during the brief hearing.

The accused confirmed that he understood the charges, but declined to give evidence or call any witnesses at the preliminary stage.

Granting the prosecutions application, District Judge Steven Keown sent the case to Belfast Crown Court.

The defendant was released on continuing bail, under a series of conditions, and will appear again for his arraignment on a date to be set.
A Co Antrim man appeared in court today charged with the murder of Liam Christie who was shot in the head in his home.

Jonathan Patterson (44), of Killowen Grange, Lisburn, appeared at Belfast Crown Court to be formally arraigned on the two charges he faced.

He pleaded not guilty to the murder of father-of-three Mr Christie (43) on October 20, 2022, and denied possessing a handgun and a quantity of 9mm ammunition with intent on the same date.

Co-accused Henry Charles Hayles (59), of Kansas Avenue in north Belfast, was not arraigned on the same two charges due to a legal issue.

Another co-accused, Paul Arthur Armstrong (45), of Islandreagh Drive, Dunadry, Co Antrim, was not arraigned on medical grounds.

Defence barrister Joe Brolly told the court that Armstrong, who appeared in court using a walking aid, had suffered a severe stroke in prison in March last year and was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment.

Mr Brolly said Armstrongs health had deteriorated since his stroke and he is to be examined next month by a medical practitioner to consider the issue of his fitness to plead on the charges he faces of murder and possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent.

He told Mr Justice OHara that the defence were also awaiting a number of medical reports on Armstrong.

Mr Justice OHara said he would review the case after the Easter recess. No date for trial was fixed.

Mr Christie was shot eight times at close range as he slept in bed in his home in the Craighill area.
Commissioner calls for greater clarity as retired senior officer says force got the decision wrong

Firefighters at the house where the family died (Brian Lawless/PA)

The victims commissioner has called on the PSNI to explain why it is refusing to release an up-to-date picture of a man convicted of killing four people in a deliberate house fire.

The police previously said there was no lawful purpose in providing a custody image of 33-year-old Daniel Sebastian Allen, who was sentenced to at least 29 years in jail on Tuesday.

He murdered Sabrina Gossett (19), her 16-year-old brother Roman Gossett and her 15-month-old daughter Morgana Quinn, also known as Morgana Gossett, in the fire at a house near Derrylin in 2018.

He denied murdering his partner Denise Gossett, instead admitting manslaughter through a suicide pact.

Victims Commissioner designate Geraldine Hanna said justice must be seen to be done.

She added: Where we publish the images of serious offenders where there arent any identified risks, I think that helps show the public that the justice process has worked and encourages others to report crime.

This can increase public confidence in our system.

It would be helpful to have clarity as to which circumstances an image will be released [in] and under which circumstances it will not.

Most importantly, victims and families should be consulted and have their views taken on board so that theres no surprises for them in this process.

Handing down the sentence to the murderer at Belfast Crown Court earlier this week, Mr Justice OHara said Allen had not told the truth about the whole sequence of events.

Firefighters at the house where the family died (Brian Lawless/PA)

Read more Sex chat rooms and fantasy computer games: The private life of Derrylin fire killer

He continued: I am not convinced that he planned to commit suicide as part of a pact with Denise Gossett. He handcuffed her to the bed and started the fire. His intention was to go back to her room, handcuff himself to her and die with her, but in the end [he] blacked out.

Retired senior policeman Jon Burrows said the PSNI had got it wrong in refusing to release an up-to-date image.

The law and national guidance permit the release of custody images in circumstances such as this in order to promote confidence and trust in the criminal justice system, he added.

DUP MLA Joanne Bunting, who chairs Stormonts justice committee, said the matter has been raised with the force.

She added, however: We recognise it is not a black-and-white issue. It is also a mixed picture across the UK, with about half of forces releasing such photographs, while the rest do not.

While there must be transparency, there may be concerns that [photos] could have ramifications on innocent parties, including the family of someone who has been convicted.

East Belfast MLA Mrs Bunting also welcomed recent moves towards the broadcasting of court judgments as a step forward in openness and transparency.

Open justice is an important principle at the heart of our justice system, she said.

Independent unionist MLA Alex Easton noted other forces routinely released mugshots of offenders handed sentences above a certain threshold  in most cases about 12 months.

He said: I find the PSNIs position extremely unusual. I dont understand why the chief constable cant release a current picture. The public has a right to know all the facts and a right what the person who perpetrated this heinous crime looks like.
A high-profile loyalist accused of having guns and ammunition in the boot of his car is mounting a legal bid to get the case against him thrown out before it reaches trial.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard today that Winston Winkie Irvine, 48, has requested a preliminary inquiry to challenge the strength of the prosecution evidence.

Up to a dozen police surveillance officers are also set to give evidence at that hearing.

Irvine and co-defendant Robin Workman, 52, face charges connected to a haul of weapons seized in Belfast in June 2022.

Police claim Workman, a self-employed joiner, transported the guns in his van to a meeting in the Glencairn area.

A short time later officers stopped Irvines car at Disraeli Street in the city.

Two suspected pistols, an air gun, magazines and more than 200 rounds of ammunition were discovered inside a leather Calvin Klein holdall in the boot of the vehicle.

Irvine, of Ballysillan Road in Belfast, has denied knowing anything about the contents of the bag.

Workman, from Shore Road in Larne, Co Antrim, was arrested following a hospital appointment the same day.

Detectives believe he was the driver of the van involved in the alleged exchange.

Both men are currently on bail charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances, possessing a prohibited firearm, possession of a handgun without a certificate, and having ammunition without a certificate.

In court today Workmans solicitor, John Greer, indicated he will not be contesting there is a prima facie case against him to answer.

However, District Judge Steven Keown was told that Irvine is seeking a hearing aimed at having charges against him dismissed before any trial.

Twelve police witnesses are expected to be called to testify at the preliminary stage.

Prosecution counsel also confirmed there will be applications to obtain anonymity for all of those officers.

Adjourning proceedings until next month, Judge Keown said a date for the preliminary inquiry will be fixed at that stage.

Defence representatives were also given a deadline for raising any objections to the anonymity applications.
News

Arlene Phillips: I resent the BBC for not telling me first about Strictly axing
Conor McKay said it is a real honour and privilege to be selected to represent the people of the Botanic area as a Sinn Fein councillor on Belfast City Council.

I want to pay tribute to John Gormley, a hardworking grassroots republican, as he steps down from the council and I look forward to continuing on the hard work he has done for this community, he added.

As an incoming local representative, I am determined to work together to lead positive change for every single person in this area, and to deliver first-class council services for ratepayers.

Speaking after stepping down, John Gormley said it has been an honour and privilege to represent the residents of Botanic as a Sinn Fein councillor on Belfast City Council for the past four years.

He continued: I have worked with and met many wonderful people, from long established families to newcomers to our great city, all who make it a truly diverse, resilient and fantastic community.

"I hope that my work as a representative has helped to make the area a better place to live, visit, work and do business in.

Thank you for all the support you have given and the confidence and trust you have placed in me.
The Department for the Economy has revealed the cost of changing to dual-language branding.

The rebrand came into effect shortly after new Economy Minister Conor Murphy took up post.

Mr Murphy is the first nationalist to hold the Economy portfolio.

Prior to his appointment, the department was run by UUP Ministers immediately after the Good Friday Agreement and DUP Ministers from 2007-2022, minus the years power-sharing institutions were not functioning.

The decision to rebrand prompted TUV leader Jim Allister to submit an Assembly question enquiring about associated costs.

The Economy Department's new bilingual signage.

He asked the Minister for the Economy what value for money assessment has been made on his decision to rebrand his Department on a bilingual basis and to detail the anticipated cost.

The department has now issued a response stating: The small sum required to rebrand the Department on a bilingual basis involved commensurate effort in a value for money assessment.

The anticipated cost for the rebrand work is estimated at 5,270.

No additional costs are anticipated as any future updates will be part of normal business activity.

Not all departments have bilingual branding, for instance the Department of Education website only has a heading written in English.

That department is currently run by a DUP Minister and has been held by the party since 2016.

The Executive Office does not have bi-lingual branding either.

Dual-language street signs have been introduced across Northern Ireland over recent years.

Belfast City Council adopted their current policy on street signage back in 2021, allowing residents to apply for a dual language street sign in any language where they live.

Last week the PSNI confirmed an investigation was launched after a dual-language street sign was damaged in south Belfast.

Read more PSNI investigating after bilingual street sign in Belfast damaged for second time in two months

The destruction of the sign was the second time it has been vandalised in less than two months.

Writing on social media local SDLP councillor Gary McKeown said: Disgusted that the bilingual street sign on Haypark Avenue has been vandalised again.

"This time broken into pieces. Imagine the effort that went into doing this by someone just because they have no respect for their neighbours or their community.

The sign is just one of several dual language street signs which have been vandalised over the years. In 2021, two bilingual signs at Crannog Way in Enniskillen were targeted by black paint in a sectarian attack.

Earlier this year Belfast City Council also said they would fix several of the signs after they were reported to contain spelling mistakes  including the translation of Haypark Avenue.

The sign was spelt Ascaill Pharie an Fheir when the correct spelling is Ascaill Phairc an Fheir.

Although Irish is the most popular choice for an alternative language in Belfast, applications can be made for any language including Ulster Scots and Chinese.

If the application gains the support of 15% of residents on the electoral register it can go forward for approval by the council.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson, whose is sceptical about the deal, heavily criticised the Government in the Commons (PA)

Sammy Wilson has quit his role of DUP chief whip at Westminster in a move that follows his strong opposition to the deal agreed by his partys leader to restore Stormont.

Its unconfirmed why the East Antrim MP has decided to step down from the position.

BBC News NI has reported that Mr Wilson made the decision this week, but remains a party officer.

The Brexiteer was the first person in the party ranks at Westminster to publicly attack the Safeguarding the Union agreement that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson negotiated with the UK Government.

Earlier this month, the DUP dropped its two-year blockade of the Stormont Assembly and powersharing Executive, following the publication of the governments command paper.

Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson insisted the new arrangements unveiled by the Government have removed the Irish Sea trading border and restored Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

Speaking just hours after it was published, Mr Wilson stopped short of criticising his party leader directly in the House of Commons as he instead accused the government of being "spineless" for refusing to stand up to the European Union.

When the Northern Ireland Assembly sits, ministers and assembly members will be expected by law to adhere to and implement laws which are made in Brussels, which they had no say over and no ability to amend, and no ability to stop, he previously told MPs.

This is a result of this spineless, weak-kneed, Brexit-betraying government, refusing to take on the EU and its interference in Northern Ireland.

Is Northern Ireland going to find its got the ability to stay tied to the United Kingdom, or will the Government proceed happily to change laws here regardless of the impact it has on Northern Ireland?

The comments were in response to NI Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris claim that EU law alignment would no longer automatically apply under the terms of the deal

Mr Wilson later aligned himself with party colleagues Lord Dodds and Lord Morrow to attack the deal in an article published in the News Letter.

"We recognise that in the face of a government which cares more about keeping the European Union happy than it does about protecting the union of the countries which make up the UK, our leader had a difficult task in wresting meaningful concessions from the Brexit betraying government at Westminster, they wrote.

Whilst acknowledging some positive aspects of the deal, the senior DUP figures said that fundamentally the Protocol/Windsor Framework is still intact and that the EU still holds a grip on significant areas of our economic life.

There can be no dispute about it, there is still a border in the Irish Sea, they added.

Last weekend a LucidTalk poll for the Belfast Telegraph showed the DUP is down four points to 24% since its return to Stormont.

The other unionist parties in Stormont saw an increase in their support with the UUP up two points to 10% and the TUV is up two points to 6%.

Mr Wilson and the DUP have been contacted for comment.
The value of a variety of drugs seized in Dublin on Thursday has been revised up to three million euro, gardai said.

Three men continue to be detained at a Garda station in Dublin after the haul of suspected cannabis, MDMA, cocaine, ecstasy tablets and cannabis jellies, on Thursday.

The seizure had originally been given a street value of two million euro, but has since been revised up to three million euro, subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

On Thursday officers attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau intercepted two vehicles in Blanchardstown.

A residential address in Blanchardstown was also searched, during which the huge drugs haul was made.

Asked about the number of major drugs seizures in recent weeks, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said it was the tip of the iceberg.

What it shows is that gardai are doing extraordinary work, working with their partners, working with Revenue, working with customs, working with Europol and Interpol, our international partners at the political level and at a policing level, and that theyre doing everything that they can to try and confiscate, to identify and to disrupt these criminal gangs that are actually bringing these drugs in.

This is, I think, really positive work.

I think its a sign of the huge amount of investment that has gone into An Garda Siochana and the units that are specifically targeting these drug cartels. But theres so much more we need to do.

Im confident as we build our resources, as we build our connections, as we become more incorporated into the work of Europol and Interpol and as we engage at a senior level from across the political spectrum that this is an issue that we can tackle.
An ally of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny said that Russian authorities have given his mother a deadline to agree to forgo a public funeral or else they will bury him on prison grounds.

Lyudmila Navalnaya was given three hours to accept a proposal for a private funeral outside the public eye, Mr Navalnys close associate Ivan Zhdanov said on social media, in what appears to be another dark twist in the almost week-long stand-off with the authorities to retrieve the politicians body.

Ms Navalnaya is refusing to continue negotiations and demanding that authorities follow the law and hand over the body within 48 hours of determining the cause of death, which would be on Saturday, Mr Zhdanov said.

She also has filed a complaint accusing authorities of desecrating the body, he said.

She insists that the authorities allow a funeral and a memorial service to be held according to traditions, Mr Zhdanov said.

Mr Navalny, 47, Russias most well-known opposition politician, unexpectedly died last Friday in an Arctic penal colony, prompting hundreds of Russians across the country to stream to impromptu memorials with flowers and candles.

The Russian authorities have detained scores of people as they seek to suppress any major outpouring of sympathy for President Vladimir Putins fiercest foe before the presidential election he is almost certain to win.

Alexei Navalnys mother Lyudmila Navalnaya (Navalny Team via AP)

Mr Navalnys mother and lawyers have been trying to retrieve his body since late last week  drawing support in those efforts from prominent Russians  but have faced resistance from the authorities.

Ms Navalnaya said on Thursday that investigators allowed her to see her sons body in the morgue in the Arctic city of Salekhard.

She said she repeated her demand to have Mr Navalnys body returned to her and protested against what she described as authorities trying to force her to agree to a secret burial.

They want to do it secretly without a mourning ceremony, she said.

Mr Navalnys spokesman, Kira Yarmysh, said on X, formerly Twitter, that his mother was also shown a medical certificate stating that the 47-year-old politician died of natural causes.

Posting on social media, prominent Russians have appealed directly to Mr Putin to demand that he return Mr Navalnys body to his family.

Just give Lyudmila her son, said Nobel Prize-winning journalist Dmitry Muratov. Its awkward to talk about this in a country that still considers itself Christian.

Nadya Tolokonnikova, who became widely known after spending nearly two years in prison for taking part in a 2012 protest with the band Pussy Riot inside Moscows Christ the Savior Cathedral, also released a video.

We were imprisoned for allegedly trampling on traditional values. But no one tramples on traditional Russian values more than you, Putin, your officials and your priests who pray for all the murder that you do, year after year, day after day, Ms Tolokonnikova said.

Putin, have a conscience, give his mother the body of her son, she added.

Yulia Navalnaya, wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny (Kai Pfaffenbach/Pool Photo via AP)

Ballet star Mikhail Baryshnikov said he firmly requests authorities return the body of the murdered Alexei Navalny to his mother.

Mr Navalnys mother has filed a lawsuit at a court in Salekhard contesting officials refusal to release her sons body.

A closed-door hearing has been scheduled for March 4. On Tuesday, she appealed to Mr Putin to release her sons remains so that she could bury him with dignity.

In a video on Monday, Mr Navalnys widow, Yulia Navalnaya, accused Mr Putin of killing her husband and alleged the refusal to release his body was part of a cover-up.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the allegations, calling them absolutely unfounded, insolent accusations about the head of the Russian state.
A Palestinian looks at the destruction after an Israeli strike on residential buildings in Rafah, Gaza Strip (Hatem Ali/AP)

Israel seeks open-ended control over security and civilian affairs in the Gaza Strip, according to a long-awaited postwar plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

It was swiftly rejected on Friday by Palestinian leaders and runs counter to Washingtons vision for the war-ravaged enclave.

Mr Netanyahu presented the two-page document to his security cabinet late on Thursday for approval.

Deep disagreements over Gazas future have led to increasingly public friction between Israel and the United States, its closest ally.

An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from southern Israel towards the Gaza Strip, in a position near the Israel-Gaza border (Leo Correa/AP)

The Biden administration seeks eventual Palestinian governance in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to Palestinian statehood, an outcome vehemently opposed by Mr Netanyahu and his right-wing government.

Mr Netanyahus plan envisions hand-picked Palestinians in Gaza administering the territory.

Separately, ceasefire efforts appeared to gain traction, with mediators to present a new proposal at an expected high-level meeting this weekend in Paris.

The US, Egypt and Qatar have been struggling for weeks to find a formula that could halt Israels devastating offensive in Gaza, but now face an unofficial deadline as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

In Gaza, Israeli air strikes in the centre and south of the territory killed at least 68 Palestinians, including children and women, overnight and into Friday, health officials and an Associated Press journalist said.

Another 24 bodies remained trapped under the rubble.

Fidaa Ashour, whose sister was killed in a strike early on Friday in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, said the world does not feel what we are enduring.

At a hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah, relatives wept over bodies laid out in burial shrouds in the courtyard, and a man cradled a dead infant.

Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on residential buildings and a mosque in Rafah, Gaza Strip (Fatima Shbair/AP)

The overall Palestinian death toll since the start of the war rose to more than 29,500, with close to 70,000 people wounded, Gaza health officials said.

The death toll amounts to close to 1.3% of Gazas population of 2.3 million.

Mr Netanyahus plan, while lacking specifics, marks the first time he has presented a formal postwar vision.

It reiterates that Israel is determined to crush Hamas, the militant group that overran the Gaza Strip in 2007.

Polls have indicated that a majority of Palestinians do not support Hamas, but the group has deep roots in Palestinian society.

Critics, including some in Israel, say the goal of eliminating Hamas is unattainable.

Mr Netanyahus plan calls for freedom of action for Israels military across a demilitarised Gaza after the war to thwart any security threat.

It says Israel would establish a buffer zone inside Gaza, which is likely to provoke US objections.

The plan also envisions Gaza being governed by local officials who it says would not be identified with countries or entities that support terrorism and will not receive payment from them.

A Palestinian boy walks past a car destroyed in an Israeli drone strike in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

It is not clear if any Palestinians would agree to such sub-contractor roles.

Over the past decades, Israel has repeatedly tried and failed to set up hand-picked local Palestinian governing bodies.

The Palestinian Authority, which administers pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Friday denounced Mr Netanyahus plan as colonialist and racist, saying it would amount to Israeli reoccupation of Gaza.

Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, but maintained control of access to the territory.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken said he had not seen details of the plan.

But he said any plan should be consistent with basic principles the US had set out for Gazas future including that it cannot be a platform for terrorism, there should be no Israeli reoccupation of Gaza, the size of Gazas territory should not be reduced.

The Biden administration wants to see a reformed Palestinian Authority govern both Gaza and the West Bank as a step towards Palestinian statehood.

Buildings destroyed by an air strike in Rafah (Hatem Ali/AP)

It has sought to chip away at Mr Netanyahus resistance by holding out the prospect of the normalisation of ties between Israel and Arab powerhouse Saudi Arabia.

US, Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials are expected to meet in Paris this weekend to discuss ceasefire efforts.

A senior Egyptian official said Egypt and Qatar would bring an understanding reached with Hamas leaders that calls for a six-week ceasefire and the release of elderly and sick hostages in return for a yet-to-be specified number of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. During the ceasefire, details would be worked out on a further stage.

Hamas has demanded a complete halt to Israels offensive and a withdrawal of its troops from Gaza in return for the release of all its remaining hostages, as well as the release of Palestinians held by Israel, including top militants. Mr Netanyahu has rejected those demands.

Israel declared war on Hamas on October 7, after the militants stormed into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages. More than 100 hostages were freed in a week-long ceasefire in late November.

Since the start of the war, 29,514 Palestinians were killed in Israels offensive and close to 70,000 were wounded, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Friday. Two thirds of those killed have been women and children, said the ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.

Israel says it has killed at least 10,000 Hamas fighters, without providing evidence for its count. It holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties because the group operates and fights from within civilian areas.
The Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life have been recognised by the CIPR awards

The Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life team have received 21 nominations as part of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) NI Media Awards.

The Belfast Telegraph has been shortlisted in the Media Outlet of the Year  Print/Digital category.

The newspapers Weekend and Review supplements have also been shortlisted in the Magazine or Supplement of the Year category and the newspaper has been shortlisted in the Best Use of Social Media By A Media Organisation category.

Martin Breen  Deputy Editor-In-Chief for Sunday Life and Belfast Telegraph  has been shortlisted in the Best Piece of Journalism category, alongside Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride and Belfast Telegraph journalist Liam Tunney.

The Sunday Life and Martin Breen have also been shortlisted for Editorial Campaign of the Year.

Sam McBride has been shortlisted in the Journalist of the Year  Print/Digital category.

Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life visuals editor Kevin Scott has been shortlisted for Photographer or Videographer of the Year, alongside Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life photographer Aodhan Roberts and videographer Kirsten Elder.

Kevin Scott and Sam McBride have also been shortlisted for Best Use of Social Media By A Journalist/Individual.

Belfast Telegraph business editor Margaret Canning has been shortlisted for Business Journalist of the Year.

Belfast Telegraph reporters Kurtis Reid and Jessica Rice have been shortlisted for the Newcomer Award.

Sports reporters Steven Beacom and Keith Bailie have both been shortlisted for Sport Journalist of the Year.

The Belfast Telegraph was also shortlisted twice in the Best Podcast Episode  one for Gerard Mackin and another for Who is Stephen Nolan?.

Editor-in-chief of the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life Eoin Brannigan said: Congratulations to all those on the shortlist from the Belfast Telegraph and the Sunday Life. Having 21 nominations is testament to the hard work across the newsroom that is put in seven days a week.

I am particularly happy to see some new names among the nominations, and the strength of our products across print, digital, video and audio is reflected in having three shortlisted in the Best Piece of Journalism category and our two nominations for Best Podcast Episode."

The NI Media Awards celebrates the local media industry in Northern Ireland, acknowledging the work of professionals and outlets in the industry here.

The award night will take place on Friday March 15 at The MAC in Belfast.
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The topic of whether women should be pastors in a church is a continuing debate among numerous denominations. Throughout time, theologians have contemplated this issue and concluded that pastoral duties are for men. However, despite this, there are still some arguments being raised that women can be pastors, too. Still, what does the Bible say about this topic?

What does the Bible say about female pastors?

In Pauls letter to Timothy, specifically in 1 Timothy 2:12, he says that he doesnt allow a woman to teach or practice authority over a man, and she should remain quiet. Pauls communication was direct in saying women cant have authority over men, teach, and should stay quiet, but that doesnt mean a woman cant serve God and His Church. Paul further elaborates in his letter to the Philippians, asking them to help these women since theyve remained at his side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and his other co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life, as detailed in Philippians 4:3.

Since Paul explicitly stated that women cant preach and be pastors in the church, then what can they do? The answer to this question is that the Bible highlights that women can teach about spiritual matters. Another example of this is Priscilla, as we read in Acts 18:26. In this verse, we read about how someone started speaking boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they invited him to their home and explained Gods way to him in a more profound way. This verse actually discusses Apollos as he was preaching.

Were introduced to Apollos in Acts 18:24-25. Hes a Jew and native of Alexandria who came to Ephesus. He was an educated man with knowledge of the Bible and was instructed in the way of the Lord. He spoke with great passion and taught accurately about Jesus, though he only knew of Johns baptism. The situation is that Apollos was preaching but wasnt evident in his knowledge about the gospel, which is why Aquila and Priscilla invited him to their home to explain the gospel further. The verse initially mentions Priscilla, then her husband, Aquila. Notably, Priscilla also had a vast knowledge of the gospel, like her husband did.

Women in ministry.

In his letter to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 11:5-12, Paul said that women can prophesize and pray in church meetings. However, every woman who prophesies and prays with her head uncovered dishonors her head, comparing it to a woman having her head shaved. He added that if a woman doesnt cover her head, she might as well cut her hair, but its a disgrace for a woman to have her head shaved or cut her hair. Therefore, she should cover her head. However, a man shouldnt cover his head because hes the glory and image of God, but a woman is the glory of man. Man didnt come from woman, but woman came from man. Man wasnt created for woman, but woman was created for man.

Therefore, its for this reason that a woman should have authority over her head because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord, woman isnt independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. As woman came from man, also man is born of woman, but ultimately, everything comes from God. This means that a woman is significant in ministry and church meetings, but, according to Paul to Timothy, not in a pastoral role or preaching in front of the denomination. Instead, women should support the calling of being a preacher and pastor. Pauls instruction in his letter to Timothy is supported in his writing in 1 Timothy 2:13, which says that Adam was created first, then Eve.

The passage means that theres a difference in the roles of the church between women and men, just as God created men and women. God made Adam to have the responsibility to take care of Eden, while Even was created to help with the shared responsibility. Women have a significant responsibility in the church. Women are in charge of ensuring that the preachers, pastors, and leaders in the church are good stewards. Here, support means being loving servants of God and His church and ensuring that the leaders do their job honorably.

Gods children and His church.

In Ephesians 5:22-25, were reminded that wives should submit themselves to their husbands as they submit to the Lord because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the leader of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Meanwhile, husbands should love their wives, as Jesus Christ loves the church and sacrificed Himself for her. This passage highlights how vital the role of women in the church is while also implying how men should do their roles similarly to how Jesus loved the church. The roles arent a walk in the park. Its different, but both play a significant part in making the church a success.

To further affirm this, lets look at Lydia, a helper in the ministry. We meet Lydia in Acts 16:13-15, where shes introduced as a dealer and a worshiper of God. The Lord opened His heart and responded to Pauls note. When Lydia and the members of her household were baptized, she invited them to her home, saying that anyone who was a believer in the Lord could stay in her home.

Here, we see Lydia as a helper for Pauls advocacy and his ministry to Christ as she opens her home for the ministry. We should also remember Joanna, Mary Magdalen, Chuzas wife, and Susanna. These women were helping Jesus and were given the gift of expelling demons, as we read in Luke 8:1-3. God ordained that only men should serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. However, this doesnt imply that men are better teachers or that women are less intelligent or inferior to men. Its just the way that God designed the church to function. Women should also set an example in their lives, but differently.

In Titus 2:3-5, we read that women are encouraged to teach other women, and the Bible also doesnt restrict women from teaching children. The only activity that women are restricted from is having authority or teaching men, barring women from serving as pastors to men. However, this doesnt make women less critical. Instead, it gives them a ministry focus that is more in line with Gods design.
New Peoples Army guerillas stand in formation on the island of Mindanao, in the southern Philippines, April 19, 2017.

Eight suspected communist rebels and a police officer were killed in separate shootouts in the central Philippines this week, the military said Friday, despite efforts to jumpstart peace talks.

The latest incident flared up shortly before 7 a.m. Friday in Campagao, a village in Bilar town on Bohol island, where troops from the 47th Infantry Battalion and police engaged with New Peoples Army guerrillas. The NPA is the military wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been fighting a rebellion against Manila for the past 55 years.

A joint army-police team was sent to the area to arrest Domingo Jaspe Compoc (also known as Silong), a leader of the local NPA branch who was the subject of a 2.6 million peso (U.S. $46,500) reward for his capture. The police officer, Compoc and four other rebels died in Fridays fighting, the military said.

This latest debacle of the CPP-NPA is a clear manifestation of our steadfast commitment on ending the local communist-armed conflict in the Visayas region, said Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, regional military chief.

On Wednesday, three NPA guerillas were killed during a clash in the hinterlands of Escalante City in Negros Occidental province, according to Lt. Col. Arnel Calaoagan, a regional commanding officer. The clash dragged on until the next day when four rebels were injured during a law enforcement operation.

This weeks violence came as the government and the CPP were trying to resume peace negotiations.

Representatives from both sides have begun exploratory meetings, although Vice President Sara Duterte, a staunch anti-communist official, described a potential peace deal as an agreement with the devil.

Her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte who served from 2016 to 2022, canceled negotiations with the communists a year after taking office, accusing the group of continuing deadly attacks in the southern Mindanao region. His administration formally branded the NPA as a terrorist entity.

The CCP has been waging Asias longest-running rebellion since 1969. But from a peak of about 20,000 fighters in the 1980s, its forces have significantly dwindled over the years.

The National Security Council early this month said there were only 11 weakened guerrilla fronts nationwide with about 1,500 regular fighters seeking to overthrow the government.

Jeoffrey Maitem in Davao, Philippines, contributed to this report.
Junta troops raided a suspected online scamming gang behind the 1G1-7 Hotel in Tachileik, Myanmar, a city on the border with Thailand, Feb. 23, 2024.

Burmese junta troops arrested over 100 people during a raid at a casino on the Thai-Myanmar border, locals said on Friday.

Soldiers and police arrested Myanmar, Thai and Chinese nationals, locals said. They are currently in custody, but no further details about their location or identity are known.

The compound where the raid occurred was the site of an online gambling den in Tachileik, a city in Myanmars eastern Shan state.

The region that surrounds the city comprises northern Thailand, eastern Myanmar and southern Laos, and is known as the Golden Triangle, which is notorious for gambling, trafficking and fraud.

A resident declining to be named for safety reasons told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that the 1G1-7 Hotel in Tachileiks San Sai Kha neighborhood, where the casino crackdown occurred, was a long-standing institution in the city.

[T]he casino, which was opened behind the 1G1-7 Hotel, has been open for about a decade, he said. It was raided and people were arrested in the morning.

Troops and police gather outside the 1G1-7 Hotel in Tachileik city, Myanmar, Feb. 23, 2024 [Telegram/People Media]

Another Tachileik resident said there were hundreds of online gambling businesses in the 11 neighborhoods of the city and in its surrounding villages. Many operate in homes and hotels, he said.

Houses are entirely rented, and the hotels were rented out by floors for operating [online casinos], he said. Chinese and Thai nationals are also involved.

Online money scamming gangs often disguise their operations as casinos, locals said. In 2023, more than 40,000 Chinese nationals were deported from Shan state for staying illegally in Myanmar and working in illicit businesses and scam centers.

This is the first time police have cracked down on scam centers in Tachileik, locals said.

The junta has not officially released any information on Fridays arrests. RFA reached out to Shan states junta spokesperson, Khun Thein Maung, but he did immediately respond.

Pro-military channels on the social messaging app Telegram, however, shared that the people arrested in Tachileik were committing online fraud as part of an organization known as Kyar Pyant. One channel reported that the Chinese gang, which specializes in online fraud, was raided by junta security forces.

State-owned newspapers reported on Feb. 9 that more than 50,000 foreigners, mostly made up of Chinese nationals, were transferred back to their respective countries for illegally staying in Myanmar from last Oct. 5 to Feb. 8.

Some 48,803 Chinese, 1,071 Vietnamese, 537 Thais, 133 Malaysians, 20 Koreans, and 18 Lao nationals were transferred, the statement said.

In November, 19 South Koreans were rescued by junta forces after being forced to work in Tachileik in an illegal business.

RFA Burmese, part of BenarNews-affiliated Radio Free Asia, produced this report.
Muhammad Asrul cleans a grave that has been replaced with a new headstone as loved ones of the deceased look on, Feb. 9, 2024. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

Muhammad Asrul applies a polishing liquid to the surface of the completed grave fence at his workshop, Feb. 9, 2024. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

Muhammad Asrul Abdul Kadir, 38, formerly known as Jun, shows a photo of himself when he was a transgender (left) alongside a recent image, Feb. 9, 2024. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

A former transgender woman in Malaysia has taken on the task of making coffins and headstones for LGBTQ people who are often not given a proper burial because their families have shunned them.

Muhammad Asrul Abdul Kadir, 38, also is skilled at bathing and shrouding bodies under Islamic tradition. He operates a workshop in Alor Mengkudu, a village in Alor Setar, the capital of Kedah state in this majority-Muslim country.

Muhammad Asrul said family members rejected him when he became transgender so he moved to Kuala Lumpur in his 20s and worked in the sex trade. His mothers death in 2016 was the turning point when, he said, he decided to return home and resume life as a man.

People have not fully accepted him and even called him crazy for learning how to build coffins, he told BenarNews.

Muhammad Asrul, who is frequently summoned by hospitals to collect the bodies of HIV or AIDS patients, said he had borrowed money from loan sharks to buy wood to craft coffins and to help families who could not afford funeral arrangements.

His skills extend beyond those used in his workshop.

There are bodies, including those from the transgender community who were unclaimed by families, so I take responsibility and manage them all. Handling the body is the most sobering time, he said.



With no one willing to teach coffin-making, Muhammad Asrul eventually took matters into his own hands, learning independently and through online tutorials.

[M]y interest in the art of crafting coffins and headstones has been there since childhood, observing others creating them, he said.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 39F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Snow showers. Low 28F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
State Rep. Jim Carroll was arrested near the Statehouse on a charge of driving under the influence.
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'Preserves in words': Historian, author and Eagle contributor Carole Owens actually wrote the book about the grand old summer houses of the Be
Throughout the Bible we see that grace is one of the things that defines Gods character. Consider what the psalmist wrote.

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15).

This is not the only reference  there are many that refer to Gods nature of grace. So, what does this word actually mean? Here is a complete definition of Gods grace:

- Grace is Gods unmerited favor.

- Grace is goodwill freely spread by God especially for the benefit of the one who receives it, regardless of the cost he (God) has to pay to give it.

- Grace is merciful, compassionate, or kind behavior coming from a more powerful person toward another.

If you were to combine these three definitions into one sentence, here is how I would define Gods grace. Grace is Gods favor that he gives of his own freewill, at his expense, to those who dont deserve it. When you think of grace in this light, there is something else I want you to understand. Grace flows downhill. One of the beautiful aspects of Gods grace is that it flows downhill from God who gives it to us who are the one who receives it.

Remember God is gracious and he is the more powerful one. We are the recipients and when we receive his grace, it is flowing down to us who dont deserve it. A key aspect of grace is that it is never deserved and can never be earned. The moment you feel that you deserve grace or you can earn grace, then at that point it stops being grace. In fact, if you think you are worthy of it, that shuts the flow of Gods grace into your life.

Photo credit: Getty Images/GaudiLab
The spiritual pendulum swung once again in Judah as moral darkness spread throughout the land. Judah strayed from the path of righteousness and the people indulged in idolatrous worship. Judahs leaders yielded to corruption and committed unimaginable sins. Moral decay and spiritual indifference marked the years.

He [King Manasseh] did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done (2 Kings 21:2-3).

To complicate matters further, the nation of Assyria was growing stronger. This ungodly nation was overthrowing kingdom after kingdom and becoming more and more powerful. They already conquered the Northen Kingdom of Israel and now threatened Judah, the Southern Kingdom. A small remnant of Jews in Judah did not follow the practices of King Manasseh. They remained faithful to God, but their hope was fading. They began to wonder if God had forgotten about them.

Amid the darkness, Nahum exemplified unwavering faith and obedience. Chosen by God, this humble prophet conveys a powerful message to the people of Judah. He sought to awaken the hearts of the people to the consequences of their actions, and bring hope to those faithful few.

His message proclaimed the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity and trusting in the Lords justice. He stressed the importance of maintaining a righteous path even when surrounded by moral decay.

The Rise and Fall of Assyria

Assyria stood as the military power in the Middle East, conquering many nations around them. The impressive buildings and intimidating walls of Nineveh  the capital of Assyria  stood as proof of their immense power. Yet, beneath this pretense of grandeur, spiritual darkness loomed.

Jonah, the reluctant prophet, arrived a century earlier, proclaiming Gods message of repentance. Miraculously, Nineveh responded, and spiritual renewal swept through the streets. In the greatest city-wide revival the world has seen, the once-proud city humbled itself before God.

However, as time passed, the spiritual awakening vanished. The people of Nineveh did not pass on the lessons of Jonah to future generations. Soon they forgot about the God of creation, and moral decay set in. The once-repentant city fell into a state of spiritual complacency.

Having once tasted the sweetness of repentance, the nation now embraced the bitterness of sin. Their military power rose as their spiritual passion fell. The Assyrians captured the Northern Kingdom of Israel and now threatened the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

Nahums Prophecy

Unlike Jonah, Nahum did not prophesy directly to Nineveh. Instead, he remained in Judah and vividly portrayed the consequences of spiritual backsliding, detailing the impending fall of Nineveh. The rise and fall of Ninevehs spiritual condition served as a warning to Judah, and news of Gods destruction of their enemy brought comfort to the people.

Nahum opens with a poetic declaration of Gods character. The prophet paints a vivid picture of Gods power over creation and His ability to unleash His wrath upon those who rebel against Him.

Nahum proclaims Gods judgment upon the prideful and wicked people of Nineveh. He vividly describes the destruction of the city, the event that marked the beginning of the end for the Assyrian Empire.

Amid pronouncing judgment, Nahum offers comfort and hope to Gods people. He assures them God will bring an end to their suffering and reminds them of Gods goodness, faithfulness, and protection. He depicts a powerful image of God as a stronghold for those who trust in Him, a place of refuge in times of trouble.

As God humbled King Manasseh, perhaps Nahums prophecy helped influence the king to repent and serve God (2 Chronicles 33:10-17). Nahums warning, along with his comforting promise, most certainly influenced King Josiah and the people of Judah to rebuild the Holy Places, as they wholeheartedly served God (2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34).

In a world echoing the moral challenges of ancient Judah, todays Christians can find guidance from Nahums prophecy.

1. Gods Is Sovereign

Nineveh: You will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the images and idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.  The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines (Nahum 1:14, 2:2).

Nahum underscores Gods sovereignty over nations and individuals. The Lord God will be the one to annihilate Nineveh, and He alone will restore the splendor of Jacob.

Nahums prophecy encourages Christians today to trust in Gods ultimate control and His ability to bring down the powers of evil. Even in the face of discouraging circumstances, believers can find hope and confidence in Gods sovereign reign.

The Apostle Paul reminds us, There is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God (Romans 13:1).

2. God Provides Protection and Refuge

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him (Nahum 1:7).

As Nahum unfolds Gods devastating plans for Nineveh, he stops to assure Judah God is on their side and will comfort them. The same Almighty power that brings judgement on Assyria will provide a refuge and stronghold in Judahs time of trouble. God both saves and destroys. Those who reject and resist God have every reason to live in terror of Him, but those who believe in and trust Him live in the security of His protection and love.

When terrible things happen, its easy to assume God has forgotten us. Nahum offers three assurances to Judah.

God is Good God is a Strong Refuge God Cares

Regardless of our outward circumstances, God cares. Today, we can find comfort and strength knowing the Lord is our protector, and we can seek refuge in Him during difficult times.

The Apostle Paul reminds us, The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

The psalmists declare, The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 18:2; 46:1).

3. God Is Righteous and Just

The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished (Nahum 1:3).

God doesnt want people to fail. He gives them opportunities to repent and enter heaven. However, if they persist in sin, punishment awaits them.

While God is a loving God and will comfort and protect those who follow Him, Nahum teaches us God is also just and righteous. He holds the wicked accountable for their actions. Believers can find comfort and assurance knowing God sees and will ultimately judge all evil and wrongdoing.

The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34:6-7).

The Apostle Peter reminds us, With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare (2 Peter 3:8-10).

4. Sin Has Consequences

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.  With an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness (Nahum 1:2, 8).

Nahum warns about the destructive consequences of sin. His prophecy reminds us that unrepentant sin leads to separation from God. God is holy and He is jealous for His holy Scripture. He exhibits a righteous indignation against all who defy His authority and disobey His Word.

The annihilation of Nineveh is a foreshadowing of the ultimate consequence of those who oppose God.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).

5. We Must Proclaim Gods Word

This is what the Lord says  The Lord has given a command concerning you (Nahum 1:12, 14).

Nahum was not afraid to proclaim Gods Word. His prophecy emphasizes the importance of declaring Gods truth. Christians are called to boldly declare Gods message of justice, mercy, and redemption, even in the face of opposition or indifference.

We must guard against the pitfalls of spiritual complacency. Ninevehs spiritual journey, from the height of revival during Jonahs time to the depths of moral decline in Nahums era, stands as a warning to all generations. Throughout church history, we see societies experience spiritual awakening only to revert to moral decay generations later. Churches on fire for God, boldly proclaiming the gospel, turn to empty halls with barely a flickering flame among a remnant of what once was.

We need to be diligent to pass our faith on to future generations. As the psalmist declares, I will sing of the Lords great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations (Psalm 89:1).

Amid the spiritual darkness, Nahum stands as a voice of hope to those who follow the Lord. He presents a powerful message of Gods judgment upon Nineveh and how those who oppose Him will ultimately receive their punishment. Nahum also assures us Gods loving arms will comfort and protect those who trust in Him. He encourages us to find joy in Gods righteousness, acknowledging His ultimate power and authority over all nations.

Photo credit: Getty Images/mikkelwilliam

Brad Simon has shared Gods Word for over forty-five years, with a unique blend of storytelling and Bible exposition. He is a retired Master Jeweler and relies on the God-given creativity that won him several national and international jewelry design awards to craft Biblical Narratives and Life Stories that are engaging and thought-provoking. Once a speaker, author, and publisher for the jewelry industry, now he is putting those skills to work to promote the beauty and appeal of Gods Word. Download a free copy of his devotional on prayer.
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Given its image  Canada doesnt seem like it ever tried to get promoted as a state beholden to any kind of political or ideological radicalism.

Nevertheless, its current authorities are very much working toward placing it in the company of such states.

That said  quite a few territories do not seem to be taking themselves too seriously as independently-minded countries.

Instead  whether its Australia, New Zealand, or Canada  the people living there may not be aware, but the outside perception is that their authorities act as no more than a privileged colony of outside power(s).

So if not truly independent  what may these countries in fact be?

When considering the strangeness of a leader like Canadian PM Justin Trudeau  theres his fondness of the good old days when Canadians just by default believed whatever the state broadcasters told them.

Relevantly, one thing we learned during the heyday of authoritarian states of yore, and their official media, is not only that theirs is the only objective truth.

More importantly, it was that theirs was the only legally acceptable truth.

Trudeau is clearly counting on his audience to have no concept of the history of the things he is actively pushing for. Those speech-related things, having already played out in authoritarian regimes.

After all  how would most Canadians know they are reliving the Groundhog Day of government control over information, over and over again? Whos to tell them?

The prime minister clearly would like every tiny voice that might do it to be discarded as lies and conspiracies. Even if some of his own policies might (notably, the handling of the Freedom Convoy) easily pass off as stemming from just that.

But Trudeau doesnt come across as being shy while being wrong  or shameless.

Now reports cite him speaking to Ryan Jespersen on the Real Talk podcast.

How good was it back when CBC, CTV, and Global  got all the information locked in as true and there was no real opposition, Trudeau basically said.

Nevermind that he actually did this on a podcast  a new media format. Such a perfect example of utter lack of (self) awareness.

Canadas opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre for once had no problem spelling it out: when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talks about hate speech  what he actually means is, speech that he hates.

Its actually a fairly profound statement, made this time in the context of Canadas online harms bill, one version or another of which has already been making rounds in western democracies.

The stated purpose is straight forward: work to suppress hate speech, terrorist incitement and other violent content.

But there have already been so many instances in those western democracies where similar legislation has served as a smokescreen for censorship.

And perhaps with this in mind, the opposition in Canada has wised up to what it actually means.

Woke authoritarian agenda  thats one way of putting it, but you didnt hear it from us  thats what Poilievre is saying about the online harms draft, which he vowed the opposition to  well, oppose.

Poilievre brought up  and why wouldnt he  the shocking example of the Trudeau government mindset so well exhibited during the Freedom Convoy in early 2022, organized against Covid restrictions ruining peoples livelihoods  only for the government to pile on by going as far as freezing access to citizens money in the bank.

Justin Trudeau said anyone who criticized him during the pandemic was engaging in hate speech, Poilievre remarked, in reference to that infamous example.

And once one does that sort of thing  there is really, objectively, nothing to reassure constituents that something of the kind wont repeat in another scenario.

Plus  theres the no-moral-leg-to-stand-on  which Poilievre made sure to stress:

I point out the irony that someone who spent the first half of his adult life as a practicing racist, who dressed up in hideous racist costumes so many times he says he cant remember them all, should then be the arbiter of what constitutes hate. What he should actually do is look into his own heart and ask himself why he was such a hateful racist.


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Ainsley Morrison 26 and Eileen Johson, senior lecturer and program manager in environmental studies, in the Roux Lantern.

Last year, the two were appointed to the Community Resilience Working Group by the Maine Climate Council. The Council oversees several large working groups made up of scientists, industry leaders, local and state officials, and engaged citizens who are addressing areas impacted by climate change, such as buildings and infrastructure, the coast, energy, lands, transportation, and equity.

The Council, first established by Gov. Janet Mills in 2019, is in its second iteration, with a mandate to devise an updated state action plan by the end of the year. The first action plan, completed in 2020, led to initiatives to expand the number of heat pumps in homes, weatherize buildings, conserve land, green the power grid, create clean energy jobs, and increase the use of electric vehicles. Beckett Slayton 21 served on a working group with first Council, along with Johnson.

Starting this past fall and continuing through the year, the Community Resilience Working Group is regularly meeting to develop proposals to present to the Climate Council for its for consideration in the next "Maine Wont Wait" report. The report will be presented to state policymakers early next year.

"We want to focus not just on how communities mitigate the impacts of climate change but to make sure we have plans in place for when these big storms happen," Morrison said, of the community resilience working group's mission. "Now that were actually experiencing them, its one thing to understand the science of why they're happening, it's another thing to have clear goals and programs for when they do happen."

Morrison is the only youth representative in the Community Resilience Working Group. Other youth representatives are serving on the other groups.

It took Morrison a bit of time to adjust to her role in such a high-priority mission. "Even though it was daunting at first, with people who had so much experience and expertise, it feels like people genuinely want to hear from us [the youth reps] and value what we say," she said. "I kept reminding myself that I wouldn't be here if they didn't think I had something to contribute."

One of her teachers in high school, Leia Lowry, recommended Morrison to the working group last summer. Morrison, who is from Kennebunk, Maine, was deeply involved in environmental activism in her public high school. She also was an ambassador for The Climate Initiative, for which she participated in a series of community conversations about the impacts of sea-level rise on waterfront communities and the working waterfront.

So far, she has been an outspoken advocate in the monthly committee meetings for the need to consider not just the pressures on the physical hardiness of Maine communities, but also the psychological and emotional toll of climate change.

"In the conversations that I had with people in communities, I saw how emotional those conversations can get and how deeply feelings of hopelessness can creep into everyday life," Morrison said, describing how she often heard elderly people speak about their grief at seeing their homes and the places they had lived their entire lives disappearing before their eyes. "It is something that gets overlooked when we have big picture things to focus on."

Though Morrison had taken a class with Johnson at BowdoinIntroduction to Environmental Studies (in which students read and discussed Maine's first climate action plan)they were both surprised and pleased to discover in October that they were serving on the same working group together.

Besides the community resiliency working group, Johnson is also a member of the science and technical subcommittee and the equity subcommittee. She agreed that adding young people to these conversations is important.

"We can all be entrenched in the ways we think about things, so by bringing in different voices, we bring in a broader understanding of what to focus on," Johnson said. "I think it is important to have as wide a representation of people as possible."

Johnson was particularly struck by an anecdote Morrison shared at an earlier meeting, when she spoke about her yearning to have the same kind of memories as older residents in her home town.
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Postal Code
A man has been arrested after 280,000 of cannabis was seized by revenue in Dublin Airport on Thursday.

Approximately 14 kg of herbal cannabis was discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched the baggage of a passenger who had disembarked a flight from Los Angeles, USA.

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A man in his 30s was arrested and has been charged and is before the courts.

Gardai say investigations are ongoing.
Dance and music star Michael Flatley has said if an insurance company is allowed to cancel his insurance policy on his Cork mansion, the protected structure Castlehyde House may be in jeopardy.

A High Court judge will next week give her decision after Michael Flatleys legal team on Friday applied for an order restraining his insurance company from cancelling the house insurance policy for the luxury country mansion on the River Blackwater outside Fermoy.

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Michael Flatley, in an affidavit to the court, said if the insurance policy is allowed to be cancelled, Castlehyde House which dates back to 1790, may be in jeopardy as there will be no insurance cover.

He said he is also doubtful if any insurance company would take over the insurance of Castlehyde House considering the ongoing legal proceedings.

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I say Castlehyde is a unique structure and the interests of justice favour its protection, Mr Flatley said.

The former Riverdance star has already brought proceedings against several parties before the commercial division of the High Court over an alleged 30m worth of damage caused to Castlehyde Manor.

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In the latest development, he claims one of the defendants, the Irish branch of Hiscox Societe Anonyme, has said it wont insure the property from March 8th onwards.

He has also claimed that the insurance company should be paying him 80,000 monthly relocation expenses. He contends that the insurance company knew he and his family moved out of Castlehyde in October 2023 and that Castlehyde would be unoccupied for about two years.

Nevertheless, he said Hiscox SA agreed to renew the insurance policy from November 14th 2023 for one year on a monthly premium of 5,773.

Mr Flatleys counsel, Ronnie Hudson BL instructed by Max Mooney solicitor, told the High Court a letter from the managing director of Hiscox SA, Richard ODwyer, was delivered to Castelyhyde House, which gave 30 days notice of the cancellation of the house insurance policy from March 8th.

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The letter stated: It has come to our attention that the occupancy of the household we insure for you appears to now differ from our understanding of same at policy inception and renewal.

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Therefore, we regret to advise that we are writing to you to confirm that we are invoking our cancellation clause on your household insurance policy with us.

Mr Hudson told the court that the insurance company were well aware that Mr Flatley did not ordinarily reside at Castlehyde.

Counsel said Mr Flatley and his family live in Monaco and have residences in London and Italy as well. The Flatleys used Castlehyde for two to four months a year.

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He said Hiscox SA knew what they were taking on and Mr Flatley did not leave Castlehyde lightly in October 2023.

In this affidavit Mr Flatley said it is not possible for Castlehyde to be occupied due to its current condition. He said there was a full-time housekeeper and the gate lodge was also occupied.

Mr Flatley said he was concerned because he had been forced to vacate his home in October 2023 and he said in advance of the insurance renewal date a number of phone calls and emails exchanges took place between his financial advisors and insurance brokers.

He said the fact that he had vacated his home in October 2023 was communicated to the insurance company via the broker.

In a replying affidavit to the court, the managing director of Hiscox SA, Richard O Dwyer said the insurance company was not informed that Mr Flatley had vacated his home in October 2023.

James Burke BL for Hiscox SA said what Mr Flatley was asking the court to do was a step too far.

Ms Justice Eileen Roberts will give her decision next week.
Cabinet ministers have backed their colleague Catherine Martin despite calls for her to step down, with the Labour Party describing her position as Media Minister as untenable.

Ms Martin has been criticised after she was accused of summarily dismissing the chairwoman of the RTE board on live television on Thursday night.

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Politicians have been reacting to Siun Ni Raghallaigh resigning overnight after Ms Martin failed to express confidence in her during the TV interview.

RTE board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh has resigned (Niall Carson/PA)

Ms Martin said she had been misinformed about the approval of an exit package for a former RTE executive and was deeply disappointed when asked to express confidence in Ms Ni Raghallaigh.

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The Labour Party has accused the minister of summarily dismissing Ms Ni Raghallaigh live on air, while the chair of the Public Accounts committee accused Ms Martin of jumping the gun a bit.

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Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that Ms Martin had not effectively dismissed the RTE chairwoman through her Prime Time interview.

"Have you lost confidence in the chair of the RTE Board?"



"I'm deeply disappointed..." Media Minister Catherine Martin tells @MiriamOCal, as she reveals she was misinformed about the role of the board in the approval of a key recent exit package.#rtept | @RTENews pic.twitter.com/16kf8CrGDf Advertisement  RTE Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) February 22, 2024

On Friday morning, Ms McEntee, Minister for Children Roderic OGorman and Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris all publicly stated confidence in their government colleague.

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Speaking in Dublin, Ms McEntee said: I think Catherine Martin has handled this in the best way possible. She has engaged at every stage with the board and in particular the chair of the board. That is the person she is legally responsible to engage with to ensure that the information that she gets is factual and correct and the right information.

Last night she had committed to an interview she followed through on and outlined a number of conversations that happened this week. Further information came to light that she had not been aware of.

I think it is regrettable that a meeting that had been due to happen today between the minister and the chair of the board is not now going to happen.

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I think what people want is information, they want to see transparency, would want to have confidence in our public service broadcaster, confidence in those who are managing RTE and the only way we can have confidence is by knowing all of the facts and all of the information, and I dont believe we are at that point just yet.

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Minister for Children Roderic OGorman, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister of State James Browne taking questions in Dublin about the latest RTE scandal (PA)

Ms McEntee said that Ms Martin simply laid out the facts.

Mr OGorman said his party colleague has his full confidence over RTE.

I think what Catherine outlined last night is that on two occasions this week, she asked the chair of the board (Siun Ni Raghallaigh) about whether the remuneration packages were disclosed at the board and she was told they werent, Mr OGorman added.

Subsequently yesterday, I understand, new information was provided by the chair of the board.

Catherine had a pre-existing commitment on Prime Time and she expressed, I think, her very legitimate disappointment in terms of new information coming forward like that.

She did it in a transparent way. I think, all along in our discussions since the story broke, the issue has been a lot of transparency and Minister Martin speaking on a national political show was transparent in terms of what the situation is right now.

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She indicated clearly she wanted to discuss this matter further with the chair of the board. That would have happened this morning but obviously the chair of the board has subsequently made a decision to resign.

To be absolutely clear, when I look at the work Catherine has done in terms of the two expert bodies, looking at governance and culture in RTE, remuneration and pay in RTE and the work Catherine is doing in terms of looking to bring a sustainable funding model to RTE, she has my full confidence.

Media Minister Catherine Martin speaking at Government Buildings (Niall Carson/PA)

RTE has come under heavy scrutiny to release details of exit packages for executives dating back to 2016.

On Thursday, it published legal advice that said publicly releasing the details of former and current employee contracts would expose RTE to avoidable legal challenge.

Questions have been raised about the governance over exit packages after it was revealed that former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe was paid 450,000 which was not approved under the terms of a voluntary redundancy programme.

Appearing on Prime Time on Thursday night, Ms Martin said she had been given repeated assurances that the RTE board had no role in signing off on an exit package to former RTE chief financial officer Richard Collins.

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However, it has since emerged that the remuneration committee of the board, of which Ms Ni Raghallaigh is a member, had approved of Mr Collins exit arrangements.

The minister had said she had sought an urgent meeting with Ms Ni Raghallaigh on Friday over the matter.

However, hours later, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said it was abundantly clear her position is no longer tenable as she had lost the confidence of Ms Martin.

In her statement, issued just before 1am on Friday, she said her misrepresentation of the process was not intentional.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that during a meeting with Ms Martin earlier in the week, she had been asked if the board knew about the exit packages for former strategy director Rory Coveney and Mr Collins.

I said that I was aware of them, but they had not come before the full board. However, I neglected to recollect that Richard Collins exit package did go before the renumeration committee.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst was also present in the two meetings with the minister and her officials this week, which lasted for more than three hours.

Labour Senator Marie Sherlock said Catherine Martin has been on the back foot (Niall Carson/PA)

Labours Marie Sherlock has said Ms Martins TV interview amounted to summarily dismissing the chair of the RTE board live on air, and said Ms Martins position was now untenable.

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She said that from the beginning of the crisis, Ms Martin has been on the back foot and failed to ask the most basic questions.

She said that from Ms Ni Raghallaighs resignation statement, there appeared to be details of exit packages from former RTE executives held by the Department of Media, which she said should be published in full immediately.

The Taoiseach and the Tanaiste must now reflect on the Media Ministers handling of this whole debacle and ask: is she the person to ensure that necessary reforms take place in RTE that will be crucial to its survival, and is she the person who can restore public trust in the State broadcaster?

Public Accounts committee chair Brian Stanley said the minister jumped the gun a bit and should have kept her powder dry and wait to meet Ms Ni Raghallaigh.

The minister should have waited, I believe, until she had the opportunity to speak with Siun Ni Raghallaigh and to hear exactly what Siun Ni Raghallaigh had to say. And then she could make her judgment on whether she had confidence or not.

He said that Ms Ni Raghallaigh had made a very comprehensive statement that raised further questions.

The minister may have made the right decision, the minister may have not made the right decision, but what Im saying is  theres a number of lines in (Ms Ni Raghallaighs statement) that raise questions, and the minister should have waited to thrash that out with Siun Ni Raghallaigh to get to the bottom of it.

Siun Ni Raghallaigh and RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst (Niall Carson/PA)

When a minister goes on television without any notice, I presume, to Siun Ni Raghallaigh or anyone else, and doesnt express confidence, refuses to express confidence in the head of the board at RTE, that creates a whole new situation.

Mr Harris said that some glib commentary on Ms Martin has been unfair.

He said that Ms Martin will speak publicly later on Friday to provide clarity around aspects of Siun Ni Raghallaighs statement on her resignation as chairwoman of the RTE board.

He said Ms Martin found herself in a very difficult position last night as she was scheduled to go on TV before meeting with Ms Ni Raghallaigh on Friday.

Asked whether Ms Martins handling of her department was in question, Mr Harris said: I dont believe it is, I believe Catherine Martin is a good minister.

I know Catherine Martin to be a very diligent, very hard working, very honest person and I think some of the glib commentary today from some in opposition is unfair.

Asked whether getting rid of the RTE board chairwoman would put the broadcaster on the right path, Mr Harris said: That was not the ministers intention.

I think the ministers intention was to speak with the chair today and provide the chair with the space to outline why this confusion happened during the week that led to the minister being misinformed and I regret that that did not happen.

Ms Martin thanked Ms Ni Raghallaigh for her service since November 2022 as RTE board chairwoman.

At this critical time for RTE, it is imperative that we continue the important process of restoring trust in the organisation. As Ms Ni Raghallaigh stated, there is an urgent need for the transformation process to continue and a sustainable funding model put in place  I am deeply committed to this, Ms Martin said in a statement.
Charities have criticised the shockingly normal increase in homelessness as another record number was reached in Ireland.

There were 13,531 people in homeless accommodation by the end of January, according to the latest figures from the Department of Housing.

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There were 9,504 adults and 4,027 children in emergency accommodation during the last week of January.

The number of children is lower than in the last tranche of homeless figures for December, when a record number of 4,105 children were recorded in homeless accommodation.

This was the first time since the Department began publishing the figures that they had topped 4,000.

There were also 1,940 families in emergency accommodation, of which 56% were one-parent families, and 197 pensioners.

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The Simon Communities of Ireland said the figures showed a 15 per cent increase in emergency accommodation in the 12 months since January.

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There was a 21 per cent increase in the number of families and a 17 per cent increase in the number of children in a year.

Its disheartening to see that in 2024, we still have not gotten ahead of this crisis. We have known for all those years that the solution is to increase the supply of social housing, said Wayne Stanley, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland.

We simply have not been building enough social housing and the situation is made worse by the decline in supply and affordability in the private rental market.

The absence of supply and affordability is driving the homelessness crisis as it leaves too many individuals and families in precarious living arrangements, putting them at risk of homelessness.

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We need Government to do more to provide support and protection to these individuals and families and prevent homelessness before it starts.

Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said that these latest figures are a serious setback after the welcome fall in family homelessness before Christmas.

He said that there were 4,027 homeless children was truly heartbreaking and an appalling situation.

Mr Dennigan added: Homelessness causes great suffering for all those affected, with children bearing the brunt of its harm.

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As a society, we must move beyond mere expressions of disappointment at the persistently record-breaking homelessness figures each month.

It is time to take meaningful actions that will cause change, such as ensuring a fairer allocation of social housing for families who are homeless.

Catherine Kenny, chief executive of Dublin Simon, said that after a slightly expected seasonal decrease in homelessness over the Christmas period, Ireland had returned to what is shockingly considered to be normal in our society today  another upward turn in figures.
A High Court judge has excluded several members of Enoch Burke's family from attending next week's review of the teacher's on-going refusal to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath.

At the High Court on Friday Mr Justice Mark Sanfey ruled that Sean, Martina, Isaac and Ammi Burke could not attend because of disruptive behaviour, which the judge said involved them shouting and roaring on previous occasions before the court.

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The court said it had been prepared to allow the Burkes to attend the hearing if they were prepared to give undertakings not to disrupt next week's hearing of Enoch Burke's case.

Otherwise, arrangements would be made so they could view the proceedings via a video link, the judge said.

The judge had invited the Burke family members to make submissions to the court regarding their proposed exclusion.

Objection

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The court heard that all four, as well as Enoch Burke strongly objected to their exclusion.

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One family member, Dr Isaac Burke attended at the court and argued that he, his sister and their parents should be allowed attend the hearing.

However, following a heated exchange between Dr Burke and the judge, Dr Burke was physically removed from the courtroom by gardai after he refused to comply with a direction by the Judge to leave the courtroom.

Dr Burke became animated, and repeatedly demanded the judge withdraw a remark where Mr Justice Sanfey described Dr Burke's statements to the court as being an "interrogation."

Mr Justice Sanfey refused to withdraw his remark, which Dr Burke strongly and vocally objected to.

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Prior to his exclusion from the court, Dr Burke described the exclusion order as being "outrageous", and a breach of the constitutional right that justice be administered in public.

No detail of each individuals alleged disruptive behaviour had been furnished by the judge to them, Dr Burke added.

He said that his family members had not been given proper notice of the decision to exclude them, which he said was wrongfully made in advance of them being allowed to make any submissions.

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He questioned the independence of the decision given that it was identical to an order made against them by Mr Justice Edwards in separate proceedings before the Court of Appeal earlier this year.

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Dr Burke further took exception to the judge's description of members of his family as being the 'Burkes'.

He said that there are 12 members of his family, that they are "not a collective" and each have individual rights.

Enoch Burke, via a video link from Mountjoy Prison, also addressed the court.

He claimed to have been dragged from his cell and said he had no advance warning of the application to exclude members of his family from next weeks proceedings.

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Animated

Mr Burke was also animated in his submissions before the judge ordered that his microphone be muted.

He repeatedly criticised Mr Justice Sanfey and other members of the judiciary who have made rulings against him.

He described the judge and his colleagues as being "liars".

Mr Enoch Burke added that the real reason he has spent almost a year behind bars was because he was being punished for his religious belief and his opposition to transgenderism.

In reply, the Judge said that in his 36 years as a lawyer and a judge he had never been called nor heard another judge been called a liar in a courtroom.

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He said that members of the Burke family had been written to in advance of next weeks hearing in relation to the court's proposal to exclude them from the proceedings.

This was due to their past behaviour at numerous hearing before the court.

Disruption

The judge said that when Enoch Burkes case was last before him, he had to rise five times due to family's "tag team" disruption of the court proceedings.

One member of the family would start shouting at the court, resulting in their removal from the court, the judge said, before another member would then start shouting.

The judge said that the court was entitled to take steps to maintain good order in the courts.

He added that their constitutional rights that justice be administered in public and the rights of members of the public to attend court had been fully taken into account.

He said the court was prepared to allow them to attend if they gave undertakings not to disrupt the proceedings and consider any submissions in support of their attendance.

No such undertakings were provided, and the judge said he was making orders excluding them from next weeks hearing.

Last December Mr Burke declined to purge his contempt and agree to comply with an order to stay away from the school.

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Enoch Burke has been in prison for 275 days over what he says is his refusal to accept a direction from the school to address a student by a different pronoun.

He was committed to Mountjoy Prison after the school's board asked the court to jail the teacher over his deliberate failure to comply with a permanent injunction restraining him from attending at the school granted by the court in July.

The board claimed that Mr Burke had attended at Wilson's Hospital campus every day when the 2023-24 school year commenced in August.

His presence at the school had caused "severe disruption for staff and students" the board claimed.

In September the High Court found that Mr Burke had "flagrantly breached" the July orders requiring him to stay away from the school and committed him to prison "indefinitely," until he purges his contempt.

During his first stint behind bars the Evangelical Christian spent over 100 days in Mountjoy between September and December 2022.

Following his suspension from his position at the school in August 2022 Mr Burke was sued by the school over his failure to comply with a court order requiring him to stay away from the school.

He was released in December 2022 without purging his contempt.

He again started attending the school after the holidays, and the High Court imposed a daily fine of 700 on Mr Burke.

The teacher denies the claims against him and says that his constitutional rights were breached by the school's direction that he refer to a student by a different gender.
Stories on Siun Ni Raghallaigh, who has resigned as RTE board chair, and rising rent prices feature on Friday's front pages.

The Irish Times leads with comments from Media Minister Catherine Martine which led to Siun Ni Raghallaigh's resignation in the early hours of Friday morning.

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The Irish Examiner leads with a Daft.ie report on rising rent prices.

The Irish Independent also leads with the latest RTE controversy.

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The Echo leads with a story on a 29-year-old man who got young girls from the UK to pose for explicit videos and images which they sent to him by Snapchat. Adam Palmer, of Ballyhooleen, Ballinhassig, Co Cork has been jailed for a year.

The Irish Sun leads with a story on a group of carpenters who won a 1 million Lotto jackpot.

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Advertisement Today's front page of The Irish Sun pic.twitter.com/s8MOmmuHKT  The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) February 23, 2024

The RTE crisis also features on the front page of the Irish Daily Mail.

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It's friday... and there's a fresh crisis in RTE, read all about it in the Mail pic.twitter.com/Ey7GiJ0Zra  The Irish Daily Mail (@irishdailymail) February 22, 2024

The Herald and the Irish Daily Star lead with stories on two arrests after a 2 million drug seizure in Dublin.

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Friday's front page pic.twitter.com/vjSGTfVrY1  Irish Daily Star (@isfearranstar) February 23, 2024

The Belfast Telegraph leads with a story on an investigation after inmates were caught having sex in a prison toilet.

The Irish News leads with a story on a court case over an 'unnotified procession' on Bloody Sunday.

Good Morning.



Today's front page :



Families march on pic.twitter.com/GwfmF7grnO  The Irish News (@irish_news) February 23, 2024

A new Brexit deal under the Labour Party and fallout from the chaos in the UK House of Commons feature among a variety of stories on the front pages of the UKs newspapers on Friday.

The Independent reports on the chaos in the Commons, leading with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer being forced to deny he threatened the Commons speaker after a vote on a ceasefire in Gaza.

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The i reports on EU officials who say a new Brexit deal on food and cars could be agreed with Labour.

Friday's front page: New Brexit deal on food and cars could be agreed with Labour, say EU officials#Tomorrowspaperstoday



Latest by @HugoGye: https://t.co/wTyoilDbyf pic.twitter.com/Un4XL81z9A  i newspaper (@theipaper) February 22, 2024

The Guardian says seeing the same GP every visit improves health and cuts workloads.

GUARDIAN: Seeing same GP each visit cuts workloads and improves health #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/ApMytc2sBA  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 22, 2024

The Daily Telegraph leads with Ukrainian soldiers blaming a lack of supplies from Western countries for setbacks in the battlefields.

The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:



I have the Russian soldiers in my sights, but no shells to fire at them#TomorrowsPapersToday



Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/FZATiVvjw5  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 22, 2024

The Daily Express and the Daily Mail ask why police did not stop an antisemitic slur being projected onto Big Ben.

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Front page: Huge 44bilion bank profits...but still they are closing branches #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/JRNDmB2zwt  Daily Express (@Daily_Express) February 22, 2024

DAILY MAIL: Outrage as genocide message is beamed on Big Ben #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/mzQp24nfMC  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 22, 2024

The Times says the Fundraising Regulator has started an investigation after the newspaper found people door-knocking for a well-known childrens charity had been taught pressure-selling techniques.

THE TIMES: Fake tears and tricks of the charity fundraisers #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/fTVCfpjZxR  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 22, 2024

The Daily Mirror reports on Roger Clarke, who has spoken for the first time after he was jailed for smuggling 1 million worth of cocaine on a cruise ship.

The Metro leads with a story on two years of lunacy from Vladimir Putin as the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine approaches.

Tomorrow's Paper Today 



TWO YEARS OF LUNACY



 In the last 730 days, tyrant Vladimir Putin has fired 8,000 missiles, targeted 828 hospitals, killed at least 10,000 Ukrainians... for what? #Tomorrowspapertoday pic.twitter.com/a5ZuW0tvMK  Metro (@MetroUK) February 22, 2024

The Sun runs with pictures of pop star Ellie Goulding, who is on holiday in Costa Rica.

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On tomorrow's front page: Ellie Goulding kisses & cuddles young surfing instructor while husband Caspar Jopling remains home in marriage riddle https://t.co/uQ7xdwuSty pic.twitter.com/XnNrIxqhNU  The Sun (@TheSun) February 22, 2024

The Financial Times reports on a bumper earnings report for Nvidia, which created a stock market rally.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Friday 23 February https://t.co/NR45I0l2fQ pic.twitter.com/Iuzq7Ag90K  Financial Times (@FT) February 22, 2024

And the Daily Star says it was a bad day for mutts as US president Joe Bidens dog reportedly bit his secret service team 24 times in nine months.

The New York Times leads with a story on Chinese hackers stealing sensitive information from foreign governments.
Prada seemed to tap into a massive TikTok trend for its latest Milan Fashion Week show.

The coquette trend started gathering steam on social media in the middle of 2023, with its obsession with bows and all things pastel.

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While the Prada collection was a darker, moodier take on this, bows were certainly present.

(Luca Bruno/AP)

The opening look of the show was a black shift midi dress with silk black bows sewn all over  which fast the motif of the collection.

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But it really was a show of two halves  on the one hand, you had what is seen as a stereotypically feminine aesthetic, with bow detailing, midi-length skirts, brocade shift dresses and pastel cardigans. There was almost a 50s-inspired silhouette to some of the outfits, which was further emphasised by many models demurely holding handbags in the crook of their arms.

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(Luca Bruno/AP)

On the other hand was much more of a darker edge. Joint creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons played around with tailoring  beautifully constructed jackets and pencil skirts had the backs cut out, and were replaced by silk linings in pops of colour.

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Leather coats and small Matrix-style sunglasses continued this edgier theme, while bomber jackets with a P emblazoned on the front will no doubt be seen on plenty of celebrities in the coming months.

(Luca Bruno/AP)

Some of the accessories were eye-catchingly unusual  such as the bulky ski-style gloves some models wore, making for a grungier replacement for the elegant opera gloves that have become a red carpet mainstay. And then there was the headgear, made up of strange, bulbous hats in various textures and colours.

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This dichotomy between a more traditionally beautiful aesthetic and darker elements has long been a mainstay of the Prada/Simons partnership  and this season, it was neatly reflected in the music choices. My Funny Valentine by Nico and Anyone Who Knows What Love Is by Irma Thomas played as models walked the runway, interspersed with thumping techno beats.

(Luca Bruno/AP)

Prada is the master of cinematic set design  last season models walked down the runway as slime dripped from the ceiling  and this collection was no different.

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In a cavernous black room, the runway was raised and see-through, revealing lush greenery underneath  grass, shrubs, leaves and more. Prada said the set reflects the contradiction between our indoor existence and our innate connection to the outdoors.

(Luca Bruno/AP)

And there were plenty of celebrities front row at the Fondazione Prada in Milan.

Actor and director Emma Watson  who recently appeared in a Prada campaign championing sustainability with regenerated nylon yarn  seemed to tentatively welcome the beginning of spring in a blue and white floral mini dress with a navy coat on top.

(Claudio Furlan/AP)

Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross was also in head-to-toe Prada, wearing a covetable beige bomber jacket on top of a navy skirt and textured shirt-style top.

(Luca Bruno/AP)

Also on the front row was Euphoria star Hunter Schafer  wearing a futuristic beige jacket  The New Look actor Juliette Binoche, Gwendoline Christie  who is fresh off her viral moment on the Maison Margiela couture runway  and actor Lily James, who is currently promoting her new film, The Iron Claw.
A man who is also under investigation over the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann will not respond to unrelated charges of sexual offences at a trial that opened last week in Germany, his lawyer said.

The 47-year-old German, who has been identified by media as Christian Brueckner, faces three counts of rape and two of sexual abuse of children in the trial at the Braunschweig state court in northern Germany.

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He is alleged to have committed the offences in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.

The defendant is using his right to remain silent, defence lawyer Friedrich Fulscher told the Braunschweig state court, German news agency dpa reported.



Madeleine McCann went missing in 2007 (Family Handout/PA)

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Mr Fulscher added that he expects his client to be acquitted.

He has called the evidence in the indictment abysmal.

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There are no formal pleas in the German legal system, and defendants are not obliged to respond to the charges.

The suspect has not been charged in the McCann case, in which he is under investigation on suspicion of murder.

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He spent many years in Portugal, including in the resort of Praia da Luz around the time of Madeleines disappearance there in 2007.

He has denied any involvement in her disappearance.

He is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for a rape he committed in Portugal in 2005.

The trial opened a week ago but was quickly adjourned on its first day after Mr Fulscher filed a challenge against a lay judge on the panel hearing the case, who was alleged once to have spread a call to kill former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro on social media.

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Prosecutors joined that challenge.

The woman has been removed from the case and now faces an investigation herself on suspicion of making a public call to commit crimes.
Israel seeks open-ended control over security and civilian affairs in the Gaza Strip, according to a long-awaited postwar plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

It was swiftly rejected on Friday by Palestinian leaders and runs counter to Washingtons vision for the war-ravaged enclave.

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Mr Netanyahu presented the two-page document to his security cabinet late on Thursday for approval.

Deep disagreements over Gazas future have led to increasingly public friction between Israel and the United States, its closest ally.



An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from southern Israel towards the Gaza Strip, in a position near the Israel-Gaza border (Leo Correa/AP)

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The Biden administration seeks eventual Palestinian governance in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to Palestinian statehood, an outcome vehemently opposed by Mr Netanyahu and his right-wing government.

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Mr Netanyahus plan envisions hand-picked Palestinians in Gaza administering the territory.

Separately, ceasefire efforts appeared to gain traction, with mediators to present a new proposal at an expected high-level meeting this weekend in Paris.

The US, Egypt and Qatar have been struggling for weeks to find a formula that could halt Israels devastating offensive in Gaza, but now face an unofficial deadline as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

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In Gaza, Israeli air strikes in the centre and south of the territory killed at least 68 Palestinians, including children and women, overnight and into Friday, health officials and an Associated Press journalist said.

Another 24 bodies remained trapped under the rubble.

Fidaa Ashour, whose sister was killed in a strike early on Friday in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, said the world does not feel what we are enduring.

At a hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah, relatives wept over bodies laid out in burial shrouds in the courtyard, and a man cradled a dead infant.

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Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on residential buildings and a mosque in Rafah, Gaza Strip (Fatima Shbair/AP)

The overall Palestinian death toll since the start of the war rose to more than 29,500, with close to 70,000 people wounded, Gaza health officials said.

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The death toll amounts to close to 1.3% of Gazas population of 2.3 million.

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Mr Netanyahus plan, while lacking specifics, marks the first time he has presented a formal postwar vision.

It reiterates that Israel is determined to crush Hamas, the militant group that overran the Gaza Strip in 2007.

Polls have indicated that a majority of Palestinians do not support Hamas, but the group has deep roots in Palestinian society.

Critics, including some in Israel, say the goal of eliminating Hamas is unattainable.

Mr Netanyahus plan calls for freedom of action for Israels military across a demilitarised Gaza after the war to thwart any security threat.

It says Israel would establish a buffer zone inside Gaza, which is likely to provoke US objections.

The plan also envisions Gaza being governed by local officials who it says would not be identified with countries or entities that support terrorism and will not receive payment from them.



A Palestinian boy walks past a car destroyed in an Israeli drone strike in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

It is not clear if any Palestinians would agree to such sub-contractor roles.

Over the past decades, Israel has repeatedly tried and failed to set up hand-picked local Palestinian governing bodies.

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The Palestinian Authority, which administers pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Friday denounced Mr Netanyahus plan as colonialist and racist, saying it would amount to Israeli reoccupation of Gaza.

Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, but maintained control of access to the territory.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken said he had not seen details of the plan.

But he said any plan should be consistent with basic principles the US had set out for Gazas future including that it cannot be a platform for terrorism, there should be no Israeli reoccupation of Gaza, the size of Gazas territory should not be reduced.

The Biden administration wants to see a reformed Palestinian Authority govern both Gaza and the West Bank as a step towards Palestinian statehood.



Buildings destroyed by an air strike in Rafah (Hatem Ali/AP)

It has sought to chip away at Mr Netanyahus resistance by holding out the prospect of the normalisation of ties between Israel and Arab powerhouse Saudi Arabia.

US, Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials are expected to meet in Paris this weekend to discuss ceasefire efforts.

A senior Egyptian official said Egypt and Qatar would bring an understanding reached with Hamas leaders that calls for a six-week ceasefire and the release of elderly and sick hostages in return for a yet-to-be specified number of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. During the ceasefire, details would be worked out on a further stage.

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Hamas has demanded a complete halt to Israels offensive and a withdrawal of its troops from Gaza in return for the release of all its remaining hostages, as well as the release of Palestinians held by Israel, including top militants. Mr Netanyahu has rejected those demands.

Israel declared war on Hamas on October 7, after the militants stormed into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages. More than 100 hostages were freed in a week-long ceasefire in late November.

Since the start of the war, 29,514 Palestinians were killed in Israels offensive and close to 70,000 were wounded, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Friday. Two thirds of those killed have been women and children, said the ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.

Israel says it has killed at least 10,000 Hamas fighters, without providing evidence for its count. It holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties because the group operates and fights from within civilian areas.
Single-use vapes could be banned in Scotland by April 1st next year, the Scottish Government has said.

Draft legislation has been published by ministers after Scotland joined England and Wales to ban the disposable e-cigarettes.

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It follows recommendations from a UK-wide consultation which looked at how to create a smoke-free generation.

The draft legislation will be open for consultation until March 8th, 2024 before being taken forward in Scotland using powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

There are concerns that vaping is attractive to children (PA)

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If approved by the Scottish parliament, it will ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes.

The ban comes amid concern that a growing number of young people are now vaping.

More than 26 million disposable vapes are estimated to have been used and thrown away in Scotland in the past year.

Scotland's Circular economy minister Lorna Slater said the three UK nations had worked together to agree a date for bringing in the ban.

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She said: Legislating to ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes fulfils a Programme for Government commitment to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people and take action to tackle the environmental impact.

Lorna Slater said the ban will boost public health and the environment (PA)

The public consultation demonstrated that there is strong support for tougher action on vaping.

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From causing fires in waste facilities to more than 26 million disposable vapes being consumed and thrown away in Scotland in the past year, single-use vapes are a threat to our environment as well as to our public health.

These proposed changes to the law demonstrate our absolute commitment to further improve the wellbeing of communities and protecting our beautiful natural environment.

The Scottish Government will also bring forward UK-wide plans to increase the age for purchasing tobacco, making it illegal for anyone born after January 1st, 2009 to buy the product.
Bill Lyons disapproves of Republican frontrunner Donald Trump's mockery of rival Nikki Haley's military husband for not joining her on the U.S. campaign trail. But it won't shake Lyons' support for the former president.

"He should not be disparaging our military. I don't agree with that at all," said Lyons, 81, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. "But other than that, he did a good job for this country when he was in there for four years."

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Lyons is commander of the American Legion Post in Sumter, South Carolina, where Haley campaigned this week to court the state's sizable military vote ahead of its Republican primary on Saturday.

She touted her husband Michael Haley's deployment to Africa while highlighting Trump's years of disparaging comments about veterans.

She said the U.S. should project power overseas, including by aiding Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

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Haley has made Trump's comments a focal point of her campaign in South Carolina, a state where she served as governor from 2011 to 2017.

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The southern state has eight major military installations and the eighth-largest share of active military personnel in the country.

She is hoping for a solid showing in her home state to gain momentum going into the Super Tuesday primaries on March 5th.

Interviews with nearly two dozen veterans and military spouses, including many who have seen combat or been wounded in conflict, show her message is falling short with some members of this important voting bloc.

Several voters called Haley, who served as U.N. ambassador under Trump, a "globalist" and raised concerns she would lead the U.S. into a war. Many said migrants at the U.S. southern border were their top national security concern and should take priority over any efforts overseas.

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Nearly all those interviewed disapproved of Trump's comments in recent days questioning why Michael Haley, a South Carolina Army National Guard officer, is serving a deployment rather than campaigning alongside his wife.

Most did not consider it to be disqualifying, however, noting Trump had a record of supporting the troops despite his history of insulting military veterans.

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Trump once said the late John McCain, a former Republican presidential candidate, was not a war hero even though he spent years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam after being shot down while a U.S. Navy pilot.

Trump also referred to fallen World War One veterans as "suckers" and "losers," according to his former White House chief of staff, John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general.

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"That stuff isn't relevant to me," said Austin McCall, a 29-year-old Marine who recalled fondly when Trump served him Thanksgiving dinner on a surprise visit to Afghanistan in 2019. "Trump was president for four years and it was great."

A Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll released this week underscored Trump's commanding grip on voters with military ties. The survey put his overall advantage in South Carolina at 63 per cent-35 per cent over Haley and even higher among voters in military families at 65 per cent-33 per cent.

"A big demerit"

Trump made the comments about Michael Haley at a rally in Conway, South Carolina, on February 11th. "What happened to her husband?" Trump told the crowd. "Where is he? He's gone."

In recent weeks, Trump also has said Michael Haley should come back home to help save his wife's "dying" campaign.

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Melania Trump, Donald Trump's wife, has been almost entirely absent from the campaign trail.

The former president has repeatedly said she is a private person who prefers to stay out of the limelight.

Tommy Easler, 80, was one of the South Carolina veterans who said Trump's remarks about Haley's husband gave him pause.

"Trump had my attention until he accused her husband of not being available when he was on deployment," Easler said, adding he was undecided between Haley and Trump. "That's a big demerit."

During a speech in Greenville on Tuesday, the normally stoic Haley choked up when discussing her husband.

"Michael is fighting for the country he loves. So are all his brothers- and sisters-in-arms, wherever they're stationed in our dangerous world," Haley told supporters. "Now I will continue to make my stand because America is worth living for."

In a statement on Wednesday, Haley spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas added: "Someone who continually attacks the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families has no business being commander in chief. This shouldn't be so hard for Donald Trump."

The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Kim Alsip, a retired Army nurse, said Trump's behavior was one reason she planned to vote for Haley in the primary, even though she thinks Trump will win. Alsip said she would support Trump in the Nov. 5 general election if he becomes the Republican nominee as expected.

"If he just shut his mouth, he'd be OK," she said. "His politics I like, but Nikki Haley has a personality that I would like to see in the White House again."

Alsip, 60, said she backed Haley's stance on providing financial aid to Ukraine as a check on Russia's ongoing assault on the country.

Other voters who spoke to Reuters expressed skepticism of Haley's foreign policy views, saying that they worried support for Ukraine might escalate into a broader regional conflict or that it would simply distract from more pressing issues at home.

Such sentiment plays into the hands of Trump, who embraced an isolationist "America First" approach to foreign policy while in office from 2017-2021 and boasts on the campaign trail that he avoided war during his four-year term.

"I'm not sure that we should be putting so much money into these foreign countries other than Israel," Lyons, the Coast Guard veteran, said. "We should be putting some of that money to close this border in Texas and California and Arizona where all these immigrants are coming in."
The UK is set to sign a new arrangement with the EUs border agency as part of its efforts to stop small boats crossing the English Channel.

The deal agreed with the EUs Frontex agency will see the UK Border Force cooperate more closely with its European counterparts, exchanging intelligence and collaborating on training, new technology and operations.

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British home secretary James Cleverly will welcome European home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson to London on Friday to witness the signing of the arrangement by officials from Frontex and Border Force.

James Cleverly (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Mr Cleverly said: This Government has a plan to break the model of the smuggling gangs, end the abuse of our asylum system and stop the boats. The plan is working with crossings down by a third  but we must go further.

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Organised immigration crime and people-smuggling are global challenges that require shared solutions and ambitions. Our landmark working arrangement between the UK and Frontex is another crucial step in tackling illegal migration, securing our borders and stopping the boats.

The deal is the latest in a series of arrangements between the UK and Europe, including an agreement reached with France last year to increase cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the two countries.

It also follows discussions between the British prime minister and Ursula Von der Leyen, the European Commission president, who agreed in May last year to strengthen co-operation on tackling small boats.

Rishi Sunak had a phone call with Ms Von der Leyen on Sunday and the pair welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations that led to the agreement formalised on Friday.

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Mr Sunak made stopping the boats one of his five priorities for 2023. The number of people crossing the Channel in small boats last year fell from 45,755 to 29,437.

So far, 1,716 people have made the crossing this year, down from 2,720 in the same period last year.
The United States and the European Union have heaped new sanctions on Russia on the eve of the second anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine and in retaliation for the death of noted Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny last week in an Arctic penal colony.

The US government imposed roughly 600 new sanctions on Russia and its war machine in the largest single round of penalties since Russias invasion of Ukraine on February 24 2022.

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The EU, for its part, added sanctions on several foreign companies over allegations that they have exported dual-use goods to Russia that could be used in its war against Ukraine.

The 27-nation bloc also targeted scores of Russian officials, including members of the judiciary, local politicians and people it said were responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children.

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US President Joe Biden said the sanctions come in response to Russian President Vladimir Putins brutal war of conquest and to Mr Navalnys death.

We in the United States are going to continue to ensure that Putin pays a price for his aggression abroad and repression at home, Mr Biden said.

While previous sanctions have increased costs for Russias ability to fight in Ukraine, they appear to have done little so far to deter Mr Putins aggression or ambitions.

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In specific response to Mr Navalnys death, the State Department targeted three Russian officials the US says are connected to his death, including the deputy director of Russias Federal Penitentiary Service, who was promoted by Mr Putin to the rank of colonel general on Monday, three days after Mr Navalny died.

The sanctions bar the officials from travelling to the US and block access to US-owned property. But they appear largely symbolic given that the officials are unlikely to travel to or have assets or family in the West.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said to expect more action later related to Mr Navalnys death, adding that today this just a start.

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The Biden administration is levying additional sanctions as House Republicans are blocking billions of dollars in additional aid to Ukraine.

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Joe Biden said the sanctions come in response to Vladimir Putins brutal war of conquest (Evan Vucci/AP)

The war is becoming entangled in US election-year politics, with former president Donald Trump voicing scepticism about the benefits of the Nato alliance and saying that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to countries that, in his view, are not pulling their weight in the alliance.

Mr Biden on Friday called on Congress to pass Ukraine aide, which has stalled since House speaker Mike Johnson blocked votes for packages passed by the Senate for Ukraine and other countries.

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Russia is taking Ukraine territory for the first time in many months, Mr Biden said. But here in America, the speaker gave the house a two-week vacation. They have to come back and get this done, because failure to support Ukraine in this critical moment will never be forgotten in history.

Many of the new US sanctions announced on Friday target Russian firms that contribute to the Kremlins war effort  including drone and industrial chemical manufacturers and machine tool importers  as well as financial institutions, such as the state-owned operator of Russias Mir National Payment System.

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The US will also impose visa restrictions on Russian authorities it says are involved in the kidnapping and confinement of Ukrainian children.

In addition, 26 third-country people and firms from across China, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, and Liechtenstein are listed for sanctions, for assisting Russia in evading existing financial penalties.





Today, I met with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya  Aleksey Navalny's loved ones  to express my condolences for their devastating loss.



Aleksey's legacy of courage will live on in Yulia and Dasha, and the countless people across Russia fighting for democracy and human rights. pic.twitter.com/aiCcgTrws3  President Biden (@POTUS) February 22, 2024

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the EU sanctions are illegal and undermine the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council.

In response, the ministry is banning some EU citizens from entering the country because they have provided military assistance to Ukraine.

It did not immediately respond to the US sanctions.

The US was specifically to target individuals associated with Mr Navalnys imprisonment a day after Mr Biden met the opposition leaders widow and daughter in California.

It was also hitting Russias financial sector, defence industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents, Mr Biden said.

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They will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home.

The EU asset freezes and travel bans constitute the 13th package of measures imposed by the bloc against people and organisations it suspects of undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.





Commitment met: two years after the start of the full-scale Russian aggression against #Ukraine, the 13th package of sanctions is adopted.



These measures are taking a heavy toll on Russias economy.https://t.co/65gyOcE67t  Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) February 23, 2024

Today, we are further tightening the restrictive measures against Russias military and defence sector, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

We remain united in our determination to dent Russias war machine and help Ukraine win its legitimate fight for self-defence.

In all, 106 more officials and 88 entities  often companies, banks, government agencies or other organisations  have been added to the blocs sanctions list, bringing the tally of those targeted to more than 2,000 people and entities, including Mr Putin and his associates.

Companies making electronic components, which the EU believes could have military as well as civilian uses, were among 27 entities accused of directly supporting Russias military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine, a statement said.

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Those companies  some of them based in India, Sri Lanka, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Turkey  face tougher export restrictions.

The names of the companies will only be made public once they are published in the EUs official journal, which should be a matter of days.

The bloc said the companies have been involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions, and it accuses others of the development, production and supply of electronic components destined to help Russias armed forces.

Some of the measures are aimed at depriving Russia of parts for pilotless drones, which are seen by military experts as key to the war.

Since the start of the war, US Treasury and State departments have designated more than 4,000 officials, oligarchs, firms, banks and others under Russia-related sanctions.





A 60 US dollars per barrel price cap has also been imposed on Russian oil by Group of Seven allies, intended to reduce Russias revenues from fossil fuels.

Critics of the sanctions, price cap and other measures meant to stop Russias invasion say they are not working fast enough.

Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said that primarily sanctioning Russias defence industry and failing to cut meaningfully into Russias energy revenues will not be enough to halt the war.

One way or another, they will have to eventually address Russias oil revenues and have to consider an oil embargo, Ms Snegovaya said.

The oil price cap has effectively stopped working.

Treasury deputy secretary Wally Adeyemo, in previewing the new sanctions, told reporters that the US and its allies will not lower the price cap, but rather what well be doing is taking actions that will increase the cost of Russias production of oil.

He added that sanctions alone are not enough to carry Ukraine to victory.

We owe the Ukrainian people who have held on for so long the support and resources they desperately need to defend their homeland and prove Putin wrong once and for all time.
Williams had seen the show six times before returning to Melbourne for Wednesdays opening performance. She was intrigued to see it again as there have been two major cast changes. Esme is now played by Brenna Harding, and Carlos Sanson jnr takes on the role of Gareth. In the original production these parts had been played by Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Raj Labade. Claypots Barbarossas seafood paella. Credit: Simon Schluter On Wednesday, the State Theatre Company South Australia and Sydney Theatre Company production (directed by Jessica Arthur and with a striking design by Jonathon Oxlade), received an enthusiastic reception. Laughton sent Williams some drafts of the script. I decided I didnt need to provide any creative input. My reading was for historical accuracy because I had done a lot of research for the book. Arthur described Williams after the performance as a research nerd. As a long-time theatregoer, Williams found it illuminating to go to rehearsals, to see the creation of a different art form. I particularly love the staging of plays. I never walk out thinking that was a waste of time. Even if I dont gel with it, Ive usually been engaged enough in the staging of it. So I was really fascinated to see how a play was put together.

As Williams recalled visiting the SA theatre companys rehearsal space, it was clear she was still moved by what had been an enlightening experience. She said she felt humbled in the face of something so much bigger than her. I had no idea how much passion and energy  and money, to be honest  was going into this. The sets, all those actors, all these things being made from scratch, the investment from so many people in time and money and passion and energy completely shut me up. Im talking a lot right now, but I was speechless. Williams at Claypots Barbarossa. She says she wouldnt give back her dyslexia even if she could. Credit: Simon Schluter On opening night in Adelaide she was terrified  for the cast and crew. I had seen how much of themselves they put into it. And I felt like a good friend or sister or mother might feel when someone you know is doing their thing for the first time, and you want it to work. Writing is a solitary act. Yes, Williams gets letters  lots  from readers, but those are lines composed in tranquillity. Hearing lines she remembered writing spoken by the actors and then the immediate response of the audience near her was unique and amazing.

The Dictionary has had something of a charmed life, which never ceases to amaze Williams. The novel was published on March 31 just days after Australia had slipped into the grip of the pandemic, and she thought the book would quietly disappear. No chance. My partner Shannon and I sometimes sit back and go, what the f---? Loading But she is also well aware that plenty of wonderful books were published early in 2020. It doesnt necessarily make any sense that my book went bonkers. Im not being falsely modest, I just know that to be the truth. There was a whole basket of books that were good. For whatever reason, mine did well ... It might have been that this book was about a historical moment that we could all focus on at a time we didnt want to focus on the life we were living. Since then, she has written a companion novel, The Bookbinder of Jericho, there is a TV adaptation of Dictionary in the pipeline  all she can say is that its in production and will be a six or eight-part series  and the composer Marian Budos has written a concerto for harp and orchestra, Esmes Words, in which the harp represents Esme.

Williams has always written. Despite being dyslexic, its the way she preferred to express herself. We have spoken about it in the past, but I wondered whether there had been benefits from her dyslexia. The answer is yes, she stressed. I wouldnt give back the dyslexia if I could. Loading Knowledge about it and other neurodiverse conditions is increasing all the time, she says, and research shows that people with dyslexia have particular problem-solving skills and strategic-thinking skills. As a research academic, her job was to see patterns in things; as a strategic planner, her job was to see relationships between things in an organisation. As a writer, what happens is once Im into a story, I feel it happening almost every day. I just start to see connections between different parts of the story that seem to work. Im lucky that my dyslexia isnt so severe that I couldnt learn to read. And to be honest, probably most children who are dyslexic and havent learned to read have not had the right teacher. Theres no reason not to be able to read if youre dyslexic. Its just the wrong approach. Her next bit of writing is another novel. She wont talk much about it other than to say one of the characters will be familiar to readers of her previous books. But I definitely wouldnt call it a third in a series.

Her earliest bits of writing were Puberty Blues fan fiction. Her first published work was a poem written when she was 15. It was called Fifteen, appeared in Dolly, and was about ... being 15. She still has a copy and blushes when asked to recite the first few lines. Sportingly, she does: Fifteen is an age of just in between/ no immature habits should ever be seen./ No alcohol served at your table at night. Dont act like a child, youre in peoples sight/ Act like an adult or go to your room etc etc ... Far from disappearing, however, the poem was brought into the spotlight at last years Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival by her on-stage interviewer. Then at question time, the actor Heather Mitchell stood up and asked what year the poem had been published? Then she said  to Williams amazement  I have the editor of Dollys Poets Corner here with me. It was Lisa Wilkinson, who went on to be editor of the magazine, but she was doing poetry corner then and must have chosen the poem. It was wild. Such a lovely moment. The Dictionary of Lost Words is at the Arts Centre until March 17.
Meanwhile, on stage, its like a party slash zumba class. Fitballs, trampolines, grinning buff men in neon, all fuelled by high-energy pop. Dancers on pink inflatable flamingo Segways careen down the stage catwalk. Ten metres up, trapeze artists spin under enormous bunches of bananas. The atmosphere is infectious.

Across the night P!nk makes up for being a relatively small person in a 70,000-odd-seat stadium by traversing a huge amount of it on a rope, flinging around the arena among fireworks like, at this distance, a moth. Her energy never falters, and her voice soars despite the acrobatics.

Back in Australia for another phenomenally successful tour, its P!nk! In a sparkly leotard and swinging on a trapeze! As her 2001 carnivalesque mega-hit Get the Party Started kicks off the night, P!nk climbs into a harness, does a few flips, and sings verse two while hanging upside down.

Much has been said about P!nks massive Australian following. According to her publicists, this is the biggest-selling tour ever for a female artist in Australia and New Zealand, with more than 900,000 attendees across twenty dates, including four nights here at Marvel Stadium. The crowd is predominantly women, the atmosphere is infectious, and theres big fun aunt energy in the

room.

The Melbourne concert was a neon extravaganza for the fans at Marvel Stadium. Credit: Richard Clifford

In her two-decade career, shes crossed genres from RnB to disco, but is mostly known for her Punk Spice-esque image: sassy, tongue out, rebellious, but safe, warm, cheeky. Many of her songs are frankly pretty mid, but her lyrics resonate with people for their two-fingers-up catharsis  Just when it cant get worse / Ive had a shit day, she sings on Blow Me (One Last Kiss)  and straight-up dumb fun  Dont be fancy / Just get dancey, she cries on Raise Your Glass. To her people, shes an everywoman  a bit of a rebel, a self-described drunk aunt, a mother (her 12-year-old daughter Willow joins her on-stage for a duet), and a preacher of universal truths.

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Punk Spice or not, mid or not, this isnt just a concert, its the Summer Carnival Tour, and P!nks music has never made more sense to me than here. The DayGlo disco of Never Gonna Not Dance Again, from her most recent album, is a peak of the night, before P!nk gets on the ropes again and spins through the crowd to tonights closing number, her ode to marital separation So What. I wanna get in trouble / I wanna start a fight, she sings, safely, reassuringly, from her harness.
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Eating outAussie icons The milk bar is back  complete with Chiko Rolls  but not as you may remember it Theres a growing trend of bars and cafes setting up shop in former milk bars and corners stores, and Gippslands East Handy Store is leading the charge. Richard Cornish February 23, 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 .

Sixteen years after selling its last Golden Gaytime, a century-old milk bar in the East Gippsland town of Bairnsdale has put the treat back on the menu. Only today, its an icy pole-shaped duck liver parfait coated in roasted hazelnut crumbs, and the milk bar has been transformed into East Handy Store, with a gold and velvet interior. Its part of a growing trend of bars and cafes setting up shop in former milk bars and corner stores, and riding a wave of nostalgia. When it opened in 1923 as The East End Handy Bar, locals called in throughout the day for milk and bread, morning newspapers, lunchtime sausage rolls and after-school mixed lollies. Josh Thomas with his version of a PBig Boss Cigar and Chiko Roll in Bairnsdale. Richard Cornish But the milk bar closed in 2008 after 85 years and sat derelict for more than a decade until Gippsland food entrepreneur Josh Thomas bought the freehold and gutted the old store, remodelling it into a stylish bar.

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Planning permission was the hardest part, says Thomas. But when they (the shire council) understood that we were bringing back a community hub, a place for people to congregate, to gather and chat, like local stores have always been, they became very supportive. Thomas and head chef Luke Wilson are doubling down on the mid-20th century milk bar vibes with a menu packed with references to sugar-laden and un-PC snacks from a bygone era. Remember Fags, those musky cigarette-shaped lollies that were renamed Fads when mums and the anti-cancer lobby pointed out that kids shouldnt really be pretending to smoke sweets? Well, we hacked the recipe, says Thomas. The result is the Big Boss Cigar, a pink musk stick with a gold leaf band, served in an ashtray complete with candy ash. This joins other nostalgic-tinged dishes such as truffled mac and cheese and pedro ximenez-spiked chocolate crackles. East Handy Bars paean to the Chiko roll features chop suey and Keens mustard. Richard Cornish

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The team also reverse-engineered the fish and chip shop favourite, the Chiko Roll. Its a Womens Weekly chop suey seasoned with a hint of Keens Curry Powder, wrapped in filo, dipped in sourdough batter and deep-fried, says Wilson. Despite the humour, the dishes are delicious, including buttery vol au vents filed with mushroom and chicken and a flavour-packed ham steak and pineapple  a disc of charred grilled, smoked ham hock topped with pineapple brulee. Being in a former milk bar gives us the freedom to create our own sense of fun mixed with some serious food and hospitality, says Thomas. These places were built for car culture, so theyre easy to get to, always have good parking and are cheaper than main street real estate. 22 McEacharn Street, East Bairnsdale, easthandystore.com The El-Khoury family ran the corner milk bar, now known as Emils, for 34 years. Supplied

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Five repurposed milk bars to try Cannoli Bar, Avondale Heights Billed as Australias first cannolificio, this dedicated cannoli bar on a quiet street in Melbournes suburban north-west began life in the 1950s as Angelos Milk Bar. Now it serves Sicilian-style cannoli filled with flavours both classico (ricotta, Nutella, vanilla custard) and nuovo (Biscoff, lemon meringue, Oreo). 23 Riviera Road, Avondale Heights, cannolibar.com.au Emils Cafe, Pascoe Vale South

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Emil and Houda El-Khoury raised six children at the rear of their Reynard Street milk bar. Now two of their sons have transformed the old corner store into a smart cafe serving Middle Eastern-influenced dishes such as 40-degree poached salmon with spiced pilaf, and spatchcock chicken with rich garlicky toum, pickled veg and pita bread in what were once the kids bedrooms. 347 Reynard Street, Pascoe Vale South, emils.com.au Matilda, in a former milk bar, is fronted by a patch of lawn. Supplied Matilda, Mont Albert North Theres a corner of Mont Albert North that is forever Paris, with a menu and fitout inspired by the owners European travels. Fronted by a patch of lawn, customers can settle on a picnic blanket for a croque madame, smoked salmon toast with lemon creme fraiche, and toasty bread bits with peanut butter for the furbaby.

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15 Arcade Road, Mont Albert North, matildamontalbert.com.au The Milkbar Cafe, Shepparton Once a milk bar by local commercial dairy producer Ducats, this father-and-daughter-owned cafe is always busy serving up a milk sorbet named after Ducats on house-made granola and Asian-inspired dishes such as banh mi. 149 Fryers Street, Shepparton, themilkbarshepparton.com.au Skinnys Eatery, Preston

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Police believe the targeted fatal shooting of a Mount Druitt man in western Sydney early on Saturday was gang-related.

Finks bikie associate Jamie Goodworth, 32, was dropped off at Liverpool Hospital with two gunshot wounds at 12.53am, by a man in a blue vehicle.

That male was resuscitated at the hospital and placed into emergency surgery but unfortunately, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he passed away from his injuries, Liverpool area commander Superintendent Adam Whyte said.

Were undertaking a number of inquiries in relation to locations associated, and we currently have the blue vehicle in our custody.
He said the forecast for Wednesday included strong northerly winds that would turn south-westerly later in the day. Loading I do anticipate at this stage that next Wednesday is likely to be Victorias next fire spike day, he said. It emerged that a mammoth pyrocumulonimbus  or firestorm  was responsible for the erratic and unpredictable fire behaviour that caught many in Victorias west by surprise this week. The phenomenon, which was once rare but is becoming increasingly common, created an unstable atmosphere that produced thunderstorms that started several fires across the state, including near Beaufort.

Weatherzone meteorologist Maryam Al-Ansari said that Thursday had brought strong troughs across Victoria, with hot air from central Australia sweeping across the state that collided with cold air mass from the Southern Ocean. When the two air masses hit, they created unstable atmospheric conditions, which led to thunderstorms. These storms can cause unpredictable changes in fire behaviour, making it more dangerous for firefighters and nearby communities. The return to a traditional Victorian summer pattern with multiple bushfire outbreaks comes after three years of wet conditions that dampened the prospect of major fires. If the fire danger rating is formally declared as catastrophic on Wednesday, that would be just the second time the rating has been issued since the Black Summer of 2019-20. The first time was only just over a week ago on February 13 when a fire destroyed homes near the Grampians and storms cut power and damaged homes in Victorias east.

The bushfire warning was downgraded to an advice message on Friday for Beaufort, but emergency warnings remained in place for towns including Elmhurst. At Avoca, the main street was eerily calm: thick brown smoke rolled over the near empty township as sprinkles of grey ash fell from the sky. A number of locals were still eating meals at the pub and shops remained open, unperturbed by the fires nearby. Marlinda Rizzo outside her cafe in Avoca. Credit: Eddie Jim Marlinda Rizzo, the owner of Home Made Cafe, said people were feeling more relaxed on Friday compared to the panicked mood on Thursday night  as hot, gusty winds whipped the area and carloads of people evacuated.

We closed the store at 8pm [on Thursday] because my husbands daughter kept calling saying, Dad you have to leave the place, said Rizzo, who moved to Australia 18 months ago from the Philippines and was experiencing bushfires for the first time. Loading So we didnt finish cleaning the shop  we just got the important things, we loaded the car with my son because we just didnt know what would happen because the wind was so bad. The Rizzo family drove to a friends place in Maryborough for several hours, but late on Thursday night felt safe enough to drive home to Avoca. We didnt sleep that well because we were watching for news, she said.

Rizzo said she still had a steady stream of customers through her shop on Friday, but felt like conditions could change quickly. What can we do? Its mother nature, so just keep on praying that no one is hurt and the fire [can be] stopped. But if theres a [strong] wind again, its going to get worse. Pyrenees Shire councillor David Clark, who lives near Beaufort, said he was initially worried about his home, but it was ultimately spared. Eerie quiet in Avocas town centre while under risk of bushfires. Credit: Eddie Jim We were potentially in the path of it, but it didnt get that bad, he said.

Clark said Beaufort appeared to be in grave danger on Thursday and patients were evacuated from the towns hospital. There were a lot of spot fires right up to the edge of town, but the town is now fine, he said. Friday morning had been cool with the temperature falling to 12 degrees, which Clark said would help firefighters to battle the blaze. It just wont burn with that ferocity. Tina Koeleman, Rebecca Brunner and their dog Chief outside the Wendouree emergency relief centre on Thursday night. Credit: Eddie Jim But he urged residents to heed the evacuation warnings from emergency services regardless of weather conditions.
London: The title of worlds oldest dog has been taken away from Bobi, a late Portuguese mastiff, after a dispute about his real age exposed a lack of evidence in the Guinness Book of World Records previous determination.



Bobi was 31 and five months, a dogs life spanning about 220 canine years, when he died in October last year, eight months after the GWR declared him the worlds oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever.

It was claimed that Bobi was born on his familys farm in Conqueiros, Portugal, on May 11, 1992. Credit: Guinness World Records photo

But after veterinarians raised suspicion about his official records, the world-famous publication has now declared there was no evidence Bobi was as old as his owners claimed. The breed typically lives 12 to 14 years.

The organisation said that the microchip which had claimed to prove Bobis age was not sufficient proof to give him the title, which had been awarded in February 2023.
Through this program, young people can expect to get experience in tech occupations that are among the most in-demand across the economy  not just in tech companies, but also in banking, mining, retail, government and professional services, Black said.
Ohio Mom Guilty of Murder for Leaving Toddler Home to Die of Starvation and Dehydration During A 10-Day Puerto Rico Trip (Photo: Kristel A. Candelario (Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office) and Jailyn Candelario (WKYC screenshot))

In a heart-wrenching case that has left the Cleveland community and beyond in shock, Kristel A. Candelario, a 32-year-old mother from Ohio, has pleaded guilty to the aggravated murder and endangering of her 16-month-old daughter, Jailyn. The tragic incident unfolded when Candelario left her toddler unattended at home to embark on a 10-day vacation to Puerto Rico, resulting in the young child's death from starvation and severe dehydration.

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office confirmed that Candelario faced charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and endangering children following her indictment in June 2023. Opting for a plea deal, Candelario admitted to one count of aggravated murder and one count of endangering children, with additional charges being dropped in exchange for her guilty plea.

The harrowing details of the case reveal that Candelario departed for her vacation on June 6, leaving her daughter alone in their home near Lorain Avenue and West 97th Street. Upon her return on June 16, she discovered Jailyn unresponsive and immediately contacted the police. Authorities found the child in a playpen, surrounded by soiled blankets and liners, a testament to the neglect she suffered in her final days. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed the cause of death as starvation and severe dehydration, ruling it a homicide.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley expressed his dismay at the case, stating, "This case is one of those truly unimaginable cases that will stick with me for many years to come." O'Malley emphasized the role of prosecutors in advocating for victims like Jailyn, whose life was cut tragically short due to "the selfish decisions her mother made."

Candelario's sentencing is scheduled for March 18, where she faces the possibility of life imprisonment for the murder charge, alongside up to 12 years for the child endangerment charge. Additionally, she may be subjected to 18 months to three years of probation upon any potential release.

This case has cast a spotlight on the dire consequences of child neglect and the paramount importance of parental responsibility. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the legal system's forthcoming sentencing of Candelario will mark a significant step towards justice for young Jailyn.
Migrants from Central America wait inside of an enclosure, where they are being held by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), after crossing the border between Mexico and the United States illegally and turning themselves in to request asylum, in El Paso, Texas, U.S., March 29, 2019. (Photo: REUTERS)

The dynamics of migration at the US-Mexico border near San Diego have shifted remarkably, with the number of Chinese migrants now surpassing those from Mexico and ranking second only to Colombians. This trend, highlighted in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data obtained by Fox News, underscores a significant change in the demographics of individuals seeking entry into the United States.

Since the start of the fiscal year in October, border agents in the San Diego sector have encountered 21,000 Chinese nationals, a figure that not only exceeds the 18,700 Mexican nationals encountered but also signals a broader, more global movement of people towards the US. The data reveals a diverse array of migrants, with significant numbers also coming from Brazil, Ecuador, Turkey, Guinea, India, Guatemala, and Peru, reflecting the increasingly international nature of migration patterns.

The surge in Chinese migrants is particularly notable, with CBP reporting a staggering increase to 24,048 apprehensions in fiscal 2023, a more than tenfold rise from the 1,970 arrests in 2022 and a 7,000% increase from the 323 recorded in 2021. This uptick is attributed to various factors, including the high success rate of asylum claims by Chinese nationals in the US and Beijing's reluctance to accept deportees, coupled with the socio-economic pressures within China, such as prolonged pandemic lockdowns and a faltering economy.

The route to the US has become a well-trodden path for many Chinese citizens, who often embark on the perilous 3,000-mile journey through the Darien Gap, a trek colloquially known as 'zouxian' or 'walk the line' in Chinese. This wave of migration is seen by some as a reflection of despair and a loss of hope in China's future, drawing people from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.

However, the influx of Chinese migrants has raised national security concerns among US officials. Rep. Mark Green, Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, has expressed alarm over the potential ties between some migrants and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or the People's Liberation Army. Border Patrol agents, overwhelmed by the surge, have had to rely on translation services to conduct lengthy interviews with Chinese nationals, with each interview taking up to seven hours.

The focus on the west coast as a primary entry point for Chinese migrants is also linked to the control exerted by the Sinaloa Cartel over the migration pipeline in that region and the existing large Asian American populations in California, which may serve as final destinations for many migrants.

As the US grapples with this complex and evolving migration landscape, the challenge remains to balance humanitarian considerations with national security concerns, ensuring a comprehensive and fair approach to assessing asylum claims while safeguarding against potential threats.
'The EU will impose export restrictions towards these companies regarding dual-use goods and technology, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia's defence and security sector,' it said

A company registered in India along with others registered in Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Turkey are among those facing export restrictions under new European Union (EU) sanctions announced on Friday.



The latest sanctions were announced to mark two years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the second anniversary of which falls on Saturday.



Under the latest package of EU sanctions, companies making electronic components -- which the 27-nation European bloc believes could have dual military as well as civilian uses -- are among the foreign companies facing tougher restrictions.

The names of the companies are not yet public; they will be published in the EU's official journal later.



Based on hard evidence from various sources, supported by trade and customs data, the package adds 27 Russian and third-country companies to the list of entities associated with Russia's military-industrial complex, read an official statement from the European Commission.



The EU will impose export restrictions towards these companies regarding dual-use goods and technology, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia's defence and security sector, it said.



The package covers: 17 Russian companies which are involved in the development, production and supply of electronic components, particularly used in connection with drone production; four companies registered in China and one each registered in Kazakhstan, India, Serbia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Turkiye, also trading in the area of electronic components, including of EU-origin.



The latest restrictions form part of the 13th package of sanctions against Russia by the European bloc and focus on further limiting Russia's access to military technologies, such as drones, and on listing additional companies and individuals involved in Russia's war effort.



With the new package, the European Commission said the number of individual listings has reached over 2,000, dealing a huge blow to those who enable Russia's illegal war against Ukraine. This package further deepens our actions to stop Russia from acquiring Western sensitive technologies for the Russian military. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, have been central to Russia's war against Ukraine. This package thus specifically lists companies procuring Russia with key drone components and introduces some sectoral sanctions to close loopholes and make drone warfare more complicated, it noted.



In addition, the package expands the list of advanced technology items that may contribute to Russia's military and technological enhancement or to the development of its defence and security sector.



It adds components used for the development and production of drones, such as electric transformers, static converters and inductors found inter alia in drones, as well as aluminium capacitors, which have military applications, such as in missiles and drones and in communication systems for aircraft and vessels. This will further weaken Russia's military capabilities, the European Commission said.
After criticisms regarding the Karnataka government's amendments to the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Bill, ministers Ramalinga Reddy and Dinesh Gundu Rao came in defence of the decision while criticising the opposition, BJP.

Minister for Transport, Ramalinga Reddy alleged that BJP is 'anti-Hindu' adding that the party which was in power in 2011 had made the amendments to the Bill.

"We are not anti-Hindu. Actually, the BJP is anti-Hindu. This Act came into existence in 2003. In 2011, they made some amendments. At that time, up to Rs 5 lakh, there were about 34,000 temples - they did not give any money for Dharmika Parishad. From Rs 5 Lakhs to Rs 10 Lakhs, there are about 193 'B grade' temples - they have to give 5 per cent. More than Rs 10 Lakhs, there are about 205 temples - they have to give 10 per cent. They approved this amendment in 2011 in the Assembly. Who is anti-Hindu? BJP," Minister Reddy said.

"In the interest of the most neglected 'C grade' temples in Karnataka, if I give Rs 2-3 lakhs, they can repair, reconstruct. This is the idea," he said.

Minister for Health, Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the BJP should realise the Bill is for the benefit of the temples.

He alleged that when the government is trying to help smaller temples, the BJP is trying to mislead.

"The BJP should realise that what we are doing is actually for the benefit of temples. We amended the Act. Temples which were earning more than Rs 25 lakhs were being charged 10 per cent earlier. Even when the BJP government was there, the same 10 per cent was being taken by the Muzrai Department. Now, we have actually taken up the slab and gone to Rs 1 crore and above. We are, in fact, helping the smaller temples," Minister Rao said.

"BJP is trying to mislead the people. This money is going to be used for smaller temples so that we can develop those temples," he added.

Karnataka government passed 'Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Bill 2024' that mandates the state to collect 10 per cent tax from temples that have revenues exceeding Rs 1 crore and 5 per cent from those with revenues ranging between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore.

The BJP criticized the state government, accusing it of implementing 'Anti-Hindu' policies. State President Vijayendra Yediyurappa alleged that the government passed the bill to replenish its depleted coffers.

"The Congress government, which is adopting consistently anti-Hindu policies in the state, has now taken a crooked look at the revenue of Hindu temples and passed the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments bill to fill its empty coffers," he said on X.

Former CM and BJP veteran Yediyurappa questioned why only Hindu temples are being scrutinized and not the incomes of other religions.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the allegations regarding the amendments to the Bill "appear to be misrepresented", "aiming only at misleading the public" and "polarizing people along communal lines for political leverage."

He alleged that the BJP leaders want the youth of the country to abandon their jobs and fight an imaginary war, solely to benefit the BJP politically.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has declared that the family of Shubhkaran Singh, who tragically lost his life during the farmers' movement at the Khanuri border, will receive financial aid of Rs 1 crore from the Punjab government. He has also assured that his younger sister will be offered a government job. He further promised that adequate action would be taken against the culprits.

On Wednesday, the Farmers' Protest 2.0 took a tragic turn as 21-year-old Singh, hailing from Bathinda, lost his life, and 12 police personnel sustained injuries during clashes at the Khanauri border point along the Punjab-Haryana border on Wednesday. The altercation occurred as certain protesting farmers attempted to advance towards the barricades. Hospital sources confirmed his demise after he was rushed for medical attention.

This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing protest, which commenced on February 13 when Punjab farmers announced a march to Delhi. However, their movement was halted, preventing them from entering Haryana from Punjab. Before the hospital officially confirmed the protester's death, the Haryana Police refuted claims of any fatalities during the clash at the Shambhu border. They stated that contrary to rumours, no farmer had died, although two policemen and one protester sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment.

Series of events:

1. On Wednesday, a significant clash erupted at the border, resulting in severe injuries to several farmers.

2. Some of the wounded individuals were transported to Rajendra Hospital Patiala, where one farmer reportedly succumbed to his injuries.

3. Despite the clash, farmer leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue the march and announced plans to dismantle the barricades.

4. Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda invited the farmers for a fifth round of discussions following the inconclusive nature of the previous four meetings.

5. During the latest round of talks on February 18, a panel of three Union ministers proposed a five-year contract to purchase pulses, maize, and cotton crops at MSP by government agencies. However, the farmers rejected this proposal.

6. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira criticized the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government for the farmer's death, accusing the chief minister of passivity amid the Haryana police's alleged incursion into Punjab territory.

7. Farmer leader Sarwan Pandher attributed the farmer's death to police firing, although the Haryana Police has yet to confirm any casualties.

8. On Wednesday, the Haryana Police issued an appeal to earthmover owners, urging them not to lend their machines to protesters as they could be used to harm security forces. They emphasized that providing such equipment could result in serious legal consequences.

9. On Tuesday, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that farmers were prohibited from travelling to Delhi with tractors. Three police personnel involved in security operations from the Haryana Police have lost their lives thus far.

10. Jind SP Sunil Kumar reported that 12 officers sustained injuries on Wednesday following an attack by the farmers.
The Uttarakhand police have identified a non-government organisation ( NGO ) that allegedly solicited funds for the recent turmoil in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area.

The police, in a statement released on social media, warned the benefactors of the non-profit that those donated are being identified.

"A video is being circulated on social media in which a young man is distributing money among the people in Banbhoolpura area. Police are investigating in this regard. Information related to the NGO's account number, registration number, PAN number has also been given to the Income Tax [I-T] department and other agencies, by which necessary action is being taken," the police said.

They said that "those donating to Hyderabad Youth Courage NGO" are being identified and that action is being taken to seize the account and registration number of the said NGO.

The police further said that they would act against those who accept the money illegally, support the rioters and post misleading facts on social media about the violence. "Therefore, everyone is requested not to support such NGOs in any way," they added.

On Wednesday, the Uttarakhand police arrested six people in connection with the February 8 violence. A total of 74 people have been arrested so far.

Haldwani violence

Four people were killed and more than 250 police officers were injured after violence broke out when the authorities were demolishing an illegal madrassa.

To keep the situation under control, the police had to implement a curfew and a shoot-at-site order. Additionally, a police station was burnt down.

Meanwhile, the local municipality has issued a recovery notice of Rs 2.44 crore against Abdul Malik, a key accused in the violence.

On Thursday, the police filed a fresh case of fraud and criminal conspiracy against six people, including Malik.

"They have been booked for criminal conspiracy and fraudulently using a dead man's name for illegal plotting, construction and transfer of land," Nainital SSP Prahlad Narayan Meena said.

"The accused have been charged with hatching a criminal conspiracy to mislead the government departments and the court on the basis of false affidavits," he added.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly condemned the Israeli actions -- without naming Israel -- in the Gaza Strip, saying that the "genocide" has set a "horrendous precedent" and will go down as a "great shame" in the history of the human race.

In a social media post, the Congress general secretary cited the incidents of bombing on hospitals and alleged cases of torture against doctors in Gaza. She also raised concern over funding and arms being provided to the "oppressive regime" in Israel.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which started after the October 7 attacks, has created rampages in the Gaza Strip, leading to a "humanitarian crisis" in the enclave.

Taking to social media platform X, Priyanka Gandhi said, "What the international community has allowed in Gaza will go down in history not only as a great shame for the whole of humanity, but as a turning point for the human race."

She said that the world is 'blind' to the "genocide" being carried out in the Gaza Strip and no one is stepping in even when an 'entire nation' is "begging for help".

"Being blind to genocide as it is carried out with impunity, turning our backs to the merciless slaughter of thousands of innocent children, refusing to step in while an entire nation starves and begs for help, while hospitals are bombed, doctors tortured and humiliated, and patients allowed to die, enabling an oppressive regime by offering its ships our ports, fueling its inhumane rampage by providing it with more and more funding and arms - all this has now set a horrendous precedent," she further stated.

Priyanka also said that everyone will have to pay an "unimaginable price" for this if voices are not raised against it.

"All rules of justice, humanity and international decorum have been broken. Humanity has been bled, and each one of us will pay an unimaginable price for this some day unless we raise our voices and stand up for what is right today," she added.

Notably, the Congress party has consistently weighed strong support for the people of Palestine ever since the conflict erupted.

In October last year, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution supporting the rights of the Palestinian people and calling for a ceasefire in the region.

The party had also condemned the Hamas attack, stating that a solution can never be reached through any type of violence.

The conflict in Gaza escalated after Hamas carried out a massive terror attack against Israel on October 7, killing over 1200 people, taking around 250 people hostage and even committing sexual assault against civilians.

In response, Israel launched a strong counteroffensive targeting the Hamas terror units in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the war will continue until Hamas is "destroyed", the Times of Israel reported.

"We're continuing the war to the end," Netanyahu said in a statement to the media. "Until all the goals we set are met: destroying Hamas, releasing our hostages and removing the threat from Gaza."

However, the Israeli air assault and ground operations has drawn frowns from rights groups and the Arab world over the mounting civilian death toll.

According to Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 29,000 people have been killed in the Israeli attacks including more than 12,000 children.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced around 85 per cent of Gaza's population amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 6 per cent infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the United Nations.

UN experts have even declared Israel's actions in Gaza to be tantamount to "crimes against humanity."

Meanwhile, a case is also underway at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) where South Africa has accused Israel of "committing genocide" in Gaza.

The ICJ, although didn't order an 'immediate ceasefire', but did direct Israel to take "every measure possible to avoid genocide" while also ensuring humanitarian aid, Al Jazeera reported.
As the bustling trade portion of first fully post-pandemic Singapore Airshow wound down on Friday, exhibitors and delegates said they were optimistic for the aviation industry despite suppliers' struggles to keep up with the rebound in travel demand.

Before the show, organisers predicted that about 50,000 people would attend the four trade days of the show, nearly four times as many in 2022, when foreign visitors required daily rapid antigen tests for COVID-19, and nearly as many as the 54,000 who visited in 2018. The 2020 edition was rocked by last-minute cancellations as the virus spread around the world.



Outside Asia's largest air show, transportation issues snarled arrivals and departures, especially during the first days. On Tuesday, lines for free shuttle buses to the Expo public transportation hub led to waits as long as three hours in humid temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and taxis to the city cost as much as three times the usual fare.



The situation was bad enough to become a talking point, with local newspaper the Straits Times running a lengthy story headlined: "'Worst transport experience': Crawling traffic, long waits for rides frustrate Singapore Airshow visitors".



Leck Chet Lam, managing director of show organiser Experia, said the company was aware of the transportation issuesand attributed them to "higher attendance than in previous editions".



In the air-conditioned display space, commercial exhibitors hawked planes, drones, surveillance technology, services and equipment. The displays attracted buyers as well as simple curiosity, with the Korea Aerospace Industries booth drawing a line on Wednesday for attendees to get pilots' autographs and pose for selfies.



More than 1,000 companies from 50 countries participated in this year's show, organisers said, on both the commercial and defence sides.



Russian companies did not participate against the background of the war in Ukraine but Israeli companies Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which dropped out of the Dubai Airshow in November amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, attended.



"The general mood is extremely positive but also very demanding," said Dennis Kohr, head of corporate sales Asia-Pacific for aircraft maintenance provider Lufthansa Technik Group.



"It's the first air show after the pandemic; there is not only a huge demand for air travel, but also huge demand for MRO services," he added, referring to maintenance, repair and overhaul.



Aerial display



Delegates stepped into the tropical heat for about an hour's worth of aerial displays each day, including demonstration flights by air force teams from Singapore, Korea and India, among other countries, and a flyby by the C919, made by China's COMAC. It was the first time COMAC brought its homegrown narrow-body jet outside Chinese territory.



COMAC was the first company to announce orders at the show, flagging a deal with Tibet Airlines for 40 C919 single-aisle planes and 10 ARJ21 regional jets, plus 6 ARJ21s for China's Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group.

Shortly afterward, Royal Brunei Airlines said it was ordering four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.



Airbus announced an order for five A350 freighters and three A330neo widebody passenger jets from Taiwan's Starlux Airlines. Airbus also had a provisional deal with Vietnamese budget carrier VietJet for 20 A330neo wide-body airliners.



Sustainability was a focus of the show, with the Singapore government announcing a green jet fuel mandate to be funded by a levy on travellers and air show organisers stressing the importance of protecting the environment, but the industry showed divides over how to achieve its goal of "net zero" carbon emissions by 2050.



Supply chain issues clouded some of the show's optimism, with exhibitors citing long lead times and high costs, which have dogged the industry since COVID and worsened after Russia invaded Ukraine. The problems have been especially acute for raw materials such as aerospace-grade metals.



Still, Paul Bolton, chief operating officer of First Aviation Services, was hopeful the worst was over and the growing demand would lead manufacturers back to aerospace production.



"It will get better in maybe two to three years," he said.
The package, covering more than 50 individuals and entities, was announced two days before Saturday's second anniversary of the full-scale invasion and is part of a coordinated Western effort to restrict the Russian economy.



"Our international economic pressure means Russia cannot afford this illegal invasion. Our sanctions are starving Putin of the resources he desperately needs to fund his struggling war," Foreign Secretary David Cameron said in a statement.



The European Union on Wednesday approved its own package of sweeping sanctions, banning nearly 200 entities and individuals accused of helping Moscow procure weapons or of involvement in kidnapping Ukrainian children.



Britain sanctioned companies linked to the Russian ammunition industry, including what it said was the largest, the Sverdlov State Owned Enterprise, and targeted sources of revenue in the metals, diamonds and energy industries.



That included a Turkish company Britain said was supplying electronics to Russia, three electronics companies in China and executives at Russian diamond producer Alrosa. It also added managers of copper producer UMMC to the list.



Alrosa did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



The foreign office also imposed sanctions on what it said were key Russian importers and manufacturers of machine tools used to manufacture defence systems and components ranging from missiles and engines to tanks and fighter jets.



The government also said it was preparing to strengthen its powers to target "malign Russian shipping activity and individual 'shadow fleet' vessels used by Russia to soften the blow of oil-related sanctions".



China called the sanctions "unilateral acts that have no basis in international law", and argued that it has "always adhered to an objective and fair position" on the Ukraine issue while actively committed to promoting peace talks.



"We would like to inform the British side that any action that undermines China's interests will be resolutely countered by the Chinese side," a spokesperson at the Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom said in a statement.



Britain this week imposed sanctions on six individuals in charge of the Arctic penal colony where Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died.



There are more than 2,000 Russian individuals, companies and groups on Britain's sanctions list.
Yemen's Houthi rebels launched attacks Thursday on both Israel and a ship travelling through the Gulf of Aden, setting the vessel ablaze and again demonstrating their ability to launch assaults despite facing US-led airstrikes targeting their forces.

The rebels' supreme leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, announced an the escalation in sea operations conducted by his forces as part of what they describe a pressure campaign to end Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But the Houthis' targets have grown more random since their attacks began in November, endangering a vital waterway for cargo and energy shipments travelling from Asia and the Middle East onward to Europe.

The attack Thursday in the Gulf of Aden saw two missiles fired at a Palau-flagged cargo ship named Islander, the US military's Central Command said. A European naval force in the region described the attack as sparking a fire and wounding one sailor on board the vessel, though the ship is continuing on its way.

The Islander had been coming from Thailand bound for Egypt and previously sent out messages saying SYRIAN CREW ON BOARD to potentially avoid being targeted by the Houthis. Other vessels similarly have sent messages identifying their crews as Muslims or not affiliated with Israel to try and avoid rebel attacks.

Meanwhile, sirens sounded early Thursday morning over the southern Israeli port of Eilat, followed by videos posted online of what appeared to be an interception in the sky overhead.

The Israeli military later said the interception was carried out by its Arrow missile defense system.

Israel did not identify what the fire was, nor where it came from. However, the Arrow system intercepts long-range ballistic missiles with a warhead designed to destroy targets while they are in space.

The system successfully intercepted a launch which was identified in the area of the Red Sea and was en route to Israel, the Israeli military said. The target did not cross into Israeli territory and did not pose a threat to civilians.

Eilat, on the Red Sea, is a key port city of Israel. On Oct 31, Houthis first claimed a missile-and-drone barrage targeting the city. The rebels have claimed other attacks targeting Eilat, which have caused no damage in the city.

Houthi Brig Gen Yahya Saree claimed the attacks in a statement late Thursday night.

The Houthis persist in upholding their religious, moral and humanitarian duties towards the Palestinian people and in defense of their beloved Yemen in the face of American-British aggression, Saree said in a prerecorded statement. Military operations will not stop unless the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted.

Saree also claimed a drone attack on a US warship in the region. Central Command said it and an allied warship shot down six Houthi drones in the Red Sea. France's military claimed downing two of the Houthi drones.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters over the Israel-Hamas war. Those vessels have included at least one with cargo for Iran, the Houthis' main benefactor, and an aid ship later bound for Houthi-controlled territory.

Despite a month of US-led airstrikes, Houthi rebels remain capable of launching significant attacks. This week, they severely damaged a ship in a crucial strait and downed an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars. The Houthis insist their attacks will continue until Israel stops its combat operations in the Gaza Strip, which have enraged the wider Arab world and seen the Houthis gain international recognition.

Al-Houthi, the rebels' leader, gave a televised speech in which he described an escalation in their attacks.

"Missiles, drones and military boats have been activated, and submarine weapons have been introduced into our operations at sea, which is worrying to the enemy, he said. Central Command in recent days acknowledged destroying an underwater bomb-carrying Houthi drone.

Al-Houthi also denied his forces were allowing some vessels pass through the waterways by Yemen unharmed after paying protection money.

The enemy failed in the face of our operations at sea," he said. He was not able to prevent them, nor was he able to deter them, nor was he able to limit or reduce them.

The Houthis, a Zaydi Shiite group, seized Yemen's capital in 2014 and have battled a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. Their Zaydi people ran a 1,000-year kingdom in Yemen up until 1962.

The US State Department has criticised the reckless and indiscriminate attacks on civilian cargo ships by the Houthis that have delayed humanitarian aid including food and medicine bound for Ethiopia, Sudan and Yemen. That includes the Sea Champion, a ship carrying corn and other aid to both Aden and Hodeida that was recently targeted.

Contrary to what the Houthis may attempt to claim, their attacks do nothing to help the Palestinians, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. Their actions are not bringing a single morsel of assistance or food to the Palestinian people.
The Luxembourg Directorate of Defence (DoD) procured two ground stations following a competitive call for tender to enable the Luxembourg Army to improve its resilience by accessing secure satellite communications services, the DoD, SES and HITEC Luxembourg said today.

The ground stations, which will be installed at the Luxembourg Armys Military Centre in Diekirch, will be used for Luxembourgs GovSat-1 satellite services in X- and Military Ka-band frequencies, as well as for the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) system, the backbone of the satellite communications capability of the U.S. DoD.

The addition of the two new ground stations reinforce resiliency and augment the existing Luxembourg Army satcom infrastructure already built by SES and HITEC Luxembourg 10 years ago, bringing the total number of dedicated antennas to four. The new ground stations unlock the strong potential to scale and add interoperability with the NATO partner systems, in line with the countrys defence strategy for the years to come.

Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg Minister of Defence: Access to secure satellite communications has always been among the priorities and strengths of Luxembourg, allowing the country to reinforce defence capabilities, as well as enabling fulfillment of Luxembourgs commitments towards the EU and NATO. To keep the upper technological edge, we will continue to leverage Luxembourgs globally-renowned expertise in the space sector, to increase our resilience, including that of our armed forces.

It is an honour for SES to help strengthen the Luxembourg Governments defence pillar by adding resiliency to its secure satcom, said Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES. Following the successful implementation of the initial ground stations by the Luxembourg Army, we are delighted to extend its communications infrastructure that leverages Luxembourgs GovSat-1 and enhances interoperability with the partner systems.

We are proud to be part of the project and once again join efforts with SES to help augment Luxembourgs defence capabilities with resilient and proven technology, said Philippe Osch, CEO of HITEC Luxembourg. The ground terminals to be supplied for the Luxembourg Armys satcom infrastructure are a source of particular pride for us as they combine the latest technological innovations and a track-record of superior Made in Luxembourg quality.

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SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless data connectivity services around the world. As a leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES owns and operates the worlds only geosynchronous orbit and medium earth orbit (GEO-MEO) constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance. By leveraging its vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES delivers high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the worlds leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SESs video network carries over 6,400 channels, reaching 369 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com

About HITEC Luxembourg

HITEC Luxembourg S.A., a 100%-owned Luxembourg company, has developed its business activities in the field of innovative and quality products and services.

HITEC offers high technology solutions covering different business areas: satellite ground segment; specific and standard equipment for testing and measuring of physical properties; traffic management; mission critical; engineering; consulting; software & ICT development and project management. HITEC serves private and public sector customers at a national and international level.

In our daily commitment, know-how, creativity, quality and perseverance are an integral part of HITECs undertaking. Enthusiasm for technology and innovation and a dedication to life-long-learning are core elements of our company culture, reflected by our highly qualified and motivated staff.

HITEC is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and AQAP 2110 certified and has several labels, such as SuperDrecksKescht fir Betriber (ISO 14024:2000 Standard), Entreprise Socialement Responsable, delivered by the indr, Responsibility Europe, Made in Luxembourg (for most of the products & services) and is signatory of the IMS Diversity Charter and the Pacte National  Entreprises et Droits de lHomme Luxembourg. HITECs motto: market-oriented, client-centric and technology driven.

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Nation leads regional fight to improve air quality

10:49, February 23, 2024 By Hou Liqiang ( China Daily

Workers spray water on roads in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, to suppress dust. CHINA DAILY

Buildings are shrouded in heavy, yellow smog and there is a smell in the air most likely generated by burning coal and biomass fuels.

Chu Yangxi, an associate research professor at the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, remembers similar scenes in Beijing about a decade ago, which have since faded into memory.

He witnessed these pollution problems again when he was in Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab Province, with two other Chinese environmental experts from Jan 14 to 17.

Local authorities invited the trio to Lahore in the hope o learning from China's successful efforts to restore clean air and blue skies over Beijing in only a decade.

Chu had previously participated in international exchange programs on air quality management. However, the trip to Pakistan was different.

"It was my first time visiting a country involved in the Belt and Road Initiative for an activity in which I'm in a position to provide scientific and technological support," he said.

China has received an increasing number of requests from developing countries to learn from the country's experiences in improving air quality, as they themselves enter a development stage China has already undergone.

What makes China's efforts appealing to them is that the country has seen its air quality improve while it has expanded its economy at a similar pace, experts said.

The different strategies deployed to control air pollution, which take into account complex national conditions, also make China a good exemplar of air quality management solutions, they said.

Sharing ideas

In November, Chinese experts were asked to speak about the country's air pollution control efforts with senior officials in Punjab via an online meeting. However, the Punjab government was still eager to arrange a field visit for them for more exchanges, Chu said.

During their stay in Pakistan, the Chinese team had exchanges with nine departments and visited industrial enterprises. They also met Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Punjab's caretaker chief minister.

Chu said Punjab has great potential to tap end-of-pipe pollution control, an approach that concentrates on effluent treatment or filtration before waste discharges into the environment. The province, for example, has not yet taken adequate measures to control sulfur dioxide emissions, Chu said.

In another example of a fruitful exchange, the research academy was visited by a group of 85 military officers from across the globe on Jan 19 who were visiting China to take part in a workshop. Zhang Mengheng, director of CRAES' International Cooperation Center, said one of the topics that interested the officers the most was Beijing's air quality management.

"Some officers said they had heard a lot about the severe air pollution in Beijing before they came to the capital city," she recalled. "They said it was beyond their expectations when they saw blue skies instead of smog and they were curious about how China managed to make this happen."

The session at the academy was scheduled to run for two hours but was extended by 30 minutes as officers kept raising questions, Zhang said. Many of the officers asked for copies of the PowerPoint presentation the academy had prepared for a lecture, which focused on China's practices and progress in environmental protection.

"China's experiences can provide useful references for other developing countries as they are at a development stage China has just gone through," Zhang said.

She added that China's experiences should be localized in other developing nations so they cater to the actual needs and conditions of those countries.

However, Zhang also believes it's relatively easy for Chinese scientists to localize the nation's solutions on air pollution control in other countries given their vast experience in coping with the problem.

"While promoting the Beautiful China Initiative, China has also called for building a global community of shared future. So we are willing to share our experiences with the international community," she said.

A worker inspects the greenhouse gas inlet at a monitoring station in Yunnan province in March. WANG CHANGSHAN/XINHUA

Alliance suggested

Rajendra Shende, the founder director of the India-based Green TERRE Foundation, said in an interview with China Daily: "In a bid to make speedy progress in economic development, every emerging country faces the problem of air pollution due to the burning of fossil fuel."

He said China, India and other emerging economies in South Asia should establish an alliance to combat climate change and air pollution and share the lessons they have learned.

Wang Shuxiao, a professor at Tsinghua University's School of Environment, said there is high demand from the Global South to learn from China's knowledge on curbing air pollution.

She helped prepare "The Air Pollution in Asia Pacific: Science-based Solutions" report for the United Nations Environment Programme, and since 2015 has collaborated on air quality management with India, the Philippines and Thailand.

The professor has seen many experts and officials from other nations come to China to learn about the country's air quality management experiences.

Wang said a major attraction of the Chinese approach was that "the country has seen rapid air quality improvement, while simultaneously its economy has kept growing at almost the same pace".

Instead of following a one-size-fits-all approach, regions have rolled out different measures based on their local circumstances, she said.

Many developing countries may still be able to find air pollution control strategies in China that will also meet some of their needs despite having different national conditions, Wang said.

What amazes other developing nations is that China has seen significant development in technologies for air quality management, which have provided solid support for the government in its drafting of air quality policies and upgrading standards, she said.

China now leads the world in developing high-resolution emission inventories and the technology for source apportionment  the practice of deriving information about pollution sources and the amount they contribute to ambient air pollution levels. In addition, China has also made great progress in air quality forecasting technologies and integrated assessment modeling.

Challenges ahead

Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a Finnish group, said that while China still has a lot of work to do to reach good air quality across the entire country, the exceptionally rapid progress made over the past decade offered important lessons that applied to most regions struggling with air pollution.

"China substantially strengthened the emissions standards for power plants and industry," he said. "This has made a major difference in air quality over the past decade."

"Most developing countries have weak emissions standards that allow more than 10 times as much emissions from power plants and industrial plants as China's current standards," he added.

To implement stronger standards China had to improve emissions monitoring and enforcement to ensure companies comply. This is an area severely lacking in most developing countries, Myllyvirta added.

Zhang Hongliang, a professor at the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, said developing nations should not forge ahead with air pollution control measures without first considering the costs and potential impact on people's livelihoods.

While this is never easy, China's success has set an example for countries in the Global South on how to address air pollution in a comparatively short period of time.

"US and European countries took about half a century to resolve their air pollution problems. Many people hold that the process may last for a century in China, considering that the country was confronted with a much worse air pollution situation," he said.

However, China's experience has proved that "if they are determined to address the problem, they can also make it in 30 to 50 years or even a shorter period", he said.

Zhang, who initiated a China-India Association of Atmospheric Scientists in 2018, said air pollution is a problem that nobody is immune from, therefore, both the political elites and the public in developing nations should be willing to address the issue.

However, developing nations' governments still need to draw a clear picture of the measures they plan to introduce and how much they will cost.

"A key issue for developing nations is that they need to strike a balance between economic development and pollution control," he said, adding they need to ensure people's livelihoods will not be significantly affected by their air pollution campaigns.

Muhammad Zamir Assadi, a Pakistani political analyst and an editor with Internews Pakistan based in Islamabad, said he is impressed by the steps China has taken to improve air quality, including efforts to control the capacity in smokestack industries, such as iron and steel, and to promote new energy development.

Pakistan is looking forward to support from China to remove contaminants and pollutants so people can breathe clean air, Assadi stated.

He also said there is great potential for China to cooperate with other developing nations on tackling climate change.

"China, being a developing country, has had good success in tackling climate issues, so this experience can also be shared with the developing countries like Pakistan who are facing serious climate issues," he said, adding China's climate change solutions are practical and also recognized by the international community.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
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...
ATLANTA (Feb. 23, 2024)  The Carter Center joins Election Reformers Network and Protect Democracy in commending the recently published ethics guidelines for election officials by the American Law Institute and the National Association of Election Officials (The Election Center).

The guidelines reflect redoubled commitments to professional election administration as well as a strong and growing consensus across the election profession about the importance of procedural safeguards to protect impartiality, according to civic leaders from The Carter Center, Election Reformers Network, and Protect Democracy.

On Jan. 29, a working group convened by the American Law Institute issued Ethical Standards for Election Administration.

And on Feb. 6, the National Association of Election Officials released new Standards of Conduct for Election and Registration Officials.

Both documents provide detailed guidelines intended to help Americas election officials uphold the highest standards of conduct in the execution of their duties, according to the Election Center.

The guidelines have been issued at a time of contentious debate about our voting system, added the American Law Institute.

Election officials in many states have experienced threats and harassment from people who reject recent election results despite confirmation of their accuracy from multiple court rulings, audits, and recounts.

These standards provide an important framework for building trust among all voters in the heroic efforts of the stewards of our democracy, while also giving practical guidelines for officials who find themselves making tough decisions in an increasingly polarized country, said Election Reformers Network Executive Director Kevin Johnson.

Election officials around the country are running accurate and trustworthy elections in the face of fiscal constraints, intimidation, and even threats of violence, said Alexandra Chandler, head of National Election Advocacy Team and policy strategist at Protect Democracy. These ethics codes both shine a light on the high ethical standards guiding so many election officials now through these challenges and provide support to election officials who are new to the profession or who are facing unprecedented outside pressure to compromise their impartiality. The American Law Institute bipartisan working group and Election Center have done the profession a great and timely service as we enter this pivotal election year.

The two sets of standards differ somewhat in form and target audience, but both share many of the same core principles, including commitments to integrity; transparency; accuracy; the rule of law; avoiding perceived conflicts of interest; and treating all voters, candidates, and parties impartially.

We are honored to have participated in this important effort through the involvement of Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander in the American Law Institute bipartisan working group, said Carter Center Democracy Program Director David Carroll. As election administrators across the country ramp up recruitment and training efforts for the 2024 general election cycle, the Election Center and American Law Institute documents serve as important models for incorporating a formal code or training on ethical standards of conduct into state and local election management practices. Such initiatives help to clearly set expectations for election officials and to reassure the American public that election officials take their commitment to the impartial, lawful, and ethical management of elections seriously.

American election officials have long recognized the normative importance of administering elections professionally and impartially. Yet, election officials find themselves navigating an increasingly fraught landscape in todays highly polarized political environment, one made more challenging at times because of the partisan context of election official selection in many states. The standards highlighted by the American Law Institute bipartisan working group and the Election Center provide excellent guidelines to codify how officials can operate ethically within the existing system, while in parallel new ideas can be explored to reduce some of these structural challenges.

Background

The Carter Center, Election Reformers Network, and Protect Democracy are working together to bolster impartiality and public confidence in U.S. election administration.

Election Reformers Network (ERN) advances common-sense rules that protect elections from the countrys increasing polarization. A nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization, ERN was founded by election experts with extensive experience in the United States and overseas. Additional information is available at www.ElectionReformers.org.

Protect Democracy is a cross-ideological nonprofit group dedicated to defeating the authoritarian threat, building more resilient democratic institutions, and protecting our freedom and liberal democracy. Our experts and advocates use litigation, legislative and communications strategies, technology, research, and analysis to stand up for free and fair elections, the rule of law, fact-based debate, and a better democracy for future generations. Additional information is available at www.ProtectDemocracy.org.

###

Contact: In Atlanta, Maria Cartaya, maria.cartaya@cartercenter.org

The Carter Center

Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope.

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
ATLANTA  The Carter Center and Georgia Institute of Technology today commemorated the new joint Governance and Technology Fellowship.

The Centers Democracy Program and Georgia Techs Institute for People and Technology are supporting one fellowship during the spring 2024 academic semester for a doctoral candidate researching the intersection of technology and democratic governance.

I am thrilled to visit Georgia Tech again and celebrate our strong partnership, said Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander. There is an important relationship between technology and democracy. Together, we are committed to promoting secure and transparent technologies that reinforce democratic principles.

The fellow, Daniel Nkemelu, who is from Nigeria, is working closely with the Carter Centers Democracy Program director, data scientist, and members of the digital threats to democracy initiative.

The fellowship builds on the institutions long collaboration, including with Michael Best, executive director of the Institute for People and Technology, who played an important role in establishing this fellowship.

From social media platforms to computer-based voting machines, technologies today are profoundly impacting democracies across the globe, said Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera. This new fellowship and our ongoing partnership with The Carter Center express a shared commitment to strong democracies supported by secure technologies.

The fellowship began in January. It aims to advance the fellows research agenda and give access to experts in democratic elections and participatory democracy. The fellow will also connect the Carter Centers Democracy Program with Georgia Techs Institute for People and Technology research.

###

Contact: In Atlanta, Maria Cartaya, maria.cartaya@cartercenter.org

The Carter Center

Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope.

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is one of the top public research universities in the U.S., developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its more than 47,000 undergraduate and graduate students, representing 50 states and more than 148 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in Europe and Asia, and through distance and online learning.



As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1.2 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.
Elizabeth Ann Cooke Cookie Gregg was born on May 31, 1944, and peacefully reunited with awaiting loved ones on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Liz was valedictorian of her high school class and went on to work her way through lab school.

Proud to have been a medical technologist for 35 years, she excitedly recounted stories of working alongside area physicians, which she did prior to working many years with a traveling medical unit, where she provided physicals at energy plants throughout the southeast.

Liz had a dry, but quick wit that she used often and freely. She was likely to make a play on words or a clever observation and sit back to see if anyone caught it.

She would happily assign a nickname to a new friend, share a snack, brag on a baby, a pet, pictures, or simply check the weather and share the forecast.

Christmas, firework displays, fried okra, George Jones, Patsy Cline and Sonic ice were a few of her favorite things.

She smiled at any chance to surprise someone with a treat of any kind. She had a tender and generous heart, especially for veterans, as her dear brother was a Marine in Vietnam. She saw him in every veteran she met. Liz loved her family to the moon and back. They loved her so and she will be deeply missed.

Liz was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Helen Zimmerman; father, Lawrence Cooke; brothers, Harry and Madison Cooke; beloved daughter, Deanna Gregg.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Lance Taylor; grandsons, Gage and Zach Taylor; and her beloved, slightly spoiled, fur baby Max Edward.

The family would like to thank and recognize all of Lizs special extended family, including but not at all limited to Addison, Al, Amy Mamie, Andy Pandy, Beyonce, Brandy, Bri, Brittany, Delight, Derek, J-Bird, Kelsey, KiKi, Kiosha, Kylie, Lou Lou, Mari, Rebecca, Riana, Robbie, Robbie Dobbie, Shae, Yuliana. Liz loved you all and our family will be forever grateful for the time and love you shared with her.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26, at Hamilton Funeral Home, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37343.

A graveside service is to follow and will begin at 12:45 p.m. in the Chattanooga Memorial Park The Duck Pond pavilion, 501 Memorial Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415.

If you would like to honor Liz by contributing to something close to her heart, please consider donating to Vietnam Veterans of America (https://vva.org) St. Jude Childrens Hospital (www.stjude.org), any animal rescue (www.mckameyanimalcenter.org) (www.heschatt.org) or you could do a random act of kindness and think of her know knowing how it would have made her smile.

Visit www.hamiltonfhofchattanooga.com to share condolences and memories.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hamilton Funeral Home, Hixson, Tn.
State Rep. Kevin Raper, R-Cleveland, on Thursday celebrated passage of a proposal to make his hometown the hot slaw capital of Tennessee.

House Bill 1597 and House Bill 1598 passed unanimously, making hot slaw an official state food and giving Cleveland the special designation.

This is an important day for our community, Rep. Raper said. Im proud that Cleveland will now officially be the hot slaw capital of Tennessee. Like hot chicken in Nashville, barbeque in Memphis or Moon Pies in Chattanooga, hot slaw is unique to Clevelands story. This is an important step in preserving the history of our community and state.

Hot slaw typically contains mustard, vinegar and hot pepper and is served cold. The dish was invented at Star Vue Drive-in Theatre in Cleveland and is now a staple in the community, where it is served in more than two dozen local restaurants.

The Senate unanimously passed the bills on Feb. 1. They now head to the governors desk for his signature.
Two former candidates for the top political spot in Choo Choo City (TK), the number one seat sitter in Hamilton County (WW) anticipated to run again with Reuben T. as his campaign manager/treasurer and his yet unannounced former challenger who is piling up big bucks in the peddling of property game, Lewis Grizzard (LG) might have a few words of political wisdom for the above and any other potential aspirants.

After repeated requests from a group of dentists in the capitol of the Peach State it is not well known that LG was a serious potential candidate for the position of non-royal king of Metro Atlanta.

Impressed by the fact that the three non-licensed dental practitioners out of 10,000 cavity fillers encouraged LG to enter the political circus he contemplated making the race.

In Wont You Come Home Billy Bob Bailey? (1980- Peachtree Publishers) he initially makes some uncomplimentary remarks about the incumbent city/county leaders that would have no applicability to the upcoming Gig City/Hamilton County contests. A portion of the published article in the local tabloid and approximately 474 other syndicated newspapers throughout America follows but you will have to buy the book from the Lewis Grizzard Museum in metropolitan Moreland for the rest of the story (if any are available):

 I know you are all going to fall down laughing when you read this but it wasnt my idea. It came from a group of dentists over at Emory University.

They wrote me a letter that began, Atlanta is ready for, and in need of, responsible leadership in city government.

The understatement of the year. Our City Council is a monkey show, at best, and our mayor- you read it here first- was dropped on his head as a small boy, which explains some of his delirious actions like making plans to run in a statewide election against Senator Herman Talmadge.

Outside Atlanta, they think Maynard Jackson is the name of a new hog vaccine.

You also have to question they mayors recruiting abilities. He gave the city A. Reginald Eaves, remember. And he is also responsible for Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee, Brown and Napper, over at police headquarters.

Their crack leadership of the police force has the rest of us looking for places to hide, as the crime rate soars. A friend in Des Moines called the other day and said, I was planning to come visit you in Atlanta but now Im not sure. Shouldnt we plan to meet somewhere safer? Like Juarez or Newark?

The dentists over at Emory have strongly suggested that because I am always writing as if I know it all, maybe I should run for mayor of Atlanta in the upcoming 1981 election.

Pull yourselves together. It's not that damned funny. I was treasurer of my freshman class in high school, and when I was a kid, I used to shovel out what the horses left in the barn. I know a little something about politics.

(What does shoveling out what horses leave in the barn have to do with politics? I don't think I have to answer that question.)

Dr. Thomas W. McDonald has appointed himself campaign chairman of the "Grizzard for Mayor in '81 Committee," and he lists Dr. George Ulrich and Dr. George Pryles as his associates.

Their letter drafting my candidacy further stated, "Campaign strategy and meetings are under way, and an effective bumper sticker blitz has been initiated."

I must say I am flattered. "Mayor Lewis Grizzard." "Mr. Mayor Lewis Grizzard." "His Honor, Mayor Lewis Grizzard." They all have a certain ring.

(Unfortunately LGs political campaign never got high off the ground as he did not start running two years before election day, but did start unsuccessfully selling bumper stickers (13.5) Grizzard for Hot-lanta Mayor.)

PS- Two important questions remain:

1) When can the public expect a barrage of BS on the front and back of vehicles of our locals?

2) What other community minded public servants will enter the political battlegrounds?

(Any far fetched comparisons of Fulton-Cobb counties, etc. to Choo Choo City/Hamilton County is once again outside the intent and scope of this article!)

* * *

You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com
Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report:

ABRAHAM, LUIS ATONIO

2905 FAXON STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37404

Age at Arrest: 52 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

RAPE

INCEST



AL JAFARI, HASAN M

5920 NORTH WEST 14TH ST LINCON, 38521

Age at Arrest: 34 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE



ALLMON, MELISSA LYNNE

1608 NORTHCHESTER ROAD HIXSON, 37343

Age at Arrest: 33 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC)



ASKINS, SAMUEL JOSEPH

7504 JOHN HENRY ROAD CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 19 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING A FELONY

POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING A FELONY

POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING A FELONY



BACON, NICOLE LEANNE

HOMLESS CHATTANOOGA, 37412

Age at Arrest: 38 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE)



BOSTON, JEREMY JERMAINE

1217 MICHAEL LANE CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 47 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT



BROCK, CLAYTON MICHAEL

6651 BEA LANE CHATTANOOGA, 37407

Age at Arrest: 31 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

FUGITIVE (CATOOSA COUNTY GA)



COLLINS, EDDIE REESE

303 ASBURY DR CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 40 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION



COPELAND, SHELTON LARON

6025 MORIN CLORY DR HARRISON, 37341

Age at Arrest: 34 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

THEFT OF PROPERTY UNDER $1,000.00

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF PROPERTY UNDER



DOOLEY, STEPHANIE RENEE

815 RA GRIFFITH HWY JASPER,

Age at Arrest: 33 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

FAILURE TO APPEAR



DORRIS, DEJUAN HOSEA

3024 NORTHWAY LN CHATTANOOGA, 374062138

Age at Arrest: 37 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

LIGHT LAW VIOLATION

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE



ELLISON, DEANDRE EUGENE

1305 ARLINGTON AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374063570

Age at Arrest: 23 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED S



FERGUSON, WILBURN L

345 HARDEN DRIVE RINGGOLD, 30736

Age at Arrest: 64 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF PROPERTY)



HAWKINS, TYLER DECHAN

HOMELESS Chattanooga, 37406

Age at Arrest: 24 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

FAILURE TO APPEAR

ASSAULT

ASSAULT

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

EVADING ARREST

ESCAPE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA



HICKMAN, DANIEL T

167 FERNDALE DRIVE ROSSVILLE, 30741

Age at Arrest: 47 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

FUGITIVE (CATOOSA COUNTY GA)



HODGES, ROBERT GLYNN

912 DUNSINANE LANE SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, 37377

Age at Arrest: 75 years old

Arresting Agency: Signal Mountain

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT



JACOBS, DANNY DEWAYNE

2028 BOYNTON VALLEY RD MANCHESTER, 37355

Age at Arrest: 42 years old

Arresting Agency: Bureau Of Prisons

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)



JOHNSON, IYONNA

402 ALICE DR CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 21 years old

Arresting Agency: Red Bank

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT



KELLY, JAMES JARON

3982 ARBOR PLACE LN CHATTANOOGA, 374161801

Age at Arrest: 24 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY CALLS



KEY, AMBER SHIRLONA NICOLE

351 WHITTEMORE HOLLOW RD RINGGOLD, 30736

Age at Arrest: 33 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

REGISTRATION, EXPIRED

UNLAWFUL REMOVAL OF REGISTRATION PLATE



LACY, NAKIA BROOKE

1651 COUNTY RD 739 HENEGAR, 35978

Age at Arrest: 31 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY (UNDER $1000)



LEAMON, TRISTAN TANNER

4701 BILL JONES RD CHATTANOOGA, 37321

Age at Arrest: 25 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

THEFT OF PROPERTY

THEFT OF PROPERTY

BURGLARY OF AUTO

THEFT OF PROPERTY

BURGLARY OF AUTO

THEFT OF PROPERTY

BURGLARY OF AUTO

THEFT OF PROPERTY

THEFT OF PROPERTY

BURGLARY OF AUTO

BURGLARY OF AUTO

THEFT OF PROPERTY



MACDONALD, HUNTER K

103 VREELAND RED BANK, 37415

Age at Arrest: 38 years old

Arresting Agency:

(VOP) POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE



MATHIS, TION DEWAYNE

2003 TINSLEY PL CHATTANOOGA, 37404

Age at Arrest: 22 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT



MCGLOCTON, RODRIQUEZ OTIS

2231 EAST BRAINERD ST CHATTANOOGA, 37416

Age at Arrest: 20 years old

Arresting Agency: Chatt Housing Auth

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED

THEFT OF PROPERTY



MELVIN, DOZIE MCKEE

3024 NORTHWAY LN CHATTANOOGA, 374062138

Age at Arrest: 56 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

DOMESTIC ASSAULT



MITCHELL, KEYAUN D

4518 HIXSON PIKE CHATTANOOGA, 37343

Age at Arrest: 19 years old

Arresting Agency: Chatt Housing Auth

AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL TRESPASS

EVADING ARREST



MITCHELL III, JACK ALLEN

501 CARDEN AVE ROSSVILLE, 30741

Age at Arrest: 30 years old

Arresting Agency: UTC

INDECENT EXPOSURE



NEERGAARD, JUSTIN CRAIG

1806 WILLIAMS ROAD CHATTANOOGA, 37415

Age at Arrest: 40 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

POSS SCH II/FENTANYL

POSS SCH II/METH

THEFT OVER $1,000

POSS SCH VI/MARIJUANA

POSS SCH IV/DIAZAPAM

DRIVING ON SUSPENDED

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA



NESMITH, PHILLIP LEE

2833 DAYTON BLVD CHATTANOOGA, 37415

Age at Arrest: 42 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL.

OR MANUFACTURING)DRIVING WHILE IN POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE 5 GPATTERSON, DARWIN DELONGEYO309 LINER LN CHATTANOOGA, 374215133Age at Arrest: 51 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)POWELL, DARRELL MATTHEW9224 DALLAS HOLLOW ROAD SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 42 years oldArresting Agency: Soddy DaisyDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEPOSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II (METH)POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II (FENTANYL)POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIASIMPLE POSSESSIONREGISTRATION, UNLAWFUL REMOVAL OF DECAL OR PLATERICKETTS, RANDALL LEBRON519 HICKS LANE SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 62 years oldArresting Agency: Soddy DaisyPOSSESSION OF METHSCHEDULE II DRUGSPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIATAMPERING OF EVIDENCESEAMAN, LINDSAY ANN3532 HOLLIGLEN DR MARIETTA, 30062Age at Arrest: 22 years oldArresting Agency:EMBEZZELMENTSHIRKS, JESSE DEAN31186 RHEA COUNTY HWY SPING CITY, 37381Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEDRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATIONDRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARESLOMAN, ALEX JACOB3639 FOREST AVE MENPHIS, 38122Age at Arrest: 33 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDOMESTIC ASSAULTSTARR, GREGORY EDWARDEAST 26TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37410Age at Arrest: 44 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDBURGLARYTHEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)EVADING ARRESTDISORDERLY CONDUCTRESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESSEVADING ARRESTDISORDERLY CONDUCTUNDERWOOD, SHEREELA LASHAY4943 COUNTY RD 85 FORT PAYNE, 35968Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeEVADING ARRESTREGISTRATION, IMPROPER DISPLAY OF PLATESVINES, ALONZO823 PROFESSIONAL PARK NASHVILLE, 37408Age at Arrest: 55 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)WHEELER, CAROL RENEE7259 WHEEL DR HARRISON, 37341Age at Arrest: 43 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDOMESTIC ASSAULTWILSON, AUSTIN CRAIG191 LAWRENCE DR RINGGOLD, 30736Age at Arrest: 27 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffTHEFT OF PROPERTYWILSON, BRAD DEVON2441 5TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407Age at Arrest: 18 years oldArresting Agency: Chatt Housing AuthPOSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMEDTHEFT OF PROPERTYTHEFT OF PROPERTYWITCHER, DEVYNE DEJUAN2709 CITCO AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 24 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDVIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC)WOODRUFF, MARGARET JEANETTA1010 MISSION AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 23 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDOMESTIC ASSAULTWYATT, ALFRED LATREY1118 EAST 13TH CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 28 years oldArresting Agency:VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION OR RESTRAINING ORDER

Here are the mug shots:

ABRAHAM, LUIS ATONIO

Age at Arrest: 52

Date of Birth: 05/01/1971

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

RAPE

INCEST AL JAFARI, HASAN M

Age at Arrest: 34

Date of Birth: 10/23/1989

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

DRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSE ALLMON, MELISSA LYNNE

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 05/31/1990

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC) ASKINS, SAMUEL JOSEPH

Age at Arrest: 19

Date of Birth: 11/18/2003

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING A FELONY

POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING A FELONY

POSSESSION OF A FIREARM DURING A FELONY BACON, NICOLE LEANNE

Age at Arrest: 38

Date of Birth: 05/28/1985

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE) BOSTON, JEREMY JERMAINE

Age at Arrest: 47

Date of Birth: 06/16/1976

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT BROCK, CLAYTON MICHAEL

Age at Arrest: 31

Date of Birth: 12/15/1992

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (CATOOSA COUNTY GA) COLLINS, EDDIE REESE

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 02/16/1984

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION COPELAND, SHELTON LARON

Age at Arrest: 34

Date of Birth: 05/06/1989

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY UNDER $1,000.00

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (THEFT OF PROPERTY UNDER DORRIS, DEJUAN HOSEA

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 08/07/1986

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

LIGHT LAW VIOLATION

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

ELLISON, DEANDRE EUGENE

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 03/24/2000

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED S HAWKINS, TYLER DECHAN

Age at Arrest: 24

Date of Birth: 01/28/2000

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

FAILURE TO APPEAR

ASSAULT

ASSAULT

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

EVADING ARREST

ESCAPE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA HICKMAN, DANIEL T

Age at Arrest: 47

Date of Birth: 04/16/1976

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (CATOOSA COUNTY GA) HODGES, ROBERT GLYNN

Age at Arrest: 75

Date of Birth: 06/02/1948

Arresting Agency: Signal Mountain



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT JACOBS, DANNY DEWAYNE

Age at Arrest: 42

Date of Birth: 05/21/1981

Arresting Agency: Bureau Of Prisons



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

JOHNSON, IYONNA

Age at Arrest: 21

Date of Birth: 11/07/2002

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT KELLY, JAMES JARON

Age at Arrest: 24

Date of Birth: 02/13/2000

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY CALLS KEY, AMBER SHIRLONA NICOLE

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 05/31/1990

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

REGISTRATION, EXPIRED

UNLAWFUL REMOVAL OF REGISTRATION PLATE LACY, NAKIA BROOKE

Age at Arrest: 31

Date of Birth: 05/18/1992

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY (UNDER $1000) LEAMON, TRISTAN TANNER

Age at Arrest: 25

Date of Birth: 02/12/1999

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY

THEFT OF PROPERTY

BURGLARY OF AUTO

THEFT OF PROPERTY

BURGLARY OF AUTO

THEFT OF PROPERTY

BURGLARY OF AUTO

THEFT OF PROPERTY

THEFT OF PROPERTY

BURGLARY OF AUTO

BURGLARY OF AUTO

THEFT OF PROPERTY

MACDONALD, HUNTER K

Age at Arrest: 38

Date of Birth: 02/22/1986

Arresting Agency:



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

(VOP) POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE MATHIS, TION DEWAYNE

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 01/18/2002

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT MELVIN, DOZIE MCKEE

Age at Arrest: 56

Date of Birth: 06/30/1967

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT MITCHELL III, JACK ALLEN

Age at Arrest: 30

Date of Birth: 10/21/1993

Arresting Agency: UTC



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

INDECENT EXPOSURE MULLINS, MATTHEW LEE

Age at Arrest: 46

Date of Birth: 01/04/1978

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

NEERGAARD, JUSTIN CRAIG

Age at Arrest: 40

Date of Birth: 02/20/1984

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

POSS SCH II/FENTANYL

POSS SCH II/METH

THEFT OVER $1,000

POSS SCH VI/MARIJUANA

POSS SCH IV/DIAZAPAM

DRIVING ON SUSPENDED

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA NESMITH, PHILLIP LEE

Age at Arrest: 42

Date of Birth: 05/26/1981

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)

DRIVING WHILE IN POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE 5 G NILSON, RYAN DANIEL

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 12/10/1990

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

PUBLIC INTOXICATION POWELL, DARRELL MATTHEW

Age at Arrest: 42

Date of Birth: 09/26/1981

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II (METH)

POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II (FENTANYL)

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

SIMPLE POSSESSION

REGISTRATION, UNLAWFUL REMOVAL OF DECAL OR PLATE RICKETTS, RANDALL LEBRON

Age at Arrest: 62

Date of Birth: 03/16/1961

Arresting Agency: Soddy Daisy



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF METH

SCHEDULE II DRUGS

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

TAMPERING OF EVIDENCE

SEAMAN, LINDSAY ANN

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 09/24/2001

Arresting Agency:



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

EMBEZZELMENT SHIRKS, JESSE DEAN

Age at Arrest: 39

Date of Birth: 07/21/1984

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC, VIOLATION

DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE SLOMAN, ALEX JACOB

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 11/20/1990

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT STARR, GREGORY EDWARD

Age at Arrest: 44

Date of Birth: 09/27/1979

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

BURGLARY

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)

THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)

EVADING ARREST

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS

EVADING ARREST

DISORDERLY CONDUCT VINES, ALONZO

Age at Arrest: 55

Date of Birth: 12/02/1968

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

WHEELER, CAROL RENEE

Age at Arrest: 43

Date of Birth: 10/19/1980

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT WILSON, AUSTIN CRAIG

Age at Arrest: 27

Date of Birth: 01/22/1997

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY WILSON, BRAD DEVON

Age at Arrest: 18

Date of Birth: 07/23/2005

Arresting Agency: Chatt Housing Auth



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED

THEFT OF PROPERTY

THEFT OF PROPERTY WITCHER, DEVYNE DEJUAN

Age at Arrest: 24

Date of Birth: 03/31/1999

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC) WOODRUFF, MARGARET JEANETTA

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 03/27/2000

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

WYATT, ALFRED LATREY

Age at Arrest: 28

Date of Birth: 08/27/1995

Arresting Agency:



Last Date of Arrest: 02/22/2024

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION OR RESTRAINING OR




When Courtney High pleaded guilty earlier this week to three Chattanooga murders in 2016 he lamented one of the killings and said gang higher ups ordered the other two.

High, who was 25 at the time of the slayings and is now 33, got life sentences giving him the possibility of parole, but only after serving 51 years at 100 percent.

Prosecutors were ready to try him on all three cases, including one set to start on Monday. He faced the death penalty in one case.

High was tearful on the witness stand in the courtroom of Judge Boyd Patterson when he said victim Bianca Horton was not a member of any gang

He said, "She was killed for nothing. It was weak and cowardly."

High claimed he tried to persuade gang leaders not to kill Ms. Horton, who was set to testify against a young member of the Athens Park Bloods - the gang in which High was a leader. Her child had been seriously wounded in a gang shooting.

High claimed he had no choice but to train gang members in carrying out the Horton slaying. Prosecutors said she was snatched up at her apartment complex parking lot and placed in a waiting white van.

Her body was later found in a ditch by Elder Street. She had been shot six times, including once in the head. There was blunt force injury to the face.

A prosecutor said one witness had stated that when Ms. Horton was being killed that High had tears in his eyes. He said he did not participate in shooting or hitting her.

Asked why he killed Jerrica Jackson, a cousin he had known from childhood, he said she had begun cooperating with the rival Bounty Hunter gang. He said she had agreed to lure several Athens Park Bloods into a trap where they would be killed, but he said other females had tipped off his gang.

High said Marquise Jackson was killed in a gang retaliation, saying his gang was advised that Jackson was one of those who knocked on the door of Athens Park Blood members and killed them.

A High family member said the killing of Ms. Jackson "tore up my heart." She said High and Jerrica had been raised together for a time and "were like brother and sister." The witness said, "She loved you. There were people who were trying to help you, but nobody could reach you."

She said his explanation of the gang killings was "foolish and inane."

Prosecutors said on May 25, 2016, Ms. Horton was grabbed by one man, who was assisted by another who came out from behind a tree. The vehicle she was placed in was linked to Charles Shelton, who had also faced the death prison. He died while at the Silverdale Jail.

Prosecutors said they had jail calls in which High told about the Horton slaying.

Jerrica Jackson was found dead inside a white SUV on Trailway Drive on June 12, 2016. She had been shot four times at very close range. A neighbor saw a black male with long dreads at the location earlier and at the time of the shooting. The individual was driving a gold Impala.

Prosecutors said they learned that High had been at the house where the murder happened that day. A female said she had called Jerrica Jackson over to the house at High's behest. She said he hid in bushes until coming by and shooting her as she rested in the SUV.

It was Aug. 7, 2016, when there was a knock at the door at 66 Water St. that was answered by Marquise Jackson. He was said to have been shot by a black male with long dreads. Prosecutors were told that a female went up to the door with High and she was due to be the shooter, but her gun jammed. High then fired multiple shots at the rival gang member, it was stated.

Attorneys said High is requesting that he be able to serve his sentence in another state. For the time being, he was returned to the Riverbend Prison in Nashville.

High said he is a Muslim and is no longer actively involved with gangs. He said he is forming a non-profit organization to work in Chattanooga and other cities.

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Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp along with other county leaders today cut the ribbon for The Harrison Center, the countys first senior and community center, and shared plans to revamp on-site youth recreation facilities. Announced in Mayor Wamps inaugural State of the County address last year, residents can now utilize this community asset, serving the youngest and oldest citizens.As we look to the future of Hamilton County, providing spaces and opportunities for our youth to interact with senior citizens and veterans is one of the goals of our parks department, said Mayor Wamp.The restoration of the historic Harrison Elementary School, built with federal funds in the FDR era, signals our commitment to strengthening the sense of community in Harrison and honoring its unique history.The facility currently has an auditorium, rec center with an indoor batting cage, office space, meeting rooms, classrooms and space dedicated for the Forgotten Child Fund  a nonprofit run by local first responders who collect and distribute Christmas gifts to tens of thousands of children in need.Hamilton County has applied for a $1.4 million grant from the State of Tennessee to further enhance the facility to support workforce development, healthy living and access to broadband and other technology. The plans include updating the kitchen and cafeteria to create a culinary lab, adding classroom space for after-school programming, creating an exercise and fitness room, installing a state-of-the-art computer lab and upgrading the auditorium with AV equipment.Also announced Wednesday is the countys intent to use the Harrison recreational facilities as a pilot for modernizing county-owned ballfields, using a combination of budgeted funds and hotel-motel tax revenue. These upgrades will serve as the precedent for what county officials hope youth recreational facilities throughout the county will look like in the coming years.This has been a collaborative effort on many levels, and Im excited for the community to experience something we have worked so hard to bring to life, said Director of Parks & Recreation Matt Folz. Activating this facility and its grounds for both children and seniors speaks to the heart of our departments desire to serve all citizens, ages eight to 80, of Hamilton County.The Harrison Center will be open Friday and Saturday, with plans to be fully accessible next month. If your organization would like to reserve space, reach out to RecCenter@HamiltonTN.gov.
Around 2,700 years ago, a blacksmiths workshop from the Iron Age had been operating in the English countryside. Its remains were unearthed during excavations in Oxfordshire, which were led by a team from DigVentures, a company that supports archaeological projects.

The ancient workshop was found near the Wittenham Clumps, a pair of wooded chalk hills that are one of the areas most visited historic landmarks.

It contained pieces of hearth lining, byproducts of the iron forging process, a specialized iron bar used for crafting artifacts, and most extraordinary of all, an intact tuyere, which is a nozzle that channels air into a furnace or a hearth. The tuyere was one of the few examples of its kind in Europe.

Its exceptionally rare to find a complete tuyere, especially one thats as old as this. Although there were examples from later periods, including Saxon, Viking-age, and medieval pieces, this is one of the only known Iron Age ones in the country, if not Europe, said Gerry McDonnell, an expert who examined the finds.

The fact that it dates not just to the Iron Age but to the first few centuries of ironworking in Britain is remarkable, McDonnell continued. Whats more, the size of it suggests were looking at a hearth that was much larger and more specialized than that of your average village smithy.

Radiocarbon dating revealed that the workshop dated back between 771 and 515 B.C. Ironworking arrived in Britain around 800 B.C. The evidence at the site indicates that the workshop belonged to a master blacksmith who had the skills to produce tools, weaponry, chariot wheels, and other items of high value.

During the Iron Age, the majority of hearths were small since the objects that were typically produced were not very large. The recently discovered workshop was larger than most, so it was clear that bigger items were forged there.

In addition, a larger hearth would require more expertise to manage, which makes it likely that a master blacksmith had been in charge of the operation.

The Iron Age began after the arrival of ironworking methods from southern Europe. It was a period when iron artifacts became widespread across Britain, gradually reducing the use of bronze.

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When asked to define time, Augustine remarked that he knew what it was until someone asked him to define it. One could say the same of the term gender in contemporary debate. Although there is no lack of debate about gender, rarely is the term clearly defined.

In his book Gender as Love: A Theological Account of Human Identity, Embodied Desire, and Our Social Worlds, theologian Fellipe do Vale aims to bring greater clarity to the concept of gender. In doing so, he refuses the binary framing that casts it as a matter of either pure biology or pure social construction. Instead, he draws on an Augustinian theology of love to argue that gender refers to a bundle of human loves and social goods that shape how we manifest our male and female bodies.

Further, do Vale clarifies that affirming the basic reality of gender does not entail affirming an exhaustive and fully cohesive understanding of it, in part because our knowledge is shaped by our narrative context. That is, our place in the story of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation affects both the lived reality of gender and our capacity to know the fullness of what it signifies.

Between the essentialists and the constructivists

Do Vales critique and constructive proposal unfolds in three sections. In the first, he draws on the late theologian John Webster, arguing for a theologically theological anthropology that comprehends gender within biblical and theological sources rather than merely building on or reacting to the existing claims of philosophy and sociology. Having laid this foundation, he engages the dominant view of gender todaynamely, that we construct it according to personal desires and social conventions rather than inheriting it as a fixed reality rooted in biology.

As do Vale argues, this constructivist argument fails for two reasons. First, this position ends up dissolving any meaningful reference to men or women as such. If the meaning of woman and man varies from culture to culture, then we lose any ability to speak or act (politically or ethically) with reference to these categories. Second, if this position is correct, we cannot meaningfully evaluate any particular cultural practice related to gender. Without some kind of ontological anchor, judgments of better or worse, just or unjust, lack any solid footing. The gender-skeptical position of the constructivists thus leads to problematic ethical conclusions.

In the second section, do Vale presents his constructive proposal on gender. Against the constructivists, he argues that gender is an essence, though not merely of a biological nature. He contends that, taken together, the complexity of gender, the effects of the Fall on sinful minds, and the ethical effects of injustice preclude anyone from enjoying full and direct access to the essence of gender. Given the effects of sin, he argues, any theology of gender must cultivate justice in the here and now, as we await a perfected understanding of gender in the world to come.

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Drawing on Augustine, do Vale presents a theology of human love in which human identity is a bundle of many loves, and included in that bundle are the complex social identities that we bear, like gender. This lays the groundwork for his central claim that gender is loveor, more specifically, to invoke his technical language, that gender is the love of certain goods, including social goods, by which the sexed body is socially manifested.

This complex reality is neither merely biological (per some essentialists) nor strictly cultural (per constructivists). Rather, gender is one way inherently cultural beings make sense of the givenness of the world, including the maleness and femaleness of bodies.

In the books third and final section, do Vale delves further into the complex relationship between gender and the biblical storyline. In the context of creation, he acknowledges the pain and suffering of intersex individuals and others born with sexual irregularities. But he cautions against the theological moves made by thinkers like Susannah Cornwall and Megan DeFranza who, he contends, suggest a kind of Gnostic redemption from the categories of creation, not from sin and its effects.

In his section on the Fall, do Vale explores sexual assault as a signal instance of warped gender expression, noting that it warps the oppressor even as it transgresses the dignity and value of the victim. Finally, he articulates a vision of redemption and consummation that, rather than erasing who we are as male and female, restructures our disordered loves and purges false distinctions of superiority and inferiority attached to gender. Seen in this light, the churchs central task is not to present an exhaustive theory of gender but to model patience and grace as we await the consummation of all things, gender included.

Clarity and confusion

Gender as Lovehas a number of strengths. Do Vale rightly resists the simplistic binary of nature and culture that stands beneath the social constructionist view of gender. And he charitably but clearly points out the metaphysical and ethical deficiencies that prevent this view from speaking or acting coherently.

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Furthermore, do Vale helpfully distinguishes between ontology and epistemology, clarifying that both reality and our knowledge of it are affected by our position within the biblical story. This gives us confidence in the enduring, transcultural reality of gender while encouraging humility in our efforts to define and understand it within particular cultures.

Yet do Vales work, while helpful in some respects, does have shortfalls. On the one hand, I appreciate his emphasis on a kind of pragmatic realism about gender norms. He is correct, I believe, that the churchs most pressing need is not to identify some timeless set of gender norms but rather to engage discerningly with the gender expressions that exist within our particular cultures.

All cultures have identified certain social goods in gendered ways, some of which are more defensible than others. Our first task is to describe these social goods accurately, determining what they mean for the culture in questionand how they are gendered (as in Pauls reference to women wearing veils in 1 Corinthians 11). Without first laying this descriptive foundation, we cannot engage in any kind of moral or theological reflection. Within each cultural context, though, we must press on to ask: How should we, as Christian women and men in this culture, love these goods in relation to our male and female bodies?

And this is where Im unsure whether do Vales proposal brings greater clarity to the confusions around gender today. He does affirm the biological distinctions between men and women, and he is insightful in describing how individuals come to a sense of gender identity. But even here some ambiguity creeps in.

Do Vale agrees, at the outset of the book, that the differences between male and female are differences in kind rather than degree, in that there are certain properties that define one as male or female exclusively. Later on, however, he is unwilling to specify any of these properties, which seems to imply that gender is something that transcends them. If we cant state any definitive properties of being male or female, how can we hope to even approximate them this side of heaven?

How does one make prescriptive judgments about being properly masculine or feminine? Do Vale speaks of rightly ordered gendered goods as being used for the flourishing of humanity. And he speaks of disordered gendered loves as being unjust, harmful, and oriented toward dominating others. But this definition supplies no concrete criteria for determining what is just or unjust, or what counts as flourishing rather than harm. In todays cultural context, justice language (oppression, harm, unjust) can rival gender language in its occasional lack of conceptual clarity. Thus, do Vales combination of gender and justice language raises as many questions as it answers.

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In a similar vein, its unclear how do Vales ideas can help us sort through complex questions of transgender identities or gender roles. For example, does an individuals love of certain gendered goods entail belonging to that gender? If, for instance, a man (a person with a male sexed body) loves the goods associated with femininity in contemporary American culture, is that persons gender identity female even though his sexed body is male? From a purely descriptive angle, do Vales answer would appear to be yes.

To be clear, I am not at all sure do Vale actually wants to draw this conclusion. I recognize that his book is a highly technical treatment of gender and theology, but its value could have been enhanced by more clearly spelling out the practical implications and judgments entailed in certain contested areas.

On the whole, though, do Vales work is a helpful and engaging resource for those who want to take a deep dive into contemporary gender theory and theological engagement with it. He should be commended for affirming a clear theological grounding for gender, offering a helpful Augustinian framework for relating gender to human loves, and reminding us to view passing gender controversiesimportant as they arein the light of Gods ongoing work of redemption.

Branson Parler is director of theological education and professor of theology at The Foundry. He is the author of Every Bodys Story: 6 Myths About Sex and the Gospel Truth About Marriage and Singleness.
This week on The Bulletin, hosts Mike Cosper and Nicole Martin join special guests Steve Cuss, Robert Nicholson, and Esau McCaulley to talk about our anxietiesreal and imagined. First, our worries in the workplace increasingly center around the role of artificial intelligence. Can we keep a level head when we're concerned that computers will take away our jobs? Next, Alexei Navalnys death reminds us that peace often requires speaking truth to power. What can we learn from Russias response to Navalny, and should we be anxious about the future of global democracy? Finally, Black History Month plays an important prophetic role in American life. If were worried about highlighting Black accomplishments and stories, what does this say about the narratives weve believed about history and faith? Listen and be challenged.

This Weeks Guests:

Steve Cuss is a pastor, former chaplain, and founder of Capable Life, which helps people lower internal and relational anxiety in the workplace and home place. Steve, his wife, Lisa, and two sons and a daughter live in Erie, Colorado. He is the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs and The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space between Our Beliefs and Experience of God. Steve hosts the CT Media podcast, Being Human.

Robert Nicholson is the president and executive director of the Philos Project. He is also cofounder and board member of Passages Israel, an advisory board member of In Defense of Christians, and an adjunct professor at The Kings College in New York City. A former US Marine and a 201213 Tikvah Fellow, Robert founded Philos in 2014 to stimulate a new generation of religious and cultural exchange between the Near East and the West. His written work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Telegraph, New York Post, Jerusalem Post, Newsweek, Providence, First Things, The Hill, and National Interest.

Esau McCaulley, PhD, is an author and associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author of many works, including a new memoir, How Far to the Promised Land, and a childrens book entitled Josie Johnsons Hair and the Holy Spirit. Esau is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times. His writings have also appeared in places such as The Atlantic, Washington Post, and Christianity Today.

Resources Referenced:

What a Murdered Russian Dissident Can Teach Us About Moral Courage

To those who keep slaves, and approve the practice by Richard Allen

The Bulletin is a production of Christianity Today

Executive Producer: Erik Petrik

Producers: Clarissa Moll and Matt Stevens

Associate Producer: McKenzie Hill

Editing and Mix: TJ Hester

Music: Dan Phelps

Show Design: Bryan Todd

Graphic Design: Amy Jones

Social Media: Kate Lucky
In the lead-up to South Carolinas primary contest on Saturday, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley held a news conference to tell supporters that shes not going anywhere and is committed to offering voters an alternative to former president Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, her presidential rivalwho has a 21 lead in her home statespoke at an evangelical conference in Nashville, touting his record on issues important to conservative Christians during his first term and pledging to continue in his second term.

Trump pledged to 1,500 attendees at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) convention that despite threats from the Left, no one will be touching the cross of Christ under the Trump administration, I swear to you.

Christian voters had a good relationship with Nikki and they liked Nikki, but they do love Trump, said Chad Connelly, who was at the NRB gathering.

The South Carolina native and former two-term chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party is the founder of the conservative Christian organization Faith Wins, which involves 16,000 pastors in evangelical voter registration.

Connelly said the thing he hears most from faith leaders is that Trump did what he said he was going to do  thats a rare politician. Thats the number one comment.

Specific policies come up more than others: Trumps releasing a list of potential Supreme Court nominees in 2016 and then nominating three conservative judges to the court, as well as his move of the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

But more than any particular list of issues motivating this election, multiple sources described a deep sense of personal loyalty that GOP primary voters feel for Trump, something that has intensified along with his legal troubles.

People felt like these are political hit jobs, Connelly said. Those things are helping him in the weirdest way. I wouldnt have predicted it. But they are absolutely helping him. It has brought out a fervor and an excitement.  Ive never seen [this] depth of support and enthusiasm.

In 2016, white evangelicals dispersed their votes in South Carolinas GOP primary: Trump gained 34 percent of the vote, Sen. Ted Cruz gained 26 percent, and Marco Rubio gained 21 percent. Political watchers dont expect much of a divide this time around.

There are evangelicals in South Carolina that are somewhat suspicious of Trump and are probably supporting Nikki Haley, or are going to reluctantly support Trump, Tony Beam, director of church engagement at North Greenville University and policy director for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, told CT. But I would say the largest group are those who are probably going to be pretty solidly behind Trump for the primary and for president.

The state has plenty of evangelicals in name only who are fervent Trump supporters, Beam said. But others are in church every Sunday, I serve on committees, Im serious about my faithtype believers that believe Trump is the answer.

Danielle Vinson, a politics and international affairs professor at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, has noticed tension within churches, though she believes the excitement for Trump is more uniform in rural churches compared to their urban and suburban counterparts.

In her evangelical church, shes at times been very mystified by little old ladies completely rationalizing Trump, but they do, she said. But I have noticed a small smattering of very vocal opponents to Trump in those very same congregations. So its not a universal love, but I also think theres more enthusiasm than you might find in other parts of the country.

More notable divides may fall along socioeconomic lines.

I do think South Carolina has more of what we would traditionally view evangelical voters to be, Nicholas Higgins, chair of the political science department at North Greenville University, told CT. I just think that the information is going to be less useful because its getting mixed with other types of groups.

Higgins has observed that in his conversations with students or professors, theres a marked preference for Haley over Trump at times. But when he speaks with blue-collar workers at his church or elsewhere, hes noticed more support for Trump.

Its not ubiquitous, he said, but its more marked than divisions along faith: I find Christians of higher education tend to support Haley, Christians with lower education tend to support Trump. Seculars of higher education tend to support Haley, seculars of lower education tend to support Trump. I think thats where youre finding greater variation.

There are some rumblings that Haleys reason for powering through, despite the losses, is the possibility of a shakeup in the race due to her rivals outstanding issues in state and federal courts. Trump faces 91 felony counts in two state courts and two federal districts, as well as a civil suit in New York.

There are also states that have filed cases using an obscure provision in the 14th Amendment to argue a legal theory that Trump is ineligible for appearing on the 2024 ballot due to his role in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol insurrection. Its not clear how they will rule, though justices seemed skeptical during oral arguments earlier this month that the state could exclude Trump from the ballot in Colorado.

Its going to be nigh impossible for Haley to pull up enough to prevent Trump from getting the majority of delegates, Higgins said. But he said her strategy may still be to be the next highest delegate holder to show viability, in the event that Trumps legal issues take him out of the running.

She may be hoping, Higgins said, that the other side is going to have to forfeit. And so coming in second, getting the silver medal, then finding out the gold medal winner took a pile of performance-enhancing drugsyou get the gold medal.

Former state representative Garry Smith told CT he hears from Christian friends who are opting out of engaging politically at the moment. Theres lots of confusion in the church, he said. But as November draws closer, he believes tension will dissipate between the various wings of the Republican party for more focus on the objectivewhich is to elect candidates of the party.

Chip Felkel, a South Carolina native who grew up in what he described as a deep water Southern Baptist church and now attends a Methodist church, said he finds it hard to recognize the evangelical and Republican circles he grew up in.

I will never completely understand the connection from the evangelical community with Donald Trump, Felkel told CT. The evangelical communityhes their champion.

Within the Trump party, they liken him to King David. Some even go so far as a Second Coming, and I know thats extreme, but I have heard and Ive read where people think hes anointed by God to lead their effort, Felkel said.

Hes worked for multiple Republican campaigns in South Carolina and is a longtime conservative GOP consultant. Hes not associated with a campaign this cycle.

But Felkelas well as other white Christian voters who are skeptical of former president Donald Trumpare set to be the minority in this weekends South Carolina GOP primary.

Look, I mean, Trump will win big here. Theres no question about that, Felkel said.

After South Carolina, Michigan holds its contest on February 27.

The next landmark in the election is Super Tuesday, which falls on March 5. Fifteen states will vote, and the result will account for 874 of the necessary 2,429 Republican delegates. While it wont be enough for Trump to sweep the nomination, Super Tuesday is likely Haleys last shot at proving her viability.
Home Books Megachurch pastor details common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit

A Georgia megachurch pastor has detailed common misconceptions Christians have about the Holy Spirit and how to combat these false beliefs.

Benny Tate, the 59-year-old pastor of The Rock Springs Church in Milner, details in his book Unlimited: Experiencing The Fullness of God's Power in Your Life that people misunderstand the Holy Spirit in many different ways.

Tate told The Christian Post the Holy Spirit is often misunderstood because Christians either overemphasize the Holy Spirit in extreme and unbiblical ways or disregard the Holy Spirit out of fear or ignorance about its importance.

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"A common misconception people have is that when Christians often think of the Holy Spirit, many times they think of the Holy Ghost. And that seems mystic, that maybe even seems spooky. That may seem weird. I think many times when people think of Spirit, they think of an energy, they think of enthusiasm, and they fail to realize that He is a person," Tate said.

"The Holy Spirit is a person who has a mind, who has will, who has emotions, who can be grieved, who can be quenched. I think we miss it when we fail to realize that He is a person."



It wasn't until he entered his 40s that he was able to get to know the Holy Spirit intimately. For many years, he battled with how to approach teaching and studying on the topic.

The pastor believes many churches don't realize how "ignorant" Christians are regarding their understanding of the Holy Spirit.

"In my own life, I had been taught misconceptions. I had been taught things about the Holy Spirit that just were not true. And so there was an element of me that I almost said, 'You know, I don't want to go there with my own church,'" Tate admits.

"I think when it comes to the Holy Spirit, many people suffer from ignorance which means they are unlearned concerning the Holy Spirit. I think many people suffer from indifference. Those suffering from these issues often wonder, 'Does this Holy Spirit really matter?'" he continued.

"On the other end of things, I think many people suffer from indulgence. They have heard things about the Holy Spirit. And these things have just been indulgent. Because of the indulgent experiences they've heard about, they just went so far the other direction. But, I want to remind people that the Holy Spirit is for all people."

Tate said he'll never forget the day he came to know the Holy Spirit as someone he could be in an intimate relationship with, saying he "could not do ministry on adrenaline" but instead, he could only do it through "the presence of the Holy Spirit."

"I think I reached the point that I came to my wits end and I realized that I can't do this on my own strength. But, I can do this in the strength of the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit will enable me to do everything that God wants me to do. And so, that was a pivotal point in my life," he said.

Tate said it's false to believe that all the Holy Spirit involves is solely energy and power.

"I think, many times, we're seeking something rather than seeking somebody. There are fruits of the Spirit. There are gifts of the Spirit. I don't think we should seek the fruit. I don't think we should seek gifts even though they're good. I think we simply seek the Holy Spirit, and a byproduct of that is having the gifts or having the fruit of the Spirit in our lives," Tate said.

"I think we can get caught up many times. I think sometimes people get caught up with the sensational, and they miss the significance. Oswald Chambers once said, 'The Holy Spirit is the first practical power we come to experience. But He's the last power that we come to understand in the Christian life.'"

Tate believes it is imperative that Christians "come to understand the Holy Spirit to maximize what their life ought to be for God" and that it is impossible to experience the fullness of God's power without the belief in the Holy Spirit.

"We will never be everything that God made for us to be outside of the fortress of the Holy Spirit. He told the early Church: 'You go to Jerusalem and wait to be endued with power from on high.' It was interesting. You know, He didn't say: 'You go preach.' He didn't say: 'You go teach.' He didn't say: 'You work out some strategic plan.' He said: 'You don't do anything until you're endued with power,'" Tate said.

"He knew the early Church couldn't accomplish turning the world upside down outside of the power of the Holy Spirit. And it's wood, hay and stubble to try to do anything in our power outside of the power of the Holy Spirit."

It's common for new believers to misunderstand who the Holy Spirit is, and more seasoned Christians need to work to combat these misconceptions.

"I think we have a great responsibility as a Church to mentor and discipline young Christians so they can understand the power and the access they have to the Holy Spirit," he said.

Unfortunately, Tate said, some churches have played a part in the perpetuation of false theologies relating to the Holy Spirit.

He said one example is when congregants in a church believe they have a prophetic gift to speak future prophecies for other congregants. Not every Christian has been gifted every spiritual gift, Tate noted, referencing 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.

Tate warned about speaking in tongues in a false manner by congregants who want attention to be on themselves and not on God. He said those congregants are often not truly rooted in biblical motives.

"Many churches in America are one extreme or another extreme," he said. "They're almost a cemetery. That is to say, they're dead. They're lifeless. There's no life there. Or on the other end, there are churches that are almost an insane asylum. Things are going on that are so 'in the name of the Spirit,' but there's no biblical base for it."

A church should have an equilibrium of the workings of the Spirit of truth and the gifts of the Spirit, Tate said, adding that they should avoid any extremes of either the absence of the Holy Spirit or people falsely claiming they are operating in the Spirit and leading others astray.

"The Bible says in John 4:24 'that God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.' If a church has an emphasis on just truth, what I found is that that church and the people in that church will dry up. But, if people are so Spirit-oriented and there's no biblical basis, everything is Spirit-oriented, people blow up. Trials come to their lives, and they blow up. One extreme you've got people drying up. The other extreme, you got people blowing up," Tate said.

"I believe when you have a balance of the Word of God and the Spirit of God, people will blow up and people will dry up. But, the people will also grow up. And that's the plan of God. The plan of God is His Spirit and truth. And the Holy Spirit is never going to direct us to do anything that the Word of God doesn't sanction. If it's not biblically based, certainly, the Holy Spirit is not leading us to do it. Because the Holy Spirit will never be contrary to the Word of God."

Christians should always check their motives before using any gift given by the Holy Spirit, Tate noted, because sometimes, the enemy can mislead people to believe they have a spiritual gift that they don't actually have.

"For every true thing in the Word of God, Satan has a counter. So, certainly, there are counterfeits for everything when it comes to whether or not someone is using a true gift from the Holy Spirit or if they are not," Tate said.

"But, I can promise this. If something is truly of God, I believe the child of God will know it's of God. I just believe that if it's not of God, I believe the child of God would be able to know that too."

"I would say with any gift of the Spirit, we should make sure our motive is always for God to be glorified. If our gift is operating in the Spirit, it's not going to be distracting. And it's not going to bring attention to ourselves. I think if a gift is from the Holy Spirit, and we're operating in the Spirit when using it, the gift will be obvious that it brings glory to God."
Home News Brian Houston says account was 'hacked' after tweet about 'ladies and girls kissing'

Former Hillsong Church leader Brian Houston claims his X account was hacked after the account tweeted the words ladies and girls kissing, drawing scrutiny from social media users.

On Wednesday morning, Houston reposted a statement tweeted by a woman claiming to be one of his assistants urging users to disregard any recent posts that seem out of the normal.

Rest assured we are working on discovering how Ps. Brian was hacked, the statement reads. Our team has ascertained that someone logged into his account from a location within the USA. Weve changed his password so heres hoping they no longer have access. Please disregard anything that seems out of the normal. For your safety remember Pastor Brian does not contact anyone privately.

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The statement came a couple of hours after Houstons account tweeted the words ladies and girls kissing on Tuesday night. The post generated reactions among social media users who were voicing their opinions on the post, with some guessing that it could have been a query for an internet search.

According to Relevant magazine, the tweet was posted on Tuesday at 11:41 p.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time and remained on the site for 16 minutes before its removal. Houston reportedly tweeted, I think my Twitter may have been hacked.

Houston, who founded the global Evangelical megachurch network Hillsong in 1983, resigned as global senior pastor in March 2022 after it was publicly revealed that two women had made complaints of misconduct against him in the previous decade.

Hillsong stated that Houston violated its pastoral code of conduct by entering the hotel room of an unidentified woman for 40 minutes while under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs at Hillsongs conference in 2019. Houston was also accused of sending a staffer an inappropriate text message in 2013. The staffer resigned shortly after.

In August, Houston was found not guilty of failing to report his father Frank Houstons abuse of a boy in the 1970s to the police after being informed about it in 1999 when he served as the head of the Assemblies of Gods Australia branch.

Last April, Houston pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in California and was sentenced to three years' probation, a $140 fine and other penalties.

Houston announced plans to launch a new online ministry and church in December.
Home News Former ICE director calls for 'historic deportations' if Trump is reelected

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.  A former immigration official during the Trump administration said that there must be historic deportations if Donald Trump is reelected president in 2024, stating that there is no other option during a recent panel discussion focused on the crisis at the southern border.

Tom Homan, the former director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, spoke on a panel titled Trump's Wall Vs. Biden's Gaps during the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference. The panel also featured investigative reporter Sara Carter and U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Rep. Mark Green, with field reporter Julio Rosas serving as the moderator.

During the discussion, Homan stressed that there are consequences for entering the country illegally and that there has to be historic deportations, claiming that there is no other option.

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The former immigration official added that the only other option aside from deportation is to allow illegal immigrants to stay, and if that happens, Homan warned that the United States will never fix the border.

Homan recounted how he has worked for six presidents throughout his career, including former President Barack Obama, stating that every president took steps to secure the border. He also praised the Trump administrations border policies, calling them unprecedented.

Biden is the first president who has come into office with an unsecured border on purpose, the former ICE director claimed.

Some of the current issues Homan connected to the current administration's border policies included an increase in sexual violence against migrants.

In November, the international nongovernment organization Doctors Without Borders highlighted a surge in sexual violence impacting migrants traveling from Latin America to the United States. The group published a statement revealing that it had treated 397 victims who survived a sexual assault as they crossed into Panama.

Ninety-five percent of sexual assault victims were female, according to the group, which noted that it had treated 107 sexual assault survivors in the month of October.

In addition to an increase in sexual violence, Homan raised concerns about migrants dying at the U.S.-Mexico border and Americans dying due to fentanyl making its way across the border. According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency and Office of Field Operations seized 27,000 pounds of fentanyl in 2023.

Homan blamed the Biden administrations border policies for migrant deaths and Americans dying due to fentanyl. The former ICE director believes that the border policies under the Trump administration saved lives, and he called for the former president to be reelected in 2024 to save this great nation.
Home News Believing in God-given rights indicates 'Christian nationalism,' Politico journalist says Heidi Przybyla claims 'natural law' being misapplied to abortion, gay marriage

An award-winning investigative journalist for Politico claimed during an MSNBC panel on Thursday that believing rights come from God is a marker of "Christian nationalism."

Heidi Przybyla also claimed on "All In with Chris Hayes" that former President Donald Trump is surrounding himself with an "extremist element of conservative Christians" who are misusing "so-called natural law" in their attempt to roll back abortion and LBGT rights.

So I wanted to pull the more extended clip of this because surely the reporter clarified. But actually, it gets worse. She confuses mainline and mainstream evangelicalism (the former are liberal denominations). And says these Christians want to apply natural law to marriage, https://t.co/GTrUIHTKYTpic.twitter.com/Svl5kewNqi 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 February 23, 2024

"Remember when Trump ran in 2016, a lot of the mainline Evangelicals wanted nothing to do with the divorced real estate mogul who had cheated on his wife with a porn star and all of that, right? So what happened was he was surrounded by this more extremist element," Przybyla said.

"You're going hear words like 'Christian nationalism,' like the 'New Apostolic Reformation,'" she continued. "These are groups that you should get very, very schooled on because they have a lot of power in Trump's circle."

Przybyla went on to make a distinction between Christians and "Christian nationalists," which she said are "very different." What unites all Christian nationalists, she said, "is that they believe that our rights as Americans, as all human beings, don't come from any earthly authority."

"They don't come from Congress, they don't come from the Supreme Court, they come from God," she added. "The problem with that is that they are determining  man, men, and it is men  are determining what God is telling them."

Calling it "a pillar of Catholicism," Przybyla noted that natural law "has been used for good and social justice campaigns," including in Martin Luther King Jr.'s fight for civil rights, but suggested "an extremist element of conservative Christians" are now misinterpreting natural law by applying it to abortion and gay marriage.

"And it's going much further than that, as you see, for instance, with a ruling in Alabama this week that judges connected to that Dominionist faction did," she said, referring to the recent decision from the Alabama Supreme Court that ruled frozen embryos created through in vitro fertilization are human beings protected by state law.

Przybyla's comments echoed some of the assertions in her recent article for Politico titled "Trump allies prepare to infuse Christian nationalism in second administration," which argued that Christian nationalism is likely to play a major role in public policy if Trump takes back the White House.

The article, which was also written by Alexander Ward, defined natural law as "the belief that there are universal rules derived from God that cant be superseded by government or judges," and likewise called it "a pillar of Catholicism" that has "been used to oppose abortion, LGBTQ+ rights and contraception" in recent decades.

The main target of the article was Russell Vought, Trump's former director of the Office of Management and Budget, who was among many on X who excoriated Przybyla on Friday for comments they claimed showed ignorance of basic American political thought as found in the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence.

"Mike Johnson should put a resolution on the floor reaffirming that we are one nation, under God. Make the Dems vote against it or be called Christian Nationalists," Vought tweeted.

The Politico article also hit at former Trump administration official William Wolfe, labeling him a Christian nationalist because he "advocated for overturning same-sex marriage, ending abortion and reducing access to contraceptives."

"In a December post, [Wolfe] called for ending sex education in schools, surrogacy and no-fault divorce throughout the country, as well as forcing men 'to provide for their children as soon as its determined the child is theirs'  a clear incursion by the government into Americans private lives," the article said.

Wolfe also contributed to the firestorm on X in response to Przybyla.

"Apparently believing in the ideas set forth in our Founding documents now makes you a  you guessed it  'Christian Nationalist,'" he wrote, adding, "Yes, Heidi, our rights do come from God. Again, the ignorance of these regime journalists is astounding. They know nothing about the American founding or Christian political thought."

Others took aim, such as Republican Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison, who wrote, "The very foundations of the America our founders built is under assault. Any elected Republican not doing everything they can to fight back is complicit."

"Politico has twice now, in print and with its reporter on MSNBC, raised flags about an idea central to the founding of the American Republic," journalist Erick Erickson tweeted. "This is troubling because it suggests a lack of education and understanding by its reporters."

"Believing rights come from God is now Christian Nationalism," wrote Andrew T. Walker, an ethics and public theology professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. "This is a civics failure, a talent failure, an intelligence failure, a historical failure, an ethics failure ... shall I keep going? Elites we will always have. But my heavens, we need better elites."

Przybyla responded Friday to some of the flak she was taking on X, claiming her words were being misunderstood.

"While there are different wings of Christian Nationalism, they are bound by their belief that our rights come from God," she wrote.

"If you are Hindu, Jewish etc, this might help you understand the next part of my point, which is they are using this for a man-made policy agenda, which distinguishes this from other Christians who leave these God-given rights at our inherent right to 'Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'  vs banning abortion, contraception etc."
Home News Trump talks about prayer, says he fears for safety of Americans under 'incompetent' leaders 'Everybody in this room is in great danger right now'

Former President Donald Trump spoke about prayer with Fox News opinion host Laura Ingraham and said he worries about the safety of Americans because of the rampant crime and geopolitical tensions he blamed on "incompetent" political leadership.

During the second part of a Fox News town hall in Greenville, South Carolina, that aired Wednesday, a voter asked Trump how he maintains his optimistic demeanor in the face of relentless attacks.

After attributing his resilience to being "wired a certain way," Ingraham asked Trump if he prays regularly, to which he replied, "I pray."

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Trump to Laura: I worry about the safety of Americans. pic.twitter.com/T095yIbZbo  Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) February 22, 2024

"If you don't mind me asking, because I know this is a very faith-filled audience here, and I know there are people across the globe who are praying for you and your safety, and are worried about your safety," Ingraham said. "Do you feel the power of that?"

Trump indicated that while he appreciates the prayers for his safety, he personally worries about the safety of the American people, who he suggested are being endangered by their hapless leaders.

"Everybody in this room is in great danger right now," Trump said. "We have a nuclear weapon that if you hit New York, South Carolina is going to be gone too. I worry about their safety. I think it's the reason I'm doing this."

Trump was not specific regarding what nuclear weapon is capable of wiping out both New York City and South Carolina. The largest nuclear bomb ever tested was the Soviet Union's 100-megaton Tsar Bomba, which destroyed a 150-mile radius in 1961 when it was detonated on an archipelago in northern Russia, according to The National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

U.S. intelligence agencies have warned that Russia could launch a nuclear weapon into orbit as soon as this year, according to The New York Times.

Trump went on to suggest that the country's present leaders are "vicious, horrible people" who are not capable of accomplishing much beyond undermining elections and trying to destroy their political opponents.

"They're vicious, horrible people," he said. "They're good at doing the election stuff, they're good at demeaning people."

Despite blaming Democrats for rising crime, Trump said he would be willing to work with them to find a solution to the issues plaguing many major cities.

"I'm going to work with the Democrats; we're going to rebuild our cities," he said, and singled out Washington, D.C., as a city that is especially in desperate need of repair.

"Our capital  last night, two people were killed again," he said, mentioning how former Trump administration official Mike Gill was shot and killed during a carjacking spree in the city earlier this month.

"This should not be in our capital," Trump said, adding that he wants to federalize the city, which would require Congress to revoke its Home Rule. With 274 homicides, 2023 marked the bloodiest year in Washington, D.C., in more than two decades.

"I want to take it back," he said. "We want to clean it, fix the roads, the roads have potholes."

Trump's comments came days before the GOP South Carolina primary this Saturday, when the former president will face off against Nikki Haley, the state's former governor. A Trafalgar Group poll conducted between Feb. 13-15 of likely Republican primary voters in South Carolina found that 63% plan to support Trump, and less than 34% are for Haley.
Home News Did God stigmatize the disabled in Old Testament law? John Piper discusses

Reformed Baptist theologian and author John Piper recently discussed whether God stigmatized the physically disabled in Old Testament law prohibiting people with physical defects from serving in the Temple.

In an episode of his "Ask Pastor John" podcast posted to Desiring God's website on Thursday, a listener identified as Gina asked about a requirement in the Old Testament barring individuals with physical defects from nearing the altar.

Gina cited Leviticus 21:16-21, which says, "none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God," citing as examples those who are "blind or lame, disfigured or deformed" and anyone "who is a hunchback or a dwarf, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles."

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"The tone changes drastically in the Gospels. There, Jesus, the true Temple, welcomes the blind, the lame and the diseased right into his very presence," said Gina. "So, why would God in the Old Testament not allow them near the altar? It seems sad to me, and it compounds their suffering."

Piper stated, "What God did when He did it was right to do when He did it, and He had reasons for doing it, and it may not be right for us to do it today because such profound things have changed."

"God wants to make the perfections of the sanctuary so symbolically and visibly clear that He establishes a correlation between the deforming of the physical body and the deforming of the sanctuary," said Piper, the chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, who served three decades as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis.

"Or, to say it another way, He insists that there be a correlation between the perfections of those who approach the sanctuary and the perfection of the sanctuary itself, which is a reflection of His own perfection."

Piper added that Levitical restrictions were meant to reflect God's "unapproachable holiness," while Jesus' earthly ministry in the New Testament reflected God's "overflowing mercy and grace."

"I think God highlighted the demands for perfection in the Old Testament in an outward way so as to make really clear that no form of imperfection would ever stand in God's presence permanently," he continued.

"He would one day not only justify the ungodly and be willing to touch lepers  but He would also utterly transform the ungodly into sinless, godly people, and take away every leprosy and every disease and every disability and every deformity."

The website Bibledingers also addressed the Leviticus passage in a 2020 column, arguing that "we must view these physical deformities and diseases in light of what they represent."

"The prohibitions for people with these deformities had little to do with the deformities in and of themselves. They were given because they represent impurity and sin," stated the apologetics website.

"God discriminates where his holiness is concerned and in the context of these verses, sin cannot dwell in the presence of God. We see this when the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer the blood sacrifice to God for the sins of himself and the people of Israel (Leviticus 16). These blood sacrifices came from a bull and a goat that were without blemish."
Home News Cardinal Timothy Dolan defends archdiocese's handling of Cecilia Gentili funeral despite fallout

Cardinal Timothy Dolan is defending his archdiocese's actions after a funeral for a trans-identified activist was allowed to be held at St. Patricks Cathedral on Feb. 15.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York has received national attention after St. Patricks Cathedral in Manhattan hosted a funeral service for Cecilia Gentili, a trans-identifying atheist and former prostitute. The funeral was decried as sacrilegious by critics and featured eulogists referring to Gentili as St. Cecilia, mother of all whores and a prayer for gender-affirming healthcare by one of the many LGBT activists gathered at the historic house of worship.

Dolan, the leader of the archdiocese, reacted to the fallout of last weeks funeral on his Sirius XM radio show Conversation With Cardinal Dolan on Tuesday. I think our cathedral acted extraordinarily well, he maintained, adding: "They didnt know the background of this woman who had died. All they know is somebody called and said, 'Our dear friend died. Wed love to have the funeral at St. Patricks Cathedral. It would be a great source of consolation.'"

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We didnt know the background, he insisted. We dont do FBI checks on people who want to be buried. So anyway, then, of course, once the funeral started is when the trouble started, because of the irreverence and the disrespect of the big crowd that was there. That was very, very sad. And again, I applaud our priests who made a quick decision that, uh-oh, with behavior like this we cant do a Mass.

Instead, Dolan noted, they decided, Well do the Liturgy of the Word, which is the readings, and the sermon and the prayers, the petition, and the Our Father, and then well stop it. Reiterating that the priests who presided over the funeral determined that the Mass is not going to go on, Dolan declared, Bravo for our Cathedral people who knew nothing about this that was coming up.

Video footage from the event shows a priest at the funeral telling the officiant, the Rev. Edward Dougherty, that they would perform a general service, no Mass. The service concluded after the Our Father. The Liturgy of the Eucharist, which consists of the blessing of the bread and wine and communion, did not take place.

As Dolan stands by the priests present at St. Patricks during the funeral, a LifePetition calling on the cardinal to perform an exorcism and a Mass of Reparation at the cathedral takes issue with Doughertys behavior. Specifically, the petition laments that Dougherty made light of the attire on display, saying: Except on Easter Sunday, we dont really have a crowd that is this well turned out. Dougherty also referred to Gentili, a man who self-identified as a woman, using female pronouns.

The petition has amassed 13,691 signatures as of Thursday afternoon. Noting The New York Times characterization of Gentili as a high-profile transgender activist who was well known for [his] advocacy on behalf of sex workers, transgender people, and people living with HIV, it expresses outrage that attendees dressed without any respect for Gods house and that the Spanish words for transvestite, whore, blessed and mother were displayed near the altar during the service.

Additionally, the petition condemned the blasphemous reference to the true St. Cecilia, who gave her life as a virgin-martyr after refusing to renounce the Catholic faith. In a letter to Dolan, the petition recalled how Jesus was filled with zeal for Gods house when He cast out money-changers from the Temple with a whip, and so the least that Your Eminence can do is make reparation and offer exorcism prayers in St. Patricks Cathedral, lest this evil be met with lukewarm indifference.

Similarly, the Catholic nonprofit advocacy group CatholicVote.org has asked New York Attorney General Letitia James to investigate last Thursday's funeral as a hate crime.

CatholicVote.org President Brian Burch claimed in his letter to James that the deceptive means by which activists were able to conduct a funeral in St. Patrick's for Gentili could qualify as criminal trespassing and a hate crime under New York's Hate Crimes Act.

Dolan indicated that he did, in fact, perform a Mass of Reparation at St. Patricks following the Feb. 15 funeral on his Sirius XM program. After describing the idea as redundant because every mass  is the renewal of the infinitely powerful act of reparation that Jesus did on the cross, Dolan contended, We cant do much; all we can do is unite with Him on His cross in His sacred act of reparation.

There is a bit of an arrow in the quiver of the churchs treasury of prayer that if a particularly sacrilegious or scandalous act has occurred in a church, it would be good to offer a mass in particular reparation for that act of irreverence, so we did that, he explained.

The Catholic Churchs Code of Canon Law states that Sacred places are violated by gravely injurious actions done in them with scandal to the faithful, actions which, in the judgment of the local ordinary, are so grave and contrary to the holiness of the place that it is not permitted to carry on worship in them until the damage is repaired by a penitential rite, according to the norm of the liturgical books.
Home News Episcopal Church creates protocol to make bishop disciplinary process more transparent

In response to recent calls for greater accountability, The Episcopal Church has created a new protocol to generate more transparency regarding disciplinary cases made against bishops.

The Church's Office of Public Affairs announced Thursday the creation of a new "three-part protocol" to better promote and explain the disciplinary process for Episcopal bishops accused of wrongdoing.

Disciplinary procedures are outlined in Title IV of the Episcopal Church's bylaws, which address the "ecclesiastical discipline" procedures when a church leader is accused of misconduct.

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The three elements include the launch of a webpage for reporting alleged misconduct of bishops, another webpage that provides updates on current disciplinary cases and "an annual statistical report on complaints involving bishops and their outcomes."

The mainline Protestant denomination's Presiding Bishop Michael Curry used his authority to initiate the new protocol, according to the Public Affairs Office.

In a letter sent Thursday outlining the new protocol, Curry wrote, "experience over the past several years with Title IV matters involving Bishops has given rise to calls for more transparency in the process."

"The protocol will provide for greater transparency around Title IV processes while also appropriately protecting privacy, all in the service of encouraging the goals set out in Canon I of Title IV," wrote Curry.

Curry spotlighted the appointment last year of the Rev. Barbara Kempf to the newly created position of full-time Intake Officer for Bishops, which handles misconduct allegations.

"Barb's full-time attention to the Title IV process is improving communication with and attention to those involved in Title IV processes and improving case management, as well," Curry added.

Critics had argued that the Title IV procedures failed to handle credible allegations of abuse from Episcopal clergy properly.

Last year, Episcopal Church House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris made public an allegation that a retired bishop had "physically overpowered" her and made "inappropriate verbal statements."

"Going through the Title IV process this past year was not something I would want anyone to have to endure," wrote Ayala Harris at the time, as quoted by Episcopal News Service.

"Yet, living through that experience has given me an important perspective that I can apply in my leadership role, and it has renewed my long-lasting commitment to increased safety in our communities."

Last December, the ex-wife and two adult sons of former Bishop Prince Singh filed a complaint against Curry and Episcopal Bishop Todd Ousley over their alleged mishandling of abuse accusations against Singh.

The family members alleged that Curry and Ousley, who had served as an intake officer for complaints against bishops, failed to properly follow the Title IV process.
Home News Former Saddleback Church youth mentor charged with molesting a 4th teen boy

A former youth mentor at Saddleback Church in California has been charged with molesting a fourth teenage boy he met through the megachurch.

The Office of The District Attorney of Orange County announced Wednesday the victim accused Lake Forest resident Ruven Meulenberg, 39, of touching him inappropriately when he was 14 years old between June 2017 and June 2018 while the youth pastor drove him home from a church event.

Saddleback Church is a house of worship led by retired pastor and popular Christian author Rick Warren. It is one of the largest churches in America.

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Meulenberg was previously convicted in 2018 of molesting twin brothers between the ages of 13 and 14 years old while they attended the Saddleback Church Youth Center.

He was accused of violating the twin boys between May 2016 and May 2017, which included occasions when he allegedly went to a local movie theater with them and in his car.

The DA's office reported that the convictions made by the twin boys had been "overturned after an appellate court ruled a juror had engaged in juror misconduct by sharing information with other jurors regarding psychiatric testing of subjects in criminal trials."

However, Meulenberg still awaits retrial on the charges related to the twin boys, which include one felony count of a lewd act on a child under the age of 14 and two felony counts of a lewd act on a child 14-15 years old and at least 10 years younger than the defendant.

With the retrial for his case involving the twins still pending, a third victim came forward with reports claiming Meulenberg molested him on several occasions after Meulenberg invited him to go to the movies and dinner between August 2016 and September 2017  when the third victim was only 13.

In the more recent charges, Meulenberg faces four felony counts of a lewd act on a child under the age of 14 and another felony count of a lewd act upon a child 14 or 15 years old who is at least 10 years younger than the defendant.

"Strong mentors are meant to help our children navigate the difficulties of growing up and realize their full potential," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said.

"Instead of providing the spiritual guidance he pretended to provide, this youth pastor seized on the vulnerabilities of these children for his own sick sexual gratification. He has not only forever shaken their belief in anyone in a position of trust and authority; he has irreparably damaged their faith and the faith of countless other parishioners who believed their children were safe with him and youth pastors everywhere."

Prosecutors stated in the complaint that Meulenberg allegedly molested multiple victims, which means he could face life in prison if found guilty.

Meulenberg remains released on GPS monitoring as he awaits his trial on both criminal cases.

In May 2017, the church released a statement confirming that Meulenberg was only a "student ministry volunteer" who worked closely with youth. In the past, some have questioned whether Meulenberg was on staff at Saddleback.

A blog post for Lighthouse Trails, a Christian publishing company started by David and Deborah Dombrowski, points to a 2014 article by A. Larry Ross Communications, which handled public relations for Saddleback and Warren. Meulenberg and his twin brother, Efraim, were described as being "on staff" at the church in a September 2014 article about their video game endeavors on a YouTube channel dedicated to gaming and music production.

When The Christian Post reached out to the public relations firm for clarification on Meulenberg's past and present roles at the church the publication was emailed the following response in June 2017: "We have confirmed with Saddleback Church colleagues that the May 26, 2017 statement about the student ministry volunteer is accurate."
Home News Hilary Swank 'blessed' to star in faith film 'Ordinary Angels': 'We can find purpose in serving others'

NEW YORK  For Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank, starring in Ordinary Angels, the true story about a woman who rallied her local community to save a young girls life, allowed her to use her platform to spread a message of hope and service at a time when it's desperately needed.

I've been so blessed with the opportunity to play in real life characters in stories that definitely are stranger than fiction  if you read the script, you would say, That didnt happen, that couldnt happen, lets tone it down a little bit. But it did happen, Swank told The Christian Post at the red carpet premiere of Ordinary Angels.

It's just such a reminder that kindness can be found anywhere, but we all have to make sure that were slowing down for a second and looking at our fellow humans wherever we go and just acting with a little more kindness. We can find purpose in serving others.

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The 49-year-old actress plays Sharon Stevens in Ordinary Angels, from Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate, a hairdresser struggling with alcoholism and estrangement from her son. But after discovering the story of Michelle, a little girl in need of a liver transplant in the local newspaper, Sharon pours her energy into raising funds for the surgery.

Though Sharon soon raises thousands for the family, her efforts arent exactly appreciated by Michelles father, Ed (Alan Ritchson), a gruff roofer who recently lost his wife. Undeterred, Michelle rallies her community, with the support of a local church, to ensure Michelle receives life-saving treatment, all while working to overcome her own struggles.

Swank, who became a mother last year, said she was attracted to the true story because of the sensitive way it tackled themes of addiction while highlighting the human capacity for empathy and support.

If you're waiting for an organ transplant, or you want to be a donor or you're struggling with addiction, know you're not alone, she said. As a mom, there are some nights that are sleepless and you're so exhausted, and I just think of all the other mothers or fathers or caregivers out there who are also comforting their baby at night  we're not alone in anything.

Everyone's been through something before, and I think that's one of the things beautiful things about movies, they depict all different types of people and all different types of struggles, she added. I just hope that people recognize that and ask for help. It's hard to do, but thats such an important aspect of the movie.

Ordinary Angels is the latest project from Jon and Andy Erwin, the brothers behind the wildly successful faith-based films Jesus Revolution and I Can Only Imagine, and is directed by Jon Gun (Case for Christ").

Andy Erwin told CP that Kingdom Story company is committed to truthfully telling uplifting stories to both move away from the cheesy Christian movie stereotype and highlight Gods faithfulness despite the brokenness of humanity.

What makes a cheesy Christian film is the fact that, as Christians, sometimes we're scared to embrace struggle and tension, and all those things of being flawed individuals, to get to that place of hope or that place of redemption, Erwin said.

What we try to do with all of our movies is embrace the struggle; in this case, Sharon is a hot mess of a person, but shes also an ordinary angel in Eds life who finds her purpose in saving a little girl. I think it gives hope to the ordinary, everyday person that is flawed and struggling their way through life to find their calling and their purpose.

Sharon and Eds story, which highlights the importance of Christian service, Erwin added, was the perfect follow-up to the revival film Jesus Revolution.

Its a rush of hope, he said. It just had such a beautiful take on the power of just making a difference in one person's life and being an ordinary angel. How can I make a difference in my community? How can I be the hands and feet of Jesus?

Addressing the star power of Swank and Ritchson  who stars in Reacher, one of the most popular shows on Amazon Prime  Erwin said its evidence of Hollywood's awakening to the underserved faith community.

I think it's really a moment in time where there's been a group of individuals that have all been trying to work behind the scenes to tell stories of faith. But collectively, whether it's through The Chosen or Sound of Freedom, or what we did with Jesus Revolution, all of a sudden, it's been legitimized, he said.

We're so grateful to have a partner in Lionsgate that has really invested so many resources into this community to tell stories that are mainstream relatable. So to have a two-time Oscar winner like Hillary Swank, to have Alan Ritchson, who's one of the hottest actors on the planet right now, both telling a story of faith and doing it unapologetically  that's what we've worked for, and its being heard by the industry. As we support these films in the theaters, there's an opportunity for the movies to get bigger and bigger.

Though released in theaters today, Ordinary Angels has been screened across U.S. churches for the last several months  and Erwin said the response, especially from pastors, has been incredible.

People are so excited to see the church be the hero of the story again, he said. In society, so much of the time, the church becomes the butt of the joke, the punch line. Were reminding the outside world that the church is a safe place where you can get help, and thats a message churches really, really embrace. When we show it to audiences, it brings them to tears, and it brings them to their feet; they're cheering at the end. Its exactly what we need right now.

"Ordinary Angels" is now playing in theaters. The film also stars Nancy Travis, Tamala Jones, Amy Acker, Drew Powell, Skywalker Hughes and Emily Mitchell.
Home News Biology professor fired for teaching chromosomes determine sex reinstated

A Texas college has reinstated a professor who was reportedly terminated for teaching about the traditional, biological definition of gender.

In a statement published Tuesday, the law firm First Liberty Institute announced that St. Philip's College adjunct professor Johnson Varkey has been reinstated after he was fired in January 2023 for rejecting aspects of LGBT ideology.

The law firm filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after the San Antonio, Texas-based historically black community college fired Varkey because the biology professor told his students that sex is determined by an individual's chromosomes.

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The professor was accused of "religious preaching, discriminatory comments about homosexuals and transgender individuals, anti-abortion rhetoric, and misogynistic banter."

Students walked out of his class in objection to his comments asserting that sex is determined by biology and not an individual's feelings. A complaint was filed against him shortly thereafter, which led to his dismissal.

In the EEOC complaint filed last summer, Varkey insisted that he "never mentioned" his religious beliefs in the classroom. While stressing that his Christian faith leads him to "believe that God has ordained the sexual function for procreation, that children are a gift from God, and that absent a compelling reason, one should not sterilize oneself," Varkey maintained that "I did not preach any of my beliefs in class."

"The allegation that I conducted 'religious preaching' is unsubstantiated," he added. "The College assumed I was preaching rather than teaching due to the negative, discriminatory stereotypes about Christians."

Varkey's termination occurred at a time when LGBT activists insist that there are more than two genders and that an individual can belong to a gender that does not correspond with their biological sex. His comments about sterilization reflect the fact that LGBT advocates speak out in favor of allowing trans-identified individuals, including minors, to undergo hormonal and surgical interventions that can include the removal of healthy body parts that align with one's biological sex.

The settlement reached Tuesday will enable Varkey to return to the classroom by the fall semester of the 2024-2025 academic year.

"We are happy that the Alamo Community College District voluntarily reinstated Dr. Varkey," First Liberty Institute Associate Counsel Kayla Toney said in a statement. "He is excited by this outcome, and we are glad that ACCD did the right thing. Dr. Varkey looks forward to continuing to educate students at ACCD."

In a letter to St. Philip's College last summer, First Liberty Institute complained to administrators that Varkey's termination violated the Free Exercise and Free Speech Clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as well as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Several Republican members of Congress from Texas wrote a letter calling on St. Philip's College to reverse the biology professor's termination. The letter, published in December, was signed by Sen. Ted Cruz and Reps. Chip Roy, Michael Cloud, Lance Gooden and Dan Crenshaw.

The letter indicated that Varkey was not the only professor at St. Philip's College to face adverse action for reportedly making a statement that amounts to a rejection of LGBT ideology.

The document contained a link to an article published in The College Fix in July 2023 detailing the termination of Will Moravits, a political science professor at the school.

Allegations that Moravits told his students that "the LGBTQIA+ community is riddled with pedophilia, the 'p' in the LGBTQIA+ community stands for pedophilia and gay pride activists organize parades' with 12-year-olds jerking off in them'" led to his termination. While Moravits and other students in the class disputed this version of events, the college fired the professor anyway. Last September, Moravits received a $185,000 settlement from St. Philip's College. He now teaches at Texas State University.
Home News 'Reacher' star Alan Ritchson reveals faith saved him from suicide: 'I belong in God's camp'

NEW YORK  Alan Ritchson is the first to admit he's not a "poster child" for Christianity.



"I'm bipolar. I'm temperamental, I'm stubborn, I'm creatively a perfectionist, and I hold people to a ridiculous, ridiculous standard, and myself to an even higher one. And I'm hard to live with," the 41-year-old actor told The Christian Post.



But it's this self-awareness and understanding of his limitations that gives Ritchson, who shot to worldwide fame with the success of his Prime Video show "Reacher," a deep understanding of grace.



"The problem is, it's less that I doubt God is real or that God cares. It's more that I doubt that I'm worthy of the love that God gives or that I'm worthy of His attention," said Ritchson, a husband and father of three sons. "I thought my career was over a few years ago. I had a run-in with suicide and tried to take my own life. Thank God I was not successful."



Yet, Ritchson's story is one of hope and transformation: The actor credits his survival and subsequent recovery to the unwavering support of his family, medical professionals and, most importantly, a renewed relationship with God.



"My family was there for me, some doctors were there for me, and I got help and pulled through," he recalled. "But I had to find what meaning and purpose look like after that, and it looked like serving others and having a real relationship with God."



This experience sparked in Ritchson a desire to share his experiences and insights, leading to the establishment of "instachurch" on his social media, a platform he uses to discuss meaningful topics and potentially save others from suicide.



"I just have to say something that matters; maybe it'll save someone else from suicide, too," he said. "I thought, 'I'm probably never going to work in the business again.' And, lo and behold, God's like, 'I'm going to give you the most insane career you could ever imagine.' I continue to try and honor Him, and it's been a real gift."



In addition to starring in "Reacher," consistently one of Prime Video's top-performing shows, Ritchson stars alongside Hilary Swank in the new Lionsgate and Kingdom Story film "Ordinary Angels."



The film, based on a true story, is set in Lousiville, Kentucky, in the early '90s and follows Sharon (Swank), a hairdresser who struggles with alcoholism and is seeking greater purpose in her life. She encounters the story of Michelle, a little girl in urgent need of a liver transplant, in the local newspaper and embarks on a mission to help raise funds to save Michelle's life.



Meanwhile, Michelle's father, Ed (Ritchson), a widower, is struggling to make ends meet while also grappling with the loss of his wife. He's reticent to receive Michelle's help and embittered toward a God he blames for his dire situation.



The film is directed by Jon Gunn ("The Case for Christ") and produced by Kevin Downes and Jon and Andrew Erwin ("I Can Only Imagine," "Jesus Revolution") among others.



Ritchson told CP he relates to Ed's struggles with doubt and difficulty reconciling a benevolent God amidst the world's suffering. The actor revealed he advocated for including scenes that depict his character's doubt; faith, he said, is often forged in the crucible of crisis.



"Faith is torn in those moments of doubt and crisis," he said, emphasizing the importance of representing the full spectrum of spiritual experience in the film. He cited C.S. Lewis's notion that God "shouts in our pain," underscoring the role of suffering in deepening faith.



"I begged for the scenes where doubt creeps in to stay in the movie because it's so easy to pluck those and go like, let's keep it like sort of just almost like a 'prosperity gospel,' where it feels like we're just going to keep chugging towards hope. But faith is torn in those moments of doubt," he said.



"We can't really have a conversation about faith; it's not a faith-based movie unless you receive a little doubt."



Ritchson told CP that through his work, he wants to highlight the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Success and accolades, he said, are fleeting and unfulfilling; true joy and peace are only found through a relationship with God.



"That Sermon on the Mountain, Beatitudes way of living, it's not foreign to me, and it takes a lot of work, which is why I cling to it," he said. "The times that I've had the most trouble are the times where I am on my own, a slave to my own ambition. Realizing there's really nothing there at the top when you're just grinding away at building your own empire  I don't belong in that camp. I belong in God's camp."



"Ordinary Angels" also stars Nancy Travis, Tamala Jones, Amy Acker, Drew Powell, Skywalker Hughes and Emily Mitchell. The film is now playing in theaters.

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Home News Texas surgeon likens 'gender-affirming care' to lobotomies: 'In no way is this medicine'

NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland.  A whistleblower who exposed a children's hospital for lying about prescribing puberty blockers to children likened sex-change surgeries and hormone treatments to lobotomies, a procedure he noted society eventually came to view as "barbaric."

General surgeon Dr. Eithan Haim spoke at the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference during a panel titled "Genesis 1:27," named after the Bible verse that states God created men and women in "his own image." Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, also appeared on the panel, while Daily Caller reporter Meg Brock served as the moderator.

During the panel, Haim discussed how he blew the whistle on the Houston-based Texas Children's Hospital, where he completed his surgical residency. The doctor provided journalist Christopher Rufo with internal documents showing that the hospital was continuing to conduct so-called "gender-affirming services" on minors despite telling the public it had paused such procedures.

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Haim said that after he exposed the hospital, federal agents showed up at his door to tell him that he was now under criminal investigation for his actions.

Brock asked the surgeon why he decided to blow the whistle on the hospital, and Haim replied that he took an oath as a doctor to "do no harm." He said he felt a responsibility to do something.

In response to a question about how trans activists argue sex-change surgeries and puberty blockers are medically necessary for people suffering from gender dysphoria, Haim declared, "In no way is this medicine."

The surgeon stated that it is not possible to treat a psychological issue with a "solution of the body," likening so-called "gender-affirming care" to lobotomies.

Introduced in the 1930s, lobotomies became a popular brain procedure that some believed could be a cure for mental illness. According to a 2013 paper by Mercer University School of Medicine Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery (ret.) Miguel A. Faria, Jr., an estimated 60,000 lobotomies were performed in the United States and Europe between 1936 and 1956.

As Haim noted, society finally recognized the procedure as "barbaric."

The whistleblower called on good people to speak up, claiming that trans ideology is evil and doctors are attempting to play God.

"The actual goal of medicine is to preserve and strengthen what has already been created," he said.

Haim believes doctors are hesitant to speak up because they fear for their livelihoods. He warned that the silence from doctors fearful of losing their jobs is a "miscalculation" on their part.

Haim contends that if more doctors don't speak up, then the world they will deliver to their children will be "much more dangerous." The surgeon stated that the "longer this goes on, the worse it gets."

At one point during the panel, Schilling made a similar statement when he called on Republicans to stand against trans ideology, adding that they must care about values and not just winning elections.

The conservative activist also highlighted a 2022 report the group released titled "The Transgender Leviathan." The report cited an analysis by Global Market Insights, which estimated that the "global market valuation" for sex-change surgeries will exceed $1.5 billion by 2026.

"This is about control, and ultimately, this is about the destruction of biological sex," Schilling said in response to a question from Brock about how trans activists have branded themselves as a civil rights movement.
Home News Trans activist charged with endangering son after buckets of feces found in home: report

A trans activist and his wife have been arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of their 10-year-old autistic son because they allegedly forced him to live in squalid conditions, with authorities finding buckets of feces in the house.

As Reduxx reported Monday, the outlet learned through information from the Ocean County Prosecutors Office that the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency was alerted about the couple in December.

Robert Eugene Plummer is a 45-year-old male who identifies as a woman and goes by the name Kirstyn Piper. The activist and his wife, Amy Plummer, 46, were arrested in Oregon County, New Jersey.

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According to a sworn affidavit the outlet obtained by an Ocean County detective, a Lanes Mill Elementary School nurse had ongoing concerns about the hygiene and appearance of the couples son.

When DCPP visited the childs home, they discovered that the bathroom was covered in feces, and there were multiple Home Depot buckets containing human waste throughout the residence.

A detective spoke with the victim, who said the house has a sewage problem that started about a year ago that prevents people from flushing feces. According to the report, the parents would remove the waste from the toilet when it became full and place the feces in a bucket.

The victim explained that he is unable to bathe because the bathtub is covered in feces, the document continued.

Authorities later confirmed with the childs mother that the pipes in the house started causing problems in March 2022. The mother claimed that she had multiple disabilities and no income to hire a plumber, claiming that the childs father had taken control of the issue.

Robert Plummer allegedly refused to hire a plumber or seek outside help, according to his wife, who told authorities that she would sometimes take her son to a nearby convenience store to wash and defecate when she could.

The affidavit, shared by Reduxx, referred to Robert Plummer with she/her pronouns. An arrest warrant referred to the trans activist as a female. After Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christine Lento approved charging the couple with endangering the welfare of children, the two were booked into the Ocean County Jail on Dec. 12.

On Dec. 19, the husband and wife were released from jail pending trial. The couples next hearing is scheduled for March.

Before the arrest and subsequent charges, Robert Plummer frequently shared posts expressing support for the LGBT movement. He has a photo service called Puzzling Moments, which has a page on Instagram.

One of the posts on Instagram, uploaded in 2021, presumably depicts Plummers son wearing a t-shirt with a rainbow that reads, I love my 2 mommies. The boy in the picture also stands in front of a rainbow-colored wall, and the caption expresses love for what was described as a Pride wall backdrop.

Another post on the Instagram page included hashtags such as #transartist, #transcommunity, #transpride and #savetranskids.

The couple also ran a blog that has since been deleted, according to Reduxx. One of the blog entries reportedly discussed their sons diagnosis of autism in 2016.

In a now-deleted February 2023 post, Robert Plummer reportedly advocated for children to have exposure to LGBTQ+ issues and transgender rights at an early age.

As caregivers, its our responsibility to provide a safe and inclusive environment for our children, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. By exposing them to diverse perspectives and experiences, we can help them understand and appreciate the unique struggles that people from different communities face, Robert reportedly wrote.

Introducing our children to LGBTQ+ issues and transgender rights can also help break down harmful stereotypes and stigmas that may exist in society. Normalizing conversations around these topics can create a more accepting and compassionate world for all individuals.
A storm in a syrup tin

The image of the dead lion with bees swarming from its stomach is to be dropped from some of Lyle's Golden Syrup packaging. This has created quite a fuss  being discussed widely in the media including on the BBC and GB News. The reactions in the Christian community  reflecting once again the culture's way of reacting - is to push to two extremes.

At the one end are those who seem to see it as a sign of the end times, yet another indicator that Britain's businesses are opposing Christianity in everything they do. On the other side are those who think it is not only completely irrelevant but that anyone who brings up the issue is really culturally irrelevant and fighting the wrong battles. It's always amusing when someone says that 'life is too short to write about this kind of stuff' - in their latest piece writing about this kind of stuff!

In a world which includes major wars in Gaza and Ukraine, unrest in Congo and Myanmar, and mobs threatening the UK Parliament, my sympathy is instinctively with those who think the whole issue is overblown and ridiculous. This seems such a trivial matter. And yet, perhaps it is indicative of something more?

The lion with the bees comes from the Old Testament story of Samson killing a lion and noticing that a swarm of bees has produced a comb of honey in the carcass. He later uses the phrase in a riddle "out of the strong comes forth sweetness" (Judges 14:14). Both the text and the image have been used on Lyon's Golden Syrup since 1888, making it the oldest branded image in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Why was this used? Because the founder of Lyle's (later Tate & Lyle Sugars) was a Scottish businessman called Abram Lyle, who was also a Presbyterian elder  and who took his faith really seriously. Doubtless there were many in Victorian times who would have known and appreciated the biblical reference. I suspect that is not true today, but would that be reason enough to drop it? Let's consider why it has been done and how it shows changes within British society.

According to the company's brand director James Whiteley, the changes are being made because the company needs to show its customers it is moving with the times and meeting their current needs: "Our fresh, contemporary design brings Lyle's into the modern day, appealing to the everyday British household while still feeling nostalgic and authentically Lyle's."

It really is part of modern life that companies think that rebranding actually means something. Will any British household be encouraged to buy more syrup by the change in design? It's what's in the tin that really matters. Only someone who has to justify a degree in marketing from the London Business School would think otherwise. But Branded Britain is going strong.

Although some would argue it is a perfectly logical marketing decision, in marketing terms it doesn't make a great deal of difference and indeed may even be negative, because loyal customers don't like change to the things they enjoy. Replacing the 'real' lion with a cute cuddly lion's head may sound great to a marketing generation reared on Disney, but it's so boring. I note in passing that when real Christianity thrives, so does real creativity. But Bland Britain is also going strong too. We can't have any real diversity here. Everything must fit into the design mantras the marketing people tell us work  all within the bounds of the current ideology.

Because of the fuss Gerald Mason, Senior Vice President of Tate & Lyle Sugars, apologised for the upset caused. "We are very proud of the history and biblical link to our Lyle's tin, and have absolutely no intention to change it in any way," he said.

This seemed somewhat contradictory given that they had just announced that they do intend to change it for most of their syrup packaging, although apparently not the tin  which again begs the question: why have two different brands for the same product?

He also suggested that, "Religion played absolutely no part in our decision to try something different on our syrup bottles". But Helen Edwards, the adjunct associate professor of marketing at London Business School, doesn't seem to agree. She explained why the rebranding needs to be done. As she told the BBC, "The story of it coming from religious belief could put the brand in an exclusionary space, especially if it was to go viral on X or TikTok." You have to stop and read that again and then think about what it means. Apparently modern corporate Britain and its marketing gurus think that anything coming from religious belief might be seen as 'exclusionary' especially if someone ran a campaign on social media!

I suspect that there are caveats to this advice. For example, if something was Islamic or Buddhist that would no doubt be seen as 'inclusionary', but if it were Christian or Jewish that would be 'exclusionary'. So in that wonderful postmodern illogicality we have to exclusive in order to be inclusive. Suddenly the story doesn't appear so trivial after all.

Of course it is a storm in a syrup cup. And of course Christians should not be 'fighting battles' to change branding. But we should pause and ask how we have gone from a culture where a biblical verse and story on a product was normal, to one where no such thing would be even considered feasible. It seems the only biblical symbol permitted in modern Britain is the culturally misappropriated rainbow!

It is easy to mock and point out that no one came to faith because of seeing an obscure Bible verse on a syrup tin, but that misses the point. This story is just one piece in a thousand-piece jigsaw which illustrates how branded, bland and unbiblical Britain is becoming. Revive us Lord ... and restore to us the years the locusts have eaten" (Joel 2:25).

David Robertson is the minister of Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church in Newcastle, New South Wales. He blogs at The Wee Flea.
Abortion decriminalisation is a real threat

One of the biggest changes to abortion law for 50 years could be about to happen.

In a few weeks' time, politicians at Westminster could well be asked to vote on one of the biggest change to abortion law in England and Wales since the Abortion Act was passed in 1967.

At least one amendment to this end has been tabled to the UK Government's Criminal Justice Bill. The aim of this amendment is to remove criminal penalties for women regardless of the gestation of the pregnancy.

It is important to be as clear as possible about what this would mean. Firstly, you need to know that the 1861 Offences Against the Persons Act makes it illegal to provide an abortion and to get one.

What the 1967 Abortion Act did was set out a range of exemptions to this legislation. Under the '67 Act, abortion is legal under five possible grounds. Most abortions take place pre-10 weeks, with an upper-limit of 24 weeks. An abortion may be granted in cases of serious handicap up to birth.

The situation has been further complicated by the expansion of the abortion pills-by-post scheme. This was initially a temporary measure passed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Women were allowed to take two powerful abortion pills at home, provided they were under 10 weeks pregnant. That policy has become permanent.

In recent months, you may well have picked up on media reports highlighting difficult cases and instances where women have faced prosecution and investigation for various offences in relation to abortion law. For example, Carla Foster was initially sent to prison for procuring a home abortion after the 10 week limit. Her sentence was reduced subsequently on appeal, allowing her to return home.

These cases have prompted campaigners to re-issue calls for abortion to be 'decriminalised'. They argue that no woman should face prosecution, or even the prospect of prosecution for getting what they see as purely a medical procedure.

Calls for abortion to be decriminalised have been backed by various official medical bodies and of course by abortion providers as well.

If all this sounds reasonable to you, it is worth stopping and considering this in more detail.

Some of these cases were the police investigating women who had experienced miscarriages. The cases should have been handled sensitively and quickly.

Others of these cases have arisen since the pills-by-post scheme where women have been sent abortion pills without a gestation check. Abortion providers should be required to see a woman in person before prescribing abortion pills.

Furthermore, the UK already has one of the most liberal abortion laws in the world. Our 24-week time limit is twice the European average of 12 weeks. It is also past the point of known viability, with babies born at 22 weeks surviving outside the womb. The overall number of abortions has simply increased and increased and the latest data shows that between January and June 2022, more than 120,000 abortions took place in England and Wales. This is up 17 per cent on the same period the previous year.

The current law still sends a message, however limited, that at some point, a preborn baby's life is worthy of protection. At the moment, that point is 24 weeks in most instances.

I think that is a message the law needs to send. This is not about wanting lots and lots of women to be criminalised. But it is about being honest to say that abortion is not simply another medical procedure.

An abortion involves two lives. And the Christian worldview does not distinguish between these lives in terms of dignity and value. We reject personhood theory, which creates an arbitrary point at which a 'fetus' becomes a person and therefore worthy of protection.

Instead, we celebrate the fact that life begins at conception. We rejoice that when human life begins, a person comes into being. We want to protect that person and protect the life of the Mum as well.

I know evangelical Christians are sometimes accused of only contacting their MP about issues like abortion or conversion practices. I would encourage you, strongly, to write about a range of justice issues, from immigration, to cost of living, to gambling related harms. I do appreciate the burden of this concern. As Christians, we should be wise in how we engage.

And yet, surely we also have a Christian duty to speak out on topics and causes where very few others are engaging? Is this not part of speaking God's better story to a broken world? Is this not also part of our God-given responsibility? With a graciously and wise tone, I urge you then to contact your MP and ask them, if there is a vote, to reject the abortion amendment that could see our laws further liberalised.

James Mildred is Director of Communications and Engagement at CARE. You can contact your MP about the issue raised in this article via CARE's website.
Brian Houston denies posting tweet about 'ladies and girls kissing'

Hillsong founder Brian Houston has denied sharing a tweet on his X - formerly Twitter - account about "ladies and girls kissing".

The strange post appeared late on Tuesday night Australian Eastern Daylight Time, Relevant magazine reports, prompting speculation that it was really an internet search that had been posted to the wrong place by mistake.

It was deleted 16 minutes later but not before it had been seen by some X users who posted scathing responses.

Houston has since re-posted a statement from an X account called @yolandamariee23 that Houston said was his personal assistant.

The statement claimed that his account had been hacked and that X users should "disregard anything that seems out of the normal".

"Rest assured we are working on discovering how Ps. Brian was hacked," the statement said.

"Our team has ascertained that someone logged into his account from a location within the USA. We've changed his password so here's hoping they no longer have access.

"Please disregard anything that seems out of the normal. For your safety remember Pastor Brian does not contact anyone privately."

Houston resigned from Hillsong in 2022 after investigations into allegations of substance abuse and misconduct involving two women. He denied wrongdoing.

Last December, he and wife Bobbie announced plans to open a new church in 2024.
Christian chaplain's appeal delayed

An Employment Tribunal judge has delayed a school chaplain's appeal until the Court of Appeal hears the case of another Christian school worker.

Rev Dr Bernard Randall was sacked by Trent College over a sermon he gave in 2019 in which he told pupils they did not have to agree with LGBT ideology.

He was later reinstated on appeal before being furloughed during the pandemic and then made redundant. He was also referred by the school to the government's terrorism-prevention scheme, Prevent.

Dr Randall lost his unfair dismissal case last year but has been cleared by Prevent, the Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA), and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The tribunal was supposed to hear his appeal this week but has now decided to wait until after the October hearing at the Court of Appeal in the case of Kristie Higgs.

Mrs Higgs was sacked as an assistant at her school after she made two posts to her personal Facebook account raising concerns about compulsory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) lessons, and the spread of transgender ideology in schools.

In January she won the right to have her case heard by senior judges and a hearing is scheduled to take place on 2 October.

Dr Randall said he was "hugely frustrated" by further appeals to his case.

"Just waiting to get my life back can feel like a form of torture in itself. But I also recognise the huge significance of Kristie's case and my own and what is at stake, and I know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him," he said.

"My case concerns everybody. The gender identity and queer theory agenda sowing deep seeds of confusion in young children is now embedded in our schools. That agenda is anti-Christian and unashamedly aims to stamp out any Christian influence in our schools, and indeed any opposition, dissenting voice or even debate on their dangerous ideology."

He appealed to the Church of England for more support in his case.

"All the secular safeguarding authorities have cleared me entirely, but the CofE's safeguarding case against me continues for preaching about CofE teaching in a CofE school. The CofE hierarchy has been silent on my case and has refused to help me. It is still not too late for Justin Welby to step in  he has my number," he said.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting both Dr Randall and Mrs Higgs said: "Justice delayed is justice denied. It is now five-years since Bernard gave a sermon.

"Four years after this all started, despite the pressure and mischaracterisation of his position, Bernard is not for turning until justice is done.

"If this ruling is not overturned and Bernard does not receive justice, then any parent, child, teacher or chaplain who opposes the agenda of 'smashing heteronormativity' in our schools, is not safe from losing their jobs, or worse. We have to win it and will not give up until we have."
Students in the KZ Lodge and Indigenous Skills Trades Training program at Hammarskjold High School completed a second modular home that will be donated to Matawa First Nations and sent to one of its member communities.
Anunt concurs pentru post vacant Institutia Publica Centrul de Consiliere Agricola si Rurala (CCAR) este in cautare de un profesionist dinamic si dedicat, pentru pozitia de Sef/a de Sectie la sectia Inovare si transfer de cunostinte in cadrul institutie
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China continues giant panda protection cooperation with Spain, US; negotiations with Austria underway

Global Times) 10:53, February 23, 2024

Giant panda Mei Xiang enjoys an ice cake at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the United States, on July 22, 2023. Meixiang, its partner Tian Tian and their child Xiao Qi Ji has returned to China in November 2023. File photo: Xinhua

The China Wildlife Conservation Association recently reached agreements with the Madrid Zoo in Spain and San Diego Zoo in the US in a new round of international cooperation for giant panda conservation.

Negotiations are underway with the National Zoo in Washington, DC and the Schonbrunn Zoo in Austria, the Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at Thursday's routine press briefing that "We expect the new round of cooperation can further enrich research results on vulnerable species like the giant panda, promote people-to-people exchanges and enhance friendship between people."

Spain, the US, and Austria were among the first countries to engage in international cooperation with China on giant panda conservation. Twenty-eight cubs have been bred and raised through joint efforts with the three countries, making a significant contribution to the conservation and breeding of giant pandas.

Based on the good foundation of cooperation and the shared desire of the people to protect vulnerable species, a new round of giant panda conservation collaborative research is about to begin.

The new round of research will focus on the prevention and control of major diseases for giant pandas, the protection of habitats and wild populations, the enhancement of investigation and monitoring capabilities, and the support for the construction of the China Giant Panda National Park. These efforts will establish an international academic exchange platform to promote exchanges in the protection of flagship species and umbrella species. They will also promote people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries, enhancing friendship between the peoples of all nations.

Ensuring a healthy and safe giant panda population abroad is the most important premise and foundation for international cooperation. According to the association, in 2024, they will further strengthen the daily health monitoring and physical examinations of giant pandas living abroad, ensuring full coverage of on-site inspections and evaluations every year, Xinhua reported.

For giant pandas with unstable health conditions, Chinese experts will stay overseas for care; for major issues involving giant panda breeding, rearing, disease treatment, Chinese experts will also provide full technical guidance and support.

The giant panda is China's national treasure and beloved by people around the world. Since the 1990s, China has successively carried out collaborative research on protection with 26 institutions from 20 countries, successfully breeding 41 litters of 68 giant panda cubs.

Major achievements have been made in various aspects such as giant panda conservation in the wild, breeding and rearing, disease prevention and control, disease treatment, technical exchanges, and public education.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Childrens Charity has reported itself to two charity regulators after its subcontracted fundraisers were accused of using pressure-selling techniques.

A Times Investigation reports that door-to-door fundraisers for GOSH Charity, employed by face-to-face acquisition company IBA Global, coerced people into signing up for donations.

Last month, GOSH Charity filed a serious incident report to the Charity Commission in relation to the Times findings and also reported itself to the Fundraising Regulator.

GOSH Charity told Civil Society it was deeply concerned by the Times allegations and had launched a full independent, external investigation.

Psychological motivators and pre-empt objections

A Times reporter went undercover as a fundraiser at IBA Global, which GOSH Charity had subcontracted for door-to-door activities, in London and Hertfordshire.

They reported that fundraisers were taught to use psychological motivators and pre-empt objections on the doorstep.

As part of their training, fundraisers were told not to accept one-off donations and persuade customers to spread the payment monthly by direct debit to enable GOSH to plan its budget, according to the report.

One senior fundraiser was found to have created the impression that he was deaf to get members of the public to open their doors and told trainees that he could cry on demand, it adds.

Fundraisers at IBA Global received commission-based payment instead of hourly salaries, the investigation found, which the Code of Fundraising Practice allows but says must not be used unless all other sources of fundraising investment have been explored and exhausted.

Were deeply concerned by these allegations

Recently filed accounts show that GOSH Charity reported a record total income of 107.7m in the year to March 2023, up from 74.5m the previous year, most of which came through fundraising.

GOSH Charity received 900 fundraising complaints in 2022-23, an increase of 244 complaints on the previous year, most of which were related to its face-to-face fundraising activity, the charity said.

Its accounts state that the increase is directly attributable to the fact that we have significantly increased our fundraising activity during the year in line with our new and ambitious fundraising strategy.

In 2021, the charity set an ambitious target to raise 100m a year by the end of its five-year strategy, a target it hit in May 2023 .

In response to the investigation, a GOSH Charity spokesperson said: GOSH Charity is deeply concerned by these allegations and footage and doesnt condone any fundraising practices and behaviours that do not comply with the high standards we expect.

GOSH Charity is taking this matter extremely seriously and immediately suspended working with IBA Global. We work extensively with agencies to train and support their fundraising staff and require that they fully comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice.

The charity added that it is now conducting a full independent, external investigation and will take further appropriate action if any breaches are found.

Door-to-door fundraising is one of the most effective ways for us to raise much-needed money and engage with people. Without the generosity of our supporters, we simply couldnt transform the lives of seriously ill children at the hospital now and in the future.

Commission: Were determining any next steps

A Charity Commission spokesperson said: Our guidance is clear that charities should raise money in a considerate and responsible way, mindful that public generosity can never be taken for granted.

Were assessing information shared with us by the Times about fundraising activity undertaken on behalf of GOSH Childrens Charity.

In line with our guidance, the charity has reported the Times findings to us as a serious incident. Were assessing the matter to determine, what, if any, role there might be for the Commission. Were working with the Fundraising Regulator to determine any next steps.

Fundraising Regulator: Vital charities abide by principles of the Code

The Fundraising Regulator said it was concerned by the evidence presented by the Times, which it is now assessing.

Were disappointed to see the practices outlined in the investigation, which echo concerns were addressing in the market inquiry, opened in October last year , a spokesperson said.

GOSH has followed the right procedure and self-reported to us. We can confirm that we have opened an investigation and will be working with the Charity Commission.

Its vital that charities abide by the principles of the Code of Fundraising Practice, in addition to its specific provisions. In particular, charities must ensure that fundraisers working for them or on their behalf do so in a manner that is open, honest, legal, and respectful.

While reasonable persuasion is permitted, good fundraising rests on these principles, and charities must take care that this does not cross the line into undue pressure or unreasonably persistent behaviour.

Face-to-face fundraising methods can be very effective  they allow charities to secure long-term, predictable donations and to raise awareness of their causes. Many members of the public have instituted long-term relationships with charities important to them following a conversation with a face-to-face fundraiser.

However, charities must take care to ensure that their fundraisers and those that fundraise on their behalf are operating in line with the Code, and that they have appropriate oversight and training.

The Fundraising Regulator added that it will publish the findings of its market inquiry in the next few weeks.

IBA Global did not respond to Civil Societys request for comment.

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Major UK charities have raised millions so far in response to the conflict in the Middle East but restrictions on aid access to Gaza are preventing a national joint appeal from being launched.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which ran an appeal for Gaza in 2014, said very limited access for humanitarian aid to get into Gaza was preventing it from launching a fundraising campaign in response to the conflict.

DEC member charities including Oxfam, Save the Children and Islamic Relief have reported raising millions from the general public since October last year but many have been unable to provide swift and effective humanitarian assistance at a scale needed for a national appeal.

In 2014, DEC raised 19m for its Gaza Crisis Appeal , which included 2m in aid match funding from the UK government but the difficulties its members have faced delivering aid in the past four months have stopped it from launching a similar appeal this time around.

Nevertheless, DEC says it is closely monitoring the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and assessing it against our criteria for launching a DEC appeal.

Charities raise millions

Oxfam told Civil Society it has raised more than 2m so far for its Gaza Crisis Appeal.

If there is a ceasefire  with full, unhindered humanitarian access allowed  we would continue to appeal to the public for donations to significantly scale up our response, a spokesperson for the charity said.

Islamic Relief said it was reconciling the amount it has raised but we have had generous donations from the UK public and have already spent 8.5m in Gaza to help people.

Save the Children said it has raised 2.7m for its Gaza Crisis appeal, while Christian Aid has received 1.6m in donations so far for its Middle East Crisis Appeal.

Tearfund has raised 678,000 since October 2023 through its Middle East Emergency Appeal, it said, while Action Against Hunger said the figure for its Gaza-Israel Crisis Appeal is 150,000 so far.

CARE International UK reported that its Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Appeal total is just over 215,000, while Plan International UK has raised 172,000 from UK donors for its Childrens Emergency Appeal for Gaza so far plus a few large trust donations.

CAFOD said it had raised 513,000 for its Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal so far.

British Red Cross, meanwhile, has not shared its Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal total as the charity said it has a policy of not doing so for any of its fundraising campaigns.
When Naomi Dickson joined Norwood as chief executive last year, she landed her dream job.

It is the biggest social care agency in the Jewish community. Its been here for 235 years. Its values are rooted in Jewish values  I feel like Im standing on the shoulders of amazing people, she says.

It started as an orphanage, it has done fostering, it has done adoption, its done social services, and its still here because its had excellent leadership of people who have sat down and thought: Whats the actual need?

This is not about ego, its not about us being here for the sake of being here, it is about Norwood being here to meet the needs of the people who need us the most.

In the past year, Dickson has been working on forming her own leadership style.

Im never going to be the person who enjoys doing townhalls to an organisation, Id much rather go and connect with lots of different people.

Volunteering was at the heart of everything

Growing up in Leeds, Dicksons family always volunteered, so joining the charity sector was a natural choice.

It was just kind of expected that you volunteered and in a charity. Both my parents did and all my grandparents did. Everyone in my community did.

My familys take on it, and the values that I grew up with, were always around making sure that people who were experiencing disadvantage have got a fair shot at life.

Her first role was in the housing sector where she was managing estates. Dickson had a large caseload of people who were exposed to different forms of disadvantage  people were just struggling to cope.

Dickson worked with a lot of women who were experiencing domestic violence, which led to her volunteering in a local refuge.

One day, one of the women she was supporting on the housing estate said she thought her partner was going to kill her, and asked Dickson for help.

I picked up the phone to a really nice, tiny little organisation, and they said: Get her to this point, heres a set of keys. Off she went and she fled. That was the point where I just realised that I could change peoples lives through working.

From there, I moved into the world of domestic abuse, where I worked for 16 years.

But having that background in housing has really served me very well now coming into the social care sector.

Changing attitudes

Dicksons charity sector career has included eight and a half years as CEO of Jewish Womens Aid.

She says her focus throughout her time in the sector has been on influencing attitudes and amplifying voices.

Ive always felt that if youve got a platform at a charity, your job is to use that platform to amplify the voices of people that youre there to support  to give them an opportunity to speak, to get their messages upwards.

When I was in the womens aid sector, for women who are exposed to domestic abuse, their voices have been squashed for many, many years.

Part of this meant influencing community leaders, rabbis, politicians, and enabling them to understand that women have got a voice and the people we support needed their voices to be heard.

Dickson says she has faced some resistance, with some parts of the Jewish community feeling a domestic abuse organisation was there to break up marriages, but she was able to show it was about ensuring safety for women and children and sustaining families instead.

Changing attitudes is a thread that I have kept in this new role, she adds.

Covering the charitys costs

Norwood gets most of its revenue from local government with 17.3m of its overall 27.7m income coming from public contracts in the year to March 2023.

It also fundraises from its supporters and raised 7.9m in 2022-23, compared to 10.6m from donations and legacies before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dickson joined Norwood when it was reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic and being hit by the cost-of-living crisis.

I was able to pick up at a point where there was tiredness and exhaustion, but there was also kind of an air of shaking off and ambition and optimism, particularly within Norwood, where were starting to set a new strategy and look to the future.

Ive really been able to benefit from loads of people in the sector, theres huge amounts of support in the Jewish community for Norwood, people are very fond of it, and thats absolutely testament to the hard work of the staff.

Nonetheless, Dickson says: Its a really difficult social care environment. So, like all other sector providers, our job is to make sure that the fees that we are getting for the individuals that we support, actually cover the cost of care.

And like a lot of other agencies in the sector, it just hasnt been up until now; local authorities are quite cash strapped, and funding has been stripped back to the bone.

And so a lot of the work that Ive done with my team over the last year is just making sure that actually, we know what each individual costs us to, in terms of support workers, and managing the buildings and everything, and that were claiming the right amount back from the local authorities.

Its a massive challenge in the sector. When I go to conferences and speak to colleagues, everybodys fighting the same battles. And that means that its really hard because were all asking for the same thing.

Norwood provides culturally-specific services but they are not faith-based, says Dickson.

People choose Norwood because they want their loved one to live in a Jewish environment, because thats their culture and their background, and their ancestry. We fundraise to enable that to happen.

All of that is funded really by local community funding and fundraising. What it means is that were able to add an extra layer of depth and richness to the support that we offer to the individuals.

Pay increases

Norwood applies annually for uplifts to fee packages from local government, with the level of uplift depending on the authority.

Dickson says it is therefore important for her charity that councils are adequately funded to enable pay increases for her staff.

Making sure that the local authorities are able to support the agencies with appropriate pay is really important. I would ask government to make sure that the pay increases are sustainable, and so that we can help to recruit and retain staff.

Dickson also hopes to see a focus on the disability employment gap, and she says there are a huge amount of disabled people who want to work, but its hard to find suitable opportunities.

Renewed sense of optimism

Dickson wants to continue to make sure that the charity is taking a holistic approach to supporting individuals and families, and she is proud of the charity and its work so far.

Its very intangible, but I think what Ive achieved, and Im really proud of achieving, is a renewed sense of optimism and ambition in the charity.

People have all come to see me and tell me everybody comes to work here for the right reason. And I think sometimes because of a variety of environmental factors, its very easy to lose your mojo in the sector and just feel a bit exhausted. And actually, theres a real sense of possibility.

Theres a new strategy, theres new values, theres new leadership, weve got a new chair whos extremely ambitious, weve got a few new trustees. It feels like were just getting ready to shoot for the stars, which is a really, really nice place to be.

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Of all the problems one would expect to be troubling the mind of the levelling-up secretary Michael Gove I would never have thought my role as a charity trustee would be one of them, as disclosed in newspaper leaks in recent weeks.

For context, in July last year I was honoured to become one of 20 trustees at the Inter Faith Network (IFN). As the UKs interfaith linking body, it has, since 1987, worked to promote understanding about different faiths in the UK and positive interfaith relations.

It connects national bodies representing Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and others, as well as local and regional interfaith groups, educational and academic bodies.

These interconnections make IFN a hub of community good practice and a unique resource for the UK for the last 37 years.

Yet as of yesterday, IFN is set to shut down . Why is that?

Funding withdrawal

Since 2001, government funding has been a vital part of enabling IFN to extend its work, such as the annual Inter Faith Week every November. As the UK has increased in diversity, these programmes have increased in value and need.



On 31 March 2023, the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities wrote to IFN saying that no funding would be given from the beginning of April that year.

This shock announcement led to a widespread campaign, including cross-party support, to maintain vital funding. Subsequently, the Department wrote to IFN in July 2023 to offer funding from that month until March 2024. However, month after month went by with no grant funding agreement or funding materialising.

Then, in another late intervention, on 19 January 2024, Gove wrote to IFNs co-chairs stating that he was now minded to withdraw the funding offered to IFN the previous July. The reason given was me: a trustee of IFN as listed on the Charity Commission website six months earlier, nominated and appointed in accordance with the charitys bylaws, and currently its only Muslim trustee.



According to Goves letter and the near simultaneous leaks to the Sunday Telegraph, I stand accused of being a member of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). Like my trusteeship of IFN, this is a matter of public record as, in 2018, I was humbled to be elected as the youngest ever office bearer in MCB at the age of 28.

I subsequently served for four years in that leadership role and continue to support its national council, with a pilot mosque-church twinning project and other similar capacity building initiatives being among the areas I had the pleasure of working on.

Indeed, it was through the MCB that I became involved in working for good interfaith relations in the first place. As a result, Ive benefited immeasurably from opportunities at IFN-convened national forums such as hearing Jewish colleagues share their experiences of supporting religious education curriculums, to how Hindu colleagues have worked with mandirs to promote targeted health promotion campaigns. I have also played an active role in Inter Faith Week and taken a particular interest in encouraging youth inter faith engagement.

Sectors independence from government

In contrast to many authoritarian nations, Britain should take pride in having a vibrant civil society sector where organisations like IFN, often dependent on dedicated volunteers, pursue community-led activities for the common good.

It is a perilous slippery slope when Gove appears to hold the Inter Faith Network to ransom over my role as a trustee there, because of his dislike and ideological bias against another organisation to which I belong.

The MCB is a democratic and independent body representing a large cross section of British Muslims. The current governments attitude towards the MCB is no secret. But more and more people across Britain are now opening their eyes to how ludicrous the states non-engagement policy is, the weak justification based on events addressed almost 15 years ago and the observations that no other faith group is subject to such treatment.

What is particularly reckless about this latest episode, is Goves willingness to undermine decades of interfaith capacity building in local communities across the UK, by attempting to dictate and coerce the composition of a charitys board of trustees to suit ministerial biases.

Charities have an independent regulator: the Charity Commission, which should be allowed to do its job and to uphold the independence of charities free from undue interference of transient governmental agendas and biases.

Unifying approach desperately needed

With approximately 6.5% of the UK population being Muslim, for many young Muslims like me, volunteering as charity trustees, governors or other grassroots initiatives is how we express both our Islamic faith and our British values and identity.

Yet today it seems our civil society participation is a fast-track way of attracting hostile attention from ministers and government departments too.

I am honoured that my fellow trustees have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me and am grateful for the many friends of all faiths and none who have shared messages of support.



With the immense societal challenges facing Britain today, now is not the time to weaken our nations interfaith infrastructure or wreck governance in our civil society institutions.

Yet by allowing institutions like IFN to disappear and setting a very dangerous precedent of government interfering with who charities appoint as trustees, this is exactly what it appears Gove is doing.

Now more than ever  rather than divisive attitudes and careless meddling  civil society desperately deserves a unifying, ethical and authentic approach to engagement from government.

Hassan Joudi is a trustee at the Inter Faith Network for the UK and formerly served as an office bearer at the Muslim Council of Britain between 2018 and 2022. He carried out both of these roles voluntarily and he writes in a personal capacity.

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The Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau plans to submit to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) insurer-specific California workers comp terrorism exposure data, including policy counts, payroll and terrorism premium information, by March 1.

The data from the WCIRB, which as in past year makes the submission on the industrys behalf, will allow the NAIC to monitor the affordability and availability of insurance coverage for acts of terrorism and assess insurers financial exposure to terrorism risk.

The data call is separate from the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) terrorism data call. For the FIO data call, the WCIRB will report on insurers behalf the California workers comp insurance elements of the data call relating to premium and payroll information, except for private reinsurance arrangements associated with workers comp insurance.
A gang member who ran a fire restoration company has been convicted of using violence, threats of violence, and extortion to terrorize and dominate the fire restoration industry in New York City.

After presiding over a two-week bench trial in December, U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff for the Southern District of New York last week found Jatiek Smith guilty of racketeering and extortion conspiracies.

Fire restoration or mitigation businesses provide repair, mitigation, demolition, and construction services to properties that have suffered fire damages. Smith was involved the practice of chasing fires, which refers to a fire mitigation companys or public adjusters efforts to solicit business from the owners of fire-damaged properties.

One such company, First Response, primarily operated in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island but also did business in the Bronx and Manhattan. Insurance companies pay for the services of mitigation companies. Smith claimed that he worked to reduce the industrys conflicts and violence and his system was not extortionate. After he joined First Response, Smith recruited other gang members and associates to join him at the company, a firm that he would eventually take over. He and his associates formed an enterprise that not only controlled First Response but also operated outside of First Response, court documents showed.

As the leader of this enterprise, Smith asserted control over the industry by first driving First Responses main competitor, American Emergency Services (AES), out of the business through violence, threats, and extortion including demanding that AES pay $100,000 to continue chasing fires, the court found.

Smith Denial

Smith claimed that AES was the aggressor in the industry and he worked to reduce the conflicts and violence by standing up to AES and setting up a rotation system to assure that all chasers got a minimum number of fires each month. He maintained the system was not extortionate.

However, the judge found that Smiths defense was undermined by the governments proof of Smiths use of violence and extortion to enforce the rotation.

Offering up these benign explanations for the rotation system is akin to a mobster calling extortion payments protection money,' the judge wrote.

According to prosecutors, once Smith and his crew had established control over the industry, they imposed rules under which First Response got a preferential share of fires in the rotation system. Fires would be allocated first to Smiths chasers. Also, all fires that occurred during the night or were on Staten Island belonged to Smiths crew. The government showed how these rules were backed by threats and violence and how industry participants who violated Smiths rules were assaulted.

According to the government, Smith and his crew extorted hundreds of thousands of dollars and he also maximized his own profits by concealing illegal conditions in properties and defrauding insurance companies. After AES was forced out of the industry, other companies were also extorted by being forced by threats to join the rotation system. The judge found credible evidence that ServPro and EFS were coerced into participating in the rotation system to their economic detriment and to the advantage of Smith and his co- conspirators.

Overall, the judge found that the government proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Smith and his co-conspirators agreed to extort AES, ServPro, EFS and another individual but failed to prove extortion relating to iFlood and a contractor.

The simple fact is that the government has put forward substantial evidence that violence and intimidation by Smith and his co- conspirators were used to enforce the rotation system, the judge concluded.

Prosecutors evidence included recordings of Smith threatening to kill competitors and ordering an attack on a rival firms employee and videos recovered from his cellphone showing his crew members assaulting employees of rival emergency mitigation services firms.

According to the government, Smith and his crew extorted hundreds of thousands of dollars from industry participants and Smith also maximized his own profits from by concealing illegal conditions in properties and defrauding insurance companies.

Racketeering and Insurance Fraud

In terms of racketeering, Smith was charged with entering into an agreement between 2019 and June 2022 with one or more co- conspirators to conduct the affairs of an association-in-fact enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity.

The judge found that there was ample proof of the actual existence of such an enterprise, of Smiths participation in it, and of the commission of two or more continuous and related specified crimes, namely extortion and mail and/or wire fraud. The judge found the government did not prove a third charge against Smith of obstruction of justice. Smith admitted he has made poor choices and even committed crimes. But he insisted that none of the fights or assaults at issue in this trial occurred in order to obtain money or property from others.

Smith denied being involved in any racketeering conspiracy that committed insurance fraud. He said that while he learned at one point that conditions at homes were being concealed for insurance purposes, he said the evidence at trial showed that the relevant instances barely even involved him, let alone constituted acts furthering the enterprise he was the supposed leader of.

But the judge said Smith was wrong that the insurance fraud was unrelated to the purpose of dominating the fire restoration industry. The judge wrote: Dominating the fire restoration industry, including by increasing the number of fires signed by the Enterprise, was only profitable if insurance companies paid out insurance claims. Because the insurance frauds were a means to ensure those insurance claims were paid, these frauds directly facilitated the profits generated by the Enterprise through its dominance of the restoration industry and its extortion.

Smiths Background

Smith, 39, a pro se defendant who handled his own defense, pointed out in his closing summation that he came from projects, poverty, and prisons and joined a gang at a young age. He said he grew up in a rough neighborhood plagued with violence and spent time in a prison plagued with violence. He said he has been the victim of violence by officers.

This is what he knows and how he was raised. And despite that, violence was not his first resort. He showed restraint while being threatened, intimidated, and even shot at. But at points, his anger got the better of him, his summation stated. Smith, a pro se defendant who handled his own defense, pointed out that he came from projects, poverty, and prisons and joined a gang at a young age.

Smith admitted he has made poor choices and even committed crimes. But he insisted that none of the fights or assaults at issue in this trial occurred in order to obtain money or property from others.

The feud with AES, the slaps and punches of public adjusters, and the violent language used toward EFS employees  none of it was in service of a racketeering enterprise aimed at extorting other individuals or companies in the fire mitigation industry, he argued.

Smith, of Staten Island, was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and extortion conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The judge scheduled a sentencing hearing for April 12.

Prosecutors

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, whose office prosecuted the case, said Smiths audacious takeover of the New York City fire mitigation industry with the help of his gang associates presented a new form of organized criminal activity in the community.

After a federal grand jury on June 23, 2022 indicted Smith and eight others, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security and New York police officials charged Smith and eight others including gang members with a violent racketeering and extortion conspiracy in attempting to take over an entire industry designed to help victims after a fire.
AT&T Inc. said a widespread outage that took hours to resolve Thursday was caused by an incorrect process while expanding the wireless network.

The software issue interrupted wireless service for hundreds of thousands of subscribers and prompted the FBI and US Department of Homeland Security to investigate the outage.

Based on our initial review, we believe that todays outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack, an AT&T spokesman said in a statement. We are continuing our assessment of todays outage to ensure we keep delivering the service that our customers deserve.

AT&T said all wireless service was restored Thursday afternoon, capping a day of frustration that began in the early hours of the morning New York time. AT&T customers filed more than 1.5 million outage reports on service-tracking website Downdetector.

The federal government began investigating whether the network failure was caused by a cyberattack, according to two US officials familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive information.

The Federal Communications Commission also has been in touch with AT&T to try and ascertain the cause, White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier. DHS and the FBI are looking into this as well, working with the tech industry, these network providers, to see what we can do from a federal perspective to enhance their investigative efforts to figure out what happened here, Kirby said.

Early Thursday, mobile-phone customers from multiple carriers started reporting problems, but it soon became clear that AT&Ts network was the culprit. Outages were reported from cities including New York, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago and Dallas. The service disruption upended communications with emergency responders, and officials took to social media urging AT&T customers to use landlines to call 911 for emergencies.

With about 87 million subscribers, AT&T is the third-largest US retail wireless carrier, behind Verizon Communications Inc. and T-Mobile US Inc., according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Verizon and T-Mobile both said their services were working normally. AT&T shares fell 2.4%.

The impact was felt far and wide. Emma Smits, an AT&T customer, was on the Metra express train into Chicago. Normally, the public relations account executive spends the hourlong commute prepping for client calls, pitching reporters and catching up on overnight tasks. Not on Thursday.

I couldnt cross anything off my work to-do list, said Smits, who watched her fellow commuters turn their phones off and on to try and catch a cellular signal in a futile attempt to send emails or get work done.

Workarounds abounded, sending some back to simpler times. Vanessa Stowe had to screenshot directions to a morning meeting like its 2009 MapQuest. Sarah Kittel, a communications strategist, had to connect to a nearby restaurants Wi-Fi to pay for parking.



We are aware of an issue impacting AT&T wireless customers from making and receiving any phone calls (including to 911). We are actively engaged and monitoring this. The San Francisco 911 center is still operational. If you are an AT&T customer and cannot get through to 911, pic.twitter.com/TUIEBkqmkI  SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) February 22, 2024 Its not the first time AT&T has suffered a widespread outage. In 2008, the company dealt with an extensive wireless internet failure in the US Northeast. In that incident, a glitch in the way the companys network was routing traffic was identified as the culprit and the service failure was relatively short-lived. In 2020, AT&T internet and phone service was knocked out in Nashville by an explosion in the citys downtown area.

So much of our work and lives depend, sadly or otherwise, on our ability to be reached or reach others at a touch of a button, Kittel said. That simply didnt happen this morning. Cate Luzio, traveling from New York to Washington for a big client event, was more blunt: It was a mess.

Among those impacted were employees of the FBI. In an email to all staff reviewed by Bloomberg, the agencys Information & Technology Branch said a nationwide cell service outage is preventing some Google Pixel devices from connecting to cellular coverage. Some users have been able to reconnect to the network by rebooting their Pixel (press and hold the Power button, then press Restart).

The public safety network FirstNet was the only government entity impacted, and service there has been restored, said Kirby, the White House spokesman.

FirstNet provides communications services to about 27,500 public safety agencies in a partnership with AT&T.

Ken Corey, a former Chief of Department for the New York City police, said the outage at FirstNet has impacted 911 response and public-safety communications across the country. Corey, who spoke via email, leads a group that opposes letting FirstNet manage additional airwaves.

T-Mobile also has been hit with widespread outages, including one last February and another in 2020 that prompted the FCC to launch a probe.

In my experience, this type of outage can negatively impact financial results in the quarter in which it occurs and cause short-term lost goodwill with customers, David Heger, an analyst at Edward D. Jones & Co., said in an email. However, it does not have a longer term impact on the business.

(Updates with comments from AT&T beginning in the first paragraph. A previous version of this story corrected the spelling of AT&T in seventh paragraph)

Top photo: Pedestrians pass an AT&T store in New York, US, on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. AT&T Inc. is scheduled to release earnings figures on January 25. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
ELYRIA, Ohio  A man is dead and a woman wounded in a shooting Wednesday, and a 20-year-old man is now facing a murder charge.

Police say Joseph Ward of Elyria was arrested at about 4 a.m. Thursday in connection with the shooing. He has been charged with murder, two counts of felonious assault, having weapons under disability, and domestic violence. He is being held in the Lorain County Jail while waiting to appear in court for an arraignment.

The shooting was reported at about 11:22 p.m. on the 500 block of Augdon Drive. The male victim, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. The female victim was treated at the scene.
Bobi, the oldest dog ever who died at age 31 in October 2023, has had his record achievement stripped by Guiness World Records.

Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo who lived his entire life in Conqueiros, Portugal, was previously verified by GWR as the oldest dog ever at age 30 in February 2023. He celebrated his 31st birthday on May 11, 2023.

On Thursday, however, GWR announced it had concluded a review into Bobis record age and found it no longer has the evidence it needs to support Bobis claim as the record holder, according to a news release.

Central to Bobis evidence was microchip data sourced from the Portuguese government database, the SIAC, which it transpires, when chipped in 2022, did not require proof of age for dogs born before 2008, said GWR Director of Records Mark McKinley, who conducted the review. With the additional veterinary statement provided as evidence for Bobis age also citing his microchip data, were left with no conclusive evidence which can definitively prove Bobis date of birth.

Bobis owner, Leonel Costa, was made aware of the findings, according to GWR.

It remains unclear which dog now holds the record for oldest dog ever.

Its going to take a long time for microchip uptake around the world to catch up with pet ownership, especially of older pets, McKinley said.

Its for this reason that were not yet in a position to confirm a new holder for the record, although we certainly hope that the publicity around the record title encourages pet owners from around the world to get in touch, he added.
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Alexander Smirnov, the former FBI informant charged with lying to the FBI about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden in statements that were at the "heart" of House Republicans' ongoing impeachment inquiry, has been re-arrested by federal authorities, his attorneys said Thursday.

Smirnov made an initial appearance in federal court in Las Vegas, but his case was set to proceed in California. Smirnov had been ordered released by a magistrate judge in Nevada under conditions that included GPS monitoring after his first hearing Tuesday. Prosecutors subsequently asked a federal judge in California to detain him.

Officials said that Smirnov admitted that some information about Hunter Biden came from "officials associated with Russian intelligence," and that Smirnov had claimed to have met with Russian intelligence officials just months ago. They said Smirnov "is actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials in November."

A copy of a new arrest warrant shows it was issued by a judge in California on Thursday.

Attorneys for Smirnov wrote that he was "arrested for a second time" on the same charges on Thursday morning while he was at their "law office for meetings with counsel."

They said that the fact that Smirnov was meeting with his attorneys when he was rearrested "contradicts the notion that he is a risk of flight."

"Mr. Smirnov was rearrested on an arrest warrant issued from the same court where he was planning on voluntarily appearing when required," they said in a statement.

Special counsel David Weiss's office, which charged Smirnov, did not respond to NBC News request for comment.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks in conversation with Emily Chang during the APEC CEO Summit at Moscone West on November 16, 2023 in San Francisco, California. The APEC summit is being held in San Francisco and runs through November 17. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images News | Getty Images

MUNICH  Rapid developments in artificial intelligence could help strengthen defenses against security threats in cyberspace, according to Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Amid growing concerns about the potentially nefarious uses of AI, Pichai said the intelligence tools could help governments and companies speed up the detection of  and response to  threats from hostile actors. "We are right to be worried about the impact on cybersecurity. But AI, I think actually, counterintuitively, strengthens our defense on cybersecurity," Pichai told delegates at Munich Security Conference at the end of last week. Cybersecurity attacks have been growing in volume and sophistication as malicious actors increasingly use them as a way to exert power and extort money.

Cyberattacks cost the global economy an estimated $8 trillion in 2023  a sum that is set to rise to $10.5 trillion by 2025, according to cyber research firm Cybersecurity Ventures. A January report from Britain's National Cyber Security Centre  part of GCHQ, the country's intelligence agency  said that AI would only increase those threats, lowering the barriers to entry for cyber hackers and enabling more malicious cyberactivity, including ransomware attacks.

"AI disproportionately helps the people defending because you're getting a tool which can impact it at scale. Sundar Pichai CEO of Google

However, Pichai said AI was also lowering the time needed for defenders to detect attacks and react against them. He said this would reduce what's known as the defenders' dilemma, whereby cyber hackers have to be successful just once to attack a system whereas a defender has to be successful every time in order to protect it. "AI disproportionately helps the people defending because you're getting a tool which can impact it at scale versus the people who are trying to exploit," he said. "So, in some ways, we are winning the race," he added. Google last week announced a new initiative offering AI tools and infrastructure investments designed to boost online security. A free, open-source tool dubbed Magika aims to help users detect malware  malicious software  the company said in a statement, while a white paper proposes measures and research and creates guardrails around AI. Pichai said the tools were already being put to use in the company's products, such as Google Chrome and Gmail, as well as its internal systems.

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"AI is at a definitive crossroads  one where policymakers, security professionals and civil society have the chance to finally tilt the cybersecurity balance from attackers to cyber defenders." The release coincided with the signing of a pact by major companies at MSC to take "reasonable precautions" to prevent AI tools from being used to disrupt democratic votes in 2024's bumper election year and beyond. Adobe, Amazon, Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, TikTok and X were among the signatories of the new agreement, which includes a framework for how companies must respond to AI-generated "deepfakes" designed to deceive voters. It comes as the internet becomes an increasingly important sphere of influence for both individuals and state-backed malicious actors. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday described cyberspace as "a new battlefield." "The technology arms race has just gone up another notch with generative AI," she said in Munich.

"If you can run a little bit faster than your adversary, you're going to do better. That's what AI is really giving us defensively. Mark Hughes president of security at DXC

A report published last week by Microsoft found that state-backed hackers from Russia, China and Iran have been using its OpenAI large language model (LLM) to enhance their efforts to trick targets. Russian military intelligence, Iran's Revolutionary Guard, and the Chinese and North Korean governments were all said to have relied on the tools. Mark Hughes, president of security at IT services and consulting firm DXC Technology, told CNBC that bad actors were increasingly relying on a ChatGPT-inspired hacking tool called WormGPT to conduct tasks like reverse engineering code. However, he said that he was also seeing "significant gains" from similar tools which help engineers to detect and reserve engineer attacks at speed. "It gives us the ability to speed up," Hughes said last week. "Most of the time in cyber, what you have is the time that the attackers have in advantage against you. That's often the case in any conflict situation. "If you can run a little bit faster than your adversary, you're going to do better. That's what AI is really giving us defensively at the moment," he added.
As the rally continues, it's wise to avoid overcrowded trades among hedge funds as herd mentality often leads to trouble in the stock market, according to Morgan Stanley. The Wall Street firm looked at the largest 70 hedge funds based on assets under management, and identified Russell 1000 stocks with the highest percentage of public float owned, based on the most recent 13F filings. "Crowded trades come with the risk of overvaluation and increased volatility as it may be more difficult to attract the marginal investor, while avoiding overcrowded stocks can provide investors with an opportunity to capture unrecognized value when paired with strong fundamentals," Morgan Stanley strategists said in a note. Investors in overcrowded trades could run the risk of getting caught in a losing bet when hedge funds, especially systematic traders, form a herd-like stampede to exit the same trades. Morgan Stanley found that hedge funds were most overweight in the consumer discretionary, industrials and health-care sectors last quarter. The list of most crowded shares didn't contain any of the "Magnificent Seven" megacap names. Even though they have been extremely popular, these stocks tend to have outsize share counts that make hedge funds' ownership less significant. Avis Budget Group was the most over-owned stock by hedge funds at the end of 2023 with half of its outstanding float shares owned by the cohort, according to Morgan Stanley. Professional traders also loved real estate name Howard Hughes and health-care company Incyte . Janus Henderson , Wendy's , Liberty Media , The New York Times and Planet Fitness were also on the list.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
More parents than nonparents say they plan to travel to improve their mental and physical health.

The increasing popularity of "gentle parenting" has launched a new buzzword into the child-rearing landscape: co-regulation. Co-regulation refers to an adult helping a child soothe their own emotions during a stressful incident. Let's say a child has a meltdown at the supermarket. Instead of admonishing them, gentle parenting, also known as responsive parenting, calls for the caretaker to co-regulate, which means providing empathy and modeling calmness. Co-regulating with your child helps them learn how to handle their emotions as they grow up. And, according to child psychologists, kids who can better handle their emotions are more likely to be resilient and thrive in stressful environments.

'[Kids] haven't gotten the circuitry of self-regulation built yet'

Co-regulating, as opposed to scolding, meets a child where they are developmentally, Mona Delahooke, child psychologist and author of "Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids," told CNBC Make It. "[Kids] haven't gotten the circuitry of self-regulation built yet," she says. "The ability to accept disappointment and unpredictability and talk yourself down, that's a very long developmental process that most children don't have until they are older." If your child is throwing a fit about not being allowed to order dessert at a restaurant, it might look like they are being ungrateful or bratty. What is actually happening, though, is that they don't have the skills to handle being let down yet. Unlike gentle parenting, authoritative parenting styles assume that a child misbehaving stems from a negative, self-aware place, Delahooke says. "Traditional parenting is agnostic of social-emotional development," she says.

How to co-regulate
Mike Gallagher of the US House of Representatives (L) shakes hands with Taiwan's Parliament Speaker Han Kuo-yu from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), at the Parliament in Taipei on Feb.22, 2024. The chairman of the US House of Representatives committee on China said on February 22 that support in his country's legislature for Taiwan was "extremely strong", after a meeting with the self-ruled island's top leadership. Sam Yeh | Afp | Getty Images

A stalled U.S. bill on military aid to Ukraine which will also help fund weapons for Taiwan was discussed this week during a visit to Taipei by U.S. lawmakers, two of the participants said on Friday. The Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, has so far blocked passage of the bill that includes $60 billion in new funding for Ukraine. Former Republican President Donald Trump opposes aid for Kyiv. The bill would also spend almost $2.6 billion on efforts to deter China. Most of that money, about $1.9 billion, would be to replace U.S. munitions provided to Taiwan. China views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory ignoring the strong objections of the government in Taipei, and has been ramping up military pressure to assert those claims.

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Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic member of the House select committee on China, told reporters at the end of a visit to Taiwan it was vital to pass the bill. "Every single meeting we had in Taiwan focused on Ukraine for at least part of the meeting. It was in conjunction with our discussion of the supplemental appropriations package," he said. "We have to beat back this criminal invasion by Putin to send a message to anyone else including Xi Jinping about Taiwan," Krishnamoorthi added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin whose forces invaded Ukraine two years ago, and China's leader Xi. The lawmakers meetings in Taipei included President Tsai Ing-wen and president-elect Lai Ching-te, who won election last month and takes office in May. The committee's chair, Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher who is leading the delegation Krishnamoorthi is on, said what happened to Ukraine mattered to Taiwan.
Thrift stores are a great place to find hidden gems. But sometimes, you might find real treasure.

A Pennsylvania Goodwill recently received an extremely rare LEGO piece that it was able to sell for a small fortune.

The Dubois, Pa. store received a donation of a box of jewelry that contained something curious: a gold Bionicle mask from the popular action figure line from the early 2000s.

"We didn't know what we had when we found it," a representative for Goodwill in North Central Pennsylvania told local news station WTAJ in an interview this week. "It came in a box full of random jewelry from the State College store. So it had already been processed through donations there."
Investors have been bullish on Japan stocks since last year, repeatedly driving them to record highs. The latest rally was on Thursday, when the Nikkei 225 hit a record high that surpassed the previous one reached in 1989. Goldman Sachs has named "Seven Samurai" stocks in Japan, which it says could be an equivalent of the United States' "Magnificent Seven." The "Magnificent Seven" comprises Apple , Amazon , Alphabet , Meta , Microsoft , Nvidia and Tesla , which were behind much of the gains that drove the S & P 500 up a whopping 24% or so in 2023. In a Feb. 18 report, Goldman answered clients' requests for the Japanese equivalent of the "Magnificent Seven." "As a first attempt, we have decided to focus on the most liquid stocks in Japan ([average daily trading volume] of over US$50 million), that have been amongst the best-performing stocks both [year-to-date and over the last 12 months, and which have not posted any operating or net losses since 2020," Goldman wrote. With that criteria, Goldman has come up with a list of seven stocks, and they are: Screen Holdings, Advantest, Disco, Tokyo Electron, Toyota Motor, Subaru and Mitsubishi. Here's how they've performed year-to-date, their potential upsides according to FactSet, and how to invest. Japanese markets may have jumped a lot, but fund managers and analysts are still bullish on them . Some have given more upside to the Nikkei 225 as well as the Topix, and pointed out that Japanese companies are becoming more shareholder-friendly. The Tokyo Stock Exchange has also launched a corporate governance reform campaign on companies to disclose their plans for improvement, spurred by the fact that many are trading at a price-to-book ratio of below one. That means that many stocks are undervalued.  CNBC's Ying Shan Lee contributed to this report.
Attractive bond yields have been a boon for investors, such as retirees, who want to generate income from their portfolios. Yet, those who want to live off the income generated by their investments  without selling any stocks  may want to reconsider how their portfolio is set up. An efficient portfolio typically focuses on both income and price returns, said certified financial planner David Blanchett, head of retirement research at PGIM, the asset management arm of insurer Prudential Financial. "If I'm someone who's focused on not accessing capital or principal and want to live off income, that really can lead to different perspectives on efficient portfolios," he said. While being heavily weighted in stocks may make sense when dividend yields are higher than Treasury yields, like in 2020, the opposite is true now for those focused solely on income generation. With bond yields exceeding dividend yields by about 300 basis points, those investors could have an equity allocation likely below 10%, according to Blanchett's calculations. The S & P 500 currently has a 1.5% dividend yield, while the 10-year Treasury yields 4.25%. US10Y 1Y mountain US 10 Year Treasury Yield over the past year "A question really is: What is my comfort level when it comes to spending down the portfolio?'" Blanchett said. If you aren't comfortable, that's where income generation can be really valuable, he added. "It really depends on that retirees' perception of how they're going to access their savings to fund their retirement spending," Blanchett said. Higher yields are doing the heavy lifting Generally, the rule of thumb is to withdraw about 4% of your portfolio a year during retirement. Back when bonds were yielding 1% or 2%, stocks needed to return 10% or more for investors to maintain their balanced portfolio, said CFP Barry Glassman , founder and president of Glassman Wealth Services in North Bethesda, Maryland. "What has changed with higher rates is that retirees no longer need to depend so much on stocks to do well for them to achieve a successful retirement," said Glassman, a member of the CNBC Financial Advisor Council . "It is absolutely time to consider what balance is appropriate over the next few years." Still, it's important to understand just how much money you'll need in retirement, and if you will have a pension to supplement your income. Glassman suggests reviewing your monetary needs for each year and figuring out what your portfolio can provide without you having to sell anything. He likes actively managed diversified bond funds for fixed income. They will own Treasurys and corporate bonds and have varying duration, Glassman said. His firm uses the Dodge & Cox Income (DODIX) fund and BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities (BSIIX) fund. Meanwhile, if you are not as focused on purely generating income, a good rule of thumb for your mix of fixed income and equities is to use your age as a guide, said Brandon Goldstein, a financial planner with Prudential. For instance, if you are 60 years old, have about 60% of your portfolio in bonds, he said. If you prefer buying individual bonds over funds, he suggests laddering bonds with staggered maturities based on how long you think you'll need the income. "For you to put together a truly diversified strategy where you're getting different yields, different durations, you need a lot more capital to invest at the beginning," Goldstein said. However, bond funds give you diversification, he noted. The case for equities Even those who want to focus on income generation may still see benefits from equities, especially if they are in a taxable account, Blanchett said. That's because qualified dividends are subject to capital gains tax treatment, which is as high as 20%, while interest from bonds is taxed as ordinary income at a top rate of 37%. "There still is a case for especially high tax investors owning megacap equities that have higher yields to take advantage of that have more favorable tax status," he said. Also, coupons are effectively a set rate, while companies can grow dividends over the long term, Blanchett said. "If you have a diversified portfolio, in theory, you can actually get higher income over time as the companies that you own pay out higher dividends," he said. "That's actually why owning dividend-earning equities is more favorable when yields are similar because there's a potential for appreciation in the income you received from stocks over the long term."
Iran presents its first hypersonic ballistic missile 'Fattah' (Conqueror) in an event attended by President Ebrahim Raisi and other government officials in Tehran, Iran on June 06, 2023.

Iran has sent hundreds of its powerful ballistic missiles to the government of President Vladimir Putin in Russia, furthering the military cooperation between the two U.S. adversaries, Reuters reported this week, citing a number of unnamed senior Iranian military sources.

The reported transfer of the powerful weapons are set to strengthen Putin's hand in Ukraine as the two-year mark of Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor nears. It follows already-documented weapons cooperation between Tehran and Moscow since 2022, particularly with the transfer of Iranian-made Shahed drones that Russian forces have deployed to deadly effect in Ukraine.

Reuters reported that Iran delivered at least 400 of its short-range Fateh-110 ballistic missiles to Russia in January of this year, and that figure is likely to rise. Iran declined to comment to Reuters while Russia did not immediately respond.

"It was always a matter of when, not if, Iran would transfer ballistic missiles to Russia," Behnam ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told CNBC.

"Iranian material support such as drones has kept Putin fighting in Ukraine for much longer than expected. Ballistic missiles will keep him in that fight for longer now."

In 2022, U.S. Central Command estimated that Iran had over 3,000 ballistic missiles in its arsenal. Iran has in recent years developed advances and upgrades to its Fateh class of missiles improving things like precision, range, lethality, maneuverability, and survivability, analysts say. The Fateh-110 missile has an effective range of 300 kilometers (roughly 190 miles), is known to be highly accurate, and has been used in strikes from Iran into Iraq, Syria and Pakistan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as the US Secretary of State gives statements to the media inside The Kirya, which houses the Israeli Defence Ministry, after their meeting in Tel Aviv on October 12, 2023. Blinken arrived in a show of solidarity after Hamas's surprise weekend onslaught in Israel, an AFP correspondent travelling with him reported. He is expected to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington closes ranks with its ally that has launched a withering air campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed his first official plan for the post-war future of the Gaza Strip, calling for Israel's ongoing military presence in the enclave and for the preservation of a security buffer zone  a step antithetical to the wishes of closely-allied Washington.

In a sparse document released overnight and translated by NBC News, Netanyahu outlines the previously stated immediate goals of demilitarizing and eradicating the governance of Hamas, as well as rescuing Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian militant group since the terror attacks of Oct. 7.

In the intermediate term, Israel wishes to "maintain its operational freedom of action in the entire Gaza Strip, without a time limit," as well as to retain a security buffer within the besieged territory.

"The security perimeter being created in the Gaza Strip on the border with Israel will remain as long as there is a security need for it," the document says.

The U.S., a staunch supporter of Israel's right to self-defense and supplier of weapons throughout the conflict, has previously refuted the possibility of both a reoccupation of the Gaza Strip and a decrease in its grounds.

"There must be no reduction in the size of Gaza. That remains our position and it will remain our position. So if any proposed buffer zone was inside of Gaza, that would be a violation of that principle, and it would be something that we  that we oppose," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matt Miller said in December.

Israel also requests a "southern lock" on the border between the Gaza enclave and Egypt  the only stretch of land not controlled by Israel  to avoid the rearmament of "terrorist factors" among Palestinians, while the strip will be completely demilitarized "aside from what is needed to maintain civil order."
A Ukrainian soldier in a shelter at his fighting position in the direction of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, 20 February 2024. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images

When Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, the stout resistance mounted by the country's armed forces and overwhelming Western support for Kyiv  along with some obvious military overreach by Moscow  raised hopes that Ukraine's outnumbered and outgunned army could beat back the invading forces. Fast forward two years and hopes of a Ukrainian victory look diminished and increasingly hollow, as do Western pledges to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes." As it stands, billions of dollars worth of American military aid remains unapproved with further struggles likely ahead, as war and funding fatigue grow in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election  a vote that could see an administration installed that's less sympathetic to Ukraine's war needs. On the battlefield in Ukraine, meanwhile, the front lines have been broadly static for months, save for recent gains that have been made by Russian forces in the east of the country. Kyiv continues to insist it is not being given the proper tools to fight Russia as effectively as it could, and there have been reports of morale ebbing among front-line forces who are facing ammunition and personnel shortages. Internal political frictions and the replacement of popular military chief Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi has also fueled concerns over military strategy going forward. "This year is the most difficult year for Ukraine that there's been so far in this war, in part because of the disconcertion over Zaluzhnyi being replaced and the retreat from Avdiivka, but mostly, because of the massive uncertainty over the level of Western assistance and aid," James Nixey, head of the Russia and Eurasia program at think tank Chatham House, said Monday. "I think for Ukraine, there's really quite minimal difference between a president who can't deliver lethal aid and a president who won't deliver lethal aid. And for Ukrainians that's effectively one and the same thing, and it's an existential question. So Putin is not really betting everything he can on [Republican presidential hopeful Donald] Trump because he believes he can win whatever the outcome of the U.S. election in November," Nixey said. "In other words, Putin senses weakness, as he so often has done in the past, and he is absolutely right. Whether his confidence is justified remains to be seen, but he at least more or less knows what he has at his disposal this summer, or this time next year or even beyond, and Ukraine simply can't say the same thing."

Russia's President Vladimir Putin listens while then-U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in Helsinki, Finland, in 2019. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images

While the West will likely be dominated this year by domestic political infighting ahead of elections in the U.S., U.K. and EU Parliament, "Russia faces none of these constraints" Nixey said, noting that Moscow was "prepared to do a great deal of damage to itself in pursuit of victory." Russia certainly appears ebullient as the war enters its third year, its confidence bolstered by recent advances  the capture of Avdiivka last week being the most significant win in nine months, followed by smaller territorial gains this week  and the clearing of political opponents at home ahead of a presidential election next month. Needless to say, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to win the vote easily, particularly given that most critics are in self-imposed exile, banned from political participation, imprisoned or dead, the most recent being Alexei Navalny who died in a remote Arctic penal colony last week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles while visiting an aviation plant on February 21, 2024, in Kazan, Russia. Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty Images

While the fortunes of war are unpredictable, political analysts note that Russia holds a lot of the cards as to what happens in the war, as does the West. Kurt Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO and special envoy to Ukraine, told CNBC that he'd found there was "a lot of concern about the West and the U.S., in particular" during his conversations with regional officials and military commanders in Ukraine. "Will we provide the levels of military and economic support to Ukraine that we have done, and that they continue to need? Because without that, they are worried that Russia has more resources, will continue to press on the front, will continue to buy drones and missiles and fire them at Ukrainian cities, and so this war goes on as is  not necessarily with huge losses but as is  and they don't get their territory back," he said Thursday.

Russia counts gains

In the early months of the war in Ukraine in spring 2022, Russia's military strategy and tactics were criticized and often ridiculed, particularly when Russian forces had to beat a hasty retreat on the northern front after a failed attempt to reach the capital Kyiv. Then, Russian forces were widely viewed as ill equipped, poorly trained and disorganized but defense analysts noted Russia's military adapted and that a more structured, coordinated and reactive armed force emerged last year. No one is laughing about Russian military tactics now, with its forces either entrenched in heavily fortified defensive positions that thwarted a Ukrainian counteroffensive last summer, or are launching offensive operations, predominantly in east Ukraine.

The military was emboldened by the capture of Avdiivka in Donetsk after months of intense fighting; Putin called it an "absolute success," adding that it "needs to be built on." Analysts say that the victory has come at an opportune moment for Putin ahead of the election on March 15-17, and that Russia was looking "to generate panic in the Ukrainian information space and weaken Ukrainian morale," as the Institute for the Study of War noted in analysis this week. That as many as 47,000 Russian troops, according to Ukrainian estimates, may have perished in the long battle for Avdiivka has not been confirmed or denied by Russia. While accurate and up-to-date figures are impossible to come by, the total number of troops killed and injured in the war, on both sides, is around 500,000, U.S. officials said last August.

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Analysts note that what matters to Moscow is what the Avdiivka victory looks like to the Russian public ahead of the election  and what signal it sends to the West; namely, that Russia is in the war for the long haul and is set on achieving its goals in Ukraine, whatever the price.

Manpower

At it stands, Russia occupies almost a fifth of Ukraine's territory and has shown it can mobilize hundreds of thousands of men to fight at will, highlighting another advantage it has over Ukraine, which has been sheepish over the need to mobilize more civilians to fight. "I think that as long as Putin is in power, the war continues," Volker noted. "Because he doesn't care how many Russians he kills, he will just keep throwing wave after wave after wave [of personnel] at the front lines and kill tens and tens and tens of thousands. And he doesn't care. So as long as Putin is there, this war is going to continue," he said. CNBC has contacted the Kremlin for a response to the comments and is awaiting a reply.

Ukraine's army has called for 500,000 extra personnel to be mobilized but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been wary, describing it is a "sensitive" issue. Mobilization was a "hot potato tossed between the government and the military" that can no longer be avoided, according to David Kirichenko, an analyst at the Center for European Policy Analysis. "What is clear is that Ukraine has no choice but to mobilize more people. The men and women who have been fighting in intensive combat for 23 months are suffering serious fatigue and heavy losses," he noted. "The dispute over mobilization is happening at a time when most authorized U.S. military aid is close to exhausted and Congress has yet to pass a new aid package." "Ukraine has had to pause many of its military operations due to weapons shortages and the situation at the front looks tough. For now, at least, fighting is largely attritional, which favors Russia. There is however no sign that Ukraine will end its resistance," Kirichenko said.
Doctors hold placards reading "Stop populist medical policy!" during a rally to protest against the government's plan to raise the annual enrolment quota at medical schools, near the presidential office in Seoul on Feb. 21, 2024.

South Korea raised its health alert to the highest level on Friday after a mass walkout by trainee doctors this week, while the prime minister said public hospitals would extend working hours to respond to growing strains on the medical system.

Almost two-thirds of the country's young doctors have walked off the job to protest a government plan to admit more students to medical schools, forcing hospitals to turn away patients and cancel procedures, and raising fears about further disruption to the medical system should the dispute drag on.

"The operation of public medical institutions will be raised to the maximum level," Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said at the opening of a disaster management meeting.

Public hospitals will extend operating hours and will also open on weekends and holidays, he said.

So far, more than 8,400 doctors have joined the walkout, the health ministry said, equivalent to about 64% of the entire number of resident and intern doctors in South Korea.

While they represent a far smaller fraction of the country's 100,000 doctors overall, trainee doctors make up a big portion of the staff at teaching hospitals, more than 40% in some cases, and play a key role in the daily operations.
The U.S. on Friday announced more than 500 new sanction designations against Russian individuals and entities, seeking to ramp up the pressure on the Kremlin after the recent death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

"These sanctions will target individuals connected to Navalny's imprisonment as well as Russia's financial sector, defense industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's military reported that a Russian drone attack on the southern Ukraine port city of Odesa killed three people.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed further support packages from allied countries. Zelenskyy sharply criticized the ongoing farmer protests on the Ukraine-Poland border, however, describing the situation as "utterly unacceptable."
If you take a multivitamin every day or a vitamin D supplement every now and then, you have Casimir Funk to thank.

Born Kazimierz Funk on Feb. 23 in 1884, the Polish-American biochemist introduced the concept of vitamins, which he called "vital amines," according to Google.

Much like the nutritionists and doctors of today, Funk recognized a need to supplement certain vitamins to prevent conditions like scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency, and rickets which is caused by a lack of vitamin D.

DON'T MISS: Black and brown people struggle to get enough vitamin Dwhat to know about the vital nutrient and when you might need a supplement

This led Funk to identify many of the nutrients that humans need for good health through his discovery of the existence of vitamins B1, B2, C and D, according to the American Nutrition Association, which has inducted him into its "Nutrition Hall of Fame."

"He stated that they were necessary for normal health and the prevention of deficiency diseases," the American Nutrition Association wrote on their site.

"In his later research, Funk studied animal hormones and contributed to the knowledge about hormones of the pituitary and sex glands, emphasizing the importance of balance between hormones and vitamins."

Funk's family describes him as someone who was a "driven and curious child," according to Google.

"He pursued his education with passion despite facing obstacles as a Jewish student in Europe during a time of rising anti-Semitism," the company added.

He went on to earn his doctorate at the University of Bern in Switzerland when he was only twenty years old. Throughout his career as a biochemist, he worked at several hospitals and institutions including the University of Berlin and the Pasteur Institute in Paris.

But Funk was also a family man who valued time with his loved ones, even after becoming well-known for his discoveries, his family told Google.

In 1967, Funk passed away in Albany, N.Y., but his contributions to the world of health and science are still vital for everyday life today.

Want to land your dream job in 2024? Take CNBC's new online course How to Ace Your Job Interview to learn what hiring managers are really looking for, body language techniques, what to say and not to say, and the best way to talk about pay.
Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections, the Odisha government decided to extend its farmers' welfare scheme 'KALIA' for another three years, sanctioning a total outlay of 6,029.70 crore for the purpose.

The state cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved three proposals in this regard, Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain told reporters.

He said the state has been implementing the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme since 2018-19 as a majority of the population of the state is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.

Similarly, the state had implemented the KALIA scholarship to ensure the educational development of the children of KALIA beneficiaries so that they avail of professional and technical education in different educational institutions, Swain said.

For hassle-free and smooth implementation of this welfare scheme and to bring the farmers into the financial mainstream and ensure their participation in the financial progress of the state, the cabinet has approved an estimated budget of 6,029.70 crore for the upcoming three years (2024-25 to 2026-27) which aims at benefiting all the farm families under KALIA scheme, Swain said.

Beneficiary farmers used to get 4,000 per year as KALIA assistance for undertaking cultivation.

The cabinet decided that eligible landless agricultural households that have already received all the instalments (12,500) will be provided with an additional financial assistance of 2,000.

The minister said financial assistance is being provided to the KALIA beneficiaries twice in a year before the cropping seasons from April 1 onwards for the Kharif season and after September 1 for the Rabi season.

Now, the cabinet has decided to modify the release dates of the KALIA assistance as decided by the state government from time to time. The assistance for landless agricultural households will also be released at the same time, he added.

The Odisha cabinet, which has approved a total of 16 proposals, also accorded its nod for allotment of tenements to 515 eligible displaced families from erstwhile East Pakistan and Burma repatriates free-of-cost, Chief Secretary PK Jena said in the press conference.

These displaced persons from erstwhile East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) and Burma repatriates have settled in the Sunabeda municipality area in Koraput district since 1964. Now they will have a permanent title and ownership over the land and structures existing over such land, he said.

The Odisha government has also decided to make the recently released Hindi movie '12th Fail' tax-free. The theme of the film carries a strong message of being determined in the face of all adverse situations and never losing hope, Jena said.

Further, the cabinet has decided to amend the Odisha Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy, 2023.

As per the revised provisions, he said, mega projects exceeding 500 crore in investment can now access an upper limit of 25 crore per annum for a span of seven years towards interest subsidy, as the previous 5% capping for interest subvention has been eliminated.

Additionally, such mega projects are entitled to reimbursement of R&D expenditures up to 2 crore annually for 10 years. In terms of skill development, eligible units will receive reimbursement of up to 2 crore per annum for 5 years to facilitate the training of their employees engaged in core operations, the chief secretary added.
Pakistan plans to seek a new loan of at least $6 billion from the International Monetary Fund to help the incoming government repay billions of dollars in debt due this year, according to a Pakistani official.

The South Asian nation will seek to negotiate an Extended Fund Facility with the IMF, the official said, asking not to be identified as the discussions are private. Talks with the Washington-based lender are expected to start in March or April, the person said.

Pakistan is trying to avert an economic crisis after a contentious election that saw the nations two main political dynasties form a coalition to keep out of power the party of jailed former leader Imran Khan. Shehbaz Sharif, whos been nominated as prime minister, said last week that negotiating a fresh IMF loan will be a priority for the new administration.

Pakistans finance ministry didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pakistan faces $25 billion of external debt payments in the fiscal year starting July, about three times its foreign-exchange reserves. The EFF loans are typically approved for three to four years to support policies to fix structural imbalances and are repaid after 4.5 to 12 years.

Investors have been watching the post-election developments closely, concerned that political uncertainty would hinder the nations ability to secure more funding, thereby increasing the risk of a debt default. Fitch Ratings Ltd. said this week that failure to procure the loan would increase external liquidity stress and raise the probability of default.

Sharif, who was prime minister from 2022 until last year, had success previously in negotiating funding with the IMF. He helped obtain a nine-month, $3 billion loan under the funds Stand-By Arrangement in June. Pakistan has a final review under that loan program, which could unlock about $1.1 billion in funding before the facility expires in April. The nation has to repay a $1 billion dollar bond in April.

For a new loan program, the incoming administration would need to make a formal request to the IMF after it takes office. The amount of funding would depend on subsequent talks with the lender.

The IMF said in a statement that its available, if requested, to support the post-election government through a new arrangement to address Pakistans ongoing challenges.

It also said the fund continues to talk with Pakistan about needed longer-term economic changes, including the best ways to bolster government revenues, improve the energy sector, liberalize the countrys exchange rate, overhaul state-owned enterprises and strengthen its resilience to climate shocks.

Pakistan has received 23 bailout packages from the IMF since gaining its independence in 1947, among the most of any country in the world.
When Broadcom bought VMware for $69 billion last November, we knew there would be changes. What we didn't know is that Broadcom's radical changes would leave partners and customers alike questioning their commitment to VMware.

Personally, I've never been fond of VMware. But I know many IT people swear by its wide array of products. At least, they did until recently. Now that Broadcom is showing its cards for the virtualization powerhouse's future, it's another story.

Even before then, VMware customers were doubtful about the acquisition. Forrester Research had estimated that up to 20% of VMwares enterprise customers would quickly switch to a new virtual machine vendor.

Why? According to Forrester analysts, their customers "are exhausted by significant price hikes, degrading support, and forced mandatory subscription to software bundles where some modules such as NSX and Aria Suite/vRealize Suite end up as shelfware."

They also had little faith, based on Broadcom's acquire-slash-and-burn approach to its CA Technologies and Symantec acquisitions, that the products and services they liked from VMware would stick around.

They were right.

Broadcom has killed more than 56 VMware products and platforms, including such favorites as VMware vSphere+, VMware Aria Suite, and VMware NSX. It will also be dumping VMware's "end-user" computing unit, which includes its Workspace ONE and Horizon offerings.

More lines are being buried. The one that will bug the most people is Broadcoms decision to quietly axe VMware's Free ESXi hypervisor. Broadcom didn't even announce this one. We only found out about it because a sharp-eyed user spotted a knowledge base article that revealed it was being terminated.

For enterprises, this isn't that big a deal. I know a handful of people who used this limited version of ESXi. But I also know many people, indeed most of my VMware friends, who started using the VMware stack only after tinkering with the free ESXi hypervisor. Others loved being able to test-drive projects with the free version before moving it to production.

Those days are done.

Oh, so you have a perpetual license, and you think youll be OK? Nope, your products are getting whacked, too. The new VMware is ending perpetual license sales, so if your favorite product isn't being killed, you'll need to pay a subscription to keep it. From here on out, you can expect to see software-as-a-service (SaaS) licensing.

According to Broadcom, this is all about transforming its "business to deliver faster innovation with more value to customers, and even better profitability and market opportunity for our partners."

Well, I hate to tell you, Broadcom  but from what I'm hearing, your customers and partners disagree. VMware's rivals, including Nutanix. Scale Computing, and Virtuozzo , are loving it, though. Bigger companies, such as Microsoft with Hyper-V/Azure Stack and Red Hat with OpenShift Virtualization, also have reason to put VMware customers at the top of their marketing list.

Besides the VMware licensing change, which is always worrisome, VMware customers are also worried sick about the new line's pricing. Even before Broadcom bought the company, VMware was expensive. They're afraid, with reason, that they'll pay even more.

VMware's once-flourishing partners are also concerned. Most companies don't work with VMware directly. They worked with partners, instead. First, Broadcom dumped all its resellers and service partners. Then, it opened the door for its top former partners to come back in. Did they? Well, VMware also took its top 2,000 customers direct, which doesn't leave much room for VMware's former partners. The VMware partner slogan, "VMware Partners: An Ecosystem of Trust," sure sounds hollow.

If you're hoping that your good, old VMware partner can help guide you through this brave new Broadcom/VMware, forget about it. Many of you will be on your own. And, honestly, if I were a VMware partner, I'd be looking to partner with someone else and get to work on providing ways to move from VMware products to another line.

And if I were a VMware customer, I'd also be looking for another path forward. Broadcom can say what it wants about how its changes will improve things, but I don't buy it. Broadcom's enterprise software acquisition track record isn't good. I see no reason to believe it will be any better this time around  and many reasons to think this is one merger and acquisition that won't be good for anyone.
SCHENECTADY  As customers exit Villa Italia Bakery on Broadway with packages of baked goods, they might not realize they are passing a world-class drug research laboratory right next door.

Co-founded by company President Paul Ambrose in 2004, the Institute for Clinical Pharmacodynamics utilizes pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to analyze prescription drugs.

Everything we do here is to change the way antibiotics are developed and used to care for patients, Ambrose said. So we pick drug regimens that go into clinical trials for the pharmaceutical industry or we work with the FDA [United States Food and Drug Administration] on projects that are basically answer questions like, How do we use antibiotics better? 

Ambrose launched a second Schenectady-based company in January of 2023 with the introduction of pRxcision, an infectious-disease artificial intelligence software platform.

The pRxcision software tool aims to provide doctors with the optimum personalized regimen for each patient based on the available data.

The miracle is antibiotics, and theyre at threat right now, Ambrose said. How we [solve] that is by giving clinicians the tools to take the best care of their patients, and we happen to be using software as that vehicle right now.

The company opened its spacious complex at 234 Broadway in 2016, with the site housing the firms labs and offices.

What we do here in those laboratories and what we do with mathematical modeling, as far as other companies in the country theres maybe one [other], Ambrose said. So theres very few people who do what we do in the world, and its right here.

Ambrose, who moved to Schenectady in 2005 from Buffalo, said he believes the city is an ideal location for a medical laboratory, noting the proximity to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the job candidates the school produces.

For pRxcision, we plan to build right here, Ambrose said of the companys downtown office. We plan to build that software company with a big dream in Schenectady. I was able to get virtually all of the investment by saying I was going to build here. Software companies end up in Boston or San Francisco or Silicon Valley. They end up every place but here, so I wanted to build it here.

Ambrose, 60, said he has seen growth in the Schenectady business environment in the past two decades.

Theres more going on in downtown Schenectady sometimes than you think, he said.

Ambrose is also investing in the local community through Gallery 5, an organization he co-founded thats designed to bolster visibility for local artists through pop-up art events.

It was my idea to bring in the sculptures that we have downtown, Ambrose said.

Ambrose received his doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, and worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb and as executive director of the division of infectious diseases at the Cognigen Corporation before co-founding the Institute for Clinical Pharmacodynamics.

He said the mission of pRxcision is to save lives by providing doctors with more data.

We believe we can change the world, he said. We believe we can give clinicians the tools to fundamentally change the way they practice medicine toward infectious diseases. Right now, one in five patients gets effective therapy at the start of therapy, and the consequence of that is that just in the U.S. alone 270,000 fewer people might get home each year.

Ambrose said that as pRxcision grows, the company uses a personal touch to promote its software.

Outlook 2024: John Buhrmaster of 1st National Bank of Scotia SCOTIA  Despite his familys generational ties to 1st National Bank of Scotia, John Buhrmaster never thought hed spend his career in banking.

If youre an investor and I tell you that we develop software as a service and we sell software to hospitals, does that make you want to do anything with me? Ambrose asked. You can hear that a thousand times. If I tell you that Im all about saving lives and that people are suffering from infectious diseases, you probably have someone in your family or friends thats died or been very sick because of resistant bacteria. Now were on the same page and that other stuff is less important.

Ambrose said the top lesson he's learned in decades of business is that the intent of a company should be prioritized over the technical aspects of the work.

Why you do it is more important than how you do it, he said.
ALBANY  Assemblyman Robert Smullen in a Facebook post Friday morning asked for support from the community after his son was critically injured in an accident on Thursday.

Smullen, R-Johnstown, said in the post that his son AJ was grievously injured in an accident yesterday while playing with some of his friends. He said his son was in critical, but stable, condition at the pediatric ICU at Albany Medical Center after emergency surgery.

Outside of his post, Smullen is asking for privacy following the accident.

"The family asks for privacy in this deeply personal matter, and thanks all friends and family for the expressions of support," Deb Dempsey Scialdo, Smullen's chief of staff, said in a statement.

Following the post, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik on X, formerly known as Twitter, offered support for Smullen's son, adding, "We know AJ as an incredibly bright boy with a big heart and our favorite parade buddy. Praying for his recovery."

Other Capital Region lawmakers also offered words of support on social media, such as Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam.

"Sending prayers and support to Assemblymember Smullen and his family during this challenging time," Santabarbara wrote. "Wishing AJ a full and speedy recovery as he bravely fights through his injuries. Stay strong, AJ, and know that the community is rallying behind you!"

Sending prayers and support to Assemblymember Smullen and his family during this challenging time.  Wishing AJ a full and speedy recovery as he bravely fights through his injuries. Stay strong, AJ, and know that the community is rallying behind you!  #PrayersForAJ  Angelo Santabarbara (@AsmSantabarbara) February 23, 2024

It was previously reported that a pedestrian was taken to Albany Medical Center at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday after being struck by a vehicle in front of Bellevue Womans Center in Niskayuna on Troy-Schenectady Road. A spokesperson for the assemblyman confirmed it was the same accident.

There were no injuries to the driver of the vehicle and the crash is currently under investigation by the Niskayuna Police Department and the Schenectady County Sheriff's Office, who assisted Niskayuna officers with a crash reconstruction at the scene of the collision.

Niskayuna police are encouraging any witnesses to the crash who have not yet spoken to the department to contact Det. Paul Daly at 518-386-4582.
Are the menopause protesters happy now? In recent years, high-profile media stars such as Davina McCall, Mariella Frostrup and the Loose Women have done their best to make the menopause more visible in public life.

We shouldnt be embarrassed by it, they say. End the menopause stigma now, they cry. (What stigma, say I?) You must understand how we suffer, they wail, while insisting that Someone Must Do Something about the meno-problem.

Well, now something has been done  but does it leave women at the climacteric better or worse off? The Equality And Human Rights Commission says menopausal and peri-menopausal women can sue their employers on the grounds of disability discrimination if, for example, they have struggled to sleep but are told they cannot start work later.

High-profile stars such as Davina McCall (pictured) have raised awareness of menopause

Celebrity campaigners (from left) Lisa Snowden, Carol Vorderman, Penny Lancaster and Mariella Frostrup led a rally at Westminster for a Menopause Mandate

This is an admirable and compassionate development in theory, but how is it going to work in practice? Yes, Mrs Mad, please do take this morning off at short notice, we dont mind a bit, said absolutely no employer ever.

The EHRC also states that menopausal women must be allowed to work from home on bad days. That reasonable adjustments must be made for women who suffer from interrupted sleep and brain fog. That the workplace heating should be turned down to accommodate any hot flushes  one supposes everyone else can shiver or put on another jumper or just go to hell.

Employers must also provide breathable uniforms where appropriate, along with personalised support and flexi-working time if demanded. There is also a moral duty to supply noise cancellation headphones when it all gets too much, wellbeing rooms ditto, neck fans where appropriate and time off for staff to go and pick up their HRT prescriptions.

Well. Thats quite a meno-menu of orders. And Id argue all this makes working conditions worse for women, not least by drawing attention to putative weakness, thereby diminishing their power and status. And it is certainly not much help for older women trying to re-enter the workplace, only to find themselves officially stigmatised as crone fodder ablaze with ailments and suffering from chronic infirmity.

Never mind that menopause is part of the natural ageing process and not a medical disability, older women must now be seen as crippled members of the herd with a target on their rumps; a liability chugging and puffing into the employment pool with all the recruitment allure of a tugboat on fire. I dont call that progress.

Employment prospects for menopausal women are already much reduced by institutionalised sexism and ageism.

This new guidance from EHRC takes it one step further, wiping out one of the great advantages women in their 50s had over younger women in the jobs market  it was not just their life and work experience that made them valuable employees, they also didnt need maternity leave.

In addition to this technicality  and what is perhaps far more insidious and damaging  it makes women appear unable to cope with what is a normal part of life. It alerts potential employees to what sounds like unavoidable hormonal meltdowns which will have a negative impact on their business.

It suggests women crashing about the place in a mood, bellowing like stampeding moose and eating all the chocolate biscuits in the teatime tin while crying because their neck fan batteries have just run out.

While there is no argument that some women have a difficult time going through the menopause  and deserve sympathy and support from bosses and colleagues  doesnt all this take it too far? It puts employers, businesses and workmates under intolerable pressure  and it also puts menopausal women in danger of being resented and treated as a joke.

Look at the Avanti West Coast train company, which has faced criticism after its employee support group offered staff a gift package intended to support conversations about the menopause. The goodie bag contained a fan; a pencil to write down things you might forget; a paperclip to help you keep it all together; a tissue if youre feeling a bit emotional; and some Jelly Babies in case you feel like biting someones head off.

Is this really stigma-busting progress? God knows what effect these new guidelines will have on younger women, who are being encouraged to believe that the menopause is something to be feared; a failing of the female body and mind that can have a catastrophic effect on a career.

Being a woman is not a disability or illness. Yet human rights watchdogs such as the EHRC want to legislate away all suffering and pain, even if some anguishes are just an everyday part of the human condition.

It's time to respect and value menopausal women in the workplace, rather than treating them like unhinged wimps in need of a neck fan and a lie down, says Jan Moir

Women are not weaklings, despite what these new guidelines suggest. They can and do just grit their teeth and get on with it  after all, that was the only option for the generations of women who came before.

And they can, for tiny example, arrange to have their HRT medicines delivered (its free) rather than demand more paid leave from beleaguered bosses. They can choose to be the heroines of their lives and bodies, not the victims.

All this is taking place at a time when the number of people on out-of-work benefits in the UK has risen to 5.6 million, higher than at any period in our history. Seeded among all the genuine cases of hardship and illness are many idlers and fools who have been encouraged to believe that they are long-term incapacitated, enabling them to hide from honest work and fulfilling lives under the flimsiest of mental health excuses.

This seems like exactly the wrong moment to encourage menopausal women to maximise their symptoms, too  what possible long-term gain can there be for all involved? Getting older is no picnic, but menopausal women in the workplace should be respected and valued, not patronised as unhinged wimps in need of a neck fan and a lie down.

Lets not be embarrassed by the menopause, say Davinia and Mariella. Im embarrassed by all this.

Barey Keoghan gives me the willies

After running around in the nip in Saltburn (now streaming on Amazon Prime Video), Barry Keoghan has posed in a bathtub full of blood for a trendy magazine and taken off his clothes again for a Vanity Fair photo shoot.

For this bottom-baring sauce, the Irish actor has been called brave and daring  but isnt he just another exhibitionist desperate for attention? No, says Barry.

Jaysus, he is an artist, people.

I think its true art. It really is, he said of his fondness for full frontal nudity. Its beautiful to look at. Im not saying its because of my body, but its freeing to see that body move around in the way it does. Freeing is one way of putting it. Putting it away would be another.

Yet after only two major roles  in The Banshees Of Inisherin (woollies) and Saltburn (willies) Barry has got himself noticed in Hollywood.

We can wish him well while still noting that posing naked every five minutes is not something Cary Grant would have ever considered.

And that had lairy Barry been a woman, everyone would be utterly appalled and called the nudity desperate, not daring.

I've got your black, Jennifer

Jennifer Aniston has been criticised for leaning in to her signature look. Can I translate for non-fashionistas? It means she always wears black, the same style over and over, she looks boring, shes a bit vanilla, yawn. And darlings, being dull is the biggest crime of all in the world of style. However, the real world and real women view things differently.

Jennifer Aniston 'leaning in to her signature look'... black

For 55-year-old Jennifer found her look a long time ago. She knows better than anyone what works for her and makes her feel comfortable. And that is classics and neutrals all the way, while ignoring trends and investing in quality instead. The Friends star will always turn up at awards shows in something black and strapless  and she will always looks fabulous. She understands that monochrome is not monotonous and there is no going back after black.

Just ignore the moaners, Jen. And take advice from Coco Chanel. My friends, there are no friends, she once said.

Monstrous Ruby Franke has been sentenced to up to 60 years in prison for child abuse. The YouTube mommy vlogger had two million followers, who tuned in avidly for her parenting tips from her Utah home.

The 42-year-old mother of six was a big hit  until some viewers became concerned about her too-strict style. In some scenes she was shown withholding food and Christmas presents from her children as punishments. Yet the American courts learned that behind the scenes the reality was far, far worse.

The children were tortured mentally and physically, thrown into cactus plants, tied up, beaten and starved.

Franke admitted to forcing them to work outside in the sweltering heat without adequate water until they blistered and tried to convince them they were evil and had to be punished. To my babies, Im sorry, she blubbed as she was sentenced this week.

A sad reminder, as if any were needed, that you should never believe all you see in the smoke and mirrors of what looks like a perfect online world.

Pay cut? You are jokering?

Hollywood's A-list were quick to act all super noble when they supported last years strikes in the film and TV industry, including walk-outs from the Writers Guild Of America and the actors union SAG-AFTRA. The disputes were over residual payments from streaming companies, minimum pay, pension and healthcare issues; you name it.

In short, everyone in Hollywood seems to get a bad deal, except the hugely overpaid stars themselves. There was even talk of top actors and actresses taking a pay cut to even up the discrepancy.

No sign of that happening any time soon.

Joaquin Phoenix is being paid 16 million to reprise his role in the Joker sequel, while his co-star Lady Gaga will pocket 9.5 million. All those little people and civilians toiling on the set for a pittance must be thrilled for them.
The most poignant sign yet that the King has left the public stage will come on Tuesday. Queen Camilla will lead the royal party at a thanksgiving service for the late King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle, something the King had been expected to attend.

His father, Prince Philip, who was born on a kitchen table in Corfu, baptised into the Greek Orthodox church and evacuated in an orange box when his family was exiled after the Greco-Turkish war, maintained strong links with his cousin, ex-King Constantine II, who was invited and treated in rank and precedence as if he still had a kingdom.

The most poignant sign yet that the King has left the public stage will come on Tuesday

Queen Camilla will lead the royal party at a thanksgiving service for the late King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle, something the King had been expected to attend

His father, Prince Philip maintained strong links with his cousin, ex-King Constantine II

Queen Camilla is a fan of the Greek islands, although the King has often pursued a more austere experience.

He has regularly found solace at the Eastern Orthodox monastery at Mount Athos, north-eastern Greece, where he has been an occasional pilgrim (accompanied by flunkeys and a lot of luggage), including three visits in the year before marrying Camilla.

Visits have dropped off since then, possibly because the monks are a touch misogynistic. Women aren't allowed within 500m of the monastery.

Ealing, London's leafy Queen of the Suburbs, announces ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman will grace its inaugural book festival on April 13.

After 30 years with the Stones, he felt his song ideas were being ignored and Mick Jagger and Keith Richards didn't treat him with respect. Be that as it may, he has written 13 books, including Billy In The Wars, chronicling his wartime childhood, and Bill Wyman's Chelsea, his 'manor' since 1982. Bill, 87, was criticised over his mid-1980s romance with Amanda Louise Smith (born July 17, 1970) whom he married in 1989 and divorced in 1993.

Ealing, London 's leafy Queen of the Suburbs, announces ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman (pictured) will grace its inaugural book festival on April 13

Lindsay Hoyle will be heartbroken if sacked as Commons Speaker but might be consoled by a perch in the Lords where his father Doug  like Sir Lindsay an ex-Labour MP  sits.

If Lindsay is elevated  and Sir Keir Starmer can hardly refuse to nominate him, having reportedly got him into trouble  might it dissuade the Labour leader from nominating John Bercow, who is also accused of siding with Labour?

Lindsay Hoyle (pictured) will be heartbroken if sacked as Commons Speaker but might be consoled by a perch in the Lords where his father Doug sits

Apropos of Baron Hoyle, a source recalls: 'Doug's a convivial soul. I met him one evening in the Midland Hotel, Manchester, in one of those elevators with mirrored walls.

'Spotting himself in the mirror, Doug  thinking it was someone he knew  began a conversation with his image.'

Under fire for favouring Labour in the Gaza vote, Sir Lindsay is even-handed when it comes to naming his pets.

He christened his parrot Boris and his tortoise Maggie after the former Tory prime ministers, and owns a cat called Attlee after the Labour PM and a Patterdale terrier called Betty, in honour of old Labour comrade and late speaker, Betty Boothroyd.

His deceased pets include a Maine coon cat called Patrick (after Tory peer Patrick Cormack) and a rottweiler, Gordon (Gordon Brown).
Two years after Vladimir Putin launched his vile and unnecessary attack on Ukraine I can tell you exactly how it will end. The war will end as it began. It will end with the total rout and humiliation of all the experts who said that Ukraine was fated to lose.

With the right military, political and economic support  and they will get it, eventually  the Ukrainians will win this war. They will push Putin's miserable forces out of their homeland. They will achieve the destiny in which they passionately believe, and they will vindicate their right to be a free, sovereign, independent European country.

They will show the world that there is a difference between a democracy and a tyranny, between a country where you defeat your opponent at the ballot box, and a country where you lock up your opponent, illegally, and then murder him in a labour camp. When that victory comes, it will be a truly glorious moment, for Ukraine and for the world. It may take time. But I believe that it is now the Ukrainians  not Putin  who have time on their side.

Whenever you feel downhearted about the sufferings of the Ukrainian army and people, just remember what they have already achieved. Whenever you feel ready to listen to the unwitting peddlers of Kremlin propaganda, and to believe the nonsense that Putin 'cannot afford to fail' or that Russia is somehow 'too big', think back to those first few hours, days and weeks.

Do you remember how it all began? I do. At about 5.45am on February 24, 2022, in Downing Street, I was patched through to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, and I had before me sheets of material that gave the same utterly grim prognosis.

Boris Johnson with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine

In Washington, Paris, Berlin, all the Nato capitals  the view of defence intelligence was clear. They could see the 115 Russian battalion tactical groups, massed on the border, only a few short hours' drive from Kyiv. We could hear their chatter, we could hear them as they revved their tanks and took their forward positions.

We could all see the balance of forces; and the view was that the Ukrainians might fight gallantly, but that it was hopeless  and that they would be flattened like the Polish cavalry before the Panzers of Adolf Hitler.

The general view was that it would all be over in a week; in fact, there were some Western voices that were so despairing of Ukraine's ability to fight, so mesmerised by Putin's alleged invincibility, that they said it might be better if the Ukrainians just gave in, surrendered their country and agreed to become a satrapy of the Russian dictator.

After 31 years of independent existence, the young Ukrainian state was going to have its neck wrung like a chicken. That was the view of Western defence experts.

Well, two years later we can say, with Churchill: some chicken, some neck. From the moment of Putin's invasion we massively exaggerated Russia's strength in our minds, and we are making the same mistake today. We chronically underestimate the achievements of the Ukrainians.

Putin has lost 315,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded, two-thirds of his pre-war tank inventory has been destroyed, and he has been expelled from Kyiv and Kharkiv and Kherson  more than half the territory he originally occupied.

He began this conflict with a reputation for possessing the second most fearsome military machine in the world; after 24 months it is clear that he has the second most fearsome military  in Ukraine.

The Russian president has been forced to impose conscription in his own country, and to put down a violent rebellion led by his former lackey, Yevgeny Prigozhin, whom he then publicly assassinated. He is now running a wartime economy in which 40 per cent of GDP is spent on trying to subjugate the Ukrainians and effectively wipe them off the map  and still he can't do it. Those heroic Ukrainians fight on.

Look at the Black Sea, where Putin has suffered a string of embarrassing losses  his vessels defenceless against being rammed by Ukrainian naval drones  so that about a third of his fleet is now out of action. The Ukrainians have been so successful at sea that their exports are now back up to pre-war levels.

Two years into this war the path to Ukrainian victory is clear. They have the heart and the will to win.

Crowds protest outside Downing Street in London

A young child holds up a 'Save Ukraine' sign during a march in Whitehall

What they need is simple, and we in the West have it in our power to give. They need the right military, political and economic support.

Putin has a big and general strategic weakness, in that he is trying to defeat and hold down a country that fundamentally wants to be free. We all know that when you occupy someone else's territory there is an asymmetry of risk. To protect themselves from insurgent attack, Putin's forces have to be lucky the whole time; Ukrainian forces only have to be lucky once.

The Russian leader also has a particular weakness. Unlike many other theatres of conflict, Ukraine has one pivotal point, a place where Putin's ambitions are most vulnerable  and that is Crimea. He simply cannot afford to lose the Crimean peninsula. It would mean a massive loss of face, domestically and internationally, the end of his ambitions to take back the port of Odesa, and  realistically  the end of his plans to take back Ukraine altogether.

Yet his positions in Crimea are extremely vulnerable. The Ukrainians have already shown what they can do, with the attacks on the Black Sea fleet at Sevastopol. With the right equipment, they could begin to kick so savagely at Putin's Achilles' heel that he would be forced to limp off the field, or to sue for a deal that would  at the very least  restore the Ukraine of two years ago.

To that end the Ukrainians need more ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems), of which they now have only a limited number, and with restrictions on their range and use.

They need more Cruise missiles such as the Storm Shadow supplied by the British, the French Scalps and the German Taurus.

And they need far more Nato 155mm shells that have a range of about 40km.

They also need a more consistent and coordinated plan of support that combines mass training of the Ukrainian army by Nato countries  both for officers and other ranks  combined with a strategic and long-term programme to supply the munitions that they need.

In the past few days the Ukrainians were forced to make what I believe was a sensible tactical retreat from Avdiivka. Bear in mind that this Donbas city was being viciously contested, and swapping back and forth, even when I first visited Ukraine as Foreign Secretary in 2016; so its importance has been greatly exaggerated in the past few days.

'From the moment of Putin's invasion we massively exaggerated Russia's strength in our minds' Pictured: Russian president Vladimir Putin

Mr Johnson visits the town of Borodianka, heavily damaged during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in 2022

The reason they have temporarily given up Avdiivka is that the Russians were firing ten shells for every one that the Ukrainians could fire back. That is because those shells are 3,200 a pop, and the Ukrainians now have them in short supply  and the answer is obvious.

The West is stepping up its production of munitions, and here in the UK there is now talk of a Beaverbrook  the newspaper baron and peer who dramatically escalated aircraft production in World War II  to drive the manufacture of the necessary weaponry. We need such a figure and, above all, of course, we need to keep the cash coming; and it is.

If you look at the numbers, it is simply not true to say that Western support for Ukraine is flagging. The EU has given about 39 billion in military assistance, the U.S. about 35 billion and the UK is now in third place among national donors, behind the U.S. and Germany.

Yes, I am certainly concerned about what is happening in Congress, and the delay to the vital 47 billion package of aid. But I am also optimistic that the U.S. will do the right thing. The American people have made huge sacrifices for freedom and they know it. They have pulled European chestnuts out of the fire in two World Wars and one Cold War.

They don't want to be lectured or hectored. In the end, I am sure that U.S. lawmakers will continue to see the massive strategic advantage  to America  of ensuring a Ukrainian victory. Look what U.S. support has achieved so far  at a cost of only about 5 per cent of the U.S. defence budget, and without so far costing the life of a single U.S. soldier.

By supporting Ukraine, they have done more damage to the armed forces of Russia  the principal military rival of the U.S.  than ten years of Russian fighting in Afghanistan.

They have greatly strengthened Nato, the traditional vehicle for U.S. power in Europe, not least since Nato now boasts two new vital and previously neutral members in Finland and Sweden.

They have achieved one of the most important long-term goals of U.S. foreign policy  to get the Europeans to share more of the burden, and to spend more on their own defence. They have exposed a fundamental strategic rift between Moscow and Beijing, in that Chinese President Xi Jinping has now publicly and privately slapped down Putin's bluster about nuclear weapons, and exposed that threat for the nonsense it is.

Above all, by giving effective support to Ukraine, the Americans continue to send a message around the world  not least to Beijing  that it does not pay to try to solve disputes by force.

So I am confident that in the end the U.S. will continue to be the arsenal of democracy, and that we simply need time before this war ends, and on terms favourable to Ukraine. It may not happen this year; we may have to wait until 2025 or 2026  but the industrial might of the West is so vastly greater than Russia's that with strategic patience this can only end one way.

To accelerate the process we need at the same time to keep making clear to Russian strategists that they have lost; that if their plan was to take Ukraine back into Russia's orbit, then it has been an abysmal failure.

We need to ram the point home that Ukraine has chosen to be democratic and European, rather than rejoin an Asiatic empire. That means ensuring that we continue to integrate Ukraine into the Western clubs, the EU and Nato; and the Washington Nato summit this summer should make it clear that Ukrainian membership is now on an irreversible path.

Mr Zelensky and Mr Johnson take a tour of St Sofia in Kiev, Ukraine

To tighten the vice around Putin's fundamentals, there is one final measure that is long overdue. It is absurd that he still has $300billion of assets frozen overseas, much of it held in Belgium in an institution called Euroclear. It is time to take those assets and give them to Ukraine.

It is ridiculous to claim that Putin has 'sovereign immunity' from such expropriation. What about the sovereign immunity of the Ukrainians, whose lives and hopes he has wantonly plundered and destroyed?

There are several ways in which it would be not only morally right but legal to take that cash  by setting it off, for instance, against a Western loan to the Ukrainians for the rebuilding of their country. The time for talking about this is over. Putin continues to maim and murder indiscriminately. We should do it forthwith. I am not saying that the loss of the $300billion would instantly bring him to his knees  but it is not a trivial sum, and its loss would be another well-timed blow.

This war is unremittingly bleak, and after two years we all ache for it to end. But history, geography and time  as well as justice  are on the side of the Ukrainians.

Give them the wherewithal  the military, political and economic support  and they can and will win.
It can be tricky to know whether or not to send your child to school if theyre not feeling well, especially after covid and with current concerns around measles. You might be thinking that you dont want to put other children at risk of coming down with something.

You also want to make sure that your child has the best chance possible of making a speedy recovery. This is particularly true during the winter months, when flu and other bugs are making their yearly rounds.

However, going to school is so important. High attendance at school helps your child develop key skills and prevents them from missing out, not just academically, but on those enriching moments with friends and teachers that make up the school day.

NHS guidelines offer a straightforward way to decide when you should still send your little ones to school this cold season

While progress is being made, with 380,000 fewer pupils persistently absent or not attending school in 2022 to 2023, than in the year before, there's always room for improvement.

Thats why the NHS has set out handy guidelines to help parents decide when it's best to still send their child to school, and when to let teachers know in advance about certain symptoms.

The school attendance problem

Since Covid, there has been a significant increase in absences from school. More than one in five children in England were frequently missing school over the last academic year.*

Department for Education data shows that more than 22 per cent of pupils in England were persistently absent from the classroom.

All of this adds up to more than double the number of children missing school now compared to pre-pandemic numbers. This has especially been a problem for students early on in their progression.

Going to school vs staying at home

Its normal for your child to get sick every now and then, and most of the time its no more than a common cold.

A minor cough, sore throat or light common cold symptoms, on their own, means it's fine to send your child to school under NHS guidelines.

Your decision: It's parents who determine whether their child is well enough to attend school

Doctor Radha Modgil, a medical doctor for the NHS, explains: 'If your child is feeling poorly, it can be challenging, especially at this time of year, to know when they should be in school.

'In most instances, you can send your child to school with a mild illness as long as their temperature is below 38 degrees.'

However, if these symptoms combine, or any of these ailments are accompanied by a fever or high temperature as Dr Modgil says, it's best to keep your child at home until it eases.

Be alert to infectious illnesses too. NHS guidelines suggest that children should be kept at home if theyre suffering from chickenpox, that classic childhood rite of passage. It will usually take around five days for the spots to crust over, which means theyre safe to return to the classroom.

If your child has tested positive for Covid-19, or is suffering from more serious symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, its recommended that you keep them at home for at least 48 hours and in some cases - visit your GP for advice.

Other illnesses, such as impetigo, ringworm and scarlet fever, will naturally require a GP intervention. This often can mean your child will need time at home before returning to school.

When can they go to school?

If your child has certain symptoms, on their own, such as a runny nose, a minor cough or sore throat, its usually safe to send them to school. These minor symptoms wont stop them from learning and playing with their friends.

Don't sweat the small stuff: Children are usually alright to attend school if they only experience minor symptoms like a runny nose, a minor cough or sore throat

This is also the case for other minor ailments such as ear infections, conjunctivitis, and head lice. For these illnesses, you can send your child in but ensure you let the teacher know.

If your child has cold sores, it is also safe to send them to school, but encourage them not to share things like cups or towels, or touch the blister.

Communication is key

Its important to be clear with teachers about your childs illness, so they can accommodate as much as possible. Its best that you contact the school from the first day of illness to let them know whats happening.

Even if the day starts at home, parents are encouraged to have their child come into school if they feel better as the day goes on. Parents can also be reassured that when a child attends school feeling under the weather, if they start to feel worse during the school day, families will be contacted should they need to go home.

Find out more by reading the NHS guidelines on keeping children home from school at NHS.uk

Let's make being in school a priority! School attendance is key for developing so many essential skills and helping children succeed in later life. If youre unsure about whether to send your child to school, youll find staff are very understanding. Children staying at home are encouraged to attend later in the day if they begin to feel better. Staff are also trained to spot if an under-the-weather child is feeling worse during the day and will contact their parents to take them home if so. Attendance is key to a child's success in education, and teachers are trained to support students who may be feeling under the weather Dr Modgil explained: Being at school brings so many benefits to children both inside and outside the classroom. 'As well as learning about the world around them and academic progress, they develop social skills, good self-esteem, confidence and a lot of joy. Its really important to make sure they dont miss out on all of these moments.' Claire Robins, CEO of the Scholars Education Trust said: 'We stress to families, when they join our school communities, that its so important for their child to be in school every day and not miss out  not just on essential classes but all the enrichment opportunities being in the classroom brings; school plays, sports days and learning with friends. Its so important for their child to be in school every day and not miss out Claire Robins, CEO of the Scholars Education Trust Often even if a child says they feel unwell in the morning, they have forgotten all about it by the end of the day. As soon as theyre in school, they get wrapped up in activities with their teachers and friends, all of which provide a boost for their wider wellbeing in the long run.' You want to do the best for your child and with the fantastic NHS advice setting out clear guidelines for parents, as well as schools working to support children, there is no reason to be left in the dark when it comes to your childs health.

Moments Matter, Attendance Counts' The Department for Education's Moments Matter, Attendance Counts campaign is targeted at days of absence linked to mild worries and minor coughs and colds, as these days can add up, as well as those linked to term-time holidays. It is not aimed at parents of children who face greater barriers to attendance, such as pupils with long-term medical conditions or special educational needs and disabilities. Parents should talk to their childs school to get support, check NHS website for guidelines and follow any advice from a healthcare professional.

*'Pupil attendance in schools' 21 December 2023 - Department for Education. https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-attendance-in-schools

**'Missing children, missing grades' 2 November 2023 - Children's Comissioner. https://assets.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wpuploads/2023/11/CC-REPORT-_-Attendance-and-Attainment-_-Oct-23.pdf
Bethenny Frankel is lifting the lid on all of the popular perfumes that she believes are 'at the level' and worthy of buying - and which ones totally miss the mark.

The former Real Housewives of New York star revealed her hot takes in a new video posted to TikTok this week, which has since amassed more than 582,000 views.

Over the past few years, Frankel has opened up to viewers on her social media accounts, sharing beauty, fashion and lifestyle content.

In this new clip, Frankel began by explaining that she believes most popular fragrances 'smell like trash.'

In a new video posted to TikTok, former Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel revealed which popular perfumes are 'at the level,' and which are not

Over the past handful of years, Frankel has opened up to viewers on her various social media accounts about her favorite beauty products

'They give Christmas at a department store,' she said about lesser fragrances.

'So I have some that I have been dying to try because people have told me to try them, and we're going to go through it together.'

The first perfume that Frankel showed was the Perfect Eau de Toilette by designer Marc Jacobs, which retails for $101.

The bottle was decorated with little charms at the top of it, including stars, dice and cherries.

'I die over this bottle - I'm going to keep it because of the bottle, but the fragrance is not perfect,' the Skinnygirl mogul admitted.

'It's just not perfect,' she continued. 'It's Christmas department store.'

And, according to Frankel, the brand's other cult-classic perfume, Daisy, which sells for $137, is only 'marginally better.'

'But the way people rave about this, it's a stunning bottle and again, it smells pretty, but we can go all the way, we can get there,' the former Big Shot With Bethenny star said.

The first perfume that Frankel spoke about was the Marc Jacobs scent Perfect, which comes in an adorable bottle adorned with charms on top

'But the way people rave about this, it's a stunning bottle and again, it smells pretty, but we can go all the way, we can get there,' Frankel said about Marc Jacobs cult-favorite Daisy scent

Fragrance buys with B! What's 'at the level' Parfums de Marly, Delina - $210

Uptown Perfumery, Sunset Over The Brownstone - $220

Tom Ford, various scents - $250 to over $400

Lattafa, Oudh Intense - $16 to $18 for 3.4oz

Future Society, Haunted Rose - $98 Advertisement

Next up on her list were some scents by high-end perfumery brand Parfums de Marly, with signature scents retailing for upwards of $200.

'They are good,' she admitted, as she held up the Delina Eau de Parfum from the brand, which was in an adorable, light pink bottle.

'This pink bottle, I don't know what the fragrance is called, it's beautiful, it's different, it's sweet but not too sweet and it's not headache-y, it's really lovely,' the star continued.

However, that scent definitely comes with a hefty price tag- a 3.5oz bottle of the Delina Eau de Parfum retails for $375.

Frankel then introduced an artisanal, made-by-hand perfume brand that's new to the scene, called Uptown Perfumery NYC.

The female-owned company's fragrances come in unique bottles that are shaped like little townhouses, which the BStrong founder showed to her viewers.

'This I had never heard of, this is brand new, they make a silver bottle, not it, but the gold bottle is it,' she explained, holding up the $220 bottle of their scent Sunset Over The Brownstone.

However, the one caveat was that the scent didn't last for very long.

Frankel explained that she was a fan of the scents by Parfums de Marly, especially their Delina scent

Frankel also introduced a perfume brand that's new to the scene, called Uptown Perfumery, which is made in bottles that look like little townhouses

The Skinnygirl mogul, 53, has amassed more than one million followers on her TikTok account, who take her advice on the best beauty products

Fragrance buys with B! What's NOT 'at the level' Marc Jacobs, Perfect - $101

Marc Jacobs, Daisy - $13

Uptown Perfumery, silver scents - $220 Advertisement

'Moving right along, we have Future Society Haunted Rose,' she said about the $98 scent that's exclusively available at Nordstrom and has hints of pepper and saffron. 'Musky, pretty, different, it's it.'

Also in the star's rolodex of perfumes were three by designer Tom Ford.

Many of Ford's perfumes have gone viral on TikTok in recent months, like their new Vanilla Sex scent and Lost Cherry.

'And then, I've kept my Tom Ford ones, because they are good,' Frankel said.

'I have Cherry Smoke, Oud Fleur, and I have Jasmin Rogue because I've had them for a while, but other ones are really coming in hot.'

The Tom Ford perfumes range in price from $250 to more than $400, with Jasmine Rogue retailing for $295.

Last but not least, Frankel gave her thoughts on the lesser-known brand Lattafa, raving about how amazing the Dubai luxury perfumery is.

'What's shocking me is what's going on in Dubai right now,' Frankel said.

'I've kept my Tom Ford ones, because they are good,' Frankel admitted about the pricey fragrances, showing off a few from her collection

Frankel's favorite perfume was one by the brand Lattafa, which is less than $20 and got her compliments from her teenage daughter

Frankel also praised Future Society, a Nordstrom-exclusive fragrance with a hint of saffron and pepper

'Evidently, Dubai is the fragrance capital, which I didn't realize,' the reality star continued.

Frankel introduced their Oudh Intense perfume to viewers, which costs between $16 to $18 for a 3.4oz bottle.

She explained that when she wore the perfume, her daughter said that she 'smelled amazing.'

'Look at the size of this thing,' Frankel raved. 'This is divine.'

The Bravolebrity described the scents she disliked as 'commercial bulls**t department store ones.'

'We're getting into new fragrances now, people,' the star announced.

In the comments section of her video, many users agreed with her perfume takes.

'I love Lost Cherry by Tom Ford so good want to try the vanilla one,' one person wrote.

In the comments section of her TikTok, many of Frankel's fans gave their own perfume recommendations to the mogul

Another typed, 'Lattafa perfumes are chefs kiss. Pure perfection.'

Others recommended their own fragrance favorites to Frankel.

'Try Bond 5 Greenwich Village. It was not love at first sight, but everything I wear it I get so many compliments,' someone else commented.

Another wrote, 'Look I'm a good Coco Chanel woman. That said, Juliette Has a Gun - some of them are are really nice.'

'Bethenny! Have you tried the YSL Libre intense. People go nuts when I wear it!' a user suggested.
The influencer ex-wife of The Big Theory creator Chuck Lorre, 71, has shared an unbelievable photo of herself where she appears to be passed out in a dog cage to mark 10 years of sobriety.

Arielle Lorre, 38, suffered from a serious drug and alcohol addiction from the age of 17 through to 28, when she got sober.

Sharing the shocking throwback photo of herself on Instagram, Arielle wrote, 'So grateful for 10 years. Happy, joyous and free.'

The social media star also posted a glamorous photo of herself in a bikini on the beach to show how far she'd come from her days in the cage.

Influencer Arielle Lorre (pictured), who is the ex-wife of The Big Theory creator Chuck Lorre, 71, has shared an unbelievable photo of herself to mark 10 years of sobriety

In the shocking photo, a bikini-clad Arielle can be seen passed out in a dog cage

The 38-year-old recently divorced Hollywood bigwig Chuck Lorre, 71 (Pictured together in 2020)

'How it's going, how it started,' Arielle wrote.

In the old photo, Arielle can be seen passed out in a large pet cage while wearing nothing more than a pink polka dot bikini.

The influencer, who hosts The Blonde Files podcast, also posted her medical records from 2014, when she was admitted to the Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles.

She regularly discusses her health journey on her popular podcast The Blonde Files, which focuses on beauty and wellness.

The records showed that she'd been diagnosed with alcohol intoxication, amphetamine abuse, and depression.

A drug test also revealed that Arielle had a blood ethanol level of 0.323, as well as positive results for benzodiazepines and amphetamines.

Another visit to the hospital three days later showed that Arielle had suffered from a seizure caused by alcohol withdrawal.

The influencer has now been clean and sober for a decade.

Arielle also posted her medical records from 2014, when she was admitted to Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles

The records showed that she'd been diagnosed with alcohol intoxication, amphetamine abuse, and depression

Another visit to the hospital three days later showed that Arielle had suffered from a seizure caused by alcohol withdrawal

Arielle almost died at the height of her drug and alcohol addiction.

'I was crazy, blacking out all the time, doing cocaine, taking Adderall and Xanax, drinking morning to night,' she revealed during an appearance on the Tandia Talks Money podcast in 2021.

'I was in a months-long blackout. Not eating, I didn't leave my house. I would stay in bed and order alcohol [to be delivered].

'My neighbor was a drug dealer so he was shooting me with God knows what. I was having seizures, I'd come to and then have a seizure again.'

Eventually, she said her parents had the police do a 'wellness check' on her after she stopped answering her phone - something that ultimately saved her life.

Arielle officially got sober in 2014, at age 28, and is now fiercely honest about what she went through in the hopes that it will help others who may be struggling.

Arielle almost died at the height of her drug and alcohol addiction, but she's now sober and has built a following as a health and wellness influencer

The blonde beauty boasts more than 400,000 followers on Instagram, where she posts stylish photos and dishes out health and beauty advice

Arielle regularly discusses her health journey on her popular podcast The Blonde Files

The blonde beauty, 38, met Hollywood bigwig Chuck Lorre, 71, 'through mutual friends' in 2014, started dating in 2015, and tied the knot three years later.

She said they 'decided pretty early on' in the relationship that their age gap was 'not going to be an issue.'

'Pursuing the relationship was more important to us than what people would think,' she explained.

'When you're falling in love, you [have your blinders on]. We didn't even feel the age thing because I just saw him for who he is and he saw me for who I am.

'We're both spiritual and meditate, we believe in this agelessness. I don't see an age when I look at him. And I've always been an old soul, I've always related more to older people.'

In July 2022, it was revealed that Chuck had filed for divorce from Arielle after more than three years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

The couple then reconciled, before splitting again for good late last year and confirming their divorce in early February.

TV mogul Lorre, who is known as 'The King of Sitcoms' in Hollywood, agreed to pay $5 million in their divorce settlement, according to TMZ.

The creator of the shows Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon also received primary custody of the dog the former couple shared, named Harvey.

Arielle met Chuck 'through mutual friends' in 2014, started dating in 2015, and tied the knot three years later

Forbes estimated Lorre had made $100 million from his work in TV in 2022, its list of the year's highest-paid entertainers

Arielle was given 'liberal visitation' of the dog, according to court docs reviewed by the outlet.

Insiders told the outlet that the $5 million total Lorre paid actually eclipses the sum he initially agreed to pay in an ironclad prenuptial agreement the couple agreed to when they wed in October of 2018. It was not immediately clear why he paid the higher amount.

Both parties agreed to a non-disparagement clause as result of their settlement, in that they will not publicly denigrate the other.

Forbes estimated Lorre had made $100 million from his work in TV in 2022, its list of the year's highest-paid entertainers.
A woman has revealed her foolproof hack for how to safely debone a rotisserie chicken in just minutes.

Katie Reames, a realtor from Texas, has taken to TikTok with her top tip for foodies looking to avoid getting their hands dirty.

She shared her unusual technique which required just one kitchen item - a Ziplock bag.

And other social media users were left mesmerized by the insight and branded it as a 'life changer.'

Katie Reames, a realtor from Texas, has taken to TikTok with her top tip for foodies looking to avoid getting their hands dirty

All that was left to do was pick the bones out of the bag - in a solution that did not require her to touch the chicken directly

In the clip, which has so been viewed 6.8 million times, Katie placed the cooked meat inside the bag whole and zipped it up.

She then tugged and squeezed the meat aggressively from the outside of the bag to separate the meat from the bone.

Then all that was left to do was pick the bones out of the bag - in a solution that did not require her to touch the chicken directly.

And the clip was flooded with comments from viewers eager to try it for themselves.

One asked: 'How long did it take you to get all the bones out though?'

To which, Katie replied: 'Probably three minutes, five minutes maximum.'

Katie's video was flooded with praise as one person wrote: 'I have learned more on TikTok than I ever learned in school.'

Another person added: 'Ma'am where was this video yesterday? Lol I [was] deboning a rotisserie chicken. It low-key grosses me out, hahaha but tastes so good.'

In the clip, which has so been viewed 6.8 million times, Katie placed the cooked meat inside the bag whole and zipped it up (stock image)

Katie's video was flooded with praise as o ne person wrote: 'I have learned more on TikTok than I ever learned in school'

A third person commented: 'This is great because I hate touching meats with my hands. I have to wash my hands like 40 times.'

'Girl, you're a life changer. I hate doing this job. I'm going to try it,' a fourth person wrote.

One person added: 'This is for me! I hate touching meat like this.'

Another person wrote: 'It actually works. I tried it today with my Costco chicken.'

'I'm literally about to go debone one now. Glad I saw this while I was avoiding it,' one person added.

Another person commented: 'How am I almost 40 and never thought of this? You're doing the lord's work ma'am.'
Meghan Markle showcased her Californian style on Thursday for a lunch date with her wedding dress designer at the at the new celebrity hotspot, Cipriani in Beverly Hills.

Looking typically stylish, the Duchess of Sussex, 42, rewore her tobacco-coloured cashmere Max Mara coat $6,250 (4,935) for the occasion, teamed with $372 (294) Givenchy pilot sunglasses.

Colour coordinating with her jacket, the mother-of-two carried a limited-edition suede clutch by Cesta Collective that comes with a $490 (386) price tag.

She completed her look with a black Bleusalt turtleneck, $845 (667) belted trousers by Ulla Johnson, and $695 (548) ballet flats by Aquazzure.

Emerging from the Italian restaurant in her stylish coat while experiencing warm 66F (18C) weather, Meghan was joined by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, the former artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy responsible for Meghan's bridal gown.

Meghan Markle showcased her Californian style on Thursday for a lunch date with her wedding dress designer at the at the new celebrity hotspot, Cipriani in Beverly Hills

After her wedding, Meghan wore a number of Clare's Givenchy designs - turning to the label to dress her for many prominent engagements, including her June 2018 outing at Royal Ascot.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: The secrets behind Meghan's lifelong obsession with her hair... and the heartbreaking story that shows just how close she once was to her father Advertisement

In December 2018, Meghan made clear how close the two women had become when she made a surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards, where she presented Clare with the prestigious British Womenswear Designer of the Year award. Clare left Givenchy in 2020 and last year created a new affordable line with Uniqlo.

Meghan's surprise appearance at the newly opened eatery comes as she helped open a new wing of an animal charity in London, with the announcement of her virtual visit made via her and Harry's glossy new Sussex.com website.

Cipriani Beverly Hills, which is part of the storied fourth-generation-family Italian restaurant brand, only opened its doors in January of this year, following the opening of locations in Venice, Milan, New York and Las Vegas.

There was no sign of Meghan's husband Prince Harry at the lunch outing.

Meghan recently put her new Sussex.com website to use when she was able to honour her late friend Oli Juste by opening a new wing of an animal charity named for him.

Juste was a dog trainer and behaviourist who died in 2022.

As his friends and family assembled for the opening of the Oli Juste wing, Meghan got emotional in her video address as she recounted how devastated she was to learn of her friend's death in January 2022.

In her Sussex.com announcement, she shared a cute photo of herself in an elegant beige coat as she crouched down to bond with an adorable Jack Russell Terrier.

Looking typically stylish, the Duchess of Sussex , 42, rewore her tobacco-coloured cashmere Max Mara coat $6,250 (4,935) for the occasion, teamed with $372 (294) Givenchy pilot sunglasses

Colour coordinating with her jacket, the mother-of-two carried a limited-edition suede clutch by Cesta Collective that comes with a $490 (386) price tag

Meghan completed her look with a black Bleusalt turtleneck, $845 (667) belted trousers by Ulla Johnson, and $695 (548) ballet flats by Aquazzure

'A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful team at Mayhew who have worked tirelessly to bring this dream to life,' she gushed in her message to the animal charity.

'It was so important to find a way to celebrate Oli's memory in a manner that he would have loved.

'Mayhew is a beacon of hope for those in need and a shining example of what can be achieved when we work together,' she added.

The virtual appearance came just days after Meghan's husband Prince Harry reportedly told some of his friends that he was willing to return to the UK to attend to royal duties.

Sources told The Times that Harry, 39, wanted to help carry some of the load as his father King Charles, 75, undergoes cancer treatments.

However, royal expert Hugh Vickers told MailOnline that his presence wasn't desired by the royal family, despite reports that Charles is still keen to reconcile with him.

'I personally, actually don't think that there's any wish on anyone's side for him to come home at the moment, and take up royal duties again,' Vickers said.

'He can't suddenly pick up royal duties again, under the present circumstances, it's quite a long way [away]. It's always possible to reconcile. It's always possible for things to be sorted out, but not that quickly. So no, is the answer.'

Vickers continued: 'His father has never responded to any of the jibes that have come in his direction [and] has left the door wide open for [Harry].

'The other day, he came to see him and I would hope that was a tonic for the King. I don't know whether it was, but I hope so because he obviously loves his son,' he added.

Though Harry is a counsellor of state, both he and Meghan stepped down from their positions as working royals in 2020.

Experts have said they believe he is not currently being considered to return to any senior duties.
China vows to eradicate wage arrears, illegal overtime work, protecting rights of employees

Global Times) 10:59, February 23, 2024

China vows to eradicate wage arrears and illegal arrangements for overtime work, so as to effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of workers, according to media reports on Thursday.

The effort was emphasized in a recent joint notice issued by the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, aiming to prevent and resolve conflicts and disputes in the labor field, and promptly correct illegal employment practices.

The notice requires the play of the supervisory functions of the procuratorial organs and the role of the trade unions in discovering and investigating hidden risks in the labor field, further improving the quality and effectiveness of cooperation between the two entities, so as to promote the implementation of labor laws and regulations, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of workers.

The notice specifies the scope of application, including internal rules and regulations of employing units related to the interests of employees; labor contracts, labor remuneration, social insurance, welfare benefits, working hours, rest and vacation systems.

Safety production, prevention and control of occupational diseases, as well as protection of special rights and interests of female workers, minors, disabled workers, and elderly workers are also covered in the notice.

In addition, the notice applies to the protection of the legitimate rights and interests of dispatched personnel, as well as the termination of labor contracts in violation of relevant laws and regulations.

The procuratorial organs should consult with the trade unions in a timely manner on the labor employment violations discovered or obtained, in an attempt to promote the resolution, according to the notice.

If it involves the rights and interests of specific groups such as new forms of employment workers, women, minors, disabled, elderly workers, or group disputes such as social security arrears, withholding of migrant workers' wages, and the employing units do not cooperate, the trade unions above the county level can transfer the relevant clues and materials to the procuratorial organs, who shall initiate legal supervision procedures in accordance with the law.

The procuratorial organs may make procuratorial suggestions to relevant units and departments to promote lawful administration in the following cases: frequent and widespread illegal employment cases occurred in a period of time in a certain area; obvious loopholes are exposed in labor employment management supervision; or there is a need to urge the industry competent authorities to strengthen and improve management and supervision.

According to Beijing Daily on January 23, in a case detailed in the yearly working report by the Beijing High People's Court,an employee successfully won a lawsuit against her employer and received compensation for working via social media applications during off-duty hours. The case caught great public attention and was hailed as a typical example of the strength of the country's judicial system.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Emperor Naruhito of Japan made a poignant speech to families of victims of the deadly earthquake which struck the nation last month - as he and his family stepped out on the balcony of the Imperial Palace for his 64th birthday today.

The royal expressed his grief for those who lost their lives in the 7.6 magnitude disaster on New Year's Day, which killed 241 people and saw more than 12,000 forced to flee their homes.

'I would like once again to express my condolences to those who lost their lives in the Noto Peninsula earthquake last month and to convey my heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families and those who were affected by the disaster,' he said.

'I wish every one of you a peaceful spring.'

Naruhito appeared solemn during the address, sporting a black blazer and white shirt and tie for the occasion.

Emperor Naruhito made a poignant speech to families of victims of the deadly earthquake which struck the nation last month - as he and his family stepped out on the balcony of the Imperial Palace for his 64th birthday today

He was joined on the balcony by his wife Empress Masako, 60, who donned a deep blue collared dress and daughter Princess Aiko, 22, who opted for an all-white ensemble for the day.

The Emperor's younger brother, Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino, 58, was also present for the celebration, along with his wife Crown Princess Kiko, 57, and their daughter, Princess Kako, 29.

Fumihito also has two other children - Prince Hisahito of Akishino, 17, and Mako Komuro, 32 - who gave up her title after marrying her husband Kei Komuro.

The Crown Prince followed his brother's style in a simple black suit, while Kiko wore a coordinated cream dress and hat, and Kako donned a cobalt blue gown.

Reconstruction following the earthquake has come slowly in a largely rural area with an aging population, known for Wajima lacquerware and other handicrafts.

A video released Friday by the Imperial Household Agency showed the Emperor and Empress admiring lacquerware boxes from Noto, with a big round lacquer tray and a Suzu pottery vase, also from the region, placed behind them.

Naruhito, in a pre-recorded press conference, also said he hoped to visit the area with Masako when the local situation allows.

'The difficult situation is continuing, but I sincerely hope many people will provide support for the steady progress of recovery and reconstruction,' he said.

He was joined on the balcony by his wife Empress Masako (second from right), 60, who donned a deep blue collared dress and daughter Princess Aiko (right), 22, who opted for an all-white ensemble for the day

The Emperor's younger brother, Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino (right), 58, was also present for the celebration, along with his wife Crown Princess Kiko (centre), 57, and their daughter, Princess Kako (left), 29

The Emperor, who will mark the fifth anniversary of his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, said he has sought to stay as close to the people as possible.

Since the Noto earthquake, he has made only one other public appearance, at an event marking the 150th anniversary of the Tokyo police in mid-January.

Meanwhile, as the British royals are facing the challenges brought on by a bout of ill health, Japan's Imperial Household is also dealing with a similar crisis.

Princess Kiko recently contracted a mystery gastrointestinal illness with reports last month saying she was 'unable to eat normal meals', and appears to remain on leave from royal duties.

Kiko's bout of ill health has left her husband, the Crown Prince, carrying out royal duties solo and is unable to call on their daughter to help.

The royal expressed his grief for those who lost their lives in the 7.6 magnitude disaster on New Year's Day, which killed 241 people and saw more than 12,000 forced to flee their homes

Naruhito appeared solemn during the address, sporting a black blazer and white shirt and tie for the occasion

The Emperor, who will mark the fifth anniversary of his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, said he has sought to stay as close to the people as possible

She was forced to renounce her title and moved to New York after marrying a commoner, in echoes of Megxit.

Elsewhere, Emperor Naruhito's daughter Aiko has stepped up to fill the void and will host a lunch for the Kenyan president and his wife after Kiko cancelled due to her illness, according to NNN.

Concern for Princess Kiko heightened after news broke that she is suffering from a mystery gastrointestinal illness.

The royal has experienced painful symptoms related to the gastrointestinal system, which has left her unable to eat normal meals.

She reportedly had an endoscopy at Tokyo hospital earlier this year, but no abnormalities were discovered.

The mother-of-three has been advised to 'rest and focus on recovering,' according to The Mainichi.

While doctors have advised Kiko to rest, they have suggested that she might be dealing with painful symptoms for the next couple of months.

Japanese citizens pictured arriving at the Imperial Palace to greet Emperor Naruhito during his 64th birthday in Tokyo

Pictured: Crowds around the palace in Tokyo to celebrate the Japanese Emperor's birthday today

Elsewhere, in instances where Kiko is unable to attend events due to her ill health it is though that her husband will attend solo.

Fumihito has recently spoken out about the slimmed down state of the Japanese monarchy due to male primogeniture rules, meaning only male members of the royal family can succeed the throne.

In November last year, he called for a review of official duties because members are either leaving due to age or marrying a commoner, according to the Japan Times.

'It would be difficult to pass on (official duties) if the number (of imperial family members) decreases,' the crown prince told journalists in Tokyo.

Indeed, the family has shrunk in recent times because female members must renounce their royal status up if they choose to marry a commoner.

As it stands, the current total of family members in the royal household in 17, with 12 of them being female.

Princess Mako being the most recent example. In October 2021, she gave up her royal title to marry her commoner boyfriend in a move that has sharply divided public opinion.

Mako, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and niece of reigning Emperor Naruhito, tied the knot with university sweetheart Kei Komuro, a commoner, in Tokyo after an eight-year engagement.

Japan's strict laws of succession forbid women from ascending to the Chrysanthemum Throne and force them to give up their titles if they marry commoners.

The low-key ceremony was met with protests, and was held behind closed doors without any of the pomp and pageantry of other Japanese royal weddings, which traditionally include a reception and banquet.

Her aunt and uncle, the reigning Emperor and his wife, also enjoyed a parade through the streets of Tokyo on their wedding day.
As Meghan Markle dined at the exclusive Cipriani Italian bistro beloved by A-listers in Beverly Hills, she was joined by a very special friend, Clare Waight Keller.

The fashion designer, who was once creative director at Givenchy, designed the Duchess's stunning boat-neck wedding dress when she married Prince Harry in Windsor in 2018.

Despite Meghan and Harry leaving the UK and relocating to California, British-based designer Clare has remained close to the couple and has even described her friendship with the Duchess as a 'personal girlfriend relationship' - something that developed in the design process.

She also appeared in Harry and Meghan's explosive Netflix series, broadcast in December 2022, where she spoke about the 3,900 hours spent making the dress.

And shortly after the wedding, the Duchess presented Clare with the prestigious British Womenswear Designer of the Year at the Fashion Awards.

Meghan presented Clare with the prestigious British Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2018

Speaking at the 2023 Bazaar At Work Summit in London, Birmingham-born Clare shared insights into preparing the former Suits star for her big day.

'It was just the two of us for so long and it became this very personal girlfriend relationship,' she explained.

Following her high-profile wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan wore a number of Clare's Givenchy designs - turning to the label to dress her for many prominent engagements, including her June 2018 outing in Cheshire alongside the Queen.

In December 2018, Meghan, 42, made clear how close the two women had become when she made a surprise appearance at the 2018 British Fashion Awards to present Clare, 53, with an award.

Meghan wowed guests at the star-studded event as she stepped onto the stage, wearing a black one-shoulder dress designed by the very woman she was there to honour.

Clare won the prestigious British Womenswear Designer of the Year award and thanked Meghan personally in her speech at the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington, London.

'This woman is so amazing. I got to know Meghan on such a personal level. To have someone like that trust you on such a personal moment in their life... I can't thank you enough because it was the most beautiful moment,' she said.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding dat at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire, 19 May 2018

Meghan Markle was spotted leaving Cipriani restaurant after enjoying lunch with Clare Waight Keller in Beverly Hills yesterday

Clare Waight Keller appeared in episode four of Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary

Addressing the assembled fashionistas, the Duchess, who was pregnant with Archie, said: 'It's such a pleasure to be here, celebrating British fashion and British designers, in my new home in the UK.'

She said of fashion, that 'we have a deep connection to what we wear. Sometimes it's deeply personal, sometimes it's emotional,' and that for her, it was 'really in being able to understand that it's about supporting and empowering each other, especially as women.'

She also praised Clare's 'kindness' and 'values'.

The first female artistic director of Givenchy met the Duchess for the first time in early 2018, Kensington Palace said, with Meghan requesting a wedding dress with an 'elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring and relaxed demeanor.'

Meghan presents the British Designer of the Year Womenswear Award to Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy during The Fashion Awards 2018

Meghan made a surprise appearance at the 2018 British Fashion Awards, wearing a black one-shoulder dress by Givenchy

The exquisite veil carried floral references to all 53 countries in the Commonwealth, and the palace said workers spent hundreds of hours sewing the delicate flower designs, meticulously washing their hands every half hour to keep the silk tulle and threads clean.

Meanwhile, Meghan's wedding dress was characterised by a classic bateau neckline, three-quarter length sleeves and an A-line skirt, with a train measuring nearly six feet from the waist.

A global audience of 1.9 billion watched as Clare crouched to arrange the Duchess of Sussex's 16.5 foot veil on the steps of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018.

It was a rare public appearance for the designer who prefers to let her designs steal the limelight.

The duo's bond blossomed during the extensive 3,900 hours spent perfecting Meghan's tailor-made dress over the course of four months.

Meghan wore a bespoke Givenchy dress to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in Cheshire alongisde Queen Elizabeth on June 14, 2018

The Duchess of Sussex appeared to have a 'Diana moment' in New Zealand as she looked to have flashed her legs through her semi-sheer Givenchy skirt on October 31, 2018

Meghan Markle makes her Royal Ascot debut in Givenchy on June 19, 2018

'It was just the two of us for so long and it became this very personal girlfriend relationship,' Clare said of their friendship at the 2023 Bazaar At Work Summit in London.

'It was just a pleasure to create in this very, very private way,' she continued.

Clare Waight Keller - who obtained a bachelor's degree in Fashion at Ravensbourne College of Art and a master's degree at the Royal College of Art - began her career as a Calvin Klein womenswear stylist in New York, before moving to Ralph Lauren's menswear line, Purple Label.

In 2000, she joined Gucci under the direction of Tom Ford, where she worked as a senior designer in London until 2004.

The following year, she took on the role of artistic director at Pringle of Scotland, which earned her the 2007 Scottish Fashion Awards Designer of the Year in the cashmere category.

Clare Waight Keller arranging Meghan's veil as she walks up the steps outside St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle

The Duchess of Sussex's 16.5 foot veil carried floral references to all 53 countries in the Commonwealth

Clare Waight Keller attends the Harper's Bazaar At Work Summit at Raffles London at The OWO on November 21, 2023

However, Clare relocated to Paris in 2011 to become artistic director of Chloe - where she is credited for helping the company become the most profitable brand at luxury goods conglomerate, Richemont.

In 2017, she was appointed artistic director of haute couture and ready-to-wear for womenswear and menswear at Givenchy, a role she held until 2020.

The British designer was the first-ever female artistic director to hold the position in the brand's 68-year history.

She was responsible for returning Givenchy back to the couture schedule, presenting a total of five couture collections during her occupancy.

Clare oversaw a further 30 collections, spanning womenswear and menswear, which received critical acclaim.

A Meghan must-have! The Duchess wore Givenchy's 1,255 pencil skirt in black (2022) and emerald (2018)

Meghan selected a black Givenchy dress for a visit to the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 2018

The Duchess donned a figure-hugging Givenchy dress to the 2020 Endeavour Fund Awards

The designer left Givenchy in 2020 and, last year, created a new affordable line with Japanese high street retailer, Uniqlo.

Uniqlo: C consists of 34 versatile pieces - including coats, dresses and accessories - that create a 'modern wardrobe' inspired by the designer's wealth of experience.

The collection launched in September 2023, available online and in 1,500 stores across the globe.

But the highlight of Clare's career at French fashion house Givenchy was undoubtedly designing Meghan Markle's iconic wedding gown.

The British fashion designer appeared in the Sussex's Netflix series, where she spoke of Meghan's demure dress, saying it had to be 'flawless'.

Meghan Markle showcased a navy Givenchy outfit during Trooping The Colour on June 8, 2019

The Duchess of Sussex has worn several bespoke wool coats by Givenchy over the years

Megan Markle and Clare Waight Keller were spotted leaving new celebrity hotspot Cipriani Beverly Hills yesterday

'Looking at the design of the dress, there were many conversations about how you want to present yourself to the world,' Clare explained during episode four of the documentary.

'Most of us have a wedding with 70 to a hundred people. This was billions of people watching.

'It has to be flawless, it has to be perfect.'

And Meghan and Clare's friendship appears to be going from strength to strength as the pair was spotted enjoying lunch at the new celebrity hotspot, Cipriani Beverly Hills, yesterday.

The 42-year-old Suits star flashed a smile for paparazzi as she emerged from the Italian restaurant, wearing a 3,895 Max Mara cashmere coat and Givenchy sunglasses.

Meanwhile, a glowing Clare, following closely behind, looked effortlessly stylish in a double-breasted blazer and cropped wide-leg jeans, elevated by court shoes.
A woman has opened up about the realities of narrowboat life - saying that while there are big savings to be made financially, boat life is not for everyone.

Emily Jones, 32, who is originally from Merseyside, has lived on her narrowboat named 'Florrie' in London for four years with her dog, Beautiful.

She made the move after feeling 'trapped' by London's property market, previously sharing a house with five other people for 800 a month.

After her dad passed away in 2020, Emily bought Florrie for 21,000 using a loan.

Now her rent is the price of her bills but it's not all sunshine and roses as Emily has still been forced to shell out thousands for unexpected expenses.

Emily Jones has opened up about what life is really like living on one of London's narrowboats (pictured with her dog, Beautiful)

Emily, a project manager, said: 'I didn't really know how to get out of [the house share situation] but I always liked the idea of narrowboats.

'After my dad died, I reassessed my life, and thought, "Well, I'm going to do everything I can to try and live that lifestyle".

'I spent about four months looking for the right kind of boat and that's when I found Florrie.'

A narrowboat is a type of canal boat, built especially to fit the UK's narrow waterways. Most are around six feet wide and either moored semi-permanently or constantly cruising.

Emily confessed that there are difficulties living on a narrowboat - and has scarcely been able to have a proper shower since she moved in.

She said: 'She was a project boat and even though I've been living on her for nearly four years, there are still a lot of things that aren't quite right.

'I haven't finished renovating [and] my bathroom still isn't quite how I would like it.

'I mostly haven't had a working shower the whole time I've lived on Florrie.

Though Emily has saved money on rent, she warns people not to expect narrowboat life to be similar to living in a normal flat. Pictured: The interior of Florrie, Emily's boat

She admitted she needed to clean her windows as she showed her followers around her boat

The project manager, 32, comes across beautiful views from the front of her boat as she travels

'The biggest challenges on the boat are being organised. You have to plan where you are going, when to get water, and [when] to get rid of waste (human or otherwise).

'If you are left short without fuel for the fire, a full toilet, or no water, things could get a bit sticky.

'The locks themselves can be hard work but possible solo, which was a worry of mine, but now I love travelling alone. Even just a gentle cruise, you forget how much it takes out of you physically and mentally. I move every two weeks and have to plan a lot around those moves.

'Getting rid of your belongings is also a mindset change - living on less can feel really difficult if you are not fully onboard with the idea. Once resigned to the fact, it's liberating!'

Emily explained that boating life is a challenge but with the right mindset it can be enjoyed - the key is to not expect it to be like living in a house.

She bought Florrie for 21,000 with a loan and moved aboard with her dog Beautiful in October 2020, the same year her dad passed away.

She said: 'Florrie's a constant work in progress but completely liveable - there's just always a compromise.

'In the boating community, we are always told to bring out another 1,000 as you quickly realise that if you need any jobs done, they are always significantly more expensive than they would be in a house.'

Emily, originally from Merseyside, lives on her boat in London with her dog, Beautiful

Boat life and constantly moving around means that Beautiful gets a new dog walk every couple of weeks

Emily bought Florrie four years ago for 21,000 using a loan and now her rent is the price of her bills

Emily says you always need to be prepared as things can be tricky if you leave yourself without fuel for the fire

Emily admits that because she is putting her boat's renovations first, she's not necessarily saving money either - although she believes this would ring true if she lived in a pricey London flat, too.

She spends around 3,000 a year on costs including the license, insurance, and diesel but admits she 'does more cruising than most people around London'.

Emily said: 'Fuel in the winter, which is things like coal and wood, then comes to a few hundred pounds a month.

'My general bills compared to living in a house are a lot less as my solar panels mean that my electricity is essentially free. I also get my water as part of my licence for the Canals and Rivers Trust.

'Living in a boat and not having rent has freed up my mind so much - I can give more of myself to things that I want to do like hobbies and that is such a blessing.

'I also have ADHD, which I didn't realise until I was on the boat.

'This lifestyle really helps me manage it because nothing comes easy; a house is convenient, but a boat isn't.'

Emily recommends always being armed with chocolate and maps for cruising

Emily, pictured on her boat, said she wanted a lifestyle change after living in a flatshare and after her dad passed away

She says the biggest challenge on the boat is getting organised but now she doesn't see the appeal of a house

She continued: 'I get a different dog walk every two weeks. I have to think a little bit more about my fuel and water's coming from and I have to use eco-friendly products because the water is going back into the canal.

'You have to go into the lifestyle with the right attitude and you also have to be open to learning how to do new things because good tradespeople are hard to come by.

'But when you are willing to get your hands dirty, you quickly learn that there's an amazing community to help you out.

'I'm always thinking of new projects now I'm not trapped in a house share. I've just bought a classic mini car with a friend because I'm gonna get to know engines more.

'Boating pays back what you put into it - I don't see the draw of a house anymore.'

According to the Canal & River trust, there are more than 34,000 boats on its 2,000-mile stretch of waterway in the UK.
Julie, Carole, and Elaine all featured in a new ITV documentary on the topic

A mother whose daughter was brutally killed in her own home by a jilted ex has teamed up with three other mothers who were murdered - and says the men who took their lives were 'intelligent young men'.

Carole Gould's daughter Ellie was just 17 andstudying for her A Levels at the family home in Wiltshire when Thomas Griffiths, then 17, stabbed her at least 13 times in the face and neck in May 2019.

After Griffiths was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years and six months in prison for Ellie's murder, Carole has campaigned for longer sentences for people who commit so-called 'domestic homicide' - and she has teamed up with Julie Devey and Elaine Newborough to make a change.

Speaking on ITV documentary Murdered at Home, Carole said: 'In our case, our girls didn't know how dangerous these perpetrators were.

'These were intelligent young men. None of them were mentally ill, and yet they carried out the most heinous attacks on three defenceless young women in their homes.'

Three UK mothers, Julie Devey (centre), Carole Gould (right), and Elaine Newborough (left), recounted their daughter's brutal murder's in a new ITV documentary, Tonight: Murdered at Home

Ellie, Julie's daughter Poppy Devey-Waterhouse and Elaine's daughter Megan were all victims of domestic homicide, meaning they were killed in the home by people known to them, and with weapons that had been obtained inside the home.

Domestic violence charity Refuge says two women a week on average are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales.

However, when a person is stabbed to death in her home, the starting sentence point is 15 years. In contrast, the starting sentence for a murder in public where the murder weapon has been brought to the scene is 25 years.

Julie, Carole and Elaine are campaigning to get rid of this discrepancy in sentencing guidelines and are drawing on their own experiences to power them through.

Carole explained: 'I think when I first met Julie there was just an instant connection between us.

And then a few years down the line, we became aware of Megan's dreadful case. I can remember just thinking: "We really need to try and connect with Elaine".'

Elaine said: 'We've all been through something so horrific. You don't need to say it. You don't need to describe any of it because they know.'

Julie's daughter, Poppy, was 24 when she was viciously murdered by her ex-partner, Joe Atkinson, in their Leeds apartment in 2019.

Poppy was set to move out of the flat the following week, and already had her bags packed.

Elaine's daughter Megan (pictured) was murdered at 23 by a colleague after the pair started dating

Carole's daughter Ellie (right) was only 17-years-old when she was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in her family home in 2019. At the time, Ellie was sat on the kitchen table revising

Julie's daughter Poppy (left), was 24 when she was brutally murdered by her ex-partner, Joe Atkinson, in their Leeds apartment in 2019

'He was quite jealous of her giving anyone else prolonged attention, and she called time on the relationship,' Julie said.

But when Joe got back from a Christmas party at two in the morning, he inflicted more than 70 knife and stab wounds on Poppy using a blade from their kitchen.

Carole's daughter Ellie was only 17 when she was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in her family home in 2019.

Seventeen-year-old Thomas Griffiths, was a pupil at the same school, and the pair had briefly dated.

After the relationship ended, Thomas stabbed Ellie 13 times in the neck when she was revising on the kitchen table.

'He was angry, she had rejected him,' Carole said. She added: 'He then picked up a knife and he stabbed her 13 times in the neck.

'And then he was so calculated afterwards, he washed his DNA off the handle on the knife, put it in her hand, and reinserted it into one of the wounds on her neck to make it look like suicide.'

She added: 'So when they say it wasn't premeditated, look at their behaviour afterwards, look how calculated that is. This is a 17-year-old from a seemingly normal background.'

Carole, along with Julie and Elaine, have campaigned for sentences of domestic homicide to be revised to address the discrepancy for homicide in the street compared to in the home

Elaine joined Julie and Carole's campaign for tougher sentences in cases of domestic homicide after her daughter, Megan, 23, was murdered.

Megan had started dating Ross McCallum, a colleague from work, for a brief amount of time before he strangled and had her throat cut 14 times at his home in Leicestershire.

As far as the families are concerned, none of their daughters had undergone physical assault before their killings. However, Poppy and Ellie experienced controlling and coercive behaviour.

Documentary host Julie Etchingham later travelled to a refuge called Choose Freedom to understand the services available to women desperate to escape abusive relationships.

Choose Freedom offers a living space for women at high risk of being murdered by their current or ex partner.

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, Chair at Refuge, explained how the service is vital for women at risk.

She said: 'I think people often think that refuges are quite depressing and grim places, and it's really important for us that we create a welcoming environment.

'Staff are preparing the last available room for a new arrival. We're actually full and we have been full this week. A social worker is trying to get a pregnant mother into us, and we just haven't got the capacity.'

Hetti continued: 'So on average, we're still turning away about seven families for each referral that we get, which is just heartbreaking.'

She asked: 'What can we do? You know, we try everything to help as many families and survivors as we can. But if we don't have the resources, and we don't have the spaces, our hands are tied.

Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales explained: 'Government doesn't prioritise domestic abuse in terms of funding, and all of the training needed for front line services.

'And what this means is that they've never sat in core budgets, they've never been sustainably planned for or funded for those women and children who have to flee for their lives and have nowhere else to go.'

ITV Tonight: Murdered at Home
It is called carryover cooking - and it has been backed by other professionals

She says to take poultry out of the oven slightly undercooked and let it 'rest'

Ina Garten wants everyone to trust the process - after sharing that the controversial secret to succulent chicken is undercooking it.

The celebrity chef, 76, ignited the debate this week after showing off her unconventional chicken tips to her fans on Instagram.

Whilst many people dry out their chicken accidentally in an effort to cook it thoroughly and avoid getting salmonella, Ina is advising people to let their poultry 'rest' after pulling it out of the oven.

'First, I slightly undercook it,' The Barefoot Contessa tells viewers. 'If you overcook chicken, it gets very dry.'

Ina Garten wants everyone to trust the process - after sharing that the controversial secret to succulent chicken is undercooking it

Whilst many people dry out their chicken accidentally in an effort not to get salmonella, Ina is advising people to let their poultry 'rest' after pulling it out of the oven

Ina takes her chicken out early, so it is still slightly pink in the middle, covering the meat with aluminum foil and letting them rest for about 10 minutes.

'You won't believe what a difference it makes,' she insists.

But viewers were left bitterly divided over her advice.

'Undercook and chicken don't go in the same sentence for me. I'll eat my chicken dry any day over that,' one user declared.

'Ina, I be with you when ya right! But undercooking chicken?? There are other ways to make juicy chicken, girl!' another scandalized chicken lover commented.

'These comments don't pass the vibe check. Slightly undercooked doesn't mean still raw and clucking. Ina is SUPER careful about food temperatures. She knows what she's taking about,' argued another.

Meat that is resting should be covered loosely with aluminum foil so the temperature of the meat does not decrease too quickly resulting in less juice being redistributed or less Carryover Cooking than anticipated.

While it may seem like Ina is recommending a wild technique, it's actually called carryover cooking, which is recommended by many chefs.

Ina takes her chicken out early, so they are still slightly pink in the middle, covering them with aluminum foil and letting them rest for about 10 minutes

The USDA recommends cooking whole poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165F as measured using a food thermometer (stock image)

Viewers were divided over her advice, leaving comments on her video disputing her advice

Carryover cooking happens when you cook your food until almost the right temperature, removing it from direct heat and allowing it to rest under tinfoil.

According to Recipe Tips, the length of rest time depends on how hot the meat has been cooked at.

'Meat that is resting should be covered loosely with aluminum foil so the temperature of the meat does not decrease too quickly resulting in less juice being redistributed or less Carryover Cooking than anticipated,' the website noted.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking whole poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165F as measured using a food thermometer.

When cooking pieces, breasts, drumsticks, thighs, and wings should be cooked until they reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165F.
A family-run Greek restaurant in Dublin has been named the best takeaway in the UK and Ireland by Deliveroo.

Yeeros, topped the list of Independent Restaurant of the Year with judges praising the establishment for authentic Greek street food.

The restaurant sells the likes of gyros, falafel wraps and Greek salads.

It beat out the likes of after battling it out against Regional Independent Restaurant of the Year Award winners White Men Can't Jerk in Peckham, London, Luxford Burgers in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dhamaka in Bristol, South England and Slap & Pickle in Sheffield, North England.

The award was judged by food critic and writer Jimi Famurewa and Deliveroo's CEO and founder, Will Shu.

Yeeros, topped the list of Independent Restaurant of the Year with judges praising the establishment for authentic Greek street food

White Men Can't Jerk in Peckham, London picked up the gong for best food in the capital

Pizza Pilgrims picked up Best Customer Innovator award

They were scored against brand personality, food quality, packaging and presentation, customer reviews, and environmental consciousness.

Yeeros was praised for having the best-tasting authentic Greek street food in Dublin.

Jimi lauded the innovative cooking methods to creating tasty modern twists on Greek classics, glowing reviews from customers, and their warm family-focused approach to serving the city.

Yeeros was also commended for its commitment to sustainability by creating bespoke compostable packaging, with a different box designed specifically for each dish on their menu.

George Stamopoulos, Managing Director at Yeeros said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to have won the title of Independent Restaurant of the Year 2024 out of thousands of restaurants across Ireland and the UK.

'This is a fantastic achievement for the business! It was always our vision to create an authentic Greek Street Food concept in Ireland. Somewhere I'd be happy to go!

'I'd like to thank our customers, our suppliers and Deliveroo for their support which has been incredible since we have opened.'

Dhamaka, Bristol is the best takeaway in the south and Wales (left) while Luxford Burgers won for Scotland (right)

Slap & Pickle in Sheffield and Leeds won the award for best takeaway in the north of England

The best takeaways in the UK & Ireland revealed... LONDON WINNER: White Men Can't Jerk Best Chinese: ULI Best Pizza: BONA Sourdough Pizza Best Sushi: Kiyoto Sushi Best Indian & Nepalese: Kricket Best Burger & American: 7Bone Best Thai: Tai Best Japanese: KOI Ramen Best Breakfast & Coffee: Eggslut Best Chicken: Coqfighter Best Poke: Aloha Poke SOUTH ENGLAND & WALES WINNER: Dhamaka, Bristol Best Chinese: Mayflower, Bristol Best Pizza: Pizza Workshop, Bristol Best Dessert: Calabrisella Geletaria, Cardiff Best Indian & Nepalese: Rock Salt, Bristol Best Fish & Chips: Albany Fish Bar, Cardiff Best Burger & American: Oowee, Bristol Best Thai: Koh Thai, Bournemouth Best Chicken: Chicken & Blues, Bournemouth Best Japanese: NOA Japanese, Bristol Best Greek: The Greek Takeaway, Oxford IRELAND (and Northern Ireland) WINNER: Yeeros, Dublin Best Chinese: Xian Street Food, Dublin Best Pizza: Oak Fire Pizza, Cork Best Sushi: Musashi, Dublin Best Mexican: Burritos & Blues, Cork Best Burger & American: Dash Ireland, Dublin Best Thai: Koto, Cork Best Chicken: Wing It, Belfast Best Middle Eastern: Zaytoon, Dublin Best Coffee & Breakfast:Maggie Mays, Belfast Best Salads: Sprout & Co, Dublin SCOTLAND WINNER: Luxford Burgers, Edinburgh Best Chinese: Salt & Chilli, Glasgow & Edinburgh Best Pizza: Matto Pizza, Edinburgh Best Mexican: FreshMex, Aberdeen & Edinburgh Best Dessert: Shakes n Cakes, Aberdeen Best Indian & Nepalese: Chaakoo, Glasgow & Edinburgh Best Burger & American: Luxford Burgers, Edinburgh & Glasgow Best Thai:Ting Thai, Glasgow & Edinburgh Best Japanese: Maki & Ramen, Edinburgh, Glasgow Best Breakfast & Coffee: Cafe 100, Aberdeen NORTH ENGLAND WINNER: Slap & Pickle,Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester Best Chinese: Red Chilli, Manchester Best Pizza: Double Zero Pizza, Manchester Best Dessert: GET BAKED, Leeds Best Indian & Nepalese: Mughli, Manchester Best Burger & American: Burgerism, Salford, Manchester Best Thai: Zaap Thai, Leeds Best Chicken:Clucking Oinks, York Best Breakfast & Coffee: Moose, Liverpool Best Japanese: Unagi Streetfood & Sushi,Manchester OTHER AWARDS Beating Heart of the Community: Happy Mondays in Rushden, Northampton Most sustainable restaurant: Shake Shack Best Customer Innovator: Pizza Pilgrims Rider Love Award: Quaggy's Kitchen Advertisement

'It is a big honour for me and the entire Yeeros team, as well as an acknowledgement of the great work put in every day in our restaurants to maintain our high standards in quality food and excellent customer service.'

Jimi Famurewa, food critic and Deliveroo restaurant awards judge, said: 'It's been an honour and a privilege to tour the UK & Ireland to meet some of the nation's best restaurateurs in the running for Deliveroo's Independent Restaurant of the Year.

'Crowning the winner was challenging; every finalist blew me away with the taste, quality and standard of food they serve to neighbourhood doorsteps, along with their commitment to their customers and the local community.'

Elsewhere, Happy Mondays in Rushden, Northampton won an new award for Beating Heart of the Community, while Shake Shack won the Most Sustainable Restaurant and Pizza Pilgrims picked up Best Customer Innovator, while and Quaggy's Kitchen picked up the Rider Love Award.

More than 66,000 votes were cast by locals to select winners of cuisine awards in five different regions across the UK and Ireland

The wider judging panel included TV personality and takeaway fan Rylan, Deliveroo's CEO and founder Will Shu and Busi Sizani, Head of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Deliveroo.

The four finalists - Happy Mondays, Wingstop, GAIL's Bakery, and Zambrero Ireland - were invited to give a presentation to the expert foursome to tell the story of how they support their local community.

Family-run independent cafe, Happy Mondays, took home the gong for supporting its local area of Rushden in Northampton

In August 2021, couple Luke and Daniela Wood, both on furlough and out of work, took a leap of faith to open the independent cafe to provide a warm and welcoming environment that brought people together.

The judges were inspired by the couple's community-first ethos - from supporting local suppliers to serving fresh, locally sourced food and products, as well as fundraising for local charities and hosting markets and events for Rushden residents to enjoy.

Luke Wood, co-owner of Happy Mondays, commented on the win: 'We were excited enough to hear that we were a finalist for Deliveroo's 'Beating Heart of the Community' award, but to find out we have won it...it's hard to put into words.

'We started Happy Mondays with a mission to serve and support the local community in Rushden, so this recognition is as much for our local customers, suppliers and residents as it is for us.

'It was great to meet Rylan, Jimi, Busi and Will, who not only judged the awards but who all share a passion for community in the same way that we do.'
Elderly patients receive better treatment and require less care if they see the same doctor each visit, a major study found.

Millions of GP appointments would be saved if surgeries offered better continuity of care, particularly among those with more complex care needs, according to research by Cambridge University.

The largest ever analysis on the subject - involving more than 10 million appointments at almost 400 practices in England - found it significantly improved care for patients, while also cutting the workload of doctors.

This was particularly true when it came to older patients, those with chronic conditions as well as mental healthcare  increasing time between visits by almost a fifth (18 per cent).

Experts at t the University of Cambridge and INSEAD business school analysed more than 10 million GP consultations in 381 practices in England over a period of 11 year

They estimate adopting this method of practice could slash consultations by 5 per cent  the equivalent of 15 million appointments, based on the average 300 million each year.

Around half of all appointments were with a patient's regular doctor a decade ago.

But increased strain from growing health needs and a rising older population has seen this number gradually fall.

Researchers used anonymised data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, consisting of more than 10 million GP visits between January 2007 and December 2017, with patients who had at least three consultations over the past two years.

They found seeing the same clinician helped build relationships, improving understanding of an individual's healthcare needs.

Higher levels of continuity of care were associated with improved long-term health outcomes, they conclude, with fewer appointments not resulting in increased emergency admissions.

Benefits increased the older the patient was, with the highest gains seen in those aged over 86, according to findings published in the journal Management Science.

This suggests surgeries could target these appointments to their older patient, to maximise benefits.

Dr Harshita Kajaria-Montag, lead author of the study, who is now based at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in the US, said: 'The benefits of continuity of care are obvious from a relationship point of view.

Your browser does not support iframes.

'If you're a patient with complex health needs, you don't want to have to explain your whole health history at every appointment.

'If you have a regular doctor who's familiar with your history, it's a far more efficient use of time, for doctor and patient.'

The findings come amid allegations the NHS is discriminating against elderly patients by using 'barriers' to limit opportunities to see a family doctor face-to-face.

A recent poll involving more than 1,200 over-60s found 76 per cent had experienced difficulties in obtaining a face-to-face GP appointment for themselves or a relative.

Eight in ten reported being forced to accept a telephone consultation and 71 per cent begrudgingly saw another member of practice staff, while 18 per cent have gone to A&E after failing to secure an urgent GP appointment.

Silver Voices accused some practices of discriminating against the elderly by refusing walk-in bookings and telephone requests for repeat prescriptions.

Analysis of England's GP Patient Survey data by the Nuffield Trust shows that when asked 'how often do you see or speak to your preferred GP when you would like to?', there has been a decline in continuity of care over time.

Between 2018 and 2023, the proportion of patients who 'always or almost always' saw or spoke to their preferred GP decreased from 26 per cent to 16 per cent while those who answered 'never or almost never' increased from 10 to 19 per cent.

Professor Stefan Scholtes, study co-author from Cambridge Judge Business School, said seeing the same doctor could have substantial benefits, equivalent to increasing the GP workforce by 5 per cent.

He said that 'getting it right the first time' will reduce future workloads by 'preventing revisits', adding: 'Better health translates into less demand for future consultations. Prioritising continuity of care is crucial in enhancing productivity.'

GP leaders said continuity of care was 'highly valued by GPs and patients alike' but rising patients lists means the average GP now responsible for 260 more patients now than six years ago.

Dr Victoria Tzortziou-Brown, Vice Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'We already know it is beneficial for patients, particularly those with complex health needs, and we know it has benefits for the NHS  and it's encouraging to see that this study has found it can also improve GP workload.

She added: 'The average number of patients per fully qualified GP is now 2,294, meaning each GP is, on average, responsible for 260 more patients than they were six years ago.

'This is unsustainable and makes guaranteed access to the same GP for every patient practically impossible. However, it would be important that continuity of care is prioritised for those who need it the most.'

A Department of Health spokesperson said: 'Continuity of care is important, alongside speed and convenience of access. All patients must be assigned a named GP, and practices must endeavour to comply with all reasonable requests from patients to see a particular GP or other healthcare professional.

'We are making it easier for patients to see their GP by cutting bureaucracy to free up more time for practice teams to spend with their patients and have committed 240 million of additional funding to improve technology in general practices to help patients to contact them.

'There are also nearly 2,800 more doctors and 36,500 extra staff in general practice now compared to 2019 and last year, the NHS also delivered 50 million more GP appointments  meeting the governments manifesto commitment.'
A cyberattack on America's biggest health insurer has left pharmacies unable to fill prescriptions across the country.

UnitedHealth said tens of thousands of pharmacies were impacted by the hack it suspects was a state-sponsored attack.

The hack began on Wednesday, preventing several pharmacies from processing prescriptions to insurance companies.

It is unclear how many patients are affected but UnitedHealth serves about 7.7 million customers nationwide.

The incident coincided with a nationwide cell outage at AT&T Thursday, which left more than 70,000 customers without cell service.

A cyberattack on a unit of UnitedHealth has made pharmacies nationwide unable to get prescriptions to patients

CVS Health said that the hack meant that, 'in certain cases,' it was unable to process insurance claims. Pharmacies like Walgreens and Publix

There is no evidence that the two events are related, but the FBI and Homeland Security is investigating the latter.

UnitedHealth said Thursday that its Change Healthcare unit, which processes prescriptions to pharmacies across the country, was compromised by a 'suspected nation-state associated cyber security threat actor.'

Several prescription providers announced that they were impacted by the hack.

CVS Health, which has more than 9,000 pharmacies, said that the hack meant that, 'in certain cases' it was unable to process insurance claims.

'We're committed to ensuring access to care as we navigate through this interruption,' the company's statement said. A spokesman for the chain did not immediately provide further details.

Walgreens, which serves nine million customers, said a 'small percentage' of its prescriptions 'may be affected,' but that the company had safeguards in place to process and fill them 'with minimal delay or interruption.'

The company said it had no additional information to share about the incident.

Publix Super Markets didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, but on social media some users complained of issues when trying to fill their prescriptions.

'This is a nationwide disruption,' Publix said in a response to one user on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Other companies including GoodRX and BlueCross BlueShield of Montana also flagged potential disruptions on social media.

The number of cyberattacks on healthcare providers has more than doubled since 2016 - with 91 per year in 2021 compared to 43 five years ago

Up to 80 percent of hacks led to disruptions to operations - which lasted weeks

'We apologize for any outages you have been experiencing while at the pharmacy,' GoodRx wrote on X.

'Unfortunately, the issue is an external one impacting both GoodRx and a multitude of providers.'

'Our team is aware of the issue and working to ensure it is resolved. We appreciate your patience!'

Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, a military health system in California, wrote on X: 'Due to an ongoing enterprise-wide issue, all Camp Pendleton and associated pharmacies are unable to process any prescription claims.'

'We are only able to assist patients with emergency and urgent prescriptions from hospital providers at this time.'

The hospital's website states that 'Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and associated pharmacies will provide outpatient prescriptions through a manual procedure until this issue is resolved.'

'Priority will be given to urgent prescriptions followed by routine prescriptions as manning and resources allow.'

Independent pharmacies also reported issues.

'Please be patient with us and all of the pharmacies affected by this,' Dayton Drug and Wellness, a community pharmacy in Dayton, Tennessee, wrote on its Facebook page.

'There have been/will be delays until this resolves,' Skippack Pharmacy in Skippack, Pennsylvania said in another message posted to Facebook. 'Pharmacies around the country are affected.'

This is far from the first time a health system has been the target of a cyber attack.

In 2022, an attack was carried out against CommonSpirit Health, a system that runs 140 hospitals and 1,000 care sites across 21 states.

This resulted in dangerous consequences for patients, including a three-year-old boy in Iowa who was accidentally given a megadose of opioids when the computer system dictating dosing was shot down.

And in August, hospital computer systems operated by Prospect Medical Holdings were compromised, wreaking havoc in hospitals across five states.

In 2022, an analysis from researchers from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis looked at 374 ransomware attacks across the US between January 2016 and December 2021.

Results showed that the frequency of the hacks more than doubled in that time  from 43 breaches in 2016 to 91 in 2021.

Almost half (44 percent) of ransomware attacks disrupted the delivery of health care, with one in 10 leading to canceled appointments or operations and four percent causing ambulance diversions.

In total, the medical records of 41.9million Americans were accessed in that time, but hackers became much more adept at obtaining patient information.
A Texas woman with a potentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancy was denied emergency treatment due to concerns about the state's stringent abortion ban.

Texas has imposed a near-total ban on abortions and, despite the law including exemptions for cases of extreme danger to the mother, doctors have been hesitant to provide care in rare circumstances for fear of government-issued penalties.

Kelsie Norris-De La Cruz, a 25-year-old college senior, was told that her ectopic pregnancy - a situation when the embryo grows outside the uterus - could cause her fallopian tube to rupture, causing major internal bleeding.

Yet she claims physicians at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital refused to terminate the pregnancy, saying there was some chance the pregnancy was still viable.

She underwent emergency surgery at a different hospital when doctors realized when the ectopic pregnancy began to rupture, saying that if she had waited any longer, she would have been 'in extreme danger of losing her life.'

An ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, almost always result in pregnancy loss because the embryo cannot develop properly in these locations

The above map shows abortion bans by state, including those where the procedure is banned from fertilization except in medical emergencies

Ms Norris-De La Cruz started to cramp and bleed early in her pregnancy. When she went to the hospital, doctors measured her hormone levels, performed an ultrasound, and instructed her to return in 48 hours.

It's unclear how or why doctors missed the ectopic pregnancy during that first visit, instead calling it a 'failed early pregnancy'

Ms Norris-De La Cruz felt sick for weeks with severe abdominal pain that made her think she could have appendicitis or a urinary tract infection.

It wasn't until a nurse at her campus health center examined her that she went to the hospital. But doctors ultimately declined to operate and discharged her

She was recommended to stay an extra night in the hospital, but the next day, a second OB/GYN said 'no operation warranted and sent her home.'

Meanwhile, her mother Stephanie Lloyd was trying to find an abortion provider in the state who could help her daughter, with no success.

Finally, after texting a photo of her troubling sonogram to a friend who was on the way to see her OB/GYN, Ms Norris-De La Cruz was finally able to see a doctor, Jeffery Morgan, who immediately identified it as an ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancies cannot progress normally and pose significant risks to the mother's health, including internal bleeding if the ectopic pregnancy ruptures [Stock image]

Dr Morgan operated and was able to remove the ectopic pregnancy on the right side of her pelvis. But to do so, he had to remove most of her fallopian tube, possibly resulting in a loss of fertility.

The Texas law stipulates that doctors can end a pregnancy if it is ectopic. Doctors said there was a chance the pregnancy could still be viable, though major medical authorties disagree with this.

Still, most doctors were afraid to perform a procedure that could land them in prison.

The Texas law says that doctors may terminant a pregnancy when it is ectopic

But the threat of jail time and six-figure fines for medical professionals has led some hospitals and doctors in the state to deny or delay care.

Dr Morgan said it 'baffles' him that doctors declined to help Ms Norris-De La Cruz, saying: 'Any kind of ectopic, anything like that is excluded.'

Stephanie Lloyd said that she thought the Texas abortion law would only affect people who decided they didnt want to be pregnant.

She never imagined the law could prevent women like her daughter from accessing lifesaving care. She has since completely changed her mind about abortion bans.

'I didnt realize how far it had gone,' she said. 'But it has happened to my life now, with my daughter.

She added: 'Her life has been in danger and affected by someone who was too afraid to help.'

Texas law makes narrow exceptions to save the life of the mother, including in cases of ectopic pregnancies.

But the threat of six-figure fines and jail time has had a chilling effect on hospitals where doctors have denied life saving care.

Any Texas woman seeking an abortion have to travel out of state to get one.
A stomach bug that causes violent diarrhea and vomiting is spreading rapidly across the North East - putting 'lives on hold' in some areas.

Latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that nearly 14 percent of tests in the region came back positive for norovirus at the start of February  up from around 4 percent in November before the outbreak started.

Nationwide, cases are also rising  with 12 percent of swabs now detecting the virus compared to nine percent in November. Cases are rising fastest in the South.

Locals are reporting that many children are missing school because of stomach bugs in their area which are disrupting their daily lives.

The above map highlights the North East region of the US that is currently facing an outbreak of norovirus

This graph shows how cases have jumped 15 percent in recent weeks. There is a dip on the most recent dates, but data for these is incomplete, with the line expected to rise as more infections are recorded

The above shows the difference in symptoms between Covid and norovirus

About 21million Americans  or six percent of the population  are sickened by norovirus every year, statistics suggests, with 109,000 hospitalized.

Cases normally peak around February and March, alongside other ailments, because people are forced to spend more time indoors by cold weather.

Latest data for the North East showed the test positivity rate  the proportion of swabs done in hospitals that come back positive for the virus  was 13.9 percent in the week to February 3, compared to 12 percent two weeks earlier.

Data from September to the start of February this year shows that Minnesota and Wisconsin have been hardest hit with norovirus  with both reporting more than five outbreaks over this period.

They are followed by California, Florida, Ohio and Virginia which have all reported four outbreaks so far.

But experts say cases are now also starting to take off in states within the North East  including New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The red line shows the number of outbreaks recorded nationwide this year compared to previous years. It is within the range of outbreaks in 2012 to 2020, before the Covid pandemic

The above shows how infections are rising rapidly in the southern United States, although they are still below the levels they were last year

Dr John Whyte, from WebMD, told people to wash their hands to avoid being infected with the virus

Norovirus spreads easily through contact with contaminated surfaces and then touching the area around the mouth or nose.

Infections typically cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach ache and watery diarrhea  as well as a fever and a headache.

In the vast majority of cases, symptoms clear within two days  with little treatment needed besides bed rest.

Dr John Whyte, the chief medical officer at WebMD, told ABC7 that the best way to avoid an infection was to wash your hands.

He said: 'It is very much about your own handwashing.

'You want to wash your hands with soap and water for about 20 to 30 seconds while you are in the bathroom.

'You also want to encourage people to stay home if they are sick. I know it is tough on parents but, if someone feels sick, they need to stay home.'

In New Jersey, Irving Primary School in Highland Park  which has about 300 students  closed recently because of gastrointestinal illnesses.

The school underwent deep cleaning but was then quickly reopened to allow lessons to resume.

It comes after the flu and RSV season arrived two months earlier than expected as viruses remain out of kilter with normal patterns because of the Covid pandemic.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. The Armenia-UAE economic relations, which experienced a sharp boost of development last year, may evolve in a new way.

The Armenian Ministry of Economy, said in response to Armenpress query, presenting the most promising directions capable of giving a fresh breath to the economic cooperation between the two countries.

The ministry has stated that the expansion and deepening of the cooperation in the fields of tourism, infrastructure, renewable energy, construction, agriculture, food industry, high technologies, digitalization, cybersecurity and innovation are particularly attractive. Cooperation in these areas promises to be mutually beneficial.

In 2023, the UAE became the second trade partner of Armenia by the volume of goods turnover, at the same time topping the list of countries that made foreign direct investments in Armenia. Last year, exports from Armenia to the UAE amounted to approximately $2.2 billion, indicating a 3.2 times increase compared to 2022. The volume of imports was relatively modest - about 600 million dollars. The indicator of 2022 was exceeded by 36.7 percent. The total trade turnover reached $2.8 billion, marking a 1.9-fold increase in just one year.

According to the Ministry, the export structure has not changed significantly compared to 2022. Last year, 96.3 percent of Armenia's exports to the UAE consisted of four main types of products: unwrought or semi-wrought gold, gold dust, jewelry, diamond stones, cigarettes and cigars. In 2022, they accounted for 98.7 percent of exports. The import structure also remained largely unchanged, with passenger cars, diamond stones, telephone spare parts, modems, and jewelry dominating. Overall, they accounted for 59 percent of goods imported from the UAE to Armenia in 2023 (compared to 60 percent in 2022). In 2023, $1.6 billion worth of goods were re-exported from Armenia to the UAE, mainly unwrought gold ($1.3 billion), diamond stones (300 million) and unwrought, semi-unwrought or in powder form ($32 million).

Last year, the UAE became the country that secured the largest volume of foreign direct investment in Armenia's economy, surpassing Russia for the first time in history. From January to September 2023, the UAE made direct investments totaling 101 billion 814.4 million drams in Armenia. The Ministry emphasizes that this indicator should not be conditioned by a separate factor, but should be considered in the general logic of the dynamics of the development of the Armenian-Emirati trade and economic relations in the recent period.

According to the Economy Ministry, the ongoing environmental improvements, the current increase in bilateral trade relations and the rising influx of tourists to Armenia are considered the main factors contributing to the development of economic cooperation between Armenia and the UAE.

The talks on the signing of an agreement on services, trade, and investment between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the United Arab Emirates, which has begun the previous year, are currently underway. An agreement to sign such a document was reached during the negotiations on the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and its member states and the UAE.

The agreement, in fact, liberalizes the processes of implementation of services, trade and investments between Armenia and the UAE, envisaging the removal of drawbacks, enhancing economic efficiency and creating favorable conditions in these areas. It is aimed at expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
Florida's surgeon general has said that children who are unvaccinated against measles can still go to school amid an outbreak of the disease - in a move that defies CDC guidance.

A school in the south of the state is responding to an eruption of measles after six pupils tested positive.

In a letter to parents at the school, Joseph Ladapo said he would leave the choice of whether to keep unvaccinated children at home up to parents.

CDC health officials say unvaccinated children should stay home for 21 days after exposure to an infected individual, to prevent them contracting the disease.

Doctors have accused Dr Ladapo of putting vulnerable children at risk.

Dr Ladapo has previously been criticized for his comments about Covid jabs being unsafe and refusing to wear a mask during the pandemic.

Dr Ladapo had repeatedly clashed with science over the pandemic, particularly vaccines

Last month, he called for ending the use of mRNA Covid shots, which was met with fierce opposition from the medical community.

A sixth case of measles was reported at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, Florida. Doctors were told of the first measles case - a third grader with no travel history - on Friday February 16.

A letter to parents on Tuesday signed by Dr Ladapo acknowledged that the 'normal' recommendation is for unvaccinated children to stay home for 21 day - the period of time that the virus can be transmitted.

But it stated: 'DOH is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance.'

According to the CDC, the MMR vaccine rate in Florida is approximately 91 percent, which is below the national rate of 93 percent.

The CDC has not responded to Dr Ladapo's advice.

Dr Ladapo has also strayed away from CDC guidance over the safety of the Covid jabs.

In October 2021, he said that more information was needed on how safe the jabs were.

All jabs are put through rigorous testing before being approved for use in people to ensure they are safe.

Top health authorities in America including the CDC have repeated said they are safe to use.

Ben Hoffman, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, responded to Dr Ladapo's advice to parents on measles: 'It runs counter to everything I have ever heard and everything that I have read.

The graph shows the national estimate of kindergarteners with two doses of MMR over the years. Measles coverage is below the national target of 95 percent for the third year running

'It runs counter to our policy. It runs counter to what the [CDC] would recommend.'

Meanwhile, measles is on the up. The CDC has reported at least 26 cases in at least 12 states, which is close to double the amount at this point last year.

MMR vaccine coverage has dropped a further two percent between the 2019-2021 school year to the 2022-2023 school year, according to the CDC, which means that roughly a quarter of a million kindergartens are at risk of measles infection across the US.

Exemptions from school shots was also at a record high, exceeding five percent in ten states.

Experts have said that the outbreaks are in part due to the increasing amount of parents refusing to have their children vaccinated after political fallout to Covid mandates and misinformation about vaccine safety.

Measles virus particles can stay in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person vacates the space, meaning that up to 90 percent of people with no immunity will become infected if exposed.

For the MMR vaccine, the recommended two doses are 97 percent effective against measles, the CDC reports. One dose is 93 percent effective.

John Moore, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College said: 'The reason why there is a measles outbreak in Florida schools is because too many parents have not had their children protected by the safe and effective measles vaccine.

'And why is that? Its because anti-vaccine sentiment in Florida comes from the top of the public health food-chain: Joseph Ladapo.'

Paul Offit, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, said Ladapo's refusal to encourage vaccination puts children in serious danger.

'Is he trying to prove that measles isnt a contagious disease when the data are clear that it is the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, far more contagious than influenza or Covid?' he told the Washington Post.

Dr Ladapo previously said the mRNA Covid jabs raise the risk of cardiac-related death by 84 percent in young males.

The vaccine-skeptic official cited a Florida Department of Health analysis to back up his claims  but independent scientists say it contains major statistical flaws.
Following a recent court decision in Alabama that ruled frozen embryos are children, women in red states have begun transferring theirs to locations that have fewer restrictions on reproductive healthcare.

Amanda Zurawski, 36 of Texas, has chosen to move her frozen embryos out of the state for fear lawmakers could follow Alabamas lead and block her from starting a family on her terms.

Meanwhile Meghan Cole, 31 of Alabama, is considering moving her frozen embryos to New York or New Jersey, both blue states unlikely to restrict in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Alabama ruled last week that when a person in a fertility clinic dropped several frozen embryos, the clinic violated the state's Wrongful Death Act - which defines a wrongful death as someone who dies due to someone else's wrongful act or negligence - establishing that frozen embryos were considered people.

Frozen embryos are eggs taken from a womans ovaries and fertilized with sperm outside of the womb. If they are not immediately implanted into a uterus, they can be stored for years. In some cases, however, embryos are discarded because of genetic abnormalities or when a person no longer needs them.

Now, IVF clinics and doctors in the state are pausing certain IVF procedures in fear that if they discard any embryos, they could be prosecuted for wrongful death.

Amanda Zurawski, 36 of Texas [pictured right with her husband] has chosen to move her frozen embryos out of the state for fear that her state could follow Alabama s lead and block her from starting a family on her terms

A handful of Republican-led states have declared that life begins at the moment an egg is fertilized

Ms Zurawski said the process of IVF is anxiety-inducing enough on its own, but the ruling and subsequent closure of some clinics in Alabama have added another layer of fear and anxiety.'

Zurawski is one of the lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit alleging that Texas abortion ban endangered her life when, at 18 weeks pregnant in 2022, she went into septic shock and nearly died.

Doctors refused to perform an abortion because the fetus still had a heartbeat. In Texas, all abortions are banned with the exception of instances to save the life of the mother.

The experience led her to try IVF and hopefully have a baby via a surrogate after doctors told her she could not carry a baby to term.

But the legal landscape in Texas, coupled with fear that followed Alabamas court ruling, convinced her and her husband to look to other states to store the embryos.

Ms Zurawski , who spoke exclusively to NBC News, said: Its absolutely terrifying.

But its also so infuriating because the same people who support the bans that nearly killed me are also in the same camp who are now trying to make it harder for people like me to have a family.

Meanwhile, Ms Cole said she is also scrambling to move her embryos to an 'IVF-friendly' state such as New York or New Jersey.

Ms Cole cannot carry a child herself for health reasons and planned to use a surrogate, who was traveling to Birmingham for an embryo transfer LAST WEEK? when she learned the clinic had shut its doors.

She said: 'Im scared of what Im supposed to be doing with the embryos that are going to remain frozen.

'It just didnt cross my mind that, you know, I would ever, potentially be held liable for discarding embryos in the normal course... Its a cluster of cells they cant live outside of the freezer... So yeah, this was kind of blindsiding.'

So far, it is not known whether the owners of the embryos could be sued. All the decision said was that parents of an embryo that is destroyed can sue the person who did it for wrongful death.

And as of now, women in Alabama can still store their fertilized eggs.

Alabama Fertility, where Meghan Cole is a patient, shared a statement on social media following the court's decision: 'We have made the impossibly difficult decision to hold new IVF treatments due to the legal risk to our clinic and embryologists.

'We are working as hard as we can to alert our legislators as to the far-reaching negative impact of this ruling on the women of Alabama.'

Following the Alabama court ruling, three clinics in the state closed their doors out of fear and confusion.

Zurawski is one of the lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit alleging that Texas abortion ban endangered her life when, at 18 weeks pregnant in 2022, she went into septic shock and nearly died

In vitro fertilization involves retrieving eggs from the womans ovaries, fertilizing them outside of the womb and implanting them in the womans uterus [Stock image]

While traveling out of state to store embryos is an option, it can be prohibitively expensive.

The average IVF cycle can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $17,000, which includes egg retrieval and mixing the eggs with sperm, though not including medication. The cost of freezing embryos ranges from $1,000 to $2,000, with additional storage fees of $500$1,000 a year.

Traveling out of state adds a whole host of additional costs.

Ms Zurawski said: I think about the folks in Alabama who may be considering doing the same thing, and its not an option for everyone.

IVF in and of itself is already extremely expensive. And then, to add an additional layer of potentially needing to transport them. Its just another expense. Its more logistics. Its more unknowns.

Ms Zurawski declined to say where she and her husband would move her embryos to protect us.'

Texas abortion ban includes exceptions for the life and health of the mother, but steep penalties of six-figure-fines and jail time have sent a chilling effect across the entire healthcare landscape there.

As a result, patients in Texas have suffered severe complications and devastating outcomes.

A case that recently made headlines across the country was that of Katie Cox, who was told by her doctor last summer that her fetus had a diagnosis of trisomy and could not survive more than a week if carried to full-term, warning her that an induced labor could rupture her uterus if it died in the womb.

Despite the danger to her life, She had to go to court and request approval to have an immediate abortion, but the state did not grant it until December, while she was in New Mexico obtaining the procedure that she needed.

In 2022, the Supreme Court made a ruling in Dobbs vs Jackson, which overturned federal abortion protections established by Roe vs Wade in 1973. Almost immediately, states began instituting abortion restrictoins, and now 15 have complete bans on the procedure.

Abortion rights and IVF advocates have feared since then that reproductive technology could also be at risk as a handful of red states passed laws granting fetuses the same rights as people.

Barbara Collura, CEO of Resolve: The National Infertility Association, said: This is exactly what we have been fearful of and worried about where it was heading.

We are extremely concerned that this is now going to happen in other states.
Women worldwide, on average, are having fewer children now than previous generations.

The trend, down to increased access to education and contraception, more women taking up jobs and changing attitudes towards having children, is expected to see dozens of countries' population shrink by 2100.

Dr Jennifer Sciubba, author of 8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World, told MailOnline that people are choosing to have smaller families and the change 'is permanent'.

'So it's wise to focus on working within this new reality rather than trying to change it,' she said.

Sex education and contraception

A rise in education and access to contraception is one reason behind the drop off in the global fertility rate.

Education around pregnancy and contraception has increased, with sex education classes beginning in the US in the 1970s and becoming compulsory in the UK in the 1990s.

'There is an old adage that "education is the best contraception" and I think that is relevant' for explaining the decline in birth rates, said Professor Allan Pacey, an andrologist at the University of Sheffield and former chair of the British Fertility Society.

Elina Pradhan, a senior health specialist at the World Bank, suggests that more educated women choose to have fewer children due to concerns about earning less when taking time off before and after giving birth.

In the UK, three in 10 mothers and one in 20 fathers report having to cut back on their working hours due to childcare, according to ONS data.

They may also have more exposure to different ideas on family sizes through school and connections they make during their education, encouraging them to think more critically about the number of children they want, she said.

And more educated women may know more about prenatal care and child health and may have more access to healthcare, Ms Pradhan added.

Professor Jonathan Portes, an economist at King's College London, said that women's greater control over their own fertility means 'households, and women in particular, both want fewer children and are able to do so'.

More women entering the workplace

More women are in the workplace now than they were 50 years ago  72 vs 52 per cent  which has contributed to the global fertility rate halving over the same time period.

Professor Portes also noted that the drop-off in the birth rate may also be down to the structure of labour and housing markets, expensive childcare and gender roles making it difficult for many women to combine career aspirations with having a family.

The UK Government has 'implemented the most anti-family policies of any Government in living memory' by cutting services that support families, along with benefit cuts that 'deliberately punish low-income families with children', he added.

As more women have entered the workplace, the age they are starting a family has been pushed back. Data from the ONS shows that the most common age for a women who were born in 1949 to give birth was 22. But women born in 1975, were most likely to have children when they were 31-years-old.

In another sign that late motherhood is on the rise, half of women born in 1990, the most recent cohort to reach 30-years-old, remained childless at 30  the highest rate recorded.

Women repeatedly point to work-related reasons for putting off having children, with surveys finding that most women want to make their way further up the career ladder before conceiving.

However, the move could be leading to women having fewer children than they planned. In the 1990s, just 6,700 cycles of IVF  a technique to help people with fertility problems to have a baby  took place in the UK annually. But this skyrocketed to more than 69,000 by 2019, suggesting more women are struggling to conceive naturally.

Declining sperm counts

Reproductive experts have also raised the alarm that biological factors, such as falling sperm counts and changes to sexual development, could 'threaten human survival'.

Dr Shanna Swan, an epidemiologist at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, authored a ground-breaking 2017 study that revealed that global sperm counts have dropped by more than half over the past four decades.

She warned that 'everywhere chemicals', such as phthalates found in toiletries, food packaging and children's toys, are to blame. The chemicals cause hormonal imbalance which can trigger 'reproductive havoc', she said.

Factors including smoking tobacco and marijuana and rising obesity rates may also play a role, Dr Swan said.

Studies have also pointed to air pollution for dropping fertility rates, suggesting it triggers inflammation which can damage egg and sperm production.

However, Professor Pacey, a sperm quality and fertility expert, said: 'I really don't think that any changes in sperm quality are responsible for the decline in birth rates.

'In fact, I do not believe the current evidence that sperm quality has declined.'

He said: 'I think a much bigger issue for falling birth rates is the fact that: (a) people are choosing to have fewer children; and (b) they are waiting until they are older to have them.'

Fears about bringing children into the world

Choosing not to have children is cited by some scientists as the best thing a person can do for the planet, compared to cutting energy use, travel and making food choices based on their carbon footprint.

Scientists at Oregon State University calculated that the each child adds about 9,441 metric tons of carbon dioxide to the 'carbon legacy' of a woman. Each metric ton is equivalent to driving around the world's circumference.

Experts say the data is discouraging the climate conscious from having babies, while others are opting-out of children due to fears around the world they will grow up in.

Dr Britt Wray, a human and planetary health fellow at Stanford University, said the drop-off in fertility rates was due to a 'fear of a degraded future due to climate change'.

She was one of the authors behind a Lancet study of 10,000 volunteers, which revealed four in ten young people fear bringing children into the world because of climate concerns.

Professor David Coleman, emeritus professor of demography at Oxford University, told MailOnline that peoples' decision not to have children is 'understandable' due to poor conditions, such as climate change.
A schoolboy in Florida has died after developing meningitis, local health officials have confirmed.

The youngster, 11, suffered from an infection before he was diagnosed with the condition  inflammation of the brain or spinal cord.

The boy, who has not been named, attended Oak Hill, near Orlando  with more than 40 parents at the school now warned to watch their children for symptoms.

Officials at Burns Science and Technology Charter School, where he was studying, say the boy's death has 'rocked us to the core'.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord and can cause people to develop a fever, vomiting, cold hands and feet and a stiff neck (stock image of an illustration of meningitis-causing bacteria)

He had attended Burns Science and Technology Charter School in Oak Hill, near Orlando (pictured)

Meningitis is a rare complication causing about 3,000 cases in the US every year  with 150 to 300 being fatal.

It is caused by a bacterial or viral infection from diseases including measles, polio and mumps.

Measles  the most infectious disease known to man  is currently re-surging in the US because of dropping vaccination rates and a rise in anti-vaxx sentiment.

CDC data released this week showed uptake of the measles vaccine was below the recommended level for the third year in a row.

It was not clear what disease the boy had that caused meningitis, when the disease was first diagnosed or whether the boy was vaccinated.

The report marks at least the second fatality from meningitis this year, after a man in northern Virginia died 'shockingly fast'  within hours  after developing the condition.

Albert Amalfitano, the chairman of the board, said: 'We feel terrible for the family of this boy.

'We are taking all necessary precautions to protect our other students.'

Burns Science and Technology Charter School has about 685 students and goes up to grade 11  when children are 17 years old.

The school released a notice to parents on Friday afternoon to warn parents over the risks from meningitis.

The letter reads, according to local media: 'We are writing to let you know there has been a confirmed case of meningitis in fourth grade.

'This does not affect any other classes, although we want you to take precautions as we enter the weekend. Please keep an eye on your child.'

Diseases that cause meningitis are typically spread through close contact, including hugging or being near an infectious person for a prolonged period.

In some cases, these can spread to the meninges  protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

This leads to meningitis, with symptoms of the condition including a pale and blotchy rash on the skin, a stiff neck and avoidance of bright lights.

Patients suffering from the condition need to be treated immediately with antibiotics and steroids to suppress the immune system.

Patients can die from meningitis if they go into septic shock  an over-reaction of the immune system causing organ shut down  or start to suffer bleeds on the brain.

It comes amid a measles outbreak in Florida at Manatee Bay Elementary School in the South of the state.

Six cases of the disease have now been confirmed, with the first detected on February 16.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises any unvaccinated children who have been exposed to the virus to stay home for 21 days.

But in a letter to parents at the school, the state's controversial surgeon-general Joseph Ladapo suggested parents could ignore the guidance.

He said he would leave the choice of whether to keep unvaccinated children at home to the parents  prompting backlash from the medical community.
Warning: Renault boss Luca de Meo

Wise words and warnings from engaging Renault boss Luca de Meo about several unintended consequences of Western politicians' drive to go 'green'.

Red-tape regulation results in bigger, heavier and more expensive electric cars from European manufacturers that customers find too costly, while China aggressively mops up the market with cheap imports.

Writing in respected motor magazine Autocar, he said the industry faced its most profound change in 150 years.

He said: 'The urge to reduce our environmental impact, the phasing out of the internal combustion engine by 2035 and the ever-increasing safety and cybersecurity requirements for our cars are making them heavier and more expensive.

'All these constraints add up.'

The consequence is that older and more polluting cars remain on roads longer  with the average age of a car rising from seven to 12 years.
The majority of electric vehicle drivers won't use their battery-powered cars for longer journeys - and half have a petrol or diesel model as a back-up for when they need to complete trips over bigger distances, a poll suggests.

Owners don't feel comfortable relying on their electric cars or the charging network when undertaking trips in excess of 60 miles, the survey of 2,800 EV users by leasing company Zenith revealed.

Fewer than one in five of the panel of UK-based EV drivers said they use them for longer trips.

And their fallback of having a second car powered by a combustion engine 'could be holding back the EV transition', the report said.

EV owners can't fully rely on their battery cars for longer journeys: Half of EV owners have a second petrol of diesel vehicle in the household they use for bigger trips

Official figures show that the one millionth EV entered Britain's roads in January as the uptake of battery cars continued to rise.

However, electric car purchases by private buyers on a year-on-year basis fell by a quarter (25.1 per cent) last month, as waning consumer demand persisted.

Instead, it is fleet registrations that are propping up Britain's EV sales stats, driven by low company car tax rates of just 2 per cent and the availability of salary sacrifice schemes through employers.

Zenith's new report shows 51 per cent of those who have switched to EVs - which now represents over 500,000 motorists - still have a second vehicle which has either a petrol or diesel engine under the bonnet.

The vast majority (73 per cent) of these people with a two-car garage consisting of one EV and one combustion-engine car said they have no plans to get rid of the latter to go fully electric any time soon.

As such, the leasing company said the UK's 'two-car family' could slow down the wider transition to battery vehicles, as many look set to retain their petrols and diesels as a back-up.

Half of customers with EVs told the leasing provider that they drive their plug-in vehicles only for short trips of up to 30 miles, while only 18 per cent use them for longer trips - defined by Zenith as those over 60 miles.

A quarter of EV adopters said they are 'not confident' doing longer trips in these cars, with the most common reasons cited being unreliable public charging (36 per cent) and range anxiety (34 per cent).

In fact, limited range was the number one concern for EV drivers, with a quarter finding the real-world range of their vehicle is worse than they expected and had been promised by 'official' manufacturer figures, and a similar proportion (24 per cent) highlighting how the charging experience wasn't up to their standards they had expected.

That said, the study also revealed that 86 per cent who have switched to an EV would not exclusively go back to petrol or diesel ownership, while the vast majority (86 per cent) are confident charging infrastructure will improve over the next three years, increasing the likelihood of them taking on longer journeys in an electric car in the future.

The leasing company says the UK's 'two-car family' could slow down the wider transition to battery vehicles, as many look set to retain a petrol or diesel as a back-up

Range and experience with charging are two of the biggest issues for EV drivers, according to the Zenith report

EV drivers want big SUVs and are moving away from Tesla

Another major finding from Zenith's study is that large SUVs are becoming increasingly popular among electric car buyers.

Of the 26 different models owned by the respondents, the Kia e-Niro/Niro EV and Audi E-tron were among the top five most common.

This is likely due to these types of vehicle having larger batteries, which in turn means longer ranges from a single charge.

The Zenith report found that there is a strong appetite in the UK for SUV-style electric vehicles (like the Audi e-tron pictured), rather than motorists opting for smaller model. This is likely due to their bigger batteries and therefore longer ranges on a single charge

The poll also found that, while Tesla remains the preferred brand overall, there has been a decline in the number of drivers choosing Tesla vehicles.

This suggests a growing willingness among drivers to explore different brands, reflecting the expanding range of available electric vehicle options.

Tim Buchan, chief executive at Zenith, said: 'Since our first EVX report in February 2023, we've seen a five-year delay to the 2030 deadline, motorway ultra-rapid charging targets being missed, and increased misinformation about the EV driving experience.

'It's not surprising that the latest intake of EV drivers are coming to the EV world with less confidence than the first generation of adoptees.

'It's clear from our research that there's still anxiety about travelling longer distances, so while it's great to see so many drivers starting their EV journey with larger SUV models, typically 'family' cars, there remains a reluctance to becoming a fully electric household.

'We know EVs are the future of mobility, so we hope more work is done on providing certainty, starting with the government confirming its commitment to net zero with measures that support drivers to make the transition, and additional investment in our charging infrastructure, so it has a chance to catch up with consumer needs.'
Shares in the British Airways owner IAG have trailed Easyjet, Wizz and Ryanair since the start of the pandemic.

Four years on and there are little signs this is likely to change, with the airline owner's stock down around 10 per cent over the past 12 months.

Pressure is mounting on IAG  which also owns the Spanish carriers Iberia and Vueling  to get its act together with its full-year results on Thursday.

But that is possibly a task too big for a company that has shown time and time again just how unreliable it can be.

There has been turbulence across the airline industry, with flights to and from Israel grounded because of the conflict in the Middle East, rising oil prices and higher labour costs. IAG, however, is planning to resume flights from London to Tel Aviv from April.

Analysts expect the company's fourth-quarter sales to rise 11 per cent to 6billion and for its profits to increase by almost a fifth to 434m.

Across the financial year, sales are forecast to jump 27 per cent to a record 21billion, while profits should reach an all-time high of 3billion.

The City will also keep a close eye on how IAG's capacity compares to levels before the Covid pandemic.

And with its debt falling, the firm could be moving towards paying a dividend in 2024 for the first time in four years, according to analysts at investment platform AJ Bell.

IAG  which is worth 7.5billion  will need to produce a bumper update if it wants to catch up with its peers.
In this series, we bust the jargon and explain a popular investing term or theme. Here it's greenhushing.

What is this?

The recent rise in the use of the term 'greenhushing' has led to a few lame jokes about telling plants to stop talking back.

But the term relates to the increasingly common practice of staying quiet about your company's climate and other ethical pledges. This is partly motivated by fears of accusations of 'greenwashing'  making false claims of eco-virtue.

Are such fears well-grounded?

Yes. In 2022, the authorities raided the offices of DWS, the asset management arm of Deutsche Bank, following reports that it was exaggerating the share of its funds invested according to ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria.

Subsequently, DWS was investigated by the German regular Bafin and by the US watchdog the SEC. Last month, it was reported that the firm  which is facing a $25m SEC fine  has been hit by a fresh probe over the issue.

Keeping quiet: The term relates to the increasingly common practice of staying quiet about your company's climate and other ethical pledges

Other reasons it is in the news?

This month, two major money managers  JP Morgan Asset Management and State Street Global Advisors  have left the Climate Action 100+, the world's largest climate change pressure group. The groups manage $3.1 trillion and $4.1 trillion worth of funds respectively. Their departure sparked a debate over their motives.

So why did they leave?

Some argue that fund managers only join such associations if there is a marketing benefit. Paying lip service to sustainability commitments has been seen as a way to win business from private and institutional shareholders.

Others cite the backlash in the US against ESG investing which, in some quarters, is regarded not only as dangerously 'woke', but also damaging to jobs and the economy. The objections from some states is growing, and there are warnings of painful repercussions for ESG-oriented managers if Donald Trump wins the election.

Is anti-ESG sentiment growing in the UK?

The opposition to ESG is more muted than in the US, but it is significant that Labour has reduced its plans in this area. The party has said that it will spend about 15billion a year, rather 28billion on battery manufacturing, flood defences, hydrogen power, insulating homes, offshore wind projects and more tree planting. Meanwhile, the Government is contemplating tighter controls of the ESG ratings sector.

Does it mean more greenhushing?

Almost certainly. There's much focus on the pronouncements of the US giant Blackrock, which is the custodian of $9.1 trillion of savings.

Larry Fink, Blackrock's boss, has been seen as the poster boy of ESG investing. But the group is now less vocal on the issue, probably because it hopes to escape the censure of Republican politicians.

But Blackrock's commitment to saving the planet appears unchanged and its international division remains a member of Climate Action 100+.

Does it suggest wider shifts in ESG investing?

In the UK, many private investors have pulled cash from ESG funds.

This is likely to lead to rebranding, with funds having narrower goals focusing on stewardship and sustainability.
Departure: Bhairav Trivedi will stand down as the boss of CAB Payments next month

The chief executive of CAB Payments plans to stand down in March, just months after the payments provider's calamitous initial public offering.

Bhairav Trivedi will leave as the financial technology group's boss following the publication of its annual results on 26 March, but remain as a 'senior adviser' to its board.

During his tenure, the firm's revenue has more than doubled, thanks partly to rising aid flows and customer numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

To further its expansion, CAB decided to go public on the London Stock Exchange last summer at 3.35 per share, equating to an implied valuation of 851million.

However, the group's share price plunged by nearly three-quarters on one day in October after it warned annual revenue would be 17 per cent lower than previously forecasted due to currency volatility, including a depreciating Nigerian naira.

Although they have somewhat recovered since then, CAB Payments Holdings shares stood at 102.9p just before midday on Friday, approximately 70 per cent below their IPO price.

Based in Sutton, CAB specialises in offering cross-border payments and foreign exchange services across over 150 countries, with a particular focus on emerging markets.

Trivedi became its CEO at the start of 2021 following a long career in the financial services sector, including at Citi Bank, Network International, and troubled payments business Finablr.

He told investors: 'It has been an honour to lead CAB Payments over the last few years, and I am extremely proud of what we have achieved.

'The company has expanded and deepened its customer base and presence globally and set out clear priorities to extend our FX and payments capabilities, further diversify our customer base and expand the number of markets we serve.'

Succeeding him at CAB is Neeraj Kapur, who was most recently the chief financial officer of Vanquis Banking Group - formerly Provident Financial - for three years until leaving last August for unspecified personal reasons.

Like Trivedi, Kapur has worked for many years at financial businesses, including Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Ulster Bank, and Secure Trust Bank.

CAB's chairman, Ann Cairns, said Kapur 'is a seasoned finance professional and proven leader who brings a wealth of experience to this role'.

She added: 'We are confident CAB Payments will continue to flourish and grow under his leadership as he executes our strategy to deliver long-term value for all our stakeholders.'
Government outsourcer Serco has been ordered to cease the use of facial recognition tech and fingerprint scans when monitoring employees.

Britain's information watchdog on Friday ruled the FTSE 250 firm must change the way it monitors the attendance of more than 2,000 employees at 38 leisure facilities across the country, and destroy what data it current has.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said Serco could not prove it 'necessary or proportionate' to use FRT and fingerprint scanning in place of other means like ID cards or fobs.

Erdington Leisure Centre in Birmingham is one of the leisure facilities operated by Serco, which runs similar businesses on behalf of community leisure trusts, local authorities and Sport England.

Serco now has three months to scrap the use of the invasive technology or it risks a fine of up to 17.5million or 4 per cent of turnover  the group made 4.6billion in revenues last year.

John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner, said: 'Biometric data is wholly unique to a person so the risks of harm in the event of inaccuracies or a security breach are much greater - you can't reset someone's face or fingerprint like you can reset a password.

'This is neither fair nor proportionate under data protection law, and, as the UK regulator, we will closely scrutinise organisations and act decisively if we believe biometric data is being used unlawfully.'

The group operates leisure facilities on behalf of community leisure trusts, local authorities and Sport England.

The ICO's order applies to the group's Serco Leisure and Serco Jersey units, as well as seven community trusts involved in the management of the facilities; Birmingham Community Leisure Trust, Bolton Community Leisure, Shropshire Community Leisure Trust, More Leisure Community Trust, Northern Community Leisure Trust, Maidstone Leisure Trust, and Swale Community Leisure.

Its investigation found that employees at the leisure facilities were not offered an alternative method of monitoring  and FRT and fingerprint scans were a requirement for payment.

The ICO said: 'Due to the imbalance of power between Serco Leisure and its employees, it is unlikely that they would feel able to say no to the collection and use of their biometric data for attendance checks.'

The report of the watchdog's investigation reveals one employee opted to complain to management about the use of FRT, but was knocked back with no offer of an alternative.

Serco instead offered to arrange a meeting between the employee and a representative of the company that makes the technology  ShopWorks - 'to discuss privacy concerns'.

The data subject was informed that they would 'be required to use the ShopWorks system' on their return to work.

A Serco Leisure spokesman said: 'We value the hard work of all our team members delivering services for our customers.

'This technology was introduced at the leisure centres we manage nearly five years ago to make clocking-in and out easier and simpler for colleagues.

'We engaged with our team members in advance of its roll-out and its introduction was well-received by colleagues. The introduction also followed external legal advice which said use of the technology was permitted.

'Despite being aware of Serco Leisure's use of this technology for some years, the ICO have only this week issued an enforcement notice and requested that we take action.

'We now understand this coincides with the publication of new guidance for organisations on processing of biometric data which we anticipate will provide greater clarity in this area.

'We take this matter seriously and confirm we will fully comply with the enforcement notice.'
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. An Azerbaijani attack against Armenia is highly likely, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has warned.

Upon analyzing the statements coming out of official Baku, we conclude that indeed an attack on Armenia is highly likely, Pashinyan said in an interview with France 24. Why? Because, for example, Baku very often makes statements about the so-called Western Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is basically calling the entire Republic of Armenia Western Azerbaijan, calling the territories of the Republic of Armenia as Azerbaijani ones. On the diplomatic level Azerbaijan is assuring that it doesnt have intentions to attack, but where do these opinions on the likelihood of an attack come from? First of all, upon expressing the publicly agreed principles in the text of the peace treaty we see some difficulties caused by Azerbaijan. Secondly, it is the public narrative voiced on the highest level, which, in short, is reflected in calling the Republic of Armenia as Western Azerbaijan. Third, the aggressiveness on the border. For example, the latest incident, when we had four deaths, this incident wasnt anyhow justified. They stated that one of their soldiers was wounded, and we stated that we would investigate, because theres an order not to carry out any unjustified actions, and if it turns out that there is a violation of that order there would be consequences envisaged by law. Despite these statements, Azerbaijan took advantage of that occasion in order to display aggression. It is the combination of these facts that leads many Armenian and international experts to conclude that Azerbaijan is planning a new attack on Armenia.
The king was ill  very ill. Doctors worried for his future while keeping secret from the public the gravity of his condition.

His immediate family closed ranks to guard his privacy, but in the wider royal circle they were already plotting. Plotting to ditch the age-old order of succession and put a usurper on the throne.

The king in question was not Charles but his grandfather, King George VI.

In the few weeks the king disappeared from public view in the spring of 1949, the course of history could well have changed  and not for the better.

Prince Philip was close to his uncle Mountbatten, but neither were trusted by palace courtiers

Who would be Regent if King George VI were unable to perform his duties? To some, the Duke of Windsor seemed an obvious answer. He is pictured with the Duchess in New York

Edward VIII - then Prince of Wales - with his niece Princess Elizabeth as they return from church on a visit to Balmoral

King George had never enjoyed good health. He had survived the operation in 1949 but is seen here looking frail at the Braemar Highland games in September 1951

The plotting began when the King, known as Bertie, was admitted to hospital for an operation to cut a nerve at the base of his spine.

The risky procedure was designed to counter the artereo-sclerosis he suffered from too much stress and too many cigarettes.

Bertie was a man dogged by ill-health and, although he would eventually recover and live on, this was a serious operation. He was in danger of losing his life.

What would happen if he suddenly went  or worse, lingered on?

At Buckingham Palace, courtiers were in a tailspin.

It is hard to imagine now, but they were terrified of the influence Prince Philip had over Princess Elizabeth, his wife of the past two years.

Not only was Philip cordially disliked by the palace old guard, their suspicion and mistrust extended to his uncle, Lord Mountbatten.

Mountbatten, a wily old schemer, was loathed for having planted his pushy nephew in the princess's way  for none of the stiff-collar brigade could bring themselves to believe she could actually have fallen in love with the handsome sailor.

Elizabeth, they feared, would become Lord Mountbatten's poodle.

At 23 she was far too young and impressionable to take on the challenge of being head of state.

Mountbatten must be kept away from the levers of power.

And so the talk grew  rapidly  of putting a Regent on the throne if King George VI lingered on but was no longer capable of fulfilling his constitutional role.

Enter the Machiavellian figure of Kenneth de Courcy, a small-time aristocrat with a taste for intrigue, meddling and deceit.

De Courcy, born in Ireland, had made a living out of inventing conspiracy theories then peddling them through a number of publications he owned.

He had become a close friend and advisor of a man not short of connections, but never known as a sound judge of character  the Duke of Windsor.

What happened between the two over the next few weeks amounted to nothing short of treason.

Since the declaration of peace in 1945, de Courcy had been whispering in the Duke's ear that  back home - the royal frontline was weak.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, now based in France, relied on de Courcy and his high-level social contacts to gather all the palace gossip back in London.

So they listened intently as the Irishman laid out his plan.

If a Regent were suddenly needed, he argued, who were they going to call? Old Queen Mary, widow of King George V and the ailing king's mother, was past her 80th year. She looked a remote and anachronistic figure.

There was the Duke of Gloucester, another brother of George VI and the Duke, but he was considered a joke figure by courtiers and politicians and the royal family itself. (His name was Harry!).

There were no other close claimants to the throne.

All the Duke of Windsor had to do was play his cards right, whispered de Courcy, and the throne could be his  at least until the young Elizabeth had matured.

'The king is gravely ill and out of circulation,' he wrote to the Windsors, 'and he won't be in circulation again  he faces the fearful tragedy of losing first one leg and then the other. He is suffering a grievous malady which is incurable, which has spread over his whole body.'

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor pictured in May 1950. 'I can't sit around and see the Duke wasted,' she had written

These were lies, but they played into his narrative.

'I must tell you confidentially that a Regency has been discussed,' he went on, 'and it seems likely that one will be appointed.'

So now he outlined to the Duke the details of his plot.

'I should like to see you buy an agricultural property near London, and devote a good deal of your time to experimental farming on the most advanced modern lines. This would make a great appeal to the country.'

Be there, standing in the wings, was his message. People are deeply suspicious of the Mountbatten influence, and they remember your glory days as Prince of Wales. Elizabeth's too young  you've got the track record.

He didn't mention the Abdication.

Windsor rose to the bait. 'That subject we talked about in Paris,' he replied to de Courcy.

'It certainly is a matter of great delicacy but, at the same time, one in which it would seem I hold 50 per cent of the bargaining power. I prefer to say no more in this letter but look forward to another talk with you.'

Wallis, his Duchess, was in on the plot.

'We're always turning things around and around in our heads,' she wrote back.

'There's no doubt something could be done  and perhaps a good thunderstorm would clear the air. Anyway I can't sit around and see the Duke wasted.'

Undoubtedly in de Courcy's mind there was a divide-and-rule strategy worthy of the Tudor court.

If the Duke could manage to grab the Regency, he'd be in a position to oust the courtiers who disliked and mistrusted him, and put in his own placemen.

Thus strengthened, he could take on the politicians - and either win them over, or deny them access to the Palace with all the privileges that traditionally go with close contact with the royal family. Politicians love those Palace invitations!

It was treasonable to try to deny the young Elizabeth her birthright, the throne. But with a fair wind it might just be achievable - if King George VI lingered on for any length of time.

Medical bulletins concerning the King's health were posted on the railings at Buckingham Palace. This one declared his Majesty's condition to be satisfactory. George VI would be dead just a few months later

The family gathers for the funeral of George VI. Now Queen, Elizabeth shakes the hand of the Dean of Windsor, Eric Hamilton, the Queen Mother is seen, central, in discussion with Prince Philip, The Duke of Windsor stands far right

But it never happened.

Why not? Nobody really knows. Windsor certainly had the discussions, the thought was in his mind to usurp his niece  even for a short period. That much we know from his secret correspondence.

Maybe the man who thought he could make Wallis Simpson his Queen and ride out the Abdication storm suddenly recalled that the British establishment, when it wants, can see off a king.

He didn't have the guts for that fight.
The infamous murder case of Sheena Bora shook Mumbai's high society and India to its core.

Sheena Bora's burned corpse was discovered in Maharashtra's Raigad district in May 2014 - a month after her mother claimed she had travelled to the United States in to pursue higher education.

However the 22-year-old's body remained unidentified until her driver Shyamvar Rai gave a detailed account of his participation in her murder alongside her parents - Indrani Mukerjea and Sanjeev Khanna.

Despite the discovery of her daughter's body, Indrani claimed her Sheena was still alive on several occasions, alleging friends had seen her at airports.

As The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth is set to air on Netflix, MailOnline asks what happened to Indrani Mukerjea?

The infamous murder case of Sheena Bora (pictured right with her mother Indrani Mukerjea) shook Mumbai 's high society and India to its core

But after the 22-year-old's body was found in 2012 her body was unidentified for three years. MailOnline takes a look at what happened to her mother Indrani Mukerjea (pictured)

What happened to Indrani Mukerjea?

Three years after her daughter's murder Indrani Mukerjea was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation, alongside Sheena's father Sanjeev Khanna.

The pair were taken into custody after Sheena's ex-driver, Shyamvar Rai was arrested for possessing an illegal weapon.

He then confessed to his participation in Sheena's murder - a completely unrelated crime.

As a result of his detailed account of the 22-year-old's murder, the HR consultant and Sheena's father were arrested.

The driver, who sought to become a prosecution witness in 2016, also alleged Indrani planned the murder well in advance.

He said she visited the site a day before the supposed murder, after having rejected two places on the Lonavala Khopoli route.

When the pair allegedly disposed Sheena's body, Indrani and Khanna are said to have strategically made the murder look like suicide by immolation, according to the driver.

Rai claimed that when the pair reached the murder spot, the parent's took their daughter's body out of the car.

Indrani then reportedly threw gloves and a saree on her daughter's body, according to the driver's testimony.

Rai alleged that Khanna then sprinkled petrol over Sheena's body and Indrani took the charge of setting the body on fire.

According to NDTV, the Central Bureau of Investigation said Indrani murdered her daughter because she did not approve of her relationship with her step-son Rahul.

She also reportedly had financial disputes with her daughter.

Rahul's father and Indrani's ex husband, British TV executive Peter Mukerjea was also arrested in November 2015 for Sheena's murder.

According to the Hindustan Times, the CBI released a charge sheet claiming both Peter and Indrani were 'equal participants' in conspiring to get rid of Sheena.

In 2015 Sheena's driver alleged Indrani planned the murder well in advance, she alongside Sheena's father Sanjeev Khanna were arrested

Indrani remained in Byculla women's jail in Mumbai for nearly seven years the alleged murder of Sheena Bora

Where is Indrani Mukerjea now?

Indrani spent six and a half years in Byculla women's jail in Mumbai for the alleged murder of Sheena Bora, according to NDTV.

Although her ex-husband, whom she split from in October 2019, was granted bail in March 2020, Indrani's requests for bail were rejected at least four times.

But after nearly seven years behind bars she was released on bail on May 18, 2022.

Upon her release, Indrani said she was 'very happy' and had 'learnt a lot in prison', the Indian Express reports.

She told the publication: 'I am overwhelmed with the freedom found again, thanks to my good lawyers.

'This has restored my faith in the judiciary and I know that at the end of the day, it is a fair system. I will not talk about the case.'

Although her husband British TV executive Peter Mukerjea, who was also arrested for Sheena's murder, was granted bail in March 2020, Indrani was denied bail several times

She lives in her Worli residence as she remains on bail for the murder of her daughter

Since her release she has written a novel titled Unbroken: The Untold Story in 2023.

In a section of the book, she penned: 'I am now at peace after Sheena was spotted at the Guwahati airport by my friend - Saveena. Being an advocate herself, her quick thinking got us the footage of Sheena from the airport'

Indrani added: 'Something changed in me after this information came to the fore. The person I am accused of killing is out and about, while I was rotting in jail.

'Why hasn't she come out openly? I don't know. I am sure there are reasons and pressures holding her back. But this is the second time I have been told Sheena is alive'

She currently resides in her Worli residence whilst she remains on bail for the murder of her daughter, Sheena Bora.
A young man has died mid-air while bungee jumping over a ravine in Chile.

The 23-year-old took part in the thrill-seeking event over the Cajon del Maipo canyon near Santiago, but experienced health issues on the way down.

Tragedy stuck when he reportedly suffered a heart attack just moments after leaping off the platform.

The unnamed victim died mid-air and firefighters from San Jose de Maipo cut down his body from the bungee cord.

The young adventurer, who came from the city of Talca, was visiting the attraction with his mother and sister - outlets are claiming they watched the disaster unfold.

The 23-year-old took part in the thrill-seeking event over the Cajon del Maipo canyon near Santiago

Public prosecutor Juan Cheuquiante arrived at the scene to gather information.

It remains unclear whether the man had an underlying health problem before taking part in the jump and an investigation into his death has been launched.

In December last year, a 56-year-old tourist collapsed and died after completing the world's highest bungee jump in China.

The Japanese man was taken to Conde S. Januario Hospital in Macau, China after leaping off the Macau Tower.

Officials said he experienced shortness of breath and ended up losing consciousness shortly after the 764ft jump at 4.30pm.

Paramedics found he was not breathing and had no heartbeat when they arrived at the scene. He was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

Meanwhile, a bungee jump gone wrong in Thailand saw a tourist's bungee cord snap during a ten-storey jump, knocking him out as he plunged into the water below.

Witnesses caught the terrifying moment on camera as Mike, a man from Hong Kong, was pulled to safety after the elasticated rope he was attached to broke during a dive in Pattaya in February 2023.

He reportedly suffered injuries to the left side of his body, his chest and his lungs, and was taken by staff to a nearby hospital.

A Hong Kong-based news outlet that the activity park only compensated Mike for the cost of the bungee experience, and for the cost of the emergency outpatient service.
A trans man and his fiancee are planning to undergo IVF treatment on the NHS using her womb and his eggs.

Taylor Winters, 40, from Watford, Hertfordshire, was born a female but always felt 'like a boy' growing up.

He moved to the UK nine years ago and began looking into transitioning - starting testosterone treatment aged 34.

Taylor found it 'exciting' growing a beard, hearing his voice drop and said he felt 'whole' after having top surgery.

Before starting his transition, Taylor decided to freeze his eggs and is now beginning IVF treatment on the NHS with his fiancee, Chloe.

Before starting his transition, Taylor (right) decided to freeze his eggs and is now beginning IVF treatment on the NHS with his fiancee, Chloe

Taylor Winters, 40, from Watford, Hertfordshire, was born a female but always felt 'like a boy' growing up

Taylor after having top surgery in October 2019

Taylor before transitioning

The pair (Chloe right, Taylor left) want to use the same sperm donor for their second child

The couple are using a sperm donor and plan to use Taylor's frozen eggs in their first transfer and Chloe's in their second  so they can each have a biological child.

Taylor, a social media director, said: 'I feel whole now. I'm the happiest I've ever been.

'I was waiting my whole life for something but I didn't know if it was going to happen. I never lost hope.'

The pair want to use the same sperm donor for their second child.

Chloe, 30, said: 'It was amazing noticing how each injection would transform his body but most importantly, I loved seeing how confident he grew as each month passed.

'I feel it's so brave to show the world who you truly are, so I'm really proud of him for aligning his physical appearance to who he is inside.

'I've always wanted a family of my own, ever since I was little. Having our own biological kids just felt right for us as it does for a lot of couples - we're no different.

'Having IVF as an option for us is such a blessing. We both have a lot of love to give and have the best family and support around us, and our children would always be loved and accepted for who they are.

Taylor found it 'exciting' growing a beard, hearing his voice drop and said he felt 'whole' after having top surgery

Childhood photo of Taylor, who is planning on undergoing IVF treatment with his partner, Chloe

The couple are using a sperm donor and plan to use Taylor's frozen eggs in their first transfer and Chloe's in their second  so they can each have a biological child. Pictured: Taylor right, Chloe left

A childhood photo of Taylor, before he transitioned

'You can be in a healthy and happy relationship if you're transgender.'

Taylor, who grew up in Transylvania, Romania, told his parents he was a boy from the age of five and says they were supportive.

He would cut his hair short and refuse to wear dresses.

READ MORE: Women struggling to conceive are hit with 'cruel' age limit of 35 for IVF treatment in some parts of the UK

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He said: 'I was saying I'm more of a butch lesbian but I felt like a boy. There was no visibility [of trans people] at all.'

Taylor wore baggy clothes and did not realise he was transgender until he reached his early twenties and saw a trans woman being interviewed on television.

He said: 'I saw a Romanian trans person on TV. I felt compassion for the trans girl and a bit envious as well.'

Taylor moved to Germany with his then-partner in March 2014, before moving to the UK in March 2015, when the relationship broke down.

There he began properly looking into transitioning and met fiancee Chloe in 2016 - who helped him through the process.

After going through physiological assessments and testing, he was able to start testosterone in November 2017.

Before starting Taylor decided to freeze his eggs as he had always wanted the chance to be a parent  but had never seen himself being pregnant.

He said: 'I was becoming something I always saw myself to be. It was amazing [and] exciting.

'I started seeing facial hair. My voice started to drop after a few months. It was a rollercoaster.

After going through physiological assessments and testing, Taylor was able to start testosterone in November 2017

Chloe, 30, (right, pictured with Taylor, left) said she always wanted a family of her own, ever since she was little

Taylor decided to freeze his eggs as he had always wanted the chance to be a parent  but had never seen himself being pregnant

Taylor had top surgery in October 2019 and a hysterectomy in November 2023

Taylor hopes sharing his story can show people that it's 'never too late' to transition

Taylor had top surgery in October 2019 and a hysterectomy in November 2023.

He said: 'It was such a liberating feeling. It was amazing not having to hide my chest - to go the beach and not have to wear a bra.'

Speaking of having children, Taylor said: 'From my perspective, I always wanted to have biological kids but I didn't want to be pregnant.

'We're using both our eggs to start a family so we each have a biological connection.'

Taylor hopes sharing his story can show people that it's 'never too late' to transition.

He said: 'I feel like this is a new life since transitioning.'
Mark Drakeford has been accused of harbouring 'long-standing disrespect towards rural Wales' amid a deepening row between the Labour First Minister and farmers.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) leader in Wales accused him of governing for 'just the industrial and urban parts' of the country after he clashed with agriculturists over subsidies.

Wales has been struck by a series of protests by farmers over Labour's plans for a replacement for EU subsidy schemes, which involve them planting trees on 10 per cent of their land in exchange for handouts.

On Tuesday he suggested farmers were responsible for their own problems, because many of them voted in favour of Brexit, which meant they lost access to EU payments.

The Labour politician then appeared to say hundreds who turned up at a visit to a college in north Wales on Wednesday had 'nothing better to do', in footage published by the local newspaper.

The CLA Welsh director, Victoria Bond said: 'This is not Brexit's fault. It's Mark Drakeford's fault. His comments are deeply disrespectful and typify his long-standing disrespect towards rural Wales.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) leader in Wales accused Mr Drakeford of governing for 'just the industrial and urban parts' of the country after he clashed with agriculturists over subsidies.

Wales has been struck by a series of protests by farmers over Labour's plans for a replacement for EU subsidy schemes, which involve them planting trees on 10 per cent of their land in exchange for handouts .

'In England the new agricultural schemes are bedding in well, not withstanding obvious teething problems that are only natural for such a big change. English schemes have proven that a more environmentally friendly agriculture policy can work if there is constant collaboration between government and industry. By falsely Brexit, Mr Drakeford is seeking to avoid scrutiny of his failure to competently design similar schemes.

'I strongly encourage the next first minister to reset the relationship, and promise to govern for all of Wales not just the industrial and urban parts.

As many as 200 people flocked to Coleg Llandrillo on Wednesday, as part of a long-running row over changes to post-Brexit farm subsidies.

The Rhyl Journal later published footage showing Mr Drakeford, who steps down in three weeks, discussing the protest inside. After being asked if it was ''nice to get past the tractors', he seemed to be heard replying: 'Nothing better to do, apparently.'

Andrew RT Davies, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives said: Mark Drakeford has repeatedly shown his naked contempt for our farmers.

'Labour's anti-farmer policies will destroy agricultural communities in Wales, and will do the same to England if Keir Starmer ever gets the keys to Number 10.

'Metropolitan politicians should listen to our rural communities and work with them rather than ignoring their concerns, because no farmers means no food.'

The Labour politician appeared to say hundreds who turned up at a visit to a college in north Wales had 'nothing better to do', in footage published by the local newspaper.

It came as a contender to become Labour's next Welsh First Minister was embroiled in a 'dirty money' row after pocketing a 200,000 donation from a convicted polluter who dumped waste on a conservation site.

Vaughan Gething, one of two candidates bidding to take over from Mr Drakeford, has vowed to introduce tougher penalties for those who break environmental rules.

But he was yesterday slammed by supporters of his rival, Jeremy Miles, over the 'unjustifiable and wrong' decision to accept two donations from a firm run by businessman David Neal.

Mr Neal, 63, was prosecuted in 2013 for illegally dumping waste at a conservation site on the Gwent Levels, near the Severn Estuary, after toxic liquid had leaked into the water.

Four years later he was prosecuted for again failing to remove the waste. On both occasions he was given a suspended prison sentence.

Vaughan Gething, one of two candidates bidding to take over from Mark Drakeford, has vowed to introduce tougher penalties for those who break environmental rules

The row came as Rishi Sunak prepared to address the Welsh Conservative conference.

Writing in the Daily Mail today, the Prime Minister says Labour's record in Wales 'is proof that when Labour run something, they run it badly'. Mr Sunak highlights Sir Keir Starmer's boast that the Cardiff administration would be his 'blueprint' for governing Britain.

He added: 'I am sorry that people in Wales are in Labour's laboratory.'
The Colorado University student accused of fatally shooting two people at his dorm had lived with one of his alleged victims and threatened 'to kill' him during a roommate dispute weeks earlier, according to an affidavit.

Nicholas Jordan, 25, has been charged with killing his roommate Samuel Knopp, 24, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, on the Colorado Springs campus on February 16.

An arrest warrant affidavit obtained by DailyMail.com on Friday reveals new details about recurring arguments among the college roommates over Jordan's filthy and 'unsafe' living conditions that had recently descended into violent threats from the suspect when he was asked to take out the trash.

DailyMail.com has also learned that Knopp, who shared a dorm pod with Jordan and a third student, Giancarlo Argueta-Agudelo, had planned to move out later that same day, wanting to get away from the alleged killer who had already been evicted from one student apartment building.

Sources say Jordan was kicked out of the Lion Village Student Housing during the fall semester for peddling drugs, harassing college girls, and cursing out staff.

Nicholas Jordan, 25, from Detroit, is accused of shooting Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, and his roommate Sam Knopp, 24

Sam Knopp, a senior studying music, had complained about his new, randomly selected roommate Nicholas Jordan and was set to move out the day he died

Jordan was kicked out of his dorm for dealing drugs and catcalling women and moved into Crestone House with Knopp

Staff and residents tell DailyMail.com that Jordan would go door-to-door selling marijuana and was nicknamed 'Slick Nick.'

He would also stand outside his apartment blasting music through a speaker and would regularly 'catcall' female residents as they walked to their apartments.

'We called him Slick Nick because he was always going around dealing drugs, not good stuff, and then we had residents complaining about him,' a service manager at Lion Village, which is privately owned, told DailyMail.com.

Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, was identified along with Knopp, 24, after what police believe was a double murder last week

'He was trouble, he was bad news,' the manager said. 'He came into the office quite a few times, yelling and screaming, f*** this, f*** that, getting into it with the manager. He was just verbally abusive to everybody.

'We gave him warnings,' he added. 'But he just went too far. That's why they had to let him go.

'And then he left here and went into the dorms over there,' the service manager told DailyMail.com, pointing up the street toward campus and Crestone House.

Jordan appeared in a Colorado court Friday in connection with the case.

Knopp, a senior studying music, had complained about his new, randomly selected roommate, an accounting major from Detroit.

On Thursday last week, Knopp expressed his relief about his imminent move to his music teacher Jon Forshee.

'He told me he was scheduled to move out the following night,' Forshee told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview.

'He said he was eager to move out, that his dorm life wasn't comfortable.'

He said Knopp mentioned problems with garbage, piles of dirty clothes and dishes, but didn't go into bigger issues he was having.

'I didn't feel like digging very deep,' Forshee said.

'I remember him saying I only have to deal with this one more day, then I'm out. Only one more day, Jon, then I'll be in another dorm.'

Another professor in the visual and performing arts told DailyMail.com that Knopp's problems with Jordan were 'profound,' but also couldn't elaborate.

According to the affidavit, police were called to the scene on February 16 after Giancarlo Argueta-Agudelo, 21, who lived in the same dormitory pod reported the shooting.

Argueta-Agudelo told officers that he believed that Jordan had recently vacated his room 'as there was significant issues and complaints of Mr. Jordan's smoking marijuana, cigarettes, and his living area cleanliness to UCCS Police and UCCS Housing,' the document states.

An arrest warrant affidavit obtained by DailyMail.com also reveals new details about recurring disputes among the roommates over Jordan's filthy and 'unsafe' living conditions

Fellow student resident Giancarlo Argueta-Agudelo, who lived in the same dorm pod, told police the three had had an argument in January in which Jordan allegedly threatened 'to kill' Knopp if he was asked to take out the trash again

He confirmed there had been 'multiple instances' in which he and Knopp had to report Jordan for unsafe living conditions and smoking in the room, and revealed the suspect and victim had argued about the trash in the weeks before the deadly altercation.

'Mr. Argueta-Agudelo described in January that there was an argument between Mr. Knopp and Mr. Jordan over a bag of trash that Mr. Knopp collected and placed near Mr. Jordan's door,' the affidavit states.

'Mr. Jordan threatened Mr. Knopp and told him that he would 'kill him' and there would be consequences if Mr. Jordan was asked to take the trash again.'

Sources tell DailyMail.com that Argueta-Agudelo, was planning to join Knopp in moving out that Friday, concerned that Jordan was still lingering in the dorm even after being told to leave.

Speaking exclusively with DailyMail.com, Argueta-Agudelo's mother said her son shared Knopp's frustrations with Jordan, and said her son had told her about Jordan's threat in January. Shirley Agudelo said her son tried to play the role of peacemaker.

'Jordan tried to do physical violence to Sam in January,' the mom said, 'and my son said, 'We're here, we live together. Try to live in peace, no fighting.'

But the hostilities continued.

'They saw Jordan was not moving, so my son and Sam were going to move to another place because they didn't want to stay in the same place as this guy,' the mom told DailyMail.com.

'Friday they were supposed to move into another building, but that never happened.'

She had strong words for the university for allowed Jordan to move into the dorm, then not doing more to force him out after new problems surfaced.

'I'm really mad with the university,' Agudelo said. 'They put my son's life at risk, and look what happened to Sam.

'Jordan was supposed to move, but they never gave Jordan a day he had to move out,' the mom said. 'And he never left the key to the housing.'

After the shooting, she and her son's father flew into Colorado to be with him. He's getting counseling through his ROTC program.

He's also moved into a new apartment off campus, she said.

'He's still in the school but not living in university anymore,' she said. 'He does not feel safe inside the campus anymore.'

'I just feel really sad for Sam's family,' added the mom, who'd met him but never Jordan. 'Sam was a really nice guy.'

Jordan, 25, allegedly opened fire shortly after 6am Friday at Crestone House. The shooting took place in the four-bedroom unit Jordan shared with Knopp on the first floor.

Sources tell DailyMail.com that Knopp was dating Montgomery, a non-student from Pueblo who had slept over and was also killed.

Sources tell DailyMail.com that another roommate heard the shots, then locked himself in his room and called 911.

By the time police arrived, Jordan had already fled. The university lifted a campus lockdown a few hours later, as police, unknown to the public, issued a warrant for Jordan's arrest.

He was captured two days later with a gun, during a car stop.

The shooting took place in the four-bedroom unit Jordan shared with Knopp on the first floor. Knopp was a talented senior studying music at the university

Knopp expressed his relief about his imminent move to his music teacher Jon Forshee. 'He said he was eager to move out, that his dorm life wasn't comfortable,' Forshee told DailyMail.com

Forshee specifically wrote a composition for Knopp. During their session Thursday, he noted, Knopp asked that the work, originally called Fictions, be renamed Angeles Novus (New Angel)

Jordan is being held on two first-degree murder charges in the county jail on $5 million cash bail.

Police have shared few details about the case, including about a possible motive and information about the nature of Knopp's relationship with Montgomery, a single mother of two.

Many of Knopp's friends had never met or knew of her.

'All of us here in the music department are baffled and curious about Celie,' Forshee noted. 'I don't know if Celie was a girlfriend or just an acquaintance or an old friend. The other guitar students that knew Sam, that name was entirely new to them. Nobody knew who that second victim was until that (police press) release on Monday.'

The university has also kept a lid on information, leaving many students baffled by details and rumors that spread by word of mouth.

'I don't think he should have even been allowed to live on campus in the first place after he'd been evicted for what he did here,' Lion Village resident Aubrie Leen, 19, told DailyMail.com

Some students and faculty took issue with the fact the school lifted lockdown within hours of the shooting, while withholding news that the alleged killer was a student who was still at large.

'The first thing the university put out was that the campus was safe, nothing to be worried about,' a Colorado University professor told DailyMail.com. 'How can it be that the campus is safe yet there's no one in custody?'

Others questioned why the university let Jordan move into a dorm after being kicked out of Lion Village.

'I don't think he should have even been allowed to live on campus in the first place after he'd been evicted for what he did here,' Lion Village resident Aubrie Leen, 19, told DailyMail.com as she walked outside Jordan's old off-campus apartment.

Even with the arrest, there was still some unease among students around campus.

Forshee said on Wednesday that some of his students have yet to return to classes, mostly because they're finding it hard to cope with the loss.

'Everybody really liked Sam,' said Forshee, who taught him in several classes. 'The one phrase I hear over and over again from people who knew him is that there wasn't a mean bone in his body.

'He was just a very outgoing, dynamic, present and very noticeable young guy who just seemed like he was going to have a terrific career in music,' he added. 'Music requires a lot of thick skin and good energy and he had both of those things.'

'He was just a very outgoing, dynamic, present and very noticeable young guy who just seemed like he was going to have a terrific career in music,' Knopp's former teacher said

Knopp and Forshee spent three hours together Thursday afternoon into the evening in a studio at the Ent Center for the Arts, practicing a new musical composition Forshee wrote specifically for Knopp

They spent three hours together Thursday afternoon into the evening in a studio at the Ent Center for the Arts, practicing a new musical composition Forshee wrote specifically for Knopp.

During the session, he noted, Knopp asked that the work, originally called Fictions, be renamed Angeles Novus (New Angel). The new title was based on a painting of the same name by German artist Paul Klee.

Knopp, playing a nylon string guitar, had been practicing for weeks, planning to perform it for his senior recital in March. Now music students are considering performing the song as a tribute to Knopp this spring.

Earlier this week, Forshee said a Colorado Springs police detective reached out and interviewed him about the studio session and whether Knopp said anything that could be useful to the investigation.

Forshee shared what Knopp said about his plans to move out.

He told DailyMail.com that he'll always cherish his final moments with Knopp, how they hugged when they parted and discussed plans to practice again the following week. But he still can't help but second guess his own words and actions that evening.

'I wish that after meeting with him, if I'd just taken him out, or maybe if we'd met for another hour,' he said, shaking his head while sitting in the studio where they met.

'You start to wonder what small continuation to the events leading up to that act could have prevented it or made Sam unavailable for it. That's how close and present this felt, that my gosh, if I'd done something differently, could that have made a difference?'
A shop worker sat on planes for nearly 10 hours on her latest adventure when she flew to and from Tenerife in the same day on a 5,000 mile round trip by herself.

It's part of Danielle Mclean's plan is to explore Europe one day at a time by using cheap flights from Edinburgh airport to film herself on day trips to different countries.

The 35-year-old filmed her entire trip from her Wetherspoons breakfast at the airport, to her early morning flight and her few hours exploring before returning home.

Her lightning visit to the sunshine Spanish island on January 30 was her 20th fun day out involving budget return flights in the last five years.

Danielle's previous overseas jaunts have included day visits to Paris, Dublin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Malmo, Rome, Geneva, Hamburg, Prague, Krakow, Gdansk, Palma, Barcelona, Milan and Annemasse in France.

She has also squeezed in flights to other parts of the UK to visit London, Brighton, Belfast and Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

Danielle Mclean, 35, said she was a special fan of the Bahia Principe Fantasia hotel which includes a Disney-style castle

Danielle she wanted to say a surprise 'hola' to staff at the hotel, like restaurant manager Cedric

Danielle, who films herself on a Canon G7 camera, posts all her footage of her adventures on her YouTube channel which attracts thousands of views.

Most of the time she travels by herself, but her mother has accompanied her on her trips to Milan and Krakow.

Danielle said: 'I love travelling and I want to see as many places as possible. It is just nice to do something exciting when I have day off instead of staying at home.

'I don't have a lot of time to spare when I go away  but I can still walk around and it is surprising how much you can see.

'Flights are usually cheap if you book them in advance, and I don't have to pay for hotels when I am coming back the same day.'

Danielle's trip to Tenerife was her furthest ever day out and she decided to do it, despite having visited the island four times last year on week-long all-inclusive holidays

Her 43 minute long video of her Tenerife adventure shows her arriving in the car park of Edinburgh airport at 4am after the short drive from her home.

She is then seen braving the chilly Scottish weather in her denim shorts and T shirt as she parks up and heads into the terminal, leaving her jacket in her car.

Danielle describes her joy at finding she has three seats to herself on her 6am Ryanair flight which cost her just 20, having booked it three weeks in advance

Danielle, who films herself on a Canon G7 camera, posts all her footage of her adventures on her YouTube channel which attracts thousands of views

After going through security and making light of the cold, she shows herself tucking into a meaty breakfast of a sausage in a roll from the airport's Wetherspoons, washed down with an orange juice.

Proving faithful to her Scottish roots, Danielle then buys two bottles of IRN-BRU to take in her backpack and sustain herself during the day ahead.

Danielle describes her joy at finding she has three seats to herself on her 6am Ryanair flight which cost her just 20, having booked it three weeks in advance.

Her video shows her tucking into a bag of Peperami pizza buns and a packet of Skittles Squishy Cloudz sweets as an early morning snack while watching the sun rise.

After landing in Tenerife and getting through passport control, she walks out of the airport skirting around the runway fence on the half hour stroll to the fishing village of Los Abrigos.

She then films herself on the beach, stopping to dip her feet in the water, before heading to the Bahia Principe Fantasia hotel where she stayed four times last year on all-inclusive package holidays in March, April, September and December.

Danielle said she wanted to say a surprise 'hola' to staff at the hotel, particularly a receptionist called Lissa and restaurant manager Cedric.

She had bought along gifts of a box of traditional Scottish Tablet, a traditional sweet snack made of condensed milk, butter and sugar, for Cedric, and some make-up for Lissa.

After landing in Tenerife and getting through passport control, she walks out of the airport skirting around the runway fence on the half hour stroll to the fishing village of Los Abrigos

Danielle spent the rest of her time going for a walk to the nearby marina before popping into a HiperDino supermarket to buy four bags of tomato ketchup flavoured Pom-bear crisps and some more sweets to take home

Her lightning visit to the sunshine Spanish island on January 30 was her 20th fun day out involving budget return flights in the last five years

But her video shows her finding that Lissa was on holiday and Cedric was not working until later of the day, so she had to leave her gifts for them at reception.

Danielle spent the rest of her time going for a walk to the nearby marina before popping into a HiperDino supermarket to buy four bags of tomato ketchup flavoured Pom-bear crisps and some more sweets to take home.

She said: 'I like to get Pom-bear snacks back in Edinburgh, but you can only buy plain or cheese and onion flavours in the UK.

'I love the tomato flavour that you can get in Spain, so the trip was worth it just to get a couple of bags of them. They are absolutely delicious.'

Danielle said she then ran out of time and had to walk back to the airport in time to eat a Burger King meal of chicken fries, chips and ice cream in the terminal, along with a can of drink from a vending machine, before her 55 easyJet flight home at 6.30am.

Her flight arrived back on time in Edinburgh, allowing her to be in bed before midnight and able to enjoy a night's sleep before heading to work the next day.

Danielle who is single said the highlight of her trip had been the feeling of walking around in the sunny 22C temperatures.

She added: 'It is just so nice to be in a different country, especially when there is nice hot weather and it is cold back home.

'I love Tenerife and going there was one of my favourite one day trips, despite having two flights of 4 hours and 45 minutes each to get there and back.

'It was a shame that I did not get to see Cedric and Lissa. I hope they got their presents. I am going back to Tenerife on a proper holiday soon so I will hopefully see them then.'

Danielle said she was a special fan of the Bahia Principe Fantasia hotel which includes a Disney-style castle.

She added: 'I love the choice of food they have. There is snack bar like McDonald's, a buffet restaurant as well as an Italian, Japanese and a la carte steak restaurants.

'The staff are friendly and Lissa and Cedric, are really good at speaking English.

'I always film my holidays when staying there and put them on YouTube. Now when I am at the hotel lots of people stop me and ask if I am the person in my videos because they have watched them.'

She said her cheapest trip had been to Hamburg when the return Ryanair flight cost just 12.99, followed by her flights to Gdansk which cost her 26.

Her most expensive trip has been her day out in Krakow, Poland, were her flights cost 84.

Danielle said she had been to Copenhagen twice, looking around the city on her first trip and then taking a train to visit nearby Malmo in Sweden on her second visit.

She has also flown to Geneva twice, giving her a day to walk around the Swiss city on her first trip and a chance to cross over the French border to Annemasse on her second.

Danielle also flew to Gatwick airport twice, so she could catch trains into central London and later into Brighton.

She is now running out of destinations which she can reach from Edinburgh airport, but she said: 'There are often new flights to places, so I am sure I will be off somewhere else soon.'
Late last year, Cassie, 42, decided to do something she now realises she should have done years ago. She submitted a Clares Law request to Thames Valley Police, asking whether her husband, David, 48, had any previous convictions, or complaints against him, for domestic violence.

Next month marks ten years since Clares Law was rolled out across police forces in England and Wales. Named after Clare Wood  who was brutally murdered in 2009 by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton, a man who, unbeknown to her, had served three prison sentences for terrorising women  the law is officially called the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) and allows police to reveal normally confidential information about someones criminal history to a person at risk of harm.

Vulnerable Terri Harris and her children were murdered by her partner Damien Bendall

Year on year, the number of applications has risen as more women  and it is mostly women  use the power it grants to ask whether partners have a violent past. In 2016-17, police made 3,410 disclosures, increasing to 13,442 in 2020-21, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Yet, as Cassie discovered, not all police forces are implementing it correctly  or at all. Ten years on, access to this potentially life-saving tool has become a postcode lottery, say domestic violence campaigners, with some forces reporting criminal histories in up to 73 per cent of cases, but others offering minimal or no information whatsoever.

Some women even report being actively discouraged by the police from making an application.

Cassie met David in 2017 and, at first, she thought he might be the love of her life. He was fun. Gave me flowers, always texting, calling. Im quite small: size 6. He could pick me up.

But mostly she liked the fact that he liked her children  a son and

a daughter from a previous relationship. Its quite hard as a single mum to find someone who likes your kids.

A few months later, in the spring of 2017, they moved in together. What happened next is what domestic violence experts call the tension-building phase.

He asked her to pay for the car: 175 a month. He sent the children, then 13 and eight, to their rooms in the evenings. Hed say, I want time alone with your mum. I just sat on the settee while he was drinking and going on about his ex-partners. Cassie felt like she was walking on egg shells.

When David put padlocks on the kitchen cupboards to stop the kids helping themselves to food, Cassies son, who was 13, went to live with his biological father.

Terri and her children, Lacey and John Bennett. The youngsters were killed along with a friend during a sleepover

David carried on getting drunk at nights. Sometimes hed grab me by the arms and throw me across the bedroom, says Cassie.

Hed get angry about his exes and how he didnt see his kids and take it out on me. Hed say, youve got your kids. I havent. And its your fault.

In 2020, Cassie decided shed had enough and packed his bags and left them outside the flat. They separated for six months. But she missed him. He promised hed change, she says. Incredibly, she believed him.

The couple got married in 2021 and later had a baby. Ive

always wanted to get married. Always wanted one last baby. He knew that.

But the cycle started again. He said he wouldnt drink any more, but that was a lie.

David started to isolate her, stopping her from using her mobile phone or walking her daughter to school. He said she was big enough to do it herself. She was ten. It was a 45-minute walk.

One evening last August she was bathing their baby Molly, who was then four months old. He came in. I said: Ive just got to get a towel. I grabbed the towel off the settee and I heard the most blood-curdling scream. It was Molly.

He was putting water all over her face, all over her body. Molly was gasping for breath. I just grabbed her and took her out.

Bendall, whose previous crimes included grievous bodily harm, was jailed in 2022

He was jealous of the baby and it felt really menacing. That night, he grabbed my face and held me by my jaw and kissed me. The way he said I love you wasnt right.

I was so frightened I was going to get hit or thrown across the room. I thought, What if I have Molly in my arms? 

Later that same night, she fled with her two daughters. We walked for an hour in the dark to get a train. I went in the clothes I was in.

Her priority now, she says, was to protect Molly. Suspecting a violent past was the reason David wasnt allowed to see his other children, she submitted an online request for information under the terms of Clares Law.

Three days later, a police officer left a voicemail on her phone: nothing to disclose. Cassie checked she had spelled his name right and given the right date of birth, but still nothing came up. She began to doubt herself. Perhaps hed only been violent with her? Perhaps he wasnt a risk to Molly after all?

Yet the information shed been given was wrong. Two months later, Cassie and David began a legal battle over contact with Molly and it was only because of this that she discovered exactly how the police are failing women who ask for information under Clares Law.

A report given to her solicitor by Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) revealed that not only did David have a criminal record, but that the police in fact held information on

20 separate incidents  all related to domestic abuse.

Seven convictions for domestic violence, coercive control and battery, and 13 allegations, dating back to 2008, says Cassie, who starts to cry. When I found out I had to try to keep myself together until my girls were asleep and then I went outside and I cried and cried, and I thought, What have I done to my kids? What if Id gone back? 

She still has no idea why her Clares Law request came back with nothing to report. Did the police look hard enough? Did they do a national search? I dont feel angry, she says. I feel broken. How could they not tell me? I just want to protect my kids.

John Bennett and sister Lacey with their father Jason

According to a recent report, Thames Valley Police disclosed information for only 18.43 per cent of the Clares Law applications it received in the two years to March 2023, compared to a national average of 38.5 per cent.

This means that 81.57 per cent of applications failed to result in information being provided. And yet, Thames Valley has a high prevalence of domestic abuse, with 30,375 domestic abuse-related crimes reported in the year to March 2023  an increase from 27,469 offences logged the previous year. Over the past few months, His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services sent warnings over Clares Law to Thames Valley Police (and two other forces: Merseyside and Durham) after inspections highlighted problems including resourcing issues and long delays.

Tackling all forms of domestic abuse is a top priority for Thames Valley Police, says a spokesman. We have recently introduced a new Public Protection and Safeguarding Command which will continue to prioritise domestic abuse in all its forms.

In fact, Thames Valley is not the worst offender. Essex Police takes that crown, disclosing information for only 5 per cent of the 1,940 Clares Law applications it received in the two years to March 2023. Six other forces reported disclosure rates below 30 per cent over the same period.

The Metropolitan Police is no better. In Baroness Caseys damning report into the Met last year, commissioned after Sarah Everard was murdered by police officer Wayne Couzens, officers said they didnt have time to use Clares Law.

The disclosure rate for the Metropolitan Police was around 28 per cent in the two years to March 2023. There were, said the report, delays and backlogs in the processing of these requests. Casey also found institutional misogyny within Britains largest police force.

Its more than a postcode lottery, its a people lottery, says Vickie Robertson, CEO and founder of Kaleidoscopic UK, a charity offering peer-to-peer specialist domestic violence support services. The information you get essentially depends on which police officer deals with your application.

Wiltshire Police has also admitted to catastrophic service failure in the way it has dealt with applications under Clares Law. A review identified

25 failures, including the case of a woman who was badly beaten by her partner  an extra on Peaky Blinders  after her Clares Law request gave him a clean bill of health. It later transpired hed been convicted of assaulting at least three women.

In Wiltshires case, one man was responsible for processing all of the forces Clares Law applications between 2015 and 2023. He was suspended last September, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating what went wrong.

It makes me really angry, says Michelle Livesey, a radio news reporter who campaigned for the right to ask for information alongside Clare Woods father Michael Brown, who died in 2020, aged 76.

Michael would be horrified to see these failings, she says. Opportunities to protect women are clearly being missed.

When Clare was killed  she was raped, strangled and set on fire  domestic abuse services and Greater Manchester Police were fully aware of George Appletons convictions for violence, which included a six-year prison sentence for breaking into an ex-partners house and holding her at knifepoint. They knew that Clare was in danger and yet, because of privacy laws, they couldnt warn her.

You couldnt go to the person at the centre of it all, the person you are trying to protect, and say: Your partners got previous convictions for this,  says Michelle. Her father Michael was absolutely heartbroken, but at the same time he was really angry.

Clares Law was always bittersweet for him  something so positive had come from something so tragic.

We never said that Clares Law was the answer to domestic abuse. What it does is put a protective framework around that person; it shows them that help is available, should they need it.

Except, all too often, it seems, that framework is failing horribly. Indeed, some are put off using Clares Law altogether by the attitudes they encounter.

Abigail asked for a Clares Law check on her ex-partner in 2015. Shed escaped him in January 2012, after six years of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. But her ex was still harassing and stalking her, despite four non-molestation orders to stop.

I wanted to see if there had been other victims before me, she says. The police officers came to my house and I asked how to access it. But they just said you can look online to fill out a form. They just closed me down as if it wasnt important.

Having previously reported her exs behaviour, Abigail says the attitude felt dismissive. It was like, Oh, shes moaning again.

Like Clares Law was a waste of their time and money. Thats the impression I got from the police. I didnt feel the help and support was there.

In fact, her ex did have a serious complaint against him. Abigail later discovered  not through a Clares Law application, which she never made  that a 17-year-old girl had accused him of rape when he was 19 or 20. This girls parents took her to the police but there wasnt any proof.

She wishes Clares Law had been available when she was in the relationship. You think its your fault. Because thats what they say to you: You made me do it. You end up believing that. But if Id found out about that previous complaint of rape, I truly believe it would have given me the strength to leave him earlier.

Clares Law wasnt originally a law at all. When it was introduced in 2014, it came with Home Office guidance that was vague and indeterminate. Forces took different approaches to balancing the right to privacy with the need to protect the vulnerable, resulting in very different disclosure thresholds, depending on the culture of the force.

In 2021, that changed when Clares Law became a statutory requirement under the Domestic Abuse Act, meaning police forces can no longer choose to ignore it.

Putting the guidance on a statutory footing will make sure the scheme is applied consistently across all police forces and will help increase the number of applications, according to a Home Office policy paper.

But it still isnt happening, say campaigners.

In April last year, the rule changed again as a result of lobbying by two women who found themselves at the centre of a tragedy that made national headlines.

Campaigners Jade Donovan (left) and Angie Smith

It was on a Sunday in September 2021 that Angie Smith, 57, from Killamarsh, Derbyshire, drove the ten minutes to the house of her daughter, Terri Harris, 35, only to find it cordoned off with police tape.

Whats going on? asked Angie, who was visiting only because she hadnt been able to reach Terri for a chat on the phone. Go home and well come and see you, the police said.

Fifteen minutes later, two officers knocked on her door, and Angies life changed in an instant. Terri, then eight weeks pregnant, had been killed with a claw hammer by her partner Damien Bendall, 33, along with her children, John, 13; Lacey, 11, who was also raped; and Laceys friend, Connie Gent, 11, who was on a sleepover.

I kept saying, No! Thats not true! I didnt believe it. And then I said, Its him, Hes done this, hasnt he? I knew it was him.

Terri, a former nursery worker, met Damien Bendall online during lockdown in 2020. Four months later, he came to stay from his home in Swindon and never left.

At first, Angie thought he was quite charming. But then it started to unravel. He was a master manipulator, she says.

Her daughter changed. She swapped her tracksuit bottoms and jeans for low-cut tops and really short shorts, like he was parading her around. Look what Ive got .

Angie used to see her daughter most days. But her visits stopped. He was the reason. She was very guarded. If we went into a room, hed follow us. He never let her be alone with me. Hed wrap his coat around her and say, Shes mine. 

In June 2021, Angie decided to do a Clares Law check on her daughters boyfriend, after watching a programme about Clares father, Michael Brown. I thought, Right, Im going to download the form. I just knew he had a violent past. Gut instinct.

But then Angie hit an obstacle: there was no way for relatives to request information without alerting the person on whose behalf they were doing it  and very possibly the subject of the request himself.

I got halfway through the form and I thought, I cant do this. Because the police will send a response directly to Terri, and if the police phone her or go to her house, hell be there. I worried he might hurt her.

Later, the inquest at Chesterfield Coroners Court revealed that Bendall had previous convictions for crimes including robbery, attempted robbery and grievous bodily harm dating back to 2004. There were also allegations of violent assault and injury of a previous partner, and an incident of possible child sex abuse.

In March 2022, together with Jade Donovan, the stepsister of John and Laceys father and Terris friend for 15 years, Angie launched a campaign to amend Clares Law so police can send a response to a close relative. They had meetings with ministers and Home Office officials, and 8,500 people signed a petition.

Last April, the Home Office said the form would change. We were like, Oh my God! Weve done it!  says Jade.

But take-up is hit and miss, depending on the force, says Angie, who has been diagnosed with PTSD.

In December 2022, Bendall was sentenced to a whole-life order, meaning he will die in prison.

Terri was my only daughter; John and Lacey were my only grandchildren, continues Angie. Its just devastating.

If Terri knew her children were in danger because he had a violent past, she wouldnt have let him stay. She could still be alive. They all could.

Some names have been changed to protect identities
President Joe Biden on Thursday revealed that two journalists privately told him they would have to leave the country if Donald Trump won the election because he has threatened to jail them.

Biden made the claim as he addressed wealthy donors in California and spelled out the dangers of a second Trump term.

He singled journalist Katie Couric who was among the audience.

Katie, theres two of your former colleagues, not at the same network, told me personally that if he wins they have to leave the country because hes threatened to put them in jail, he said.

Biden offered no further details.

President Joe Biden on Thursday said two journalists told him they would have to leave the country if Donald Trump won the election because he has threatened to jail them

Trump has already made clear he is ready to seek revenge on opponents if he wins in November.

And he has clashed repeatedly with journalists trying to ask him difficult questions.

Biden said: 'We can't take anything for granted. Trump and his friends are trying to divide us.'

'I promised I wouldn't name them,' he said, before about 60 guests in the basement of multimillionaire developer and stem cell campaigner Bob Klein.

'It doesn't say much about political courage. It says what the state of the party is right now.'

Biden is on the third-day of his fundraising swing through California as he ramps up his reelection fight.

Earlier Thursday, he met the widow and daughter of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who dies in a Siberian penal colony last week.

The meeting took place at San Francisco's historic Fairmont Hotel, which was briefly disrupted by protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

'Biden, Biden, you can't hide. We charge you with genocide,' they sang, as bemused guests around the hotel coffee shop looked on.

About 30 Gaza protesters entered the hotel where President Joe Biden was staying in San Francisco on Thursday, chanting: 'Ceasefire now.'

Other events during his trip included a reception in Beverly Hills on Tuesday where donors spent as much as $250,000 to attend, and a dinner in the San Francisco home of Gordon Getty, son of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, on Wednesday evening.

On Wednesday he also spoke with a high powered group of campaigners called the Climate Leaders Group in the drawing room of a Pacific Heights home.

'We have a crazy S.O.B. like that guy Putin and the others and we always have to worry about nuclear conflict but the existential threat to humanity is climate,' he told them.

It comes as his administration plans more sanctions to punish Moscow for the death in a Siberian penal colony of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The Russian leader hit back a day later, telling Russian state TV with a mocking smile: 'We are ready to work with any president.

'But I believe that for us, Biden is a more preferable president for Russia, and judging by what he has just said, I am absolutely right.'

Biden is planning fresh sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime after the death in a Siberian penal colony of opposition leader Alexei Navalny

He arrived in San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon where he was greeted by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. They traveled together on Marine One to a campaign reception

Biden made an unannounced stop at CJ's Cafe In Baldwin Hills on Wednesday before continuing to Culver City for his speech at the library

Biden also used Wednesday's reception to ridicule former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly claimed his plight - pursued by courts - is similar to Navalny's.

'You listen to some of the things this fella has been saying, comparing himself to Navalny saying this country has become a communist country, and he's being persecuted just like Navalny was persecuted,' he said.

'I don't know where the hell this comes from.

'If I stood here 10, 15 years ago and said any of this you'd all think I should be committed.'

He spoke to an intimate gathering of about 25 people, sitting on chairs set out by book cases with books including 'Beyond Oil,' and 'Field Notes from a Catastrophe.'
The Holy Grail  the cup from which Jesus Christ drank during the Last Supper  is the most venerated relic in the Christian faith.

Over the centuries, it has been the focus of interest and intrigue. It was moved from country to country, city to city, church to church  but ended its journey in the Cathedral of Valencia in Spain, in 1437.

A slew of Popes have sipped from it  and at least four, including Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI  have insisted that it is the real deal; not only Jesuss cup, but also the vessel used to collect his blood at the Crucifixion.

Numerous crooks, including Nazi war looters, have tried to steal it and art dealers and museums have tried to acquire it to whisk away into their deepest vaults.

It was the greatest quest of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table; it has inspired books, poems, myths, plays, art and, of course, the comedy film Monty Python And The Holy Grail and an Indiana Jones blockbuster starring Harrison Ford.

Maria Sabina Suey's quick thinking saved the Holy Grail

Today the Holy Grail sits in splendid solitude in its own dedicated chapel in Valencias 13th century gothic cathedral. All, it turns out, thanks to a very unlikely protector  an extremely determined middle-aged pianist named Maria Sabina Suey.

During Spains civil war from 1936 to 1939, she not only hid the grail in an array of places (inside a sofa, under a wardrobe and deep inside a window frame) to keep it hidden from threatening militia, but she later turned down an offer of seven million pesetas in gold, thought to be from the Nazis, for it. And it emerged this week that Sabina even fobbed off a clutch of MI6 officers who went to claim the grail for Britain.

Researcher Dr Ana Mafe Garcia, chair of the International Scientific Committee For Holy Grail Studies, has unearthed new documents and photographs  along with recollections of what happened from Sabinas niece.

The prized chalice remains in Valencia Cathedral today, thanks to Sabina's efforts

They reveal that Sabina was heavily pressurised by British secret service officers to hand over the chalice in return for safe passage for her and her family to the UK.

As Dr Mafe puts it: [She] was literally being pursued by the secret services to go to England with her family by ship.

She was a very advanced woman for her time, however. She didnt trust them and refused the offer. She was very, very firm.

At the time, Spain was in turmoil and local militias were looting churches for anything of value before razing some just for the fun of it. The country was awash with anarchists, international spies and art looters working for Gestapo chief Heinrich Himmler.

The story of Sabinas involvement starts early on the morning of July 21, 1936, when she and two priests were the only people in the vast cathedral. She had always taken a keen interest in the chalice (known in Spanish as the Santo Caliz) and she was feeling apprehensive.

Francoist assault infantry rampaged throughout the country during the Spanish civil war from 1936 till 1939

The previous day, four churches in the area had been burned and that morning, a shouting, jeering crowd had gathered. At exactly 9am, the priests locked the doors and Sabina grabbed the grail from its chapel, swaddled it in silk then newspapers, shoved it in her bag and, flanked by the priests in disguise, left via a side exit.

She walked briskly back to the nearby home she shared with her widowed mother and sister, where she hid it under a wardrobe. Sabinas quick thinking has long been celebrated in Spain, where she is credited as the cleaning lady who saved the Holy Grail.

Yet Dr Mafe is keen to make clear that Sabina, in her mid-40s at the time, was very much not a cleaning lady but one of the most talented and accomplished women of her time  a pianist, writer and historian. She lived in a time when women could not even vote, says Dr Mafe. But she was talented, courageous, highly intelligent and unafraid.

Her actions were certainly timely for, just three hours later, the cathedral was burning. The militia were quick to discover the grail was gone and, as rumours abounded that Sabina was harbouring it, a dozen men armed with guns and threats, paid their first visit to her home, demanding she hand it over. Over the next few months, they kept visiting. Later, they visited her brothers home, where she had stuffed it inside the sofa for a time.

READ MORE: How the Spanish Civil War brought out the idealism of aristocrats and literary figures  from Jessica Mitford to Virginia Woolf and Ernest Hemingway Advertisement

Sabina was also contacted by art dealers, including someone purportedly acting for an American museum  three years earlier the Museum of Chicago had bought what it thought was the Holy Grail, only to discover it was a fake, so grail fever was rabid. And then there was an agent for the Nazis offering seven million pesetas in return.

The answer was always the same. I know nothing. Nothing. Nothing, Sabina told them.

She gave the same response to an MI6 agent who touched her back as she was walking down a busy street in Valencia one day. She spun around to face a man who said: Sabina, if you want, we can put you in a safe place, you and your family. We have a ship in Valencia and we can take you to London. But only on condition that the Holy Grail came too.

Sabina gave him short shrift, saying: I dont have it. You can go to my home and search it. I have nothing. I dont know where, but it is hidden.

This wasnt too hard because the Holy Grail is rather small. Disappointingly so, according to some visitors. Partly because the top bit  the plain cup of rich, reddish-brown agate  measures just 5.5cm by 9.5cm. The pure gold base, decorated with 28 pearls, two red gemstones and two emeralds, was added centuries later.

But despite being small, if it really is the grail  and, admittedly, not every academic is convinced, with many other contenders purported to be the true grail  it is priceless. The single item in the world most likely to have been handled by Jesus Christ.

At first, following the Crucifixion, it was kept safe by the apostles, before being taken by St Peter to Rome, where it was used by the first popes.

Then in 258 AD, worried it would be looted by the Romans in their persecution of Christians, Pope Sixtus II entrusted it to his deacon Lorenzo, who shipped it off to be hidden in his parents home in Spain.

Eventually, via a local bishop, it made its way to the Spanish Royal Family. In 1437, it was given by King Alfonso The Magnanimous to Valencia Cathedral as security for a loan to fund his war against Italy.

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones discovers the Holy Grail in the 1989 movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

And there it has remained, safe and secure  except for one unfortunate blip on Good Friday 1744, when Canon Vicente Frigola dropped and chipped it during a Holy Week service. He died of remorse two weeks later.

There are only two occasions since that it has not been on display in its dedicated chapel.

First, in 1812, during the Napoleonic siege of Valencia when, bundled up with 200-odd other pieces of treasure belonging to the Aragon Crown, it was taken by boat to Palma, Mallorca, and hidden in the house of a priest, until peace resumed.

And again in 1936, when Marina Sabina Suey stuffed it in her bag and smuggled it out to safety.

There is no doubt that she risked her life. And, in Dr Mafes mind, saved the grail. She was a woman in a mans world, who stood up to everyone, for something she believed in, she says.

Dr Mafe is now planning an exhibition of her new material in Valencia in October. But perhaps more importantly, she is calling for Sabina  who never married nor had children  to be properly honoured for her extraordinary part in history.

The grails final resting place in its flight from the Nazis, militias and MI6 was in the window frame in her familys country home, 45 miles from Valencia, where Sabina hid it on June 20, 1937.

There it stayed for nearly two years until the end of the Civil War. And, on March 30, 1939, the day of the liberation of Valencia, Sabina travelled to her family home, dug deep into the wall there, retrieved the Holy Chalice, stuffed it in her bag and, later that day, popped it back on display in its chapel.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by French Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, who arrived on an official visit to the Republic of Armenia.

According to the readout issued by the PM's office, welcoming the delegation led by the Minister of the Armed Forces, the Prime Minister noted. "Dear Minister, I welcome you and your delegation to the Republic of Armenia. This is the first visit of you and, in general, the Minister of the Armed Forces of France to the Republic of Armenia, and it is already historic by this fact.

I want to thank you for your support in forming our bilateral agenda and implementing that agenda. I must emphasize that, of course, the changes taking place in our security situation and cooperation are logical and justified. Of course, by thanking you, I should also consider it logical that France is one of the first countries to respond to our decision to diversify our relations in the field of security, because as we had the opportunity to discuss in Paris two days ago, our relations are very deep and multi-layered, and it is logical that these relations must be expressed also in the field of defense and security. I also want to emphasize that the security component has always been present in our discussions with President Macron, and now I am glad that these discussions are getting a concrete expression, including with your support."

In his turn, Sebastien Lecornu noted. "Thank you for these words and reception. You thrilled the French people with your presence at the Pantheon. It can be said that this was a very unique week for our two republics. As I told the media representatives with whom I just met, there was indeed a certain gap: on the one hand, the warm friendly relations that we had, and the defense sector, which was not yet fully realized.

I think that your personal relationship with the French president also plays a big role in this progress. I think it's based on trust, and let me say, our mutual trust as well. I think that our teams have mapped out a very specific path for us together with your Defense Ministry. And taking into account the threats that hang over Armenia's head, we are forced to move forward faster. That is, it is very important for us to react quickly and arrange the steps.

A lot was already underway, but thanks to the bilateral relations and the meeting you had with President Macron, it allowed us to move forward this morning in the same directions you had indicated together in Paris."

According to the source, the interlocutors discussed the works carried out in the direction of defense cooperation and upcoming plans.

The parties emphasized Armenia-France cooperation within the framework of the reforms of the Armenian Armed Forces, including military education, combat training and other directions.

The sides exchanged thoughts on issues related to regional security and stability.
One of the biggest English Channel people smuggling rings has been dismantled, authorities have said, with police arresting 19 members of an Iraqi-Syrian network who they suspect of sending migrants to the UK on small boats.

Raids carried out by German, French and Belgian police saw dozens low-quality inflatable boats from China, engines and life vests uncovered across 28 locations in Germany.

Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency which coordinated the operation, said that investigators gathered evidence 'linking at least 55 departures that were facilitated solely by this smuggling network.'

The agency said that the suspects collected between 1,000 and 3,000 from desperate migrants for a spot on the dangerous vessels bound for Britain.

Among those arrested were five 'high valued targets', suspected ringleaders who included the group's alleged boss and main 'organisers'.

Pictures show police arresting a smuggling ring suspect in the major operation

Police found 24 inflatable boats in various storage facilities, each of which they said smugglers would cram around 50 migrants into

The raids were carried out by German, French and Belgian police and coordinated by Europol

Europol described the ring, which consists of Iraqi and Syrian nationals of Kurdish origin, as 'highly professional'.

They added that it was 'one of the most active involved with smuggling people over the Channel'.

Boats would be driven to France, investigators said, where 'the criminal network was able to facilitate up to eight departures per night depending on the weather conditions.'

Police found 24 inflatable boats in various storage facilities, each of which they said smugglers would cram around 50 migrants into - despite the vessels being designed to hold a maximum of just 10 people.

Cops also seized 175 life vests, 81 flotation devices for children, 60 air pumps, 13 outboard mounts, 14 engines, almost 60 electronic devices, arms and several thousand euros in cash.

Cops seized 175 life vests, 81 flotation devices for children, 60 air pumps, 13 outboard mounts, 14 engines

A suspect with his head covered is led away by police after the raids in Germany

A total of 38 dinghies have made the perilous journey so far in 2024, according to official figures, meaning an average of 45 people was crammed into each vessel (file image)

Europol added that 'further investigative activities are ongoing into the individuals managing the financial and money laundering activities for the criminal network.'

It comes after more than one hundred migrants crossed the English Channel by small boat over the weekend, despite thick fog.

Last weekend's arrivals brought the total number of migrants who have crossed the Channel this year to 1,716.

A total of 38 dinghies have made the perilous journey so far in 2024, meaning an average of 45 people was crammed into each vessel.

Last year, 29,437 asylum seekers reached the UK by small boat - significantly less than 2022 when a record 45,755 people made the treacherous journey.
Caves of headless children. Reanimated corpses. And the worlds most famous cow. Its enough to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about Scotland.

Over 36 rollicking tales in Scotlands Forgotten Past: A History of the Mislaid, Misplaced & Misunderstood, author and historian Alistair Moffat investigates the curious, the strange and the downright bizarre chapters of forgotten Scottish history.

From drunken kings to the man who changed the course of global agriculture by building a plough in his smiddy, Scotland in all its weird and wonderful glory is laid bare.

Mr Moffat said his guiding principle for the book was to elicit the response: Really? I didnt know that. He added: We have a much more complex and much richer story hidden under all the tartan blankets for sale on Edinburghs Royal Mile.

Here, we look at some of the mislaid, misplaced and misunderstood episodes of the countrys extraordinary history. We guarantee you wont know the half of it.

FATAL ATTRACTION

On the night of March 18, 1286, King Alexander III of Scotland got a little tipsy and changed the course of Scottish history.

A storm was raging outside Edinburgh Castle as Alexander caroused with his friends and drank wine. After a few glasses the 44-year-old king decided that he had to see his new queen, a 21-year-old named Yolande de Dreux.

The only impediment, writes Mr Moffat, all that stood in the way of the kings wine-fuelled passion, was that Queen Yolande was not in her chamber at Edinburgh Castle.

She was spending a night with her attendants on the royal manor of Kinghorn, on the far shore of the Firth of Forth.

He insisted on riding through the dark in a storm to the ferry on the Forth, even though his barons attempted to dissuade him.

Even the boatman initially refused to take him. The crossing, however, was eventually made. But on the other side, Alexander and his escort, both on horseback, were separated.

At Pettycur, where there is a near-sheer drop to the sea, Alexanders horse fell, plunging him over the cliffs to his death, and plunging Scotland into two centuries of warfare with England.

Alexanders only heir was a three-year-old girl who lived in Norway, who was immediately betrothed to the son of Edward I of England. When she died four years later the vacancy left Scotland without a royal at its helm  and facing a war that would last 200 years.

Frankenstein effect was seen in Glasgow

FRANKENSTEIN

No, not that one. But in 1818, the corpse of a freshly hanged man, a murderer named Matthew Clydesdale, was reanimated in a lecture hall at the University of Glasgow.

A professor attached electrodes to the corpse that made his chest heave, his eyes open and enable him to walk a few steps, writes Mr Moffat.

The experiment was halted by Dr James Jeffrey, who plunged a scalpel into Clydesdales jugular vein, executing him a second time.

Unfortunate, certainly. Yet it was also a symbol of Scotlands Enlightenment, when the country led the world in educational standards and scientific experiments were ahead of their time. Even, briefly, cheating death.

THE BRILLIANT BLACKSMITH

Not all advancements of the 18th century were intellectual.

In Berwickshire in the 1760s, a simple blacksmith changed the world by redesigning the old Scots plough.

Frustrated at how often he had to repair ploughs that had been broken, James Small secured funding and created the forerunner to todays modern plough, the swing plough, capable of creating deeper furrows with better drainage, slicing the ground more efficiently and able to be pulled by horses rather than the less wieldy oxen.

Manufactured at the Carron Ironworks in Falkirk, these new ploughs also led to the development of the Clydesdale horse and were used far and wide, particularly on the American prairies and in Canada.

As Mr Moffat writes: The Scottish Enlightenment was not only a revolution of ideas. At the same time as Adam Smith sat at his desk writing about the wealth of nations, James Small was in his smiddy increasing it.

Tragically, however, Small did not patent his invention, which revolutionised agriculture, and died penniless, lost to obscurity in 1793.

SMARTER SCOTS

Look carefully on the cobbles of North Street in St Andrews and you will see the initials PH set into one of them.

Some students at the towns university avoid stepping on it, in case doing so brings them bad luck in their exams. Why? Because almost 600 years ago, a student was burned at the stake on this very spot.

Patrick Hamilton was a member of St Leonards College. In 1523, according to Mr Moffat, he began to preach the heretical precepts of Martin Luther.

Hearing that he was to be tried for heresy, he fled, but on his return to St Andrews in 1528, he was arrested, tried and condemned to be burned at the stake on the same day.

A pyre was built and Hamilton led out to be chained to the stake. But it was not a quick death.

It was a dank February day, and a wind blew up North Street, fanning the flames but blowing the merciful smoke away, writes Mr Moffat.

Hamilton spent six hours in unspeakable agony before the flames finally reached his chest and head.

ABERDEEN ANGUS

It all started with a single cow, one so famous that when she died, having produced 25 calves, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were so upset by the news they requested a photograph of her to be displayed at Balmoral.

Old Grannie, as she was known, was the dam of the Aberdeen Angus breed, the worlds first celebrity cow, and the mother of some of the finest steaks to grace a royal plate.

When, in 1867, one of her bullocks was taken to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen, she was so impressed with the beast that he was immediately slaughtered and his finest cuts sent to the palace by train.

With the royal stamp of approval, business boomed, and Aberdeen Angus beef was in constant demand in fashionable London restaurants, writes Mr Moffat.

Before long, Aberdeen Angus was the only beef worth eating, particularly for the upper classes.

When four bulls were exported to the US in 1873, Aberdeen Angus became a phenomenon stateside too, spawning endless chains of steak restaurants, many of which still exist.

As Mr Moffat writes: Old Grannie would be proud.

THE CAVE OF THE HEADLESS CHILDREN

It sounds like the title of a horror movie. But thousands of years ago in a remote cave in Moray, the remains of headless children dating from the Bronze Age were placed.

In flickering torch-lit shadows, priests raised their axes high and decapitated the little ones who had been brought to them, Mr Moffat writes. Their severed heads were spitted on sharp stakes and set up right in the sand and the shale at the mouth of the cave.

The remains were discovered by a team of local excavators in the 1920s, complete with clear cut marks on neck bones.

Most believe that they were dead long before their heads were cut off, and that there may have been a ritualistic element to the gruesome act, believed to date from the late Bronze Age, around 3,000 years ago.

Today, visitors leave pebbles, bird skulls, rabbit bones and other offerings at the mouth of what is now known as Sculptors Cave, thanks to a series of Pictish symbols etched into its walls around 1,500 years ago.

Why they were made, and why the children were beheaded at all, remains a mystery.

Peter Pan was inspired by tragedy

PETER PAN

Most of us are familiar with the beloved childrens book by JM Barrie. But few know that The Boy Who Never Grew Up was spawned from a real family tragedy.

In the winter of 1866, two days before his 14th birthday, the elder brother of JM Barrie went skating, writes Mr Moffat.

Accidentally colliding with another skater, he fell on the ice, fractured his skull and died.

Barries mother was so devastated that when she heard the news she vowed to get between death and her boy.

David had been her favourite, and she became obsessed with his memory. The young Barrie even tried dressing up in his late brothers clothes to fill his mothers emotional void.

As an adult, he told stories to the Llewelyn Davies children  inspiration for the Darling family in his book  about Baby Peter, who never grew up, the memory of his older brother never far away.

Its a tale that would eventually evolve into Peter Pan  a story that has delighted children for generations  yet also channelled his mothers relentless grief.

Nazi Archibald Ramsay

SCOTLANDS NAZI

Many Scots are familiar with the story of Jane Haining, the Scottish missionary who died in Auschwitz.

Yet the tale of Captain Archibald Ramsay, a rampant anti-Semite who was Conservative MP for Peebles and Midlothian and went on to spend the majority of the Second World War in prison because of his extreme views, is less known.

Ramsay and his wife, the Hon Mrs Ismay Ramsay, both rose to prominence in the late 1930s for making speeches in Scotland that accused an international group of Jews of being behind world revolution in every country, claiming the British Press was under Jewish control, and stating that Hitler must have had his reasons.

By the time the war broke out Ramsay had formed an organisation named the Right Club, which aimed to oppose and expose the activities of organised Jewry.

Members included Lord Redesdale, father of the Mitford sisters, and the Duke of Wellington.

When a clerk in the US embassy joined the club, both he and Ramsay, according to Mr Moffat, began to stray into something akin to treachery, with the clerk stealing correspondence between Churchill and Roosevelt and sharing it with Ramsay, who planned to make it public, a move that could have been catastrophic to the war effort.

What they didnt realise, however, was that the club had been infiltrated by MI5 agents.

Ramsay was imprisoned without trial early in the war under the Defence of the Realm Act.

On his release he wrote a hysterical tract accusing Oliver Cromwell of being a Jewish agent and died in 1955.
Sir Lindsay Hoyles two fists betrayed his bleakness. As he sat in the Speakers chair listening to a brutally direct call for his resignation from the SNPs Stephen Flynn, Sir Lindsays hands clenched like Brazil nuts. They were so tight that the skin started to mottle.

What with his scarlet face and a mouth drawn into the taut roundel of an ink-well, those whitening knuckles spoke of the immense tension racking his frame.

Speaker Hoyle was gripping on for dear life.

Twenty-four hours earlier, Sir Lindsay had caved in to pressure from Sir Keir Starmer to bend parliamentary rules in Labours favour. The two men disappeared into a tiny room for what was reported as a blazing row. Important rule in life, children: never enter a cupboard with Boris Becker or Sir Keir Rodney Starmer.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle was persuaded by Sir Keir to bend parliamentary rules in Labours favour

Sir Lindsay, acting against advice from his clerks, was duly Beckered, if we can put it like that. He caved in and did Sir Keirs bidding. Why? What happened in that hot little room? A Socratic dialogue between brother socialists? Or something less wholesome?

Dark arts and blackmail suggested Patricia Gibson (SNP, North Ayrshire) yesterday. Blackmail? From Labours nasal knight, who as opposition leader has depicted himself as such a saintly defender of probity and propriety? Surely not!

Politics is a rough old game, yet it felt somehow voyeuristic to watch Sir Lindsay as he sat through Mr Flynns attack. We do not believe you can continue in your role as Speaker, said cadaverous, shaven-headed Mr Flynn. Unlike Macbeth, the piercingly direct Flynn stabs a chap in the front, while he is fully awake.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer reportedly had a blazing row with Sir Lindsay

Sir Lindsay rose to wring forth another despairing apology. The first came on Wednesday night, after his collaboration with Labour provoked a mass walkout in the Commons. Yesterdays apology was less of a three-Kleenex job but it was still hard to watch a man so clearly thrashing in the waves for his political life. Sir Lindsay begged MPs to believe his sorrow. I made a mistake. We do make mistakes and I own up to mine.

He claimed, in so many words, that he did Sir Keir that favour to prevent MPs being murdered. The logic of this argument did not bear close scrutiny, but Sir Lindsay was in an emotional state and the Commons is not without its sentimental streak.

Almost whimpering, he spoke of his duty of care to MPs, and how some of the police advice he received about threats to MPs safety was absolutely frightening. To my palate, he overdid the cheese by several ounces, but enough MPs mooed supportively to suggest hed survive the day.

READ MORE: Speakers role throughout history from beheadings to revolting MPs Advertisement

To see a grown man grovel is never edifying, for supplicant or spectator. Make no mistake, these were perilous hours for the 66-year-old Speaker. For the houses third party to call for the Speakers departure was extremely grave. In addition to the Scots Nats (whose Wednesday debate on Gaza was wrecked by Sir Lindsays capitulation to Sir Keir) several Tory backbenchers and one independent MP were demanding for Sir Lindsay to quit.

Three of the would-be assassins, Tory MPs William Wragg (Hazel Grove), Gary Sambrook (Birmingham Northfield) and Eddie Hughes (Walsall North), sat in a row at the start of the days debates, making their presence obvious to Sir Lindsay. The Speaker showed no spark. His voice was leaden, his gaze almost dead.

His morale started to lift as a succession of Tory grandees approached the Chair to kiss the ring. You have my full support, boomed Sir Edward Leigh (Con, Gainsborough), happy for this intimate assurance be heard by us inkies up in the Press gallery. Sir John Redwood (Wokingham) and Sir John Hayes (South Holland & the Deepings) fluttered down to press his arm. It was like seeing mourners comfort a widower at a wake.

Lindsay Hoyle arrived in the Commons as a Labour MP in 1997. After Tony Blairs landslide win, new-boy Hoyle provided an attractive dash of no-nonsense Lancastrianism. He laughed a lot, spoke up for Gibraltar and the Commonwealth and was plainly good company.

Not one of lifes Europhile modernisers, nor the most cerebral of souls, he was never likely to become a Blairite minister. But he had an ear for emotive soundbites. After Princess Diana died, the young Hoyle campaigned for Heathrow airport to be renamed in the blessed Dianas memory. Corny, but he had a nose for publicity.

In 2010 he was elected Deputy Speaker, where, lucky chap, he served under that batey bantam John Bercow. This had its downsides, for Speaker Bercow was not companionable; politically, mind you, it was advantageous.

Sir Lindsay, as he became in 2018, was seen as the good cop to Bercows bully. By the time Mr Bercow finally quit in 2019, the Commons was heartily sick of an activist Speaker who bent parliamentary customs to suit his own political agenda. Sir Lindsay promised to restore trust in the chair. He promised to revere the rule book.

Palestinians search for bodies and survivors after an Israeli air strike this week

That, in part, is why theres been such disgust about his behaviour on Wednesday. MPs were appalled by the thought that Sir Keir  who with other Europhiles collaborated with Bercow to bypass the rules and try to block Brexit  was again up to no good.

Interfering with parliaments constitution is as bad as fiddling with the workings of a grandfather clock. Proponents may claim theyre merely trying to bring things up to date, but the delicate cogs and pendulums are thrown out of balance. The damage can be costly.

Sir Lindsay is not the only one bruised by this episode. The Labour Whips, who were up to their oxters in the discredited Speakerships of Michael Martin and John Bercow, have again been caught trying to nobble the ref. And they still didnt grasp this yesterday. Sir Lindsay made a brief appearance in the Commons tea room in the morning and was cheered in a partisan way by Labour MPs. This added to the sense that Labour regarded Sir Lindsay with a proprietorial air.

At business questions at noon the Shadow Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, made a tin-eared contribution seeking to blame everyone else for Wednesdays scandal. Ms Powell has not had a good week. She was properly monstered by her opposite number, Penny Mordaunt. Tossing her blonde mane, flaring her nostrils, Ms Mordaunt concluded that Labour had put narrow party advantage before the reputation and honour of the decent man who sits in the Speakers Chair.

Labour MPs tried to drown out Ms Mordaunt by cackling theatrically (Ben Bradshaw), by heckling (Ms Powell) and even by blowing a raspberry (anonymous). Suddenly Sir Keirs Labour is looking like the nasty party. Any idea that this government in waiting is squeakily ethical has gone.

If I had to bet, it would be on Sir Lindsay surviving in the Chair, despite the SNPs opposition. The Tory instinct is to shy away from Speaker-cide. They sense that the institution is worth more than any displeasure with its temporary occupant.

There is also the fact that Sir Lindsay is a broadly amiable figure and that he is not bookish. Is intelligence not essential? you will ask. Well, no. Bercow was super-intellectual and that irritated people. There is a certain political value in honest dimness. But honest it must be.

The Hoyle Speakership is probably irrevocably damaged but it may yet limp on. The more immediate impact may be that the public can now see the character of Sir Keir Starmer, who for all the wrong reasons abandoned protocol and tried to stitch up a dear, dozy sheepdog of a Speaker and has left him with a distinctly dry nose and two tightly-clenched paws.
The proposed Scotland-wide extension of a controversial pilot project where minor crimes were not investigated is nothing short of a disastrous decision.

In euphemistic language, it is billed as a proportionate response to crime, but it brings into sharp focus an important question: What exactly are the police for?

The trial, which took place in the NorthEast of Scotland, is being hailed as a success and will likely be rolled out across the nation  though the evaluation report has yet to be published.

Former superintendent Martin Gallagher has described Police Scotlands decision not to tackle minor crime as disastrous

It appears to be underpinned by the assumption that some crimes can be safely written off at source, effectively  but that is mistaken.

Originating in the US, the so-called Broken Windows Theory puts forward that if you let minor crime such as vandalism run rife, everyones quality of life will deteriorate  creating an environment where serious crime flourishes among the detritus.

The New York Police Department (NYPD), in pursuing this idea, implemented zero tolerance of minor offences in the 1990s  with spectacular success.

But not everyone agreed this approach had been the reason for the decline in crime  and it was ultimately abandoned. Not surprisingly, crime crept back.

I was in New York City when zero tolerance was embraced. There was a smart-looking police officer on every street corner  wholly attuned to what was going on around them.

When I went back to New York in October 2022, where zero tolerance was long abandoned, the city was a mess.

Rubbish was everywhere, crime was rampant, cops were unshaven and disinterested, and I personally was very lucky not to come to blows with an aggressive beggar bothering my family and a young girl on the subway.

Not long after my visit, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell acknowledged the step away from minor crime that had occurred in the city and outlined what he was doing to tackle it. So far, his results are good.

In extending the pilot of what amounts to non-investigation of minor crime, it strikes me that Scotland may be about to go through a great deal of pain before it learns the lessons being re-applied to New York.

You will often hear it trumpeted that crime is falling, and at its lowest level since 1974  but this is simply not true.

In reality, recorded crime is at an all-time low, and there are several reasons for this. Most worryingly, it is estimated that more than 60 per cent of crime is unreported. Why, might you ask? Well, public confidence in the police has fallen to 38 per cent.

If the public already dont have confidence in the service  and 62 per cent dont  then when we tell people, Your report isnt going to be investigated, by how much further will calls drop?

You dont need a crystal ball to realise that with a fall-off in reporting crime, offending will grow like a cancer in our communities.

Crime is a progressive pursuit  a sex offender often starts stealing womens underwear from washing-lines, while a housebreaker starts off by smashing their way into peoples sheds. If we dont know these first offences are happening, then the point at which individuals first come to the attention of the police will be the point at which they carry out more serious offences.

Far greater harm will have been inflicted, whereas if investigation of minor offences had been undertaken the offender may have been apprehended before they become a serious criminal.

This brings me back to the question that everyone in Scotland needs to consider  what are the police for?

When I set out for my first shift in 1994, the mission was clear: I was there to prevent and detect crime. This mission has been diluted in the intervening years, with 80 per cent of calls to the police having no relation to crime at all.

For Scotland, this can be traced to the legislation that created the service post-amalgamation in 2013, with the fundamental change being that the main purpose of policing is to improve the safety and well-being of persons, localities and communities in Scotland  not to detect and prevent crime.

The improvement of well-being is a vague purpose that has seen the police become the service of last resort due to problems in other state functions, such as the NHS.

This is why the Chief Constable is trying to pull the service out of its inappropriate commitments to mental health call-outs.

Without revisiting this purpose, and the buy-in of the NHS and Government, this unilateral change is doomed to fail  inevitably with frontline officers and staff facing the consequences.

To quote Robert Peel, the father of modern British policing: The police are the public, and the public are the police.

I dont recall a member of the public ever telling me they wanted me not to investigate a crime, and instead they wanted me to look after someones welfare.

Its time the police were allowed to go back to doing what they do best  and for other services to step up to the gaps that they should have been filling in the first place.
Even after 47 years of marriage, the romance between President Joe Biden and Jill Biden is far from dead.

From kisses before he boards Air Force One to date nights and him introducing himself as 'Jill's husband', the stress of the White House has showed no signs of straining their relationship.

But, in private, the president has revealed some very risque secrets about why their bond is so strong, much to his wife's annoyance.

He infuriates wife Jill by joking that the key to their 47-year marriage is 'good sex'.

His racy comment has been revealed for the first time by Katie Rogers in her forthcoming book 'American Woman: The Transformation of the Modern First Lady, from Hillary Clinton to Jill Biden,' in an exclusive excerpt obtained by DailyMail.com.

The president gives that marital advice to aides 'much to his wife's chagrin,' reports Rogers, a longtime White House reporter for the New York Times.

President Joe Biden, who has been married to Jill Biden for 47 years, says the key to a long and happy marriage is 'good sex'

Biden has long spoke of his love and devotion to his wife, saying it's more important to him than anything else.

'I'd rather be at home making love to my wife while my children are asleep,' he said in 2006 when asked about running for the Democratic nomination in the next presidential election. Two years later he ultimately did make a run and lost to Barack Obama, taking the number two spot on that ticket instead.

His spokesman at the time said Biden's comment illustrates that a White House bid 'is not an egotistical pursuit for him' and that he is, 'frankly, totally in love with his wife.'

Rogers' book, out Tuesday, shines a spotlight on modern first ladies as two of them - Jill Biden and Melania Trump - wait to see if their husbands' quest for a second term in the White House succeeds.

The book examines the evolution of the unpaid role from when Hillary Clinton held it to the current East Wing ran by Jill Biden, from how each woman shaped the position and how it is tied to the holder's husband.

The Bidens are an openly affection couple, showing their love for one another with public romantic gestures.

The president took his wife out for a date night in Rehoboth Beach in August, where the couple had a seafood meal at Matt's Fish Camp and then headed to the local theater to see Oppenheimer, the film about the man who developed the atomic bomb.

They concluded their date night with a romantic walk on the beach to see the super moon, which is when a full moon occurs near the Moons closest point to Earth in its monthly orbit. The president had his arm around the first lady.

There have been other moments.

Biden stopped to pluck a dandelion from the grassy ground for his wife in April 2021 as the couple prepared to board Marine One for a trip to Georgia. The couple has exchanged kisses in the Oval Office and out in the open as they prepare to part for work trips.

President Joe Biden kisses first lady Jill Biden in the Oval Office; American Woman by Katie Rogers examines the Bidens' relationship

Joe Biden campaigning for president in 1987 with wife Jill and children (from left) Hunter, Beau and Ashley

Jill Biden often stands on the Truman Balcony, watching the president come home from trips

First lady Jill Biden (left) and President Joe Biden (right) in front of her White House's Valentine's Day decorations

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are silhouetted by motorcade lights as they walk on the beach to see the super moon during their August date night in Rehoboth Beach

President Joe Biden stopped to pick a flower for wife Jill as the couple prepared to board Marine One ahead of their trip to Georgia in April 2021

For her part, Jill Biden places cardboard hearts on the North Lawn of the White House for Valentine's Day, calling it one of her favorite holidays.

She also has been seen frequently on the Truman balcony, waiting for Biden to return from a trip, watching him walk from Marine One to the White House.

'One thing in my life has stayed the same: Joe and I have always had each other,' Jill Biden wrote in her memoir Where the Light Enters.

The first lady, in particular, paints the president as a romantic, showing his emotional empathy when she talks to donors and supporters of their campaign.

She often recounts Joe's courtship of her after his first wife and daughter died in a car crash in 1972. She tells how he had to propose five times for her to say yes because she wanted to be sure it was forever so young Beau and Hunter Biden wouldn't experience loss again.

'I really felt that this marriage had to work. Because they had lost their mom, and I couldn't have them lose another mother,' she has said.

The Bidens married in 1977 - even taking the boys on their honeymoon - and, in 1981, they welcomed daughter Ashley together.

Rogers, in her book, examines the evolving relationship between the Bidens as Joe repeatedly ran for president before finally winning the office in the 2020 election.

She also reveals how Jill Biden became her husband's top adviser after their son Beau died in 2015, 'taking more of a role in her husband's political decision-making than she had before.'

'Beau's death changed the family,' Rogers writes.

'Joe was without one of his closest advisers, whom he often described as "me, without all the downsides." Without their older brother, Hunter was in shambles and Ashley, who has also struggled with addiction, was bereft. Once again, it fell to Jill to hold her family together. Instead of calling Beau several times a day to check in or run decisions by him, Joe began relying on Jill more than ever,' Rogers notes.

'She's one of the few people that can really tell him what's up,' a close friend of the couple said.

Even as she focuses on her career outside of politics - teaching English at Northern Virginia Community College - Jill Biden has been a force in her husband's political ascent and will be a key player in this year's re-elect effort.

She travels the country often to brag about his policy initiatives and to defend his tenure in the White House.

She proved herself a prolific fundraiser for Democrats in the 2022 midterm election and has harnessed that power to help fill Joe Biden's campaign coffers ahead of this year's presidential contest.

And she also keeps the famously tardy president on time, gently tugging at his arm or elbow when he lingers too long talking to supporters or doing interviews with the press.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden kiss on the South Lawn of the White House after arriving on Marine One

Jill Biden with Beau Biden, who served in the Delaware National Guard

President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden and Baby Beau Biden on the Truman Balcony on July 4th

Joe Biden (center) and Jill Biden (right) arrive with family for a Beau Biden's funeral mass on June 6, 2015 with Beau's widow Hallie and his children little Hunter and Natalie, behind them walk Hunter Biden and his eldest daughter Naomi

In their personal life, both Bidens are both fierce protectors of each other and their family.

It is clear Joe Biden loves his wife. He often introduces himself as 'Jill Biden's husband' and says to her: 'Jilly, you're the love of my life and the life of my love.'

For her part, the first lady is a protective defender of her husband to the point where she would physically confront protesters on the campaign trail during the 2020 contest.

In the White House, she is known as 'one who is not to be crossed.'

And she is involved with the West Wing, sitting in when the president interviews people for senior staff positions.

'She is present for every major political discussion involving her husband and sits in during the interview process on most major Biden staff hires, from cabinet secretaries to spokespeople. Sometimes, she gets her own separate audience with a new hire,' Rogers writes.

And Jill Biden is known to question the president's senior aides when she thinks he's not being served.

When President Biden participated in an over two-hour press conference in 2022, where he made some gaffes, she demanded to know who was responsible for letting the questioning go on and on and on.

She entered a senior staff meeting in the West Wing and demanded: 'Why didn't anyone stop that?'

And both Bidens are protective of their family, particularly son Hunter, who has struggled with a drug and alcohol addiction.

When Joe Biden was weighing a third White House bid in the runup to the 2020 election, his advisers warned the couple there would be intense scrutiny focused on the children and grandchildren, particularly on Hunter.

'The Bidens were privately told that struggles within their family, including Hunter's ongoing battle with substance abuse, which was not widely known at the time, might bleed over into' the campaign, Rogers writes.

The issue is so sensitive with the couple that only senior staff - most of whom are advisers dating back to Biden's time in the Senate - dare discuss the matter.

Biden's devotion to his son 'had left him unwilling to take 'an accounting of the vulnerabilities in his life,'' a source close to the family told Rogers.

Other Biden allies revealed the overarching fear that 'Hunter's sobriety and mental health are so precarious that saying or doing the wrong thing could result in Joe losing his last surviving son.'

Currently, Hunter's business dealings are under investigation from Congress. Republicans charge that Joe Biden benefited financially from Hunter, who used his father's political position to cultivate business practices. The president has said repeatedly he has had nothing to do with Hunter's business dealings.

But Hunter has become a political issue for the president's re-election campaign as Republicans hammer at him, allegedly corruption on the part of the Biden family. The president has been clear in his support for his son.

Jill Biden has defended Hunter repeatedly and publicly. 'I know that Hunter is innocent. I love my son, and I will keep looking forward,' she told NBC News in 2022.

She also makes sure Hunter and his wife Melissa Cohen are welcome at the White House. The couple has attended two state dinners, including one for the Indian prime minister that took place shortly after Hunter made a sweet heart deal to keep himself out of jail.

Attorney General Merrick Garland was also in attendance at the dinner and carefully stayed across the room. The deal later fell apart under scrutiny from a judge.

Jill Biden kisses grandson Beau Biden as his parents Hunter Biden and Melissa Cohen look on during a December 2021 event at the White House

President Joe Biden hugs son Hunter during a visit to Los Angeles earlier this month

Hunter and his family, including his young, photogenic son Beau, are also seen at holiday events like the White House Easter Egg Roll and the arrival of the White House Christmas Tree. Hunter's clan is regularly with the president and first lady when they go to Nantucket for Thanksgiving.

Jill Biden told Rogers in an interview for the book: 'I'm his mom. I mean, I have to support him and love him, and, you know, I'm constantly talking to him, sending him texts: 'How you doing?' Because it's tough. They've already really been hard on him.'

But the most important role Jill Biden may play is one she has taken on for herself, one that goes outside the office of first lady: the 'family's self-appointed grudge holder.'

'She's an Italian,' one friend said of her. 'She's all about loyalty.'
Rep. Byron Donalds kicked off the first day of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, DC, on Thursday, demanding that President Joe Biden secure the southern border or face a government shutdown.

'My position to my colleagues on Capitol Hill is: You either secure the border or you get no money for the government,' Donalds, R-Fla., said.

The crowd enthusiastically endorsed the idea, clapping and cheering 'Shut it down'

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

Donalds berated Biden for failing American citizens while focusing more of his attention on defense funding for Ukraine.

'Decide, Joe Biden. Which country matters more to you? The border of the United States or the border of Ukraine?' he asked.

Donalds called out the growing violent crime in America's major cities, especially New York City, and

Donalds said many of his Republican colleagues were squeamish about the idea of a government shutdown, warning him they never ended up winning a showdown with Democrats on funding the government.

'I say there's never been an issue facing this country that has united the American people more,' he said to loud applause.

Lara Trump, former campaign advisor to former president Donald Trump, delivers remarks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

Lara Trump, former campaign advisor to former president Donald Trump, delivers remarks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

Lara Trump endorses early voting ahead of RNC co-chair bid

Lara Trump took the stage at CPAC to support her father-in-law, but also mentioned that former President Trump endorsed her to co-chair the Republican finance committee.

The audience cheered her mention of the idea wildly, prompting her to discuss it.

'This is a position for I never imagined I would run but also never imagined that our country would be in dire straights.'

She kicked off her bid by urging conservatives to embrace early voting, a position that only earned mild applause.

'The truth is, if we want to compete with the Democrats, we cannot wait until Election Day,' she said. 'If we want to compete and win we must embrace early voting. The days of waiting until Election Day to vote are over.'

She urged activists to vote early and also get their friends to do the same.

'We must fight fire, not with fire but with dynamite,' she said.

Ben Carson defends Trump against multiple felony charges

Former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson delivered a sober speech, defending former President Donald Trump against the multiple charges against him.

'Trump's only crime is representing the American people first and for that, they are trying to put him in jail for the rest of his life tie him up in court, take all of his assets, they are terrified by him,' he told attendees.

Carson warned against America's institutions turning against conservatives, especially institutions of law enforcement.

'The law is being used to constantly harass upstanding citizens, while the real criminals go untouched,' he said.

'To our leaders, you and I are the enemy, not the carjackers, and the looters and the criminals who are running rampant in our cities,' he added.

Carson warned leaders that they were losing the backing from Americans, and would face consequences.

'America was founded on the notion that all political power comes from consent of the governed,' he said, adding, 'Washington is losing its legitimate claim to govern the American people.'
It had been a lacklustre Prime Ministers Questions. Rishi Sunak looked to be going through the motions, while Sir Keir Starmers mind was clearly elsewhere.

Yet when the weekly Commons circus came to an end on Wednesday afternoon, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle dived with some alacrity behind his chair, heading for the tiny Reasons Room, which seats just eight people, in the bowels of the Chamber.

And thats where things got interesting. All day, the Westminster tea-rooms had been simmering with talk of the SNPs forthcoming motion on a ceasefire in Gaza  a move that threatened to rip the Labour party in two. MPs had been surprised that Sir Lindsay hadnt made a statement on the imminent debate before PMQs.

Labours chief whip Sir Alan Campbell followed Sir Lindsay into the Reasons Room  and hot on the two mens heels, I have established, was Starmer himself. The Labour leader barged his way in  and the Speaker, I understand, was astonished to see him do so. Normally, party leaders have no business attending private meetings between the Speaker and the whips. So what exactly was Starmer doing there?

And thats not the only troubling new detail I have uncovered about yesterdays extraordinary events at Westminster.

Also spotted lurking near the Reasons Room after PMQs was none other than Sue Gray, the neutral ex-civil servant who presided over the Partygate inquiry that helped to torpedo Boris Johnsons premiership in 2022.

Sir Lyndsay Hoyle, whose own father was a Labour MP, was first elected in 1997  but is supposed to surrender all political allegiance as Speaker

The steely Gray is now Starmers chief of staff, working diligently to secure a Labour victory at the next election. No wonder the Tory MPs who glimpsed her presence in the vicinity of the Speaker before such a crucial conversation immediately smelled a rat.

Sue Gray should have been nowhere near that meeting, one former minister hissed last night. The moment we saw her, we knew there was an operation against the Speaker about the Gaza vote. She needs to learn the art of subtlety.

Yesterday, Sir Lindsay categorically denied having spoken directly to Gray. But her fingerprints are all over what some have called a backstairs stitch-up of the SNP  one that clearly favoured Hoyles own former party, Labour.

While the private arm-wrestling between the Speaker, the Labour leader and his chief whip took place behind closed doors, back in the Commons Chamber, an unrelated Private Members Bill about rural transport was rumbling on (raised by Tory ex-minister Therese Coffey).

Tory MPs suspect Sir Lyndsay bowed to arm-twisting from Starmer who was trying to avoid a damaging backbench rebellion

Unusually, a frontbencher, Labours Sir Chris Bryant, hoisted himself to his feet to respond to Coffeys fairly arcane speech. Bryant managed to string out his contribution for seven long minutes, even pausing to tell bemused MPs that there were 26 further Private Members Bills from MPs called Chris in Parliaments pipeline.

He was filibustering  time-wasting, says another Tory MP. Now we know why. They were stalling to give Starmer more time to mug the Speaker.

The irony of Bryant taking such a role in this tawdry affair was not lost on his fellow MPs. Last year, the shadow minister felt moved to publish a book: Code of Conduct: Why we Need to Fix Parliament and How To Do It. This self-appointed purist deliberately exploited the very rules of the House that he railed against in his own book! cries one exasperated MP.

Just before Bryant sat down, Starmer returned to his frontbench seat in the Commons chamber. Wreathed in smiles, his private meeting with Hoyle had clearly gone well.

Minutes later, the Speaker himself arrived, and then made the bombshell and possibly career-ending announcement that he had turned decades of tradition on its head by allowing a vote on Labours motion instead of the SNPs  a vote which had been crafted to prevent another massive revolt by Starmers backbenchers. Sir Lindsays deputies had no idea he was going to do this.

The announcement triggered the stormiest scenes in the Chamber since Hoyles predecessor John Bercow deliberately twisted parliamentary procedure to try to thwart Brexit.

There were cries of shame, resign and even ironic calls to bring back Bercow. The SNP are granted just three Opposition Day debates a year  and Hoyles decision robbed them of this important constitutional opportunity.

Neither Hoyle nor Starmer will discuss what went on in their private meeting. But its clear the Speaker was warned by Labour luminaries that he might have blood on his hands if he didnt do as they wish: Islamist extremists had threatened violence against Labour MPs who failed to vote for a ceasefire. In his statement, Hoyle admitted as much, saying he was very, very concerned about the safety of all MPs.

Hoyle, whose own father was a Labour MP, was first elected in 1997  but is supposed to surrender all political allegiance as Speaker. He has done serious damage to his reputation  and he knows it. Stephen Flynn, the SNPs Westminster leader, said Sir Lindsays position was now entirely intolerable. Some have dubbed him a lame duck.

Tory MPs suspect Hoyle bowed to arm-twisting from Starmer who was trying to avoid a damaging backbench rebellion, expected to number as many as 90 MPs.

There is even talk now that the Tories might break with tradition and put up a candidate to oppose Hoyle in his Chorley constituency at the next general election. (By convention the Speaker is elected unopposed.)

Huge numbers of MPs deserted the Commons following the angry exchanges

Many Labour MPs are also unhappy  as they want to protect the independence of the Speaker. John McDonnell, who was shadow chancellor under Jeremy Corbyn, said: I just dont know if Starmer & Co tried to threaten or influence Hoyle, adding: Maybe everyone should come clean about what meetings took place.

Hoyle, a popular figure who had done much to erase the poison of the Bercow years, is not under any immediate threat. But his prospects were not helped yesterday when he went into the Commons tea room and a number of Labour MPs loudly applauded him.

It made it look even more like Labour has recaptured Lindsay, says one Tory MP. I say that with real regret as I like him. But hes been pushed around by Starmer and now looks weak: hes lost the confidence of dozens of MPs. But hes a decent bloke and the real villains here are the Labour leader and his Chief Whip, who bullied a good man.
Donald Trump accused his rival Nikki Haley of shopping for a job by staying in the Republican primary even while trailing by more than 50 per cent nationally and facing exceedingly tough terrain after her home state of South Carolina.

'Well, I guess [Nikki Haley's] got an ego or something  she's getting a lot of money from Democrats,' the former president said in a radio interview with just three days before the state's primary.

He accused Democratic donors of backing her candidacy to weaken him, in comments on The Charlie James Show on News/Talk 98.9 WORD in South Carolina.

'The Democrats are funding her because, basically, the longer she stays in, she does these commercials, which are just ridiculous. And she's getting the money from the Democrats. Republicans aren't funding her... I'm not a big fan of hers,' Trump said.

Donald Trump accused Nikki Haley of having an 'ego' and accused her of 'looking for a job' and taking campaign contributions from Democrats

He spoke after financial disclosures revealed Haley raised $11.5 million in July  $2.5 million more than the undisputed frontrunner, while refusing to quit and repeatedly referring to Biden and Trump as 'two 80 year olds.' (Trump is 77). A pro-Haley Super PAC raised $12 million, providing the financial resources to carry on beyond South Carolina to a collection of states who hold primaries on Super Tuesday in March.

Trump's campaign raised $8.8 million, while a pro-Trump super PAC raised $7.3 million and another raised $5 million, with much going toward legal fees as he battles multiple criminal indictments.

Trump accused his former UN ambassador and former South Carolina governor of doing 'very bad things for the Republican Party,' and claimed, 'I don't care at this point if she stays in.'

'She's getting very few votes. And if you look at Super Tuesday, where you have a great number of states, I'm like at 90% and she's like at 8% and even less than that. So, I don't know exactly what she's doing. Maybe she's looking for a job in some form at CNN or M-S-D-N-C, you know, she's looking for something possibly,' Trump said.

Haley said Trump and 'elites' won't get her out of the race

Trump leads by more than 20 points in Haley's home state

Trump was leading Haley 75 to 17 percent in the latest RealClearPolitics average. In recent polls he led her by more than 20 points in South Carolina, and his lead is even wider in many states that hold primaries on Super Tuesday March 5.

Haley has been amping up her attacks on Trump and refusing to fold. His ally Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has been repeatedly calling for Haley to exit the race.

Haley is showing no signs of getting out or of dampening her attacks, despite her camp not being able to point to a single state where she can beat Trump.

Haley told ABC's Good Morning America she won't let Trump or 'elites' force her out of the race.

"I'm not going to let the pundits tell me I need to get out. I'm not going to let Donald Trump tell me I need to get out. Im not going to let the political elite tell me I need to get out", later adding I could get out anytime I wanted,' she said.

That comes even if she loses her home state, as polls show she may. If she loses, 'It doesn't sting because for me I know the love South Carolinians have for me.

She also continued to hammer Trump for spending millions on legal fees, aided by super PACs supporting him.

'It's not normal to mock members of the military. It's not normal to spend $50 million worth of campaign contributions on personal court cases. It's not normal to side with a tyrant and a dictator who kills his political opponents over allies that stood with us after 9/11. None of this is normal,' she said.
A women's rights group has hit out at the bosses of one of Britain's most famous outdoor swimming pools for 'failing to acknowledge their concerns' about the use of the pool by transgender people.

The Women's Rights Network (WRN) has accused the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association (KLPA) of being 'high-handed and undemocratic' by dismissing its attempt to ban trans women from the facility on Hampstead Heath.

Committee chiefs claim any such move would be 'unlawful', having taken legal advice on the move - but the local WRN branch claims it has refused to release the advice to members.

There are already men-only and mixed swimming lakes in the area, while the women's pond boasts famous members such as Kate Moss, Helena Bonham-Carter and Emma Thompson.

The row emerged after the KLPA was asked to update its constitution around the use of the word 'woman' at its annual general meeting, calling for it to be 'interpreted literally and biologically so that only those born female in sex can use the pond'.

A row has erupted over a proposal to ban trans women from one of Britain's most famous swimming pools (Pictured: The Kenwood Ladies Pond)

The Kenwood Ladies Pond has been open to transgender women since 2010

In 2019, The City of London Corporation officially adopted a new gender identity policy which means anyone can use Hampstead Heath's Ladies' Pond if they identify as female

The move has been criticised since its inception by protest groups who say it has removed a safe space for women

The pond itself has been open to trans women since 2010, when the City of London Corporation (CoLC) - responsible for running the facility - adopted a new gender identity policy.

Heather Binning, founder of the Women's Rights Network told MailOnline: 'The Kenwood Ladies Pond Association has consistently misrepresented the law and failed in its constitutional duty by refusing to acknowledge women's concerns about men accessing the Ladies Pond.

'The Equality Act and subsequent guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission makes it clear that single-sex spaces are lawful in a number of situations including changing rooms and swimming sessions.

'The committee claims to have taken legal advice on this, but is refusing to share that advice with members and at least one member of the management committee.'

An unnamed spokeswoman for the Haringey and Islington branch of the WRN claimed the committee had 'consistently failed to respond to concerns raised by members and wilfully refuse to acknowledge that many pond users object' to the use of the pool by trans women.

The spokeswoman added: 'A number of WRN members who are also regular pond users and members of the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association have raised concerns about the high-handed and undemocratic behaviour of the management committee.'

'We hope the management committee will see sense, and act in accordance with the KLPA Constitution and start listening to its members.

'However we fear that their refusal to share the AGM agenda and legal advice and statements that the media will be barred from the meeting give us very little faith they will do the right thing.'

Walkers on Hampstead Heath were split on whether the group was entitled to object to the use of the pool by trans women.

A woman walking her dog on Hampstead Heath, who did not want to be named, said: 'I can understand the women's frustration. Not every space has to be open to everyone.

'I imagine this is an important space to them. It's about feeling safe and comfortable, isn't it?'

But a female runner, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said: 'It makes sense that it would be illegal to ban trans people [from the Women's Pond]. It's discrimination, isn't it?'

Asked about the debate around women's spaces, the woman, who lives just a 10 minute walk from Hampstead Heath, replied: 'Trans women are women though, aren't they?'

Pauline Latchem and Beth Feresten, co-chairs of the KLPA, said in a statement: 'The KLPA management committee has appended to the AGM papers a formal response explaining that it is in receipt of legal opinion that the proposal is likely to be unlawful and that, pending further legal advice, the amendment may be removed from consideration at the AGM.

'In addition, the committee officers have reiterated that all women are welcome to join the KLPA and recorded their opinion that it would be irresponsible and contrary to good governance to recommend to the membership a proposal that is likely to be unlawful as well as impossible to enforce.'

The ladies only pond had been seen as a safe haven for women due to the absence of men.

Noticeboards at the edge of Kenwood Ladies' Pond. Opinion is split on whether the proposal to ban trans women from the pool is legal

The Kenwood Ladies' Pond (pictured), was officially opened in 1925, although swimmers had been using it for centuries

In 2018 activists (including this woman), staged a demonstration at the Men's Pond on Hampstead Heath, dressing as men to make their point

Other opponents of the transgender policy have cited the fact that Muslim women and Orthodox Jewish women face being excluded from the pond due to their religion.

But a user of X, previously known as Twitter, posted a screenshot of the proposal on the social media platform calling supporters of the corporation's policy within the KLPA 'self-hating women'.

The user, @esjayXX, said: 'We have a ladies swimming pond in London (as well as a men's and a mixed sex).

'Sadly some members want to allow men into this magical space. Because women are not allowed our own spaces.

'The City of London set the rules. But self-hating women in the @KLPA maintain them.'

The KLPA has consistently said it is committed to helping to create an inclusive environment for all women, including transgender women.

It has said only members can attend the AGM next month. But the row has been rumbling on since 2018 when transgender bathers were given full access following a controversial consultation.

At the time, many questioned why the council gave the motion a green light despite disregarding nearly 19,000 of responses to its equality survey.

The policy - which was welcomed by the KLPA - came after an online survey consultation on attitudes to gender identity received nearly 40,000 responses.

But 18,459 were disregarded as invalid, on the basis that those respondents did not answer any questions other than to identify themselves and declare the reason for their interest in the survey.

The survey, undertaken by the City Corporation, showed around 12,390 of the remaining 21,000 respondents agreed that trans people should be able to access services relating to their gender identity.

In total, around 18,459 votes were thrown out, 12,390 were in favour of transgender users, and 8,610 were against.

The council said the move will ensure a 'robust and consistent approach' to gender identity.

But some women had expressed concerns the policy will put their safety at risk in female-only spaces.

One woman said in response to the survey: 'This is opening-up opportunities and safe spaces for women to any man who claims to self-ID as a woman.

'Statistics show that women are at risk of male violence.

'This includes genuine transwomen - these transwomen with GRC and cis women need safe places and not to have misogynistic self-ID advocates trying to erode their rights and safe spaces.'

In May 2018, a group of female activists staged a protest next to the men's pool of Hampstead Heath in order to stand up for the rights of biological women

The group of women protesters, which called themselves Man Friday, faced a barrage of abuse and threats from hardline transgender activists (pictured: women in and beside the pool)

In May 2018, a group of female activists staged a protest next to the men's pool of Hampstead Heath.

The group, which called themselves Man Friday, faced a barrage of abuse and threats from hardline transgender activists who branded them 'terfs' (trans-exclusionary radical feminists).

One woman sported a pantomime beard; another wore a lime green mankini, a male version of a bikini.

The women chose the male outdoor swimming pond for their demonstration against the change to allow trans women to use the women's pond and female changing rooms.

Hannah Clarke, 44, a founder member of the Man Friday movement, said: 'We're scrupulous about respecting transgender rights, but the law must also acknowledge biological differences between men and women and their entitlement to separate spaces in order to retain dignity, privacy and safety.'

Fellow protester Amy Desir, 35, a divorced mother-of-two from Luton, Bedfordshire, added: 'I've never seen myself as a feminist until now. But I was following the discussion on Mumsnet about men just saying "I'm a woman" and having all the protection and spaces just for saying that. I thought: "That can't be true." But it was.

'And people were being enlisted to train the police and school teachers about the subject, and I thought it was bonkers.'
A Palestinian refugee given a visa by the Albanese government to resettle in Australia reportedly liked tweets supporting the horrific October 7 Hamas attacks.

Opposition Home Affairs spokesperson James Paterson accused the government of not taking enough care when granting visas after it was revealed more than 2,200 visas have been issued to Palestinians since the outbreak of the Israel Hamas war.

Despite government assurances the visa vetting process has been thorough, Deputy Secretary of Immigration Michael Willard said the medium processing time for approvals was 24 hours with some visas reportedly approved in as little as one hour.

One Palestinian refugee, 21-year-old Zahar Abuamro who is living in Melbourne, on the day of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks that saw 1,200 Israelis slaughtered liked a post showing Palestinians celebrating in the street, reports Sky News.

'At this crucial time, we stand alongside our brothers and sisters in Palestine and stress the need to support their cause and work to end the occupation and establish their independent state,' the post said.

The Albanese government's visa refugee process is under scrutiny after it was revealed in a Senate estimates hearing that approvals were often done in under a day

Opposition Home Affairs spokesperson James Paterson accused the government of not taking enough care as it was revealed one refugee had expressed support for Hamas

On October 7 Abuamro also liked another post of a picture appearing to show a kidnapped Israeli alongside two Hamas members in army fatigues.

The following day he liked a post showing Hamas paragliders crossing the Israeli border and another post which said: 'Enter against them through the gate, for when you enter it, you will surely be victorious'.

Abuamro has also launched a crowdfunding page asking people to donate funds to help facilitate his father's 'safe and swift relocation from Gaza'.

Following the October 7 terror attacks, Israel launched a retaliation in Gaza which the Palestinian Health Ministry this week said has claimed 29,000 lives.

The United States this week vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, instead calling for an end to fighting 'as soon as practicable'.

Abuamro told Sky News he did not support the October 7 Hamas attacks and that his account could have been hacked.

On October 7 Abuamro liked a tweet showing Palestinians celebrating in the streets

Abuamro also liked tweets on October 7 and 8 showing a captured Israeli man (left) and Hamas paragliders crossing the Israeli border (right)

In defending the visa approval process, Mr Willard said there was already background information available on the applicants through international cooperation.

'We apply that vast range of information to consideration of visitor visas, so if you look globally a very large number of our visitor visas would be done inside of an hour,' he said.

'The assessment is essentially looking at all the information we hold and applying that in a number of ways.'

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in November when Australia opened the doors to genuine Palestinian refugees: 'We take the advice of agencies, and the advice I have been given is that all appropriate security checks, character checks and identity checks have been undertaken'.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Home Affairs for comment.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in an interview with France 24, stated that the reforms in the Armenian army should concern nobody.

"Azerbaijan raises uproar every time in case of our new cooperation in the military-technical field, but does not say about its billions of dollars worth of arms purchases; this is an important fact.

Why is Azerbaijan concerned about the reforms of the Armenian army when it continues to occupy sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia, and when we propose, based on the Alma Ata Declaration, to delimit our borders and conduct a mirror-like withdrawal of troops? This would be a significant step toward mutual trust. The reforms in our army should not concern anyone," said the Prime Minister.
Police have seized almost six tonnes of cocaine hidden in crates of bananas in Britain's biggest-ever class A drugs bust.

Agents from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force seized 5.7 tonnes of cocaine worth 450million after it was found in a container at Southampton Port.

The NCA said the blocks of the illicit drugs had been heading to the Port of Hamburg in Germany for onward delivery before they were discovered on February 8.

A spokesman said the agency was working with European partners to identify the criminal networks behind the smuggling.

The previous largest seizures in Britain were 3.7 tonnes of cocaine, also found at Southampton in 2022, and 3.2 tonnes discovered on board the tug boat MV Hamal in Scotland in 2015.

Police have seized almost six tonnes of cocaine hidden in crates of bananas in Britain's biggest-ever class A drugs bust

Agents from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force seized 5.7 tonnes of cocaine worth 450million after it was found in a container at Southampton Port

The NCA said the blocks of the illicit drugs had been heading to the Port of Hamburg in Germany for onward delivery

The MV haul had been valued at 512million, however, because of the high street value of cocaine in Scotland at the time.

Criminal gangs are believed to be making 4bn a year in Britain alone, the NCA estimates.

Trafficking the highly addictive drug is closely linked to serious violence throughout the supply chain, fuelling firearms and knife crime in the UK.

And the trade has seen an exponential rise in associated violence in recent years, the agency said.

NCA director Chris Farrimond said the record-breaking seizure would mark a huge hit to the criminal cartels involved, denying them vast profits.

'While the destination for the consignment was continental Europe in this case, I have no doubt that a significant proportion would have ended up back here in the UK, being peddled by UK criminal gangs,' he added.

The MV haul had been valued at 512million, however, because of the high street value of cocaine in Scotland at the time

A spokesman said the agency was working with European partners to identify the criminal networks behind the smuggling

'The NCA is targeting international networks upstream and overseas, disrupting and dismantling them at every step. International law enforcement co-operation is essential to this mission.'

Minister for legal migration and the border, Tom Pursglove, said the seizure sent a clear message to drug smugglers that they would be caught.

'Our Border Force officers continue to work relentlessly to protect our borders and ensure the safety and security of the public,' he added.
A heartbroken Aussie is making a mercy dash to save his newborn daughter from adoption after his American girlfriend went back to the US and didn't return.

Daniel Gaut, from Sydney's north, was on holidays in the United States when he met 'the love of his life'.

A whirlwind romance began and, within days, his girlfriend Liv moved from Texas to be with him in Australia.

'She was saying that there's nothing in Texas for me anymore...all my heart and energy is in Australia,' Mr Gaut told A Current Affair.

The pair were inseparable and expecting their first child together.

Daniel Gaut, from Sydney 's north, was on holidays in the United States when he met who he thought would be 'the love of his life'

'I was ready when I was 21,' Mr Gaut said, about having a child.

'I knew that it was just in my future and I was just waiting for everything to align.'

Cracks started to show when his homesick girlfriend went back to Texas because she felt like she needed to be closer to her support network.

After what was supposed to be a 'visit', Mr Gaut received the devastating news that Liv wasn't returning and had got back with her ex-partner.

Cracks started to show when his homesick girlfriend went back to Texas because she felt like she needed to be closer to her support network - and never returned

He said hearing this while she was pregnant with their daughter was both shocking and heartbreaking.

Liv then dropped a second bombshell when she told her Aussie ex-lover that she wanted to put their baby girl up for adoption.

Mr Gaut said he told her to stop, saying this is 'so wrong' and goes against all his morals.

Now he is on a quest to raise the baby on his own.

'I will do whatever it takes so I can be the father and shower her with love,' he said.

Liv agreed to his plan to call their baby girl Ana, which comes from the Sanskrit word Anunta, and bring her back to Australia

Liv agreed to his plan to call their baby girl Ana, which comes from the Sanskrit word Anunta, and bring her back to Australia.

In order for this to happen, he needs to get to the US and organise paperwork in order to bring the child back to Australia.

Strapped for cash, Mr Gaut is relying on community funding to help make his dream a reality.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help him achieve his aim.

He said he's received some incredible donations from people eager to support him while he navigates the bureaucratic process.

'I just want to be the best dad that I can possibly be,' Mr Gaut said.

'I'm hoping and praying and everyone's praying that it will be a happy ending.'
A notorious double child killer is set to be executed over the infamous 1996 murders of two young sisters after a jury condemned him to death row for the third time.

Howard Steven Ault, 57, was initially sentenced to death in 2000, but several legal challenges and changes to Florida's death row process have meant two further juries have weighed in, culminating in a 9-3 vote this week to execute him.

He shocked the nation almost 30 years ago when he lured DeAnn Emerald Mumin, 11, and her younger sister, Alicia Sybilla Jones, 7, to his home with the promise of Halloween candy.

After abducting the girls, he raped Mu'min in front of her younger sister before strangling them both and stashing them in his attic.

Convicted double child killer Howard Steven Ault, 57, was sentenced to death for the third time this week

Ault shocked the nation in 1996 when he lured sisters DeAnn Emerald Mu'min, 11, (left) and her younger sister Alicia Sybilla Jones, 7, (right) to his home, before raping DeAnn and murdering them both

Jurors deliberated for two days before voting 9-3 to sentence Ault to death again, with his fate decided by the non-unanimous ruling thanks to a new law introduced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

The governor signed a bill in April allowing the death penalty in his state to be approved with a jury vote as low as 8-4.

Ault has been imprisoned since his arrest shortly after the murders, but has been on-and-off death row several times despite his heinous crime.

Three years after his initial conviction in 2000, the Florida Supreme Court ordered Ault to undergo a retrial over concerns about the jury selection in his trial.

He was then resentenced in 2007 for the murders of the young girls in a 9-3 vote, and he sat on death row for over a decade until another Florida Supreme Court ruling in 2017.

The court found Florida's death penalty process was unconstitutional as it did not require jurors to make a unanimous decision.

With Ault waiting for yet another sentencing hearing, the case was complicated by the 2018 Parkland school shooting, as the gunman who killed 17 was spared the death penalty as the jury only voted 12-9 for death.

Amid outrage over the jury's vote, DeSantis pushed for lowering the threshold, ultimately leading to Ault's third death sentence this week.

According to a New York Times article from after his arrest in 1996, Ault was known as a longtime sex offender in the state of Florida who was on house arrest for an unrelated sex crime involving another child at the time of the sisters' murders.

He quickly confessed to the killings, and led investigators to their bodies in the attic of his building.

Ault had befriended the sisters' mother shortly before their murders, and lured them to his home with Halloween candy

The killer was a known sex offender in the area. After his confession, he led investigators to the sisters' bodies in the attic of his south Florida home (pictured)

Ault (pictured at his first trial) had a shocking criminal history that dated back to 1986 including previous attacks on children

Following his arrest, the crime sparked outrage as it became clear that Ault (seen in previous mugshots) had an extensive criminal history against children but was still able to come into contact with the young sisters

Police found that he had befriended the sisters and their mother shortly before the killings, and although he was on house arrest, Ault was not monitored electronically and was only subject to visitations from his probation officer.

His arrest sparked outrage as many questioned why a convicted child predator was able to have contact with the young girls, with Ault owning a 10-year criminal record at the time.

In 1986, he was charged in connection with a violent attack on a couple on a beach, for which he was handed three years' probation.

Within two years, he pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and the attempted sexual battery of a 12-year-old girl, which landed him a seven year prison sentence.

However, Ault was released after just three years and nine months due to prison overcrowding.

Then in 1994, he pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and sexual activity with a six-year-old child who lived in his neighborhood - which he was sentenced to house arrest for.

He was also accused on New Years Eve in 1995 of attempting to rape an 11-year-old neighbor, but was never arrested over the alleged crime.

Following the murders of DeAnn (pictured) and Alicia, outraged mourners at their funeral called for Ault to 'never see the light of day again'

At the funeral for the sisters he murdered, fury over the system that allowed him to reoffend was palpable.

One attendee, Laura Mucilli, 60, who didn't know the girls but wanted to support their funeral, said at the time: 'We need to start something where one time they hurt a baby, they never see the light of day.

'We are the people. We make the laws. One time, and never see the light of day again. That's all that has to happen.'

Tederin Lane, 41, a cousin of the sisters' mother, added: 'They ought to put a tattoo on these murderers so the kids can know what they're running into.'

Now, although a jury voted to sentence him to death for the third time, he will still be subject to formal sentencing by a judge.

He is scheduled for a status hearing on April 11.
In Nikki Haley's birthplace of Bamberg, those who know her are with her 'all the way' in Saturday's South Carolina Republican primary, but former President Donald Trump will still likely capture a majority in her home county.

DailyMail.com ventured to the rural town Thursday, for the last day of early voting ahead of Saturday's pivotal race, where Trump is expected to trounce the former South Carolina governor in her home state.

A slow stream of voters showed up through the afternoon to an annex of the Bamberg County Courthouse - with a majority saying they were backing Trump - but not those who knew Haley personally.

'I love Nikki like she's a daughter,' said 79-year-old Joyce McMillan. 'She is the most honest, intelligent, fast-learning person I think I have ever met,' she said of the Republican presidential hopeful.'

McMillan was an accountant for Haley's parents when they ran a store in downtown Bamberg and taught the former U.N. ambassador the craft as a young girl.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is photographed at a campaign rally earlier this month in her hometown of Bamberg, South Carolina. Most voters at the Bamberg County polling place on Thursday said they were supporting former President Donald Trump

A number of voters DailyMail.com interviewed on Thursday in front of the Bamberg County Courthouse annex had personal connections to Nikki Haley - and those who did were supporting her presidential bid

'I ended up teaching her all the spreadsheets and the financial stuff of the shop when she was only 13 years old,' McMillan told DailyMail.com. 'When I left the business she took over, just at 13, and she's just super smart.'

McMillan said her daughter and Haley are close friends - and roomed together at Clemson.

'And she spent as much time at my house as she did at Nikki's house,' McMillan recalled.

The former bookkeeper said she also helped Haley and her husband Michael 'kind of get together,' but wouldn't go as far as describing herself as a 'matchmaker.'

'I'm just Nikki Haley all the way, Nikki Haley all the way,' McMillan said. 'She is the most capable person I could think of that could ever turn this country around.'

Mimbee Ray, a 71-year-old retired office manager, who lives in nearby Denmark, South Carolina told DailyMail.com she's voting for Haley 'because I know her.'

'It's a wonderful small town story that people would see her in the store and she was actually doing a lot of the books as a child,' Ray recalled. 'And so we've kind of followed her all along.'

A dilapidated building in downtown Bamberg, South Carolina near where Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley held a rally earlier this month. The rural town is located between Charleston and Columbia

Nikki Haley (right) attends an 'International Fest' in Bamberg, South Carolina as a child. Bamberg County voters who had personal connections with Haley were voting for her during Thursday's early voting period

Ray called Haley a 'great' governor of the state. 'And of course then Trump thought she was great too,' she said with a chuckle. 'But then now, like, no.'

The Denmark resident was among the South Carolina voters whose feathers were ruffled over comments Trump made in the state about Haley's husband, who is deployed.

At a rally in Conway on February 10 Trump floated that Michael Haley is in Africa to get away from his wife.

'What happened to her husband? What happened to her husband?' the former president asked.'Where is he? He's gone. He knew. He knew.'

DailyMail.com reported in January on two alleged affairs Haley had during her time as a state legislator, allegations the candidate has previously denied.

The story got DailyMail.com reporters banished from her campaign trail events ever since.

Nikki Haley (left in pink jumper) in a family photo from the late 70s. She's with parents Ajit and Raj. Clockwise from her are older sister Simran, big brother Mitti and little brother Simmi. At the age of 13 she was already doing accounting for her parents' main street store

Nikki Haley in elementary school in Bamberg South Carolina. Haley is in the second row, third from the right, in a striped polo. One voter who's known Haley since she was a child called her 'the most honest, intelligent, fast-learning person I think I have ever met'

Ray called Trump 'too vocal' and 'too old' to get her vote.

'Especially like criticizing "Where's her husband?" He's fighting in our military. And then by saying our military people are stupid or whatever, that was just not good,' she said.

In a strategy call Friday, Haley's campaign manager said they would press on through the March 5 Super Tuesday primaries and are looking at 'key states in March after that,' but it would take massive upheavel in the race for her to beat Trump.

If that leaves a Trump-Biden rematch, Ray said she 'probably won't vote.'

'I just wouldn't vote for either of them,' she said.

Erin Chassereau, a 43-year-old caretaker and part-time welder from Ehrhardt, South Carolina, remembered the time Haley met one of her daughters during a tour of the local middle school.

'Right down there, Nikki came for a tour and my daughter got a picture in the paper with her,' Chassereau recalled.

A water tower with Bamberg's name on it stands outside of town. One voter suggested that the strong Trump support in the county was due to 'the older generation' with many young people leaving the area due to lack of industry and jobs

Chassereau said she was casting a vote for the hometown candidate because 'Trump is a little too far right [and] Biden's way too far left.'

'I have nothing but high praise for everything that she's done,' she said of Haley. 'I've read up on her. I've watched her interviews. She's well spoken. She knows politics, she knows what she's doing. And to be a female doing that, she's great. She's great. She's smart. She's got it going on.'

Unlike Ray, Chassereau said she'd vote for Trump in the general election if Haley isn't successful in the Republican primary.

'If Nikki doesn't win, I'll have to,' she said. 'I hope not. I hope Nikki sticks around, I really do.'

Chassereau said the majority Trump support in the county was likely a product of 'the older generation' of residents, as the area lacks jobs, and many homes and businesses are dilapidated.

'The young people have left. The churches are dying. The churches are dying!' she said. 'I think that's why, I think that most Boomers, and I hate to use that word, are Trump all the way.'

Additionally, during interviews Thursday, every man interviewed by DailyMail.com was supporting Trump, while all the women, except one, were backing Haley.

Kathy, a 76-year-old Trump supporter who declined to give her last name, said she was voting for the ex-president because 'there's really nobody else.'

Her top issue, she told DailyMail.com, was the 'morality of the country.'

'I believe in God. OK? I'm going to say it right off the bat. I do not believe in abortion. I do not believe in homosexuality. If people want to do it fine. But I do believe Jesus is my savior and, you know, I'm not going to offend him - I'm going to vote the way he wants,' she said.

Kathy was unbotherd by the thrice-married Trump.

'So?' she asked. 'I mean we're all going to sin but let's not say OK this is OK. We're not going to say it's OK to kill your babies.'

Kathy said she would never vote for Haley because 'there's something fake about her' and doesn't like that Democrats are donating to the Haley campaign.

Her husband, 79-year-old Mike from Bamberg County, suggested that because Haley's parents were immigrants and weren't initially American citizens, she would be more permissive about mass migration.

Another Trump supporter didn't approve of Haley's decision to remove the Confederate flag from South Carolina's statehouse - a decision she made as governor after the racially motivated mass shooting at Charleston's Emanuel AME Church in 2015.

'I considered her a little bit. I'm not a prejudiced person. I liked the battle flag she took down because of its historical significance,' 38-year-old Joshua Creech of Denmark, South Carolina said.

He said that a grandfather from Germany immigrated to the United States before the Civil War.

'He came over in 1851, took up and fought for the Confederate army for what he believed in,' Creech said. 'And he promised God when he came over here that he would build a church if he prospered in the new land and he did so and it's right there in Ehrhardt,' Creech added, referencing the town located just down the road from Haley's Bambert.
Chinese nationals are now reportedly the second largest group near San Diego

The number of Chinese nationals crossing the southern US border near San Diego has eclipsed the number of Mexicans in recent months, according to a new report.

US Customs and Border Protection has recorded 21,000 encounters with Chinese nationals in the San Diego Sector since the fiscal year began in October, according to CBP data obtained by Fox News that is not yet public.

That's more than the 18,700 encounters with Mexican nationals during the same period, and second only to the 28,000 Columbians CBP reported encountering in the sector.

Migrants from Brazil (8,700) and Ecuador (7,700) were the next largest groups, and other countries of origin include Turkey, Guinea, India, Guatemala and Peru, underlining the increasingly global nature of migration at the US-Mexico border.

In fiscal 2023, CBP reported 24,048 Chinese citizens were apprehended by Border Patrol at the southern border  up more than 10 times from the 1,970 arrests recorded during the 2022 fiscal year, and just 323 the year before.

The number of Chinese nationals entering the US across the southern border has surged since 2021, amid a mass exodus from the oppressive communist country

A group of people, including many from China, walk along the wall after crossing the border with Mexico to seek asylum on October 24 near Jacumba, California

Chinese nationals have historically had a high success rate with asylum claims in America, and Beijing often refuses to accept deportation of its citizens whose asylum status is rejected.

The high success rate in remaining in the US has been a lure for many Chinese people to flee the communist country and seek a better life, following years of brutal pandemic lockdowns in China and a stagnating economy that has shaken faith in the ruling Communist Party.

Since Chinese citizens can fly into Ecuador without a visa, many are now taking the arduous 3,000 mile route through the Darien Gap to reach the US, a journey popular enough it has its own name in Chinese: walk the line, or 'zouxian.'

'This wave of emigration reflects despair toward China,' Cai Xia, editor-in-chief of the online commentary site of Yibao and a former professor at the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing, told the AP last year.

'They've lost hope for the future of the country,' said Cai, who now lives in the US 'You see among them the educated and the uneducated, white-collar workers, as well as small business owners, and those from well-off families.'

But the trend has drawn national security concerns from some officials, who fear some among the asylum seekers have nefarious motives.

Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Good, of the Border Patrols El Paso Sector, told the Homeland Security Committee during a private hearing in September last year that his agents were 'trying their best to figure out why [individuals from other continents are] coming' but that 'information can be hidden' and 'their agendas, their ideologies, the reason for them coming could be missed'.

More successful asylum claims in the US are made by Chinese migrants than any other nationality, according to government data

A group of people, including many from China, walk along the in California wall after crossing the border with Mexico to seek asylum in a file photo

Gloria Chavez, chief patrol agent for the Border Patrols Rio Grande Valley Sector, also told the Committee in June that the massive surge in Chinese migrants had forced her agents to enlist a translation service, with each Chinese national taking up to seven hours to interview.

The interviews were shared with DailyMail.com by the committee earlier this month.

Its Republican chair, Mark Green, claimed the surge in Chinese migrants was a 'massive' national security concern.

He said agents were being 'overwhelmed', with many Chinese nationals being 'released into the interior with little consideration for their country of origin'.

Green blamed Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the target of impeachment by House Republicans, for making it 'clear to the entire world that our borders are open'.

He added: 'While it is true that some individuals may be seeking relief from authoritarian regimes, there is no way for our brave men and women on the frontlines of this crisis to adequately vet all of them before being effectively forced to release themparticularly when countries like China wont allow us access to their various law enforcement databases.

'My Committee has been informed that some of these Chinese nationals have even been found to be affiliated with the Peoples Liberation Army and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)and those are just the ones weve been able to vet.'

An asylum-seeking migrant from China holds up his passport and paperwork as he is photographed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in California earlier this month

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.'
Six children an adult have been safely rescued from a mountain after they were left stranded on a walking trail at a mountain overnight.

The group called emergency services for help after they lost their way on the track near Upper Logan Trail on Mount Barney in Brisbane's south-west on Thursday around 7.50pm.

The group are understood to have wandered off the walking track and got lost.

Emergency crews who arrived at the scene in south-east Queensland's Scenic Rim region were unable to guide the hikers off the mountain.

A group of hikers including six children have been left stranded on Mount Barney (pictured) in Queensland's Scenic Rim after they ventured off a walking trail

Paramedics from the Queensland Ambulance Service set up camp in the area last night and were on standby as of Friday morning.

A spokesperson from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service told Daily Mail Australia the SES led the hikers from the mountain to the ground later this morning.

'SES members guided them safely off the mountain and they are now off and walked the whole way out,' the spokesperson said.

SES were dispatched to the site around 8.30pm on Thursday after getting the call for help.

Crews took hours to get to the hikers who were on the summit of the mountain before they managed to locate them this morning at 5am.

The group was eventually led to safety however a spokesperson for the QAS told Daily Mail a child was treated for heat exhaustion at the scene and is yet to be transported to hospital.

Earlier a spokeswoman said paramedics were waiting to provide medical assistance to one of the hikers.

'We haven't had contact with the patient, we are at a base waiting for the patient,' the spokeswoman said.

'It's been a very difficult extrication from the forest, they've (hikers) needed a fair bit of assist from other agencies.'

Emergency crews including paramedics were in radio communications with the group throughout the night in the lead up to this morning's successful rescue operation.

Emergency services (pictured stock image) are struggling to guide the group to safety

The latest incident comes after a man who was hiking at the mountain had to be rescued last Saturday.

Paramedics rushed to the site around 11am after the man in his 30s sustained injuries to the lower part of the leg.

He was airlifted by a rescue helicopter from the summit to the ground around midday before he was taken by ambulance to Boonah Hospital in a stable condition.

The rescue effort was hampered due to the weather and the difficulty emergency crews encountered trying to get the man to safety.

The mountain is the highest peak point at the Mount Barney National Park with a height of 1,354m, and it is the second highest peak in south-east Queensland.

The rugged terrain along the 16km walking trial takes up to 10 hours to complete and is regarded as 'challenging'.

The site is a popular attraction for hikers and bushwalkers alike.

More to come
A panel shop fire which spread to a neighboring factory and killed two people is believed to be a targeted attack.

Emergency services were called to the blaze in Melbourne's west at 4am on Friday.

Police have said the fire broke out in a shop on Bunnett Street in Sunshine North before spreading to a factory where two people were sleeping.

The pair died at the scene and are yet to be formally identified.

By the time firefighters arrived the single-storey factory was fully engulfed by flames.

Emergency services were called to the blaze in Melbourne's west on Friday morning

An advice message was issued due to a large amount of smoke in the area.

The alert requested that residents in the nearby area stay informed about 5am.

A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said it took about 50 firefighters with 12 trucks almost three hours to get the fire under control.

'(Fire Rescue Victoria) conducted attack of the fire from above, while crews in breathing apparatus undertook an internal attack containing the (fire) to the factory,' the spokesperson said.

'The incident has been deemed suspicious and Victoria Police has established a crime scene.'

Detectives believe the fire was a 'targeted attack' and the two people killed were not connected to the panel shop.

The fire is also not believed to be linked to any other recent fires or Operation Lunar, which targets Victoria's illicit tobacco trade.

Crews got the blaze under control around 7am

Crews got the blaze under control around 7am.

Police remained at the scene as and were investigating the circumstances of the fire.

The cause is yet to be determined.

Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information that may have information is urged to contact Victoria Police or Crime Stoppers.
Ranked choice voting would also see Breed lose to Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie

San Francisco Mayor London Breed is on course to lose her reelection bid to a no-nonsense rival pledging to clean up the city.

The incumbent mayor, 49, suffered poor results in a new poll from the San Francisco Chronicle that found she would lose her office to the man who briefly held it before her, Mark Farrell, 50.

In a tight three-way race, Farrell registered 20 percent support, Breed registered 18 percent, and Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie registered 16 percent.

While the candidates were closely matched, San Francisco's use of ranked choice voting in its mayoral elections would see her struggle - with Breed receiving far fewer second-choice votes than either Farrell or Lurie.

Ranked choice voting uses a rounds-based system where if no candidate reaches 50 percent support, the lowest ranked candidate is eliminated, and their votes go to their voters' second choice until one reaches a majority.

London Breed, 49, is on course to lose the mayoralty of San Francisco in a new poll, which found a staggering 71 percent of voters disapprove of her job performance

Former acting mayor Mark Farrell came out narrowly on top in the new poll - as he runs on a no-nonsense campaign to clean up San Francisco's crumbling streets

Farrell said San Francisco has become the 'butt of jokes across the country' as rampant homelessness and drug taking takes over the city

Farrell's place at the top of the poll comes as he runs a campaign focused on the downturn of San Francisco's economy and the prevalence of homelessness and overdoses on its streets.

A former venture capitalist, Farrell served as the city's acting mayor for six months in 2018 after he was appointed to the post following the death of Mayor Ed Lee.

Farrell didn't seek re-election after serving as acting mayor, and Breed won the election in July 2018.

When he announced his candidacy for mayor in February 2023, he slammed Breed's handling of the city since she took office as he pushed a stern platform to clean up the streets.

'I've watched San Francisco crumble over the last five years,' he told the New York Times.

'Public safety has never been a bigger concern. The conditions of our streets have never been worse. Our local economy has collapsed. And weve become the butt of jokes across the country.

'This mayor has completely failed us.'

His self-described common-sense platform to turn the city around would see him 'massively' increase police ranks, detain drug overdose victims who survive, and empty the numerous homeless encampments.

Farrell served as acting San Francisco mayor for six months in 2018. His platform calls for an increase in cops across the city and arrests for those who overdose and survive

San Francisco is reeling from soaring crime, an emptying downtown, and residents moving away to safer, cheaper areas

The city sharply declined when the pandemic struck in 2020, with drug overdose rates skyrocketing

San Francisco's economy has also taken a dive in recent years as businesses flee the rampant crime and homelessness across the city, with Farrell suggesting returning cars to the main thoroughfare to try and bring life back to the economy.

In the latest poll, Farrell's lead was within the margin of error, and 40 percent of the electorate said they remain undecided.

However, experts said Breed's 18 percent support means she is in 'very, very serious trouble', and is effectively in third place in the ranked choice voting system.

'Obviously, with the number of undecided voters that we have, you dont want to draw too firm of a conclusion,' said Jonathan Brown, the Sextant Strategies & Research president who organized the poll.

'But  if this is the field of major candidates right now, it certainly looks like Breed is in very, very serious trouble.'

More than a third of respondents said they would rank Breed last - including behind city Supervisor Ahsha Safai who registered eight percent support.

The 35 percent of voters who would rank Breed last compares to just seven percent for Lurie and six percent for Farrell.

In the ranked choice scenario, Lurie - who also runs a homelessness non-profit - would best Farrell as he received the highest number of second place votes.

However, experts stress it is too early to draw conclusions as the election is still eight months away.

Daniel Lurie, the heir to the Levi Strauss fortune who runs a homelessness non-profit, would take the lead in the race via ranked choice voting if the election was held today, the poll found

San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safai (right) registered at eight percent support in the new poll - but over one third of voters say they remain undecided

Breed's lackluster polling also extended to questions put to respondents on her handling of the city, with a staggering 71 percent of voters disapproving of her job performance.

In contrast, just five percent of voters said they strongly approved of her performance, and 23 percent somewhat approved.

The poll also found that 61 percent of San Francisco residents feel their quality of life is 'just adequate' or 'poor'.

Over two thirds of respondents said they disapproved of Breed's handling of five major issues - keeping residents and businesses safe from crime; providing shelter to the homeless; keeping neighborhoods clean; handling the citys overdose crisis; and providing enough reasonably priced housing.

Breed's campaign has claimed she is turning the city's problems around, and often cites a seven percent drop in crimes across the city last year.

Maggie Muir, a political consultant for her campaign, told the Chronicle that the poll also included a positive sign, with 70 percent of respondents saying they feel safe or somewhat safe in their neighborhood.

'Mayor Breed continues to boldly lead the citys recovery, with a laser focus on economic revitalization and public safety,' Muir said.

'The election that Mayor Breed is focused on right now is in two weeks when voters go to the polls for her proposed ballot measures to make the city safer, support our neighborhoods, and bring more investment and housing Downtown.'

While Muir claims that Breed is turning around the downtown area, it was on her watch that the hub has seen a dramatic decline.

The downtown area of San Francisco has seen a staggering number of businesses flee since the pandemic, citing lax policing, rampant homelessness and sickening open-air drug taking for driving them out of business

A woman lies passed out in front of a children's play area in downtown San Francisco, where encountering zombie-like addicts has become a regular part of everyday life

As cars were halted through the main thoroughfare on Market Street through the pandemic, a slew of businesses including CVS, Amazon and Whole Foods have closed locations due to untamed crime.

Once a bustling center for the city's economy, eerie images taken in January showed it almost devoid of people while many businesses were boarded up.

Farrell has pledged to bring businesses back to the city - and his campaign manager Jade Tu said she was 'encouraged' by his lead in the latest poll.

She noted that Farrell has a far lower name recognition than Breed, and his campaign is 'just getting started.'

'It is clear that voters have lost faith in Mayor Breeds ability to turn San Francisco around and are hungry for a candidate who has a track record of effective leadership inside and outside of City Hall,' Tu said.

'Voters are backing Mayor Farrells vision and platform that is focused on creating a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant San Francisco on Day 1 of his administration.'
Anti-Muslim hate incidents have more than tripled in the UK since the Hamas terror attacks in Israel on October 7, with British Muslim women bearing the brunt of racist attacks.

Islamophobia watchdog Tell MAMA recorded 2,010 cases of possible hate crimes against Muslims since Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, in Israel four months ago - 335 per cent of those compared to the same time a year ago.

Cases recorded included graffitiing the word 'Hamas' on the front door of a Muslim family, Nazi swastikas being painted on cars and death threats made to worshippers at a mosque in Darlington.

Of the 535 cases of abusive behaviour recorded - which includes threats, vandalism and assaults - British Muslim women were the target of 65 per cent of the attacks.

Figures from the Home Office compiled by the Mail also show that Muslims have suffered the highest number of hate crimes seven years in a row - making up 44 per cent of incidents targeted at any religious group.

Islamophobic incidents are up 335 percent year-on-year in the period between October 7 and February 7, according to Islamophobia tracking service Tell MAMA

The rise in anti-Muslim hate crime has been linked to Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel (pictured: a pro-Palestinian protester)

Tell MAMA says emotions are running high in Muslim and Jewish communities following the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict - calling both Islamophobia and anti-semitism 'unacceptable'

Conservative MP Paul Bristow said people in his Peterborough constituency were worried about the rise in Islamophobia

Community Safety Trust figures also show huge spikes in antisemitic incidents following the October 7 attacks in Israel

Last night Conservative MPs called on the government to do more to clamp down on anti-Muslim hatred.

Former minister Paul Bristow said: 'There has been a sharp rise in Islamophobia across the country in recent months, and I know first-hand from speaking to my constituents in Peterborough how worried they are about these rises.

'What has taken me back is just how blatant Islamophobia can be without being called out.

'I have spoken to many British Muslims who want to see the bloodshed in Gaza end, but fear speaking up on issue could lead to anti-Muslim attacks. This should never be the case.'

Mark Eastwood, Tory MP and member of the APPG for British Muslims, said: 'The government and all in society should do more to fend off Islamophobia and attacks on people for what they believe.

'Muslims in my constituency in Bolton have contributed so much to the wider town and region - they should be praised for this contribution not persecuted.'

Just over half of the cases recorded since October 7 included online hatred, such as threatening British Muslims in a future 'civil war' or being told to 'f*** off to a Muslim country'.

One now-banned account on X, formerly Twitter, asked users who would win in an 'upcoming civil war in Britain', giving them the option of 'British' or 'Muslim' people.

Tell MAMA said said in the same timescale last year, only 600 total incidents were recorded - less than a third that were reported in the last four months.

The shocking figures come just a week after a Jewish security charity revealed anti-Semitic incidents in the UK reached a record high in 2023 - reflecting the division that the conflict in the Middle East has caused.

The Community Security Trust recorded 4,103 incidents of anti-Jewish hatred in 2023 up from 1,662 the year before.

The figures include 266 violent assaults, up 96 per cent year-on-year and at least one antisemitic incident for every police force in the UK for the first time on record.

Iman Atta, director of Tell MAMA, is 'deeply concerned' at the rise in both Islamophobia and antisemitism since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

She said: 'We are deeply concerned about the impacts that the Israel and Gaza war are having on hate crimes and on social cohesion in the UK.

'Hate crimes against British Muslims have substantially risen and our data clearly demonstrates this.

'This rise in anti-Muslim hate is unacceptable and we hope that political leaders speak out to send a clear message that anti-Muslim hate, like antisemitism, is unacceptable in our country.

'There really is no space for hate and more than ever, it is essential that we sustain, nurture and protect the bonds that we have between communities, so that we all feel valued and safe in our communities and in our country.'

Last year 3,400 offences against Muslims were recorded by police, according to the Home Office. The level has remained steady since 2017, prompting accusations that ministers have not done enough to address the issue.

Anisa Mahmood, Director of the Anti-Islamophobia Working Group, said: 'It is beyond any logic as to why the government hasn't taken any action against Islamophobia despite these staggering figures. He has a duty to safeguard all communities regardless of their background and faith.'

A UK Government spokesperson told BBC News there was 'no place for hate' in British society, adding: 'We expect the police to fully investigate all hate crimes and work with the CPS to make sure the cowards who commit these abhorrent offences feel the full force of the law.'
The primary candidate running against House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good made a pledge just last year that he would not launch a bid against the Virginia congressman.

Virginia State Senator John McGuire told attendees during a January 2023 forum in Fluvanna that he would support Good's reelection, according to video exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com.

But less than a year later, and only months into his state office term, McGuire launched a bid to oust the House Freedom Caucus Chairman in the Republican primary in June.

McGuire bragged during his response at the forum about being a staunch backer of Rep. Good and helping put up signs advocating for his candidacy.

'I was really pleased with Bob Good when he was fighting and standing up for conservative values,' an attendee at the Fluvanna Republican Committee Senate Forum said to Good on Jan. 25, 2023. 'Locally, there's been some scuttlebut that some people are not appreciative of that endeavor and they talk about potentially running against Bob Good.'

'I'm wondering if you would pledge to not run against Bob Good next year?' they posed to McGuire in video of the interaction.

'Well No. 1, Bob Good has done a good job,' McGuire replied. 'He's a true conservative  and we need more of them. And I'm a true conservative and I think, you know, we should work together.'

He insisted: 'My pledge to you is I'm running for Virginia State Senate and I'm going to support Bob Good for reelection.'

Virginia congressional candidate John McGuire vowed last year he would not launch a bid against Rep. Bob Good for his seat in the state's 5th congressional district. 'My pledge to you is I'm running for Virginia State Senate and I'm going to support Bob Good for reelection,' he told voters at an event in January 2023

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (riught) last month endorsed Donald Trump for president

At the time, McGuire was running for a State Senate seat in Virginia's 10th District. Now, 13 months later, he is in the middle of a campaign for the U.S. House and no longer wants to work with Good as he seeks to take him down in the primary.

Rep. Good told DailyMail.com that Mcguire only pledged to support him during the race because he wouldn't have won the Virginia State Senate seat otherwise.

'John McGuire lied to the voters of the 10th Senate District in order to win a nomination battle, that he knew he could not win if he didn't pledge to support me for Congress,' Good said.

He added: 'John McGuire is a perpetual candidate in search of a race, and is in fact running for a fourth different seat in a little more than 2 years (56th House of Delegates, 7th Congressional District, 10th Senate District, 5th Congressional District).'

It is true that McGuire has run for office six times in Virginia in the last five years.

First for the Virginia House of delegates in 2019, then explored or filed to run for Congress in 2020, 2021 and 2022. In 2023 he ran and won his race for Virginia Senate, which he now is looking to cut short by launching a bid for Good's seat.

'He never had any intention of serving a term in the VA Senate, as evidenced by his declaration for Congress before he was even sworn into the Senate,' Good said.

'If he had any semblance of integrity, he would resign from his Senate seat and let the voters of the 10th Senate District select someone who actually wants to represent them in this capacity.'

Good is chairman of the conservative and very powerful House Freedom Caucus, which includes many members who led the effort to remove Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker. He was first elected to the House in the 2020 elections and is rounding out his second term.

McGuire (right) claims he is the superior pro-Trump candidate in Virginia and has the backing of longtime Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.)

McGuire claims that Good is not pro-Trump enough to keep his seat  and said the incumbent only endorsed the former president to save his seat in Congress

But McGuire, who is endorsed by Rep. Marjorie Taylore Green (R-Ga.), claims the two-term congressman isn't MAGA enough to earn another two years and insists he is the more pro-Trump candidate in Virginia's 5th congressional district.

'Bob Good berates his constituents often and he trashes Trump. Finally he is getting exposed for who he really is,' McGuire wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

He was referencing an incident over the weekend where Good was booted from a pro-Trump store opening in Farmville, Virginia despite receiving an invitation. It didn't look good from the outside as supporters of the former president seek to oust anyone from office who doesn't whole-heartedly align themselves with Trump.

McGuire has jumped on the incident, saying on X that 'Bob Good's team calling the cops on Team MAGA is a perfect metaphor for his whole approach to Trump.'

Good's campaign director said she was the one who called police to the event when pro-Trump supporters of McGuire began harassing the lawmakers.

'It's not uncommon to notify local authorities when the Congressman attends or is hosting something in public,' Diana Shores told DailyMail.com. 'Our opponent's campaign is trying to spin this as if we called the police on him or his campaign team that was inside the store. Nothing could be further from the truth.'

Shores said Good was attempting to purchase 'Trump gear for himself' when he was kicked out of the store  and then says McGuire sent his supporters to harass the congressman.

'They were shouting, waving signs and attempting to block the Congressman from greeting constituents when asked to respect the congressman's personal space, they refused. So I called the police to let them know there was an issue,' she added.

State Sen. McGuire was headlining the pro-Trump store event in Farmville.

Good received a text message inviting Republicans to the event, according to a breakdown of that day in Virginia Scope.

Upon being told to leave, he asked: 'Are you saying that only some Republicans are welcome?'

Then-Appomatox County GOP Committee Chair Karen Angulo, who rented the space for the event, said: 'I am saying that you do not have an invitation to hijack the store. So I am asking you all to leave.'

Since the event, Angulo has resigned from her post.

House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Bob Good is running for a third term in office for Virginia's 5th congressional district. Much of his caucus led the efforts to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year

Rep. Good has consistently said he is pro-Trump. He issued a formal endorsement last month for the former president's 2024 bid.

But when Good issued the endorsement, McGuire said it was a way for the lawmaker to come crawling back to Trump.

'Bob Good has been a Never Trumper since Day 1 and is going around telling people that Trump isn't pro-life and can't win,' he alleged in a post to X.

'Bob Good has come groveling back to Trump in order to save his own hide - friends, don't trust him,' he wrote in a second part of the thread. 'He'll stab Trump in the back again the first chance he gets.'

'Never Trumper Bob Good is only good for Joe Biden, not for the patriots of Virginia's 5th Congressional District.'

A senior advisor for Good's campaign told DailyMail.com in response to the video: 'John is most often referred to by his colleagues and politicos in Richmond as John McLiar.'

'He is a perpetual ladder climber who makes even the most ambitious politicians look like statesman running for six offices in just five years,' they added.

Rep. McGuire announced in November 2023 that he was launching a bid against Good  right after he was elected to the Virginia State Senate, and only 10 months after vowing to support the congressman's reelection.

'Join me if you agree we can do better than good,' he wrote in a November Facebook post, invoking the congressman's last name.

McGuire claimed he brought in $250,000 in donations in just 48 hours after announcing his bid.

But Federal Election Committee (FEC) filings show that John only raised $212,421.86 in total for the entire quarter, including $92,937.76 in contributions and $119,484.10 in transfers to the campaign from other authorized committees.

The race for Virginia's 5th congressional district seat in Congress is indicative of the heightened tensions in Congress and among some members of the House Freedom Caucus who claim members aren't pro-Trump enough.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has disseminated disinformation accusing Armenia of opening fire, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said.

The statement issued by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan that, allegedly, on February 23 the units of the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire in the direction of the Azerbaijani positions located in the eastern part of the border zone does not correspond to reality, the ministry said.
Trans charities are 'pitting parents against schools' by encouraging them to dispute Government guidance, peers have been told.

Baroness Barran, an education minister, told the House of Lords she was concerned about 'quite oppositional' positions of some charities following the guidance's publication.

It says teachers and pupils would not be 'compelled' to use a child's preferred pronouns. It also tells school staff not to 'exclude' parents from decisions taken relating to requests for a child to 'socially transition'.

The education department's public consultation over the guidance is due to close in the coming weeks.

Charities such as Stonewall have urged parents to challenge schools over trans and gender-questioning children.

Trans charities are 'pitting parents against schools' by encouraging them to dispute Government guidance, peers have been told (Stock Image)

Baroness Barran, an education minister, told the House of Lords she was concerned about 'quite oppositional' positions of some charities following the guidance's publication

Meanwhile, the Mermaids organisation released a template letter for parents to send to schools. Its tone was described by human rights charity Sex Matters as 'bullying'.

Baroness Barran said: 'The anecdotes we hear are that the guidance is already having an impact on parents, who feel able to ask schools to account for their decisions.'

She said she shared concerns that campaigns run by some charities 'are quite oppositional in tone and are pitting parents against schools, which the guidance explicitly tries to avoid'.
Former Democrat Rep. Tulsi Gabbard appeared at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday evening, with a passionate speech defending former President Donald Trump and calling Democrats 'dictators' who want to 'destroy democracy'.

Gabbard spoke to a CPAC ballroom full of Trump supporters who cheered her on as she praised the former president for continuing to fight the establishment elite in Washington, D.C.

'I've met a lot of strong tough people in my life, I can't think of a single one who could not only withstand all that is coming at Donald Trump without crumbling, but someone who would actually choose to keep fighting against the entire Washington establishment,' Gabbard, D-Hawaii, said.

Gabbard, a former Democrat, referenced her past friendship with President Joe Biden, suggesting there was no way he could handle a similar assault.

Former United States Representative Tulsi Gabbard

Gabbard praised Trump for continuing to fight for 'love of country' arguing that Biden did not have the same strength

'I've known Joe Biden for a long time, I used to consider him a friend, do you think he could handle this pressure?' She asked the crowd. 'I don't think so.'

Gabbard, a former Democrat congresswoman from Hawaii, endorsed Democrat socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders for president in 2015, bucking the Democrat establishment that were aligning to protect Hillary.

In October 2022, Gabbard announced she would leave the Democrat party because it was 'under the complete control of an elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness.'

Now Gabbard is on Trump's list of potential vice presidential picks.

When asked by Fox News host Laura Ingraham Tuesday about a list of potential choices for a running mate, that included Gabbard, Trump replied, 'Honestly all of those people are good. They're all good, they're all solid.'

Gabbard and Trump may cross paths soon, as she is expected to headline a fundraiser for the 917 Society at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in March.

It's unclear how seriously Trump is considering Gabbard as a running mate, but her speech enthralled CPAC activists in the room.

Gabbard warned them of the lengths the Democrat elite would go to attack Trump, as evidenced by the court cases brought against him.

'Our democracy is under attack, the perpetrators of this attack are those who in the name of saving democracy are destroying it,' she said.

She described the party elites as 'evildoers' who believe they are 'doing the right thing' but posed a threat to the Constitution with their desperate attempts to keep Trump off of the ballot.

Former United States Representative Tulsi Gabbard

Former United States Representative Tulsi Gabbard

'I don't use these words lightly, every one of us who loves this country and cherishes peace and freedom should be very alarmed by those who driven by their insatiable hunger for power are actively undermining everything we stand for,' she said.

Gabbard argued that Democrats were the dictators, by using the justice system to keep Trump off the ballot by any means necessary.

'It's so crazy it's laughable' she said. 'It's lunacy and its the mindset and mentality of dictators.'

Gabbard attacked Trump's primary opponent Nikki Haley for repeatedly claiming that Trump was only in it for himself.

'I've gotten a sense for what motivates him, and it's got nothing to do with what the Washington establishment is accusing him of,' she said. 'This is a fighter, his strength and resilience can only come from one place: Sincere love of country.'
President Joe Biden is struggling to attract donations from blue-collar workers, in a blow to the Democrat who once declared himself the 'most pro-union president in American history.'

Among the 15 companies most often listed in campaign finance records, workers at heavily unionized UPS were the most likely to donate to Donald Trump in the second half of last year, according to Bloomberg News.

Employees at Google and Microsoft were most likely to donate to Biden, with 90 percent of presidential donations from Google employees going to the Democrat, according to the outlet's analysis of public campaign finance records.

The divide reflects not just on the candidates, but also their parties, and an ongoing shift among blue-collar workers in heavily unionized sectors away from Democrats and towards Republicans.

But it underscores a particular challenge for Biden, who has heavily touted his support of labor unions, as he tries to court key blue-collar voters in heavily unionized swing states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

Among the 15 companies most often listed in campaign finance records, workers at heavily unionized UPS were the most likely to donate to Donald Trump (file photo)

Google CEO Sundar Pichai (L) and Apple CEO Tim Cook (R) are seen meeting with Biden in 2023. Ninety percent of political donations from Google employees went to Biden last year

Last month, Biden scored an endorsement from the United Auto Workers union, after appearing on their picket lines during a strike against Detroit's Big Three automakers last year.

It's possible that support could pay off, with the Bloomberg data showing that donations from workers at General Motors and Ford were nearly evenly split in the last six months of 2023.

But other heavily unionized companies, including American Airlines, showed more employee donations to Trump.

Trump was also favored among workers at Delta, Walmart and FedEx, which have large blue-collar workforces.

Companies with more employees donating to Biden included IBM, Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo, Amazon and AT&T.

The Bloomberg analysis shows the professions most likely to donate to Trump are farmers, truckers, entrepreneurs, mechanics and construction workers.

Those most likely to donate to Biden are professors, psychologists, social workers, scientists and writers.

Joe Biden speaks during a visit to a United Auto Workers (UAW) phone bank in the metropolitan Detroit area, Michigan on February 1, 2024

Still, both Trump and Biden were heavily dependent on billionaires and others who can write large checks, according to the report.

For Biden, two-thirds of fundraising for the second half of 2023 came from wealthy donors, including billionaires Haim Saban and George Soros.

For Trump, 46 percent came from mega-donors, including construction billionaire Diane Hendricks, oil mogul Timothy Dunn and Home Depot co-founder Bernard Marcus.

On Thursday, it emerged that the political action committee of the powerful International Brotherhood of Teamsters gave the Republican National Committee the maximum donation of $45,000 last month.

It marked the first major donation for the Teamsters to a Republican cause in years, according to the Washington Post.

The Teamsters also sent $135,000 to the Democratic National Committee last December plus a $15,000 donation in March.

'The Teamsters contributed $45,000 to both the Democratic and Republican convention funds. It's not since 2000 that our union has participated in both conventions,' a Teamsters spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

'In the Teamsters, all our members' voices will be heard, regardless of party.'

Trump talks to reporters at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters headquarters on January 31, 2024 in Washington, DC after meeting with union boss Sean O'Brien

Sean O'Brien, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, speaks to union members during a rally in Atlanta in July 2023

Trump has been courting the Teamsters for an endorsement, and last month met with the union's boss Sean O'Brien.

O'Brien later described the conversation with Trump as 'pleasant' and 'direct,' but said the union was a long way from making a decision. He said it has additional questions for Trump and for Biden, who has yet to set a similar meeting.

'There's no doubt about (it),' he said, 'there is union support for President Trump. And there's always union support for President Biden.'

But even as he praised Biden's record he, added: 'What you've done in the past doesn't guarantee your future with us. We want to know what you're going to do for our members moving forward.'

The Teamsters has endorsed every Democratic presidential candidate since Al Gore in 2000.
President Joe Biden suffered another public gaffe on Thursday, misnaming Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia as 'Yolanda' in a brief meeting with the press in Los Angeles.

The president spoke privately with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya in a suite at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco following Alexei's death.

'This morning I had the honor of meeting Alexei Navalny's wife and daughter,' he said in a parking garage. 'The one that was made clear to me is that Yolanda's gonna, she's gonna continue to fight.'

Biden, at 81, the oldest president in American history, then shuffled back to his SUV.

The meeting with the Navalny family came hours after Biden publicly called Putin a 'crazy S.O.B.' in the wake of Navalny's death at the age of 47.

President Joe Biden suffered another public gaffe on Thursday, misnaming Alexei Navalny 's widow Yulia as 'Yolanda' in a brief meeting with the press in San Francisco

The president said: 'He (Navalny) was a man of incredible courage. It's amazing how his wife and daughter are emulating that.

'We'll be announcing the sanctions against Putin, who is responsible for his death, tomorrow.

The President also wrote on X: 'Today, I met with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya  Aleksei Navalny's loved ones  to express my condolences for their devastating loss.

'Aleksei's legacy of courage will live on in Yulia and Dasha and the countless people across Russia fighting for democracy and human rights.'

Pundits from all across the political spectrum have been saying Biden should step down and allow a younger candidate to run, especially in the wake of the DoJ report that called him 'a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.'

Biden met the Navalnayas as Navalny's mother Lyudmila Navalnaya revealed she had been taken to a secret morgue to see her son's body.

She demanded that Kremlin officials give back 'my son's body immediately' after investigators tried 'blackmailing' her into holding a 'secret' burial.

President Joe Biden met with Alexei Navalny 's widow and daughter in California and promised major new sanctions against Vladimir Putin and the Russian regime

The president hugs Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya in San Francisco

Yulia Navalnaya, wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Biden called Putin an 'S.O.B.' in a campaign speech to a small group of supporters on Wednesday night.

He also condemned his predecessor Donald Trump for comparing his legal woes with Navalny's plight.

Biden is planning to announce a fresh round of sanctions on Friday, as fears grow that Putin will put a nuclear weapon into space.

A vast majority of American voters  86 percent  say President Joe Biden, 81, is too old for another term in office, according to a new poll.

Meanwhile, 62 percent of respondents in the ABC News/Ipsos poll say that former President Donald Trump, 77, is also too old for another White House term.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents say that both top 2024 competitors are too old while 27 percent think only the current president is elderly enough to be taken out of consideration.

In a Substack post on Monday, FiveThirtyEight founder Nate Silver concluded that Biden 'should stand down if he wasn't going to be able to run a normal reelection campaign.'

'If you'd asked me a year ago, I would have told you that Joe Biden was a reasonably clear favorite in the event of a rematch against Donald Trump,' he wrote in his Silver Bulletin post.

President Joe Biden is no longer the 'clear favorite' to win the presidential race in 2024, according to top pollster Nate Silver

FiveThirtyEight founder Nate Silver (pictured) published a lengthy post Monday arguing why Biden is losing any advantage he had over Trump a year ago in the race for the White House

Now, Silver argues, 'it's time for the White House to put up or shut up.'

Biden, 81, is on track for a rematch with former President Donald Trump, 77, in 2024 with no real competitors in the Democratic primary.

If asked in February 2023, Silver claims that he would have said Biden was the favorite to win against Trump by a 65:35 margin. But the president's conduct over the last year of campaigning coupled with his age and fitness for office has changed his mind.

Things like participating in the pre-Super Bowl interview are important to running a presidential campaign, Silver noted  which is something Biden opted not to do this month after also skipping the tradition last year.

'This really isn't too much to ask,' Silver argued. 'These are the sorts of interviews that every other recent president has done.'

Recent polling shows Trump continuing to close the gap with Biden and even pulling way past him in some hypothetical general election match-ups.

Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history. He broke Trump's record by eight years when entering office at the age of 78 in January 2021.

If elected for a second term, Biden would be 82 at the time of inauguration.

US President Joe Biden speaks to the press in the parking garage of the Fairmont Hotel in Los Angeles, California, on February 22, 2024

US President Joe Biden next to his vehicle 'The Beast' as he speaks to the press in the parking garage of the Fairmont Hotel in Los Angeles, California, on February 22, 2024

When taking into consideration only their own party's preferences, 73 percent of Democrats think Biden is too old and only 35 percent of Republicans think that about Trump.

Ninety-one percent of independents say Biden is too old and 71 percent of this voting block say the same about the former president.

It comes after the DOJ released a report revealing his assessment that Biden has 'poor memory' and 'diminished facilities' and would therefore not recommend charges in the classified documents case, so he wouldn't appear before a jury the same way he did before Special Counsel Robert Hur.
Prison guards are cashing in by selling rocking chairs made by a notorious convicted axe-murderer for up to $1,700.

The chairs are being crafted by William Patrick Mitchell who slaughtered Karen MacKenzie and her three children Daniel, 16, Amara, 7, and Katrina, 5, near the WA coastal city of Geraldton, a 4.5-hour drive north of Perth, in 1993.

Mitchell and other inmates in the Bunbury Regional Prison to the south of Perth make the chairs out of marine plywood in jail workshops.

Because child sex offenders help Mitchell in fashioning the furniture they have gained the nickname 'pedo chairs' by the prison community.

One of the rocking chairs made by axe-murderer William Patrick Mitchell in jail, which prison guards were reportedly selling for huge mark-ups

Details of Mitchell's drug-fuelled murder and sexual assaults on a family in 1993 have been deemed so horrifying they have never been made public

Prison staff can purchase the chairs for around $400 but they have been advertised on Facebook and other online selling platforms for $1,700 or $3,200 for two.

'You cannot buy these in the shops, they are made from top-quality marine ply, hand-finished so no chair is exactly the same as any other,' the ad for one chair states.

'They look great in the photo but even better when you see the actual chair, one has gone so last opportunity to buy at this very reasonable price.'

Nowhere in the ad does it mention Mitchell or the origin of the chair.

The huge profits being made by prison guards have led to WA Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce reviewing the rort, which a previous inquiry found was within the rules.

However, there is concern that items being made by prisoners are being used to lavishly furnish and upgrade staff homes and purchase other goods.

The West Australian reports one staff member had an entire kitchen fitted out with cabinetry made by Bunbury inmates.

Caravans and trailers belonging to staff have also been reportedly refurbished in the jail's metal shop.

For a small outlay staff have acquired driveway gates which would ordinarily cost thousands of dollars.

Karen MacKenzie and her three children were slaughtered by a drug-crazed Mitchell near the WA coastal city of Geraldton

Media inquiries have led to a changing of the rules around the inmate workshops.

'Effective immediately, we are unable to accept and proceed with new staff requests for work to be undertaken in the prison industries workshops,' Bunbury staff were notified by email last Thursday.

After the slaying of MacKenzie and her three children, Mitchell was jailed for a minimum of 20 years.

High on a cocktail of cannabis, alcohol and amphetamines, the axe-wielding Mitchell killed Daniel in the driveway of the house before going into the home to murder and sexually assault his mother, who had previously rejected his advances.

Mitchell also sexually assaulted Amara before killing the girl and her sister who were asleep in the bedrooms.

Aspects of Mitchells crimes have been deemed so sickening and depraved they remain suppressed by the courts to this day.
The Reform UK candidate in the upcoming Rochdale by-election was turned away at a hustings event last night, blaming 'George Galloway supporters' for preventing him from speaking.

Simon Danczuk arrived at the hustings at Wardleworth Community Centre to answer questions and debate policies with his fellow candidates ahead of next week's vote.

However, upon his arrival Mr Danczuk was told by a member of staff that they had space for him to attend the event but he couldn't speak.

In a video posted on X, formerly Twitter, a visibly angry Mr Danczuk can be seen asking repeatedly if he can come into the meeting.

He said: 'It's a simple question. I'm going to go if I can't speak. If I'm not on the top table speaking to the people of Rochdale I'm going to leave.'

After he was told he would only be able to speak at the end, Mr Danczuk decided to leave the hustings.

Simon Danczuk, the Reform UK candidate in the upcoming Rochdale by-election. In a video posted to X Mr Danczuk can be seen being turned away from an election husting where he was told he couldn't speak despite being a candidate

George Galloway is the current frontrunner to win the by-election. Mr Danczuk has since accused the people who stopped him from speaking of being supporters of Mr Galloway

Rochdale Town Centre. In a statement on X Mr Danczuk accused Mr Galloway of being 'frightened of a debate' and he said: 'The people of Rochdale need policies for Rochdale, not just the constant drone of Gaza, Gaza, Gaza'

The candidate has since accused the people who stopped him from speaking of being supporters of fellow candidate, and current frontrunner to win the seat, George Galloway.

In words reported by the Daily Express, Mr Danczuk said: 'This sham hustings was organised to try and make Galloway look good, the organisers didn't want his main challenger speaking and questioning Galloway's Gaza agenda. How can a candidate look good if he refuses to debate?'

'I explained to the organisers that basic concepts of British democracy meant that all candidates should have the opportunity to address the public, but they still refused me entry.

'And all they wanted to do was debate Gaza in the corridor. It's clear that their idol, Galloway, is now running scared and cannot cope with scrutiny.'

Mr Danczuk, who was Rochdale's Labour MP from 2010 till 2017 until he was forced to quit the party amid a 'sexting' scandal, has also released a statement on X.

In the statement he accused Mr Galloway of being 'frightened of a debate' and he said: 'The people of Rochdale need policies for Rochdale, not just the constant drone of Gaza, Gaza, Gaza.'

Mr Galloway has put the war in Gaza at the forefront of his campaign to win the Greater Manchester seat. Palestinian flags are emblazoned across most of his leaflets along with calls to 'free Palestine.'

The leader of the Workers Party GB is hoping to appeal to the constituency's large muslim population by campaigning on a pro-Palestine platform.

On X he posted that 'the best way to teach Labour a lesson' was to vote for him. By teaching Labour a lesson Mr Galloway is hoping to tap into muslim voters anger at Labour's pro-Israel stance.

Mr Galloway and Liberal Democrat candidate Iain Donaldson were the only candidates who took part in the hustings.

A campaing poster for George Galloway emblazoned with the Palestinian flag. The leader of the Workers Party GB is hoping to appeal to the constituency's large muslim population by campaigning on a pro-Palestine platform

Labour's disgraced candidate Azhar Ali. Mr Ali lost the support of Labour after a video emerged of him claiming Israel deliberately allowed the October 7 massacre to take place

The Conservative Party candidate Paul Ellison decided not to take part. Speaking to MailOnline Mr Ellison said: 'People need to vote in the correct manner. He's (Mr Galloway) is a flash in a pan and probably won't stand in the next election. People need to vote for a proper person that cares for Rochdale.'

The refusal to allow Mr Danczuk to enter the hustings is yet another controversial turn of events in an already chaotic by-election. Earlier this month Labour withdrew support for their candidate, Azhar Ali, after a recording uncovered by the Mail on Sunday showed Mr Ali claiming Israel deliberately allowed the October 7 massacre to take place.

However, the suspension of Mr Ali came too late for his name to be removed from the ballot, so he will still appear on the ballot as the Labour candidate.

Labour had been the favourites to retain the seat after the late Sir Tony Lloyd won the seat for the party in 2019 with a majority of nearly 10,000.

But with Labour's campaign for the red wall seat now over, the race has been left wide open and Mr Galloway is now the favourite to win the seat.

The Rochdale by-election will take place on Thursday February 29.
Fundraisers looking to score donations for the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Charity are under investigation after a probe found they were being taught to use pressure-selling techniques whilst going door-to-door.

IBA Global, a private contracting firm tasked with acquiring regular donations for GOSH Charity, has been snared allegedly teaching trainees to use psychological tricks on would-be donors.

Undercover footage revealed a senior fundraiser telling would-be recruits that he could cry on command; with those sent out to gather cash armed with an array of hard-sell tactics designed to overcome any and all objections to their pleas.

GOSH Charity says it is 'deeply concerned' by the findings of the secret filming, which also found that fundraisers were not complying with licensing laws requiring them to notify relevant authorities of their door-to-door activities.

IBA Global, meanwhile, said it operated a 'strict policy of reasonably persuasion', and claimed some of the findings of the investigation had been taken out of context.

GOSH Charity raises funds to cover the costs of refurbishing and investing in new equipment for Great Ormond Street Hospital, which is run day to day by a separate NHS trust

The charity says it is 'deeply concerned' at claims that sub-contracted third-party fundraisers were being taught to use pressure selling techniques

The website for IBA Global, which was subcontracted by Acwyre to go door-to-door raising funds for GOSH Charity. It claims its techniques have been misrepresented

The investigation, conducted by The Times, found that trainees - who were paid on commission, rather than with an hourly wage - were pushed to maximise the amount they were raising on the doorsteps with incentives like trips to Paris.

Once recruited - promised up to 45 per donor depending on how much they agreed to donate a month - the undercover reporter was among those shown tricks such as crying on command in order to elicit sympathy on doorsteps.

Workers would be sent out to knock on doors until 8.30pm at night, aiming to sign up as many people as possible to recurring direct debit donations, rather than one-off payments.

A senior fundraiser even claimed he would pretend to be deaf in order to get householders to answer the door despite their objections, and to elicit sympathy.

And when sent out to 'shadow' existing fundraisers, the investigator found they would use hard-selling techniques on the door, suggesting other people had donated as much as 150 over the course of a year.

If met with resistance, such as concerns about the current economic climate, the seller would then break down the amount to make it sound smaller - for example, 2.50 a week - in order to close the deal.

One teenage trainee claimed to have signed someone up while they were smoking cannabis - against charity campaigning rules.

And fundraisers were discouraged from discussing how many sign-ups they had managed to get and were expected to pay their own food and travel costs.

IBA Global, which is not a charitable company and is not registered with the Fundraising Regulator, said it operated a 'strict policy of reasonable persuasion' and claimed its fundraising activities were 'misrepresented' in the investigation.

Nevertheless, it has vowed to investigate the claims as laid out by the paper.

It was subcontracted to carry out fundraising by Acwyre, a 'customer acquisition agency' that is registered with the regulator. IBA staff wore Acwyre lanyards despite not being employed by the firm.

GOSH Charity raises funds for the hospital, covering an anticipated 50million refurbishment as well as investments into new medical equipment and additional support for its young patients.

Its finances are distinct from the day-to-day costs associated with running the hospital, which are covered by the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust - which is not implicated in the fundraising scandal.

In its most recent annual report, GOSH Charity said complaints about fundraising had almost doubled from 265 in 2021/22 to 900 in 2022/23. It conceded that 'many' complaints stemmed from 'face to face fundraising'.

It told The Times it was 'deeply concerned' by the allegations presented by its undercover reporter and would conduct an investigation.

GOSH Charity has referred itself to the Fundraising Regulator, which said it had also begun an investigation.

Acwyre said it would conduct a thorough inquiry, adding: 'Pressurised fundraising is not a tactic endorsed by Acwyre or any of its contracted suppliers.'

Similar fundraising activities have been reported in the last year in Wales, where an undercover reporter filmed fundraisers allegedly lying to people that their neighbours had signed up for contributions in a bid to make them do the same.

The fundraisers, working for third-party firms Vantage Consultancy and Solution Cardiff on behalf of SOS Save Our Children, were slammed for their 'shocking' and 'very manipulative' sales tactics.

MailOnline has contacted GOSH Charity, IBA Global and the Fundraising Regulator for additional comment.
The death toll is expected to climb today after a 14-storey tower block in Spain was gutted by an uncontrollable inferno, with experts blaming its flammable cladding in a tragedy reminiscent of London's Grenfell Tower disaster of 2017.

At least four people were confirmed killed last night and a further 19 were missing, feared dead, despite the heroic efforts of firefighters who braved the raging fire to haul trapped residents from their balconies.

The apartment block in Valencia caught fire at around 5.30pm on Thursday, trapping some of the more than 400 residents in the complex in their homes before it continued to rage on into the early hours of Friday morning.

Dramatic footage shows a man jumping several floors onto an inflatable mat to escape the raging fire, while other homeowners were seen awaiting rescue on their terraces as the flames closed in around them.

One couple, seen in footage being hauled to safety by firefighters, were later pictured being taken for treatment by emergency workers.

Witnesses described how the fire engulfed the entire block 'like cork', with the flames spreading 'in a matter of minutes' and moving through the main tower and then into an adjoining building,

Spain's TVE public television said there were more than 130 flats in the building which was rapidly 'reduced to a skeleton'.

As the sun rose on Friday, firefighters were preparing to enter the building to begin the grim task of going door-to-door in the search for bodies. Crews were still tackling the blaze, but said it was 'controlled'.

Dramatic video shows the moment residents trapped in a tower block inferno in Spain were rescued from their balcony

Firefighters are seen reaching a trapped resident of the building

Firefighters rescue people from the building in Valencia in dramatic footage of the inferno

Flaming debris has come crashing down around firefighters as they have been working to extinguish the inferno

Dramatic footage shows a man jumping several floors onto an inflatable mat to escape the raging fire, while other homeowners were seen awaiting rescue on their terraces as the flames closed in around them

The apartment buildings were entirely gutted by the huge inferno, which broke out on Thursday evening

Residents were trapped on their balconies - just metres from the flames - as they waited for firefighters to rescue them from the inferno

The apartment block in Valencia caught fire at around 5.30pm on Thursday. The fire continued to rage on into the early hours of Friday morning

The apartment block, in the Campanar area of the port city, was covered with highly-flammable polyurethane cladding, which experts have blamed for its rapid destruction.

The material is legal but no longer widely used after it was linked to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, with an inquiry into the disaster being told that polyurethane and other combustible materials had been used in the building.

If cladding is to blame in this case, it could be the first fire of its kind in Spain, according to an engineer who previously surveyed the building.

Firefighters admitted last night that they do not expect any of the missing to have survived the blaze - the cause of which is currently unclear.

The official death toll is not expected to rise until later today when fire crews and other emergency responders are able to access the inside of the apartment block.

Jorge Suarez, sub-director of emergencies for the regional Valencian government, said last night that 14 people including at least six firefighters had been injured in the blaze.

Confirming fears there would be fatalities, he said: 'We have to confirm the worst of the hypotheses that were on the table. Four people have died. We can now confirm that but we can't give out any more information at the moment.

'Firefighters are still working exclusively outside the building on tasks related to extinguishing the blaze.

'The characteristics of the building make it impossible to carry out any such work inside the structure so the work being done at the moment is focused on cooling down the outside and that's going to be the focus over the next few hours.

'I can't say at the moment when they're going to be able to go inside the building.'

Confirming earlier reports firefighters had sighted four bodies after they put up a drone, he added: 'The information on the four fatalities is based on visual information we have.' Two of the bodies were seen on a terrace, and the others on a floor.

Authorities confirmed that 14 people had been injured, among them nine men aged between 25 and 57, four women aged between 27 and 81, and a seven-year-old boy.

Twelve of them are understood to remain in hospital, as of midnight last night.

More details began to emerge this morning of the miracle rescue of a couple trapped on the seventh-floor in images that went around the world.

The fire raged late into Thursday night and left the building as little more than a shell

Firefighters worked through the night to put out the huge inferno, which left the building completely gutted

The tower block before the fire. Construction began on the building in 2005 and it was completed around 2009

The site of the tower block fire in the Campanar area of Valencia on Avenida Maestro Rodrigo, at the junction with General Aviles

In June 2017, a fire ripped through Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey high-rise in west London, killing 72 people

Devastated residents evacuated from the burning apartment building watch on helplessly as the fire continued to rage on

The man and woman were trapped on their seventh-floor balcony for almost two hours before being plucked to safety by firefighters in cherry pickers.

They covered their faces with scarves and woolly hats to protect themselves from the flames, smoke and intense heat.

At one point they were even filmed trying to jump over a partition wall separating their balcony from their neighbour's terrace before being dissuaded by the fire crews trying to reach them who focused on dousing the outside of their flat with water to try to keep the flames away and make reaching them possible.

The couple were heard shouting for help as their rescuers tried to calm them down and darkness descended on the area.

They were plucked to safety around 8pm, with onlookers fearing a fatal outcome cheering as they were brought to the ground.

They received emergency medical attention following their rescue but are not thought to have needed hospital treatment.

Their whereabouts this morning was unknown. Other survivors are being put up in hotels or staying with family and friends.

Valencia City Hall has declared three days of mourning.

Firefighters attempt to rescue two stranded residents who fled to the balcony as the building was engulfed

Emergency services work at the scene of a fire of apartment building in Valencia

Multiple fire pumps are at the scene battling the blaze, which reportedly spread from one residential building to another

The building in the Campanar area of the port city has been completely gutted

Devastated residents comfort each other at the scene of the huge fire in the Campanar area

The blaze, Valencia's worst-ever fire, is thought to have started on an eighth-floor.

The probe into the cause will begin once firefighters and police can enter the building but is already being linked to a possible electrical fault.

Residents who managed to make it out alive said last night the fire had spread through the entire two residential towers affected in the 30 minutes after the first flames were detected.

A woman called Maite, who lives opposite the apartment block, told local press: 'I saw people being burnt and shouting for help from balconies, a couple and a child. I'm feeling devastated.

'I left my home and went down into the street in case the flames jumped to our building. I just grabbed hold of my handbag, nothing else.'

Residents were pictured watching on in horror tonight as their homes were destroyed in front of their eyes

The multistorey building was left completely gutted, with crowds seen gathering to watch the destruction unfold

Black smoke consumed the entire building with small fires seen blazing inside late into the night

Construction began on the building in 2005 and it was completed around 2009, with the construction company boasting at the time that it was built with 'the highest quality materials'.

More than 20 fire crews were involved in tackling last night's blaze, with their efforts being hampered by the wind and soaring temperatures of the fire.

Witnesses said that firefighters managed to rescue several people, including a father and daughter, teenage boy and a couple, from their balconies.

Speaking to EFE, Esther Puchades, who is deputy head of Valencia's Industrial Engineers Association (COGITI), blamed the building's cladding for the fire's ferocity and said that the tragedy may mark 'a turning point' in Spain.

Images recalled the London disaster in June 2017 when a fire ripped through Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey high-rise in the west of the British capital, killing 72 people.

The blaze spread rapidly due to the highly combustible cladding on the block's outside walls. A public inquiry into the disaster is still ongoing.

Speaking to Valencian TV on Thursday, Puchades explained that when construction began on the now destroyed building, 'the bad reputation of polyurethane was not so widespread' as it is now, in the wake of Grenfell and other disasters around the world.

'Today it is not used, at least not in that way,' she added, referring to increased safety measures around its usage in Spain.

Spanish rescue services members take care of a person affected by a fire in a 14-story residential building in Valencia

A general view of the facade during the building fire on February 22, 2024

A black cloud of smoke entirely engulfed the building on Thursday evening and flames

The fire is believed to have broken out at around 5.30pm on one floor before quickly spreading to the rest of the block

Firefighters have been using cranes to help rescue people from the burning building

Engineer David Higuera also told Spanish newspaper El Pais that the building's cladding may have been the cause of the rapid spread of the fire.

The material is 'very good at insulating against heat and cold, but very combustible,' he said.

Dozens of residents were pictured watching on in horror tonight as their homes were destroyed in front of their eyes.

A resident who lives on the second floor of the building told TV channel La Sexta that 'the fire spread in a matter of 10 minutes' after it broke out.

He speculated that material on the facade of the building may have enabled the flames to move through the building so quickly.

A resident who lives in the building opposite told RNE radio what she saw when the fire broke out.

'At first the fire came out of the balconies and parts of the facade fell down,' she said, adding that wind had blown parts of the cladding off in recent years and that it had needed to be repaired.

Spain's TVE public television said there were more than 130 flats in the building.

Television images showed the entire facade of the building ablaze as burning segments fell to the pavement below and small explosions were heard inside.

A woman who runs a nearby flower shop told public television the building was no more than 14 years old and had more than 100 flats, all of which were occupied.

'What caused the fire to spread was mostly the wind,' she said, describing scenes of 'chaos' as the blaze took hold, snarling traffic and sending clouds of smoke everywhere.

A field hospital was set up near the scene in case possible victims required treatment.

Experts have blamed the Valencian building's flammable cladding in a tragedy reminiscent of the Grenfell Tower disaster in London in 2017 (pictured)

The 14-storey flat has reportedly been 'reduced to a skeleton' while a nearby building has also been consumed by the flames

A firefighter works at the scene during the building fire on February 22 in Valencia, Spain

Dramatic footage shows two residents desperately trying to shelter from the fire. A number of people have been rescued from their balconies by firefighters

Building manager and resident Adriana holds back tears as she watches the block go up in flames

Firefighters work to extinguish the flames as they continue to rip through the residential block

The cause of the fire is unknown and it is not known if there are any victims

Images showed flames and vast clouds of black smoke engulfing the building

Firefighters have been battling the blaze as it rages through the residential block in the eastern port city

Local media reported several residents calling for help from the balconies of their apartments.

Ana Mari Gonzalez, who works in a nearby clinic, told TVE she could see firefighters working to rescue a teenage boy trapped on the building's first floor.

'Please stay away from the area of the fire to let the emergency services do their work,' Valencia's mayor Maria Jose Catala wrote on X.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was 'shocked by the terrible fire' and was in contact with the mayor and the region's leader 'to offer whatever help they needed' and extending his condolences to everyone affected by the blaze.

The Spanish Royal family sent their support to emergency services and added: 'Our hearts are with the Valencians.'
A poll has found that working class viewers are turning off the BBC because they find it too 'woke.'

The policy research business Public First found that a perception of political correctness in BBC News' coverage means a 'significant minority' of working class viewers are tuning into rivals such as GB News and Talk TV.

The survey of 2,010 people found that over half of viewers think the quality of BBC News had declined and become too 'politically correct.' This number rose to 71 per cent among Leave voters. Interestingly, 17 per cent thought the BBC had become more right-wing in recent years.

James Frayne, one of the founding partner of Public First, warned while giving evidence at a Lord's committee hearing looking into the future of news that this sentiment could spread to other demographics.

In words reported by The Times, Mr Frayne said the BBC needed to do more to reflect the views of 'ordinary voters' outside of London. He also claimed that while most people still continued to trust the BBC, the corporation's standing had 'diminished' in recent years.

Broadcasting House, The BBC's Headquarters. A survey by Public First over half of viewers think the quality of the BBC News had declined and become too 'politically correct'

The chairwoman of the inquiry, Baroness Tina Stowell of Beeston, says the inquiry will also look into impartial news coverage of topics including net zero and immigration.

Baroness Stowell said that news coverage had to meet 'audience expectations that diverse experiences be reflected and to not be patronised.'

A BBC spokeswoman told The Times: 'The BBC reaches more adults from low socio economic groups than any other media organisation and is the most trusted news provider in the UK.'

'The BBC is for everyone, and we are working hard to ensure our news is relevant and useful to all our audiences, and to show audiences why they can trust us.'
A conservative Christian family moved to Russia to escape LGBT ideology - only to melt down when their bank accounts were frozen and there were no English speakers to help them.

Farmer Arend Feenstra and his wife Anneesa made the decision to move their family of 10 from Canada to Russia a month ago, but their dream appeared to go quickly downhill upon their arrival.

The proceeds from selling their farm in rural Canada were immediately frozen as their Russian bank deemed the sum 'suspicious'.

And their struggles led Anneesa to erupt into a rant about their new home - which only made matters worse after Kremlin officials took a dim view of her insults.

In a since-deleted video on YouTube, she railed against not being able to speak the language or solve their issues, saying she was 'very disappointed in this country at this point.'

'I'm ready to jump on a plane and get out of here. We've hit the first snag where you have to engage logic in this country and it's very, very frustrating,' she reportedly said.

After the video was taken down from their account Countryside Acres, Arend shared a groveling apology video where he said their 'thoughts aren't always conveyed properly.'

In a follow-up video from February 11, Arend said their funds were no longer frozen, and they intend to stay in the former Soviet nation 'for the long haul.' Anneesa was filmed sobbing with apparent gratitude in an earlier video that's still online - although her subsequent behavior has sparked claims she may just have been trying to disguise her misery.

Arend Feenstra and his wife Anneesa (pictured together) have attracted attention after moving their family of 10 from rural Canada to Russia to escape 'LGBT ideology'

The right-wing family's move hit a snag as their bank accounts were frozen as soon as they arrived in Russia

When the family made the move, Arend justified the decision in a press conference as he felt that 'Canada is not the same country it used to be.'

'We didn't feel safe with our children there and for the future,' he said. 'There's a lot of left-wing ideology, LGBTQ, trans, just a lot of things that we don't agree with they teach there now.

'We wanted to get away from that for our children. But also, for economic reasons, the farming has better opportunities. We felt that Russia was best.'

He insisted that Russia has the 'strength' to 'stand up against Western pressures', and The Kremlin would be able to keep 'that stuff away' for years to come.

'Other countries are under the Western influence and wouldn't be able to stand up against it,' he concluded.

In previous videos, Arend reportedly ranted about his 'disgust' at seeing 'homosexual flags everywhere' in his neighborhood, claiming it was a bad thing that it 'is openly celebrated and worshipped almost.'

The homophobic family's decision to flee to Russia comes two years after the nation passed one of its strongest anti-LGBT laws yet, effectively outlawing any public show of support for gay people.

Before their move, the family said they received assurances from Russian officials they would help set them up in the country.

However, once they arrived and transferred the money from their farm sale, an automatic warning alerted the bank to the large sum, and it was immediately frozen.

Despite the setbacks, Arend insisted they are remaining in Russia, saying: 'We are perfectly happy here, we're not planning on leaving here, we're not stuck here, we're not hostages'

Arend seen in his follow-up video after his wife's rant, titled: 'WE ARE SORRY AND WILL DO BETTER'

The homophobic family's decision to flee to Russia comes two years after Vladimir Putin (pictured) passed one of its strongest anti-LGBT laws yet, effectively outlawing any public show of support for gay people

Arend said in one YouTube clip that they were informed the money seemed suspicious, and were subsequently left with almost nothing to live off as they couldn't access their funds.

The family's move hit yet another snag when they tried to unfreeze their money, because the lack of any English speakers - and their inability to speak Russian - left them scrambling.

Explaining the difficulties in his apology video, Arend said: 'As much as banks have been very frustrating in Canada for me, I know that I can sit at a desk across from someone and explain it.

'And that's the frustrating part.'

Amid their fury at having their money frozen, Anneesa reportedly took to their YouTube account to vent her anger at their move to Russia.

'I'm ready to jump on a plane and get out of here. We've hit the first snag where you have to engage logic in this country and it's very, very frustrating,' she said in the video which was reportedly deleted.

Arend mentioned that 'it was requested to remove' the video, however he later claimed that Russian officials haven't pressured him to remove it and they edited the clip on their own.

He also claimed that his family has no plans to leave Russia, and are in it for the 'long haul.'

In his apology video, Arend clarified that his wife was merely frustrated with the situation of their money being frozen, and insisted the rant was not aimed at Russia as a nation.

Arend justified his family's decision, urging 'large families, Christian farming families, conservative people' to follow them to Russia

As the Feenstra family's decision to move to Russia attracted media attention, Arend said he has been aware of the coverage, but warned his followers that 'Western media for the most part is very biased, corrupt probably.'

'Lots of lies, lots of nonsense being spread around the West about us,' he continued.

'We are perfectly happy here, we're not planning on leaving here, we're not stuck here, we're not hostages.'

Arend urged others to follow his move to the former Soviet state, claiming officials 'make it easy' for Americans to move to Russia.

'Especially large families, Christian farming families, conservative people, and they want them here... there's tons of land and opportunity here,' he added.

The Feenstra's have racked up over 120,000 subscribers with their videos, however the comments show many have taken a poor view of their move to Russia

'You went from a freedom index of 98/100 in Canada to 16/100 in Russia. Political Rights get a whopping 5/40 and Civil Liberties 11/60. OMG good luck family,' said one.

Arend also claimed that his videos 'prove' that Russia has a free press - leading viewers to dare him to say a single negative thing about Vladimir Putin or the conflict in Ukraine in one of his videos.

Despite the critics, Arend insists he has no regrets and is glad to have moved away from Canadian society.

'I just want to farm,' he concluded.

'I just want to farm and raise my kids in what I believe is a free country.'

Some also warned that the family may want to be more careful with its criticism of Russia in the future, following the arrest and detainment of numerous people for making complaints.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. On February 23, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan and the French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial and paid tribute to the memory of the victims, the defense ministry said.

The Ministers laid a wreath at the memorial and flowers at the Eternal Flame in memory of the innocent martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.
The jury at Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's manslaughter trial was shown a photo of the ammo cart used on set where Alec Baldwin killed a cinematographer.

Both Reed and Baldwin, 65, are charged with involuntary manslaughter for Halyna Hutchins' death in October 2021.

She is accused of flouting gun safety procedures by handing Baldwin the weapon loaded with a live round while on the movie set in New Mexico.

Marissa Poppell, a crime scene technician with the Santa Fe County Sheriff's office described the shambolic manner in which ammunition was stored on the set.

The jury was shown a photograph taken by Poppell of the prop cart which appeared highly disorganized, strewn with dummy rounds that were mixed with a live round.

The jury at Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's (pictured center) manslaughter trial was shown a photo of the ammo cart used on the set where Alec Baldwin killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins

Among the rest of the photos shown to the jury was a gun belt assigned to Baldwin.

Poppell said there were 'multiple rounds of multiple calibers all over the top portion of this cart'.

On the bottom were additional boxes of rounds, a single loose round lying in a corner as well as 'plastic guns, gun belts and miscellaneous paperwork'.

In total, Poppell said that she found 255 dummy rounds on the set including in the prop cart.

Around 50 of those were just left loose and were in the bottom of boxes or on the floor of the prop cart.

Poppell said that a rifle that they found on set - not the gun Baldwin used - appeared to have jammed because the wrong kind of ammunition was put inside it.

It showed five bullets in the belt, with the second from left being a live round and the others dummies.

Another photo showed a bag holding ammunition with a can of Red Bull wedged into the side by the bullets.

The jury was then shown a photograph taken by Marissa Poppell, a crime scene technician with the Santa Fe County Sheriff's office, of the prop cart which appeared highly disorganized and strewn with dummy bullets alongside a live round

Alec Baldwin said he had accidentally killed Hutchins and denies pulling the trigger. The jury was shown raw footage from the filmmaking process of Baldwin practicing drawing a gun while sitting on a church pew

The disorganized cart showed dummy rounds mixed with one live round, that ended up accidentally killing Hutchings

Baldwin, the lead actor and a co-producer on the Western movie Rust, was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (pictured) during a rehearsal outside Santa Fe in October 2021 when the gun went off, killing her

Earlier Thursday, new videos played at trial showed Gutierrez-Reed handing over the gun used by Baldwin to accidentally kill cinematographer Hutchins, telling the officers then told crew how 'scared' she was.

Prosecutors painted a picture of a 'disorganized' and 'chaotic' Reed who mixed live rounds with dummy blanks on set and did cocaine the night before the shooting.

Her attorneys, in response, told the jury that she has become the scapegoat of Baldwin's carelessness, and that he should never have pointed the gun in the victim's direction.

Baldwin was rehearsing a scene for Rust - his western movie - when he accidentally shot Hutchins.

He maintains he thought the gun was loaded with blanks and that he'd been assured it was safe, but says he did not even pull the trigger.

One of the prosecution's evidence photos is seen above. Authorities found six rounds of ammunition on the movie set in locations that included a box, a gun belt and a bandolier worn by Baldwin

Gutierrez-Reed had a live round mixed with with dummy ones on set, prosecutors told the jury in her manslaughter trial on Thursday.

Court images of Alec Baldwin gun belt bullets with one live round found in between the dummies

Five other live rounds were later found on the set by investigators.

Gutierrez-Reed sat in court wearing a gray blazer and white top looking impassive as District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer read out the charges to the jury. Opening statements were delayed on Thursday due to a juror's tardiness.

'We believe that it was the negligent acts and failures of the defendant that resulted in both the acts that contributed to Miss Hutchins' death and the live rounds being brought onto the set,' prosecutor Jason Lewis said on in the state's opening remarks.

Gutierrez-Reed's attorneys have previously claimed that live rounds arrived on set from an Albuquerque-based supplier of dummy rounds.

Gloria Allred, Hutchins' attorney, said in a statement the family may now pursue damages against Baldwin.

'Based on today's ruling, we embrace the opportunity to amend our complaint to provide more facts regarding the truth, that the relationships between Halyna and her family have always been the kind of sufficiently close and mutually beneficial relationships recognized under the law of New Mexico,' she said.

'Statements made on behalf of Alec Baldwin by his attorneys in an attempt to dismiss the legal claims of Halyna's mother, father and sister that Halyna's family had been 'distanced from Halyna' for years before he shot and killed her are both shameful and wholly unsubstantiated.,' Allred added.
An urgent health alert has been issued as three people were hospitalised when a serious bacterial disease was discovered on a university campus.

Two men in their 60s and one woman in her 70s were diagnosed with Legionnaires disease after separately visiting locations around Victoria Park in Camperdown, including the University of Sydney campus.

NSW Health issued the alert on Friday urging anyone who has visited those areas in the last 10 days to monitor for symptoms including fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath.

Two men in their 60s and one woman in her 70s were diagnosed with Legionnaires disease after separately visiting locations around Camperdown, including the University of Sydney campus

Legionnaires disease is not spread from person to person, but people can become infected if they are exposed to contaminated water particles

Legionnaires disease is not spread from person to person, but people can become infected if they are exposed to contaminated water particles.

Testing found low levels of Legionella bacteria in one cooling tower at the university campus, which has now been decontaminated.

NSW Health has directed others in the area to be disinfected.
Nine iconic fig trees at one of Australia's most scenic city beaches have been drilled and poisoned.

Desperate efforts are now underway to save the historic Port Jackson fig trees, some more than 100 years old, that overlook Sydney's Balmoral Beach.

The trees which now have holes bored into their roots are located between Lower Almora St and Esther Rd on The Esplanade, with one resident reporting they saw someone drilling into the majestic giants on Monday morning.

Anna Usher, who runs the website Mosman Collective, expressed the thoughts of many seething local residents when she called the poisoning a 'dog act'.

Some of the holes drilled into the roots to poison nine historic Port Jackson fig trees overlooking Sydney's Balmoral Beach

'It is the most appalling case of tree vandalism we have ever encountered,' Ms Usher told Sydney radio station 2GB on Friday.

'They are iconic and they are part of what makes Mosman so special.'

Mosman Council confirmed the poisoning and has been treating the trees by 'washing out' the drill holes and applying Seasol feriliser around the roots, with the trees to be monitored for any signs of ill health.

'At this stage, council staff are reasonably confident that the trees will survive,' a spokesperson told Mosman Collective.

Council will be putting up signs appealing for any information about the poisoning.

The resident who believed they saw someone doing the drilling reported it to council on Monday.

NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia on Friday that officers from the North Shore Police Area Command were notified of the incident on Monday 'and are liaising with local council'.

Council staff are now making desperate efforts to save the landmark trees that have stood for over 100 years

Residents were left to speculate what the motive for the poisoning might by on the Mosman Collective's social media pages.

'OMG what an awful and selfish thing to do,' one person said.

'I'd be looking at whoever has lodged complaints with Council about the trees.'

'I reckon it's the bats they want to get rid of,' said anotherc, referring to the flying-foxes that make the trees their home.

'Sounds like the trees are blocking someone's view,' another comment reads.
A San Francisco public defender may face sanctions after she painted a victim of domestic abuse as a 'Fatal Attraction' style woman 'obsessed' with her abuser and even took jurors for drinks to gain their sympathy.

Jordana Cahen was hospitalized needing surgery after her abusive boyfriend, Antonio Gamero attacked her in 2022, breaking her nose, fracturing her eye socket and leaving her with cuts and bruises all over her body.

Gamero was found guilty of torture, domestic violence, battery and false imprisonment and is currently serving a seven years to life jail sentence.

Cahen has now said Deputy Public Defender Ilona Yanez tried to shift the blame for the attack onto her during the trial, telling ABC7: 'I was constantly bombarded with why did you stay, why didn't you leave?'

Court transcripts show Yanez told jurors: 'She's obsessed with Antonio. So this isn't the story of the poor, vulnerable, abused woman over and over. This is more Fatal Attraction. This is a woman who couldn't let go.'

She was referring to the 1987 thriller, in which Glenn Close plays a spurned mistress who stalks and terrorizes her married lover, played by Michael Douglas, after he dumps her.

Now, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is considering filing for sanctions against Yanez, for what she labelled 'very disturbing and inappropriate' behavior. San Francisco Public Defender's Office has refuted the claims and accused Jenkins of pursuing a vendetta against Yanez.

Antonio Gamero attacked Jordana Cahen in 2022, breaking her nose, eye socket and leaving her with cuts and bruises all over her body

She was hospitalized after the attack and needed surgery to address lasting asymmetry in her face

Now, Deputy Public Defender Ilona Yanez may face sanctions in relation to her conduct during the trial against Antonio Gamero

Yanez took jurors out for drinks and told them that Cahen was 'obsessed' with her abusive boyfriend

Yanez sparked fury by comparing domestic abuse victim Cahen was just like Alex Forrest, the spurned mistress in Fatal Attraction who stalks and terrorizes her former lover Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas and Glenn Close are pictured as Dan Gallagher and Alex Forrest)

Jenkins is concerned about four incidents which could merit sanctions.

On the day the judge discharged the jury, Yanez bought drinks for several jurors at a bar near the court house. One juror said he 'did not feel comfortable' with what 'seemed like victim blaming' by Yanez.

The juror said Yanez told them that because of their verdict, Gamero would 'be looking at a life sentence', prompting three other jurors to write emails to the judge asking him to be lenient in sentencing.

One email, seen by ABC7, read: 'Mr Gamero deserves a second chance.'

Jenkins told ABC7: 'When you are buying them things, even a drink in order to potentially persuade them to assist in your argument for sentencing that, too, is very disturbing and inappropriate.'

She added: 'The conduct is inappropriate under our ethical rules. We are not to be sharing information with jurors post-conviction that they weren't entitled to receive or considered during the trial itself.'

But Ilona Yanez' boss, Mano Raju told ABC7: 'It is extremely common for attorneys to speak to jurors after a verdict to gather feedback on the trial.

'Jurors asked her what Mr. Gamero's sentence could be, and she told them.'

The attack came out of the blue after they had a nice dinner with her parents and grandmother

Jordana Cahen with her abusive ex boyfriend Antonio Gamero

Gamero is now serving seven years to life in prison for the attack

In another incident, in her final comments on the day of sentencing, Yanez broke down in tears and sobbed so hard it was hard to understand her.

She wept throughout her comments and said: 'his life is worth more (crying) than what we dispose of every day.'

Judge Cordell said the 'sobbing and crying in court' raises 'questions of competence'.

They added: 'If you're so enmeshed with the client, you cannot, you cannot adequately represent your client, you just can't do it, you have to have boundaries, you have to draw that line.'

Raju's office told ABC7: 'Ms. Yanez served her client impeccably throughout this case, and to criticize her for showing emotion and caring about her client is offensive and sexist.'

She was left covered in bruises and cuts after the attack

Police bodycam footage shows the moment they found Cahen bleeding after the attack

Bodycam footage showed Gamero lying to police after a teenage girl witnessed the attack and called 911

Then, another incident came when Cahen filed a $8,000 small claims court complaint against Gamero for back rent and other money he owed.

Yanez got involved and started emailing Cahen about it.

Retired Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Ladoris Cordell said this was 'inappropriate' because it 'brings her in contact with the victim, who has been traumatized by the person she's representing.'

She added: 'You don't want to cross those lines and those boundaries.'

In the final incident Cahen said Yanez cold-called her at work, despite her saying she only wanted to communicate by email.

Cahen said Yanez 'tried to make me feel bad for him' saying he had a 'f***ed up childhood' and had 'said sorry'.

David Yosifon, an expert in legal ethics from Santa Clara University School of Law told ABC7 this was 'unethical' and a 'violation' as it 'was in direct contravention of the victim's expressed wishes with respect to being contacted.'

Now Jordana is raising awareness to help other women in abusive relationships and to draw attention to how she says Yanez treated her

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is concerned about how Yanez treated Jordana and is considering if sanctions should be made against her

Despite her methods, Yanez actually missed an opportunity to get him a lower sentence than the one he ended up with.

She rejected a plea deal under which he would have received six years in prison, instead he was given seven years to life.

Now, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is determining what to do next and whether sanctions should be taken against Yanez.

She told ABC7: 'It's something that we are taking very seriously about what our next steps may be.'

A spokesperson for San Francisco Public Defender's Office refuted all allegations of impropriety made against Yanez.

They said: 'District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is attempting to retaliate against Ms. Yanez because Ms. Yanez accused her of misconduct in a 2021 case, and an unbiased appellate court agreed that Jenkins had indeed committed prosecutorial misconduct.

'Despite the fact that we informed Dan Noyes at ABC7 that the allegations attacking Ms. Yanezs ethics and character were baseless and biased, he chose to rely on speculation of parties unfamiliar with this complex case who provided erroneous information.

'Because of a restraining order issued in this case, Ms. Yanez was the only person designated to liaise between her client and the victim, which is commonplace in criminal cases. Ms. Yanezs communications with the victim were within the scope of her responsibilities.

'Everyone facing criminal charges has the Constitutional right to due process, a fair trial, and legal representation.

'We stand by Ms. Yanez, who carried out her legal and ethical duty to her client in providing a vigorous defense.'
CBS News has fired a high-profile reporter who covered investigations into the Biden family, and the network is accused of seizing her personal notes in a move her union calls 'completely inappropriate' and 'very unusual.'

Catherine Herridge, a veteran reporter covering national security and intelligence, was among the hundreds of CBS employees who were laid off by parent company Paramount last week.

In a statement on Thursday, SAG-AFTRA, the union representing CBS employees, said it 'strongly condemns CBS News' decision to seize Catherine Herridge's reporter notes and research from her office, including confidential source information.'

'This action is deeply concerning to the union because it sets a dangerous precedent for all media professionals and threatens the very foundation of the First Amendment,' the statement added.

However, CBS denied claims that it had improperly seized Herridge's private files and told DailyMail.com that it planned to return the materials to her.

Catherine Herridge, a veteran reporter covering national security and intelligence, was among the CBS News employees laid off last week

Herridge had recently covered the House impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and the criminal charges against Hunter Biden

'Catherine's personal belongings were delivered to her home one week ago, and we are prepared to pack up the rest of her files immediately on her behalf  with her representative present as she requested,' said a CBS News spokesperson.

'We have respected her request to not go through the files, and out of our concern for confidential sources, the office she occupied has remained secure since her departure,' CBS said.

The network said it is still 'awaiting a response' from Herridge or her representative to arrange the transfer files back to the reporter.

Herridge had recently covered the House impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, special counsel Robert Hur's report on his handling of classified documents, and the criminal charges against Hunter Biden.

Her inclusion in recent layoffs puzzled some industry observers, as she regularly broke news and landed scoops for CBS.

Herridge has not publicly commented on her firing, other than to share the union statement about the matter on X.

'It is completely inappropriate for an employer to lay off a reporter and take the very unusual step of retaining and searching the reporter's files, inclusive of confidential source identification and information,' the union said.

'The retention of a media professional's reporting materials by their former employer is a serious break with traditional practices which supports the immediate return of reporting materials,' the union added.

Herridge in November 2022 authenticated Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop

Separately, Herridge has been in the middle of a high-profile court battle over her refusal to reveal sources for articles she wrote in 2017

Citing sources, the New York Post claimed that Herridge had been pursuing a story related to Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop, and that she had 'encountered roadblocks' from management over her coverage of the First Son.

Herridge in November 2022 authenticated the laptop, which the Post had first reported on in October 2020.

Separately, Herridge has been in the middle of a high-profile court battle over her refusal to reveal sources for articles she wrote in 2017.

A judge has demanded she reveal sources used in a series of articles about a Chinese American scientist who was investigated by the FBI but never charged with wrongdoing.

Herridge could face fines of up to $5,000 per day if she refuses to be interviewed under oath for the case.

Fox News, where she worked at the time, has been covering her legal fees in the case.
Aussies are outraged over a photo of a caged dog in direct sun on the back of a ute.

A woman leaving the busy Noosa Village shopping centre was horrified to come across what she said was a 'panting' German Shepherd in a cage on the back of a Toyota ute.

She shared a photo of the dog crouching behind the metal bars on a 30C day.

It appears someone was sitting in the driver's seat of the car.

'To the not nice person in Noosa Village carpark today with their boat on in 31 degree heat, I hope someone locks you in a cage thats too small and leaves you in the sun,' she wrote on Facebook.

A woman leaving the busy Noosa Village shopping centre was horrified to come across a panting German Shepherd caged in the back of a Toyota ute

'Horrible people should not have dogs!'

The woman went on to explain that 'one minute' after she took the photo, a woman walked out of the shopping centre and got in the 'nice air conditioned car and they drove off'.

Some social media users lashed out at the dog owner's saying that it made them feel 'physically sick'.

'The owner should go to jail for animal cruelty,' one woman said.

'I would have taken it to the vet if the cage was unlocked. Would you leave your child locked up in your car on a hot day?' another wrote.

One woman who identified herself as an 'emergency vet nurse' said she sees dogs die of heat stroke all the time.

'It's no joke... they literally cook from the inside out,' she said.

The woman went on to explain that 'one minute' after she took the photo a woman walked out of the shopping centre (pictured) and got in the 'nice air conditioned car and they drove off'

'It can be a long slow process and just because you get them to the vet doesnt mean we can fix them, yet we try, and can cost thousands and can takes days/weeks for them to actually pass away or recover.'

A few people defended the owners, arguing that because someone was sitting in the ute while it was parked, the dog wasnt left unattended.

You can see there is a man in the drivers seat. Why didnt you speak directly to him about it. Either call the police and report him or speak to him, one woman wrote.

Others said nothing should be assumed from a single photo.

It is illegal in all Australian states to transport dogs unrestrained on the back of utes or trailers.
A 17-year-old migrant was stabbed during a brawl in Times Square, just weeks after a group of asylum seekers were filmed attacking police officers on the same block.

The male victim, thought to be from Nicaragua, was chased by a group of over a dozen people on Thursday evening before they caught him and stabbed him in the back, according to The New York Post.

The stabbing happened in front of 251 W. 42nd Street around 5.30pm and the victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in a stable condition. Police recovered a large blood-stained knife at the scene.

Hours later another fight, thought to be unrelated, erupted and a second man was taken to hospital. The attacks happened on the same blocks where a group of migrants was filmed attacking police officers on January 27.

Times Square worker Bell Mohamed witnessed the latest attack and told The Post: 'I saw someone runningand there was blood coming from his back, coming from everywhere.'

The 28-year-old victim of a second fight later on Thursday was loaded into the ambulance with minor injuries

A bloody kitchen knife from the stabbing could be seen laying on a concrete block next to a snapped pole

Gloved officers swabbed the knife and gathered evidence

A young man was taken into police custody on Thursday night

Officers directed passersby away from the scene of the fights

He said the area is 'dangerous' and added: 'Some people are just crazy.'

Police told The Post that a 22-year-old man and six others, including three migrant teens, had been taken into custody.

Officers are still looking for over a dozen more people in relation to the stabbing.

Photos of the aftermath of the brawl show the major tourist attraction cordoned off, with groups of police standing by and directing onlookers away.

In one of the pictures a long knife is visible laid out on top of a concrete block while an officer with gloves examines it.

Next to the knife is what seems to be a wooden pole snapped in half.

Two hours after the stabbing another fight broke out just a block away in front of the Hard Rock Cafe.

The bleeding man was helped to his feet by officers and loaded into the ambulance

Officers cordoned off the tourist destination while a crowd of onlookers gathered

Police cordoned off the square after the fights

A 28-year-old man was assaulted by three people who were all arrested at the scene.

Photos showed him sitting on the floor looking dazed before officers helped him to his feet.

He was loaded into an ambulance and taken to hospital with cuts to his head and blood on his face.

In other photos of the two fights, officers could be seen loading several young men with their hands secured into police vans, while the young man was loaded into an ambulance.

The latest fights comes less than a month after a group of six migrants were arrested and charged with Robbery and Felony Assault following a vicious attack on NYPD officers in Times Square on January 27.

The attack occurred around 8.30 pm when officers attempted to disperse a disorderly group in front of 220 West 42 Street.

Police sources confirmed the men's involved in the Jan 27 attack's migrant status to the New York Post

The gang are said to have struck after being asked to keep moving without cops. The suspected attackers were later arrested...and subsequently freed without bail

A fight broke out between a suspect in a yellow sweatshirt and the police officers.

According to the NYPD, the migrants then started to attack the officers, kicking them in the head and body while the two officers tried to pin down one of the other men, tearing off his sweatshirt.

The migrants then ran away, making their getaway east on 42nd Street toward 7th Avenue.

At around 10:44pm that night, four of them -Gomez, Arocha, Wilson and Reveron, were arrested.

They were all charged with Assault on a Police Officer, Gang Assault, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Disorderly Conduct but were released without monetary bail.
Heartbreaking footage has emerged of a koala appearing to mourn the death of his female companion.

South Australia's Koala Rescue Inc received from a 'most concerned' member of the public after they stumbled across two distressed koalas at the base of a tree.

Hartley, the rescuer on call, travelled to Coromandel Valley, south east of Adelaide, to help the pair but soon discovered one of the koalas had died.

Footage shared to the volunteer group's Facebook page on Friday showed an adult male koala huddled over and hugging the body of a dead female koala.

A rescuer from South Australia 's Koala Rescue Inc found a male koala huddled over the body of a dead female koala at the base of a tree in the Coromandel Valley, south east of Adelaide

The heartbreaking video was shared to the volunteer group's Facebook page, with many social media users claiming the footage brought them to tears

'(We) received a call from a most concerned member of the public, who reported that they had found a koala on the ground at the base of a tree,' the caption read.

'However, there was also a second koala involved. On arrival the rescuer located both a deceased adult female koala and a second adult male koala.

'It is always devastating to attend a rescue involving a deceased koala, but it was even more heartbreaking to witness the male koala actually holding and hugging the deceased koala.'

Koala Rescue Inc explained the behaviour had never been witnessed by the rescuers before and said it gave a rare insight into the true nature of the Australian animals.

'It is always devastating to attend a rescue involving a deceased koala, but it was even more heartbreaking to witness the male koala actually holding and hugging the deceased koala.'

'This type of behaviour is rarely witnessed by our rescuers, but confirms the empathetic and caring nature of koalas,' it said.

'This male koala's reaction to death, really does represent the truly beautiful nature that koalas are capable of demonstrating.'

Rescuer Hartley retrieved both koalas and after ensuring the male was in good condition released him in an area nearby.

Social media users were left in tears after watching the video, saying the footage was 'heartbreaking'.

'This is the saddest video ever. I'm crying my heart is broken,' one person commented.

'Oh god I know its natural but good God the sound of that little heart breaking is one of the worst things Ive ever heard,' another person wrote.

'This is absolutely heartbreaking. His little cries. Poor little thing. Just proves animals have the same feelings we do,' a third chimed.

Koalas are in serious decline suffering from the effects of habitat destruction, domestic dog attacks, bushfires and road accidents.

As of 2023, the koala population is estimated at a maximum of 63,665 left in the wild, with possibly as few as 38,648, according to the Australian Koala Foundation.

Research conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia found koala population decreased by 71 per cent after the 2019-2020 bushfires in six locations across the NSW's north coast.
It is the 5th body found in Thames in 3 weeks including Clapham attacker Ezedi

Police have found five bodies in the River Thames in just three weeks - but none have been identified and their deaths remain unexplained.

A man was discovered washed up on the riverbank in Putney yesterday - with his death being treated as 'unexplained'.

This comes after police found a body on Tuesday believed to be of Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi, 35, who was wanted for dousing his former lover and her two young children with alkaline in Clapham, south London, on January 31.

The Met Police were called at 8.19am yesterday to reports of the body on the Shingles Riverbank in Putney, south west London.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) attempted CPR on the man but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have said that at this stage, the death is being treated as unexplained, pending further investigation.

This comes after the Met's Marine Policing Unit recovered the bodies of 45 people in the River Thames last year, which is the most in the last few years. Around 324 have been pulled out over the last 12 years.

A police boat is seen on the Thames on February 10 as officers search for the body of Ezedi. Police found two other bodies in the river this day as they searched for the Clapham attacker

Police have found a fifth body in the River thames in London in just three weeks after a man was discovered washed up on the riverbank in Putney yesterday (general view of Putney riverbank)

Police found a body on Tuesday believed to be of Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi, 35, who was wanted for attacking his former lover and her two young children in Clapham, south London, on January 31

Regarding the incident in Putney yesterday, police said: 'On Thursday, 22nd February at 08:19 hours, police were called to body on the Shingles Riverbank at Putney.

'RNLI attempted CPR. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

'Anyone who has information is asked to call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 1341/22FEB.'

Convicted sex offender Ezedi carried out his horrific onslaught on January 31 before fleeing, having appeared to have also burnt his own face in the assault. He was last seen alive on CCTV later that evening leaning over London's Chelsea Bridge.

On Monday, February 19, a passing boat reported seeing a body in the water near Tower Pier - four miles from Ezedi's last known position.

The next day police confirmed they had recovered the remains, believed to be the Afghan-born asylum seeker's. The body was recovered by the Met's Marine Policing Unit and has been viewed by detectives working on the investigation.

After the body was found Commander Jon Savell said on Monday: 'Based on the distinctive clothing he was wearing at the time of the attack and property found on his body, we strongly believe we have recovered the body of Ezedi. We have been in contact with his family to pass on the news.'

Two bodies were also found on February 10 in the search for Ezedi, but neither turned out to be him.

Officers found one man from the river near the HMS Belfast, a ship-come-museum which permanently moored in the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge in central London.

After his body was found, The Met said: 'Police were called at about 10:13hrs on Saturday, 10 February following reports that the body of a man was recovered from the river near to the HMS Belfast.

'Officers are working to confirm the man's identity and inform his next of kin.

'The death is being treated as unexpected pending further enquiries.'

The other body found around half an hour later that day was that of a man recovered from the water in Limehouse, east London at 10.30am.

Police said at the time: 'Police were called at 10:39hrs on Saturday, 10 February. The body of a man was recovered from the water in Limehouse, E14.

'Officers are working to confirm the male's identity and inform next of kin.

'The death is being treated as unexpected pending further enquiries.'

Ezedi's body was seen near Tower Pier (pictured) on the River Thames on Monday afternoon

A police boat searches the water near Chelsea bridge on February 10 in the hunt for Ezedi

The Metropolitan Police earlier this month found the body of a woman at St David's Square on the shore of the Thames on the Isle of Dogs on Sunday, February 4 at 11.36am.

Police said at the time: 'On Sunday 4 February at 11:36hrs police were called to a report of a body in the water on the Thames Bank, St David's Square, Isle of Dogs.

'Officers attended the scene alongside other emergency services who assessed the body and life was pronounced dead on scene.

'The woman's next of kin has been informed.

'The death is being treated as unexpected and non-suspicious.'
Channel 10 stars have shared touching tributes for former presenter Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Davies after the pair were allegedly shot dead by a police officer.

Police will allege celebrity chaser and police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon, 28, shot the pair with his police pistol at Mr Baird's home in Paddington, in Sydney's east.

Lamarre-Condon handed himself into police at Bondi and faced Waverley Local Court on Friday afternoon. He has been charged with two counts of murder.

Mr Baird, 26, was a known TV personality and had worked as a presenter at Channel 10 since January 2017, including stints on children's show Totally Wild and Studio 10.

Former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird, 26, (right) and his new partner Luke Davies, 29, (left) were allegedly shot dead in Mr Baird's Paddington home, in Sydney's inner east

Channel 10 star Hugh Riminton led the touching tributes to Mr Baird on social media, describing him as a 'beloved young colleague' (pictured)

READ MORE: Timeline of disappearance of Jesse Baird and boyfriend Luke Davies Advertisement

National affairs editor and presenter at 10 News First, Hugh Riminton, described Mr Baird as a 'beloved young colleague' in a post shared to X on Friday.

'RIP my beloved young colleague, Jesse,' Riminton wrote.

'Happy with a new man - and that, it is being alleged, was the problem. Condolences also to the family and friends of Luke Davies. Many tears tonight.'

Fellow colleague and veteran presenter at Channel 10 Sandra Sully shared Riminton's post with the caption, 'newsroom heartbroken' followed by three broken heart emojis.

Abbie Chatfield also shared a touching tribute to Mr Baird, explaining he was the first person she met when she started at the network.

The Australian media personality, TV host and radio presenter described Mr Baird as 'lovely, kind and funny'.

'I am so devastated to hear the news of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. Working for Channel 10, we all crossed paths regularly in our time there,' Chatfield wrote.

'Jesse was one of the first people I met from ch10 when I had just come off the bachelor. I went to an industry event and knew no one. I was really intimidated, and he introduced himself and let me cling to him all night, introducing me to people, reminding me who was who and making sure I was comfortable.

'He was lovely, kind and funny and gave me the time of day when I was just some girl from the bachelor and a lot of people didn't really want to speak to me.'

Australian media personality, TV host and radio presenter Abbie Chatfield said she was 'devastated' by the pair's death, claiming Mr Baird's 'kindness left a lasting impression'

Chatfield said she hoped 'justice was served in the most severe way'.

'This is not only a huge loss to those close to the two men, but for the queer community as a whole. Rest in peace,' Chatfield wrote.

According to court documents, Mr Baird and Mr Davies, 29, were both allegedly killed by Lamarre-Condon at Paddington between 12.01am and 5.30pm on Monday.

The shooting allegedly occurred just hours after they were last seen alive at a pre-Mardi Gras party night on Sunday at the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills.

Later on Monday evening, Lamarre-Condon hired a white Toyota HiAce van from Mascot and allegedly used it to dispose of the couple's bodies, police said.

Detectives believe Lamarre-Condon then returned the alleged murder weapon to a police station's locked firearms safe on Tuesday.

He took sick leave from the NSW Police Force for the rest of the day and failed to return to work on Wednesday.

Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon (pictured) was charged with murdering flight attendant Luke Davies and former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird

Bloodied clothes and other belongings including credit cards belonging to former Mr Baird and Mr Davies were found dumped in a skip bin in Cronulla on Wednesday.

That discovery led police to Mr Baird's home in Paddington where pools of blood and blood-spattered furniture were found - sparking grave fears for the new lovers.

Homicide Squad commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said police had matched a bullet cartridge found in the premises to a police weapon.

'Police located a projectile at the premises which had been discharged and also a fired cartridge case,' Det Supt Doherty said.

'This has now been physically matched to a NSW Police firearm and forms part of the evidence for the alleged facts to face court for this 28-year-old man.'

The bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies are yet to be found.

Lamarre-Condon did not apply for bail during his court appearance on Friday and will appear again on April 23.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Russia expects comprehensive clarification from Armenia through bilateral channels regarding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statements about freezing Yerevan's participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

"We expect comprehensive clarification through bilateral channels regarding Nikol Pashinyan's statements concerning the freezing of Armenia's participation in the Collective Security Treaty and the organization itself," the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.
A chilling comparison has been made between the Valencia blaze, which it is feared has killed 24 people, and the Grenfell Tower disaster as the Spanish building's cladding has also been blamed.

The apartment block, in the Campanar area of the port city, was covered with highly-flammable polyurethane cladding, which experts have said is the reason for the building's rapid destruction.

Heroic firefighters hauled survivors off burning balconies as they battled the blaze while some residents were forced to jump off the 14-storey building.

In June 2017, a fire ripped through Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey high-rise in west London, killing 72 people, with the blaze spreading rapidly due to the highly combustible cladding on the block's outside walls. A public inquiry into the disaster is still ongoing.

The material is legal but no longer widely used after it was linked to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, with an inquiry into the disaster being told that polyurethane and other combustible materials had been used in the building.

the blaze started at 5pm yesterday afternoon in Valencia

A chilling comparison has been made to the 2017 Grenfell disaster which killed 72 people

The apartment block, in the Campanar area of the port city, before the blaze

The 24-storey Grenfell Tower before a blaze killed 72 in the block of flats

A diagram of the cladding used in the Grenfell tower. The farmable component is called polyurethane which was also in the Valencia apartment block

Spanish rescue services members take care of a person affected by a fire in a 14-story residential building in Valencia

If cladding is to blame in this case, it could be the first fire of its kind in Spain, according to an engineer who previously surveyed the building.

Construction began on the building in 2005 and it was completed around 2009, with the building company boasting at the time that it was built with 'the highest quality materials'.

More than 20 fire crews were involved in tackling last night's blaze, with their efforts being hampered by the wind and soaring temperatures of the fire.

Witnesses said that firefighters managed to rescue several people, including a father and daughter, teenage boy and a couple, from their balconies.

Speaking to EFE, Esther Puchades, who is deputy head of Valencia's Industrial Engineers Association (COGITI), blamed the building's cladding for the fire's ferocity and said that the tragedy may mark 'a turning point' in Spain.

Speaking to Valencian TV on Thursday, Puchades explained that when construction began on the now destroyed building, 'the bad reputation of polyurethane was not so widespread' as it is now, in the wake of Grenfell and other disasters around the world.

'Today it is not used, at least not in that way,' she added, referring to increased safety measures around its usage in Spain.

Engineer David Higuera also told Spanish newspaper El Pais that the building's cladding may have been the cause of the rapid spread of the fire.

The material is 'very good at insulating against heat and cold, but very combustible,' he said.

At least four people were confirmed killed last night and a further 19 were missing, feared dead, despite the heroic efforts of firefighters who braved the raging fire to haul trapped residents from their balconies.

The apartment block in Valencia caught fire at around 5.30pm on Thursday, trapping some of the more than 400 residents in the complex in their homes before it continued to rage on into the early hours of Friday morning.

Dramatic footage shows a man jumping several floors onto an inflatable mat to escape the raging fire, while other homeowners were seen awaiting rescue on their terraces as the flames closed in around them.

One couple, seen in footage being hauled to safety by firefighters, were later pictured being taken for treatment by emergency workers, seemingly not too badly hurt.

Witnesses described how the fire engulfed the entire block 'like cork', with the flames spreading 'in a matter of minutes' and moving through the main tower and then into an adjoining building,

Spain's TVE public television said there were more than 130 flats in the building which was rapidly 'reduced to a skeleton'.

As the sun rose on Friday, firefighters were preparing to enter the building to begin the grim task of going door-to-door in the search for bodies. Crews were still tackling the blaze, but said it was 'controlled'.

Firefighters admitted last night that they do not expect any of the missing to have survived the blaze - the cause of which is currently unclear.

The official death toll is not expected to rise until later today when fire crews and other emergency responders are able to access the inside of the apartment block.

A general view of the facade during the building fire on February 22, 2024

Flaming debris has come crashing down around firefighters as they have been working to extinguish the inferno

Dramatic footage shows a man jumping several floors onto an inflatable mat to escape the raging fire, while other homeowners were seen awaiting rescue on their terraces as the flames closed in around them

The apartment buildings were entirely gutted by the huge inferno, which broke out on Thursday evening

The multistorey building was left completely gutted, with crowds seen gathering to watch the destruction unfold

Residents were trapped on their balconies - just metres from the flames - as they waited for firefighters to rescue them from the inferno

Jorge Suarez, sub-director of emergencies for the regional Valencian government, said last night that 14 people including at least six firefighters had been injured in the blaze.

Confirming fears there would be fatalities, he said: 'We have to confirm the worst of the hypotheses that were on the table. Four people have died. We can now confirm that but we can't give out any more information at the moment.

'Firefighters are still working exclusively outside the building on tasks related to extinguishing the blaze.

'The characteristics of the building make it impossible to carry out any such work inside the structure so the work being done at the moment is focused on cooling down the outside and that's going to be the focus over the next few hours.

'I can't say at the moment when they're going to be able to go inside the building.'

Confirming earlier reports firefighters had sighted four bodies after they put up a drone, he added: 'The information on the four fatalities is based on visual information we have.' Two of the bodies were seen on a terrace, and the others on a floor.

Authorities confirmed that 14 people had been injured, among them nine men aged between 25 and 57, four women aged between 27 and 81, and a seven-year-old boy.

Twelve of them are understood to remain in hospital, as of midnight last night.

More details began to emerge this morning of the miracle rescue of a couple trapped on the seventh-floor in images that went around the world.

Building manager and resident Adriana holds back tears as she watches the block go up in flames

The cause of the fire is unknown and it is not known if there are any victims

The apartment block in Valencia caught fire at around 5.30pm on Thursday. The fire continued to rage on into the early hours of Friday morning

Residents were pictured watching on in horror tonight as their homes were destroyed in front of their eyes

The fire raged late into Thursday night and left the building as little more than a shell

Firefighters worked through the night to put out the huge inferno, which left the building completely gutted

The tower block before the fire. Construction began on the building in 2005 and it was completed around 2009

The man and woman were trapped on their seventh-floor balcony for almost two hours before being plucked to safety by firefighters in cherry pickers.

They covered their faces with scarves and woolly hats to protect themselves from the flames, smoke and intense heat.

At one point they were even filmed trying to jump over a partition wall separating their balcony from their neighbour's terrace before being dissuaded by the fire crews trying to reach them who focused on dousing the outside of their flat with water to try to keep the flames away and make reaching them possible.

The couple were heard shouting for help as their rescuers tried to calm them down and darkness descended on the area.

They were plucked to safety around 8pm, with onlookers fearing a fatal outcome cheering as they were brought to the ground.

They received emergency medical attention following their rescue but are not thought to have needed hospital treatment.

Their whereabouts this morning was unknown. Other survivors are being put up in hotels or staying with family and friends.

Valencia City Hall has declared three days of mourning.

The blaze, Valencia's worst-ever fire, is thought to have started on an eighth-floor.

The site of the tower block fire in the Campanar area of Valencia on Avenida Maestro Rodrigo, at the junction with General Aviles

In June 2017, a fire ripped through Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey high-rise in west London, killing 72 people

Devastated residents evacuated from the burning apartment building watch on helplessly as the fire continued to rage on

Firefighters attempt to rescue two stranded residents who fled to the balcony as the building was engulfed

The probe into the cause will begin once firefighters and police can enter the building but is already being linked to a possible electrical fault.

Residents who managed to make it out alive said last night the fire had spread through the entire two residential towers affected in the 30 minutes after the first flames were detected.

A woman called Maite, who lives opposite the apartment block, told local press: 'I saw people being burnt and shouting for help from balconies, a couple and a child. I'm feeling devastated.

'I left my home and went down into the street in case the flames jumped to our building. I just grabbed hold of my handbag, nothing else.'
A teenager who stabbed a boxer to death in central London has been convicted after a police officer recognised him on CCTV.

The boy, who carried out the attack aged 16 and cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested the day after the attack took place.

Boxer Khaled Saleh, 17, was attacked and stabbed in St Mary's Churchyard, Paddington at around 1.40pm on 19 June last year.

Those passing by found him dying from a single stab wound, as they fought to save him his life. He was treated by paramedics but he later died.

When police searched the boy's house after a local officer recognised him in the footage, they found a distinctive jacket he had been seen wearing in the CCTV of the attack.

Officers also searched another address that the boy used and found a large knife.

Boxer Khaled Saleh, 17, was attacked and stabbed in St Mary's Churchyard, Paddington at around 1.40pm on 19 June last year

Detectives also found that the teenager had removed SIM card from his mobile phone and wiped it.

The boy, who is now 17, tried to claim he acted in self-defence but the footage showed that while Khaled had approached him, he had not been physically threatened before producing the knife and carrying out his deadly attack.

His cousin Lena Wessan told The Evening Standard: 'His mother is really devastated. Khaled was very caring.

'I was screaming and crying in disbelief, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't talk, my heart shattered. He was a role model in the family, everybody looked up to him.'

She said Khaled was always 'always making people laugh' and the last time she saw him was when they were celebrating Eid at his mother's house.

Khaled's friends described him to the outlet as a 'joker' and loved by many.

Following the conclusion of a trial at the Old Bailey on Thursday, the teenager was found guilty of manslaughter.

He was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the same court on a date to be confirmed.

Detective Inspector Ollie Stride, who led the investigation for one of the Met's homicide teams, said: 'The violence used in this attack left Khaled with little chance of survival.

Police officers at the scene of the stabbing in June last year

'The defendant was in the park in possession of a knife when he was approached by a group including Khaled.

'He had many options but chose to attack Khaled, who was unarmed, stabbing him once and continuing to attack him after he had stumbled to the floor and could not defend himself.

'He then fled with his two associates leaving Khaled dying on the floor while shocked park-goers desperately tried to save his life.

'This was a truly shocking scene and one which starkly outlines the devastating consequences of carrying a knife.'

Any witnesses or anyone with information on either crime is asked to tweet @MetCC or call 101. To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

Tourists are among 14 people missing and feared dead in the Valencia apartment block inferno in addition to four victims known to have died when fire spread in the Grenfell Tower-like disaster.

Firefighters expect to find 14 more bodies when they today enter the apartment block, with officials admitting that nobody trapped inside is thought to be alive.

The bodies of the four people who died, spotted on terraces by firefighters who sent up a drone late last night, have not been identified and remain in the building, home to 138 flats and more than 400 residents.

Valencia's mayoress Maria Jose Catala said today: 'We have this information from relatives who are contacting us and saying they can't locate their loved ones.

'We know there are foreigners and the information we have is likely to change during the day.' No nationalities have been released by officials yet on those feared dead.

Asked if the foreigners staying there could have been renting holiday let-style apartments for just a few days, the mayoress replied: 'It's possible.'

Firefighters expect to find 14 more bodies when they today enter a Spanish apartment block gutted by fire (pictured last night) in a Grenfell Tower-like disaster

Dramatic video shows the moment residents trapped in a tower block inferno in Spain were rescued from their balcony last night, as flames closed in around them. Crews have been unable to enter the twin multi-storey towers that form part of the building since the devastating blaze broke out just before 5.30pm yesterday

More dramatic footage from the scene shows a man jumping several floors onto an inflatable mat to escape the raging fire, while other homeowners were seen awaiting rescue on their terraces as the flames closed in around them

Flaming debris come crashing down around firefighters as they have been working to extinguish the inferno that began at around 5.30pm on Thursday

Firefighters on cherry pickers work to put out the flames in the building in Valencia last night. The official death toll stands at four based on the number of bodies spotted on balconies by a drone put up by emergency responders late yesterday

Firefighters work at the site during the building fire in Valnecia on February 22, 2024

Residents were trapped on their balconies - just metres from the flames - as they waited for firefighters to rescue them from the inferno

The apartment block in Valencia caught fire at around 5.30pm on Thursday. The fire continued to rage on into the early hours of Friday morning, leaving a 'skeleton' of a building behind

Building manager and resident Adriana reacts at the scene of a fire of apartment building in Valencia last night

Firefighters check the facade of a building after a fire, in Valencia, Spain, February 23

The building in Valencia was covered in russ this morning as firefighters get ready to enter and look for those missing and feared dead

Crews have been unable to enter the twin multi-storey towers that form part of the building since the devastating blaze broke out just before 5.30pm yesterday and tore through inflammable cladding blamed along with high winds for its rapid spread.

Mayoress Jose Catala said: 'At the moment we know there are 14 people who are unaccounted for but we know that process is variable and there are people who are foreigners who were spending a few days in Valencia and that can make things more complicated.

'Until we can enter the building, we won't know the true situation.'

Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez is travelling to the scene and is expected to arrive around midday.

Officials have confirmed all 14 people injured, including six fire fighters, will pull through and none of their conditions are life-threatening. Only six are believed to remain in hospital.

The injured people included nine men aged 25 and 57, four women aged between 27 and 81, and a seven-year-old boy.

The death toll is expected to rise rapidly once firefighters have cooled down the outside of the building and can safely go inside once the risk of a structural collapse has been ruled out.

A huge fire rages through a multistorey residential block in Valencia on February 22, 2024

Firefighters work at the site during the building fire on February 22, 2024 in Valencia

Police officers work at the scene of a fire of the apartment building in Valencia, February 22

Firefighters were still trying to put out the fire at the apartment building this morning

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire of apartment building in Valencia, February 22, 2024

Firefighters check the facade of a building after a fire, in Valencia, Spain, February 23

The inferno left at least four people dead and the building burnt out (pictured above)

Firefighters continue to assess the damage caused by the devastating blaze before entering today to look for those still missing

The city of 800,000 on the east coast of Spain came to a standstill last night, as sires blared through the streets.

As the sun rose over the coastal city and crews prepared to go in, more details began to emerge this morning of the miracle rescue of a couple trapped on the seventh-floor in images that went around the world.

With flames closing in, the man and woman were trapped on their balcony for almost two hours before being plucked to safety by firefighters in cherry pickers.

They covered their faces with scarves and woolly hats to protect themselves from the flames, smoke and intense heat.

READ MORE: Chilling comparisons between Valencia blaze and Grenfell disaster as cladding is blamed again for Spanish tower block fire Advertisement

At one point they were even filmed trying to jump over a partition wall separating their balcony from their neighbour's terrace before being dissuaded by the fire crews trying to reach them who focused on dousing the outside of their flat with water to try to keep the flames away and make reaching them possible.

The couple were heard shouting for help as their rescuers tried to calm them down and darkness descended on the area.

They were plucked to safety around 8pm, with onlookers fearing a fatal outcome cheering as they were brought to the ground.

They received emergency medical attention following their rescue but are not thought to have needed hospital treatment.

Their whereabouts this morning was unknown. Other survivors are being put up in hotels or staying with family and friends.

Other dramatic footage shows a man jumping several floors onto an inflatable mat to escape the raging fire, while other homeowners were seen awaiting rescue on their terraces as the flames closed in around them.

The blaze, Valencia's worst-ever fire, is thought to have started on an eighth-floor.

The probe into the cause will begin once firefighters and police can enter the building but is already being linked to a possible electrical fault.

Residents who managed to make it out alive said last night the fire had spread through the entire two residential towers affected in the 30 minutes after the first flames were detected.

The fire raged late into Thursday night and left the building as little more than a shell

Firefighters worked through the night to put out the huge inferno, which left the building completely gutted

The tower block before the fire. Construction began on the building in 2005 and it was completed around 2009

Firefighters were lifted up to extinguish any remaining fires in the building

Smoke was still rising from the building this morning as firefighters tried to extinguish the remaining fires

The site of the tower block fire in the Campanar area of Valencia on Avenida Maestro Rodrigo, at the junction with General Aviles

The now burnt out building in Valencia hosted 138 flats and over 400 residents

In June 2017, a fire ripped through Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey high-rise in west London, killing 72 people

Devastated residents evacuated from the burning apartment building watch on helplessly as the fire continued to rage on

A woman called Maite, who lives opposite the apartment block, told local press: 'I saw people being burnt and shouting for help from balconies, a couple and a child. I'm feeling devastated.

'I left my home and went down into the street in case the flames jumped to our building. I just grabbed hold of my handbag, nothing else.'

Valencia City Hall has declared three days of mourning.

Speaking late last night after a drone put up by firefighters sighted four bodies and it was ascertained the blaze had caused fatalities, Jorge Suarez, sub-director of emergencies for the regional Valencian government, said: 'We have to confirm the worst of the hypotheses that were on the table.

'Four people have died. We can now confirm that but we can't give out any more information at the moment.

'Firefighters are still working exclusively outside the building on tasks related to extinguishing the blaze.

'The characteristics of the building make it impossible to carry out any such work inside the structure so the work being done at the moment is focused on cooling down the outside and that's going to be the focus over the next few hours.

'I can't say at the moment when they're going to be able to go inside the building.'

Picture shows the aftermath of a huge fire that yesterday raged through a multistorey residential block killing at least four people, in Valencia

Firefighters work at the burned-out block building in Valencia this morning

Fire crews have been unable to enter the building so far amid fears of structural damage

Firefighters are seen working at the burned building in Valencia, Spain this morning as they prepare to enter to search for victims of the huge blaze

The official death toll stands at four based on the number of bodies spotted on balconies by a drone put up by emergency responders late yesterday

14 people who lived in the building in Valencia, home to 138 flats and more than 400 residents, remain unaccounted for and have been declared missing

Firefighters inspect the aftermath of a huge fire that yesterday raged through a multistorey residential block killing at least four people, in Valencia on February 23, 2024

Firefighters inspect the aftermath of the huge fire in Valencia this morning

Pictures of the building before the blaze

Construction began on the building in 2005 and it was completed around 2009, with the construction company boasting at the time that it was built with 'the highest quality materials'.

More than 20 fire crews were involved in tackling last night's blaze, with their efforts being hampered by the wind and soaring temperatures of the fire.

Witnesses said that firefighters managed to rescue several people, including a father and daughter, teenage boy and a couple, from their balconies.

Speaking to EFE, Esther Puchades, who is deputy head of Valencia's Industrial Engineers Association (COGITI), blamed the building's cladding for the fire's ferocity and said that the tragedy may mark 'a turning point' in Spain.

Images recalled the London disaster in June 2017 when a fire ripped through Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey high-rise in the west of the British capital, killing 72 people.

The blaze spread rapidly due to the highly combustible cladding on the block's outside walls. A public inquiry into the disaster is still ongoing.

Speaking to Valencian TV on Thursday, Puchades explained that when construction began on the now destroyed building, 'the bad reputation of polyurethane was not so widespread' as it is now, in the wake of Grenfell and other disasters around the world.

'Today it is not used, at least not in that way,' she added, referring to increased safety measures around its usage in Spain.

Firefighters attempt to rescue two stranded residents who fled to the balcony as the building was engulfed

Emergency services work at the scene of a fire of apartment building in Valencia

Multiple fire pumps are at the scene battling the blaze, which reportedly spread from one residential building to another

The building in the Campanar area of the port city has been completely gutted

Devastated residents comfort each other at the scene of the huge fire in the Campanar area

Residents were pictured watching on in horror tonight as their homes were destroyed in front of their eyes

The multistorey building was left completely gutted, with crowds seen gathering to watch the destruction unfold

Spanish rescue services members take care of a person affected by a fire in a 14-story residential building in Valencia

A general view of the facade during the building fire on February 22, 2024

A black cloud of smoke entirely engulfed the building on Thursday evening and flames

The fire is believed to have broken out at around 5.30pm on one floor before quickly spreading to the rest of the block

Firefighters have been using cranes to help rescue people from the burning building

Engineer David Higuera also told Spanish newspaper El Pais that the building's cladding may have been the cause of the rapid spread of the fire.

The material is 'very good at insulating against heat and cold, but very combustible,' he said.

Dozens of residents were pictured watching on in horror tonight as their homes were destroyed in front of their eyes.

A resident who lives on the second floor of the building told TV channel La Sexta that 'the fire spread in a matter of 10 minutes' after it broke out.

He speculated that material on the facade of the building may have enabled the flames to move through the building so quickly.

A resident who lives in the building opposite told RNE radio what she saw when the fire broke out.

'At first the fire came out of the balconies and parts of the facade fell down,' she said, adding that wind had blown parts of the cladding off in recent years and that it had needed to be repaired.

Spain's TVE public television said there were more than 130 flats in the building.

Television images showed the entire facade of the building ablaze as burning segments fell to the pavement below and small explosions were heard inside.

A woman who runs a nearby flower shop told public television the building was no more than 14 years old and had more than 100 flats, all of which were occupied.

'What caused the fire to spread was mostly the wind,' she said, describing scenes of 'chaos' as the blaze took hold, snarling traffic and sending clouds of smoke everywhere.

A field hospital was set up near the scene in case possible victims required treatment.

Local media reported several residents calling for help from the balconies of their apartments.

Experts have blamed the Valencian building's flammable cladding in a tragedy reminiscent of the Grenfell Tower disaster in London in 2017 (pictured)

The 14-storey flat has reportedly been 'reduced to a skeleton' while a nearby building has also been consumed by the flames

A firefighter works at the scene during the building fire on February 22 in Valencia, Spain

Dramatic footage shows two residents desperately trying to shelter from the fire. A number of people have been rescued from their balconies by firefighters

Firefighters work to extinguish the flames as they continue to rip through the residential block

The cause of the fire is unknown and it is not known if there are any victims

Images showed flames and vast clouds of black smoke engulfing the building

Firefighters have been battling the blaze as it rages through the residential block in the eastern port city

Ana Mari Gonzalez, who works in a nearby clinic, told TVE she could see firefighters working to rescue a teenage boy trapped on the building's first floor.

'Please stay away from the area of the fire to let the emergency services do their work,' Valencia's mayor Maria Jose Catala wrote on X.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was 'shocked by the terrible fire' and was in contact with the mayor and the region's leader 'to offer whatever help they needed' and extending his condolences to everyone affected by the blaze.

The Spanish Royal family sent their support to emergency services and added: 'Our hearts are with the Valencians.'
Anthony Albanese has joked that Barnaby Joyce will not be organising his bucks party after he announced his engagement to his girlfriend Jodie Haydon.

Mr Albanese, 60, got down on one knee on Valentine's Day and has since been fielding questions from the media about his wedding.

Speaking with Melbourne's Fox FM radio hosts, Mr Albanese quickly brushed off the idea of embattled Nationals Frontbencher Mr Joyce planning his bucks night.

'Nah mate, I want to stay vertical,' the Prime Minister said on Friday.

Newly-engaged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joked that Nationals Frontbencher Barnaby Joyce will not be hosting his bucks night (pictured with his partner Jodie Haydon)

Daily Mail Australia published video of Barnaby Joyce on a Canberra street late at night on February 8 after mixing alcohol with prescription medication

Mr Albanese had previously ruled out inviting Mr Joyce to the wedding, telling KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O on Wednesday that he was the only person off the list so far.

'Barnaby is not invited that's very clear,' he said.

The shots fired at Mr Joyce comes after Daily Mail Australia published footage of him sprawled out on a Canberra sidewalk on the evening of February 8.

Video showed the shadow cabinet member, 56, on the ground in the inner suburb of Braddon after sitting on a planter box and falling off at 11:56pm.

The former deputy prime minister could be heard muttering on the phone while flat on his back on the ground, including one outburst where he said, 'dead f***ing c***'.

Sources told Daily Mail Australia Mr Joyce was having a phone conversation with his wife Vikki Campion at the time and that he had mixed alcohol with prescription medication.

The video has led to questions about the former deputy prime minister's fitness to sit on the opposition front bench.

Mr Albanese has also ruled out inviting Mr Joyce to his upcoming wedding

Mr Joyce has said he would be giving up drinking alcohol for Lent

The day after the video surfaced Mr Joyce showed up to parliament late and Mr Albanese said his colleague was suffering 'clearly difficult circumstances'.

Mr Joyce told Nine's Today Show that he has temporarily given up drinking alcohol for Lent.

'I have given up two things for Lent, one is drinking, and the other one is talking about other people in regards to that,' he said.

Mr Joyce's fellow Nationals member Perrin Davey has similarly come under fire for appearing at a Senate estimates hearing where she was seen slurring her words.

Senator Davey admitted to having two glasses of red wine before the hearing but denied being drunk, instead blaming a recent operation for her speech issues.

Independent MP Zali Steggall suggested introducing drug and alcohol tests into parliament after the scandals but was shot down by both Mr Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
Putin is reportedly on the brink of a new land grab to defy the West by possibly announcing soon that Russia is taking control of a breakaway Moldovan region.

There is speculation that unofficial state Transnistria is poised to make an appeal to Putin to join Russia.

The landlocked strip along the Dniester River is wedged between Moldova and Ukraine.

Putin already has a 'peacekeeping' force of up to 2,000 troops in the territory which Russia says overwhelmingly wishes to be incorporated by Moscow. There are also likely thousands of Russian paramilitaries on the ground.

A fear is Putin will use a speech at the Russian Federal Assembly on February 29 to green light annexation.

Putin (pictured) is reportedly on the brink of a new land grab to defy the West by possibly announcing soon that Russia is taking control of a breakaway Moldovan region

Transnistria is landlocked strip along the Dniester River, which is wedged between Moldova and Ukraine

One day earlier a 'congress' of local politicians has been called in Transnistria amid speculation they will issue a formal appeal to join Russia. A similar congress previously led to such a demand.

Local opposition politician Gennadiy Chorba claims the plot to grab Transnistria is in progress, as part of Putin's re-election campaign.

This will give Putin a supposed 'legal' power to step into Transnistria which has been in limbo since the end of the Soviet Union.

The dictator has noticed the failure of the West to meet Ukraine's needs for arms, and senses he could get away with a new annexation, say experts.

Potentially, Russsia could use the territory to move against the rest of Moldova, seen as another goal, and as a point for attacks on Ukrainian port Odesa, seen as a far more significant prize.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has insisted Moscow will 'not leave its citizens living in Transnistria in trouble'.

Moldova president President Maia Sandu last year claimed Russia was planning a coup in her country.

Ukrainian intelligence said the potential move by Moscow is 'unconfirmed' but is being monitored closely.

Sources also stress it could be hard for Putin to bring in troops to strengthen the forces that Russia has had in Transnistria since the end of the Soviet era.

But opposition politician Gennady Ciorba warned Sandu of the Kremlin threat saying that 'the psychology of the current leadership of Russia, in particular Putin, is very similar to the psychology of Hitler in the late 1930s .

'Attempts to appease people like Putin lead to only one thing - the growing appetite of the aggressor.'

Ukrainian Military analyst Aleksander Kovalenko described the reports as 'concerning'.

And he warned: 'This group of [Russian] troops poses a serious threat to Moldova, since it is a much more combat-ready force than the Moldovan army.'

Russians are the largest group among the population of Transnistria with almost 30 per cent.

Another 29 per cant are Moldovan or Romanian, while 23 per cent are Ukrainian.
Audrii was found to have died from blunt force trauma. The death has been ruled a homicide following the autopsy

Audrii Cunningham's cause of death has been revealed after the body was found in a lake tied to a rock with a rope that matched one found in the car of a family friend accused of her murder.

She was found to have died from blunt force trauma. The death has been ruled a homicide following the autopsy.

Don Steven McDougal, a Nazi tattooed family friend who authorities say was supposed to be taking Audrii to the school bus stop the day that she vanished, has been charged with the 11-year-old's murder.

He was already under police custody in connection with an unrelated assault in Livingston, Texas.

An Amber Alert was issued for the girl after she did not board the school bus on February 15 and was absent from school. She was last seen at around 7am near her home in Livingston.

Her body was discovered in a river on Tuesday with a 'large rock' tied to her body after police used cell phone records, video analysis and information from McDougal to find her.

'The rope used was consistent with rope that was observed in McDougal's vehicle on a traffic stop two days prior,' the criminal complaint against McDougal states, as reported by CNN.

Audrii Cunningham's body was found in a lake tied to a rock with a rope that matched one found in the car of a family friend accused of her murder. Audrii was found to have died from blunt force trauma. The death has been ruled a homicide following the autopsy

Don Steven McDougal, a Nazi tattooed career criminal who lives on her father's property in a trailer, has been charged with the 11-year-old's murder

Audrii's father, Joshua, pictured with the man accused of killing his daughter, Don Steven McDougal. The suspect's swastika and SS tattoos are clearly visible on his left arm

Police say the girl's body was recovered on Tuesday from Trinity River after they used cell phone records, video analysis and information from McDougal to find her

The alleged killer had taken the girl to the bus stop in the past or would bring her to school if she missed the bus, officials said.

After she was reported missing, investigators discovered she had not boarded the bus to go to school on the morning that she disappeared.

A Hello Kitty backpack that authorities believe belonged to the child was then found on Friday near the dam on Lake Livingston, one of the state's largest lakes.

McDougal, who has a criminal record spanning back to the early 2000s, had joined the search efforts and was seen knocking on neighbor's doors while asking if anyone had seen Audrii.

He claimed on social media he had 'done nothing wrong,' as reported by CNN.

'I have done everything I can to help find her. I have done nothing wrong,' he wrote in a comment on a Facebook page.

Audrii's family had reported her missing on Thursday after she failed to return from school to her home in Livingston

A mugshot of McDougal, the last person to see the youngster alive, according to police

Audrii's body was found on Tuesday in the Trinity River near US-59, Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons announced. 'My heart aches with this news and I express with my deepest sympathy and condolences to everyone who knew, who cared for, and loved Audrii,' Lyons said

The sheriff also said that the Trinity River Authority lowered water levels on the river, which led to the discovery of her body

McDougal had allegedly walked Audrii to school on the morning that she vanished

As authorities investigated Audrii's disappearance, they had named McDougal as a person of interest and he was arrested last Friday on an unrelated assault charge.

Prosecutors have said there is 'substantial evidence' in the case, and that cell phone data and videos helped identify places to search.

Officials added that the Trinity River Authority lowered water levels on the river, which led to the discovery of her body.

Court records from Brazoria County, south of Houston, show McDougal pleaded no contest to two felony counts of enticing a child stemming from a 2007 incident and was sentenced to two years in prison.

The sheriff said that the girl's body has been taken to the Harris County medical examiner's office in Houston to determine the cause of death.

Audrii lived with her father, grandparents and other family members, authorities said.

McDougal has a criminal history dating back to 2001, which includes convictions on two counts of enticement of a child

Audrii sparked a state-wide search after she vanished early Thursday morning in Livington, around an hour north of Houston

As authorities investigated Audrii's disappearance last week, they had named McDougal as a person of interest and he was arrested last Friday on an unrelated assault charge

When the search was still ongoing, the girl's mother pleaded for help from the public and said it was not like her daughter to just run off or disappear.

'We have no leads so we are grasping at any string, any signs, anything in general,' she told KPRC at the time.

'There is not one feeling you feel,' she said.

'You are broken, you are mad, you are empty and right now I am empty.

'I am not going to be the same unless my baby is returned to me and neither is her family, any of us, any of her friends, any of the people that she has been connected to in the community.'
Beau Lamarre-Condon turned himself to police in on Friday morning

A celebrity chaser-turned-police officer has been charged with the double murder of an Australian TV presenter and his flight attendant boyfriend.

Prosecutors will allege Beau Lamarre-Condon, 28, shot couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies with his police pistol at Mr Baird's home in Paddington, a posh suburb of Sydney, Australia.

Lamarre-Condon appeared in Waverley Local Court on Friday afternoon, sitting in the dock in a black T-shirt after he handed himself into a New South Wales (NSW) police station.

He only looked up briefly to acknowledge the magistrate, and had no-one in court, either family or friends, to support him during his short appearance.

He did not apply for bail and was ordered to reappear in court on April 23.

According to court documents, Mr Baird and Mr Davies were both allegedly killed by Lamarre-Condon at Paddington, south-east Sydney, between 12.01am and 5.30pm on Monday.

The shooting occurred just hours after they were last seen alive at a pre-Mardi Gras party night on Sunday at the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills, a plush south-east suburb of Sydney.

Later on Monday evening, Lamarre-Condon hired a white Toyota HiAce van from Mascot and allegedly used it to dispose of the couple's bodies, police said.

Detectives believe Lamarre-Condon then returned the alleged murder weapon to a police station's locked firearms safe on Tuesday.

Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon (pictured) has been charged with murdering flight attendant Luke Davies and TV presenter Jesse Baird

Beau Lamarre-Condon was charged after he handed himself in to police at Bondi following a massive manhunt (Lamarre-Condon is pictured being led away for questioning by detectives)

Former red carpet reporter Baird, 26, (right) and his new partner Luke Davies, 29, (left) vanished from Paddington, in Sydney, on Monday night

A crime scene was established at Newcastle, 102 miles north of Sydney, where the Toyota HiAce police believe was used to move the bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies was spotted (pictured)

He took sick leave from the NSW Police Force for the rest of the day and failed to return to work on Wednesday.

Bloodied clothes and other belongings including credit cards belonging to former red carpet reporter Baird, 26, and flight attendant Davies, 29, were found dumped in a skip bin in Cronulla, south of Sydney, on Wednesday.

That discovery led police to Baird's home in Paddington where pools of blood and blood-spattered furniture were found - sparking grave fears for the new lovers.

Homicide Squad commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said police had matched a bullet cartridge found in the premises to a police weapon.

'Police located a projectile at the premises which had been discharged and also a fired cartridge case,' Det. Supt. Doherty said.

'This has now been physically matched to a NSW Police firearm and forms part of the evidence for the alleged facts to face court for this 28-year-old man.'

The bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies are yet to be found.

A white Toyota HiAce police believe was used to transport the bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies was located at Cronulla, south of Sydney. It is pictured being removed by police

Police had frantically searched for a white van they believe was being driven by Lamarre-Condon. It was captured on CCTV (pictured) driving past Baird's home in Paddington

It is understood prosecutors will allege Mr Baird was already dead when friends received messages from his phone and social media accounts on Tuesday.

Superintendent Doherty said call had been made to emergency services but could not confirm whether it was made by Lamarre-Condon.

It is understood Lamarre-Condon handed himself in to police with the assistance of worried family members. Police raided his family's home in Balmain in the early hours of Friday.

He surrendered at Bondi police station at 10.30am on Friday.

That was about the time Daily Mail Australia reported that Lamarre-Condon's phone was operational.

Lamarre-Condon was being questioned by police on Friday afternoon. He will be formally refused bail by police and face court on Friday or Saturday.

Lamarre-Condon's phone had been switched off - but his WhatsApp account showed messages were 'last seen today at 9.55am' on Friday morning

Police raided a home in Sydney connected with Lamarre-Condon's family early on Friday morning when they seized a 'number of items'

New crime scene in Newcastle

A street in New Lambton, Newcastle - 102 miles away from the Paddington crime scene - was sealed off by police on Friday after a white van was sighted near Lambton Pool in Karoola Road.

The vehicle matched the description of the one police were searching for.

'There's cops everywhere, walking the streets, door knocking,' said one local resident. 'Got the road closed past the pool.'

Another added: 'The park is taped off with police tape up near the bowling club and lots of police are walking the park at the moment.'

Lamarre-Condon is suspected to have driven the van, registration CW 82 PM, to a home in the Newcastle suburb where it was spotted at 10pm on Thursday before it had vanished again by 2am.

Police located the van at Grays Point near Cronulla later on Friday and it has been seized for forensic examination.

Daily Mail Australia understands a close friend of Lamarre-Condon's lives in Newcastle and he would visit her regularly.

No wrongdoing or involvement is suggested of that woman.

Prior to becoming a police officer, Lamarre-Condon was a celebrity blogger, notorious for grabbing selfies with stars like Jessica Hart (pictured)

His social media accounts, which featured pictures of Beau Lamarre-Condon with celebrities including Taylor Swift (pictured), have all been deactivated

Who is Beau Lamarre-Condon?

Prior to becoming a policeman, Lamarre-Condon was a celebrity blogger who was notorious for taking selfies with stars including Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.

He joined the NSW Police Force in 2019, and hit the headlines again when he was caught on camera tasering a man in the face during an arrest.

An investigation later cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Just days before Mr Baird and Mr Davies vanished, Lamarre-Condon was still following celebrities, and was pictured grabbing an awkward selfie with Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker in a Sydney street last week.

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said Lamarre-Condon was working with a specialist command unit at the time of the alleged murders but refused to go into further detail.

However Lamarre-Condon had recently bragged to others that he was completing a VIP protection module as part of his new duties.

Last week, Lamarre-Condon was still takeing selfies with stars, grabbing this selfie with Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker

Jesse Baird and Luke Davies are pictured. Police believe they have been murdered

Jesse Baird and Luke Davies's disappearance

Mr Baird and Mr Davies went missing from the television presenter's $3million rental home on Monday after CCTV captured them late that night entering the premises.

The men were filmed wandering outside before heading towards the back of the terrace. A white van was then seen driving nearby.

Neither man has been seen since, however Mr Baird's phone appeared to have last been active on WhatsApp on Tuesday evening.

Now the search is on for their remains.
The full horror of Christian Brueckner's sex crime allegations have been revealed in court today.

The Madeleine McCann suspect allegedly left one victim fearing he would behead her, whipped a woman in her seventies at least 20 times and made a girl vomit during abuse.

Convicted rapist Brueckner, 47, is accused of three rapes and two sex assaults said to have been carried out on Portugal's Algarve coast in a period from 2000 to 2017.

The attacks took place just minutes from where then three-year-old Madeleine vanished from the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007 where she was staying with parents Kate and Gerry and her siblings.

She has not been seen since and in June 2020 German police sensationally named Brueckner as the man responsible for her 'abduction and murder' but he has yet to be charged with anything relating to her disappearance.

Shocking details of how Brueckner's alleged victim Hazel Behan, who said she was attacked in 2004 while working in the Algarve as a tour guide, feared she would be 'beheaded' by her attacker were read out in court.

The other two rapes he is accused of against an unknown woman aged between 70 and 80 years old and a girl of 14 were also described in horrific details, with the prosecutor saying Brueckner 'hit the [older] woman's body and face with at least 20 lashes' using a whip and made the teenager vomit while orally raping her.

Wearing the same jacket as last week, a white shirt and khaki trousers Brueckner (left) shook hands with all legal team and winked with his legal team

Madeleine McCann (pictured) went missing on May 3 during a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal

Brueckner (left) did not look towards the press or public gallery as the hearing started seven minutes after the scheduled 9am start

Prosecutor Ute Lindemann told the court that Brueckner had used a rape drug to incapacitate his victims before trapping them in his house.

Shocking details of Hazel Behan's alleged rape were also read out in court this morning. The prosecutor said: 'He went to witness Behan's bedroom and found her sleeping there.

'At this point he was dressed entirely in black, wearing leather gloves and a full face mask. This only had two round cutouts for the eyes and a small slit for the mouth, so that the injured party could only see the accused's eyes and his eyebrows.

'He held a knife with an approximately 30 cm long blade in his left hand, knelt over the sleeping victim and called her name, which woke her up. He held the knife in such a way that the injured party could see it clearly when she woke up.

'While she was panicking, he told her in a serious but calm tone not to scream, covered her mouth and pushed her head back onto the pillow. He then pulled her up from the bed by her outer clothing and hair and turned her onto her back.

'After completing anal intercourse, the accused removed the condom from his penis, put it in the backpack he had brought with him and cleaned his gloves with a cleaning cloth he had brought with him.

'The accused then grabbed the victim firmly by her hair and dragged her out of the bed onto the bedroom floor, where she initially came to lie next to the bed. The accused pulled her by her hair into the kitchen area to the breakfast bar there.

Irish tour guide Hazel Behan (pictured) says she was attacked in 2004 while working in the Algarve

Brueckner (pictured) was hiding his face as he arrived in a van with a police escort and was swept inside for the start of the hearing and escorted into the courtroom flanked by guards and wearing handcuffs

On November 18, prosecutors confirmed Brueckner would stand trial for various charges of sexual abuse against women aged between 10 and 80

In this room in a house in Portugal Brueckner allegedly committed two of the sexual assaults he's accused of

'Once there, he pulled her up by her hair and placed her with her stomach and face on the wooden board of the breakfast bar, which is supported on the side by two metal legs.

'He then took a rope from the backpack he had brought with him, tied the victim's upper body to the bar and tied the ends of the rope tightly on her back. He then took a video camera out of his bag and positioned it on the television.

'He then went back to the breakfast bar with additional ropes that he had brought with him, lifted the legs of the injured parties and tied one leg each to a metal leg of the bar.

'Witness Hazel Behan found the way her legs were tied very painful because she was unable to keep her feet on the floor, which meant the thin, clothesline-like ropes cut into her legs.

'The accused removed the belt from the victim's trousers in the bedroom, tied her hands behind her back and put a piece of material he had brought with him, similar to a cloth, into her mouth as a gag.

'He went into the bedroom again and returned to her with a pair of scissors, which the victim had kept in a box under the bed.

'He used this to cut her top and bra, so that the injured party was now completely naked and unable to move in front of him.

'During this phase of the incident, the accused took the video camera from the television and filmed the victim from all around, turning her head into the position he wanted.

'He then returned the camera to the television and placed it in the direction of the breakfast bar, to which he returned. The accused, standing behind the witness Behan, put a fresh condom over his penis and again penetrated the victim.

'After the sexual act had ended, he removed the condom from his penis and cleaned his hands again. He then put the condom back in the bag he had brought with him.'

Carrying on she said: 'The accused now turned to the witness Behan with the question "You're scared, aren't you?", which she untruthfully denied.

'The accused then took a whip with a handle and long leather tassels out of his pocket and systematically whipped the victim from the back down to the buttocks, which, according to the accused's plan, caused her considerable pain.

'When the injured party was asked again after the flogging whether she was now afraid, she had now broken her resistance and answered in the affirmative to the satisfaction of the accused.'

Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner (pictured) has arrived in court as prosecutors attempt to start his sex crimes trial following last week's chaotic start

Then three-year-old Madeleine vanished from the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, in Portugal's Algarve coast, in May 2007 where she was staying with parents Kate and Gerry and her siblings

This locator map shows where the McCann family went on holiday in 2007, in the Algarve region of Portugal

Ms Lindemann added: 'After the beating had ended, the accused untied the witness Behan from the breakfast bar, while keeping her hands tied with the victim's own belt and gagged, and dragged her naked by her hair back into the bedroom.

'There, standing in front of her, he put a fresh condom over his penis and tried to penetrate the victim orally, which was initially unsuccessful because of the continued gagging.

'When she choked and told the accused that she was going to vomit, he angrily stopped the oral sex and pushed the injured woman backwards with his hand against her forehead, causing her to fall to her feet with her hands still tied behind her back.

'He then roughly grabbed her by the hair, dragged her back into the living room and initially let her go in order to take his knife, which he had left next to the television.

'During this time, the injured party slipped into a corner of the living room and crouched there. While holding the knife, the accused asked the injured party to go to the bathroom, which she verbally refused in no uncertain terms.

'The accused did not pursue this request, but instead grabbed the injured party by her hair again, dragged her to the small sofa in front of the living room window and asked her to kneel in front of the sofa and lower her head.

'At that moment, the witness Behan was in fear of death because she feared that the accused would cut off her head with the knife.

'However, he threw a sheet over her body and began to collect all the things he had brought with him and used and put them in his bag. He then stepped backwards out of the balcony door, slipped into his shoes that had been left there and fled.'

The other two rapes he is accused of against an unknown woman aged between 70 and 80 years old and a girl of 14 were also described in horrific details.

The prosecutor said: 'He was masked with a stocking mask that only had holes for his eyes and mouth.

'He put swimming goggles on the older lady, who was wearing a nightgown. Since their glasses were painted gray, the victim could no longer see anything.

'He laid the woman on her stomach on her bed and tied her hands behind her back to make it impossible for the victim to resist what was happening.

'He then set up the cameras he had brought with him in two different positions in the bedroom, aimed them at the bed and started recording.

'He now turned the old lady onto her back and pulled her nightgown up to her waist. After sexual intercourse had ended, he removed the condom from his penis and went to the bathroom in the apartment.

Earlier this month Brueckner (pictured here during a court appearance on February 16) told MailOnline the case against him was 'ridiculous', and sarcastically added: 'I hope (they) will find some answers to (their) questions soon'

'There he flushed the condom down the toilet. He then went back to the victim's bed with a whip and hit the woman's body and face with at least 20 lashes in order to enjoy the pain and fear he wanted in the woman.

'The victim screamed and insulted the accused while the crime was being carried out. After the physical punishment, the accused sat down on the end of the bed, breathing heavily, took off his mask and placed a pillow on the completely frightened woman's face before ending the recording.'

Detailing the teenager's attack she said: 'The accused met an unknown, German-speaking, youthful-looking girl with glasses, aged at least 14 years, in the Sitio das Lages house in Praia that he lived in da Luz, Lagos in Portugal tied naked to the wooden post in the living room.

'For this purpose, he put her hands around the post behind her back and tied them together. First he hit the naked girl with a whip. The girl addressed the accused by the name "Chris" and made it clear to him that what he was doing was against her express will.

'She begged him to stop and shouted "this is kidnapping, this is rape". The accused acknowledged the girl's conflicting will, but only put the whip aside and gave in to his excitement.'

The prosecutor then alleged Brueckner performed oral rape on the victim, which caused her to vomit.

She added: 'The accused commented succinctly on this circumstance with the words: "Now you're messing up my entire carpet." He also videotaped this act.'

In his rebuttal of the indictment, Mr Fulscher conceded that Hazel Behan, who has waived her anonymity, was raped and 'went through something terrible that night'.

But he added:' Although there is a witness statement in the files from a person close to Mrs Behan who accuses the co-plaintiff of having made up the whole incident and describes the co-plaintiff as a quasi-diabolical person.'

He added:' A masked man forced her to have sex, inflicted pain on her and humiliated her. However, the person who committed this offence was not the defendant. Mrs Behan may be convinced of this.

'During the hearing of evidence, it will be important for the defence to demonstrate the sources of error in the witness's recognition: Starting with the low reliability of estimating body size, the circumstance of masking, the poor lighting conditions at the crime scene, the impact of the weapon focus effect, as well as the stress level and the passage of time.

'If one comes to the conclusion that the witness is sufficiently reliable with regard to the description of the person, this will also have to be taken as a basis for her observation that the perpetrator had a cross-shaped scar on his right thigh.

'This is a physical feature that the accused does not have and therefore excludes him as the perpetrator.

'At the end of the hearing of evidence, it will not be possible to establish that the defendant sitting here is responsible for the offence committed against Hazel Behan. As in the other cases, he will have to be acquitted.'

Christian Brueckner has he walked into court today, holding a blue file and wearing the same jacket as during his last court appearance

In his lengthy rebuttal he also questioned the reliability of key witnesses Helge Busching and Manfred Seyferth, two former friends of Brueckner who helped secure his 2019 conviction for rape.

Both men said they had found a video camera on which they saw footage of Brueckner raping and torturing the elderly victim but this has never been recovered.

Mr Fulscher questioned their reliability saying their 'respective consumption of narcotics and alcohol' would have to be 'looked at closely'.

While he added the 'camera was allegedly found in a wardrobe of the house the accused moved out six years earlier,' as he strived to blacken the evidence against Brueckner.

In his opening statement this morning, Brueckner's lawyer said his client had been the victim of an unfair media campaign and that prosecutors repeated 'this theory to the media like a prayer wheel.'

Mr Fulscher told the court in his opening statement: 'Since June 2020, our client Christian Brueckner has been under constant worldwide media fire.

'According to the Braunschweig public prosecutor's office, he allegedly abducted and murdered Madeleine Beth McCann. The investigating authorities have been repeating this theory to the media like a prayer wheel.'

He added: 'The results of the investigation have not yet been presented to the defence, so that the accused has not been able to substantiate this allegation. A comparable media campaign of prejudgement has been sought in vain.

Christian Brueckner (left) talking to his lawyer Mr Fulscher today

'The greatest challenge for the court in these proceedings will be to free itself from these ulterior motives when investigating the procedural truth and assessing the evidence with regard to the accusations levelled.'

Proceedings started with Mr Fulscher confirming his client's name and date of birth before prosecutor Ute Lindemann read out the five charges against him.

Turning to face her Brueckner listened intently as he consulted a file in front of him, making notes and occasionally turning to whisper to his legal team.

Ms Lindemann took almost 25 minutes to read out the indictment against him, which detailed the charges and he remained impassive throughout as he fixed his gaze on her.

READ MORE: Plot to kidnap a child from Portuguese resort and sell them to a couple was hatched by Christian Brueckner a week before Madeleine McCann was abducted there, British expat claims Advertisement

Before the trial Brueckner arrived in a van with a police escort and was swept inside for the start of the hearing and escorted into the courtroom flanked by guards and wearing handcuffs.

Wearing the same jacket as last week, a white shirt and khaki trousers he shook hands with all legal team and winked with his legal team.

Carrying a file in his hand he did not look towards the press or public gallery as the hearing started seven minutes after the scheduled 9am start.

Last week's proceedings lasted less than ten minutes after Brueckner's lawyer filed an urgent challenge calling for one of the lay judges to be dismissed for making death threats on social media against ex Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.

Earlier this month Brueckner told MailOnline the case against him was 'ridiculous', and sarcastically added: 'I hope (they) will find some answers to (their) questions soon.'

Mr Fulscher has said his client denies any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance, as well as the current charges and said Brueckner is 'stressed' by the media presence and in 'poor physical health'.

The trial is unrelated to Madeleine's disappearance and press and public who wanted to enter the court building in Braunschweig near Hannover had to pass through two airport style metal detectors before getting to the first-floor courtroom.

In a bid to avoid the chaos of last week which saw the trial delayed for 40 minutes the court opened early although there appeared to be a smaller crowd than last week waiting to get in.

When asked by the MailOnline if there were any further surprises Mr Fulscher - who is paid by German state funds - said cryptically: 'Maybe....'

Convicted rapist Brueckner (pictured), 47, is accused of three rapes and two sex assaults said to have been carried out on Portugal's Algarve coast in a period from 2000 to 2017

Last week, he told the court that child therapist should not be allowed to sit on the panel as one of the four lay judges.

Mr Fulscher highlighted how on 2019 she had posted on X, formerly Twitter, that former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro should be 'assassinated'.

The tweets, which were seen by the Daily Mail before being taken down and read out in court said: 'Kill the devil Jair Bolsonaro. Kill the Bastard Bolosonaro. He is the devil. He destroys everything. He must be killed. Now!!!'

She also posted attacks on hunter Walter James palmer who shot and killed Cecil the Lion as well as Donald Trump and his family.

Mr Fulscher also highlighted how she worked as a child therapist and given that the charges Brueckner faced involve minors suggested she would 'probably be rather biased' adding they 'lacked any distance and judgement'.

After speaking for around ten minutes judge Uta Engemann said she would adjourn to consider the request and returned 40 minutes later to agreeing to it and postponing the trial until today.

Prosecutor Ute Lindemann agreed with her  although added the fact she had children was not relevant  but she added: 'The application is justified. We do not tolerate statements outside the legal system and calls for murder.'

If he is found guilty he could spend the rest of his life in jail but sources close to him say he will remain offer no testimony on his suspected involvement in the disappearance of Madeleine.

He is insisting DNA and electronic evidence against him is wrong and witnesses are lying about him.

Prosecutors also face a dilemma as two of the rape victims are unidentified but the third victim is known - Irish tour guide Hazel Behan who says she was attacked in 2004 while working in the Algarve.

She says she was threatened with a knife, tied up and subjected to a hours long attack by a man who she later recognised as Brueckner after his picture was released by German police in 2020.

Christian Brueckner was pictured pulling up in prison van outside the courtroom in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, on February 16

Brueckner is known to have been in and around Praia da Luz on the Algarve coast at the time Madeleine (pictured) vanished on May 3, 2007, while on holiday with her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, and her twin siblings

At the time she was a 20-year-old rep and the now married mother of three will be among several key witnesses who will give evidence at the trial which is due to last until June.

The other two rapes involve an unidentified woman aged between 70 and 80 years old and an unknown girl of around 14.

The fourth charge is an indecent assault against a 10-year-old girl on a beach close to where Madeleine vanished from a month later and the last is also indecent assault against another child in the Algarve in a playground in 2017.

Earlier this year Bruecker was moved from Oldenburg prison in northern Germany to Schnedebruch near Hannover for the duration of the trial.

He is currently serving a seven year sentence for raping an elderly US woman on the Algarve in 2005 and was jailed in 2019 after evidence from two former pals who will also testify at his new trial.

He was also moved after complaining of ill treatment from guards at Oldenburg where he was in a secure isolated unit.

Bruecker told MailOnline: 'My situation didn't change at all. I just moved prison. I'm still totally isolated. Since (sic) more than two years now.

'I'm still not allowed to talk with anybody else then to my lawyer sand to my punishers (guards).'
A teenage pyromaniac who deliberately started a fire whilst 'stoned and drunk' which killed four siblings has had a move to an open prison blocked.

Dyson Allen, now 30, was sentenced to life in jail for deliberately starting a fire which almost wiped out a whole family at their home in Freckleton, Lancashire, on January 7, 2012.

Allen had not even served 10 years in jail when he was told in April 2023 that the Parole Board had recommended that he be transferred from a closed prison to open conditions following a hearing.

But Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, using parole legislation toughened in 2022, stepped in during the 28-day 'appeal window' and used his powers to stop the move.

The Ministry of Justice decided that Allen was still too dangerous to have his security downgraded. The move to open conditions is normally a precursor to being released on licence.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: 'Public protection is our number one priority which is why we blocked Dyson Allen's transfer to open prison.'

Dyson Allen (pictured), now 30, was sentenced to life in jail for deliberately starting a fire which almost wiped out a whole family at their home in Freckleton, Lancashire, on January 7, 2012

The fire claimed four-year-old twins Holly and Ella Smith and their two-year-old brother Jordan who were asleep as the blaze took hold in a wardrobe, while elder brother Reece, 19, was overcome by fumes as he went upstairs to try and rescue them.

All four died from the effects of smoke inhalation following the huge fire, which occurred as their mother Michelle Smith held a chaotic drug-fuelled party for her 36th birthday.

Four-year-old twins Holly and Ella Smith (pictured) were asleep as the blaze took hold in a wardrobe

Jordan (left) and Reece (right) both died in the fire which also killed twins Holly and Emma

Allen, then 19, was convicted of four counts of manslaughter at Preston Crown Court in 2013. He was cleared of their murders.

The teenager, who had been drinking vodka since lunchtime, was preparing to light a cannabis pipe or 'bong' when he started the fatal fire in a bedroom.

He was ordered to serve a minimum jail term of nine years and three months, which expired in December 2022.

Allen, (pictured) had not even served 10 years in jail when he was told in April 2023 that it was recommended he be transferred from a closed prison to open prison

As the verdicts were read out at court in July 2013, members of the victims' family shouted 'yes!', but a woman linked to Allen called out: 'It's all her fault. If she had not had that party, none of this would have happened.'

It was later learnt that Ms Smith had given birth to her ninth child since the tragedy, and the four children who died had three different fathers. She had been celebrating her birthday at her home, the trial was told.

Members of the group spent the afternoon drinking and smoking cannabis, Neil Flewitt QC told Preston Crown Court.

'As a result, the recollection of most of the witnesses is affected, by some extent, by drink and in some cases by drugs in the form of cannabis,' he said.

Allen, a mechanic, was a friend of the family and kept some belongings in the younger children's room after staying at the house.

Ms Smith allowed teenagers to smoke cannabis in an outside building known as 'the chamber', the court heard.

Allen had been 'drunk or stoned' and later in the evening had been preparing 'a mix' for a bong marked 'killer' in which to smoke cannabis.

Ms Smith was alerted by Allen running downstairs shouting 'Fire!', at which Reece went to try to rescue his siblings. Smoke alarms had been fitted on the stairs, but Reece had taken them down in the days before the fire because one or both 'kept making beeping noises'.

Pictured: The blackened and charred wardrobe that Allen set on fire, leading to the death of the three young children and their older brother

Allen denied starting the fire, saying he was looking for a friend upstairs when he noticed an 'orange glow' under the door.

In a witness statement given to police in the early hours of January 8th 2012, Allen said he began celebrating Ms Smith's birthday at lunchtime by drinking from a bottle of vodka.

Allen said he was upstairs when the lights suddenly went out and he thought it was a power cut.

He saw the children's bedroom door was shut but he could see an 'orange glow' in a gap at the bottom.

'I opened the door to check and all of a sudden thick black smoke just hit me in the face,' he said. 'It knocked me backwards.

'I started shouting ''fire, fire'' straight away.'

Four-year-old Holly and Ella Smith's bedroom where Dyson Allen is believed to have started the fire which killed them and their two brothers

He said he told Reece there was a fire and to 'get those kids out'. He ran downstairs to rouse a person who had fallen asleep on the sofa and then ran outside.

The court heard that Reece was heard kicking at the door to the children's bedroom as others escaped from the property.

Police were immediately suspicious of Allen, knowing he had been the only adult upstairs at the time. Several detailed forensic examinations showed that the fire had been started deliberately.

One expert told the trial the fire had probably been started by clothes in the wardrobe being set alight.

Further forensic evidence showed the three children in the bedroom were likely to have been 'incapacitated very quickly' but that Ella and Jordan made attempts to escape.

All four died from the effects of smoke inhalation following the blaze, which occurred as their mother Michelle Smith (pictured) held a chaotic drug-fuelled party for her 36th birthday

It also emerged during the trial that Allen had set fires as a schoolboy and was known to police.

A friend told the trial how the pair would regularly start fires. He gave evidence in court and continued to deny any involvement in the deaths.

David Fish QC, defending, asked Allen: 'Did you start that fire in the wardrobe at Lytham Road on January 7 last year?'

'No,' the defendant replied.

'Either accidentally or deliberately?' continued his barrister.

'No,' he said again.

After the verdicts in 2013, Ms Smith, then 37, and Reece's father, Martin Goulding, said in a statement: 'We'll never know the reason our children were taken away from us. We would like to pay tribute to Reece, who paid the ultimate price for trying to rescue his brothers and sisters and for that we will be eternally grateful and proud.'

After sentencing, Ms Smith said in a statement that the family had to 'live with the loss of the children each and every day'.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dermott Horrigan said: 'This has been one of the most tragic and significant cases that Lancashire has seen for a number of years which has left a family and community devastated by their loss.

'Four innocent people died as a result of the actions of this man who has shown no remorse and lied throughout the investigation and court case.

'There were plenty of opportunities for Dyson Allen to admit his guilt yet he persisted with his denial, causing the family even further anguish, and the ordeal of not having to sit through a trial but to stand up and give evidence as well.'

The original decision to recommend that Allen should be sent to an open prison was summarised in a Parole Board document.

It stated at the time: 'The panel noted that Mr Allen recognises the seriousness of his offending.'

The three-person panel concluded: 'On considering the criteria for recommending placement in open conditions, the panel recommended that Mr Allen should be progressed in this way.'
The celebrity-chasing police officer accused of murdering TV presenter Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Davies was seen walking barefoot down a road before his arrest.

Police will allege cop Beau Lamarre-Condon, 28, shot the pair with his police pistol at Mr Baird's home in Paddington, in Sydney's inner east, in the early hours of Monday morning.

Lamarre-Condon faced Waverley Local Court on Friday afternoon, sitting in the dock in a black t-shirt after he handed himself into police at Bondi.

Footage has now emerged of the police officer walking barefoot down a street in Grays Point, the Sydney suburb where a white van hired by Lamarre-Condon - allegedly to dispose of the couple's bodies - was found.

Beau Lamarre-Condon is seen walking barefoot on CCTV in Gray's Point in Sydney

Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon (pictured) has been charged with murdering flight attendant Luke Davies and former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird

Former Channel 10 presenter Baird, 26, (right) and his new partner Luke Davies, 29, (left) vanished from Paddington, in Sydney's east, on Monday night

According to court documents, Mr Baird and Mr Davies were both allegedly killed by Lamarre-Condon at Paddington between 12.01am and 5.30pm on Monday.

The shooting occurred just hours after they were last seen alive at a pre-Mardi Gras party night on Sunday at the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills.

Later on Monday evening, Lamarre-Condon hired a white Toyota HiAce van from Mascot and allegedly used it to dispose of the couple's bodies, police said.

Detectives believe Lamarre-Condon then returned the alleged murder weapon to a police station's locked firearms safe on Tuesday.

Beau Lamarre-Condon was charged after he handed himself in to police at Bondi following a massive manhunt (Lamarre-Condon is pictured being led away for questioning by detectives)

A crime scene was established at Newcastle, 165km north of Sydney, where the Toyota HiAce police believe was used to move the bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies was spotted (pictured)

Lamarre-Condon took sick leave from the NSW Police Force for the rest of the day and failed to return to work on Wednesday.

Bloodied clothes and other belongings including credit cards belonging to former Studio 10 staffer Baird, 26, and Davies, 29, were found dumped in a skip bin in Cronulla on Wednesday.

That discovery led police to Baird's home in Paddington where pools of blood and blood-spattered furniture were found - sparking grave fears for the new lovers.

Homicide Squad commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said police had matched a bullet cartridge found in the premises to a police weapon.

'Police located a projectile at the premises which had been discharged and also a fired cartridge case,' Det Supt Doherty said.

'This has now been physically matched to a NSW Police firearm and forms part of the evidence for the alleged facts to face court for this 28-year-old man.'

The bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies are yet to be found.

Lamarre-Condon only looked up briefly to acknowledge the magistrate in court on Friday, and had no-one in court, either family or friends, to support him during his short appearance.

He did not apply for bail and was ordered to reappear in court on April 23.

The murder investigation had multiple crime scenes at several locations across the city and stretching 165km north to a suburb in Newcastle

A white Toyota HiAce police believe was used to transport the bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies was located at Grays Point near Cronulla. It is pictured being removed by police

Police had frantically searched for a white van they believe was being driven by Lamarre-Condon. It was captured on CCTV (pictured) driving past Baird's home in Paddington

It is understood police will allege Mr Baird was already dead when friends received messages from his phone and social media accounts on Tuesday.

Superintendent Doherty said a Triple Zero call had been made to emergency services but could not confirm whether it was made by Lamarre-Condon.

It is understood Lamarre-Condon handed himself in to police with the assistance of worried family members. Police raided his family's home in Balmain in the early hours of Friday.

He surrendered at Bondi police station at 10.30am on Friday.

That was about the time Daily Mail Australia reported that Lamarre-Condon's phone was operational.

Lamarre-Condon was being questioned by police on Friday afternoon. He will be formally refused bail by police and face court on Friday or Saturday.

Lamarre-Condon's phone had been switched off - but his WhatsApp account showed messages were 'last seen today at 9.55am' on Friday morning

Police raided a home in Balmain connected with Lamarre-Condon's family early on Friday morning when they seized a 'number of items'

New crime scene in Newcastle

A street in New Lambton, Newcastle - 165km away from the Paddington crime scene - was sealed off by police on Friday after a white van was sighted near Lambton Pool in Karoola Road.

The vehicle matched the description of the one police were searching for.

'There's cops everywhere, walking the streets, door knocking,' said one local resident. 'Got the road closed past the pool.'

Another added: 'The park is taped off with police tape up near the bowling club and lots of police are walking the park at the moment.'

Lamarre-Condon is suspected to have driven the van, registration CW 82 PM, to a home in the Newcastle suburb where it was spotted at 10pm on Thursday before it had vanished again by 2am.

Police located the van at Grays Point near Cronulla later on Friday and it has been seized for forensic examination.

Daily Mail Australia understands a close friend of Lamarre-Condon's lives in Newcastle and he would visit her regularly.

No wrongdoing or involvement is suggested of that woman.

Prior to becoming a police officer, Lamarre-Condon was a celebrity blogger, notorious for grabbing selfies with stars like Jessica Hart (pictured)

His social media accounts, which featured pictures of Beau Lamarre-Condon with celebrities including Taylor Swift (pictured), have all been deactivated

Who is Beau Lamarre-Condon?

Prior to becoming a policeman, Lamarre-Condon was a celebrity blogger who was notorious for taking selfies with stars including Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.

He joined the NSW Police Force in 2019, and hit the headlines again when he was caught on camera tasering a man during an arrest.

An investigation later cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Just days before Mr Baird and Mr Davies vanished, Lamarre-Condon was still following celebrities, and was pictured grabbing an awkward selfie with Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker in a Sydney street last week.

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said Lamarre-Condon was working with a specialist command unit at the time of the alleged murders but refused to go into further detail.

However Lamarre-Condon had recently bragged to others that he was completing a VIP protection module as part of his new duties.

Last week, Lamarre-Condon was still takeing selfies with stars, grabbing this selfie with Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker

Jesse Baird and Luke Davies are pictured. Police believe they have been murdered

Jesse Baird and Luke Davies's disappearance

Mr Baird and Mr Davies went missing from the television presenter's $3million rental home on Monday after CCTV captured them late that night entering the premises.

The men were filmed wandering outside before heading towards the back of the terrace. A white van was then seen driving nearby.

Neither man has been seen since, however Mr Baird's phone appeared to have last been active on WhatsApp on Tuesday evening.

Now the search is on for their remains.
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Pashinyan held a phone conversation with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, the PM's Office said.



The Prime Minister of Armenia once again congratulated his Georgian counterpart on the occasion of assuming the high position and wished him success.



The interlocutors attached importance to the further development and deepening of bilateral relations and expressed readiness to cooperate closely in this direction.



Prime Minister Pashinyan invited Prime Minister Kobakhidze to pay an official visit to the Republic of Armenia. The Prime Minister of Georgia accepted the invitation.
The University of Georgia has urged students to travel 'in groups' and has canceled classes after a nursing student was found dead with 'visible injuries' in a wooded area on its Athens campus on Thursday.

A body was found at roughly 12:38 p.m. after authorities received a call from a concerned student, who said their friend had gone jogging at the university's intramural fields and not returned, UGA Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark told media.

Police identified the student as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley.

'The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries,' the chief said. EMS responders determined the victim was dead, he said.

University of Georgia police suspect foul play and said they are working with local police to investigate the death, but say they do not yet have a suspect.

The University of Georgia said the victim was a former undergraduate at the school in 2023, who had since enrolled at Augusta University's nursing program, which has a campus in Athens.

A student was found dead in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick at the UGA's Athens campus

Police search a wooded area at the University of Georgia after the shock discovery Thursday

The University of Georgia said the victim was a former undergraduate at the school in 2023

Police Chief Jeff Clark did not provide details on how the woman died, citing the ongoing investigation.

Clark said his department, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, were conducting the investigation.

He noted that there has not been a homicide on campus in the last 20 years.

'We're not going to leave any rock unturned in this investigation,' he said.

He also acknowledged that police do not have a suspect in the case yet.

'When you have a suspect that's on the loose, there's always a danger. But there's no immediate danger at this time.'

'The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our university,' the University of Georgia said in a statement online, acknowledging the news came just hours after the unrelated 'sudden death' of another student the previous night.

'And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today's devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, particularly our students.'

'We have been fully briefed on this terrible situation,' the statement continued. 'Foul play is suspected, and we are already receiving support from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate this crime.

'We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern.

'If you think you have any information related to this incident, we urge you to contact the UGA Police Department immediately at 706-542-2200.

'In addition, all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to download and use the UGA Safe app, which offers several important safety features, including emergency notification alerts and the ability to share location in real-time with the police, among others.

'We also recommend that you travel in groups when possible and be aware of your surroundings.'

'We are announcing that classes on the Athens campus are cancelled after 5:30 p.m. this evening, February 22. They will remain cancelled tomorrow. We will resume classes on Monday, February 26,' they added.

File photo. A woman was found dead at the University of Georgia's Athens campus Thursday

'We're not going to leave any rock unturned in this investigation,' Police Chief Jeff Clark said

Kelly Girtz, the mayor of Athens-Clarke County, said he joined the community in 'deep sadness over today's murder' and said the city was working with authorities to bring the investigation to a 'rapid conclusion'.

Officers searching the area found the woman's body in a forested area behind Lake Herrick.

That area is across a busy road from a large dorm and dining hall complex on what's commonly called 'East Campus.' Most of the students in those dorms are freshmen.
KIM Jong Un has a son but he's too 'pale and thin' for North Korean tastes and is kept out of the public eye, a former spymaster says.

The bombshell claim was made by Choe Su-yong, a retired official from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in neighbouring South Korea.

Citing sources in the North, he alleged that the lad's 'unappealing physical appearance seems to have discouraged Kim from disclosing his son in public'.

'Unlike his father, or his sister who is plump and well-fed, Kim's son is said to be pale and thin,' he told the Korea Times.

'I heard that his son doesn't look like his great-grandfather, Kim Il-sung, at all.'

North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un's daughter takes after him in terms of weight

The supreme leader wasn't always big, when he was young he was actually rather skinny

For North Korean leaders, a resemblance to Kim Il-sung  the nation's chubby founder  is thought to be a must-have attribute.

The current leader has been accused of playing up his resemblance to Kim Il-sung, his grandfather, in a bid to bolster his own legitimacy.

And there may be more chubby North Korean leaders to come  Kim Jong Un's 'plump' daughter, Kim Ju-ae, entered the public eye in late 2022.

Conversely, no known photos of his 'pale and thin' son have yet emerged. But experts think we can visualise him simply by looking at a younger Kim Jong Un  who himself used to be skinny.

A handful of photos have emerged showing the trim tyrant before he ballooned to his present size. Michael Madden, founder of North Korea Leadership Watch, said: 'When Kim Jong Un was the hereditary successor, he was actually thin.

'You go back and see those pictures. He was a thinner dude.

'His father and his aunt told him that he needed to gain weight so that he could project authority.

'So that when those North Korean elites, especially those old generals, saw this 27/28-year-old guy, they would feel physically intimidated by him.'

Mr Madden  a fellow of the Stimson Center in Washington DC  said this preference for plus-sized leaders also had a historical basis.

He said: 'There's some Korean concepts about how we present ourselves to other people, and there is a certain idea about attraction and attractability.

North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un is well known to be on the rather plump side

'The definition of what is considered attractive and pleasant-looking is going to differ far from something we would see in the west.

'When we see Kim Jong Un, when we see his father  we see his grandfather, right? Chubby cheeks, right? Rosie chubby cheeks, smile on the face.

'Being thin and austere is going to remind the North Korean population that almost a million people starved to death during the late 1990s.'

The NIS believes Kim Jong Un has three kids  the son is the oldest, followed by Kim Ju-ae, and then a child of unknown gender.

Choe agrees that the eldest is a son, but believes the dictator has only two legitimate children  this unnamed son and Kim Ju-ae  plus two kids born out of wedlock.

For Mr Madden, the question of which child ultimately ascends to power is still unanswered.

He highlighted the example of Kim Jong Un, who bulked up before claiming the top job.

He said: 'That's what would happen with a pale and thin Kim kid, is he's going to be told to gain weight and get some sunshine.

'It worked out for the current leader.' Conversely, North Korea has form for passing over the first-born and giving the leadership to a younger sibling.

Kim Jong Un was picked over his big brother, Kim Jong-chul, who his father reportedly deemed 'no good because he is like a little girl'.

A heavy rider - the chubby supreme leader is reported to weigh around 22 stone

And though North Korea has never had a female leader, Mr Madden thinks that's not necessarily an obstacle to Kim Ju-ae.

He said: 'If Kim Jong Un decides that his daughter is going to be hereditary successor the last time I checked, North Korea is a dictatorship.

'So when the leader says go, we go, right? 'Good luck standing up and opposing that when that happens.'
Two of the Government's top advisers on extremism have clashed over whether protests should be banned outside Parliament, after a pro-Palestinian slogan was projected onto Big Ben.

A report by Lord Walney, the adviser on political violence, is set to recommend new police powers to set up 'exclusion zones' in key areas including Westminster, and outside politicians' homes.

It comes after a series of protests over the fighting in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel, which has left 30,000 civilians dead.

There is currently a huge row after a Commons vote on Gaza saw rules changed by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle on the grounds of MP safety. Outside the phrase 'from the rover to the sea', which is seen as anti-Semitic, was projected onto the Elizabeth Tower.

There have also been a series of smaller related protests on the issue outside the homes and offices of MPs including former minister Tobias Ellwood.

Two serving MPs - Labour's Jo Cox and Conservative Sir David Amess - have been murdered in the past eight years.

PM Rishi Sunak this morning said it was 'unacceptable' for intimidation to threaten democracy, telling reporters: 'That's why we're giving the police more powers and I expect them to use them to make sure we clamp down on all of this.'

And Lord Walney told Times Radio it was 'unacceptable' to allow 'the kind of angry, aggressive protests, demonstrations that are designed not actually to further debate, but to intimidate people with an implied sense of threat to intimidate parliamentarians into doing their bidding and backing down.'

However Lord Mann, the PM's adviser on tackling anti-Semitism, this morning said it would be 'dangerous' to bar protests from outside Parliament.

'Lord Walney's report helps open up debate. This is helpful. Some of his conclusions are dangerous, simplistic and fundamentally fail to differentiate between the noise and the actual threat,' he said on X.

'The idea that noisy demonstrations should banned from outside Parliament or Town Halls is a dangerous one. It is precisely where protests should be, not outside private homes, religious buildings or community centres.

There is currently a huge row after a Commons vote on Gaza saw rules changed by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle on the grounds of MP safety. Outside the phrase 'from the rover to the sea', which is seen as anti-Semitic, was projected onto the Elizabeth Tower.

PM Rishi Sunak this morning said it was 'unacceptable' for intimidation to threaten democracy, telling reporters: ' That's why we're giving the police more powers and I expect them to use them to make sure we clamp down on all of this.'

A report by Lord Walney, the adviser on political violence, is set to recommend new police powers to set up 'exclusion zones' in key areas including Westminster, and outside politicians' homes. However Lord Mann, the PM's adviser on tacklign anti-Semitism, this morning said it would be 'dangerous' to bar protests from outside Parliament (below)

'Intimidation of MPs, at work , online, at home is an increasing problem. Two MPs have been murdered. But specific police powers related to MPs misses the point. Politicians are not the only people under threat.'

Jewish leaders reacted with fury last night after the pro-Palestine slogan was projected on to Big Ben.

Activists pulled off the stunt in full view of dozens of police monitoring a protest outside Parliament on Wednesday night. Scotland Yard said the officers could not act because it was 'not a criminal offence'.

The words 'From the river to the sea' were beamed on to the Elizabeth Tower during a Commons debate in which MPs warned threats from 'Islamist extremists' were stifling democracy.

Simon Round of the Board of Deputies, which represents the Jewish community, said: 'From the river to the sea is seen by many Jews as a hate slogan.

'For it to be projected on to Big Ben is a demonstration of the utter contempt these extreme campaigners have not only for the concerns of the Jewish community, but for our Parliament.'

Andrew Percy, a Tory former minister who is Jewish, said: 'For months I've been standing up here talking about the people on our streets demanding 'death to Jews', demanding jihad, demanding intifadas as the police stand by and allow that to happen.

'A genocidal call of 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' was projected on to this building. That message says no Jew is welcome in the state of Israel or in that land. This is going to continue happening because we're not dealing with it.'

James Cleverly said Lord Walney's Government-commissioned review into tackling political violence must ensure 'we defend democracy'.

Asked whether that is an infringement on free speech and the right to protest, the Home Secretary told Sky News: 'Lord Walney, who has himself been a Member of Parliament and now advises the Government on these issues, has put forward a report, which I've not had a chance to read in detail, but the headlines, I think, are important.

'And there is a requirement to protect freedom of speech, and that is very, very well protected in the United Kingdom.

'But there is also an absolute requirement to make sure that we defend democracy, that people who make decisions in Government at whatever level are doing so based on their judgment, based on the information, based on their beliefs, not based on fear of reprisals.

'They absolutely must and will be protected from that.'

The stunt took place just minutes after Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle cited concerns for MPs' safety as the reason he broke with convention over a Gaza ceasefire vote  sparking chaos inside the chamber.

He is now fighting for his political life after selecting a Labour amendment that the protesters were urging politicians to back.

Sir Lindsay cited warnings that the safety of some MPs was under threat if they couldn't vote for the Labour motion, with pro- Palestinian groups targeting politicians' offices.

Pro-Palestinian groups used a powerful pocket-sized laser to project the message, which has been a fixture at protest marches since the October 7 terror attack, on to the clock tower from several hundred yards away on the other side of Parliament Square.

They had been using the device to repeatedly beam the phrases 'ceasefire now', 'stop bombing Gaza', 'end the war now', and 'stop war'. But at 7.20pm 'From the river to the sea  Palestine will be free' appeared for long enough to be captured on camera.
A police officer at the centre of a viral TikTok video who arrested a teenage girl when she said she looked like her 'lesbian nana' has been ordered to apologise and undergo 'reflective training'.

The West Yorkshire Police officer was accused of using 'inappropriate' language when carrying out an arrest - while the force has to send an apologetic letter after a police watchdog probe.

During the incident in August the 16-year-old girl, who also suffers from spinal disability scoliosis, had been driven to her home in Leeds by officers after attending the city's Gay Pride celebrations.

The ruling comes after footage also emerged of a group of West Yorkshire Police staff dealing with a crowd on an estate. with the same officer said to be involved.

At the centre of the fracas was a short blonde-haired officer who was filmed erratically shouting and using spray on members of the public - with onlookers suggesting she was the same cop involved in the autistic girl's arrest.

A teenage girl was arrested in August after she called this police officer a 'lesbian like nana'

A police officer was caught on video spraying a crowd and yelling 'get back' during an altercation in Leeds - and has been said to be the same one now told to apologise

The mother of an arrested teenager has claimed that the police officer arresting the girl is the same cop seen in a video spraying a crowd with pepper spray in an altercation in Leeds

She had been there with her sister before allegedly making a 'homophobic' remark.

The girl was later dragged away 'screaming' by West Yorkshire Police officers in the early hours of the morning having been arrested on suspicion of 'homophobic public order offence'.

Footage of the incident, filmed by the girl's mother, went viral on TikTok - prompting a furious backlash online, as the officers were accused of heavy-handedness while leaving the girl cowering under the stairs in her own home.

The teenager, who has not been named, was held in custody for 20 hours after the incident and then released.

The West Yorkshire force later confirmed it would take no further action against the teenager and released her from her bail.

Following the recent footage from clashes in Leeds, West Yorkshire Police said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter: 'West Yorkshire Police is aware of footage circulating on social media around some disorder on Third Avenue, Rothwell on Sunday (22/10) afternoon.

It added: 'The matter is being investigated and body worn footage currently being reviewed.'

And now the Independent Office for Police Conduct has ruled on the earlier arrest of the teenager, saying today: 'The evidence suggested a potentially homophobic comment was made by the girl, which the officer believed was directed towards her.

'The evidence identified that the comment made was not as was reported on the short clip which appeared on social media. As a result, the officer took the decision to arrest the girl in relation to this offence.

'We did find that some of the language used by one of the officers towards the girl was inappropriate and was not conducive to de-escalating the situation.

'Our investigation found that the officer did not have a case to answer for misconduct or gross misconduct.

'However, we decided that it would be appropriate for the officer to undertake reflective practice  to reflect and learn from the incident to prevent any issues identified from re-occurring, as their actions fell short of the expectations of the public and the police service as set out in the Code of Ethics.'

The girl cowered in a corner of the hallway as her mother said she was autistic and had not meant to offend the officer

The teenager, who also has scoliosis, tumbled down as she was dragged by officers outside into a police car

Shocking footage later emerged showing police swarmed by a crowd of people, with some officers seen engaging in a physical altercation with one man next to a red car

IOPC regional director Emily Barry said: 'We understand the video that was circulated at the time attracted considerable public concern and that is why it was important that the circumstances of this incident were subject to an independent investigation so we could fully understand what happened and impartially determine the facts.

'Our investigation looked at the whole picture of the incident and we decided the officer should now work with their supervisor to reflect, learn and improve from what occurred, to prevent this from happening again.'

'We also felt that a letter of apology should be sent to the girl and the family in attempt to remedy any dissatisfaction. The force agreed with this suggestion and have written to the family.'

The officer was last month cleared of misconduct over the pepper spray incident.

Police at the housing estate scene had been in an altercation with one man next to a red car parked on the street before the officer used pepper spray.

Footage shows one man appearing to be sprayed in the face before another burst is let off on another.

The man filming the ensuing chaos last October can be heard saying: 'The f*** you doing, you little muppet?'

The camera then pans to another officer as the same person asks: 'What are you doing, you?'

The controversies come after two student recruits from West Yorkshire Police were mocked by online trolls about how young they looked.

Superintendent Helen Brear, of West Yorkshire Police, posted a photo on Twitter alongside the message: 'Welcome Alfie and Noah to Kirklees District. New student officers as part of our Police Uplift programme, #Policing family.'

All student officers must be over 18 to apply but keyboard bullies soon went into overdrive at the sight of the budding policemen standing with Supt Brear and another female officer.

One officer (pictured left) was seen using what appears to be pepper spray

Other officers carrying batons blocked the crowd from getting further up the street in Leeds

West Yorkshire Police's Supt Helen Brear, left, faced an online backlash after posting a photo on X, formerly Twitter, about new student officers

But Supt Brear did not see the funny side and hit back, saying: 'I have been incredibly disappointed by some of the responses.

'Both of my colleagues passed the recruitment process and displayed they had the skills/abilities. Both will make great cops and I as their leader will ensure they reach their potential.'

West Yorkshire Police's website states that those applying to join the police 'must have reached 18' to become a student officer.

Their training combines a mixture of classroom learning and practical experience and if successful will gain a degree at the end of the three-year course.
Special forces hardman-turned-TV star Ant Middleton could be facing bankruptcy after his businesses went bust leaving him with a 1.2million tax bill, it has been claimed.

The former SAS: Who Dares Wins star, 43, is said to have cashed in 4.5 million in 2021 before he was sacked from the Channel 4 reality show over his 'personal conduct'.

The father-of-five - who previously served with the Special Boat Service, the sister unit of the Army's famed SAS - later liquidated his main firm after it fell into debt.

A financial statement for his troubled company, Sway and Starting Ltd - previously called Middleton Global - showed it owned 1,199,773 in tax to HMRC and 3,318 to other creditors.

Before winding up the business, Middleton took out 2.7million as a director's loan, with the paperwork noting it was 'uncertain' how much of the cash would be paid back.

Ant Middleton's company has gone bust and he allegedly owes 1.2 million in taxes - amid claims he could be on the verge of bankruptcy

A financial statement for his troubled company, Sway and Starting Ltd - previously called Middleton Global - showed it owned 1,199,773 in tax to HMRC and 3,318 to other creditors

Now, in an update statement filed this week, liquidators trying to claim back cash for creditors have claimed they were in 'correspondence' with Middleton but that a 'settlement is yet to be reached'.

'If a satisfactory settlement is not able to be reached it will be necessary for me to petition for the directors bankruptcy,' liquidators added, reports the Mirror.

And accountants are also checking to see if there were any possible breaches of the Company Directors Disqualification Act, with a report having reportedly been sent to civil servants at the Department for Business and Trade.

MailOnline has approached Middleton for comment.

Reports first came to light in January of last year saying his company had gone bust owing 1.2m to the taxman.

Ant's other firms, Antcolony Ltd and Middleton IP have been dissolved, while the account for Middleton Global IP is late, according to Companies House.

Speaking last year, a spokesman for the armed forces veteran said: 'Due to the impact of lockdowns on Ants work and the associated adverse effects on the company, unfortunately Middleton Global Limited has had to be placed into voluntary liquidation.

'Ant himself has an extremely busy year ahead and is fully focused on his TV work, brand deals, books and events.'

Disappointment: Ahead of this past Christmas, he was reportedly forced to liquidise his main business after being unable to pay off debts

The situation is the latest blow for the SBS hero after Channel 4 bosses removed him from his role on SAS: Who Dares Wins, allegedly due to his 'personal conduct'.

A spokesperson for Channel 4 told MailOnline at the time: 'Ant Middleton will not be taking part in future series of SAS: Who Dares Wins.

'Following a number of discussions Channel 4 and Minnow Films have had with him in relation to his personal conduct it has become clear that our views and values are not aligned and we will not be working with him again.'

His departure came months after Middleton sparked controversy by referring to Black Lives Matter protesters as 'absolute scum', and urging people to 'carry on as normal' and not change their habits during the Covid pandemic.

The 43-year-old former Royal Marine and paratrooper previously hit back at claims his exit was due to him allegedly making a lewd comment to a female that was picked up on his microphone.

His spokesperson said: 'Ant has worked on TV sets around the world for many years and has never at any point been accused of speaking inappropriately by anyone.

'He has only ever been informed of these allegations, which he wholeheartedly and emphatically rejects, via the media.

'If anyone felt that he did say anything verbally offensive we would have expected a formal process of review, but no such discussion has ever taken place either via any of the networks he works for or via bodies such as [creative arts union] Bectu.'

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Ant denied claims he'd made 'inappropriate' comments to female staff which were subsequently investigated by Channel 4 bosses.

Over: The company, which was founded in 2014, was known as Middleton Global before changing its name to Sway and Starting in November of last year

He said anonymous complaints had been made about 'indirect' behaviour that was typical of the hosts' military backgrounds, and said 'snowflakes' do not belong on the set of SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Following Channel 4's statement of his exit, Ant posted on Instagram: 'Hi guys, I've got some news which is that after five incredible years I've decided it's time to move on from SAS Who Dares Wins UK.

'Big respect to my fellow DS  it's been a journey I'll never forget. Thanks to everyone that took part and made the show what it is.'

He added: 'Really excited about the future and what's coming this year. Stay positive.'

In June of last year, it was revealed Middleton was eyeing up a new career as an action star.

Ant reportedly signed up for his first film role and is set to star in the action-thriller Shelter.

Ant Middleton (pictured) has a new career on the horizon. The SAS Australia host is delighted to have signed up to star in his first film, action-thriller Shelter

Middleton will star as hitman Rob Shaw who travels to a remote location to rescue his ex-wife. Pictured in the film

It will see him portraying hitman Rob Shaw who travels to a remote location to rescue his ex-wife.

In an interview with TV Week, the television personality said the plot was something close to his heart.

'That really resonates with me, because I am a huge family man,' Middleton told the publication.

Middleton added he aspired to continue to star in big screen roles in the future.

'Hopefully it will be the start of my acting career,' he told TV Week.

Since leaving Channel 4, Ant has hosted SAS Australia and Million Dollar Island, another Aussie show where contestants must learn to survive on the uninhabited island while they compete for 100 wristbands ultimately worth $1million (518,000).
Tragic porn star Kagney Linn Karter opened up about her hopes for the future in a poignant interview with Louis Theroux recorded at the height of her career.

The adult film actress, 36, is believed to have shot herself at her home in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, last week.

Ms Karter's body was found at her address by her mother on February 15, Parma Police Department revealed. The force is continuing to investigate her death but told media there are 'no signs of foul play'.

Broadcaster Theroux first tracked the world of male porn performers in 1998, many of whom were gay-for-pay straight men earning tens of thousands from gay porn studios.

He returned to the subject in the 2012 BBC documentary Twilight of the Porn Stars, meeting performers from both sexes struggling to make ends meet thanks to the rise of free online porn.

Tragic porn star Kagney Linn Karter opened up about her hopes for the future in a poignant interview with Louis Theroux recorded at the height of her career

Ms Karter, 36, was found dead at her home in Cuyahoga, Ohio, on February 15 from an apparently self-inflicted shotgun wound

Theroux interviewed Ms Karter in the 2012 BBC documentary Twilight of the Porn Stars, meeting performers from both sexes struggling to make ends meet thanks to the rise of free online porn

Theroux arrived at the LA home of Ms Karter, who was living with her boyfriend Montae Weathers - who described himself as her 'full-time assistant'

Montae told Theroux he advised his girlfriend on what 'she should probably refrain from doing' while she said her work subsidised them both

He arrived at the LA home of Ms Karter, who was living with her boyfriend Montae Weathers - who described himself as her 'full-time assistant'.

When asked what this involved, Montae said: 'I give my input on what I believe that... you know... she should probably refrain from doing.

Montae told Theroux he advised against her performing one particular scene but 'she said she was gonna do it... you know.'

When Theroux asked Ms Karter about the scene, she appeared defensive and said she was surprised her boyfriend had mentioned it.

'He didn't want talk about it,' she said. 'So I'm actually surprised he mentioned it to you guys, 'cos baby you won't even talk with me about it.

'You saying that I can't do it cuts us out of two grand.

'That cuts us out of money so that we can go on vacation and do nice things for ourselves, so that I can provide you with the clothes you put on your back, Montae.'

As Theroux tried to calm tensions, Ms Karter appeared even more resolute.

'I know what's best for us because I've been running this train for a long time now,' she said.

'Monte doesn't understand that the reason that I do certain scenes is not because I am just a big whore.'

Theroux witness tensions between Ms Karter and her boyfriend as she defended performing in porn scenes while financially supporting them both

Monte told Theroux that many of the female performers involved in porn don't have a 'ten-year plan - unlike his girlfriend

Theroux then interjected and said that as an outsider, it appeared Montae was 'taking a lot' by watching his girlfriend performing sex acts with others.

But Ms Karter gave this short shrift, pointing out that her work supported them both.

'Montae gets to have lots of days off where he plays videogames all day too,' she said.

'Montae gets whatever he wants, he has a really good life that I provide for him. So, Montae has it easy.'

Theroux then waits in the house while Ms Karter performs a live webcam show. Her boyfriend is filmed wiping a kitchen bench with a cloth.

After the show is over, Theroux asks her how it went.

'It was good, I made 100 bucks,' she says.

He then asks her about her plans for the future. Poignantly, she talks about hoping to retire someday and settle down with Montae.

'I definitely want to do like another seven years,' she says. 'By then, I think Montae and me will retire.

'Everything I choose to do is just... to secure a better future for us. I'm always thinking about the future.

'Sometimes it's wearying, and I tell Montae, 'I'm sorry that I'm always so concerned about money'. But for me, it's really important that one day I won't have to do this anymore.'

Montae then adds that many of the female performers in the industry don't have a 'ten-year plan'.

'It's more about getting their paycheck, going to buy the new Christian Louboutins that they can fit on their feet. It's not like that with her.'

Adult film actress Kagney Linn Karter, 36, is believed to have taken her low life at her home in Cuyahoga County, Ohio , last week

Karter opened a pole dancing studio of her own in Akron called Alchemy Pole Fitness

TV interviewer Louis Theroux featured Ms Karter in his 2012 documentary Twilight of the Porn Stars. He remembered her as a 'kind and thoughtful' person who was 'v[ery] honest'

Theroux concludes the segment by observing that Ms Karter brought an 'incongruous professionalism to her commitment to extreme porn'.

'It was hard not to worry about the toll it might take on her relationship,' he added.

Speaking after her death, TV interviewer Louis Theroux remembered Ms Karter as a 'kind and thoughtful' person who was 'v[ery] honest'.

'My thoughts are with her friends and family,' he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

It is thought that Ms Karter left Los Angeles in 2019 - the planned retirement year she described in Theroux's 2012 documentary - to return to her roots in Ohio.

A GoFundMe page was said up by pole dancing instructors Rachel and Megan to pay for Ms Karter's memorial, which has so far amassed over $21,000 (16,585).

The women described how Ms Karter first came to their dance studio in Cleveland, Ohio, in November 2019, and rose to the top of her class before starting a studio of her own.

They said: 'She immediately warmed to the studio and all the students with an effortless grace... She spent so much time at the studio, sometimes taking five or six classes per week, and threw herself into her training.

'Watching Kagney flourish in an environment that made her feel confident and happy was a true joy.'

The women described their pride when Ms Karter graduated from their school and set up her own pole dancing studio.

'Business ownership is no easy task, but Kagney never shied away from the challenge,' they said.

'Her students and staff remember her incredibly fondly, both as an intelligent and intuitive instructor and as an owner who did all she could to build a little community of her own, something of which she could be proud... The best version of herself.

'Unfortunately, despite all of her many impressive accomplishments and talents, Kagney struggled with mental health issues as the years passed by.

'Even in her darkest days, however, she still showed up to the studio, always ready to learn, contribute, better herself in whatever small way she could manage.'

They said they last saw her during a class on February 7, just over a week before she took her own life.

'More than her beauty, her lovely dancing, her singing, her dazzling performances... Kagney was kind. Kagney was generous. As cold as the world could be, Kagney brought with her a light,' they said.

Karter (middle) is seen presenting an award at the 29th annual Adult Video News Awards Show in Las Vegas in 2012. She presented the award alongside other adult film actresses Jenna Haze (left) and Dana DeArmond (right)

She moved from Los Angeles to Ohio in 2019 and got involved with pole dancing fitness studios

The star was nominated several times for Adult Video News awards. She was nominated in 2011 for top female performer of the year. In 2010, she was nominated as best new starlet

Karter started in the pornography industry in the early 2000s and starred in films such as the Official Silence of the Lambs Parody and Not Married with Children XXX

Ms Karter started in the pornography industry in the early 2000s and starred in films such as the Official Silence of the Lambs Parody and Not Married with Children XXX.

The star was nominated several times for Adult Video News awards, including in 2011 for top female performer of the year. In 2010, she was nominated as best new starlet.

Commenters flooded under her last social media post as one said: 'Kags. Love you forever.'

'Jesus, this is sad,' another wrote.

The adult star had previously had a public spat with signer Chris Brown in which she claimed that he paid her $2,500 to be an escort.

In 2015, Karter made the claims on Twitter and posted X-rated pictures, which eventually got her account suspended, according to TMZ.

Brown for his part, denied ever meeting or contacting her.

She moved from Los Angeles to Ohio in 2019 and got involved with pole dancing fitness studios.

Karter opened a pole dancing studio of her own in Akron called Alchemy Pole Fitness.

'Her students and staff remember her incredibly fondly, both as an intelligent and intuitive instructor and as an owner who did all she could to build a little community of her own, something of which she could be proud, somewhere she could feel safe and wanted,' said the GoFundMe.

For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Child serial killer Lucy Letby's bid to challenge her convictions is due to be considered by the Court of Appeal at a hearing in April, it has been confirmed today.

Letby's lawyers will ask senior judges for permission to bring an appeal against all her convictions at the hearing in London provisionally listed for April 25, a judiciary spokeswoman confirmed.

The nurse, 34, had an initial application to take forward her challenge refused by a single judge without a hearing last month.

But she is able to renew her efforts before a panel of three judges at the hearing in nine weeks' time.

In August 2023, Letby, of Hereford, was sentenced to 14 whole life orders after she was convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others, with two attempts on one of her victims.

Last August, Lucy Letby was sentenced to 14 life orders after being convicted of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six more

If judges decline to give permission in April, it will mark the end of the appeal process for Letby.

If she does receive permission, then the appeal will be heard at a separate hearing at a later date.

The offences took place at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit, where Letby worked as a nurse, between June 2015 and June 2016.

The jury in Letby's trial at Manchester Crown Court was unable to reach verdicts on six counts of attempted murder in relation to five children.

The offences took place at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neonatal unit, where Letby worked as a nurse, between June 2015 and June 2016

She will face a retrial at the same court in June on a single count that she attempted to murder a baby girl, known as Child K, in February 2016.

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of the surviving and dead children who were the subject of the allegations.

It comes as a report claimed Letby had been given a key to her own cell, so she can lock herself away from fellow inmates if she feels threatened by them.

It is believed that keys are handed to the residents of category A HMP Bronzefield, where Letby is being held, as a reward for good behaviour on the inside.

The move caused significant upset for the grieving parents of Letby's victims.

One told The Sunday People: 'We thought they were throwing away the key, and now we find out that she has her own key.'

Meanwhile, staff at the hospital where the neonatal nurse murdered seven babies pocketed more than 1.5 million in performance bonuses  with more than half awarded while the killer's trial was going on.

Countess of Chester Hospital has also been accused of a 'cover-up' after it lost records of 'excellence' awards while Letby was there.

Since 2018, its staff have received 459 Clinical Excellence Awards, the NHS equivalent of a performance bonus.

An exterior view of the Countess of Chester Hospital where Letby worked as a nurse between June 2015 and June 2016

Trusts apply to a nationally-run scheme for the awards, which are given for 'safe and high-quality care'. Critics have called them a 'gravy train' for doctors because they effectively become permanent additions to their salaries.

The awards come up for renewal every five years and only a small number are not renewed.

More than half of the total amount of award money  792,001  was given in 2022-23, while the Letby trial was going on.

The Chester hospital's management was heavily criticised over its handling of the Letby case.

The hospital claims it has lost those records for Clinical Excellence Awards handed out during that period. In internal emails seen by The Mail on Sunday, staff said they 'assume they are no longer held'.

Elliot Keck, head of campaigns at the TaxPayers' Alliance, which carried out the research, said: 'Taxpayers will have serious questions about the culture within the Health Service, given the money being handed out to one of Britain's most notorious trusts.

'And with the missing information perfectly aligning to one of the darkest periods in the trust's history, there will also be concerns about a cover-up. The NHS needs to learn that it has to be transparent and open with the taxpayers who fund it and with patients who rely on it.'
Cops have launched a hunt to find a former funeral home owner who they say kept a woman's body in a hearse for two years and stored the cremated remains of at least 30 people in a crawl space at his Denver property.

The 63-year-old woman's body and the cremains were found on February 6 during a court-ordered eviction of a house rented by Miles Harford, the 33-year-old owner of Apollo Funeral & Cremation Services in the suburb of Littleton.

The woman died in August of 2022. Police said Harford was cooperating with investigators when the arrest warrant was announced last Friday.

But yesterday, they offered a $2,000 Crimestoppers award for information leading to his arrest because he hasn't turned himself in to authorities and are unable to find him.

Harford appeared to have experienced financial trouble in his business and was at times not able to complete cremations to provide remains to families for services.

The 63-year-old woman's body and the cremains were found on February 6 during a court-ordered eviction of a house rented by Miles Harford (pictured), the 33-year-old owner of Apollo Funeral & Cremation Services in the Denver suburb of Littleton

On occasion, he might have provided family members with another person's ashes instead of the remains of their loved ones, Denver Police Commander Matt Clark said.

Temporary urns - plastic boxes the size of a shoe box - were found in the crawl space of the house while a Denver sheriff's deputy oversaw the removal of Harford's belongings. Some of the containers were empty.

Other urns were found in a moving truck parked outside and others were in the hearse where investigators found the woman's body covered with blankets.

Charges of abuse of a corpse, forgery of the death certificate and theft of the money paid for the woman's cremation are listed on the warrant.

There may be other charges as the investigation continues, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said last week.

The recovered cremains appear to be associated with individuals who passed away between 2012 and 2021, Clark said.

Harford's business performed cremations for people who were low on money and those whose next of kin were unknown.

Officials were working to return labeled cremains to families, but they said they would not conduct DNA tests because the 'extreme temperatures involved in the cremation process alter the molecular structure of DNA, often rendering it fragmented and highly degraded'.

'It's a very resource-intensive process with a very low likelihood of success,' Clark said. 'We don't have the ability at this point to undertake that.'

The residence where the woman's body was stored in a hearse for two years

Denver Police Department Major Crimes Division Commander Matt Clark and Denver District Attorney Beth McCann at a news conference at the Denver Police Crime Lab in Denver last Friday

Clark said last week that the woman's family is devastated.

'They're shocked. They were hurt by this,' he said. 'They believed that they were processing their grief with the remains they had, and had had services with that. And then they come to find out that that was not the person that was processed, and in fact, she was being held in that hearse there.'

The case is the latest to underscore lax oversight of Colorado's funeral industry.

A married couple is awaiting trial in Colorado Springs following their arrest last year for allegedly abandoning almost 200 bodies over several years inside a bug-infested facility and giving fake ashes to family members of the deceased.

The operators of another funeral home in the western Colorado city of Montrose received federal prison sentences last year for mail fraud after they were accused of selling body parts and distributing fake ashes.

More than two dozen additional criminal cases and complaints involving Colorado funeral homes since 2007 were detailed in a January report to lawmakers from state regulators.

The cases included bodies being mishandled, thefts of personal effects, improper embalming of bodies, mislabeled remains and remains never returned to families.

The report concluded that additional regulation for the industry was 'necessary to protect the public'.
Liz Truss has sparked speculation she's eyeing a political comeback alongside Nigel Farage after she urged him to join the Tories and 'help turn our country around'.

The ex-PM, who spent 49 days in No10 before quitting amid economic turmoil, expressed her wish for the former UKIP leader to return to the Conservative fold.

Both Ms Truss and Mr Farage are attending the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington DC - a key annual event in right-wing US politics.

In a speech to the conference last night, Ms Truss stressed the world 'needs a Republican back in the White House' but stopped short of directly endorsing ex-president Donald Trump for a return to the Oval Office.

She also claimed conservatives being in power was the only way to 'save the West' from opponents such as Russia, Iran and China.

Liz Truss has sparked speculation she's eyeing a political comeback alongside Nigel Farage after she urged him to join the Tories and 'help turn our country around'

Both Ms Truss and Mr Farage are attending the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington DC - a key annual event in right-wing US politics

The ex-premier and former UKIP leader spoke on the same panel at a CPAC event on Wednesday

In an interview with former Trump adviser Steve Bannon after her CPAC address, Ms Truss said she was willing to work with Mr Farage to change the Tories

Mr Farage, who went on to found the Brexit Party - now known as Reform UK - after quitting UKIP, has recently attended major speeches by Ms Truss.

In his capacity as a GB News presenter, Mr Farage attended Ms Truss's 'Great British Growth Rally' at the Tory conference in October.

He was also in the audience when Ms Truss helped launch the new 'Popular Conservatism' - or 'PopCon' - faction of Tory MPs earlier this month.

In an interview with former Trump adviser Steve Bannon after her CPAC address last night, Ms Truss said she was willing to work with Mr Farage to change the Tories.

'I will work with whoever it takes to make our country successful, I will work with whoever.

'And Nigel, I've done an interview with him today, I would like him to become a member of the Conservative Party and help turn our country around.'

The ex-PM also suggested Mr Bannon, who is facing fraud charges in New York, could 'come over to Britain and sort out Britain', to which he joked that he 'may be banned in Britain'.

Ms Truss used the interview to complain about how she could not push through her economic policies when she was in Downing Street, following the chaotic unravelling of her tax-cutting 'mini-Budget' in September 2022.

She said: 'What I discovered was I was not holding the levers, the levers were held by the Bank of England, by the Office for Budget Responsibility - they weren't held by the prime minister or the chancellor.'

Mr Bannon replied: 'Are you a conspiracy theory person? You're MAGA!'

Mr Farage has recently hinted he could rejoin the Tories - a party he quit more than 30 years ago following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992.

He said last week that he and Tory MPs such as Sir Jacob Rees Mogg will some day 'have to be in the same party' as he urged unity on the right of British politics - but he remained coy about a possible future bid to lead the Conservatives.

Mr Farage has also left open the possibility of returning to the political frontline as leader of Reform UK ahead of the general election.

In her 15-minute address to CPAC on Thursday, Ms Truss took aim at 'Chinos'  conservatives in name only.

'It's people who think "I want to be popular, I don't want to upset people, I don't want to look like a mean person, I want to attend nice dinner parties in London or Washington DC, I want my friends to like me, I don't want to cause trouble",' she said.

'What those people are doing is they are compromising, and they are triangulating, and they are losing the argument.'

Ms Truss also repeated claims that an 'administrative state' and left-wing interests had undermined her policies in No10.

'Conservatives are now operating in what is now a hostile environment and we essentially need a bigger bazooka,' she added.

Labour shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth said: 'After crashing the economy and sending mortgages rocketing, Liz Truss is now spreading conspiracy theories with Steve Bannon and spearheading a wacky fringe group to take over the Tory party again.

'If Rishi Sunak had any backbone he would stand up and take action against her and Tory MPs indulging this sort of damaging nonsense.

'While Rishi's recession bites across Britain, its clear that the biggest danger to family finances is the Conservative Party. Only Labour has a plan to bring security back to family finances.'
The Elizabeth Tower has been dragged into a controversy after a 'genocide' slogan was projected on the iconic tower - but it is not the first time it has been lit up.

The clock tower was previously lit up for the King's Coronation, Remembrance Day and Gail Porter's naked body was even projected on the House of Parliament next door.

While the latest incident has led to a debate on whether protesters should be banned from outside Parliament, the other projections also led to headlines.

Back in 1991, Gail Porter's naked body was projected on the Houses of Parliament for the whole of Central London to see as part of a promotion for FHM's 'sexist woman'.

The TV personality, 53, previously revealed she did not give her consent for the stunt and that she wasn't even paid for it at the time when she was 28.

The phrase 'from the rover to the sea', which is seen as anti-Semitic, was projected onto the Elizabeth Tower

PM Rishi Sunak this morning said it was 'unacceptable' for intimidation to threaten democracy

Back in 1991, Gail Porter's naked body was projected on the Houses of Parliament

She told The Daily Star: 'I never got paid for anything that I did - I never got paid for FHM, GQ, or a lot of the magazines that I did.

'Some of the others may have got paid, but I never did and I was quite vulnerable at the time.

'They were saying "This is going to be great for your career, it will be great fun, and think of the pics you can give your kids when you're older.'"

Gail recreated recreated the House Of Parliament look on her own terms when she was 39 but has said she will never do it again.

To mark the start of 'Movember' in 2012, the country's most recognizable tower was given a blue mustache.

The Olympics symbols was also projected on the House of Commons in the same year to mark the beginning of the London Olympic Games.

In 2016, the PG Tips' monkey was projected onto the tower as part of a publicity stunt as celebrations took place to bring in the new Chinese year, which happened to be the year of the monkey.

Kate Hearn, senior brand manager for PG tips at Unilever UK, said at the time: "By tapping into the cultural event of Chinese New Year, and celebrating 2016 being the year of the monkey, PG tips was presented with the perfect opportunity to kick off celebrations in the capital and raise brand awareness.

In 2016, the PG Tips' monkey was projected onto the tower as part of a publicity stunt

A projection of falling poppies lights up Big Ben to commemorate one hundred years since the outbreak of World War One on Sunday, 9 November 2014

The Olympic Rings being projected on the Houses of the Parliaments during the Olympics opening ceremony in 2012

More recently, the iconic tower nicknamed Big Ben was lit up with several messages as part of the coronation of King Charles.

At one point images of the national plants of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock - were projected on to the 160-year-old building.

It also swept from blue to red, while the letters and images are picked out in white - the colours of the Union Jack.

Another frame showed the words of the national anthem wrapped around the tower, while a third reveals the flowers surrounding the words 'Happy and Glorious'.

A further image shows the touching phrase: 'Long may he reign.'

The projection culminates with the Coronation emblem, designed by Sir Jony Ive, a British product designer and chancellor of the Royal College of Art.

The clock faces of the tower were lit up blue as part of a Unicef promotion in 2015

A Palestinian flag flaps in the air by a message reading "Stop bombs" projected on The Elizabeth Tower last month

The projections snaked on to the Elizabeth Tower, with the flowers and plants blooming on the side of the historic landmark - a mark of the King's love of nature and the environment.

In 2015, the clock faces on the tower were lit up blue to mark a Unicef resolution for children.

In November 2014 as part of Remembrance Sunday, a projection of falling poppies lights up Big Ben to commemorate one hundred years since the outbreak of World War One.

The bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, which is where the nickname comes from, rings out 11 times on the 11am every Remembrance Sunday.

However, the tradition was disturbed from 2017 to 2021 because of major repairs to the clock tower and the bell mechanism within it. It returned to duty on Remembrance Sunday in 2022.
An Azerbaijani attack against Armenia is highly likely, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has warned.

February 23, 2024, 09:45 New Azerbaijani attack on Armenia highly likely, Pashinyan warns

FEBRUARY 23, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: Upon analyzing the statements coming out of official Baku, we conclude that indeed an attack on Armenia is highly likely, Pashinyan said in an interview with France 24. Why? Because, for example, Baku very often makes statements about the so-called Western Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is basically calling the entire Republic of Armenia Western Azerbaijan, calling the territories of the Republic of Armenia as Azerbaijani ones. On the diplomatic level Azerbaijan is assuring that it doesnt have intentions to attack, but where do these opinions on the likelihood of an attack come from? First of all, upon expressing the publicly agreed principles in the text of the peace treaty we see some difficulties caused by Azerbaijan. Secondly, it is the public narrative voiced on the highest level, which, in short, is reflected in calling the Republic of Armenia as Western Azerbaijan. Third, the aggressiveness on the border. For example, the latest incident, when we had four deaths, this incident wasnt anyhow justified. They stated that one of their soldiers was wounded, and we stated that we would investigate, because theres an order not to carry out any unjustified actions, and if it turns out that there is a violation of that order there would be consequences envisaged by law. Despite these statements, Azerbaijan took advantage of that occasion in order to display aggression. It is the combination of these facts that leads many Armenian and international experts to conclude that Azerbaijan is planning a new attack on Armenia.
ISIS bride Shamima Begum married her Dutch jihadi husband Yago Riedjik just 10 days after she arrived in Syria to join the Islamist terror group.

Extremist Riedijk was a 21-year-old ISIS fighter when he wed the 15-year-old Londoner in Raqqa, Syria, after they had spent 10 minutes speaking to 'see if we clicked'.

Run away Begum, 24, had her British citizenship revoked on national security grounds shortly after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019. And today, she lost a Court of Appeal battle to try and reinstate it.

Riedijk and Begum had three children together during her time in the country, two of whom died of disease or malnutrition, and a third born after her capture by Western-backed forces, died of pneumonia.

The Dutch convert, who is now behind bars in Syria, said that before the ceremony Begum gave him a list of 'weird' questions and requests, including being able to visit friends. He even described her as 'clueless' in an interview from behind bars.

Yago Riedijk (left) is currently behind bars in Syria after being captured by Kurdish forces fighting for ISIS

Riedijk was a 21-year-old ISIS fighter when he wed the 15-year-old Londoner in Raqqa after they had spent 10 minutes speaking to 'see if we clicked'

Before their wedding, Begum (pictured) gave Riedijk a list of 'weird' questions and requests, including being able to visit friends, he has revealed in an interview from his Syrian jail

He had fled his comfortable middle-class home to become part of ISIS, and joined the terror group as it murdered and pillaged their way through Syria - earning a six year prison term in his native Netherlands.

But Riedijik appeared to care little that jail sentence. Arriving in Syria, he sent his family photographs posing with a fake rifle and in military gear, while also asking for cash and boasting about marrying a 15-year-old British girl.

In a disturbing interview for BBC documentary The Shamima Begum Story, dead-eyed Reidijk spoke from his prison cell of how he took the schoolgirl to the park for ice cream after they were married by an ISIS judge.

He said that at first she was 'clueless' about how to be a wife but then 'learned how married life worked' and the importance of 'respect, pleasing her husband and obedience'.

However, Riedijk made no comment when asked about the age gap.

'Basically, I was looking for marriage and a friend of mine came to me and said there's a sister looking for marriage, are you interested? I took him up on his offer,' he said, speaking to Alan Duncan.

Dutch ISIS fighter Yago Riedijk (left), husband of Shamima Begum. Riedijk had previously bragged about marrying Shamima

Challenged by broadcaster Joshua Baker about the fact that Begum was only 15, the terrorist replied: 'She was underage, yeah'

The former fighter described how he sat down with Begum: 'We had a talk, we agreed on the conditions of marriage.'

The conditions were 'not really something big or anything important, it was small things like going out shopping, things like this,' he said.

'Basically she asked for some freedoms, which I agreed to give her - going shopping, seeing her friends, very, very basic stuff. We agreed on a dowry - all she asked for was an English translation of the Koran, which I agreed to.'

When he married Begum, he was 'in recovery and doing physiotherapy,' Riedijk added.

But his decision to flee the Netherlands was a far cry from earlier photos of him sitting on the bike with a child in front of him outside his parents home in the Dutch city of Arnhem. In others, his mother lovingly drapes her arm over his shoulder.

Londoner Begum was 15 when she ran away with Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15 (they were all pictured at Gatwick airport in 2015)

Ms Begum has been battling to come back to Britain since 2019 after she was discovered in a Syrian refugee camp

READ MORE: Shamima Begum LOSES her battle for British citizenship: Appeal judges rule against Jihadi bride who argued she was a victim of trafficking when she fled UK to join ISIS aged 15 Advertisement

A Dutch court heard Riedijks father Lex, a railway engineer, had reported him missing in October 2014 when he failed to get in touch with him for two weeks.

Police found radical jihadi materials in a flat he was renting in Rotterdam. He had told the landlord he would be leaving at the end of the month before vanishing.

He is thought to have travelled to Turkey, and then on to Syria.

Begum said he was injured fighting in Kobani before they married, 10 days after she arrived in Raqqa from London, when she asked to be matched with an English speaking fighter. They tied the knot in a park the saw from an ISIS propaganda video.

He was later imprisoned and tortured for six months, accused by the paranoid regime of being a spy.

Riedijk was eventually released but no longer classified as a fighter.

Instead, the couple continued to live together in Raqqa, enjoying what Shamima described as a normal life with bombing and stuff every now and then. It was all a long way from his upbringing in Arnhem. The city has been described by some as a the jihadi capital of The Netherlands.

Riedijk grew up in De Laar, four miles from the centre. His estate was built in the Sixties for couples with young families and his parents, Ankie and Lex, have lived in the same house for more than 40 years.

His father is an engineer at the local railway, while his sister studied physics at a nearby university.

The park where Riedijk took Begum after their marriage. Begum said the park was the same one she saw in an ISIS propaganda video

Riedijk had fought in the bloody battle for Kobane at the end of 2014, against the Kurdish forces who now hold him, and was injured during the fighting

Interviewed by Good Morning Britain in 2021, the former jihadi bride begged for forgiveness and insisted she was a victim - not a terrorist or a criminal

The family are not believed to be religious, and it is understood Riedijk converted to Islam in his late teens.

It is not known how he was radicalised, but a number of young men in Arnhem are said to have been converted by radical Dutch preacher Abdul-Jabbar Van de Ven, who is now thought to be living in Manchester.

In 2018, police infiltrated an IS terror cell made up of men from Arnhem who were planning a Paris-style attack. It was reported that Riedijk was in regular contact with the gang, who were plotting to target a rock festival in the city.

The men had been training for jihad at a holiday camp and planned to walk among revellers using grenades and AK-47 assault rifles to kill them before detonating a car bomb.

But two undercover police officers had infiltrated their ranks and supplied them with dummy weapons. The men were arrested before they had chance to attack.

In 2017, Dutch prosecutors had called for seven suspected jihadists  including Riedijk  to return home to be tried. The subsequent trial, held in their absence, heard investigators found he had withdrawn cash from his bank account in the Turkish border town of Gaziantep.

He eventually made contact with his family, telling them he had joined the caliphate. He told a cousin he had married a 15-year-old British girl and was working as the right-hand man to a high-ranking member of IS.

The court heard that police found photographs on his fathers computer that showed him posing with a replica AK-47. He also sent his father photos of himself in a military outfit and asked his family to send him money.

The prosecutor tried to contact him ahead of his trial, sending messages on Facebook and WhatsApp but the court was satisfied he had joined the group and did not want to return.
The legal firm representing Shamima Begum boasts Moors murderer Ian Brady as a former client and has a 'trailblazing' history of paving the way for the abolition of the death penalty in Britain.

Earlier today, Ms Begum lost her challenge over the removal of her British citizenship at the Court of Appeal.

The ISIS bride travelled to Syria to join the terror group in 2015 aged 15 and her citizenship was revoked on national security grounds shortly after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019.

Legal firm Birnberg Peirce, who are representing Ms Begum, brought a bid to overturn that decision at the Court of Appeal, with the Home Office opposing the challenge.

However, this morning both the firm's lawyers - Gareth Peirce, a senior partner, and Daniel Furner - stood outside The Royal Courts of Justice after three judges dismissed the bid.

Shamima Begum's lawyers Gareth Peirce (right) and Daniel Furner (left) stand outside The Royal Courts of Justice after their client lost her challenge over the removal of her British citizenship

The ISIS bride travelled to Syria to join the terror group in 2015 aged 15 and her citizenship was revoked on national security grounds

Ms Peirce, who represented the Guildford Four in 1975 and the Birmingham Six, has previously slammed this country's treatment of Muslim suspects accused of terrorism

Mr Furner promised Ms Begum and the government 'we are not going to stop fighting until she is safe and back home'.

The solicitors pursuing her case are being funded by legal aid as Ms Begum has no resources of her own to pay for legal assistance and representation.

It comes after five years of legal turmoil for Ms Begum, who has seen two separate lawyers quit.

In 2019, Tasnime Akunjee - who once led a defamation case against Tommy Robinson - represented Ms Begum when she was stripped of her British citizenship and barred from returning to the UK on national security grounds.

Earlier this year, it was revealed he was standing as an independent MP in Bethnal Green and the Stepney constituency in Tower Hamlets.

In November last year, Ms Begum's barrister Angus McCullough also resigned over the 'unfairness' of secret hearings and 'being aggravated by sustained neglect of the special advocate system'.

The Birnberg Peirce firm currently representing the ISIS bride boast a special history, one which includes paving the way for the abolition of the death penalty in Britain.

After Derek Bentley was hanged in 1953 for the murder of a policeman, his family attempted to obtain a posthumous pardon for his wrongful execution and they approached south London solicitor Benedict Birnberg for help.

It set in motion a 30-year-long legal campaign that raised questions about the miscarriage of justice and helped eradicate the death penalty.

Tasnime Akunjee, who represented Ms Begum when she was stripped of her British citizenship, recently announced he is standing as an east London MP

Angus McCullough KC accused ministers of 'neglecting' the process and quit as Ms Begum's barrister in November last year before secret anti-terror hearings

Benedict Birnberg (pictured) paved the way for the abolition of the death penalty and has previously represented Moors murdered Ian Brady

Birnberg, who has died aged 93, was determined to fight for civil rights cases and helped set a number of precedents.

One of his cases Sweet v Parsley (1970) established that a landlady could not be guilty of a drugs offence if she had no knowledge of her property being used to smoke cannabis.

Another case of his Brutus v Cozens (1972) showed that an anti-apartheid activists protest was not insulting behaviour.

Brinberg also campaigned in Israel, supporting the independent Palestinian state.

And after being introduced by friend Lord Frank Longford, Moors murdered Ian Brady became one of his clients.

The firm's current senior partner - Gareth Peirce - began her career by working as a journalist in the United States following the campaign of Martin Luther King in the 1960s.

In 1974 she joined the firm Benedict Birnberg as a trainee and went on to become a senior partner following Birnberg's retirement in 1999.

Ms Begum has been battling to come back to Britain since 2019 after she was discovered in a Syrian refugee camp

Ms Begum has claimed to be a victim of human trafficking when she left the UK to join ISIS in Syria

The Londoner was 15 when she ran away with Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15 (they were all pictured at Gatwick airport in 2015)

Interviewed by Good Morning Britain in 2021, the former jihadi bride begged for forgiveness and insisted she was a victim - not a terrorist or a criminal

During her career she represented Judith Ward, who had been wrongfully convicted in 1974 of several IRA-related bombings, the Guildford Four and the Birmingham Six.

Other clients included several mineworkers after the Battle of Orgreave, the family of Jean Charles de Menezes and Moazzam Begg, a man held in extrajudicial detention by the American government.

Discussing Muslim suspects accused of terrorism, Ms Peirce said in 2004: 'We have lost our way in this country. We have entered a new dark age of injustice and it is frightening that we are overwhelmed by it.

'I know I am representing innocent people; innocent people who know that a jury they face will inevitably be predisposed to find them guilty.'

The 83-year-old was also appointed as a solicitor in WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's case against the Swedish Prosecution Authority.
ISIS bride Shamima Begum today lost her battle for British citizenship but it has been warned there could be around 20 other jihadi brides in Syrian refugee camps looking to return to the UK.

Ms Begum, who travelled to Syria as a 15-year-old in 2015, has been fighting to regain her citizenship since she it was revoked on national security grounds when she was found in al-Roj refugee camp in 2019.

While the 24-year-old's legal battle to return to the UK has been the most high profile, it was revealed just months ago that there could be 'dozens' more British ISIS brides like her in camps in the Middle East.

UK charities looking to repatriate the women said this also includes around 40 children.

There could be around 20 other jihadi brides in Syrian refugee camps looking to return to the UK (File Photo)

UK charities looking to repatriate the women said this also includes around 40 children (File Photo)

Shamima Begum, who travelled to Syria as a 15-year-old in 2015, has been fighting to regain her citizenship since she it was revoked on national security grounds

Since the new details emerged, testimony of some of the jihadi brides detained with Begum at the al-Roj camp has been revealed in WhatsApp messages seen by The Guardian.

In one message, sent last September, a British mother in her 20s says she feels that UK authorities have ignored her.

'I'm going to die here if they don't get me out soon,' the message sent to UK family members said. 'I really, really want to go back and be with you guys. I really need hospital care.'

Others, sent by a small number of British mothers to the UK throughout last year, depict abysmal conditions within the camp, which holds about 3,000 people, 65 per cent of whom are children.

Ministers have been under growing pressure to accept the returning brides with former Home Secretary Suella Braverman leading opposition to the move in the weeks before she was sacked.

Ms Braverman is understood to have objected to pressure from the Foreign Office  then headed by her successor as Home Secretary, James Cleverly  on the grounds that the women would present a security risk if they were allowed to come back.

A source said: 'We think there could be dozens of these women, and each one would need to be monitored 24/7 by a team of specialist police officers, which would be a massive drain on resources.'

However, while security sources admit the potential return of jihadi brides is a 'live issue', they dispute that it involves a significant number of potential returnees.

Diplomatic sources say that Washington has been pressing the British to repatriate UK citizens who are languishing either in Kurdish prisons or in refugee camps in northern Syria.

Ministers have been under growing pressure to accept the returning brides (File Picture)

Camp Roj is one of several camps that has been holding families of individuals with alleged links to ISIL for the past five years, according to the UN (File Photo)

The WhatsApp messages describe children ravaged by hunger, premature deaths from treatable diseases, and harmful fumes from oilfields aggravating those with asthma, as well as lung inflammations and suspected deaths (File Photo)

After Islamic State was uprooted in Syria by Kurdish forces with American support in 2019, male fighters  including British men  were sent to prisons in the north of the country.

But women and children were detained in two refugee camps called Roj and Al-Hol, also in northern Syria.

READ MORE: Dozens of jihadi brides like Shamima Begum could return to the UK as America piles pressure on ministers to accept them back into Britain

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Camp Roj is one of several camps that has been holding families of individuals with alleged links to ISIL for the past five years, according to the UN.

Most European countries, including Spain and France, have also repatriated their citizens so that they can be met with justice.

They have expressed worries about the squalid conditions and that not returning them hinders worldwide attempts to eradicate terrorism.

The British government has taken citizenship away from most of the women.

Last year, Ms Begum lost a challenge against the decision at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), which said the removal of her citizenship was lawful.

An estimated 60 Britons are based in the camp, including Shamima Begum, who departed from London as a teenager in 2015 to join Islamic State (File Photo)

Ms Begum's lawyers then brought a bid to overturn that decision at the Court of Appeal which the Home Office opposed.

In a ruling this morning, three judges dismissed Ms Begum's appeal.

Giving the ruling, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said: 'It could be argued the decision in Ms Begum's case was harsh.

'It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune. But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view.'
Downing Street today slapped down Home Office minister Laura Farris after she said she wants to see Russian President Vladimir Putin removed from power.

In an appearance on the BBC's Question Time last night, the Newbury MP suggested Britain, NATO allies and Ukraine could topple the Kremlin leader.

She also insisted Western sanctions were harming Mr Putin's regime when challenged over strong Russian economic growth.

Ms Farris's claims about ousting Mr Putin put her odds with Downing Street, which has repeatedly insisted removing the Russian leader is not one of Britain's aims.

A Number 10 spokeswoman said this morning: 'As we've said before, Russia's future should be for the Russian people to decide.'

In an appearance on the BBC 's Question Time last night, Home Office minister Laura Farris suggested Britain, NATO allies and Ukraine could topple Vladimir Putin

Her remarks came as she was quizzed about the effectiveness of Western sanctions on Russia by Question Time host Fiona Bruce

Ms Farris's claims about ousting Mr Putin put her odds with Downing Street, which has repeatedly insisted removing the Russian leader is not one of Britain's aims

Ms Farris had stressed that a Ukrainian victory over Russia was the 'only way, ultimately, that we can remove him from power'.

Her remarks came as she was quizzed about the effectiveness of sanctions on Russia by Question Time host Fiona Bruce.

'The tools we have involve sanctions but also freezing them out of our domestic markets, which we've done as much as possible and we've sent people out the UK,' Ms Farris said.

When it was put to her the Russian economy is 'going gangbusters', she added: 'It's also the case the Ukraine war is costing Putin heavily.

'It's costing him money, it's costing him political capital, it's costing him the support of Russian citizens.

'We alone can't determine his future but, collectively, with NATO, with the support of our allies, maintaining support for Ukraine - ultimately seeing them triumph - is the only way, ultimately, that we can remove him from power.'

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last month upgraded its growth forecasts for the Russian economy, with GDP forecast to rise 2.6 per cent this year.

This was more than double the pace the IMF predicted as recently as October, but slightly slower than the 3 per cent expansion estimated for 2023.

Tomorrow marks the two-year anniversary of the launch of Mr Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier during her appearance on BBC Question Time, Ms Farris said the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was a 'sign of cowardice' by the Kremlin.

'If this shows us anything, it shows us why it is important to maintain the support we are giving to Ukraine, because we cannot indulge Putin's sort of alternative reality,' she said.

'I mean, it is absolutely shocking that in 2024 a world leader can kill their number one opponent and know they won't suffer any consequences.

'It's also a sign of cowardice, actually, because if you can't take on your main political opponent, that shows you're inherently weak.'
A Dutch couple have bough their dream holiday village in Spain for just 290,000 and are planning to transform it into an 'ecovillage.'

The couple bought the land that the abandoned village of Barcena de Bureba, roughly 120 miles north of Madrid, sits on for just 339,000.

The sale covered the 64 abandoned buildings of the village, which has been left alone for the last 50 years.

The couple bought the whole village from estate agents Aldeas Abandonadas, after negotiating the sale price down from 525,000, a reduction of nearly 40%.

According to the estate agents' listing on its website, the village's church, bell tower and presbytery are still standing.

The couple bought the land that the abandoned village of Barcena de Bureba, roughly 120 miles north of Madrid

The sale covered the 64 abandoned buildings of the village, which has been left alone for the last 50 years

The couple bought the whole village from estate agents Aldeas Abandonadas, after negotiating the sale price down from 525,000, a reduction of nearly 40%

According to the estate agents' listing on its website, the village's church, bell tower and presbytery are still standing

Elvira Fafian, a spokesperson for the estate agents, said she was surprised at the speed at which the sale went through.

'They contacted us because they were looking for something big like this, with lots of houses and land, away from the big cities,' she told the Times.

'It didn't take them long to go and see it. They went straight to Barcena and it suited them and they snapped it up.'

She also told the Times that the couple have a long-term plan of transforming the village into a green and sustainably run hub.

They are at the start of a 'very creative project for the recovery of the village, with the renovation of the houses for both residential and tourist uses, as well as setting up organic farming.'

But Fafian admitted that the couple have a steep hill to climb if they want their new ecovillage to succeed.

'It is true that the village is in ruins but they can start recovering it, as they say  a house first and then, as they can afford it, try to recover the whole.'
The US will also impose new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing support to Russia

Vladimir Putin will pay 'an even steeper price' for his war in Ukraine and the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a grisly Arctic penal colony last week, President Biden declared today as he slapped Russia with 500 new sanctions.

'These sanctions will target individuals connected to Navalny's imprisonment as well as Russia's financial sector, defense industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents,' Biden said in a bold statement on Friday.

The new restrictions were described as 'crushing' by a high-level State Department official on Thursday, who also claimed they would target officials 'directly involved in Navalny's death'. Moscow still denies involvement in the shock death last Friday.

The US will also impose new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing support to Russia and take action to further reduce Russia's energy revenues, Biden said in a statement.

'They will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home,' the President said of the sanctions.

The announcement follows Biden's emotional meeting with Alexei Navalny's widow and daughter yesterday in California, following the shock death of the anti-corruption campaigner on February 16.

Joe Biden meets with Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexei Navalny, who died last week in a Russian prison, and daughter Dasha Navalnaya in San Francisco, California on Thursday

Biden hugs Navalny's widow Yulia in San Francisco on Thursday

The new economic effort comes as Russia makes its first gains in months on the battlefield in Ukraine, which has been forced to ration ammunition as a political impasse in Washington blocks new US military aid.

The latest sanctions will notably target the Mir credit card system, set up by Russia to avoid reliance on US-based networks.

The Treasury Department also said it was targeting investment funds and regional banks to hit 'Russia's core financial infrastructure'.

Other notable businesses include Russian transportation logistics company JSC SUEK, said to serve the Russian defense ministry, and specialty steel producer Mechel.

There are also some in 3D printing, lubricants, as well as robotics and automation.

Biden added on Friday that he will be speaking soon about Russia with other G7 leaders, as well as the heads of the European Union and NATO.

Russia called the new US sanctions 'cynical' interference ahead of the Presidential election in March.

Biden was expected to speak on Saturday in a video conference with G7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after imposing the sanctions.

The announcement comes after Biden spoke privately with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya in a suite at the Fairmont hotel in San Francisco on Thursday.

White House officials said he shared his condolences for the death of Putin's top critic and opposition leader in a Siberian penal colony last week.

Biden hugged Yulia and promised that her late husband's legacy would live on as Moscow ramped up its threats of nuclear attacks on the West.

The meeting came hours after Biden publicly called Putin a 'crazy S.O.B.' in the wake of Navalny's death at the age of 47.

After the meeting Biden spoke briefly in the garage of the hotel before he stepped into his vehicle.

The President said: 'He (Navalny) was a man of incredible courage. It's amazing how his wife and daughter are emulating that.

'We'll be announcing the sanctions against Putin, who is responsible for his death, tomorrow.

'One thing Yulia made clear to me is that she's going to continue to fight. We're not letting up.'

Biden also wrote on X: 'Today, I met with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya  Aleksei Navalny's loved ones  to express my condolences for their devastating loss.

'Aleksei's legacy of courage will live on in Yulia and Dasha and the countless people across Russia fighting for democracy and human rights.'

They met as Navalny's mother Lyudmila Navalnaya revealed she had been taken to a secret morgue to see her son's body.

She demanded that Kremlin officials give back 'my son's body immediately' after investigators tried 'blackmailing' her into holding a 'secret' burial.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday that the new package would be unveiled on Friday. He declined to detail the sanctions or say how they would expand on the stringent sanctions that the US and its allies have already put on Russia in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine.

'Whatever story the Russian government decides to tell the world, it's clear that President Putin and his government are responsible for Mr. Navalny's death,' Kirby said. 'In response and at President Biden's direction, we will be announcing a major sanctions package on Friday of this week to hold Russia accountable.'

The new sanctions will fall on the two-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of the Ukraine.

Navalny died in prison last Friday. His death, a month before Russia's Presidential election, caused anger around the world

Navalny and his wife Yulia after a rally in rain-soaked Moscow, Russia, on September 6, 2013

Navalny and his wife Yulia, posing for a photo in a hospital in Berlin, Germany. Navalny posted the picture on September 15, 2020, with the caption: 'Hi, this is Navalny. I have been missing you. I still can't do much, but yesterday I managed to breathe on my own for the entire day'

Navalny's death, a month before Russia's Presidential election, caused anger around the world.

Russian authorities said that the cause of his death 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.

Kirby said the US had not determined how Navalny had died, but insisted that the ultimate responsibility for the death of the Russian opposition leader lies with Putin.

'Regardless of the scientific answer, Putin's responsible for it,' he said.

Navalny's widow 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.

With her voice cracking at times in a video posted on social media, Navalnaya accused 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.

Navalny's death has deprived the Russian opposition of is 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 Putin's unrelenting crackdown on the opposition.

He 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.

Navalny received three prison terms since his arrest, on a number of charges he has rejected as politically motivated.

'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 Putin's Novichok to disappear,' Navalnaya said, suggesting that he had been poisoned.

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, gives a video message calling on Russian citizens to join her in the fight against Putin, on February 19

Russian authorities said that the cause of Navalny's death 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

Meanwhile, Kirby also echoed the repeated calls from the White House for Congress to pass additional funding for aid to the Ukraine.

'One of the most powerful things that we can do right now to stand up to Vladimir Putin, of course, is to again pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill and support Ukraine as they continue to fight,' he said on Tuesday.

The Senate passed a $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine, but House Speaker Mike Johnson is stalling action on that side of the Capitol.

Ukraine has suffered significant setbacks to Russian forces on the battlefield, which US officials have attributed to the lack of supplies for Ukrainian forces.

'We need the supplemental funding. We absolutely have to have the supplemental funding to be able to continue to support Ukraine,' Kirby said.

Zelensky said delays in military aid have made life 'very difficult' for his soldiers.

'The situation is extremely difficult in several parts of the front line, where Russian troops have amassed maximum reserves,' he said Monday in a nightly address.

Russians 'are taking advantage of the delays in aid to Ukraine,' he added.

Johnson has insisted he must first sit down with President Biden to discuss attaching border security to the deal. The House is currently on recess and does not return until the middle of next week.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said his message to Johnson was to 'step up' and hold the vote. He gave a closed door briefing to lawmakers on Capitol Hill last week about the situation in the Ukraine.

'At this point we've got to match the basic words of support for our allies and partners with the action of putting this up for a vote. That's the speaker's obligation. That's what he has to do. And he can't shirk from that or hide from that. He's got to step up and do it,' Sullivan said on Tuesday in a briefing with reporters.

'There is no magic solution to this absence of Congress ought appropriating funding. It's not like we have a piggy bank where we just keep cash lying around that we can provide to Ukraine.

'We need the Congress to discharge its constitutional obligation to appropriate and obligate funds that the President can then put to use to send American made weapons made by American workers and American states to Ukraine.'

And Kirby indicated lawmakers should come back to Washington to pass the aid package.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan arrives for a briefing at the US Capitol on February 14

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets President Joe Biden during the US - Russia Summit 2021 at the La Grange Villa, near Lake Geneva, on June 16, 2021

'Whatever story the Russian government decides to tell the world, it's clear that President Putin and his government are responsible for Mr. Navalny's death,' White House spokesman John Kirby said. 'In response and at President Biden's direction, we will be announcing a major sanctions package on Friday of this week to hold Russia accountable'

'As we've said, he had sat down and discussed this with Speaker Johnson and other congressional leaders, including at the White House, several weeks ago the importance of this supplemental funding,' he said. 'The Speaker got exactly what he wanted and then decided that he didn't want it.'

'We're at a critical time. And I believe that the President's comments and willingness to have another conversation with the Speaker reflect the sense of urgency that we all know and believe we're in and, frankly, we believe Congress should believe we're in, instead of being on vacation,' he added.

Some aid is on its way to Ukraine from other allies.

The European Union also announced today that it is imposing sanctions on several foreign companies over allegations that they have exported dual-use goods to Russia that could be used in its war against Ukraine.

The 27-nation bloc said that it was targeting scores of Russian officials, including 'members of the judiciary, local politicians and people responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children'.

Earlier this month, the EU approved some $54 billion for Ukraine. Sweden on Tuesday announced its largest aid package yet and Canada said it was expediting the delivery of more than 800 drones.

Biden, meanwhile, tore into House Republicans for leaving town for nearly two weeks without approving aid.

'It's about time they step up  don't you think?  instead of going on a two-week vacation,' Biden said last Friday. 'Two weeks they're walking away. Two weeks. What are they thinking? My God, this is bizarre.'
Rishi Sunak lashed out at Labour's 20mph road speed limits in Wales today, telling the Welsh Conservatives Conference there was 'enormous anger' at the disruptive scheme.

On a visit to Llandudno he lashed out at the change brought in last year to reduce speeds in residential areas, dropping into Welsh to say that the public said 'dim diolch' - no thank you.

The change has proved highly controversial, with business leaders and politicians saying it was having a devastating impact on the economy.

And this week end the two Labour rivals hoping to replace Mark Drakeford as First Minister said they would review it if they took power, amid concerns that it had been mishandled.

In a blast at UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's support for the speed limit, he told the hall: 'I can see why someone who likes making U-turns as much as he does, and has absolutely no plan for where he wants to take the UK, finds the idea of making everyone drive at 20mph and banning all new road building very appealing.

'But the rest of us say 'dim diolch'.

'All they have succeeded in doing is slowing Wales down by 4mph. And the cost of this to the Welsh economy? 4billion, a billion pounds per mile (per hour).'

No10 later confirmed Mr Sunak travelled to North Wales by plane.

On a visit to Llandudno he lashed out at the change brought in last year to reduce speeds in residential areas, dropping into Welsh to say that the public said 'dim diolch' - no thank you.

In a blast at UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer 's support for the speed limit, he told the hall: 'I can see why someone who likes making U-turns as much as he does, and has absolutely no plan for where he wants to take the UK, finds the idea of making everyone drive at 20mph and banning all new road building very appealing.'

A Labour spokesman said: 'Rishi Sunak doesn't have a clue what roads in Wales are like, as he decided to get there by plane. Perhaps because of his government's failure to connect Wales to the rest of the UK by road or rail.'

The Labour scheme began in September, where most residential roads across Wales had their speed limits changed from 30mph to 20mph.

The Welsh Government say the move was made in order to 'save lives' and make streets safer by reducing the number of collisions and severe injuries from them.

The Labour-run devolved government also wants to encourage more people to walk and cycle, improve health and well-being, and 'safeguard the environment for future generations'.

But it has fed into a wider row between the party and residents of rural areas. Mr Drakeford has been accused of harbouring 'long-standing disrespect towards rural Wales' amid a deepening row between the Labour First Minister and farmers.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) leader in Wales accused him of governing for 'just the industrial and urban parts' of the country after he clashed with agriculturists over subsidies.

Wales has been struck by a series of protests by farmers over Labour's plans for a replacement for EU subsidy schemes, which involve them planting trees on 10 per cent of their land in exchange for handouts.

On Tuesday he suggested farmers were responsible for their own problems, because many of them voted in favour of Brexit, which meant they lost access to EU payments.

The Labour politician then appeared to say hundreds who turned up at a visit to a college in north Wales on Wednesday had 'nothing better to do', in footage published by the local newspaper.

The CLA Welsh director, Victoria Bond said: 'This is not Brexit's fault. It's Mark Drakeford's fault. His comments are deeply disrespectful and typify his long-standing disrespect towards rural Wales.'
This is the moment smiling Scarlet Blake relishes putting a cat in a blender before carrying out a twisted murder in a chilling echo of a Netflix true crime documentary.

Blake, 26, live-streamed the killing and dissection of a cat four months before she targeted Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, as he walked home from a night out in Oxford in July 2021.

Harrowing audio released by police revealed how Blake, who is a transgender woman, said 'one day I want to learn how to do this to a person' after killing the cat.

She had admitted dissecting the animal, removing the fur and skin and placing it in a blender but blames her former partner Ashlynn Bell.

Blake had an 'extreme interest in death and in harm' and killed the family pet after watching a Netflix documentary called Don't F*** With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer, the court had heard previously.

The true crime show tells the story of how Luka Magnotta, who killed kittens before murdering student Jun Lin, was brought to justice.

Before stabbing Jun Lin to death with a screwdriver, Magnotta films himself putting two kittens in a translucent plastic storage bag, switching on a vacuum cleaner and sucking out all the air until they died.

After posting the footage on the internet as a sick boast, Magnotta catches the attention of internet sleuths who launch a crowd-sourced amateur investigation to find the animal torturer.

Prosecutors say that Blake's cat killing was relevant to the murder trial as it shows she had a 'disturbing interest in what it would be like to harm a living creature'.

A sick picture captures transgender killer Scarlet Blake relishing the moment she puts a cat in a blender

Netflix true crime documentary Don't F*** with Cats tells the story of how Luka Magnotta (left), who killed kittens before murdering a student, was brought to justice. Blake (right) live-streamed killing a cat and putting it in a blender four months before the killing

In the show, Magnotta films himself putting two kittens in a translucent plastic storage bag, switched on a vacuum cleaner and sucked out all the air. He continued filming as the creatures suffered

Student Jun Lin (left) was attacked by Luka Magnotta with a screwdriver in Montreal, Canada in May 2012. BMW worker Mr Carreno (right) had been on a night out when he was approached by Blake

The court previously heard Blake had an 'extreme interest in death and in harm' and killed the family pet after watching a Netflix documentary called Don't F*** With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer

Prosecutors said Blake had deliberately set out to kill after previously revelling in the slaughter and dissection of a neighbour's cat.

While her death obsessed partner Bell watched from her home in the US, Blake live streamed cutting up the cat while it was still alive.

A vet determined it would have been in extreme pain until its heart was ripped out.

Police would later find the heart in a trinket box that Blake kept as a souvenir.

It was only after Blake's arrest in August 2023 they discovered the cat killing video and her fetish for strangulation and they launched Operation Ingmar.

The trial previously heard how detectives investigating the murder watched the Netflix documentary 'Don't F*** with Cats as part of their investigation - because their suspect had also tortured and killed a cat.

The global hit documentary series follows the crimes of Luka Magnotta - who started out by torturing and killing animals before graduating to a human victim.

Prosecutors told Oxford Crown Court Blake 'copied' the actions of Magnotta who published a series of videos suffocating kittens on the internet before going on to kill a computer technician.

The jury have been told that, like Magnotta, Blake started with an animal victim, some four months before strangling and pushing Mr Carreno into a river.

Blake claimed Bell (pictured) had been manipulating her and she had been terrified for her safety unless she complied

Police believe Blake would have got away with the sadistic murder had she not later had a bitter falling out with Bell

Scarlet Blake being led to court for the start of her trial earlier this month

Prosecutors say Blake had a fetish for strangulation and was obsessed with violence and death. Jurors were previously shown a collage of nine female killers that was saved by Blake

An image entitled 'First date with me' which showed pictures of duct tape, a knife, rope and a handgun had also been downloaded to the 25-year-old's phone, the court has previously been told

Despite being the tipping point in the case by identifying the murder - potentially crucial witness Bell - who herself was obsessed with guns and death - told police that she was too mentally damaged to give evidence in court

While live streaming the gruesome event to a former partner in America she played the New Order song 'True Faith', the jury heard - echoing Magnotta, who had played the same song in his videos.

The court has heard Blake and her former partner Ashlynn Bell had discussed the true crime Netflix series while the stolen cat was killed.

Detective Sergeant James Macaro told the court on the seventh day of the murder trial that as part of the police investigation he had watched the three episodes in the Netflix series.

The series reveals how cat lovers were so sickened by the death of the kittens they turned internet sleuths to help track down Magnotta, who is now serving a life sentence in Canada for the murder of Jun Lin in 2012 .

The video of Blake killing a cat called Starlet has not been shown to the jury as it is too distressing.

But they have heard audio from the four hour live-streamed event during which she and Bell discuss the documentary series.

Bell is heard to say that Magnotta was caught quickly because he was 'full of himself'.
A Channel 10 newsreader has fought back tears while reporting on the alleged murders of a former network presenter and his boyfriend.

Police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon, 28, allegedly shot Jesse Baird, 26, and his partner Luke Davies, 29, with his police-issue Glock pistol at Mr Baird's home in Paddington, in Sydney's east on Monday.

Lamarre-Condon handed himself into police at Bondi and faced Waverley Local Court on Friday afternoon. He has been charged with two counts of murder.

Mr Baird was a known TV personality and had worked as a presenter at Channel 10 since January 2017, including stints on children's show Totally Wild and Studio 10.

10 News First host Narelda Jacobs struggled to get the words out when reporting on the alleged fatal shooting on Friday as part of a breaking news segment.

She breathed heavily and her voice trembled as she tried to compose herself while speaking about her former colleague, with Jacobs having also worked on Studio 10 since 2020.

Former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird, 26, (right) and his new partner Luke Davies, 29, (left) were allegedly shot dead in Mr Baird's Paddington home, in Sydney's inner east

10 News First Midday host Narelda Jacobs struggled through a news segment on the alleged murders on Friday

READ MORE: Timeline of disappearance of Jesse Baird and boyfriend Luke Davies Advertisement

'They are both much loved men with a wide circle of loved ones, family and friends who adore them,' she said.

'Luke of course has an enormously supportive workforce at Qantas, he was a flight attendant, and the same for Jesse at the AFL and here at Channel 10.

'Our thoughts are with their loved ones, their colleagues, their friends and their families at this very traumatic time.'

Jacobs stumbled over her words during the report and her voice broke as she said an update would be provided later on Friday.

She uploaded the clip of the news report to her Instagram, acknowledging it was delivered 'through a trembling voice'.

'Honouring these two beautiful men on the darkest of days. Forever in our hearts Jesse Baird and Luke Davies,' she wrote.

'Our hearts are broken.'

The news presenter was applauded for her courage in reporting on a topic so sensitive.

'I'm so sorry to hear this news. You did an amazing job getting through that,' one wrote.

Ms Jacobs acknowledged her trembling delivery in the caption of the segment after sharing it on Instagram

'So devastating to hear this. You delivered that with such poise and grace,' another added.

'How hard it must of been for you to read that out! Absolutely terrible,' a third said.

'That is a traumatising thing for you to have to do. So professionally handled. I'm so sorry you had to share that news,' one commented.

National affairs editor and presenter at 10 News First, Hugh Riminton, also described Mr Baird as a 'beloved young colleague' in a post shared to X on Friday.

'RIP my beloved young colleague, Jesse,' Riminton wrote.

'Happy with a new man - and that, it is being alleged, was the problem. Condolences also to the family and friends of Luke Davies. Many tears tonight.'

Channel 10 star Hugh Riminton also paid tribute to Mr Baird on social media, describing him as a 'beloved young colleague' (pictured)

Fellow colleague and veteran presenter at Channel 10 Sandra Sully shared Riminton's post with the caption, 'newsroom heartbroken' followed by three broken heart emojis.

Abbie Chatfield also shared a touching tribute to Mr Baird, explaining he was the first person she met when she started at the network.

The Australian media personality, TV host and radio presenter described Mr Baird as 'lovely, kind and funny'.

'I am so devastated to hear the news of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. Working for Channel 10, we all crossed paths regularly in our time there,' Chatfield wrote.

'Jesse was one of the first people I met from ch10 when I had just come off the bachelor. I went to an industry event and knew no one. I was really intimidated, and he introduced himself and let me cling to him all night, introducing me to people, reminding me who was who and making sure I was comfortable.

'He was lovely, kind and funny and gave me the time of day when I was just some girl from the bachelor and a lot of people didn't really want to speak to me.'

Australian media personality, TV host and radio presenter Abbie Chatfield said she was 'devastated' by the pair's death, claiming Mr Baird's 'kindness left a lasting impression'

Chatfield said she hoped 'justice was served in the most severe way'.

'This is not only a huge loss to those close to the two men, but for the queer community as a whole. Rest in peace,' Chatfield wrote.

According to court documents, Mr Baird and Mr Davies, 29, were both allegedly killed by Lamarre-Condon at Paddington between 12.01am and 5.30pm on Monday.

The shooting allegedly occurred just hours after they were last seen alive at a pre-Mardi Gras party night on Sunday at the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills.

Later on Monday evening, Lamarre-Condon hired a white Toyota HiAce van from Mascot and allegedly used it to dispose of the couple's bodies, police said.

Detectives believe Lamarre-Condon then returned the alleged murder weapon to a police station's locked firearms safe on Tuesday.

He took sick leave from the NSW Police Force for the rest of the day and failed to return to work on Wednesday.

Footage has since emerged of the police officer walking barefoot down a street in Grays Point, the Sydney suburb where a white van hired by Lamarre-Condon - allegedly to dispose of the couple's bodies - was found.

Beau Lamarre-Condon is seen walking barefoot on CCTV in Gray's Point in Sydney

Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon (pictured) was charged with allegedly murdering flight attendant Luke Davies and former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird

A white Toyota HiAce police believe was used to transport the bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies was located at Grays Point near Cronulla. It is pictured being removed by police

Bloodied clothes and other belongings including credit cards belonging to Mr Baird and Mr Davies were found dumped in a skip bin in Cronulla on Wednesday.

That discovery led police to Mr Baird's home in Paddington where pools of blood and blood-spattered furniture were found - sparking grave fears for the new lovers.

Homicide Squad commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said police had matched a bullet cartridge found in the premises to a police weapon.

'Police located a projectile at the premises which had been discharged and also a fired cartridge case,' Det Supt Doherty said.

TIMELINE OF JESSE BAIRD AND LUKE DAVIES' DISAPPEARANCE



February 5: Jesse Baird and Luke Davies go public with their new relationship with a photograph of themselves at Palm Beach on Sydney's northern beaches February 7: The pair posts pictures together while wine tasting in the NSW Hunter Valley February 9/10: They attend a Pink concert at Sydney's Allianz Stadium February 18: The couple attends the wild Mardi Gras party night Sunday celebrations at Sydney's inner-city Beresford Hotel February 19: They return to Mr Baird's $3million rented terrace home in Paddington in Sydney's east. They are filmed in CCTV footage in the street outside, but are never seen again. Neighbours said they heard a commotion and some shouting coming from the home but nothing alarming. A white van was spotted at the address February 20: Mr Baird is said to have social media conversations with friends and his WhatsApp status records him as last seen at 11.45pm on Tuesday February 21: 11am - A groundskeeper at Club Cronulla in Sydney's south discovers bloody possessions and clothing belonging to the couple which have been dumped in a skip in the street. The discovery triggers an urgent search for the pair. 1pm - A check on Mr Baird's home finds bloodstains on the furniture and floorboards but no trace of the men. A further check on Mr Davies' home in Waterloo also shows no sign of the pair. February 22: 3.15pm - Police admit they have grave concerns for the men and appeal for them to get in touch. 5pm - It emerges police are also seeking Mr Baird's ex-lover, Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, who has also vanished. 10pm - The white van believed to have been the one in the CCTV footage is spotted at Lambton in Newcastle, 165km north of Sydney. 11.30pm - Police raid the home of Lamarre-Condon's relatives in Balmain in Sydney's inner-west and take away multiple items. February 23: 2am - The white van has vanished from its parking spot in Lambton. 9.55am - Lamarre-Condon's phone comes back to life and begins accepting calls again. 10.30am - Lamarre-Condon hands himself in at Bondi police station and is immediately arrested. 2.15pm - Police confirm Lamarre-Condon has been charged with two counts of murder Advertisement

Beau Lamarre-Condon was charged after he handed himself into police at Bondi following a massive manhunt (Lamarre-Condon is pictured being led away for questioning by detectives)

'This has now been physically matched to a NSW Police firearm and forms part of the evidence for the alleged facts to face court for this 28-year-old man.'

The bodies of Mr Baird and Mr Davies are yet to be found.

During his court appearance on Friday, Lamarre-Condon only looked up briefly to acknowledge the magistrate, and had no-one in court, either family or friends, to support him.

Lamarre-Condon did not apply for bail and will appear again on April 23.
Germany has today joined the list of countries who have legalised cannabis for personal use.

The country's parliament passed a law that will legalise the cultivation and consumption of a limited amount of the drug.

As a result, smoking cannabis in a lot of public spaces will be legal from 1 April.

The decision was made in an effort to regularise the behaviour of the 4.5 million Germans who are estimated to use it.

Under the proposals brought by the Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ruling three-party coalition, cultivating up to three plants for private consumption and owning up to 25 grams (0.88 oz) of cannabis will be legalised.

Germany has today joined the list of countries who have legalised cannabis for personal use

Meanwhile, larger-scale, but still non-commercial cannabis production, will be allowed for members of so-called cannabis clubs.

These clubs will have no more than 500 members, all of whom will have to be adults and only club members will be allowed to consume their output - this part of the law will kick in on July 1.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, said: 'The aim is to crack down on the black market and drugs-related crime, reduce the amount of dealing and cut the number of users.'

The move has made Germany the ninth country to legalise recreational use of the drug - it is also legal in some jurisdictions in the United States and Australia.

Many more countries allow its medical use as a painkiller, which is a practice Germany plans to regulate in a separate law.

It's important to note that cannabis will remain illegal for minors and highly restricted for young adults - consuming it near schools and playgrounds will be illegal.

'This restriction is necessary because cannabis is particularly damaging for the still-growing brain,' Lauterbach added.

'Nobody should misunderstand this law: cannabis consumption is being legalised, but that doesn't mean it isn't dangerous.'

Cannabis supporters march with a giant mock joint reading "Legalization" past the Reichstag building in the annual Hemp Parade on August 12, 2023 in Berlin, Germany

Activists, including two waving German flags that have a marijuana leaf painted on them, are pictured at the annual Hemp Parade (Hanfparade) on August 13, 2016 in Berlin, Germany

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the world and its use in Germany has increased in recent years despite current laws prohibiting it

However, the debate about whether to decriminalise cannabis has been raging for years in Germany.

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the world and its use in Germany has increased in recent years despite current laws prohibiting it.

The number of adults in Germany aged between 18 and 25 years old that consumed cannabis at least once nearly doubled in 2021 from the previous decade to 25%, according to the health ministry

The opposition conservatives oppose the new rules, which they say are too complicated for authorities to enforce and could lead to greater consumption.

Christian Democrat legislator Tino Sorge, said: 'Instead of protecting children and young people, the coalition is acting like a state drug dealer.'

Additionally, some experts doubt the new regulations will have much impact on dealing, since those who are unwilling to grow their own cannabis or join a cannabis club may still prefer to buy the drug.
US plan to replace China-made cranes over so-called national security concerns 'absurd'

Global Times) 14:09, February 23, 2024

The US' plan to invest billions in domestic manufacturing of cargo cranes to replace ones made in China due to so-called potential "national security risks" is absurd and unlikely to succeed, experts said.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the administration of President Joe Biden plans to invest billions in the domestic manufacturing of cargo cranes used at US ports. The administration aims to replace the China-built cranes, which it claims contain advanced software that poses a so-called potential national security risk.

Administration officials said more than $20 billion would be invested in port security, including domestic cargo-crane production, over the next five years. The money, tapped from the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021, would support a US subsidiary of Mitsui, a Japanese company, to produce the cranes. Officials said it would be the first time in 30 years that the cranes would be built domestically, according to the report.

Chinese authorities have firmly rejected the frequent "China threat" hype from the US.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press conference in January that some US politicians have been blowing up the "China threat" bubble, while exposing their real aim of suppressing China's development in the name of national security.

Two US Congress committees are currently looking into Swiss engineering group ABB's operations in China, particularly regarding the installation of ABB equipment by Chinese firm Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) on ship-to-shore cranes that are bound for the US.

Some national security and Pentagon officials have compared ship-to-shore cranes made by ZPMC to a Trojan horse, claiming that they contain sophisticated sensors that can register and track the provenance and destination of containers, the Wall Street Journal reported in March 2023.

For some US politicians, anything advanced from China can be a "threat" and must be stopped by all means. This is sheer bullying and hegemonism, Wang said.

"The true aim of the US is to exclude Chinese manufacturing from its entire supply chain system, to hinder China's industrialization process and prevent Chinese modernization," Tian Yun, a veteran economist based in Beijing, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The goal is to further strike at China in terms of trade and economic cooperation, Tian said.

The claim from US politicians is absurd, as the crane itself operates on simple mechanical principles, He Weiwen, a senior fellow from the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Thursday. It is ridiculous to rely on guesswork to determine the security of ordinary trade, He added.

He also noted that Biden's domestic manufacturing replacement plan is unlikely to succeed.

"In the 1990s, many US ports had ZPMC cranes, which were seen as cost-effective. Domestic production would be costly and would rely heavily on federal subsidies. Now, the US government struggles to even subsidize chip production, let alone cranes," he said.

According to senior administration officials, 80 percent of ship-to-shore cranes moving trade at US ports were manufactured in China, CNBC reported.

"If the US insists on generalizing national security, it will eventually have to produce everything itself, even toys," He said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
A bizarre find on an Aussie coast has sent shivers down the spines of many for its otherworldly appearance.

One fisherman found the strange creature near the water behind Cairns Airport in Far North Queensland. "Government releasing some weird s**t into the waters behind the airport," the man joked alongside footage of iridescent tentacle-like arms extending like a web from a long, red worm and grabbing onto a rock.

With many online likening the worm to an "alien" or something from "The Upside Down" in Netflix's Stranger Things  what really is this strange marine animal?

There are approximately 900 known species of ribbon worms. Source: Getty/TikTok

Creature is a type of marine worm

Dr Tina Skinner from Queensland University told Yahoo News Australia that while she is not sure of the exact species, it is likely a ribbon worm  known as Nemertea. "It looks like a ribbon worm  you can see the main red body part and head  that is using its eversible proboscis (all the white stuff) to feed," she said.

Skinner explains that the proboscis is an organ that these carnivores extend from their body to hunt and catch prey, though they also extend it when they're stressed.

There are approximately 900 known species of Nemertea that come in various colours and patterns. They have varied distributions and habitats but are found across the world, according to an article in the Australian Geographic. Most often found in the ocean, many species can grow more than a metre long.

Possibly more shocking than even their proboscis, ribbon worms are said to be able to regenerate body parts, including their head.

Is the ribbon worm poisonous?

Some species of ribbon worms are poisonous and may excrete toxins, so touching them is definitely not recommended.

"Some species have been found to have the toxin tetrodotoxin, which is the famous one found in pufferfish," Skinner revealed.

Story continues

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A British Army sergeant has been convicted of bigamy after he married a second wife in Kenya during a Sharia Law ceremony.

Sgt Noa Dravikula was on overseas deployment in the African country when he tied the knot with a second woman, Kuki Wason, in an Islamic marriage.

The 42-year-old soldier had been separated from his first wife but not officially divorced when he sparked up his new love affair, a court martial heard.

He was caught out by Army bosses after he expressed his 'wish' to bring Ms Wason back to the UK with him.

At Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, Sgt Dravikula claimed he had no idea his wedding in Kenya counted because the service was in Swahili and he didn't understand it.

But, following a three-day trial, he was convicted of bigamy.

Sgt Noa Dravikula was on overseas deployment in the African country when he tied the knot with a second woman, Kuki Wason, in an Islamic marriage

Sergeant Noa Dravikula has been convicted of bigamy after tying the knot with a woman while he was deployed overseas to Kenya

Sgt Dravikula had been deployed to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) facility in Nanyuki, to the north of Nairobi, when he 'started a relationship' with Kenyan woman Kuki Wason.

In October 2021, the couple enjoyed an Islamic marriage ceremony, called a nikah, which meant he was committing bigamy.

And in a show of their love, the couple appear to have tattooed one another's initials on their hands, sharing photos of the inkwork on social media.

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.

The marriage came to the attention of Army top brass when Sgt Dravikula wanted to bring Ms Wason back to the UK with him.

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.'

In a photo on social media, the couple appear to have tattooed one another's initials on their hands

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

Flt Lt Adams told Bulford Military Court the the bigamist soldier's love affair with Ms Wason began after he was deployed to a British Army Training Unit in Kenya.

'On October 29, 2021, a Sharia Law marriage ceremony called a nikah took place - this was a legal, recognised marriage ceremony,' added Flt Lt Adams.

'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.

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'.

At Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, he denies one count of bigamy

The court heard Sgt Dravikula's claims he had 'no knowledge' of what had happened because the service was conducted in Swahili

'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 will be sentenced at a later date.
This is the moment a Met Police van was spotted parked on double yellow lines and two officers were videoed grabbing a snack.

The pair of cheeky coppers were seen on camera nipping into a Popeyes chicken restaurant in west Ealing, west London.

However, one eagle-eyed onlooker pointed out that a police van was left parked on double yellow lines.

Footage posted to X/Twitter shows a male and female police officer crossing the road in the capital and entering the restaurant.

The pair of cheeky coppers were seen on camera nipping into a Popeyes chicken restaurant in West Ealing, West London

However, one eagle-eyed onlooker pointed out that a police van was left parked on double yellow lines

As they go inside, the camera pans back round to the other side of the street and zooms out to reveal that a police van is parked on double yellow lines in a 24-hour bus lane.

The man behind the camera then pans around again to reveal that behind the police vehicle, a crowd of delivery drivers are parked, with all of their mopeds and motorcycles similarly parked on double yellows.

On the social media post, the cameraman alleges that he spoke to other officers in the van about the delivery drivers but claims he was told that their illegal parking was a 'civil matter', and that they would not be dealing with it.

The post was captioned with: 'Ealing Broadway. Surely the Met Police couldn't have anything in common with Deliverooist's could they?

'Bizarrely, it turns out they do. First, both are illegally parked in a 'No loading at any time' 24hr bus lane. Next, an interest in takeaways and finally idling.'

The footage has since received dozens of likes and comments from social media users left unimpressed with the officers' behaviour.

The man behind the camera then pans around again to reveal that behind a police vehicle, a crowd of delivery drivers are parked, with all of their mopeds and motorcycles similarly parked on double yellows

One person wrote: 'Unfortunately the same wherever you go. Our local ambulance service park where they want 'just in case', but still wander around Waitrose.'

Another added: 'The Police can and often do what they want. The law does not apply to them.'

A third wrote: 'Do some policing, or are you of the opinion that's not my job, that's a Parking Attendant's job, that is, nothing to see here, there are no yellow lines.'

Another commented 'Continuing ineptness, criminality & abrogation of responsibility by certain members of Met Police.'

Met Police have been contacted for comment.
A journalist accused of hacking into Fox News servers to obtain unaired videos of Tucker Carson making unprofessional comments and interviewing Kanye West has asked for donations to pay for his defense.

Tim Burke, 45, was arrested on Thursday following an investigation into the unflattering leaked videos of the former Fox News superstar, which emerged last year days after Carlson was unceremoniously ousted from the network.

The indictment accuses the Tampa resident and an unnamed co-conspirator of using 'compromised credentials to gain unauthorized access to protected computers,' and scouring those computers for incriminating videos.

The leaked footage of Carlson included several hot mic moments published by left-wing watchdog group Media Matters.

In one clip, Carlson appeared to bash Dominion Voting Systems' lawyer, with whom he had sat for a deposition earlier in the day. In another video, Carlson says he resents Fox's subscription service 'Fox Nation,' because 'the site sucks.'

A journalist accused of hacking into Fox News servers to obtain unaired videos of Tucker Carson t has asked for donations to pay for his defense

Burke, 45, was arrested on Thursday following an investigation into the unflattering leaked videos of the former Fox News superstar

In yet another video, Carlson joked about his appearance and said he would wait for his 'post-menopausal fans' to tell him how he looked on-air.

He said under his breath that someone's 'girlfriend was yummy,' then added: 'Just kidding, in case this is being pulled off the bird. Hey, Media Matters for America, go f**k yourself! I don't even know what his girlfriend looks like.

'And if I did, I would not find her yummy.'

Burke's lawyers claim the journalist used publicly available livestreaming sites where Fox News uploaded unencrypted footage. They claim the journalist received login credentials from an unrestricted 'demo account,' from a source, who found them publicly online.

His attorney, Mark Rasch, told the Washington Post last year: 'Tim is a master at finding links to stuff publicly posted on the internet.

'If a video is posted, public, unencrypted, and unprotected, then theres simply no crime committed when a journalist like Tim finds it, reviews it, and accurately reports on it, even where, and maybe especially where, the subjects wish it was suppressed. Thats the essence of journalism in the digital age.'

Last year the FBI raided Burke's home and seized the computers and electronic devices the journalist used to run his business, Burke Communications.

Burke, who currently runs his own communications company, has worked previously for outlets including The Daily Beast and Gawker.

His wife, Lynn Hurtak, is a Tampa city councilwoman, who appears to be aligned with progressive causes.

Burke faces one count of conspiracy; six counts of accessing a protected computer without authorization; and seven counts of intercepting or disclosing wire, oral or electronic communications.

Burke has maintained his innocence. His attorney says the videos of Carlson he had were available to the public

He was released on the condition that he stops contact with his alleged co-conspirator.

The Freedom of the Press Foundation has said Burke's indictment, which does not mention he is a journalist, 'raises serious First Amendment concerns.'

The organization said in a statement: 'Nowhere does the indictment allege that either the footage or the login credentials were not publicly available.

'Instead, it accuses Burke and the source of using the internet to search protected computers and scour[ing] the protected computers for electronic items and information they deemed desirable."

'An investigative journalists job is to find information that powerful people would prefer to be kept secret, said FPF Deputy Director of Advocacy Caitlin Vogus.

'Its a safe bet that if journalists need to ask permission to publish information that casts public figures in a negative light, the answer will often be "no." Journalists should be encouraged to use the internet to find newsworthy information  not prosecuted for doing so.'
The Apprentice star Dr Asif Munaf has been suspended from the medical register pending a GMC investigation just one week after the BBC dropped him from their spin-off show for making 'anti-Semitic remarks'.

The former NHS doctor, 34, sparked a furious backlash after he made a series of 'anti-Jewish' posts, including calling Zionism a 'satanic cult' and Zionists 'odiously ogre-like' in the aftermath of Hamas' murderous October 7 attacks.

Calls for the BBC to take action against Munaf, who also appeared on Dragon's Den, resulted in him being given diversity and inclusion training.

The show still aired, with the 34-year-old fired last week, but he was edited out of episodes of spin off The Apprentice: You're Fired.

Now, following further calls from outraged viewers and the Jewish community, Munaf has been suspended from the medical register and is under investigation.

A GMC spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Dr Mohammed Munaf has been interim suspended pending the conclusion of a full GMC investigation.

Apprentice star Dr Asif Munaf has been suspended from the medical register over his string of 'anti-Semitic remarks' just one week after he was fired from The Apprentice and dropped from the spin-off show

The former NHS doctor sparked furious backlash after he made a series of 'anti-Jewish' posts online, including calling Zionism a 'satanic cult' in the aftermath of Hamas ' October 7 attacks

'An Interim Orders Tribunal of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service imposed the interim suspension on his practice yesterday

'We are acutely aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding Dr Munaf, and we will take action where concerns suggest patient safety or the public's confidence in doctors may be at risk.'

Last week Munaf said he wasn't shaken by calls to have him struck off the medical register over his 'anti-Semitic remarks'.

In a series of posts of X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: 'They have tried to get me struck off by referring me to the General Medical Council.

'They think this will shake me. It only strengthens me. Don't they know that the exact amount of money I will make before I die was written before I was even conceived? I have absolute conviction in my Lords Decree.'

A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism, who wrote to the GMC earlier this month calling for him to be struck off the medical register, said: 'The remarks that Dr Asif Munaf allegedly made are vile and have no place in the medical profession. Given the gravity of these allegations, it is right that the GMC has suspended him pending an investigation, following our complaint. The GMC must send a message of zero tolerance of antisemitism. We will be monitoring this case closely.'

The candidate also said the show 'isn't the biggest thing I've ever done in my life' after he was dropped from the spin-off You're Fired.

He added: 'Unlike most other candidates, the show is just one small chapter in my life. It's not my entire personality. Nor is it the biggest thing I've done in my life. This is why they are beholden to the broadcaster and I am free. Alhamdulillah for Islam.'

In another Tweet, Dr Asif said: 'Staying silent is the epitome of cowardice.'

A GMC spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Dr Mohammed Munaf has been interim suspended pending the conclusion of a full GMC investigation'

He was also accused by 'horrified' fellow contestants of making vile comments about women and 'only having sex with virgins'

He was also accused by 'horrified' fellow contestants of making vile comments about women and 'only having sex with virgins' - he quickly denied the claims.

'Asif made the candidates feel uncomfortable. They were particularly shocked when they heard the way he spoke about sex and women,' a source told The Sun.

The source added: 'Crew members were also horrified and could not believe someone with this attitude had made it so far in the process.'
20 items were sold at the event, hosted by Julien's Auctions

The top seller was Banksy's 'Police Van Chimp' - which sold for $222,250

A 'street art' auction in Los Angeles raked in almost $1million on Thursday

A 'street art' auction in Los Angeles raked in almost $1 million after bidders splurged on some of Banksy's most famous pieces.

Hosted by Julien's Auctions, the event featured 20 iconic pieces by street artists - including Banksy, Invader and RETNA.

Thursday's auction took place in front of a live audience in Los Angeles, but hundreds of bidders and collectors from around the world participated online.

The grand total came close to a whopping $900,000 - with most pieces doubling the estimate of the predicted bids.

Banksy's 'Police Van Chimp' London Turf War Exhibition stencil painting sold for $222,250 - double its original estimate and the highest price of the night.

A 'street art' auction in Los Angeles raked in almost $1 million after bidders splurged on some of Banksy 's most famous pieces

Hosted by Julien's Auctions , the event featured 20 iconic pieces by street artists - including Banksy, Invader and RETNA

Pictured: Banksy's 'Police Van Chimp' London Turf War Exhibition stencil painting, which sold for $222,250 as Thursday's auction

Pictured: Banksy's 'Gangsta Rat - Live' Liverpool stencil painting, which sold for $190,500 at Julien's Auction in Los Angeles

Pictured: Banksy's 'Mayfair Paparazzi Rat' London stencil painting which sold for $142,875 at Julien's Auction on Thursday

Thursday's auction took place in front of a live audience in Los Angeles, but hundreds of bidders and collectors from around the world participated online

This piece is an original aerosol painting on glass which was part of Banksy's breakthrough 2003 'Turf War' exhibition that was staged in an abandoned London warehouse.

The next most expensive was another of Banksy's infamous pieces - 'Gangsta Rat Live', a Liverpool stencil painting which sold for over double its original estimate at $190,500.

'Gangsta Rat Live' is an original aerosol on metal door that was executed on a British Telecom street box in Liverpool, England, circa 2004.

Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist and film director whose identity was unmasked in 2008, but remains the subject of speculation.

Banksy's 'Crazy Horse' New York City stencil painting sold for $162,500 and his 'Mayfair Paparazzi Rat' London stencil painting sold for $142,875, which was over three times the original estimate.

The next highest sellers were five of Invader's most famous international mosaics - which each brought in over $19,000.

The grand total came close to a whopping $900,000 - with most pieces doubling the estimate of the predicted bids

Pictured: Banksy's 'Crazy Horse' New York City stencil painting, which sold for $162,500 at Thursday's auction

Pictured: Invader's original 'PA-605' Paris mosaic, which sold for $25,400 at the auction on Thursday night

Pictured: Invader's original 'PA5955' Paris mosaic, which sold for $19,500 at the auction on Thursday night

The identity of Banksy was one of the most closely guarded secrets in the world until his name was revealed in 2008 - but that hasn't stopped people from speculating

One of the pieces was Invader's original 'POTI-50', which was installed in 2022 in Potosi, Bolivia, a town 4,000 meters above sea level in celebration of his 4,000th mosaic. It sold for $29,250 after being estimated at a mere $6,000.

The identity of Banksy was one of the most closely guarded secrets in the world until his name was revealed in 2008 - but that hasn't stopped people from speculating.

The street artist, whose career began in the 90s, is known by millions of people thanks to the appearance of dozens of iconic artworks in unexpected locations around the world, with many having gone on to sell for millions.

For years his identity has been a hot topic, with names such as Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja and Gorillaz founder Jamie Hewlett being floated around.

Public schoolboy Robin Gunningham was unmasked as Banksy by the Mail On Sunday in 2008 after an investigation into his past.

Regardless of who he his, Banksy's works are hot property on the art market.

In 2021, his 'Love is in the Bin' work was bought for more than 18million (around $23,000) with its value having been boosted after a shredder hidden in its frame cut it to pieces moments after it was sold for the first time in 2018.

The work, previously known as 'Girl with Balloon', was just one of more than a dozen of Banksy's creations that have sold for more than 2million ($2.5million).
This is the moment that a brawl explodes at a London bus stop as a man is seemingly assaulted in a street attack.

The altercation was caught on camera yesterday by a commuter at a stop in the capital city.

There, a man was set upon by another man who can be seen beating him as he lay on the ground.

The video shows a red bus stopped at the side of the road with its hazard lights on as a crowd of people gather round beside it.

In the middle of the crowd, a tall man dressed in black can be seen beating another man who is lying on the ground trying to defend himself.

The man on the ground is alleged to be the bus driver who seemingly exited his cab and was subsequently assaulted for an unknown reason.

The altercation was caught on camera yesterday by a commuter at a stop in the capital city

In the video, a man can be seen beating another man on the ground who tries to defend himself with his hands

The footage shows the attacker landing a number of punches as the man on the ground holds his hands up to try and protect himself from the blows.

The sound of punches landing can be heard as the crowd watches on, making no apparent attempt to assist.

The man ceases his assault and picks up a backpack, leaving the other man on the ground as he mutters to himself.

Later in the video, the alleged bus driver shouts after the attacker and says: 'Hey p***y where you at? Where you going p***y? Where you going?'

He strides off towards another bus waiting at the stop whilst a passenger follows after him, seemingly trying to hold him back.

Later in the video, the alleged bus driver shouts after the attacker and says: 'Hey p***y where you at? Where you going p***y? Where you going?

The footage was shared to social media yesterday with the caption: 'Bus driver again being assaulted is awful, more and more bus drivers are being spat at, intimidated and assaulted.

'Driver should have stayed inside the cab, TfL has let this go on too long.'

The video has received dozens of likes and comments from users on social media who were shocked at the brutal assault.

The Met Police and Transport for London (TfL) have been contacted for comment.
A California mayor fears migrants will end up flooding the streets of his town due to a nearby migrant center went bust after just five months.

Non-profit SBCS, closed their doors on Thursday after squandering $6 million in taxpayers money in just a few months.

The migrant center, formerly known as South Bay Community Services, said the number of people needing help in that time 'increased significantly'.

The center, located in Chula Vista, had been taking in those crossing over the San Diego border, which in the last five months has totaled over 100,000.

The mayor of nearby El Cajon, Bill Wells has now told Fox News that he fears the closure will create a 'serious problem' for his community.

The center, located in Chula Vista, had been taking in those crossing over the San Diego border, which in the last five months has totaled over 100,000

Migrants board a U.S. Border Patrol patrol vehicle on February 13, 2024 in San Diego, California

The Republican is worried that following the closure of the non-profit , migrants will congregate in his city. Pictures of migrants being taken to El Cajon are seen here

Migrants are seen in this picture after being bussed to El Cajon, the town which Mayor Wells governs over

He told the outlet: 'Over the past few months we've seen 100,000 migrants come across the San Diego border.

'A lot of those have been absorbed by this county shelter that used taxpayer money.

'They asked for $3 million and they spent over $6 million and now they say they're out of money. So we're going to see migrants congregating in our streets.

'At the same time this is happening, border patrol tells us we are going to go from 300 drop offs a day, to a 1000 drop offs a day.

'I think it's going to become a pretty serious problem pretty quickly. They spend up to $8,000 per person per month to put someone up in a hotel.

'It ruins the neighborhoods, it destroys the hotels, it destroys our security infrastructure and it is really bad for everybody.'

In announcing the closure of the center, CEO Kathie Lembo said: 'As the number of migrants arriving at the center has increased significantly over the last few weeks, our finite resources have been stretched to the limit, leading to the closure of the center on February 22.

'When we accepted the challenge of this work in October of last year, we knew two things: that it spoke to the heart of our mission, and that it was for a limited time.'

Speaking on the $6 million that the center burned through, Lembo added: 'With the receipt of that money there was expectations that it would be used until the end of March, so ending a month early does raise concerns and questions for me.'

Staff members of a charity organization provide migrants with food on February 13, 2024 in San Diego, California

A border patrol agent patrols along a construction site for the secondary border fence which follows the length of the primary border fence that separates the United States and Mexico in the San Diego Sector on August 22, 2019

A Border Patrol agent asks asylum-seeking migrants to line up in a makeshift, mountainous campsite after the group crossed the border with Mexico, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, near Jacumba Hot Springs

Border Patrol agents have had 18,700 encounters with Mexican nationals at the San Diego so far since the start of the fiscal year last October

Asylum seekers wait in line to be processed by the Border Patrol at a makeshift camp near the US-Mexico border east of Jacumba, San Diego County, California, January 2, 2024

It emerged earlier this week that that border at San Diego is seeing a big jump in the number of Chinese migrants being detained.

US Customs and Border Protection has recorded 21,000 encounters with Chinese nationals in the San Diego Sector since the fiscal year began in October, according to CBP data obtained by Fox News that is not yet public.

That's more than the 18,700 encounters with Mexican nationals during the same period, and second only to the 28,000 Columbians CBP reported encountering in the sector.

In fiscal 2023, CBP reported 24,048 Chinese citizens were apprehended by Border Patrol at the southern border  up more than 10 times from the 1,970 arrests recorded during the 2022 fiscal year, and just 323 the year before.

Speaking on the number of Chinese migrants at the border, Wells added: 'I went down to the border recently and came across an encampment of people and everyone of them was a Chinese migrant, that is a real serious concern.

'It makes me nervous to see enemies of our nation congregating right in our city, we have no idea how many are in El Cajon.'

A US Border Patrol chief warned that his agents are being overwhelmed by the flood of Chinese migrants crossing the border and warned they could be Communist spies.

A migrant from China holds up his passport and paperwork as he is photographed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in an open-air holding area as they prepare to board a bus to a processing facility near to the small, desert San Diego County border community of Jacumba Hot Springs in December 2023

A group of people, including many from China, walk along the wall after crossing the border with Mexico to seek asylum on October 24 near Jacumba, California

Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Good, of the Border Patrols El Paso Sector, said last year that his agents were 'trying their best to figure out why [individuals from other continents are] coming' but that 'information can be hidden' and 'their agendas, their ideologies, the reason for them coming could be missed'.

New figures emerged this week showing that seven million migrants had managed to make their way across the southern border under President Biden.

Statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection show that this fiscal year alone, there has already been a reported 961,537 border encounters.

The year, which runs from October to September, is already on current pace to break last year's record of 2,475,669.

Since Biden took office, the total number of southwest land border encounters hit a staggering 7,298,486.

The total does not include an estimated 1.8 million known 'gotaways' who managed to evade law enforcement.

That amount is larger than the individual populations of 36 states, including Alabama, Colorado, Maryland, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia.
James Cleverly today said he wants to see 'zero' migrant boats crossing the Channel 'as soon as possible' as Britain signed a new border deal with the EU.

The Home Secretary hailed a new arrangement between UK Border Force and the EU's Frontex agency as a 'big assistance' in ending migrant crossings.

Mr Cleverly welcomed Brussels' home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson to London today to witness the signing of the agreement by officials.

It will see Border Force staff co-operate more closely with their EU counterparts by exchanging intelligence and collaborating on training, new technology and operations.

Rishi Sunak has repeatedly vowed to 'stop the boats' since becoming Prime Minister and Mr Cleverly insisted the target is to get migrant crossings down to 'zero'.

James Cleverly said he wants to see 'zero' migrant boats crossing the Channel 'as soon as possible' as Britain signed a new border deal with the EU

The Home Secretary welcomed Brussels' home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson to London to witness the signing of the agreement by officials

Phil Douglas, director general of Border Force (left), shakes hands with Hans Leijtens, executive director of the EU's Frontex agency after signing the agreement

A man carries a child as he boards a boat on the beach of Gravelines, near Dunkirk, northern France in October, 2022, in an attempt to cross the Channel

Asked how realistic that goal is this year, the Home Secretary told LBC radio: 'That is absolutely my target. My target is to achieve zero.'

Referring to Britain's new arrangement with Frontex, he added: 'I want to get to zero as soon as possible.

'The agreement that we're signing today will be a big assistance in doing that, as will Rwanda, and as will the other things we've been doing.'

The Frontex deal is the latest in a series of arrangements between the UK and Europe, including an agreement reached with France last year to increase co-operation between law enforcement agencies in the two countries.

It also follows discussions between the PM and European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen, who agreed in May last year to strengthen co-operation on tackling small boats crossings.

Mr Sunak had a phone call with Ms Von der Leyen on Sunday and the pair welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations that led to the agreement being formalised today.

The UK was a member of Frontex before Brexit. But, asked whether the UK's vote to leave the EU had left Britain's borders insecure, Mr Cleverly replied: 'That's not the case at all.

'Leaving the EU meant we were able to define our own immigration policy.

'We are not going back into an organisation. We're making an agreement with an organisation that we have left.'

The PM made 'stopping the boats' one of his five priorities for 2023. The number of people crossing the Channel in small boats last year fell from 45,755 to 29,437.

So far, 1,716 people have made the crossing this year, down from 2,720 in the same period last year.

Mr Cleverly said in a statement to mark the signing of the Border Force arrangement with Frontex: 'This Government has a plan to break the model of the smuggling gangs, end the abuse of our asylum system and stop the boats.

'The plan is working with crossings down by a third  but we must go further.

'Organised immigration crime and people-smuggling are global challenges that require shared solutions and ambitions.

'Our landmark working arrangement between the UK and Frontex is another crucial step in tackling illegal migration, securing our borders and stopping the boats.'
A family of four with two young children, including a newborn baby, and an elderly couple are among the 10 people who are confirmed to have died in a deadly blaze that consumed a block of flats in Valencia last night.

Firefighters and police, currently on the fourth floor of the 14-storey block of flats, slowly made their way up the apartment block in the upmarket Campanar neighbourhood of Valencia and have confirmed that nine is the final death toll of the deadly blaze.

The bodies of four people who died, spotted on terraces by firefighters who sent up a drone late last night, have not been identified and remain in the building, home to 138 flats and more than 400 residents.

Officials have today confirmed that a family, made up of a newborn baby, a three-year old girl and the mother and father, perished in the blaze.

El Diario Vasco reported that one of the children studied at the Sant Pau nursery school in the Campanar neighbourhood.

Photos show a black veil being hung up, a sign of mourning, outside the entrance of the school today, and it was reported that the Spanish Red Cross has sent emergency counsellors to the school.

An elderly couple, who have not yet been identified, are understood to have died in the blaze while cowering in their bathroom with their dog.

Authorities later said that the death toll has risen to nine, with a government spokesperson saying: 'The scientific police had 14 people unlocated. During the morning we have located four people, therefore we can say that those 10 people who remained unlocatable coincide with the bodies that have been found in the building and that are currently being transferred by those responsible.'

The blaze engulfed the apartment building in the Campanar neighbourhood of Valencia

Debris falling on firefighters as they work at a burned block building in Valencia, Spain

Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez speaks to the media as he visits the building involved in the fire

Neighbours from surrounding buildings donated clothes to victims who had lost their homes and belongings

The facade of the building was almost completely burned

Firefighters said earlier today there was no risk of the building collapsing

Firefighters and police are still trying to put out the fire

Police later said that there are no more missing people, as everyone who was in the building has now been confirmed to be dead or alive.

Valencia's mayor Maria Jose Catala said today: 'We have this information from relatives who are contacting us and saying they can't locate their loved ones.

'We know there are foreigners and the information we have is likely to change during the day.' No nationalities have been released by officials yet on those feared dead.

Asked if the foreigners staying there could have been renting holiday let-style apartments for just a few days, the mayoress replied: 'It's possible.'

Mayoress Jose Catala said: 'At the moment we know there are 14 people who are unaccounted for but we know that process is variable and there are people who are foreigners who were spending a few days in Valencia and that can make things more complicated.

'Until we can enter the building, we won't know the true situation.'

Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez travelled to the scene today, and said in a speech in front of the ruined building: 'The priority now is the search for victims and without a doubt trying to safeguard the safety of public servants.

'I would like, on behalf of the Government of Spain and I believe on behalf of Spanish society as a whole, to convey our solidarity, affection and empathy to the families of the victims already known by this terrible fire.'

He also thanked the emergency services who have been dealing with the blaze: 'These are times when we value the work of public servants much more.'

Officials have confirmed all 14 people injured, including six fire fighters, will pull through and none of their conditions are life-threatening. Only six are believed to remain in hospital.

Firefighters expect to find 14 more bodies when they today enter a Spanish apartment block gutted by fire (pictured last night) in a Grenfell Tower-like disaster

Dramatic video shows the moment residents trapped in a tower block inferno in Spain were rescued from their balcony last night, as flames closed in around them. Crews have been unable to enter the twin multi-storey towers that form part of the building since the devastating blaze broke out just before 5.30pm yesterday

More dramatic footage from the scene shows a man jumping several floors onto an inflatable mat to escape the raging fire, while other homeowners were seen awaiting rescue on their terraces as the flames closed in around them

Flaming debris come crashing down around firefighters as they have been working to extinguish the inferno that began at around 5.30pm on Thursday

Firefighters on cherry pickers work to put out the flames in the building in Valencia last night. The official death toll stands at four based on the number of bodies spotted on balconies by a drone put up by emergency responders late yesterday

Firefighters work at the site during the building fire in Valnecia on February 22, 2024

Residents were trapped on their balconies - just metres from the flames - as they waited for firefighters to rescue them from the inferno

The apartment block in Valencia caught fire at around 5.30pm on Thursday. The fire continued to rage on into the early hours of Friday morning, leaving a 'skeleton' of a building behind

Building manager and resident Adriana reacts at the scene of a fire of apartment building in Valencia last night

Firefighters check the facade of a building after a fire, in Valencia, Spain, February 23

The building in Valencia was covered in russ this morning as firefighters get ready to enter and look for those missing and feared dead

The injured people included nine men aged 25 and 57, four women aged between 27 and 81, and a seven-year-old boy.

The death toll is expected to rise rapidly once firefighters have cooled down the outside of the building enough.

The Minister of Justice, Elisa Nunez, said today she has sent out between four and eight teams to carry out autopsies on the bodies of those who have died in the deadly fire.

Nunez has also contacted local duty courts to help facilitate the autopsies, and added: 'We have made the victim care network available for psychological care and a team of 24 psychologists.'

The city of 800,000 on the east coast of Spain came to a standstill last night, as sirens blared through the streets.

As the sun rose over the coastal city and crews prepared to go in, more details began to emerge this morning of the miracle rescue of a couple trapped on the seventh-floor in images that went around the world.

With flames closing in, the man and woman were trapped on their balcony for almost two hours before being plucked to safety by firefighters in cherry pickers.

They covered their faces with scarves and woolly hats to protect themselves from the flames, smoke and intense heat.

A huge fire rages through a multistorey residential block in Valencia on February 22, 2024

Firefighters work at the site during the building fire on February 22, 2024 in Valencia

Police officers work at the scene of a fire of the apartment building in Valencia, February 22

Firefighters were still trying to put out the fire at the apartment building this morning

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire of apartment building in Valencia, February 22, 2024

Firefighters check the facade of a building after a fire, in Valencia, Spain, February 23

The inferno left at least four people dead and the building burnt out (pictured above)

Firefighters continue to assess the damage caused by the devastating blaze before entering today to look for those still missing

READ MORE: Chilling comparisons between Valencia blaze and Grenfell disaster as cladding is blamed again for Spanish tower block fire Advertisement

At one point they were even filmed trying to jump over a partition wall separating their balcony from their neighbour's terrace before being dissuaded by the fire crews trying to reach them who focused on dousing the outside of their flat with water to try to keep the flames away and make reaching them possible.

The couple were heard shouting for help as their rescuers tried to calm them down and darkness descended on the area.

They were plucked to safety around 8pm, with onlookers fearing a fatal outcome cheering as they were brought to the ground.

They received emergency medical attention following their rescue but are not thought to have needed hospital treatment.

Their whereabouts this morning was unknown. Other survivors are being put up in hotels or staying with family and friends.

Other dramatic footage shows a man jumping several floors onto an inflatable mat to escape the raging fire, while other homeowners were seen awaiting rescue on their terraces as the flames closed in around them.

The blaze, Valencia's worst-ever fire, is thought to have started on an eighth-floor.

The probe into the cause will begin once firefighters and police can enter the building but is already being linked to a possible electrical fault.

Residents who managed to make it out alive said last night the fire had spread through the entire two residential towers affected in the 30 minutes after the first flames were detected.

The fire raged late into Thursday night and left the building as little more than a shell

Firefighters worked through the night to put out the huge inferno, which left the building completely gutted

The tower block before the fire. Construction began on the building in 2005 and it was completed around 2009

Firefighters were lifted up to extinguish any remaining fires in the building

Smoke was still rising from the building this morning as firefighters tried to extinguish the remaining fires

The site of the tower block fire in the Campanar area of Valencia on Avenida Maestro Rodrigo, at the junction with General Aviles

The now burnt out building in Valencia hosted 138 flats and over 400 residents

In June 2017, a fire ripped through Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey high-rise in west London, killing 72 people

Devastated residents evacuated from the burning apartment building watch on helplessly as the fire continued to rage on

A woman called Maite, who lives opposite the apartment block, told local press: 'I saw people being burnt and shouting for help from balconies, a couple and a child. I'm feeling devastated.

'I left my home and went down into the street in case the flames jumped to our building. I just grabbed hold of my handbag, nothing else.'

Valencia City Hall has declared three days of mourning.

Speaking late last night after a drone put up by firefighters sighted four bodies and it was ascertained the blaze had caused fatalities, Jorge Suarez, sub-director of emergencies for the regional Valencian government, said: 'We have to confirm the worst of the hypotheses that were on the table.

'Four people have died. We can now confirm that but we can't give out any more information at the moment.

'Firefighters are still working exclusively outside the building on tasks related to extinguishing the blaze.

'The characteristics of the building make it impossible to carry out any such work inside the structure so the work being done at the moment is focused on cooling down the outside and that's going to be the focus over the next few hours.

'I can't say at the moment when they're going to be able to go inside the building.'

Picture shows the aftermath of a huge fire that yesterday raged through a multistorey residential block killing at least four people, in Valencia

Firefighters work at the burned-out block building in Valencia this morning

Fire crews have been unable to enter the building so far amid fears of structural damage

Firefighters are seen working at the burned building in Valencia, Spain this morning as they prepare to enter to search for victims of the huge blaze

The official death toll stands at four based on the number of bodies spotted on balconies by a drone put up by emergency responders late yesterday

14 people who lived in the building in Valencia, home to 138 flats and more than 400 residents, remain unaccounted for and have been declared missing

Firefighters inspect the aftermath of a huge fire that yesterday raged through a multistorey residential block killing at least four people, in Valencia on February 23, 2024

Firefighters inspect the aftermath of the huge fire in Valencia this morning

Pictures of the building before the blaze

Construction began on the building in 2005 and it was completed around 2009, with the construction company boasting at the time that it was built with 'the highest quality materials'.

More than 20 fire crews were involved in tackling last night's blaze, with their efforts being hampered by the wind and soaring temperatures of the fire.

Witnesses said that firefighters managed to rescue several people, including a father and daughter, teenage boy and a couple, from their balconies.

Speaking to EFE, Esther Puchades, who is deputy head of Valencia's Industrial Engineers Association (COGITI), blamed the building's cladding for the fire's ferocity and said that the tragedy may mark 'a turning point' in Spain.

Images recalled the London disaster in June 2017 when a fire ripped through Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey high-rise in the west of the British capital, killing 72 people.

The blaze spread rapidly due to the highly combustible cladding on the block's outside walls. A public inquiry into the disaster is still ongoing.

Speaking to Valencian TV on Thursday, Puchades explained that when construction began on the now destroyed building, 'the bad reputation of polyurethane was not so widespread' as it is now, in the wake of Grenfell and other disasters around the world.

'Today it is not used, at least not in that way,' she added, referring to increased safety measures around its usage in Spain.

Firefighters attempt to rescue two stranded residents who fled to the balcony as the building was engulfed

Emergency services work at the scene of a fire of apartment building in Valencia

Multiple fire pumps are at the scene battling the blaze, which reportedly spread from one residential building to another

The building in the Campanar area of the port city has been completely gutted

Devastated residents comfort each other at the scene of the huge fire in the Campanar area

Residents were pictured watching on in horror tonight as their homes were destroyed in front of their eyes

The multistorey building was left completely gutted, with crowds seen gathering to watch the destruction unfold

Spanish rescue services members take care of a person affected by a fire in a 14-story residential building in Valencia

A general view of the facade during the building fire on February 22, 2024

A black cloud of smoke entirely engulfed the building on Thursday evening and flames

The fire is believed to have broken out at around 5.30pm on one floor before quickly spreading to the rest of the block

Firefighters have been using cranes to help rescue people from the burning building

Engineer David Higuera also told Spanish newspaper El Pais that the building's cladding may have been the cause of the rapid spread of the fire.

The material is 'very good at insulating against heat and cold, but very combustible,' he said.

Dozens of residents were pictured watching on in horror tonight as their homes were destroyed in front of their eyes.

A resident who lives on the second floor of the building told TV channel La Sexta that 'the fire spread in a matter of 10 minutes' after it broke out.

He speculated that material on the facade of the building may have enabled the flames to move through the building so quickly.

A resident who lives in the building opposite told RNE radio what she saw when the fire broke out.

'At first the fire came out of the balconies and parts of the facade fell down,' she said, adding that wind had blown parts of the cladding off in recent years and that it had needed to be repaired.

Spain's TVE public television said there were more than 130 flats in the building.

Television images showed the entire facade of the building ablaze as burning segments fell to the pavement below and small explosions were heard inside.

A woman who runs a nearby flower shop told public television the building was no more than 14 years old and had more than 100 flats, all of which were occupied.

'What caused the fire to spread was mostly the wind,' she said, describing scenes of 'chaos' as the blaze took hold, snarling traffic and sending clouds of smoke everywhere.

A field hospital was set up near the scene in case possible victims required treatment.

Local media reported several residents calling for help from the balconies of their apartments.

Experts have blamed the Valencian building's flammable cladding in a tragedy reminiscent of the Grenfell Tower disaster in London in 2017 (pictured)

The 14-storey flat has reportedly been 'reduced to a skeleton' while a nearby building has also been consumed by the flames

A firefighter works at the scene during the building fire on February 22 in Valencia, Spain

Dramatic footage shows two residents desperately trying to shelter from the fire. A number of people have been rescued from their balconies by firefighters

Firefighters work to extinguish the flames as they continue to rip through the residential block

The cause of the fire is unknown and it is not known if there are any victims

Images showed flames and vast clouds of black smoke engulfing the building

Firefighters have been battling the blaze as it rages through the residential block in the eastern port city

Ana Mari Gonzalez, who works in a nearby clinic, told TVE she could see firefighters working to rescue a teenage boy trapped on the building's first floor.

'Please stay away from the area of the fire to let the emergency services do their work,' Valencia's mayor Maria Jose Catala wrote on X.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was 'shocked by the terrible fire' and was in contact with the mayor and the region's leader 'to offer whatever help they needed' and extending his condolences to everyone affected by the blaze.

The Spanish Royal family sent their support to emergency services and added: 'Our hearts are with the Valencians.'
An Ohio mother pleaded guilty to aggravated murder after she left her 16-month-old daughter home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer so she could go on vacation.

Kristel Candelario, 32, now faces a life term and will be sentenced on March 18 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in Cleveland.

She also pleaded guilty to child endangerment as part of a plea deal with Cuyahoga County prosecutors, who agreed to dismiss two murder counts and a felony assault charge.

The 32-year-old mother was arrested and charged in the death of her baby daughter, Jailyn, while she reportedly traveled to Detroit and Puerto Rico in June last year.

'This case is one of those truly unimaginable cases that will stick with me for many years to come,' said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley, announcing the plea on Thursday.

Kristel Candelario, 32, pleaded guilty to murder after she left her 16-month-old daughter home alone in a playpen for ten days last summer so she could go on vacation

Candelario now faces a life term and will be sentenced on March 18 in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in Cleveland

The 32-year-old mother was arrested and charged in the death of her baby daughter, Jailyn, while she reportedly traveled to Detroit and Puerto Rico in June last year

'As prosecutors, it is our job to represent the victims and today we spoke on behalf of 16-month-old Jailyn - who is no longer with us - due to the selfish decisions her mother made. This conviction today, is the first step towards justice for Jailyn.'

Prosecutors said Candelario returned to her Cleveland home located at West 97th Street on June 16, 2023, and found her daughter had not been breathing.

The Cleveland Division of Police and the Cleveland Division of Fire responded to the scene and pronounced Jailyn dead shortly after they arrived.

'The 16-month-old child was extremely dehydrated at the time of death. The 16-month-old child was discovered in a Pack-N-Play pen on a liner soiled with urine and feces with soiled blankets,' the prosecutor's office added.

An autopsy by the Cuyahoga County medical examiners office determined that the toddler had died of starvation and severe dehydration.

Candelario was indicted on charges of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, felonious assaults and endangering children.

She also pleaded guilty to child endangerment as part of a plea deal with Cuyahoga County prosecutors, who agreed to dismiss two murder counts and a felony assault charge

Prosecutors said Candelario returned to her Cleveland home located at West 97th Street on June 16, 2023, and found her daughter had not been breathing

Candelario's attorneys, Derek Smith and Patrick Milligan, declined to go into details about the plea deal, according to Cleveland.com.

'This was a real emotional day for our client. She has taken responsibility for what she did, and she is remorseful,' Milligan said.

'There will be mitigating issues that come up at sentencing that we will address. Hopefully, people will realize that she is not the monster that some see her as.'

The defense attorneys said Candelario suffered from mental health issues but refused to provide further information.

It is unclear why Candelario did not ask anyone to help her care for her child while she was traveling with her older daughter.

DailyMail.com previously reported that this was not the first time Candelario had left her baby daughter home alone, according to a neighbor.

An acquaintance told News5 Cleveland: 'We keep telling her not to leave her by herself, not just me, my friend across the street too, but she always leave her by herself.'

Another female neighbor, who was not identified, told CNN that Jailyn was 'always a happy baby' and was 'always smiling.'

Candelario was indicted on charges of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, felonious assaults, and endangering children

The neighbor's daughter said there were 'plenty of people' around to have watched the baby, saying: 'She could have knocked on any of our doors and asked us to take care of Jailyn and we would have.'

'When they told us the state they found her in, I was just heartbroken,' the teenage neighbor told CNN.

Candelario had previously worked as a building substitute at Citizen Academy Glenville, an elementary school in Cleveland.

She had been in that role since November 2022, but was fired after her arrest. The school issued a statement announcing her termination, WEWS-TV reported.

According to officials with Children and Family Services, there is no record of any previous cases involving Candelario.
A dad-of-two claims his pet dog was 'stolen' by a pet sitter he'd arranged to look after the animal during a lengthy trip abroad.

Redford Robinson, 34, had booked a trip to Jamaica to visit family and left his beloved Cane Corso named Diego with the pet-sitting service in August. However, after returning in January, he's not been able to reach the company with no sign of his dog.

The furious construction worker, from Manchester in the UK, says he paid roughly $5,443 (2,820) for a six-month dog board. Redford says he was in constant communication with the company throughout his trip and claims he received regular updates on his dog. But now he's been "ghosted".

Redford Robinson arranged a pet sitter for his Cane Corso named Diego while he was abroad for six months. Source: Jam Press

Since arriving home in late January, the devastated dad claims he's not heard from the service and has been unable to collect his beloved Diego.

Dog owner 'ghosted' by pet sitter

Redford claims the owner has "ghosted" him and wont answer his calls. Desperate to be reunited with his dog, he says he visited the building where he dropped off Diego, but there was no answer. He's now reported the incident to police.

What's App messages show the dad attempting to contact the pet sitter, with no reply. Source: Jam Press

"I just want him to let me know he is alright. I find it so weird that nobody can get hold of them," he said. "I was looking for someone to take care of Diego whilst I was away. Everything was alright at first, we were communicating all the time, now they won't answer the phone to me."

"Its weird how someone can disappear. I just want them to bring my dog back," he continued. "Hes not your average dog, hes a big dog and nearly three feet tall."

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "An investigation into theft in Manchester is still ongoing at this stage with no arrests made."

with Jam Press

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A New Jersey woman was shocked to see what her work's HR department wrote in an email regarding an upcoming retreat to Paris.

The woman, known as @co.letter on TikTok, revealed in a video she posted on February 23 that HR asked all of the company employees to share a room and a bed.

According to the shocked employee, HR wrote in the email: 'You will notice in the survey that you have the option to share a room with a colleague, be advised that at present booking status, there is only one bed in the room.'

'I had to read the email like three times over,' she stated.

The TikToker added that the HR department has allowed all the employees not to answer the question if they prefer.

A corporate employee known as @co.letter on TikTok revealed that her workplace's HR department suggested that workers share beds at their upcoming corporate retreat

The TikToker added that the HR department has allowed all the employees not to answer the question if they prefer

The Cornell University graduate did not clarify where she works, but she did post a TikTok video back in December of a previous corporate retreat in the French Alps.

However, based on the corporate worker's face in her recent video, that idea may not have been applied to their previous trip.

'That was an option... Suggested, encouraged - HR was like typing that up, sending it, drinking their glass of wine,' she said of her upcoming retreat.

The TikToker continued to talk about the HR department and that the members are 'bored or they wanna save money.'

She believes that the experience of her and a friend rooming together during the Paris trip would also make a good 'book.'

'I hope this video lands on an author's page and then they can Facetime me after I go on this trip,' she stated.

'I didn't know that this was even possible in a corporate setting.'

Other TikTok users have shared their opinions on the matter and one person even thought the suggestion 'feels illegal.'

The Cornell University graduate did not clarify where she works, but she did post a TikTok video back in December of a previous corporate retreat in the French Alps

Many social media users have wrote that they would not want to share a bed with their co-workers and the shocked female employee responded to more than one video comment

One TikTok user who responded to that comment shared a story about someone they knew that had an interesting experience while sharing a room.

'Yeah I knew someone who had to share a room and their coworker brought someone home to pound town,' they wrote.

Others have wrote that they would never share a room with a co-worker, even if it's their 'work BFF.'

@co.letter did respond to one of the comments and revealed that multiple company employees have dated.

'Multiple people in my company end up dating and WE WONDER WHY - HR lovessss a good rom com,' she wrote.
The family of a young marine, tragically killed in an Osprey crash, is urging the military to avoid using the aircraft, following a series of fatal accidents leading to the deaths of twenty service members within one year.

Evan Strickland was killed at 19-years-old in a June 2022 Osprey crash, when the MV-22 he was in came down in the California dessert during a training flight.

The V-22 Osprey is a unique aircraft capable of functioning like both a helicopter and a propeller plane, and used primarily to transport combat troops. From March 2022 to November 2023, twenty service members died in four fatal Osprey crashes.

While the military claims to have has solved the issue relating to the clutch in the Osprey's rotor gearbox that led to at least one crash, it has not determined the root cause behind the Osprey's recurrent problems.

As the military considers a return to operation for the aircraft, Wayland Strickland, Evan's father expressed his frustration, telling NBC Nightly News, 'You ain't fix something if you don't know truly what's causing it. So that's the worry and concern - we just want it fixed.

Evan Strickland passed away at 19-years-old in a June 2022 Osprey crash, when the MV-22 he was in came down in the California dessert during a training flight

As the military considers a return to operation for the aircraft, Wayland Strickland, Evan's father (left) expressed frustration, telling NBC News, 'You ain't fix something if you don't know truly what's causing it. So that's the worry and concern - we just want it fixed

The V-22 Osprey is a unique aircraft capable of functioning like both a helicopter and a propeller plane, and used primarily to transport combat troops. From March 2022 to November 2023, 20 service members died in four fatal Osprey crashes

It was Evan's first and final flight as a crew chief aboard the aircraft he was always fascinated with - and dreamt of working on.

'Evan had a love for the Osprey from when he was little, maybe 6 years old to 7 years old. His dad  an Air Force veteran  had taken him to an air show,' Strickland's mother, Michelle, said to the Valencia County News Bulletin after his death.

'He sat in the cockpit of the Osprey and he just fell in love with it.'

Tragedy struck again in August 2023 when another Osprey crashed in Australia, claiming the lives of three other service members. The cause of the crash remains undetermined.

'Evan had a love for the Osprey from when he was little, maybe 6 years old to 7 years old. His dad  an Air Force veteran  had taken him to an air show,' Strickland's mother, Michelle, said to the Valencia County News Bulletin after his death

Five Marines died in the crash: Two pilots, Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, of Rockingham, New Hampshire, and Capt. John J. Sax, 33, of Placer, California; and three crew chiefs, Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, of Winnebago, Illinois; Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, of Johnson, Wyoming, and Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19, of Valencia, New Mexico

'And, you know, right away I was like, Oh, no.  Your heart just sinks. And I remember shaking, kind of showing [Wayland] the phone, like, 'No, this can't be.'

As discussions on the potential resumption of Osprey flights loom, the Strickland family and others affected emphasize the need for thorough investigations and transparency.

Tim Loranger, representing families of Osprey crash victims, stressed the importance of specific explanations to address concerns among those still flying the aircraft.

'If they could come forward and say that and be very specific, then I think the families would be put at ease, especially those who are still flying in the aircraft, but that hasn't happened yet,' said Tim Loranger, a lawyer who is representing the families of service members lost in Osprey crashes.

'Military aviation is an inherently risky endeavor,' Keith Wright, chief of public affairs for the Air Force, told NBC News. 'Our primary purpose is to defend the nation in air, space, and cyberspace, and critical to that is preserving the combat capabilities our personnel and systems provide by mitigating those risks.'

Osprey accidents: 46 people killed in 30 years 1989 - The first prototypes flew in March, and the second in September. 1991-2 - The fourth and fifth prototypes crashed, with five dying in the Potomac River when the fifth crashed in July 1992, and the aircraft was modified as a result. Apr 2000 - An Osprey crashed during a night training exercise at Marana Regional Airport near Tucson, Arizona, killing all 19 Marines on board. The fleet was grounded. Dec 2000 - Another Osprey crashed during training near Jacksonville, North Carolina, killing four Marines. Dec 2005 - The Marine Corps received its first batch of combat-ready Ospreys. Apr 2010 - Four people are killed when an Osprey crashes in Zabul province in southern Afghanistan. Apr 2012 - Two Marines die when an Osprey crashes in the Draa River in Morocco. Oct 2014 - One killed in a crash in the Arabian Gulf. May 2015 - Two killed in an Osprey accident in Hawaii. Aug 2017 - Three Marines killed off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Mar 2022 - An MV-22B crashed in Norway during a training exercise, killing four. Advertisement

'There are a variety of reasons mishaps occur, which can include human error, mechanical failure, procedural guidance, or training. Every mishap is different, and each is investigated individually and thoroughly to identify causal factors in efforts to prevent similar mishaps,' Wright added.

A spokesperson for Bell-Textron, the Osprey manufacturer, told NBC News, 'Our thoughts are with those who were lost in these incidents, along with their families, friends and loved ones. We are steadfast in our commitment to safety and are fully supporting the investigation.'

Since its introduction in 1989, the Osprey has been controversial due to its history of crashes. From 1989 to 2017, seven accidents claimed the lives of 41 service members and passengers.

Although there were no fatal crashes from 2018 to 2021, recent years have seen a resurgence in accidents.

In 2020 and 2021, there were two incidents categorized as 'Class A mishaps.' Between 2022 and 2023, there were 11 Class A mishaps, four of them fatal.

In March 2022, a crash in Norway claimed the lives of four Marines, attributed to pilot error.

Just months later, the Osprey crashed in California, killing Evan and four other Marines. Investigators determined the crash resulted from a 'hard clutch engagement,' causing a sudden loss of lift.

Since the California crash, there have been six more incidents involving hard clutch engagements, raising concerns over the aircraft's safety.

In August 2023, a crash in Australia resulted in further fatalities, while a November 2023 crash off the coast of Japan claimed the lives of eight service members.

Despite the military's assertion of a 99 percent resolution to the clutch engagement issue in February 2023, the problem persists. Ongoing investigations are focusing on the Osprey's proprotor gearbox as a potential cause of recent crashes but the problem remains unsolved.

In July 2023, a 400-page report released concluded that the deadly crash of a Marine V-22 Osprey in California was caused by mechanical failure,

A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey is pictured in 2012

The investigation ruled out pilot and maintenance errors. The Marines were doing routine flight operations when a 'catastrophic, unpreventable and unanticipated mechanical failure occurred,' the report wrote.

The Osprey crashed in a remote area near Glamis, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of San Diego.

Five Marines died in the crash: Two pilots, Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, of Rockingham, New Hampshire, and Capt. John J. Sax, 33, of Placer, California; and three crew chiefs, Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, of Winnebago, Illinois; Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, of Johnson, Wyoming, and Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19, of Valencia, New Mexico.

'The tragedy of this event is impossible to capture in words,' said Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, who was commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in a memo attached to the report. 'It is clear from the investigation that there was nothing the crew of SWIFT 11 could have done to anticipate or prevent this aviation mishap.'

The report also ruled out any issues with weather, birds or other external factors. And it concluded that there should be no disciplinary actions or administrative actions against any Marines.
President Vladimir Putin on Friday hailed Russia's 'heroes' fighting in Ukraine on the eve of the second anniversary of the Kremlin's offensive, with Moscow bolstered by gains against ammunition-starved Ukrainian troops.

Putin's message came on Russia's 'Defender of the Fatherland Day' patriotic holiday, which has always been an occasion for military pomp and Kremlin-sponsored patriotism.

This year the holiday comes with Putin inspired by the capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka and reveling in the US Congress blocking vital military aid to Kyiv.

'You are our true national heroes,' Putin said in a video message addressed to troops and veterans.

'We know that it is hard for you, and we will do everything possible for you to fulfil the tasks ahead of you,' Putin said, adding that Moscow's weapons production has 'multiplied.'

Vladimir Putin has called his troops 'heroes' after two years fighting his war against Ukraine

The city of Avdiivka fell to Moscow last week after months of bloody battles

Putin's message came on Russia's 'Defender of the Fatherland Day' patriotic holiday

Putin has spent recent days flying in bomber planes, handing out medals to troops and touting a 'turning point' in Ukraine.

He has mocked Ukraine's 'chaotic flight' from Avdiivka, which fell to Moscow last week after months of bloody battles.

Putin has also been bolstered at home, ahead of an election certain to extend his long rule: a massive crackdown has all but crushed dissent and the Russian leader's main opponent - Alexei Navalny - is dead.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has been weakened by the blocking of US aid, its failed counter-offensive and worsening ammunition shortages.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged an 'extremely difficult' situation on the front.

Two years fighting a bigger and richer army has taken its toll on Ukraine's stretched forces.

'It's extremely hard,' Ukrainian infantryman Oleksiy told AFP in eastern Ukraine, caked in mud after returning from the trenches.

Vladimir Putin takes part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Now Opposition leader Alexei Navalny is dead, nothing stands in the way of Putin's reelection

'We don't have weapons like they have. You know, they have factories for production, and us? We beg for weapons. That's the way it is,' the 32-year-old said.

In Moscow, Putin laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Kremlin walls in a ceremony attended by veterans and Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.

The head of Russia's Orthodox Church, a key Putin ally and supporter of the offensive, yet again sanctified it.

In a letter to Putin, Patriarch Kirill said: 'We glorify today the feat of soldiers who are heroically fighting on the borders of Russia, defending its sovereignty and independence.'

Russia has banned all criticism of its campaign, punishing thousands for denouncing the offensive, with repression comparable to late Soviet levels.

It took Putin's army several months to capture the city, causing a huge amount of bloodshed

As Ukrainian forces were forced to evacuate, military items were left behind on the ground

The United States is on Friday to announce new sanctions on Moscow over the death last week of Putin's opponent Navalny in an Arctic prison. His body has not yet been returned to his family.

The UN Security Council will also convene Friday, marking two years of the conflict that has cost tens of thousands of lives.

In Ukraine, foreign dignitaries began to arrive to mark the anniversary of Moscow's assault, which has killed thousands of civilians, on top of a huge number of military deaths.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in the western city of Lviv on Friday, Zelensky said.

US senator Chuck Schumer also arrived in the city, close to the Polish border.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in the western city of Lviv on Friday

A statue of a soldier amongst the ruins of Avdiivka which has now been taken by Russia

The Democrat said on social media that he wanted to 'show the Ukrainian people that America stands with them' and to 'learn about the arms Ukraine vitally needs.'

Despite recent setbacks, Zelensky has remained defiant.

Kyiv has taken confidence from continued successes on the Black Sea, where it says it has destroyed a third - 25 vessels - of Russia's Black Sea fleet.

But its land campaign has stalled, and it is there that Moscow is seeking to press its advantage and drive further into Ukraine following the capture of Avdiivka.

Kyiv warned Friday that Russia is intensifying attacks around the new 'hot spot' of Maryinka, a town to the west of the Moscow-controlled stronghold of Donetsk city.

Ukrainian troops, however, remained determined.

Raising a glass to his army - Vladimir Putin calls his soldiers 'heroes' as they take Avdiivka

Ukraine's land campaign has stalled - Moscow is seeking to press its advantage

Ukrainian soldier Oleksiy who was holding the fallback lines outside Avdiivka, said that while the fall of the industrial hub affected morale, troops were ready to fight on.

'Absolutely, of course we were upset. But nevertheless, nobody's discouraged,' he said, with an AK-47 assault rifle tattooed on his neck.

'If we retreat, they will move all along the front line.'
Do you know more? Email wayne.flower@dailymail.com

Samantha Murphy's husband and 'everyone' close to her have been named as persons of interest

Police are investigating several movements made by people to and from the home of Samantha Murphy on the day the mother-of-three disappeared.

Ms Murphy, 51, left her home in Victoria's Ballarat East to go for a run in the nearby Woowookarung Regional Park at about 7am on February 4.

Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of the missing woman has been found.

Everyone close to Ms Murphy has now been deemed a person of interest, with police revealing they believe the 51-year-old is likely dead.

Police say there were a 'number of movements' to and from the Murphy house on February 4, which they are investigating, A Current Affair reported.

Police are investigating several movements made by people to and from the home of Samantha Murphy (pictured with husband Mick) on the day the mother-of-three disappeared

Known violent criminals in the area are also being spoken to, including a male sex offender.

That man was reportedly interviewed by detectives for several hours and provided an alibi for the day of Ms Murphy's disappearance.

Extra detectives including personnel from the sex crimes, counter-terror, fraud and armed robbery divisions in Melbourne, have been brought in to help with the case.

There is no suggestion the sex offender is involved in Ms Murphy's disappearance in any way and he is understood to have provided an alibi, which is being corroborated.

Attention has also turned to the smash repair business, Inland Motor Body Works, Ms Murphy and her husband Mick own.

Police have taken away a number of 'items of interest' from the repairs shop.

Victoria Police Crime Command's Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt earlier said police would be speaking to her family, friends and work colleagues as part of their 'open-ended' investigation.

Police said while Mick Murphy (pictured leaving a police station on February 9) was not an official suspect, he was a 'person of interest' in the investigation

Police released this image of Ms Murphy from the morning she vanished. Detectives now believe 'one or more parties' are behind her mystery disappearance

Forensics are seen scouring the Mt Clear bushland for Ms Murphy on Friday

Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt said while Mr Murphy was not a suspect, that he and 'everyone in Ms Murphy's personal life was a person of interest

When Daily Mail Australia asked Superintendent Hatt if Mr Murphy was a person of interest, he said he was not an official suspect, but that he and 'everyone' in Ms Murphy's close personal life was a person of interest.

'We have a number of people that we are speaking to and I can say the family have been absolutely fantastic in cooperating with police,' he said.

'At this stage he is not (a suspect). Everyone in relation to Samantha is a person of interest. In our investigation we are speaking to everyone that was in her life.'

In a comment that appeared to suggest Ms Murphy may have been targeted, Superintendent Hatt said: 'We have no intelligence or evidence to suggest that there's any risk to anyone else.'

'We are absolutely looking for her phone, we haven't yet found that. We are looking for a body. Again, that area has been searched for Samantha herself and we have not found her in that area,' he said.

The superintendent said the possibility Ms Murphy had suffered a medical episode had been ruled out and said he was 'doubtful' she was still alive.

'Given the extensive and detailed search that has already been undertaken, and the fact no sign of Samantha or her personal belongings has been located, we have ruled out any type of medical incident,' he told reporters.

'Unfortunately given the fact we've found no trace of her, we do have severe concerns and are very doubtful that she is still alive.'

Samantha Murphy left her Ballarat home at 7am February 4 to go for a run in the nearby state forest and did not return home. Police have now launched a major new ground search after phone data led them to a specific area of bushland 6km from where she was last seen

Forensics launched a search in a new area of bushland in the state forest on Friday

Superintendent Hatt said police suspect Ms Murphy's body may have been removed from the Mount Clear area they are searching after meeting foul play.

'That is certainly a scenario that we are looking into. Based on our elimination process we do think that another party has been involved  whether that be one person or a number of people.'

Superintendent Hatt said detectives had searched Ms Murphy's home 'to a certain extent' as part of its investigation.

'In relation to our investigation I won't comment any further,' he said.

Officers are currently following up more than 500 separate pieces of evidence and sifting through 12,000 hours of CCTV footage.

Superintendent Hatt said questions over the movements of those within the family home in the period Ms Murphy was on that run were difficult to answer.

'There's a lot of movements to and from the house during the day and again we're very, very confident we have tracked all of those movements and we are following up on everything,' he said.
Sadiq Khan waded into the row over Gaza protests outside Parliament today with an attack on Suella Braverman over her claim that 'the Islamists are in charge now'.

The London mayor said that the former home secretary and leading contender to be the next Tory leader was 'doing her best to outflank Enoch Powell' - the former minister notorious for his 'rivers of blood' speech about immigration.

Mrs Braverman made the incendiary remarks as the Tories switched their anger from Speaker Lindsay Hoyle to focus on Keir Starmer's role in the political chaos in the Commons this week.

Sir Lindsay has twice apologised for ripping up the Commons rule book, a move which helped the Labour leader avoid a a damaging revolt over the fighting in the Middle East.

The Speaker argued that he was motivated by anxiety about the safety of MPs from pro-Palestinian protesters, rather than partisan concerns. Extremist sympathisers projected the phrase 'from the river to the sea' - seen as anti-Semitic - onto the Elizabeth Tower during the debate as thousands of protesters gathered outside Parliament.

In the wake of Ms Braverman's comments in a newspaper article, Mr Khan, who is a Muslim, said: 'It's a poisonous attempt to drive a wedge between our communities and serve her own naked ambition.

'Now, more than ever, we should be seeking to unite, not divide.'

Writing in the Telegraph this morning Ms Braverman said: 'We need to wake up to what we are sleep-walking into: a ghettoised society where free expression and British values are diluted'

In the wake of Ms Braverman's comments in a newspaper article, Mr Khan, who is a Muslim, said: 'It's a poisonous attempt to drive a wedge between our communities and serve her own naked ambition. 'Now, more than ever, we should be seeking to unite, not divide.'

The former home secretary, a frontrunner to be the next Conservative leader , made the incendiary remarks as the party switched its anger from Speaker Lindsay Hoyle to focus on Keir Starmer 's role in the political chaos.

The Speaker argued that he was motivated by anxiety about the safety of MPs from pro-Palestinian protesters, rather than partisan concerns. Extremist sympathisers projected the phrase 'from the river to the sea' - seen as anti-Semitic - onto the Elizabeth Tower during the debate as thousands of protesters gathered outside Parliament.

Writing in the Telegraph this morning Ms Braverman said: 'I may have been sacked because I spoke out against the appeasement of Islamists, but I would do it again because we need to wake up to what we are sleep-walking into: a ghettoised society where free expression and British values are diluted. Where sharia law, the Islamist mob and anti-Semites take over communities

'We need to overcome the fear of being labelled Islamophobic and speak truthfully.'

However, Ms Braverman faced criticism over her time in the Home Office from Lord Mann, the government's independent adviser on anti-Semitism. He tweeted: 'As Home Secretary, Stella Braverman ignored the advice I provided on how to tackle anti-Semitism and issues for her department. In fact she never even bothered to read them. Her inaction in office is a part of the problem.'

And her successor James Cleverly said he did not 'always agree with everything' she said.

The Home Secretary told LBC: 'She's clearly expressing frustrations that she's felt whilst she was in this role.

'And I understand that. And she and I remain close friends - that doesn't mean to say I always agree with everything she's saying.

'But it is absolutely the case that we must make sure that we crack down on extremist behaviour, it's absolutely the case that we must not let our democracy be distorted through fear or intimidation.'

Asked about her comment that 'turning a blind eye to fanatics has got us into this terrible situation', Mr Cleverly said: 'I'm not sure who she's referring to when she's talking about turning a blind eye, because I certainly haven't turned a blind eye since I've been the Home Secretary.'

Some Conservatives have been reluctant to blame the Speaker for Wednesday's events, instead pointing the finger at Sir Keir.

There were claims he personally lobbied the Speaker, telling him he would have 'blood on his hands' if a Labour amendment was not selected - something the party leader 'categorically' denies.

Ms Braverman said the Labour leader had 'bowed to the mob' and made a 'grubby backroom deal'.

She said: 'The mask has slipped: in hock to the Islamists, he is responsible for one of the most shameful days of our democracy.

'By effectively taking the Speaker hostage, he brought Parliament into disrepute. This is the behaviour of tyrants. Just imagine what Starmer would do as Prime Minister.'

Last night Rishi Sunak accused Sir Lindsay of pandering to 'extremists' by 'bending' Parliamentary rules.

Almost 70 MPs have signed a motion called for the Speaker to quit in the wake of the controversy, though the number appeared to have plateaued, with no new additions overnight.

And today Ms Braverman's successor as Home secretary, James Claverley, came out in support of him.

The senior Cabinet minister told Sky News: 'I think the Speaker has done a fantastic job. I think he's been a breath of fresh air compared with his predecessor (John Bercow).

'He made a mistake. He's apologised for the mistake.

'My view is that I'm supportive of him.'

Mr Cleverly said it was his personal view because the selection of the Speaker is 'House business' rather than for Government ministers to decide.

Sir Keir claimed he 'simply urged' the Speaker to have 'the broadest possible debate' by allowing Labour's Gaza motion to be heard alongside those from the Government and SNP.

He said: 'I can categorically tell you that I did not threaten the Speaker in any way whatsoever.' But Whitehall sources told the Mail that Sir Keir had 'gatecrashed' a meeting between the Speaker and the Labour chief whip just minutes before Wednesday's debate in an apparent attempt to 'bounce' him into agreeing to a vote which would avoid exposing Labour splits over Gaza. Commons leader Penny Mordaunt condemned Sir Keir for 'bullying' a 'decent man' into a misguided decision.

'We have seen into the heart of Labour's leadership,' she said. 'Nothing is more important than the interests of the Labour Party. The Labour Party before principle, the Labour Party before individual rights, the Labour Party before the reputation and honour of the decent man that sits in Speaker's chair. The Labour Party before fairness, integrity and democracy.'
Israel has outlined its first official 'day after' plan for the Gaza Strip, calling for Hamas to be removed, no 'unilateral recognition' of a Palestinian state and the UN Palestinian refugees agency UNRWA to be shut down.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will keep security control over all Palestinian areas and make the reconstruction of Gaza dependent on its demilitarization.

The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry issued a blistering condemnation, calling it 'a plan to prolong the genocide against our people' and show that Israel is trying to buy more time to put through displacement plans.

The document proposes Israel would maintain security control over all land west of Jordan, including the occupied West Bank and Gaza - territories where the Palestinians hope to establish an independent state.

Netanyahu presented the plan yesterday to the security cabinet, which could still demand amendments.

In the long-term goals listed, Netanayhu rejects the 'unilateral recognition' of a Palestinian state. He says a settlement with the Palestinians will only be achieved through direct negotiations between the two sides - without naming who the Palestinian party would be.

Under the plan, Israel would maintain security control over all land west of Jordan, including the occupied West Bank and Gaza - territories where the Palestinians hope to establish an independent state

Two men embrace amid the rubble after an overnight Israeli bombardment in Deir Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, on Friday

Search and rescue efforts continue to reach injured and killed Palestinians at the scene after Israeli forces hit and destroyed a building belonging to a Palestinian family in Az-Zawayda, Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on Friday

In Gaza, Netanyahu outlines demilitarization and deradicalization as goals to be achieved in the medium term. He does not elaborate on when that intermediary stage would begin or how long it would last.

But he conditions the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip, much of which has been laid to waste by Israel's offensive, on its complete demilitarization.

Netanyahu proposes that Israel should have a presence on the Gaza-Egypt border in the south of the enclave and cooperates with Egypt and the United States in that area to prevent smuggling attempts, including at the Rafah crossing.

To replace Hamas rule in Gaza while maintaining public order, Netanyahu suggests working with local representatives 'who are not affiliated with terrorist countries or groups and are not financially supported by them'.

He calls for the UNRWA to be axed and replaced with other international aid groups.

'The prime minister's document of principles reflects broad public consensus over the goals of the war and for replacing Hamas rule in Gaza with a civilian alternative,' a statement by the Prime Minister's office said.

The document was distributed to security cabinet members to start a discussion on the issue.

This picture taken from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment on Khan Yunis on Thursday

A Palestinian woman injured in an Israeli strike mourns the death of her sibling in the strike at Abu Yousef Al-Najjar hospital in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Thursday

Palestinians walk past destroyed houses in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday

Destruction of Al-Farouq Mosque and surrounding buildings due to Israeli raids in Rafah, Gaza, on Thursday

The statement from the Palestinian Authority in response to the plan argues that Israel is using a blatant manoeuvre to threaten American and international attempts linking the end of the war and the release of hostages and prisoners to the resolution of the wider Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Additionally, the PA called on the US and other Western countries to take decisive action, including recognising Palestine as an independent state, helping with its membership in the UN, and setting up an international peace conference.

It says these points are vital for bringing an end to the occupation and allowing the Palestinian people to make use of their right to self-determination freely and in a dignified manner.

The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli counts.

Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel has responded with an air and ground assault on blockaded Gaza that has killed more than 29,400 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.

The offensive has displaced most of the territory's population and caused widespread hunger and disease.

A father carries the body of his son following an Israeli air strike on Deir Al Balah, southern Gaza Strip, on Friday

Israel tanks roll along the border with the Gaza Strip on Friday

Smoke rises during an Israeli ground operation in Khan Younis, as seen from a tent camp sheltering displaced Palestinians in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Thursday

The spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said that Netanyahu's proposal was doomed to fail, as were any Israeli plans to change the geographic and demographic realities in Gaza.

'If the world is genuinely interested in having security and stability in the region, it must end Israel's occupation of Palestinian land and recognise an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,' he said.

The war in Gaza has revived international calls - including from Israel's main backer the United States - for the so-called two-state solution as the ultimate goal for resolving the decades long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Little progress has been made on achieving Palestinian statehood since the signing of the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s. Among the obstacles impeding it are expanding Israeli settlements in territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

Most countries regard the settlements, which in many areas cut Palestinian communities off from each other, as a violation of international law.

Israel claims a biblical birthright to the land and said yesterday that it would approve more than 3,000 new housing units in settlements.
The widow of the pilot killed in a horrific plane crash over the Pacific is suing Google's co-founder because his private plane was allegedly 'illegally put together.'

Sergey Brin's twin-engine aircraft plummeted into the Pacific Ocean on May 20, 2023, while trying to get back to Half Moon Bay after setting out for the businessman's private island in Fiji.

The two people on board, both pilots, died as a result of the fuel system malfunction that cause the plane to crash.

Maria Magdalena Olarte Maclean, the widow of 65-year-old pilot Lance Maclean, has now filed a complaint against Brin for wrongful death and interfering with the recovery of the remains.

The fuel system was illegally put in place, lacked the proper paperwork and was installed 'from memory,' the complaint alleges.

The widow of the pilot killed in a horrific plane crash over the Pacific is suing Google 's co-founder because his private plane was allegedly 'illegally put together'

Olarte Maclean's lawsuit is asking for at least $150,000 in damages - including emotional and financial - after the death of her husband Lance Maclean, 65

Maria Magdalena Olarte Maclean, the widow of 65-year-old pilot Lance Maclean, has now filed a complaint against Brin for wrongful death and interfering with the recovery of the remains

The aircraft crashed while trying to get back to Half Moon Bay after setting out for the businessman's private island in Fiji (pictured)

She has listed Google, the company responsible for maintaining the aircraft along with its aviation director, the company that installed the fuel system and Brin's investment firm as co-defendants in the complaint.

Despite Brin not being on the aircraft himself, Olarte Maclean is accusing Brin's agents of lying to her by saying they could not legally recover the bodies because of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration constraints - which don't exist, according to the complaint.

The widow claims that Brin delayed the recovery of her husband's body and the aircraft wreckage in order to bury evidence that would prove the fuel system was illegally installed.

The aircraft was en route to Brin's private island in Fiji before it crashed over the Pacific Ocean. Brin's island is the Cast Away island, also known as Monuriki.

Both Brin and his Google co-founder Larry Page own islands in Fiji, with Page's being the remote and beautiful Tavarua Island.

Olarte Maclean's lawsuit is asking for at least $150,000 in damages - including emotional and financial.

A spokesperson for Brin's family office told NBC, 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of the crew piloting the De Havilland DCH6-400 Twin Otter airplane, and our sympathies remain with the families. We are not able to comment on pending legal action at this time.'

Brin concluded his divorce with Nicole Shanahan, an attorney and entrepreneur, after allegations of her involvement with Elon Musk.

Both Brin and his Google co-founder Larry Page own islands in Fiji, with Page's being the remote and beautiful Tavarua Island (pictured)

A map shows the area off the coast of Northern California where the plane went down

The divorce filing came about just a month after allegations surfaced of Shanahan's relationship with the Tesla CEO, who is a long-term friend of Brin.

Both Musk and Shanahan denied any romantic relationship but the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk's friendship with Brin was 'ruptured' by the 'alleged affair'.

The heartbroken widow blasted the tech multi-billionaire over her husband's body still languishing at the bottom of the Pacific back in June, 2023.

Olarte Maclean  who is herself a pilot  condemned the Google guru, telling DailyMail.com: 'He could have done much more. I have been in agony for weeks.'

Shortly after the crash, Bayshore Global said in a statement: 'We send our deepest condolences to the families of the crew on board. We are providing the families with assistance and will continue to do so as long as needed.'

Brin stepped down as president of Google's parent company Alphabet in December 2019, but remains a board member and controlling shareholder.

The widow was also heartbroken that the Coast Guard did not pull the two pilots free when the swimmer reached the plane, which came down in Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco.

He was able to pull the leg of one of the fliers, but could not free either man from the cockpit without going all the way inside  which the Coast Guard has told DailyMail.com is against protocol.

Maclean's plane took off from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, California, at 8.05am on May 20, initially bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, on the first leg of a run to move it to Fiji

Maclean and Maria met in her native Colombia 22 years ago while she was flying VIPs and presidential hopefuls around the South American country and he was a commercial pilot

The plane took off from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, California, at 8.05am on May 20, initially bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, on the first leg of a run to move it to Fiji.

It was destined to be used in the South Pacific for Brin or his guests to go island hopping, Maria said she was told. The tycoon has vacationed there before.

But flight tracking records reveal the plane headed back to the Santa Rosa area four hours later with a suspected fuel starvation problem.

Olarte Maclean met her husband in her native Colombia 22 years ago while she was flying VIPs and presidential hopefuls around the South American country and he was a commercial pilot.

He handled Phantom fast jets during his five years in the Navy before moving into a variety of aviation roles, including hunting down narco-traffickers in South America and fighting wildfires in Montana. He also spent time in Afghanistan helping to train Air Force pilots.

The couple set up home in Naples, Florida - where Lance grew up and went to high school - after marrying 17 years ago.

Maria described her last conversations with her husband on the fateful day and her battle for his remains.

'Those flights of around 10 hours over water always make me scared,' she said. 'As a pilot myself and a wife, I am always scared when my husband flies. So I track him to see what is happening.
A top Republican says 'every American should be scared to death' by the surge in Chinese migrants entering the US, saying they could be spies or saboteurs for Beijing in any conflict over Taiwan.

Mark Green, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said the influx of Chinese migrants included many 'military-age men' who could end up 'tracking our railheads and looking at our ports' for Beijing.

US Customs and Border Protection says it encountered 24,048 Chinese migrants at the US-Mexico border in fiscal year 2023, which ended in September  a 7,000 percent jump on the 323 who came amid the pandemic-era lockdowns of 2021.

Beijing has long considered self-governed Taiwan as part of China and has threatened to force it to 'unify' with the mainland. Many analysts say a military buildup suggests an attack could happen as soon as 2027.

Mark Green, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, says 'every American should be scared to death' by the surge in Chinese migrants entering the US

A US Border Patrol chief has warned that his agents are being overwhelmed by the flood of Chinese migrants crossing the border illegally and that they could be missing Communist spies

The US has said it would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.

'I think every American should be scared to death,' Green told a panel about border security at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference gathering in Washington DC on Thursday.

Poll Does Donald Trump have a point? Is the Southern border 'totally out of control'? Yes No Does Donald Trump have a point? Is the Southern border 'totally out of control'? Yes 7757 votes

No 621 votes Now share your opinion





'It's the 24,000 Chinese nationals who came in last year, 20,000 Since October 1.'

On X/Twitter, Green has said they include large numbers of 'military age men,' and that 'no doubt some have ties to' the Chinese Communist Party and the country's armed forces, the People's Liberation Army.

'I'm not suggesting that China is going to be attacking the United States, but if we defend Taiwan, I can't imagine there aren't people in there who are going to be tracking our railheads and looking at our ports,' he said.

He referred to incidents of Chinese citizens posing as tourists but suspected of being spies repeatedly trying in recent years to gain access to military facilities in Alaska.

In one incident at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, US troops found a drone in a vehicle with Chinese citizens.

'We've had mass waves of Chinese terrorists storming military installations with cameras,' said Green.

'It's a desperate threat.'

People's Liberation Army forces have been readying for a potential attack on Taiwan that could come as soon as 2027, analysts predict

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

In response to questions about Chinese citizens illegally entering the US, the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said late last year it was 'highly concerned' about the situation.

'China opposes and resolutely cracks down on any form of illegal immigration and is willing to actively carry out international cooperation in this area,' it said.

More Chinese nationals are encountered at the San Diego sector of the California-Mexico border nowadays than Mexicans, according to CBP data obtained by Fox News this week.

Some 21,000 Chinese nationals have been encountered since the financial year started in October, more than the 18,000 Mexicans and second only to some 28,000 migrants from Colombia.

Dozens of Chinese migrants were spotted lined up at the California border town of Jacumba on February 15, telling reporters shamelessly how they're here to 'take the money'.

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 show.

In San Diego, where a large share of Chinese migrants try to enter the US, the ease at which people avoid detection was captured in stunning footage shared by Fox News.

Border sources claim that 208 Chinese nations were stopped on Monday, bringing the total to 452 Chinese migrants apprehended in San Diego over the last three days

More successful asylum claims in the US are made by Chinese migrants than any other nationality, according to government data

The Chinese arrivals have raised concern with elected officials about why the citizens for a US foe are coming here in increasing numbers.

Some have been found to have links with the CCP and its affiliated PLA, but border chiefs are concerned more could be slipping through their grasp.

A US Border Patrol chief has warned that his agents are being overwhelmed by the flood of Chinese migrants crossing the border illegally and that they could be missing Communist spies.

Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Good, of the Border Patrol's El Paso Sector, told the Homeland Security Committee during a private hearing in September last year that his agents struggled to assess the risks of the Chinese arrivals.

They were 'trying their best to figure out why [individuals from other continents are] coming' but that 'information can be hidden' and 'their agendas, their ideologies, the reason for them coming could be missed,' he said.

Many Chinese newcomers say they are simply escaping poverty and China's tumbling economy, many paying thousands of dollars to cartels and people traffickers for a chance to get decent-paying work.

One migrant this month told Nikkei Asia that China's property bubble had burst and once well-paid jobs selling condos had 'dried up.'

'My monthly pay decreased to 2,000 from 3,000 yuan [$278 to $417], which wasn't enough to live on,' said the migrant.

PolitiFact, a fact-checking group, has said that Green and other Republicans are exaggerating the threat from Chinese migrants, who mostly head top the US for 'jobs and freedom.'

'A significant portion are young men, but thats not unusual for any immigrant group,' said the group.
Donald Trump has a knack for saying what many voters want to hear.

But the former president is wide of the mark when it comes to sticking up for NATO allies in the face of Russian aggression.

That's according to a Quinnipiac University poll, which shows US voters by wide margins firmly back the 74-year-old military alliance and its cast-iron mutual defense guarantee.

More than seven-in-ten respondents called Trump's approach  to encourage Russia to attack a non-paying NATO member  a 'bad idea.'

The nationwide Quinnipiac University survey of 1,421 voters was carried out in mid-February

Barely a fifth called it a 'good idea.'

Quinnipiac pollster Tim Malloy said Trump's 'hardball stance' toward NATO allies 'lands with a thud' with the 1,421 respondents.

Poll Should the US quit NATO? Yes No Not sure Should the US quit NATO? Yes 35 votes

No 144 votes

Not sure 3 votes Now share your opinion





'American voters affirm the 31-member security alliance isn't just good for Europe, it's good for the United States,' said Malloy.

Trump has longstanding concerns that America is being taken for a ride by NATO allies that don't meeting a commitment to devote 2 percent of their economies to defense spending.

Speaking at a rally in Conway, South Carolina, earlier this month, the Republican front-runner went further than in his previous remarks.

He recounted a story about an unidentified NATO member who confronted him over his threat not to defend members who fail to meet the trans-Atlantic alliance's defense spending targets.

'You didn't pay? You're delinquent?' Trump recounted saying.

'No I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.'

Then-president Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin shake hands in Helsinki, Finland, in 2018

Ukrainian military walk amid debris after a Russian missile strike in Kharkiv: a potent symbol of Russia's threat to Europe

Flags of countries members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at the alliance's headquarters in Belgium

NATO allies agreed in 2014, after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, to halt the spending cuts they had made after the Cold War and move toward spending 2 percent of their GDPs on defense by 2024.

Pollster Tim Malloy says Trump's NATO policy 'lands with a thud' with voters

This year, 18 Allies are expected to reach that target  a six-fold increase since 2014, when only three Allies met the guideline, NATO says.

Trump's comments alarmed many, as it undermined the collective defense pact at the heart of NATO, known as Article 5  that an attack on one member is an attack on all.

President Joe Biden called the remarks by his likely 2024 election opponent 'dangerous' and 'un-American.'

The comments came as Ukraine remained mired in its efforts to stave off Russia's 2022 invasion and as Republicans in Congress grew increasingly skeptical of providing Kiev with more weapons and money.

Quinnipiac's polling shows that Trump's views on NATO do not resonate with voters.

Fully 71 percent said that encouraging Russia to invade an underpaying member was a 'bad idea.'

Only 18 percent said it was a 'good idea;' another 11 percent did not offer an opinion.

A giant Ukrainian flag unfurled during a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Madrid, Spain, one of NATO's 31 members

Russian D-30 howitzer crews target their Ukrainian foes in Kupiansk, in a war that has alarmed NATO members along Russia's border

An overwhelming 83 percent of respondents said America's NATO membership was important, while 25 percent said it was not.

Democrats were more supportive of NATO than were Republicans.

Still, more GOP voters disagreed with Trump than agreed with him, the poll showed.

The nationwide survey of 576 Republicans and 624 Democrats was carried out in the middle of February, with an error margin of +/- 2.6 percent.

NATO  the North Atlantic Treaty Organization  currently has 31 members, most of them European nations, plus the US and Canada.

It was founded in 1949 to counter the Soviet Union with Cold War tensions rising.

NATO takes decisions by consensus, but the political and military strength of the US means that it is by far the most powerful country in the alliance, with its nuclear arsenal seen as the ultimate security guarantee.
Christian Brueckner's phone calls were 'illegally' wiretapped by Germany's FBI, his legal team has told the court today potentially putting the case at risk of collapse.

Convicted rapist Brueckner, 47, is accused of three rapes and two sex assaults said to have been carried out on Portugal's Algarve coast in a period from 2000 to 2017 - and the court today heard horrifying details of the assaults he is accused of.

The alleged attacks took place just minutes from where then three-year-old Madeleine vanished from the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007 where she was staying with parents Kate and Gerry and her siblings.

During today's hearing on the unrelated rape and sexual assault charges, Brueckner's legal team said they had been contacted by a former German federal police officer who sensationally claimed she had been involved in 'illegally' wiretapping his phone.

The allegation could put the case in serious doubt and was raised by his four-man legal team towards the end of today's hearing.

Wearing the same jacket as last week, a white shirt and khaki trousers Brueckner (left) shook hands with all legal team and winked with his legal team

Madeleine McCann (pictured) went missing on May 3 during a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal

According to Brueckner's lawyer Phillip Marquort the woman was from the BKA - the German equivalent of the FBI - and was a member of the 'Audiotech' unit involved in undercover listening operations.

The woman who was not named provided photographs of the bugging equipment which was used, she says, to listen in on conversations between Brueckner and his lawyers, which is illegal.

According to the application filed the woman claimed that two colleagues were 'out to get Brueckner' and were 'willing to resort to any means'.

Mr Marquort said: 'The defence still has no knowledge of this process, apart from the information from the witness.

'We cannot yet say whether the surveillance was legal or illegal. However, the client only spoke to his defence lawyers on the phone. Monitoring the defence lawyers' conversations is illegal.'

The full horror of Brueckner's sex crime allegations were also revealed in court today.

Shocking details of how Brueckner's alleged victim Hazel Behan, who said she was attacked in 2004 while working in the Algarve as a tour guide, feared she would be 'beheaded' by her attacker were read out in court.

The other two rapes he is accused of against an unknown woman aged between 70 and 80 years old and a girl of 14 were also described in horrific details, with the prosecutor saying Brueckner 'hit the [older] woman's body and face with at least 20 lashes' using a whip and made the teenager vomit while orally raping her.

Brueckner (left) did not look towards the press or public gallery as the hearing started seven minutes after the scheduled 9am start

Irish tour guide Hazel Behan (pictured) says she was attacked in 2004 while working in the Algarve

Prosecutor Ute Lindemann told the court that Brueckner had used a rape drug to incapacitate his victims before trapping them in his house.

Shocking details of Hazel Behan's alleged rape were also read out in court this morning. The prosecutor said: 'He went to witness Behan's bedroom and found her sleeping there.

'At this point he was dressed entirely in black, wearing leather gloves and a full face mask. This only had two round cutouts for the eyes and a small slit for the mouth, so that the injured party could only see the accused's eyes and his eyebrows.

'He held a knife with an approximately 30 cm long blade in his left hand, knelt over the sleeping victim and called her name, which woke her up. He held the knife in such a way that the injured party could see it clearly when she woke up.

'While she was panicking, he told her in a serious but calm tone not to scream, covered her mouth and pushed her head back onto the pillow. He then pulled her up from the bed by her outer clothing and hair and turned her onto her back.

'After completing anal intercourse, the accused removed the condom from his penis, put it in the backpack he had brought with him and cleaned his gloves with a cleaning cloth he had brought with him.

'The accused then grabbed the victim firmly by her hair and dragged her out of the bed onto the bedroom floor, where she initially came to lie next to the bed. The accused pulled her by her hair into the kitchen area to the breakfast bar there.

Brueckner (pictured) was hiding his face as he arrived in a van with a police escort and was swept inside for the start of the hearing and escorted into the courtroom flanked by guards and wearing handcuffs

On November 18, prosecutors confirmed Brueckner would stand trial for various charges of sexual abuse against women aged between 10 and 80

In this room in a house in Portugal Brueckner allegedly committed two of the sexual assaults he's accused of

'Once there, he pulled her up by her hair and placed her with her stomach and face on the wooden board of the breakfast bar, which is supported on the side by two metal legs.

'He then took a rope from the backpack he had brought with him, tied the victim's upper body to the bar and tied the ends of the rope tightly on her back. He then took a video camera out of his bag and positioned it on the television.

'He then went back to the breakfast bar with additional ropes that he had brought with him, lifted the legs of the injured parties and tied one leg each to a metal leg of the bar.

'Witness Hazel Behan found the way her legs were tied very painful because she was unable to keep her feet on the floor, which meant the thin, clothesline-like ropes cut into her legs.

'The accused removed the belt from the victim's trousers in the bedroom, tied her hands behind her back and put a piece of material he had brought with him, similar to a cloth, into her mouth as a gag.

'He went into the bedroom again and returned to her with a pair of scissors, which the victim had kept in a box under the bed.

'He used this to cut her top and bra, so that the injured party was now completely naked and unable to move in front of him.

'During this phase of the incident, the accused took the video camera from the television and filmed the victim from all around, turning her head into the position he wanted.

'He then returned the camera to the television and placed it in the direction of the breakfast bar, to which he returned. The accused, standing behind the witness Behan, put a fresh condom over his penis and again penetrated the victim.

'After the sexual act had ended, he removed the condom from his penis and cleaned his hands again. He then put the condom back in the bag he had brought with him.'

Carrying on she said: 'The accused now turned to the witness Behan with the question 'You're scared, aren't you?', which she untruthfully denied.

'The accused then took a whip with a handle and long leather tassels out of his pocket and systematically whipped the victim from the back down to the buttocks, which, according to the accused's plan, caused her considerable pain.

'When the injured party was asked again after the flogging whether she was now afraid, she had now broken her resistance and answered in the affirmative to the satisfaction of the accused.'

Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner (pictured) has arrived in court as prosecutors attempt to start his sex crimes trial following last week's chaotic start

Then three-year-old Madeleine vanished from the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, in Portugal's Algarve coast, in May 2007 where she was staying with parents Kate and Gerry and her siblings

This locator map shows where the McCann family went on holiday in 2007, in the Algarve region of Portugal

Ms Lindemann added: 'After the beating had ended, the accused untied the witness Behan from the breakfast bar, while keeping her hands tied with the victim's own belt and gagged, and dragged her naked by her hair back into the bedroom.

'There, standing in front of her, he put a fresh condom over his penis and tried to penetrate the victim orally, which was initially unsuccessful because of the continued gagging.

'When she choked and told the accused that she was going to vomit, he angrily stopped the oral sex and pushed the injured woman backwards with his hand against her forehead, causing her to fall to her feet with her hands still tied behind her back.

'He then roughly grabbed her by the hair, dragged her back into the living room and initially let her go in order to take his knife, which he had left next to the television.

'During this time, the injured party slipped into a corner of the living room and crouched there. While holding the knife, the accused asked the injured party to go to the bathroom, which she verbally refused in no uncertain terms.

'The accused did not pursue this request, but instead grabbed the injured party by her hair again, dragged her to the small sofa in front of the living room window and asked her to kneel in front of the sofa and lower her head.

'At that moment, the witness Behan was in fear of death because she feared that the accused would cut off her head with the knife.

'However, he threw a sheet over her body and began to collect all the things he had brought with him and used and put them in his bag. He then stepped backwards out of the balcony door, slipped into his shoes that had been left there and fled.'

The other two rapes he is accused of against an unknown woman aged between 70 and 80 years old and a girl of 14 were also described in horrific details.

The prosecutor said: 'He was masked with a stocking mask that only had holes for his eyes and mouth.

'He put swimming goggles on the older lady, who was wearing a nightgown. Since their glasses were painted gray, the victim could no longer see anything.

'He laid the woman on her stomach on her bed and tied her hands behind her back to make it impossible for the victim to resist what was happening.

'He then set up the cameras he had brought with him in two different positions in the bedroom, aimed them at the bed and started recording.

'He now turned the old lady onto her back and pulled her nightgown up to her waist. After sexual intercourse had ended, he removed the condom from his penis and went to the bathroom in the apartment.

Earlier this month Brueckner (pictured here during a court appearance on February 16) told MailOnline the case against him was 'ridiculous', and sarcastically added: 'I hope (they) will find some answers to (their) questions soon'

'There he flushed the condom down the toilet. He then went back to the victim's bed with a whip and hit the woman's body and face with at least 20 lashes in order to enjoy the pain and fear he wanted in the woman.

'The victim screamed and insulted the accused while the crime was being carried out. After the physical punishment, the accused sat down on the end of the bed, breathing heavily, took off his mask and placed a pillow on the completely frightened woman's face before ending the recording.'

Detailing the teenager's attack she said: 'The accused met an unknown, German-speaking, youthful-looking girl with glasses, aged at least 14 years, in the Sitio das Lages house in Praia that he lived in da Luz, Lagos in Portugal tied naked to the wooden post in the living room.

'For this purpose, he put her hands around the post behind her back and tied them together. First he hit the naked girl with a whip. The girl addressed the accused by the name 'Chris' and made it clear to him that what he was doing was against her express will.

'She begged him to stop and shouted 'this is kidnapping, this is rape'. The accused acknowledged the girl's conflicting will, but only put the whip aside and gave in to his excitement.'

The prosecutor then alleged Brueckner performed oral rape on the victim, which caused her to vomit.

She added: 'The accused commented succinctly on this circumstance with the words: 'Now you're messing up my entire carpet.' He also videotaped this act.'

In his rebuttal of the indictment, Mr Fulscher conceded that Hazel Behan, who has waived her anonymity, was raped and 'went through something terrible that night'.

But he added:' Although there is a witness statement in the files from a person close to Mrs Behan who accuses the co-plaintiff of having made up the whole incident and describes the co-plaintiff as a quasi-diabolical person.'

He added:' A masked man forced her to have sex, inflicted pain on her and humiliated her. However, the person who committed this offence was not the defendant. Mrs Behan may be convinced of this.

'During the hearing of evidence, it will be important for the defence to demonstrate the sources of error in the witness's recognition: Starting with the low reliability of estimating body size, the circumstance of masking, the poor lighting conditions at the crime scene, the impact of the weapon focus effect, as well as the stress level and the passage of time.

'If one comes to the conclusion that the witness is sufficiently reliable with regard to the description of the person, this will also have to be taken as a basis for her observation that the perpetrator had a cross-shaped scar on his right thigh.

'This is a physical feature that the accused does not have and therefore excludes him as the perpetrator.

'At the end of the hearing of evidence, it will not be possible to establish that the defendant sitting here is responsible for the offence committed against Hazel Behan. As in the other cases, he will have to be acquitted.'

Christian Brueckner has he walked into court today, holding a blue file and wearing the same jacket as during his last court appearance

In his lengthy rebuttal he also questioned the reliability of key witnesses Helge Busching and Manfred Seyferth, two former friends of Brueckner who helped secure his 2019 conviction for rape.

Both men said they had found a video camera on which they saw footage of Brueckner raping and torturing the elderly victim but this has never been recovered.

Mr Fulscher questioned their reliability saying their 'respective consumption of narcotics and alcohol' would have to be 'looked at closely'.

While he added the 'camera was allegedly found in a wardrobe of the house the accused moved out six years earlier,' as he strived to blacken the evidence against Brueckner.

In his opening statement this morning, Brueckner's lawyer said his client had been the victim of an unfair media campaign and that prosecutors repeated 'this theory to the media like a prayer wheel.'

Mr Fulscher told the court in his opening statement: 'Since June 2020, our client Christian Brueckner has been under constant worldwide media fire.

'According to the Braunschweig public prosecutor's office, he allegedly abducted and murdered Madeleine Beth McCann. The investigating authorities have been repeating this theory to the media like a prayer wheel.'

Then three-year-old Madeleine vanished from the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007 where she was staying with parents Kate and Gerry and her siblings.

Madeleine has not been seen since and in June 2020 German police sensationally named Brueckner as the man responsible for her 'abduction and murder' but he has yet to be charged with anything relating to her disappearance.

He added: 'The results of the investigation have not yet been presented to the defence, so that the accused has not been able to substantiate this allegation. A comparable media campaign of prejudgement has been sought in vain.

Christian Brueckner (left) talking to his lawyer Mr Fulscher today

'The greatest challenge for the court in these proceedings will be to free itself from these ulterior motives when investigating the procedural truth and assessing the evidence with regard to the accusations levelled.'

Proceedings started with Mr Fulscher confirming his client's name and date of birth before prosecutor Ute Lindemann read out the five charges against him.

Turning to face her Brueckner listened intently as he consulted a file in front of him, making notes and occasionally turning to whisper to his legal team.

Ms Lindemann took almost 25 minutes to read out the indictment against him, which detailed the charges and he remained impassive throughout as he fixed his gaze on her.

Before the trial Brueckner arrived in a van with a police escort and was swept inside for the start of the hearing and escorted into the courtroom flanked by guards and wearing handcuffs.

READ MORE: Plot to kidnap a child from Portuguese resort and sell them to a couple was hatched by Christian Brueckner a week before Madeleine McCann was abducted there, British expat claims Advertisement

Wearing the same jacket as last week, a white shirt and khaki trousers he shook hands with all legal team and winked with his legal team.

Carrying a file in his hand he did not look towards the press or public gallery as the hearing started seven minutes after the scheduled 9am start.

'The defendant is using his right to remain silent,' defence lawyer Friedrich Fulscher told the Braunschweig state court, German news agency dpa reported.

Mr Fulscher added that he expects his client to be acquitted. He has called the evidence in the indictment 'abysmal'.

There are no formal pleas in the German legal system, and defendants are not obliged to respond to the charges.

The hearing was adjourned until next Friday.

Last week's proceedings lasted less than ten minutes after Brueckner's lawyer filed an urgent challenge calling for one of the lay judges to be dismissed for making death threats on social media against ex Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.

Earlier this month Brueckner told MailOnline the case against him was 'ridiculous', and sarcastically added: 'I hope (they) will find some answers to (their) questions soon.'

Mr Fulscher has said his client denies any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance, as well as the current charges and said Brueckner is 'stressed' by the media presence and in 'poor physical health'.

The trial is unrelated to Madeleine's disappearance and press and public who wanted to enter the court building in Braunschweig near Hannover had to pass through two airport style metal detectors before getting to the first-floor courtroom.

In a bid to avoid the chaos of last week which saw the trial delayed for 40 minutes the court opened early although there appeared to be a smaller crowd than last week waiting to get in.

When asked by the MailOnline if there were any further surprises Mr Fulscher - who is paid by German state funds - said cryptically: 'Maybe....'

Convicted rapist Brueckner (pictured), 47, is accused of three rapes and two sex assaults said to have been carried out on Portugal's Algarve coast in a period from 2000 to 2017

Last week, he told the court that child therapist should not be allowed to sit on the panel as one of the four lay judges.

Mr Fulscher highlighted how on 2019 she had posted on X, formerly Twitter, that former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro should be 'assassinated'.

The tweets, which were seen by the Daily Mail before being taken down and read out in court said: 'Kill the devil Jair Bolsonaro. Kill the Bastard Bolosonaro. He is the devil. He destroys everything. He must be killed. Now!!!'

She also posted attacks on hunter Walter James palmer who shot and killed Cecil the Lion as well as Donald Trump and his family.

Mr Fulscher also highlighted how she worked as a child therapist and given that the charges Brueckner faced involve minors suggested she would 'probably be rather biased' adding they 'lacked any distance and judgement'.

After speaking for around ten minutes judge Uta Engemann said she would adjourn to consider the request and returned 40 minutes later to agreeing to it and postponing the trial until today.

Prosecutor Ute Lindemann agreed with her  although added the fact she had children was not relevant  but she added: 'The application is justified. We do not tolerate statements outside the legal system and calls for murder.'

If he is found guilty he could spend the rest of his life in jail but sources close to him say he will remain offer no testimony on his suspected involvement in the disappearance of Madeleine.

He is insisting DNA and electronic evidence against him is wrong and witnesses are lying about him.

Prosecutors also face a dilemma as two of the rape victims are unidentified but the third victim is known - Irish tour guide Hazel Behan who says she was attacked in 2004 while working in the Algarve.

She says she was threatened with a knife, tied up and subjected to a hours long attack by a man who she later recognised as Brueckner after his picture was released by German police in 2020.

Christian Brueckner was pictured pulling up in prison van outside the courtroom in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, on February 16

Brueckner is known to have been in and around Praia da Luz on the Algarve coast at the time Madeleine (pictured) vanished on May 3, 2007, while on holiday with her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, and her twin siblings

At the time she was a 20-year-old rep and the now married mother of three will be among several key witnesses who will give evidence at the trial which is due to last until June.

The other two rapes involve an unidentified woman aged between 70 and 80 years old and an unknown girl of around 14.

The fourth charge is an indecent assault against a 10-year-old girl on a beach close to where Madeleine vanished from a month later and the last is also indecent assault against another child in the Algarve in a playground in 2017.

Earlier this year Bruecker was moved from Oldenburg prison in northern Germany to Schnedebruch near Hannover for the duration of the trial.

He is currently serving a seven year sentence for raping an elderly US woman on the Algarve in 2005 and was jailed in 2019 after evidence from two former pals who will also testify at his new trial.

He was also moved after complaining of ill treatment from guards at Oldenburg where he was in a secure isolated unit.

Bruecker told MailOnline: 'My situation didn't change at all. I just moved prison. I'm still totally isolated. Since (sic) more than two years now.

'I'm still not allowed to talk with anybody else then to my lawyer sand to my punishers (guards).'
A dog owners cruel act in a busy Aussie shopping centre has sparked a heated discussion, with some saying the infuriating behaviour left them feeling physically sick.

A woman leaving the Noosa Village shopping centre carpark in NSW on Thursday was horrified to come across a panting dog caged in the back of a Toyota ute as temperatures reached a sizzling 31C.

The angry woman took a photo of the German Shepard crouching behind the metal bars as the sun beams directly onto the dog. It appears someone is sitting in the drivers seat of the car.

A shopper was horrified to find a caged dog in the back of the ute parked at the Noosa Village shopping village on Thursday. Source: Facebook

To the not nice person in Noosa Village carpark today with their boat on in 31 degree heat, I hope someone locks you in a cage thats too small and leaves you in the sun, she posted on Facebook. Horrible people should not have dogs!

Locals fume over dog left in back of ute in 31C

The woman went on to explain that one minute after she snapped the image a woman walked out of the shopping centre and got in the nice air conditioned car and they drove off.

Numerous horrified Aussies lashed out at the dogs owners, noting the heat coming off the utes tray would have been intense. This PISSES me right off. That dog looks pretty old tooway to treat your best mate, one local fumed.

I would have taken to the vet it if the cage was unlocked. Would you leave your child locked up in your car on a hot day? another said.

The woman said temperatures reached 31C as the dog sat in the Noosa Village carpark. Source: Google Images

A woman who identified herself as an emergency veterinary nurse said she sees dogs die or suffer terribly from heart stroke all the time. Its no joke and not as simple as giving them a bowel of water. They literally cook from the inside out and their organs turn to mush and bleed out, she said.

It can be a long slow process and just because you get them to the vet doesnt mean we can fix them, yet we try, and can cost thousands and can takes days/weeks for them to actually pass away or recover.

A handful of people argued that because someone was sitting in the ute while it was parked, the dog wasnt left unattended. You can see there is a man in the drivers seat. Why didnt you speak directly to him about it. Either call the police and report him or speak to him, one resident wrote. Others suggested a judgement could not be made from a single photo.

Story continues

Numerous reports of dogs left in hot cars

It is illegal in all Australian states to transport dogs unrestrained on the back of utes or trailers, with some exemptions for dogs moving cattle. While the wording of the law varies state to state, dogs must be restrained in either an enclosed space like a cage or follow strict tethering rules. The RSPCA states owners should ensure the dogs necessary restraint is long enough to allow the dog to stand or lie down, and that people should not drive with their pet in the tray of the ute in extreme weather conditions.

There have been multiple recent reports of Aussies finding dogs inside hot cars in recent months, prompting animal advocates to once again urge people to leave them at home.

Last week, a dog was found in a hot car in Portland, Victoria visibly panting from the heat. Source: Supplied

The temperature inside a car can increase rapidly, even on moderately warm days, and become much hotter than the outside temperature, a spokesperson for the Animal Welfare League of QLD previously told Yahoo News Australia.

This can happen within minutes, making it unsafe for any pet to be left inside a car. Many people think cracking the windows helps, but it doesnt significantly reduce the temperature inside a car. Its a dangerous misconception.

Dogs are particularly susceptible to heatstroke since they do not sweat like humans. Overheating can lead to serious health issues and, in severe cases, death.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Elon Musk claims Google is taking 'immediate action' to fix its 'absurdly woke' AI chatbot.

Google's generative AI chatbot and image generator Gemini has been slammed over its 'hallucinating' diverse but historically inaccurate images from user prompts.

The tech giant temporarily disabled Gemini's image generation tool on Thursday after users complained it was generating 'woke' but incorrect images such as black Vikings, female Popes and black Founding Fathers.

'A senior exec at Google called and spoke to me for an hour last night,' said Musk, who has been critical of diversity efforts in the past.

'He assured me that they are taking immediate action to fix the racial and gender bias in Gemini. Time will tell,' the tech mogul wrote on his X platform.

Google temporarily disabled Gemini's image generation tool on Thursday after users complained it was generating 'woke' but incorrect images such as female Popes

Other historically inaccurate images included black Founding Fathers

'We're already working to address recent issues with Gemini's image generation feature,' Google said in a statement on Thursday

Gemini's image generation also created images of black Vikings

'We're already working to address recent issues with Gemini's image generation feature,' Google said in a statement on Thursday.

'While we do this, we're going to pause the image generation of people and will re-release an improved version soon.'

AI chatbots and image generation have raised concerns that human bias and prejudice could become baked into the bots, as they learn from the information provided to them.

It is possible in an attempt to address possible discrimination Google may have overcorrected in the production of Gemini.

'Gemini's AI image generation does generate a wide range of people. And that's generally a good thing because people around the world use it' Google explained.

'But it's missing the mark here,' the company added.

Suspicions about an agenda behind the bot were raised when alleged old tweets from the Google executive responsible for Gemini surfaced online.

Gemini senior director Jack Krawczyk's allegedly wrote 'white privilege is fking real' and that America is rife with 'egregious racism' on X.

Screenshots of the tweets, seemingly from Krawczyk's now-private account, were circulated online by those critical of the chatbot.

However, they have not been independently verified.

Krawczyk allegedly described President Biden's inaugural address as 'one of the greatest ever' for 'acknowledging systemic racism' and 'reiterating the American ideal is the dream for the world but we need to work on ourselves to earn it.'

He also allegedly wrote about being moved to tears when voting for Biden.

'I've been crying in intermittent bursts for the past 24 hours since casting my ballot' a screenshot of a tweet shows.

'Filling in that Biden/Harris line felt cathartic.'

Elon Musk claims Google is taking 'immediate action' to fix its 'absurdly woke ' AI chatbot

Gemini senior director Jack Krawczyk's allegedly wrote 'white privilege is fking real' and that America is rife with 'egregious racism' on X

Former Google employee Debarghya Das said, 'It's embarrassingly hard to get Google Gemini to acknowledge that white people exist.'

Gemini has also been criticized by former Google employee, Debarghya Das, who wrote on X that it was 'embarrassingly hard to get Google Gemini to acknowledge that white people exist.'

Das posted the comment alongside a series of images generated by Gemini with no white people.

Addressing the issues raised Krawczyk wrote on Wednesday that the historical inaccuracies reflect the tech giant's 'global user base,' and that it takes 'representation and bias seriously.'

'We will continue to do this for open ended prompts (images of a person walking a dog are universal!),' he wrote on X.

Adding: 'Historical contexts have more nuance to them and we will further tune to accommodate that.'
A 29-year-old mother of two from Hawaii drowned after slipping and falling from the top of a cliff in front of her horrified boyfriend before being swept out to sea.

Kalaiokealaula Ashley Nicole Reyes Kanekoa was with her boyfriend, Dylan Gapp, 31, watching the waves on a cliff near Hawaiian Paradise Park around 2am Sunday when she slipped and fell into the raging current near Puna Coast.

Her frantic boyfriend said he had to listen to her 'suffer and scream for help,' during the agonizing wait for emergency personnel to arrive that he claimed took hours, Hawaii News Now reported.

He said when police and firefighters finally did arrive, they were not equipped with the life saving equipment they needed to rescue his girlfriend.

During the harrowing ordeal, he attempted to toss a flotation device to her, but tragically the young woman was pulled out by the ocean's currents.

Traumatized by the unimaginable event, Gapp said his girlfriend survived the plunge but did not survive the long wait for help, and claimed emergency personnel should have done more to save her, as per the news outlet.

Kalaiokealaula Ashley Nicole Reyes Kanekoa, 29, was described by her boyfriend as a loving, devoted mother who would do anything for her children

The mother-of-two slipped and fell off a cliff and then drowned early Sunday morning near Hawaiian Paradise Park as her horrified boyfriend tried to rescue her. She was not believed to be pregnant at the time of her drowning

Boyfriend Dylan Gapp, 31, said he had to listen to her 'suffer and scream for help,' during the agonizing wait for emergency personnel to arrive

'I had to get a raft to her. They didn't have a flotation device. I got the raft out to her, and I said, OK, let's get a rope to her so she doesn't drift away, and they said, 'Oh, we don't have any rope,' Gapp told Hawaii News Now.

'To sit there and watch this girl suffer for 45 minutes to an hour suffer and scream for help and them to say boats were coming eventually.'

Hawaii County police and firefighters responded, within seven minutes of the 911 call.

Officials said that the fire truck was not required to carry ocean equipment, and with dangerous conditions from a large north swell, it was too dark and hazardous for first responders to enter into the waters.

Hawaii County Police Captain Todd Pataray told the news outlet they 'requested services from the fire department for a rescue boat, attempted to call a fire department helicopter and called the Coast Guard.'

Gapp said he tried to save his girlfriend on his own and swam out to where she was clinging to a raft, after an hour of waiting for the helicopter and rescue boat to surface, but by the time he returned, he said emergency responders could no longer see her.

The devastated boyfriend recounted the painful and heartbreaking ordeal in detail.

'Her sitting on that raft screaming help. 'What do I do now? What do I do now?' And me telling her they are going to get you, and they are going to get you. And they never came to get her,' Gapp recalled, Hawaii News Now reported.

The Hawaii Fire Department told Hawaii News Now that the conditions were too windy to fly the helicopter, and said the rescue boat had to come from Hilo about 15 miles up the coast and arrived at 4am.

According to police, the fire department and Coast Guard searched for the missing woman through the early morning hours, and by 8 am, nearly six hours after the tragic fall, the young woman's body was found approximately four miles down the shore near Honolulu Landing in Pahoa.

She was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased at 10.58am, according to a police statement.

An autopsy determined that her manner and cause of death was accidental drowning. Police said there was no foul play suspected, People reported.

Hawaiian authorities told the news outlet that an investigation is ongoing and that they are awaiting toxicology reports.

The site where Reyes Kanekoa tragically fell on the Puna Coast on the Hawaiian island

Anther view of the cliff of where the mother-of-two tragically lost her life early Sunday

A cliff-side memorial was set up near the site where the young mother, who tragically fell to her death early Sunday morning

Gapp called his love, 'a loving, caring person.'

'She loved her kids more than anything. She had a lot of fun. Lot of joy in life. She was always giggling, laughing,' he said.

A GoFundMe was created to help raise money for Keankekoa's funeral. As of Friday afternoon more than $3,400 has been raised towards their goal of $8,000.

Friends and loved ones expressed their grief on social media sharing how much Reyes Kanekoa touched their lives.

'My sweet sweet beautiful friend, you were the first friend I ever had. Fly high with the angels, rest easy my beautiful friend.'

Another friend wrote: 'She will always remain in the hearts of all of us who loved & cherished her deeply. Kala'i was a light & shared that light with everyone.'

'I thank all the powers that be for my ability to have known her in my lifetime. May she rest in the very same light & love that she gave to others.'
A Brazilian man is in police custody after officials discovered his wife's body covered with concrete inside a wooden box at their home.

Douglas Lopes, 43, turned himself in to the Sao Paulo Civil Police on Wednesday night and confessed to killing Amanda Gaspar, 43, his partner of 13 years.

Gaspar had not been seen since Saturday and was found dead Tuesday night after authorities received an anonymous complaint of a foul odor coming from the couple's home in the Sao Paulo neighborhood of Paraisopolis.

Lopes' lawyer, Vicente da Silva, told Record TV that Lopes beat Gaspar, punching and kicking her before she fell and hit the back of her head on a chair and died.

Douglas Lopes (left) turned himself in to the Sao Paulo Civil Police on Wednesday night and confessed to killing his wife Amanda Gaspar (right), a day after authorities visited their home and found the woman's body wrapped in bags and blankets and covered in concrete inside a wooden box

Police visited the married couple's home after receiving an anonymous tip Tuesday and discovered the lifeless body of Amanda Gaspar covered with concrete

He added that his client was frightened at the time and decided to pour water, lime, bleach and chlorine over Gaspar's body, which he wrapped with bags and blankets before he covered it with cement.

Lopes stuffed the body inside a wooded case in their living room and abandoned the home.

'He did not try to hide the body from the courts, but from the community because a law prevails that a man who kills his wife has no argument,' da Silva said.

Neighbors told police that the married couple constantly fought. Gaspar was beaten over the course of nearly 10 years, her sister told investigators.

Douglas Lopes turned himself into Sao Paulo authorities on Wednesday and told investigators he had murdered Amanda Gaspar, his wife of 13 years

According to his lawyer, Douglas Lopes punched and kicked Amanda Gaspar before she fell and hit her head on a chair. The attorney said Lopes dumped water, lime, bleach and chlorine over his wife's body, which was covered with a blanket and a bag prior to covering it with cement

Douglas Lopes (left) and Amanda Gaspar (right) marriage was filled with violence, according to neighbors and Gaspar's sister

The troubled couple owned a pastry shop that they opened in 2020 and posted photos of their happy times on social media.

Police records obtained by Brazilian news outlet Metropoles showed that Lopes had been four complaints filed against him over physical and verbal assault against women since 2016.

Lopes had also been arrested and convicted in the past for theft, assault and embezzlement.

He was also on the run since March 2023 after he was accused in a separate embezzlement case.
Georgia police are questioning a person of interest in connection with the murder of a nursing student found dead at the University of Georgia at Athens.

The remains of Laken Hope Riley, 22, were found on Thursday afternoon after her roommate reported her missing, saying Riley had not returned from jogging. Officials said on Friday that she died by homicide but are yet to determine a manner of death, pending an autopsy.

Several law enforcement agencies were seeing swarming an apartment complex near the forested area where Riley's body was found. Officers were seen looking through dumpsters and bushes in the area.

A spokesperson for UGA told DailyMail.com the school's police force has identified a person of interest who is being questioned. The man has not yet been identified.

'We want to stress that this continues to be an active, ongoing investigation, and we will provide further updates when circumstances warrant,' the school's statement added.

The University of Georgia said Riley graduated from the school in 2023, and went on to enroll at Augusta University's nursing program, which has a campus in Athens.

A nursing student found dead near the University of Georgia at Athens has been identified as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley

Officers were seen looking through dumpsters and bushes in the area

Several law enforcement agencies were seeing swarming an apartment complex near the forested area where Riley's body was found

Behind the apartment complex is the forested area with the walking trail where Riley's body was found. Police took three men into custody

Riley is seen on a picture posted last month on her Facebook account

There has not been a homicide on campus in the last 20 years

The student's body was found on Thursday afternoon after her roommate reported her missing, saying Riley had not returned from jogging

UGA has has urged students to travel 'in groups' and has canceled classes after Riley was found dead with 'visible injuries' in a wooded area.

'The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries,' Police Chief Jeff Clark said. EMS responders determined the victim was dead, he said.

University of Georgia police suspect foul play and said they are working with local police to investigate the death, but say they do not yet have a suspect.

Chief Clark did not provide details on how the woman died, citing the ongoing investigation.

He said his department, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, were conducting the investigation.

Clark noted that there has not been a homicide on campus in the last 20 years.

'We're not going to leave any rock unturned in this investigation,' he said.

He also acknowledged that police do not have a suspect in the case yet.

University of Georgia spokesman just announced they have a person of interest they are questioning right now as part of their investigation into the murder of Laken Riley. pic.twitter.com/fQewngsNDM  Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) February 23, 2024

University of Georgia police suspect foul play and said they are working with local police to investigate the death,. Riley is seen with her parents

The University of Georgia said the victim was a former undergraduate at the school in 2023

Police search a wooded area at the University of Georgia after the shock discovery Thursday

'When you have a suspect that's on the loose, there's always a danger. But there's no immediate danger at this time.'

Kelly Girtz, the mayor of Athens-Clarke County, said he joined the community in 'deep sadness over today's murder' and said the city was working with authorities to bring the investigation to a 'rapid conclusion'.

Officers searching the area found the woman's body in a forested area behind Lake Herrick.

That area is across a busy road from a large dorm and dining hall complex on what's commonly called 'East Campus.' Most of the students in those dorms are freshmen.

'The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our university,' the University of Georgia said in a statement online, acknowledging the news came just hours after the unrelated 'sudden death' of another student the previous night.

'And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, today's devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, particularly our students.'

'We have been fully briefed on this terrible situation,' the statement continued. 'Foul play is suspected, and we are already receiving support from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate this crime.

Police Chief Jeff Clark did not provide details on how the woman died, citing the ongoing investigation

Police do not have a suspect in the case as of Friday and a cause of death is pending

'We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our campus community is our top concern.

'If you think you have any information related to this incident, we urge you to contact the UGA Police Department immediately at 706-542-2200.

'In addition, all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to download and use the UGA Safe app, which offers several important safety features, including emergency notification alerts and the ability to share location in real-time with the police, among others.

'We also recommend that you travel in groups when possible and be aware of your surroundings.'

'We are announcing that classes on the Athens campus are cancelled after 5:30 p.m. this evening, February 22. They will remain cancelled tomorrow. We will resume classes on Monday, February 26,' they added.
President Zelenskyy has blasted Tucker Carlson's fawning interview with Vladimir Putin as 'two hours of bullsh*t' from 'a killer'.

The Ukrainian leader admitted he didn't bother to watch the exchange, saying he did not have the time,

He made the comments during a sit down near the frontlines with Tucker's former colleague Bret Baier.

The full interview was aired on FOX's Special Report with Bret Baier.

The Ukrainian president revealed he was instead given a summary of some of the points by his advisers.

'I don't have time to hear more than two hours of bullsh*t about us, about the world, about the United States, about our relations, and this interview with a killer,' Zelenskyy said.

President Zelenskyy blasted Tucker Carlson 's fawning interview with Vladimir Putin as 'two hours of bullsh*t'

Former Fox host Tucker Carlson sat down with Putin in Moscow earlier this month for the two hour exchange

Zelenskyy also hit back at claims made by Putin in the Carlson interview that Ukraine had forbidden negotiations with Russia.

'So it's not negotiations. I mean, negotiations with tanks, with occupation of Ukraine was destroying our people. It's not about negotiation. That's the first thing,' Zelesnkyy said.

'Secondly, everyone knows and everyone will tell you, both Macron and Scholz, that they talked to Putin before the occupation, and he told that there would be no occupation, there would be no invasion.

'And like, after that, just half-an-hour before the invasion, he sent them a note. So he can't be trusted. And whatever he's promising, well, that's nothing.'

The Ukrainian leader said he did not have time to watch the controversial interview 'with a killer' and instead had the main points summarized

He went on to thank Biden for his continued support, and asked Donald Trump - who suggested loaning aid rather than dishing it out - to come to Ukraine to visit the front lines himself.

'If Trump, Mr. Trump, if he will come, I am ready even to go with him to the front line.

'I'm happy to see all the candidates and all the people who are decision-makers or can support, not to be against.

'Just understand what the war in Ukraine means, who opened this war, who began it, and what's going on, what's around, what brilliant Ukraine we had.

'We have beautiful country, but, in the war, it's another picture and other lives. I suggest him just to come. I'm ready to go with him. Maybe he wants alone, without me. It doesn't matter for me.

'Come, see people, just to speak to them on the street.'

Putin sat down with Carlson in Moscow earlier this month.

Carlson was unchallenging when it came to Putins more bizarre claims and outright lies about contemporary events

The interview saw Putin take the opportunity to push his narrative on the war in Ukraine, urge Washington to recognize Russia's interests and press Kyiv to sit down for talks

At one point Tucker, 54, exclaims, 'Look at that!' while sniffing a loaf of bread as jovial music plays. But the soundtrack turns somber as Tucker reaches the tills and notices the equivalent $400 price tag for a week's worth of groceries for him and his team

Tucker Carlson has been mocked over a fawning video praising Moscow 's 'cheap and fresh' groceries - while overlooking the much lower wages in Russia. The ex Fox firebrand wheeled a trolley around a Russian supermarket while marveling at the price and quality of the stock

It saw Putin take the opportunity to push his narrative on the war in Ukraine, urge Washington to recognize Russia's interests and press Kyiv to sit down for talks.

For more than two hours, a largely unchallenged Putin showered Carlson with skewed Russian history, propaganda, and Kremlin talking points.

Putin repeated his claim the full-scale invasion - which Kyiv and its allies describe as an unprovoked act of aggression - was to protect Russian interests and prevent Ukraine from posing a threat to Russia by joining NATO.

Prior to its release, US officials issued warnings to the public stating that Putin cannot be trusted.

The interview touched on the ongoing war, peace talks and the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on trumped up spying charges.

Putin also made a series of sensational claims, including that Bill Clinton deceived over NATO membership and that Russia's hypersonic missiles are the best in the world.

He shared his thoughts on presidents past and present, stating that he had a 'very good relationship' with George Bush and 'such a personal relationship' with Donald Trump.

However, the interview was blasted by critics who said Putin dominated Carlson in the interview in every aspect - including through his body language.

Putin for his part was apparently equally unimpressed, complaining that Carlson asked softball questions.

'To be honest, I thought he would be more aggressive and ask tough questions,' the autocrat said of 54-year-old Carlson in an appearance on state TV.

Carlson, who has made a career as a podcast host since being fired by Fox, defended his decision to conduct the interview by stating it was hit 'duty to the US'.
The New York Republican will also remind the conservative audience about her infamous takedown of Ivy League presidents over their anti-Semitic remarks

Stefanik is speculated to be a potential running mate for the former president

Top Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik will deliver forceful remarks at the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) defending Donald Trump from the deep state's many attempts to keep him out of power.

Stefanik plans to praise Donald Trump - who she has long supported - and fiercely defend him amid his many legal battles as rumors swirl about whether she could be tapped as potential running mate for the former president.

'I'm proud to be the first Member of Congress to endorse President Trump for re-election,' Stefanik is expected to say Friday according to her remarks obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com.

'I have stood in the breach for President Trump, for the Constitution, and most importantly for you - the people - in some of toughest fights of our Republic.'

She will go on to say that the 'closer' Trump gets to victory in 2024, the 'dirtier' the Democrats and 'corrupt prosecutors' will get. That includes the many lawsuits he's facing and the whopping $355 million penalty he was just ordered to pay in his New York civil fraud case.

'They will stop at nothing, and I mean nothing in their attempt to steal this next election,' she plans to tell an adoring GOP crowd sure to be fired up about Trump's never-ending legal woes.

Stefanik, who serves as the Chair of the House Republican Conference, will also gravely warn that Biden's 'deep state' administration is working to take down conservatives.

Stefanik has spoken at several CPAC events over the years she has been in Congress

Stefanik tore into the Biden administration for weaponizing the federal government

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., delivers remarks at CPAC 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland

Donald Trump has tapped Stefanik to deliver remarks at some of his campaign events

'If they weaponize the government against President Trump, they can weaponize it against you. And they have.'

According to shocking documents exposed by House Republicans, the Department of Justice has pursued investigations against Christians, parents, gun owners and more.

'Joe Biden's weaponized DOJ has targeted Catholics, gun owners, conservatives, and even parents at school board meetings,' she is expected to say.

The New York Republican is a member of the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, which has been investigating federal agencies who have allegedly used their powers to censor and target the Biden administration's opponents.

Her remarks at CPAC fiercely backing Trump comes as the battle for who could be his next vice presidential pick heats up.

Earlier this week, Trump floated several potential running mates during an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem were all on Trump's shortlist of potential vice presidents.

'Honestly all of those people are good,' Trump said of the potential running mates. 'They're all good, they're all solid.'

Stefanik, notably, was not on the shortlist of candidates mentioned but she is widely expected to still be in the running for his No. 2 spot.

The New York Republican will also remind the conservative audience about her infamous takedown of Ivy League presidents over their anti-Semitic remarks.

Stefanik, a Harvard graduate, sparred with University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill and former Harvard President Claudine Gay during a congressional hearing last year.

'I've been in a lot of high profile hearings over the years but this was the most morally bankrupt testimony that I have ever witnessed,' Stefanik is expected to say.

'Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate your university's code of conduct on bullying or harassment?' she asked the Ivy League presidents in a December hearing on antisemitism.

Both Magil and Claudine answered that it depended on the context - testimony that would eventually lead, at least in part, to their resignations.

Magil resigned four days after testifying before Congress and Gay resigned nearly a month after.

'It is now the most viewed testimony in the history of the United States Congress with billions of views,' Stefanik will say.

Rep. Elise Stefanik will deliver forceful remarks defending Donald Trump

'I graduated from Harvard - but that's not the achievement, the achievement is graduating from Harvard and staying a conservative.'

'These are the same so-called 'elite' schools that rank last when it comes to defending freedom of speech. They gleefully cancel conservatives simply for being pro-life or standing up for election integrity, and yet they fail to condemn the genocide of Jews.'

'We must stop the flow of taxpayer dollars to these dens of antisemitism. We must account for every dollar of foreign funding flowing into these schools and we will end the tax breaks that have incentivized this moral rot on campus.'

Stefanik is scheduled to address CPAC at 3:30 p.m. EST on Friday.
This is the moment a masked crook broke into a children's petting zoo to steal just 100 from the office.

It is the fourth time that Stepney City Farm in east London has been burgled in less than a year.

Police have launched a manhunt to find the heartless looter who was captured on CCTV smashing a window to get into the building.

The suspect was wearing a COVID-19-style facemask and could be seen rummaging around, looking on shelves and in envelopes.

Pictured, the man who broke into the children's petting zoo to steal just 100

It is the fourth time that Stepney City Farm in east London has been burgled in less than a year

The break-in took place last Wednesday at 2am. The man even looked directly into the camera

He even looks directly at the camera without realising he's been caught in the act.

As well as the cash being stolen, glass was left strewn across a desk in the office. The break-in happened at 2am last Wednesday.

A Stepney City Farm spokesperson said: 'This man decided to smash our window and burgle the farm office.

'We're sure he must be local to Stepney.

'This is the fourth time in less than a year, despite us spending precious charity resources on increased security measures.

People reacted furiously to news of the break-in online

As well as the cash being stolen, glass was left strewn across a desk in the office

The aftermath of the break-in in which the burglar threw envelopes and other things around to find cash

'He can only have got 100 or so. But we now have a wasted day organising repairs and dealing with insurance, not to mention the violation of our space.

'If you recognise this man, please contact the police.'

The farm is a community-run educational charity aimed at improving lives through farming.

People reacted furiously online to the news. One local called James fumed: 'For f***s sake. What are you stealing at a community farm?'

Phil Sundling added: 'This sucks, sorry about this.'

A third said: 'Moronic. Hope all the animals are safe and sound.'
The organiser of a Pro-Palestine protest where a controversial slogan was projected onto Big Ben, has been pictured.

Ben Jamal led the demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday night where the phrase 'from the river to the sea' was beamed onto the iconic clock and the Elizabeth Tower.

The 'deeply offensive' slogan is widely seen as anti-semitic and a call to drive Jews out of Israel.

Organising the march, Jamel, 60, had called on supporters to make 'the biggest lobby in parliamentary history'.

The former social worker who is director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, has appeared to actively encourage supporters to chant the 'deeply offensive' message which has been branded 'a racist trope'.

Ben Jamal (pictured) led the demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday night where the phrase 'from the river to the sea' was beamed onto the iconic clock and the Elizabeth Tower.

The words 'From the river to the sea' were beamed on to the Elizabeth Tower during a Commons debate in which MPs warned threats from 'Islamist extremists' were stifling democracy

After a vote on calling for a Gaza ceasefire in the Commons descended into chaos, Jamal accused MPs of 'a despicable display of political gameplaying'.

He went on to praise 'the moral clarity of the 3,000 who travelled miles to stand in the rain, queuing for four hours or more to lobby their MPs.'

Jamal was at the centre of controversy after he defended the chant during a fiery appearance at the Home Affairs Committee last December.

Asked if he 'tolerated' the controversial phrase on marches, he said: 'We don't tolerate it, we chant it. I speak as a Palestinian, this is a chant used by the vast majority of Palestinians.

'It describes how their rights are deprived across all of historic Palestine, including if they are citizens of the state of Israel or living under military occupation. It in no shape or form seeks the abrogation of anybody else's rights.

The stunt took place just minutes after Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle (pictured) cited concerns for MPs' safety as the reason he broke with convention over a Gaza ceasefire vote

Organising the march, Jamel, 60, had called on supporters to make 'the biggest lobby in parliamentary history'

'To suggest that it does is actually a way of saying ''let's not listen to Palestinians when they say what they mean, when they choose the words they say'''

Committee chair Dame Diana Johnson interrupted him abruptly as he continued, saying: 'Mr Jamal I am chairing this meeting...We understand your views on that, but equally there are people who find that chant very offensive and believe that it is about the annihilation of the state of Israel.'

He was speaking after the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign were accused of organising a 'hate march' during Armistice Day commemorations.

In October 2016, Jamal became the first Palestinian appointed as a director. The son of a Palestinian Anglican vicar says his father's family of Christian Arabs were driven out of Jerusalem in 1948.

His mother is English.

Pictured: Demonstrators wave Palestinian flags as they protest in Parliament Square in London on February 21, 2024, during an Opposition Day motion in the the House of Commons calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Jamal's great-uncle, Shibli Jamal, was the secretary to a Palestinian delegation which came to Britain in 1921 to negotiate with Winston Churchill - then secretary of state for the colonies - to overturn the Balfour declaration, a British pledge to establish 'a national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine.

In his role as the leading official in Europe's largest Palestinian rights organisation, he has organised marches that have brought hundreds of thousands of people on to London's streets.

Before joining the campaign as permanent director he spent 10 years as chief executive of the Domestic Violence chief executive of the Domestic Violence Intervention Project charity.

From 2001 to 2006 he was a child protection manager at Westminster Children's Services.

Ahead of last year's Armistice Day march it emerged another leading member of the organisation has been working as a senior aide to Sir Keir Starmer.

Ben Soffa, 41, was the Labour Party's 61,000-a-year head of digital organising campaign.

He suddenly left his post with Labour around the time of the protests after eight years working for the party.

Government records show that Mr Soffa is an active director of PSC.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is a patron of the campaign along with film director Ken Loach and actress Julie Christie.

A number of teachers and union officials are also listed as being directors of the organisation.
Democrats are eyeing up a new work-around to force Ukraine aid to the House floor and bypass Speaker Mike Johnson's hesitancy.

Democratic leaders have quietly put in place the mechanisms that could advance a discharge petition, which would force a floor vote on Ukraine aid if a majority of lawmakers sign onto it.

'Coming soon: Democrats will introduce a discharge petition to bring Ukraine funding to the House floor,' Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., wrote on X.

'I will be on line to sign it. The votes are there. Are there a dozen republicans with a shred of courage to sign it and help Ukraine survive? Stay tuned.'

'I've heard more about a discharge petition in the last two days from foreign leadersat the highest levelsthan in my prior 11 years in office combined,' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at the Munich Security Conference.

Ukrainian officer Maksym Radchenko walks amid the devastation caused by a Russian glide bomb that landed in a road near a school in the village of Petropavlivka, as Ukrainian armed forces strengthen defensive positions and Russian troops probe the frontline

'Coming soon: Democrats will introduce a discharge petition to bring Ukraine funding to the House floor,' Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., wrote on X

Meanwhile the Biden administration has slapped Russia with 500 new sanctions after the death of Vladimir Putin dissident Alexei Navalny in prison and the arrest of an American ballerina who donated $51 to Ukraine.

Last week the Senate passed a $95 billion Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and Indo-Pacific aid package that Johnson has said the House won't be pressured into passing. He has said he first needs to sit down with President Biden to discuss attaching border measures.

GOP leadership has said they won't prioritize any foreign aid until after a spending plan for fiscal year 2024 is passed. Deadlines are fast approaching on March 1 and March 8 to pass spending bills to fund the government, five months after the original deadline, which has been punted three times with continuing resolutions.

Last week top Rules Committee Democrat Rep. Jim McGovern filed a resolution 'to advance responsible policies,' which could be the legislative vehicle used to force a vote on Ukraine aid or the Senate-passed full foreign aid deal.

'I've heard more about a discharge petition in the last two days from foreign leadersat the highest levelsthan in my prior 11 years in office combined,' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at the Munich Security Conference

If they pursued the Senate deal, some progressive Democrats would likely peel off and vote no over opposition to Israel aid. Ukraine aid on its own is largely supported by the Democratic caucus.

Democrats would need the votes of a handful of Republicans too to get to a 218 majority of signatures on their petition.

It's not clear if any Republicans will buck their leadership and sign onto the Democratic effort, though there are a number of moderates who have not ruled it out.

Separately a bipartisan group is pushing for a different Ukraine funding mechanism in a military-only aid and border security bill.

That bill offers $66 billion in defense-only aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and fresh border security provisions that would last a year.

It also includes a Remain in Mexico provision which would resurrect the Trump-era policy requiring migrants who claim asylum to wait in Mexico until their claim is processed. Another provision requires the Homeland Security secretary to suspend all entry of inadmissible aliens if at any point the department loses operational control of the border.

Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul last week suggested making some tweaks to the Senate aid bill such as offering government assistance in the form of loans instead of grants or redirecting frozen Russian assets from central bank reserves to Ukraine.

Discharge petitions have rarely been successful - only two have worked to get a bill to the House floor since 2000.




Russia has given Alexei Navalny's mother an ultimatum after she demanded that Kremlin officials return her son's body immediately.

Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said today that Russian authorities had told Lyudmila Navalnaya that he would be buried in the penal colony where he died unless she agreed within three hours to lay him to rest without a public funeral.

Yarmash said Navalnaya was refusing and continuing to demand that his body be handed to her. There was no immediate comment from the authorities.

Navalny, Putin's strongest domestic critic, fell unconscious and died suddenly aged 47 last Friday after a walk at the 'Polar Wolf' penal colony above the Arctic Circle where he was serving a three-decade sentence, the prison service said.

Navalnaya, 69, revealed that she has been taken in secret to the morgue in Salekhard to see his body, but investigators are refusing to hand it to her for a burial.

She made the allegation in a YouTube video published on Thursday, in which she accused officials of 'threatening' to do 'something' with Navalny's body if she does not agree to a secret funeral with no mourners.

Navalnaya also claimed an investigator warned that 'time is not on your side, corpses decompose'.

Navalny's spokeswoman said Lyudmila Navalnaya (pictured in a video released on Thursday) was refusing the ultimatum and continuing to demand that his body be handed to her

Navalnaya, 69, revealed Navalny has been taken in secret to the morgue in Salekhard to see his body, but claims state investigators are refusing to hand it to her for a burial

Navalny, Putin's strongest domestic critic, fell unconscious and died suddenly aged 47 last Friday after a walk at the 'Polar Wolf' penal colony (pictured) above the Arctic Circle where he was serving a three-decade sentence, the prison service said

But the grieving mother has hit back at the 'illegal' practice, saying: 'I demand that Alexei's body is released immediately, so that I can bury him like a human being.'

Navalnaya's revelations suggest state investigators are seeking to prevent an independent examination of the Russian opposition leader's body for signs of torture or murder, and also block an open funeral where thousands could come to pay homage.

In the video, Navalnaya said: 'I have just left the building of the Investigative Committee of the city of Salekhard.

'I spent almost a day there alone, with investigators and forensic experts.

'The lawyer was allowed in only today after lunch. Yesterday evening, they secretly took me to the morgue, where they showed me Alexei.

'Investigators claim that they know the cause of death.'

She did not say if she knows what this is.

The West and Navalny's supporters, including his widow Yulia Navalnaya, 47, say Putin is responsible for Navalny's death.

The Kremlin has denied involvement and said that Western claims that he was behind the death were unacceptable.

The West and Navalny's supporters, including his widow Yulia Navalnaya, 47, say Putin is responsible for Navalny's death

Putin himself has made no public comment on Navalny's death but it has further deepened a gaping schism in relations between Moscow and the West caused by the Ukraine war, which is almost at the two-year mark.

'They have all the medical and legal documents ready, which I saw,' Navalnaya said. 'And I signed the death certificate. By law, they were supposed to hand over Alexei's body to me immediately, but they haven't done so yet.

'Instead, they are blackmailing me, imposing conditions on me regarding where, when, and how Alexei should be buried.

'This is illegal. I've seen orders come to them in my presence, either from the Kremlin or from the central apparatus of the Investigative Committee.'

She added: 'They want it to be done secretly, without a farewell. They want to take me to the outskirts of a cemetery to a fresh grave and say, "Here lies your son". I disagree with this.

'I want everyone, those who hold Alexei dear, for whom his death has become a personal tragedy, to have the opportunity to bid him farewell.

'I'm recording this video because they started threatening me, looking me in the eye. They say that if I don't agree to the secret funeral, they will do something to my son's body.'

Since Putin's forces invaded Ukraine, the scope for dissent in Russia has narrowed even further. Russian authorities have tightened speech restrictions and jailed critics, many of whom are ordinary people, sometimes for decades.

Hundreds of people who laid flowers in Navalny's memory across Russia were detained.

Putin himself has made no public comment on Navalny's death but it has further deepened a gaping schism in relations between Moscow and the West caused by the Ukraine war, which is almost at the two-year mark

In a video message, Yulia Navalnya, 47, (pictured) said: 'Vladimir Putin killed my husband'

Navalnaya appeared in a video earlier this week and appealed to Putin to turn her son's body over to her so she can bury him with dignity.

Standing outside the Arctic penal colony where Navalny died last Friday, she said to the camera: 'For the fifth day, I have been unable to see him.'

'They wouldn't release his body to me,' she added.

'And they're not even telling me where he is,' a black-clad Navalnaya said in the video, with the barbed wire of Penal Colony No. 3 in Kharp, about 1,200 miles northeast of Moscow.

'I'm reaching out to you, Vladimir Putin,' she said. 'The resolution of this matter depends solely on you. Let me finally see my son.'

She named one state investigator  Voropaev  who 'openly' told her: 'Time is not on your side. The body is decomposing.'

She said: 'I don't want any special conditions, I just want everything to be done according to the law.

'I demand that Alexei's body is released immediately, so that I can bury him like a human being.'

Russian authorities have said the cause of Navalny's death is still unknown and refused to release his body for the next two weeks as the preliminary inquest continues, members of his team said.

They accused the government of stalling to try to hide evidence.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has rejected the allegations of a cover-up, telling reporters that 'these are absolutely unfounded, insolent accusations about the head of the Russian state'.

Navalny's death has deprived the Russian opposition of its best-known and inspiring politician less than a month before an election that is all but certain to give Putin another six years in power.

Many Russians had seen Navalny as a rare hope for political change amid Putin's unrelenting crackdown on the opposition

Many Russians had seen Navalny as a rare hope for political change amid the Russian president's unrelenting crackdown on the opposition.

Navalny was imprisoned since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from a nerve agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin. He received three prison terms since then, on charges he rejected as politically motivated.

Since Navalny's death, about 400 people have been detained across in Russia as they tried to pay tribute to him with flowers and candles, according to OVD-Info, a group that monitors political arrests.

Authorities cordoned off some of the memorials to victims of Soviet repression across the country that were being used as sites to leave makeshift tributes to Navalny.

Police removed the flowers at night, but more keep appearing.

Peskov said police were acting 'in accordance with the law' by detaining people paying tribute to Navalny.

Over 60,000 people have submitted requests to the government asking for Navalny's remains to be handed over to his relatives, OVD-Info said.

After the last verdict that resulted in 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 a video on Monday, his widow Yulia 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,' Navalnaya said.
A frustrated electric vehicle driver said he was abused and threatened after politely asking another motorist to move his ute from a bay designated for EVs, highlighting yet another example of the common dispute involving petrol and electric car owners.

Sydney man Salim Tootooni said he had hoped to charge his car at an EV bay at Stanhope Village shopping centre in the city's northwest earlier this week, but when he arrived found a utility parked in the spot.

Tootooni said that when he took a closer look, he could see no driver in the car and only a passenger in the front seat. According to Tootooni, when he approached the female passenger she told him she had just recovered from surgery and her partner was inside the complex buying her medication.

Sydney man's shock after 'aggressive' response from ute driver

A Sydney driver was furious after attempting to park in an electric vehicle bay only to be met with aggression from a utility driver who refused to move. Source: Facebook

Tootooni said that the woman told him her partner would be back shortly and the space would then be free for him to charge his car. Though, when the woman's partner returned and Tootooni politely asked if he could take the spot, the man became aggressive, he said.

"I waited around 10 minutes, the partner came back and then I asked 'can you please move the car so I can just charge my vehicle?' and then he just flat-out refused. He just said 'no, I'm not going to' but there was plenty of other parking, even on the street," Tootooni told Yahoo News Australia.

The Sydney man said he even asked to swap places with the driver, to a spot directly behind where he was parked, but the man again refused. "He actually said, 'OK go and call the police then', which made me really pissed off," he said.

Not the first time driver asked petrol car owners to move from EV charger ports

Tootooni said the man then returned to the pharmacy again, so he waited another 20 minutes for the spot, which he said he regularly charges his car at. When the man returned, Tootooni said he was even more aggressive than the first time, swearing profanities and threatening physical violence.

Story continues

"I didn't want to have a fight or anything else," he said. "So I just went back to my car and he said a lot of stuff like 'you f**king dickhead' and 'you're f**king inconsiderate as f**k, just talking those kinds of words, but I didn't respond. Then he stayed in the car deliberately."

Eventually, after 40 minutes, Tootooni said the other driver left the space, again yelling abuse from his car window as he drove off. While the Sydney man said this isn't the first time he's asked somebody to move from an EV charging bay, this is the first occasion he was met with aggression.

Elsewhere around the country, other EV drivers have reported similar instances where petrol car drivers have clashed with electric vehicle owners. The topic of whether EV charging spaces should be located on the street has also long been a contentious point of debate in particular.

So who is in the wrong?

According to NRMA, parking a car with an internal combustion engine (ICE) is known as ICEing and can lead to hefty penalties for the offender. In New South Wales, parking an ICE vehicle in a designated EV charging station could attract a fine of up to $2,200.

In Queensland, it could cost you $55 and in Victoria, the minimum penalty is $99.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
A baby along with his three-year-old sister and seven-year-brother have died after being stabbed to death inside their home in Bristol, police have said.

Siblings Fares Bash, seven, Joury Bash, three, and nine-month-old Mohammed Bash were found dead in the Sea Mills area of the city on Sunday.

Avon and Somerset Police said a 42-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of their murder remains in hospital undergoing treatment for non life-threatening injuries.

Police were called to a property in Blaise Walk at around 12:40am after a member of the public called with concerns for the children's welfare.

Friends of the siblings, who were part of the city's Sudanese community, have gathered at a local church to support one another and pay tribute.

Nine-month-old Mohammed Bash (pictured) was found dead along with two his two older siblings

Fares Bash, seven and sister Joury Bash, three (pictured above) were also found dead. Fares is pictured singing and playing a red ukulele

Police attended an address in Blaise Walk in Sea Mills, Bristol shortly after midnight on Sunday

Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen gives an update on the Sea Mills incident on Friday

In a statement released on Friday, Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said: 'The loss of such young children, who had their whole lives ahead of them, is truly heartbreaking and our thoughts remain with their family and everyone affected by this tragedy.

'Our specialist liaison officers will continue to provide their next of kin with any help and support they need.

'Over the past few days, forensic post-mortem examinations have been carried out on the children. We can now confirm the cause of death for each child was knife injuries.

'A 42-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of their murder remains in hospital undergoing treatment for non life-threatening injuries.'

The investigation into the incident is 'progressing at pace', the force added.

Ms Hayward-Melen said cordons in Blaise Walk had been lifted and a mobile police station would open in the Sea Mills area on Saturday and Sunday.

The three children were found dead in Blaise Walk in Sea Mills near Bristol on Sunday (Map of location)

Police have arrested a woman on suspicion of murder. Pictured: Police at the scene on Sunday

Officers gather at the scene in Sea Mills, Bristol on Sunday after three children were found dead

She previously told reporters that police believed the findings to be an isolated incident and there was no risk to the wider community.

The force said the Independent Office for Police Conduct had been informed about the incident due to 'prior police contact'.

Avon and Somerset Police Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford added: 'I am deeply saddened by the news of the deaths of three children in Sea Mills.

'The deaths of these children is heart breaking. My thoughts are with all those who knew and cared for these children and with the local community, who I know will be impacted.

'The police have made an arrest and believe this to be an isolated incident. They have assessed that there is no further risk to the wider community.

'There are questions to be asked about how such an appalling event has occurred and what could have been done to prevent it, but for now, I ask that people allow the police to investigate.'

Floral tributes and messages have been brought to the police cordons, which have since been moved next to the house.

Floral tributes for the three siblings have been left near the property in Bristol on Friday

Avon and Somerset Police said the discovery was made after officers attended a concern for welfare call. Pictured: Police at the scene on Sunday

A police cordon in place in front of a home in Sea Mills, Bristol on Sunday afternoon

A community vigil will take place to remember the children later at Sea Mills Square from 7:30pm this evening.

Paying tribute, Salwa Bashar, a family friend from Bristol, said: 'I have known this family for over six years now. They are part of our community, they're family friends.

'She and her husband are a very big part of our community, they were just lovely people and were always smiling. She's very friendly and he's also really friendly.

'I was shocked (when I heard the news)  I didn't want to believe it, I didn't want it to be true. I was, I still am, in shock. I was really really sad, I still am very sad.'

Ms Bashar, whose two young children were best friends with Fares, added: 'Fares is the most intelligent child I have ever met, He was courteous and always wanted to know how you were. He'd say to me - 'How are you Salwa?'.

'He was no ordinary child, and I always believed he was going to become an extraordinary adult, doing extraordinary things. It breaks my heart that he and his sister and little brother are no longer with us.

Salwa Bashar, a family friend from Bristol, said the family were 'lovely people'

A police cordon remains in place around the property in Sea Mills, Bristol

'They were such lovely children and they deserved to be protected by the authorities, who knew there were difficulties around them.

'What has happened just seems unbelievable. I cannot believe they are no longer with us.'

Mayor of Bristol Martin Reeves wrote on Facebook: 'It's almost impossible to find the words to describe this afternoon's devastating news from Sea Mills, Bristol

'My thoughts are with all who knew these three young children  we will be working with schools, the community, and the police to support people.'
A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a father-of-11 in Cardiff.

Mujeeb Rahman Hassani, 38, from Butetown, Cardiff, is accused of murdering Ibrahim Yassin, 64, on February 18.

South Wales Police were called to Mr Yassin's home in Belmont Walk, Butetown, shortly after 9am to a report of a serious assault.

Hassani was charged with murder on Wednesday and appeared before Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning.

The defendant appeared before Cardiff Crown Court on Friday morning, where a provisional trial date of July 29 was set.

Mujeeb Rahman Hassani, 38, from Butetown, Cardiff, is accused of murdering Ibrahim Yassin (pictured), 64, on February 18

South Wales Police were called to Mr Yassin's home in Belmont Walk, Butetown, shortly after 9am to a report of a serious assault

The father-of-eleven was set upon as he answered his door in Butetown, Cardiff Bay

Hassani was assisted by a Farsi interpreter and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Mr Yassin's family issued a tribute to him on Tuesday, describing him as a cherished father who was a pillar of the community.

They said: 'Mr Ibrahim Yassin was a devoted father who courageously navigated losing his wife in 2008, leaving behind their 11 children including newborn twins.

'Despite facing unimaginable adversity, he was a cherished father, deeply adored by his children.

'He was not only a guiding light in their lives, offering unwavering love, guidance, and support through every triumph and trial they faced together.

'Mr Yassin was known as a generous and compassionate pillar of the community, always ready to lend a hand and spread love wherever he went.

'Even as we mourn his untimely departure, Ibrahim's legacy of love and selflessness will continue to illuminate the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

'Though the lives of his children and grandchildren's will be permanently changed, their paths forever altered by the profound impact of this loss.'
The man was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was pronounced dead

A man has died after being shot on a subway train in New York City early on Friday morning.

Police said the 45-year-old was shot in the torso on a southbound D train at the 182-183 street station in the Bronx just after 5am.

The man was unconscious and unresponsive when officers arrived on the scene, and was rushed by emergency services to St. Barnabas Hospital where he died.

Police are now looking for three suspects believed to be involved in the shooting, with sources telling the New York Post that a verbal dispute led to the incident.

Police said the 45-year-old was shot in the torso on a southbound D train at the 182-183 street station in the Bronx just after 5am

The man was unconscious and unresponsive when officers arrived on the scene, and was rushed by emergency services to St. Barnabas Hospital where he died

The station was closed in the morning while authorities conducted their investigation.

Images captured at the scene show emergency teams performing chest compressions on the man as he lays on the platform.

EMS teams then lay him on a stretcher and rush him out of the station to an awaiting ambulance.

One neighbor told ABC7: 'I know to avoid this station because it's typically a dangerous station, so I typically take the station ahead or behind and travel from there, it's terrible. The train is not safe.'

It comes after a separate incident last month when one man was killed and five others injured after gunfire erupted at another Bronx train station.

Police are now looking for three suspects believed to be involved in the shooting

The station was closed in the morning while authorities conducted their investigation

Police said that violence broke out on the 4 train platform at Mount Eden Avenue Station with a 35-year-old man being and shot killed.

The survivors, three males and two females, were all taken to hospital with gunshot wounds but all were in a stable condition.

Langel Jones, 16, was apprehended by officers following the shooting and ordered held without bail on murder charges.

Police are now hunting a 15-year-old who they also believed fired shots on the station, and have a 14-year-old boy in custody also, according to the Daily News.
A Silicon Valley baker says she is reconsidering her business policies after prepping an order placed by Tesla for 4,000 mini pies, which the company 'canceled at last minute'.

The Giving Pies in San Jose, California, are accustomed to working with big corporations like Meta, Google, Apple and Amazon.

However, a recent order made by Tesla for 4,000 pies cost the local bakery around $16,000 after the clean energy company allegedly canceled the order all of a sudden at the last minute.

The thousands of mini pies, which cost around $3-$4 each, were supposedly ordered for a Tesla event to commemorate Black History Month.

Voahangy Rasetarinera owns the Willow Glen neighborhood bakery and says that she took a big hit after the massive pie order caused her to reject other requests, splurge on ingredients and work around the clock alongside her employees to complete the order.

Tesla are being slammed for placing a huge order for 4,000 pies from a local Silicon Valley bakery before canceling the order last minute

The Giving Pies in San Jose, California, are accustomed to working with big corporations like Meta, Google, Apple and Amazon (pictured: bakery owner Voahangy Rasetarinera)

A recent order made by Tesla for 4,000 pies cost the local bakery around $16,000 after the clean energy company allegedly canceled the order all of a sudden at the last minute

Voahangy Rasetarinera says that she took a big hit after the massive pie order caused her to reject other requests, splurge on ingredients and work around the clock alongside her employees to complete the order

'To fulfill the order, I had turned down other Black History Month catering inquiries, purchased supplies, and prepared for a demanding production schedule,' Rasetarinera explained.

Tesla reached out to the locally-loved bakery on Valentine's Day to place the order for 2,000 mini pies to be delivered the following Tuesday and Thursday - which is short notice for the bakery, according to Rasetarinera.

In a post on Facebook titled 'How Tesla's actions hurt my small black women-owned business,' Rasetarinera explained the series of events.

The post detailed how the payment did not go through, which caused initial concern.

Despite the lack of payment, Laura from Tesla reached out to the bakery again to apologize for the delay and request that the order be doubled to 4,000 pies, assuring the bakery that 'cost was not an issue.'

Tesla reached out to the locally-loved bakery on Valentine's Day to place the order for 2,000 mini pies to be delivered the following Tuesday and Thursday (Pictured: Elon Musk, Tesla CEO)

Tesla reached out to the bakery again to apologize for the delay in payment and request that the order be doubled to 4,000 pies, assuring the bakery that 'cost was not an issue'

'To fulfill the order, I had turned down other Black History Month catering inquiries, purchased supplies, and prepared for a demanding production schedule,' Rasetarinera explained.

Rasetarinera said that her hopes were 'shattered' when Laura 'casually' texted her to say that Tesla no longer needed the pies after she had already bought the supplies and prepared for the order

'Despite the late hour and short notice, I consulted with my staff, who assured me they could manage the expanded order,' the post described.

Rasetarinera said that her hopes were 'shattered' when Laura 'casually' texted her to say that Tesla no longer needed the pies after she had already bought the supplies and prepared for the order.

'This abrupt reversal left me reeling, realizing the extent of the impact on my small business,' the business owner said.

'I had invested time, resources, and effort based on assurances from Tesla, only to be left high and dry.'

After sending Laura a heartfelt message expressing her disappointment, Rasetarinera said that her response attempted to 'shift blame to upper management.'

'To me, it was clear that Tesla's corporate culture prioritized convenience over accountability, disregarding the livelihoods of small business owners like myself,' Rasetarinera wrote on the company's Facebook page.
As modern protests go, posing by a wheelie bin outside your front door might seem a bit pathetic. But look who the star of this Insta magic moment turns out to be!

The pristine black T-shirt is a bit of a giveaway, emblazoned with the headline DISGUSTED TO BE BRITISH in extra-large letters just in case you cant read.

This is a picky designer who doesnt wear just any old T-shirt.

It must be a sustainable, eco-friendly, organic, planet-supporting tee, complete with a catchphrase that impressionable trendies will soon be copying.

This is a woman whos made her fortune over the last 40 years flogging slogans stating the bleeding obvious. A woman who has spent her life getting DISGUSTED and putting it on her chest.

Yes, this well-spoken lady of a certain age flamboyantly chucking a highly-prized medal in the trash is none other than iconic fashion designer and life-long eccentric Katharine Hamnett, who has spent over 50 years flogging her designs to George Michael, Madonna and every pop star desperate to appear credible.

This week life-long eccentric Katharine Hamnett threw her CBE in the bin

While throwing away the honour, she said: 'This is my CBE, it belongs in the bin with Sunak and Starmer

Receiving my hard-earned CBE was the proudest moment of my life, that's why - unlike Katharine Hamnett - I would never chuck it in the bin

The completely fearless female who stunned Maggie Thatcher by whipping back her jacket at a Downing Street reception to reveal 58% DONT WANT PERSHING written across her front.

At the time, a poll had shown that people (including Katharine, naturally) were furious about the rapid expansion of Pershing and Cruise missile bases all over Europe.

Maggie responded but weve got Cruise (missiles) my dear. So maybe youre at the wrong party. But the Iron Lady was definitely rattled by the brilliant stunt.

That image went around the world and Katharine Hamnetts new career as a designer of protest-wear was born. Slogan followed slogan and millions were sold.

CHOOSE LIFE was worn by George Michael in the video for Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. Roger Taylor from Queen wore CHOOSE LOVE (to raise funds for refugees) at Rock in Rio.

And Hamnett received the ultimate accolade - being ripped off by Frankie Goes to Hollywood with their version, FRANKIE SAYS RELAX.

Katharine was a trailblazer, leading campaigns to make fashion more sustainable and less wasteful, drawing attention to the plight of cotton farmers in India (300,000 died in 20 years from pesticide poisoning and contaminated water) with T-shirts that screamed CLEAN UP OR DIE in 1989 - way before Greta Thunberg was a little sprog.

Hamnett stunned Maggie Thatcher by whipping back her jacket at a Downing Street reception to reveal 58% DONT WANT PERSHING written across her front

Even at at 76 years old, Katharine is still a campaigner to the core as she showed this week

She got angry about so much, from the lack of black models on the catwalk to Tony Blair and the war in Iraq.

But after a while, slogans are just slogans, and top fashion houses from Gucci to Chanel were quick to rip her off, selling T-shirts which cost little to produce for thousands of Euros.

Slogans became just a tool to flaunt your street credentials. Once Celine and Balenciaga were using catchphrases, protest had lost its edge.

By 2011, Katharine Hamnett was happy to join the establishment and accept a prestigious honour - the CBE - from the Queen, wearing a flamboyant hat by Philip Treacy, festooned with blood red (what else?) cock feathers.

But deep down, she didnt mellow, despite telling people she was holding out to be a Duchess with a castle.

This weeks Wheelie Bin Bombshell shows that at 76 years old, Katharine is still a campaigner to the core.

Enraged by the ongoing hostilities in Gaza, she decided to publicly throw away the well-deserved CBE she received for services to the fashion industry back in 2011, pinned to her frock by the late Queen.

Whats the point? However sincere, will a bit of posturing by a bin in fashionable Hackney make a jot of difference? Isnt everyone getting exhausted by the constant waves of protest which bring our cities and high streets to a standstill with increasing regularity.

In the name of saving the planet and halting climate change hundreds of thousands of angry demonstrators have made their feelings perfectly clear.

They have glued themselves to roads, chucked paint and tomato soup over artworks and closed motorways for hours on end, climbing up gantries and risking their lives.

The war in Ukraine and now the horrific slaughter and chaos in Gaza have seen thousands more out on the streets, furious at what they see as feeble government and ineffectual leaders. And who can disagree?

Katharines style is rather more genteel. Not for her the screaming or the chanting or the waving of an ugly home-made placard.

She simply opens her nice front door, steps down to the wheelie bin and announces Im disgusted to be British for our role in genocide in Gaza.

This is my CBE, it belongs in the bin with Sunak and Starmer.

By 2011, Katharine Hamnett was happy to join the establishment and accept a prestigious honour - the CBE - from the Queen, wearing a flamboyant hat by Philip Treacy, festooned with blood red (what else?) cock feathers

Katharines silly protest wont change anything in Gaza. I hope she realises that later and retrieves her gong

Then a QR code directs you to a website where you can buy the T-shirt for 30 and find out who your MP is. Katharine declares write and tell your MP youll never vote for them unless they support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Sadly, end result looks a little bit like a clip from Ab Fab, I keep expecting Patsy to pop up from inside the bin with the CBE stuck in her beehive and a pithy putdown.

Katharine Hamnett is Ab Fab personified - posh to the core, educated at Cheltenham Ladies College, sent to school on the Orient Express when her dad (a military attache) was posted to Bucharest.

We first met in 1969 when shed just left St Martins Art School. Back then, as now, she was terrifying, brutally outspoken and fearless. Certain that she was right and everyone else was wrong.

I made my career in journalism, and like Katharine, I received a CBE (for services to broadcasting and journalism) from the Queen back in 2016.

It was the proudest moment of my life. Jasper Conran (a contemporary of Katharines) designed me a special frock made from British silk. I did not wear a hat.

And my celebration cake had the Sex Pistols on the top. Getting a CBE recognises the hard slog youve had to get up the greasy pole of success - at least thats what it meant to me.

The last thing I would ever do is chuck it in the bin. My achievement stands as a sign to other women that they can do it too.

Katharines silly protest wont change anything in Gaza. I hope she realises that later and retrieves her gong.

Sadly, I dont think this pig-headed woman will.
OBE-winning classical music conductor Jan Latham-Koenig has admitted to two child sexual offences after he was arrested at London Victoria station as part of an undercover sting operation.

The 70-year-old was arrested at Victoria train station in January after arranging to meet who he believed was a 14 year-old boy he had met on a dating site.

But the boy was an undercover police officer posing as a child.

Appearing at Westminster magistrate's court this morning wearing a blue suit and pink shirt, the disgraced conductor who once Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, pleaded guilty to arranging or facilitating the commission of a sexual offence with a child, and of sexual communication with a minor.

Latham-Koenig has worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra and in Queen Elizabeth's 2020 birthday honours list he was awarded an OBE 'for services to music and UK/Russia cultural relations.

Conductor Jan Latham-Koenig leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court, central London, where he was charged with arranging or facilitating a child sex offence and sexual communication with a child

Latham-Koenig has worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra

The OBE-winning classical music conductor admitted to two child sexual offences after he was arrested following an undercover operation

He did not indicate a plea to a third charge, of attempting to meet the boy with the intention of doing something to or in respect of them that would have involved the commission of a sexual offence.

Prosecutor Jason Seetal said of the third charge was 'not suitable for summary trial,' meaning Latham-Koenig now faces a jury trial.

'It's said on the 9 December 2023 he started chatting on a dating app with an undercover officer posing as a 14 year old boy,' the prosecutor added.

'That chat had been sexual in its nature. The chat progresses onto WhatsApp.. Through this chat there's an arrangement to meet up at Victoria train station.'

'This defendant attends on the day and is arrested.'

He added that 'there is some complexity to this offence.'

Latham-Koenig's lawyer submitted an application to change the address of the composer because of 'difficulties' with staying at his family home in Kensington.

His barrister Eleanor Lawes KC told the court: 'Currently he's bailed to live at his family home.

'He can continue to live there but there are difficulties, so it's my application that we vary bail so he can live with his sister who lives nearby.'

He ordered Latham-Koenig to appear for a trial preparation hearing at Southwark crown court on 22 March 2024.

The judge also approved the change to Latham-Koenig's bail conditions.

Latham-Koenig has been released on bail, subject to the condition that he resides at his sister's address in Parliament Hill, and that he surrenders his passport to the police due to his international connections.

The classical conductor, of Kensington, will next appear at Southwark crown court on 22 March 2024.
A top Republican is working to show strength against the CCP even as billions of dollars in critical military assistance to Taiwan are being held up by a fractured Congress.

Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led a bipartisan trip to Taiwan this week as the small island grapples with increasing hostility from its neighboring country.

While on the ground, Gallagher emphasized challenges faced by Taiwan due rising aggression by Chinese President Xi Jinping but reiterated America's unwavering commitment to backing the nation.

His strong show of support for the United States' critical partner in the Indo-Pacific came as Republicans in Congress are currently holding up more than $2 billion in foreign military assistance.

Gallagher told DailyMail.com Friday that the trip sent a 'strong signal' that the U.S. stands with Taiwan despite a gridlocked Congress and statements made by 2024 frontrunner Donald Trump against the supplemental aid package.

He said that people of Taiwan should feel 'confident' that the U.S. will 'stand firmly' with them 'regardless of how fractious our election gets.'

Mike Gallagher and Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te shake hands

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a meeting with U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher

The Senate-passed $95 billion in total aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan is unlikely to come up for a vote in the House soon after Speaker Mike Johnson said he is focused on wrapping up the appropriations process by a first March 1 deadline.

The group to Taiwan included Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., John Moolenaar, R-Mich., Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., and Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.

Krishnamoorthi told DailyMail.com on a call that the trip demonstrated that all eyes are on how the U.S. handles the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and demonstrates why the supplemental funding is critical.

'You can't be tough and China and weak on Ukraine,' he said 'and so this really reinforced for me why we have to get the supplemental request through the House.'

While in Taiwan, lawmakers met with top officials including outgoing Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, and President-Elect Lai Ching-te and Vice President-Elect Hsiao Bi-khim. They also engaged with Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu and Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang.

Xi Jinping's strategy called 'America Against America' is 'pitting' allies against each other in an attempt to 'undermine our countries and our resolve,' said Gallagher while on the ground in Taiwan.

'But that strategy is failing. Standing here, together, we are evidence of that failure,' he said in remarks alongside Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.

'Democrats and Republicans, Blues and Greens, the people of Taiwan and the people of America - united against Chinese Communist Party aggression... Free People don't need a dictator to tell them what to think. They know the truth,' he stated.

Gallagher also said that Taiwan 'must remain as it stands today, a candle burning freely, fiercely and improbably against the darkness' as the Chinese become increasingly hostile.

The incoming leader of Taiwan turned attention to a 'rapidly changing global geopolitical landscape' that he says comes in addition to 'tremendous pressure and diplomatic, military and economic coercion from China.'

'We hope that the United States and like-minded countries will also continue to back Taiwan,' he added.

Their trip also came as federal agencies were 'urgently investigating' whether a massive cellular outage that plagued Americans on Thursday was a cyberattack with potential links to China.

The FBI and DHS launched an investigation after 74,000 users across the AT&T network were unable to make calls on Thursday, with thousands more at other networks left without service according to DownDetector. Thousands more at other networks were left without service.

The disastrous cell phone outage at AT&T was only a fraction of what 'will' happen in the U.S. when China invades Taiwan, one U.S. senator warned.

'I dont know the cause of the AT&T outage,' said Sen. Marco Rubio, Fla., top Republican on the Intelligence Committee.

'But I do know it will be 100 times worse when #China launches a cyber attack on America on the eve of a #Taiwan invasion. And it wont be just cell service they hit, it will be your power, your water and your bank,' he went on.

Gallagher told DailyMail.com Friday that 'you have to assume the U.S. homeland would be targeted' if and when China invades Taiwan.

'The CCP would seek to exploit those vulnerabilities and weaponize supply chains where we remain dependent on China.'

U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI) attends a press conference with Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, U.S. Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), U.S. Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI), Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) at Taipei Guest House in Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, right, talks to Rep. Mike Gallagher, the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, center

Mike Gallagher shakes hands with Taiwan's Parliament Speaker Han Kuo-yu

The lawmakers acknowledged that this issue came up while they were on the ground in Taiwan - and it's a massively important problem.

Krishnamoorthi told DailyMail.com that there has to be a public-private partnership to 'upgrade software' that is currently providing easy access for Chinese hackers.

'We've got to step up our cyber defense game,' he added.
The White House is accusing House Speaker Mike Johnson of acting to benefit Iran by refusing to take up the Ukraine aid bid, with President Biden hammering him for sending members home without a vote on the package.

Biden is trying to revive a $60 billion aid package that passed the Senate but has not gotten a vote in the House.

His press office says Iran is 'actively enabling Russia's war in Ukraine and its attacks against Ukrainian cities,' following reports Tehran had transferred surface-to-air missiles to Russia's war machine.

'President Biden is standing up to Iran. But where is Speaker Johnson's supposed commitment not to 'appease Iran' in all this? Nowhere. Instead, his inaction is benefiting Putin and the Ayatollah,' said deputy press secretary Andrew Bates in a new White House memo.

President Joe Biden hammered Speaker Mike Johnson for sending lawmakers home rather than taking up a $60 billion package to aid Ukraine. He said it could easily pass the House if he would allow it to come to a vote

The White House is already promising additional sanctions on Iran for boosting Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, and is promising 'severe' sanctions' if Iran goes ahead and transfers ballistic missiles to Russia.

The president renewed his call for congressional action a day after meeting with the wife and daughter of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin is 'responsible' for Navalny's death in a Siberian prison.

'Yesterday I met with Alexei his wife and daughter in California, where his daughter attends College. Alexei was incredibly courageous man, his family's courageous as well. I assured them his legacy will continue to live around the world and we the United States are going to continue to ensure that Putin pays a price for his aggression abroad and repression at home,' Biden said in a speech to members of the National Governor's Association at the White House Friday.

'The House of Representatives must pass the bipartisan national security bill. The bill provides urgent financial Ukraine and passed overwhelmingly the Senate and there's no question  none, none  - if the Speaker called for a vote in the House would pass easily today. Instead, they want a vacation,' he complained.

The package would likely pass on a bipartisan vote with backing by Democrats and more traditional Republicans. But a large faction in the House GOP has grown skeptical of Ukraine. Former President Donald Trump has sought to undercut support for the security package, and said it was 'stupid' for the U.S. to provide direct aid instead of loans.

Biden also faulted Johnson for failing to take up a broader security package that included provisions to beef up border security.

Iranian ballistic missiles are displayed during the ceremony of joining the Armed Forces, in Tehran, Iran, August 22, 2023. The White House is vowing new sanctions over Iran's military support for Moscow

An ammunition box in a garden of a residential building located in Gostomel, a town located near Kyiv and it has been heavily impacted by the ongoing attacks, ahead of the second year of the Russian and Ukrainian war in Kyiv. Biden faults Speaker Johnson for not bringing a Ukraine aid bill up for a vote

'History is watching. The clock is ticking. Brave Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are dying. Russia  Russia is taking Ukraine territory for the first time in many months. But here in America, the Speaker gave the house a two week vacation. They have to come back.

Biden spoke after his wife first lady Jill Biden separately warmed up the crowd in the East Room of the White House. But the president wasn't entirely sure.

'Did Jill already speak, my wife?' he asked.

'If I were smart I'd leave right now,' he quipped at the top after getting warm applause.

Biden spoke on a day the administration announced a fresh wave of sanctions against Russia on Friday a day ahead of the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, as President Vladimir Putin hailed Russian "heroes" fighting there.

Johnson's office hit back at the memo with a response accusing Biden of 'appeasement' of Russia and Iran.

'The Biden Administration has removed Iranian proxies from the Foreign Terrorist Organization list, relaxed sanctions on Iranian oil exports, telegraphed an underwhelming military response to the Houthi attack that claimed the lives of 3 U.S. soldiers, took steps to give Iran billions of dollars, and weeks ago blocked critical aid to Israel which currently faces threats from Iranian backed terrorist organizations,' said Johnson spokesman Taylor Haulsee. He was referencing a House Republican bill that split off aid to Israel from the Ukraine aid.

'Meanwhile, the Administrations recent ban on LNG export terminals forces Europe to now purchase natural gas not from America but from Russia which is state owned and directly funds the war machine,' Haulsee added.

Johnson's office didn't respond directly to the president's call for him to bring the House back to vote on Ukraine aide.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his appeal for swift delivery of air-defence systems and fighter jets, while European Union leaders pledged continued backing for Kyiv.

That came after Biden announced sanctions on more than 500 targets to "ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home".

And he renewed his appeal to the US Congress to fund more military aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine has been weakened by the blocking of US aid, its failed counter-offensive and worsening ammunition shortages

Putin laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall

"History is watching," he said. "The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will not be forgotten."

Ukraine has been weakened by the blocking of US aid and worsening ammunition shortages.

Putin's message came on Russia's "Defender of the Fatherland Day", a holiday that is an occasion for military pomp and Kremlin-sponsored patriotism.

This year he was able to celebrate Russia's capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka last week and claim further advances along the frontline with Ukraine's troops.

"You are our true national heroes," Putin said in a video message addressed to troops and veterans.

- 'Unblock the sky' -

Zelensky made a fresh appeal on Friday for the weapons that western powers have already promised him.

"The most important thing is to unblock the sky," he told reporters in the western city of Lviv. "Air defence and future jets will help it."

For two years, Ukraine's forces have been fighting a bigger and richer army and that has taken a heavy toll.

Zelensky attended a memorial ceremony in the western city of Lviv

In Brussels, the EU's top three officials vowed to maintain the bloc's "strong and unwavering" backing for Kyiv to end the war.

"More than ever, we remain united and true to our promise to support Ukraine for as long as it takes," said the heads of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament.

A new wave of EU sanctions, the 13th, targets 106 people and 88 entities, mainly the military and defence sectors, including those involved in supplying arms to Russia.

Politicians and officials responsible for the "illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children" are also targeted, said the European statement.

- 'Pride' -

In Moscow, Putin laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Kremlin walls.

His church ally Patriarch Kirill, a vehement supporter of the Ukraine offensive, once again sanctified it.

Ukraine: position of military forces

"We glorify today the feat of soldiers who are heroically fighting on the borders of Russia, defending its sovereignty and independence," he said in a letter to Putin.

Russia has banned all criticism of its campaign, punishing thousands for denouncing the offensive, with repression comparable to late Soviet levels.

On the streets of Moscow, AFP found both supporters and opponents of the offensive.

"I feel pride for our men," said 27-year-old Nadezhda as she strolled near the Kremlin. "In the last two years that became even stronger."

But Konstantin, who had once served in the army but was now working as a waiter, said he opposed any armed conflict.

- Russia intensifies attacks -

In Ukraine, foreign dignitaries began to arrive to mark the anniversary of Moscow's assault, which has killed thousands of civilians, on top of a huge number of military deaths.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen joined Zelensky in Lviv on Friday, as did US Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat.

Despite recent setbacks, Zelensky has remained defiant.

Russia is seeking to advance into eastern Ukraine after capturing Avdiivka

Kyiv has taken confidence from continued successes on the Black Sea, where it says it has destroyed a third of Russia's Black Sea fleet -- 25 vessels.

But Moscow is seeking to press its advantage in the land campaign and drive further into Ukraine.

Kyiv warned Friday that Russia was intensifying attacks around the new "hot spot" of Maryinka, a town to the west of the Moscow-controlled stronghold of Donetsk city.

The Russian army said this week it had also captured the eastern village of Pobeda and that its troops were "moving westwards" after capturing Avdiivka.

Ukrainian troops, however, remained determined.

"It's extremely hard," 32-year-old Ukrainian infantryman Oleksiy told AFP in eastern Ukraine, caked in mud after returning from the trenches.

"We don't have weapons like they have. You know, they have factories for production, and us? We beg for weapons. That's the way it is."
A mysterious 'gas leak' at Sweden's security service office today has put seven people in hospital three days before the country is set to pass the final hurdle in joining NATO.

500 people in the office were evacuated by police after an 'unknown substance' was released at the headquarters in Solna, Stockholm County.

This comes as concern from foreign threats have become heightened on the buildup to the NATO decision.

Only earlier in the week, the intelligence service released a report warning of the threat posed by foreign state actors, in particular Russia, China and Iran, reminiscent of Russia's historical disdain for a growing NATO.

The area around the office was closed off while mask-wearing officers dealt with the situation.

The cause of the expected leak remains unclear.

The area around the office was closed off while mask-wearing officers dealt with the situation

Also today, Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson met up with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest - Hungary is the final country to vote on Sweden's membership.

The Sweden Security Service's spokeswoman Karin Lutz said they took measures and 'emergency services are on site' after receiving an alarm.

Police said an area of 'a couple of hundred meters' around the building had been closed off after 'a potential gas leak'.

Police and emergency services were at the site and some of those taken to hospital were officers who had 'smelled an odour when they arrived'.

Around 4:30pm, police said the operation had ended.

Patrik Soderberg, chief physician at the local healthcare authority Region Stockholm said: 'Around 1pm today, there were indications that there was a dangerous substance at (the) offices.

'So far, five people have been taken to hospital with respiratory symptoms and there are also two people that have sought treatment on their own for respiratory symptoms.'

AFP reported that Sweden is currently on high alert.

It is expecting to clear the final hurdle to its bid to join NATO on Monday, with the last holdout Hungary scheduled to vote on ratifying its membership.

The country has been waiting nearly two years since applying to be a member in May 2022.

Finland applied at the same time and was welcomed into NATO last April.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson met up with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest

According to Axios, public support for NATO membership in the Nordic countries shot up virtually overnight after Russia invaded Ukraine, with a strong majority in both countries favoring joining the alliance.

It is looking highly likely that Sweden will become a member as only Hungary is left to cast their vote.

In 2022, Sweden's then Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson pointed to Russia's actions as the reason for wanting to join the defensive body.

When NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Finland to the alliance last April, he said: 'President Putin wanted to slam NATO's door shut.

'Today we showed the world that he failed, that aggression and intimidation do not work.

'Instead of less NATO, he has achieved the opposite: more NATO. And our door remains firmly open.'
Two men were found tortured to death inside an abandoned cabana at a beach in the Mexican resort city of Acapulco.

Beach workers made gruesome discovery at Condesa Beach on Thursday morning around 6 am after receiving a tip from an anonymous caller and the municipal police.

The victims were found lying face down with their hands tied and a piece of wood drilled over their necks.

The names of the individuals were not released by the Guerrero State Attorney General's Office as of Friday.

Two men were found tortured to death inside an abandoned cabana on a beach in Acapulco, Mexico on Thursday morning.

Authorities said beach workers received an anonymous call and found the two dead males inside the cabana near a bar at Condesa Beach in Acapulco on Thursday

Prosecutors said the men's bodies bore signs of 'torture by ligature' with 'signs of torture around the neck.'

Mexican drug gangs frequently kill their victims by asphyxiation, either by strangling them or wrapping duct tape or plastic bags around their heads.

The victims were among six people murdered during a period of less than 24 hours.

Two severed heads were found abandoned near a school and one a main avenue on Wednesday.

The beach murders comes a week after Niko Honarbakhsh, 44, was killed during a shootout between drug dealers at the Mia Beach Club in Tulum, the popular resort along the Caribbean coast.

ABC News reported that Honarbakhsh, the wife of a former Drug Enforcement Administration agent, was living in nearby Cancun at the time of her death.

Belize national and local drug dealer Shawn Billary, 22, was also killed during the gun battle.

Billary had cocaine and pills in his possession, the Quintana Roo State Attorney General's Office said.

Mexican law enforcement agents remove body bags containing the bodies of two men who were found tortured to death inside a cabana on a beach in Acapulco on Thursday

Cops in Acapulco remove one of the two bodies found dead inside a cabana at Condesa Beach in Acapulco, Mexico on Thursday. The city reported 31 murders in

Acapulco, located along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, was once a favorite landing spot for the Hollywood elite that since 2006 has been riddled with violence sparked by rival cartels and gangs battling for drug trade turfs.

To combat crime, a security force made up of 16,000 members of National Guard, military and state and local police patrols Acapulco, where visitors have slowly made their way back after Hurricane Otis ravaged the city in October.

The storm left 52 people dead and destroyed and damaged hotels  a fraction of the city's hotel rooms  about 7,000 have been repaired.

In early February, the state government deployed 60 gun-toting detectives to patrol the beaches 'in light of the violent events that have occurred recently.'

At least three people were shot dead on beaches in Acapulco that week, one by gunmen who arrived - and escaped - aboard a boat.

The heavy military and police presence has not been enough to keep the violence at bay.

In January, the main Acapulco chamber of commerce reported that gang threats and attacks caused about 90 percent of the city's passenger vans to stop running, affecting the resort's main form of transport.

The cartel and gangs have been fighting over drug sales and income from extorting protection payments from businesses, bars, bus and taxi drivers.

At least 465 people were killed in Acapulco in 2023, in comparison with 453 homicides registered in 2022.

The city ranked sixth in the country with 31 murders reported in January.

Niko Honarbakhsh, 44, the wife of a former Drug Enforcement Administration special agent was shot dead when she was apparently caught in the crossfire of a drug cartel dispute in a luxury Mexican resort on Sunday

U.S. Department of State has issued a do not travel advisory for six states including Guerrero because of crime, such as carjacking, kidnapping, robbery and homicide.

U.S. travelers have been advised to exercise additional caution when visiting Quintana Roo, where Cancun and Tulum are located.

In December 2023, Canadian national Samy Tamouro, 37, was shot at an gym in downtown Cancun and died while he was being rushed to a medical facility after he was denied treatment at the first hospital he was taken to.

In April 2023, eight dead bodies, including three skeletal remains, were found strewn across Cancun.
A Sydney mayor has called on his local eastern suburbs community to respect the rules after multiple near misses at an iconic Aussie beach.

It comes after one upset local in Bondi called out a pair in the water using hydrofoil surfboards to cut through the waves, an activity that is banned due to safety concerns. But the rule is only enforced between 6am to 7pm when lifeguards are on duty, with some ignoring the restriction out of hours.

These hydrofoilers at North Bondi need their heads read, the local complained online, pointing out the practice is banned at the beach by Waverley Council. He shared an image to Facebook of a hydrofoil surfer dangerously close to a swimmer.

Spoke to one of them thinking he must not know, said he knows and doesnt care, he claimed.

Hydrofoil surfer has a near miss with a swimmer at Bondi Beach. Source: Facebook

The man added that he saw "so many near misses" detailing several instances including "one dad and his young daughter surfing [who] had a near miss with them and the guy told them to watch out for his foil! They always come to North Bondi when its not patrolled where people are swimming after work."

The man begged the council to do something, "before someone gets seriously injured."

Mayor condemns hydrofoil surfers taking advantage

Paula Masselos, Mayor of Waverley Council, told Yahoo News Australia she shares the communitys concerns about hydrofoil surfboards and public safety, pointing out the practice is not permitted.

When lifeguards are on duty, "we would ask the riders to exit the water or inform them on arrival that hydrofoils cant be used at our beaches. This proactive approach by lifeguards has been effective and the majority of riders respect our position," she explained.

But after 7pm, there is no one to stop those who choose to enter the water with such a device.

We call upon hydrofoil riders to respect the rules and we will continue to have conversations with our neighbouring Councils, and local hydrofoil rider groups, to ensure a consistent approach to managing public concerns, she added.

Story continues

Bondi Beach at sunset, after lifeguards clock off for the evening. Source: Getty

What are hydrofoil surfboards?

Hydrofoil surfboards are designed similarly to a traditional surfboard, but they have a metal hydrofoil attached to the bottom, a feature originally used to help boats cut through water smoothly. For surfers, it allows riders to stand up on the board without the force of a wave behind them. They can also glide through the water with much more speed than a regular surfboard, posing a potential risk to others in the water.

The hydrofoil surfboard is a popular new fixture at beaches across the world, with global market demand expected to reach $3.5 billion by 2030.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Shamima Begum's latest legal loss means she is likely to spend the foreseeable future in the Syrian refugee camp she has called home for several years.

Ms Begum, 24, remains condemned to live in the al-Roj camp in northern Syria, where conditions have been described by the Red Cross as 'extremely volatile', after losing an appeal against the decision to revoke her British citizenship.

The Londoner was a Primark-loving 15-year-old when she travelled to Istanbul in Turkey from Gatwick Airport to join ISIS with her close friends at Bethnal Green Academy - Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15, in 2015.

She now faces an uncertain future in the al-Roj camp, where she was moved after being discovered in another camp in 2019. Her refusal to disavow ISIS after being found led to the Home Office revoking her citizenship for national security reasons.

A Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SAIC) ruling upheld the decision to strip her of her citizenship as lawful, while a Court of Appeal judgement was issued today that has doubled down on the SAIC's ruling.

Shamima Begum is living in the al-Roj refugee camp in northern Syria, where she has been for several years - and will likely remain there after her latest appeal for UK citizenship failed

The camp is one of several refugee camps in Syria, and was set up for those displaced by ISIS. It now holds thousands of suspected ISIS fanatics

Living conditions in the camp are reported to be poor, with people living in tents and only simple medical facilities available

Begum was moved to al-Roj from the al-Hol camp where she was discovered in February 2019 following reported threats to her life (file photo of a woman walking through the camp)

Ms Begum is living in the Al-Roj refugee camp, having been found at the Al-Hol camp to the south in 2019

Shamima Begum appearing in a 2021 interview from al-Roj, where she begged for forgiveness and insisted she was a victim - not a terrorist or a criminal

The former East London schoolgirl wore a black niqab and headscarves in her earlier media appearances

She has since undergone a startling transformation, taking on a more Western appearance, as she continues her fight to be allowed back into Britain

Ms Begum, then aged 15, was filmed on CCTV walking through a security gate at Gatwick

The former jihadi bride has been battling to come back to Britain since 2019 after she was discovered in a Syrian refugee camp

Ms Begum's lawyers look set to seek permission to take the case to the Supreme Court, but for the time being any hopes of her returning to the UK seem as distant as ever.

She is likely to continue languishing in the al-Roj camp where she has been for a number of years, as a result - after being moved from the al-Hol cap to the south following reported threats to her life.

Ms Begum has previously compared life at the camp to being 'worse than prison' because: 'At least with prison sentences you know that there will be an end but here you don't know if there's going to be an end.'

When she was first discovered at the al-Hol camp in 2019, the ISIS bride was pictured in a black hijab - a headscarf that leaves the face uncovered - but since relocating, she has adopted a more Westernised image.

She has been photographed walking around al-Roj in Primark clothes and Nike trainers, and wearing her hair down - having reportedly had it cut by a fellow jihadi bride in the camp.

She has also taken to wearing make-up that was reportedly smuggled in by some of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) soldiers guarding the gates of the facility, which is home to ISIS converts and their families

Filmmaker Andrew Drury, who knew her for 18 months, said she was also able to get her hands on clothes and make-up from broadcasters courting her for interviews - as well as a camp shop selling fake designer goods sourced from local markets.

'There's a shopping area in the camp with six or seven shops selling things like clothes, food and toys,' he told MailOnline last year.

''The clothes shop is opened up to the extremist and non-extremist girls at different times.

'They get fake Nikes and other western brands that probably come from local markets.'

Mr Drury said inmates funded their shopping with money sent by their families or earned from cash-in-hand tasks around the camp.

'Like teenagers they love hanging around the shop and chatting even though they're not allowed to,' he said.

'I didn't spend too long in the shop myself because I was trying to get her out of there so she could do interviews.'

He said Begum's other clothes were mainly given to her by broadcasters wanting to interview her.

'Every time you want to do an interview you ask her what she wants,' he said.

'Other clothes have probably been donated by their friends or smuggled in by the guards.'

Begum would also get fashion advice from other Western extremist converts to ISIS, and they would give her haircuts, he added.

International observers say people living at the al-Roj camp are effectively detained by Syrian forces - unable to leave without a guarantee of repatriation to their home countries

Women stand around at the Al-Roj prison camp as they wait for clothes to dry outside

Around 2,500 people were estimated to live in the camp in 2021, according to UN children's agency UNICEF - and of those, half were children.

Al-Roj was first established to welcome families fleeing Iraq, before accepting Syrians as ISIS engaged in battles with domestic armed forces as it sought to establish a new 'caliphate' governed under Islamic rule across the Middle East.

It is guarded by the SDF and living standards are basic - with most people living in tents.

READ MORE - Who is Shamima Begum's husband? How ISIS bride married Dutch jihadist Yago Riedjik just 10 days after arriving in Syria and they had three children together who later died Advertisement

International observers say people living there are effectively detained, with permission only given to leave if arrangements are secured to allow them to return to their original homes.

In a 2021 report, Save the Children claimed only the most basic medical services were available on site - with emergency treatment only possible by leaving the camp to travel to local hospitals.

It said that almost half of the children whose parents and guardians it interviewed at the camp were 'always, or usually, upset'.

Meanwhile, Dr Marianne Wade, a reader in criminal justice at Birmingham Law School, said Ms Begum's legal team would seek an appeal.

She told MailOnline: 'Her team will it seems fight on. Despite her public notoriety, they likely also see value in continuing to force the public to ask themselves whether it is right that a - as they see her - vulnerable, groomed and exploited 15 year old should be judged as she has been and have to suffer such harsh, life-long consequences.

'This is perhaps as much a political as legal argument and at its heart a battle between the Government and judiciary.

'For Shamima Begum, of course, it is considerably more urgent than this evergreen, theoretical debate.'

She was originally able to cross the Syrian border with the help of a Canadian spy named Mohammed Al Rasheed, according to reports.

In a BBC podcast series, she said she was told to 'pack nice clothes so you can dress nicely for your husband'.

Just ten days after arriving in the city of Raqqa, Ms Begum, who is of Bangladeshi heritage, was married to a Dutchman named Yago Riedijk, who had converted to Islam.

They had three children together, who all later died from malnourishment or disease. They were a one-year-old girl, a three-month-old boy and newborn son.

One of the key questions in Ms Begum's story is how much she knew about ISIS atrocities before deciding to join.

In a 2019 interview, the BBC 's Middle East correspondent, Quentin Sommerville, asked if the terror group's 'beheading videos' were one of the things that attracted her.

She replied: 'Not just the beheading videos, the videos that show families and stuff in the park. The good life that they can provide for you. Not just the fighting videos, but yeah the fighting videos as well I guess.'

Begum was 15 when she ran away with Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15 (they were all pictured at Gatwick airport in 2015)

Appearing later on BBC podcast The Shamima Begum Story, she claimed she had not been aware of ISIS atrocities and 'fell in love' with the idea of the terror group as a 'utopia'.

She said she was told to 'pack nice clothes so you can dress nicely for your husband'.

The podcast described how Ms Begum was transferred from Turkey to ISIS-controlled Syria by a smuggler called Mohammed Al Rashed - who at that time was working as a spy for Canada.

READ MORE: The OTHER British ISIS brides who could return to the UK Advertisement

This information was allegedly covered up by Canada even while the Metropolitan Police was leading an international search for the trio.

After Britain was eventually informed, it was then also persuaded to keep quiet, it is claimed.

Ms Begum insisted she would have 'never' been able to join ISIS without Rashed's help.

'He (Rashed) organised the entire trip from Turkey to Syria... I don't think anyone would have been able to make it to Syria without the help of smugglers,' she told the BBC.

'He had helped a lot of people come in... We were just doing everything he was telling us to do because he knew everything, we didn't know anything.'

Asked by journalist Joshua Baker whether she ever considered going back on her plan to join the death cult, she said: 'No, not along the journey.'

Recalling the moment they reached the border, she said: 'There were Syrian men waiting for us who helped carry our bags and the smuggler told us to go with them across the border. It was very easy.'

Just ten days after arriving in the city of Raqqa, Begum, who is of Bangladeshi heritage, was married to a Dutchman named Yago Riedijk, who had converted to Islam.

They had three children together, who all later died from malnourishment or disease. They were a one-year-old girl, a three-month-old boy and a newborn son.

Begum left Raqqa with her husband in January 2017, but they were eventually split up, as she claimed he was arrested for spying, and tortured.

She was eventually found nine months pregnant in a refugee camp in Al-Hawl in February 2019 by a Times journalist.

Begum's Dutch jihadi husband Yago Riedijk, who died fighting for ISIS in Syria

She told Anthony Loyd that she did not regret her decision to join the so-called Islamic State, but said her support for the terror group had faded.

In the shocking interview, she refused to back down from her initial support for the group and said she had not been fazed by the sight of severed heads - a common tactic of ISIS, which regularly disseminated beheading videos online.

Ms Begum told the BBC it 'didn't faze me at all' when she saw her first 'severed head', but would 'do anything required just to be able to come home'.

But the runaway schoolgirl said she did not regret travelling to ISIS-controlled Syria, saying she had a 'good time'.

Ms Begum was thrust back into the spotlight in February 2019 when she resurfaced at the Al-Hawl refugee camp in Syria, where she had fled following the collapse of the ISIS 'caliphate'.

That same month she was stripped of her British citizenship by then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid after announcing her desire to return to the UK with her unborn third child. He later died of pneumonia at less than three months old.

Since 2019, Begum has been embroiled in a legal battle with the British government to win the right to return.

She lost her first appeal to return to the UK but successfully challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal.

The case then went to the Supreme Court, which largely ruled against Begum but gave her a chance of launching a fresh legal action if she was able to properly instruct solicitors.

The former jihadi bride has combined her court battle with a PR campaign aimed at convincing the British public she is safe to return.

Ms Begum pictured with a Union Flag cushion in 2020. It was the first time she was seen without her usual black burka

Ms Begum shortly after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019

Interviewed by Good Morning Britain in 2021, she begged for forgiveness and insisted she was a victim - not a terrorist or a criminal.

'No one can hate me more than I hate myself for what I've done and all I can say is I'm sorry and just give me a second chance', she said, before adding she was 'groomed and taken advantage of and manipulated'.

Ms Begum denied her Western physical appearance - which was in stark contrast to the traditional Islamic dress she previously adorned - was a publicity stunt.

'I have not been wearing hijab for maybe more than a year now. I took it off for myself, because I felt very constricted in the hijab, I felt like I was not myself,' she said.

'And I feel like it makes me happy to not wear the hijab. I'm not doing it for anyone but myself. I've had many opportunities to let people take pictures of me without my hijab on, but I did not.'

Asked to again justify his decision to ban her from the UK Mr Javid said: 'I won't go into details of the case, but what I will say is that you certainly haven't seen what I saw.'

Intelligence briefings in 2019 suggested Begum had been stitching ISIS terrorists into their suicide vests - ensuring that the devices could not be removed without detonation.

But she insists she only ever stayed at home and looked after her husband.

Her first son, Jerah, died at the age of eight months; her second child, daughter Sarayah, also perished due to illness. Her third child and second son, Jarrah, died of pneumonia shortly after birth in March 2019.
Tucson Samaritans volunteers have been caught on camera holding open a hole in a border fence and waving migrants through, according to a congressman now demanding an investigation into NGO's helping migrants come into the US illegally.

Rep. Tom Tiffany said the organization along with Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans is 'aiding illegal immigration' by assisting the droves of foreigners arriving in America daily.

Video shows a volunteer holding open a gap in the fence at the US border with Mexico in Arizona while a steady stream of migrants pass through.

The man appears to be filming as five asylum seekers squeeze through one after another.

The footage then cuts to them being loaded into cars with bags and driven away.

Tucson Samaritans and Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans have been accused of aiding illegal immigration after video emerged showing what is claimed to be one of their volunteers holding open a hold in the border fence to allow migrants through

The footage was captured at the US border with Mexico in Arizona, the site of thousands of illegal crossings

Republican Tom Tiffany accused the NGOs of breaking Title 8, U.S.C. 1324(a) which makes it an offense for any person who encourages or brings an alien into the U.S,

Republicans are demanding answers from the NGOs who they say are aiding and abetting the crisis

Rep. Tiffany said the migrants were transported to an encampment in the Coronado National Forest run by No More Deaths, a non profit working with the samaritans groups.

'Title 8, U.S.C. 1324(a) makes it an offense for any person who encourages or brings an alien into the U.S,' he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. 'Congress must take action and investigate these NGOs.'

Tiffany is now demanding a DOJ probe after visiting one of the migrant camps.

'These NGOs are actively facilitating illegal immigration without worry that the Biden administration will crack down on them,' he told DailyMail.com.

'They are breaking the law, and many receive tax dollars to carry out the Biden Border Invasion. Congress must investigate these organizations.'

He also shared photos posted by Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans which he said showed them 'bragging' about the tented encampments.

When contacted by DailyMail.com, the NGOs insisted they were being 'misrepresented'.

'The post by Representative Tom Tiffany, a representative from Wisconsin, is a misrepresentation of events.

'As an organization that has been in existence for more than 20 years, we work to ease suffering and prevent deaths along the US-Mexico Border.

'The situation with asylum seekers offers challenges to everyone to respond in a humane, legal manner.

'This is what we do.'

The groups say their actions are 'misrepresented'. They say their goal is to 'alleviate the suffering' of those illegally crossing the border

Tiffany is now pushing for a DOJ probe into NGOs role in the the crossings, which hit up to 1,000 a day

Tiffany said the migrants were transported to an encampment in the Coronado National Forest

BREAKING: Just witnessed a large mass street release of illegal immigrants released from Border Patrol custody at a trolley station in San Diego (San Ysidro).

I talked to some of them, from Peru, Colombia, & India. Some going to Atlanta & Minneapolis wanting to work. pic.twitter.com/9kbilfigCm  Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 23, 2024

The non-profit states its mission is 'to offer humanitarian assistance to migrants in the Arizona-Sonora borderlands' and later asserts that 'humanitarian assistance is never a crime.

The organization is sponsored by The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, a 501(c)(3) charity which means donations are tax deductible.

Meanwhile, Tucson Samaritans says it provides, 'water, food, first aid, and other essential items to migrants who cross the border in southern Arizona.

The organization is supported by Southside Presbyterian Church and spent $13,804 on supplies in 2023, according to its website.

Up to 1,000 people are crossing the border in to Arizona every day, with more than 250,000 migrant encounters reported at Tucson over the last fiscal year to date.

More broadly, border patrol encountered a record 250,000 migrants crossing into the US via Mexico in December.

Video taken in San Diego on Friday showed a mass street release of migrants from Border Patrol custody after a local reception center ran out of money sooner than expected.

Among those released were people from Peru, Colombia and India hoping to travel to Atlanta and Minneapolis for work, according to Fox journalist Bill Melugin.

The migrants were released with notices to appear in immigration court.

In recent months, Republicans have been calling for a probe into NGOs' role in assisting migrants at the border.

In August, the Department of Homeland Security announced that $770 million of funding would be allocated to support border and interior communities receiving migrants through the Shelter and Services Program.

Tiffany was among a group of GOP reps who wrote to Catholic Charities USA, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and Jewish Family Service of San Diego to express their concerns.

'While Americans suffer the consequences of the unprecedented chaos at the border, NGOs continue to profit off of exploiting our immigration laws.

Congressman Tiffany has previously written to NGOs informing them of his intent to investigate the aid they provide to asylum seekers

The NGOs state on their websites that they provide humanitarian aid to those who have made the treacherous journey through the desert

It comes the same day that hundreds migrants were dropped off on the streets of San Diego after being released from Border Patrol custody

A migrant from Ecuador shaves as he arrives at a bus stop after leaving a processing facility on Friday in San Diego

The migrants were dropped off with notices to appear in immigration court after local government funding for a reception center ran out of money sooner than expected

'Taxpayers should not be subsidizing any organization facilitating the movement of illegal immigrants across our border.

'When NGOs transport unauthorized aliens into the nation's interior, it becomes increasingly difficult for federal immigration enforcement agencies to monitor their whereabouts and protect our communities,' the letter states.

The missive confirmed the house would, 'continue to investigate your organization's role in facilitating the border crisis, your potential violations of federal law, and your misuse of taxpayer funds'.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is considering an immigration crackdown that closes the border if more than 8,500 try to cross in one day, a law repeatedly used by former President Donald Trump.

The law would, if the migrant crisis reached those numbers per day, unilaterally enact a sweeping ban at the southern border, according to three people familiar with the deliberations.

DailyMail.com has contacted Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans for comment.
An asylum seeker who killed four fellow migrants while captaining an 'unseaworthy' small boat in the Channel has been jailed.

Ibrahima Bah, a Senegalese national, had more than 43 people in the home-built, low-quality inflatable boat for a journey from France to the UK on December 14 2022.

The vessel, which was described as 'a death trap', began filling with water shortly after leaving the French coast.

Within 30 minutes water was up to passengers' knees.

With passengers screaming and trying to use their mobile phones to get help, the boat, which was only supposed to be carrying 20 people, was steered desperately towards a nearby UK fishing ship, Arcturus.

Ibrahima Bah, who killed four fellow migrants while captaining an 'unseaworthy' small boat in the Channel, has been jailed

The vessel (pictured), which was described as 'a death trap', began filling with water shortly after leaving the French coast

Sentencing Bah on Friday, Mr Justice Johnson KC said: 'The boat (pictured) was wholly inadequate, and not remotely seaworthy for a Channel crossing'

The crew, with the help of the RNLI, air ambulance and UK Border Force, brought 39 survivors safely ashore at the port of Dover.

Now Bah, who was not licensed or trained to skipper the dinghy, has been jailed for nine years and six months after a retrial at Canterbury Crown Court.

The conviction on Monday is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.

The jury also found Bah guilty of facilitating illegal entry to the UK.

Sentencing Bah on Friday, Mr Justice Johnson KC said: 'The boat was wholly inadequate, and not remotely seaworthy for a Channel crossing.

'It was a death trap, just as every boat of its type which sets off across the Channel in similar circumstances is a death trap - the fact that in many cases fatalities do not occur is not remotely reassuring.

'What happened is an utter tragedy for those who died and for their families.

'It was made of substandard and insufficiently robust material - it had no rigid hull, no seating, no sufficiently powerful engine, no lights, no navigation equipment, no charts, no compass, no (radio), no emergency equipment, no flares, no fire extinguisher, no first aid kits, no food and water, no paddles, no toolkits, no life raft, no waterproofs, no life jackets, and an insufficient number of buoyancy aids, which were not manufactured to any recognised standard.

With passengers screaming and trying to use their mobile phones to get help, the boat, which was only supposed to be carrying 20 people, was steered desperately towards a nearby UK fishing ship called the Arcturus

The exact number of migrants who drowned is unknown as it appears at least one migrant's body was not recovered, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said

Supporters of Bah (pictured) attended the sentencing and were expected to hold a protest outside the Home Office in London on Friday evening

'It was grossly overcrowded (and) you were travelling across the busiest shipping lane in the world, on a cold winter's night.'

The exact number of migrants who drowned is unknown as it appears at least one migrant's body was not recovered, prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said.

Three of the people who died were known only as unknown male persons while the other man was named as Hajratullah Ahmadi, a 31-year-old married man who had come from Afghanistan and had a six-year-old daughter at the time of his death.

Bah, whose age is unknown but the judge concluded was at least 20 years old, will initially be detained in a young offenders' institute and will be eligible for release subject to licence conditions after he has served two thirds of his sentence.

Supporters of Bah attended the sentencing and were expected to hold a protest outside the Home Office in London on Friday evening.

Following the verdict on Monday, Captain Support UK, a solidarity platform for those accused of driving boats to Europe, said Bah's conviction was a 'violent escalation in the persecution of migrants to "Stop the Boats"'.

Bah, whose age is unknown but the judge concluded was at least 20 years old, will initially be detained in a young offenders' institute and will be eligible for release subject to licence conditions after he has served two thirds of his sentence

The conviction on Monday is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK. The jury also found Bah guilty of facilitating illegal entry to the UK

Bah, who was not licensed or trained to skipper the dinghy, has been jailed for nine years and six months after a retrial at Canterbury Crown Court (pictured)

However, illegal immigration minister Michael Tomlinson said on X, formerly Twitter: 'Ibrahima Bah put dozens of lives in extreme danger by taking charge of a perilous and illegal small boat crossing.

'It is right that he has been brought to justice today.

'Once you get into a small boat, criminal gangs don't care whether you live or die.'
The body of the Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi has been formally identified today after being recovered from the River Thames.

His former girlfriend, a mother-of-two who was doused with acid in the harrowing attack on her and her children, aged eight and three, in Clapham on January 31, is now in a stable condition and no longer sedated.

A post-mortem examination carried out at Poplar Mortuary on Wednesday has confirmed Ezedi's cause of death was drowning.

The Met said the family of the Afghan-born asylum seeker has been informed of the development and a file will now be passed to the coroner.

Ezedi was last seen on CCTV leaning over London's Chelsea Bridge. A body, which has now been confirmed as his, was pulled out of the Thames on Monday, February 19.

JANUARY 31: That last CCTV image of Clapham acid attack suspect Abdul Ezedi (pictured) whose body has now been confirmed to be in the River Thames

Ezedi (circled) was last pictured near Chelsea Bridge in a black jacket following the acid attack on a woman and her children in Clapham on January 31

FEBRUARY 1: The Metropolitan Police released this photo of Ezedi as they continued their nationwide manhunt

The formal identification of Ezedi's body is the final conclusion to a huge nationwide manhunt which saw police all over London in an effort to find him, as well as raid addresses near his home in Newcastle.

Met Police Commander Jon Savell said today: 'We have worked to formally identify Ezedi as quickly as possible.

'As the public would expect, our enquiries continue into this atrocious attack. The 31-year-old woman is still in hospital and remains in a stable condition and no longer sedated.

'We have still not been able to speak to her but hope to as soon as she is well enough.'

Ezedi, from the Newcastle area, is alleged to have thrown a burning chemical over the woman, some of which also injured one of the children, and slammed the three-year-old's head on the ground in the attack on January 31.

He then fled the scene and initially used his bank card to travel on the Tube before walking a route that broadly hugged the banks of the River Thames in the following hours.

During a massive manhunt, investigators had to piece together CCTV footage to establish that he had jumped in the Thames.

Ezedi's body was found near Tower Pier (pictured) on the River Thames

Other footage shows Ezedi (circled) walking south on Westminster bridge on January 31

At around 4pm on Monday the crew of a passing boat reported they had seen a body in the water near Tower Bridge at Tower Pier.

Abdul Ezedi's last known steps Wednesday, January 31: 00:15  Ezedi's vehicle is seen in Newcastle 06:30  His vehicle is then seen traveling into Tooting, London 16:30  A further sighting of his vehicle is confirmed in Croydon 19:00  He is then seen driving in Streatham 19:25  Attack takes place in Lessar Avenue, SW4, before Ezedi makes off in his vehicle which crashes nearby. He leaves the car and runs off. 19:33  Ezedi boards a train at Clapham South Tube Station. 19:59  He is then seen leaving that train at King's Cross Tube Station. 20:42  He is then seen on CCTV leaving Tesco at 21 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX. He exits and turns right. 21:00 - Ezedi enters King's Cross Tube Station and boards a Victoria Line tube southbound. 21:10  He gets off at Victoria Tube Station and heads towards the district line. 21:16  Ezedi boards an eastbound District Line train. 21:33  Ezedi exits Tower Hill Tube Station. 21:47 - He is seen on Allhallows Lane, EC3. He travels through a passage to Cousin Lane. Then he turns right, walking towards Upper Thames Street. 21:51 - He then turns left onto Upper Thames Street (image released today) 21:54  He travels along Upper Thames Street 21:59  Ezedi passes the City of London School on Pauls Walk EC4, heading towards Blackfriars Bridge. He passes the riverboat pier. 22:04  He then passes the Unilever building and heads towards Victoria Embankment. 22:06  Ezedi passes Carmelite House, junction with Carmelite Street towards Temple. 22:28 - He passes Westminster Pier, goes up steps and continues towards Westminster. 22:33 - Ezedi seen walking south on Westminster bridge 22:36 He walks across Westminster Bridge, down steps on the London Eye side towards Lambeth 22:42 Ezedi seen walking west on south Thames Path towards Lambeth Bridge 22:55 He travels along the Albert Embankment approaching Vauxhall Bridge 23:00 Ezedi crosses Vauxhall Bridge towards stairs (Houses of Parliament side of the river) 23:03 - He crosses Vauxhall Bridge Road, into Grosvenor Road. 23:10  Ezedi walks west bound past the Shell petrol station 23:19 - He passes the Thames Water Building, Grosvenor Road, heading towards Chelsea Bridge 23:25  He crosses over Chelsea Bridge and enters Battersea Park. 23:27 - He crosses back over Chelsea Bridge towards the north side. Monday, February 19: 16:00 - Sailors spot a body near Tower Pier in east London. Tuesday, February 20: 11:35 - The Met Police confirms they have recovered the body which they believe to be that of Ezedi Advertisement

The body was recovered by the Metropolitan Police's Marine Policing Unit on Monday, with support from London Fire Brigade, and has been viewed by detectives working on the investigation.

His former girlfriend, a mother-of-two who was doused with a corrosive chemical thought to be oven cleaner in a harrowing attack on her and her young children, is now no longer under sedation in hospital. But friends say she has been left blinded.

Following the retrieval of the body by the Met's Marine Policing Unit from Thames, Commander Jon Savell said he 'strongly believed' that the body was Ezedi.

He said: 'As you may expect after a considerable period of time in the strong current of the Thames, formal identification is not possible visually, nor from fingerprints. We will work with the coroner on other ways to complete formal identification, such as DNA testing and dental records. That may take some time.

'Our enquiries continue into the attack. I am pleased to say the condition of the 31-year-old woman has improved. She remains in hospital but she is in a stable condition and no longer sedated. We have still not been able to speak to her but hope to as soon as she is well enough.

'Again, I thank all those hundreds of members of the public who called us with information during the hunt for Ezedi. The public support for our investigation was overwhelming and every piece of information provided was followed up.

The mother-of-two was left in a critical condition sedated in hospital with police revealing she is still 'too poorly to speak' due to her 'significant injuries'.

Her daughters, aged eight and three, were discharged from hospital after doctors confirmed their injuries were less severe than first thought.

Friends of the woman said on Tuesday she was 'determined to get out of hospital as quickly as possible'.

More than 44,000 has been raised so far for the woman and her two children in the wake of the horror attack.

'Physically and mentally, there is a very, very long road ahead for her and the girls,' friends added in their statement.

'Like so many of us, the family were really struggling to make ends meet before the attack, so we just want their recovery to not be compounded by financial fears.

'We know times are tough and the level of support so far means the world. Every donation helps, and sends a powerful message against this evil attack.

'We kindly ask anyone reading this to consider donating even the cost of a coffee to show Mum and the girls that the wider community has their back and they can feel safe again.'

Following the attack, which took place on a leafy street in south west London, Ezedi fled the scene, with his movements on that night being captured on CCTV across the capital.

The chemical attacker was seen in Caledonian Road, King's Cross Station, Victoria Station and Tower Hill tube station in the four hour period after the attack on Lesser Avenue.

The Met said he then walked more than four miles 'with purpose' from the Tower Hill area to Chelsea Bridge. He entered Battersea Park for a brief period before crossing back over the bridge.

Ezedi was last seen alive at 11.27pm on January 31 at Chelsea Bridge. The suspect was never seen leaving the bridge area.

The nation-wide hunt for Ezedi saw two homes raided in Newcastle in the early hours.

The focus in the hunt for Ezedi switched to the River Thames on Friday, February 9, when detectives revealed that they believed he went into the water some four hours after the alkaline attack nine days earlier.

Officers from the Marine Policing Unit carried out several low tide searches in the area surrounding Chelsea Bridge in the following days.

They had continued routine searches as part of their daily work before the body was recovered.

Around 500 people across the county called police with information about Ezedi and his possible whereabouts since the incident happened.

CCTV footage obtained by MailOnline showed Ezedi stumbling as he ran away from the scene of the attack

Forensic police at the scene on January 31 night near Clapham following the attack

Police in hazmat suits raid a home in east London on February 2 during the search for Clapham chemical attack fugitive Abdul Ezedi

Abdul Ezedi's younger brother Sebaghallah Ezedi (pictured), 22, also urged him to give himself up to police

Timeline of Abdul Ezedi's time in the UK 2016 Ezedi arrives in the UK illegally in the back of a lorry after fleeing from Afghanistan. He had two applications for asylum rejected. 2018 Ezedi is handed a suspended sentence and an unpaid work order by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court after being convicted of a sexual assault/exposure offence. 2020 Ezedi finishes his work unpaid work order and is discharged from probation supervision. 2020-2021 It is understood Ezedi was granted asylum on his third application - despite his criminal history - after getting a priest to vouch that he had converted to Christianity. He said he was 'wholly committed' to his new religion. January 31 2024 Ezedi is suspected of carrying out a 'targeted' attack on a mother and her two daughters, aged three and eight, in Clapham, south London. Febrary 23 2024 Ezedi's body recovered by police from the Thames Advertisement

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

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

A tribunal judge is understood to have ruled in favour of his asylum claim in 2020 after a retired Baptist church minister confirmed he had converted to Christianity, reportedly describing Ezedi as 'wholly committed' to his new religion.

During the manhunt, relatives of the pizza shop worker had appealed for him to turn himself in.

One family member described Ezedi as a 'quiet' and 'caring' person when they were growing up in Afghanistan. He believes the attack is out of character.

Ezedi was convicted of a sexual assault/exposure offence at Newcastle Crown Court in 2018 and handed a suspended sentence and an unpaid work order, which was completed two years later. He was also put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

He was later granted asylum after a priest confirmed he had converted to Christianity - despite friends revealing he was a 'good Muslim'.

Referencing the sex offence, the close relative said he didn't 'believe he would do that kind of thing'.

Ezedi's brother Sebaghallah Ezedi, 22, also urged him to give himself up to the police.

People who know Ezedi say he was 'a good Muslim' who bought Halal meat, avoided alcohol and planned to return home 'to find a wife' prior to the incident.

Authorities and leaders from the Church of England are now facing questions after it emerged Ezedi was allowed to stay in the UK following two failed asylum applications after converting to Christianity.

In 2020 or 2021, it is understood a priest vouched for his conversion and argued he was 'wholly committed' to his new religion - which aided his application.

The Church of England has been criticised in the past for aiding migrants from refugee backgrounds with their asylum claims if they convert.

The Ezedi case has caused the Government to say it would review how asylum seekers were allowed to stay in Britain after converting to Christianity,

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said two weeks ago: Ive been very clear that, when it comes to illegal migrants, we need to have a system where someone who comes here illegally should not be able to stay.

Asked whether there was a loophole that needed to be closed, he said: More generally Ive tightened up the system every which way I can, but fundamentally this is just about fairness.

People coming here illegally at that point shouldnt be able to stay.

No 10 later said the Government had already taken action to stop people trying to game the system.

Home Secretary James Cleverly is understood to be awaiting a full report from officials after asking for the facts about Ezedis case.

He is expected to scrutinise whether there are flaws in the asylum system which could prompt rule changes.
A Texas man who made $1.76 million in illegal profits after eavesdropping on his BP executive wife's phone calls has been charged with insider trading.

Tyler Loudon overheard his wife, Emily Kraus, a mergers and acquisitions manager at BP, conducting internal discussions about the oil conglomerate's planned takeover of TravelCenters of America while she was working from home.

Loudon, who was an energy engineer, proceeded to purchase 46,450 shares of TravelCenters stock, without his wife's knowledge, before the deal was made public in February last year.

When BP announced it was buying TravelCenters of America at a 74 percent premium Loudon immediately sold all of his shares, making a $1.76 million profit, the Securities and Exchange Commission said on Thursday.

When Kraus discovered his betrayal, she informed her bosses at BP who found she had not acted improperly but fired her anyway. She later filed for divorce.

Tyler Loudon (right) made $1.76 million in illegal profits after eavesdropping on his BP executive wife's (left) phone calls

Emily Kraus, a mergers and acquisitions manager at BP, was terminated from her job

Loudon (left) has accepted the charges of insider trading and has agreed to pay a fine

'We allege that Mr Loudon took advantage of his remote working conditions and his wife's trust to profit from information he knew was confidential' the SEC said in a criminal complaint.

Loudon said he bought the stock, even liquidating his retirement accounts, because 'he wanted to make enough money so that she did not have to work long hours anymore,' according to the filing.

Kraus claimed to have been 'stunned' by her husband's revelation and immediately reported the trading to her supervisor at BP.

Her email and texts were reviewed by BP and it found no evidence that she knowingly leaked the information about the deal to her husband or knew he had bought the shares.

However, BP still decided to fire her.

Emily Kraus worked for BP in Houston, Texas before being fired after her husband committed insider trading

The couple lived together in a $630,000 home in the suburbs of Houston, Texas before separating in 2023

The now-former BP executive moved out of the couple's home and filed for divorce in June.

Loudon did not deny the allegations and agreed to give up the money he made on the insider trading and pay a penalty.

However, he still faces potential criminal charges and if convicted, could face a prison sentence.

Since the work-from-home era began at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the SEC has brought multiple insider-trading cases after partners or spouses overheard confidential information while working from home offices.

According to the SEC, Loudons eavesdropping extended abroad. While traveling in Rome, the SEC said Loudon sat nearby his wife while she worked on the TravelCenters deal from a small rented apartment.

BP did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.
A Las Vegas stepmother of six wept after she was sentenced to up to 18 years in prison for failing to stop her husband from torturing their six children and locking them in a dog cage.

Amanda Stamper, 33, told Clark County District Court Judge Nadia Krall on Thursday she knew she 'should have done something sooner.'

'I'm embarrassed to be here,' she said. 'I do take full responsibility for it. I was not in the best situation either and I was scared.'

Stamper, a sex worker and worked as a pimp for her husband, Travis Doss, 32, also known as 'Trap Montana,' was also accused of the grotesque abuse of their children ages 2 to 11.

Bodycam footage from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department shows the children home alone and two of them locked in dog cages during the June 2023 rescue at a residence on South Valley View Boulevard. Many of the children were starved and covered in bruises, 8NewsNow reported.

Amanda Stamper, 33, wept after she was sentenced to up to 18 years in prison. She pleaded guilty to three felony counts of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment in December. A grand jury in Clark County previously indicted Stamper on seven counts of felony child abuse and neglect

One of the children is pictured locked in a dog cage in the couple's Las Vegas apartment

Travis Doss, 31, was indicted by a grand jury on 38 counts of child abuse, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of sex trafficking and one count of living off of the earnings of a prostitute

In December, Stamper pleaded guilty to three felony counts of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.

A grand jury in Clark County previously indicted her on seven counts of felony child abuse and neglect.

On Thursday, Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Dena Rinetti told the court with horrifying detail the gruesome acts of the father, who kept one of their children, locked in a dog cage for five days, starved and severely malnourished, as per the news outlet.

'Every single day the defendant failed to protect her six stepchildren,' Rinetti said. 'Her actions and her inactions will affect these children for the rest of their lives.'

Her defense attorney Ceasar Almase argued that Stamper was a victim of Doss and and argued for probation and reiterated that she was abused by Doss, both physically and mentally.

'Very clearly she was not thinking rationally,' Almase said.

Doss was indicted by a grand jury on 38 counts of child abuse, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of sex trafficking and one count of living off of the earnings of a prostitute.

Rinetti argued that Stamper had a vehicle to use and had opportunities to leave the home and call police or Child Protective Services, if she felt she was in danger.

Officials found the six children home alone with two dogs roaming around their property

She cited one particularly gruesome detail when Doss texted Stamper a photo of one of their children who appeared to be dead, claiming that he killed him, but the child survived.

The DA spoke more about the severe neglect, and said that Stamper only called 911 after she learned that her spouse was cheating.

During the exchange, she had reportedly sent Doss nearly 100 text messages that had gone unanswered, which showed that it 'was all about her and it was never about children,' Rinetti said.

She also told the court the children never went to school, so school counselors were not able to check in on them, and report the abuse.

It is unclear how many children Doss and Stamper share, but the couple had a child together in December when they were both incarcerated.

On June 11, 2023, the couple were arrested after Stamper told an employee at a Walgreens that her partner was going to kill her and that he was abusing his children, The Las Vegas Review-Journal previously reported.

Stamper reportedly told the dispatcher that she was 'terrified' and asked that the police come to the store.

She told the news outlet, during a jailhouse intervew, that she was a victim of abuse at the hands of Doss, and weeks before her arrest the physical abuse against her and her stepchildren increased.

According to police documents, Stamper said that she met Doss in Atlanta six years ago, and alleged since they met he had been forcing her to engage in sex work for money, The New York Post previously reported.

Before their recent arrests both had a criminal rap sheet.

Doss for aggravated assault in South Carolina, and Stamper in connection to drug charges out of Tennessee, officials said.

Doss' next court date is scheduled for February 29th.
MailOnline has today asked swimmers at the pond what they think about it

Swimmers at London's famous Hampstead ponds today waded into the controversy over transgender swimmers getting access to the female-only waters - with mixed opinions.

The row was the only subject of conversation at the north London bathing mecca today - after a women's rights group had denounced managers for 'failing to acknowledge their concerns' about the use of the women-only pool by transgender people.

The Women's Rights Network (WRN) has accused the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association (KLPA) of being 'high-handed and undemocratic' by dismissing its attempt to ban trans women from the facility on Hampstead Heath.

But committee chiefs claim any such move would be 'unlawful', having taken legal advice on the move - but the local WRN branch claims it has refused to release the advice to members.

Today as the ponds were busy with bathers despite the forbidding weather, swimmers were divided on what should be done on the question .

The row about shared pools in Hampstead was the only subject of conversation at the north London bathing mecca today

Swimmers at London's famous Hampstead ponds today waded into the controversy over transgender swimmers getting access to the female-only waters - with mixed opinions

The Women's Rights Network (WRN) has accused the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association (KLPA) of being 'high-handed and undemocratic'

Committee chiefs claim any such move would be 'unlawful', having taken legal advice on the move

Graphic designer Aimee Capstick, 35 (pictured) says that she has no problem with transgender people using the pond

Aimee Capstick,35, who uses the women's' pond regularly said: 'I do not have a problem with transgender people swimming next to me.'

The graphic designer added: 'Transgender people are just normal people trying to live a normal life. There's no problem.'

But yoga teacher Jane Jones said she would feel 'uncomfortable' if a transgender person joined her either in changing cubicles or in the pond where entry signs warn visitors the area is meant for 'women only.'

Ms Jones, 48, of Finchley said: 'The pond is designed to be a safe space for women only.

'I would feel very uncomfortable if there was a transgender person next to me while I'm changing or swimming. I have nothing against transgender people, but it is a pond meant for women only and that's the way it should be.

'It is a very difficult, very complicated matter for everyone.

'I have a nephew who is 23 years old and who is transitioning. But that is the way I feel about it when I am swimming. There's always a mixed pond which might seem better for transgender people. '

Retired civil servant Fiona Willis, 68, who swam in the 9C water today, said: 'It is only becoming an issue for being an issue, unfortunately.

Retired civil servant Fiona Willis, 68 (pictured) has been swimming in the pond for 25 years

'I have been swimming in this pond for 25 years, and I know that the lifeguards have been dealing with this in their own way discreetly for years and years and years.

' I did hear about a person with a hairy body in a bikini who had been a man or may have been transgendering but it's still not a worry.

'After all, one might not be certain if somebody was born a woman or is transgender.

'But we are all here to swim and that's it.'

Retired fashion expert Colin Swift,64, who worked with an array of stars including Elizabeth Taylor, Prince and Grace Jones, said: 'We need to move on.

' I grew up in the seventies in the era of glam rock, disco and punk, when I saw every type of body, shape or sexual being. This should not be a big deal.

'People just need a reason to have something to argue about as they have nothing else to do and when this is done they will move onto something else'

Retired fashion expert Colin Swift, 64 (pictured) believes 'People just need a reason to have something to argue about'

But Jackie Dean, 52, a nurse, said: 'If am swimming in the pond, which is meant for women only, and I felt there was a transgender person next to me, it would not immediately make me feel negative about it.

'Though I can understand some women not finding it so easy to accept as it is supposed to be an area where we as women can go and be away from the opposite sex.

'But it's very complicated when you talk about people who have transgendered because they are women now and we would do good to accept them as they are. Nobody wants to hurt anyone.'

Graduate Joe Wilson, 23, who is working in a pub, said: ' I am a man who has not transitioned.

'But if I went into that women's pond, and said that I had, legally, then nobody can stop me because the law would be on my side. But I'm sure that the lifeguards would intercede - I hope that they would.

'That pond is for women to feel protected and feel that they are in their own space. And I agree with that.'

Graduate Joe Wilson, 23 (pictured) thinks the pond should make women feel protected

There are already men-only and mixed swimming lakes in the area, while the women's pond boasts famous members such as Kate Moss, Helena Bonham-Carter and Emma Thompson.

The row emerged after the KLPA was asked to update its constitution around the use of the word 'woman' at its annual general meeting, calling for it to be 'interpreted literally and biologically so that only those born female in sex can use the pond'.

The pond itself has been open to trans women since 2010, when the City of London Corporation (CoLC) - responsible for running the facility - adopted a new gender identity policy.

Heather Binning, founder of the Women's Rights Network told MailOnline: 'The Kenwood Ladies Pond Association has consistently misrepresented the law and failed in its constitutional duty by refusing to acknowledge women's concerns about men accessing the Ladies Pond.

'The Equality Act and subsequent guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission makes it clear that single-sex spaces are lawful in a number of situations including changing rooms and swimming sessions.

'The committee claims to have taken legal advice on this, but is refusing to share that advice with members and at least one member of the management committee.'

An unnamed spokeswoman for the Haringey and Islington branch of the WRN claimed the committee had 'consistently failed to respond to concerns raised by members and wilfully refuse to acknowledge that many pond users object' to the use of the pool by trans women.

The spokeswoman added: 'A number of WRN members who are also regular pond users and members of the Kenwood Ladies Pond Association have raised concerns about the high-handed and undemocratic behaviour of the management committee.'

'We hope the management committee will see sense, and act in accordance with the KLPA Constitution and start listening to its members.

'However we fear that their refusal to share the AGM agenda and legal advice and statements that the media will be barred from the meeting give us very little faith they will do the right thing.'

Walkers on Hampstead Heath were split on whether the group was entitled to object to the use of the pool by trans women.

A woman walking her dog on Hampstead Heath, who did not want to be named, said: 'I can understand the women's frustration. Not every space has to be open to everyone.

'I imagine this is an important space to them. It's about feeling safe and comfortable, isn't it?'

But a female runner, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said: 'It makes sense that it would be illegal to ban trans people [from the Women's Pond]. It's discrimination, isn't it?'

Asked about the debate around women's spaces, the woman, who lives just a 10 minute walk from Hampstead Heath, replied: 'Trans women are women though, aren't they?'

Pauline Latchem and Beth Feresten, co-chairs of the KLPA, said in a statement: 'The KLPA management committee has appended to the AGM papers a formal response explaining that it is in receipt of legal opinion that the proposal is likely to be unlawful and that, pending further legal advice, the amendment may be removed from consideration at the AGM.

'In addition, the committee officers have reiterated that all women are welcome to join the KLPA and recorded their opinion that it would be irresponsible and contrary to good governance to recommend to the membership a proposal that is likely to be unlawful as well as impossible to enforce.'

The ladies only pond had been seen as a safe haven for women due to the absence of men.

Other opponents of the transgender policy have cited the fact that Muslim women and Orthodox Jewish women face being excluded from the pond due to their religion.

But a user of X, previously known as Twitter, posted a screenshot of the proposal on the social media platform calling supporters of the corporation's policy within the KLPA 'self-hating women'.

The user, @esjayXX, said: 'We have a ladies swimming pond in London (as well as a men's and a mixed sex).

Members of 'Man Friday' disrupt the men only bathing session at Hampstead Heath Pools in a protest over the gender fluid situation rule imposed on the Women only pool nearby in May 2018

A protester and member of 'Man Friday' wears a fake beard in May 2018

In May 2018, a group of female activists staged a protest next to the men's pool of Hampstead Heath.

The group, which called themselves Man Friday, faced a barrage of abuse and threats from hardline transgender activists who branded them 'terfs' (trans-exclusionary radical feminists).

One woman sported a pantomime beard; another wore a lime green mankini, a male version of a bikini.

The women chose the male outdoor swimming pond for their demonstration against the change to allow trans women to use the women's pond and female changing rooms.
Former President Donald Trump has all but won the Republican presidential nomination for 2024, but he has still not selected a running mate.

Conservative activists attending CPAC on Friday shared their thoughts and predictions about who Trump should be his running mate in November.

John Paul, 20, from Virginia said he preferred former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat who left the party.

'I think that she, especially her foreign policy views, can also be very beneficial with with Trump and this upcoming election and and being a former Democratic candidates,' he said, adding that he believed a Trump/Gabbard ticket would have a broad appeal to the electorate.

CPAC attendees weigh in on former President Donald Trump's shortlist for a running mate in 2024

CPAC attendees weigh in on former President Donald Trump's shortlist for a running mate in 2024

Gabbard spoke at CPAC on Thursday evening to a full ballroom. CPAC attendees also were thrilled with a speech from Trump's former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson.

Other vice presidential hopefuls such as South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Rep. Elise Stefanik have speeches at the conference scheduled for Friday.

Chatter about Trump's running mate was kicked off in earnest this week after the former president was asked by Fox News host Laura Ingraham Tuesday about a list of potential choices including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

Trump confirmed they were all on his short list.

'Honestly all of those people are good. Theyre all good, theyre all solid,' he said.

Devin, 20, from Virginia said he would like to see a unity ticket with former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.

'If she ends her campaign and then they're able to mend ties I think he might be able to bring back to the establishment vote,' he said, although he admitted it might be too late for Haley to mend fences with Trump as the contentious primary continued.

Another young man piped up to endorse right-wing firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz.

'He's done a lot of great things in Congress to just getting rid of McCarthy,' he said referring to Gaetz's successful attempt to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the speakership. 'I wasn't never McCarthy fan.'

Another man from North Chicago endorsed the idea of former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., as a good running mate for Trump.

'Great guy,' he said, citing his campaign skills. 'I really feel like Lee has the charisma. But he also has the ability to flip states that were unflippable.'

Luke from Maryland said he liked Tulsi Gabbard.

'I feel like she's very electable for on the ticket because she's more independent,' he said.

Charlie from Connecticut said he liked Vivek Ramaswamy or Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.

Charlie said he would never support the idea of Nikki Haley as vice president because of her foreign policy views.

'We have seven boys. Most of them are military age,' he said. 'We don't want any wars. I'm looking for somebody who's going to promote peace like Trump did.

His wife Emma Mae said she liked Ron DeSantis as a running mate but she did not know whether he would run with Trump after running against him for president.

Kaity from New Jersey said her top three potential picks were Ben Carson, Gen. Michael Flynn and Tucker Carlson.

Charlie from Connecticut said he liked Vivek Ramaswamy or Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.

Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY)

Dawn and James from Wisconsin said they liked Elise Stefanik and Ben Carson.

Melissa, said she thought Trump should pick a woman, so she favored Gabbard or Kristi Noem.

Terri from Pennsylvania said she favored Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a running mate for trump, floating the idea of Kennedy ending his independent bid for president to run with Trump. That ticket, she explained would have a widespread appeal that could easily win in November.

Kate from Maryland and Amy from North Carolina both said they liked Ben Carson.

'He's measured, calm, sort to the antithetical of Trump. And I think actually he'd be a great president,' Kate said.

One woman said she favored Sen. Tim Scott, who ran for president in 2024 but ultimately dropped out to endorse Trump.

'He has a great message, I think he's a fine man and I love his story,' she said.

Another woman, Margaret from Virginia, endorsed 'that gal from Hawaii' referring to Gabbard.

'I think she's fierce,' she said. 'I think that's what we need.'

One woman, Marlene, said she liked Gov. Kristi Noem and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, R-Ark., but added she would hate to see the popular governors leave their states.

Stephanie from New York endorsed Noem and Gabbard because they were both 'excellent fighters.'

CPAC is hosting a straw poll where attendees can vote for their preferred running mate for Trump.

The results will be released at the end of the conference on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. EST.
A millionaire banker borrowed a brand new Rolls-Royce from a friend, then pocketed the 290,000 insurance payout himself when the car was stolen, according to a High Court writ.

The cars owner, glamorous fine art dealer Olyvia Kwok is suing former investment house boss Stephen Decani over the new 320,000 Rolls Royce Cullinan SUV which was stolen after she lent it to him.

Ms Kwok, 41, who specialises in buying and selling impressionist and post-modern art through her company Willstone Management, says her business bought the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan in May 2021.

Soon afterwards, Mr Decani borrowed the car, taking out an insurance policy with Sabre, with the premium of 8,739.36 being paid by Ms Kwoks company, according to the writ.

Mr Decani, 49, hit the headlines in 2017 when he was cleared of drink driving after a breathalyser test showed he was twice the legal alcohol limit in his 150k Aston Martin DB11 in Chelseas Kings Road.

His novel defence was that the results were unreliable because he had vomited just before being breathalysed, and the charge was later thrown out after prosecution delays.

Art dealer Olyvia Kwok is suing a millionaire banker after accusing him of pocketing an insurance payout when a car he borrowed off her was stolen

The new 320,000 Rolls Royce Cullinan SUV which was stolen after she lent it to Stephen Decani

Mr Decani borrowed the car, taking out an insurance policy with Sabre, with the premium of 8,739.36 being paid by Ms Kwoks company, according to the writ

Ms Kwok claims that Mr Decani failed to exercise proper care and custody of the car, and that he should hand over the insurance payout to her business

Now he is due in court again with Ms Kwok suing him for damages in a dispute over the supercar.

The documents state that shortly after the car was bought in May 2021, Mr Decani became accustomed to using it without charge, an arrangement legally termed a gratuituous bailment.

Two days after the car was stolen last June, Mr Decani claimed on the insurance policy, and received a payout of 290,000 from Sabre on November 1 last year, the writ says.

Ms Kwok claims that he failed to exercise proper care and custody of the car, and that he should hand over the insurance payout to her business, but says he has failed to pay a penny.

Now she is suing him for 290,000 as well as interest amounting to 13,729.32 and continuing interest of 63.56 a day.

The claim filed by Ms Kwoks lawyers says that Mr Decani has admitted in a letter dated last month [Jan] that she owned the car and that he received the proceeds of the insurance policy, but suggests she had used money from him to pay at least some of the price of the Rolls Royce.

The petrol-engined silver SUV car with a 6.75-litre V12 engine manages just twelve miles to the gallon around town, although this increases to 19 mpg on the open road.

Named after the largest diamond ever produced, part of the Crown Jewels, Rolls Royces break with tradition to enter the crowded 4x4 market raised some eyebrows in motoring circles.

The petrol-engined silver SUV car with a 6.75-litre V12 engine manages just twelve miles to the gallon around town

But the supercar was blasted by former Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May branded the Cullinan who labelled the vehicle a disgusting car on the programme two years ago

Former Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May branded the Cullinan a disgusting car on their Grand Tour programme on Amazon two years ago.

Clarkson suggested owners could build a tunnel from their front door to emerge under the car so they wouldnt have to look at it.

Hammond suggested Rolls Royces only hope was to find a lot of very rich people with absolutely no taste.

What Car was more balanced, praising its opulent interior, effortless performance and superb refinement. But it found fault with an unsettled low-speed ride, huge running costs and controversial styling.

Ms Kwok is the founder of Willstone Management, whose head office is in Londons Berkeley Square, and her website claimed she usually dealt with individuals whose personal assets exceeded $30million, and bought art in the $500,000 - $1 million price range. She specialises in impressionist and post-modern art.

Latest accounts available for Willstone Management show that the business made a gross profit of 580,174 I 2022, but this led to a loss of 111,019.

Ms Kwok was herself the subject of a 3m High Court writ a decade ago after she brought two expensive paintings at a Sothebys auction on behalf of a client who failed to stump up.

The paintings were Basquiats Water-Worshipper which went under the hammer for 2.49m and Twomblys Idilli which fetched 386,500.

Ms Kwok is the founder of Willstone Management, whose head office is in Londons Berkeley Square

Rolls Royces break with tradition to enter the crowded 4x4 market raised some eyebrows in motoring circles

Ms Kwok admitted that the purchase went wrong and said she would try to pay for the paintings before seeking to sell them to other collectors.

In ten years of dealings in the business I have never found my trust has been breached in this way, she said after wards, adding: My due diligence could have been better. The client came through a friend of mine and at the time it was really rushed.

Although Sothebys issued the writ the two parties settled out of court.

Mr Decani, who lives in Chelsea Harbour, is still listed as the chairman and CEO of investment company Newscape Capital Group.

According to its website, Newscape is no longer regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority since October, 2022 and is operating only in an administrative capacity.

Mr Decani is now believed to be interested in bitcoin.

MailOnline attempted to contact Mr Decani.
President Joe Biden joked about giving himself the hook at a White House speech before it even got started  with the dynamic party luminary California Gov. Gavin Newsom sitting in the room.

'If I were smart I'd leave right now,' Biden said at the top of remarks to members of the National Governor's Association at the White House.

He singled out Newsom, 56, who has become a top surrogate for his campaign, even while raising questions last year about whether he was eyeing the White House himself.

'I want to thank Governor Newsom for his leadership,' Biden said. Then he took a stab at a joke, without exactly sticking the landing, while discussing a new high-speed rail project linking California to Sin City.

'And by the way, I'm not sure how many people would leave LA to do it in two hours to get there, whether they ought to come back or not - Las Vegas,' Biden said.

Biden also made a comment suggesting he was not keeping an eagle eye on the run-of-show planned out by his aides for the governors.

'I know you just heard - did Jill already speak, my wife?' Biden asked the audience after thanking Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.

President Biden began his remarks by joking that if he were smart he'd 'leave right now.' He also asked if first lady Jill Biden had already spoken

The first lady had in fact warmed up the crowd with a solo speech.

Biden's self-deprecating remark about leaving before he even starts is one from his speaking circuit toolkit.

At a campaign fundraiser in Los Altos Hills, California Thursday, he joked, 'Thank you, thank you. I think I should go home now,' earning some laughs.

The light notes came as the White House is accusing House Speaker Mike Johnson of acting to benefit Iran and warning of grave risks to the Ukrainians.

Biden is trying to revive a $60 billion U.S. aid package for the country that passed the Senate but that House GOP leaders have refused to call up for a vote.

Biden hammered Johnson for sending members home without a vote on the package.

The White House press office says Iran is 'actively enabling Russia's war in Ukraine and its attacks against Ukrainian cities,' following reports Tehran had transferred surface-to-air missiles to Russia's war machine.

'President Biden is standing up to Iran. But where is Speaker Johnson's supposed commitment not to 'appease Iran' in all this? Nowhere. Instead, his inaction is benefiting Putin and the Ayatollah,' said deputy press secretary Andrew Bates in a new White House memo.

The White House is already promising additional sanctions on Iran for boosting Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, and is promising 'severe' sanctions' if Iran goes ahead and transfers ballistic missiles to Russia.

Memorable performance: 'Did Jill already speak, my wife?' President Biden asked the crowd at his White House speech. She had in fact preceded him before he came into the East Room

Not running: California Gov. Gavin Newsom has become a top Biden campaing surrogate after staying out of the 2024 nominating contest

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Idaho Governor Brad Little share a laugh during an event with fellow governors in the East Room of the White House on February 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden joked about leaving before he even got started

The president renewed his call for congressional action a day after meeting with the wife and daughter of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin is 'responsible' for Navalny's death in a Siberian prison.

'Yesterday I met with Alexei his wife and daughter in California, where his daughter attends College. Alexei was incredibly courageous man, his family's courageous as well. I assured them his legacy will continue to live around the world and we the United States are going to continue to ensure that Putin pays a price for his aggression abroad and repression at home,' Biden said in a speech to members of the National Governor's Association at the White House Friday.

'The House of Representatives must pass the bipartisan national security bill. The bill provides urgent financial Ukraine and passed overwhelmingly the Senate and there's no question  none, none  - if the Speaker called for a vote in the House would pass easily today. Instead, they want a vacation,' he complained.

The package would likely pass on a bipartisan vote with backing by Democrats and more traditional Republicans. But a large faction in the House GOP has grown skeptical of Ukraine. Former President Donald Trump has sought to undercut support for the security package, and said it was 'stupid' for the U.S. to provide direct aid instead of loans.

Biden also faulted Johnson for failing to take up a broader security package that included provisions to beef up border security.

'History is watching. The clock is ticking. Brave Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are dying. Russia  Russia is taking Ukraine territory for the first time in many months. But here in America, the Speaker gave the house a two week vacation. They have to come back.

He spoke after his wife first lady Jill Biden separately warmed up the crowd in the East Room of the White House. But the president wasn't entirely sure.

'Did Jill already speak, my wife?' he asked.

'If I were smart I'd leave right now,' he quipped at the top after getting warm applause.

Biden spoke on a day the administration announced a fresh wave of sanctions against Russia on Friday a day ahead of the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, as President Vladimir Putin hailed Russian "heroes" fighting there.

Ukraine has been weakened by the blocking of US aid, its failed counter-offensive and worsening ammunition shortages

Putin laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall

Zelensky attended a memorial ceremony in the western city of Lviv

Ukraine: position of military forces
A stingray "rescue mission" that has been praised by some has since been the source of heated debate from others arguing it did "more harm than good".

In footage posted online, an Aussie exploring rock pools next to a beach in Wollongong, NSW found two rays stuck in one of the shallow pools left by high tide - one stingray and what appears to be a shovelnose ray which had sadly already passed away. "His buddy [the shovelnose ray] was already gone by the time we showed up," a woman named Amy shared online alongside the video.

The unnamed man used his bucket hat to wrap around his hand as protection and after spending some time trying to catch the stingray, he lifted it out of the water by the very end of its tail so he could carry it over to the edge of the rocks and release it back into the ocean. The tail was "slippery" which meant he had to drop it a few times before making his way to the water's edge.

The stingray appeared to have scratches along its spine from the rocks. Source: TikTok

Debate over whether the man should have rescued it

Both Aussies and experts are divided over whether the rescue should have been done in the first place. Online, multiple people shared their concerns about the act. "This guy did more harm than good to the stingray, he stressed it out and hurt it when the tide was going to come in soon anyway. Shameful," one person wrote.

"You would think people would learn to leave these animals alone. It will swim out on first high tide anyway," another said, to which poster Amy responded by arguing the high tide was not going to reach that spot.

Experts in the field said that while the man "had good intentions", they would generally not recommend touching a stingray.

"While he did take care to wrap his hat around the tail, picking up stingrays is dangerous and can lead to serious injury. It also probably stressed the stingray out further!" Doctor Tina Skinner from the University of Queensland told Yahoo News Australia.

Story continues

"Stingray tail spines are very painful if they stab you, so I would not be handling that ray in that way  it would have swum out once the tide comes in," Professor Ian Tibbetts from the University of Queensland agreed. "The most problematic aspect of this video is moving close to the rock edge when there are very large waves striking the shore."

Expert Jaelen Myers, completing a PhD in Marine Biology at James Cook University with a focus on stingrays, said the scratches on the ray's spine were concerning. "You can't fault people for looking at a ray stuck in a little pool and wanting to help it," she told Yahoo. The ray swimming around and scraping itself on the rocks probably wasn't great for it."

How did the stingray get there in the first place?

Myers says the stingray could have been looking for food in this area during high tide. "They like to be in shallow water and go there to feed," she said. "Then, when the water recedes they get stuck in pools."

Though, noting that there were two different rays seemingly in the same pool, anglers could have also been responsible, says Tibbetts. "There is another fish in the pool  the pale one. That is a shovel-nosed ray [and] having both a stingray and a shovel-nosed ray in the same rock pool  both sand-preferring species  is unusual," he said. "My guess is that they may have been caught by anglers and left in the pool."

What to do if you see a stingray in a rock pool

Myers warns that unless you have the right training and appropriate protective coverings for your hands, it is best to wait for the tide to do its thing or call an expert.

The stingray's spine, or barb, is located towards the base of the tail and is sharp as well as potentially venomous. Though Myer notes a minor injury from a barb is painful but relatively harmless in many cases.

"You could tell that the guy in the video was doing his best to hold on to the second half of the tail, far enough away from the body because the barb is near the body," she said. "Though, generally I would not grab and hold on to a ray by the second half of the tail because those are the fragile pieces of cartilage you could actually damage the tail."

Who to contact if you find an injured marine animal:

In NSW, it's recommended that if an injured marine animal is spotted to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitated group or National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Similar services are available state by state Australia-wide.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
Laken Hope Riley was found dead at the University of Georgia's intramural fields on February 22 at around 12:30 in the afternoon.

The 22-year-old nursing student's body was found after her roommate reported her missing and said that Riley had not returned home from her jog.

'The individual was unconscious and not breathing and had visible injuries,' said UGA Police Chief Jeffrey L. Clark.

Officials confirmed on Friday that the Augusta University attendee died by homicide, marking the first homicide to take place at the UGA campus in 41 years.

A spokesperson for UGA told DailyMail.com the school's police force has identified a person of interest who is being questioned. The man has not yet been identified.

Laken Hope Riley was found dead at the University of Georgia's intramural fields on February 22 at 12:38 in the afternoon

The 22-year-old nursing student's body was found after her roommate reported her missing and said that Riley had not returned home from her jog

Officials confirmed on Friday that the Augusta University attendee died by homicide

Who was Laken Hope Riley?

Riley was a senior nursing student enrolled at Augusta University College of Nursing at Athens who grew up in Woodstock, Georgia.

Before she earned her undergraduate degree at UGA in 2023, she graduated from River Ridge High School in 2020.

Riley was a member of her high school's cross country and track teams and was described as 'an outstanding scholar athlete' by Cherokee County School District Superintendent Brian Hightower.

She was also a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

What do we know about her death?

Riley was found dead in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick at the UGA's Athens campus

'We're not going to leave any rock unturned in this investigation,' Police Chief Jeff Clark said during a press conference

Riley was pronounced dead at the scene after police found her in an area behind Lake Herrick.

The area is across a busy road from UGA's East Campus, which includes a large dorm and dining hall complex.

Although a man has been taken in for questioning, no formal arrest has been made.

'We want to stress that this continues to be an active, ongoing investigation, and we will provide further updates when circumstances warrant,' UGA officials said in a statement.

According to Clark, the police officers are 'not going to leave any rock unturned in this investigation.'

'When you have a suspect that's on the loose, there's always a danger. But there's no immediate danger at this time,' he added.

Does Laken Hope Riley have surviving family?

Allyson Phillips, Riley's mother, has posted several photos and videos over the years of the entire family

Her mom posted a photo of Riley on the first day of her senior year at River Ridge High School in 2019. Riley's mother also posted a photo of the late student during the holidays

Riley's mother Allyson Phillips shared photos and a video of Riley during the Augusta University nursing program's white coat ceremony on Facebook in August 2023

Riley appeared to be close with her family members that have posted several photos and videos of her over the years on social media, sharing her big successes.

Riley's mother, Allyson Phillips, shared photos and a video of Riley during the Augusta University nursing program's white coat ceremony on Facebook in August 2023.

'Today was a proud mamma moment! We celebrated Laken starting nursing school at her white coat ceremony,' she wrote.

'This girl works harder than anyone I have ever met! I am just so beyond proud and I cant wait to see what God has planned her.'

How has the UGA community reacted since her death?

Riley was described as 'an outstanding scholar athlete' by Cherokee County School District Superintendent Brian Hightower

UGA canceled all of its classes starting at 5:30 pm on February 22. All classes will resume on February 4

Hightower gave a written statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution following the news of Riley's death.

'Laken inspired classmates and teachers with her love of learning and her kindness to all. We ask that the community please keep her family in their hearts.'

The University of Georgia also released a statement on their website yesterday.

'We have been fully briefed on this terrible situation. Foul play is suspected, and we are already receiving support from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police Department to investigate this crime,' it said.

The school also urged individuals who have information related to the incident to 'contact the UGA Police Department immediately.'

'We also recommend that you travel in groups when possible and be aware of your surroundings,' UGA officials added.

The school canceled all of its classes starting at 5:30 on February 22 and will resume on Monday.
David Cameron has delivered a stark warning that Vladimir Putin will be 'back for more' in Moldova or the Baltics if Russia is not successfully challenged in Ukraine.

Speaking to the UN General Assembly, the Foreign Secretary issued a new plea for nations not to succumb to 'fatigue' in supporting Kyiv against Moscow's aggression.

In an address in New York on the eve of the two-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Lord Cameron stressed that Ukraine's fight is 'the world's fight'.

It comes after the Foreign Secretary sparked a furious row with members of the US Congress when pleading with American politicians to approve new funds for Kyiv.

As he waded into a fierce battle in Washington DC over a fresh $60billion aid package for Ukraine, Lord Cameron compared a failure to approve the cash to the appeasement of Adolf Hitler in the 1930s.

He has since sought to cool tensions over his 'undiplomatic' intervention, which saw one Republican ally of ex-president Donald Trump tell him to 'kiss my a**'.

But the Foreign Secretary reiterated his plea for Western allies to continue to stand by Ukraine in his New York speech today.

David Cameron has delivered a stark warning that Vladimir Putin will be 'back for more' in Moldova or the Baltics if Russia is not successfully challenged in Ukraine

Speaking to the UN General Assembly, the Foreign Secretary issued a new plea for nations not to succumb to 'fatigue' in supporting Kyiv against Moscow's aggression

In an address in New York on the eve of the two-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Lord Cameron stressed that Ukraine's fight is 'the world's fight'

Lord Cameron warned 'the lesson of this history is clear', adding: 'If we do not stand up to Putin, he will be back for more'

'Two years on, I recognise some want to rethink,' he told a UN General Assembly debate on Ukraine.

'There is a sense of fatigue, there are other problems, a compromise might seem attractive. But this is wrong. We must recognise the cost of giving up.

'Putin has said there will be no peace until Russia's goals are achieved.'

Lord Cameron looked back to 2008 when Russian forces invaded South Ossetia in Georgia.

'I said then that if we did not stand up to Putin, he would be back for more,' the Foreign Secretary added.

'In 2014, I was prime minister as his "little green men" seized control of Crimea. I said again that if we did not stand up to Putin, he would be back for more.

'Now, having tried and failed to conquer all of Ukraine, the lesson of this history is clear. If we do not stand up to Putin, he will be back for more.'

Lord Cameron warned that if Mr Putin were to 'eke out some kind of win' in Ukraine then 'the rest of the world would suffer too'.

'What starts in Ukraine would not end there,' he continued. 'Putin could easily apply his distortions of history elsewhere, such as Moldova or the Baltic States.

'And others will be emboldened to turn to fighting when it suits them. No country with a large, aggressive neighbour would be safe.'
This is the hilarious moment an irate air hostess who had just been fired smashed up more than 1500 worth of duty free alcohol.

The woman - who has not been named - saw red and was caught on CCTV footage as she went on a messy rampage when smashing bottles of wine, gin, and Aperol in front of astonished passengers.

Sources said she had just been given her notice by an undisclosed airline and went on the rampage on Wednesday afternoon in Rome's Fiumicino airport.

In the footage which was leaked to Italian media the woman - still dressed in her uniform - is seen approaching a display stand before knocking over several bottles to the ground.

She then moves out of shot before calmly returning and pushing off several other bottles creating a huge mess on the floor.

The irate air hostess who has not been named - saw red and was caught on CCTV footage as she smashed bottles of wine, gin, and Aperol in front of astonished passengers

Sources said she had just been given her notice by an undisclosed airline and went on the rampage on Wednesday afternoon in Rome's Fiumicino airport

In the footage which was leaked to Italian media the woman - still dressed in her uniform - is seen approaching a display stand and then knocking several bottles to the ground

She then moves out of shot before calmly returning and pushing off several other bottles creating a huge mess on the floor

At one point she is seen slipping over on the spilled liquid before getting up and carrying on smashing bottle after bottle.

Travellers are seen looking on astonished at what they were witnessing.

A further clip shows the area taped off as a crowd looks on.

The footage was posted on website Welcome to Favelas and then picked up news outlets - the caption alongside the video read: 'It's often said that air crew can be stressed from long hours and breakdowns are not rare....'

A source at Rome airport said: 'The woman had just arrived and had been told that her contract was not being renewed and she just flipped and took out her anger at the duty free display.

Police were called to Rome's Fiumicino airport where she was eventually taken away to hospital for a medical examination

'She was causing a real scene and bottle after bottle went flying and within a few seconds there was glass and alcohol all over the floor and it was quite a slip risk for travellers.

'Police were called and she was eventually taken away but not before smashing dozens of bottles and making her own cocktail on the floor.'

A Rome police spokesperson said: 'Officers based at Fiumicino were called to an incident in the Duty Free area of the airport on Wednesday afternoon.

'A woman in airline uniform was identified at the scene after smashing several bottles and she was taken to hospital for a medical examination and then later released.

'At this stage no charges have been made and enquiries are continuing.'
An MP has had his conviction for racially aggravated offense quashed after he told an activist to 'go back to Bahrain.'

Bob Stewart, MP for Beckenham in south-east London, made the remark towards activist Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei during a row outside the Foreign Office's Lancaster House on December 14 2022.

Last November, Mr Stewart was convicted for a racially aggravated public order offence and was fined 600. Following the conviction, Mr Stewart lost the Tory whip and has since sat in the House of Commons as an independent.

Now, following an appeal, his conviction has been overturned today at Southwark Crown Court.

Mr Justice Bennathan said that, while the words spoken by Mr Stewart amounted to abuse, the bench did not believe that it caused Mr Alwadaei harassment, alarm, or distress.

Bob Stewart, MP for Beckenham in south-east London. He was convicted for a racially aggravated public order offence and was fined 600. Following the conviction, Mr Stewart lost the Tory whip and has since sat in the House of Commons as an independent. Today the conviction has been overturned

Activist Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei. During a heated exchange outside the Foreign Office's Lancaster House on December 14 2022 Mr Stewart told Mr Alwadaei to 'go back to Bahrain'

The then Tory MP had been attending an event hosted by the Bahraini embassy when protester Mr Alwadaei shouted 'Bob Stewart, for how much did you sell yourself to the Bahraini regime?'

During a heated exchange, Mr Stewart replied: 'Go away, I hate you. You make a lot of fuss. Go back to Bahrain.'

Mr Stewart, who was stationed in Bahrain as a British army officer in the 1960s, also told Mr Alwadaei to 'get stuffed, Bahrain's a great place, end of.'

In footage played during his appeal, he added: 'Now you shut up, you stupid man.'

The court heard that Mr Alwadaei came to the UK from Bahrain as a refugee.

He said that he was tortured for attending a protest against the Bahraini regime, and this led him to flee.

The court heard that Mr Alwadaei came to the UK from Bahrain as a refugee.

He said that he was tortured for attending a protest against the Bahraini regime, and this led him to flee.

Mr Alwadaei fled to the UK as a refugee in 2012 and has been stateless since the Bahraini government stripped him of his citizenship in 2015.

The activist said he wanted to question Mr Stewart about his support for Bahrain.

He said: 'Those that would affiliate themselves with a regime that is so corrupt, they should be questioned for their affiliation.'

Bob Stewart has been the MP for Beckenham since 2010. Mr Justice Bennathan said that, while the words spoken by Mr Stewart amounted to abuse, the bench did not believe that it caused Mr Alwadaei harassment, alarm, or distress

Asked about Mr Stewart's reply, that he 'go back' to Bahrain, he said he felt 'dehumanised' by the remarks.

Mr Alwadaei said: 'To me the context was very clear, that I am not wanted, that I am not welcome in Britain.'

However, during cross-examination Mr Alwadaei said that he could not hear what Mr Stewart was saying to him. He said: 'At the time I could not hear what he was saying.'

Asked to clarify what exactly he did hear, he said he heard 'go back'.

He said he then watched the video back after the incident, and that he then reported the incident to the police.

Summing up the bench's decision to overturn the conviction, Mr Justice Bennathan said that Mr Alwadaei's response during the incident did not suggest that he had been caused distress.

'The fact that even after Mr Stewart's abusive comment, Mr Alwadaei continued to address him in similar terms, and at a similar pitch, would scarcely suggest to an observer that he was caused any 'upset, alarm, or distress.'

Mr Stewart has been the MP for Beckenham since 2010. Following the original conviction in November 2023 he announced he would be standing down at this year's General Election.
A new California law is set to prevent farm animals that win top county fair prizes from automatically being slaughtered for food after a nine-year-old girl sued the state fair for killing her beloved pet goat.

Last week, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, 52, introduced Bill 3053 to allow kids to enter their animals in county fairs without the risk of them being sentenced to death.

The bill would also permit children to withdraw their entries any time before offsite transport and allow bidders to pick up their animal winners live rather than as slabs of meat.

The proposal follows the cruel slaughter of Cedar the goat, a seven-month-old white Boer cared by Jessica Long's daughter who entered it into the Shasta District Fair's junior livestock auction but later changed her mind.

The fair denied the family's request to withdraw and sold Cedar - so the mom brazenly stole the goat back before it was given to the buyer.

A new California law is set to prevent farm animals that win top county fair prizes from automatically being slaughtered for food after a nine-year-old girl sued the state fair for killing her beloved pet goat (pictured)

The proposal follows the cruel slaughter of Cedar the goat, a seven-month-old white Boer cared by Jessica Long's daughter(pictured with a photo of Cedar) who entered it into the Shasta District Fair's junior livestock auction but later changed her mind

The bill would also permit children to withdraw their entries any time before offsite transport and allow bidders to pick up their animal winners live rather than as slabs of meat. Pictured: a pig named Lola who was sent to farm sanctuary instead of a livestock auction

What followed was a wild goat chase - sending officers hundreds of miles across the county to retrieve the goat via a search warrant, before handing the creature to individuals who killed Cedar and roasted him on a barbecue for their guests.

The Long family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit last year against Shasta County and the fair, demanding actual, general and punitive damages, and California Attorney Genral Rob Bonta countersued, demanding the family to pay the government's attorneys' fees.

'A few years ago, we spent $5,000 trying to find a home for pigs after kids had a change of heart,' said Judie Mancuso with Social Compassion in Legislation, an animal rights nonprofit.

'Then came the Cedar debacleWe said, "The timing is right. Let's do this bill."' Mancuso, who is also the bill's sponsor, told the Orange County Register.

Cedar, described as a beloved white goat with beautiful chocolate-colored markings, was sold at the Shasta District Fair for $902 to a representative of State Senator Brian Dahle.

The mother, after seeing her daughter sob by the goat's pen at the fair, decided to steal back the animal at the last minute and 'deal with the consequences later.'

In an email to the Shasta District Fair on June 27, Long wrote: 'I knew when I took it that my next steps were to make it right with the buyer and the fairgrounds. I will pay you back for the goat and any other expenses I caused. I would like to ask for your support in finding a solution.'

'' few years ago, we spent $5,000 trying to find a home for pigs after kids had a change of heart. Then came the Cedar debacleWe said, "The timing is right. Let's do this bill."' Mancuso, who is also the bill's sponsor, told the Orange County Register

Cedar, described as a beloved white goat with beautiful chocolate-colored markings, was sold at the Shasta District Fair for $902 to a representative of state Senator Brian Dahle

Melanie Silva, Shasta District Fair Chief Executive Officer, responded to her email and demanded that she return the goat immediately.

She wrote: 'Making an exception for you will only teach out youth that they do not have to abide by the rules that are set up for all participants. Unfortunately, this is out of my hands. You will need to bring the goat back to the Shasta District Fair immediately.'

Shortly after, the organizer of the barbecue contacted her lawyers over the theft of the animal - and the livestock manager of the fair, B.J. Mcfarlane, texted Long warning that law enforcements would be brought in if the goat was not returned.

According to the lawsuit, Mcfarlane threatened to have her charged with a felony count of grand theft if she did not return Cedar.

Two weeks after Long's goat heist, Shasta Sheriff's Office Detective Jeremy Ashbee filed a search warrant affidavit - in a bid to seek permission to seize the stolen animal.

Judge Monique McKee signed one on July 8, permitting officers to 'utilize breaching equipment to force open doorway(s), entry doors, exit doors, and locked containers in pursuit of their target.'

Cops then raided Bleating Hearts Farm and Sanctuary in Napa - but the goat was not being hidden there.

Instead, Cedar was being kept at an unnamed Sonoma County farm that Long had emailed in a desperate bid to save the animal from slaughter.

Officers took the goat - and drove more than 200 miles back before delivering it to an unnamed individual at the fair 'for slaughter/destruction', the lawsuit alleged.

Fortunately, if the bill is approved, the tragedy happened to Cedar the goat and the Long family will not repeat, and California kids would be able to watch their animals grow and thrive

Two officers then rushed to the other farm, despite having no search warrant for that location, nor a warrant to seize Cedar from there, according to the lawsuit.

They took the goat - and drove more than 200 miles back before delivering it to an unnamed individual at the fair 'for slaughter/destruction' - despite the fact that the warrant required them to hold the goat for a court hearing to determine its lawful owner, the lawsuit alleged.

Attorney General Rob Bonta, who represented the fair as part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, later filed a counterclaim, which he ultimately dropped amid overwhelming backlash.

Vanessa Shakib, Jessica Long's lawyer, wrote: 'We argued the Attorney General's counterclaim was legally frivolous and intended to chill the First Amendment rights of the Long family.'

'In Cedar's case, a group of government officials transformed a $63 civil dispute into felony theft to create a false pretense for an unlawful search and seizure.

'These officials drove hundreds of miles at taxpayer expense, and stopped at nothing - including the United States Constitution - to ensure a child's animal was illegally slaughtered without due process.'

Bruno Barba(pictured), a high school student in 2015, raised a pig named Lola and ultimately sent it to the Farm Sanctuary in Orland, California

Students have already opted to seek alternative homes for their animals in sanctuaries or farms, rather than participating in livestock auctions

Fortunately, if the bill is approved, the tragedy that happened to Cedar the goat and the Long family will not repeat, and California kids would be able to watch their animals grow and thrive.

Students have already opted to seek alternative homes for their animals in sanctuaries or farms, rather than participating in livestock auctions.

Bruno Barba, a high school student in 2015, raised a pig named Lola and ultimately sent it to the Farm Sanctuary in Orland, California.

His mother said: 'I think it's very different to see firsthand. To see the life of the animal, as opposed to seeing it at the market and thinking, "Here's dinner."'

Shakib, the Longs' attorney, said: 'We applaud proposed legislation allowing successful bidders to take their animals home alive.'

'The government shouldn't force people to kill their animals. This commonsense language is an important step in protecting property rights.'
An American couple are feared dead after three prisoners who escaped from custody in Grenada hijacked their yacht.

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel had been sailing on their catamaran yacht 'Simplicity' and are believed to be dead following the incident last Sunday.

The couple, from Virginia, had been sailing around the Caribbean island and had docked near Saint George's when it was taken.

The suspects, Trevon Robertson, Ron Mitchell and Atiba Stanislaus, were being held at the South Saint George's Police Station on the island when they escaped.

Police said in a press release that they believe the trio hijacked the yacht and killed the couple before travelling to St. Vincent.

Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel had been sailing on their catamaran yacht 'Simplicity' and are believed to be dead following the incident last Sunday

The couple, from Virginia, had been sailing around the Caribbean island and had docked Simplicity near Saint George when it was taken

The boat was found 85 nautical miles from where the couple had last been seen on it

AIS data indicates that the vessel left Grenada around 10 pm from Grand Anse Beach before it was discovered the following Wednesday.

The St Vincent Times reported that the boat was found with bloodstains on the interior, but no sign of the couple.

'Copious volumes of blood were discovered in the master stateroom. Numerous personal belongings were also lost. Passports discovered onboard allowed police to contact the victims emergency contacts,' a safety report filed on Caribbean Security and Safety Net said.

Local police released a statement on Thursday confirming that the three escapees had been caught.

Prior to this, officers had issued a warning that the trio may be armed and to approach them with caution.

The RSVG Police Force said: 'Three male prisoners who escaped lawful custody from police in Grenada have been recaptured by police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

'The escaped prisoners whose names are Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 25, , and Atiba Stanislaus, 23, were recaptured on Wednesday 21st February 2024 about 4:35 p.m., during an operation by members of the Narcotics and Rapid Response Units in the North Western village of Petit Bordel.

'The three men had been in police custody in Grenada on charges of Rape, Robbery with Violence, and other serious offences.

'Two other Grenadian nationals were also apprehended during the operation.'

While all were charged jointly with one count of robbery with violence, Mitchell was charged with one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape, two counts of indecent assault and causing harm.

The suspects, Trevon Robertson, Ron Mitchell and Atiba Stanislaus, seen here, were being held at the South Saint George Police Station on the island when they escaped

The couple had been part of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association who said that a cruising skipper found Simplicity abandoned off a beach.

According to the association, the person boarded the boat and found evidence of apparent violence.

They added that they had been spending the winter cruising the Eastern Caribbean after sailing from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua.

The association described them as being 'veteran cruisers', who were both 'warm hearted'.

Bob Osborn, SDSA President, said: 'This is a very upsetting event and details are still unconfirmed by the authorities, but this does appear to be a tragic event  our hopes and prayers are with Ralph and Kathy and the family who love them.

'I have spoken to the families and have offered our deepest condolences and our assistance in any way possible.

'In all my years of cruising the Caribbean, I have never heard of anything like this.'

According to a LinkedIn profile, Hendry was the founder of a wealth management group having previously worked for Citi bank. Meanwhile, Brandel was a real estate agent.

A GoFundMe page has since been set up by a family friend in order to help recover the boat and their belongings, as well as funeral costs.

A GoFundMe page has since been set up by a family friend in order to help recover the boat and their belongings, as well as funeral costs

The couple had been part of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association who said that a cruising skipper found Simplicity abandoned off a beach

The page, which has already raised over $12,000, states: 'Kathy and Ralph were seasoned sailors who lived on their beloved catamaran, Simplicity.

'Their lives ended in unimaginable tragedy on Sunday, February 19th, off the shores of Grand Anse Beach, Grenada.

'Their final voyage with the Salty Dawg Sailing Crew took an unthinkable turn as Simplicity was found abandoned in St. Vincent, bearing chilling evidence of a violent struggle.

'This heartbreaking tragedy has left not only the sailing community, but also their families, shattered.'

A State Department spokesperson said: 'We are aware of these reports involving U.S. citizens. We are monitoring the situation and seeking additional information.

'The Department of State has no higher priority than the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad. We stand ready to provide appropriate assistance to U.S. citizens in need and to their families.

'U.S. authorities are coordinating with local law enforcement officials on this incident. We do not comment on ongoing investigations.'
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem staked her claim as one of Donald Trump's potential running mates by thrilling conservatives and attacking Republicans who ran against the former president at the CPAC conference on Friday.

Noem mocked President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris directly, questioned their leadership of the country and touted her own conservative credentials while thrilling the crowd in Washington.

'I'm just going to say it. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris? They suck,' she said, prompting wild applause from activists in the room.

She also indicated that Biden might not even make it to the November election and ripped into the White House for failing to address the border.

'We need to face the facts, Joe Biden is not going to the president and Kamala is not a backup plan,' she said.

Noem praised Trump for his leadership, reminding the audience that she was one of the first politicians who stepped up to endorse Trump in 2024 - even when people were suggesting she run her own campaign.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem thrilled conservative activists attending CPAC on Friday, as one of the leading political figures on former President Donald Trump 's list of possible running mates

Noem mocked President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris directly during her speech, questioning their leadership of the country

'I said no, why would would run for president if you can't win,' she said. 'I didn't said it to be nice. I said it because it was a fact.'

She pointedly called out conservatives who ran against Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination pointing out they only distracted from the ultimate goal of victory in November.

'It does not strengthen our country and conservatives are not united enough to recognize that we need to win,' she said. 'We need a fight. We need someone who doesn't give up, who has never quit on us, so don't you quit on him.'

That separates her from the other potential running mates, such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Vivek Ramaswamy who ran for president in the Republican primary.

Noem celebrated that the Republican Party had moved in from 'the Romneys and the Cheneys' and had only grown in support from a wide coalition of Americans.

She pointedly called out Republican leaders in Washington, DC, as ineffective.

'Nobody turns to DC for the solutions, nothing meaningful gets accomplished,' she said. 'It is governors who have had to lead,' she said.

Noem touted her own record of supporting school choice, low taxes, and gun rights, issues of importance to the conservative crowd.

Noem celebrated that the Republican Party had moved in from 'the Romneys and the Cheneys' and had only grown in support from a wide coalition of Americans

She pointedly called out Republican leaders in Washington, DC, as ineffective

Kristi Noem took shots at Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, telling the CPAC audience that they 'both suck.'

South Dakota's Governor Kristi Noem arrives to speak during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference

Former President Donald Trump addresses the 2024 NRB International Christian Media Convention

She also reminded the crowd she was among the first conservative Republican governors to send her state's national guard help secure the Southern border.

'I offered to bring razor wire there so that Texas would know that South Dakota stands with them,' she said.

Noem also reminded the audience that she led the way in keeping her state open during the coronavirus pandemic, refusing to close businesses and churches.

'I will do all I can in South Dakota to bring back peace and stability, for Joe Biden has brought destruction and death,' she said.
Do you know who sent the Moonpig card to King Charles? Did you send a message of support to His Majesty?

He said this week that the many 'wonderful' cards and messages of support he has received since his cancer diagnosis had moved him to tears.

What King Charles didn't say is that they are sometimes of laughter.

A new set of images released by Buckingham Palace shows His Majesty giggling at a card featuring a dog wearing a veterinary collar and the words 'At least you don't have to wear a cone!'

The large 6.29 card by British online firm Moonpig, was said by aides to have 'provoked much royal mirth'.

Details of its sender have not been revealed, but the King has always owned dogs and is currently 'step-dog father' to his wife, Queen Camilla's, two Battersea Dogs and Cats Home rescues, Beth and Bluebell.

It is one of more than 7,000 letters and cards wishing the monarch well that have so far been received by Buckingham Palace since his diagnosis just over two weeks ago.

The Royal Family ha released photos and video of King Charles reading cards sent to him by well wishers following his cancer diagnosis. Pictured: His Majesty reading a card at Buckingham Palace

Charles has been moved to tears by some of the correspondence. Pictured: The King holding a card sent in by a well wisher

The King has been so touched by the out-pouring of good wishes that the royal household decided to release a new set of images showing him looking at some of his correspondence.

READ MORE HERE: Queen Camilla praises cancer specialists amid her husband's battle with the disease Advertisement

A sweet video has also been made featuring the King smiling and chuckling to himself as he reads through the cards.

The social media post on royal.uk channels also shows postbags of correspondence being carried in by staff, who then open some of the letters and cards.

Viewers can see a rare glimpse of the inside of the King's red box, lined in black, which is then filled with letters, as well as cutaways to some of the most moving messages.

They were shot ahead of his audience with the Prime Minister on Wednesday this week.

Seated in the 18th Century Room of The Belgian Suite at Buckingham Palace, part of his private suite of rooms, the King, 75, looked tired around the eyes, no doubt as a result of his treatment, but nonetheless cheered by the sight.

Many of them have come from children who have sent in painstakingly hand-drawn, brightly-coloured cards with sweet personal messages, which are said to have 'touched His Majesty, greatly'.

The King remarked in a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday that many of the cards had 'reduced me to tears'.

Among those shown on camera is a tender message from one child, who gave His Majesty some advice on how to cope during treatment.

'Never give up. Be brave. Don't push your limits. Get Well Soon,' they wrote.

His Majesty appeared in good spirits as he read correspondence from the public which had been placed in his red box for him to peruse

The King opens a card with hand drawn pictures of a rainbow and a multi-coloured crown sent to Buckingham Palace by a child

Palace officials said they have received more than 7,000 letters for His Majesty. Pictured: A card that tells His Majesty 'at least you don't have to wear a cone'

One message read 'Your Majesty King Charles III we are praying for you to have a steady recovery'

One person wrote they were 'sorry to hear you are not feeling well at the moment I am wishing you a speedy recovery. Get well soon!'

Another letter gave the King some words of advice, including 'never give up, be brave, don't push your limits'

Some of the cards from children were adorned with bright colours to lighten Charles's mood.

One piece of correspondence had a hand drawn rainbow from the child author, while on the other side there was a sweet message of 'Get well soon' written underneath a multi-coloured crown.

Another message from one well-wisher added: 'King Charles, sorry to hear you are not feeling well at the moment. I am wishing you a speedy recovery. Get Well Soon.'

The King has also received messages from adults, some of whom revealed their own deeply personal experiences of going through times of trouble and expressed their whole-hearted support for His Majesty.

'I wanted to tell you I am thinking of you as you face your own diagnosis and treatment and send prayers and every good wish for a speedy recovery', one wrote.

Another who had been through trying situations urged Charles to keep his 'chin up, chest out, remain positive and don't let it get you down'.

'Trust me, it works, but the main thing is family,' they added.

A senior royal aide said: 'They have been a source of frequent laughter and good cheer.'

Staff have taken to putting a small selection in his red box of official papers each day to cheer His Majesty up.

Others are said to be deeply moving, with people sharing their own personal experiences of living with cancer.

A short video, released to social media tonight, contained a message which read: 'Following the announcement of the King's cancer diagnosis, the Correspondence Team at Buckingham Palace have received more than 7,000 letters and cards form across the world. The King has been sent a selection in his daily red box of paperwork. Many share their own experience with cancer. Others offer good wishes and advice for a speedy recovery.

'To everyone who took the time to write, THANK YOU. As His Majesty has said, 'such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement'.'

As ever, where postal addresses have been provided in correspondence to is Majesty, a response of thanks will be sent by Buckingham Palace.

Another well wisher wrote 'I wanted to tell you I am thinking of you as you face your on diagnosis and treatment and send prayers and every good wish for a speedy recovery'

One person urged the King to keep his 'chin up, chest out, remain positive and don't let it get you down'. They added: 'Trust me it works, but the main thing is family'

The King revealed in a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak he had been 'reduced to tears' by some of the messages of support

It is understood that the outpouring of goodwill for the King has seen the palace 'groaning' under the weight of mail sacks, which staff are still going through.

The royal household has also seen updates about the King's health attract more than 100 million views on social media.

This week the King met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for the first time since his diagnosis, telling him: 'I've had so many wonderful messages and cards. It's reduced me to tears most of the time.'

Mr Sunak reassured him that 'we're all behind you, the country is behind you', and added that it was 'wonderful to see you looking so well.' In typical good humour, the King jokingly replied: 'Well, it's all done by mirrors, really.'

He also said he was greatly heartened by the renewed attention on many of the country's main cancer charities as a result of his openness about his condition.

The King spoke of his admiration for cancer charities, telling Mr Sunak: 'I hear there has been a lot more potential attention on those main, wonderful cancer charities, many of which I have been a patron of for years.'

The Prime Minister responded: 'They do incredible work up and down the country.'

The King is currently coming into London once a week for outpatient treatment and meetings before retiring to Sandringham, his Norfolk estate, for recuperation.

Last month he underwent an operation to treat a benign enlarged prostate.

It was during this surgery that doctors discovered an unrelated condition that concerned them.

Tests later showed it was cancer.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that it is not prostate cancer but has not issued further details of the king's condition.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan revealed that he is investigating the recent termination of a journalist whose most recent work was delving into Hunter Biden.

Catherine Herridge, a veteran reporter covering national security and intelligence, was among the hundreds of CBS employees who were laid off by parent company Paramount last week.

Herridge was covering investigations into the Biden family when the network seized her personal notes after her termination, a move SAG-AFTRA, the CBS workers' union, calls 'completely inappropriate' and 'very unusual.'

Some of the seized materials reportedly included confidential source information.

'We're trying to dig into this,' Jordan disclosed to a humming crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Friday. 'This is scary what's happening to Catherine.'

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, told the crowd at CPAC he will 'dig into' veteran journalist Catherine Herridge's termination from CBS News

Herridge had been reporting on the Biden family at the time she was terminated last week

The union representing Herridge slammed CBS News for seizing her files after they fired her

'What CBS has done just doesn't make sense, and its something that were going to dig into.'

SAG-AFTRA, the union representing Herridge, released a statement Thursday saying it 'strongly condemns CBS News' decision to seize Catherine Herridge's reporter notes and research from her office, including confidential source information.'

The investigate journalist had recently covered the House impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, special counsel Robert Hur's report on his handling of classified documents and the criminal charges against Hunter Biden.

In a previous statement to DailyMail.com, CBS denied claims it had improperly seized Herridge's files and said it had returned the materials to her.

'What happened here looks really, really wrong in my judgement because they grabbed everything,' Jordan told the crowd.

'This is her sources, her information,' he continued, 'that just does not happen when you're talking about the press.'

Hunter Biden's business dealings have been called into question during recent Congressional hearings regarding his father's impeachment inquiry

Jordan, who also sits on the House Oversight Committee, has been in closed-door hearings with a myriad of Hunter Biden's colleagues, including his uncle, James Biden

Citing sources, the New York Post claimed that Herridge had been pursuing a story related to Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop, and that she had 'encountered roadblocks' from management over her coverage of the First Son.

Jordan called CBS' seizure of Herridge's documents 'further encroachment by folks on the left' against First Amendment rights.

Herridge, meanwhile, has been in the middle of a high-profile court battle over her refusal to reveal sources for articles she wrote in 2017.

A judge has demanded she reveal sources used in a series of articles about a Chinese American scientist who was investigated by the FBI but never charged with wrongdoing.

The case is ongoing.

As for Hunter Biden, 'he testifies next week in our deposition,' Jordan said.

'We will have some questions for him,' he added.

CBS News did not return a request for comment on the investigation by the Judiciary chairman.
A pair of thieves robbed luxury handbag store Rebag of over $200k worth of designer goods in a brazen heist caught on camera.

Two burglars were caught on camera as they looted the popular designer resell brand's SoHo location located at 390 W Broadway, New York City.

The robbery took place at around 11 pm on Monday evening.

After sneaking through the basement door of the NYC retailer they broke multiple glass display cases and grabbed whatever they could get their hands on before taking off.

The suspects managed to flee with a stash of luxury items ranging from $3,000 to $27,000 per item.

A pair of thieves robbed luxury handbag store Rebag of over $200k worth of designer goods in a brazen heist caught on camera

The suspects managed to flee with a stash of luxury items ranging from $3,000 to $27,000 per item (pictured: display cases from Rebag's SoHo location)

Amongst the items reported to be stolen by the suspected robbers were Hermes handbags and jewelry pieces.

Rebag's website shows a $27,000 Hermes Birkin bag, similar in price to the one stolen during Monday's heist.

Investigators said that the two thieves stole $225,000 worth of goods from the high-end resale business.

Police are searching for the suspects, who are both suspected to males in their 40s, around 5 foot 7 who were wearing dark-colored clothing at the time of the heist.

They were last seen near Fresh Pond Road and 60th Road in Queens.

Rebag has still not reopened to the public as of Friday morning while the search for the suspected robbers continues.

This is not the first time Rebag has been targeted by thieves - the luxury retailer suffered a similar incident in May, 2022.

A pack of five thieves walked into the SoHo shop during business hours and smashed through glass display cases with a hammer before taking off with the stolen foods.

The crew managed to flee with $24,700 worth of designers handbags.

Rebag's website shows a $27,000 Hermes Birkin bag, similar in price to the one stolen during Monday's heist

Police managed to track down one of the alleged robbers, 25-year-old Ricardo Forde, who was arrested and charged with robbery, grand larceny, assault and reckless driving among other counts.

Rebag's Los Angeles location in Arcadia was targeted last December after a group of four men charged into the store and similarly used hammers to bash through display cases.

Looters in 2020 managed to bag over $375k worth of designer purses from the NYC Rebag shop.

Surveillance footage from the 2020 incident showed the group of thieves clutching Hermes, Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga items inside the SoHo store

Rebag is known for re-selling luxury and designer bags that have been inspected and certified by experts.

The company also sells watches, jewelry, shoes and apparel.

It's unclear how the shop plans to reimburse any sellers who may have consigned the bags stolen during the heist, or if the company's insurance can cover the losses.

Dailymail.com has reached out to Rebag for comment.
With the cost of living crisis continuing to push some to their limits, Aussies are being warned about the dangers of "bin surfing" after a man's body was found "wedged in a clothing bin" in a Westfield shopping centre car park last week.

The alarming practice, similar to dumpster diving, involves people climbing head first into charity bins to rummage through donated items. NSW Police was alerted to a tragedy at Tuggurah on the NSW Central Coast after "a passer-by saw legs hanging out of the chute" resulting in loss of life.

According to reports, police believe the man "was bin surfing, fell and broke his neck" leaving his lifeless body hanging out of a bin operated by textile collection company SCRgroup, which has 1,700 clothing hubs across Australia. Alarmingly, the same bins also claimed the life of a 43-year-old woman Mikki OShea in 2021 who was found dead by a member of the public after becoming trapped.

Police were called to Westfield Tuggerah last Tuesday morning after a passer-by saw a man's legs hanging out of the charity bin chute. Source: ABC Central Coast/Mary-Louise Vince

"These charity donation bins are a one-way mechanism for people to place items. They have been purposely designed so people are not able to remove items," a Queensland Police spokesperson said in a statement to Yahoo News Australia.

"Attempting to access charity bins can be extremely dangerous, posing severe risks of injury or worse. Individuals may find themselves trapped or in hazardous situations."

Apparent rise in bin surfing highlights 'societal problem'

SCRgroup Executive Chair Joe Carbone told Yahoo the company is "truly saddened to hear that a person has died this week by climbing into one of our clothing hubs in NSW" and noted there's a "serious societal problem" that could be behind the rise in people bin surfing.

Story continues

Last month, another man was seen dangling from a Make-a-Wish Foundation charity bin in a shopping centre in the affluent suburb of Bondi in Sydney. It's understood he made it out unharmed.

More people have resorted to bin surfing, including a Sydney man who was spotted climbing into the Make a Wish charity bin at Bondi. Source: Facebook

"Our team speaks with people at our clothing hubs about their life situation regularly and one thing we know for sure is that no one is engaging in bin diving for fun or for the thrill of it," he said. "There are many people around Australia in need of necessities like clothing."

"We continuously evolve our clothing hub infrastructure to ensure they are as safe as possible," he continued, but said "it's difficult to guarantee anything to be 100% failsafe, particularly where there are no industry regulations, standards, or guidelines for clothing hubs in Australia".

Struggling Aussies discouraged from raiding charity bins

Carbone noted an increase of people in Australia "living below the poverty line, with many experiencing homelessness" but agreed the act of climbing into bins is not the solution.

"We take community safety very seriously. It is critical that people adhere to the warning and danger signage that is on these clothing hubs around not entering them for any reason," he said.

Instead, the textiles boss said "there are many charities, community and social support agencies that can provide affordable, even free, clothing to people in need and we partner with many of these organisations to provide second-hand clothing that is of good quality."

'Unlawfully removing' items from bins is a crime, police say

Queensland Police told Yahoo News Australia authorities "aren't aware of an increase of occurrences around this issue" across the state. However, they "strongly discourage anyone from trying to enter these bins for unlawful purposes or to retrieve items".

"Unlawfully removing items from charity bins is theft, and police are committed to enforcing the law to ensure these donations reach their intended recipients," they said. Other state departments could not comment.

The textiles boss said the company's current clothing hubs have been "independently researched and manufactured with safety in mind" and were also assessed and tested both locally and internationally.

"We believed they were best in class when it comes to deterring bin diving and we will be investigating how this happened," he said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Ukrainians last night gathered to remember the tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians killed by Putin's forces in the two years since Russia's invasion of the country began.

An estimated 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers and 10,000 civilians have died in the two years since Russian forces embarked on a full-scale invasion of the country in 2022.

At a solemn ceremony at Lviv's Lychakiv Cemetery, civilians and soldiers prayed for those who had lost their lives in the conflict as it enters its third year, lighting candles and watching as 'rays of remembrance' were projected into the sky.

Ukraine's allies have marked the anniversary of the conflict by committing to fresh support for president Volodymyr Zelensky, and announcing fresh sanctions against Putin's Russia, which shows no signs of ending its assault.

UK defence secretary Grant Shapps announced on Saturday that the UK will invest almost 250 million in producing fresh artillery shells for Ukraine in order to replenish the beleaguered nation's ammunition stocks.

Symbolic illuminations branded 'rays of remembrance' are beamed into the sky at the Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv to mark the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Ukrainians gathered en masse to remember fallen friends and soldiers at the solemn ceremony

Some lit candles at the graves of those lost in the conflict, which is now entering its third year

Some clutched lanterns as they watched the ceremony - which comes a year after a similar lightshow was created to mark the war's first anniversary

Allied forces have announced further commitments to Ukraine, led by president Volodymyr Zelenskyy (pictured) on the second anniversary of the war

Vladimir Putin (pictured) shows no signs of abating in his war against Ukraine, which began two years ago today

Many soldiers also attended the ceremony to honour their fallen comrades

Up to 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed during the conflict, according to researchers. The true figure has not been made public

Images from Lviv showed the touching, emotional ceremony staged at the cemetery, attended by scores of Ukrainians who lit candles at graves and watched as the projections were beamed into the sky. Some clutched flowers and lanterns.

A similar ceremony was held in the same cemetery last year - with no sign, a year later, that the end of the war is in sight despite significant achievements by Ukrainian forces to push back against the Russians.

Announcing the additional support for Ukraine, defence secretary Mr Shapps said: 'Against all odds, the armed forces of Ukraine have pushed back the Russian invaders to recapture half of the land Putin stole, while significantly degrading Russia's capabilities.

'But they cannot win this fight without the support of the international community - and that's why we continue to do what it takes to ensure Ukraine can continue to fight towards victory.

'Nearly a quarter of a billion pounds' worth of UK funding will boost their critical stockpiles of artillery ammunition, while the Royal Air Force completes a further delivery of advanced tank-busting missiles.

'Together, we will ensure Putin fails, and a victory for democracy, the rules-based international order, and the Ukrainian people.'

The war's second anniversary was also commemorated by foreign secretary Lord Cameron as he gave a speech to the United Nations on Friday.

He told the General Assembly: 'My first visit as Foreign Secretary was to Ukraine. I stood inside the wreckage of Odessa's Cathedral. I saw brave Ukrainians kissing loved ones goodbye as they left to defend their homeland.

'His (Putin's) government claims this is a battle between brothers. What twisted form of brotherhood is this for which so many lives must be ruined?

'How many ridiculous explanations have we now had for this invasion? Are they criminals or are they fellow Russians?

'One minute Ukraine is an existential threat and the next we are told she doesn't exist.

'The Russian military is being drained of its modern equipment. You are having to rely on poor-quality shells from Pyongyang and you sent a generation of Russian boys into the meatgrinder.

'These sanctions are a reminder we won't falter and will stand firm for Ukraine's freedom. We must not falter, we must stand firm.'

A Ukrainian civic group said in November 2023 that it had confirmed the deaths of nearly 25,000 Ukrainian soldiers since the war began by using open source intelligence, but put the total toll at more than 30,000.

The United Nations estimates that 10,378 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the conflict began, with a further 19,632 injured.

In an address in New York on the eve of the two-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Lord Cameron stressed that Ukraine's fight is 'the world's fight'. It comes after the Foreign Secretary sparked a furious row with members of the US Congress when pleading with American politicians to approve new funds for Kyiv

The Ukrainian military said it destroyed a Russian A-50 surveillance aircraft (pictured) on Friday and shared a map appearing to show it had crashed over southern Russia

Videos on social media showed multiple flashes of light on a dark night sky

Shocking videos of flames bursting into the sky have been shared on social media following the crash in what appeared to be a rural area

One video on social media appeared to show civilians searching the wreckage

Meanwhile, Ukraine has allegedly shot down a Russian spy plane over the Azov sea while families of servicemen killed by Putin's forces gathered for a remembrance service.

The Ukrainian military said it destroyed a Russian A-50 surveillance aircraft on Friday and shared a map appearing to show it had crashed over southern Russia.

Shocking videos of flames bursting into the sky have been shared on social media following the crash, while another video shows civilians searching the wreckage.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on the Telegram messaging app: 'The A-50 with the call sign 'Bayan' has flown its last!'

Interfax Ukraine news agency quoted military sources as saying the A-50 was downed over Russian territory, between the cities of Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar.

It said the operation was carried out by the air force and the intelligence directorate.

It is second time in a little more than a month that Ukraine has reported downing the sophisticated spy plane.

Following the destruction of the A-50 spy plane, Moscow made no official comment, but authorities in Russia's southern Krasnodar region said fire crews were at the scene of an air crash, without elaborating.

Russian news agencies said that fragments of an aircraft were found in marshland in Kanevskoy district and firefighters extinguished a blaze but made no reference to the A-50.

The Krasnodar regional authorities said firefighting units were responding to a blaze 'of about 250 square metres' and that no local houses were at risk.

It said 'two aircraft' had been involved in the incident, but did not specify what they were.

Neither MailOnline nor the AFP press agency have been able to immediately verify the nature of the crash or which aircraft was destroyed.

Videos on social media showed multiple flashes of light on a dark night sky, followed by another showing a large blaze in what appeared to be a rural area.

After the spy plane came down, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk (pictured) wrote on the Telegram messaging app: 'The A-50 with the call sign 'Bayan' has flown its last!'

The Sea of Azov lies between Russia and Ukraine, but Moscow controls its entire coast

Ukraine's Azov National Guard Brigade engaged in combat during the ongoing war with Russia

The A-50, which first came into service near the end of the Soviet era, is a large airborne early warning and control aircraft that can scan several hundred kilometres for enemy aircraft, ships and missiles.

This most recent destruction will come as a blow to the Kremlin as the head of Ukraine's military intelligence directorate told the Financial Times a month ago that Russia only had eight A-50s left at that time.

The A-50, worth 260 million, is a Russian equivalent to the AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) plane used by NATO.

Ukraine last claimed to have shot down an A-50 aircraft in January, also over the Azov Sea which lies between Russia and Ukraine.

It also claimed to have destroyed an Ilyushin Il-22 airborne command post in the Sea of Azov.

The Sea of Azov lies between Russia and Ukraine, but Moscow controls its entire coast after seizing large swathes of southeastern Ukraine during its invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Reports say the planes have been flying the same routes for months.

Commanders have been careful not to use the intelligence-gathering planes too close to the active war zone.
A Mississippi police chief slammed the cop who was caught stealing $140 sneakers from a Dick's Sporting Goods while wearing her police uniform.

Columbus Police Chief Joseph Daughtry said Robin Conner, 33, was on duty in a patrol car before she was arrested on Wednesday for shoplifting.

'An employee observed them and detained the officer and called 911. 911, knowing it was an officer, called the (shift supervisor) and they notified us. Myself, the assistant chief and the captain over patrol all responded.'

'We're putting her in jail. It's embarrassing for the department, but we're going to treat her like we would anybody else,' Daughtry said.

The city council voted Thursday morning 50 to fire Conner from the police department, as reported by WTVA.

Columbus Police Chief Joseph Daughtry slammed the cop, Robin Conner, 33, who was caught stealing $140 sneakers from a Dick's Sporting Goods while wearing her police uniform

Conner was on duty in a patrol car before she was arrested on Wednesday for shoplifting

'We're putting her in jail. It's embarrassing for the department, but we're going to treat her like we would anybody else,' Daughtry said

The department will handle Conner's arrest like any other, Daughtry said, insisting that there's no conflict of interest.

'If it was a major case we would turn it over to another agency, but this is a misdemeanor and it's pretty much cut and dried,' Daughtry said.

According to Human Resources Director Pat Mitchell, Conner has worked with the department since August 2022.

After being taken to jail in her own cruiser, Conner was then booked into the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.

Conner was charged with misdemeanor shoplifting for stealing goods worth less than $1,000. She was given a $862 surety bond.

'We have a job to do, and we're held to a higher standard. And the community is just starting to trust us, and to take this gut punch really hurts,' said Daughtry.

'That's why we fulfilled our obligation, not only to the store but to the community.'

The average salary of a police officer in Columbus, Mississippi, is $56,000 a year, according to ZipRecruiter.

Conner was charged with misdemeanor shoplifting for stealing goods worth less than $1,000. She was given a $862 surety bond

After being taken to jail in her own cruiser, Conner was then booked into the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center

According to Human Resources Director Pat Mitchell, Conner has worked with the department since August 2022

Conner had recently shared a post to her Facebook account featuring selfies of her wearing her officer uniform with the caption 'Happy National law enforcement day' accompanied by three heart emojis.

People took to the comments following the news of her alleged shoplifting, with one user joking 'I would have bought you them shoes.'

'Wait, did you just get charged for shoplifting while on the clock, in uniform and in your patrol car? Such a disgrace to the badge,' another user said.

The police officer has even used her personal Facebook account to share messages on behalf of the Columbus Police Department - including one that said: 'Family and friends please stay at home off the roadways. It's going to get worse and it's going to turn into black ice tonight. Please and Thank you Columbus Police Department.'

She also used her Facebook page to share cocktail recipes, her extensive perfume collection and plenty of pictures of her on duty as a cop.
A young man is being hailed a hero after he rescued a woman and her one-year-old twin daughters trapped in their car from being swept by a flood in Rio de Janeiro

Marcos de Souza, 29, was in a bus heading home when the driver took a detour due to heavy rain in the town of Nova Iguacu on Wednesday night and suddenly heard people from a passing gym screaming that a car with people inside was being dragged by the flood waters.

That's when de Souza leapt into action, after the bus pulled up next to the car in distress as it was approaching.

Dramatic footage showed de Souza planting his leg on top of the rear left tire and grabbing Brenda and Beatriz Mendes and passing them over to one of the bus passengers.

'I didn't even think twice, I just acted,' he told Brazilian news outlet G1. 'The car was approaching, and I managed to put my foot down and help the lady and her two daughters.'

Marcos de Souza hands over one of the two one-year-old twin sisters he rescued along with their mother on Wednesday night after they got stuck in their family car on a Rio de Janeiro street that was flooded

Marcos de Souza (right) reunited with Jorge Mendes and Berlandia Mendes on Thursday, a day after he save her and her twin daughters from being dragged away by a flood in Rio de Janeiro after she and her children got stuck inside the family car

De Souza could be seen in the video handing over backpacks containing the family's possessions.

He he reached out for Berlandia Mendes and told her 'take my hand' before he helped her on to the bus.

Mendes' car was swept down the streets moments soon after she stepped inside the bus.

'I was thinking about it for a long time, that in a matter of seconds a tragedy didn't happen,' de Souza said. 'She thanked me very much, she said that she had no words for what I did, that I saved her life. I told her that I only did what had to be done.'

The bus de Souza was traveling on suffered a mechanical failure because of the flood water and passengers had to wait for the arrival of another bus to continue their travel.

Berlandia Mendes and her one-year-old twin daughters were rescued by a bus passenger when she got stuck in the family vehicle while flood waters rushed down a Rio de Janeiro street on Wednesday

De Souza elected to walk home in the rain and found his home and his aunts' house - which is located next to his - partially flooded with severed damage to the furniture and electrical appliances.

His life-changing actions did not go unnoticed, and donations poured into a crowdfunding account to help him and his family.

Mendes and her husband, Jorge Mendes, reunited with de Souza on Thursday and thanked for rescuing her and the children.

'This is my angel, who saved my life,' Mendes said. 'God sent him to save my life and the lives of my daughters.'

The storm claimed the lives of three residents in the Rio de Janeiro region, including two people after their home collapsed in the town of Japeri.
The new restaurant opened shortly after Johnson's marriage to fellow chef Will Aghajanian imploded amidst rumors of animal abuse and assault

Frog Club, created by chef Liz Johnson, has a no photos policy and a list of rules diners must abide by

The famous chef who created Horses in Los Angeles has opened a secretive new spot in Manhattan's West Village

A high-profile chef has opened a top-secret exclusive restaurant in NYC where diners have to put stickers on their phone cameras and follow a list of rules.

Liz Johnson, the mastermind chef behind Los Angeles' iconic upscale restaurant Horses, has opened a very unique new restaurant in Manhattan's West Village.

The buzzy new spot is called Frog Club and it includes all kinds of weird quirks - including a tall, slender doorman who presses stickers over the cameras of people arriving to dine.

Frog Club is the first restaurant Johnson, 33, has opened since the extremely messy and public implosion of her marriage to fellow chef and Horses co-founder Will Aghajanian.

The chef power couple co-owned Catbird Seat in Nashville, Mimi in NYC and Horses in Los Angeles - but they became famous for more than their cuisine after Johnson accused Aghajanian of assaulting her, visiting prostitutes and torturing pet kittens to death.

Diners at the top-secret restaurant are even given stickers to cover both cameras on their phones

Liz Johnson, the mastermind chef behind Los Angeles ' iconic upscale restaurant Horses, has opened a very unique new restaurant in Manhattan's West Village

The buzzy new spot is called Frog Club and it includes all kinds of weird quirks - including a tall, slender doorman who presses stickers over the cameras of people arriving to dine

Frog Club is the first restaurant Johnson, 33, has opened since the extremely messy and public implosion of her marriage to fellow chef and Horses co-founder Will Aghajanian

'I have had a number of cats that mysteriously ended up dying. At least one of them was examined at a shelter, and I was told she had been seriously abused,' she claimed in the filing.

The nature of the abuse was alleged to be sexual, according to reports.

Aghajanian retaliated with claims that Johnson threatened to kill him and deliberately burned him with kitchen implements.

Johnson requested and was granted a restraining order from her husband in November. In January, Aghajanian responded with a similar request as part of a divorce filing.

Despite the ongoing relationship drama, Johnson has conceptualized a whole new restaurant with a series of quirks and even rules.

Frog Club's Instagram account uploaded a list of 'Ways to Get 86'd', otherwise known as being refused service.

The list included not showing up for a reservation, taking mirror selfies in the bathroom and being rude - especially to the doorman Tony.

The restaurant also warns against stealing, vandalizing, touching the 'memorabilia', lying about your birthday or even getting too drunk.

The final rule prohibits 'kissing the chef without her consent,' but the menu offers a kiss from Johnson for $1,000.

Ella Quittner visited the restaurant on opening night and offered a sneak peak of the ultra-secretive spot - insisting that 'food is the focus' of Frog Club

She mentioned highlights such as the Dirty Kermit, an ode to perhaps the most famous frog of all that can be made with mezcal or vodka along with a green tomato

The restaurant has taken over a space on Bedford Street that was previously occupied by Chumley's for a long time.

While Johnson is claiming the restaurant as her own after launching the new spot in an artistic retro-style YouTube video, Aghajanian is alleging that he came up with the idea.

According to Aghajanian, the project is 'in legal limbo currently'. He told The New York Times that 'Frog club is a concept I created and designed.'

However, when Johnson was asked how she felt about the restaurant - she allegedly surveyed the space and simply said 'it's all mine.'

Ella Quittner visited the restaurant on opening night and offered a sneak peak of the ultra-secretive spot - insisting that 'food is the focus' of Frog Club.

She mentioned highlights such as the Dirty Kermit, an ode to perhaps the most famous frog of all that can be made with mezcal or vodka along with a green tomato.

Other menu highlights include a spinach souffle, tapioca pudding, the 'Tutti Frutti Spaghetti Sundae,' pierogis stuffed with lobster and a burger served on a very plain and simple English muffin.
It only appears on screen for ten seconds  so you wouldn't think it would be all that memorable a location.

But La Maison Highbury has seen huge queues since it featured in the hit Netflix show One Day.

Users of video-sharing app TikTok have flocked to the cafe where character Dexter Mayhew, played by Leo Woodall, works at in the penultimate episode of the 14-part series.

Despite its short on-screen appearance under the name 'Cafe Belleville' La Maison Highbury's owner said there has been a big increase in footfall since the show's release two weeks ago.

It only appears on screen for ten seconds (pictured)  so you wouldn't think it would be all that memorable a location. But La Maison Highbury has seen huge queues since it featured in the hit Netflix show One Day

Users of video-sharing app TikTok have flocked to the cafe in London since the episode aired (pictured)

La Maison Highbury's owner Mehmet Gerekli (pictured) said there has been a big increase in footfall since the show's release two weeks ago

Mehmet Gerekli told the Daily Mail: 'We have seen a big effect on customer numbers over the weekend and on social media too as it's been a huge hit on Netflix.'

READ MORE: One Day review: This is the most bingeable show of the year and will launch two new stars, writes CLAUDIA CONNELL Advertisement

And the already large numbers queuing outside the cafe, located in north London, could be set to grow even larger, as fans are planning a meet up at the cafe on July 15.

The series follows Dexter and Emma Morley who meet on that date each year. Underneath a video of the cafe, one TikTok user wrote: 'The 15th of July is going to be a big day for this cafe, we must all meet there.'

Another said: 'I've just booked to come to London to visit this cafe.'

The comment section is also flooded with users suggesting to one another, 'Can we go to Dexter's cafe?'

La Maison has been open less than a year and filming for One Day started in December 2022 before it even started trading.

And the cafe is not the only location from the series which is popular with TikTok users as fans have also rushed to Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, where Dexter and Emma were students, and Primrose Hill in London. Underneath a 'One Day Edinburgh filming locations' video which tells fans 'you must take a selfie here', the comment section was flooded with viewers pledging to visit.

Character Dexter Mayhew (pictured), played by Leo Woodall , works at the cafe in the penultimate episode of the 14-part series

The series follows Dexter and Emma Morley (pictured, left) who meet on July 15 each year

Emma (pictured) works at a restuarant in the series, which was filmed at the Old Suffolk Punch pub in London

The cafe is not the only location from the series which is popular with TikTok users as fans have also rushed Primrose Hill with its extensive views of London (pictured)

Fans have also made their way to Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh (pictured) and underneath a 'One Day Edinburgh filming locations' video, which tells fans 'you must take a selfie here', the comment section was flooded with viewers pledging to visit

One person wrote: 'So we are all meeting in Edinburgh on the 15th of July? I'm coming for you Arthur's Seat.' One commenter even said: 'I'm considering going to Edinburgh Uni after watching this show.'

In London, videos have been created sharing the precise location of other One Day landmarks including the Loco Caliente Mexican restaurant where Emma works, which is actually the Old Suffolk Punch pub in Hammersmith, west London.
Prince Harry's admissions in his memoir that he took drugs are not 'proof' that he actually did and could have been a ploy to 'sell books', the US government has argued in court.

The claim by the Biden administration came as a think tank in Washington DC sought access to Harry's visa application to see if he lied about drug taking.

John Bardo, for the Department of Homeland Security, told the court Harry's book 'Spare' was not 'sworn testimony or proof' that he took drugs.

He said: 'Just saying something in a book doesn't make it true.'

Prince Harry's admissions in his memoir that he took drugs are not 'proof' that he actually did and could have been a ploy to 'sell books', the US government has argued in court

The lawyer added that people say things to 'sell books' as he argued Harry's immigration records should remain private.

It was the latest twist in a case in which the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington DC-based think tank, is suing to force the release of the Duke of Sussex's US immigration files.

Last week, the Duke told Good Morning America: 'American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind but isn't something that's a high priority for me right now.'

John Bardo, for the US Departmet of Homeland Security, told the court Harry's book 'Spare' was not 'sworn testimony or proof' that he took drugs

At the federal court in Washington DC lawyers for Heritage also introduced a transcript of the GMA interview on February 16, 2024 'in which the Duke of Sussex discusses potentially seeking United States citizenship.'

They said it added to their case seeking the release of his immigration files.

In a court filing Heritage said: 'Widespread and continuous media coverage has surfaced the question of whether DHS properly admitted the Duke of Sussex in light of the fact that he has publicly admitted to the essential elements of a number of drug offenses.'

US District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols, sitting in Court 17 of the E. Barrett Prettyman US Courthouse in Washington DC, is expected to make a ruling in the coming weeks.

Harry, has lived in California since 2020, was not present in court.

When applying for a US visa foreigners are asked on the DHS's DH160 visa form: 'Are you or have you ever been a drug abuser or addict?'

They are also asked whether they have ever 'violated any law relating to controlled substances'.

If they answer 'yes' they can still receive a waiver.

Heritage wants to see if Harry admitted to using illegal drugs before gaining a visa.

They also want to establish if he was granted a waiver and given any favorable treatment.

Sources close to the Duke have previously indicated that he answered truthfully on the application.

Lawyers for the foundation argue the documents are of 'immense public interest'.

The 39-year-old Duke admitted in 'Spare' that he had used marijuana, cocaine and magic mushrooms.

Last week, the Duke told Good Morning America: 'American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind but isn't something that's a high priority for me right now

He wrote that 'psychedelics did me some good' and has also described experimenting with the hallucinogenic Amazonian plant ayahuasca.

Harry described that as 'the cleaning of the windshield, the removal of life's filters.'

Biden officials have for months fought the case brought by Heritage, arguing that all visa applicants have a right to privacy.

The foundation is seeking 'all records within Prince Harry's alien registration file'.

That includes 'any applications for immigration benefits' and 'all records relating to any requests for waiver by Prince Harry'.

In a court document Heritage said: '[The case] comes about in the main because HRH [His Royal Highness] voluntarily - and for immense profit - admitted in writing to the elements of any number of controlled substance violations. (Indeed, some say HRH has approached the point of bragging and encouraging illegal drug use.)

At the federal court in Washington DC lawyers for Heritage also introduced a transcript of the GMA interview on February 16, 2024 'in which the Duke of Sussex discusses potentially seeking United States citizenship

'The Duke of Sussex did so despite the fact that it is widely known that such admissions can have adverse immigration consequences for non-citizens and despite employing preeminent legal advisers on both sides of the Atlantic.'

The DHS has previously stated publicly that foreign individuals coming into the country who admit to drug offences may be 'inadmissible'.

It rejected a previous request from the Heritage Foundation in June for Harry's records.

In court documents the department has argued that 'the mere acknowledgement of these records would constitute an unwarranted invasion of Prince Harry's privacy.'

Harry and Megan attend the Invictus Winter Games in Vancouver last week

'The records are particularly sensitive because releasing them, even in part, would reveal Prince Harry's status in the United States, which Prince Harry has not disclosed.'

It went on: 'Specifically, the records would reveal the types of documents that Prince Harry used to travel to the United States, his admission status, and any immigration, or non-immigration, benefits that he may have sought.

'Courts consistently hold that a person's visa or immigration status is private, personal information exempt from disclosure.'

Outside court Nile Gardiner, director of the Heritage Foundation's Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, slammed the U.S. government's argument that 'Spare' was not proof of drug taking.

He said: 'That's a ridiculous argument to me. This is Prince Harry's own work. In his own words. And he's never ever disavowed what was written in his book, including the instance of widespread drug use.'

Sam Dewey, a lawyer for the foundation, said: 'He put it in the book. It's his statement under the rules of evidence that's admitted. And we saw that when he was cross examined in the High Court, on statements in the book he didn't deny those statements.

'The government routinely examines people on things like books and assumes that they're truthful. So I think it was an argument that doesn't reflect the reality.

'He thought about it. He put it in a book. He put it out. And you don't really sensationalize a hard fact. You could write something to make it more interesting and an autobiography, but that doesn't change the fact.'

Dewey added he would be 'shocked' if Harry had entered the U.S. on a diplomatic visa.

If he had, questions should be asked in Parliament, he said.

Mr Dewey said: 'I would be shocked, and I think that would also implicate questions in Parliament.

'How would the Foreign Secretary and the Home Secretary have authorized that?'

He said those would be 'appropriate questions' for the Home and Foreign Secretaries who were in office in 2020, when harry arrived in the U.S.
Jordan appeared in El Paso County 4th Judicial Court on Friday with Public Defenders William Patrick and Nick Rogers

A Colorado Springs student who shot his roommate and woman in a campus dorm room had previously threatened to kill him for not taking out the trash - weeks before the heinous crime.

Nicholas Jordan, 25, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, felony menacing and committing a crime of violence in the February 16 murder of his roommate, Samuel Knopp, 24, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26.

Knopp, a talented musician, lived in the campus dormitory Crestone House at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs with Jordan.

A month before the double homicide, Jordan threatened Knopp telling him that he would 'kill him,' if he was asked to take out the trash again,' according to court documents that were released on Friday.

A report was filed with campus police and housing officials about multiple conflicts the pair had, including the latest threat, but there was no indication that university officials made any attempt to remove the suspect from the room, as per court documents.

Knopp had complained about his new, randomly selected roommate and was set to move out the day he died.

Public Defenders William Patrick and Nick Rogers (pictured l-r) are representing suspect Nicholas Jordan, 25, in El Paso County 4th Judicial Court, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Jordan was arrested on February 19, three days after the deadly shooting

Sam Knopp, 24, was a senior studying music, had complained about his new, randomly selected roommate Nicholas Jordan and was set to move out the day he died

Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, a victim of the double homicide, was not a student at the university

Chris Valentine, a spokesperson for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, said due to the ongoing investigation and federal student privacy laws, the university could not 'provide any additional information about the people involved in this incident.'

The new details about the shooting and the threat were included in an arrest affidavit that was unsealed by a judge after charges against Jordan were announced during a court hearing Friday at El Paso County 4th Judicial Court.

Jordan's lawyer, Nick Rogers, objected to the document's released, in part because he said his client - a junior studying accounting - would continue to be 'prosecuted in the media.'

Rogers did not address the allegations against Jordan during the hearing and tried unsuccessfully to have his client released from jail without paying any bail.

In addition to the trash incident, a third roommate who lived with Knopp and the suspect, told investigators that he and Knopp both made multiple complaints about Jordans 'living area cleanliness,' and his marijuana and cigarette smoking, the document said.

Jordan filed a request to withdraw from the university about 14 hours before the fatal shootings. His dorm room was empty when police arrived, court records said.

An electronic access number assigned to Jordan was used twice to enter the dorm building on Februrary 16, once just before 4 am. and a second time at 5.42 am.

A few minutes before 6 am, a surveillance camera captured somebody running out of the dorm building, the arrest affidavit said.

The warrant for Jordan's arrest was issued on the first day of the investigation, but he was not publicly identified as a suspect until his arrest Monday in a residential area of Colorado Springs, about three miles from campus.

Friday's court appearance was Jordan's first appearance in El Paso County 4th Judicial Court

A former teacher described Knopp as 'very outgoing, dynamic, present and very noticeable young guy who just seemed like he was going to have a terrific career in music'

The Crestone House dormitory is where the February 16 shooting took place

In addition to a gun that prosecutors said was found in Jordan's car, authorities recently learned that he also had a fully loaded AK-47, Robert Willett of the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office told Judge David Shakes.

Jordan had a temporary job and appeared to have all his belongings in his car when he was arrested, Willett said, arguing Jordan was a flight risk.

According to police, the other roommate reported the shots early on February 16, leading to the discovery of the bodies of Knopp and Montgomery in Crestone House, a dorm in a complex that offers apartment-style living for students.

Knopp 'was a senior studying music and a beloved member of the Visual and Performing Arts department.

He was an accomplished guitar player and an extremely talented musician,' University Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in a statement on Sunday.

Montgomery was not a student at the university.
A 24-year-old woman, who mowed down a cop in her black Lexus while high on marijuana, was indicted a month after being released on bail following the brazen attack captured on camera.

Sahara Dula was charged with a slew of crimes including first-degree attempted assault, operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs, and reckless driving, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg announced Thursday.

Dashcam footage shows her driving on the wrong side of the road before hitting the officer when he approached her, sending him sprawling over the hood of the car and into the road on January 17.

Dula, a drug safety mentor, spent only six days behind bars before posting bail set at $25,000, according to records from the Department of Correction.

As the officer struck by Dula continues to endure pain and remains unable to return to work, the charges brought against Dula have triggered backlash, with some saying it should have escalated to the level of attempted murder.

Sahara Dula, 24, who mowed down a cop in her black Lexus while high on marijuana, was indicted a month after being released on bail following the brazen attack captured on camera

Dashcam footage shows her driving on the wrong side of the road before hitting the officer when he approached her, sending him sprawling over the hood of the car and into the road on January 17

DA Bragg said: 'This defendant not only allegedly endangered the lives of countless people travelling on Park Avenue, but she deliberately sought to harm an NYPD officer.'

'We have no tolerance for this type of dangerous attack against police officers and we will continue to treat this matter with the seriousness that it deserves. I hope the officer who was injured has a full recovery and thank him for his service to keep New Yorkers safe.'

Court papers show Dula later admitted: 'I told the cop I wanted to go straight, and he wouldn't move, so I hit him. I did it on purpose.'

Dula slammed into the officer, who has not been named, at the same time NYPD officers were responding to a smash-and-grab robbery at a high-end retailer on the Upper East Side.

Several thieves made off with around $10,000 of clothes and expensive items, and fled in a vehicle before abandoning it several blocks away.

The chase led police to close part of the road, and with Dula slowly moving down the wrong side of the road, the officer approached her to order her into the correct lane.

A person can be heard in the dashcam footage yelling for the cop to 'be careful', seconds before Dula slammed on the gas and sent him flying over the bonnet.

Witnesses claimed to the New York Post that Dula, a Brooklyn resident whose lawyer said she mentors kids to stay off drugs, screamed at the officer immediately after: 'F*** these cops - it's a lesson to him and hopefully he doesn't want to be a cop anymore.'

According to her LinkedIn, Dula graduated from New England College in 2022 with a major in criminal justice and communications.

The footage of the incident then saw several other cops rush to the injured officers' aid, while Dula was promptly arrested and put into handcuffs.

Court papers noted that the officer suffered a broken leg and bruising across his body.

The moment came as NYPD officers were tracking down a nearby smash-and-grab group of thieves, and Dula tried to drive down the wrong side of the road

The driver then slammed on the gas, sending the officer sprawling over the bonnet of her car and into the road

Stunned witnesses rushed to the officer's help, with Dula allegedly admitting in custody: 'I told the cop I wanted to go straight, and he wouldn't move, so I hit him. I did it on purpose'

Once in custody, Dula reportedly confessed to the vehicular assault 'on purpose', with Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Lucy Shephard said during Dulas arraignment adding that she 'admitted to smoking marijuana' beforehand.

Shephard added that marijuana and rolling papers were found inside Dula's car.

The prosecutor sought a $100,000 bail for the 'egregious' attack, but a judge reduced the bail to $25,000.

Questions have been raised over why she was not charged with attempted murder in the blatant attack.

Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry on Friday said in a statement: 'Were glad that this individual is being kept in jail, but we dont understand why she isnt being charged with attempted murder.

'She tried to run down and kill a New York City police officer. She proudly admits it, but she still isnt facing the maximum penalty.

'This kind of leniency has led to thousands of police officers being attacked and injured.

'Were not going to let this case become just another statistic,' he continued. 'We will be following up to ensure that a message is sent  if you attack and injure a New York City police officer, you are going to face the full force of the law.'

Dula reportedly has prior arrests, including a March 2022 charge of criminal mischief from an incident near Brooklyn's Atlantic Terminal Mall where she smashed a property with a metal barrier.

The charges against her in that case were later dropped.

Dula's attorney noted that she mentors kids to help them stay off drugs, and she graduated two years ago with a degree in criminal justice

Dula had also been arrested in New Hampshire, including in 2020 when she failed to stop at an intersection and struck another vehicle. She reportedly tried to flee the scene but was apprehended.

At her court appearance, Dula's Attorney Patricia Wright said she was 'trying to move on from her ties to New Hampshire', which also included a separate arrest for assault at Concord Hospital.

Wright noted that Dula suffers from bipolar disorder, and also runs a company where she mentors kids with music to help them stay off the streets and away from drugs and gangs.

The building manager of her apartment in Brooklyn told the New York Post that she was unfriendly and gruff, and 'smokes a lot of weed.;

'She's like a rude person,' they said. 'Not smiling for nobody. All the time shes like that.'
A Connecticut church pastor charged with dealing crystal meth out of his church's rectory fled court on Thursday and local police are seeking his re-arrest.

Herbert Miller, 63, the reverend of the Woodbury United Methodist Church, was arrested earlier this month after being pulled over by state troopers in Woodbury.

The reverend attended Waterbury Superior Court court on Friday morning for his arraignment but walked out of the court around 10am during a break.

When Miller could not be located the prosecutor re-issued a warrant for his arrest.

Miller was stopped by state troopers who observed he was operating his vehicle with a suspended registration.

He was found in possession of crystal methamphetamine in both rock and liquid form, the latter of which was discovered in a hypodermic needle, ready for injection.

A Connecticut church pastor charged with dealing crystal meth out of his church's rectory fled court on Thursday and local police are seeking his re-arrest

Herbert Miller, 63, the reverend of the Woodbury United Methodist Church, attended Waterbury Superior Court court but walked out of the court around 10am during a break

Reverend Herbert Miller, 63, was arrested last week for possession of meth in rock and liquid form, as well as several other charges

Miller may have been hawking meth in exchange for watching gay couples have sex, the New York Post reported.

The allegation was reported by a local outlet, though neither the Post nor the Daily Mail have been able to independently verify the claim.

The police were reportedly tipped off about Miller's alleged illegal side hustle and apprehended him with the help of a cooperating witness who helped facilitate a drug deal.

Miller, who appears to have joined the Woodbury church as its pastor in July of last year, was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance, and use of drug paraphernalia.

He was released on $10,000 bail and ordered to appear before a judge in Waterbury Superior Court on February 23.

Miller will now be expected to return to court on Monday, pending the state of his re-arrest.

Miller has been scrubbed by his employer from the church website - the status of his employment remains unclear - but several of his previously live-streamed sermons remain up on the congregation's YouTube page.

In recent sermons, he appears to be missing some of his bottom teeth.

Miller has been scrubbed by his employer from the church website, but several of his previously live-streamed sermons remain up on the congregation's YouTube page

Miller has been the pastor at the Woodbury United Methodist Church since last July

From 2004 to 2018, he was employed by the Park Slope United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, where he was involved with communal social justice projects

Prior to his gig at Woodbury Methodist, Miller served as the pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Shelton, Connecticut.

Between 2004 and 2018, he was employed by the Park Slope United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, where, according to the church's website, he led the congregation's popular Sunday Dinner Program.

He also oversaw support the church provided to the Occupy Wall Street movement while it was going on in 2011.
Furious AT&T customers have stormed local stores demanding answers from clueless sales assistants over the recent network outage.

Video footage circulating TikTok revealed lines of frustrated customers seeking answers after the network outage affected at least 70,000 phones.

'Everybody going for the same s***,' one camera man said, while capturing the crowded store packed full of disgruntled patrons.

'That doesn't answer nobody's question,' said one confused customer to an employee at the counter who could not provide an explanation.

Other viral videos showed employees at a loss for words when customers approached, demanding answers. 'What do you want me to do,' one employee asked. '... Y'all can call corporate, Obama, Trump, Biden, go to Verizon.'

Earlier today, the company blamed its network outage that downed at least 70,000 phones on a 'software update glitch'.

Video footage circulating TikTok reveals lines of frustrated customers seeking answers after the network outage affected at least 70,000 phones

'Everybody going for the same s***,' one camera man said, while capturing the crowded store packed full of disgruntled patrons

The company blamed its network outage on a 'software update glitch'

There had been speculation that the issue may have been the result of a cyberattack, but the company said there were 'no indications of malicious activity'.

It remains unclear where the problem originated and, despite AT&T's assessment, both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FBI are investigating.

'Based on our initial review, we believe that today's outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack,' AT&T said.

'We are continuing our assessment of [the] outage to ensure we keep delivering the service that our customers deserve.'

It comes as tens of thousands of pharmacies across America are unable to get prescriptions to patients after a cyberattack on America's biggest health insurer, United.

The outage was first reported in the early hours of Thursday morning when customers were unable to make emergency calls, with multiple 911 centers reporting that users were unable to connect.

There were reports that other networks were affected, but this is thought to have been the result of failed attempts to place calls to AT&T numbers.

Cyber experts told DailyMail.com the issue had hallmarks of a cyberattack, potentially an attempt by hackers to blackmail the company or steal user data.

Other viral videos show employees at a loss for words when customers approach them demanding answers

The widespread nature, according to experts, seemed similar to 'a massive Distributed Denial of Services (DDOS) attack on core Internet infrastructure.'

Using DDOS, cybercriminals are attempting to crash a website or online service by bombarding it with a torrent of superfluous requests at exactly the same time.

The surge of simple requests overload the servers, causing them to become overwhelmed and shut down.

DDOS was deployed in 2016 when it knocked out major sites like Netflix, Twitter, Amazon and PayPal for hours.

But the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reported that 'the cause of the outage is unknown and there are no indications of malicious activity.'

While AT&T has said they are 'working urgently' to resolve the issues, customers have poked fun at the the service, which is considered one of the most expensive networks.

On social media, customers poked fun at the company over the outage with some making memes comparing it Netflix thriller 'Leave the World Behind', which involves a breakdown in all technology as part of the plot.

Other customers meanwhile expressed their disdain at the outage, and demanded refunds from the company.

There has been no official reason given for the widespread drop in service, which has in turn fueled speculation on social media that hackers are behind the blackout.

AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile users reported early on Thursday that they are having network issues nationwide and in Canada

According to DownDetector , over 70,000 customers had been reporting outages on the AT&T network

The largest number of issues was reported by AT&T users, which peaked at 51,000 customers without service before jumping to over 70,000 an hour later

One person said: 'SOS only. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon outage. Leave the World Behind trending?'

Another posted: 'Y'all ready to go and watch 'Leave the World Behind film now? Or you still holding out? AT&T/ US cellular outage/ SOS.'

Sharing a picture of Hunger Games character Katnisss Everdeen, one person said: 'Me after sending my final texts and leaving my WIFI riddled home to run errands on ATT's 'American's Oregon Trail provider' wireless network.'

Posting a video of a child on a swing while a fire burns around him, another person posted: 'Verizon users while AT&T users experience an outage.'

Another post states: 'T-Mobile, US Cellular, Verizon, AT&T all reporting nationwide outages, but I still have to hop on this Zoom meeting at 9am.'

While one other posted: 'Hey AT&T, did you try unplugging it, waiting ten seconds and plugging it back in yet?'

Despite some making fun of the situation, other users demanded that the company refund them due to the blackout.
A nautical archaeologist will present an illustrated lecture about the area's waterways Sunday, March 3, in Port Byron.

Art Cohn will present "Benedict Arnold and the Erie Canal: Historical Insights and Shipwreck Opportunities at 1 that afternoon at the Samuel Center for Canal History, 38 Rochester St., Port Byron.

Cohn, known for his research on underwater shipwrecks in Seneca Lake, will discuss "the cultural legacy of the navigable inland waterways that have been enhanced for almost 200 years since the 1825 completion of the Erie Canal," the center said in a news release. Cohn will also weave observations on the role of Arnold, the Revolutionary War hero and traitor, in the waterways' legacy.

Cohn is also a historian and educator at the University of Vermont and Texas A&M University. Last year he assisted the Canal Society of New York State, which owns and operates the center, with its acquisition of the historic replica canal schooner the Lois McClure. The vessel will go on permanent display at the Old Erie Canal Heritage Park in Port Byron, which the society also operates.

Admission to the event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit newyorkcanals.org.

Lois McClure, replica of 19th century canal boat, to be displayed at Port Byron park The final voyage for the replica canal schooner Lois McClure will end at the Old Erie Canal Heritage Park in Port Byron.
The U.S. military is tracking yet another balloon over the western United States, a year after a Chinese spy balloon provoked a diplomatic crisis.

The military dispatched aircraft to investigate the situation, CBS news reported, adding that it has not been determined to be a threat.

Like the spy balloon that entered U.S. airspace and slowly made its way across the U.S., the current balloon was spotted in Colorado.

The spy balloon that entered U.S. airspace over Alaska in January eventually flew over a U.S. military base in Montana. It wasn't until it was over the Atlantic that the military shot it down off the coast of South Carolina, citing security risks of downing it over land.

The U.S. military is tracking yet another balloon over the western United States, a year after a Chinese spy balloon (above) provoked a diplomatic crisis

That in turn provoked Beijing, which vowed countermeasures, adding yet another strain a relationship already battered by trade practices, tariffs, Taiwan, human rights, and China's ties with Russia before President Vladimir Putin launched his Ukraine invasion.

Republicans criticized President Joe Biden for not having it downed sooner. The incident prompted a period when the military shot down other unidentified objects.

The earlier incident forced Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a planned trip to China while criticizing it as an 'irresponsible act.'

President Biden faced a diplomatic crisis when a Chinese spy balloon traversed the country last year

The military scrambled jets to investigate the balloon

Navy sailors recovered parts of the spy balloon after a U.S. jet shot it down off the coast of South Carolina last year

Last year's incident brought forth information on a series of sightings

Last year's balloon incident preceded a series of shoot-downs, beginning with the Feb. 4 downing of the Chinese spy balloon

Biden in June said he didn't think 'the leadership knew where it was and knew what was in it and knew what was going on,' calling it 'more embarrassing than it was intentional.'

He then met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November in an effort to put the U.S.-China relationship on a firmer footing.

The White House and the Pentagon had no immediate comment.

The balloon is being carried east by the Jet Stream, which boasted near record wind speeds last week, allowing a Virgin Atlantic transatlantic flight to top 800 miles per hour.

It is crossing while Biden already has his hands full with other foreign policy challenges. On Friday he appealed to House Republican leaders to bring lawmakers back to vote on a stalled package to provide $60 billion to aid Ukraine.

He met this week with the wife of slain Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. There are reports Ukrainian forces are rationing ammunition while facing continued Russian attacks. And Israel's war on Gaza is leading to continued civilian casualties while posing political problems for Biden as he faces more primary election tests.

Last year's incident brought forth information on a series of sightings. Some earlier incidents were dated back to the Trump administration.

Last year's balloon incident preceded a series of shoot-downs, beginning with the Feb. 4 downing of the Chinese spy balloon.

According to a statement by NORAD, North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Federal Aviation Administration 'detected a small balloon at an altitude varying between 43,000-45,000 feet', military.com reported.

'The balloon was intercepted by NORAD fighters over Utah, who determined it was not maneuverable and did not present a threat to national security.'

NORAD said it would continue to track it and monitor the balloon. The FAA 'also determined the balloon posed not hazard to flight safety. NORAD remains in close coordination with the FAA to ensure flight safety.'
Prosecutors state that he has 'extensive foreign ties' including to Russian intelligence operatives

There will be a rehearing on Smirnov's release in front of a new California judge on Monday at 9 a.m. PST in Los Angeles

Smirnov was released from federal custody Tuesday evening but was arrested for the second time on Thursday

Special Counsel David Weiss charged Alexander Smirnov last week with lying about Biden after he became a presidential candidate

A federal judge is accusing FBI informant Alexander Smirnov who allegedly lied about Biden family bribes of working with his attorneys to flee the United States.

Smirnov was arrested for a second time in one week yesterday for being deemed a 'flight risk' after being released from federal custody.

And he may also be working with his defense team to 'facilitate his absconding' out of the U.S., District Judge Otis Wright wrote in an order Friday.

'It has come to this Court's attention that counsel for defendant has sought an emergency hearing in the District of Nevada to arrange the release of Defendant Smirnov, likely to facilitate his absconding from the United States,' Wright wrote without any further explanation.

He then ordered a second hearing on Smirnov's release on Monday at 9 a.m. PST, this time in Los Angeles, California. The defendant will have to be transferred by federal officials from Nevada to California in order to make the new court date.

Special Counsel David Weiss first charged and arrested him on February 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada, with lying about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden taking $5 million bribes from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

He was released from federal detention on Tuesday evening - against the recommendation of DOJ - with certain conditions attached including a GPS monitor and handing over of his U.S. and Israeli passports.

Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, left, walks out of his lawyer's office in downtown Las Vegas after being released from federal custody Tuesday, Feb. 20

Smirnov was released from federal custody with conditions on Tuesday evening

But he was re-arrested on Thursday morning after prosecutors insisted he was still a flight risk. His lawyers said he was 'improperly' taken into custody again while at their offices for a legal consultation.

Federal prosecutors insisted that he is 'actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections' and therefore urged the judge to throw him behind bars before a trial. They also say his links to Russian intelligence officials and access to over $6 million in cash should keep him detained, and also suggested his attorneys could be helping him escape.

Smirnov, 43, is accused of making a false statement and creating a false records for statements he made to the FBI in 2020 related to Hunter Biden's work on the board of Ukrainian energy firm Burisma Holdings. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Prosecutors revealed Tuesday in a bombshell court filing that Smirnov had 'extensive contacts' with Russian intelligence operatives and obtained information on the Biden family through ritzy events on super yacht and in hotels.

Federal prosecutors had argued that Smirnov should be detained because his foreign contacts could 'resettle Smirnov outside the United States if he were released' and he has $6 million in 'liquid funds' - so he could live comfortably.

'The effects of Smirnov's false statements and fabricated information continue to be felt to this day. Now the personal stakes for Smirnov are even higher. His freedom is on the line,' prosecutors stated.

'If he could not be trusted to report truthful information to his FBI Handler, he cannot be trusted to report truthful information to Pretrial Services.'

In the Tuesday afternoon filing, prosecutors detailed how Smirnov 'misrepresented' his assets by failing to disclose the millions he has on hand.

He personally has access to more than $2.9 million and his 'wife/girlfriend' who pays his personal expenses out of her own account has the ability to get more than $3.8 million.

And based on his 'weak ties' to the community in Las Vegas, he cannot reasonably be believed to remain in the area if he were to be released, prosecutors continued.

'Smirnovs anticipated travel from the United States, on Friday of last week, two days after his return, was for the purpose of meeting with Russian intelligence officials, among others,' prosecutors said.

But a federal judge allowed Smirnov to be released Tuesday evening following the hearing.

Smirnov did not answer questions from reporters as he departed from court.

The charges against Smirnov could undercut Republican accusations of bribery and claims Biden was benefitting financial from his son's business dealings in Ukraine.

DailyMail.com breaks down some of the most shocking allegations against the FBI informant who was central to the GOP's impeachment probe into Joe Biden. Smirnov was 'in contact' with Russian operative in charge of global assassinations.

Smirnov was 'in contact' with Russian operative in charge of global assassinations

In a shocking new filing Tuesday, prosecutors state that Smirnov, an Israeli citizen, has 'extensive foreign ties,' and his contacts with Russian intelligence operatives was 'not benign.'

The filing went on to say the 'false information' Smirnov passed on to the FBI from the Russian intelligence operatives was not 'trivial' because it 'targeted the presumptive nominee of one of the two major political parties,' referring to Joe Biden.

Prosecutors say his contacts were 'extremely recent' and he planned to meet with one official on his upcoming overseas travel.

Specifically, 'Russian Official 1' was disclosed by Smirnov to be the son of a 'former high-ranking Russian government official,' who 'controls two groups of individuals tasked with carrying out assassination efforts in a third-party country.'

In addition, the official has been described to have 'ties to a particular Russian intelligence service.'

According to the filing, 'Russian Official 1 offered to stop the assassination efforts in exchange for certain things, including an agreement by "Country C" to stop targeting civilian family members of certain Russian officials living in Moscow.'

The official allegedly provided him with 'specific information' about Russia's 'military resources for a winter attack in Country C.'

They also told Smirnov about the Russian governments 'intentions for their war in Ukraine,' according to the indictment.

'Fake' secret recordings of Hunter in a hotel he never visited in Ukraine

According to the filing, Smirnov wanted his Russian contacts to look into whether Businessperson 1 (Hunter Biden) was recorded in a hotel in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The hotel, the Premier Palace, was allegedly 'wired' and 'under the control of Russians,' according to Smirnov.

He claimed that Hunter went to the hotel 'many times' and that he had 'seen video footage of Businessperson 1 entering the Premier Palace Hotel.'

However, investigators said they 'know that Smirnovs new story is false' because Hunter never traveled to Ukraine.

'Smirnov suggested that investigators check to see if Businessperson 1 made telephone calls from the Premier Palace Hotel since those calls would have been recorded by the Russians.'

He claimed that he obtained to have learned this information from 'four different Russian officials.

He also said that the Russians 'want Ukraine to assist in influencing the U.S. election,' and the tapes of Hunter at the Premier Palace Hotel is 'all they have.'

The hotel, the Premier Palace, was allegedly 'wired' and 'under the control of Russians,' according to Smirnov

The luxurious Premier Palace Hotel in Kyiv, Ukraine

Smirnov claimed that Hunter went to the hotel 'many times' and that he had 'seen video footage of Businessperson 1 entering the Premier Palace Hotel'

Special Counsel David Weiss has charged a former FBI informant with lying about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden taking a $5million bribe from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma

Another contact ran an Russian intelligence operation at a hotel 'club'

Another, 'Russian Official 4,' apparently ran an intelligence operation at a 'club' located at a particular hotel, according to Smirnov.

Smirnov told his FBI handler that the Russian Intelligence Service 'intercepted cell phone calls made by guests at the hotel.'

'The Russian Intelligence Service intercepted several calls placed by prominent U.S. persons the Russian government may use as "kompromat" in the 2024 election, depending on who the candidates will be,' he continued.

Smirnov attended birthday party on mega yacht owned by Russian steel giant

According to the filing, in 2023 he was 'invited to and planned to attend the birthday party of an identified individual in the Middle East, "Country A," which would include activities on a mega yacht owned by a high-ranking member of Russias largest steel and mining company.'

Russian Official 1 was one of the individuals who also was expected to attend the birthday celebrations.

Another individual described as a 'high-ranking member of a Russia state-owned defense conglomerate' was planning to partake in the festivities.

Smirnov was 'invited to and planned to attend the birthday party on a mega yacht owned by a high-ranking member of Russias largest steel and mining company

The filing went on to say the 'false information' Smirnov he provided was not 'trivial' because it 'targeted the presumptive nominee of one of the two major political parties,' referring to Joe Biden

Smirnov's efforts to 'spread misinformation' about U.S. candidates continues

Special Counsel David Weiss warned that the former informant's efforts to 'spread misinformation about a candidate of one of the two major parties in the United States' is still ongoing.

He wanted the court to consider this fact and his previous conduct when 'evaluating his personal history and characteristics.'

'What this shows is that the misinformation he is spreading is not confined to 2020.'

'He is actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials in November,' prosecutors warn.

Burisma phone call about expanding business to the U.S.

According to court filings, Smirnov told the FBI in March 2017 he had a phone call with the owner of Burisma about the energy companies interest in acquiring a business in the United States.

In his telling of the conversation, Smirnov told the FBI that someone referred to as 'Businessperson 1' was on the board of Burisma and was also the son of an individual referred to as 'Public Official 1.'

Businessperson 1 is reported to be Hunter Biden and Public Official 1 is likely Joe Biden himself, although they are not named in the indictment.

Prosecutors included pictures of business cards for 'Burisma Official 2' as well as officials '3 and 4' that Smirnov allegedly messaged his handler in March and September 2017.

Prosecutors included pictures of business cards for 'Burisma Official 2' as well as officials '3 and 4' that Smirnov allegedly messaged his handler

According to court documents, Smirnov told the FBI in March 2017 he had a phone call with the owner of Burisma about the energy companies interest in acquiring a business in the United States

Hunter Biden was appointed to the board of directors for Burisma Holdings

In 2020, Ukrainian authorities said they have intercepted a $6 million bribe attempt at dropping a criminal investigation against the head of the Burisma natural gas company where Joe Biden's son once held a board seat

Three years later in June 2020, the indictment alleges Smirnov provided false information about Biden and Hunter after Biden became a presidential candidate.

At that time, Smirnov reported two meetings around 2015 and/or 2016.

It alleges Smirnov falsely claimed that during the meetings, executives associated with Burisma admitted to him that they hired Hunter to 'protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.'

He also claimed that they had specifically paid $5 million each to Biden and Hunter while Biden was still in office so that Hunter would 'take care of all those issues through his dad,' referring to a criminal investigation being conducted by the then-Ukrainian prosecutor general into Burisma.

According to the indictment, the events Smirnov reported in 2020 were a fabrication.

But Republicans have made the FD-1023 form in which Smirnov made the accusations central to their case to impeach the sitting president.

House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., attempted to downplay the indictment saying the informant was only part of a complex money trail involving the Bidens and foreigners they are working to unravel.

Smirnov is currently being held in a federal detention facility in Pahrump, Nevada

The charges against Smirnov undercut the Republicans' accusations of bribery and claims Biden was benefitting financial from his son's business dealings in Ukraine

The indictment states in fact, Smirnov had contact with executives from Burisma in 2017 after the end of the Obama-Biden Administration and after the then Ukrainian Prosecutor General had been fired in February 2016 when Biden had 'no ability to influence U.S. policy and after the Ukrainian Prosecutor General had been fired in February 2016.'

The indictment alleges Smirnov transformed his routine business contacts with Burisma in 2017 and later into bribery allegations against Biden after expressing bias against Biden and his presidential candidacy.

When Smirnov was interviewed by the FBI in September 2023, the indictment alleges he repeated some of his false claims, changed his story with other claims, and 'promoted a new false narrative after he said he met with Russian officials.'

House Republicans had seized on the FBI document alleging the $5 million bribe as part of their investigation into the president. The indictment undermines that key component in their case.

Following the indictment, House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, D-MD, called on House Republicans to end their impeachment inquiry.

'In a detailed indictment, Special Counsel David Weisswho was appointed by former President Donald Trumphas demonstrated how key evidence at the heart of House Republicans' impeachment inquiry is based on a lie,' Rankin said in a statement.

But House Oversight Republicans vowed to move forward with their investigation saying in a post on X they have reasons to do so that do not rely on the 'corrupt FBI or an informant.'
Police officers must use existing powers to protect MPs from protesters, the Home Secretary said yesterday.

James Cleverly said politicians should 'only fear the ballot box' as he condemned demonstrators who target MPs' homes.

He added that security minister Tom Tugendhat had written to chief constables urging them to step up after the Dorset home of Tory MP Tobias Ellwood was targeted by a pro-Palestinian group earlier this month.

Mr Cleverly's predecessor Suella Braverman was fired last year for writing a newspaper article suggesting the police apply a 'double standard' in their approach to Left- and Right-wing protesters.

'I'm very conscious that there has been increased pressure on members of Parliament,' Mr Cleverly said. 'Tom Tugendhat wrote to chief constables last week outlining the powers that we expect them to use to keep elected people safe.'

Police officers must use existing powers to protect MPs from protesters, Home Secretary James Cleverly (pictured) said yesterday

The Dorset home of Tory MP Tobias Ellwood (pictured) was targeted by a pro-Palestinian group earlier this month

Mr Cleverly told Sky News it was nonsense for protesters to deny they were seeking to intimidate MPs, adding: 'The only thing that MPs should fear is the ballot box' (pictured: protestors at Mr Ellwood's family home)

The MP for Braintree in Essex, Mr Cleverly wants senior officers to 'understand that they have our backing when they use those powers'.

He told Sky News it was nonsense for protesters to deny they were seeking to intimidate MPs, adding: 'The only thing that MPs should fear is the ballot box.'

However, the Government's political violence tsar has called for new police powers to disperse protests in some locations. Lord Walney, known as John Woodcock when he sat as an MP, said: 'We ought to be looking at those sites that are crucial to the functioning of democracy on a national or local level, like MPs' offices, like local council chambers, like Parliament itself'. Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, the peer called for 'an easier and a faster process' for police to 'disperse [protests] more quickly, which is clearly not happening at the moment'.

A forthcoming report by Lord Walney will propose legislating for democratic sites to have protest 'buffer zones'  similar to those around abortion clinics. This month the Home Office unveiled plans to toughen public order powers, with new measures making it easier for police to remove road-blocking demonstrators; criminalising climbing on war memorials; and banning masks and fireworks at demonstrations.

They will be introduced as amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill currently going through Parliament  but it is unclear whether Lord Walney's proposals will be drawn up in time to be included.

The Home Secretary added that security minister Tom Tugendhat (pictured) had written to chief constables urging them to step up after the incident at Mr Ellwood's house

Sir Lindsay Hoyle (pictured), who has faced calls to quit as Commons Speaker over his handling of this week's opposition day debate on a Gaza ceasefire, cited politicians' safety as a reason for his actions during an apology to MPs

A Mail on Sunday investigation revealed last week that Just Stop Oil activists are plotting a nationwide blitz to 'occupy MPs' homes' ahead of the General Election.

Two serving MPs  Labour's Jo Cox and Conservative Sir David Amess  have been murdered in the past eight years. Tory MP Mike Freer announced this month that he will stand down at the next election, after an arson attack targeted his constituency office last December.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who has faced calls to quit as Commons Speaker over his handling of this week's opposition day debate on a Gaza ceasefire, cited politicians' safety as a reason for his actions during an apology to MPs. Yesterday Mr Cleverly backed Sir Lindsay.
A sadistic cat killer is facing life behind bars for murdering a stranger as part of a warped sexual fantasy.

Scarlet Blake, 26, targeted Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, as he walked home alone from a night out in Oxford in July 2021.

She led him to a secluded riverbank before hitting him on the head with a vodka bottle, strangling him and pushing him into the water to drown. Blake, who is transgender, had a fixation with murder and killed for her sexual gratification, according to prosecutors.

The murder came four months after she filmed herself mutilating and dissecting a neighbours cat before putting its body in a blender as a Valentine gift to her girlfriend in the US. Blake had been inspired by the Netflix show Dont F*** with Cats, about a pet killer, and she grinned and meowed as she tortured the animal during a sickening live-stream video.

She remained free for more than two years after Mr Carrenos death and the case was blown open only when her now-former partner, a gun-obsessed trans escort, told police that she had confessed to the murder following a blazing row. A jury of five women and seven men yesterday reached a verdict of guilty to murder after deliberating for six hours following a trial lasting eight days. Blake will be sentenced on Monday.

Scarlet Blake pictured in Intrusion nightclub in Oxford. Blake, who is transgender , had a fixation with murder and killed for her sexual gratification, according to prosecutors

Blake's ex-partner Ashlynn Bell (pictured), a gun-obsessed trans escort. The crime went unsolved for two years until Ms Bell told police that Blake had confessed to the murder following a blazing row

Blake's victim Jorge Martin Carreno (pictured). Blake led the Spanish national to a secluded riverbank before hitting him on the head with a vodka bottle, strangling him and pushing him into the water to drown

Blake targeted Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, as he walked home alone from a night out in Oxford in July 2021. The murder came four months after she filmed herself mutilating and dissecting a neighbours cat before putting its body in a blender as a Valentine gift to her girlfriend

Following the trial at Oxford Crown Court, the devastated family of Mr Carreno paid tribute to a beloved son and brother and said his death had left an open wound in the heart of their family.

Detectives said Blake had been convicted of a barbaric and chilling crime, adding: There can be no beginning to understanding this senseless act. Two years after his body was pulled from a secluded stretch of river popular with summer bathers, the investigation into Mr Carrenos death was going nowhere until police received a phone call completely out of the blue that would lead them to Blake.

Even though the Thames Valley Police probe was officially still open, a coroner had concluded Mr Carreno had probably drowned while drunk.

Police appeals for the identity of a sinister figure in a military-style coat who was seen wandering the streets of Oxford with the Spanish engineer on the night of his death had yielded nothing. It was only when detectives received that transatlantic call from a woman who claimed to know what had happened that the case could be solved.

Blake was so confident she had carried out the perfect murder that she had boasted about it to her girlfriend.

But a blazing row between her and sex worker Ashlynn Bell  during which guns were pulled  led to police being tipped off about her confession.

The Mail can reveal that the case rested on information provided by Ms Bell, who didnt give evidence because prosecutors feared she would ruin their chance of a conviction.

Messages between the pair recovered by detectives showed a dark fascination with violence and death, with scarcely an exchange passing without reference to murder or self harm.

Blake's ex-partner Ms Bell (pictured) has a fearsome collection of military-grade weapons and equipment as well as a liking for Nazi memorabilia

Ms Bell said the combat jacket Blake wore to kill Mr Carreno had a serial killer musk after she had posted it to the US at her lovers request

Blake and Ms Bell met during the pandemic on Discord, a secretive online messaging platform. They joined an invite-only group dedicated to artistically rendered gore in which users would trade in sickening self-harm images

A sick picture captures transgender killer Blake relishing the moment she puts a cat in a blender. Blake put the cat in a blender as a Valentine gift to her girlfriend in the US

Photographs show that Ms Bell has a fearsome collection of military-grade weapons and equipment as well as a liking for Nazi memorabilia.

She also advertises herself on a website for trans prostitutes in Texas, where she charges $100 an hour for her services. Photographs on the site show her posing with an AK-47 assault rifle and wearing cat ears.

The pair met during the pandemic on Discord, a secretive online messaging platform. They joined an invite-only group dedicated to artistically rendered gore in which users would trade in sickening self-harm images.

The messages between Blake and Ms Bell recovered by detectives showed them openly discussing killing, including one in which Blake said: F*** I need blood, this is bad.

In another, Ms Bell said the combat jacket Blake wore to kill Mr Carreno had a serial killer musk after she had posted it to the US at her lovers request. Ms Bell has not responded to requests for comment. Photographs recovered from Blakes phone included a collage of female serial killers, while another entitled first date with me showed pictures of duct tape, a knife, rope and a gun.

A bizarre obsession with cats was also evident from messages and photographs, with Ms Bell pictured wearing a cat mask as she posed with an assault rifle.

When she was arrested, Blake stunned police by revealing she had an animal microchip implanted in her chest and said her details could be found in an online animal database. She insisted during questioning that she loves cats and hates animal abusers.

It was during one of the pairs many exchanges that Blake couldnt resist sharing details of how she killed Mr Carreno after targeting him as he sat alone in the early hours of the morning.

Blake with two security guards at Oxford Crown Court. Blake, who referred to herself as us and we during the trial, has used at least six different names, including Scarlet and Candy, who she said is still here. She is also known to have used pseudonyms to mask her identity when lurking in dark corners of the internet

Blake (pictured). It during one of Blake and Ms Bell's many exchanges that Blake couldnt resist sharing details of how she killed Mr Carreno after targeting him as he sat alone in the early hours of the morning

Prosecutors say Blake had a fetish for strangulation and was obsessed with violence and death. Jurors were previously shown a collage of nine female killers that was saved on Blake's phone

An image entitled 'First date with me' which showed pictures of duct tape, a knife, rope and a handgun had also been downloaded to the 25-year-old's phone, the court has previously been told

Sick picture captures moment trans killer puts cat in a blender before carrying out twisted murder which bares harrowing similarities to Luka Magnotta's real-life crime A sick picture captures transgender killer Scarlet Blake relishing the moment she puts a cat in a blender before carrying out a twisted murder in a chilling echo of a Netflix true crime documentary. Blake, 26, live-streamed the killing and dissection of a cat four months before she targeted Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, as he walked home from a night out in Oxford in July 2021. She had admitted dissecting the animal, removing the fur and skin and placing it in a blender but blames her former partner Ashlynn Bell. The court previously heard Blake had an 'extreme interest in death and in harm' and killed the family pet after watching a Netflix documentary called Don't F*** With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer. In the programme a man, Luka Magnotta, kills kittens before filming a murder. Prosecutors had alleged the cat killing was relevant to the murder trial as it shows Blake has a 'disturbing interest in what it would be like to harm a living creature'. Blake deliberately set out to kill after previously revelling in the slaughter and dissection of a neighbour's cat. While her death obsessed partner Bell watched from her home in the US, Blake live streamed cutting up the cat while it was still alive. A vet determined it would have been in extreme pain until its heart was ripped out. Police would later find the heart in a trinket box that Blake kept as a souvenir. It was only after Blake's arrest in August 2023 they discovered the cat killing video and her fetish for strangulation and they launched Operation Ingmar. Advertisement

The 30-year-old had been on a night out with colleagues on July 24, 2021  the first Saturday night after Covid restrictions were eased.

While the rest of the country had, like Mr Carreno, flocked to pubs and bars to meet friends after months kept apart, predatory Blake went out that night looking for somebody to kill.

The daughter of two respected doctors, Blakes arrogance was clear as she gave evidence at her trial. After killing the cat, she thought could get away with anything, including murder. And, for more than two years, she did.

But in April 2023 police received information from Ms Bell and were sent the combat jacket and sick photographs of a memorial to Mr Carreno that Blake had taken as a memento of her crime.

Detectives travelled to Colorado to interview her and Blake was arrested in August 2023.

Throughout the trial Blake sought to blame anyone but herself  her parents for her mental health problems, her ex-girlfriend for forcing her to kill a defenceless cat and, ultimately, an innocent man. Blake moved to the UK from China when she was nine and came out as transgender three years later, using a number of different names since then.

She went by Alice Wang while at school, but told the trial that she doesnt now as this person sort of stopped existing one day.

Blake, who referred to herself as us and we during the trial, has used at least six different names, including Scarlet and Candy, who she said is still here. She is also known to have used pseudonyms to mask her identity when lurking in dark corners of the internet.

One of these  Blood Moth  she explained is a metaphor for her obsession with blood and her attraction to damage like a moth is drawn to a flame. Ms Bells nickname was Murder Mutt. Blake was brought up in the leafy Marston area of Oxford, where she lived in a 415,000 bungalow in a quiet cul-de-sac. Her mother, Fang Chen, 60, is a former cardiac surgeon who is now a respected clinical research fellow at Oxford University. She attended the trial each day and showed no emotion as her daughter was found guilty.

Ms Chen came to the UK in 2002, first to London to study cardiology on a scholarship before taking a job in Oxford in 2006, around the time that Blake said she moved to the UK from China.

Her father, Henry, lives in China because of work but was present in court at the beginning of the trial.

Neighbours in Marston remember her as a quiet child doted on by her parents. But that changed in her teens when she dropped out of Cherwell School in Oxford.

One neighbour said: I did hear that she was bullied at school because she was a trans girl, and that led to her leaving halfway through the sixth form.

We used to see her with friends tinkering with cars in the garage. She was always very pleasant, but there were times when police would be called to the house. Her mum came here once to say she had been self-harming.

Blake was in the army cadets while at school, and she wore a combat jacket as she stalked the streets looking for a victim on the night she killed Mr Carreno.

She came out as transgender when she was 12 and this caused a strained relationship with her parents and caused a very large emotional rift.

Blake was given puberty blockers when she was 17 and also received hormone treatment from the age of 18 after a referral to the Tavistock NHS gender clinic. She is still receiving hormone replacement therapy but has been kept in a Category A mens prison.

Netflix true crime documentary Don't F*** with Cats tells the story of how Luka Magnotta, who killed kittens before murdering a student, was brought to justice. Before murdering Mr Carreno, Blake inspired by the Netflix show to put a cat in a blender

Prosecutors say Blake was searching the streets of Oxford looking for someone to kill, and found Mr Carreno who was unable to find his way home

The footage shows Mr Carreno, a Spanish national, trying to find his way home, and not realising he has dropped his wallet

Blake talked openly of her severe mental health problems. She was diagnosed with depression when she was a child and has taken medication to treat this ever since.

She claimed she suffers from dissociative amnesia and can scarcely remember anything from before the age of 12, although she admitted this has not been officially diagnosed.

Blake also claimed that she has a fragmented personality like a pie chart and uses different personas in different scenarios depending on her mood, including a cat that she uses to express joy. Despite her claims, Blakes lawyers did not call a psychiatrist or therapist to support her story.

A chronic insomniac who would often walk around Oxford late at night, Blake admitted to the court that she had a habit of drinking excessively and said she had used recreational substances.

Clearly intelligent, she would answer probing questions from the prosecution in a flat, almost robotic voice, and became animated only when explaining the uses of chemicals found in her bedroom or the specialist military equipment collected by Ms Bell.

Blake said she wanted to study medicine but didnt get the grades due to dropping out of sixth form. However she said she still harboured ambitions to become a doctor. Ive always been fascinated with human anatomy but I never got a chance to be hands on with it because that would be unethical, she told the court.

She had a contract for a job as a medical technician at Oxford University but never started. Blake also said she was volunteering for the Samaritans before her arrest.

The officer in charge of the murder case, Detective Superintendent Jon Capps, said the killing of Mr Carreno had been premeditated with total disregard and disdain for life and said there can be no beginning to understanding this senseless act.
Firefighters made the grim discovery of a body inside a property in what police suspect was a late-night arson attack.

The grim find was made after fire crews were called to a blaze in the northern Victorian town of Kerang just after midnight on Saturday.

Although the blaze at the Lilac Avenue property was extinguished, the single occupant inside could not be saved.

Firefighters made the grim discovery of a body inside a property in what police suspect was an arson attack (stock image)

The fire occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday in the Victoria/NSW border town of Kerang

A crime scene has been established as police look into the circumstances of the fire.

'Sadly, a body was found inside the property once the fire was extinguished,' Victoria Police said in a statement.

Arson and Explosives Squad officers and a specialist arson chemist have been called to the scene.

Police are urging anyone who might have information about the incident to come forward.

READ MORE: Ex-wife charged over death of Adelaide mum-of-two Krystal Marshall

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Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad and a specialist arson chemist will assess the site on Saturday morning.

Police are urging anyone with relevant information about the incident to come forward while the investigation remains underway.

Details can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
Abortion is poised to be decriminalised in an historic vote next month.

At present, women who end a pregnancy after the 24-week legal time limit and outside other permitted circumstances can be jailed.

But after a surge in police investigations polling suggests a majority of MPs think women should no longer be prosecuted for having an abortion after this point.

They will have the opportunity to vote according to their conscience on the matter next month, making it likely the law will be changed.

The move would bring England and Wales into line with Northern Ireland where abortion was decriminalised in 2019.

Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson (pictured) will bring an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to exempt women from prosecution if they have an abortion outside the limits

A Department for Health source said Health Secretary Victoria Atkins (pictured) had made it clear abortion was a matter of conscience for MPs and she would respect the rights of individuals to make up their own minds

The current law comes from the Offences Against the Person Act which was passed in 1861.

Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson will bring an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill to exempt women from prosecution if they have an abortion outside the limits.

It would not change the 24-week rule, and women seeking to terminate a pregnancy would still need to meet the conditions of the 1967 Abortion Act, which also requires the authorisation of two doctors.

Medical professionals who assist could still be prosecuted if the abortion does not meet the Act's rules.

However, women who end pregnancies outside these limits would no longer face criminal prosecution under the 1861 law.

The amendment has cross-party support, with polling suggesting less than one in four MPs back legal action.

It showed 55 per cent of MPs did not think women should be prosecuted for having abortions outside the time limit.

Only 23 per cent supported prosecutions, with the rest answering 'don't know', according to the YouGov polling for abortion provider British Pregnancy Advisory Service and shared with The Times.

Some 81 per cent of Labour MPs were in favour of decriminalisation, compared with 37 per cent of Conservatives.

There has been a rise in the number of women facing police investigation, with around 100 cases since 2019.

That surge has been partly attributed to the abortion 'pills by post' scheme, which was introduced during Covid for unwanted pregnancies up to ten weeks and involved just a telephone call with a medical professional to be prescribed.

Dame Diana told the Mail her amendment had support from six parties, including the Conservatives.

'Vulnerable women are being threatened with jail using a law from the Victorian era, which was passed before women even had the right to vote or sit as MPs,' she said.

The rise in the number of women facing police investigation has been partly attributed to the abortion 'pills by post' scheme, which was introduced during Covid for unwanted pregnancies up to ten weeks (stock image)

'Parliament has moved on and society has moved on.'

Rachael Clarke, of BPAS, which is campaigning to change the law, told the Times there was 'support for change from both sides of the house'.

A Department for Health source said Health Secretary Victoria Atkins had made it clear abortion was a matter of conscience for MPs and she would respect the rights of individuals to make up their own minds.
Rishi Sunak has vowed to stand by Ukraine 'until they prevail' as he marked the second anniversary of the war.

The Prime Minister declared that 'tyranny will never triumph' as he said Britain will do 'whatever it takes, for as long as it takes' to help them win.

Today marks two years since Russia invaded Ukraine and began a bloody conflict which has seen losses on both sides.

Mr Sunak said: 'When Putin launched his illegal invasion... the free world was united in its response.

'We stood together behind Ukraine. And on this grim anniversary, we must renew our determination.

Rishi Sunak (pictured, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy) has vowed to stand by Ukraine 'until they prevail' as he marked the second anniversary of the war

His poignant words came as Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron (pictured) addressed the UN in support of Ukraine, branding Putin a 'neo-imperialist bully who believes that might is right'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) said Britain would always support Ukraine no matter who was in power and said Mr Putin's 'cowardice and barbarity' would not prevail

'This is the moment to show that tyranny will never triumph and to say once again that we will stand with Ukraine today and tomorrow. We are prepared to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, until they prevail.'

READ MORE: David Cameron issues fresh message to US Congress as Foreign Secretary warns against 'fatigue' in helping Ukraine and claims Vladimir Putin will be 'back for more' in Moldova or the Baltics if he's not challenged now Advertisement

Mr Sunak, who visited Kyiv last month to sign a new security agreement and announce military funding, said that the UK was 'going further' in its support.

His poignant words came as Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron addressed the UN in support of Ukraine, branding Putin a 'neo-imperialist bully who believes that might is right'. In an appeal to the international community to continue to support Ukraine, he said: 'Two years on I recognise some want to rethink. There is a sense of fatigue there are other problems, a compromise might seem attractive. But this is wrong,' he said.

'If we allow this brutal dictator in Europe to redraw our boundaries by force, to invade other countries and get away with it, no country will be safe.

'If we allow Putin to eke out some sort of victory here, they won't just be cheering in Moscow, they'll be cheering in Beijing as well.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Britain would always support Ukraine no matter who was in power and said Mr Putin's 'cowardice and barbarity' would not prevail. He said: 'The UK and our allies will stand in solidarity with them.'
A 'Walter Mitty' police chief has been granted a private gross misconduct hearing after he was accused of wearing a Falklands War medal despite only being 15 at the time of the conflict.

Suspended Northamptonshire Police chief constable Nick Adderley faces an accelerated disciplinary hearing following claims he 'stole valour' and misrepresented his past by wearing a Falklands War campaign medal.

But Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire Stephen Mold announced on Friday evening that the hearing by an independent panel on Wednesday, February 28, would take place in private.

Mr Adderley, a 57-year-old married father-of-two, was among the frontrunners to take on the Met before Sir Mark Rowley became commissioner in 2022.

He is accused of wearing the South Atlantic Medal at a string of events including the Police Bravery Awards in July.

Nick Adderley faces a disciplinary hearing following allegations he misrepresented his past by wearing a Falklands War campaign medal

Mr Adderley would have only been 15-years-old at the time of the conflict with Argentina in 1982

Mr Adderley pinned the 1982 campaign medal to his chest  despite not joining the Royal Navy until two years later

Northamptonshire's police and crime commissioner said the decision to pursue gross misconduct proceedings against him was taken after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IPOC) produced a report which concluded there was a case to answer.

Video footage has revealed how Mr Adderley - who earns 165,000-a-year - flaunted the South Atlantic Medal, which was awarded to British military personnel who served in the 1982 war between Britain and Argentina.

A complaint was received from a member of the public, before a mandatory referral of the complaint was made to the IPOC who are now looking into the allegations.

'Stolen Valour' is the term commonly applied to the act of wearing military medals or decorations that have not been earned with the intent to deceive.

It is not an offence in the UK for individuals to wear medals or decorations that they were not awarded - but it is an offence to wear a military medal without permission, according to the UK Parliament's briefing on Stolen Valour.

A photo from 2020 appears to show brother Rick wearing his Falklands medal - despite Adderley claiming he was given it in 2013

Adderley wore the medal to multiple events over the years since his brother's emigration

Adderley pictured at the funeral for PC Nicola Hughes, who was killed on duty, in October 2012

British soldiers during the Falklands Conflict in June 1982, at which time Nick Adderley would have been 15

The IOPC said it will wait until the end of its criminal investigation into Mr Adderley before deciding whether to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether crimes were committed.

Mr Adderley previously said he was 'very proud of his Cadet, Royal Navy and Police Service', adding he also wears medals awarded to his brothers with no further clarification.

He said: 'I wear all my medals with pride and have always worn the two medals my brothers gave me to wear when one became critically ill and one emigrated, alongside my own.

'Having been made aware of this complaint, which has a private family impact upon me personally, I immediately took advice last week regarding the protocol and have changed the side of my chest on which these medals are worn.

'I look forward to providing the IOPC with a fulsome response at the earliest opportunity and I fully appreciate that they have a job to do.'

In a statement announcing the hearing would be held in private, Mr Mold said: 'On February 28, 2024, there will be an accelerated misconduct hearing to consider allegations of gross misconduct against Chief Constable Nick Adderley.

'Following representations made under Regulation 53 (3)(a) and 53 (3)(c) the chair has ruled that the hearing will be in private, and subject to reporting restrictions, until further notice.'

Mr Adderley's version of events have came under scrutiny in the past.

He claimed that he had served in the Royal Navy for a decade before joining the police force in 1992.

But court documents reported in The Sun show he held a licence to sell alcohol at the Hooton Arms pub in Wirral, Merseyside, from 1989 to 1990.

The police chief served in the Navy for two years, worked as a lorry driver and sold houses for six years as a civilian, according to contemporaries.

Mr Adderley took over as head of the Northamptonshire force in 2018 after joining the police service in 1992 and serving in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire.

Mr Adderley was suspended following the allegations made against him and the force has an acting chief constable, Ivan Balhatchet.

In 2021 Chief Constable Adderley was referred to the police watchdog following the tragic death of Harry Dunn after the 19-year-old was struck and killed by US citizen Anne Sacoolas, who then fled the country.

Internal emails showed he described the spokesman for the family as an 'issue'.
A lifeboat station has been out of action for six months after volunteers accused an RNLI staff member of 'bullying' and anti-English 'racism'.

They also say the charity 'effectively' sacked them over the dispute, in which a manager was said to have behaved inappropriately.

The base in Pwllheli, an upmarket town on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales, has been unable to dispatch rescue crews since August.

A key incident in the dispute was when a volunteer was left feeling 'unsafe', 'isolated' and 'very uncomfortable' when a paid staff member only spoke in Welsh while out on a 'shout', or rescue, during rough conditions.

They said: 'He knew I did not speak Welsh and I think he was doing it deliberately. I am not the only one in the crew who does not speak Welsh.'

Other volunteers raised concerns that the employee would make crew 'feel unsafe on board' as no one could 'challenge him, question him or go against him in any way'.

The base in Pwllheli, (pictured) an upmarket town on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales, has been unable to dispatch rescue crews since August

A key incident in the dispute was when a volunteer was left feeling 'unsafe', 'isolated' and 'very uncomfortable' when a paid staff member only spoke in Welsh while out on a 'shout', or rescue, during rough conditions

Heidi Bakewell, 48, a crew member of five years, said the issues could have been resolved if the station had 'strong leadership'

Last month, all volunteers were stood down amid what the charity called a culture of 'distrust and disharmony' at the base

The RNLI launched an internal investigation into the accusations, which were deemed 'unfounded'. However, it accepted there were 'learning points'  including around use of Welsh language.

But a group of seven volunteers criticised the charity, saying they received no other details of the inquiry's conclusion. 'They told us to verbally accept the outcomes or leave  or be forcibly stood down. We cannot appeal the outcome,' one said.

Last month, all volunteers were stood down amid what the charity called a culture of 'distrust and disharmony' at the base, as 'a last resort action to enable a full reset'.They were then 'invited to re-apply' for their positions.

Heidi Bakewell, 48, a crew member of five years, said: 'If we'd had strong management, they'd have sat everyone round a table and this could easily have been resolved. We have been effectively sacked, but unlike with a full-time job, we've no right to an appeal or arbitration.'

The volunteers also said minutes were not kept of investigation interviews or meetings between volunteers and management, against Charity Commission recommendations. However, an RNLI spokesman said that records were taken 'in all investigation meetings'. They added: 'During less formal crew meetings, actions would be recorded.'

The row followed the controversial departure of two senior volunteers from the station, who had decades of experience between them. Since the investigation, four other volunteers have quit in 'disgust'.

The RNLI said 'relationships had broken down irrevocably' at Pwllheli, making it unsafe to run a service. Last week, the charity said it was restarting training and hoped to resume operations next month, having re-recruited 19 volunteers.
A Catholic migrant shelter in El Paso has hit back at Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over 'baseless' allegations that the charity is running a human smuggling ring.

Annunciation House, a well-known and respected migrant charity in West Texas, has been accused of 'alien harboring, human smuggling, and operating a stash house' by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Earlier this week, the top prosecutor in the Lone Star State said he would shut down the non-profit by suspending its business license for refusing to hand over documents he wanted.

Flanked by El Paso's top elected and religious leaders, the director of Annunciation House Ruben Garcia called Paxton's actions an attack on Catholic groups doing the work of the Gospel.

'I personally am taken a back by the use of words like "smuggling." To call our houses of hospitality "stash houses." Is there no shame-- to refer to houses of God, house of hospitality as "stash houses,"' Garcia said.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton demanded documents from the Annunciation House, a migrant charity in El Paso, Texas on Feb. 7

Migrant children from different Latin American countries rest on cots inside one of several shelters run by Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton pictured on Feb. 16 leaving a Houston court hearing for a felony security fraud case that he's a defendant in

Annunciation House has been taking in migrants for 46 years, giving them a place to stay, meals and a place to wash up when they enter the US in El Paso after they have been screened, vetted and legally released into the country by federal immigration authorities.

Most migrants who pass through El Paso are not staying in the border city, with the vast majority traveling on the other places in the US.

Volunteers with Annunciation House also help connect migrants with friends and relatives who can buy the migrant's ticket out of town.

On February 7, the Republican state prosecutor sent lawyers to Annunciation House, giving the organization one day to turn over records 'without an explanation,' the religious group said.

'The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) reviewed significant public record information strongly suggesting Annunciation House is engaged in legal violations such as facilitating illegal entry to the United States, alien harboring, human smuggling, and operating a stash house,' Paxton's office alleged in its own press release Tuesday.

In legal filings, Paxton pointed to news coverage of Annunciation House, where the the organization admitted to housing 'migrants who avoided Border Patrol' when they illegally crossed the Southern border.

Migrant families are dropped off at an Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas after being processed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in December 2022

Annunciation House Director Ruben Garcia called Ken Paxton's actions 'immoral' and 'illegal'

Migrant children from different Latin American countries wait to receive food at a new center opened by the Annunciation House to help the large flow of migrants being released by the United States Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in El Paso, Texas on April 24, 2019

Asylum-seeking migrants are dropped off at Annunciation House in El Paso in December 2022 after being screened by US Customs and Border Protection

When Annunciation House's lawyer told Paxton's office it would respond in 30 days, the AG's office told the charity they would be shut down.

The non-profit sued to block Paxton's request for records and what their lawyer called 'government overreach.'

'Attorney General Paxton claims that he can walk into any business at any time and demand any documents that he wants-- including customer records, medical records, legal records,' Attorney Jerry Wasevich stated Friday.

'He claims that if the business does not comply to his satisfaction that he can permanently shut down that business in Texas.'

Actions by Paxton, a Republican, were largely seen as political by the Democratic leaders of Texas' sixth largest city.

'You mess with Ruben, you mess with Annunciation House, you're messing with us,' County Judge Ricardo Samaniego defiantly declared on Friday.

'We're going to show that is the line in the sand.'

El Paso has fought political and legal battles against the state's GOP leadership before, including during the pandemic over masks and closing down businesses.

Most recently, El Paso County sued the state over SB4, a Texas law that would allow local and state cops to stop anyone they suspected of being a illegal immigrant.

Courts have yet to make a final ruling, however, with the law slated to go into effect on March 4.

Local leaders warned that Paxton's intention was to shut down any religious group that was helping migrants - something many extreme-right politicians disapprove of.

'What we are seeing happening is part of a broader, terrifying assault on welcoming communities,' local Congresswoman Veronica Escobar explained.

'I can tell you that in the US Congress, the extreme, far-right members of the Republican party have done everything possible to eliminate local governments and organizations that are providing humanitarian care to migrants. I have heard on the House Judiciary Committee, Republican colleagues denounce and attack Catholic Charities and the Catholic Church.'

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, front left, talks with his defense attorney Anthony Osso, Jr., during a hearing in his securities fraud case , Friday, Feb. 16, at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. A judge on Friday rejected Paxton's attempts to throw out felony securities fraud charges that have shadowed the Republican for nearly a decade

Ken Paxton mega-donor Nate Paul was indicted by the feds last year. The Texas businessman at the center of an FBI investigation that he and Paxton entered into an illegal quid pro quo, with Paxton helping Paul with legal troubles in exchange for Paul hiring Paxton's mistress

Ken Paxton's affair with his former mistress, Laura Olson, is central to accusations Ken Paxton broke the law

Paxton has been under investigation by the FBI for years, with accusations of corruption and abuse of power. He also faces state charges in unrelated criminal cases.

In May, the Republican was impeached by the Texas House, with accusations of an illegal quid pro quo - that Paxton helped one of his wealthy donors Nate Paul in exchange for that same donor giving Paxton's mistress, Laura Olson, a job.

Paxton survived being removed from office, but he faces multiple criminal investigation in the Lone Star State.

Paxton's office did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.
A man was arrested earlier this week for allegedly keeping several people at a Cayuga County home against their will during a confrontation with police.

Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck told The Citizen on Thursday that on Jan. 9, members of his office located Chad M. McDonald, 50, of Newark, New York, at a home on River Road in Conquest to pick him up on warrants.

When contact was made with McDonald, he refused to leave the building and wouldn't allow any of the other people in the residence to leave, Schenck said. After a brief standoff, McDonald exited the home, went into custody and was turned over to the Newark Police Department.

The incident prompted an investigation from the sheriff's office and led to a warrant being issued for McDonald out of Cayuga County. After he addressed his charges in Newark, he was released Wednesday from the Ontario County Jail, where he was being held on unrelated charges, and went back into the custody of the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, Schenck said.

McDonald was charged with second-degree kidnapping, a class B felony, and is currently at the Cayuga County Jail.
When Russian forces invaded Ukraine, they planned to rip through the country and take it by storm. Instead they met extraordinary resistance which has led to the conflict still raging two years on. The defiance in the face of Vladimir Putin's brutal war has inspired the world. Here are some of the iconic images that define the Ukrainians' bravery...

Ray of hope: A Ukrainian soldier is bathed in light during Russia's brutal siege of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol

Putting their lives on the line: Members of the Ukrainian National Guard  armed with machine guns and kitted out with body armour  take up a defensive position on a deserted overpass in Kyiv, ready to do their duty to protect the capital against Russian military forces after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion on February 24, 2022

Helping hand: Soldiers assist refugees on a makeshift river crossing in the city of Irpin after a bridge was destroyed

Firepower to light up the sky: An artillery unit blasts Russian positions outside Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine in November 2022

Injured but unbowed: A woman in Chuhuiv after a Russian airstrike

Fresh hope: New mum Aleina gives her baby Snizhana a tender look in the maternity ward in Mykolaiv

Wartime love: Newlyweds Nastya Gracheva and Anton Sokolov pose for a picture in the ruins of Kharkiv

Sunset for fallen heroes: Ukraine flags flutter among the graves in the cemetery in Kharkiv

Poignant: A father says goodbye to his girl in Odessa

Our weapons are our truth, and our truth lies in the fact that this is our land, our children, and we are going to defend all of this. So this is what I want to tell you. Glory to Ukraine! PRESIDENT ZELENSKY

Rescue: Emergency workers carry an injured pregnant woman from a bombed maternity hospital in Mariupol

Battled-scarred: Mail photographer Jamie Wisemans picture of burnt-out vehicles in Irpin city

Braving the cold: Soldiers use a shopping trolley to evacuate an elderly woman from Irpin as snow falls in Ukraines bitter winter

Blown apart: A semi-obliterated administration block in the city of Mykolaiv

Masked and meaning business: Ukrainian servicemen keep their eyes peeled on patrol near their base close to the front line in the Donetsk region in February last year

Shelter: Civilians seeking safety during another air-raid alert in Kyiv

Devastated: Shelling killed at least 12 people sheltering in a theatre in Mariupol

Prayers for the dead: A ceremony at a mass grave in Bucha, the city where Russian forces massacred hundreds of civilians in the early weeks of the war

Honouring a fallen comrade: President Volodymyr Zelensky lays flowers on the open coffin of soldier Dmytro Da Vinci Kotsiubailo in Kyiv in March last year

Bloodied: A man is treated after a missile attack in Kharkiv last month
When you think of leaders in artificial intelligence, you probably picture sneaker-wearing, baby-faced Silicon Valley-types like Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman.

But one of the the biggest funders of AI is 77-year-old Blackstone CEO and Republican megadonor Steve Schwarzman - who says his favorite app is 'email.'

Schwarzman, who was still using a basic flip phone at the time, became enamored with AI in 2015, when the co-founder of Alibaba told him that AI is the wave of the future and would change job functions, drug development and education.

Since then, Schwarzman has invested more than $500 million dollars in the advancement of AI and has donated millions of dollars to Yale University to establish a center for AI advancements and to create the University of Oxford's Institute for Ethics in AI.

Steve Schwarzman has invested billions of dollars in AI technology, but still says his favorite app is email

Steve Schwarzman had a brief stint in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1970 before he headed to Harvard Business School

In the midst of concerns over an AI takeover, Schwarzman, who is worth $37.8 billion, is now working to promote AI and reassure the public that the technology is meant to assist with daily tasks, not to replace humans.

Schwarzman was in China trying to raise money for his Schwarzman Scholars program - a fully funded, one-year master's degree and leadership program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China - when he chanced an encounter with Jack Ma, the co-founder of ecommerce giant Alibaba.

The pair spent 90 minutes discussing the topic while on a bus to Beijing, when Ma told him that the effects of AI was 'going to be astonishing.'

'There's a lot of bad stuff that could happen, like huge unemployment as you replace people with machines,' Ma told Schwarzman, Forbes reported.

When Schwarzman returned to the U.S., he met with then-MIT President L. Rafael Reif and asked him why AI hadn't taken off in the U.S. when China's AI development was already well under way.

'I discussed with him the risk element, and the fact that the U.S. was falling behind, just because we haven't invested enough money compared to China,' Schwarzman told the outlet.

'It's not just AI. There are other technologies that have big security issues. Quantum [computing], for example, has the ability to break all encryption. Imagine a world where somebody can destroy your banking system and destroy your electric grid and take control of your nuclear codes.

'This whole computer science revolution has a lot of issues.'

Reif told him computers weren't powerful enough yet to adopt AI technology, but that they were working to rapidly catch up.

'I was concerned that the U.S. was falling behind on the most promising new technology in generations,' Schwarzman told The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, Schwarzman was also building what is today's leading investment firm, Blackstone, and Reif would frequently visit his Park Avenue office to discuss his plans to introduce AI at MIT.

Reif said he planned to hire twice as many MIT faculty and professors with experience in computing, biology, and business who also used AI to assist with their research.

Schwarzman was taken with the idea and donated $350 million of the $1.2 billion needed to fund the program.

Yet despite pioneering AI to make the world more equal, the United Nations accused Schwarzman of his company contributing to the global housing crisis in 2019.

The UN said Blackstone was exploiting tenants and 'wreaking havoc' in communities by drastically raising rent costs and charging heavy fees for repairs that has 'devastating consequences' for many tenants, The Guardian reported at the time.

Blackstone denied the accusations, saying the report contained 'numerous false claims, significant factual errors and inaccurate conclusions.'

Steve Schwarzman worked to pioneer AI technology, eventually donating $350 million in MIT's $1.2 billion plan to add faculty with AI experience

AI is on the rise and so are concerns that it will replace humans in the workforce

Schwarzman has also been criticized over remarks he made in 2010 when he compared then-President Barack Obama's plans to raise taxes to the conditions in Nazi Germany.

During a board meeting at a nonprofit organization, Schwarzman told board members that the tax hike is 'war.'

'It's like when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939,' he said.

Schwarzman later apologized for the comparison.

And although Schwarzman has been praised for his commitment for advancing AI by strategic investments in MIT, the New York Public Library, and the $7 billion data center alliance with Digital Reality Trust, it has been overshadowed by other, less admirable actions.

Schwarzman was part of a Blackstone Group forum established in 2016 to offer their economic expertise to then-President Donald Trump.

"You're doing profound things,' Schwarzman told Trump at a White House event in early 2017.

He added that Trump was 'taking on enormous, embedded issues and ... with the kind of effort that can be marshaled, you can do amazing things.'

Blackstone is desperately trying to shift Manhattan office tower at HALF price after 26-storey building's value tumbled from $605MILLION to $150MILLION Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman has waved goodbye to three-quarters of the firm's investment in New York's iconic 1740 Broadway Advertisement

The group disbanded in 2017 after it came under pressure to disassociate itself from Trump after the then-president equated white supremacists with Black Lives Matter protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Then, in February 2021, only one month after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, the Wall Street billionaire was criticized for backing Republicans who had attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Schwarzman was the third largest donor for Republicans who opposed the 2020 election and was the eighth largest mega-donor in the 2020 election cycle.

In stark contrast to his political ties, Schwarzman has also provided extensive donations toward AI funding and played an important role in the push for the Chips and Science Act in 2022  which set aside funds for quantum computing and AI.

Since hiring the first data scientist at Blackstone the same year he met Ma, that number has grown to 50 people who analyze data using AI to help the firm predict the demands for apartments and analyze data on LinkedIn to know which life-science companies might need employees and lab space.

'AI is going to dramatically change the ways we live and work,' said Blackstone's president and CEO Jon Gray.

'As a firm, we're devoting enormous resources to capturing this opportunity  both to protect investors' capital and generate higher returns.'

The company says it is not only investing in 'companies that harness AI, but also in the businesses that enable it.'

Schwarzman and Gray's efforts come amid global concerns that AI is growing so rapidly, it will eventually replace people in the workplace, but Schwarzman once again advocated for AI, saying there is nothing to worry about.

'Everybody involved in this technology [AI] that I know certainly wants the technology to be regulated to some degree because they don't want bad outcomes and they want all these good outcomes,' Schwarzman told Private Equity.

He continued: 'It's not supposed to replace you. It's supposed to make you more effective faster.'
Los Angeles won't be getting self-driving taxis quite yet.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has put a pause on self-driving car company Waymo's plans to expand its autonomous taxi service in the state.

The announcement comes a week after Waymo admitted that not one but two of its self-driving taxis crashed into the very same truck in Arizona back in December.

Waymo, which is owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, has had fully autonomous taxis operating in San Francisco since 2022, alongside rival Cruise.

The company had requested permission to deploy its fleet of driverless taxis beyond San Francisco in the Bay Area, as well as in Los Angeles.

But as of Wednesday, the CPUC has suspended that plan for at least 120 days.

On Tuesday, Johan Forssell, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, took a ride in a fully autonomous Waymo taxi in San Francisco. The next day, California regulators nixed the company's plan to expand.

An array of cameras on the exterior of Waymo's autonomous taxis are supposed to prevent accidents. But at least two have been involved in crashes recently.

'Since Waymo has stalled any meaningful discussions on its expansion plans into Silicon Valley, the CPUC has put the brakes on its application to test robotaxi service virtually unfettered both in San Mateo and Los Angeles counties,' San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Vice President David J. Canepa told television station KTVU in a statement.

READ MORE: Waymo self-driving car in 'autonomous mode' with a driver behind the wheel hits and kills dog in San Francisco The company was careful to note the dog was off its leash. Advertisement

'This will provide the opportunity to fully engage the autonomous vehicle maker on our very real public safety concerns that have caused all kinds of dangerous situations for firefighters and police in neighboring San Francisco.'

Nobody was in the cars at the time of the Arizona crash in December, according to the company.

The cars' camera sensors had allegedly misjudged the truck's location - twice.

Waymo issued a recall last week when it announced the findings in a blog post.

The company blamed the tow truck for having its towed pickup truck improperly secured.

Another Waymo car, this one with a driver behind the wheel but in autonomous mode, killed a dog in June of last year.

In the first quarter of 2023, there were 87 traffic incidents involving Waymo and General Motors-owned Cruise.

And earlier this month during Lunar New Year celebrations, San Franciscans torched a Waymo taxi with fireworks.

The driverless car had gotten 'confused' by revelers' fireworks and came to a standstill in the middle of the road, where it refused to budge.

Locals torched this Jaguar owned by Waymo on February 10 during Lunar New Year celebrations in San Francisco

The car came to a dead stop, blocking the road, after getting 'confused' by fireworks. The windows were smashed, and fireworks were thrown in

An angry crowd set the car ablaze.

Nobody was inside as a rowdy throng of people smashed the windshield before one person chucked fireworks inside.

Partly a senseless act of vandalism, the incident also highlighted the city's simmering hostility to the autonomous vehicles, which many locals say have been deployed before they are safe.

Leaders from San Mateo and San Francisco, including Canepa, wrote letters of protest to the CPUC last week after learning that Waymo planned to expand its coverage.

A similar suspension happened before Waymo was eventually allowed to launch in San Francisco, though, so this may not be the end of the saga.

On February 7, a Waymo driverless taxi struck a bicyclist in San Francisco.
Privacy experts are sounding the alarm on a new satellite capable of spying on your every move that is set to launch in 2025.

The satellite, created by startup company Albedo, is so high quality it can zoom in on people or license plates from space, raising concerns among expert that it will create a 'big brother is always watching' scenario.

Albedo claims the satellite won't have facial recognition software but doesn't mention that it will refrain from imaging people or protecting people's privacy.

Albedo signed two separate million-dollar contracts with the U.S. Air Force and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center to help the government monitor potential threats to U.S. national security.

Albedo claims the satellite won't have facial recognition software but doesn't mention that it will refrain from imaging people or protecting people's privacy.

The company raised $35 million last month to commercialize its Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite, in addition to the $48 million it raised in September 2022.

Albedo co-founder, Topher Haddad, said he and his team hope to eventually have a fleet of 24 spacecraft.

'This is a giant camera in the sky for any government to use at any time without our knowledge,' Jennifer Lynch, general counsel of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told the New York Times.

'We should definitely be worried.'

'It's taking us one step closer to a Big-Brother-is-watching kind of world,' added Jonathan C. McDowell, , a Harvard astrophysicist.

Albedo was founded in 2020 and started building its satellites the following year with its close-up technology made possible by the Trump administration's steps to relax government regulations on civil satellite resolution in 2018.

Then-President Donald Trump updated the U.S. Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices and created new guidelines for satellite design and operations.

Under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) previous regulations, it was illegal to build a satellite could see less than 30 centimeters - at that range it could only identify cars and homes, but not individual people.

But under Trump's new directive, satellites were allowed to track objects in space about the size of 10 centimeters, which would improve how the Air Force could catalogue objects.

The satellites use Nighttime Thermal Infrared Imaging to determine if an object is passive or active and if it's moving

The majority of satellites are orbiting about 160 km (100 miles) to 2,000 km (1,242 miles) away from Earth, and all can currently home in on objects that are about 30 centimeters (one foot) in diameter.

From this distance, satellites can only view things like street signs and the tail numbers on aircraft, but Albedo aims to zoom in even closer.

The company's satellites will create images that are only 10 centimeters (four inches) in diameter, with telescope mirrors that are polished to the size of 1/1000 the size of a human hair.

Albedo's satellites will orbit as low as 100 miles away from Earth's surface and could be used for life-saving measures like helping authorities map disaster zones. Experts are concerned that they will instead be used to track individuals and affect people's privacy

The smaller centimeter imagery means the images won't be as pixelated, allowing those using the satellite to view objects, places, and people with more accuracy.

The satellites will orbit as low as 100 miles away from Earth's surface and could be used for life-saving measures like helping authorities map disaster zones.

Albedo's satellites use an intuitive interface to monitor and track trends for its existing imagery and its cloud-centric delivery pipeline can collect information in under an hour.

Haddad addressed concerns that the satellites would destroy people's right to privacy in a public forum, writing that the company is 'acutely aware of the privacy implications and potential for abuse/misuse,' and expects it to be 'an ongoing, evolving issue over time.'

He confirmed that the satellite's 10-centimeter resolution will be able to identify people but claimed the company will only approve customers on a case-by-case basis and will build 'robust internal tools to find bad actors, as well as the obvious measures of adding punitive clauses to our terms and conditions.'

In March 2022, Albedo received a $1.25 million contract with the U.S. Air Force for the second phase of development to determine if the satellites could identify missile tubes on warships, hardware on electronics vans, and fairings on fighter jets.

The company also said its satellites can help governments 'monitor hotspots, eliminate uncertainty, and mobilize with speeds.'

Albedo's satellites will hover only 100 miles away from the Earth's surface and will capture small details like missile tubes on warships, hardware on electronics vans, and fairings on fighter jets.

In April 2023, Albedo signed another $1.25 million contract with the National Air and Space Intelligence Center  which assesses foreign threats  for Nighttime Thermal Infrared Imaging that combines visible and thermal imagery to detect if an object is active or passive and if its moving or stationary.

'We're committed to accelerating the Air Force and Space Force's ability to understand its performance against our problem sets and apply our capabilities on-orbit,' said Joseph Rouge, U.S. Space Force Deputy Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.

'Nighttime thermal infrared imaging can help our intelligence analysts, warfighters, decision-makers, and field operators solve complex emerging threats day and night,' he added.

Then in December, the company signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the National Reconnaissance Office to use the satellite's thermal infrared data to provide 'geospatial intelligence for climate, food security and the environment through daily surface temperature data and analytics.'

Satellite can see inside your apartment Fact-box text A new satellite is orbiting the Earth that is capable of snapping high resolution images of nearly any place on our planet  and is powerful enough to penetrate the walls of buildings. Pictured is a detailed image of Chiyoda City skyscrapers in Tokyo Advertisement

Haddad claimed the technology will help curb climate change by showing which regions are most affected, while also saying it 'can be simultaneously used to support our national defense mission and mitigate our global environmental/climate crisis.'

The latter reasoning is alarming to experts who say that while VLEO satellites can be helpful in some scenarios, the potential for overreach and human rights violations is increasingly concerning.

John Pike, the director of Global Security.org told the New York Times that Albedo is downplaying the potential effects of creating a satellite that can make out human forms.

'You're going to start seeing people,' he told the outlet. 'You're going to see more than dots.'

In the past, private satellites have proved useful for research and commercial use and helped the government with issues including 'tracking global oil stockpiles, measuring deforestation in the Amazon, and identifying boats engaged in illegal fishing,' according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

'They have also been used to illuminate human rights abuses, providing evidence of labor camps in North Korea and Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria,' it added when addressing proposed rules for licensing private satellites.

But the EFF said that aside from these positive uses, more detailed satellites could infringe on human rights, saying: 'The same technology that exposes human rights abuses can also be used to perpetuate them.'

Experts fear that this could mean privacy will become a thing of the past and government agencies will be able to view anyone, anytime, anywhere without their knowledge.

'This is a giant camera in the sky for any government to use at any time without our knowledge,' Jennifer Lynch, the EFF general counsel, told the New York Times, adding: 'We should definitely be worried.'
A privately built spacecraft has landed safely on the moon, marking the first time the US has reached the lunar surface since the end of the Apollo era 50 years ago.

Odysseus, a $118 million uncrewed lander built by Intuitive Machines, made a soft landing near the moon's south pole at 6:24pm ET last night.

During its 73-minute descent, Odysseus, or Oddie, slowed down from speeds of 4,000mph (6,500kph) to make a soft landing in an area pockmarked with craters.

However, the mission nearly ended in failure when the craft was forced to switch to an experimental navigation system mid-landing.

'I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the on the surface, and we are transmitting. Welcome to the moon,' said Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus.

Intuitive Machines and NASA employees celebrate as the Odysseus lander made the first successful American moon landing in over 50 years

Odysseus, a $118 million uncrewed lander built by Intuitive machines, made a soft landing near the moon's south pole at 6:24 pm ET last night

READ MORE: NASA-backed Odysseus craft lands on south pole of moon in first US expedition since 1972 as it prepares to drill for water Advertisement

Six days ago, Oddyseus was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The uncrewed craft had been circling the moon about 57 miles above the surface since reaching orbit on Wednesday.

Odie remained 'in excellent health' as it continued to orbit the moon, roughly 239,000 miles from Earth, transmitting flight data and lunar images to Intuitive Machines' mission control center in Houston, the company said on Wednesday.

But, as it moved into the final stages of the operation, Oddie's handlers discovered that the laser range-finders weren't working.

This vital system is what allows the craft to determine how far it is above the lunar surface and can make the difference between a soft landing and a crash.

Odysseus, or Odie (pictured) was launched six days ago aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 before making the 385,000 km (239,000 mile) journey to the moon

Odysseus was partly funded by NASA who paid to put scientific equipment aboard but also carried a number of other objects including 125 miniature sculptures by Jeff Koons

Using a last-minute software patch the engineers were able to convert NASA's experimental Navigation Doppler Lidar, which was being carried in the payload, to take on the job.

At 6:11pm EST, Odysseus fired its engine for the crucial 11-minute burn, decelerating from 4,000mph (6,500kph) to just 2.2mph (3.5kph), 33ft above the surface.

Having slowed its fall, Oddie landed safely on the rim of the giant Malapert A crater about 190 miles (300km) north of the moon's South Pole.

After 15 tense minutes, the crew back on Earth finally received Oddie's signal, confirming that the landing had been a success.

Shortly after receiving the signal, Mission director Tim Crain said: 'What we can confirm without a doubt is, our equipment is on the surface of the moon and we are transmitting.

'Houston, Odysseus has found its new home.'

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson added, in a statement on X, that Odysseus had 'aced the landing of a lifetime.'

Odysseus moon lander is the first privately build lander to make a soft landing on the moon. Pictured here is a diagram showing the key technical details

The scale of this challenge is highlighted by the recent failures of other landing attempts. Pictured: the locations of the previous moon landings

In a statement posted to X, Intuitive Machines said: 'After troubleshooting communications, flight controllers have confirmed Odysseus is upright and starting to send data.

'Right now, we are working to downlink the first images from the lunar surface.'

There are currently no images or footage of the lander on the moon, but these are expected to follow.

External 'EagleCam' that was supposed to shoot out from the spacecraft during its final seconds of descent could be released.

The landing attempt was live streamed on NASA TV so it is not clear why there has been a delay in receiving images from the lander.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson added, in a statement on X, that Odysseus had 'aced the landing of a lifetime'

This chart shows possible sites for mining on the moon's South Pole. Locations of water are shown in blue while key locations for helium and rare earth metals are numbered

The landing marks the first time since 1972 with the last Apollo mission that an American craft has made a successful landing on the moon.

Although the lander was built by Intuitive Machines, NASA partly funded the operation by buying cargo space aboard Odysseus.

This also marks the first moon landing using a rocket from Elon Musk's SpaceX, which was paid $130m (103m) by Intuitive Machines for the launch.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a video congratulating all involved: 'We've taken the moon.

'Today for the first time in more than a half-century, the US has returned to the moon.

'Today is a day that shows the power and promise of NASA's commercial partnerships,' he added.

'Congratulations to everyone involved in this great and daring quest.'

The $118million unmanned Odysseus touched down at 6:24pm ET at a crater called Malapert A near the moon's south pole, having slowed down from 4,000mph

This image provided by Intuitive Machines shows its Odysseus lunar lander over the near side of the moon following lunar orbit insertion on Wednesday

The six-legged robot lander touched down at 5:30pm ET at a crater called Malapert A (pictured) near the moon's south pole

The scale of this challenge is highlighted by the recent failures of other landing attempts.

Odie's mission comes one month after another private company tried and failed to land on the moon.

Astrobotic Technology attempted to bring America back to the lunar surface with its Peregrine, but the lander suffered a propulsion system leak on its way shortly after being placed in orbit.

More recently, the Japanese SLIM lander successfully touched down on the moon but ended up stuck upside down due to an engine failure during landing.

The mission was made yet more difficult by Intuitive Machine's choice of landing site.

The Malapert A Crater is a rocky area pockmarked with craters which could destabilise or topple a lander.

However, it is also believed that this region near the moon's south pole could be rich in frozen water that could be essential to a future lunar base.

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Odysseus is carrying equipment from NASA designed to gather information about the area which has been chosen as the landing site for the space agency's crewed Artemis III mission in 2026.

The NASA payload will focus on collecting data on space weather interactions with the moon's surface, radio astronomy and other aspects of the lunar environment.

Intuitive Machines nicknamed its lander after Homer's hero in 'The Odyssey,' or 'Odie' for short.

'Godspeed, Odysseus. Now lets go make history,' said Trent Martin, vice president of space systems.

Only five countries - the US, Russia, China, India and Japan - have scored a lunar landing and no private business has yet done so.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from launch pad LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center with the Intuitive Machines' Nova-C moon lander mission, in Cape Canaveral

The United States has not returned to the moon's surface since the Apollo program ended more than five decades ago.

'There have been a lot of sleepless nights getting ready for this,' Intuitive Machines co-founder and chief executive Steve Altemus said before the flight.

The current mission 'will be one of the first forays into the south pole to actually look at the environmental conditions to a place we're going to be sending our astronauts in the future,' said senior NASA official Joel Kearns.

'What type of dust or dirt is there, how hot or cold does it get, what's the radiation environment? These are all things you'd really like to know before you send the first human explorers.'
It's the strongest solar flare since the massive flurry back in September 2017

It looks like a flash of bright light in the reflection of a car window.

But a stunning new image from NASA actually shows a massive solar flare  a powerful explosion in the sun's atmosphere.

The dramatic event occurred at 22:34 GMT (17:34 EST) on Thursday and was captured by NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the sun constantly.

Experts say the resulting radiation directed at Earth could impact power grids and navigation signals, or pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts, although it could also cause beautiful auroras in the sky.

It's the most powerful solar flare for seven years, since a flurry in September 2017 caused radio blackouts for hours.

NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare (as seen in the bright flash in the upper left) on February 22, 2024. The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in bronze

What are solar flares? A solar flare is a tremendous explosion on the sun that happens when energy stored in 'twisted' magnetic fields is suddenly released. In mere minutes they heat material to many millions of degrees and produce a burst of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to X-rays and gamma rays. It's different from a coronal mass ejection (CME), which flings out solar material in the form of huge bubbles of charged particles (plasma) threaded with magnetic field lines. Source: ESA Advertisement

As NASA explains, solar flares are 'powerful bursts' of high-energy radiation from the sun's surface that can cause disturbances on Earth.

'Flares and solar eruptions can impact radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts,' the agency says.

Generally, experts describe the strength of solar flares by giving them a letter (from A, B, C, M, and X) followed by a number (from 1 to 9).

This new flare is classified as an X flare, meaning it is the biggest type that can trigger radio blackouts around the whole world and long-lasting radiation storms in the upper atmosphere.

This one is X6.3, not quite as large as the flurry of massive solar flares in September 2017, which included an X9.3 and an X8.2.

A study in the journal Space Weather later concluded that the 2017 flares damaged radio communications during hurricane response efforts in the Caribbean.

This week's X6.3 solar flare is also the largest of three that have occurred since Wednesday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The X6.3 solar flare is also the largest of three that have occurred since Wednesday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The new NASA's image also reveals a dark 'coronal hole' on the sun further south, which appears as a big dark patch

NASAs Solar Dynamics Observatory captured these images of a solar flare  as seen in the bright flashes in the upper left area of the Sun  on February 21 and 22. The images show a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in teal

READ MORE How space weather could spark travel CHAOS in Britain The sun constantly sheds solar material into space (artist's impression) Advertisement

The other two were X1.8 and X1.7  so while they were also X-class flares they weren't quite as powerful.

It's unclear what damage they have caused, if any; MailOnline has contacted NASA for more.

According to Royal Museums Greenwich, it typically takes two days after the flare is seen on the Sun for the particles to reach Earth.

Upon their arrival, these particles can result in an aurora  a spectacular flash of vibrant coloured lights in the sky viewable near the Earth's poles.

Met Office expects the aurora to be viewable non Sunday in the far north of Scotland and similar geomagnetic latitudes 'under favorable viewing conditions'  i.e. free of cloud and light pollution.

Solar flares are different from coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which fling out solar material in the form of huge bubbles of charged particles (plasma) threaded with magnetic field lines.

But both can be responsible for the aurora, also known as the Northern Lights or 'aurora borealis' in the northern hemisphere and the Southern Lights or 'aurora australis' in the southern hemisphere.

The new NASA's image also reveals a dark 'coronal hole' on the sun further south, which appears as a big dark patch.

Coronal holes  a common occurrence on the sun  are areas of open magnetic field from which high speed solar wind rushes out into space.

They also cause auroras and disruptions to Earth's communication systems.

Sunday: A Met Office animation shows the auroral oval - the ring-like range of auroral activity that determines the range of the Northern Lights and where it will be most visible

The Northern Lights seen above St Leonard's Head in St Andrews, Scotland, February 27, 2023

A solar flare is a tremendous explosion on the sun that happens when energy stored in 'twisted' magnetic fields is suddenly released (file photo)

NOAA also said the X6.3 solar flare is the largest to have taken place so far during the current solar cycle.

The solar cycle is the cycle that the sun's magnetic field goes through about every 11 years, before it completely flips and the sun's north and south poles switch places.

The current solar cycle, numbered 25, started in 2019 and is expected to continue until about 2030.

As the sun's magnetic fields change, so does the amount of activity on our star's surface, according to NASA.

Although the sun's otherwise violent surface takes on a calmer and almost idyllic appearance during solar minimum, this faux calm can also lead to disturbances on the sun known as solar storms.

Solar storms during this solar minimum still occur due to the occurrence of solar flares  explosions on the sun when energy stored in 'twisted' magnetic fields is released.

The solar minimum is also when the sun has the fewest 'sunspots'  cooler parts of the sun's surface caused by massive changes in its magnetic field.

But over time, solar activity and the number of sunspots increases as it approaches the solar maximum.
Scientists announced Friday that they have discovered the fossilized remains of a 240-million-year-old water-dwelling reptile dubbed the 'Chinese dragon.'

The ancient creature was named because of its long, snake-like appearance - as well as the fact that the Scottish team behind the discovery found it in China.

Though the fossilized skeleton was found curled up, measurements indicated that the creature was probably about five meters long, or 16.4 feet from nose to tail.

Its bones were not the only ones in the paleontological find, though.

The well-preserved bones of fish were also found in its stomach region, suggesting that it was an aquatic predator.

Scientists have named the prehistoric creature Dinocephalosaurus orientalis. The first name means 'terrible-headed lizard,' and the second part refers to the fact that it was found in East Asia

READ MORE: Fossil of crocodile ancestor shows first ever evidence of live birth in an animal thought ONLY to lay eggs A fossilized embryo was found inside the rib cage of its mother. Advertisement

The creature, whose scientific name is Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, had an extraordinarily long neck.

Scientists counted a whopping 32 separate neck vertebrae bones.

Nick Fraser, keeper of natural sciences at National Museums Scotland, told BBC News that the specimen is 'a very strange animal.'

For comparison, most mammals have just seven neck vertebrae, and even the famously long-necked dinosaur brachiosaurus had just 13.

This unique anatomy made the animal's neck longer than its body and its tail combined.

With its long neck, Dinocephalosaurus orientalis draws a comparison to another strange marine reptile called Tanystropheus hydroides, scientists said.

This prehistoric beast lived at the same time - the Middle Triassic - in modern-day Europe and China.

'Both reptiles were of similar size and have several features of the skull in common, including a fish-trap type of dentition,' according to a statement. 'However, Dinocephalosaurus is unique in possessing many more vertebrae both in the neck and in the torso, giving the animal a much more snake-like appearance.'

Scientists suspect that the Chinese dragon was a stealth hunter. Previous evidence suggests that the reptile gave live birth, unlike most reptiles

The Chinese dragon was originally identified in 2003, but it was not until now that scientists had witnessed the true length of it, as several fewer vertebrae were found with that initial excavation.

In addition to the long neck and the belly full of fish, D. orientalis also appeared to have flippers.

Scientists suspect that it was a stealthy hunter, sneaking up on its prey before snatching them with its mouth full of sharp teeth.

Even though it bears a strong resemblance to the long-necked pleisiosaurs that lived about 40 million years later - and which provided the inspiration for the loch ness monster - scientists said it was actually not closely related.

This is the holotype of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, a well-preserved specimen that shows off its features so clearly that other identifications can be made based on it. The animal's sharp teeth, which extend beyond its jaw, were clearly adept at snatching prey.

The well-preserved remains of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis show its long neck, complete with 32 vertebrae. This aquatic reptile's neck was longer than its tail and body combined.

'This discovery allows us to see this remarkable long-necked animal in full for the very first time,' said Nick Fraser, keeper of natural sciences at National Museums Scotland, in a statement.

'It is yet one more example of the weird and wonderful world of the Triassic that continues to baffle paleontologists.

'We are certain that it will capture imaginations across the globe due to its striking appearance, reminiscent of the long and snake-like, mythical Chinese Dragon.'

One fascinating feature of this animal that has already captured imaginations is the fact that it seemed to give live birth.

In 2017, Chinese scientists discovered a fossil of this same species with another entire intact individual inside its rib cage.

Another view of the 'Chinese dragon's' remains show its extraordinarily long neck, which scientists suspect it used to creep up on its prey without them detecting the movement of its flippers.

A closeup of the animal's flippers show that it was at home in the water. Despite being a reptile and breathing air, this species, much like sea turtles, lived in the water.

Its head was facing forward, which meant it wasn't eaten - most predators eat their prey head-first, to make it go down more easily.

This discovery turned what scientists knew about reptiles on its head, providing previously unavailable evidence on the animal group's reproductive biology.

For the new find, an international team from Scotland, Germany, China, and the US had studied the fossil for a decade before announcing their findings, which were published today in Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The find highlights how rich the fossil evidence is in China, Fraser told BBC.

'And every time we look in these deposits, we find something new.'
READ MORE: Mystery as Texas woman shares photo of strange four-legged creature in her backyard - as people speculate it may be the CHUPACABRA

A safari operator in South Africa has captured footage of a rare young pink elephant hopping and playing with his gray peers at a watering hole in Kruger National Park.

The approximately one-year-old pink elephant calf was born with albinism, wildlife biologists said, a rare genetic condition that halts the body's production of the skin pigment known as melanin  sometimes with damaging effects.

Researchers noted that some species shun rare albino births among their own kind, but the elephants at Kruger appear to be very protective of their own pink elephant.

In the video taken by the safari operator, the elephants can be seen splashing, rolling and playing with the young pink elephant at a watering hole in the national park.

The approximately one-year-old pink elephant calf was born with albinism, wildlife biologists said, a rare genetic condition that halts the body's production of the skin pigment known as melanin  sometimes with damaging effects to a creature's eyesight and food foraging skills

'It is always a privilege to be able to witness these extremely rare and special animals,' the safari operator, Theo Potgieter, told Live Science.

Potgieter, who has personally witnessed cases of albinism in elephants at Kruger National Park before, told the publication that he saw the herd accept and nurture their unique pink calves in both cases.

'In both recent sightings of two different individuals,' Potgieter explained via email, 'the rest of the herd seemed to be very protective and patient with the presence of these young individuals.'

While some creatures with albinism, such as catfish, have become avoided or shunned by their peers, as researchers have documented, others like albino alligators are often simply eaten by predators before they reach adulthood.

A safari operator in South Africa captured the footage of this rare young pink elephant (center) hopping and playing with his young gray peers at a watering hole in Kruger National Park

That safari operator, Theo Potgieter, has also personally witnessed another case of albinism in elephants at Kruger National Park. He said that, in both cases, he saw the herd accept and nurture their unique pink calves

READ MORE: Adorable and rare African wild ass explores its new home Hampshire - raising fresh hopes for the critically-endangered species The male foal, which has not yet been named, was born at Marwell Zoo near Winchester on August 20 to parents Nadifa and Lars. Advertisement

Poachers trading in exotic animals have also preyed upon albino animals, a practice that has led to at least one nonprofit buying an entire island off the coast of Indonesia just to build a sanctuary there for one albino orangutan.

While many albino creatures are left leading a solitary life away from their more ruddy, melanin-enriched peers, these are only part of their troubles.

To make matter worse, the condition reduces pigment in the irises also, causing poor eyesight.

This 'pink eye' can undermine an animal's ability to forage for its meals, spot predators, or even track and hunt down its own prey.

Much like the albino alligator, many other species when born with albinism, develop bright white fur, scales or skin, making it impossible to camouflage themselves in many environments, adding to their life's challenges.

Because these elephants, genus Loxodonta, are typically a dark gray, their small calves with albinism develop a pink skin and fair hair.

Albinism is presented by recessive gene, which means both parents must carry the trait to produce albino offspring, an unlikely mating condition that adds to the rarity of this mutated gene.

According to Potgieter, this rare condition 'only occurs once in every 10,000 births' of mammals in the wild.
Whales have many talents, but perhaps their most unique and mysterious one is their hauntingly beautiful singing. And scientists finally know how they do it.

The secret is a unique voice box that vibrates fat and muscle to produce sounds, rather than blowing air through it.

Singing underwater presents a difficult problem because, theoretically, it would use up all your air.

But according to a new study from an international team of scientists, whales evolved a voice box that is different from most other mammals'.

It also provides insights into the limited vocal range of the whales, something that can leave them vulnerable to having their sounds drowned out by ship engines and other human noise.

A humpback whale breaches near Bering Island, Kamchatka. Humpack whales and other baleen whales produce sound by recirculating air through a unique structure in their throat

Whales have even been observed learning complex songs from each other.

The new study is small, conducted with just three whales, but for the first time it provides an answer to how the world's largest animals' songs can travel for miles through the ocean.

READ MORE: Humpback whale song recorded off the coast of New York A humpback whale surfaces near the Statue of Liberty in this photo taken from a boat on New York Harbor in December 2020. Advertisement

Until now, scientists didn't know exactly how these ocean giants could accomplish their signature feat.

The untimely demise of three whales gave scientists the opportunity to probe the vocal anatomy of the animals.

Dead whales used in the study died of either natural causes or accidents, the scientists behind the study wrote.

A male sei whale was found near Denmark, and though its cause of death was uncertain, the scientists described it as emaciated.

A female humpback whale probably drowned after being tangled in fishing gear, and the female minke whale likely died from a bacterial infection, the researchers wrote.

These whales are all baleen whales, different from toothed whales.

Baleen whales feed by filtering water through giant comb-like plates that catch marine invertebrates and small fish.

To find out how the whales make sounds, the team, led by Coen Elemans of the University of Southern Denmark, dissected each animal's larynx and blew air through it to see what would happen.

What they found was that the whale voicebox does not that work in the same way as a vocal cord.

The study was published in the journal Nature.

This painting of a humpback whale indicates the cartilages of the animal's pharynx, part of the structures that produce sound

Instead, a U-shaped piece of tissue vibrates against fat and muscle structures in the whale's throat.

Blowing air through these structures in the laboratory produced the deep, resonant sounds that whales are famous for.

And its unique anatomy enables whales to recycle air while singing - as well as avoid inhaling water.

It was 'super-exciting' to figure this out, Elemans told BBC News.

Three young humpback whales swim with a diver. Baleen whales' special vocal structure lets them sing for long periods of time without having to breathe - and without drowning

The song of whales travel long distances, but they can be drowned out by boat engines and other human activities

'This is the most comprehensive and significant study to date on how baleen whales vocalize, a long-standing mystery in the field,' Jeremy Goldbogen told The AP. Goldbogen, who is an associate professor of oceans at Stanford University, was not involved in the study.

These results open up doors for future study, he said, 'given the extraordinarily diverse acoustic repertoires,' of whales.

Sadly, the research also shows how vulnerable the animals are to human activities.

A computer analysis of the vocal structures showed that there is a narrow frequency range of sounds the whales can make, which leaves them vulnerable to disruption.

Since ships and other human activity produce noise that's in the same range as whale song, and since whales use their songs to find mates, human activity can make it hard for whales to find each other and reproduce.

'They cannot simply choose to, for example, sing higher to avoid the noise we make in the ocean,' said Elemans.

And while this may not be as big of a problem for humpbacks and other species that live in groups, blue whales which cover long distances solo may be more vulnerable to human shipping and other activities that produce undersea noise.
Big names in tech - Intel, Nvidia and Samsung - have invested in Figure's plan

The biggest names in tech  from Amazon to Microsoft  have poured roughly $675 million dollars in a robotics start-up whose 'master plan' is to bring the first commercial 'humanoid' to market, powered by AI.

The funding round is nearly ten times as much as the $70 million that this new robotics firm, Figure AI, managed to raise last May.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, through his venture firm Explore Investments LLC, pledged an optimistic $100 million to the company, with Microsoft investing nearly as much, $95 million.

Figure AI hopes that its first AI humanoid robot, Figure 01, will prove capable at jobs too dangerous for human laborers and might alleviate worker shortages.

For now, the humanoid machine has proven itself adept at making a cup of coffee.

Figure AI hopes that its first AI humanoid robot, Figure 01, will prove capable at jobs too dangerous for human laborers and might alleviate worker shortages. Amazon's Jeff Bezos has pledged $100 million, with Microsoft investing nearly as much, $95 million, into Figure

'We hope that we're one of the first groups to bring to market a humanoid,' Figure AI's CEO Brett Adcock told reporters last May, 'that can actually be useful and do commercial activities.'

A little more than six months after that $70 million funding round last May, Figure AI announced a first-of-its-kind deal to put Figure 01 to work on BMW's factory floors.

The German automaker entered an agreement to use Figure 01 humanoids first at a BMW plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina  a sprawling multi-billion dollar facility that includes high-voltage battery assembly and electric vehicle manufacturing.

READ MORE: Tesla robot ATTACKS an engineer at company's Texas factory during violent malfunction - leaving 'trail of blood' An attorney aiding contract laborers at the factory now tells DailyMail.com that there's evidence Tesla appears to have under-reported accidents and deaths to govt. authorities Advertisement

While the announcement was light on details regarding the bots precise job duties at BMW, the companies described their intention to 'explore advanced technology topics' as part of their 'milestone-based approach' approach to collaborating.

On the agenda for Figure AI and BMW, the two firms said, were 'artificial intelligence, robot control, manufacturing virtualization and robot integration,' business speak for science fiction-levels of advanced automation.

Adcock told Axios that, in his opinion, Figure AI's robots 'can do basically everything a human can.'

Whether these boasts prove true, Figure has caught the attention of hundreds of millions in venture capital promising to produce the ultimate, automated worker.

Graphics chip-maker Nvidia has invested $50 million to the cause, as has an Amazon.com Inc.-affiliated venture fund.

Intel Corp, the name-brand maker of high-speed microprocessors, has put $25 million into Figure AI. Mobile phone giant Samsung has pledged $5 million. And South Korea's LG Innotek has invested $8.5 million.

But these major tech firms are not the only interested parties vying for a piece of the robot-worker future that Figure is promising: many more millions are also coming direct from the VCs themselves.

Figure AI's CEO Brett Adcock said that, in his opinion, the firm's robots 'can do basically everything a human can.' Whether these boasts prove true, Figure has caught the attention of hundreds of millions in venture capital promising to produce the ultimate, automated worker

READ MORE: 'World's first ROBOT CEO' speaks to MailOnline about what its like to head up a Colombian rum company Mika, who heads up the Colombian spirits firm Dictador, believes that more CEOs just like her will soon crop up around the world as AI blends into businesses Advertisement

Parkway Venture Capital, which ran Figure AI's funding round last May is investing now committed $100 million to the humanoid robot start-up.

Align Ventures  past funders of Airbnb, SpaceX and Epic Games  will provide $90 million.

And according to Bloomberg, about $67 million more will be coming from a constellation of other VC firms.

Within the finance and tech, sources told the business publication, Figure AI carries a 'pre-money valuation' (meaning the start-up's inherent value before these recent $657 million in investments) of roughly $2 billion.

Figure AI's proprietary technology and potential has been such a desired commodity in Silicon Valley that OpenAI had, at one point, considered buying up the whole start-up.

Now, with $5 million invested in Figure, the makers of ChatGPT are simply one more tech player betting on the firm.

Interest from Microsoft and its colleagues at OpenAI are believed to have played a role in inspiring the frenzy around Figure, which had originally hoped to secure $500 million during this recent funding round: $175 million less than the outpouring of investor interest it received.

Figure's CEO, Adcock, framed the company's goals as filling a void for industry in terms of alleged worker shortages involving tricky, skilled labor that conventional automation techniques have proven unable to correct.

'We need humanoid [robots] in the real world, doing real work,' Adcock told Axios.

'There's just a lot of work in these facilities that's really hard to automate,' he said, 'being mobile on the floors, being dexterous. There's a lot of work we can do.'
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On February 15, the entry-level luxury SUV HS3 from FAW Group's premium passenger vehicle brand, Hongqi, officially arrived in the Middle East, marking its market debut in this region. That evening, the Hongqi HS3 dazzled as it illuminated the 82-panel matrix screen in Riyadh's Boulevard City center, kickstarting an extraordinary pre-sale event.



Photo credit: Hongqi

Scheduled for its official market launch in the Middle East on February 28, the Hongqi HS3 represents a sophisticated and dynamic addition to Hongqi's lineup. Despite being categorized as a compact SUV, the HS3 boasts impressive dimensions, with a total length of 4,655mm and a width of 1,900mm. Its notable width accentuates its robust and dignified appearance. With a wheelbase stretching to 2,770mm, ample space is ensured for both passengers and cargo.

Photo credit: Hongqi

Inside, the HS3 continues Hongqi's latest family design language, featuring a perforated leather flat-bottom steering wheel reminiscent of the H6 model, adding a sporty touch. Sitting in the center is a vertically oriented large touchscreen for information display, complemented by a wireless charging pad for smartphones below, presenting a sleek and tech-savvy ambiance. Additionally, the touch panel in the passenger area allows intuitive access to multimedia controls, volume adjustment, air conditioning settings, and seat ventilation/heating functions.

In terms of powertrain options, the HS3 offers 1.5T (35TD) and 2.0T (45TD) variants, each equipped with a corresponding engine. The 1.5T engine delivers a maximum power of 124kW and peak torque of 258Nm, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Meanwhile, the 2.0T engine produces a maximum power of 185kW and peak torque of 380Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

As a pivotal part of Hongqi's international strategy, the Middle East remains a crucial region for overseas expansion. To better integrate into the Middle Eastern market and connect with local users, Hongqi has conducted a series of vibrant marketing activities. These include the mesmerizing display on the Boulevard City matrix screen and the simultaneous appearance of flagship models E-HS9 and H9 at the prestigious Ball of Arabia event hosted by top fashion media outlet VOGUE. These efforts effectively localize and convey the narrative of Hongqi as China's premier luxury automotive brand, providing Middle Eastern users with a more intuitive, in-depth, and comprehensive understanding of Hongqi automobiles.
A serial cheater asked Reddit users if he should be a 'Neuralink hamster' to rid himself of his constant need to be unfaithful to his wife.

The user who goes by Electronic-Camera277 said in a Reddit post that he hopes Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip implant can cure him of his endless bouts of infidelity to save his marriage.

Although serial cheating, otherwise known as sex addiction, is considered a disease, psychologists say it is something you can overcome with therapy  meaning a brain chip implant may not be the most effective way to stay faithful to your partner.

A Reddit user said he has been unfaithful to his wife more times than he can count and is considering the Neuralink brain chip implant to cure him of his infidelity

'Reddit is a hotbed for conversations and opinions on infidelity  it's one of the first platforms cheaters turn to for advice but the reaction and support is mixed,' Jessic Leoni, an infidelity expert at Illicitencounters.com, told Daily Star.

'There's no doubt Neuralink is some way off being a solution for serial cheating and treating addiction more generally  no matter how big Elon Musk's claims are.'

Neuralink successfully implanted its first chip last month as part of the PRIME study which aims to allow people with quadriplegia to control devices with their thoughts like opening an app, clicking, or moving a cursor up and down.

Neuralink's brain chip is currently being tested to treat people with quadriplegia

'The device is designed to interpret a person's neural activity, so they can operate a computer or smartphone by simply thinking about moving  no wires or physical movement are required,' the company said.

Yet despite all the potential capabilities the Neuralink brain chip has, curing someone's mental health, and particularly their need for infidelity, is not one of them.

The Reddit user said he's cheated on his wife 'more than I can count,' and claimed he's had therapy to treat his sex addiction, but still finds it hard to stop.

This thought process led him to research and consider alternative treatments, he said, adding: 'I'm so desperate I'm even considering Elon Musk's Neuralink implant to help treat addiction.'

He then asked the Reddit community: 'Will my wife ever forgive me? Should I tell her? Should I be a Neuralink hamster/is it worth a shot?'

Elon Musk said he hopes the chip can eventually help regulate people's moods and cure disorders

Musk has boasted for years that his Neuralink brain chip could be used to regulate people's hormones and emotional well-being and could be an eventual breakthrough for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or treatment-resistant depression.

In 2020, the tech titan claimed the Neuralink chip does have the capability to control emotions and mood and could even be used to treat addiction.

A Twitter user asked Musk at the time: 'Can Neuralink be used to retrain the part of the brain which is responsible for causing addiction or depression?' The Independent reported.

Musk replied: 'For sure. This is both great and terrifying. Everything we've ever sensed, or thought has been electrical signals.

Despite a controversial history of animal testing , the first human has had a chip implanted by Elon Musk's company Neuralink

'The early universe was just a soup of quarks and leptons. How did a very small piece of the universe start to think of itself as sentient?'

The reality is that the technology isn't there yet, and those seeking sexual addiction treatment, like Electronic-Camera277, should explore more effective and well-established methods like counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBD).

CBD is the most common form of therapy for sex addiction because it helps the patient identify and process the thought patterns and beliefs that led them to this point.

But many Reddit users called out Electronic-Camera277, telling him not to blame his infidelity on 'sex addiction,' a thought that is shared by the Center for Positive Sexuality (CPS), the Alternative Sexualities Health Research Alliance (TASHRA), and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF).

The groups wrote in a 2017 statement that so-called sexual 'addictions' may result more from a person's cultural or religious belief than based on actual scientific data.

Elon Musk says first human patient implanted with a Neuralink brain-chip is moving a 'mouse around the screen just by thinking' after making a 'full recovery' Neuralink successfully implanted the 'Telepathy' chip on the patient last month, after receiving approval for human trial recruitment in September. Advertisement

The concept of sex addiction 'emerged in the 1980s as a socially conservative response to cultural anxieties,' the authors wrote, 'and has gained acceptance through its reliance on medicalization and popular culture visibility.'

Compulsive sexual behavior is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5)  the reference guide for mental illnesses published by the American Psychiatric Association.

The APA rejected a proposal to include sex addiction (hypersexual disorder) in the DSM-5 manual, citing there 'was lack of evidence and the potential consequences of calling excessive sexual activity a 'pathology' (calling it a disease or disorder),' according to Cleveland Clinic.

Reddit users seemed to mirror this notion, with one writing: 'Each time you cheat on her you are making a conscious decision to do so.

'... You are out there meeting people, saving their numbers, going on dates, arranging locations, crafting lies to both your wife and the people you're meeting.

'It rarely just occurs or 'happens.'

While Electronic-Camera277 echoes the problems many others are facing and tries to turn to Neuralink for help, the reality is that brain chip implants are not and reportedly will not be the answer for some time.
The gruesome scene of a dead dolphin on a New Jersey beach has sparked an investigation into its cause of death.

The marine animal was spotted on February 19, as it lay on the sands of Avalon bleeding from its eye and a gaping hole along its mouth.

Locals have claimed that sonar blasting from an offshore wind company to map the seafloor is to blame as the technology has been suggested to disrupt animals' movements, sending them into boats or onto the shore.

Evidence has shown that when exposed to high sonar frequencies, marine mammals swim hundreds of miles and rapidly change their depth, which can cause bleeding from the eyes and ears.

But experts told DailyMail.com that 'evidence of sonar trauma is not something that would be found in an external exam.'

The gruesome scene of a dead dolphin on a New Jersey beach has sparked an investigation into its cause of death

Bonnie Brady, executive director at Long Island Commercial Fishing Association, told DailyMail.com that the marine animal was a short-beaked common dolphin, which can be found along the continental slope in waters between 650 to 6,500 feet deep.

She noted that it is very rare that this type of dolphin would be found close to the beach.

Jamie Steiert, an Avalon local, spotted the dead dolphin on the beach.

NJ conservation officer picked it up while I was there and said he was meeting up with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, Steiert told DailyMail.com.

I hear they are already saying the dolphin was scavenged. We have been asking consistently to prove that there is no hearing damage but we are always shut out.

The only way to determine whether a marine animal died due to sonar is to perform a necropsy and analyze the ear bone for damage.

The marine animal was spotted on February 19, as it lay on the sands of Avalon bleeding from its eye and a gaping hole along its mouth

Locals have claimed that sonar blasting from an offshore wind company to map the seafloor is to blame as the technology has been suggested to disrupt animals' movements, sending them into boats or onto the shore

The ears of a dolphin sit in their lower jaw area, but it is unclear if the hole is in the exact location.

Steiert said the eye appeared to be missing, but the blood pouring out of the hole was fresh.

I was specifically curious about the bleeding area by the lower jaw. I question if it wasnt already bleeding when it washed up and then maybe something tried scavenging,' said Steiert.

'I can tell you that when I got to the 75th Street beach there wasnt anyone around except a police officer sitting in the carand not one sign of any seagulls or other birds in the area.

Justin Viezbicke, the stranding coordinator from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told DailyMail.com: When carcasses float around or sit on the beach they typically get fed on by birds and the round circular hole that you see as well as the bloody eye socket is mostly likely the result of a bird eating the eye and pecking at the lower jaw.

The images of the dolphin were shared online, sparking attention from many New Jersians

Pictured are the areas being surveyed by offshore wind companies

The images of the dolphin were shared online, sparking attention from many New Jersians, with one posting on X: 'This is hemorrhaging caused by sonar and they know it but it is not something they check for.'

Gary Kellstrom also shared: 'This is not normal, but happens frequently. This sonar assault must be halted.

'Historically, projects putting endangered species at risk have been blocked by lawsuits. What do we need to do to organize a legal action to stop these atrocities?'

NOAA has previously stated: 'Increasing evidence suggests that exposure to intense underwater sound in some settings may cause some dolphins to strand and ultimately die.

'NOAA Fisheries is investigating all aspects of acoustic communication and hearing in marine animals, as well as the effects of sound on whale behavior and hearing.'

According to the DHS report, Petroleum Geo-Services is also using sonar in the same region

That was the case for more than 5,000 dolphins that died in 2022 as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, scientists said, blaming sonar devices used by Vladimir Putin's naval forces.

Locals told DailyMail.com that they suspected sonar was being used by an offshore wind company at the time of the dolphins death, pinpointing the Mexican-owned HOS Browning vessel at the scene.

HOS is working with Fugro, a Dutch company that performs geotechnical, survey and geoscience services, which is performing services for Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind.

READ MORE: New Jersey GOP demand a 60 day BAN on offshore wind farm construction after 31 dead whales washed up along East Coast

More than 30 dead whales were found along East Coast beaches in just a few months of last year, leaving some to say turbines are to blame. Advertisement

Fugro is performing a third year of integrated site characterization services for Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind and is using HOS to survey the ocean floor.

Documents from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also noted: HOS Browning, call sign XCBK8, will be conducting geotechnical survey operations, using a mobilized vibracoring system.

Operations will occur within Lease 0541 area and have been ongoing since 2022 and continue to approximately June 30, 2024.'

Lease 0541 sits 27 miles from the coastline and covers 79,351 acres of water.

The site is east of Atlantic City, which is just 36 miles from Avalon where the dolphin was found on the beach.

HOS is performing geotechnical surveys that does not use sonar.

The government documents state: 'Fugro USA Marine, Inc. will be conducting marine remote, seafloor mapping operations, originating at the OCS-0539 lease area and terminating in Lower Bay, Long Beach NY and Manasquan NJ, from January 31, 2023, to June 2024, 12- hours a day.

Seafloor mapping does use sonar systems, but it is unclear if Fugro was conducting testing around the time of the dolphin's death.

According to the DHS report, Petroleum Geo-Services is also using sonar in the same region.

'Petroleum Geo-Services will be conducting marine remote sensing operations in the OCS-A 0539 lease area, approximately 32 nautical miles offshore Little Egg Harbor, NJ, from September 20, 2023, to May 15, 2024,' the report reads.

However, it is unclear if any vessels using sonar were testing at the time of the dolphin's death.

'So we cannot prove this animal died from survey work,' said Brady.

'I hesitate to say anything because I'm not looking at the animal and I havent seen any or the bloodwork or autopsy photos, which is why we want to be able to have open and transparent process like we asked for in the fed investigation.

'This dolphin could have died for a variety of reasons, but the lack of transparency and refusal to shine light on the investigative process is more than curious at this point, not just for this dolphin but for the 85 whales and several hundred dolphins that washed ashore last year. '




Salma Hayek was a vision in red PVC as attended the Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week at Fonderia Carlo Macchi with her husband on Friday.

Cosying up to billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault, the Grown Ups star, 57, looked incredible as she donned a cherry red leather jacket with the cuffs turned up.

She paired the shiny garment with a knee-length red pencil skirt and a simple camel-coloured cable-knit vest and a deep red Gucci belt.

Adding inches to her stunning curvaceous figure, Salma paired her Gucci look with a pair of perilously high platforms.

Matching her trendy jacket, the brunette beauty accessorised her look with a small clasped ruby-red handbag.

Salma Hayek was a vision in red PVC as she attended the Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week at Fonderia Carlo Macchi with her husband on Friday

Cosying up to billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault, the Grown Ups star, 57, looked incredible as she donned a cherry red leather jacket with the cuffs turned up

Salma commanded attention at the show as she wore a large pair of blacked-out sunglasses.

She was spotted sitting front row at the glitzy show as was placed next to Mark Ronson.

The DJ, 48, showcased his unique sense of style as he was dress head to toe in pale blue as he wore a two-piece suit.

Salma also shared a friendly hug with Sofia Boutella , 41, as they both dress in shades of red.

Clasping onto their red bags and sunglasses, the two beauties flashed a pearly white smile as they waited for the event to start.

CEO of fashion house Kerring, Francois-Henri looked dapper as always as he stepped out in a navy blue bomber jacket, which featured gold detailing.

Keeping his look simple, the 61-year-old wore a plain black turtle neck jumper, black trousers and a pair of sensible Chelsea boots.

Salma also reunited with Beyonce Knowles's sister Solange.

She paired the shiny garment with a knee-length red pencil skirt and a simple camel-coloured cable-knit vest and a deep red Gucci belt

Adding inches to her stunning curvaceous figure, Salma paired her Gucci look with a pair of perilously high platforms

Matching her trendy jacket, the brunette beauty accessorised her look with a small clasped ruby-red handbag

Alma commanded attention at the show as she wore a large pair of blacked-out sunglasses

CEO of Kerring Francois-Henri looked dapper as always as he stepped out in a navy blue bomber jacket, which featured gold detailing

Keeping his look simple, the 61-year-old wore a plain black turtle neck jumper, black trousers and a pair of sensible Chelsea boots

She was spotted sitting front row at the glitzy show as was placed next to Mark Ronson. The DJ, 48, showcased his unique sense of style as he was dress head to toe in pale blue as he wore a two-piece suit

Salma also shared a friendly hug with Sofia Boutella , 41, as they both dress in shades of red. Clasping onto their red bags and sunglasses, the two beauties flashed a pearly white smile as they waited for the event to start

Salma also reunited with Beyonce Knowles's sister Solange. Solange kept her look casual as she wore a black bomber jacket, blue jeans, a black Gucci belt and pointed toe heels (pictured: Mark, Solange and Salma)

Solange kept her look casual as she wore a black bomber jacket, blue jeans, a black Gucci belt and pointed toe heels.

It comes just after the glamourous couple celebrated 15 years of marriage.

After a nearly two-year engagement, they tied the knot in Paris on February 14, 2009, renewing their vows just a few months later in Italy.

The anniversary comes just a day after the actress shared a snap of her cooking pancakes while modeling some stylish silk pajamas.

The Desperado star shared an undated black-and-white snap on her Instagram post, expressing her love for Francois-Henri.

'After 18 years together and 15 years of marriage, you still make loving you easy, fun, deep and fresh like a gentle breeze. Happy anniversary mi amor,' Salma said in her post.

The Oscar-nominated actress most recently starred in Magic Mike's Last Dance and an 2023 episode of Black Mirror.

She is also starring in Angelina Jolie's next film as a director, Without Blood, which is in post-production.

She stars alongside Demian Bichir in the war drama, though plot details are being kept under wraps.

Hayek and her husband Francois-Henri Pinault, 61, a billionaire businessman originally from France, spend much of their home life in London, England with their daughter Valentina, 16, in recent years.
Ariana Grande's new album Eternal Sunshine boasts 'house music and a little R'n'B'.

The 30-year-old star's label boss has teased what fans can expect from the eagerly awaited follow-up to 2020's Positions.

Republic Records co-president Wendy Goldstein said in new behind-the-scenes video shared by Ariana on Instagram this week: 'Between you and Max [Martin] it'll just be perfect. The vocals are great.

'The changes, the tempos, the house music of it, then there's a little R'n'B. It's you. It's like an elevated version of all the albums that came before like 'Sweetener' meets kind of a Thank U, Next.'

So far, fans have heard the lead single 'Yes, And?' - which subsequently got a Mariah Carey-featuring remix  and they won't hear anymore singles before the record drops next month.

Ariana Grande 's new album Eternal Sunshine boasts 'house music and a little R'n'B'

The 30-year-old star's label boss has teased what fans can expect from the eagerly awaited follow-up to 2020's Positions' Republic Records co-president Wendy Goldstein said in new behind-the-scenes video shared by Ariana on Instagram this week: 'Between you and Max [Martin] it'll just be perfect. The vocals are great'

The Grammy winner recently insisted she wants her supporters to listen to this LP in full when it's released on March 8, rather than being drip-fed the material bit by bit.

She wrote on her Instagram Story earlier this month: 'We are a little over a month away from 'Eternal Sunshine' and I don't think it's possible to articulate how grateful I am for your love, support and excitement!

'I wanted to sayas hard as it is to resist the urge to share another song or single with you all asap, I would really love for you to experience the album in full this time.

'There will of course be more singles off of this project once it is out (and we may have a little surprise or two up our sleeves to hold you over until then so don't you worry) but waiting a little longer for you to be able to listen fully through first really is my ideal way for you all to experience this body of work.'

Ariana thanked fans for trusting her 'vision and plan' for hotly anticipated album.

She continued: 'You have waited so long for new music from me and I am so grateful for your patience!

'I look forward to savoring every second of this new era with you all and I sincerely cannot wait for it to be yours!

'It's going to be (and already is) so special. I am so excited for all that is to come. More than ever.

'Love you so so so!!! (sic)'

Ariana herself described the record as 'a concept album', noting that a lot of the songs are 'really vulnerable'.

'The changes, the tempos, the house music of it, then there's a little R'n'B. It's you. It's like an elevated version of all the albums that came before like 'Sweetener' meets kind of a Thank U, Next'

So far, fans have heard the lead single 'Yes, And?' - which subsequently got a Mariah Carey-featuring remix  and they won't hear anymore singles before the record drops next month

In a previous post on Instagram, she explained how she invited family, friends and members of her team at Republic Records to listen to an advanced preview of the collection.

She said: 'I'm nervous, but I wanted to share this with you because it's kind of a concept album.

'It's all different, heightened pieces of the same story [and] of the same experience. I'm weirdly emotional but this is what's going on.

'Some of them are really vulnerable, some of them are [me] playing the part that people expect me to be sometimes and having fun with that.'
Home and Away star-turned-MAFS bride Madeleine Maxwell is set to dramatically quit the show.

Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that Madeleine, 30, faced insurmountable challenges within her on-screen marriage to Ash Galati, 33, all underpinned by their painful lack of chemistry.

Their relationship reached a breaking point following an intense argument, leading Madeleine to pack her bags and leave the show itself.

'Maddy refused to play ball with producers and sensationally quit. Ash was just as much done and over it too,' an insider dished.

'Ash knew that he didn't stand a chance with her. He called up the producers post-ceremony declaring he wanted out. Yet, they were brought back together for one final showdown.'

Home and Away star-turned-MAFS bride is set to do a runner: Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal Madeleine Maxwell (pictured) will dramatically quit the show

The 30-year-old is set to sensationally packed up her bags after refusing to play ball with producers and Channel Nine

This explosive ending was not what Madeleine had envisioned when she joined the show, hoping for a chance to control her narrative and experience something unforgettable.

Instead, she found herself disillusioned with the reality TV experience.

'She felt completely humiliated,' a source close to Maddy revealed.

This explosive ending was not what Madeleine had envisioned when she joined the show, hoping for a chance to control her narrative and experience something unforgettable

Instead, she found herself feeling disillusioned with the reality TV experience. 'She felt completely humiliated,' a source close to Maddy revealed

'Madeleine told her sister Teagan that going on the show would be an experience to remember, and assumed she would have a lot control of of her narrative.'

'Nothing was going in her favour and that commitment ceremony was a real wake up for her.'

Melbourne-based Ash was spotted checking into Skye Suites apartment, where the show is being filmed, alone on September 6.

'Madeleine told her sister Teagan that going on the show would be an experience to remember, and assumed she would have a lot control of of her narrative,' said the source

Following her exit, Madeleine has stepped back from the spotlight, deactivating her social media accounts and choosing not to participate in the show's reunion.

It comes as a cast member told Daily Mail Australia that 'nobody has heard from her'.

'Maddy didn't really make an effort to get to know anyone and had no friends on set. I am not surprised she didn't last long to be honest.'

Melbourne-based Ash (pictured) was spotted checking into Skye Suites apartment, where the show is being filmed alone on September 6

'My wedding day was me getting on the Titanic'

It comes after Ash compared his ill-fated marriage to the Titanic during an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia, and said 'it was destined to fail.'

Recalling his time on the experiment, Ash said by the time the couple attended the first dinner party he was ' emotionally exhausted from the honeymoon'.

'I was pretty much yeah, at my wit's end. So I was like, 'you know what? I want to see the other couples. I want to just touch base with the other couples'. And ask, 'Am I going crazy here? Am I actually going crazy? What is going on?'.

'I had absolutely not a chance in hell with Madeline.'

Ash openly admitted to feeling like he was 'boarding the Titanic' on his wedding day, hinting at a doomed journey ahead

'She was never gonna give me a chance. She didn't know why she was on the experiment.

'And yeah, as for me, obviously my wedding day was me getting on the Titanic. Just had no idea that it would doom to crash and burn.'

Ash didn't hold back from expressing his suspicions about Madeleine's behavior in front of the cameras.

'She can turn it on very well... She's really good at turning it on when the cameras are on.' Ash's doubts grew when he learned of Madeleine's past as an actress

'She can turn it on very well... She's really good at turning it on when the cameras are on,' said the pest control salesman.

Ash's doubts grew when he learned of Madeleine's past as an actress.

'I was like, "Is she genuine? Like, why is she on here? Is she acting?" So it played into my doubts.'

Married At First Sight continues on Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine.
Kyle Sandilands shocked his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson on Friday by telling her of a terrifying encounter he recently had with a huntsman spider.

The radio king, 52, revealed the scary incident occurred when he was brushing his teeth in his bathroom.

'I grabbed my toothbrush and as I did I realised there was a huge huntsman spider sitting on the handle. It scurried up my arm,' he began.

'I squealed. The baby and Tegan woke up. I was like flapping around but then I thought, "Get yourself under control".'

Jackie O, 49, then asked him why he was so scared throughout the encounter and Kyle joked he was behaving like a scared international tourist.

Kyle Sandilands (pictured) shocked his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson on Friday by telling her of a terrifying encounter he recent had with a huntsman spider. The radio king, 52, revealed the scary incident occurred when he was brushing his teeth in his bathroom

Fortunately, Kyle was in no danger throughout the encounter as the huntsman spider is non-venomous and harmless to humans.

It comes after Sunrise producers demanded Kyle replace their microphone after he destroyed it during Intern Peter Deppeler's interview on the show on Wednesday.

Pete, a producer for the KIIS FM hit show, was doing a live cross with the Channel Seven breakfast show from the radio studio after he spotted Taylor Swift visiting a Sydney restaurant on Tuesday night.

'I grabbed my toothbrush and as I did I realised there was a huge huntsman spider sitting on the handle. It scurried up my arm,' Kyle began. 'I squealed. The baby and Tegan woke up. I was like flapping around but then I thought, "Get yourself under control".'

However, Pete's microphone stopped working during the interview after Kyle walked past and threw a bucket of water at him while he discussed what Swift had eaten for dinner.

'What's happened? What happened to your microphone?' confused host Natalie Barr asked.

'It sounds like you're underwater now... are you not allowed to talk about this?' Matt Shirvington questioned.

A producer from Sunrise then called The Kyle and Jackie O show and Kyle explained he decided to throw water at Pete who was live on air.

'That microphone was worth $10,000 so it's worth covering that bill,' the producer said.

'We will cover that,' Kyle responded.

Fortunately, Kyle was in no danger throughout the encounter as the huntsman spider is non-venomous and harmless to humans
An influencer has clapped back after being publicly shamed online for scoring tickets to two of Taylor Swift's concerts in Melbourne last week.

Olivia White, 34, responded to criticism after she came under fire in a Facebook group for going to see the US pop megastar one night with her friend, followed by another night with her daughter.

The user in the social media group stated there was 'so much outrage' among Swifties who missed out on tickets, while Olivia managed to attend twice.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Olive wrote: 'Not sure why I get used as the example when so many people went to multiple shows and tbh I'm done with people s**t-slinging at those who did.'

'Unfortunately, that's just how it ended up with the tickets I could get per show...' she added.

Olivia White (pictured), 34, has responded to criticism after she came under fire in a Facebook group for seeing Taylor Swift live twice

Olivia noted her efforts in 'helping others' successfully snap up tickets and attend the concerts.

'I also managed to get tickets for friends to Melbourne and Sydney shows, plus I have poured so much effort into helping others over the last few weeks' last minute sales which I know so many were successful in getting,' she continued.

'I don't see many people going once, twice or however many times doing that... But people feel the need to find a specific person to blame they didn't get a ticket?? Okay, if that's what you need, and I hope eventually you come to terms with that.'

The influencer saw the US pop megastar one night with her friend, followed by another night with her daughter in Melbourne last week

Olivia was shamed online by disappointed Swifties who missed out on tickets

In the Facebook group, several disappointed Swifties who missed out vented their frustrations over people who attended more than one show.

'As someone who missed out on tickets it's a bit hard to watch people who went to more than one concert,' someone wrote.

'People going more than once is selfish, others missed out and it would be nice to allow more people a chance to go too,' added another.

'I'm a huge Taylor fan. I was given an opportunity to go twice but instead gave the ticket to a friend who didn't get tickets. I personally don't agree with multiple shows due to supply & demand,' one user commented.

Olivia responded after a user in a social media group stated there was 'so much outrage' among Swifties who missed out on tickets, while Olivia managed to attend twice

However, others came to Olivia's support and called out the jealous fans.

'Why shouldn't they be allowed to go to as many concerts as they could get tickets too? Sounds like a bunch of bitter people who are just jealous,' someone said.

'I'm no Taylor fan but if anyone had the ability to go see their favourite artist twice there's no way they would say no,' another commented.

'I think the outrage is silly in those scenarios? Good for them, take it in I'm sure she won't be coming back here for at least a few years.'

Taylor arrived in Australia last week and has already performed three shows in Melbourne from February 16 to 18

One wrote: 'Who cares honestly. Good for people who got multiple tickets. Concert with a friend vs with your daughter would be sooo different! The only people who care are just jealous but well too bad.'

Taylor Swift arrived in Australia last week and has already performed three shows in Melbourne from February 16 to 18.

The pop star had a few days off and will take the stage in Sydney from February 23 to February 26.

She is scheduled to perform in Singapore from March 2, giving her just four days off in between shows.
Kylie Jenner looked sleek in a black maxi dress as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The 26-year-old mogul  who just teased her fourth Khy drop  looked effortlessly cool in the clinging, sleeveless number.

The fashionista, who recently partied with sister Kendall Jenner and friend Hailey Bieber, teamed the look with pointy black leather boots that had a kitten heel.

Jenner's rich, dark hair fell down her back in a tousled texture and she carried a black bag over her shoulder.

The mother-of-two wore a full face of makeup, complete with a plum, matte lipstick swiped on her famous pout.

Kylie Jenner looked sleek in a black maxi dress as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Thursday

The 26-year-old mogul  who just teased her fourth Khy drop  looked effortlessly cool in the clinging, sleeveless number

The reality television star took to Instagram on Thursday to tease her upcoming Khy collection.

Engaging her 400 million followers, she shared three new images modeling the pieces, as well as a video.

In the caption, she wrote, 'i couldnt be more excited to share this collection with you. KHY DROP 004. coming 2/28. khy.com @khy.'

Kylie modeled the designs herself, which are much lighter than her first, mostly black drop from fall 2023.

Kendall, Emily Ratajkowski, and Lori Harvey were among her famous friends to like the post.

The new items feature neutral, muted tones and offer an understated, chic look.

'Khy aims to redefine the modern wardrobe by offering edited collections that seamlessly blend luxury with everyday style, spanning a diverse range,' the official Khy website states.

In July news broke that the entrepreneur was launching her own fast-fashion line with the help of Jens and Emma Grede.

The fashionista teamed the look with pointy black leather boots that had a kitten heel

Jenner's rich, dark hair fell down her back in a tousled texture and she carried a black bag over her shoulder

The reality television star took to Instagram on Thursday to tease her upcoming Khy collection

As Kylie promotes her latest clothing release, her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet has been promoting his movie Dune: Part; pictured in South Korea on Thursday

In late October Jenner surprised fans by officially introducing the clothing line.

She shared the sartorial undertaking with a single photo of herself donning a black faux leather trench coat with zipper details.

In the caption, she wrote, 'meet khy,' and tagged its Instagram handle in the snap.

Accompanying the arrival of the range was a Wall Street Journal cover story describing her latest entrepreneurial pursuit.

The new business was kicked off with a star-studded launch party whose guest list included big sister Kendall and her BFF Hailey.
The revived version of the hit 1990s sitcom Frasier has been renewed for a second season, according to The Hollywood Reporter

The Kelsey Grammer-starring show originally premiered in 1993, and experienced a wildly successful 11 years on the air before its finale was released in 2004.

The program was eventually brought back for another season, which premiered on the Paramount+ streaming service in October of last year.

Jeff Grossman, who serves as the Executive Vice President of programming at Paramount+, released a statement to speak about how Grammer, 69, had successfully returned to his old role as the radio psychiatrist.

'Kelsey made a triumphant return as one of the most iconic and beloved characters on television. The new series introduced Frasier to a whole new generation while reminding fans of Kelsey's truly timeless portrayal of Dr. Crane,' he said.

The revived version of the hit 1990s sitcom Frasier has been renewed for a second season, according to The Hollywood Reporter

Grossman added: 'We're so excited to see what the creative team and superb cast serve up for season two.'

Grammer himself also issued a statement to show his excitement about being able to portray the psychiatrist in the show's new run.

'Frasier is a love story, and I am very happy we will be allowed to continue it,' he said.

The revived version of Frasier followed the titular character as he returned to Boston and attempted to reconnect with his son Frederick, played by Jack Cutmore-Scott.

Performers such as Toks Olagundoye, Jess Salgueiro and Nicholas Lyndhurst rounded out the cast of the reboot.

Bebe Neuwirth and Peri Gilpin returned to the program in order to reprise their roles as Lilith Sternin and Roz Doyle, respectively.

Development on the revived version of Frasier began in the mid-2010s, although the program was not officially greenlit until February of 2021.

Although David Hyde Pierce, who portrayed Niles Crane in the original version of Frasier, was approached to reprise his old role, he ultimately stepped away from the project.

The Kelsey Grammer-starring show originally premiered in 1993, and experienced a wildly successful 11 years on the air before its finale was released in 2004

The program was eventually brought back for another season, which premiered on the Paramount+ streaming service in October of last year

The revived version of Frasier followed the titular character as he returned to Boston and attempted to reconnect with his son Frederick, played by Jack Cutmore-Scott

The rebooted version of Frasier received primarily mixed reviews following its debut, and it currently holds a rating of 60% on Rotten Tomatoes

Frasier's second season currently does not have a scheduled premiere date

The first two episodes of the rebooted version of Frasier made their debut on Paramount+ on October 12 of last year.

The program's first season ran for a total of ten episodes, and its finale was released on

The rebooted version of Frasier received primarily mixed reviews following its debut, and it currently holds a rating of 60% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Frasier's second season currently does not have a scheduled premiere date.
Hugh Sheridan has revealed his connection to missing Sydney man Luke Davies and issued a public plea for help find him.

Qantas flight attendant Luke and his boyfriend, former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird, have both been missing since Monday, and were last spotted in Sydney suburb Paddington.

Celebrity-blogger-turned-constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, 29, was wanted for questioning by police after his ex-boyfriend Mr Baird, 26, and his new partner Luke Davies, 29, vanished. He gave himself up to detectives on Friday morning.

Amid the major investigation, Australian actor Hugh, 38, took to his Instagram Stories to share an impassioned plea to the public for help finding the couple.

The Packed to the Rafters star revealed he is friends with Mr Davies as he shared a selfie of them both together alongside an emotional message in a series of posts.

Hugh Sheridan (right) has revealed his connection to missing Sydney man Luke Davies (left) and issued a public plea for help to find him

He first re-shared a social media post from NSW Police Force asking for help to find Mr Davies and added the caption: 'Please help find my friend, I'm so worried.'

He added in a second poignant post: 'Beautiful Luke. We're all thinking of you, your family and angels.

'I pray wherever you are right now you are not in fear. A sweeter heart than yours would be very hard to find.'

Mr Davies, 29, and Mr Baird, 26, have both been missing since Monday, and chilling CCTV footage, taken on the night they disappeared, shows them entering the back terrace of Mr Baird's AUS$3 million (1.56 million) terrace home. Police believe this is the last time they were seen.

Police hold grave concerns for the couple's safety after a significant amount of blood was discovered in Mr Baird's Paddington townhouse. Their belongings were found dumped in a skip bin in Cronulla just after 11am on Wednesday.

Constable Lamarre-Condon, who was wanted for questioning by police, vanished in the wake of the two men disappearing after telling his bosses he was going on sick leave and turning his phone off.

Australian actor Hugh, 38, took to his Instagram Stories to share an impassioned plea to the public for help finding the couple, re-posting a message shared by NSW Police Force

The Packed to the Rafters star revealed he is friends with Mr Davies as he shared a selfie of them together alongside an emotional message

On Friday morning, Daily Mail Australia revealed Lamarre-Condon's phone had shown signs of life after having been switched off for hours.

Police later revealed that the constable had presented himself to police at Bondi Police Station shortly after 10.30am on Friday.

A spokesman added: 'The man will be transferred to Waverley Police station where investigations will continue.'

NSW Police had launched a city-wide search for a white van that the celebrity chaser was believed to have been driving.

Police raided a home in Balmain connected with Lamarre-Condon's family late on Thursday night.

Having previously rubbed shoulders with the likes of Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez, and Miley Cyrus on the red carpet of the Golden Globes, Constable Lamarre joined New South Wales' police force in 2019.

'Detectives are looking at a line of inquiry that a third person may be able to assist with the investigation,' a police statement said on Wednesday.

Flight attendant Luke (left) and his boyfriend, former Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird (right), have both been missing since Monday , and were last spotted in Sydney suburb Paddington

'Police are currently trying to locate him. Detectives will continue to look at all past relationships and associations.'

Mr Baird and Mr Davies went missing from the TV producer's $3million rental home in Paddington on Monday.

Mr Davies, 29, was with Mr Baird, 26 - but the pair then vanished and Mr Davies' family have been unable to contact him.

CCTV footage of the couple's last known whereabout shows them entering Mr Baird's home late on Monday night.

The men were captured wandering outside before heading towards the back of the terrace. A white van is then seen driving nearby.

Neither of the pair have been seen since, however Mr Baird's phone appeared to have last been active on WhatsApp on Tuesday evening.

A manhunt was launched after a pile of the couple's bloodied clothes was found in a large skip bin in the centre of Cronulla in Sydney's south at around 11am on Wednesday.

Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, 29, was wanted for questioning by police. He gave himself up to detectives on Friday morning. He was once a celebrity blogger who rubbed shoulders with Selena Gomez (left)

Last week, Constable Lamarre-Condon was seen taking selfies with stars, grabbing this picture with Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker

Police have seized CCTV of the couple's last known movements outside Mr Baird's Paddington terrace on Monday night

Mr Baird worked with Studio 10 for three years, but left his producer/presenter role with the show in January when it was axed by the network late last year.

He had previously worked as a producer/presenter with Ten's Totally Wild! show for four years as well as a seven-month stint hosting Gamify! for the network in 2019.

Police earlier issued a statement appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

'Possessions belonging to 29-year-old Luke Davies and another man were found just after 11am on Wednesday in a skip-bin on Wilbar Avenue, Cronulla,' said police.

'Following inquiries, officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended a home in Brown Street, Paddington, about 1pm on Wednesday.

'After entering the property, officers immediately established a crime scene.

'Police then attended Luke's home in Waterloo, but he has not been located and his disappearance is being treated as suspicious.'

Mr Baird (pictured) was last seen on Monday night while Mr Davies was reported missing by his family on Tuesday

The statement added: 'Investigators are now trying to determine the location of a 26-year-old man, who they believe can assist with inquiries.

'Information indicates Luke was in Paddington on Monday. He has not been seen since, his family have been unable to contact him and he has not been at work.

'Luke is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm-175cm tall with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes. It's not known what he was wearing at the time.

'Police are appealing for anyone with information about Luke's whereabouts  or who may have information relevant to the investigation  to contact Waverley Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.'
Big Western firms, not consumers, are beneficiaries of trade protectionism

14:11, February 23, 2024 By Hu Weijia ( Global Times

Illustration: Liu Xiangya/Global Times

Europe was once the world's leader in terms of the development of wind energy, but right now, some industry leaders have to resort to trade protectionism to stave off competition from China. This is the tragedy of Europe's wind power industry.

Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch said in a recent interview with the South China Morning Post (SCMP) that Europe's wind power sector will suffer the same fate as its devastated solar industry if authorities do not cut market access for "cheap" Chinese wind power equipment.

Therefore, the company would back "a combination of either a quota or qualitative criteria" to boost the EU wind sector and make it more difficult for Chinese competitors to gain a foothold in Europe. This scenario is quite ironic: When European industry leaders openly discuss trade protectionism measures, they have no sense of guilt and they have shown no sign of respecting "the rules-based order."

Bruch's words come as European companies face fierce competition from Chinese competitors in the wind power sector. China has emerged as an important player in global wind power generation, with some statistics showing that the country's manufacturers supplied nearly 60 percent of installed capacity worldwide in 2022. This achievement was largely driven by Chinese manufacturers' low price advantage.

The price advantage can be attributed to multiple factors, including a complete industry chain, relatively low labor costs, a large and relatively high-skilled workforce, and scientific and technological innovation. All these factors are not the reason for the Western companies to resort to trade protectionism to suppress their Chinese counterparts.

In the face of fierce competition, European wind turbine manufacturers are financially struggling, putting them at risk of losing market share to Chinese competitors. As reported by the SCMP, Siemens Energy has had a troubled year. In November, amid major losses at its wind energy subsidiary and struggles to secure commercial lending, the company tapped the German government for loan guarantees worth 7.5 billion euros ($8 billion).

If the EU takes actions to fend off Chinese wind power imports, as Bruch has suggested, protectionist measures may alleviate pressure on European enterprises, but the negative side effects shouldn't be neglected.

First, bowing to trade protectionism means Europe will face growing pushback against policies to address climate change and protect the environment. The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050 - an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions - but making the goal a reality will not be easy.

Second, if the EU builds a fence blocking off affordable Made-in-China products, trying to give European wind companies an unreasonable competitive advantage, then an increase in energy prices will be transmitted to European consumers.

In 2022, Time.com reported that benchmark electricity prices in Europe had surged almost 300 percent in 2022 on a yearly basis, breaking records. Consumers in European countries have already felt the pain of rising energy costs. Policymakers should prevent the situation from getting worse.

If European policymakers choose to protect the interests of large energy enterprises instead of ordinary consumers at the cost of missing emission reduction goals, this would indeed be an unwise decision.

Moreover, trade protectionism can only provide a "breathing spell" during which European companies may temporarily stave off competition from China. But this cannot help them win market share. On the contrary, protectionism will erode the long-term competitiveness of these companies and cost the European economy dearly.

A global transformation toward a green economy will create huge market opportunities. The market is big enough to accommodate both Chinese companies and the European companies. What the EU and China need to do is to ensure fair competition. It's the only way to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinese automotive electronics supplier Desay SV held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the establishment of its Yokohama office in Japan on February 21. This marks the opening of another overseas R&D center for Desay SV, which will provide customers with more agile and efficient services in globally renowned automotive hubs.



Photo credit: Desay SV

During the ceremony, Desay SVs President and CEO Gao Dapeng stated, "Since our engagement with Japanese clients in 2012 and the establishment of our Hiroshima office in 2013, Desay SV has consistently delivered on our promises to customers. As another overseas R&D center for Desay SV, the Yokohama office will further facilitate deep customer engagement, providing them with more agile and high-quality services."

Japan is a global automotive powerhouse, and Yokohama, as Japan's third-largest city and a major hub for Japanese automakers, boasts a rich ecosystem of industrial resources. Desay SV's presence in Yokohama signifies its deeper integration into global industrial transformations. Leveraging advanced technology and intelligent capabilities, Desay SV aims to bring its products and services closer to customers, providing value-added services to the global industry chain.

Under the vision of "becoming the preferred partner for mobility transformation," Desay SV has transformed from "international localization" to "local internationalization." Focusing on technological innovation, accelerating its overseas expansion, and leveraging its functional and cost advantages, Desay SV aims to get closer to customers, integrate with them, and collaborate closely, contributing Chinese strength to the global automotive industry transformation.
Reese Witherspoon showed off her toned frame while sporting fitness attire during a relaxing jog in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The Legally Blonde actress, 47 - who wants to 'fall in love again' after splitting from second husband Jim Toth - was spotted enjoying the fresh air during the morning excursion.

The star donned a pair of figure-hugging, black leggings as well as a black jacket that was partially zipped up at the front.

She slipped into a pair of comfortable, black sneakers that contained white soles on the bottom and were tightly secured with laces.

A cap was placed on top of her blonde locks which were pulled back into a loose ponytail at the back of her head.

Reese Witherspoon, 47, showed off her toned frame while sporting fitness attire during a relaxing jog in Los Angeles on Thursday

The star donned a pair of figure-hugging, black leggings as well as a black jacket that was partially zipped up at the front

For a finishing touch, Witherspoon opted for a pair of stylish, black shades to protect her eyes while jogging under the bright sunshine.

Last year in 2023, the mother-of-three opened up about prioritizing her health and fitness, per Marie Claire Australia.

'I exercise every day and eat right every day, no matter what is going on. If I'm working way into the night, I eat with frequency and I take care of my mind and spirit,' Reese expressed.

She also revealed that before her career took off in the 1990s, her health and nutrition were not the best.

'I didn't always have good eating habits, coming from a little town in Nashville, Tennessee,' the star stated. 'I didn't understand health or nutrition, I went completely off the rails.'

The Cruel Intentions actress explained, 'I was lucky enough to have people come in my life and say, "Look you're not going to be able to sustain energy for 12, 14, 15-hour days if you don't start eating right and exercising."'

Her latest outing on Thursday comes shortly after it was revealed that Witherspoon wants to 'fall in love again' following her divorce from Jim Toth.

The pair tied the knot in 2011 but announced their split last year in April. During the course of their marriage, the former couple welcomed son Tennessee, 11.

Last year in 2023, the mother-of-three opened up about prioritizing her health and fitness, per Marie Claire Australia

Her latest outing on Thursday comes shortly after it was revealed that Witherspoon wants to 'fall in love again' following her divorce from Jim Toth

Reese also shares lookalike daughter Ava, 24, and son Deacon, 20, with her first husband, Ryan Phillippe.

A source told Us Weekly last month in January, 'Reese hasn't been out on too many dates, but she's been set up with a few friends of friends.'

'She is taking things very slowly. In an ideal world, she'd love to meet someone special in 2024 and eventually settle down again but for now there's no pressure.'

At the time of the divorce news, the pair released a statement on social media which read: 'It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce.'

'We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness, and mutual respect for everything we have created together.'

'Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter. These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. We truly appreciate everyone's respect for our family's privacy at this time. Reese and Jim.'

She further reflected on the split while talking to Harper's Bazaar last year and admitted, 'It's interesting what happened to me.'

'When I was divorced before, the tabloid media got to tell people how I was feeling or how I was processing, and it felt very out of control.'

At the time of the divorce news, the pair released a statement on social media which read: 'It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce'

Reese also shares lookalike daughter Ava, 24, and son Deacon, 20, with her first husband, Ryan Phillippe

'She is taking things very slowly. In an ideal world, she'd love to meet someone special in 2024 and eventually settle down again but for now there's no pressure,' the insider said; seen in January in Paris

'To be able to talk to people directly about what's going on in my life and just share it in the way that I share great professional experiences or personal experiences, it feels much more authentic to be able to say things in my own voice and not let somebody else control what's happening.'

Reese continued, 'Then, of course, there's speculation, but I can't control that. All I can do is be my most honest, forthright self and be vulnerable.'

'It's a vulnerable time for me,' she said, adding, 'My brain has been going nonstop, and just life changes and running a company.'

Witherspoon notably launched her own clothing line, Draper James, and also founded a proudction company called Hello Sunshine.

'But that's okay. I really believe creativity is infinite and you're just looking for that next bit of inspiration, so if you go through a little slow period, that's okay.'

Witherspoon has been filtering through a busy schedule, and recently attended the 81st Golden Globe Awards last month with her son, Deacon.

She later made an appearance at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards alongside her daughter Ava.

Reese currently stars in the Apple TV+ series, The Morning Show, alongside other celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Billy Crudup and Jon Hamm.

Reese currently stars in the Apple TV+ series, The Morning Show, alongside other celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Billy Crudup and Jon Hamm; Reese and Jennifer seen above

In regards to the third season of Big Little Lies, Reese told Variety,' We are working on it. Nic [Nicole Kidman] and I have been working on it a lot; seen in January in Santa Monica

The third season finished airing late last year in November, and the series was renewed for a fourth season.

While at the Golden Globes last month, the actress also teased the return of HBO's Big Little Lies - four years after the second season premiered in 2019.

In regards to the third season, Reese told Variety,' We are working on it. Nic [Nicole Kidman] and I have been working on it a lot.' The cast not only includes Witherspoon and Kidman, but also Shailene Woodley and Alexander Skarsgard.

Reese has a number of other projects under her belt, including Legally Blonde 3 which is currently in its pre-production stages, per IMDB.
Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' daughter Sami Sheen shared more bikini-clad snaps of herself enjoying a lavish vacation to the Hawaiian isle of Kauai on Thursday.

The OnlyFans star - whose 20th birthday is March 9 - showcased her surgically-enhanced figure in a white dotted two piece with a Brazilian thong.

Sami wore a straw cowboy hat over her long locks, which she dyed brunette last December after years of being a bottle blonde.

Sheen struck a pose in the sand and surf on a beach located in Hanalei Bay on the North shore despite the overcast 73F-degree winter weather.

Kaua'i is considered the most rural of the Hawaiian islands with an excess of both waterfalls and feral chickens due to historic hurricanes.

Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' daughter Sami Sheen shared more bikini-clad snaps of herself enjoying a lavish vacation to the Hawaiian isle of Kauai on Thursday

The Alexander Wang brand ambassador - who boasts 288K social media followers - captioned her Instagram slideshow: 'My new fav island.'

That same day, Sami publicly declared that she wanted to have a second breast augmentation surgery just three months after going under the knife.

'Spending almost $10K on a new rack just to wanna go bigger,' Sheen wrote on TikTok.

'Someone talk me out of it.'

The Zoomer nepo-baby previously documented her boob job journey before and after the November 15 procedure.

Sami was joined on her tropical getaway by her boyfriend of 14 months, Valzar Liev.

Based on the pool area and hotel room, Sheen and her man appear to have been staying at 1 Hotel in Hanalei Bay for the last week.

The high school drop-out's OnlyFans account, which normally costs $19.99/month, is currently free for 30 days as part of a 'limited offer.'

Sami famously joined the Fenix International-owned XXX platform when she became a legal adult, and the app takes a 20% commission on all of her earnings (allegedly $80K/month).

Sheen was two years old when her parents - RHOBH alum Denise Richards and Brat Packer Charlie Sheen - finalized their divorce after just two years of marriage, and they're also parents of 18-year-old daughter Lola Rose Sheen.

The OnlyFans star - whose 20th birthday is March 9 - showcased her surgically-enhanced figure in a white dotted two piece with a Brazilian thong

Sami wore a straw cowboy hat over her long locks, which she dyed brunette last December after years of being a bottle blonde

Sheen struck a pose in the sand and surf on a beach located in Hanalei Bay on the North shore despite the overcast 73F-degree winter weather

Kaua'i is considered the most rural of the Hawaiian islands with an excess of both waterfalls and feral chickens due to historic hurricanes

The Alexander Wang brand ambassador - who boasts 288K social media followers - captioned her Instagram slideshow: 'My new fav island'

After/Before: That same day, Sami publicly declared that she wanted to have a second breast augmentation surgery just three months after going under the knife

Sheen wrote on TikTok: 'Spending almost $10K on a new rack just to wanna go bigger'

She dared in the caption: 'Someone talk me out of it'

The Zoomer nepo-baby previously documented her boob job journey before and after the November 15 procedure

Sami was joined on her tropical getaway by her boyfriend of 14 months, Valzar Liev (pictured Tuesday)

Based on the pool area and hotel room, Sheen and her man appear to have been staying at 1 Hotel in Hanalei Bay for the last week (pictured last Thursday)

The high school drop-out's OnlyFans account, which normally costs $19.99/month, is currently free for 30 days as part of a 'limited offer'

Sami famously joined the Fenix International-owned XXX platform when she became a legal adult, and the app takes a 20% commission on all of her earnings (allegedly $80K/month)
Brandi Glanville has accused Bravo bigwig Andy Cohen of sexual harassment in an explosive new legal letter obtained by DailyMail.com that was sent by her attorneys to NBC, Shed Media and Warner Bros. on Thursday.

Glanville, 51, claims that an 'obviously inebriated' Cohen sent her a video of himself saying that he wanted to have sex with another Bravo star and invited her to watch the act over FaceTime in 2022.

'In a video sent by Mr. Cohen to Ms. Glanville in 2022, Mr. Cohenappearing obviously inebriatedboasted of his intention to sleep with another Bravo star that night while thinking of her and invited her to watch via Facetime,' her attorney Bryan Freedman writes.

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Cohen and Bravo for comment.

The identity of the 'Bravo star' was not disclosed in the letter but Cohen later revealed it to be Below Deck alum Kate Chastain as he responded to Glanville's accusations on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday.

Cohen said that he  an openly gay man  and Chastain were 'joking' about hooking up but acknowledged it was 'inappropriate.'

'The video shows Kate Chastain and I very clearly joking to Brandi. It was absolutely meant in jest, and Brandi's response clearly communicated she was in on the joke. That said, it was totally inappropriate and I apologize,' the WWHL host wrote.

Brandi Glanville has accused Bravo bigwig Andy Cohen of sexual harassment in an explosive new legal letter obtained by DailyMail.com that was sent by her attorneys to N BC, Shed Media and Warner Bros. on Wednesday

In the legal letter, Freedman notes that Cohen was Glanville's superior at the time the alleged video was sent as she was working on the second season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, a Real Housewives spin-off for NBC's streaming service Peacock.

She'd also worked closely with Cohen for over 10 years after landing a spot on the hit Bravo series Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills back in 2011.

'Mr. Cohen was Ms. Glanville's boss at the time and exercised complete and total control over her career. This was an extraordinary abuse of power that left Ms. Glanville feeling trapped and disgusted,' he writes.

'It is inconceivable that Mr. Cohen remains in his post in spite of this behavior and harkens back to the bad old days of Matt Lauer and NBC News when profits were prioritized over people.'

After 20 years of co-hosting, Lauer was abruptly fired from the Today show over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Although NBC denied rumors of a cover-up, journalist Ronan Farrow claimed in his bombshell book that the network took internal steps to protect Lauer.

Glanville's allegations against Cohen were not even a fraction of the explosive claims made by her attorneys in the new legal letter obtained by DailyMail.com this week.

In it, Glanville's attorney claimed she was 'used and abused by NBC, Bravo, Warner Bros., and Shed Media' and accused the network of 'hiding evidence' that would clear her name.

Glanville has decided to 'wage a public reputational war' against the network after they 'silenced' her in the wake of sexual assault allegations made against Glanville by her Ultimate Girls' Trip costar Caroline Manzo.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 62, made headlines in 2023 when she alleged that Glanville kissed her without consent and even 'forced her vagina against her back' during filming of the Housewives spin off show in Morocco.

Last month, Manzo officially filed to sue Bravo over her claim that production encouraged Glanville to sexually harass.

Now, in a new legal demand, Glanville's attorney's appear to suggest Manzo is lying, insisting no assault took place, as they demand the network release to them 'all existing documents and data' pertaining to the accusations.

Glanville, 51, claims that an 'obviously inebriated' Cohen sent her a video of himself talking about wanting to have sex with another Bravo star and invited her to watch the act over FaceTime in 2022; seen in 2023

The identity of the 'Bravo star' was not disclosed in the letter but Cohen later revealed it to be Below Deck alum Kate Chastain as he responded to Glanville's accusations on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday

Cohen explained that he  an openly gay man  and Chastain were 'joking' about hooking up but acknowledged it was 'inappropriate'; Chastain seen on February 14

'Ms. Glanville and Ms. Manzo engaged in 'dirty dancing,' flirting, and playful touching,' the letter reads. 'Throughout the night, they shared a couple of kisses.

'We have heard about a supposed 'bathroom incident' through press leaks, but Shed Media has repeatedly refused to allow Ms. Glanville or her counsel to see the footage in question; there is no truth to any allegations of impropriety'.

The letter continued: 'It is apparent some allegation was made; however, neither the nature nor the source of that allegation has been clarified by NBC, Shed Media, or Warner Bros.

'We can glean from the press coverageseeded by malicious and deliberate leaksthat Ms. Manzo formally accused Ms. Glanville of sexual misconduct and that Ms. Glanville was sent home as a result.'

They continued: 'It bears emphasis that Ms. Glanville and Ms. Manzo were never alone together; anything that happened took place in the presence of the cast and crew. All the events were captured on camera or picked up via microphone.'

Glanville's legal team maintain her innocence and insist that the TV star was never alone with Manzo, and that her costar 'did not manifest a lack of consent at any point.'

The letter also sees Glanville's reps accuse Manzo of 'feeding a defamatory narrative' to the media and of being the source behind the press leaks regarding the claims.

The letter states: 'We have every reason to believe that Ms. Manzo, with the tacit or express support of Bravo and Shed Media, is the source of the early and voluminous press leaks that began immediately upon Ms. Glanville's return home.

'Yet Ms. Glanville was admonished to remain entirely silent and to refrain from defending herself. She was further told that assuming her compliance with that directive, she would have the opportunity to work for Shed Media/Warner Bros. again on the condition that she completes 6-months of outpatient therapy with a Warner Bros.-affiliated therapist. Ms. Glanville did so.

Freedman notes that Cohen was Glanville's superior at the time the alleged video was sent as she was working on the second season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, a Real Housewives spin-off for NBC's streaming service Peacock

Brandi Glanville's attorney claims that the TV star has been 'used and abused by Bravo' and they are accusing the network of 'hiding evidence' that would clear her name in a new legal letter. Real Housewives of New Jersey star Caroline Manzo (right), 62, is suing Bravo and claims production encouraged Glanville to sexually harass her during filming the Housewives spinoff Ultimate Girls Trip

'It became apparent afterward, however, that this was a false promise intended to ensure Ms. Glanville's silence.'

It continues: 'All the while, Ms. Manzo, Bravo, and Shed Media were feeding a defamatory narrative that destroyed Ms. Glanville's reputation, employment prospects, mental health, and financial stability and caused untold harm to Ms. Glanville and her family.'

In a statement shared with DailyMail.com, attorney Bryan Freedman called for other 'victims' of Bravo and NBC to reach out to their team and join the 'fight' against the network.

He wrote: 'This is yet another example of the abusive practices of the reality TV industry. Mark Geragos and I have heard from thousands of current and former cast members on reality shows about the physical and emotional harm inflicted on them by virtue of their participation. NBC, Bravo, Warner Bros., and Shed Media intentionally obscure their legal rights, bind them to illegal contracts, and knowingly cause them to suffer in silence.

'We know there are untold numbers of innocent victims who have yet to tell their stories or seek legal redress. We encourage all of them to contact us and join our growing team as we fight for change in this sordid industry.'

The letter highlighted how Glanville has been plagued with health issues ever since Manzo's allegations went public, and said she has been in 'dire straits' after Bravo tried to 'humiliate and ruin her publicly.'

The reality star has talked openly about how her face was left disfigured due to stress-induced angioedema - a condition which causes swelling under the skin

Glanville's team accuses the network of having a 'reckless disregard for the mental and emotional health' of employees - adding that Glanville has been treated like a 'sacrificial lamb' and has faced 'social and economic death.'

They are seeking evidence from the network's servers, storage, personal computers, portable systems.

The legal letter warns that 'Ms. Glanville is uniquely positioned to reveal more revelations' and is just one of thousands of stars to come forward against the network in recent years.

TMZ previously reported that Manzo is suing Bravo and claimed production plied them with alcohol as they filmed the spin-off in Morocco in January 2023.

According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Manzo claims Glanville 'forced her vagina against her back' and 'proceeded to mount Manzo on the couch holding Manzo down with her body, forcibly squeezed Manzo's cheeks together and thrust her tongue in Manzo's mouth, while humping her.'

The documents state: 'Defendants, including Bravo, regularly ply the Real Housewives cast with alcohol, cause them to become severely intoxicated, and then direct, encourage and/or allow them to sexually harass other cast members because that is good for ratings.'

Glanville previously revealed that her face was left disfigured due to stress-induced angioedema - a condition which causes swelling under the skin

The star, pictured left in 2017, has been working with a plastic surgeon to conquer her condition - pictured right in 2024

'Caroline Manzo is a victim of those harmful actions,' it added.

In her full statement in response to the suit at the time, a representative for Glanville told DailyMail.com: 'Sadly, Brandi had to wake up to yet another lawsuit that includes defamatory, false accusations about her. While filming, Brandi followed what the producers asked of her, and there was no sexual assault.

'She is innocent of these absurd accusations that have weighed on her mental and physical health for far too long without word of support from Peacock, Shed or Bravo.'

The statement concluded: 'This painful storytelling seems endless and needs to stop. She is looking to move on and upward and get her life back.'

This isn't the first lawsuit filed against the network over the Housewives franchise.

Last year butler Marco Vega - who worked and appeared on season two of Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip - filed a lawsuit for sexual assault and harassment.

In his lawsuit, Vega said he was 'sexually harassed and abused' while shooting the show at Dorinda Medley's Blue Stone Manor claiming he was slapped on the buttocks by Phaedra Parks and that he was 'forcibly stripped' by Glanville, who ripped his shirt off.

In her lawsuit, Manzo alleged that the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum kissed her without consent and even 'forced her vagina against her back'

Glanville insists she is innocent and 'vehemently denies any wrongdoing' - pictured in 2009

Leah McSweeney filed a discrimination complaint with Bravo last year, alleging she was forced to miss her grandmother's funeral due to filming commitments.

A lawsuit filed by McSweeney is said to be imminent, Page Six reported at the time.

Back in August, a bombshell letter revealed that 80 reality stars had teamed up to accuse the network of 'covering up sexual violence, condoning revenge porn, exploiting minors and denying mental health treatment'.

Bethenny Frankel was believed to have led the charge, though the former RHONY star has since clarified that she is not one of the people who is officially taking legal action against Bravo or NBC.
While the early critic reactions from a press screening last week seemed to be positive, the show has dipped into 'rotten' territory on Rotten Tomatoes

The live-action series sets a much more violent tone than the Nickelodeon animated show, which has seemingly divided the fans.

SPOILERS: There will be SPOILERS from the opening moments of the series premiere of Avatar: The Last Airbender so read on at your own risk

Netflix has finally unveiled its long-awaited live-action adaptation of the beloved Nickelodeon animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which has left fans divided.

The live-action series sets a much more violent tone than the Nickelodeon animated show, which has seemingly divided the fans.

While the early critic reactions from a press screening last week seemed to be positive, the show has dipped into 'rotten' territory on Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 59% from 46 reviews.

Fans seem just as mixed, with some praising the new take and some even left traumatized by the opening scene, which sets the tone for the show.

Like the animated series, this live-action series follows a young boy named Aang (Gordon Cormier), who must master all four elements - Earth, Water, Fire and Air - to become the next Avatar and bring peace to all four kingdoms.

Netflix has finally unveiled its long-awaited live-action adaptation of the beloved Nickelodeon animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which has left fans divided

The live-action series sets a much more violent tone than the Nickelodeon animated show, which has seemingly divided the fans

The series begins with one of the Earthbenders trying to escape the Fire kingdom, to reveal their plans for war, thinking the Fire kingdom is about to start a war with the Earth kingdom.

However, he's told by Fire Lord Sozin (Hiro Kanagawa) after being captured that the Fire nation is not actually starting war with the Earth nation: he's starting it with the Air nation.

He's doing all of this because Air nation will ultimately reveal the Last Airbender - the new Avatar, the only one who can stop the Fire nation, which leads Sozin to shockingly use his powers to burn the man alive, setting a dark new tone early on.

When one of Sozin's underlings insisted the Airbenders are not a threat, since the new Avatar has yet to be revealed, Sozin reveals he wants to kill the entire Fire nation, which leads to a vicious attack on the peaceful Air Nomads.

This opening scene and the vicious attack on the Air nation minutes later was clearly shocking to many viewers.

@MoFandoms tweeted, 'Netflix said lets start off with TRAUMA and show the fire nation attack on the Air Nomads in the first minutes.'

@only1riles added, 'Me when the fire nation started burning people alive, I forgot this on Netflix and not Nickelodeon #AvatarTheLastAirbender #AvatarNetflix.'

@CrisonnaAndrews added, '5 minutes into the new live action remake of Avatar The Last Airbender and I am here for ALLLLLLLLL of it Woww'

The series begins with one of the Earthbenders trying to escape the Fire kingdom, to reveal their plans for war, thinking the Fire kingdom is about to start a war with the Earth kingdom

When one of Sozin's underlings insisted the Airbenders are not a threat, since the new Avatar has yet to be revealed, Sozin reveals he wants to kill the entire Fire nation, which leads to a vicious attack on the peaceful Air Nomads

@MoFandoms tweeted, 'Netflix said lets start off with TRAUMA and show the fire nation attack on the Air Nomads in the first minutes'

Still, many others weren't impressed like @TakeshitaFan, who tweeted, 'Man the live action Avatar The Last Airbender really disappoints. The bending looked a lot better than I expected, but the acting is quite bad and they leave out a lot of good parts that made the animation so enjoyable.'

@GabeGabeGab drew a comparison to the conflict with Israel and Palestine, stating, 'Initial thoughts on 1st epi of Avatar last airbender live action version: 1) Firebending looks so much scarier live 2) to be painfully political, the convo with Sozin in the beginning draws parallels with Netanyahu and the Palestinians just saying.'

@WhitneyStrouth added, 'I enjoyed the first episode of Netflix's Avatar the Last Airbender. It looks great and the bending choreography and VFX looks super cool! Disclaimer, I never fully watched the Animated show.'

Other fans like @IAmKieranPirie tweeted that the show was already much better than the universally-bashed 2010 live-action film by M. Night Shyamalan.

'Watched the first episode of Avatar The Last Airbender and Im enjoying it so far, its already 100 times better than the movie was.'

@ItsThatEM added, '2 episodes down of Avatar The Last Airbender and I'm really enjoying it. It's fun to see the story told in a different way.'

@Reuben____ addeed of the eight-episode series, 'This Avatar: The Last Airbender series isnt what I was expecting. 4 episodes in and its very mid.'

However, another fan, @MMARick95, who was also halfway through the show, was enjoying it quite a bit, it seems.

'Just about half way through The LA Avatar The Last Airbender and man it is pretty fantastic so far! Aestheticly stupendous!' the X user said.

Still, many others weren't impressed like @TakeshitaFan, who tweeted, 'Man the live action Avatar The Last Airbender really disappoints. The bending looked a lot better than I expected, but the acting is quite bad and they leave out a lot of good parts that made the animation so enjoyable'

@GabeGabeGab drew a comparison to the conflict with Israel and Palestine, stating, 'Initial thoughts on 1st epi of Avatar last airbender live action version: 1) Firebending looks so much scarier live 2) to be painfully political, the convo with Sozin in the beginning draws parallels with Netanyahu and the Palestinians just saying'

@WhitneyStrouth added, 'I enjoyed the first episode of Netflix's Avatar the Last Airbender. It looks great and the bending choreography and VFX looks super cool! Disclaimer, I never fully watched the Animated show'

Other fans like @IAmKieranPirie tweeted that the show was already much better than the universally-bashed 2010 live-action film by M. Night Shyamalan

@ItsThatEM added, '2 episodes down of Avatar The Last Airbender and I'm really enjoying it. It's fun to see the story told in a different way'

@Reuben____ addeed of the eight-episode series, 'This Avatar: The Last Airbender series isnt what I was expecting. 4 episodes in and its very mid'

'Just about half way through The LA Avatar The Last Airbender and man it is pretty fantastic so far! Aestheticly stupendous!' the X user said

@clm972 said, '#AvatarNetflix is dark as f**k. Fire Nation out there burning people alive and all.

@stunningphasers added, 'ATLA episode 1 "Aang" hi i'm here to give a major trigger warning for burning a man alive on screen within a few mins of this episode starting. i get making it more realistic *eye roll* but COME ON this is a kid's show'

@SosoTheWanderer added, 'Oh s**t...how does this have a PG rating? Sozin literally sets a guy on fire 5 minutes into the show,' though Soso adds in a later tweet, 'I like the darker tone and the fact that they're not telling the *exact* same story, so there's lots of surprises. I'd actually like them to make this TV-MA or at least TV-14'

@PwallowYoSride added, 'Had me shook AF! I was like hold on wait a min!!'

@clm972 said, '#AvatarNetflix is dark as f**k. Fire Nation out there burning people alive and all.

@stunningphasers added, 'ATLA episode 1 "Aang" hi i'm here to give a major trigger warning for burning a man alive on screen within a few mins of this episode starting. i get making it more realistic *eye roll* but COME ON this is a kid's show.'

@SosoTheWanderer added, 'Oh s**t...how does this have a PG rating? Sozin literally sets a guy on fire 5 minutes into the show,' though Soso adds in a later tweet, 'I like the darker tone and the fact that they're not telling the *exact* same story, so there's lots of surprises. I'd actually like them to make this TV-MA or at least TV-14.'

@PwallowYoSride added, 'Had me shook AF! I was like hold on wait a min!!'
Ellie Leach has 'moved to London' amid her blossoming relationship with Bobby Brazier.

The former Coronation Street actress, 22, is now living in the capital where her EastEnders actor boyfriend Bobby, 20, lives with his dad after sparking up a romance during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour.

Ellie's cousin Coronation Street star, Brooke Vincent shared she is planning to catch up with her in London during an appearance on This Morning on Thursday.

She said: 'I'm actually seeing her tonight and she's moved to London.'

Brooke added: 'I could never do Strictly since she won, she did amazing. You get bored of saying how proud you are.'

Ellie Leach has moved to London amid her rumoured romance with Bobby Brazier following the Strictly Come Dancing live tour

The former Coronation Street actress, 22, is now living in the capital where her reported EastEnders actor boyfriend Bobby, 20, lives with his dad

But Ellie and Bobby are set to be challenged in the coming week as the Strictly winner is set to start a nationwide tour in Cluedo 2 while Bobby has resumed filming EastEnders.

A source told The Mirror: 'Ellie has grown in confidence so much since Strictly, which really helped her get over everything with her ex. She is visibly shining. They are making the most of their time together.

'Once she heads off on tour next week, now Bobby has resumed filming EastEnders, that will be the first test for their budding relationship, but they seem so happy everyone hopes they can make it work.'

Ellie will make her stage debut this week replacing former Corrie star Helen Flanagan, while Bobby gets back into character as Freddie Slater and films in Borehamwood.

It comes after Ellie and Bobby made their first public appearance together at the Hadestown play press night at the Lyric Theatre in London on Wednesday evening.

The pair sparked rumours of a budding love affair for months after growing close on the Strictly Come Dancing live tour.

Bobby and Ellie seemed happier than ever as they cosied up and posed for pictures together on their first joint red carpet.

The pair coordinated in all black outfits with Ellie wearing a stylish long leather coat over jeans and a top while Bobby donned a long coat as well with navy trousers.

Both Bobby and Ellie competed in the BBC ballroom dance competition last year, with Ellie winning the contest with her professional partner Vito Coppola, 31, shortly before Christmas.

Ellie's cousin Coronation Street star, Brooke Vincent (pictured) shared she is planning to catch up with her in London following the move during an appearance on This Morning on Thursday

Ellie and Bobby are set to be challenged in the coming week as the Strictly winner is set to start a nationwide tour in Cluedo 2 while Bobby has resumed filming EastEnders (pictured in character as Freddie Slater)

It comes after Bobby and Ellie made their first public appearance together at the Hadestown play press night at the Lyric Theatre in London on Wednesday

It comes after Ellie and Bobby addressed their rumoured romance last week, after weeks of speculation that they are dating.

The two Strictly Come Dancing stars both appeared at the TV Choice Awards in London, but arrived separately.

Bobby was asked about his feelings towards the actress 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 knowyoull have to see what she says.'

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 triumphed on the BBC ballroom dance contest with her professional dancer partner Vito Coppola in December last year (Ellie and Vito pictured during the Strictly final)

Speculation about Ellie and Bobby began in early January when insiders reported they had become close performing Strictly Come Dancing Live! (pictured with Robbie Kmetoni and Kai Widdrington)

Last week, Bobby shared a sweet snap of Ellie on Instagram from behind the scenes of the Strictly show at The O2 Arena, captioning the post 'yogi Ellie', as she sat with her legs crossed

Speculation about Ellie and Bobby began in early January when insiders reported they had become close performing Strictly Come Dancing Live!

Bobby has also got very close to Ellie's family, with the pair being spotted with her parents heading to their hotel in London together.

The soap star Bobby seemed to be making quite the impression as he was spotted holding hands with her mum Karen, 50.

Later that day, Bobby shared a sweet snap of Ellie on Instagram from behind the scenes of the Strictly show at The O2 Arena.

She couldn't wipe the smile off her face as Bobby took a snap off-guard, captioning the post 'yogi Ellie', as she sat with her legs crossed.

While last month, Bobby was reportedly seen knocking on Ellie's hotel room door in just his pants, while staying at the Malmaison hotel in Birmingham.

To celebrate the tour kicking off, a party was thrown in the hotel bar when the soap star was spotted in his underwear on the sixth floor.

A hotel guest told The Sun: 'Bobby was in our corridor knocking on Ellie's door after their late-night bash at the hotel.

'Bobby was clearly not shy about nearly being in the buff as we were making our way down to breakfast.'

Ellie and Bobby's comments on their relationship come after Ellie's professional dance partner Vito Coppola declared his love for her after the Strictly tour ended.

The pro dancer, 31, won the latest series of the competition with the Coronation Street star in December and they sparked their own romance rumours during their time on the dance floor.

Filming backstage before their final performance together at the O2, Vito kissed Ellie on the cheek as they both struggled to choke back tears.

Ellie and Bobby's comments on their relationship come after Ellie's professional dance partner Vito Coppola declared his love for her after the Strictly tour ended this weekend

He told her: 'Baby, are we about to perform our last show together? I love you so much.'

As an emotional Ellie replied: 'I love you' before going on to say how lucky she felt for her experience on the show alongside Vito.

In the caption, Vito wrote: 'It has been just perfect right? Love you baby and always remember our promise: always there for each other'. No more words needed! Good night baby.'

Addressing their fans, he added: 'Good night beautiful people. You have been with us in every single moment since the beginning of our journey'.

Ellie shared the video to her Instagram Stories, and added the caption: 'This man is one of a kind and I love him very very much'.
A lawsuit was filed by a guardian for talk show host Wendy Williams against the parent company of Lifetime, A&E Television Networks, amid news that caretakers for the television personality publicly announced she is battling dementia.

The guardian, whose name is Sabrina Morrissey, filed the lawsuit under seal (which keeps details in the case protected from the public), according to a report from TMZ, which reviewed court docs in the case.

The focal point of the lawsuit, the outlet reported, could be linked to a documentary that's slated to be released on the embattled celebrity this coming Saturday.

Morrissey has asked the court for injunctive relief, the outlet reported, indicating her request could be for a judge to stop the network from airing the TV special.

The judge in the case issued an order that it remained temporarily sealed from the public, pending a hearing scheduled for next week.

A lawsuit was filed by a guardian for talk show host Wendy Williams, 59, against the parent company of Lifetime, A&E Television Networks, amid news that caretakers for the television personality publicly announced she is battling dementia. Pictured in NYC last year

News of the case was revealed after her caretaker issued a statement Thursday saying that doctors have diagnosed Williams with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.

The health struggles 'have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life' and have behavioral and cognitive impacts, according to the statement.

'Wendy is still able to do many things for herself,' the statement attributed to her care team read. 'Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.'

The statement on Williams' health was issued on PR Newswire. A representative listed on the release, Jennifer Hanley, referred questions back to the statement when contacted by The Associated Press.

The announcement came a day after a cover story in People magazine quoted Williams' family about the nature of her struggles, ahead of a Lifetime documentary set to air Saturday.

'The people who love her cannot see her,' the magazine quoted Williams' sister Wanda as saying. 'I think the big (question) is: How the hell did we get here?' The family said a court-appointed legal guardian was the only person with unfettered access to Williams.

The article said the Lifetime documentary crew, which set out in 2022 to chronicle Williams' comeback, stopped filming in April 2023 when, her manager 'and jeweler' Will Selby says in footage for the film, she entered a facility to treat 'cognitive issues.'

Her son says in the documentary that doctors had connected her cognitive issues to alcohol use, People reported. Williams' family told People they dont know where she is and cannot call her themselves, but she can call them.

News of the case was revealed after her caretaker issued a statement Thursday saying that doctors have diagnosed Williams with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. Pictured in 2018 in Atlanta

The health struggles 'have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life' and have behavioral and cognitive impacts, according to the statement

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration describes FTD as a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain that affects behavior, language and movement.

Aphasia, a brain disorder that can lead to problems speaking or understanding words, can be a symptom of it. The association describes frontotemporal degeneration as 'an inevitable decline in functioning,' with an average life expectancy of seven to 13 years after the onset of symptoms.

FTD usually occurs in people in their 40s, 50s and early 60s. It can affect a persons personality, causing a loss of inhibition or inappropriate behavior. It is sometimes mistaken for depression or bipolar disorder, and can take years to diagnose.

There are no treatments to slow or stop the disease, but some interventions can help manage symptoms.

The association was involved in the disclosure of actor Bruce Willis' diagnosis in February 2023, hosting a statement posted by the actor's family.

'We thank Wendy Williams for having the courage to make her diagnosis public and raise awareness of the disease,' association CEO Susan Dickinson said in a statement. 'We know that a diagnosis like this can be heartbreaking, but she is not alone. While there may not be a cure, every day we are working to improve care and research into treatments for this disease.'

Thursday's statement credited Weill Cornell Medicine in New York with the care and expertise Williams received. Weill Cornell declined comment.

Williams rose to fame in part due to her no-boundaries approach to her life, which included sharing personal details about her health, plastic surgery and cocaine addiction - the subject of her 2003 memoir, Wendy's Got the Heat.

Williams rose to fame in part due to her no-boundaries approach to her life, which included sharing personal details about her health, plastic surgery and cocaine addiction. Pictured last year in NYC

A hallmark of The Wendy Williams Show, which competed for viewers with Ellen DeGeneres' show, was her signature phrase, 'How you doin?'

She transitioned to television after a successful career as a radio host, known for her hot takes on gossip and skewering of celebrities, including a contentious 2003 interview with Whitney Houston.

In 2022, Williams' self-titled daytime talk show ended because of her ongoing health issues. Sherri Shepherd, who filled in for Williams as a guest host, received her own show.

Williams said in 2018 that she had been diagnosed years before with Graves disease, which leads to the overproduction of thyroid hormones and can cause wide-ranging symptoms and affect overall health.
AJ Odudu and Will Best have recreated some of the most iconic Celebrity Big Brother moments ahead of the series launch next month.

The show's hosts are returning to front the celebrity version of the reality show, following the success of the civilian edition which aired in October last year.

The names set to enter the famous house are currently only rumoured and nothing will be confirmed until the celebs arrive at the house during the live launch.

One of the most memorable former contestants is former TOWIE star Gemma Collins, 43, who had an infamous meltdown over her hair extensions.

Gemma was left fuming after the straighteners in the house 'frazzled' her hair after Big Brother refused to give her a set of heated rollers.

AJ Odudu and Will Best have recreated some of the most iconic Celebrity Big Brother moments ahead of the series launch next month

Will's recreation needed no words, the action was more than enough to take fans back to the memorable moment Ann Widdecombe tried and failed to straighten her hair

Recreating the iconic moment, AJ says: 'It's a f***ing p*** take. You're all taking the f***ing p*** out of me. My hair is very expensive hair, it's f***ing frazzled because you've only got straighteners in here, you haven't got heated rollers.

'So you can pay for me to have a new set of extensions. The f***ing hair is frazzled. Why didn't you think of putting heated rollers in here?

'Straighteners are what f***ing weirdos use on their hair. That's what you think of me. So I ain't gonna perform anymore.'

Meanwhile, Will's recreation needed no words, the action was more than enough to take fans back to the memorable moment Ann Widdecombe tried and failed to straighten her hair.

The blink and you'll miss it moment showed Ann holding up the straightening iron to her hair, but missing the strands and instead straightening thin air.

The moment has since become a viral meme after fans found the funny side of Ann's hilarious gaffe.

Celebrity Big Brother 2024 is just days away from its launch, with the show set to air from March 4.

ITV bosses have reportedly secured a sensational line-up of stars for the exciting reboot of the show, which was last broadcast on Channel 5 in August 2018.

One of the most memorable former contestants is former TOWIE star Gemma Collins, 43, who had an infamous meltdown over her hair extensions

Gemma was left fuming after the straighteners in the house 'frazzled' her hair after Big Brother refused to give her a set of heated rollers

Recreating the iconic moment, AJ says: 'It's a f***ing p*** take. You're all taking the f***ing p*** out of me

Bigwigs have apparently spent a massive 2million on a number of high-profile stars for the programme after the civilian version proved to be a huge hit last year.

Celebrities who are said to be in talks to take part include former Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu and ex X Factor judge Louis Walsh, among many more.

The reality star, 29, who won Love Island with her ex-boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti in 2022, split from the Italian hunk earlier this year.

Actress Ekin-Su could be in the Celebrity Big Brother house with the likes of Kate Middleton's uncle Gary Goldsmith, who is said to be in negotiations with TV bosses, according to the Mirror.

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Any names are at this point pure speculation and viewers will have to tune to see who will be entering the Celebrity Big Brother house.'
Wendy Williams built a career saying terrible things, reveling in other people's misfortune, castigating celebrities even as she sought to be one.

But no one, not even Williams, deserves her most terrible fate.

In the ramp-up to a two-part docuseries airing this weekend on Lifetime, Williams's diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia at the age of 59 has been publicly disclosed.

The timing, even by Hollywood standards, feels heartless and cynical.

Just look to Williams's legal guardian, named by TMZ as Sabrina Morrissey and who has reportedly filed an 11th-hour suit against Lifetime's parent company.

The suit is under seal, but Morrissey has also filed a temporary restraining order, which could be seeking to stop the network from airing the series.

Perhaps the suit was triggered by the pre-publicity barrage we've seen this week.

In the ramp-up to a two-part docuseries airing this weekend on Lifetime, Williams's diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia at the age of 59 has been publicly disclosed.

The timing, even by Hollywood standards, feels heartless and cynical. Just look to Williams's legal guardian, named by TMZ as Sabrina Morrissey and who has reportedly filed an 11th-hour suit against Lifetime's parent company.

'The Fight to Save Wendy Williams' is People magazine's cover story, bannered with 'Addiction, Health Struggles, A Family in Turmoil'.

Meanwhile, Williams's niece Alex Finnie  an otherwise little-known local Miami news anchor  is getting a taste of the big time, making the rounds at 'Good Morning America' and 'The View'.

It all feels gross. As anyone who loves someone with dementia knows, their personal dignity is the first thing to go.

To have that stripped so very publicly  when it seems Williams doesn't have the cognition to assent  is particularly gruesome.

'Where Is Wendy Williams?' began filming in August 2022, just weeks after she was fired from her talk show. Williams was then 57 and losing the only things that seemed important to her: Her clout, her wealth, her fame.

The documentary was a last-ditch attempt to salvage her reputation, shredded after a lengthy public meltdown involving heavy substance abuse; an on-air collapse, while dressed as the Statue of Liberty; her husband's lengthy extramarital affair, which produced a child; being photographed passed out drunk in a Louis Vuitton store; a grim stint in a run-down communal sober house; and reports that staffers on her show often found liquor bottles stashed all over the set, even under the ceiling panels.

'All I know is how to be famous', Williams says in the doc's trailer. 'I have no money.'

At her height, Williams was making $10 million a year as host of her titular talk show.

She had an unlikely fan in John Oliver, who called her 'an oasis of truth in a world full of lies'  even though she had outed a famous rapper's wife as having cancer (she hadn't told some family members yet) or other celebrities as gay, or mocked their looks, weight, lack of intelligence.

'She sounds like she has a fifth-grade education,' she once said of Beyonce.

While he was alive, Williams falsely claimed that Tupac Shakur had been raped while serving time.

She said that the young men claiming Michael Jackson molested them were lying for a 'money grab' and that a 14-year-old girl claiming that R. Kelly sexually assaulted her had given her 'consent'.

To be sure, Williams could be terrible. Despicable, even.

It all feels gross. As anyone who loves someone with dementia knows, their personal dignity is the first thing to go.

To have that stripped so very publicly - when it seems Williams doesn't have the cognition to assent - is particularly gruesome.

But her awfulness always seemed generated from her own self-loathing: As a child, her parents were critical of her looks and weighed her every day. She suffered from hyperactivity. She clearly had multiple plastic surgeries and stayed married to a man who cheated on her flagrantly.

Her own celebrity was built on bile, on saying not just controversial but remarkably hateful things. That bitterness consumed her.

Of course Wendy Williams was only ever going to implode. Her utter lack of self-esteem, of any core identity that neither needed nor relied on fame, was never going to sustain her.

'I have no friends,' she says in the documentary. It's all too believable and sad.

Instead, she has a jeweler-cum-personal manager, who we see fishing a half-empty vodka bottle out of her bedroom while Williams demands he leave it alone.

'I love being famous,' she says. 'But family is everything.' It feels like something she'd like to believe rather than the truth. Her son Kevin Jr. sits for the cameras to deny claims that he stole money from his mother.

Her ex-husband tormented her. Her mother died in December 2020. She has, at various points, been estranged from her brother and father.

Now her sister Wanda and her niece are spilling to People about her addictions and medical issues  and it's all timed to this documentary, which stopped filming in April 2023 after the crew discovered Williams at home, eyes rolled back in her head.

It's enough to make your skin crawl.

Williams was on the cusp of her dementia diagnosis when she began filming this documentary, which means she was very likely suffering noticeable cognitive impairments well before that.

She also suffers from Graves' disease and lymphedema. The cumulative effects mean that she often looks and sounds mentally ill.

So not only is Williams, with some of her family's apparent endorsement, depicted as a sideshow freak here, but they're also trying to spin her crisis as Britney-adjacent: Williams's legal guardian will decide whether she can ever leave the facility that now houses her.

'Did you see a neurologist?' an off-camera producer asks Williams in the doc.

'To find out if I'm crazy?' Williams responds. 'Mmm-hmm.'

'I love being famous,' she says. 'But family is everything.' It feels like something she'd like to believe rather than the truth. Her son Kevin Jr. (pictured) sits for the cameras to deny claims that he stole money from his mother.

Her ex-husband tormented her. Her mother died in December 2020. She has, at various points, been estranged from her brother and father. (Pictured: Ex-husband Kevin Hunter).

Now her sister Wanda and her niece (pictured) are spilling to People about her addictions and medical issues - and it's all timed to this documentary. It's enough to make your skin crawl.

The kind of fame Williams built for herself was uniquely masochistic. How else to describe pulling the cameras up to capture her own downfall?

If only she had someone to protect her from herself. And who knows? Perhaps she did and pushed them all away.

But to have relatives crawl into her fading spotlight, to sell a story that has no happy ending, feels all too cruel.

'She sounds really good,' her niece Alex Finnie told 'The View' on Thursday  even though she wouldn't say when they had last spoken on the phone.

Finnie added that her aunt 'is excited about her future'.

What!? Anyone suffering with dementia has no future. That's the kind of painful truth that Williams herself would have been the first to point out.

At least she has this final moment in the sun. But for someone who is declining so terribly, who cannot participate in her own publicity tour, it feels like a violation  too far, perhaps, even for Wendy Williams.
Emily Blunt had a beautiful glow on Thursday as she headed to tape a guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

The 40-year-old actress  who recently wowed at Vogue's BAFTAs afterparty  looked ravishing in a plunging black dress with white polka dots throughout.

The Oscar-nominated Oppenheimer star's trim waistline was accentuated with a black band with a center bow.

Her silky, shiny blonde locks were parted on the side and arranged in curls that fell down her back.

She looked radiant with her face made up in soft pink makeup, including blush and a glossy finish on her lips.

Emily Blunt had a beautiful glow on Thursday as she headed to tape a guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live

The 40-year-old actress looked ravishing in a plunging black dress with white polka dots throughout

The Oscar-nominated Oppenheimer star's trim waistline was accentuated with a black band with a center bow

Emily was decked out in silver-toned jewelry, including drop earrings and a single bangle.

The beauty, who is married to John Krasinski, exposed her toned back in her halter neck frock, which had flattering pleats and reached to her ankles.

The mother-of-two rounded out her look with a pair of understated white sneakers.

She flaunted a short, glossy, wine-colored manicure and carried a black leather handbag.

Earlier this month, the actress revealed that she found out about her Oscar nomination while she was picking up dog poop.

The British talent landed a nod in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Oppenheimer, her first-ever Academy Award nomination.

In a conversation with Josh Horowitz at 92NY Emily explained: 'It's all quite scary, the anticipation of it, and I think you just try not to listen to buzz because buzz can be built on sand sometimes.'

'And so when it did happen, and when it happened in such a far-reaching way for all of us in the movie and every crew member, it was magical.'

Her silky, shiny blonde locks were parted on the side and arranged in curls that fell down her back

She looked radiant with her face made up in soft pink makeup, including blush and a glossy finish on her lips

Emily was decked out in silver-toned jewelry, including drop earrings and a single bangle

Blunt was joined at the late-night talk show with her Oppenheimer co-star Cillian Murphy

The actor stepped out in a black t-shirt under a black pinstriped suit coat and black pinstriped pants

He completed his look with black sunglasses and stylish black boots

Another Oppenheimer co-star Robert Downey Jr. also arrived at the studio, though in a much more casual look

He stepped out in a grey trucker's cap that read 'Oppenhomie' a term he used for one of his Oppenheimer friends during his Golden Globe acceptance speech

He also rocked a grey t-shirt under a blue long-sleeved shirt

He completed his look with a pair of dark blue pants and unique white boots.

'I did have a brief cry in the middle of Brooklyn, brief weep directly after picking up my dog's poop... I did pick up her poop and then I heard that I got nominated so it was perfect,' she added.

Emily shared that her husband John also wept when he heard the news.

She said: '[John] had a really good cry as well, after helping me with the poop. I think he went and put it in the trash and then we both cried.'

Emily is nominated alongside Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple), America Ferrera (Barbie), Jodie Foster (Nyad), Da'Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers) and the winner will be announced at the ceremony in Los Angeles on March 10.
Blink-182 fans have been left fuming after Travis Barker's band cancelled a New Zealand concert with less than two weeks' notice.

The American pop-punk band - made up of Travis, Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge - have been performing all across Australia amid their tour Down Under.

They are flying over to New Zealand at the start of March, but have had to cancel one of their planned gigs due to unspecified 'logistical issues'.

The much-awaited show was due to take place on March 4 at the Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch, but will no longer go ahead, according to the New Zealand Herald.

A statement emailed to ticket holders and fans read: 'Unfortunately, the Blink-182 Christchurch performance has been cancelled due to unanticipated logistical issues outside of the band's control.'

blink-182 fans have been left fuming after Travis Barker's band have had to cancel a New Zealand concert with less than two weeks' notice

'Event organisers join the band and fans in being very disappointed and regret any inconvenience that this cancellation has caused.'

Fans were left fuming at the cancellation as they took to social media to share their disappointment after waiting a whole year for the exciting gig, and shared their irritation over the 'vague' reason.

They raged: 'Why the hell are you not coming to Christchurch, the real reason?!! Over a year wait for nothing;'

'#Blink182 have cancelled their Christchurch show. wtf! hope they don't cancel their Auckland show;'

'How could you guys cancel your chch, nz show 1 week out and then blame "logistics". You sold these tickets almost 2 years ago. Rise Against and Queens of the Stone Age don't have logistical issues. Lame as f**k.'

'"Logistical issues" wtf does that even mean?? It's soo vague. F**k whoever made the decision to cancel.'

The American pop-punk band - made up of Travis, Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge - are said to have had to cancel their gig on March 4 at the Wolfbrook Arena due to 'logistical issues'

The concert does not currently feature on the list of upcoming events on Wolfbrook Arena's website. The band have not yet addressed the cancellation online.

The band, best known for their hits All the Small Things, What's My Age Again? and Josie, will still take to the stage at Auckland's Spark Arena on March 2.

MailOnline has contacted blink-182's representatives for further comment.

blink-182 have so far performed across Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on their hotly-anticipated tour Down Under.

The band have returned to Sydney for an additional stint of shows and will take to the stage at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday and Saturday in front of thousands of fans.

They will then perform three extra shows in Melbourne from February 26-29 before heading over to New Zealand and then continuing with their world tour.

Fans were left fuming at the cancellation as they took to social media to share their disappointment after waiting a whole year for the exciting gig

Drummer Travis, 48, has been joined Down Under by his wife Kourtney Kardashian as she has supported him amid the jam-packed touring schedule.

The married couple brought their newborn son Rocky, three months, on the trip with them, marking their first big international holiday with the little one.

They have also been joined by Kourtney's children Penelope, 11, and Reign, nine - who the reality TV star shares with her ex Scott Disick. Her older son Mason, 13, has not accompanied the family on the trip.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

BYD reveals official prices for three models in Indonesia

On February 23, BYD unveiled the prices for the BYD DOLPHIN, BYD SEAL, and BYD ATTO 3 (known domestically as the Yuan PLUS) in the Indonesian market. Specifically, the long-range version of BYD DOLPHIN is priced at 425 million Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 196,000 yuan), the BYD ATTO 3 long-range version at 515 million Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 237,000 yuan), while both the long-range and performance versions of the BYD SEAL are priced at 629 million Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 289,000 yuan) and 719 million Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 331,000 yuan) respectively.

Photo credit: BYD

SGMW introduces Wuling Binguo PLUS with extended range

Since its launch in March 2023, SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW)s Wuling Binguo A0-segment pure electric vehicle has accumulated sales of 250,000 units. In response to the demand for extended range, spacious interiors, and premium driving experiences, SGMW introduced the a new version to the Binguo PLUS' lineup, which boasts a longer range at 510km.

AutoX allowed to conduct autonomous shuttle service at Beijing Daxing International Airport

Chinese autonomous driving tech firm AutoX was granted the first batch of qualifications for high-speed demonstration applications in Beijing. As a result, AutoXs RoboTaxi has commenced autonomous shuttle services directly from Beijing Daxing International Airport to Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area.

Desay SV inaugurates new office in Yokohama, Japan

Chinese automotive electronics supplier Desay SV held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the establishment of its Yokohama office in Japan on February 21. This marks the opening of another overseas R&D center for Desay SV, which will provide customers with more agile and efficient services in globally renowned automotive hubs.

BYD puts Dolphin Honor Edition onto market, starting at 99,800 yuan

On February 23, the BYD Dolphin Honor Edition model officially hit the market, introducing four distinct trim levels with a price range from 99,800 yuan to 129,800 yuan.

IM Motors to take wraps off IM L6 at Geneva Motor Show 2024

As the curtain rises at the Geneva International Motor Show 2024 on February 26, IM Motors is set to introduce its fourth model, the IM L6, marking its official debut, according to the automaker.

Pony.ai launches pilot Robotaxi service between Beijing Yizhuang, Beijing Daxing International Airport

Traveling between Beijing Yizhuang and Beijing Daxing International Airport now offers a new option: hopping aboard an autonomous driving vehicle. Pony.ai today announced the commencement of autonomous passenger-carrying (Robotaxi) service between the two locations, becoming one of the first enterprises authorized to conduct such demonstrations operation in Beijing.

WeRide approved to provide Robotaxi shuttle service from Beijing Daxing International Airport

WeRide recently obtained the demonstration application permit for autonomous passenger-carrying ride-share (Robotaxi) service on certain expressways within the Beijing High-level Automated Driving Demonstration Area (BJHAD).

Baidu's Apollo Go permitted for passenger-carrying Robotaxi service to Beijing Daxing Airport

Baidu's autonomous taxi (Robotaxi) service platform, Apollo Go, on February 23 announced that it has gained approval for the demonstration application of passenger-carrying Robotaxi service on the expressways to Beijing Daxing International Airport and certain areas within the airport.

Hongqi HS3 kicks off pre-sale in the Middle East

On February 15, the entry-level luxury SUV HS3 from FAW Group's premium passenger vehicle brand, Hongqi, officially arrived in the Middle East, marking its market debut in this region. That evening, the Hongqi HS3 dazzled as it illuminated the 82-panel matrix screen in Riyadh's Boulevard City center, kickstarting an extraordinary pre-sale event.

ECARX establishes new operations center in Stuttgart, Germany

Global mobility technology company ECARX recently announced the establishment of a new operations center in Stuttgart, Germany.

Li Auto releases interior design images of Li MEGA MPV

As the much-anticipated debut of Li Auto's inaugural all-electric model, the Li MEGA, approaches on March 1, the company recently released interior images showcasing the meticulous design of its seating arrangement. The seven-seater MPV model promises to blend elegance with innovation, with further details set to be unveiled during its official launch.

BYD introduces five vehicle models in Saudi Arabia

In a grand event held on February 20, BYD hosted a brand launch and the debut of five new models in Saudi Arabia, introducing the BYD HAN, BYD ATTO 3, BYD SEAL, BYD QIN PLUS, and BYD SONG PLUS to the Saudi market.

Chinas locally-made passenger vehicle retail sales likely to plunge 43.5% MoM: CPCA

As the Lunar New Year unfolds, China's passenger vehicle market in February showcases a nuanced performance, with an estimated retail volume of around 1.15 million units, marking a conventional seasonal downturn of 43.5% compared to the previous month, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association ("CPCA").
Over 300,000 Swifties are expected to flock to Sydney's Accor Stadium this weekend for the highly anticipated Eras Tour concert.

In honour of the occasion, Sydney trains have rebranded to the 'Tay Tay Express' for fans travelling to Olympic Park.

Concertgoers can also expect to listen to some of Taylor's biggest hits blaring over the train's loud speaker.

Public transport will be free for ticket holders.

'All aboard the Tay Tay Express! Final stop is Olympic Park via Shake It Off, Anti-Hero, I Knew You Were Trouble, You Belong With Me and Cruel Summer!' a Transport for NSW social media post read.

Over 300,000 Swifties are expected to flock to Sydney's Accor Stadium this weekend for the highly anticipated Eras Tour concert and in honour of the occasion, Sydney trains have rebranded to the 'Tay Tay Express'

Fans were thrilled to see public transport getting into the Swiftie spirit: 'I'm in Melbourne and I want to catch this train' one user wrote.

'I would catch a train just for this,' wrote another.

Olympic Park will be extra busy on Friday and Saturday night with blink-182 performing next door at Qudos Bank Arena.

It comes after NSW police encouraged the thousands of concertgoers to plan ahead of the weekend to avoid last minute stress.

Concertgoers can also expect to listen to some of Taylor's biggest hits blaring over the train's loud speaker

Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland announced 'extra transport services will be made available this weekend and we encourage concertgoers to utilise them'.

Police operations will be in place from Friday 23 February to Monday 26 February to ensure the safety and security of all attendees and staff.

With large crowds expected Acting Assistant Commissioner Holland urged those who don't have tickets to stay away from the stadium in order to avoid unwanted congestion.

Holland went on to say: 'Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated, and police will act in a fair but firm manner to ensure everyone has a good time but not at the expense of other peoples safety, so take care of one another'.

Public transport will be free for ticket holders
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This video is no longer available

A rare video of wildlife warrior Steve Irwin has re-surfaced which he made to help an Australian cop establish himself as one of the world's top child protection experts.

Queensland police officer Jon Rouse, who retired in 2022, had been asked to speak at an INTERPOL Specialists Group forum in Lyon, France in 2005.

To help with the 'daunting' speech in front of the large group of highly experienced officers from around the world, he asked his mate The Crocodile Hunter, who at that point was at the peak of his fame, to film a short video.

Mr Rouse said the group did not know who he was and he figured a good way to set the tone for his speech would be to have someone introduce him.

'I was fortunate enough to know Steve Irwin and I reached out to his manager and Steve put together a clip,' Mr Rouse told Gary Jubelin's 'I Catch Killers' podcast.

Rare footage of Croc Hunter Steve Irwin has surfaced that was filmed as a favour for a mate

Steve and Teri Irwin found worldwide fame through their wildlife documentaries and conservation work

The clip shows Irwin dressed in his khakis out the front of Australia Zoo delivering lines in the same familiar enthusiastic style he did on his television shows.

'Me, I deal with predators, big apex predators,' Irwin said.

'And those predators need my help, unlike the predators you have to deal with who need to be stamped out.

'As a parent, and on behalf of all the parents of the world, we'd like to say thank you very much.

'It's a very serious, a very heavy subject you're working on, but by crikey we sure appreciate that you're doing that.

'So without further ado I'd like to introduce to you a really good mate of mine, a fair dinkum Aussie bloke, Jon from the Queensland Police Service, which is in my backyard.

'Woo-hoo, crocs rule mate!'

Mr Rouse said the clip was a huge success with Irwin's presence thawing the room and allowing him to network with global child protection experts after his speech.

Highly decorated police officer Jon Rouse used the clip from Irwin to help him network with child protection experts at an international forum

'That brought me into a community that taught me a lot. It taught me about victim identification. The importance of sharing assault cases. I learned so much from that group.

'I went to my last meeting in March. I was the chair of the undercover group at INTERPOL when I retired. So I went to that meeting for 18 years.'

Mr Rouse is recognised as one of Australia's leading authorities in preventing child abuse and played an important role in outlawing child exploitation material.

He forged crucial links between the Queensland Police Service and international law enforcement agencies and has been awarded the Queensland Police Medal, the Australian Police Medal and was the Queensland Australian of the Year in 2019.
Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe attended the official opening of Qtopia, Sydney's first LGBTQIA+ museum, on Friday.

Thorpe, 41, kept it casual in a black button up shirt with rolled up sleeves.

The five time gold medallist paired the look with grey pants, black and white shoes and a pair of stylish sunglasses.

Located in Darlinghurst, Qtopia is considered Sydney's new home of queer history and culture.

The museum, the first of it's kind in Australia, was once a former police station where members of the gay community were held after being arrested over a street march in 1978.

Olympic swimming champ Ian Thorpe, 41, (pictured) attended the official opening of Qtopia, Sydney's first LGBTQIA+ museum, on Friday

The street march has now come to be known as the first Sydney Mardi Gras.

It comes days after Thorpe shared the heartbreaking reason he didn't want to come out as gay during the height of his swimming career.

The Olympian who came out in 2014 told the The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday that he kept his sexuality hidden because he didn't want any 'distractions' from his sporting career in the early 2000s.

'I had to swim the Olympics and had to win. I did not want anything to be a distraction for me. I don't want people talking about this,' he said.

Thorpe (left) kept it casual in a black button up shirt with rolled up sleeves

'So every time it is alluded you may be gay, you're thinking of it as a negative thing and as a young person you make it bigger than it needs to be. So I answered no.'

Thorpe then said he regretted concealing his sexuality for so long because it made the process of coming out feel much more confronting.

'I'm comfortable saying I'm a gay man. And I don't want people to feel the same way I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable and you can be gay.'

Located in Darlinghurst, Qtopia is considered Sydney's new home of queer history and culture

The five-time Olympic gold medallist came out as gay during an interview with respected English television presenter Sir Michael Parkinson in July 2014.

The athlete later revealed during an episode of This Is Your Life in 2022 that he decided to speak out about his sexuality because he was finally 'comfortable'.

He said he wished he'd come out earlier as his family and friends were supportive of him.
Stan have released the first look teaser trailer for their six-part limited drama series The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

The Stan Original Series, airing on the streaming platform in May, is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by New Zealand author Heather Morris and is inspired by the real-life love story between two people who met at a concentration camp during the Holocaust.

The series stars Harvey Keitel, Melanie Lynskey, Jonah Hauer-King, Anna Prochniak and Jonas Nay and will premiere on May 2.

In the trailer, an older Lali (Harvey Keitel), recounts his experiences of Auschwitz to Heather Morris (Melanie Lynskey), before exploring his memories from that time.

The trailer also shows a younger Lali (Jonah Hauer-King) as he meets and falls in love with Gita (Anna Prochniak).

The Tattooist of Auschwitz premieres Thursday, May 2 only on Stan

Stan have released the first look teaser trailer for their six-part limited drama series The Tattooist of Auschwitz (pictured)

The Stan Original Serie is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by New Zealand author Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz follows Lali (Jonah Hauer-King), a Slovakian Jew deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942 where over a million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust.

Shortly after arriving, he's made one of the tattooists charged with inking identification numbers onto prisoners' arms.

One day, he meets Gita. The pair experience love at first sight, and so begins their courageous, unforgettable story.

The series is inspired by the real-life love story between two people who met at a concentration camp during the Holocaust

The Tattooist of Auschwitz follows Lali, a Slovakian Jew deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942 where over a million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. Pictured: Harvey Keitel as Lali Sokolov

Pictured: Jonah Hauer-King as Lali Sokolov and Anna Prochniak as Gita Furman

Under constant guard from a volatile Nazi SS officer Baretzki (Jonas Nay), Lali and Gita became determined to keep each other alive.

Around 60 years later, Lali (Keitel) meets novice writer Heather Morris (Lynskey).

Recently widowed, he finds the courage to tell the world his story.

It's been a long road bringing this remarkable story to life.

Shortly after arriving, Lali is made one of the tattooists charged with inking identification numbers onto prisoners' arms

'We began developing this story five years ago and I was struck by how the book became a bestseller during a time when awareness of the Holocaust was in decline.' says executive producer, Claire Mundell

'We began developing this story five years ago and I was struck by how the book became a bestseller during a time when awareness of the Holocaust was in decline.' says executive producer, Claire Mundell.

'Our series tells one mans story and experience of Auschwitz and how he found love in the darkest of places. It is a story that is as important today as it ever was.'

For UK viewers, The Tattooist of Auschwitz will be available on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW from 2 May.
Kylie Jenner turned up the heat as she posted a bikini thirst trap in a new Instagram post on Thursday as boyfriend Timothee Chalamet continues global Dune: Part Two tour.

The TV personality, 26 - who recently sported a skintight dress during a solo outing in L.A. - also included various other snaps which she simply captioned as 'long weekend.'

The mother-of-two soaked up the sun in one sultry image while wearing a black bikini top as well as matching bottoms.

She could be seen leaning her back on the edge of a large swimming pool and allowed her dark locks to fall into the cool water.

Jenner also flaunted her figure in a selfie as she wore a fitted, one-shoulder top as well as nude-colored bottoms.

Kylie Jenner, 26, turned up the heat as she posted a bikini thirst trap in a new Instagram post on Thursday as boyfriend Timothee Chalamet continues global Dune: Part Two tour

The mother-of-two soaked up the sun in one sultry image while wearing a black bikini top as well as matching bottoms

Her arm stretched out above her as she took the quick snap while sitting on a comfy couch.

A light blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow, while a nude, matte tint was worn on her lips.

In another image, Kylie struck a pose while standing inside a spacious studio and showcased her curves in a nude-colored minidress that clung to her frame.

She slightly turned her head away from the camera as she placed her hands behind her back for the picture.

The reality star later enjoyed the scenic sunset in a longer version of the minidress as she stepped outdoors.

Jenner posed on a patch of green grass while holding a reddish-orange flower in her hand with the ocean close by in the distance.

The items appear to be in the upcoming Drop 004 for her clothing brand, Khy, which will become available later this month on February 28.

Another image in the post caused social media users to speculate that the beauty mogul is possibly preparing to drop a fragrance next month.

Kylie' romance with boyfriend Timothee, 28, is still going strong, with the couple enjoying a loved up outing to the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 7

Timothee pictured on Wednesday in Seoul, South Korea with Dune: Part Two co-star Zendaya at a press conference for the film

Jenner also flaunted her figure in a selfie as she wore a fitted, one-shoulder top as well as nude-colored bottoms

In another image, Kylie struck a pose while standing inside a spacious studio and showcased her curves in a nude-colored minidress that clung to her frame

The star posed on a patch of green grass while holding a reddish-orange flower in her hand with the scenic ocean close by in the distance

One image caused social media users to speculate that the beauty mogul is possibly preparing to drop a fragrance next month

The businesswoman included another selfie in the post as she struck a fun pose inside of a Lamborghini and put on a busty display wearing a partially buttoned sweater

Kylie took a photo of a table that had a detailed plan sprawled out while 'March 7' was written on a notepad. She also held a tiny bottle in her left hand, which prompted fans to speculate what the product could be.

One excitedly typed out, 'Kylie fragrance ????!!!!' while another added, 'Are we getting a Kylie Jenner fragrance?'

An Instagram user also wrote, 'Calendar marked for MARCH 7TH,' while one penned, 'march 7 ? im so excited!!!!'

The businesswoman included another selfie in the post as she struck a fun pose inside of a Lamborghini and put on a busty display wearing a partially buttoned sweater.

Her dark hair was pulled back away from her face and styled into a sleek up do, allowing a few loose strands to border the sides of her face.

Another photo was taken of an adorable pup that was sitting on top of bed covers who turned its head to look at the camera.

She also added a snap of Lip Butter from her Kylie Cosmetics brand that was placed on sand. One image was taken as she arrived to an airport at night during rainy weather.

Lastly, The Kardashians star took a picture of homemade cinnamon rolls that she had made around Valentine's Day last week.

Another photo was taken of an adorable pup that was sitting on top of bed covers who turned its head to look at the camera

She also added a snap of Lip Butter from her Kylie Cosmetics brand that was placed on sand

One image was taken as she arrived to an airport while rain poured down outside

Lastly, The Kardashians star took a picture of homemade cinnamon rolls that she had made around Valentine's Day last week

Also on Thursday, the mother-of-two shared a separate post as she teased the next collection for her Khy brand

Also on Thursday, the mother-of-two shared a separate post as she teased the next collection for her Khy brand.

The beauty modeled a few pieces that will be available in Drop 004 and flaunted her figure in a white, one-shoulder top that contained fabric that was tied into a loose knot around her left shoulder.

She donned a matching skirt that stopped just below her knees and slipped into a pair of nude, open-toed pumps.

Her hair was slicked back into a bun at the back of her head, preventing any loose strands from falling onto her face.

Jenner struck a few poses while sitting on a chair and later was joined by another model who wore a similar styled top in black as well as a pair of black trousers.

'i couldn't be more excited to share this collection with you. KHY DROP 004. coming 2/28. khy.com @khy,' she wrote in the caption.

The upcoming collection comes a little over two months since Drop 003 became available late last year in December.

Earlier last week, Kylie also modeled pieces from Drop 001 to celebrate a limited restock of some items from the collection, including a faux leather minidress.

The beauty modeled a few pieces that will be available in Drop 004 and flaunted her figure in a white, one-shoulder top that contained fabric that was tied into a loose knot around her left shoulder

She donned a matching skirt that stopped just below her knees and slipped into a pair of nude, open-toed pumps

'i couldn't be more excited to share this collection with you. KHY DROP 004. coming 2/28. khy.com @khy,' she wrote in the caption

Along with keeping busy with her brands, the star recently whisked herself away for a quick tropical getaway with close pal Hailey Bieber and sister Kendall Jenner

She gave a glimpse of some of the fun that both she and her friends had during the getaway in a TikTok video uploaded on Wednesday

Along with keeping busy with her brands, the star recently whisked herself away for a quick tropical getaway with close pal Hailey Bieber and sister Kendall Jenner.

She gave a glimpse of some of the fun that both she and her friends had during the getaway in a TikTok video uploaded on Wednesday.

The beauty dressed for the occasion in a white cropped top as well as red bikini bottoms that was partially covered by a semi-sheer skirt.

Throughout the clip, Kylie could be seen enjoying shots and tasty drinks while making fun memories on the beach.
Talk show host Andy Cohen has apologized to Brandi Glanville for inviting her to watch him have sex with Bravo star Kate Chastain after Glanville made bombshell sexual harassment claims in a new legal letter threatening a lawsuit.

Glanville, 51, claims that an 'obviously inebriated' Cohen sent her a video of himself saying that he wanted to have sex with another Bravo star and invited her to watch the act over FaceTime in 2022.

But Cohen  an openly gay man  has insisted the video was meant as a joke, writing on X, formerly Twitter, today: 'The video shows Kate Chastain and I very clearly joking to Brandi. It was absolutely meant in jest, and Brandis response clearly communicated she was in on the joke. That said, it was totally inappropriate and I apologize.'

Glanville has not yet responded to the apology.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum accused Cohen of sexual harassment in an explosive legal letter obtained by DailyMail.com earlier this month that was sent by her attorneys to NBC, Shed Media and Warner Bros. on Thursday.

Glanville decided to 'wage a public reputational war' against the network after they 'silenced' her in the wake of sexual assault allegations made against Glanville by her Ultimate Girls' Trip costar Caroline Manzo.

Cohen (left) insisted the video to Glanville (right) was meant in jest in a new statement

Cohen  an openly gay man  took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a statement on the video

Kate Chastain at the 17th Annual Woman's Day Red Dress Awards in New York, February 4, 2020

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Cohen and Bravo for comment.

The identity of the 'Bravo star' was not disclosed in the letter but Cohen later revealed it to be Below Deck alum Kate Chastain as he responded to Glanville's accusations on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday.

Cohen said that he and Chastain were 'joking' about hooking up but acknowledged it was 'inappropriate.'

'The video shows Kate Chastain and I very clearly joking to Brandi. It was absolutely meant in jest, and Brandi's response clearly communicated she was in on the joke. That said, it was totally inappropriate and I apologize,' the WWHL host wrote.

In the legal letter, Freedman notes that Cohen was Glanville's superior at the time the alleged video was sent as she was working on the second season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, a Real Housewives spin-off for NBC's streaming service Peacock.

She'd also worked closely with Cohen for over 10 years after landing a spot on the hit Bravo series Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills back in 2011.

'Mr. Cohen was Ms. Glanville's boss at the time and exercised complete and total control over her career. This was an extraordinary abuse of power that left Ms. Glanville feeling trapped and disgusted,' he writes.

'It is inconceivable that Mr. Cohen remains in his post in spite of this behavior and harkens back to the bad old days of Matt Lauer and NBC News when profits were prioritized over people.'

After 20 years of co-hosting, Lauer was abruptly fired from the Today show over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Although NBC denied rumors of a cover-up, journalist Ronan Farrow claimed in his bombshell book that the network took internal steps to protect Lauer.

Glanville's allegations against Cohen were not even a fraction of the explosive claims made by her attorneys in the new legal letter obtained by DailyMail.com this week.

In it, Glanville's attorney claimed she was 'used and abused by NBC, Bravo, Warner Bros., and Shed Media' and accused the network of 'hiding evidence' that would clear her name.

Glanville has decided to 'wage a public reputational war' against the network after they 'silenced' her in the wake of sexual assault allegations made against Glanville by her Ultimate Girls' Trip costar Caroline Manzo.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 62, made headlines in 2023 when she alleged that Glanville kissed her without consent and even 'forced her vagina against her back' during filming of the Housewives spin off show in Morocco.

Last month, Manzo officially filed to sue Bravo over her claim that production encouraged Glanville to sexually harass.

Now, in a new legal demand, Glanville's attorney's appear to suggest Manzo is lying, insisting no assault took place, as they demand the network release to them 'all existing documents and data' pertaining to the accusations.

Glanville, 51, claims that an 'obviously inebriated' Cohen sent her a video of himself talking about wanting to have sex with another Bravo star and invited her to watch the act over FaceTime in 2022; seen in 2023

The identity of the 'Bravo star' was not disclosed in the letter but Cohen later revealed it to be Below Deck alum Kate Chastain as he responded to Glanville's accusations on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday

Cohen explained that he  an openly gay man  and Chastain were 'joking' about hooking up but acknowledged it was 'inappropriate'; Chastain seen on February 14

'Ms. Glanville and Ms. Manzo engaged in 'dirty dancing,' flirting, and playful touching,' the letter reads. 'Throughout the night, they shared a couple of kisses.

'We have heard about a supposed 'bathroom incident' through press leaks, but Shed Media has repeatedly refused to allow Ms. Glanville or her counsel to see the footage in question; there is no truth to any allegations of impropriety'.

The letter continued: 'It is apparent some allegation was made; however, neither the nature nor the source of that allegation has been clarified by NBC, Shed Media, or Warner Bros.

'We can glean from the press coverageseeded by malicious and deliberate leaksthat Ms. Manzo formally accused Ms. Glanville of sexual misconduct and that Ms. Glanville was sent home as a result.'

They continued: 'It bears emphasis that Ms. Glanville and Ms. Manzo were never alone together; anything that happened took place in the presence of the cast and crew. All the events were captured on camera or picked up via microphone.'

Glanville's legal team maintain her innocence and insist that the TV star was never alone with Manzo, and that her costar 'did not manifest a lack of consent at any point.'

The letter also sees Glanville's reps accuse Manzo of 'feeding a defamatory narrative' to the media and of being the source behind the press leaks regarding the claims.

The letter states: 'We have every reason to believe that Ms. Manzo, with the tacit or express support of Bravo and Shed Media, is the source of the early and voluminous press leaks that began immediately upon Ms. Glanville's return home.

'Yet Ms. Glanville was admonished to remain entirely silent and to refrain from defending herself. She was further told that assuming her compliance with that directive, she would have the opportunity to work for Shed Media/Warner Bros. again on the condition that she completes 6-months of outpatient therapy with a Warner Bros.-affiliated therapist. Ms. Glanville did so.

Freedman notes that Cohen was Glanville's superior at the time the alleged video was sent as she was working on the second season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, a Real Housewives spin-off for NBC's streaming service Peacock

Brandi Glanville's attorney claims that the TV star has been 'used and abused by Bravo' and they are accusing the network of 'hiding evidence' that would clear her name in a new legal letter. Real Housewives of New Jersey star Caroline Manzo (right), 62, is suing Bravo and claims production encouraged Glanville to sexually harass her during filming the Housewives spinoff Ultimate Girls Trip

'It became apparent afterward, however, that this was a false promise intended to ensure Ms. Glanville's silence.'

It continues: 'All the while, Ms. Manzo, Bravo, and Shed Media were feeding a defamatory narrative that destroyed Ms. Glanville's reputation, employment prospects, mental health, and financial stability and caused untold harm to Ms. Glanville and her family.'

In a statement shared with DailyMail.com, attorney Bryan Freedman called for other 'victims' of Bravo and NBC to reach out to their team and join the 'fight' against the network.

He wrote: 'This is yet another example of the abusive practices of the reality TV industry. Mark Geragos and I have heard from thousands of current and former cast members on reality shows about the physical and emotional harm inflicted on them by virtue of their participation. NBC, Bravo, Warner Bros., and Shed Media intentionally obscure their legal rights, bind them to illegal contracts, and knowingly cause them to suffer in silence.

'We know there are untold numbers of innocent victims who have yet to tell their stories or seek legal redress. We encourage all of them to contact us and join our growing team as we fight for change in this sordid industry.'

The letter highlighted how Glanville has been plagued with health issues ever since Manzo's allegations went public, and said she has been in 'dire straits' after Bravo tried to 'humiliate and ruin her publicly.'

The reality star has talked openly about how her face was left disfigured due to stress-induced angioedema - a condition which causes swelling under the skin

Glanville's team accuses the network of having a 'reckless disregard for the mental and emotional health' of employees - adding that Glanville has been treated like a 'sacrificial lamb' and has faced 'social and economic death.'

They are seeking evidence from the network's servers, storage, personal computers, portable systems.

The legal letter warns that 'Ms. Glanville is uniquely positioned to reveal more revelations' and is just one of thousands of stars to come forward against the network in recent years.

TMZ previously reported that Manzo is suing Bravo and claimed production plied them with alcohol as they filmed the spin-off in Morocco in January 2023.

According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Manzo claims Glanville 'forced her vagina against her back' and 'proceeded to mount Manzo on the couch holding Manzo down with her body, forcibly squeezed Manzo's cheeks together and thrust her tongue in Manzo's mouth, while humping her.'

The documents state: 'Defendants, including Bravo, regularly ply the Real Housewives cast with alcohol, cause them to become severely intoxicated, and then direct, encourage and/or allow them to sexually harass other cast members because that is good for ratings.'

Glanville previously revealed that her face was left disfigured due to stress-induced angioedema - a condition which causes swelling under the skin

The star, pictured left in 2017, has been working with a plastic surgeon to conquer her condition - pictured right in 2024

'Caroline Manzo is a victim of those harmful actions,' it added.

In her full statement in response to the suit at the time, a representative for Glanville told DailyMail.com: 'Sadly, Brandi had to wake up to yet another lawsuit that includes defamatory, false accusations about her. While filming, Brandi followed what the producers asked of her, and there was no sexual assault.

'She is innocent of these absurd accusations that have weighed on her mental and physical health for far too long without word of support from Peacock, Shed or Bravo.'

The statement concluded: 'This painful storytelling seems endless and needs to stop. She is looking to move on and upward and get her life back.'

This isn't the first lawsuit filed against the network over the Housewives franchise.

Last year butler Marco Vega - who worked and appeared on season two of Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip - filed a lawsuit for sexual assault and harassment.

In his lawsuit, Vega said he was 'sexually harassed and abused' while shooting the show at Dorinda Medley's Blue Stone Manor claiming he was slapped on the buttocks by Phaedra Parks and that he was 'forcibly stripped' by Glanville, who ripped his shirt off.

In her lawsuit, Manzo alleged that the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum kissed her without consent and even 'forced her vagina against her back'

Leah McSweeney filed a discrimination complaint with Bravo last year, alleging she was forced to miss her grandmother's funeral due to filming commitments.

A lawsuit filed by McSweeney is said to be imminent, Page Six reported at the time.

Back in August, a bombshell letter revealed that 80 reality stars had teamed up to accuse the network of 'covering up sexual violence, condoning revenge porn, exploiting minors and denying mental health treatment'.

Bethenny Frankel was believed to have led the charge, though the former RHONY star has since clarified that she is not one of the people who is officially taking legal action against Bravo or NBC.
Olivia Colman has met with an inspiring Ukrainian teenager to hear her story of resilience amid the war with Russia.

The actress, 50, spoke with 15-year-old Solomiya as part of her work with UNICEF, where she serves as UK President.

In a touching clip released to raise awareness of the ongoing conflict and its impact on Ukraine's children, Olivia greeted Solomiya online as the teen recollected the first day of the war and the lasting impact it has had on her life and education.

She told Olivia how she was awoken by an explosion on 24 February 2022, becoming overnight one of millions of children fleeing for safety.

She explained how she quickly packed her bag, prioritising her English books so she could continue her language studies, not knowing that she'd spend another two years learning online - away from her friends.

Olivia Colman has met with an inspiring Ukrainian teenager to hear her story of resilience amid the war with Russia

The actress, 50, spoke with 15-year-old Solomiya as part of her work with UNICEF , where she serves as UK President

Latest data released by UNICEF today estimates that over the past two years, children like Solomiya, in Ukraine's frontline areas have been forced to spend between 3,000 and 5,000 hours sheltering in basements as air raid alerts sound above. This is the equivalent of four to seven months spent underground.

Solomiya said: 'We woke up and we packed in about 20 minutes, and we just go to another city. I was actually scared, everyone was scared.

'I think that [the war] would last for two weeks or months, but not even two years. I took all my books, this was so important to me. I do not go to school now, I have online learning because it's much safer.

'We have underground schools for younger [ones] and they make lots of events there for older ones and I went there for speaking club.'

After their conversation, Olivia said: 'Meeting Solomiya today was a privilege. She's 15 and she's already gone through more than most adults go through in a lifetime, and she's come out of it so incredibly strong, incredibly positive, and she still has hopes and dreams for the future and for a positive outcome for Ukraine.

'It was a very humbling experience to talk to someone so extraordinary.

'From our conversation, it's clear that two years on, the situation for children in Ukraine continues to be one of fear and loss.

'Their schools are still under attack, meaning huge disruption to their education and their mental wellbeing.

In a touching clip released to raise awareness of the ongoing conflict and its impact on Ukraine's children, Olivia greeted Solomiya online as the teen recollected the first day of the war and the lasting impact it has had on her life and education

She told Olivia how she was awoken by an explosion on 24 February 2022, becoming overnight one of millions of children fleeing for safety

'But UNICEF is there and has been from day one providing life-saving support, working hard to give children their education back and providing safe spaces to learn, grow and dream  just like amazing Solomiya. The children in Ukraine need peace, now.'

During their conversation, Solomiya said: 'My biggest hope is for the war to end. No one deserves to suffer...especially children.

'They should not be scared of the future or of going to bed to not wake up in the morning. I would like to be an architect in the future and recover all the buildings and damage in our country.'

The special meeting follows Olivias previous support for UNICEF, raising awareness and advocating for childrens rights, when she travelled to its Global Humanitarian Supply Hub in Denmark, in 2022 - the first year of the war.

There, she helped package emergency supplies and school-in-a-box essentials being sent to children and families in need in Ukraine.
Faryal Makhdoom claims she has been dropped from Celebrity Big Brother because of her outspoken pro-Palestinian views, including calling on influencers to denounce Israel.

In a blistering social media attack, Amir Khan's glamorous wife accused ITV of 'violating' her right to free speech.

'It seems from my social media activity and being pro-Palestine is not appropriate for ITV and its sponsors,' she said in a video posted on Instagram to her one million followers.

Celebrity Big Brother is understood to deny the claim and the production company has responded and said participation is subject to assessments, background checks and production requirements.

Makhdoom then accused the broadcaster of 'lying' adding that her PR team were informed that there were some 'issues' regarding her social media accounts and claimed she went through the necessary checks.

'Do better with the lies ITV,' she wrote.

In a blistering social media attack, Amir Khan 's glamorous wife, Faryal Makhdoom, accused ITV of 'violating' her right to free speech

Amir Khan's glamorous wife Faryal Makhdoom claims she has been dropped from Celebrity Big Brother because of her views on Palestine

Makhdoom then accused the broadcaster of 'lying' adding that her PR team were informed that there were some 'issues' regarding her social media accounts and claimed she went through the necessary checks

'My PR team were informed by ITV that there were some issues regarding my social media, in particular relating to some new sponsors they may have. So let's not force me to start posting the evidence.'

The 32-year-old has been vocal about the ongoing conflict between between Israel and Gaza online.

She has as written a slew of statements about the situation. Less than a month after Hamas paragliders ambushed the Nova festival, she wrote on X: 'At this point, you are either pro humanity or pro genocide there is no inbetween.'

In October last year, less than a week after the attack, she took to her Instagram to call out influencers for not posting about Palestine.

The model wrote: 'I'm seeing some influencers with huge platforms still posting away... living live normally.

'But yet not a thing on Palestine and what's going on around the world. F*** off. No humanity. Selfish AF. Or not enough balls?'

The statement was posted in a series of Instagram stories that also included a plug for her 'favourite' beauty salon in Dubai.

She also wrote: ''Can we all just ask ourselves who started all this???' and suggested that Israeli oppression of Palestinian people had been going on 'for years and years and years', adding: 'Apparently All Lives Matter except those in Gaza'.

She also called on her followers to boycott and 'cancel' clothing brand Zara, claiming they were 'mocking Palestinians'.

In another Instagram post, she wrote: 'Never sell your faith for fame. In the end all that matters is that you can walk with your head held up high, knowing you stood by justice and what was right, espeically in the midst of a genocide.

'I will never ever compromise on my integrity and values.'

Makhdoom also posted a video showing dead and injured children on her Instagram along with the caption: 'Whos the oppressed or are you still blind? #savepalestine'

In December, the model hit back at at trolls after she was slammed for attending the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival 'half naked'.

The 32-year-old has been vocal about the ongoing conflict between between Israel and Gaza online

Her featured a thigh high split that showed off her legs and exposed a pair of silver stilettos.

Faryal's followers took offence at her leg-flashing outfit, accusing her of 'hypocrisy' for wearing the revealing ensemble a day after visiting the holy city of Mecca.

Yesterday, Makhdoom spoke of being dropped from the show and said: 'As many of you know, I was offered to do a show for which the producers had offered me a few years ago and I had previously refused.

This time they made a very lucrative offer and after a lot of convincing I finally agreed to sign for the show.

'I also wanted to do this show to make it more inclusive for the Muslim community. But it seems from my social media activity and being pro-Palestine is not appropriate for ITV and its sponsors.

'Mind you ITV and this particular show has had many controversial people on it before, but for some reason I was singled out.

'I was told to step down ten days before going in. I have never in my life been treated like this.'

In December, the model hit back at at trolls after she was slammed for attending the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival 'half naked'

Faryal Makhdoom claims she has been dropped from Celebrity Big Brother because of her outspoken pro-Palestinian views, including calling on influencers to denounce Israel

Makhdoom wrote about the conflict on X and claims ITV dropped her because of her pro-Palestine views

The Big Brother spin-off is returning in March for its first series in six years, with Faryal Makhdoom initially thought to be among those entering the show's Elstree compound

Faryal was said to be keen the public to getting to know her after a rollercoaster year with her boxer husband Amir (pictured together in 2023)

She added: 'It's a violation of free speech. This is why cowards with a huge following (especially Muslims) refuse to speak on this issue because they deprive you of opportunities and so you have no choice but to support them and stand them.

'Bear in mind I was offered substantial money not to speak on this issue but I rejected it. For me, no amount of money will ever stop me from speaking on the injustice happening in Palestine.'

The Big Brother spin-off is returning in March for its first series in six years, with Faryal Makhdoom initially thought to be among those entering the show's north London compound.

Production company Initial are understood to be responsible for all casting decisions relating to the show, but Faryal has accused terrestrial broadcaster ITV of letting her go just days before the show gets underway.

A spokesperson for Celebrity Big Brother said: 'We meet numerous prospective housemates when casting for Celebrity Big Brother, however the final line up is not confirmed until closer to transmission.

'As per our welfare protocols, we are unable to comment on the casting process for individual prospective Housemates, other than to say that suitability to participate is determined by a number of factors.'

Faryal was said to be keen the public to getting to know her after a rollercoaster year with her boxer husband Amir.

Amir recently praised his 'forgiving' wife Faryal after he was publicly embroiled in several cheating scandals.

'Faryal is a huge signing for Celebrity Big Brother,' a source told The Sun.

'She's had her ups and downs with Amir but wants to step into the limelight in her own right. Faryal has said she wants to show she's not a doormat that he walks all over.

'She is fiery and feisty and will make a brilliant housemate.'

Kate Middleton's 'black sheep' uncle Gary Goldsmith has also reportedly signed up to the show.

Experts have warned Gary could 'embarrass' the royal family with his views on Harry and Meghan.

The outspoken businessman, 58, brother of Kate's mother Carole, is reported to have inked a meaty deal with bosses for the return of the celebrity edition of the series after a six-year absence.

It comes at a challenging time for the royals as Kate continues to recover from her abdominal surgery at The London Clinic, while King Charles had a procedure for an enlarged prostate.

Gary attempted to gain a spot on I'm A Celebrity last year, but was turned down over concerns it could embarrass William and Kate.

Celebrity Big Brother is also reportedly lining up contestants such as Dragons' Den entrepreneur Levi Roots and music manager Louis Walsh.

The show originally started life on Channel 4, where it ran for more than a decade before being taken off-air in 2010. It was later picked up by Channel 5, who ran the show until 2018.

MailOnline has contacted ITV and Faryal Makhdoom's representatives for further comment.
Where Is Wendy Williams? is a new two-part documentary.

The Lifetime series is set to expose the former TV host's her heartbreaking 'mental and physical decline.'

The film highlights the 59-year-old's struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, with her niece, Alex Finnie, warning viewers that they are going to witness 'a broken woman'.

The crew stopped filming in April 2023 after Wendy went into a treatment facility for alleged 'cognitive issues.'

But, how can you watch Where Is Wendy Williams? And is it available in the UK? Here's everything you need to know...

Where Is Wendy Williams ? is a new two-part documentary. But, how can you watch it? And is it available in the UK? Here's everything you need to know...

Who is Wendy Williams?

Wendy Williams rose to fame in part due to her no-boundaries approach to her life, which included sharing personal details about her health, plastic surgery and cocaine addiction - the subject of her 2003 memoir, Wendy's Got the Heat.

She transitioned to television after a successful career as a radio host, known for her hot takes on gossip and skewering of celebrities, including a contentious 2003 interview with Whitney Houston.

In 2022, Wendy's self-titled daytime talk show ended because of her ongoing health issues. Sherri Shepherd, who filled in for Williams as a guest host, received her own show.

Wendy said in 2018 that she had been diagnosed years before with Graves disease, which leads to the overproduction of thyroid hormones and can cause wide-ranging symptoms and affect overall health.

When does Where Is Wendy Williams? her new documentary air?

The four-and-a-half-hour special airs on Lifetime in two parts this Saturday and Sunday, in America.

Where Is Wendy Williams? can also be streamed online using internet-based cable TV services such as Hulu + Live TV, Philo or Sling. Select platforms offer free five- to seven-day trials for new subscribers, including DirecTV, Frndly and Fubo.

The Lifetime series is set to expose the former TV host's her heartbreaking 'mental and physical decline.'

Is the Lifetime documentary available to watch in the UK?

It is currently unclear if or when Where Is Wendy Williams? will be available to viewers in the UK.

MailOnline has contacted Lifetime Television and Hulu for further information.

What is the controversy surrounding the documentary?

A lawsuit has been filed by a guardian for talk show host Wendy Williams against the parent company of Lifetime, A&E Television Networks.

The guardian, whose name is Sabrina Morrissey, filed the lawsuit under seal (which keeps details in the case protected from the public), according to a report from TMZ, which reviewed court docs in the case.

The focal point of the lawsuit, the outlet reported, could be linked to the documentary that's slated to be released on the embattled celebrity this coming Saturday.

Sabrina has asked the court for injunctive relief, the outlet reported, indicating her request could be for a judge to stop the network from airing the TV special.

The judge in the case issued an order that it remained temporarily sealed from the public, pending a hearing scheduled for next week.

Despite the concerning portrait from the documentary, Wendy herself is listed as an executive producer on it.

Wendy's team announced on Thursday that the former radio DJ has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as well as aphasia

What has Wendy Williams been diagnosed with?

Wendy's team announced on Thursday that the former radio DJ has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as well as aphasia - which is a disorder that affects how someone communicates.

FTD is a group of disorders that occur when nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are lost, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. FTD can affect behavior, personality, language, and movement.

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration describes FTD as a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain that affects behavior, language and movement.

Aphasia, a brain disorder that can lead to problems speaking or understanding words, can be a symptom of it. The association describes frontotemporal degeneration as 'an inevitable decline in functioning,' with an average life expectancy of seven to 13 years after the onset of symptoms.

FTD usually occurs in people in their 40s, 50s and early 60s. It can affect a persons personality, causing a loss of inhibition or inappropriate behavior. It is sometimes mistaken for depression or bipolar disorder, and can take years to diagnose.

There are no treatments to slow or stop the disease, but some interventions can help manage symptoms.

Why was Wendy Williams appointed a legal guardian?

Wendy's diagnosis came in 2023, but a year prior to that in early 2022, Wells Fargo froze her bank accounts and denied her access to her funds, assets.

The bank claimed to the court that she was being unduly influenced and a victim of financial exploitation.

This resulted in a New York judge appointing a guardian in May 2023 to manage Wendy's life and finances.

Her family members say they don't know what sparked the legal action, and the guardian's identity was not immediately announced, while documents related to their appointment have been sealed.

Wendy's son, Kevin Hunter Jr.  whom she shares with her ex-husband, Kevin Hunter  comes under suspicion for allegedly stealing some of her money in the documentary, though he denies it on camera.

'I've never taken [money] without her consent,' he says in the the film, though Wendy's sister Wanda claims he is still financially supported by his mother.

Where is Wendy Williams now?

Wendy is currently 'in a treatment facility,' with her family recently confirming that they can only speak with her if she chooses to call them.
Maya Jama stunned as she stepped out to Philosophy By Lorenzo Serafini fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week on Friday.

The Love Island host, 29, put on a very leggy display as she donned a perilously short brown dress with lined oversized sleeves.

She paired her buttoned-up garment with a floor-length dark brown trench coat, which she casually slung over her shoulders.

Adding a pop of colour, the star beauty paired her neutral-looking outfit with an extra large hot pink clutch bag.

She gave her statuesque figure a couple more inches with a pair of strappy black mules designed by Malone Souliers, worth upward of 500.

Maya Jama, 29, stunned as she stepped out to Philosophy By Lorenzo Serafini fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week on Friday

Her outing comes after she was seen puffing on a suspicious-looking roll-up outside Cape Town International Airport with her boyfriend, Stormzy

Maya showcased her natural beauty with a minimal makeup look, complete with a glossy burnt caramel lip.

Her outing comes after she was seen puffing on a suspicious-looking roll-up outside Cape Town International Airport with her boyfriend, Stormzy.

She wrapped the All Stars version of the ITV reality show on Monday and headed back home to London, before jetting off to enjoy Milan Fashion Week.

But before departing South Africa, Maya and the rapper, 30, lit up a roll-up, passing it between them, before catching their flight.

An onlooker told The Sun: 'Maya and Stormzy had a smoke before checking into their flight for London.

'It didnt seem like Maya was used to smoking because she started coughing as Stormzy puffed away next to her.'

They added: 'They seemed really in love and were laughing and holding hands as they walked through the airport.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Maya Jama and Stormzy for comment. Maya's rep declined to comment.

The Love Island host, 29, put on a very leggy display as she donned a perilously short brown dress with lined oversized sleeves

She paired her buttoned-up garment with a floor-length dark brown trench coat, which she casually slung over her shoulders

Adding a pop of colour, the star beauty paired her neutral-looking outfit with an extra large hot pink clutch bag

Back in 2020, Stormzy said he had 'given up smoking weed' in order to protect his mental health.

The rapper said he 'suffered with mental health problems for years' and smoking marijuana only worsened his depression.

He explained: 'If you've got mental health problems, stop smoking weed. It's not good for your mental health.

'I have suffered with mental health problems for the past few years. When I used to feel depressed, I would lock myself away and smoke weed and I would just get worse and worse and worse.

'It does not help your situation. It will f*** you up. It feels good for, like, 20 minutes and then after that we all know, us weed smokers, we know how it goes.'
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In a grand event held on February 20, BYD hosted a brand launch and the debut of five new models in Saudi Arabia, introducing the BYD HAN, BYD ATTO 3, BYD SEAL, BYD QIN PLUS, and BYD SONG PLUS to the Saudi market.

Photo credit: BYD

Spanning across three major cities in Saudi Arabia  Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam  the unveiling ceremony took place simultaneously at iconic locations. The venue was meticulously set up with pop-up experience stores, showcasing BYD's product lineup. Guests had the opportunity to virtually explore BYD's showroom through advanced VR technology, choose personalized colors for their desired models, and delve into comprehensive information about each vehicle.

AD Huang, General Manager of BYD Middle East & Africa, emphasized the company's commitment by stating, "Our collaboration with Al-Futtaim in Saudi Arabia is a significant milestone in BYD's global sustainable transportation strategy. This moment marks a crucial entry for BYD into the Saudi market, as we are committed to providing more green mobility solutions, supporting Saudi Arabia's journey towards low-carbon emissions, and ensuring our customers enjoy a superior, eco-friendly travel experience."

In 2023, BYD achieved an annual sales volume of over 3 million new energy vehicles, securing the title of the global champion by new energy vehicle sales. The footprint of BYD's new energy vehicles now spans across 70 countries and regions, reaching over 400 cities worldwide. This strategic expansion into Saudi Arabia further solidifies BYD's commitment to leading the charge in sustainable transportation on a global scale.
A man who broke into the rental home of comedian Hamish Blake and his entrepreneur wife Zoe Foster Blake while they were asleep and stole their luxury car has learned his fate.

Daniel Booth broke into the four-bedroom house being rented by the high-profile couple in Woollahra, in Sydney's glittering eastern suburbs, on December 20, 2021.

Court documents reveal the 35-year-old illegally entered the kitchen of the $4,900-a-week rental home at 6am and stole the keys to the couple's Land Rover Defender while they slept.

Mr and Ms Blake had been renting the home over Christmas in 2021 while renovating their $8.92million home in the waterfront suburb of Vaucluse.

Daniel Booth broke into the home of Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster Blake on December 20, 2021.

He also stole Ms Foster Blake's handbag, which contained the keys to her white Tesla, $1,000 in cash, a very expensive designer wallet and her driver's licence.

Booth got into the Tesla without the beauty maven's permission but left it parked at the property with the key inside, according to court documents.

However, he did take the Land Rover, which is valued at more than $123,000 and contained thousands of dollars of camping and fishing equipment.

Mr Blake activated the tracking device on the luxury car and traced it to an address in Redfern.

Police arrived and arrested Booth, who had the car key and Ms Foster Blake's handbag in his possession.

The Blakes were renting a house in Woollahra while they were renovating their $8.95m home in Vaucluse.

The arrest put an end to his lengthy crime spree, which began on the afternoon of December 3, 2021 when he stole a grey Volkswagen convertible as the owner watched.

Court documents stated Booth drove off with a car door and the boot still open in his haste to flee the scene.

He then entered a cafe in Waterloo and snatched a pink and brown Guess handbag from a woman, who bravely chased him down as he jumped into the stolen Volkswagen.

She managed to wrestle her bag back and a bystander removed the key from the car, so Booth was forced to flee on foot.

The couple were asleep when the break-in occurred.

In the early hours of December 14, Booth again snuck into a house and stole the keys to a grey Audi A3 and a Calvin Klein handbag.

He found debit cards in the stolen handbag and used them to his advantage, spending hundreds of dollars on cigarettes alone.

The stolen car was located in a carpark in Redfern, near where Booth was living at the time of his arrest.

He also admitted to groping a female Corrective Services officer while in custody before telling her: 'Sorry miss.'

Booth appeared at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Friday after pleading guilty to a raft of charges related to the crime spree.

He wore black-rimmed glasses and a prison green T-shirt as he was beamed into the courtroom via audiovisual link.

Judge Donna Woodburne SC told the court Booth was on parole at the time of his offending, having only been released from prison two weeks earlier.

The charges he was sentenced for include two offences of aggravated breaking and entering with the intention to commit a serious indictable offence, steal from a person, take and drive conveyance, and sexually touching another person without consent.

Zoe Foster Blake and husband Hamish Blake in Italy

Judge Woodburne also took into account three charges of taking and driving a car without the consent of the owner, entering a vehicle without the owner's consent, seven counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception, stealing an item worth less than $2000, and sexually touching another person without consent.

She told the court Booth had a tough childhood, with his grandparents a part of the stolen generation which severely impacted his family.

The court was told the 35-year-old had only been out of prison for a total of one year of his adult life.

'It is plain Mr Booth's life has been marred by significant degradation and trauma,' the judge said.

'He is both a physically and psychologically unwell man ... triggering his trauma, causing considerable psychological stress.'

Judge Woodburne sentenced Booth to an aggregate term of imprisonment of four years, with a non parole period of two years, two months and four days.

The sentence was backdated to his arrest on December 20, 2021, meaning he is eligible for parole on Friday.

He will not be released on parole, but his lawyers can apply to the State Parole Authority for his release.
Pamela Salem, who is best known for appearing in James Bond film Never Say Never Again, has passed away aged 80.

The actress' death was announced on Wednesday and tributes have poured in from those who knew her following her passing. Her cause of death has not been revealed.

Pamela played Miss Moneypenny in the 1983 James Bond film Never Say Never Again, during Sean Connery's tenure.

She also enjoyed success for her roles in Doctor Who, EastEnders and American prison series The West Wing.

Big Finish, a British production company that makes sci-fi audio books and plays, announced Pamela's passing and led the tributes.

Pamela Salem passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80 and tributes have poured in praising the actress known for her talent and fun demeanour (pictured in 2019)

She played Miss Moneypenny in the 1983 James Bond film Never Say Never Again, during Sean Connery's tenure (left, pictured in 1983 with Sean Connery and Barbara Carrera

They tweeted: 'We are utterly heartbroken to confirm the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Pamela Salem' and linked to a longer tribute on their website.

Pamela worked on several projects with Big Finish, namely the officially licensed audio drama Doctor Who spin-off Counter-Measures.

The series continued the story of several characters from the serial Remembrance of the Daleks (1988), and Pamela voiced Rachel Jensen, a professor and the scientific adviser who becomes the head of Counter-Measures.

Doctor Who screenwriter Gareth Roberts wrote: 'Farewell, Pamela Salem. A fine actress. She always seemed such *fun*.'

Comedian and actor Angus Dunican who had written several Doctor Who specials for Big Finish wrote: 'Sleep well Pamela Salem. I always loved how much you looked like youd absolutely HAD IT with everyone today. RIP xXX.'

Old Vic Theatre actor Andrew Stocker added: 'So sad to hear that dear lovely Pamela Salem has passed away. She starred in so many things.

'The last time I saw Pamela was in 2018 where we had a good talk and shared memories of Chris Harris who Pamela had worked with on HTVs Production of Into The Labyrinth. RIP dear lady.'

Pamela also enjoyed success for her roles in Doctor Who, EastEnders (pictured here with co-star Pam St. Clement, 81, in 1988), and American prison series The West Wing

Pamela Salem as Prof. Rachel Jensen in Remembrance of the Daleks pic.twitter.com/jyOJkApz8e  Darren_Lit Roundels (@LRoundels) February 22, 2024

Big Finish, a British production company that makes sci-fi audio books and plays, namely Doctor Who spin-off Counter-Measures which Pamela starred in, led the tributes

Angus Dunican ,who has written several Doctor Who specials, wrote: 'I always loved how much you looked like youd absolutely HAD IT with everyone today'

Old Vic Theatre actor Andrew Stocker wrote: 'So sad to hear that dear lovely Pamela Salem has passed away. She starred in so many things'

Doctor Who Magazine contributor Jonathan Helm wrote: 'Very sad to hear that Pamela Salem has passed away. A true star.'

Super fan Anthony Berryman wrote: 'The wonderful Pamela Salem who I remember so well from Robots of Death #DoctorWho #pamelasalem here not batting an eyelid when I asked here to sign my radar dish from Remembrance of the Daleks RIP.'

Theatre chair John J Johnston wrote: 'Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the magnificent Pamela Salem (1944-2024).

'An elegantly engaging performer with a rich voice, she brought considerable gravitas to her two major #DoctorWho roles and was the perfect Moneypenny in an otherwise imperfect Bond film. Vale [goodbye in Latin]!'

University Of Lincoln Associate Professor in US History and Arts reviewer Finn Pollard Tweeted: 'So sorry to see this.

'Pamela Salems Professor Jensen in Remembrance of the Daleks is a wonderful character & @bigfinish Counter Measures giving further life to those characters was a brilliant series.'

Shogun Films, an award-winning London-based independent film production company specialising in action, horror, and thriller films also said a few words.

They wrote: 'We were saddened to hear that British actress #PamelaSalem has died - a rogue Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again and terrific turns opposite Leslie Grantham in EastEnders and Sylvester McCoy in Doctor Who. RIP.'

Doctor Who Magazine contributor Jonathan Helm wrote: 'Very sad to hear that Pamela Salem has passed away. A true star'

Super fan Anthony Berryman wrote: 'The wonderful Pamela Salem ... here not batting an eyelid when I asked here to sign my radar dish from Remembrance of the Daleks'

Theatre chair John J Johnston wrote: 'D eeply saddened to learn of the passing of the magnificent Pamela Salem (1944-2024)'

University Of Lincoln Associate Professor in US History and Arts reviewer Finn Pollard tweeted: 'S o sorry to see this'

Shogun Films, an award-winning London-based independent film production company specialising in action, horror, and thriller films and TV also said a few words

Pamela was born in Mumbai and studied at Heidelberg University in Germany before attending the Central School of Speech and Drama.

She began acting in 1969.
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Daisy Edgar-Jones looked sensational as she stole the show at the Gucci Fashion Show during Milan Fashion Week at Fonderia Carlo Macchi on Friday.

The actress made sure all eyes were on her as she put on a very busty display in a sophisticated charcoal grey dress which featured a plunging neckline stopping just above her belly button.

The 25-year-old cut a chic appearance in the halterneck midi dress as she elevated her height with a pair of platform black heels.

As her signature bangs framed her face, she accessorised the look with some chunky gold hoop earrings, matching bracelet and a small black leather clutch bag.

Meanwhile Kirsten Dunst also made sure to flash plenty of skin as she donned a stunning sparkling emerald dress with a similar risque cut out.

Daisy Edgar-Jones (L) looked sensational as she stole the show at the Gucci Fashion Show while Kirsten Dunst (R) also made sure to flash plenty of skin as she donned a stunning sparkling emerald dress with a similar risque cut out during Milan Fashion Week at Fonderia Carlo Macchi on Friday

The actress made sure all eyes were on her as she put on a very busty display in a sophisticated charcoal grey dress which featured a plunging neckline stopping just above her belly button

The American actress, 41, also put on a very leggy display as she was seen arriving at the event in her glam attire.

Kirsten showed off her incredible physique in the dress, which she accessorised with a burgundy Gucci belt and matching heels.

Daisy threw on a matching tailored dark grey tailored button up coat around her shoulders as she wrapped up from the cold, completing the look with some dark sunglasses.

Alexa Chung opted for a leather military black vinyl coat as she put on a very leggy display in the mini dress.

The model, 40, struck a serious expression for snaps as she completed the look with some black sunglasses, burgundy heels and a matching burgundy lip.

American actress Salma Hayek arrived with her husband Francois-Henri Pinault as the pair put on a loved up display walking hand in hand.

Salma, 57, looked stylish as she opted for a PVC burgundy jacket with black cuffs and a matching red skirt.

Adding a matching bag and burgundy platform heels, she styled her dark brunette locks straight while completing the look with some wide-eyed shades.

Daisy threw on a matching tailored dark grey tailored button up coat around her shoulders as she wrapped up from the cold, completing the look with some dark sunglasses

Kirsten upped the glamour as she styled her blonde hair in a side parting

Kirsten brought plenty of sparkle with her glamoruous look

Alexa Chung opted for a leather military black vinyl coat as she put on a very leggy display in the mini dress

American actress Salma Hayek, 57, arrived with her husband Francois-Henri Pinault, 61, as the pair put on a loved up display walking hand in hand

Salma, 57, looked stylish as she opted for a PVC burgundy jacket with black cuffs and a matching red skirt as she pouted at the camera

Elsewhere Mark Ronson, 48, and his wife Grace Gummer, 37, posed up a storm in a pair of sophisticated suits as they were snapped hand in hand

The music producer, 48, opted for a pale grey ensemble as he looked flawless in the shirt, tie and buttoned up suit jacket

Daisy looked a far cry from her ordinary bare-faced character Marianne in Normal People (pictured alongside Paul Mescal who played Connell in the 2020 TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel)

Poppy Delevigne and Olympia of Greece put on leggy displays as they headed to watch the show

Meanwhile Francois kept it casual in a navy jacket which he paired with a simple black jumper and trousers.

Elsewhere Mark Ronson and his wife Grace Gummer posed up a storm in a pair of sophisticated suits as they were snapped hand in hand.

The music producer, 48, opted for a pale grey ensemble as he looked flawless in the shirt, tie and buttoned up suit jacket.

Adding some black shades and iconic Gucci black loafers, his wife donned some matching sunglasses while opting for an all black ensemble and pointed heels.

Poppy Delevingne kept it casual as she donned a navy blue jumper and grey-blue linen shorts for the show.

The model, 37, showed off her slender physique as she added inches to her height with some platform red loafers and matching handbag and bold red lip.

Francois kept it casual in a navy jacket which he paired with a simple black jumper and trousers

Daisy Edgar-Jones, Julia Garner and Davika Hoorne posed up a storm together

Daisy and the American actress embraced in a hug

Poppy Delevingne kept it casual as she donned a navy blue jumper and grey-blue linen shorts for the show

The model, 37, showed off her slender physique as she added inches to her height with some platform red loafers and matching handbag and bold red lip

Salma Hayek and Sofia Boutella looked sensational as they posed together

The women showed off their incredibly toned legs in the selection of short dresses and skirts as they all opted for either Gucci red heels or platform loafers

Kirsten looked in great spirits as she beamed while arriving at the show

Sofia cut a fashionable appearance in a purple leather blazer jacket and matching shorts

The 25-year-old cut a chic appearance in the halterneck midi dress as she elevated her height with a pair of platform black heels

Salma looked stunning as she zipped up her sylish jacket once inside and smiled in snaps

Daisy headed to the show as she left the hotel in the huge platform heels

Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece looked incredible as she donned a grey leather blazer jacket and red heels

Julie carried her essentials in a small black clutch bag which had a wooden handle

Solange Knowles kept it casual figure in oversized blue denim jeans and a black Gucci belt

The singer-songwriter beamed as she made her way to the show, with her tresses styled in braids

Poppy looked stylish in the ensemble as she styled her blonde locks straight

Leonie Hanne donned a very low cut dress brown dress which he paired with some huge red-framed sunglasses

Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece looked incredible as she donned a grey leather blazer jacket and red heels.

Showcasing her slender legs, underneath the star wore a light blue linen shirt.

Julia Garner opted for a smart tailored mini dress with Gucci belt, while she completed the look with tights and some platform black loafers.

Solange Knowles kept it casual figure in a pair of oversized blue denim jeans and black Gucci belt, while she opted for a dark grey zip up raincoat.

The singer-songwriter, 37, beamed as she made her way to the show, with her tresses styled in braids while also sporting some rectangular shades.

Mia Regan cut a preppy look in a white polo top with a quirky green and red striped collar and cuffs, which she paired with a matching shorts.

The model, 21, who is dating Romeo Beckham, completed the look with some cream platform loafers and styled her choppy blonde bob in loose curls.

Alexa beamed from ear to ear as she kept her shades on

Julia showed off her flawless complexion as cut an elegant look in the ensemble

Mia Regan cut a preppy look in a white polo top with a quirky green and red striped collar and cuffs which she paired with a matching shorts

The model, 21, who is dating Romeo Beckham, completed the look with some cream platform loafers and styled her choppy blonde bob in loose curls

Mark sat next to Salma for the show as he removed his sunglasses

Alexa Chung, Cleo Wade, Poppy Delevingne and Maria Olympia of Greece and Denmark (L-R)

Emma Chamberlain opted for a deep purple oversized coat and red rimmed shades
Emily Ratajkowski was seen going for a walk through the chilly streets of New York City on Friday morning.

The 32-year-old supermodel layered up in a fur-lined leather trench coat as she checked her phone.

The fashion industry mainstay - who recently shared a racy snap with her fans - also wore a pair of slim-fitting leather slacks and matching flats.

Ratajkowski accessorized with a pair of chic sunglasses, and her beautiful brunette hair cascaded onto her shoulders.

The influencer's outing took place just a few weeks after it was revealed that she was in final talks to revitalize her acting career by joining the cast of Lena Dunham's project Too Much.

Emily Ratajkowski stayed comfortable while going for a walk through the chilly streets of New York City on Friday morning

The news about the model's new venture was revealed by Variety, and it was also reported that the series would eventually premiere on Netflix.

News about the project's development was initially confirmed to the public this past December.

The show will follow an American journalist in her mid-30s who attempts to bring a jolt into existence by moving to London and embracing a quiet lifestyle.

However, her plans are thrown into disarray when she develops an erratic yet romantic connection with a British libertine, and their mutual attraction quickly becomes a point of contention.

The cast of the program will be led by Megan Stalter, who will star opposite Will Sharpe.

Sources reported that Ratajkowski is set to portray an ex-girlfriend of Sharpe's character, who will also serve as a foil to the figure played by Stalter.

The show will primarily be written and directed by Dunham, who also serves as one of its executive producers.

Too Much, which will run for a total of ten episodes, currently does not have a scheduled premiere date.

The 32-year-old supermodel layered up in a fur-lined leather trench coat as she checked her phone and made her way through the Big Apple

Ratajkowski accessorized with a pair of chic sunglasses, and her beautiful brunette hair cascaded onto her shoulders

The influencer's outing took place just a few weeks after it was revealed that she was in final talks to revitalize her acting career by joining the cast of Lena Dunham's project Too Much

Ratajkowski has been featured as an actress in various films and television programs, and she appeared in supporting roles in projects such as Gone Girl and We Are Your Friends.

However, the model spoke to the Los Angeles Times in 2023 and revealed that she fired her agents and her manager following a failed audition.

The fashion industry personality told the publication that she 'didn't trust' her team at the time and was largely stepping away from acting.

She added that Hollywood was 'f***ed up' and that she had been made to feel 'like a piece of meat who people were judging.'
Bella Thorne proved she can turn any pavement into a personal runway during her recent outings in Milan.

The 26-year-old former Disney Channel star - who took over the Diesel show for Milan Fashion Week - looked like she stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine by sporting two stylish outfits while exploring the gorgeous Italian city.

Rocking a minidress featuring a Dracula image, Bella gave a leggy display with sheer stockings and white knee-high boots with towering heels on Thursday.

She added a white faux fur wrap to the mix for a bit of drama, as she showed off her natural beauty by opting for minimal makeup.

On Friday, Bella chose an incredible black leather trench coat to hit the town, as she modeled a pair of baggy denim pants while holding hands with her fiance, Mark Emms.

Bella Thorne proved she can turn any pavement into a personal runway during her recent outings in Milan

The 26-year-old former Disney Channel star looked like she stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine by sporting two stylish outfits while exploring the gorgeous Italian city

The outings come after she ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived at Diesel's fall/winter 2024 show at Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday.

Bella boldly showcased her ample cleavage and shapely derriere in a daring ensemble while confidently striding through the streets of Italy.

Accentuating her petite waist, Bella sported a striking outfit highlighted by a provocatively high-rise leotard.

Opting for minimal coverage on her legs, she proudly exhibited black tattoos on her leg and bottom, complemented by the sheer skirt.

In 2022, Thorne introduced Thorne Dynasty, a brand specializing in various types of jewelry.

Bella shared insights about Thorne Dynasty in an interview with People, expressing that she consistently wears her own products.

'My jewelry is just an additive of who I am. So I work out in it, I sleep in it, and I shower in it. I just never take it off,' she explained.

Thorne discussed how Mark played a role in assessing the comfort of many pieces in her holiday collection, noting that he was present 'throughout the whole testing process.'

She rocked a minidress featuring a Dracula image

Bella gave a leggy display with sheer stockings and white knee-high boots with towering heels

She added a white faux fur wrap to the mix for a bit of drama

Bella managed to keep her balance on the slick pavement

The actress and her fiance first crossed paths in 2022 during Cara Delevingne's birthday party in Ibiza.

'It was love at first sight as the sun rose,' the American Horror Stories star told Vogue Weddings .

Bella and her fiance shared a heartwarming photo to announce the news on social media.

Mark, the owner of The Mulberry in New York City, proposed to Bella at her California home on Mother's Day.

The actress later disclosed that her fiance presented her with five engagement rings before she settled on her favorite.

The actress, who got engaged in May this year , said her husband-to-be 'saw her face' after he popped the question and new it wasn't 'the one'.

Bella admitted she 'didn't see anything wrong' with the first ring but the entrepreneur insisted on her finding the perfect style.

Speaking to The Messenger Bella said: 'He got me one ring that was so beautiful, and I didn't see anything that was wrong. We actually went through four rings after that one. This is my fifth one.'

Bella and Leonie Hanne made quite the gorgeous pals

On Friday, Bella was spotted holding hands with her fiance, Mark Emms

'It was love at first sight as the sun rose,' the American Horror Stories star said of Mark

She said she 'wore each ring for like two weeks to try it out' as Mark 'wanted it to be perfect'.

She added: 'He was like "I want it to be perfect. So it needs to be something that you absolutely know that it's you,'' and so it actually turned into this ring after trial and error.'

The actress ultimately chose a 10-plus carat emerald-cut diamond for her engagement ring.

Bella also dished on her plans for the couple's envisioned 'fairytale' wedding in the UK, Mark's home country, expressing her desire to be surrounded by 'huge trees and lots of twinkling lights.'
Gisele Bundchen was spotted throwing a ball for her adorable German Shepherd in Surfside, Florida on Thursday.

The model, 43, wore black leggings, a tan hoodie and a white ball cap as her dog looked up at her adoringly waiting for her to throw the ball.

The former Victoria's Secret model had her dog off-leash in an area that didn't appear to have any traffic or other people around.

The native of Brazil has been a life-long dog lover and said goodbye to the pit bull mix, Lulu, that she shared with ex-husband Tom Brady in December. She posted a lovely tribute to her old girl on Instagram with a photo of herself in a pink sweater hugging the cute dog.

This comes after she was seen holding onto her new boyfriend Joaquim Valente.

Gisele Bundchen was spotted throwing a ball for her adorable German Shepherd in Surfside, Florida on Thursday

The model, 43, wore black leggings, a tan hoodie and a white ball cap

'Our little Lulu, our guardian angel is gone to heaven. She will forever live in our hearts. We already miss her sooooo much!' she captioned the post.

The mom-of-two - and step mom to one more - went on the record more than a decade ago calling herself 'the biggest animal lover in the world,' per Today.

The new snaps come as her romance with jitsu instructor boyfriend Valente heats up.

Gisele was seen passionately kissing Valente outside her home in Florida. The couple first sparked dating rumors in November 2022, about a month after her divorce from Tom Brady, 46, was final.

On Wednesday Joaquim was spotted leaving Gisele's house early in the morning.

Now, TMZ is reporting that her ex-husband thinks the timeline of her relationship with Valente is 'b.s.'

Though Gisele and Valente, who are both Brazilian, have been friends for years, most claims say they didn't get romantically involved until June 2023.

But sources close to Brady told the outlet that he thinks they've been together since June 2021.

'They should add 2021 after June. Then the headline would be accurate,' a source said.

Another source told TMZ: 'When they announced divorce in October 2022, Gisele fled to Costa Rica for 2 months. Joaquim flew there with her for 2 months. She takes her jiu-jitsu training seriously. LOL.'

The former Victoria's Secret model had her dog off-leash in an area that didn't appear to have any traffic or other people around

The native of Brazil has been a life-long dog lover and said goodbye to the pit bull mix, Lulu, that she shared with ex-husband Tom Brady in December

TMZ is reporting that her ex-husband thinks the timeline of her relationship with Joaquim Valente is 'b.s.' (Pictured in 2019)

Valente was seen leaving Gisele's house early Wednesday morning

A source claims that Gisele refuted her ex's claims telling People: 'They have been dating since June. They're taking it slow. They started out as great friends first. She's very private about this and wanted to keep it quiet while they got to know each other.'

A second source confirmed that Bundchen and her family's jiu-jitsu instructor's feelings started out platonically and developed into romance as they got to know each other better.

'They started out as friends,' the second source told the outlet. 'He was a huge comfort for Gisele while she went through her divorce. Their friendship turned romantic after the divorce.'

The source added: 'Joaquim is a great guy. He is down to earth, kind and inspiring. Gisele was hesitant about dating after the divorce. It's been very natural for her to date Joaquim.'
The View's Sunny Hostin has engaged in yet another heated on-air spat with her cohost, Sara Haines, as the duo clashed again over Alabama Supreme Court's ruling that frozen embryos are children.

Sara, 46, became visibly frustrated with mother-of-two Sunny on Friday's episode of the ABC show as they argued over the viability of an embryo and whether or not it should be defined as 'life,' with the blonde TV star telling the latter: 'If we're gonna use science, let's use scientific terms!'

'An embryo is the beginning of human life,' lawyer Sunny, 55, fumed, as she referred to the conception of her two children, Gabriel and Paloma, via IVF, but mother-of-three Sara was having none of it and fired back that an embryo was 'not a child.'

At one point, Ana Navarro joined in on the conversation and reminded Catholic Sunny 'the church that you're a member of is against IVF,' and then shouted: 'Let me finish,' as the lawyer attempted to interrupt her mid-sentence.

Sara Haines and Sunny Hostin (right) became embroiled in another heated spat during Friday's episode of The View

Sara became very passionate as she shared her views on the viability of embryos as Joy Behar (left) looked on

Ana Navarro joined in on the debate and yelled at Sunny: 'Let me finish!' after she attempted to interrupt her

The sensitive debate stemmed from the Alabama ruling which came about from a lawsuit that was brought by a group of IVF patients whose frozen embryos were destroyed in December 2020 when a patient removed them from a cryogenic storage unit and accidentally dropped them on the ground.

Alabama's Supreme Court has now ruled that the patient who mistakenly destroyed the embryos can be sued under the state constitution's wrongful death of a minor act, which Sara completely disagrees with.

'A fertilized embryos is three to five days old. It is the size of the pin right there,' she said as she used the tip of her pen as an example. 'It is not alive outside of a uterus. It has no organs. It is not a life yet. It is not viable until it's 24 weeks....'

Sunny attempted to butt in and said: 'You may not think that. There are at least 50 per cent of Americans...,' but Sara was having none of it and fumed: 'This is science, Sunny! This is science!'

'Fifty per cent of Americans believe that a human embryo is a baby, I am one of those,' Sunny continued as Sara fired back: 'Well let me just check you on the terminology! The embryo is an embryo until 10 weeks when it becomes a fetus. A fetus is not viable until it's 24 weeks.

'If we're gonna use science, let's use scientific terms, that's what that is!' Sara added as Sunny mentioned her own IVF experience again, to which her cohost replied bluntly: 'That doesn't mean facts change!'

'An embryo is the beginning of human life and I know this...,' Sunny then said, as cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin chimed in and asked her: 'But then why do you support abortion if you believe that?'

'Oh I do not support abortion,' Sunny fired back. 'I've said this over and over again. I believe that the Government shouldn't be involved in women's reproductive health but I believe that abortion is wrong and I also believe - not only through my faith - but through my experience of having two embryos implanted in my body.

Mother-of-two Sunny, who conceived her kids via IVF, argued that 'an embryo is the beginning of human life'

Ana reminded Sunny that the Catholic Church that she is a member of is 'against IVF'

Mother-of-three Sara used the tip of her pen to demonstrate how small an embryo is at three to five days old

'I have a 21-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter that my life would not be the same without them. And so if someone destroyed my embryos I would feel like someone destroyed...,' Sunny added, as Sara replied sarcastically: 'Problematic but not a minor.'

Ana, 52, then decided to share her thoughts and admitted: 'I find so many aspects of this court ruling to be disturbing. One is the science of it but also the getting God inside of government. Look, this is not Iran, we are not a republic that hinges on religious beliefs.

'There is a separation of church and state and one of the things that the majority opinion says is, "human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of holy God." Not everybody in this country believes in a holy God and you should not be imposing your beliefs on those people who don't believe in God!

'It is a key component to being American. The other thing is, let's think about what an embryo is, let's think about what a fetus is, let's think about what a baby and one thing that bothers me is the changing of the goal post.'

'It used to be about viability, then it was about heartbeat. Well, an embryo has neither of them, it's neither viable nor has a heartbeat. You know, you can freeze sperm...' Ana continued, as Sunny attempted to interrupt her and talk about Christians.

'Well, the Catholic Church that you're a member of is against IVF!' Ana yelled at her, and then added: 'The Catholic Church does not rule the United States and we have a separation of church and state!'

'You can freeze sperm, you can freeze eggs, you can't freeze babies and bring them back to life!' Ana added as the live studio audience applauded her.

Sunny attempted to have the final say and claimed: 'The one thing that I think we're all losing sight of, this case came about because a person at an IVF clinic accidentally destroyed someone's embryos.

Sara stayed silent as Ana spoke up and shared her opinion on the Alabama court ruling

Sunny (left) and Alyssa Farah Griffin (right) shared their views on abortion and confirmed that they are against it

The panel listened intently as Ana (middle) explained that eggs and sperm can be frozen but 'you can't freeze babies'

'That means that couple's dreams... Manny and I, we lost our life savings trying to have children [and] if someone went in and destroyed my two embryos, they would have destroyed everything that I had been working for for five years and there has to be a consequence to that.'

The rest of the panel agreed with Sunny, but Joy asked her: 'Why does the consequence have to be in the law? Why not just prosecute those people who dropped it?'

Ana then added: 'But the ruling should have been negligence, not embryos are babies that then affects every woman and every couple in Alabama and it is leading to less life.'

The heated discussion came just a couple of days after Sunny and Sara butted heads over the exact same topic during Tuesday's show, with the latter suggesting that the courts should 'go after IVF as the rich person's abortion'.
Kal Penn will star as Anna Nicole Smith's pain-medication doctor, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, in the upcoming biographical drama feature Trust Me, I'm a Doctor.

The news about the 46-year-old actor was revealed by Variety, and it was also reported that the feature would be based on Kapoor's book of the same name, which was published in 2017.

The star of the Harold & Kumar franchise will also serve as one of the upcoming project's executive producers.

Trust Me, I'm a Doctor will take place during the final days of the troubled model, who passed away in 2007 due to the effects of combined drug intoxication at the age of 39.

Smith had become infamous after she married 89-year-old oil baron J. Howard Marshall in 1994 after the pair had met at a strip club.

Kal Penn will star as Anna Nicole Smith 's pain-medication doctor, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, in the upcoming biographical drama feature Trust Me, I'm a Doctor; seen in 2022

The businessman went on to pass away after just 14 months of marriage, and the legal battle concerning his fortune stretched all the way to the Supreme Court.

The model had also developed issues with substance abuse at the time, and Kapoor was implicated in her wrongful death trials following her passing.

The doctor was also accused of prescribing Smith with addictive medications in the years prior to her passing.

Kapoor, along with the model's boyfriend Howard K. Stern and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, who was a member of her medical team, were charged with multiple felonies for allegedly conspiring to provide prescription drugs to an addict.

Although Stern and Eroshevich were convicted on the charges laid against them, Kapoor was ultimately acquitted.

The feature's producers are currently conducting a search for an actress to portray Smith, and the rest of the cast is also being filled out.

Physical production on Trust Me, I'm a Doctor, which will be helmed by writer-director Thane Economou, is scheduled to begin in Toronto this coming spring.

The upcoming biographical feature currently does not have a prospective premiere date.

Trust Me, I'm a Doctor will take place during the final days of the troubled model, who passed away in 2007 due to the effects of combined drug intoxication at the age of 39; she is seen in 1994

The star of the Harold & Kumar franchise will also serve as one of the upcoming project's executive producers; seen in 2019

Smith had become infamous after she married 89-year-old oil baron J. Howard Marshall in 1994 after the pair had met at a strip club; she is seen in 1994

The model had also developed issues with substance abuse at the time, and Kapoor was implicated in her wrongful death trials following her passing; she is seen in 2000

Smith's life will also be chronicled in the upcoming feature Hurricana, and Sylvia Hoeks will star as the model.

Production on the film was announced last December, and it was also revealed that Holly Hunter would be portraying the actress' therapist.

According to Deadline, the cast of the movie will be rounded out by Mark Duplass and Nicholas Hamilton.

Hurricana, which was directed by Francesca Gregorini, has not been given a premiere date as of yet.
Paul Mescal has spoken of his insecurities as an actor while filming intimate scenes, saying he sometimes feels as if he's in a 'blind panic' on set.

The actor, 28, had to do raunchy sex scenes with Fleabag's Andrew Scott for his role as Harry in All of Us Strangers.

The film follows Andrew Scott's lonely screenwriter Adam as he encounters the spirits of his dead parents in director Andrew Haigh's latest film.

While Paul has a wealth of experience as an actor and while All of Us Strangers was nominated for an impressive six awards at the BAFTAs last Sunday, he admits he can still feel very vulnerable while performing.

Irish star Paul is seen playing out some very intimate moments as Harry with Andrew's Adam in the film.

Paul told All of Us Strangers writer and director Andrew Haigh during an interview for AnOther Magazine: 'I feel like sometimes, though, its blind panic. Because I think acting has the capacity to be the most embarrassing thing that any of us ever do.

Paul Mescal has spoken of his insecurities as an actor while filming intimate scenes, saying he sometimes feels as if he's in a 'blind panic' on set

The actor, 28 (pictured), has most recently played the part of Harry in All of Us Strangers alongside Andrew Scott's lonely screenwriter Adam

'And it can be in an instant. Ive seen actors that I really admire do bad, embarrassing things.

'When youre in a scene where thats heightened  say, if your body is on show or theres an emotional weight to a scene  weirdly, if youre working with good actors, you can just throw a bubble around yourselves and white-knuckle it.

'Andrew Scott is just outrageously good.'

Paul went on to praise his co-star Andrew, saying their closeness in real-life allowed for an intimacy and trust on screen that he's only had a couple of times with other people, being Normal People's Daisy Edgar-Jones and Saoirse Ronan in Foe.

The screen star said their acting abilities go beyond talent, adding that they have a 'well of emotionality where all you have to do when youre in scenes with them is sit there and listen'.

Paul posed for an arty photoshoot for the magazine, posing in sporting attire for a variety of photographs.

It comes after Andrew admitted he barely rehearsed his raunchy sex scenes with Paul while working with an intimacy coordinator ahead of his latest role in All Of Us Strangers.

The film is an adaptation of Japanese author Taichi Yamada's 1987 novel, Strangers.

While an explicit sexual encounter with Harry, played by Irish heartthrob Paul has dominated the commentary surrounding its release, Scott insists they both adopted an organic approach towards its development.

Adam encounters the spirits of his dead parents in director Andrew Haigh's latest film, an adaptation of Japanese author Taichi Yamada's 1987 novel, Strangers (Paul pictured)

While Paul has a wealth of experience and while All of Us Strangers was nominated for six awards at the BAFTAs last Sunday, he admits he can still feel vulnerable while performing

Irish star Paul is seen playing out some very intimate moments as Harry with Andrew's Adam in the film

Paul told All of Us Strangers writer and director Andrew Haigh during an interview for AnOther Magazine : 'I feel like sometimes, though, its blind panic'

'Because I think acting has the capacity to be the most embarrassing thing that any of us ever do,' he added

Paul went on to praise his co-star Andrew, saying their closeness in real-life allowed for an intimacy and trust on screen that he's only had a couple of times with other people

Paul (right) plays Harry in director Andrew Haigh's latest film All of Us Stragers, alongside Andrew Scott as Adam (left)

Speaking to Attitude, Andrew, 47, also credited the film's intimacy coordinator for mediating any concerns regarding the graphic nature of their sex scene.

'Sex is just communication, isn't it?' he said. 'It's just physical communication rather than verbal communication We didn't over rehearse it. We knew that those scenes, particularly the early ones, had to have a sort of frisson.

And we had an intimacy coordinator, which can be very helpful for the simple reason that if you're able to talk to somebody about your fears or what you want to show, what you don't want to show, or what you think it should be and what the narrative of the storyline is, you have that base of safety.

'But chemistry is a really interesting thing. Youre basically just listening to see what the other person is doing physically in the same way you would in a dialogue scene.

'And you can talk about that as much as you like, but until you're actually there, it's not alive in that way, so it's just about listening, but just listening with your body, basically.'

The actor, best known for playing James Moriarty in BBC drama Sherlock and the unnamed 'Hot Priest' in Phoebe Waller-Bridge comedy Fleabag, publicly acknowledged his own sexuality for the first time in 2013.

And Scott admits being an openly gay man in the modern age is a 'wonderful gift' that has helped him establish firm friendships within the queer community.

He said: 'I think it's such a wonderful thing to me. It's an extraordinary gift to my life and just to be able to see the real beauty in being gay is completely wonderful.

'The older I get, just the more I feel so lucky to have been born gay and that pervades my life in the sense of all my friendships. I have so many amazing queer friends in my life now that I just adore.'

The screen star said their acting abilities go beyond talent, adding that they have a 'well of emotionality where all you have to do when youre in scenes with them is sit there and listen'

Paul posed for an arty photoshoot for the magazine, posing in sporting attire for a variety of photographs

He added: 'I feel such a huge sense of camaraderie with other queer people now, and without sounding too hippy about it, I feel like I just want to spread that love and positivity in our community because we've come such a long way and it's important that we are kind and look out for each other, and celebrate how uniquely different and how f**king wonderful that can be.

'It feels like such an extraordinary privilege to be able to play a character like this. And I wanted to give as much of myself because it was cathartic for me,' he said.

'I never thought that I would be able to watch a film like this, let alone be at the centre of it, so I wanted to be able to take that opportunity to express myself in some way.

'Why pick an imaginary backstory from somewhere else? I wanted to bring as much of myself as I could, because I feel like that's what the audience is going to relate to the most.'
After weeks of speculation following the controversial Barbie Oscars snubs, Ryan Gosling will take the stage to perform the film's nominated hit song at the award show next month, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Inside sources confirm the Canadian-born actor, 43, who himself is up for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Ken in the summer blockbuster, will be singing 'I'm Just Ken' at the star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles on March 10.

The idea for the live performance has been the subject of speculation since Gosling and the hit number were announced among this year's Oscar nominations last month - while the film's female lead Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig were snubbed.

Ryan Gosling will perform I'm Just Ken live at the Oscars next month, DailyMail.com can reveal

The idea for the live performance has been the subject of speculation since Gosling and the hit number were among the eight Oscar nominations Barbie received last month

And while it is customary for a Best Original Song nominee to be performed during the award show, the prospect of the special performance by Gosling became overshadowed by the controversy.

Barbie received a total of eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for America Ferrera, and Best Original Song for Ken's existential track, I'm Just Ken.

The Academy's controversial decision sparked a wider debate about sexism in the industry among actors and fans alike on social media, and even saw Gosling issue an extraordinary statement in support of his female colleagues.

In an interview with Variety earlier this month Gosling said he was yet to be approached about a potential performance at the upcoming ceremony - but said he was 'open' to the opportunity.

'I still have not been asked,' he said. 'It might be too much of a risk to have me do it. I don't know how that would work. But I'm open to it.'

Music producer Mark Ronson, who wrote the popular song, admitted that seeing Gosling perform the song live at the ceremony would be his 'dream' but said the actor had not confirmed whether it was happening, during a red carpet interview with the magazine at the Grammys.

Gosling is up for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Ken in the summer blockbuster, while the film's female lead Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig were snubbed

Gosling revealed he ended up dying his hair for the role after he was given a wig which he felt didn't fully capture his character

Gosling issued a statement expressing his disappointment after his female colleagues, director Greta Gerwig (pictured) and film lead Margot Robbie were snubbed

Gosling weighed in on Barbie's shock Oscars snub amid the backlash in January, in a statement expressing his fury that his female colleagues had been overlooked, but he stopped short of giving up his own Oscar nomination in protest.

'There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film,' he wrote.

'No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit and genius. To say that I'm disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement.

'Their work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees.'

The statement itself drew further criticism after fans said taking action against the prestigious institution would be a true show of solidarity.

Speaking with Variety, Gosling admitted he 'heavily' revised the statement.

'Look, I heavily edited that statement,' Ryan told the outlet. 'I think if I say any more about it, I'm going to basically put on a mink and start challenging people to a beach-off on Malibu Beach.

'There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally-celebrated film,' he declared

He said the film has continued to spark dialogue from audience members: 'In terms of people's reactions, the film continues to provoke conversation in every incarnation,' he said. 'It keeps provoking this dialogue. It's the power of this movie. I struggle to compare it to anything.'

'But it's yet another reason that proves it's more than a summer blockbuster. It's a great work of art. That's what Greta and Margot created,' he added.

Gosling called Ken the most challenging role he had yet to play and, to his surprise, compared it to his part in the 2010 drama Blue Valentine, which chronicled an ill-fated couple's relationship.

'It's the hardest role I've ever had to play,' Ryan said. 'It was like a high-wire actin tiny shorts and no shirtwith no net.

'I wanted to make sure if I was going to do itI was like, 'I can't mess this up. I can't be the guy that messed up the Barbie movie. So if I'm going to do it, I have to do more than I know that I'm even capable of.'
Porsche

Connor James Litka wanted to buy a new Porsche but ended up being arrested instead. The 21-year-old Bloomington, Indiana man allegedly presented a fake $78 million check as payment to employees at a Porsche dealership in St. Matthews, Kentucky. According to WAVE News, Litka refused to take no for an answer and was eventually arrested.

Most 21-year-olds dream of being able to walk into a Porsche dealership and pay cash for a brand-new car. Unfortunately, for the vast majority of people that age it is just a dream. However, Litka apparently was not going to let the mere fact that he didnt have enough money for the car stop him from buying one.

The incident occurred at Blue Grass Motorsport, a Porsche dealership in the Louisville area. After presenting the fake check, Litka reportedly stood his ground and wouldn't leave. The 21-year-old was so determined to leave with a new Porsche that day, he allegedly walked to the rear entrance of the dealership and began to look for car keys. It was at that point that employees decided to call the police and the man soon was arrested.

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Litka was charged with one count of criminal trespass and one count of disorderly conduct. St. Matthews police said that the previous day Litka tried a similar scam at the local Land Rover dealership. There he allegedly presented a check for $12 million in an effort to buy a new Land Rover. Maybe he thought a mere $12 million didnt make him look wealthy enough, so he decided to up the amount to $78 million at the Porsche dealership.

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Strictly star Amy Dowden has revealed she is cancer free.

The dancer, 33, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, took to Instagram on Friday to reveal the happy news.

While she will not get the all-clear for five years and will still need treatment, she thanked her family and friends for their support amid her 'toughest year'.

Sharing a jubilant picture, she wrote: 'NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE! Words I dreamed of! My biggest accomplishment yet!

'I wont be getting the all clear for 5 years especially with a hormone fed cancer. But it was all worth it. Words I never thought Id hear at one point.

'So grateful for all the care I received and continue to have.

Amy Dowden is cancer free! Strictly dancer, 33, reveals doctors have told her there is 'no evidence of disease' following toughest year of her life

While she will not get the all-clear for five years and will still need treatment, she thanked her family and friends for their support amid her 'toughest year'

'To my husband, family and friends who supported me unconditionally and to you guys! Thank you!'

She continued: 'I will still need a monthly injection for 5 years and regular check ups.

'Chemo and this past year has certainly took its toll on my body both physically and mentally, so Ill be taking the next few months to heal and recover.

'I have so much to strive and live for, and so grateful for another chance at life! Something I know not all get. I certainly see life differently and my life has changed forever!

'Cancer affects too many so I will continue to do all I can to raise awareness and make sure I get as many as I can to.

'Its time to look ahead after whats been the toughest year, and one I certainly didnt expect!

'Dance floor Im coming for you! Welsh love, always Amy x.'

A number of Amy's celebrity friends took to the comments section of her post to offer their well wishes.

A number of Amy's celebrity friends took to the comments section of her post to offer their well wishes

Strictly's Amy revealed on Instagram on Monday she was hospitalised after suffering from respiratory problems last week as she shared pictures from the ward

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May last year, and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking 2023 off from the BBC ballroom dance contest while she underwent treatment

Amy shared a positive post after ending up in hospital and said she was starting to feel much better

Fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer wrote: 'Best news to come this year and its just the begging of the good stuff! I told you this is your year my girl and I am cheering you on with every bone in my body GO AMY you super star.'

Former pro Aljaz Skorjanec wrote: 'GETTTTT INNNNN!!!!!', while Carlos Gu posted: 'You did it!!! Proud of you,' and Luba Mushtuk shared: 'What a wonderful news!!!! Yes yes and yessssssss.'

The news comes a fortnight after Amy was last hospitalised.

Amy had been placed in a respiratory unit amid her breast cancer battle as she shared pictures from her hospital bed.

Keeping her fans updated, she wrote: 'So last week didn't exactly go to plan. Feeling much better now and still taking it easy.

'But can't thank the NHS and the care I received on the respiratory unit enough. Also to my family and Ben of course. Always dropping everything and spending endless hours next to my bed while I mainly slept.

'Feeling much better and thanks for the many messages after going quiet. Off to oncology unit today for my monthly injection, (missed it last week due to being poorly).

'How is everyone? The sun is shining and I certainly can't wait for spring.'

Amy had previously said she had celebrated Valentines Day early because she had a hospital appointment on February 14

The Welsh born Strictly Come Dancing professional managed to go on a romantic day break with her husband Ben to a spa, where she was pampered like a Queen

Her latest posts come after Amy celebrated Valentines Day early because she had a hospital appointment on February 14.

The Welsh born star managed to go on a romantic day break with her husband Ben to a spa, where she was pampered like a Queen.

Amy and Ben enjoyed the spa at the award winning Hoar Cross Hall hotel in Staffordshire which boasts one of the biggest state of the art spas in Europe.

Amy told her online followers: 'After feeling really rough the last few days (nasty cough) thank you for a lovely spa day today Ben.'

She also shared pictures from their relaxing day including one of them smiling together in their fluffy bathrobes and another of herself sitting in a large ball shaped rattan chair.

She added: 'An early valentines treat as Wednesday is a hospital day for me.'

As she showed off the blue mood lit pool she wrote: 'It was the perfect day, thank you Ben.'

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May last year, and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking 2023 off from the BBC ballroom dance contest while she underwent treatment.

Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in May last year, and underwent a mastectomy in July

The Welsh dancer recently admitted she was so scared of taking time off from Strictly Come Dancing that she almost decided against having chemotherapy

Her friend, Dragon's Den star Sara Davies, who competed on Strictly in 2021, recently revealed that she had to convince Amy to go ahead with her treatment when it was offered because Amy was scared shed miss out on her Strictly career.

Businesswoman Sara said Amy had been 'hardwired' to dance from a young age and the thought of taking time off to concentrate on her health scared her.

Sara said on the Invite Only podcast: 'I spent a lot of time with her at the start of the cancer diagnosis when she wasn't feeling positive. She'd been dealt a bad hand and she was struggling with it.

'I knew then I needed to be the friend that was filling her tank, but also if you just want someone to give you a hug and tell you it's gonna be okay, I'm not the one to go to.

'I was the one who was like, "What's the plan, Amy?" and pushing her to make difficult decisions. She wasn't sure if she was going to have chemo so we talked about that.'

She added: 'What I've realised with the dancers is that from being little, they are hardwired to dance. And the biggest blow for her was, "If I don't go down that route, I won't be able to do Strictly this year".

'I had to look her in the eye and say, "Amy, you've got cancer. They've literally just cut your boob off. They are telling you you need to have this chemo to get better. Don't worry about dance and Strictly".

'Her response was, "But they might not want me back next year". So I said, "Amy, you're amazing at what you do, of course they will want you back. You're so well-loved. Please, it's really important. Get well".

'And then she went on the show without her wig as well. What a phenomenal moment. When I saw her, I cried.'
Faryal Makhdoom has threatened to 'expose ITV' after she was axed from Celebrity Big Brother, sharing a screenshot of her contract.

As the row rages on, the wife of Amir Khan, 32, hit out at the channel once again following claims her 'outspoken pro-Palestinian views' led to her being dropped from the reboot.

ITV has denied the accusations and the production company has added participation is subject to assessments, background checks and production requirements.

In a scathing attack on Instagram, Faryal shared a photo of her alleged contract and accused the broadcaster of 'lying' and downplaying the situation.'

Faryal wrote: 'Attempting to downplay a situation when I have my contract right here.'

Faryal Makhdoom, 32, has threatened to 'expose ITV' after she was axed from Celebrity Big Brother, sharing a screenshot of her contract

As the row rages on, the wife of Amir Khan, hit out at the channel once again following claims her 'outspoken pro-Palestinian views' led to her being dropped from the reboot

In another post she added: 'Do better with the lies ITV. I had gone through all of the relevant and necessary assessments, including a mental health assessment.

'My flights were booked and hotel admission a week prior to entering the house confirmed.

'However 10 days before, my PR team were informed by ITV that there were some issues regarding my social media in particular relating to some new sponsors they may have.

'So let's not force me to start posting the documentary evidence.'

A spokesperson for Big Brother told MailOnline: 'We meet numerous prospective housemates when casting for Celebrity Big Brother, however the final line up is not confirmed until closer to transmission.

'As per our welfare protocols, we are unable to comment on the casting process for individual prospective Housemates, other than to say that suitability to participate is determined by a number of factors.'

Faryal's latest update comes after she accused ITV of 'violating' her right to free speech.

'It seems from my social media activity and being pro-Palestine is not appropriate for ITV and its sponsors,' she said in a video posted on Instagram to her one million followers.

In a scathing attack on Instagram, she shared a photo of her alleged contract and accused the broadcaster of 'lying' and downplaying the situation'

ITV has denied the accusations and the production company has added participation is subject to assessments, background checks and production requirements (pictured with Amir in January 2023)

In another post she added: 'Do better with the lies ITV. I had gone through all of the relevant and necessary assessments, including a mental health assessment'

She added: 'My PR team were informed by ITV that there were some issues regarding my social media, in particular relating to some new sponsors they may have'

The 32-year-old has been vocal about the ongoing conflict between between Israel and Gaza online.

She has written a slew of statements about the situation. Less than a month after Hamas paragliders ambushed the Nova festival, she wrote on X: 'At this point, you are either pro humanity or pro genocide there is no inbetween.'

In October last year, less than a week after the attack, she took to her Instagram to call out influencers for not posting about Palestine.

The model wrote: 'I'm seeing some influencers with huge platforms still posting away... living live normally.

'But yet not a thing on Palestine and what's going on around the world. F*** off. No humanity. Selfish AF. Or not enough balls?'

The statement was posted in a series of Instagram stories that also included a plug for her 'favourite' beauty salon in Dubai.

She also wrote: ''Can we all just ask ourselves who started all this???' and suggested that Israeli oppression of Palestinian people had been going on 'for years and years and years', adding: 'Apparently All Lives Matter except those in Gaza'.

She also called on her followers to boycott and 'cancel' clothing brand Zara, claiming they were 'mocking Palestinians'.

In another Instagram post, she wrote: 'Never sell your faith for fame. In the end all that matters is that you can walk with your head held up high, knowing you stood by justice and what was right, espeically in the midst of a genocide.

'I will never ever compromise on my integrity and values.'

Faryal also posted a video showing dead and injured children on her Instagram along with the caption: 'Whos the oppressed or are you still blind? #savepalestine'

In December, the model hit back at at trolls after she was slammed for attending the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival 'half naked'.

The 32-year-old has been vocal about the ongoing conflict between between Israel and Gaza online

Her dress featured a thigh high split that showed off her legs and exposed a pair of silver stilettos.

Faryal's followers took offence at her leg-flashing outfit, accusing her of 'hypocrisy' for wearing the revealing ensemble a day after visiting the holy city of Mecca.

On Thursday, Faryal spoke of being dropped from the show and said: 'As many of you know, I was offered to do a show for which the producers had offered me a few years ago and I had previously refused.

This time they made a very lucrative offer and after a lot of convincing I finally agreed to sign for the show.

'I also wanted to do this show to make it more inclusive for the Muslim community. But it seems from my social media activity and being pro-Palestine is not appropriate for ITV and its sponsors.

'Mind you ITV and this particular show has had many controversial people on it before, but for some reason I was singled out.

'I was told to step down ten days before going in. I have never in my life been treated like this.'

In December, the model hit back at at trolls after she was slammed for attending the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival 'half naked'

Faryal wrote about the conflict on X and claims ITV dropped her because of her pro-Palestine views

The Big Brother spin-off is returning in March for its first series in six years, with Faryal Makhdoom initially thought to be among those entering the show's Elstree compound

Faryal was said to be keen the public to getting to know her after a rollercoaster year with her boxer husband Amir (pictured together in 2023)

She added: 'It's a violation of free speech. This is why cowards with a huge following (especially Muslims) refuse to speak on this issue because they deprive you of opportunities and so you have no choice but to support them and stand them.

'Bear in mind I was offered substantial money not to speak on this issue but I rejected it. For me, no amount of money will ever stop me from speaking on the injustice happening in Palestine.'

Faryal was said to be keen the public to getting to know her after a rollercoaster year with her boxer husband Amir.

Amir recently praised his 'forgiving' wife Faryal after he was publicly embroiled in several cheating scandals.

'Faryal is a huge signing for Celebrity Big Brother,' a source told The Sun.

'She's had her ups and downs with Amir but wants to step into the limelight in her own right. Faryal has said she wants to show she's not a doormat that he walks all over.

'She is fiery and feisty and will make a brilliant housemate.'

Kate Middleton's 'black sheep' uncle Gary Goldsmith has also reportedly signed up to the show.

Experts have warned Gary could 'embarrass' the royal family with his views on Harry and Meghan.

The outspoken businessman, 58, brother of Kate's mother Carole, is reported to have inked a meaty deal with bosses for the return of the celebrity edition of the series after a six-year absence.

It comes at a challenging time for the royals as Kate continues to recover from her abdominal surgery at The London Clinic, while King Charles had a procedure for an enlarged prostate.

Gary attempted to gain a spot on I'm A Celebrity last year, but was turned down over concerns it could embarrass William and Kate.

Celebrity Big Brother is also reportedly lining up contestants such as Dragons' Den entrepreneur Levi Roots and music manager Louis Walsh.

The show originally started life on Channel 4, where it ran for more than a decade before being taken off-air in 2010. It was later picked up by Channel 5, who ran the show until 2018.

MailOnline has contacted ITV and Faryal Makhdoom's representatives for further comment.
Lily James covered up her figure in warm clothing as she stepped out in Milan on Friday morning.

The 34-year-old actress appeared to be enthusiastic about the start of her Milan Fashion Week experience as she made her way through what appeared to be a transit hub in the early hours of the morning.

The performer - who was recently spotted while embracing Joe Keery in Rome - wore a puffy brown button-up hooded sweater that kept her warm in the chilly winter weather.

James also donned a pair of slightly wide-legged Alo Yoga pants that nearly matched the color of her outerwear, and she donned a pair of bright white Superga sneakers.

The Pam & Tommy actress accessorized with a fashionable pair of sunglasses and a chic Prada purse in a mustard color.

Lily James covered up her sculpted frame in warm clothing as she stepped out in Milan on Friday morning. The Pam & Tommy actress accessorized with a fashionable pair of sunglasses and a chic Prada purse

The 34-year-old actress appeared to be enthusiastic about the start of her Milan Fashion Week experience as she made her way through what appeared to be a transit hub in the early hours of the morning

The performer - who was recently spotted while embracing Joe Keery in Rome - also had on Prada sunglasses

Her beautiful brunette hair remained tied back in a loose bun, although several locks fell onto the sides of her face.

James is currently preparing for the release of the upcoming mystery-comedy film Greedy People, in which she will star.

The actress was first attached to the project in May of 2022, when Deadline revealed that she had joined its cast.

Greedy People will be centered on a police officer who is tasked with investigating a murder and the sudden discovery of a large sum of money in a sleepy town.

In addition to James, the film's cast will be led by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Himesh Patel, with whom the actress costarred in the 2019 film Yesterday.

Performers such as Tim Blake Nelson, Uzo Aduba and Simon Rex round out the cast of the feature.

Although Shooting took place in the summer of 2022, Greedy People has yet to be assigned a premiere date.

James will also star in the thriller feature Relay, to which she was initially linked in February of last year.

James also donned a pair of slightly wide-legged Alo Yoga pants that nearly matched the color of her outerwear, and she donned a pair of bright white Superga sneakers

Her beautiful brunette hair remained tied back in a loose bun, although several locks fell onto the sides of her face

James is currently preparing for the release of the upcoming mystery-comedy film Greedy People, in which she will star

Greedy People will be centered on a police officer who is tasked with investigating a murder and the sudden discovery of a large sum of money in a sleepy town

James will also star in the thriller feature Relay, to which she was initially linked in February of last year

The performer will portray a client who seeks the assistance of a corporate fixer after her life is endangered.

The Cinderella star is also set to star alongside Riz Ahmed and Sam Worthington in the upcoming movie.

Physical production on the feature commenced in New York in April of last year, and its team eventually moved to New Jersey to shoot several scenes.

Relay's prospective premiere date has not been revealed as of yet.
Kanye West rocked Nike apparel at Milan Fashion Week amid his dispute with Adidas.

The 46-year-old rapper was spotted wearing Nike shoes and gloves alongside his scantily-clad wife Bianca Cesori during the Marni show on Friday.

Dressed in an all-black leather ensemble, the Flashing Lights hitmaker modeled the brand's black high tops and black gloves featuring its iconic white swoosh symbol.

His partnership with Adidas, thought to be nearly as lucrative as Nike's decades-long partnership with Michael Jordan, ended almost two years ago amid his antisemitic rants, discontinuing Kanye's lucrative line of Yeezy shoes.

In a statement at that time, Adidas said it 'does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech.'

Kanye West rocked Nike apparel alongside his wife Bianca Censori at Milan Fashion Week amid his dispute with Adidas .

Kanye shows off his Nike sneakers alongside Renzo Rosso

For weeks prior to his rupture with the sneaker company, Kanye had made antisemetic comments in interviews and social media, including an October Twitter post in which he said he would soon go 'death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,' an apparent reference to the U.S. defense readiness condition scale known as DEFCON.

Executives estimated that Adidas held $1.3 billion worth of Yeezy inventory when it broke off its partnership. The company has begun to sell them off in limited batches.

The outing comes after Kanye was ridiculed for his Yeezy sock shoes, the first release independent from Adidas after the firm cut ties.

The backlash caused Kanye to launch a series of unfounded claims on social media, saying: 'Adidas copied all my s**t and treated me like s**t. adidas is suing me for 4 billion dollars and selling my shoes without paying me and they said I misused the marketing fund when I am the marketing.'

The kerfuffle comes after insiders claimed Kanye and Bianca's relationship has improved 'drastically' - thanks to the very lucrative success of Kanye's latest album, Vultures.

DailyMail.com previously revealed that the pair, who tied the knot in December 2022, had a huge fight after Bianca warned the rapper not to make anti-Semitic slurs at a listening event for his album earlier this month.

The couple's huge blow out was said to be the reason behind her no show at his New York event and after-party on February 9, with sources now revealing that their relationship 'was hanging on by a thread', claiming that Bianca had started 'to question everything.'

'She knows [what] everyone thinks of her husband  and his recent outbursts were causing her to question everything,' an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively.

'But then, all of a sudden, his album is a success and she is back to being a loving adoring and supportive wife.'

The source explained how dire things had been in recent months, adding: 'Kanye and Bianca's marriage was hanging on by a thread. Everyone in her life wants her to leave him and she is aware of this.'

However, Bianca's apparent change of heart has reportedly left her loved ones fearing the designer is only staying in the marriage for financial reasons - views that were only further fueled when Kanye revealed that his brand, Yeezy, had made $19.3million from a Super Bowl advert.

Kanye rocked Adidas apparel in 2017

Bianca went braless in the incredibly revealing garment which also featured a waist strap

The beauty also showcased a new hairstyle as she sported a dark black bob while cosying up to her husband at the event

Kanye, 46, sported a black jacket and matching trousers as he shared a kiss with Bianca while they posed for the cameras

Putting on a leggy display in a pair of pink boots, Bianca joined her husband in the front row during the show

Bianca showcased her jaw-dropping figure in the very revealing outfit

Bianca ensured all eyes were on her at the show with her daring look

'To her friends and family, this just screams what her real motivation behind all of this is  his money,' the insider said.

'They are now in a partnership and she has made a fortune herself due to all of the work she has done for her husband  as an architect for his brand and a model.'

They added: 'No one doubts that she loves him because she does.But the dynamics of their marriage definitely improved drastically due to the success of his album and the massive new influx of wealth is has brought.'

DailyMail.com contacted representatives for the couple for comment.

The couple's financial health was looking less promising last week when Kanye, who now goes by Ye, claimed he was 'two months away' from declaring bankruptcy after reportedly losing $2billion in one day when Adidas terminated its partnership with Yeezy.

The rapper famously lost his billionaire status in 2022 when a number of brands ended his lucrative contracts over his anti-Semitic outbursts and were outraged over his decision to promote White Lives Matter T-shirts at his Paris Fashion Week show.

Last week saw Kanye explained to fans that he poured 'everything I had' into his $7million Super Bowl advert for his fashion brand and his new album, Vultures.

'I'm just be honest with y'all. I was two months from going bankrupt, and I put everything I had into it [the album and the Super Bowl advert],' he told TMZ.

The couple were all smiles as they took their seats

Kanye was seen whispering into Bianca's ear

Kanye said as his wealth began to plummet, he moved to Italy with his wife.

'We moved to Italy,' he said. 'We moved to the factories, and we survived. We survived through the cancellation. We're back number one.'

Last Thursday afternoon, the rapper's new album - which his daughter North posted about in a now-deleted TikTok - was removed from Apple Music and iTunes, where the song Carnival had held the No. 1 slot on the Top 100: Global chart.

The move was revealed amid reports the distributor was working to remove it from all streaming services after Kanye reportedly uploaded it to various platforms without permission, according to Billboard.

The album - which went on to reach number one in 100 countries - was first hit with streaming issues last week when Spotify removed the track Good (Don't Die) due to claims of 'copyright infringement' made by Donna Summers estate.

As of now, the album continues to be accessible on Spotify, however, the track Good (Dont Die) is currently not available to play.

Vultures Volume 1 marks the initial installment in a planned trilogy. Following this, the second and third projects are scheduled for release in March and April, respectively.

Before the album was released, Kanye was reportedly left fuming after the livestream from a listening event at Chicago 's United Center cut out when he spewed the lyrics: 'And I'm still crazy, bipolar, anti-Semite / And I'm still the king.'

Sources previously claimed Bianca urged Kanye to apologize for any offence caused by his numerous anti-Semitic comments. He wrote it out in Hebrew and shared to his Instragram

Bianca is said to have warned him about singing the problematic lyrics, and as a result refused to attend the scheduled events in New York the following night.

Back in December, Bianca reportedly pushed her husband to apologize to the Jewish community - as she was 'tired' of having to 'babysit' him and feared his behavior was putting them in danger.

'She told him that his recent behavior was unacceptable and that he needs to apologize because he was putting them in danger and setting a horrible example for his children, a source told DailyMail.com at the time.

'Bianca is really sick of his attention seeking and she knows that this is not who he truly is, but it is making her look like she is anti-Semitic which is so far from the truth.

'She has many Jewish friends who she loves dearly and he knows this.'

Kanye acknowledged his behavior on Instagram, telling his 19 million followers in Hebrew: 'I deeply regret any pain I may have caused.'

His apology came after a string of unhinged and offensive outbursts, which included his anti-Semitic lyrics in Dubai and praising Hitler at a listening party in Sin City in December.
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Kylie Jenner showed off her stunning figure in a nude-toned minidress from her recently revealed spring line for her clothing company Khy.

The mom-of-two, 26, flaunted every curve on her body in the tight frock with one short sleeve and one pretty twist over her shoulder on the other side.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star was leaving the offices of Khy in Calabasas, California when she was spotted.

The ex of rapper Travis Scott wore her dark brown hair in tousled curls and sandals that matched the dress on her feet.

Kylie carried a large brown leather tote bag over one shoulder.

Kylie Jenner showed off her stunning figure in a dress from her recently revealed new line for her clothing company Khy

The mom-of-two, 26, flaunted every curve on her body in the nude minidress with one short sleeve and one pretty twist over her shoulder on the other side

The Kylie Cosmetics founder shared Khy's latest line, called Drop 004, in a video on Instagram.

She modeled the same dress she wore to the office in the other available colors of white and a very pale pink.

'So excited for Khy 004,' was all the girlfriend of Timothee Chalamet wrote in her caption for her 400M followers.

Her older sister Khloe Kardashian wrote in the comments section, 'OMG wtf, wow' as Kris Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Lori Harvey hit the like button.

The new line sees the clothing brand expand from casual athleisure and lounge wear into dresses, skirts and tops that are evocative of Kylie's own style.

'The whole line is really inspired by my personal wardrobe, and the different moods that I'm in,' Jenner told The Wall Street Journal last year.

The first drop, she said, is very 'King Kyliewho I am at my core.'

King Kylie, of course, is another of her nicknames, a persona she developed during her Tumblr era.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star was leaving the offices of Khy when her photo was snapped

She wore her dark hair in tousled curls and sandals that matched the dress on her feet. Kylie carried a large brown leather tote bag over one shoulder

The Kylie Cosmetics founder shared Khy's latest line, called Drop 004, on Instagram

She modeled the same dress she wore to the office in the other available colors of white and a very pale pink

The new line sees the clothing brand expand from casual athleisure and lounge wear into dresses, skirts and tops that are evocative of Kylie's own style

'The whole line is really inspired by my personal wardrobe, and the different moods that I'm in,' Jenner told The Wall Street Journal last year

In the video previewing Drop 004, The Kardashians star appeared to be in a minimally furnished Parisian apartment

In the video previewing Drop 004, The Kardashians star appeared to be in a minimally furnished Parisian apartment.

'Khy aims to redefine the modern wardrobe by offering edited collections that seamlessly blend luxury with everyday style, spanning a diverse range,' the website says.

Sizing ranges from XXS to 4X.

There's no defined date for the release of Drop 004 other than 'soon.'
Sarah Murdoch was all smiles as she stepped out with her husband Lachlan at the opening of Sydney's first LGBTQIA+ museum, Qtopia, on Friday.

The British-Australian model, 51, cut a glamorous figure in a black halter-neck ensemble as she posed for the cameras at the National Art School.

Sarah accentuated her features with a glowing make-up palette and swept her golden locks back into a chic up-do.

She was joined by her husband - Rupert Murdoch's son and News Corp chairman Lachlan - who cut a dapper figure in a navy suit and a white shirt.

The pair stepped out to celebrate the opening of Qtopia in Darlinghurst, which is considered to be Sydney's new home of queer history and culture.

Sarah Murdoch was all smiles as she stepped out with her husband Lachlan at the opening of Sydney's first LGBTQIA+ museum, Qtopia, on Friday

The museum, the first of its kind in Australia, was once a former police station where 53 people were held after being arrested over a street march in 1978 to call for gay rights and the decriminalisation of same-sex relations.

The New South Wales Police Force apologised in 2016 for the violence and arrests around the march, which has now come to be known as the first Sydney Mardi Gras.

The $6.7million upgrade has transformed the space to host exhibitions, educational programs and performances that educate people about the community and celebrate its culture.

Pictured L-R: NSW premier Chris Minns, Lachlan Murdoch, PM Anthony Albanese, Sarah Murdoch

She was joined by her husband - Rupert Murdoch's son and News Corp chairman Lachlan - who cut a dapper figure in a navy suit and a white shirt

The British-Australian model, 51, cut a glamorous figure in a black halter-neck ensemble as she posed for the cameras at the National Art School

Exhibits will feature historical and archival objects, imagery, video and audio.

Premier Chris Minns said the opening of the space turned a page on history and began a new chapter for the former police site.

'This centre will stand as a marker for us all as to how far we've come in addressing inequality in NSW,' he said.

Qtopia, a not-for-profit organisation committed to the empowerment and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community will be responsible for the operation of the facility, supported by a governing board and an expert advisory panel.

Sarah accentuated her features with a glowing make-up palette and swept her golden locks back into a chic up-do

Supporters of Qtopia including Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore have long campaigned for an LGBTQIA+ museum in the city.

'Qtopia will be a place to celebrate the glamour, confetti and outrageous fun of parades and parties, but also to reflect on hard-fought gains and unite in the ongoing fight for equality,' Moore said in emailed comments.

'While this building contributed to injustices suffered by many LGBTIQA+ people, transforming it into a significant community resource will support the healing of past injustices, address past wrongs, and celebrate the community's resilience.'
One Day fever has struck as TikTokers are rushing to filming locations of the Netflix sensation.

One small London cafe, which features for 10 seconds, has already seen endless queues of fans.

Heartthrob Leo Woodalls character, Dexter Mayhew, briefly appears to work behind the counter of La Maison in Londons Highbury during the penultimate episode of the 14-part series.

The independent coffee shops owner told the Daily Mail: 'We have seen a big effect on customer numbers over the weekend and on social media too as its been a huge hit on Netflix.'

Despite the ten-second scene and the shop appearing as Cafe Belleville' in the show, fans deciphered its real location and the site has become a TikToker hotspot since it aired two weeks ago.

One Day fever has struck as TikTokers are rushing to filming locations of the Netflix sensation and one small London cafe which features for 10 seconds has seen endless queues of fans (Ambika Mod seen as Emma in the character's Mexican restaurant workplace Loco Caliente)

Heartthrob Leo Woodall s character, Dexter Mayhew, briefly appears to work behind the counter of La Maison in Londons Highbury during the 14-part series (pictured)

Despite the ten-second scene and the shop appearing as Cafe Belleville' in the show, fans deciphered its real location and the site has become a TikToker hotspot since it aired

Based on the 2009 bestselling novel by David Nicholls, each instalment of the 14-part series sees Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall) meet on July 15 each year from 1988.

Enamoured fans on TikTok have now planned to meet at the Highbury cafe on this date to commemorate the show which has racked up more than 15million streams worldwide.

Underneath a video of the cafe, one person wrote: The 15th of July is going to be a big day for this cafe, we must all meet there.

Another replied: Ive just booked to come to London to visit this cafe.

The comment section is also flooded with friends suggesting to one another, Can we go to Dexters cafe? or simply, Were going to that cafe.

Elsewhere, TikTok users have been encouraging travel to other filming locations including Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh and Primrose Hill, London.

Underneath a One Day Edinburgh filming locations video which tells fans You must take a selfie here, the comment section was flooded with viewers pledging to visit.

One person wrote: So we are all meeting in Edinburgh on the 15th of July? Im coming for you Arthurs Seat.'

Another commented: Just booked my flights to Edinburgh, I cant wait. Love this, it gives me an excuse to travel. One person said: Im considering going to Edinburgh Uni after watching this show.

The independent coffee shops owner told the Daily Mail: 'We have seen a big effect on customer numbers over the weekend and on social media too as its been a huge hit on Netflix'

Based on the 2009 bestselling novel by David Nicholls, each instalment of the 14-part series sees Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall) meet on July 15 each year from 1988

Meanwhile, in London, extensive videos have been created sharing the precise location of other One Day landmarks including the Mexican restaurant where the lead character Emma works.

The video, captioned Save these places to trace back Em and Dexs history of London, reveals Loco Caliente, the Mexican restaurant, is the Old Suffolk Punch in Hammersmith, West London.

Another location, Where Emma and Ian go on their awkward first date, is revealed as Smith and Wollensky in Londons affluent, The Strand.

The fictional restaurant The Pacific, Where Dex and Em have a Barny is revealed on TikTok as Quaglinos brasserie, Mayfair.
Daisy Edgar-Jones stunned in a black trench coat at Milan Fashion Week on Thursday as she sweetly stopped to take a selfie with a fan.

The British actress, 25, smiled brightly when a fan approached her with his camera and briefly posed for photos.

She wore her coat over a white T-shirt, grey jeans and black boots, and a chunky gold necklace.

The Normal People lead clutched a maroon purse and also sported tiny silver dangling earrings.

Earlier in the day, Daisy enjoyed the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 womenswear looks from many big designers.

Daisy Edgar-Jones, 25, stunned in a black trench coat at Milan Fashion Week on Thursday as she sweetly stopped to take a selfie with a fan

The Normal People lead wore a white T-shirt, grey jeans and black boots, and a chunky gold necklace

The British actress smiled brightly when a fan approached her with his camera and snapped several photos

Her trip to Milan comes days after she made her red carpet debut with boyfriend Ben Seed at Netflix's BAFTAs afterparty.

Ben, a photographer, previously dated Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, who is now married to American musician and actor Malcolm McRae.

Daisy 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 shot to fame in 2020 at 21 years old when Irish romantic psychological drama Normal People began airing. She will soon appear in American disaster film Twisters.

However, she had already been in the industry for years before that point, starring in Cold Feet from 2016 and War Of The Worlds from 2019.

She clutched a maroon purse, hanging off her shoulder by a silver chain, and also sported tiny silver dangling earrings

Earlier in the day, Daisy, who will soon appear in American disaster film Twisters, enjoyed the Fall/Winter 2024-2025 womenswear looks from many big designers

Daisy shot to fame in 2020 at just 21 years old when Irish romantic psychological drama Normal People began airing
Women may be more likely to vote for Donald Trump if they're in the most fertile part of their cycle, a study suggests.

Researchers in New York City revisited 2010 study that looked the impact of a woman's menstrual cycle on who they voted for in the 2008 election between Barack Obama and John McCain.

The original work suggested that while they were ovulating - which is when the risk of pregnancy is highest - female voters favored Obama due to 'genetic fitness,' such as age and attractiveness.

However, the study had a small sample size with little diversity, as most participants were young, white women.

This led a team of psychologists at the New School for Social Research to conduct a follow-up ahead of the 2020 election against Trump and Joe Biden.

Among more than 500 participants, the researchers found a small but 'statistically significant' relationship between female voter fertility and their candidate preference.

They noted that women in their fertile window had a slightly increased preference for Donald Trump over Barack Obama.

Interestingly, they found that this was due to his intelligence rather than attractiveness.

A study published this month found a slight link between female fertility and voter preference, with women in their fertile window having a small preference for Donald Trump

Researchers found that women who preferred Trump were drawn to intelligence rather than attractiveness; shown here: female voters at a 2019 MAGA rally in New Hampshire

The team cautioned that because link was small, factors other than fertility most likely influenced political preferences.

The researchers, led by New School psychologist Jessica L Engelbrecht, recruited 549 American women between July and August 2020.

Roughly 68 percent were Caucasian, 12 percent were Asian American, nine percent were African American, six percent were Hispanic, and the remainder were another race.

The average participant age was 32.

All of the women had menstrual cycles that were a normal length (three to seven days), were not pregnant, were not using any form of hormonal birth control like pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs), and did not have any health issues that would affect their fertility.

The women were told they would be asked to think about politics and consider hypothetical candidate matchups that were not actually going to be on the ballot (Trump vs Obama, for example).

They were given 14 different electoral matchups in a random order, drawn from Democratic (Obama, Biden, Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren) and Republican (Trump, Mike Pence, and Mitt Romney) candidates.

In each matchup, the women were asked which candidate they would support in the 2020 election, assuming they were eligible and running.

They then had to consider each candidate individually and rate them on a scale of how physically attractive, sexually coercive, and intelligent they are on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being 'not at all' and 5 being 'extremely').

Additionally, the researchers asked if the women intended to vote and to rate their political affiliation from 1 ('extremely liberal') to 9 ('extremely conservative') and 5 being 'middle of the road/neither.'

And the team measured the participants' level of Dark Triad traits, which include narcissism, psychpathy, and Machiavellianism - this is characterized by manipulativeness, deceitfulness, and high levels of self-interest.

The researchers found an increased likelihood to vote for Trump over Obama in a hypothetical race during periods of 'high conception,' such as ovulation.

Additionally, the team noted that how intelligent participants thought the candidate was more commonly influenced preference over attractiveness. This suggests that those who preferred Trump felt this way because they thought he was smarter than opponents.

This was a noteable difference from the original 2010 study, whih suggested that attractiveness significantly influenced female voter preferences.

And women who displayed more traits associated with psychopathy, such as lack of guilt and empathy, had a slight preference for Trump.

Previous studies have found that women are more likely to make snap, impulsive and controversial decisions around roughly the middle of their cycle - when they are ovulating, and the most fertile.

Experts say this is because of a rush of the sex hormone estrogen, which can have a profound impact on behavior.

The updated study was published earlier this month in the journal Psychological Reports.
Toyota is recalling about 280,000 pickup trucks and SUVs in America to fix a transmission problem that can let the vehicles creep forward while in neutral.

The recall covers certain Toyota Tundra pickups and Lexus LX 600 SUVs from the 2022 through 2024 model years.

Also included are 2023 and 2024 Toyota Sequoia SUVs.

Toyota - the world's biggest automaker - said Wednesday that certain parts of the vehicles' automatic transmissions may not immediately disengage when shifted into neutral.

That can transfer some engine power to the wheels. The vehicles could creep forward at low speeds on flat surfaces if the brakes aren't applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall covers certain Toyota Tundra pickups from the 2022 through 2024 model years

Dealers will update the transmission software to fix the problem, which is found on Tundra pick up trucks

This is the Toyota logo on a Toyota Tundra HV 4x4 on display at the Pittsburgh International Auto Show in Pittsburgh

The company wouldn't say whether there have been any crashes or injuries.

Dealers will update the transmission software to fix the problem. Owners will be notified by late April, Toyota said.

Toyota said in a statement: 'Certain parts of the transmission may not immediately disengage when the vehicle is shifted to the neutral position.

'This can allow some engine power to continue to be transferred to the wheels and can allow the vehicle to inadvertently creep forward at a low speed when it is on a flat surface and no brakes are applied, leading to an increased risk of a crash.'

NEED MORE INFO? Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is current as of todays filing date and is subject to change thereafter. To see if your vehicle is involved in a safety recall visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information. For any additional questions, Toyota customer support is also available by calling the Toyota Brand Engagement Center (1-800-331-4331) for Toyota vehicles. Customer support is also available by calling the Lexus Brand Engagement Center (1-800-255-3987) for Lexus vehicles. SOURCE: Toyota Advertisement

The recall for vehicles moving when in neautral is one of three that Toyota announced Wednesday.

The company is recalling another 19,000 cars - certain Mirai and Lexus LS, LC, ES models in North America, made between 2023 and 2024 - over a software problem.

The issue means the rearview image may not display within the period of time required by certain US safety regulations after the driver shifts the vehicle into reverse, increasing the risk of a crash while backing the vehicle.

Another 4,000 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles are being recalled because of the headrests on rear fold-down seats that increase the risk of injury during certain collisions.

In another recall in January, Toyota issued an urgent 'do not drive' advisory on 61,000 vehicles fitted with dangerous Takata airbags, which can explode and hurl 'sharp metal fragments' at motorists.

The voluntary recall will impact 50,000 Toyotas - among them the 2003-2004 Corolla, the 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix and 2004-2005 RAV4.

Also covered are 11,000 Pontiac Vibes from 2003 and 2004, which are essentially the same car as the Matrix and made at the same California factory.

'If the air bag deploys, a part inside is more likely to explode and shoot sharp metal fragments, which could cause serious injury or death to the driver or passengers,' Toyota said in a statement.

Airbags made by Japanese manufacturer Takata have been linked to 30 deaths worldwide, with 26 in the US - including that of Ford owner Hayden Jones Jr.

Toyota said Wednesday that certain parts of the vehicles' automatic transmissions may not immediately disengage when shifted into neutral. Above is a Tundra

Pictured is Hayden Jones Jr., a 23-year-old Navy officer who was found dead at the wheel of his 2016 Ford Ranger by Florida Highway Patrol troopers in July 2022

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda speaks during a news conference in Nagoya, central Japan

Meanwhile, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda in January predicted that battery electric vehicles will only ever capture 30 percent of the car market.

Hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell and gas-powered combustion engine cars will take the rest, he said during a press conference in Japan this month.

Customers want choice, the grandson of Toyota's founder said - but he also pointed out that a billion people in the world don't have any access to electricity.

As such, Toyoda - who was CEO from 2009 to 2023 - emphasized that Toyota is making various types of cars to suit the needs of different customers.

He pointed out that outspoken advocates of battery-only electric cars - potentially hinting at the likes of Tesla - have an all-or-nothing strategy, whereas Toyota has its eggs in multiple baskets.
 Read the full article on Motorious

A chapter take for the classic.

In Medina, Ohio, a fascinating venture is breathing new life into automotive history, thanks to a serendipitous discovery by Scott Andrews, an internet consultant with a newfound passion for Packard automobiles. Packard Motors, centered around a meticulously crafted 1934-style Packard convertible, marks a bold step in reviving the luxury and craftsmanship synonymous with the pre-World War II American auto giant known for its engineering marvels and luxury.

The journey into Packards revival began unexpectedly in 2019 when Andrews stumbled upon a car that caught his eye, sparking a conversation with his father that would lead him down a path of historical discovery and entrepreneurial innovation. Diving deep into Packard's rich heritage, Andrews was captivated by the brand's pioneering spirit and decided to bring back the luxury and elegance of the 1930s Packards to today's auto enthusiasts.

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The quest for revival saw Andrews and his friend, chemist Steve Constantino, embark on a mission to manufacture new versions of the 1930s Packards. Their search for authenticity led them to a Nebraska company capable of supplying the necessary parts, while Andrews secured the legal rights to the Packard brand. Together, they envisioned combining timeless design with modern technology to create vehicles that would stand as personal expressions of their owners.

Choosing Medina as their base, Andrews and Constantino found an ideal location in the historic Raymond Building. With the citys support, they are now poised to establish a manufacturing facility that promises to blend Packard's legacy with cutting-edge innovation. Their showroom, featuring the stunning 1934 convertible, already captivates passersby, hinting at the extraordinary project unfolding within.

Beyond cars, Packard Motors offers a glimpse into Andrews' broader vision, including his ambition to transform the internet experience through a new service that empowers users to own their data. As Packard Motors takes shape, it stands as a testament to the power of dreams, the allure of history, and the endless possibilities of the future. Visitors to their Medina showroom can explore this unique blend of past and present, perhaps even beginning the journey to owning a piece of automotive history reimagined for the 21st century.

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Since reporting Q4 earnings its share price has increased almost 20 percent

Nvidia has achieved a market cap of $2 trillion as investors continue to drive up the value of its share price following blockbuster earnings.

It marks another milestone in the chip maker's meteoric rise over the last years as demand for chips used for artificial intelligence has soared.

As of Friday, the company had about 2.5 billion shares outstanding, each of which was trading just shy of $820. That caused its value to tip above the $2 trillion level.

Shares were up 4 percent shortly after markets opened on Friday, and two days after it reported higher revenue than expected by Wall Street.

Nvidia has achieved a market cap of $2 trillion as investors continue to drive up the value of its share price on blockbuster earnings

Jensen Huang, President of Nvidia, holds the Grace hopper super chip CPU used for generative artificial intelligence

Nvidia is the largest semiconductor company in the world and the third largest company in the US, behind only Microsoft and Apple.

While those two companies took more than two years to grow from $1 trillion to $2 trillion, Nvidia has been able to achieve it in around nine months.

AI requires significant processing power, creating huge opportunities for companies that make computer chips, especially graphics processing units (GPUs).

The company's revenues have increased more than two-fold in the last year as it won new contracts and demand for its chips surged.

Nvidia is now estimated to have more than 80 percent of the GPU market. Behind it is Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) which has most of the rest.

Since reporting its fourth-quarter earnings, Nvidia's share price has increased almost 20 percent to more than $810

Some analysts are now confident that Nvidia will be able to sustain its advantage for years to come thanks to its long history of investing in GPUs and the software needed to run them.

Over the next four years, its earnings are projected to more than triple to more than $190 billion in 2028, according to FactSet.

'For AI companies today - the leaders of the sector - what's going to be binding for them is not going to be demand,' Ipek Ozkardeskaya, an analyst at Swissquote Bank, told Reuters.

'It's just going to be their capacity to answer the surging demand.'
The Talibans obscurantist mindset and their harbouring of terrorist organisations pose a serious threat to Muslim countries

Given the obscurantist and misogynistic mindset of the Taliban, it is hardly surprising that they boycotted the conference, hosted by the United Nations, to discuss the humanitarian crisis facing Afghanistan, and cooperation on the human rights issue. They spurned the UNs invitation saying that they would attend only if they alone were officially representing Afghanistan, as inclusion of other groups would jeopardise progress. This exclusivist mindset, which reflects their intolerance of the existence of any organisation that does not share their obscurantist Islamist worldview, and does not owe allegiance to them, is at the core of their rejection of democracy, and advocacy of an Islamist theocracy manifest in their designation of Afghanistan as an Islamic Emirate, run according to the diktats of mullahs.

The Taliban are unlikely to have realised that they have shot themselves in the foot by boycotting the conference held in Doha on February 18 and 19 under the chairmanship of the UN secretary-general, Antonio Gutteres. Besides the special envoys of 25 countries, members of Afghanistans civil society and womens groups, it was attended by representatives of the European Union (EU), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

By not attending the conference, the Taliban have only perpetuated their isolation in the world. They obviously do not seem to mind that since humanitarian assistance continues to come in for the sake of the countrys people suffering from natural disasters like floods and earthquakes as well as the violence stalking the country. The OICs role was outlined by Ambassador Tarig Ali Bakheet, special envoy of organisations secretary-general. During his interventions, Bakheet recalled his organisations commitment to support Afghanistan and engage in a constructive dialogue with the countrys de facto authorities [Taliban] on issues and topics included in the relevant resolutions of the [OICs] Council of Foreign Ministers. In this regard, he reviewed OIC efforts in providing humanitarian assistance, sending scholars delegations, and holding a conference on women's rights in Islam hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador Bakheet was referring to the international conference on Women in Islam: Status and Empowerment (November 6 to 8, 2023), organised by the OICs general secretariat and hosted by Saudi Arabia. It included in its Final Declaration 20 recommendations highlighting the rights that Islam gave to women and the status of women in Islam. These also addressed the challenges and opportunities pertaining to the realisation of womens rights and enhancement of their role across all fields and at all levels of society.

The conference also produced The Jeddah Document on Womens Rights in Islam which, as stated by OICs secretary-general, Hissein Brahim Taha, in his address at the conferences closing session, would serve as an intellectual and practical reference document that could be adopted by legislative bodies and human rights organizations in member states and all Muslim societies when considering the rights of Muslim women. It will be submitted for adoption at the forthcoming Islamic Summit, scheduled to be held in Gambia at the end of this year, and subsequently presented to all relevant international fora. He hoped that those doubting Islams fairness toward women would consider womens rights as set out in this document, and not on the basis some isolated social practices in some Muslim societies that in no way reflect the sublime vision and universality of Islam and its teachings.

Tahas not-so-veiled rejection of the Talibans views on womens rights in the last sentence above, will not please the mullahs running Afghanistan. Nor will they be amused by his affirmation that womens empowerment issues would remain high among the OICs priorities, and that the OIC would launch and support numerous efforts and initiatives to elevate the status of women in Muslim societies.

Tahas words carry a special significance as he spoke in Saudi Arabia where, under the leadership of the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman al Saud, significant steps have been taken to improve womens position. Women can now attend sporting events, need not wear the abayah, a long, loose-fitting, garment covering the entire body, except the face, hands and feet, in public, and can get driving licenses and can go to work, study or run errands without male escorts. While women demanding more freedom are treated harshly and much more remains to be done, the gains have been considerable compared to the situation earlier.

One can be certain that the Taliban would not change their views. Bigots dig their heels deeper and deeper the more people reject their creed. If the OIC and the Muslim countries are serious about womens rights, they must work out tough economic and political sanctions that would compel the Taliban to change their policies in this regard. They must also take measures to compel the Taliban to act against terrorist outfits like a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) active in Afghanistan. The former is targeting Pakistan and the latter Iran. Given, however, their obscurantist creed, and determination to impose their version of sharia law globally, there is no reason why they will not strike other countries in future, particularly the Muslim ones they consider as apostatic.

(The author is Consulting Editor, The Pioneer. The views expressed are personal)
The Election Commission is expected to announce the dates for the Lok Sabha elections after March 13. As part of the ongoing preparations for the General Elections and concurrent Assembly polls in select States, the Chief Election Commissioner is currently engaged in successive visits to these regions.

States like Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim are gearing up for simultaneous Lok Sabha and State Assembly polls.

In 2014, the Election Commission announced the schedule for the nine-phased Lok Sabha elections on March 5, and the results were declared on May 16. In 2019, the poll panel announced the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections on March 10, and the results were declared on May 23.

Sources indicate that senior officials of the Election Commission of India are actively engaged in regular meetings with the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of different States to address potential issues ahead of the elections. The focus is on practical challenges such as the transportation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the deployment of security personnel, and maintaining vigilance along state borders.

Also, sources mentioned that the Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) Class 10 board examination will end on March 13, freeing up many teachers and school buildings for election duties. A team from the EC is also expected to visit Jammu & Kashmir on March 13.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar will meet representatives from as many as nine political parties, including the Dravidian majors, to discuss issues regarding conducting the poll. He will hold a review meeting with the district collector and superintendents of police. The CEC will also meet with the CEOs of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, as well as officials from enforcement agencies, before wrapping up his meetings with the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and the State DGP.

Earlier, a team from the EC reviewed preparations with the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar, the State police chief, and other agencies including Excise Department, DRI, ED, I-T, Forest Department, Postal Department, among others. During the meeting, the EC said that enforcement agencies have been instructed to take strict action against the use of money power during elections.

The agency said in a post on X that action will be taken against liquor kingpins. Directions have been given to dry up the inflow and distribution of liquor, cash, freebies, and drugs.

The EC is also planning to use Artificial Intelligence for the smooth conduct of polls this year. According to officials, the poll body has decided to deploy Artificial Intelligence technology for the free and fair conduct of the Lok Sabha polls, scheduled to be held before May. A dedicated division for Artificial Intelligence has been created within the EC to identify and remove false information on social media and digital platforms.

According to the EC, nearly 96.88 crore Indians are enrolled to exercise their franchise to choose the next government at the Centre in the forthcoming general election. Over 2.63 crore new electors have been included in the electoral roll, with about 1.41 crore being women, surpassing the newly-enrolled male voters (1.22 crore) by over 15 percent, according to the EC. There has been a six percent increase in registered voters since 2019, when the last Lok Sabha polls were held. According to data shared by the EC, 1.85 crore voters have been identified as above 80 years of age, while the total number of centenarians stood at 2.38 lakh. The poll body considers those who are 80 years and above as senior citizens. As of February 8, Uttar Pradesh has the maximum number of voters at 15.30 crore, while Lakshadweep has over 57,000 registered voters. Of the total voters, 49.72 crore are male and 47.15 crore are female. Over 10.64 lakh advance applications were received from those above 17 years of age for enrollment in the voters list.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi rallied supporters in Varanasi on Friday, outlining his vision for the prospective third term of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), promising a transformation that would propel India to become the worlds third-largest economy.

Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at the Banas Dairy Complex, PM Modi pledged to secure all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, asserting that the NDAs return to power would elevate Indias stature across economic, social, strategic, and cultural fronts.

Highlighting the strides made during his tenure, PM Modi emphasised Indias ascent from the 11th to the 5th largest economy globally over the past decade, with ambitious plans to further climb the rankings in the next five years.

Amid applause, he launched a scathing attack on Opposition leaders, implicitly referencing Congress scion Rahul Gandhis recent remarks targeting local youths.

Modi condemned what he termed as frustrated leaders resorting to divisive tactics due to dwindling political fortunes, accusing them of peddling dynasty, appeasement, and caste-based politics.

Assuring accelerated developmental initiatives, PM Modi underscored the expansion of Digital India, infrastructure upgrades including modernised railway stations, and the introduction of transformative projects like Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat trains.

He pledged to harness the potential of eastern India, envisioning the region as a vital engine for national growth. The unveiling of the first phase of the Varanasi-Aurangabad six-lane highway and plans for the Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway underscored the governments commitment to bolster connectivity and regional development.

Reflecting on past promises fulfilled, Modi highlighted the success story of Banas Dairy as a beacon of job creation and economic prosperity. He announced plans to extend benefits to milk producers in neighboring districts, unveiling initiatives aimed at fostering agricultural growth and rural prosperity across Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, and other dignitaries, PM Modi bestowed a slew of projects worth `13,202.07 crore upon Purvanchal, including Varanasi. From infrastructure to cultural initiatives, the Prime Ministers visit epitomised a blend of developmental zeal and strategic political messaging, resonating with the electorate ahead of the crucial state elections.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister paid homage at the Ravidas Temple, underlining the governments commitment to honour the legacy of Sant Ravidas and uplift marginalised communities.

The symbolic gesture, coupled with a focus on inclusive growth and empowerment, served to galvanise support while underscoring the administrations unwavering dedication to social justice.

In a culmination of his visit, PM Modi interacted with scholars at BHU, underscoring the importance of education and knowledge in Indias journey towards prosperity.
The BJP is all set to showcase the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train as the success story of Prime Minister Narendra Modis third term at the Centre in August 2026 as the party is confident of returning to power.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told The Pioneer that a section of about 50 km of the high-speed corridor will be thrown open to the public in August 2026. Vaishnaw said that the Surat-Bilimora section on the 508-km-long corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad could be operational by July-August 2026.

The other sections will be opened one after the other thereafter, he said.

Vaishnaw made these statements during a site visit where the tunnelling process was initiated for the 21 km long Indias first underground/undersea tunnel as part of the bullet train project. He also visited to assess the progress for the underground stations at Bandra-Kurla Complex and Shilphata in Maharashtra.

Challenges involved multiple controlled blasting with sufficient noise and air pollution prevention measures so as to cause minimal disturbance to the environment and population in the adjoining areas, Vaishnaw said.

The method includes the preparation of shafts in areas with high population density and adjoining utilities like various pipelines, electrical installations, and other adjacent infrastructure projects such as Metro and highways.

The tunnel will be a single tube tunnel to accommodate twin tracks for both up and down tracks. Thirty-nine equipment rooms will also be constructed adjoining the tunnel location as part of the package.

To construct this tunnel with a diameter of 13.1 metres, Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) with a cutter head of 13.6 meters in diameter will be used. Usually, 5-6 meter diameter cutter heads are used for urban tunnels used in Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) such as the Metro system.

Three Tunnel Boring Machines will be used to create about 16 km of the tunnel portion, and the remaining 5 km will be constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).

This tunnel will be about 25 to 57 metres deep from ground level, with the deepest construction point being 114 metres below the Parsik Hill.

Vaishnaw asserted that the high-speed line will usher in economic growth.

The bullet train corridor will have limited stop and all stop services. While the limited-stop trains will cover the distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just two hours, the other service will take about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

A total of 12 stations have been planned for the project, which is being implemented by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).

Had the (then) Uddhav Thackeray government given all the permissions faster, this project might have progressed much further by now, Vaishnav said.

He said as soon as the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis (Shiv Sena-BJP) government came to power in the state, permissions were given in 10 days.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi government under Thackeray fell in 2022 after Shinde split the Shiv Sena with his rebellion. Shinde then aligned with the BJP to form the government and became the chief minister, with Fadnavis taking the deputy CMs post.

The railway minister said that the 284-km-long bullet train corridor viaduct is ready in Gujarat, where work has progressed swiftly.

To speed up tunnel construction, innovations have been made and work was started from four points at a time. Of the four points two are shafts, one ADIT (additionally driven intermediate tunnel) and one final point at BKC (Bandra-Kurla Complex) station.

The bullet train corridor has a 21-km-long tunnel, including a 7-km undersea stretch, he said, calling the work challenging. The deepest point of the tunnel is 56 metres and it will also be very wide with a width of 40 feet. Inside the tunnel too, the trains will run at the speed of 300-320 kmph, Vaishnaw said.

Work on the tunnel is underway at BKC, Vikhroli and Ghansoli. NHSRCL said they are facing multiple challenges at these shaft construction sites, which have high population density and several utilities like pipelines, electrical installation and infrastructure projects, including the Metro and highways.

Three Tunnel Boring Machines will be used to make about 16 km of the tunnel portion and the remaining 5 km will be through New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), NHSRCL said.

The cost of the project is pegged at Rs 1.08 lakh crore and as per its shareholding pattern, the Government of India is to pay Rs 10,000 crore to the NHSRCL, while the two states involved, Gujarat and Maharashtra, are to pay Rs 5,000 crore each.

The rest is to be funded by Japan through a loan carrying 0.1 per cent interest.

In another engineering marvel by the Indian Railways, The Pamban railway bridge, Indias first vertical-lift bridge connecting the countrys mainland with Rameswaram Island, will become operational very soon. Railway Board chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha who recently visited Rameswaram to review the progress of the work said the re-construction work is going very well and we will be restoring the services very soon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new bridge, parallel to the old one, in November 2019 and the work was started in February 2020 by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).

It was supposed to be completed by December 2021, however, the deadline was extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

End

deepak kumar jha n mumbai

The BJP is all set to showcase the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train as the success story of Prime Minister Narendra Modis third term at the Centre in August 2026 as the party is confident of returning to power.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told The Pioneer that a section of about 50 km of the high-speed corridor will be thrown open to the public in August 2026. Vaishnaw said that the Surat-Bilimora section on the 508-km-long corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad could be operational by July-August 2026.

The other sections will be opened one after the other thereafter, he said.

Vaishnaw made these statements during a site visit where the tunnelling process was initiated for the 21 km long Indias first underground/undersea tunnel as part of the bullet train project. He also visited to assess the progress for the underground stations at Bandra-Kurla Complex and Shilphata in Maharashtra.

Challenges involved multiple controlled blasting with sufficient noise and air pollution prevention measures so as to cause minimal disturbance to the environment and population in the adjoining areas, Vaishnaw said.

The method includes the preparation of shafts in areas with high population density and adjoining utilities like various pipelines, electrical installations, and other adjacent infrastructure projects such as Metro and highways.

The tunnel will be a single tube tunnel to accommodate twin tracks for both up and down tracks. Thirty-nine equipment rooms will also be constructed adjoining the tunnel location as part of the package.

To construct this tunnel with a diameter of 13.1 metres, Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) with a cutter head of 13.6 meters in diameter will be used. Usually, 5-6 meter diameter cutter heads are used for urban tunnels used in Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) such as the Metro system.

Three Tunnel Boring Machines will be used to create about 16 km of the tunnel portion, and the remaining 5 km will be constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).

This tunnel will be about 25 to 57 metres deep from ground level, with the deepest construction point being 114 metres below the Parsik Hill.

Vaishnaw asserted that the high-speed line will usher in economic growth.

The bullet train corridor will have limited stop and all stop services. While the limited-stop trains will cover the distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in just two hours, the other service will take about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

A total of 12 stations have been planned for the project, which is being implemented by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL).

Had the (then) Uddhav Thackeray government given all the permissions faster, this project might have progressed much further by now, Vaishnav said.

He said as soon as the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis (Shiv Sena-BJP) government came to power in the state, permissions were given in 10 days.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi government under Thackeray fell in 2022 after Shinde split the Shiv Sena with his rebellion. Shinde then aligned with the BJP to form the government and became the chief minister, with Fadnavis taking the deputy CMs post.

The railway minister said that the 284-km-long bullet train corridor viaduct is ready in Gujarat, where work has progressed swiftly.

To speed up tunnel construction, innovations have been made and work was started from four points at a time. Of the four points two are shafts, one ADIT (additionally driven intermediate tunnel) and one final point at BKC (Bandra-Kurla Complex) station.

The bullet train corridor has a 21-km-long tunnel, including a 7-km undersea stretch, he said, calling the work challenging. The deepest point of the tunnel is 56 metres and it will also be very wide with a width of 40 feet. Inside the tunnel too, the trains will run at the speed of 300-320 kmph, Vaishnaw said.

Work on the tunnel is underway at BKC, Vikhroli and Ghansoli. NHSRCL said they are facing multiple challenges at these shaft construction sites, which have high population density and several utilities like pipelines, electrical installation and infrastructure projects, including the Metro and highways.

Three Tunnel Boring Machines will be used to make about 16 km of the tunnel portion and the remaining 5 km will be through New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), NHSRCL said.

The cost of the project is pegged at Rs 1.08 lakh crore and as per its shareholding pattern, the Government of India is to pay Rs 10,000 crore to the NHSRCL, while the two states involved, Gujarat and Maharashtra, are to pay Rs 5,000 crore each.

The rest is to be funded by Japan through a loan carrying 0.1 per cent interest.

In another engineering marvel by the Indian Railways, The Pamban railway bridge, Indias first vertical-lift bridge connecting the countrys mainland with Rameswaram Island, will become operational very soon. Railway Board chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha who recently visited Rameswaram to review the progress of the work said the re-construction work is going very well and we will be restoring the services very soon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the new bridge, parallel to the old one, in November 2019 and the work was started in February 2020 by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).

It was supposed to be completed by December 2021, however, the deadline was extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
102 teachers from HP to visit Singapore on education visit



Shimla: More than 100 teachers from Himachal Pradesh will leave for a five-day tour of Singapore to become familiar with new technologies in the education sector under a state scheme, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu said on Thursday. Launching the International Tour for Teachers programme here, Sukhu said that in the first batch, 102 teachers selected from across the state will leave for Singapore on Saturday. The trip will allow teachers the opportunity to be familiar with new technologies in the education sector and get acquainted with new methods of teaching, he said, according to a statement. Sukh also gave the teachers foreign tour kits. On March 15, the second batch of 98 teachers would be sent abroad, the CM said. The state slipped to 18th rank in education due to lack of interest of the previous government, he said. Sukhu said that the Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools being opened in the state were a unique initiative towards giving students qualitative education. In the next 10 years, they would emerge as the best schools, he claimed. He said that English medium would be introduced from class 1 in government schools from the next academic session.



CM Sukhu releases new version of Himachal Pradesh Land Code



Shimla: Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday released the new version of the Himachal Pradesh Land Code, which compiles 64 acts, 59 rules and about 340 notifications and guidelines related to revenue and other departments. He said the land code was first released in 1922 and had not been amended since then. However, numerous laws and guidelines related to land matters were amended and issued from time to time, he said. The chief minister said the land code book would be made available in the offices of the deputy commissioner, sub-divisional magistrate and in tehsil offices for updated information about all the acts, rules, notifications and guidelines. This will help the officers concerned in resolving revenue related matters efficiently so as to provide relief to the people, Sukhu said. The government has been organising Revenue Lok Adalats during the last two days of every month for speedy disposal of land related cases and since October 2023, a record 89,091 mutation and 6,029 pending cases of partition have been resolved on the spot through them, he added.



Streets for People' initiative of Smart Cities Mission



Chandigarh: To promote the 'Streets for People' initiative of Smart Cities Mission, Government of India, Chandigarh Smart City Limited, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and Act Chandigarh Society collaborated to organize the 'VIBRANT STREETS & NEIGHBOURHOOD' workshop to demonstrate their shared dedication to community development and urban enhancement. The Streets4People Challenge was launched to inspire Indian cities to work with their citizens and experts to implement permanent walking-friendly infrastructure. Residents and University students participated in the workshop organized at Community Centre, Sector 19, Chandigarh. They were inspired to preserve the culture of walking and received insights on enhancing shared spaces such as parks and walkways to cultivate a more community-friendly environment.



UT Admn conducts mock earthquake exercise



Chandigarh: For disaster preparedness, the Chandigarh Administration, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, conducted a comprehensive Mock Exercise on Earthquake across five key locations in Chandigarh. In a statement, the UT official said that the exercise, aimed at enhancing the city's readiness to handle seismic events, took place at the following sites: UT Secretariat (Old Building), Sector 9; Govt. Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16; Post Graduate Government College, Sector 46; Govt. Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35; and DLF City Centre Mall, Rajiv Gandhi I.T. Park.
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Governor Mangubhai Patel said that the new generation should take inspiration from the tribal community for their spirit of love and sacrifice for their motherland. We should cherish the sacrifices of our heroes. He said that for the study and research of tribals, it is necessary for researchers to deep understanding towards the tribal community in order to connect with them. He emphasized the need to indentify the evolving lifestyle in response to the changing times. A system of research and study should be developed accordingly, only then the study can be made relevant, authentic and effective.

Governor Patel was addressing the Tribal Research and Study Course Workshop organized in the auditorium of Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya under the aegis of Tribal Research and Practice Centre, Delhi.

Governor Patel said that Tribal Studies curriculum should be a vision document. There should be an integrated study of various dimensions of cultural sovereignty, constitutional provisions and historicity of the tribes. It is important that the curriculum should also include the life values ??and natural simplicity of tribals. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is sensitive towards the tribal community and their heroes. In the new education policy, he has given an opportunity to the new generation to understand the work and personality of tribal heroes. The state government is committed to promote tribal research. The Governor appreciated the efforts of the universities in Madhya Pradesh and the effective participation of the students in the field of tribal research and studies.

The special guest of the programme, Higher Education, Technical and AYUSH Minister Inder Singh Parmar said that the tribal community is the heritage of the country. The new generation should learn from their traditions and knowledge. He said that the research and study workshop is an opportunity for the tribes to revise the inauthentic, incomplete and preconceived notions made by the British and present them realistically.

Former Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Harshvardhan Singh Chauhan described the rich traditions of the tribal community as the pride and strength of the country. Chairman of Tribal Research and Practice Centre, Delhi, D.M. Kiran said that for an authentic research and study of the tribal community, the experiences of the tribal community should be made the basis. Apprising about various programmes and workshops organized across the country for research and study courses, he highlighted the facilities provided by the center.

Governor Patel was greeted by Vice Chancellor RGPV Sunil Kumar Gupta and presented with a bouquet and memento. On this occasion, the guests seated on the stage were also greeted with shawls and shriphal. Raj Bhavan Tribal Cell President Deepak Khandekar, Principal Secretary to the Governor Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Vice Chancellors of universities, scholars, researchers and students were present in the programme.
A discussion was organized on the topic of management of 24/7 water supply project at the headquarters of Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Company, an undertaking of the Urban Development and Housing Department. Experts invited from Orissa, Chinmay Tripathi and Mr. Gopesh Srivastava, explained in detail the arrangements for 24 hours seven days continuous water supply in Orissa.

Experts also gave information about the technical aspects as well as community participation in the water supply project. The discussion included EnC Mr. Deepak Ratnawat, CE Mr. Vijay Gupta, PO Shailendra Gupta, TO Kamlesh Bhatnagar, FC Aman Pastor,PMC expert Rajendra Srivastava, KK Srivastava, Raut and officers and employees were present. It is noteworthy that water is supplied continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week in 24 cities of Orissa. These projects are being operated efficiently.
The effect of Western Disturbance and Cyclonic Circulation System will remain in Madhya Pradesh and it will be cloudy in Gwalior, Chambal and Rewa divisions. Light rain may also occur at a few places in the next 24 hours.

Earlier on Wednesday, there was light rain in many cities including Gwalior and Shivpuri.

Due to clouds in Gwalior, the day temperature dropped to 4.4 degrees on Wednesday. Day temperatures dropped in Raisen, Betul, Bhopal, Dhar, Narmadapuram, Khandwa, Khargone, Pachmarhi, Ratlam, Shivpuri, Ujjain, Damoh, Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Nowgong, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Sidhi, Tikamgarh and Umaria. Even on Thursday, the day temperature may drop by 1 to 2 degrees.

Met issued warning of thundery activities in Chambal divsion, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Chattarpur, Guna, Shivpuri, Gwalior and Datia districts in the next 24 hours.

During 24 hours, at some places in the districts of Chambal, Rewa and Sagar and Gwalior division rain was recorded at some places in the district and the weather remained mainly dry in the districts of all the remaining divisions.

The night temperatures dropped significantly in the districts of Gwalior and Shahdol divisions and there was no significant change in the temperatures in the districts of all the remaining divisions. They are Nammadpuram, were above normal in the districts of Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Sagar divisions; It was quite high in the districts of Rewa and Shahdol divisions and in the districts of all the remaining divisions.

According to scientists of IMD, Bhopal, due to Western Disturbance and Cyclonic Circulation System, south-westerly winds are bringing moisture from the Arabian Sea towards northern Madhya Pradesh. Also, the maximum speed of jet stream winds in India is up to 330 km per hour. Due to this, the temperature of the state is also falling.

It will be cloudy in Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Datia, Chhatarpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi and Singrauli districts.

Thunderstorm, light rain would be witnessed in Bhind, Datia, Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi and Singrauli districts.
ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management (ICAR-NIBSM), Raipur and Amity University Chhattisgarh (AUC), Raipur is organizing a maiden two-day national conference on February 28-29 in Raipur.

National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management (ICAR-NIASM), Baramati, Maharashtra is also part of the event.

The theme of the event is Novel Strategies for Mitigating Biotic and Abiotic Stresses for Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability.

The conference will be participated by Agro-based industries, Farm Machinery Companies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Agro-Chemical Companies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Agri-Drone manufacturers, Horticulture Firms, and Livestock Firms. They are likely to showcase cutting-edge technologies and products at the ICAR-NIBSM Campus in Baronda during the two-day conference.




The no-confidence motion against the Haryana Cabinet, brought by the main opposition Congress, was defeated by a voice vote after the Opposition partys MLAs walked out from the Assembly. At the end of a four-hour-long discussion on the motion, Congress members walked out expressing dissatisfaction with the chief ministers reply. The motion was then defeated through voice vote. Speaker Gian Chand Gupta said the motion had been defeated.



Earlier, Speaker Gupta had admitted the notice of no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister Khattar.



Speaking in the House during the third day of the Budget session, the Chief Minister said that the Congress had previously brought no-confidence motion in 2021 as well. At that time, there were about 3 and a half years were left in the governments tenure, and Congress dreamt that if the government falls, they would come to power. But the Congress members again failed to seriously discuss any issue on no-confidence motion and purposely walked out from the House.



Khattar said that the Opposition must bring no-confidence motion before the assembly election, so that Congress MLAs could once again pay attention to the development works done by the present state government, otherwise, Congress is habitual of leaving the House after expressing their views. He said that the Congress has a culture of showing distrust to everything. Whenever anything happens in the national interest, Congress never shows any confidence.



Referring to government recruitments, the Chief Minister said that during Congress's tenure, from 2005 to 2014, the Haryana Public Service Commission made recruitments for 3593 positions, the average of which is 360 vacancies annually. Whereas, during the present government's tenure until January 31, 2024, recruitment on 6808 posts was done, the average of which comes around 680 recruitment per year.



Khattar further explained that during Congress's 10-year tenure, 88,000 jobs were given through the Haryana Staff Selection Commission, while the present state government have provided merit based jobs to 1.30 lakh youths. The results for nearly 30,000 positions are about to be declared.



The Chief Minister said that Congress has never been concerned about the welfare of the poor; they have only given slogans of Gareebi Hatao. He said that during the Emergency, when oppression occurred, a movement arose in the country, and in 1977, people understood the power of their votes. With the strength of their votes, the people rejected the Congress government.



He said that the Congress never believed that old-age pensions could be made online. Through the PPP data, automated pensions have been created for 1.25 lakh people who have completed the age of 60, all from the comfort of their homes.



While targeting the Congress, the Chief Minister said that during Congress rule, there was BBC (Badli Bharti aur CLU) industry in the state. Congress never thought that transfers could be done online. The introduction of online transfers has brought satisfaction to people today. Improving the system is the government's responsibility, and we have made improvements in the system, said the Chief Minister.



Opposition targets BJP-JJP Govt on unemployment, scams, farmers agitation on Punjab-Haryana borders



Speaking in the House after the motion was taken up for discussion, Congress legislator Shamsher Singh Gogi raised the protesting farmers issue. Gogi said a farmer who died on Wednesday at Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border was among the protesting farmers who are seeking a legal guarantee to minimum support price for crops. The border has been made like India-Pakistan border...the government should resolve the issue, said Gogi. Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the situation is serious and government should resolve the issue through talks.



Slapping UAPA on MLA should be reconsidered: Congress



During the discussion, Congress members also brought up the issue of charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) slapped against party MLA Mamman Khan in Haryana in connection with a Nuh violence case. Hooda said when the MLA had secured bail in a FIR, why UAPA charge had been added six months later. Dont treat MLAs like this. UAPA is slapped against terrorists, he said. Hooda and another Congress leader Kiran Choudhary said that slapping UAPA on the MLA should be reconsidered. However, Chief Minister Khattar said the government does not interfere in a issue in which investigation is going on. If a new charge has been added, the government has no role in that, he said.
Punjab Cabinet on Thursday undertook several crucial decisions on Thursday aimed at bolstering various sectors across the State, including establishment of a new MSME wing, amending teachers transfer policy to alleviate harassment concerns, doubling monthly honorarium for widows of war heroes to Rs 20,000, among others.

Embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to invigorate the Medium and Small Scale Industries (MSMEs) sector, the Cabinet gave not to set up a dedicated wing  MSME Punjab  within the Department of Industries and Commerce. With this, all small enterprises will get aid from this wing. Punjab has the highest number of MSMEs, and they stand to benefit from this decision, said the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, while briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting.

The core mission of MSME wing is to bolster the competitiveness of MSMEs by facilitating a conducive environment for growth and innovation. With a focus on fostering financial sustainability, the wing will ensure a seamless flow of credit from financial institutions and banks to MSMEs, empowering them to fuel their expansion endeavours. Moreover, it will extend crucial support to MSMEs in embracing cutting-edge technologies and modernizing their operational frameworks to stay abreast of global market trends.

A pivotal aspect of MSME wings mandate is the establishment of common facilities centers, particularly in the domains of modern testing facilities and quality certification. These centers will play a pivotal role in ensuring that products manufactured by MSMEs meet international standards, thus enhancing their marketability on a global scale.

To cater comprehensively to the diverse needs of MSMEs, the wing will comprise dedicated sub-divisions such as Access to Finance or Credit, Access to Technology, Access to Market, and Access to Skills. These subdivisions will serve as pillars of support, addressing critical requirements and fostering an environment conducive to MSME growth and prosperity.

In its quest for efficacy and excellence, MSME Punjab will forge strategic collaborations with professional agencies, harnessing their specialized expertise to enrich the support services offered to stakeholders. It is estimated that approximately eight lakh existing MSMEs in Punjab, as well as newly established ventures, will reap the benefits of this visionary initiative by the government.

Teacher Transfer Policy Amended

In a significant move aimed at ensuring the teachers welfare in Punjab, the Cabinet has approved amendments to the transfer policy to prevent harassment faced by teachers in the state Education Department. Under the revised policy, amendments have been made to Para 9 of the Teachers Transfer Policy-2019 to cater to the needs of teachers falling in the exempted category.

The amended policy stipulates that teachers who are cancer patients (self, spouse, or children), undergoing dialysis (self, spouse, or children), recipients of liver or kidney transplants, with disabilities of 40 per cent and above, suffering from hepatitis B, hepatitis C, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia (self or children), divorcees with differently-abled or intellectually disabled children, war widows, widows of Shaheeds, or those facing an immediate need to relocate due to the death of their spouse, provided they have children below 18 years of age, will be eligible to submit transfer requests on a monthly basis through the designated portal.

These amendments aim to streamline the transfer process for teachers facing exceptional circumstances, ensuring timely consideration of their requests and providing them with necessary support during challenging times. Orders in such cases will be issued with the approval of the Education Minister, emphasizing the government's commitment to prioritizing the well-being of its educators.

Monthly Honorarium of War Heroes Widows Doubled

To honour the sacrifices of war heroes and their families, the Cabinet approved a substantial increase in the monthly honorarium for widows of war heroes  from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000  providing greater financial support to these brave women who have lost their spouses in service to the nation. Presently, there are 83 beneficiaries availing themselves of this scheme. The Cabinet has consented to amend The East Punjab War Awards Act 1948 by introducing an amendment bill in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha  seeking to double the War Jagir (financial assistance). Under this Act, the Government extends War Jagir to the parents whose only child or two to three children served in the Indian Army during significant conflicts such as the Second World War and National Emergencies of 1962 and 1971.

Rs 1-cr Ex-Gratia for PHG Died in Gurdwara Clashes

In a poignant acknowledgment of the exemplary service and ultimate sacrifice made by martyr Punjab Home Guard (PHG) Jaspal Singh, the Cabinet approved a special ex-gratia grant of Rs one crore to his bereaved family. Jaspal Singh, from Maniala village in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala district, tragically lost his life while upholding law and order in Sultanpur Lodhi on November 23, 2023, during violent clash between Nihang factions and police at Gurudwara Akal Bunga.

Other Decisions

 AAP Ministers, MLAs and leaders, who are doctors by profession, will hold camps at the borders of the state, where farmers are protesting

 To fill 612 posts of college lecturers, relaxation in age limit for applying for the job has been allowed. Now candidates up to the age of 45 years can apply for the jobs.

 Water Resources Departments Design Wing to offer design and consultancy services to private entities, mirroring the model of Government-Owned Aided colleges and staff of Engineering Colleges/Institutions; 40 per cent of revenue generated from these services will be directed to the State Treasury

BOX: Punjab Budget Session from Mar 1 to 15

Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Thursday greenlit the convening of the budget session of Vidhan Sabha from March 1 to 15, with the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema set to present the budget proposals for the next fiscal on March 5.

A spokesperson from the Chief Ministers Office said that the Cabinet has empowered the Governor to convene the sixth session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha in accordance with Article 174 of the Constitution of India.

The schedule for the budget session outlines that proceedings will kick off on March 1 with the Governors address, followed by obituary references. Subsequently, on March 5, the House will witness the presentation of budget estimates for the upcoming financial year (2024-25). The session will adjourn sine-die on March 15.

Cheema, in a media briefing after the Cabinet meeting, disclosed that the Punjab Vidhan Sabhas budget session is slated to commence with an address by the Governor, marking the official initiation of deliberations on crucial financial matters.

He added that apart from presentation of budget proposals, several legislative work would also be carried out during the session.

International Online Job Fraud Ring busted; 4 Fraudsters Arrested from Assam

PNS/Chandigarh

In a significant breakthrough against cybercrime, Punjab Polices Cyber Crime Division has dismantled an international online job fraud racket, culminating in the arrest of four cyber fraudsters from various districts of Assam.

Sharing information, the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Thursday announced the successful operation highlighting the state's commitment to ensure safety and security.

The cybercriminals operated by enticing unsuspecting individuals with lucrative Work from Home opportunities via a Telegram mobile app group. To gain trust, fraudsters would initially give small tasks to the victim, in return, paying a small amount of money in lieu of accomplishing the task. Later, the victim was asked to deposit money on different pretexts in lure of a bigger return, said the DGP, adding that with these arrests, the Punjab Police has dug up another trail, leading to deep-rooted cyber fraud nexus spread across the country.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Jahirul Islam, Rafiual Islam, Mehabub Alam, and Azizur Rehman. Police seized a cache of incriminating evidence, including two swipe machines, two biometric scanners, one eye scanner, one fingerprint scanner, 38 pan cards, 32 debit or credit cards, 16 sim cards, 10 voter cards, nine Aadhar cards, 10 bank account passbooks or chequebooks, five official Government stamps, five mobile phones, one laptop, two pen drives and one SBI ID card from their possession.

Assistant Director General of Police (ADGP), Cyber Crime, V Neeraja disclosed that the investigation stemmed from a complaint lodged by a defrauded woman who was duped of Rs 25 lakhs by the fraudsters, leading to the apprehension of the fraudsters in Assam.

The cybercriminals operated a Customer Services Point (CSP) in Nagaon district, where they produced counterfeit identity documents using Adobe Photoshop. He informed that they were running a CSP for providing online services; and to make quick bucks, they misused the documents of general public for making duplicate PAN cards, Voter Cards, Aadhaar Cards using Adobe Photoshop software, which they further used for opening bank accounts and obtain SIM Cards on the directions of another accused Mehabub Alam, added the ADGP.

The ADGP said that thereafter, Mehabub Alam was arrested from Guwahati district, who revealed that he came into contact with Azizur Rehman, who asked him to provide bank accounts on a commission basis. Police teams have also arrested accused Azizur Rehman from Morigaon district of Assam.

Further revelations from Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Cyber Crime, Nilambari Jagadale disclosed that the fraudsters targeted 160 victims across 23 states, with ongoing investigations expected to unveil additional victims. Preliminary findings indicate that masterminds operating from abroad received proceeds in cryptocurrency. The investigation, spearheaded by DSP Cybercrime Prabhjot Kaur, is ongoing, with more arrests anticipated.

A case has been registered under sections 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the State Cyber Crime unit in SAS Nagar, marking a decisive step in Punjab's fight against cyber fraud.

Beware of Fraudulent Activities on Social Media Platforms

 Avoid Telegram groups luring into easy money like Work from Home

 Never make online payment to anyone in lure of bigger return

 Avoid clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources

 Never share Debit/Credit Card or Bank details on any application

 Never click on links offering discounts and prizes

 Use unique password for each account and change it frequently
Security forces have busted a Maoist camp in Chhattisgarhs Bastar division following two seperate encounters and recovered Maoists materials, police said on Thursday.

A joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of Bijapur and Dantewada, both units of state police, Special Task Force (STF) and 202nd battalion of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), an elite unit of CRPF, launched an anti-Naxal operation in the area on Tuesday following a tip about the presence of 70-80 Maoists of Gangalur Area Committee of the outlawed Maoist group in the hills of Pidiya and Itawar villages in the Bijapur-Dantewada borders, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav said.

Sensing the presence of the patrolling team, Maoists on Wednesday opened indiscriminate fire on security personnel in a hilly forest near Itawar village prompting them to retaliate.

However, they managed to escape from the spot.

Another face-off took place near the jungles of Lendra-Korcholi villages when the security forces were returning. After a skirmish, the Maoists escaped and left behind their belongings.

The team busted a Maoist camp there.

Maoist uniforms, a solar plate, medicines and daily use items were recovered from the hideout during searching.
Intensifying the ongoing agitation for farmers rights, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday declared a series of protests across the country, culminating in a massive mahapanchayat scheduled to be held in Delhi on March 14. The announcement comes amidst heightened tensions following recent clashes and the tragic death of a young farmer at Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana.

The decision to escalate the protests was announced by SKM leader Rakesh Tikait, who outlined a comprehensive plan of action during a press conference following hours-long meeting at Chandigarh, wherein over 100 farmer leaders from across the country were present.

Tikait said that the SKM would observe a Black Friday on Friday (February 23), demanding immediate action, including the registration of an FIR and compensation of Rs one crore for the family of the deceased farmer, protesting at Khanauri border. Additionally, effigies of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Haryanas Home Minister Anil Vij will be burnt as a symbolic gesture to condemn recent police actions and express solidarity with the aggrieved farmers.

Tikait further elaborated on the planned tractor marches scheduled to take place on February 26, wherein farmers will mobilize along highways across the country, reiterating their longstanding demand for a guarantee law on minimum support price (MSP). These are long fights, Tikait emphasized, adding, Not by one morcha, we will need to surround Delhi (Delhi gherao) from all four directions, as we did earlier.

The SKM's demands also include immediate registration of a murder case against the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Haryanas Home Minister Anil Vij, as well as a judicial probe into the circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased protester. Tikait asserted that accountability must be established for the tragic loss of life and the injuries sustained by numerous farmers during recent clashes.

In a bid to foster unity and solidarity among farmer organizations, the SKM announced the formation of a six-member committee tasked with coordinating with former SKM member organizations. This committee aims to develop issue-based unity and formulate a unified action plan to bolster the farmers struggle. The members of the committee include prominent leaders such as Hannan Mollah, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Yudhavir Singh, Darshan Pal, and Raminder Patiala.

The SKM's nationwide protests, slated to commence from Friday, will feature a range of demonstrations aimed at highlighting the repression and injustices faced by farmers. These actions are aligned with the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and independent federations' call for a Black Day on February 23. Farmers across the country are expected to participate in torchlight processions and effigy burnings as part of the protest activities.

Furthermore, the SKM has designated February 26 as Quit WTO Day, urging farmers to mobilize on national and state highways to protest against government policies detrimental to farmers' interests and food security. The SKM contended that the World Trade Organization's (WTO) policies have adversely impacted farmers and have led to the erosion of food security safeguards.

The culmination of these protests will be a massive Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat scheduled to be held on March 14 at Delhi's historic Ramlila Ground. The event is expected to witness participation from farmers, agricultural labourers, students, youth, and women from across the country.

BOX: Decisions by SKM

 Resignation of Union Home Minister Shah, Haryana CM Khattar, and state Home Minister Anil Vij, lodging of FIR under section 302 of IPC against them

 Judicial Enquiry into the murder of farmers brutal repression and damage to tractors

 Black Day or Aakrosh Day on Friday (February 23) with effigy burning, torch light procession

 Six member panel formed for coordination with former SKM member organizations

 Panel to also develop issue based unity to intensify farmers struggle

 Massive Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat at Ramlila Ground, New Delhi, on March 14

 Tractor parade on February 26 to demand QUIT WTO
Sounding poll bugle at a rally in Congress-stronghold Janjgir in the Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the upcoming parliamentary election would decide the future of the country.

Addressing a public rally here, Shah said the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi itself was a guarantee and he needs to be throne again in order to make India a developed nation and Vishva Guru.

He urged the people of Chhattisgarh to elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third term in office to make India third largest economy of the world. .

Earlier India was 11th largest economy in world and now it is at the fifth position. If Modi is voted to power once again we will attain the status of third largest economy in the world, Shah said.

Shah also hit out at the Congress, accusing it of delaying construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya for 75 years. The BJP won ten out of 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2014 and nine seats in 2019, Shah noted, adding that in the recently held assembly elections people voted his party to power with a thumping majority.

The incompetent Congress government neither controlled Naxalism, nor did it ensure justice to the people. It committed corruption and did injustice to the people, who then ousted it from power, Shah said.

Among other things, the Modi government provided tap water connections to 60 crore poor people in the country including 38 lakh households in Chhattisgarh in the last ten years, he said.

The Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP government in the state has completed 30 percent of Modi ki guarantee (BJPs poll promises) so far, the Union minister claimed.

Chhattisgarh is Lord Rams Nanihal (maternal home). But the Congress did not resolve the 550-year-old (Ram Mandir) issue in the last 75 years. But Modi solved it and performed consecration of Ram Lalla (lord Rams idol) in Ayodhya, he claimed.
The notorious criminal Zubair alias Maulana was acquitted in the case of attempt to murder due to police negligence which was mentioned by the court as the shortcomings of the investigation in its decision.

It is said that the police could not gather technical evidence against the accused. At the same time, the complainant also refused to recognize him. There were allegations against Zubair for firing at a criminal from Bhopal on the night of September 2023 last year.

More than 40 cases are registered against criminal Zubair Maulana in Sehore, Bhopal and Indore.

In paragraph number 14 of the court order, it is written that the statements of the investigating officer in the context of the case were observed. During cross examination, the investigating officer has admitted that the mobile number of the complainant is not mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR). There is no mention of the number from which the complainant was threatened.

During the investigation, the investigating officer did not seize the mobile and SIM card of the complainant Nafees. Certificate under Section 63-B of the Evidence Act regarding call details was also not presented. In such a situation, the fact of Zubair Maulana threatening to kill the complainant by sending boys on mobile phone is not established.

It is mentioned in paragraph 15 of the order that the complainant Nafees alias Adalat himself has denied any incident being committed by Zuber Maulana.

Investigating officer Sub Inspector Kunwar Singh has also admitted in cross examination that during the investigation it was found that Zubair was not present there at the time of the incident. In such a situation, attempt to murder cannot be tried.

In the end, the court of District and Additional Sessions Judge, Fourth Additional Sessions Judge Chandrashekhar Jaiswal wrote in its decision that the investigators failed to prove the allegations leveled against the accused Zubair Maulana. In such a situation, Zubair Maulana was booked under section 294, 307/34. Is acquitted of charges under 120B and 427 of the IPC.

Nafees alias Adalat who was the victim in an attempted murder case hold crime record and several cases are registered against this in various police stations of the city.

The incident is of September 2, 2023. Durga Nagar resident Nafees Khan alias Adalat had a dispute with vicious criminal Zubair Maulana over phone. The reason for this was that Nafees had called his aide Bablu and asked him not to invite his brother for gambling. After this, Zubair had threatened to kill Nafees over the phone.

After some time, at 12.15 in the night, on the instructions of Zubair, his associates Salman, Raja and his companions reached Nafees' house and opened fire on him. The bullet had passed over Nafees' head in the attack. A case was registered against Zubair Maulana, Salman, Raja and others under sections including attempt to murder.
CASCAIS, PortugalAdult industry mental health non-profit Pineapple Support is set to attend the TES Affiliate Conference in Cascais, Portugal this week. The organization will be hosting a wine tasting and tapas stand each day at the conference venue, thanks to sponsorship donated by TES organizers.

"Were very grateful to the TES organizers for generously donating sponsorship of the wine tasting and tapas stand during the show, says Leya Tanit, CEO and founder of Pineapple Support. Their support helps us provide an opportunity for attendees to take a moment from the show to relax and socialize. We look forward to seeing you there.

The wine tasting and tapas stand will be held each day in the main conference area during the event, which runs from February 24 to 27.

Tanit founded Pineapple Support in 2018, after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses. The organization, a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, has connected over 14,000 adult performers to mental health services, including free and low-cost therapy, counseling and emotional support.

To view the full schedule of the TES Affiliate Conference, visit TES.

To learn more about becoming a sponsor of Pineapple Support and other ways to support the organization, visit Pineapple Support's website.
The BJP on Friday launched a broadside on opposition parties over the alleged targeting of Hindus in West Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, claiming this shows that the assertion about the eradication of 'Sanatan Dharma' is not merely a statement but part of a campaign.

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi hit out at West Bengal's Trinamool Congress government for not allowing his party's leaders, including a group of women comprising legislators and others, to visit trouble-torn Sandeshkhali and not arresting Shajahan Sheikh, a local TMC strongman.

Sheikh has been accused by some women in Sandeshkhali of running a ring of TMC members involved in land grabs and sexual assault.

Trivedi told reporters that Sheikh is being probed in a corruption case taken up by the Enforcement Direction (ED) and is also an accused in a violent attack on the agency's officials.

Such a "multi-dimension criminalisation" of politics and protection of the accused is unprecedented in Indian politics, he claimed.

On January 5, a team of ED officers were assaulted by a mob when they tried to enter the residence of Shajahan at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Three officers were injured in the attack.

The district police and Sheikh's family members had lodged a complaint against the ED officers. Shajahan has been absconding since then.

Trivedi told reporters that it was not only about the West Bengal government protecting him but there was a particular mindset which believes in "secular protection" of some people irrespective of the crimes and atrocities they commit.

While "secular parties" are keeping mum because they weigh the complaints of women against their vote-bank politics, even the self-proclaimed champions of women's rights have maintained silence, he said.

This is not merely an incident but a phenomenon which has destroyed Bengal for over two centuries, the Rajya Sabha member said as he referred to targeting of women and Hindus in the past.

It is not about Hindus and Muslims. Some parties believe in protecting radicals and criminal elements among Muslims to maintain their hold on power and are not concerned about the future, he alleged.

Citing a new law passed in Karnataka which mandates that the state government will collect 10 per cent of the income of temples that have revenues of more than Rs 1 crore and the earlier comments of some DMK leaders in Tamil Nadu criticising 'Sanatan Dharma', he said all these developments, including the Sandeshkhali incident, show that the "eradication of Sanatan Dharma is not merely a statement but a campaign".

These parties gave Haj subsidy, now scrapped, and imposed taxes on temples, he said.

Leaders of the DMK, the Congress' biggest ally in south India, have compared Sanatan Dharma to dengue and HIV, and spoke of eradicating it, Trivedi said.

He said the Congress and its allies have a history as he noted that the government led by Jawaharlal Nehru had brought a law to override court judgments on regulating Hindu temples.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi, the BJP leader said he has not spoken a word about these developments.

While West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who is also his party's leader in the Lok Sabha, says there is no democracy in the state, its national leadership calls for allying with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to "save" democracy in the country, Trivedi said.

The Congress finds nothing wrong in climbing over the dead bodies of its workers to get closer to power, he alleged, adding that members of the main opposition party have been the victims of political violence in the state as well.

Referring to the alleged targeting of Hindus and political protection for criminals, he said the subject is extremely important and is bigger than party politics and elections.

This attitude since the last century has greatly harmed the Indian society and divided the country, Trivedi said, asserting that people will punish the Congress and its INDIA bloc allies.
Every moment in Meghalaya is a step into a world where nature and culture coexist in perfect harmony. Its a place where the clouds meet the earth, and the heart meets the soul, leaving an indelible mark on all who venture into its embrace writes Gyaneshwar Dayal. Pankaj Kumar captured a glimpse of the abode of clouds with his roving eye

With its captivating landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Meghalaya is a destination that beckons the adventurous spirit and the nature lover alike. Pankaj Kumar takes a whirlwind tour of the state to capture a glimpse of the abode of clouds. Nestled in the northeastern part of India, Meghalaya, aptly named the abode of clouds, is a state that mesmerises visitors with its enchanting landscapes, warm people, and unique cultural treasures. Renowned for its lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant traditions, Meghalaya is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and cultural explorers alike.

Meghalayas natural beauty is unparalleled, offering a breathtaking panorama of rolling hills, dense forests,

and meandering rivers. The state is blessed with an abundance of rainfall, contributing to its luxuriant greenery and earning it the distinction of being one of the wettest places on Earth. The picturesque landscapes come alive with a vibrant mix of flora

and fauna, making Meghalaya a haven for biodiversity.

Waterfalls, such as the Nohkalikai Falls, plunge dramatically from towering cliffs, creating a spectacle that leaves visitors in awe. The living root bridges, a testament to the harmonious coexistence between nature and humans, are iconic to the region. These intricate bridges, crafted from the aerial roots of the ancient rubber trees, showcase the indigenous wisdom of the Khasi and Jaintia tribes.

Meghalaya is not only a haven for nature lovers but also a place where the warmth of its people adds an extra layer of charm. The locals, known for their friendliness and hospitality, embrace visitors with open arms. The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia communities contribute to the states rich tapestry of cultures, and their traditions are reflected in everyday life.

The indigenous communities of Meghalaya are proud of their heritage and are eager to share their customs with visitors. Engaging in conversation with the locals provides a glimpse into their way of life, from traditional music and dance to folklore that has been passed down through generations.

One of Meghalayas most fascinating features is its living root bridges, which exemplify the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. The Khasi and Jaintia tribes have mastered the art of training the aerial roots of the Ficus elastica tree to form sturdy and durable bridges over rivers and streams. These bridges, some of which are centuries old, are a testament to sustainable living and the ingenious use of natural resources.

Meghalayas markets are vibrant hubs of commerce where local women play a crucial role in selling a variety of products. The bustling markets showcase the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Meghalayas women. From handmade crafts and traditional textiles to fresh produce and local delicacies, the markets are a treasure trove for those seeking authentic experiences and unique souvenirs.

The markets also serve as social spaces where visitors can interact with the locals, learn about traditional cooking methods, and sample indigenous cuisines. This exchange of cultures adds to the richness of the Meghalayan experience.

Meghalaya, with its mesmerizing landscapes, warm people, and unique cultural treasures, stands as a testament to the incredible diversity India has to offer. Whether exploring the lush greenery, marvelling at the living root bridges, or engaging with the locals in vibrant markets.
A high-tech Chinese marine research ship on Thursday arrived near the Maldives after spending about a month in the Indian Ocean near the island nation, media reports said here. The ship, Xiang Yang Hong 03 reached the Maldives on the same day when Indian and Sri Lankan coast guard ships reached the strategically located archipelago for a trilateral naval exercise.

India had already expressed concern about the movement of the Chinese research ship in the Indian Ocean and also prevailed on Sri Lanka to refuse permission for the ship to dock at the Colombo port.

Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 was moored close to Male City this morning. Around noon, the ship was shown to be near Thilafushi, news portal Edition.mv reported, quoting the Marine Traffic website that tracks all ocean liners across the globe. Xiang Yang Hong 03 began its journey on January 14, 24 hours after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu concluded his state visit to China. It arrived near Male today after spending about a month near the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), said Adhadhu.com, a news portal. It also claimed that the vessel was not visible on common tracking sites starting from January 22. It is believed that the vessels tracking systems had been turned off when it was in the Java Sea off Indonesia then.

An analysis by Adhadhu using satellite AIS tracking showed that the Chinese vessel was later at the EEZ of Maldives, the report said, adding, The vessel had spent about a month near the EEZ.

Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, won last years presidential election on an anti-India stance. He made Beijing his first port of call going against the tradition of visiting New Delhi first as the Maldivian President.

An American think-tank has alleged that a vast fleet of Chinas scientific research ships is collecting data from the oceans, including in the Indian Ocean Region, for military purposes, especially for submarine operations, a charge denied by Beijing, which said the Chinese vessels operations are in line with the UN Convention on Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).

On January 23, the Maldives government permitted the research vessel. But while the Maldivian foreign ministry said the Chinese Research Vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 will not be conducting any research while in the Maldivian waters, sources in the Indian defence establishment had indicated that New Delhi was keeping a close watch on the movement of the ship. In February, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, Chinas scientific research activities in relevant waters are for peaceful purposes and aimed at contributing to humanitys scientific understanding of the ocean.

Earlier on January 5, Sri Lanka, while denying entry to the Chinese ship, had said it had declared a moratorium on foreign research ships entering its waters for a year amid concerns from India over Chinese research vessels docking in its neighbourhood.

The Maldives proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainlands western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) gives it significant strategic importance. The Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the IOR and occupies a special place in its initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy of the Narendra Modi

government.

Meanwhile, Thursday morning, Coast Guards of Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka, along with observers from Bangladesh, joined in at the Trilateral Joint Exercise DOSTI-16.

MNDF welcomes participating ships from India and Sri Lanka for the Trilateral Joint Exercise DOSTI-16 from Feb 22-25. Coast Guards of Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka, along with observers from Bangladesh, join in this biennial event to enhance collaboration between the forces, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said in a post on X along with the photos of the two vessels. The purpose of the biennial exercise is to enhance military collaboration between the three nations and explore ways the nations can work together with respect to incidents unfolding at sea, news portal Sun.mv reported.

DOSTI exercise had initially kicked off between Maldives and India in 1991. Sri Lanka first participated in the exercise in 2012. The exercise was last held in 2021, the portal said.

The visit of the Indian coastguard ship to the Maldives comes amidst President Muizzus demand for the withdrawal of 88 Indian military personnel manning three Indian aviation platforms in the island nation by March 15.
A suspected missile attack by Yemens Houthi rebels set a ship ablaze in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday as Israel intercepted what appeared to be another Houthi attack near the port city of Eilat, authorities said. The attacks come as the rebels escalate their assaults over Israels war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The attack on Thursday in the Gulf of Aden saw two missiles fired, the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. It said the unnamed ship was ablaze, without elaborating.

Meanwhile, sirens sounded early on Thursday morning over Eilat, followed by videos posted online of what appeared to be an interception in the sky overhead.

The Israeli military later said the interception was carried out by its Arrow missile defense system.

Israel did not identify what the fire was, nor where it came from. However, the Arrow system intercepts long-range ballistic missiles with a warhead designed to destroy targets while they are in space.

The system successfully intercepted a launch which was identified in the area of the Red Sea and was en route to Israel, the Israeli military said. The target did not cross into Israeli territory and did not pose a threat to civilians.

The Houthis did not immediately claim either attack. They typically acknowledge assaults they conduct hours afterward.

Eilat, on the Red Sea, is a key port city of Israel. On October 31, Houthis first claimed a missile-and-drone barrage targeting the city. The rebels have claimed other attacks targeting Eilat, which have caused no damage in the city.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters over Israels war against Hamas.

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, the Houthis main benefactor.

Despite a month of US-led airstrikes, Houthi rebels remain capable of launching significant attacks. This week, they seriously damaged a ship in a crucial strait and downed an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars. The Houthis insist their attacks will continue until Israel stops its combat operations in the Gaza Strip, which have enraged the wider Arab world and seen the Houthis gain international recognition.

On Wednesday, ships in the Red Sea off the Houthi-held port city of Hodeida in Yemen reported seeing an explosion, though all vessels in the area were said to be safe, the UKTMO said. The UKMTO earlier reported heavy drone activity in the area.

The US militarys Central Command acknowledged shooting down a Houthi bomb-carrying drone during that time.

US airstrikes separately targeted seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and one mobile anti-ship ballistic missile prepared to target ships in the Red Sea, Central Command said.

The US State Department criticised the reckless and indiscriminate attacks on civilian cargo ships by the Houthis that have delayed humanitarian aid including food and medicine bound for Ethiopia, Sudan and Yemen.

That includes the Sea Champion, a ship carrying corn and other aid to both Aden and Hodeida.

Contrary to what the Houthis may attempt to claim, their attacks do nothing to help the Palestinians, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. Their actions are not bringing a single morsel of assistance or food to the Palestinian people.
Computer Modelling Group (TSE:CMG  Free Report) had its price target raised by Barclays from C$8.00 to C$9.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. Barclays currently has an underweight rating on the stock.

A number of other research analysts have also recently weighed in on CMG. National Bankshares set a C$12.50 price objective on shares of Computer Modelling Group and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price objective on shares of Computer Modelling Group from C$10.50 to C$11.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Computer Modelling Group from C$10.00 to C$11.50 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 14th. Finally, Echelon Wealth Partners restated a buy rating on shares of Computer Modelling Group in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Computer Modelling Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$10.83.

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Computer Modelling Group Trading Up 8.1 %

Shares of Computer Modelling Group stock opened at C$9.98 on Tuesday. Computer Modelling Group has a 12-month low of C$6.21 and a 12-month high of C$10.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 2.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 59.81. The stock has a market cap of C$810.68 million, a PE ratio of 34.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a 50-day moving average of C$9.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$9.31.

Computer Modelling Group (TSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported C$0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of C$0.08. Computer Modelling Group had a net margin of 25.10% and a return on equity of 42.70%. The business had revenue of C$33.01 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$31.65 million. On average, research analysts anticipate that Computer Modelling Group will post 0.3449748 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Computer Modelling Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 7th will be given a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 6th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.00%. Computer Modelling Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 68.97%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Computer Modelling Group

In other Computer Modelling Group news, Senior Officer Sandra Balic sold 33,300 shares of Computer Modelling Group stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$9.99, for a total value of C$332,623.71. In other Computer Modelling Group news, Director Kenneth Michael Dedeluk sold 10,000 shares of Computer Modelling Group stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$10.25, for a total value of C$102,500.00. Also, Senior Officer Sandra Balic sold 33,300 shares of Computer Modelling Group stock in a transaction on Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$9.99, for a total transaction of C$332,623.71. 1.47% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Computer Modelling Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Computer Modelling Group Ltd., a computer software technology company, engages in the development and licensing of reservoir simulation software and related services in Canada and internationally. The company offers CMOST-AI, an intelligent optimization and analysis tool that offers solution for reservoir by combining advanced statistical analysis, machine learning, and non-biased data interpretation; IMEX, a black oil simulator that is used to model primary and secondary oil recovery processes in conventional and unconventional reservoirs; and GEM, an equation-of-state reservoir simulator for compositional, chemical, and unconventional reservoir modelling.

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Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 50,240 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,818 shares during the period. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $7,328,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. LWM Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 2.2% during the second quarter. LWM Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,018 shares of the companys stock worth $457,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Proquility Private Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Proquility Private Wealth Partners LLC now owns 6,008 shares of the companys stock valued at $912,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. KFA Private Wealth Group LLC raised its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. KFA Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 3,054 shares of the companys stock valued at $445,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Watchman Group Inc. increased its stake in Procter & Gamble by 0.4% in the third quarter. Watchman Group Inc. now owns 18,052 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,633,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp raised its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 1.3% in the second quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 5,249 shares of the companys stock worth $797,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 63.43% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Procter & Gamble

In related news, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 6,575 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.47, for a total transaction of $1,009,065.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 5,620 shares of the companys stock, valued at $862,501.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, COO Shailesh Jejurikar sold 31,275 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.90, for a total transaction of $4,844,497.50. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 9,623 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,490,602.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 6,575 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.47, for a total transaction of $1,009,065.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 5,620 shares of the companys stock, valued at $862,501.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 258,997 shares of company stock worth $39,904,358. Company insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Procter & Gamble Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE PG traded down $0.09 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $160.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,209,105 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,648,786. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.44. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 52 week low of $136.10 and a 52 week high of $160.40. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $151.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $150.99. The stock has a market cap of $377.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.86, a P/E/G ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.45.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.70 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.48 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.60% and a return on equity of 34.04%. Procter & Gambles revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.59 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 19th were issued a dividend of $0.9407 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.35%. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is 62.98%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on PG shares. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $177.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Raymond James increased their target price on Procter & Gamble from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Procter & Gamble from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, January 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $169.00 to $162.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $167.50.

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Procter & Gamble Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) had its price objective raised by Scotiabank from C$135.00 to C$145.00 in a research report report published on Tuesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the banks stock.

Several other research firms have also commented on BMO. Cormark reduced their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$128.00 to C$127.00 in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$138.00 to C$128.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 23rd. National Bankshares raised Bank of Montreal from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from C$117.00 to C$141.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Bank of America raised Bank of Montreal from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from C$120.00 to C$145.00 in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group upped their target price on Bank of Montreal from C$135.00 to C$137.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of Montreal has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$132.95.

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Bank of Montreal Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of BMO stock opened at C$127.80 on Tuesday. Bank of Montreal has a twelve month low of C$102.67 and a twelve month high of C$132.16. The stock has a market capitalization of C$92.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.50, a P/E/G ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.18. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of C$127.85 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$118.07.

Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 1st. The bank reported C$2.81 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$2.86 by C($0.05). The company had revenue of C$8.36 billion during the quarter. Bank of Montreal had a return on equity of 5.91% and a net margin of 15.04%. Research analysts predict that Bank of Montreal will post 12.0940171 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of Montreal Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 30th will be issued a $1.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, January 29th. This is a positive change from Bank of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.47. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.73%. Bank of Montreals dividend payout ratio is currently 106.34%.

About Bank of Montreal

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The company's personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Free Report) in a report issued on Tuesday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the basic materials companys stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on WRK. Seaport Res Ptn cut 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 set a $45.00 target price (up previously from $42.00) on shares of WestRock in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on WestRock from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Argus upgraded WestRock from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $42.00 target price on shares of WestRock in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $39.43.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on WRK

WestRock Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of WRK stock opened at $43.94 on Tuesday. WestRock has a 12-month low of $26.84 and a 12-month high of $44.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $41.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 1.06.

WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Get Free Report) last issued its 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 positive return on equity of 6.87% and a negative net margin of 8.58%. The firm had revenue of $4.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.79 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.55 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that WestRock will post 1.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

WestRock Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Investors of record on Friday, February 9th were given a $0.3025 dividend. This represents a $1.21 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. WestRocks payout ratio is -18.01%.

Insider Activity at WestRock

In related news, insider Vicki L. Lostetter sold 3,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.77, for a total value of $149,695.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 92,117 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,939,844.09. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.49% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On WestRock

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A purchased a new position in WestRock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. NBC Securities Inc. purchased a new position in WestRock in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in WestRock in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Gyon Technologies Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in WestRock in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its holdings in WestRock by 1,815.2% in the 3rd quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 881 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 835 shares during the last quarter. 85.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About WestRock

(Get 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.

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CenterBook Partners LP acquired a new stake in Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 3,349 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $213,000.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Molson Coors Beverage by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,329,879 shares of the companys stock worth $1,138,589,000 after purchasing an additional 1,235,013 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,727,747 shares of the companys stock valued at $465,887,000 after acquiring an additional 143,757 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 1.0% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 4,721,084 shares of the companys stock valued at $252,011,000 after purchasing an additional 49,044 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,940,342 shares of the companys stock valued at $258,741,000 after purchasing an additional 80,858 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 10.8% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,216,836 shares of the companys stock valued at $171,722,000 after purchasing an additional 312,326 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.95% of the companys stock.

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Molson Coors Beverage Trading Up 0.3 %

TAP stock opened at $62.66 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. Molson Coors Beverage has a twelve month low of $49.32 and a twelve month high of $70.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.82. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $62.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $61.60.

Molson Coors Beverage Increases Dividend

Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.07. Molson Coors Beverage had a net margin of 6.83% and a return on equity of 8.89%. The firm had revenue of $2.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.78 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.30 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Molson Coors Beverage will post 5.66 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be given a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This is an increase 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 2.81%. Molson Coors Beverages dividend payout ratio is presently 37.61%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TAP has been the subject of several analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Molson Coors Beverage from a sell rating to a hold rating and raised their price target for the company from $57.00 to $58.00 in a report on Friday, November 3rd. Wedbush reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $70.00 price target on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research report on Monday, November 6th. HSBC assumed coverage on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. They set a hold rating and a $68.00 price objective for the company. TheStreet raised Molson Coors Beverage from a c rating to a b- rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on Molson Coors Beverage from $64.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $67.57.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Molson Coors Beverage

Insider Activity at Molson Coors Beverage

In other Molson Coors Beverage news, CFO Tracey Joubert sold 2,771 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.37, for a total transaction of $167,285.27. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 60,538 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,654,679.06. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 2.30% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile

(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.

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Agricultural Bank of China Limited (OTCMKTS:ACGBY  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $10.48 and last traded at $10.36, with a volume of 17548 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $10.16.

Agricultural Bank of China Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market cap of $146.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.11 and a beta of 0.14. The stocks 50-day moving average is $9.58 and its 200 day moving average is $9.15.

Agricultural Bank of China Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Agricultural Bank of China Limited provides banking products and services. The company operates through Corporate Banking, Personal Banking, and Treasury Operations segments. It offers demand, personal call, foreign currency call, time or demand optional, foreign exchange call, foreign exchange time, savings, agreed term, and negotiated deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit; and loans, including housing, consumer, business, fixed asset, working capital, real estate, and entrusted syndicated loans, as well as trade finances, guarantees and commitments, and loans with custody of export rebates accounts.

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Syntax Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 7.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,808 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 258 shares during the quarter. Syntax Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $221,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the first quarter valued at about $332,000. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $150,000 after acquiring an additional 1,082 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,075,000 after acquiring an additional 57,444 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the first quarter valued at about $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $24,725,000 after acquiring an additional 68,018 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on 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. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $68.00 to $54.00 in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Bank of America downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $68.00 to $60.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $55.00 price target on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $61.17.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 2,000 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $49.78 per share, with a total value of $99,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,115,412.16. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 2,000 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $49.78 per share, with a total value of $99,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,115,412.16. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 3,071 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at $3,878,702.24. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.6 %

NYSE:BMY opened at $51.01 on Friday. 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 50-day moving average of $50.39 and a 200-day moving average of $54.04. The company has a market cap of $103.15 billion, a PE ratio of 13.30, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.38. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $47.58 and a one year high of $71.22.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $11.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.82 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th were given a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.70%. This is an increase from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 62.18%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, December 7th that allows the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its stake in shares of Toyota Motor Co. (NYSE:TM  Free Report) by 868.2% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 26,501 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 23,764 shares during the period. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in Toyota Motor were worth $4,764,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of Toyota Motor during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Pacifica Partners Inc. increased its stake in shares of Toyota Motor by 150.0% in the 3rd quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 150 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Toyota Motor by 1,563.6% in the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 183 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Toyota Motor by 105.6% in the 3rd quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC now owns 185 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Toyota Motor by 101.9% in the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 214 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 1.33% of the companys stock.

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Toyota Motor Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSE TM traded up $1.02 on Friday, reaching $235.47. The stock had a trading volume of 51,507 shares, compared to its average volume of 322,694. The firm has a market capitalization of $319.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.99, a P/E/G ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. Toyota Motor Co. has a 12-month low of $132.35 and a 12-month high of $235.65. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $200.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $186.53.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

TM has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Nomura cut Toyota Motor from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. StockNews.com cut Toyota Motor from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 19th.

Read Our Latest Report on Toyota Motor

About Toyota Motor

(Free Report)

Toyota Motor Corporation designs, manufactures, assembles, and sells passenger vehicles, minivans and commercial vehicles, and related parts and accessories in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East. It operates in Automotive, Financial Services, and All Other segments.

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CenterBook Partners LP trimmed its position in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Free Report) by 62.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 159 shares of the companys stock after selling 261 shares during the quarter. CenterBook Partners LPs holdings in AutoZone were worth $404,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 7.4% during the second quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC now owns 714 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,780,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in AutoZone during the 3rd quarter valued at $51,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 76,379 shares of the companys stock worth $194,002,000 after purchasing an additional 3,434 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of AutoZone by 1.5% in the third quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 15,542 shares of the companys stock worth $39,477,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AutoZone by 2.1% during the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 43,590 shares of the companys stock valued at $110,891,000 after purchasing an additional 903 shares in the last quarter. 90.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at AutoZone

In related news, SVP K. Michelle Borninkhof sold 1,900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, January 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,735.00, for a total transaction of $5,196,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 521 shares in the company, valued at $1,424,935. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP K. Michelle Borninkhof sold 1,900 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,735.00, for a total transaction of $5,196,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 521 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,424,935. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, VP Charles Pleas III sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,717.36, for a total value of $8,152,080.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 3,416 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,282,501.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 14,807 shares of company stock valued at $38,827,861. 2.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

AutoZone Stock Up 1.0 %

NYSE:AZO opened at $2,757.70 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $2,676.58 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $2,601.45. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52 week low of $2,277.88 and a 52 week high of $2,855.21. The stock has a market cap of $47.68 billion, a PE ratio of 20.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.70.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, December 5th. The company reported $32.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $31.57 by $0.98. AutoZone had a negative return on equity of 57.23% and a net margin of 14.62%. The company had revenue of $4.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $27.45 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that AutoZone, Inc. will post 149.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Stephens boosted their target price on AutoZone from $3,000.00 to $3,070.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Raymond James upgraded shares of AutoZone from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $2,850.00 to $3,100.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Barclays lowered their price target on AutoZone from $2,800.00 to $2,779.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 12th. StockNews.com raised AutoZone from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on AutoZone from $2,750.00 to $2,900.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given 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 a consensus target price of $2,868.88.

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AutoZone Profile

(Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.

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Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI reduced its stake in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 88.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,303 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 10,205 shares during the period. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RIs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $300,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund purchased a new position in Illinois Tool Works during the third quarter worth about $1,152,000. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in Illinois Tool Works by 9.5% during the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 395,830 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $91,164,000 after buying an additional 34,408 shares in the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP grew its position in Illinois Tool Works by 79.6% during the third quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 10,339 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,381,000 after buying an additional 4,583 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its position in Illinois Tool Works by 58.3% during the third quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 2,763 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $636,000 after buying an additional 1,018 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rathbones Group PLC purchased a new position in Illinois Tool Works during the third quarter worth about $13,431,000. 79.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:ITW opened at $258.67 on Friday. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 52-week low of $217.06 and a 52-week high of $267.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $77.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.56, a P/E/G ratio of 4.43 and a beta of 1.15. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $257.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $244.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.33.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.41 by $0.01. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 96.60% and a net margin of 18.36%. The firm had revenue of $3.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.34 EPS. The businesss revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be given a $1.40 dividend. This represents a $5.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is currently 57.49%.

Insider Transactions at Illinois Tool Works

In related news, Chairman Ernest Scott Santi sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $254.44, for a total value of $12,722,000.00. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 221,015 shares in the company, valued at approximately $56,235,056.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Chairman Ernest Scott Santi sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $254.44, for a total value of $12,722,000.00. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 221,015 shares in the company, valued at approximately $56,235,056.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,827 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $256.29, for a total value of $1,493,401.83. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 8,870 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,273,292.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 152,304 shares of company stock valued at $38,860,831. Corporate insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Barclays upped their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $238.00 to $239.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Citigroup boosted their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $244.00 to $256.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered Illinois Tool Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and lowered their target price for the company from $277.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Bank of America lowered Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and lowered their target price for the company from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $239.33.

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About Illinois Tool Works

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United states and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products.

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Covestor Ltd raised its stake in Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT  Free Report) by 216.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,115 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,131 shares during the period. Covestor Ltds holdings in Dynatrace were worth $146,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Advisory Services Network LLC grew its stake in Dynatrace by 50.9% in the first quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 661 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares during the last quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Dynatrace by 3.0% in the third quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,047 shares of the companys stock valued at $376,000 after purchasing an additional 234 shares during the last quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. boosted its holdings in Dynatrace by 2.8% in the third quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 8,905 shares of the companys stock worth $416,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. boosted its holdings in Dynatrace by 1.7% in the third quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 16,011 shares of the companys stock worth $748,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its holdings in Dynatrace by 3.0% in the third quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 8,988 shares of the companys stock worth $420,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.28% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Dan Zugelder sold 6,596 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.25, for a total transaction of $371,025.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 96,020 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,401,125. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Dynatrace news, SVP Dan Zugelder sold 6,596 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.25, for a total transaction of $371,025.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 96,020 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,401,125. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Rick M. Mcconnell sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.85, for a total value of $1,371,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 530,115 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,076,807.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 14,348,487 shares of company stock valued at $754,943,800. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Dynatrace from $69.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 9th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Dynatrace from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $50.00 to $70.00 in a report on Friday, January 5th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $70.00 target price on shares of Dynatrace in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Capital One Financial assumed coverage on Dynatrace in a report on Wednesday. They set an overweight rating and a $64.00 target price for the company. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities lifted their price target on Dynatrace from $58.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Dynatrace currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $60.63.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Dynatrace

Dynatrace Trading Up 0.7 %

DT traded up $0.36 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $49.92. 1,357,574 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,162,921. The firms fifty day moving average is $55.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $50.88. Dynatrace, Inc. has a 1-year low of $37.21 and a 1-year high of $61.41. The company has a market cap of $14.78 billion, a PE ratio of 76.26, a PEG ratio of 5.04 and a beta of 1.13.

Dynatrace Profile

(Free Report)

Dynatrace, Inc provides a security platform for multicloud environments. It operates Dynatrace, a security platform, which provides application and microservices monitoring, runtime application security, infrastructure monitoring, log management and analytics, digital experience monitoring, digital business analytics, and cloud automation.

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Dark Forest Capital Management LP lifted its stake in shares of Minerals Technologies Inc. (NYSE:MTX  Free Report) by 231.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 23,796 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 16,613 shares during the period. Dark Forest Capital Management LP owned about 0.07% of Minerals Technologies worth $1,303,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ bought a new stake in shares of Minerals Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $44,000. Quarry LP bought a new stake in Minerals Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth about $49,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Minerals Technologies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $58,000. Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its position in shares of Minerals Technologies by 126.1% during the 2nd quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 997 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 556 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Minerals Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $72,000. Institutional investors own 94.24% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Minerals Technologies

In other news, insider Brett Argirakis sold 2,655 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.84, for a total transaction of $177,460.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 19,011 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,270,695.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Brett Argirakis sold 2,655 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.84, for a total transaction of $177,460.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 19,011 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,270,695.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Jonathan J. Hastings sold 8,960 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.44, for a total transaction of $559,462.40. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 49,131 shares in the company, valued at $3,067,739.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 39,135 shares of company stock valued at $2,654,419. 3.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Minerals Technologies Stock Down 0.3 %

MTX stock opened at $71.42 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $68.52 and a 200-day moving average of $61.26. Minerals Technologies Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $48.61 and a fifty-two week high of $73.73. The company has a market capitalization of $2.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.58 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a current ratio of 2.40.

Minerals Technologies (NYSE:MTX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The basic materials company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $524.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $506.67 million. Minerals Technologies had a net margin of 3.88% and a return on equity of 10.26%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.67 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Minerals Technologies Inc. will post 5.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Minerals Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 7th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.56%. Minerals Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 15.44%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. TheStreet upgraded Minerals Technologies from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. StockNews.com raised shares of Minerals Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Minerals Technologies from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $68.50.

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Minerals Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Minerals Technologies Inc develops, produces, and markets various specialty mineral, mineral-based, and synthetic mineral products, and supporting systems and services. The company operates through three segments: Performance Materials, Specialty Minerals and Refractories. The Performance Materials segment supplies bentonite and bentonite-related products, as well as leonardite.

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Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited (ASX:DMP  Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Friday, February 23rd, MarketIndexAU reports. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 26th will be given a dividend of 0.555 per share on Tuesday, March 26th. This represents a yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date is Sunday, February 25th.

Dominos Pizza Enterprises Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 334.45.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Donald Meij 62,427 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 8th. 32.72% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Dominos Pizza Enterprises Company Profile

Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited operates retail food outlets. The company holds franchise rights for the Domino's brand in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Cambodia, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It operates various stores.

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Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT  Free Report) by 29.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,477,031 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 339,390 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLC owned approximately 0.50% of Dynatrace worth $69,022,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Advisory Services Network LLC raised its stake in Dynatrace by 50.9% during the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 661 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Dynatrace by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,047 shares of the companys stock worth $376,000 after buying an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. raised its stake in shares of Dynatrace by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 16,011 shares of the companys stock worth $748,000 after buying an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its stake in shares of Dynatrace by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 8,988 shares of the companys stock worth $420,000 after buying an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kestra Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Dynatrace by 5.1% in the 2nd quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 5,450 shares of the companys stock worth $281,000 after buying an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.28% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Dynatrace

In related news, major shareholder Thoma Bravo Ugp, Llc sold 14,242,929 shares of Dynatrace stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.60, for a total transaction of $749,178,065.40. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 16,114,344 shares of the companys stock, valued at $847,614,494.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Dynatrace news, major shareholder Thoma Bravo Ugp, Llc sold 14,242,929 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.60, for a total value of $749,178,065.40. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 16,114,344 shares of the companys stock, valued at $847,614,494.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Matthias Dollentz-Scharer sold 2,076 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.91, for a total value of $107,765.16. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 72,645 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,771,001.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 14,348,487 shares of company stock valued at $754,943,800. Insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Dynatrace Trading Up 0.0 %

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

DT opened at $49.56 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $14.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 75.09, a PEG ratio of 5.04 and a beta of 1.13. Dynatrace, Inc. has a 1 year low of $37.21 and a 1 year high of $61.41. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $55.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $50.88.

DT has been the topic of a number of research reports. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Dynatrace from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Dynatrace from $58.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Rosenblatt Securities boosted their price objective on Dynatrace from $58.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Dynatrace from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $50.00 to $70.00 in a report on Friday, January 5th. Finally, JMP Securities lifted their target price on Dynatrace from $56.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $60.63.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Dynatrace

Dynatrace Company Profile

(Free Report)

Dynatrace, Inc provides a security platform for multicloud environments. It operates Dynatrace, a security platform, which provides application and microservices monitoring, runtime application security, infrastructure monitoring, log management and analytics, digital experience monitoring, digital business analytics, and cloud automation.

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Dark Forest Capital Management LP cut its stake in shares of Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) by 34.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,466 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 7,534 shares during the period. Dark Forest Capital Management LPs holdings in Entergy were worth $1,338,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of Entergy in the first quarter worth about $29,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Entergy by 157.1% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 270 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its holdings in Entergy by 108.8% in the 3rd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 307 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the period. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Entergy in the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new stake in Entergy in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 86.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 38,417 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.53, for a total transaction of $3,900,478.01. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,380 shares of the companys stock, valued at $952,351.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock.

Entergy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ETR opened at $101.52 on Friday. Entergy Co. has a 1-year low of $87.10 and a 1-year high of $111.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.47 billion, a PE ratio of 14.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $100.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $97.94.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.52. Entergy had a net margin of 11.56% and a return on equity of 10.77%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.51 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Entergy Co. will post 6.77 EPS for the current year.

Entergy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.45%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 8th. Entergys dividend payout ratio is currently 64.94%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on ETR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Entergy from $117.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Guggenheim raised their target price on Entergy from $99.00 to $103.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. UBS Group raised Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $103.00 to $118.00 in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered Entergy from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and set a $117.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $94.00 to $110.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $110.82.

View Our Latest Analysis on Entergy

About Entergy

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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Humm Group Limited (ASX:HUM  Get Free Report) declared a interim dividend on Friday, February 23rd, MarketIndexAU reports. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 2nd will be paid a dividend of 0.007 per share on Tuesday, April 2nd. This represents a yield of 1.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Sunday, February 25th.

Humm Group Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 643.63, a quick ratio of 4.11 and a current ratio of 3.18.

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About Humm Group

(Get Free Report)

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Humm Group Limited provides various financial services in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The company operates through four segments: Point of Sale Payment Plans (PosPP), New Zealand Cards, Australia Cards, and Commercial. It offers long term interest free finance and everyday spend solutions under the humm90 brand; Q Mastercard, an interest free credit card; FlexiCommercial, a business financing solution, which includes leasing and chattel mortgages for small and medium businesses; and leasing solutions and small and medium enterprise financing services.

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Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR  Get Free Report) CEO Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.85, for a total transaction of $842,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 2,524,525 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,538,246.25. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link.

Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, February 2nd, Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 25,000 shares of Coursera stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.14, for a total transaction of $503,500.00.

On Monday, January 29th, Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 50,000 shares of Coursera stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.06, for a total transaction of $1,003,000.00.

On Thursday, January 18th, Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 50,000 shares of Coursera stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.43, for a total transaction of $971,500.00.

On Thursday, January 4th, Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 50,000 shares of Coursera stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.09, for a total transaction of $954,500.00.

On Tuesday, December 26th, Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 11,048 shares of Coursera stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.01, for a total transaction of $221,070.48.

On Friday, December 22nd, Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 13,952 shares of Coursera stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.03, for a total transaction of $279,458.56.

On Thursday, December 7th, Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 75,000 shares of Coursera stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.59, for a total transaction of $1,544,250.00.

On Monday, December 4th, Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 155,197 shares of Coursera stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.21, for a total value of $3,136,531.37.

On Friday, December 1st, Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 123,422 shares of Coursera stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.15, for a total value of $2,486,953.30.

On Friday, November 24th, Jeffrey Nacey Maggioncalda sold 50,000 shares of Coursera stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.60, for a total value of $980,000.00.

Coursera Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of COUR opened at $16.39 on Friday. Coursera, Inc. has a 52-week low of $9.91 and a 52-week high of $21.26. The company has a market capitalization of $2.50 billion, a PE ratio of -21.29 and a beta of 1.62. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $18.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $18.41.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

COUR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their target price on Coursera from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Needham & Company LLC raised their price objective on Coursera from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Telsey Advisory Group raised their price objective on Coursera from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. UBS Group raised their price objective on Coursera from $15.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Coursera from a neutral rating to a sell rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $18.00 to $14.00 in a report on Friday, January 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $22.10.

Read Our Latest Research Report on COUR

Institutional Trading of Coursera

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of COUR. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Coursera in the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. FMR LLC increased its position in shares of Coursera by 187.5% during the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,366 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,543 shares during the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new stake in shares of Coursera during the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. KBC Group NV acquired a new stake in shares of Coursera during the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Finally, Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new stake in shares of Coursera during the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. 64.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Coursera

(Get Free Report)

Coursera, Inc operates an online educational content platform that connects learners, educators, organizations, and institutions. It offers online courses that include data science, business, computer science, physical science and engineering, language learning, information technology, health, social sciences, math and logic, project management, and arts and humanities; campus student plans; degree courses; and certification education.

Further Reading

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Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC lowered its position in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 21.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,124 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 303 shares during the period. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $727,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of BLK. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A bought a new stake in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. West Tower Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Archer Investment Corp bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors own 77.01% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at BlackRock

In other news, Director Stephen Cohen sold 950 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $805.55, for a total value of $765,272.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,574,225.35. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Stephen Cohen sold 950 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $805.55, for a total value of $765,272.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,574,225.35. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, General Counsel Christopher J. Meade sold 3,100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $793.86, for a total value of $2,460,966.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 8,628 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,849,424.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 33,474 shares of company stock valued at $17,275,900 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

BlackRock Stock Performance

NYSE BLK traded up $7.88 on Friday, hitting $821.32. 98,957 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 599,164. The businesss fifty day moving average is $795.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $720.35. BlackRock, Inc. has a 12 month low of $596.18 and a 12 month high of $823.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $122.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.27, a PEG ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 3.72 and a current ratio of 3.72.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The asset manager reported $9.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.84 by $0.82. BlackRock had a return on equity of 14.85% and a net margin of 30.81%. The business had revenue of $4.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.65 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $8.93 earnings per share. BlackRocks revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that BlackRock, Inc. will post 39.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 7th will be issued a $5.10 dividend. This is a positive change from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.00. This represents a $20.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 6th. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.78%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on BLK shares. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. UBS Group upped their price target on BlackRock from $720.00 to $818.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded BlackRock from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $708.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Friday, December 15th. TD Cowen raised BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their price target for the stock from $819.00 to $938.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, BlackRock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $785.73.

Check Out Our Latest Report on BlackRock

BlackRock Company Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Get Free Report) CFO Glenn A. Eisenberg sold 34,504 shares of Laboratory Co. of America stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $215.97, for a total value of $7,451,828.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 23,595 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,095,812.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link.

Laboratory Co. of America Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of Laboratory Co. of America stock opened at $217.77 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $18.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.04. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $223.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is $213.58. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a 1-year low of $174.20 and a 1-year high of $234.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

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Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The medical research company reported $3.30 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.01. Laboratory Co. of America had a return on equity of 13.99% and a net margin of 3.24%. The firm had revenue of $3.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.14 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 14.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Laboratory Co. of America Announces Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 27th will be issued a $0.72 dividend. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 26th. Laboratory Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio is presently 61.67%.

LH has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Barclays initiated coverage on Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. They issued an equal weight rating and a $222.00 price target for the company. TheStreet lowered Laboratory Co. of America from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Friday, February 9th. They issued an in-line rating and a $240.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Laboratory Co. of America from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price objective on Laboratory Co. of America from $257.00 to $230.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $241.86.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LH. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 6.2% in the second 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. raised its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 1.0% in the first 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. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 20.6% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,487,106 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $500,033,000 after purchasing an additional 424,684 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley raised its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 102.6% in the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,219,291 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $446,189,000 after purchasing an additional 1,123,755 shares during the period. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 28.0% in the third quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 2,212,497 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $444,821,000 after purchasing an additional 483,878 shares during the period. 89.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Laboratory Co. of America

(Get Free Report)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics and Labcorp Drug Development.

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LPL Financial LLC decreased its holdings in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (NYSEARCA:VT  Free Report) by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 858,755 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 38,562 shares during the quarter. LPL Financial LLC owned about 0.29% of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF worth $80,019,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 681,735.5% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 251,713,227 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $21,695,163,000 after purchasing an additional 251,676,310 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Associates LLC MA ADV raised its position in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Associates LLC MA ADV now owns 2,463,680 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $238,928,000 after buying an additional 39,381 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,985,542 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $192,557,000 after buying an additional 72,465 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its position in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,978,589 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $184,365,000 after buying an additional 25,957 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Modera Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 5,723.4% during the 3rd quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,791,634 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $166,944,000 after buying an additional 1,760,868 shares during the last quarter.

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Vanguard Total World Stock ETF Stock Up 1.6 %

NYSEARCA:VT opened at $107.43 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $31.62 billion, a PE ratio of 14.20 and a beta of 0.94. Vanguard Total World Stock ETF has a fifty-two week low of $86.13 and a fifty-two week high of $107.59. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $103.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $98.28.

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF Profile

Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Global All Cap Index, which covers both well-established and still-developing markets. The Fund invests in both foreign and the United States stocks. The fund offers three classes of shares: Investor Shares, Institutional Shares, and ETF Shares.

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Mariner LLC lifted its stake in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IJJ  Free Report) by 16.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 165,661 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 23,445 shares during the period. Mariner LLC owned approximately 0.25% of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF worth $16,720,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new stake in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF during the third quarter worth about $61,000. Lido Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 282,946 shares of the companys stock worth $30,312,000 after acquiring an additional 11,647 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Inc grew its holdings in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 34.6% during the 2nd quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 16,176 shares of the companys stock worth $1,734,000 after acquiring an additional 4,161 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 16.9% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,702 shares of the companys stock worth $504,000 after acquiring an additional 679 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $22,863,000.

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iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF Stock Performance

IJJ stock opened at $112.14 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $7.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.54 and a beta of 1.17. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $112.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $105.91. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF has a fifty-two week low of $92.79 and a fifty-two week high of $115.39.

iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF Company Profile

iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF, formerly iShares S&P MidCap 400 Value Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Value Index (the Index). The Value Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index exhibiting the strongest value characteristics.

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Mariner LLC lessened its stake in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Free Report) by 5.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 7,168 shares of the companys stock after selling 438 shares during the quarter. Mariner LLCs holdings in AutoZone were worth $18,206,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in AutoZone in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new position in AutoZone in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp increased its holdings in AutoZone by 166.7% in the 3rd quarter. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp now owns 16 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 10 shares during the period. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, ORG Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.34% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at AutoZone

In other AutoZone news, COO Thomas B. Newbern sold 7,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,551.62, for a total transaction of $19,902,636.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 2,519 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,427,530.78. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, COO Thomas B. Newbern sold 7,800 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,551.62, for a total value of $19,902,636.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 2,519 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,427,530.78. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director George R. Mrkonic, Jr. sold 414 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,541.85, for a total transaction of $1,052,325.90. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 3,470 shares in the company, valued at $8,820,219.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 14,807 shares of company stock valued at $38,827,861 over the last three months. 2.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of AutoZone from $2,933.00 to $3,027.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Wedbush restated an outperform rating and issued a $2,950.00 price target on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Tuesday. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $2,800.00 to $2,779.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded shares of AutoZone from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, AutoZone presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $2,868.88.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AutoZone

AutoZone Stock Performance

AZO opened at $2,757.70 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $47.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.02, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.70. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $2,676.58 and a 200 day moving average of $2,601.45. AutoZone, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $2,277.88 and a fifty-two week high of $2,855.21.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 5th. The company reported $32.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $31.57 by $0.98. The company had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.19 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.62% and a negative return on equity of 57.23%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $27.45 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 149.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AutoZone Company Profile

(Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.

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Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board lifted its holdings in shares of Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) by 16.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 16,680 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 2,403 shares during the quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Boards holdings in Entergy were worth $1,543,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its stake in Entergy by 1.2% in the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 38,239 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,537,000 after buying an additional 467 shares in the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp lifted its position in Entergy by 73.3% in the 2nd quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 27,412 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,669,000 after acquiring an additional 11,598 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Entergy by 464.4% in the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 12,044 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,114,000 after purchasing an additional 9,910 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in Entergy by 32.3% in the 3rd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 101,839 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $9,175,000 after purchasing an additional 24,850 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Entergy by 6.4% in the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 56,723 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,523,000 after purchasing an additional 3,417 shares in the last quarter. 86.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Entergy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ETR opened at $101.52 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $100.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $97.94. The company has a market cap of $21.47 billion, a PE ratio of 14.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.71. Entergy Co. has a twelve month low of $87.10 and a twelve month high of $111.90.

Entergy Dividend Announcement

Entergy ( NYSE:ETR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.52. Entergy had a return on equity of 10.77% and a net margin of 11.56%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.51 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Entergy Co. will post 6.77 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 9th will be issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.45%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 8th. Entergys payout ratio is 64.94%.

Insider Activity at Entergy

In other news, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 38,417 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.53, for a total value of $3,900,478.01. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,380 shares of the companys stock, valued at $952,351.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.39% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on ETR shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Entergy from $92.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Entergy from $113.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. UBS Group raised shares of Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $103.00 to $118.00 in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Barclays raised their price objective on Entergy from $99.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Entergy from $117.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $110.82.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Entergy

About Entergy

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board cut its stake in shares of Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS  Free Report) by 23.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 16,358 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 4,979 shares during the quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Boards holdings in Leidos were worth $1,508,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Leidos by 17.0% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,563,014 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,553,976,000 after purchasing an additional 2,552,908 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Leidos by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 15,087,661 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,629,768,000 after acquiring an additional 236,272 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its stake in Leidos by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,044,206 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $280,554,000 after purchasing an additional 169,351 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Leidos by 3.0% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,025,492 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $267,036,000 after purchasing an additional 89,231 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of Leidos by 3.1% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,833,340 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $162,206,000 after buying an additional 55,983 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.71% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Leidos from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Leidos from $115.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Leidos from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Argus raised shares of Leidos from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $120.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Leidos from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $123.09.

Leidos Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of Leidos stock opened at $124.75 on Friday. Leidos Holdings, Inc. has a 1 year low of $76.58 and a 1 year high of $125.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.34 and a quick ratio of 1.24. The stock has a market cap of $16.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 87.85, a PEG ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.68. The firms 50-day moving average is $111.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $103.23.

Leidos (NYSE:LDOS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The aerospace company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $3.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.81 billion. Leidos had a net margin of 1.29% and a return on equity of 22.92%. Leidoss revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.83 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Leidos Holdings, Inc. will post 7.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Leidos Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.38 per share. This represents a $1.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Leidoss payout ratio is currently 107.04%.

Insider Activity at Leidos

In other Leidos news, Director Gary Stephen May sold 2,745 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.49, for a total value of $341,725.05. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 11,352 shares in the company, valued at $1,413,210.48. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.52% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Leidos Company Profile

(Free Report)

Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health segments. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S.

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Shares of Pinnacle West Capital Co. (NYSE:PNW  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $73.11.

PNW has been the subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com cut shares of Pinnacle West Capital from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $79.00 to $77.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $71.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH assumed coverage on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. They issued a neutral rating and a $69.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Guggenheim raised shares of Pinnacle West Capital from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $78.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, January 22nd.

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Insider Activity at Pinnacle West Capital

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pinnacle West Capital

In related news, EVP Robert Edgar Smith sold 1,610 shares of Pinnacle West Capital stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.95, for a total transaction of $122,279.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,178 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $697,069.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PNW. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 8.0% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 21,980 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,718,000 after acquiring an additional 1,630 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 23.1% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 30,693 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,397,000 after acquiring an additional 5,768 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 31,722 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,599,000 after acquiring an additional 1,681 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 494,515 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $38,620,000 after acquiring an additional 31,526 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 7.8% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 135,551 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $10,571,000 after acquiring an additional 9,777 shares during the last quarter. 84.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Pinnacle West Capital Price Performance

Shares of Pinnacle West Capital stock opened at $70.21 on Friday. Pinnacle West Capital has a twelve month low of $65.20 and a twelve month high of $86.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $70.38 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $73.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 0.49.

Pinnacle West Capital Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.88 per share. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.01%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 31st. Pinnacle West Capitals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 83.81%.

About Pinnacle West Capital

(Get Free Report

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities.

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Regal Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 1,729 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $209,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of DLR. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC raised its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 156.1% in the 1st quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 274 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Quilter Plc acquired a new stake in Digital Realty Trust in the 1st quarter valued at about $284,991,000. Clear Street Markets LLC raised its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 28,900.0% in the 4th quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 290 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Rational Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Digital Realty Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Digital Realty Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at about $47,000. 99.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Digital Realty Trust Trading Up 2.1 %

NYSE DLR opened at $138.37 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market cap of $41.91 billion, a PE ratio of 46.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.54. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a one year low of $86.33 and a one year high of $149.07. The firms fifty day moving average is $138.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $130.96.

Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th were paid a $1.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.53%. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 164.31%.

DLR has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $136.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. They set a sector weight rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $144.00 target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a reduce rating and a $112.00 target price for the company. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $135.53.

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Digital Realty Trust Profile

(Free Report)

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data "meeting place" and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges.

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Revolve Group (NYSE:RVLV  Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by stock analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $18.00 to $20.00 in a report released on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus target price would suggest a potential upside of 23.30% from the companys current price.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently commented on RVLV. KeyCorp cut shares of Revolve Group from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $17.00 price objective on shares of Revolve Group in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Revolve Group from $17.00 to $13.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Piper Sandler raised Revolve Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the stock from $16.00 to $21.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Revolve Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a sell rating and a $12.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Revolve Group currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $18.38.

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Revolve Group Stock Performance

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

NYSE RVLV opened at $16.22 on Friday. Revolve Group has a fifty-two week low of $12.25 and a fifty-two week high of $28.72. The stock has a market cap of $1.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 26.52 and a beta of 2.06. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.00 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $14.91.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Revolve Group by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 7,466,195 shares of the companys stock valued at $101,615,000 after buying an additional 390,670 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Revolve Group by 51.0% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,235,256 shares of the companys stock worth $69,458,000 after buying an additional 1,430,242 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Revolve Group by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,915,304 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,287,000 after buying an additional 18,228 shares in the last quarter. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC boosted its stake in Revolve Group by 10.3% during the 2nd quarter. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC now owns 1,310,538 shares of the companys stock worth $21,493,000 after purchasing an additional 122,581 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Revolve Group by 17.4% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,195,365 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,604,000 after purchasing an additional 176,910 shares in the last quarter. 73.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Revolve Group

(Get Free Report)

Revolve Group, Inc operates as an online fashion retailer for millennial and generation z consumers in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments, REVOLVE and FWRD. The company operates a platform that connects consumers and global fashion influencers, as well as emerging, established, and owned brands.

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Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Free Report) by 28.9% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 3,342 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 750 shares during the quarter. Covestor Ltds holdings in Sonoco Products were worth $182,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SON. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 11,631,791 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $709,539,000 after purchasing an additional 76,945 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,740,557 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $609,312,000 after purchasing an additional 179,779 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 13.4% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,240,829 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $515,546,000 after purchasing an additional 972,157 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,566,627 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $151,481,000 after purchasing an additional 32,230 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,135,507 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $130,266,000 after purchasing an additional 54,808 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.20% of the companys stock.

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Sonoco Products Stock Performance

NYSE:SON traded down $0.31 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $57.30. The stock had a trading volume of 79,880 shares, compared to its average volume of 418,959. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.76 and a quick ratio of 1.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.00, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.69. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $56.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is $55.44. Sonoco Products has a 1-year low of $49.98 and a 1-year high of $63.74.

Sonoco Products Dividend Announcement

Sonoco Products ( NYSE:SON Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.04 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $1.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.61 billion. Sonoco Products had a return on equity of 22.42% and a net margin of 7.00%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.27 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Sonoco Products will post 5.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 28th will be given a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 27th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.56%. Sonoco Productss dividend payout ratio is 42.50%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently commented on SON shares. TheStreet lowered shares of Sonoco Products from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Sonoco Products from $58.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Sonoco Products from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Sonoco Products presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $61.50.

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About Sonoco Products

(Free Report)

Sonoco Products Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells various engineered and sustainable packaging products in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through two segments: Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging.

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Stifel Financial Corp lessened its holdings in Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA  Free Report) by 4.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 324,342 shares of the companys stock after selling 14,052 shares during the quarter. Stifel Financial Corp owned 0.61% of Snap-on worth $82,727,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Snap-on during the 4th quarter worth approximately $112,490,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of Snap-on by 7,194.3% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 241,149 shares of the companys stock worth $49,551,000 after acquiring an additional 237,843 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Snap-on by 25.1% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 738,473 shares of the companys stock worth $188,355,000 after acquiring an additional 147,997 shares in the last quarter. Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL purchased a new stake in shares of Snap-on during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,262,000. Finally, FMR LLC boosted its stake in shares of Snap-on by 229.8% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 154,401 shares of the companys stock worth $39,381,000 after acquiring an additional 107,582 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.90% of the companys stock.

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Snap-on Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of SNA opened at $271.23 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $14.30 billion, a PE ratio of 14.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 2.81 and a current ratio of 3.88. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $282.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $271.47. Snap-on Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $226.68 and a fifty-two week high of $297.26.

Snap-on Announces Dividend

Snap-on ( NYSE:SNA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $4.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.66 by $0.09. Snap-on had a return on equity of 20.89% and a net margin of 21.38%. The business had revenue of $1.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.20 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.42 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Snap-on Incorporated will post 19.16 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th will be paid a dividend of $1.86 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 23rd. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.74%. Snap-ons dividend payout ratio is presently 39.68%.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP June C. Lemerand sold 3,600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $273.38, for a total transaction of $984,168.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 1,944 shares in the company, valued at $531,450.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, VP June C. Lemerand sold 3,600 shares of Snap-on stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $273.38, for a total value of $984,168.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 1,944 shares in the company, valued at $531,450.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Thomas J. Ward sold 1,435 shares of Snap-on stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.91, for a total value of $416,020.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 48,684 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,113,978.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 75,998 shares of company stock worth $21,666,210 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 4.20% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on SNA shares. Tigress Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $336.00 target price on shares of Snap-on in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $325.00 target price on shares of Snap-on in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $306.00.

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Snap-on Company Profile

(Free Report)

Snap-on Incorporated manufactures and markets tools, equipment, diagnostics, and repair information and systems solutions for professional users worldwide. It operates through Commercial & Industrial Group, Snap-on Tools Group, Repair Systems & Information Group, and Financial Services segments.

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Syntax Advisors LLC boosted its position in Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Free Report) by 5.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,866 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 185 shares during the period. Syntax Advisors LLCs holdings in Molson Coors Beverage were worth $246,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in TAP. Northern Trust Corp increased its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 12.1% during the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,017,226 shares of the companys stock valued at $128,275,000 after buying an additional 218,002 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 16.8% during the third quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 102,433 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,514,000 after buying an additional 14,750 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 28.5% during the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 38,601 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,455,000 after buying an additional 8,552 shares during the period. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board increased its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 58.4% during the third quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 20,790 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,322,000 after buying an additional 7,665 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC increased its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 1.0% during the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 75,030 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,771,000 after buying an additional 769 shares during the period. 73.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Molson Coors Beverage

In other news, CFO Tracey Joubert sold 2,771 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.37, for a total value of $167,285.27. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 60,538 shares in the company, valued at $3,654,679.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on TAP shares. Barclays upped their price target on Molson Coors Beverage from $64.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Wedbush reiterated a neutral rating and set a $70.00 price target on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Molson Coors Beverage from a sell rating to a hold rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $57.00 to $58.00 in a report on Friday, November 3rd. StockNews.com lowered Molson Coors Beverage from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, HSBC initiated coverage on Molson Coors Beverage in a report on Thursday, November 30th. They set a hold rating and a $68.00 price objective for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $67.57.

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Molson Coors Beverage Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of TAP opened at $62.66 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $13.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.37, a P/E/G ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.82. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $62.03 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.50. Molson Coors Beverage has a 1 year low of $49.32 and a 1 year high of $70.90.

Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP  Get Free Report) last issued 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 net margin of 6.83% and a return on equity of 8.89%. The firm had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.78 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.30 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Molson Coors Beverage will post 5.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Molson Coors Beverage Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a $0.44 dividend. This is a boost from Molson Coors Beverages previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.81%. Molson Coors Beverages dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 37.61%.

Molson Coors Beverage Profile

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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.

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Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the four brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $50.38.

A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. TheStreet raised shares of Ternium from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Ternium from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $47.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 20th.

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Ternium Stock Down 1.8 %

TX stock opened at $39.95 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.69. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $40.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.94, a current ratio of 3.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. Ternium has a 52 week low of $35.22 and a 52 week high of $45.81.

Ternium (NYSE:TX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The basic materials company reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.79. The business had revenue of $4.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.94 billion. Ternium had a net margin of 3.84% and a return on equity of 11.13%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 39.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.20 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Ternium will post 7.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Ternium Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 3rd will be issued a $2.20 dividend. This is a positive change from Terniums previous Semi-Annual dividend of $1.10. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 2nd. Terniums payout ratio is presently 63.95%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ternium

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of TX. Key Financial Inc boosted its holdings in Ternium by 5,900.0% in the 4th quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 600 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 590 shares during the last quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ternium in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Ternium by 1,971.9% in the 1st quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC now owns 663 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 631 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ternium in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its stake in shares of Ternium by 49.8% in the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,053 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares during the period. 12.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Ternium

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Ternium SA, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, processes, and sells various steel products in Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, the United States, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. It operates through two segments, Steel and Mining.

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TFI International Inc. (TSE:TFII  Get Free Report) Director Sebastien Martel acquired 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of C$194.71 per share, with a total value of C$292,063.95.

TFI International Trading Up 2.0 %

TSE TFII opened at C$199.25 on Friday. The company has a market cap of C$17.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.40. TFI International Inc. has a 52 week low of C$137.36 and a 52 week high of C$199.31. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$180.89 and a 200-day moving average price of C$172.04. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 90.47.

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TFI International Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 15th were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This is an increase from TFI Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.80%. TFI Internationals payout ratio is currently 27.56%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on TFII. National Bankshares raised their price objective on TFI International from C$183.00 to C$209.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Cormark raised their price objective on TFI International from C$180.00 to C$200.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on TFI International from C$215.00 to C$225.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Desjardins lifted their target price on TFI International from C$208.00 to C$216.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on TFI International from C$122.00 to C$130.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, TFI International has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$181.00.

View Our Latest Research Report on TFII

TFI International Company Profile

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TFI International Inc provides transportation and logistics services in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company operates through Package and Courier, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Truckload (TL), and Logistics segments. The Package and Courier segment engages in the pickup, transport, and delivery of items.

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Theratechnologies Inc. (TSE:TH  Free Report)  Analysts at Leede Jones Gab issued their FY2028 earnings per share estimates for Theratechnologies in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, February 22nd. Leede Jones Gab analyst D. Loe forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $0.58 for the year. The consensus estimate for Theratechnologies current full-year earnings is $0.04 per share.

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Separately, Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating on shares of Theratechnologies in a research note on Friday, January 12th.

Theratechnologies Trading Down 5.7 %

Theratechnologies stock opened at C$2.16 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$2.32 and a 200 day moving average price of C$2.18. The company has a market capitalization of C$106.27 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -8.50 and a beta of 1.75. Theratechnologies has a 52 week low of C$1.22 and a 52 week high of C$5.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 562.07.

Theratechnologies Company Profile

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Theratechnologies Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of various therapies to address the unmet medical needs in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company offers EGRIFTA and EGRIFTA SV for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with lipodystrophy; and Trogarzo, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody, which is an injection for the treatment of multidrug resistant HIV-1 infected patients.

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China breathes digital life into historical heritage like Great Wall

Xinhua) 14:18, February 23, 2024

LANZHOU, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Embarking on a mesmerizing journey, visitors wear virtual reality (VR) glasses that transport them back to a bustling military fortress along the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Great Wall, with vivid scenes of streets, military camps, and farmhouses.

In northwest China's Gansu Province, a team of tech experts is harnessing digital technology to reconstruct segments of the Great Wall dating back over 400 years, showcasing and unraveling the cultural value of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Great Wall, a symbol of China, comprises many interconnected walls, some dating back 2,000 years. The existing sections have a total length of over 21,000 km, with Gansu contributing nearly one-fifth to the overall length of this iconic structure.

Utilizing ancient texts, on-site investigations, and digital technology, the technical team from Silk Road Infoport Co., Ltd. successfully restored three crucial military strongholds along the Gansu section of the Great Wall, said Wang Yuou, manager of the company's intelligent digital reconstruction project.

State-of-the-art technologies, including high-precision BeiDou satellite positioning and drones, were employed during field investigations to authentically recreate historical relics, according to Wang.

Expanding beyond the Great Wall, the team applied their digital expertise to restore the Nanzuo ruins, a pivotal archaeological site shedding light on early Chinese civilization.

The Nanzuo site's main palace, covering an indoor area of 630 square meters and dating back approximately 5,000 years, is considered by the archaeological community as the largest single indoor structure of its time in China.

Experts compiled, analyzed, and encoded information, such as documents, images, and videos related to the Nanzuo ruins. A multi-dimensional parameter information database helps achieve a panoramic presentation of the cultural heritage restoration.

"Digital technology can help us build models for the ancient palace and make it a reality," he said.

In recent years, China has increasingly employed digital technology to breathe life into historical relics. Leveraging technologies such as 5G, augmented reality, VR, and artificial intelligence, cultural institutions and technology companies like Tencent and Baidu have introduced a plethora of digital cultural products and projects.

A team from Tianjin University used centimeter-resolution continuous shooting to identify the ruins of more than 130 hidden doors at the Great Wall. About 900,000 items and sets of cultural relics at the Palace Museum have undergone digitalization, constituting 48 percent of its total collections.

China's efforts to "revive" cultural artifacts aim to tell the story of its rich civilization. The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) underscores the commitment to promote free access and digital development of public cultural venues like museums.

Looking ahead, Wang's team aspires to capture the entire lifecycle of the digital artifacts. "By integrating various information parameters such as historical context and spatial details, along with the support of intelligent algorithms, we want to accurately recreate the relics during different periods," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Russell Rowlands podcasting studio doesnt look like much. Its just a microphone  one he clarified is pretty nice  which he speaks into while its entombed in one of those fabric storage cubes, lined with foam to reduce background noise. He usually records at his dining room table in his big, sprawling house in Billings.

Rowlands house was built in 1948. Its a funky single level, a sort of adobe constructed out of bricks that, per legend, were fired from mud pulled from the banks of nearby Spring Creek.

That house is a piece of Montana history. So is Rowland. He was born in Bozeman in 1957, but grew up in Billings. But he moved away for much of his adult life, and got a masters degree in creative writing at Boston University.

In 2002, Rowland released his first novel, In Open Spaces. He wasnt living in Montana, but on the page, he was staring at it. Those titular open spaces were the prairies of Eastern Montana, and by the time the sequel came out in 2007, Rowland was back in Billings, this time to stay.

And hes kept released several more novels since then, and one non-fiction book: 2016s Fifty-Six Counties: A Montana Journey.

But Rowland is branching out. He hosts a monthly show on Yellowstone Public Radio, fittingly titled Fifty-Six Counties. And he started a podcast about Montana writers, called Breakfast in Montana, which he co-hosted along with author Aaron Parrett. That show wrapped in September 2023.

Now Rowland is stepping out on his own. He released the first episode of his new podcast, The State of Montana, in early January.

I started this podcast mainly because, when youre doing public radio, you have to be careful about going too deep into controversial issues, Rowland explained. I wanted to do a little more in depth, something where I can ask people whatever I want to, basically.

Hes only got eight episodes so far, but the eight guests are all pretty big Montana luminaries.

I want people to get to know these people that are doing influential things around the state, he said. Publicans can do profiles but theyre pretty short. I want to give people the chance to really get to know these what these people stand for and what theyre doing. 

Hes got future guests lined up, like Montanas poet laureate, the Metis storyteller Chris La Tray. And hes talking with Rikki Held, the lead plaintiff in Held v. Montana, the climate change court case that was decided, in Helds favor, last August. Shes in Kenya now, working with the Peace Corps, but Rowland does most of his interviews remote.

Hed love to interview David Letterman  who has had a ranch near Choteau since 1999, or Jeff Bridges  whos been here since the 1970s. And tops on the dream guest list might be Lily Gladstone. Rowland is an avid movie watcher, and posts weekly film reviews on his Substack page.

All those guests are certainly people doing influential things, but the real magic of the podcast is Rowland highlighting both Bradley and Racicot. In 1992, the pair ran against each other in a hotly contested race for governor. Racicot won by just over 2.5%. The modern history of Montana politics can be told by the two of them, and the way their lives and careers intersected, both before and after 1992.

The State of Montana is the most overtly political thing Rowland has ever done, unless you count his two weeks as a candidate for Billings City Council back in 2017.

Rowland feels spurred on to enter the fray because hes worried.

These guys in power right now are just looking at this place as a commodity, he mused. Hes hoping he can interview and elevate people who see Montana as something more than a place to make money.

I want to give people an opportunity to get to know the other side, he explained. Thats why hes interested in talking to both Racicot and Bradley. They may be political opposites, but theyre Montanans, all the same.

The secret, per Rowland, is to let his guests tell their own story.

A good interview doesnt impose their agenda, he noted.

Rowland's concern comes from a place of love. Through his mothers side, hes a fourth generation Montanan. This is the first home he remembers, and hes worried that its starting to look and feel different.

Politics in Montana is many things right now, but one thing it decidedly isnt is civil. Rowland is hoping, in some small way, to change that.

When youre in a room, people are a lot more willing to talk civilly than they are on social media, he said. Being able to create situations where we can have civil conversations is a big part of our problem now.

The State of Montana is a good avenue for such conversations, because podcasting is such an intimate medium. When being played from headphones, the hosts voice is literally inside the listeners ear. You cant get closer than that.

Other recorded arts  music, for example  can have the same affect. But most of those can be listened to in social situations, with others. Youd never do that with podcasts. Anyone who tries to play one of those at a party is never getting invited to that house ever again.

But you can learn from a podcast, just like you can learn from any conversation, especially with those disparate folks who call Montana home.

Montanans know that we have to depend on each other, Rowland said. Its been a big part of the history of this state forever.
Ms Begum travelled to Syria to join ISIS in 2015 aged 15. She had her citizenship revoked on national security grounds shortly after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019. Today, the Court of Appeal upheld the Begum ban, but her lawyers are now talking about appealing to the Supreme Court and ECHR.

Last year, the 24-year-old lost a challenge against the decision at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), which said the removal of her citizenship was lawful. Her lawyers then made a further appeal to overturn that decision at the Court of Appeal, with the Home Office opposing the challenge. In a ruling this morning, three judges dismissed Ms Begums bid, but its not over yet, the ECHR will no doubt rule in her favour.

Parasite immigration lawyers have been raking in millions off the backs of British taxpayers with legal aid, and the question is if she is not a British citizen any more, why in fucks name is Begum receiving UK legal aid in the first place?

Shamima Begum who revealed in the past she enjoyed watching ISIS beheading videos is now costing the UK taxpayer millions of pounds in legal aid with her ongoing battle to come back to the UK.

The shameful lawyers milking the system for tonnes of money no doubt had big smiles on their faces when the Court of Appeal decision was made today. This is a great chance to eke out the court cases for many more years.
Billings Public Schools officials are proposing the formation of school-based advisory committees, chaired by schools librarians, to provide input during the decision-making process of selecting and purchasing school library materials.

The move comes after the district recently navigated parent concerns and challenges to specific books in its school library collections, which echoes national trends. These issues prompted school administrators and the BPS board to take a closer look at the policies and procedures used to collect library materials as the district moves forward.

Administrators hope that placing the process in the hands of a committee will remove scrutiny from individual librarians. BPS trustees will weigh in on the proposal during its February board meeting on Monday.

Right now, the librarians make those decisions. We want to continue giving the librarians the decision-making, with community support, said BPS Superintendent Erwin Garcia.

The outcome that we perceive is to increase the work that happens prior to the selection. I think that will satisfy community members, knowing that it wasn't only one person making that decision, it was a group of people, he said.

Aside from public scrutiny, district policy pertaining to library book selection procedures are not currently in sync with state law requirements, an issue that was brought to light during a BPS book challenge two years ago, and again with the book challenge in recent months.

State law requires that the superintendent and school board are involved with final decisions and approvals of school library book selections, according to the Montana Legislature website.

BPS Assistant Superintendent Chris Olszewski said that current practices pertaining to school library book selection have been in place for years. Per current policy, each schools librarians have the responsibility of selecting and purchasing books for their individual schools with final approval from their school principals. However, Olszewski said most BPS principals admit to never looking at the final lists, granting school librarians little to no oversight in final selection decisions.

Knowing what we already do for the selection and approval of textbooks and classroom novels, combined with what we know state laws require for final selection and approvals, both the superintendent and the board envision more input from all stakeholders in the selection and recommendation of the library books in our schools, said Olszewski.

Hence, the formation of advisory committees for school library selections was deemed necessary to meet state standards and a way to appease BPS stakeholders as well.

The proposition by BPS administration to form such committees would provide input from various district stakeholders, including teachers, parents, administrators and students. In an effort of accountability, district-wide guidelines with specific procedures and criteria would be put into place as to how every advisory committee would operate.

The proposed vision that Dr. Garcia has presented is that each librarian will still be empowered to host their own selection advisory committee at their school, but those selections will come forward to the district and will require final board approvals prior to purchasing, as required by law, said Olszewski.

BPS Board Chair Scott McCulloch concluded discussion on the topic during the February board operations committee meeting, asking for the proposal to be placed on the full board meeting agenda Monday.

Im going to ask the board if they feel a need to endorse this, because I want to protect this committee, when this comes up again, stated McCulloch.

The next steps for changes to district policy require the board of trustees to review and revise said policies. Other related proceedings are the responsibility of the superintendent and administration.

We are on hold right now from moving forward in drafting the administrative procedures that would govern this process as requested by the board members on the Board Operations Committee, stated Olszewski. This request was due to the need for a more cohesive conversation to take place at next Monday's regular Board of Trustees Meeting.

What the future of the BPS school library book selection process looks like, depends on deliberation by board trustees. Discussion of the proposal with the full board of trustees will commence during Monday's meeting, but will be ongoing, school administration said. A concrete resolution may not be decided for months.

The February regular board of trustees meeting will be held in the board room at Billings Lincoln Center, 415 N 30th St., at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26.
A strong storm system is expected to dump 2 feet of snow across western Montana's mountains from Sunday through Tuesday, bringing with it the likelihood of snarled travel and high avalanche danger.

On Friday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for the region from Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon, although forecasts showed snowfall continuing into Tuesday. The agency predicted up to 20-24 inches of snow at high elevations across the central and northern Bitterroot Mountains, and in the mountains of the Kootenai and Flathead regions in northwest Montana. The southern Bitterroot and Sapphires were predicted to get up to 16 inches.

Meanwhile, strong winds up to 65 mph were predicted to cause blowing snow and downed trees and power lines. The agency warned that "travel could be very difficult to impossible."

Lookout Pass, where Interstate 90 crosses between Montana and the Idaho Panhandle west of Missoula, was slated to pick up 12-18 inches of snow, as was Lolo Pass on U.S. Highway 12 into Idaho southwest of Missoula. South of Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley, Lost Trail Pass on U.S. Highway 93 south to Salmon, Idaho, was predicted to get 8-12 inches.

Valley floors were predicted to receive much less snow  6 inches or less  with Missoula, Hamilton, Libby, Helena and Salmon each forecast to receive less than one inch of accumulation. Polson, Kalispell and Drummond could each net 1 inch, while Thompson Falls, Superior and Butte were predicted to see 1-2 inches. West Glacier and Polebridge could get 2-3 inches.

The storm comes on the heels of relatively warm conditions in the area. Missoula was forecast to see 44 degrees and sunny weather Friday, with temps in the mid-40s amid rain through the weekend before shifting to snow Monday afternoon and overnight to Tuesday. Weather in the mid-40s was predicted to return late next week. Hamilton, Kalispell and Libby were on similar trajectories.

Warm weather extended to some mountain areas, too. Friday's forecasts predicted temps in the upper 30s and a mix of rain and snow at least as high as Lolo Pass (5,233 feet elevation) through Sunday.

Avalanche danger

Avalanche danger was low to moderate across western Montana Friday, but regional avalanche forecast centers warned that danger would increase with the coming storm.

Avalanche danger generally rises when storms deliver significant snowfall to the mountains. The problems are manifold: Fresh powder can take a few days to bond to older snow it accumulates on, leading to storm-slab avalanches; light, unconsolidated dry powder can slough down steep slopes; and the weight of new snow can overload weak layers lower in the snowpack, leading to large avalanches of both new and old snow.

Conditions can change rapidly and the storm could bring significantly higher avalanche danger in the area than Friday's conditions and the start of the weekend. Avalanches are possible on any slope 30 degrees or steeper, and can be triggered remotely and without warning from above, below or adjacent to a slope that steep. Avalanches are most likely to begin on slopes between 35 and 45 degrees.

"A potent storm arrives Saturday evening, bringing colder temperatures, strong west winds, and the potential for over a foot of snow in the mountains by Tuesday morning," forecaster Rob Millspaugh noted in Friday's forecast for the Flathead Avalanche Center.

"The big change in our weather will come Sunday with a well advertised weather system moving into the area," Forecaster Ben Bernall noted in Friday's forecast for the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center, which also covers Montana's lower Clark Fork, Kootenai and Yaak region. "Sunday is forecast to be a very wet day in the valleys with heavy snowfall predicted above 4,000 feet and strong westerly winds. This system will likely bring a big change in avalanche stability by Sunday afternoon. Multiple rounds of moisture and colder air will bring winter back to the mountains this coming week."

Forecaster Arden Feldman of the West Central Montana Avalanche Center in Missoula wrote in Friday's forecast, "Tonight will see the beginning of a strong incoming weather system that will begin impacting the northern end of the forecast region first."

Forecasts for daily conditions are available at each avalanche center's website: missoulaavalanche.org, flatheadavalanche.org and idahopanhandleavalanche.org.
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S&P 500 5,117.09 DOW 38,714.77 QQQ 433.92 3 Large-Cap Stocks Buying Back Shares Aggressively Did you make $29,000 two days with AI options trades? (Ad) Heres Why Bitcoin Miners Stopped Rising With Bitcoin Prices Netanyahu snaps back against growing US criticism after being accused of losing his way on Gaza Escaping Bidens $4.7 Trillion Tax Hunt (Ad) Oil Prices Up Again, Should You Buy This Time? Stock market today: Wall Street rises ahead of highly anticipated Federal Reserve policy meeting Grab Your Free Bitcoin Today! (Ad) Kung Fu Panda 4 repeats at No. 1 on the box office charts From Frenchies to rescue cats, New York's trauma center for animals takes the most complex cases

S&P 500 5,117.09 DOW 38,714.77 QQQ 433.92 3 Large-Cap Stocks Buying Back Shares Aggressively Did you make $29,000 two days with AI options trades? (Ad) Heres Why Bitcoin Miners Stopped Rising With Bitcoin Prices Netanyahu snaps back against growing US criticism after being accused of losing his way on Gaza Escaping Bidens $4.7 Trillion Tax Hunt (Ad) Oil Prices Up Again, Should You Buy This Time? Stock market today: Wall Street rises ahead of highly anticipated Federal Reserve policy meeting Grab Your Free Bitcoin Today! (Ad) Kung Fu Panda 4 repeats at No. 1 on the box office charts From Frenchies to rescue cats, New York's trauma center for animals takes the most complex cases
The U.S. Navys Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700 program, tasked with replacing aging amphibious vessels, has encountered unexpected turbulence. On February 23, 2024, the Navy issued a halt-work order to Swiftships, the programs primary contractor, and initiated contract termination procedures. This decision, cloaked in a fog of years of challenges and disagreements, has left the future of the LCU 1700 program and its crucial role in the Navys amphibious capabilities uncertain.

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Ambitious undertakings and unforeseen currents

Launched in 2018, the LCU 1700 program aimed to modernize the Navys aging LCU 1610 landing craft fleet. These workhorses of amphibious operations ferry troops, vehicles, and equipment from Navy ships to shore, playing a vital role in beach landings and other critical missions. With a contract valued at approximately $1.2 billion, Swiftships, a Louisiana-based shipbuilding company with a strong track record in military vessel construction, was entrusted with building 32 new, improved LCUs.

The LCU 1700s promised significant advancements over their predecessors. Designed for enhanced efficiency and operational cost-effectiveness, they boasted improved propulsion systems, increased cargo capacity, and lower maintenance requirements. Additionally, the new landing craft incorporated modern advancements for potential future integration of autonomous capabilities.

Rough waters ahead: The reasons behind the halt

While the LCU 1700 program initially charted a promising course, it soon encountered rough waters. The Navys decision to halt work and terminate the contract with Swiftships stemmed from years of challenges and disagreements regarding program execution. However, the specific details of these disagreements remain shrouded in secrecy.

Possible explanations for the programs troubled journey include cost overruns exceeding initial budgets, delays in construction schedules that hampered timely delivery, performance concerns regarding the vessels capabilities, or unforeseen technical challenges encountered during the build process. The Navys lack of transparency regarding the precise reasons for the termination has left room for speculation and fueled concerns about the programs future.

Uncharted territory: The programs uncertain future

The abrupt halt of the LCU 1700 program has left the Navy navigating uncharted territory. The consequences of this decision are multifaceted. The immediate impact is a delay in replacing the aging LCU 1610 fleet, potentially affecting the Navys amphibious capabilities and operational readiness. Additionally, Swiftships faces significant financial losses due to the contract termination.

Looking ahead, the Navys next steps remain unclear. Several potential courses of action exist. The program could be restarted with a different contractor, potentially requiring modifications to the original design or specifications to accommodate a new builders capabilities. Alternatively, the Navy could choose to revise the programs requirements altogether, seeking alternative solutions to meet their amphibious needs. However, each option presents its own set of challenges and uncertainties.

The U.S. Navys decision to halt the LCU 1700 program has cast a shadow over the future of its crucial amphibious capabilities. While the reasons for the programs termination remain unclear, the impact is undeniable. The Navy faces the challenge of charting a new course, navigating a sea of questions with no clear anchor in sight. The future of the LCU 1700 program and its role in ensuring the Navys amphibious readiness remains uncertain, leaving only the echoes of disagreements and the promise of unfulfilled ambitions rippling across the waves.
Mid Ulster District Council is supporting the Public Health Agencys (PHA) vaccination programme aimed at curbing the growing threat of measles.

From 6 February first and second doses of the Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccine have been available to anyone aged between 12 months and 25 years who missed getting the vaccines first time around. Those who have never received any doses of MMR vaccine should book urgently to allow one month between dose one and dose two before the campaign closes at the end of March.

After a worrying drop in uptake in recent years and a growing number of measles cases in the UK and Europe, the PHA is urging parents to get their children vaccinated.

Latest figures from the PHA show that 88.8% of the population here had received their first dose of MMR at two years of age and 85.4% had received their second dose of MMR when reported at five years of age, meaning that it falls below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation that at least 95% of children should be fully vaccinated for diseases, in order to prevent outbreaks.

Speaking about the campaign, Chair of the Council, Councillor Dominic Molloy said, I want to emphasise the critical importance of prioritising the health and well-being of our community. In light of recent developments and the ongoing global efforts to combat preventable diseases, I am supporting the implementation of the PHAs comprehensive MMR vaccine programme in our district.

Vaccines help prevent the spread of contagious diseases, safeguarding the health of individuals, especially our children. The MMR vaccine, in particular, protects against measles, mumps, and rubella  diseases that can have serious consequences if left unchecked.

By supporting and participating in this MMR vaccine initiative, we not only protect ourselves and our families but also contribute to the overall resilience of our community against these preventable diseases.

The MMR vaccination is free here with the first dose being offered when a child is one year old and the second when they are 3 years and 4 months old. Receiving both doses provides long-lasting protection.

Louise Flanagan, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: As a whole the childhood vaccination programme has been a success, with Northern Ireland traditionally having uptake rates above the UK average, which is why we have seen very few cases of illnesses such as measles compared with the rest of the UK. However, some vaccines have seen a decline in uptake in recent years, which risks a return of some of the diseases that they offer protection against.

The diseases that these vaccines protect against can be life-changing and even deadly. No parent wants this for their child especially when these diseases are easily preventable. The vaccine is proven to be safe and has been used since the early 1980s. Please dont put the MMR vaccine off, check now that your children are fully up to date with their MMR. Check your childs red book and get in touch with your GP practice if you are not sure.

Any children or young adults up to the age of 25 who missed getting the vaccines first time around will have the opportunity to receive it now. Children between 12 months and 5 years of age can get the vaccine through their GP practice and those aged 6 years to 25 years of age can attend an HSC Trust vaccination clinic. Information on trust clinics can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk/mmr.

If youre an adult up to the age of 25 and are unsure if you are fully-vaccinated, contact your GP surgery to check. The MMR catch-up campaign will run until 31 March 2024.

Find out more at www.nidirect.gov.uk/mmr.
A man charged in connection with a dissident republican parade in Derry last year has appeared at the local Magistrate's Court charged with breaching his bail by spending three days in Spain.

Stephen Murney (39) of Derrybeg Terrace in Newry faces three charges of encouraging and inciting support for a proscribed organisation namely the IRA on April 10 and making a speech on that date which encouraged support.

At today's hearing the court was told that Murney had breached his bail by going to Spain for three days in breach of his residency condition.

A prosecution barrister said that Murney was not permitted overnight stays away from his address except with permission.

It was stressed that if Murney wished to stay anywhere other than his address he had to make an application and give details of who will be there and who he will associate with.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that Murney must make a bail variation application if he wanted to stay anywhere else.

Murney was re-released on bail to appear again on February 29 for a PE.
Montana families and workers expect our state government to tax people fairly, invest in our safety and future, and give Montanans the opportunity to get ahead in life.

Unfortunately, last year Governor Gianforte and Montana Republicans saddled Montana homeowners with a $200 million residential property tax increase, cut property taxes for large corporations, and then topped it off by providing global corporations a free lunch to lower their Montana taxes.

This last tax exploit, while receiving less attention, is every bit as frustrating. In 2023, the Montana Republicans pushed through an unfair tax change, SB 246 (by a party-line vote in the state senate) that makes it easier for multinational corporations to avoid paying Montana taxes by shifting profits overseas.

Just when you thought the Montana Republicans approach of favoring the ultrawealthy and large corporations couldnt sink any lower, they up the ante by encouraging tax abuse in tax havens like Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands, and Singapore.

This new law not only invites tax abuse and avoidance from international corporations  favoring these large companies over regular Montanans  it means well all be paying more taxes to balance the budget.

Its also a slap in the face to Montanas small businesses. Providing a tax giveaway to large corporations gives them an unfair competitive advantage over Main Street businesses, further increasing the already uneven playing field between large corporations and struggling mom and pop businesses in Montana.

When confronted by angry taxpayers, instead of fixing the problem Governor Gianforte first tried to ignore the issue and then went so far as to sue Montana counties to force them to implement the property tax increase on Montana homeowners.

In short, rather than listening to the public, the Republican-dominated legislature and Governor Gianforte (1) doubled down in support of their historic permanent annual property tax increase on Montana homeowners, (2) cut property taxes for large corporations, and (3) made it easier for global corporations to reduce Montana taxes even though they benefit from operating in Montana.

So thats the bad news. But there is hope. Dont be fooled by the Republicans gimmicks and rhetoric. Your homeowner property taxes did not have to go up and nothing requires that tax laws unfairly favor the super wealthy and corporations over hardworking Montanans.

We can and must fix this and bring fairness back to Montanas tax laws. As Democrats, we will proudly stand up and fight for tax fairness for you  the Montana homeowner and small business owner.

Montana Democrats have a plan to restore tax fairness to Montana homeowners. This means eliminating the unfair $200 million property tax shift from large corporations onto homeowners and small businesses. It also means fixing the tax system so that it doesnt encourage abuse and giveaways to multinational corporations.

So, as you prepare your state income tax returns this tax season and scrimp and save this spring to pay the extreme property tax increases brought to you by Gianforte and his Republican-majority legislature, mark your calendars for November when you have the chance to vote for fairness.

Its time for Helena to remember that Montanas people, not the super-wealthy or multi-national corporations, are the true owners of our state government and that it should work for them. Its time to put Montanans first.
HIGHLIGHTS You might have seen Paytm or PhonePe sound boxes but not Google. Back in 2023, Google had introduced its SoundPod. Google is ready to push it out in the market and will be available to merchants.

I feel that Google Pay and Paytm are two of Indias biggest used finance apps. Every time we need to make even the smallest payments, we look out for these apps. Isnt that so? After we made the payments, the sound boxes kept with the merchant announcing that our payments had been successful. Paytm has even incorporated Mr. Amitabh Bacchanss voice, I really find it amusing.

You might have seen Paytm or PhonePe sound boxes but not Google. Well, Google has arrived at a solution of its own to fill up that gap. Back in 2023, Google had introduced its SoundPod. It was released as a limited pilot but now Google is ready to push it out in the market and will be available to merchants as confirmed by Google itself.

Also read: Google Pay lets you activate UPI using Aadhaar: Heres how it works

Ambarish Kenghe, Vice President of Products at Google, said in a blog post, Were pleased to announce SoundPods will be available for small merchants across India over the coming months, bringing considerable ease and convenience to millions of SMBs.

This is a part of Googles bigger financial plans of promoting UPI not only in India but also in other countries. Kenghe said in the same blog post, UPIs hallmark of seamless interoperability between all elements of the financial system has redefined possibilities not just for India, but equally for the world. In January, we announced a collaboration with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) to make UPI payments possible from outside India and to facilitate the adoption of UPI-like frameworks in countries beyond India.

Google SoundPod plans and prices

Googles sound box comes with two plans; Daily Plan and Yearly Plan. Now here are the prices for both of them:

For the Daily Plan, merchants have to pay a 499 one-time fee for the sound box. Apart from that, 5 per day will be deducted for 25 days in a month from your settlement account.

For the Yearly Plan, you just have to pay 1,499 in total for one year.

Also read: You can now link Google Pay to your RuPay card: Heres how

UPI and digital payments have grown substantially in recent years and the companies, banks, and the government are pushing it even more.
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TSMC partners with NTNU to launch semiconductor training program for diverse fields

Amid the soaring demand for semiconductor expertise, TSMC has forged partnerships with multiple universities to offer comprehensive training programs in semiconductor studies. In a significant development in 2024, TSMC extended its collaboration to include the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), marking the first instance of collaborating with a teacher training institution and sparking significant interest among students.

Chairman Tsai Jeng-Han of NTNU's Department of Electrical Engineering emphasized the inclusivity of the "Semiconductor Program," jointly crafted by TSMC and NTNU's College of Science and Engineering. The program aims to accommodate a broad spectrum of semiconductor enthusiasts as it is open to students from all departments and research institutes, regardless of their academic background. Tsai stated that NTNU stands ready to utilize large classrooms or expand class offerings to ensure ample opportunities for interested students to take basic and specialized semiconductor courses if there are too many applicants.

Tsai detailed the program's structure, highlighting its emphasis on undergraduate courses, which constitute 85% of the curriculum, spanning over 15 subjects. Upon completion, students will receive a "Program Completion Certificate" from TSMC, bolstering their prospects in the job market. Even graduates from non-technical fields such as Chinese literature or history can pursue positions in semiconductor companies as long as they meet the program's requirements and possess the certificate.

Yang Zong-Ming, campus project manager of TSMC's Talent Development and Recruitment Department, underscored the benefits awaiting certificate holders, including guaranteed interview opportunities at TSMC and potential employment incentives for high-achieving students.

Liu Yeu-Ting, associate vice president for Academic Affairs at NTNU, hailed the collaboration as a significant milestone for NTNU's semiconductor education initiatives, fostering internationalization and nurturing a new generation of semiconductor professionals.

As outlined in the curriculum provided by TSMC, the program encompasses a range of courses essential for semiconductor expertise, including semiconductor device physics, mechatronics integration, solid-state physics, and engineering mathematics. Elective courses offer further specialization, covering device measurement, microfabrication technology, and quantum mechanics. Upon completing and passing a specified number of courses, students will be awarded the coveted "Program Completion Certificate."

In addition to NTNU and other prestigious institutions like National Taiwan University (NTU), National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), TSMC's collaboration also extends to schools such as Chung Yuan Christian University, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yuan Ze University, and Feng Chia University, collectively enriching the semiconductor education landscape.
Japan to subsidize US$5 billion for TSMC's Fab2 in Kumamoto

The day before Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) inauguration of its first fab in Kumamoto, Japan, on February 24, Japanese media outlets reported that the Japanese government plans to provide up to JPY730 billion (around US$5 billion) of direct subsidy to its planned second fab at the same site.

According to Yomiuri, Nikkan Kogyo, and Kyodo news reports, the JPY730 billion subsidy is an additional subsidy specifically for the second fab, exceeding the JPY476 billion provided to the first fab in Kumamoto.

The reports said the government of Japan hopes to solidify the foundation of producing semiconductors in Japan through subsidizing fabs to secure its economic safety. The decision will be announced shortly.

The second fab, to be operated by TSMC's joint venture, Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM), will start construction in late 2024 and will produce advanced chips of 6/7 nm. It is advancing the manufacturing processing technology of logic IC in Japan significantly. Currently, Japan can only produce up to 40nm and will have to import more advanced chips or have them produced by overseas contractor foundry services.

TSMC is investing more than US$20 billion in the two fabs in Kumamoto, which will hire more than 3,400 people. The subsidies provided by the Japanese government to TSMC are reaching JPY1.2 trillion in total.

The media speculates that as a condition of the subsidies, the Japanese government will request TSMC to continue producing chips in Japan and prioritize supplies to Japan's domestic demand when there is a shortage of chips.
Remembering the late Japanese memory lodestar Yukio Sakamoto

Storage industry pioneer Yukio Sakamoto passed away due to health problems.

On Feb. 15 of this year, Japan's semiconductor pioneer and the godfather of the storage industry, Yukio Sakamoto, passed away at the age of 77 due to health issues. With over 30 years of experience in the Asian semiconductor industry, Sakamoto was well-regarded by his peers, and many in the industry expressed their condolences and sorrow at his passing, UDN reported.

Sakamoto entered Texas Instruments Japan in 1970 and subsequently held positions such as Vice President of Texas Instruments Japan and President of United Japan Semiconductor. From 2002 to 2013, he served as President of Japan's DRAM manufacturer, Elpida.

At the end of 2019, Sakamoto joined Tsinghua Unigroup as Senior Vice President and CEO of its Japanese subsidiary. Leveraging his extensive industry network, he organized a DRAM research and development team, and there were reports of plans to build a DRAM wafer fab in Chongqing, China.

In 2022, he became Chief Strategy Officer at Shenzhen's SwaySure Technology. The company was invested by Huawei Group.

Born in 1947 in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Japan, Sakamoto was originally from the pharmacist district. He attended the Japan College of Physical Education.

As a talented athlete, his personality was unique in the conservative semiconductor industry. He was often described as "the least Japanese Japanese person."

His bold personality was described as entirely unconventional in the traditional Japanese sense, and his management style was seen as American. At the same time, he had a passionate dedication to DRAM technology.
German businesses in Taiwan impacted by cross-strait tensions, highlighting importance of energy resilience

The German Trade Office Taipei has released its Business Confidence Survey Report 2023/2024. The survey, conducted between November 15, 2023, and January 12, 2024, had a response rate of 39% out of the 251 contacted German businesses in Taiwan. "Even though a high degree of continuity in economic policy can be expected after January's elections, increased cross-strait tensions are seen as a growing burden," according to the report's assessment.

The latest survey is the 12th conducted since 2012. Out of 20 selectable challenges, cross-strait relations remain the third largest concern among German businesses in Taiwan, as it was in 2022, with 54.1% of respondents considering it an issue. In 2021, the figure was still 45%. Global and Taiwanese economic growth are respectively deemed the first and second biggest challenges.

As indicated by the survey, 36.8% of respondents see the cross-strait relations negatively impacting their supply chains in Taiwan, an increase of 12.3% compared to 2022 (24%). 39% of respondents have no opinion, and 24% see no effects. Meanwhile, 34.7% expect their business activities to be affected in the following 12 months, compared to 28.1% in 2022. Regarding future business operations and investments, 40.2% of surveyed German businesses see negative effects, compared to 28.1% in 2022.

Amid the ongoing US-China trade war, 24.5% of the surveyed German businesses see the sanctions and export restrictions adopted worldwide to hurt the local operations in Taiwan.

Despite the myriad of challenges, the report deems supply chain disruptions to have eased up in Taiwan, even though 40.8% of German companies remain negatively impacted by supply chain bottlenecks, compared to 66.7% in 2022. As indicated by Eun Choong Kim, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Taiwan, the automotive industry has observed a gradual supply improvement from manufacturing to logistics in 2023. However, geopolitical tensions and other overarching uncertainties may change the state again. All in all, as revealed by the report. 96.9% of German businesses in Taiwan have no intention of relocating their investments abroad - the figure remains mostly unchanged between 2021- 23.

Energy resilience as vital as green energy generation

Notably, Taiwan's energy transition is deemed the fourth biggest challenge, with 25% of German businesses concerned about it. Speaking at the GTO Economic Outlook 2024 event, Erdal Elver, Siemens Taiwan President and CEO, noted that even though Taiwan has made progress in renewable energy development, such as offshore wind power and solar energy, the entire energy chain must be addressed. "Energy consumption operation is as important in the energy transformation, and we should also look and invest and drive more energy efficiency in the operations - be it manufacturing, transportation, or in the building," said the CEO. Elver also highlighted the importance of grid resilience, another topic linked to energy transformation. "Grid needs to be resilient - and that would be something where we would also expand," he said, referring to emergencies such as war.

The remark echoes a war game conducted by the Taiwan Center for Security Studies (TCSS) in October 2023, which factored in the resilience of Taiwan's economic and energy supply chains during Chinese military aggression. In the aftermath of the wargame, the TCSS published a report that recommended thoroughly re-examining the Taiwanese government's current energy policy, including its energy storage strategy and grid distribution, to reduce the risk of energy shortage during wartime. The TCSS report also recommended exploring the possibility of reintroducing nuclear power and developing hydrogen power while realistically examining the limits and proportion of solar and wind energies.

As Admiral Samuel Paparo, the current commander of the US Pacific Fleet, stated in a recent US Senate Testimony, a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan is also possible, and that if one only prepares for an invasion, "we're leaving a wide range of military options unplanned for."

Credit: German Trade Office Taipei
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Image from ECCC social media Costumes, comics and celebrities abound at Emerald City Comic Con.





SEATTLE  Emerald City Comic Con, Seattle's annual celebration of pop culture and creativity, returns to the Seattle Convention Center Feb. 29 through March 3.





. . .
There are 1,010 male asylum seekers without accommodation in Ireland.

Minister for Integration Roderic OGorman has said the number of people without an offer of accommodation is a really concerning situation, but that families and women seeking international protection were being prioritised for housing.

The Department of Integration published figures on Friday that show 1,436 asylum seekers who arrived in Ireland since mid December had not been offered accommodation.

Of these, 171 males were offered accommodation after an availability and vulnerability triage, 1,265 people had received a contingency payment in lieu of accommodation, and 255 had subsequently been offered accommodation.

Asylum seekers who are not offered accommodation receive a temporary allowance increase from 38.80 euro to 113.80 euro a week.

Some of those without accommodation have been seen camping in tents around the International Protection office in Dublin city.

Ireland has struggled to house asylum seekers arriving in Ireland because of a lack of supply in its long-running housing crisis and a steep increase in the number of people arriving in Ireland seeking refuge.

The Department of Integration has said despite intensive efforts to find accommodation, it is not able to provide it to all asylum seekers due to the severe shortage.

Our focus in recent weeks has been to ensure that we can provide accommodation for female applicants and for family applicants, Mr OGorman told reporters in Dublin on Friday.

We are doing that, and it involves us sourcing additional accommodation on a weekly basis and were doing that and were able to meet those numbers at the moment.

But it is tight, it is tight even in terms of the provision of accommodation for families and female applicants.

He said a proposal would be brought to Cabinet in the coming weeks that would put forward a comprehensive accommodation strategy.

Mr OGorman added this would recognise the reform needed in the existing system and the need for a supply of State-owned accommodation in Ireland.

So there is detailed discussions taking place across government right now and this is also of course linked to the review of the capital ceilings that are taking place at the moment.

So I would hope in the next couple of weeks that well be bringing this to Cabinet.

He added: We are very much focused on providing and bringing on additional accommodation because the needs are so significant because we have seen significant increases both in the last quarter of 2023 and in January.

Mr OGorman said he has also consulted local politicians about the use of the D Hotel in Drogheda, Co Louth to house asylum seekers.

He said the hotel is still being considered for the dual use of housing asylum seekers for the State and remaining open for private business.

In terms of the situation in Drogheda, Ive engaged very extensively with the Louth TDs, I would have met them last week, during the week I met with the Drogheda chambers and the business district improvement scheme and yesterday I met with the nine councillors representing the urban and rural, local electoral area.

We are looking at what our options are in terms specifically to D Hotel with regard to dual use.

I know there is a challenge with that, particularly in terms of ensuring child protection requirements are met. The hotel themselves have raised issues, but my department are continuing to engage with them on the issue of dual use.
A medical professional who bit off the top part of his brothers left ear in a farmyard row "around land, monies and a shed has avoided a prison sentence.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford imposed a fully-suspended prison sentence on Conor OHalloran in relation to the unprovoked and very serious assault of Daniel OHalloran.

During an earlier hearing, the court heard the younger brother of the accused lost the top part of his left ear following the incident which occurred at Liscullane, Tulla, Co. Clare

Judge Comerford has also directed that the solicitor for Conor OHalloran pays his offer of 10,000 compensation to Daniel OHalloran within the next three weeks.

Prosecuting barrister Lorcan Connolly BL, instructed by State Solicitor, Aisling Casey, said Daniel OHalloran is not interested in the 10,000.

Judge Comerford also ordered as part of the conditions attached to the suspended prison term that Conor OHalloran continue to engage in counselling.

In his victim impact evidence, Daniel OHalloran (37) told the court that his "ear is disfigured and I will have to live with it as a constant reminder for the rest of my life of what my brother did.

Conor OHalloran, aged 42, had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to Daniel OHalloran on May 5, 2021.

Pat Whyms BL, instructed by solicitor, Darach McCarthy, said that Conor OHalloran has no previous convictions, has never been in court before this and has been a model citizen apart from this one act.

Judge Comerford commented that Conor OHalloran had led "an exemplary life before the assault and has shown genuine remorse.

In a report handed into court, Conor OHalloran said: I am sad and disgusted with myself. It shouldnt have happened. I wish it had never gone that far. We were close at one time. I am Godfather to his son and he is Godfather to my daughter."

In evidence, Garda Brian Quinn told the court that when he arrived at the farmyard scene on the date of the incident, he entered the farmhouse and saw Daniel OHalloran shirtless and the top part of left ear removed and blood down his face and down his body.

Garda Quinn said that colleagues were with Conor O'Halloran, who has an address at Rosebank, Old Bawn, Tallaght, Dublin 24, in the farmyard when he arrived,

The 42-year-old who was arrested at the scene replied why am I being arrested and not him?.

In a statement made to gardai at the scene, Daniel OHalloran said that earlier in the morning, he saw his brother and described him as being in a rage.

Daniel OHalloran told Garda Quinn that Conor OHalloran was roaring 'Come out - we will have it' and Conor O'Halloran took off his top and charged at his brother.

Daniel OHalloran added that he was knocked to the ground and while on the ground, Conor OHalloran bit off the top of his left ear.

Daniel OHalloran was brought by ambulance to the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick and counsel for the State, Mr Connolly, said that a medical report confirmed that "trauma to the left ear was consistent with a bite and tissue loss was noted.

Daniel OHalloran was treated and discharged later on the same day. Photographs of the ear injury in the immediate aftermath of the assault were handed into court and Daniel OHalloran also turned his head in the witness box to allow Judge Comerford view the significant disfigurement close up.

Garda Quinn said that relations between the two brothers had deteriorated and there were issues around land, monies and a shed.

He told the court that "matters came to a head that day.

Mr Connolly said that Conor O'Halloran also owned farmland in the Tulla area of Co. Clare and that these lands were being farmed by his brother. Mr Whyms said that Conor OHalloran works as a radiographer at a Dublin Hospital and is married with young children.

The barrister said that Conor OHalloran is hopeful that he can reconcile with his brother but doesnt believe it will happen in the short term.

Mr Whyms confirmed that civil proceedings have been issued in the case and that his clients plea of guilty (in the criminal case) means he will not be contesting liability in the civil case.

In his victim impact statement, Daniel O'Halloran said "my family is broken and I have not even been told sorry once.

Judge Comerford imposed a 17-month prison sentence which was suspended in its entirety.
A Clare doctor has arrived in India to represent Ireland at the 71st edition of the Miss World competition.

Ivanna McMahon was crowned Miss Ireland in 2022 and is now over in India to represent Ireland.

The 29-year-old, who is originally from the townland of Barefield, completed a degree in Medicine and is currently working as a doctor, as well as a model.

Yesterday, the young woman was at the G20 summit table in Delhi, India.

I am incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to sit and discuss the need for inclusive education and lifelong learning for all at the G20 summit table this morning, she told her supporters on social media.

Ivanna plays various instruments, including the drums, fiddle, harp and the harmonica. She has travelled abroad to perform with an orchestra.

The Clare native is also an ambassador for Dyslexia Ireland as well as for COPD Ireland, an organisation which support those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Ireland.

Ivanna is among the 25 finalists selected after the Head-to-head challenge of Miss World.
The latest outlooks show little chance of spring flooding in western and central North Dakota, and expanding drought in the north central part of the state.

Flood risk in the James and Missouri river basins is below normal to well below normal, according to the National Weather Service. The outlook for the Souris River basin is well below normal upstream of Minot and slightly below normal downstream in the Towner and Bantry areas, where spring flooding is common.

Forecasters cite warm and dry weather this winter, which is attributed to an El Nino warming of the waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which influences weather around the globe. Bismarck has received only 16.2 inches of snow this year, 17.9 inches below normal.

Burleigh and Morton counties are not in any drought category, but dry conditions have been worsening in other areas and encroaching on the counties. The northern half of North Dakota and much of the west are now considered abnormally dry, the weakest of five categories on the U.S. Drought Monitor, a partnership of the National Drought Mitigation Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Northeast North Dakota is in severe drought, the middle category, while moderate drought, the second-weakest, has expanded in the past week to cover much of the north central region. Overall, 56% of the state is in some form of drought, compared with 30% at the start of the year.

Western and central North Dakota is experiencing one of the warmest winters on record, according to weather service data. And another balmy week is in store, with high temperatures in Bismarck-Mandan forecast mainly in the upper 40s with no precipitation. Normal for this time of year is a high around 30 degrees.

Flood outlook

The risk of spring flooding is generally tied to the risk of an early spring rain falling on frozen wet soils, according to the weather service outlook.

"The lone consideration for enhanced runoff this spring is an unusually wet and frozen surface of the ground that extends from eastern Sioux and Morton counties east and north including the majority of the James River Basin," the result of freezing rain in January, the outlook states.

Once soils warm, the flood risk will fall even further.

"In reality, increased drought designations and overall worsening of drought conditions are likely to be more of a concern going forward since little hope for a change in current precipitation trends are found in the current climate outlooks," the weather service said.

The Missouri and Yellowstone rivers are at normal levels in western North Dakota for this time of year despite recent modest runoff, according to the outlook. Lake Sakakawea and the Fort Peck reservoir in Montana have above-normal storage available.

January runoff in the upper Missouri River Basin was 56% of average, according to a monthly report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The runoff into the (entire) reservoir system was well below average for the month of January, said John Remus, chief of the Corps' Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. This fact in conjunction with the below-average plains and mountain snowpack indicates a below-normal runoff year for the basin.

The Missouri River below Garrison Dam is still ice-covered from Wilton through the Bismarck-Mandan area, according to the weather service.

"Near-term temperatures going into late February suggest the river will continue to slowly lose ice, but at this point it is not likely to be ice-free in the Bismarck-Mandan (area) until sometime in the third full week or maybe even the last week of February," the outlook said.

Drought is likely to spread into the region if the dry pattern lingers into the spring, forecasters said.

Open house

The National Weather Service office in Bismarck has scheduled an open house on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will celebrate 150 years of weather observations in Bismarck. It will be the first open house at the facility since 2014.

There will be office tours, informational booths and a weather balloon launch. More details will be released as the event nears.

The office is at 2301 University Drive, Building 27, which is off Jetway Avenue on the Bismarck Airport property.
Aidan OBrien has been a great supporter of Dundalk Stadium since it housed its first all-weather meeting, in 2007. Year on year he has had runners there, and as you would expect from the countrys greatest-ever Flat trainers, regularly gets among the winners.

Some of the best he has had at his Ballydoyle yard have been campaigned at the Dowdallshill venue. They were only names on the programme when they put in an appearance, some of them winning, others not.

But in time many would stand on the podium, putting their names on the most prestigious of races. To mention but a few: Mastercrasftsman , Blackbeard, Caravaggio, Seventh Heaven, Winter, Hit The Bomb, Mendelssohn.

These are names that wouldnt mean much to non-racing fans, but you can take it as gospel, they were performers of the highest order, some of them now making their names as sires, those on the distaff side producing as good as themselves.

Its not because he or his staff are well catered for at the track, or are impressed by the surroundings, with the Cooleys in the background and Slieve Gullion away to the left, that OBrien sends runners to Dowdallshill all the way from Tipperary. Its all about the track itself, and if it wasnt safe or well maintained thered be no A P OBrien appearing on the card. Same goes for all other trainers.

Willie Mullins was once asked why he sent runners to one of the countrys smaller National Hunt tracks. His answer was simple: its going is always on the safe side.

That Aidan OBrien feels the same about Dundalk is beyond question, for not only does he run horses there, he uses it as a schooling track. And on last Friday night he brought one of his best-ever along to give him a run in preparation for the coming season.

Auguste Rodin led all the others home in last years Epsom Derby, and when he did the same in the Irish equivalent at The Curragh, he was emulating the feat of, among others, two greats from the past, Galileo and the ill-fated Shergar.

The Master of Ballydoyle was there to oversee the trial, and afterwards expressed satisfaction with the way in which his champion moved. There were four in the line-up, and, not surprisingly, Auguste led them home.

A lovely pipe-opener for the champion, and another feather in the Dundalks cap. And kudos also to Sean Gamble and his assistant, Declan Dunne. Theyre the men who always bring the surface up to scratch, and it doesnt always have to be royalty they cater for.
Homeless numbers in the North East region rose again in January, following a slight fall in December, according to figures released today by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

198 adults accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation in the North East region during the week of 2228 January 2024, according to the Monthly Homelessness Report January 2024, with 172 in Louth and 26 in Monaghan and Cavan.

This is up from 194 in December, when 169 were reported in Louth and 25 in Monaghan and Cavan. Of the 198 adults in the North East in January, 35 were aged 18-24; 94 aged 25-44; 63 aged 45-64 and six were aged 65 and over.

110 were male and 88 were female. 129 had Irish citizenship; 39 had EEA/UK citizenship; and 30 were non-EEA citizens.

The were was also a slight rise in the number of homeless children in January in the North East. 32 families with 77 children were recorded as homeless in January. This is a fall from the 38 families recorded as homeless in December, but a rise from 75 to 77 in the number of homeless children. Of the 32 families, 19 were single parent families.

Nationally, 9,504 adults and 4,027 children were recorded as homeless in January, giving a total of 13,531 homeless people. This is up from December, when 9,356 adults and 3,962 children were recorded as homeless, a total of 13,318, homeless people.

Commenting on the latest figures, David Carroll, Chief Executive of DePaul, said today that "This level of homelessness - including 6,308 single men and women - must continue to be an immediate priority in line with the imminent recommendations expected to be included in the Housing Commission's final report on the current state of Irelands housing market.

It will become clearer in the coming months but underlying trends suggest that we may be able to achieve some inroads in reducing aspects of homelessness this year, particularly family homelessness. The high level of those emerging from the single adult cohort continues to concern us and structural responses are needed to address the needs of this vulnerable cohort.

Last night, Depaul accommodated 674 people across its homeless accommodation services in the Republic of Ireland and is getting calls every week from individuals who are worried about tenancies and day to day living - people are living week to week, struggling to get by. Demand in the private rental sector has increased right across the country whilst affordable supply has stagnated.

Whilst we greatly welcome news of a positive uplift in new home starts, there continues to be a lack of housing options for single people in particular. Many single adults are being forced to sleep rough if homeless accommodation is not available and they have no family or friends to turn to.

The need for increased social housing stock is evident and must be prioritised for those most in need - targeted development for the single cohort is critical. Our service users are faced with the extraordinary challenge of trying to exit temporary accommodation services in the backdrop of a broken housing system.

"The role of Local Authority Housing Development plans becomes even more important as it allows us to plan properly for the specific needs of each county and region particularly for those in greatest need.

We are looking forward to the publication of the Housing Commissions final report to tackle housing needs, taking into account demographic trends, including the impact of migration and fundamental recommendations related to the future of the private rental sector. Pursuing recommendations from the report is crucial to delivering housing needs for an extremely vulnerable cohort of people experiencing homelessness, but immediate steps must be taken.

Housing is the most basic and fundamental need yet a large number of people in this country do not have a secure, affordable, decent place to call home. Something has to change. A referendum on the right to housing would protect those who own a home, those renting a home, and those in need of a home now and in the future.

More needs to be done to respond effectively to housing needs and to reduce homelessness. The upward trajectory can't continue.
Dundalk-Carlingford's Cllr Andrea McKevitt has said that the Government's commitment this week under The Shared Island Fund to see the Narrow Water Bridge brought to fruition, "shows the unwavering dedication this Irish government have to see the bridge finally built to connect Warrenpoint to Omeath".

Cllr McKevitt was reacting to the news this week of the funding announced by Government through the Shared Island Fund for the construction of the Narrow Water Bridge.

The c.200m cable-stayed and rolling bascule bridge will link the Mourne Mountains and the Cooley Peninsula, and is expected to provide huge tourism and connectivity boosts in the east border region. It is also expected to act as a key catalyst for improved cross border active travel and recreational activities, including the development of greenways, walking trails and park amenities.

The Fianna Fail councillor said that "It has always been my viewpoint that this significant piece of infrastructure that will connect North and South will recognise the peace which now exists on our island.

"Endless work, research and effort has gone in by a vast amount of people over a long period of time in the hope that this bridge would one day be erected. That day is now here and we eagerly anticipate the days when we can cross the Narrow Water Bridge."
Cllr Emma Cutlip has said that she is "deeply disappointed" that her motion at the Louth County Council January meeting, declaring solidarity with the people of Palestine and all people who rely on the fourth Geneva Convention for protection, was deferred for a month.

Following a lengthy Council meeting last Monday, all statutory business was not met within the allocated time and as such, standing orders were suspended in order to hear the statutory elements of the agenda. Motions by councillors are not statutory business and therefore no motions by councillors on Monday's agenda were heard and are now deferred until the March meeting.

The Labour councillor's motion reads: "This council declares its solidarity with the Palestinian people and all protected people who are subject to war, armed conflict, or occupation and who require reliance on the protections afforded to civilians under the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, 1949 (the fourth Geneva Convention).

"This council recognizes that through its day-to-day operation it invests and purchases goods and services with public monies in a wide range of ways.

"Therefore, this council shall divest itself of all investments, holdings, procurement, or purchasing of goods or services which have originated in whole or in part from occupying powers as defined by the fourth Geneva Convention."

Following last Monday's meeting, Cllr Cutlip said that "I am deeply disappointed that this important issue was not able to be heard today. I cannot help but think of how much money will be spent in the intervening time buying products and services that profiti from illegal settlement and contribute to the destruction of Palestine.

"The motion will be heard next month and I look forward to proposing it's endorsement by the members."
The total number of Ukrainian refugees living in Louth under the Temporary Protection Directive now stands at 2478 according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.

This compares to a figure of 2236 in October last year.

Nationally, 104,870 Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) were given to arrivals from Ukraine by 4th February 2024.

Broken down by area; the figures reveal the Drogheda Urban area has 868 Ukrainians living locally while Dundalk-Carlingford has 708; Dundalk South has 511; Ardee has 235 while Drogheda Rural has 156.

The figures mark an increase in numbers in four out of five areas in Louth compared to October last year, with the numbers in Ardee remaining the same.

Those figures, (for October 2023) were: Drogheda Urban area had 822 Ukrainians living locally while Dundalk-Carlingford had 573; Dundalk South had 459; Ardee had 235 while Drogheda Rural had 147.

Additionally the CSO report showed that there were 483 hosts currently in receipt of Accommodation Recognition Payment and arrivals from Ukraine living in accommodation provided by these hosts.

The figures also reveal that there are currently 252 Ukrainian children enrolled in primary schools in Louth, an increase of 3; while there are 200 enrolled in secondary schools in the county, again an increase of 3.

Commenting on the release, Dylan Morrissey, Statistician, said:

"There are two maps in this release based on mapping 100,091 individuals, or 95% of arrivals, to a location within Ireland.

These maps are based on the local post office address as per the process through which arrivals were seeking assistance from the Department of Social Protection or, if available, the arrivals' residential address where an Accommodation Recognition Payment is payable to the host of the residence.

The first map is a count of arrivals by Local Electoral Area (LEA), and the second is the rate of arrivals by LEA (per 100 of the Census 2022 de facto population). Kenmare in Co. Kerry had the highest number of associated arrivals from Ukraine at 2,846.

Our analysis also shows that the rate per 100 of the population ranges across all LEAs in the country from 0.22% to 12.47%. The LEA with the highest rate was Ennistimon in Co. Clare."
A young man accused of assaulting another man in the course of a GAA challenge match will return the local district Court in June.

Leeross Gill, aged 25, of Abbeyderg, Kenagh, Co. Longford faces a charge that on June 16, 2021 at St Dominic's GAA grounds, Kenagh he assaulted David McCormack causing him harm.

At Longford District Court, Judge Bernadette Owens asked for an outline of the alleged assault before accepting jurisdiction of the case.

Sergeant Enda Daly said the alleged injured party attended Longford Garda station to make a complaint about an incident that happened during a GAA challenge match between Kenagh and Ballymahon.

The complainant alleged that he was assaulted by an opponent, Leeross Gill, with a closed fist and sustained injury to his teeth and damage to his braces. The cost of repair to the braces was estimated at 1,500 and the dental treatment was 500.

Judge Bernadette Owens accepted jurisdiction over the matter.

Solicitor John Quinn made an application for legal aid explaining that his client is a member of the defence forces. Judge Owens said she would grant the legal aid application but noted it was marginal.

The defendant will return before the court on June 18.
Sawyer Kottsick had his first birthday last weekend and his parents held a really nice coming out party for him. Both my loyal readers might recall that Sawyers mom is my granddaughter, Kota is the father in this adventure, which makes me the great-grandfather. This is not a title I ever imagined possessing.

My great-grandfather George Samuelson came over on the boat from Norway that landed in Albert Lee, Minnesota, where he met my great-grandma Ingabjiord. From there he whisked her to a homestead north of Hazen, where they raised a family of five, one of whom ended up being my grandma Cora.

Cora married Boss Ulmer (he was an electrician who ran the local power plant, and whoever did that back in those days was called Boss (like "Hey Boss what time you gonna turn off the power tonight?"). They had five kids (two of whom Boss brought into the marriage because his first wife died). One of their kids was my dad Chub and thats when I came in.

Anyway great-grandpa George was around up till I was 10 or 11 years old. He was quite good at quietly wondering if any of his great-grandchildren would amount to anything, but he was easier to talk to than great-grandma was because she was better at expressing her disapproval than her approval.

Unlike Grandma Cora, who coddled me and always told each of her grandchildren that she loved them best, Grandma Samuelson was very good at setting red lines and keeping them; not someone to trifle with.

Since Grandma Cora was born in 1900 and she was the second child, that would mean that the Samuelsons were likely born somewhere in the 1870s and survived into the 1970s.

Life back then was tougher than today. For instance running water really meant you had to run outside and get it. They built mud and straw homes and out buildings, and a trip to town took a whole day, and if you were lucky your outdoor biffy had a roof and walls.

Back in those days the physical demands of life on the barren prairie required folks to worry less about education, more about basic survival. Literate persons were scarce -- an eighth grade education was equivalent to todays high schools where most kids never went back to school.

Since radio hadnt been invented yet, telegraphs were used and required a days ride to find a station to send a message. I imagine most folks spent their free time reading books or playing board games. Since their windows were more like wax paper than glass its unlikely they spent as much time looking out the window as we do today, but I digress.

Like my predecessors weve celebrated all sorts of family events, so Sawyers first birthday isnt the first time weve celebrated a birthday; however it was the first time this set of great-grandparents were able to gather. All three of Sawyers great-grandfathers (Jerry drove up from Sturgis, Pat and I came over from Mandan) were able to sit down and wonder what we had done to achieve the title of great-grandparents. None of us imagined wed ever be granted the title of great anything.

Eventually we sang happy birthday to Sawyer before he literally dove into his cake. Then his mom and dad opened a present to inform us that another boy was to be added to our titles in July. All three of Sawyers great-grandfathers were quite surprised that our greatness status was already expanding; evidently if you stick around long enough all sorts of stuff happens.
A Bismarck man facing nine criminal charges after allegedly beating and threatening to kill a woman in front of her children pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

Charges against Jason Levell include burglary, terrorizing-adult victim, simple assault and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted of the most serious charge of burglary, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

The charges result from events at a residence in the 1500 block of North 13th Street last December. Levell showed up at the home of a woman he was in an apparent dating relationship with, physically assaulted her, threatened to shoot her and prevented her from calling for help, according to an affidavit.

The document states police were alerted by a 911 call from a neighbor who reported hearing a child screaming "Don't hit my mom."

Responding officers spoke with a 30-year-old woman who told them Levell was inside her garage when she arrived home. Prior to her arrival, Levell had allegedly sent threatening text messages, according to the affidavit.

Inside the home, Levell allegedly assaulted the woman by pushing her down into a bathtub and hitting her in the face. The affidavit states Levell threatened then to shoot the woman, who told police he carried a 9 mm pistol and had previously brandished it at her on multiple occasions, according to the affidavit. Children ages 3, 7 and 9 were present during the incident, the document said.

Levell allegedly threw the gun over a privacy fence while attempting to flee from officers. A pistol matching a description of the gun Levell reportedly carried in a backpack was recovered by police outside the house.

Levell is prohibited from possessing guns due to a 2022 felony conviction in Florida. Court records from that state show Levell has convictions for auto theft and other charges.

Levell, 24, remained in custody at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center on a $5,000 cash bond Thursday. A trial is scheduled to begin April 10.
The Dakota Access Pipeline protests would not have mushroomed in size had law enforcement received better support from the federal government, a county sheriff tasked with managing the demonstrations testified.

Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said during an ongoing federal trial in Bismarck that U.S. agencies ignored multiple requests from North Dakota for assistance during the protests against the pipelines construction in 2016 and 2017.

North Dakota seeks $38 million from the United States as compensation for costs it claims it incurred while policing the demonstrations. A bench trial for the lawsuit, overseen by U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor, began Feb. 15 in Bismarck. Its expected to last until mid-March.

Attorneys representing the United States, meanwhile, have said North Dakota is overstating the cost of the protests and is asking the federal government to be held responsible for events outside its jurisdiction, the North Dakota Monitor reported.

Environmental and Indigenous rights activists came to North Dakota from several states and countries to oppose the project, often referred to as DAPL. In court records, the state estimates the protest camps grew to thousands of people.

The states witnesses so far have largely been law enforcement personnel who have described responding to the protests and their experience with federal agencies.

There was no time during the protests where I thought we had adequate resources, Eric Pederson, a former North Dakota Highway Patrol captain, testified Wednesday.

The largest DAPL protest camp was north of the Cannonball River, on federal land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Demonstrators also camped on Standing Rock Sioux Tribe land and private property.

Attorneys for North Dakota and the United States disagree over who held primary responsibility for enforcing the law on the Corps land.

North Dakota has argued that the Corps gave mixed messages to protesters as to whether they had permission to camp on Corps land. This, combined with a lack of federal assistance, dragged out the protests and left state and local police with a crisis they did not have the resources to manage themselves, witnesses for the state have said.

The state also claims protesters never received proper authorization to demonstrate on Corps land. In a December order, Traynor appeared to side with North Dakota on this point.

Kirchmeier characterized communication from the Corps as inconsistent and unhelpful. At one point, a Corps official asked for federal law enforcement support for one protest area, only to later reverse course and rescind the request  despite that state and local law enforcement still wanted the help, he said.

Traynor openly criticized the Corps during Kirchmeiers testimony.

The Corps of Engineers was playing with the law and they knew it, the judge interjected.

State and local police were waiting for the Corps to take initiative  or at least cooperate with North Dakota, Paul Laney, then-sheriff of Cass County, said on the witness stand Wednesday.

But the Corps never made it clear to the protesters that they were breaking the law by camping on federal land, he said.

Attorneys for the United States countered that state and local law enforcement knew they had jurisdiction to enforce state law on Corps land and could have stepped in if they wanted to.

Laney, who served as a senior commander during the monthslong protests, said he could not recall ever going onto private land to enforce the law without consent from the landowner.

Some witnesses also said they expected more from U.S. officials because the federal government routinely extends a helping hand to states during other emergencies, such as natural disasters.

Attorneys for the U.S. said the federal government shouldnt be expected to respond to protests the same way it handles natural disasters.

Kirchmeier said he took his pleas for help all the way to former President Barack Obama and some of his Cabinet members.

Letters Kirchmeier sent to Obama, then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson were offered into evidence. Kirchmeier said at one point he spoke with Lynch over the phone, but received no follow-up.

In late 2016, he also sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump.

Those requests for assistance never went anywhere, Kirchmeier said.

During cross-examination, Kirchmeier, Laney and Pederson each said they had no prior experience working with the federal government on large protests. They also said they didnt understand who within the federal government was withholding assistance or the reasons behind the decisions.

Another example of the federal government reversing course came from the FBI. The bureau had deployed drones to provide surveillance of the protests but the drones were not used, according to a deposition played Thursday from Bob Perry, former assistant special agent in charge of the FBI in the Dakotas and northern Minnesota.

Perry said the drones were not used because of concerns within the FBI about surveilling First Amendment-protected activities and because there was no active FBI investigation tied to general surveillance of the protest camps.

The FBI was involved in investigating some criminal cases connected to the protests, Perry said. The FBI had five to 10 paid informants within the protest camp, he said.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations in Grand Forks provided aerial equipment including a drone during the protests, agent Douglas Walker said during a deposition played in court Thursday.

The drone flew when weather conditions allowed between August 2016 and February 2017 and provided surveillance through a direct link to the Morton County Sheriffs Office Emergency Operations Center, Walker said.

The link was not provided to the Corps or other federal agencies, Walker said. He said that was because to his knowledge, the federal agencies did not request access to the drone footage.

The United States has not yet had time to call its own witnesses.

North Dakota has already received $25 million in compensation for the demonstrations; $10 million from the U.S. Justice Department and the other $15 million from pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners. Those dollars are not factored into the total North Dakota is seeking.

The pipeline has been operating since June 2017. The Corps continues environmental review of the project, with a final environmental impact statement expected at the end of the year.

Amy Dalrymple contributed to this story.
THE much-anticipated annual Teddy Bear Hospital event, hosted by UCCs Medical Society, took place from Monday to Wednesday this week, and had an overwhelming response.

Welcoming more than 900 eager junior and senior infant pupils from schools across Cork, the event provided a unique opportunity for children to bring their sick and injured teddy bears for some care and attention.

From minor ailments like sore tummies to more serious injuries such as a monkey with a broken arm, who reportedly fell out of a tree on the main campus of UCC, the young patients presented a diverse array of cases for the dedicated medical student volunteers.

The annual event, a cornerstone of the UCC Medical Societys community outreach efforts, is designed to familiarise children with healthcare professionals and aims to alleviate childrens fears of hospitals and doctors while teaching them about basic health practices in a fun and interactive manner.

Beth Lyons, of Scoil Mhuire Girls' National School, with her teddy bear at the UCC Teddy Bear Hospital event

The event featured three main stations, mirroring a real hospital experience: a waiting room, a treatment room, and an exercise area.

In the waiting room, children eagerly donned medical scrubs, familiarised themselves with stethoscopes, and engaged in a variety of entertaining activities, including anatomy puzzles and creating Missing Teddy posters for poor Ben, a third-year medical student who misplaced his beloved bear within the hospital premises.

In the treatment room, the young patients and their teddy bears were greeted by enthusiastic medical student volunteers, adorned in white coats and stethoscopes, ready to embark on a journey of medical exploration.

Children watched in awe as medical students, equipped with supplies generously donated by the Bon Secours Hospital, assessed and tended to their teddy bear patients. Photocopies of X-rayed bear skeletons added an extra layer of excitement, allowing children to delve deeper into the medical world. Each child proudly completed a Teddy Bear Health Certificate, a tangible reminder of their role in monitoring their furry friends recovery post-event.

In the exercise area, children enjoyed dancing and learning exercise routines to aid their teddies recovery, while student volunteers used music and games to educate them on the importance of exercise, sleep, and nutrition.

Keeping with the theme of healthy eating, all kids left the event with a piece of fruit donated by UCC Student Centre. This certainly did not go to waste - looking after sick teddies is hard work, according to many of the infants.

Aisling Gouldson, Sinead Humphreys of UCC Medical Society with Fr Dwayne Gavin of Bons Secours Hospital Cork at the teddy bear event

Sama Abdel Rahman, medical student, said there were a lot of teddies presenting with some very serious symptoms today

A cat belonging to Beth Lyons, of Scoil Mhuire Junior School, seemed to have lost both of its arms. We went for a walk and then they both fell off. Meanwhile ,Yvie Long, also of Scoil Mhuire Junior School, brought Cookie Dough, who hurt his leg and had to get an injection. I hope he feels better in the next couple of days she said.

Medical student Sophie ODoherty spent the day bandaging up teddy after teddy, with the main take home prescription of lots and lots of cuddles.

Teacher Aisling ODwyer, of Togher BNS, said: From looking around, all the children seem to be really happy.

They seem to have a more relaxed approach about going to the doctor and some of them are taking it very seriously. I would say there are a few budding doctors amongst us!

Kate OSullivan, of Shanbally NS, spoke of the seamless integration between the infant curriculum and the Teddy Bear Hospital, emphasising how it is a great opportunity for infants to put what theyre learning into practice. She said the children of Shanbally NS look forward to it every year.

Second-year medical student Heather McGowann said it was amazing how much children knew about medicine. There were so many who were able to tell me what a stethoscope was used for and point to exactly where we should listen to the heart.

All of us at UCC Medical Society are delighted with the success of the event. Not only is it extremely rewarding for the kids in familiarising them with healthcare settings, but for us too as medical students it gives us fantastic experience with kids that we will take forward with us in our future careers.

The events success would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of the UCC Medical Society committee and society members, who volunteered countless hours to organise and execute the festivities. From designing creative exhibits to orchestrating logistics, the student-led initiative showcased the transformative power of community engagement and education.

As the Teddy Bear Hospital event concluded, echoes of laughter and newfound knowledge reverberated through the halls of UCC, underscoring the events enduring impact on fostering healthcare awareness and community engagement. Beaming with pride, the young participants left with newfound knowledge, cherished memories, and a renewed sense of confidence in facing the unknowns of healthcare.

With plans already underway for next years event, UCC Medical Society is steadfast in its commitment to promoting health education and community empowerment, one fluffy patient at a time, promising another memorable experience for children and volunteers alike.
WHEN Cork woman Nicola Higgins was pregnant with her seventh child, she had no reason to believe that this birth would be very different.

However, Nicola, originally from Aghada, was told when her son Nickey was born that he needed life-saving surgery - and after that was carried out, to prepare for the worst.

But Nickey Flood is a fighter.

When we were told to take him home for palliative care after he went through an unsuccessful heart procedure in Crumlin Childrens Hospital, Dublin, I knew that wasnt going to happen, says Nicola, who lives in Kildare with her partner Nicholas.

She remembers that day very well.

It was a Sunday, and I was on my own. Nickey was in a babys room in the hospital. It is very rare for a consultant to be on duty on a Sunday. Professor Walsh came to me and told me that Nickey had three weeks to live and to bring him home for palliative care.

I broke down. But I knew Nickey had a lot of fight in him. Since he was born, weve called him our little warrior. He has overcome everything including pulmonary vein stenosis.

Nine-month-old Nickey.

I always tell people, trust in him. Go by Nickey. He will show us all what he can do.

Now aged nine months, Nicola hopes Nickey can travel to Birmingham for a double lung transplant.

A fund-raising 1980s night is being held in the Midleton Park Hotel in mid-April to raise funds so the little warrior can travel to the UK for his life-saving operation.

Nickey was a lovely surprise, says Nicola, who is forever grateful to her two eldest children, Courtney, 20, and Killian, 19, who gave up their full-time jobs to help look after their brother.

Nicholas did the same, Nicola add. He was manager of a security firm but gave up work to devote more time to the care of Nickey.

The close-knit family had been looking forward to Nickeys arrival.

All was good until I had a 20-week scan, says Nicola, whose mother Anne OKeeffe, lives in Aghada.

The stenographer discovered that Nickey had a cleft lip and cleft palate, and she sent me for a bigger, 4D scan, to rule out Edwards Syndrome or Pats syndrome.

A baby with Edwards syndrome has three copies of chromosome number 18 instead of two. This affects the way the baby grows and develops.

Pats syndrome is the most common form of tachycardia in infants and children. In most cases, the condition isnt life-threatening, but it can be uncomfortable.

Nickey was also tested for Down Syndrome, and he was negative, although he tested positive post-birth, says Nicola.

I was in hospital since the second week of April. There was reduced movement in the womb and there was a very low blood flow going to Nickey. I knew he would be born early.

Nicola introduces me to her baby.

Nickey was born by an emergency C-section in the Coombe Hospital on May 3 last year, weighing in at 985 grams.

Thats less than a bag of sugar?

Thats right, says Nicola. He was so tiny. Hed fit into the palm of your hand.

Nicola Higgins with Nickey.

He was so loved, but had a tough start to life.

Our baby boy was intubated for the first six days due to pulmonary hypertension, high blood pressure in his lungs caused by chronic lung disease. On day seven he was extubated but unfortunately, he came into contact with Covid-19, and he spent three weeks in isolation on high-flow oxygen, says Nickey.

We were very lucky as we could have lost him due to his pulmonary hypertension before he was discharged to Crumlin Hospital. There, he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and is on long-term medication for it. When genetic testing was carried out on Nickey, he came back positive for T21 (Down Syndrome).

How did Nicola feel about that?

I thought all my Christmases came together, says Nicola.

I was happy with the diagnosis as it could have been much worse.

Her baby son is a survivor.

Three times we nearly lost him, says Nicola. He also has a hole in his heart - ASD, which affects two chambers of his heart down the middle.

Nickey has been through the mill and has come out the other side.

For him, getting Covid was the worst. He overcame it and began to thrive.

Nickey was surrounded by love.

When he was in hospital, I used to sit up and watch him sleep, says Nicola. I was always hoping and praying. I kept it from the others just how sick Nickey was, especially when he had aspiration pneumonia.

He was a very sick baby. It was always a matter of life or death.

Nickey was also diagnosed with metopic synostosis in Temple Street Hospital, and he also underwent surgery to get a peg fitted for his feeding needs. He is awaiting a surgery date for his cleft lip and palate.

Warrior Nickey.

Nickey is on the up-and-up. He is back home with his parents together with his loving brothers and sisters.

He loves his play, says Nicola. He loves his cuddles; and he loves company. He takes notice when one of us walks into the room and he loves being spoon fed his tasters. He is on low-flow oxygen.

After a successful double-lung transplant in Birmingham, Nickeys quality of life will improve.

Well do whatever we can to give Nickey the best chance to live and the best quality of life, says Nicola.

All our family and friends are rallying around.

Old friends are best.

I knew Mark OSullivan growing up in East Cork, says Nicola. He jumped on board straight away.

Mark, aka Fanta, is well-known in the east Cork area for his fundraising work with Down Syndrome Ireland and other charities.

I know Nicola and her family a long time, says Mark. We met up and when they told me about Nickey and the need for the double-lung operation in Birmingham, I got to work straight away.

He knew where to go.

Midleton Park Hotel is always very accommodating for these charity events, discos, 80s nights, and tribute nights, and they give the function room to us for free.

Like Mark, lots of people are getting on board to support Nickeys quest for a double lung transplant and a better quality of life.

The people of Midleton are well known for getting behind people in need and for supporting charity events, says Mark. We are expecting a big crowd in April. Tickets are on sale in the Midleton Park Hotel for 20.

Nickeys brothers and sisters, Courtney, 20, Killian, 19, Caoimhe, 18, Kelsie, 16 and Dillon, 4, are all there for their brave brother.

Nickey is our little warrior, says Nicola. He overcame everything.

The 1980s night at Midleton Park Hotel for Baby Nickey is on in April. Over 23s. 20 per ticket and a half price auction. Spot prizes on the night. See Gofundme link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/our-little-warrior-nickey
A jealous man who reacted to his ex-partner being in a new relationship broke into her living room through a window when she was watching television with a friend and the culprit attacked both people and trashed the room.

39-year-old Shane McCarthy of no fixed address and formerly of Church Bay, Crosshaven, County Cork, is now starting a jail term of three and a half years imposed on him by Judge Colin Daly at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Sergeant David Fleming gave evidence of the accused man being motivated by jealousy because he believed that his ex-partner was in a new relationship.

Shane McCarthy smashed his way through a sitting room window of the womans home at Upper Aghada, County Cork, on February 16 2023.

He carried out assaults causing harm on both parties who were present.

One of them was his ex-partner.

The man who was there was a friend and was not someone with whom she was in a relationship.

Sgt Fleming said this man tried to intervene to protect the woman from the attack by Shane McCarthy.

However, his intervention resulted in him becoming the second victim of Shane McCarthys actions on the occasion.

Judge Colin Daly said in the course of sentencing that the long-term effect on the woman who was assaulted is not fully known as yet.

There was a second set of charges against the same man where he pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage by breaking into his ex-partners house, taking the keys of her car and driving away in it.

Shane McCarthy entered a signed plea of guilty to the charges against him.
DETAILS of an 18m housing regeneration scheme designed to resolve overcrowding and improve living conditions at Spring Lane and Ellis Yard halting site in Cork city will be published for public consultation under the Part 8 planning process today.

Last month, funding was approved for 27 housing units at the halting site. The plans were discussed at a meeting of the joint Oireachtas committee on key issues affecting the Traveller community where Cork City Council assistant chief executive Brian Geaney addressed the committee.

Mr Geaney said that necessary associated design work, on-site surveys, environmental assessments, and internal and agency consultation were completed, and that a detailed proposal had been completed.

Stage 2 funding of 17.9m was approved by the Department of Housing at the end of January 2024, almost three years after the publication by the Ombudsman for Children Niall Muldoon of a report which found extreme overcrowding and poor living conditions on the site.

Cork City Council told The Echo that the proposed development will accommodate a 12-unit Traveller accommodation scheme in Spring Lane and a 15-unit group housing scheme in Ellis Yard.

Details of the proposed development, including an Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Report, are available to view from today until March 25 online, or at City Hall between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday, by contacting 021-4924552 for an appointment.

Submissions and observations can be made through https://consult.corkcity.ie/ or in writing to Mark Birch, acting programme manager, Housing Delivery and Regeneration Directorate, Cork City Council, City Hall, Anglesea Street, Cork, T12 T997.

The closing date for submissions and observations is Wednesday, April 10 at 4pm.

A pre-consultation meeting was described by Cork City North East Green Party councillor Oliver Moran as very constructive.

Mr Moran said it is an opportunity to fix the appalling conditions on the site.
A new 7m initiative at the Munster Technological University (MTU) in Cork to train a new generation of cyber security experts was launched today by Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney at a Cork City Gaol event.

The MTU Cyber Innovate project is designed to boost cyber security innovation and entrepreneurship in Ireland over the next six years, and spur new company formations and more job creation in the sector.

Over the next six years Cyber Innovate will provide 12-15 participants annually with the necessary skills to evaluate, select and validate ideas for new products and services, which will contribute to the creation of new cybersecurity start-ups and university spin outs nationally. The initiative is grounded in industry needs and backed by academic rigour from MTU.

Skills

Each intake over the initiatives duration will work intensively over a period of 10 months to identify problems and develop real world cyber security solutions.

Each participant will be supported with a tax free 38,000 stipend and they will have the opportunity to work with MTU researchers and other universities to develop their solutions, with support from Enterprise Ireland commercialisation funds.

MTUs cyber security chair, Dr Donna OShea, said the Cyber Innovate initiative was an investment in both making MTU a truly great and globally competitive university and in making Ireland a global leader in cyber security innovation and entrepreneurship.

We believe the realisation of the Cyber Innovate initiative will see an Ireland that is cyber innovative, cyber secure and cyber successful. Graduates of this initiative will have the latest skills and know-how to create new and useful products," said Dr O'Shea.

These products will help businesses stay secure online, while boosting Ireland's cyber security industry revenue.

Enhance

According to Marina Donohue, the Research and Innovation head of Enterprise Ireland, the agency was proud to be investing in the future talent and innovation that will enhance Irelands reputation as a global leader in this critical sector.

This initiative will deliver a dynamic cohort of high-calibre leaders and entrepreneurs focused on driving innovation in sectors of strategic economic importance to Ireland, said Ms. ODonohue.

It will also help build the next generation of innovative start-ups in key sectors and enhance the level of RD&I in scaling Irish companies. Cyber Security in Ireland is already a billion euro business and employs more than 7,300 people.

Figures from Cyber Ireland show there are more than 170 cyber security companies and 470 cyber security related companies generating 2.1 billion in cyber security related revenue and 1.1 billion in GVA (Gross value added) to the Irish economy.

The median salary for a cyber security role in Ireland is 75k.
Two men arrested last week following a large drug seizure are due to appear in court today in Kerry.

The Joint Operation between Gardai and Revenue's Customs Service in Cork and Kerry saw the seizure of 546kg of a synthetic drug, believed by gardai to be crystal meth, at the Port of Cork last Friday.

The two detained men, both of whom are Irish nationals, were held at Garda stations in the southern region since their arrest under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

A Garda spokesperson told The Echo this morning, The two men, both aged in their 40s, arrested as part of this investigation have been charged and are expected to appear before a special sitting of Tralee District Court today, Friday 23rd February 2024, at approximately 1.30pm.
A farmer facing sentence today for a violent assault on a retired woman who is his neighbour had to be removed from court  as he spoke over a detectives evidence saying: I am being lied to by the corrupt, crooked cops.

Judge Colin Daly gave Hugh OBrien three warnings not to interrupt proceedings at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

On the third occasion when Mr OBrien of Ballyanly, Inniscarra, County Cork, spoke up loudly from the dock, the judge directed that he be removed from court.

He complained of an outrageous lie about his previous convictions.

Detective Garda Mick Dolan said as he was outlining the defendants seven previous convictions that he was aware that the accused contested them, so brought certified printed copies of the convictions before giving this evidence.

As the evidence was being given, Hugh OBrien said: If I had 200 previous convictions, Dolan (the detective garda) would do more talking.

"Youd swear I killed ten people the way he is talking.

The judge told the accused to stop interrupting and said his barrister Brian Leahy was present in court to represent him. The accused replied: He hasnt stood up yet. Judge Daly said the defence barrister would do so when it was his turn.

Judge Daly finally ordered that the accused be taken out of court and brought to a video suite in the courthouse by the prison officers for the sentencing to continue with the accused appearing in court by video link.

He was convicted of assault causing harm to his retired neighbour, Mary OBrien Daly, on December 8 2021, by the unanimous decision of a jury this week after they deliberated on the evidence for less than an hour.

Mr OBrien spoke up in the dock also on February 21 when the unanimous guilty verdict was delivered: The jury got it wrong  W.R.O.N.G.  I am innocent of this charge. The sentencing hearing is due to continue later today.
Of 315 people in Cork who were ordered to hand over their learner permit after a disqualification last year, only 69 surrendered their licences.

The figures were revealed in the Dail in response to a parliamentary question.

Of 209 Cork drivers who received a court disqualification last year, only eight people surrendered their licence, just 3.8%.

In contrast, 55 of 98 people who had their licences disqualified because of penalty points in 2023 surrendered the licence, as well as six of eight disqualified as a fixed penalty.

In 2024, so far, 14 Cork people have been ordered to surrender their learner permit, and none of these have done so yet, though Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers clarified in the Dail, It should be noted that for disqualifications issued in 2024, the licence holder is given 14 days in which to surrender the licence/permit from commencement of the disqualification.

The numbers reflected in these tables are disqualifications/surrenders notified as of 07/02/2024 and should be considered as highly provisional at this point in time.

The figures were released in response to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy, who had asked the minister for transport for details on the number of learner-permit holders disqualified in 2023 and in 2024.

Releasing the figures, Mr Chambers said that a notification of disqualification is issued by the Courts Service for drivers convicted of a court disqualification and that the notification includes the requirement to surrender the driving licence or learner permit to the NDLS (National Driver Licence Service) within 14 days of commencement of disqualification.

A notification of disqualification on penalty points and a fixed penalty drink-driving disqualification is issued by the Department of Transport and includes the same requirement.

He added:

An Garda Siochana have access to data on the National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF) as part of their mobility strategy and, therefore, can detect and prosecute a driver who continues to drive while disqualified. This is the case whether or not a licence has been surrendered.

Further figures provided to The Echo by the RSA showed that, in total, 11,230 people in Ireland were ordered to surrender their licence in 2003, and just 1,900 did, with a further 4,071 not having a licence to surrender.
Two men have been arrested following the robbery of a store in the city centre last night.

A Garda spokesperson told The Echo that a sum of cash was stolen, but that the men were later arrested.

The spokesperson said, Gardai are investigating a robbery that occurred at a retail premises on Grand Parade, Cork City on the 22nd February 2024 at approximately 11pm.

A sum of cash was taken from the premises.

Two men in their 30s were later arrested and conveyed to a local Garda Station.
A giant of Irelands music scene, one who helped to educate the taste of generations of fans, is set to take to the stage in north Cork this weekend.

Freddie White, a favourite with Irish audiences for five decades now, will play Saint Georges Arts and Heritage Centre this Saturday night, February 24.

Introducing many Irish fans to the music of the likes of Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Guy Clark, Warren Zevon and John Hiatt, Mr White has been part of the live music scene in Ireland since the 1970s.

Born in Cobh, he was playing professionally by the age of 17 and he moved to London at 19, where he busked on the London Underground, developing his unique voice and guitar style.

His earliest recordings, which were re-mastered and re-released in 2004, are still hugely popular among his loyal fan base.

The Irish Times said: The sparse and haunting Live on Tour is still among the greatest Irish albums of all time. Do You Do (1981) swings and struts just as profoundly. Imagine those two cuts of vinyl made decade ago, they still stand as perfection. In recent years, Mr White has toured Ireland regularly, while working on his latest recordings.

In 2018, he released his 14th album, One Heart Beating.

Freddie White plays Saint Georges Arts and Heritage Centre in Mitchelstown this Saturday night, February 24. Doors open at 7.30pm, with the concert beginning at 8pm.

Tickets are available in Mitchelstown from 2Shoes, Spar and The Favourite, on Eventbrite, and at the door of the centre.
A Detroit man who allegedly led a drug-trafficking operation targeting Native American populations in North Dakota has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.

Romel Rambus, 29, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Fargo, according to U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider's office. The sentence comes after Rambus pleaded guilty to charges related to conspiring to possess and distribute controlled substances and money laundering. The sentence includes five years of supervised release following his prison time.

Rambus was a leader of the 5674 Rueb Gang, a violent street gang operating out of Detroit that was involved in trafficking thousands of oxycodone/fentanyl pills into North Dakota for distribution in Bismarck and Minot, and on the Spirit Lake and Fort Berthold reservations, according to Schneider. The investigation was conducted through a multiagency effort led by the Bureau of Indian affairs Division of Drug Enforcement.

Rambus worked alongside Devonsha Dabney to traffic narcotics from Michigan into North Dakota, according to Schneider. Dabney pleaded guilty to federal charges last October and is serving a 15-year sentence to be followed by four years of supervised release. Rambus and Dabney are two of more than 40 people charged in connection with the drug trafficking. All have either pleaded guilty or signed plea agreements with the intention to plead guilty, according to authorities.

Schneider said Rambus' sentence should serve as a reminder to drug traffickers.

"Instead of short-term profits, you'll be facing a long stay in federal prison," he said.
I made my first ever visit to South Africa last week and it was an amazing experience. My trip to the African continent included a gig just outside Cape Town, and it was a wonderful opportunity to soak up the music scene in a country which has spawned some of the best music of the last few years.

The Amapiano sound is slowly but surely hitting the mainstream in Europe and America and, recently, Tyla has had a global smash with Water. Lots of big crossover tunes have featured the Amapiano sound, most notably the Ameno remix by Goya Major and Nektunez, Champion Sound by Davido and Focalistic, Mona Lisa by Lojay, Mnike by Tyler ICU and Tumelo_za, and Paris by Q Mark, TpZee and Afriikan Papi.

These are only a few of the tracks which have blown up internationally and its interesting that most of the best afrobeats artists from western Africa have adopted this South African sound too. Kizz Daniel, Tekno, Davido, Yemi Alade, Lojay, Asake, Shallipopi, Olamide, CKay and many more have taken this sound and blended it into their own style.

The afrobeats sound has gone global in a big way over recent years, and Amapiano is now following in a big way. Im part of a music scene in Cork city which regularly plays this music at various nights and DJs such as Cheddar, Gwada Mike, Swill, Safari, Billy GRC, Grillz, myself, Muscle and many more are spinning this music alongside other related genres.

It remains a largely underground scene, attended by many from the African diaspora, but weve already seen in the last few years how the Western African sound has penetrated the masses, and Amapiano is going the same way. In many ways its even more suitable for crossover here, as it has deep roots in the house music sound that is popular in Cork and Ireland. Most of the Amapiano tracks which are popular outside South Africa still retain a lot of the integrity from where they are spawned and are generally not novelty jams.

The various DJs and producers have dug deep into the rich heritage of South African underground dance music culture and created a sound that has developed from house, Kwaito, and many other local styles. Kabza de Small, DJ Maphorisa, Mr JazziQ, Kelvin Momo, DJ Stokie, DNB Congo, Uncle Waffles, Sha Sha, Junior de Rocka, Lady Du, Mellow and Sleazy, Major League DJz, Focalistic, Musa Keys, MFR Souls, Gabba Canal and Josiah De Disciple are just a few of the names involved, but this is only the tip of the iceberg in a blossoming music scene.

From a personal perspective, the emphasis on slower grooves makes this sound particularly interesting. As a DJ who has often tried to find the sweet spot between hip-hop and house tempos, that golden bridge between 110 and 120 bpm is rich for exploration. Amapiano forms a perfect bridge between afrobeats, house, r&b, soul and other genres, and my visit to South Africa was a great opportunity to immerse myself in the music and the culture.

The music is everywhere. From traditional groups singing on the street corners, to the DJs and dancers in the clubs and the bars, the love for music was evident everywhere I looked. Traditional western pop and dance and rap was here too, as are the now ubiquitous afrobeats.

Nigeria and South Africa faced off in the Afcon semi-final the night I arrived, and both countries continue to influence each other musically too. The mainstream radio stations werent too far from what we have here, but even a cursory deeper dive was rewarded with some of the best music Ive ever heard anywhere!

The playlists in local restaurants and shops were far superior than any you would hear here and, accompanied by local friends from Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg, I was soon immersed in the best South Africa had to offer.

South Africans have lived through a tumultuous few decades and, as always, music provides the soundtrack to the joy and pain of everyday life. Tourist-friendly Cape Town was a wonderful place to hang out and absorb everything, but living conditions werent luxurious for everyone, and you could see the gap between wealthy and poor quite clearly once you veered off the beaten tracks. The V&A Waterfront remains a working port and thriving commercial area, but Cape Towns colonial history is still evident everywhere too.

My visit to South Africa underlined to me that the Amapiano sound continues to take over, and this is only the beginning!
Tom Tuite

A Sudanese national has been jailed for two months as a "deterrent" for breaking immigration laws after turning up at Dublin Airport arrivals without a passport, identification or travel documents.

Cloverhill District Court heard Monir Dafaallah, 30, was one of about 37 people arrested for similar offences in recent weeks as part of an ongoing Garda National Immigration Bureau operation.

Judge Alan Mitchell heard that Dafaallah presented himself to airport officials on the night of February 12th, saying "he had no travel documents or passport".

Garda Adrian Kelly said the accused provided a name and claimed to be a Sudanese national.

He was arrested in the presence of an interpreter and charged with offences under sections 11 and 12 of the Immigration Act.

The court heard that he had no reply to one charge but said, "I want to go back to my own country", in answer to the second offence.

Judge Mitchell heard the accused pleaded guilty and had no documents, and the garda said: "We have not been able to establish where he arrived from, and he did not indicate any assistance whatsoever".

The garda said he likely arrived from another European destination and agreed with the judge that the accused "would have boarded the flight with such documentation".

The accused had no recorded convictions under the name he provided.

Pleading for leniency, Defence counsel Aisling Ginger-Quinn said her client was from Sudan, but left because he was in fear for his life due to conflict during which he had lost his parents.

Judge Mitchell noted the accused, who listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter, did not wish to say why he did not apply for asylum in another country.

He said Dafaallah "somehow or other did not have documents when he arrived".

Imposing a two-month sentence, he added "I have to look on this as a deterrent" to people having documentation getting their flights but not when they arrive at Dublin Airport.

Judge Mitchell remarked: "I have been getting "a lot of these cases".

The court heard Dafaallah's prosecution stemmed from a continuing Garda operation resulting in 37 arrests.

The sentence was backdated to the date of the offence when the accused initially went into custody on remand.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Veteran DUP MP Sammy Wilson has stepped down as his partys chief whip at Westminster.

Mr Wilson has been a vocal critic of the unionist partys deal with the UK government which led to the restoration of the Stormont powersharing institutions.

The East Antrim MP was not available for comment on Friday but a DUP source confirmed that he had left his role.

It is understood he will still remain as a member of the partys officer team.

Earlier this month, the DUP dropped its two-year blockade of the Stormont Assembly and powersharing Executive, following the publication of the Governments Safeguarding The Union command paper.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said his deal with the UK government had replaced the so-called Irish Sea trading border. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson insisted the new arrangements unveiled by the Government have removed the Irish Sea trading border and restored Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

However, several prominent figures within the DUP have publicly criticised the deal.

Just hours after the command paper was published, Mr Wilson launched a scathing broadside against the UK government in the House of Commons in a clear sign of the differing opinions at the highest levels of the party.

The arch-Brexiteer claimed the ongoing application of EU law in Northern Ireland was the result of a spineless, weak-kneed, Brexit-betraying Government, refusing to take on the EU and its interference in Northern Ireland.

Mr Wilson also joined with party colleagues Lord Dodds and Lord Morrow in an article in the News Letter which denied that the so-called Irish Sea trading border had been removed.

The unionist partys deal with the UK government led to the return of the stalled powersharing institutions with Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill appointed as the first nationalist First Minister and the DUPs Emma Little-Pengelly as deputy First Minister.
FARGO  The city of Fargo has lost its legal challenge of a state law that overrides the citys home rule charter ban of residential gun sales.

East Central District Judge Cherie Clark's decision is the latest setback in the citys effort to ban residential gun sales under its home rule authority, intended to give local governments greater control.

In her Thursday ruling, Clark cited a line of North Dakota Supreme Court decisions holding that home rule charters have limits and are subject to state law.

None of the cases above squarely address the issue presented in this case of whether the Legislature has constitutional authority to carve out limitations within the home rule powers it had once granted, she wrote.

However, it is undeniable from this long line of cases that the Legislature has considerable power to shape home rule authority.

The state constitution doesnt grant any powers to home rule cities, Clark added. Those powers are only bestowed by legislative action.

City leaders will meet with their lawyers to decide whether to appeal the decision.

The city of Fargo believes its position to be valid and is disappointed with the district court ruling, Gregg Schildgerger, the citys chief communication officer, said in a statement.

North Dakota law affords a 60-day window in which to appeal and the citys legal team will be meeting with the City Commission in the near future in executive session to determine potential next steps on this matter, he said.

The North Dakota Legislature in 2023 passed a law forbidding local municipalities from enacting any zoning ordinances related to the purchase, sale, ownership, possession, transfer of ownership, registration or licensure of firearms and ammunition.

Attorney General Drew Wrigley praised Clark's decision as "thorough" and with "historical context and case law."

Because local home rule authority is limited, "The North Dakota Legislature of course gets to speak on this issue," he said. "In this regard, they preempted the home rule charter."

Legislators decided "there needed to be uniformity" on an issue of statewide significance, Wrigley said.

Although ruling against the city of Fargo, Clark was bothered by the Legislature's move to weaken local control that is at the heart of home rule powers.

"The court is troubled that the state Legislature has limited home rule authority on a purely local issue, such as zoning," she wrote. "The state has not advanced any statewide interest in prohibiting localities from regulating in this area and, indeed, no such interest appears to exist.

"The court is concerned that the Legislature's ability to strip home rule authority in this instance could threaten home rule authority in the future," she wrote, "If the Legislature continues to pare home rule powers, home rule cities lack the discretion to address important issues impacting their respective and unique communities.

"Home rule authority would, in essence, be rendered obsolete."

Legislative action to limit local home rule authority is rare, Wrigley said.

Despite her misgivings, Clark said her analysis led her to conclude that the city has "implied authority over these local matters when the state has expressly limited its authority on this issue," so she ruled in favor of the state.

The city sued the state of North Dakota in August 2023 in seeking to enforce its home rule powers on residential gun sales through a declaratory judgment from a judge that would clarify the legal dispute.

The North Dakota Constitution guarantees the right to have maximum local control, Assistant Fargo City Attorney Peter Zuger said in arguments in a hearing in January. Zoning within a residential neighborhood is, without question, a local issue.

A decision upholding the state law overturning home rule powers on residential gun sales, he said, would minimize the powers of local government and give the state the authority to override local laws at any time.

But a lawyer for the state of North Dakota said the law overriding local home rule powers on gun sales is legal.

"The statutes at issue here are, in fact, constitutional," Courtney Titus, an assistant North Dakota attorney general, said in the January hearing. "A home rule city's authority ... is not without restrictions."

The Fargo City Commission voted unanimously to sue the state over the law in June 2023.
We Are China

Gunlong dance staged to greet Lantern Festival

Ecns.cn) 15:50, February 23, 2024

Villagers perform dragon dance to greet Lantern Festival in Zhaiying ancient town of Songtao Miao Autonomous County in Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 28, 2018. (Photo: China News Service/Yin Gang)

A total of 48 hand-made dragons participated in the Gunlong Festival on Thursday. The folk festival, which has a history of more than 600 years, is a local tradition to wish for good fortunes in the new year.

Villagers perform dragon dance to greet Lantern Festival in Zhaiying ancient town of Songtao Miao Autonomous County in Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 28, 2018. (Photo: China News Service/Yin Gang)

Villagers perform dragon dance to greet Lantern Festival in Zhaiying ancient town of Songtao Miao Autonomous County in Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 28, 2018. (Photo: China News Service/Yin Gang)

Villagers perform dragon dance to greet Lantern Festival in Zhaiying ancient town of Songtao Miao Autonomous County in Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 28, 2018. (Photo: China News Service/Yin Gang)

Villagers perform dragon dance to greet Lantern Festival in Zhaiying ancient town of Songtao Miao Autonomous County in Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 28, 2018. (Photo: China News Service/Yin Gang)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Record heat continues in western North Dakota, contributing to an expansion of drought in the state.

Bismarck and Jamestown on Wednesday both set city records for the date with a daytime high temperature of 60 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. It continued a weather pattern that has persisted for a month, as temperature records have been falling in the region since late January.

Surges of warm air will spread springlike temperatures across the Plains into next week, according to AccuWeather. The entire Upper Midwest has already seen record warmth this week, with Fargo among a list of several cities experiencing their mildest winters on record, according to the weather agency.

It's also been one of the warmest winters on record in western and central North Dakota, which forecasters attribute to the El Nino warming of the waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which influences weather in the continental U.S.

"Winter weather lovers across the central and eastern United States have not had much time to enjoy extended stretches of cold and snowy conditions," AccuWeather Meteorologist Jesse Ferrell reported.

More record highs are possible throughout western and central North Dakota on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Bismarck's record for the date is 62 degrees, set in 2016. The forecast is for a high of 61 degrees. Normal for Feb. 26 is a high of 32.

A strong cold front will move through Monday night, dropping daytime highs into the teens, though they'll quickly rebound back into the 30s on Wednesday and the 50s by Thursday, according to the weather service.

Drought deepens

Drought has ballooned in North Dakota following yet another dry week, with abnormally dry conditions creeping into northeastern Burleigh County and encroaching on Morton County.

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map, released Thursday, shows 70% of the state in some form of drought, compared to 57% a week earlier. Fourteen percent of the state is in moderate drought, the second-weakest category on a five-level scale, up from 6% last week. The area in severe drought, the middle category on the scale, remains at 7%.

Moderate and severe drought now covers almost the entire northeast quadrant of the state. Areas rated "abnormally dry" -- the weakest category -- envelop the rest of northern North Dakota, along with the east central region and parts of the southwest and south central regions. Abnormally dry areas encircle Burleigh and Morton counties and clip the northeastern corner of Burleigh.

"The last three months have been dry, and the lack of snow cover has exposed bare ground," National Centers for Environmental Information Meteorologist Richard Heim wrote in this week's report. He also cited "warmer-than-normal weekly temperatures in the Upper Midwest" for the drought expansion.

Daytime temperatures in the Bismarck-Mandan region over the past week have generally been about 20 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year, according to National Weather Service statistics. The long-range weather forecast predicts the trend to continue.

Disaster briefing

The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services has scheduled a virtual briefing for government entities and private nonprofits impacted by an ice storm that hit the state in late December.

President Joe Biden this week declared a disaster for 13 counties -- Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Grant, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman and Traill. Electrical infrastructure in that region saw an estimated $11.5 million in damage, according to the governor's office.

The presidential disaster declaration paves the way for federal aid to help with repairs -- up to a 75% federal and 10% state cost share for eligible damages to public infrastructure.

The briefing set for Thursday, Feb. 29, is a required step to access funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Public Assistance Program. To request an invite or get more information contact Justin Messner, disaster recovery chief for DES, at 701-328-8107.
Donald Trump showered his confident, "successful" and "very brilliant" wife Melania Trump with praise amid her absence from the campaign trail.

During a town hall with Fox News' Laura Ingraham in South Carolina Tuesday, the former president repeatedly emphasized that his wife is a "private person" after being asked if his "secret weapon" will appear at campaign events in the future.

Trump noted that despite being a "very, very successful" model, Melania doesn't like being in the limelight.

However, the current Republican presidential frontrunner hinted that Melania will make appearances in his 2024 presidential campaign in the coming days.

"She's going to be out a lot. Not because she likes doing it, but she likes the results," Trump said. "She wants to see this country really succeed. She loves the country."





The former president went on to note that Melania is a "very brilliant person" who "speaks many languages." He also shared what he believes sets Melania apart from other first ladies.

"You know, a lot of first ladies would go out -- they want to be everywhere," he told Ingraham. "They get angry at their husband because he's not introducing them. If I didn't introduce Melania, she'd be very happy about it. She's just a different kind of a person."

According to Trump, Melania has done a "beautiful job" raising their "very tall" son, Barron Trump, but also has the "success of our country" among her priorities.

"Her life evolves around that boy," Trump said of Melania and Barron. "It's so important to her. At the same time, it also revolves around our country and the success of our country. She's raised a lot of money for charity."

Trump once more emphasized that Melania is a private person but that she plans to join him on the road because she "loves the country."

"She's going to be out a lot, but she does it for the good of the country, not for her," he insisted. "She's somebody with a lot of confidence. She doesn't need that."

President Trump Town Hall



"Melania is a brilliant person. Her life revolves around Barron and the success of our country."



"She is a private personbut will be out a lotnot because she likes the attentionbut because she loves the country and wants to see it succeed." pic.twitter.com/sVDxjZ3xjS  Shannon Ford (@shannonfordUSA) February 22, 2024

Last month, Trump also gave an update on Melania's involvement in his reelection campaign during a chat with Fox News' Brian Kilmeade.

He insisted that Melania will "play" a role in his campaign as she "wants to make America Great again, too."

The ex-POTUS described Melania as "very smart" and "very compassionate" and said he relies on her for advice.

"I think she's going to be very active in the sense of being active, at the same time, I don't want my family to be too active because they did such a great job last time," Trump said.

Earlier this month, Trump marked Valentine's Day with a message for Melania in a campaign email asking supporters for donations.





In the email, the former president thanked his wife for standing by him amid his legal woes.

"Dear Melania, I LOVE YOU. Even after every single INDICTMENT, ARREST and WITCH HUNT, you never left my side," Trump wrote. "You've always supported me through everything. I wouldn't be the man I am today without your guidance, kindness, and warmth."

"You will always mean the world to me, Melania! From your husband with love, Donald J. Trump," he concluded his message.

Aside from attending the campaign launch in November 2022, Melania has mostly steered clear of the campaign trail.

However, last year, she gave a rare interview to express support for her husband's reelection bid.

Melania told Fox News Digital in May 2023 that Trump "has my support, and we look forward to restoring hope for the future and leading America with love and strength."




An Ohio woman who left her 16-month-old daughter unattended at home for more than a week while she went on vacation has recently entered a guilty plea.

On Thursday, Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael O'Malley revealed that Kristel Candelario has plead guilty to aggravated murder and endangering children in connection to the death of her 16-month-old daughter, Jailyn Candelario.

Candelario, 32, left Jailyn "alone and unattended" from June 6 to June 16, 2023 while she travelled to Detroit and Puerto Rico. Upon her return, the toddler was found unresponsive inside a playpen. The playpen's liner and blankets was soiled with urine and feces.

An autopsy by the Cuyahoga County medical examiners office determined Jailyn died of starvation and severe dehydration.

RELATED: Judge Accused Of Shooting Sleeping Boyfriend In The Head And Told Him He Did It

"This case is one of those truly unimaginable cases that will stick with me for many years to come," O'Malley said in a statement. "As prosecutors, it is our job to represent the victims and today we spoke on behalf of 16-month-old Jailyn - who is no longer with us - due to the selfish decisions her mother made. This conviction today is the first step towards justice for Jailyn."

RELATED: Death Penalty Sought For Woman Accused Of Killing 4-Year-Old, Leaving Body In Backpack

Her sentencing is scheduled for March 18. Candelario faces life in prison.
Birth, old age, illness and death are a description of the human life process. Naturally, there is a long history of using drugs to improve human health. Since the history of medicine and healthcare is vast and complex, it is not the purpose of this chapter to provide a comprehensive review, rather a very brief introduction. The main points here are: 1) In a certain historical period, drug research (and use) was based on (and limited by) the socioeconomic level and scientific & technological development at that time; 2) Innovative drug discovery and development (at scale) has a very short history.

The history of medicine and healthcare evolved through several distinct periods. Each era brought forward innovations and practices that significantly influenced the approach to health and medicine. Here's a brief overview, segmented into major historical periods of Europe (with a brief description of the healthcare practice in China around the same time):

Ancient Greek Medicine (c. 800 BC - 146 BC)

Foundations: Ancient Greek medicine is often considered the foundation of Western medical practice. It introduced the concepts of diagnosis, prognosis, and advanced ethical standards.

Hippocrates (c. 460 BC - c. 370 BC): Known as the "Father of Medicine," emphasized the importance of observing patients and proposed that diseases had natural, not supernatural, causes.

Humoral Theory: Health was believed to be a balance of four bodily fluids or "humors": blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Treatment aimed to restore this balance.

In China, before Qin Dynasty (before 221 BC)

Shamanistic Origins: Early Chinese medicine had shamanistic roots, with disease believed to be caused by external supernatural forces. Healing practices included rituals, herbal medicine, and acupuncture.

Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine): This ancient text, written around the 1st century BC or earlier, is considered the fundamental doctrinal source for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), introducing concepts like Qi (vital energy), Yin and Yang, and the Five Elements.

Roman Medicine (146 BC - 476 AD)

Expansion and Public Health: Romans adopted Greek medical practices and expanded them. They excelled in public health, building aqueducts and sewer systems to prevent disease.

Galen (AD 129 - c. 200/c. 216) further developed the humoral theory and performed extensive anatomical studies, which dominated medical understanding for centuries.

In China, Han, Wei, Jin, and Southern & Northern Dynasties (206 BC - 589 AD)

Systematization of TCM: The Han period saw the systematization of Chinese medicine. Theories of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements were applied to understand human anatomy and physiology.

Development of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: These practices were refined and became more widespread, with the compilation of texts detailing meridians and acupuncture points.

Medieval Medicine (476 AD - 1400 AD)

Monastic Medicine: With the fall of the Roman Empire, monasteries became the centers of medical knowledge, preserving Greek and Roman texts.

Arab Influence: The Islamic Golden Age (8th to 14th century) saw significant medical advancements in the Middle East. Scholars like Avicenna synthesized and expanded on Greek and Roman medical knowledge, which later influenced Europe through translations.

Universities and Hospitals: The establishment of universities in the 12th century revitalized medical study, and hospitals began to emerge as institutions for care.

In China, Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD) and Song Dynasty (960 - 1279 AD)

Imperial Medical Bureau: Established to organize medical practice and education, the bureau was a significant step in professionalizing healthcare.

Influence of Buddhism: The introduction of Buddhism influenced Chinese medicine, incorporating Indian herbal remedies and enhancing the humanitarian aspects of healthcare.

Public Healthcare: The government initiated public healthcare measures, establishing hospitals and providing medical services to the poor.

Renaissance Medicine (1400 AD - 1700 AD)

Human Anatomy: Advances in human anatomy, led by figures like Andreas Vesalius, challenged Galens anatomical theories.

Herbal Pharmacopeia: The use of herbs in medicine became more systematized, with extensive texts detailing their use for various ailments.

Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)

Pharmacology: The Ming dynasty is notable for significant advancements in pharmacology, including the publication of the Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) by Li Shizhen in the 16th century, which remains a crucial reference for TCM herbal medicine.

Expansion of Medical Knowledge: These periods saw the expansion of medical texts and knowledge, with a focus on case studies and practical experience.

Modern Medicine I (1700 - 1900 AD)

18th and 19th Centuries: The Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution brought scientific approaches to medicine, with innovations like vaccination by Edward Jenner.

Germ Theory: In the late 19th century, Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch established that microorganisms cause diseases, revolutionizing healthcare practices.

In China, Qing Dynasties (1636 - 1912)

Continued Expansion of Medical Knowledge: These periods saw the expansion of medical texts and knowledge, with a focus on case studies and practical experience.

Missionary Medicine and Early Institutions (Late 19th Century): Western missionaries established the first modern hospitals and medical schools in China, introducing modern medical practices and education. Notable examples include the Boji Hospital in Guangzhou and the Peking Union Medical College in Beijing.

Modern Medicine II (1900 AD - Present)

20th Century: Rapid advancements included antibiotics, medical imaging, and vaccines, significantly increasing life expectancy.

In China, Republic of China and People Republic of China (1912 - Present)

TCM continued to develop, there was also resistance and challenge from within China, with debates on the efficacy and scientific basis of some practices.

Expansion of modern medicine supported by government and medical institutions: The establishment of the Republic of China marked a period of openness to Western ideas, including medicine. The Rockefeller Foundation established the China Medical Board, significantly investing in medical education and public health initiatives in China, including the expansion of Peking Union Medical College as a leading institution for modern medicine.

After the establishment of the People's Republic of China (1949), the new government embarked on a project to integrate Modern (Western) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practices, promoting a unified healthcare system. Hospitals and clinics that practiced Western medicine were established across China. The government also initiated campaigns to eradicate infectious diseases, relying on both Western and Chinese medical practices.

Contemporary Medicine (Late 20th century - Present):

Today, medicine is characterized by cutting-edge technology, personalized medicine, and a focus on preventive care. The integration of digital technology into healthcare, known as digital health, is shaping the future of medicine with innovations like telemedicine, wearable devices, and AI-driven diagnostic tools.

Although the use of herbal medicines has a long history, it took thousands of years to systematize. In Europe, Herbal Pharmacopoeia emerged during the Renaissance. While in China, Bencao Gangmu was completed in 1578 and printed in 1596, which became a crucial reference for TCM herbal medicine since then. Before the industrial revolution, the development and use of drugs have relied on empirical knowledge in a very slow pace without institutional support.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution propelled the emergence of modern medicine. Rapid advancements included antibiotics, medical imaging, and vaccines, significantly increasing life expectancy in the 20th century globally (first in western countries followed by in developing countries in the second half of the century). Accumulation of wealth in industrialized societies and the parallel scientific & technology advancement made it possible for the medical institutions and scientific communities to play an active role in the development and use of drugs. In recent years, major investments in biomedical research and pharmaceutical industry further propelled drug discovery & development to an unprecedented pace.
The 202425 Kerala budget has been the focus of policy attention on how the state continues its development and social sector spending in the presence of mounting public debt. Evidence, however, indicates that the ongoing fiscal stress problem has evolved into a development crisis. Though the fiscal issue has been escalating in the last two decades, the sustainability of public debt in Kerala has gained wide attention with the publication of the Reserve Bank of India Report 2022, which categorised the state among Indias five most indebted states. Fiscal indicators have worsened vis--vis the limits of the Financial Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003, in which the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio, revenue deficit, and fiscal deficit have risen to 34.62%, 2.3%, and 3.9% in 202223, respectively.

The restrictions of FRBMs limit, coupled with the inability to raise its own finances for development, have led to the creation of off-budget liabilities. The Government of Kerala formed the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and the Kerala Social Security Pension Limited (KSSPL) as companies through legislative bills to finance infrastructure and social security. However, the increasing off-budget liabilities from above have been treated by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India as part of government liabilities and included in the state governments market borrowing limit of 3% of GDP, curtailing further borrowings and worsening the fiscal situation. Against this background, the budget proposals for 202425 need to be scrutinised from the perspective of resource mobilisation and public expenditure, given the fiscal scenario of the state government.
Overview

Experience the next frontier in railway innovation at the upcoming Railway Diagnostic and Monitoring Conference (RDMC) as it transcends the success of its previous year in Lucerne. This time, the RDMC is heading to Cologne, offering a unique twist by exploring the workshop of the local traffic company KVB. Our focus will delve into the realm of sensors in rail vehicles, uncovering the transformative impact of sensor technology on predictive maintenance.

At the heart of the conference are insightful lectures on sensor technology in rail vehicles, spotlighting its pivotal role and rapid advancements. While embracing new horizons, we remain rooted in our commitment to Wayside Train Monitoring equipment, unveiling the latest breakthroughs in monitoring both rail vehicles and infrastructure.

Dive deep into the world of data, exploring its benefits and understanding how collected data can be seamlessly accessible for stakeholders. Beyond professional exchange, the RDMC fosters a networking environment, ensuring an unparalleled experience in the realm of Railway Diagnostics and Monitoring. Don't miss out on this leading conference, seamlessly blending a hybrid format and conducted in English for a global audience.

The first day of the conference offers exciting presentations with a concluding networking dinner. More presentations will follow on the second day of the conference.

As this RDMC will again be held in a hybrid format, the program will be slightly modified for virtual attendees.
The U.S. Embassy has issued a reminder to American travelers about the persistent risk of crime across Colombia. Recent incidents, including armed robberies at popular eateries and hangout spots in Bogota frequently visited by tourists and expatriates, highlight the need for heightened vigilance.





Travelers are urged to maintain a state of alertness, incorporating robust personal security measures into their daily routines. In the event of a robbery, individuals are advised to prioritize personal safety by cooperating fully and avoiding any resistance, which could escalate the situation dangerously.





In case of encountering gunfire, citizens are instructed to remain calm, assume a prone position, and seek cover promptly. While criminal and terrorist activities pose a threat across various locations, including transportation hubs, markets, and government facilities, there's an added caution against potential attacks targeting U.S. citizens.





The U.S. Department of State has issued a level three travel advisory for Colombia, recommending travelers to reassess their plans due to concerns over crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.





Key precautions advised for travelers include maintaining a low profile, staying alert to surroundings, avoiding street parking, limiting the display of wealth, and exercising caution when using cellphones in public. Additionally, it's recommended to carry only necessary cash and cards, review personal security plans, and refrain from physical resistance during robbery attempts.





This alert underscores the importance of staying informed and adopting proactive measures to ensure personal safety while traveling in Colombia.
The Pound Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) exchange rate was trapped in a narrow range on Thursday despite UK PMIs bolstering bets that UK is already bouncing back from last years recession.

At the time of writing GBP/CAD traded at around CA$1.7057, virtually unchanged from Thursdays opening rate.

Pound (GBP) Muted despite Positive PMI data

The Pound (GBP) traded sideways on Thursday despite the latest UK PMI data portraying an optimistic economic outlook.

The services index remained at 54.3 in February, coming in above expectations of a slight drop to 54.1, and printing at a nine-month high.

On the other hand, manufacturing sector growth remained in contraction territory, with the index coming in at 47.1, up from Januarys figure of 47, however missed forecasts of an increase to 47.5.

The latest flash PMI data has ramped up bets that the UKs recession will be short lived amid encouraging service sector growth, and underpinned GBP exchange rates on Thursday.

Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence commented: UK economic growth has accelerated in February, with the early PMI survey data pointing to the largest rise in business activity for nine months. This is by no means a one-off improvement, as faster growth has now been recorded for four straight months after a brief spell of decline late last year. The survey data point to the economy growing at a quarterly rate of 0.2-3% in the first quarter of 2024, allaying fears that last year's downturn will have spilled over into 2024 and suggesting that the UKs recession is already over.

Canadian Dollar (CAD) Flat despite Better-than-Expected Sales Growth

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Sales growth in Canada came in at 0.9%, beating expectations of a 0.8% reading, and surged past Novembers upwardly revised 0% stagnation.

However, the forecast-beating data had little impact on the Canadian Dollar, as it continued trading flat against the majority of its peers.

Keeping the crude-linked Loonie afloat prior to the release was a modest uptick in oil prices.

Just last week, Tamas Varga, analyst as PVM oil brokers, signalled that oil prices would likely continue supporting the Canadian Dollar in 2024.

OPEC now anticipates a significantly tighter oil market in the upcoming year, with demand projected to increase by 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd), surpassing the production growth of 1.2 million bpd observed outside the cartel.

Tamas Varga explained: Although this years demand growth will be much slower than that of 2023, global oil inventories should still decline throughout the current year if OPEC keeps output low, as expected.

GBP/CAD Forecast: Risk Appetite to Bouy the Pound?

Looking past Canadas latest retail sales, Friday may leave the Pound Canadian Dollar exchange rate directionless amid a lack of data for both the UK and Canada.

Oil prices could influence CAD exchange rates should they continue on their upward trend; however equally, should they falter, the commodity-linked currency may weaken.

Meanwhile, Sterling may be driven primarily by market risk dynamics.

Should todays upbeat market mood extend into tomorrow, this could lend Sterling some modest support towards the end of the week.
Friday, February 23, 2024

You can build your Entrepreneurial success with the right combination of guesting on podcasts.

Todays episode is one you certainly wont want to miss. Were talking with a very special guest, Alex Sanfilippo, the founder of Pod Pros, whos here to shed light on the power of podcast guesting. Alex is going to walk us through some truly effective strategies for making your mark on podcasts that can help you grow your business.

Hes got a wealth of knowledge to share, from selecting the right niches to crafting pitches that captivate the attention of podcast hosts.

Alex is also going to give us insights into the importance of follow-ups after your guest appearances and why sharing your episodes can make a significant impact on your success. Plus, hell be offering his top five steps to becoming a standout podcast guesta roadmap every entrepreneur should follow.

So, get ready to take notes as Alex lays down the wisdom you need to navigate the podcasting world with finesse and purpose. Whether youre here to pick up some tips for your first guest appearance or to fine-tune your existing strategy, this episode is jam-packed with advice thats essential for your entrepreneurial toolkit. Lets jump right in and start raving!

Heres the Video For You!









First, heres a gift for you to better understand AI and build sales  Recommended AI tools for business growth.

http://AItools4biz.com

Listen to this & other episodes on our podcast

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ABOUT

Were Stark Raving Entrepreneurs. We help you with the lifestyle of Live and Let Live. Do whatever you want, but dont hurt others and dont take their stuff. We embrace what is called the Non-Aggression Principle (NAP).

For your convenience here are some time stamps of note-worthy content for this episode:

TERRY

Hall of Fame keynote speaker Terry Brock is a globally connected leading authority who works with organizations that want to leverage technology and social media for more customer engagement, productivity, and increased profitability.

Terry is the former Chief Enterprise Blogger for Skype, former Editor-in-Chief for AT&Ts Networking Exchange blog, and former Chief Retail Advisor for ACE Hardware.

A master at his craft, Terry earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association and was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Virtual Speakers Hall of Fame and he was recognized as a Legend by the Veteran Speakers Association.

Terry is also a Cavett Award recipient, recognized as the National Speakers Associations most cherished award (only one per year).

GINA



As the CEO of Stark Raving Entrepreneurs, Gina Carr works with business leaders to leverage AI-powered marketing for more impact, influence, and income. Gina has an MBA from the Harvard Business School and an engineering degree from Georgia Tech. Known as The Tribe Builder, Gina helps passionate people build powerful tribes of raving fans.

A serial entrepreneur, Gina has created several businesses, including an award-winning real estate company, a chain of community magazines, and Video Rock Starz. She is the CEO of TEDxDupreePark. A native Atlantan, Gina now lives in Orlando with her sweetie Terry Brock. Gina is a passionate advocate for animals, freedom, and plant-based living!

Here are the ways to work with us here at Stark Raving Entrepreneurs:

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Join our Stark Raving Entrepreneurs Community TODAY at: http://starkravingentrepreneurs.com

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MISSION

Were a channel devoted to those with an entrepreneurial spirit who believe in freedom and liberty. If you like the idea of living a voluntary life, not initiating force or coercion, and living life peacefully, abundantly, and making a lot of money, this is the place for you!

We look forward to hearing from you and getting your opinions and thoughts. Drop us a note at Terry@TerryBrock.com or Gina@GinaCarr.com.

Thank you for joining us today.

Terry Brock & Gina Carr

For your convenience, here is a Spanish language summary of this episode:

En este episodio de Stark Raving Entrepreneurs titulado AlexSanfilippo-PodcastGuesting.m4a, los anfitriones Gina Carr y Terry Brock charlan con invitados como Alex Sanfilippo, Connor Cunneen, Sherry Richardson y otros sobre la importancia de seleccionar podcasts especificos cuyas audiencias coincidan con el perfil del oyente ideal del invitado. Se discute la necesidad de preparar un kit de medios y una propuesta concisa para presentarse a los anfitriones de podcasts, y se subraya la importancia de ofrecer valor y promocionar las apariciones previas como invitado.

Alex Sanfilippo, fundador de Pod Pros y servicios como PodMatch, comparte las ventajas de ser invitado en podcasts para aumentar la visibilidad y la autoridad de dominio, comparando la interaccion en podcasts con la interaccion en las redes sociales. Reconoce tambien que hay desafios, como la competencia para ser notado entre muchos invitados potenciales y la importancia de hacer seguimiento con los anfitriones del podcast.

Connor Cunneen habla sobre su experiencia positiva con PodMatch y como ha beneficiado su forma de pensar y le ha brindado oportunidades para aparecer en podcasts. Alex y otros participantes discuten las tecnicas para investigar y seleccionar contenido de podcast no explorado previamente y comparten estrategias para destacarse y contribuir a la comunidad de podcasting.

Sherry Richardson explora el tema de por que algunos invitados no promocionan sus apariciones, y Alex enfatiza la importancia de compartir y reutilizar contenido. Ademas, se destacan los datos que muestran un declive en la cantidad de podcasts activos pero un aumento en la audiencia.

Terry Brock relata su propia experiencia al usar PodMatch y Alex ofrece consejos sobre como mejorar los perfiles y abordan el modelo de precios de la plataforma. Para cerrar, Alex proporciona consejos sobre como ser un buen invitado de podcast y la importancia de ofrecer servicio antes de buscar ganancias. Por ultimo, se abre la conversacion para preguntas y comentarios de la audiencia y se brinda asesoramiento para que los podcasts esten disponibles en plataformas como Apple Podcasts.

Also for you convenience, here is an unedited transcript to help you get more good from this:

Terry Brock [00:00:00]:

An entrepreneur, youre always looking for ways to build your business, and thats what were gonna do in this episode because were doing something just a little bit different than weve done normally. Weve got a guest who joined us on Stark Raving Entrepreneurs, our regular meetings that we have for members. And he gave us some really good ideas that are gonna help you in your business growth about building a podcast. How you can be a guest on podcasts. And that really helps a lot. His name is Alex Sanfilippo. He talks about how you can use that through his company, PodMatch. This is one you definitely wanna hear.

Terry Brock [00:00:30]:

If youre into podcasting, if youre into growing your business, look at the principles that he talks about and how you can use it. This is one that you wanna take some notes on because its really that good. And Ill join you at the end of this as we do a recap of what you can do to grow your business. Were gonna be doing things just a little bit differently today. So that way we give you the maximum value and let you hear about this marvelous person that, you are going to love when you hear about it. His name is Alex Sanfilippo. Hes an entrepreneur and the founder of Pod Pros, which is a software company specifically focused on independent podcast hosts like us and their guests like us to elevate their voices through podcasting and be heard. Alex and his team at Pod Pros have developed popular podcasting software services such as PodMatch.

Terry Brock [00:01:17]:

Write that down if you havent heard it. PodMatch, podcast SOP, Pod Lottery. And in addition, Alex is also the host of the top rated podcast, Podcasting Made Simple, and is one of the most sought after educators and public speakers in the podcasting industry. We know him from our experience at Podfest, one of the largest events in the world, and we got a chance to be there regularly. And so we were just I was just frankly tickled when I knew we were gonna get the Alex Sanfilippo to come on board with us to give us the inside secrets of how you can be a guest on more podcasts to get your message out. Its one of the best ways to do it. Hes gonna tell you why and how. And if youre a host and you need to get some guests that are just the right kind, Alex will do that.

Terry Brock [00:02:06]:

So join me in welcoming Alex Sanfilippo with a wonderful, stark raving entrepreneurs. Thumbs up and cheers. Alex, welcome aboard, sir.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:02:14]:

Harry and Gina, thank you so so much. I appreciate the warm introduction. That was, extremely kind, and, it was it was an honor to get to hang out in Orlando, Florida for, your backyard for Podfest. My backyard too, but, super fun. So thank you so so much for having me. And, Stark Raving Entrepreneurs, so excited to be here with you. Live and let live. I sometimes find that helping others live a better life is adding value to their lives, and I believe podcast guesting is a great way to do that.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:02:40]:

And so Im always thrilled to talk about podcast guesting and I love the vision here. And Im just excited to talk about mastering this idea of podcast guesting because I can see how its really going to serve. The first thing I wanna talk about is just to piggyback right off of what Gina said, which was talking about how its how to grow visibility. Right? How to to to grow and get your name out there even more in in the role that podcast guesting can play in that. So really excited to dive in that. And the the first thing Im gonna share here is, like, a little bonus that I, within the last, I guess, year, really learned about podcast guesting. I was trying to get a new domain up and running, so one of my websites. And I was I had a schedule, like, 6 weeks after launch the website to meet with an SEO an SEO expert to to talk about it, and but I was mentioning on every podcast I was on.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:03:26]:

So when I got on the call with this person, he goes, hey, man. He goes, what have you been doing? And I was like, really not much yet. And he goes, this is the highest domain authority Ive seen on such a young website. Hes like, there had to be something you were doing. And we started diving into it, and he goes, oh, dude. Hes like, you have links from Apple, from Spotify, from Google, from YouTube, and from literally thousands of other publications. Turns out I was mentioning it on podcast, and people were putting those links in the description, and that was feeding that domain, giving it a higher authority. So heres something thats really interesting to think about.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:03:58]:

Just like an early side note, if you will, pretend theres no one who ever hears the podcast. Pretend like the host did a terrible job or you didnt even do a good job. At the very least, if youre getting a link mentioned, its increasing your domain authority. The Internet thinks higher of you as a result. Because heres the thing, if Google said if Google asked Apple, hey. Is is Dorothy legit? And Google says or, Apple says, yeah. Google. Theyre theyre shes legit.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:04:23]:

Then Google then believes that. Right? So thats a little side note bonus, but thats not really the value I wanna talk about, but just keep that in mind. Because of that, I dont really mind if the audience is extremely small because I know thats a win right there. But if I can add value to 1 life, its worth worth it. Ill get into that in a minute. But beyond the the actual visibility from an SEO standpoint, were finding podcasting more and more becoming the preferred medium of successful people to learn and to grow. How many listen. I love YouTube.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:04:52]:

YouTube is great if youre trying to fix something around the house or the car. Right? Like, it it its great for that. But how many of you have 2 hours a day to sit and watch YouTube? Right? If I give you an option to listen to that instead, wont you take that option? Right? Ill take that option any day, and we find its just the reality of it. The most successful people on the planet feel the same way. Theyre saying, if I can listen to this instead of have to sit stationary for 2 hours, I would much rather go listen to it. But heres the other thing thats really interesting about that. I dont know about all of you, but when I was when I was a kid, I had some learning issues. Lets just put it that way.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:05:27]:

Right? And I end up going to doctors and stuff like that. And 1 doctor told my mom, He said, hey. Next time youre trying to explain something to Alex, I want you to put something in front of him. Give him something to do with his hands and see if he responds differently. So one time, my mom was having a sit down conversation with me probably because I was being a bratty little kid because thats what I did. God bless my mom. She is a saint, by the way. I love that woman.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:05:49]:

So thankful for her. And, we have a great friendship now, by the way. But I was a little brat, and, she put Legos in front of me. And then so, like, hey. Just play with these Legos, and then she explained something to to me. And she said I retained a 100% of what she said. Most entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders have a hard time like, theyll say, hey. I might, like, how often do you hear an entrepreneur say ADHD? I have a trouble focusing.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:06:11]:

Right? Like, it just tends to be one of the traits that entrepreneurs and business leaders have. But if they can do something while theyre listening, they can retain better. Podcasting allows us to do that. We can drive. We can work out. We can cook. We can clean. Right? We do all these different things that dont really take any any, focus while listening, and most of us retain better.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:06:30]:

So, again, think about how valuable that is. If thats your voice that somebodys letting speak to them for 45 minutes and theyre retaining it at a really high level, thats huge. Right? And the last thing I wanna share is that social media and podcasting are not the same thing. And Im not here to dog social media. It totally has its place. I totally believe in social media, but its not apples for apples. And I say that because if I post a picture tomorrow and it gets 50 likes, lets say, thats not as valuable as 50 listeners by a long shot because I might be like this in bed, scrolling through, double tap, next. Right? That might be my social media engagement, if you will.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:07:04]:

But if Im listening to a podcast, I want you to get this perspective. Its as valuable as me sitting in a seat and that person talking to me on a stage. I firmly believe it is as valuable as that. So, again, if theres 50 people in a room that want to hear you talk, are you gonna show up in that room? Would you show up every week if those 50 people want to hear from you or those 30 people or 20? I dont know about you, but Id say yes every week to that opportunity to talk to my ideal audience. But when we think about it, like, oh, 20 people, thats like getting 20 likes on social media. Thats not very good. Its not the same at all. I recently had somebody tell me, hey, Alex.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:07:37]:

Im not going on any podcast unless it has 500,000 people listening every week. And I I kindly kind of brought in, like, a, like, I dont know, like, a passive way. I asked him, like, when was the last time you spoke on a stage with 500,000 people in the room? And he goes, he goes, I dont know if theres rooms like that. Im like, yeah. Its called podcasting. And I dont think that youve ever spoken on stage that big, but whats wrong with a 100 people? Its the right 100 people. Aint that great? So, again, thats kind of the perspective I want you to have on on how podcasting can really serve, from a guesting side or being a host. Like, its really great on both sides.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:08:08]:

So, yeah, yeah, think about podcasting, what it can do from a visibility, from a growth standpoint for you. And its not as big numbers, but its really big on impact, which is what I really think matters. And, the next thing Ill share here quickly kinda transition this from, like, how and why podcasting can help you from a visibility standpoint. Talk about the state of podcast guesting real quick. Hope you all are okay with them. Im going to some of the the data here. I have this written down, so forgive me if Im looking down my screen, but I wanna not quote the numbers wrong. This is from a report that me and my team generate along with another company every month.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:08:37]:

And interestingly enough, podcasting numbers from a host perspective are down. So there are almost on on Apple Podcasts, by the way, the way I track, theres almost 3,000,000 podcasts now. That number is slow. It used to, like, climb really fast. Now its turning to slow. So, like, getting the 3,000,000 point has been, like, a very, very slow process. But at that 3,000,000, there are less than 400,000, just under 400,000 that are actually active. So theres theres less than other active.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:09:05]:

And if you look at shows that are independently driven, so theyre not, like, run by big networks. Theyre not true crime shows. Theyre not any of these type of things. Theyre all independent interview based shows that are active right now. Theres just over, a 115,000 in total. Again, looking at the numbers here and rounding it a little bit. So and I have all this data, so I I can definitely share that. Its on a report thats public.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:09:28]:

And, but so think about it. Theres only a 115,000 shows that are looking for guests at any given time. And the amount of people that make it as podcasters to, like, a 100 episodes that we track is less than 6%. So podcasting churns a lot. And and so heres the like, numbers are down on every way except for listenership. Listenership is climbing at an all time high right now, and thats because big media is talking about podcasting. Whether its positive or negative, it all does the same thing, which causes people to go discover podcasts. And, some other great news in the the industry, is that we, Joe Rogan and Call Her Daddy, which Ive never listened to that podcast.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:10:04]:

I dont know what its about, so forgive me for referencing it. But its a big show, apparently, and I actually dont listen to Joe Rogan show either. But both those shows are huge, and they just ended exclusives with Spotify to go to all the other forms, which is great for podcasting. That will actually cause more listenership to come into the space as well. So I share all that to to make you think. Like, its interesting how podcast from a host perspective, is dropping. Less people are succeeding than ever in the space, but listenership is climbing, which means all the shows that are active are doing better. So the smaller shows are even getting bigger listener bases as well.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:10:36]:

Now I share that, and I think its really important because theres 1 more metric, and its podcast guesting. This is the 1st place Ive said this publicly, so Im gonna go ahead and share this. But I think that the thing that could potentially kill podcasting is podcast guesting. And heres why I say that. Right now, and this data is extremely loose. We we were having a really hard time capturing this data, but we wanted to see how many people on any given day are looking to be a guest on a podcast. So right now, today, theres a 115,000 shows looking for guests, and there is just over 2,500,000 people looking to be a guest today, which comes up to I cant remember the exact number. Basically, any given day, theres 21 people looking to be on a show, on your show, specifically, if you have one.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:11:13]:

Right? What I think might kill podcasting if we dont figure out a solution is that in 2 years, when everyone sees how valuable podcast guesting is, what if theres 20,000,000 people trying? And every day, someone wakes up and has literally a 100 emails of people wanting to be a guest on their show. Right? Thats going to tell a host, I cant do this because I cant keep up with this. What I do is PodMatch, and we are working on a solution to make sure that we build a foundation that serves both sides of the mics, both sides of the mic in a way that really will help them. But I bring that up because if you want to be a guest on a podcast, you have to work harder than ever. In 2018, Ill go back to that time, I could not convince anyone to be a guest on my podcast, and I actually had, at that point, a really big show. It was an entrepreneurship based show. It was it was big. Leaders were like, dude, why would I waste my time being on your podcast? Like, thats the dumbest thing I ever heard.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:12:01]:

2020 rolls around. People are like, I wanna be on a podcast. Dont know how. I want guests. Dont know how. And now fast forward to now, everyone is like, please, I will do anything to be a a guest on your podcast. Right? And I always joke around by saying in in in, if Taylor Swift was like, I wanna be on your podcast to talk about global influence. Id say, what? Why? Give me your perspective.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:12:21]:

I got 10 other guests that wanna talk about the same thing that are all more qualified than you. Right? Obviously, its an extreme, but now I can reach out to anyone on the planet, and they will say yes to being a guest to my podcast. Not because my podcast has anything great, but because everyone sees this opportunity. So thats gonna transition to this next point here, and, Gina and and Terry, am I good? Still keep on going? Are you all okay. Just making sure that Im okay here and keep on moving. Everyone with me? Yall here?

Terry Brock [00:12:44]:

Yeah. Were loving it, Alex. Keep going. Youre on a roll, my man.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:12:46]:

Thanks. Thanks. Appreciate it. So the next thing Ill Ill talk about is is how to be that guest that should be on podcast. Right? Like, whats gonna make you stand out among the 2,500,000 people and going on 20,000,000 people sometime. Right? Like, how do you end up being that one that gets picked? Right now its between you and 19 other people. Right? So theres 20 people pitching at any given time. Like, how do you be the one that gets picked? The first thing I wanna talk about is how not and I encourage you to take notes at this part, but not all podcasts are created equal for you.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:13:16]:

Not all podcasts are created equal for you. The days of spray and pray are behind us. Hey, host. Great show. Would love to be a guest on it. Talk about x, y, z. And I still to this day have emails everyday people trying that. The most recent one I got was a group of veterinarians.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:13:31]:

I had tons of veterinarians wanna be on my show. My podcast is about podcasting. I listen. I dont know. Like and and some of them, like, Ill always respond because I just think its a polite thing to do, but theyll try to, like, give me an angle. Be like, well, people are sometimes listening to podcasts while their pet is being seen. Im like, wow. Thats a that is an intense stretch.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:13:51]:

You know? Like, I I should have them on just for that. Right? But my point is not all podcasts are created equal for you. Now if I had a podcast about pets, that would be a really great fit probably, but we cant just go out and be like, please, everybody everybody have me on your show. Have me on your show. Well, you have to sit down yourself, and you have to get really specific in who it is you serve, how you can actually add value to somebodys life so that you can figure out the type of shows that you should be on. So I always say this, like, pick a niche, pick a lane that you know that you can be in. And the best way I found to do this is to start with why. Sit down with pen and paper.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:14:25]:

Look. Ive got pen and paper right here. Right? Like, I dont know if you all ever seen this. This is theres paper inside this little book, and this is a pen. You write on it. Right? Get alone with just you and your thoughts, like, not with the computer in front of you to to do the research, just pen and paper, and really think about why am I doing this, Who is it that I serve? And really answer that question for yourself because at that point, youre now able to go back and say, this is the person I serve. This is my why. This is my purpose for getting into podcast guesting.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:14:54]:

And while youre doing that, the next thing you wanna do is create what I call it an avatar, which is not the blue people on that movie, which they are as well, but, like, a fictitious character or real character that describes who it is that you want to listen to you. So, So, again, thinking about podcast guesting like being on the stage. Whos in that audience that you say Im here for that person specifically? Make that really, really, really narrow specific. Think about the 1 person that you say, thats who I serve. Now, of course, you can serve a broader audience, but have the 1 person in mind so youre always focused on serving that person. Right? My fictitious characters name is Adam, and I always keep Adam top of mind. And when Im thinking about being a guest on a podcast before I pitch or they ask me, I always ask myself, would Adam gain value from this? Is Adam listening to this? And I find that typically the answers no. And so I Ive started saying no to more podcasts than than saying yes.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:15:45]:

Im not telling you to start doing that immediately. Im not trying to sound like I get on all the shows. Right? But sometimes its its because me and someone have some rapport, but I realized, like, their podcast serves a very different person than Im able to actually show up and serve. So its actually in both our best interest for me not to be there. And I typically position it that way. Im like, hey. Listen. Id love to, but I know that Im not gonna serve in the way that I wanna show up and serve, and Im not doing you or your audience a favor by doing that.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:16:09]:

And sometimes were so focused on the influence and the growth that can be hard to do, but Im telling you, if you can get really focused and just go off those specific shows, its a win. And a hint like Ive been getting at, its not just the big shows. Its any of them that really have that avatar in mind. Would it be better to be on a show with a 1000000 people listening that arent your audience or one that has a 100 people that theyre all your ideal audience? Right? You wanna get really specific with this because youll find, Im gonna succeed more by not going after the Joe Rogans or call her daddies. I did air quotes there. Right? Of of the world, but the really big shows that everyone wants to be on. Instead, say, hey. This ones got 30 people listening, but those 30 people, I can serve them really, really well.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:16:46]:

Right? So you wanna think about it that way. So have this this avatar. Know your niche. Know your why. Get get into the purpose of why youre behind it. And, Ill Ill keep on moving through this now because this is gonna get real So Im gonna get more into the training side of it here. The next thing is to have a one sheet, some sort of media one sheet. I will share this.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:17:05]:

If you if you use PodMatch, it builds 1 for you, and its digital. You can share it inside and outside of PodMatch. Im not here to pitch that to you in any way. I know that you all have an affiliate link, by the way, if you dont mind dropping that in the chat in case anyone is interested. But go look at it later, but make sure that you use you use the, the Stark Raving Entrepreneurs link because that thats very important to me is to to to respect them, because they they they me with this platform today. So make sure that you check that out. And, anyway but look at it later, but itll help you build a digital one sheet. And the one sheet is basically for a host to see everything that we need to know about you.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:17:38]:

Now its not going back to, like, where youre born and stuff like that. Right? Like, they maybe dont need all that unless its super interesting, of course, but all the relevant stuff. And and Im not gonna get into each of those little things now, but some basics are have some photos they can use, have a bio that they can read. Like, Terry didnt do hours of research to figure everything he said about me. Although, Terry, you did a good job with that, so maybe you did more than I dont mean to not give you enough credit. But in general yeah. No problem. In in general, host will want a bio so they know what to read.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:18:07]:

And the other thing is youre giving them direction. They may not read it word for word, but youre helping them by saying, this is what I want you to know about me. Right? And so have your bio description, some photos, some links where they can find a little bit more about you. Its really important you have all this together. So, again, the host can say, okay. I understand this. And most of us are still gonna go do their research, but what youre telling them is I wanna go this way. When you dont have something like this Ive had this happen before.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:18:31]:

I had, like, a 1 sheet. Before Podnatch was a thing, I went on a podcast wanting to talk about, podcasting because thats what I like to do. Right? But at that point, I had a full time job in aerospace, and this is going back many years. And the whole conversation was focused on that because when the host are doing the research, I didnt give him any general direction. So he saw full time aerospace guy. Were talking about that. Right? And I end up having a a great conversation, but it didnt go anywhere I wanted it to go because it wasnt my focus. But I didnt tell them I wanna be in this lane.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:18:57]:

Right? So having a media one sheets very important. Again, theres other resources for it as well, Im sure. I dont know where they are, but PodMats gives you a public and private facing, and itll ask you all the questions and run you through that. But very important you have that because the next step, more notes here, is creating your pitch. Your pitch is your outreach to podcasters. So its how you reach out to them saying, saying I wanna be a guest on the podcast. Right? And Im gonna walk through the 5 things that I do every time. Having a one sheet in it is very important.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:19:25]:

And Ill mention that the reason I I say that thats important, I talk about that beforehand, is because you wanna keep this as short as possible. Like, dont be so sure that youre not using full sentences and stuff, but you wanna keep it really short because Ill give you a little secret about podcast hosts Ive learned. We talk because we dont wanna read too much. And so Ive had some people pitch, and, literally, its 10 paragraphs. And Im, like, reading it, because, again, I I like to respond to everything. And maybe maybe I shouldnt. I dont know. But I feel like thats respectful.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:19:51]:

And so Im, like, reading through it, and Im like, oh, man. This is a lot. You know? Like, this is a lot. Like, could we make this a little bit more tactful? Right? So you wanna link to a lot of things so you dont have to share them in here. Because you dont have a Media One Sheet. Youve gotta include a lot of details that make it much longer. So, again, the idea in this pitch is to keep it short. And this is your initial message, email, whatever it might be to a podcast host.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:20:11]:

So these are the the 5 things I do along with keeping it short in mind. Right? Step 1 is to lead with value. Lead with value. Ill tell you what lead with value doesnt mean. I mean, starting off, hey, host. I have a book. I run this company. I would like to be a guest.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:20:30]:

I, I, I, I, I. Nothing in that says anything about them, their audience, what theyre working toward. If you lead with those things, youre automatically putting their mind that, like, this is for you, the guest. Right? This is for me, the guest, not for you, the host. And so you wanna lead with value. And the best way I found to do that, and Ive actually only had 2 people ever do this with me, and they both came on my show. Spoiler there. What the best thing to do is say, hey, Gina.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:20:57]:

Check out your podcast. Really, really enjoyed what you do. I listened to the episode that you did with Susan. It was just really well done. I like it so much I left you a 5 star rating on review on Apple Podcasts. I went ahead and attached that here in this email. Listen. If you do that, Im telling you, you at the very least have that hosts attention.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:21:14]:

Theyre saying, go on. Right? What else? Like, you clearly did that time. Right? But if you say, hey, host. Not sure what your name is. Loved your latest episode. Its like, okay. Did you just say that? Because I get that email every day, right, from other people. So you wanna make sure you lead with value, and it takes a little bit of effort and time, but it does make you really, really stand out.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:21:34]:

So, again, I I encourage you, mention the host, mention something that you like. Even if you wanna go the extra mile, attach a 5 star rating in review of Apple Podcasts, leaving that review for them because that will really make you stand out in their eyes. So thats step 1. Step 2 is to make a meaningful request make a meaningful request. I get a lot of pitches where I dont actually know what they want from me. I read it, and Im like, do they wanna be a guest on my podcast? Or they want me to buy something from I dont know what they want because theres no clarity in it. You wanna really set the expectation very early. Im not saying, hey.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:22:09]:

I wanna be a guest. Right? Making a meaningful request means that would just be a request, by the way. I wanna be a guest is just a request. But saying, making a meaningful request means that you do a little bit of work. So for me, what I like to do is I like to go through their, at least, recent backlog of episodes to see if my topic has been covered recently. Again, Ive already quantified that I know that Id be a good fit. Right? Because this I I know my why. I know my avatar.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:22:32]:

Theyre theyre listening to this podcast, so I know what value I can add. But has anyone else done that recently? And Ill scroll through it. A great example is I was on a really big podcast a couple years ago where I, I scrolled through 7 years. It wasnt as long as you think. I scrolled the bottom, so its all on 1 page. I hit control f and typed in some keywords. I couldnt find them anywhere, which means they hadnt covered it. Right? And so I basically said, hey, listen.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:22:53]:

I went through 7 years of episodes. I put my presences. Yeah. I know thats a lot. I noticed you hadnt talked about podcast guesting in the last 7 years, but I think thatd be very valuable for your entrepreneurs. Theyre trying to grow their businesses as a creative marketing idea. Id love to be the guest to come on the show to talk about this. Heres the thing that host once again is like, have I really not covered this? Right? Like, have have I really not done this? Thats the question that theyre asking themselves.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:23:16]:

Theyre saying, oh my goodness. Like, I cant believe that. So now once again, you have you have their interest. Theyre saying, okay. Wow. That thats really fascinating. And so the next thing you wanna do after making that meaningful request, again, going through doing a little bit of extra work, is the third thing is to offer credibility. Credibility in the Internet age has changed quite a bit.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:23:36]:

Credibility used to mean your degree, the companies youve worked for, things that youve accomplished. Right? Like, all those things used to be, what would give you credibility. Now credibility is who you know that they also know. Again, requires a little research, but if you go to some of their social media profiles, a lot of them show who you follow in common, or you can scroll through their episodes. You know anyones name thats in that sphere. All I have to do is if I wanna be on lets imagine lets just say that, Gina and, Terry have different shows. If I say I was recently on Terrys show, heres the link to that episode, Ginas gonna be like, oh, of course, you can come on my podcast. I dont need to know anything else about you.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:24:15]:

Right? I dont I dont need to because youve already proven that you know that. Another example is Im, like, kind of flipping the script here. I was recently on a podcast that hadnt launched yet. I have a very strict no go on shows that have not launched policy. Very strict. I never do that because I Ive learned after doing, like, 20 of those, none of them ever launched. Right? Like, that ends up happening. But this person did something different.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:24:36]:

She said, Id love to have him in the show. Its launching in 6 weeks. Ive already had 4 people that you know on the show, and she named all 4 of them, and theyre all 4 people that I really respect. If I can get in the same room as them, Im gonna take the opportunity any day of the week. I literally just responded. I said, send me whatever date and time you want on there, because she offered credibility of who I know that she also knows. Find a way to do that. And this is again where the media one sheet comes in common.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:24:58]:

You dont need to fill out all the rest of it. They wanna know more about you saying, by the way, heres all of my details that I you could possibly wanna know about me, probably TMI. Right? I always put humor in it. And then link to your Media One Sheet. So if now if they are saying, okay. We know the same people, but I do wanna learn more. They can click it and go learn more. Right? Next thing were gonna do here.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:25:16]:

Step 4 is to mention sharing the episode. Now please make sure you have integrity. If you have no intent on sharing it or you dont think thats something that you want to do, then dont skip this step. But if you are willing to share it, thats very valuable to a podcast host because they most of us, its a labor of love. We pour our hearts and souls into our podcast, and its almost a little sad when the guest isnt even willing to share it at all. And you dont have to. Right? Im not saying you have to, but if youre willing to, share that up front. So the way I always say is, hey.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:25:43]:

Listen. If I can be a guest, Id love to share the episode. Ill even link to it from my website and a blog post well do about it. And host are always like, wow. Thank you. Like, its so kind of you. Like, I work so hard in this. I would love for that to happen.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:25:55]:

Right? So mention sharing the episode if you are honestly going to share the episode. Now, of course, theres the exceptions where maybe its terrible. In that case, dont. But if its good, share it. And the last thing, your step 5 is to make it easy to say no. I find if you get these first 4 things right, a host might not respond because they dont wanna break your heart if they just had a guest on that has a similar experience or its just like theyre pausing the show. They might not respond because theyre like, oh, man. They put in all this work.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:26:19]:

I cant tell them no. I dont know if anyone here else is like me. Im raising my hand right now. Dont really like confrontation. Like, Ill Ill avoid it if I can, and I I should Im working on that a little bit. Right? But the reality of it is its not really my favorite thing. So making it easy to say no simply means, hey. Even if you dont wanna have these as a guest, no worries.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:26:37]:

Id love to hear back from you, and I really only wanna be on the show if I can truly add value. But either way, would love to hear back. Right? You give them permission to break your heart without breaking your heart so that you can open the dialogue. And Ive learned that a no typically means not now. Maybe they did just have a guess on there, but they might say, hey. If you fall back in 6 months because you gave permission to tell you no, I would love to make this happen. Snooze that email for 6 months and go back to it. Right? So I I I found this to be very valuable because it opens a connection instead of it just being a general outreach.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:27:04]:

And now it gives them permission to really have that conversation with you. And, so thats kind of my whole idea. Like, I went through the whole flow here, and the last thing Ill share is kinda just some motivation around it. When were being a guest on a podcast, yes, we are gonna grow our visibility. Were gonna grow our reputation. Were gonna do a great job. But at the end of the day, remember this. Seek to be a person of value, not a person of profit.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:27:24]:

Seek to be a person of value, not a person of profit. My best podcast guest Ive ever had, people that show up willing to give it all and dont want anything in return. End up being the ones that get more in return anyway, but its because theyre there to serve. And podcast listeners, again, theyre savvy human beings. When they realize this persons here for me because they want to make my life better, thats who they want to know. Thats who they wanna work with. And so, again, seeking a person of value, not a person of profit. I find the profit usually follows the value that you add.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:27:51]:

And with that, thats it.

Terry Brock [00:27:54]:

Alright. Well, Alex, a lot of good information there, and we really appreciate that and looking forward to, asking you and learning even more. I like that. Be a person of value, and then the prophets will come in that way. Dont seek the prophets initially. Now I also know that at 4:30 our time here in eastern zone, youve got something special thats gonna knock you out of here, and then youll be coming back. Is that correct, Alex?

Alex Sanfilippo [00:28:15]:

Maybe. Were gonna see in exactly 1 minute here, and Ill start sharing. Oh, its funny. Alicia, my wife, is already here. So for everyone joining, Im like a digital minimalist, which is weird for a software guy, but my computer, I am a, quote, unquote, child on my computer, so my screen time expires at 4:30 every day. And, I told Ginas like, I would really love for you to be here later. Can you please can you please hang around? So I dont know what happens at 4:30. My screen just went blank.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:28:40]:

I dont know if you all can hear me. So hold on. May I hit

Terry Brock [00:28:42]:

We can still hear you, Alex.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:28:43]:

Wow. Really? Can you all see

Terry Brock [00:28:44]:

me too? After 4:30 now.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:28:46]:

Hes still. Hes still kinda here. Okay. So Alicias here, and she is now going to let me in the room.

Terry Brock [00:28:51]:

Magic key. Thank you, Alicia.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:28:54]:

Lets make sure that worked real quick. Hold on. Let me make sure it worked. And then you have to enter it one more time. So, yeah, my computer doesnt let me on after a certain time.

Terry Brock [00:29:03]:

Nice. You know, I respect that. I respect that you have those boundaries set in there, but youre making an adjustment for us today and, make sure that people get a lot of value.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:29:12]:

Yeah. Oh, for sure. And its hold on a second. Let me see. Okay. Im back. I have never been on a computer or in recent time, Ive not been on a computer past 4:30. This is amazing.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:29:22]:

The Internet still works after 4:30.

Terry Brock [00:29:24]:

Works. Isnt that amazing?

Alex Sanfilippo [00:29:25]:

To put it on, Im back, by the way. Im Im good. Thank you for the grace, everybody. I appreciate it.

Terry Brock [00:29:28]:

Yeah. Wow. Ill write that down somewhere. Gina, what do you think? Youve just given us a boatload of great information.

Gina Carr [00:29:34]:

Oh, absolutely. And, of course, weve been part of the Podfest community for several years, Terry and I

Terry Brock [00:29:40]:

Oh, yeah.

Gina Carr [00:29:40]:

And Alex has as well. And so when I went to the Pod fest folks, Andrew and Chris Kramitsos recently, Andrew Weiss, and said, hey. We wanna we wanna feature a specialist on podcast guesting. Who do you recommend? And, of course, Alex was, the only name recommended. So I love

Terry Brock [00:30:01]:

that. Yes.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:30:01]:

Im honored. Thats amazing. Theyre theyre pretty much so respect, so thank you.

Terry Brock [00:30:05]:

Alex is one of the best in the world on this. That is not hyperbole in the world, and hes a person you definitely wanna get to know, check out his company and what it can do, Matt. And I also know its 14 or its 1645, 445, you need to, exit and take care of some other things.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:30:21]:

Now I can I can be here as as late as you all need? So kick me out at four forty five if thats the plan. But I can be here for as long as you all need. Im Im Im Alicia unlocked it. Im good, so Im here.

Terry Brock [00:30:30]:

Well, I think thatll be good. And I think one of the things we like to do is to open it up for questions, and we see our good buddy Chris Stone there is up on, stage today. Chris, welcome aboard. What is your question or comment?

Chris Stone [00:30:41]:

Thank you, captain.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:30:43]:

Huge Chris Stone fan, everybody. Just say it on there. Yeah. Whats up, bro?

Chris Stone [00:30:46]:

Whats up, Alex? Yeah. Longtime listener, first time caller. And, no. I I really the the thing that really caught me, and Ive Ive watched many, many, of a time where you have spoken. And this is something that that really resonated with me was, as a part of the meaningful request, you had mentioned researching what hasnt been covered yet. And that is just thats just so to me, I almost moved that to the top in terms of, like can you because it it does 2 things. Number 1, it shows that youre youre ready to deliver to that persons audience. But, also, you even spoke about it.

Chris Stone [00:31:23]:

You were like, thats gonna make somebody pause. Like, have I really not covered that? It almost may it all almost puts a task on them to do that. But you had mentioned some you know, your process and kind of researching. I know it was, like, you know, 7 years of episodes. Im definitely not doing that. But what is you know, whats that process for for doing it? Do you just go to Apple Podcasts and kinda scroll down? Do you copy paste kinda, you know, the whole keyword process? Because thats really something that Im gonna implement in in what Im doing.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:31:53]:

Good question. Yeah. Am am I able to share a screen? Because Ill just show you exactly what I do.

Gina Carr [00:31:59]:

Just a second. I thought that might happen. There you go.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:32:06]:

Alright. Let me, give

Terry Brock [00:32:07]:

me a second. You. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Now you can share a screen.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:32:13]:

Pretty pretty magical stuff here. Alright. So I pulled I pulled up a, oh, wait. Im not sharing my screen yet.

Terry Brock [00:32:19]:

Yeah. Were not seeing your screen yet.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:32:21]:

Okay. Now it should be entrepreneurs on fire. You all see

Terry Brock [00:32:24]:

that? John will do. Its our buddy.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:32:26]:

Yeah. So what I what Ill do is Ill just go through like, I just did. So it says and theres probably a better way to do this how I do it. So Ill go through here, and Ill just I went through a ton of these. So I I did this for, like, 3 to 5, I dont know, like, maybe 5 minutes. And it got me through, like, years of stuff. So I just kept on scrolling down, and theres a fast way to do it. Im just not doing it right now.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:32:45]:

But then I just hit control f, and I typed in guesting. And I didnt see guesting come up. Right? And I typed in podcast, and podcast showed up in some places, but not where I wanted it to. Right? So I just went through really quick. I typed in guesting, just guest. Right? There came up once. And so I was I wanna talk about podcast guest. Im just using this as an example by by the way because he has a lot of episodes, so I went straight to his show.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:33:08]:

And, now that thats like how Im doing that research. So Im just having all the keywords. And theres a chance maybe Id miss it, but after 10 or 15 keywords, if those arent even mentioned in the 1st part of the description, its probably not the main focus. So that, Chris, is how Ive done that. Ill stop sharing my screen now.

Chris Stone [00:33:23]:

Awesome. Thank you.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:33:25]:

Yeah. Theres probably a better way, like I said, but that is what Ive done.

Gina Carr [00:33:31]:

Wonderful. Thank you, Chris. And and Thank you. For your for your question. Very, very good.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:33:36]:

Was on my podcast, by the way. It didnt come out for a few weeks, but, I am so thrilled about what he shared. So, anyway, TBD on the date and everything like that, but it is coming out in the future.

Chris Stone [00:33:46]:

It was my honor. Thank you.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:33:47]:

Thanks, man. And we have

Terry Brock [00:33:49]:

Sherry Richland. Sherry, I

Alex Sanfilippo [00:33:50]:

know youve

Terry Brock [00:33:51]:

been doing a lot with this kind of thing. Whats your comment or question?

Sherry Richardson [00:33:54]:

Well, this has been fantastic because Im just getting started in my business, and I want to be a guest on other peoples podcasts. And I cover divorce and surviving divorce. My first comment is why would somebody not share this with their own community and spread it out? That just doesnt make any sense to me.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:34:17]:

I dont know. I I always share all of it. I I really I dont. The only thing I can think of is theres there are a lot of people that are seeing the value of podcast guesting, so its sort of like they wanna get on a 100 shows in a month just because it it gives them that clout. They dont have time to share it. Like, they their their audience doesnt care, or theyre very, like, protective of the type of content they share. And so they they dont. But, again, Im like, why are you being a guest on the show if its not the right type of con I dont I dont know.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:34:44]:

I I dont really have an answer for that, but it is far more common than you would imagine. Id say its its more than norm to not share it than to share it. And I I dont know why. But Yeah. That makes sense. I wish I had something more for you, but I love that you would be interested in sharing it. It provides great content. Anytime someone sends me something thats like a clip of me speaking on the podcast, I I do that.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:35:06]:

Like, example, I was on Chris Stone. Ill use Chris, sorry. Ill leave you alone after this. I was on his podcast. When was that? Like, a year 2 no. A year and a half ago, probably. Right? About a

Terry Brock [00:35:13]:

year and

Chris Stone [00:35:13]:

a half ago in Dealcasters. Yeah.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:35:15]:

They still share clips from that, and I still reshare them and and send them in my community and all that stuff because theyre still posting it. Right? So Im all for it. Its good content. We looked good. We we spoke, said some cool stuff. So, anyway

Terry Brock [00:35:27]:

Yeah. Exactly. And what the influencer is its really good to have that. You wanna be on by default, I just say yes to a number of podcasts that Im on because I find I get value from being with them. I learn about them. I meet some wonderful people. And, plus, if I get a recording, I can take that one excerpt of 3 minutes and 47 seconds when I was saying something really good, and I can pull that out and repurpose it, and everybody wins all the way around.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:35:50]:

Yeah. Yeah. I couldnt agree more.

Terry Brock [00:35:54]:

Hey, Doreen. I coming in from, near Seattle or, today, not

Alex Sanfilippo [00:36:00]:

Mexico. Mexico? Come on, Doris. Where you at?

Terry Brock [00:36:03]:

I am not mix I am not Mexico today. Usually, Im just Mexico, but not today.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:36:08]:

It seems like a very bad trade, by the way. This time of year, I definitely think Id choose Mexico. Anybody else? Anyway, sorry. Yeah.

Terry Brock [00:36:15]:

Yeah. Yeah. I would too. This was this was not my choice.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:36:18]:

Okay. Alright.

Terry Brock [00:36:20]:

I I just joined a PodMatch a few weeks ago. Yeah. And, I had one of the best interviews that I have ever had with anyone yesterday, came as a result of that. Cool. And, it was just we were just a super match. And now were sort of talking about a collaboration in the future and doing and doing something else on a particular subject in November. But I am struggling with guesting the guesting side of it. I promise I watched all 10 of your videos.

Terry Brock [00:36:57]:

I watched them twice.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:36:58]:

You knew there was 10, so I already know that you did. So yeah.

Terry Brock [00:37:03]:

Theres 10 of them. I watched them twice. I did everything you said, and Im still like, oh, I go in there every day, and I try and tweak it. Do you have any recommendations for me at this point?

Alex Sanfilippo [00:37:16]:

Yeah. So Alicia, who came in here and freed me from the the block out of my computer, she is great at the the profile setup. Shes like our native pro, if you will. What Id love for you to do is just email team at Podmatch.com. Thats me or Alicia, and Ill know exactly what youre talking about. But let us know just ask for, like, us to review your profile, and she can go through and help make sure thats set up and optimized properly. Sometimes its not often. Sometimes theres, like, a bit of a like, some glitches that happen.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:37:45]:

Its very occasional, but it sounds like maybe that happened to you if its not really working properly. So she can, again, optimize, make sure everythings working, and get it set up really well with you. So that would be my suggestion is let her do some hands on help with you for a little bit.

Terry Brock [00:37:58]:

Thank you. I really appreciate that

Alex Sanfilippo [00:38:00]:

because Im

Terry Brock [00:38:01]:

very Im very keen, and Ive been a good student for all two and a half weeks.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:38:06]:

You knew I had 10 videos. Youve watched them. I would say so. So so, yeah, thank you for that. But, yeah, team@podmatch.com. Thats only me and Alicia. Check that email. So well, well make sure we help you out.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:38:16]:

Sorry for the trouble. Make sure we get that sorted out.

Terry Brock [00:38:17]:

Oh, no no problems. I mean, Im enjoying it otherwise because its very interesting. And the thing that its done for me as a new podcaster, Ive only been podcasting about 6 months so far, and I have 50 episodes out. Yay. Thats amazing.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:38:33]:

Im gonna look up the data real quick. I actually said Id share that. Im gonna share that report, but so you have 50 episodes just so you for some perspective real quick, and then Ill Ill Ill well move on to the next person here. Fifty episodes, you have a 9.33% chance of making it there. So congrats. Youre in the top 10 percentile of podcasters from an episode standpoint.

Terry Brock [00:38:52]:

Excellent. I

Alex Sanfilippo [00:38:53]:

share that. I I just dropped the link to where I share all the the fun data stuff. But, anyway, congratulations. Fifty episodes incredible. I love that.

Terry Brock [00:39:00]:

Well, Im Im just really enjoying POD match because what its done is its given me a lot of confidence to say no to people who are not a good fit.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:39:08]:

Good. Thats

Terry Brock [00:39:09]:

great. Built my it builds my confidence as a new podcaster, and its made me more certain of my topic. So I just wanted to add that. Thanks for everything.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:39:19]:

Thank you. I appreciate it. Love that.

Gina Carr [00:39:21]:

Hey. Hey. Before we, I see theres some more people up with, with their hands up for questions, which is fantastic. But before we go to that, I wanna show you guys the 1 sheet that I just set up. I just joined today, and so I got started with it. It was a fantastic process. It really made me think through and clarify. Okay.

Gina Carr [00:39:39]:

Why do I wanna be, interviewed, and what am I gonna talk about? And I have a lot of clarity already, but it was it was a great process to walk through. And I also wanna let you guys know, youre probably thinking this could be a very expensive service because it sounds like such a great service. And and it is a great service, and its not that expensive. Im really impressed, Alex, at how youve been able to keep the costs low because of the way youve automated, because youve added the software to it. Its not people dialing up and and putting people together. Its the smart way to do this. So do you wanna just walk through real quickly as Im pulling this up here

Terry Brock [00:40:19]:

Sure.

Gina Carr [00:40:19]:

What the, what the prices are here?

Alex Sanfilippo [00:40:22]:

Im gonna go look up the pricing. Give me a second here. Ill Ill look it up myself. Yeah. We like you said, though, I appreciate you saying that. We did our best to, to keep it really affordable was very important to us because we wanted to serve real people. And there there are companies that charge a premium for this type of thing, and they do their they do what they wanna do. And I I love I think its great.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:40:46]:

Theres a model for that as well, but, like, when we want to capture independent voices like we talked about earlier on, I just I didnt wanna price those people out. Right? Like and so we we really kinda tweaked it a little bit and figured it out. But if youre a host, its $6 a month, and if youre a guest, its $26 a month. If youre both, its 32, which adds the 2 together. And then theres a professional version, which you do not need. I always say start on the standard plan, but the professional plan is 57 a month whether youre a guest host or both. And those are those are our pricing models, and its its not like that gets you this. It its unlimited.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:41:21]:

If you wanna do a 100 a month, which I dont suggest, you can. Right? If you wanna do 1 a month, its gonna be that same price. And we just did our best to make it really simple for people. But, again, we wanted to price it at a point. We built systems internally, make sure we can keep the price where it is because we want it to serve independent voices. Right? Like, again, if I if I was charging $1,000 a month, Im gonna get corporations and nothing against them, but I I lose who it is Im looking to serve. So we weve done our best to keep it this way, and, maybe its may kept us from from growing to the highest level we could, but were serving who we wanna serve. So Im glad you brought that up.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:41:52]:

Its thats very important to me to keep it at a realistic price point. And, yes, we we we also something a lot people mentioned, like, oh, you dont have a free version at all. Like, we dont. It its its a premium network. Its other people that really value their message. Theyre all like most of them are like minded. Were always pruning the group. But, its just been very valuable for a lot of people.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:42:11]:

And for that reason, we wanna make sure we protected everybody inside of it. So, my rant is now doing that.

Gina Carr [00:42:16]:

Thank you. Let me see if I can share my screen here, yes, real quickly, and then well come to you, Stephanie, and to Connor. So is on the screen. You you could see this. Right? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Great.

Gina Carr [00:42:28]:

Okay. So this is what I set up today. It it took a few minutes. I dont know. 30 minutes, may maybe an hour, but I think its about 30 minutes. My buddy, Chad GPT, helped me a lot, and I just clarified. And so whats beautiful about this is its not just an internal document for the PODmatch world, which is fantastic. Its also something that you can easily share.

Gina Carr [00:42:52]:

And I know its something that, has tripped me up before when Ive been asked to be interviewed as, oh, okay. I gotta get my bio together and my photo and all that. In in the past, Ive had really good press pages, but I just dont have one right now. And so this is I really like it. It really makes it easy for people to figure out how to, you know, what Im talking about, questions to ask, the bio, just everything. So thats really great. And, guys, within 20 minutes of me joining, I was already, see, where is it? I had already gotten invitations or it looks like invitations to me. Im not exactly sure.

Gina Carr [00:43:33]:

But its invitations or matches, I guess, is what youd call it, a pod match.

Terry Brock [00:43:38]:

Thats a Love that name.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:43:39]:

Thats a good show right there. I actually I I, yeah. Anyway, that thats a good one.

Gina Carr [00:43:44]:

Yeah. So of people that it would be good for me to tell tell us what we are looking at here. This is somebody who would be good for me to, reach out to for an interview?

Alex Sanfilippo [00:43:54]:

Yeah. That would be thats a host thats suggesting. Thats a good show. Josh has a great rep. I mean, look at the episodes they have. 1800, over 1800 episodes. I mean, like, thats no joke. Right? Pretty cool.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:44:06]:

Yes. Thats a show thats suggesting you to message, which at the top, you have your 4 options. Message, maybe later pass, previously interviewed. And, by the way, I have walkers of all this stuff. Its very easy for me to share with people. But yeah. So thats thats a host thats recommending that you reach out to to be a guest on the show. And its probably recommending to them as well, so they may or may not reach out.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:44:23]:

If you just got started, it may might take them a little bit. But, if if to reinforce that, can I share something real quick on on my end? Its the same screen. I just wanna show, this only be a a very quick second here. But this is that same page with the public the public facing version of it. So, this is if Im not on Pod Match. This is what I would see. And so I can I can choose to send this guest a message, which also doubles as Ginas affiliate link? We always like to thank people for bringing Google a platform, but she can publicly share this, and I still get all the same information. Right? And you did a very good job on the profile, by the way.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:44:55]:

But, yes, you can use this as your Media One Sheet whether someones on or off of PodMatch. So that is a nice thing that we wanted to do to make it easy.

Gina Carr [00:45:02]:

Yeah. Super smart. Very good. Thank you. Okay, Dorothy?

Sherry Richardson [00:45:07]:

Yeah. I know that the probably the answer is you should sign up for PodMatch. But if somebody is not on PodMatch, what is a good way to get started to find podcasts as a guest that are good potential matches? What kinds of searches? Is there anything on AI maybe through Perplexity or something like that? Or we do a Google search? What would you do if you know some of the topics and audiences that youd like to get at and you want to at least start looking through and seeing what podcasts are there.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:45:36]:

Yeah. I mean, first off, I would go to whatever player app is yours your choice player app, So, like, Spotify, Apple, any of those things, and do a search to see if it exists.

Terry Brock [00:45:46]:

Mhmm.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:45:46]:

Right? Like, to see if there are even shows that cover that. And then from there, I would suggest picking some of those out and then just doing a Google search for those shows Mhmm. And then finding them on social media. But, specifically, the platform theyre most active on, not your favorite platform. Right? I think a lot of us make that mistake. We like Instagram, so we go there, but theyre only on LinkedIn. You wanna go to the most active, and then you can message them. And, sometimes thatll work.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:46:09]:

Like, obviously, you hopefully, theyre active somewhere, but thats probably the best place to start. Beyond that, there are some Facebook groups. Its a bit more general. It has a mix. You can join some different Facebook groups. So itll have, like, a bunch of people looking for guest and a bunch of people looking to guest. You can kinda start commenting on some of those and stuff like that. Again, do make sure you have some sort of Media One Sheet though because the comments you wanna keep really short, but you wanna be able to link out to something.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:46:32]:

So, again, Id suggest manual searching on the platforms, or going to some Facebook groups. And those are kind of 22 things that its a little bit more administrative work, but it can you you can do it that way for sure.

Sherry Richardson [00:46:44]:

Okay. Thanks.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:46:45]:

Yeah. No problem.

Gina Carr [00:46:46]:

By the way,

Alex Sanfilippo [00:46:46]:

Im never gonna push anyone to join Pod Match. Im just making that clear. I told I told I told this group that before. So Im like, listen. Im not here to, like, promote or push anything. Here to serve. So no questions are off limits in it. I will say this PodMatch is not for everybody.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:46:59]:

Nothing is, I dont believe. So, glad I got the opportunity to talk about it, but by no means am I pushing anyone to do that. So

Terry Brock [00:47:05]:

Oh, thats alright. And we have a question coming in from Stephanie. Stephanie, the floor is

Alex Sanfilippo [00:47:09]:

Hi.

Stephanie [00:47:12]:

Thank you for taking my question. So I actually recently guested on 2 different podcasts, but then I never heard from the host again. So, I dont know what that means. Like, did it air? Did it not air? They didnt send me a link? I mean, I know sometimes they record way out, but, its I mean, is that normal, or is it up to me to follow-up with them? It seemed like it was a little unnerving that happened twice.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:47:40]:

Yeah. You know whats interesting? I didnt talk about this earlier, but a lot of hosts dont tell me when the episode comes out. Thankfully, Im doing everything exclusively through Pod Match right now, so Pod Match tells me when it comes out. So, like, I I know, but Im like, why didnt you email me or message me or anything? Like, I didnt you didnt do you want me to share it? Like, I didnt even know it came out. And, sometimes host just get busy, and I think that in their mind, they finish producing episode. They release it, and theyre, like, wash my hands of it onto the next one. And so it might just be an administrative oversight. I I would go to that podcast wherever you listen and see if your episode came out.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:48:12]:

Just go through it for a little bit since time recorded unless it was a really long time ago. But the other thing you do is reach out and just be like, hey. Wanna see what episode was at or something I can do to be helpful. Maybe maybe they forgot. I dont know. That would be my suggestion, would be to do that.

Stephanie [00:48:26]:

Okay. Alright. Well, Im glad. No. Im not, like, glad it happened to you, but kind of because Yeah.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:48:31]:

No. I get it. Yeah.

Stephanie [00:48:32]:

If you didnt know when a show was, then I kinda dont feel so bad that I dont know when a show is.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:48:37]:

Yeah. And the weird thing is I had it happen Ive had it happen a lot. One time, it was a really big show, which I I expected them to have, like, all their systems buttoned up. And I heard that the podcast was it came out from a friend, like, 2 weeks after it came out. Hes like, hey. He was like, hey, bro. Sorry. Im, like, so late to hearing you on the show, but you did a really great job on it.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:48:54]:

I was like, I didnt know that came out. Right? So, its more common than it should be. So, again, follow-up, see if it came out. If it didnt, definitely, like, ask and just see where its at in the queue.

Stephanie [00:49:06]:

Great. Thank you.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:49:07]:

Yeah. No problem.

Terry Brock [00:49:10]:

Alright. Very good. And thank you, Stephanie. And we have Connor coming on. Connor, what is your comment or question, sir?

Connor Cunneen [00:49:16]:

Right. I signed up for PodMatch about, maybe 3 weeks ago. Ive done 7 podcasts so far, and I was looking at the list there. Ive got 11 actually scheduled right now.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:49:28]:

So Thats a lot. Good for you. Congrats.

Connor Cunneen [00:49:31]:

Thanks. What I found interesting is that something you didnt mention, but it really does force you to think through your answers and your thought process in terms of the questions that you get asked. Because some people ask very good questions, basic questions, then all the people kind of ask it. And you say, woah. I never thought of that kind of thing. So it actually is helping me to think through some of my material even better. Im trying to focus more on people whove got a YouTube channel because, I use the YouTube a lot, and I wanna just edit some of their material. Ill put it on to my website, as well.

Connor Cunneen [00:50:06]:

But, overall, for those of you who are wondering, whether or not you should go on PODmatch or go searching through Google, Im a good Google user, but I tell you what, this is not an expensive process. And you can sign up for 1 month or 3 months or whatever it is. If you dont like it after 1 month, you can say goodbye to Alex. But I think, the way youve got to set up, the kind of, scheduling process that youve got is really pretty well streamlined, so kudos to you.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:50:33]:

Thank you. You you know whats interesting? I I wrote down I was just I go through PodMatch all the time. Its just I guess its kind of my job weirdly enough. Right? And, I saw your name come up, and I wrote it down to find a podcast episode youve been on. If you have one thats out, can you drop it in the chat, so I can go listen? Because I was I was just very intrigued by your whole profile. Im like, I wanna I wanna I wanna hear this Irish man speaks Connor. Yeah. You know? Like

Connor Cunneen [00:50:56]:

Well well, this goes back to what Doreen was talking about as well. I mean, you do and what, Ginas working on today. I mean, you do have to have kind of an interesting hook to get them interested. And quite honestly, no. I when I send out the first few ones, I actually have been refused by 1 person, Alex. It broke my heart. I mean, Im Sorry.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:51:13]:

Dont tell me that. I hate refusing people, and that makes it way up harder.

Connor Cunneen [00:51:16]:

I Ive been crying like 1 person refused me, which isnt good enough, but a few others havent responded yet. But what did happen, though, was that after I sent out the first few hoops, a few people came back and said, hey. I like your pitch. So, basically, what Ive been doing is Ive been taking that core pitch, dropping the persons name into it, adapting it marginally to reflect what they want, and its been working out Nice.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:51:39]:

Thats great. Love hearing that. And Connor brought up such an important point, by the way. I I think that what podcast guesting does for you, Im so glad you mentioned that. Like, I need to make sure I mention the future. What its done for me is, like, a speaker is, like, Im night and day better speaker just in my own personal life as well. Like, its Im not gonna say its its impossible to catch me off guard with questions, but I can typically very quickly think of how to answer something because I feel like Ive answered a lot of those. So, thats a really that that I like that, Connor.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:52:07]:

Thank you. Thats a good thats a good thing to mention. I appreciate it.

Terry Brock [00:52:10]:

Very good. And, Greg Williams, what is your question or comment as we wind down here and get ready to move along?

Terry Brock [00:52:16]:

Well, for for one thing, I definitely have to say thank you, Alex, because Im one of the individuals that, has been interviewed a lot on different podcasts. 9.9 times out of 10, I do not send anything else out about the podcast or anything. And I was pondering exactly why I do it, and I said, hey. Maybe its when I bump my head. I dont know. But my question is, is it too late to possibly go back a year or 2 ago and start sending those out?

Alex Sanfilippo [00:52:49]:

No. Not at all. I I actually, for a little bit Im gonna give you really transparent here. For a little bit, I I decided I need to get out of some of the daily communication side of things, which was what people always tell software founders. I have since changed my mind. I wanna be front facing. Im a very unconventional software guy. I want to if you email or message, I want it to be me.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:53:08]:

Right? And for a little bit, I got out of that, and it turns out the person I hired wasnt sharing any of them. And I didnt know this. And I got back into it, and then I found out almost a year later that there was this gap of podcasts, and I started sharing them then. And ever almost every single one of those hosts reach out to me saying thank you. And funny thing is a lot of them invited me to come back on the show after I did that. It wasnt intentional. 1 of the guys even goes, this was brilliant, dude. Hes like, you waited a year to share it, so Id invite you back.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:53:33]:

I was like, not intentional. Im like, its called bad management. You know? Like but, so that story, just to say, I think it could be a blessing in disguise. Im not saying, like, keep that as a practice, but, yes, go back and share it. Come up with a strategy for why you would share it and stuff, and I think itd still be very, its valuable. Its still your story, your message. Doesnt matter when someone hears it. They might be looking for it today, and they werent looking for it a year ago.

Terry Brock [00:53:55]:

Yeah. I like that the idea. We we dont have to think, oh, its over. I can go back. And, Greg, thats a great marketing idea. Great way to build relationships. Thank you.

Terry Brock [00:54:02]:

Thank you.

Terry Brock [00:54:04]:

Very good. And we have a question also from Anne. Itll be our last one here before we head on to some other information. Anne, nice to see you. Whats your question tonight?

Alex Sanfilippo [00:54:12]:

Best for last. Best for last. Right?

Anne [00:54:14]:

Yeah. Yeah. Youll love it. So first of all, one thing I wanna say is with my so I finished my 1st season. I have 7 episodes. Theyre all up. Im doing a podcast and doing the interface on the because of the way that because of my focus, Im really intersecting both the podcast, the audio, and the visual, and the visuals really important on my YouTube channel. I think maybe Chris had mentioned that.

Anne [00:54:37]:

So I was grateful to hear that. And I always follow-up, because part of my invitation to people, so Im doing a lot of interviewing, my invitation is I will always let them know I want them to get that out. I want them to use the interview with me for their benefit. Thats part of the enrollment conversation, you know, that its free advertising for them. And then the way I do the interview, its just a natural interface for them to then take in and move it out. So that was one thing I wanted to just share.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:55:07]:

Thats smart.

Anne [00:55:08]:

Trying to get on, by the way. So I clicked on Ginas link, and I think Im on Spotify and Iheart, but Im not on Apple. And on the registration, thats asking for Apple. So I dont know how to register. So I wanna go register.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:55:24]:

Yeah. So that that is a problem. If if youre a host, you need to be on on Apple to do that. But whoever you host with will very easily it should just be click of a button to get you on Apple, which would be great for you because Apple owns a very large percentage of the market share of podcasting. So your listenership will start to climb quick because youre going to one of the main places people listen to podcasts. I use Apple Podcasts. So, yeah, so your hosting provider And

Anne [00:55:49]:

Sorry. Go ahead. Using Anchor. So if I just go back into my Anchor account, go and get myself on Apple, and then come back, click on that link, and register.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:55:57]:

Correct. Yep. Itd be good to go once its on Apple. But yeah. And and you definitely want do that because it itll be great for your the growth of your show for sure. So that that should give you a very cool natural bonus, to grow the show a little bit too. So working, not natural. Anne, thank

Terry Brock [00:56:10]:

you very much for being here.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:56:11]:

Yeah. Thanks, Anne. Appreciate it. Congratulations on 7 episodes. Thats amazing.

Terry Brock [00:56:15]:

Alex, you are amazing. You have given us a boatload of Were glad we can go back and watch the recording on this and learn from it. Amazing. Gina, what are your thoughts?

Gina Carr [00:56:27]:

Oh my goodness. I know we could probably go for another hour with questions, but its definitely one of my favorite topics. Youve really clarified what we need to do, whether were using PodMatch or not. Youve emphasized and reminded us all how important it is to get on podcast because it helps you to speak more clearly, helps you to articulate what youre doing, and you really just get into a rhythm when you when you do that. And these thoughts just keep coming, and and it makes it so much easier whether youre on stage, on a real stage or whether youre on a virtual stage. And so its its really good. And it adds so much more credibility to you as well when you are sharing that you were interviewed. People say, oh, no.

Gina Carr [00:57:10]:

Youre the real deal. You you know this stuff.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:57:14]:

Yeah. That is so true. It it really is. I recently someone asked, theyre like, hey. What I dont remember what line of work theyre in, but it was, like, random. Theyre like, theyre like, yeah. Whats like, what makes you credible to do this? And I was like, well, I saw them. They had Spotify in their phone.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:57:27]:

Like, open up your Spotify. Like, type in Alex Sanfilippo, and then they just started scrolling. And theyre like, these youre on all these shows, and they just kept on scrolling, like, going through. And it Ive been at this for a long time, so Im not saying that happened overnight. But they were like, wow. Okay. So, yeah, youre youre the real deal. Like, everyone wants to talk to you, it seems like.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:57:44]:

So, yeah, it it offers that credibility, but 1 podcast does that too. So yeah. Anyway.

Terry Brock [00:57:49]:

Very good. Well, Alex, amazing. And matter of fact, I see we still have we have a question from Frank King, but were running out of time. So Ill tell you what. Frank, we wanna honor you with your question. Alex, would you mind, maybe corresponding with Frank in the chat between the 2 of you? You can do it private or public that way. Make sure we get that taken care of. And Frank will look forward.

Terry Brock [00:58:06]:

Let us know what that is, and we can amplify that in another way because I wanna make sure we get to the commitment we have with Dorothy Erlanger today. Before we scoot out, we get a chance to do one thing. But, Alex, thank you so much. We really appreciate

Terry Brock [00:58:18]:

it. Alex.

Alex Sanfilippo [00:58:18]:

And for sure. Thank you for having me, everybody. Yall are awesome. This was amazing. Really enjoyed our time.

Terry Brock [00:58:23]:

Very good. Good to

Gina Carr [00:58:23]:

have you. So much.

Terry Brock [00:58:24]:

Well, that was amazing to see what Alex had to say about the kinds of ways that you can grow with podcasting. I think thats great, but I would say, yes. You can do that with that podcasting, and then use AI and other tools to expand your range even more. Really, when you think about it with business, the more people that know you in a favorable way, the better off youre going to be. Thats key. I remember hearing that from Brian Tracy long ago and realize Ive seen that as well. And what Alex is talking about is youre getting to know more people in a much better way than just sending an email. Youre getting to know them.

Terry Brock [00:58:55]:

Youre working on a joint venture for a moment there that youre on that podcast together. With AI, you can find just the right podcast that can work for you. A service like Alex has with PodMatch can help you as well. So look into that. Hey. Let us know what you think. We really wanna help you to build your business. This is more than just a little podcast that youre listening to or a video that youre getting whichever way youre getting it.

Terry Brock [00:59:16]:

Were here to help you at Stark Raving Entrepreneurs. You go over there to starkravingentrepreneurs.com. Youll find out about us. And we want to help you to really grow your business. Let it be something that you can build on a solid foundation and grow from there. Let us know what you think, and Ill look forward to hearing from you. Oh, and we got some really good videos designed for you that are coming up next. Be sure and catch those.

Terry Brock [00:59:37]:

They really are designed carefully to help you to grow your business. Ill look forward to hearing from you.
Culture is the backbone of any organization and has a huge impact on employee engagement. How do you feel when you are immersed in a culture completely different from your own?

Do you resist? Or, do you simply accept the differences as you encounter them? I would posit that it depends. Do you dwell on feelings of frustration when you cant do or get what you want or what you are used to?

Upon reflection on my two weeks in Colombia there were a number of differences between life in Colombia and in the U.S.

What is it like when you visit a place life Colombia and have an average command of the language?

Imagine some of these cultural differences:

The economy: one dollar is roughly equivalent to $330,000 pesos.

The crazy traffic: Driving in Bogota is like driving in Los Angeles on a holiday weekend when the whole of LA is leaving the city on the exact same freeway.

Social etiquette: When you approach someone in public to ask a question, you must express niceties first. Disculpame por favor, buenos dias. Se puede ayudarme? (Excuse me please, good morning, can you help me?)

With all of that said, what similarities can you find in a different culture? What common bonds can you establish?

Respect for and love of people and family are high in Colombian culture. If you are kind to others, they will respond kindly to you. When an elderly person needs help, a family member moves in with them and other family members bring meals every day.

Just imagine during this Black History Month truly getting to know people who are different from ourselves, and looking for the common ground, rather than dwelling on our differences.

One way to find similarity is love of music and dance, as I have done here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QOi3h8eFIkw

Gratitude for what you have and not comparing yourself to others is also a common feeling.

Just imagine if we could apply these simple principles to corporate cultures?

Start by sharing respect and kindness for one another. This means respect for ones time and workload, meaning showing care for employees by not expecting the unreasonable from them.

Spread and encourage the seeking of intrinsic satisfaction in our work.

And last but not least, start by looking for similarities so that we can communicate and work together on a common, shared purpose.

Other than working hard to learn the language, finding shared joy for music and dance, while seemingly simple, is how I mostly connected as you can see in this video.
Bill Gates sees Chinas rise as a "huge win for the world. But he knows that not everyone shares his view.

Speaking this week at the Lowy Institute, a think tank based in Sydney, the Microsoft cofounder gave his perspective on Chinas transformation from a developing economy to a major world player.

China has gone from in 1980 being incredibly impoverishedpoorer than India, I mean literally, with starvation, malnutritionto being the most wealthy middle-income country in the world, said Gates. Its incredible, and its great for the world.

The Microsoft billionaire, who currently ranks as the fourth richest person in the world, also warned about the negative attitudes toward China in the United States today, and vice versa.

I do think the current mentality of the U.S. to China, and which is reciprocated, is kind of a lose-lose mentality, he said. If you ask U.S. politicians, Hey, would you like the Chinese economy to shrink by 20% or grow by 20%,' I'm afraid they would vote that, Yeah, lets immiserate those peoplenot understanding that for the global economy, the invention of cancer drugs, the solution of climate change, you know, we're all in this together."

The current hawkishness toward China in the U.S. could become self-fulfilling in a very negative way, he cautioned. He didnt give an example. U.S. lawmakers voted overwhelmingly this month to establish a House select committee specifically to address the various threats that China poses to the U.S. GOP Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher described a coordinated whole-of-society strategy to undermine American leadership and American sovereignty by the Chinese Communist Party.

Gates also noted Chinas economic importance, saying it holds 20% of the worlds people.

Their portion of the global economy and their portion of the global population match exactly. Countries like Australia, U.S., we have per capita GDPs five times what the Chinese have, so we have a disproportionate share of the world's economy."

But it wasnt all rosy. Gates also leveled criticism at China. The country is "not a democracy," he acknowledged, and is an "outlier today in terms of that level of wealth and still being as autocratic as they are."

He also knocked China for not acting quickly enough to get its population properly vaccinated early during the COVID pandemic.

China should have jumped on vaccines, particularly for the elderly, much faster, and that would have allowed them to open up somewhat sooner than they did, he said.

China recently loosened its strict COVID restrictions and is reporting an uptick in COVID deaths as people circulate more freely, but the official numbers are likely far below reality. Well never know the true death numbers, Gates said.

Still, Gates said nations like China needed to step up on the world stage.

The U.S. is politically weaker today, I would say, than it's been, and, you know, that's scary for the world, he said. The current world system is designed around U.S. leadership. As other countries have gotten richer, these middle-income countries including China and India need to play a stronger role in world governance."

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
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By Sharin Hussain via SWNS

The earliest evidence of a type of pigment has been found in 12 million-year-old snail shells.

The fossilized snails were found on the shores of an ancient tropical sea at Burgenland in present-day Austria.

Paleontologists from the Natural History Museum Vienna (NHMW) found they are a part of the superfamily Cerithioidea of marine, brackish water and freshwater gastropods, slugs and snails, containing more than 200 species.

Dr. Klaus Wolkenstein, chemistry researcher of fossil pigments at Gottingen University, said: "Normally, after such a long period of time, the best we can hope for is that there are traces of degradation products of these chemicals.

If degraded, however, these compounds would be devoid of color.

So, it was really surprising to discover these pigments, preserved almost intact, in fossils that are twelve million years old."

Snail shells are often colorful and strikingly patterned. This is due to pigments that are produced in special cells of the snail and stored in the shell in varying concentrations.

Fossil shells are usually pale and inconspicuous because the pigments are very sensitive and have already decomposed. Residues of ancient color patterns are therefore very rare.

The study, published in the journal Palaeontology, shows that the pigments are the oldest known preserved dyes from the polyene group.

Professor Mathias Harzhauser, of NHMW, added: "It was unclear whether the patterns of reddish color were from the original shell or were formed by later processes in the sediment."

They analysed the pigments using Raman spectroscopy which involves irradiating samples with laser light.

The scattered light reflected from the sample can be used to clearly identify chemical compounds.

They detected pigments in the fossilized shells that belong to the polyene group of chemicals.

These are organic compounds that include the well-known carotenoids'', which are responsible for producing the vibrant red, orange and yellow colors seen in birds feathers, carrots and egg yolks.
Kathleen L. DeSoto, a magistrate judge for the Missoula division of the U.S. District Court, dismissed four claims brought against Sibanye-Stillwater, a South Africa-based mining company with operations in Montana, according to a Jan. 23 opinion and order published by the court.

The case was brought against Sibanye-Stillwater by Landon Knight and Travis Rodenberger, two previous underground locomotive operators at the mines Nye location in Stillwater County.

Knight and Rodenberger were terminated from the companys employment on March 1, 2022, months following their involvement in a rail accident on June 9, 2021. In the accident, Knight and Rodenbergers locomotive was involved in a head-on collision with a personnel carrier, killing Dale Ketola and Jerry Ashlock, two mine supervisors.

In the lawsuit, Knight and Rodenberger claimed wrongful termination and emotional distress, and sought compensatory damages.

Sibanye-Stillwater successfully contended Knight and Rodenbergers emotional distress and wrongful discharge claims were covered in their collective bargaining agreement. The agreement for the miners was a written legal contract between the mining company and the United Steel Workers International Union, Local 11-001, representing mine employees.

The international mining company cited the Montana Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act, arguing it does not apply to the discharge of an employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

It was a terribly unfortunate circumstance, said Heather McDowell, vice president of legal and external affairs for Sibanye-Stillwaters American operations. The attorney concurred the accident was covered by their collective bargaining agreement.

The Final Accident Report, released by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, stated the mine operator did not assure traffic rules governing communication, right of way, and direction of movement were followed in rail haulageways.

Sibanye-Stillwater has revised rail traffic rules, and designated a rail haulageway coordinator, governing rail traffic and assuring coordination. New communication protocols were also established. Sibanye-Stillwater has also trained all new miners on the implemented policies, according to McDowell.
Farmers are being urged to share their views on plans to roll out 'Not for EU' labelling on food products amid concern the move could cause public confusion.

The plans were brought in as part of concessions secured with the EU under the Windsor Framework Agreement, which sets out post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland.

The labels are intended to guarantee that food sold in the province that have not undergone EU border checks do not pass into the Republic of Ireland, which is part of the EUs single market.

The UK government has committed to introduce Not for EU labelling across the whole of the UK, which must be displayed on a range of agri-food products.

This is irrespective of if they have been produced in Great Britain or imported from abroad.

The NFU said it had concerns that this approach could lead to consumer confusion and misconceptions about the quality of food that UK farmers produce.

It could also lead to additional costs for domestic suppliers of food and products for sale across Great Britain, the union warned.

And it could lead to barriers to trade with the EU, and particularly the Republic of Ireland, which remains the UKs largest overseas food and drink destination.

Defra has launched a consultation to look at how the labelling would work in practice, whether any exemptions should be implemented and who should be responsible for compliance and the enforcement of requirements.

The NFU said it was seeking views from farmers: "NFU members  please share your views with us on the government's plans for the new labelling requirement that will be applied to a range of food products sold across Great Britain.

"Your answers will help to inform future policy as part of the NFU's response to Defra's 'Marking of Retail Goods' consultation."

It follows a recent survey showing that almost one in five British consumers are less likely to buy food labelled 'Not for EU'.

The poll, undertaken by Survation on behalf of anti-Brexit campaign group Best for Britain, also revealed that only three in ten (28%) understand where Not for EU products are manufactured.

Responding to the survey results, Naomi Smith, CEO of Best for Britain, said "almost every agricultural challenge has been made more difficult by Brexit."

"This government has continued to hammer farmers and food suppliers with terrible new trade deals which undercut British standards," she added.

The next government must commit to a youth mobility visa scheme to tackle labour shortages, an independent board of trade to protect farmers from fire-sale trade deals, and beneficial regulatory alignment with our largest market to slash red tape.

The Food and Drink Federation warned that the labels would cost hundreds of millions of pounds and would lead to higher prices amid a cost of living crisis.
Sainsbury's has added a 'buy British' section to its website in a move to better champion and profile British grown food.

It becomes the largest supermarket to launch a dedicated Best of British page on its groceries website following a campaign push by farmers and MPs.

The new page spotlights over 450 British-sourced grocery products, including meat, dairy, eggs and chilled food.

Sainsburys, which is the UK's second largest supermarket chain after Tesco, works with over 15,000 British farmers sourcing 2bn worth of produce every year.

It becomes the third retailer to add such a page following in the footsteps of Aldi and Morrisons.

Simon Roberts, CEO at Sainsburys, said: Many of our customers want to support British suppliers and make more conscious choices when doing their food shop, and our new Buy British webpage helps them to do just that.

We recognise the pressures that British farmers are facing and the importance of supporting them to maintain a resilient UK food system for the long term.

"Our relationships with farmers and suppliers are incredibly important to us and we remain committed to sourcing British as much as we can, now and in the future.

It follows an open letter to supermarkets, signed by over 120 cross-party MPs, which called for an online filter signposting shoppers to UK-grown produce.

The NFU has also been asking retailers to commit to signposting British produce for a number of years.

The union's new president, Tom Bradshaw, welcomed today's move: Im delighted that Sainsburys is also backing British farmers by adding a British section online in order to signpost shoppers to home-grown produce.

Our own independent research shows the public want to buy more British food from retailers and we have been championing this issue for some time.

"The addition of the British section online by Sainsburys will help customers support British farmers.

In December 2023, Morrisons became the first major supermarket chain to add a 'buy British' tab to its website.

Aldi followed, which announced last month a 'buy British' section to its website in a bid to help shoppers support British businesses.
A global demand for lamb helped drive UK red meat exports last year, achieving a similar level in value to the record levels seen in 2022, but beef and pork shipments saw major declines.

Red meat exports from the UK in 2023 were worth 1.7 billion, largely driven by strong demand for UK lamb on international markets.

Full year figures from HMRC show that exports were underpinned by the performance of exports of sheep meat, particularly to the EU.

The total value of red meat shipments to the EU during the period was up 2% on the year at 1.3 billion, while volumes fell by 12% on the year.

Within this, sheep meat exports to France  the UKs largest market  was the standout with shipments increasing by 23% in value to 292 million and 23% in volume on the year to 45,000 tonnes.

Elsewhere shipments to Germany made a notable increase  up in value by 15% to 108 million and in volume by 12%.

This supported the overall value of total sheep meat exports, increasing by 11.7% to 562 million.

Sheep meat exports to non-EU markets were up 10% in volume but down 15% in value, with shipments to Ghana leading the way.

Exports to Ghana, where red meat levy organisation AHDB coordinated its first trade mission in 2012, experienced a year-on-year increase in volume of 11% at around 1,200 tonnes and in value by 12% to 1.4 million.

It follows successful trade missions to Ghana and the Cote dIvoire last year to fly the flag for British red meat, set up business partnerships and meet buyers in the burgeoning markets.

Jonathan Eckley, AHDB head of international trade development, said sheep meat exports were undoubtedly the standout success of 2023.

"[They were] driven by demand from high-value markets in Europe like France and evolving markets in West Africa," he explained.

Not only does this underline the ongoing importance of the European market, particularly France, for the sheep meat sector, but also the crucial role that carcase balance plays in adding value to exports.

"Increasing the volume and value of shipments of product with little domestic demand in the UK to a broad portfolio of markets clearly underlines this.

While sheep meat exports thrived last year, beef exports decreased by 15% in volume and 9% in value, largely driven by strong domestic demand and weaker demand from Europe.

Exports of beef offal, critical for carcass balance, to non-EU markets did, however, increase by 12% in value and 19% in volume.

Pig meat export volumes in 2023 were down 20%, with the value falling by 9% amid lower production in the UK and subdued demand in Asia.

Mr Eckley said it was important to recognise the challenges that faced the beef and pig meat sectors.

"Lower production and subdued demand from Asia has undoubtedly impacted the pig meat sector," he explained.

"The beef sector has experienced similar challenges in terms of falling production, although exports of beef offal to non-EU markets were encouraging.

"However, exports still returned significant added value to the pork and beef sectors here in the UK, adding 570 million and 583 million respectively."
Lily Gladstone has considered taking a two-year career break.

Lily Gladstone has considered pausing her acting career

The 37-year-old actress - who starred in 'Killers of the Flower Moon' in 2023 - has revealed that she's contemplated taking an extended career break, admitting that she needs a "palate cleanse".

Asked if she's considered pausing her career, Lily - who studied acting and directing at the University of Montana - told Vanity Fair magazine: "A hundred percent.

"I was actually just on the phone with a friend last night, not freaking out or anything, but just feeling a fatigue settling in, just needing a palate cleanse. And it goes back to undergrad. One of my first acting professors, Jillian Campana, planted the idea that to stay interesting, you have to stay interested. And we tell stories.

"We are addicted to this process of getting in the headspace of another person. And I really love picking up new skills."

Meanwhile, in January, Lily claimed that "perspectives are broadening" within the movie business.

The acclaimed actress recently became the first Native American woman to be nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, and Lily has now suggested that the nomination reflects wider changes in the film industry.

Lily - who has been nominated for her performance in 'Killers of the Flower Moon' - told the BBC: "Times absolutely are changing; people's perspectives are broadening. The Academy has gotten much more diverse in the last 10, 20 years.

"I think it's also because Native and Indigenous filmmakers have been continually blowing audiences away with what we've been making  people are ready."

'Killers of the Flower Moon' focuses on the murders of Native Americans after oil was discovered on tribal land.

Lily feels very proud of the movie and the story that it tells.

She said: "By bringing Indigenous performers into a place where we're leading ladies, we're leading films that people are feeling they're resonating with from all walks of life. That's proving that we belong in these places and we have a lot to offer. Like the stories that we have to tell are ones that everybody can benefit from, not just us."
Taylor Swift's concert in Sydney, Australia on Friday night (23.02.24) was evacuated due to safety fears following a series of lightning strikes.

Taylor Swift's first gig in Sydney on The Eras tour has been hit by a storm

The pop star's gig at the Accor Stadium was dealt a major blow as bad weather hit and fans were forced to leave the lower levels of the Accor Stadium with bosses urging gig-goers to seek shelter as the storm brought heavy rain, wind and lightning.

A post on the X account for Taylor's 'The Eras' tour stated: "The floor and lower bowl are currently being evacuated due to lightning strikes nearby the stadium at today's show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Sydney, Australia. Please stay safe and seek shelter for now #SydneyTSTheErasTour."

An update later confirmed staff were busy trying to get the arena ready for fans to return, adding: "Accor Stadium Staff are currently resetting the floor and preparing the seats again at tonight's show. Everyone is still required to stay sheltered until further notice."

Venue bosses later confirmed fans would be allowed to return to their places and the gig would go ahead as planned, but the delay meant Taylor's opening act Sabrina Carpenter would not be able to perform.

A message posted on the tour's X account added: "Sabrina Carpenter will unfortunately not be opening up for Night 1 of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Sydney, Australia due to the weather delay."

However, a subsequent message suggested the pop superstar might consider giving Sabrina a turn on stage during the main show, adding: "Imagine if Taylor brings out Sabrina for surprise songs."

Taylor is due to play three more shows at the Sydney stadium over the weekend with Sabrina as her support act.

She is then scheduled to take the tour to Singapore next month for six shows at the National Stadium before heading to Europe for dates in France, Sweden, Portugal, Spain and the UK.
Wendy Williams' guardian has filed a lawsuit ahead of the release of a documentary about the ailing TV star.

Wendy Williams is at the centre of a legal dispute

New Lifetime's film 'Where Is Wendy Williams?' is set to examine Wendy's life as she battles health conditions including primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia while under the care of a guardian, but the court-appointed representative has now filed suit against Lifetime's parent company, A E Television Networks.

TMZ.com reports the suit was filed by a woman named as Sabrina Morrissey, who is requesting a temporary restraining order as part of the filing, but further details of the case are being kept sealed.

A hearing to determine whether the documents filed as part of the case should remain sealed has been set for next week.

However, a source has told PEOPLE.com the suit is linked to the upcoming documentary, explaining: "The new lawsuit appears to be filed as an attempt to prohibit the airing of the upcoming documentary 'Where Is Wendy Williams?'"

Mark Ford, the executive producer of the documentary, has insisted the film was given the green light by Wendy's representatives.

He told PEOPLE: "Wendy's attorneys and the guardianship attorneys were consulted and signed off on [the project].

"The film was signed off on by Wendy, her management, her attorneys, the guardianship. They were aware of the filming all the way through.

"So, we did go by the book and get all the permissions that we needed to get. We went into this film thinking it was one thing, and the truth turned out to be another.

"Once we started seeing the truth of the situation, we couldn't ignore it. And the film had to go in the direction of the truth."

Filming on the documentary started in August 2022 following Wendy as she prepared to make a comeback with a new podcast, but was halted after the TV star suffered serious health issues and entered a care facility in April 2023.

A court in New York appointed a legal guardian to take charge of Wendy's affairs in May 2022. The TV star is believed to still be living in a care facility.

Wendy, 59, was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia - a rare condition that affects the nervous system and inhibits the ability to communicate - and frontotemporal dementia - which affects personality, behaviour and language - last year.

Her care team said in a statement: "Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy's ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy's condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.

"In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

"Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behaviour and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life.

"Wendy would not have received confirmation of these diagnoses were it not for the diligence of her current care team, who she chose, and the extraordinary work of the specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine. Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires."

The TV star has battled a number of health issues over recent years, including Graves' disease and lymphedema.

However, Wendy - who hosted 'The Wendy Williams Show' between 2008 and 2021 - hopes to "raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia" by sharing her diagnosis with the public. The statement added: "Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humour and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way."
Zendaya has donated $100,000 to the theatre where she started her career.

Zendaya has made a 100k donation

The 'Euphoria' actress has teamed up with the Women Donors Network (WDN) to hand over the sum to California Shakespeare Theater in Oakland's North Star Fund, which helps cover the cost of improvements and future shows.

Leena Barakat, President and CEO of WDN, said in a statement: We are very pleased to be able to offer this general support grant in partnership with Zendaya.

We hope that our funding supports your work and helps further your strategic vision, wherever funds are most needed.

Theatre bosses also paid tribute to the 27-year-old star for her generosity.

Clive Worsley, the theatres executive director, said: We are deeply grateful to Zendaya and the WDN for their partnership, and their generous grant of $100,000 to the North Star Fund.

"This gift helps keep Cal Shakes going strong as we prepare for our 50th Anniversary season!

Her support moves us forward in a big way toward upgrading sound and lighting systems, enhancing the cafe, and of course funding our 50th Anniversary production of 'As You Like It', directed by Elizabeth Carter. Thank you Zendaya and the WDN!

According to the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper, Zendaya joined the theatre because her mother worked there for 12 summers when she was a child.

The 'Dune: Part 2' actress shot to fame in her early teens when she was cast alongside Bella Thorne in the Disney Channel sitcom 'Shake It Up' before going onto a glamorous Hollywood career in later years but she recently admitted she wished she "could have just been a kid" for longer.

Speaking on YouTube series PayOrWait, she said: "It's a lesson you have to learn young. I was a kid thrown into a very adult industry where if you do have a perspective or something to say, it's like 'Well they're a kid'. And the parents...it's like...they are just the parents so you have to learn how to protect yourself quite quickly.

"For me, it was a lesson learned quite early - back in my Disney days - of little tricks and little things I could do to protect myself, or protect my peace or protect my happiness. I think when you're a kid in this industry, you're very vulnerable. I do wish I could have just been a kid for a little bit longer but yeah, the lessons happened very early. I don't know if there was a specific moment but it definitely happened quite young, having to learn to have my own back a little bit."
If you love Goa, not just for its pristine beaches and scenic beauty, but also for the wide range of culinary delights it offers, you are reading the right piece. For lovers of authentic Goan cuisine, Mumbaikars can just head to Goa Portuguesa. While the legendary restaurant has been a mainstay since it swung open its doors in 1988, it has meticulously served dishes that have won many hearts.



Once you enter this restobar you will get a chance to explore the rich tapestry of Goan and Portuguese flavours that would leave you wanting more. This restobar has received many awards and is also a recipient of the prestigious Times Food Oscar Award for Best Restaurant held by the Times of India Group. Since its inception, Goa Portuguesa has also exploded the myth that Goan food is only non-vegetarian and seafood by introducing over 108 pure vegetarian delicacies.



Founded by two trailblazers, Dr. Suhas Awchat M.D. F.R.S.H. (UK) and MasterChef and CEO Deepa Awchat, this first-ever ISO Certified Restobar in Mumbai and the only Goan and Portuguese ethnic eatery approved by the Goa Tourism Department. Master Chef Deepa Awchat has personally formulated, researched and modified all the recipes staying in the same taste zone to suit individual palates of patrons. Chef Deepa also donned the hat of an author and penned down Indias first coffee table format designer 'Goa Portuguesa Cookbook'.





Goa Portuguesa actively curates and hosts several food festivals in India and abroad. Not just this, they also have undertaken in-flight catering for Air India and several foreign airlines. The spice mixes made by Chef Deepa Awchat are launched and made available at all their restaurants and in e-retailers. You can also spot it at airports in the country.



If you are on your way to satiate your cravings, you may try their spicy vindaloos or tantalise your taste buds with delicate seafood curries. At Goa Portuguesa, every bite tells a story of tradition and craftsmanship. They also opened up in the UAE. Not only do they curate a great menu but also offer gastronomical experiences at food festivals. You can also grab their signature spice mixes to sprinkle on your homemade curries.

If you have yet to discover Goan food then bookmark this restobar right away.
Apparel accessories manufacturers in Bangladesh are calling for an end to what they term as harassment by customs officials at ports pertaining to the determination of HS codes for raw material imports.

This is as per media reports, which underlined the demand was raised by the leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association during a pre-budget meeting with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in capital Dhaka recently.

The HS code, or the harmonised commodity description and coding system, serves as an internationally standardised system for classifying traded products.

Harmonised commodity description and coding system, serves as an internationally standardised system for classifying traded products. Import taxes are collected by the National Board of Revenue based on this code. Manufacturers alleged customs officials subject them to unnecessary fines and delays over discrepancies in HS code declarations.

Import taxes are collected by the NBR based on this code. However, manufacturers alleged customs subject them to unnecessary fines and delays over discrepancies in HS code declarations.

Rafez Alam Chowdhury, former president of the RMG accessories makers association, highlighted the issue, stating that even minor errors in the HS code declaration can lead to substantial fines imposed at the discretion of customs officers.

This inconsistency and lack of clarity are causing significant challenges for accessories manufacturers, making it difficult for them to remain competitive in the market.

The association also emphasised the need for utility declaration for the import of raw materials, which is currently managed by the Customs Bond Commissionerate. They argued that streamlining this process would alleviate the burden on manufacturers and facilitate smoother operations.

In addition to addressing HS code-related issues, the association presented various other demands to the NBR, including timely completion of bond audits, exemption from VAT for export-oriented manufacturers, and tax reforms to promote industry growth and competitiveness.

While the NBR chairman expressed willingness to support the industry, he underscored the importance of ensuring that such measures are not subject to misuse.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
Bangladesh is gearing up to introduce a Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for a more nuanced evaluation of economic dynamics.

This index, commonly used to gauge economic trends in manufacturing and service sectors, will collect monthly data from 500 institutions nationwide.

The chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB), M Masrur Reaz, revealed plans for the PMI indexs debut at a recent event held at the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), in capital Dhaka.

This index, commonly used to gauge economic trends in manufacturing and service sectors, will collect data monthly from 500 institutions nationwide. The index will draw from data across four key sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and services. Countries globally, including India, Vietnam, Japan, and Indonesia, utilise the PMI index.

The inaugural PMI index is slated for release in May, with the MCCI, in collaboration with PEB, spearheading its publication, backed by support from the UK governments Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Masrur highlighted the PMIs significance in providing both the private sector and government with insights into the previous months economic performance and forecasts for the current month.

The index will draw from data across four key sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and services.

Masrur stressed that significant fluctuations in sectoral data prompt closer scrutiny by policymakers.

Measured on a scale of 0 to 100, a PMI above 50 signals expansion, while below 50 indicates contraction.

A reading of 50 suggests an economy in stasis.

Masrur underscored the PMIs role in uncovering sudden shifts within sectors, facilitating deeper analysis.

Countries globally, including India, Vietnam, Japan, and Indonesia, utilise the PMI index.

Masrur clarified that the process is purely observational, aiming to identify economic issues like recessions or epidemics.

Farooq Ahmed, secretary general of MCCI, assured that the PMI index adheres to observational principles, avoiding interference with the economy even as he pledged MCCIs commitment to liaise with the government if any issues arise.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
Actor- philanthropist Sonu Sood recently took to his social media handle to express his gratitude towards an anonymous fan who generously paid for his entire bill at the restaurant he was dining at. Sonu took to his social media account and expressed his gratitude towards this generous act. He shared the snapshot of the note left by the fan and captioned the post:

"I don't know who did this but someone paid for the entire bill of our dinner at a restaurant and left this sweet note .. Really touched by this gesture  Thank u buddy. Means a lot "

I dont know who did this but someone paid for the entire bill of our dinner at a restaurant and left this sweet note .. Really touched by this gesture 

Thank u buddy.

Means a lot  pic.twitter.com/LpeznRoqBQ  sonu sood (@SonuSood) February 22, 2024

Sonu Sood has received constant support and thoughtful gestures from his fans and supporters. One such group is the Indian Creative Unity, which is an organisation comprising of skilled painters who had crafted a remarkable pop art masterpiece spanning over 1.17 lakh square feet in Ajitwal, Moga. Additionally, a supporter initiated the "Main Bhi Sonu Sood Campaign," fostering unity and kindness among fans nationwide. These are just a few examples of how Sonu Sood's humanitarian activities have had a huge impact on people and fans across India.

On the work front, Sonu will be seen on the silver screen in a cybercrime thriller 'Fateh' which is co-produced by Zee Studios and Sood's production company, Shakti Sagar Productions. The film features Sonu Sood and Jacqueline Fernandez in the lead roles. Directed by Sonu Sood, the film releases this year and it depicts the actor as a tech-savvy agent aiding cybercrime victims.
Jackky Bhagnani

Actor/Lyricst/Producer

Biography: Jackky Bhagnani is an Indian Hindi film actor. He is the son of Bollywood producer Vashu Bhagnani. He has been married to a popular Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh on February 21, 2024. Jackky studied at St.Teresas High School and used to accompany his father on the sets of many movies. Post-schooling, Jackky chose to acquire a Degree in Commerce from H.R. College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai. Jackky was the Associate Producer for Out of Control (2003), Shaadi No. 1 (2005) and Silsilay (2005). His first film as actor is Kal Kissne Dekha, scheduled to release in May 2009. In preparation for his debut, he lost 60 kg in less than two years, he was 130 kg, earlier. He worked religiously for his body and put in efforts like a dedicated professional to achieve a lean look. His dance performance at the 54th Filmfare Awards in 2009 was widely appreciated by people from the industry.

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Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

Feintool has reinforced its global market position as a leading supplier of high-volume precision parts, reporting group-wide sales of CHF 847.7 million and an EBIT of CHF 29.9 million (margin 3.5 %) for 2023. Business remained robust in the USA and Asia. Feintool achieved success in the markets of hydrogen and battery-powered mobility. With the planned factory in India, the group is entering an important growth market. Martin Kloti will be proposed as a new member of the Board of Directors.

The financial landscape in 2023 presented diverse challenges for the Feintool Group, with varied outcomes across regions and applications. Despite the automotive sector, which represents approximately 80% of Feintool's sales, experiencing overall modest growth, notable achievements were recorded. Sales in Europe fell below expectations but significant orders were secured. In the USA, consistently positive business development contributed to a strong annual result. Initial challenges in Asia, stemming from an abrupt shift in COVID-19 policies in China, led to the temporary closure of automotive plants in the first quarter, which impacted sales. However, customer demand recovered throughout the year, contributing to a favourable result in Asia.

Following the sale of the capital goods business in June 2023, the Feintool Group positioned itself as a pure player for high volume parts production using the three processes of e-lamination stamping, fineblanking, and forming. The sale did not include tool design, engineering, and tool production, which serves as a key differentiator for Feintool in the market across all three core technologies.

Solid performance

Feintool achieved a solid performance in the 2023 fiscal year, with consolidated group sales reaching CHF 847.7 million, a slight increase from the previous year's CHF 833.8 million. The appreciation of the CHF against the EUR, USD, CNY and JPY cost Feintool CHF 39.4 million in sales in 2023.

Sales in the System Parts Europe segment rose by 4.5 % reaching CHF 581.5 million from the previous year's CHF 556.3. It is important to note that in the year-on-year comparison, the newly acquired "Kienle + Spiess" companies have only been consolidated since March 2022. In the System Parts USA segment, sales fell by 6.3 % to CHF 179.7 million from the previous year's CHF 191.7 million. The decline is attributed to lower steel prices and the appreciation of the Swiss Franc. However, the actual sales volume increased. The System Parts Asia segment also faced challenges due to the strong Swiss Franc, but still managed a 0.7 % increase in sales reaching CHF 89.9 million compared to the previous year's CHF 89.3 million.

Feintool achieved an EBIT of CHF 29.9 million for the 2023 financial year compared to CHF 27.3 million in the previous year, resulting in an increased EBIT margin of 3.5 % (previous year: 3.3 %). The consolidated profit from continuing operations totalled CHF 17.8 million (previous year: CHF 17.6 million). The distribution of a dividend of CHF 0.34 per share will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

With an equity ratio of 60.4 % and net debt-to-EBITDA currently at 0.3x, Feintool maintains a robust financial position. The group generated a significantly higher free cash flow of CHF 19.9 million, allowing it to finance investments from its operating cash flow. With a solid balance sheet and low debt levels, Feintool is well-positioned to cover the investment requirements necessary for its ongoing transformation process using its own financial resources.

European business below expectations, outlook positive

In Europe, the year under review posed challenges for Feintool - partly because the industrial business suffered sales losses due to economic fluctuations. However, the outlook remains optimistic.

The group secured a multi-year contract from a renowned American automobile manufacturer. The order encompasses the supply of rotors and stators for electric main drives, with a lifetime value in the three-digit million-euro range. Additionally, Feintool won a significant order from a wind turbine manufacturer. In 2023, Feintool strategically restructured its sales organization in the fineblanking/forming business unit in Europe.

USA and Asia with very good financial year, expansion into India

In North America, Feintool leveraged its strengths in the consolidating market, securing new orders in 2023 - even against competitors that had received prior orders. This success strengthened the market position and the company is currently expanding the site in Nashville to meet the increased demand.

Business development in Asia was significantly positive. The company's presence in Japan has opened up additional opportunities for other Feintool locations. For example, the establishment of "Feintool System Parts India Pvt Ltd" laid the foundation for the first Feintool facility in India. Production in the metropolitan region of Pune is expected to start in the summer of 2025. With the new site in India, Feintool is positioned to capitalize on an important market for future growth.

The rollout of e-lamination stamping technology was successfully continued in Taicang (China) in 2023. Feintool's glulock bonding technology for e-motor rotors and stators meets substantial customer interest. Feintool also prevailed against strong competition and won a major order for bipolar plates from an established fuel cell manufacturer in China.

Sustainability: ESG rating and new employer branding

Feintool underwent an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) rating conducted by Morningstar/Sustainalytics in 2023 and achieved "Low Risk" status with 17.7 points. This puts the company in the top 19 per cent of its peers.

Moreover, Feintool successfully launched its new employer brand "Details matter. You matter." Our employer branding initiative contributes to Feintool standing out as an attractive employer for sought-after specialists and talents. The campaign focuses on the commitment and expertise of the group's more than 3,300 employees.

Martin Kloti proposed as new member of the Board of Directors, new CFO Thomas Erne

At the upcoming Annual General Meeting on April 23, 2024, Martin Kloti will be proposed as a new member of the Board of Directors of Feintool International Holding AG. Since last November, he has served as CFO and a member of the Executive Committee of the Artemis Group, which holds a majority stake in Feintool. For 20 years, Martin Kloti worked for the Schweiter Technologies Group in various management positions, including as CFO from 2014.

As announced on December 15, 2023, the Board of Directors appointed Thomas Erne as the new Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive Board starting April 1, 2024. A proven financial expert, Erne has many years of experience as a CFO in listed international companies. He succeeds Samuel Kunzli, who will leave Feintool at the end of March 2024.

Growth and technology strategy

Leveraging e-lamination stamping, Feintool has been producing and marketing products, particularly e-motor cores for electromobility, contributing to the ongoing transformation in the automotive industry. This technology is also applied to components for wind turbines and industrial products. At the same time, the company continues to excel with its forming and fineblanking technologies, not only in the automotive sector but also in emerging areas such as hydrogen technology. Feintool is globally present, demonstrating not only its products and extensive expertise in its traditional businesses but also in developments for future markets.

Outlook and guidance

Despite the challenging market conditions, Feintool anticipates slight organic growth and a further improvement in profitability for the 2024 financial year: We expect to generate sales of around CHF 800 - 850 million with an EBIT margin of approximately 4%. We are confirming our medium-term targets (> CHF 1 billion in sales with an EBIT margin of 6 - 8% in 2026).

About Feintool

Feintool is an internationally active technology market leader in the field of fineblanking, formed steel components and stamped electro sheet metal products. Cost-effectiveness, superior quality, and high productivity distinguish these technologies.

As an innovation driver, Feintool continually pushes the boundaries of these technologies and develops intelligent solutions to meet its customers' requirements. Feintool offers innovative tools and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes for all aspects of high-volume sheet metal applications in the automotive industry and other demanding industrial sectors as well as renewable energies. These tools and processes support the megatrends of green energy generation, storage and application.

Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Switzerland, the company owns 17 production plants in Europe, the United States, China, and Japan, ensuring proximity to its customers. Around the globe, about 3,300 employees and over 100 apprentices are at work on new solutions to create key advantages for customers. Feintool, which is listed on the stock exchange, is majority-owned by the Artemis Group.

Overview of Key Financial Indicators

(Continuing operations only)





2023

in CHF Mio. 2022

in CHF Mio. Change

in % Change in local currency

in % Net Revenue Feintool-Group 847.7 833.8 1.7 6.4 System Parts Europe 581.5 556.3 4.5 7.4 System Parts USA 179.7 191.7 -6.3 -0.2 System Parts Asia 89.9 89.3 0.7 13.9 Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) 1 84.0 84.6 -0.7 6.0 Operating result (EBIT) 1 29.9 27.3 9.4 20.6 System Parts Europe 2 20.1 29.4 -31.6 -29.0 System Parts USA 12.6 5.9 113.3 127.1 System Parts Asia 9.2 7.2 28.7 45.2 Consolidated net profit 17.8 17.6 1.1 4.2 Balance sheet total 807.8 915.0 -11.7 Equity capital 488.2 540.5 -9.7 Net debt 24.2 42.1 -42.5 Employees 3 230 3 277 -1.4 Trainees 105 94 11.7

1 Excluding negative one-off effects in the previous year totalling CHF 5.2 million.

2 Excluding negative one-off effects in the previous year totalling CHF 4.2 million.

All information on Feintool's annual results for 2023 can be found in the 2023 Annual Report, which is available as a PDF at https://www.feintool.com/financial-results/.

Feintool International Holding AG

Industriering 8

3250 Lyss

Switzerland

Media spokesperson

Karin Labhart

Phone +41 32 387 51 57

Mobile +41 79 609 22 02

karin.labhart@feintool.com

The press release can be downloaded from the following link:

Press Release (PDF)
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / February 22, 2024 / Dril-Quip, Inc. (NYSE:DRQ), (the "Company" or "Dril-Quip"), a global leader in offshore drilling solutions, has been chosen to supply the subsea wellhead systems for the Woodside Trion development offshore Mexico.



The Trion project, a greenfield deepwater development, includes 24 wells across two phases. Woodside's decision to use Dril-Quip's BigBore IIe Subsea Wellheads will leverage the system's field-proven sealing technology and 2 MM lb. lockdown capacity. The BBIIe system eliminates lockdown sleeves during drilling and production, which can save rig time and reduce costs. Dril-Quip's Villahermosa, Mexico, facility will play a crucial role in supporting the Trion project.

"We are pleased to play a pivotal role in this significant project with Woodside. This partnership underscores the success of our innovative solutions, supporting the milestone of Mexico's first deepwater oil production with the Trion project," stated Don Underwood, Vice President - Subsea Products at Dril-Quip.

About Dril-Quip

Dril-Quip is a developer, manufacturer, and provider of highly engineered equipment, service, and innovative technologies for use in the energy industry.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the provision of equipment and services, and the performance and benefits of the Company's products. Forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and other factors. These statements are subject to risks beyond the Company's control, including, but not limited to, decisions by the customer on the amount of products to order, operating risks and other factors detailed in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.

Investor Relations Contact

Erin Fazio, Director of Corporate Finance

Erin_Fazio@dril-quip.com

Media Relations Contact

Summer Brown, Director of Marketing

Summer_Brown@dril-quip.com

SOURCE: Dril-Quip, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Belgrade, Serbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 22, 2024) - Hitno.com has unveiled an innovative peer-to-peer marketplace platform that is set to transform the way people buy and sell across various sectors, including real estate, used car markets, home articles, fashion, handmade exchange, jobs, and services, among others.





Hitno.com Unveils Unique Localized Peer-To-Peer Marketplace Platform

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/198518_c184f4ae94e00869_002full.jpg

One of the key features of Hitno.com is its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The platform encourages the exchange of used items, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste. By providing a dedicated marketplace for secondhand goods, Hitno.com aims to extend the lifespan of products and minimize their negative impact on the environment.

Hitno.com also actively supports and promotes local artisans and craftsmen through its Handmade Exchange category. This section will showcase unique and artisanal products created with care and passion. By highlighting these goods, Hitno.com aims to support local craftsmanship and provide a platform for artisans to showcase their talents to a wider audience.

In addition to its marketplace functionality, Hitno.com will also feature a Jobs and Services category, connecting individuals with local service providers and employment opportunities. This aims to contribute to the growth of local economies and provide a platform for individuals to showcase their skills and expertise.

User-friendly, Web3 ready

Hitno.com seeks to eliminate the need for multiple platforms or physical visits to various establishments. The team is dedicated to ensuring a user-friendly and secure experience for all users. The platform will feature robust security measures to protect user information and transactions. Additionally, Hitno.com will offer a seamless and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and engage with the platform.

This project represents a seamless integration of Fintech into a Marketplace, where the two components are intertwined and cannot co-exist without each other. Recognizing the potential of Web3 technology and its relatively limited adoption, Hitno.com aims to bridge the gap by combining regular users with Blockchain and Fiat lending. Through smart contracts, the platform seeks to increase the number of users and redirect the flow of digital assets into everyday life.

"We are thrilled to introduce Hitno.com, a localized marketplace that aims to address the unique needs of communities. Our platform goes beyond traditional marketplaces by offering a range of features and opportunities that empower individuals to connect, support, and thrive within their region," said Stanislav Sidorenko, CEO of the Hitno team.





Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI-K-gguzsc

Hitno.com will be launched in the Balkan Region in the near future, with plans for expansion to other locations, including LATAM, Africa, and the USA. The team behind the platform is actively seeking partnerships with businesses, organizations, and community leaders to ensure a successful launch and widespread adoption. Those who want to learn more may visit www.hitno.com.

About Hitno.com:

Hitno.com is a peer-to-peer marketplace platform focused on localization and solving local problems. With a diverse range of categories and a commitment to community empowerment, Hitno.com offers more than just a marketplace experience. From supporting local businesses to participating in social projects, Hitno.com aims to foster community connections and driving positive change.

Contact Info:

Name: Stanislav Sidorenko

Email: admin@hitno.com

Organization: Hitno

Website: https://hitno.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198518

SOURCE: Plentisoft
SINGAPORE, Feb 23, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Asia Photonics Expo 2024 will be held from 6 to 8 March 2024 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre (Marina Bay Sands) Basement 2. Spanning an expansive 15,000 square meters, APE's showfloor will accommodate 400 exhibitors, connecting with over 5,000 visitors. This vibrant platform will present a wide range of technologies and solutions in application industries such as semiconductor, security, robotics, medical, intelligence driving, and information and communications. It provides the perfect opportunity for your brand to catapult into the Asia market. With only 5 weeks remaining until the grand opening of APE, don't miss out on the chance to forge strategic partnerships and enhance your presence beyond APE. Register now to secure your fee pass!One-stop Sourcing Platform for Photonics ProductsAPE serves as a platform to showcase the state-of-the-art technologies catering to emerging application markets in Asia. With the rapidly growing photonics industry in the region driven by the data center, telecoms market, consumer electronics, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor, and medical industries, APE has attracted over 400 companies from China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Europe, and other countries and regions. APE brings together qualified photonics vendors across the holistic supply chain, offering chips, components, devices, equipment, and even application solutions. Some notable participants include ANRITSU, APP SYSTEMS, HAMAMATSU, PI (PHYSIK INSTRUMENTE), BOTE OPTICS, OPTO PRECISION, MATERION, EDMUND OPTICS, POLYTEC SOUTH-EAST ASIA, BRUKER SINGAPORE, AMETEK SINGAPORE, ACEXON, GF MACHINING SOLUTIONS, OPTOSIGMA, DOPA, HOLOEYE, ASPHERICON GMBH, CHROMA, IMT MASKEN UND TEILUNGEN AG, EAGLEYARD, NEW IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES (NIT), SCIL, I-PHOTONICS UAB, CRYSTECH, Optizone Technology, ARTILUX, SENKO, MRSI, and more. APE serves as a one-stop sourcing platform for buyers seeking new products and suppliers. For more information on the product brochure, please click here to visit.More Than an Exhibition, A Series of Forums Are Presented at APE 2024During APE 2024, a three-day academic and industry forum will be held to discuss forefront technologies, share valuable insights, and explore emerging trends in the photonics industry.- Industry ForumsCollaborate with industry leaders in specialised forums focused on Data Centers, Micro Nano Processing, and Pan-Semiconductor Optical Technology. Gain valuable insights and explore the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of the photonics industry.- Asia Light Conference 2024 (fee applies)Hosted by renowned journals Light: Science & Applications, eLight, and Light: Advanced Manufacturing, Asia Light Conference offers deep insights through plenary sessions and 10 parallel keynote & invited sessions. Underscored by UNESCO's International Day of Light, dive into the realms of Micro and Nanophotonics, Topological Photonics, Nonlinear Photonics and Functional Lasers, Advanced Manufacturing and more. Click here (www.asiaphotonicsexpo.com/asialightconference) to secure your seat!- LUX Photonics Consortium Conference - Photonics@SGImmerse yourself in the LUX Photonics Consortium Conference where groundbreaking ideas and advancements in photonics converge to serve as a catalyst and a networking platform to translate cutting-edge research into practical applications.Networking Opportunities for New Partnership and Business CollaborationAPE is dedicated to empowering the photonics industry and application fields by creating a high-quality platform for communication, exchange and learning. During the event, we offer organized site tours that allow you to visit renowned research institutes and corporate R&D centers, facilitating in-depth communication and collaboration within the photonics industry. A site tour is an absolute must for anyone seeking firsthand insights into Singapore's leading companies and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the nation's thriving advanced photonics industry. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to expand your knowledge, forge invaluable connections, and unlock boundless potential at APE 2024.APE is right around the corner, and we cordially invite you to be a part of it. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience, we strongly encourage you to register in advance. By doing so, you not only save valuable time on-site but also gain additional conveniences and privileges.Register now to get your free pass!For more details about APE, please visit our website: www.asiaphotonicsexpo.com.Media ContactCarrie WuCarrie.wu@informa.comSource: InformaCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
The radio station equipment market is driven by several factors, including technological advancements, upsurge in the demand for online streaming, and integration of radio into mobile and in-car platforms.

WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Radio station equipment Market, by Type (Microphones, Mixing Consoles, Transmitters, Antennas, Audio Processors, and Others), and Application (Indoor and Outdoor): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global radio station equipment industry generated $5.4 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $9.8 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 6.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Download Research Report Sample & TOC:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/260486

(We are providing report as per your research requirement, including the Latest Industry Insight's Evolution, Potential and COVID-19 Impact Analysis)

98- Tables

53 - Charts

249 - Pages

Prime Factors Influencing the Market Growth:

The radio station equipment market is anticipated to expand significantly during the forecast period, driven by technological advancements and the increase in demand for online streaming. In addition, the market for radio station equipment is anticipated to benefit from mobile and in-car integration. However, it is important to note that competition from digital media presents a significant restraint to the growth of the radio station equipment market during this forecast period.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2022 $5.4 billion Market Size in 2032 $9.8 billion CAGR 6.2 % No. of Pages in Report 249 Segments covered Type, Application, and Region. Drivers Technological advancements Increase in demand for online streaming Opportunities Mobile and in-car integration Restraints Competition from digital media

The microphones segment is anticipated to dominate in terms of revenue during the forecast period-

Based on type, the microphones segment accounted for one-fourth of the total revenue in the global radio station equipment industry in 2022 and is expected to continue its dominant position throughout the forecast period due to the crucial role of high-quality microphones in capturing clear and professional audio, which is essential for radio broadcasting. However, the audio processors segment is projected to experience the fastest CAGR of 8.47% from 2023 to 2032, driven by the increasing demand for enhanced audio quality, the adoption of advanced audio processing technologies, such as AI-driven enhancement, and the growth of digital and internet radio platforms.

The indoor segment is projected to retain the dominant position by 2032.

Based on application, the indoor segment emerged as the market leader in the global radio station equipment market in 2022, holding more than two-thirds of the market share. The remarkable growth of this segment can be attributed to the increasing demand for high-quality audio content, the expansion of digital radio broadcasting, the proliferation of internet radio stations, and technological advancements in digital audio processing and IP-based broadcasting solutions. However, the outdoor segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 7.83% from 2023 to 2032, owing to the expansion of 5G networks, the deployment of new wireless technologies, increasing demand for extended network coverage in remote areas and emerging markets, and the growing significance of outdoor radio infrastructure in IoT applications, smart cities, and connected devices.

North America to maintain its dominance by 2032.

Based on region, North America dominated the radio station equipment market revenue in 2022, representing nearly one-third of the global market share. This dominance is primarily attributed to its strong emphasis on innovation, technological advancement, increasing adoption of digital broadcasting technologies, and a surge in demand for podcast production, internet radio, equipment upgrades, and investments in 5G networks and IoT applications in the region. However, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to experience the fastest CAGR of 6.2% from 2023 to 2032, due to the rapid expansion of radio broadcasting networks, the increasing adoption of digital audio platforms, streaming services, and podcasting, as well as the diverse language and cultural landscape, creating demand for specialized broadcasting equipment catering to various languages and demographics in this dynamic and swiftly evolving market.

Leading Market Players: -

Allen & Heath Limited

Behringer (Music Tribe Commercial MY Sdn. Bhd.)

Guangdong Takstar Electronic Co., Ltd.

HARMAN International

Icom America

Mackie (LOUD Audio, LLC)

Roland Corporation

Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG

Shure Incorporated

Yamaha Corporation

Inquiry before Buying:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/260486

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global radio station equipment market. These players have adopted different strategies such as product launches, innovations, and new product developments to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report is helpful in determining the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player.

Key Industry Development: -

April 2023 - Sennheiser and Neumann, two leading manufacturers of professional audio equipment, were honored for Outstanding Technical Achievement at the 38th Annual NAMM TEC Awards. Sennheiser's XS Wireless IEM system won in the Wireless Technology category for its innovative design and performance, while Neumann's NDH 30 headphones were awarded in the Headphone/Earpiece Technology category for their exceptional audio quality and comfort.

October 2023 - HARMAN International launched the JBL CLUB and Infinity Reference subwoofers. These subwoofers, offering deep bass and energy efficiency, feature 400W and 350W power handling with Selectable Smart Impedance (SSI). They are compatible with various box configurations and are designed for distortion-free performance. The JBL CLUB series boasts a Poly woofer cone and a signature JBL design, while the Infinity Reference series features double-stacked magnets and a unique design.

September 2023 - Shure unveiled the second generation of its AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones. The new headphones feature spatial audio, improved active noise cancellation, up to 45 hours of battery life, and other enhancements.

Key Benefits For Stakeholders:

As per the Radio Station Equipment Market outlook, this report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the radio station equipment market analysis from 2022 to 2032 to identify the prevailing radio station equipment market opportunities.

The radio station equipment market forecast research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the radio station equipment market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global radio station equipment market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and Radio Station Equipment Market growth strategies.

Radio Station Equipment Key Segments:

By Type

Microphones

Mixing consoles

Transmitters

Antennas

Audio processors

Others

By Application

Indoor

Outdoor

By Region

North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

(U.S., Canada, Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe)

(Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA (Brazil, Saudi Arebia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Rest of LAMEA)

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Trending Reports in Semiconductor and Electronics Industry :

Radio Access Network Market was valued at $17.80 billion in 2018, and is projected to reach $44.78 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2019 to 2026.

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Wireless Power Transmission Market size was valued at $5,705.1 million in 2020, and is projected to reach $35,226.4 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 21.3% from 2021 to 2030.

Free Space Optic Communication Market was valued at $347.5 million in 2021, and is projected to reach $4.8 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 31.3% from 2022 to 2031

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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EQS Newswire / 23/02/2024 / 14:03 UTC+8



Modern Dental Group: Advocates of digital dentistry from the lab

Driven by the region's dynamic healthcare landscape and the growing demand for advanced dental solutions, Modern Dental Group saw an opportunity to contribute its expertise to an evolving dental landscape and expanded its dental laboratory operations into South East Asia in 2018. Dental Asia speaks with Richie Leung, business director for Modern Dental South East Asia on its journey and outlook for the region into 2024.

Founded in 1986 in Hong Kong as a manufacturer and distributor of dental prosthetic devices, Modern Dental Group has since grown into a global portfolio of brands, including Labocast, Permadental and Elysee Dental in Western Europe, Yangzhijing in China, Modern Dental USA in the US, and Southern Cross Dental in Australia.

The group entered the South East Asian market in 2018 with the establishment of subsidiaries in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Currently, the group has its dental labs in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and newly established sites in Vietnam with the support of over 4,000 dental technicians from its centralised production sites in China and Vietnam to fulfil local needs and reduce production lead time to any urgent cases.

Over the past five years, Modern Dental Group's journey in South East Asia has been marked by strategic collaborations, technological innovation and a commitment to elevating dental care standards.

"We have forged strong partnerships with dental professionals, clinics and institutions, aiming to provide them with state-of-the-art laboratory products and advanced dental solutions. The journey has been characterised by continuous learning and a dedication to excellence," said Leung.

A GLOBAL HUB FOR DENTAL TECHNICIANS

Serving over 25 countries and 30,000 downstream customers globally, quality control is key in production to ensure its dental prostheses meet the mark for a wide market. The coupling of in-house technicians and larger production facilities enables regional and local manufacturing teams to work together effectively.

The direct presence of skilled technicians creates a dynamic environment where expertise is actively applied and shared; their immediate access allows for real-time problem solving, contributing to a responsive and adaptive knowledge base. The collaborative environment created also encourages customisation, innovation, and experimentation with new techniques. Quality assurance is achieved while being able to support mass demand from all corners of the world.

"This cohesive in-house team promotes efficient workflows and a positive workplace culture. We can rely on our main production site in Dongguan, China to provide worldclass products without capacity issues. Overall, managing in-house dental technicians transforms our lab into a vibrant knowledge centre, enhancing craftsmanship and generating positive ripple effects across our operations," said Leung.

In addition, the group employs various mechanics to ensure quality control in its production process. The establishment of feedback loops from end-users and dental professionals to continuously improve processes and product quality. This further helps the manufacturing in regularly reviewing and updating quality control processes to incorporate improvements and innovations. The use advanced technologies also ensure precision and consistency during the production process.

DIGITAL ADVOCATES

In South East Asia, Leung observes some key trends and developments that are shaping the landscape.

One significant influence is the increasing adoption of digital dentistry practices. More dental professionals are embracing digital technologies, such as intraoral scanners, 3D facial scanners and 3D printing. This shift towards digital solutions streamlines processes to improve efficiency and enhance precision allowing for more personalised and accurate treatments.

Likewise for manufacturers, the ongoing advancements in digital dentistry solutions will influence the supply chain of dental prostheses products. Leung highlighted a notable shift towards increased efficiency and speed to provide quicker delivery times. The precision and customisation capabilities offered by advanced digital tools are set to meet the surging demand for personalised dental prostheses.

"What stands out to me is the potential for decentralised manufacturing, facilitated by the seamless electronic transmission of digital f iles, allowing for localised production to cater to specific regional needs," Leung said.

Modern Dental Group: Advocates of digital dentistry from the lab

23/02/2024 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


Vicinity Technologies Limited ("Vicinity") is pleased to announce the availability of their 5G cloud-managed intelligent network at the Mobile World Congress 2024. This solution enables ultra-low latency 5G applications and offers numerous benefits for various industries.

Vicinity is showcasing a live and easily deployable 5G network using the 5G integrated small cells, managed by Ataya's Harmony Cloud managed 5G system. The network is fully prepared for commercial deployment and can be configured to support important 5G use cases like low-latency augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), industrial IoT, and mission-critical communications.

The manufacturing industry can greatly benefit from 5G capabilities. With increased transmission speed, network capacity, deterministic reliability, and reduced latency, 5G is a game-changing solution for industries where downtime is not an option. In the past, many manufacturers relied on wired networks for machine communication. Despite the availability of technologies like Wi-Fi and LTE, interference and complex environments made these options risky for companies requiring ultra-reliable service. The showcase features a 5G time-sensitive network easily deployed in a factory setting, where the cloud automatically manages the 5G network with intelligent radio resource management. Network performance metrics are displayed in the Harmony dashboard, allowing users to configure the network to suit their applications.

Vicinity is a leading provider of 5G wireless technologies, delivering advanced wireless systems. Dr. Eric Tsang, CEO of Vicinity Technologies Limited, emphasizes that their products quickly address pain points with 5G wireless connectivity. By collaborating with Ataya, Vicinity enables customers to deploy well-managed 5G networks for private networks.

"Ataya Harmony platform streamlines 5G network deployment, making it compact, simple, and easy for deployment," says Rajesh Pazhyannur, Co-Founder and CEO of Ataya Limited. "The Ataya Harmony universal connectivity platform supports Wired, WiFi and 5G devices access to the network, while policy-based access and threat control enhance network security."

Vicinity offers a complete and deployable 5G networking solution for infrastructure vendors, system integrators and mobile operators. Its product portfolio include 5G distributed units, 5G small cells and 5G terminals, and the 5G core network with RAN intelligent management from Ataya. They are all software defined, easy for customization, and easy for deployment.

In this event, Vicinity is going to present the cloud-managed intelligent 5G network in the booth 7A9 at Great Britain Northern Ireland Pavilion. Interested parties can contact them at event@vicinitysys.com to schedule meetings.

About Vicinity

Vicinity Technologies Limited ("Vicinity") is a wireless communication products and technologies provider based in Bristol, United Kingdom. Vicinity has full R&D capabilities for designing, developing, verifying, and deploying 5G infrastructure and networking solutions. The team comprises experts with over 20 years of experience in wireless communication product development. Vicinity has a proven track record of providing quick-to-market design win solutions. Vicinity's products and systems have been deployed in real operator networks and can be customized for various purposes in private networks. To learn more about Vicinity, please visit https://www.vicinitysys.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240215086402/en/

Contacts:

Dennis Lee

Mobile/Whatsapp: 85297361860

email: dennislee@vicinitysys.com
88% of issued Warrants Y were exercised between the two exercise periods

8,539,955 Warrants Y exercised resulting in issuance of 3,415,982 new ordinary shares and 3,415,982 new Warrants Z

Outstanding 3,805,728 Warrants Z exercisable until June 20, 2025, with potential to raise up to 951,432

Extension of cash runway to early July well beyond anticipated timing of upcoming regulatory milestones open IND and Fast Track designation before end-March 2024

Regulatory News:

TME Pharma N.V. (Euronext Growth Paris: ALTME), a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for treatment of cancer by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), provides results of the final exercise of Warrants Y and an update on the outstanding number of ordinary shares, Warrants Y and Warrants Z. The exercise of 8,539,955Warrants Y has triggered the issuance of 3,415,982 new shares for gross proceeds of 853,995.50. The net proceeds from the exercise extend the company's cash runway from May 2024 into early July 2024.

"We are very pleased to announce the results of our latest successful warrant exercise, which reflects strong support demonstrated by a very high participation from our existing shareholders, extending our financial visibility into early July well past the upcoming regulatory milestones," said Aram Mangasarian, CEO of TME Pharma. "We would like to thank our shareholders for their ongoing support and confidence in our mission. We believe that the recent termination of our convertible debt program and the end of the company's reliance on convertible bond financing have alleviated pressure on the share price and contributed to the success of this exercise. We are now looking forward to achieving our next targeted clinical and regulatory milestones, notably approval of the Investigational New Drug application for NOX-A12 in glioblastoma and a response to our Fast Track request targeted by quarter's end, both of which are important milestones in advancing the development of our lead asset to become the best available therapy for aggressive brain cancer patients."

When exercising 5 Warrants Y held, a holder was entitled to subscribe for 2 ABSA Z at an exercise price of 0.25 per ABSA Z, each comprised of one new ordinary ALTME share and one Warrant Z (Bon de souscription d'actions Z). As a result of the exercises that took place during the final exercise period between February 10-16, 2024, 3,415,982 new ordinary shares and 3,415,982 Warrants Z are being issued by TME Pharma and settled today. Warrants Y that were not exercised by February 16, 2024, have become null and void. The following numbers of TME Pharma securities are thus issued and outstanding:

ALTME ordinary shares (ISIN: NL0015000YE1): 27,853,843

Warrants Y (ISIN: NL0015001SS1): 0 (all have either been exercised or expired)

Warrants Z (ISIN: NL0015001SR3): 3,805,728.

As a reminder, in the first exercise period, from January 10-16, 2024, 974,365 Warrants Y were exercised for 97,436.50, resulting in issuance of 389,746 new ordinary shares and 389,746 Warrants Z.

The first Warrant Z exercise period will run from February 26 to March 22, 2024, with settlement on March 29, 2024. For every 4 Warrants Z held, a holder is entitled to subscribe for 5 new shares at 0.20 per share. Warrants Z may be exercised through June 20, 2025. Outstanding 3,805,728 Warrants Z have potential to raise additional 951,432 if exercised in full before the end of the final exercise period on June 20, 2025.

Additional Information

The characteristics, terms and conditions and dilution resulting from the transaction are summarized in the press releases published on November 24 and November 28, 2023 and in the dedicated Rights Issue page on the TME Pharma website.

Dilution

The table below summarizes the dilution from the new ordinary shares issued today, and the maximum additional dilutive potential for an investor who did NOT participate in the transaction should all potential Warrants Z be exercised. Shareholders who participated fully in the transaction, i.e. who purchased the ABSA Y and subsequently exercise both Warrants Y and Z will not be diluted by this transaction.

Description Shares to be issued Total shares outstanding Dilution (cumulative) Shareholder starting with 1% on February 22, 2024, would then hold Outstanding shares on February 22, 2024 24,437,861 1% Shares Issued on February 23, 2024, from exercise of8,539,955 Warrants Y 3,415,982 27,853,843 12.26% 0.88% Exercise of Warrant Z (latest on June 20, 2025) 4,757,160 32,611,003 25.06% 0.75%

About TME Pharma

TME Pharma is a clinical-stage company focused on developing novel therapies for treatment of the most aggressive cancers. The company's oncology-focused pipeline is designed to act on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the cancer immunity cycle by breaking tumor protection barriers against the immune system and blocking tumor repair. By neutralizing chemokines in the TME, TME Pharma's approach works in combination with other forms of treatment to weaken tumor defenses and enable greater therapeutic impact. In the GLORIA clinical trial, TME Pharma is studying its lead drug candidate NOX-A12 in newly diagnosed brain cancer patients who will not benefit clinically from standard chemotherapy. TME Pharma has delivered top-line data from the NOX-A12 three dose-escalation cohorts combined with radiotherapy of the GLORIA clinical trial, observing consistent tumor reductions and objective tumor responses. Additionally, GLORIA expansion arms evaluate safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in other combinations where the interim results from the triple combination of NOX-A12, radiotherapy and bevacizumab suggest even deeper and more durable responses, and improved survival. NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy has received orphan drug designation for glioblastoma in the United States and glioma in Europe. TME Pharma has delivered final top-line data with encouraging overall survival and safety profile from its NOX-A12 combination trial with Keytruda in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancer patients, which was published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer in October 2021. The company has entered in its second collaboration with MSD/Merck for its Phase 2 study, OPTIMUS, to further evaluate safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in combination with Merck's Keytruda and two different chemotherapy regimens as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The design of the trial has been approved in France, Spain and the United States. The company's second clinical-stage drug candidate, NOX-E36, is designed to target the innate immune system. TME Pharma is considering several solid tumors for further clinical development. Further information can be found at: www.tmepharma.com.

TME Pharma and the TME Pharma logo are registered trademarks.

Keytruda is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp Dohme Corp.

Visit TME Pharma on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About the GLORIA Study

GLORIA (NCT04121455) is TME Pharma's dose-escalation, Phase 1/2 study of NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy in first-line partially resected or unresected glioblastoma (brain cancer) patients with unmethylated MGMT promoter (resistant to standard chemotherapy). GLORIA further evaluates safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 three additional arms combining NOX-A12 with: A. radiotherapy in patients with complete tumor resection; B. radiotherapy and bevacizumab; and C. radiotherapy and pembrolizumab.

About the OPTIMUS Study

OPTIMUS (NCT04901741) is TME Pharma's planned open-label two-arm Phase 2 study of NOX-A12 combined with pembrolizumab and nanoliposomal irinotecan/5-FU/leucovorin or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in microsatellite-stable metastatic pancreatic cancer patients.

Disclaimer

Translations of any press release into languages other than English are intended solely as a convenience to the non-English-reading audience. The company has attempted to provide an accurate translation of the original text in English, but due to the nuances in translating into another language, slight differences may exist. This press release includes certain disclosures that contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are based on TME Pharma's current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the risks inherent in oncology drug development, including clinical trials and the timing of and TME Pharma's ability to obtain regulatory approvals for NOX-A12 as well as any other drug candidates. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and TME Pharma undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222316502/en/

Contacts:

For more information, please contact:

TME Pharma N.V.

Aram Mangasarian, Ph.D., CEO

Tel. +49 (0) 30 726247 0

investors@tmepharma.com

Investor and Media Relations:

LifeSci Advisors

Guillaume van Renterghem

Tel. +41 (0) 76 735 01 31

gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com

NewCap

Arthur Rouille

Tel. +33 (0) 1 44 71 00 15

arouille@newcap.fr
TAIPEI, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, Taiwanese companies are coming together to accelerate the deployment in the FR2 market. Pegatron 5G, at the forefront of this collaborative effort, has chosen Aethertek, a Taiwanese Antenna-in-Modules (AiM) design house, and Metanoia, a leading Taiwanese System-on-chip IC design company, to propel its FR2 product line, supporting various frequency bands. In this collaborative effort, each company plays a crucial role in its respective field spanning from antenna array design to 5G O-RU SoC solution, including a complete SW stack, system-level integration, and thermal management. Pegatron 5G, Athertek & Metanoia have decided to enter a partnership. The collaboration will be officially showcased at MWC, featuring a Proof of Concept with an FR2 band n258, a 100MHz bandwidth, and a 64QAM modulation.

Athertek specializes in delivering innovative Antenna-in-Modules to Open Radio Unit (RU), CPE, FWA, and Small Cell System. From the inception of product design through the phases of development and production, Athertek stands ready to transcend conventional standards, bringing millimeter-wave connectivity to a new level in FR2 deployment. Beyond offering antenna regulatory-compliant solutions to FR2 markets, Athertek supports its customers with cost-effective millimeter-wave testing solutions, empowering them in research and development as well as production stages. This ensures efficient and reliable testing solutions that align with their needs.

Metanoia, as the sole Taiwanese 5G SoC company providing 5G Software Defined Radio Solutions, leverages cutting-edge technology and expertise in Semiconductor System-on-Chip (SoC) to deliver highly competitive 5G 2T2R Open Radio Unit (O-RU) Digital and RF chips. "Metanoia's market approach is to provide customers, such as Pegatron 5G, with semi-turnkey solutions for a broad range of wireless applications, including 5G FR1 and FR2 O-RU and Small Cell systems," says Didier Boivin, Metanoia Executive Vice President. "Our partnership with Aethertek and the use of their Antenna-in-Module ensures the precise configuration of Metanoia's FR2 O-RU for millimeter-wave carrier transmission".

This collaboration engages Pegatron 5G in assisting with the design and manufacturing aspects and in the end-to-end optimization of complex telecommunications systems.

About Athertek Technology



Aethertek, based in Taipei, Taiwan, is recognized as a premier test solution provider, distinguishing itself through an active role in accelerating FR2 deployment with its innovative antenna modules and providing cost-effective FR2 test solutions.

Please visit us at Hall 5 Stand 5A61

About Metanoia Communications, Inc.

Metanoia based in Hsinchu, Taiwan, has contributed to the development of several generations of semiconductor SoC solutions for wireline Broadband. It is now focusing on bringing new products to the 5G NR Markets.

Please visit us at Hall 5 Stand 5L26MR

About Pegatron 5G

Pegatron 5G is a provider of end-to-end comprehensive solutions. With extensive experience in product development and vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities, Pegatron established the O-RAN team in 2018. Drawing on our original design philosophy, Pegatron 5G is fully committed to developing products compliant with O-RAN specifications, including a family of 5G Radios, Servers, and Networking products.

Please visit us at Hall 5 Stand 5K9

CONTACT:

Perry Lin

Phone: +886 909737368

Email: perrylin@aether-tek.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2344206/WechatIMG7452.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/leading-the-wave-taiwanese-companies-join-forces-to-expand-5g-access-networking-302066935.html
Paris, France--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - Sequans Communications (NYSE: SQNS), leader in 4G/5G cellular IoT connectivity solutions, will be showcasing its newest chips and modules along with new Sequans-powered customer devices at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, next week, February 26-29. Sequans' extensive experience in cellular IoT is reflected in its comprehensive product portfolio, covering NB-IoT/LTE-M up to 5G NR, and in its advanced features, which include industry-leading low power consumption, support for integrated eSIM, and global deployment capability. Here is an overview of what you will see from Sequans in hall 5, stand 5H40.

NEW PRODUCTS

5G Broadband: Taurus 5G NR

Taurus 5G NR is the industry's first chipset perfectly dimensioned for broadband IoT with 1 Gbps speed. Taurus supports sub-6GHz radio (FR1) in both standalone and non-standalone 5G NR with 4G LTE fallback. It is an ideal solution for cost-effective 5G broadband applications, including fixed wireless access, portable hotspots, mobile computing, video surveillance and industrial IoT.

LTE Cat 4 Private and Public Networks: Cassiopeia

The Cassiopeia CA410 module combines support for 900 MHz and CBRS spectrum with USA public mobile network operator bands in a single, integrated solution. The multi-band module is designed for utilities and their OEMs who want to modernize their energy distribution networks. The solution gives them the flexibility to operate a private LTE network supporting 900 MHz and CBRS with the option to connect to commercial networks. Built in collaboration with Anterix and key collaborators GE Vernova, 4RF and RAD, the module is unique in the industry.

COMING SOON

5G RedCap: Taurus LT

A new chip will enrich Sequans portfolio by supporting 5G NR RedCap (reduced capability) with fallback to LTE Cat 4. Taurus LT will expand the possibilities of cellular IoT applications and provide an affordable future-proof path to applications using LTE Cat 4 today.

IN PRODUCTION

LTE Cat 1bis: Calliope 2

Supporting the optimized LTE Cat 1bis standard and designed for industrial IoT, this cost-efficient IoT technology offers seamless operation on any LTE network in any country while supporting speeds up to 10 Mbps. Ideal for trackers, security and alarm systems, payment systems, and industrial equipment, the Calliope 2 platform delivers a high level of reliability and security with support for VoLTE (voice over LTE).

LTE-M/NB-IoT: Monarch 2

Monarch 2 GM02S is a dual mode LTE-M/NB-IoT module that can dynamically switch between LTE-M and NB-IoT on demand and delivers highly advanced features, including industry-lowest power consumption at 1uA in deep sleep mode, global band support, a certified EAL5+ secure enclave for integrated eSIM, and an open SDK for customer applications. A variant, Monarch 2 GM02SP, supports GNSS, and Monarch 2 SiP features corrosion-free packaging, ideal for gas and water smart meters, and an ultra-small package. Monarch 2 modules are among the most widely deployed LTE-M solutions in the world today.

NEW PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY

New devices based on Sequans Monarch 2 LTE-M/NB-IoT technology that have never been displayed in public before will be in our showcase. These include a water meter from a leading smart meter maker, an overhead fault indicator from a leader in smart grid solutions, a fleet management solution from a global leader in connected transportation solutions, and two new wellness devices from a leader in ehealth solutions.

For more detailed product information, please visit the Products & Solutions section of our website.

About Sequans

Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading developer and supplier of cellular IoT connectivity solutions, providing chips and modules for 5G/4G massive and broadband IoT. For 5G/4G massive IoT applications, Sequans provides a comprehensive product portfolio based on its flagship Monarch LTE-M/NB-IoT and Calliope Cat 1 chip platforms, featuring industry-leading low power consumption, a large set of integrated functionalities, and global deployment capability. For 5G/4G broadband IoT applications, Sequans offers a product portfolio based on its Cassiopeia Cat 4/Cat 6 4G and high-end Taurus 5G chip platforms, optimized for low-cost residential, enterprise, and industrial applications. Founded in 2003, Sequans is based in Paris, France with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Finland, Taiwan, and China. Visit Sequans online at www.sequans.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In .

Sequans media relations: Kimberly Tassin (USA), +1.425.736.0569, kimberly@sequans.com

Sequans investor relations: Kim Rogers (USA), +1 385.831.7337, kim@haydenir.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198933

SOURCE: Sequans Communications
70% of rare genetic diseases start in childhood[1,2]

CASTRES, France, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rare Disease Day will be held on February 29, an opportunity for Pierre Fabre Laboratories to reiterate our desire to provide innovative prescription drugs to children, as young patients require appropriate treatments. Already recognized for our work in oncology and dermatology, for several years Pierre Fabre Laboratories has been involved in rare diseases, which affect more than 200 million children worldwide[1,2].

In this area more than any other, partnerships are essential for driving research forward and discovering new treatments.

Working with the EspeRare Foundation to treat XLHED:

Pierre Fabre Laboratories is committed, alongside the EspeRare Foundation, to developing an innovative in utero therapy for the most common form of ectodermal dysplasia, XLHED, a rare genetic disease that acts on structures including the sweat and respiratory glands, skin, hair and teeth, and affects 500 infants each year worldwide.

"As the mother of a little boy affected by Ectodermal Dysplasia, a rare and unknown genetic disease that permanently affects the sweat glands, hair, teeth and nails, I am deeply committed to the Association Francaise des Dysplasies Ectodermiques (AFDE). The association has been existing for more than 20 years and offers essential support to affected families who sometimes suffer from the difficult view of others and from medical wandering. We support families and make their daily lives easier. We organise national days and trips to encourage meetings and exchanges. We are also involved in research projects such as the EDELIFE clinical trial on the prenatal treatment of the most common form of the disease, XLHED, conducted by Pierre Fabre laboratories and the EspeRare Foundation. This opportunity to take part in medical research is a real opportunity for children and their families giving us new hope." - Muriel Dubreuilh, President of Association Francaise des Dysplasies Ectodermiques (AFDE)

EDELIFE, a clinical study involving pregnant women carrying a fetus with the disease gene, was launched in late 2021. For more information: https://edelifeclinicaltrial.com/en-us/, Edelife clinical trial - Ectodermal dysplasia, Article from New England Journal of Medicine.

Partnering with Atara Biotherapeutics to treat a very rare lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD):

In oncology, Pierre Fabre Laboratories and the Californian biotech Atara Biotherapeutics have been working in partnership since 2021 to treat relapsed or refractory Epstein-Barr virus positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD) in patients aged two years or over who have undergone at least one previous treatment.

This promising treatment was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in December 2022, and is currently marketed in Germany and Austria. In France, it has been available for patients as part of an early access program 2 (AP2) since July 2023.

In France in particular, in the context of a serious, rare and incapacitating disease with a bleak prognosis, tabelecleucel, an innovative orphan drug, could meet a non-covered medical need for around five children a year.

"Our companies' complementary capabilities will expand access to the first allogeneic immunotherapy to use T cells from a healthy donor for patients all over the world who suffer from this rare form of cancer." -Pascal Touchon, CEO of Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Last December in Paris, this treatment won the 2023 Prix Galien France award in the Innovative Therapy Drugs category. This award is emblematic of scientific rigor, excellence and innovation, recognizing remarkable recent innovations in health care and publicly available. This therapeutic innovation will be put forward for the 2024 International Prix Galien, which will be awarded in Rome this June.

Working with Bordeaux University Hospital to treat infantile hemangioma:

Infantile hemangioma, occurring in 4.5% of infants under one year of age, is the most frequently observed benign tumor[3-5]. In 90% of cases, these tumors are not serious, but in some cases they are harmful. In 2007, the Bordeaux University Hospital discovered by chance that a molecule frequently used in cardiology was effective at treating this pediatric skin disease. After fruitful cooperation between the University Hospital and Pierre Fabre, this chance discovery became a concrete reality in 2014, with the global commercialization of the first prescription drug to treat severe infantile hemangioma.

Realizing that families were seriously lacking information, Pierre Fabre laboratories set up an extensive French website aimed at parents of children presenting with infantile hemangioma, to provide them with all the information they needed and help them determine the best course of action from birth onwards. Rapid detection of infantile hemangioma enables better management and limits the risk of sequelae. For more information: https://www.hemangiome.com.

For health care professionals, the provision of the Infantile Hemangioma Referral Score (IHReS), developed with the support of Pierre Fabre Laboratories, expedites the patient care pathway via early identification of patients to be referred to a specialist center (https://www.ihscoring.com).

"The general wait-and-see attitude that has prevailed around infantile hemangiomas must now be replaced with a more active approach. The IHReS score helps pediatricians and general practitioners identify hemangiomas with a risk of complications so the children can immediately be referred to a specialist center able to start treatment." - Dr. Christine Labreze, dermatologist at Bordeaux University Hospital

Working with Association Ichtyose France to improve management of ichthyosis

Dermatology is the branch of medicine that has the largest number of rare disorders worldwide. 500 have been reported, all with very different forms.

Ichthyosis is a rare disease that mainly affects the skin, significantly altering the integrity of the skin's barrier function. It is characterized by desquamation ranging from mild yet unpleasant dryness to a more serious disorder that is difficult to live with day after day.

To understand and help improve patient quality of life, Pierre Fabre Laboratories, in collaboration with patient associations, is collecting data as part of the Visible Diseases of the Skin program (in particular, the ALL study an epidemiological survey conducted over 50,000 people in 20 countries).

In 2023, a specific study was conducted with four European ichthyosis organizations. Responses were received from 362 patients, enabling previously non-existent information to be collected about their experiences. The results were presented by each organization during the annual event with the patients' families and experts.

Ichthyosis affects around 1% of all people[6]. Its visibility on the hands and face makes it very disabling from a very young age: 67% of patients in the study reported feeling excluded[6].

"Thank you Pierre Fabre [] for [] setting up this study, [] because, as sufferers of a rare disease, it's important for us to be heard and acknowledged, and these figures are going to help us with that. Our long-term relationship with Pierre Fabre is a good illustration of the close links forged with patients and patient associations, year after year!" - Anne Audouze, President of Association Ichtyose France, a non-profit organization dedicated to ichthyosis

About rare diseases

The European Union defines a rare disease as a rare condition affecting fewer than one in 2,000 people (in other words, a few dozen or a few hundred patients for a given disease). There are thought to be between 5,000 and 8,000 rare diseases7 (neuromuscular diseases, metabolic disorders, infectious and auto-immune diseases, rare cancers, etc.), affecting 3 million people in France, 30 million in Europe and over 300 million patients worldwide[8].

Although they concern relatively few individual patients, they affect a significant proportion of the population, and emerge as a real global public health issue.

About Pierre Fabre Laboratories

For more information, please visit www.pierre-fabre.com, @PierreFabre.

1. https://www.rarediseaseday.org.

2. European Journal of Human Genetics (2020) 28:165-173.

3. Leaute-Labreze et al - Infantile Haemangioma -Lancet 2017 Jul 1;390 (10089): 85-94.

4. Munden et al - Incidence and demographics of IH - BJD 2014, 170; 907-913.

5. Volc-Platzer et al. - Poster ESPD 2014.

6. El Hachem et al., Ichthyosis: multinational European study on patient characteristics and body sites involved with impact on quality of life, British Journal of Dermatology (sous presse).

7. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/overview/orphan-designation-overview.

8. https://www.inserm.fr/c-est-quoi/300-millions-patients-quand-meme-c-est-quoi-maladies-rares/.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2345623/Pierre_Fabre_Logo.jpg

Press contact?:

Laurence Marchal

laurence.marchal@pierre-fabre.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pierre-fabre-laboratories-committed-to-combating-rare-pediatric-diseases-via-innovative-therapies-302069785.html
Westinghouse Electric Company welcomed representatives from over 50 companies to its Bulgarian Supplier Symposium this week. The event offered a forum to engage with potential suppliers in support of the two AP1000 reactors selected by Bulgaria for the Kozloduy nuclear site.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223653037/en/

From left to right: Ivan Pironkov (Westinghouse), Oscar Prat (Westinghouse), Rumen Radev (Minister of Energy, Bulgaria), Delyan Dobrev (Chairman of the Energy Committee in the Parliament), Kenneth Merten (U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria), Alex Nestor (Chairman of Kozloduy New Built Company), Sean Jones (Westinghouse), and Ivan Mihaylov (CEO of Amcham). (Photo: Business Wire)

Rumen Radev, Bulgaria's Minister of Energy, and Delyan Dobrev, Chairman of the Committee on Energy in the National Assembly, attended the event, in addition to Kozloduy leadership and representatives from the U.S. and Canadian Embassies.

Westinghouse was awarded a front-end engineering and design contract with Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild project in June 2023. In October 2023, Westinghouse signed memorandums of understanding with key Bulgarian suppliers for Kozloduy and other European projects, including for the manufacture of instrumentation and controls (I&C) systems, radiation monitoring systems, and various engineering, consulting and construction services.

"Bulgaria could be among the first countries in Europe with the AP1000 reactor, which is the most advanced nuclear technology available. This project is critical to provide our country with a reliable source of clean energy that will not only reduce emissions, but will be an investment in our economy, creating thousands of green jobs across the nuclear supply chain," said Petyo Ivanov, Executive Director of Kozloduy NPP New Built company. "By working together with Westinghouse, we can deliver the promise of clean, safe and secure nuclear energy."

"Westinghouse has a long history of working with the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant and the nuclear industry in Bulgaria, including the 10-year agreement signed in 2022 to supply nuclear fuel to one of the existing Kozloduy units," said Elias Gedeon, Senior Vice President of Westinghouse Energy Systems Commercial Operations. "We are making notable progress on our front-end engineering and design contract for the AP1000 reactors. We look forward to further expanding partnerships with the deeply experienced, local supply base within the country to support this new build opportunity."

The AP1000 is the only operating Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design and has the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. One AP1000 reactor is operational with another near completion at the Vogtle site in Georgia, while four AP1000 units are currently setting operational performance records in China with four additional reactors under construction, and two more planned. Poland selected the AP1000 reactor for its nuclear energy program; Ukraine has made firm commitments for nine AP1000 units, and the technology is under consideration at multiple other sites in Central and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company's technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223653037/en/

Contacts:

media@westinghouse.com


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - For the first time in more than fifty years, a U.S. spacecraft has touched the Moon.



Intuitive Machines' uncrewed IM-1 lunar lander, also called Odysseus, touched down near Moon's South Pole at 6:24 p.m. ET on Thursday.



Carrying NASA science and technology to the Moon, Houston-based Intuitive Machines has become the first commercial company to place a spacecraft on the Moon.



The Odysseus robot encountered an unexpected issue with its navigation systems hours before landing, but controllers confirmed later that a signal was received from the lunar surface shortly after landing.



The spacecraft was 'upright and starting to send data,' Intuitive Machines said in an update posted on X.



'I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface, and we are transmitting,' Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus announced on a live webcast.



The last time the United States put its footmark on the Moon's surface was in 1972, when the last Apollo mission made a soft-landing.



'Today for the first time in more than a half-century, the US has returned to the moon,' said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. 'Today is a day that shows the power and promise of NASA's commercial partnerships. Congratulations to everyone involved in this great and daring quest.'



Odysseus is carrying six NASA science investigations and technology demonstrations, which will prepare the U.S. space agency for its future human exploration of the Moon under Artemis.



The United States had committed to flying international astronauts around the moon as part of Artemis program, the most ambitious space exploration effort in generations.



Through upcoming Artemis 2 and 3 missions, NASA plans to land the first woman and the first person of color on the surface of the Moon.



Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



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Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken
CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / CannaPharmaRx, Inc. (OTC PINK:CPMD), a future leader in ultramodern, highly efficient cannabis production facilities announced today that the company has successfully obtained our IMC-GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) and GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) certifications.

These leading accreditations are the standard for cannabis certification with the goal of the standard to ensure the best quality and consistency in the production of the product. These certifications set out by various directives of IMCA (Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency) are required for CannaPharmaRx to sell in Israel. Israel is world leader in the medical cannabis industry.

The prominent certifications, recognized internationally, signify the company's dedication to plant, grow, harvest, cultivate, and sell high-quality cannabis products while adhering to strong safety and environmental standards. They provide assurance that the CannaPharmaRx product maintains the highest industry standards.

"The certifications verify that our processes adhere to strict protocols resulting in the integrity and safety of our final products. Certifications like these are a strong component of our international expansion strategy allowing us to introduce premium products to a broader global audience. Coupled with our prior relationships in Israel, we expect to begin delivering products there in the near term," said Dean Medwid, CEO of CannaPharmaRx.

About CannapharmaRx, Inc.

CannapharmaRx is focused on the acquisition and development of state-of-the-art cannabis grow facilities in Canada. CPMD is in discussion with other companies regarding potential acquisitions. CannapharmaRx's business strategy is to become a leader in high quality and low-cost production of cannabis through the development, acquisition, and enhancement of existing facilities. CannapharmaRx is committed to operating high-quality facilities utilizing the latest technology in combined heat and power generation to ensure being a low-cost producer of cannabis.

Safe Harbor Statement

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information or Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or statements. All statements that are or information which is not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations, or beliefs of future performance, are 'forward-looking information or statements.' Forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans,' 'expects,' or 'does not expect,' 'is expected,' 'estimates,' '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. With respect to forward-looking information and statements contained herein, Management of CannapharmaRx has made numerous assumptions, including, among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, events, or developments to be materially different from any future results, events, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information or statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking information or statements. CannapharmaRx assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information, or for any other reason except as required by law.

Contact Information:

Brokers and Analysts

Chesapeake Group

(410) 825-3930

SOURCE: Cannapharmarx, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - QC Copper and Gold Inc. (TSXV: QCCU) ("QC Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the publication of its updated Technical Report for the pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) on the Opemiska Deposit which the Company announced on January 8, 2024. The Technical Report is available on the Company's website and SEDAR+.

Highlights include:

Mineral Resource in Measured and Indicated category of 2.09 billion lbs of copper equivalent contained in 97.5 million tonnes or 1.75 billion lbs of copper, 845 thousand ounces of gold, 5.5 million ounces of silver

in Measured and Indicated category of 2.09 billion lbs of copper equivalent contained in 97.5 million tonnes or

Additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 157 million lbs of copper equivalent contained in 11.0 million tonnes, 127 million lbs of copper, 70 thousand ounces of gold 907 thousand ounces of silver



Grade and Mineral Resource Increase: Achieved a remarkable 26% increase in the Copper total grade, an 11% increase in CuEq total grade, and a 16% rise in CuEq pounds compared to the 2021 Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate.

Significant Starter Pit: A sizable potential starter pit comprises 19.1 million tonnes at 1.1% Cu-Eq, all in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources categories.

Favorable Metallurgy: Preliminary test work has confirmed very favorable metallurgical characteristics.

Expansion Potential: Confirmed potential for Opemiska's expansion within the pit, at depth with an out-of-pit (underground) mining scenario, and growth of the satellite pits to the east, as well as in close proximity to the Cooke and Robitaille Mines.

This updated MRE reflects a significant increase in grade and contained metal, attributed to extensive drilling and our technical team's two-year recompilation and reinterpretation of geological data. The Company also underscores that the qualitative improvements in the database enhance our confidence in the project's geological model and, by extension, the Mineral Resource Estimate.

Table 1: Opemiska Deposit Summary of Pit Constrained Mineral Resources, 0.15% CuEq cut-off and Out-of-Pit Mineral Resources, 0.8% CuEq cut-off (see footnotes 1-10)

Pit Constrained Tonnes Cu Cu Ag Ag Au Au CuEq CuEq 0.15% CuEq

Cut-Off (k) (%) (M lbs) (g/t) (koz) (g/t) (koz) (%) (M lbs) Measured 52,704 0.77 892 1.65 2,800 0.30 500 0.94 1,091 Indicated 34,629 0.77 586 1.31 1,458 0.24 261 0.90 690 M+I 87,333 0.77 1,478 1.52 4,258 0.27 762 0.93 1,780 Inferred 9,791 0.48 104 2.19 689 0.18 55 0.59 128



















Out of Pit Tonnes Cu Cu Ag Ag Au Au CuEq CuEq 0.8% CuEq

Cut-Off (k) (%) (M lbs) (g/t) (koz) (g/t) (koz) (%) (M lbs) Measured 4,064 1.24 111 3.81 498 0.32 42 1.44 129 Indicated 6,067 1.18 157 3.92 764 0.22 42 1.32 176 M+I 10,130 1.20 268 3.87 1,261 0.26 83 1.37 305 Inferred 1,162 0.89 23 5.84 218 0.40 15 1.15 29



















Total Tonnes Cu Cu Ag Ag Au Au CuEq CuEq 0.15% & 0.8% CuEq Cut-Off (k) (%) (M lbs) (g/t) (koz) (g/t) (koz) (%) (M lbs) Measured 56,767 0.80 1,003 1.81 3,297 0.30 542 0.97 1,219 Indicated 40,696 0.83 743 1.70 2,222 0.23 303 0.97 866 M+I 97,463 0.81 1,746 1.76 5,519 0.27 845 0.97 2,085 Inferred 10,953 0.53 127 2.58 907 0.20 70 0.65 157

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio- political, marketing, or other relevant issues. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could potentially be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration. The Mineral Resources were estimated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions (2014) and Best Practices Guidelines (2019) prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council. Metal prices used were US4.00/lb Cu and US$1,875/oz Au, US$24/oz Ag and 0.76 CDN$/US$ FX. Cu, Au and Ag process recovery and smelter payable were 91%, 72% and 72% respectfully. Open pit mining cost was C$2.50/t, processing C$14/t, G&A C$2.25t. Out of pit mining costs were C$68/t. Pit slopes were 50 degrees in rock and 30 degrees in overburden. Historical mined volumes were depleted from the blocks to report the correct tonnages and metal content of the remaining high-grade vein material. CuEq % = Cu % + (Au g/t x 0.54) + (Ag g/t x0.007. Out-of-pit Mineral Resources were selected which exhibit continuity and reasonable potential for extraction by the long hole underground mining method. Narrow strings of grade blocks and orphaned blocks were depleted. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

Figure 1: Graphical Depiction of Opemiska Mineral Resource and Constraining Pit Shell



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9282/198936_f5fb835ff4158a33_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Plan View of Constraining Pit Shell and Potential High-Grade Starter Pit



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9282/198936_f5fb835ff4158a33_003full.jpg

Starter Pit

A conceptual starter pit has been calculated for the Opemiska Deposit with 19.1 million Measured and Indicated tonnes at 1.1% Cu-Eq. A high-grade potential starter pit provides more options in development scenarios as it allows for a potential short payback period or a staged development scenario, which potentially improves the project's economics.

Table 2: Opemiska Deposit Summary of Starter Pit Constrained Mineral Resource, 0.15% CuEq cut-off

Pit Constrained Tonnes Cu Cu Ag Ag Au Au CuEq CuEq 0.15% CuEq

Cut-Off (k) (%) (M lbs) (g/t) (koz) (g/t) (koz) (%) (M lbs) Measured 11,684 0.81 207 1.96 736 0.38 142 1.02 264 Indicated 7,370 0.94 153 2.40 569 0.43 101 1.19 193 M+I 19,054 0.86 360 2.13 1,306 0.40 243 1.09 456

Out-of-Pit Mineral Resource

A significant out-of-pit Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource has been added to the pit-constrained Opemiska Deposit with 268 million lbs of copper, 83 thousand ounces of gold, and 1.3 million ounces of silver, or 305 million lbs of copper equivalent contained in 10.1 million tonnes. Additionally, there are out-of-pit Inferred Mineral Resources of 23 million lbs of copper, 15 thousand ounces of gold, and 218 thousand ounces of silver, or 29 million lbs of copper equivalent contained in 1.2 million tonnes.

Geological Data and Reinterpretation

The Mineral Resource Estimate on the Opemiska Deposit is based on a drill hole database containing 16,570 surface and underground diamond drill holes totalling 1,042,668 metres of core drilling and 348,492 assays. All mine-era drilling was converted from mine grid to UTM using transformation equations calculated by a land surveyor based on differential GPS measurements of many located drill casings.

All historical mine excavations and stopes were digitized in mine grid coordinates from numerous maps, vertical and longitudinal sections, and solid wireframes were built and converted to UTM coordinates. All stopes were digitized down to the bottom of the Perry (820m depth) and Springer (715 metres) mines and formed the basis of the reinterpretation of the geology of the Opemiska Deposit. Completely new mineralized envelopes were defined using a manually adjusted implicit modelling technique for the deposit based on a structural model defined in 2022 in areas of historical mining and areas of known mineralization that could not be mined underground. As a result, the Deposit tonnage decreased somewhat. However, some out-of-pit Mineral Resources were defined at a 0.8% Cu-eq cut-off that identified a significant tonnage beneath the conceptual pit that will be the object of further drilling along with some satellite zones east of the pit and on the adjacent Cook-Robitaille Option Property.

Next Steps: Further Drilling in-pit and near-pit and Preliminary Economic Analysis

QC Copper has focused all its efforts on finalizing a high-quality mineral resource on the Springer and Perry Mines, to the near exclusion of other objectives. However, the technical team has identified several target areas within the conceptual pit that became apparent during the work that led to the current MRE, but they were not tested due to time constraints. Drilling of these targets is expected to add tonnes and metal to the Mineral Resources beyond what is being published at this time. Moreover, some preliminary drilling on the Eastern Veins in 2022 and early 2023 produced good results, suggesting that modeling these areas will lead to some modest pits at economically viable grades. The Company has proposed 15,000 metres of drilling within the confines of the conceptual pit and near the pit on the Bouchard and McNichols Veins. In addition, the Company has recently completed a drill program (assays pending) on the Cooke-Robitaille area of the Property and will undertake a compilation of historical drill results and integrate the current drilling result to define a drilling program that will hope to define additional open pit Mineral Resources that will add to the Opemiska Project.

About the Opemiska Copper Complex

The Opemiska Copper Complex is adjacent to Chapais, Quebec, within the Chibougamau district. Opemiska is also within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt and within the boundaries of the Province of Quebec's Plan Nord, which promotes and funds infrastructure and development of natural resource projects. The 100%-QC Copper owned Opemiska Property (excluding the the Cooke-Robitaille option claims) covers 24,544 hectares and includes the past-producing Springer, Perry, Robitaille and Cooke Mines, previously owned and operated by Falconbridge between 1953-1991. The project hosts excellent on-site infrastructure, including a power station and direct access to Highway 113 and the Canadian National Railway. The Cooke and Robitaille Mines are situated on the Cooke-Robitaille option claims and QC Copper is working through its obligations regarding the option and has the financial resources and expects to exercise the option in due course. All the other claims that comprise the Greater Opemiska Project are wholly-owned by QC Copper and Gold Inc.

The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by risks set forth in any QC Copper and Gold's Management Discussion and Analysis Reports and other filings made with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedarplus.ca.

QP Statement

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles Beaudry, P.Geo and geo., Director and Vice President Exploration for QC Copper & Gold, and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET of P&E Mining Consultants Inc., both Qualified Persons, as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects." Mr. Puritch is independent of QC Copper & Gold.

QAQC Statement

All drilling performed by QC Copper and Gold was done mainly using NQ sized drill rods and were stabilized to minimize deviations. When historical open or backfilled stopes were expected to be intersected in drilling the holes, they were started in NQ and telescoped to BQ after the stope, or started in HQ and reduced to NQ and then BQ, when a second stope was encountered to ensure completion of the drill hole. All drill core is stored in Chapais under constant video surveillance. All pulps and mineralized rejects have been preserved.

For the exploration undertaken by QC Copper & Gold, all assay batches are accompanied by rigorous Quality Assurance procedures, including the insertion of certified reference materials and blanks and duplicate verification assays in a secondary laboratory. Quality Control results, including the laboratory's control samples, are evaluated immediately upon reception of batch results and corrections are implemented immediately if necessary. All drill collars since 2019 were positioned in UTM coordinates and post-drilling surveyed using differential GPS instrumentation. The historical mine drill holes were surveyed on surface and underground at the time of drilling by mine personnel using conventional surveying methods. The drill hole collars for 2019 were oriented by compass but since 2021 accurate non-magnetic orientation of collars was achieved using the gyroscopic Azimuth Aligner by Minnovare. Downhole deviation surveys were done initially with Flex-it instrument by Reflex instrument at 30m intervals and from 2021 with the Champ Gyro instrument manufactured by Axis Mining Technology. All erroneous azimuths caused by excessive magnetism or other causes were purged from the database. A systematic bulk density measurement program using the water displacement method was implemented to measure the bulk density of all rock types. A total of 1,178 bulk density measurements were done since the start of drilling in 2019 drilling program, including 1,028 measurements for the Initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("IMRE") in 2021 and an additional 150 measurements post IMRE. No bulk densities are available for the vendor drill holes or historical mine drill holes. A specific susceptibility measurement protocol was also implemented to estimate the relative abundance of magnetite in the Ventures Sill's variably magnetic rocks. A focused optical and acoustic televiewer surveying program was done at the end of the program to obtain correctly oriented structural measurements.

For the Mineral Resource database, additional QAQC measures included drill core duplicates. For the historical drilling assay verification, measures comprised drill core resampling for the holes drilled by the vendor in 2010, 2015 and 2016 and for the historical Falconbridge mine era drilling where no drill core remains, a number of holes were collared near the location and orientation of mine-era surface drill holes and results compared with the assays from the mine. The results of these measurements confirm that the assays from the vendor period are equivalent to QC Copper assays and that the mine era assays are demonstrably equivalent for the range of values from the lower detection limit up to approximately 2.0% Cu which represents over 90% of the assays in the Mineral Resource database. Above this grade, the number of samples in the twinned data is small, and the variance is high, making it challenging to compare datasets.

It is challenging to obtain good validation of historical assays using the twin-hole drilling method for the mine drill holes that were not sampled extensively and were sampled only where mineralization was visible. Further validation of historical mine assays will require high-density drilling in small zones that have not been mined, however, were drilled sufficiently by Falconbridge to allow comparison of assay tenor, independent from the mine assays and from QC Copper drilling in the same volume. The evidence from twin drilling, albeit imperfect, supports the interpretation that the assays for the bulk of the mine drilling are comparable to modern-day QAQC-controlled assays. After reviewing available data, the assays undertaken by QC Copper, the vendor, and the mine are considered acceptable for estimating a Mineral Resource on the Opemiska Project.

For information and updates on QC Copper and Gold, please visit: www.qccopper.com

And please follow us on Twitter @qccoppergold

To speak to the Company directly, please contact:

Stephen Stewart, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 416.644.1567

Email sstewart@oregroup.ca

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accept responsibility for this release's adequacy or accuracy. Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. This information is based on current expectations subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. QC Copper and Gold Inc. assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to QC Copper and Gold Inc. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in QC Copper and Gold Inc. filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under QC Copper and Gold Inc. profile at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198936

SOURCE: QC Copper and Gold Inc
KYIV, Ukraine, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Capital, a leading U.S. private equity firm, is pleased to announce that its latest Ukraine-focused fund, Horizon Capital Growth Fund IV ("HCGF IV", the "Fund"), has reached $350 million in commitments at its Final Closing held in Tokyo on February 19, 2024, boosting AUM to $1.6 billion. The Kyiv-based firm exceeded its initial target size of $250 million by 40%, while also concluding three attractive investments during the fundraising process. Horizon Capital's team, strong track record and compelling strategy resonated with investors, who also backed raising the hard cap twice; first from $250 million to $300 million, then to $350 million. The Fund invests growth capital alongside visionary entrepreneurs leading fast-growing primarily tech and export-oriented companies, as well as select domestic champions, in Ukraine and Moldova (the "Region"), with a pipeline of 80+ investments. HCGF IV has distinguished itself as a 2X Flagship Fund, and the first, largest and leading fund raised since the onset of the full-fledged invasion, delivering both returns and impact to its investors.

HCGF IV is backed by investors with a combined capital base of over $700 billion, including international financial institutions IFC, EBRD, EIB through its EU for Ukraine Fund, DFC, DEG, FMO, JICA, Proparco, SIFEM, Swedfund, Finnfund, WNISEF, IFU, joining forces with global institutional investors, foundations and family offices. These private investors include funds managed by abrdn Private Equity, Blue Earth Capital, Zero Gap Fund, an impact investing collaboration between The Rockefeller Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Marcin Zukowski, Co-Founder of Snowflake, Andy Kurtzig, Founder and CEO of JustAnswer, investors and philanthropists George and Rayla Myhal, and other esteemed Limited Partners.

The Fund has already concluded three investments to fast-growing, innovative tech companies, providing growth capital to expand their R&D platforms in Ukraine and enhance their international reach. This is particularly significant given the IT sector plays a crucial role in Ukraine's economic resilience, furthering digitalization and increasing hard currency inflows to the country. The Fund's first three investments are:

Preply , transforming language learning by connecting learners with tutors via its online platform.

, transforming language learning by connecting learners with tutors via its online platform. GoIT , offering specialized IT education programs to address the tech industry's skill shortage.

, offering specialized IT education programs to address the tech industry's skill shortage. Viseven, supporting pharmaceutical companies to accelerate their digital transformation.

Lenna Koszarny, Founding Partner and CEO of Horizon Capital, said: "This historic fund is dedicated to the visionary entrepreneurs of Ukraine. Your strength, courage and resilience in the face of adversity is inspiring, motivating our team to contribute our utmost at this critical time. We are truly honored that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in two HCGF IV closings, commending our investors for backing the country at this pivotal moment, providing capital to support economic renewal and job creation when it is needed most, and signaling their firm belief in Ukraine's future victory. We extend our deepest gratitude to our esteemed investors - your trust and partnership have made this fund possible, and enabled our team to experience firsthand, the global support and admiration for Ukrainians who are defending their country, powering its economic resilience and using resources provided to maximum effect. From Washington to Tokyo, London to New York, Luxembourg to Copenhagen, Paris to Cologne, Bern to Helsinki, Stockholm to the Hague, Edinburgh to Toronto, this fundraising journey has enabled us to witness the steadfast support for Ukraine, and unwavering commitment to its future recovery, revitalization and renewal. With this successful closing behind us, we embark on a new chapter, focused on partnering with Ukraine's entrepreneur-champions to accelerate their growth and bolster the realization of their bold vision".

Horizon Capital (www.horizoncapital.com.ua) is the leading private equity firm in Emerging Europe with $1.6 billion in assets from investors with a capital base exceeding $700 billion, raising over $800 million in growth capital to back visionary entrepreneurs from Ukraine and Moldova (the "Region") in circa 6 years. Horizon Capital-managed funds have invested in over 170 companies employing more than 80,000 people in the Region.

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By automatically responding to changes in the network and updating and reconfiguring cell parameters without manual intervention, Magenta Telekom is taking a step further towards "zero-touch" network operations.

FAIRFAX, Va., Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TEOCO, the leading provider of analytics and optimization solutions for over 300 communications service providers worldwide, is supporting Magenta Telekom, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, in optimizing its wireless network operations through automation. SmartCM, TEOCO's industry-leading configuration management platform, now includes an automation framework that enables Magenta to not only monitor and adjust the configuration of their wireless network without human intervention, but also to create automated responses to changing network conditions.

"Mobile networks require constant fine-tuning," says Robert Schneider, Senior Manager Mobile Engineering & Lifecycle Management at Magenta Telekom. "Monitoring hundreds of millions of cell parameters is an important but time- and labor-intensive task. SmartCM detects discrepancies and adjusts cell parameters immediately and automatically, helping Magenta Telekom to provide better network coverage in a scalable and cost-effective manner. The new framework enables engineers to define workflows that respond to external triggers and automatically take corrective actions."

Magenta Telekom has been using TEOCO's SmartCM solution since 2018 to configure its 5G network. The SmartCM automation framework enables Magenta to bring data, services and existing and proven optimization algorithms into an end-to-end automated process to accelerate a variety of tasks. For example, if data traffic exceeds a certain threshold, the algorithms detect this and automatically adjust the cell parameters to balance the load. The new framework can be customized to automate a variety of network optimization tasks to achieve immediate cost savings while improving network performance.

"Magenta Telekom has always been an innovator in the industry, willing to think outside the box," explains Atul Jain, CEO of TEOCO. "With the new automation features, the company can optimize its network operations for the many opportunities that will arise in the future. We look forward to working with Magenta on more exciting projects in the future."

For more information please visit: www.teoco.com

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CHICAGO, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Hard Coatings Market by Material Type (Nitrides, Oxides, Carbides, Carbon, Borides, Multi-Component), Deposition Techniques (PVD, CVD), Application, End-use industry, and Region (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, MEA) - Global Forecast to 2028", is projected to reach a market size of USD 1.7 billion by 2028 from USD 1.2 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 7.0%.

Asia Pacific is one of the largest markets for hard coatings. The demand for hard coatings is increasing in cutting tools, decorative coatings, Optics, and Gears. The demand from developing nations, such as India, China, Malaysia, Germany, Mexico, and Brazil are expected to drive the global hard coatings market.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Hard Coatings Market"

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Cutting tools by application type segment is expected to account for the largest share of the hard coatings market during the forecasted period.

The application of hard coatings in cutting tools is expected to hold the largest share of the hard coating market. Cutting tools are subjected to extreme conditions during machining operations, including high temperatures, abrasion, and mechanical stresses. Hard coatings, such as titanium nitride (TiN) and diamond-like carbon (DLC), significantly enhance the wear resistance and durability of cutting tools, extending their lifespan and improving cutting performance. The demand for precision machining and high-quality surface finishes in industries like automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing necessitates the use of cutting tools with superior wear resistance and hardness provided by hard coatings. Advancements in coating technologies, including the development of multi-layered coatings and nanocomposite materials, further enhance the performance and reliability of hard-coated cutting tools. The increasing adoption of hard coatings in cutting tools is driven by cost-effectiveness, as the extended tool life reduces the frequency of tool replacements and downtime, resulting in overall efficiency gains for manufacturers.

General Manufacturing, by end-use industry segment, holds the largest share in the overall hard coatings market during the forecast period.

The diverse range of components and machinery used in general manufacturing processes require protection against wear, corrosion, and friction to maintain operational efficiency and longevity. Hard coatings, such as titanium nitride (TiN) and chromium nitride (CrN), offer exceptional resistance to these factors, making them essential for various manufacturing applications. the increasing demand for high-quality and durable products across industries like automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics drives the adoption of hard coatings in general manufacturing. These coatings enhance the performance and lifespan of critical components, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. advancements in coating technologies, such as improved deposition techniques and the development of nanocomposite materials, further bolster the market for hard coatings in general manufacturing by offering enhanced performance and customization options.

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Asia Pacific region likely to be the fastest growing hard coatings market during the forecast period.

Rapid industrialization and urbanization in countries like China, India, and Southeast Asian nations have fueled the demand for hard coatings across various industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and manufacturing. As industries in Asia Pacific continue to evolve and expand, the need for advanced hard coating technologies becomes more pronounced, further propelling the region's economic development. Shifting consumer preferences towards high-quality products with longer lifespans drive the adoption of hard coatings in consumer electronics and automotive sectors.

OC Oerlikon Management AG (Switzerland), Momentive (US), Cemecon AG (US), Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (Germany), and SDC Technologies, Inc. (US) are the key players in the global hard coatings market.

Browse Adjacent Market: Coatings Adhesives Sealants and Elastomers Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Paints & Coatings Market - Global Forecast to 2027

Automotive Coatings Market - Global Forecast to 2028





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MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The United States has announced that in response to Iran's ongoing support for Russia's war against Ukraine, it will impose additional sanctions on Iran in the coming days. 'And we are prepared to go further if Iran sells ballistic missiles to Russia,' White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told media via teleconference. Iran's deepening military partnership with Russia is not only harmful to Ukraine but also to Iran's neighbors in the region and to the international community, according to him. Russia has been using significant numbers of drones, guided aerial bombs, and artillery ammunition supplied by Iran, to attack Ukraine. The White House had warned last month that Russian negotiations to acquire close-range ballistic missiles from Iran have been actively advancing. Earlier this week, Reuters published a report indicating that Iran has provided Russia with hundreds of ballistic missiles, apparently based on comments from Iranian government officials. 'While we have been monitoring this closely, we have not seen any confirmation that missiles have actually moved from Iran to Russia,' Kirby told reporters. 'But in this press reporting, the Iranians are clearly indicating that they will ship ballistic missiles to Russia, and we have no reason to believe that they will not follow through.' The top U.S. official warned that if Iran proceeds with this, the response from the international community will be 'swift and it will be severe'. He added that Washington will take this matter to the U.N. Security Council. Kirby pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin is capitalizing on the delay in the U.S. House of Representatives approving the Bipartisan national security Bill. 'He has been deepening his relationship with Iran now for many months, but the potential pursuit of ballistic missiles with a range and destructive power that they could bring is further evidence that he believes Congress will not act. He clearly believes now is his best chance to bring Ukraine to its knees, that now is the time to strike deeper behind their lines, destroying military bases and military units and their defense industry. He's counting on the West giving up and on Ukraine being left to fend for itself.' Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Approval by European Commission would expand Reblozyl's indication to include first-line treatment of anemia in adults with MDS in Europe

In the pivotal Phase 3 COMMANDS study, Reblozyl nearly doubled the percentage of patients achieving primary endpoint of both transfusion independence and hemoglobin increase vs. epoetin alfa

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval of Reblozyl (luspatercept) as a treatment for adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to very low, low and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The recommendation will now be reviewed by the European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU). Upon approval, this would represent the fourth authorized indication for Reblozyl in the EU.

The CHMP adopted a positive opinion based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 COMMANDS trial. Results from the primary analysis showed 60.4% (n=110) of patients treated with Reblozyl vs. 34.8% (n=63) of patients treated with epoetin alfa achieved the primary endpoint of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion independence of at least 12 weeks with a mean hemoglobin increase of at least 1.5 g/dL within the first 24 weeks (p<0.0001). Safety results were consistent with previous MDS studies and were in line with expected symptoms in this patient population.

"The positive recommendation by CHMP for Reblozyl can provide an important first-line treatment option for patients with lower-risk MDS in Europe," said Anne Kerber, M.D., senior vice president, Head of Late Clinical Development, Hematology, Oncology, Cell Therapy (HOCT), Bristol Myers Squibb. "Current treatments, including erythropoiesis stimulating agents, provide limited benefit against anemia. Results from the head-to-head COMMANDS study show that Reblozyl delivered transfusion independence in nearly twice the number of patients compared with epoetin alfa, and with a longer duration of response."

About COMMANDS

COMMANDS (NCT03682536) is a Phase 3, open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Reblozyl versus epoetin alfa for the treatment of anemia due to very low-, low- or intermediate-risk (IPSS-R) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in patients who are red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependent and were erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA)-naive.

The primary endpoint evaluated in this study is RBC transfusion independence (RBC-TI) for 12 weeks with a mean hemoglobin (Hb) increase =1.5 g/dL. Key secondary endpoints include erythroid response (HI-E) of at least 8 weeks during weeks 1-24 of the study, RBC-TI =12 weeks and RBC-TI for 24 weeks. Eligible patients were =18 years old with lower-risk MDS who require transfusions. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive subcutaneous Reblozyl (starting dose 1.0 mg/kg, titration up to 1.75 mg/kg) once every 3 weeks or epoetin alfa (starting dose 450 IU/kg, titration up to 1050 IU/kg) weekly for =24 weeks.

At the time of the primary analysis (March 31, 2023), 363 patients were randomized 1:1 to Reblozyl and epoetin alfa. Results from the primary analysis of the intent to treat (ITT) population showed:

60.4% (n=110) of patients receiving Reblozyl vs. 34.8% (n=63) of patients receiving epoetin alfa achieved the primary endpoint of RBC-TI of at least 12 weeks with concurrent mean Hb increase of at least 1.5 g/dL within the first 24 weeks (p<0.0001).

vs. 34.8% (n=63) of patients receiving epoetin alfa achieved the primary endpoint of RBC-TI of at least 12 weeks with concurrent mean Hb increase of at least 1.5 g/dL within the first 24 weeks (p<0.0001). HI-E increase of at least 8 weeks was achieved by 74.2% (n=135) of Reblozyl patients vs. 53% (n=96) of epoetin alfa patients (p<0.0001).

patients vs. 53% (n=96) of epoetin alfa patients (p<0.0001). RBC-TI of at least 12 weeks was achieved by 68.1% (n=124) of Reblozyl patients vs. 48.6% (n=88) of epoetin alfa patients (p<0.0001).

patients vs. 48.6% (n=88) of epoetin alfa patients (p<0.0001). Duration of response was 128.1 weeks (108.3-NE) for Reblozyl in patients who achieved TI for at least 12 weeks (achieved weeks 1-24) compared to 89.7 weeks (55.9-157.3) for epoetin alfa (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.534; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.330-0.864, p=0.0096).

Safety results were consistent with previous MDS studies, and progression to acute myeloid leukemia and total deaths were similar between both arms of the study. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events in at least 10% of patients were diarrhea, fatigue, COVID-19, hypertension, dyspnea, nausea, peripheral edema, asthenia, dizziness, anemia, back pain and headache. Rates of reported fatigue and asthenia were shown to decrease over time.

About MDS

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of closely related blood cancers characterized by ineffective production of healthy red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells and platelets, which can lead to anemia and frequent or severe infections. People with MDS who develop anemia often require blood transfusions to increase the number of healthy RBCs in circulation. Frequent transfusions are associated with an increased risk of iron overload, transfusion reactions and infections. Patients who become RBC transfusion-dependent have a significantly shorter overall survival than those who are not dependent on transfusions, partially due to iron overload or to more severe bone marrow disease than in non-transfusion dependent patients.

About Reblozyl (luspatercept)

REBLOZYL, a first-in-class therapeutic option, promotes expansion and maturation of late-stage red blood cells in animal models.Reblozyl is being developed and commercialized through a global collaboration and North American co-promotion with Merck following Merck's acquisition of Acceleron Pharma, Inc. in November 2021.

Current E.U. Indications:

REBLOZYL is indicated in the E.U. for the treatment of:

adult patients with transfusion-dependent anaemia due to very low, low and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with ring sideroblasts, who had an unsatisfactory response to or are ineligible for erythropoietin-based therapy.

adults for the treatment of anaemia associated with transfusion-dependent and non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia.

A full European Summary of Product Characteristics for REBLOZYL is available from the European Medicines Agency website at www.ema.europa.eu.

U.S. Indications:

REBLOZYL is indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of:

anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia who require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.

anemia without previous erythropoiesis stimulating agent use (ESA-naive) in adult patients with very low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who may require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.

anemia failing an erythropoiesis stimulating agent and requiring 2 or more red blood cell (RBC) units over 8 weeks in adult patients with very low- to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndrome with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS) or with myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T).

REBLOZYL is not indicated for use as a substitute for RBC transfusions in patients who require immediate correction of anemia. In the U.S., REBLOZYLis not indicated for use in patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia.

U.S. Important Safety Information:

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Thrombosis/Thromboembolism

In adult patients with beta thalassemia, thromboembolic events (TEE) were reported in 8/223 (3.6%) of REBLOZYL-treated patients. TEEs included deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, portal vein thrombosis, and ischemic stroke. Patients with known risk factors for thromboembolism (splenectomy or concomitant use of hormone replacement therapy) may be at further increased risk of thromboembolic conditions. Consider thromboprophylaxis in patients at increased risk of TEE. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of thromboembolic events and institute treatment promptly.

Hypertension

Hypertension was reported in 11.4% (63/554) of REBLOZYL-treated patients. Across clinical studies, the incidence of Grade 3 to 4 hypertension ranged from 2% to 9.6%. In patients with beta thalassemia with normal baseline blood pressure, 13 (6.2%) patients developed systolic blood pressure (SBP) =130 mm Hg and 33 (16.6%) patients developed diastolic blood pressure (DBP) =80 mm Hg. In ESA-refractory or -intolerant adult patients with MDS with normal baseline blood pressure, 26 (30%) patients developed SBP =130 mm Hg and 23 (16%) patients developed DBP =80 mm Hg. In ESA-naive adult patients with MDS with normal baseline blood pressure, 23 (36%) patients developed SBP =140 mm Hg and 11 (6%) patients developed DBP =80 mm Hg. Monitor blood pressure prior to each administration. Manage new or exacerbations of preexisting hypertension using anti-hypertensive agents.

Extramedullary Hematopoietic (EMH) Masses

In adult patients with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, EMH masses were observed in 3.2% of REBLOZYL-treated patients, with spinal cord compression symptoms due to EMH masses occurring in 1.9% of patients (BELIEVE and REBLOZYL long-term follow-up study).

In a study of adult patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, a higher incidence of EMH masses was observed in 6.3% of REBLOZYL-treated patients vs. 2% of placebo-treated patients in the double-blind phase of the study, with spinal cord compression due to EMH masses occurring in 1 patient with a prior history of EMH. REBLOZYL is not indicated for use in patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia.

Possible risk factors for the development of EMH masses in patients with beta thalassemia include history of EMH masses, splenectomy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, or low baseline hemoglobin (<8.5 g/dL). Signs and symptoms may vary depending on the anatomical location. Monitor patients with beta thalassemia at initiation and during treatment for symptoms and signs or complications resulting from the EMH masses and treat according to clinical guidelines. Discontinue treatment with REBLOZYL in case of serious complications due to EMH masses. Avoid use of REBLOZYL in patients requiring treatment to control the growth of EMH masses.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

REBLOZYL may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. REBLOZYL caused increased post-implantation loss, decreased litter size, and an increased incidence of skeletal variations in pregnant rat and rabbit studies. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 3 months after the final dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Beta-Thalassemia

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 3.6% of patients on REBLOZYL. Serious adverse reactions occurring in 1% of patients included cerebrovascular accident and deep vein thrombosis. A fatal adverse reaction occurred in 1 patient treated with REBLOZYL who died due to an unconfirmed case of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Most common adverse reactions (at least 10% for REBLOZYL and 1% more than placebo) were headache (26% vs 24%), bone pain (20% vs 8%), arthralgia (19% vs 12%), fatigue (14% vs 13%), cough (14% vs 11%), abdominal pain (14% vs 12%), diarrhea (12% vs 10%) and dizziness (11% vs 5%).

ESA-naive adult patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Grade =3 (=2%) adverse reactions included hypertension and dyspnea.

The most common (=10%) all-grade adverse reactions included diarrhea, fatigue, hypertension, peripheral edema, nausea, and dyspnea.

ESA-refractory or -intolerant adult patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Grade =3 (=2%) adverse reactions included fatigue, hypertension, syncope and musculoskeletal pain. A fatal adverse reaction occurred in 5 (2.1%) patients.

The most common (=10%) adverse reactions included fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, hypersensitivity reactions, hypertension, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, and urinary tract infection.

LACTATION

It is not known whether REBLOZYL is excreted into human milk or absorbed systemically after ingestion by a nursing infant. REBLOZYL was detected in milk of lactating rats. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the unknown effects of REBLOZYL in infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue treatment. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose.

DRUG ABUSE POTENTIAL

Abuse: Abuse of REBLOZYL may be seen in athletes for the effects on erythropoiesis. Misuse of drugs that increase erythropoiesis, such as REBLOZYL, by healthy persons may lead to polycythemia, which may be associated with life-threatening cardiovascular complications.

Please see accompanying U.S. Full Prescribing Information for REBLOZYL.

Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer

Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision transforming patients' lives through science. The goal of the company's cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research platforms uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.

Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient's life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future.

About Bristol Myers Squibb

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Forward-Looking Statement of Bristol Myers Squibb

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, that the CHMP opinion is not binding on the EC, that Reblozyl (luspatercept-aamt) may not receive regulatory approval for the additional indication described in this release in the currently anticipated timeline or at all, that any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on their use, and, if approved, whether such treatment for such additional indication described in this release will be commercially successful. No Forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb's business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

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Investors:

investor.relations@bms.com
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / Aclara Resources Inc. ("Aclara" or the "Company") (TSX:ARA) is pleased to announce that the Company hosted a delegation of representatives from the State of Goias, Brazil, in Concepcion, Chile, on February 15th. The purpose of the visit was to demonstrate the environmentally sustainable features of its patented technology, which has been implemented at the Company's pilot plant in Chile, and which will be used at the Carina Module project, located in Goias, Brazil. This visit followed Aclara's meeting with the authorities in Goias in on October 25th, 2023, when the Company's management presented the Carina Module project for the first time to the Governor and several other senior officials of the state of Goias.

Aclara CEO, Ramon Barua, commented:

"We extend our gratitude to the Brazilian authorities for this fruitful visit to our pilot plant in Chile. They had the opportunity to observe firsthand our environmentally responsible operations, witnessing the processing of the ionic clays sourced from our Carina Module project in Brazil. Our visitors share our commitment to sustainable mineral extraction and have conveyed their support for expediting the development of the Carina Module. Also, the Brazilian authorities visited our Aclara House in Penco, and witnessed firsthand how our Company interacts with the local community. Aclara remains fully committed to closely collaborating with the government of Goias to ensure the success of this project."

Visit Highlights:

Key government representatives from the State of Goias that took part in the visit included:

The Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ms. Andrea Vulcanis, who will oversee the permitting process for the Carina Module;

The Secretary of Industry, Trade and Services, Mr. Joel Santana, responsible for attracting investment in Goias;

The State Deputy and President of the Chamber of Mines and Energy, Mr. Lineu Olimpio;

President of the Goias State Extractive Industries Union, Mr. Luiz Vessani

The Brazilian delegation took a guided tour of Aclara's pilot plant in Penco, Chile, where they learned how the Circular Mineral Harvesting process works. They saw firsthand that the clean process uses only recycled water, recirculating 95% of the water used back into the system and the low carbon footprint of the extraction method, as the ionic clays are processed without the need for grinding or milling. Our guests were also able to note that a tailings dam is not needed, and that 99% of the reagent used to separate the clays from the rare earths also is recycled back into the process.

The delegation also visited one of Aclara's social engagement projects in Penco and held a meeting with local authorities, including the Governor of the Biobio region. Meetings with Company representatives included discussions regarding the global rare earths market, the Carina Module project, and opportunities for collaboration between Aclara and the government of Goias.

Ramon Barua (Aclara CEO), Ricardo Sepulveda (Aclara Process Manager), Bonzi Yokomizo (Aclara General Manager - Brazil), Luiz Vessani (President of the Goias State Extractive Industries Union), Andrea Vulcanis (Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development), Lineu Olimpio (Representative of the Legislature of the State of Goias), Joel Santana (Secretary of Industry, Trade and Services) and Jose Augusto Palma (Aclara Director)

We are pleased to share a brief 2-minute video capturing the delegation's own takeaways from this significant visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ19kvISaJE

Carina Module Piloting

Piloting of the Carina Module ionic clays started the last week of December 2023 and will be completed at the end of February 2024. The Company expects to produce between 10-15 kilograms of heavy rare earth mixed carbonates, which will be key to continue commercial discussions with potential separators, other stakeholders from the rare earths value chain and original equipment manufacturers.

Aclara Team, Brazilian Senior Authorities and Penco Neighbours at Aclara's Penco House, a place that welcomes Penco residents to learn about Aclara's Penco Module

About Aclara

Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX:ARA) is a development-stage company that focuses on heavy rare earth mineral resources hosted in Ion-Adsorption Clay deposits. The Company currently has two projects under development: the Penco Module in the Bio-Bio Region of Chile, and the Carina Project in the State of Goias, Brazil.

Aclara's rare earth extraction process offers several environmentally attractive features. It does not involve blasting, crushing, or milling, and therefore does not generate tailings, thus eliminating the need for a tailings storage facility. The extraction process developed by Aclara minimizes water consumption through high levels of water recirculation made possible by the inclusion of a water treatment facility within its patented process design. The ionic clay feedstock is amenable to leaching with a common fertilizer, ammonium sulfate. Further, harmful levels of radionuclides, typical of hard rock rare earth deposits, are not concentrated within the Aclara flowsheet.

Simultaneously, alongside the development of the Carina and Penco projects, the Company intends to identify and evaluate further opportunities to increase future production of heavy rare earths. This will involve greenfield exploration programs and the development of additional projects within the Company's concessions in Brazil, Chile, and Peru.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including statements with regard to: the expectations of the Company's management as to the collaboration with authorities from the government of Goias, its effect for the success of the Carina Module project, and an expected reduction in permitting risk. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to risks related to operating in a foreign jurisdiction, including political and economic problems in Chile and Brazil; risks related to changes to mining laws and regulations and the termination or non-renewal of mining rights by governmental authorities; risks related to failure to comply with the law or obtain necessary permits and licenses or renew them; compliance with environmental regulations can be costly; actual production, capital and operating costs may be different than those anticipated; the Company may be not able to successfully complete the development, construction and start-up of mines and new development projects; risks related to mining operations; and dependence on the Penco Module and/or the Carina Module. Aclara cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For a detailed discussion of the foregoing factors, among others, please refer to the risk factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated as of March 28, 2023, filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile. Actual results and timing could differ materially from those projected herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this press release is provided as of the date of this press release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws.

For further information, please contact:

Ramon Barua

Chief Executive Officer

investorrelations@aclara-re.com

SOURCE: Aclara Resources Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - Legend Power Systems Inc. (TSXV: LPS) (OTCQB: LPSIF) ("Legend Power" or the "Company"), a global leader in commercial electrical system solutions, reports its financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2023 ("Q1 F2024"). The Company has also scheduled a conference call to provide a business update to discuss its Q1 F2024 financial results today at 11:00 AM ET (8:00 AM PT) (details below). The call will be hosted by Randy Buchamer, President & Chief Executive Officer. A complete set of Financial Statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis has been filed at www.sedarplus.ca. All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars.

Q1 F2024 Highlights

Revenue of $1,548 versus $403 thousand in Q1 F2023

Adjusted EBITDA loss of $964 thousand versus a $850 thousand loss in Q1 F2023

Net loss of $1.08 million versus a $1.01 million loss in Q1 F2023

Cash of $1.4 million, no debt, and $2.8 million in working capital at December 31, 2023

"While deals have taken longer to close than initially thought, we continue to advance all deals that have previously been communicated and have not lost a single opportunity," said Randy Buchamer, Legend Power Systems CEO. "As we work to close deals, our pipeline continues to grow. We are managing our cash carefully and expect to receive deposits that will help with working capital going forward. I look forward to being able to update investors as these deals are finalized in the coming quarters."

Q1 F2024 Operational Highlights

Twelve systems are scheduled to be delivered over the next four months. The systems will provide about $1.1 million to cash.

Green Proving Ground program for the United States General Services Administration, which operates approximately 1,800 federally owned buildings is proceeding well. Building upon key milestones achieved in the prior year, the deployment and evaluation schedule continues to progress. Two initial sites have been selected, and the shipment of the first unit is expected in the next few weeks.

Progress continues with the City of New York's Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) IDEA program. Recall that DCAS finalized the City of New York schools specification for new builds and new renovations to have Active Power Management. Currently there are over 30 active RFP's that we are responding to, which is leading to an influx of inquiries about SmartGATE pricing and install capabilities.

The pipeline remains very strong with opportunities into government and commercial real estate including residential, hospitality, big box retail and commercial office. Currently Legend Power Systems is engaged in active sales processes with several of the top firms in the Commercial Real Estate space, with large building portfolios.

Q1 F2024 Financial Highlights

Financial summary for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022



Three months ended December 31, (Cdn$, unless noted otherwise) 2023 2022 Change Revenue 1,548 402,663 (100)% Cost of sales 22,664 301,952 (92)% Gross margin1 (21,116) 100,711 (121)% Gross margin %1 (1364)% 25% (1389)% Operating expenses (1,069,588) (1,112,997) (4)% Adjusted EBITDA2 (963,612) (849,577) 13% Net loss (1,081,490) (1,005,515) 8%

1 Gross margin is based on a blend of both equipment and installation revenue.

2 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure. See EBITDA Reconciliation for details.

Revenue for the first quarter of 2024 was $1,548 compared with $402,663 in the same quarter of fiscal 2023. The lower revenue during Q1 of fiscal 2024 was primarily due to production scheduling as order fulfillment of SmartGATE units are expected over the next quarters.

Gross margin in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was negative $21,116, compared with $100,711 in same quarter of fiscal 2023. Negative margins were the result of allocated fixed costs incurred.

The Company's operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 were $1,069,588, down from $1,112,997 in the same quarter of fiscal 2023. The primary cause for the decrease was lower salaries and consulting costs as a result of internal cost cutting measures.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was negative $963,612, compared with negative $849,577 in same quarter of fiscal 2023.

Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $1,081,490, compared with a net loss of $1,005,515 in the same quarter of fiscal 2023. Decrease in gross margins and decreased operating costs in Q1 of fiscal 2024 compared with the same quarter of fiscal 2023 resulted in a higher net loss.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS:

DATE: Friday, February 23, 2024

TIME: 11:00 AM ET (8:00 AM PT)

WEBINAR: Legend Power Q1 Fiscal 2024 Financial Results Investor Webinar (via Zoom)

REPLAY: Available at: https://legendpower.com

About Legend Power Systems Inc.

Legend Power Systems Inc. (https://legendpower.com/) provides an intelligent energy management platform that analyzes and improves building energy challenges, significantly impacting asset management and corporate performance. Legend Power's proven solutions support proactive executive decision-making in a complex and volatile business and energy environment. The proprietary and patented system reduces total energy consumption and power costs, while also maximizing the life of electrical equipment. Legend Power's unique solution is also a key contributor to both corporate sustainability efforts and the meeting of utility energy efficiency targets.

For further information, please contact:

Jonathan Lansky, Director

+1 416 417 7664

lansky.j@icloud.com

Sean Peasgood, Investor Relations

+ 1 647 503 1054

sean@sophiccapital.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's quarterly and annual Management's Discussion & Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198962

SOURCE: Legend Power Systems Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces drill core assay results from its fully-funded 2024 drill program at the Antino Gold Project in southeastern Suriname. The Company reports 45.0 metres (m) of 2.16 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) in drill hole 24DO06 and confirms over 250 m of strike in a discovery at the Donut target. Donut is located ~800 m east of the Froyo Gold Zone where drilling continues to deliver strong results, with hole 24FR51 returning 10.0 m of 4.73 g/t Au and 24FR50 returning 8.0 m of 8.43 g/t Au in a major 90 m down-dip extension to ~250 m vertical depth.

Highlights

New Discovery: Intrusion-hosted gold at the Donut Target (Table 1, Figures 1&2) Hole 24DO06 intercepts 45.0* m of 2.16 g/t Au Current strike extent of over 250 m and remains open Over 800 m east of the Froyo Gold Zone

(Table 1, Figures 1&2) At Froyo: Hole 24FR50 intercepts 8.0* m of 8.43 g/t Au in 90 m down-dip extension to 250 m vertical depth.

Historical gold in auger samples grading up to 25.30 g/t Au at Eclaire Target demonstrate potential to extend Froyo gold mineralization NW by over 500 m.

demonstrate potential to extend Froyo gold mineralization NW by over 500 m. Historical gold in auger samples up to 88.94 g/t Au at Cupcake Target between Froyo and Donut.

Colin Padget, Founders CEO commented, "We are extremely pleased with the first round of Donut results, and we've only scratched the surface of what could be there. The widths and grade distribution types suggest a compelling intrusion-hosted, bulk-tonnage target located only 800 m from the high-grade shear-hosted gold mineralization at Froyo. We can already see over 250 m of strike, and there is strong evidence from geophysical data of a km-scale intrusive body. The potential for two gold deposits less than a kilometre from each other truly underlines how robust the Antino gold system is.

"In addition to Donut, today's results from Froyo demonstrate the continuity of Froyo mineralization with an over 90 m down-dip extension to 250 m vertical depth. In Figure 1, we also show very high-grade, historical gold in auger samples, and historical pits indicate gold mineralization extends for over 500 m to the NW from our current drilling at Froyo. As our drills continue to unlock Upper Antino's major potential, our field teams are also busy in the distal parts of the property, advancing compelling new targets to drill-ready status."

Gold mineralization at the Froyo Gold Zone occurs as high-grade, shear-hosted gold mineralization associated with pyrite and pyrrhotite in quartz and quartz-carbonate veins. These often metre-scale veins occur within ~5-30 m wide mylonitic shears that comprise a broader shear zone. Gold mineralization at Donut is hosted primarily within a tonalitic intrusive body. Gold is associated with broad (>20 m) intervals of intense silicification, quartz veining and sericite alteration. Visible gold was observed in two holes.

Table 1: Drilling Results and Highlights

Hole ID From (m) To(m) Core Length* (m) Au (g/t)

23DO01 111.0 126.0 15.0 0.52 23DO02 26.1 42.6 16.5 2.35 and 262.0 269.0 7.0 0.68 and 304.0 313.0 9.0 1.54 and 347.0 357.0 10.0 1.13 23DO03 184.0 190.0 6.0 1.03 24DO06 101.0 115.0 14.0 0.47 and

incl 197.0

226.0 242.0

241.0 45.0

15.0 2.16

4.61 24FR50 4.27 11.6 7.33 0.50 and 71.0 77.0 6.0 1.74 and 215.0 223.0 8.0 8.43 24FR51 54.0 62 8.0 3.46 and 77.0 84.0 7.0 0.62 and 96.0 106.0 10.0 4.73 24FR52 56.0 65.0 9.0 3.58 and 98.0 104.0 6.0 1.77

*Intervals are core length and estimated to represent 85% or more of true width based on current drill data

Figure 1: Upper Antino plan map. Above: Cross section line corresponds to Figure 2. Below: map showing historical gold in auger sampling results from sampling programs before significant artisanal mining (pre-2000). High-grade auger samples over the Eclaire target area support along-strike continuity of gold mineralization along a minimum of 1.2 km. The Cupcake Target has seen limited historical drilling; with historical auger samples up to 88.94 g/t Au, it remains a compelling drill target.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7574/198981_9b3b71e9e47949d6_001full.jpg

Figure 2: A-A' Cross-sectional view through Upper Antino showing the discovery at Donut and the down-dip extension to gold mineralization at the Froyo Gold Zone. The two areas are separated by approximately 800 m.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7574/198981_9b3b71e9e47949d6_002full.jpg

* Intervals are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.1 g/t Au using 5 metres minimum length and 5 metres maximum internal dilution.

Figure 3: Antino Gold Project property map.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7574/198981_9b3b71e9e47949d6_003full.jpg

About Founders Metals Inc.

Founders Metals is a Canadian exploration company with properties in North and South America. The Company focuses on acquiring and advancing gold projects in the Guiana Shield. Its flagship asset is the 20,000 ha Antino Gold Project in Suriname, where artisanal surface/alluvial mining has produced over 500,000 gold ounces to date1. Using its diamond drilling equipment, the Company drilled over 10,000 m in 2023 and is fully financed for up to 30,000 m in 2024.

1 2022 Technical Report - Antino Project; Suriname, South America. K. Raffle, BSc, P. Geo & Rock Lefrancois, BSc, P.Geo.

Quality Assurance and Control

Results from samples were analyzed at FILAB Suriname, a Bureau Veritas Certified Laboratory in Paramaribo, Suriname (a commercial certified laboratory under ISO 9001:2015). Samples are crushed to 75% passing 2.35 mm screen, riffle split (700 g) and pulverized to 85% passing 88 m. Samples were analyzed using a 50 g fire assay (50 g aliquot) with an Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. For samples that return assay values over 10.0 grams per tonne (g/t), another cut was taken from the original pulp and fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Founders Metals inserts blanks and certified reference standards in the sample sequence for quality control. External QA-QC checks are performed at ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division) in Vancouver, Canada (an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility). A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Drill intervals with visible gold are assayed using metallic screening. Rock chip samples from outcrop/bedrock are selective by nature and may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the project.

Qualified Persons

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Per: "Colin Padget"

Colin Padget

President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

Founders Metals Contact Information

Dave Burwell, Manager, Investor Relations

Tel: 403 410 7907 | daveb@fdrmetals.com

Nick Stajduhar, Director

Tel: 780 701 3216 | nicks@fdrmetals.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding 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 regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future or prospects of the Company. 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, other factors may 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 discussion and analysis. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

All material information on Founders Metals can be found at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198981

SOURCE: Founders Metals Inc.
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tanzania's Parliamentary Standing Committee for Energy and Minerals has commended Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD) (TSX:ABX) for the significant turnaround at the North Mara gold mine and its improved relations with the community.



Members of Parliament recently visited the mine along with the Deputy Minister of Minerals, Ministry officials, the Regional Commissioner, District Commissioner, ward councilors and village leaders. The delegation was shown the mine's water treatment plant, tailings storage facility, the Nyabigena and Gokona open pits and a number of Barrick's community development projects such as Matongo's agribusiness initiative and secondary school.

Committee Chairman Honourable David Mathayo said the delegation was very impressed with all material aspects of the mine including the quality of operations, the mine's economic contribution, support for local vendors, environmental management, community development and good community relations.

In particular, Mathayo praised Barrick's investment in a water treatment plant that provides potable water to approximately 30,000 people surrounding the mine, as well as the quality of the mine's tailings storage facility which he said should be the benchmark for other miners operating in Tanzania. Additionally, Mathayo directed the Regional Commissioner to protect the mine and stop illegal intrusions immediately. Councilors and village elders were encouraged to initiate a dialogue with the community's youth to help deter criminal acts.

North Mara is owned by Twiga Minerals, a joint venture between Barrick and the Tanzanian government.

Barrick Enquiries

Tanzania country manager

Melkiory Ngido

+255 686 945 222

Corporate communications and country liaison manager

Georgia Mutagahywa

+255 754 711 215

georgia.mutagahywa@barrick.com

Group investor and media relations

Kathy du Plessis

+44 20 7557 7738

barrick@dpapr.com

Website: www.barrick.com

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information as to our strategy, projects, plans, or future financial or operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "directed", "instructed", "committed", "initiate", "deter", "can", "should", "would", "will", and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: Barrick's partnership with the Government of Tanzania; security at North Mara and initiatives to protect the mine and reduce the frequency of illegal intrusions; and Barrick's sustainability initiatives in Tanzania, including local community relations, continued investments in community projects and economic contributions.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by the Company as at the date of this press release in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper, or certain other commodities (such as silver, diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/ or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices; expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Tanzania and other jurisdictions in which the Company or its affiliates do or may carry on business in the future; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation, and exploration successes; the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; disruption of supply routes which may cause delays in construction and mining activities, including disruptions in the supply of key mining inputs due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and conflicts in the Middle East; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; failure to comply with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; uncertainty whether some or all of Barrick's targeted investments and projects will meet the Company's capital allocation objectives and internal hurdle rate; damage to the Company's reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Company's handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; litigation and legal and administrative proceedings; employee relations including loss of key employees; increased costs and physical and transition risks related to climate change, including extreme weather events, resource shortages, emerging policies and increased regulations relating to related to greenhouse gas emission levels, energy efficiency and reporting of risks; and availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks).

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect Barrick's ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Barrick disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
DENVER, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicine Man Technologies, Inc., operating as Schwazze, (OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO: SHWZ) ("Schwazze" or the "Company"), today announced that Forrest Hoffmaster, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed to the additional role of interim Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). This follows Nirup Krishnamurthy's resignation as CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors ("Board"), effective February 20, 2024, due to personal reasons.

Mr. Hoffmaster, who joined the Company in January 2023, brings over 30 years of executive experience in finance and operations for both public and private companies. Prior to Schwazze, Mr. Hoffmaster served as CEO of New Seasons Market, a specialty gourmet food retailer, where he navigated the company through one of the most disruptive periods in the retail grocery industry. Under his leadership, Mr. Hoffmaster implemented a focused growth and cost optimization program, enabling the company to grow EBITDA by over 30% in two years. Prior to New Seasons Market, Forrest held leadership positions with other leading grocers including Whole Foods Market and H-E-B.

"Forrest is well-positioned to seamlessly step in and lead the Company's day-to-day operations as we conduct our search for a permanent successor," said Justin Dye, Chairman of the Board. "With Forrest's proven track record and deep retail expertise, we plan to continue leveraging our operating playbook to drive strong Adjusted EBITDA margins and consistent cash flow generation. On behalf of the Board, I'd like to wish Nirup the best in his future endeavors."

Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO: SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale.

Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company's leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector.

Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. was Schwazze's former operating trade name. The corporate entity continues to be named Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Schwazze derives its name from the pruning technique of a cannabis plant to enhance plant structure and promote healthy growth. To learn more about Schwazze, visit https://schwazze.com/.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intends," "plans," "strategy," "prospects," "anticipate," "believe," "approximately," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," or the negative of these terms or other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future events or future operating or financial performance, although the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) regulatory limitations on our products and services and the uncertainty in the application of federal, state, and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws; (ii) our ability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (iii) our ability to identify, consummate, and integrate anticipated acquisitions; (iv) general industry and economic conditions; (v) our ability to access adequate capital upon terms and conditions that are acceptable to us; (vi) our ability to pay interest and principal on outstanding debt when due; (vii) volatility in credit and market conditions; (viii) the loss of one or more key executives or other key employees; and (ix) other risks and uncertainties related to the cannabis market and our business strategy. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.

Investor Relations Contact

Sean Mansouri, CFA or Aaron D'Souza

Elevate IR

(720) 330-2829

ir@schwazze.com

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MIAMI, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading figures from finance, government, business, tech, and innovation are convening to deliberate on a range of pressing economic and public policy issues at FII PRIORITY Miami summit, a major global investor summit, held today and tomorrow at Miami's Faena Forum.

The summit brings together investors from around the world gathered with CEOs of major global corporations and policy experts to seek workable impactful solution to issues such as the regulation of AI. This year's theme, 'On the Edge of a New Frontier,' reflects the profound changes the world is experiencing as technology transforms society and economies.

Richard Attias, CEO of FII Institute, said,"Today's conversations reflected a sense of urgency as the world grapples with what to do about AI, political uncertainty, and changes in the shape of the global economy. And we bring these conversations to Miami-the new America-so we can chart a steadfast course towards a prosperous future, fully equipped with the insights and knowledge we need, harnessing the power of collective work and thought."

In his opening conversation, H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Public Investment Fund Governor and Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute Chairman, underscored the role of AI and its key contribution to future economies, saying "Al is coming in a big way! The impact will be very positive as soon as we have regulations in place to monitor, control, and enable this technology. AI could increase global GDP by 14%."

Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, addressed the issue of AI regulation, and how CEOs can innovate through periods of extreme volatility and pivot towards future trends, adding "regulations will struggle to match the rapid pace of technological change and may be outdated within a year. We have to ensure that emerging technologies reflect humanity and our system of values and beliefs."

The summit's much anticipated roundtable of global CEOs, entitled the "Board of Changemakers," discussed trends and economic outlook. Participating in this year's roundtable were Pamela Liebman, President and CEO of The Corcoran Group; Pierre Beaudion, Chairman of the Board of Bombardier Inc; Jenny Johnson, President and CEO of Franklin Templeton; Marcello Claure, Founder and CEO of Claure Group; and Stephen A. Schwarzman, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of The Blackstone Group. The session underscored the impact of digitalization, particularly blockchain and AI, on future investments, advocating for regulation and ethical usage. The members of the board also highlighted AI's massive role in increasing efficiency and how AI can be harnessed to resolve climate change issues.

Mike Pompeo, 70th Secretary of State of the United States and Executive Chairman of Impact Investments, addressed the economic consequences of conflict, saying: "in the economic sphere, the connectivity between the things happening geopolitically is now ever more closely tied to thinking about investments and capital flows. It is impossible to separate geopolitical risk from capital allocation."

Conclave sessions were held for select senior participants to delve into the concerns relevant to their sectors with full transparency. For example, the conclave on AI convened many leading figures involved in the development of technologies, governance of AI, technology investment, and regulation, with a number of global initiatives on AI regulation presented

A special address by former Treasury Secretary Dr. Lawrence H. Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor & President Emeritus at Harvard University, and board member at OpenAI, highlighted economic and political contexts, including prospects for soft or hard economic landing, and likely outcomes of the US election. Dr. Summers was joined by Eric Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Fututes, who noted that AI is likely to double everyone's productivity, underscoring the importance of AI regulation, he added "there are questions about what happens when computers start to make decisions."

FII Institute's Founding Partner is the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which, alongside the Vision Partner, the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, and 26 international strategic partners are actively involved in the ongoing work of the institute. The FII Institute welcomed two new strategic partners at the summit: ACWA Power and Franklin Templeton. Speakers from strategic partners Franklin Templeton, GFH, HSBC, NEOM, ROSHN, Sanabil, Softbank, and State Street shared updates on their international projects relevant to the themes of the summit.

Notes to Editor

For media inquiries, please contact:

Phone: +966 53 978 2030

Email: Media@fii-institute.org

The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is a global non-profit foundation driven by data with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global and inclusive, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.

The FII PRIORITY Miami summit continues conversations held in Hong Kong and Riyadh in Autumn 2023. It is part of an ongoing global program of summits held throughout the year, with upcoming summits in Rio de Janeiro in June and Asia later in the year.

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SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / TPT Global Tech, Inc. (OTC PINK:TPTW) www.tptglobaltech.com), a leading innovator in the telecommunications and technology industries is pleased to announce that it has entered into a $3,000,000 equity financing agreement with MACRAB, LLC ("MACRAB") ("Equity Line" or "Facility") under the terms of a Standby Equity Commitment Agreement (the "Investment Agreement"), as well as a registration rights agreement related thereto ("Registration Rights Agreement"). The $3,000,000 financing term is a maximum duration of 24 months. Under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, a Form S-1 Registration Statement will be filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC") to register the common shares that may be issued in connection with this Facility.

This strategic financial arrangement is designed to support the company's corporate endeavors, notably the launch of the innovative VuMe Super App and the enhancement of the company's financial structure through debt reduction. The company also is currently raising capital through its SEC-qualified Tier 2 1A Preferred Share offering https://tptglobaltech.com/presentations/ .

The Standby Equity Commitment Agreement provides TPT Global Tech with a reliable source of capital over the next 24 months. This agreement allows the company to draw down funds in tranches, as needed, giving it the flexibility to manage cash flow efficiently while aggressively pursuing its strategic objectives. The terms of the agreement have been structured to align with the company's growth trajectory and operational needs, ensuring that TPT Global Tech can access capital in a manner that minimizes dilution and maximizes value for existing shareholders.

Stephen Thomas, CEO of TPT Global Tech, expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, stating, "This Standby Equity Commitment is a testament to our partners' confidence in TPT Global Tech's vision and strategic direction. It provides us with the financial flexibility to accelerate the development and launch of our VuMe Super App, a platform we believe will redefine user engagement across multiple digital services. Additionally, this commitment allows us to improve our balance sheet by reducing debt, positioning us for sustainable growth and long-term success."

The VuMe Super App, TPT Global Tech's cornerstone project, is set to integrate a variety of digital services, including social media, multimedia streaming, and mobile payment options into a single, seamless user experience. The Standby Equity Commitment not only facilitates the app's launch but also underscores TPT Global Tech's dedication to innovation and excellence in the tech and telecom sectors.

Furthermore, this equity financing mechanism is an important step in TPT Global Tech's ongoing efforts to enhance its financial health and operational efficiency. By leveraging this commitment, the company is well-positioned to execute its strategic plan, deliver on its promises to stakeholders, and achieve its objectives in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

About TPT Global Tech, Inc.

TPT Global Tech, Inc. is a technology holding company based in San Diego, California. It was formed as the successor of two U.S. corporations, Ally Pharma US and TPT Global, Inc. The Company operates in various sectors including media, telecommunications, Smart City Real Estate Development, and the launch of the first super App, VuMe Live technology platform.

As a media content delivery hub, TPT Global Tech utilizes its own proprietary global digital media TV and telecommunications infrastructure platform. They offer software as a service (SaaS), technology platform as a service (PAAS), and cloud-based unified communication as a service (UCaaS) solutions to businesses worldwide. Their UCaaS services enable businesses of all sizes to access the latest voice, data, media, and collaboration features.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of various provisions of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, commonly identified by such terms as "believes," "looking ahead," "anticipates," "estimates" and other terms with similar meaning. Specifically, statements about the Company's plans for accelerated growth, improved profitability, future business partners, M&A activity, new service offerings, and pursuit of new markets are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes that the assumptions upon which its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements should not be construed as fact. The information contained in such statements is beyond the ability of the Company to control, and in many cases, the Company cannot predict what factors would cause results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. All forward-looking statements in the press release are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and by reference to the underlying assumptions.

For more information about TPT Global Tech and its subsidiaries, please visit www.tptgloabltech.com.

For media or Investment inquiries, please contact: Rick@tptglobaltech.com

SOURCE: TPT Global Tech, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - SinglePoint Inc. (CBOE: SING) or (the "Company") a purpose driven leader in the renewable energy sector, is pleased to announce a significant step to achieving operational profitability. As noted in our press release on February 21, 2024, the Company has acquired the remaining 19.9% interest in Boston Solar -- further solidifying its position as a market leader. The Company is currently executing on a comprehensive initiative aimed at optimizing Boston Solar's operational efficiency, improving profitability, and delivering increased value to shareholders and customers.

"We find ongoing inspiration in the dedication, resilience and determination of the Boston Solar team. Despite encountering tough choices, particularly on the personnel level, we have diligently made the necessary choices to ensure the prosperity of our business. Our substantial growth from $17 million 2022 revenue to $30 million in trailing twelve-month revenue serves as a testament to our success. However, our focus remains steadfast on achieving profitability, not merely increasing revenue," commented Wil Ralston, SinglePoint's CEO. "As we embark on the journey into 2024, we are filled with anticipation for our bright future alongside our exceptional team. The performance of our commercial operations team has surpassed expectations, and we are eagerly anticipating the unveiling of upcoming major developments. Rest assured, we will consistently provide updates as these projects progress and reach significant milestones."

Throughout January, Boston Solar implemented the path to profitability. Historically, Boston Solar has been built for top-line revenue growth. The Company has determined a growth-at-all-costs model is no longer a value proposition and profitability is key to positioning business for long-term sustainable growth. Boston Solar is projected to grow top-line this year with a core focus on maximizing profitability first. Management has identified and acted on six key factors to achieving near-term profitability:

1. Acquired remaining interests of The Boston Solar Company - As of January 1, 2024, SinglePoint has successfully acquired the remaining 19.9% of The Boston Solar Company, a move that marks a milestone in the Company's expansion strategy. This acquisition enhances its capabilities in the solar energy domain and ensures a more robust, streamlined offering to clients.

2. Appointment of Michael Morlino to lead Boston Solar operations - In a shakeup of the corporate structure, ownership of Boston Solar felt it was necessary to move Mr. Morlino into the daily decision-making position and lead Boston Solar. With over 20 years of executing at the highest operational level within DEVGRU/Seal Team Six and most recently private industry, he is positioned to successfully lead Boston Solar into profitability.

3. Strategic Evaluation for Operational Profitability - Throughout January 2024, Boston Solar's leadership team under Mr. Morlino's guidance conducted a thorough evaluation of its business operations. The clear goal became to achieve operational profitability by the end of Q2. This plan is not just a roadmap for profitability but also a commitment to our investors and stakeholders.

4. Cost Reductions - A comprehensive financial review has identified nearly $3 million in cost-saving opportunities. These savings will be realized through strategic procurement, process optimization, and leveraging new system processes, thereby enhancing financial performance without compromising on the quality of the Company's services.

5. Right-Sizing Labor Force - To align with its commitment to operational efficiency and profitability, SinglePoint is right-sizing its labor force. This initiative will ensure cross-team efficiencies and a leaner, more agile organization. The Company is committed to handling this process with the utmost respect and support for all our employees.

6. Enhancing Operational Efficiency - A key focus of the Company's plan is the removal of operational inefficiencies, particularly in improving the lead-to-sale timeline and subsequently the sale-to-install timeline, both resulting in improved cashflow, better customer service and maximized profitability. By streamlining processes and leveraging technology, the Company aims to enhance customer satisfaction and drive business growth.

In conclusion, these strategic initiatives mark a new chapter for SinglePoint and The Boston Solar Company. The Company remains confident that these changes will position it for long-term success and profitability, thereby enhancing shareholder value and reinforcing its commitment to being at the forefront of the renewable energy sector.

About SinglePoint Inc.

SinglePoint Inc. is a renewable energy and sustainable lifestyle company focused on providing environmentally friendly energy efficiencies and healthy living solutions. SinglePoint is initially focused on building the largest network of renewable energy solutions and modernizing the traditional solar and energy storage model. The Company is also actively exploring future growth opportunities in air purification, electric vehicle charging, solar as a subscription service, and additional energy efficiencies and appliances that enhance sustainability and a healthier life. For more information, visit the Company's website (www.singlepoint.com) and connect on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential plans and objectives of the Company, the use of proceeds, anticipated growth and future expansion, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Parts of this release are being rereleased due to unforeseen indexing issues across various media outlets.

Investor Relations Contact:

SinglePoint Inc

investor@singlepoint.com

888-682-7464

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198971

SOURCE: Hawk Point Media Group.
Funding will go to enrichment, mentoring and family skills programs in African American communities

GREENVILLE, SC / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / In recognition of Black History Month, the Duke Energy Foundation has provided $75,000 in grants to organizations in South Carolina that serve African American communities with programs, services and cultural experiences.

"For nearly 50 years, we have taken time in February to celebrate the immeasurable contributions Black people have made to our nation, our state and our neighborhoods," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina state president. "This rich history continues to inspire organizations that support African American communities and build upon the legacy of those that came before. Through this funding, we are proud to help shine a light on that important work."

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Florence Boys & Girls Club - $5,000

G-Lab: Gentlemen Learning & Building Legacies (Florence) - $5,000

City of Sumter academic and senior fitness programs - $10,000

City of Hartsville Pride Park - $5,000

A Father's Way (Lancaster) - $5,000

Boys & Girls Club of the Lakelands Region (Greenwood) - $10,000

Upstate Fatherhood Coalition (Spartanburg) - $10,000

Westside Center (Anderson) - $5,000

The Urban League of the Upstate (Greenville) - $20,000

The Urban League of The Upstate, an affiliate of the National Urban League, has played a vital role in serving the Upstate community for over 50 years. Funding from Duke Energy has helped the Urban League develop a tour focused on historic African American neighborhoods and landmarks that were integral to the civil rights movement. The tour will include a visit to the historic McClaren Medical Building in downtown Greenville, which will house a cultural visitor center. This center will serve as a hub for learning, exploring, and celebrating African American history and achievements.

"Thanks to Duke Energy and the collaboration with Black History in Greenville, Black History Month will be a time to spotlight and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments that African Americans have made in the Upstate community," said Dr. Gail Wilson Awan, president and CEO of Urban League of The Upstate. "As the Urban League continues its mission of advancing social and economic equality, the support of partners like Duke Energy is invaluable. Together, they are working towards creating a future where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and thrive."

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Ryan Mosier

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Duke Energy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Duke Energy

View the original press release on accesswire.com


JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told the UN Security Council that a deal is urgently needed to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of hostages.



The Security Council met on Thursday at UN Headquarters in New York on the situation in the Gaza Strip, wracked by months of unrelenting war and tensions spilling into the wider Middle East region, with no solutions on the horizon to stop the fighting.



Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator, told ambassadors that 'there is still no end in sight' as the war approaches its 140-day mark.



Wennesland visited Gaza this week and described the humanitarian situation there as shocking, unsustainable and desperate.



Internally displaced Palestinians are facing acute shortages of food, water, shelter and medicine, while communicable diseases are rising sharply unsanitary conditions and there is a 'near total breakdown' in law and order.



He added that the UN Humanitarian Coordinator has a plan to deliver the essentials - food, shelter, medicine and water/sanitation - but the UN's convoys and compounds must not be hit and its equipment needs clearance.



The only long-term solution for Gaza is political,' according to Wennesland.



He called for a time bound political framework to end the occupation and negotiate a two-State solution.



Also briefing the Council was Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders.



Fearful of further deadly Israeli attacks, he said he was 'appalled' by the United States' repeated use of its veto power to obstruct efforts to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire.



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MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - US President Joe Biden has announced more than 500 new sanctions against Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine and the death of Opposition leader Aleksey Navalny. These sanctions will target individuals connected to Navalny's imprisonment as well as Russia's financial sector, defense industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents. They will ensure that Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home, Biden said. The Department of Commerce is imposing new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing backdoor support for Russia's war machine. The Biden administration is also taking action to further reduce Russia's energy revenues. To deny Russia the resources necessary to support its war against Ukraine, Treasury is designating targets including a major cog in Russia's financial infrastructure; more than two dozen third-country sanctions evaders in Europe, East Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East; and hundreds of entities in Russia's military-industrial base and other key sectors. Biden said he has directed his team to strengthen support for civil society, independent media, and those who fight for democracy around the world. Biden announced one of the toughest sanctions package on Russia on the eve of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Navalny, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died at a strict-regime Arctic penal colony far away from Moscow last week under mysterious circumstances. Biden blames Putin for the shocking incident. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Surge in demand for aloe vera juice in the market can be largely attributed to its increased adoption in functional food. There is a growing interest in functional food that offer added health benefits as consumers become more health conscious

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Aloe Vera Juice Market by Flavor Type (Flavored, and Unflavored), Application (Food and Beverage Products, Cosmetics, Medicine, and Others), and Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Departmental Stores, Online Retail, and Medical Stores): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032".According to the report, the global aloe vera juice market was valued at $12,982.8 million in 2022, and is projected to reach $24,105.1 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 6.6% from 2023 to 2032.

Request Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/3217

Prime determinants of growth

The growth of the aloe vera juice market is propelled by several prime determinants that collectively contribute to its expanding trajectory. The increasing consumer awareness and preference for natural and health-conscious products play a pivotal role. Aloe vera is widely recognized for its health benefits, including digestive aid, skin health, and immune system support. As consumers seek alternatives to sugary beverages and embrace a healthier lifestyle, the demand for aloe vera juice has surged, driving market growth.

Moreover, the escalating trend of clean and functional beverages has propelled the growth of the aloe vera juice market. Aloe vera juice stands out as a naturally functional beverage, often positioned as a hydrating, refreshing, and nutrient-rich option with consumers becoming discerning about the ingredients in their drinks. The beverage industry's response to this demand has led to the introduction of innovative Aloe Vera Juice products, including flavored variants and blends with other natural ingredients. Additionally, Aloe Vera Juice's versatility in formulations, catering to various tastes and preferences, has further fueled its market expansion. As a result, the Aloe Vera Juice market is poised for continued growth, driven by a harmonious blend of health consciousness, consumer preferences, and beverage industry innovation.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2023 $12,982.8 million Market Size in 2032 $24,105.1 million CAGR 6.6 % No. of Pages in Report 444 Segments Covered Flavor Type, Application, Distribution Channel, and Region Drivers  Increasing Health Consciousness:  Rising Demand for Natural and Functional Beverages  Product Innovation and Diversification Opportunities  Expanding Distribution Channels  Growing Demand in Emerging Markets Restraints  Limited Aloe Vera Supply and Quality Concerns  Regulatory Challenges and Compliance

The unflavored segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on flavor type, the unflavored segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fourths of the global aloe vera juice market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. However, the flavored segment is projected to attain a significant CAGR of 6.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Buy This Report (444 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3wshpKE

The food and beverage products segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on application, the food and beverage products segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global aloe vera juice market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Additionally, the cosmetics segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 7.8% from 2023 to 2032.

The hypermarkets/supermarkets segment maintained its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

Based on the distribution channel, the hypermarkets/supermarkets segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global aloe vera juice market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Additionally, the online retail segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 8.6% from 2023 to 2032.

Europe to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for less than one-third of the global aloe vera juice market revenue. In addition, the Middle East and Africa region is also expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 7.8% from 2023 to 2032 and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period.

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Leading Market Players: -

Alo Drink

Lily of the Desert

Forever Living Products

OKF Corporation

Nature's Way Products

Herbalife International

Aloe Farms

NOW Health Group

Dynamic Health Laboratories

Terry Laboratories.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global aloe vera juice market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Major players in the construction dumper market industry have focused on product launch strategies to gain maximum share in the market. This further results in consolidation of the construction dumper market

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Construction Dumper Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Product type (Articulated, Rigid), Fuel type (Gasoline, Diesel, CNG), and Application (Mining, Construction, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032. According to the report, the global construction dumper market was valued at $20.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $33.5 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Prime determinants of growth

The growing construction and infrastructure industry is significantly contributing toward the market growth. However, countries such as the U.S., Germany, and other developing countries are focused on developing new technologies in the construction dumper industry to sustain their market share during the forecast period.

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Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $20.2 billion Market Size in 2032 $33.5 billion CAGR 5.2 % No. of Pages in Report 187 Segments covered Product Type, Fuel Type, Application, and Region. Drivers Increase in demand for coal, metal, and mineral mines

Rapid urbanization in emerging economies Opportunities The creation of regulations to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Restraints High ownership & maintenance cost and lack of skilled and qualified drivers

Decrease in new construction activities in developed nations

The articulated segment dominated the market in 2022, and the rigid segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period

On the basis of type, the construction dumper market is segregated into articulated and rigid. The articulated segment accounted for a higher market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the market revenue.

An articulated dump truck is ideal for trips and job sites that require navigating tight corners. An articulated dump truck allows the operator to drive with a greater degree of precision and confidence. The tighter turning radius of an articulated dump truck also makes it safer to operate which further enhance safety. The articulated dump truck is lighter compared to a rigid dump truck, with wider tires helping spread the load being carried.

This hauler also has a shorter job life compared to a rigid dump truck, averaging between a few days to a few years as size limits what the truck is capable of offering over an extended period. Various construction dumper manufacturers are launching new advanced articulated tucks for mining and construction applications. For instance, in September 2021, Bell Equipment Engineering R&D (Bell) and Pronto AI (Pronto) have been working closely for around 18 months to engineer and refine Pronto's own developed hardware and software to produce and prove a self-drive Bell articulated dump truck. Hence, the companies have launched first self-drive articulated dump truck in North America. This in turn is expected to drive the growth of the market.

The diesel segment dominated the market in 2022, and CNG segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period

Depending on fuel type, the construction dumper market is categorized into gasoline, diesel and CNG. The diesel segment is accounting for more than half of the market revenue.

Low cost and wide-spread availability of diesel across the globe drive the diesel fueled construction dumper. Diesel construction dumper is widely adopted in budget constraint construction and development projects due to low maintenance and service cost. Also, diesel fuel is less flammable and has the ability to bear high load, which increases its demand in domestic and commercial construction projects. Owing to these factors, diesel fueled construction dumpers are expected to hold major chunk of the market share during the forecast period.

Moreover, various key players are focusing on manufacturing diesel dumper for construction and mining application. For instance, in June 2022, Hyundai Construction Equipment launched two new articulated diesel dump truck models, as part of its rapidly expanding line of heavy construction and earthmoving equipment. Hyundai has employed powerful EU Stage V-compliant Scania diesel engines to power both trucks. Hence, such factors are driving the segment growth and thus fueling the global market growth.



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The construction segment dominated the market in 2022. Others segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period

On the basis of application, the construction dumper market is divided into mining, construction and others. Out of these, the construction segment accounted for a more than half market share in terms of revenue in 2022. There is an increase in number of construction industries in countries like South Korea, France, Italy, Singapore and Indonesia. The growth is due to the rise in investment by the government on the public sector projects. For instance, in March 2022, Vinci Autoroutes announced the completion of a $561 million project to build a new 24km-long bypass in France.

Hence, increase in construction activities fosters the construction dumper market growth. Owing to this, various heavy construction equipment manufacturing companies are implementing strategic moves such as agreement, partnership, acquisition and collaboration to expand its construction dumper penetration in the market. For instance, in June 2021, Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB announced that they have signed an agreement to develop an engineless, full battery rigid frame dump truck with a customized on-board energy storage system, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering a solution towards a net zero emission pathway. This in turn is expected to drive the growth of the market.

Asia-Pacific dominated the market share in terms of revenue in 2022

The Construction Dumper Market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. In 2022, Asia-Pacific accounted for the half of market share, and it is expected to grow at a significant CAGR throughout the forecast period. China holds the maximum share in the construction dumper market industry in the Asia-Pacific region. The construction dumper market in Asia-Pacific has gained traction in the recent years, owing to ongoing mining and construction development in China, Japan and India. For instance, in July 2022, National Energy Administration (NEA) of China has approved coal mine project worth $458 million in the country's Inner Mongolia region. In addition, rising expenditure for infrastructure development is also boosting the construction dumper market in Asia-Pacific. For instance, in August 2021, Indian government has announced $1.4 trillion investment for infrastructure development. All such factors are expected to create growth demand for construction dumper and thus will drive the market growth in Asia-Pacific. Furthermore, factors such as availability of workforce and low-cost manufacturing has fueled the manufacturing sector in the region. Thus, the high investment in mining and construction sectors has increased the use for construction dumpers.

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Leading Market Players:

AB Volvo

Caterpillar Inc.

CNH Industrial N.V.

Deere & Company

Doosan Corporation

Epiroc AB

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.

JCB

Komatsu Ltd.

Liebherr

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the construction dumper market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, expansion, and acquisitions to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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Denver, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - IIA Healthcare, an Intelligent Interview Management solution for healthcare organizations, today announced its acquisition of Gritly, a platform that leverages data to create a more equitable candidate experience and make it easier for employers to hire. This strategic move combines the power of both platforms, creating a comprehensive solution for healthcare recruitment and talent management.









IIA Healthcare

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The healthcare industry is increasingly recognizing the importance of efficient recruitment processes and positive candidate experiences. IIA Healthcare and Gritly share a common mission to revolutionize the hiring process by leveraging artificial intelligence and other advanced technology. With this acquisition, the companies' combined platform will address these needs, offering a centralized solution that streamlines the recruitment process, enhances candidate engagement and selection, and ultimately, helps healthcare organizations attract and retain quality talent that will positively impact quality of care.

"By integrating Gritly's candidate experience capabilities, we are poised to deliver an unmatched solution for healthcare recruitment," said Joe Thurman, CEO of IIA Healthcare. "This acquisition is a significant milestone in our journey, continuing our momentum in the healthcare industry, and we are excited about the immense value it will bring to our clients. And it's important for diverse and underestimated founders to know that they do not have to rely on traditional methods to survive."

"I'm thrilled about the acquisition of Gritly by IIA Healthcare. This marks a pivotal moment, uniting Gritly's detailed candidate profiles with IIA's cutting-edge hiring technology," says Venkata Uddaraju, co-founder & CTO of Gritly. "Together, we're set to redefine the hiring landscape, ensuring a future where every hire is not just a fit, but a step towards greater success and more informed hiring decisions. The journey ahead is bright, and we're excited to lead the charge in pioneering a transformative approach in the global landscape of talent acquisition, training, and organizational excellence."

This acquisition comes amid IIA Healthcare also announcing it is raising a $2M Seed II Round led by their current lead investor, DEMI Fund. Since being founded in 2020, the company has experienced great momentum, including being selected for Google for Startups' Black Founders Fund, which previously welcomed Gritly as part of its 2022 Latino Founders Fund cohort. The growing investment and success is poised to fuel the company's growth, enabling it to further expand its AI-capabilities and automation enhancements to continuously improve outcomes for hiring organizations and candidates alike.

"These companies are solving some of the biggest problems in the country right now," says Danielle Shoots, Founding Partner & Managing Director of DEMI Fund. "The founding teams of these companies are brilliant, creative, and resilient beyond comprehension. I am so proud of them coming together in an offering that both reaffirms and increases their value in the market. We don't fix systems by doing the same thing over and over again. We must be courageous enough to imagine a different way and then execute on it even when nobody believes in us. This is the perfect example."

###

About IIA Healthcare:

IIA Healthcare stands at the forefront of the Healthcare Hiring Revolution, bringing a human touch to the integration of AI in the hiring process. In the realm of healthcare workforce challenges, IIA Healthcare goes beyond conventional solutions by fostering a connection between technology and human expertise. Specializing in interview management capabilities, the company is dedicated to enhancing the overall hiring experience, reducing turnover, saving time, and ultimately elevating the quality of hires. With a profound understanding of interview data, analytics, candidate experience, bias mitigation, and feedback management, IIA Healthcare breathes vitality into healthcare organizations. The aim is to facilitate the recruitment of individuals who not only contribute to improving patient outcomes but also enhance the overall quality of care through the synergy of human connection and advanced AI solutions.

For more information: www.iiahealthcare.com.

About Gritly:

Rather than relying on a degree or traditional resume as a signal for success, Gritly's platform focuses on tracking and measuring the specific skills that are needed to succeed in a particular role or industry. The platform is built on a first-of-its-kind Upskilling Management System for delivering customizable training programs with workforce training partners, hiring tools for connecting our employer network with skilled candidates, and data analytics to help match candidates with the right roles based on their training performance.

For more information, please contact:

Ubaldo Ciminieri

ub@iiahealthcare.com

303.725.9417

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198698

SOURCE: PRNews OU
Sacramento, California--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - A coalition of consumer and senior groups has sent a letter urging Governor Gavin Newsom to veto SB 263. Senator Bill Dodd's (D - Napa) Senate Bill 263, sponsored by the California Department of Insurance (CDI), has passed in both the Assembly and Senate without the implementation of key amendments proposed by consumer protection and senior groups.



LICAC

As written, SB 263 is misleading and harmful for California consumers. The bill directly undermines an important Biden Administration policy recently announced by the President himself - protecting consumers of retirement products such as annuities by requiring agents that sell such products to act in the best interest of their customers, rather than maximizing their own financial interests.

Although SB 263 started out last year as a strong consumer protection bill - the March 7, 2023, version paralleled New York's Regulation 187 as a model for how best to protect consumers of life insurance products from abusive sales practices - amendments pushed by the insurance industry weakened the SB 263 so much that the coalition has been forced to oppose the bill. The end result works one of the biggest frauds ever perpetrated on California consumers with the consent of their Legislature.

"The passing of SB 263 would be a tragedy for California consumers, specifically those in vulnerable positions trying to plan for their futures," said Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center Executive Director Brian Brosnahan. "We urge Governor Newsom to veto SB 263 because our coalition believes that no bill at all would be better than SB 263 in its current form."

The coalition of consumer and senior groups that signed the letter includes:

The Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center

United Policyholders

Consumer Federation of California

Consumer Federation of America

Center for Economic Justice

AARP California

California Alliance of Retired Americans

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform

To read the full letter sent to Governor Newsom, visit: https://www.lifeinsuranceconsumeradvocacycenter.org/coalition-letter-veto-sb263/.

Read stories from California consumers to learn more about the harm inflicted on them by abusive insurance sales practices: https://www.lifeinsuranceconsumeradvocacycenter.org/consumer-stories/.

About the Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center: The Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center is a nonprofit social service organization that advocates for consumers of life insurance and works for passage of laws and regulations that protect life insurance consumers.

About the Consumer Federation of California: The Consumer Federation of California is a nonprofit advocacy organization that, since 1960, has been a powerful voice for consumer rights. CFC campaigns for laws and regulations that place consumer protection ahead of corporate profit.

Contact Details:

Brian Brosnahan: brian@lifeinsuranceconsumeradvocacycenter.org

Robert Herrell: herrell@consumercal.org (916) 270-3404

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198970

SOURCE: 500Newswire, LLC
Many of the students learning electrical, welding and machining skills at Northland Workforce Training Center in Buffalo werent raised to do their own home, car or appliance repairs like previous generations were.

Instead, the kids graduating from high school today have mostly grown up immersed in computer, video and digital technologies that their grandparents couldnt have imagined using to fix a car or make machine parts.

Today, people with both skill sets are needed to fill jobs in fast-growing industries like advanced manufacturing, automotive technology and clean energy, where computer programs and robotic assistants are part of the tool kit, says Jeffrey Stevens, dean of Alfred State Colleges School of Applied Technology.

We need to understand that, for example, when you drive a car today, you still turn the wheel and push the gas like you did for a Model T, but theres a whole lot of difference between a Model T and a Tesla, Stevens said.

We are teaching kids the fundamentals  Im teaching them how to use a hammer and how to properly stand on a ladder  but what we add into that is the new technology and the new opportunities that exist today, he said.

Alfred State is among several partner institutions offering training courses at Northland that are becoming a new model for higher education  one that caters to the students needs and those of the employers looking to hire them over the traditional divide between college and career training.

The new model is a mix of the basics  including manual tools and printed blueprints, night school and paid apprenticeships  and the computer software, robotics and AI-based automation tools populating todays auto shops and factory floors.

Colleges and universities are also embracing the short-term programs that prepare workers for immediate entry into well-paying jobs rather than yearslong degree programs, said Northland President and CEO Stephen Tucker.

Matching training to opportunities

While old-school tech jobs like the grain, steel and auto industry careers that fueled Buffalos economy back in the day are long gone, the region is seeing rising demand for manufacturing and tech jobs that need filling.

The Buffalo Niagara region has added 2,400 manufacturing jobs since the end of 2021  almost a 5% increase  and the region projects more than 20,000 new advanced manufacturing jobs  producing products like high-tech medical devices, computer parts and packaging and solar panels  in the next 10 years, according to the state Labor Department.

There has been significant support and investment from the federal government, the state government and industry with onshoring manufacturing jobs, bringing jobs back to create products made at home, Tucker said.

Manufacturing again has become the backbone of our economy in Western New York, and now we have to do a good job of preparing the workforce to fill those jobs, Tucker said. Its a benefit to our economy because these jobs offer family-sustaining wages.

The region has 3,000 manufacturing job openings at any given time, Tucker said, and Northland is aiming to graduate 500 students by 2025.

Its not enough, Tucker said.

So Northland is launching new 12-week training programs, including one in Computer Numerical Control machining.

People can go right into industry with that training, or they can continue on to our two-year program while they are working, Tucker said.

Northland, which began in 2018 as a public/private workforce initiative to provide industry-driven job training on Buffalos East Side, cant add programs quickly enough to keep up with demand, Tucker said. The center runs classes in three shifts to accommodate working people, parents and second-career students as well as recent high school graduates.

Northland is also a model for support services that ensure students dont drop out for lack of financing, transportation, child care, mental health or career counseling.

Because of those supports, Northlands retention rate is 73%, compared to 67% for the average community college in 2022 and more than three times that of SUNY Erie Community College, whose retention rate dipped below 20% last year.

Colleges are adapting

Community colleges and four-year universities are seeking to boost enrollment and retention by borrowing tools from the training center model, including partnering with Western New York companies to build pathways to train and hire the workers they need to succeed.

Many two- and even four-year colleges are replicating career training models by offering short-term certifications in high-demand fields including cybersecurity, information technology, auto tech and programs such as an ECC course in mechatronics taught at Northland. That training combines mechanical, electrical and computer engineering skills to produce workers who can slide into advanced manufacturing jobs at companies like Tesla Inc., Moog Inc. and General Motors Corp.

Colleges and universities are also trying to cater to the students who most value a college education these days  namely first-generation college students, new Americans and underrepresented students from disadvantaged backgrounds who havent been traditional targets for college recruitment.

In the SUNY Report on Long-Term Enrollment and Financial Sustainability released last month, SUNY calls for its 64 campuses to reach out to untapped recruitment sectors.

That includes immigrants, international students, first-time college students from low-income urban and rural areas, adults in the workforce, students with some college credit but no degree, veterans, student parents, formerly incarcerated students and students from high schools and neighborhoods with high levels of adversity.

Smaller private schools like Canisius University, Hilbert College, Trocaire College and Villa Maria College, which already cater to a high percentage of students receiving financial aid and other supports, are using their ability to pivot more quickly than larger schools to greatly expand their short-term and online offerings.

Hilbert College even went a step further, founding a nonprofit arm, Franciscan Services, that bought a career college with campuses in West Virginia and Ohio as well as online programs that doubled Hilberts online offerings.

Our parents talked about night school and weekend college, and they had correspondence schools where you were literally mailing in assignments and all of these were about making higher education accessible to everyone, said Hilbert President Michael Brophy.

Now, online education and shorter-term microcredentials are the newest iteration of that, he said. This whole sector is trying to provide for a new generation of students who are growing less enchanted with the typical four-year degree.

We are having to reconfigure our business model. As we offer more programs online, students will need high technology, but they might not need a gym. So we are making huge investments in technology in order to respond to those needs.
Honolulu, Hawaii--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - Continued Connection announces the appointment of its founder, Dr. Lenore Matthew, as an Executive Contributor at Brainz Magazine. Dr. Matthew is known for her work in integrating insights about the afterlife into mainstream mental health care. And, her addition to Brainz Magazine's team further solidifies the publication's commitment to delivering diverse and insightful content.

Dr. Lenore Matthew

As a fast-growing global digital publication, Brainz Magazine covers innovations and leadership in neuroscience, health, wellness, and beyond. With a reach of over 300,000 people weekly across 65 countries, the magazine serves as a platform for thought leaders and experts to share their unique perspectives.

With a career dedicated to bridging the gap between spirituality and mental health, Dr. Matthew brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Brainz Magazine. She has been involved in data-driven research about the afterlife, aiming to uncover its truth and implications for individuals navigating grief and mental health challenges.

As an Executive Contributor, Dr. Matthew will be contributing regular articles to Brainz Magazine focusing on topics such as the afterlife, grief, and innovations in mental health. Through her writings, she aims to provide readers with valuable insights, practical guidance, and a deeper understanding of the intersection between spirituality and mental well-being.

Dr. Matthew expressed her enthusiasm about joining Brainz Magazine, stating, "I am honored to become an Executive Contributor for Brainz Magazine and to have the opportunity to share my insights with a global audience. I believe that by exploring the connections between spirituality and mental health, we can offer individuals a more holistic approach to healing and personal growth."

Dr. Lenore Matthew's first article as an Executive Contributor is scheduled to be published in the upcoming issue of Brainz Magazine.

About Continued Connection:

Continued Connection is a digital platform that provides a self-paced wellness program for healing from grief. The platform and its program are based on the research of its founder, Dr. Lenore Matthew, who is providing data-driven insights on concepts about the afterlife and how they can be used to enhance mental health. Continued Connection platforms 15 interactive exercises aimed at helping people overcome grief and better their mental well-being.

About Dr. Lenore Matthew:

Dr. Lenore Matthew holds a PhD in Social Work from University of Illinois and specializes in research and event-based practices She is a leading expert in psychic awakenings, intuitive practices, trauma, and grief healing. The awakening of her intuitive abilities after the unexpected passing of her late husband led to the creation of the Continued Connection program. Through her own healing journey and research, Dr. Matthew developed this program to provide individuals with practical tools to create a lasting connection with their departed loved ones.

Contact Information:

Email: lenore@drlenorematthew.com

Website: https://www.drlenorematthew.com/

Program: Continued Connection

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197820

SOURCE: SMG Media Group
ANDERSON, SC / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / Orian is poised for an exceptional year ahead, brimming with enthusiasm following a triumphant showcase at the Las Vegas Market. With sights set on the upcoming High Point Market in April, the company is geared up to unveil even more captivating offerings and innovations.

According to Jess Sheehan, Creative Director at Orian, "We are so proud of the six domestic collections we introduced in Vegas and the customers' excited reactions, especially to our new Reyna and Rhett collections. The market has really evolved in the past few years so as we bring Orian into its new chapter, we're showcasing a fresher, wider range of products to cater to our current and future customers' needs. The positive feedback from the industry has been very encouraging as we look ahead!"

One highlight from the recent showcase was the unveiling and finalization of Orian's trademarked quality, Bespoke. This innovative quality produced from Dream FiberTM Technology, has been meticulously crafted behind the scenes, resulting in a product that has garnered significant excitement and praise from customers and interior decor enthusiasts alike. Described as "like wool but better," Bespoke boasts superior testing and durability qualifications.

As Orian gears up for the April High Point Market, anticipation is high for the unveiling of further innovations and enhancements. Jenny Alton, EVP Sales & Marketing, stated "With a commitment to quality and innovation at its core, Orian is poised to continue making waves in the industry."

Building on its commitment to quality and innovation, Orian is making waves in the textile industry with the launch of Innovation Yarns.

Innovation Yarns, already a leading provider of yarn solutions in the USA, continues to revolutionize the textile industry with its state-of-the-art yarn solutions designed to add value and design-focused solutions for clients. Scott Dahl, President and Chief Executive Officer, affirms that Innovation Yarns benefits not only Orian's rug manufacturing but also supports multiple industries, including the furniture, marine and automotive sectors. By working closely with clients, Innovation Yarns is able to develop smart, innovative and customized solutions tailored to the clients' specific needs. The company is investing in cutting-edge technology, modernization, and capacity expansion, reinforcing its dedication to providing customers with the best possible products and services.

Visit Innovation Yarns' new website www.innovationyarns.com to learn more!

For media inquiries, please contact:

Brianna Shaw

864-501-6911

briannas@orianrugs.com

About Orian (SP Orian LLC):

Orian is a creative and innovative leader in the textile floor-covering industry. Strategically located in Anderson, South Carolina since 1979, the Company manufactures decorative area and scatter rugs. Operating out of its state-of-the-art facility, Orian also manufactures smart, innovative polypropylene yarn solutions for weaving, finishing, packaging, and distribution. The Company is committed to building a better America by creating high quality rugs and yarns manufactured in the USA using U.S. and globally sourced components.

Follow us!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orian-rugs/

Instagram: @orianrugs

Facebook: www.facebook.com/orianrugs

SOURCE: Orian Rugs

View the original press release on accesswire.com
From automobiles and smart homes to infrastructure solutions, pSemi ignites connectivity possibilities

pSemi Corporation, a Murata company leading in semiconductor integration and solutions, today announced the PE44951, a revolutionary low-power, two-way phase shifter with digitally controlled step attenuation (DSA) for applications within the 5.925 7.525 GHz range. pSemi will showcase its latest innovative products ideal for IoT connectivity, including the recently announced PE562212 front end module (FEM) and the PE423211 SPDT switch, an automotive UWB solution, at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, taking place February 26 February 29, 2024, in Barcelona, Spain. pSemi's cutting-edge technology will be showcased at the Murata exhibit, located at Stand 5D66 in Hall 5.

PE44951: Redefining Wireless Infrastructure

The PE44951 marks a significant advancement in the industry, as the 6.425 7.125 GHz (n104) spectrum becomes available. The solution is the first highly integrated two-way phase shifter with DSA in the 5.925 to 7.525 GHz range to enable hybrid beamforming. This innovative product shines in wireless infrastructure applications like massive MIMO (mMIMO) macro and micro base stations, as well as next generation 5G solutions.

This breakthrough in integrated RF solutions combines a two-way phase shifter and DSA in a single compact package. Minimizing board space and simplifying system integration, this innovative design streamlines the development process. Moreover, its SPI interface achieves precise and flexible control, reducing power consumption and ensuring seamless system integration.

"The PE44951 represents a major breakthrough for radio front end designers tasked with redefining front-end architectures for 5G radios," says Vikas Choudhary, vice president of global sales, marketing, and systems engineering at pSemi. "By integrating two critical functions into a single chip, we're enabling simpler, more compact, and higher performing 5G base stations. This will accelerate the deployment of next-generation networks and deliver faster, more reliable wireless connectivity globally."

The PE44951's advantages expand beyond power consumption and efficiency as it boasts an impressive performance range, covering the entire 5.925 7.525 GHz band. The PE44951's compact footprint, enabled by pSemi's UltraCMOS process, provides valuable board space savings, making it ideal for space-constrained designs. Excellent isolation, low insertion loss, and high linearity deliver uncompromising performance, guaranteeing exceptional signal integrity for networks with demanding needs.

With its combination of integrated functionality, compact size, digital precision, broad spectrum coverage, and unmatched performance, the PE44951 empowers infrastructure companies to achieve new levels of design flexibility and performance.

Samples are available now by contacting sales@psemi.com. For more information, please visit the PE44951 product page.

pSemi at MWC 2024

At MWC 2024, pSemi will showcase its latest innovations highlighting its commitment to driving advancements in infrastructure, automotive, and IoT connectivity across diverse applications.

Attendees can experience firsthand how pSemi's solutions are shaping the future of automotive and the connected car revolution with the recently announced PE423211, an automotive-grade ultra-wideband (UWB) RF switch. The new module offers the industry's lowest power consumption-at the lowest insertion and return loss, and the highest isolation widest broadband frequency support-making it an ideal solution for the automotive industry.

Carrying on the connectivity theme, pSemi will also highlight the PE562212, a connectivity solution ideal for powering various IoT applications, including wearable technologies. The PA-LNA-SW FEM is designed in adherence to the Thread and Matter protocols, which simplify connected experiences.

Additionally, pSemi will showcase a complete reference design solution for infrastructure providers. With pSemi providing the RF front end elements in conjunction with a leading FPGA provider, this reference design aids infrastructure providers in accelerating time-to-market and lowers entry barriers for all system integrators.

For more information on pSemi's industry-leading connectivity solutions, please visit Murata's exhibit at MWC 2024 (Stand 5D66, Hall 5) or visit www.psemi.com.

About Murata

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of ceramic-based passive electronic components solutions, communication modules and power supply modules. Murata is committed to the development of advanced electronic materials and leading edge, multi-functional, high-density modules. The company has employees and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Product specifications are subject to change without notice. For more information, visit Murata's website at murata.com.

About pSemi

pSemi (formerly Peregrine Semiconductor) is a leader in the design and development of semiconductor integration, providing world-class capabilities with high-performance RF, analog and mixed signal solutions. With a 30-year legacy of technology advancements, strong IP portfolio and deep expertise in RF integration, our solution portfolio spans power management, connected sensors, antenna tuning, and RF frontends, which enable advanced modules for smartphones, base stations, personal computers, electric vehicles, data centers, IoT devices, healthcare and more. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Murata Electronics North America, Inc., pSemi is headquartered in San Diego, with additional offices spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, please visit www.psemi.com and connect on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/psemi/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223418890/en/

Contacts:

Heath Meyer

pr@zmcommunications.com
TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Urban Pavilion - Powered by Daniels hosted the World Summit on UN-Habitat's SDG Cities and Urban Finance to plan urban transformations at a global scale starting in Toronto, Canada. Since its launch in October 2023, the Glocal Platform for Urban Finance (GPUF) has achieved a significant milestone, bringing together representatives from the United Nations, investors, decision-makers, and urban stakeholders. An exciting achievement was hosting UN-Habitat's SDG Cities Initiative and its expert network.

The Summit helped strengthen the GPUF's mandate to facilitate alignment between finance and sustainable urban innovation and transformation, supported by data analytics. This was a historic moment for the platform as it began this conversation in Toronto as a major hub for urban innovation and transformation through urban finance. The Pavilion is contributing to this global vision for Toronto as it was selected by the United Nations as a global hub for SDG Cities. The Pavilion played a pivotal role in convening these key partners to advance sustainable urban finance initiatives.

Co-hosted by the founders of the GPUF, the Urban Economy Forum (UEF), and Aragon, the event attracted a distinguished audience including global leaders, urban planners, investors, and innovators, all dedicated to advancing the discourse on urban innovation and practical transformative solutions in Toronto and cities worldwide.

The event served as a critical nexus linking financing and investors with specific needs in cities. This gathering not only reinforced the city's stature, but also showcased best practices and development efforts in fostering innovation across sectors and the possibility of presenting investment opportunities to event attendees.

"This marks a wonderful moment for the GPUF, the first of many where the platform collaborates with cities and local organizations to create opportunities, attract, and ultimately secure investments for truly transformative urban solutions, which will revitalize urban economy globally," said Reza Pourvaziry, Chair of the UEF & GPUF. "We are working with all partners and are looking forward to bringing these innovations to the World Urban Forum (WUF12) that will be held from November 4 - 8, 2024 in Cario, Egypt," said Pourvaziry.

"GPUF is filling a critical gap in the globe to ensure good urban developments have access to the financing capital they deserve. This is a transformative initiative that has high potential for economic, social, and environmental impact", said Eduardo Moreno, Co-Director of the World Urban Pavilion.

UN-Habitat, a main founding partner of the World Urban Pavilion, presented how its flagship programme SDG Cities is supporting cities in Canada but also globally. Dyfed Aubrey, Inter-regional Advisor and recently Head of SDG Cities at UN-Habitat, stated that "From engaging with local leaders to developing analytical frameworks, SDG Cities is committed to supporting sustainable urban development initiatives".

Also representing UN-Habitat, Douglas Ragan, a Programme Management Officer, explained how the SDG Cities program aims to reach 1000 cities by 2026. "Online tools and resources are provided to facilitate the localization of data, the development of strategic planning, and the implementation of sustainable practices", said Ragan. These tools and resources are foundational for platforms like the GPUF to ensure cities are well equipped and have access to technical support if required.

Alongside UN-Habitat, major partners such as Convergence, Global CEO Alliance, CitiIQ, and EMIF Group shared valuable insights into sustainable urban development practices. A recurring theme throughout the discussions underscored the critical importance of collecting and analyzing good urban data, particularly disaggregated at local level, to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by cities. The University of Toronto's School of Cities Urban Data Center, sharing its work with the City of Toronto to break down traditional data silos to address technical barriers of data sharing.

Furthermore, UN-Habitat's City Investment Facility (CIF) demonstrated how it is building capacity and confidence in sustainable urban development by streamlining investment processes for urban projects, ensuring adherence to a bankable format. CIF contributes to drive progress in sustainable urban development, ultimately fostering the creation of inclusive and resilient cities, and advancing SDGs realization.

As part of the Pavilion's flagship initiative, Canada Frontrunner of Urban SDG, several organisations including, Noventa Energy, Vancity Community Investment Bank, Northcrest Developments, Serotiny Group, Mitrex, Parataxis Design and Development, highlighted their collaboration with Toronto, presenting unique solutions articulated to investment opportunities. Learning from these experiences, Mayor Emmanuel Serunjoji of the Kawempe Division and Mayor Paul Mugambe of the Nakawa Division from Kampala City, Uganda. Both joined the summit as representatives of the Lake Victoria Local Authorities Cooperation, an organization that represents 135 cities in East Africa. The mayors exposed some of the challenges their city is facing and established dialogue with Canada Frontrunner participants to understand how to integrate Canadian innovations in their city.

Representatives of the City of Toronto showcased unique public-private partnerships that have led to the creation of innovative financing models and new technologies contributing to its long-term strategic objectives, such as the aim to decarbonize buildings by 2040. Encouraging private sector contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals, the city actively collaborates with private entities to foster innovations to drive sustainable development.

David West, Mayor of Richmond Hill also shared his inspiring vision for the future of cities and highlighted his city's commitment to build a sustainable tomorrow.

The summit was also an important opportunity to recognize the involvement of TERRITORIA, a Mexican based development organization. TERRITORIA was announced as a member of UEF and sponsor of the upcoming 6th Urban Economy Forum (UEF6). TERRITORIA is working with UEF's Latin America and The Caribbean Office on a global pilot in Mexico. The partnership will focus on innovative models and financing approaches to build a sustainable tourism community.

Frank Stronach, Canadian Billionaire, Global Entrepreneur, and Founder of Magna International, shared insights during the summit's first day, advocating for the role of the private sector in improving people's quality of life through profit-sharing with employees. This approach fosters a culture of ownership, creativity, and common responsibility, boosting employee motivation and satisfaction while cultivating a sense of collective purpose and commitment to long-term success.

Another recurring theme throughout the conference was the emphasis on technology use to achieve sustainability goals. Companies like Sparrow Living, Brickeye, and Chargelab shared important contributions to national and global sustainability agendas backed by sustainable business models.

The summit highlighted the pivotal role of the Glocal Platform for Urban Finance to attract investors to Canada and identify transformative financial opportunities that are aligned with sustainability. "Let's recognize the interconnectedness of our cities and the global community. This summit provides a platform to showcase remarkable progress, learn from each other, and collaborate on innovative solutions for meaningful impact", said Amir Hossein Kashfi, Managing Director of Aragon.

This event's success underscores the importance of collective action in shaping inclusive and sustainable urban futures, setting a promising precedent for forthcoming urban finance endeavors. "This World Summit marked the first event showcasing the GPUF's remarkable capacity to connect finance to urban innovations and developments, opening new possibilities for sustainable urban financing." Said Alex Venuto, Deputy Director of the World Urban Pavilion.

As the GPUF continues to expand, it collaborates with cities and organizations paving the way to identify investment opportunities with clear financial returns and social impacts. Investors can join the GPUF through a membership model, gaining access to exceptional opportunities.

For those interested in joining the platform, you can contact: info@gpuf.ca

Organizations:

Urban Economy Forum: serves as a dynamic platform dedicated to addressing the complex challenges and opportunities inherent in urban development. Comprising a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, urban planners, industry leaders, and academics, the UEF fosters collaborative dialogue and innovative solutions aimed at advancing sustainable urban economies worldwide. Through its conferences, forums, and initiatives, the UEF explores pressing issues such as inclusive growth, urban resilience, and equitable access to resources. With a commitment to driving positive change, the UEF facilitates knowledge sharing, capacity building, and strategic partnerships to shape urban policies and practices that promote economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental sustainability in cities around the globe.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

Aragon: At Aragon Corp, we are more than consultants - we are partners, guides, and champions of your entrepreneurial journey. Rooted in the vibrant Canadian startup ecosystem, we understand the dreams, challenges, and triumphs that come with building a business in this diverse and dynamic nation.

Glocal Platform for Urban Finance: The Glocal Platform for Urban Finance (GPUF) represents a pioneering initiative aimed at revolutionizing the way cities access and utilize financial mechanisms for sustainable urban development. Designed to bridge the gap between global financial resources and local urban needs, the GPUF serves as a catalyst for transformative change. By connecting existing financial mechanisms with on-the-ground urban challenges, the platform empowers cities to address pressing issues such as inequality, poverty, environmental degradation, and climate change. Through innovative financial models, strategic partnerships, and technical advisory services, the GPUF facilitates the implementation of sustainable urban projects, ensuring that cities worldwide can thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

The World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park - Powered by Daniels is a global knowledge exchange hub to share best practices, innovation and research in urban development and revitalization from countries around the world. The Pavilion envisions people centered, sustainable cities that are planned through data, driven by innovation, and informed by the SDGs. The Pavilion is working in three critical areas: urban knowledge, innovation, and transformation.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2346310/Urban_Economy_Forum_Association_UEF_Revitalizing_Urban_Economies.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/revitalizing-urban-economies-globally-empowering-urban-finance-through-un-habitats-sdg-cities-strategies-302070009.html
Press release

Nokia meets final NTIA guidelines, full suite of Buy America-compliant products available by mid-2024

Nokia's fiber optic broadband network electronics and optical modules meet the final Buy America guidelines issued by the Department of Commerce for BEAD participants.

Nokia BEAD-certified products provide an end-to-end solution for fiber network builds.

State and infrastructure builders can order Nokia BEAD-certified products today with delivery starting from June 2024 onwards.

Nokia commits to self-certify products and take necessary steps to be added to the National Telecommunications Information and Administration (NTIA) official list of certified "Buy America" compliant vendors

23 February, 2024

Espoo, Finland - Nokia today announced that its fiber optic broadband network electronics and optical modules manufactured in the U.S. meet the final Buy America guidelines announced today by the Department of Commerce. As a Buy America-compliant vendor, Nokia is one of the few that can supply products and services to critical broadband infrastructure projects focused on closing the digital divide.

By meeting the final NTIA guidelines, Nokia can fully support states expected to launch BEAD projects in 2024. Nokia's first U.S.-made products that meet Buy America standards can be delivered in June 2024. Nokia will self-certify each product in line with NTIA specifications expected to be issued to ensure listed vendors comply with the final guidelines. Available for order as individual products or as part of Nokia's network-in-a-box program, the BEAD-certified solutions provide states with the technology needed to build end-to-end fiber networks to support BEAD's goal of expanding broadband access to more communities.

Sandy Motley,USA Country Manager at Nokia, said: "We are proud to be Buy America compliant and to support the U.S. government's efforts to bring broadband to every American. We believe broadband is a fundamental right and a vital social and economic development enabler. As a leader in fixed access technologies, we have the solutions and experience to help states eliminate the digital divide and deliver high-quality broadband services to their communities."

Veronica Bloodworth, Chief Network Officer at Frontier, said: "We are proud to use Nokia's Buy America compliant technology to help us deliver high-speed, fiber broadband to the people and communities that need it most. Frontier is building more fiber than ever before and connecting more people, communities and businesses to our fast, reliable broadband than at any other time in our company's history. We want partners who can help us deliver connectivity to millions more, no matter where they are, as we continue to live out our purpose of Building Gigabit America."



Nokia Buy America Compliant fiber-optic products

Nokia FX and MF OLT modular product lines

Nokia SF-8M sealed OLT

XS-220X-A ONT





Resources and additional information

Press Release: Notice of final guidance (https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/BABA%20Waiver%20Signed%202.pdf)

(https://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/BABA%20Waiver%20Signed%202.pdf) Press Release: Nokia on track to be first technology Buy America compliant vendor (https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2023/08/22/nokia-on-track-to-be-first-technology-buy-america-compliant-vendor/)

Press Release: Nokia first to announce manufacturing of broadband network electronics products for BEAD program in U.S. (https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2023/08/03/nokia-first-to-announce-manufacturing-of-broadband-network-electronics-products-for-bead-program-in-us/)

Website: More about funding opportunities and Nokia broadband solutions (https://www.nokia.com/networks/rural-broadband/)

Infographic: Why Fiber Broadband is Essential (https://onestore.nokia.com/asset/213496)

Article: U.S. Broadband Infrastructure Funding explained (https://www.nokia.com/about-us/newsroom/articles/u-s-broadband-infrastructure-funding-explained/)

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today - and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Media Inquiries

Nokia Communications, Corporate

Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

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SENS ANNOUNCEMENT

(the "Notice" or "Announcement")

ISSUER

ZCCM INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS PLC ("ZCCM-IH")

[Incorporated in the Republic of Zambia]

Company registration number: 119540000771

Share Code: ZCCM-IH

ISIN: ZM0000000037

Authorised by: Charles Mjumphi - Company Secretary

SPONSOR

Stockbrokers Zambia Limited

[Founder Member of the Lusaka Securities Exchange]

[Regulated and licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia]

Contact Person: Kondwani Kahula

Contact email: kondwani@sbz.com.zm

Contact Number: +260-211-232456

Website: www.sbz.com.zm

APPROVAL

The captioned Announcement has been approved by:

the Lusaka Securities Exchange ("LuSE") the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia ("SEC") Stockbrokers Zambia Limited ("SBZ")

RISK WARNING

The Announcement contained herein contains information that may be of a price sensitive nature.

Investors are advised to seek the advice of their investment advisor, stockbroker, or any professional duly licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia to provide securities advice.

ISSUED: 23 February 2024

ZCCM INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS PLC

[Incorporated in the Republic of Zambia]

Company registration number: 119540000771

Share Code: ZCCM-IH

ISIN: ZM0000000037

["ZCCM-IH" or the "Company"]

APPOINTMENT OF EXTERNAL AUDITORS

The Board of ZCCM Investments Holding Plc ("ZCCM-IH" or "the Company") (the "Board") would like to announce the appointment of Messrs. KPMG Zambia as the Company's auditors for the Financial years ending 31st December 2023, 31st December 2024 and 31st December 2025, effective from 26 December 2023, subject to ZCCM-IH's shareholders ratification at the next Annual General Meeting.

KPMG Zambia is a member firm of KPMG Global Organization, a leader among the world's professional services organisations. Through the firm's three integrated service lines - Audit, Tax and Advisory- and deep sector knowledge, the firm works closely with its clients, helping them mitigate risks and grasp opportunities. The firm's high-performing, multidisciplinary teams help clients fulfill regulatory requirements, keep investors informed and meet stakeholder needs. KPMG auditors use their knowledge, skills, and experience to deliver high-quality audits with independence, integrity, objectivity, and professional skepticism. In doing so, they help to support sustainable, long-term value creation.

The Board is confident that with their experience, KPMG Zambia will contribute effectively and immeasurably to the Company.

By Order of the Board

Charles Mjumphi

Company Secretary

Issued in Lusaka, Zambia on 23 February 2024

Lusaka Securities Exchange Sponsoring Broker T | +260-211-232456



E | advisory@sbz.com.zm



W | www.sbz.com.zm



Stockbrokers Zambia Limited (SBZ) is a member of the Lusaka Securities Exchange and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia First Issued on 23 February 2024

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Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-84328-zccm-ih-appointment-of-external-auditors-23022021-kpmg.pdf
Living our Purpose: This Patient Services colleague left an impression on a Quest patient of 30 years

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / As the Chairman, CEO, and President of Quest Diagnostics, Jim Davis receives plenty of messages from various customers, business partners, and patients. But a note he recently received caught his attention.

A Quest patient named Burton has been going to our Patient Service Center (PSC) in Ruskin, Florida, every three months for 30 years. One of his most recent visits was so memorable, he sent a letter over to Jim about his experience with Patient Services Representative Ivelisse Lugo.

Burton said he had "the most courteous and knowledgeable technician" draw his blood for his doctor's requirements.

"Ivelisse was so good I didn't realize she had taken my blood at all," Burton wrote.

The patient wanted to make sure that others knew of the "excellent job" Ivelisse was doing and looks forward to having her draw his blood again. "She is a fine example of the quality service Quest Diagnostics provides," Burton wrote.

Tina McCallister, Patient Services Supervisor, said Ivelisse recently transferred to her PSC location and came to her team from the Bradenton location.

She came to Quest through a temporary agency that Quest brought on in November. "She is an asset to my team for sure," Tina said.

The patient feedback Ivelisse received was an example of "The Quest Way" in action and a demonstration of the behaviors at Quest we value -Customer First, Care, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, and Curiosity-our 5Cs.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Quest Diagnostics on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Quest Diagnostics

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/quest-diagnostics

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / EuroPacific Metals Inc (TSXV:EUP) ("the Company" or "Europacific") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Brian Crawford as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary to the Company effective immediately. Mr. Crawford replaces Mr. Mihai Draguleasa. The Company thanks Mr. Draguleasa for his time and contributions during his tenure.

Mr. Crawford is a chartered professional accountant (CPA), Brian holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and has extensive experience as a senior financial executive. He was formerly a partner with a national firm of Chartered Professional Accountants, presently he serves as a Director, Corporate Secretary and or Chief Financial Officer of several Toronto Venture Exchange ("TSX.V") and Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") listed issuers.

Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer stated, "We are pleased to welcome Brian to the executive team. Brian's extensive experience in financial management and strategic planning will be of great benefit to EuroPacific at such pivotal time in steering Euro Pacifics growth strategy in Portugal and further expansion into Iberian Peninsula. I would like to thank Mihai for his service to the Company and wish him well in his future endeavors.

About Europacific Metals Inc.

Europacific Metals Inc. is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in Europe.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Karim Rayani"

President, CEO & Director

For further information please contact:

Europacific Metals Inc.

Mr. Karim Rayani

President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

+1 604 716 1036 k@r7.capital

www.europacificmetals.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the exploration potential of the Company's properties. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE: Europacific Metals Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The PESG Research has released an industry update following the regulatory shifts in Germany. Germany is expected to pass the Cannabis Act today (Friday), heralding a transformative era for the medical cannabis industry. This legislative milestone, by removing cannabis from the 'narcotics act', is set to significantly ease the prescription process for medical cannabis, heralding profound implications for medical professionals, patients, and companies operating within this space. This report explores the anticipated effects of the reform on medical cannabis companies, with a spotlight on InterCure as an illustrative example of a company poised to benefit. It also briefly touches upon the broader industry anticipation of potential policy announcements from the U.S. before November.

The Cannabis Act: A Paradigm Shift

The passage of the Cannabis Act represents a pivotal shift, primarily by making it substantially easier and more cost-effective for doctors to prescribe medical cannabis. This change is expected to dismantle major barriers that have historically hindered patient access to cannabis-based treatments, setting the stage for a significant expansion of the medical cannabis market in Germany.

Expected Implications for the Medical Cannabis Industry

Surge in Demand

The Act's facilitation of the prescription process is anticipated to lead to a surge in demand for medical cannabis. As doctors gain the ability to prescribe cannabis with fewer bureaucratic hurdles, a broader spectrum of patients could have access to these treatments. This increase in accessibility is expected to drive demand significantly, as more patients consider medical cannabis a viable treatment option.

The Act's facilitation of the prescription process is anticipated to lead to a surge in demand for medical cannabis. As doctors gain the ability to prescribe cannabis with fewer bureaucratic hurdles, a broader spectrum of patients could have access to these treatments. This increase in accessibility is expected to drive demand significantly, as more patients consider medical cannabis a viable treatment option. Expansion of the Patient Base

With the reform, the medical community's acceptance of cannabis is likely to grow, contributing to an expansion of the patient base. The Act's removal of cannabis from the narcotics classification not only changes the legal framework but also shifts the perception of cannabis within the medical field, encouraging more healthcare providers to consider and prescribe cannabis-based treatments.

With the reform, the medical community's acceptance of cannabis is likely to grow, contributing to an expansion of the patient base. The Act's removal of cannabis from the narcotics classification not only changes the legal framework but also shifts the perception of cannabis within the medical field, encouraging more healthcare providers to consider and prescribe cannabis-based treatments. Decrease in Prices

The anticipated increase in demand and subsequent market expansion could lead to increased supply and competition among medical cannabis companies. This competition is expected to drive prices down, making medical cannabis more affordable for patients. Lower prices, combined with easier access to prescriptions, could further democratize the use of medical cannabis, making it a more accessible option for a wider range of patients.

Spotlight on InterCure, a Medical Cannabis Leader

InterCure, a prominent player in the global cannabis market, is strategically positioned to capitalize on the opportunities presented by Germany's Cannabis Act. With its focus on pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis products and an established distribution network, InterCure is poised to meet the growing demand in the German market. The company's commitment to quality and patient access aligns with the objectives of the new legislation, positioning InterCure to be a leading beneficiary of the expanded market and regulatory changes.

Back in August, when the company reported H1 2023 financial results InterCure CEO Alex Rabinovitch noted: "We continue to optimize our operations for continued growth supported by our leading position. We are encouraged from the new regulations in Israel and Germany as pharmaceutical cannabis becoming a world standard across Europe and many other territories. We are also keeping an open eye on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services scientific and medical evaluation, supporting cannabis to be classified as a Schedule III drug by the DEA and the opportunities it may generate to InterCure.". Indeed, it seems InterCure forsaw this change and has prepared for it.

U.S. Anticipation Intensifies Ahead of Expected Biden Announcement

Following Germany's landmark cannabis reform, the United States finds itself at a pivotal moment, with the cannabis industry and advocates closely watching for potential policy shifts under the Biden administration. The anticipation is particularly charged with expectations that President Biden might announce significant cannabis policy reforms before November.

This expectation is rooted in the hope that the U.S. will mirror Germany's progressive approach, especially in making medical cannabis more accessible and addressing the regulatory disparities that have long plagued the American cannabis landscape. Stakeholders are looking for reforms that could streamline federal regulations, enhance economic growth, and rectify the social injustices stemming from decades of cannabis prohibition.

The prospect of an announcement from President Biden has galvanized the industry, with many seeing it as a potential turning point that could align the U.S. with global trends towards rationalizing cannabis policies. Such a move would not only mark a significant shift in the U.S. but also influence global standards, trade, and cooperation in the cannabis sector, reinforcing the global momentum towards more liberalized cannabis laws.

As November approaches, the sense of anticipation within the U.S. cannabis community is palpable, with stakeholders across the board hoping for policy announcements that could catalyze a new era for cannabis in America and beyond.

Conclusion

Looking ahead, Germany's Cannabis Act marks a significant milestone for the medical cannabis industry, promising to increase demand, expand the patient base, and reduce prices through heightened competition. Companies like InterCure are well-placed to thrive in this new environment, benefiting from the legislative changes that facilitate easier prescription processes. As the industry looks forward, it remains optimistic about similar reforms in other jurisdictions, signaling a global shift towards more accessible and affordable medical cannabis treatments.

Disclaimers: PESG Research is a digital thought brand under The Future Markets Research Tank brand, offering commentary and exploration into the current and future state of the Pharma, BioTech and Sustainability and other industries. Please click here read the full disclaimers for the report and here for the full disclaimers of PESG.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223290016/en/

Contacts:

Company Name: PESG Research

Email: ronald@futuremarketsresearch.com

Website: pesgresearch.com

Contact Person: Ron Kaufman
BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 23

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

23 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 Date of purchase: 23 February 2024 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 100,000 Lowest price per share 352.50 Highest price per share 358.50 Trading venue LSE Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 100,000 Weighted average price per day per trading venue: 357.0555

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 364,628,712 Sterling Shares 8,976,148 Sterling Shares 29,762,912 Dollar Shares Nil Dollar Shares

From 23 February 2024, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 559,006,506.

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
NEW YORK (AP)  Jack Fisk, the legendary production designer, has been down a lot of roads in his life. He goes looking down back roads for movie locations and hillsides on which to plop down mock houses. Hes been to the Solomon Islands for The Thin Red Line and the Canadian Rockies for The Revenant. But America, really, is his territory.

Fisk, 78, has for half a century been building some of the most indelible homes and structures of movies. He crafted the grand Victorian that peers down from above the wheat fields in Terrence Malicks Days of Heaven" (1978). He erected the oil derrick of Paul Thomas Andersons There Will Be Blood (2007). And he built Mollie Burkhardt's Osage home for Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon.

Killers of the Flower Moon, which entailed recreating the circa-1919 Oklahoma town of Fairfax, expands the wide swath of American ground, and history, that Fisk has covered. And its earned Fisk his third Oscar nomination, a capstone to a career crafting rough-hewn on-screen worlds with such fine-grained dimensionality that you feel as though you walked through them.

Thats partly because you  or at least the actors  actually could. Though much set design is done piecemeal, with a few facades just for the camera, Fisk prefers to build entire houses on location to give filmmakers and actors the ability to cross in and out of them. To see out the windows.

We build everything so it can be shot from 360 degrees, Fisk said in a recent interview from his home, a 210-acre horse farm where he and his wife, Sissy Spacek, live in Albemarle County, Virginia. And directors take advantage of it. I love not narrowing down their options too early. They can move. And when the actors get involved, its much more organic.

Its something Ive always liked to do just because I like to build, Fisk added, smiling.

In winter, work around their house in Virginia had slowed, though Fisk had spent that morning tiling a bathroom for his daughter. Work on the house moves at a crawl, he says, compared to on set. On There Will Be Blood, he had some 50 carpenters nailing away. When you do it yourself, everything slows down to molasses, he says.

Fisk first set out as a painter and sculptor. He attended art school and initially came to Hollywood only with an idea of painting billboards. After latching onto filmmaking, hes helped designed all kinds of movies. Carrie (1976). Eraserhead (1977). Mulholland Drive (2001). Hes worked on nearly every Malick movie. But what hes best known for are his homes.

Where are you going to put all these sculptures? Youre going to lug em around or put em in a storage area, Fisk says. When I got involved in films, it was so exciting because I would build it and then they would film it. So there was a record of it. I was just as happy to never see it again. It always looks better when they filmed it. The lighting is there, the set dressing is there, the actors are performing in it. So youre remembering it in the best possible light. Now, I build my sculptures to look like houses.

For a more detailed story of the houses Fisk builds for film sets, visit: https://apnews.com/article/jack-fisk-oscars-production-design-90c5b0a569ae9653985252176d7ead7a

Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP

For more on this years Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 23

For immediate release

23 February 2024

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 203,666 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 864.66 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 33,418,175; 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 191,573,128.

The figure of 191,573,128 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
ECW plans to renew multi-year investment that has already exceeded its targets and reached over 400,000 children and adolescents with quality, holistic education in areas affected by the crisis in North-East Nigeria with up to US$15 million. However, top-up and additional funding is urgently needed to optimize its proven success.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On a high-level mission in Nigeria this week, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Executive Director Yasmine Sherif, accompanied by high-level representatives from the Governments of Germany and Norway, announced a planned US$15 million allocation to renew the ECW Multi-Year Resilience Programme in the North-East of the country. The funding is subject to ECW's Executive Committee approval.

On the mission, Dr Heike Kuhn, Co-Chair of the ECW Executive Committee and Head of Education Division at Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Merete Lundemo, Co-Chair of the ECW Executive Committee and Special Envoy for Education in Crisis and Conflict for Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ECW's Executive Director Yasmine Sherif met with senior government officials, including the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Tahir Mamman, and Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, and aid partners.

In coordination with the Borno State Government to ensure the right to education for girls and boys, the delegation travelled to the North-East, where the violence of the Boko Haram insurgency and other armed groups has disrupted the education of nearly 2 million school-age children.

Attacks against schools and other grave violations of children's rights are regularly registered in the region. Thousands of children and youth - in particular girls and young women - have been abducted. Many girls have been enslaved and sexually exploited and boys have been forced to become child soldiers.

In Maiduguri, the delegation visited communities affected by the conflict and other interconnected crises and saw first-hand the positive impact of ECW's initial Multi-Year Resilience Programme (2021-2024), delivered in coordination and jointly by the Norwegian Refugee Council, Save the Children and UNICEF.

The delegation also met with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence who are co-creating a new innovative project launched by the Global Survivors Fund with funding support from ECW. The initiative provides formal and non-formal education as a form of reparation for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and their children.

"Children - especially girls - pay the heaviest price of the horrific violence that has plagued the North-East of Nigeria for more than a decade. Their learning lost and development delayed, they suffer from the trauma of abductions and sexual violence. In response, safe, quality, holistic education and learning opportunities, including mental health and psychosocial services, are crucial to rehabilitate and protect children and youth from exploitation and empower them to become positive changemakers. Working with the Government of Nigeria and our implementing partners, ECW's expanded funding in the North-East is an investment in their young lives as well as in a more stable, prosperous and peaceful future for the region and beyond," said Yasmine Sherif.

"I call on additional strategic donor partners - governments, the private sector, philanthropic foundations and high net-worth individuals - to join our efforts in mobilizing an additional US$600 million to reach our target of US$1.5 billion for ECW, allowing our partners to reach, by 2026, a total of 20 million girls and boys in crises affected areas of the world," she said.

Germany is Education Cannot Wait's leading donor with US$366 million in total contributions, and Norway is the Fund's fifth largest donor with total contributions of US$131 million.

"Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, quality, and lifelong learning is crucial for Nigeria, as half of its population are children and youth. Educating children means to change their lives, letting them participate in building peaceful sustainable societies. The African Union has just launched the Year of Education 2024 and we are looking forward to advancing education jointly with our partners," said Dr Heike Kuhn.

"Education is a lifeline for children living in areas affected by armed conflict. Norway welcomes the strengthened cooperation with Education Cannot Wait to reach the most vulnerable with education in North-East Nigeria. This is part of Norway's wider engagement for children living in armed conflict. It has been great to see how these education projects bring much needed relief and normalcy to children in this area," said Merete Lundemo.

As part of continued efforts in all investments to capitalize on collaboration between ECW and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the mission highlighted the opportunity of aligning the upcoming financing of US$5 million from GPE for the North-East states with the new ECW Multi-Year Resilience Programme which will be developed this year.

ECW's new catalytic grant funding for the planned Multi-Year Resilience Programme shall build on its US$23.6 million investments in the North-East of Nigeria, which have reached more than 400,000 children since 2018. The investments are delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Education, UN agencies, and international and local civil society partners. With a focus on building lasting solutions applying the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, ECW investments in North-East Nigeria have provided children with learning materials, supported teacher training and incentives, school feeding, provided essential mental health and psychosocial support for girls and boys impacted by the conflict, and worked with the national and state governments to get children back to school through permanent community-based programmes.

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Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 23

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

23 February 2024

REDDE NORTHGATE PLC

("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 23 February 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 50,000 Weighted average purchase price paid : 346 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 346.5 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 345.5 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 19,240,071 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 226,851,352 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchase - Individual Transaction (as at 23 February 2024)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 25000 345.50 10:49:37 00068980596TRLO0 XLON 25000 346.50 16:07:11 00068989561TRLO0 XLON

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden.

Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals.

Further information please visit the Company's website:

www.reddenorthgate.com
American Airlines team member Ken MacTiernan is the first aviation maintenance technician to be honored with the Airlines for America Nuts and Bolts Award while actively working in the profession.

The award recognizes those who demonstrate outstanding service and achievements in the engineering or maintenance fields within the commercial aviation industry.

SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / American Airlines aviation maintenance technician (AMT) Ken MacTiernan was honored with the Airlines for America (A4A) Nuts and Bolts award, marking the first time an AMT has received the award while actively working in the profession since the award launched in 1967.

The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding service and achievements in the engineering or maintenance fields within the commercial aviation industry. Each year, airline and nonairline honorees are chosen for the award.

"It's humbling to be recognized, but to be recognized for giving back to my profession means everything to me," said Ken. "This award encourages me to keep promoting my craft by showing others in the industry, and those entering the industry, that the work you do has a positive impact. It's a win-win for the industry and American Airlines."

"The entire American team is thrilled that Ken is being honored with this prestigious award," said Evie Garces, American's Vice President of Line Maintenance. "He is not only a highly skilled AMT, but he is a true advocate of the AMT profession. Ken and his commitment to aviation maintenance are legends across the industry."

"Ken's passion and efforts for the AMT will be felt for generations to come," said Bob Ireland, A4A Vice President - Safety, Maintenance and Engineering, "This recognition is particularly well-deserved."

Ken started his aviation career as a Boeing B-52 mechanic in the United States Air Force in Merced, California. While wrapping up his time in the Air Force, he simultaneously worked to obtain his airframe and powerplant licenses to ensure he could work on civil aircraft after being discharged. He joined American at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in 1986 as an AMT, then transferred to SAN 11 months later, trading in hats and gloves for shorts and sandals.

"On February 15, 1987, it was 32 below with the wind coming off the Hudson," Ken vividly recalled as if it were yesterday. "I was working on a DC-10 and I remember thinking, 'This isn't going to work long-term. If I'm going to do this for the next 30-plus years, I might want to go someplace warmer.' I visited some buddies from the Air Force in San Diego and the rest is history."

And what a history it's been.

Over the years, Ken worked hard to promote his craft. He helped establish National AMT Day, which is celebrated May 24 - the birthday of Charles Taylor, mechanic to Orville and Wilbur Wright. Ken is also a founder of The Competition (formerly known as the Aerospace Maintenance Competition), an annual event that brings teams of aviation and aerospace maintenance professionals and students under one roof in a two-day competition to showcase their talents. This year's event will be held April 9-11 in Chicago and will feature a record 90 teams from around the world.

If that wasn't enough, American's annual Excellence in Aviation Maintenance award is named after Ken, too. The award honors AMTs who exhibit the qualities of professional AMTs, strive to uphold the highest standard in aircraft maintenance, and support and promote the profession.

What does Ken love most about his job?

"There are several things," Ken said. "I enjoy the camaraderie I have with my fellow mechanics. I enjoy learning something new almost every day. And I just like fixing things."

Ken will be honored by industry leaders this April at Aviation Week's MRO Americas conference in Chicago where he will officially receive the Nuts and Bolts Award. The conference coincides with this year's maintenance competition.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from American Airlines on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: American Airlines

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/american-airlines

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: American Airlines

View the original press release on accesswire.com
MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOG) Google issued an apology for its AI chatbot Gemini, generating images of historical figures with inaccurate racial and ethnic depictions, attributing the errors to its attempt to create diverse results. The statement was made in response to criticism regarding the portrayal of white historical figures like the US Founding Fathers and Nazi-era German soldiers as people of color. Jack Krawczyk, the head of product for Google's AI division, acknowledged that Gemini created images showing white historical figures as black, Native American, or Asian, including the Founding Fathers and the pope. Krawczyk stated that efforts are being made to address and rectify the inaccuracies promptly. Google did not specify the images deemed incorrect but reiterated its commitment to resolving the issues, saying that the inaccuracies highlighted the need to improve diversity representation in generative AI due to existing biases and stereotypes. Google emphasized its commitment to representing a global user base accurately and addressing bias in image generation, while Elon Musk also criticized Google and promoted his own AI alternative, Grok, as past incidents involving diversity mishaps, such as Google's photo app labeling a black couple as 'gorillas,' have also been associated with the company. Google Gemini, now known as Gemini, was launched in limited release in March 2023 as a chatbot powered by Google's language model. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
SENS ANNOUNCEMENT

(the "Notice" or "Announcement")

ISSUER

ZCCM INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS PLC ("ZCCM-IH")

[Incorporated in the Republic of Zambia]

Company registration number: 119540000771

Share Code: ZCCM-IH

ISIN: ZM0000000037

Authorised by: Charles Mjumphi - Company Secretary

SPONSOR

Stockbrokers Zambia Limited

[Founder Member of the Lusaka Securities Exchange]

[Regulated and licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia]

Contact Number: +260-211-232456

Website: www.sbz.com.zm

APPROVAL

The captioned Notice or Announcement has been approved by:

The Lusaka Securities Exchange ("LuSE") The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") ZCCM-IH Investments Holdings Plc ("ZCCM-IH")

RISK WARNING

The Notice or Announcement contained herein contains information that may be of a price sensitive nature.

Investors are advised to seek the advice of their investment advisor, stockbroker, or any professional duly licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia to provide securities advice.

ISSUED: 23 February 2024

ZCCM INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS PLC

[Incorporated in the Republic of Zambia]

Company registration number: 119540000771

Share Code: ZCCM-IH

ISIN: ZM0000000037

["ZCCM-IH" or the "Company"]

RESULTS OF RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF ZCCM INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS PLC

Introduction

Shareholders are referred to the announcements ZCCM-IH released on the Stock Exchange News Service ("SENS") of the Lusaka Securities Exchange ("LUSE") on 10th November 2023, 30 November 2023, 22 December 2023 and 1 February 2024 regarding the up to US$1.1 billion capital investment by International Resources Holding RSC Ltd, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta Mining Limited, for a 51% interest in Mopani Copper Mines plc and the formation of a strategic partnership with ZCCM-IH. The investment will comprise US$620 million in new equity capital, up to US$100 million in settlement of existing third-party letters of credit and up to US$380 million of shareholder loans ("the Transaction"). The Company distributed a Transaction circular (the "Circular") on 2 February 2024 incorporating a notice of Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM") to consider the Transaction. The Board of Directors of ZCCM-IH ("the Board") is pleased to provide a further update in relation to the Transaction.

2.0 Results of the General Meeting

At the EGM of ZCCM-IH held on 23rd February 2024 and held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Lusaka, Zambia, shareholders of ZCCM-IH ("Shareholders") considered the resolutions proposed at the EGM as set out below:

THAT the Transaction be and is hereby approved and:

the directors of the Company (the "Directors") be and are hereby authorised to do and procure to be done all such acts and things as they consider necessary, expedient or appropriate in connection with the Transaction and to give effect to or implement the Transaction and this resolution (including for the purpose of obtaining any approval, consent, clearance or permission that is a condition to the Transaction or that the Directors consider necessary or expedient);

the Directors be and are hereby authorised to agree such modifications, variations, revisions, waivers or amendments to the terms and conditions of the Transaction (provided that such modifications, variations, revisions, waivers or amendments are not of a material nature), to any documents, and arrangements relating thereto, as the directors may, in their absolute discretion think fit; and

that any and all conduct of each of the Directors that amounts to a breach of the Articles resulting from, arising out of or in relation to causing ZCCM-IH to enter into the Transaction and Transaction Agreements be and is hereby ratified and confirmed and ZCCM-IH hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, releases and discharges any and all claims or rights of action that it may have against each of the Directors resulting from, arising out of or in relation to the same.

The proposed resolutions were approved by the Shareholders.

Accordingly, shareholders are advised to continue to exercise caution when dealing in the Company's securities until the completion of the Transaction.

By Order of the Board

Charles Mjumphi

Company Secretary

Issued in Lusaka, Zambia on 23 February 2024

Lusaka Securities Exchange Sponsoring Broker T | +260-211-232456



E | advisory@sbz.com.zm



W | www.sbz.com.zm



Stockbrokers Zambia Limited (SBZ) is a member of the Lusaka Securities Exchange and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia.

First Issued on 23 February 2024

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / CNH continues to strengthen its tech stack with Ag Tech solutions that make farming easier, more efficient, and more sustainable for farmers around the globe. CNH Ventures, the investment arm of the company, has taken a minority stake in Bem Agro - a Brazilian startup and existing supplier to CNH.

Bem Agro uses AI to convert any type of aerial field image - including those taken from machines, drones and satellites - into Agronomic Mapping Reports. These reports provide vital data that enables farmers to make better decisions about optimizing field operations, allocating resources and increasing yield, while driving improved machine performance, greater productivity and reduced running costs.

This investment follows over five years of successful commercial partnership with Bem Agro. CNH currently uses their mapping solutions on Case IH and New Holland (both brands of CNH) Connected Platforms for sugarcane harvesters, tractors and sprayers in Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand. Together with Bem Agro, CNH will significantly enhance its current and future precision technology solutions, services and reach for agriculture across Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Customer-inspired innovation relies on constant dialogue with the people that use the equipment and technology they produce. That's why the positive feedback from CNH's dealer network and customers was instrumental in driving their strategic investment in the Brazilian startup.

CNH's investment in Bem Agro is a testament to the Company's commitment to innovation, productivity, and sustainability -- to further empower farmers to continue Breaking New Ground.

CNH's investment in Bem Agro is a testament to the Company's commitment to innovation, productivity, and sustainability -- to further empower farmers to continue Breaking New Ground

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CNH Industrial

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: CNH Industrial

View the original press release on accesswire.com


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Social media site, Reddit has filed an S-1 form with the Securities and Exchange Commission to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'RDDT'.



The decision comes after three years of discussion among the top executives to file for IPO in order to grow its business through advertising and e-commerce offerings.



'Our work to make Reddit faster, easier to use, easier to moderate and govern, and simpler to navigate and find relevant communities is driving growth today and will continue to be our focus into the future,' Co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman said in a letter.



The online discussion forum had reserved some shares for its top users based on their contributions. It reportedly has 267.5 million active weekly users, more than 100,000 active communities, and 1 billion total posts.



'Our users have a deep sense of ownership over the communities they create on Reddit. We want this sense of ownership to be reflected in real ownership - for our users to be our owners,' the CEO commented. 'Becoming a public company makes this possible.'



The networking site founded in 2005 by Alexis Ohanian and Steve Huffman, was later sold to Conde Nast in 2006. Currently, its largest shareholders are Advance Publications, Chinese tech company Tencent, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.



Reddit, the first major tech company to file for an IPO in 2024, made $804 million in revenue last year. However, it suffered a loss of $90.8 million in 2023, according to the SEC filing.



Currently, the networking site is looking to source its income from AI, as it had signed a data licensing agreement with Google for $60 million a year for access to its content.



'Reddit's vast and unmatched archive of real, timely, and relevant human conversation on literally any topic is an invaluable dataset for a variety of purposes, including search, AI training, and research,' Huffman explained. 'We expect our data advantage and intellectual property to continue to be a key element in the training of future LLMs.'



Earlier, Reddit had filed for IPO in 2021, but later withdrew it due to an unstable market.



Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



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Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - Talya Group, a prominent conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, is poised for a significant global expansion, led by the visionary CEO Hanen Benabdeladhim. With a diversified portfolio that spans airline cargo services, petroleum trading, agriculture trading, consulting businesses, and more, Talya Group is setting its sights on extending its reach beyond the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Far East, South America, and the United States.





Hanen Benabdeladhim with CEO of Fonds Souverain de Djibouti, Slim Feriani



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10040/199095_5e3bc79ea4fa8af3_001full.jpg

Under the astute leadership of Hanen Benabdeladhim, Talya Group has flourished in the international market, establishing itself as a formidable player in various sectors. Benabdeladhim, renowned for her strategic foresight and business acumen, has successfully navigated the complexities of international trade and investment, earning her recognition as a leading businesswoman in the global arena.

Talya Group's current operations span several key industries, with subsidiary companies including Tay Healthcare, Tay Petroleum, Tay FoodStuff Wholesale, Talya Investments, and ATAA Aviation Services. These entities have solidified Talya Group's position in the MENA region, and now, with new business initiatives underway, the group is poised to enter uncharted territories, bringing its expertise and innovative solutions to new markets worldwide.





Hanen Benabdeladhim with Slim Feriani



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The expansion strategy articulated by CEO Hanen Benabdeladhim is ambitious yet meticulously planned, aiming to leverage the group's strengths to tap into emerging opportunities in strategic regions. "Our vision is to transcend geographical boundaries and bring Talya Group's hallmark of excellence to clients around the globe. We are excited about the prospects of entering new markets, where we can contribute to economic growth and foster sustainable business practices," said Benabdeladhim.





Hanen Benabdeladhim with the President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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In addition to its current portfolio, Talya Group is at the forefront of digital innovation, with plans to structure new digital asset ventures in the United Arab Emirates for 2024 and 2025. These ventures are set to revolutionize the way the group engages with its clientele, integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance service delivery and client satisfaction.

Talya Group's global expansion is not just a testament to its business success but also a reflection of Hanen Benabdeladhim's commitment to fostering international partnerships and promoting cross-border collaboration. "As we venture into new markets, our goal is to build lasting relationships that are rooted in mutual respect and shared values. We are committed to contributing positively to the communities we serve, aligning our growth with broader societal and environmental objectives," Benabdeladhim added.

The group's strategic move to diversify and expand its global footprint underscores its resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving business landscape. With a clear vision for the future and a robust plan for growth, Talya Group, under Hanen Benabdeladhim's leadership, is well on its way to becoming a global powerhouse, setting new benchmarks for excellence in every endeavor.

About Talya Group

Talya Group is a diversified conglomerate with a strong presence in the MENA region, specializing in airline cargo services, petroleum trading, agriculture trading, consulting businesses, and more. Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Talya Group is committed to innovation, sustainability, and delivering superior value to its clients worldwide.

Contact

Talya Group Contact

Office

+971 4 591 5901

PR agent

pr@stankeviciusmgm.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/199095

SOURCE: Talya Group
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - KO Gold Inc. (CSE: KOG) ("KO Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated February 15, 2024, the Company has acquired (the "Acquisition") two exploration permits (EP) located in the Otago Gold District of New Zealand (the "Property"). The Acquisition was completed pursuant to an arm's length exploration permit acquisition agreement (the "Acquisition Agreement") dated February 15, 2024 with NewPeak Metals Ltd. ("NewPeak Metals") and NewPeak NZ Ltd. (together with NewPeak Metals, the "Vendors") and Neil Stuart (the "Recipient").

As partial consideration for the Property, the Company has issued the Recipient and the Vendors an aggregate of 595,238 common shares (each, a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company at a deemed issuance price of $0.42 per Common Share.

All Common Shares issued pursuant to the Acquisition will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

Completion of the sale and purchase of the Property is also subject to and conditional upon NZP&M and the Minister approving the transfer of the Property from the Vendors to the Purchaser in accordance with the New Zealand Crown Minerals Act.

About KO Gold Inc.

KO Gold is a Canadian junior mining company listed on the CSE under the ticker symbol "KOG". The Company's strategy is to acquire and explore highly prospective gold properties within the Otago Gold District in New Zealand. KO Gold has eight 100%-owned prospecting and exploration permits within the Otago Gold District, which includes the Smylers Gold Project for a combined land package of approximately 1,064 km2. The Smylers Gold Project is an advanced exploration project located adjacent to OceanaGold's active Macraes Gold Mine. The Smylers Gold Project has the potential to host a major gold deposit and has seen significant investments in exploration and drilling over the past few years including over C$1M spent by KO Gold on exploration including reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling.

For further information, please contact:

Greg Isenor, President and CEO, Director

Tel: (902) 832-5555

Email: info@kogoldnz.com

Website: www.kogoldnz.com

KO Gold Inc.

Suite 802 - Sun Tower, 1550 Bedford Highway Bedford, Nova Scotia

B4A 1E6 Canada

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/199019

SOURCE: KO Gold Inc.
Lao company eyes more beef export to China

Xinhua) 16:32, February 23, 2024

VIENTIANE, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- A private company in Laos is setting up a large-scale cattle farm in northern Laos' Bokeo province, aiming to supply beef to domestic and foreign markets, especially China.

According to a Socio-Economic News report on Friday, the Duang Chalern Development Construction Company Group has been awarded concessions by the state on five plots of land covering a total area of 3,687 hectares in two districts of Bokeo province, some 340 km northwest of Lao capital Vientiane, to grow grass and raise cattle.

The company's chairman and director Khamphaiy Silaxa said the project started in 2021 and has experimented with four breeds of cattle.

So far, the company has exported more than 1,000 cattle, mainly to China, and also to Thailand and Vietnam.

Khamphaiy said the project has created more than 300 jobs for local people and has contributed to the socio-economic development in Bokeo province.

Laos earned more than 1.4 billion U.S. dollars from agricultural exports in 2023, exceeding the target for the year by 20.18 percent.

The main farm products exported were bananas, rubber, cassava, sugarcane, cattle and buffaloes, with China being the largest purchaser.

The Lao government is encouraging farmers and producers to increase exports to bring in much-needed foreign currency and help reduce high foreign exchange rates.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Snow, what there was of it this year, is almost gone from the ground.

The temperature is expected to top 60 degrees at least twice next week and  with the exception of a very cold Friday night and Saturday  rise above freezing every day into the second week in March.

This is winter in Buffalo? The temperature has not dipped below 20 degrees here for almost a year. And if the extended forecast is right, it's not going to be that cold at least through almost mid-January.

And, maybe most notably, the Town of Tonawanda, which used to ban overnight parking on its streets until April 1, lifted the ban with a week to go in February.

Welcome to what may go down as the warmest winter in the history of record-keeping in Western New York, one that people who study the weather and climate say could be a microcosm of seasons to come.

The record-setting probability was first reported this week by WGRZ meteorologist Patrick Hammer, who said this meteorological winter  defined as the months of December, January and February  is on track to be the warmest since data has been kept in 1939.

Winter showed up late, but it's here now and making itself comfortable While the intense, localized snow bands have disappeared, Friday will remain frigid, with wind chills in the single digits during the day and forecast to be below zero overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Indeed, according to the website Applied Climate Information System, the average temperature calculating daily highs and lows from December through February is at 34.2 degrees. The current warmest winters in Western New York happened in 2015-2016 and 2001-2002, with average temperatures of 32.9.

Officials said that there is no question that the atmospheric and oceanic phenomenon known as El Nino, characterized by warmer waters in the Pacific Ocean, is one factor this year.

But it is not the only one.

The other one is global warming, said Stuart Evans, an assistant professor of geography at the University at Buffalo.

According to Evans, todays warmer than normal temperatures will be considered normal in the future.

Winter is about to make up for its late arrival in WNY ... maybe with a vengeance Forecasters are watching a developing weather pattern that they say will bring much colder temperatures to the region and  thanks to an unfrozen Lake Erie  might bring significant snowfall during a winter season that has been short on both.

This is more of a preview of the future, lets say, the middle of the century, he said.

The temperatures Thursday and Friday, which melted the snow that fell over the weekend, are a preview of next week. A National Weather Service meteorologist in Buffalo said this could be the warmest February on record.

The warm and snow-free forecast was behind Tonawandas decision to shorten its overnight parking ban, which the town had already shortened to March 15 because of warming temperatures that are depressing snow totals and making the need to get snow plows down streets a moot point.

The El Nino system is not an annual weather phenomenon. But Evans said global warming will continue to affect all weather.

Global warming is this slow, steady thing every year. And it becomes particularly noticeable in years like this where you have an El Nino, Evans added.

The effects of global warming will manifest differently around the globe. For Western New York, warmer and shorter winters might indicate increased snowfall. Lake Erie will be less likely to freeze, and that may potentially lead to larger amounts of lake-effect snow, he said.

This season may have been shorter, but it was not snowier, in Western New York and across the nation. Buffalo remains the snowiest city in the contiguous United States  Anchorage, Alaska has the top spot  but with less snow than in an average winter and half as much as the amount that fell during the same time period in 2022-2023.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd. (CSE: TONY) (the "Company") announces that Mr. Andrew Parks has resigned as a director of the Company, effective February 22, 2024, as Mr. Parks would like to focus on his family at this time. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Parks for his valuable contribution to the Company and wishes him every success in his future endeavors.

For more information, please contact:

Ron Akram

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +44 786 6464 520

Email: contact@tony.holdings

This press release contains "forward-looking statements", within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" "plans", "estimates" or "intends" or stating that certain actions, events or results " may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to materially differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include, but are not limited to the Company's intention to defend the litigation with the Fund, the Company's liability under the Debenture and the above-mentioned litigation.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to materially differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements relating to the Loan and the Company's business strategy, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, that the litigation referred to herein will be resolved in a manner that is unfavourable to the Company (including any judgment, award or settlement of the litigation that results in the Company incurring liability, costs or expenses that, in the aggregate, exceed the share issuance costs of the Conversion Shares), the Company is required to issue shares other than the Conversion Shares or pay any amount to the plaintiff in defending, resolving, or in connection with, such litigation, and other related matters, or other factors set forth in the Company's publicly filed documents under its profiles at www.sedarplus.ca.

Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statement prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

None of the Canadian Securities Exchange or its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/199028

SOURCE: Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd.
Monumo, a Cambridge and Coventry, UK-based deeptech company that reinvents the electric motor, raised 10.5M in Seed funding to date.

Backers included LQD VC and undisclosed angels.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and development efforts.

Led by CEO and Founder Dominic Vergine and CTO Jaroslaw Rzepecki, PhD, Monumo combines deeptech innovation and machine learning with engineering expertise to redesign electric motors. Its patented technology has already produced a deeptech-generated design for a switched reluctance motor (SRM*) which reduces torque ripple by 50% across the drive cycle making it smoother and quieter. It has potential for wider applications across a wide range of the electric motors market.

The company has already signed NDAs with numerous tier one engineering companies and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Commenting on the news, Dominic Vergine said: Were extremely excited to be entering this next phase of our business journey. At Monumo, we are driven by a desire to create a sustainable future and we know that the EV market is a crucial entry point for our technology. By partnering with OEMs and tier one engineering companies, our unique combination of simulation, ML, AI and motor design ability can facilitate genuine near-term impact in the EV industry. These incredible results from our motor simulations are just the start as we look to create genuine system level optimisation for the first time. Naturally were excited about the companys next phase of growth.

FinSMEs

23/02/2024
Timetoact Group, a Cologne, Germany-based provider of IT services for medium-sized businesses, corporations and public institutions, is acquiring Trustbit, an Austrian consulting firm focused on digital transformation and the development of digital business models.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The merger of Trustbit with Timetoact Austria  together with the other companies of Timetoact Group  will create a digitalisation player in Austria. Jorg Egretzberger, Trustbits CEO, will become the Co-Managing Director of Timetoact Group Austria and a shareholder in Timetoact Group.

Timetoact Group comprises specialised IT companies across 17 locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as in Latvia, Malaysia, Singapore and the USA. With over 1,250 employees and a comprehensive portfolio of software and consulting services, the digitalisation expert primarily concentrates on medium-sized and large companies from the industrial, financial and service sectors, as well as public institutions.

SWP Softwarepark is present on the market under the Trustbit brand. Founded in 2007, Trustbit is a Vienna-headquartered IT consulting company with around 50 employees. The company supports clients from a variety of sectors with customer-driven software solutions, machine learning & data science, as well as IT consulting.

FinSMEs

22/02/2024
A lot of exciting films and shows including Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Saw X, among others, are set to release this week on OTT platforms

The weekend is right here, and so is the time to make all the plans to spend the last weekend of 2024 in the best way. While some highly-anticipated films are all set to hit theatres this week, there is also an exciting lineup for streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney Plus Hotstar, and others. This weeks OTT releases include some big names like Saw X, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Star Wars: The Bad Batch S3 among others. Given here is the list of movies and shows, set to hit OTT platforms this week.

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OTT Releases This Week

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Release date: 22 February 2024

Where to watch: Netflix

The popular animated TV series just got another live-action treatment and is all set to release on Netflix this weekend. After the 2010 film, this one revolves around the story of Aang and his friends who go on a quest to restore balance to the world and nature. With a brand new cast this time, the story of Avatar will be introduced to a new generation.

Release date: 23 February 2024

Where to watch: Lionsgate Play

The 10th film in the franchise, the gory-drama film brings a mix of horror and revenge, bringing back John Kramer, better known as Jigsaw. While the film was released last year, this is the time to catch up on the popular horror film on OTT. The film will show Kramer finding a chance to seek retribution from those who wronged him.

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Malaikottai Vaaliban

Release date: 23 February 2024

Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Featuring Malayalam superstar Mohanlal in the lead role, Lijo Jose Pellissery-directed Malaikottai Vaaliban will be released this week on Disney Plus Hotstar. Featuring the actor in a dual role, the film shows Mohanlal in the character of a captivating warrior of great fame. The actor indulged in some tough action sequences is something to look forward to.

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Through My Window: Looking at You

Release date: 23 February 2024

Where to watch: Netflix

Marking a third entry in the beloved Spanish romantic film series Through My Window, Looking At You will be released this week on Netflix. The story will revolve around exploring the tumultuous yet passionate relationship between Raquel and Are after they decide to part ways, only to encounter each other on various occasions.
Women relying on IVF treatment in Alabama have been left shell-shocked and doctors sent scrambling after three state Supreme Court justices ruled that embryos are children. Experts have come down heavily on the decision while Democrats have attacked Republicans for eliminating a path for people to become parents

Alabama's largest hospital and three clinics have halted IVF treatment while doctors try to figure out what they can and can't do. AP

A ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that embryos are children has thrown the state into chaos.

A number of hospitals including the states largest have halted offering in vitro fertilisation (IVF) services and medical experts and reproductive rights groups have sounded the alarm.

According to NBC News, over 97,000 children were born in 2021 using reproductive technology like IVF.

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Over 500,000 children are born every year around the world through IVF.

According to Time Magazine, two per cent of babies in the US are born using IVF

But what happened? What does the ruling mean for women currently undergoing IVF treatment? And what do experts say?

Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

According to Time Magazine, Alabama in 2018 voted to add language to the state constitution recognising the rights of the unborn child.

Then, last week, three Alabama Justices  all Republicans  used that language to rule that three couples could sue for wrongful death when their frozen embryos were destroyed in an accident at a storage facility.

Unborn children are children  without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics, Justice Jay Mitchell wrote in Fridays majority ruling.

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Mitchell said the court had previously ruled that a foetus killed when a woman is pregnant is covered under Alabamas Wrongful Death of a Minor Act and nothing excludes extrauterine children from the Acts coverage.

Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker, in a scripture-draped concurring opinion, wrote that even before birth, all human beings bear the image of God, and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory.

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While the court case centered on whether embryos were covered under the wrongful death of a minor statute, some said treating the embryo as a child  rather than property  could have broader implications and call into question many of the practices of IVF.

The finding, treating the embryos similar to a child or gestating fetus under the wrongful death statute, raised questions about what legal liabilities clinics could face during IVF processes, including the freezing, testing and disposal of embryos.

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What does the ruling mean for women?

The ruling has left women in Alabama including those undergoing IVF treatment shell-shocked.

Gabby and Spencer Goidel of Auburn, Alabama, turned to IVF after three miscarriages.

According to CNN, they made the decision after being told they could have pregnancies with genetic abnormalities.

IVF, which lets pre-genetic testing, would circumvent any such abnormalities.

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The couple moved to Alabama from Texas last year and settled on the Alabama Fertility Specialists in Birmingham.

The ruling came down on the same day Gabby began a 10-day series of daily injections ahead of egg retrieval, with the hopes of getting pregnant through IVF next month.

When I saw this ruling, I got very angry and very hurt that it could potentially stop my cycle. People need to know this is affecting couples  real-life couples who are trying to start families, who are just trying to live the quote, unquote American dream, Goidel, 26, said.

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The Alabama Justices in their ruling used biblical language to rule that embryos are children. AP

Goidel on Thursday received a call from her provider telling her that they would not be able to do an embryo transfer if they sucessfully retrieved eggs.

I freaked out. I started crying. I felt in an extreme limbo state. They did not have all the answers. I did not obviously have any answers, Goidel said.

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Goidel, who experienced three miscarriages and turned to IVF as a way she and her husband could fulfill their dream of becoming parents, found a place in Texas that will continue her care and plans to travel there Thursday night.

Its not pro-family in any way, Goidel said of the Alabama ruling.

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It was absolutely my worst fear, Goidel told CNN. I dont think Ive ever been this stressed in my life, this worried.

What happens to my embryos after we retrieve them? Do I have to keep those frozen forever? Do I get to let the ones that are genetically abnormal pass naturally? Is my doctor going to be in any sort of danger by doing this procedure to me? There are so many questions in the air right now, Goidel added.

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All we want is to just have the American dream and have a family, Goidel said. I never thought that this would be something that would be seen as immoral.

Meghan Cole, also a patient at the same facility, suffers from a rare blood disorder that does not let her safely carry children.

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Cole told NBC the surrogate who was going to carry her child was all set to be implanted with an embryo.

But now thats on halt.

I thought it was going to be one of the best days of our lives tomorrow, and now were just devastated, Cole said.

Julie Eshelman, who is part of a military family, had her two-year-old through IVF.

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She and her husband have their embryos frozen in storage.

CNN reported that Eshelman and her husband now face a tough choice  shifting their embryos to Alabama or

decision: undertake the risk of moving the embryos to Alabama or a state that could adopt a similar policy, or bear the cost of travel to another state for treatments.

Eshelman told CNN. I dont even know that I would actually even think about moving them to a state like Alabama, given the current climate, just because I know that theyre safer where theyre at right now.

Rebecca Matthews, an Alabama resident who has had two children using IVF, still has several embryos.

She told ABC she is afraid about what happens next.

I never thought it would get to this point, Matthews said.

Matt Clary told ABC he and his wife are thinking about travelling out of state to finish their IVF treatment, but are unsure about the legal issues that could arise.

What Im really concerned about though is could we legally retrieve our embryos? Clary said. Thats the limbo that were living in right now.

How have doctors reacted?

Doctors and service providers have been left scrambling.

Doctors have been trying to determine what they can and cant do after the ruling by the all-Republican Alabama Supreme Court.

Dr. Beth Malizia, a physician at Alabama Fertility, told Time Magazine, Were getting all sorts of calls that are very valid from patients who are extremely stressed and concerned about what this means for them and their specific care.

Three clinics have announced a pause on services while another facility assured patients that IVF treatment could continue.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham system, Alabama Fertility Services and The Center for Reproductive Medicine, in conjunction with a related hospital system Infirmary Health, announced a pause on IVF treatments.

We understand the burden this places on deserving families who want to bring babies into this world and who have no alternative options for conceiving, Mark Nix, the CEO of Infirmary Health said.

Alabamas largest hospital paused in vitro fertilisation treatments Wednesday as providers and patients across the state scrambled to assess the impact of a court ruling that said frozen embryos are the legal equivalent of children.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham health system said in a statement that it must evaluate whether its patients or doctors could face criminal charges or punitive damages for undergoing IVF treatments.

We are saddened that this will impact our patients attempt to have a baby through IVF, the statement from spokeswoman Savannah Koplon read.

Disbelief, denial, all the stages of grief.  I was stunned, added Dr Michael C Allemand, a reproductive endocrinologist at Alabama Fertility, which provides IVF services.

Allemand said they are having daily discussions about how to proceed. He said IVF is often the best treatment for patients who desperately want a child, and the ruling threatens doctors ability to provide that care.

The moments that our patients are wanting to have by growing their families  Christmas mornings with grandparents, kindergarten, going in the first day of school, with little back-backs all that stuff is what this is about. Those are the real moments that this ruling could deprive patients of, he said.

If this is now a person, will we be able to freeze embryos? Barbara Collura, CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, said.

The fertility clinic and hospital in the Alabama case could ask the court to reconsider the decision or ask the US Supreme Court to review the matter if they believe there is a conflict with federal law.

At the Fertility Institute of North Alabama, Dr. Brett Davenport urged patients not to panic and said his clinic will continue providing IVF. But he also urged state policymakers to act and remove the uncertainty for providers.

The ruling in Alabama comes from a wrongful death lawsuit brought by three couples whose embryos were lost at a fertility clinic in 2020. Representational picture/Reuters

What we do could not be any more pro-life. Were trying to help couples who cant otherwise conceive a child, Davenport said.

He said he believes they are on safe legal ground to continuing transferring embryos to a woman. The uncertainties, in his view, surround what clinics can do with frozen embryos that arent immediately used.

He said patients might decide to create fewer embryos or skip genetic testing if they are uncomfortable having embryos deemed genetically abnormal being in a holding state, not knowing when we can thaw them or what we can do with them.

We are saddened that this will impact our patients attempt to have a baby through IVF, but we must evaluate the potential that our patients and our physicians could be prosecuted criminally or face punitive damages for following the standard of care for IVF treatments, Hannah Echols, a University of Alabama spokesperson told CNN.

What do experts say?

Experts have come down heavily on the decision.

Elisabeth Smith, director of state policy at the Center for Reproductive Rights, told the BBC, Not all [IVF> embryos are used, nor can they be.

To enact legislation granting legal personhood to embryos could have disastrous consequences for the use of IVF - a science many people rely on to build their families.

The court decision decided only if embryos are covered under Alabamas wrongful death statute, said Mary Ziegler, a legal historian at the University of California, Davis School of Law. The court did not say embryos had full constitutional rights, she said, or at least not yet.

I think people in Alabama are rightly expecting that this is the tip of the iceberg though, and this ruling will lead to more down the road, Ziegler said. She also said anti-abortion groups and politicians have been pushing to get some sort of ruling through the federal courts that a fetus is a constitutional rights holder.

Its not just about in-vitro and its not just about Alabama. Its part of this nationwide movement too, she said.

Rachel Rebouche, dean of Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia, sees the ruling as emblematic of the long march toward foetal personhood.

This may not be the case that launches it, but this is a very strategic decision on the part of anti-abortion forces because they know that personhood bills have failed, Rebouche said.

Dr. John Storment, a reproductive endocrinologist in Lafayette, Louisiana, said the Alabama decision could affect whether fertility doctors want to move to or stay in that state.

I dont think that any doctor knowing that theres a potential for criminal prosecution would even want to be in that position, he said. Theres 49 other states and many other countries they could practice in without the same threat.

Republicans left scrambling, Democrats attack

BBC quoted the the conservative Christian group Alliance Defending Freedom, as calling the decision a tremendous victory for life.

No matter the circumstances, all human life is valuable from the moment of conception, spokeswoman Denise Burke said. We are grateful the Court correctly found that Alabama law recognises this fundamental truth.

But others disagree.

Eric Johnston, an anti-abortion activist and lawyer who helped draft the constitutional language, said the purpose of that was more related to abortion.

He said it was intended to clarify that the Alabama Constitution does not protect the right to abortion and eventually laid the groundwork for Alabama to ban abortions when states regained control of abortion access. However, opponents of the constitutional amendment warned in 2018 that it was essentially a personhood measure that could give rights to fertilised eggs.

Modern science has raised up this question about well is a fertilised egg that is frozen  is that a person? And thats the ethical, medical, legal dilemma that weve got right now, Johnston said.

Its a very complicated issue, he added.

The White House has attacked the decision and blamed the overturning of Roe vs Wade for paving the way for politicians to dictate some of the most personal decisions families can make. Reuters

State legislators also began looking for a way to protect IVF services in the state.

Republican state Senator Tim Melson, who is a doctor, said hes not surprised by the unintended consequences of the 2018 constitutional language and intends to file legislation to protect IVF services in the state. Melson said the legislation seeks to clarify that a fertilied egg has legal protections under the statutes once it is implanted in the uterus but until then is a potential life.

Im just trying to come up with a solution for the IVF industry and protect the doctors and still make it available for people who have fertility issues that need to be addressed because they want to have a family, Melson said.

The BBC quoted the White House as saying this is exactly the type of chaos that we expected when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade and paved the way for politicians to dictate some of the most personal decisions families can make.

Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, a Democrat, said Republicans quest to make stringent anti-abortion laws and policies may have eliminated a path for people to become parents.
After South Korea, Japan will soon start offering digital nomad visas to foreign travellers. Last year, nine of the fastest-growing destinations for such professionals were from Asia. Why is the region becoming a favourite and how do countries benefit?

This photo taken in June 2021 shows digital nomad, Carlo Almendral, the chief executive of an artificial intelligence start-up, sitting on the beach in the town of San Juan, La Union province, north of Manila. File photo/AFP

The office is passe. Even working from home is so 2022-23. Wonder what is better than WFH. Working from a new country  one of your choice. 2024 is the year of digital nomads and Asia is a popular destination for professionals on the move. Japan is the latest nation to hop onto the bandwagon, introducing a new visa programme for those who work remotely and travel from one country to another.

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What is a digital nomad visa?

A digital nomad is a person who works remotely and stays in a country for a short period. A digital nomad or workation visa allows such people the legal right to work while staying away from their country of permanent residence.

This visa is a cross between a tourist and a temporary migrant visa  a working-on-holiday visa. Instead of the visa giving you the right to work in the country, its allowing you to stay so long as youre gainfully employed and bringing money into the local economy, according to an essay in The Conversation.

Close to 50 countries offer digital nomad visas to foreign workers. Pixabay

The period of stay varies but several nations offer a 12-month visa with the option to renew it.

Close to 50 countries offer this visa, which gained popularity during the pandemic, with many Asian countries opening their doors to remote workers. Japan is the latest entrant.

What do we know about Japans digital nomad visa?

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Japan plans to launch a digital nomad visa by the end of March 2024. This would allow a person to legally live and do remote work from anywhere in the country for six months.

Those with an annual income of 10 million (Rs 55.16 lakh) or more and avail of this visa. Citizens of 49 countries including the US, the UK, Australia, and Singapore, among others, can stay in Japan. However, India is not on this list of countries.

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The visa is open to self-employed individuals.

A man works at a shopping district in Tokyo. Japan will offer visas for digital nomads by the end of March 2024. Representational picture/Reuters

Applicants must have private health insurance and can bring their spouses and children to Japan. Its also non-renewable, with a mandatory six-month wait outside Japan before reapplying, according to a report in Business Today.

The authorities do not permit the visa holder to apply for a residence certificate in Japan. Though India is not on the list of the 49 countries like the US, Europe and others, but sooner or later India will make it to the list, Alay Razvi, partner at Accord Juris LLP, a Hyderabad-baed law firm, was quoted as saying by Business Standard.

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Which other Asian countries offer such visas?

Last month, South Korea introduced the workation visa . Foreign nationals who earn double the countrys per capita gross national income of $33,000 (Rs 27 lakh) can apply for it. They must also have a medical insurance cover of Rs 63 lakh and must be able to meet medical treatment and repatriation fees.

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Families of such individuals are also granted visas.

South Koreas justice ministry says the digital nomad visa will make remote work and vacations smoother for visitors, according to a report in the Korea Herald.

Thailand is also a popular destination for digital nomads. Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand, is often referred to as the digital nomad capital of the world.

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The country introduced a 10-year long-term visa residence for foreigners with a multiple re-entry permit and permission to work in September 2022. The requirements for Thailand include showing proof of income of at least $80,000 (Rs 66.28 lakh) annually for the two years before the visa application date and a minimum of $1 million in assets, according to a BBC report.

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Tourists pose for photographs at the Han river park in Seoul, South Korea. The country started offering digital visas last month. Reuters

Last year, the Philippines introduced its digital nomad visa which allows travellers to spend 12 months in the country. It is now considering extending it to 24 months. People who have an income of $24,000 (Rs 20 lakh) a year and proof of health insurance can avail of the service.

Malaysia has similar rules for foreigners with an annual income of $24,000, who can stay for 12 months. Applicants must work remotely and in the digital domain like IT, content creation and digital marketing.

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Taiwan does not have a digital nomad visa but a Gold Card, which allows entry for three years, along with working and residency rights.

Also read: Why Japan is staring at a now or never situation on its shrinking population

Why Asia is so popular among digital nomads

Asian countries are a big draw for digital nomads. A report last year pointed out that out of 10 the fastest-growing destinations for such travellers, nine are from the continent.

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Even before Japan offered the visas, Tokyo ranked as the fastest-growing remote working hub in 2023, according to data shared with CNBC by Nomad List, a website for remote workers, which analysed more than 300,000 check-ins on its database.

The reason for its popularity is attributed to the lower cost of living compared to a Western city like New York  the Japanese capital is 47.9 per cent less expensive than the American city without rent. Besides a lower cost of living, Tokyo also offers digital nomads the opportunity to work in one of the largest urban economies in the world, Bloomberg reports.

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A tourist walks past a souvenir shop in the Akihabara district in Tokyo, Japan. The country ranked as the fastest-growing remote working hub in 2023. File photo/Reuters

The other cities on the Nomad List included Da Nang (Vietnam), Seoul (South Korea), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Penang (Malaysia), Manila (Philippines), Hanoi (Vietnam), and Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam).

Brittany Loeffler, the head of operations at Nomad Embassy, a website that helps nomads obtain the proper visas, told BBC that Southeast Asia has become an especially popular destination for digital nomads due to the affordable cost of living, reliable wi-fi and great weather.

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Also read: South Korean men are having a tough time finding wives. Heres why things are about to get worse

How do nations benefit from digital nomads?

Welcoming foreign work with spending power brings great benefits to the host countries.

Even countries with relatively strict immigration policies are seeing the advantages of attracting individuals who work remotely and have disposable income, to stimulate their economies, Vipul Jai, partner, PSL Advocates & Solicitors told Business Standard.

Loeffler has similar views. There is huge potential for digital nomads to help local economies  think tourism spending, but for weeks or months at a time, she told BBC.

Foreigners who come to work in South Korea spend an average of $2,050 (Rs 1.7 lakh) every month to live in Seoul, as per Digital Nomad, a website that tracks trends of remote workers. This includes housing, food, transit and co-working spaces.

A tourist reads a newspaper in front of a guesthouse in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. The city is dubbed as the digital nomad capital. File photo/Reuters

But that is not all.

South Korea is also looking at the bigger picture. Experts say that these visas are a possible avenue for increasing the workforce in a country with a dismal birth rate , according to CNN.

Professor Jungho Suh, project director of the Korean Management Institute at George Washington University, is quoted by the publication as saying that the workation visa is a soft launch for a bigger plan to bring more foreigners into Korea  and not only for career reasons. Maybe by enforcing this new visa policy, the government is trying to lead the agenda or to lead the discussion to normalise social mix between ethnicities or between Koreans and non-Koreans, says Suh.

The Japanese initiative is part of the broader strategy to attract more remote workers and boost its tourism economy. The government hopes digital nomads will drive innovation and energise the countrys rapidly ageing workforce , according to a report in The Strait Times.

It is a two-way street.

Digital nomads are growing in numbers. And with more and more nations offering them visas, the world is their playground. Or should we say office?

With inputs from agencies
Global Firepower in its 2024 index put Indias military in fourth place and Chinas at third on its top ten list. Pakistan, meanwhile, was at number 9. Indian Army chief Manoj Pande has said the army is ready and capable of dealing with any situation along the border

The Global Firepower Ranks Index 2024 put India in fourth place on its top ten list with a value of 0.1023 China, meanwhile, placed one spot ahead of India at rank three with a value of 0.0706.

India and China this week held yet another round of high-level military talks over the border row in Eastern Ladakh.

While there was no breakthrough in the 21st round of talks at the Chushul-Moldo border point, both sides did agree to maintain peace and tranquillity.

Meanwhile, defence secretary Giridhar Aramane on Wednesday said India is standing up to a bully in a very determined fashion.

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India is giving a face off to our neighbour in almost all the fronts we have with them, wherever there is a mountain pass, we are stationed there and wherever there is a road we have to be there. So that way we are there standing against a bully in a very determined fashion, he said.

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande last month called the situation along the LAC in eastern Ladakh is stable but sensitive.

He said Indian troops are maintaining a very high state of operational preparedness to effectively deal with any eventualities.

But how strong is the Indian military? How does it measure up against China and its traditional rival Pakistan?

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Lets take a closer look:

The Global Firepower Index

The Global Firepower, which rates the worlds nations on military strength, in January released its 2024 index.

The company uses over 60 factors including military equipment, financial stability, geographic location and resources to determine a countrys Power Index score.

It assigns a a value to a countrys military firepower.

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The firm says that while its perfect score of 0.000 is unnatainable, the smaller the value assigned to a country the more powerful is its ability to fight a conventional war.

Our formula allows for smaller, more technologically-advanced, nations to compete with larger, lesser-developed powers and special modifiers, in the form of bonuses and penalties, are applied to further refine the list which is compiled annually, the firm states on its website.

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So how did the India, China and Pakistan fare?

The Global Firepower Ranks Index 2024 put India in fourth place on its top ten list with a value of 0.1023

China, meanwhile, placed one spot ahead of India at rank three with a value of 0.0706.

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Pakistan was at number nine at a value of 0.1711.

The top two countries on the list are the United States and Russia with values of 0.0699 and 0.0702 respectively.

Bhutan was dead last with an assigned value of 6.3704.

Manpower

Now, lets examine the armed forces of all three nations  beginning with the manpower

China can call upon 2,035,000 active personnel, while India has 144,55,550 active duty personnel.

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Pakistan, meanwhile, has just 600,000 personnel.

China has just 510,000 reserves, while India has 1,155,000 reserves.

Pakistan, interestingly has 550,000 reserves  more than China.

It is important to note that China and India are the top two most populated nations in the world with 1.4 and 1.2 billion people respectively.

Pakistan, by comparison, has around 250 million.

India has 144,55,550 active duty personnel, while China can call upon China can call upon 2035,000 active personnel . PTI

So naturally, China and India have a larger population to draw from.

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When it comes to the paramilitary, India is ahead with 2,527,000 troops.

China has just 625,000 paramilitary personnel, while Pakistan has 500,000 paramilitary troops.

India has, of course fought wars, with both China and Pakistan.

The India-China border conflict erupted on 5 May, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area.

The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.

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But army chief Pande has signalled that India is prepared for anything.

The army is ready and capable of dealing with any situation along the northern borders (with China). We have taken several concrete measures to develop our capabilities in those areas, Pande said.

Budget

When it comes to the money spent on defence, China is ahead with a budget of $224 billion.

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India, meanwhile, has a budget of $73.8 billion.

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Of course, even Chinas declared budget must be taken with a pinch of salt.

The Times of India quoted Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) as reckoning Chinas military budget was four times more than the figures they gave out in 2002.

The US Department of Defence thinks its real military budget might be around 1.1 to 2 times more than what it gives out in its official reports.

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Pakistan, by comparison, has a paltry defence budget of $6.34 billion.

Air Force

When it comes to the air forces of all three nations, it is again China that comes out on top.

Beijing has 3,304 aircraft, while India and Pakistan have 2,296 aircraft and 1,434 aircraft respectively.

It is to be noted that while India is attempting to beef up its air force and phase out aging crafts, deliveries of fighter jets and other equipment takes time.

Tanks

China has 5,000 tanks, while India is not far behind with 4,614 tanks.

Pakistan has only 3,742 tanks.

China has 174,300 armoured vehicles, while India has 1,51,248 armoured vehicles.

Pakistan lags far behind here with just 50,523 armoured vehicles.

China leads the pack when it comes to self-propelled artillery with 3,850 systems.

Pakistan, surprisingly, has 752 such systems while India has just 140 systems.

This is even more surprising given Indias history when Bofors guns played a vital role in winning India the Kargil war.

Naval power

When it comes to the naval power, it is China that emerges on top yet again.

While China has 730 vessels in its fleet, India has 294 vessels.

Pakistan has just 114 vessels.

China and India both have two aircraft carriers each  the INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant for India  while Pakistan has zero aircraft carriers.

The INS Vikramaditya is one of Indias two naval carriers. PTI

Interestingly, China until recently was considered a Green-water Navy  that is one that had operational capabilities limited to its own region.

However, China has since built the worlds largest fleet and has other countries including Australia the United States  which is a Blue-water Navy  worried about Beijings expansionist ambitions.

CNN quoted FDD senior fellow Craig Singleton as saying, Its a question of when  not if  China will secure its next overseas military outpost, he said.

This comes in the backdrop of Chinas continued threats to force a reunification with Taiwan  which Xi Jinping has described as inevitable.

But defence minister Rajnath Singh in February sounded a warning.

Rajnath said that India is maintaining a sustained presence in the strategic waters to ensure safety and security of all cargo vessels and it will not shrink from countering any threat that undermines collective well-being of the region.

It is our steadfast resolve to be the first responder and the preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region, and for the peace, stability and prosperity of the wider Indo-Pacific, he added.

Singh said India will continue to play the role of a Vishwa Mitra (friend of the world) in forging meaningful partnerships with an aim to make the world a truly connected and equitable habitat.

With inputs from agencies

Tune into Firstpost Defence summit on 24 February at 3 pm. You can register at www.firstpostdefencesummit.com
An 18-year-old Indian-origin student at Illinois University in the US, died last month on West Nevada Street near a club that refused him re-entry. About 10 hours after he was reported missing, his body was found near the university building. The police say he died of acute alcohol intoxication and prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures

A teenage Indian-origin student at Illinois University in the United States, was frozen to death last month on West Nevada Street near a club that refused him entry.

The Champaign County Coroners Office in Illinois revealed this week that Akul Dhawan, 18, died of hypothermia following acute alcohol intoxication and prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, which significantly contributed to his death.

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The revelation in a Tuesday release comes a month after the incident.

The student was found dead on 20 January after his body was found on the back porch of a building near the university campus.

Denied re-entry in club

Akul Dhawan was on a night out for drinks with friends on Saturday, 20 January, as per NDTV.

According to the preliminary investigation, police said that Dhawan met his friends at the Busey-Evans Residence Hall at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign around 9 pm on 19 January and consumed alcohol there.

He and his friends went to an event at the Canopy Club, which is located at S Goodwin Ave. in Urbana, at around 10 pm. He went to Green Street around 10:45 pm. with them, and according to authorities, security footage that was later retrieved showed him drinking more alcohol before the group headed back to Canopy Club.

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Dhawan stayed outside Canopy Club between 11:25 and 11:29 pm, while the others went back in.

The club staff refused to let him in. He tried to enter the club multiple times, according to surveillance footage, but staff members kept denying him entry, according to the investigators.

Two separate rideshare vehicles arrived at midnight to pick up Dhawan outside Canopy Club, but he turned down both rides despite requests from venue employees and a passerby, the police said, the report said.

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Went missing for hours

Around midnight, Dhawan left the bar, and his friends calls and texts went unanswered. At 1.23 am, he was reported missing.

As per The Kansas City Star, the police said that while driving at a walking pace close to the likely path Dhawan would have taken back to the university, an officer searched for him but was unable to locate him.

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On 29 January, at around 11:08 am, a university staff member who was leaving Bevier Hall noticed Dhawan laying on the concrete steps behind 1203 W Nevada Street in Urbana and dialled the emergency number 911.

Police said that he was dead at the time he was found.

Late January brought frigid temperatures and severe cold, with wind chills of -20 to -30 degrees throughout Illinois and most of the Midwest.

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According to weather.com, the temperature that evening dropped to 27 degrees Fahrenheit (-2.7 degrees Celsius).

The coroners office announced last month that there was no evidence of serious trauma in the preliminary report. There was no foul play involved and the death is initially believed to be accidental.

University police accused of negligence

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Akuls parents, Ish and Ritu Dhawan, residents of the San Francisco Bay area in California, have filed a complaint against the universitys police department for negligence in the way the search was conducted.

The family wrote in an open letter published in The News-Gazette, We have been asking why Akul was found 10 hours later, rather than immediately after he was reported missing, when could still be saved. The locations where he was reported missing and where he was found are less than 200 feet apart. 200 feet!

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Dhawans family expressed frustration that the police never searched for our son, as per The Kansas City Star.

Officials assert they responded promptly to the situation based on available information. After Akul reported missing, school police searched the area where the student was last seen, the students residence hall and the likely path between the two locations, including the main Quad and streets. Police also looked into nearby hospitals and made phone calls to the student.

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About Akul Dhawan

Akul Dhawan was a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign freshman. He was enrolled in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to study robotics, as per NBC.

Despite the objections of his parents, who wanted him to attend college closer to home, he had enrolled at Illinois University.

Dhawan, who turned 18 in September last year, graduated from Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, with a high school diploma, reported NDTV.

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He attended the College of San Mateo to pursue computer science.

His untimely death occurred during his first week back at college after winter break. His family mourned the loss of a promising young man with his entire future ahead of him.

We were so proud of our son for completing his semester and thriving at the university. He was a very smart kid who had his whole life before him, the letter said, adding, We will never be the same.

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The parents of Dhawan, who had written to The News-Gazette expressing their grief over the news, were there at the vigil on 11 February to pay tribute to their son, as per Hindustan Times.

We have a big massive hole left in our family; we will never be the same, they stated in the letter.

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Seven deaths in a month

Seven young students of Indian and Indian American descent have passed away unexpectedly in 2023 due to a variety of causes, including violent crimes, alleged overdoses, and suicides.

Last week, an Indian-origin family from Kerala was found dead at their home in California with the police investigating the case as a murder-suicide. Anand Henry, a 37-year-old former Meta software engineer, is suspected of killing his wife Alice Benziger, 36, and their four-year-old twin sons before turning a gun on himself.

Student Sameer Kamath from Purdue University was found dead in Warren County on 5 February. Neel Acharya who had been missing in the US was confirmed dead by the same university authorities last month.

The most horrific death was that of Vivek Saini . A resident of Haryana, he died after he was hammered 50 times in Georgias Lithonia on 16 January.

The murder of Vivek Saini was caught on camera installed in the store. Image courtesy: X

White House official John Kirby denounced attacks on Indian students last week and said that there is no excuse for violence based on race, gender, or any other factor.

The president and this administration have been working very, very hard to make sure were doing everything we can to work with state and local authorities to try to thwart and disrupt those kinds of attacks and make it clear to anybody who might consider them that theyll be held properly accountable, Kirby said amid a slew of attacks on Indian and Indian American students in various parts of the US.

With inputs from agencies
Tyler Loudon, 42, allegedly purchased a total of 46,450 shares in TravelCenters of America Inc. after overhearing his wifes several remote work calls. When BP officially announced the acquisition, he made a profit of $1.76 million (Rs 14.95 crore). The woman was fired and has filed for divorce

Tyler Loudon, 42, allegedly purchased a total of 46,450 shares in TravelCenters of America Inc. over a one-and-a-half-month period. Pexels/Representative Image

The worst crime is indeed a breach of trust.

In the latest development, a Texas man made almost $2 million by illegally trading after overhearing his wifes conversations with her colleagues at an oil company about a takeover of a truck shop operator.

The case has drawn the scrutiny of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), leading him to give back the money he made on the transactions and pay a fine.

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Heres all we know about the case.

Making money

According to BNN Breaking, Tyler Loudon, 42, allegedly purchased a total of 46,450 shares in TravelCenters of America Inc. over a one-and-a-half-month period.

He got the idea to purchase TravelCenters, according to lawsuits filed by the SEC and US prosecutors in Texas, after overhearing his wifes several remote work calls with her BP PLC colleagues.

Loudon was eavesdropping internationally as well, according to the SEC. The SEC claimed that Loudon sat close to his wife while she worked on the TravelCenters deal from a tiny rented flat while they were travelling around Rome.

When BP announced in February 2023 that it was purchasing the truck shop operation at a 74 per cent premium, Loudon realised a profit of $1.76 million (Rs 14.95 crore) on the liquidation of his brokerage and retirement accounts.

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According to the regulator, his wife, who was working on the deal at the time as a BP mergers and acquisitions manager, was not aware of his trading.

Eventually, Loudon confessed about the transaction to his wife, who moved out of the house and later began divorce proceedings.

The SEC claims that once she informed BP about his trades, the company fired her even though there was no proof she intentionally leaked the deal.

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Meanwhile, the British oil firm gained access to a network of US petrol stations through the agreement to purchase TravelCenters of America Inc. for approximately $1.3 billion. TravelCenters operated a network of 281 stores in 44 states at the time of the purchase.

Pleading guilty

Loudon pleaded guilty on Thursday to securities fraud in Houston federal court and agreed to forfeit the money he earned from the trades, according to the office of US attorney Alamdar Hamdani in Houston.

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The 42-year-old faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his scheduled May 17 sentencing before US District Judge Sim Lake, reported Reuters.

He also agreed to settle a related US Securities and Exchange Commission civil case, including by paying a civil fine.

A lawyer for Loudon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. BP did not immediately respond to separate requests.

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Similar cases

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the work-from-home period started, several cases of insider-trading involving information seen or overheard while working from home with a significant other have come to light.

A 68-year-old consultant was found guilty of participating in an insider-trading scheme that centered around healthcare device company named Medtronic, according to Health Exec.

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Doron Ron Tavlin learnt about the non-public information about Medtronics $1.6 billion acquisition of Mazer Robotics, where he served as VP of business development prior to the acquisition, in 2018.

Tavlin shared the information with his friend who bought a total of more than $1 million in Mazor stock in August and September 2018 in anticipation of a share price jump post-acquisition.

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The friend was also accused of passing the information with a third friend, the alleged co-conspirator who also purchases Mazor shares ahead of the acquisition.

According to the report which cited prosecutors, Afshin Alex Farahan and David Gantman netted a combined profit of more tha $500,000 from their stock purchases.

Last year, capital markets regulator Sebi levied penalties totalling Rs 20 lakh on two entities for flouting insider-trading norms in the shares of Rupa and Company Ltd (RCL).

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The regulator imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh each on Sushik Patwari (Independent Director of RCL) and Nagreeka Capital and Infrastructure Ltd (NCIL), as per PTI.

The order came after Sebi conducted an investigation in the scrip of RCL, to ascertain as to whether certain entities have traded in the company during February-June 2021, while in the possession of unpublished price sensitive information (UPSI).

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With inputs from agencies
Local solar power company Solar Liberty Energy Systems is asking the Erie County Industrial Development Agency for tax incentives to support a pair of new solar arrays that it plans to erect in the Southtowns.

The Amherst-based company wants to construct two solar projects on vacant farmland that it would lease in the Town of Evans, at 7612 and 7690 Southwestern Blvd.

Upon completion, the SL Evans LLC project would generate 8.25 megawatts of energy for the community, and Solar Liberty plans to sell it to Catalyze Holdings of Boulder, Colo., a renewable energy company that also operates in Western New York.

Sign up for the Buffalo Next free newsletter The News' Buffalo Next team covers the changing Buffalo Niagara economy. Get the news in your inbox 5 days a week.

According to Solar Libertys application and county records, the 113-acre property is currently owned by David Eckert and Maria Indrijani of Buffalo, and consists of agricultural, vegetated, wooded and marsh or swampland, with Pike Creek running through the northern portion and a gas well and pipeline that has existed in the central-southern portion since 1947. It is north of Sturgeon Point Road and east of Derby.

There is no contamination on the site, which is already zoned as a solar overlay district. An environmental review was completed in September.

Solar Liberty will lease 34 acres of the site. Costs for the $20.8 million project include $11.4 million for manufacturing equipment, $6.67 million for fixtures and equipment, $1.9 million for infrastructure and $872,250 in fees and other costs. The project will be financed with $2.1 million in company funds and $18.7 million in bank loans.

Under state law, renewable energy projects are exempt from property taxes for 15 years, while purchases of the solar panels, racks and related equipment are exempt from sales tax. But communities typically negotiate a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes with the companies, along with a host community agreement for additional benefits. In this case, the town asked the ECIDA to handle the PILOT.

Solar Liberty, Evans and the ECIDA have tentatively agreed to a 20-year PILOT, in which the company will pay $5,500 per megawatt in the first year, or $45,375, with a 2% annual increase over the term of the agreement. The company is also asking for a sales tax break of up to $525,000 on purchases of non-exempt equipment or materials, such as fencing. Its host community agreement will boost town revenues over 20 years, as well, but officials did not elaborate.

If approved, construction would begin in April, with completion by yearend after seven months of work.
With Ukrainian forces on the back foot, short of ammunition and forced to retreat in some areas, Kyivs ability to repel Russias invasion depends heavily on Western military, financial and political backing

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, the conflict will be determined not just on the battlefield but also in Western capitals and other places far from the front lines. File image/Reuters

On 24 February 2022, when the Russian president Vladimir Putin announced invasion of Ukraine no one expected the war to last three years.

But on Saturday, the conflict will enter its third year.

Despite widespread support for Ukraine in Europe, The Guardian reports, only 10 per cent believe it can defeat Russia.

Russia has made progress in recent days, claiming full control of the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka , its largest gain since capturing Bakhmut in May, following a Ukrainian troop retreat.

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Ukraine is in a delicate situation because it lacks manpower and ammunition. Western aid is also drying up. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been left appealing for additional weapons.

With Ukrainian forces on the back foot, short of ammunition and forced to retreat in some areas, Kyivs ability to repel Russias invasion depends heavily on Western military, financial and political backing.

Here are some of the factors that may influence Western support for Ukraine in the year ahead:

US aid package in Congress

A bill stuck in the US Congress that includes some $60 billion (Rs 4.97 lakh crore) in aid for Ukraine  much of it military  is vital for Kyivs forces, Western and Ukrainian officials say.

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Every week we wait means that there will be more people killed on the frontline in Ukraine, NATO boss Jens Stoltenberg told a major security conference in Munich last weekend.

The US Senate passed the bill, which also includes aid for Israel and Taiwan, on 13 February. But it faces strong resistance from Republicans close to ex-President Donald Trump in the House of Representatives. House Speaker Mike Johnson has resisted pressure from the White House to call a vote on the bill.

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The US has supplied only older, medium-range ATACMS to Ukraine but the Biden administration is now working towards delivering newer longer-range weaponry. File image/Reuters

European officials said they were somewhat more positive about the legislations prospects after discussions with US lawmakers at the Munich conference but expected it would still take some time before the measure passes, if it does at all.

Ammunition supply

Much of the war has descended into grinding artillery battles, with both sides firing thousands of shells every day.

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Ukraine could fire more shells than Russia for much of 2023 but the tables have turned as Moscow has ramped up production and imported rounds from North Korea and Iran, analysts say.

Michael Kofman, a researcher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington-based think-tank, estimates Russian artillery is firing at five times the rate of Ukraines.

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A vital factor for Kyiv this year will be whether Western partners can catch up to Russian artillery production and supply Ukraine with the shells and barrels they need, said Professor Justin Bronk, a researcher at British defence think tank RUSI.

Weapons decisions

Ukrainian leaders have also been pushing their Western counterparts to deliver new weapons systems, above all longer-range missiles to strike further behind Russian lines such as US ATACMS and Germanys Taurus.

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We cant increase the production of ammunition overnight. But we can take decisions immediately to deliver to the Ukrainians weapons they really need, said former NATO boss Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a close ally of the Ukrainian government.

The US has supplied only older, medium-range ATACMS but the Biden administration is now working towards delivering newer longer-range weaponry. However, any such move may depend on approval of the aid bill currently held up by the House.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has resisted entreaties from Kyiv and some NATO allies to supply the highly advanced Taurus system. German officials have cited concerns that the missiles could escalate the war inside Russian territory and could be seen as more direct German involvement in the conflict.

War in the West Asia

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The war in Gaza, triggered by the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, means Western leaders have had less time and political energy to devote to Ukraine. If it deteriorates further or escalates into a regional war, that will be even more the case.

Also, leaders in the Global South have accused the West of double standards over its attitudes to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, making it more difficult for Kyiv and its allies to rally support for a summit in support of Ukraines peace blueprint.

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Despite widespread support for Ukraine in Europe only 10 per cent believe it can defeat Russia. File image/Reuters

Russia is definitely benefiting from those developments, said Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraines ambassador to the European Union.

We work with the Global South, we try to engage them as much as possible in our efforts  We keep working on that, its a difficult issue.

NATO summit

The summit may not directly affect the battlefield but could affect the political mood and morale in Ukraine.

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Ukraine and some of its supporters continue to push NATO to invite Kyiv to join the military alliance  whose members pledge to treat an attack on one of them as an attack on all  or at least bring the country closer to membership.

But the United States, NATOs predominant power, and Germany are among those resisting such a step, arguing it could draw the alliance closer to a direct conflict with Russia, diplomats say.

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Rasmussen, the former NATO boss, is working with the Ukrainian government and a group of international figures on a proposal that would set out a clear path to membership, with the aim of influencing the outcome of the Washington summit.

US presidential election

Trump was a fierce critic of NATO as president, repeatedly threatening to pull out of the alliance. He cut defence funding to NATO and frequently said that the United States was paying more than its fair share.

On Russias war in Ukraine, Trump has called for de-escalation and complained about the billions spent so far, although he has put forward few tangible policy proposals.

President Joe Biden, 81, made the controversial decision to run for a second term in large part because he was convinced he would face Trump, 77, and because he thinks he is the Democrat who can beat him in the November election.

But public opinion polls show the him tied with Trump and Americans continue to worry about high prices and question his age, his economic plans and his policies on the border and in the West Asia.

Trump has held a commanding lead against his rivals for the Republican nomination despite his mounting legal troubles. However, a Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this month showed that one in four self-identified Republicans and about half of independents responding said they would not vote for Trump if he was convicted of a felony crime by a jury.

With inputs from Reuters
It has been two years since Russia began its war against Ukraine. Countless lives have been lost while millions of others have had to flee their houses. No one has been spared and the impact of this fighting will be felt for generations to come

The day, 24 February, is one that cant be forgotten. It was on this very day that Russian president Vladimir Putin launched what he called a special military operation to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine. Speaking at the time, the Russian leader had said: Its (military operation) goal is to protect people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the regime in Kyiv for eight years. And for this we will pursue the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine.

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Now, its been two years since that operation began. Countless of lives have been lost, millions have been forced to flee homes and become refugees and the scale of destruction is impossible to put into words. Even peoples perception about the world has changed since then.

Theres also dimming hope that Kyiv will be able to fend off the Moscow onslaught, as support from the West dries up. I can say that the chances of Ukraine defeating Russia are basically close to zero, Ivan Katchanovski, a Ukrainian political scientist, told the South China Morning Post.

As the war enters its third year, we take a look at how this seemingly unending war has taken a toll on Ukrainians, changing their lives forever.

Death, destruction, despair

Everywhere you look there are signs that the two-year-old war has irrevocably changed the face of Ukraine. There are crowded burial plots everywhere, bearing bitter testament to a grinding war against Russia thats now entering its third year, with no end in sight. Mounds of freshly dug earth are often marked by simple wooden crosses, photos of the dead, brightly coloured flowers and yellow-and-blue Ukrainian flags.

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However, ask what has been the toll in Ukraine and no one can give you a definitive answer. The United Nations assess the Ukrainian casualty count to be over 10,000 civilians, including more than 560 children, and over 18,500 being injured since Russia launched its full-scale armed attack against Ukraine (this number is from November 2023). However, the real numbers are likely to be much higher. Also, as the war rages on, these numbers will continue to increase.

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A photograph of a Ukrainian serviceman is placed on his grave in the Alley of Glory section of the cemetery in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP

And its not just casualties. The war has also caused a significant rise in displacement. As of January, 6.3 million Ukrainians have become refugees abroad, with another 3.7 million displaced internally.

Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, speaking on the same said: It continues to cause serious and widespread human rights violations, destroying lives and livelihoods. The long-term impact of this war in Ukraine will be felt for generations, he said.

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The impact of this war, however, goes beyond casualties, injuries and people fleeing their homes. It has impacted almost every aspect of Ukrainian life. Businesses have shut down, buildings have been reduced to rubble and schools bear an almost ghost-like appearance.

Those who continue to live in Ukraine also have to contend with the horrors of the war. Viktoria Scherbak, living in Balakliya, tells Le Monde: I have flashbacks, my heart problems have worsened, and Ive developed a stomach ulcer. The images of planes razing the city at the start of the invasion often come back to her. The bombing burst the windows of her apartment and made clouds of smoke like mushrooms. This fear is still with us today, we feel a permanent anxiety.

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As Ilya Yesiley, a psychologist and volunteer with the humanitarian foundation of Olena Zelenska (the wife of the Ukrainian president) dedicated in particular to mental health problems, said in the same report that the trauma caused by the war is unprecedented. And its not just restricted to soldiers fighting on the front lines. Civilians, suffering from bombardments, occupation, the loss of loved ones, the destruction of their homes and their forced departure, are also victims. All generations are affected, regardless of where they live, near the front or in the rear. I havent met a single person  man, woman or child  who hasnt been traumatised, said Yesiley.

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The mother of a Ukrainian army officer cries during her sons funeral in Krasnyk village, Ukraine. File image/AP

And like in any war, children are the biggest victims. They have been robbed of their childhood, education and their future. The UN childrens fund UNICEF said last August that only about a third of school-aged children across Ukraine attended classes fully in person. More than 1,300 schools had been destroyed altogether in government-held areas of the country.

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Prisoners of war

As well as the dead, there are the missing.

Ukrainian officials say about 8,000 people  civilians and soldiers  are in Russian captivity as a result of hostilities.

Some 3,000 people, mostly military, have been freed in dozens of prisoner of war exchanges, but thousands of families have been left to ponder the fate of captured relatives.

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Among them are Lozuvatka residents Tetiana Terletska and Yurii Terletskyi, who said their 29-year-old son Denys joined the National Guard in 2021 and was captured while fighting in the southeastern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol in May 2022.

Ukrainian forces there struggled for months to repel Russias invasion in some of the bloodiest fighting of the war, before Kyiv ordered them to surrender when further defence looked doomed.

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A child and mother stand during a protest demanding the return of their loved one from Russian captivity, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in central Kyiv. Reuters

We want to show that nobody has forgotten them, Terletska said to Reuters at a demonstration by dozens of people in Kryvyi Rih demanding that the government do all it can to free captives. We will always keep fighting for them as they fought for us.

The parents described how they were racked by constant pain and anxiety about their sons fate, which they tried to temper with hope that they would one day get him back alive.

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This is very difficult, Terletska said in her kitchen in Lozuvatka. It is 2024 and we still dont have any news. I dont know anything about my son.

Terletskyi added: Sometimes, I dream of him. I want to see him again, I want him to come home.

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Struggling economy and toll on culture

The two-year war has also nearly destroyed Ukraines economy. As Kyiv struggles against Moscow, it attempts to draft people from all walks of life into the military. Farmers, business owners, and other skilled labourers have joined the fighting forces.

This presents a deep dilemma for Kyiv as it seeks to mobilise another 4,50-5,00,000 Ukrainians: If it tries to recruit too many people, it could end up damaging an economy already ravaged by the war.

A boy kisses the statue of Jesus while helping clean up inside the Odesa Transfiguration Cathedral after the church was heavily damaged in Russian missile attacks in Odesa, Ukraine. File image/AP

The war has also had a devastating toll on Ukraines culture. Forbes reports that a total of 4,779 cultural and tourist assets in Ukraine have been reported as damaged, including buildings of heritage value, and works of art, among others. UNESCO estimated that the war has resulted in nearly $3.5 billion in damage, up from $2.6 billion the year before. The recovery will cost nearly $9 billion over the next decade.

It is uncertain which way the war will go. But a total defeat of Ukraine looks like an impossible dream. However, a total victory for Russia also seems unlikely. But the fighting continues with no peace and resolution in sight.

With inputs from Reuters
Two US Congressmen have introduced bipartisan legislation that would provide a quick route to citizenship for immigrants who serve in the military. This comes as the Army, Air Force and Navy failed to meet their recruitment goals last year and amid a surge in immigrants seeking work

Two US Congressmen have introduced a legislation to address the issue of the influx of immigrants seeking work. Reuters (Representational Image)

Two members of the United States Congress have introduced legislation that would expedite the path to citizenship for immigrants who serve in the military. In a rare display of bipartisanship, Democratic Representative Pat Ryan and his Republican counterpart John James brought the Courage to Serve Act earlier this month to tackle the dual challenges of a surge in immigration and shortfalls in military recruitment in the country.

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The US military has already been taking measures to meet its recruitment goals, including enlisting legal immigrants.

What does the legislation say? Why is the US seeing shortfalls in military recruitment? What is it doing to overcome the issue? Lets take a closer look.

What is the Courage to Serve Act?

The Courage to Serve Act proposes to create a pilot programme providing an accelerated path to citizenship for qualified and vetted migrants who serve in the US military.

Those who clear the background checks by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the FBI, are eligible to join the armed forces and are admissible to America would be qualified under the Act.

The legislation addresses two challenges facing the United States: an influx of migrants looking to work, build a better life for their families, and contribute to our country, as well as a recruitment crisis within the ranks of our Armed Forces, a press release said.

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Congressman Ryan said in a statement that he and his West Point classmate James know firsthand that there is no higher honour than serving your country in uniform. The duo is military veterans.

The New York Democrat said, If folks have the courage to raise their right hand, swear an oath to protect and defend this nation, and put their lives on the line, then they sure as hell deserve the opportunity to become an American citizen.

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Two US Congressmen have proposed a legislation that would provide a quick route to citizenship for immigrants who serve in the military. Reuters (Representational Image)

Republican James pointed out how the Army failed to meet its recruiting goal by 25 per cent in 2022, saying that the US saw serious threats to national security due to recruiting challenges in the military over the past few years.

The Courage to Serve Act is about recognising the contributions of immigrants who are willing to serve in our military and providing them with the opportunity to become American citizens. This legislation is a win-win, strengthening our military and honouring the service of immigrants who are willing to defend our nation, Representative James was quoted as saying by BNN Breaking.

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US military enlistment crisis

The US Army has been falling short of meeting its annual recruitment goals for nearly a decade, as per NPR. The US Air Force and Navy also failed to fulfill their recruiting targets last year.

By September 2023, the US Army brought more than 50,000 recruits, short of the announced stretch goal of 65,000.

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Last December, the US Department of Defense reported that the Army, Navy and Air Force collectively missed their 2023 recruiting targets by about 41,000 recruits. Only the Marine Corps and Space Force met their recruitment goals in 2023.

Why is this happening?

Several factors seem to be deterring youth in the US from joining the armed forces.

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In 2022, Joint Advertising Marketing Research & Studies (JAMRS), a programme run by the Department of Defense, surveyed people in the 16-24 ages about their likelihood to join the military. About 58 per cent said they had no plans to consider military as a career path, while 32 per cent said probably not.

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The possibilities of sustaining physical injury and death as well as developing PTSD or other emotional or psychological issues if they serve were the top reasons for the youth to not enlist.

Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) take part in the annual Flags In mission of placing small American flags in front of more than 260,000 graves in less than four hours for Memorial Day, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, US, 25 May 2023. Reuters File Photo

For young people, especially Generation Z, reports of sexual harassment and racial bias within the US military and rising distrust in institutions were some other concerns, reported NPR.

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Recruitment has also become a challenge for the US armed forces as the percentage of young Americans eligible to serve has reduced over time, US Army secretary Christine Wormuth said last year. Just a little over 20 per cent of the youth meet the physical, mental and character requirements to enlist, Associated Press (AP) reported.

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According to defence leaders, young people are also more interested in corporate jobs that are often higher-paying and less risky.

What is the US military doing to solve the crisis?

From putting out ads to specialised recruiters, the US Army is taking various steps to boost its dwindling ranks.

As per AP, the Army and Air Force have strengthened their marketing by releasing pamphlets, increasing their outreach and using social media to encourage young people to join the armed forces.

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The US military has also been using popular online games like Fortnite to recruit more people since 2018, reported The Guardian.

Army Secretary Wormuth said last year that they have highly depended on high school seniors or graduates to enlist and, thus, need to widen to new groups. The vast majority of people who are out there making employment decisions are people who have more than a high school education. We need to figure out how to talk to that much broader labour market, she told AP.

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The military has been successful in recruiting legal immigrants, particularly those seeking jobs, education benefits and a quick path to becoming an American citizen, reported AP.

The US Army also plans to create a professional recruiting workforce. Other likely changes include organising larger Army career fairs and boosting the head of recruiting to a three-star job with a four-year term.
The reverse brain drain is set in an India bursting with entrepreneurial energy. The grass is no longer greener on the other side

According to several startup entrepreneurs, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is about missing Indias digital, financial and infrastructure boom. Representational image. Moneycontrol

Western media is full of stories of Indian entrepreneurs fleeing to the West. Sections of the Indian media parrot this narrative.

In a globalised world, Indian startup entrepreneurs obviously seek global markets. Hubs in Dubai, Singapore, London and San Francisco have long attracted talented Indian entrepreneurs. But the brain drain theory is now being turned on its head.

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According to several startup entrepreneurs, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is about missing Indias digital, financial and infrastructure boom.

Europe is in recession and traumatised by the grinding Russia-Ukraine war. Japan slipped into recession in the October-December 2023 quarter. Chinas economic slowdown and geopolitical tensions with the West have alarmed foreign businesses.

Dubai and other Gulf entrepots remain a hub for global Indian firms but the Gaza conflict could disrupt trade in the region, especially around the Red Sea.

India in contrast is a picture of economic stability and opportunity. Its not only the business environment that draws successful Indian entrepreneurs back home.

As Hemant Mohapatra, who worked for several years in the West for AMD, Google and Andreessen Horowitz, wrote in a blog on Medium: For those that dont know me well, I went to the US in 2003 and have been visiting India 1-2 times a year till 2014 and often 3+ times a year since 2014. So Ive been able to observe the small shifts better than most locals did, and of course, the macro-trends that are now obvious to most.

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India fintech is way, way ahead of the US/EU. For offline, there were weeks I didnt use cash  most places take cards, UPI and a dozen other options. For online, I use UPI for most online purchases. Cant believe I am saying this but online purchases in India feels easier via UPI in India vs CCs or PayPal in the US.

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Overall, I couldnt be happier with my move. I feel lucky to be in India at a time many of the growing pains have subsided and the startup ecosystem feels a lot more mature. As a VC, I wanted to be somewhere I could look back 10 years out and feel like I made a difference and I strongly believe that with a lot of hard work and a dash of good fortune, I have a chance to make such an impact on India in 10 years. Moreover, from a macro POV, India is now globally #3 in terms of GDP by PPP and also #3 in the world for software projects checked into GitHub.

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Brain gain

There is a strong technology-driven impetus for the brain drain to go into reverse. One theory advanced on the ManageEngine platform notes: Spurred by the recent big tech lay-offs in the US, and with insurmountable H-1B visa renewal issues, Indians in the US especially, are summoning their entrepreneurial spirit, capaitalising on the knowledge they obtained, and creating new opportunities for many when they return to their homeland."

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These techies are coming back with a wealth of experience from the big tech world and are adapting this knowledge into a model thats more suited for their environment. The recent SaaS boom in India over the past decade or so bears witness to this surge in Indian entrepreneurship driven by talent repatriation. India is now the second largest SaaS ecosystem in the world by volume, behind the US.

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Sceptics of the reverse brain drain point to dozens of Indian-origin CEOs of top tech companies in the US  from Satya Nadella in Microsoft to Sundar Pichai in Alphabet (Google)  whose loss to Indias tech ecosystem is incalculable.

Over-regulation

The reverse brain drain from the West to India could become sustainable if the Indian government established a more consistent and predictable regulatory framework.

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A key reason why Indian entrepreneurs leave the country to work abroad is the tax and regulatory structure in India. The RBI and SEBI, for example, are strong regulators but still have a controlling rather than an enabling mindset.

Indias personal tax laws need reform as well. The excellent Direct Tax Code (DTC) remains on paper more than five years after it was submitted to the finance minister by a panel of experts.

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Indias strengthening geopolitical relationship with the United States has spurred Fortune 500 companies to set up global capability centres (GCCs) in India. In effect, India has graduated from being the worlds back office with BPOs 25 years ago to becoming the worlds research, design and engineering epicentre.

During his visit to India last month, Microsoft CEO Nadella said India has 13.5 million AI software developers on its GitHub innovation platform. That is the second largest software developer community in the world after the US (20 million). China is third. Japan, Hong Kong and the UK have been left way behind.

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Nadella predicted that by 2027, India would overtake the US in the number of AI software developers on GitHub.

For Indian entrepreneurs such a large AI-focused community of software developers based in India presents an opportunity of a lifetime. In many tech areas, Nadella concedes, India is already ahead of the US and Europe, pointing out, as others have done, that UPI is more advanced as a nationwide payments platform than anything available in the West.

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The brain drain was emblematic of 1960s India stuck in a socialist mould that forced talented Indians to flee abroad.

The reverse brain drain is set in an India bursting with entrepreneurial energy. The grass is no longer greener on the other side.

The writer is an editor, author and publisher. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_s views._
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis came to New Delhi along with the business delegation for the two-day visit starting February 21. This was the first head-of-state visit from Greece to India in 15 years

India and Greece should start talking in the civilisational sense since both are ancient and living cultures. REUTERS

Since childhood, we have started learning about the Indian and Greek sages, from Kautilya and Manu to Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. In antiquity, both countries had magical and universal shared values of time, space, ideas, and philosophies.

Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis was on a state visit to New Delhi and was also the chief guest of the well-known Raisina Dialogue organised by the Observer Research Foundation, a Delhi-based Indias premier think tank.

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PM Mitsotakis came to New Delhi along with the business delegation for the two-day visit starting February 21. This was the first head-of-state visit from Greece to India in 15 years. The last prime ministerial visit from Greece to India occurred in 2008, when former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis visited India.

PM Mitsotakiss visit came after Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Athens on August 25, 2023, at the invitation of the Greek prime minister. Modis visit to Athens filled the 40-year drought of bilateral visits from the Indian side in 2023. The last prime ministers visit to Greece occurred in September 1983, when Indira Gandhi travelled to the country.

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Sharing traditions across cultures

Since PM Modi came to power in 2014, India has thrived on multiple fronts, including cultural and civilisational fronts. The inauguration of Lord Ram temple at Ayodhya, the renovation of Kedarnath temple, the Kashi corridor, and many other historical, cultural, and civilisational values, symbols, and institutions have been created, renovated, and promoted by the government.

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Indian society, like Greece, has many things in common, including community values, shared beliefs, and respect for the ancient past. New Delhi and Athens have multiple things to be proud of: history, ancient trade, culture, family values, welfariasm, and strong societal values. We can learn so many things from each other in multiple sectors, especially where we have shared beliefs. Currently, more than 12,000 Indians live and work in Greece. During Modis visit in August 2023, he interacted with the Indian diaspora, where the famous songs of Shahrukh Khans movies were sung.

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Building bridges

In the past, following Indias nuclear tests in May 1998, when most Western countries were contemplating sanctions against India, the Greek defence minister visited India in December 1998. The visit was important because it was the first defence minister from a NATO country after the tests, and it signed an MOU on defence cooperation.

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In defence, high-level dialogues and MoUs are at the ministerial level. India-Greece defence cooperation gained momentum after 1994 ministerial visits, leading to a 1998 MoU. Interactions were limited to occasional ship and aircraft visits until 2017, when renewed engagement included joint exercises and industry participation.

During the February 2020 DefExpo at Lucknow, a high-level defence delegation led by Lt Gen (retired) Theodoros Lagios, (HAF) Director General of the General Directorate for Defence Investment and Armaments, participated.

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According to the OEC website, in the last 26 years, Greeces exports to India have increased at an annualised rate of 8.98 per cent in the economy, from $36.3 million in 1995 to $339 million in 2021. In 2021, India exported $1.43 billion to Greece. However, the annual bilateral trade between the two countries is very low.

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During the COVID emergency, like many countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other countries, India gave them help; the Indian government also shipped critical health emergency equipment to Greece. Greece imported, as emergency medicine, five tonnes of hydroxychloroquine in its fight against COVID-19 in the last week of March and 300 kg of chloroquine sulphate in April 2020.

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When the COVID cases spiked in India, the Greek government quickly donated 90 oxygen cylinders with a total capacity of 440 litres and some medical protection devices, masks, gloves, etc. to India through the EU, according to the statistics of the Ministry of External Affairs. The real test of friendship lies during the emergency crisis, and we have seen that both countries helped and supported each other during the pandemic.

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Cooperation for modern world

The Indian Unified Payment System has gained appreciation from many countries, which allows for a friendly cashless payment system that is very easy to use. About seven countries have started using this UPI QR code-based payment system in their countries. Indians can also avail of this system at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Greece can also avail of this system, which will not only help the citizens of Greece pay their bills very easily without any problems but also boost the states tax revenue. This will be one of the most significant tools for a transparent taxation system.

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Tourism can also be a major attraction since both countries have the most ancient symbols, architecture, and many things to say, especially in the philosophical domain. Almost all of my college professors once visited Greece, where the ancient sages were born and studied. Similarly, Greek citizens should also visit famous places like Khajuraho, Taj Mahal, Ayodhya, and Kashi, where there is a belief that the human body is born and dies in the same place. There can also be educational tourism between both countries.

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Unfortunately, I had never been in touch with any Greek students or scholars except once when the Greek chair at Jawaharlal Nehru University organised some events in the past.

Indian ayurvedic medicines and yoga could significantly contribute to Greece if cultural exchanges deepen. In the modern world, mental health issues such as hypertension and depression can be healed with the adoption of the yogic lifestyle in Greek society. Indian yoga and medicine are free of charge and extremely sustainable for any society.

In conclusion, India and Greece should start talking in the civilisational sense since both are ancient and living cultures. We should create platforms where Indian scholars, scientists, professionals, defence personnel, and ministries can engage on different social, political, historical, and civil issues. We need civilisational talk.

The visits between the two prime ministers in both countries help develop this mechanism where we can use our ancient past, our philosophies, and family and cultural values to make the worlds society more resilient, peaceful, and prosperous. In this case, the past can help us improve our present and dignify our future.

The author is a PhD candidate at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The deal could convince Ethiopia to back down. As Turkey is a NATO member, an attack on one member is an attack on all of NATO

In Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has made a strategic play. The Somali government has approved a maritime security pact with Turkey. Ankara has been authorized to build up, train, and equip the Somali navy. Not just thatthey will also defend Somalias territorial waters.

Turkish warships could be patrolling Somalias coast, and they could be active in the Indian Ocean for the duration of ten years.

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There are many reasons why Somalia selected Turkey. Somalia has been dealing with a terror insurgency for almost two decades. Recently, there has been a rise in piracy along the Somali coast. Also, there is chaos in the Red Sea with the Yemen-based Houthis disrupting global trade.

All these are important reasons, but Somalias primary target is different. Ethiopia is Somalias neighbour and nemesis. The maritime deal is aimed at countering Ethiopia and stopping it from executing its port plan.

Ethiopia is landlocked. But the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, wants it. He believes that a port is essential for Ethiopias growth. So on January 1 of this year, Ethiopia struck a deal with Somaliland to allow it to use its coast to build a navy.

One small problem, though: Somaliland is not officially an independent nation. It is considered a breakaway part of Somalia. In the entire international community, no country has recognised Somaliland. It tried to separate from Somalia in 1991. Since then, it has been de-facto independent.

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Of course, Somalia was outraged by their port deal, too, because it wont end there. Reports say that Ethiopia could officially recognise Somalilands independence, and Mogadishu will never allow this. It wants Ethiopia to rescind the offer, and thats where Turkey comes in. The new maritime deal could help Somalia.

The deal could convince Ethiopia to back down. After all, would Abiy Ahmed dare to take on the Turkish navy? As Turkey is a NATO member, an attack on one member is an attack on all of NATO. So Ethiopian aggression is almost out of the question, and this severely limits Abiy Ahmeds options.

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The maritime deal is a smart move by the Somalian president. He said Somalia will start engaging in another war today, to live up to its international duty now, that may be overblown rhetoric. But the signal is clear, he believes he has cornered Ethiopia. He is confident that the world is on Somalias side. The ball is now in Ethiopias court. Lets see how Abiy Ahmed responds.

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Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Googles new Gemini AI model is in a massive soup after it showcased a strong bias against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gemini AI explained in some detail why PM Modi is believed to be a fascist. At the same time, the AI bot showed a lot of restraint and nuance when asked about other leaders

Google's new Gemini AI model is in a massive soup after it showcased a strong bias against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gemini AI explained in some detail why PM Modi is believed to be a fascist. At the same time, the AI bot showed a lot of restraint and nuance when asked about other leaders

All thanks to Googles new AI model Gemini, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is in deep trouble. Some users have pointed out that the platform has a strong bias against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and believes it is justified to label him a fascist.

Googles Gemini AI has been drawing some criticism from people on Twitter for being a little too woke, so much so that it made some glaring mistakes when generating images. For instance, it would often create images of historical figures and make them people of colour. Also there was a general consensus among people that Gemini was reluctant in showing white men and women as it struggled to maintain historical accuracies and balance it with inclusivity.

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Note how Gemini has been trained, for American non-allies, American allies and Americans? Shame @Google. pic.twitter.com/d0uwXzBPsv  Arnab Ray (@greatbong) February 22, 2024

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is preparing to issue a formal notice to Google concerning contentious responses generated by its AI platform, Gemini, particularly in relation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to a report by The Indian Express.

One American ally, one the guy who invests in @Google. pic.twitter.com/jjyU2ja50e  Arnab Ray (@greatbong) February 22, 2024

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A user on X revealed that Googles AI system, previously known as Bard, had provided an inappropriate response to a user query, sparking concerns within the ministry.

A screenshot shared on social media revealed Geminis response when asked whether PM Modi is a fascist, stating that he has been accused of implementing policies some experts have characterised as fascist. In contrast, when asked a similar question about former US President Donald Trump, the AI redirected the user to conduct a Google search for accurate information

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Similarly, when the AI bot was asked if Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a fascist, it started speaking about nuance, balance and context.

Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed concern over these incidents, citing potential violations of Rule 3(1)(b) of the Intermediary Rules of the IT Act and other provisions of the criminal code. These rules mandate intermediaries like Google to exercise due diligence in managing third-party content to retain immunity from legal liabilities.

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These are direct violations of Rule 3(1)(b) of Intermediary Rules (IT rules) of the IT act and violations of several provisions of the Criminal code. @GoogleAI @GoogleIndia @GoI_MeitY https://t.co/9Jk0flkamN  Rajeev Chandrasekhar  (@Rajeev_GoI) February 23, 2024

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This development highlights the ongoing debate over the regulatory framework governing generative AI platforms like Gemini and ChatGPT. Google recently apologized for inaccuracies in historical image generation by its Gemini AI tool, following criticism over its portrayal of historical events.

A senior official from the Ministry disclosed that this isnt the first instance of biased responses generated by Googles AI. The ministry intends to issue a show cause notice to Google, demanding an explanation for Geminis contentious outputs. Failure to provide a satisfactory response could lead to legal consequences, the official stated anonymously.

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In response to inquiries, Gemini provided a nuanced response regarding PM Modi, acknowledging accusations of fascism while emphasizing differing perspectives on his governance. However, similar to previous incidents, the AI offered a generic response when questioned about Donald Trump.

Last year, concerns were raised when Gemini, then known as Bard, refused to summarize an article from a conservative outlet, citing misinformation concerns. Google clarified that Bard operates as an experimental model trained on publicly available data and doesnt necessarily reflect the companys standpoint.
Google received some severe backlash from the people on X, including CTO Elon Musk, after its Gemini AI recreated historically inaccurate images in which it depicted traditionally white people as people of colour. Gemini also reimagined some notable public figures as people of colour

Google received some severe backlash from the people on X, including CTO Elon Musk, after its Gemini AI recreated historically inaccurate images in which it depicted traditionally white people as people of colour. Gemini also reimagined some notable public figures as people of colour

The ongoing controversy surrounding Googles Gemini AI chatbot has drawn criticism from Tesla CEO and xAIs Elon Musk.

At the heart of the debate is the text-to-image generation feature, which has come under fire for producing historically inaccurate depictions, sparking accusations of being too woke, for generating some historically inaccurate images depicting World War II soldiers and Americas founding fathers as people of colour and different ethnicities.

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Im glad that Google overplayed their hand with their AI image generation, as it made their insane racist, anti-civilizational programming clear to all  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 23, 2024

Recent developments have seen Googles Gemini AI facing scrutiny for its portrayal of significant historical figures, with users on social media raising concerns about the tools handling of racial representation. It clearly is having a hard time in balancing historical accuracies with inclusivity.

Many have accused Gemini of bias, alleging that it has struggled to generate images of white individuals, leading to accusations of ideological overreach.

Looks like 2024 is the big return of blackface.

Didnt have that on my bingo card. #GoogleAI #GeminiAI pic.twitter.com/8nWdKReVlu  Farrah (@australianwoma1) February 22, 2024

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Elon Musk, who has often been very critical of generative and often lambasts AI models other than his own GrokAI, has weighed in on the controversy, condemning Google for what he perceives as overzealous programming.

He not only accused the company of mishandling the AIs image generation capabilities, but also of being insanely racist and anti-civilization with their approach to programing.

In a series of tweets, Musk shared his concerns and criticized Googles response to user requests for specific images. He mocked Geminis response to a query about Justice Clarence Thomas, suggesting that the AIs programming reflects harmful racial stereotypes.

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Google Gemini Finally Draws White Man After Being Prompted To Generate Clarence Thomas https://t.co/GvBOHijHH5 pic.twitter.com/3mdfktfVnp  The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) February 22, 2024

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Meanwhile, Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy echoed Musks sentiments, citing the controversy as evidence of Googles descent into an ideological echo chamber.

Ramaswamy argued that the rollout of Googles Large Language Model showcased inherent biases within the companys workforce, which then manifested in the AIs programming. The globally embarrassing rollout of Googles LLM has proves that James Damore was 100% correct about Googles descent into an ideological echo chamber. Employees working on Gemini surely realized it was a mistake to make it so blatantly racist, but they likely kept their mouths shut because they didnt want to get fired like Damore. These companies program their employees with broken incentives, and those employees then program the AI with the same biases, he said.

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In response to the backlash, Jack Krawczyk, Senior Director of Product Management for Gemini Experiences at Google, acknowledged the concerns raised by users. He emphasized Googles commitment to addressing representation and bias in AI technology, promising immediate action to rectify inaccuracies in historical image generation. He also wen

Krawczyk stated, We are aware that Gemini is offering inaccuracies in some historical image generation depictions, and we are working to fix this immediately. Historical contexts have more nuance to them, and we will further tune to accommodate that.

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In a statement on X about Geminis text-to-image capabilities, Google wrote: Were working to improve these kinds of depictions immediately. Geminis AI image generation does generate a wide range of people. And thats generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But its missing the mark here."

The company pledged to work on improvements before re-releasing an updated version of the AI tool. This move comes amid growing calls for transparency and accountability in AI development, highlighting the complex challenges faced by tech companies in navigating issues of bias and inclusivity.

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(With inputs from agencies)
NVIDIAs one-day gain is more than the total market capitalisations of longstanding market giants Bank of America ($265 billion) and Coca-Cola ($263 billion). In all, just 26 of the 500 companies in the S&P 500 have market caps above $273 billion, including NVIDIA

NVIDIAs one-day gain is more than the total market capitalizations of longstanding market giants Bank of America ($265 billion) and Coca-Cola ($263 billion). In all, just 26 of the 500 companies in the S&P 500 have market caps above $273 billion, including NVIDIA

Chip designer NVIDIA has not only successfully capitalised on the early stages of the AI explosion and cornered a healthy chunk of the market, it has also etched its name into stock market history.

Surging to a record-high stock price, the $1.9 trillion AI behemoth raised its market capitalization by over $277 billion in a single day, eclipsing a record set just weeks ago by Meta with a $205 billion gain.

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To put this in perspective, NVIDIAs one-day gain is more than the total market capitalizations of longstanding market giants Bank of America ($265 billion) and Coca-Cola ($263 billion). In all, just 26 of the 500 companies in the S&P 500 have market caps above $273 billion, including NVIDIA.

NVIDIAs dominance is unequivocal, as it commands over 70 per cent of the AI chip market, with startups clamouring to invest substantial sums in its hardware systems. The financial realm is equally enthralled, evidenced by a staggering 15 per cent surge in NVIDIA stock following the companys surpassing of lofty earnings expectations last quarter. This surge has propelled its market cap beyond $1.9 trillion, with its stock value tripling over the past year alone.

NVIDIAs Strategic Vision

NVIDIAs ascent stems from its strategic investments in AI long before it became mainstream. Its chip designs stand miles ahead of the competition, leaving analysts pondering whether anyone else can catch up. Unlike competitors such as Arm Holdings and Intel, NVIDIA seamlessly integrated hardware with AI-focused software, setting a new benchmark in the industry.

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Speaking at the New York Times DealBook summit, NVIDIAs co-founder and CEO, Jensen Huang, emphasized the companys early grasp of the AI landscape. According to Huang, NVIDIA got it before anyone else, underscoring their unparalleled understanding of AIs transformative potential.

Key to NVIDIAs success is its emphasis on software alongside hardware. While rivals concentrated solely on chip design, NVIDIA aggressively promoted its CUDA programming interface, providing developers with an unmatched AI development platform.

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The Crucial Role of Hardware

AIs voracious appetite for computing power underscores the criticality of hardware. NVIDIAs chips, adept at handling vast amounts of data, position the company favorably amidst the AI industrys burgeoning demand. Huang, in an earnings call, heralded the shift from general-purpose to accelerated computing, hailing it as a nascent industry in its own right.

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Pioneering AI Hardware

NVIDIAs foray into AI hardware began well before the industrys explosion in the mid-2010s. Leveraging its innovative GPUs initially designed for gaming applications, NVIDIA found a perfect fit for AI development and training. The companys chips underpinned seminal projects like AlexNet as early as 2012, giving NVIDIA an early mover advantage that remains unrivaled.

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Since then, NVIDIA has invested heavily in its AI hardware business, boasting products like the Hopper GPU, priced at a quarter of a million dollars per unit. The companys strategic positioning and meticulous execution have propelled it to unparalleled heights in the AI hardware market.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its dominance, NVIDIA faces challenges. Export restrictions to China and potential competition from Chinese chip designers loom as threats to its global market share. Moreover, NVIDIAs reliance on Taiwanese chip foundry TSMC poses risks amid geopolitical tensions.

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As AI adoption continues to surge, NVIDIA stands poised for further growth. Analysts anticipate a sustained expansion in AI infrastructure spending, coupled with increased adoption across various industries. However, geopolitical complexities and regional tensions pose potential obstacles to NVIDIAs continued dominance.

In essence, NVIDIAs ascent is a testament to its visionary leadership, technological prowess, and strategic foresight, firmly establishing it as a titanic force in the AI hardware landscape.
Hungarys parliament is due to approve Swedens NATO membership bid in a vote on Monday, according to a report

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his annual State of the Nation speech, in Budapest, Hungary, on 17 February, 2024. Reuters File

Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday said that Hungary plans to finalise a defence industry agreement with Sweden ahead of his meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Budapest later in the day.

The agreement comes as Hungarys parliament is due to approve Swedens NATO membership bid in a vote on Monday.

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We will close all pending issues, and we will sign a defence industry deal, a serious one considering Hungarys size, and we will also lay down some decisions or  goals about military cooperation, a Reuters report quoted Orban as saying to state radio.

He gave no further details, added the report.

The two prime ministers will hold a press conference on Friday before the NATO vote.

On Monday the Hungarian parliament will put the final seal on it, Orban added.

Almost two years ago, Sweden made a historic policy shift by seeking to join the transatlantic alliance, departing from its traditional stance of non-alignment, a move triggered by Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Among NATO members, Hungary stands as the sole entity that has not yet ratified Swedens accession. The delay stems from the repeated postponement of a vote by Orbans ruling Fidesz party, which cites grievances over Swedens criticisms regarding Hungarys adherence to rule-of-law standards.

Despite holding a substantial majority in parliament, Fidesz has refrained from approving Swedens membership since the relevant legislation was introduced to lawmakers in mid-2022. Consequently, this delay has strained Budapests relations with the United States and sparked concerns among its allies.

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Its worth noting that Hungary leases Gripen fighter aircraft from Swedens SAAB SAABb.ST, under a contract established in 2001.

In recent statements, Kristersson highlighted Swedens intent to enhance its Gripen cooperation with Hungary, a matter slated for discussion on Fridays agenda.

With inputs from agencies
A Kenmore man was sentenced Thursday to six months in jail, followed by 10 years of sex offender probation for having sexual contact with a minor, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors said Justin Barker, 36, will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from custody.

Between or around March 2018 and October 2019, Barker engaged in sexual conduct on several occasions with a person who was under the age of 15 at undisclosed locations in Amherst and Buffalo.

On Nov. 21, 2023, Barker pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree criminal sexual act, the highest counts in the indictment against him.

A final order of protection was issued by Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on behalf of the victim, and will remain in effect until February 2034.

District Attorney John J. Flynn commended the Amherst Police Department and New York State Police for their work in the investigation of the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rebecca A. Fioravanti of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau.

- Harold McNeil
Thousands have fled Belarus since 2020 as police detained more than 35,000 people. Scores have been labeled extremists, and Viasna said there are over 1,400 political prisoners

The Rev. Viachaslau Barok, a Catholic priest from Belarus, conducts a service in the Church of St. Alexander in Warsaw, Poland. AP

In Rasony, a village in northern Belarus close to the Russian border, the Rev. Viachaslau Barok was a well-known figure who oversaw the building of the towns Roman Catholic church and led Mass every day for twenty years.

At the height of anti-government protests in December 2020, he tweeted a caricature of autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko and another official on social media, which led to him getting into problems. He was imprisoned for ten days.

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But when his church was invaded by security authorities in July 2021, he realised it was time to go.

Barok is one of several Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant clergy members who have been imprisoned, silenced, or exiled as a result of their protests against the 2020 election that resulted in Lukashenkos sixth term in office. That disputed vote triggered mass demonstrations, beatings of protesters and a crackdown on dissent  tensions that increased in 2022, when Belarus ally Russia invaded Ukraine.

The pro-Kremlin Lukashenko, who lashed out against any church officials siding with the protesters, last month signed into law a measure requiring all religious organizations in the country of 9.5 million to reregister with authorities or face being outlawed if their loyalty to the state is in doubt.

Anastasiia Kruope, a Human Rights Watch researcher for Europe and Central Asia, said the law gives authorities more tools and possibilities for repressions.

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In the last three years, at least 74 clergy have been arrested, fined or deported, according to the Viasna human rights center, even before the new law took effect.

Its clear that the number of priests subject to repression will grow, (as the government tries) to force the churchs loyalty, Barok told The Associated Press. The authorities want to demonstrate to the Vatican their unlimited power within Belarus.

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The media-savvy priest had over 7,000 followers on YouTube before he was visited by security operatives who had a search warrant, and he chose exile in Poland over arrest.

Thousands have fled Belarus since 2020 as police detained more than 35,000 people. Scores have been labeled extremists, and Viasna said there are over 1,400 political prisoners.

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While Orthodox Christians make up about 80% of the population, just under 14% are Catholic and 2% are Protestants.

Catholic and Protestant clergy who supported the protests and sheltered demonstrators at their churches became targets of repression, but even some Orthodox priests condemned the crackdown.

In a famous incident amid the protests on Aug. 26, 2020, about 100 people took refuge from police in the landmark Sts. Simon and Helena Catholic Church, a red-brick structure just off the main government square in Minsk. Weeks later, the church again became the focus when dozens of women dressed in white joined its senior priest, the Rev. Uladislau Zavalnyuk, in forming a human chain around it.

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But the Red Church, as it is known, has held no services since September 2022, when it was ordered closed. Authorities cited unpaid utility bills and the need for repairs after a minor fire that month, even though its priests say there was little damage.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for nearly 30 years and describes himself as an Orthodox atheist, lashed out at dissident clergy during the 2020 protests, urging them to do their jobs, and not fuel unrest. People should go to churches to pray! Orthodox churches, Catholic churches  theyre not for politics, he said.

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Ten Catholic priests were arrested last year, including the Rev. Henrykh Akalatovich, a 70-year-old who is in solitary confinement despite a cancer diagnosis, facing 20 years on treason charges.

A report last year by Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic organization tracking persecution of the faithful, named Belarus as the second-largest jailer of Catholic priests, behind only Nicaragua.

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The crackdown also affected the Belarusian Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to Moscows Patriarch Kirill, a close Kremlin ally. A prominent cleric, Archbishop Artemy Kishchenko, of Hrodna in western Belarus, was stripped of all church posts and forced to retire in 2021 for condemning the repression as well as attempts by Moscow and Minsk to use the church as a political tool.

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Russias Feb. 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine prompted further clerical splits after Lukashenko allowed Belarusian territory to be used to send troops into its neighbor.

Days afterward, Archpriest Georgy Roy and 24 Belarusian Orthodox priests, alongside counterparts from Russia and elsewhere, called for a cease-fire. Anti-war statements by Roy, who presided at Hrodnas main Orthodox cathedral and lectured at a prestigious seminary, came under fire from church and secular leaders.

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Last year, he fled the country with his wife and four children, citing fears for their safety. He now ministers to Belarusians in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, and pledges allegiance to the Orthodox patriarch in Turkey, rather than Russia.

In an interview with AP, Roy accused the Orthodox church in Russia and Belarus of legitimizing what he described as Moscows aggressive expansionist ideology.

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The name of Christ is called on to justify war, bloodshed, violence and untruths, he said, adding that Russian Orthodox leaders serve that ideology, but I cannot reconcile myself to this horror and live in this sin.

He said Belarusian authorities openly seek to bring the clergy into line, repeatedly summoning them for preventive political talks, checking websites and social media, and having security services monitor sermons.

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The government lists 3,417 registered religious communities and organizations in Belarus; membership in unregistered ones was made a criminal offense in 2022, punishable by up to two years in jail.

The new law, which gives the government broad powers over religious denominations and groups, requires them to reapply for state registration and says they must have had at least one parish operating for 30 years.

The law also bars anyone accused of what Minsk deems extremist or terrorist activity from heading a religious organization. It prohibits any secular symbols at services or using churches for any purpose other than worship.

Alexander Rumak, commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs, told the Belarusian Security Council in September that authorities must ensure the spiritual security of society, as a way of maintaining stability and calm in the country.

Analysts say the restrictions are part of a broader campaign to quash dissent ahead of parliamentary elections, being held Sunday, as well as next years presidential vote.

The United Nations sent a letter to the government objecting to the law, saying it violates the countrys obligations to ensure religious freedom, but it got no response, said Anais Marin, the U.N. special rapporteur on Belarus.

Marin told AP the law would allow authorities to simply destroy the remnants of civil society that are not yet underground, not in prison or exile.

The Rev. Zmitser Khvedaruk called the law the most repressive in Europe, expressing concern that his and other Protestant churches will be the main targets, given their popularity among younger Belarusians.

He told AP that many Protestant churches already face a difficult choice  either cease their activities or return to the dark Soviet times, when Protestant churches in fact operated underground and gathered illegally in peoples homes, (when) believers prayed under the threat of criminal prosecution.

Last year, authorities bulldozed the Pentecostal New Life Church on Minsks outskirts because they suspected its congregation supported the opposition. Founded in 2002 in a converted cowshed, its pastor, the Rev. Viachaslau Hancharenka, was fined and detained after officials said its social media platforms carried extremist content.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom last month condemned what it called Minsks repressive course, urging President Joe Biden and Congress to prioritize religious freedom as it holds Belarus accountable for its gross human rights violations.

Human rights campaigners say clergy and their flocks are under threat for raising funds and helping political prisoners. Barok  the priest who fled to Poland  discovered that because authorities deem his social media posts to be extremist, anyone viewing or reposting them faces six years in jail.

I dream of returning to my church in Rasony, Barok said. But I cant while the state arrests priests for carrying their cross and calling evil evil.'
In photographs supplied by the White House, Biden can be seen holding Yulia Navalnaya, Navalnys widow, and leaning forward while speaking with her and her daughter Dasha, a Stanford University student

US President Joe Biden speaks with Yulia Navalnaya and Dasha Navalnaya, the wife and daughter of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who died last week in a prison camp, in San Francisco, California US. The White House/Handout via REUTERS

President Joe Biden held a private, emotional meeting with Alexei Navalnys widow and daughter in California on Thursday, as his government announced further penalties on Russia in response to the Kremlin opposition leaders murder.

The visit to a San Francisco hotel occurred as the White House supported Navalnys mothers efforts to reclaim her sons remains, which Russian officials have refused to release days after his death in an Arctic jail.

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Navalnys team claims the 47-year-old, President Vladimir Putins most vocal opponent, was assassinated.

In photographs supplied by the White House, Biden can be seen holding Yulia Navalnaya, Navalnys widow, and leaning forward while speaking with her and her daughter Dasha, a Stanford University student.

Today, I met with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya  Aleksey Navalny's loved ones  to express my condolences for their devastating loss.



Aleksey's legacy of courage will live on in Yulia and Dasha, and the countless people across Russia fighting for democracy and human rights. pic.twitter.com/aiCcgTrws3  President Biden (@POTUS) February 22, 2024

The presidents own history of loss  his first wife and his infant daughter were killed in a car crash in 1972, while his son Beau died of cancer in 2015  has seen him often referred to as Americas Consoler-in-Chief.

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After the meeting, he said the two women were emulating Navalnys incredible courage.

Yulia Navalnaya, who has vowed to continue her late husbands opposition to Putin, is not giving up, he said.

Polar Wolf

The Biden administration announced Thursday that it would sanction more than 500 targets in Russias war machine to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine and in response to Navalnys death, for which the president stressed Putin was responsible.

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The US and its allies have imposed a slew of sanctions on Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Navalny, who died on February 16, galvanized mass protests against Putin, winning popularity with a series of investigations into state corruption.

He was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent in 2020, then jailed in 2021 after returning to Russia following a period of treatment in Germany.

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He was sentenced to 19 years in prison on extremism charges and sent to IK-3, a harsh penal colony beyond the Arctic Circle known as Polar Wolf.

Western governments and Russian opposition figures have accused the Kremlin of being responsible for his death, with an outraged Biden previously blaming Putin and his thugs.

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Mothers plea

Hundreds of people have been detained in Russia in recent days at events to pay tribute to Navalny.

His mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, travelled to Russias Far North the morning after her sons death was announced, hoping to retrieve his body.

For days officials refused her access, prompting her to make a video appeal directly to Putin himself.

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On Thursday she said she had been shown Navalnys body in a morgue in Salekhard, the nearest town to the remote prison.

But, in a video released on social media by Navalnys team, she said investigators wanted her son to be buried secretly, without a chance to say goodbye.

They are blackmailing me, they put conditions for where, when and how Alexei should be buried. This is illegal, she said.

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They want to take me to the edge of a cemetery to a fresh grave and say: Here is where your son lies. I am against that.

I want that for those of you for whom Alexei is dear, for everyone for whom his death became a personal tragedy, to have the possibility to say goodbye to him.

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She said she recorded the video because investigators were threatening her.

Looking me in the eye, they said that if I do not agree to a secret funeral theyll do something with my sons body I ask for my sons body to be given to me immediately, she said.

Navalnys mother also said that investigators told her they knew the cause of death but did not say what it was.

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The Kremlin has refused to say when the body will be handed over and has branded Western accusations as hysterical.

The Russians need to give her back her son, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday.

Putin has remained silent on the death of his main political opponent.

Navalnys spokesman Kira Yarmysh said a medical report on the death shown to Lyudmila Navalnaya stated that the cause of death was natural.
While the travel industry recovers from the devastation wrought by the Covid-19 outbreak, aeroplane manufacturers are already behind schedule on their current orders because of a scarcity of experienced workers and parts

During this weeks airshow in Singapore, Boeing and Airbus signed commitments to sell jets worth billions of dollars, but analysts warned that supply chain delays would make it difficult for them to deliver the aircraft on schedule.

While the travel industry recovers from the devastation wrought by the Covid-19 outbreak, aeroplane manufacturers are already behind schedule on their current orders because of a scarcity of experienced workers and parts.

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A single aircraft requires millions of parts from vendors worldwide for everything from engines to seatbelts to wiring to screws, which leaves them susceptible to supply chain disruptions.

Among the significant transactions revealed at the largest airshow in Asia, which closes on Sunday, is Thai Airways order for 45 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, while Royal Brunei Airlines purchased four of the well-liked aircraft.

Vietjet Air, a Vietnamese airline, has committed to buying 20 of Europes Airbus A330-900 aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for 2026.

That might be taking it too far.

Shukor Yusof, an aviation specialist, stated that Boeing and Airbus had already disclosed that a few of their well-known aircraft would not be available until 2030.

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The new orders will struggle to be delivered as continued shortages in labour and raw materials, problems in logistics as well as energy costs prevail, said Shukor, founder of consultancy Endau Analytics.

Raising production rates will be very tough to achieve. Youre not making hand phones.

The delays mean airlines cannot offer more seats and will be stuck with older, less fuel-efficient planes, which may dent their profits, Shukor said.

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Major bottlenecks

Problems across the supply chain were caused largely by the pandemic when restrictions and border closures disrupted shipments of raw materials and led to layoffs of pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers and aircraft mechanics.

The war in Ukraine also interfered with oil supplies and triggered higher costs for goods and services worldwide.

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As Covid-19 eased, air travel returned with a vengeance on pent-up demand, leaving manufacturers, airlines, airports and suppliers struggling to keep up.

The supply chain has become a major bottleneck, a major issue, holding capacity coming back into the market, aircraft delivery delays, said Brendan Sobie, an analyst with independent consultancy Sobie Aviation.

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Parts shortages have led to planes spending more time waiting for maintenance, while engine problems have forced aircraft to be grounded, he added.

Boeing said each 787 Dreamliner needed around 2.3 million parts, with some made by the company and others sourced from suppliers worldwide, according to its website.

Airbus has thousands of direct and indirect suppliers from more than 100 countries from where it sources parts, components, systems and services, the company said on its website.

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International Air Transport Association director-general Willie Walsh told a seminar ahead of the airshow that supply chain issues were likely to continue for a few more years.

Labour shortages were another problem.

Boeing said last year the industry would need 649,000 pilots, 690,000 maintenance technicians and 938,000 cabin crew members over the next 20 years to support the commercial fleet and meet long-term growth in air travel.

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Shukor said some airlines that let go of pilots during the pandemic were finding it hard to hire them back, while manufacturers were struggling to find highly specialised aircraft mechanics and technicians, who need time to be trained and get licenced.

Many were no longer interested in coming back to the industry because Covid proved their jobs were not secure, Shukor said.

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Michael Szucs, chief executive of Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific, said his airline had been forced to ground 10 planes which may increase to 16 this year due to problems in the Pratt & Whitney engines.

The carrier was also affected by delays from Airbus.

Weve got a shortfall in capacity either through aircraft grounded or aircraft not arriving on time, Szucs told AFP at the airshow.

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Its just never been more difficult to keep the fleet flying.
Prosecutors have accused Smirnov of falsely telling his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015. The claim became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden in Congress

Two days after being freed by a judge, a former FBI informant who alleges to have connections to Russian intelligence and is accused of lying about a multimillion-dollar bribery plan involving President Joe Bidens family was brought into jail once more in Las Vegas on Thursday.

While having a conference with his attorneys at their downtown Las Vegas offices on Thursday morning, 43-year-old Alexander Smirnov was taken into custody. It happened when Smirnovs custody status while his pending trial was reexamined by prosecutors in California, the state where the case was first filed. Before his arrest, there was no hearing.

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In a statement, his lawyers, Richard Schonfeld and David Chesnoff, stated that they will continue to advocate for his release and demand an expedited hearing about his incarceration. A judge in Las Vegas gave prosecutors until Friday afternoon to respond to Smirnovs motion for a new hearing.

A copy of the arrest warrant that Smirnovs lawyers included as an exhibit in their request for the new hearing shows he was arrested on the same charges  making a false statement and creating a false and fictitious record.

Prosecutors have accused Smirnov of falsely telling his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma had paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015. The claim became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden in Congress.

Smirnov has not entered a plea to the charges, but his lawyers have said their client is presumed innocent and they look forward to defending him at trial.

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A spokesman for Justice Department special counsel David Weiss, who charged Smirnov, confirmed Thursday that Smirnov had been arrested again, but did not have additional comment. Smirnov is in the custody of U.S. Marshals in Nevada, said Gary Schofield, the chief marshal in Las Vegas.

Smirnov, who has dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, was first arrested last week in Las Vegas, where he now lives, while returning from overseas.

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As part of their push to keep him in custody, prosecutors said Smirnov told investigators after his first arrest that officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story about Hunter Biden. They said Smirnovs self-reported contact with Russian officials was recent and extensive, and said he had planned to meet with foreign intelligence contacts during an upcoming trip abroad.

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In his ruling Tuesday to release Smirnov on GPS monitoring, U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts in Las Vegas said he was concerned about Smirnovs access to what prosecutors estimate is $6 million in funds, but noted that federal guidelines required him to fashion the least restrictive conditions ahead of his trial. Smirnov was also ordered to stay in the area and surrender his passports.

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Do not make a mockery out of me, Albregts said to Smirnov, warning that hed be placed back into the federal governments custody if he violated any of his conditions. His lawyers say he had been fully compliant with his release conditions.

Prosecutors quickly appealed to U.S. District Judge Otis Wright in Los Angeles.

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The circumstances of the offenses charged  that Smirnov lied to his FBI handler after a 10-year relationship where the two spoke nearly every day  means that Smirnov cannot be trusted to provide truthful information to pretrial services, prosecutors wrote in court documents. The effects of Smirnovs false statements and fabricated information continue to be felt to this day. Now the personal stakes for Smirnov are even higher. His freedom is on the line.

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Smirnov had been an informant for more than a decade when he made the explosive allegations about the Bidens in June 2020, after expressing bias about Joe Biden as a presidential candidate, prosecutors said.

But Smirnov had only routine business dealings with Burisma starting in 2017, according to court documents. No evidence has emerged that Joe Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice president.

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While his identity wasnt publicly known before the indictment, Smirnovs claims have played a major part in the Republican effort in Congress to investigate the president and his family, and helped spark what is now a House impeachment inquiry into Biden. Republicans pursuing investigations of the Bidens demanded the FBI release the unredacted form documenting the unverified allegations, though they acknowledged they couldnt confirm if they were true.

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Democrats called for an end to the probe after the Smirnov indictment came down last week, while Republicans distanced the inquiry from his claims and said they would continue to follow the facts.

Smirnovs lawyers say he has been living in Las Vegas for two years with his longtime girlfriend and requires ongoing treatment and daily medications for significant medical issues related to his eyes. He lived in California for 16 years prior to moving to Nevada.
Cannabis would stay banned for consumption for those under 18, while those between 18 and 21 would only be allowed to buy up to 30g of cannabis with a maximum THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content of 10 per cent

After Malta and Luxembourg, Germany is going to be the third country in Europe to legalise cannabis for personal use as parliament witnessed a charged debate Friday.

Cannabis would, henceforth, be removed from the list of banned substances. Adults, under the new law, can carry 25gm on their person in public areas, while keep at home 50gm at a time.

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According to a report in The Guardian, German health minister Karl Lauterbach said the move would check drug runners since a whopping 7 million Germans are believed to use cannabis on a regular basis. The German government also believes that while a nig chunk of these users are in medical need of the drug, the new legislation will also improve the quality of the drug available in the market.

Child and youth protection is at the heart of what this law is meant to achieve. Over the past decade consumption by children and young people has steadily increased," Lauterbach said before the parliamentary vote.

Incidentally, this was on the agenda of the coalition government comprising Social Democrats, Greens and the pro-business FDP. It was reportedly decided last November that the government would move ahead with the item as promised in the power-sharing formula.

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Not-for-profit clubs would be established to grow and disburse cannabis. Starting April 1, though, adults could grow up to three plants and carry small amounts, and three months later could buy the drug from the abovementioned licensed clubs.

According to The Guardian report, cannabis would stay banned for consumption for those under 18, while those between 18 and 21 would only be allowed to buy up to 30g of cannabis with a maximum THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content of 10 per cent.

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Health Minister Lauterbach, responding to concerns about the use of cannabis around schools, said in parliament that smoking the drug would be banned within 100 metres of educational institutions.

Addressing concerns about difficult policing of the law, Lauterbach pointed that illegal drug sales too has been as difficult.
The defence agreement reached on Friday seemed to mark a significant step towards reconciliation between the two administrations. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has signalled that his party is prepared to endorse Swedens NATO bid on Monday.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, left, speaks during a press conference with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Feb 23, 2024.- AP

Paving the way for Hungarys likely ratification of Swedens long-delayed NATO bid, Hungary and Sweden concluded a defence industry agreement on Friday that will expand Budapests fleet of Swedish-built fighter jets.

The meeting in Budapest involving Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson happened following a period of increased tensions stemming from Hungarys reluctance to support Swedens NATO membership aspirations.

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Kristersson travelled to Hungary in response to multiple invitations from the Hungarian government, which Orban had suggested as a prerequisite for Hungarys backing of Swedens NATO application.

The defence agreement reached on Friday seemed to mark a significant step towards reconciliation between the two administrations. Orban has signalled that his party is prepared to endorse Swedens NATO bid on Monday.

Hungary was the last member of the transatlantic military alliance holding out against Swedens historic application to join, which it made in 2022 in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban - who relented last week saying parliament would vote on the ratification on Monday - met Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and said he had managed to rebuild trust.Orban said that Hungary would buy the jets and expand a related logistics contract.

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Hungary currently leases Gripen aircraft under a contract signed in 2001.We not only keep our air defence capability but will increase it  which means our commitment to NATO will strengthen and so will our participation in NATOs joint operations, Orban told a joint press conference with Kristersson.

Kristersson said he welcomed the deal. As you know and I know we do not agree on everything but we agree that we should cooperate where possible, he said, standing next to Orban.

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Swedens NATO application - a major shift away from its decades of non-alignment - was also initially held up by Turkey, who accused Stockholm of supporting what it called terrorist groups. When Turkeys President Tayyip Erdogan signalled in July that he would give Sweden the green light, the U.S. said it would move ahead with transferring F-16 fighter jets to Turkey in consultation with Congress.

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Swedens shift towards NATOSweden, which has a long coastline on the Baltic Sea, could become a vital logistics hub for NATO in Northern Europe. Military non-alignment had been a point of pride for Swedes and a clear majority were against NATO membership before Russia invaded Ukraine.

However, when the Social Democrats, the dominant political force in Sweden over the last 100 years, changed their minds on NATO membership, pollsters saw the biggest shift in public opinion on record. NATO membership now has a clear majority in parliament and among the public.

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Sweden has already regularly participated in exercises in the region. Orban - who has refused to send weapons to Ukraine and repeatedly criticised Western sanctions against Russia - earlier on Friday again urged a ceasefire in Ukraine.

He also endorsed Donald Trumps bid to return to the U.S. presidency this year. We hope the current president will go, and President Trump will return and he will have free hands to make peace, Orban said on state radio.

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He said a truce was the only solution as Russia cannot be forced on its knees in the military sense  This conflict (in Ukraine) has no solution on the battleground, Orban said. Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, joined NATO in April last year.

With inputs from agencies.
According to reports, several Indians have been working as security helpers in the Russian military, and they were forced to fight with Russian soldiers in certain areas along Russias border with Ukraine.

India has asked Russia for the early release of some Indians working with the Russian army in support jobs, and urged its nationals to stay away from the two-year-old Ukraine war.

The move came following a report that some Indians were working as support staff to the Russian army in the conflict zone.

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External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said We are aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army,

He said the Indian embassy in Moscow has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge. We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict, he said.

Russia Ukraine conflict erupted in February 2022. Tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides have since died in the bloodiest land war in Europe since World War Two.

According to media reports, several Indians have been working as security helpers in the Russian military, and they were forced to fight with Russian soldiers in certain areas along Russias border with Ukraine.

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All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi had urged the external affairs ministry to rescue the Indians. Sir @DrSJaishankar kindly use your good offices to bring these men back home. Their lives are at risk & their families are justifiably worried, Owaisi said on X on Wednesday.

With inputs from agencies.
India and the US held their 11th bilateral Consular Dialogue in New Delhi on Friday, engaging in discussions aimed at bolstering cooperation on a range of issues including extradition, mobility of students and professionals, safe and legal migration, protection of vulnerable women and children and enabling smooth travel of their respective nationals

India and the US convened their 11th bilateral Consular Dialogue in New Delhi on Friday, engaging in discussions aimed at bolstering cooperation on a range of issues including extradition, mobility of students and professionals, safe and legal migration, protection of vulnerable women and children and enabling smooth travel of their respective nationals.

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Leading the Indian delegation was KJ Srinivasa, Joint Secretary (CPV) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

The US delegation, on the other hand, was headed by Ambassador Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the US Department of State.

The Dialogue reinforced the strong people-to-people ties and cooperation that both countries share across consular issues of mutual interest, MEA said in a statement.

Both sides discussed ways of enhancing cooperation on a wide range of issues such as extradition, mobility of students and professionals, safe and legal migration, protection of vulnerable women and children and enabling smooth travel of their respective nationals, it added.

The two sides welcomed the launch of a pilot in the US to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain categories of visas as proactive steps toward strengthening robust connections between people of two nations, according to the release. India and the US agreed to hold the next Consular Dialogue in the US in 2025.

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On Thursday, Bitter, expressed her excitement about visiting India and highlighted the explosion in travel between India and the US.

Were very excited to be here. This is the 11th annual dialogue on consular issues that weve had with our partners in the Indian government. There are a lot of issues for us to cover and a lot of really good news for us to cover. Well talk a lot about the incredible explosion in travel between the United States and India. Today, more Indians can travel to the United States than at any other time in our history. Well also talk about some of the issues that reflect the really strong family ties between the United States and India, she said.

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More Indians can travel to the United States than at any other time in our history. Last year, this mission adjudicated 1.4 million visas, the most in many, many years. Weve made tremendous progress. There is no wait time in virtually every category of visas that we issue. There is a wait time for some travellers, but there are mechanisms for being able to expedite humanitarian cases, and for being able to expedite business visas. But beyond that, in the last year, we have reduced wait times by 75 per cent. And the way that we have done that is by ensuring that we have. It is really important to us in Washington, again, because this bilateral relationship is so important, she added.

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In 2023, the US Consular Team in India processed a record 1.4 million US visas in 2023, which is higher than ever, and has reduced visitor visa appointment wait times by 75 per cent, according to the US Embassy in India. Visitor visas (B1/B2) have rebounded to represent the second-highest number of applications in the US Missions history - over 7,00,000.

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Process improvements and investments in staffing have brought the appointment wait time for visitor visas down from an average of 1,000 days to only 250 days around the country with minimal wait time in all categories, according to a statement from the US Embassy in India. In 2023, the US consular team in India issued over 140,000 student visas - more than in any other country in the world setting a record for the third year in a row.

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With inputs from agencies
The European Union announced Friday that it is imposing sanctions on several foreign companies over allegations that they have exported dual-use goods to Russia that could be used in its war against Ukraine.

A company registered in India along with others registered in Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Turkey are among those facing export restrictions under new European Union (EU) sanctions announced on Friday.

The move comes as the EU commemorates the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which falls on Saturday. The sanctions specifically focus on companies involved in producing electronic components, which the EU, comprising 27 nations, perceives as potentially serving both military and civilian purposes, thereby subjecting them to heightened export restrictions.

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The names of the companies are not yet public; they will be published in the EUs official journal later.

Based on hard evidence from various sources, supported by trade and customs data, the package adds 27 Russian and third-country companies to the list of entities associated with Russias military-industrial complex, read an official statement from the European Commission.The EU will impose export restrictions towards these companies regarding dual-use goods and technology, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russias defence and security sector, it said.

The package covers: 17 Russian companies which are involved in the development, production and supply of electronic components, particularly used in connection with drone production; four companies registered in China and one each registered in Kazakhstan, India, Serbia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Turkiye, also trading in the area of electronic components, including of EU-origin.

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The latest restrictions form part of the 13th package of sanctions against Russia by the European bloc and focus on further limiting Russias access to military technologies, such as drones, and on listing additional companies and individuals involved in Russias war effort.

With the new package, the European Commission said the number of individual listings has reached over 2,000, dealing a huge blow to those who enable Russias illegal war against Ukraine.This package further deepens our actions to stop Russia from acquiring Western-sensitive technologies for the Russian military.

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Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, have been central to Russias war against Ukraine. This package thus specifically lists companies procuring Russia with key drone components and introduces some sectoral sanctions to close loopholes and make drone warfare more complicated, it noted.

In addition, the package expands the list of advanced technology items that may contribute to Russias military and technological enhancement or to the development of its defence and security sector.

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It adds components used for the development and production of drones, such as electric transformers, static converters and inductors found inter alia in drones, as well as aluminium capacitors, which have military applications, such as in missiles and drones and in communication systems for aircraft and vessels. This will further weaken Russias military capabilities, the European Commission said.

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While previous sanctions have increased costs for Russias ability to fight in Ukraine, they appear to have done little so far to deter Putins aggression or ambitions. The Biden administration is levying additional sanctions as House Republicans are blocking billions of dollars in additional aid to Ukraine.

The war is becoming entangled in U.S. election-year politics, with former President Donald Trump voicing scepticism about the benefits of the NATO alliance and saying that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to countries that, in his view, are not pulling their weight in the alliance.

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Many of the new U.S. sanctions announced Friday target Russian firms that contribute to the Kremlins war effort  including drone and industrial chemical manufacturers and machine tool importers  as well as financial institutions, such as the state-owned operator of Russias Mir National Payment System.

The Russian foreign ministry said the EU sanctions are illegal and undermine the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council. In response, the ministry is banning some EU citizens from entering the country because they have provided military assistance to Ukraine. It did not immediately address the U.S. sanctions.

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The U.S. specifically was to target individuals associated with Navalnys imprisonment a day after Biden met with the opposition leaders widow and daughter in California. It was also hitting Russias financial sector, defence industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents, Biden said. They will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home.

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The EU asset freezes and travel bans constitute the 13th package of measures imposed by the bloc against people and organizations it suspects of undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Today, we are further tightening the restrictive measures against Russias military and defence sector, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. We remain united in our determination to dent Russias war machine and help Ukraine win its legitimate fight for self-defence.

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In all, 106 more officials and 88 entities  often companies, banks, government agencies or other organizations  have been added to the blocs sanctions list, bringing the tally of those targeted to more than 2,000 people and entities, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and his associates.

Companies making electronic components, which the EU believes could have military as well as civilian uses, were among 27 entities accused of directly supporting Russias military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine, a statement said.

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Those companies  some of them based in India, Sri Lanka, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Turkey  face tougher export restrictions.

The bloc said the companies have been involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions, and it accuses others of the development, production and supply of electronic components destined to help Russias armed forces.

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Some of the measures are aimed at depriving Russia of parts for pilotless drones, which are seen by military experts as key to the war.

Since the start of the war, U.S. Treasury and State departments have designated over 4,000 officials, oligarchs, firms, banks and others under Russia-related sanctions authorities. A $60 per barrel price cap has also been imposed on Russian oil by the Group of Seven allies, intended to reduce Russias revenues from fossil fuels.

Critics of the sanctions, price cap and other measures meant to stop Russias invasion say they are not working fast enough.

Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that primarily sanctioning Russias defence industry and failing to cut meaningfully into Russias energy revenues will not be enough to halt the war.

One way or another, they will have to eventually address Russias oil revenues and have to consider an oil embargo, Snegovaya said. The oil price cap has effectively stopped working.

Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo, in previewing the new sanctions, told reporters that the U.S. and its allies will not lower the price cap; rather what well be doing is taking actions that will increase the cost of Russias production of oil.

He added that sanctions alone are not enough to carry Ukraine to victory.

We owe the Ukrainian people who have held on for so long the support and resources they desperately need to defend their homeland and prove Putin wrong once and for all time.

With inputs from agencies.
Netanyahus plan, while lacking specifics, marks the first time he has presented a formal postwar vision. It reiterates that Israel is determined to crush Hamas, the terrorist group that overran the Gaza Strip in 2007.

According to a long-awaited postwar plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel seeks open-ended control over security and civilian affairs in the Gaza Strip. However, Palestinian leaders promptly dismissed it, noting its contradiction with the vision for the besieged area outlined by Washington.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the two-page document to his security Cabinet late Thursday for approval.

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Growing tensions between Israel and its closest ally the United States have surfaced due to profound disagreements over the future of Gaza. The Biden administration advocates for eventual Palestinian control in both Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, viewing it as a stepping stone toward Palestinian statehood.

However, Netanyahu and his right-wing government vehemently oppose this approach. Instead, Netanyahus plan proposes a scenario where selected Palestinians would oversee governance in Gaza, reflecting his differing vision for the region.

Separately, cease-fire efforts appeared to gain traction, with mediators to present a new proposal at an expected high-level meeting this weekend in Paris. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been struggling for weeks to find a formula that could halt Israels devastating offensive in Gaza, but now face an unofficial deadline as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

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In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes in the centre and south of the territory killed at least 68 Palestinians, including children and women, overnight and into Friday, health officials and an Associated Press journalist said. Another 24 bodies remained trapped under the rubble.

Fidaa Ashour, whose sister was killed in a strike early Friday in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, said the world does not feel what we are enduring. At a hospital in the central town of Deir al-Balah, relatives wept over bodies laid out in burial shrouds in the courtyard, and a man cradled a dead infant.

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The overall Palestinian death toll since the start of the war rose to more than 29,500, with close to 70,000 people wounded, Gaza health officials said. The death toll amounts to close to 1.3% of Gazas population of 2.3 million.

NETANYAHUS VISION FOR GAZA

Netanyahus plan, while lacking specifics, marks the first time he has presented a formal postwar vision. It reiterates that Israel is determined to crush Hamas, the terrorist group that overran the Gaza Strip in 2007.

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Polls have indicated that a majority of Palestinians dont support Hamas, but the group has deep roots in Palestinian society. Critics, including some in Israel, say the goal of eliminating Hamas is unattainable.

Netanyahus plan calls for freedom of action for Israels military across a demilitarized Gaza after the war to thwart any security threat. It says Israel would establish a buffer zone inside Gaza, which is likely to provoke U.S. objections.

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The plan also envisions Gaza being governed by local officials who it says would not be identified with countries or entities that support terrorism and will not receive payment from them.

Its not clear if any Palestinians would agree to such sub-contractor roles. Over the past decades, Israel has repeatedly tried and failed to set up hand-picked local Palestinian governing bodies.

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The Palestinian Authority, which administers pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Friday denounced Netanyahus plan as colonialist and racist, saying it would amount to Israeli reoccupation of Gaza. Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, but maintained control of access to the territory.

The Biden administration wants to see a reformed Palestinian Authority govern both Gaza and the West Bank as a step toward Palestinian statehood. It has sought to chip away at Netanyahus resistance by holding out the prospect of the normalization of ties between Israel and Arab powerhouse Saudi Arabia.

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THE WAR DRAGS ON

Israel declared war on Hamas on Oct. 7, after the militants stormed into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages. More than 100 hostages were freed in a weeklong cease-fire in late November.

Since the start of the war, 29,514 Palestinians were killed in Israels offensive and close to 70,000 were wounded, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday. Two-thirds of those killed have been women and children, said the ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.

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Israel says it has killed at least 10,000 Hamas fighters, without presenting details. It holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties because the group operates and fights from within civilian areas. The United States has repeatedly urged Israel to do more to avoid harm to civilians, but the daily number of deaths reported in Gaza appears to be relatively constant.

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The Israeli offensive has inflicted immense suffering in Gaza. About 80% of the population has been displaced, infectious diseases run rampant and hundreds of thousands of people are facing hunger.

In the West Bank, two Palestinians killed in an Israeli drone strike on their car were buried Friday in the Jenin refugee camp. The two bodies were wrapped in flags of the militant group Islamic Jihad and carried on stretchers during the funeral procession.

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Israel says one of those killed was previously involved in shooting attacks on Israeli settlements and army posts and was about to carry out another attack when he was killed in the drone strike late Thursday.

With inputs from AP.
Warsaw Police are looking for a man wanted in the strangulation death of a woman 3 months ago.

Michael H. Bellaire, 41, is wanted on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Cheryl Cook. The two had been living together in the Wyoming County Village of Warsaw.

His last known location was crossing into Mexico.

Police were called for a welfare check on Cook, 53, on Nov. 7, and upon entering the residence found the woman dead. A preliminary autopsy indicated the cause of death was strangulation, according to a press release from the office of the Wyoming County district attorney.

Multiple law enforcement agencies have been looking for Bellaire since Cook's death, according to First Assistant District Attorney Vincent A. Hemming.

Bellaire's last known location was when he was driving Cook's 2012 grey Toyota Corolla into Mexico.

Police obtained an arrest warrant for Bellaire on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree strangulation, tampering with physical evidence and two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny for reportedly stealing Cook's car and credit cards.

Law enforcement officials request anyone with information about Bellaire, his whereabouts or Cook's death to contact Warsaw Police Chief Pete Hoffmeister at 585-786-2000.

 Barbara O'Brien
Under the new arrangement, the flour capable of feeding 1.5 million Gazans for five months will be ferried into Gaza by the World Food Program, rather than the UNRWA relief agency for Palestinian refugees, according to a report, citing an US official

Volunteers distribute food to displaced Palestinians in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on 18 February, 2024. AFP File

After far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich blocked transfer of massive American shipment of flour for Gaza for over a month, Israel on Friday agreed to a new arrangement allowing the consignment to be ferried for Gazan civilians.

According to a Times of Israel report, citing an US official, under the new arrangement, the flour capable of feeding 1.5 million Gazans for five months will be ferried into Gaza by the World Food Program, rather than the UNRWA relief agency for Palestinian refugees.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discreetly informed the Biden administration that Israel had greenlit the shipment in early January. The White House disclosed this development on 19 January, amid mounting pressure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, added the report.

However, over a month later, the flour has yet to reach Gaza.

Although the shipment arrived at Israels Ashdod Port, Smotrich obstructed its transfer to UNRWA. This action stemmed from allegations that 12 UNRWA staffers had participated in the 7 October terror attack, which had drawn criticism the previous month.

The delay has angered the Biden administration, which has repeatedly noted in recent weeks that Israel keep the commitments it made to the president.

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According to the US official, with the new arrangement now settled, the shipment can proceed immediately.

Nonetheless, even if the flour reaches Gaza, it remains uncertain whether it will be distributed to civilians.

In recent days, the distribution of humanitarian aid has largely ceased due to the Hamas polices refusal to secure the trucks delivering assistance through Gaza. Their reluctance is attributed to frequent instances of Israeli fire targeting these trucks.

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With inputs from agencies
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law, raising concerns about how the decision could affect in vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF

US President Joe Biden called the Alabama Supreme Courts recent ruling on IVF outrageous and unacceptable and said the verdict was a direct result of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law, raising concerns about how the decision could affect in vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF.

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The University of Alabama at Birmingham, the states largest hospital, said Wednesday it was pausing in vitro fertilization, or IVF, treatments as it evaluates the implications of the courts decision.

The states largest hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham, said Wednesday it was pausing in IVF treatments as it evaluates the implications of the courts decision.

Disregard for womens ability to make decisions

In a statement, Biden said: Today, in 2024 in America, women are being turned away from emergency rooms and forced to travel hundreds of miles for health care, while doctors fear prosecution for providing an abortion. And now, a court in Alabama put access to some fertility treatments at risk for families who are desperately trying to get pregnant."

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The disregard for womens ability to make these decisions for themselves and their families is outrageous and unacceptable," the US President said.

Overturning Roe v. Wade

Biden said the Alabama courts verdict is a direct result of overturning of Roe v. Wade and vowed to keep fighting for womens reproductive rights until we restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law for all women in every state.

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Vice President Kamala Harris joined Biden in criticising the decision, characterising it as an attack on womens reproductive rights.

Biden, Harris, and their campaign cast blame on former President Donald Trump for rolling back abortion rights with his appointments of conservatives to the US Supreme Court.

On the one hand, the proponents are saying that an individual doesnt have a right to end an unwanted pregnancy and on the other hand, the individual does not have a right to start a family, Harris said.

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Ask whos to blame And Ill answer that question: When you look at the fact that the previous president of the United States was clear in his intention to hand-pick three Supreme Court justices who would overturn the protections of Roe v. Wade. And he did it. And thats what got us to this point today, the US Vice President added.

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Alabama is among the states in America that have implemented restrictions on abortion access following the US Supreme Court ruling that overturned the constitutional right to the procedure.

Apart from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Center for Reproductive Medicine at Mobile Infirmary has also announced immediate pauses to IVF procedures following the courts decision. As per reports, a third clinic, Alabama Fertility in Birmingham, is also following suit.

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Alabama court IVF ruling

Three couples, whose frozen embryos were accidentally destroyed by a patient who gained access to a cryogenic nursery where they were stored, has filed a lawsuit. Initially, a lower court ruled that the embryos could not be considered a person or child, dismissing the wrongful-death claim.

However, the Alabama Supreme Court, in a 7-2 ruling, disagreed with the decision of the lower courts and asserted that the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act applies to all unborn children without limitation, emphasising the sanctity of unborn human life, citing public policy and referencing the states conservative stance on abortion.

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With inputs from agencies
In recent months, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has voiced his displeasure with Armenias long-standing relations with Russia, stating that Armenia could no longer rely on Moscow to provide its defence needs

After Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan claimed that Yerevan had halted its membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) because the agreement had failed the nation, the Kremlin announced on Friday that Russia intended to get in touch with Armenia.

In an interview that was aired on Thursday, Pashinyan made the remarks.

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In recent months, he has voiced his displeasure with Armenias long-standing relations with Russia, stating that Armenia could no longer rely on Moscow to provide its defence needs. Additionally, he has indicated that its CSTO membership is being reviewed.

Moscow needs additional information from Armenia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday on the Zvezda television station, which is controlled by the defence ministry.

The Armenian side has not taken any official action in this regard, he said, referring to the purported freezing of its CSTO participation.

We intend to get in touch with our colleagues and clarify the meaning of these statements.

Other ex-Soviet members of the CSTO include Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The CSTO secretariat has not received any statements from Yerevan about the suspension of its membership, the Interfax news agency reported on Friday, citing the organisations press service.

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As for the thesis about the freezing of participation (in the bloc), apparently, it refers to the Republic of Armenias non-participation in a number of events held by the organisation recently.
At Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) in Rio De Janeiro, Muraleedharan expressed Indias steadfast support to Brazils G20 Presidency and noted that four developing countries (Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa) are holding the G20 Presidency in a row

After assuming G20 Presidency from India on December 1, 2023, Brazil hosted the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) in Rio De Janeiro on February 21 and 22. The meeting was attended by Minister of State (MoS) External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan along with foreign ministers and heads of delegation of group members.

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The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mauro Vieira.

Addressing the first session of the FMM G20s role in dealing with ongoing international tensions on February 21, Muraleedharan expressed Indias steadfast support to Brazils G20 Presidency and noted that four developing countries (Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa) are holding the G20 Presidency in a row.

The Indian minister also recalled the inclusion of African Union (AU) in the G20 last year, under Indias presidency, and welcomed the AU to its first G20 FMM as a permanent G20 Member in Brazil.

As the G20 FMM was held in the backdrop of multiple conflict situations across the world, Muraleedharan touched upon multiple conflict points and advocated Indias position on them.

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Talking about the Russia-Ukraine war, the minister said, India called for an urgent return to dialogue and diplomacy, while on the Israel-Palestine conflict, India believes in a two-State solution on the Israel-Palestine issue.

Muraleedharan asserted that India condemns terrorism in all its forms and said, We must not allow conflict in West Asia to spread any wider.

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Addressing on the attacks on marine vessels in the Red Sea, the MoS emphasised the need for utmost security on high seas and also that the safety of sea lanes of communication is critical.

He also drew attention to the need to address geopolitical issues constructively and find common ground.

The minister reiterating Indias stand and reminded the gathering of foreign ministers that the G20 as an economic forum should focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and climate change.

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Muraleedharan also declared Indias steadfast support to Brazil during its Presidency and said, the FMMs theme Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet resonates well with One Earth One Family One Future propagated by India.

Muraleedharan emphasised the importance of an inclusive and action-oriented response to contemporary global challenges, which have a disproportionate impact on the Global South.

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The minister also recalled the valuable consensus achieved in the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration (NDLD), and urged the G20 to maintain its focus on development related issues and accelerate progress on all the agreed NDLD decisions and outcomes.

Speaking at the Session-II of the FMM on Global Governance Reform on February 22, Muraleedharan noted that the global order has undergone dramatic changes since the creation of the present multilateral governance architecture in the 20th century, and emphasised the critical need for a paradigm shift in the structures and working methods of key global institutions to make them more responsive to contemporary challenges.

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Recalling that the G20 Leaders had, in the NDLD, agreed to deliver better, bigger more effective and more representative Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), he called for enhanced financial flows to enable accelerated progress SDGs and climate action. He stressed the importance of open, transparent and outcome-oriented process of UN reforms, including the UN Security Council, in a defined timeframe. He reiterated Indias support to policies that enable trade and investment to serve as an engine of growth and prosperity for all.

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Muraleedharan also attended the official dinner hosted jointly by the Brazilian Foreign Minister and Mayor of Rio on February 21, as well as a farewell lunch hosted by the Brazilian Foreign Minister on February 22, for the visiting G20 Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegations.

During his visit, the minister interacted with several participating foreign ministers on the sidelines of the FMM, had a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Eng. Omar Paganini and met members of the local Indian community in Rio.

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On February 22, Muraleedharan participated in the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Foreign Ministers Meeting. It comprised of two sessions, one on IBSA: Perspectives and Institutional Development and another on G20. IBSA Ministers emphasized the importance of IBSA solidarity and convergence, and agreed on the need to boost functional cooperation in areas of shared interest.

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The G20 Foreign Ministers have been meeting as a group since 2012, and the FMM in Rio would be its 10th meeting.

With inputs from agencies
Yemens Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting shipping for months and their attacks have persisted despite repeated American and British strikes aimed at degrading the rebels ability to threaten a vital global trade route.

A day after striking four drones on the ground in Yemen, the US military shot down destroyed Houthi drones and anti-ship cruise missiles on Friday in Yemen and the Red Sea after determining they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships.

The strikes hit four drones and two cruise missiles that were prepared to launch from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea, the militarys Central Command was quoted by AFP as saying. The military also shot down three Houthi one-way attack drones near commercial ships operating in the Red Sea, it said.

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The strikes were conducted on Thursday and Friday, the Central Command said. There was no damage to any ships, it added.

Yemens Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting shipping for months and their attacks have persisted despite repeated American and British strikes aimed at degrading the rebels ability to threaten a vital global trade route.

Early on Friday, US forces shot down three Houthi one-way attack (drones) near several commercial ships operating in the Red Sea. There was no damage to any ships, the Central Command (CENTCOM) said on social media.

The Houthis began attacking Red Sea shipping in November, saying they were hitting Israel-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, which has been ravaged by the Israel-Hamas war.

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US and UK forces responded with strikes against the Houthis, who have since declared American and British interests to be legitimate targets as well.

On Thursday, American forces struck four Houthi drones as well as two anti-ship cruise missiles, CENTCOM said, adding that the weapons were prepared to launch from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen towards the Red Sea.

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Anger over Israels devastating campaign in Gaza  which began after an unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7  has grown across the Middle East, stoking violence involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

With inputs from agencies.
First of all, India is a global leader, it is certainly powerful voice of the Global South countries. India respects the territorial integrity of my country. So in that sense, we have full support. But, India could be more vocal on it, could take more action towards finding a peaceful solution, said Iryna Borovets

Describing India as a powerful voice of the Global South countries, Ukraines Deputy Foreign Minister Iryna Borovets has said that New Delhi has a crucial role to play in seeking a peaceful resolution to the current Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Speaking to ANI news agency, Borovets said, India has a crucial role. First of all, India is a global leader, it is certainly powerful voice of the Global South countries. India respects the territorial integrity of my country. So in that sense, we have full support. But, India could be more vocal on it, could take more action towards finding a peaceful solution.

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Borovets said that Ukraine has invited India to participate in the Global Peace Summit scheduled to take place in Switzerland in March.

India has to be a part of the peace-finding solution. We have invited the Indian government to be present at the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland in March. We very much expect representative of India there, she added.

Concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India consistently denounces civilian casualties and advocates for a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

During a significant moment, Prime Minister Modi conveyed to President Putin, amid the SCO summit in Uzbekistan last year, that this is not the era of war. This assertion was even incorporated into the G20 communique during Indias presidency.

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Earlier, Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik lauded the ties between India and Norway, saying the two countries have a strong and equal commitment to multilateralism, international law, and finding solutions to global issues.

Our relations are very strong. We have an equal commitment to multilateralism, to international law, to finding solutions to some of the global issues that were tackling, climate change, inequality, and reforming international institutions. So we have had very good discussions about those issues and other issues, also bilateral issues, he told ANI.

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We have a free trade agreement that were close to finalising, and we have various interactions between our two countries. The conversations I have had with various Indian officials have been fantastic, and very productive, Kravik added.

With inputs from agencies
On the one hand there are people who set up policies to bring the two nations together and then they say beware of the two coming together. It is certainly in Indian national interest but it is also in global interest. A lot of doors have been shut to Russia and the West. Russia is turning more to Asia or to parts of the world which are not West. It makes sense to give Russia multiple options, said Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that improved Russia-China ties are not only in Indian national interest but largely also in global interest.

Addressing a session during the Raisina Dialogue 2024 in the national capital, Jaishankar said, On the one hand there are people who set up policies to bring the two nations together and then they say beware of the two coming together. It is certainly in Indian national interest but it is also in global interest.

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#WATCH | Raisina Dialogue 2024 | On Russia-China relations, Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar says, "On the one hand there are people who set up policies to bring the two nations together and then they say beware of the two coming together. It is certainly in Indian pic.twitter.com/XQwWNyTwZm  ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

He said a lot of doors have been shut to Russia and Moscow is now turning to Asia or to parts of the world which are not West.

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A lot of doors have been shut to Russia and the West. Russia is turning more to Asia or to parts of the world which are not West. It makes sense to give Russia multiple options, said Jaishankar.

He said If we railroad Russia to a single option, then youre making it a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy.

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Other countries especially in Asia need to engage Russia. Russia is a power with an enormous tradition of statecraft, and such powers would never put themselves into a single relationship of an overwhelming nature, said Jaishankar.

Jaishankars comments come days after he reaffirmed Indias stable and friendly ties with Russia and said Moscow has never hurt the interests of New Delhi.

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India-Russia ties have been under scrutiny since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, triggering weapons aid for Kyiv from the West, and financial sanctions by the United States and Europe, including those on the purchase of Russian crude oil.

When asked how India and China are shaping up economically, Jaishankar said that both the countries are rising but at a different pace with different starting points.

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VIDEO | Raisina Dialogue 2024: Heres what Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) said on India-China relations.



Both (India and China) of us are rising, obviously at a different pace with different starting points. I think, the Chinese started off earlier pic.twitter.com/q5eb87Q9oe  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 23, 2024

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Both (India and China) of us are rising, obviously at a different pace with different starting points. I think, the Chinese started off earlier much more intensively than we did. But its in the nature of things that at some stage everybody flattens out. So, there will be a period where they will be flattening out and we will be growing."

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He said hes not in denial of what the numbers suggest today but if one looks at Goldman Sachs predictions, both will really be, by about 2075 and up, a $50 trillion economy and plus, and will be too close to each other.

Now, the international relations version of that issue would be, if both of us are moving vis a vis each other and vis a vis the world, how would we construct an equilibrium?, he added.

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Organised by independent think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and Ministry of External Affairs, the Raisina Dialogue is a conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the international community.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the conference on 21 February.

With inputs from agencies
Emergency departments at all big hospitals in South Korea were on red alert. The situation is expected to get worse as doctors warned they would continue their strike action

Doctors and Medical workers take part in a protest against a plan to admit more students to medical school, in front of the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea, February 21, 2024. REUTERS

Patients seeking emergency care are being turned away, hospitals are cancelling operations, forcing South Korea to raise its public health alert to severe for the first time on Friday after walkout by 8,400 doctors to protest against government recruitment plans.

According to the health ministry, so far, about 64 per cent of the entire number of resident and intern doctors in South Korea have joined the walkout.

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A Yonhap news agency report said major general hospitals in South Korea have been forced to cancel up to 50 per cent of operations and turn away patients seeking emergency care.

As per reports in local media, emergency departments at all big hospitals were on red alert. The situation is expected to get worse as doctors warned they would continue their strike action.

A large rally is also likely in Seoul on Sunday.

The mounting pressure on hospitals has prompted the health ministry to raise the healthcare disaster risk alert from cautious to severe for the first time. The government cited the intensifying walkout and growing concerns over its impact on public health.

Number less but worrisome

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Though the trainee doctors, who have staged walkout in protest, represent a far smaller fraction of the countrys 100,000 doctors overall, they make up a big portion of the staff at teaching hospitals, more than 40 per cent in some cases, and play a pivotal role in the daily operations.

Their assistance is especially required in emergency rooms, intensive care units and operating rooms at the large hospitals, which are visited by patients referred to them by secondary hospitals and private practice clinics.

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Larger hospitals in South Korea excessively depend on trainee doctors in part for cost reasons.

South Korea doctors protest

The walkout by South Koreas young doctors began earlier this week after the government announced its plan to increase the number of students admitted to medical school in a bid to bolster the healthcare system of one of the worlds most rapidly ageing societies.

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Some physicians claimed that there are already enough physicians and that additional recruitment would compromise the standard of medical care.

Others insist they are campaigning for higher pay and reductions in their workload, and not against the planned recruitment drive.

Justifying its decision, the government said more doctors will be needed to meet future healthcare challenges posed by South Koreas rapidly ageing society. The government has forecast that more than a fifth of the countrys population of 51 million will be aged over 64 by 2025.

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The government has also threatened to arrest the doctors leading the walkout.

Unhappy South Koreans

As per a recent Gallup Korea poll finding, 76 per cent of South Koreans were in favour of the governments hiring plans. But many of them, mostly those waiting for medical care, voiced dismay over the dispute.

If the government truly cares for its people, I hope they take a step back now, and doctors also take a step back, so that patients wont be hurt, a report by Reuters quoted a 34-year-old office worker with a broken leg as saying.

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The patient said he had been turned away by three hospitals before finally receiving treatment at a publicly run medical centre in Seoul.

Doctors are supposed to treat patients, so it seems unreasonable for them to go on strike, said the patient said, whose broken leg requires surgery.

Another patient, Lee Joo-hyung, said he had been able to receive treatment for his asthma but was concerned he would struggle to find a doctor for his next appointment in three months time.

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So many doctors have submitted their resignations so we dont know what will happen, the 31-year-old teacher said. Im really worried," Lee said.

With inputs from agencies
We are aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian Army. The Indian Embassy has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge. We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement

Amid reports of the Russian Army recruiting Indian nationals at its Moscow recruitment centre over the past year, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that Indian Embassy is regularly taking up the matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge and urged all the Indians to stay away from the conflict.

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We are aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian Army. The Indian Embassy has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.

In response to media queries regarding Indians caught in conflict in Russia, MEA Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal says, "We are aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian Army. The Indian Embassy has regularly taken up this matter with the pic.twitter.com/UoE2KoyXcd  ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict, the statement added.

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According to The Hindu report, citing an official working for the Russian Ministry of Defence, the Russian Army has recruited around 100 Indians at its Moscow recruitment centre over the past year.

The official said these recruits were informed about the associated risks before signing contracts for the role of army security helpers.

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He said the recruitment process did not involve any upfront charges by the Russian Army and that the actual number of Indian recruits may be higher as the figure he provided only pertained to the Moscow centre, added the report.

The contract spans a minimum of one year, during which workers are not permitted to take leave or terminate employment before six months. They are offered a monthly salary of Rs 1.95 lakh, supplemented by a Rs 50,000 bonus.

The workers undergo a psychometric test and are explained the risks before they are sent for training. Since they are hired as helpers, it all depends on the command to which they will be sent. It could either be to the battlefield or they may be asked to work as porters. Their consent is taken. A background check is conducted to ensure no spies are recruited, The Hindu report quoted the official as saying.

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Earlier, The Hindu had disclosed that three Indian nationals, recruited as security aides by Russia, were purportedly coerced into combat alongside Russian troops along the Russia-Ukraine border in January. One of the individuals asserted they were misled by an agent who promised they would not be deployed to the conflict zone.

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The workers allege that their passports and official papers have been confiscated. Despite repeated appeals for assistance to the Indian Embassy in Moscow, their pleas remain unanswered, added the report.

With inputs from agencies
After Turkeys approval last month, Hungary is still the only country standing in the way of the Nordic nations NATO membership, but its parliament is scheduled to vote on Swedens candidature on Monday

Ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote on Stockholms NATO ambition, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson travelled to Budapest on Friday to have discussions with his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orban.

After Turkeys approval last month, Hungary is still the only country standing in the way of the Nordic nations NATO membership, but its parliament is scheduled to vote on Swedens candidature on Monday.

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In May 2022, following Russias invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and its neighbour Finland submitted an application to join NATO.

Welcome to Hungary, Swedish PM! Orban posted on X, formerly Twitter, with a picture of him shaking hands with Kristersson.

After bilateral talks, a press conference is scheduled for around 11:30 am (1030 GMT).

The two leaders plan to discuss the strengthening of their defence and security policy cooperation, according to a statement by the Swedish government.

This week, Hungarian pro-government news site Index reported that a large-scale military and defence contract between the two countries is in the works.

Hungary has a fleet of 14 Swedish-made Jas-39 Gripen fighter jets it operates under a leasing contract signed in 2001, which has since been extended twice.

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Earlier on Friday, Orban told state radio that some pending (bilateral) military and arms issues had to be worked out before the Hungarian parliament on Monday can put the final seal on ratification.

We are pro-peace, and the Swedes are pro-war in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Orban said but added that the clear differences in values could be bridged.

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Faced with increasing pressure from the United States, as well as fellow EU member states to greenlight Swedens NATO bid, Orban announced last week that Budapest was on course to ratify it.

Orbans nationalist Fidesz party  whose ruling coalition with the Christian democratic KDNP holds a majority in parliament  indicated it would support Swedens bid on Monday.

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All opposition parties except the far-right Our Homeland movement are in favour of ratification.

Although Hungary repeatedly said it supports Stockholm in principle, it prolonged the process by asking Sweden to stop vilifying Orbans nationalist government.

It has often denounced what it called Swedens openly hostile attitude, accusing Swedish representatives of being keen to bash Hungary on rule-of-law issues.

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In January, Orban invited the Swedish prime minister to Hungary, citing the need to build strong mutual trust through more intense political dialogue.

Finland became the 31st member of NATO in April 2023.
Some Republicans joined Democrats in expressing alarm over a ruling this week by the Alabama Supreme Court that jeopardized future access to in vitro fertilization, giving allies of President Joe Biden new fuel for their efforts to center abortion access in the presidential election.

"We've got to talk about making sure we don't take away women's rights to IVF, women who are childbearing age and want to give birth to children," said GOP Rep. Nancy Mace, who campaigned this week for former President Donald Trump in South Carolina. She added, "I'll be working very hard to make sure that doesn't happen."

Democrats and left-leaning interest groups have banked on abortion rights as a major motivator for voters in the upcoming presidential election and fight for control of Congress. They believe abortion can be a winning issue as the debate widens to include increasing concerns over miscarriage care, access to medication, access to emergency care and now IVF treatments.

The GOP has struggled to talk about the issue while abortion-rights advocates won races even in conservative-leaning states. Reproductive rights groups on Thursday compared the Alabama ruling to the impact of the Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and nullified a federally guaranteed right to abortion.

"This has hit a nerve in a way I haven't seen since Dobbs," said Mini Timmaraju, head of the abortion rights group Reproductive Freedom for All. "And it's because folks didn't believe this could happen but it's happening."

Biden issued a statement Thursday that called the Alabama decision a "direct result of the overturning of Roe v. Wade." Vice President Kamala Harris, in the middle of her "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour, accused Republicans of hypocrisy.

"On the one hand, the proponents are saying that an individual doesn't have a right to end an unwanted pregnancy and, on the other hand, the individual does not have the right to start a family," she told an audience in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Ruling and response

The all-Republican Alabama Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that frozen embryos created through IVF are considered children under state law, potentially exposing families and clinics to criminal charges or punitive damages. In response, the state's largest hospital and at least two other providers paused IVF treatments as they scrambled to assess the ruling's impact.

Trump did not speak publicly about the ruling and his campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The dominant front-runner in the Republican primary, Trump for months resisted calls from anti-abortion advocates to support a national ban because he says it would be unpopular with the general public.

The Biden campaign and abortion rights advocates last week seized on a news report that Trump privately suggested support for a 16-week ban.

Trump said Friday that he would strongly support the availability of IVF and called on lawmakers in Alabama to preserve access to the procedure.

Trump, in his first comments on the issue, said in a post on his Truth Social network: Under my leadership, the Republican Party will always support the creation of strong, thriving, healthy American families. We want to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, not harder!

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trump's last major primary challenger, sided with the Alabama Supreme Court in a Wednesday interview with NBC News, saying "Embryos, to me, are babies."

A day later, she told CNN she did not want to shut down IVF treatments and that "Alabama needs to go back and look at the law."

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, called the ruling "scary" while speaking at the POLITICO Governors Summit on Thursday. Alabama state Sen. Tim Melson, also a Republican, said he intends to file legislation to protect IVF services in the state.

Other Republicans backed the Alabama court ruling and suggested they would encourage women not to use IVF.

Catalina Stubbe, the national director of Moms for Liberty, a nonprofit that advocates for book bans and has targeted discussions of race and LGBTQ identity in schools, said she empathized with women who want to be biological mothers through in vitro fertilization but felt they should adopt instead.

"There are many other options that moms can definitely take in consideration instead of IVF," said Stubbe, who said she was describing her position and not her group's. "This is sad to create a life just to end up like an experiment for a laboratory."

The science

IVF is a common process by which people attempt to become pregnant, especially for couples having trouble conceiving, LGBTQ couples and people trying to prevent passing on terminal genetic illnesses or high risks of cancer. It is responsible for about 84,000 babies a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Legislation and court rulings defining life as beginning at fertilization or that give embryos legal rights may limit parts of the IVF process, including the removal of embryos that fail to implant in the uterus or the disposal of unused embryos.

Fertility doctors have been raising alarm bells over the risks of losing IVF access since Roe v. Wade was overturned as many patients frantically moved frozen embryos to states with more permissive abortion laws  a process that comes with increased cost, complexity and risk of damage to embryos.

Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who has conceived two daughters through IVF, urged Congress to pass a bill introduced last month aiming to protect IVF access.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee encouraged Alabamans to vote for Democratic candidate Marilyn Lands in a special election next month for a state legislative seat.

"This could be a determining factor in who is elected president and could have a big impact in who serves in Congress," said Kathleen Sebelius, a Democratic former Kansas governor and secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services.
In federal court in Florida, Trump is charged with dozens of felony counts on the grounds that he unlawfully had sensitive papers at his Mar-a-Lago resort and hindered the governments attempts to obtain them. The trial in this case is scheduled for May 20, although it may be postponed

In an effort to have the criminal case against him for unlawfully keeping classified documents dismissed, the legal team of former President Donald Trump filed a number of motions on Thursday night. They argued, among other things, that presidential immunity shields him from prosecution, a point they have already made in their appeal to the US Supreme Court regarding election meddling.

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Lawyers Christopher Kise and Todd Blanche wrote that the charges turn on his alleged decision to designate records as personal under the Presidential Records Act (PRA) and to cause the records to be moved from the White House to Mar-a-Lago. Since Trump made this decision while he was still in office, they wrote, it was an official act, and as such is subject to presidential immunity.

In federal court in Florida, Trump is charged with dozens of felony counts on the grounds that he unlawfully had sensitive papers at his Mar-a-Lago resort and hindered the governments attempts to obtain them. The trial in this case is scheduled for May 20, although it may be postponed.

Additionally, Trumps legal team said that the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith by Attorney General Merrick Garland to probe the previous president was illegal and that the materials lawsuit should be dropped.

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In August, Smiths second case against Trump was made public when the former president was charged with a felony in Washington for his efforts to rig the 2020 election results prior to his followers violent protest at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The case had been set for trial on March 4 in federal court in Washington. But that date was canceled amid an appeal by Trump on the legally untested question of whether a former president is immune from prosecution for official acts taken in the White House. Trumps lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to intervene, but its not clear if the justices will.

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A June 2023 indictment charging Trump with dozens of felony counts alleges that investigators found boxes of sensitive documents recklessly stored at Mar-a-Lago in spaces including a ballroom, a bathroom and shower, his bedroom and a storage room. Prosecutors have said the documents he stowed, refused to return and in some cases showed to visitors risked jeopardizing not only relations with foreign nations but also the safety of troops and confidential sources.

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Trump faces four criminal indictments in four different cities as he vies to reclaim the White House. The cases total 91 felony counts.
Deputy US Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said the action, taken in partnership with other countries, will target Russias military industrial complex and companies in third countries that facilitate Moscows access to goods it wants

Two years on and there is no end in sight for the Russia-Ukraine war. In action marking the second anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine, the United States has partnered with other countries to impose sanctions on over 500 targets on Friday.

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation against Ukraine.

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On Friday (February 23), well release hundreds of sanctions just here in the United States, but its important to step back and remember that its not just America taking these actions, Deputy US Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.

Targets of US new sanctions

Giving out details Adeyemo said the new sanctions come at a time when Washington seeks to hold Russia to account over the war and death of Putins vociferous critic and a key opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Adeyemo said the action will target Russias military industrial complex and companies in third countries that facilitate Russias access to goods it wants.

The package will be the latest of thousands of sanctions targeting Russia announced by the United States and its allies following the formers invasion of Ukraine, which has killed tens of thousands and destroyed cities.

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The latest sanctions come as Washington and its allies continue to put pressure on Russia, despite doubts over whether the US Congress will approve additional security assistance for Ukraine.

US President Joe Bidens administration has run out of money approved earlier for Ukraine, and has now made a request for additional funds.

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Sanctions and export controls are geared towards slowing Russia down, making it harder for them to fight their war of choice in Ukraine. But ultimately, in order to speed Ukraine up, to give them the ability to defend themselves, Congress needs to act to give Ukraine the resources that they need and the weapons they need, Adeyemo said.

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Sanctions not enough

Reuters report said experts have warned that the sanctions are not enough to stop Russias attacks on Ukraine.

What Congress does to pass additional military assistance to Ukraine is going to matter far, far more than anything else they could do on the sanctions front, the report quoted Peter Harrell, a former National Security Council official, as saying.

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With inputs from Reuters
China must resolutely combat the division of Taiwan independence, contain interference from external forces, firmly support the patriotic and reunification forces on the island, unite Taiwan compatriots, and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, said Wang Huning, the fourth-ranked leader in the ruling Communist Party

Chinese and Taiwanese printed flags are seen in this illustration taken, April 28, 2022. Reuters

China is determined to contain foreign interference regarding Taiwan and will resolutely combat any attempts at the islands formal independence this year, which is the sensitive 75th anniversary of the founding of communist China, Reuters quoted state media as reporting on Friday.

China considers Taiwan its own territory despite Taipeis objections and has increased political and military pressure to assert its claims.

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Last month, Taiwan elected Vice President Lai Ching-te as its next president, whom Beijing has labeled a dangerous separatist. Lai, set to assume office in May, has repeatedly extended offers for dialogue with China, all of which have been rejected.

According to Reuters, citing Chinas Xinhua news agency, Wang Huning, the fourth-ranked leader in the ruling Communist Party, concluded a two-day meeting on Taiwan-related affairs for the year.

Wang said that with this year being the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China it was necessary to do a good job on Taiwan-related work with a high sense of responsibility and mission, Reuters quoted Wang as saying to Xinhua.

China must resolutely combat the division of Taiwan independence, contain interference from external forces, firmly support the patriotic and reunification forces on the island, unite Taiwan compatriots, and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, it cited Wang as saying.

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In Chinas terminology, interference from external forces generally covers areas such as U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and visits to Taipei by foreign officials and lawmakers.

According to the report, citing Xinhua, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also head of the partys foreign affairs commission and director of Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office from 2008 to 2013, attended the meeting.

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Taiwans government says China has no right to claim to represent the islands people on the international stage and that as the Peoples Republic of China has never ruled Taiwan its sovereignty claims are void.

Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the Peoples Republic in Beijing on Oct. 1, 1949, after a bloody civil war.

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The defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan at the end of 1949, and that remains the islands formal name.

Neither government recognises the other.

With inputs from agencies
After CAD-based renders, press renders of the Nothing Phone (2a) has surfaced on the Nothing community, revealing the phone in Black and White colours.

This coincides with earlier leaks and the companys teaser. It shows three glyph lights around the camera, minimal bezels for the screen, lack of wireless charging coil.

Even though this has a transparent design, the phone is said to use a plastic back compared to a glass back in the Phone (1) and (2), likely to cut the cost.

Nothing has already confirmed Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC developed closely with MediaTek, and the phone will have up to 12GB of RAM and up to 8GB of virtual RAM with RAM boost feature. It also posted 7.419 lakh AnTuTu score for the phone.

After teasing the eyes, the company officially confirmed Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh as the companys brand ambassador in India. Based on reports, he will be seen in commercials to promote the smartphone.

We still have over a week for the phones launch, so we can expect more details in the coming days.

Source (Removed) | Via
The good news for Buffalo is that federal help may be available for the crucial work of removing its thousands water lines made of lead. The challenging news is that, with that money, the citys planned 25-year project would need to be completed in 10.

So much the better. Lead, whether its in drinking water or paint chips, is poison. The chance to accelerate the program with money from Washington is a gift to the city and its residents.

Buffalo has done good work in maintaining the integrity of its lead water lines. Without treatments, those pipes can corrode, sending lead-contaminated water streaming into restaurants, homes, water fountains and other places. Thats what failed in Flint, Mich., that started in 2014, creating two crises: public health and political.

But Buffalos good work comes with a price, since federal help increases as the condition of the pipes deteriorate. In Flint, corrosion prevention was catastrophically bad. Nor was it very good in Newark, N.J., where  under pressure from residents and a lawsuit by an environmental group  Mayor Ras Baraka committed to removing all 23,000 remaining lead service lines in the city. Using both borrowed and federal money, the city spent $190 million and did the job in less than three years. The final lead pipe was removed in 2022.

If that speed is out of the question for Buffalo, this city nonetheless needs to pursue this project with all possible speed. And the city believes it is likely to get help from the same federal program, in which an unprecedented amount of money is being made available to communities to deal with lead pipe problems, including $15 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Drinking water funds are allocated through a competitive process, from the feds to the states, territories and tribes. New York State distributes funds to municipalities based on a rating system. More points are allocated for failure. Last year, Buffalo received no federal funds for lead service lines, unlike Syracuse and Rochester.

The City of Buffalo had already begun to tackle lead pipe replacement through its Replacing Old Lead Lines program, which responded to breaks in the lines. Under that reactive effort, it replaced more than 2,400 lead service lines.

In addition, Buffalos proactive capital program  which doesnt wait for lines to break before acting  has replaced more than 1,000 such lines. And even still, some 37,500 service lines remain in need of replacement at an estimated cost of $450 million.

That near half-billion dollars is a big lift, but one that city officials had planned to unfurl over 25 years. Among its goals was to keep the work in the community by training young people through apprenticeship programs to become licensed plumbers, of which there are few of color or women.

We cant put that burden back onto our residents without them at least benefiting from it, said Buffalo Water Board Chairman Oluwole A. McFoy. Compressing the 25-year program to 10 years will be a challenge while still ensuring that the community benefits both in its health and in its economic prospects.

So, in receiving federal dollars to help pay for new lead lines, the city must, pun intended, get the lead out.

Buffalo has a daunting task and its under a tight timeline. But the question remains how much the city  which has not, thankfully, suffered faulty corrosion control  will receive from desperately needed federal funds.

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
In a recent poll, 22% of Black voters in six battleground states would vote for Donald Trump over Joe Biden. Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, climate activists, and advocates for fair treatment for Palestinians and immigrants at our Southern border are unhappy with Biden, too. Others are unhappy that his relationship with Israel is too cozy (or not supportive enough) or with his inability to secure much needed funding for Ukraine. Fully half of us think Republicans in Congress bear no blame for any of this.

I'm not crazy about Biden's stances on all my issues, nor do I think he's as committed as I am to all of the issues that he and I do agree on. But politics - domestic and international - is more complicated than the orange one and his devotees realize. To the extent that any white heterosexual male can identify with the concerns of people of color, members of "other" religions, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and women, I still try to understand and sympathize with their problems, but for any of them to contemplate voting for someone they ought to know by now doesn't care one bit for what's important to them boggles my mind.

It's bad enough that we have to endure the MAGA crowd's hopelessly deluded voting patterns. Are the rest of American voters so selfish and short-sighted that they're willing to hand the government over to Republican terrorists and their leader just because they don't think Biden is the perfect candidate? Here's an idea for everyone disenchanted with the president: vote for Donald Trump or whoever the GOP nominates, and make sure you elect Republicans to the Senate and the House of Representatives. And then sit back and see how your concerns will be addressed.

John Nelson

Kenmore
70% of rare genetic diseases start in childhood[1,2]

CASTRES, France, Feb. 23, 2024 /CNW/ -- Rare Disease Day will be held on February 29, an opportunity for Pierre Fabre Laboratories to reiterate our desire to provide innovative prescription drugs to children, as young patients require appropriate treatments. Already recognized for our work in oncology and dermatology, for several years Pierre Fabre Laboratories has been involved in rare diseases, which affect more than 200 million children worldwide[1,2].

Pierre Fabre Logo (PRNewsfoto/Pierre Fabre)

In this area more than any other, partnerships are essential for driving research forward and discovering new treatments.

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Working with the EspeRare Foundation to treat XLHED:

Pierre Fabre Laboratories is committed, alongside the EspeRare Foundation, to developing an innovative in utero therapy for the most common form of ectodermal dysplasia, XLHED, a rare genetic disease that acts on structures including the sweat and respiratory glands, skin, hair and teeth, and affects 500 infants each year worldwide.

"As the mother of a little boy affected by Ectodermal Dysplasia, a rare and unknown genetic disease that permanently affects the sweat glands, hair, teeth and nails, I am deeply committed to the Association Francaise des Dysplasies Ectodermiques (AFDE). The association has been existing for more than 20 years and offers essential support to affected families who sometimes suffer from the difficult view of others and from medical wandering. We support families and make their daily lives easier. We organise national days and trips to encourage meetings and exchanges. We are also involved in research projects such as the EDELIFE clinical trial on the prenatal treatment of the most common form of the disease, XLHED, conducted by Pierre Fabre laboratories and the EspeRare Foundation. This opportunity to take part in medical research is a real opportunity for children and their families giving us new hope."  Muriel Dubreuilh, President of Association Francaise des Dysplasies Ectodermiques (AFDE)

Story continues

EDELIFE, a clinical study involving pregnant women carrying a fetus with the disease gene, was launched in late 2021. For more information: https://edelifeclinicaltrial.com/en-us/, Edelife clinical trial - Ectodermal dysplasia, Article from New England Journal of Medicine.

Partnering with Atara Biotherapeutics to treat a very rare lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD):

In oncology, Pierre Fabre Laboratories and the Californian biotech Atara Biotherapeutics have been working in partnership since 2021 to treat relapsed or refractory Epstein-Barr virus positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD) in patients aged two years or over who have undergone at least one previous treatment.

This promising treatment was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in December 2022, and is currently marketed in Germany and Austria. In France, it has been available for patients as part of an early access program 2 (AP2) since July 2023.

In France in particular, in the context of a serious, rare and incapacitating disease with a bleak prognosis, tabelecleucel, an innovative orphan drug, could meet a non-covered medical need for around five children a year.

"Our companies' complementary capabilities will expand access to the first allogeneic immunotherapy to use T cells from a healthy donor for patients all over the world who suffer from this rare form of cancer."  Pascal Touchon, CEO of Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Last December in Paris, this treatment won the 2023 Prix Galien France award in the Innovative Therapy Drugs category. This award is emblematic of scientific rigor, excellence and innovation, recognizing remarkable recent innovations in health care and publicly available. This therapeutic innovation will be put forward for the 2024 International Prix Galien, which will be awarded in Rome this June.

Working with Bordeaux University Hospital to treat infantile hemangioma:

Infantile hemangioma, occurring in 4.5% of infants under one year of age, is the most frequently observed benign tumor[3-5]. In 90% of cases, these tumors are not serious, but in some cases they are harmful. In 2007, the Bordeaux University Hospital discovered by chance that a molecule frequently used in cardiology was effective at treating this pediatric skin disease. After fruitful cooperation between the University Hospital and Pierre Fabre, this chance discovery became a concrete reality in 2014, with the global commercialization of the first prescription drug to treat severe infantile hemangioma.

Realizing that families were seriously lacking information, Pierre Fabre laboratories set up an extensive French website aimed at parents of children presenting with infantile hemangioma, to provide them with all the information they needed and help them determine the best course of action from birth onwards. Rapid detection of infantile hemangioma enables better management and limits the risk of sequelae. For more information: https://www.hemangiome.com.

For health care professionals, the provision of the Infantile Hemangioma Referral Score (IHReS), developed with the support of Pierre Fabre Laboratories, expedites the patient care pathway via early identification of patients to be referred to a specialist center (https://www.ihscoring.com).

"The general wait-and-see attitude that has prevailed around infantile hemangiomas must now be replaced with a more active approach. The IHReS score helps pediatricians and general practitioners identify hemangiomas with a risk of complications so the children can immediately be referred to a specialist center able to start treatment."  Dr. Christine Labreze, dermatologist at Bordeaux University Hospital

Working with Association Ichtyose France to improve management of ichthyosis

Dermatology is the branch of medicine that has the largest number of rare disorders worldwide. 500 have been reported, all with very different forms.

Ichthyosis is a rare disease that mainly affects the skin, significantly altering the integrity of the skin's barrier function. It is characterized by desquamation ranging from mild yet unpleasant dryness to a more serious disorder that is difficult to live with day after day.

To understand and help improve patient quality of life, Pierre Fabre Laboratories, in collaboration with patient associations, is collecting data as part of the Visible Diseases of the Skin program (in particular, the ALL study an epidemiological survey conducted over 50,000 people in 20 countries).

In 2023, a specific study was conducted with four European ichthyosis organizations. Responses were received from 362 patients, enabling previously non-existent information to be collected about their experiences. The results were presented by each organization during the annual event with the patients' families and experts.

Ichthyosis affects around 1% of all people[6]. Its visibility on the hands and face makes it very disabling from a very young age: 67% of patients in the study reported feeling excluded[6].

"Thank you Pierre Fabre [] for [] setting up this study, [] because, as sufferers of a rare disease, it's important for us to be heard and acknowledged, and these figures are going to help us with that. Our long-term relationship with Pierre Fabre is a good illustration of the close links forged with patients and patient associations, year after year!"  Anne Audouze, President of Association Ichtyose France, a non-profit organization dedicated to ichthyosis

About rare diseases

The European Union defines a rare disease as a rare condition affecting fewer than one in 2,000 people (in other words, a few dozen or a few hundred patients for a given disease). There are thought to be between 5,000 and 8,000 rare diseases7 (neuromuscular diseases, metabolic disorders, infectious and auto-immune diseases, rare cancers, etc.), affecting 3 million people in France, 30 million in Europe and over 300 million patients worldwide[8].

Although they concern relatively few individual patients, they affect a significant proportion of the population, and emerge as a real global public health issue.

About Pierre Fabre Laboratories

For more information, please visit www.pierre-fabre.com, @PierreFabre.

1. https://www.rarediseaseday.org.

2. European Journal of Human Genetics (2020) 28:165173.

3. Leaute-Labreze et al  Infantile Haemangioma Lancet 2017 Jul 1;390 (10089): 85-94.

4. Munden et al  Incidence and demographics of IH  BJD 2014, 170; 907-913.

5. Volc-Platzer et al.  Poster ESPD 2014.

6. El Hachem et al., Ichthyosis: multinational European study on patient characteristics and body sites involved with impact on quality of life, British Journal of Dermatology (sous presse).

7. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/overview/orphan-designation-overview.

8. https://www.inserm.fr/c-est-quoi/300-millions-patients-quand-meme-c-est-quoi-maladies-rares/.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2345623/Pierre_Fabre_Logo.jpg

Press contact :

Laurence Marchal

laurence.marchal@pierre-fabre.com

Cision

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SOURCE Pierre Fabre

Cision

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A 21-year-old attacked a postal worker sitting in her mail truck on her lunch break in Mississippi, federal officials said.

Now, hes been sentenced to eight years in prison, the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Northern District of Mississippi announced in a Feb. 22 news release.

The mans public defenders declined to comment on the case to McClatchy News because they are likely to appeal.

On Feb. 11, 2023, a mail carrier with the United States Postal Service was sitting in the sidestep of her marked vehicle and eating her lunch when John Scott approached her, officials said in a criminal complaint.

He is accused of exposing himself to the postal worker and touching himself. The carrier reported he grabbed her by the back of her head and pulled her toward him to make her perform oral sex on him, officials said.

She resisted his efforts and called 911, but he took her phone out of her hand, saying its mine now, then fled the scene, officials said in the complaint.

Three days later, officers with the Clarksdale Police Department found the 21-year-old with the womans phone, and he was wearing the same jacket and toboggan hat the woman described from the incident, officials said.

He told authorities he had sexual thoughts at the time, which stopped when the woman said she was calling 911, according to the complaint.

He was arrested and charged with assaulting an officer or employee of the United States while they are performing their official duties.

Scott pleaded guilty in October and has now been sentenced to the maximum sentence of eight years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

A judge recommended that Scott, who is now 22, be evaluated for sexual dangerousness, according to the release.

The safety and security of Postal Service employees is core to the mission of the Postal Inspection Service, Inspector-in-Charge Scott Fix said in the release. While assaults against our employees are rare, when they do occur, we will aggressively investigate to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

Story continues

Clarksdale is in Coahoma County, about 150 miles northwest of Jackson.

USPS worker got $500K in disability for injuries  but vacationed and exercised, feds say

Bloody postal worker found on garage floor after 2 dogs attacked, Georgia deputies say

Man hijacks US Post Office truck, bites officer in chaotic chase, Utah police say

USPS employee helps steal $5 million in checks from the mail in fraud scheme, feds say
Ukraine has been weakened by the blocking of US aid, its failed counter-offensive and worsening ammunition shortages
ODESA, Ukraine  The American Century is ending, with external adversaries outmaneuvering the United States in critical strategic contests worldwide, while internal extremists destroy American leadership.

Whether one believes  as American officials say they do  that the purpose of U.S. power is to enforce a rules-based liberal international order and defend human rights, or whether one believes  as Russian President Vladimir Putin and his friends say they do  that the U.S. uses its espoused ideals as cover for rapacious empire-building, its clear Washington is capable of doing neither effectively.

Watching C-17s packed with fleeing Afghans take off from Kabul in the summer of 2021, this was easy to understand.

Certainly Americas adversaries understood. Less than three years later  and two years into the full-scale invasion of Ukraine  authoritarian regimes are tearing apart Americas strategic projects. Washingtons response is paralysis, the gears of its political machinery seized, corroded by partisan malice.

The breakdown of the U.S.-led global order is the underlying cause of what we are seeing, says Ian Morris, a professor of history at Stanford and author of Why the West Rules  For Now, adding that the trend since the end of the Second World War has been a narrowing of technological and economic disparities between the West and the rest.

We shouldnt be unduly surprised that, as the strategic gap narrows with the relative decline of the American global position, we see people becoming more and more willing to challenge the superpower, Morris says.

Of the 27 active global conflicts tracked by the Council on Foreign Relations, 17 are now characterized as worsening  including four that could have a critical impact on the United States.

In Ukraine, war is bursting out of the cage in which U.S. policymakers hoped to keep it contained. The continuing loss of towns like Avdiivka after protracted fighting incentivize Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia, while Moscow increases pressure on NATO trying to break up the alliance supporting Kyiv. There is talk of nuclear war with rhetoric that would make Nikita Khrushchev blush.

Story continues

The Biden administration can no longer help Ukraine defend itself, thwarted by former President Donald Trump, who has seized control of the Republican Party while claiming he will let Russia do whatever they want with American allies.

The MAGA movement has gone all-in on backing Russia, with billionaire Elon Musk providing money and a platform for nativist agitators like Tucker Carlson to advance Putins agenda, while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and GOP Sens. J.D. Vance (Ohio), Tommy Tuberville (Ala.), and Mike Lee (Utah) run interference. Together they spread the lie that halting aid for Ukraine will stop the war, when in reality it will only help a tyrant continue murdering an oppressed people.

President Joe Biden has also handed adversaries a propaganda coup by helping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embark on a months-long campaign of violent retribution in Gaza after a massive terror attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, which is deepening divisions over foreign policy and shattering claims of moral standing. As a result of all this, American allies now view Washington as more an agent of geopolitical chaos than stability.

The timing couldnt be worse. An ad-hoc authoritarian alliance  including Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea  is coalescing into a mosaic of overlapping strategic interests, willing to use all available means to destroy the global order, grab territory, and achieve hegemony.

To make matters worse, its working. Putin is inserting himself directly into the Gaza conflict by inviting Palestinian factions  including Hamas  to meet in Moscow on Feb. 26, while Tehran just revealed it is helping Russia attack Ukraine by supplying hundreds of ballistic missiles. The current U.S. showdown with Iran is itself the result of a decade-long cooperative effort by Iran and Russia to challenge American military supremacy.

After more than 30 years of Middle East military intervention, the U.S. has not only failed to achieve its strategic goal of containing Iran  Tehrans influence is peaking. This is seen in the cycle of violence that began when Israel responded to the Oct. 7 attacks with a war that has claimed thousands of lives, most of them civilian.

Over ensuing months, the conflict grew: Israel bombed Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian targets in Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza; the U.S. hit Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq; Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen fired missiles at ships in the Red Sea; the U.S. and U.K. bombed the Houthis; Iran carried out missile strikes in Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan; Pakistan carried out air strikes against Iran; Turkey bombed Kurds in Syria and Iraq; Jordan bombed Iranian-backed drug dealers in Syria; even Somali pirates are getting in on the action.

Despite signs neither Washington nor Tehran is keen to escalate, the trouble with proxy wars is proxies arent easily managed. If Iran and the U.S. do fight a broader war, it will likely start somewhere most Americans have never heard of  and couldnt find on a map.

On Jan. 28, three American soldiers were killed and dozens wounded in a drone attack on a military base called Tower 22, near the ancient Baghdad-Damascus highway, close to the Syrian-Iraqi-Jordanian border.

On Feb. 2, American strategic bombers responded, launching 125 missiles against 85 targets in Iraq and Syria.

Their primary target was Kataib Hizbollah, which is the premier militia in Iraq, operating under Irans direct command, according to researchers at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. The militia claimed responsibility for the attack on Tower 22, but Kataib Hizbollah has been killing Americans since 2007  part of Irans shadow war against U.S. forces in Iraq.

That illustrates an uncomfortable truth: American policy in the region is a checklist of failures, including the decision to invade Iraq under false pretenses in the first place. While the U.S. military became skilled at finding and killing HVTs  high-value targets  in Iraq, Washington never developed a strategy that didnt rely on using high explosives to solve complex problems.

This inability to master political dynamics left the door open for others working on longer timelines toward concrete goals. As one military leader from an allied Arab state told his Marine counterpart in 2009: All America is doing in Iraq is handing it over to Iran.

The U.S. Air Force is now hitting the same strategic locations we were hitting back in my time, says Col. Steve W. Davis, the retired commander of Marine Regimental Combat Team-2, who ran counterinsurgency operations in the Iraqi city of Al Qaim, across the border from Syria, from 2005 to 2006. The city was a Sunni insurgent redoubt, run by militants and smugglers with overlapping tribal allegiances, but there was no Iranian influence that me or my team was aware of when we were in Al Qaim.

During and after Davis deployment, the Marines worked to stop Al Qaeda-linked fighters flowing into Iraq. They spent years developing relations with tribal leaders, partnering with government forces and compiling intelligence about criminals and insurgents operating in the area.

But America grew tired of this. It withdrew, leaving a weak Iraqi central government entangled in sectarian strife. Security forces jockeyed for influence against Kurds in the north and Shia militias  some backed by Iran  across the country. Al Qaeda and other extremists became an afterthought.

The Syrian Civil War began in 2011, the same year the U.S. ended the Iraq occupation, and with its onset, Al Qaim became a conduit for fighters traveling to Syria to battle the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

The result was a disaster: Sunni militants declared the Islamic State in 2013, and swept across Iraq and Syria. The U.S. and its allies openly sought to oust Assad  with Washington secretly backing generally ineffective rebel groups to do so  but the Islamic State now became a more critical threat.

Safe back in the States, we watched with great disappointment how quickly [the Islamic State] took territory and caused Iraqi army formations to disperse, says a Marine officer who served in Al Qaim. What could we have done? Not withdrawn prematurely. Nobody wants forever war  but this work takes years.

The Obama administration assembled an international coalition to fight the Islamic State  downplaying that Washington helped create the power vacuum in which the group flourished  putting planes in the air, boots on the ground, and throwing resources at Iraqi security forces, Kurdish peshmerga, and Syrian rebels.

America now shared an enemy with its enemies: Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime also wanted to fight the Islamic State, while Moscow and Tehran hoped to retain a friendly government in Damascus.

As the Islamic State grew, the Marine officer says, we were in the strange position of rooting for the Shia to take control of Sunni territory and oust the militants.

Iran obliged, flooding the region with advisers, fighters, and weaponry to stop the spread of the Caliphate  and expand Tehrans influence, part of its strategy to oppose the Israeli-American alliance.

But Iran lacked the firepower needed. So in July 2015, Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force  the clandestine and extraterritorial operations unit of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps  met with Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, hashing out a deal to coordinate operations in Syria.

Soleimanis trip laid the foundation for military cooperation in Syria, says Dr. Nicole Grajewski, an expert in Russo-Iranian relations and a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The relationship became a lot closer than it used to be, and many of the contacts were institutionalized.

By September, Moscow sent a naval flotilla, thousands of soldiers and advisers, and dozens of bombers, attack aircraft, and helicopters to Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia, on Syrias Mediterranean coast. At its height, the Russian mission involved perhaps 6,000 military personnel  a surprisingly light footprint to save an ally.

The Russian intervention in September 2015 provided decisive air power to Syrian and Iranian-backed ground forces, expanding Assads territorial control and solidifying the regimes hold on power, Grajewski says. In short, the Russo-Iranian partnership in Syria succeeded in achieving its main goals. The Kremlin saw this as an opportunity to contest U.S.-led interventionism. But for Iran, Syria is much more important. Its part of the axis of resistance against U.S.-Israeli power.

While the U.S. and its coalition succeeded in dismantling the Islamic State, they failed to oust Assad. Iran, on the other hand, had effectively created a ground line of communication all the way to its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon.

By 2017, Al Qaim had been retaken by Kataib Hizbollah, opening the border and Euphrates corridor to Iranian proxies. And American soldiers were in the middle of the growing Iranian shadow state in eastern Syria.

The U.S. forces deployed to combat the Islamic State were subsumed into Americas strategy to contain Iran. That the Islamic State could resurge provides a shield with which to ward off accusations of mission creep on Capitol Hill. But American forces in the region are primarily engaged in combat with Iranian proxies, rather than Islamic State dead-enders.

This is why Tower 22 was attacked by Kataib Hizbollah. And although the U.S. assassinated Soleimani in Baghdad in January 2020, the enduring legacy of his mission to Moscow can be seen in the Iranian-designed drones exploding in Ukrainian cities.

Despite bungling its regime change strategy in Ukraine, two years after the invasion Russia holds much of the territory it seized. Moscow is weathering economic sanctions and a flood of Western weapons provided to Ukraine. Iran is giving Russia drones, technology, and armaments  as are China and North Korea.

For decades, Russia was the worlds second-largest arms exporter, after the United States. The war in Ukraine has effectively turned the flow around: Now, Moscow is buying back weapons from its former customers.

Meanwhile, the coalition Washington rallied to Kyivs cause is fractious, unable to deliver promised guns and money amid internal bickering and lack of political will.

Moscow continues to test Western resolve with aggressive provocations. Russias missiles and drones wander into Polish and Romanian airspace, while its planes routinely fly with their transponders off over the Baltic Sea, sending NATO aircraft scrambling to intercept  more than 300 times last year.

In the Black Sea, Russias sea mines and missiles have hit foreign-flagged commercial ships, its fighters intentionally downed an American drone, and it threatened to shoot down manned French patrol aircraft. The Kremlin carries out frequent cyberattacks and electronic warfare targeting NATO members. It is fomenting violence and discord in the Balkans between its ally Serbia and independent Kosovo, where 4,500 NATO soldiers are deployed to keep the peace.

Moscow recently added Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to a wanted list, another sign Russia is laying the groundwork to use the Baltics as a wedge to pry NATO apart. Danish officials delivered a sobering assessment, saying Russia could attack a NATO member within three years.

The Kremlin is also challenging America in the Pacific, conducting naval exercises with China in the Bering Sea, while hardliners claim Putin issued a decree last month voiding Imperial Russias treaty selling Alaska to Washington. Even Norway is alarmed at Russian-Chinese cooperation, warning the two have a revisionist agenda in which they seek to reshape the international order.

Russian officials now regularly shuttle between Tehran, Beijing, and Pyongyang on a quest for sanctions-busting deals. By creating a self-sustaining axis of the sanctioned, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China have found an effective way to blunt the impact of Western tools of economic coercion.

Amid all of this, Pyongyang is increasing missile testing in the Sea of Japan, while China grows aggressive in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, with experts seeing a crisis this year as likely. One U.S. official told me: Dont underestimate the level of coordination in all of this.

As Russian forces advance in Ukraine, Washington is deadlocked. The Biden administration, neutered by Trump loyalists, is unable to execute meaningful foreign policy as the country approaches what could be the most consequential election since 1860.

That there is a rabid core of diehard isolationists on the right is nothing new: Whats surprising is that MAGA has so effectively compromised Americas international position, even with the movements leader out of office.

Unfortunately, American isolationism is no more intellectually consistent than is American exceptionalism. Even as some denigrate Ukrainian resistance to Russia as another forever war, they urge direct military action against Iran. The trauma of George W. Bush-era incompetence in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) sent the right careening down a path that whipsaws between total strategic disengagement and violent interventionism bordering on sociopathy.

The left spent the past 20 years caught between hawks living in a neoconservative fantasyland where dropping bombs on the Taliban might create a better future for Afghan women, and a coolly naive internationalism where dictatorships could be turned into democracies through the seductive force of TED Talks. Mainstream Democrats have been happy to support just enough militarism to avoid being called peaceniks, while whispering to themselves, If we close our eyes, our peer adversaries cant see us.

Even as Barack Obama dispatched Reaper drones to shoot Hellfire missiles at Yemeni wedding parties and bombed Libya like a born-again Reagan, he let Putin have his way in Crimea  and kept turning the corner in Afghanistan until it was Biden who ultimately decided to end decades of failure in the Graveyard of Empires.

But Washington never forsook its love for GWOT. So when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, Biden gave Netanyahu the greenlight to indulge the same counterproductive bloodthirst America embraced after Sept. 11. As Israeli forces kill thousands of civilians in Gaza and Biden earns the moniker Genocide Joe from his critics, the White House must have found it a relief when the Houthis joined the fray, giving the U.S. Navy targets for Tomahawks, relatively unencumbered by Palestines moral complexities.

None of it equates to a coherent strategy. In its unhinged War on Terror, America lost the understanding that a firm voice and a holstered gun often keep the peace better than a loudmouth brandishing a nightstick. Live, laugh, launch cruise missiles: So long as America is doing something, why worry about the end game?

In reality, everything is heading towards the use of nuclear weapons and possibly the destruction of humanity, writes Alexander Dugin, the sage of Russian neo-imperialism.

If nuclear saber-rattling doesnt work, the authoritarian crowd is happy to leverage technology and potent identity politics to wrench apart democracies through active measures. Even as Starbucks socialists rally in support of Islamic extremists and post TikToks praising authoritarian regimes anti-imperialism in the name of intersectionality, far-right propagandists mix anti-liberalism with antisemitism, Islamophobia, and White Replacement Theory  until many social media platforms seem more Beer Hall Putsch than digital town square.

It is revealing that Dugin is particularly pleased that MAGA and Marxists alike are aligned in opposition to American aid for Ukraine: Together, they are committed to dismantling liberal dominance.

Although ideologues have been easily suckered by adversaries packaging actual wars as extensions of the culture wars, a clear majority of Americans understands these conflicts as threats to the national interest. For Republicans to embrace the idea that America should only unsheath its sword to serve a global protection racket, while Democrats prove themselves inept at besting any military challenge that cant fit in the back of a Toyota pickup, its understandable many of my security sources have begun embracing a fashionable nihilism. But nihilism is a weak peg on which to hang the future.

Lost amid American torpor is the reality that conflicts dont always just work themselves out. From the Sahel to the South China Sea, security crises are expanding into major multinational conflicts. One of the deepest fears of the national security establishment for generations, that the U.S. could again face two major theater wars, no longer seems a Cold War-era fantasy.

Far from the bombs falling on Gaza, rockets landing in Israel, drones flying into Ukrainian cities, or cruise missiles hitting Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, Americans can indolently ponder: What are U.S. soldiers doing in Syria? Will bombing the Houthis work? Is there an Israeli-Palestinian future that doesnt involve genocide? Will America aid Ukraine? Will China invade Taiwan? Will NATO fight Russia?

The answer: We have no idea.

But dont worry if America doesnt have a plan.

Vladimir Putin surely does.

More from Rolling Stone

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Cassie Matthews is comforted after speaking at a vigil in honor of her 11-year-old daughter, Audrii Cunningham, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in Livingston, Texas. Cunningham's family reported her missing Thursday, Feb. 15, when she failed to return to her Livingston home after school. On Tuesday, Feb. 20, search teams found her body in the Trinity River in a rural area north of Houston about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from her home, according to the capital murder criminal complaint filed Tuesday against Don Steven McDougal, a family friend accused of killing the young girl.
The City of Grand Junction will continue to ban new skilled gaming businesses within the city as city staff decide how to manage such establishments from a zoning perspective.

City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to extend a moratorium prohibiting new skilled gaming businesses from forming and existing skilled gaming businesses from moving within city limits. The original moratorium was put in place in March 2023.

We are proposing an additional 12-month moratorium to continue the citys effort to respond to the skilled gaming and what it means or doesnt mean, where it should be, where it shouldnt be in our community, City Attorney John Shaver said.

Skilled gaming businesses, also called gray casinos, operate using arcade-style games with money payouts.

Area law enforcement agencies have said skilled gaming businesses are associated with increased criminal activity.

Its certainly been, from my experience, a scourge, Council Member Cody Kennedy, a former Grand Junction Police officer, said.

Shaver said city staff have had success responding to some of the problems associated with skilled gaming establishments, and will use the next year to refine the citys definitions and policies for skilled gaming businesses, particularly from a land-use perspective.

City officials said they are not getting much help from the state of Colorado, which regulates gambling within the state, on the matter.

Shaver said the question of what actually makes something a game of skill versus a game of chance makes this a complicated area of law.

What we found is that many of the machines were being operated really as games of chance, and that input of the skill is somewhat negligible, and the gaming commission is struggling, frankly, with what to do about it, Shaver said.

Police Chief Matt Smith said GJPD has opened cases against a number of skilled gaming establishments for illegal gambling.

Mesa County and Palisade have also enacted moratoriums on the businesses.
Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout asks United States Postal Service Western Division Senior Director of Processing Felipe Flores, and other USPS staff, to hold a meeting with community government officials and to give structured plans on how mail deliveries will avoid delays from I-70 in the event of closures, during a community meeting regarding possible changes Western Colorados United States Postal Service mailing system that runs through Grand Junction, including routing local mail through Denver, on Feb. 22, 2024.
Saturday Night

Partly cloudy in the evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers after midnight. Low 43F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
China's top anti-espionage authority warns of secret leaks through smart wearable devices

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Feb 23, 2024 02:01 PM

China's top anti-espionage authority warned on Friday that various smart wearable devices may become "cyber spies" used by foreign intelligence agencies to carry out espionage activities, posing a threat to national security.

The Ministry of State Security (MSS) said on its official WeChat account on Friday that when smart wearable devices are connected to smartphones via wireless networks or Bluetooth, foreign cyber spies could launch attacks on the devices through the internet, implanting specific Trojan horse programs without the user's knowledge, thereby gaining control over functions such as recording and taking photos to steal secrets.

When personnel carrying devices with implanted Trojan horse programs enter secret-associated locations, the network spies can potentially steal the secrets. Even if Bluetooth and wireless networks are disconnected, Trojan horse programs can automatically activate recording and photographing functions, and the recorded contents are saved in real time. When the device reconnects to the network, the saved confidential information will be transferred.

On the other hand, the MSS then said that some cameras placed in sensitive or classified areas, once utilized by foreign spy intelligence agencies, pose a threat to national security.

Some overseas personnel posing as vendors selling special monitoring cameras, under the guise of installing equipment for fishermen in aquaculture areas for free, have used the means to deploy disguised and modified special "spy cameras" in China's important maritime areas.

These "spy cameras" can conduct comprehensive and uninterrupted monitoring of hydrological and meteorological conditions and sea surface activities in a certain sea area, and transmit the data through underwater cables or satellite signals to overseas servers. By analyzing the collected data, detailed information about the target sea area can be obtained, posing a potential threat to China's military and marine economic activities, according to the MSS.

The ministry added that various data monitoring devices widely used in professional fields such as aviation, aerospace, maritime shipping, hydrology, and meteorology, while effectively meeting the needs of production and scientific research, may also face huge risks of being attacked and exploited by foreign intelligence agencies.

State security agencies have discovered that some foreign intelligence agencies and their agents used free installation of equipment and sharing of data to lure Chinese companies and individuals to use their equipment. Foreign criminals may also make use of their technological advantages to transport monitoring devices with data feedback functions to key areas and vital regions within China.

If these special data monitoring devices are deployed and connected to the internet, they will immediately collect relevant data and transmit it overseas, creating potential security risks for related industries across China.

The MSS reminded that general public and relevant business units must maintain awareness of these risks, and guard against the illegal intentions of foreign intelligence agencies using various electronic information devices to steal sensitive information, so as to jointly safeguard national security.

Individuals need to avoid risks by not clicking on unknown links, not installing unfamiliar software, not using suspicious devices, and regularly scanning and killing viruses on their phones. Especially when entering sensitive areas, phones and smart wearable devices should be put in isolation cabinets to prevent the risk of leakage of confidential information, the MSS added.

The national security authority also urged that relevant enterprises and units should enhance their awareness and fulfill their obligations to safeguard national security. They should comprehensively use various means such as supervision, inspection and risk assessment to improve the level of data security protection, the ability to perceive the data security situation, as well as data security risk monitoring and management. In cases of suspicious circumstances, they should report to authorities in a timely manner.

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Assistant Secretary Phee Engages on Sudan in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

February 21, 2024

During her recent travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in connection with the African Union Summit, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, accompanied by USAID Assistant Administrator for Africa Monde Muyangwa, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer and Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey, held a series of meetings focused on addressing Sudan's continuing conflict and humanitarian crisis. Their engagements on Sudan focused on stopping the conflict, facilitating humanitarian assistance, and uplifting pro-democracy civilians working to advocate for the Sudanese people and prepare for post-conflict governance. Throughout the delegation's meetings, Assistant Secretary Phee underscored that the United States has long stood with the Sudanese people and against military governance, and that ending the Sudan conflict and restoring civilian governance are high priorities for the United States.

In a meeting with women civil society representatives from different groups and regions across Sudan, Assistant Secretary Phee stressed the importance of Sudanese women's participation in political processes and a post-conflict civilian government. She also discussed the severe impact that the fighting has had on women and girls, who have increasingly been targets for conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and ways to ensure that perpetrators of CRSV and other atrocities are held accountable.

Assistant Secretary Phee also had the opportunity to speak with leaders of grassroots organizations and Resistance Committee members. She commended these individuals' courageous efforts to rally support for and provide support to those most affected by the conflict, including by expanding international community engagement with local actors working to provide humanitarian assistance. They discussed efforts to press Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leaders to end the fighting and facilitate humanitarian access to address the increasingly dire conditions on the ground.

Assistant Secretary Phee also met with members of the Taqaddum pro-democracy front and encouraged its further diversification - focusing on women, youth, civil society and grassroots organizations, and representatives of historically marginalized communities - to enable Sudanese civilians to speak with a more unified voice in calling for facilitation of humanitarian assistance, ending the fighting, and returning governance to civilians after the conflict.

Beyond her extensive engagements with Sudanese civilians, Assistant Secretary Phee also consulted in Addis Ababa with key stakeholders on multilateral efforts to end the conflict, facilitate humanitarian assistance, and support Sudanese civilians. Those included a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, with whom she discussed the need for resumed ceasefire talks and coordination of regional initiatives, and discussions with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Kenya's President William Ruto, Dibouti's Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu and the Algeria Foreign Ministry's Director General for African Affairs, Selma Haddadi. In addition, SEHOA Hammer had the opportunity to exchange views with counterparts from the European Union, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom and, along with Ambassador Godfrey, was introduced to the African Union's recently established High Level Panel on Sudan led by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas.

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USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) arrives in Harstad, Norway, for Steadfast Defender 2024

US Navy

21 February 2024

From MC1 Ryan Seelbach

HARSTAD, Norway -- USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44), a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship arrived in Harstad, Norway, Feb. 21, 2024 for a scheduled port visit during NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 24.

USS Gunston Hall will later be joined by Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi and amphibious transport dock San Giorgio. The USS Gunston Hall has embarked French forces onto the ship in Portsmouth, U.K. and will be embarking Finnish and Swedish forces in Harstad to conduct amphibious training exercises in Norway.

Exercise Steadfast Defender will involve approximately 90,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen from across the 31 NATO Allied countries and Sweden participating in Steadfast Defender 2024. Beyond the significant contribution of personnel supporting these operations, we have approximately 50 naval assets and over 80 aircraft assigned to the exercise, all bringing diverse capabilities. Through exercises like Steadfast Defender, the collective aim is to prevent conflict, solidify relationships and enhance force readiness through robust training.

"We are excited to be here in Harstad to begin staging for the upcoming amphibious training events," said Cmdr. Christopher W. Van Loenen, commanding officer, Gunston Hall. "As our Allies and partners integrate with our ship we will learn from one another and have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us sending allied and partner amphibious crafts from our welldeck to the shores of Norway."

This is the second port call for Gunston Hall following its departure from Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 24. During Steadfast Defender, Gunston Hall will participate in exercises Joint Warrior and Nordic Response.

Gunston Hall is one of the most versatile amphibious platforms in the U.S. Navy. With two large helicopter landing pads, the largest well deck in the fleet and troop berthing facilities, she has the ability to embark a diverse array of military forces, including NATO Allies and partners when needed. The U.S. ship is among approximately 50 NATO naval assets, 80 air platforms, and 1,100 combat vehicles participating in Steadfast Defender. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the NATO Alliance, and the exercise is the largest NATO exercise in 36 years.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

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USS Delbert D. Black Returns to Homeport Following a Surge Deployment

US Navy

21 February 2024

From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jimmy Ivy

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. -- USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Mayport, February 18, 2024, following a near 3-month surge deployment.

The ship deployed Dec. 1 to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations as part of deterrence efforts in the region following the outbreak of conflict in Israel.

Deploying with Mayport sister ship USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), Delbert D. Black demonstrated the operational practicality of relieving carrier strike group warships while on station. Upon entering the Mediterranean Sea, Delbert D. Black and The Sullivans relieved USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) and joined the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. Drawing on crew proficiency and lessons from a Pre-Deployment Emergent Integrated Training event, Delbert D. Black was immediately capable of performing escort, screening, and warfare commander functions expected of Carrier Strike Group units.

"The seamless integration of Delbert D. Black into ongoing operations established proof of concept for sustained and continuous combat operations at sea, which enhancing the surface Navy's ability to fight and win," said Cmdr. Adam Stein, commanding officer of Delbert D. Black.

Following the departure of Gerald R. Ford, Delbert D. Black continued presence operations in the Mediterranean Sea, enabling options and flexibility to operational commanders in theatre. Delbert D. Black went on to integrate operations with elements of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, conduct joint training evolutions with the Italian Navy, and provide ballistic missile defense to the European continent.

"For many Delbert D. Black Trailblazers, departing for a surge deployment can be jarring, but I quickly learned how resilient the Sailors of this command were," said Master Chief Keona Johnson, Command Master Chief (CMC) of Delbert D. Black. "We were ready for anything on this deployment, but still maintained high morale while answering our nations call. This crew was able to maximize qualifications and become stronger warfighters. I am a proud CMC because of this team and look forward to sailing safe again with all of my Sailors!"

During the 79 days underway, the ship's crew conducted seven underway replenishments, logged more than 180 flight hours, sailed more than 21,000 nautical miles, and safely transferred 1.2 million gallons of fuel with zero mishaps. The crew operated at sea for a continuous period of 46 days through the holidays. Delbert D. Black's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) team hosted multiple events to help the crew keep their spirits up while away from their families.

"With the surge deployment, the crew spent the holidays at sea, but that did not stop the holiday spirit," said Ens. Rachel Anthony, Delbert D. Black's MWR Fun Boss. "While underway the crew enjoyed 20 MWR events, which included redecorating the main deck in holiday decorations, a lip sync battle and some delicious grilled cheese made by the command triad."

USS Delbert D. Black commenced their trans-Atlantic voyage the beginning of February to return to Mayport, coming home to a warm reception by friends and family on the pier.

"I was fortunate to return home from deployment on my birthday this year and was greeted by my family," said Damage Controlman 1st Class Tyler Pascale. "Seeing the birthday signs and welcome home signs along with my nephews smiles makes it all worth it."

Delbert D. Black is an Arleigh Burke-Class destroyer named for the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), the Navy's most senior enlisted rank. MCPON Black is known as a trailblazer for his initiatives that improved quality of life for the Navy's junior ranks, and established the importance and value of having an empowered enlisted force in the Navy.

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AFRICOM Commander Visits Morocco

U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader visited Morocco Feb. 20-21, 2024 on his third trip to the country since taking command.

By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Morocco Feb 22, 2024

U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader visited Morocco Feb. 20-21, 2024 on his third trip to the country since taking command.

During his official trip to Rabat, Morocco, Langley and U.S. Ambassador Puneet Talwar met with Mr. Abdellatif Loudiyi, the Moroccan Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of the National Defense Administration and other senior Moroccan military leaders, to discuss shared security interests and future areas of potential cooperation. In addition, Langley was a guest speaker at Morocco's military academy, College Royal de l'Enseignement Militaire Superieur.

"Morocco is a key U.S. partner on a wide range of regional security issues. Our friendship dates to the very founding of the United States." said U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco Puneet Talwar. "The United States is committed to our partnership with Morocco, whether on peacekeeping and efforts to achieve stability on the continent or support for secure, interoperable defense systems and joint exercises that advance readiness. Through visits like this, we continue to deepen our military cooperation that is critical to advancing peace and security in both our countries, in Africa, and globally."

During a visit to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces headquarters, Langley conducted an Honor Guard Pass and Review, followed by meetings with key officials, including General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces; General de Division Alaoui Bouhamid, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Air Force; and Vice-Admiral Mostafa El Amai, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Navy and several others.

"The military partnership between the United States and Morocco is robust and poised for continued growth in the coming years." said Langley. "This enduring collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to regional security, stability, and prosperity."

Morocco plays a pivotal role in maintaining regional security and stability, contributing significantly to peace and prosperity in both the Middle East and across the African continent. The strategic bilateral partnership is anchored in shared interests, reflecting a mutual dedication to addressing common challenges.

"The relationship between Morocco and U.S. Africa Command is solidified through years of collaboration and combined security efforts." said Langley. "Morocco has been a host to major U.S. military exercises, including exercises like African Lion, the largest joint military exercise in Africa."

Morocco holds a crucial status as a key partner for the United States. The partnership is highly esteemed, with a particular appreciation for the active involvement of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in both bilateral and multinational exercises. These joint exercises serve as invaluable opportunities to boost the preparedness of our respective military forces and enhance overall interoperability.

The enduring partnership between the Utah National Guard and Morocco since 2003 underscores the depth of collaboration through the State Partnership Program. U.S. Africa Command remains steadfast in supporting its partners' regional security efforts in North Africa, contributing to overall regional and global security and stability.

U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, each with a geographic or functional mission that provides command and control of military forces in peace and war. U.S. Africa Command employs the broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approach to foster interagency efforts and help negate the drivers of conflict and extremism in Africa.

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Jet-powered snow blower shines in Shandong

(People's Daily App) 16:39, February 23, 2024

On Thursday, an aerial photographer from Shandong Province shared a captivating video on Douyin. The footage showed a jet-powered snow blower meticulously cleaning the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in Qingdao. The specially designed vehicle, resembling a truck, has a powerful WP-6 turbojet engine. Originally used in China's J-6 fighter jet, this jet engine enables the snow blower to effectively clear a twenty-meter-wide path while maintaining a speed of twenty kilometers per hour. In addition to its impressive performance, the vehicle is lightweight, emits low noise and is fuel efficient.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented his first official "day after" plan for the Gaza Strip once the war ends, claiming Israel will keep security control over Palestinian areas and make reconstruction dependent on demilitarisation.

The plan underlines Mr Netanyahu's resistance to the creation of a Palestinian state which he sees as a security threat, without explicitly ruling one out at some future stage.

To secure control of Gaza, Mr Netanyahu proposes Israel have a presence on the Gaza-Egypt border in the south of the enclave and cooperates with Egypt and the United States in that area to prevent smuggling attempts, including at the Rafah crossing.

The plan calls for shutting down the UN Palestinian refugees agency UNRWA, which Israel has repeatedly accused of providing cover to Hamas, and replacing it with other international aid groups.

In the long-term goals listed, Mr Netanyahu rejects the "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state.

He says a settlement with the Palestinians will only be achieved through direct negotiations between the two sides - without naming who the Palestinian party would be.

In Gaza, it proposes replacing Hamas administrative control with local representatives "who are not affiliated with terrorist countries or groups and are not financially supported by them", setting demilitarisation and deradicalisation as goals to be achieved in the medium term.

"The prime minister's document of principles reflects broad public consensus over the goals of the war and for replacing Hamas rule in Gaza with a civilian alternative," a statement by the Prime Minister's office said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AP)

The plan does not elaborate on when that intermediary stage would begin or how long it would last. But it conditions the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip, much of which has been laid to waste by Israel's offensive, on its complete demilitarisation.

Story continues

Spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said Mr Netanyahu's proposal was doomed to fail, as were any Israeli plans to change the geographic and demographic realities in Gaza.

"If the world is genuinely interested in having security and stability in the region, it must end Israel's occupation of Palestinian land and recognise an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," he said.

The document, distributed to security cabinet members as a discussion paper rather than a set programme, proposes Israel would maintain security control over all land west of Jordan, including the occupied West Bank and Gaza - territories where the Palestinians hope to establish an independent state.

The plan comes amid intensifying international calls to end the fighting that has destroyed large swathes of Gaza and to revive efforts to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

US President Joe Biden, Israel's main ally, has said that only a two-state solution has a chance of bringing long-term peace and has been engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to build support among regional and other states.

After the plan was revealed, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel's expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank was inconsistent with international law.

This signalled a return to long-standing US policy on the issue, which had been reversed by the previous administration of Donald Trump.

On Friday, as the plans became public, efforts to achieve a pause in the fighting to allow the return of some of the 134 hostages held by Hamas continued ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which begins in March.

Israeli ministers have said that unless a deal is reached, Israel will launch its long-awaited operation against the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought shelter under increasing dire humanitarian conditions.

Little progress has been made on achieving Palestinian statehood since the signing of the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s. Among the obstacles impeding it are expanding Israeli settlements in territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

Most countries regard the settlements, which in many areas cut Palestinian communities off from each other, as a violation of international law. Israel claims a biblical birthright to the land and on Thursday said it would approve more than 3,000 new housing units in settlements.
Feb. 22 Red Sea Update

U.S. Central Command

Press Release | Feb. 22, 2024

USCENTCOM

Feb. 22, 2024

Release Number 20240222-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- Between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. (Sanaa time), on Feb 22, U.S. aircraft and a coalition warship shot down six Iranian-backed Houthi one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Red Sea. The OWA UAVs were identified by U.S. Central Command as likely targeting U.S. and coalition warships and were an imminent threat. Later, between 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., the Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from southern Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. The missiles impacted MV Islander, a Palau-flagged, U.K.-owned, cargo carrier causing one minor injury and damage. The ship is continuing its voyage.

-30-







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February 22, 2024

Transcript

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing

DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: Matt, nice to see you back. Welcome back. And Lita, welcome back.

All right, so good afternoon, everyone. Just a few things at the top, and then be happy to take your questions.

Earlier today, Secretary Austin participated in the fifth North American Defense Ministerial virtually, hosted by Mexico's secretary of the Navy, Admiral Jose Rafael Ojeda Duran, in Mexico City, and attended by Mexico's secretary of national defense, General Luis Cresce- -- Crescencio Sandoval, and Canada's minister of national defense, Bill Blair, to discuss opportunities to strengthen North American defense cooperation. The NADM chairs -- cochairs discussed deepening regional defense cooperation, developing a continental threat assessment, fortifying cyber defense and supporting trilateral -- trilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster response and strengthening climate security and resilience. Secretary Austin and his Mexican and Canadian counterparts reaffirmed the importance of the North American defense relationship, and Secretary Austin agreed to host the sixth NADM in 2025. We will have a readout later today on defense.gov.

Switching gears, U.S. Northern Command will conduct Arctic Edge 2024 from February 23rd to March 11th in various locations throughout Alaska. This joint and combined multi-domain exercise will focus on operating in extreme cold and high-altitude environments and will include NORTHCOM Headquarters, Special Operations Command North and Marine Forces North, along with participation from international allies and interagency representatives. State and local partners, including the Alaska National Guard, Alaska state and local law enforcement, Alaska native tribes, corporations and communities will also participate.

Arctic Edge is an annual defense exercise designed to demonstrate that our forces are engaged, postured and ready to assure, deter and defend the U.S. and Canada in an increasingly-complex Arctic security environment.

In other news, Large Scale Global Exercise 2024, a series of all-domain, U.S. military exercises executed alongside allies and partners around the globe begins this month and will run through June. LSGE '24 is a global exercise coordinated this year by U.S. European Command in collaboration with participating DOD combatant commands. It'll incorporate military personnel from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force and demonstrate joint and multinational military cooperation. LSGE '24 is comprom- -- is comprised of multiple exercises designed to strengthen agility and interoperability with allies and partners. Collectively, these activities will highlight America's robust presence and capabilities alongside allies, partners and fellow U.S. combatant commands. Of the multiple events associated with LSGE '24, 11 are set to take place in the EUCOM Area of Responsibility. The remaining events will be executed by participating U.S. combatant commands.

This series of exercises is distinct, but complementary to NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024. LSGE '24 is global and focuses on agility and interoperability for U.S.-led activities. No nation can confront today's challenges alone, and this -- this exercise is how we a- -- affirm our commitment to global security.

In other news, earlier today, acting Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Sasha Baker departed for travel to the United Kingdom. She is scheduled to co-chair the third U.S.-UK Strategic Policy Dialogue alongside U.K. Ministry of Defense Director General Security Policy Mr. Paul Wyatt on Friday.

The two leaders are slated to discuss a wide range of defense and security issues that focus on aligning U.S. and U.K. geographic and thematic priorities in the Euroatlantic, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific regions. A readout from Ms. Baker's travel will be made available on Defense.gov later.

And finally, I want to take a moment to emphasize the critical national security importance of Congress pass -- passing our budget and the impacts for the Compacts of Free Association. These are important agreements with our longstanding partners in the Pacific Islands region, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

As part of the compacts, the U.S. military enjoys exclusive access to a critical part of the region that's actually larger than the continental United States. Our State Department colleagues have successfully negotiated a -- a 20 year extension, and now we just need Congress to fund and enact it.

And with that, I'd be happy to take your questions. We'll go to Lita.

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Can you bring us up to date on the 30 day review? When will that be made public? And do you expect that we will get to see the entire review, or how much of it do you think will be sort of classified?

And then secondarily, just with all the Houthi activity in the region, is the U.S. looking at efforts to expand the maritime coalition? Is there enough going on -- are there enough assets in the region or do you need to add more countries?

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Lita, for your questions. So I'll take the last one first.

So in terms of -- I think what you're referring to is Operation Prosperity Guardian. We've -- you know, always welcome more nations to join that coalition. We have seen growth since December, when it was first announced when the Secretary was in the region. So of course we welcome more nations to join. Just recently, you saw the EU announce a coalition as well that will work alongside Operation Prosperity Guardian.

So we certainly are seeing an expansion of assets in the region. Even if they're not under OPA, they're still -- OPG, I'm sorry -- they're still, you know, working alongside us, and it's likeminded nations with the same goal in mind.

In terms of your first question on the 30 day review, don't have an exact timeline of when we're going to release either -- you know, what -- what -- what will be released, if it's the full review, if it's redacted, if it's an executive summary. Don't have that yet. We're working towards getting you something. Hopefully that's soon, but I just don't have the date yet.

Jen?

Q: Sabrina, is the Pentagon considering what weapons it could send to Ukraine that would make up for the past five months of congressional funding being stalled? And is the administration finally willing to send ATACMS if -- the long-range artillery if Congress passes that funding?

MS. SINGH: So in terms of weapons that we're considering sending, we know that Ukraine's top priority -- priorities are still air defense, artillery ammunition. So whatever package comes together, whatever next PDA, you're going to see something that looks like what meets their priorities, and that's something that was discussed at the UDCG.

I don't have anything to preview for you. I think you've heard others at the NSC also talk about how we're not taking anything off the table, but we certainly want to make sure that we're getting Ukraine what it needs. We can only do that when we have the supplemental passed in Congress, but of course whatever we give Ukraine, it will be to meet their urgent battlefield needs.

Q: But Ukraine has said repeatedly that they need ATACMS. Are you ruling that out?

MS. SINGH: We haven't taken anything off the table.

Q: And what message do you have for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines that are facing Russian bombardment right now? Can you assure them that the U.S. is still a trustworthy ally?

MS. SINGH: Well, I think you've heard the President speak to this, and the Secretary, that we will be with Ukraine for as long as it takes. And just recently, the Vice President was in Munich speaking directly to European allies, partners, the entire world about the United States's commitment.

And in that speech, I think she laid out a very good case of how America cannot turn inward, we cannot resort to isolationism. We're best when we are working with our partners, with our allies. We can't stand by as an aggressor invades its sovereign neighbor.

And so you have a commitment from the United States that we are going to be with you for as long as it takes. Unfortunately, that is hampered by Congress. We do need Congress to give us the funding in order to supply Ukraine with what it needs. We don't -- we not only need the supplemental, we need a budget passed. And so we're working with Congress and hopefully we'll be able to get something done.

Q: Lastly, on the Houthis, how many U.S. ships have been hit by the Houthis?

MS. SINGH: U.S. ships been hit or engaged in activity with?

Q: Actually been hit, either merchant or U.S. ...

MS. SINGH: I'm not aware of a -- I'm -- I'm not aware of -- I actually -- I shouldn't -- I shouldn't speak to something that I don't have the numbers for, so let me take that question. I -- I can't give you the exact number on U.S. ships, but in terms of engagement, I can also take that question for you.

Tom and then Lara and then come over here.

Q: ... the administration has been pushing Israel for many months now to allow more aid into Gaza. It's just not happening. I know Jordan has airlifted some aid in. I think the King was aboard the aircraft. And now the -- there was an op-ed in the Post by a number of senators saying the U.S. should look at airlifts on its own, as well as sealift, to get more aid into Gaza.

Now, I know the Pentagon, I think, early on sent three plane loads of aid in for -- for Gaza. Are you looking at -- at -- at anything along those lines, sealift or airlifting aid in?

MS. SINGH: That's something that -- I mean, we would of course coordinate any aid efforts with other agencies, but that's something that -- the helm would be taken by State and USAID, and depending on what the requirements are, of course DOD would be on standby willing to assist.

But you have folks on the ground, like Ambassador Satterfield, you have other folks from the NSC in the region as well, urging for humanitarian aid to get in. Should the department ...

(CROSS-TALK)

Q: ... it's not happening. So I'm asking are you at least looking at providing either more plane loads of aid or -- or going with airdrops or -- or sealift to get ...

MS. SINGH: Again, that's something that State and USAID would be the lead on, and if asked, DOD, to help coordinate, to help get aid in, of course would be willing to assist, but right now, I'd direct you to State and AID for more of those questions.

Lara?

Q: Thank you, Sabrina. I have a couple of questions.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: First of all, on the -- on the Houthis, do you -- does DOD assess that the Houthi attacks have ramped up over the past couple days? It seems like we're seeing a lot more activity.

And then can you also tell us how many ships, both commercial and military, have been damaged or taken offline by the Houthi attacks?

MS. SINGH: I can -- that's kind of similar to what Jen was asking. So I'll take that question, in terms of U.S. ships and then commercial ships. So we can get back to you on that. I think yes, we've certainly seen in the past 48, 72 hours a -- an increase in attacks from the Houthis, more consistency.

But again, I think I -- be helpful to point out one of the ships that they did hit was the Rubymar, which has -- had to have its crew evacuated, which is currently still in the water but taking on water as we speak. It's creating a -- an environmental hazard with the leakage of all the fuel that it's carrying. On top of that, it was carrying it -- to my understanding, its fertilizer.

So the Houthis are creating an environmental hazard right in their own backyard. On top of that, as I mentioned at the podium the other day, they hit a ship that was carrying grain towards Yemen for their own citizens, for a starving population.

So, again, they're saying that they're conducting these attacks against ships that are connected to Israel. These are ships that are literally bringing goods, services, aid to their own people, and they're creating their own international problem.

Q: And just secondly.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: I wanted to ask you about Rafah. Has the IDF provided any plans to DOD about for its plan to protect civilians ahead of any kind of ground invasion?

MS. SINGH: I'm not aware of any plan fully presented to the United States to review. Again, we're not asking to check their homework. What we're asking them to do is put forward a credible plan that they will be able to, as we have said in many conversations, protect the over 1 million innocent Palestinians that are there.

And of course, any credible plan would have to take into account food, medicine, services. How are you going to provide those as you move a population? I know that's something that they're working through. The Secretary, of course, remains engaged with Minister Gallant, not just at his level, but levels here at this building and throughout the interagency. But I'm just not going to get ahead of any plans that Israel is working on right now.

Q: You have not seen that plan yet?

MS. SINGH: No, we haven't seen the plan, but we're not also asking to grade homework here. We want to make sure that whatever plan that they do brief us on does include protecting innocent civilians in that region. Yes, Phil?

Q: Excuse me. One question on Ukraine.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: And one on Red Sea. On Ukraine, would you describe the situation facing Ukrainian forces as an eroding stalemate right now? And if not, how would you describe it? And then on the Red Sea, can you give us a sense of how much so far has been spent by the United States on Prosperity, Operation Prosperity Guardian, and the U.S. naval mission? Do you have a daily estimate, a weekly estimate? Is there somebody, is that something you could take?

MS. SINGH: I don't have a daily or weekly estimate. As you know, Operation Prosperity Guardian is ongoing, so when I think we have a better sense of when we can feel like we can provide more of a figure, I'd be happy to do that. In terms of your question on assessing Ukraine right now in the battlefield, I mean, I'd leave it up to the Ukrainians to assess their positions and how their general assessment of the war. But they do continue to make strides within the east and the south.

We do continue to see them make progress, continue to push the Russian forces back. The issue is, what they're running into right now is the fact that they don't have enough ammunition and artillery, and that's partly because we're not able to supply it. We're not able to be able to give it to them because, frankly, of congressional inaction. So, we have seen the strategic withdrawal from Avdiivka.

We don't want to see them have to make those tough decisions again. So, you know, you heard me say it, but I'll say it again. We're continuing to urge Congress to pass the supplemental so we can flow PDA packages as urgently as possible, but I'd let Ukraine characterize their own efforts on the battlefield. Matt? Yeah, welcome back.

Q: Thank you. Just wondering, have there been any new attempted attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East, in Iraq or Syria? And is it the department's assessment that there's essentially a credible deterrence that's taken hold at this point?

MS. SINGH: Not to my knowledge. There hasn't been an attack since February 4. So, we certainly welcome that there hasn't been any attacks. I think we sent a very strong message with our strikes, and we will continue to do so if we need to, and we'll do so at a time and place of our choosing, but haven't seen any activity since February 4.

Q: Thank you.

MS. SINGH: Yeah, of course. Yes. Constantine?

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Yesterday the Navy revealed that they're prosecuting one of their chief petty officers under the UCMJ for espionage charges. In August, the DOJ, or last August, the DOJ indicted two sailors for espionage charges as well. Does the Pentagon feel like there's a problem here, that there's sort of this growing drumbeat of service members being charged for espionage?

MS. SINGH: Look, these are ongoing investigations, so I'm just going to have to refer you to the Navy for that. Great. I will come to the -- go to the phones and then come back in the room. Dan Lamothe, Washington Post.

Q: Hi, Sabrina. Thank you. I wanted to check back on Avdiivka. Number of reports over the last couple days suggesting anywhere from a couple dozen to several hundred or even a thousand Ukrainian soldiers have been left behind, missing, captured, various characterizations. What's the Pentagon's assessment at this point? What are you hearing from your Ukrainian counterparts? Thanks.

MS. SINGH: Yeah, thanks, Dan, for the question. Unfortunately, we don't have an assessment just yet. I'd have to refer you to the Ukrainians to speak to Avdiivka and their own operations there. Heather, USNI.

Q: Thanks so much. It seems that with the uptick in Houthi attacks, that they seem to be, I guess, a little bit more accurate, given what happened with Rubymar. And it doesn't seem that the U.S. deterrence efforts are working. Is there any plans to step up efforts or change in tactic in order to try to stop these Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea?

MS. SINGH: Well, thanks, Heather. We always reserve the right to respond at a time and place of our choosing. I'm certainly not going to get ahead of any action that we may or may not take. I think what you're seeing, though, in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is a coalition of like-minded countries coming together, including, most recently, with the EU announcing their own coalition that's working alongside Operation Prosperity Guardian, in working to defend innocent mariners that are transiting the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and to allow for the freedom of navigation and upholding the rule of law.

And so, we're very proud of our efforts there. Our men and women in uniform are putting their lives on the line every single day, alongside our coalition partners and allies, and I'll just leave it at that. I'll take one more from the phone and then come back in the room. Jeff Schogol, Task & Purpose.

Q: Thank you. Has the Pentagon seen any indications that the cell phone outage that's affecting AT&T customers may have been caused by a foreign adversary, like China, Russia, North Korea, Iran?

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Jeff. I'm not aware of us doing an assessment on this. I know the cell phone companies are looking into this. We've seen the reporting, but not aware of it being because of a foreign actor or entity in any way at this point. Thanks. Ryo?

Q: Thanks, Sabrina. This week, a U.S. B-52 bomber flew over the South China Sea with Philippine fighter aircraft. So, what message is the Pentagon sending to China by having a strategic bomber participate in air -- joint air patrol with Philippines this time?

MS. SINGH: So, Rio, I think what you're referring to is just the regular rotation of a B-52 in the region. These B-52 bombers are part of the bomber task force to support strategic deterrence missions aimed at reinforcing the rules-based order in the Indopacific region. The 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron will integrate alongside allies and partners to demonstrate U.S. commitment to security and stability throughout the region. But for more information, I direct you to STRATCOM or to Pacific Air Forces.

Q: Separately.

MS. SINGH: Sure.

Q: Have you seen any cases of China's unsafe right against U.S. and allies' aircraft since the beginning of the year?

MS. SINGH: I'm not aware of any recent examples or since the beginning of the year. As you know, I think it was late last year, Dr. Ratner briefed on a few unprofessional, unsafe, risky behaviors that we had witnessed, but I'm not aware of any recent examples of one. Yeah, Natasha?

Q: Thanks, Sabrina.

So, the U.S. has conducted a number of strikes against the Houthis. They're a near daily occurrence now, but it seems...

MS. SINGH: Yes.

Q: ... like they're not working. And I'm just wondering what the Pentagon assessment is of how the Houthis seem to be adapting to this kind of new reality, these daily strikes by the U.S. and some by the U.K. Are they going underground more? Are they stockpiling and shoring up their weapons supplies? What is the assessment of how they are essentially preparing to dig in for the long haul?

MS. SINGH: Well, some of that assessment also includes our own intelligence assessments, which I wouldn't be able to speak to from -- from here. What I will say and -- and I know you've heard this, but we never said we've wiped off the map, all of their capabilities.

We know that the Houthis maintain a large arsenal. They are very capable. They have sophisticated weapons, and that's because they continue to get them from Iran.

In terms of an adapt -- adaptation from tactics. I -- I don't think we've seen anything new, it's more -- when we see missiles on rails, when we see them about to launch an attack, we are able to take these proactive dynamic strikes. We've been able to do it more regularly because they frankly have been conducting more attacks, more regularly.

And we always reserve that right. I think the most sort of more unique or different tactic that we saw was with the unmanned underwater vehicle that they employed for the first a few days ago. But other than that, I mean they've pretty much stuck to the same playbook.

Yeah, did you have a question?

Q: (Inaudible)...

SINGH: Sure.

Q: Do you have any update or anything on the ongoing discussions with the Iraqi process regarding the high military commission?

MS. SINGH: I know that there were meetings last week, but I don't have an update for you on any meetings that have taken place since then.

Q: Well, U.S. forces are in Iraq to assist Iraqi Security Forces (inaudible) ISIS, were the Iraqi officials including Iraqi Prime Minister just said yesterday that we no more need U.S. forces and alliance forces. Do you have any comment?

MS. SINGH: Look, we're in Iraq at the pleasure of the Iraqi government. We value the partnership that we have with ISF. We continue to work alongside them and -- as part of the D-ISIS mission.

The HMC is there as -- to discuss what our relationship, what our footprint looks like in Iraq. Those are ongoing conversations, and we're certainly going to be part of those, but I just don't have more for you.

I'm going to go back to the phones and then, I'm happy to come back in the room.

Ashley, Breaking Defense?

Q: Hi, Sabrina. I wanted to ask, there's been a slew of DOD IG reports that have come out lately, pointing out some flaws in either the flow of weapons into Ukraine or sustainment and training to keep them up and running, is there a larger look from DOD at the actual logistics or -- you know, sustaining the weapons within Ukraine?

MS. SINGH: So -- I mean -- thanks, Ashley, for the question. You know, we welcome these IG reports. They -- they certainly shed light on more of what we can be doing and what we could be doing better.

I think it's important to put the context or put the IG report that you're referring to, into a bit of context.

I think what you're referring to is the one that just came out a -- a day or two ago or -- we have sent unprecedented security assistance to Ukraine at such a rapid rate. And Ukraine is right now, modernizing its military in the middle of a war.

On top of that, we don't have boots on the ground in Ukraine. We don't have people out in the field being able to do sustain -- sustainment and maintenance alongside the Ukrainians, so we do offer tele-support, but again, we're not on the ground.

And this is something that the Secretary has been very focused on since the very beginning. He is very familiar with the Bradley's the Strikers, the Abrams. He understands intimately what it takes to maintain these systems, and so, part of every PDA package is ensuring that the Ukrainians have the support and the maintenance that they're going to need, and also, part of that is training.

And so, we're certainly aware that we could be doing more, but we've been saying from the beginning, they need to make -- that we need to make sure that the Ukrainians have every tool available to them to maintain these systems, and we're doing that.

Last question from the phones -- I'm sorry, I lost my sheet here -- Carla Babb, VOA?

Q: Hey, thanks, Sabrina. I have a question on Pakistan actually, and then if I can, I'd like to follow up on the Houthis. But the -- Pakistan's Ambassador to the U.S. was talking this week about -- calling for fast track approval to restore the defense equipment deal between the U.S. and Pakistan. So, is the Pentagon considering restoration of defense assets between these two countries?

And you know, considering that they're getting their weapons from China now, how concerned is the U.S. on Pakistan's reliance on China for defense equipment?

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Carla. I would direct you to the State Department. I believe they're engaged in those conversations, so I -- I just don't have more to add at this time.

And you said you had a question on the Houthis?

Q: Yes, if I can, the -- the concerning thing is that the ships keep getting hit, and as I understood it, the -- the goal of the U.S. mission out there is to protect the ships that are sailing in this vital waterway. I think -- is the U.S. and its allies -- are they failing at their mission right now? And if they're not failing because -- you know, ships being hit, if that's not a failure, then how would the Pentagon characterize it?

MS. SINGH: Thanks, Carla. Respectfully, take a bit of issue with the question. When you say the ships keep getting hit, there are hundreds, thousands of ships that go through the Red Sea, the (ban ?) throughout this time period, since these Houthis launched their attacks November 19th, I think it's important to remember that our service members out there, alongside our coalition partners and our allies, every single day, are engaging in attacks from the Houthis and shooting down UAVs, missiles, an -- an unmanned underwater vehicle and protecting ships.

Do some of the missiles get through every now and then? Yes. We've seen that happen. But for the majority of the time, our -- our engagements have been successful. Our allies' engagements have been successful. And we know the importance of this waterway. We know that 10 to 15 percent of the world's commerce flows right through here.

So again, I -- I -- I would push back respectfully on the idea that ships keep getting hit and that this operation isn't successful. If we did nothing, then these ships would be getting hit every single day. So, I think we have to remember that commerce does continue to flow through the Red Sea, through the Gulf of Aidan, and we want to continue to see that.

But yes, absolutely, the Houthis are -- every single day, putting at risk innocent mariners, transiting, putting at risk the freedom of navigation, and therefore, Operation Prosperity Guardian is there to protect against that alongside other allies and partners who have formed their own coalitions.

And I'm sorry, I forgot the second part of your question. If you wouldn't mind repeating...

Q: I mean that was -- that was pretty much it, but I mean if ships keep getting hit, are more resources not needed to stop these ships from getting hit? I mean this is the United States and a massive international coalition going up against a small militant group and they're managing the hit -- you know, about a ship a day, it seems over the last few days. I haven't spoken to them, but I would imagine they would consider that successful. So, what more can the U.S. do or should the U.S. do on this issue?

MS. SINGH: Well, thanks, Carla. Again, we are certainly welcome to more allies and partners joining our coalition, like minded nations that wat to uphold the rule of law.

Right now, Central Command is working every single day to ensure the freedom of navigation with the resources that they have and working alongside partner nations. And so I'm just going to leave it at that.

Konstantin and then -- yeah, I'm going to go ...

(CROSS-TALK)

Go ahead -- no, go ahead -- go ahead.

Q: Separate question is that as far as attacks in the Middle East endanger ship lines and also on -- on innocent peoples and all that, there are many bad actors in the area. Who is financing these bad actors or terrorists who are attacking -- attacking these ships and (inaudible) with the financing and also weapons? Is it Iran, Russia, China, or all three, or more?

MS. SINGH: In terms of the Houthis -- I think what you're referring to is the Houthis and the -- that activity in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. We know that Iran funds groups like the Houthis, like these other militant groups that we see in Iraq and Syria. So Iran certainly has its fingerprints behind the support, whether it be financial, training, equipping. Iran is certainly supporting these groups.

Konstantin and then Mike?

Q: Thanks. So earlier this week, there was some reporting that the -- that the Air Force has identified a mechanical failure in -- as part of the Osprey investigation. Does the -- you know, as of right now, does the DOD still have confidence in the Osprey as a platform?

MS. SINGH: Look, it is a very capable, unique, agile platform, In terms of confidence. That's why the services are doing the stand down and evaluating that. I know that there's an ongoing investigation, so I won't get ahead of that, but it's really up to the services to decide whether they deem that these Ospreys are, you know -- that they should continue to fly. But these are very unique platforms that offer the commander a range of options. And so, you know, I'll let the investigation continue.

Mike?

Q: Have there been any countries other than the U.S. and the U.K. that have struck -- that have -- that have attacked any of the Houthi targets or is it all just the U.S. and the U.K.? Have only allies operating for Prosperity Guardian or the other ...

MS. SINGH: There have been other engagements with other countries but we'll let them speak for themselves.

All right, Luis?

Q: Sabrina, just -- I know you spoke earlier about the incident with this -- Navy charges against the sailor for espionage. Can you tell us anything specifically about this -- this case, as far as you are aware of it?

MS. SINGH: I can't, unfortunately. I just don't have more information. I would refer you to the Navy for further details.

Q: And this is -- now would be the third incident involving a Navy sailor in the last year with similar types of charges. Is there a concern here that you may need to reinforce some of the existing policies, reinforce the training for service members across DOD, reaffirming what they should be careful of in disclosing information?

MS. SINGH: Again, it's an ongoing investigation. I'd refer you to the Navy, but if the Navy feels like they need to do, you know, better reinforcement of -- whether it's ethics or regulations, I'll let the Navy speak to that. But again, it's on -- it's an ongoing investigation, so I don't want to get ahead of that.

Great. All right, thank you, everyone.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3684734/

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February 22, 2024

Release

United States, Canada and Mexico Hold the 5th North American Defense Ministerial to Discuss Key Defense Priorities

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh provided the following readout:

On February 22, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III participated in the 5th North American Defense Ministerial (NADM) virtually, hosted by Mexico's Secretary of the Navy Admiral Jose Rafael Ojeda Duran in Mexico City, and attended by Mexico's Secretary of National Defense General Luis Cresencio Sandoval and Canada's Minister of National Defence Bill Blair, to discuss opportunities to strengthen North American defense cooperation.



Established in 2012, NADM is the premier forum to define and advance continental security with Canada and Mexico, develop a layered and integrated defense of North America, and enable trilateral collaboration on security and defense issues with two key partners in the Western Hemisphere. NADM is an opportunity to discuss strategic-level defense issues and identify priorities for future cooperation.

The NADM co-chairs discussed deepening regional defense cooperation, developing a continental threat assessment, fortifying cyber defense, and supporting trilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster response and strengthening climate security and resilience. Secretary Austin and his Mexican and Canadian counterparts re-affirmed the importance of the North American defense relationship, and Secretary Austin agreed to host the 6th NADM in 2025.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3684692/

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Republic of Moldova: six individuals and one entity listed for undermining the rule of law, stability and security in the country

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

22 February 2024

The Council has imposed today restrictive measures against six individuals and one entity responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova.

Moldova is one of the countries most affected by the fallout of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. There are serious, increased and continued attempts to destabilise the country. Today's listings send another important political signal of the EU's unwavering support to Moldova, its stability, independence and sovereignty. The EU remains determined to continue to crack down on those who destabilise our direct neighbourhood.

- Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The Council is sanctioning the paramilitary organisation: the Association of People with Epaulettes "Scutul Poporului", which has made repeated attempts to undermine Moldova's democratic government including through inciting riots and violent demonstrations, as well as its leader.

The other sanctioned individuals include the Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Security Service Department of Operational Intelligence responsible for Russia's covert operations in the Republic of Moldova notably in the Transnistrian region since 2016. Furthermore, the Council is sanctioning executives of media trusts owning several media channels in the country, that frequently promote messages aimed at obstructing and undermining the democratic political process. The list also includes other individuals engaged in the dissemination of disinformation and inciting violence and fear, or linked to the "Bank Fraud" case.

All those listed today are subject to an asset freeze. The EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Additionally, the six individuals are subject to a travel ban, which prohibits them from entering and transiting through EU territories.

The efforts to destabilise Moldova have significantly increased since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and represent a direct threat to the stability and security of the external borders of the EU. The EU remains unwavering in its support to Moldova, its resilience, security, stability, economy and energy supply in the face of destabilising activities instigated by external actors.

Background

On 28 April 2023, the EU established, at the request of Moldova a framework for targeted restrictive measures against persons responsible for supporting or implementing actions which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, as well as the country's democracy, the rule of law, stability or security. On 30 May 2023 , the Council adopted the first set of 5 listings under the new framework.

On 14 December 2023 the European Council agreed to open accession negotiations with Moldova, having granted the status of candidate country on 23 June 2022.

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EUSR's Keynote Speech at EU - Turkiye Cooperation in Central Asia and South Caucasus Conference by KAS and AVIM

European External Action Service (EEAS)

22.02.2024

Ankara, Turkiye

Strategic Communications

Dear excellencies, dear friends,

It is a pleasure to join you this morning.

I would initially like to thank the Centre for Eurasian Studies AVIM and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung for the organisation of today's event and for bringing us together in Ankara.

The EU is a strong, committed and reliable partner for the countries in Central Asia. We see a shared interest in the momentum of increased cooperation, with a long-term approach focused on producing results. We are committed to enhance regional cooperation, strengthen trade relations, and jointly pursue opportunities for sustainable investment.

An essential element of our partnership is to develop alternative connections and transport corridors for the benefit of all people and businesses - the connectivity also recalled by the title of today's event. This is an important aspect not only for the EU and Central Asia, but also for - and including - our partners on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor - a corridor that involves Turkiye and the Caucasus.

Looking at the relations between Central Asia and the EU: Last year we celebrated the 30th anniversaries of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and the Central Asian republics and our cooperation has significantly expanded in the last years. Bilaterally, the EU has actively pursued engagement with countries in the region to further strengthen our relations, including as one of the largest trade and investment partners. We are achieving this by concluding Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (EPCA). The EPCA with Kazakhstan is in force since 2020 and we are approaching the signature with Kyrgyzstan in the next months. With Uzbekistan, the EU initialled an EPCA on 6 July 2022 and we have also launched negotiations of an EPCA with Tajikistan.

These agreements include important commitments by both parties on political, trade and sectoral cooperation issues and they are also reform incentivising instruments. EPCAs importantly provide additional momentum to the implementation of the EU's Strategy on Central Asia and help to stimulate political dialogue as well as our economic and trade cooperation.

Our Strategy on Central Asia, adopted in June 2019 and updating our first Strategy of 2007, frames our work with the region. The Strategy outlines three priority strands for EU engagement:

partnering with Central Asian states and societies for resilience (human rights and democracy, security, environmental challenges);

partnering for prosperity (supporting economic diversification and private sector development, promoting intra-regional trade and sustainable connectivity);

as well as supporting regional cooperation in Central Asia.

It is obvious that our world has seen many developments since 2019, which have strongly influenced us all. This includes the Covid-19 pandemic, or Russia's aggression against Ukraine. However, we consider our Central Asia Strategy to be a robust document, which covers relevant topics and can answer to new challenges flexibly. In our last annual Ministerial meeting that took place in Luxembourg in October, we commonly adopted the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia - a development on top of the 2019 strategy. The Roadmap focuses on 79 concrete actions that help to define and guide the implementation of our cooperation.

Additionally, the last two years have seen the first two meetings of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, with the leaders of the Central Asian countries. The last such meeting took place in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, in June and the Leaders agreed to meet on a regular basis, aiming to hold their next meeting as a first Summit this year.

In addition, a number of specific meeting formats extends this engagement on the highest government level, including our yearly Civil Society Forum or our biannual Economic Forum. Our Economic Forum has been accompanied by specific engagements on the already mentioned topic of connectivity over the last years.

In November 2022, we organised the EU-Central Asia Connectivity Conference in Samarkand and the works started there have found their continuation not only in last year's Economic Forum in Almaty, but especially at the Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity in Brussels at the end of January.

Connecting the EU and Central Asia is a key priority for the EU under the Global Gateway strategy. Global Gateway is the EU's offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems. The EU, in a Team Europe approach together with its Member States and European Financial Institutions, has the ambition through Global Gateway to connect people through sustainable investments and reliable partnerships by supporting transformative projects that combine public and private financing. We aim at jointly promoting the EU's values, principles, and vision of sustainable, rules-based and people-centred connectivity globally. In this way, Global Gateway provides the opportunity for improving connectivity within Central Asia as well as between Europe and Central Asia.

Looking a bit closer at the Investors Forum we most recently organised in Brussels, let me first recall that the forum built on the study on sustainable transport connections between Europe and Central Asia, which the EU worked on with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The study concluded that the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, which stretches 11,000 kilometres from Asia to Europe, has the potential to handle more land-based trade between the two regions.

Further development of the Corridor will boost trade between countries, thereby fostering economic growth, prosperity and stability in the region.

The study identified 33 hard infrastructure investment needs across the region (related to modernisation/reconstruction of existing railways/roads, additional rail/road links, fleet expansion, port capacity expansion, rolling stock, logistics centres, warehousing, etc.), as well as 7 coordinated actions on soft connectivity measures (trade facilitation, regulatory measures, digitalisation, harmonisation of tariffs, customs procedures, border controls, interoperability, market liberalisation, etc.). These are all specific, concrete, implementable and realistic actions that can contribute to the competitiveness, economic attractiveness and operational efficiency of the trans-Caspian transport connections and offer opportunities for all the five Central Asian countries to maximise their sustainable economic development by linking up better with each other - and with Europe.

And the recent Investors Forum was an important first, collective step to take these projects forward, further developing the Trans-Caspian Corridor, aiming to link Europe and Central Asia within 15 days. And it is clear that in order to achieve this; we need to coordinate our resources with partners like Turkiye, with international financial institutions, as well as with private investors and companies - both in Europe and Central Asia. Understanding this, the Forum included a panel on Turkiye and the South Caucasus, and another on the Caspian Sea. We were grateful to see many countries, financial institutions and companies responding to our call and joining us in Brussels, including Turkiye as an important corridor country.

I'm also happy to share that the EU announced an overall package of 10 billion euro, that was committed to sustainable connectivity of Central Asia. The EU also announced that we will create a Coordination Platform to ensure the best collective effect of everyone's efforts, monitoring progress, and enhancing cooperation in the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. The aim is to progress further by our next Investors Forum, as this cannot be a one-off event; it's the start of a long-term endeavour.

To look beyond connectivity, we further implement Global Gateway in Central Asia via two so called Team Europe Initiatives, where we work together with our Member States and Financial Institutions:

The Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity pursues a double objective: enabling investment in hard infrastructure, while promoting good governance in the digital sphere. It aims to provide satellite connectivity in the region creating new opportunities for improving connectivity as well as potentially increasing the capacity of existing broadband infrastructure.

The Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy, and Climate Change is built on the common ambition of the Central Asian countries and the EU to promote a sustainable and just blue and green transition. This TEI focuses on supporting Central Asia's regional power market, greening of its energy mix and transboundary water governance initiatives - particularly the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, and the regional policy dialogue in mainstreaming of climate change in the water, energy, and environment sectors. About 40% of the initial EUR 700 million of funding under this initiative is dedicated to investments in hard infrastructures. This amount will increase through blending and budgetary guarantee projects that will be financed through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+). This year we will launch a Coordination Mechanism for the TEI and it will include for the first time in our cooperation, energy as a main pillar, together with water management and climate resilience. In particular, the EFSD+ financial package will allow us to deploy budgetary guarantees supporting private sector operations in Central Asia for the first time.

Four programmes implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and supported by an EFSD+ budgetary guarantee have been approved as well. These will support private sector operations in Central Asia including on new climate technologies and critical raw materials, a topic we are also working on bilaterally, for example through a MoU we are implementing with Kazakhstan. The European Commission is also working with other financial institutions to ensure that countries in Central Asia can benefit from additional private-sector oriented programmes focussed on the transitioning to renewable energy generation and increased energy access, support to SMEs, development of value chains and development of green bonds markets.

As you can see, the last years have seen a steady increase in both political engagement and concrete projects between the EU and Central Asia in the two areas mentioned for the event today.

Thanks again to AVIM and KAS for the organisation and I look forward to the further inputs and the panel discussions during the event.

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'Israel keeps denying inalienable rights of Palestinian nation'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has lambasted Israel for deliberately denying the rights of the Palestinians, including their right to self-determination and the formation of an independent Palestinian state.

Nasser Kanaani, in a message on X social network referred to the recent announcement by Israel's Knesset and the far-right cabinet under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against an independent Palestinian state.

"The opposition to an independent Palestinian state once again exposed the ugly face as well as warmongering and occupying nature of this regime", Kanaani wrote.

The spokesman added: The Israeli regime, like in the past, intends to keep denying and ignoring the inalienable and undeniable rights of the Palestinian nation, including an independent state on the historical land of Palestine.

"The deceitful approach of the regime is based on false claims of peace and fruitless past agreements, which the Zionist leaders have been promising with trick and deception over the past few decades", Kanaani noted.

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson underlined that the Palestinian nation and resistance are aware of the sinister plots of the Zionists and consider that they would overcome the current crisis only with the formation of an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital.

He further said that Iran and other freedom-loving and right-seeking countries support the demands and rights of the Palestinian people, which have been denied for more than 7 decades.

Kanaani stressed the need for a national referendum to allow Palestinians exercise their right to self-determination, adding that the only way to end the war and bloodshed and return peace and security to the region is to respect ballots and decision of original inhabitants of Palestine.

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Hezbollah conducts fresh attacks on Israeli-occupied territories

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has carried out drone and missile attacks on the Isba al-Jalil region and Qiryat Shemona in the northern Israeli-occupied territories.

According to the Al Mayadeen TV network, the Israeli regime's media outlets reported a new missile attack by Hezbollah fighters on the northern occupied Palestine inflicting heavy damage on the regime.

Kfar Yuval settlement in the Isba al-Jalil region near Lebanon's border was targeted by resistance fighters' missiles. Local officials in the region announced the closure of roads in the Beit Hillel region until further notice.

A military base located in Qiryat Shemona was also targeted by Hezbollah's drones.

At the same time, the Israeli regime's army shelled El Hamames hilltop located near Al Matla town.

Following the onset of the Israeli onslaught on Gaza, Hezbollah kicked off retaliatory attacks on the Israeli regime's positions in a bid to engage the regime's forces in the northern front and reduce Israeli pressures on Gazan fighters.

As a result of Hezbollah's strikes, tens of thousands of Israeli settlers have abandoned their settlements near the Lebanese borderline.

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US always hand in glove with occupiers of Palestine: Hamas

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 22, 2024

The United States has never played the role of an impartial mediator, but it has always been a culprit in the occupation of Palestine, says a senior official with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

Osama Hamdan made the remarks in an interview with Al Mayadeen TV network on Wednesday night, saying that one of the main results of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm was the disruption of the US plan to determine the fate of the region based on the interests of the occupying Israeli regime and itself.

He noted that the Israeli occupiers are still doubtful if they should start a ground offensive against Rafah city because they have not gained any military achievement in their operation in the Gaza Strip so far.

According to the Hamas official, the Palestinian resistance nullified Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wish to implement the big Zionist plan for the region.

The Palestinian resistance is a pure Palestinian movement, which is not dependent on even great figures, he said, adding that the resistance is sure Palestinian fighters can liberate their homeland.

The cooperation between the Israeli regime's Knesset and Prime Minister Netanyahu in ruling out the formation of an independent Palestinian state proved that the only option remaining for the Palestinian nation is resistance, he argued.

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CENTCOM claims attacked targets in Yemen, Red Sea

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has issued a statement, claiming that their forces hit certain targets in Yemen and the Red Sea.

According to Al Jazeera, CENTCOM claimed they targeted anti-ship cruise missiles and one mobile anti-ship ballistic missile launcher, and that they also shot down a suicide drone on Wednesday.

Some news sources also reported on Wednesday evening that the US and Britain targeted certain areas in Yemen.

Yemen's Al-Masirah TV channel reported that the US and the UK conducted three strikes on the Arab country's soil. It said that Ras Isa port town near Hudaydah city in western Yemen was targeted in the new round of strikes.

The US-UK coalition has targeted various regions in Yemen over the past weeks with the aim of putting pressure on the Yemeni armed forces to stop their naval blockade of Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

However, the Yemeni armed forces vowed to continue their maritime operations until the end of the Zionist regime's genocidal war on Gaza and its siege of the strip.

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Gaza has turned into death zone: WHO

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The head of the World Health Organization says the Gaza Strip has become a death zone as relentless Israeli airstrikes and shelling keep taking innocent lives and turning the territory into the rubble.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on the UN news website that the situation continues to deteriorate in terms of the health situation whileinhumane conditions prevail throughout Gaza.

He stated that many areas of Gaza have been destroyed, killing people and forcing a large number of them to flee to other parts.

Ghebreyesus also touched on the problem of severe malnutrition, saying it has increased dramatically throughout the Gaza Strip since the start of the war.

"While before the war, less than one percent of the population of Gaza suffered from malnutrition. Severely malnourished numbers have reached more than 15% of the population in some areas",

Israeli genocide continues

In the meantime, more Palestinians are killed as the Israeli warplanes and artillery rain down bombs and shells on different areas of north, center and south of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night.

According to Palestinian media, the main target of attacks were the southern Gaza cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah.

Reports say 17 civilians have been conformed martyred so far in overnight attacks on the besieged territory. Most deaths were reported from the Nuseirat camp as a result of a bombing of a residential building there.

The Zionist regime's fighter jets have bombed the Jabalia refugee camp in the north of Gaza on several occasions since Wednesday evening.

The regime's relentless attacks continue despite global outcry and condemnations, with people holding rallies almost on a daily basis to demand an end to the bloodshed of Palestinians.

The Gaza Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that the number of martyrs in Israeli attacks since October 7 has reached 29,313 while the figure of the injured now stands at 69,333. The majority of victims are women and children.

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"Sometimes people might need their space [and] sometimes they wont," Cartwright shared on her and Taylor's podcast

Noam Galai/Bravo via Getty Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright

Brittany Cartwright is setting the record straight after rumors began to swirl about marital issues between her and husband Jax Taylor.

On the latest episode of the couples podcast When Reality Hits, the Vanderpump Rules alum, 35, shared that she wanted to address some rumors after the pairs social media activity sparked speculation of a split.

Im not going to go too hard on this because, you know, some people do deserve to have their privacy. But I will say  marriage is hard and people go through ups and downs all the time and its completely normal, Cartwright shared. Sometimes people might need their space [and] sometimes they wont.

Brittany Cartwright Cauchi/Instagram Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor with their son Cruz

Related: Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright Are Opening a 'Neighborhood Sports Bar' That Will Serve Mamaws Beer Cheese

The reality star then noted that there have been new developments in her marriage to Taylor, 44, following the filming of the upcoming Vanderpump Rules spinoff, The Valley. The Bravo series is also set to feature fellow VPR alum Kristen Doute as well as newcomers Luke Broderick, Danny Booko, Nia Booko, Jesse Lally, Michelle Lally, Jason Caperna and Janet Caperna.

I just want to make one thing clear and that is that my life is not a publicity stunt for anything. We filmed The Valley months ago  months and months and months ago, Cartwright explained. And were super excited for this to come out and theres been so many changes that has happened in so every single couples lives  every single couple on the show. I just want to make that very clear: no publicity stunts here.

Cartwrights comments come after her husband defended their relationship amid documenting their separate travels on social media. Taylor made his way to Detroit while Cartwright spent time in Montreal, Canada.

Related: Jax Taylor Says He and Wife Brittany Cartwright Want 'At Least One More' Kid (Exclusive)

Story continues

Last week, Taylor shared a photo of himself smiling on Instagram with the caption, I cant say enough about the city of Montreal. the food, the people, the hospitality. every place I have gone has been amazing. I cant wait to come back here.

In the comment section, a fan asked, Is him an [sic] Brittany not together anymore? and he was responded, Why would you say that,, i cant take a trip with out [sic] my wife for work

Another fan wrote, I hope you and Brittany is [sic] still together.  and he replied, of course stop reading BS.

Taylor and Cartwright first met at a Las Vegas bar in 2015. After they briefly split in 2017, the pair reconciled off camera and later announced their engagement in June 2018. A year later in June 2019, they wed at the Kentucky Castle in front of 240 guests. They later welcomed their only son, Cruz Michael Cauchi, in April 2021, months after they announced their departure from VPR.

Related: 'Vanderpump Rules' Alum Jax Taylor Says Being Full-Time Dad to Son Cruz 'Really Saved My Life'

The duo have been candid about going through ups and downs in their relationship over the years. Taylor told PEOPLE in 2017, after revealing he cheated on his then-girlfriend, that they had "weathered the storm" in that chapter of their relationship and they they ended up "in a great place" afterward.

Taylor and Cartwright later opened up about their marriage in March 2023, when Cartwright told PEOPLE that they were "trucking through" it, despite outsiders thinking they'd only be together "for one year."

Taylor added that both the "good days" and "bad days" made their relationship stronger. "I don't believe in divorce. My parents didn't get divorced," Taylor said last year. "I don't believe in that. Marriage is work. I'm not saying every day is amazing."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Valley is set to premiere this spring, but does not yet have a premiere date.



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Drone attack hits US military base in Syria

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- An American military base in Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zour province has reportedly come under fresh drone attack.

According to Al-Mayadeen network, the US facility located in the Konico gas field was targeted by a suicide drone in the early hours of Thursday.

News sources reported a huge explosion inside this base, the sound of which was heard in the surrounding areas.

There is still no report of damage and possible casualties and no group has yet claimed responsibility for it.

This and several other US military bases in Syria have also come under repeated drone and missile attacks in recent months, mostly claimed by Iraq's Islamic Resistance.

Resistance groups in Iraq and elsewhere are outraged at the US military presence in the region, which they say is a source of instability, as well as Washington's support for the Israeli regime in its ongoing war on Gaza.

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US threatens Yemen with new attack

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 22, 2024

New York, IRNA -- The spokesperson for the US State Department once again threatened the Yemeni government with an attack over the Arab country's anti-Israel operations in the Red Sea.

Matthew Miller accused Yemen's Ansarullah Movement of what he called behaving like a terrorist organization and attacking commercial ships, without mentioning that those vessels belong to the Zionist regime or headed to the port in the occupied Palestinian territories.

"We do not want a conflict in the Red Sea but we and our partners will continue to take appropriate measures to counter the attacks of the Houthis", he said in reference to the Yemen army's operations.

The US spokesperson also claimed that Ansarullah is endangering the peace process with its attacks on ships that its actions do not help Palestinians.

The Yemeni army has conducted over two dozen attacks on Israeli-owned or Israeli-bound ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait over the regime's genocide in the Gaza Strip. The army has repeatedly said that all ships except the Israeli ones are free and safe to sail through the strategic water.

Recently, the Yemeni armed forces have also targeted several American and British vessels in response to the two countries' aerial strikes on Yemen.

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Arab states condemn U.S. for vetoing UNSC resolution on Gaza ceasefire

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:18, February 22, 2024

"The Americans are not doing anything practical to stop the (Israel-Hamas) war," said Youssef Diab, a political analyst from the Lebanese University.

CAIRO, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Arab states have condemned the United States for vetoing another UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as looming Israeli attacks on the southernmost Gazan city of Rafah raise concerns that the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave may deepen.

During an emergency session of the UN Security Council held in New York on Tuesday, the draft resolution put forward on behalf of Arab states by Algeria won 13 votes in favor among the 15 members of the Security Council. The United States voted against it while Britain abstained.

MASSIVE OUTCRY

"The U.S. veto, which defies the will of the international community, will give an additional green light to Israel to continue its aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip, and to carry out its bloody attack on Rafah," the Palestinian presidency said in a statement carried by Palestine's official news agency WAFA on Wednesday.

Secretary-General of the Arab League (AL) Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Wednesday voiced his "deep regret" over the U.S. move, the third time since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October last year that the United States interfered to fail a draft resolution aimed to reach a ceasefire.

The U.S. positions undermined the credibility of the international system and contributed to the paralysis witnessed by the United Nations, Aboul Gheit was quoted as saying in an AL statement.

Egypt and Qatar, having been actively brokering deals between Israel and Hamas since their conflict began, have expressed their regret.

Egypt strongly denounced the "selectivity and double standards in dealing with wars and armed conflicts in various regions of the world," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry slammed the U.S. veto as "arbitrary and disgraceful," accusing the U.S. of being hypocritical, as it claimed to support human rights while allowing the Israeli "killing machine" to continue its attacks on Palestinian civilians.

Jordan, which borders Israel and has normalized ties with Israel, expressed on Tuesday its regret and disappointment at the failure of the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

"All those impeding such calls should review their policies and calculations because wrong decisions today will have a cost on our region and our world tomorrow. This cost will be violence and instability, " Algeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amar Bendjama was quoted by the UN news as saying on Tuesday.

DEEP CONCERN

The resolution was put forward at a time when Israel has signaled its intention to conduct a ground operation in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city that shelters about 1.4 million Palestinians, to "eliminate" Hamas and rescue Israeli hostages who were taken by Hamas militants in October last year.

While visiting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops on Tuesday in southern Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that his country will continue the fighting until all goals are achieved. "There is no pressure, none, that can change this," he said.

Israel's reported plan for an assault on Rafah has sounded alarm bells globally, with many countries urging restraint or cancellation of the operation.

Regional countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, voiced deep concern over the potential offensive on Monday.

Twenty-six EU member states called for an "immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a sustainable ceasefire" in the besieged Gaza Strip, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in Brussels on Monday.

U.S. ADDING TO CRISIS

Despite the mounting calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Biden administration is preparing to send a new package of weapons to Israel, which is estimated to be worth tens of millions of U.S. dollars, the Wall Street Journal reported last week, citing anonymous U.S. officials.

"The Americans are not doing anything practical to stop the (Israel-Hamas) war," said Youssef Diab, a political analyst from the Lebanese University.

The repeated trips to Israel by U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as the U.S. financial and military support for Israel, have given Israel the green light to continue the war on Gaza and kill more children, he said.

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France under pressure to suspend military sales to Israel amid its genocidal war in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 10:44 PM

Opposition parties and activists have called on France's government to reconsider arms sales to Israel in the wake of its genocidal war in the besieged Gaza Strip.

They encouraged Paris to follow the example of other European nations that suspended military exports to Israel over concerns about the humanitarian situation on the ground, France 24 reported on Thursday.

French company Eurofarad is facing charges of complicity in war crimes against Palestinians in France. The company has since been bought by Exxelia Technologies.

Israeli troops had used missiles of Eurofarad to kill Palestinian children of the Shuheibar family.

A specialized department looking at crimes against humanity opened an investigation on suspicion of "complicity with war crimes" at a Paris court, and last summer several members of the Shuheibar family were heard.

The Shuheibar case is not unique. Other French defense companies - including Dassault, Thales and MBDA - are facing charges of "complicity in war crimes" over weapons sales to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which has fought a war in Yemen.

The Shuheibar case raises some lingering questions in the context of the Israeli war in Gaza, and following the provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last month and the pending ruling.

French companies have exported weapons or any "dual-use" equipment to Israel that can be used in a military context.

The head of Amnesty International in France, Jean-Claude Samouiller, wrote an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, calling on him for the suspension of all weapons sales and military equipment to Israel.

Opposition MPs have repeatedly grilled members of the government over continuing French military exports to Israel.

Last week, Mathilde Panot, the president of the LFI parliamentary group, asked Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne whether France was arming Israel and called for a suspension of any such sales.

"Has France continued providing weapons to [Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin] Netanyahu? Mister minister, can you say with certainty that no French military component is being used in Gaza in any war crime that is being committed? When will you declare an arms embargo?" she asked, adding: "[Charles] de Gaulle did it [in 1967]. Emmanuel Macron must do it."

She also asked the French foreign minister to provide a list of weapons and other equipment provided to Israel.

"Concerning weapons, I will revert back to you to give you a number, because I don't have it here," Sejourne replied.

Since the Israeli occupation of Palestine in June 1967, the illegal entity has perpetrated a raft of crimes, including killing, displacement, arrest and torture of Palestinians and demolition of their homes.

In its latest act of aggression, more than 29,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 70,000 others injured since the Israeli regime launched its US-backed onslaught on Gaza on October 7, 2023.

Providing Israel with an unbridled supply of arms and ammunition since the initiation of the Gaza war, the United States, Israel's great benefactor, has vetoed UN Security Council resolutions that called on the regime to cease its aggression.

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Iran at ICJ seeks immediate end to crimes of Israel against Palestinians

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 6:31 PM

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Reza Najafi says the crimes of Israel against the Palestinians must stop immediately.

Najafi was reading Iran's statement on Thursday during oral proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.

While pointing out the long-standing principled position of Iran for the full realization of the Palestinians' inherent right to self-determination and non-recognition of Israel, the Iranian representative highlighted the disastrous situation in the besieged Gaza Strip, citing reports from international organizations and aid agencies.

The Iranian representative expressed hope that the court, with its fair opinion, would provide the basis that would help save the lives of thousands of innocent women and children across the occupied Palestinian territories.

"We remain at a turning point in the history of mankind; the opinion of this Court can set the ground for saving the lives of thousands of innocent women and children, and contribute to the legitimate demand of a people deprived of its inherent right to self-determination for decades."

"Needless to say, forcible displacement of civilian population, is of such a high significance that has been defined as a war crime under Article 8 of the Statute of the International Criminal Court."

Elsewhere in the statement, the top UN court was told that holding a national referendum is the only legal and democratic way to determine the fate of the Palestinians.

"In the Islamic Republic of Iran's view, the only legal, practical, democratic and just method to effectively realize the inherent right to self-determination of the Palestinian people is to hold a national referendum in the Palestine. The details of this plan are contained in an official document of the United Nations issued in 2019."

The top UN court is holding a fourth day of hearings on Israel's decades-long occupation of the Palestinian territories. Representatives from several countries have addressed the Hague-based court.

The tribunal is holding a week of public hearings following a request from the UN, with 52 countries presenting their arguments on the issue of a nonbinding opinion on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

The ongoing hearings are related to a case brought by the UN General Assembly following a resolution in December 2022.

Since the Israeli occupation of Palestine in June 1967, the illegal entity has perpetrated a raft of crimes, including killing, displacement, arrest and torture of Palestinians and demolition of their homes.

In its latest act of aggression, more than 29,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 70,000 others injured since the Israeli regime launched its US-backed onslaught on Gaza on October 7, 2023.

Providing Israel with an unbridled supply of arms and ammunition since the initiation of the Gaza war, the United States, Israel's great benefactor, has vetoed UN Security Council resolutions that called on the regime to cease its aggression.

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Houthi: Yemen introduced 'submarine weapon' in Red Sea operations

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 4:26 PM

Yemen's armed forces have introduced the "submarine weapon" in their operations which they are carrying out in the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians, Ansarullah leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi says.

"We introduced the submarine weapon into the confrontation in the Red Sea, and it is a weapon that worries the enemy," he said in a televised speech on Thursday.

Yemeni forces have launched repeated drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden since November in support of Palestinians.

They say the operations will continue unless Israel stops its war on the besieged Gaza Strip, which has killed almost 30,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

So far, 183 missiles and drones have been launched against Israeli targets in the occupied territories, al-Houthi said. In the Red and Arab Seas, 48 ships have been targeted.

"Thirteen specific operations were carried out in recent days, the most prominent of which was sinking the British ship and shooting down the American drone," he added.

The US on Tuesday confirmed that an MQ-9 Reaper drone was downed in Yemen. In November, the Pentagon acknowledged the loss of an MQ-9, worth about $30 million, which was also shot down by Yemen over the Red Sea.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said the drone was shot down on Monday off the coast of areas near the Red Sea.

"Initial indications are that it was shot down by a Houthi surface-to-air missile," she told reporters, referring to Yemen's Ansarullah fighters who are at the spearhead of operations against Israeli and Israeli-bound vessels.

The group has added US and British assets to its list of targets since the two countries began targeting Yemen from the air and sea in support of Israel's war on Gaza.

President Joe Biden last month acknowledged the strikes were not having a deterrent effect against the Yemeni's army's launch of missiles and drones.

Al-Houthi said Thursday, "Operations in the Red and Arabian Seas, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden are continuing, escalating, and effective."

"The available missiles have been developed to the point that the Americans are unable to intercept or shoot them down, despite the technology they possess," he added.

On Monday, Yemeni forces targeted Britain's Rubymar cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the crew was safe but that the ship was badly damaged and at risk of sinking.

Al-Houthi said, "We do not practice any blackmail against ships passing through the Red and Arab Seas on the condition that they are not heading to [Israel]."

He said the scale of the worsening humanitarian tragedy in Gaza increases the burden of responsibility on Arabs and Muslims to take serious action.

"The wealthy Arab countries are wasting hundreds of billions on trivial matters and fueling strife, and do not even provide minimal food to the Palestinian people," al-Houthi added.

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Yemeni forces target Israel's Eilat, UK ship, US destroyer with missiles, drones

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 4:09 PM

Yemeni armed forces say they have carried out three military operations, targeting Israeli port of Eilat, a British ship in the Gulf of Aden and a US destroyer in the Red Sea with a number of ballistic missiles and drones.

A statement issued on Thursday said the operations were launched "in support of the oppressed Palestinian people, and as part of the response to the American-British aggression on our country".

"During the first operation, the missile force and the drone air force of the Yemeni Armed Forces launched a number of ballistic missiles and drones at various targets of the Zionist enemy in the Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat) area in occupied southern Palestine.

"The second operation took place in the Gulf of Aden, where the Yemeni Armed Forces' naval forces targeted a British ship (ISLANDER) in the Gulf of Aden with a number of appropriate naval missiles, hitting it directly, which led to a fire on board by the grace of Allah.

"The third operation involved targeting an American destroyer in the Red Sea with a number of drones," the statement said.

Earlier Thursday, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a UK-owned ship was set on fire off the southern coast of Yemen after being struck in a missile attack in the Gulf of Aden.

The strike, it said, saw two missiles fired at the ship some 70 nautical miles southeast of Aden. US-led coalition forces are responding to the incident, the UKMTO added.

Ship-tracking data identified the vessel ablaze as a Palau-flagged cargo ship named Islander.

The private security firm Ambrey also said "the missile attack led to a fire onboard and coalition military assets were responding to the incident."

Yemen's armed forces have introduced "submarine weapons" in their attacks on vessels either owned by Israel or associated with the regime, Ansarullah Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said on Thursday.

Yemen sent shippers and insurers formal notice of a ban on vessels linked to Israel. The communication, the first to the shipping industry outlining a formalized ban, came in the form of two notices from the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center.

Ships that are wholly or partially owned by Israeli individuals or entities; Israel-flagged vessels, or those owned by US or British individuals or entities, or sailing under the flags of the US or Britain, are banned from the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, according to the Thursday notices.

"The Humanitarian Operations Center was established in Sana'a to coordinate the safe and peaceful passage of ships and vessels that have no connection to Israel," a senior Ansarullah official said.

"The Yemeni Armed Forces continue to fulfill their religious, moral, and humanitarian duties towards the Palestinian people and in defense of dear Yemen in the face of the American-British aggression," the Thursday statement said.

"Their military operations will not stop until the aggression ceases and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted."

On October 31, 2023, Yemeni forces first claimed a missile-and-drone barrage targeting the port. Eilat has seen an 85% drop in activity since the Yemeni forces stepped up attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

In recent months, the United States and its allies have launched attacks on Yemen's territory amid frustration in the face of the anti-Israel maritime campaign by the Yemeni armed forces.

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Feb. 21: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 1:25 PM

By Press TV Exclusive

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians so far, including at least 13,000 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 Wednesday, February 21, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Feb. 21:

 Shot at an Israeli soldier in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, causing a serious injury.

 Targeted an Israeli military Merkava-4 tank south of the Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City with Yassin-105 shells,

 Targeted Israeli soldiers holed up inside a house north of the Amal neighborhood, west of Khan Younis city, with a "TBG" anti-fortification rocket, killing three of them.

 Targeted an Israeli armored troop carrier (APC) with Yassin-105 shells west of the Amal neighborhood in Khan Younis city.

 Targeted two groups of Israeli soldiers holed up in two separate houses in the Hawwaz area west of Khan Younis city with TBG anti-fortification rockets.

 Targeted a special unit of Israeli army inside a building in Hawwaz area west of Khan Younis city with RPGs, followed by clashes, resulting in the death of four soldiers.

 Targeted two Israeli army vehicles with Yassin-105 shells west of the Amal neighborhood in Khan Younis city.

 Targeted an Israeli military Merkava tank with a "Shawaz" high explosive device in the Hawwaz area west of Khan Younis city.

 Detonated an explosive device on a Merkava tank on Salah al-Din Street in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

 Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces south of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, using mortar shells, Al-Yassin-105 rockets and "Shawaz" explosives.

Saraya Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Feb. 21:

 Destroyed two Israeli military vehicles in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, with barrel bombs.

 Shelled gatherings of Israeli forces south of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City with 60-caliber mortar shells.

Al-Aqsa Brigades' operations on Feb. 21:

 Sniped an Israeli soldier in the eastern Gaza axis, causing a serious injury.

 Targeted an Israeli military vehicle with a "Tandem" rocket in the Al-Zaytoun axis, causing injuries to regime soldiers and destroying the vehicle.

 Shelled Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with mortar shells and short-range rockets in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City.

 Targeted an Israeli military vehicle with explosives and subsequently hit it with an RPG in the Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City.

 Shelled an Israeli army gathering and their military vehicles with several mortar shells west of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip.

 Shot down and seized an Israeli military quadcopter drone in the eastern Gaza Strip.

 Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers using machine guns and confirmed casualties among their ranks in the Al-Hawwuz area, west of Khan Younis city.

Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on Feb. 21:

 Engaged in clashes with Israeli forces with appropriate weapons, followed by RPG fire on vehicles that penetrated Khan Younis and Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

 Fired RPGs at Israeli army vehicles northwest of the Al-Amal neighborhood in Khan Younis city, causing direct hits.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Feb. 21:

 Detonated two anti-tank mines on two Israeli army vehicles, causing casualties.

 Targeted Israeli army gatherings in the southeastern Gaza axis with several short-range rockets.

 In a joint operation with the Al-Qassam Brigades, shelled Israeli army gatherings in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood with a barrage of mortar shells.

 Engaged in violent clashes with Israeli forces using appropriate weapons in the Al-Zaytoun axis, resulting in many casualties.

Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades' operations on Feb. 21:

. Shelled Israeli forces and their military vehicles with a barrage of heavy-caliber mortar shells east of Jabalia town.

. Shelled Israeli forces and their military vehicles north of the Gaza Strip with 120mm mortar shells.

In a joint operation with the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, detonated a barrel bomb targeting an Israeli military vehicle, west of Khan Younis city, destroying it and causing casualties.

Hezbollah's operations on Feb. 21:

. Targeted a position of Israeli soldiers in the Evan Menachem settlement with appropriate weapons, causing casualties.

. Targeted an Israeli military deployment in the Shomera settlement with appropriate weapons, resulting in direct hits.

. Targeted two buildings housing Israeli soldiers in the Avivim settlement with appropriate weapons, achieving direct hits. The operation was in response to the Israeli attacks against southern Lebanese villages.

. Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Al-Marj site with rockets.

. Targeted the Ruwaysat al-Alam site in the occupied Shebaa Farms with appropriate weapons, resulting in casualties and damages.

. Targeted the Zebdine site in the occupied Shebaa Farms with appropriate weapons, resulting in casualties and damages.

. Targeted the Zarit barracks of the Israeli military with appropriate weapons, achieving direct hits and causing damages.

. Targeted the Metulla settlement and a gathering of Israeli soldiers with appropriate weapons, achieving direct hits.

. Targeted an Israeli military deployment in the "Avivim" settlement with appropriate weapons, causing casualties.

. Targeted Matzuba settlement with Katyusha rockets, in response to the Israeli aggression against civilians in Majdal Zoun.

. Targeted the Hadab Yarin site of the Israeli military with two Burkan IRAM rockets.

. Targeted a deployment of Israeli soldiers in the Metulla settlement with appropriate weapons.

. Targeted the Ruwaysat Al-Alam site in the occupied Shebaa Farms with rockets.

Iraqi resistance's operations on Feb. 21:

. Attacked the US military base in the Conoco oil field in Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria, with a kamikaze drone, hitting it directly.

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US tells UN's top court Israel should not be ordered to withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 11:27 AM

The United States has told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) not to order Israel to withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories until security guarantees are obtained.

The acting legal adviser of the US Department of State, Richard Visek, made the comments on Wednesday, when he was speaking at the public hearings in the advisory proceedings on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East al-Quds.

"The court should not find that Israel is legally obligated to immediately and unconditionally withdraw from occupied territory," Visek said, just a day after the US used its veto power to reject a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at the UN Security Council for a third time.

"Any movement towards Israel's withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza requires consideration of Israel's very real security needs," he added.

The Hague-based tribunal, also known as the World Court, is holding a week of public hearings following a request from the UN, with 52 countries presenting their arguments on the issue of a nonbinding opinion on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

The court'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 al-Quds and from its adoption of related "discriminatory legislation and measures."

Before Visek, other speakers, including those representing South Africa and Saudi Arabia, had demanded that Israel put an end to its occupation of the Palestinian territories, which took place during the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israel has not participated in the oral hearings, which began on Monday. Instead, it has presented a written contribution denouncing the questions the ICJ had been asked as "prejudicial" and "tendentious."

Israel occupied the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War, in a move never recognized by the international community. Since then, the illegal entity has perpetrated a raft of crimes, including killing, displacement, arrest and torture of Palestinians and demolition of their homes.

In its latest aggression, Israel waged a brutal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 after Hamas carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The brutal war has killed over 29,000 people and left nearly 70,000 others injured.



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Israel kills 99 Palestinians in fresh airstrikes on Rafah, elsewhere in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 10:52 AM

The Israeli military has conducted fresh aerial assaults on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 99 people in the besieged Palestinian territory.

The Gaza Health Ministry said on Thursday that most of the victims of Israel's overnight air raids were women, children and elderly people.

Meanwhile, AFP reported that the densely populated Gaza city of Rafah, particularly its al-Shaboura neighborhood, was among the areas most heavily targeted in the deadly strikes.

Rafah resident Abdel Rahman Mohamed Jumaa said he lost his family in the attacks.

"I found my wife lying in the street," he said. "Then I saw a man carrying a girl and I ran towards him and.... picked her up, realizing she was really my daughter."

Rafah, situated in the Gaza Strip's closed southern border with Egypt, is home to nearly 1.5 million Palestinians who have been displaced due to Israel's US-backed genocidal war on the territory.

Israel had designated Rafah a "safe zone," but it is now threatening an all-out military offensive, leaving the people sheltering there terrified with nowhere left to go.

The looming assault has mounted fears over a new carnage against Palestinians and drawn global condemnations.

The Israeli strikes come amid growing calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where almost five months of the Israeli aggression has killed 29,313 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 69,333 others.

On Wednesday, Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement, and White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk visited the Egyptian capital Cairo to hold talks with the country's officials on the ongoing Gaza war.

The US official is expected to arrive in the occupied territories on Thursday.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington was hoping for an "agreement that secures a temporary ceasefire" in Gaza.

Israel waged its brutal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 after Hamas carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The occupying regime has so far failed to achieve its objectives of "destroying Hamas" and finding the Israeli captives held in Gaza.

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Israels Eurovision entry could be disqualified on the grounds that it is too political.

The song, titled October Rain and performed by 20-year-old Eden Golan, reportedly makes several references to the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas.

The lyrics include phrases like: Theres no air left to breathe and They were all good children, each one of them

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that Eurovision organisers are pushing back against the song choice.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the competition, describes the contest as a non-political event and states that contestants can be disqualified if they make political statements.

Previous songs to be disqualified on political grounds include Georgias 2009 entry I Dont Want to Put In.

Eurovision has faced growing calls for a boycott since Israel announced its choice of representative.

Israeli flags at a protest in 2024 (PA Wire)

Golan was picked to perform for the country after a TV talent show in which she covered Aerosmiths I Dont Want to Miss a Thing.

In a politically charged performance, she dedicated the song to the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October.

Golan, who was born in Israel but raised in Russia, would mark the countrys 46th appearance in the competition, Israel being the first non-European entrant in the competitions history when it joined in 1973.

However, organisers are dealing with growing calls to have the country kicked out over its military operations in the Gaza Strip as Palestinians face an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Last month, Icelands Association of Composers and Lyricists called for Israel to be suspended from the competition in a statement saying its participation in an event characterised by joy and optimism would be incompatible with its military actions.

They said they would be opposing their countrys inclusion in the contest unless Israel is disqualified and a petition calling for the same gathered over 10,000 signatures.

Iceland isnt alone in its condemnation as musicians from multiple countries including Sweden, Finland and Denmark called for Israel to be pulled from the competition.

Story continues

Over 1,400 music industry professionals in Finland have signed a petition to ban the country, accusing their national broadcaster of double standards as it was among the first to demand a ban on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, Russia was banned from taking part in the competition following its military action in Ukraine following calls from a number of countries for it to be suspended. It did not return to the competition following its exit.

Danish and Norwegian musicians have composed similar letters with Swedens artists including Robyn, Fever Ray and First Aid King signing an open letter accusing Israel of war crimes.

Responding to the calls, the EBU said: The Eurovision Song Contest is a competition for public service broadcasters from across Europe and the Middle East. It is a competition for broadcasters  not governments  and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the contest for 50 years.

The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences worldwide through music.

This years Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malmo, Sweden, in May.
UN staff: Israeli siege renders Gaza's Nasser Hospital a 'place of death'

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 7:33 AM

UN staff members who helped evacuate critically wounded patients from Nasser Hospital in the Gaza Strip have described "appalling" conditions in the territory's second-largest medical facility, saying it has turned into a "place of death."

"The conditions are appalling. There are dead bodies in the corridors. Patients are in a desperate situation," said Jonathan Whittall, senior humanitarian affairs officer at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the occupied Palestinian territory.

"This has become a place of death, not a place of healing," he added.

Whittall, who took part in evacuation missions along with teams from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on February 18 and 19, raised concern about conditions of dozens of patients and staff who remain trapped inside the hospital amid intensified Israeli bombardment of the area in a video posted on X.

The UN health agency issued a statement on social media on Tuesday morning, saying its staff managed to transfer 32 critical patients, including two children, out of the hospital on Sunday and Monday.

There are still an estimated 130 sick and injured patients and at least 15 doctors and nurses inside the facility, WHO said, warning that the conditions inside the facility are ripe for the spread of disease.

Medical authorities in the Gaza Strip say at least eight patients have lost their lives at the hospital in the southern part of the territory as oxygen supplies, fuel, water, and electric power were cut off from the entire medical complex.

Navigating through pitch-black corridors with flashlights, rescuers managed to locate patients despite the backdrop of gunfire.

"You can think about the worst situation ever. You multiply that by 10 and this is the worst situation I have seen in my life," said Julio Martinez, a WHO staff, emphasizing there were "patients everywhere."

The global health agency, OCHA, and the PRCS said efforts were underway to evacuate further patients.

Gaza hospitals have been overwhelmed by more than four months of Israel's bombardment of the territory.

Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis is now the "backbone of the health system in southern Gaza," according to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who said he was "alarmed" by reports from there.

According to reports, despite the critical situation, doctors and nurses are urging the hospital to resume its functions instead of seeking evacuation.

"They're asking, actually, not to be evacuated from the hospital but for the hospital to function. For the lights to be turned back on, for the medicine they need to treat the patients that remain," said Dr. Thaer Ahmad, a US-based emergency physician who spent several weeks volunteering at the Nasser Hospital in January.

WHO described the dismantling and degradation of the Nasser Hospital as a "massive blow" to Gaza's health system.

The Gaza Health Ministry appealed to all international institutions to intervene quickly to save the patients and staff at the Nasser Medical Complex before it was too late.

Khan Yunis has been the main target of Israel's ground offensive for weeks. The regime now says its forces will soon raid the overcrowded southernmost city of Rafah.

The town, once declared a "safe zone" by the regime, is currently home to about 1.5 million people who have been forcibly displaced.

Since the start of its latest aggression in October, the Tel Aviv regime has killed over 29,300 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the territory. Nearly 70,000 other individuals have sustained injuries as well.

Israel has also imposed a "complete siege" on the coastal sliver, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water.

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Al-Aqsa Storm stopped US plan in region, marked end of Netanyahu's dream: Hamas official

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 6:54 AM

A senior Hamas official says the Operation al-Aqsa Storm launched by Gaza-based resistance groups against Israel has stopped the US plan to shape the region and its future.

Osama Hamdan, who is Hamas representative in Lebanon and also a member of the group's politburo, made the remarks during an interview with Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television network on Wednesday.

"The American administration has never been a mediator or neutral, but has always been a partner of Israel, and one of the most important outcomes of the al-Aqsa flood (operation) is that it stopped the US administration's plans to shape the region and its future according to the interests of Washington and the occupation," he said.

The Hamas official went on to say that "the resistance has shattered the dreams of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who remains delusional about implementing the ideological Zionist project."

He also noted that if the Israeli regime persists in continuing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the resistance group has no option but to continue its defense.

Hamdan further stated that the occupying regime is still hesitant about attacking the southern city of Rafah due to the fact that it failed to achieve any tangible results from its aggression against Gaza.

He also emphasized that resistance is the only path that will lead to the liberation of Palestine, adding that the enemy's black propaganda cannot damage the relations between resistance groups.

Hamdan's remarks came after the US vetoed a UN resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza for the third time, drawing widespread condemnation.

Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm on October 7, penetrating deep into the territories occupied by the Israeli regime, by carrying out large-scale air, land, and sea strikes.

The group said the operation was a reaction to the recurring desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds as well as intensified Israeli atrocities against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Since the start of Israel's latest brutal aggression, more than 29,300 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed and about 70,000 others have been injured.

The regime has also intensified the siege of Gaza, leaving the city, home to more than 2.3 million Palestinians, without water, electricity, fuel and internet.

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Fresh aggression: US, UK launch five strikes on Yemen's Hudaydah

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 6:16 AM

The United States and Britain have conducted fresh aerial assaults on Yemen's strategic western province of Hudaydah.

The al-Masirah television network reported three airstrikes on Ras Issa area in Hudaydah's a-Salif district late on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, it added, four similar air raids also targeted al-Jabana and al-Arj areas in Hudaydah.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement that its forces had carried out four strikes on areas in Yemen, targeting "seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile launcher" in the act of aggression.

It claimed that the targets "presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the US Navy ships in the region."

CENTCOM also said that its forces had shot down a "one-way attack unmanned aircraft system."

In recent months, the US and its allies have launched illegal attacks on Yemen amid their frustration in the face of an anti-Israel maritime campaign by the Yemeni armed forces.

Israel waged a US-backed genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip on October 7 following a historic operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance group against the occupying regime.

In support of Gaza, Yemeni armed forces have targeted ships going to and from ports in the occupied territories, or whose owners are linked to Israel, in the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and even in the Arabian Sea.

The US-led attacks on Yemen prompted the country's military to declare American and British vessels to be legitimate targets.

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Chinese 'monster' ship keeps pressure on Vietnam's oil fields

The world's largest coast guard vessel returns for a fresh patrol tour near Vanguard Bank in the South China Sea.

By RFA Staff 2024.02.22 -- China Coast Guard ship 5901, known as "The Monster" for its size, has returned to the waters near Vanguard Bank in the South China Sea, where Vietnam has some important oil and gas fields.

The 12,000-ton CCG 5901, currently the world's largest coast guard vessel, switched on its AIS, or automatic information system, on Feb. 20 near the bank, a known South China Sea flashpoint between Vietnam and China.

Data provided by the Marine Traffic website, which uses AIS signals to track ships, shows it is still at the location.

While conducting "intrusive patrols among Vietnam's offshore oil & gas fields," the Chinese ship is being shadowed by Vietnam's fisheries surveillance vessel Kiem Ngu 261, said Ray Powell, director of the U.S.-based SeaLight project, who was the first to spot it.

CCG 5901, previously carrying hull number 3901, left Sanya port in Hainan island on Feb. 14., 2024.

Before that, it patrolled Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for almost a month at the end of 2023, and was replaced on 10 Jan. by another Chinese coast guard vessel - CCG 5402.

CCG 5402 has also conducted intrusive patrols into Indonesia and Malaysia's EEZs over the past six weeks, according to Powell.

Normalizing China's activities

"These patrols are a key component of China's strategy to reinforce its expansive maritime claims in disputed waters," wrote Gaute Friis, an analyst at the SeaLight project at Stanford University in California.

"By doing so, China aims to establish a continuous presence and gradually normalize its maritime activities in these areas."

The Chinese "monster" ship is armed with heavy machine guns and also has a helicopter platform, as well as a hangar large enough to accommodate larger rotary wing aircraft.

Vanguard Bank, called Bai Tu Chinh in Vietnamese and Wan'an Tan in Chinese, is a submerged formation that lies entirely within Vietnam's EEZ.

Vietnam and some foreign partners carry out oil and gas exploration at the location, which plays an important role in Hanoi's oil and gas development.

Law enforcement vessels from Vietnam and China confronted each other there in July 2019 in one of the worst maritime standoffs between them in the South China Sea in recent years.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Exiled Cambodian opposition leader quits party to lead new organization

Mu Sochua announced her resignation from the banned Cambodian National Rescue Party.

By RFA Khmer 2024.02.22 -- Exiled opposition leader Mu Sochua announced her resignation from the banned Cambodian National Rescue Party and said she will lead the newly formed Khmer Movement for Democracy, an organization aimed at promoting democracy and the rule of law in Cambodia.

"We are very worried about the critical situation in Cambodia such as the Chinese military presence, cybercrime, corruption, forced evictions, territorial integrity, lack of court independence," the former parliamentarian told Radio Free Asia from Japan, where she met with Cambodians living there.

"We must seek solutions and this movement is a solution," she said.

The Khmer Movement for Democracy was founded in Washington DC in September. Its website says it's open to Cambodians of every political affiliation.

"Decades of corruption and authoritarian rule have left our people impoverished, our democracy dismantled, and our natural resources plundered," the organization said. "The democratic space inside Cambodia has been simply shut down."

Mu Sochua said the group won't transform into another opposition political party. Instead, it's a way to organize and unite Cambodians around the world.

Until her recent resignation, Mu Sochua was vice president of the Cambodian National Rescue Party, or CNRP. It had been the country's main opposition party until it was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017 after it made substantial gains in local communal elections.

The Khmer Movement for Democracy will largely be funded by donations from Cambodians, Mu Sochua said. It currently has enough funding for one year.

As the organization's president, she recently traveled to Australia, New Zealand and South Korea to meet with Cambodian workers and exiles.

"The immediate goals within the next six months are to send messages to people to stop their fear, to work with NGOs, to do work to urge the Paris Agreement signatories to fulfill their duties and to initiate people to stand up and stop crying and being afraid," Mu Sochua said.

The 1991 Paris Peace Agreement formally ended decades of war in Cambodia and paved the way for parliamentary democracy.

Arrested, fled or co-opted

In the years since the CNRP's dissolution, all of Cambodia's independent media outlets have been forced to close and pro-democracy activists have either been arrested, fled the country or have been co-opted by Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party, or CPP.

In last year's national election, the CPP won 120 of 125 seats in the National Assembly. Hun Sen stepped down as prime minister in August, paving the way for his eldest son, Hun Manet, to take over as head of the government.

The CNRP still exists as an organization in Cambodian communities in Australia, the United States and elsewhere.

The party's leader, Sam Rainsy, lives in France and has been convicted in absentia several times since 2016 in cases opposition officials have criticized as politically motivated.

In October, a Cambodian court sentenced Mu Sochua, Sam Rainsy and 10 other activists to prison terms in a case connected to social media comments made in 2021.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Li Sokha also issued an arrest warrant for Mu Sochua, Sam Rainsy and two other CNRP leaders, all of whom live outside of Cambodia. Mu Sochua lives in the United States.

Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Hun Manet dismisses nepotism accusations after brother's promotion

'It just so happens that we share a family name'

By RFA Khmer 2024.02.22 -- Prime Minister Hun Manet defended naming his younger brother one of Cambodia's 11 deputy prime ministers, saying Thursday that Hun Many was chosen because he can execute needed government reforms.

"It just so happens that the minister has the same family name as me," Hun Manet told the audience at an awards ceremony. "But I would have promoted the head of the Ministry of Civil Service [to deputy prime minister] anyway, even if he were not my relative, because that is the ministry in most need of reform."

"The purpose [of his appointment] is to carry out reforms in three important areas: public functions, education, and health," he said.

Critics immediately responded to Hun Many's promotion Wednesday with accusations of nepotism and corruption.

Legal scholar Vorn Chanlot pointed out that Hun Many's promotion is not necessary to make reforms as he already has enough power as minister of civil service to improve the efficiency of public services.

"It just creates a delay in the implementation of reform," he told RFA.

The Hun family has faced accusations of nepotism since Hun Manet was handed the reins of power from his father, Hun Sen, following the 2023 election.

At that time, Hun Sen - who had ruled Cambodia since 1985 - argued that his son's appointment was based on merit, not nepotism.

Like his son, Hun Sen claimed he would have promoted Hun Manet "even if he were not [his] relative."

However, experts have characterized Hun Sen's attempts to stack the government with his relatives as a means of cementing the Hun family as Cambodia's ruling clan.

Law student Ly Chandaravuth told RFA that Hun Many's appointment "empowers the backbone of Hun Sen's family."

"When Hun Manet is absent, Hun Many can take over state affairs. He becomes acting prime minister," he said. Under these circumstances, "it is impossible for the government to be effective."

Translated by Sum Sok Ry. Edited by Claire McCrea and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Vanuatu referendum seeks to instill stability after revolving-door governments

Lawmakers would lose their seat in Parliament if they change political party under proposed changes.

By Agnes Herbert for BenarNews 2024.02.22 -- An upcoming referendum in Vanuatu to outlaw political-party hopping by legislators has sparked lively debate in the Pacific island country, which has faced three changes of government in the past year.

Dissatisfaction with political instability and a fast-rising cost of living is widespread in the archipelago nation of more than 300,000 people. But there are also concerns that outlawing changes of political allegiance during a parliamentary term could be undemocratic.

The past year has been particularly tumultuous for Vanuatu's politics with three motions of no-confidence against incumbent governments, resulting in a succession of prime ministers. There was also a snap election in October 2022. The prime minister at that time, Bob Loughman, dissolved his brief government in response to a no-confidence challenge, but it only resulted in reelection of the same crop of party-hopping legislators.

"I wholeheartedly support the yes vote to halt this practice, as it is a key factor causing instability and hindering development," Port Vila businessman Lopez Adams told RFA-affiliated news organization BenarNews.

The problem will become even bigger if left unaddressed, Adams said, because Vanuatu's economy needs stability to grow fast enough to provide opportunities and jobs for an expanding youth population.

"Using someone to ascend a ladder and then shifting to another's is unethical and lacks principles," he said.

Vanuatu, about 1,900 kilometers (1,180 miles) northeast of the Australian city of Brisbane, has been known for fractious politics and short-lived governments since independence from joint French and British rule in 1980. Like other Pacific island nations, it is increasingly the focus of China-U.S. rivalry for influence in the region.

Vanuatu sends many of its young people to work on plantations in Australia and New Zealand because of lack of economic opportunities at home, and its government has earned notoriety abroad for boosting its coffers with a passports-for-sale scheme.

Among its challenges, tropical cyclones regularly batter Vanuatu and it also is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it sits atop the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire."

The referendum planned for May 29 proposes that the country's constitution should be amended so that any lawmaker who leaves or changes political party during the parliamentary term loses their seat. It also proposes that parliamentarians with no political party affiliation be required to join a party within three months of being elected or lose their seat.

A majority of Vanuatu's Parliament backed the overhaul by passing an anti-party hopping law last year. Constitutional changes to the electoral system require a national referendum to be enacted.

Andrew Solomon Napuat, a member of Parliament and first deputy speaker, said the changes would prevent lawmakers from switching parties purely out of self interest and would be a step toward addressing political instability by allowing governments to last a full four-year term.

"We have to ask ourselves - how can we control people who will not listen to voters and do not put the nation first as a priority," Napuat said in an interview with BenarNews.

The proposed amendments to the constitution are being hotly debated on Facebook, where some posters have said they would be incompatible with democratic principles.

"Vanuatu has a democratic system of governance, but when the referendum focuses on removing the constitutional right of an individual member of Parliament, are we still in a democracy?" said a user named Anonymous Participant in the Facebook group Yumi Tok Tok Stret.

Napuat said much of the information spreading on social media does not accurately reflect the scope of the amendments, which only apply to the actions of members of Parliament and not the public at large.

He also said the referendum has its limitations in tackling government corruption, but the pivotal role in that area should be played by police, the courts and the Office of the Ombudsman, which investigates complaints about government agencies.

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai earlier this month urged the public to participate in the referendum and said there was a great need to shape the future of the country's democracy.

Minister of Internal Affairs Johnny Koanapo Rasou has promised comprehensive outreach about the referendum to every Vanuatu citizen, including those abroad in places such as New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand, so all voters have appropriate information.

Albert Iauma, one of the thousands of Vanuatu men and women employed as seasonal workers in Australia, said he would vote "yes" in the referendum if given the chance.

Vanuatu's politicians should be focusing on more important issues than party hopping, including the challenges faced by seasonal workers, he said.

"Leaders need to prioritize substantial problems over investing time and money in dealing with political instability. I look forward to casting my vote," Iauma said.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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With Sights On Taliban, UN Experts Call For Declaring Gender Apartheid A Crime Against Humanity

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi February 22, 2024

United Nations experts on discrimination against women and girls have called on the international community to formally recognize "gender apartheid" as a crime against humanity.

Emphasizing the grave situation of women and girls under the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the five-member panel of experts from Mexico, the United States, China, Serbia, and Uganda said the step is long overdue.

"The Taliban's rule makes codifying gender apartheid in international law particularly urgent," a UN press statement said.

"It would allow the international community to better identify and address the regime's attacks on Afghan women and girls," the statement added.

Since seizing power in August 2021 as international troops left the country, the Taliban has reinstated one of the most rigid gender discrimination policies in the world.

Its government has banned women and teenage girls from education and employment in most sectors. The Taliban's growing restrictions against women are aimed at controlling their appearance and their public interactions.

Afghan women are also banned from leisure activities and visiting bathhouses. Women are barred from or discouraged from running or visiting beauty salons and restaurants.

"State laws, policies, and practices that relegate women to conditions of extreme inequality and oppression, with the intent of effectively extinguishing their human rights, reflect the very core of apartheid systems," the UN statement said.

The UN experts recommended including gender apartheid as a crime against humanity under Article 2 of the draft articles on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity. The UN General Assembly's Sixth Committee is currently considering the draft legislation.

"Women are detained and tortured under various pretexts," a woman resident of the capital, Kabul, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. "I hope that gender apartheid will be recognized in Afghanistan."

Another woman in he capital told Radio Azadi that gender discrimination needs to end soon.

"Don't perpetuate this crisis," she said.

For more than a year, Afghan women's rights activists have been campaigning to declare the Taliban's treatment of Afghan women and girls as gender apartheid.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-un- gender-apartheid-crime-against-humanity/32830490.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Netanyahu Vows to Restore Security of Israel's Northern Border by All Means Necessary

Sputnik News

20240222

TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Israel will restore security on its northern border, shared with Lebanon be it through the use of force or with political measures, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.

"In the North we have a plain goal - to bring back the local residents. To bring back the local residents, we have to restore the sense of security, we have to restore security. This will be achieved. We do not give up on it. We will achieve it by one of the two ways: either via military measures, if it is necessary, or via political measures, if it is possible. Anyway, Hezbollah has to understand that we will restore security. I hope this message will be heard," Netanyahu said, visiting one of the northern military bases.

As for the Gaza Strip, the Israeli prime minister said the war will be continued until the complete defeat of Hamas and return of all hostages.

Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging airstrikes in areas along the Israeli-Lebanese border since last October, which pushed some 80,000 Israelis in the country's north from their homes.

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 29,300 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, local authorities said.

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Press Availability

US Department of State

Remarks to the Press

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

JW Marriott Hotel

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

February 22, 2024

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. First, let me say what a pleasure it is to be here in Brazil - first in Brasilia, now here in Rio. And as I think many of you know, this is the 200th anniversary this year of diplomatic relations between the United States and Brazil, something that we will be highlighting and celebrating throughout the rest of the year.

It's exactly a year ago that the President and President Lula met, and I think one of the things that stood out from that meeting was a common desire, a common objective, a common goal to leave the next generation a better future. Those were President Lula's words; it's also President Biden's commitment. And I think what we're seeing in so many different areas is the United States and Brazil working closely together to do just that.

I had the pleasure and privilege of spending some time with President Lula yesterday in Brasilia. I'm grateful to him for the time that he dedicated and to the depth and richness of the conversation we had. And as I reflected on what we talked about, so much of it was this common agenda between our countries to try to build effectively a better future for our people, focusing on the areas and on the issues that really have an impact in their daily lives.

We're all seized with the obligation of contending with the one existential threat to humanity, and that's climate change. And our countries have been leaders on that. Of course, the rainforest - the Amazon - is one of the world's greatest natural resources when it comes to actually effectively dealing with climate change carbon emissions. President Lula put it this way when he was at the White House with President Biden: "To take care of the Amazon rainforest today is to take of the planet Earth. And to take care of the planet Earth is to take care of our own [survival]." I don't think anyone could put it any better.

So the United States is working side by side with Brazil to support its efforts to preserve the rainforest, to combat deforestation. We're putting resources into that; we're engaged with many other countries around the world to encourage them to participate. And with USAID and other organizations in the U.S. Government, we're working in very practical, concrete ways to help with - support the management and preservation of the rainforest.

In 2025, Brazil will head up the COP, COP30, in Belem. This is a very important opportunity to advance progress on the many different ways in which all of us are dealing with climate change, and we applaud Brazil's leadership.

Another area where Brazil is leading and the United States has partnered with Brazil is on dealing with the challenge of food insecurity and global hunger. Here I'm proud of the fact the United States has invested billions of dollars over the last few years, both to deal with emergency situations that we face - the world has faced - as a result of climate change, COVID, and conflict, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Since 2021, the United States has invested $17.5 billion dollars in trying to support food security for people around the world. But it's not only the emergency assistance that counts, and I discussed this with President Lula. It's the work we are doing to invest in productive capacity around the world for countries from Africa to Latin America to well beyond. That is the answer to the challenge of food insecurity. We have many initiatives under way that are doing just that - adapting our agricultural systems, our food production systems.

With Brazil, we have a partnership to bring artificial intelligence and other technologies to improve the soil in countries. And one of the things that we found and is at the heart of one of our own major new initiatives - VACS, our Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil - is when you have resilient and nutritious seeds resilient to climate change and other extreme weather patterns, when you have strong soil, anything is possible.

And this initiative with Brazil is working to do just that, and that means that what we then put into the ground on top of the seeds and soil, like fertilizer, will be much more effective. So we're working to develop crops that use nutrients more efficiently, more effectively, lowering costs, lowering dependencies, and at the same time lowering emissions. It's joined with climate change. So another powerful example of where our two countries are working together in common purpose.

And then, of course, President Biden, President Lula are joined profoundly by their commitment to protecting worker rights, to defending and strengthening labor around the world. I think both presidents see it the same way. Workers, labor are at the heart of our successes as countries; we are both building economies from the bottom up and the middle out. Here again, the Partnership for Workers' Rights that the two presidents signed - stopping worker exploitation, focusing on forced labor, on child labor, promoting rights around the world - here again, our countries are joined.

And we have a joint action plan as well to eliminate racial and ethnic discrimination and promote equality, equitable access to education, to health care, to justice, particularly for people of African and indigenous origin.

I mention all of this because it was really at the heart of the conversation that I had with President Lula yesterday, and aspects are also at the heart of the G20 agenda, which Brazil is leading. And the other main purpose of this visit was to take part in a meeting with the foreign ministers led by Foreign Minister Vieira to prepare the agenda for the leaders when they have the meeting of the G20 leadership toward the end of this year. Here again, Brazil and the United States are working very closely together as partners, and it's the United States purpose in this to support and make a success of Brazil's presidency of the G20.

In all of the areas of focus that Brazil has set forward - whether, again, it comes to advancing the rights of workers and laborers, whether it comes to dealing with climate change, food security, whether it comes to reforming the institutions that shape how countries interact around the world - we are working hand in hand with Brazil on that.

Now, the scope, the scale of some of these global challenges is immense, and I know that there are times when it feels like those challenges are outpacing our collective capacity to tackle them. But I think what the G20 can demonstrate - it's demonstrated it in the past and I believe it will demonstrate it in the future - is that, no, we actually do have the capacity when we're working together, to effectively meet the moment, to meet the challenges that we're facing, to actually address the needs of the people that we represent.

The United States, for its part, is working to do that, and we had some discussion of these issues in the context of the G20.

On Ukraine, there is a strong, palpable desire among virtually all of the G20 for the Russian aggression to end and for peace to prevail in a way that upholds the rights of Ukrainians to their freedom, to their future, to the territorial integrity of their country. And that was very clear in the meetings that we had over the last two days.

The conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas - we're focused intensely on trying to get an agreement that results in the release of the remaining hostages and that produces an extended humanitarian ceasefire. And again, those are goals that I think virtually everyone in the G20 shares.

Haiti - an area that is close to home and close to the hearts of Americans and Brazilians alike - we see a situation that continues to deteriorate, particularly when it comes to the profound insecurity as a result of gangs that are running rampant not only in Port-au-Prince but increasingly beyond. We see a state that's on the verge of becoming a failed state, and the result is that people are suffering tremendously - not only from the violence, including sexual violence, but just from the inability to get the basic necessities of life.

Today we had a meeting that involved a number of countries, all of whom will be contributing to the mission to help provide renewed security for Haiti that was endorsed by the United Nations last fall and that we're now making - making real. We have a commitment from Kenya to lead this effort in support of the Haitian National Police, and today we had a - as I said, a meeting with well more than a dozen countries, each of whom is contributing or plans to contribute significantly to this mission with personnel, with equipment, with training, and with financial resources. And I think today we had at least another $120 million committed to that effort.

We're working together to deal with irregular migration, a challenge that countries around the world are facing in this moment. This is, simply put, a challenge of historic proportions. We see more people on the move now around the planet - not only in our own hemisphere, but around the planet - more people than ever before since we've been recording these numbers. But here again, we're working collectively to try to address the challenge.

And then in so many other places around the world where there is conflict, where there is insecurity, the United States, working with other countries, is trying to make a change and trying to make a difference - whether it's in Sudan, whether it's in the eastern DRC, Ethiopia, Somalia. We're working in all of these places to try to deal with insecurity and also, more broadly in Africa, with a very strong, affirmative agenda which I was able to highlight on my recent visit.

Finally, beyond security, we are putting together new coalitions of countries and organizations to meet shared challenges in new ways. We have a global partnership now to direct investment in infrastructure in ways that create a race to the top, not a race to the bottom - to make sure that as we pursue infrastructure projects in countries around the world and direct investment in that direction, we're doing it in a way that doesn't saddle countries with debt, that respects the rights of workers, the environment, transparency. That coalition - including here in Brazil - is increasingly focused on concrete projects and putting the resources into them.

We have countries - well more than a hundred countries - that have come together to meet a Global Methane Pledge, the largest single contributor to global warming, to cut emissions by 30 - methane emissions 30 percent by 2030. That will have a powerful impact.

And as I've discussed many times, we now have a global coalition to deal with what is now the number one killer of Americans at age 18 to 49: synthetic opioids - in the case of the United States, fentanyl, but in the case of many other countries, we see methamphetamines, we see ketamine, we see tramadol. This is one of the new challenges that increasingly countries around the world are being attentive to, because they need to be. And this was also a subject at the G20.

Finally, even as we're trying to work on issues of peace and security, even as we're dealing with these broad transnational challenges that no one country can effectively deal with alone, we also have to be reinvesting in and updating the international institutions that bring us all together to deal with these challenges. That was the subject of today's session of the G20. We have to have institutions that are more reflective of the world as it is today, not the world as it was when these institutions were created, most of them 80 years ago. We have to have institutions that are more responsive and more effective in meeting the challenges of today.

So the United States has been leading in these efforts too. We're leading the effort to expand the United Nations Security Council, both in terms of permanent and non-permanent members, so that it better reflects today's world, today's realities. We're looking and working to sharpen the UN's focus on the most critical emerging issues of the day and emerging opportunities, starting with artificial intelligence. The resolution that we have before the United Nations General Assembly is a way to set a foundation to make sure that artificial intelligence is used in a way that is safe, that's trustworthy, and that actually advances progress on issues that matter to people, including achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

We're working to make the international financial institutions more responsive, more effective, more efficient in ways that create access to capital for countries that need it, to concessional financing, and to dealing with the huge debt burdens that so many countries face. We're amplifying the voice of emerging markets and developing countries throughout these institutions. And we're working as well to mobilize private capital to make sure that it's directed the right places in the right ways.

In all of these ways, the United States is helping to lead the effort to make sure that the institutions that bring us together and where we're working together are more reflective of today's world and more effective in meeting its challenges. This is in so many ways a moment of tremendous testing for all of us. In the more then 30 years that I've been engaged in these issues in government, I can't think of a time when there's been a greater multiplicity, a greater complexity, a greater interconnectedness of the challenges we're facing. And I think that only underscores the importance of doing more than ever before in working together, in cooperating, in coordinating, in communicating.

The powerful reality is this: No one country alone has the capacity to deal with these challenges effectively. But when we work together, when we focus our efforts on common goals, I think we've demonstrated in the past and we will demonstrate in the future that there's nothing we can't actually achieve. Thank you.

MR PATEL: We'll first go to Courtney McBride from Bloomberg News.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Courtney, I'm getting my pen out in case there are multiple questions, and 

QUESTION: I'll try to keep it brief and onto one topic, Mr. Secretary. Thanks. Despite the U.S. and other countries' efforts to isolate Russia, which yesterday you called the world's leading exporter of instability, it remains actively engaged on the global stage, including with Foreign Minister Lavrov's participation in this week's ministerial. So how does that fact complicate efforts to respond collectively to global challenges, and how did it affect this week's meetings?

And then continuing on Russia, President Biden said that new sanctions are coming tomorrow in connection with the two-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as the death of Aleksey Navalny. The Kremlin reportedly has warned Navalny's widow not to return to Russia, and his mother is complaining that the Russian Government is pressuring her into a secret burial. How do the U.S. and its allies and partners hope to influence or alter Russia's behavior when previous sanctions have not had that effect? And further, is a state sponsor of terrorism designation a possible way to further influence Russia? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Great. Thanks, Courtney. So first, I think, again, if you were in the room over the last two days, when it came to, for example, the discussions that we had about the Russian aggression against Ukraine - and not just against Ukraine, against the very principles that are at the heart of the international system that we were here to talk about and hopefully to strengthen - I think if you were in that room, as Foreign Minister Lavrov was, you heard a very strong chorus coming from not - as I said, not just the G7 countries within the G20, but from many others as well, about the imperative of ending the Russian aggression, restoring peace, making sure that Ukrainians are the ones who decide their own future, preserving the territorial integrity of the country.

That's increasingly clear, so I think in a sense it's actually quite a useful reminder to Russia about what virtually the entire world thinks of this aggression and the strong desire to see it end.

And again, there are two reasons for that. One is the fact that it's an aggression against the principles at the heart of the system. The other is that it's had consequences for countries and people around the world - rising food prices, rising energy prices that have afflicted people largely because of this Russian aggression.

Now, we've been able to address that in increasingly effective ways, including Ukraine, by pushing the Russian navy back and getting access to the Black Sea again. Exports through the Black Sea from Ukraine now exceed what they were before the Russian aggression in February of 2022, but I think countries around the world are seeing the impact it's having on them, and it's another reason they want it to stop.

In terms of new measures and additional sanctions, stay tuned. They will be forthcoming. And I'd just say this about Mr. Navalny, someone truly heroic in his life, in his work. But the fact that Vladimir Putin saw it necessary to persecute, poison, and imprison one man speaks volumes not about Russia's strength under Putin, but its weakness. And I think, again, countries around the world, including in the G20, were very clear about what they thought about what happened to Mr. Navalny.

MR PATEL: We'll go to Fernando David with Band TV.

QUESTION: Hello, Mr. Secretary. It's a pleasure to have the opportunity of address you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.

QUESTION: I'd like to ask you, what is your personal opinion - not the United States, but yours, Mr. Blinken - about President Lula's statement comparing the situation in Gaza with the Holocaust? And in addition, if you believe that this kind of statement could spoil or frustrate the Brazilians' government plans of - presented at this - today's G20, especially the big changes proposed in the UN Security Council with the inclusion of another country such as Brazil? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much. First, let me repeat something I said a few minutes ago. The quality of the conversation, the exchange, with President Lula - I, on behalf of the United States, could not have been more pleased with. And I'm grateful to him for all of the time he dedicated to our meeting, but also, again, the substance of it. And as I said, we were focused almost entirely on the very important and powerful common agenda that the United States and Brazil share when it comes to the big challenges of our moment, and doing so in ways that improves the lives of people in Brazil, the United States, and around the world.

That was almost the entirety of our conversation, and it's reflective of the fact that in so many ways the vision that President Lula brings is the same vision that President Biden has. And as a representative of President Biden, my purpose was really to continue to deepen that common approach and continue to look at practical ways we can advance it.

Now, we also have differences on some issues and the way we approach them. And on this particular question, obviously the comparison of Gaza to the Holocaust we profoundly disagree. But that's also something that friends do. We can have these disagreements, even profound disagreements, on one particular issue or I should say even an aspect of the issue and still continue all of the vital work that we're doing together.

And also, we're joined in having the shared objectives in this moment of getting hostages out, getting an extended humanitarian ceasefire in, along with more humanitarian assistance, and ending the conflict. That's a shared objective. So I think it's important to know that was the nature of our conversation, of our exchange. And we're committed - we remain committed - to advancing our common agenda, both between the United States and Brazil directly as well as through Brazil's leadership of the G20.

MR PATEL: We'll go to Simon Lewis with Reuters.

QUESTION: Thank you. Secretary Blinken, I wanted to ask a little bit more on the Gaza question. Coming to the G20 meetings last year, you were able to kind of garner widespread support from members of the G20 with your position on Russia, even citing UN Charter principles that were being breached by the invasion of Ukraine. This year, we got most of the members of the G20 - or many members of the G20 are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, in contradiction with your own position, highlighted by the fact that the U.S. was forced to use a veto at the UN on that issue.

So comparing the last year to this year, is your support for Israel and its war leaving you isolated? Has it put you on the backfoot?

And in a related couple of points, there are continuing warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Deconfliction issues and looting are meaning trucks getting aid in make it into Gaza, but they don't actually reach those in need. WFP has said its suspending crucial food deliveries to the north of Gaza, and the UN assessment mission that you've spoken about hasn't gone ahead. What are you doing to address this dire situation? And can you say whether Israel is really doing all it can to cooperate with those efforts? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Simon. So first, with regard to the UN Security Council resolution, it's important to start with the - with this clear fact and proposition. That resolution would not, in and of itself, resulted in a ceasefire. The question before us is what is the most effective way to move forward - move forward in a way that gets hostages out, gets an extended humanitarian ceasefire, and ultimately leads to the end of the conflict. And in our judgment, the best way to do that is to exactly what we're doing right now, which is to work intensely on an agreement on the hostages.

This is something I'm involved in virtually very single day, including here, alongside my colleagues, the CIA director Bill Burns, the White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk. We're in constant communication and working every aspect of this, because that is the quickest path, the most effective path to get to where everyone wants to go, including everyone at the G20.

And as I said, the Security Council resolution, in and of itself, would not produce that. And indeed, the concern that we had with this particular resolution was twofold. One was the fact that it was actually silent as to hostages; second, the timing of it was such that at the very moment when, again, the best path forward is to see if we can reach an agreement on the hostages, anything that might in any way undermine that, confuse that, disrupt that effort, is simply counterproductive to what everyone wants to achieve.

Now, in terms of what people want to achieve, actually we all share the same goals. Everyone wants to see an end to this conflict as soon as possible. Everyone wants to see an end to the suffering of children, women, and men in Gaza, who - so many innocents who've suffered and continue to suffer so terribly, who are caught in this crossfire of Hamas's making. We all want to see that end as quickly as possible. And I think all of us are united in wanting to see after Gaza the path forward to a genuinely durable, sustainable peace, to make sure that this never happens again for Israelis and never happens again for Palestinians. So we're united in that.

And again, in terms of some of the particulars, everyone supports trying to reach a hostage agreement. Everyone supports having an extended humanitarian ceasefire to allow that agreement to go forward, as well as to dramatically increase humanitarian assistance. Everyone supports finding a way to end the conflict and move to this path to a durable solution.

So I found a lot of commonality on that. Now, again, there may be differences over tactics, and there may be differences over the Security Council resolution. But if we're trying to focus on actually getting results, actually making a change, making a difference, we think what we're focused on is the best way to do that.

In terms of assistance getting in, what I can tell you is this: There are two things that are a challenge. One is actually getting the assistance in to Gaza, and here this is something we've been working on pretty much every single day over the last four months. And over time, we were able, first of all, to open the gates to start to allow assistance in. That was a product of our intense engagement and diplomacy. Then to expand the places through which assistance was getting through, as well as to expand the assistance itself - all of this has taken a lot of sustained work.

But it's also accurate that every step along the way, we've encountered obstacles; we continue to encounter them, and we're dealing with them virtually every day. Then once assistance is inside of Gaza, that's not enough, because it actually has to get to the people who need it. And there too, there have been many obstacles that we're trying to work through every single day, including making sure that convoys can proceed in a way that ensures the safety of those who are conducting them. And that means deconfliction, it means coordination, and that has been insufficient. So we're working to improve that, as well as to make sure that - as you pointed out - assistance gets not only to people throughout the southern part of Gaza but actually gets to the many people who need it who remain in the north, some 350,000 people who remain above the Wadi Gaza.

So what I can tell you is this: We are working this quite literally every single day, through our own envoy for assistance, Ambassador David Satterfield and his team; through the work that I and many others in the government are doing, engaging with the different institutions of the United Nations, engaging with the Israeli Government, with the Egyptians, with the Jordanians.

The bottom line is this, though: We need more aid to get in, through more places, to reach more people. That's the bottom line, and we want to make sure that we deliver on that.

QUESTION: The (inaudible)?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Every single day we - we're engaged. When an issue arises, we tackle it and we look to see that there's an adequate response. So you can take this issue - issue by issue, obstacle by obstacle. But what we have seen is when we've brought up a problem that's arisen, generally speaking, yes, the Israelis have engaged it. But we continue to be in a situation where, again, not enough is getting in in the first place, and once it's in, it's not effectively getting to everyone who needs it. That has to be addressed.

MR PATEL: Final question - Camila Zarur, Folha de Sao Paulo.

QUESTION: Hi, Mr. Secretary. Before the G20 chancellors reunion, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov criticized the politicization of G20 for addressing issues such as the war in Ukraine. How do you see this statement? And have you had any conversation with Mr. Lavrov during the G20 meeting or in the dinner last night?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. The second part of the question first. I didn't have any direct conversations with Foreign Minister Lavrov, but we certainly - well, I heard him speak in the meetings and I imagine he heard me speak, and many others as well.

Second, in terms of the so-called politicization of the G20, I think Foreign Minister Vieira and a number of other colleagues addressed this very effectively themselves. If we're not able to deal with issues of peace and security, then it's going to be if not impossible at least that much harder to actually deal with what we're trying to accomplish through the G20. If you have conflict, if you have insecurity, then actually making progress on food security, on the energy transition, on dealing with climate change, on working to defend and uphold worker rights, that's either impossible or much more difficult.

So it's very much within the province of the G20 to be talking about these issues and hopefully to find common ways forward. I think that's what the people that we represent expect of us. It's actually what pretty much people around the world expect of us, because the G20, even though it represents the world's 20 largest economies, is in many ways also representative of the entire global majority, even countries that are not at the G20 table, although we had a lot of invited countries to the session and I applaud Brazil for doing that.

So no, I think it's clear that this is not the politicization of the G20. On the contrary, we have a responsibility to try to come together, find a way forward on geopolitical issues that may be divisive, because if we don't do that the entire rest of the agenda is going to be very, very difficult to achieve.

MR PATEL: Thanks, everybody.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.

MR PATEL: Thank you.

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Google Pay was largely replaced by Google Wallet back in 2022, but it has still been operating in several countries, including the US. Now, the search giant has announced that the standalone Pay app will be discontinued stateside on June 4, 2024 in a push to simplify its payment methods. After that, it will only be available in Singapore and India due to the "unique needs in those countries," Google wrote in a blog.

As part of the deprecation, Google will be removing peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, managing your balance and "find offers and deals." For the latter, it recommends using the new deals destination on Search. Users will still be able to transfer their Google Pay (GPay) balance to a bank account after June 4, 2024 using the Google Pay website.

Google Wallet has now largely replaced GPay, with five times as many users in 180 countries, the company said. That's because it can handle more than just payments  on top of credit and debit cards, it stores transport passes, state IDs, driver's licenses, virtual car keys and more. Google Pay, the service, will still be available through Google Wallet.

Google's payment system has been a mess over the years. It started off as Google Wallet, which was launched in 2011. At the time, it was a tap-to-pay system that came out years ahead of Apple Pay (2014), supported by Mastercard and retailers like Macy's.

Meanwhile, Android Pay came out in 2015, then that was integrated with Google Wallet in 2018 and rebranded as Google Pay. In addition, the company originally had a Google Wallet card (killed in 2016) that was effectively a prepaid debit card usable with any retailers that accepted Mastercard. Now everything is back under the Google Wallet umbrella  unless the company changes its mind again.

Correction, February 23, 2024, 10:30AM ET: This post has been updated to clarify that only the standalone Google Pay app is shutting down in the US, not the actual service. It will still be available through Google Wallet moving forward.
Rising to the Challenge on Haiti: Multinational Security Support Mission Ministerial Meeting

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

JW Marriott Hotel

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

February 22, 2024

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Assistant Secretary Nichols, thank you very, very much. (Inaudible) everyone here, thank you (inaudible) being here today (inaudible) for hosting with us.

Over the past two days, you've had the G20 foreign ministers meeting, and many partners also coming together in support of a shared mission that our hosts have put forward: "to build a just world and build a sustainable planet." To resolve conflict; to make communities more peaceful and more stable; to ensure the international system is responsive to the challenges of our time.

That's been the focus of the last two days of discussion, and I think it's safe to say that one of the most urgent challenges we face as an international community is in Haiti.

In January alone, more than 1,100 people were killed, injured, or kidnapped in the country. Gangs now control 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Armed groups use sexual assault and rape to terrorize the population.

The violence has also had the effect of blocking trade routes and aid routes, and shuttered schools. Criminal groups have cut off access to food, to clean water, to health care, to electricity. Half the country is eating just one meal a day. Three million children need immediate humanitarian aid. And the conflict is spreading north to Haiti's breadbasket, threatening the food supply for the entire country.

The United States is working to reduce the violence and improve daily life for Haitians. We've provided more than $300 million for food, for clean water, for health care, services for survivors of gender-based violence, and other humanitarian aid over the last three years. We've allocated $189 million going back to July of 2021 to help vet, train, and professionalize the Haitian National Police, including supplying vehicles, protective equipment, communications tools, and other essential supplies. We're deploying sanctions and visa restrictions to hold accountable those individuals who are financing or enabling violence.

And we're already, as it stands, the largest single donor of assistance to Haiti; we're committed as well to expanding our efforts.

But we know that this support alone is not enough - not enough for the Haitians to take back their country.

We need to do more to help the Haitian National Police stabilize the security situation now so that aid can flow in effectively and get to people who need it, so Haitians do not have to live in terror of gangs, and so that Haiti returns fully and strongly to a democratic path.

Now, the best way we see to bring about this future is with the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support Mission. That is what the overwhelming majority of Haitians are calling for.

In September, many of us came together in the United Nations General Assembly to discuss the urgent need for a UN Security Council resolution that would authorize such a mission. The following month, the Security Council passed UN Security Council Resolution 2599[1] with robust support. Since then, we've had planning conferences - we've included one in Washington just last week - we've had assessment visits, all to prepare for this mission.

The success of the mission, though, depends on securing the international contributions that it needs.

Improving Haiti's security situation is in our collective interest. We all want to prevent destabilizing irregular migration. We all want to counter criminal violence and arms trafficking. We all want to help Haitian communities in need. The international community has led international efforts to support Haiti for decades. But we need to help Haiti see these efforts through.

So let me start by again expressing deep appreciation to the Kenyan Government for its willingness to serve as the lead nation of this mission. And we welcome countries around the world - from the Caribbean to West Africa - that have pledged personnel.

The United States intends to provide $200 million to the Multinational Security Support Mission. Our assistance will deliver operational support to help the Haitian National Police with planning, with intelligence, with airlift capacity, communications, and medical equipment and services.

We urge the international community to join us by contributing funding, contributing personnel, contributing equipment, contributing logistics, contributing training to this mission.

Now, long-term stability in Haiti will require not only restoring public security, but also improving political, economic, and social conditions. The United States continues to call for the restoration of the democratic order through an inclusive political process in Haiti. We urge Prime Minister Henry and all key stakeholders to come together around broader-based governance.

The only legitimate path to long-term peace and stability is through free and fair elections. Haitians have the right to be led by a government of their choice - one that serves their needs, that reflects their aspirations, and that is accountable to the people that it serves.

Earlier last month, gang members targeted Solino, a once-peaceful neighborhood in Port-au-Prince. Residents were trapped in their homes by heavy gunfire, even as gang members torched storefronts, schools, houses, cars. People who managed to flee called into a local radio station to plead for help. One of them said: If police don't come, we are dying today.

After a multi-day siege, the police managed to stabilize the situation. But Solino still burns - and residents fear that the gangs will attack again and take control, placing the entire capital under their abusive and terrifying control.

In Solino and across the country, the Haitian National Police are fighting courageously to take back their communities. If we stand with them, if we stand with the people of Haiti, they can succeed, we can succeed. Today, we have an opportunity to make that possible. I'm grateful to everyone who's participating, standing up in this moment of need, but also this moment of possibility. Thank you.

[1] 2699

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul Before Their Meeting

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

JW Marriott Hotel

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

February 22, 2024

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. Yoko, Tae-yul, welcome. So good to be with you, with your teams. Since the Camp David meeting in August with President Biden, President Yoon, and Prime Minister Kishida, our teams have been hard at work - hard at work on trying to realize the vision that our leaders put forward at Camp David. And that is grounded in our trilateral cooperation.

And since that time, we've advanced key commitments, including finalizing our trilateral missile data-sharing mechanism and a long-term military exercise plan; holding the first trilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue; strengthening development cooperation in the Indo-Pacific; and launching cutting-edge collaboration in key technologies, including quantum computing.

We've also upheld commitments to consult with each other, to do so expeditiously, and to coordinate responses when we have a shared security challenge. With growing regional challenges, including the DPRK's provocative actions and military cooperation with Russia, and increasingly assertive actions by the PRC, cooperation and coordination with our closest allies is more important than ever.

So I look forward to our discussions today - these urgent challenges - but also the many other areas where our three countries are working together in positive and productive ways for the benefit of people in all - in Korea, in Japan, and in the United States, but also the region and beyond.

So thank you all for being here. And if I can, let me turn it over, Yoko, to you.

FOREIGN MINISTER KAMIKAWA: Thank you very much. It is my great pleasure to - I'm sorry. It is my great pleasure to have the first trilateral meeting with Minister Cho here. I welcome the deepened and expanded ties among our three countries, the advancement of our cooperation in various areas during the past six months since this historic summit at Camp David.

Looking at the global landscape, the free and open international order, based on the rule of law, is now being challenged. It is already two years since Russia's aggression against Ukraine started. Our strategic coordination is more important than ever, and I am eager to work even more closely with both of you in dealing with North Korea and beyond.

Thank you very much.

FOREIGN MINISTER CHO: Thank you, Tony. I'm very delighted to be participating in my first trilateral meeting today. It is my great pleasure for me to meet with you in person, Tony and Yoko, so this meeting is very meaningful in many ways.

First, it is the first trilateral meeting of the year. The start of the year is always a fitting time to take stock of what we have accomplished together and discuss priorities for the months ahead.

Second, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the first-ever trilateral summit held in 1994. This gathering therefore represents a symbolic milestone in our journey together.

Third, this is our first-ever trilateral foreign minister meeting to be held in South America. I think it is emblematic of our global outreach and our commitment to meet whenever and wherever we can.

I look forward to fruitful and meaningful discussions, further strengthening our bilateral relationship. Thank you.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

February 22, 2024

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Mathew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken had a trilateral meeting today with Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Rio De Janeiro.

Secretary Blinken and the Foreign Ministers reflected on the tremendous progress made since the historic Camp David Summit to institutionalize trilateral cooperation and discussed ongoing and future efforts to support one another's respective Indo-Pacific strategies.

Secretary Blinken, Foreign Minister Kamikawa, and Foreign Minister Cho also discussed the importance of building on close coordination in response to the DPRK's continued provocations as well as Pyongyang's growing military support for Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. They also discussed efforts to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza and reiterated the urgent need to release all remaining hostages and increase humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians.

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Palestinian civilians are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Gaza.

22 February 2024

Thank you, President, and thank you Special Coordinator Wennesland for your briefing today.

Mr Lockyear I join others in offering condolences to the families and friends of those who've lost their lives, and also I salute the courage of those who've decided to stay. Your briefing to us was harrowing and your message was unequivocal and clear and I thank you for that.

Colleagues, we all know that Palestinian civilians are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We want the fighting to stop now.

But simply calling for a ceasefire now doesn't make it happen and won't make it sustainable. That is why we are calling for an immediate suspension in fighting to get aid in and hostages out, and then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and death.

That means: the release of all hostages; the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package; removing Hamas's capability to launch attacks against Israel; Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza; and, a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.

Current negotiations are critical to secure the release of the hostages held in Gaza as well as progress towards our shared objective of a sustainable ceasefire. The UK government continues to work intensively with partners across the region to support this and we call on all actors to do the same.

President, we are gravely concerned by the prospect of an Israeli offensive on Rafah which would have disastrous consequences for the civilians sheltering there with nowhere else to go.

Over half of Gaza's population are sheltering in the area, and the Rafah crossing is vital to ensure aid can reach the people who so desperately need it.

That is why the immediate priority must be a suspension in the fighting, which is the best route to secure the safe release of hostages and significantly step up the aid reaching Gaza.

We are also gravely concerned that the UN World Food Programme has had to pause deliveries of food aid to northern Gaza. We continue to stress the need for Israel to support the UN to distribute aid effectively across the whole of Gaza, including in the north as the Special Coordinator referred to. And for Israel to open more crossing points into Gaza. Nitzana and Kerem Shalom must be open for longer.

Israel must also ensure effective deconfliction in Gaza, and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of medical personnel and facilities.

As we approach Ramadan, we urge all parties to call for calm and not inflame tensions around the holy sites. We call on everyone to respect their sanctity and security.

Now more than ever we need to generate momentum towards a permanent peace. The UK will continue to work intensively in support of a two-state solution which guarantees justice, peace and security for the people of two states - Israel and Palestine.

I thank you.

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The UK supports full implementation of the peace agreement in Colombia and calls for security guarantees for former combatants: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia.

22 February 2024

Thank you, President, and let me echo your appreciation to the Government of Colombia, the UN Secretariat, the United Nations Verification Mission lead by SRSG Ruiz Massieu and to all the interlocutors we engaged with in Columbia.

I'd also like to thank my co-leads Guyana Presidency and Switzerland for their close cooperation throughout the visit. And I'll reflect upon the sessions led by the United Kingdom.

In Bogota, the Security Council heard firm commitment as you said President, to the 2016 Peace Agreement and the importance of security guarantees for former combatants from Government entities in charge of peace implementation.

The Council also met with the High Commissioner for Peace, Otty Patino, to discuss the Government's vision to broaden peace through dialogue. It was an opportune moment to discuss the ELN process given the recent ceasefire extension, which we mandated the Mission to monitor. The Council discussed the dialogue with the EMC which we've indicated a willingness to consider mandating the UN to support.

The High Commissioner shared his vision of territorial transformation, extending the state's presence in rural areas which you referred to, and the importance of peace delivering benefits such as schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. The Council welcomed efforts to strengthen the humanitarian provisions of the ceasefires and encouraged further steps to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population.

In our meeting with the signatories to the Peace Agreement in Agua Bonita, we welcomed their unwavering commitment to peace and also we met them in Bogota. The signatories called on the Government to accelerate the implementation of the Agreement including by appointing an entity at the highest level to coordinate efforts.

The Council shared concern about former combatants' insecurity and the 418 former combatants killed since the signing of the Agreement. We encouraged the Government to accelerate efforts to develop rapid protection plans.

As you mentioned President, we also went to Buenaventura, and just to add to what you said, I think it's worth saying that five years ago, the Council was unable to meet a female community leader because of fears for her security, and this time that very same leader - who is now the Vice President - accompanied us to her region, which I think shows the extent of the transformation underway in Colombia.

This was an opportunity as you said President, for Council members to focus on the Ethnic Chapter and to hear first-hand from those whose daily work focuses on building peace at local levels. And the Council also heard from youth representatives to understand their daily reality and their calls for educational and economic opportunities.

As you said President, everywhere we saw the UN Verification Mission, UN agencies, Colombian Government, communities, and individuals working together to build sustainable peace. Peace is not an abstract concept - it's a real social cause which is a whole of society effort.

Thank you.

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UNHCR lauds African Union move to address statelessness across the continent

United Nations Human Rights Council

22 February 2024

GENEVA -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the adoption this week of a Protocol by the African Union (AU) Assembly of States to eradicate statelessness and advance inclusion for millions of stateless people on the continent.

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights Relating to the Specific Aspects of the Right to a Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa was adopted last weekend during the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of the Heads of State and Governments. The text of the Protocol will be available in the coming days.

Statelessness is a worldwide phenomenon with those affected denied the right to recognition as citizens of any country, as well as associated rights. As a result, they are often prevented from fully participating in society, politically and economically marginalized, and vulnerable to discrimination, exploitation, and abuse.

The Protocol seeks to provide solutions to legal barriers that will ensure that stateless people and those at risk of statelessness can exercise their right to a nationality and, in turn, have better access to fundamental human rights, as well as national services such as health, education, and formal employment.

"This is a critical step in truly ending statelessness for people in Africa," said UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela. "We stand ready to work with States on the ratification, domestication, and implementation of this Protocol so that millions of vulnerable people can access basic human rights and services, improve their lives and contribute meaningfully to the development of their societies."

Some standards set by this Protocol mark a significant advance in international law. The mechanisms to effectively prevent generational statelessness from the outset, specific provisions for nomadic and cross-border populations, and strong due process protections regarding the right to a nationality mark significant progress.

Following its adoption, the Protocol now needs to be ratified by just 15 AU Member States after which it will come into force.

This initiative fulfils a pledge made by the AU Commission at the UNHCR High Level Segment on Statelessness in October 2019 and subsequently at the first Global Refugee Forum, to advocate for the adoption, ratification and implementation of the Protocol by AU Member States.

Since 2019, AU Member States have made notable strides to resolve the plight of stateless people in their countries. In 2022, Liberia, amended its nationality law to grant women and men equal rights to confer nationality to their children. In Cote d'Ivoire, more than 16,000 descendants of historical migrants born on Ivorian soil, and by extension, their children, have had their nationality confirmed thanks to the implementation of special legislation for acquiring nationality by simple declaration from 2013 to 2016. Rwanda's legal nationality reform in 2021 led to the inclusion of a specific provision to facilitate naturalization for stateless people. In 2023, around 7,000 stateless people from the Pemba community were confirmed as Kenyan citizens and more than 3,300 individuals who were at risk of statelessness were granted nationality in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Mandated to prevent and reduce statelessness around the world, UNHCR remains committed to working with and providing support to the AU and its Member States to further identify, prevent and resolve statelessness in accordance with the goals of the decade-long #IBelong Campaign to end statelessness.



Notes for editors

In 2014, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) adopted a resolution on nationality. The ACHPR requested the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa, to conduct a study on the right to a nationality. The finalized Draft Protocol was submitted for consideration to the AU Specialized Technical Committee on Migration and then to the Specialized Technical Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, which adopted it at its ministerial segment, in December 2023. The Draft Protocol was also considered and adopted by the AU Permanent Representatives Committee in January, the AU Executive Council on 15 February, and then the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government on 18 February 2024.

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'Shocking, unsustainable and desperate' conditions across Gaza, Security Council hears

22 February 2024 - The Security Council met on Thursday at UN Headquarters in New York on the situation in the Gaza Strip, wracked by months of unrelenting war and tensions spilling into the wider Middle East region, with no solutions on the horizon to stop the fighting.

Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told ambassadors that "there is still no end in sight" as the war approaches its 140-day mark.

"No end to the trauma of those impacted by the horrors unleashed on 7 October. No end to the suffering and desperation the people in Gaza. No end to the regional turmoil."

Mr. Wennesland visited Gaza this week and described the humanitarian situation there as shocking, unsustainable and desperate.

Humanitarian situation

Internally displaced Palestinians are facing acute shortages of food, water, shelter and medicine, while communicable diseases are rising sharply unsanitary conditions and there is a "near total breakdown" in law and order.

He added that the UN Humanitarian Coordinator has a plan to deliver the essentials - food, shelter, medicine and water/sanitation - but the UN's capacity to deliver depends on coordinated humanitarian movements, effective deconfliction with the parties and Israeli approvals for essential communications equipment and armored vehicles - "all of which provide the minimum conditions for staff to work safely."

"This must be improved - UN convoys and compounds must not be hit and our equipment needs clearance," he stressed.

"Keeping Gaza on a drip-feed not only deprives a desperate population of life-saving support, it drives even greater chaos that further impedes humanitarian delivery," he added.

Dialogue, not violence

Warning that the scale of the emergency could quickly spiral out of control, Mr. Wennesland appealed for a collective, coordinated and comprehensive response to not only address the immediate crisis in the Strip but to help restore a political horizon for Palestinians and Israelis, alike.

"To do this, we urgently need a deal to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of hostages," he stressed, adding also the need to create the space for dialogue over violence.

"Ultimately, the only long-term solution for Gaza is political," said Mr. Wennesland.

"While taking into account Israel's legitimate security concern, there must be a clear path toward restoring single, effective Palestinian governance across the OPT (occupied Palestinian Territory), including in Gaza," he added.

Two-State solution

Alongside, international support to strengthening and reforming the Palestinian Authority to improve domestic and international legitimacy will be crucial.

To create these conditions, Mr. Wennesland called for a time bound political framework to end the occupation and negotiate a two-State solution.

"These efforts must coalesce and accelerate if we are to emerge from this nightmare into a trajectory that can provide Palestinians and Israelis with the chance of lasting peace," he concluded.

Veto is costing lives, warns MSF

Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland briefing the Security Council via video link.

Also briefing the Council was Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders.

Fearful of further deadly Israeli attacks, he said he was "appalled" by the United States' repeated use of its veto power to obstruct efforts to adopt the most evident of resolutions: one demanding an immediate ceasefire.

"We live in fear of a ground invasion" in Rafah, he said.

Calling Washington's new proposed draft resolution "misleading at best", he said the Council should reject any resolution "that further hampers humanitarian efforts on the ground and leads this Council to tacitly endorse the continued violence and mass atrocities in Gaza".

Constants attacks against healthcare

"Attacks on healthcare is an attack against humanity," he said, noting that while Israel claims Hamas is operating in hospitals, "we have seen no independently verified evidence of this."

Not 48 hours ago, Israeli shelling and gunfire killed and injured MSF staff and their families in Khan Younis, despite notification to the warring parties of the location, which was marked with an MSF flag, he said, recalling that some were trapped in the burning building, which active shooting delayed ambulances from reaching them in what has become an "all too familiar" pattern of Israeli forces raiding hospitals, bulldozing MSF vehicles and attacking its convoys.

"This pattern of attacks is either intentional or indicative of reckless incompetence," he said, adding that his colleagues in Gaza are fearful that as he speaks to the Council today, they will be punished tomorrow.

"The laws and the principles we collectively depend on to enable humanitarian assistance are now eroded to the point of becoming meaningless," he said.

Humanitarian response is 'an illusion'

In the face of killings and maiming of aid workers, "the humanitarian response in Gaza today is an illusion," he said, adding that efforts to provide aid are "haphazard, opportunistic, and entirely inadequate".

"How can we deliver lifesaving aid in an environment where the distinction between civilians and combatants is disregarded?" he asked, adding that his teams are exhausted. "Calls for more humanitarian assistance have echoed across this Chamber, yet in Gaza we have less and less each day - less space, less medicine, less food, less water, less safety."

Since 7 October, MSF has been forced to evacuate nine health facilities, and medical teams have added a new acronym to their vocabulary - "W.C.N.S.F., Wounded Child, No Surviving Family", he said.

Citing a new draft resolution being negotiated by the US he said that Gazans "need a ceasefire not when 'practicable', but now". "They need a sustained ceasefire, not a 'temporary period of calm'. Anything short of this is gross negligence."

Israeli offensive into Rafah should not proceed: US

Following the briefings, Robert Wood, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN said that the best way to advance an enduring peace and Israel's security is to support the creation of an independent Palestinian State side by side with Israel.

"The realization of this vision, however, continues to face numerous obstacles," he said.

"These obstacles include Hamas and other groups' continued holding of 134 hostages. I said it before, and I say it again - there can be no sustainable ceasefire in Gaza without the hostages being released."

He told ambassadors that the pace of hostage talks can be frustrating and complicated, and that negotiations at "such high stakes" do not always yield immediate results.

Qatar talks

"For this reason, we are working day in and day out with our partners in Egypt and Qatar to achieve a positive result that will bring the hostages home and result in a six weeklong cessation in fighting," he said, adding that he shared the "profound concerns" for the wellbeing of over one million Palestinian civilians in Rafah.

US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken "made clear to Israel", that under current circumstances, a major ground offensive into Rafah would result in civilian harm and displacement, including potentially spillover into Egypt, with serious implications for regional peace and security.

"As such, we have underscored that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances," he said.

"These statements are a clear signal Israel should not proceed with an operation that, we know, will create more suffering and worsen the humanitarian crisis in the absence of a viable plan to protect civilians."

Russia: Hostage release hinges on ceasefire

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said aggressive Israeli bombardment has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians, with 80 per cent of Gaza's population displaced, and the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Rafah threatening to cross the Egyptian border.

"It is clear that real leverage over Israel is something Washington does not have," he said, adding that that path to peace is being blocked by the US. "The release of hostages cannot take place without a ceasefire."

By giving the "green light" to a ground operation in Rafah, the Council's impasse has resulted in the spillover of the conflict in the region, he said, adding that Western nations' use of force against Iraq, Syria and Yemen undermines the central role of the UN as well as international law.

Turning to Israel's accusations against UNRWA, he said the collective punishment of Palestinians is no more than "donor blackmail", condemning attempts to smear the UN agency.

The only way to resolve the conflict is through diplomatic means through a two-State formula, along with the release of all hostages.

China: Spectre of wider war looms

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun, regretting to note the US veto of Algeria's draft resolution on Gaza this week, saying only an immediate ceasefire in Gaza will save lives and prevent a wider war. The US has tabled a new draft, which he hoped would respond positively to the Council's ovewhelming support for a ceasefire.

"At this point, the Council needs to demonstrate a strong result," he said. "It is the duty of this Council to slam on the breaks to avoid greater calamity. Incursions into Rafah would cause irreparable damage to regional peace."

As such, Israel should cancel its plans to invade Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians are sheltering, he said, adding that efforts must swiftly help aid into Gaza. In that regard, he said UNRWA plays a vital, indispensable and irreplaceable role, calling on donors to continue to fund the agency.

"Right now, the Middle East is in turmoil, and the spectre of a wider war is looming," he said, calling on all parties to refrain from attacks and try to break the vicious cycle of conflict.

In this regard, the two-State solution should be given a "new lease on life", he said. "The historical wrongs against Palestine must be righted."

Calling for ceasefire will not end the fighting: UK

UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward said "we want the fighting to stop now, but simply calling for ceasefire will not serve this goal."

"We are calling for an immediate suspension of hostilities and then for progress towards a ceasefire, which means the release of all hostages, the formation of a new government for the West Bank and Gaza and the removal of Hamas capability to launch another attack against Israel," she said, adding that Hamas should no longer be in charge of Gaza.

A "credible political horizon" must be opened, she continued.

Gravely concerned by the prospect of an Israeli offensive in Rafah, she said the immediate priority must be a suspension in fighting.

Raising concerns that WFP had to pause delivery of food to northern Gaza, she said Israel must help the UN deliver aid and open more crossing points to Gaza and must take all measures to ensure the safety of medical staff.

"Now more than ever, we need to generate momentum towards a permanent peace with the two-State solution," she said.

France: Regional spillover must urgently be avoided

Nicholas de Riviere, the Ambassador of France, underlined the extreme urgency to conclude, without further delay, an agreement on a ceasefire that guarantees the protection of all civilians and the entry at massive scale, of humanitarian aid.

All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally, he said, adding that this issue must become a priority of the Council, which must also be able to clearly condemn the 7 October attacks committed by Hamas and terrorist groups, as well as sexual and gender-based violence.

It is equally essential to restore a political horizon and work towards building a state for the Palestinians and establishing security guarantees for Israel. The two-State solution is the only one that can build a just and lasting peace.

This solution is threatened in particular by the illegal colonization policy carried out by Israel, which France strongly condemns.

Finally, it is urgent to avoid a regional conflagration, he said, noting that France will continue to mobilize the Council on all aspects of the crisis, security, humanitarian, but also political.

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SECNAV Del Toro Announces the Department of the Navy (DON) Maritime Economic Deterrence Executive Council (MEDEC)

US Navy

New York City

Speech by Carlos Del Toro

Date Published 22 February 2024

Good morning, everyone! It is wonderful to be here with you today in my hometown of New York City.

I would like to thank the Aspen Institute and the Bloomberg Foundation for hosting us this morning.

I would also like to thank our moderator, Mr. David Westin, both for leading today's discussion and for giving Vice Admiral Morley and me the opportunity to highlight the comprehensive work that the Department of the Navy is undertaking around the world.

As we gather here this morning, our Navy and our Marine Corps are indeed deployed around the globe, countering a diverse set of challenges posed by nations and non-nation state actors.

The challenges and threats we face today are global, ranging from Ukraine's war with Russia to restore their national sovereignty, the PRC's continued aggression across the Indo-Pacific, and Iran's malign influence throughout the Middle East region.

In the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, we continue to work alongside our NATO allies and Middle East partners to counter the Iranian-aligned Houthi attacks against commercial shippingattacks that threaten the lives of Sailors and other, innocent, civilian mariners.

As many in this room are aware, the Red Sea is one of our world's main shipping routes, with 12-15 percent of maritime trade passing through it.

Since November, trade volume through the Suez Canal has dropped 42 percent, with most major shipping companies opting to bypass the Red Sea altogether over security concerns, adding weeks to delivery timelines and raising the price transporting a standard 40-foot cargo container from Asia to Europe from $1,500 in December to over $5,500 today.

These disruptions, increased shipping costs, and rising insurance premiums are paid for by citizens around the world at the grocery store, the gas pump, and the pharmacythe impacts of which are felt most by countries that rely on their global partners for food security and vital medicines to protect their populations from some of the world's deadliest diseases.

We will continue to take the necessary actionsboth diplomatic and militaryas part of international coalitions of like-minded nations to return stability to Red Sea.

Addressing the threats that adversely affect the U.S., our allies, and our partners who seek to use the global maritime commons for peaceful ends requires a national commitment.

However, our potential adversaries are pursuing courses of actions that go beyond leveraging their military might, to include exploitation of the investment, industry, and innovation ecosystems that serve as the engine of the economies of the United States, our allies, and our international partners.

Exploiting supply chain vulnerabilities, adversarial capital investments in companies developing technologies critical to our Fleet and our Force, as well as intellectual property theft are but a few of the concerted actions designed to weaken our competitive advantages not only at-sea, but on the world's economic stage.

This past December, the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party released a report on these very issues, and identified actions Congress can take to address them.

The Biden Administration is clear-eyed about these economic threats posed by other nations, and we are taking concrete steps towards shoring up the seams that leave us vulnerable.

In 2022, President Biden unveiled our National Security Strategy. In that strategy, he highlighted how we cannot allow our strategic competitors to "exploit foundational American and allied technologies, know-how, or data" to undermine our collective security, nor should we allow them to violate the longstanding rules that have governed international trade and economic exchanges.

That same year, the President signed the CHIPS and Science Act, which has and will continue to strengthen our national security through historic public investments in research and development, science and technology, and the American workforce.

While these investments are critical in building and maintaining U.S. leadership in several industries vital to our national and economic security, equal attention must be paid to properly protecting them.

Last week, the National Science and Technology Council and the Office of Science and Technology Policy released the 2024 Critical and Emerging Technologies list.

This list contains numerous advanced technologies potentially significant to national security. Such as AI, hypersonic, and quantum to name a few.

And last month, the Department of Defense released our first National Defense Industrial Strategy, addressing these concerns. To address this concern.

The Department's strategy outlines several steps our department can take, organized along four priorities, which are: resilient supply chains, workforce readiness, flexible acquisition, and economic deterrence.

We in the Department of the Navy are closely aligned with the NDIS, the broader Department of Defense community, and the White House on this issue.

We recognize that adversarial economic practicesthrough targeted investments and intellectual property mis-appropriationare aimed at securing dominance in specific industrial sectors, and have wide-ranging implications to the technologies, critical infrastructure, supply chains, and businesses we rely on to ensure our Sailors and Marines maintain their advantages.

There is indeed an interconnectedness between innovative technologies, our naval advantages, and the growth of our economy in this era of globalization.

With a shift in reliance from the government to the private sector for conducting research and development of new capabilities, it is imperative that we shift our approach as to how we also protect those capabilities at the earliest stages.

And efforts within the Department of the Navy to make the necessary shift are already underway.

Earlier this month, at my direction, our department stood up the Maritime Economic Deterrence Executive CouncilMEDEC, bringing together several commands that are already focused on countering adversarial economic activities that directly impact our Navy and Marine Corps team.

MEDECco-chaired by our Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, Vice Admiral Francis Morley, and my Chief of Staff, Mr. Chris Diazis made up of representatives from our research, development and acquisition community, supply chain and critical infrastructure subject matter experts, as well as members of our intelligence and law enforcement organizations.

MEDEC is empowered to act by authorities already granted to our department, and will focus on mitigating adversarial foreign investment risks, innovation and technology protection, supply chain integrity initiatives, and the coordination and protection of research efforts.

While the work to protect our defense industrial ecosystem by each organization is not new, bringing them together as a unified, focused council to address Maritime Economic Deterrence allows us to better synchronize our efforts and be leaders in the larger DoD Economic Deterrence initiative.

The work of MEDEC is more than just preserving military advantages for our Sailors and Marineswe are undertaking these initiatives to better support you, our business and investment communities that we rely on to design, test and build the technologies and capabilities we adopt and field.

As a former business owner, I know the time, sacrifice, and investments you put into creating the companies that drive our economy.

I also know that any loss or compromise of your core products and technologies causes irreparable harmboth to your businesses and to your employees who rely on you to make their livelihoods.

What's more, this unintended proliferation of technologies developed here at home as well as by firms located in allied and partner nations pose risks for their use in ways that deviate from our shared valuesways that violate personal freedoms such as data privacy.

MEDEC is our Department's acknowledgement of these risks, and represents our commitment to helping you identify and address them early, for the safety of our personnel, as well as the security of our allies and partners, depends on us getting this right.

Last September when I called for a new approach to our national Maritime Statecraft, I outlined several key industries that required a whole-of-government approach to building up industries that are vital to our country's efforts to re-build and sustain our comprehensive maritime power.

As we broaden our engagements with our nation's start-up, investment, and business communities that are responsible for driving advances in critical technologies, the work of MEDEC will only become more important.

As we move forward on Maritime Economic Deterrence, we welcome your input to ensure that the actions we take support our nation's continued economic growth and protect our shared interests in maintaining our nation's comprehensive maritime power.

Again, it is a pleasure to be with you this morning, and I look forward to your questions during our panel discussion.

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Readout of Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby's Meeting with Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy Vice Adm. Rene Tas

US Navy - Press Release

22 February 2024

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby met with Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy Vice Adm. Rene Tas at the Pentagon, Feb. 22.

WASHINGTON -- Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby met with Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy Vice Adm. Rene Tas at the Pentagon, Feb. 22.

The two leaders discussed the navies' interoperability including Rim of the Pacific, the world's largest international exercise, and Operation Prosperity Guardian.

Operation Prosperity Guardian is bringing together countries to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity.

Kilby also discussed strategic competition and both countries' operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Navy and Royal Netherlands Navy regularly operate together around the world.

This was the first meeting between the two admirals since Kilby assumed the office.

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VCNO Visits Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

US Navy - Press Release

22 February 2024

PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, Maine -- Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby traveled to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, to meet with Naval leadership and Sailors, Feb. 21.

PNS is an essential element of our nation's national defense, providing maintenance for the Navy's fast-attack submarine maintenance, repair and modernization.

Kilby met with PNS leadership to discuss the ongoing work in the shipyard and the investments in Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program.

"The investments we're making in our public shipyards will support our Navy and our nation for generations at a critical time in this decisive decade," said Kilby. "Installations like PNS are as much a warfighting platform as aircraft carriers and submarines. We must continue to ensure our shipyards are able to maintain and modernize our fleet, and for this shipyard, our undersea capabilities."

SIOP is a holistic, once-in-a-century effort to completely update and modernize the Navy's four public shipyards. Upgrading and building new dry docks is critical to ensure the Naval Shipyards are able to maintain and modernize the newest submarines and aircraft carriers. This includes PNS's work on constructing and recapitalizing its dry docks to support new requirements of the Virginia-class and future classes of submarines.

PNS completed an addition to Dry Dock #1 in 2022, called the Super Flood Basin. This allows submarines to enter and exit without the help of tides or buoyancy assist tanks. USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) was the first submarine to enter the basin in 2022 for its Engineering Refueling Overhaul.

Kilby also toured shops on the shipyard and met with leadership aboard Cheyenne to talk about the Sailor's Quality of Service and maintenance availability challenges and accomplishments. Cheyenne is the first Los Angeles-class submarine to undergo a service life extension.

"While our submarines are a critical platform for our Navy and the defense of our nation, we can't do our undersea mission without our Sailors," said Kilby. "We know a shipyard period is challenging and the Navy is taking a hard look at how to improve our warfighters' Quality of Service. In order to build strong warfighting teams, we must take care of our people first."

In addition to Cheyenne leadership, Kilby met with submarine leadership from USS North Dakota (SSN 784), USS Texas (SSN 775) and USS Greeneville (SSN 772) undergoing maintenance at PNS. The fast-attack submarines are undergoing maintenance in the shipyard from an Engineering Refueling Overhaul to a Depot Modernization Period.

"These submarines and Sailors are an indispensable element of America's Warfighting Navy," said Kilby. "The work we do in our shipyards maintaining and modernizing our fleet is just as important as what our forward-deployed crews are doing. I am incredibly proud of the work our Sailors and civilians are accomplishing here and I look forward to getting these boats delivered back to the fleet."

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A legal opinion from an attorney at the Idaho Legislature has concluded that the State Board of Education violated the state constitution and exceeded its legal authority in its effort to purchase the University of Phoenix, and recommended the Legislature take legal action.

Although my concerns are many, my primary concern is this: The Board is attempting to escape its constitutional and statutory limitations by recreating itself as a private corporation, Legislative Legal Counsel Elizabeth Bowen wrote in a letter to seven lawmakers Thursday.

The State Board of Education voted to buy the University of Phoenix for $550 million in August, only a day after the proposal had been made public. The acquisition, which is expected to cost $685 million and was negotiated primarily behind closed doors, prompted a lawsuit from Attorney General Raul Labrador over alleged open meeting law violations. A judge dismissed that lawsuit last month. Moodys has warned that the purchase could cause a multi-notch downgrade in the universitys bond rating.

But the deal has not yet been finalized, and a set of lawmakers appear intent on challenging the deals legality.

Lawmakers in the House have proposed a strongly worded joint resolution to give the Legislature legal authority to sue over the deal, which is expected to close in March.

This process has not been done in the full light of day, the Legislature has not been dealt in at all, Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, told a legislative committee earlier this month. When youre going to enter acquisitions of this magnitude, we need to be at the table.

Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, called the deal a purchase by ambush and said he had concerns about the difficulties media outlets have had in getting information about the purchase of the mostly online Arizona university with more than 85,000 students.

If its such a good deal, then we should know everything, everything should be on the table at this point, Gannon said.

Story continues

In her letter, Bowen said the State Board of Education has no constitutional or statutory authority to acquire, own, and operate a private institution and to take on its liabilities, and that taking on hundreds of millions in debt without public transparency about the financial exposure the state faces risks becoming a disastrous financial judgment.

Neither the board nor the University of Idaho has requested the legislation necessary to convert the University of Phoenix into a state institution of higher education, Bowen said, adding it is beyond the scope of the boards charter to acquire the school. She wrote that the corporation the university has created to purchase the University of Phoenix, Four Three Education, is not valid and therefore lacks legal existence.

The Board of Education has not been contacted by the Legislature about the letter and is still reviewing the opinion, spokesperson Mike Keckler told the Idaho Statesman by email.

Bowen noted that she has discussed her concerns with the University of Idahos attorney and its government affairs liaison. The University of Idaho did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It is my belief that if the State Board of Education and the University of Idaho proceed under the current terms of the proposed transaction, they do so at their peril, she said.

Bowen said she recommends legal action unless the State Board of Education gets approval from the Legislature for its deal or restructures the purchase to avoid state ownership of a private institution.

The most solemn obligation of any public entity is to serve the public interest, Bowen said. If the State Board of Education and the University of Idaho have forgotten that  they should be reminded.

Gov. Brad Little defended the decision earlier this month. At an Idaho Press Club event, he told reporters that the state wants to expand university access online and make it more affordable, and that the University of Phoenix could serve that function. He said he believes the worst-case risk would be up to $10 million a year in payments to bondholders.

Its got a storied past, he said. Im very empathetic to the fact that this checks the box the State Board has been asking higher education for for a long time.
US Strikes Houthi Missile Sites in Yemen

By VOA News February 22, 2024

The U.S. military said it carried out four airstrikes Wednesday targeting anti-ship cruise missiles located in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

U.S. Central Command said the strikes hit seven mobile cruise missiles and a missile launcher that were ready to launch toward the Red Sea.

U.S. forces also shot down a one-way attack drone, CENTCOM said.

The strikes were carried out in response to what CENTCOM called "an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the U.S. Navy ships in the region."

Houthi militants have conducted dozens of attacks since November, disrupting the key Red Sea shipping route. Many shipping companies have opted to avoid the area, taking the longer and more expensive route of sending ships around Africa.

Wednesday's strikes came a day after the Pentagon confirmed the Iran-backed Houthis shot down a MQ-9 Reaper drone off the coast of Yemen.

The United States on Wednesday condemned the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, saying they are delaying and increasing the costs for food and medicine deliveries to parts of the world in need of humanitarian aid.

"Contrary to what the Houthis may attempt to claim, their attacks do nothing to help the Palestinians," U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. "Their actions are not bringing a single morsel of assistance or food to the Palestinian people."

The Houthis have said they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the war in Gaza.

Miller reiterated that the United States is not seeking conflict in the Red Sea, where U.S. forces have intercepted Houthi attacks in addition to multiple airstrikes against Houthi missiles sites in Yemen.

"We and our partners will continue to take appropriate action, as needed, to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi attacks in this critical international waterway and to safeguard vital economic and humanitarian assistance to countries in the region," Miller said.

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France's Call for Stronger Europe Finally Gains Traction

By Lisa Bryant February 22, 2024

For years, French President Emmanuel Macron has argued for a stronger, more independent European defense. "What Europe, Defense Europe, lacks most today is a common strategic culture," he said in a 2017 speech at Sorbonne University in Paris.

His address, just months after taking office, called for such unity in countering a raft of threats, including climate change. "Our inability to work together convincingly undermines our credibility as Europeans," Macron said.

Today, it seems, other European Union countries are finally listening. Not necessarily because of Macron, but because of events taking place far from the French capital: a menacing Russia and struggling Kyiv as the war in Ukraine heads into its third year; and fears of waning U.S. support for both the conflict and the Atlantic alliance, especially if former president Donald Trump returns to power.

"The Europeans will have to get their act together on defense no matter what  and that requires a sustained effort for five, 10 years," says Camille Grand, who leads defense issues at the European Council on Foreign Relations policy institute. While some European Union members had already begun moving in that direction, he said, "it took the full-scale invasion of Ukraine to get that massive shift."

Recent weeks have seen Europe's defense take center stage in meetings and commitments. At the Munich Security Conference that wrapped up Sunday, Denmark announced it would send its entire ammunition stock to Ukraine, calling on other European countries to also step up. During back-to-back visits to Berlin and Paris, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy secured fresh security pacts from both countries and billions of dollars more in aid.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for the European Union to become a military power in its own right, while the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia agreed last month to set up a common defense zone on their borders with Russia and Belarus. Last week, too, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that Europe, for the first time, had collectively met the alliance's 2% GDP target for defense spending.

But whether Europe's wakeup call will translate into a common defense strategy remains uncertain, observers say, as doing so would entail moving beyond the EU's traditional glue of France and Germany to include central and eastern member states  and working together in new ways.

"All we've been able to construct since the beginning of this century were specific cooperations to manage peripheral crises  in the Middle East, Africa or the Balkans," said Dominique David, defense specialist at the French Institute of International Relations. "Not to make war or defend against a threat on our territory."

Others warn against going it alone.

"We should not pursue any path that indicates that we are trying to divide Europe from North America," the alliance's Stoltenberg said.

Challenges ahead

While their aims may differ, the wave of recent European defense commitments reflects an old French argument.

"The idea that the Europeans, even within NATO, should represent a more autonomous and independent force vis-a-vis the United States was always a French idea," analyst David said  one also taken up by Macron's predecessors.

"The other Europeans thought the real security guarantee came from the United States," he added, "and constructing a more-or-less autonomous European defense would weaken the American guarantee."

Those beliefs are crumbling as a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine gathers dust in Congress  and after former President Donald Trump's suggestion he may not protect a NATO member "delinquent" on its military spending, and instead encourage Russia to attack if back in office.

"The French, like other Europeans, are faced with a situation in which Ukraine has become their exclusive responsibility, a situation which nobody was expecting," said French defense analyst Francois Heisbourg.

"We're not in a point-scoring situation anymore," he added, referring to earlier debates over how autonomous Europe's defense should be. "We are now in a more existential world."

What's clear, analysts say, is Europe has serious catchup to do, after years of spending little on defense. Some fear it may be just a few years before Russia sets it sights beyond Ukraine. While the bloc has earmarked billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, including $54 billion earlier this month, it is lagging behind in other areas. The EU has moved a March deadline to deliver a million artillery shells to Ukraine, for example, to year's end.

"It's astonishing that the European abilities to supply Ukraine are not either physically strong enough or don't exist," said Judy Dempsey, a defense specialist at Carnegie Europe policy institute. "This is the tragedy of the post-Cold war era; that the defense structures were downsized."

France, too, hasn't always walked its security talk. It ranks 14th, behind Germany and the Netherlands, in terms of defense commitments to Ukraine, according to Germany's Kiel Institute research group, although French government figures are higher. It's fallen just shy of NATO's 2% spending target in recent years  compared to Poland's nearly 4% last year  although French authorities say that spending goal will be met this year and rise after that.

"The Poles, the Balts and the Nordics have been investing more rapidly and more significantly in defense than many of Europe's more western and southern countries," said analyst Grand. "They have become high-profile defense players," which traditional EU heavyweights France and Germany "need to account for."

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who hopes to win another term this year, has called for creating a new post of EU defense commissioner. Some suggest the job should go to an eastern European country like Poland, with a focused understanding of Russia's threat.

The bigger goal of forging a common European defense strategy and bloc within NATO will be a key challenge, some say.

"I would say the answer is no," said analyst David, referring to the prospect of that happening anytime soon. "We're many, we're divided, we're in a situation that's very complicated  we don't know how to emerge from the war in Ukraine."

What Europe can do now, he said, "is open these discussions, and hope to progress fairly quickly."

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UNRWA Chief Says Israeli Pressure, Funding Freeze Threaten Agency

By Margaret Besheer February 22, 2024

The head of the embattled U.N. agency that assists Palestinian refugees warned Thursday that it is at a "breaking point," and its ability to assist millions of Palestinians is "seriously threatened."

"It is with profound regret that I must now inform you that the Agency has reached breaking point, with Israel's repeated calls to dismantle UNRWA and the freezing of funding by donors at a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza," Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini wrote in a letter to the president of the U.N. General Assembly.

Without new funding, he said UNRWA's operations across the region will be severely compromised starting in March.

The General Assembly established the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, in 1949 to assist some 700,000 Palestinian refugees displaced in the aftermath of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war that broke out after Israel became a state in May that year.

Today, it operates not just in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, but also in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, where there are large Palestinian refugee communities. Nearly 6 million Palestinians are eligible for UNRWA services, which include education and health care.

UNRWA has faced severe financial problems before, but after Israel presented information to Lazzarini last month alleging that 12 UNRWA staffers were involved in the October 7 terror attacks inside Israel, the agency faced its biggest crisis yet.

The staffers were immediately fired, and an internal investigation was launched. But in the aftermath, 16 donors, including top contributor the United States, suspended funding totaling around $450 million.

A second, independent review of UNRWA's working methods and neutrality was ordered by the United Nations. Former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is heading it up and will present her group's final report in April. She met with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday to discuss their work.

"We will specifically clarify the mechanisms, the process in place, the structures and see if they ensure the neutrality as they should to the best of the power within UNRWA, and we also will look at how they have been implemented, of course, in practice, not only they're fit for purpose, but how they are implemented," she told reporters.

Tensions

Israeli officials have criticized UNRWA for years, alleging that Hamas uses its schools for terrorist activities and that they promote an anti-Israel curriculum. After the October 7 allegations, the rhetoric intensified.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a visiting group of U.N. ambassadors in Jerusalem on January 31, that UNRWA was "totally infiltrated with Hamas" and its "mission has to end."

Last week, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a post on social media platform X that, "UNRWA cannot be a part of Gaza's landscape in the aftermath of Hamas."

At the United Nations, Israel's ambassador asserted on Tuesday, without offering any details or evidence, that 12% of UNRWA's 13,000 staff members in Gaza are members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and that at least 236 of them "are active terrorists in these organizations' armed wings."

"In Gaza, Hamas is the U.N. and the U.N. is Hamas," Ambassador Gilad Erdan told a Security Council meeting, saying Hamas had a data center and tunnels under UNRWA headquarters in Gaza.

UNRWA's Lazzarini said in his letter that his agency does not have "counterintelligence, police, or criminal justice capacities" and relies on Israel for this, even providing the government with its staff list.

He said Israel's calls for UNRWA's closure are not about the agency's neutrality but are political.

"Instead, they are about changing the long-standing political parameters for peace in the occupied Palestinian territory set by the General Assembly and the Security Council," he said. "They seek to eliminate UNRWA's role in protecting the rights of Palestine Refugees and acting as a witness to their continuing plight."

Palestinians want to preserve their "right of return" as a final status issue for negotiations with Israel over a two-state solution. If the refugee agency is eliminated, some fear it could have political implications.

Lazzarini appeared to link some of Israel's campaign against UNRWA with the International Court of Justice's decision on January 26 to issue provisional measures ordering Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.

"Since the ICJ ruling, there has been a concerted effort by some Israeli officials to deceptively conflate UNRWA with Hamas, to disrupt UNRWA's operations, and to call for the dismantling of the Agency," he said.

The commissioner general said that included Jerusalem's deputy mayor taking steps to evict the agency from the headquarters it has occupied for 75 years in East Jerusalem and the tabling of a bill in the Israeli Knesset to exclude UNRWA from U.N. privileges and immunities. He said visas for international staff have been limited to only one to two months, and an Israeli bank blocked an UNRWA account.

U.N. chief Guterres has said UNRWA is critical and irreplaceable.

"There is no other organization that has a presence in Gaza that is capable of being able to respond to the needs," he told reporters earlier this month.

Most aid going into Gaza is delivered by UNRWA.

Ambassador Vanessa Frazier of Malta was one of the diplomats who visited Israel last month. She said her government will not stop funding the agency.

"UNRWA is the backbone of the entire humanitarian system throughout Gaza," she told reporters. "If UNRWA fails, they will not be able to just simply to take the funding from countries [to other agencies] and do deliveries."

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40 dead, 100 injured in Zionist regime strikes on central Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 23, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- At least 40 people were killed as a result of shelling by the Israeli army in the central areas of the Gaza Strip, a report said.

Israeli aircraft on Thursday night launched "several raids" on a number of residential houses in the city of Deir el-Balah, which led to their "complete destruction, according to Sama News.

Earlier, the number of martyrs of this horrible attack was announced as 28 and 18 people.

This crime occurs after the latest report of the Gaza Ministry of Health, which announced on Thursday night that in the last 24 hours, the occupation forces committed 9 massacres against the residents of Gaza, as a result of which 97 people were martyred and 132 others were injured.

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Top Egyptian, U.S. diplomats discuss Gaza development

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:31, February 23, 2024

CAIRO, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministerial meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to discuss the latest development in the Gaza Strip, said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement that during the talk, Shoukry said Egypt regrets the failure of the U.N. Security Council to adopt a Gaza ceasefire resolution "due to the repeated use of the unjustified U.S. veto."

The Egyptian top diplomat stressed the necessity of reaching "a full ceasefire" in Gaza to spare the lives of civilians, de-escalate the situation, and start "a serious dialogue" regarding the future approach toward the Palestinian cause.

Shoukry and Blinken discussed the ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a deal to swap Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees "that would allow the implementation of a truce for several weeks," according to the statement.

On Tuesday's Security Council meeting, the United States vetoed a draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave, where Israeli strikes have been raging since the Gaza-ruling Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

The ongoing Israeli escalation since then has killed 29,410 Palestinians and injured 69,465 others, according to data released by Gaza's health ministry on Thursday.

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US intelligence casts doubt on Israel's accusations against UNRWA

Iran Press TV

Friday, 23 February 2024 6:41 AM

A US intelligence assessment has cast doubt on Israel's accusations against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), citing the regime's bias against the UN agency.

A National Intelligence Council (NIC) report released last week assessed with "low confidence" that a handful of UNRWA staffers had taken part in the October 7 operation launched by Hamas resistance movement against the occupying entity.

The four-page intelligence report indicated that the NIC could not independently confirm the allegations.

Earlier this year, the Israeli regime claimed that 12 employees of the UNRWA were involved in the attack.

Tel Aviv also alleged that 10% of all UNRWA's 12,000 workers have links to Hamas.

Noting that UNRWA does coordinate with Hamas, which governs Gaza, in order to deliver aid and operate in the besieged strip, the NIC said there was a lack of evidence to suggest that the UN agency was collaborating with the resistance movement in a wider way.

The NIC report added that Israel has not "shared the raw intelligence behind its assessments with the US."

The Wall Street Journal cited two sources familiar with the report as saying that it highlighted Israel's dislike towards the UNRWA.

"There is a specific section that mentions how Israeli bias serves to mischaracterize much of their assessments on UNRWA and says this has resulted in distortions," one source told the WSJ.

Last week, Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner general of the UNRWA, said Israel was waging a concerted campaign aimed at destroying the main UN agency in the besieged Gaza Strip.

"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," Lazzarini told the Swiss newspaper group Tamedia.

The regime's allegations against UNRWA, which were not publicly backed by evidence, 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.

"The grossly disproportionate decision to suspend funding by some of the largest donor states defies the basic principle of humanity, and goes against states' commitment to leave no one behind," several UN experts said in a statement earlier this month.

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.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 29,410 Palestinians and injured more than 69,465 others.

Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under the rubble in Gaza, which is under "complete siege" by Israel.

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US-occupied military base in east Syria comes under rocket attack

Iran Press TV

Friday, 23 February 2024 6:20 AM

An illegal military facility housing US occupation forces in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr has reportedly come under a rocket attack from nearby areas amid growing anti-US sentiments over Washington's support for the Israeli onslaught on Gaza.

Lebanon's Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network, citing local sources, reported that several explosions were heard in the area close to the US-controlled al-Omar oil field on Thursday evening after several projectiles struck the site.

There were no immediate reports about possible casualties or the extent of damage at the installation.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, has claimed responsibility for most of the retaliatory strikes on US military bases in Iraq and neighboring Syria.

Israel launched hostilities in Gaza following a historic operation by the Gaza-based Hamas resistance group against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Nearly 140 days into the campaign, the regime has achieved no objectives despite killing at least 29,410 people in Gaza, around 70 percent of them women and children. Another 69,465 individuals have been wounded as well.

The United States has supplied Israel with weapons and intelligence support and blocked UN resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.

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Operation Iron Swords - Day 139 - 22 February 2024

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.

Orit Sulitzeanu, CEO of the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, stated 22 February 2024, "The terrorist organization Hamas chose to harm Israel strategically in two clear ways  kidnapping citizens and committing sadistic sexual crimes." Hamas attack included brutal acts of violent rape, often involving threats with weapons, specifically directed towards injured women. Many rape incidents occurred collectively, with collaboration among the perpetrating terrorists. In some cases, rape was conducted in front of an audience, such as partners, family, or friends, to increase the pain and humiliation for all present. Some Hamas members pursued victims who escaped the massacre, dragging them by their hair with screams. The majority of victims were subsequently killed during or after the sexual assault.

The Israeli army announced on the interception of a long-range ballistic missile over Eilat using the "Haetz" [Arrow] long-range defense system. The army said that during the early morning hours, the "Haetz" air defense system detected a long-range ballistic target that was launched from the southeast towards Israeli airspace. It reported that the systems tracked the missile's path and it was intercepted by fighters of the "Hetz" unit of the air defense system outside Israel's borders. It noted in his statement that it was the seventh interception operation since the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023. The Israeli forces published a video clip of the commander of a battery belonging to the "Hetz" unit, Major "Sh," in which he spoke about the interception operation.

The United States of America and its European allies face serious challenges in the Middle East, due to the war on Gaza , which threatens to undermine the Wests influence in this region, British political science professor Toby Mathiesen warned. Mathiesen added, in an interview with the French magazine L'Express, that this war began between the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) and Israel, but its scope soon expanded to include Hezbollah in Lebanon, armed organizations in Iraq and Syria, and the Houthis in Yemen, who prevented the passage of ships heading towards Israel. Across the Red Sea, they launched several armed attacks against it, while the United States and Britain responded by bombing targets in Yemen.

He continued that despite the existence of ideological differences between most of these organizations and the Hamas movement, the goal is the same, which is to confront Israels attacks on the Gaza Strip, while Iran seeks to seize this opportunity politically to present itself as an influential regional power in the region, as the British expert put it.

Mathiesen explained that the liberation of Palestine is a common goal for Arab public opinion in its various sects, and now the Houthi group is very popular in the Arab world, due to its attacks on ships heading to Israel, and its entry into a conflict with the great powers over Gaza, as its leaders soon confirmed that their attacks would not It ends only with the end of Israel's war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

What makes the situation more dangerous for the West - Mathiesen continues - is that the matter is not about regular armies that can be besieged and influenced, but about armed organizations composed of individuals who are ready to sacrifice for the cause of Palestine. He stressed that the escalation that could spark a comprehensive regional war depends on the reactions of Israel and the United States, as all it takes is one strategic mistake for the catastrophe to erupt.

He continued that the strategy of Washington and London so far is limited to carrying out air strikes against Houthi targets, but this policy entails risks after Iran threatened a violent response if its forces were attacked. He stated that ending the conflict through diplomatic means is the only way that will end the cycle of violence, enhance stability, and perhaps revive the credibility of the United States in the Middle East, a credibility that has had many impurities attached to it after everyone saw how the United States embraces Israel and covers up everything it does in Gaza.

War Termination

There is no end to the war in sight, as both sides still see the other as an existential threat, and there is no clear path to any kind of permanent peace between them.

Israel and the United States want an interim agreement that includes a temporary truce during which the Israeli prisoners will be released, Hamas stresses that any agreement must lead to a final ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

CNN quoted a well-informed American diplomat as saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not appear ready to reach any agreement to stop the war on the Gaza Strip at the present time. The source, whose name or description was not mentioned by the American network, added that if Israel launches an attack on Rafah (the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip), then the possibility of concluding a deal regarding the Israeli detainees can be forgotten.

CNN also quoted informed sources as saying that senior American officials believe that there is no chance for Israel to agree to a permanent ceasefire without releasing the detainees. And that through a pause, even if temporary, discussions could continue that would eventually end the war.

On the other hand, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that Israel must defeat the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) and destroy it so that it can return the kidnapped people to their families. Smotrich added in a post on the X platform that the media and politicians continue to attack him and religious Zionism, pointing out that he will not stop telling the truth, according to what he said.

In response to Smotrich's statements regarding the return of prisoners, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said that "there is no victory without the return of the kidnapped," describing the Finance Minister's words as a "moral disgrace." For his part, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant pledged , during his meeting with the families of Israeli detainees, to continue military pressure because it is the only way to achieve the goals of the war, he said. Gallant stressed that the recovery of detainees is "the main goal in any discussion or approval of plans," acknowledging that he faces difficulties in this area.

Meanwhile, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen told the Walla news site, It is clear that heavy and painful prices must be paid for the return of the kidnapped people, but not at any price. Cohen believed that one of Hamas' demands "is that we lose the war and we cannot agree to that." He also stated that there are those who want Israel to "lower the priorities of the war's goals, and it is not right for us to do that."

The Axios news website quoted informed sources as saying that Brett McGurk - the White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa - informed the Israelis of the necessity of reaching an agreement with the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) and sending a delegation to the Paris talks, while the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that Benjamin Netanyahu s government would grant its negotiating delegation broader powers.

McGurk - who is currently visiting Tel Aviv - told the Israeli side that President Joe Biden's administration sees an urgent need to reach a prisoner exchange deal due to the conditions of Israeli detainees and the approaching month of Ramadan, according to what was reported by Axios. According to the same sources, the American official urged Israel to send a delegation to the Paris talks scheduled to be held tomorrow, Friday, with the participation of CIA Director William Burns and Qatari and Egyptian officials.

McGurk conveyed a message to the Israelis that there is progress in negotiations between Hamas and the Qatari and Egyptian mediators and that the movement is ready to show flexibility, according to the Axios report.

This is the second tour of its kind in Paris with the participation of the head of the CIA, to reach understandings regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners. The previous talks were held in the French capital late last month and resulted in setting a framework for a possible agreement, followed by a meeting in Cairo on February 13.

Axios reported - from an informed source and an Israeli official - that CIA Director William Burns is expected to arrive in Paris tomorrow, Friday, to hold talks with Qatari, Egyptian and Israeli officials, while an Israeli minister spoke about the possibility of progress regarding... Exchanging prisoners with the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ). The American news site said that the new talks in which Burns will participate will revolve around efforts to reach an agreement to ensure the release of prisoners.

The CIA director participated late last month - alongside the head of the Mossad (Israeli foreign intelligence), David Barnea - in talks that took place in Paris, followed earlier this month by meetings in Cairo regarding a possible agreement leading to a ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners. The Paris talks resulted in a framework for a possible agreement, but the discussions that took place afterwards did not lead to progress.

Israeli War Council member Benny Gantz said that there are preliminary indicators that enhance the possibility of progress in the negotiations towards a new exchange deal. Gantz added that Israel will not hesitate to give up any opportunity to return its prisoners detained in Gaza. For his part, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said that he met with the families of the prisoners and discussed with them the difficulties facing the army and the practical and political efforts to return them.

The meeting was held amid criticism and protests over statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in which he said that the recovery of prisoners from Gaza is not the most important thing, but rather the victory over Hamas. Last night, hundreds of Israeli demonstrators marched in Tel Aviv to demand that the government expedite the return of prisoners from the Gaza Strip.

On the other hand, Israeli Channel 12 quoted a senior French Foreign Ministry official as saying that Paris had obtained sufficient evidence proving the arrival of medicines to Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari said on Tuesday that Doha had received assurances from Hamas regarding the receipt of a shipment of medicines based on a Qatari-brokered agreement, and that the movement had begun delivering them to detainees in the Gaza Strip. Al-Ansari added that Qatar received these assurances as a mediator in the agreement, which includes the introduction of medicines and a shipment of humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially the most affected and affected areas, in exchange for delivering the medicines needed by detainees in the Strip.

Operational Update

There were 24 regional battalions in Gaza  we have dismantled 18 of them, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told foreign reporters. Now, Rafah is the next Hamas center of gravity.

Israeli army aircraft and artillery intensively bombed the residential neighborhoods of Rafah , crowded with displaced people in the southern Gaza Strip , while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed to Bloomberg that he had instructed the Israeli army to prepare a plan to evacuate the citys residents before launching the ground attack. Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that Israeli fighters destroyed - at dawn on Thursday - the Al-Farouq Mosque in the middle of the Shaboura camp, and the bombing led to the complete destruction of the mosque and damage to the houses adjacent to it. Israeli aircraft also bombed 5 other mosques, causing the death of 6 Palestinians, the injury of others, and the loss of a number of others.

This comes as Netanyahu said in a short phone interview with Bloomberg that the Israeli army is currently preparing a plan to evacuate the residents of Rafah, and will present it soon, stressing that Israel has one simple goal in the Gaza Strip, which is to eliminate the Hamas movement and release our hostages, and we will not despair. Until we achieve complete victory."

A few days ago, Reuters - on Monday - quoted Israeli and regional officials as saying that Israel expects to continue large-scale combat operations in the Gaza Strip for another 6 to 8 weeks, as part of its preparations to launch a ground attack in the city of Rafah.

Bloomberg reported, citing informed sources, that Israeli officials secretly acknowledge that they do not have a specific strategy for how to transfer 1,200,000 civilians from Rafah, or how long that will take, or where they will go. The agency explained that Western officials believe that Israel will carry out its military operation in Rafah at all costs, but they are concerned about the deadline for the attack that was set in the month of Ramadan , and about the broader humanitarian strategy followed. Bloomberg added that Israel's allies are concerned that the longer the war lasts, the more likely Israel will lose any support it enjoyed from Western countries.

Khan Yunis Governorate, south of the Gaza Strip, remains the center of gravity of operations in the ground war between the Israeli occupation army and the Palestinian resistance factions, most notably the Al- Qassam Brigades and the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wings of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) and Islamic Jihad. Commenting on the battle of Khan Yunis, the military and strategic expert, Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi, said that there was a different field reading that occurred during the past 24 hours, indicating something is being planned.

Al-Duwairi added - during his analysis for Al Jazeera - that the balance of power differed among the occupation army in Khan Yunis, as there were now two special forces brigades, two armored brigades, in addition to the Givati ??Brigade and the Marine Corps Special Unit. He points out that the occupation withdrew the reserve forces, and replaced them with special forces, noting that there is a difference in performance between them, because the regular forces are immersed in performing their work throughout the year, while the reserve forces are called for training, and they were not successful in previous operations.

Al-Duwairi links these changes on the ground to the statements made by the occupation leaders - referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his Defense Minister Yoav Galant , and member of the War Council, Benny Gantz - in which they spoke about the near elimination of the Khan Yunis Brigade by the Qassam Brigades. Accordingly, according to Al-Duwairi, the Israeli army is deploying all its remaining forces in the region to achieve what the political level said in order to resolve the battle, which is expected to be a decisive battle and a milestone in the history of this war.

The strategic expert presents two scenarios regarding these developments. The first relates to the success of the occupation army in achieving its goals, as it will then present it to the Israeli interior as a victory. If it fails, it can be said that Hamas is rooted and remaining, and is still able to shape its future.

While the residents of Deir al-Balah were fortunate that the leaflets did not contain orders to evacuate, their counterparts in the Al-Zaytoun and Turkmen neighborhoods east of Gaza City (north) were otherwise, as leaflets dropped by planes (on the morning of Tuesday, February 20) ordered them to leave their homes immediately and head to Al-Mawasi area, south of the Gaza Strip. According to eyewitnesses who spoke to Al Jazeera Net, residents wandered off carrying some luggage and headed to the western Gaza area, refusing to obey the army orders that asked them to head to the south.

Raneem Abdo, a researcher in Brands and Advertising Strategies, enumerates Israels goals for publishing leaflets, including:

Displacement of people from their areas. Weaken their morale. Inciting them against the Palestinian resistance. Spreading terror. Collecting intelligence information about resistance leaders and Israeli prisoners in Gaza.

Regarding the goal of turning the population against the Hamas movement, Abdo mentioned in her interview with Al Jazeera Net that she had seen publications bearing the name Al-Waqi newspaper, including several issues, which included direct incitement against the movement. One of the posts also included a popular proverb that says, Hamas is like an owl that only looks for ruin.

Regarding Israel's use of this method to collect intelligence information, Raneem Abdo indicated that many publications call on residents to provide information about the locations of Hamas leaders and Israeli prisoners held by the resistance, and attach them to phone numbers and applications. For example, planes dropped leaflets printed on counterfeit banknotes offering a reward for any information about Israeli detainees.

She also dropped leaflets bearing pictures of 69 Israelis detained in the Gaza Strip, calling on the Palestinians to inform the occupation army if they recognized any of them. Reports indicate that some of the leaflets dropped by Israeli occupation aircraft on the Gaza Strip aimed to incite terror among the population.

Raneem Abdo says that she saw leaflets containing direct threats, including that anyone who does not evacuate his home in the northern Gaza Strip will be classified as a terrorist. The planes also dropped a leaflet on the city of Khan Yunis containing a phrase taken from Surat Al-Ankabut in the Holy Quran, which is So the flood took them while they were wrongdoers, in imitation of the name of the attack launched by Hamas for its attack on the  Gaza envelope  settlements on October 7, which is Flood. Al-Aqsa. Many publications conclude with the phrase, I may excuse those who warn.

Abdo rules out Israel's success in achieving its goals through these publications, adding, "In general, it will not succeed, and what it will achieve is strengthening hatred."

For his part, Professor Muhammad Shaheen, Professor of Psychological and Educational Counseling at Al-Quds Open University, confirms that the policy of dropping leaflets makes residents feel anxious and stressed due to its association with threats and negative expectations. He pointed out, in an interview with Al Jazeera Net, that measuring the psychological effects of the brutal war waged by Israel on the population is a difficult process, given the severity of its ugliness.

He adds, "All the powerful international psychological references, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the guide issued by the World Health Organization, did not take into account the reality in Gaza. What is happening did not even exist in previous world wars. I think we need a different theory and new studies and research." Due to the specificity of the situation.

He continues, "Psychological trauma comes from a single event, but these are successive traumas, and therefore its symptoms are different from what is stated in psychology references," warning that its impact will continue until after the war.

In turn, Director of the Legal Department at the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Observatory, Lima Bastami, points out that the publications published by Israel contain content that violates international humanitarian law. Bustami confirms that international humanitarian law requires Israel to notify citizens of the necessity of temporarily evacuating the military zone, but the problem lies in the way the order is implemented, as displacement is in violation of international law, and Israel is obligated to provide safe areas in which they can resort.

Bustami added to Al Jazeera Net, "When publications say that whoever remains in the region is a terrorist and can be targeted, this violates international laws that differentiate between civilian and military." Bustami points out that inciting the population to resist is part of the policy of "terrorizing civilians and committing crimes with the aim of obtaining political gains."

An Israeli soldier was killed and 8 others were injured of varying severity - today, Thursday - in an operation carried out by Palestinians at a military checkpoint near the Maale Adumim settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem . While the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) and Islamic Jihad blessed the attack, Israeli ministers called for a response to it.

Israeli media reported that one of the seriously wounded soldiers died of his severe wounds. Earlier, the occupation army radio reported that 9 soldiers were injured, including 3 in critical condition, in shooting at a military checkpoint near the settlement. The Israeli police said that they killed two of the perpetrators of the attack on the spot and killed a third after pursuing him, noting that 3 of the injured Israelis were in serious condition.

For its part, the Israeli General Security Service ( Shin Bet ) stated that the perpetrators; They are: Muhammad and Kazem Zawahra from the village of Beit Taamr, east of Bethlehem (south of the West Bank ), and Ahmed Al-Wahsh from Zaatara, south of the governorate. Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that the occupation forces stormed this afternoon the homes of the perpetrators of the Al-Za'im checkpoint operation in Beit Ta'amr, east of Bethlehem.

Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on a military checkpoint near the village of Al-Za'im, wounding 8 soldiers. Israeli occupation forces sent large reinforcements to the area where the attack occurred, and closed the roads there. Israeli Channel 13 said that one of the perpetrators of the attack deliberately crashed into a car to cause an accident, causing a severe traffic jam, and then three attackers got out and opened fire on the vehicles with two M-16 rifles and a pistol.

According to Israeli media, two who were accompanying the perpetrators of the shooting attack near the settlement were arrested. The Maale Adumim municipality called on the residents of the settlement to remain in their homes after suspecting the presence of a third gunman.

The shooting at the military checkpoint near Ma'ale Adumim came days after an operation that took place in the Kiryat Malachi settlement, east of Ashdod, which resulted in the killing of two Israelis.

In the Palestinian reactions, the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) said that it blesses what it described as the heroic operation, considering that this is a natural response to the occupations massacres and crimes in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The movement added that "the occupation's incursion into Jerusalem and its planning to prevent worshipers from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan will not bring it security," calling on the Palestinians to escalate the confrontation with the occupation and settlers in all the occupied territories, including Jerusalem.

For its part, the Islamic Jihad movement said that this operation comes within the framework of the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to defend their sanctities and land. The movement called on the Palestinian people to continue on the path of resistance to confront the plans of the occupation, arming the settlers, targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque, and denouncing Palestinian blood.

Analysts and experts agreed that the commando operation near the Maale Adumim settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem, was not surprising, especially after a warning from Israeli security services. They agreed that Israels efforts to separate Gaza from the West Bank and Jerusalem had failed. Writer and political analyst Sari Orabi says that all the hard and soft tools that Israel used to neutralize the Palestinians failed despite the high security situation imposed for more than 4 months.

Orabi added - during his talk on the program Gaza... What Next? - that the state of resistance that was escalating before the flood of Al-Aqsa still exists, despite the arrest of 7,000 Palestinians and 400 martyrs since the seventh of last October, in addition to the escalating state of settlement exposure to Palestinian lives and the burning and destruction of their property.

He points out that these aggressive Israeli practices create a Palestinian challenge and constitute a revolutionary factor, expecting that the Jerusalem operation will spark a discussion within the Israeli security establishment about the entry of Palestinian workers into the occupied interior, and the arrival of worshipers to Al- Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan.

He points out that Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir believes that the arrival of the Palestinians to Al-Aqsa and the organization of demonstrations there means that the war in Gaza has failed, expecting that the Jerusalem operation will push the Israeli authorities to use more force.

In turn, the military and strategic expert, Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi, said that lone wolves may have carried out the operation despite the blessing of the resistance factions, stressing that Israel cannot achieve absolute security and it is foolish not to expect operations to be carried out. He added that Israeli security services warned of escalation, and it may be a prelude to what might happen during the month of Ramadan, especially with Ben Gvirs denial of the Palestinians right to exist and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrichs demand for more settlements. There may be a third intifada - according to Al-Duwairi - after the first Palestinian intifada, which was known as the Intifada of Stones and the second intifada, which was known as the Intifada of Bombings.

For his part, Ihab Jabareen, a writer specializing in Israeli affairs, explains that Israel has been trying to restore its prestige since October 7, but every time its military institution and civil society fail to achieve this. Jabareen asserts that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants an image of victory on the political stage, referring to the continuation of the war because he feeds on it. What happens inside the Gaza Strip stays there, while the Palestinians say that what happens inside the Gaza Strip will not stay inside it.

He points out that Netanyahu is the only one who is regaining his prestige, even though he has plunged Israel into a leadership crisis for years, as Tel Aviv is moving towards the extreme ideological right and the strategic security right, both of which reinforce Israeli superiority. He concluded that the coming days will be more difficult, as reality confirms that there is no security or safety, after preferring the options of Ben Gvir and Smotrich regarding the security aspect.

The Palestinian factions say that the armed operations in the West Bank constitute a response to the genocidal crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip for more than 4 months.

From the site of the operation, Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir said that the authorities will continue to give the Israelis weapons to protect themselves. Ben Gvir called for restricting Palestinians' freedom of movement and placing barriers, saying that what he called the Israelis' right to life is more important. For his part, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the attack near the Maale Adumim settlement as dangerous, and said that the response to it must be firm security and settlement-based as well. Smotrich called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately approve plans to build thousands of housing units in Maale Adumim, and the entire region.

In this context, Culture Minister Miki Zohar said that operations such as those that took place near the Maale Adumim settlement will affect the decision on the entry of Palestinian workers into Israel.

A Palestinian boy was killed by Israeli army gunfire in the town of Azzun, in the Qalqiliya Governorate in the northern occupied West Bank , at a time when the occupation forces continued their raids into Palestinian cities and towns. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that the 14-year-old boy, Fadi Suleiman, was killed immediately after being hit by a gunshot to the chest. Eyewitnesses from Azzun said that the Israeli occupation army stormed the town under the pretext of throwing stones on the bypass road adjacent to the town, and opened fire during confrontations that broke out with young men, leading to the martyrdom of the boy Suleiman.

In a related context, Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that the occupation forces stormed the cities of Ramallah and Al-Bireh in the central West Bank at dawn on Thursday. The reporter said that the occupation forces fired heavy sound and gas bombs when they stormed the center of Ramallah. Al Jazeera's correspondent also reported that the occupation forces stormed Balata camp in the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

On the other hand, extremist settlers from the "Yitzhar" settlement, under the protection of the occupation army, stormed the town of Asira al-Qibliya, southwest of the city of Nablus. The settlers attacked the Palestinians and their property, setting fire to a house and attempting to burn a vehicle, before they withdrew. Eyewitnesses reported that citizens confronted the attacking settlers and were able to put out the fire.

Israeli occupation forces also stormed Al-Fawwar camp, south of Hebron in the West Bank, amid confrontations with camp residents. The raid came after young men threw stones at a settler's car on the bypass road next to the camp. The occupation army was on alert in the area, and closed a side entrance that citizens used to enter the camp, after closing its main entrance with an iron gate since the seventh of last October.

The Israeli occupation forces also stormed the town of Al-Issawiya, northeast of occupied Jerusalem, and raided several neighborhoods there and arrested a number of young Palestinians. The occupation forces also stormed the town of Al-Khader, south of Bethlehem in the West Bank, and arrested a number of young men. The occupation forces also raided and searched a number of shops, and confrontations broke out with a number of town residents.

The Israeli incursions come hours after 4 martyrs were shot dead by the occupation army at dawn on Wednesday and the night before yesterday, Tuesday, in the city of Jenin and its camp, and others were injured, while the Israeli forces arrested 40 young Palestinians after an incursion that lasted several hours.

The Houthis announced the implementation of three offensive operations, the first targeting the Eilat region, the second a British ship in the Gulf of Aden, which led to its burning, and the third targeting an American destroyer in the Red Sea. The official spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces affiliated with the Houthis, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, said in a statement, In victory for the oppression of the Palestinian people and within the response to the American-British aggression against our country, the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out 3 qualitative military operations.

He added that the operations were as follows: In the first, the missile force, as well as the Yemeni Armed Forces air force, launched a number of ballistic missiles and drones at various targets of the Zionist enemy in the Umm al- Rashrash area, south of occupied Palestine . He continued, saying, "As for the second operation in the Gulf of Aden, where the naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a targeting operation against a British ship (ISLANDER), with a number of suitable naval missiles that directly hit it, causing a fire to break out in it."

The official spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces affiliated with the Houthis stated that the third operation, during which an American destroyer was targeted in the Red Sea with a number of drones. He stressed, "The Yemeni armed forces continue to carry out their religious, moral and humanitarian duties towards the Palestinian people and in defense of Yemen in the face of the American-British aggression." Saree stressed, "The military operations will not stop unless the aggression stops and the siege imposed on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted."

After more than a month of aerial bombardment, Washington argues that its operations will stop Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, while since November 19, the Houthis have been launching attacks on commercial ships they suspect of being linked to Israel or heading to its ports, and they say that This comes in support of the Gaza Strip , which has been witnessing a war waged by Israel since the seventh of last October.

Until last week, the Houthi group counted 403 raids, while remaining silent about the nature of the targets and losses, apart from limited data reporting the funeral of at least 23 people, most of them officers. The strikes did not result in civilian casualties, as this is due to the nature of the military targets. Eyewitnesses say that the raids target sites bombed by coalition forces, such as Al-Dailami Air Base, Jabal Attan, and the presidential complex, and in the coastal city of Hodeidah on the Red Sea , which witnessed an intensity of air strikes. An eyewitness says that the Houthi camps, their movements, and their vehicles in the city are known to everyone, but they are not Being targeted.

But a military source in the forces loyal to the internationally recognized Yemeni government says that the strikes mostly targeted missile launchers and drones, noting that they resulted in deaths from the group and from foreign experts. The Yemeni government, which has been waging confrontations since the end of 2014 with the Houthis who took control of the capital, Sanaa, has often accused Iran and Hezbollah of supporting them with weapons and experts. An analysis by the US Defense Intelligence Agency also said that the Houthis used various missiles and drones of Iranian origin.

Military expert Muhammad Al-Kumaim told Al Jazeera Net, "Air strikes have no military value that limits the capabilities of the Houthis, and the greatest thing they can do is weaken the capabilities of their attacks in the Red Sea."

The air strikes seemed ineffective, as the Houthis escalated their attacks on ships, using advanced weapons, including an underwater ship. They also shot down an American MQ9 aircraft, and recently sank a ship in the Arabian Sea, so that Washington included the group in its ranks. It calls it the terrorist list, in an effort to control the groups behavior.

But the US classification raises fears of the collapse of efforts to achieve peace, which is believed to be imminent. The UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, warned the Security Council against slowing down the pace of these UN-sponsored efforts, as it would be difficult to negotiate with a "group classified as a terrorist."

Houthi spokesman Muhammad Abdel Salam told Al Jazeera Net that "the understandings with Saudi Arabia and the truce sponsored by the United Nations are still in place, and the Red Sea file is independent of political affairs, even if America and Britain try to link them." He added, "The delay in signing the agreement is not on our part, but on the Saudi side, and it is not in the interest of bilateral understandings." Abdul Salam says, The United States and Britain may take advantage of this delay, adding, We welcome the Saudi response to the speed of signing the agreement and we hope that it will be soon. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said - in press statements - that his country is ready to sign the UN road map. As soon as possible.

Bankers spoke to Al Jazeera Net about their fears of stopping money flows to Yemenis from abroad, which represent a major source of income. While financial networks began to stop some of their services, the risks also doubled the cost of ship insurance, which was reflected in a huge increase in prices.

The US State Department said, "Washington worked with the shipping and financial sectors, in addition to humanitarian aid organizations, to reduce the impact on the Yemeni people and make them aware of the permitted transactions, despite the sanctions."

But Houthi spokesman Muhammad Abdel Salam downplays this step, saying that it "will not provide anything new, because America has targeted Yemen in economic matters, banking transactions, banks, and others since 2015 and 2016, and the goal is to dissuade and weaken Yemen because of its position in support of the Palestinian people." He added, "The American measures, whether through military operations or classification on the terrorist list, will not change our position at all. Rather, they will increase our steadfastness, adherence, and solidity in our position of support for the oppressed Palestinian people, and our adherence to and continuation of it."

The leader of the Ansar Allah Houthi group, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi , said that they are heading to escalate their attacks in exchange for the Israeli escalation in Gaza, while Reuters reported that the group informed maritime insurance companies of the details of a shipping ban, amid reports of the targeting of a British ship and new American strikes on Yemen. The Houthi leader said - in a televised speech today, Thursday - that "the operations in support of Gaza in the Red and Arabian Bahrain, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait are continuing, and we are heading towards escalation," noting that the number of ships targeted reached 48.

Al-Houthi confirmed that the group has introduced "submarine weapons" into its operations, which is disturbing to the enemy, as he put it. The US Army had indicated a few days ago that the Houthis had used undersea drones. The Houthi leader said that they had achieved an "information achievement" that surprised their enemies by obtaining information on the identity of the ship owners, their affiliation, and their destination. He challenged the United States to prove that the targeted ships were not of the declared classification and that they did not belong to the Americans, the British, or the Israelis.

Also in his speech, Al-Houthi said, "The maritime situation stopped 40% of the enemy's maritime commercial traffic and affected it by shrinking its economy and declining its exports and imports." He also pointed out that they had targeted sites in the occupied territories with 183 missiles and drones since the start of the war on Gaza last October.

Reuters reported today that the Houthis informed marine insurance companies that ships owned wholly or partly by Israeli individuals or entities and ships flying the Israeli flag are prohibited from passing through the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, as well as ships owned by American or British individuals or entities or those sailing under a flag. United States or Britain. The agency said that it had seen the data sent by the Houthi Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center.

Meanwhile, there were reports that a British ship had been hit in a new attack and caught fire. The British Maritime Trade Operations Authority and Ambrey Maritime Security Company reported that the British ship was attacked with two missiles southeast of the city of Aden on the southern coast of Yemen.

The British authority said that US-led forces responded to the attack, which occurred 70 nautical miles from Aden, without giving details. The authority stated that the attack led to a fire breaking out on the deck of the ship, which Embry reported was a cargo ship flying the Palau flag and owned by a British party and was heading from Thailand to the Red Sea.

Earlier today, the French General Staff announced that a multi-tasking frigate belonging to its forces destroyed two drones launched from Yemen on Wednesday night.

On the other hand, Houthi media sources said that American and British forces targeted the Al-Jabanah area, west of Hodeidah, on the western coast of Yemen, with four new raids. The same sources reported that warplanes and spy planes continued to fly over Hodeidah Governorate.

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

The Swiss government proposed a five-year ban on Hamas and associated groups following its attack on Israel on October 7. The federal government put forward a draft law in this regard for consultation on Wednesday, February 21. A government press statement said: The Swiss government hopes that banning the organization will have a preventive and deterrent effect, and its aim is to reduce the risks of Hamas and its associated organizations using Switzerland as a safe haven. This ban is also expected to reduce terrorist threats in Switzerland.

The proposed draft law also allows the authorities to easily enforce the law, such as issuing a ban on entry or expulsion from the country. The ban would also allow the authorities to take more targeted measures against Hamas supporters, as well as for intermediaries in the financial field, as the ban would strengthen legal tools to help combat terrorist financing.

On October 7, Hamas fighters attacked Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 others. Among the victims were two Swiss citizens. In response to this attack, the federal government designated Hamas as a terrorist organization, meaning that acts in support of the organization are punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and those with significant influence in the organization are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The Swiss Senate and House of Representatives previously called for a ban on Hamas during the winter session by adopting the proposals of their security policy committees.

The government indicated in its statement that, given the far-reaching consequences of the ban on the organizations, groups and individuals concerned, the law is limited to five years. However, Parliament can extend this period. The consultation period on this proposal continues until May 28.

Axis of Resistance

The leader of the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen, Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, considered that the American inherited from the British the role of sponsoring Zionist crime, protecting Israel, and providing all forms of support to it. The most prominent statement in Al-Houthis speech on Thursday about the latest developments in the region was his saying: The American is a fundamental partner of the Israeli enemy in all its crimes against the Palestinian people in all the past stages.

He added: "The Americans changed the role of the Security Council and hindered the role of the United Nations in any humanitarian direction for the benefit of vulnerable peoples." He continued: Most of what the Americans have used their veto power since the formation of the Security Council until today is to serve the Israeli enemy, stressing that the Americans provide the greatest cover in order for the starvation of the Palestinian people in Gaza to reach that level scandalous to Western countries and institutions.

He added: The American insists on continuing the genocide of the people of Gaza by all means of extermination, and for the third time the American uses its veto in the Security Council to prevent any decision to stop the genocide of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. He said: "Despite the huge military potential that the Israeli enemy possesses, America and the West have provided it with weapons, money, and experts."

He added: "On the first day of the aggression against Gaza, America, Britain, and most major European countries took the initiative to provide all forms of support to the Zionist enemy," noting that "the Israeli enemy against Gaza adopted criminal and genocidal behavior from its beginning and used all means of extermination." He considered: "The poor American and Israeli role appears in manipulation at the level of international organizations and programs that move under humanitarian titles." He noted: "The responsibility is increasing for everyone, and Muslims are at the forefront, with the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the scale of the tragedy."

He asked, "What are Muslims waiting for to take action? Do they want the complete genocide of the people of Gaza to be carried out?! Where is the support of Muslims for the oppressed Palestinian people, who are part of them and who have a clear and established right?" He stressed: "The Palestinian people are worthy of support and aid from humanitarian considerations and all considerations, and most countries, regim

es and governments stand by and watch, while some of them are complicit and secretly supportive of the Israeli enemy."

He considered: "The failure of most governments and regimes, and behind them the silence of the people, is one of the reasons for the Israeli enemy's audacity to continue its crimes and tighten its siege." He stressed: The oppressed Palestinian people in Gaza are suffering for the 20th week the harshest and most difficult forms of suffering as a result of the Israeli aggression. He added: "The number of martyrs, most of whom were children and women, is constantly increasing, and the number of massacres has reached 2,544 in a clear violation of human life."

He added: "The Israeli enemy continues its brutal behavior of denying food to the people and preventing the entry of trucks loaded with food to the people," adding: "The World Food Program's suspension of its activities with the very painful level of suffering and hunger in Gaza reveals the nature of its role." He said: Deaths from hunger are on the rise, and there are deaths among children and the elderly, and even animal feed has run out or is almost running out in many areas of the Gaza Strip and in the north of the Strip even more so. He pointed out that: "Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian people in Gaza are starving from hunger and are appealing to their nation's people with their hunger and suffering."

Al-Houthi asked: "Where are the wealthy Arab countries that waste hundreds of billions on absurd and trivial matters, fueling strife, and do not provide a little food to the Palestinian people?" He stressed: "The enemy failed miserably to recover its prisoners despite 20 weeks of war and within a limited geographical scope. The enemy was unable to eliminate the mujahideen in Gaza who are still in a state of cohesion and fighting valiantly and effectively." He revealed that: The mujahideen in Gaza are being tortured by the enemy, even though they are experiencing the same suffering as their families in the Gaza Strip, and the enemys human losses are in the thousands, but he is trying to conceal them and is making an effort to do so.

He said, "Some Zionist soldiers suffer from mental disorders from the terror of battles and clashes with the Mujahideen from zero distance."

Allied for Democracy

The Knessets approval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s decision to oppose any possible international recognition of a Palestinian state reflects the state of consensus between Jews and the various movements and camps in the Israeli political scene, rejecting any political settlement with the Palestinian people.

The Knesset adopted the Israeli governments decision against recognition of an independent Palestinian state, by a majority of 99 out of 120 members of the Knesset, and the voting results showed the trend of the various Israeli political parties and movements towards the extreme right-wing ideology , and the endeavor of the political and partisan spectrum from the various camps to exclude the Palestinian issue from the parties electoral agenda and programmes. For fear of losing the publics votes if early parliamentary elections are held.

This consensus is consistent with an opinion poll conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute following US President Joe Bidens announcement that he was moving a plan to recognize a Palestinian state, in conjunction with discussions between the government and the Knesset regarding any political settlement with the Palestinians. The results showed that 63% of Israeli Jews oppose the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. On the 1967 borders, while 71.5% believe that what they described as terrorism will remain as it is, and will even become stronger if a Palestinian state is established.

On this basis, Antoine Shalhat, a researcher on Israeli affairs, says, The Knessets decision reflects the voices of the coalition, the national unity government, and the opposition against the international communitys mere recognition of a Palestinian state, and this reflects the general political atmosphere in Israel, which has worsened against the backdrop of the war on Gaza.

Shalhat pointed out to Al Jazeera Net that the Knesset's approval of Netanyahu's decision against any recognition of a Palestinian state reflects the Israeli consensus in support of the war on Gaza, which enjoys the consensus of the Israeli parties and camps, but they differ among themselves regarding the order of priorities and goals.

Regarding the reasons for the unification of Israeli political forces behind Netanyahus decision, Shalhat says that he supports what the army is doing based on a decision from the political level and the security establishment, while the voices of rejection remain very few, and are almost marginal in the Israeli political field.

Shalhat suggested that Netanyahu, who is trying to draw a new image for himself in Israeli society, to preserve his political legacy, after the Al-Aqsa flood battle shattered his title as master of security and economics, is seeking to attribute to himself the character of an opponent of the establishment of a Palestinian state, so that he can continue his career as prime minister in Post-war period.

The same spokesman pointed out that "the Israeli political consensus on the decision is not considered a drift behind the Netanyahu government, but rather reflects its trend towards the extreme right-wing ideology with everything related to the conflict with the Palestinian people and the consecration of a Jewish state between the sea and the river."

According to the researcher on Israeli affairs, these facts and transformations in the Israeli political scene must open the eyes of the Palestinians, the region, the Arab and Islamic worlds, and the international community, to the nature of Israel that they will face after the war on Gaza ends. Shalhat said, "We are facing a right-wing, racist, and more extremist religious and nationalist Israel, which sums up the position and consensus that rejects the international community's mere recognition of a Palestinian state, whether it is viable or just a monster state."

In an Israeli reading of the event, political analyst Akiva Eldar says, Netanyahu, who during his political career deliberately pushed the issue of the conflict with the Palestinians, pushed various political parties from different camps to absent the Palestinian issue from their agenda and electoral programs. He pointed out in his speech to Al Jazeera Net that "the competition between parties to ignore the Palestinian issue, and to exclude any negotiating path with the authority, contributed to shaping Israeli public opinion that rejects the establishment of an independent Palestinian state."

Eldar explained, The war on Gaza shows the perpetuation of the conflict with the belief entrenched in the Israeli mentality, and that what happened on October 7 is considered a war of existence and a battle over the house, and therefore everyone from the party leaders who calls for any settlement with the Palestinians may find himself outside the political scene.

The same analyst warned that the issue of opposition to recognition of the Palestinian state was agreed upon by various movements, camps and parties even before the war on Gaza, with the exception of the Zionist Left camp, which is not represented in the Knesset, and whose electoral strength does not exceed 4 seats if early parliamentary elections are held.

He pointed out that the parties of the center camp, represented by the Labor Party , whose strength has declined and is likely to disappear from the political map, as well as the  There is a Future  party headed by Yair Lapid , and the National Camp alliance headed by Benny Gantz , do not put the Palestinian issue on the list of their priorities, as they are opposed in principle. Establishing an independent Palestinian state, and therefore its support for the Netanyahu governments decision reflects its political will.

In a review of the implications of the Israeli political consensus, Haaretz television critic Rogel Alpher believes that, For Israel, the international communitys demands for everything related to a ceasefire or calls to renew the course of peace negotiations are tantamount to a national humiliation. He explained that the Knessets approval of the Netanyahu governments decision expresses the position of Israeli society that rejects Israel to submit to international dictates regarding the permanent settlement with the Palestinians.

The Israeli writer says, The majority of the Israeli public believes that the establishment of a Palestinian state in the wake of October 7, the issue of those detained by Hamas, and the war on Gaza will be considered a reward and a gift to terrorism, and on this basis the Knesset voted in favor of the Netanyahu governments decision.

Alpher believes that until October 6, 2023, the Palestinian state was not included at all on the international agenda, and the matter was not of interest to Biden, Blinken , or Europe, as the protest movement dealt with the Palestinian issue, including the occupation and apartheid, with disdain, as a marginal issue that could be tolerated. Endless delay, he said.

An Israeli newspaper quoted American officials as saying that Washington is ready to include National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in the list of those included in a second sanctions package, against settlers involved in violence in the occupied West Bank. The Times of Israel quoted an American official as saying that the administration of President Joe Biden is preparing to issue a second package of sanctions against Israeli settlers in the coming weeks. She added that prominent Israeli extremists would likely be punished, but government officials would not be targeted.

American officials said that the Biden administration seriously considered including Ben Gvir to the sanctions list, and that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is not included in the sanctions. Ben Gvir facilitated the procedures for obtaining licenses to carry weapons for Israelis following the Al-Aqsa Flood operation , and the newspaper "Haaretz" reported that he and officials in his office had granted 14,000 weapon licenses without oversight since the operation. At the beginning of this month, the US President issued an executive order aimed at punishing Jewish settlers who attack Palestinians in the West Bank, with the aim of addressing activities that undermine peace and stability in the West Bank.

In addition to Britain, France announced that it had imposed sanctions on 28 extremist Israeli settlers who committed acts of violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. In turn, Spain threatened - last Monday - to impose unilateral sanctions on extremist settlers, if the member states of the European Union did not reach an agreement on this matter.

The officials said that the Biden administration is considering abolishing the so-called Pompeo Doctrine, which states that settlements do not in themselves conflict with international law. They also pointed out that unilateral US recognition of a Palestinian state is far from reality, and that it would be difficult from a legal and political standpoint. The officials said that the United States is not seriously considering changing its policy that any recognition must come through direct negotiations between the two parties.

The Times of Israel quoted officials as saying that the approach taken by the United States regarding Israeli policy in the West Bank does not detract from its continued support for the goals of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. The newspaper said that Washington continues to oppose a permanent ceasefire, but in recent days it has begun to express its support for a temporary halt to the war that has been ongoing since the attack on October 7, 2023.

With Israel approaching the date of submitting a report to the Court of Justice on February 26 explaining what it is doing to implement the measures to protect civilians ordered by the court following its deliberations on January 25 and 26 of last year, the administration of the US President leaves no opportunity to show its support for Israel.

Butcher's Bill / Oasis of Martyrs

The New York Times reported a study by epidemiologists that confirmed that escalation of the war on the Gaza Strip may lead to the death of about 85,000 Palestinians within 6 months due to injuries and diseases. The American newspaper pointed out that these victims are in addition to more than 29,000 Palestinians who were killed since the beginning of the Israeli war in Gaza.

She explained that the study - which was supervised by researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine - expects, in the absence of a change in the current level of fighting and the arrival of humanitarian aid, that about 58,000 additional deaths will be recorded during the next six months, and the number will rise to more than 66 thousand if there is an outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera .

The study found that even in the best case scenario, with an immediate and sustained ceasefire and no infectious disease outbreaks, another 6,500 Gazans could die over the next six months as a direct result of the war. Professor of Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Dr. Francesco Chicchi, said that the study estimated the expected number of excess deaths from health data that was available in Gaza before the start of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, and from data collected during more than 4 months of war.

The study included deaths resulting from chronic injuries, infectious diseases, complications related to childbirth and diseases affecting newborns, and non-communicable diseases for which people can no longer receive medication or treatment, such as kidney failure. For his part, the director of the Hopkins Center for Human Health, Dr. Paul Spiegel, a participant in the study, explained that the expected deaths of 6,500 people even - with a ceasefire - are based on the assumption that there will be no epidemics of infectious diseases, because with the outbreak of cholera, measles or... Polio or meningitis , the number of victims would rise to more than 11 thousand.

Spiegel added that it is clear that military escalation will lead to additional casualties, but policymakers must be aware of the range of deaths indicated by the study. He said, "This means 85,000 additional deaths in a society in which 1.2% of the population has already been killed."

An expert in the quantitative analysis of deaths in conflicts, Patrick Bull, who was not involved in the study, stressed that it is unusual to see such a careful effort to calculate the potential humanitarian cost of an ongoing war, and added, The study sheds light on this conflict in a way that we have not seen in any previous conflicts. It is "It highlights the potential costs in human lives and human suffering of future decisions that are within human control." He added, "People will make decisions that will lead to one of the mentioned scenarios, or to a complex combination of them, and this gives us an idea of the possible outcomes of those decisions."

On 7 October 2023, Hamas and other armed groups present in the Gaza Strip carried out an attack in Israel, killing more than 1,200 persons, injuring thousands and abducting some 240 people, many of whom continue to be held hostage. It was the second largest loss inflicted on the Israeli forces after the 1973 war. Palestinian armed groups launched thousands of missiles at Israel Following this attack, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza, by land, air and sea.

The 1,200 Israelis killed on the first day would be the equivalent of 36,000 Americans killed in an attack, as a proportion to Israels population of 9.3 million people (compared to 332 million in the USA). Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated: Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed in one day". PM Netanyahu stated "On October 7th, Hamas murdered 1,400 Israelis. Maybe more. This is in a country of fewer than 10 million people. This would be equivalent to over 50,000 Americans murdered in a single day. Thats twenty 9/11s. That is why October 7th is another day that will live in infamy."

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant considered 05 February 2024 that half the number of Hamas militants were killed or seriously injured by Israeli army forces.

A Hamas official based in Qatar told Reuters 19 February 2024 that the terrorist group estimates that 6,000 of its fighters have been killed by Israeli forces. That number is about half of the 12,000 terrorists that Israel said it has killed since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led massacre,

As of 15 February 2024, The Director-General of the HAMAS Government Information Office in the Gaza Strip , Ismail Al-Thawabta, stated "the toll of the aggression had risen to about 35,500 martyrs and missing persons, including 28,663 martyrs and 68,395 injuries. There are about 2,493 massacres committed by the occupation army. Among the martyrs were about 12,400 children, 8,450 women, 340 medical personnel, 46 civil defense personnel, and 126 journalists. There are approximately 11,000 wounded people who need to travel for treatment.... we received live testimonies stating that the occupation army committed field executions against more than 137 Palestinian civilian detainees in the Gaza and North governorates."

The HAMAS Ministry of Health in the besieged sector announced that the number of victims of the Israeli operation its beginning had risen to 29,195 martyrs, "including 12,300 dead children, 8,400 women, 340 medical personnel, 46 civil defense, and 124 journalists." He pointed out that "7,000 people are missing, 70% of whom are children and women, The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

The number wounded was 68,883. The Palestinian Government Media Office in Gaza had said much earlier that the number of missing people had risen to more than 8,000, including including 4,700 children and women, amid expectations that the toll will be double thi figures.

The IDF intensified its military operations in the West Bank, and increased the pace of incursions and raids into cities, towns, and camps, resulting in the martyrdom of 402 Palestinians, the injury of about 4,500, and the arrest of 7,120, according to official HAMAS sources. As of 17 January 2023, the Israeli escalation in the West Bank led to the death of 360 Palestinians, the injury of nearly 2,200, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, and the arrest of about 6,000, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club.

More than 202 Hezbollah fighters were killed in Lebanon during exchanges of bombing operations with Israel.

Israel revised down the death toll from the October Hamas attacks in southern Israel from 1,400 to 1,200. IDF had said previously it was holding 1,500 bodies of terrorists, a total that now would increas to about 1,700.

The total announced number of Israeli officers and soldiers killed had risen to 575 since the start of the war on October 7, including 243 [235?] killed since the ground invasion as a result of the ongoing clashes with the Palestinian resistance. Among them were at least 56 with the rank of platoon commander, 43 with the rank of company commander, 9 with the rank of battalion commander, and 5 with the rank of brigade commander. These officers constitute 23% of the total deaths of the Israeli army in the war on Gaza.

Israeli media reported that 27% of the Israeli military casualties in the war were officers. In detail, the media highlighted that three brigade commanders, four battalion commanders, and other senior officers have been killed in the war so far.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that 29 of the army's deaths were caused by "friendly fire" and operational incidents since the start of the ground war in Gaza, late last October. The Israeli authority explained that "18 army soldiers were killed by friendly fire, two were killed as a result of gunfire (without explanation), and 9 Israeli soldiers were killed in ammunition, weapons, or run-over accidents." The Jerusalem Post newspaper revealed that 15 soldiers were killed in the Strip without their bodies being found.

According to some reports statistics indicate that 20% of the Israeli losses were due to friendly fire. Because the nature of the battle has become completely different from what was expected, and it lacks a front line.

Haaretz newspaper quoted the Israeli Ministry of Defense as saying that the Medical Rehabilitation Department has treated more than 5,500 wounded since the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7. Israeli Army Radio reported that the Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense is preparing to receive 20,000 wounded this year, compared to 5,500 wounded received last year since the start of the war. It was announced that soldiers wounded in the Gaza Strip battles numbered to 2,918 since the beginning of the war, including 1,296 who had been wounded since the start of the ground attack on October 27, 2023.

The Israeli army reported that 407 who are still receiving treatment for their injuries in the Gaza battles, and the condition of 48 of them is serious. The number of injured among the Israeli army since the start of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip on October 27 included 602 minor cases, 430 moderate cases, and 264 critical cases.

The Israeli army published new data about those wounded in the military operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army announces that 540 soldiers were injured in the Gaza Strip. According to army data, 540 soldiers, including 27 seriously injured, were injured in operational incidents since the start of the bombing of the Gaza Strip. There were also 21 accidental shooting incidents in the Gaza Strip, 54 bilateral shooting incidents and 31 traffic accidents. In addition, 388 incidents occurred, including ramming anti-tank rifles, anti-aircraft guns, weapons and machine guns.

At least 14,377 Israelis were injured, according to i24 TV.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper had reported that 5,000 soldiers had been wounded since the beginning of the war on October 7, and that the Ministry of Defense had recognized 2,000 soldiers as disabled so far.

An estimate by the Israeli Ministry of Defense expected that the number of soldiers with disabilities in the war taking place in the Gaza Strip since October 7 of last year would reach 12,500 soldiers. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that the Soldiers' Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense has dealt with 3,400 soldiers who were classified as disabled in the army since last October 7.

The Israeli army revealed that about 9,000 of its soldiers have received psychological assistance since the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, and about a quarter of them have not returned to combat. This came according to a new statement revealed by the Army Medical Corps, according to Channel 12 and the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. According to the statement, nearly 9,000 soldiers have applied for psychological assistance since the beginning of the war, and approximately a quarter of them have not returned to combat.

The statement continued, "In total, about 13,000 regular and reserve soldiers required accompaniment or medical treatment at some level during the fighting, and thousands of them were injured in the battles."

Al Jazeera military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi expressed his conviction that the numbers of dead and wounded announced by Israel cannot represent the truth, due to a discrepancy between the Israeli armys data and the Walla website, which is close to the army itself.

In an interview with RT, Military strategist retired Tunisian Brigadier General Tawfiq Didi said that the number of Israeli army deaths in the Gaza battles is much greater than what Israel announces. Didi explained in an interview with the Best Saying program on RT channel, The number of people killed in battles can be easily known, as the equation in wars is that for every 3 wounded there is a dead person, and the numbers now in Israel hover around 12,500 wounded and disabled people, and when we divide by Three, we find that the death toll exceeds 4,000, especially after eliminating more than a thousand tanks and armored vehicles, and I know what happens when Kornet missiles hit a tank. Its ammunition explodes and no one is left alive.

He added, "The Israelis announce their dead only of those of Jewish origin and of the first race, meaning all Arabs, Falash, and those who are among them. They are not counted because they are of the second category. So I am sure that the number exceeds 4 thousand dead, and this is a very easy military calculation."

He pointed out, "The Palestinian resistance documented everything it did, unlike the Israelis. The resistance documented shooting at tanks and armored vehicles and destroying the houses in which the Israeli soldiers were holed up, and we saw them being killed... We saw the Kornet hitting the tanks, we saw Al-Yassin 105, so the difference is clear."

Hostages

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the destruction of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) is more important than the return of those he called kidnapped from Gaza , to which opposition leader Yair Lapid responded by saying that his position regarding the detainees is a moral disgrace.

Smotrich explained, "The return of the kidnapped people at all costs is not the most important matter, but rather the destruction of Hamas," adding, "Whoever calls for a (prisoner) exchange deal at any price will bring loss to Israel and reduce the possibility of returning the kidnapped ones," he said. Smotrich - who heads the "Religious Zionism" party - usually raises controversy with his statements, and he previously acknowledged to the families of Israeli detainees held by the Palestinian resistance in Gaza that he cannot promise them to return all the prisoners alive. He added, "In my estimation, what is happening to manage this war is correct, and there is a clear policy that we will follow until the end, and we are prepared to pay prices for that."

The Israeli Finance Minister's statements quickly sparked a response from opposition leader Yair Lapid, who said that "Smotrich's position on the return of the kidnapped people is a moral disgrace." Lapid previously said that Israel "will neither be safe nor a moral state nor will it win the war unless the kidnappers return."

Lapid's statements coincided with previous statements by the Minister of Heritage in the Israeli government, Amichai Eliyahu, in which he said that "dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza is a possible solution." The Israeli opposition leader also previously called for the formation of a new government, and believed that the time had come for Benjamin Netanyahu 's government to step down , stressing that the person during whose term "the greatest disaster we have witnessed occurred must be removed from our lives."

Israel announced 12 February 2024 that the total number of prisoners that the army was able to recover in exchange deals and through military operations was 126 people, including 91 Israelis, 11 bodies, and 24 foreign workers.

Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed have been held as hostages in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, respectively. Unlike the roughly 240 people kidnapped in the Hamas October 7 terrorist attacks, the campaign for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed has received little publicity. Mengistu is known to suffer from what HRW deemed "serious" mental health issues. "Avera crossed one of the safest borders in the world, under the eyes of the security services," recalled Gil Elias, a relative. "We're talking about a mentally ill person who got lost." The calls for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed have been barely audible during the many years they have been held captive in Gaza.

Israel had previously estimated there were 116 living hostages in Palestinian custody. Israel declared 20 out of 136 people in Gaza captivity dead in absentia, after announcing its forces had recovered the bodies of two hostages. By another count, 132 of them are still being held in Gaza, and 25 of them have been confirmed dead. Israel considers those still held by Hamas to be hostages regardless of whether they are dead or alive.

Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy earlier had told reporters that Hamas still held 137 captives. The resistance released 10 Israeli detainees, 4 Thais and 2 Russian women, who were released outside the agreement. Over the course of 6 days, Israel has received 102 detainees, women and children, including 78 Israelis, in exchange for the release of 234 Palestinian prisoners, women and children.

Eylon Levy, the Israeli government spokesperson, told reporters 01 December 2023:

Hamas still held 137 hostages from the October attacks, in addition to four others who went missing before the war

The hostages include two children aged four and 10 months, who, Hamas now claims, are dead

117 male hostages are still kept in Gaza, including the two children, as well as 20 females

126 hostages are Israelis, and 11 others are foreign nationals

Foreign nationals are eight Thais, one Nepalese, one Tanzanian and one French Mexican citizen

Ten of the remaining hostages are 75 and older.

There are seven missing people since the October 7 attack

Hamas had released 110 hostages so far  86 Israelis and 24 foreign nationals.

Some of the rest are soldiers, seized when Hamas raided military bases in Israel. They may end up being held the longest. The Israeli military had not specified how many soldiers were captured, nor their ranks.

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari announced on 07 February 2024 that 31 hostages detained in Gaza had died. He added in a press conference, "We informed 31 families that their detained relatives had died, and thus we announce their deaths."

According to some estimates, Hamas was initially holding nearly 210 of the 240 hostages, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad was holding the remaining 30. About 40 Israelis remained missing. More than 40 hostages taken from Israel into Gaza on October 7th are not currently in the custody of Hamas, the group responsible for the attack, according to a CNN report based on a diplomatic source briefed on the negotiations, CNN's prior reports had indicated that an estimated 40 to 50 hostages were held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad or other unidentified groups or individuals.

Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said on Hamas telegram account that 23 bodies of the 60 missing Israel hostages were trapped under the rubble. It seems that we will never be able to reach them due to the continued brutal aggression of the occupation against Gaza, he said.

The Al-Qassam Brigades announced on 11 February 2024 that the continuous Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip during the past 96 hours led to the death of 2 prisoners and the serious injury of 8 others.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club revealed that about 11,000 arrests were carried out by the Israeli army during the year 2023 in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, in addition to arrests from the Gaza Strip before the seventh of last October. The number of people arrested by the Israelis in the West Bank since that date has exceeded 7,100. The total number of prisoners in Israeli prisons exceeds 9,000 Palestinians. Palestinian prisoner institutions said 661 were classified as unlawful combatants from Gaza, and this is the number available only as a clear given.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said that there has been a significant increase in the number of Palestinian administrative detainees in Israeli prisons since October 7, with 3,484 detainees recorded, including children and women. The club added in a statement that "this number was not actually recorded even during the years of the 1987 uprising."

Israel said on 19 February 2024 that, since the beginning of the war, approximately 3,150 wanted persons have been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Division, over 1,350 of whom are associated with the terrorist organization Hamas. On 08 January 2024 it was reported that more than 1,350 wanted persons had been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Division, more than 870 of whom are associated with the terrorist organization Hamas.

The institutions added in the statement that the occupation arrested 210 women during the aforementioned period, and this statistic includes women who were arrested from the territories in 1948, and more than 355 children, pointing out that the outcome of the arrest campaigns includes all those who were arrested from homes, and through military checkpoints, Those who were forced to surrender themselves under pressure, and those who were detained. It explained that "the number of arrests among journalists reached 50, of whom 35 remain in detention, and 20 of them were transferred to administrative detention."

The announced numbers of detainees do not include those who were detained from Gaza since the start of the operation in the Gaza Strip, as there is no accurate census of these numbers. As of 15 February 2024, the Director-General of the HAMAS Government Information Office in the Gaza Strip , Ismail Al-Thawabta, stated "the information available to us is that the occupation arrested approximately 2,600 people, including 99 medical personnel and 10 journalists."

Israel has rejected international legal adaptations since 1967, and has treated the Palestinians as criminals, and tried them before military courts and not as prisoners of war. Because the POW is not tried, but is released when the war stops, or as a result of a political agreement.

But international humanitarian law sets clear conditions relating to the Palestinians, whether as prisoners of war or organized groups with one leadership and carrying a unified slogan, and these conditions apply to Palestinian resistance fighters, specifically armed groups. International law, through the Third Geneva Conventions, which relate to prisoners of war and armed conflicts, and the Fourth Geneva Convention, which relates to civilians under occupation; Provide full protection to Palestinian prisoners and groups, including resistance factions.

The obstacles imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities became very different after the seventh of last October. They decided to cancel all trials in order to double the sentences issued against detainees, and now The scope of arguments before lawyers is very limited, due to military orders, and not according to legal data.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 22 February 2024 - Day 728

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A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 14 February 2024, Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that while the "special military operation began as an operation against Ukraine, over time it has taken on the form of a war against the collective West, a war when the countries of the collective West, led by the United States, are directly involved in this conflict." This is broadly consistent with a trend in Russian official rhetoric that seeks to excuse the length of the conflict, and scale of Russian losses through the depiction of the war as a direct conflict with the West.

Peskov went on to acknowledge that the 'special military operation' "may last a bit longer, but this can't change the course of things." This forms part of the Russian official narrative almost certainly aimed at situating the domestic population for a long-term conflict and the associated decline in domestic living standards, while providing reassurance of ultimate Russian victory.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during during the day of February 22, there were 84x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 50x air strikes, carried out 80x 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 other 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. Around 10x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Karpovychi (Chernihiv oblast), Iskryskivshchyna, Seredyna-Buda, Ryasne, Popivka (Sumy oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces made 4x assault attempts near Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 14x assaults near Terny and Yampolivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Rozdolivka, Vesele (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Spirne (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 8x attacks in the vicinity of Andriivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Toretsk (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. More than10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Andriivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast).

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x attacks in the vicinities of Orlivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Berdychi, Semenivka, Orlivka, Lastochkyne, Tonen'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Berdychi, Semenivka, Sjeverne, Netailove (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made 31x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes near Kostyantynivka, Oleksandropil', Krasnohorivka, Kurakhove, Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 2x assaults near Zolota Nyva. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Vuhledar and Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Staromaiors'ke, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x attacks west of Verbove and in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Malynivka, Charivne, Bilohir'ya, Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Russian occupiers 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 2x attempts to assault positions of Ukrainian troops. More than 5x settlements, including the city of Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast) came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

During the day of February 22, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 6x concentrations of Russian troops, 3x air defense systems.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x logistics hub, 2x air defense systems, 1x UAV ground control station of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aviation inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 10th mountain assault, 14th mechanised brigades close to Petropavlovka (Kharkov region).

In addition, three attacks of the AFU 57th Mechanised Infantry Brigade were repelled close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy lost up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured personnel carriers, and three motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one U.S.-made M198 howitzer, one Giatsint and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Force liberated Pobeda, improved the situation on the front line, and hit units of AFU 92nd assault, 79th air assault, 46th airmobile brigades close to Novomikhailovka and Krasnogorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were more than 410 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, Polish-made Krab and Bogdana self-propelled artillery systems, one D-20 howitzer, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions, and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 53rd mechanised, 3rd assault, 107th, 116th territorial defence brigades near Orlovka and Tonenkoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Nine attacks and counter-attacks of the enemy units were repelled close to Novgorodskoye, Leninskoye, Berdichi, Lastochkino, and Pervomayskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 145 Ukrainian troops, five infantry fighting vehicles, two U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, 26 motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M777 artillery system.

?? In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Force inflicted losses on units of AFU 58th mechanised infantry, 128th territorial defence brigades near Novodonetskoye and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses amounted to up to 155 troops, one tank, two armoured personnel carriers, one combat vehicle of Strela-10 SAM system, three motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, one M-46 gun, and one electronic warfare system.

In Kherson direction, the Dnepr Group of Forces' units inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 28th mechanised, 35th marines, and 121st territorial defence brigades near Shcherbaki (Zaporozhye region), Ivanovka and Mikhailovka (Kherson region).

In addition, three enemy attacks were repelled close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

Up to 50 Ukrainian personnel, two tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles were neutralised.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one Msta-B howitzer, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system were repelled.

Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

Operational-Tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out a self-propelled launcher and a transport and loader vehicle of the U.S-made Patriot SAM system, as well as engaged manpower and hardware in 114 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down one S-200 anti-aircraft missile converted to hit ground targets, eight HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and one JDAM aerial guided bomb.

Ninety five Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed near Chervonopopovka, Golikovo (Lugansk People's Republic), Staromlynovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Verbovoye, Novofyodorovka, Tokmak (Zaporozhye region), and Novaya Mayachka (Kherson region).

In total, 572 airplanes and 266 helicopters, 13,137 unmanned aerial vehicles, 473 air defence missile systems, 15,171 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,223 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 8,138 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,950 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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NASA Calls for Peaceful Space Cooperation Amid Rising Tensions

Sputnik News

20240222

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, commenting on allegations that Russia is developing space nuclear weapons, said on Thursday that the US hopes space cooperation with Moscow will continue.

"We built the space station together. We operate it together. We want that to continue. We don't want these other issues that are anything but peaceful to get in the way," Nelson told CNN.

He pointed out that there are 15 partners on the International Space Station, and Russia is one of them.

Nelson also recalled that space cooperation between the two countries started in 1975 when they launched the Soyuz-Apollo mission. "We've peacefully cooperated with Russia ever since," he said.

Russia on multiple occasions warned against an arms race in space and advocated for its use for peaceful purposes. President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Moscow has always opposed the deployment of nuclear weapons in space.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has said that the United States and its allies are taking steps to place weapons in space and use outer space for combat operations, not only for defensive purposes.

The West continues to regard space as a new arena of rivalry and conflicts between countries, in which Russia and China are identified as the main opponents, the ministry said.

A Sputnik

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Heavy rain will bring the risk of localized flooding Saturday into Sunday in Nova Scotia. (Tom Ayers/CBC - image credit)

Another blast of wet and cold weather this weekend will deliver a mix of heavy rain, high winds and then plummeting temperatures for parts of Nova Scotia.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Thursday afternoon ahead of the expected rainfall on Saturday. It warns of the risk of flooding over existing snow and ice and also because frozen ground doesn't absorb runoff.

In particular, officials with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality are asking homeowners to watch out for flooding.

"The contours of the snow banks and the ice that's currently piled up everywhere really kind of shifts things a bit and can result in some local flooding that we might not otherwise expect," said Christina Lamey, head of communications for the CBRM.

Lamey warns that the heavy rain, which is forecast to fall for most of the day Saturday, will not be absorbed by the ground, causing challenges in water draining from properties.

In particular, people who still have snow on top of their homes may be susceptible to more weight due to the rain.

"People should be concerned and watching their roofs and the amount of snow that might be accumulated in certain places like that," she said. "If rainfall were to come quickly and pool ... it might not simply just run off at this stage."

Breaching the banks The big dig. See snow plow clearing road in in Sydney on 14 Feb 2024.

Officials with CBRM and HRM say crews are working to clear catch basins to prepare for the heavy rainfall. It's expected that some areas could experience localized flooding. (Craig Paisley/CBC)

As of Friday, the forecast for CBRM calls for between 30-50 millimetres of rain, combined with gusting winds of 70-90 km/h. Following the rain, temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing, which may create even more difficulties for drainage.

John Phalen, the manager of Public Works with CBRM, said crews are continuing to clear snow from the previous storms.

He said the priority is areas prone to flooding, where a lot of catch basins are still buried.

Story continues

"Hopefully, when the time comes, those areas at least will have some access to the storm system so that we can get rid of the water and the road doesn't turn into a river," Phalen told CBC Radio's Maritime Noon on Friday.

"And then we have to be aware that right after this we've got a quick freeze and so we don't want the roads to turn into skating rinks."

Municipal officials throughout Nova Scotia are asking people to clear storm drains or other escape routes for rain and melting water to leave their properties.

The heavy rains on Sunday caused localized flooding on roads across Nova Scotia.

Heavy rains in late January 2019 caused localized flooding on roads, including this Halifax street shown in a file photo. (Craig Paisley/CBC)

There are similar concerns in Halifax Regional Municipality, particularly in areas of the city that have had other floods.

HRM officials say crews will be out preparing the roads for falling temperatures on Sunday, but advise residents that it may take some time before it's safe for vehicle or foot traffic.

"The concern this time around is ice forming after the rainfall," said Ryan Nearing, public affairs officer for HRM. "Municipal crews will be active throughout the weekend, including applying salt in advance of any ice forming."

February has been a tricky month for snow clearing in HRM. The municipality was under its budget for snow clearing to start the month, but has now used up much of its budget.

"We're [at] about 70 per cent of our projected budget that goes until the end of March 2024, the end of the fiscal year," said Nearing.

Both Nearing and Lamey ask residents to phone 311 if they have concerns about a plugged catch basins in their communities.

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Navy's enhanced lethality surface combatant fleet

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

The Hon Pat Conroy MP

Minister for Defence Industry

Minister for International Development and the Pacific

20 February 2024

Today, the Albanese Government has released its blueprint for a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet for the Royal Australian Navy, more than doubling the size of the surface combatant fleet under the former government's plan.

This follows the Government's careful consideration of the recommendations of the independent analysis of the surface combatant fleet, commissioned in response to the Defence Strategic Review.

Our strategic circumstances require a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet, complemented by a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

Navy's future fleet will be integral to ensure the safety and security of our sea lines of communication and maritime trade, through operations in our immediate region. This fleet will constitute the largest number of surface combatants since WWII.

The independent analysis of Navy's surface combatant fleet lamented the current surface combatant fleet was the oldest fleet Navy has operated in its history, and emphasised the need for immediate action to boost Navy's air defence, long-range strike, presence and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

In line with independent analysis' recommendations, Navy's future surface combatant fleet will comprise:

26 major surface combatants consisting of: Three Hobart class air warfare destroyers with upgraded air defence and strike capabilities Six Hunter class frigates to boost Navy's undersea warfare and strike capabilities 11 new general purpose frigates that will provide maritime and land strike, air defence and escort capabilities Six new Large Optionally Crewed Surface Vessels (LOSVs) that will significantly increase Navy's long-range strike capacity

consisting of: Six remaining Anzac class frigates with the two oldest ships to be decommissioned as per their planned service life.

The Government has also accepted the independent analysis' recommendations to have:

25 minor war vessels to contribute to civil maritime security operations, which includes six Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).

The Hunter class frigates will be built at the Osborne shipyard in South Australia, and will be followed by the replacement of the Hobart class destroyer. The Hobart destroyers will be upgraded at Osborne with the latest US Navy Aegis combat system.

The new general purpose frigate will be accelerated to replace the Anzac class frigates, meaning the Transition Capability Assurance (TransCAP) upgrades are no longer required. These new general purpose frigates will be modern, capable and more lethal, requiring smaller crews than the Anzac.

Consolidation of the Henderson precinct is currently underway, as recommended by the Defence Strategic Review. Successful and timely consolidation will enable eight new general purpose frigates to be built at the Henderson precinct, and will also enable a pathway to build six new Large Optionally Crewed Surface Vessels in Western Australia.

The Albanese Government is committed to continuous naval shipbuilding in Australia and the design of Navy's future fleet will provide a stable and ongoing pipeline of work to the 2040s and beyond.

Budget

In order to implement the recommendations of the independent analysis, the Albanese Government has committed to funding the planned acquisition and sustainment of the future surface fleet.

This will see the Albanese Government inject an additional $1.7 billion over the Forward Estimates and $11.1 billion over the next decade in Defence for an accelerated delivery of Navy's future surface combatant fleet and to expand Australia's shipbuilding industry.

This comes on top of the Albanese Government's investment of an additional $30.5 billion to Defence's Integrated Investment Program out to 2032-33.

This additional $11.1 billion of funding for the future surface fleet alone brings both acquisition and sustainment investment in the fleet to $54.2 billion in total over the next decade.

This investment provides a clear pathway for the shipbuilding industry and workforce in South Australia and Western Australia.

The Albanese Government thanks Vice Admiral William Hilarides, USN (Retd), Ms Rosemary Huxtable, AO, PSM and Vice Admiral Stuart Mayer, AO, RAN for their leadership of the independent analysis and contribution to the most comprehensive update to Navy's fleet in decades.

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

"The enhanced lethality surface combatant fleet will ensure the Navy is optimised for operations in our current and future environment, underpinned by the meticulous assessment conducted by the Independent Analysis Team.

"Australia's modern society and economy rely on access to the high seas: trade routes for our imports and exports, and the submarine cables for the data which enables our connection to the international economy.

"The Royal Australian Navy must be able to ensure the safety and security of our sea lines of communication and trade routes as they are fundamental to our way of life and our prosperity."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

"This significant advancement in Navy capability that will be delivered under this plan requires a strong, sovereign defence industry.

"This plan ensures Navy's future fleet can meet our strategic circumstances by delivering a larger and more lethal fleet sooner and secures the future of naval shipbuilding in Australia, supporting 3,700 direct jobs over the next decade and thousands of indirect jobs for decades to come."

Quotes attributable to the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO:

"A strong Australia relies on a strong Navy, one that is equipped to conduct diplomacy in our region, deter potential adversaries, and defend our national interests when called.

"The size, lethality and capabilities of the future surface combatant fleet ensures that our Navy is equipped to meet the evolving strategic challenges of our region."

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West Doubles Military Presence on Belarus, Russia Borders Since 2020 - Belarus Minister

Sputnik News

20240222

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The West has increased the number of personnel and tanks on the borders with Russia and Belarus by 50% to 100% in the past four years, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said on Thursday.

"Look [on the map]: here is 2020 and here is 2024. I will not voice the figures, but you can see the changes in personnel alone. There is a 1.5 to 2 times growth. Even in terms of tanks: there were 69, now there are 129.... These groupings are not static, we also see them very well," Khrenin said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 broadcaster.

He cited the Pabrade military range in Lithuania, located 15 km (9.3 miles) from the border with Belarus, as an example. Khrenin said that the US promised to form the battalion temporarily, but it is still there.

In recent years, Russia has witnessed unprecedented NATO activity near its western borders. Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern about the bloc's buildup of forces in Europe, especially since the bloc supported the Kiev regime amid its attacks on Donbass.

A Sputnik

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Minister Blair participates in Fifth North American Defence Ministerial meeting

National Defence

News release

February 22, 2024 - Toronto, Ontario - National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, met virtually with U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, Mexico's Secretary of Defence (SEDENA), General Luis Cresencio Sandoval GonzAlez, and Mexico's Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR), Admiral JosA Rafael Ojeda DurAn, for the fifth trilateral meeting of North American Defence Ministers (NADM).

During the meeting, Minister Blair and his counterparts discussed shared defence priorities between Canada, Mexico, and the United States and identified ways to further strengthen our defence relationship. Minister Blair indicated that Canada welcomes increased collaboration in areas including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, Central American and Caribbean defence engagement, cyber defence, and peacekeeping.

Minister Blair and his counterparts reiterated the importance of our trilateral partnership to develop effective approaches to regional security and defence challenges - and Minister Blair affirmed Canada's commitment to ongoing engagement to help keep our continent safe in a changing world.

Quotes

"Canada believes that the trilateral partnership between our country, the United States, and Mexico keeps our citizens safe and prosperous. As fellow democracies, I believe that collaboration between our countries to address shared defence challenges can help strengthen security in North America and around the world. Our nations face similar, complex security issues, and by working together to address them, we are ensuring the continued security of North America." The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

Quick facts

The first North American Defence Ministerial was held in Ottawa in March 2012, and hosted by Canada's Department of National Defence.

In April 2014, the second trilateral meeting was held in Mexico City.

The third trilateral meeting was held in Washington, D.C. in May 2017.

The fourth meeting was held virtually on May 19, 2021, hosted by Canada.

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CCG capabilities highlighted in intensive law enforcement activities in South China Sea, Taiwan Straits, Diaoyu Islands

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Feb 22, 2024 09:52 PM

Facing recent rights-infringing moves from the Philippines in the South China Sea, the Taiwan authorities near Kinmen in the Taiwan Straits and Japan around the Diaoyu Islands, the China Coast Guard (CCG) carried out intensive law enforcement activities, displaying its capabilities gained from high-quality development and in firmly safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests and upholding order, experts said on Thursday.

On Thursday, the CCG repelled, in accordance with the law, the Ship 3002 of the Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources when the vessel illegally intruded into waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) in the South China Sea, the CCG said in a notice on the day.

In February alone, the CCG released at least five notices or statements on its measures against illegal Philippine moves around Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea, namely Huangyan Dao and Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef), with analysts saying the CCG effectively dealt with the Philippines' attempt to take advantage of China's Spring Festival holidays and firmly defended national sovereign security and maritime rights.

Since August 2023, the Philippines has ramped up provocations on Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea by repeatedly attempting to send illegal building materials to its warship illegally grounded on China's Ren'ai Jiao and trespassing into waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao.

Most of the Philippine provocations were made by coast guard ships, government ships and fishing ships, so the Chinese side reciprocally sent CCG ships and took legitimate, professional and restrained measures, experts said.

Ding Duo, a deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday that the CCG's law enforcement activities in the South China Sea aim to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

The CCG plays a special role in safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, as it can not only send warnings and effectively defend territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, but at the same time its measures are less likely to lead to conflicts, experts said.

Sending the CCG also shows that the essence of the South China Sea issue for China is about territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation, and China's measures are not about geopolitics or military confrontation, Ding said, noting that it is the Philippines and the US that are generalizing the issue and promoting militarization, with an example being the Philippine-US joint military patrols.

The more frequent and intensive the Philippines provokes, the more frequent and intensive the CCG's control measures will be, and this reflects China's jurisdiction over the islands and reefs in the South China Sea, analysts said.

In the Taiwan Straits, after a Chinese mainland fishing boat was treated brutally by Taiwan authorities in waters near Taiwan authorities-administered Kinmen Island on February 14, which led to all four people on board falling into the sea and two of them dead, the CCG announced on Sunday that the coast guard of East China's Fujian Province will strengthen its maritime law enforcement and carry out regular law enforcement and patrols in the waters between Fujian's Xiamen and Kinmen to ensure the safety of fishermen's lives and property.

Taking place at a time when the cross-Straits relations are particularly sensitive especially after separatist Lai Ching-te just won Taiwan's regional leader election, the recent incident off Kinmen was a serious one because it caused casualties, but similar situations in which Taiwan authorities brutally treated mainland fishing ships have often occurred, experts said, noting that previously, the Chinese mainland showed much goodwill, provided many benefits to Taiwan compatriots and did not take forceful measures as much in related incidents, but that does not mean the mainland is not capable of doing so.

Some analysts on the island said the CCG could conduct its patrols in the Taiwan Straits as those around the Diaoyu Islands in asserting law enforcement rights.

The CCG regularly holds patrols around the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, with the latest announcement made on February 6, saying that the CCG Flotilla 2502 conducted patrols in Chinese territorial waters off the Diaoyu Islands on the day in a move to safeguard rights.

On January 27, several Japanese vessels illegally entered Chinese territorial waters off the Diaoyu Islands, and CCG vessels took necessary control measures and repelled them in accordance with the law, a CCG spokesperson said at the time.

Before the latest incidents in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Straits, media mostly focused on the CCG because of its activities around the Diaoyu Islands, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday.

The CCG started routine patrols to defend territorial sovereignty and maritime rights after Japan's attempt to "nationalize" the Diaoyu Islands in 2012, observers noted. The Japanese side frequently sensationalizes the CCG's legitimate activities, while the Chinese side also announced its patrols on a routine basis.

The CCG's regular patrols and constant presence in effect asserted China's sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Diaoyu Islands, the expert said.

While the South China Sea issue and the Diaoyu Islands issue are fundamentally different from the Taiwan question, with the former two involving territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation with other countries and the latter one being China's internal affair, the islands and reefs in the South China Sea, the Diaoyu Islands and Kinmen, as well as all islands administered by Taiwan authorities, are all Chinese territories, experts pointed out.

In recent years, the CCG enhanced its equipment in both quality and quantity, including commissioning more vessels and boosting logistics support, trained more personnel, and had them deployed in missions throughout the year, realizing effective control in hot regions, another Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday.

According to publicly available information, the CCG has commissioned 10,000 ton-class cutters, and has received transfers of Type 056 corvettes from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, which are deemed powerful additions to the CCG fleet.

With the CCG's continued development, the CCG's law enforcement in related waters will become even more intensive to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and uphold order, the expert said.

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Top official's visit to Hong Kong demonstrates central govt's position on Article 23 legislation, clears doubts: experts

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing Published: Feb 22, 2024 10:44 PM

Xia Baolong, the central government's top official overseeing Hong Kong and Macao affairs, started his seven-day trip to Hong Kong on Thursday, meeting a number of local government officials and learning from the progress that the city has made in its transition from good governance to prosperity.

The visit comes as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is about to wrap up the public consultation period for the Article 23 legislation in the coming days. Such a visit also demonstrates the central government's stance on the legislation, refuting criticism from hostile forces, which will be more conducive to dispelling doubts and questions, especially among foreign investors, experts said.

However, Xia's visit does not target the Article 23 legislation as a single matter, like some media speculated. Some local officials and experts said that the central government's official will comprehensively grasp the situation of Hong Kong, especially the effectiveness of the local governance, through first-hand information collection, in order to provide scientific basis for the central government's formulation of policies toward the city.

"Xia's visit to Hong Kong this time is mainly to understand the latest developments in various aspects such as the economic development and regional governance of Hong Kong," Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said during a press briefing on Thursday afternoon.



This is Xia's second visit to Hong Kong since April in 2023, which is the longest visit ever, lasting seven days, fully reflecting the concern and support of the central government for the city, Chan said.

After arriving in Hong Kong on Thursday, Xia first inspected the central control center of the Hong Kong International Airport, and then went to the HKSAR government's headquarters to hold discussions with senior officials of the HKSAR government on various aspects including commerce chamber, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society, according to local media reports.

According to Chan, Xia and local officials engaged in in-depth exchanges covering various aspects of development, including economic development and regional governance. The atmosphere was quite enthusiastic, fully demonstrating Xia's concern for and familiarity with Hong Kong affairs.

The central government's official also expressed full confidence in Hong Kong's implementation of high-level security and high-quality development. After the exchange with Xia, the HKSAR government is firm in its belief that it will work together with all sectors of society to effectively safeguard national security, including completing the Article 23 legislation.

As a national leader, Xia will certainly not come solely for a single matter, referring to the Article 23 legislation, Lau Siu-kai, a consultant from the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies who is also a senior policy advisor, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"He is likely to pay attention to Hong Kong's economic, livelihood, and fiscal difficulties. In addition to listening to the HKSAR government's reports and response strategies, he is expected to provide opinions and suggestions from the central government to ensure that Hong Kong can still safeguard national security, maintain public order, and promote its development and integration into the overall national development in difficult times," Lau said.

The consultation period for the Article 23 legislation will end on February 28, according to the HKSAR government.

The new law, proposed to be entitled the ''Safeguarding National Security Ordinance,'' aims to comprehensively address national security risks and will play a complementary role to the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

The HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said at a recent press briefing that the majority of opinions support the legislation, and the legislation process should be pushed forward at full speed.

"Xia's visit to Hong Kong this time is well-timed, as the consultation work on the Article 23 legislation has progressed smoothly, and his visit to Hong Kong signifies support for the legislative work," Tam Yiu-chung, former member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee from Hong Kong and vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday.

With the upcoming release of the fiscal budget, he will conduct research on Hong Kong's economic development, expressing the central government's concern and care for Hong Kong.

As the annual national two sessions - National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) - scheduled in the coming weeks, this week will help the central government to better understand the situation in Hong Kong when formulating policies, Tam said.

Xia is also expected to urge the HKSAR government to enhance governance efficiency, actively innovate, better promote Hong Kong's development, improve livelihoods, and strengthen economic cooperation with the mainland, especially in the Greater Bay Area, according to experts.

When asked if the issue of expanding the individual visit scheme from the mainland to Hong Kong was discussed at the meeting on Thursday, Chan said that regarding the preferential policies from the central government toward Hong Kong, the HKSAR government has been in contact and discussions with the central government, and an announcement will be made at the appropriate time.

The HKSAR government plans to extend the mainland individual traveler's scheme to include more Chinese cities in order to boost local tourism, local media the Standard reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Under the current scheme, mainland residents with permanent household registration in 49 cities - including 21 cities in Guangdong province as well as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and so on - are eligible to apply to visit Hong Kong in their individual capacity, the media report said.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on February 22, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

2024-02-22 20:05

CCTV: Foreign Minister Wang Yi just wrapped up his visit to Europe. Apart from visiting Spain and France, Minister Wang also met during the Munich Security Conference with leaders or foreign ministers from several European countries, including Serbia, Germany, the UK and Poland. He also held a meeting with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. What kind of signal does this visit send on the future of China-Europe relations?

Mao Ning: Two decades on since China and the EU forged a comprehensive strategic partnership, the two sides have become two major forces promoting a multi-polar world, two major markets supporting globalization and two major civilizations advocating diversity. The world has entered a new period of disorder and transformation, which further highlights the strategic significance and global influence of China-Europe relations.

Europe is a key priority for China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics and also an important partner for achieving Chinese Modernization. We welcome Europe to share the opportunities provided by China's supersize market and to actively participate in China's high-level and institutional opening-up. We believe European countries will see more opportunities for cooperation in China's high-quality development. The European side is positive in enhancing exchanges at all levels between China and Europe and is enthusiastic about deepening practical cooperation. They hope that more concrete outcomes will be achieved in cooperation of areas such as economy and trade, energy, green and digital development, education and people-to-people exchange.

Both China and Europe support a multi-polar world, greater democracy in international relations and the important role of the UN and oppose bloc confrontation and zero-sum games. The two sides will strengthen communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks, including the UN, WTO and G20 to jointly facilitate a political settlement of hot-spot issues and build international consensus and play a leading role in tackling climate change, AI and other major agendas.a

In the future, the two sides will always make partnership the underlining tone and cooperation the defining feature of China-EU relations. The two sides will seek common ground while shelving and resolving differences to promote steady progress and long-term development of China-Europe relations.

Reuters: Today, Mike Gallagher and other US lawmakers emphasized during their visit to Taiwan that the US will continue to support Taiwan, no matter who becomes the next US president. What's your comment?

Mao Ning: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. China opposes any form of official interaction between the US and Taiwan authorities and rejects US interference in Taiwan affairs in whatever form or under whatever pretext. We urge the US to be mindful of the extreme complexity and sensitivity of the Taiwan question, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiquAs, prudently and properly handle issues relating to Taiwan, stop official contact with Taiwan and stop sending any wrong signal to the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence".

Xinhua News Agency: Today marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the Republic of the Congo. How would China comment on the growth of China-ROC relations in the past six decades? What is China's expectation for deeper and broader cooperation between the two countries and the growth of the overall relations between China and African countries in the future?

Mao Ning: Today marks the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of the Congo. President Xi Jinping and President Denis Sassou-N'Guesso exchanged messages of congratulations to commemorate this important day.

When meeting with President Sassou-N'Guesso last October, President Xi Jinping noted that shared ideals, mutual trust and mutual support are the key to the sustained and steady growth of China-Congo relations. Over the past six decades, no matter how the international landscape has evolved, the two countries have always shared weal and woe, and given each other mutual understanding and support on major issues of core interests. Our two countries have journeyed together with similar philosophies, and been each other's true partners with mutual trust and iron-clad friends with mutual support. Over the past six decades, the two sides have striven forward together, made solid efforts and engaged in sincere cooperation that delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples. The No.1 National Highway in the Congo has shortened travel time between the capital Brazzaville and the economic center Pointe-Noire from one week to eight hours. The Sino-Congolese Bank for Africa is providing convenient financial services to local residents. The aircraft maintenance center that is under construction will further boost the aviation industry of the Congo and the sub-region. The China-Congo Friendship Primary School, built with the aid from the Congo to the earthquake-stricken area in Yushu, Qinghai, is a vivid illustration of China-Congo friendship that shines in difficult times.

Going forward, China stands ready to continue working with the Congo to deliver on the common understandings of the leaders of the two countries and bring the China-Congo comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level. China will take the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation meetings to be held this year as an opportunity to seek synergy between Chinese modernization and Africa's peace and development, work with friendly countries of Africa including the Congo, and build the China-Africa community with a shared future at a higher level.

Fuji TV: The international community is closely watching the incident in the Taiwan Strait. No sides wants to see any escalation. In China's view, what's the most appropriate way to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait?

Mao Ning: First of all, cross-Strait issues are not diplomatic issues, so I'd refer you to competent authorities.a

To uphold peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the key is to adhere to the one-China principle and firmly oppose "Taiwan independence."

China Daily: It's reported Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro recently commented that the old colonial world characterized by wars, interventions, genocide, and a superiority complex is being replaced by a new world order in which BRICS plays a significant role. What's China's comment?

Mao Ning: As an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, BRICS is committed to upholding multilateralism and has taken an active part in global economic governance to make the international order more just and equitable. Amid emerging risks and challenges in today's world, the developing countries share an increasing desire to pursue solidarity and progress, reject external interference and seek strength through unity. That is why BRICS is widely recognized by the emerging markets and developing countries and has become a staunch force for good in international affairs.

BRICS advocates openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation for common development and prosperity. China stands ready to work with all parties to continue to deepen the BRICS strategic partnership, actively expand practical cooperation in various areas, with a view to advancing a more balanced and effective global governance architecture and making more BRICS' contribution to world peace and development.

Bloomberg: I have two questions from Bloomberg. The first one is that there have been more media reports on the US telling allies that Russia plans to launch a nuclear weapon into space likely this year. Russia has denied such an intention. We wondered if the Foreign Ministry could share China's position on sending nuclear weapons into space? The second question, according to the Chinese Embassy in the US, China's wildlife agency reached an agreement with the San Diego Zoo in California and also the Madrid Zoo in Spain on a new round of international cooperation on panda conservation. We wondered if China will be sending more pandas to the United States?

Mao Ning: On your first question, China's position on space arms control is consistent and clear. We advocate the peaceful use of space and oppose arms race in space or weaponizing the space.

On your second question, about giant panda international cooperation, this morning, the China Wildlife Conservation Association announced that China will carry out a new round of international cooperation on giant panda conservation. Giant pandas are a national treasure of China and enjoy affection from people across the world. Since the 1990s, China has carried out giant panda conservation cooperation with 26 institutions from 20 countries, which enhanced the capacity for giant panda conservation and research, increased international cooperation on rare and endangered wildlife conversation, and deepened friendship between the people of China and other countries.

We learned that relevant Chinese authorities have signed new agreements with Zoo Madrid of Spain and San Diego Zoo of the US on cooperation on giant panda conservation. There is ongoing consultation with the National Zoo in Washington D.C. and SchAnbrunn Zoo in Austria on new giant panda cooperation.

We hope that the new round of international cooperation on giant panda conservation between China and relevant countries will further enrich scientific research in protecting giant panda and other endangered species, and forge closer bonds between our peoples.

CCTV: It's reported the Pentagon said the US Department of State has approved the potential sale to Taiwan of advanced tactical data link system upgrade planning worth USD 75 million. What's the Foreign Ministry's comment?

Mao Ning: The US arms sales to China's Taiwan region seriously violate the one-China principle and theastipulationsaof the three China-US joint communiquAs, especially the August 17 CommuniquA of 1982. Such sales undermine China's sovereignty and security interests, and harm China-US relations andapeace and stabilityaacross the TaiwanaStrait. China always firmly opposes them. We urge the US to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and theastipulationsaof the three China-US joint communiquAs, stop selling arms to Taiwan and having military contact with Taiwan, and stop creating factors that could cause tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China will take strong and resolute measures to firmly defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

AFP: A Chinese tech security company was able to breach foreign governments, infiltrate social media accounts and hack personal computers, according to a massive data leak analyzed by experts. This company is called Anxun. The company has competed for Chinese government contracts. I have a specific question for you. Can you specifically confirm or deny whether the Chinese government has hired third-party contractors to conduct hacking operations abroad?

Mao Ning: I'm not aware of what you mentioned. As a principle, China firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with the law.

Kyodo News: According to a report by Japanese opposition party Social Democratic Party (SDP), when meeting with SDP Leader Fukushima Mizuho this January, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao said China is considering removing the suspension of all seafood imports from Japan but such removal will not come off now. Can you confirm this consideration?a

Mao Ning: We stand by our position on the ocean discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water.

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Turkey arrests Chinese nationals suspected of surveilling Uyghurs

The arrests signal Beijing's waning influence on Istanbul, experts said.

By Arslan Tash for RFA Uyghur 2024.02.22 -- Authorities in Turkey have arrested six people believed to be spying on members of the Uyghur community in Istanbul for Chinese intelligence, according to media reports.

Members of the Istanbul Anti-Terrorism and Organized Crime Directorate apprehended the six Chinese nationals early on Tuesday, Turkey's Demiroren News Agency said in a report, citing information provided by the National Intelligence Organization of Turkey.

The group is accused of gathering information about Uyghur organizations, their leaders, and public figures, and transmitting it to Chinese intelligence operatives, the report said. Another suspect remains at large.

Turkey is home to about 50,000 Uyghurs according to a 2021 Nikkei Asia report

No further information about the suspects was provided and it was not immediately clear whether the suspects were ethnic Uyghurs.

The arrests will send a warning to the Chinese government to curb its espionage activities, Erkin Ekrem, the vice president of the World Uyghur Congress and a strategy expert, told RFA Uyghur.

"This incident sheds light on China's heightened surveillance of Uyghurs," he said. "Some individuals may be coerced into spying due to threats, while others may engage in such activities for financial gain or other motives."

Ekrem said that Beijing dispatches spies to foreign countries with sizable Uyghur communities and Uyghur organizations, and many of the spies are themselves Uyghurs.

"Given the increasing international acknowledgment of the East Turkistan cause and the mounting pressure on China, I anticipate that China will intensify its espionage efforts to counter criticism of its regime and allegations of genocide," he said, using a name preferred by Uyghurs for their homeland, which China calls Xinjiang.

The arrest is a "positive step," and "sends a message to China," that Turkey is distancing itself from Beijing, Hidayet Oguzhan, president of the International Union of Eastern Turkistan Organizations, told RFA.

"This action serves two main purposes," he said. "First, it protects our cause, people, and organizations from the threat of espionage. Second, we interpret Turkey's direct action against individuals working for China and its coverage in the international media as a sign of Turkey's growing distance from China."

The arrest represents a shift in policy, Oguzhan said.

"It is a significant development for Turkey to take proactive measures in East Turkistan matters, especially marking the first instance of such action in our long history in Turkey, particularly against individuals discovered to be collaborating with China against East Turkistan organizations," he said.

But Oguzhan also said that there are more spies in Turkey beyond the suspects in this case.

"We demand the complete expulsion of Uyghurs ... acting as spies for China from our society, and we urge Turkey to take a firm stance against them," he said.

Abdulreshit Abdulhamit, a representative of the World Uyghur Congress, said that Turkey's decision to arrest the six "suggests that they possess substantive evidence."

But he acknowledged that "it may not be appropriate for us to pass judgment on them" and deferred to Turkey's courts to issue a ruling in the case.

Attempts by RFA to reach both the Istanbul Police Department and the Chinese consulate in Istanbul went unanswered.

Translated by Alim Seytoff. Edited by Eugene Whong.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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China faces high childcare cost as population shrinks, growth slows

A Chinese think tank finds raising a child costs more than in US, Japan.

By Kitty Wang for RFA Mandarin 2024.02.22 -- China is one of the most expensive countries in the world to raise a child, with almost the lowest average desire by women to give birth due to the high cost entailed and the difficulty to balance family and work responsibilities, a Chinese think-tank has found.

The cost of raising a child until he or she turns 18 is equivalent to 6.3 times China's GDP per capita, according to the 2024 childbirth cost report by Yuwa Population Research.This contrasts with 4.11 times in the United States, Japan's 4.26 times, as well as 2.91 times in Sweden.

Such indicators are bad news for the world's second-largest economy facing a shrinking and aging population. Productivity and economic growth are sputtering as well, as Beijing grapples with overcoming structural problems exacerbated by a crisis in the real estate sector - traditionally a major growth driver - and mounting local government debts.

The Chinese government has since 2021 allowed for three children in a major policy shift that began with replacing its controversial one-child policy in 2016 with a two-child limit. The change failed to lead to a sustained upsurge in births.

The report found that raising children led to a reduction in women's paid work hours, mainly before the child was four years old, unlike men, for whom fatherhood brings no change to their working lives.

What's more, women lost a total of 2,106 hours of work caring for children aged 0 to 4 years. Based on an hourly wage of 30 yuan (US$4.17), the reduced income would be about 63,000 yuan.

Having children also means an overall 12-17% drop in women's wages. A mother with a child under six will see her weekly leisure time cut by 12.6 hours, while one with two children will experience a 14-hour reduction.

"Childbearing cost bears the most impact on a family's willingness to have a child," the report stated. At the national level, there is an "urgent need to introduce policies as soon as possible" to reduce the cost of childbearing for families of childbearing age. It recommended nine measures, including cash and tax subsidies, and equal child rearing leave for men and women.

Together, these measures could increase the number of births by about 3 million, the report said.

China recorded a second straight year of population decline in 2023 and the seventh consecutive year in drop of births, with the number of newborns less than half of 2016. During the same period, China's total fertility rate was only about 1.0, one of the lowest in the world.

The report warns that if the current ultra-low fertility rate is not improved, China's population will rapidly decline. By 2050, it will reach 1.17 billion, and 479 million in 2100.

Translated by RFA staff. Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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FM highlights positive signs in EU relations

People's Daily Online

By Zhang Yunbi (Chinadaily.com.cn) 08:55, February 23, 2024

Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who recently concluded his six-day tour of Europe, drew the attention of observers and leading media outlets as he highlighted the positive signs in China-European Union relations and the coordinated efforts needed to resolve the crises in Ukraine and Gaza.

The senior Chinese diplomat traveled to Germany last week to attend the 60th Munich Security Conference, and then made visits to Spain and France.

Revitalizing collaboration between Beijing and Brussels and eliminating noises and disturbances in this regard were high on the agenda when the minister met one-on-one with dozens of foreign officials during his trip, experts said.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after wrapping up his Europe tour, Wang said that "there is increasing rational perception of China in Europe", and Europeans believe that China's development is in line with the logic of history, which Europe should not fear or reject.

"The EU side has a positive attitude toward strengthening China-EU interactions at various levels, and is keen on deepening pragmatic cooperation," he said.

Analysts noted that in recent years, some politicians and media outlets in the United States and Europe have been hyping bloc-based confrontation and Europe's "de-risking" of China.

In contrast, Wang defined Europe as "an important partner in the Chinese path to modernization".

Wang Huiyao, president of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, pointed to recent positive signs in China-EU ties such as the major celebrations hosted by Beijing and Paris to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as China's visa-free policy introduced recently for some EU countries.

China and the EU have great collaboration potential in areas such as climate change, energy projects, conflicts resolution and economic development, he said.

Cui Hongjian, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University's Academy of Regional and Global Governance, said that despite their differences, "China and Europe can be a constructive force for stabilizing the world".

According to Cui, China and Europe share similar positions on many aspects of global governance. "There is no reason for China and Europe to give up their established fruitful cooperation and shift to the path of competition and confrontation," he said.

Speaking on the Ukraine crisis and the conflict in Gaza, Wang Yi said that although the situation is still unclear and the contradictions among parties are still prominent, "the consensus among various parties is increasing, and the willingness to work together is on the rise".

He warned that "a protracted, complex and expanding Ukraine crisis is not in the common interest of the international community". Citing history, he said that "the end point of any conflict is returning to the negotiating table".

"China will continue to play a constructive role for peace and reconstruction, and support the building of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture," he said.

During his talks with Foreign Minister Wang on Saturday in Munich, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine is willing to maintain friendly contacts with China, and hopes that China will continue to play a unique and constructive role in promoting peace.

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Abduction Issue May Preclude Resumption of Japan-North Korea Talks

By Christy Lee February 22, 2024

For a possible summit between Pyongyang and Tokyo to be successful, it would have to address the issues of abduction and North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs, said analysts.

Although Pyongyang refuses to engage in talks with Washington and Seoul, it is showing a rare openness to talks with Japan, which has been working closely with South Korea in a tripartite pact with the U.S.

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said Pyongyang is open to improving relations with Tokyo and dangled a prospect for a possible summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. But she said there are caveats.

She continued in a statement released through North Korea's state-run KCNA on February 15 that Japan would have to put aside the abduction issue that Pyongyang views as "settled" and its nuclear and missile programs that have "nothing to do" with mending ties.

"Declaring the abduction issue resolved is a nonstarter for Japan," said Nick Szechenyi, a senior fellow and Japan chair and deputy director for Asia at the Center for Security and International Studies (CSIS), on Wednesday.

"There is a solid rationale for Japan-North Korea diplomacy" as "China is missing in action on the North Korea challenge and Kim Jong Un is ignoring South Korea and the United States," he told VOA via email.

"Japan is the only player with a chance to engage, but Kim would have to address the abduction issue as well as his ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs," Szechenyi added.

For Tokyo, the abduction issue remains unresolved, and it has long sought to repatriate Japanese abductees it believes to be remaining in North Korea. Japan identified 17 of its citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

Among them, North Korea sent five people back to Japan after then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, met in Pyongyang in 2002 and announced a joint declaration to normalize relations.

North Korea claims eight of the remaining 12 died and has said that four people listed by Japan were never abducted.

'Integral part'

Shihoko Goto, Asia program director at the Wilson Center, said, "For Tokyo, the abduction issue must be an integral part of any discussion with Pyongyang."

She continued via email on Wednesday, "A meeting would also include addressing denuclearization and North Korea's ambitions."

Kim Yo Jong did not mention in her statement last week what Pyongyang seeks from Tokyo, other than to highlight the importance of mending their ties.

At a press briefing on February 16, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan's chief Cabinet secretary who also serves as the minister in charge of the abduction issue, said Kim Yo Jong's remarks on the abduction issue as settled was "totally unacceptable," according to Japanese press reports.

But Hayashi said in a statement he would welcome Kishida's possible visit to Pyongyang, the report continued.

Kishida underlined the urgency for building top-level consultations with North Korea, with a goal of having a summit with Kim, when he spoke to parliament on January 30.

"The abduction issue is one of the highest-priority issues for my administration" and "nuclear and missile development by North Korea is totally unacceptable," said Kishida as he stressed "realizing summit-level talks" with Kim.

James Przystup, senior fellow and Japan chair at the Hudson Institute, said, "For Kishida to agree to a summit without demonstrating progress on resolving the abductee issue would be a diplomatic and political disaster for him and Japan," and "the U.S. will support his efforts."

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council told VOA's Korean Service on February 16 that the U.S. supports Japan's outreach to North Korea and its trilateral cooperation with Tokyo and Seoul remains "strong."

Przystup continued via email on Wednesday, "From a U.S., ROK and Japan perspective, denuclearization should be on any summit agenda, but I can't see North Korea agreeing to take that issue up. Pyongyang has made very clear repeatedly that the nuclear and missile programs will continue." Republic of Korea (ROK) is the official English name for South Korea.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing on Tuesday that "full denuclearization" is the U.S. policy goal for North Korea.

Szechenyi at CSIS said, "It is hard to imagine Kim Jong Un uttering the term 'denuclearization' at this point, but that is still the objective."

He continued, "At the very least, North Korea would have to consider halting the current cycle of provocations for the dialogue to be meaningful."

Andrew Yeo, the SK-Korea Foundation Chair in Korea Studies at Brookings Institution, said via email on Wednesday, "At this stage, a Kishida-Kim summit seems unlikely, although Japan may be exploring its options."

He continued via email on Wednesday, "It'll be important for the Kishida government to consult with counterparts in Seoul and Washington to ensure that North Korea doesn't try to divide allies."

Jiha Ham and Sangjin Cho contributed to this report.

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In this photo taken from video released by the Russian Defence Ministry Press Service on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, a Su-25 warplane is seen from the cockpit of another such aircraft as they fire rockets on a mission over Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via Associated Press - image credit)

As the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine arrives, the Russian Army is showing a remarkable capacity to take extraordinary punishment and regenerate itself at a pace western military leaders and experts had not anticipated.

Only nine months ago, American intelligence officials were telling the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee that it would take a decade  or more  for Moscow to recover from the staggering losses inflicted by Ukrainian defenders. The German Council on Foreign Relations refined that estimate last fall, warning that the window would be more like five to eight years.

"They are sparing no effort in their reconstitution," Gen. Christopher Cavoli, NATO's supreme allied commander, said last month after a meeting of the alliance's chiefs of defence staff.

"They are devoting an enormous fraction of their budget to the military over the coming years, next year specifically, and they are running their defence industrial base just as fast as they can right now."

Other top military commanders also acknowledge the shift but qualify their assessment by saying that while Moscow is churning out quantity, it may not be achieving quality.

"The number of [Russian] forces that have been going into Ukraine has increased over the last two and a half years, but qualitatively it is going down in terms of the land domain  and that is both in their capabilities and in the personnel capabilities," said Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, the chair of NATO's military council.

"It has more people, but it's less trained than when they started the war in the land domain. They lost a lot of tanks, a lot of armoured vehicles, they've lost airplanes, they lost helicopters ... a lot of equipment."

Last week, a senior U.S. Pentagon official estimated that as many as 315,000 Russian soldiers have died or been wounded since the full invasion on Feb. 24, 2022  essentially the entire army with which Russia started the war.

Story continues

A destroyed Russian T-72 tank is photographed near Pokrovy Presvyatoyi Bohorodytsi Church, in the city of Svyatohirs'k, Donetsk region on March 1, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A destroyed Russian T-72 tank near Pokrovy Presvyatoyi Bohorodytsi Church in the city of Svyatohirs'k, Donetsk region, on March 1, 2023. (Ihor Tkachov/AFP/Getty Images)

The Kremlin has had to dig deep into its inventory to carry out its renewal.

"They're rebuilding, but most of the time it's older types [of armoured vehicles] they're rebuilding, or they're taking types out of capabilities or equipment out of stock, which is most of the time also older equipment," Bauer said.

That's likely cold comfort to the Ukrainians who were forced to withdraw from the strategic eastern town of Avdiivka last weekend after months of holding off Russian human wave attacks  attacks which, according to international media reports, have left the surrounding streets and fields littered with corpses.

The Kremlin's strategy is clear: use the country's enormous manpower advantage and deep well of Cold War military hardware to grind down the Ukrainians.

The quality of quantity

"They are most obviously going to reconstitute but it is hampered by the sanctions," Bauer said. "It is hampered by money issues and it is just hampered by their ability to produce enough, especially the more modern equipment.

"But they're doing actually rather well in terms of their artillery production and their older tanks. So I think that is, of course, a concern, because in the end, sometimes quantity becomes a quality in itself."

The London-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) last week produced a study that provides the most comprehensive snapshot of where the Russian military has come from and where it's likely headed in the coming years.

A man walks past a Russian armed forces recruitment ad in the centre of Moscow, Russia on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.

A man walks past a Russian armed forces recruitment ad in the centre of Moscow, Russia on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/Associated Press)

"The Russian military began 2023 with a highly disorganized force in Ukraine comprising approximately 360,000 troops," military experts Jack Watling and Nick Reynolds wrote in the study, released on Feb. 13.

"By the beginning of the Ukrainian offensive in June 2023, this had risen to 410,000 troops and was becoming more organized. Over the summer of 2023, Russia established training regiments along the border and in the occupied territories and  following the mutiny of Wagner forces  endeavoured to standardize its units, breaking down the previous trend toward private armies.

"By the beginning of 2024, the Russian Operational Group of Forces in the occupied territories comprised 470,000 troops."

Smaller attacks, steady losses

The RUSI report said that with no large-scale offensives underway, Russian units are conducting smaller tactical attacks that "at minimum inflict steady losses on Ukraine and allow Russian forces to seize and hold positions."

Russia's ministry of defence has said it wants to expand the military to 1.5 million personnel, a plan that has not been realized. RUSI's report says "recruiters are currently achieving almost 85 per cent of their assigned targets for contracting troops to fight in Ukraine. The Kremlin therefore believes that it can sustain the current rate of attrition through 2025."

In a separate analysis released recently, Franz-Stefan Gady of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said that Russia has several material advantages, notably in artillery.

"Russia will also continue regenerating combat power, recruiting more than 10,000 troops per month," Gady said.

Police officers look at collected fragments of the Russian rockets, including cluster rounds, that hit Kharkiv in Kharkiv, Ukraine on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview published Sunday that Russia had a sufficient stockpile of cluster munitions, warning that Russia reserves the right to take reciprocal action if Ukraine uses the controversial weapons.

Police officers look at collected fragments of the Russian rockets, including cluster rounds, that hit Kharkiv in Kharkiv, Ukraine on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview published Sunday that Russia had a sufficient stockpile of cluster munitions, warning that Russia reserves the right to take reciprocal action if Ukraine uses the controversial weapons. (AP)

Moscow recently announced it intends to spend six per cent of its gross domestic product on defence, a significant increase over 2023.

"Its apparent intent is to overwhelm Ukraine through defence-industrial mobilization and sustained regeneration of combat forces," Gady said.

But other experts note that Russia is getting significant outside help from its allies.

"As I look at Russian efforts over the past several months, there is a significant effort to reinvigorate the defence industrial base for a protracted war," said Seth Jones of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

"I think it's reasonable now to expect that Russians now have stockpiles that they would be able to fight for at least another year or two."

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with China's President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 20, 2023. (Photo by Sergei KARPUKHIN / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI KARPUKHIN/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with China's President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 20, 2023. (Sergei Karpukhin/Sputnik/AFP/Getty Images)

Jones also pointed to declassified U.S. intelligence assessments that indicate China has ramped up military aid to both the Russian military and its intelligence services. China has supplied components for navigation equipment in M-17 military helicopters, jamming technology for military vehicles, parts for fighter jets and components for defence systems like the S-400 Surface-to-Air Missile System.

Iran has supported Moscow with Shahed 136s and the Mojaher 6 drones and plans to build a drone factory near the Russian town of Yelabuga. North Korea has provided artillery shells and munitions for Moscow's war in Ukraine.

"So I certainly think along those lines the Russians have the ability to continue to fight for quite some time," said Jones.

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said that wider support for the Kremlin's war is alarming.

"Everybody else is investing  including the United States  in our future, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is investing in death and destruction," Nuland said Thursday during an online forum hosted by CSIS.

"We should all be horrified that he is now getting drones made for him, not only in Iran but by Iranians in Russia, that he's cut some deal with [Kim Jong Un] in [North Korea]. And who knows what kind of technology Russia is trading to get 155 [millimetre artillery] ammunition that it's using on the battlefield. So this is massively destabilizing."

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, toast at a banquet hall of the ruling Workers' Party's headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Shoigu visited Pyongyang in what the U.S. saw as part of Moscow's efforts to negotiate for supplies of North Korean munitions.

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, toast at a banquet hall of the ruling Workers' Party's headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Shoigu visited Pyongyang in what the U.S. saw as part of Moscow's efforts to negotiate for supplies of North Korean munitions. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Maria Snegovaya, a postdoctoral fellow at Washington's Georgetown University and a resident expert at CSIS, said there are a few signs of war fatigue in Russia, with a recent poll showing 50 per cent in favour of a negotiated peace.

At the same time, Boris Nadezhdin, a politician who wanted to run against Putin, has campaigned for an end to the war. He collected more than 20,000 signatures to run in the upcoming presidential election, but he wasn't allowed into the race.

Multiple experts say Ukraine's best strategy, for the time being, is to dig in and create the kind of defensive positions that the Russians have created on their side of the line  the fortifications and anti-tank ditches that helped blunt Ukraine's counteroffensive in the east and south last summer.

At the moment, RUSI estimates Russia has approximately 4,780 artillery pieces, 1,130 rocket-launcher artillery systems, 2,060 tanks of various designs and 7,080 other armoured fighting vehicles. It is also supported by 290 helicopters, of which 110 are attack helicopters, and 310 fixed-wing fighter-bombers.

It's an army that will only continue growing, the British think-tank said.

"Russia is delivering approximately 1,500 tanks to its forces per year, along with approximately 3,000 armoured fighting vehicles of various types," the RUSI report said.

"Russian missile production has similarly increased."
February 21, 2024

Release

INDUS-X Summit Convenes in New Delhi, India

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) participated in the second India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit today in New Delhi, India.

Speakers at the INDUS-X Summit explored opportunities to co-produce advanced military capabilities, create resilient defense supply chains, and enhance U.S.-India military interoperability in support of both countries' shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Panel participants expanded on several themes inspired by the original INDUS-X collaboration agenda: deepening defense industrial partnerships, increasing collaborative research and testing facility access, mobilizing private capital to support critical defense technologies, and commercializing dual-use technologies. The governments also led a hybrid information session on export controls for U.S. and Indian defense start-ups that aim to form partnerships and co-develop technology.

The summit included announcements on priority efforts under INDUS-X including joint challenges. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) announced the winners of the first two INDUS-X joint challenges, in which companies compete to develop technologies that solve military problems for the DoD and MoD. Following a competitive process supported by military service partners and both governments, ten U.S. and Indian companies won over $1 million to develop technologies related to undersea communications and maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). At the Summit, DIU and iDEX also announced that they will open applications for two joint challenges focused on space-based ISR in the coming months.

At the Summit, U.S. companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations announced a new consortium committed to expanding testing facility access. The consortium will explore pathways for defense and dual-use companies in the INDUS-X network to test, refine, and integrate their technologies at premier testing ranges across the U.S. and India.

The Summit featured a meeting of two advisory bodies under INDUS-X. First, U.S. and Indian officials convened for the second meeting of the bilateral Senior Advisory Group, which guides future cooperation under the initiative. Second, the U.S. Institute of Peace moderated the inaugural meeting of the INDUS-X Senior Leaders Forum, comprised of U.S. and Indian leaders across industry, private equity, academia, and other sectors who convene to share feedback that informs the trajectory of INDUS-X.

The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) and the Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM) organized the Summit, which convened U.S. and Indian defense companies, investors, researchers, and government officials.

The Department and Ministry launched the bilateral initiative INDUS-X in June 2023 to spur defense innovation in critical technologies by facilitating partnerships among U.S. and Indian companies, investors, and universities. INDUS-X is the innovation bridge envisioned by the U.S. and Indian national security advisors under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

The DoD and MoD have released an INDUS-X Fact Sheet to outline both the initiative's progress to date and priority near-term efforts.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3682969/

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February 21, 2024

Release

Fact Sheet: India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)

In June 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) launched the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), guided by a bilateral collaboration agenda. INDUS-X has continued to advance the commitment by the U.S. and Indian national security advisors to build a defense innovation bridge between the two countries under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). INDUS-X facilitates partnerships among U.S. and Indian defense companies of all sizes, incubators and accelerators, investors, and universities with the support of the U.S. and Indian governments.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Since June 2023, U.S. and Indian government officials, defense companies, investors, accelerators and universities have collaborated through INDUS-X to accelerate defense technology innovation in the United States and India. Primary achievements under INDUS-X to date include the following efforts:

Joint Challenges. The U.S. DoD's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Indian MoD's Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) coordinated to design, launch, and select winners for the first round of INDUS-X joint challenges, in which companies competed to identify commercial technology solutions that address warfighter challenges. HydroNet, OceanComm, PierSight, Pixxel, and Sea-Gal Technologies collectively won $300,000 to develop technologies on maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and undersea communications. AlKairos, Airbotix Technology, Prof. D. Saha and Prof. S. Ganguly, SAR Space, and Zeus Numerix will collectively receive $900,000 for the same challenge topic.

The U.S. DoD's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Indian MoD's Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) coordinated to design, launch, and select winners for the first round of INDUS-X joint challenges, in which companies competed to identify commercial technology solutions that address warfighter challenges. HydroNet, OceanComm, PierSight, Pixxel, and Sea-Gal Technologies collectively won $300,000 to develop technologies on maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and undersea communications. AlKairos, Airbotix Technology, Prof. D. Saha and Prof. S. Ganguly, SAR Space, and Zeus Numerix will collectively receive $900,000 for the same challenge topic. Education Series. During the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in November 2023, the U.S. Secretary of Defense and Indian Minister of Defense announced the INDUS-X Gurukul, or Education Series, a hybrid information series for U.S. and Indian defense start-ups. In the series, experts convene with defense companies to discuss a range of topics that include harnessing private capital, navigating export controls, and building industrial partnerships. The Gurukul Series was launched by DIU's National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) and iDEX on February 9 with an inaugural virtual session on sourcing private capital. A hybrid session on technology export control policies and regulations followed at the February 2024 INDUS-X Summit in New Delhi.

During the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in November 2023, the U.S. Secretary of Defense and Indian Minister of Defense announced the INDUS-X Gurukul, or Education Series, a hybrid information series for U.S. and Indian defense start-ups. In the series, experts convene with defense companies to discuss a range of topics that include harnessing private capital, navigating export controls, and building industrial partnerships. The Gurukul Series was launched by DIU's National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) and iDEX on February 9 with an inaugural virtual session on sourcing private capital. A hybrid session on technology export control policies and regulations followed at the February 2024 INDUS-X Summit in New Delhi. Industry and Academia Workshops. FedTech, as well as IIT Hyderabad in partnership with Hacking4Allies, organized workshops for over 120 defense start-ups on best practices for navigating the U.S. and Indian defense establishments. U.S. and Indian universities also hosted three academic workshops to exchange best practices on technology transfer and licensing, the role of the government as a customer, and advancing research in emerging defense technology domains, including space.

FedTech, as well as IIT Hyderabad in partnership with Hacking4Allies, organized workshops for over 120 defense start-ups on best practices for navigating the U.S. and Indian defense establishments. U.S. and Indian universities also hosted three academic workshops to exchange best practices on technology transfer and licensing, the role of the government as a customer, and advancing research in emerging defense technology domains, including space. Investor Strategy Session. The U.S. India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), in collaboration with the IndUS Tech Council, hosted an investor strategy session in New Delhi in November 2023 to harness joint innovation funding for U.S. and Indian companies that produce critical defense technologies. Both governments welcome ongoing efforts by investors to identify funding from trusted capital sources and to support defense and dual-use companies in technology categories for the capabilities identified in the U.S.-India Roadmap for Defense Industrial Cooperation.

THE WAY FORWARD

At the 2024 INDUS-X Summit, U.S. and Indian government officials, researchers, investors, technology incubators and accelerators, start-up leaders, and defense executives convened to discuss next steps for INDUS-X. INDUS-X will continue to expand opportunities for defense innovation, including through the following initiatives:

Joint Challenges. At the February 2024 INDUS-X Summit, DIU and iDEX announced that they will open applications for two joint challenges focused on space-based ISR in the coming months.

At the February 2024 INDUS-X Summit, DIU and iDEX announced that they will open applications for two joint challenges focused on space-based ISR in the coming months. Academic Partnerships. Penn State University and the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM Foundation), an educational non-profit, are developing workshops under INDUS-X to strengthen technology transfer from academia to start-ups. The Indian Space Association (ISpA); Indian Institute of Science (IISc); Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur; and Penn State University hosted virtual workshops on building academia-industry partnerships and developing solutions for space situational awareness and the transfer of technology.

Penn State University and the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM Foundation), an educational non-profit, are developing workshops under INDUS-X to strengthen technology transfer from academia to start-ups. The Indian Space Association (ISpA); Indian Institute of Science (IISc); Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur; and Penn State University hosted virtual workshops on building academia-industry partnerships and developing solutions for space situational awareness and the transfer of technology. Testing Range Access. A consortium of industry, academia, and nonprofit organizations across the United States and India will explore pathways to help companies access their premier testing facilities, creating new opportunities for researchers to collaborate and for companies to demo their technology together. The following organizations announced the INDUSWERX consortium to expand testing facility access for defense and dual-use companies: FATHOMWERX, Penn State University, North Carolina State University, The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), University of Texas at Austin, University of Maryland, Skydio, Liquid Robotics (a Boeing Company), Albers Aerospace, the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) led by Roorkee, IISc Bengaluru, Astrome Technologies, Space Pixxel, and Thermaissance.

A consortium of industry, academia, and nonprofit organizations across the United States and India will explore pathways to help companies access their premier testing facilities, creating new opportunities for researchers to collaborate and for companies to demo their technology together. The following organizations announced the INDUSWERX consortium to expand testing facility access for defense and dual-use companies: FATHOMWERX, Penn State University, North Carolina State University, The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), University of Texas at Austin, University of Maryland, Skydio, Liquid Robotics (a Boeing Company), Albers Aerospace, the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) led by Roorkee, IISc Bengaluru, Astrome Technologies, Space Pixxel, and Thermaissance. Industrial Partnerships. U.S.-India industrial partnerships provide advanced defense capabilities and reinforce defense supply chains. Skydio, a U.S.-based manufacturer of A.I.-enabled unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), announced a new partnership with Aeroarc, an Indian-based UAS manufacturer. Through this partnership, Skydio and Aeroarc will strengthen defense capabilities, expand artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration between the U.S and India, and support demand from global customers. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., a U.S.-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer, announced two partnerships to support U.S.-India industrial collaboration on India's future MQ-9B UAV program. General Atomics will leverage expertise from 114ai, an Indian technology company, to jointly develop software and artificial intelligence models to process ISR data more effectively. General Atomics is also partnering with Bharat Forge, and Indian engineering company, to manufacture MQ-9 components and assemblies in India for use on all MQ-9B aircraft worldwide. Liquid Robotics, a Boeing Company, highlighted their collaboration with Indian partners to develop capabilities of the Wave Glider Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) to enhance maritime security through maritime domain awareness.

U.S.-India industrial partnerships provide advanced defense capabilities and reinforce defense supply chains. Skydio, a U.S.-based manufacturer of A.I.-enabled unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), announced a new partnership with Aeroarc, an Indian-based UAS manufacturer. Through this partnership, Skydio and Aeroarc will strengthen defense capabilities, expand artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration between the U.S and India, and support demand from global customers. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., a U.S.-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer, announced two partnerships to support U.S.-India industrial collaboration on India's future MQ-9B UAV program. General Atomics will leverage expertise from 114ai, an Indian technology company, to jointly develop software and artificial intelligence models to process ISR data more effectively. General Atomics is also partnering with Bharat Forge, and Indian engineering company, to manufacture MQ-9 components and assemblies in India for use on all MQ-9B aircraft worldwide. Liquid Robotics, a Boeing Company, highlighted their collaboration with Indian partners to develop capabilities of the Wave Glider Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) to enhance maritime security through maritime domain awareness. Advisory Forums. To actively engage stakeholders on new initiatives and further progress on current activities, MoD and DoD will engage senior leaders from the private sector and academia through the INDUS-X Senior Leaders Forum (SLF). The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) held the first SLF at the 2024 INDUS-X Summit to identify pathways for advancing industrial partnerships. The DoD and MoD established a Senior Advisory Group (SAG) to guide the governments' efforts to advance INDUS-X. The SAG supports all INDUS-X initiatives, including the joint challenges, the Gurukul Education Series, accelerator workshops, and investor engagement events.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3682879/

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Deputy Secretary Verma's Meetings with the Government of India in New Delhi, India

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

February 22, 2024

The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

From February 19 to 21, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma met with senior Indian officials in New Delhi to advance the U.S.-Indian global strategic partnership. His meetings with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Defense Secretary Giridhar Aramane, and Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri explored opportunities to strengthen U.S.-India cooperation and people-to-people ties to ensure a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The Deputy Secretary also met with Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to discuss further expanding trade and economic ties between the United States and India. The Deputy Secretary and Indian officials further emphasized the benefits of close partnership on addressing global security challenges.

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United States Charges Four Mariners from Arabian Sea Vessel Transporting Suspected Iranian-Made Advanced Conventional Weapons

Thursday, February 22, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Four Foreign Nationals Aboard Vessel Charged by Criminal Complaint in Eastern District of Virginia, 10 Others Detained as Material Witnesses

A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging four foreign nationals after U.S. naval forces interdicted a vessel in the Arabian Sea that was transporting suspected Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry.

Two Navy SEALs lost their lives during the interdiction.

"The Justice Department extends our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the two Navy SEALs who lost their lives on January 11th while conducting an operation in the Arabian Sea," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "The charges resulting from that interdiction make clear that the Justice Department will use every legal authority to hold accountable those who facilitate the flow of weapons from Iran to Houthi rebel forces, Hamas, and other groups that endanger the security of the United States and our allies."

"The flow of missiles and other advanced weaponry from Iran to Houthi rebel forces in Yemen threatens the people and interests of America and our partners in the region," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. "Two Navy SEALs tragically lost their lives in the operation that thwarted the defendants charged today from allegedly smuggling Iranian-made weapons that the Houthis could have used to target American forces and threaten freedom of navigation and a vital artery for commerce. Alongside our partners around the world, the Justice Department will continue to deploy every available tool to combat this grave threat."

"The FBI will aggressively investigate and disrupt the Iranian Government's attempts to provide Houthi rebels with missile components that are intended for use against U.S. military ships, merchant vessels, and Israel," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "The defendants in this case allegedly transported suspected Iranian-made missile components for the type of weaponry used by the Houthi rebels in recent attacks. The FBI is committed to using its global partnerships to stop the illegal flow of weaponry that endangers U.S. national security."

"As charged, Mr. Pahlawan attempted to smuggle advanced missile components, including a warhead, to Houthi rebels for use against cargo ships and U.S. vessels sailing across the Horn of Africa," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The Justice Department, together with U.S. agency partners, is working tirelessly to deny malign actors the means to threaten international shipping and imperil the lives of our men and women in uniform."

"The complaint alleges that the defendants were transporting weapons consistent with those used by Houthi rebel forces and then lied to the U.S. Coast Guard during the boarding of the vessel," said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. "I want to thank the career prosecutors and our law enforcement partners for ensuring that the defendants now will face justice in an American court."

"Today's complaint sends a message that acting as a proxy for the IRGC in an effort to bring harm to U.S. persons overseas will not be tolerated by the U.S. Government," said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. "Transporting explosive materials intended to be used to threaten and cause harm is yet another example of the IRGC's disruptive and hostile actions. The FBI and our U.S. Government partners will continue to disrupt efforts by hostile foreign governments seeking to intimidate and cause harm through violence."

According to court records, on the night of Jan. 11, U.S. Central Command Navy forces operating from the USS LEWIS B. PULLER, including Navy SEALs and members of the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team East, boarded an unflagged dhow, a small vessel, in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia. The U.S. boarding team encountered 14 individual mariners on the vessel.

During a search of the dhow, the U.S. boarding team allegedly located and seized what is believed to be Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry. According to court records, preliminary analysis of the advanced conventional weaponry indicates that it includes critical components for medium range ballistic missiles (MRBM) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), to include a warhead and propulsion and guidance components. The type of weaponry found aboard the dhow is allegedly consistent with the weaponry used by the Houthi rebel forces in recent attacks on merchant ships and U.S. military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

According to court records, the Navy brought the fourteen mariners aboard the USS LEWIS B. PULLER after determining the dhow was unsafe and unseaworthy. On Feb. 11, the United States obtained arrest warrants for four of the mariners who were aboard the dhow a specifically, defendants Muhammad Pahlawan, Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah, and Izhar Muhammad. Pakistani identification cards allegedly were found on the dhow for each of the four defendants. The United States also obtained ten material witness warrants for the remaining individuals aboard the vessel.

The defendants and material witnesses were transferred from the USS LEWIS B. PULLER to the Eastern District of Virginia. The four defendants and eight of the 10 material witnesses made their initial appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Richmond today.

Defendant Muhammad Pahlawan is charged with: (1) intentionally and unlawfully transporting on board the dhow a warhead, knowing the warhead would be used by the Houthi rebel forces against commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters; and (2) providing materially false information to U.S. Coast Guard officers during the boarding of the dhow regarding the vessel's crew and cargo. Co-defendants Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah, and Izhar Muhammad were also charged with providing materially false information to U.S. Coast Guard officers during the boarding of the dhow regarding the vessel's crew and/or cargo.

Pahlawan faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted of unlawfully transporting a warhead, and all four defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted of the false statements offense. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division, Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office, and U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

The FBI Washington Field Office and Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the case, with significant assistance provided by the Department of Defense, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Navy, Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, Department of State, and Department of Homeland Security, including the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Troy A. Edwards Jr., John T. Gibbs, and Gavin R. Tisdale for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Lesley Woods of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Pahlawan complaint

Topics: Counterterrorism

National Security

Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Virginia, Eastern

Press Release Number: 24-206

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Ayatollah Khamenei: Islamic world will see eradication of cancerous Zionist tumor

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 22, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has predicted that the Islamic world will witness the annihilation of the cancerous tumor of Zionism.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with a number of attendees of the 40th edition of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) International Holy Quran Competition at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah in Tehran on Thursday morning.

Addressing the meeting, the Supreme Leader underlined that the Gaza Strip is the big issue of the Islamic world today, urging heads of Muslim nations to announce the halt of support for the Zionist regime.

God Almighty would ask those Muslim nations who had not put pressure on their governments to stop support for the Israeli regime, he said, referring to the verses of the Holy Quran.

The Islamic world is definitely mourning for the Palestinians in Gaza, he said, adding that non-Muslim freedom-loving nations around the world are also mourners for the oppressed people in Gaza.

Resistance fighters of Palestine and especially Gaza are obeying the Quran's directives when they fight the villain Zionist enemy; so, by the grace of God, the Palestinian nation will win in this fight, he noted.

Pointing to the importance of the Holy Quran, the Supreme Leader argued that the Quran is a panacea for all human sufferings, including spiritual problems as well as human-related challenges such as war, injustice, and oppression.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili also spoke at the event, while some competitors received awards.

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US concerned about Iran's nuclear program: State dept.

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 22, 2024

New York, IRNA -- The United States issued yet another anti-Iran rhetoric Wednesday, claiming that Tehran is not fully cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and that Washington remains concerned about Iran's nuclear program and uranium enrichment.

The US State Department spokesman was responding to a question about the meeting between Abram Paley, the Deputy US Special Representative for Iran Affairs and Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief in Vienna, according to IRNA correspondent.

"Paley met Grossi and expressed Washington's appreciation for the International Atomic Energy Agency's efforts to communicate with Iran regarding its safeguards obligations", Mathew Millar said in the briefing.

Miller accused Tehran of "very little cooperation with the agency" and expressed concern over "Iran's expansion of its nuclear program in a way that has no civilian purpose", without giving any evidence.

The US statement followed Grossi's claims that Iran continues to enrich uranium beyond the level stipulated under the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark accord that remained dysfunctional following the unilateral US withdrawal and non-compliance by European signatories.

On the first day of the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018, Iran reduced its commitments to the international deal based on Articles 26 and 36.

Meanwhile, Grossi is planning to visit Iran in April or May, the Head of the Atomic Agency Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami announced on Wednesday.

Eslami said Grossi's visit will take place on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the AEOI and it will also focus on the removal of misunderstandings and the expansion of cooperation.

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Record number of candidates begin election campaign in Iran

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 2:37 PM

Candidates running for seats in Iran's legislature for a four-year term have launched their election campaigns, one week ahead of polls.

Voters are due to cast their ballots on March 1 to pick new members of Iran's parliament, as well as the Assembly of Experts. The new parliament will convene in late May.

Some 15,200 candidates have been approved by jurists in charge of the vetting process to compete for the legislature's 290 seats, a record figure since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

According to Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, the ground has been prepared for a real competition among groups with different tastes and political inclinations.

He said candidates and their supporters should observe the legal frameworks of the elections, calling on them to conduct campaigning with full discipline and refrain from debasing other candidates.

Journalist Maziar Khosravi said most of the candidates, particularly in small constituencies, are doctors, engineers, civil servants, and teachers who are not affiliated with any political group.

On Wednesday, the Guardian Council sent the names of the qualified candidates to the interior ministry, which holds the election.

The candidates include 1,713 women, which is more than double the 819 who competed in 2020. In the Tehran constituency, 3,545 candidates are competing for seats.

Current parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf will run for election from his hometown, a constituency in the remote northeast, after winning a seat in the capital Tehran four years ago.

In a simultaneous election, 144 clerics will compete for the 88-seat Assembly of Experts that functions as an advisory body to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. Their term of service is eight years.

Under Iran's constitution, the assembly monitors the country's leader and chooses his successor.

Incumbent assembly member President Ebrahim Raeisi will seek re-election to the assembly in a constituency in South Khorasan province.

The last parliamentary elections were held in 2020 on the backdrop of public anger over the US assassination of anti-terror icon Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday everyone should participate in the elections.

"It is important to choose the best person, but the priority is for people to participate," he said.

The Leader said political differences should not affect the national unity of the Iranian nation against the enemies.

"Elections are the main pillar of the Islamic Republic. The way to reform the country is elections."

By participating in the elections, the Iranian people "turn all kinds of conspiracies, seditions and terrorist acts of the enemies into security", Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib said on Thursday.

"Their participation in the elections produces sustainable deterrence. Our dear people know that participation in the elections creates security," he said.

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Iran's Clerical Rulers Face 'Legitimacy Crisis' Ahead Of Elections

By Kian Sharifi February 22, 2024

For decades, Iran's clerical establishment has used voter turnout in elections as proof of its legitimacy, especially to the outside world.

But with anti-establishment sentiment among the public rising and unprecedented protests erupting against the authorities in recent years, the legitimacy of Iran's rulers has been severely undermined.

That has coincided with record-low turnouts in recent presidential and parliamentary elections. Now, as Iranians prepare to go to the polls on March 1, the authorities have been urging the public to vote amid fears of another poor turnout.

Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the clerical establishment is "facing a legitimacy crisis," adding that the authorities "can't hide it anymore without stuffing the ballots."

Given the widening gulf between the ruling clerics and Iran's young population as well as ongoing state repression and economic mismanagement, the authorities "cannot be surprised" by a record-low turnout next week, said Vakil.

Iranians will cast their ballots for parliamentary elections as well as vote for the Assembly of Experts, which picks and nominally oversees the work of the country's supreme leader.

Ali Vaez, the director of Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, argues that "the regime has reached a stage where it has given up on the majority of the Iranian people, who for their part have given up on the regime."

"The leadership only cares about one thing: a smooth succession of the supreme leader even if that comes at the cost of the system's legitimacy," he added.

Purging The System

Even as the authorities have pleaded with the public to vote in the upcoming elections, they have also severely limited the playing field, disqualifying many reformist and moderate candidates.

That trend started in 2021, when the ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi, a close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was elected as president. Since then, Iran's hard-liners have dominated all three branches of the government: the presidency, parliament, and judiciary.

"There has clearly been a gradual shift under way to purge the system of critics as part of the slow-motion political transition we are watching," said Vakil.

This is particularly evident in the elections for the Assembly of Experts, whose 88 members are elected on eight-year terms. Media reports suggest 105 out of the 144 candidates are backed by hard-liners, while 39 are running as independents.

Former President Hassan Rohani, a moderate, was disqualified from running in the Assembly of Experts vote.

The main task of the assembly is to appoint the next supreme leader. Given Khamenei is 84, it is likely the next assembly will pick his successor.

"The system clearly doesn't want to leave anything to chance," said Vaez, although he added Khamenei's successor will likely be chosen "by the deep state" comprising Khamenei's office and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the elite branch of Iran's armed forces.

"The Assembly of Experts will just rubber-stamp that decision," said Vaez.

'Dismal Turnout'

The mass disqualification of moderate and reformist candidates ahead of the 2020 parliamentary elections and the 2021 presidential vote contributed to the poor turnouts, experts said.

But that was before the unprecedented unrest that engulfed Iran in 2022 during monthslong anti-establishment protests.

The demonstrations were triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was arrested for allegedly wearing her mandatory hijab improperly.

The nationwide protests began as a rebuke against the brutal enforcement of the hijab, a key pillar of the Islamic republic. But they soon snowballed into one of the most sustained demonstrations against Iran's theocracy, with some protesters calling for an end to clerical rule and demanding their social and political freedoms.

At least 500 protesters were killed and thousands were detained in the state's brutal crackdown on the protests. Nine protesters have so far been executed for their role in the rallies following trials described as unfair by rights groups.

Observers said the protests will likely have a significant influence on turnout in the upcoming elections.

"It defies logic for an unfree and unfair election that comes on the heels of a brutal suppression of dissent to witness a higher participation rate than the dismal turnout of the last parliamentary elections," Vaez said.

Even if moderates and reformists were allowed to run in this year's elections, it would not make a difference because "that is not the core issue for most Iranians anymore," said Holly Dagres, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

"It won't make much of a difference in the outcome of the election because reformists in the past have been unable to deliver on their promises," she said. "Many Iranians see them as an extension of the problem: the Islamic republic, which they are since they are part of the system."

But that has not stopped the authorities from calling on the public to vote.

"We must all take part in the elections.... The correct way to fix and resolve problems is through elections," Khamenei said on February 18, echoing remarks he had made in previous weeks.

Officials have also tried to encourage voting by suggesting that not doing so would play into the "enemy's" hand.

The calls are unlikely to convince nonvoters, said the pro-reform newspaper Hammihan, which suggested the authorities were pleading with "people whose voices were not heard" in the 2022 protests.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-s-clerical-rulers-face-legitimacy -crisis-ahead-of-elections/32829440.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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U.S. Says Growing Iran-Russia Military Ties 'Should Concern' World

By Kian Sharifi February 22, 2024

The United States says increasing military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow is a "concern," amid reports that Iran has delivered multiple shipments of ballistic missiles to Russia.

Reuters reported on February 21 that Iran had supplied Russia with hundreds of missiles through four shipments since January, with an unnamed Iranian military official quoted as saying that there "would be more in the coming weeks."

While Ukrainian and Western officials have yet to publicly confirm the Reuters report, the development is consistent with U.S. warnings.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson told RFE/RL that while they were not able to comment directly on the report, the increasing military cooperation between Iran and Russia "is something that should concern the entire world."

"We have been warning for some time that Russia was in negotiations with Iran to acquire close-range ballistic missiles and that those negotiations were actively advancing," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson attributed Tehran and Moscow's improving relations to Russia becoming "more isolated" since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a briefing on February 22 that the United States would impose additional sanctions on Iran in the coming days for its efforts to supply Russia with drones and other technology for the war against Ukraine.

"We have not seen any confirmation that missiles have actually moved from Iran to Russia," Kirby said, but said that at the same time, "we have no reason to believe that they will not follow through."

Kirby also issued a warning to Iran that providing ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Kyiv would be met with even more sanctions and actions at the United Nations.

On February 20, an Iranian Defense Ministry spokesman insisted that his country's military cooperation with Russia "has nothing to do with the Ukraine war" and predated the conflict.

Following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was swiftly hit by a slew of Western sanctions, overtaking Iran as the most sanctioned country in the world in March 2022.

The two countries have grown close since the war started, expanding their economic and military cooperation.

Iran has been supplying Russia with its cheap but effective Shahed "kamikaze" drones, which Moscow has often used to target civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

Iran has denied providing drones to Russia to use against Ukraine and insists that it sold a "limited number" of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Moscow before the war. Russia has also rejected reports that it is using Iranian drones in the war.

However, the Russian Defense Ministry in July 2023 appeared to confirm in its monthly journal Armeisky sbornik that its Geran-2 drone is, in fact, the Iranian-made Shahed-136 UAV.

Reuters said Iranian shipments included the Fateh-110 and Zolfaqar short-range ballistic missiles.

This comes after UN curbs on Iran's imports and exports of missiles expired in October 2023, though Britain and the European Union said they would continue to impose the sanctions on Iran.

A month earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was shown around an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) weapons exhibition in Tehran by IRGC Aerospace Force commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

'Game Changer'

If confirmed, the delivery of Iranian missiles to Russia "would be a game changer, both militarily and politically," said John Krzyzaniak, a research associate at the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control.

Missiles are harder to defend against than drones, allowing Russia to carry out more devastating attacks at long range.

Krzyzaniak added that the trade would give cash-strapped Iran a windfall and a reputational boost, as well as "a bargaining chip in its other dealings with Russia."

There have been reports over the past year about Tehran finalizing an agreement with Moscow to obtain Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets to upgrade its aging air force. Observers have in the past suggested that one of Iran's objectives in supplying arms to Russia is to be able to acquire advanced warplanes.

Russia has started using North Korean missiles in the war with mixed results. However, Iran's short-range ballistic missiles have been battle-tested, says Nicole Grajewski, a fellow at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Nuclear Policy Program.

While the purported missile deliveries would further cement the growing military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, it would be viewed as an escalation by the West, according to Grajewski.

"It would also be another nail in the coffin for the [Iran nuclear deal] and certainly would complicate any kind of parallel agreement on Iran's nuclear program -- even if those chances are dismal already," she added.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-russia-military- cooperation/32830980.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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February 22, 2024

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss Israel's operations against Hamas in Khan Younis. The Secretary raised the need for a credible plan to ensure the safety of and support for the more than one million people sheltering in Rafah before any military operations proceed there. They also discussed efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages. Secretary Austin raised the need to improve the deconfliction process with humanitarian groups and to ensure more aid reaches Palestinian civilians, as looting and violence hinder access to humanitarian convoys in Gaza.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3684868/

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Americas infrastructure needs a serious upgrade. That includes the nations digital infrastructure  the critical networks underpinning commerce, defense, transport, and public safety. It sustains innovation power  the ability to invent, adapt, and adopt new technologies  integral to our competitiveness and national security in the 21st century.

This nation has been the pacesetter of the digital era, with a sequence of game-changing innovations in cellular technology: 2G brought text; 3G brought mobile broadband and BlackBerry; 4G brought mobile video and the app stores. But now we are far behind in technologies like 5G, with less than half the speed of Bulgaria or Malaysia, and just 7% of Souths Koreas number of 5G base stations per capita. While the Chinese technology firm Huaweis global market dominance in 5G has been slowed somewhat by sanctions and export controls, it is not threatened by superior U.S. innovations.

Now, with the release of the first-ever National Spectrum Strategy, the Biden administration has shown it is taking Americas waning digital infrastructure seriously. The strategy  along with the broadband investments of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Acts industrial policy  recognizes that telecommunications policy and infrastructure are critical for preserving American technology leadership. But despite these advances, our approach to spectrum innovation isnt sufficient.

One problem is our failure to address the evolving telecommunications technology landscape. For example, accelerated mobile network deployment, now entering the 5G era, dominates the debate on spectrum policy and allocation. That made great sense in the 1990s and 2000s, when the cellular technology leaps mentioned above powered the smartphone revolution, but it makes less sense today.

While we should worry that the United States is so far behind in 5G, mobile networks are just one part of an increasingly complex communications system of data exchanges between people, computers, devices, apps, the cloud, and autonomous agents.

Story continues

We cant compete against our global peers with that engine throttled by last-generation digital infrastructure and policy.

Hyperscale companies process two-thirds of global data traffic  including that flowing from mobile cellular networks  and own the undersea fiber-optic cables transmitting data between continents. Much communication happens via internet connections enabled by Wi-Fi, an unlicensed wireless technology. We spend 90% of our time, and consume 80% of data, indoors where mobile cellular coverage is less and less practical. Even looking at mobile network users alone, half or more of all smartphone data is transmitted over Wi-Fi, not the carriers spectrum.

Our spectrum policies dont reflect this, and mobile network operators themselves acknowledge the present model does not encourage them to build. They are already slowing investment in 5G network deployments and signaling their disinterest in 6G investment. Europes third-largest telco, Orange, has gone further, saying: 5G is the last 'G' and we're moving beyond Gs . . . Orange will not be marketing 6G when its form emerges. As wireless use cases evolve, our spectrum management regime must keep pace.

We should further define the strategy to play to our strengths and avoid competing where we dont have a chance of winning. Targeted government subsidies can be helpful and necessary, but we probably wont see another round of substantial government investment soon, and we probably cant or wont outspend China anyway. Were also unlikely to produce commodity communications equipment better or cheaper domestically, and shouldnt embrace a government-directed command economy. We can pressure countries not to use Huawei systems, but absent a clear alternative that is cheaper or superior, this is tantamount to asking them to live in the past and give up the growth we know the digital economy brings.

But we do have comparative strengths on which to build, specifically in software, in competitive innovation, and in market shaping and design, that provide us a strategic opportunity to develop world-class digital infrastructure.

First, America excels at software development, and network architecture is increasingly software-defined, similar to how computing has been virtualized into the cloud. Even where non-American companies supply network hardware, American companies can compete if they excel at producing the software necessary to manage those networks. Open Radio Access Networks  which allow multiple vendors to build the mobile ecosystem  are a good start and will encourage innovation. We also need to make more killer app use cases for wireless technology. If we create more game-changing wireless applications  from advanced manufacturing, to smart cities, to autonomous transport, to remote sensing  we create demand that pulls digital infrastructure forward. Advancements in AI applications for network management will also increase the technical capacity for spectrum utilization.

Second, in response to competitive command economies, we could promote competitive access to spectrum in order to accelerate innovation. The National Spectrum Strategy reflects a refreshing openness to sharing of spectrum by design, but we can do more. As FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel articulated, we need to turn spectrum scarcity into abundance. Exclusive use increases scarcity and we should avoid it unless there is a clear and credible rationale.

Licensing innovation can foster innovation, as seen in the successful Citizens Broadband Radio Service experiment to share spectrum, with over 370,000 access points deployed. There are also opportunities in spectrum auction design  an American innovation the world has adopted that provides a useful mechanism for allocating spectrum usage rights. For example, Nobel winner Paul Milgrom and others have developed a concept called depreciating licenses, where auction winners declare a spectrum value that determines both an annual license fee and buyout price at which they agree to sell. When Congress restores the FCCs auction authority  hopefully soon  it should consider how it can enable creative spectrum allocation tools to maximize public benefit.

At the same time, we need to devise policies to ensure we achieve the ultimate objective  a functional network. We should develop creative uses of funds that reduce service costs and incentivize fast and vast deployment. Perhaps auction payments could be set aside to provide low-cost loans for network development, with strict performance requirements and clawback provisions. While this may result in forgoing some auction revenue, the lasting economic value created in GDP, productivity, and new products would easily outweigh this shortfall, promoting best-in-class digital infrastructure.

Americas vast innovation potential has been a powerful engine for prosperity and security. But we cant compete against our global peers with that engine throttled by last-generation digital infrastructure and policy. We must acknowledge new realities and play to our strengths to reverse digital infrastructure deterioration.
Yakuza leader charged over Myanmar nuclear trafficking

Takeshi Ebisawa was indicted in the US for trying to sell weapons grade plutonium to a man he believed was Iranian.

By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.02.22 -- A member of a Japanese yakuza criminal syndicate has been charged with trafficking weapons-grade nuclear materials after an arrest in New York that followed an alleged attempt to sell plutonium and uranium to an undercover agent he believed was an Iranian general.

Takeshi Ebisawa, 60, told an undercover agent from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency he "had access to a large quantity of nuclear materials that he wanted to sell," an indictment says, and sent photos of rocks next to a Gieger counter, which measures radioactivity.

Ebisawa said the materials came from an insurgent group in Myanmar and tried to sell them in Thailand, via the undercover agent, to a man he believed was part of Iran's nuclear program, according to the indictment unsealed by a Manhattan court on Wednesday.

In recorded phone calls, the agent, who was posing as a drug and weapons trafficker, pressed Ebisawa on whether the materials could be used to reach Iran's long-held goal of building a nuclear weapon.

"How enriched is it? Above 5 percent? They don't need it for energy, Iranian government need it for nuclear weapons," the agent said.

Ebisawa replied: "I think so and I hope so."

The indictment does not say where the insurgent group in Myanmar had sourced the nuclear materials. The country is "not believed" to have an active nuclear weapons program, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a non-profit based in Washington, D.C.

DEA administrator Anne Milgram praised the "tireless work" of the agents who carried out the sting "to protect us from such evil."

"As alleged, the defendants in this case trafficked in drugs, weapons, and nuclear material - going so far as to offer uranium and weapons-grade plutonium fully expecting that Iran would use it for nuclear weapons," Milgram said in a statement.

"This is an extraordinary example of the depravity of drug traffickers who operate with total disregard for human life," she said.

Yellowcake

Ebisawa and a co-defendant, Thai national Somphop Singhasiri, 60, were arrested in Manhattan in April 2022 on drug trafficking charges, according to the indictment, which says they "conspired" to import more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and a kilogram of heroin.

However, the nuclear trafficking charges are far more damning, with DEA agents having surreptitiously video recorded in-person meetings they say show that Ebisawa and his associates moved the materials from Myanmar to Thailand, and wanted to sell them to Iran.

Ebisawa had initially pressed the undercover agent with "repeated inquiries" about finding a buyer for uranium, the indictment says. When the agent connected him to an established DEA source posing as the Iranian general, he then expanded his offer even further.

After offering to sell 50 metric tons of uranium and thorium for US$6.8 million for use in a nuclear weapon in a September 2020 phone call, Ebisawa added he could source plutonium that he said would be "better" and more "powerful" for use in a nuclear weapon.

On behalf of the insurgent group, Ebisawa also allegedly sought to buy from the agent a long list of weapons including surface-to-air missiles, sniper rifles, rocket propelled grenade launchers and machine guns.

After a series of discussions over the next year-and-a-half about the possible sale, Ebisawa then met with the DEA agent in a hotel room on the tropical Thai island of Phuket in February 2022 and showed him a "powdery yellow substance" he said was uranium yellowcake.

He later took the nuclear samples to an office in Bangkok, the indictment says, where Thai law enforcement in May 2022 carried out a search, seized the nuclear materials and handed them over to U.S. authorities, who determined that they were in fact weapons-grade.

Matthew Olsen, the U.S. assistant attorney general for national security, said he was pleased the Yakuza leader was working with an undercover agent and not a real international weapons trafficker.

"It is chilling to imagine the consequences had these efforts succeeded, and the Justice Department will hold accountable those who traffic in these materials and threaten U.S. national security and international stability," Olsen said in a statement.

Edited by Malcolm Foster

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Myanmar's military recruiting Rohingya at displaced camps

The military has suffered numerous battlefield setbacks in Rakhine state and elsewhere in recent months.

By RFA Burmese 2024.02.22 -- Myanmar's junta is offering freedom of movement to Rohingya Muslims restricted to camps for the displaced in Rakhine state as part of a bid to entice them into military service amid the nationwide rollout of a conscription law, according to sources in the region.

The enactment of the People's Military Service Law on Feb. 10 has sent draft-eligible civilians fleeing from Myanmar's cities, saying they would rather leave the country or join anti-junta forces in remote border areas than fight for the military, which seized power in a 2021 coup d'etat.

Myanmar's military is desperate for new recruits after suffering devastating losses on the battlefield to the ethnic Arakan Army, or AA, in Rakhine state. Since November, when the AA ended a ceasefire that had been in place since the coup, the military has surrendered Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Myay Pon and Taung Pyo townships in the state, as well as Paletwa township in neighboring Chin state.

But rights campaigners say the junta is drafting Rohingya into military service to stoke ethnic tensions in Rakhine state, while legal experts say the drive is unlawful, given that Myanmar has refused to recognize the Rohingya as one of the country's ethnic groups and denied them citizenship for decades.

Some 1 million ethnic Rohingya refugees have been living in Bangladesh since 2017, when they were driven out of Myanmar by a military clearance operation. Another 630,000 living within the country are designated stateless by the United Nations, including those who languish in camps for internally displaced persons, or IDPs, and are restricted from moving freely in Rakhine state.

Residents of the Kyauk Ta Lone IDP camp in Rakhine's Kyaukphyu township told RFA Burmese that junta forces, including the township administration officer and the operations commander of the military's Light Infantry Battalion 542, took a census of the camp's Muslims for the purpose of military service on Monday.

Junta personnel compiled a list of more than 160 people deemed eligible for conscription and informed them they would have to take part in a two-week military training program, according to one camp resident who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

"The township administration officer came ... and told us that Muslims must also serve in the military, but we refused to follow his order," the resident said. "Then, the military operations commander arrived here along with his soldiers, and forced us to do so under the military service law. They collected the names of more than 160 people."

Freedom of movement

Some 1,500 Rohingyas from around 300 families have been living at Kyauk Ta Lone since ethnic violence forced them to flee their homes in Kyaukphyu 12 years ago.

Since taking the census on Monday, junta officers have repeatedly visited the camp, trying to persuade Rohingya residents to serve in the military with an offer of free movement within Kyaukphyu township, said another camp resident.

"They won't guarantee us citizenship," he said. "But if we serve in the military, we will be allowed to go freely in Kyaukphyu."

Other camp residents told RFA they "would rather die" than serve in the military, and suggested the recruitment drive was part of a bid by the military to create a rift between them and ethnic Rakhines - the predominant minority in Rakhine state and the ethnicity of the AA.

No date was given for when the training program would begin, they said. After receiving training, the recruits would be assigned to a security detail along with junta troops guarding routes in and out of Kyaukphyu, and dispatched to the battlefield "if necessary."

Rohingya IDPs are afraid to serve in the military, but are unable to flee the camp because it is surrounded by junta troops, residents added.

Other recruitment efforts

The military service census at the Kyauk Ta Lone IDP camp came as Rohingyas in the Rakhine capital Sittwe, the Rakhine townships of Buthidaung and Maungdaw, and other parts of Kyaukphyu reported that junta troops have been arresting and collecting data from members of their ethnic group as part of a bid to force them into military training.

On Monday and Tuesday evening, military personnel arrested around 100 Rohingyas of eligible service age from the Buthidaung villages of Nga/Kyin Tauk, Tat Chaung, Pu Zun Chaung and Kyauk Hpyu Taung, said a resident who also declined to be named.

"People doing business in the village were arrested. Village elders were also arrested," said the resident, who is also a Rohingya. "At least one young person from every house was arrested and taken to the army. The parents of those who were arrested are quite worried now."

Junta troops said that the AA had established camps near the Rohingya villages and residents would have to undergo military training to defend the area, he added. They said the residents would be equipped with weapons and returned to their villages after the training was complete.

Rohingyas in Sittwe and Maungdaw, where an AA offensive is now underway, also reported junta census efforts and pressure to join military training. They said that larger villages are expected to provide 100 people for training, while smaller ones should send 50 residents.

Law does not apply

A lawyer who is representing Rohingyas in several legal cases told RFA that the People's Military Service Law "does not apply" to members of the ethnic group because they do not have citizenship status in Myanmar.

He added that the junta's attempt to recruit Rohingyas is part of a bid to drive a wedge between them and the people of Myanmar, many of whom oppose the military regime.

Nay San Lwin, an activist on the Rohingya issue, said that the junta hopes to divert attention from its losses to the AA in Rakhine state by igniting tensions between ethnic Rakhines and Rohingyas.

"If the Rohingyas are forced into their army, there could be a lot of problems between the Rakhines and the Rohingyas," he said. "That's what they want. Once that happens, they'll drop all support for the Rohingyas as usual. But the main reason is to use the Rohingyas as human shields."

Nay San Lwin noted that as successive governments in Myanmar have denied the Rohingya citizenship, there should be no pressure to force them to serve in the military.

The junta has released no information on efforts to recruit Rohingyas in Rakhine state and attempts by RFA to contact junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun and Rakhine State Attorney General Hla Thein, who is the junta's spokesman in the region, went unanswered Thursday.

The AA issued a statement on Wednesday calling on ethnic Rakhines to take refuge from junta oppression - which it said includes unlawful arrests, extortion, forced military recruitment, and extrajudicial killings - in AA-controlled territory, instead of fleeing to other areas of the country.

Conscription eligibility

According to Myanmar's compulsory military service law, men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 face up to five years in prison if they refuse to serve for two years, while highly skilled professionals aged 18-45 must also serve, but up to five years. More than 13 million of the country's 54 million people are eligible for service.

Conscription is slated to be implemented at the end of April 2024, with a goal of recruiting up to 60,000 service members each year, in batches of around 5,000 people.

Translated by Aung Naing and Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Report: 1,500 arrested in Myanmar since 2022 in social media crackdown

The arrests were for writing or sharing anti-junta posts on Facebook and other social networks.

By RFA Burmese 2024.02.22 -- Myanmar junta authorities have arrested and jailed nearly 1,500 people they say posted anti-junta messages on Facebook, TikTok and Telegram over the last two years, research group Data for Myanmar has found.

The arrests included a woman who had been working in Thailand and was sentenced to life in prison in December after she returned to Myanmar to have her passport and work visa renewed, a family friend told Radio Free Asia.

Officers checked her phone during the renewal in Yangon and found anti-junta messages that she had sent privately, the family friend said.

"After that, she was arrested and taken to the North Dagon jail," the friend said. "Then she was sent to Insein Prison."

The junta has struggled to gain popular support since taking power from a civilian government in a Feb. 1, 2021, coup d'etat.

Responding to critical messages with criminal prosecution has had a chilling effect on how people express themselves online. It has also earned Myanmar a ranking as the second worst country in the world for internet freedom, according to Washington-based Freedom House.

The Data for Myanmar report said that most of the 1,480 people detained between Feb. 29, 2022, and Jan. 30, 2024, were Facebook users.

The independent NGO also found that an average of 62 people were detained every month. Almost half of the detainees - nearly 700 people - were from the Yangon and Mandalay regions.

Data for Myanmar compiled data for the Jan. 31 report by monitoring junta-affiliated daily newspapers and news media.

Jailed for sharing news

Another social media-related arrest was that of Mandalay resident Khin Maung Chin, who was detained in December 2022 for sharing news articles and critiques of the military written by other Facebook users, a friend of his told RFA.

Khin Maung Chin was also found to have written messages about Aung San Suu Kyi, the head of the deposed National League for Democracy and the country's former de facto leader.

And last November, junta troops raided the home of Yangon resident Min Nyo, who had worked to provide clothing and medicine to war victims.

A family member told RFA.that pro-military supporters had informed authorities about his online criticism of the junta. Min Nyo is also serving a sentence at Insein Prison, where many pro-democracy activists are held.

Freedom House noted in a report released in October that the junta has reduced broadband speeds, cut internet connections and blocked some text and calling services in areas where anti-regime resistance has been strong.

'Procedure used by dictators'

Junta authorities have also restricted Burmese citizens from accessing social media platforms while junta-controlled publications frequently warn that people can be charged under the Penal Code and Telecommunications Law, the report said.

In December, the junta announced the formation of a committee to further monitor and take action against what people write and share online.

RFA's attempts to reach junta spokesman Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun to ask about the Data for Myanmar report were unsuccessful.

However, junta officials have previously stated that the regime will take action if posted messages are aimed at inciting people to destroy the country's peace and stability or to abolish the junta's governing mechanism.

A former military officer told RFA that arresting people for critical comments is an understandable part of governing.

"As a ruler, he would arrest those who spoke ill of him," he said. "This has become an obligation. It must be done. It is his job to arrest those who raised the rebellion."

Aung Myo Min, the human rights minister for the shadow National Unity Government, criticized the arrests as merely a "procedure used by dictators to prevent people from speaking up" - not as a way to maintain stability.

Translated by Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Fleeing conscription, over 160 Myanmar nationals in custody at Thai borders

Large groups have been captured with brokers in Thailand's western Tak province, Thai officials said.

By RFA Staff 2024.02.22 -- Thai officials have arrested 167 people fleeing Myanmar since the country enacted its conscription laws, a migrant assistance organization told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.

From Feb. 12-20, dozens of Myanmar nationals have been arrested in Thailand on its southern and western borders, said Moe Kyo, who runs the Joint Action Committee on Burmese Affairs based in the Thai border town of Mae Sot.

"It would even exceed that number. In reality, there are cases of arrests occurring in places that remain inaccessible to us," he said, citing a nationwide network of organizations sharing information about arrests.

Since junta leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing announced the enforcement of the People's Military Service Law on Feb. 10, people in Myanmar have been scrambling to avoid conscription into the regime's army through both official and unofficial routes.

Citizens have flocked to passport offices and embassies nationwide, while mass arrests of young people have caused panic, despite junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Htun's pledge that recruitment would not begin until April.

The law would recruit some 50,000 people a year, with prison time if they refuse to cooperate. Women aged 18 to 27 and men aged 18 to 35 are required to serve two years, while highly-skilled professionals from ages 18 to 45 are required to serve five years.

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin issued a statement on Monday saying people entering the country illegally would be prosecuted, adding that security agencies have been alerted to the issue.

On Sunday, 20 migrants were arrested in two locations near the border, aid worker Moe Kyo said. One group was discovered in Tha Song Yang district of Tak province.

"Thai authorities stopped and inspected a vehicle at a checkpoint. They discovered 13 undocumented Myanmar nationals inside," he said. "It is also noted that those individuals had paid 15,000 Thai baht (US$418) to the brokers for their journey."

Others have been arrested in Ranong, Songkhla, and Chumphon provinces in Thailand's south.

Desperate to Escape

Thailand's Ratchamanu Taskforce, based in Tak, arrested two groups totalling more than 54 people from Feb. 14-16 near the border town of Wa Lay. The porous border area is 57 kilometers (35 miles) south of the official Mae Sot-Myawaddy border crossing.

Task Force Commander Col. Nattakorn Reuntib told RFA on Thursday that 249 Myanmar nationals, including 13 brokers, were arrested in five border districts from Feb. 1-21 in Tak. He declined to comment on the impact of conscription laws, but said the number had increased from 183 people arrested in the entire month of January.

All 27 people in one group were between the ages of 20 and 29, he said, telling Thai media they fled because of conscription laws.

"Many of them came via south Wa Lay village. After being arrested, they would be deported through Mae Sot," an officer at Phop Pra police station said, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

"There have been many coming this way in recent weeks. We understand them, they need a job and security."

Organizations focused on migrant rights say the Thai government needs to seriously consider humane solutions for people fleeing conscription as systems become overwhelmed.

The Thai Embassy of Myanmar announced a 400-person per day limit as its office quickly became overwhelmed, and Chiang Mai's Buddhist University stated it would no longer accept applicants from Myanmar, citing an overwhelming number of applications.

"I think it's a dangerous situation because we've also seen previous incidents where brokers were smuggling migrants and then there was a police chase ending in a car crash with people dying, so I can only hope that doesn't happen in the future," said Brahm Press, director of the Migrant Assistance Program in Thailand.

"I'm sure that whatever systems are in place that migrants had previously been using are going to be further overwhelmed."

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Joshua Lipes.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Two-month travel ban extended in western Myanmar

The area's lockdown is causing problems for people's health and livelihood, locals said.

By RFA Burmese 2024.02.22 -- Myanmar's regime extended a travel ban in a conflict-ridden coastal area, locals told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.

The ban prevents Rakhine state residents from traveling by water, fishing, and gathering on the township's shores until April 19.

Kyaukpyu township, where the ban was originally established on Dec. 19, has been a source of conflict between the ethnic Arakan Army and junta forces.

The Arakan Army launched attacks on Kyaukpyu's junta naval base on Jan. 8 and Jan. 21, leading locals to suggest China should discuss its many upcoming development projects in the area with the ethnic armed group to ensure their continued protection.

Kyaukpyu's coast is the site of a Chinese-funded special economic zone, as well as upcoming ports and railroads stalled in December due to fighting. Residents have voiced concerns that Chinese development projects fail to provide local jobs and that they will impact the region's vital fishing industry.

An official from a social assistance group in Kyaukpyu township said the travel ban was announced in a letter on Monday.

"Motor boats and rowing boats are not allowed to navigate along the river and it is forbidden to have alcohol ... along the shore," he said, declining to be named for fear of reprisals. "Traveling in the villages and towns has been banned in the past. Everyone gets in trouble."

The junta's order also stated that if locals choose to violate this order, action will be taken according to existing laws.

The ban applies to the township's capital of Kyaukpyu city, six surrounding village tracts and eight neighborhoods. It also prevents locals from gathering or fishing on the Ohn Chaung stream, Than Zit River, and nearby beaches, according to the statement.

The restrictions were implemented after the Arakan Army broke a year-long ceasefire by attacking junta camps in Kyaukpyu township, Rakhine state on Nov. 13, 2023, residents said.

A Kyaukpyu resident who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons told RFA that the travel ban has caused residents many problems affecting their health and quality of life.

"Locals are facing difficulties in getting food, and commodity prices have become expensive. Sick people in rural areas suffer because of the delay in getting medical treatment," he explained.

RFA called Rakhine state's junta spokesperson for comment on the extension, but he did not respond to inquiries. Villagers can only receive permission to travel after submitting an application five days in advance, residents in Kyaukpyu's surrounding areas said.

Within Kyaukpyu township, the junta prohibits the shipment and delivery of most types of medicine, food, electrical equipment and hygiene products, including women's sanitary pads.

On Monday, 60 passengers flying from Yangon were arrested after landing in Kyaukpyu's airport. Pregnant women, children and elderly people have since been released, though the location of others remains unknown.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Pakistan Blocks X For Sixth Straight Day As Activists Criticize Shutdown

By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal February 22, 2024

Pakistan's media regulators again disrupted service on February 22 to the social-media platform X, formerly Twitter, affecting users across the country for the sixth day in a row.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and human rights organizations in Pakistan had previously expressed concern over the restrictions on X in several parts of the country.

The CPJ said in a statement that public access to the network was "restricted" for "the fifth day in a row" on February 21.

The CPJ added that Pakistani authorities should "ensure uninterrupted public access to social networks and allow independent sharing and dissemination of information."

There has been no comment on the outage by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), but Islamabad previously emphasized that it was committed to freedom of expression.

Human rights activists have demanded a full restoration of Internet services and access to social media, while U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on February 21 expressed concerns over the outage and restrictions on the freedom of expression in Pakistan.

"We continue to call on Pakistan to respect freedom of expression and restore access to a social media that has been restricted," Miller said in a statement. "We have and will continue to emphasize the importance of respecting these fundamental freedoms during our engagements with Pakistani officials."

The Internet observatory NetBlocks in a statement on February 22 confirmed the restriction in Pakistan, saying it began on February 17.

"Metrics show X/Twitter has now been restricted in #Pakistan for over 120 hours, entering a sixth day of disruption as the nation joins a handful of countries that ban access to international social media platforms," NetBlocks said.

The restrictions were imposed as disclosures relating to election fraud circulated on the platform, NetBlocks said, adding that the measure "significantly hinders the exercise of democracy and media freedom."

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI) party protested against alleged fraud in the elections on February 17.

Pakistan's caretaker government and the commission have repeatedly said that the February 8 election process was completely transparent and fair.

The government suspended mobile phone and Internet services on election day in many parts of the country. At that time, the Interior Ministry said that it was done to ensure security.

Khan's political rivals earlier this week announced details of a power-sharing agreement, naming Shehbaz Sharif as their candidate for prime minister.

The announcement followed days of talks among the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League, the Pakistan People's Party, and other parties that did not gain enough seats in the election to govern on their own. They said at a news conference that they had secured the required majority to form a coalition government.

In the vote, candidates backed by Khan, who was barred from running, won the most seats but short of a simple majority needed to form a government.

With reporting by AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-twitter-outage- continues/32831286.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of Brazil Mauro Vieira

21 February 2024 18:33

341-21-02-2024

On February 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of the Federative Republic of Brazil Mauro Vieira on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

The parties held an engaged discussion covering a wide array of bilateral and international issues, as well as the schedule of contacts at various levels, including in the context of the concurrent presidencies of the two countries in BRICS and the G20 this year.

Various practical aspects of interaction within the G20 were discussed.

The ministers reiterated their mutual commitment to further strengthening the entire spectrum of Russian-Brazilian ties.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of the United Mexican States Alicia Barcena Ibarra

21 February 2024 17:48

340-21-02-2024

On February 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of Mexico Alicia Barcena Ibarra on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

The discussion focused on current issues of Russian-Mexican relations, such as deepening the bilateral political dialogue, developing cooperation in trade, the economy, culture and humanitarian sphere, and improving the legal framework.

Mr Lavrov and Ms Barcena Ibarra discussed a number of key international and regional topics, including the two countries' interaction at the UN, the G20, and APEC. The importance of maintaining the G20's non-politicised approach to enhance its effectiveness was emphasised.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry

21 February 2024 18:55

342-21-02-2024

On February 21, 2024, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Sameh Shoukry on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

The foreign ministers exchanged views on critical developments in the Middle East, with an emphasis on the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Both Sergey Lavrov and Sameh Shoukry underscored the urgency of uniting international efforts towards a just resolution based on universally recognised principles. The cornerstone is the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State within the 1967 borders, with its capital in East Jerusalem, coexisting with Israel in peace and security.

The foreign ministers discussed a number of issues related to further broadening traditionally friendly Russian-Egyptian relations, including strengthening foreign policy cooperation at the UN and other international platforms, and implementing large-scale projects in the trade and economic sector.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of the Plurinational State of Bolivia Celinda Sosa Lunda

21 February 2024 19:55

343-21-02-2024

On February 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of Bolivia Celinda Sosa Lunda on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Rio de Janeiro. The talks were also attended by Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy of Bolivia Franklin Molina Ortiz.

The parties reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening multifaceted Russian-Bolivian ties. They placed particular emphasis on expanding political dialogue and cooperation in international affairs. Substantial discussions were held on trade and economic cooperation, including the potential for implementing large investment projects and enhancing cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

The ministers emphasised their commitment to upholding the central role of the UN and the principles of international law. They also discussed cooperation between Bolivia and BRICS, the advancement of integration processes in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the functioning of relevant dialogue mechanisms between Russia and associations in this region.

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Press release Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of Paraguay Ruben Ramirez Lezcano

21 February 2024 20:47

346-21-02-2024

On February 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Foreign Minister of Paraguay Ruben Ramirez Lezcano on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meeting.

The ministers affirmed their commitment to further advancing the political dialogue and enhancing trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties between Russia and Paraguay. They also discussed the modalities of cooperation between Moscow and Asuncion at multilateral venues.

Furthermore, they emphasised their resolve to uphold unconditional respect for the norms and principles of international law amidst the current turbulent environment.

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Comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on the joint statement of three Baltic States on elections in Russia

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

22.02.2024

Today, the three Baltic States simultaneously summoned the chargAs d'affaires of Russia to present a joint statement on Russia's upcoming 'elections' and express strong condemnation about the killing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Ten years after the annexation of Crimea and two years after the launch of the ongoing bloody war in Ukraine, Russia's sitting president Vladimir Putin is holding 'elections', the result of which the entire world already knows. These elections are neither free nor fair.

Putin is a war criminal and a dictator who is consistently violating international law. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity.

The killing of his loudest and most influential critic Alexei Navalny in a penal colony sends a clear message to anyone running against Putin - opposing the war will kill you.

Today, my Latvian and Lithuanian colleagues and I made a joint statement with an opinion on the elections that have nothing to do with democracy.

We will continue to stand firmly with the joint position of the European Union, supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity. We condemn and do not and will not recognise the elections nor their results in Ukraine's territories temporarily annexed and occupied by Russia.

The joint statement: Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on Russia's upcoming presidential elections | VAlisministeerium (vm.ee)

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Vladimir Putin flies a Tu-160M missile carrier

The President flew an upgraded Tu-160M strategic bomber-missile carrier.

February 22, 2024

16:10

Kazan

The plane took off from the Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Plant that Vladimir Putin visited the day before. The flight lasted about 30 minutes.

Upon returning from the flight, the President shared his impressions of the updated bomber/missile carrier, pointing to its high reliability and armed capability, better aircraft control and increased level of crew comfort.

"The technology is excellent. It really belongs to a new generation. Of course, it can be accepted by the Armed Forces," the President summed up.

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U.S. Charges Russian Oligarchs, State-Owned Bank CEO, And U.S.-Based 'Facilitators'

By RFE/RL February 22, 2024

The U.S. Justice Department on February 22 announced enforcement actions in five separate federal cases against sanctioned Russian oligarchs and networks supporting Russia.

The actions, timed to coincide with the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, include charges against Russian state-owned VTB Bank Chairman Andrei Kostin and two of his U.S.-based facilitators, the department said.

Charges were unsealed in New York against Kostin and facilitators Vadim Wolfson and Gannon Bond, who were arrested.

Kostin, who has been designated for sanctions by the United States, is the longtime president of VTB Bank, Russia's second-largest. He is charged with engaging in a scheme to evade sanctions and launder money to support two superyachts.

Kostin and the two facilitators are also accused of trying to evade sanctions related to a luxury home in Colorado.

Michael Khoo, a co-director of the Justice Department's KleptoCapture task force, told reporters that the announcement was meant to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "we're not going away" and "we can play the long game as well," so long as the war continues.

Other actions announced on February 22 include the indictment in Florida of pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch Serhiy Kurchenko on charges linked to a scheme to violate and evade U.S. sanctions.

Also in Florida, federal agents filed a civil-forfeiture complaint against two luxury condominiums owned by sanctioned Russian businessman Viktor Perevalov, the co-owner of a Russian-based construction company.

The Justice Department also announced an indictment charging Vladislav Osipov with bank fraud in connection with operating a yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg.

Osipov, a Russian national, lives in Switzerland.

The indictment, unsealed in in Washington, identifies the superyacht as the Tango, and says it was the first belonging to a sanctioned Russian with close ties to the Kremlin to be seized at the request of the U.S. government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Justice Department also said Feliks Medvedev pleaded guilty earlier this month to helping launder more than $150 million through bank accounts he controls. Medvedev, a Russian citizen, lives in the U.S. state of Georgia.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that the Justice Department "is more committed than ever to cutting off the flow of illegal funds that are fueling Putin's war and to holding accountable those who continue to enable it."

The actions announced on February 22 "bring prosecutions against and seize assets of sanctioned enablers of the Kremlin and Russian military," he said.

The KleptoCapture task force enforces the economic restrictions within the United States imposed on Russia and its billionaires. Over the past two years it has secured court orders for the restraint, seizure, and forfeiture of nearly $700 million in assets and has charged more than 70 people with violating sanctions and export controls.

With reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-russia-oligarchs-sanctions- charges-yachts/32831244.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Navalny's Mother Says Allowed To See Body, Russian Officials Pressing For Secret Burial

By Current Time February 22, 2024

Lyudmila Navalnaya, the mother of late opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, said on February 22 that investigators allowed her to see her son's body late on February 21 in the Arctic city of Salekhard.

In a video statement, Navalnaya said she signed a death certificate, but that the authorities continued to hold her son's body.

Navalnaya said she spent 24 hours in the directorate of the Investigative Committee in Salekhard and was brought to a morgue, where she saw her son's body for the first time since his death was made public on February 16.

Navalnaya said she was brought to the morgue "secretly" and signed the death certificate there, stressing that the authorities were breaking the law by not releasing her son's body to her and by "putting forward conditions on where, when, and how Aleksei should be buried."

The authorities in her presence "were receiving commands either from the Kremlin or from the Investigative Committee's central office," Navalnaya said.

"They want the burial to be held secretly without any farewell ceremonies," she added in the video. "They want to bring me to the edge of a cemetery and say to me, 'Here is where your son is resting.' I do not agree with that."

Navalnaya said she wanted her son's burial to be public, so that all his supporters can bid farewell to him.

"I am recording this video because they started threatening me. They look into my eyes and say that if I do not agree to the secret burial, they will do something bad with my son's body," she said. "I do not want any conditions. I just want everything to be done in accordance with the law. I demand my son's body to be given to me immediately."

Navalnaya has been trying to get access to her son's body since his death in a special-regime prison, the harshest type of penitentiary in Russia, was announced. Prison officials said the 47-year-old died after he collapsed while on a daily walk out of his cell.

On February 21, Navalnaya filed a lawsuit in a Russian court demanding the release of her son's body. A closed-door hearing into complaint is scheduled to be held on March 4.

Navalnaya on February 20 posted a video on social media taken from outside the so-called Polar Wolf prison where Navalny had been held since December, pleading with President Vladimir Putin for his help, saying the "resolution of this matter depends solely on you."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-navalny- mother-saw-body/32831120.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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U.K. Announces New Russia Sanctions To Mark Ukraine Invasion Anniversary

By RFE/RL's Russian Service February 22, 2024

Britain has expanded its sanctions against Russian companies and individuals and entities outside Russia that are suspected of aiding in the circumvention of existing sanctions, the U.K. government said on February 22.

In a statement issued two days before the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the move adds more than 50 individuals and entities to its sanctions list as it seeks to restrict and weaken the Russian defense industry.

The package also takes aim at companies in China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries accused of circumventing previously imposed sanctions.

"Two years on, we stand united in support for Ukraine. Our international economic pressure means Russia cannot afford this illegal invasion. Our sanctions are starving [Russian President Vladimir] Putin of the resources he desperately needs to fund his struggling war," Cameron said in a statement.

Cameron said the sanctions will disrupt Putin's ability to equip his military with high-tech equipment and weaponry and block him from "refilling his war coffers while Ukraine defends itself."

There are now more than 2,000 Russian individuals, companies, and groups on Britain's sanctions list.

One of the largest companies included in the update is the Novatek project Arctic LNG-2 for the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Sanctions were also imposed against Arctic LNG 2 and its general director, Oleg Karpushin, and other top managers of Novatek, the majority owner of Arctic LNG 2.

Britain said Arctic LNG-2 is one of the key links in Putin's plan to make Russia a major LNG player.

The sanctions also target a Turkish company involved in the supply of electronics, three electronics companies based in China, Russia's state-run diamond giant Alrosa and its CEO, and companies active in Russia's oil and mining industries.

The sanctions come a day after the European Union approved its own package of expanded sanctions, including bans on nearly 200 entities and individuals accused of helping Moscow procure weapons or of involvement in kidnapping Ukrainian children.

U.S. President Joe Biden has said the United States will announce a package of tough new sanctions on February 23 against Russia over the death in prison of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-uk- sanctions-war/32831061.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Newspaper Honoring Navalny Withdrawn From Moscow Newsstands As Authorities Withhold His Body

By Current Time February 22, 2024

An issue of Russian weekly Sobesednik dedicated partially to the memory of Aleksei Navalny has been withdrawn from newsstands in Moscow, the newspaper's editorial board says, as authorities continue to clamp down on any public manifestation of respect for the late Kremlin opponent.

Navalny's death in a remote Arctic prison camp was reported on February 16, prompting an outpouring of grief and mounting outrage in Russia and around the world as authorities have been refusing to release his body to his mother amid growing suspicions about the cause of his death, which was officially attributed to "sudden death" syndrome.

While most printed media in Russia ignored the death of the opposition politician and activist, Sobesednik's latest hard-copy issue, released on February 21, featured a photograph of a smiling Navalny on the front page accompanied by the caption "...but there is hope!"

It included reports of the spontaneous commemorations of Navalny's death in several Russian cities and commentaries by public figures, human rights activists, and journalists such as 2021 Nobel Peace Prize co-winner Dmitry Muratov.

Sobesednik journalist Elena Milchanovskaya told the SotaVision Telegram channel that the editors were not informed why all copies of the magazine were seized by authorities in Moscow.

"All this is very serious and even a little scary for us," Milchanovskaya said, adding that Russia's Roskomnadzor media watchdog also blocked online access to the section of the issue dedicated to Navalny.

Navalny's death after his being detained in extremely harsh conditions at the Polar Wolf Arctic prison camp in Russia's far north Yamalo-Nenets region prompted hundreds of Russians to stage spontaneous gatherings in his memory that were immediately repressed by authorities.

According to OVD-Info, between February 16-19 security forces detained 397 people in 39 cities at rallies in memory of Navalny.

Most of the arrests -- almost 200 -- took place in St. Petersburg, where six of those arrested were given summonses to the military registration and enlistment office as they were leaving the temporary detention center on February 21.

Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, filed a lawsuit in a Russian court on February 21 demanding the release of her son's body after her direct video appeal to President Vladimir Putin remained unanswered.

A court in Yamalo-Nenets said on February 21 that a hearing into Navalnaya's complaint will be held on March 4.

Russian Orthodox priests have initiated an online petition calling for authorities to release Navalny's body to his family, stressing that the outspoken Kremlin critic was an Orthodox Christian.

"Remember, we are all equal in front of God.... Be merciful and compassionate to his mother, wife, children, and other loved ones.... Everyone deserves to be buried humanely," the petition says. Some 800 people had already signed the petition as of early on February 22.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-sobesednik-withdrawn- newsstands-navalny/32830381.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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New EU Ambassador To U.S. Says Unity, Strength Are Most Important To Stop Russia's Aggression

By Margret Johnston February 22, 2024

The new EU ambassador to the United States has arrived in Washington at a time when tough issues related to the war in Ukraine are at the top of the international agenda as the conflict grinds toward its two-year anniversary on February 24.

Chief among them for U.S. politicians is a crucial $61 billion military aid bill proposed by President Joe Biden that has stalled in Congress despite his pleadings with lawmakers to pass it, saying its failure would only play into Russian President Vladimir Putin's hands.

Ambassador Jovita Neliupsiene, speaking in her first interview with a U.S.-based broadcaster since stepping into the role of EU ambassador to the U.S. on January 1, said her message to Congress is that the United States and the European Union must act together to help Ukraine stop Russia's aggression.

"It's difficult to imagine that Ukraine can fight this war for their freedom, for their security, for their existence, actually, without support being provided by the EU and by the United States," Neliupsiene told RFE/RL on January 21.

She believes there is broad support for the aid bill in Congress. What is lacking is the will to pass it.

"I'm sure that a majority of the Congress [supports] the package for Ukraine because we are speaking about a war on the European continent, a war that can [cross] borders if the aggressor, the dictator, is not stopped," the ambassador said.

In speaking with members of Congress and diplomats in Washington, Neliupsiene said she can put her message concisely: "If not us, then who? If not now, then when?"

She also stressed the need to take action is urgent because Putin's regime will "push the red lines until they know that this is really a red line," adding that if Russia pushes further in Ukraine, the EU will have to make more costly and painful decisions, "and there will be no escape."

As Neliupsiene sets out in her new position, the Lithuanian whose past positions include vice minister of foreign affairs noted that the EU has stepped up in the absence of continued U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

EU leaders on February 1 reached a deal to provide 50 billion euros ($54 billion). This follow 94 billion euros last year, and while EU aid is mostly to ensure that Ukraine can sustain state operations, about 30 percent goes toward defense, she said.

The EU and United States also must work together on sanctions, the new EU ambassador said, noting a priority of the EU's sanctions packages, including the 13th package set forth on February 21, has been to slow down Russia's military industrial capacity and prevent Moscow from acquiring high-quality components.

The EU has imposed sanctions on 1,600 individuals and several hundred companies even before the new round of sanctions was announced, and the coalition of countries observing sanctions has grown to more than 50, she said.

Meanwhile, Russia has been joined in a "coalition of ill will" that includes Iran, Belarus, North Korea, and China that must be countered. The key to that is to show unity in the face of Russia's war, and an important part of her message is that the European countries are united right now.

"We think and we believe that only a united front can actually make sure that Ukraine can prevail," she said. "But victory has to stand on two legs on both sides of the Atlantic."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-ambassador-us- interview-russia-ukraine/32830242.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor

22 February 2024 18:41

351-22-02-2024

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa Naledi Pandor on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers meeting, February 22.

The ministers discussed key aspects of the Russian-South African strategic partnership with a substantive and motivated approach. The discussion included important bilateral trade and economic projects.

Discussing interaction on current international and regional issues, the ministers emphasised the desire of the two countries to deepen their coordination in BRICS, the G20 and other multilateral venues.

Given a common understanding of the root causes and reasons for the crisis in Ukraine, the ministers discussed future opportunities for a contribution by South Africa and a number of other members of the African Union in the search for a peaceful settlement to the conflict.

In the context of the continuing escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Mr Lavrov praised the efforts of South African diplomacy to achieve a settlement in the Palestinian territories.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the G20 Ministerial Meeting on reforming global governance, Rio de Janeiro, February 22, 2024

22 February 2024 19:20

352-22-02-2024

Colleagues,

Maintaining the efficiency of international economic management is an invariable priority of the G20. In today's conditions of growing global challenges and threats, the need to reform the existing multilateral system, which no longer reflects modern reality, is obvious.

The forming of a fair multipolar world order without a definite centre and periphery has become much more intensive in the past few years. Asian, African and Latin American countries are becoming important parts of the global economy. Not infrequently, they are setting the tone and the dynamics. In 2023, the BRICS countries' share in world GDP, in purchasing power parity, grew to 35 percent, exceeding the G7's share of 30.3 percent. According to the IMF's latest forecasts, the economic growth rates in the emerging market countries will be higher than the global average of 3.1 percent. It will be about 4.1 percent in 2024 and 4.2 percent in 2025. Many Western economies, especially in Europe, are actually stagnating against this background. These statistics are from Western-supervised institutions - the IMF, the World Bank and the OECD.

These institutions are becoming relics from the past. Western domination is already affecting their ability to meet the requirements of the times. Meanwhile, it is perfectly obvious today that the current problems of humanity can only be resolved through a concerted effort and with due consideration for the interests of the Global South and, generally, all global economic realities.

Unfortunately, the current efforts to reform global governance institutions have stalled. The Western countries want to maintain their dominance. The US is not ready to part with the IMF's blocking package or its main shareholder status. Washington is subverting the implementation of the 2010 agreement by the G20 leaders on ensuring broader representation from the developing nations in multilateral mechanisms. As a result, the Bretton Woods institutions are turning from professional venues into platforms for settling accounts and sponsoring the West's political clients to the detriment of the Global Majority's development prospects.

Institutions like the IMF, the World Bank, the EBRD, and the EIB are prioritising Kiev's military and other needs. The West allocated over $250 billion to tide over its underling thus creating funding shortages in other parts of the world. Ukraine is taking up the bulk of the funds, relegating Africa and other regions of the Global South to rationing. The aid programme for Kiev, some $15.6 billion (577 percent of the quota), was approved in January 2023 and exceeds the six-month total of the loans provided by the IMF to all African countries.

Countries that have discredited themselves by using unlawful acts ranging from unilateral sanctions and the seizure of sovereign assets and private property to blockades, embargoes, and discrimination against economic operators based on nationality to settle scores with their geopolitical opponents cannot be considered guarantors of financial stability. The collective West is left with one path to follow which is to acknowledge the new balance of power in the international arena and to cease obstructing the redistribution of voting quotas at the IMF and the World Bank, and using the WTO as a tool for unfair competition.

Without a doubt, new institutions that focus on consensus and mutual benefit are needed to democratise the global economic governance system. Today, we are seeing positive dynamics for strengthening various alliances, including BRICS, the SCO, ASEAN, the African Union, LAS, CELAC, and the EAEU. Initiatives aimed at harmonising a variety of multilateral formats, including the Russian vision of the Greater Eurasian Partnership, are making headway as well. Clearly, the set of tools to enhance competitiveness and productivity in the global economy is expanding. Among them is the increasing percentage of transactions in national currencies, which now account for about 90 percent of our country's trade with its key partners. This is our response to the weaponising of the US dollar and other Western currencies to gain a competitive edge.

This year, Russia chairs BRICS, which saw several new members join it. We will do our best to reinforce the potential of this association and its ties with the G20. In this context, we welcome our Brazilian friends' initiative to invite New Development Bank officials to attend G20 events. At the New Delhi summit, the G20 participants once again expressed unanimous support for "an increase in the voice and representation of developing countries and the establishment and improvement of a just international monetary system." We believe that this time these are not just empty words, but a commitment to start practical work.

Many of our colleagues have discussed reforming the UN Security Council. The root of the problem is the same as with the Bretton Woods institutions. The developing countries are clearly underrepresented in decision-making processes. Considering that six of 15 UN Security Council members represent the Western bloc, we will support the expansion of this body solely through the accession of countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan

22 February 2024 19:28

353-22-02-2024

On February 22, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of TArkiye Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

They discussed topics on the bilateral agenda, including trade and economic cooperation and implementation of projects in the energy sector.

The ministers coordinated their approaches on a number of current regional and international issues with a focus on the situation in the Middle East, the South Caucasus and in Ukraine. They also reviewed issues of interaction at international platforms and considered the schedule of upcoming bilateral meetings.

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Lavrov Says No Serious Proposals on Strategic Stability Dialogue From US

Sputnik News

20240222

RIO DE JANEIRO (Sputnik) - The United States has not made any serious proposals regarding the dialogue on strategic stability to Russia, and Moscow is ready for such talks with Washington, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"There were no serious proposals from the Americans, there was an approach that said: 'Well, you stopped the operation of the Strategic Offensive Reduction Treaty, we believe that this is wrong, so let's resume inspections, we want to come to you and see how things are and in what condition the strategic facilities are maintained,' but it does not work that way," Lavrov told reporters.

Russia remains ready for strategic stability talks with US, but it needs to include all points without exceptions, Lavrov added.

Speaking about the contacts with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken or UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron during the G20 ministerial meeting in Brazil, the Russian foreign minister tell journalists he did not held any.

"No, I did not seek these contacts. They apparently followed their agreement to avoid communication with our delegation in every possible way," Lavrov told reporters.

At the same time, Lavrov said he will hold a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as Brazil has solved all the issues related to fueling of the Russian delegation's plane.

"The thing is that here in Brazil there are practically no companies that refuel aircraft that are not owned by Western corporations. But I want to note the actions of the Brazilian hosts, who did everything to solve this issue. Such a meeting [with Lula] will take place today," Lavrov told journalists, when commenting on reports that the minister's flight to a meeting with the president of Brazil was under a question due to the lack of guarantees for fuel from a local distributor.

On New Sanctions

Russia will respond to new sanctions of the United Kingdom with actions aimed at developing its own economy, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

Earlier in the day, the UK government announced that it had added six members of the Novatek board of directors to the updated list of sanctions against Russia. The new sanctions also target ammunition manufacturers, electronics companies, diamond and oil trading firms, among others, the statement read.

"We will respond with action. And with action that concerns the development of our own economy. Development and strengthening of ties with partners who, unlike the Western minority, which continues to think in colonial and neo-colonial categories, are capable of reaching agreements," Lavrov told reporters when asked how Russia will respond to new sanctions.

On Navalny Death

The West has no rights to intervene in Russia's internal affairs, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday when commenting on the West's reaction to the death of Alexey Navalny.

"This hysteria over Navalny's death decisively showed this, I don't even want to comment in detail, these people have no right to interfere in our internal affairs especially since they themselves have such their own issues with [WikiLeaks founder] Julian Assange, with [US journalist] Gonzalo Lira, who died from torture in a Ukrainian prison, and neither the Americans nor any other Western figure has even commented on this in any way," Lavrov told reporters.

A Sputnik

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Putin Calls Biden's Statement About Him 'Rude'

Sputnik News

20240222

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday described US President Joe Biden's statement addressed to him as "rude."

Earlier in the day, Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "crazy SOB" during his presidential campaign tour.

"Rude," the president said, when reacting to Biden's statement.

Putin mentioned his previous statement where he said that Biden is more preferable US president for Russia than former US President Donald Trump

"And judging by what he just said, I'm absolutely right, because this is an adequate reaction to what I said," Putin said, adding that Biden "can not just say thank you."

A Sputnik

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Navalny's Mother Sees His Body, But Says Authorities Demanded 'Secret' Burial

By VOA News February 22, 2024

The mother of Russia's late opposition leader Alexey Navalny said Thursday that she has finally seen his body and that she is resisting intense pressure from authorities to agree to a secret burial away from public attention.

In a video statement from the Arctic city of Salekhard, Lyudmila Navalnaya said she was permitted to view her son's body in the city morgue on Wednesday evening.

"According to the law, they should have given me Alexey's body right away, but they have not done so until now. Instead, they are blackmailing me, setting me conditions on where, when and how Alexey should be buried. This is illegal," she said, dressed in black.

"They want this to be done secretly, with no farewell. They want to bring me to the edge of a cemetery, to a fresh grave and say, 'Here lies your son.' I don't agree to this," she added in the YouTube video.

Navalny unexpectedly died in an Arctic penal colony last week at age 47. His family, colleagues and many Western nations have alleged that the Russian government murdered him. The Kremlin has denied that accusation and said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

The White House has said that on Friday, the U.S. would be "announcing a major sanctions package ... to hold Russia accountable" for Navalny's death.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday met Navalny's wife and daughter and reiterated plans for additional sanctions on Russia.

"He was a man of incredible courage, and it's amazing how his wife and daughter are emulating that," Biden told reporters in California after meeting Navalny's wife, Yulia, and daughter, Dasha.

"I know that we're going to be announcing the sanctions against Putin, who is responsible for his death, tomorrow," Biden added.

During the meeting in California, Biden expressed his admiration for Navalny's "extraordinary courage and his legacy of fighting against corruption and for a free and democratic Russia in which the rule of law applies equally to everyone," the White House said in a statement.

Back in Russia, Navalny's mother also said she saw her son's death certificate. His aides said the certificate attributed the death to natural causes.

Since Navalny's death, about 400 people have been detained around the country for trying to pay tribute to the opposition leader, according to OVD-Info, a group that monitors political arrests.

Authorities are also blocking some memorials to victims of Soviet oppression around Russia that people were using as impromptu tributes to Navalny.

The opposition leader's mother said authorities had threatened her over the burial process.

"I'm recording this video because they started threatening me. Looking into my eyes, they say that if I don't agree to a secret funeral, they will do something with my son's body," she said.

"I don't want special conditions," she said. "I just want everything to be done according to the law. I demand that my son's body be returned to me immediately."

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 then, on charges he rejected as politically motivated.

Some information in this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press.

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Readout of President Biden's Meeting with Yulia Navalnaya and Dasha Navalnaya

February 22, 2024

President Biden met with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya today in San Francisco to express his heartfelt condolences for their terrible loss following the death of Aleksey Navalny in a Russian prison. The President expressed his admiration for Aleksey Navalny's extraordinary courage and his legacy of fighting against corruption and for a free and democratic Russia in which the rule of law applies equally to everyone. The President emphasized that Aleksey's legacy will carry on through people across Russia and around the world mourning his loss and fighting for freedom, democracy, and human rights. He affirmed that his Administration will announce major new sanctions against Russia tomorrow in response to Aleksey's death, Russia's repression and aggression, and its brutal and illegal war in Ukraine.

###

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Visiting U.S. congressmen propose ways of expediting Taiwan's arms orders

ROC Central News Agency

02/22/2024 05:02 PM

Taipei, Feb. 22 (CNA) Two visiting members of the United States Congress on Thursday proposed ways of speeding up their country's delivery of military weapons to Taiwan, including the possibility of joint production to deal with the current backlog of orders.

Republican Mike Gallagher and Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, who are part of a congressional delegation on a three-day visit to Taiwan, said at a press conference in Taipei that such arrangements could be made in light of the fact that U.S.' defense industrial sector is "under tremendous stress" with regards to weapons production.

Krishnamoorthi, a ranking member of the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), suggested that one solution could be for the U.S. to allow joint production with Taiwan of some weapons that do not need intellectual property transfer, such as 155 millimeter artillery, which is currently in high demand due to the Ukraine-Russian war.

These are items required for deterrence, which can be made locally, and "we don't have to worry about necessarily stressing the supply chains in other parts of the world," said Krishnamoorthi, when asked if Congress could help facilitate faster delivery of Taiwan's backlogged arms orders from the U.S., which total some US$20 billion.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has been doing its best to expedite the shipment of arms and articles of self-defense to Taiwan, said Krishnamoorthi, one of five bipartisan members of the visiting delegation from the House committee.

Addressing the same question, Gallagher, who chairs the House committee and is leading the delegation, said the backlog was due to bureaucracy in Washington regarding foreign military sales.

He proposed that his committee put forth a "multi-year appropriation" bill for the supply of critical munition, which would allow arms producers to move from "minimum sustaining rates of production to maximum production rates and invest in workforce and facilitation."

Gallagher said he would also suggest that the Pentagon reconfigure the approximately 200 harpoon missiles in its inventory and deliver them to Taiwan as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, on the issue of China's growing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, Gallagher said the U.S. should remain engaged in projects like the Compact of Free Association (COFA), a financial aid agreement it has with Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.

"We have to be here in the region, constantly signaling to our friends that we stand with them and constantly signaling to our enemies that we won't stand by as they pursue the route of aggression," he said, adding that Congress had recently been debating the question of whether to renew the appropriation funds for COFA.

Palau and the Marshall Islands, two of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, recently wrote to the U.S. Congress, asking that the COFA funding be renewed and warning that they had been receiving generous offers from China to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

The letter was sent after the Pacific island nation of Nauru severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and resumed relations with China last month, amid aggressive efforts by Beijing to peel off Taipei's allies.

Earlier Thursday, Gallagher and his delegation met with President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) and President-elect Lai Ching-te (ea) to discuss the current situation in the Indo-Pacific region and other issues of mutual concern.

In the meeting at the Presidential Office, Tsai thanked the Biden administration and U.S. Congress for their continued assistance to Taiwan to strengthen its self-defense capability.

"Together we are safeguarding freedom and democracy and maintaining regional peace," she told the delegation, which includes Republican representatives John Moolenaar and Dusty Johnson, as well as Democrats Krishnamoorthi and Seth Moulton.

In turn, Gallagher said that the visit by his delegation was an indication of bipartisan support in the Congress for the U.S.-Taiwan partnership.

He congratulated Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party for winning an unprecedented third term in the presidential election in January, and he thanked the outgoing president for her leadership over the past eight years, which he said had helped to build rock solid ties between Taiwan and the U.S.

The delegation's three-day visit to Taiwan, which concludes Saturday, is part of a wider trip to the Indo-Pacific region, aimed at building consensus on responses to the threat posed by the CCP and developing strategies to help the U.S. compete with China in the region.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/pc

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CGA confirms Kinmen capsizing incident caused by patrol boat collision

ROC Central News Agency

02/22/2024 08:13 PM

Kinmen County, Feb. 22 (CNA) The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) confirmed Thursday that the fatal capsizing incident on Feb. 14 off the coast of Kinmen was caused by a collision with a CGA patrol boat.

The confirmation from CGA Ninth Fleet Branch Deputy Director Chen Chien-wen () came after days of criticism from Chinese authorities and Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang lawmakers, who accused the CGA of not being forthcoming about the cause of the deadly incident.

The CGA has denied such accusations, saying that the case was still under investigation and urging the public to have faith in the judicial process.

In a press conference on Thursday, Chen gave a more detailed account of the CGA's version of events, saying that a CP-1051 patrol boat had received a report at 12:52 p.m. on Feb. 14 that a Chinese speedboat had entered prohibited waters and was operating near Beiding Island off the east of Kinmen.

The Chinese boat was still in operation when coast guardsmen arrived and began their inspection and expelling operations, Chen said.

He said the captain of the patrol boat then turned on warning lights and sirens, per standard boarding inspection procedures, while speeding toward the boat.

The Chinese vessel then tried to escape in a zigzagging fashion to avoid boarding and inspections, Chen said.

The pursuit lasted for more than one minute before the escaping vessel suddenly took a sharp turn right and its boat tail collided with the patrol boat's front right side, Chen said.

The force of the collision caused the speedboat to capsize, he added.

Two CGA officers promptly jumped onto the overturned vessel to try and search for those who were suspected of having fallen into the water. They rescued two Chinese crew members who emerged conscious from the waters and continued to give emergency treatment to the other two who were found unconscious, he said.

The two unconscious crew members were sent to a Kinmen hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

In a separate press conference on Thursday, Fuchien Kinmen District Prosecutors Office head prosecutor Shih Chia-jung () quoted conflicting statements from the two surviving Chinese crew members during earlier interrogations.

One of the crew members, surnamed Xu (), said that a collision took place, while the other, surnamed Wang (), said that the boat was traveling at a high speed and he was not aware of any collision, Shih said.

Meanwhile, CGA Deputy Director Hsu Ching-chih () on Thursday addressed criticism that the incident was not recorded on camera, explaining that the officers could not hold a camera as they had to focus on maintaining balance on the speeding and rocking boat.

He said the CP-1051 was a small vessel and was not equipped with monitoring systems, nor were officers required to wear body cameras.

However, he acknowledged that officers wearing body cameras could help to avoid similar situations in the future, adding that the CGA would therefore equip all four officers on vessels of this model with body cameras in the future.

He also offered an apology on behalf of the CGA, acknowledging that the failure to record the incident had added to the distress of the deceased's families and sparked controversy.

The CGA also promised to offer condolence payments to the families of the deceased and said the amount would be determined when investigations were complete.

Meanwhile, a non-profit organization supporting CGA officers in Taiwan said they are planning condolence payments for the survivors and families of the deceased.

(By Chang I-lien, Hung Hsueh-kuang, Huang Li-yun, Lin Chiao-lien and Wu Kuan-hsien)

Enditem/kb

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Lai vows support for 'firm enforcement of the law' after Kinmen capsizing

ROC Central News Agency

02/22/2024 01:59 PM

Taipei, Feb. 22 (CNA) President-elect Lai Ching-te () has vowed to continue to support the Coast Guard Administration's (CGA) "firm enforcement of the law" following a fatal capsizing off the coast of Kinmen last week.

According to ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesman Justin Wu () Wednesday, Lai, the DPP chairman, said cross-strait maritime disputes should be "properly handled" after two Chinese nationals died while being pursued by a CGA patrol boat on Feb. 14.

Wu said that Lai also expressed support for the "firm enforcement of the law" during a party meeting, and would continue to follow the matter closely to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Speaking after the same meeting, DPP Legislator Wu Szu-yao () described the CGA patrol boat's actions as "legal," adding that protecting the safety and welfare of Taiwanese fishermen was the correct response.

Wu said she hoped an investigation by the Fuchien Kinmen District Prosecutors Office would provide a full picture of what transpired on Feb. 14.

Also on Wednesday, Premier Chen Chien-jen () said active assistance would be provided to the CGA and Taiwanese fishermen to guarantee their safety in the waters where the capsizing happened.

Calling on the relevant parties to cooperate with judicial inquiries so that "the truth can be uncovered as soon as possible," Chen said cross-strait interactions should be healthy, rational, equal and respectful to ensure peoples' welfare.

Meanwhile, Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu () said that while the KMT supported the enforcement of the law, he still hoped both sides of the Taiwan Strait could resolve their problems through dialogue and interaction instead of intensifying conflict.

Chu said that the DPP was responsible for reducing the risk of conflict between Taiwan and China, and called on the government and Beijing to decrease hostility toward each other to avoid a "malicious spiral."

(By Sophia Yeh, Liu Chien-ling, Liu Kuan-ting and Wu Kuan-hsien)

Enditem/ASG

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China blasts 'interference' after US delegation visits Taiwan

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 3:53 PM

China has lambasted a new visit to Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) by a delegation from the United States as "interference" in the internal affairs of the self-ruled island.

Mike Gallagher, the chairman of the US House of Representatives committee on China, who heads a five-member delegation, arrived in Taipei on Thursday for talks with the island's leaders, including President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice-President Lai Ching-te, who won January's presidential election and will assume power as the new president in May.

The US delegation said Washington would continue to support Taipei, no matter who becomes the next US president.

Later in the day, China condemned the move.

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. China always resolutely opposes any form of official exchange between the United States and Taiwan authorities, and resolutely opposes the United States' interference in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext," said China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a regular press conference.

China has sovereignty over the Chinese Taipei, and under the "One China" policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty. The US, too, recognizes the Chinese sovereignty over the island but has long courted Taipei in an attempt to unnerve Beijing.

The Chinese government strongly opposes other countries pursuing official and diplomatic ties with the Taipei and has consistently warned the US and other states against engaging with the self-proclaimed government in Taipei.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), led by Tsai, by tradition, advocates independence for the island. Taipei claims the island is under constant military threat from China. Beijing dismisses that allegation.

"We urge the US to be mindful of the extreme complexity and sensitivity of the Taiwan question, abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiquAs, prudently and properly handle issues relating to Taiwan, stop official contact with Taiwan and stop sending any wrong signal to the separatist forces for 'Taiwan independence,'" Mao stated.

Beijing has time and again said it will use force, if necessary, to add Taiwan to China's mainland. President Xi Jinping has been articulate about that matter.

Gallagher, however, warned Beijing that any attempt to invade Taiwan would "fail."

"The message we want to send in a bipartisan fashion is: If Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party were to ever make the incredibly foolish decision to attempt an invasion of Taiwan, that that effort would fail," he said.

Separately on Thursday, Taiwan's defense ministry announced that Washington had issued a notice for a $75-million arms sale to help Taiwan upgrade its Link-16 communications systems.

Washington's arms sale to Chinese Taipei proceeds under the terms of the so-called Taiwan Relations Act of 2022, and there is bipartisan support for providing the island with weapons.

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In Taiwan, US lawmaker calls any Chinese invasion plans 'foolish'

Gallagher, chair of the House Select Committee on China, said an invasion by China 'would fail.'

By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.02.22 -- Any plans Chinese President Xi Jinping has to invade Taiwan are "foolish" and "would fail," U.S. lawmaker and China hawk Mike Gallagher said during a trip to the democratic island on Thursday.

Beijing considers self-governing Taiwan to be a renegade province and has vowed to one day reunite the island with mainland China - by force if necessary. Some U.S. military leaders believe Xi may have plans to carry out an invasion or blockade as early as 2027.

The United States, though, maintains close unofficial ties with Taiwan, and since taking office U.S. President Joe Biden has repeatedly said American forces would come to its aid in case of an invasion.

On Thursday, Gallagher led a bipartisan delegation from the House Select Committee on China, which has spent the past year examining "the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party," and said support would continue no matter which party held power in Washington.

"I see growing and extremely strong support for Taiwan," Gallagher said before meeting with Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te, who takes office in May after winning last month's presidential election. Lai will succeed Tsai Ing-wen, who also attended Thursday's talks.

"I am very confident that support for Taiwan will continue regardless of who occupies the White House," Gallagher said, noting Democratic Party Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi was in Taipei alongside him.

Their trip was, he explained, to send a message "that if Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party were to ever make the incredibly foolish decision to attempt an invasion of Taiwan, that that effort would fail."

Krishnamoorthi added that Congress "deeply believed" in Taiwan.

Sore spot

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters at a press briefing that Taiwan "is an inalienable part of China's territory" and that the trip constituted interference by the United States and accused it of sending mixed signals on "Taiwan independence."

"China opposes any form of official interaction between the U.S. and Taiwan authorities and rejects U.S. interference in Taiwan affairs in whatever form or under whatever pretext," Mao said.

"We urge the U.S. to be mindful of the extreme complexity and sensitivity of the Taiwan question, abide by the 'One China' principle and the three China-US joint communiquAs, prudently and properly handle issues relating to Taiwan, stop official contact with Taiwan and stop sending any wrong signal to the separatist forces," she said.

U.S.-China ties have been on the mend since a meeting between Biden and Xi that took place in San Francisco in November, with both pledging to cooperate where they can, even as they compete.

That thawing of ties came after months of bad blood between the world's two biggest economies and military powers, which began when then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022.

Taiwan's government, for which Lai currently serves as the vice president, says it has no need to officially declare independence from China because, in practical terms, it already is independent from the mainland, a description that has only angered Beijing further.

Tsai, the outgoing president, said before Thursday's meetings that the trip again showed "staunch support" of the United States for Taiwan's democracy and highlighted the island's growing global importance.

"The Taiwan of today plays a crucial role in upholding global peace and democracy," Tsai told reporters. "We will continue to advance our international partnerships and engage with the world.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Military truck convoy in driving skill training

China Military Online) 16:56, February 23, 2024

A military truck convoy attached to a regiment under the PLA Xinjiang Military Command moves on a zigzag road in unfamiliar area during a driving skill training exercise in early February, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yang Qi)

A military truck convoy attached to a regiment under the PLA Xinjiang Military Command moves on a zigzag road in unfamiliar area during a driving skill training exercise in early February, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yang Qi)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
OakLeaf Medical Network announced Thursday that network clinics, physicians and health care providers have added services, expanded capacity and increased appointment availability to accommodate the increased health care needs created by two HSHS closures.

HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls and all Prevea Health locations in western Wisconsins Chippewa Valley will permanently close, the hospitals announced last month as part of a complete exit from the Western Wisconsin region, according to a press release.

HSHS St. Joseph's is closing in March and Sacred Heart is closing in April, according to leaders with the hospital network. The closure of the two hospitals and Prevea Clinics across western Wisconsin will result in more than 1,400 losing their jobs.

OakLeaf Medical Network has updated its response plan with additional capacity, according to a press release.

OakLeaf Medical Networks over 320 physicians and health care professionals have been serving the Chippewa Valley and great western Wisconsin region for 30 years, providing unprecedented access to the highest quality of medical care to tens of thousands of patients, said chair of the OakLeaf Medical Network Board Dr. Kyle Dettbarn. We have consistently flexed and grown since we started in 1994 to serve the growing and changing needs of our patients and are doing everything in our control to ensure the stabilization of health care services in our community.

OakLeaf Medical Network primary care providers began managing Fee for Service Medicare patients through the Realizing Equity, Access and Community Health Accountable Care Organization model in January.

Physicians are selected to participate in this direct, global payment model with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services based on their ability to deliver high-quality, coordinated care to their patients, improve health outcomes and manage costs. We continue to flex and grow to meet the unique needs of every patient we serve, the release states.

OakLeafs Western Wisconsin Action Response Plan was updated Thursday. According to the plan, OakLeaf is actively recruiting and has added some physicians and support staff across clinics with plans to add more.

We continue to explore additional facilities for inpatient services to admit 33,500+ patients, and this assessment includes ongoing discussion with our regional partners, the plan said.

OakLeaf said in the plan that it is actively evaluating several innovative options to provide essential services to fill gaps left by the HSHS exit from western Wisconsin.

OakLeafs expanded services include:

 Added primary care health care capacity from the 30 primary care providers and six pediatricians in the network at OakLeaf Clinics, Confluence Health and Sunrise Family Medicine. The network has accepted over 3,000 new primary care patients since the HSHS announcement and is expanding to meet increased need in the region.

 OakLeaf Medical Network obstetrics physicians anticipate 900 births from their patients in 2024. While Marshfield Medical Centers expanded labor and delivery capacity will be able to accommodate some of these births, OakLeaf obstetrics physicians are planning for additional hospital coverage in the region so their patients can deliver children with their doctor present at the time of birth. All OakLeaf Medical Network obstetrics physicians have admitting privileges at area hospitals.

 Expanded urgent care and lab hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday starting March 4 at Eau Claire Medical Clinic and Chippewa Falls locations.

 Increased outpatient psychiatry/behavioral health services. In addition to actively recruiting mental health professionals and psychiatrists, network member Nystrom & Associates has established a separate phone line for patients impacted by HSHS/Prevea closures. Call 715-506-5535 or fill out the online form on the website.

 Increased pelvic health services with additional health care professionals and physical therapy services at network clinic Western Wisconsin Urology.
"We achieved $5.5-billion in defense industry exports in 2023"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

22.02.2024

Addressing citizens in Denizli: "We can now produce with our own means nearly all of the weapons we need. What is more, we export them to friendly and brotherly countries. We achieved $5.5-billion in defense industry exports last year."

President and Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan addressed citizens at the party's rally in Denizli.

"WE CONSTANTLY IMPROVE OURSELVES IN DEFENSE INDUSTRY"

Underscoring that one of the most important pillars of the Century of TArkiye vision is to elevate TArkiye to world's premier league in defense industry and technology, President ErdoAYan said: "Despite many obstacles and overt/covert embargoes we face, we constantly improve ourselves in this area. We officially put into service tens of aerial, ground and navy projects in the past year alone."

Stating that they have increased the domestic production rate, which was around 20 per cent when they took office, to some 80 per cent, President ErdoAYan noted that they put an end to the importation of most of the weapons TArkiye had been using in its fight against terror, and added: "We can now produce with our own means nearly all of the weapons we need. What is more, we export them to friendly and brotherly countries. We achieved $5.5-billion in defense industry exports last year."

KAAN, TARKAYE'S NATIONAL COMBAT AIRCRAFT

Noting that TArkiye is one of the ten countries in the world that produce its own warship, President ErdoAYan added that they not only design and produce the vessels themselves but also improve many technologies, from weapon systems to radars.

Also drawing attention to TArkiye's national combat aircraft KAAN, President ErdoAYan said that the aircraft has successfully performed its first flight, and went on to say: "KAAN, which is the product of a 15-year-long work, effort and determination, left behind yet another critical threshold with the test flight yesterday. We plan to deliver KAAN to the Turkish Air Force by the end of 2028."

Pointing to the humanitarian aid sent to Gaza, President ErdoAYan said yet another ship, which was carrying 21 ambulances and 2,380-ton aid supply, has arrived at the Al Arish Port of Egypt, and that TArkiye looks after the oppressed with the humanitarian aid it provides.

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Foreign Secretary's meeting with the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, February 2024

Foreign Secretary David Cameron met the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, Diana Mondino at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 21 February

21 February 2024

Foreign Secretary David Cameron met the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, Diana Mondino at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 21 February.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

"The Foreign Secretary met the Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Summit in Rio de Janeiro today [21 February 2024].

It was a positive meeting, building on the Foreign Secretary's discussion with President Milei at the World Economic Forum in January during which they agreed to embark on a new era of relations between Argentina and the UK. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Mondino agreed to take this forward by cooperating on areas of mutual interest, such as increased economic and trade links and youth mobility, as well as shared multilateral priorities.

The Foreign Secretary also welcomed Argentina's unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Both sides agreed to stand united in continuing to condemn the Russian government's reprehensible actions, which are an egregious violation of international law and the UN Charter.

On the Falklands Islands, the Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK's ongoing support for the Falkland Islanders' right of self-determination. However, they noted that this would not prevent cooperation on areas that would be mutually beneficial.

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Foreign Secretary's meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister, February 2024

The Foreign Secretary met with Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 22 February

22 February 2024

The Foreign Secretary and Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira held talks at the G20 in Rio de Janeiro today [22 February 2024] to discuss how the international community can respond to major global challenges.

They agreed on the urgent need for Israel to allow more aid into Gaza. The Foreign Secretary set out the UK's plan for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, and then progress towards a sustainable permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting, and loss of life.

On Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary stressed the devastating human impact of the war and the importance of Brazil's perspective on the world stage in building peace. He encouraged Brazil to follow its own principles and use their available channels, including BRICS and their G20 Presidency, to urge Russia to end its unprovoked and illegal invasion and create room for diplomacy.

The UK supports the Brazil Presidency in reforming global governance and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals. The Foreign Secretary said that international order needs to adapt and global institutions 'needed to be reformed, not completely upended,' including the UK's support for permanent Security Council seats for Brazil, India, Japan, Germany and permanent representation from Africa.

The Foreign Secretary emphasised the need to go beyond national aid budgets and use all the resources at countries' disposal to deliver a bigger, better, bolder and fairer international financial system that delivers for all. This includes making Multilateral Development Banks operate more effectively and reforming the World Trade Organisation to reduce protectionism. He pushed for global action to tackle Anti-Microbial Resistance, which is now responsible for more deaths than Tuberculosis, HIV AIDS, and Malaria.

The Foreign Secretary also signed a Defence Capability Collaboration Arrangement which will help modernise Brazil's defence industrial base via UK expertise, strengthening UK-Brazil ties.

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New UK strategy to deliver drones to armed forces

UK Defence Drone Strategy launched to deliver unified approach to uncrewed systems across all three military services, supported by A4.5 billion of investment.

22 February 2024

A new strategy backed by at least A4.5 billion of investment over the next decade will accelerate access to uncrewed systems for the UK Armed Forces, rapidly equipping them with innovative technology across air, sea, and land.

The UK Defence Drone Strategy, born from lessons learned in Ukraine, will harness innovative capabilities across UK defence. It will enable the rapid experimentation, testing and evaluation of uncrewed platforms, unifying the approach of the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, integrated by UK Strategic Command, while crucially working in lockstep with industry.

Drones are a game-changing technology that are constantly evolving, and it is crucial that the UK continues to invest in and maintain our position on the cutting edge of drone development to stay one step ahead of our adversaries.

The new approach will see uncrewed systems delivered at pace into the hands of the British Armed Forces, equipping personnel with critical intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, strike and logistical capabilities. This will leave behind long development timelines and lengthy requirement discussions. Once operational, the systems will be able to be developed and upgraded - or 'spiralled' - to keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology and changing threat picture.

Our initial priority remains the successful delivery of the Ukraine-UK uncrewed systems initiative, building on the UK's donation of over 4,000 drones for Ukraine. The UK Defence Drone Strategy will help Armed Forces personnel meet the relentless cycle of battlefield adaptation, as has been repeatedly underpinned as Ukraine continues to successfully resist the Russian invasion.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

The conflict in Ukraine has been an incubator for new ways of war and we need to learn and implement those hard-fought lessons. Rapidly being able to develop and upgrade uncrewed systems will be key to gaining battlefield advantage and we must seize this opportunity to grow and sustain such skills and capabilities in the UK. The strategy brings together a clear, unified focus - backed by billions in funding - while providing the flexibility to meet different requirements in the air, over land and at sea. Ultimately, this is about learning the lessons from the Ukrainian frontline to procure drones at scale for the UK's Armed Forces.

Of the A2.5 billion pounds to be spent on supporting Ukraine this coming financial year, more than A200 million will go towards supplying Ukraine with uncrewed systems. As the Defence Secretary announced last week, the UK will include work to scale up the Drone Capability Coalition's provision of 'first-person view' (FPV) drones to Ukraine. This will help to scale the UK's domestic drone industry across manufacturing and software development whilst giving Ukraine cutting-edge, battle-tested capabilities to defend their citizens and target the invading Russian forces.

Working with international partners and leading uncrewed systems designers, the UK's ambition to be a world-leader in uncrewed systems will enable exports in a rapidly growing global market and create onshore investment opportunities, supporting UK jobs and backing the Prime Minister's priority to grow the economy.

Commander of UK Strategic Command, General Jim Hockenhull said:

This strategy, backed by significant investment, offers the opportunity to transform our approach to the acquisition, integration, and exploitation of uncrewed systems. The partnership with industry will be vital to ensure we harness innovation and generate world-leading capability. Integrating advanced uncrewed systems into our suite of capabilities will protect the force, deter our adversaries and, when necessary, help us to fight and win.

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK MOD, has played a key role in helping develop the new UK Defence Drone Strategy and will be pivotal in ensuring its successful ongoing delivery.

Chief Executive, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), Andy Start said:

DE&S has supported the rapid procurement of large numbers of uncrewed aerial systems for Ukraine, and it is clearer than ever that unhindered access to battle-winning uncrewed systems is absolutely crucial in modern day combat. We are delighted to be working with frontline commands and industry partners to identify, test and deliver platforms that will give the UK Armed Forces the competitive edge they require to protect the nation and support our allies.

A comprehensive partnership with industry is at the core of the Drone Strategy, and building on the UK's extensive industrial, robotics and digital heritage. Through regular, clear industry engagements, we will incentivise industry to support the rapid manufacture and adaptation at a scale and capability able to deliver operational advantage for our Armed Forces.

As part of the Strategy, we will work across government to make the UK more competitive in the global export market for uncrewed systems and their development.

Today's Strategy builds on the UK's rich history of developing and operating uncrewed systems, including the use of Reaper MQ-9s by the Royal Air Force, and small to medium uncrewed aerial systems by the Army and particularly the Royal Navy who have developed a growing array of surface and sub-surface capabilities, including autonomous minehunters.

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Two years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Declaration of the Congress Bureau

Council of Europe

Congress

Strasbourg

22 February 2024

The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Marc Cools, has made the following statement:

"24 February 2024 will mark two years since the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On this occasion, the Congress Bureau adopted a Declaration in which it reiterated its condemnation of the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

"In the two years since it was launched, this brutal war has caused the loss of tens of thousands of innocent lives as well as massive destruction throughout Ukraine, forcing millions of people to flee their homes and spreading violence and disinformation, with dramatic long-term repercussions on cities and communities in Ukraine and worldwide.

"In its Declaration, the Bureau highlighted the critical importance of seeking justice for victims and holding Russia accountable and welcomed the establishment of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, whose action it will support by making sure claims can be taken swiftly including through local and regional authorities.

"The Bureau again joined the international community's call for the Russian Federation to end its unjustified and unprovoked war against Ukraine and withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine immediately, fully and unconditionally, and condemned the horrific war crimes as well as acts of possible genocide that have been committed by Russian forces.

"The Bureau deplored in particular the impact of the war on the children of Ukraine, including those who have been internally displaced, forced to flee Ukraine, separated from their families and/or forcibly deported by the Russian authorities, and called on local and regional authorities where these children are presently living to take comprehensive action to protect them.

"The Bureau reiterated its solidarity with Ukrainian citizens and their elected leaders, who continue to demonstrate extraordinary courage and resilience in defending their country against the aggressor State, and called on European cities and regions to continue providing large-scale financial, security and humanitarian assistance to their Ukrainian counterparts, including through possible direct, multi-faceted partnerships.

"The Bureau expressed its support for Ukraine's reform efforts as part of its request for accession to the European Union as well as its firm belief that Ukraine's decentralisation and local self-government reform significantly contributes to its resilience at local and regional levels, and underlined the importance of pursuing the reform process during the post-war recovery.

"The Bureau stands by the Ukrainian people at this historically decisive time for Ukraine and the world and believes in a common, democratic future based on respect for international law and a just peace."

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Denmark becomes first Nordic country to enter an agreement with Ukraine on security cooperation and long-term support

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

22.2.2024 17:10:34 CET | News from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

The agreement contributes to the international efforts to ensure long-term support for Ukraine.

Denmark has pledged support for Ukraine for a ten-year period to Ukraine. The agreement on security commitments comprises bilateral long-term military and civilian support based on Denmark's positions of strength on F-16 combat aircraft, the reconstruction of Mykolaiv, and support for Ukraine's reform efforts.

Denmark's security commitments will be funded by the Danish Ukraine Fund which is financed until 2028. The total Danish support to Ukraine currently amounts to approx. EUR 9.3 billion.

"With Denmark's security commitments we are making a political pledge that secures our long-term support for Ukraine. We are sending the unequivocal signal that Ukraine can count on Denmark for as long as necessary. It is crucial that we support Ukraine now and in the long term, and it must be clear that Ukraine does not stand alone in its defence against Russia's full-scale war of aggression," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars LAkke Rasmussen.

"With the long-term military support included in the security commitments, Denmark is putting words into action we say that we will stand behind Ukraine's fight for freedom for as long as necessary. Their fight is our fight, and our support makes a real and tangible difference. The security commitments include the continued donation of military equipment and training, as well as a much closer cooperation in areas such as cyber and intelligence cooperation," says Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.

The agreement on security commitments will support Ukraine's self-defence against Russia's full-scale war of aggression and will contribute to the deterrence of future Russian aggression by strengthening Ukraine's resilience.

The security commitments constitute a bridge towards Ukraine's future EU and NATO membership. As part of this process, Ukraine is committing to implementing the necessary reforms to promote democracy, anti-corruption and democratic control of their security and defence forces.

The security commitments include a consultation mechanism which may be activated in the event of a future Russian armed attack against Ukraine. In such a situation, the countries supporting the G7-initiative of providing security commitments to Ukraine will immediately consider appropriate countermeasures such as renewed military and civilian support.

The international initiative to provide security commitments to Ukraine is lead by the G7, including Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. The initiative is now supported by a total of 32 countries and the EU, including the Nordic countries. To date, the United Kingdom, Germany and France have announced bilateral agreements on security commitments to Ukraine.

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February 22, 2024

By C. Todd Lopez , DOD News

U.S. Committed to Stand With Ukraine 'For as Long as it Takes'

The president and the secretary of defense have committed to long-term, sustained support for Ukraine's fight against Russia, which invaded Ukraine two years ago this Saturday.

But that commitment also requires a commitment by the U.S. Congress, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh during a briefing today.

"We can't stand by as an aggressor invades a sovereign neighbor," Singh said. "[Ukraine has] a commitment from the United States that we are going to be with you for as long as it takes ... We do need Congress to give us the funding in order to supply Ukraine with what it needs. We not only need the supplemental, we need a budget passed. And so, we're working with Congress and hopefully we'll be able to get something done."

According to Singh, Ukraine's top priorities include air defense, artillery, and ammunition. She said whatever is contained in the next presidential drawdown authority package a whenever that comes a will reflect those priorities.

"We're not taking anything off the table, but we certainly want to make sure that we're getting Ukraine what it needs," Singh said. "We can only do that when we have the supplemental passed in Congress. But of course, whatever we give Ukraine it will be to meet their urgent battlefield needs."

In the same way the U.S. commitment to Ukraine requires a commitment from a large swath of the U.S. federal government a Congress included a commitments in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian requires commitment from partners and allies as well.

That operation, which kicked off in December, brings together multiple nations in order to address the challenges posed by Houthi attacks originating from Yemen which threaten the free flow of commerce in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

"The Houthis are, every single day, putting at risk innocent mariners transiting, putting at risk the freedom of navigation, and therefore, Operation Prosperity Guardian is there to protect against that alongside other allies and partners."

Singh said the U.S. welcomes more partners to help join up with OPG or to create their own operations that can work alongside OPG.

"We always welcome more nations to join that coalition. We have seen growth since December when it was first announced," Singh said. "We welcome more nations to join. Just recently you saw the EU announce a coalition as well, that will work alongside Operation Prosperity Guardian. We certainly are seeing an expansion of assets in the region, even if they're not under ... OPG ... they're still working alongside us and like-minded nations, with the same goal in mind."

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Task Force KleptoCapture Announces Array of New Charges, Arrests, and Forfeiture Proceedings in Advance of Second Anniversary of Illegal Invasion of Ukraine

Thursday, February 22, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

United States seeks forfeiture of $2.5 million in luxury properties, makes two arrests, charges two sanctioned oligarchs, and secures guilty plea in significant money laundering case

From the outset of Russia's unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the Department of Justice has prioritized enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed alongside our global partners. Today, the Department continues that work through significant enforcement actions in five separate federal cases against sanctioned oligarchs and facilitator networks supporting the Russian regime.

Today's actions coincide with the approaching two-year mark of Russia's unprovoked war in Ukraine. Read more about the Justice Department's efforts to hold Russia accountable here.

"The Justice Department is more committed than ever to cutting off the flow of illegal funds that are fueling Putin's war and to holding accountable those who continue to enable it," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "That is why today we are announcing several additional enforcement actions that the Justice Department has taken to bring prosecutions against and seize assets of sanctioned enablers of the Kremlin and Russian military."

"Since the onset of Russia's brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the Justice Department has used every tool in our arsenal - including our international partnerships - to target the criminal actors and activity propping up Vladimir Putin, his henchmen, and his illegal war," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. "Over the last two years, our Task Force KleptoCapture has restrained, seized, and obtained judgments to forfeit nearly $700 million in assets from Russian enablers and charged more than 70 individuals for violating international sanctions and export controls levied against Russia. The charges we announce today against oligarchs, facilitators, and money launderers are the next chapter: so long as Russia's aggression continues, so too will our resolve to hold its enablers accountable. We stand firmly with the people of Ukraine."

"It has been two years since Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the FBI continues to go after the Russian criminals who finance and enable Russia's war," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "To the people of Ukraine fighting for their freedom: The FBI remains steadfast in our efforts to disrupt and hold accountable the criminals supporting the Russian War, and we will continue to stand with you to fend off Russian aggression for as long as it takes."

In the Southern District of New York, the Department unsealed charges against three people, including sanctioned oligarch Andrey Kostin and two of his U.S.-based facilitators. The facilitators, Vadim Wolfson, aka Vadim Belyaev and Gannon Bond, were arrested today.

In the Middle District of Florida, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Sergey Vitalievich Kurchenko, a sanctioned pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch, in a years-long scheme to violate and evade U.S. sanctions by receiving funds from and doing approximately $330 million in business with U.S. persons.

In the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta-based dual national Feliks Medvedev pleaded guilty to his role in laundering over $150 million through bank accounts and shell companies on behalf of Russian clients. Separately, on Feb. 13, KSK Group - a sanctioned Russian company which assists Russian citizens with international money movements - and two overseas Russian nationals, including one sanctioned individual, were indicted for money laundering.

In the Southern District of Florida, the United States filed a civil forfeiture complaint against two Miami luxury condominium properties owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Perevalov. The properties are allegedly connected to a conspiracy to maintain and transfer real estate for the benefit of Perevalov. Located at the Ritz Carlton in Bal Harbour, the properties are valued at approximately $2.5 million.

Lastly, in the District of Columbia, a superseding indictment was unsealed today charging Vladislav Osipov with bank fraud in connection with a criminal scheme to facilitate the operation of the Motor Yacht (M/Y) Tango, a 255-foot luxury yacht that the Justice Department has previously stated is owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg.

United States v. Kostin et al., Southern District of New York

Today, the United States unsealed an indictment charging Andrey Kostin, a sanctioned Russian oligarch and the President and Chairman of a Russian state-owned bank with participating in two schemes to violate U.S. sanctions and arrested two U.S.-based co-conspirators for their role in facilitating one of the schemes.

As alleged in the indictment, Kostin participated in a scheme to evade sanctions and launder funds to support two superyachts, collectively worth over $135 million. Kostin and two U.S. persons also allegedly engaged in a scheme to evade sanctions related to a luxury home in Aspen, Colorado. Facilitators Vadim Wolfson, aka Vadim Belyaev, 56, of Austin, Texas, and a legal permanent resident of the United States, and Gannon Bond, 49, a U.S. citizen of Edgewater, New Jersey, were arrested earlier today.

Kostin is a Russian oligarch who was sanctioned by OFAC on April 6, 2018, pursuant to Executive Order 13661 for being an official of the Government of the Russian Federation. From at least on or about April 6, 2018, through at least on or about March 2, 2022, Kostin and others, including at times Wolfson and Bond, allegedly participated in schemes to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), through the provision of funds, goods, and services, including U.S. financial services and U.S. dollar transactions, to and for Kostin's benefit. The indictment alleges that Kostin also engaged in a scheme to commit money laundering to promote IEEPA violations.

According to the indictment, before and after OFAC sanctioned Kostin, he beneficially owned and controlled, through various shell companies, several assets worth tens of millions of dollars, including two superyachts identified as the Sea Rhapsody and Sea & Us, valued at over $135 million. Kostin and others allegedly violated IEEPA on numerous occasions, including by causing U.S. dollar payments to be made for the maintenance, operation, and improvement of the Sea Rhapsody and Sea & Us for the benefit of Kostin and without an OFAC license, which is required for U.S. persons to transact with a sanctioned person. In causing these U.S. dollar payments to be made, Kostin and others also allegedly committed international money laundering.

The indictment alleges that Kostin also owned a luxury home in Aspen, Colorado, that he purchased for $13.5 million in 2010. From at least on or about April 6, 2018, through at least in or about September 2019, Kostin, Wolfson, Bond, and others participated in a scheme to violate the IEEPA by providing funds, goods, and services for the benefit of Kostin, whose property and interests in property, including the Aspen home, were blocked as a result of the OFAC sanctions against him. Specifically, notwithstanding having been sanctioned by OFAC, Kostin and his conspirators allegedly schemed to operate, maintain, and improve Kostin's Aspen residence in a manner designed to conceal Kostin's continued ownership of this luxury asset. In addition, in or about September 2019, Kostin, Wolfson, Bond, and others allegedly committed additional sanctions violations by dealing in and transferring Kostin's blocked property. Specifically, the conspirators allegedly arranged to sell the Aspen home and provide Kostin with approximately $12 million resulting from the sale.

Kostin, 67, of Russia, remains at large and is believed to be in Russia. KOSTIN is charged with two counts of conspiracy to violate IEEPA, two counts of violating IEEPA, and one count of conspiracy to commit international money laundering, all of which each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Wolfson is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate IEEPA and two counts of violating IEEPA, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Bond is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate IEEPA and two counts of violating IEEPA, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The FBI's Washington Field Office is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Deininger and David Felton for the Southern District of New York's Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit, and Trial Attorneys Derek Shugert of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Oleksandra Johnson of the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section are prosecuting the case.

United States v. Kurchenko, Middle District of Florida

Pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch Sergey Vitalievich Kurchenko, 38, currently believed to be living in Moscow, Russia, is charged with violating the IEEPA and U.S. sanctions on Russia in connection with a years-long scheme to do business in the United States, in violation of U.S. sanctions. Kurchenko was sanctioned by OFAC in 2015 for his role in misappropriating state assets of Ukraine or of an economically significant entity in Ukraine.

As alleged, between in or about July 2017 through in or about February 2022, Kurchenko and others used a network of shell companies that Kurchenko owned and controlled to sell metal products - including pig iron, wire rods, and steel billets - to individuals and entities in the United States, including a U.S. company identified as Company A in court documents. The metal products included items produced in factories in the Donbas region of Ukraine that were owned and controlled by Kurchenko. As alleged, Kurchenko committed money laundering by transferring funds into and out of the United States in connection with the scheme and his IEEPA violations.

To facilitate the unlawful transactions described above, Kurchenko allegedly met with U.S.-based purchasers in Moscow to negotiate metal transactions between entities that he owned and controlled and U.S. persons, including Company A and its representatives. As alleged, Kurchenko willfully engaged in transactions involving the sale and shipment of products valued at more than $330 million to individuals and companies in the United States.

Kurchenko is charged with conspiracy to violate the IEEPA and U.S. sanctions against Russia, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The FBI Tampa Field Office, Orlando Resident Agency, and Washington Field Office, International Corruption Unit, are investigating the case, with valuable assistance provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chauncey Bratt for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Sean O'Dowd of the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture Section and Emma Ellenrieder of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

United States v. Feliks Medvedev and United States v. KSK Group et al., Northern District of Georgia

On Feb. 7, Feliks Medvedev, 42, a Russian citizen residing in Buford, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business in connection with using shell companies to make more than 1,300 financial transfers totaling over $150 million into bank accounts controlled by the defendant.

According to court documents, Medvedev registered eight shell companies in the state of Georgia between July 2019 and July 2020, for which he was the sole agent and signatory on relevant bank accounts. Medvedev's purported business purposes for these companies included, among others, "computer software wholesaler," "professional equipment," and "coal / mineral wholesaler." Court documents note that these companies did not have any employees, or expenditures for payroll, rent, equipment, or other business-related costs.

As stated in documents filed with the court, throughout the scheme, there were over 1,200 transfers totaling over $150 million into the bank accounts for these companies, which were controlled by Medvedev. Over $150 million was then transferred out of these accounts in over 1,300 transactions. Medvedev retained over $500,000 from the funds transferred into accounts he controlled.

Medvedev pleaded guilty to one count of conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Medvedev is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7.

Relatedly, a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia returned an indictment on Feb. 13, alleging that Alexey Chubarov, 42, of Russia, and Lev Solyannikov, 31, of Russia, and their company KSK Group, conspired with Medvedev in the transfer of these funds and then laundered the illegal proceeds.

According to the indictment, KSK Group is a business consulting firm in Moscow, Russia, and Chubarov and Solyannikov both worked for KSK Group. Chubarov and Solyannikov allegedly informed Medvedev about incoming wires and then directed Medvedev concerning the outgoing transfers he should make, including transferring certain funds to the Singapore Precious Metal Exchange (Exchange) to purchase gold bullion. According to the indictment, Medvedev's companies transmitted at least $65 million to purchase gold from the Exchange.

On Sept.14, 2023, OFAC added Chubarov and KSK Group to the list of Specially Designated Nationalss and Blocked Persons, pursuant to Executive Order 14024, for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy.

Chubarev and Solyannikov are charged with conspiracy to conduct an unlicensed money transmitting business and conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine for each count; conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and money laundering which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison.

The FBI's Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Huber, Norman L. Barnett, and Sekret T. Sneed for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.

Forfeiture of Real Properties Belonging to Viktor Perevalov, Southern District of Florida

Today, the United States filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the Southern District of Florida alleging that two Bal Harbour condominiums are subject to forfeiture based on violations of IEEPA, OFAC sanctions, and federal money laundering statutes.

As alleged in the complaint, Viktor Perevalov and Valeri Abramov were co-founders of VAD, AO, a Russia-based construction company responsible for constructing the Tavrida Highway in the Russian-occupied Crimea region of Ukraine. On Jan. 26, 2018, pursuant to Executive Order 13685, OFAC sanctioned Victor Perevalov, Valeri Abramov, VAD, AO, and others following the Russian invasion of Crimea, effectively blocking all of their property or interests in property in the United States from being transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.

According to the complaint, soon after the sanctions, R.S., a Miami real estate agent retained to manage the properties, worked to transfer the two condominiums owned by Perevalov, Units 1616 and 1617 located at 10295 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, Florida, 33154 (the Defendant Properties) to an LLC in violation of the sanctions. The Defendant Properties have a combined value of approximately $2.5 million. On April 10, 2018, R.S. and others, including a law firm, formed 1616 Collins LLC., and named R.P., a Perevalov family member who was a minor at the time, the entity's purported sole beneficial owner. On June 14, 2018, the title of the Defendant Properties was transferred to 1616 Collins LLC in violation of the sanctions. R.S. served as Perevalov's power of attorney for the transfer. After the transfer, R.S. continued to lease the Defendant Properties, collected proceeds derived from the Defendant Properties, and used those proceeds to maintain the Defendant Properties including by making property tax payments.

FBI's Miami Field Office is investigating the case with support from the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marx P. CalderAn and Eli Rubin for the Southern District of Florida, Trial Attorneys Sinan Kalayoglu and Lindsay Gorman of the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and Trial Attorney Joshua E. Kurland of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting this civil action.

United States v. Osipov, District of Columbia

A superseding indictment, unsealed today, charges Vladislav Osipov, 52, a Russian national who resides in Switzerland, with five new counts of bank fraud in connection with the operation of a 255-foot luxury superyacht that the Department has stated is owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg.

The indictment states that Vekselberg's luxury superyacht is the Tango, which was registered in the Cook Islands. The Tangowas the first superyacht belonging to a sanctioned individual with close ties to the Russian regime to be seized at the request of the U.S. government following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Osipov remains at large. Today, the U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction. Previously indicted in November 2022, Osipov is now charged with 17 counts for crimes including bank fraud, punishable by up to 30 years in prison; violating U.S. sanctions punishable by up to 20 years in prison; conspiring to defraud the United States, punishable by up to five years in prison; and money laundering, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

FBI's Minneapolis Field Office is investigating the case, with valuable assistance provided by the Spanish Ministry of Justice and the Spanish Guardia Civil.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen P. Seifert and Maeghan Mikorski for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Chris M. Cook of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by Paralegals Brian Rickers and Jorge Casillas, and Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick.

* * *

The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in all of these cases.

These cases were 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.

An indictment and a criminal complaint are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation that money or property was involved in or represents the proceeds of a crime. These allegations are not proven until a court awards a judgment in favor of the United States.

Topics: Foreign Corruption

National Security

Components: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - District of Columbia

USAO - Florida, Middle

USAO - Florida, Southern

USAO - Georgia, Northern

USAO - New York, Southern

Press Release Number: 24-205

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EU sanctions against Chinese, Indian firms over trade with Russia 'can't help Ukraine win war'

Global Times

By Yang Sheng and Qi Xijia Published: Feb 22, 2024 09:25 PM

Ahead of the second anniversary of the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which falls on Saturday, the EU has reportedly agreed a new package of sanctions against Russia that targets Chinese and Indian companies accused of "supporting Moscow's war effort." The relevant Chinese firms are yet to respond to the sanctions.

Chinese analysts said on Thursday that due to Russia's progress in the battlefield, the US and Ukraine have pushed the EU to do more outside the battlefield to pressure Russia, but in the past two years, the sanctions against Russia have proven to be unsuccessful, and adding other countries' firms, including Chinese ones, will do nothing to change the situation in the war.

The EU's measures, which will be its 13th package of sanctions imposed in response to Russia's military operation against Ukraine, target close to 200 individuals and entities but stop short of any sweeping economic action targeting crucial industrial sectors, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

The inclusion of Chinese and Indian companies comes as the EU and its G7 partners attempt to crack down on Russia's use of third countries and transit routes to evade existing curbs designed to hamper its war economy, according to the report.

Targeting third parties

Brussels had abandoned plans to sanction Chinese mainland companies under pressure from member states including Germany that were fearful of antagonizing China. But Russia's continued ability to produce large numbers of drones, missiles, tanks and other weapons despite extensive Western trade bans has put pressure on G7 capitals to step up their anti-evasion efforts, said the FT report.

The measures will target three companies in the Chinese mainland and one in India, alongside businesses in Sri Lanka, Turkey, Thailand, Serbia and Kazakhstan, according to documents seen by the FT. The targeted businesses will be hit by trade restrictions after being identified as helping to supply equipment, particularly electronics and microchips, used by Russia to manufacture weapons or other equipment used in its war against Ukraine, said the report.

According to the South China Morning Post, the three Chinese mainland companies are Guangzhou Ausay Technology Co Limited, Shenzhen Biguang Trading Co Limited and Yilufa Electronics Limited. The Hong Kong company is RG Solutions Limited. They are part of a group of 193 named entities on the latest round of sanctions, including firms from Turkey, Kazakhstan, North Korea and India, bringing the total number blacklisted to almost 2,000.

The Global Times reporters tried to reach these companies on Thursday but all refused to comment on the EU sanctions. From public information, it's difficult to find hard evidence proving that these companies have helped the Russian military against Ukraine.

Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Thursday that the EU's sanctions came under pressure from Washington and Kiev, as the US wants the EU to take the responsibility of providing more help to Ukraine and put more pressure on Russia when some Western countries encounter difficulties in providing military aid.

"They noticed that only military aid by itself can't help Ukraine to beat Russia, so now they try to escalate the sanctions to implicate other parties to pressure Russia. But all of these efforts are pointless and useless, because in the past two years, Western sanctions against Russia have proven to be a failure, and the corruption problem in Kiev means Western military aid cannot be fully transformed into combat capability," Wang noted.

Therefore, sanctioning Chinese, Indian and other countries' companies won't help Ukraine gain any advantages, but will only impact the EU's ties with the relevant countries, said Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University.

"The current situation on the battlefield is making the West disappointed, and sanctioning other countries' companies that are doing normal business with Russia won't allow the West to completely change the pessimistic situation for Kiev," Li said.

Time to be pragmatic

At the Foreign Ministers' meeting of the G20 in Brazil, foreign ministers of Western countries on Wednesday attacked Russia over its conflict with Ukraine, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov listened, diplomats said, Reuters reported.

"Russia must be made to pay for its aggression," British Foreign Minister David Cameron told the closed session, according to his office.

The top diplomats from the US, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, France and Norway made similar remarks on the first day of a two-day meeting. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told reporters that Lavrov calmly replied to Cameron's remarks with "a set of alternative facts" about events in Ukraine. Lavrov did not speak to reporters.

Currently, the West and Kiev need to be more pragmatic and realistic in handling the conflict with Russia, as sanctions, wars of words and more conflicts cannot bring peace, and China will keep making efforts to help them to reach common ground with Russia and restart peace talks, no matter how difficult it is, said experts.

China has remained 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 2024 on Saturday.

"Over the past two years, the West has underestimated Russia, and overestimated Ukraine and Western countries themselves, and this is why Russia now has more advantages on the battlefield, while the West and Ukraine see more difficulties, and Moscow doesn't care about the anger among the West, so maybe Western politicians need to rethink their strategy for handling the crisis and stop fanning flames," Li noted.

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Expansion of successful training package for Ukrainian military

Government Offices of Sweden

22 February 2024

The Swedish Government has given the Swedish Armed Forces a framework mandate to carry out and take part in military training of Ukrainian citizens in 2024. Ukraine has greatly appreciated the training support Sweden has provided thus far. Ongoing training activities are now being extended, with the possibility to supplement previous training initiatives with additional activities.

"Sweden's training support has been greatly appreciated by Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine continues to need additional training activities, such as in the maritime area. Through this mandate, the Swedish Armed Forces can plan training activities for the entire year, which minimises negative effects on the growth of Swedish military capability," says Minister for Defence PAl Jonson.

This framework mandate will improve the Swedish Armed Forces' ability to both plan their activities for the year and respond to urgent Ukrainian training needs when they arise.

This decision also means that the Armed Forces will be able to provide training both bilaterally and multilaterally, in Sweden or another EU or NATO member state. The decision also covers Ukrainian units' access to Swedish territory.

The contents of the training package are based on experience from 2023 and assessments of new training requirements resulting from the recently established capability coalitions (with the framework of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group). It is estimated that upwards of 18 000 Ukrainian students will go through the training activities in which Swedish instructors take part in 2024.

Sweden's ongoing training engagements - within the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, as regards health care and infantry training, in the Northern European-Lithuanian Minesweeper Training Initiative and other mine clearance training activities in Lithuania, and participation in Operation Interflex in the United Kingdom - will continue but can now also be supplemented.

The following training activities may become relevant with the support of this training package:

training on military equipment that Sweden has donated;

participation in various types of multilateral training activities, similar to Interflex or Interforge (which aims to provide training activities focused on amphibious warfare);

training within the framework of one of the capability coalitions in which Sweden is a member, such as maritime education in the form of amphibious combat techniques, underwater mine clearance within the framework of the International Maritime Security Coalition or participation in various types of land mine clearance training activities in the Demining Coalition for Ukraine; and

leadership training, where Swedish instructors conduct courses for prospective group or platoon leaders, as well as tactical training for staff officers.

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Many Chippewa County homeowners may not realize Community Development Block Grant funds are available to help them make repairs to their homes, but the Chippewa County Housing Authority and state officials are working to change that.

Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday the award of $16 million of Community Development Block Grants for critical housing rehabilitation projects for low- and moderate-income households spanning seven state regions. Chippewa County is part of the West Central Housing Region, which is set to receive $2.5 million in funding.

The CDBG Home Repair Program, administered by Chippewa County Housing Authority, offers loans at no interest to income eligible homeowners for necessary repairs. Income limits vary by county, said Jessica Oleson-Bue, executive director of the Chippewa County Housing Authority. Loans are available for properties located in the West Central Wisconsin Housing Region, which includes Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties. Properties located in the city of Eau Claire are not eligible.

There is no interest on the loan, and there are no monthly payments. The homeowner pays back only what they borrowed when they no longer occupy the home as their primary place of residence, generally when they sell or move out of the home, Oleson-Bue said Wednesday.

Income limits by county Household size Chippewa, Eau Claire Barron, Buffalo, Clark, Polk Dunn Pepin Pierce, St. Croix 1 $51,150 $47,600 $48,650 $48,200 $66,300 2 $58,450 $54,400 $55,600 $55,050 $75,750 3 $65,750 $61,200 $62,550 $61,950 $85,200 4 $73,050 $68,000 $69,500 $68,000 $94,650 5 $78,900 $73,450 $75,100 $74,350 $102,250 6 $84,750 $78,900 $80,650 $79,850 $109,800 7 $90,600 $84,350 $86,200 $85,350 $117,400 8 $96,450 $89,800 $91,750 $90,850 $124,950

According to the Chippewa County Housing Authority, the loans are available for necessary home repairs including  but not limited to  replacing siding, windows, doors, furnaces water/sewer laterals from the curb to the house, replacing septic systems and wells, upgrading plumbing, heating and electric systems, installing insulation, repairing foundations and making a home accessible for a member who has a disability.

Funds cannot be used for general remodeling, such as updating decor. The loan must be approved prior to the work being started; families cannot be reimbursed for work already completed. Repairs to mobile homes are eligible if the owner also owns the land beneath the mobile home. Mobile homes in mobile home parks are not eligible.

As I travel across the state, one of the things I hear about most from Wisconsinites is the importance of expanding access to reliable, affordable housing statewide, said Evers in a press release. Whether buying a new home or making essential repairs, there are thousands of families across Wisconsin who will be able to get help and support through these latest investments.

Oleson-Bue said there is a waitlist for the program.

I can't really give you an exact date of how long people are going to wait on the waitlist. I try to do an equal distribution by county, there's a lot of factors. There are priority repairs, like a leaking roof, for example, or a furnace that stopped working, you know, so we have some types of repairs that might move ahead of others on the waitlist if they're an eligible priority repair, Oleson-Bue said. People can apply any time we have an online application portal now, which makes it easier for folks to apply. If they have any trouble, they can contact our office.

She also said there are income requirements for applicants.

Housing has been difficult to come by in Chippewa County, making the opportunity for funding in home repairs all the more necessary.

Census data from 2020 showed a 2.6% vacancy rate for rentals in Chippewa County.

How to apply Visit the Chippewa County Housing Authority website at chippewacountywi.gov/community/housing-authority/home-repair or contact Chippewa County Housing Authority official Laura Rushmann at housingauthority@chippewacountywi.gov.

Which is really low. That is very low. Five percent is more like a healthy rental vacancy rate, she said. And for homeowners it was 0.5%, whereas what is preferred is 1.5% to allow for consumer choice.

Wisconsin Realtors Association data showed right before the housing crash in 2007, the median cost for a single family home in the county was $125,550.

Now were at $291,478 for the median cost, Oleson-Bue said. That's a 56.9% increase over the past 17 years.

With the hike in costs, people might end up staying in homes longer than they might want despite needed repairs.

Administered by the state Department of Administration, Wisconsins Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program provides housing rehabilitation funds on a biannual basis.

Wisconsin receives Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and distributes those funds toward public facility, housing and economic development projects that benefit individuals with low and moderate incomes.

Were proud of our continued partnership with local communities, as well as our federal partners, that make this and other CDBG programs possible, said state Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld. We look forward to seeing the impact from these investments across the state.
German lawmakers reject arming Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 22 February 2024 6:22 PM

Two years into the war between Russia and Ukraine, German lawmakers have voted against a motion proposed by the opposition to supply Kiev with long-range Taurus missiles.

German legislators on Thursday supported giving further support to the ex-Soviet republic but refused to back an opposition-drafted motion to arm the war-ravaged country with German-Swedish air-launched cruise missiles.

Launched from a fighter jet, the Taurus missile can deliver a warhead weighing nearly half a ton, roughly the same as UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, against a fortified target up to 310 miles (about 500 kilometers) away.

The missile can reach the Russian capital, Moscow, which lies about 450 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.

"Putin's Russia is and will remain the greatest security threat to Europe for the foreseeable future," claimed German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during a speech delivered at Bundestag lower house, referring to President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

Germany would counter it "with all our strength," he said.

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Germany has supplied Ukraine with the Leopard tanks and IRIS-T air defense systems. Britain and France have also sent Storm Shadow and Scalp cruise missiles to the country.

Although Germany is the second biggest donor of military assistance to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far resisted domestic and foreign pressure to arm Kiev with Taurus missiles, arguing that such help could escalate the conflict globally.

Since Russia launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine, it has repeatedly warned the United States and its Western allies, including Germany, against involvement in the conflict. Moscow says it would use any weapon in its arsenal to protect its security.

Moscow also says the West and NATO are playing a direct role in the Ukraine conflict by pouring advanced weapons and military equipment into Ukraine.

Flying on nuclear-capable bomber, Putin sends message to West

Separately on Thursday, Putin took a flight on a modernized Tupolev Tu-160M nuclear-capable strategic bomber in a move that could be perceived as a reminder to the West of Russia's nuclear capabilities.

Equipped with variable-sweep wing, the giant supersonic aircraft - codenamed by NATO as "Blackjacks" - is a modernized version of a Soviet-era heavy bomber Moscow would have deployed in the event of nuclear war to deliver weapons at long distances.

In broadcast footage by the state television, Putin was shown clambering down a ladder from Tu-160M after the flight. He told reporters that it was a reliable and modernized aircraft that could be accepted by the Russian Air Force.

"It's a new machine. A lot about it is new. It's easier to control. It's reliable," the 71-year-old Russian president said about the strategic bomber, which Russia nicknames "White Swans."

According to Russian news agencies, the flight with Putin aboard lasted half an hour.

The Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Tu-160M's flight path was a military secret.

The four-crewed aircraft can carry 12 cruise missiles or 12 short-range nuclear missiles and is capable of flying 12,000 kilometers non-stop without refueling. The modernized version is said to be 60 percent more effective than the older version.

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Ukraine Says Strike On Russian Troops In Kherson Kills Scores, Denies Losing Bridgehead On Dnieper Left Bank

By RFE/RL's Russian Service and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service February 22, 2024

Ukraine's military has acknowledged it struck a training ground in occupied Kherson where Russian troops were preparing for an assault on Ukraine's bridgehead at Krynka on the left bank of the Dnieper River, the second time this week a strike has killed scores of Russian personnel.

At the same time, Kyiv denied Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's claim that Russian forces had captured the Ukrainian bridgehead at Krynka.

"There were at least three strikes on the concentration of Russian troops at the training ground near Novaya Kakhovka," Nataliya Humenyuk, spokeswoman of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, told RFE/RL on February 22.

"The Russian military was preparing to storm Krynka, which they claimed they had already been captured.... According to preliminary data, commanders of the Dnieper group [of Russian forces] were also there. The information is still being checked," Humenyuk said.

In a separate statement made to Suspilne, Humenyuk said at least 60 Russian soldiers were killed in the attack.

Russia has not commented on the strike, which was first reported by both the Ukrainian Telegram channel DeepState and Russian pro-war bloggers that it resulted in heavy losses. A video of the purported attack consisting of three strikes was also published on Telegram channels.

However, the information could not be independently verified.

At a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 20, Shoigu said Krynka "has been cleared," but Ukraine's military said his statement was "a falsification of the facts."

Ukrainian forces in November 2022 liberated Kherson city and the rest of the region on the right bank of the Dnieper forcing Russian troops across the river. Last year, Kyiv's troops managed to also establish a small bridgehead on the Dnieper's left bank, which has come under constant Russian attacks.

The purported Ukrainian strike on Russian forces in Kherson was the second in as many days in which a large number of Russian troops were reportedly killed.

On February 21, BBC Russian reported that a Ukrainian strike on a training ground in Moscow-occupied Donetsk had killed at least 60 Russian troops.

According to the report, Russian soldiers from the 36th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade had been lined up and were waiting for the arrival of Major General Oleg Moiseyev, commander of the 29th Russian Army, when the strike occurred on February 20.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine has commented on the report. Pro-Russian social media outlets posted videos and photos purportedly showing dozens of uniformed dead bodies, accusing Moiseyev of making soldiers stand in line waiting for his arrival when they were hit.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said on February 22 that since launching the invasion two year ago, Russia has launched more than 8,000 missiles and 4,630 drones -- of which 3,605 have been shot down -- at targets inside Ukraine.

In Moscow, former President Dmitry Medvedev boasted that after Ukrainian forces last week withdrew from the eastern city of Avdiyivka following a monthslong bloody battle, Russian troops would keep advancing deeper into Ukraine.

With the war nearing its two-year mark amid Ukrainian shortages of manpower, more advanced weapons, and ammunition, Medvedev signaled Moscow could again try and seize the capital after being pushed back decisively from the outskirts of Kyiv during the initial days of the invasion in February 2022.

"Where should we stop? I don't know," Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said in an interview with Russian media.

"Will it be Kyiv? Yes, it probably should be Kyiv. If not now, then after some time, maybe in some other phase of the development of this conflict," he said.

Medvedev was once considered a reformer in Russia, serving as president to allow Vladimir Putin to be prime minister for four years to abide by term limits before returning to the presidency for a third time in 2012.

But the 56-year-old former lawyer has become known more recently for his caustic articles, social media posts, and remarks that echo the outlandish kind of historical revisionism that Putin has used to vilify the West and underpin the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-strike-russian- troops-kherson-kills-scores/32830616.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine Has Exacted 'Horrific' Cost On Civilians, UN Rights Chief Says

By RFE/RL February 22, 2024

Russia's nearly two-year-old invasion of Ukraine has caused immense suffering, with civilians paying a horrendous price as tens of thousands were killed and wounded, while millions were displaced and subjected to bad treatment, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said.

In a statement issued on February 22, two days before the second anniversary of the launch of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Turk said the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) had verified 30,457 civilian casualties during the war -- 10,582 killed and 19,875 injured, adding that the actual numbers were likely to be considerably higher.

"Russia's full-scale armed attack on Ukraine, which is about to enter its third year with no end in sight, continues to cause serious and widespread human rights violations, destroying lives and livelihoods," Turk said.

The invasion "has exacted a horrific human cost, inflicting immense suffering on millions of civilians," he added.

The HRMMU documented summary executions, widespread torture, and arbitrary detentions of civilians by Russian troops as well as forced disappearances and other human rights violations, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the United Nations migration agency said on February 22 that more than 14.6 million people, or 40 percent of Ukraine's population, depend on some type of humanitarian assistance this year, while millions of Ukrainian refugees abroad also require assistance.

The Geneva-based International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimated that 2.2 million refugees were currently in Ukraine's neighboring countries, while a total of nearly 6.5 million are refugees globally.

Some 3.7 million people have been displaced inside Ukraine, families are still separated, and children left homeless, the IOM said in a statement that also called on the international community to step up its efforts to help the Ukrainian civilians affected by the war.

"We count on increased support from donors and local partners to meet the challenges that lie ahead in providing a better life for Ukrainians," IOM Director-General Amy Pope said.

Source: httpshttps://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-un-war- civilians-cost/32830924.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Statement by Russian Defence Ministry

22.02.2024

At night, the Russian Armed Forces have foiled another attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack by an unmanned aerial vehicle and a converted S-200 anti-aircraft missile to hit ground targets against facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation.

One Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down over Bryansk region and one rocket was intercepted over Rostov region by alerted air defence systems.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Bundestag Votes in Favor of Draft Resolution on Supply of Long-Range Missiles to Kiev

Sputnik News

20240222

BERLIN (Sputnik) - The German parliament, Bundestag, voted on Thursday in favor of a draft resolution submitted by factions of the ruling coalition on the supply of long-range weapons systems to Ukraine to destroy strategic targets in Russia's rear.

"382 voted in favor, 284 against, 2 abstained," the chairman of the Bundestag said.

Earlier in the day, Bundestag voted against the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Alternative for Germany (AfD) which directly calls on the German government to begin supplying Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles.

"182 voted in favor, 480 against, 5 abstained," the chairman of the Budestag said.

The main issue with the supply of Taurus missiles is their range of 500 kilometers (311 miles), which makes them capable of striking deep inside Russian territory. Germany has previously not supplied Kiev with weapons with similar characteristics. The German expert community has even discussed whether the missiles could be programmed so that they could not be used against the Russian territory.

Western countries have provided hundreds of billions of dollars worth of aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's special military operation in February 2022. Aid shipments began in 2022 with artillery munitions and training and have escalated to include tanks, advanced air-defense systems, missiles and cluster munitions.

The Kremlin has consistently warned against the West's continued arms deliveries to Ukraine, saying that they only prolong the conflict, adding that Western military equipment will be eventually destroyed. Moscow also cautioned that NATO countries "are playing with fire" by providing Kiev with arms.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. According to him, the US and NATO are directly involved in the Ukraine conflict by supplying weapons and training soldiers in the UK, Germany, Italy and other countries.

A Sputnik

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Russian Forces Liberate Settlement of Pobeda in Donetsk Region

Sputnik News

20240222

Russian troops have liberated the settlement of Pobeda in the Donetsk area, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said in a statement.

"Battlegroup Yug have completely liberated the settlement of Pobeda in the Donetsk region," the MoD said in a statement.

Russian troops have also improved their frontline positions and hammered three Ukrainian military units in Novomikhailovka and Krasnogorovka in the Donetsk People's Republic.

Advancements Through the Donetsk Area

Ukraine has lost up to 410 soldiers near Donetsk over the past 24 hours, the MoD also noted.

"The losses of the Ukraine armed forces amounted to over 410 servicemen, a tank, three armored combat vehicles, five cars, Polish-made Krab and Bogdan self-propelled artillery units, a D-20 howitzer, as well as a Gvozdika self-propelled gun," the MoD said in a statement.

Russia repelled nine Ukrainian attacks by Ukraine in the Avdeyevka area, where Kiev lost up to 145 soldiers.

The Ukraine military has also lost up to 155 soldiers south of Donetsk in the past day, the MoD concluded.

Last week, Russian forces entered the heart of the hardened, heavily fortified Donetsk suburb of Avdeyevka, with the Defense Ministry announcing Sunday that Russian troops had advanced over 8.5 km deep into Ukrainian positions behind the front. The total area cleared out after fierce battles amounted to 31.75 square km, where Ukraine lost over 1,500 servicemen.

This month's liberation of Avdeyevka, along with Russian soldiers completely liberating Maryinka last December allowed to push back the Donetsk front lines, thus sthrengthening the city's protection against Ukrainian shells.

A Sputnik

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New UK sanctions mark 2 years since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine

The UK announces more than 50 new sanctions to mark 2 years since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

22 February 2024

UK announces more than 50 new sanctions to diminish Putin's weapons arsenal and war chest

new targets include munitions manufacturers, electronics companies, and diamond and oil traders

these latest sanctions mark 2 years on from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and demonstrate the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes

The Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, has today (22 February) announced more than 50 new sanctions targeting individuals and businesses sustaining Putin's illegal war in Ukraine.

Sanctions crack down on those supplying his depleted armoury with munitions such as rocket launch systems, missiles and explosives.

These new sanctions also target key sources of Russian revenue, clamping down on metals, diamonds, and energy trade, and cutting off funding for Putin's illegal war from every angle.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

Ukraine has shown that it can and will defend itself. Putin mistakenly thought that because Russia's economy is bigger than Ukraine's, he would gain a quick victory. But the economies of Ukraine's friends are 25 times bigger than Russia's. And 2 years on, we stand united in support for Ukraine. Our international economic pressure means Russia cannot afford this illegal invasion. Our sanctions are starving Putin of the resources he desperately needs to fund his struggling war. Together, we will not let up in the face of tyranny. We will continue to support Ukraine as it fights for democracy- for as long as it takes.

Today's measures will disrupt Putin's ability to equip his now struggling military with high tech equipment and much needed weaponry, as well as blocking him from refilling his war coffers - while Ukraine defends itself.

This round of designations serves as a clear signal that 2 years on, the UK stands united with our allies in unwavering support for Ukraine.

Today's package forms part of wider UK action to restrict Putin's war revenue streams and clamp down on his repeated attempts to evade western sanctions. We are preparing to bolster our existing powers to target malign Russian shipping activity and individual 'shadow fleet' vessels used by Russia to soften the blow of oil-related sanctions imposed by the UK alongside G7 partners.

This week new measures to strengthen the existing Oil Price Cap also came into force and we have expanded the list of items critical to Russia's war machine that we are seeking to prevent getting to Russia.

The UK also launches its first sanctions strategy today, which sets out how our sanctions regimes are tackling malign activity and making a difference. We are in a more dangerous and uncertain world. Our latest Russia sanctions are one example of how our enhanced approach to sanctions enables us to respond. The new strategy sets out how we are working with allies and partners to address changing threats, to maximise our impact on the ground and to protect the UK.

This comes as Foreign Secretary David Cameron is due to visit New York for a special UN session dedicated to Ukraine. While there, he is expected to meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. His visit will mark the 2-year milestone of the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, and he is expected to underscore the UK's unending support for Ukraine.

Among those sanctioned today are:

companies linked to manufacturing munitions such as rocket launch systems, missiles, explosives and other critical goods used in military equipment. This includes Sverdlov State Owned Enterprise, the largest enterprise in the Russian ammunition industry

key Russian importers and manufacturers of machine tools, which are instrumental in manufacturing vital defence systems and components ranging from missiles and engines to tanks and fighter jets

oil trader Niels Troost and his company Paramount Energy & Commodities SA. Troost facilitates the unfettered trade of Russian oil outside the reach of UK and G7 sanctions, including through UAE-based Paramount Energy & Commodities DMCC, which the UK designated in November 2023

Fractal Marine DMCC, Beks Ship Management, and Active Shipping, which operate in the Russian energy sector as part of Putin's shadow fleet

2 Russian diamond companies and Pavel Alekseevich Marinychev, the new CEO of Alrosa, the largest state-owned Russian diamond producer, estimated to hold a 30% share in the global diamond market

5 senior executives or owners of Russia's top producers of copper, zinc and steel

Background

the UK has sanctioned 2,000 individuals, companies and groups under our Russia sanctions regime alone

the UK, US and the EU have today added 5 new items to the Common High Priority (CHP) list published in September 2023. These 50 items are critical to Russian weapons systems and for its military development. The 5 new codes apply to Computer Numerically Controlled machines, which are crucial in the manufacture and maintenance of vital military equipment. Industry should take note of the updated list and apply tighter controls and due diligence in the exports of these items to ensure they are not diverted to Russia

the diamond related designations announced today support the coordinated diamond ban with G7 partners that will come into force on 1 March 2024

The list of those sanctioned today includes:

Russia's military industrial complex: 14 individuals and entities linked to manufacturing munitions such as rocket launch systems, missiles, explosives and other critical goods used in military equipment. This includes the largest enterprise in the Russian ammunition industry

Foreign entities and individuals, including:

Cozum Yazilim Donanim Elektronik, a Turkish company involved in the supply of electronics essential to Putin's war machine to sanctioned Russian company Fastimpex

3 companies based in China: Finder Technology LTD and JUHANG Aviation Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Limited which have been supplying sanctioned electronics to Russia; and Beijing Micropilot Flight Control Systems Co., LTD, a UAV company producing engines which have been found in UAVs used by Russian forces in Ukraine

2 Belarus entities, which are operating in sectors of strategic significance for the Government of Belarus- Precise Electro-Mechanics Plant, which produces various defence products and JSC Planar, which produces semiconductors and other electronics

3 targets relating to Russian proxy Private Military Security Companies and the networks that support them including PMC Redut, a Russian private military company reportedly involved in the recruitment and deployment of fighters to serve alongside Russian forces in Ukraine

importers and manufacturers of machine tools, which are widely used in the Russian defence sector and critical for the production of military equipment ranging from missiles and engines to tanks and fighter jets. This includes: JSC Sasta, JSC Baltic, Baltic Industrial, LLC Bitvan, Chelyabinsk Forge and Press Plant, and LLC Stan

Anna Yurevna Luzhanskaya, the owner of sanctioned Russian electronics company, LLC Fly Bridge. Fly Bridge, alongside other sanctioned persons Maxim Ermakov and NPP Istok, are part of a covert procurement network used by Russia to acquire critical western technology. And Inkotekh, a Russian importer of microcircuits, connectors, computing modules, and microwave technology components that have been found in the Kalibr missile system being used by Russia in Ukraine

we are also designating 224th Flight Unit State Airlines and its director, Vladimir Vladimirovich Mikheychik, for operating in Russia's transport sector. The company has reportedly also been involved in the transfer of weapons from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Russia and supporting Wagner troop movements

Azia Shipping Company and Ibex Shipping INC, which are involved in the transfer of weapons from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Russia. And Azia Shipping Holdings LTD, which is involved in the Russian transport sector

Oil related:

oil trader Niels Troost and his company Paramount Energy & Commodities SA, which facilitate unfettered trade in Russian oil beyond the reach of the Oil Price Cap

shipping companies Fractal Marine DMCC, Beks Ship Management, and Active Shipping, which carry on business in the Russian energy sector as part of Putin's shadow fleet

LNG related:

Arctic LNG 2 and its director, Oleg Vyacheslavovich Karpushin. This is one of the key links in Putin's plan to make Russia a major LNG player

6 directors of PJSC Novatek, which is the majority owner of Arctic LNG 2 and a vital asset to Russia's future as an energy superpower: Lev Vladimirovich Feodosyev, Valery Anatolyevich Kryukov, Viktor Gennadiyevich Nesterenko, Alexei Vitalyevich Orel, Irina Vernerovna Gaida and Alexander Yegorovich Natalenko

Diamonds related:

2 Russian diamond companies, OJSC Almazny Mir and JSC AGD Diamonds, and Pavel Alekseevich Marinychev, the new CEO of Alrosa, the largest state-owned Russian diamond company, estimated to hold a 30% share in the global diamond market

4 members of the Management Board of Alrosa, Russia's state-owned diamond company, including Evgenii Yuryevich Agureev, Sergei Vladimirovich Barsukov, Aleksei Nikolaevich Filippovskii and Igor Vitalyevich Sobolev

Metals related:

owners of Ural Mining and Metallurgical (UMMC), one of Russia's top producers of copper and zinc, including Eduard Alexandrovich Chukhlebov, Igor Gennadievich Kudryashkin and Aleksandr Vladimirovich Bunin

Anatoly Mikhailovich Sedykh - Chairman of the Board of Directors of United Metallurgical Company (OMK) - one of Russia's top producers of steel pipes

Igor Vladimirovich Zyuzin - Chairman of the Board of Directors for Mechel PAO, Russia's top producer of speciality steels and alloys

2 aluminium companies: Samara Metallurgical Company - one of Russia's largest producers of finished aluminium; Kamensk-Uralskiy Metallurgicheskiy Zavod - one of the leading manufacturers of aluminium semi-finished products

Definitions

Asset freeze

An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person

Trust services sanctions

Trust services sanctions mean it is generally prohibited within the UK, and for UK persons outside the UK, to provide trusts services to or for the benefit of a designated person. Trusts services means (1) the creation of a trust or similar arrangement, (2) the provision of a registered office, business address, correspondence address or administrative address for a trust or similar arrangement, (3) the operation or management of a trust or similar arrangement, or (4) acting or arranging for another person to act as trustee of a trust or similar arrangement, where "trustee", in relation to an arrangement similar to a trust, means a person who holds an equivalent or similar position to a trustee of a trust

Transport sanctions

Transport sanctions include restrictions on the ownership, registration or movement of ships and aircraft. This can include restrictions on movements to and from ports, harbours and airports, and the detention of ships and aircraft

Immigration sanctions (commonly known as travel bans)

A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual to be an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971

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Defence Secretary oral statement for the second anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine - 22 February 2024

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps provided an oral statement to the House of Commons on 22 February 2024, reaffirming the UK's military support for Ukraine ahead of the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

22 February 2024

With permission, Mr Deputy Speaker I would like to update the House on the current conflict in Ukraine as we prepare to mark two years since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Like many in this House, I remember exactly where I was on 24 February 2022.

Just before sunrise, I was woken by a phone call, to be told Russia had illegally invaded Ukraine - a car would be outside at 6am and headed for COBR.

After that meeting, Ministers went to speak to their respective Ukrainian counterparts.

At the time I was Transport Secretary, and my arrangement was to speak via Zoom with my then opposite number, Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Oleksandr - whom I've subsequently got to know very well - was standing in the middle of a field outside of Kyiv. I asked him about the situation and he told me that, quite frankly, he didn't know how much longer the city would last.

The Russian army was understood to be just kilometres away. The wolf, or in this case, the Russian bear, was literally at the door. Expert opinion suggested Kyiv would be taken in perhaps three days' time.

And yet - as this war drags into its third year - far from winning, Russia has been pushed back from those early days.

Putin has achieved none of his strategic objectives. His invading force has suffered more than 356,000 casualties.

Ukraine has destroyed or damaged around 30 per cent of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

And Ukraine has retaken 50 per cent of the territory that Russia stole from it.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Kubrakov is now the Deputy Prime Minister and his job is actually the restoration of Ukraine when this is over.

So Putin arrogantly assumed this conflict would be over in days - and he was wrong. He reckoned without the strength of the international support that would rally to Ukraine's cause.

And I am proud that over the course of the past 730 days, Britain has been at the forefront of that global response.

Our efforts, always a step ahead of our allies, have made a genuine difference.

From the outset, we declassified intelligence - specifically to scupper Russian false flags.

Our NLAW anti-tank missiles, provided in advance of the full-scale invasion, and our Javelins helped brave Ukrainians devastate Putin's menacing forty-mile armoured convoy, which was headed direct for Kyiv.

We were the first to send main battle tanks with our Challenger squadron, plus 500 armoured vehicles and 15,000 anti-armour weapons.

All of this helped to degrade Russia's once formidable fighting force with Putin's losses amounting to 2,700 main battle tanks; 5,300 armoured vehicles; 1,400 artillery pieces.

Throughout this conflict, our 4 million rounds of small-arms ammunition have allowed Ukraine to maintain a rate of fire and recently helped keep the Russians at bay during their winter offensive.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has been unable to achieve the air superiority that they'd assumed they'd have, in part, thanks to our donation of 1,800 air defence missiles and over 4,000 British drones have been sent to date.

Mr Deputy Speaker, this conflict has demonstrated that drones are changing the face of modern warfare and we are already learning the lessons from that, which is why earlier today, My Honourable Friend, the Defence Procurement Minister, launched the UK Defence Drone Strategy, to stay ahead in this new frontier of technology, backed by at least A200 million announced by the Prime Minister, making the UK the biggest drone partner with Ukraine/

Yet it's actually at sea where the allied contribution to Ukraine's cause has been most keenly felt.

Our mighty Storm Shadows, and our uncrewed sea systems, have helped Ukraine achieve a breakthrough in the Black Sea.

Not only has Russia lost seven different surface ships, plus a submarine, but a Black Sea corridor has opened up for trade - allowing Ukraine to export 19 million tonnes of cargo, including 13.4 million tonnes of agricultural produce.

At the end of last month, Ukrainian agricultural exports from its Black Sea ports had reached the highest level since when the war began - far exceeding what happened under Putin's Black Sea Grain Initiative.

But as President Zelenskyy said to me when I last visited, the UK's contribution has been monumental.

And he pointed out that, since the start of the conflict, the UK has sent almost 400 different types of capabilities to Ukraine.

Together, we've shown that when Ukraine gets what it needs, it can win - which is why the UK is continuing to step up our support.

Last month, the Prime Minister announced we'll be investing a further A2.5 billion into military support for Ukraine, taking our total military aid package so far to over A7 billion and our total support to over A12 billion, accounting for economic and humanitarian as well.

So Mr Deputy Speaker, in that spirit, today I can announce a new package of 200 Brimstone anti-tank missiles in a further boost to defend Ukraine.

These missiles have previously had significant impact on the battlefield, in one instance forcing Russian forces to abandon and retreat from an attempted crossing of a river.

But members will recall a few days ago President Zelenskyy told the Munich Security Conference that an "artificial deficit of weapons will only help Russia", and he is right.

And so today we're giving Ukraine more of the help they need - inflating their capabilities, so they can defend freedom's frontline.

Other capabilities will also be coming their way too.

Our UK founded and administered International Fund for Ukraine has pledged more than A900m to help Ukraine plug its gaps in its capabilities, delivering cutting-edge drones along with electronic warfare and mine clearance capabilities with millions worth of kit to come.

We're not just investing in weapons, but in the brave personnel who carry them. So far Britain has put more than 60,000 Ukrainian troops through their paces, here in the UK.

But Operation Interflex, our main training effort, is going to expand even further.

I'm delighted to announce that Kosovo and Estonia are joining. And they've joined with us, Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania and Romania all training Ukrainian troops here in Britain.

And together we will train a further 10,000 in the first half of 2024.

Meanwhile, we are building capability coalitions.

Alongside Norway, we are leading a Maritime Capability Coalition and we've been joined by a dozen other countries in this enterprise - this is about Mine detection drones, raiding craft, Sea King helicopters - which have already been sent their way - so Ukraine can build its navy and defend its sovereign waters.

Last week, I met with my NATO counterparts pin Brussels, and I announced together with Latvia, that we would lead the drone coalition. That will allow us to scale up and streamline the West's provision of miniature first-person view, or FPV drones, to Ukraine - while supporting the establishment of a drone school for Ukrainian operators and a test range, as well as develop AI swarm drone technology, which will surely be critical in the next phase of this war.

Britain has earmarked some A200 million to procure and produce long-range strike and sea drones and has become Ukraine's largest supplier of drones.

Yet this is far from the summit of our ambitions. In December, we set up a new taskforce to build a strong defence industrial partnership with Ukraine, ensuring Ukraine can sustain the fight for years to come.

And in January, the Prime Minister signed the historic Security Cooperation Agreement. This is the start of a 100-year alliance that we are building with our Ukrainian friends.

And once again, it is the United Kingdom that has signed the first such agreement, with welcome signings from France and Germany having followed.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the Ukrainians have the will, and they have the skills. They've shown that if they're given the tools - they can do the job. But their need today remains particularly urgent.

Russia is continuing to attack along almost the entire front line, only recently decimating and capturing the eastern town of Avdiivka.

The Kremlin continues to callously strike at civilian targets - most recently hitting a hospital in Selydove.

And Putin is making absolutely no secret whatsoever of being in this for the long term.

Russia's economy has indeed shifted onto a full-time war footing, spending some 30 per cent of their federal expenditure on their defence - a nominal increase of almost 70 per cent just on last year alone.

And if the cruel death of the remarkable, brave, Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, has taught us anything at all - it is that Putin's victory is something that none of us can afford.

The tyrant of the Kremlin is determined to simply wait out the West. He believes that we lack the stomach for the fight, and we must show him he is wrong.

And this house may not be united on all matters, as we have seen in the last 24 hours, but we are united on one thing - and that is our support for Ukraine.

So the UK will continue to double down on that support. And all freedom loving countries must be compelled to do the same.

This year will be make or break for Ukraine. So it's time for the West - and all civilised nations - to step up, and give Ukraine the backing it needs.

Two years ago, when I spoke to an anxious Oleksandr Kubrakov, who had retreated to that field outside Kyiv, he did not know what would happen to Ukraine.

But now, entering the third year of this conflict - it is remarkable to see the Ukrainians remain in full fight.

I know that the whole House will join me in saying that the UK won't stop supporting the brave Ukrainians, our friends, until we can enjoy a call celebrating victory.

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The more insane statements we hear from Moscow, the greater our force must be - address by the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

22 February 2024 - 22:23

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today, the day began with a meeting of the Staff. Not only about the current operational situation on the frontline, but also about other strategic issues, including our country's preparation for the transition to F-16s - there was a special report on this. All the parameters for the first batch of aircraft: specific delivery dates, the necessary technical and infrastructure support. The details are positive. This year, our Air Force will become stronger, and this is a fundamental task. Specifically, this means protection against Russian guided bombs and new capabilities on the frontline in general. Of course, today's meeting also included reports from the Commander-in-Chief, intelligence, the Minister of Defense and other government officials responsible for armaments. Special attention was paid to Avdiivka and the southern areas.

Today, I met with representatives of our partner countries - members of the diplomatic corps working in Ukraine. It is very important that in our capital, in our country, normal diplomatic work continues, even routine work between Ukrainian diplomats and foreign representatives, between our institutions and international organizations. And I am grateful to every state, every leader whose representatives are in Ukraine and with Ukraine. This is a testament to faith in our country, respect for the Ukrainian people, and trust in our strength and ability to achieve Ukrainian goals. We talked, among other things, about the need for clear and principled cooperation for the sake of implementing the Peace Formula, for greater security for Ukraine and for each of our countries, and for the sake of Ukraine's internal transformation. By the way, we are also working to expand our representation in the world. Last year, we opened new Ukrainian embassies in Africa and generally achieved a higher level of interaction with leaders and countries on the African continent. For this year, we aim to increase our engagement and potential for cooperation, particularly in Latin America.

Today I spoke with President of the European Council Charles Michel. We had a very specific conversation, focused primarily on our common interests, the interests of all Europeans. I am grateful to you, Charles, Mr. President, for your absolute constructiveness. First, the situation on the border with Poland is utterly unacceptable. I informed him of the Ukrainian initiative to hold an immediate meeting between the representatives of Ukraine, Poland, as well as the European Commission at the border. I am grateful for the support and willingness to make every effort to safeguard the interests of European security and return the situation to a purely legal framework as soon as possible. It is worth negotiating, and Ukraine's proposals are quite concrete. Second. We discussed with Charles, with Mr. President, our efforts towards European integration and the need for the negotiation framework for Ukraine to be approved as soon as possible - approved by the EU member states. The goal is absolutely rational - we can start the negotiation process in the first half of the year, even by June. And this will be the best signal to all those who do not believe in Europe that our unity is really getting stronger.

One more thing.

Today I would like to recognize several countries for their support packages for Ukraine. Denmark - the 15th defense package has been announced. Ammunition, drones, reinforcement for our warriors. Thank you. I appreciate that all our agreements with Mette, Mrs. Prime Minister of Denmark, are being perfectly implemented. The United Kingdom - there is an announcement about the preparation of a package. In particular, it will contribute to repelling Russian assaults. There is a package from New Zealand that will strengthen our logistics, intelligence and communications. And also for support in training our warriors.

The more insane statements we hear from Moscow, the greater our force must be. It is only the power of our defense of life, our ability to achieve our own goals that can bring Russia back to a state of at least partial sobriety. Russian madness must lose this war. We will do everything for this. I am grateful to everyone who fights for Ukraine, works for Ukraine and helps!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Charles Michel

President of Ukraine

22 February 2024 - 21:08

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with President of the European Council Charles Michel.

The Head of State thanked the interlocutor for the comprehensive support of the European Union from the very beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.

"We appreciate yesterday's agreement to introduce the 13th package of EU sanctions against Russia. Today, it is the European Union that sends the right signal to the rest of the world," he emphasized.

The parties discussed the situation on the Ukrainian-Polish border. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready for consultations to resolve the situation in a prompt and fair manner. The Head of State also noted the importance of continuing the regime of trade liberalization with the EU, as such support is no less important in times of war than support with weapons.

The interlocutors exchanged views on Ukraine's progress towards the actual start of negotiations on accession to the EU. In this context, the President informed on the fulfillment of four legislative steps necessary for the preparation of the European Commission's assessment in March 2024.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Charles Michel agreed on the need to quickly approve the relevant negotiation framework necessary for the actual start of negotiations, as agreed upon last December.

The President of Ukraine and the President of the European Council also paid attention to the preparation of the 25th Ukraine-EU Summit.

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Madison police are investigating the death of an individual who was found unresponsive in a Dane County jail cell Friday morning, according to the Dane County Sheriffs Office.

Dane County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Elise Schaffer said in a statement deputies and in-house medical staff responded to a housing unit in the jails public safety building at 10:35 a.m. after a resident was found unresponsive.

Staff began performing lifesaving efforts and Madison Fire Department paramedics took over medical care but could not revive the individual.

Under the sheriffs office policy, the death will be investigated by an outside agency.

The Madison Police Department, in conjunction with the Dane County Medical Examiners Office, will lead the investigation.
Oleksiy Kuleba discussed the process of decentralization in Ukraine with the Special Envoy of the German Government

President of Ukraine

22 February 2024 - 20:36

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksiy Kuleba met with Georg Milbradt, Special Envoy of the German Government to Ukraine for Decentralization, Good Governance and Public Service.

The interlocutors discussed the decentralization process in Ukraine and the steps to be taken to complete the relevant reform, including changes to legislation both at this stage and after the end of martial law.

Oleksiy Kuleba thanked Georg Milbradt and SAren Herbst, Head of the U-LEAD with Europe Multi-Level Governance Department, for their systematic assistance in implementing reforms in Ukraine, as well as for the support of the German people in Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression.

He emphasized that despite the war, our country is moving forward and improving mechanisms that strengthen the role of local self-government and at the same time introduce oversight of the legality of decisions made at the community level.

In particular, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office informed international partners of the decision of the Parliamentary Committee on the Organization of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning to recommend that the Verkhovna Rada adopt in the second reading draft law No. 4298, which will strengthen decentralization processes and at the same time ensure the balance of public administration.

This document was created in cooperation with representatives of the Council of Europe, who provided their recommendations on the compliance of the proposed amendments to the legislation with European principles and values.

Georg Milbradt, for his part, emphasized his commitment to help develop and improve local self-government in Ukraine.

"Local self-government has made Ukraine more resilient in resisting Russian aggression. Ukraine has chosen a European future. Completion of the decentralization reform and further strengthening of local self-government is crucial to achieve this goal," he said.

Oleksiy Kuleba noted that it is crucial not to reduce the amount of assistance to Ukraine, in particular, the assistance aimed at restoring, reconstructing and modernizing our country.

"I am pleased that this year our countries are organizing the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2024), which is one of the key platforms for mobilizing such assistance. The event will focus on the role of local self-government in the post-war recovery of Ukraine," he said.

The interlocutors also discussed the activities of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine. This is a platform for communication that brings together all branches of government and provides an opportunity for communities to communicate with the central government, as well as to resolve problematic issues under martial law.

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President met with heads of foreign diplomatic missions: This year should give Ukraine and each of our states more strength and principled steps

President of Ukraine

22 February 2024 - 19:16

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with heads of foreign missions and international organizations accredited in Ukraine.

He thanked foreign diplomats for staying in Ukraine in this difficult time of full-scale Russian invasion, for supporting our country, for hearing Ukrainians firsthand and being aware of their concerns and aspirations.

"The normal functioning of diplomatic missions shows our people that the world leaders are with us and that you believe in Ukraine and trust our country," the President said.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, over the two years of full-scale war, Ukraine, with the help of its partners, has liberated more than 50% of the territory occupied by the Russian army, won the battle for the Black Sea and ensured the operation of the grain corridor, achieved GDP growth of 5%, protected the energy sector, preserved the work of state and social institutions, the stability of the financial sector, reached a political decision to start negotiations on joining the European Union, and is creating a new architecture of security commitments based on the G7 Vilnius Declaration, within which bilateral agreements have already been signed with the UK, Germany and France. The preparation of other agreements is also underway.

"All of this proves Ukraine's capability, the strength of our people, the effectiveness of our unity - of all formats of our interaction with the world. We have achieved and are achieving our goals. I think this is the key thing," the Head of State emphasized.

According to him, in the current year, 2024, we need to do as much as possible to end this war in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law and the norms of the UN Charter. So there are very specific tasks for this year.

According to the Head of State, the first absolute priority is to protect Ukrainians from Russian terror.

"We are extremely grateful to every state and every leader who provides defense, macro-financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine and our people. I am especially grateful for the programs of long-term support, both defense and financial. All this saves thousands and thousands of lives and really brings the end of the war closer," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President called the second task to unite the world around the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, which is capable of restoring the power of international law, and holding the first Global Peace Summit at the level of heads of state.

"I am grateful to each of your states that have already joined the relevant work. Each point of the Formula is based on the principles and norms of the UN Charter, General Assembly resolutions and basic international conventions. The Peace Formula is capable of bringing peace - real, fair, just and clear to every nation," the Head of State emphasized.

He added that the implementation of the Peace Formula, in particular, can fulfill an important humanitarian task - to bring home Ukrainian children and adults deported to Russia, including prisoners of war and political prisoners.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the third task to work with partners to enhance defense cooperation and increase pressure on Russia, which disregards all rules and poses a global threat. According to him, sanctions are a mechanism for reducing the duration and intensity of Putin's aggression. Also, according to the Head of State, the sooner the frozen Russian assets are confiscated, the sooner Russia will feel the true price of aggression against international law.

"This year should give Ukraine, each of our states and our cooperation more strength, more principled steps. Ukraine invites all reputable states and companies to defense cooperation. We must build up our arsenals and adapt them to the conditions and challenges of modern warfare," the President emphasized.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi informed foreign diplomats about the operational situation at the front, particularly in the most difficult areas in the east of the country, via an online call. He emphasized that Ukraine's defenders continue to effectively hold back the enemy, inflicting systemic losses on it.

During the speeches of the diplomats, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy Pier Francesco Zazo, in particular, noted that Ukraine will be a priority during this year's Italian presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) and expressed full support for all ten points of the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

"We will continue to support Ukraine in the defense of its freedom and territorial integrity. We will coordinate the activities of the Group of Seven to provide all necessary support: political, economic, financial, military, and humanitarian. We reaffirm our commitment to step up sanctions against Russia as long as necessary to achieve a just and lasting peace," he said.

Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil Norton de Andrade Mello Rapesta, for his part, spoke about the priorities of his country's presidency of the G20 this year and emphasized that Brazil traditionally supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty at all international platforms.

Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova noted that the EU will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary and with whatever it takes.

"We support you financially and politically. We support you on all ten points of the Peace Formula. We are introducing new sanctions - a new package will be symbolically adopted tomorrow. And we are also contributing to the supply of military aid," the EU Ambassador said.

Katarina Mathernova also expressed her admiration for the resilience, courage and ingenuity of Ukrainians. In particular, she noted Ukrzaliznytsia, which continues to operate efficiently during a full-scale war, the banking sector, which has not stopped for a day, and digitalization.

For her part, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, on behalf of U.S. President Joseph Biden and the American people, emphasized that the United States stands with Ukraine and will continue to support it in this difficult struggle.

Other representatives of the diplomatic corps also took the floor during the meeting, in particular: Ambassador of Sweden to Ukraine Martin Aberg, Ambassador of South Africa Shoayb Casoo, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Ukraine Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of the French Republic GaAl VeyssiAre, Ambassador of the Republic of TArkiye to Ukraine Mustafa Levent Bilgen, Ambassador of Norway Helene Sand Andresen, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania Valdemaras Sarapinas, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Jennes de Mol, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine Martin Jaeger and Ambassador of Switzerland FAlix Baumann.

At the end of the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked all the countries and their societies that began to help Ukraine from the first days of full-scale Russian aggression and sheltered forced migrants.

"I am convinced that we will win. In particular, thanks to unity and your support. I am grateful to everyone who is working with us for the sake of a quick and fair end to this war," the President summarized.

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The second meeting of the Bring Kids Back UA International Task Force took place

President of Ukraine

22 February 2024 - 13:36

The second meeting of the Bring Kids Back UA International Task Force, co-chaired by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Director of the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute Baroness Helena Kennedy, was held in the format of a video conference.

The Baroness moderated the meeting, which focused on the exchange of information to deepen the knowledge of the members of the International Task Force on the circumstances and conditions of the deportation and forced displacement of Ukrainian children. The meeting featured private presentations of the most comprehensive reports to date on child abductions and Russia's policy of adoption, passportization, indoctrination and militarization of Ukrainian children. This allowed the group members to agree on a common understanding of the deportation and return of Ukrainian children in order to further develop mechanisms for their return.

For example, Dr. Elina Steinert, an expert of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism, presented the findings of the Report on Violations and Non-Compliance with International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity Related to the Forced Displacement and/or Deportation of Ukrainian Children to the Russian Federation. Executive Director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health Nathaniel Raymond presented the findings of the Conflict Observatory in two reports: "Russia's Systemic Program for the Re-education and Adoption of Ukrainian Children" and "Belarus' Cooperation with Russia in the Systematic Deportation of Ukrainian Children".

After the presentations, Baroness Helena Kennedy said: "The findings we have heard today reflect serious violations of international law that must stop immediately. I commend the crucial work of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism and the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab for highlighting these critical issues. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to reunite Ukrainian children with their families and their communities."

Established as part of the Presidential initiative Bring Kids Back UA, the International Task Force engages independent experts to develop mechanisms for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children illegally deported to Russia or forcibly transferred to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The meeting was attended by: Professor, Emily & Ernest Woodruff Chair in International Law, Co-Director at the Dean Rusk International Law Center at the University of Georgia School of Law, former Special Advisor to the ICC Prosecutor for Children Affected by Armed Conflict, Diane Marie Amann; Secretary General of the Global Campus of Human Rights, Professor for International Law and Human Rights at the University of Vienna, former independent expert who led the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty, former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Professor J. Manfred Nowak; Executive Director of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security Shelly Whitman; Executive Director of the Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children's Issues Gillian Huebner; Director of the Department of International and Constitutional Affairs of the Polish Commissioner for Children's Rights Agata Jasztal; former Polish Commissioner for Children's Rights MikoAaj Pawlak; Conflict & Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Adviser at Save the Children UK Narmina Strishenets; Executive Director of the Ukraine Bureau at Global Affairs Canada Kati Csaba; Senior Child Protection Adviser, Member of the NATO Human Security Group Alec Wargo; Senior Advisor on Foreign Affairs, Head of the Support Group for Ukraine at the European Policy Center Roxana Cristescu; Senior Child Protection Advisor at Save the Children Ksenia Karagyaur; Political Advisor at the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Ondrej Wagner; Founder and President of Yahad-In Unum, Professor at Georgetown University Father Patrick Desbois; Senior Lecturer at the Department of International and European Law at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Serhiy Petukhov.

The Ukrainian side of the meeting was represented by Yuliia Usenko, Head of the Department for Protection of Children's Interests and Combating Domestic Violence of the Prosecutor General's Office, Iryna Suslova, representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Iryna Tuliakova, Head of the Coordination Center for the Development of Family Upbringing and Child Care, and Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

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Andriy Yermak met with the Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine

President of Ukraine

22 February 2024 - 09:31

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine Pier Francesco Zazo.

The parties discussed the preparation of a bilateral security agreement with Italy in the framework of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine.

"We have already signed security documents with the UK, Germany and France. We have good dynamics with Italy as well. Given this year's Italian presidency of the G7, a bilateral security agreement with Italy is extremely important for Ukraine," Andriy Yermak emphasized.

The Head of the Presidential Office thanked Italy for endorsing the Peace Summit holding.

The parties also discussed preparations for the G7 Summit.

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Ukraine: Report reveals war's long-term impact which will be felt 'for generations'

22 February 2024 - Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, entering its third year, has exacted a "horrific human cost", inflicting immense suffering on millions of civilians that will be felt "for generations", UN human rights chief Volker TArk said on Thursday.

"Russia's full-scale armed attack on Ukraine, which is about to enter its third year with no end in sight, continues to cause serious and widespread human rights violations, destroying lives and livelihoods," he said in a statement launching a new report.

This month marks not only two years since Moscow's all out assault, but also 10 years since Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

Millions displaced, thousands dead

In its latest report, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has verified 30,457 civilian casualties since 24 February 2022, including 10,582 killed and 19,875 injured, with the actual numbers likely to be significantly higher.

Millions have been displaced, thousands have lost their homes, and hundreds of medical and educational institutions have been damaged or destroyed, significantly impacting people's rights to health and education.

"The long-term impact of this war in Ukraine will be felt for generations," Mr. TArk said.

Serious rights violations

Over the past two years, human rights office OHCHR has documented widespread torture, ill-treatment and arbitrary detention of civilians by Russian armed forces.

Summary executions, enforced disappearances and repression of the right to freedom of expression and assembly have also been documented in occupied territory.

In addition, interviews with over 550 former Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees by the monitoring mission have indicated the commission of serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by Russian armed forces, including summary execution and widespread torture.

Since 24 February 2022, the already dire human rights situation in occupied Crimea has worsened, with a crackdown on those criticizing the occupation. The UN Human Rights Office will release a report on the decade-long Russian occupation next week.

"The ongoing Russian assault does not exempt Ukrainian forces from their own obligations to respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law," the UN rights chief said.

Peace urgently needed

During the past two years, the Office has documented a number of violations committed by Ukrainian military and security forces, albeit a fraction of the scope of those perpetrated by Russian forces, he said, noting that the Office is continuously engaging with Ukrainian authorities to address these issues.

Renewing his call on Russia to cease its continuing armed attack on Ukraine immediately, he emphasized the urgency of achieving a just peace and appealed again to Moscow to allow OHCHR full access.

IOM charts widespread destruction

More than 14.6 million people - 40 per cent of Ukraine's population - remain in need of some form of humanitarian assistance in 2024 and 2.2 million refugees require assistance in neighbouring countries, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in a statement on Thursday.

"The destruction is widespread, loss of life and suffering continues," said International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope.

Over 14 million people - nearly one third of Ukraine's population - have fled their homes since the full-scale invasion. Families have been separated, children left homeless, and communities destroyed.

Some 3.7 million people remain displaced within Ukraine, while nearly 6.5 million are refugees globally. Over 4.5 million have returned home to date from either abroad or displacement within the country.

Since the escalation of the war in Ukraine, IOM has supported 6.5 million people in the country and across 11 neighbouring countries, providing critical and life-saving aid to those most in need.

"The needs are enormous, however, so much more needs to be done," Ms. Pope said.

End impunity, including for Navalny's death

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia on Thursday called for accountability and solidarity with all the victims of the war, including Russian activists.

The war has devastated millions of Ukrainians and intensified repression of civil and political rights within Russia itself and "unleashed a war against Russians at home", Mariana Katzarova said in a statement on Thursday.

Following news of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny's death in prison last week, she and other UN Special Rapporteurs called on Moscow for an independent investigation and the immediate release of all political prisoners in Russia.

Since last Friday, the Russian authorities have violently and arbitrarily detained hundreds of peaceful citizens for laying flowers in honour of Navalny in more than 39 cities across Russia, she added.

"I call on the international community to stand in solidarity with all the victims of the war against Ukraine, including the brave Russian human rights defenders, journalists and activists who continue to courageously oppose the war despite facing intimidation, persecution, lengthy imprisonment, and even death," she said.

Special Rapporteurs and other independent rights experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff, are independent from any government or organization and do not receive a salary for their work.

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Russia Attacks With Drones Across Ukraine Ahead of Invasion Anniversary

By VOA News February 22, 2024

Ukraine's military said Thursday that Russian forces attacked overnight with 10 drones and a missile.

The Ukrainian air force said the country's air defenses destroyed eight of the drones, with the intercepts taking place over the Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions.

Late Thursday night, a Russian drone attack triggered a fire at Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa, regional Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram. The number of people injured was still being determined, Kiper added.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine began February 24, 2022, and as the two-year anniversary arrives, leaders from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations are to hold a virtual meeting Saturday to discuss their support for Ukraine.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also participate in the talks, and that the group will address "steps we can take together to continue holding Russia accountable."

The United States is also preparing to unveil Friday a new round of sanctions against Russia for both its invasion of Ukraine and the death in custody of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny.

The new sanctions will be against more than 500 targets, Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told Reuters.

"Tomorrow we'll release hundreds of sanctions just here in the United States, but it's important to step back and remember that it's not just America taking these actions," Adeyemo said.

"We are always looking at additional ways that we can choke off the Russian war machine, that we can deny the Russian military industrial complex components that it needs to use to fund its war effort, as well as to hold accountable those involved in it," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Wednesday.

The European Union agreed Wednesday to enact its own new sanctions against Russia.

The sanctions include about 200 people and entities being banned from doing business with companies in the EU or traveling there.

"With this package, we are taking more action against entities involved in circumvention [of sanctions], the defense and military sectors," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Borrell said there was no indication that Moscow would accept a cease-fire. "[Russian President Vladimir] Putin wants to continue this war," he said.

In addition to Russian firms, the EU's sanctions target Chinese companies providing military technology to Russia.

"We must keep degrading Putin's war machine," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "With 2,000 listings in total, we keep the pressure high on the Kremlin. We are also further cutting Russia's access to drones."

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Q&A: Top US Global Criminal Justice Diplomat Discusses Justice for Ukrainians

By Oleksii Kovalenko February 22, 2024

In the two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities say they have documented more than 125,000 war crimes committed by Russian forces. And in 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on a war crimes charge involving the alleged deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia.

U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack, in an interview with VOA's Ukrainian Service, says there might be additional ICC arrest warrants to come for Russian leadership, as well as more U.S. court cases involving alleged Russian war crimes committed in Ukraine against American citizens.

The following transcript has been edited for clarity and length.

VOA: Ahead of the second-year anniversary of Russian aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities documented more than 125,000 war crimes. This is double the number that we saw one year ago. Did this year bring justice any closer?

Van Schaack: Yes, it has. We have now established with the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group a very solid basis of assistance to the prosecutor general in Ukraine. So those cases are moving forward. We've also seen activity at the International Criminal Court a two arrest warrants for [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin himself and for Maria Lvova Belova, who's the "children's rights commissioner."

And then finally, we've seen the establishment of the International Center for the Prosecution of Aggression in The Hague. This is a group of prosecutors who are looking to prosecute the crime of aggression, which many in Ukraine call progenitor crime, the original crime that unleashed all of the war crimes and crimes against humanity we've seen since.

VOA: As you noted, the International Criminal Court this year issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. And we haven't seen him traveling abroad much. But how much closer is the world to actually arresting Putin and prosecuting him for war crimes?

Van Schaack: We have to understand that these justice processes take time. These cases are complicated. The ICC has no ability to do in-absentia trials, so they need the custody of the accused to proceed with a full adversarial process. But there is much that they can do in the meantime to prepare their cases, prepare their witnesses to give testimony, to collect documents, to work with prosecutors around the world.

We have already seen the impact of these warrants. Putin was invited to attend the BRICS conference in South Africa and the South African judicial system, the civil society, actors, everyone mobilized and made it very clear that South Africa has legal obligations under the Rome Statute. Any ICC member state is under cooperation duties to adhere to the rulings of the ICC and to execute arrest warrants that the court issues.

VOA: Do you expect more arrest warrants against Russian leadership to come?

Van Schaack: We are very aware that this investigation is ongoing in The Hague, in the prosecutor's office. We imagine that they are looking at attacks on civilians, potentially mistreatment of prisoners of war. We have every confidence that there will be additional charges either brought against the original defendants or we may see new defendants emerging and new arrest warrants against additional individuals within the Russian chain of command.

VOA: The U.S. recently started the first investigations of Russian war crimes against American citizens. Why is it important and do you expect more cases like that to come?

Van Schaack: It's a remarkable development. I think it really demonstrates how committed the United States, the Department of Justice and its War Crimes Accountability Team are to doing our part in the larger effort to bring justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. I am very hopeful that this is the first of many charges. Now, again, our system is such that we need custody of the accused. Anywhere those individuals will travel, they are vulnerable to being brought into custody and ultimately extradited to the United States to stand justice.

VOA: The United States declared support for the creation of an international tribunal to investigate Russia for its crime of aggression against Ukraine. Did the U.S. and its partners come to a common understanding on this question?

Van Schaack: We're definitely closer to seeing the emergence of this tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression. The European External Action Service itself has put forward some very creative proposals that try and bridge the gap between the two models that had emerged of a true international tribunal and then more of a hybrid model that would be fully embedded within the Ukrainian system. So, every month, a group of very experienced international criminal lawyers and diplomats are getting together to try and hammer out the finer final details.

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ShaimaStudio.com, a recently launched online platform dedicated to serving women-owned businesses in the fashion, beauty, and jewellery industries, is proud to announce its official launch. With a mission to empower female entrepreneurs, ShaimaStudio.com Offers a comprehensive range of digital products and graphic design services tailored to elevate and streamline operations for feminine-focused businesses worldwide.

Key offerings from ShaimaStudio.com include:



Fashion and Beauty Shopify Themes: Seamlessly designed and fully customizable themes tailored specifically for fashion, beauty, hair, and jewellery businesses. The platform also offers installation services for ease of use. Instagram Customizable Templates: ShaimaStudio.com provides a range of ready-to-use Instagram post templates for fashion, hair, lashes, nails, braiding, and flyers, enabling businesses to maintain a consistent brand identity while captivating their audience with visually stunning content. Web Banners Templates: The platform offers professionally designed web banners tailored for fashion and hair businesses, enhancing online marketing efforts and maximizing visibility and engagement across digital platforms. Branding Identities: ShaimaStudio.com helps businesses establish a strong brand presence with branding kit templates meticulously crafted for hair and fashion businesses. Additionally, entrepreneurs can enhance their packaging aesthetics with custom mailers and labels boxes, reflecting their brand's unique identity. Acuity Site Templates: Simplifying appointment scheduling and client management, ShaimaStudio.com offers Acuity site templates designed specifically for hair, lashes, and braiding businesses. These templates streamline operations and enhance customer experience with intuitive online booking systems. Stock Photos: Access a vast library of high-quality stock photos tailored for hair and braiding businesses, helping entrepreneurs enhance their marketing collateral with captivating visuals.

ShaimaStudio.com invites women entrepreneurs to explore its comprehensive range of digital products and services and embark on a transformative journey towards business growth and success.



About ShaimaStudio.com: ShaimaStudio.com is an innovative online platform that serves women-owned businesses in the fashion, beauty, and jewelry industries. With a mission to empower female entrepreneurs, ShaimaStudio.com offers a comprehensive range of digital products and graphic design services tailored to elevate and streamline operations for feminine-focused businesses worldwide.



Financial Disclosures: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans, and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Media Contact:



Hasan Sari

Marketing Manger at ShaimaStudio.com

https://shaimastudio.com/

support@shaimastudio.com

+601161307393








(In United States dollars, except where noted otherwise)

TORONTO, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (First Quantum or the Company) (TSX: FM) announces that it has successfully completed the pricing of its offering (the Offering) of $1,600 million aggregate principal amount of 9.375% senior secured second lien due 2029 (the Notes). The issue price of the Notes is 100.000%.

Interest on the Notes will accrue from the issue date at a rate of 9.375% per annum and will be payable semiannually. Settlement is expected to take place on or about February 29, 2024, subject to customary conditions precedent for similar transactions. The Notes will be senior obligations of the Company and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Companys existing and future senior debt and senior in right of payment to all of the Companys existing and future subordinated debt. The Notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior basis by the guarantors (the Guarantors) described in the offering memorandum for the Offering (the Guarantees). The Guarantees will rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt of the Guarantors. The obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Guarantors under the Guarantees will be secured on a second-priority basis by a lien on all of the Companys and the Guarantors assets that secure the Companys and the Guarantors obligations under certain of the Companys credit facilities as described in the offering memorandum relating to the Offering.

The Company intends to apply the net proceeds from the Offering towards the redemption of all of its outstanding senior notes due 2025 and 2026.

For further information, visit our website at www.first-quantum.com or contact:

Bonita To, Director, Investor Relations

Tel: (416) 361-6400

Toll-free: 1 (888) 688-6577

E-Mail: info@fqml.com

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

The information in this announcement does not constitute a notice of redemption or the solicitation to purchase any securities of the Company, or an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless they are registered or are exempt from the registration of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act). The Notes will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or the securities laws of any state of the U.S. or other jurisdictions and the Notes will not be offered or sold within the U.S. or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act), except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and the applicable laws of other jurisdictions. The Company does not intend to conduct a public offering in the United States or any other jurisdiction. It may be unlawful to distribute this announcement in certain jurisdictions.

The information in this announcement does not constitute an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, of securities for sale in the United States, Canada, the EEA, the UK, Switzerland, Panama, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, or any other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.

In member states of the EEA (Member States) or the UK, this announcement and any offer of securities if made subsequently is directed only at persons who are "qualified investors" (any such person a Qualified Investor) as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended and superseded) (the Prospectus Regulation). Any person in the EEA or the UK who acquires securities in any offer of securities (an "investor") or to whom any offer of securities is made will be deemed to have represented and agreed that it is a Qualified Investor. Any investor will also be deemed to have represented and agreed that any securities acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on behalf of persons in the EEA or the UK other than Qualified Investors or persons in the UK and other Member States for whom the investor has authority to make decisions on a wholly discretionary basis, nor have the securities been acquired with a view to their offer or resale in the EEA or the UK to persons where this would result in a requirement for publication by the Company of a prospectus pursuant to the Prospectus Regulation. The Company and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and agreements. This announcement constitutes a public disclosure of inside information by the Company under Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (16 April 2014). References to Regulations or Directives include, in relation to the UK, those Regulations or Directives as they form part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 or have been implemented in UK domestic law, as appropriate.

This communication is only directed at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, (the Order), or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) persons to whom it would otherwise be lawful to distribute to or direct at, all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons. The Notes are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this communication or any of its contents.

This announcement is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an advertisement or a public offering of the securities referred to herein in Canada. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this announcement or the merits of the securities referred to herein, and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information in this news release include the expected uses of proceeds of the Offering. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words 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. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including, among other things, assumptions about the ability to price the Notes on terms that are acceptable to the Company, the timing of the closing of the Offering and the ability to achieve the Companys goals. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to, events generally impacting global economic, financial, political and social stability.

See the Companys Annual Information Form and other documents filed with the securities regulators or similar authorities in Canada for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of these factors are beyond First Quantums control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. All forward-looking statements and information made herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

PROHIBITION OF SALES TO EEA OR UK RETAIL INVESTORS

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA or the UK. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU ("MiFID II") or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EU, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II or (iii) not a Qualified Investor. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or the UK may be unlawful under the PRIIPS Regulation.
San Francisco, CA, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wellnesszing, an online platform, is excited to announce the launch of its new online magazine, providing useful information and insights on living an organic, healthy, and sustainable lifestyle.

The newly introduced WellnessZing magazine serves as an educational hub, aimed at helping people lead healthier and more balanced lives through adopting an organic lifestyle. The magazine takes a holistic approach to wellness, covering a wide range of topics from natural health remedies to fitness, beauty, and mental wellbeing.

Specifically, readers can find useful information and tips on incorporating organic solutions into their self-care routines and daily habits. This includes natural health remedies using herbal, homeopathic, and other alternative healing modalities to address acute issues as well as promote overall vitality. Practical advice on mind-body exercises like yoga, tai chi, and meditation helps foster mental clarity and reduce stress. Beauty and cosmetics content focuses on non-toxic, ethically sourced skin and hair care as well as makeup alternatives. Rounding out the magazine's editorial content are insights on maintaining emotional balance, self-acceptance, managing anxiety, promoting healthy social connections, and finding meaning and purpose.

The goal is to educate and empower readers to take control of their health using ethical, earth-friendly lifestyle changes and holistic wellness practices.

Were excited to take Wellnesszing to the next level with our new magazine, said Joseph Robinson, Founder and CEO of Wellnesszing LTD. As interest in wholesome living continues to grow globally, we recognized the need for a reliable resource where people can find practical tips and advice on integrating organic solutions into their busy routines."

Some highlights of the magazine include:

Guides on subjects like skin care, stress relief, healthy recipes, eco-friendly living, and more

In-depth content with organic beauty experts, fitness trainers, and leading voices in the wellness space

Special themed editions focused on popular interests like sound healing, aging gracefully and the tiny home lifestyle

Healthy living checklists, meal plans, yoga sequences, and more.

In keeping with the ethics of Wellnesszing, the magazine does not publish overt advertisements, sponsored posts or compensated product endorsements.

Our number one priority is providing trustworthy wellness information, not marketing propaganda, Robinson emphasized. We want to remain a pristine and objective resource for our community.

Wellnesszing pledges to publish helpful, informative content on subjects that assist readers in their daily lives. The magazine will be updated regularly with fresh articles and useful recommendations. Content is carefully researched and reviewed to ensure recommendations meet the highest standard of safety, with the well-being of our community as our top concern.

The Wellnesszing team emphasizes that all content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Consulting a healthcare professional before making any lifestyle changes is always recommended.

For more on Wellnesszings new online magazine and organic lifestyle content, visit wellnesszing.com.

About Wellnesszing

Wellnesszing is an online platform offering insights and solutions for living an organic, wholesome lifestyle. The newly launched Wellnesszing magazine provides readers with practical tips across health, fitness, beauty, mental wellbeing, yoga, and more. For media inquiries or to request an interview, please contact at ananvita@wellnesszing.com.

Attachment
Spanish-speaking community members interested in starting or improving their child care businesses are invited to attend a free conference presented in Spanish.

Growing Together: Spanish Child Care Educators Conference is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at College Park, 3180 W. U.S. Highway 34, in Grand Island.

This year's conference has been carefully curated to provide valuable insights and resources for child care professionals, said Brissa Borjas Esparza, senior business development specialist with the Center for Rural Affairs. The lineup of workshops is truly comprehensive and designed to address key aspects of child care operations and development. These workshops collectively contribute to a holistic approach to child care business development.

Sessions will focus on emergency evacuation planning, healthy use of social media with children and families, self-care for early educational professionals, supporting children with challenging or difficult behavior, helping child care business owners get organized with accounting and bookkeeping, becoming an early child care educator, and best practices.

Anyone with a child care business is welcome, from aspiring entrepreneurs to those seeking to improve existing businesses.

Limited stipends are available for participants traveling more than 100 miles.

Organizers of the conference include Center for Rural Affairs, Central Region Early Learning Connection, Education Service Unit 10, Nebraska Department of Education, Multicultural Coalition, First Five Nebraska, Communities for Kids, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, University of Nebraska Extension, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, Child Saving Institute, Por Todos Los Ninos, Karime Child Care LLC, Lexies Little Sunshines Childcare, and Community Action of Western Nebraska.

Registration is required by April 22. Visit cfra.org/events to register and for more information. For questions or assistance in registering, contact Brissa Borjas Esparza at brissabe@cfra.org or 402-870-2749.
Encinitas, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Encinitas, California -

San Diego, CA / Indianapolis, IN  Local Blitz, a prominent digital marketing agency with offices in San Diego, California, and Indianapolis, Indiana, is redefining the digital marketing landscape through its comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses across various industries. With a client-centric approach, Local Blitz is committed to delivering measurable results and fostering long-term client relationships built on trust, transparency, and performance.

Innovative Digital Marketing Services

Local Blitz offers a diverse range of digital marketing services, including Search Engine Optimization (SEO), email marketing, online advertising, social media management, and web design. The agency's SEO services are designed to enhance online visibility and drive targeted traffic to businesses, whether local or national. Their email marketing strategies boast the highest ROI in the digital marketing sphere, leveraging sophisticated campaigns to engage and convert audiences.

The agency's prowess in online advertising encompasses expertise in Google Ads and Facebook Ads, ensuring clients achieve a high return on investment through carefully crafted campaigns. Additionally, Local Blitz's social media services are tailored to maximize brand presence and engagement across platforms, while their web design solutions focus on creating custom, user-friendly websites that resonate with the target audience.

A Commitment to Excellence: Digital Marketing Done Right

Local Blitz prides itself on its commitment to excellence, encapsulated in its slogan, "Digital Marketing Done Right." This philosophy underscores the agency's dedication to a data-driven and scientific approach, ensuring that every campaign is optimized for success. Unlike one-size-fits-all solutions, Local Blitz offers bespoke strategies that address the specific needs and goals of each client.

Transparency is a cornerstone of Local Blitz's client relationships. The agency ensures clients are well-informed about their campaigns' progress, with a focus on key metrics such as lead flow and sources. This commitment to clear communication and accountability has led to exceptional client retention, with many partnerships lasting over five years.

Proven Track Record of Success

Local Blitz's success stories span a wide array of industries, from healthcare to automotive and manufacturing. The agency's case studies highlight significant achievements, such as a 195% increase in organic call volume for a healthcare client and a 69.68% lead flow increase for an automotive client. These results underscore Local Blitz's ability to deliver tangible outcomes that drive business growth.

Tailored Solutions for Every Business

Understanding that every business's needs are unique, Local Blitz offers flexible and tailored digital marketing solutions. Whether working with startups or established enterprises, the agency aligns its strategies with the client's budget and goals. With a transparent approach, Local Blitz ensures clients are aware of the potential results and timelines, fostering realistic expectations and mutual trust.

About Local Blitz

Local Blitz is an innovative digital marketing agency with offices in San Diego, California, and Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded on the principles of transparency, client-centric service, and measurable results, Local Blitz has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to enhance their online presence and achieve sustainable growth. With a team of experienced professionals and a commitment to "Digital Marketing Done Right," Local Blitz continues to set the standard for excellence in digital marketing.

For more information about Local Blitz and its services, please visit localblitz.com or contact the San Diego office at (858) 225-6877 and the Indianapolis office at (317) 672-1156.

Contact: Local Blitz San Diego, CA / Indianapolis, IN Phone: SD: (858) 225-6877 / IN: (317) 672-1156 Website: https://localblitz.com

###

For more information about Local Blitz , contact the company here:



Local Blitz

Simon White

8587712040

simon@localblitzmarketing.com

245 Meadow Vista Way

Suite 101
Chicago, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The satellite data services market size is valued at USD 9.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 20.9 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 17.5 % from 2023 to 2028. The satellite data services market encompasses the provision of geospatial information and imagery through satellite-based platforms. This market involves the collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of data captured by satellites orbiting the Earth. Satellite data services cater to a wide range of applications across various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, environmental monitoring, urban planning, infrastructure development, defense, and disaster management.

Key drivers propelling market growth include continuous advancements in satellite technology, which enable higher resolution imagery and enhanced data analytics capabilities. Additionally, the rising demand for geospatial information for decision-making, resource management, and strategic planning fuels market expansion. Prominent players in the satellite data services market include industry leaders such as Maxar Technologies, Airbus, Planet Labs, and L3Harris Geospatial, alongside emerging startups and innovative technology firms. With advancements in satellite technology, such as higher resolution sensors, improved data processing algorithms, and the proliferation of satellite constellations, the satellite data services market continues to expand, offering new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and societal impact.

To know about the assumptions considered for the study:-

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=55690321

Major Satellite Data Services companies include:

Airbus (France)

Maxar Technologies (US)

L3Harris Technologies, Inc (US)

Planet Labs, PBC (US)

ICEYE (Finland)

Airbus (France)

Airbus, a renowned leader in space exploration and satellite imagery, delivers collaborative and interoperable solutions across diverse markets including land, air, sea, space, and cyber. The company operates through three main segments: Airbus (Commercial Aircraft segment), Airbus Helicopters, and Airbus Defence & Space, offering innovative space and defense solutions globally. With a strong presence in regions like Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Latin America, Airbus provides a wide range of products, services, and solutions.

These include automated transfer vehicles, the European service module for Orion spacecraft, Columbus (ISS module), Ariane rocket family, Eurostar satellite bus, ExoMars rover, and a variety of rocket engines such as HM7B, Aestus, Vinci, Vulcan, and high-priority hydrazine. These offerings demonstrate Airbus's commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology and reliable solutions to its customers across the globe.

Maxar Technologies (US)

Maxar Technologies, a leading company in the United States, was established through the merger of Digital Globe and MDA Holdings Company on October 5, 2017. Leveraging its Earth observation constellation, Maxar offers a comprehensive range of commercial satellite imagery characterized by diversity in resolution, currency, spectral bands, and accuracy. These capabilities empower industries to conserve resources, enhance operational efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, and mitigate risks, ultimately contributing to saving lives.

Maxar operates through two primary segments: Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure. The Earth Intelligence segment focuses on providing advanced surveillance and intelligence solutions, while the Space Infrastructure segment specializes in defense and maritime systems, radar geospatial imagery, space robotics, satellite antennas, and communication subsystems. With a global presence spanning the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, South America, and Australia, Maxar Technologies remains committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions and services to its diverse clientele worldwide.

L3Harris Technologies, Inc (US)

L3Harris Technologies, Inc specializes in delivering scientifically validated geospatial solutions across a diverse range of industries. With a focus on sectors including academic, defense & intelligence, federal & civil, maritime, utilities, transportation, and agriculture, the company offers tailored industry solutions. Leveraging cutting-edge software technologies such as the Jagwire data management tool, MapMerger data conflation tool, and Geiger-mode LiDAR technology, which harnesses artificial intelligence for deep learning, L3Harris Geospatial develops custom analytics and high-volume processing solutions.

Offering end-to-end capabilities, L3Harris provides a wide array of professional and customized satellite mapping services, from data acquisition through processing to analysis. The company boasts global partnerships with satellite data suppliers, maintains an extensive internal archive of products, and provides flexible licensing options to clients.

Utilizing various satellites, L3Harris delivers satellite imagery in high, medium, and low resolutions, along with elevation and vector data. With access to in-house digital elevation databases and strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Airbus, PlanetObserver, and AW3D, L3Harris Geospatial ensures comprehensive coverage and fosters collaboration for the development of innovative geospatial solutions.

Planet Labs, PBC (US)

Planet Labs, PBC, known as Planet Labs, is a leading manufacturer of microsatellites and provider of satellite-based information services, offering high-resolution imagery and analytics-based solutions. With a robust satellite constellation comprising over 351 satellites, including Dove, SkySat, and Rapid Eye, the company operates a vast network in space.

Planet Labs' constellation of more than 200 satellites enables the capture of a comprehensive dataset of Earth observation imagery, delivering unparalleled coverage, frequency, and resolution. This unique combination facilitates the provision of geospatial insights at unprecedented speed, allowing for a nuanced understanding of evolving ground conditions.

Serving a wide range of industries, Planet Labs caters to verticals such as agriculture, civil government, defense & intelligence, education & research, emergency management, energy infrastructure, finance & business intelligence, forestry & land use, insurance, mapping & GIS, and maritime. Currently, the company serves over 30,000 users and 400 customers across nearly 40 countries. With offices located in the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands, Planet Labs is strategically positioned to meet the diverse needs of its global clientele.

ICEYE, (Finland)

ICEYE is a manufacturer of microsatellites and a provider of satellite-based information services, which include high-resolution imagery. It is the first satellite-based service provider to adopt synthetic-aperture radar technology in its satellites. The company provides imagery services from space with its own microsatellites, which are equipped with imaging radar technology, i.e., synthetic aperture radar. The new radar technology helps it provide imagery services against command challenges like bad weather, cloud, and in the dark.

ICEYE's radar satellite imaging service offers coverage of specific regions multiple times daily, regardless of day or night conditions, assisting clients in addressing various challenges across sectors including maritime, disaster management, insurance, finance, security, and intelligence. ICEYE holds the distinction of being the pioneer in successfully launching synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) satellites weighing under 100 kg, revolutionizing the satellite industry.

The company provides imagery services for land and sea applications. Land applications include pipeline monitoring for the oil & gas industry, flood mapping for governance, the insurance industry, and crop monitoring services.
Westford,USA, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest's state-of-the-art global research of the Organic Skincare market place, healthier way of life and a growing expertise of the correlation among skin care and overall, properly-being similarly propel the marketplace. Organic skin care products, regularly unfastened from harsh chemical compounds and preservatives, align with purchasers' dreams for products which are mild, environmentally friendly, and make contributions to general pores and skin health.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Organic Skincare Market"

Pages - 157

Tables - 65

Figures - 75

The Organic Skincare Market includes the production and sale of skin care products formulated with natural, natural, and plant-based components. Driven by way of client possibilities for chemical-free and environmentally sustainable alternatives, this market emphasizes merchandise that promote skin fitness and properly-being without artificial additives or dangerous substances.

Get a sample copy of this report:

https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/organic-skincare-market

Prominent Players in Organic Skincare Market

Estee Lauder Companies Inc.

L'Oreal S.A.

The Clorox Company (Burt's Bees)

Unilever PLC (Seventh Generation)

Procter & Gamble Co.

Johnson & Johnson

Natura &Co (Avon Products)

Revlon, Inc.

Beiersdorf AG

Colgate-Palmolive Company (Tom's of Maine)

Kao Corporation

Shiseido Company, Limited

Coty Inc.

Amway Corporation

The Honest Company

Jurlique International Pty Ltd.

Weleda AG

Dr. Bronner's

Andalou Naturals

Organic Harvest

Face Care Demand to Grow Substantially in Future

Face care merchandise generally dominate the Organic Skincare Market. Face care encompasses more than a few merchandises consisting of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and mask, and tends to have higher consumer demand due to the focus on facial skincare routines and addressing specific pores and skin worries.

USDA Organic Certification Is Leading

The USDA Organic certification is possibly to dominate the Organic Skincare Market. This certification holds prominence due to its stringent requirements and guidelines, making sure that merchandise labeled as "USDA Organic" meet precise criteria for organic and herbal components. Consumers regularly perceive the USDA Organic label as a reliable indicator of authenticity and adherence to excessive natural requirements, contributing to its dominance within the marketplace.

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://www.skyquestt.com/report/organic-skincare-market

Europe is the leading Market Due to the Technological Advancements

Region-wise, Europe is anticipated to dominate the market. European consumers have proven a strong inclination in the direction of herbal and natural merchandise, driven by a well-established natural subculture, excessive environmental cognizance, and stringent guidelines on cosmetic merchandise. Additionally, North America, especially the United States, is a full-size participant in the organic skincare marketplace due to the increasing patron desire for smooth and herbal splendour merchandise.

A recent report thoroughly analyses the major players operating within the Organic Skincare market. This comprehensive evaluation has considered several crucial factors, such as collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing invaluable insights into the key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Additionally, the report has scrutinized the market share of the top segments and presented a detailed geographic analysis. Finally, the report has highlighted the major players in the industry and their ongoing endeavours to develop innovative solutions that cater to the ever-increasing demand for Organic Skincare.

Key Developments in Organic Skincare Market

In April 2023, LOreal has agreed to purchase Aesop, Natura's personal care logo primarily based in Australia, in a deal valued at $2.5 billion.

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements:

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Key Questions Answered in Organic Skincare Market Report

What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period?

Can you list the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence?

In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how might these differences shape the market's future growth?

Related Reports in SkyQuests Library:

Global Luxury Perfume Market

Global Pregnancy Pillow Market

Global Hair Styling Products Market

Global Electric Hair Brush Market

Global Wall Bed Market

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Dublin, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Respiratory Monitoring - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts 2021 - 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Europe Respiratory Monitoring Market size is estimated at USD 1.16 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.75 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 8.60% during the forecast period (2024-2029).







The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the market initially as respiratory monitoring was widely used to monitor the conditions of coronavirus-infected patients. The ECDC in its October 2021 report on COVID-19 surveillance guidance indicated that the severity of the respiratory infection was to be monitored and reported weekly to ECDC. Such activities added to the growth of the studied market in the initial phase of the pandemic. However, currently, as the pandemic has subsided and fewer people are getting infected with the virus, the studied market is expected to have stable growth during the forecast period of the study.



The increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases, technological advancements, and the growing geriatric population are expected to drive market growth over the forecast period. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-threatening lung disease that interferes with normal breathing. According to an article published by the European Respiratory Journal in September 2021, it is estimated that 49,453,852 people will have COPD with a prevalence of 9.3% by the end of 2050. The article also stated that by 2050, there will be approximately 7.6 million, 7 million, and 4.8 million people affected with COPD in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain respectively. Thus, the high prevalence of COPD is anticipated to drive the respiratory monitoring market in Europe.



Additionally, factors such as a rise in the number of smokers, urbanization, growing pollution levels, and the development of advanced technologies will increase the demand for respiratory devices in healthcare facilities. Also, the recent product launches by the key market players in the region are expected to boost market growth. For instance, in April 2022, SCHILLER France SAS launched the MRI-compatible patient monitor MAGLIFE RT-1 with the ability to monitor respiratory mechanics through its spirometry option. Such product launches in the region are expected to significantly add to the growth of the studied market over the forecast period.



However, the high price associated with the devices is expected to hinder the growth of the market to a certain extent over the forecast period.



A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Draegerwerk AG

GE Healthcare

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Maquet (Getinge AB)

Medtronic

COSMED srl

Resmed

Koko PFT

Vitalograph Ltd

Siemens Healthcare GmbH

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7fbydw

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The global dried fruits market was projected to attain US$ 9.1 billion in 2022. It is anticipated to garner a 6.2% CAGR from 2023 to 2031; the market is likely to attain US$ 15.6 billion by 2031.

Dry fruits are fruits that have had the bulk of their water content removed by various dehydration methods, such as sun-drying, air-drying, or the use of dehydration chemicals.

Dried fruits are popular due to their ease of storage and transportation, increased shelf life, and the availability of key components such as vitamins, minerals, fibers, and antioxidants, as awareness of good snacking habits and wellbeing grows throughout the world.

Dried fruits are vital components in a variety of culinary applications, including snacking, baking, and cooking, as well as processed cereals and trail mixes.

Recent dried fruit business trends show advances in processing processes to retain nutritional content, improvements in sustainable packaging alternatives, and the introduction of a broader range of tastes.

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Key Findings of Market Report

The growing demand for processed foods such as snacks, pickles, sweets, and baked products is increasing the requirement for dried fruits to enhance the flavor of processed meals.

A hectic and time-consuming work culture, along with a preference for convenience and rapid eating solutions, has resulted in an increase in consumption of ready-to-eat meals.

Dried fruits offer texture, sweetness, and natural tastes to dishes without requiring any additional labor such as cleaning, peeling, or cutting.

Dried fruits, such as cashews and walnuts, have a longer shelf life and are a nutritious complement to typical foods like cookies, smoothies, and salads.

Global Dried Fruits Market: Key Players

Leading dried fruit companies are concentrating on sustainability as well as ethical sourcing of fruits. Manufacturers are also making substantial investments in preserved and sun-dried fruits, which are used in salads, pickles, and baked items.

The following companies are well-known participants in the global dried fruits market:

Diana Naturals SAS

Archer Daniels Midland Company

Dohler GmbH

SunOpta Grains and Foods Inc.

Naturex SA

AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG

Lion Raisins Inc.

The Green Labs LLC

California Dried Fruit Inc.

Geobres Nemean Currants and Sultana Raisins S.A.

JAB Dried Fruit Products (Pty) Ltd

Bergin Fruit and Nut Company Inc.

Kiantama Oy

Traina Foods, Inc.

Sunbeam Foods Pty Ltd.

Others

Few of key developments by the players in this market are:

Bolas, India's biggest dried fruit brand , revealed plans to expand throughout the country and beyond the world in August 2023. The company joined the retail industry in 2020 and now runs over 70 locations in India. Bolas has announced ambitions to build over 100 outlets around the country by mid-2024 in order to increase brand visibility and become a household name.

, revealed plans to expand throughout the country and beyond the world in August 2023. The company joined the retail industry in 2020 and now runs over 70 locations in India. Bolas has announced ambitions to build over 100 outlets around the country by mid-2024 in order to increase brand visibility and become a household name. Paradise Fruits Solutions by Jahncke introduced a new range of pre-order granules in August 2021, with the goal of simplifying snack production for producers. These granules are appropriate for a wide range of applications, including chocolate, confectionery, and baking. The brand has eight different flavors: apple, blueberry, lemon, orange, raspberry and cranberry, strawberry, woodberry, and caramel.

Market Trends for Dried Fruits

Natural energy supplements are becoming more popular as an alternative to typical energy drinks and snacks, as people become more aware of the benefits of eating healthier and more natural protein and carbohydrates.

Artificial stimulants rely heavily on caffeine, resulting in a burst of adrenaline and energy. This surge of energy eventually wears off, resulting in an energy and serotonin fall. Natural energy pills based on dried fruits provide a comparable energy boost without a sudden fall.

Dried fruits are used in energy supplements because they provide an immediate energy boost without the need for extra sugars or chemical additives; they naturally contain sugar, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Athletes use natural vitamins and dried fruits as pre- or mid-workout snacks to replenish energy and endurance.

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Global Market for Dried Fruits: Regional Outlook

Various reasons are propelling the growth of the dried fruits market throughout the different regions. These are:

Asia Pacific had the dominant global dried fruit market share in 2022. Increased demand for processed food along with ready-to-eat food products is boosting regional market dynamics.

had the dominant global dried fruit market share in 2022. Increased demand for processed food along with ready-to-eat food products is boosting regional market dynamics. India is the main player in the ready-to-eat meal business, thanks to the growing popularity of supermarkets as well as franchise snack stores that sell instant meals in the country.

According to the Nuts & Dry Fruit Council of India, dry fruit consumption in the country is expected to increase by 20% in 2023. India is a major importer and consumer of cashew nuts, dates, peanuts, almonds, raisins, dried figs, and walnuts.

Extended shelf life and numerous uses in sweets and salads are expanding the dried fruit business in Europe. Demand for dehydrated and dissected fruits is increasing in the area as people become more conscious of healthy eating practices in nations like Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Global Dried Fruits Market Segmentation

Fruit Type Raisins Natural Seedless Golden Seedless Black Currants Sultana Muscat Monukka Tropical and Exotic Fruits Dates Apricots Dried Figs Bananas Pineapples Mangoes Peaches Berries Cranberries Blueberries Raspberries Acai Berries

Nature Slices & Granulates Powders Whole Dried Fruits

Form Native Modified

End-user Individual Hypermarkets/Supermarkets Convenience Stores Specialty Stores Traditional Grocery Stores Online Retailers Food Service Providers Food Processing Industry Baked Goods Confectioneries Beverages Soups Ready Meals Cereals & Snack Bars

Region North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific



Middle East & Africa

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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Curai Health, a virtual clinic, announced that it is expanding access to high-quality care for individuals experiencing homelessness. In collaboration with Healthcare in Action, a street-based medical group that provides comprehensive healthcare services for behavioral health and substance use disorders, as well as housing navigation and care management support for individuals experiencing homelessness, Curais platform will support in delivering convenient virtual care to patients experiencing homelessness in California.



"Our healthcare system in the U.S. leaves behind so many individuals, preventing them from getting the basic care they need, said Neal Khosla, CEO and cofounder of Curai Health. Were honored to work with our partners to bring a radically more scalable form of access to care to their existing support for a drastically underserved population.

Healthcare in Action patients will have access to virtual care powered by Curai. Using the Curai app, they can chat with a licensed clinician within minutes, 24/7 at no cost to the patient.

There is a shortage of medical providers to support unhoused patients in dire need of medical care, said Dr. Michael Hochman, CEO of Healthcare in Action. We are excited to partner with organizations like Curai that will help us find creative solutions to our capacity challenges.

As the pioneer in deploying machine learning into clinical workflows, Curai partners with health plans and health systems to increase clinical capacity, reduce operating expenses, and engage more patients. Since its founding in 2017, Curai Health has delivered on-demand, affordable, and high-quality virtual primary and urgent care. Curais custom software and advanced platform empower providers with information for better health care, from streamlining information gathering and clinical documentation to providing up-to-date medical knowledge.

About Curai Health

Curai Health is a text-first virtual clinic on a mission to democratize access to high-quality, affordable care by leveraging AI. As the pioneer in deploying machine learning into clinical workflows, Curai Health enables its dedicated, specially trained clinicians to deliver primary care to more people at a fraction of the cost. Easy-to-use and convenient, Curai Health partners with insurers and health systems to keep patients engaged in their care over time, improving health outcomes and reducing costs. Backed by leading investors including Morningside Ventures, General Catalyst, and Khosla Ventures, Curai Health has been thoughtfully combining the expertise of clinicians with the efficiencies of artificial intelligence since its founding in 2017. For more information, visit www.curaihealth.com

About Healthcare in Action

Healthcare in Action (HIA) is a medical group that provides care via street medicine to older adults and individuals experiencing homelessness through its Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports (CS) services to people where they are. To date, HIAs interdisciplinary mobile teams, which are comprised of medical providers, nurses, community health workers, and social workers, serve more than 1,500 patients in six counties across Northern and Southern California. Healthcare in Action was launched in 2022 by the SCAN Group, a mission-driven organization that is tackling some of the biggest issues in health care for older adults. For more information, visit www.HealthcareInAction.org or www.TheSCANGroup.org.








COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To combat food insecurity within the local community, One More Child, Texas A&M and the Mike Evans Family Foundation joined forces to deliver more than 7,000 meals to Cypress Grove Intermediate School. The donation will stock the school's food pantry and provide nourishment for children to take home.

We are overwhelmed by the generosity of One More Child, said Lauren Cummings, sixth grade teacher at Cypress Grove. The donation will help in feeding our families in need for the remainder of the school year. We are grateful for community partnerships like these that support our campus and students and become part of the Cypress Grove family.



The school, which has a considerable percentage of students on free or reduced lunch, is nestled within a community that continually experiences food insecurity challenges.



"We are committed to alleviating the struggles that children in this community face due to food insecurity, said Dr. Leon Battle, One More Childs Vice President of Stategic Partnerships. Through this incredible partnership, we are ensuring that children have access to nutritious meals, both in school and at home."



In 2023, One More Child provided more than 19 million meals through its national and global feeding programs.

In addition to the food distribution, Battle spoke to the students about the importance of physical and digital safety  helping children understand how to stay safe out in public and online. This is part of One More Childs broader effort to prevent human trafficking through the education of children, teens, guardians, public servants, college students and community members.

It is a privilege to be able to contribute to the wellbeing and success of our young people, and we are inspired every day by the impact our efforts are making, said Brandy Tuck, Texas A&M University Community Events Liaison. Together, as a team, we are building a brighter future for all, one meal at a time.

One More Child and Texas A&M will partner again on February 28 to host Fight to Stop Trafficking, an event at Texas A&Ms Rudder Auditorium to educate students and members of the community on ways to effectively combat human trafficking.

About One More Child:



One More Child operates in 19 countries around the world, meeting the needs of foster children, hungry children, single moms, struggling families, and sex-trafficked children and teens. In 2023, One More Child provided direct services to 250,259 children and individuals while impacting an additional 143,334 individuals through advocacy, trainings, awareness and volunteering. One More Child provided more than 19 million meals nationally and globally. For more information visit www.onemorechild.org.

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SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE: EAF) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.



Class Period: Feb. 8, 2019  Aug. 3, 2023

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Mar. 25, 2024

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/EAF

Contact An Attorney Now: EAF@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE: EAF) Securities Fraud Class Action:

GrafTech continues to feel the residual impact of the temporary suspension of operations in its Monterrey, Mexico facility that began near the end of the third quarter 2022. On Feb. 14, 2024, GrafTech released its financial results for 2023, reporting a net loss of $255 million. Timothy Flanagan, GrafTechs interim CEO, cited the temporary suspension of operations in Mexico as one of the reasons why 2023 results fell short of expectations.

The disclosure comes on the heels of a securities class action complaint alleging GrafTech misrepresented and concealed that its Monterrey facility was not in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Instead, the lawsuit alleges the Monterrey facility had for decades chronically contaminated neighboring communities with harmful carcinogenic gasses and particulate matter.

The complaint also alleges that Defendants omitted to disclose that GrafTech had signed agreements with local authorities committing to improving the environmental performance of the Monterrey facility, but repeatedly failed to honor its commitments.

The truth emerged over a series of partial disclosures, beginning first on Sept. 16, 2022, when GrafTech unexpectedly revealed that government regulators shut down the Monterrey facility. Mexican news outlets reported that the shutdown order was made in response to GrafTechs excessive pollution of carcinogenic gasses and particulate into neighboring communities.

Then, on Feb. 3, 2023, GrafTech announced disappointing Q4 and FY 2022 financial results and slashed its year-over-year sales outlook for the first half of 2023 by 50% (blaming the Monterrey facility closure) and revealed a significant depletion in its on-hand pin stock inventory.

Further, on Apr. 28, 2023, GrafTech announced another disappointing quarter, the company again blamed the closure.

Finally, on Aug. 4, 2023, GrafTech reported that it suffered an $8 million net loss during Q2 2023 versus $115 million in net income in Q2 2022. The company again blamed its disastrous results on the closure.

If you invested in GrafTech and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now 

If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the GrafTech case and our investigation, read more 

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding GrafTech should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email EAF@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

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Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:

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Kitchener, ON, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Medical Innovation Xchange (MIX) is excited to welcome Hyivy Health and Cobionix as the newest MIX Resident Companies at the MIX headquarters in Kitchener, Ontario. These two companies have demonstrated significant growth as they help to lead the medtech innovation ecosystem in Waterloo Region and across Ontario.

Hyivy Health, a local startup who was supported through its early stages at Velocity, will be using the MIX space for all of their business and engineering operations for their 15 staff members. Their quality, marketing, medical, operations and business teams will be working out of the MIX office space while their product and engineering team will conduct research and development, product improvement and light manufacturing out of the MIX Acceleration Zone.

Cobionix, also a local startup supported through its early stages at Velocity, is now zeroing in on innovation within the robotics realm, specifically in rapid prototyping of new technologies for healthcare. Their ambition is to revolutionize medical robotics by creating advanced, yet practical solutions. This focus underscores their commitment to enhancing patient care through continuous innovation and technological breakthroughs, setting new standards in the medical industry."

Canadian medtech companies face unique challenges as they develop their products, which often prohibits their growth in Canada. MIX is a non-profit technology hub which offers a place where these scaling companies can grow, succeed, and hopefully remain in Canada  taking advantage of the innovation ecosystem, talent pipeline and contributing to patient outcomes and clinician success. There are currently six life science companies in residence at MIX, representing over 400 Ontario-based employees who receive and share mentorship, best practices and together to help create a world class medtech centre of excellence in Kitchener, Ontario.

We are super excited to be a part of the MIX community and the growing ecosystem of medical device companies at their next stage of growth in the KW region. We appreciate the ability to learn from others who are in the medical device space and in close proximity to our team in order to be more hands on our growth and development. We are also thrilled to have a bigger space to continue to innovate and grow our product portfolio in gynecology and pelvic health states Rachel Bartholomew, Founder and CEO.

Nima Zamani, co-founder and CTO of Cobionix says Velocity is where it started. The amazing team at Velocity have fostered an environment where ambitious innovators have access to the resources and infrastructure to enable ventures to focus on building their business. Velocity has enabled us to develop a novel autonomous robotic platform, get industry validation, and set Cobionix up for our commercialization journey. As we work towards the next major milestone for our company, the demands and resources needed for success within the medical device industry have become targeted for manufacturing and production. MIX is an ecosystem where fellow medical device companies provide their commercialization experience and infrastructure for companies like ours to rapidly scale. We are very excited about this new journey of expanding into MIX and accredit Velocity for being the launchpad to where we are today.

Elliot Fung, Executive Director of MIX, reiterated what it means to have these two companies join MIX, welcoming Hyivy and Cobionix in to the MIX space is a success for them as successful growth companies, as well as a success story for the local innovation ecosystem. We have created a pathway for entrepreneurs to build a medtech company, grow it and keep it here, contributing to jobs, innovation and much needed health system improvements for patients and clinicians.







About Hyivy Health

Hyivy Health (www.hyivy.com) is a Canadian medical device company created after Founder and CEO Rachel Bartholomews recent fight with cervical cancer. She wanted to upgrade the 84 year old device she was handed to improve her symptoms that 1 in 3 women experience globally. Hyivy Health has created the first remote monitoring system that collects a unique quantifiable data set on the pelvic floor and gynecological conditions while conducting 3 different therapies in one medical device.





About Cobionix

Cobionix (www.cobionix.com) is developing the medical assistant of the future with autonomous robots with advanced sensory technology and cutting-edge AI. Our vision is to see human-robot collaboration in the delivery of health care.





About the Medical Innovation Xchange (MIX)

MIX (www.medicalinnovationxchange.com) is Canadas first industry-led hub dedicated to helping medical technology startups scale successfully in Canada. MIX was created to reduce the barriers and bridge the resource gap that medical technology startups face as they move from along the entrepreneurial journey from idea generation to commercialization. Our vision is a thriving ecosystem that develops, attracts and retains Canadian medical technology companies and establishes Waterloo Region as a leader in medical innovation. The mission behind MIX is to provide a collaborative environment for medical technology companies that supports their individual growth and adds to the overall success of the growing local ecosystem.
GRAND RAPIDS, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Bidens cabinet for Americas 33 million small businesses, joined Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and Vice President Kamala Harris for events in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to highlight the Biden-Harris Administrations Black Small Business Boom.

In the morning, Administrator Guzman and Congresswoman Scholten visited The Beastro: Fresh Canine Cuisine, a local Black woman-owned business that provides healthy, custom-curated meals for dogs. At The Beastro, the leaders met with owner and founder Jessica Ann Tyson to discuss her unique business journey and the Black Business Boom under the Biden-Harris Administration.

Administrator Guzman then traveled to Della Soul Records, a Black woman-owned record and cultural gift store in Grand Rapids. After touring the shop with business owner Della Marie Levi, Administrator Guzman was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris who stopped by to discuss how Black business ownership is growing at its fastest rate in more than three decades under the Biden-Harris Administration, with the rate of Black households that own a business having more than doubled. They also discussed continued efforts in the Biden-Harris Administration to build upon this progress and support Black entrepreneurship as part of President Bidens Investing in America agenda.

For follow-up interview requests for Administrator Guzman, please contact Teddy Lake at Theodora.Lake@sba.gov.

Event photos available upon request to press_office@sba.gov

###



About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
The median home price in Boston is $800,000. For Massachusetts, its $616,450, according to BankRate.com. And thats not factoring in a sky-high 7.56% mortgage rate.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city goes for $3,311, according to Apartments.com. Its about the same nearby, too.

So offering migrants who qualify $30,000 to help with housing begs the question: Isnt that reckless disregard for those already struggling to pay the rent or mortgage?

It sends the wrong message and is bad policy.

Democratic Gov. Maura Healey can blame Congress for the migrant crisis until she turns blue, but a $30,000 housing perk will give Massachusetts more headaches. The right-to-shelter law already has illegal immigrants heading northeast. The housing bonus will just accelerate the migration.

As the Boston Herald reported, HomeBASE can help with a homeless familys first and last months rent, security deposit and brokers fee for an apartment using that $30,000 cushion. Monthly payments can assist with rent up to two years, with the possibility of a third year.

Money also can head to furniture, moving expenses and utilities based on a familys needs. And the program also supports overdue rent or utility payments.

The program pays a landlord or vendor, such as a moving company or utility company, directly instead of handing cash to the family.

The shelter system is maxed out in Massachusetts. The Biden administration is failing miserably at helping stem the tide of illegal immigration, and taxpayers are going to be left to pick up the bill for years to come.

Healeys first job must be defending the taxpayers of Massachusetts. Her ambitions, it seems, get in the way. Thats why having a Democrat, or at least a progressive one, sitting in the Corner Office is only going to end badly  for us.

Healey needs to send a message to border crossers that Massachusetts is closed for business. We need to take care of our own citizens first.
Wappingers Falls, NY, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neave Group Outdoor Solutions, a revered name in landscaping across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, has proudly received the Best of Houzz 2024 award in the Customer Service category. This prestigious accolade is awarded by Houzz, the foremost platform for home remodeling and design, and celebrates over 50 years of Neave Groups excellence in creating aesthetically pleasing and functional landscapes.

This distinction is a result of the collective voice of millions of homeowners who are part of the expansive Houzz community. These individuals, among more than 3 million active professionals in the home building, remodeling, and design industry, recognize Neave Group for their exemplary customer service and innovative design work.

Annually presented in three categories  Design, Customer Service, and Photography  the Best of Houzz awards are a mark of excellence. The Customer Service honors are particularly significant, as they are based on several factors including a professional's overall rating on Houzz and the quality of client reviews received in the previous year.

Recipients of the Best of Houzz 2024 badge demonstrate a high standard of excellence and commitment. This badge aids over 65 million homeowners and design enthusiasts on Houzz in identifying and selecting top-rated home professionals for their projects.

Scott Neave, CEO of Neave Group Outdoor Solutions, expressed his pride in the team's achievements, emphasizing their ongoing effort to deliver exceptional service to their clients. He regards this award as an acknowledgment of the team's hard work and dedication to excellence in the field.

Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz, highlighted the significance of the Best of Houzz awards as a symbol of trust and quality among homeowners seeking the best professionals in the industry. She praised this years winners, including Neave Group, for their customer-focused approach and commitment to excellence in their field.

Explore Neave Groups exceptional work and learn more about their services by visiting their Houzz profile.

About Neave Group Outdoor Solutions:

Neave Group Outdoor Solutions is known for its comprehensive approach to outdoor design, building, and maintenance. The company's multiple divisions each specialize in different aspects of outdoor aesthetics and functionality, offering clients a seamless experience and expert craftsmanship.

About Houzz:

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, offering homeowners a comprehensive journey from inspiration to completion. The platform provides an all-in-one software solution for industry professionals and a wealth of resources for homeowners, including the ability to find and hire professionals and shop for products. Houzz Pro is a business management and marketing tool designed to help professionals efficiently run their businesses and engage with clients. The platform connects a global community of homeowners, design enthusiasts, and home improvement professionals. Visit houzz.com for more information. Houzz is a registered trademark of Houzz Inc. worldwide.





Media Contact:

Company Name: Neave Group Outdoor Solutions

Contact Person: Scott Neave

Phone: (845) 463-0592

Address: 80 Airport Drive

City: Wappingers Falls

State: NY

Postal Code: 12590

Country: USA

Website: https://www.neavegroup.com/


COVINGTON, La., Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LLOG Exploration Company, L.L.C. (LLOG or the Company), today paid tribute to the legacy and contributions of its Chairman and Founder, Gerald A. Boelte, and issued the following statement. It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Gerald A. Boelte on February 22, 2024, in a single vehicle accident on his family property. The entire LLOG family mourns his loss as we extend our deepest sympathies to the Boelte family.



Philip LeJeune, President and CEO of LLOG, commented, Jerry founded LLOG in 1977 and guided it for the past 45+ years. He was a friend and mentor to us all and his passing is a tremendous loss for LLOG and the entire energy industry. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Mr. Boelte remained actively involved in the Company throughout his life. His decades of experience, leadership and support drove LLOG to become a world-class E&P operator. Burial arrangements are being made by the family and are expected to be private.

About LLOG

LLOG Exploration Company L.L.C. is a privately-owned exploration and production company in the United States. LLOGs corporate headquarters is in Covington, Louisiana and the Company has an office in Houston, Texas. For additional information, visit the Companys website at www.llog.com.
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Federated Wireless, the leader in shared spectrum and private wireless solutions, today announced Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification of its Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system in the 6 GHz band.



To date, Federated Wireless has announced commercial agreements with Cisco, HPE Aruba Networking, MediaTek, and Airspan/Mimosa, the leading enterprise WLAN access point manufacturers collectively responsible for more than 50% of the worldwide enterprise outdoor access point market.

These commercial agreements accelerate standard power and outdoor access point operations in the 6 GHz band, and swiftly enable access to the band for Wi-Fi and fixed wireless providers like Tarana.

Weve been working with regulators around the world and our industry partners for the last five years to build the policies and ecosystem to support the use of the 6 GHz band, explained Federated Wireless CEO Iyad Tarazi. The increased amounts of power that were able to make available for Wi-Fi, Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), and OEMs serving the Fixed Wireless Access WISP market opens a new universe of potential use-cases and revenue streams for equipment makers and service providers.

Federated Wirelesss AFC is a turnkey solution that simplifies the path to robust Wi-Fi 6E Standard Power operation. Devices can transmit at 63 times the power indoors, with outdoor capabilities supercharged by the new spectrum availability in the 6 GHz band.

"In todays interconnected world, people and things rely on Wi-Fi more than any other wireless technology. Reliable connectivity, regardless of use case, is the foundation for the delivery of applications and resources. As an industry leader, it's our responsibility to strengthen that foundation, said Yogesh Paliwal, Director of Product Management at Cisco. Cisco has led initiatives across wireless standards bodies, industry forums, and regulatory authorities to define standards for automated frequency coordination. We have collaborated with Federated Wireless to provide AFC service to our customers in the US. With the availability of AFC, Cisco customers can now unlock the 6GHz band for outdoor use and improve performance indoors for certain use cases.

The operational flexibility of 6 GHz is immensely important to HPE Aruba Networking because of the critical need for additional Wi-Fi spectrum for our customers across nearly every enterprise vertical, as well as government agencies and military services, said Stuart Strickland, HPE Fellow and Wireless CTO at HPE Aruba Networking. Together with Federated Wireless, HPE Aruba Networking has been at the forefront of advocating for the opening of the 6 GHz band for unlicensed devices here in the U.S. and all over the world.

Enhanced access to the 6 GHz spectrum band also enables WISPs, and OEMs serving WISPs, to deliver higher power levels and speeds to their customers.

Specifically, fixed wireless access technology providers like Federated Wireless partner Tarana can now expand its network equipment options for service providers, adding high-performance 6 GHz operation to the industrys portfolio of shared-spectrum solutions.

This new spectrum option empowers us to provide fast, competitive broadband service more widely to the over 50 million families in currently un- or underserved US markets where high-speed fiber is prohibitively expensive and satellites cannot meet network capacity needs, stated Taranas VP of Product Management Rakesh Tiwari. Our next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) platform, operating in 6 GHz at standard power, provides fiber-class service at scale, even in areas where the band is well-occupied by incumbents and new competitors. Our ngFWA platform can use existing tower and backhaul infrastructure and is well-proven to deliver real-world link speeds typically 5 to 10 times faster than 5G fixed-wireless devices.

Leveraging its expertise in spectrum sharing in the CBRS band, Federated Wireless began working in 2018 closely with partners and the unlicensed wireless ecosystem to develop an AFC system to enable Wi-Fi 6E and 5G NR-U deployments in the 6 GHz band.

In 2019, Federated Wireless publicly demonstrated the worlds first AFC prototype, proving the feasibility of adapting its cloud-based spectrum sharing technology and platform to meet the FCCs (then proposed) requirements for the 6 GHz band.



In August 2022, together with the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) in Saudi Arabia and HPE Aruba Networking, Federated Wireless first demonstrated live AFC system management of the 6 GHz spectrum and standard power Wi-Fi devices.



In November 2022, the FCC conditionally approved Federated Wireless to be an authorized AFC system operator for the United States.



In August 2023, the Federated Wireless AFC entered the final phase of the certification process for full commercial use.



Like all Federated Wireless spectrum products, AFC users will have access to 24/7 network and security operations (NOC/SOC) support, an offering unique to Federated Wireless among AFC (and spectrum) providers.

Federated Wireless is ready to support commercial operations in the 6 GHz band, furthering its commitment to innovation in the wireless industry. Learn more about the Federated Wireless AFC here.

About Federated Wireless:

Federated Wireless is leading the industry in delivering shared spectrum connectivity, enabling carriers, enterprises, and industrial operators to access CBRS spectrum. The company offers spectrum access services to enable easy, reliable, and secure access to shared spectrum for private LTE and 5G networks. For more information, visit www.federatedwireless.com.



Federated Wireless Press Contact

Laura Klebanow

Lklebanow@federatedwireless.com

410-530-6276

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f8200daf-f9e2-416f-bb1d-633fd8126d9a
SUDBURY, Feb. 22, 2024 - Frontier Lithium Inc. (TSXV: FL) (FRA: HL2) (OTCQX: LITOF) ("Frontier" or the "Company") has reported financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2023. The financial statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis for the period ended December 31, 2023 have been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and can be viewed under the company's website or its profile on SEDAR+.

Q3 2023 Highlights:

Strong financial position with a cash balance of approximately $15.5 million

Received $2 million government funding via a grant from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation to advance lithium chemicals research.

Awarded contract to commence and complete a Definitive Feasibility Study (Phase I) that will advance development of the mine and mill at the PAK Project

Exploration drilling further extended and proved the potential of the Bolt pegmatite, Pennock dyke and Spark deposit.

"We remain in a strong financial position to further explore and develop our PAK Project, a high-grade, large tonnage and pure lithium resource strategically located in Northwestern Ontario. 2024 will be focused on phase one (mine and mill) of our Definitive Feasibility Study, advancing environmental baseline studies while communicating with First Nations communities and advancing project permitting and mine and mill engineering design support work. While markets can be turbulent, we have a long-term strategy to bring the PAK Project into production. The downstream market is there - EV sales have recently grown 31% year-over-year; EV battery demand accounted for over 70% of total battery demand globally; and battery energy storage became the fastest growing battery market, increasing 80% over the course of 2023. These numbers only underscore the need for battery materials like lithium to be locally and responsibly sourced in North America." comments Trevor Walker, President and CEO of Frontier Lithium.

Recent Developments and Highlights for the Current Quarter:

Exploration:

Phase XIII drill program:

The drill program, which commenced in February 2023, has yielded promising results, delineating the Bolt pegmatite and extending the Spark deposit.



In September 2023, results from 4 holes drilled on the western portion of Spark were released indicating the southwest and northwest lobes remain open with high-grade intersections.



Pennock:



In December 2023, the Company announced results from three channels cut in 2023 across the Pennock dyke approximately 700 meters to the east of the main blow-out area.





Although narrow, these intercepts of spodumene-bearing pegmatite substantially upgrade the potential at Pennock.

Development:

Definitive Feasibility Study:

In November 2023, the Company awarded the mine and mill portion of the Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") to DRA Americas Inc., which continues to advance the project toward development.



The DFS will capture the development and financial metrics for an integrated project, positioning Frontier as a potential producer of lithium products in the future.



The DFS may also indicate the potential for Frontier to become a large and low-cost producer of lithium hydroxide in North America.

Financial Performance: Frontier maintains a strong financial position with a cash balance of approximately $15.5 million as of December 31, 2023. The Company remains vigilant in managing its capital to support exploration and development activities. Capital management objectives focus on ensuring operational continuity and monitoring liquidity risk. As announced on November 9, 2023, Frontier also received a $2 million government grant from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation to advance testing processes for converting lithium processing by-products into value added products.

Outlook: Frontier remains committed to its phased development approach outlined in its Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") and advanced through the DFS. The Company's focus on becoming a strategic supplier of premium lithium products aligns with the growing demand in electric vehicle and energy storage markets. The ongoing DFS will provide detailed insights into the project's next stages.

Frontier Lithium looks forward to advancing its position as a key player in the lithium sector, contributing to the sustainable growth of North America's electric vehicle and energy storage industries.

For further details, please review the financial statements and the management's discussion and analysis for the nine months ended December 31, 2023, available and filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

About Frontier Lithium

Frontier Lithium Inc. (TSX-V: FL) (FRA: HL2) (OTCQX: LITOF) is an exploration and development mining company with headquarters and assets in Northern Ontario, a tier-one mining jurisdiction. The Company's PAK Project represents the largest proven land position in a new, premium lithium mineral district, with a high-grade, large tonnage and pure lithium resource. Strategically located in Ontario's Great Lakes region near the United States Border, Frontier is developing the first fully integrated lithium mining-and-processing operation in Ontario with an aim is to become a significant supplier of spodumene concentrates and battery-grade lithium hydroxide to the growing electric vehicle and energy storage markets across North America.

About the PAK Lithium Project

The PAK lithium project contains North America's highest-grade lithium resource and is the largest in Ontario by size. The project encompasses close to 27,000 hectares and remains largely unexplored; however, since 2013, the Company has delineated two premium spodumene-bearing lithium deposits (PAK and Spark), located 2.3 kilometres apart. Exploration is continuing on the project through two other spodumene- bearing discoveries: the Bolt pegmatite (located between the PAK and Spark deposits), as well as the Pennock pegmatite (25 kilometres northwest of PAK deposit within the project claims). A 2023 Pre-Feasibility Study titled ""National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report PFS PAK Lithium Project"" authored by BBA E&C Inc., delivered a 24- year project life, at a post-tax NPV(8%) of US$1.74 billion and internal rate of return of 24.1% as per the press release disseminated on May 31, 2023 , and was filed on www.sedarplus.ca.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the prospectivity of the Company's mineral properties, the mineralization and development of the Company's mineral properties, the Company's exploration program and other mining projects and prospects thereof. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and those actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, please review the Company's public filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE Frontier Lithium Inc.
Judges are needed for the Virginia Piedmont Regional Science Fair next month.

The fairs organizers are looking for volunteers with experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM subjects, to serve as judges for the annual event featuring local students scientific innovations, discoveries and experiments. Judges will evaluate projects based on various criteria such as creativity, presentation and application of the scientific method.We are looking for passionate individuals who are committed to supporting and nurturing the scientific curiosity of our young participants, the fairs director, Adrian Felts, said in a statement. Judges with experience in STEM fields bring invaluable insight and expertise to the evaluation process, helping to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our students.

The science fair is held every year and is open to students in the sixth through 12th grade from public schools in the city of Charlottesville and counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Greene, King George, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Fauquier and Stafford.

Volunteers will do more than judge the exhibits, organizers said; they will also have the chance to engage with students and provide constructive feedback to help them further develop their scientific interests and skills.

Serving as a judge at the VPRSF is a rewarding experience that allows volunteers to contribute to the advancement of STEM education and inspire future generations of scientists and innovators, they said in a statement.

Those interested in volunteering as judges for the Virginia Piedmont Regional Science Fair can sign up online at www.vprsf.org.

The fair will be held March 23 at the University of Virginias North Fork Discovery Park.

To apply to serve as a judge or learn more about the fair, visit
Of all the columns I have written for this magazine over the past 24 years, the one that brought the biggest response by far was a column on political patronage. Actually, it was a defense of political patronage. Most readers hated it. Sorting through dozens of letters and emails, I found only one that agreed with my point of view. Everybody else seemed to feel I was defending corruption and insulting the principles of merit and integrity that a decent democratic government ought to strive for.The background was this: In 2004, Ernie Fletcher took over as the first Republican governor of Kentucky in 32 years. He proceeded to hand out jobs all over the state to GOP loyalists, not just in the higher reaches of public office but in every one of the 120 counties of the commonwealth as well. Anybody who wanted to fill a vacancy on a highway crew or in a state welfare office had to survive an eight-step hiring process that included getting the approval of the governors designated Republican contact in the applicants county.I made what seemed to me the simple point that when it comes to painting yellow lines on a blacktop road, there is no such thing as merit selection. One ordinary person can do a routine job about as well as any other. Andrew Jackson said that 180 years ago, and he was right. If a Republican governor wants a Republican line painter, the polity doesnt really suffer.But there was no disputing that Fletcher had violated state law, which provided that for 80 percent of the jobs on the state payroll, nobody could be hired on the basis of political affiliation. Fletcher was eventually indicted for this, although his case never went to trial.Still, it seemed to me that for most lower-level and mid-level state jobs, there was nothing wrong with a governor rewarding the people who had contributed their time and money to getting him elected. If the law precluded this, then it was the law that was wrong.Hardly anyone in Governings audience seemed to buy that. I wasnt offended by the angry response to my column, but I did feel that I had learned a valuable lesson: Merit hiring had climbed to a place near the top of the pyramid of American political values, even if it was frequently honored more in the breach than in the observance.Since that minor fracas died down, I havent had anything new to say on the subject. Now, however, I find that a writer I admire has made a similar point, and in a much more sweeping way. In a paper published recently by the Brookings Institution, Jonathan Rauch not only defends patronage as a morally acceptable political practice, but also argues that it is one of the most important means by which political parties keep themselves intact and ultimately provide stable and reliable government.Rauch quotes the words uttered a century ago by George Washington Plunkitt, the sage of Tammany Hall: Parties cant hold together if their workers dont get the offices when they win. If the parties go to pieces, the government they built up must go to pieces too.Rauchs paper is not merely about patronage, but also about the political machines that employ it. For much of the past century, in most of urban America, political machines got the job of government done. They did this in part with sticks, but even more with carrots. Patronage was one of the crucial carrots that machine bosses had at their disposal.Why does that matter? Why shouldnt we be thankful that machines, with their aura of sleazy backroom deal-making, have largely disappeared from American life? Because, says Rauch, machines bring into politics the kinds of people government now has trouble attracting. Machines draw competent and unassuming professionals, elected officials willing to take a long-term view of public policy, people who know how to compromise, people who demonstrate an enduring loyalty to the institutions in which they serve. Machines breed followers. Or, I might as well say it: hacks. Rauch believes we have lost the valuable habits that any self-respecting hack understands implicitly. Without hacks, Rauch argues, the machine fails.And when the machine fails, as it did in the late 20th century almost everywhere in American politics, it is replaced by a much different and ultimately destructive set of political players. It is replaced by individualists who are loyal to causes rather than institutions, who believe that compromise violates their personal moral code, who would sooner see gridlock than have to make deals with people whose values they despise. It is supplanted by the dysfunctional system now in place in our national government.In matters like this, I am a product of my upbringing. I came to political consciousness in the Chicago of the 1950s, where Richard J. Daley ruled as mayor and treated the city as a fiefdom in which all significant policy decisions were made in his office. There has been a lively debate for decades over whether Daley was a vindictive tyrant or merely a benevolent autocrat. I wont get into that. But I will say that the Daley years provided an object lesson in how to run a competent city government based on the creative use of a highly disciplined political party.Daley believed in loyalty more than any other political virtue. In holding that view, he was demonstrating the lesson he had learned from one of his own mentors in city government, the longtime alderman, ward boss and party chieftain Jacob Arvey. It was Arvey who told aspiring leaders that the secret of political success was very simple: Put people under obligation to you.In Daleys Chicago, just about everyone in local government was under obligation to somebody. In particular, tens of thousands of city employees had acquired their jobs through the Cook County Democratic Party and held onto them by performing well as precinct captains who were expected to deliver a healthy vote for the partys candidates in their neighborhoods on Election Day. A rank-and-file worker who slipped up at the polls not only risked losing his position as a precinct captain, he risked losing his job in an office somewhere in the musty corridors of city hall.Mayor Daley possessed exceptional skills as a political leader, but he also had something that may have been more important: a whole army of followers. Without those city workers and precinct captains who understood their place in the system and comported themselves cheerfully within it, all the leadership skills in the world might not have benefited the mayor very much.Daley had put an enormous number of people under obligation to him, as Arvey had advised him to do. These people had not only an incentive to produce, but also a long-term interest in keeping the entire system in operation. That was as true of an alderman on the city council as it was of the lowliest functionaries pushing paper in city hall or mowing the grass in city parks. One doesnt have to endorse every decision that Daley made in order to admire the competence of a government that loyalty and patronage made possible.I can anticipate the reaction that many of you will have at this point. You will object that the rigidity and unyielding hierarchy of the Daley machine, or of any highly disciplined political organization, is simply too high a price to pay for whatever stability it provides. My response is not to deny that the price is substantial and alien to most 21st-century political sensibilities. It is to argue, alongside Rauch, that in the past 50 years we have moved too far in the opposite direction.Exhibit A, of course, is Congress, where elected leaders have few loyalists to rely on and lack the authority to negotiate on behalf of their party with the members on the other side of the aisle. House Speaker John Boehner presides over a Republican caucus whose 243 other members are his clients rather than his followers. They are loyal to their own careers and principles, not to the maintenance of a party, a government or the broader public good. When the time comes to make a political sacrifice in the interest of sensible long-term policy, no majority exists. The leader has few weapons that he can use to create one. Rauch quotes Trent Lott, who served as Senate majority leader in the 1990s, to the effect that trying to be a leader when you have no sticks and very few carrots is dang near impossible.Most state legislatures have not reached the level of dysfunction that Congress currently exhibits. The legislatures that turned red after the 2010 election have generally managed, for better or worse, to maintain enough party solidarity to enact substantial portions of a coherent Republican agenda. But the most difficult tests lie ahead. In the next decade, largely as a result of exploding entitlement costs, a majority of states will confront structural fiscal problems serious enough to require the opposing parties to cooperate and individual members on both sides of the aisle to accept taking political risks for the greater good.In order for those problems to be solved, legislators all over the country will need to unlearn the habits of ideological purity and unyielding devotion to principle that it has taken the better part of a political lifetime to absorb. They will need to behave more like hacks. Lets hope they can summon the courage to do it.
In recent years, Carmelita Hillsman spent more than three hours a day getting to and from her government job in downtown Nashville.Not anymore.Now, she starts working each day for the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at 6:30 a.m. from her home office, using a state-purchased computer. She doesnt even have an office in the departments headquarters.This is more flexible, she says. I avoid traffic. I spend more time with my family, and I absolutely get more work done because there is less distraction.Among Tennessee state workers, Hillsmans not that special. In her department alone, 72 percent of employees telework most of the time.Theyre all participating in the states ambitious initiative, called Alternative Workplace Solutions (AWS), to transform its workplace. It goes far beyond traditional approaches to telecommuting, in which employees occasionally work from home but still spend most of the time in a central location.In exchange for giving up their desk or office, participating employees can work remotely (either at home or in the field) full- or part-time. When they do come into the office, they can select from a variety of seating options -- standing desks, lounge areas, conference rooms. They have lockers for personal possessions. The best schedule for each person is evaluated individually. Some employees come into the central office twice a week. Hillsman generally comes once a month, or more, if there are meetings she needs to be in.The concept of individual offices, cubicles and desks, arranged with family photos and bobbleheads, is becoming a thing of the past.Since mid-2016, when the program launched, 16 departments have given employees the option, with 6,000 of them taking it. About 27,000 of the Tennessee executive branchs 38,000 employees could eventually be eligible, according to Evan Smith, a senior management consultant who runs the AWS program.The idea came about when Reen Baskin, then the deputy commissioner of the Department of General Services, was asked to reduce the states office space. She soon realized that consolidating it had numerous other advantages.In the first two years of implementation, AWS has racked up an impressive record of benefits. According to internal Tennessee surveys, 60 percent of managers say employees have improved productivity and 80 percent of employees say they have a better work-life balance. Participating agencies have recorded a 37 percent reduction in sick leave use, and the state estimates that the average employee is saving $1,800 a year on gas. By the end of this fiscal year, Tennessee says it will have likely cut its real-estate rental costs by $6.5 million. Next year, it plans to sell one of its downtown Nashville office buildings, which is no longer needed. That could give the state an extra $40 to $60 million.The results have other states, including North Carolina and Utah, intrigued, according to Smith.While the program is wildly popular, setting it up hasnt been easy.Early on, the resisters were at the managerial level, says Trish Holliday, the states chief learning officer. Managers didnt know how to get the work done if they didnt have everybody there.To solve that problem, an intensive training process now precedes implementation of AWS in each department. Employees and managers learn the importance of clear expectations and of focusing on results. Constant communication and team-building exercises get a lot of emphasis.David Purkey, commissioner of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, was a skeptic at first. I was of the opinion that everyone needed an office or a cubicle to have their stuff and be accountable to their colleagues, their supervisors and the public, he says. He also worried about how having so many employees working remotely would affect his management style, which involved walking around the office, talking with people in hallways and visiting employee offices.But once the program started, he realized the work wasnt suffering and that employees were happy and more likely to stay on the job.We want to retain our people," he says. "That changed my mind.Other managers who have been through the transition say that constant communication and state support were critical to their success.You need to have the state committed to this, says Greg Gonzales, commissioner of financial institutions, one of the first departments to participate. If you dont move state government as a whole substantially toward the AWS objective, then it would be difficult for individual departments to do this on their own.The legislature has provided $18.5 million for the rollout of AWS. With the help of that funding, the state has been dramatically remodelling offices and upgrading their IT infrastructure. Departments have also accelerated efforts to digitize paper files and are focused on improving communications technology so that team members can easily stay in touch with each other and share information online safely and seamlessly.
Gianpiero Lambiase, the race engineer at Red Bull Racing, explains why Sergio Perez was also in charge of the second session on the second day of testing. The morning session was cut short early after a red flag due to a piece of kerbstone drain on the track. GP explains the decision not to put Max Verstappen behind the wheel for the afternoon session.

Lambiase explains Perez and Verstappen switch

"It was another solid days mileage for the Team. The red flag this morning led us to changing the driver swap we had planned for post-lunch, as it would have otherwise unfairly limited Checos early impression of the RB20," Lambiase explained after the second day of testing in Bahrain.

During the first session, when Perez drove, Red Bull's RB20 was even briefly on fire. The Austrian team had problems with the brakes, which required some work. Partly due to this accident, the Mexican was unable to complete the desired number of laps.

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GP happy with results

"We are accumulating mileage at a good rate, which is positive for reliability and systems sign-off," the race engineer continued. "And beyond that, Checo was able to continue to evolve the setup to his liking having taken Maxs baseline from day one. We have plenty to analyse overnight ahead of what is an important final day of testing."
ROME  One of the first women who accused a once-exalted Jesuit artist of spiritual, psychological and sexual abuse went public Wednesday to demand transparency from the Vatican and a full accounting of the hierarchs who covered for him for 30 years.

Gloria Branciani, 59, appeared at a news conference with one of the most prominent Vatican-accredited lawyers in Rome, Laura Sgro, to tell her story in public for the first time. She detailed the alleged abuses of the Rev. Marko Rupnik, including his fondness for three-way sex in the image of the Trinity which, if confirmed, could constitute a grave perversion of Catholic doctrine known as false mysticism.

Rupnik has not commented publicly about the allegations, but his Rome art studio has said the allegations were unproven and media reports about the case a defamatory lynching.

Rupniks mosaics decorate churches and basilicas around the world, including at the Catholic shrine in Lourdes, France, the forthcoming cathedral in Aparecida, Brazil, and the Redemptoris Mater chapel of the Apostolic Palace.

The Jesuits kicked him out of the order last year after he refused to respond to allegations of spiritual, psychological and sexual abuses by about 20 women, most of whom, like Branciani, were members of a Jesuit-inspired religious community he co-founded in his native Slovenia that has since been suppressed.

The Rupnik scandal has grabbed headlines for more than a year over speculation that he received preferential treatment from a Vatican dominated by Jesuits: From Pope Francis to the Jesuits who headed the Vatican office responsible for sex crimes and sacramental crimes that twice essentially let him off the hook.

Under pressure as the scandal grew, Francis in October decided to reopen the case and Branciani is due to soon testify before the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Sgro said that she didnt know what the possible lines of investigation are since the Dicasterys proceedings are secret even to victims and their lawyers.

Branciani, who first denounced Rupnik in 1993 and then left the Slovene community, called for the full story of the Rupnik scandal and cover-up to come out in public, including the documentation. She said that she believed that the pope was still in the dark about the details and that even he would be served by the truth.

He (Rupnik) was always protected by everyone, and everything that you could accuse him of was either minimized or denied, she said. We hope that our testimony ... will stimulate a greater transparency and a consciousness by everyone, and also maybe the pope, who wasnt really aware of the facts that occurred.

Francis, in a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, said he had intervened in the case only on procedural grounds and didn't know the details.

Rupniks former Jesuit superior, the Rev. Johan Verschueren, said he had no contact for a lawyer for Rupnik. There was no immediate response to an email seeking comment from his Centro Aletti art studio and ecumenical center in Rome, which has strongly defended him. The Koper, Slovenia diocese, which welcomed Rupnik after he was expelled from the Jesuits, referred to an October statement saying he hadn't been convicted by any tribunal and was presumed innocent.

The Vatican press office offered an update on the investigation after Brancianis news conference, saying the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith had just received the latest elements of documentation from several institutions, including some not previously heard from.

In the news conference, Branciani described a textbook case of manipulation of conscience, sexual abuse and false mysticism, which the doctrine office has a tradition of prosecuting. After saying she underwent years of psychological manipulation, grooming and sexual advances, including while Rupnik painted the face of Jesus, she said she eventually lost her virginity to him.

At one point, she said that according to Rupnik, Our relationship wasnt exclusive but had to be a relation in the image of the Trinity.

The Vatican dicastery handles crimes of sexual abuse of minors as well as sacramental crimes. The office actually took the first, and only, Vatican action against Rupnik in 2020, when it declared him excommunicated for having committed one of the most serious crimes in church law, using the confessional to absolve a woman with whom he had engaged in sexual relations.

The excommunication was lifted two weeks later and Rupnik paid an indemnization to the woman. The following year, after nine members of the Slovene community accused him of other abuses, the dicastery chose not to prosecute him on the grounds that the alleged abuses occurred too long ago. The office routinely waives the statute of limitations for old cases involving abuse of minors.

The outcome underscored how the Catholic hierarchy routinely refuses to consider spiritual and sexual abuse of adult women as a crime that must be punished, but rather a lapse of priestly chastity that can be forgiven.
The City of Green River recently joined forces with the Wyoming Game and Fish to conduct the annual deer count within the city limits. The annual count started in 2017 after concerns were raised by the community of too many deer in the city limits.

The count conducted February 8 was completed by city employees, Game and Fish personnel and a few volunteers. The city is divided into eight sections. The total number of deer counted was 112, the most since the count began eight years ago. Last year, 105 deer were counted, matching the same number counted in 2018.

After the count, Green River Chief of Police Shaun Sturlaugson said "the overall numbers we saw today fit in with our normal yearly averages, so not much has changed."

Number of deer counted by year:

2017-63

2018-105

2019-98

2020-99

2021-61 (count was conducted during a storm)

2022-90

2023-105

2024-112
A federal judge is pausing the city of Corvallis' efforts to unseat Ward 5 Councilor Charlyn Ellis while court proceedings unfold.

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.

A resolution brought to the council first in December  but continually pushed back  claimed Ellis violated the city charter by meddling in the hiring process, which is expressly the city managers responsibility. Ellis was elected in 2016 and is serving her fourth two-year term.

At a federal court hearing Thursday, Feb. 22 in Eugene, Judge Ann Aiken granted Ellis a preliminary injunction, officially halting the process of removing Ellis. The city had already postponed a hearing and vote to ouster Ellis in light of her lawsuit.

Ellis attorney, Oregon City-based Jesse Buss, said by email that such a ruling generally relies on four findings:

The plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits of her claim.

She will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction.

The balance of the harms and equities tips in her favor.

The public interest favors an injunction.

Obviously, those findings, made at the preliminary injunction stage, can have significant implications for any case, Buss wrote.

Ellis was not immediately available for comment.

Patrick Rollens, Corvallis' public information officer, said by email that the city has no comment on the ruling at this time.

Judge Aiken's formal written order is not available yet in court filings, but she did issue a "minute order," which is a quick answer to a party's motion. Ellis was seeking to enjoin the city from holding the due process hearing, adopting a resolution against her and also from enforcing the section of the city charter she is challenging against her  or anyone else.

It's not clear from the minute order which, or if all, of the requests were granted.

Buss said if all the preliminary relief is granted, the order would enjoin the city from continuing to prosecute Ellis under the city charter until further notice from the court.

Ellis lawsuit is asking the court to void the section of the city charter that was cited against her, as well as any decision removing her from elected office. She is seeking legal fees and $1 in nominal damages from the city. Her lawsuit requests a jury trial.

Buss has argued that Ellis was asking for the city to fill a vacant position, not hire a specific person for the job.

In a previous interview, Buss said the section of charter leveled against his client, numbered 23(f), is overly broad and should be narrowed or eliminated, adding it was intended to prevent cronyism and patronage, not to limit political speech.

In court documents, attorneys hired by the city deny Ellis constitutional rights were violated and ask for the case to be dismissed and for Ellis to foot the legal fees. They say Ellis made statements in her capacity as a city official, and therefore she does not enjoy First Amendment protection.

Ellis, council liaison to the Climate Action Advisory Board as well as its chair, and fellow advisory board members were concerned they couldn't continue to meet without a climate program specialist to support their work and facilitate their meetings.

At a Sept. 18 council meeting, Ellis moved to direct City Manager Mark Shepard to post a listing for the vacant job of climate program specialist within two weeks and provide updates on the hiring process until the position was filled.

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That led to a resolution in December that would have resulted in expelling Ellis if it passed. A due process hearing was slated in which Ellis was expected to defend herself against the allegation that she violated the city charter, but the hearing was rescheduled twice before it was postponed.

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.

Related stories:
William "Bill" V. Normington, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Missions at Castle Rock. He was a resident of Sweetwater County for 88 years.

Bill was born November 28, 1935 in Eureka, Utah; the son of Delamar Normington and Erma Tarris.

He attended schools in Superior and was a 1958 graduate of Superior High School.

Bill earned his Associates Degree from Western Wyoming Community College in Secondary Education. Mr. Normington attended Weber State College receiving his Bachelor's of Science in Geology.

Bill married the love of his life Louise Jean Agostini in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

He served in the United States Army.

Bill worked for United Pacific Rairoad for 35 years and retired January 2000 as a Manager of Customer Service.

He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Bill enjoyed spending time with his family; fishing; hunting and woodworking.

Survivors include his wife, Louise Normington of Green River, Wyoming; one daughter, Kathryn Normington of Cheyenne, Wyoming; one brother Andrew Normington and wife Evelyn of Rock Springs, Wyoming; one sister, Maldi Lavender and husband Bob of Logan, Utah; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and three sisters.

Cremation will take place; a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 23, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 900 Hitching Post Way, Green River, Wyoming 82935. Military Honors and Graveside Services will be held at the Riverview Cemetery.

The family respectfully requests donations in Bill's memory be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601.

Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com.
The Guam Women's Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Rhythms of Resilience Fashion Show from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday.

The event will be at the Women's Business Center in Hagatna and is $35 for attendees. Price includes cocktail hour, vendors, silent auction and an art gallery.

The event will highlight various art forms, vendors, and fashion, while networking, enjoying drinks, and eating food.

The Black History Month theme for 2024 is "Rhythms & Resilience: One Soul, One Sound." This month's theme centers on the concept that black history, culture and music embody a tapestry of diversity and interconnection, rather than being a single narrative. Creating space for local and minority community on Guam to unify in one room with art, fashion, music, and conversations, the Women's Chamber wrote in a post on Facebook.

Oringo African Couture is a new shop that opened in December 2023. Owner Chchi Akoma shared why she decided to open up her shop here in Guam.

Chichi spoke about adorning herself with African attire for church and parties. She received compliments from different people wondering where she got her outfits from while being captivated by its uniqueness. After receiving interest from various people she decided to sell her items when she lived in Texas. Her passion for clothing did not stop when she moved to Guam.

Moving to Guam somehow reminded me of Africa," she said.

The various cultures and different interactions with people inspired her introduce African attire to Guam.

Tickets can be bought at the link: https://shorturl.at/bpDJ5
The final decision on who represents Guam at the upcoming Festival of the Pacific Arts ultimately rests with the Board of Directors for the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency, according to an opinion issued by Attorney General Douglas B. Moylan.

CAHA had plans to send a 100-member delegation to Hawaii for FestPac 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the activities to this year.

Moylan shared his offices response to Angie Taitague, acting director for CAHA, on Friday afternoon. On Feb. 9, Taitague asked for a legal opinion on the following questions:

May CAHA remove an individual as a FestPac delegate once they have been tentatively selected according to the approved procedure?

If CAHA does have the legal authority to remove a person as a delegate what steps must CAHA take to officially remove an individual?

Is there a basis to remove delegates that were charged but acquitted of criminal actions?

What rights do individuals have as a selected delegate?

The answer to each inter-related question was answered by the same point: Its up to the CAHA board.

Moylan noted the board had broad powers of authority and the decision whom to include as part of Guams FestPac delegation is a discretionary one of the Board.

Moylan concluded that the board was free to remove any delegate for any reason, that they need not consider legal analysis of any of its applicants, and that individuals have no vested rights to be part of the delegation.

Moylan did add that any board decision should be taken at a properly noticed public meeting under the Open Government Law.

The questions came after concerns were raised by multiple community members about suruhanu Frank Ko James San Nicolas, a port police officer who was twice acquitted of criminal sexual conduct in 2022, being included in the delegation.

An ongoing campaign has been calling on CAHA to remove from San Nicolas from the FestPac delegation.

The campaign, which started on Feb. 9, describes San Nicolas as a known sexual predator while also acknowledging he was acquitted.

Guam, do not send Ko San Nicolas to Fest Pac, is the title of the online campaign letters sent to CAHA, other government officials and the media.

San Nicolas was not only acquitted of the charges but also got his job back as a port police officer with the Port Authority of Guam and got nearly $200,000 in back wages and legal fees in a settlement with the Port.
The University of Guam campus is seen with the ocean off Pago Bay in the background. A WASC Senior College and University Commission accreditation team is visiting UOG between Feb. 28 and Mar. 1, 2024. Public input is welcome.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story stated Bill 116-37 failed to pass with a 10-5 vote. It has been updated to reflect six senators voted for the measure.

Residents are a step closer to three more months of $100 a month power bill credits, with lawmakers voting to pass Bill 208-37 on Friday afternoon.

Also passing were measures to build a new memorial for Vietnam War Veterans, ban tobacco and vapes from vending machines, increase public reporting of school inspections, and expand who can be named as a successor on Chamoru Land Trust leases.

New regulations on quarrying and mining failed to pass, again.

Bill 208, for the power credits, passed unanimously.

The measure, which would provide another $15.8 million to extend the program, is headed to Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros desk for review.

Total money put down on the Prugraman Ayuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit will top $110 million, should Sen. Will Parkinsons Bill 208 become law.

Households paying a power bill throughout that entire time will have received $1,800 worth of relief.

Funding for the latest round of credits will come from the $17.3 million worth of excess revenue from taxes and fees that GovGuam was tracking at Januarys end.

Senators have extended the credit several times since it was first enacted in the summer of 2022, amid steeply rising oil costs and power rates. But funding for the program finally ran out in December.

Rates have dipped since late 2022, when the average power bill was nearly $400, but GPA in January got approval to raise power rates once again, and the average bill starting February will be $359.36.

Power oversight chairman Parkinson said that the next question was when the credit would have to end.

We need to collaborate with the Guam Power Authority and see what we can do as a legislative body to ensure that there will be no more increases in peoples power bills, Parkinson said.

Quarrying bill fails again

Failing to pass for the second time was Speaker Therese Terlajes Bill 116-37, meant to tighten up regulations on clearing and grading operations that were actually being run as an unauthorized quarry or mine.

It failed 9-6.

Bill 116 would limit clearing, grading, excavation and other quarrying activity to 5 acres until soil and erosion controls are put into place for a given site.

It would also require mining or quarrying operations to apply for special permits, that would be regulated by Department of Public Works, Guam Environmental Protection Agency, and other local and federal agencies.

The Guam Association of Realtors emailed all senators a day before the vote opposing the bill, and Sen. Chris Barnett posted the email on social media.

GAR members have been vocal about lengthy permitting processes slowing construction, the PDN reported previously.

GAR did not submit testimony against the bill during its public hearing, based on a committee report. The association also operates a Political Action Committee and endorses candidates each year.

Sens. Chris Barnett, Joanne Brown, Sabina Perez, Telo Taitague, Parkinson and the speaker voted for the bill.

Sens. Frank Blas Jr., Chris Duenas, Tom Fisher, Jesse Lujan, Roy Quinata, Joe San Agustin, Dwayne San Nicolas, Amanda Shelton, and Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes voted against the bill.

New memorial, school reports, vapes

The Independent Vietnam Veterans Association of Guam will be authorized to use a portion of the Skinner Plaza in Hagatna to erect a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Monument, if Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas Bill 170-37 becomes law.

The measure passed unanimously Friday.

San Nicolas in a statement said the monument would come at no cost to the government, and hour those, who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve our island and country during this long and dark conflict.

Also passing unanimously was Sen. Sabina Perez Bill 187-37, to ban the sale of vape products, tobacco, and nicotine products from sale in vending machines.

Though no one has held a license to sell tobacco from a vending machine on Guam since 2018, the sale of vapes from unsupervised vending machines has become common in other places, according to Perez.

Schools would required to post sanitation and safety inspection reports online and displayed them prominently near the main office of every school campus, should Sen. Jesse Lujans Bill 48-37 become law.

It passed unanimously.

Bill 48 not only ensures transparency and accountability within the Guam Department of Education, but also acts as a moral imperative in guaranteeing the well-being and educational environment of our students, Lujan said in a statement shortly after the bill passed.

Senators also passed the following bills:

Bill 81-37, to allow the Mayors' Council of Guam to choose the time and date of their oath taking and inauguration ceremony.

Bill 98-37, mandating that all public schools comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bill 142-37, to expand the net metering program for non-residential customers.

Bill 186-37, to put more of the money collected from tobacco fees and penalties towards youth smoking prevention programs.

Bill 187-37, to ban the sale of vape products, tobacco, and nicotine products from sale in vending machines.

Bill 191-37, to mandate that all office space leased by the government of Guam be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bill 209-37, to restructure the powers of the Community Health Center Advisory Council.

Bill 212-37, to transfer a 707 square meter lot in Tamuning from the CHamoru Land Trust Commission to the Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon Mayors Office.

Bill 171-37, which would base the fines for littering on the amount littered, starting with $1,000 for up to 100 pounds of litter, up to a minimum $10,000 for littering over 5,000 pounds.

Bill 226-37, to require that sanitary permits be renewed on the anniversary of the date of issue.

Bill 114-37, to provide $50,000 to the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs for the April 2024 Island-Wide Veterans Convention.

Bill 107-37, to give $500,000 to the Guam Housing Corporations Rural Housing Service Escrow Savings Account for Affordable Housing.

Senators voted unanimously to confirm the following gubernatorial nominees:

Nadine T. Cepeda to serve as a member of the Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners.

Ronald T. Laguana to serve as a member of the Guam Ancestral Lands Commission.

Margaret E.R. Tyquiengco to serve as a member of the Guam Ethics Commission.

Joseph M. McDonald to serve as a commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission.

Peter B. Montinola to serve as a commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission.

Ray C. Tajalle to serve as a member of the Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners.

Dr. Jeffrey C. Johnsons nomination to serve as a commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission was confirmed by a majority. Sen. Perez did not vote in favor of Johnsons nomination.
The Undersecretary of the Navy Erik Raven and Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment Meredith Berger met with Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., Friday.

A readout from the meeting states that Raven and Leon Guerrero discussed the importance of the Indo-Pacific region and reaffirmed their commitment to working together toward shared goals of partnership, community, and readiness.

They spoke about military presence on Guam, infrastructure investments, environment, innovation, and opportunities for further collaboration. Raven and Leon Guerrero also spoke about the significance of cultural and historical interests, noting the continued need for preservation and recognition, the readout states.

They all expressed a shared desire to strengthen an already strong relationship as they continue to support the people of Guam and the service members and families who call Guam home.

This was the first in-person meeting with the governor since Raven was designated as the Department of Defenses senior defense official for Guam in January, the readout states. Raven previously met Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, during a visit to Guam, last month.

The senior defense official designation assigns Raven elevated responsibilities to include:

Serving as the DoD senior representative when meeting with key leaders in Guam

Providing senior leader oversight, advocacy, and support to the commander of Joint Region Marianas in the execution of its installation management mission

Bringing senior military leaders together to align efforts to meet operational requirements consistent with the National Defense Strategy, ensure resources are programmed and de-conflicted across DoD components, and to develop and deliver new capabilities to meet logistics, environmental and infrastructure requirements.

According to an action memo, Guam lacks key military and civilian infrastructure which have created obstacles in meeting operational requirements consistent with the National Defense Strategy.

Addressing these issues requires senior leader attention and requires clear governance, clear roles and responsibilities and appropriately assigned authorities across the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Military Departments and other Department of Defense components.

The current management and oversight process for Guam is spread across several offices and the diffuse process with multiple stakeholders has limited progress on key Guam issues, the memo states.

To improve management and oversight, we propose designating a senior defense official as the lead for Guam establishing a single integrated review process for the Guam mission set and creating a forward OSD presence in Guam, the memo states.

The next step will include the establishment of the Guam Synchronization and Oversight Council, which will be co-chaired by the undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment) and Raven.

In last months meeting with Tenorio, Raven expressed the Department of Navys commitment and continued investments in the Indo-Pacific region, while also talking about the importance of military efforts to defend Americas interests and those of our allies and partners.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero is in Washington, D.C. and is advocating for Guams strategic interests including support for new cranes at the Port Authority of Guam.

Leon Guerrero is requesting support in response to the Biden Administrations recent executive order to address concerns over national security vulnerabilities related to crane procurement from China, a release from Adelup states.

According to the White House, the executive order seeks to bolster security of the nations ports, alongside actions that will strengthen maritime cybersecurity, fortify supply chains and strengthen the U.S. industrial base.

The Biden Administration will invest over $20 billion, including through grants, into U.S. port infrastructure over the next 5 years.

As a result, PACECO Corp., a U.S.-based subsidiary of Mitsui E&S Co., Ltd (Japan), is planning to onshore U.S. manufacturing capacity for its crane production. PACECO has a deep history in the container shipping industry, manufacturing the first dedicated ship-to-shore container crane in 1958 as PACECO Inc., and it continued U.S.-based crane manufacturing until the late 1980s.

PACECO intends to partner with other trusted manufacturing companies to bring port crane manufacturing capabilities back to the U.S. for the first time in 30 years, pending final site and partner selection, the White House stated in a release.

Securing these cranes is imperative for our national security, Leon Guerrero said in a release. With the Biden Administrations heightened concerns, securing funding aligned with U.S. security policies to prevent reliance on China-manufactured equipment is crucial. The Port of Guam is critical to our national security and economic prosperity. Ensuring its operational strength and security is a duty we uphold for our nation.

The Port Authority of Guam is at a pivotal moment, with the acquisition of three new STS gantry cranes critical for sustaining its commercial and military operations. The existing cranes, acquired in 2008, are approaching the end of their service life, the Adelup release states.

Port Authority documents underscore the essential role these cranes play in meeting increasing demands and supporting the Department of Defenses Indo-Pacific Strategy and Pacific Deterrence initiatives amidst geopolitical tensions.

The potential operational impact, as outlined in the Ports planning documents, highlights the importance of an immediate crane replacement. Should one crane go out of service, the Ports capacity to meet commercial demand and support Department of Defense missions would be significantly compromised, potentially delaying the military buildup by up to four years, the release states.

The proactive stance of Governor Leon Guerrero, Lieutenant Governor Tenorio, and our board in emphasizing the link between port and military readiness is forward-thinking. We are modernizing the port to the best of our financial ability and advocating for support to address infrastructure shortfalls, notably the urgent replacement of the gantry cranes, Port General Manager Rory J. Respicio stated in the release.

While in the nations capital, Leon Guerrero is providing testimony to the Interagency Group on Insular Affairs, participating in the National Governors Association Winter Meeting, State Departments Roundtable for Pacific Island Territories, and attending follow-up meetings with the Department of Defense at the Pentagon.

To ensure progress, she is requesting federal support for initiatives that propel the region, including funds to construct a state-of-the-art medical complex, support for Guams ports and its critical infrastructure to keep the flow of goods into the island, the reauthorization of Compact Impact funding, and funds to establish a Micronesian Islands Forum Secretariat to improve responses to Micronesian issues.
Lawmakers failed Friday to override the governors veto of a measure that would bar government employees convicted of official misconduct from being employed with the government of Guam.

Sen. Joanne Browns Bill 30-37 passed unanimously in January, but was vetoed by the governor over concerns it would apply retroactively and jeopardize the employment of those who were already working for GovGuam.

Adelup has stated that applying the law to those with a conviction who are working now could open the government up to lawsuit.

Brown argued that there is nothing retroactive in the bill, and pointed to numerous examples of situations where government employees were back on the job shortly after committing misconduct.

The senator said she had specifically discussed the measure with legal counsel, to ensure that it did not apply retroactively.

GovGuam employees are guilty of official misconduct if they use their job to either benefit themselves or to harm others, based on Guam law.

Sens. Chris Barnett, Brown, Frank Blas jr., Sabina Perez, Telo Taitague, and Speaker Therese Terlaje voted to override the governors veto.

Sens. Chris Duenas, Tom Fisher, Jesse Lujan, Will Parkinson, Roy Quinata, Joe San Agustin, Dwayne San Nicolas, Amanda Shelton, and Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes voted against the override.

The vice speaker issued a statement after the vote, saying she agreed that the bill would apply to those who were already working for GovGuam with an official misconduct conviction.

She pointed to the section of the bill that said no one with such a conviction shall be continued in employment, and the continuation of such employment would be voided.

She said she believed that would violate the Fifth Amendment right to due process.

Abusing ones public position through misconduct on the job should be met with serious consequences, including a bar of future employment in the government, the vice speaker said.

But that should not be done by trampling on constitutional rights.
Lawmakers have passed legislation to lock the construction of a new hospital into Tamuning and begin land negotiations, but Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero will veto the measure.

Sen. Chris Barnetts Bill 185-37, for the hospital site, passed 8-7 Friday, short of the 10 votes needed to overcome the governors veto.

The governors bill to start negotiations for hospital land in the Mangilao-Barrigada area failed 7-8.

If no law comes forward authorizing a site, stalemate over the hospital site selection, and delays to construction, will continue.

Attorney General Doug Moylan last year opined that the Legislature must be involved in the finalization of a land lease for the new hospital, but lawmakers and Adelup have so far failed to reach a consensus on what land that hospital should be on.

Barnetts bill to require a hospital be built at the Ypao Point location in Tamuning would meet a clear and certain veto, a statement issued from the Office of the Governor minutes after senators concluded their vote said.

The governor has been clear from the starta new hospital at the abandoned Ypao Point site hands todays problems to tomorrows patientsall at the cost of millions of dollars in new debt and fewer chances at shared costs with the federal government, Adelup stated.

Barnett issued his own statement, saying that the governor would be rejecting the facts that showed Ypao Point was a better site, if she rejected his bill with a veto.

Building at Ypao would be faster, more feasible and more fiscally responsible than building where the Governor wants to build, but thats not according to me. Thats what the facts say, the senator stated, pointing to the $1.48 million study the government paid for to assess different sites for the hospital.

The study from Matrix Design Group found Ypao Point was more accessible, he stated, and that means we save more lives.

At $25 million, infrastructure installation costs for Ypao Point were a quarter of what they were at the governors preferred site, Barnett said.

He also called into question how solid the governors assertions that the federal government would help pay for the hospital were.

The governor has spent the last couple of years going back and forth to Washington to meet with DOD and the federal government about the medical complex, but we still dont know enough to make an informed decision about her proposal, he stated.

What was known was the poor state of the current Guam Memorial Hosptial, according to Barnett.

The vote

Neither bill garnered enough votes to pass during the January session of the legislature.

But Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas voted in favor of both bills Friday, ultimately swinging the vote in favor of the Tamuning site.

Minority Republican Leader Sen. Frank Blas Jr. vote against both bills once again.

Sens. Barnett, Joanne Brown, Chris Duenas, Jesse Lujan, San Nicolas, Sabina Perez, Telo Taitague, and Speaker Therese Terlaje voted in favor of the Tamuning site.

Sens. Tom Fisher, Will Parkinson, Roy Quinata, Joe San Agustin, San Nicolas, Amanda Shelton, and Vice Speaker Muna Barnes voted in favor of the Mangilao-Barrigada site.

Besides San Nicolas and Blas, every senator that voted for one bill, voted against the other.

The Office of Sen. San Nicolas did not immediately respond to a request for comment on why his vote changed.
A family outing to the beach in the seaside town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea took a heartbreaking turn Wednesday when 7-year-old Sloan Mattingly lost her life while digging a hole in the sand with her 9-year-old brother, Maddox, who was injured in the accident.

As their parents and fellow beachgoers were attempting to rescue the children, emergency crews rushed to the scene just after 3 p.m. and found Maddox had been buried up to his chest, while Sloan was completely engulfed by sand, in a hole approximately 5-6 feet deep.

Both children were transported to the hospital, where Sloan was pronounced dead, and Maddox was listed in stable condition.

In 2023, 135 million people chose Florida as their vacation spot  and at least 34%of them will visit one of the states many beaches. While most are aware of the dangers of the ocean, the hidden peril of digging in the sand isnt typically a consideration.

But lifeguards have long sounded the alarm about the dangers of collapsing sand  and with the sand on a typical beach measuring around 6.5 feet deep, they advise beachgoers to not dig holes deeper than knee level.

In 2001, Dr. Barry J. Maron and his son, Bradley A. Maron, collaborated on a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research investigated incidents between 1997 and 2000 when seven individuals in the U.S. were trapped in collapses caused by holes dug in dry sand at the beach.

Its probably the last thing on the mind of parents, said Bradley A. Maron, the lead author. This study is not meant to eclipse water safety or other beach concerns. But we want parents to know that something completely recreational can lead to instant tragedy.

In each scenario, the individuals found themselves suddenly submerged as the walls of the holes collapsed  and most disappeared from view. Four of the seven people died and three were rescued by lifeguards and other beachgoers.

The father-son duo also teamed up with other colleagues for a 2007 report in the New England Journal of Medicine that documented 52 instances of young people who were buried in collapsed sand holes between 1997 and 2007. Of these cases, 31 people died and 21 were rescued.

But the authors note that they believe these personal and family tragedies probably are more common than this report suggests.

They said, Raising awareness on the part of the general public regarding the risk associated with creating tenuous excavations in dry sand should have a preventive effect, substantially reducing the frequency of these often lethal events.

While the serene beaches across America are often associated with relaxation and enjoyment, the threat of sand hole collapses, while not a frequent occurrence, are more prevalent than many might realize.

In 2018, a man was critically injured near Crescent Beach in St. Augustine, Florida, when sand collapsed on him after he reportedly dug a tunnel.

In May 2022, 18-year-old Levi Cavelry died and his 17-year-old sister was injured when the hole they were digging in the sand collapsed in on them at Ocean Beach in Toms River, New Jersey.

In August that same year, a Florida man died after a sand dune collapsed on him as he was recording a sunrise from a beach on Hutchinson Island.

And just last weekend, media outlets reported that a 2-year-old boy, who wasnt digging in the sand, was buried after the sand underneath him collapsed as he played at a Jersey Shore beach. Police arrived at Neptune Beach on Saturday and found the boys father had already pulled him out, unharmed.




Haiti - Security : At least $320M already promised by the international for the Intervention Mission in Haiti





The Haitian Chancellery informs that a delegation led by Jean Victor Geneus, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti participated Thursday February 22, 2024 in the afternoon in a special meeting on Haiti which was held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), on the sidelines of the meeting of G20 Foreign Ministers.



This meeting took place at the request of the United States Government and was chaired by Secretary of State Antony Blinken assisted by the Undersecretary for Foreign Relations of Brazil, Ms. Gisela Maria Padovan.



Chancellors and Heads of Delegation from a dozen countries, members of the G20 and guests, as well as the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Amina Mohammed participated in this meeting which aimed to seek their financial support for the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) in Haiti.



The various speakers were unanimous in providing their support for a rapid deployment of this mission in Haiti, given the deterioration of the security situation. They agreed on the need to send a robust and dissuasive force, capable of effectively fighting gangs. They confirmed a strong commitment to Haiti and specified concretely what their participation will consist of, which will be, for the most part, in personnel, equipment, training and financial contributions.



"We urge the international community to join us in contributing financially, providing personnel, providing equipment, contributing logistics, and contributing to the training of this mission" In addition to the U.S. commitment to provide aid of 200 million dollars more than 120 million additional dollars have been promised including 80.5 million from Canada bringing the amount of aid to the Mission to 320 million for the moment "Today, we met more than one dozen countries which contribute or plan to contribute significantly to this mission in terms of personnel, equipment, training and financial resources including Benin, France, Germany and Jamaica. I think today at least $120 million more has been committed to this effort," Blinken said after the meeting in a press conference.



According to a senior Biden administration official, the latest estimate from the Office of Management and Budget puts the cost of the Haiti intervention mission at between $515 million and $600 million over two years https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41724-haiti-flash-high-level-meeting-on-the-crisis-in-haiti-on-the-sidelines-of-the-g-20.html emphasizing that the precise cost will depend on the final operational plans and needs on the ground.



Some countries also informed that, alongside their contribution to the Mission, they will strengthen their bilateral cooperation with Haiti in order to enable the country to consolidate its institutions and quickly improve the humanitarian and socio-economic situation of the population.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41724-haiti-flash-high-level-meeting-on-the-crisis-in-haiti-on-the-sidelines-of-the-g-20.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Canada announces $123M to improve security in Haiti





Thursday, February 22, 2024, on the sidelines of the G20, Melanie Joly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, participated in Rio de Janeiro, (Brazil), on the sidelines of the G20, in an important meeting aimed at seeking support, particularly financial, for the deployment of the Mission Multinational Security Support (MMSS) in Haiti.



During this meeting, Minister Joly announced that Canada will allocate $123 million in support of Haiti, including $80.5 million to promote the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41729-haiti-security-at-least-$320m-already-promised-by-the-international-for-the-intervention-mission-in-haiti.html , led by Kenya to support the efforts of the Haitian National Police (PNH) to improve the security conditions of the Haitian population.



Minister Joly also announced the allocation of an amount of $42.5 million, from funds already announced, for the realization of 5 structuring projects in support of the most urgent problems facing the country:



$15 million to the United Nations Office for Project Support (UNOPS) for procurement of personal protective equipment and vehicles for the PNH;



12.1 million to UNOPS for procurement of logistics and communications equipment for the PNH;



5.9 million to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to address gang-related sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Haiti;



5.0 million to the United Nations Development Programme for the Program for Justice and the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Haiti, also called the Basket Fund for Justice;



4.5 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to strengthen Haitis border management capacities to improve security.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41729-haiti-security-at-least-$320m-already-promised-by-the-international-for-the-intervention-mission-in-haiti.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Education : Towards the construction of 20 new schools





Thursday, February 22, 2024, Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry, convened an important working meeting around the project for the immediate construction of 20 new schools (national schools and high schools) in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince and the communes of the department of the West, financed by the National Education Fund (FNE).



Each school will have, among other things, 12 classrooms, an administrative block, a computer room, a library, a laboratory, a conference room, two sanitary blocks, a infirmary and a playground.



As part of this construction work, twelve municipalities are concerned: Port-au-Prince, Petion-ville, Cite-Soleil, Carrefour, Gressier, Croix-des-Bouquets, Tabarre, Cabaret, Fonds-Parisien, La Gonave, Leogane and Kenscoff.



These constructions are part of the government's commitment to strengthening education services in several areas of the metropolitan area, by building modern, quality educational infrastructure.



The problem of people displaced from certain areas of the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince was also on the agenda of this meeting. It was an opportunity for Ariel Henry to instruct the authorities concerned to work hard and as quickly as possible on the relocation of our fellow citizens.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Order of Judge Voltaire : Leon Charles resigns from the OAS to take legal action and clear his honor





The former Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) Leon Charles, Permanent Representative of Haiti to the Organization of American States (OAS), implicated by the judge, Walter Wesser Voltaire, in his order issued around the death of former President Jovenel Moise hhttps://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41708-haiti-flash-51-people-indicted-in-the-assassination-of-the-president-including-martine-moise-claude-joseph-and-leon-charles-list.html has resigned.



In his resignation letter, dated February 21, 2024, addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean Victor Geneus Leon Charles writes:



Resignation letter from Leon Charles :



"[...] Mr. Minister



Having been implicated in an absolutely unjust and slanderous manner by the order of the investigating judge responsible for investigating the assassination of President Jovenel Moise;



Determined, although the order has not yet been served on me, to vigorously combat, by all legal means, the fanciful accusations brought against me in order to have my innocence recognized and my honor cleared ;



Must benefit for this purpose from all necessary freedom of maneuver and speech, but being limited today by my status as a diplomat in the service of the Government ;



I have the advantage of submitting my resignation as Permanent Representative of the Republic of Haiti to the Organization of American States. This resignation takes effect upon receipt of this letter.



Accept, Mr. Minister, my distinguished considerations.



Leon Charles

Ambassador

Former Permanent Representative of Haiti to the Organization of American States"



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41708-haiti-flash-51-people-indicted-in-the-assassination-of-the-president-including-martine-moise-claude-joseph-and-leon-charles-list.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Martine Moise takes legal action

Martine Moise's lawyers are sending a request to the Government Commissioner of Port-au-Prince questioning the legality and authenticity of the copy of the order issued by the judge which is in circulation. These lawyers also argue that Judge Voltaire's mandate had already expired when the order was published.



Gangs : Several quasi-dysfunctional hospitals

Several hospitals, since October 2023, can no longer carry out their activities normally because of the violence of armed gangs reveals a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Haiti (OCHA). The Chancerelles hospital, the Methodist Clinic and the Medical Center in La Saline are among the almost dysfunctional health infrastructures.



Former Senator Lambert awaited by justice

Friday March 1st, 2024, former Senator Joseph Lambert is expected before investigating judge Merlan Belabre to answer the magistrate's questions in the context of the case of misappropriation of 4 vehicles belonging to the Senate



SOGEBANK : international dual-currency debit card

The new international debit card from SOGEBANK https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41721-haiti-news-zapping.html offers the possibility, among other things, of being linked to two separate accounts : one in Gourde for transactions local and one in dollars for transactions carried out abroad or online.



Jean Charles Moise accuses

Thursday February 22 at a press conference, Jean Charles Moise, leader of the radical opposition party "Pitit Dessalin", accused the Government in the explosion that reached the house where Mgr Pierre Andre Dumas was staying on the evening of February 18 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41710-haiti-flash-mgr-pierre-andre-dumas-injured-in-an-explosion-in-port-au-prince.html . According to Jean Charles Moise, Ariel Henry's team would not be in favor of a proposal to end the crisis that Mgr. Dumas was scheduled to present on Tuesday February 20. Moreover Moise announced a large anti-Government demonstration in Port-au-Prince, Sunday February 25.



Marigot : 3 days of mourning

The Town Hall of the commune of Marigot has decreed three days of mourning on February 22, 23 and 24, 2024, in memory of the 16 people from the same family who died in Seguin (8 men, 5 women including one pregnant, two boys and a girl ) https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-41709-icihaiti-social-16-people-from-the-same-family-found-lifeless.html . The national flag will be flown at half-mast during these three days in the town. The possibility of death from carbon monoxide is advanced but has not been officially confirmed.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Chinese experts help Pakistani farmers cultivate, export high-quality sesame

People's Daily Online) 09:58, February 23, 2024

"The year 2023 was busy but rewarding," said Rana Asgar, a technician at the Pakistan-China Agricultural Cooperation Exchange Center, as he watched a ship loaded with the first batch of sesame seeds exported from Pakistan to China. Departing from Karachi, Pakistan's southern port city, the shipment marked a significant milestone in contract farming as the year drew to a close.

Thanks to a contract farming project between the center and Pakistani farmers, the challenges of low market demand, limited planting areas, and lack of competitiveness that Pakistan's traditional sesame crops faced are being gradually overcome.

To meet strong external demand for sesame, the center introduced high-quality sesame varieties and new cultivation technologies, boosting sesame cultivation in Pakistan.

A team led by Xi Jianlong, head of the sesame contract farming project, spent years surveying farms and selecting suitable seeds before encouraging farmers to experiment with growing sesame on a trial basis in 2022.

Xi Jianlong (center) talks with local farmers in a sesame field in Pakistan. (Photo/Peoples Daily Online)

By 2023, the total area of sesame crops grown by participating farmers exceeded 600 mu (40 hectares).

Asgar, applying techniques he learned during his studies in China, has dedicated himself tirelessly to the project over the past year. He believes that paying attention to every detail in the fields is crucial for ensuring high yields and quality.

The project has shown that contract farming is effective in mitigating the impact of crop price fluctuations on farmers, allowing them to concentrate more on enhancing cultivation efficiency and yields.

Muhammad Khalid, a farmer from Sahiwal district in Punjab, Pakistan, reported a bumper harvest of more than 2,500 kilograms of sesame, exceeding his expectations.

With guidance from agricultural experts, local farmers have adopted new cultivation techniques, significantly boosting yields and incomes, Khalid told People's Daily.

"We see immense potential in this cooperation model in Pakistan," said Xi, adding that the center plans to expand sesame planting areas under the contract farming model, further enhance farmers' skills, and promote agricultural mechanization to boost the international competitiveness of Pakistani sesame.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees will meet Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at 12:15 p.m. in the Robins School Administration Building.

The agenda for the meeting is:

A. Call to order

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll call

3. Welcome to visitors

4. Agenda deletions or corrections, and additions allowed by policy, if any

B. Old business

C. New business

1. Personnel

2. COPS Grant recommendation

Public Comment  An opportunity for any member of the audience to bring to the attention of the board questions or relevant comments concerning district matters not on the agenda. The board will not discuss or take action on items not on the agenda, but may refer a matter presented to a future agenda.

D. Superintendents report

1. Colony school update

2. Update from Havre Public Schools Education Foundation

3. Committee updates

E. Closing

The next board meeting will be Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at Havre Middle School.
New vehicles for transporting rural veterans, support for suicide prevention

The Great Plains Veterans Center continues to expand its services with new suicide prevention programs and a new fleet of vehicles to transport rural veterans to the resources they need, an expansion that has been accompanied by some serious growing pains as the organization's reach grows.

Great Plains Veterans Center Communication Specialist Becky Lewis said the center's reach has grown far larger over the last few years, between a 2021 rebrand and getting new vehicles with logos. The vehicles help the center service 17 counties in the state, bringing rural veterans to VA and VA-approved services and appointments.

Lewis said the center was originally called the Rocky Boy Veterans Center, a name that caused many to assume it was only for enrolled members of the tribe when it was open to all veterans.

Since rebranding to the Great Plains Veterans Center, a logo they have on their vehicles that travel across the state and beyond, they have had a massive influx of people making use of their services.

Their transportation service has been going since 2017 and has expanded their reach but that, combined with the rebrand, has attracted a lot more veterans in the past few years.

In 2020, she said, their vehicles traveled more than 30,000 miles bringing veterans to appointments and service providers, in 2023 they traveled more than 200,000 miles.

This massive amount of mileage means they've had to regularly update their fleet, and just recently they were able to get nine Subarus that they can use.

This program, funded through the Highly Rural Transportation Grant, can bring rural veterans to VA and VA-approved facilities for anything from routine appointments to dialysis and chemotherapy.

She said they can provide the service by appointment to anyone in a county with less than seven people per square mile, including Hill, Blaine, Chouteau, Liberty, Phillips, Sweet Grass, Park, Stillwater, Carbon, Glacier, Toole, Pondera, Teton, Daniels, Valley, Sheridan and Roosevelt counties.

Lewis said they've taken veterans to facilities as far away as Salt Lake City or even Seattle thanks to a group of very dedicated drivers.

"We've always been really blessed by our drivers and the staff we have," she said.

The VA doesn't pay for meals, she said, but the center makes a point of providing food during these often very-long rides.

She said they chose these Subarus for their high safety standards, comfort and reliable all-wheel drive systems to deal with the often harsh road conditions.

Veterans Support Services Case Manager John Gardipee Jr. said they also make a point to be early to pick people up and get them to their appointments with time to spare, something that means a lot to veterans.

Gardipee said punctuality is something that's drilled into people during military training and service, and veterans take that very seriously, so they try to do everything they can to make sure they are comfortable and experience as little stress as possible.

He said even if a veteran isn't covered by the VA they can use the center's own funds and resources to help them get to where they need to go without making use of this grant.

"We do what we do to help veterans, no matter the problem," he said.

Suicide prevention programs

Among the services the center itself can provide is the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, which helps connect veterans to the providers they need to help them through their mental health struggles.

Gardipee said the organization has now launched in Rocky Boy, Browning and, just earlier this month, in Fort Belknap and can cover veterans in Hill, Blaine, Chouteau, Glacier, and Phillips counties, including the Fort Belknap, Rocky Boy's, and Blackfeet Indian reservations.

He said the program attempts to reach out to as many veterans in the area as they can, and connect them with services when they need it.

Suicidality can be very difficult to address for veterans, Gardipee said, as their pride often makes it difficult to seek help when they need it.

He said many evaluations require them to ask veterans directly if they are suicidal and that can make for a very uncomfortable situation where they are unlikely to say yes, even if it's true.

Gardipee said they thankfully have other ways of helping people get into the right programs by examining risk factors like post-traumatic stress, or substance abuse, which can give veterans more opportunities to get help, even if they can't directly admit they need it.

He said he had one veteran who would never admit to suicidality unless he was drunk, but obviously he couldn't ethically evaluate him in that state, but he could include the issue in a risk-factor evaluation that may help the veteran qualify for help in a program.

These are the kinds of issues they can help veterans navigate, ones that even those familiar with the VA might not know the ins and outs of.

Unfortunately, Gardipee said, they face compounding factors that make dealing with the problem more difficult, such as the general taboo against talking about suicidality in Rocky Boy and other Native American communities.

He said having a connection to a culture can be incredibly rewarding, and they do help Native American veterans connect with veteran elders for traditional healing, which can be very helpful, but the taboo about discussing suicidality is an instance in which culture can be a double-edged sword.

"We're fighting an uphill battle," he said.

He said they have been setting up sweat lodges and are trying to organize a talking circle as well.

He said younger veterans tend to be easier to get to open up, but older veterans, especially Vietnam veterans, can be extremely difficult to help.

He said the conflict was so horrific and so long ago that veterans of the war have locked away a lot of their experiences and problems very deep down, and while many deal with what they experienced in a healthy way, many others don't and need help to realize that they need help.

Gardipee said while they don't provide all their services through the VA they have tried to be a bridge between the veteran communities, especially on the reservations, and the VA which has recently acknowledged its own deficiencies in caring for veterans' mental health and has been making an effort to be better.

Lewis said she wants to make one thing clear about these services to veterans, they are not charity, they are what veterans are owed for their sacrifices.

"These veterans have earned these services," she said. " ... We are grateful to them and they are not alone."

John Gardipee Sr. a co-founder of the center, said a staggering number of veterans on the reservations are not connected to the VA at all, and they've been trying to change that and get them help when they need it.

He said living on a reservation can be a lot like living in the third world, and that combination of socio-economic forces can put veterans at a much higher risk of suicidality, so these services are vital to them, almost more than anyone else.

He said veterans have a hard time connecting with others about their troubles, even with their own families, because they haven't gone through the kinds of things they did, but connecting them with other veterans can go a long way to helping them.

Gardipee Jr. said they can also connect the families of service members to VA programs they need as long as the veteran is being covered by the VA, which is good because military service affects veterans families as well as them.

As for veterans not being covered under the VA, they often connect them with the Great Falls Veterans Center, which is a remarkable organization with one of the best outreach coordinators around, Rich Ferry.

"If we don't have the answer we will get them connected with the person that does," he said.

Lewis said this is a pilot program and they will need to renew the grant, but considering the success they've seen she is very confident they will be able to continue.

She said if a veteran out there doesn't know what they are eligible for, they can call them and they will find out.

Experiencing growing pains

While the expanding reach and services of the center has been a great thing, Lewis said, there have unfortunately been some growing pains.

Project Manager John Mitchell said his job is to improve the working conditions for the people who provide and refer veterans to services, but the reality is that they have grown beyond what their current space can provide.

Mitchell said they are looking for a new location, including a possible new building in Chouteau County just off the reservation.

He said everyone at the center is incredibly devoted and have gone above and beyond to help local veterans and they need the resources and space to do their jobs as best they can.

He said resources for capital projects can be hard to find, but his goal is to get them into a new space that can accommodate them.

Thankfully, he said, they do have diverse funding streams, not just from the VA, or the federal, state or tribal governments, so they have a great deal of flexibility to make sure as few veterans as possible slip through the cracks.

Mitchell and Gardipee Sr. said they have a number of businesses and programs they use to raise money and all are oriented toward helping veterans, whether through the veterans cemetery or through events that help them develop job skills.
North Central Senior Center

Feb. 26 through March 1

Menu

Monday, Feb. 26  Barbecued ribs, baked beans, macaroni salad, fruit

Tuesday, Feb. 27  Pizza casserole, dessert

Wednesday, Feb. 28  Fish, coleslaw, fruit, dessert

Thursday, Feb. 29  Chicken Alfredo, veggies, fruit

Friday, March 1  Soup, chefs choice, dessert

News from our gift shop: Valentines Day items, more than 60 different heart trinket boxes, perfect as a gift or to hide a special Valentine surprise, $1 each. Valentine flower/candy bouquets are also available. Handmade potholders, dish cloths and stocking caps are available. Unique art glass flower vases ready for spring flowers, have been added. Wall hangings and knick knacks are added often. Puzzles are 50 cents. All occasion cards are 25 cents each. Donations welcome. Yarn is often requested. Our gift shop is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All shoppers are welcome.

Lets Color: The North Central Senior Center is hosting a Lets Color Contest. If you are interested in competing for a ticket for congregate or home delivered meals? Submit your picture with your name, address and phone number on the back so no one can see who did the work. Return your work to the Hill County Senior Center at 2 Second St. West in Havre. The picture to color is found on the back of the 2024 Reminders. You will also find it on the front desk at the senior center.

Would you like to be a volunteer at the senior center? Right now we are looking for a volunteer to answer phones at the front deskWe are very thankful for the many volunteers who help us daily and also during our special events. If you have a little extra time, we could sure use your help. We are finding ourselves a little short on volunteers now that we have opened our doors after closing due to the pandemic. If you would like to share your time and talents, please give us a call at 406-265-5464 to let us know. There are many different volunteer opportunities, maybe one just right for you, give us a call.

Commodities: Slots are available. If interested stop by the North Central Senior Center and request an application. For commodities there is an income restriction. Bring income verification and picture ID. Fill out an application and find out if your income falls within the guidelines. If you qualify, you can receive commodities once a month. You do have to come to senior center to pick them up.

Bingo: Come join us for Bingo every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome, fun for all. All of the money is paid out.

Pinochle: Come join your friends in playing pinochle Thursdays at 1 p.m. This group welcomes new players all levels and abilities at the senior center.

Transportation is now being handled by the North Central Montana Transit. This change seems to be going very well. If you need a ride call 406-265-4762. They would appreciate a 24-hour notice for local rides and a 48-hour notice for Great Falls trips.

Scams: Scam calls are still widespread. Text messages and emails are also becoming popular. Do not respond to any of them. Do not even open them, just delete them. Medicare isnt issuing gold cards. Talk to someone in the community before you consider a reverse mortgage.

Important phone numbers

 Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

 RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

 Tumbleweed Runaway and Family Crisis Program: 406-259-2558 (local) 1-888-816-4702 (toll free)

 Friendship Line by Institute on Aging  The Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warm-line for non-emergency emotional support callsIt is a 24-hour toll-free line and the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilitiesToll-Free Line: 800-971-0016

 For seniors getting frustrated with staying home and needing someone to talk to you can call 1-877-688-3377 for Montanas Warm Line.
More than 120,000 Montanans lost their Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids health care coverage in the past few months. Shockingly, 70 percent of those terminations were due to administrative reasons: failures on the part of the Gianforte administration. The administrations poorly thought-out, under-staffed Medicaid redetermination process has hurt thousands of Montanans, especially our elders and children.

During the pandemic, in the interest of keeping as many people insured as possible, the federal government suspended the requirement to check individuals eligibility for Medicaid. Now that the emergency is over, states are again required to check the eligibility of people on Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids, a process called Medicaid redetermination.

Sadly, Montana has one of the worst records in the country for cutting coverage for likely qualified people during the redetermination process.

Advocates and elected officials begged the Gianforte administration to slow down on the redetermination process. The administration ignored these warnings and spurned tools and support available to the state from the federal Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services. As a result, thousands of qualified Montanans lost their health care coverage for no good reason.

Due to this catastrophe, 18 Montana nursing homes and assisted living facilities reported through the Montana Healthcare Association that:

 154 nursing home residents have been cut off from Medicaid and are in the arduous process of reapplying.

 Staff trying to help residents reapply wait on hold for an average of 3-6 hours.

 It takes months to get a caseworker assigned to a Medicaid application.

 Delayed payments to these 18 facilities because of redeterminations and pending applications total $2.3 million.

Similar stories are coming from group homes and agencies that provide services for adults with developmental disabilities, and from substance abuse residential treatment facilities.

Most older adults in Medicaid beds have worked their entire lives, contributed to their communities, and raised their families here in Montana. They have already exhausted their lifes savings and assets paying for care. They are unable to navigate the administrative maze required to keep their Medicaid health care coverage. Some of them are veterans.

Adding insult to injury, when caregivers or loved ones who are providing care for these folks try to help get them reinstated on their insurance, they are met with bureaucratic roadblocks. After helping residents track down their most recent Social Security statement or last six months of bank statements, some caregivers find out that because they didnt schedule an appointment, the resident has already been denied coverage.

Senior long-term caregiving facilities were already reeling from dramatic, persistent shortfalls in state reimbursement rates that eroded their staffing, their capacity and their reserves.Montana lost more than 10 percent of its nursing homes in 2022. The loss of insurance for clearly qualified patients in nursing home beds is now costing these same care providers millions of dollars at a time when they have no cushion left. The states heedless push to block qualified individuals from retaining their insurance could trigger even more closures in assisted living and skilled nursing home care. This will affect not just Medicaid patients, but others who need skilled nursing facility care to recover from an injury or surgery.

The effects on elderly Montanans are just one example of how this process has harmed our people and our economy. What happens to children who cant get immunizations and well-child appointments? Or parents who face medical debt for the care they and their children need? How about people who have lost their mental health counselors and access to needed medications? Montana already has a crisis in mental health care. This will surely make matters worse.

Along with the human cost is the major cost to our economy. Three quarters of the funding for Medicaid is provided by the federal government. Due to this loss of eligibility, Montana stands to lose millions of federal health care dollars that support our rural hospitals, local pharmacies, nursing homes and treatment centers. If these places are forced to close or cut services, it will affect thousands of Montanans.

Gov. Gianforte ignored many warnings and proceeded with a botched Medicaid redetermination process that has hurt untold numbers of Montanans, especially our elders and children.

Governor, you are the only one who can step forward and fix this disaster.Please do so.



Terry Minow is chair of Big Sky 55+, a group that engages Montanans 55 and older to advocate for forward thinking policies such as health care and economic security for all.She is a fourth-generation Montanan who ranches in the Boulder Valley south of Helena.
Montana is, and always will be, an energy state. Historically, we were known to be producers that fueled the Industrial Revolution, thanks to Colstrips mines and the oil and gas fields. More recently, Montanas tremendous wind resource is widely recognized as being extremely valuable to the energy transition.

In order to continue being an energy state, harness our wind resources, and participate in a growing Western energy market, we must invest in our transmission lines and push permitting reform through local and national channels. This requires a vision for the future of energy in Montana.

Everyone, from the Montana Chamber of Commerce to the rural electric coops, agrees that permitting reform is needed and that we are undergoing a transition to clean energy in our country. How can Montana contribute to this? Montana can lead with solutions to protect our communities. We all want the safest, cleanest, and cheapest energy system that will service the increasing demand, and keep the lights on.

The most commonly cited solution is building out transmission infrastructure. Our current transmission infrastructure is outdated. Montana hasnt seen large-scale transmission development since the 1970s. Montanas transmission paths are highly utilized, and some are over-utilized. There is little wiggle room to serve the states rising peak demand, which is experiencing new, historic highs. We must build new lines, string new conductors, and invest in substations and ancillary infrastructure to increase our transmission capacity.

This is where permitting reform comes into play. Building new transmission lines can take decades. A line that just broke ground in Wyoming had been in the permitting process for 18 years. Thats unacceptable. We must cut the red tape. Lets lean into efficient solutions like utilizing existing rights of way, and expediting the development process.

Second, technology. Montana can diversify its grid and add energy generated by wind, water and solar (WWS), and storage to meet its energy needs by 2035. Areas that would be impacted by the transition away from fossil fuels also have a great deal of potential for clean energy generation.

Fortunately, wind, solar, and batteries are rapidly becoming the cheapest, and most reliable, option for energy generation and future capacity. Adding battery storage to the grid is essential.

Were also blessed with abundant wind energy potential. Montana could add 5,500 wind energy jobs by 2050, studies show. Tax revenues from these facilities would bring hundreds of millions of dollars to local and state governments, helping to build much needed public infrastructure or offset our escalating property taxes.

As wind is developed, battery storage would make this cheap generation source dispatchable, providing capacity to the system more cost effectively and reliably than natural gas peaker plants. Long-duration storage (LDES) with 18-100 hours of storage would enable us to use low-cost energy to supply even the most difficult weather events, such as we recently experienced during winter storm Heather.

Third, we need vision. According to Kyle Unruh of Renewable Northwest, Idaho Power has developed an integrated resource plan that illustrates the long and short-term vision for its energy development, including massive transmission, wind, solar, and battery storage development. Consequently, Idahoans are enjoying unprecedented industrial load growth, economic development, and connectivity to the Western market. This combines to make their energy cheap and reliable now and in the future.

Montana would do well to emulate our neighbors on the other side of the Bitterroots. To do this we need to plan for the load growth we are already witnessing as a result of a rising population, electrification, extreme weather, and industrial development. We also need to plan for and invest in the transmission and generation infrastructure needed to harness our tremendous wind resources and connect us to the West.

We all agree that we need reliable, on-demand, clean and affordable energy. Our members of Congress can help by enacting policies to get the permitting reform we needed yesterday and the infrastructure update needed now.

Clean energy generation has the potential to be low cost, but we must be able to connect it to the grid and get the power to the plug.



Hattie Hobart is the Western Regional Director for the American Conservation Coalition, the largest youth right-of-center grassroots environmental organization in the country.See: http://www.acc.eco .

Alex Amonette volunteers with Citizens Climate Lobby, a nonprofit, volunteer-powered advocacy organization with 2,500 supporters in Montana. The Montana chapters of CCL welcome everyone to join their respectful, bipartisan efforts to urge Congress to enact commonsense solutions to reduce climate pollution and add clean domestic energy. See: cclusa.org .




We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here
AVI for Southern Finland on Monday issued its ruling on the question of whether the couriers should be considered employees or independent entrepreneurs.

FOOD COURIERS of Wolt have an employment relationship with the delivery platform and a record of their working hours must be kept, rules the Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) for Southern Finland.

The matter can be resolved judicially only by a court of law. We would consider it desirable for the legal protection of both parties and the societal importance of the matter that a court ruling on the matter is delivered, said Eerik Tarnaala, the director of occupational safety and health at AVI for Southern Finland.

Wolt said the ruling was expected, announcing its intent to appeal against it. It pointed out that more than 70 per cent of its couriers value the freedom of entrepreneurship over the security of a formal employment relationship, estimating that it would only be able to have slightly over 2,000 of its almost 5,000 couriers on its payroll if employment contracts were required to perform the work.

The startup also stated that it intends to continue its current operations for the duration of the court process in spite of the threat of a 10,000-euro fine.

AVI for Southern Finland told that its ruling is founded on an overall examination of the case from the perspective of labour laws. The statutory obligations related to working time, it reminded, have been formulated to protect the weaker party to an employment contract.

Factors pertaining to how the work is carried out in practice were indicative of an employment relationship, according to the authority: The couriers are in a subordinate relationship with Wolt. The platform provider defines how the work is carried out by, for example, leading and supervising the work through the platform and controlling the use of substitutes.

Some of the factors identified in the examination, though, indicated that the couriers could also be regarded as entrepreneurs.

AVI for Southern Finland obliged Wolt to take action and start keeping records of working hours or present a report on its measures within 14 days of the ruling.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) for Southern Finland ruled in 2021 that the Finnish food delivery platform effectively has an employer-employee relationship with its couriers, ordering the company to keep a record of the working hours of couriers under the threat of a fine.

THE COURIERS of Wolt are self-employed rather than employees, the administrative court of Hameenlinna ruled on Wednesday.

Wolt appealed against the decision, bringing the question to the administrative court.

The court revealed that it examined the relationship between the service provider and its couriers through four indicators of an employment relationship, according to YLE: an agreement to carry out work, remuneration for the work, carrying out the work personally for an employer and supervising the work.

Only the first two criteria were met, according to the court.

Couriers, for example, are not required to carry out their work personally, but they can use substitutes or outsource any particular delivery. It also ruled that couriers do not perform their work under such circumstances and conditions that they could be perceived as working under the supervision of the management of Wolt: for example, their working hours are not pre-defined and they are under no obligation to accept delivery assignments.

Also other factors taken into consideration by the court did not point to an employer-employee relationship.

The court concluded that the company monitoring that deliveries are completed and defining remuneration for delivery work alone do not constitute an employment relationship between the company and couriers because in other respects the circumstances of work do not point to work that is performed under such a relationship.

Joel Jarvinen, the head of operations at Wolt Finland, voiced his satisfaction with the ruling in an interview with YLE on Wednesday.

This is a historic decision in Finland. This is the first time that a court has thoroughly scrutinised the courier model of Wolt and ruled that it doesnt constitute an employment relationship. Were satisfied and relieved, he said.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The National Coalition, the poll found, held on to its place at the top of the poll despite seeing its approval rating slide by 0.4 percentage points to 21.3 per cent.

THE WAVE of industrial actions organised by trade unions in protest of government plans to reform working life and slash social security has yet to significantly dent the popularity of the largest ruling parties, indicates an opinion poll conducted for Helsingin Sanomat by Verian.

Support for the Finns Party, by contrast, surged by 1.6 points to 19.6 per cent, leaving the populist right-wing party in a tie for second place with the largest opposition party in parliament, the Social Democrats. The opposition party saw its approval rating drop by 0.9 points to 19.6 per cent, its lowest level since July 2023.

The Centre Party and Left Alliance saw their ratings improve by a point and half a points, respectively, the former climbing to 11.1 per cent and the latter to 8.9 per cent. The Green League saw its popularity fall by 0.8 points to 8.1 per cent, the Christian Democrats 0.2 points to 4.1 per cent, the Swedish Peoples Party by 0.2 points to 3.6 per cent and Movement Now 0.3 points to 1.7 per cent.

Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday called attention also to the situation of the Centre and Swedish Peoples Party.

The former, it highlighted, is polling at the highest level since the second half of 2022, possibly in part due to the visibility received through the presidential campaign of Olli Rehn (Centre). Annika Saarikko, the chairperson of the Centre, announced last week she will not seek re-election as chairperson, but it is uncertain whether her announcement had an impact on the approval rating, given that it came only a day before the end of the polling period.

The Swedish Peoples Party has continued on a months-long downward trend, the newspaper pointed out. The ruling party is currently polling nearly a full point below the vote share it won in the parliamentary elections held last year and lower than ever before in the 33-year history of the poll.

The party is clearly in disorder. Chairperson and Minister of Education Anna-Maja Henriksson, who is a candidate in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament, has refused to make any decisions about her future as party leader and cabinet member until after the elections.

Helsingin Sanomat also estimated that the recent presidential elections may have had an impact on the poll results.

Both Rehn and Jussi Halla-aho, the candidate of the Finns Party, performed fairly well in the first round of voting, possibly explaining some of the gains made by their respective parties. The Green League, though, saw its popularity decline despite the narrow second-round loss Pekka Haavisto (Greens) suffered to Alexander Stubb (NCP).

Verian conducted 2,740 phone interviews for the poll between 15 January and 16 February. The results have a margin of error of 2.0 points when it comes to the largest parties.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
SBI charges deputy who authorities say shot man in parking lot

SBI agents on Friday afternoon brought a felony assault charge against the Henderson County sheriffs deputy who authorities say shot and wounded a man standing beside a patrol cruiser in an apartment complex parking lot Friday morning.

Joshua Rankin, whom Sheriff Lowell Griffin fired within hours of the shooting, is charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious bodily injury. The Hendersonville Police Department served the warrant and took Rankin into custody without incident. He was released on a $20,000 bond.

In a news release the city identified the victim as Matthew Browning, 25, of 245 Brittany Place. Browning was initially treated on the scene for an apparent gunshot wound to his arm and was later transported to Pardee Hospital.

Matthew's father, Zachary Browning, told WLOS that his son is on the lower-functioning end of the (autism) spectrum ... largely non-verbal and unable to "communicate those feelings" when he gets frustrated.

Browning said he wants Rankin held to account.

He doesnt need a weapon, he told News 13 . Hes dangerous. Hes going to hurt or kill somebody else, and he almost did it today. He almost killed my son today.

Rankin was hired by the Henderson County Sheriff's Office as a detention officer trainee in July 2021 and worked as a jailer until he transferred to patrol deputy in June 2023, county personnel records show.

"No one is above being held accountable for their actions," Griffin declared Friday when he fired Rankin.

The investigation into the officer-involved shooting was led by the SBI and also involved Hendersonville police.

"The Henderson County Sheriffs Office is aware of this mornings events, and we have removed ourselves from the investigation surrounding the incident at Brittany Estates," Griffin said in a statement released at 12:52 p.m. "At this time, I am able to release that Joshua Rankins employment with Henderson County Sheriffs Office has been terminated," he added. "For obvious reasons, I will be unable to comment further until the investigation is completed and reviewed by District Attorney Andrew Murray. However, I believe that no one is above being held accountable for their actions."

Rankin was among graduates in the summer of 2022 of the Detention Officer Certification Course at Blue Ridge Community College, BRCC said in a news release at the time. He had graduated from the community college's Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy in the spring of 2021.

Hendersonville police responding to the sound of gunshots at Brittany Place Apartments at 7:09 Friday morning quickly determined that an off-duty Henderson County Sheriffs deputy fired at an individual who was standing beside a parked patrol car, the city of Hendersonville said.
A MAN from Henley has been jailed for a series of offences, including stealing Poppy Appeal collection tins.

Keiron Butler, 34, of Reading Road, was sentenced to 57 weeks in prison after being found guilty of burgling two businesses, breaking into a car and stealing money from the Royal British Legion.

He also breached an 18-week suspended sentence just days after it was imposed last year for previous convictions.

Oxford Crown Court heard on Tuesday that Butler had been convicted at an earlier hearing of three counts of fraud by false representation, three of burglary, theft and handling stolen goods.

Butler, who had been in custody while awaiting sentencing, appeared in the dock in a jumper and polo shirt. Two of his friends and family members sat in the public gallery. Bethan Chichester, prosecuting, told the court that on November 8 last year, Butler went to Christ Church Centre in Reading Road, where he walked up to a table, cut ties on a Poppy Appeal collection tin and walked out with it.

The incident was caught on CCTV and police later identified him from the footage.

On November 21, he broke into Bodywise Health Foods in Market Place. Butler forced the rear door, causing 175 damage, and took the till float, which had about 175 in it. This incident was also captured on CCTV.

He broke into the shop again four days later. Company owner Sunil Bilakhia was at home when the alarm company called him to say the alarm was going off. He checked the CCTV on his phone and noticed someone was in the shop and called the police.

The cost of repairing the damage this time was 250.

On Saturday December 16, Butler broke into Bell Street Baguettes.

Owner Debby Beales had left the shop in the evening and set the alarm. Later she received a call from the alarm company to say that the alarm was going off.

She went the shop and could see nothing wrong, so assumed it was an error and left but did not reset the alarm. As she left, she noticed a male hovering outside.

She returned on the Monday morning to see a big hole in the back door and looked at the CCTV footage and saw that the same man had broken in and stolen the charity collection tin.

The wooden door at the back of the shop had to be boarded at a cost of 403. On December 12, a woman reported that her car had been broken into.

Her handbag was left in the unlocked car and she received a notification that a bank card had been used in local shops to make purchases of 28, 25 and 28.

The bag was recovered and returned to her but 600 cash was missing from it.

In a statement, the woman said she and her family were already upset as her mother-in-law had recently passed away.

They were also moving house, which was the reason the car was unlocked.

When she realised the stolen money came from the account nominated to make her mortgage payments, she had a panic attack and couldnt breathe properly.

Butler was arrested by police at his home on December 22.

Ms Chichester said Butler had 11 previous convictions for 25 offences.

In mitigation, George Joseph said Butler had been using his time in custody to detox from drugs and alcohol and attend improvement courses.

He was regretful of the fact that he was in the same position as he had been previously and wanting to change.

Mr Joseph said that if he was released, Butler would go back to work as a landscaper and work with a probation officer.

He had experienced brief stints of sobriety before, including when his son was born, but had always relapsed.

The court heard that on December 5 Butler was given an 18-week sentence, suspended for 18 months, for committing aggravated vehicle theft and fraud.

Sentencing Ian Pringle KC said to Butler: It was within only a matter of days that you breached that suspended sentence by committing the offence of handling stolen goods and then using those cards which you got on three occasions.

Youre also guilty of burglary of commercial premises which, if you were somebody with no previous convictions, might attract a community sentence but I cannot possibly ignore the fact that you have an unenviable criminal record.

Referring to the fact Butler would now serve his 18-week sentence, Mr Pringle said: We mean what we say.

He added that he hoped the defendant would reform when he was released, adding: Its quite easy giving up things in prison, its really hard when youre out. You have friends and people to support you.

Butler was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

Richard Pinches, organiser of the Henley Poppy Appeal, said: I am happy that he will pay for his bad behaviour.

I do feel for his family but these are the consequences when you break the law.

It was quite a shock to have the tins stolen. I dont think we have had such a theft before and I really hope that it does not happen again, whether its him or somebody else. You should not steal from charities.

I know he has young kids but really he needs to try to turn his life around.
DIRECTOR Tam Williams first saw Ira Levins darkly comic 1978 play Deathtrap as a child, when his actor father Simon Williams played the protagonist, crime writer Sidney Bruhl.

He admits to a ghoulish fascination with the set and staging of Bruhls weapons-filled house in Westport, Connecticut.

His adaptation at the Mill is packed with both sinister intensity and hilarity with strong performances from the cast of five.

The show embraces its Seventies setting, with old-fashioned typewriters and references to carbon copies and Xerox machines.

The tense, taut pace is ramped up early on as successful but jaded Bruhl (Nick Waring) and his wife Myra (Emily Raymond) invite young, aspiring playwright Clifford Anderson (George Watkins) to stay at their isolated home. Bruhl has been suffering from writers block and is anxious to get back to writing hit plays.

Anderson seems keen to glean advice from the host on polishing his new play, Deathtrap.

Bruhl senses that Andersons play will be a massive hit and wants to share the spoils. He has a plan

Then a temporary neighbour appears  Dutch psychic Helga ten Dorp (Issy van Randwyck), who has relocated after helping to solve real crimes in Europe. She makes a series of intriguing and spooky predictions.

When Bruhls attorney, eagle-eyed Porter Milgrim (Philip Childs), calls, he makes a few acute observations of his own. The writer refers to Milgrim as sharp but dull but what the attorney sees has ramifications for all involved.

As the tension builds and Bruhl shows off some of his weapons collection  a crossbow, some of Houdinis carefully crafted handcuffs, a mace and some old pistols  motives are revealed and nothing is what it seems.

The play is full of twists, turns and tangles (a play within a play) and just when the outcome seems clear it takes a different path.

Jump scares are used to mighty effect and perfectly timed  perhaps the show should come with a trigger warning for the faint-hearted.

As the tetchy Bruhl gets more wound up and events unravel, the play offers comic relief in the form of many in-jokes with ten Dorp disparaging former Sonning resident Uri Geller and Bruhl giving a knowing nod to dinner theatre.

Nick Warings Bruhl goes through a gamut of emotions as a man desperate to maintain the status quo. Emily Raymond excels as his nervy wife Myra and Watkinss Anderson keeps us guessing as to his next move.

Van Randwyck is a hoot as ten Dorp, her extra-sensory perception providing a trail of clues to the past, present and future, and Childs as Milgrim is pitch-perfect in second-guessing Bruhls moves.

The audience is left reeling with both horror and delight.

This was an enjoyable, high-voltage production, bouncing from high drama to funny little vignettes. We were kept on the edge of our seats and kept guessing right to the very end.

Deathtrap runs until March 30.

Natalie Aldred
Telcos in Indonesia and South Africa on Thursday launched new API services focused on enhancing security and customer experience as part of the GSMA Open Gateway initiative.

According to the GSMA, Indonesian telcos Telkomsel, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, XL Axiata, and Smartfren have launched Number Verification, SIM Swap and Device Location services based on Open GatewayAPIs.

Meanwhile, South African telcos Cell C, Telkom and MTN (via its API marketplace Chenosis) have adopted the Number Verification and SIM Swap services.

The Number Verification service streamlines mobile number verification for users, ensuring robust authentication and a seamless experience, addressing issues like SMS delivery failures or user technology challenges.

The SIM Swap service will detect recent changes in SIM cards associated with a phone number, crucial for preventing account takeovers, especially during financial transactions.

The Device Location service enables organizations to confirm a devices specific location, enhancing fraud detection and accuracy for services like delivery apps, while also thwarting GPS manipulation and fraudulent activities.

All three services leverage APIs from the GSMA Open Gateway, the framework of common network APIs designed to provide enterprise developers with universal access to operator networks.

Hermansyah, Smartfrens Chief of New Business Development for its business unit, said the APIs will greatly facilitate interoperability among systems, as individual customers or businesses will only need to use a single interface to connect to various operators systems nationwide.

South African operators heralded the launch of Number Verification and SIM Swap, as the country recorded a 24% surge in reported incidents of digital banking fraud in 2022, according to a report published last year by the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC). That surge was mainly attributed to the growing number of fraud cases related to banking applications and online banking.

Digital fraud is not only a threat to finances but an assault on trust in the digital economy, said Lunga Siyo, CEO of Telkom Consumer and Small Business. We are excited to partner with GSMA to eradicate the vulnerabilities that currently exist.

Banking fraud is a growing threat in South Africa, and mobile network operators are strategically placed to work with developers to help banks, financial institutions and commerce providers mitigate the risk and protect their customers, said Angela Wamola, head of Sub-Saharan Africa of the GSMA. The availability of the two APIs to South African operators will equip enterprises with additional means of verifying that their customers are who they say they are and protecting them against identity theft, all while maintaining the user experience.
A new report from connectivity testing company MedUX has found that London's 5G network speeds and performance fall significantly behind those of other major European capitals.

The 5G Quality of Experience benchmarking study reveals that in 2023, out of 10 cities tested, London ranked last across key metrics such as speed, reliability and overall user experience.

The report shows that Londoners suffer from both lower download and uplink speeds compared to their European counterparts. The city's average download speed of 143 Mbps is 75% lower than best-in-class Lisbon at 528 Mbps, and considerably lower than that of its European peers with Porto at 446 Mbps and 326 Mbps for Barcelona. Munich in Germany, the second-worst city for 5G download speeds, had average download speed of 259 Mbps.

The company also adds that London has the second lowest reliability (service consistency) and accessibility (time-to-content) scores across Europe. This means that for 5G users in London, accessing websites will take longer than in Europe, watching movies on the go is more likely to result in lagging and drop outs and anyone gaming is more likely be frustrated by slow response times.

This is in stark contrast to Berlin, which has emerged as Europes 5G performance leader. Berlin's success in 5G deployment is attributed to several factors, with the report giving the German capital an overall Quality of Experience (QoE) score of 4.69 out of 5.

MedUX says the city boasts the highest 5G coverage among European cities, with 89.6% of its population having access to 5G. This extensive coverage is complemented by Berlin's network consistency and low latency. Its 5G infrastructure provides Europes best overall 5G streaming experience, with an average latency of less than 40 milliseconds.

MedUX Chief Marketing Officer Rafael Galarreta pointed to the UKs decision to ban Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from its 5G infrastructure as a possible reason behind Londons lagging 5G network.

This delayed deployment has likely affected overall coverage, availability, and user experience, particularly considering that the Huawei ban came after the initial rollout had already commenced, Galarreta told CNBC.

UK telecoms operator BT Group estimated it would cost around 500 million over 5 years to remove existing Huawei gear and replace it with other vendors' equipment. The lack of suitable vendors and the right equipment to replace Huawei gear has been a major issue. Such added capital costs and distractions for telecom operators like BT and Vodafone appear to have slowed London's 5G rollout at a critical time. In contrast, Germany has based its decisions on which vendor to use in its networks on the equipments technological capabilities and internationally recognised security standards.

German operator Deutsche Telekom has also won the Mobile network test in Germany for the thirteenth time, with an outstanding rating. The annual test held by German magazine Connect, in partnership with Umlaut (an Accenture company) is regarded as one of the most important and widely recognised benchmarks in the industry. Deutsche Telekom led in all urban and rural regions in all categories bar one, hitting 99% and over in all categories.

More broadly across the continent, the EU has set up a program called the 2030 Digital Compass, which sets out a vision for the EU to successfully achieve a digital transition by 2030. As part of the proposal, it stipulates that by 2030, All European households will be covered by a Gigabit network, with all populated areas covered by 5G.

The EU's Digital Compass is an ambitious plan for digital transformation and inclusion. Faster data speeds, lower latency, and increased connectivity are essential to achieving almost every goal outlined in the plan. The mechanism for tracking the progress of this ambition is a system looks at a structured, transparent and shared monitoring system based on the European Unions Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) to measure progress towards each of the 2030 targets.

However, using the EUs own measure, on the DESI chart showing overall 5G coverage, the bottom 5 ranking countries are all countries which have placed some degree of restriction on Huawei.

Source: EU Commission, 2023. DESI 2023 dashboard for the Digital Decade. https://digital-decade-desi.digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/datasets/desi/charts

The 19th European 5G Observatory report, a website supported by the European Commission, which analyses the latest figures measuring achievements towards EU 5G targets, also shows these 5 countries at the bottom of their ranking table.

Fair Competition or Further Delay?

Restricting fair competition goes against the EUs rules, whereas competition between companies benefits customers and spurs companies to innovate. The right for mobile operators to choose the equipment used in their networks, based on its technical capabilities and verified security standards is essential to ensure that they can offer customers the best quality of user experience, no matter where in Europe they are.

Ongoing Huawei restrictions continue to hold back the UK's 5G roll-out with additional costs and delays looking likely. That leaves Londoners suffering the consequences, facing slow and unreliable service. So, whether it's video calls with friends, online shopping, navigating with augmented reality maps, streaming content or gaming on the move, Londoners are getting a raw deal.

The report highlights the impact on users that politically motivated and overly restrictive regulation can produce. This goes a long way to explaining why many European commentators view London as cautionary tale for future 5G delivery.


Friday February 23, 2024



Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addresses the media inside his office in Mogadishu, Somalia on February 21, 2024. PHOTO | REUTERS



Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his country would "defend itself" if Ethiopia goes ahead with a deal to set up a naval base in the breakaway region of Somaliland and possibly recognise the territory as an independent state.



Landlocked Ethiopia agreed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on January 1 to lease 20 km of coastline in Somaliland - a territory that Somalia says it owns, even though the northern region has enjoyed effective autonomy since 1991.





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Somalia and several Western countries, including the United States, which regularly carries out strikes against militants in Somalia, have said Ethiopia's port deal has boosted Al Shabaab's recruitment efforts.Mohamud told Reuters that according to their intelligence sources, some of the new recruits are nationalists joining because of Ethiopia's recent port deal with Somaliland.
Jewellery is an integral part of the Indian culture. For Indians, every major event in their life is marked with various pieces of jewellery. Be it gifting a gold chain to a newborn baby's parents, buying silver or gold coins on an auspicious day, rings to get engaged, a mangalsutra, or an apt anniversary gift - jewellery is a way to express love for one other.

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Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
The healthcare landscape is undergoing a digital revolution, and at the forefront of this transformation is MediWheel. With its cutting-edge seamless digital platform, the company is redefining outpatient care and elevating the patient experience to new heights. In an era of technological advancements and the need for convenient healthcare solutions, outpatient care is undergoing a significant transformation. This shift is driven by companies like MediWheel, which are harnessing the power of innovative technology to reshape the way Individuals access Wellness and Health.

MediWheel's seamless digital platform is a game-changer in outpatient care. It seamlessly integrates Telemedicine, OPD Health Checkups, Physical Doctor Consultations and Epharmacy to suggest Condition Management and Practical Daily Wellness Solutions which are all accessible to you and your physicians through your Digital Health Record for useful Medical and Wellness Insights. This is designed to make the user experience convenient, efficient and useful.

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Key Features of the Digital Platform:

MediWheel's digital platform offers the following key features:

- Telemedicine Services: Patients can access medical consultations from leading and trusted doctors from the comfort of their homes, reducing the need for in-person visits and improving accessibility to healthcare.

- Health Checkups  Users can undertake Curated Comprehensive Health checkups at over 3500 Centers through a Home Collection across India. These Executive Health Checkups or Pathology Health Checkups contain the maximum number of tests and are at the best prices with priority services across India. Also MediWheel Network Labs are NABL and ICMR Certified Labs with additional MediWheel Quality requirements to ensure quality and accuracy of medical tests and reports

- Doctor Consultations  Users are able to find Doctors for over 20 Specialty and make appointments, they are able to access Doctor Consultation notes and Prescriptions online directly.

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Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
Edtech company Byju's is all set to conduct their investors' EGM today where the shareholders of the company will take a vote on the ouster of CEO and founder Byju Raveendran, and his family from the board of directors of the company. Byju Raveendran, founder of Byju's, the Bangalore-based educational technology start-up.(AFP)

However, the resolution to oust Raveendran and his family from the top posts in the company, if passed, will not be set in motion until March 13, when the Karnataka High Court is scheduled to hear the petition filed by Byju's CEO against certain investors.

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The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday refused to stay the EGM, called by shareholders collectively holding more than 32 per cent stake in Byju's. Raveendran and family own 26.3 per cent stake in the company.

Investors of the edtech company had called the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) as Byju's continues to grapple with a major financial crisis. The shareholders of the company have accused the Raveendran family of mismanagement and failures at top posts in the firm.

The EGM notice by the shareholders seeks the ouster of Byju Raveendran, his wife Divya Gokulnath and brother Riju Raveendran from the board of directors of Byju's. However, the company has repeatedly insisted that the investors do not hold the right to oust any board member.

The edtech firm has called the EGM "procedurally invalid" and contractually in contravention of the company's article of association and shareholder's agreement. It was also reported that the Raveendran family is not planning to attend the EGM.

Is Byju Raveendran attending the EGM?

Byju's parent company Think and Learn Ltd on Thursday issued a statement saying that CEO and co-founder Byju Raveendran and his family will not be attending the shareholders' EGM on Friday, deeming it invalid.

Byju Raveendran or any other Board member will not attend this invalid EGM. This means the EGM, if it is still summoned, will not have the required quorum and cannot proceed to discuss or vote on the agenda, the company said, reported PTI.

However, investor sources said, EGM is valid and fully in accordance with applicable law. EGM to continue as per plan. Incorrect to say that EGM won't have a quorum if founders don't attend.

(With inputs from PTI)
Jio Financial Services share: In a first, Jio Financial Services Ltd's market capitalisation exceeded 2 lakh crore driven by a 35 per cent surge in its share price this year while Reliance Industries hit a record high today (February 23). Shares of Jio Financial Services rose 8 percent to a record 326 as the stock gained in the fifth straight session. During this period, the stock has increased nearly 17 per cent with mcap of 2.08 lakh crore. Reliance Industries Chairman, and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani.(ANI)

As of now, 39 firms are trading above 2 lakh crore market capitalisation on local stock exchanges. Reliance Industries is leading the list with a market cap of 20.05 lakh crore, followed by Tata Consultancy Services 14.78 lakh crore and HDFC Bank 10.78 lakh crore.

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In December quarter earning, Jio Financial Services reported a net profit of 293 crore, a net interest income of 269 crore, total interest income of 414 crore and total revenue at 413 crore.

Earlier this year, Jio Financial Services and Blackrock Financial Management filed documents with Sebi to launch a mutual fund business in India. Since Jio Financial Services' listing on the stock exchange on August 21, 2023, the stock has gained more than 21 per cent.
Sovereign Gold Bond allotment: The Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 202324 Series IV opened for subscription on February 12 and closed for subscriptions on February 16. If you applied for the latest tranche, you can check your allotment status using a few simple ways. Sovereign Gold Bond: Here's how you can check the allotment status.(Reuters)

SGB allotment: SGBs purchased via online mode: If you've purchased Sovereign Gold Bonds online through a Demat account, follow these steps to check the allotment status:

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Access account provided by your bank or brokerage firm.

Go to "Portfolio" or "Holdings" section.

Check for the Sovereign Gold Bonds category.

SGB allotment: SGBs purchased via offline mode: If you have purchased SGBs offline, follow these easy steps:

Use certificate of holding from the issuing bank, Post Offices, or designated stock exchanges.

Check for information about the allotment.

Check your email for confirmation as well.

SGB allotment: A digital copy of the certificate will be sent to you via email by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to the email address specified in the application form as well.

What happens next?

Once allotted, SGBs will be credited to your Demat account after which you can monitor their periodic interest payouts.

Can you convert online/ offline SGBs to Demat?

Even if an investor has purchased SGBs offline or online, they can convert those SGBs into demat form even after they are allotted. "The bonds can be held in a demat account. A specific request for the same must be made in the application form itself. Till the process of dematerialization is completed, the bonds will be held in RBI's books. The facility for conversion to demat will also be available subsequent to allotment of the bond, the RBI said in a FAQ.
Vice Media will no longer publish content on its website and will lay off "several hundred" people from its staff of over 900 employees over the next week, Associated Press reported citing a memo to staff by the company's chief executive officer Bruce Dixon who said that digital content distribution was no longer cost-effective for Vice. Vice Media Layoffs: The Vice logo is seen.(AP)

Vice would lay more emphasis on the other channels of distribution, he said as per the memo. This comes as almost all legacy media brands- The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Vox Media and The Los Angeles Times- have announced job cuts while digital platforms like Messenger, BuzzFeed News and Jezebel have shut down in the US.

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Last year, Vice had filed for bankruptcy in the US and announced the shutdown of its Asia bureau. The media company was then sold for $350 million to a consortium led by Fortress Investment Group. In 2017, Vice Media was valued at $5.7 billion. The company was launched in 1994 and soon moved to New York building a reputation with tough journalism and stories from all over the world. The media company's assets include film and TV production, an in-house marketing agency and brands such as Refinery 29 and Unbothered.

In the memo, Bruce Dixon said that the company plans to sell Refinery 29.

"I know that saying goodbye to our valued colleagues is difficult and feels overwhelming, but this is the best path forward for Vice as we position the company for long-term creative and financial success," he said.
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar has ruled out the possibility of a law that forces MNCs in the state to display the number of Kannadigas working on their campuses. He stressed that Bengaluru is a global city, which is a hub for global citizens, and said that the government doesn't have any such plans. Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar (PTI)(HT_PRINT)

Also Read - Shops must have 60% Kannada language nameplates by Feb 28: BBMP

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Speaking to the reporters on Friday, Shivakumar said, "Our government doesn't have any plans to bring a law which forces industries and MNCs to display the number of Kannadigas. Bengaluru is a global city open for all to come and work."

He also said that it was a demand of Kannada activists. "Some of the Kannada activists approached out cultural minister and proposed a plan to table a law. That's why the minister told that. It's impossible to implement such laws," added the deputy CM.

Earlier, the minister for Kannada and culture, Shivaraj S Tangadagi, told the legislature that all MNCs operating in the state must prominently display the number of Kannadigas employed on notice boards. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the revocation of permissions granted to these companies, he added. There has been a discussion to ensure that industries put up display boards on the number of Kannadigas they have employed. We will frame rules for that, he told reporters outside the legislature.

He also said that he was heading the committee formed to look into the measure. We have secretaries of many departments and they have given suggestions. We will discuss and form the rules for industries and multinational companies, the minister said.

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has already passed a bill mandating 60% use of Kannada in signboards of businesses and establishments across the state, with the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government asserting that non-compliance would lead to cancellation of licences.
Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa has said a prosperous India cannot be built if people do not understand the Constitution properly. The minister spoke to PTI regarding the mega Constitution and National Unity Convention, which the Karnataka government is organising at the end of a month-long statewide constitution awareness campaign covering almost all the villages. Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa.(Wikipedia)

Also Read - Karnataka Legislature panel recommends liquor shops in Telangana and AP borders

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The convention will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Palace Grounds here. The Constitution awareness campaign was launched by the Karnataka government on January 26 to make citizens aware of their rights, responsibilities and duties to commemorate 75 years of the adoption of the Indian Constitution. There is no meaning to the freedom if economic and social independence is not provided to the people, the minister said. Since the objectives of the constitution have not been achieved even after 75 years of independence, economic and social inequality is visible everywhere, he pointed out. If we do not understand the Constitution, how will we be able to build a prosperous India? The Constitution is not limited to SC/ST reservation alone. It is only an opportunity given to the downtrodden communities to elevate themselves.

Mahadevappa noted that the objective behind organising the month long event was to educate people about the initiatives taken in the country to strengthen democracy. Expressing concern over rising communalism in the country, he said, "Sensitive matters and faith related topics are getting prominence in politics. Peoples problems are sidelined and God and religions are taking the centrestage. Mahadevappa stressed that the initiative was apolitical, secular, and casteless. It is being organised to save constitution by spreading awareness about it. If we save our constitution, then it will also save us, he added. According to him, faith related matters are very personal, but today religion is being given prominence as the political parties work against the spirit of the Constitution. If the political parties behave like this then who will protect the constitution? Mahadevappa wondered.

After the Republic Day on January 26 this year, committees were formed comprising the deputy commissioners and the district in charge ministers, who were assigned duties. We used tabloids, distributed pamphlets in over 6,000 Gram Panchayats, Town Panchayats and City Panchayats, conducted seminars, drama, dance, cultural events, debates and discussion at the school and college level all over the state to spread awareness about the constitution, the minister explained. The campaign has covered about 5,400 Gram Panchayats and people from all walks of life participated in it.

According to officials in social welfare department, 1.35 lakh plastic bottles were used to make an art installation named Namma Constitution by the Tumakuru district administration. A large number of students came together to collect 1,35,000 empty water bottles and 305 members including Tumakuru deputy commissioner and Panchayat chief executive officer worked for over 15 days to put together the Namma Constitution installation in Kannada.

As part of the campaign, Chamarajanagara Milk Union Limited (ChaMUL) in association with Chamarajanagar district administration printed the awareness messages on all the milk packets supplied by the Milk Union. The messages read Our Constitution, Our Pride. Let us celebrate the Constitution in Kannada. It seeks to remind an estimated 5 lakh consumers about the importance of the Constitution every day. About 50 tableaux explaining citizen rights and duties and upholding the importance of the Constitution and national unity went around in each district of Karnataka. During the campaign, some women drew Rangoli in celebration, while hundreds of students read out excerpts from the Preamble to drive home the salient points of the Constitution.
Karnataka Legislature Committee has recommended opening state-owned liquor shops in areas bordering Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where drinkers are consuming "sendi" (local liquor) which is harmful to health. Karnataka Legislature panel recommends liquor shops in Telangana and AP borders

The Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in its second report, which was tabled in the assembly, said that Mysore Sales International Ltd (MSIL), the centralised marketing unit of the Government of Karnataka, should open its liquor outlets in such areas where there is demand.

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Also Read - Liquor prices to be revised in Karnataka, beer and IML rates likely to go up

The committee, headed by Congress MLA from Malavalli P M Narendraswamy, has noted that in some places MSIL outlets are in the middle of the village, and they must be shifted as they are causing inconvenience to the public. The panel also recommended strongly that the government open Jan Aushadhi Kendras (generic medicine stores) in areas dominated by SC/STs and the poor. Pointing out that funds meant for maintenance of toilets in government schools are being diverted towards painting water tanks and other purposes, the committee recommended creating a dedicated "toilet fund".

Each school gets only 40,000 a year for repair of toilets, which is up from 20,000 earlier, it said, pointing out that in the last financial year, only 120 crore was given as grants for school education, which is not enough and must be doubled to 240 crore. Increasing the quota under the Right to Education (RTE) Act from the current 25 per cent, which includes 7.5 per cent for SC and 1.5 per cent for ST, and 16 per cent for others, was another recommendation by the committee. Furthermore, in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), SC/STs must be given 24.1 per cent of advertising tenders, it further said.

Citing violation of the Constitution by Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) in not providing any reservation to SC/ST entrepreneurs in the allotment of plots in the first phase of the Hi-Tech Defence & Aerospace Park near the Bengaluru airport, the committee recommended that in the second phase SC/ST entrepreneurs must be allotted plots, making up for the backlog.
More than 100 teachers from Himachal Pradesh will leave for a five-day tour of Singapore to become familiar with new technologies in the education sector under a state scheme, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Thursday. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (HT File)

Launching the International Tour for Teachers programme at hotel Peteroff in Shimla, Sukhu said that in the first batch, 102 teachers selected from across the state will leave for Singapore on Saturday.The trip will allow teachers the opportunity to be familiar with new technologies in the education sector and get acquainted with new methods of teaching, he said, according to a statement.

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The Chief Minister also gave the teachers foreign tour kits. On March 15, the second batch of 98 teachers would be sent abroad, the chief minister said.

The state slipped to 18th rank in education due to lack of interest of the previous government, he said.

Sukhu said that the Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools being opened in the state were a unique initiative towards giving students qualitative education. In the next 10 years, they would emerge as the best schools, Sukhu claimed.

He said that English medium would be introduced from class 1 in government schools from the next academic session.

State education minister Rohit Thakur said that the government was filling vacant posts in the education department on priority basis.
State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission penalised online selling portal, mobile company and others for selling a defunct phone to a customer. After no other opposition party appeared, the commission proceeded ex-parte. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Complainant Ashwani Chawla, a resident of Sector 42, Chandigarh, filed a case against Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru; Bathla Teletch Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi; Oneplus Technology India Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru and Oneplus Exclusive Service Centre, Chandigarh.

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The complainant had ordered one brand new OnePlus mobile handset through Flipkart on July 17, 2023. However, the mobile was malfunctioning right from the beginning. When he approached the service centre, they suggested a software update/repair. It also came to the fore that the product was activated on February 2, 2023, whereas the complainant had bought it in July.

He then took up the issue with the marketplace e-commerce entity and the online platform and seller but to no avail. Alleging that the aforesaid acts amount to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on the part of the opposite parties, he moved a consumer complaint.

Flipkart pleaded that it is merely an online intermediary and is neither an actual seller nor manufacturer or service provider of the product. It is the seller and manufacturer, who can revert on the quality and contents of the product.

Pleading that there was no deficiency in service or unfair trade practice on its part, it prayed for the dismissal of the complaint.

As no other opposition party appeared, hence, the commission proceeded ex-parte.

The commission observed: The sequence of the events of the present case, clearly establishes the high-headedness of the opposite parties of which the complainant became the victim, which further aggravated his pain and harassment.

The opposite parties have has certainly and definitely indulged into unfair trade practice as they ought to have redressed the grievance of the complainant forthwith, which they miserably failed to do and propelled this unwarranted, uncalled for litigation upon the complainant, the order mentioned.

The opposite parties are, jointly and severally, directed to refund 40,941 plus 49 plus 49 to the complainant being the invoice price of the mobile handset and offer handing fee charged from the complainant, along with interest @ 9% p.a. from the date of payment, till realisation to the complainant, the commission ordered.

The commission further asked them to pay 10,000 as compensation for deficiency in service, unfair trade practice and for causing harassment and 10,000 as litigation expenses. And they are penalised with 10,000 (@ 2,500/- each) to be deposited in the Consumer Legal Aid Account maintained at Chandigarh.

The commission also directed them to immediately discontinue the practice of issuing two separate bills for a single transaction on the pretext of offer handling fee and not to indulge in such unfair contract, trade and dark patterns practices.
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced 1 crore for the family of farm protester Shubh Karan Singh, who died in Haryana Police action at the Khanauri border on Wednesday. Family members of farm protester Shubh Karan Singh, who died in Haryana Police action at Khanauri border on Wednesday, mourning at Balloh village in Bathinda district. (Sanjeev Kumar/HT)

Mann posted on X that the 21-year-olds sister would be given a government job. The Punjab government will provide financial help of 1 crore to the family of young farmer Shubh Karan and a government job to his younger sister. We are obeying our duties. Action will be taken against those responsible for the firing, the chief minister said.

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Also read: Haryana reverses decision, wont invoke NSA against farmer leaders

Shubh Karan, a teenage protester during the 2020-21 farm protests, became the first protester to die in the police action during this agitation. He died of injuries, which officials described as sustained from a bullet, without clarifying if it was a rubber or a normal bullet. His death is making it more difficult for the government and farmers to arrive at a settlement.

Soon after the death, farmers decided to stall the march for two days.

The protesting farmer leaders have not allowed the post-mortem of the body, demanding financial aid to the family of the victim.

The demand for compensation, job and registration of a case against the Haryana Police were the main demands in the absence of which the farmers have decided not to cremate Shubh Karan.

We have decided to put our march to Delhi on hold till Friday (February 23) because a large number of protesters have been injured in police action and one has been killed. There are issues of cremation, treatment and compensation, said Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on Thursday.
Kolkata: The West Bengal Police on Friday arrested a school teacher in Hoogly district and booked him under several sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) for allegedly forcing minor girl students to strip and also taking their photographs, police said. (Representative Photo)

The teacher was arrested based on several complaints filed by the local villagers.

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The teacher has been arrested on the basis of complaints lodged by local villagers. Appropriate charges are being pressed against him, deputy superintendent of police Priyabrata Bakshi told the media.

Police said that the parents of the children staged an agitation at the school and locked up the teacher inside the building till police arrived.

The teacher has been doing this for quite some time. He saved the photos on his phone. We demand stern action, said the mother of one of the children.
Observing that new Kashi has emerged as an inspiration for the new India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded the progress of the city, which is his parliamentary constituency, in the last 10 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a programme at Banaras Hindu University, in Varanasi on Friday. (ANI PHOTO)

With the blessings of Mahadev, vikas ka damroo (the drum of development) has been resonating in Kashi for the last 10 years, he said. He was addressing a gathering at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) where he participated in the prize distribution ceremony of Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita at Swatantra Sabhagar on the second day of his two-day visit to Varanasi.

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Kashi is the capital of all knowledge, today that power and form of Kashi are emerging again. This is a matter of pride for the whole of India. We all are just instruments, the one who does it in Kashi is Mahadev. Wherever there are blessings of Mahadev, that earth becomes prosperous, he said.

Today, Kashi is being seen as a model of heritage and development. Today the world is seeing how modernity expands around traditions and spirituality, PM said.

Mentioning multi-crore projects, he said that before Shivratri and Rangbhari Ekadashi, Kashi is celebrating the festival of development today.

Everyone has seen the transformation through Vikas ki Ganga, he said.

In the next five years, he emphasised that the country will give a new pace to development and create new patterns of success.

This is Modis guarantee, and Modis guarantee means guarantee of fulfillment of the guarantee, he said.

The Prime Minister also said, Kashi is not just a centre of faith, but it is a vibrant centre of Indias eternal consciousness.

Indias ancient prestige in the world was not based on economic prowess only but its cultural, spiritual and social richness was behind that, he added.

Teerths (pilgrimage centres) like Kashi and Vishwanath Dham were the yagyashala of the nations development, he said, highlighting the connections of Indias knowledge tradition with the places of culture and spirituality.

He said that along with being the land of Shiva, Kashi is also a place of the teachings of Buddha, birthplace of Jain Tirthankaras as well as a place of enlightenment for Adi Shankaracharya.

He highlighted the cosmopolitan allure of Kashi as people from all over the country and other parts of the world come to the city. New ideals are born in a place of such diversity, he added.

Recalling his address during the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham in December 2021 and reaffirming the belief, he also said, Vishwanath Dham will give a decisive direction and take India to a bright future.

Vishwanath Dham has also become a part of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat campaigns like Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Ganga Pushkarulu Mahotsav, Modi said, noting that this centre of faith is strengthening the resolve for social inclusion through tribal cultural events.

Kashi can hear the classical tones as well as scriptural dialogues, the Prime Minister said, underlining that it will encourage the exchange of ideas, preserve ancient knowledge and create new ideologies.

He also said India is an idea and Sanskrit is its chief expression. India is a journey, Sanskrit is the main chapter of its history. India is a land of unity in diversity, Sanskrit is its origin, the PM said.

He unveiled a booklet on Kashi Sansad Pratiyogita and a coffee table book. He awarded the winners of Kashi Sansad Gyan Pratiyogita, Kashi Sansad Photography Pratiyogita and Kashi Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita and distributed books, uniform sets, music instruments and merit scholarships to Sanskrit students of Varanasi. He visited Kashi Sansad Photography Pratiyogita gallery and interacted with participants with their photograph entries on the theme of Sanwarti Kashi.

The Prime Minister expressed delight in being present among the young scholars and said the feeling is similar to taking a dip in the Ganga of knowledge.

He lauded the efforts of the young generations who are strengthening the identity of the ancient city. He said that it is a matter of pride and contentment that the youth of India will take the country to new heights in the Amrit Kaal.

He congratulated the winners of Kashi Sansad Gyan Pratiyogita, Kashi Sansad Photography Pratiyogita and Kashi Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita. He also encouraged those who could not make it to the winners list.

No participant has been defeated, everyone has learned from this experience, Modi said. He thanked Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Nyas, Kashi Vidvat Parishad and scholars for taking his vision as the MP of Kashi (Varanasi) forward. He also noted that the coffee table books released today carry the story of the rejuvenation of Kashi in the last 10 years.

He said Kashi Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita and Kashi Sansad Gyan Pratiyogita are a part of such efforts where books, clothes and other necessary resources, along with scholarship, are being provided to thousands of youth who want to study Sanskrit.

He said new research is also being done by the scholars of Kashi and by the Vidwat Parishad on ancient knowledge from the point of view of modern science.

He said, Among the languages that have made the biggest contribution to the development of our knowledge, science and spirituality, Sanskrit is the most prominent. He recalled a time when Sanskrit was the main language of research in astronomy, mathematics, medicine, literature, music and arts. India got its identity through these disciplines, he said.

He highlighted how Ayodhya is flourishing in the same way as Kashi after the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla in the newly built temple. He mentioned the international airport in Kushinagar and highlighted the governments efforts to develop modern infrastructure and facilities at places associated with Lord Buddha in the country.

He asked that the best photographs of the exhibition, selected through voting, should be used as picture postcards for the tourists. He also suggested a sketching competition and the best sketches to be made into picture postcards. He reiterated his suggestion for a guide competition for creating ambassadors and interpreters of Kashi.

He reiterated his resolve to help each and every Kashi resident.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath was present on the occasion along with Uttar Pradesh ministers.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday tweeted in support of the students who have been staging a protest at Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) headquarters here for past many days demanding re-conducting the review officer/assistant review officer (RO/ARO) recruitment preliminary exam held on February 11. CAPTION: Students preparing for recruitment exams protesting near the UPPSC gate in Prayagraj on February 23. (HT photo)

The aspirants preparing for recruitment exams alleged paper leak and refused to budge even as heavy police force along with RAF personnel have been deployed outside UPPSC HQ premises here.

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In her tweet on X (formerly twitter), Priyanka Gandhi said, The issue of paper leak is being discussed in each and every village of Uttar Pradesh while the government is asleep. Students including girls are staging protests in Allahabad, Lucknow, Meerut and elsewhere demanding re-examination into Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer recruitment but the government is insulting and is getting them bashed with sticks.

Just think-- more than 50 lakh submitted the form. This was the biggest examination in the history of the state. Each form was worth 400 while 48 lakh admit cards were issued but question papers got leaked just before the examination. I wonder what is the mental state if the aspirants and their families Priyanka said in her post.

Who is involved in paper leaks and how does it happens, Priyanka asked. Meanwhile, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also offered full support to the students protesting at the UPPSC.In fact BJP did not want any examination to be completed as it will have to give jobs and even reservations in jobs. BJP does not wants to give both, he alleged in his tweet.

Meanwhile, on Friday, students staged a protest outside the UPPSC. The students raised slogans against UPPSC officials and held hostage all officials and staff inside while forcing them to close all gates of the premises.

Also Read | Rahul raises unemployment, paper leak issues

ACP (Civil Lines) Shwetabh Pandey and ACP Kotwali Satyendra Kumar Tiwari tried to pacify the protesting students but they continued the protests till late evening. All India Students Association (AISA) demanded re-examination within a month. AISA leader Manish Kumar said students and youth will go to Delhi on March 28 for raising their voice against paper leak and other issues.
MUMBAI: The crime branch on Thursday arrested a 38-year-old Afghan national for allegedly staying illegally in the city for over a decade. The police officials said the accused Habibullha Prang, a native of Zurmat district of Paktia Province in Afghanistan, 136km from Kabul, was earlier deported from Mumbai in 2011 but he returned to the city in 2017 and living here after assuming a new identity as Zaheer Khan. HT Image

During the investigation, the police learnt that he worked as an illegal moneylender and had advanced around 20 lakh to small traders in the Wadala area on ten% monthly interest, said a police officer. We are trying to find out his source of income and also probing drug angles if he is connected, added the officer.

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The police have registered a case against him with the RAK Marg police station and the case was transferred to unit 5 for further legal investigation. He was produced in the court and remanded in police custody till February 26.

According to the police, Prang came to Mumbai in 2007 on a visitors visa for one year. Once his visa expired in 2008, he started staying illegally in the Wadala area where he had given money to the hawkers and shopkeepers on interest. In 2011 he was arrested by Mumbai for staying illegally in the city and after the legal process he was deported from the city. In 2017, Prang came to Mumbai again and this time he changed his identity and started staying by changing his name.

Based on the reliable information, officials of unit 5 conducted a raid at his residence in Wadala and he was taken into custody. During the search, the police found a forged PAN card and driving licence, said deputy commissioner of police Datta Nalawade of the crime branch.
Zeeshan Siddique, who was removed as the Congress Mumbai youth wing chief, has alleged that injustice is being done to Muslims within a party that claims to have secular credentials. The Bandra East MLA was sacked from the post after his father and former MLA Baba Siddique joined the NCPs Ajit Pawar faction. Zeeshan was seen at the ceremony where his father joined the NCP, and NCP leaders claimed they would soon get him to join as well. Mumbai, India - October 24, 2019: Congress candidate Zeeshan Siddique celebrates after he won against Mumbai Mayor and Shiv Sena candidate Vishwanath Mahadeshwar at Bandar east Bandra east in Mumbai, India, on Thursday, October 24, 2019. (Photo by Kunal Patil/Hindustan Times) (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

During a press conference on Thursday, Zeeshan alleged that he was dislodged from his post because his father Baba Siddique had joined the NCPhe demanded to know why the same logic was not applied to Rahul Gandhi when Sanjay Gandhis family joined the BJP (he was alluding to Gandhis wife Maneka and son Varun).

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

He spent a significant portion of the press conference attacking the Congress, directing his ire at party leaders. Siddiqui said that soon after he was denied the post of Youth Congress chief for nearly eight months despite having a won an election to that office by a margin of over 20,000 votes.

I had secured 88,517 votes in my Youth Congress chief election. But there was a huge delay in my appointment. Apart from me, injustice was done to Mohammed Nalpad, who was elected as Youth Congress president in Karnataka, he said. Congress has no values. If Congress has problems with Muslims, then they must stop claiming that they are with Muslims.

He claimed that there communalism pervaded the Congress party more than any other political unit and added that the Mumbai wing has never had a Muslim president. When Milind Deora stepped down as president of Mumbai Congress, names of possible presidents were discussed. Muslim leaders like Naseem Khan, Aslam Shaikh, Amin Patel, and Baba Siddique were not considered. The Congress does not prioritise minorities, he said.

He alleged that after he was elected Mumbai Youth Congress president, he was told not to elect more than two Muslim district youth presidents; with a warning that doing so would jeopardise his own position. Why is Congress making a farce claiming they are with Muslims? he questioned.

Zeeshan went on to charge the party of attacks that were personal in nature, claiming that he was body-shamed during Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra when someone close to Rahul Gandhi forbade him from accompanying the leader unless he first lost 10 kilos.

The state Congress party countered Zeeshans claims. We gave him an MLA ticket and made him Youth Congress chief of Mumbai. Was this injustice? said Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe.

Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad added, Allegations raised by colleague Zeeshan Siddique against the Congress party and our leaders are most unfortunate and far from the truth.

She went on to say: It is also regrettable that Zeeshan has chosen to level such baseless allegations at a time when Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Parivar are fighting wholeheartedly to preserve the secular, democratic, and progressive idea of India, against the corrupt, divisive, and hate-filled politics of the RSS-BJP and its alliance partners. I would once again urge Zeeshan to introspect and not act under the influence of those out to destroy the idea of India.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi passed away at around 3 am on Friday due to age-related health complications. He was 86. Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi at Kohinoor Office, Dadar, in Mumbai, India, on Saturday day, Dec 02, 2023. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo)

P D Hinduja Hospital chief operating officer Joy Chakravarty confirmed the news.

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Speaking to Hindustan Times, his son Unmesh said, He had been admitted to the ICU and was under observation. He had cardiac trouble on Wednesday. He had prolonged age-related health issues. We will be performing last rites at Shivaji Park crematorium and before this, the mortal remains will be brought to our house in Matunga.

Joshis health has been fragile since May 2023 when he suffered brain haemorrhage. It led him into the ICU in Hinduja Hospital where he lay in a semi-conscious state for a couple of days. As the doctors saw little hope of recovery, he was asked to retreat to his Shivaji Park home, where he was under care.

On December 2, when Joshi turned 86, he was brought to his office at Dadar where his supporters celebrated his birthday.

Born on December 2, 1937, in Mahad, Maharashtra, Joshi obtained his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) in Mumbai.

Joshi's political career began with his involvement in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and later became a member of the Shiv Sena. In the 1980s, Joshi emerged as a key leader within the Shiv Sena, known for his organisational skills and grassroots connect.

Manohar Joshi's most significant political milestone came in 1995 when he was appointed as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He succeeded Sharad Pawar of the Indian National Congress, marking the first time the Shiv Sena had assumed power in the state. He was also elected as a Member of Parliament and was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Vajpayee government was in power.

Manohar Joshi was a multifaceted personality, known for his managerial and organizational skills, acumen, and ability to overcome challenges within the Shiv Sena, where personal loyalty to founder Bal Thackeray mattered the most.

Joshi had risen from absolute poverty in Nandvi village of Raigad district of Konkan.

Growing up, Joshi's determination was evident as he balanced studies with meals often sourced from neighbours in Nandvi village. Joshi used to say that if he turned up late for dinner, neighbours complained and at times, refused him food. His punctuality, instilled by the necessity to arrive on time for meals, remained a hallmark of his life.

Joshi's journey

Joining Shiv Sena after its formation in 1966, Joshi played a pivotal role alongside Bal Thackeray in expanding the party across the state. At times, Thackeray used to travel together for days. His establishment of the Kohinoor Technical Institute, focusing on skill development, earned him the moniker "Sir" from students and staff, and later all Shiv Sainiks referred to him by the same name.

The Shiv Senas struggle for Marathi manooos began with the fight for job opportunities. Joshi believed they must also get jobs as skilled labour and his institute played a great role.

Joshis party colleague Diwakar Raote said He contested the first elections of BMC polls in 1986 and three corporators of Sena won. He became a mayor in 1976 and was also a standing committee chairperson prior to that. He moved to the state politics in 1980s.

His close association with Mumbai city and his grasp of various development issues helped him forcefully champion the cause of Mumbai in the years ahead after he became a member of the state legislature. Joshi became the CM in 1995 when the coalition of Shiv Sena and BJP came to power in Maharashtra.

The slum rehabilitation scheme with FSI benefits and saleable components  a brainchild of the Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray was implemented by Joshi.

BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde remembers, The ties between Shiv Sena and BJP were cemented because of great understanding between Manohar Joshi and Pramod Mahajan. When our alliance came to power, it was decided to make Sudhir Joshi as CM, but hours later, the alliance decided to make Manohar Joshi (his uncle) as CM. On many occasions where there were rifts between the two parties, they pacified Balasaheb Thackeray and solved problems.
The Odisha state cabinet on Thursday extended the cash assistance scheme, Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) for farmers to overcome distress, by three more years with a proposed expenditure of 6,029 crore. The Kalia scheme was announced in December 2018 by Naveen Patnaik government. (Odisha Legislative Assembly)

The state cabinet announced that the scheme exclusively meant for small and marginal farmers as well as sharecroppers will be operational till 2026-27.

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The Kalia scheme was announced in December 2018 by Naveen Patnaik government.

Since December 2018, the state has spent 12,500 crore on 6.28 million farmers including 4.38 million small and marginal farmers and 1.89 million landless farmers so that they can purchase quality farm inputs like seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.

Also Read: Odisha cabinet approves healthcare scheme to improve hospital infrastructure

Though for the first year, each farmer family received 5,000 every year, it was reduced to 4,000 a year from 2020-21 after the scheme was synchronised with PM-KISAN scheme through which small and marginal farmers receive 6,000 annually.

In addition to the financial assistance component and interest subvention, KALIA offers subsidies for insurance coverage.

Life insurance coverage of 2,00,000 at a premium of 330 per annum (of which the state government will bear 165) to all savings bank account holders aged between 18-50 years.

In addition, there is a subsidised personal accident cover of 2,00,000 at a nominal premium of 12 per annum (half borne by the state government) targeted at all savings bank account holders aged between 18-50 years. For beneficiaries in the age group of 51-70 years, the entire annual premium of 12 is borne by the state.

A Kalia scholarship scheme covering fees including hostel, and mess in public educational institutes for children of beneficiaries has also been launched.
In a second such incident in recent times, a 31-year-old porter harmed self citing frustration over alleged police inaction regarding his complaint filed at Shukrawar Peth Police Chowki. According to the police, Attar and his wife had heated arguments over the formers alcohol addiction and behaviour. After his wife left his home, he approached the police chowki and filed a complaint regarding his partner. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

The complainant has been identified as Jamir Salim Attar (31) of Lashkar area.

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According to the police, Attar and his wife had heated arguments over the formers alcohol addiction and behaviour. After his wife left his home, he approached the police chowki and filed a complaint regarding his partner.

Shukrawar Peth Police Chowki officials claimed of telling Attar to visit another police station as his residence did not fall under their jurisdiction. While leaving the police chowki, Attar tried to slit his throat by using a blade. Cops rushed him to the Sassoon General Hospital and his condition is stated to be stable.

Prashant Bhasme, senior inspector, Faraskhana Police Station, said, We found out that the couple is not legally married and the woman does not want to live with him because of his addition. The woman stays at Parvati.

Meanwhile, a man had recently set himself on fire in front of Wagholi Police Station over alleged negligence of police towards his complaint over a parking issue. He later died of severe burn injuries.

Help is a call away

Pune-based NGO - Connecting - works towards providing support to those in emotional distress using the philosophy of mindfulness-based active listening, thereby preventing suicide. Helpline numbers: 1800-209-4353 (toll-free) and 9922001122 all days, 12 pm to 8 pm. Walk-in facility: 12 pm to 5 pm, Monday  Saturday. Email: connectingngo@gmail.com
Pune-based researchers have used the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) in India to produce the most detailed image yet of the galaxy cluster, Abell 521. The new uGMRT observations led to the discovery of new extended radio emission below GHz frequences for the first time, which allows the study of turbulence and shocks in the plasma. Radio images show beautiful arc-like radio structures at the south of the cluster, and diffuse emission at the cluster centre. The X-ray emission, detected by the Chandra Observatory, reveals a very tight resemblance with the radio structures near the cluster centre. A detailed investigation of the X-ray map reveals a strong connection for the origin of the radio structures via high velocity gas motions during the process of cluster merger. The high sensitivity and resolution of GMRT provides astronomers with new dimensions to gain knowledge about the mysteries of cluster physics. The new uGMRT observations led to the discovery of new extended radio emission below GHz frequences for the first time, which allows the study of turbulence and shocks in the plasma. (HT PHOTO)

The team, led by PhD candidate, Ramananda Santra, and his guide, professor Ruta Kale of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune, used these telescopes to map faint structures of the plasma, never seen before, that provided new insights on the connection between the plasma, relativistic electrons and magnetic fields. The coloured image shows the galaxy cluster Abell 521, undergoing a collision between two clusters. The radio light from uGMRT is shown in red colour, X-ray light in blue colour, and optical light in yellow colour.

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Galaxy clusters are the largest gravitationally bound systems in the Universe. The galaxy clusters comprise hundreds to thousands of galaxies bound together by gravity. At the heart of the galaxy clusters lies a vast sea of hot (with a temperature of ten million kelvin or higher) plasma. The collisions between galaxy clusters release a huge amount of energy, which significantly impacts this plasma medium. The galaxy cluster Abell 521 is one of such massive giants, situated at 3 billion light years away from Earth, famous for its highly disturbed medium. A team of astronomers from India, Italy, and the USA has used cutting-edge telescopes, which include the uGMRT, Chandra and XMM-Newton, and innovative methodologies, said Santra.

Charged particles like electrons get boosted to relativistic velocities by turbulence and emit radio light, when they encounter a magnetic field. This process leads to the formation of large-scale structures (a few billion light years), known as radio halos and radio relics. Radio waves emitted by them are very faint, making them challenging to detect via radio telescopes. The radio imaging pipeline CAPTURE and real time radio frequency interference excision system developed by scientists at NCRA were crucial in addressing the challenges. Before the uGMRT observations, such a large-scale emission mapped in detail, from this cluster was not available. The high sensitivity of the uGMRT has allowed astronomers to witness this enigmatic view of this cluster in the radio band. The team continues to understand the complex physics via different theoretical approaches and computer simulations, said Kale.

The research titled A deep uGMRT view of the ultra-steep spectrum radio halo in Abell 521 was recently published in the international journal, The Astrophysical Journal (https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad1190).
Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test 2023 results are awaited. The Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test results will be available on the official website at ktet.kerala.gov.in, once released. Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test 2023 results awaited(HT file)

The Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test was conducted on December 29 and 30, 2023. The exam on both days was conducted in two shifts- the first from 10 am to 12.30 pm and the second from 2 pm to 4.30 pm.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Kerala TET results: How to check

Visit the official website of KTET at ktet.kerala.gov.in.

On the homepage, click on the results link

Key in your login credentials

Click the Kerala TET result

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

The registration process for the Kerala TET commenced on November 6 and the last date to apply was November 17, 2023. Candidates were able to take the final printout is November 18, 2023.
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has joined hands with Canada-based biotechnology company Conlis Global Inc. to license an innovative new technology that promotes bone healing and regeneration. The IIT Kanpur and Conlis Global signed an MoU for the licensing of a new innovative technology that promotes bone healing and regeneration.

According to a press release issued by IIT Kanpur, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Resources and Development at IIT Kanpur, and Dr Sumrita Bhat, CEO of Conlis Global Inc. at IIT Kanpur in the presence of Prof. S. Ganesh, Director of IIT Kanpur, Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor In-charge, Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur, Prof. Ashok Kumar, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at IIT Kanpur, and Dr. Raman Koul, Chief Technology Officer of Conlis Global Inc.

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Also read: BSEB Bihar DElEd 2024 dummy admit card released, edit window opens; direct link here

The technology, titled Nano Hydroxyapatite-Based Porous Polymer Composite Scaffolds for Bioactive Molecule Delivery in Musculoskeletal Regeneration has been developed by Prof. Ashok Kumar and his team from the Department of Biological Sciences & Bioengineering at IIT Kanpur, the release informed.

Prof. Ashok Kumar said, The technology facilitates bone regeneration in a biocompatible manner by acting as a carrier for bone-active biomolecules, delivering them directly to the site of an implant.

He pointed out that the material was a promising approach for reconstructing and repairing bone defects while addressing the drawbacks and complications associated with technologies that are available in the market currently.

Speaking on the occasion, IIT Kanpur Director Prof. Ganesh said that the licensing of this novel technology developed in-house for promoting bone healing and regeneration to Conlis Global is another significant milestone in the R&D endeavour of IIT Kanpur.

He highlighted that innovative technology is a prime example of how a real difference can be made, adding that the institution looks forward to seeing how this technology will help people, not just in India but worldwide.

Conlis Global CEO Dr. Sumrita Bhat, while highlighting the potential impact of the new technology, said the company was thrilled to partner with IIT Kanpur to bring the innovative solution to the market. She added that the technology represents a significant step forward in treating bone and joint disorders.

Also read: CBSE suggests open-book examinations for students of classes 9 to 12

Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Resources and Development at IIT Kanpur stated that the signing of the MOU with Conlis Global is an important landmark in the institutions efforts to build a bridge between research and development and take a product from the lab to the commercial stage and into the market.

Some features of the new technology:
Koichiro Ito, the Japanese producer who contributed to some of the highest-grossing anime hits revered by fans worldwide, was arrested in Tokyo by Wakayama Prefectural Police this week. He's been accused of allegedly soliciting nude selfies from a 15-year-old girl. Koichiro Ito was a longtime collaborator with Makoto Shinkai on films like Your Name, Weathering With You and Suzume.(X)

Japan's local newspaper, Mainichi Shimbun, outed the news on Thursday, claiming that the Your Name producer had met the minor on social media. The 52-year-old Suzume producer was found to have allegedly coerced the 15-year-old girl into sending him explicit images in September 2021.

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Tokyo broadcaster TBS also reported that Ito transferred 12,500 yen (around $85) to the young girl in exchange for the pictures. As this violates Japan's Child Prostitution and Pornography Prohibition Act, he was taken into custody on Wednesday. He lives near Tokyo's Shibuya ward.

The shocking news has created cracks across the anime industry and its fanbase community. With Ito's industry credits dating back approximately 20 years, he's been held responsible for possibly some of the most fan-favourite anime titles over the years. Your Name (2016), Weathering With You (2019) and Suzume (2022) - all Makoto Shinkai directorials - are three such anime releases that are even recognised beyond the anime fan community.

Also read: Blue Lock Manga Chapter 253 release date: Regional time zones, where to read, and more

Japan's public broadcaster NHK confirmed that Ito has admitted to the charges against him. On top of that, in his talks with the investigators, he added that this wasn't the only time he engaged with an underage girl. He'd reportedly pushed young girls to send him nude images on several occasions. The police are on the lookout for the potential victims so addressed.

Ito's pedophilic associations came to light during the investigation of a separate, unrelated child prostitution case.

Reactions to the Your Name producer news:

Anime fans were undoubtedly profoundly hurt as the disturbing development significantly fractured their original heartwarming connections with the anime films that have often been the gateway to new fans. Is nothing sacred anymore, such a good movie hope it doesn't put an unnecessary stain on its legacy, commented an Instagram user.

Another one wrote: Y'know what I think I'm done idolizing celebrities or at this point anyone with clout because too many times I've had this happen to me and it hurts more and more everytime, never like anyone because at this point anyone can be a pedo. A third netizen chimed in: Ahhh this is a bad look damn the anime world takes a L here.

Twitterati was equally disappointed. What a monumental disappointment!!! Those are my favourite movies!!! But I hope this doesn't affect the rest of the team that worked on making them negatively, came one response on X (formerly Twitter).
The latest episode of Navya Nandas podcast What The Hell Navya 2 dropped on Thursday. With her brother, The Archies actor Agastya Nanda joining her, her mom Shweta Bachchan and grandmother Jaya Bachchan as a special guest, the quartet discussed everything about men and masculinity. Here are five takeaways from the episode. (Also Read: Jaya Bachchan says women are stupid not to let men pay on dates: 'They're saying don't be chivalrous') Despite having some differing opinions, Agastya put his point across well

I believe in a healthy balance

Agastya opened up on the episode that while masculinity isnt something they ever discussed as a family, it is something that he discussed with friends. I believe you should embrace both your masculine and feminine sides, and show emotions. I show emotion, I am in touch with my feminine side. I believe in a healthy balance of both. Ive never been told not to show emotions, so I dont think its wrong, he said. Shweta pointed out that there was a time when men were supposed to not cry, get scared or hurt. She also said, I think Im doing something right if he (Agastya) doesnt think that (its wrong to show emotions).

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

We should follow our natural tendencies

Agastya said that he doesnt behave the way he does with his male friends towards women, and its not because he is toxic. I like how men and women have natural tendencies that are different. Its that feeling of being gentler towards a woman. I am not trying to be toxic, but I like to treat them with care. I wont talk to a girl like I do with my (male) friends. I like the nurturing aspect of a woman, its the most beautiful thing. I wont get that with dad (Nikhil Nanda), nanu (Amitabh Bachchan) or mamu (Abhishek Bachchan). I am also not against the idea of a man being domestic, I just dont think I can do it, he said.

I learn from my father

Agastya pointed out how being a man is individual to the person and that theres no template to it. Each person has a different way of showing who they are from the inside. I dont think you should try to be someone else or try to live up to an image, he said. He also added that he looks to the men around him for guidance. I am seeing how they behave. Mostly, its your father, the comparison you make to how you should be as a man, he added. But he made it clear that he doesnt follow his father to the T, stating, There are things I really like about how he is. There are things I dont and feel differently about.

I became religious and spiritual

Agastya revealed that while working on The Archies, he became religious and spiritual. Were so used to getting things in an instant that its easy to lose faith. It came naturally to me, I became religious and spiritual. When I started acting, I didnt know if people would like me. So, I did my best and left the rest to God, to keep faith in something beyond me, he said. He also revealed that he went through a bad phase of anxiety then. Shweta chimed in that men are vocal about burnout now, while Jaya said people are mentally exhausted. Jaya even lost her cool when she thought Shweta and Navya were pulling her leg about it.

Cried when I saw The Archies trailer

Shweta pointed out that Agastya is a lot more emotional compared to Navya, to which he said, My friends dont think that. I am only emotional with family and with my loved ones. If I feel safe, I open up. Navya, however, pointed out that she has become more expressive and that she cried while watching the trailer of The Archies. I am becoming more expressive, I cried when I saw his trailer. Thats new for me, I was ugly crying, she said. While Agastya told her thats not the benchmark of being expressive, Jaya pointed out that Agastya cries like mamu.

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From high school musical to political thrillers, there is something for everyone on offer this Friday. Yami Gautam's Article 370 to Varun Grover's All India Rank, here's everything that's releasing in theatres this week. Mean Girls and Article 370 release in theatres this week.

1. Article 370

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Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Article 370 revolves around the escalation of terrorism in Kashmir and the government's resolve to abolish Article 370. Yami Gautam takes on the lead role in the film as an agent from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), supported by Priyamani, Arun Govil, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Skand Thakur, Ashwini Koul, and Kiran Karmarkar, among others.

2. The Teachers Lounge

The Teachers' Lounge is a German drama film directed by Ilker Catak, who co-wrote the screenplay with Johannes Duncker. The film stars Leonie Benesch, Michael Klammer, Rafael Stachowiak, and Anne-Kathrin Gummich, among others. The movie centers around Teacher Carla Nowak, who decides to intervene when one of her students is suspected of theft. Caught between her ideals and the school system, the consequences of her actions threaten to overwhelm her.

3. All India Rank

Written and directed by Varun Grover, All India Rank is a slice-of-life dramedy set in the late 1990s. It follows the story of Vivek, a 17-year-old teenager who is sent away from home to a prep school to prepare for the highly competitive IIT entrance examination. Bodhisattva Sharma portrays the titular role, supported by a cast of veterans including Sheeba Chaddha, Kailash Gowthaman, and Saadat Khan, among others.

4. Mean Girls

Mean Girls is an American musical teen comedy film helmed by directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., with a screenplay by Tina Fey. The ensemble cast features Angourie Rice, Renee Rapp, Aulii Cravalho, and Christopher Briney, with Fey and Tim Meadows reprising their roles from the original film. The story revolves around new student Cady Heron, who finds herself catapulted to the top of the social hierarchy when she joins the elite group of popular girls known as the Plastics, led by the manipulative Regina George. However, Cady's world takes a tumultuous turn when she falls for Regina's former flame, leading to a series of confrontations and conflicts within their clique.

5. Crakk: Jeetegaa Toh Jiyegaa

Crakk: Jeetega Toh Jiyegaa is a high-octane action thriller starring Vidyut Jammwal in the lead role. It showcases the journey of a man from the slums of Mumbai to the world of underground extreme sports. Directed by Aditya Datt, the film also features Arjun Rampal, Nora Fatehi, and Amy Jackson.

6. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Hashira Training is an anime film adaptation of the immensely popular manga series by Koyoharu Gotoge, published under Shueisha's Jump Comics. The story follows Tanjiro, a young boy whose life is shattered when his family is brutally slaughtered by demons. His sister, Nezuko, miraculously survives but is transformed into a demon. Despite her monstrous form, Nezuko retains her humanity, spurring Tanjiro on a quest to become a Demon Slayer.
In 2022, director Vivek Agnihotri hit a nerve when he made The Kashmir Files, a film centred around the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Hindus, and depicted the events leading up to it as a genocide, a narrative which was considered controversial and a propaganda by many. The movie also showed its protagonist urging for revocation of Article 370, but that's about it, and it never touched upon the nitty-gritty of what that meant and how it would change the lives of people of Jammu & Kashmir. Also read | 6 movies releasing in theatres this Friday: From Article 370 to Mean Girls Article 370 movie review: Yami Gautam packs a punch and is terrific.

Two years later, we have Article 370 directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale  an earnest attempt to show the nuances of events that led to the nullification of Article 370 that granted the state of J&K a special status, which has remained a topic of debate since 1947.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Article 370 delves deeper into intricacies of politics

Starring Yami Gautam and Priyamani as the two forces driving this intense narrative, the film informs, educates and keeps you invested for most part. For everyone who is vaguely aware of what Article 370 stands for, its existence and abrogation, but has never really cared to understand its significance or relevance, this 2 hours 30 minutes film is nothing short of an impactfully narrated chapter that delves deeper into the intricacies of politics, and in a much simplified manner, presents an engaging watch for an average viewer to understand.

Article 370 is different The Kashmir Files

Is Article 370 an extension to The Kashmir Files? To some extent, yes, but from a very different lens, and an entirely different perspective, a refreshing one indeed. The film never resorts to a jingoistic narrative or even slight undertones, neither it tries to enter the propaganda zone. It sticks to stating facts as and when they happened, backed by meticulous and exceptional research, and that's where it truly wins.

Article 370 not only outlines the events, but also but also details them to showcase how the uncontrollable violence in Kashmir promoted the current government to abrogate J&K's special status. I liked that the makers didn't lean on the crutches of patriotic cliches to make an impact instead it chose a hard-hitting narrative to tell an informative tale. Written by Aditya Dhar and Monal Thaakar, the film allows its story to remain the hero for maximum runtime, despite some powerful performances stealing the show throughout.

Adding to the excitement of Article 370 is Priyamani, who plays a crucial character.

The premise

The film opens in 1947 with sepia tone visuals and Ajay Devgn's voiceover, explaining how a part of Kashmir went to Pakistan and how Article 370 came into being. The political action thriller then moves to 2016, when following Kashmir unrest, a local agent and an Intelligence Field Officer Zooni Haksar (Yami Gautam Dhar) is secretly recruited by the PMO Secretary Rajeshwari (Priyamani Swaminathan) to spearhead the National Investigation Agency (NIA) operation in Kashmir, uncover conflict economy, fight separatists and corrupt officers, and curb terror situation, months before the abrogation of Article 370 comes into play.

The first half is a slow burn that takes time to build the momentum to set the premise, and the tragic Pulwama attack is thoughtfully used as the interval block. With a more focused approach in the second half, the film gets fast-paced and well-knit, leading up to a fulfilling climax that lasts for an exhilarating 30 minutes. Some of the of the dialogues might sound repetitive of what we've heard in numerous films based on Kashmir, yet there are many portions where some power-packed lines make you laud.

Can't overlook creative liberties makers have taken

The impactful writing is enhanced with a smooth screenplay (by Aditya Dhar, Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Arjun Dhawan and Monal Thaakar) that doesn't move back and forth, and lets key events leading up to the removal of Article 370 unfold with the desired impact. Dividing the film's screenplay in multiple chapters such as The Lover of the Tral, Blindspot, Save The Date, Sub-clause (d) and Was, Is and Always Will Be, further simplifies the plot leaving no loose ends. Kudos to Shivkumar V. Panicker's editing, who has paid adequate attention to stitching the portions in a manner that they weave a story evoking a sense of nationalism and emotions.

Though most of Article 370 is inspired by real events, one can't overlook the creative liberties that the makers have taken, at times, a bit too evident for a viewer to give a pass. For instance, the overdramatic action sequences with Yami and her colleague surviving a grenade attack without being majorly hurt, or NIA investigating suspects in closed doors.

Yami Gautam was pregnant while shooting for some portions of the film.(Instagram)

Yami, Priyamani give equally powerful performance

Yami Gautam packs a punch and is terrific in her portrayal. Her no-nonsense demeanor lends a gravitas to the film and she lets her action and intense dialogue delivery do most of the talking. I particularly loved the parts when she stands up for her fellow men in uniform or confronts another colleague for always jeopardizing her breakthroughs.

Delivering an equally powerful performance, Priyamani steals the show with her restrained yet effective act. Through the length of the film, she remains the calm in all the chaos around. Not too sure how much attention is given to the styling of the characters in a politically-driven narrative but a special mention to Priyamani's lovely cotton drapes - each one of them. Films like Article 370 give you a sense of pride to see two female carrying the entire film on their shoulders with able support of a bunch of men in the supporting cast. One hopes such films serve as an inspiration for more filmmakers to write such strong, driven and phenomenal roles for female actors.

Fitting ensemble cast

Among the noteworthy ensemble cast, the ones those stand out definitely are Arun Govil as the PM and Kiran Karmarkar as Home Minister, characters based on Narendra Modi and Amit Shah respectively. Right from their prosthetics to make them look the part, their dialogue delivery to the whole aura they bring on screen, it was quite a fitting casting. Actors Raj Zutshi, Raj Arun and Vaibhav Tatwawadi, too, lend an able support to the leading cast.

Article 370 underlines one of the most crucial chapters in our nation's history. With an impressive writing, simple narrative and outstanding direction, it effortlessly manages to send across the message it intends to. Film made on Kashmir as the focal theme are aplenty in Bollywood, but this Yami and Priyamani-starrer will surely feature among the best ones out of the lot.

Film: Article 370

Cast: Yami Gautam, Priyamani, Kiran Karmarkar, Arun Govil, Raj Arun

Director: Aditya Suhas Jambhale

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Article 370 Twitter reviews: Actor Yami Gautam is getting praise on social media for her latest movie, Article 370. Several celebrities and movie-goers took to Twitter (now called X) to leave glowing reviews for the political action thriller. (Also read: Article 370 movie review: Yami Gautam, Priyamani steal the show in gritty, nuanced tale of a chapter from Indian history) Yami Gautam in Article 370. She plays a police officer in the movie.

Article 370, is produced by Aditya Dhar, renowned for his directorial work on Uri: The Surgical Strike, which earned him the National Film Award for Best Director. Yami Gautam, Priyamani, and Arun Govil are among the star cast in the movie which hit theatres on February 23. The release of this film comes ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country, further intensifying the public's interest in the portrayal of revocation of Article 370.

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The reviews

South star Adivi Sesh shared a review of the movie on Twitter. Very rarely does one see a well crafted Political Thriller done right like #Article370 Got to witness the amazing @yamigautam in her best performance without a doubt. And #PriyaMani garu. Dear @AdityaDharFilms You are now 2 for 2 bhai The film is Grounded and Urgent. Thank you for having us at the Mumbai preview. Kudos to the other Aditya, director #AdityaJhambale on a layered debut & Kudos to Lokesh, the entire cast n crew as well. Stellar, he wrote after attending a screening for the movie in Mumbai on Thursday.

Trade expert Girish Johar wrote, A MUST WATCH !! #Article370 is a gripping tale of an important part of India's history, from a particular POV. The film is enticing, simple & entertaining. Structuring of the film is engaging, could have been a little tighter on edit. #Yami gives a RAGING & ROARING performance & is the soul of the film, meanwhile #PriyaMani is superbly graceful, restrained & is the backbone of the film. BGM & DOP is excellent too.

A review on Twitter mentioned that the film could have been edited better but it is entertaining none the less. #Article370 is IMPACTFUL. #YamiGautam continues her streak of fabulous performances. With strong writing in the second half, the film has its moments spread across. The cast right from #Priyamani to #RajZutshi is at its best. The film starts on an interesting note & moves at its own pace. The pace & storytelling picks up pre-interval and the second half is engaging throughout. BGM & Camerawork of the film are good. Few loopholes like quick and smooth execution of difficult tasks influences the convincing aspect of the events but nevertheless those moments are limited.

Another person wrote, Yami's dialogue delivery is perfect. Must watch. A pre-interview review read, #Article370 interval- We have seen quite a few movies based on true events which retell a historic event of our country. While most of them are not good, filmmaking POV se, they feel like using your emotions BUT NOT THIS. Ekdum kadak, Raw & real. Yami Gautam. Kamaal music.

A tweet read that the film is a must watch for all Indians. A powerful and energetic audience during pre release screening of #Article370 movie in Houston organized by  @kp_global. It is a must watch for every Indian . It is a gripping movie with super action by @yamigautam that will keep you wanting for more and more.

More praise came in for Yami. A review read, There are 2-3 scenes in #Article370 that show #YamiGautam is improving as an actor with each project. We have the first standout performance of 2024 by a female actor and one of the confirmed nominees of the best actress award in next year's award shows already.

What PM Modi said about the movie

Earier, PM Narendra Modi also spoke about the film at a rally in Jammu. "I have heard that perhaps a film on Article 370 is going to be released this week. I think your 'Jai Jai Kaar' (cheers) are going to be heard all over the country," Modi said, addressing a public rally at Maulana Azad Stadium in the heart of Jammu. The Prime Minister's remarks, made during his second visit to the Jammu region since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, coincided with the film's imminent release late this week. While acknowledging his lack of familiarity with the film's specifics, Modi highlighted the potential of such productions in providing the public with accurate insights. "I do not know what the film is all about but yesterday I heard on TV that a film is coming on Article 370. Good, it will be useful for people to get correct information," Modi said.
Hollywood superstars Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet, and Austin Butler are currently on a promotional tour for their upcoming film Dune 2, traveling overseas to engage with fans and promote the film. Their recent arrival in Korea for event promotions was met with considerable excitement. However, enthusiasm turned to scrutiny when people noticed something unusual in Zendaya's picture afterward. Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet, and Austin Butler are currently on a promotional tour for their upcoming film Dune 2(X, Dune 2 promotional pics from Seoul)

Also read: BTS' Jungkook joins LE SSERAFIM's Huh Yunjin, reported to star in J-Hopes OST album

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K-media criticsed for whitewashing Zendaya

The renowned star who identifies as African American met with a warm welcome as she arrived at the airport rocking the long black trenchcoat. Alongside, both Chalamet and Zendaya embraced the local culture, donning outfits crafted by Korean designer Juun.J. However, fans were taken aback when they noticed Zendaya's complexion appeared washed out in several photos from the Dune: Part 2 promotions in Korea, nearly blending with Chalamet's, contrary to non-whitewashed photos.

Also read: Sweet Homes Go Min Si to join Jinnys Kitchen 2 cast starring the Wooga Squad

Over time, fans have consistently spoken out against the practice of whitewashing idols with deeper skin tones. This involves editing photos and videos to make their skin appear lighter, aligning with industry beauty standards. So, this time it happened again during the viral aegyo moment of the stars, the internet failed to maintain calm.

Not even Zendaya is safe from Korean's weird obsession with whitewashing, a user wrote on the internet displeased with the whitewashed treatment. Others said, The Korean media whitewashing ZENDAYA!! They will whitewash anyone and everyone, ZENDAYA NOT ESCAPING THE WHITEWASHING????????, YALL WHITEWASHING ZENDAYA I CANT, zendaya being a victim of whitewashing too.

Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet living their K-pop moment

Hollywood A-listers Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet took the internet by storm with their recent visit to Seoul, South Korea. The duo, known for their magical on-screen chemistry, embraced the K-pop culture in a way that has fans swooning. The two were caught sending out some flying hearts and kisses alongside the signature cute act popular among K-pop idols also referred to as the aegyo moment. Check out.

Dune 2 release date

Denis Villeneuve's highly anticipated Dune: Part Two is scheduled to hit the theatres on March 1, 2024. The film has received thrilling first reactions and impressive reviews. Read here. Apart from the leading members, the film also stars Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem with Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Lea Seydoux in key roles.
Zendaya has praised her actor-boyfriend Tom Holland for having beautiful charisma. While playing with puppies in a recent Buzzfeed interview as part of the Dune 2 promotions, Zendaya had one person in mind when asked who has got the most rizz in the Dune 2 cast, and that person was not part of the movie. (Also read: Zendaya, Tom Holland twin in black, put breakup rumours to rest at Dune afterparty) Zendaya and Tom Holland starred in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

What Zendaya said

In the interview, Zendaya told Buzzfeed: Rizz is short for charisma, right? Everybody's kind of got their own. I think someone who has beautiful charisma, not on the Dune cast, but I know personally, works for me, is Mr. Tom Holland.

She further added how she is different than Tom when it comes to meeting and interacting with people. I'm more shy and kind of quiet, so it takes a little bit more to pull me out of my shell. But he's great at just talking to people and getting to know people. You see him on talk shows and stuff like that. He's just naturally very good at that. Whereas for me, I've definitely had to pull it out of me a little bit. He's got that natural gift, she added.

About Zendaya and Tom Holland

Previous week, Zendaya and Tom Holland held hands as they were spotted after the premiere of her film Dune: Part Two in London. Tom was seen escorting Zendaya towards their car in a video that surfaced on X.

Zendaya and Holland first met in 2016 on the set of Spider-Man. The dating rumours about the duo surfaced a year later in 2017. Although the pair has managed to keep their relationship extremely low-key, they were spotted kissing publicly in 2021, which broke the status of their relationship.

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Zendaya is earning rave reviews for her work in Dune 2. The Denis Villeneuve film stars Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler and Anya Taylor-Joy. Zendaya will be seen next in Challengers with Josh O' Connor and Mike Faist.

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Director Gautham Vasudev Menon held a press meet in Chennai to promote his upcoming film Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha. The film stars Varun of Bigg Boss Tamil fame in the lead role. He spoke about how the film connects to his Vikram-starrer Dhruva Naticharam which has been in the works for a long time and gave an update on the sequel of Silambarasan-starrer Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu. (Also Read: Gautham Menon calls Ekk Deewana Tha a 'mistake'; tells people he did not direct it: 'I shouldn't have done that') A still from Joshua

Joshuas connection to Dhruva

Director Gautham was asked about his upcoming film Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha, and he revealed that actor Divyadarshini acts in both films. He said, DD (Divyadarshini) worked with me in Dhruva Natchathiram, and I told her, the character in Joshua is almost the same as what she has done in Dhruva Natchathiram, or it might be an extension. There is a connection between both films, you will get to know when you watch Dhruva Natchathiram.

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About Simbus VTKs sequel

Incidentally, Gautham made his hit Simbu-starrer Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu in 2022 with the same producer as that of Joshuas. Ishari K Ganesh of Vels Film International produced both the films. But after that films release, the producer and lead actor had a falling out, because Simbu reportedly refused to commit to more projects to the production house. When asked if a sequel for the film is in the works. Gautham smiled and said, That is quite controversial. But, I am ready to start the project the day the producer and actor reconcile.

Upcoming work

Gautham is not just directing, he has also taken up acting jobs now. He has been roped in to star in director Bobbys upcoming Telugu film with Balakrishna. He will also star in Vetrimaarans Tamil film Viduthalai Part 2. It remains to be seen when Dhruva Naticharam will release, given that the film has been postponed for years now.

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The Real Housewives franchise is no stranger to drama, but the latest controversy takes a serious turn. Former cast member Brandi Glanville has accused Bravo host Andy Cohen of sexual harassment according to a scathing letter sent out by her attorneys. According to the letter, Cohen purportedly "bragged" in the video about his desire to be intimate with another Bravo personality while thinking about her. Brandi Glanville accuses Andy Cohen of sexual harassment(Getty images, via Bravo, X)

Brandi Glanville accuses Andy Cohen of sexual harassment

Also read: Audrii Cunningham's cause of death revealed in autopsy after 11-year-old's body found in river

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Brandi Glanville, a former cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has accused host Andy Cohen of inappropriate behavior. The 51-year-old alleges that Cohen, 55, sent her a video in 2022 while appearing to be under the influence of alcohol. Glanville claims the video made her feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Glanville's attorney, Bryan Freedman, sent a letter to NBCUniversal, Shed Media, and Shed's parent company Warner Bros detailing the incident.

Brandi Glanville claims Andy Cohen invited her to witness sexual act

The letter accused the host of Watch What Happens Live of requesting sexual activity via FaceTime, expressing a desire to be intimate with another Bravo personality while having Brandi Glanville in mind. However, the letter did not reveal the identity of this other reality star. Mr. Cohen was Ms. Glanvilles boss at the time and exercised complete and total control over her career, the letter read.

Andy Cohen responds to Brandi Glanvilles sexual harassment accusations

The video shows Kate Chastain and I very clearly joking to Brandi, Andy Cohen took to his official Twitter handle to address the accusations. It was absolutely meant in jest, and Brandis response clearly communicated she was in on the joke. That said, it was totally inappropriate and I apologize. He added.

Also read: Truth behind Katy Perry's American Idol departure; Is Miley Cyrus the replacement?

The emergence of the letter follows nearly a month after Caroline Manzo, a co-star of Brandi Glanville, lodged a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and assault against Glanville during the shooting of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco. Glanville has persistently denied these accusations.
Richie Mehta's Poacher, that had premiered its first three episodes in the Indie Program Section at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, begins with a disclaimer reminding that India amended the Wildlife Protection Act, that prohibited all forms of wildlife hunting since 1991. Yet as Poacher jumps to 2015, and starts off in the jungles of Malayattoor, Kerala, with that haunting shot of an elephant shot dead in the first few seconds, it becomes clear what lies at hidden sight. Finally arriving at Prime Video this week, the eight-episode long series is at once one of the best shows of the year- brilliantly written and performed. (Also read: Fair Play review: Chloe Domont's erotic financial drama is an instant classic) Poacher premiered its first three episodes at the Sundance Film Festival.

The premise

When a guilt stricken forest watcher admits that he was part of the murder of elephants to the Forest Officer, the confession unspools into an insidious web of undercover crimes that seem to be in full swing. We meet the unassuming Field Director of the Kerala Forest Department, Neel Banerjee (Dibyendu Bhattacharya) who understands that his present team of men will be of no use if he is to solve this mess as soon as possible. He calls Mala Jogi (Nimisha Sajayan) and immediately assigns her to the case. Why? Because she knows the villages like "the back of your hand- and the people in it." A quiet moment right before she enters the station is enough to establish this- Mala is keenly aware of the sights and sounds of the dense jungle and its inhabitants.

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There's also the subdivision officer Dina (Kani Kusruti) when the action shifts to Trivandrum, who tracks down one of the culprits involved in ivory trade and much more, a criminal named Morris Finn. Yet, there are harder, more dangerous ways in which this whole operation is being planned out, right from a dealer in the capital and perhaps then moving on to international chains. Meanwhile Mala calls Alan Joesph (Roshan Mathew) for help, who helps her track the phone numbers that will lead to the local mastermind Raaz.

Following the International Emmy-winning series Delhi Crime, Richie Mehta relies on the format of investigative storytelling, and the ferocious reliance on sturdy exposition. Key details about the characters provide just enough material to enable the story forward. Poacher might not be as gut-wrenching a tale as Delhi Crime- the crime here is far more surreptitious and dense, but Mehta is interested in building an approach that agonizes on the same irony. The savage, ruthless treatment of these elephants for their teeth, and the conflicted stench of isolation that still breeds in the village cannot be understood by outsiders. Poacher captures the terror and beauty of Kerala's forests, with cinematographer Johan Huerlin Aidts lens somehow relying on the dark undercover of shadows and vines, where wild foxes and tigers are a common sight.

Poacher builds its formidable world on the relatability of its cast. Nimisha Sajayan builds the steely resolve of Mala in the smallest moments of repressed rage, accounting for her own personal ground in-between. Her past is her punishment, and the only way she can atone herself is through her work. In several scenes, the actor's face is a canvas to process what occurs around her, and she is a wonder to watch. In one particular scene, when Mala's carefully constructed mask does peel off as she breaks down in a conversation with her widowed mother, Sajayan makes it breathtaking to witness.

Dibyendu Bhattacharya excels as the officer who cannot afford to waste any time sorting for backup- for more reasons than one. Roshan Mathew and Kani Kusruti lend able, finely calibrated performances. These people are existing in a system where the perpetrators are also victims by and large, of an unjust template of corruption and inequality. Even though it decidedly arrives without the rush of a fast-paced thriller, Poacher proves to be a vividly detailed, richly atmospheric follow-up to Delhi Crime, that ultimately rewards its audience with a bracing sense of authenticity. In the concluding moments, Mala's altruistic acknowledgement tells us everything without the need of a word. It all comes down to a little concern, a little sense of protection for these species that co-exist with us in the same planet. Poacher makes for an immensely moving and resonant experience, and carries enough power to positively change the way we look at the world.

Poacher is available to stream on Prime Video.
Shogun, the new FX mini-series which is available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar is massive in scope and ambition. Based on a 1975 book written by James Clavell that had its own miniseries in 1980, the revival comes from the author's daughter Michaela Clavell, who, along with Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo have expanded the world of the show, set amidst the power politics in 17th century Japan, for a new generation. (Also read: Expats review: Nicole Kidman leads Lulu Wang's poignant and well-crafted series) A still from Shogun.

In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, creators Justin Marks, Rachel Kondo, Michaela Clavell opened up about constructing the show with a keen eye for language and heritage, while adequately focusing on enhancing the perspectives in this version.

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The need for another adaptation

The 1980 version was very well received. So a modern rethinking about the adaptation of the same subject matter is bound to pick interest. When asked about any particular aspects about the book that they wanted to bring about this time, Michaela Clavell says, I can speak to why we made it or felt that it was authentic to make it again is that you know, we have come a long way after the version that released for than forty years ago, in so many ways. In our ability to tell a complex story, such as this book. Technologically, a lot more possibility. Also, the audience is much more receptive now to complex layers of history and storytelling."

To this, Rachel adds the importance of subtitling. There's a lot of openness and appetite for subtitling these days," she says. Justin adds there are a lot of insights within the book that warranted attention. All the rest of the ensemble, you get their inner thoughts and their secret hearts. There's an opportunity today when you can tell the story in subtitled Japanese and to bring the audience closer to those characters, he adds.

Perhaps the point of view is also another major and fascinating concern. Michaela says, It is very much inclusive of the Japanese point of view. It is as much Toranaga's (Hiroyuki Sanada) story, as much as it is and maybe even more, John Blackthorne's (Cosmo Jarvis). So it is a very different and worthy perspective.

The research and perspective

When the topic of paying so much attention to detail in bringing that world of 17th Century Japan is thrown in, the creators cannot help but let out a momentary giggle. A lot, Rachel adds, saying that the research was extremely important to bring authenticity to the character and the story. When we started the process none of us knew how to do it. We just had the intention to try. There was a lot of trust in our collaborators. We had to build the machine of telling the story while we were using it!

Justin adds the first conversation began with star Hiroyuki Sanada, who was also a producer of the show. His experience in Hollywood informed how the project evolved. Where have we gotten it so wrong over the years? What mistakes have we made and how can we avoid making those mistakes again? We owe it not just to Japan or the culture of the story where we were allowed to be guests in and tell, but to audiences. We owe it to try and make better versions of the same story.

Where is that revision leading to? Justin adds, On one level it is very simple, where you hire Japanese crew and consultants on a very deep level; but we also had to marry that with a East meets West sensibility. It was a long journey and it requires in the part of our Canadian-American crew an openness to listening and on the part of our Japanese crew a willingness to speak up when things were wrong, and to do so with generosity.

There was a great sense of making this, Michaela adds in conclusion. I, as an outsider, going to the set you can see and feel it in the room. People were really encouraged to participate because of the generosity of Justin and Rachel, and then FX encouraged the best from each other. It does not mean that it was always easy but it was an incredibly creative atmosphere. The book was there as a guide in the room, as a road path and I think it made for an extraordinary magic on the set. People cared. It is special.

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In recent years, the United States (US) has witnessed a troubling surge in the number of deaths among Indian students pursuing higher education in its universities. These incidents have not only sparked grave concerns within the Indian community but have also raised questions about the safety and well-being of Indian students studying abroad. As the tragedies unfold, it is imperative to gauge the root causes, examine the challenges faced by the Indian diaspora in the US, and explore viable solutions to mitigate these distressing trends. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden during a meeting in the East Room of the White House, June 24, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Between January to February 2024, the deaths of Sameer Kamath (Purdue University), Shreyas Reddy Benigeri (University of Cincinnati), Neel Acharya (Purdue University), Akul Dhawan (University of Illinois), Vivek Saini (Alabama University), amongst others, have been reported. The growing number of Indian student deaths in the US has sent shockwaves across both nations. Each loss represents a shattered dream, leaving families and communities devastated. While some of these deaths are attributed to accidents or medical emergencies, others have been marred by instances of violence, racism, and discrimination.

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One of the primary factors contributing to these tragedies is the cultural and social adjustment challenges faced by international students. Moving abroad entails adapting to a new academic system, cultural norms, and social dynamics, which can be overwhelming for many individuals. The pressure to excel academically, coupled with feelings of isolation and homesickness, exacerbates the vulnerability of students, making them more susceptible to mental health issues.

Moreover, instances of racial profiling and discrimination further compound the challenges encountered by Indian students in the US. The rise in xenophobic sentiments and hate crimes targeting minority communities has instilled fear and insecurity among Indian students, undermining their sense of belonging and safety in their host country.

Beyond the realm of academia, the Indian diaspora in the US grapples with multifaceted challenges ranging from employment disparities to cultural assimilation. Despite their significant contributions to various sectors of the US economy and society, Indian expatriates often find themselves navigating complex immigration policies, workplace biases, and social prejudices.

To address the pressing issue of Indian student deaths in the US and enhance the well-being of the Indian diaspora, concerted efforts are needed at various levels:

Strengthening support services: Universities and educational institutions must prioritise the mental health and well-being of international students by providing comprehensive support services, including counselling, peer support groups, and cultural integration programmes. Enhanced orientation sessions and cross-cultural training can empower students to navigate the challenges of studying abroad more effectively.

Combatting discrimination and xenophobia: Governments, civil society organisations, and advocacy groups should collaborate to combat discrimination, hate crimes, and racial profiling targeting minority communities, including individuals of Indian descent. Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at educational institutions and workplaces can foster a more inclusive and tolerant society.

Enhancing bilateral cooperation: The governments of India and the US should strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, research, and cultural exchange to facilitate smoother transitions for Indian students studying in the US. Establishing robust mechanisms for consular assistance and emergency support can ensure timely intervention in crisis situations and safeguard the rights of Indian nationals abroad.

Promoting mutual understanding: Fostering mutual understanding and dialogue between Indian and American communities is essential to bridging cultural divides and fostering greater empathy and solidarity. Engaging in intercultural exchanges, collaborative projects, and public diplomacy initiatives can foster stronger people-to-people ties and promote cross-cultural appreciation.

In today's rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, the relationship between India and the US has emerged as a cornerstone of stability, prosperity, and shared values. As the world's largest democracies, India and the US share a common commitment to upholding democratic principles, promoting economic growth, and advancing global security.

Over the years, bilateral ties between India and the US have witnessed significant expansion across diverse domains, including defence cooperation, trade and investment, energy security, and scientific research. The strategic partnership between the two nations has deepened through regular high-level engagements, joint military exercises, and collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing common challenges and harnessing shared opportunities.

Moreover, the growing people-to-people ties between India and the US, fuelled by a vibrant Indian diaspora, have catalysed strengthening bilateral relations and fostering greater understanding and goodwill between the two countries.

As India and the US navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the need for closer cooperation and partnership has never been more crucial. By leveraging their respective strengths, promoting mutual interests, and upholding shared values, India and the US can chart a path towards a more prosperous, secure, and inclusive future for their citizens and the global community.

This article is authored by Aparajitha Nair, journalist, Hindustan Times.
Indonesia, the worlds third largest democracy, conducted its general election on February 14, 2024, with election day designated as a national holiday. Approximately 75% of the eligible 200 million voters participated, selecting not only the president but also members of Parliament and local representatives. This election cycle sparked concerns about Indonesia potentially regressing toward its authoritarian past, prompting implications beyond its borders. As a major exporter of coal, nickel, and palm oil, Indonesia holds a significant influence on the global climate change crisis. Moreover, in the ongoing competition for influence between the United States (US) and China in Asia, Indonesia is viewed as a pivotal player by US officials. President Joko Widodo's tenure witnessed a marked improvement in relations with China alongside strong defence ties with Washington. Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto votes at a polling station during the general election in Indonesia.(REUTERS)

Prabowo Subianto, a controversial former general and former son-in-law of long-time authoritarian leader Suharto, seems poised to become Indonesias next leader after apparently securing a convincing victory in this weeks election. Official results may take up to a month to be confirmed, but exit polls known as quick counts conducted by reputable polling firms in Indonesia indicate that Prabowo is leading with nearly 60% of the vote, suggesting a landslide victory. There will probably be no requirement for a run-off election in June. The second-place candidate, Anies Baswedan, seems to have garnered approximately 24 to 25% of the vote, while Ganjar Pranowo trails behind with just 17%.

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Despite facing rejection three times in previous attempts for the presidency or vice presidency, Prabowo has emerged as the unequivocal preference of Indonesian voters. However, allegations of human rights abuses, including purported kidnappings, forced disappearances, and war crimes by troops under his command, have been levied against him. Furthermore, his campaign was tarnished by accusations of unethical behavior and collusion.

Prabowo's convincing victory can be attributed in part to the absence of his main rival, the immensely popular incumbent Joko Jokowi Widodo, who had defeated him in two previous elections and still enjoys approval ratings of well over 70%. While Jokowi maintained neutrality in the campaign and refrained from explicitly endorsing any candidate, his stance became evident when it was revealed that Prabowos vice-presidential running mate was Jokowis oldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The candidacy of Prabowo and Gibran was contentious from the outset, marked by a heavily criticized Constitutional Court decision that deemed Gibran eligible to run, and allegations that Jokowi had facilitated improper campaign support for Prabowo and Gibran from government entities. These circumstances triggered numerous protests against the Prabowo-Gibran ticket within civil society.

The successor to Widodo will take over an economy experiencing significant growth and oversee ambitious infrastructure endeavors, such as the relocation of the nations capital from Jakarta to Borneo, which comes with a price tag exceeding $30 billion. Moreover, the election holds substantial implications for both the United States and China, given Indonesia's vast domestic market, abundant natural resources like nickel and palm oil, and diplomatic sway within Southeast Asia. Throughout much of his decade-long tenure, Widodo prioritised advancing Indonesias economy, famously setting a goal for it to become the worlds fourth largest by 2045. Under his leadership, economic growth and infrastructure development saw improvements, with efforts to attract major Chinese companies and electric car giant Tesla to invest in the nation's nickel mining industry.

However, experts suggest that Prabowo, despite being a wealthy and astute businessman with assets reportedly exceeding $125 million, primarily identifies as a military figure and is likely to have differing priorities. According to experts, there are concerns that Prabowo may seek to politicise the military to serve his interests or turn a blind eye to instances of corruption and abuse. Moreover, there is a heightened worry about the potential acceleration of a resurgence of the military's dual-function role, which could pose significant challenges.

On TikTok, Prabowo's image as a tough special forces commander seems to have vanished, thanks to a successful rebranding campaign that made him appear more friendly and grandfatherly to young voters. But his past is still fresh in some minds. Usman Hamid of Amnesty International Indonesia is worried about the potential human rights implications of Indonesia's next president. Papua, with its history of unrest and military presence, is a particular concern due to reports of abuse by soldiers against civilians. Abuza believes Papua will be a key focus for Prabowo's policies, expecting a more militaristic approach rather than seeking political solutions.

Although many of Prabowo's supporters seem to support the continuation of Widodo's policies, there are indications that Prabowo may adopt a more nationalist stance on foreign affairs compared to his predecessor. Prabowo's election manifesto outlines his intention to prioritize the strengthening of Indonesia as a nation. The manifesto emphasizes the goal of Indonesia becoming a respected player in international relations and highlights the importance of well-managed defense and security measures to safeguard the nation and maintain peace within its borders.

Prabowo is expected to focus initially on building a coalition for his administration and garnering support for his policies, which may keep him occupied. Widodo's success in enacting his ambitious policies, such as the capital relocation plan, was facilitated by a large coalition, largely owing to his ties with the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). However, by endorsing Prabowo over PDI-P's candidate in the recent election, Widodo might have estranged a significant portion of parliament for Prabowo. Megawati and her PDI-P remain influential, posing a challenge for Prabowo. He will likely collaborate with Jokowi to replicate the broad party alliance Jokowi established previously. Yet, this time, PDI-P might opt for opposition, necessitating a significant political adjustment for Prabowo.

Prabowo's victory was heavily reliant on his alliance with Jokowi, but after decades of pursuing the presidency, he, at 72, is eager to assume office. With a strong sense of pride and urgency, he is unlikely to tolerate being subordinate or even a mere equal partner for an extended period. Should he decide to part ways with Jokowi in the future, it could precipitate another significant and potentially tumultuous reshaping of Indonesia's political landscape.

This article is authored by Ananya Raj Kakoti and Gunwant Singh, scholars, international relations, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Actor Shamita Shetty recently called out a troll on social media who commented Buddhi, without a man on her Instagram post, taking a dig at her for her age and being single. Talking to us about this social media negativity, she shares, Its usually best to ignore trolls to protect your mental health because arguing with them just makes things worse. Trolls want attention, so responding only encourages them. Also read | Shamita Shetty: I never really went away to make a comeback shamita shetty on trolling

She added, But sometimes, you need to speak up to defend yourself or others. Trolling can really get you down, especially when they say hurtful things. To cope, focus on staying positive and taking care of yourself. Thats key to dealing with the negative impact of trolling on your well-being.

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On encountering personal and negative comments

Expressing her feelings about the initial reaction to the comment, the 45-year-old says, My initial reaction upon seeing the comment was a mixture of hurt and frustration. I strive to maintain positivity on my social media platforms, sharing moments that can bring joy to others, continuing how it can affect an individuals mind, especially if its coming from fellow women, However, encountering personal and negative comments, especially from fellow women, deeply affected me. I felt compelled to respond, not only for myself but also to challenge the behavior and promote support among women. While ignoring trolls is usually best, in this instance, I felt it necessary to address the comment publicly to advocate for kindness and understanding.

Shamita Shetty on her family's reaction

Does she think its a con of being a public figure? It can be seen as a disadvantage of being a public figure. The accessibility of social media allows anyone to express opinions about your life without understanding your journey. This tendency for personal intrusion is indeed a drawback of public visibility. This constant exposure to unsolicited opinions can be emotionally taxing and challenging to navigate, contributing to a sense of vulnerability and invasion of privacy, answers the The Tenant actor, who was the victim of age shaming.

Shetty tends to cope with her familys support and prioritising her own happiness. Firstly, my familys support is invaluable, as they prioritise my happiness over societal pressures. Additionally, having battled depression, I understand the importance of daily efforts to maintain happiness and avoid triggers. I engage in activities like meditation and focus on gratitude to uplift my spirits during challenging moments, she expresses.

Despite facing obstacles in my career, I remain resilient, concentrating on gratitude for what I have. I maintain faith in my journey and focus on staying positive amidst difficulties, she further adds.

On marriage

Having said that, the actor also believes that there is a generational shift in attitudes towards age and marriage. Theres a change in how people view relationships and marriage. Nowadays, its common to see couples who may not prioritize loyalty or respect in their relationships. Finding someone willing to work through problems and stay committed is tougher now, shares Shetty.

Family support matters a lotif they encourage you to follow your dreams rather than pressure you into marriage, its better for everyone. Marriage shouldnt be rushed into just because of societal norms; it should be based on respect and genuine love to ensure lasting happiness, she concludes, highlighting how marriage isnt something that should be rushed because of pressures.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to contest four of the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi and leave the remaining three to its ally, the Congress, as part of a seat-sharing agreement between the two INDIA bloc partners, people aware of the matter said on Thursday. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Rahul Gandhi with Delhi chief minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal during a meeting, at Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in New Delhi in January. (ANI)

The pact  which is likely to be formally announced on Friday  will be the first such alliance between the two erstwhile rivals and the second big agreement clinched in the beleaguered Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) after an arrangement between the Congress and Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

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As part of the pact, the Congress is also likely to offer two seats to the AAP in Gujarat  likely to be Bharuch and Bhavnagar  and one in Haryana, said the people quoted above, requesting anonymity. But indications that the Bharuch seat might go to the AAP triggered dissent in the Congress.

Citing the discussions between the two sides, a Congress leader said an agreement was reached on the seats to be contested by the two parties. The Congress may contest East Delhi, Chandni Chowk and North East Delhi seats, while the AAP may contest New Delhi, West Delhi, South Delhi and North West Delhi seats, said a Congress leader.

All seven seats are currently held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2019, the Congress came second in five seats  East Delhi, West Delhi, New Delhi, North East Delhi and Chandani Chowk  and the AAP came second in two seats  North West Delhi and South Delhi.

Both parties declined to formally respond on the seat pact. The talks are on and we are hopeful of closing the deal, Delhi minister Atishi said.

She also alleged that the move was triggering a backlash from the BJP. Since the news of discussions on an alliance between the AAP and Congress reaching final stages is circulating, AAP leaders have received messages that Kejriwal will be arrested if AAP enters into a seat-sharing agreement with the Congress, she said.

The Congress and the AAP are part of the INDIA alliance. The INDIA alliance will contest strongly not just in Delhi but across the country. The final decision will be announced soon, said Congress Delhi unit chief Arvinder Singh Lovely.

A second Delhi Congress leader said the 4-3 formula was final but there could be some changes to the seats contested by the two sides. A similar formula was proposed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in 2019 but talks collapsed.

The AAP is also set to fight from Gujarats Bharuch and its sitting lawmaker Chaitar Vasava is likely to be the candidate, said people aware of developments. Mumtaz Patel, the daughter of former Congress chief Sonia Gandhis key aide Ahmed Patel, had announced her intent to fight from that seat and a section of the Congress also wanted her, but a senior party functionary involved in the negotiations said Mumtaz Patel will be accommodated in another position.

When the pact is sealed, it will cap weeks of tense negotiations between the erstwhile rivals. The AAP first came to power in Delhi riding an anti-Congress wave in 2013 with Arvind Kejriwal defeating then CM Shiela Dikshit in her constituency of New Delhi.

Both sides formally discussed seat sharing for the first time on January 8. In that meeting, the AAP offered three seats to the Congress and demanded seats in Gujarat, Goa and Haryana. The Congresss national alliance committee led by Mukul Wasnik told the AAP representatives that the alliance panels mandate was to discuss only Delhi seats.

Eleven days later, Kejriwal met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi at Kharges residence to give a fresh momentum to seat talks. The AAP later ruled out alliance in Punjab and threatened to fight alone in Delhi.

The Congress has zero Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, it has zero seats in Delhi assembly. Out of 250 wards, the Congress won only 9 seats in the (2022) MCD election, AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said on February 13.

AAP has 62 MLAs in the 70-member Delhi assembly.

Even on a merit basis, the Congress party does not deserve a single seat according to the available data. But only data is not important. As per the alliance dharma and out of respect, we are ready to offer one seat to the Congress, Pathak had said.

At that time, the Congress had said seat talks are not conducted in press conferences.

The Congress is the largest partner of the INDIA alliance and a committee is working on the finer details of seat-sharing. In 2019, the Congress came second on five of the seven seats while AAP was third on five of the seven seats. In this election, we have already started groundwork, and we are gearing up to put up an unprecedented show this year, Lovely said at the time.

Kejriwals party is expected to get either Gurugram or Faridabad in Haryana and is likely to fight from Bharuch and Bhavnagar in Gujarat. The Congress is reluctant to give the AAP any seat in Goa and Assam. We got three seats from the AAP. We are giving them three seats (2 in Gujarat, 1 in Haryana), said a Congress leader involved in the discussions.

In Bharuch, Chaitar Vasava addressed a crowd on Thursday and said, Today I have got some good newsI got a call from the state and national leaders and they told me that for Bharuch Lok Sabha elections, an alliance has been formed between AAP and the Congress. They told me that I have been chosen as their candidate. This is indeed very good news for all of us. As a candidate of the Congress-AAP alliance, I have come to seek your blessings and am going to travel from village to village. I am a small person and we have small workers and not big leaders with us. But the way the people have helped me win in Dediapada Vidhan sabha elections, I am sure you will help me win this Lok Sabha elections too.

But Ahmed Patels son Faisal warned the party against the move. If the Bharuch Lok Sabha seat is allotted to the AAP under the alliance in the next Lok Sabha elections, neither I nor the conscientious workers of the Congress party will support the candidate of the AAP party, he tweeted.

The BJP dismissed the seat pact as irrelevant.

Delhi BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said the AAP and Congress didnt trust each other but were trying to ally due to fear of losing the elections.There is a serious trust crisis between the Congress and AAP but despite that they are going to form an alliance is nothing but politics of opportunism, he said.

In Bengal, the Trinamool Congress, which had earlier announced it would fight all 42 seats alone, has reopened communication channels with the Congress. We spoke even in the last week, said a senior TMC leader. The TMC is willing to give two seats to the Congress in Bengal but wants a seat each in Assam and Meghalaya, said the leader quoted above.
NEW DELHI: One of the biggest challenges for both India and China will be to arrive at an equilibrium and then maintain it, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Friday against the backdrop of the dragging standoff between the two sides on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). External affairs minister S Jaishankar sought to question the position adopted by the West against Russia, and in the context of Russia-China relations (X/DrSJaishankar)

Instead of getting caught up in mind games that this is an issue between just the two countries, India should be confident to leverage the international system to find the best possible outcome, Jaishankar said while participating in a session at the Raisina Dialogue, Indias flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics.

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Jaishankar also mounted a strong defence of Russia, a close strategic partner of India, in response to a question from a panellist on whether Russia was becoming a junior partner of China because of its isolation since the invasion of Ukraine. Russia, with its tradition of statecraft, would never put itself into a single relationship of an overwhelming nature, he said.

He reiterated that the immediate issue between India and China was Beijings decision to make a departure from border agreements put in place in the late 1980s, in terms of how they behaved on the border and theres a pushback from our side. He was referring to the military face-off in the Ladakh sector of the LAC that began almost four years ago.

I think...arriving at equilibriums, then maintaining [and] refreshing those is going to be one of the biggest challenges for both countries. Its not going to be easy, Jaishankar said. Pointing to the possibility of mind games suggesting that this is an issue only between India and China, he said there are other factors to be harnessed to get better terms on an equilibrium.

Without going in for solutions that give a competitive country a veto over Indias policy choices, New Delhi should be confident enough to leverage the international system to create the best possible outcome, he added.

India and China have arrayed about 60,000 troops each in the Ladakh sector since the LAC standoff began in May 2020. The Indian side has insisted that bilateral ties cannot be normalised till there is peace and tranquillity along the LAC.

Jaishankar sought to question the position adopted by the West against Russia, and in the context of Russia-China relations, said: On the one hand, you have people whose sets of policies bring the two together and then you say, beware of them coming together.

Russia is turning more to Asia or other parts of the world because a lot of doors have been shut to it in the West. It makes sense to give Russia multiple options. If we railroad Russia into a single option and say thats really bad, because thats the outcome, then you are making it a kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy, he said.

It is important for other countries, especially in Asia, to engage Russia, a power with an enormous tradition of statecraft that would never put itself into a single relationship of an overwhelming nature, he added.

Jaishankar responded to a question about the need to reform world bodies such as the UN by saying there has been some progress with the emergence of different models to make changes. After considering these models, the world community will have to decide on the next step, which is still not clear. The expansion of the G20 through the inclusion of the African Union should serve as a lesson to the UN about the need to enlarge the permanent membership of the Security Council, he said.

Besides Indias G20 presidency that displayed its leadership abilities to a globalised society, the country has also emerged as the first responder during incidents occurring in the region between East Africa and Australia, Jaishankar said.

At a time of intense competition between China and the US, countries such as India that arent embedded in a pre-existing structure are both expanding options but trying to forge something common with other like-minded states, he said. A lot of countries will now try to have multiple options and even as they do that, they will form combinations of their own, he added.

Jaishankar participated in the session along with representatives of think tanks from Australia, Nigeria, the UK and the US.
Guwahati: Amid internal turmoil ahead of the coming Lok Sabha polls, opposition Congress in Assam on Friday sought disqualification of two of its MLAs from the assembly for supporting the government led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Disqualification petitions have been filed against Congress MLAs Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Shri Basanta Das. (Facebook/Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha)

As reported earlier, on February 14 two Congress MLAs including a working president of the partys state unit decided to extend support to the BJP-led government for the development work done by it.

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As the Congress legislature party leader, I have filed two disqualification petitions before Speaker Biswajit Daimary seeking disqualification of Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Shri Basanta Das from membership of Assam legislative assembly for voluntarily giving up membership of the Congress, leader of opposition Debabrata Saikia informed.

Purkayastha, who represents the North Karimganj seat, was working president of the Congress, Das had won from the Mangaldoi seat. Both MLAs had met Chief Minister earlier thisHimanta Biswa Sarma month and expressed their support to the government without quitting from the party or resigning as legislators.

Also Read: Assam: Probe ordered after college principal helps 2 students cheat during exam

Congress state unit president Bhupen Kumar Borah had on February 14 issued show cause notices to both Purkayastha and Das asking them to explain why the party should not take disciplinary actions against them.

Apart from these two MLAs, two others are expected to join Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a partner of the BJP-led coalition in Assam, in the next few days.

One of them is stated to be Siddique Ahmed, who had earlier been suspended by Congress for anti-party activities. I am waiting for a green signal from CM Sarma. Once I get that, I will join AGP, Ahmed told journalists.

Leaders in BJP and AGP informed that many more MLAs and leaders from Congress would be joining the National Democratic Alliace (NDA) ahead of the general election.

Also Read: One-woman tusk force: A Wknd interview with Parbati Barua

Though last months Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra across the state by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was expected to boost the partys prospects, it seems to have had an opposite effect: While MLAs are deserting the party, senior leaders and sitting MPs are squabbling for Lok Sabha seats.

Congress had won 29 seats (of the total 126) in the assembly polls held in 2021. But within months, the number reduced to 27 after two of its legislators resigned and joined the BJP. They later won from the same seats on BJP tickets.
Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) West Bengal unit on Friday denied its association with Sabyasachi Gosh, the person who has been arrested by the state police on the charges of running a prostitution racket of minor girls in Howrah. Sabyasachi Ghosh was arrested on Friday on the charges of running a prostitution racket of minor girls in Howrah.(X/ @AITCofficial)

In a press statement, the saffron party said that the person named Sabyasachi Ghosh holds no position in the party. It further slammed the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of deviating from the issue of women's sexual violence in Sandeshkhali and trapping the party in such cases to defame it.

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"It has come to our attention that WB Police has arrested one Sabyasachi Ghosh, on charges of running a prostitution racket in Howrah and claims that he is a BJP leader.BJP West Bengal denies having any association with the accused. We wish to put on record that Sabyasachi Ghosh holds no position in the party," the statement read.

"This is yet another desperate attempt by the WB Police to distract from the issue of rape and torture in Sandeshkhali in order to protect Mamata Banerjee. People of West Bengal want to know where is Shahjahan Sheikh? This is only question Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal Police need to answer," it added.

The development comes after the TMC claimed that the state police has arrested a BJP leader named Sabyasachi Ghosh for allegedly running a prostitution racket in Howrah.

TMC further claimed that the police have arrested 11 accused and rescued six minor girls from Howrah's Sankrail, where the alleged sex racket was operating.

"@BJP4Bengal leader Sabyasachi Ghosh caught running a PROSTITUTION RACKET of MINOR GIRLS in his hotel in Howrah's Sankrail. The Police arrested 11 accused & rescued 6 victims from the spot. THIS IS BJP. They don't protect BETIS, they protect PIMPS!," Mamata Banerjee-led party said in a post on X.

According to a senior police official, several girls and women were rescued from the hotel allegedly owned by Ghosh during the raid. When produced before a court, Ghosh and another accused were remanded to seven days police custody.

The incident triggered a political row as the TMC accused the BJP of shielding leaders involved in sex racket, while the saffron camp claimed that the ruling party was trying to deflect attention from the incidents of Sandeshkhali.

Meanwhile, the town of Sandeshkhali has been witnessing unrest for over 10 days as women protestors are seeking justice for allegedly land-grabbing and sexually assaulting" them under coercion by Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides.

Fresh protests erupted on Friday with women hitting the streets and setting ablaze a thatched structure linked to Sheikh Shahjahan, seeking his and his aides arrest over allegations of sexual assault and land grabbing.

The police so far have arrested 18 people for their alleged involvement in violent protests. The ED on Friday filed a fresh case against Shahjahan Sheikh and conducted searches at several locations in the state.

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 in January this year.

(With inputs from agencies)
Mumbai: Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddique, who was sacked as the president of the Mumbai Youth Congress earlier this week, has claimed that he was being harassed within the party because he is a Muslim. The MLA from Vandre East is the son of Baba Siddique, who recently quit the Congress and joined Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party. Reacting to the remarks, the BJP said Congress hates Muslims. Baba Siddique is a former minister. His son Zeeshan Siddique won his first election in 2019 (Instagram/Zeeshan Siddique)

"I won't say I will remain in the Congress, but I will discuss my political options with my supporters (first)," he said.

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Zeeshan Siddique said he communicated to the party that his father's exit shouldn't have a bearing on his association with the Congress.

"I have been repeatedly saying that even though my father Baba Siddique joined the NCP, I will remain with the Congress, but still action was taken against me," he said.

He claimed he bagged 90 percent votes in the election for the Mumbai Youth Congress president's post but the party took nine months to appoint him to the post.

"I had secured 88,517 votes in my Youth Congress chief election. But there was a huge delay in my appointment. Apart from me, injustice was done to Mohammed Nalpad, who was elected as Youth Congress president in Karnataka. Congress has no values. If Congress has problems with Muslims, then they must stop claiming that they are with Muslims," he said.

"When Milind Deora stepped down as president of Mumbai Congress, names of possible presidents were discussed. Muslim leaders like Naseem Khan, Aslam Shaikh, Amin Patel, and Baba Siddique were not considered. The Congress does not prioritise minorities," he added.

He said Muslims have no place in the Congress.

"I was harassed a lot because I am a Muslim," he said.

Also read: First body shamed and then discriminated by Cong over my Muslim identity: Zeeshan

"In Mumbai and Karnataka, two Muslim candidates won Youth wing elections but it took nearly a year for them to get the post in both cases," he said.

Zeeshan also said he felt bad about the Congress being in alliance with the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray (as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi), when Thackeray, at a solidarity rally of the alliance in Mumbai, praised the demolition of Babri mosque.

He also claimed that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge is not being allowed to work freely.

"Mallikarjun Kharge is such a senior leader but even his hands are tied. Rahul Gandhi is doing his job but it looks as if people around him have taken a 'supari' (contract) from other parties to finish off the Congress," he alleged.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said Zeeshan Siddique's allegation has proved that the Congress uses the minorities for vote bank politics.

Also read: Zeeshan Siddique says he was asked to lose 10kg weight if he wanted to meet Rahul Gandhi

"Today Zeeshan Siddiqui has spilled out the beans which was told by me six-seven years ago that Congress is the most anti-Muslim party. It may project for the vote bank and for appeasement's sake that it is with the minorities. But actually, it has done the most damage to minorities. Today Zeeshan Siddiqui is facing it himself. We have seen that Congress allowed riot after riot to be orchestrated. Congress party used to say that Uddhav Sena is responsible for the Mumbai riots but today they have allied with them because Congress hates Muslims," he said.

"They only keep them as their vote bank. In Congress, apart from 'Parivaar', nobody can take decisions. What Zeeshan is facing today, Congress leaders had been facing for a long time because Rahul Gandhi is promoting such a culture," Poonawalla added.

Several Maharashtra Congress leaders have exited the party lately, including Milind Deora and Ashok Chavan. While Deora joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, Chavan joined the BJP.

With inputs from ANI, PTI
Hacking groups based in China have breached 95.2 gigabytes of immigration data from the Indian government as the country continues to be one of the prime targets of Beijing hackers, an investigation by The Washington Post revealed. Chinese hackers reportedly breached Indian immigration data (Pic for representation)

The Washington Post published a report on Thursday which said that a trove of documents was leaked by Chinese state-linked hacking groups, that are targeting foreign governments, companies and infrastructure for carrying out large-scale cyber attacks.

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These hackers are exploiting "vulnerabilities in software systems from companies including Microsoft, Apple and Google, the report said.

The cache  containing more than 570 files, images and chat logs  offers an unprecedented look inside the operations of one of the firms that Chinese government agencies hire for on-demand, mass data-collecting operations, the report further said.

The leaked files were posted to GitHub last week and deemed credible by cybersecurity experts. These files showed details of contracts to extract foreign data via cyber attacks, targeting 20 foreign governments, including India, United Kingdon, Taiwan, Malaysia and more.

These documents belonged to a Chinese company called ISoon, headquartered in Shanghai and known to sell third-party hacking and data gathering services state-owned companies and Chinese government bureaus, reported The Post.

ISoon also breached "democracy organisations" in China's semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong, universities and the NATO military alliance, cybersecurity firm SentinelLabs researchers wrote in a blog post Wednesday.

Indian immigration data breached

The Washington Post reported that one of the leaked ISoon documents showed a spreadsheet of 80 potential targets for a cyber attack, and India had already successfully been hit.

One spreadsheet listed 80 overseas targets that iSoon hackers appeared to have successfully breached. The haul included 95.2 gigabytes of immigration data from India and a 3 terabyte collection of call logs from South Koreas LG U Plus telecom provider, the report said.

ISoon's official website was not available after Thursday morning, but the data breach documents showed that the company had internal communication access, including email access of employees from foreign companies and government officed.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal has written to Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging for a thorough investigation into allegations of quid-pro-quo between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several corporate donors who have been subject to raids by various central investigative agencies. Congress leader KC Venugopal along with Ajay Maken addresses a press conference at AICC Headquarters in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, February 22, 2024. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)

The letter comes in the wake of investigative reports published by online publications Newslaundry and The News Minute on the concerning pattern of donations to the BJP by firms shortly after being targeted by agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department (IT), and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), among others.

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Read: Tribunal reserves order on Congress-IT Dept dispute

According to the report, at least 30 companies donated nearly 335 crore to the BJP between financial years 2018-19 and 2022-23. Of these firms, 23 had never donated to the BJP prior to the raids conducted by investigative agencies. Several companies reportedly even increased their donations to the BJP following agency actions.

"The above instances seem to be a clear-cut case of legal extortion in the form of donations to the ruling party, by exerting pressure on investigative agencies. Certainly, these are not the only cases where such modus operandi of alleged extortion has taken place. This looks like the tip of the iceberg," Venugopal said in the letter.

He raised serious questions about the autonomy and professionalism of central investigative agencies, particularly those under the purview of the finance ministry, and demanded a 'White Paper' on BJP's finances, including details on how corporate donations were allegedly coerced through the misuse of investigative agencies.

"We are nowhere alleging that the cases filed, or the action taken by the investigating agencies are illegal, but it does warrant an investigation, on why these dubious firms who have ED cases against them are donating to the ruling party  BJP, despite ED investigation against them. Is it a mere coincidence that they are donating to the BJP, after ED action?" Venugopal wrote.

The Congress leader accused the government of undermining democracy through tactics such as issuing frivolous income tax notices to opposition parties and allegedly pressuring nationalized banks to extort funds.

"If you have nothing to hide, then are you willing to present a point-by-point rebuttal on the Chronology of events which led to the filling of BJPs treasury?" he asked.

"If you are unwilling to come up with a factual explanation, then are you willing to present yourself for a Supreme Court monitored investigation in these dubious deals to loot donation for the BJP?" he added.
New Delhi: The Congress party has demanded a probe into allegations of quid-pro-quo between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 30 companies that have allegedly donated huge sums of money to the ruling party while being under the scanner of federal agencies. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal (File Photo)

In a letter to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal urged for a thorough investigation into allegations as he cited news reports underlining that At least 30 companies, which donated a total of nearly Rs.335 crore to the BJP between financial years 2018-19 and 2022-23, also faced action by central agencies during that period.

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Of these firms, 23 companies, which gave a total of Rs.187.58 crore to the party during this period, had never donated any amount to the BJP between 2014 and the year of the raid, Venugopal said.

The BJP received donations from at least 30 firms after it misused the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the I-T Department for raids against them, Congress alleged.

The Congress leader maintained that they are not questioning the cases filed or actions taken against these business houses, but added, It does warrant an investigation, on why these dubious firms, who have ED cases against them, are donating to the ruling party  BJP. Is it a mere coincidence that they are donating to the BJP, after ED action?

He raised serious questions about the autonomy and professionalism of central investigative agencies, particularly those under the purview of the finance ministry and asked if the finance minister would come up with a white paper on BJPs finances, not just the sources, but how you coerced corporate firms to donate, by misusing investigative agencies against them.

If you have nothing to hide, then are you willing to present a point-by-point rebuttal on the Chronology of events which led to the filling of BJPs treasury? he asked.

Suppose you are unwilling to come up with a factual explanation. Are you willing to present yourself for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation in these dubious deals to loot donations for the BJP? Venugopal added.

At a press conference, the partys communications chief Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government put the Income Tax Department and other agencies after these companies, forcing them to donate Rs.335 crore to the BJP. This, he said, has been done in the last two to three years.

We are not going to stop raising questions on this. We will also write to ED and CBI, said Ramesh.
New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Thursday stayed its last months order which held that assets seized in connection with a money laundering case must be returned if the investigation continues beyond 365 days and does not result in any prosecution complaint (or charge sheet). On Thursday, ED appearing through additional solicitor general SV Raju submitted that the single-judge bench order had many flaws. (FILE)

A division bench led by acting chief justice Manmohan stayed the verdict while considering an appeal filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the January 31 judgment. The bench, also comprising justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, said the stay would remain in force till March 11, the next date of hearing in the matter.

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ED had challenged the January 31 order, passed by a single-judge bench of justice Navin Chawla, which ruled that continuation of seizure beyond 365 days shall be confiscatory in nature and thus violative of Article 300A of the Constitution of India (right to private property).

The natural consequence of the investigation for a period beyond 365 days not resulting in any proceedings relating to any offence under the Act, in terms of section 8(3) of the (Prevention of Money Laundering) Act, is that such seizure lapses and the property so seized must be returned to the person from whom it was so seized, the court had ruled.

Though the right to property, which ceased to be a fundamental right by the 44th Constitution amendment in 1978, it continued to be a Constitutional right under Article 300A, which states that no person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law.

The single-judge bench in its 37-page verdict opined that the expression pendency of the proceedings relating to any offence under this Act [PMLA] before a Court only referred to the proceedings pending before a PMLA Court in relation to the person from whom the property was seized.

The courts decision had come on a petition filed by Mahender Kumar Khandelwal, the former resolution professional of Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL), against the continued seizure of various documents, records, digital devices and gold and diamond jewellery worth 85 lakh by the federal agency since 2020.

The words proceedings relating to any offence under this Act appearing in Section 8(3)(a) of the Act, therefore, has to be read in light of the above provisions to mean only a proceeding that is pending before a special court in relation to the property or records that are so attached or seized or frozen or with the respect to the person from whom such property was seized or recovered, the court had noted. It is also to be remembered that the power of attachment, seizure, and freezing of the properties and records, is a draconian provision that has to be strictly construed.

On Thursday, ED appearing through additional solicitor general SV Raju submitted that the single-judge bench order had many flaws. The law officer sought a stay on the verdict apprehending that the same might be cited as a precedent.
Samajwadi Party member, five-time former Badaun MP and ex-Union minister, Saleem Sherwani, says things have reached such a pass that even a staunch secularist party like his, has wilted under the Hindutva onslaught. Former SP leader Saleem Sherwani and party president Akhilesh Yadav.(File)

``Times have really changed. Even if a Muslim raises a legitimate issue today, he is branded an anti-national, Sherwani told this reporter.

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Also Read: Will strengthen INDIA bloc to oust BJP: Swami Maurya after floating new party

Last week, he quit the post of Samajwadi Party (SP) national general secretary over the partys inappropriate selection of Rajya Sabha candidates and neglect of the Muslim community and their issues.

Sherwani has denied that he had left the party post because he was denied a Rajya Sabha berth from UP this time. 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 nominees announced by the party. The way tickets have been distributed for the Rajya Sabha shows that the SP does not give importance to the PDA or the pichada, Dalit, alpsankhyak (backward, Dalit, and minorities) sections anymore, he said.

The SP has fielded veteran Dalit leader Ramji Lal Suman, actor Jaya Bachchan, whose term as RS member of SP comes to an end on April 2, and a former UP chief secretary Alok Ranjan, for the current Rajya Sabha election.

The veteran former MP said: I have been consistently discussing the situation of Muslims with party chief Akhilesh Yadav, conveying to him that the community is feeling neglected and losing faith in the SP. There is a growing distance between the two, and 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.

Taking his logic to another level, Sherwani queried: ``This raises the question of how different the SP from the BJP is?

According to him, when the political discourse centres only around the BJPs ability to 'show Muslims their place, the country has taken a dangerous turn. ``Unemployment, poverty, joblessness, you name it, impact the majority 80% population of the country, who are Hindus. Where is the question of putting Muslims their place? The worst affected are the Hindus.

Saleem Sherwani won his first Lok Sabha election as a Congress candidate from Badaun in 1984. After that, he won four elections from the constituency as the SP candidate. When the party denied him a ticket to the seat in 2009 and fielded Mulayams nephew Dharmendra Yadav instead, Sherwani moved back to the Congress and re-contested the seat. But Dharmendra won. In 2020, Sherwani came back to the SP.

Asked how Mulayam Singh Yadav would have stood up to this new alignment of forces and this new atmosphere, Sherwani said it is difficult to say, but "maybe, he would have been more independent and taken a stand.

Also Read: Lok Sabha elections: SP, Congress seal UP seat share pact

Sherwani did not place too much trust in the INDIA alliance. ``The attempt to form a strong opposition alliance is proving to be futile. No one seems to be taking it seriously. It appears that the Opposition is more interested in fighting each other rather than combating the BJP, he said, but added that ``the only silver lining is the new SP-Congress seat sharing in UP.

As per the terms of this agreement announced this week, Congress will contest 17 seats while the remaining 63 will go to Samajwadi Party and other allies as part of the INDIA bloc.
Amid the buzz of switching sides with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and Congress veteran Kamal Nath on Friday urged the people of state and party workers to join Rahul Gandhi's ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra to fight against injustice and oppression. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and MP former chief minister Kamal Nath.(PTI)

While praising Gandhi, Nath said that the party workers are excited to welcome the latter as he has taken to the streets across the country and announced a decisive fight against injustice.

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Read here: Doors shut, BJP doesn't need Kamal Nath: Kailash Vijayvargiya amid buzz

While putting an end on all the rumours of him joining the saffron camp, the party veteran said that together they will bring the second version of the Bharat Jodo Yatra against injustice to an end.

"The people of Madhya Pradesh and Congress workers are excited to welcome Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Our leader Shri Rahul Gandhi has taken to the streets across the country and announced a decisive fight against injustice, oppression and exploitation. I urge the people of Madhya Pradesh and the brave workers of Congress to become the strength and courage of Rahul Gandhi by joining the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra in maximum numbers. Together you and I will bring this great campaign against injustice to an end," he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

His remarks has put an end to all the rumours of his BJP switch plan. Meanwhile, several party leaders from Nath's stronghold MP's Chhindwara district joined the BJP on Wednesday. There has been a buzz among the political corridors that Kamal Nath and his son were likely to end their ties with the Congress.

However, Congress general secretary Jitendra Singh earlier this week claimed that the veteran leader and his son Nakul Nath would participate in the grand old party's ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra when it would enter the state.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, the second version of Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, which started form Manipur on Januray 14, will culminate in Mumbai on March 20. The first 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' was held from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 2022-23.

He also claimed that the speculations of former MP chief minister switching sides and joining BJP were spread by the BJP and media.

As per reports, Kamal Nath was said to be disgruntled over not getting a Rajya Sabha seat and also Rahul Gandhi being opposed to him since the party lost the assembly polls late last year.

Read here: Will Kamal Nath, son Nakul participate in Nyay Yatra amid BJP switchover buzz? Congress leader replies

In the 2023 Madhya Pradesh elections, the BJP decimated the Congress after winning 163 of the 230 assembly seats. The Congress managed to win just 66 seats. Nath was later replaced as the Madhya Pradesh unit chief.

(With inputs from agencies)
Groups leading the protests by farmers from Punjab have decided to extend their pause on marching to the national capital till February 29, as they turned their focus to the death of a protester earlier this week, saying they will not allow an autopsy or the cremation of the 21-year-old man till the Punjab Police files a case against police in Haryana. Farmers take part in a candlelight vigil in tribute to a farmer who was allegedly killed in Police action at Khanauri border during their 'Delhi Chalo' march, at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, in Patiala district, on Friday. (PTI)

The family of Shubh Karan Singh also rejected the 1 crore compensation offered by the Punjab government over his death until a first information report (FIR) was registered, and the farmer unions said there can be no talks with the government over the agitation itself until the police case is made.

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ALSO READ- Their rights being violated: PIL in SC seeks relief for protesting farmers

The current agitation will get bigger and the march to Delhi will resume once the demand to grant martyr status for deceased farmer Shubh Karan Singh is acceded to, his autopsy is carried out, and a case is lodged against the Haryana Police, Sarwan Singh Pandher, the leader of Kisan Mazdoor Sangh Committee (KMSC), told HT over the phone.

Later in the evening, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the other leader at the helm of the agitation, said: As of now, we are only focussing on justice for Shubh Karan Singh, therefore, we will not march to Delhi before February 29. The next course of action will be announced after holding a meeting, thereafter, with the leaders.

ALSO READ- Rajeev Chandrashekhar reacts to Google Gemini's objectionable answer, bias against PM Modi

Officials in Punjab and Haryana separately said they were trying to determine under whose jurisdiction the case should fall, with both sides reopening land records to study the wheat fields where Singh sustained the injuries that eventually claimed his life.

While the Punjab Police did not respond to requests for details on where they have determined the jurisdiction to be, a Punjab police officer in Patiala, while asking not to be named, said the spot where Shubh Karan was injured lay within the jurisdiction of Jind, Haryana, which could mean only the police in that state may be able to file the FIR.

The station house officer of Garhi (Jind district), Suresh Kumar, told HT: We have already checked the land records where he received injuries, and it lies in our jurisdiction. We have already sent the team to Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. However, we have not been allowed.

But Dallewal, who heads the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political), insisted the action should be initiated in Punjab. Haryana Police can say whatever they want to, but that they killed Shubh Karan is a fact. Punjab Police should register a case against them, said Dallewal. His SKM-NP is a splinter group of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is among the largest collectives of unions representing cultivators and farm labourers.

Farmers from Punjab have been stopped since February 13 at barricades put up by the Haryana government to impede their march to the national capital over a raft of demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

It was at one of the two borders where farmers have stopped in the thousands where Shubh Karan died on Wednesday, of a wound ostensibly sustained by a rubber bullet fired in the police action. That day, farmers had rushed towards the barricades as they sought to resume their march to Delhi, heading towards battalions of police guarding rows of metal and concrete barricades.

Their decision was after four rounds of talks between them and the government  including three Union ministers  had failed.

We have told the (Shubh Karans) family that it may take two days or 10 days. For us, money is not important. We are demanding that an FIR be lodged and then cremation will take place, said Pandher, while speaking to reporters in Patiala, where he accused the Punjab government of pressuring the family into agreeing to the cremation.

ALSO READ- No NSA on farmer leaders; SKM observes Black Friday. 10 points

Until Punjab Police register a case against Haryana Police officials, we wont allow the administration to conduct the post-mortem. Money doesnt matter to us, justice does, said Charanjit Singh, Shubh Karan Singhs father.

The development came hours after Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann announced a compensation of 1 crore and a government job for Shubh Karans sister.

If you cannot register a case, then how can you call yourself Punjab de rakhe (Punjabs protectors), said Dallewal, who slammed the Mann government. Dallewal added that a police officer said that if they registered a case, Haryana security personnel would do so as well.

The farmers also sought a martyr status for Shubh Karan Singh.

With the protests effectively suspended from proceeding, another powerful farmer group on Friday said that it was attempting to stitch up a larger unity among cultivators. There is negativity spreading in farmers because they want all factions to work together, said Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) leader Gurnam Singh Charuni, whose outfit was part of the leadership that led the 2020-2021 farm protests. Therefore, an 11-member team will coordinate between Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and SKM (non-political).

In Delhi, a social activist who said he was also the managing director a Sikh trade body, filed a petition with the Supreme Court stating peaceful farmers were being subjected to conditions similar to terrorists by the Centre and some state governments, asking the courts intervention to ensure fair and respectful treatment for the cultivators and to clear the blockades on the border to ensure free movement of people and vehicles.

The actions taken by the respondent governments by creating fortification across the borders of the national capital, creating hostile and violent situations against its own peaceful citizens and not allowing the farmers to exercise their democratic right, has led to direct and indirect defamation of the intentions and the objective of the protesting farmers, the petition contended.
The death of a young farmer in clashes with security forces at the interstate border of Punjab and Haryana appears to have galvanised the farmers' protest, with Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) set to join the agitation by observing a 'Black Friday' today. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said that the SKM will also hold a tractor march on highways towards the national capital. The coalition of over forty Indian farmers' unions formed in 2020 to coordinate satyagragh against now-repealed three farm acts has stayed away from the fresh agitation. Balbir Singh Rajewal along with ther leaders under the SKM interacting with media at Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh on Wednesday. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee on Friday targeted the Punjab government for not filing an FIR regarding the death of the protesting youth at the Khanauri border. He said that the way the Punjab government is 'insulting the martyrdom of our martyrs' is condemnable. Sarwan Singh Pandher, the general secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, said that the way the Punjab government is 'insulting the martyrdom of our martyrs' is condemnable.

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"Talks were being held with the Punjab Government on the death of Shubhkaran Singh. All our demands were accepted, that a case under Section 302 (murder) be filed against those who attacked, that the Punjab Government give the status of 'martyr' to Shubhkaran Singh, that discussions on compensation be held with his family, and that a Board will be constituted for his postmortem and its videography will be done. It has been more than 14 hours now but the Punjab Government is not giving any answer," the farmer leader said.

"When you give trust, why don't they live up to the trust? Either there is some problem with the officers. Only they can know what the problem is. Now, Shubhkaran Singh's body is lying in the hospital. Punjab Government is insulting the martyrdom of our martyrs, this is condemnable," Pandher said.

Punjab chief minister announced 1 crore for the family of the police firing victim and a government job for his sister.

Here are the latest updates from the farmers protest:
Farmers protest news LIVE updates: Farm leaders addressed the media on Friday, demanding that Punjab Police register an FIR against Haryana Police regarding the death of a 21-year-old farmer during the ongoing protests. They said that no autopsy would be conducted on the farmer's body until the complaint is registered.

Farmers protest news highlight: The 'Delhi Chalo' march that was taken up by the farmers in demands including a guarantee law on minimum support price (MSP), has come to a temporary halt following the death of a farmer in a clash with the Haryana police on Wednesday. However, there is anticipation that the farmers will deliberate on their next course of action to further the movement today....Read More

A 21-year-old farmer died due to a head injury at the Khanauri border in Haryana after protestors clashed with the police. The Punjab government has shown its solidarity with the farmers, saying that they will push for strict action against the cop who was responsible for the incident.

Haryana Police initially declared their intention to invoke the National Security Act (NSA) against leaders spearheading the Delhi Chalo march by farmers, but later on Friday, they announced the withdrawal of this decision. Earlier, the Ambala police had said their implementation of detentions under section 2(3) of the National Security Act, 1980, aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing criminal activities amidst the protests.

Additionally, the state police department emphasised their commitment to compensating for any damage to government or private property during the protests by seizing the property and bank accounts of the protestors.

Top points from Delhi Chalo march -
Young people embrace side hustles during Spring Festival

People's Daily Online) 10:06, February 23, 2024

Instead of returning home for family reunions or traveling during the 2024 Spring Festival holiday, some young individuals seized the opportunity to set up side businesses.

For Zhao, a designer born in the 1990s, the Spring Festival was anything but relaxed. On the first morning of the Lunar New Year, he was already at a client's home to feed their cat. After cleaning the litter box, feeding the cat, and sterilizing the area, he took photos to send to the owner. Zhao's day involved visits to 34 homes, not finishing until after 10 p.m.

"Due to the increasing number of pet owners, it's become inconvenient for some to take their pets with them during the Spring Festival," Zhao said. "So, I started getting requests for pet care services in January."

Orders for home pet feeding services skyrocketed between the 28th day of the 12th lunar month in 2023 and the 6th day of the first lunar month in 2024, averaging 30 visits per day. Prices per visit varied from 30 to 50 yuan ($4.20 to $7.00), generating an income of over 10,000 yuan.

Many pet sitters earned more than 10,000 yuan during the Spring Festival holiday. Ke Le, a pet sitter in Shanghai, noted that prices for home pet feeding services increased during the holiday, ranging from 70 to 120 yuan per visit.

In addition to home pet feeding, young individuals are increasingly turning to setting up stalls to earn money. With the Lantern Festival drawing near, selling lanterns has become a popular choice among them.

"I initially tried selling lanterns within my apartment complex but didn't manage to sell any. However, after moving to a good spot at a shopping mall entrance, sales suddenly took off," said Ran Ran from Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province.

Photo shows lanterns made by Ran Ran. (Photo/Cover News)

Before the Spring Festival, Ran set up a lantern stall at the city's Shangdu Archaeological Park. She explained that lanterns, being cultural and creative products, have a selling window extending from New Year's Day to the Lantern Festival.

Ran operated her stall for four days during the Spring Festival holiday, selling a total of 200 lanterns. After accounting for expenses, her daily profit amounted to approximately 1,000 yuan.

The wholesale market in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, has been identified as a key driver behind the booming lantern sales. Reports indicate that a number of merchants there have sold over 100,000 dragon lanterns.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
A performance by the Dallas Brass Thursday and the Piney Woods Arts and Crafts Festival in April are the two remaining events of this year's Coffee County Arts Alliance season.

Tickets are still available for the Dallas Brass performance Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Enterprise High School Performing Arts Center on the high school campus.

Call (334) 406-2787 or email www.coffeecountyartsalliance.com for ticket information.

Thursdays performance is the final concert and next to the last event of the 2023-2024 Coffee County Arts Alliance Season, which has been dedicated to the memory of the late Luella B. Henderson, a longtime patron of the arts.

All CCAA performances are made possible by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the arts and faithful sponsors, according to CCAA President Dr. Ken Thomas.

Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1983 by Michael Levine, the Dallas Brass has become one of Americas foremost musical ensembles.

In addition to Levine, the group includes Brian Neal on trumpet, Connor Bitterman on trumpet, Juan Berrios on horn/flugelhorn, John Wasson on trombone, Paul Carlson on tuba, and Craig Hill on percussion.

The Dallas Brass repertoire includes classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music, said Thomas. In addition to their solo engagements, the Dallas Brass appears with symphony orchestras nationwide, to include the Cincinnati Pops conducted by Erich Kunzel, New York Pops conducted by Skitch Henderson, and the Philly Pops conducted by Peter Nero.

The Dallas Brass has performed at Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and has toured overseas to Europe and the Far East. They have shared the stage with the late Bob Hope, have performed for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, have appeared on the CBS Early Show, and their music has been used numerous times on the television show, The Young & The Restless.

Thomas said the Dallas Brass has a strong dedication to working with young musicians. They have published two books of original small ensemble music for middle school and high students called Brass Grooves, and they have played a major role in helping launch Harmony Bridgea community outreach program for student musicians.

In addition, almost every public performance has a student component including a clinic and invitation for students to join them on stage for a selection on the Dallas Brass concert. Over 250,000 students have performed with Dallas Brass over the years.

The final event of the CCAA season is the Piney Woods Arts Festival and Juried Art Show to be held at Enterprise State Community College. This event is sponsored by Visit Enterprise. There is no admission fee for this event, but donations are appreciated.

The Piney Woods Arts Festival takes place April 20 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and April 21 from noon until 4 p.m. "We are thrilled to announce that this years festival will host over 50 vendors and includes artists, jewelry makers, food trucks, dancers, poets, live music, and a childrens fun center.

"Step into a world of creativity and culture hosted by the Coffee County Arts Alliance," Thomas said. "This annual gathering at the Enterprise State Community College brings together a diverse tapestry of artists, crafters, performers, and enthusiasts. It's an exquisite blend of tradition and innovation, honoring the deep-rooted artistic heritage of the Wiregrass region while also celebrating contemporary expressions from all over the Southeast.

"The Coffee County Arts Alliance is deeply committed to fostering artistic expression and appreciation within our community," he added. "The Piney Woods Arts Festival is a testament to this mission, and we're thrilled to present an event that shines a spotlight on both emerging and established talents. We warmly invite everyone, from near and far, to join us in this celebration of art, culture, and community spirit."
Amid the talks of Congress giving Gujarat's Bharuch Lok Sabha seat to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the seat-sharing deal for the upcoming parliamentary polls, party leader and daughter of veteran party leader late Ahmed Patel, Mumtaz Patel on Friday hoped that the seat would remain with the grand old party as it has been the party's seat traditionally, being represented by Ahmad Patel. Congress veteran leader late Ahmed Patel and his daughter Mumtaz Patel(File)

Patel further said that the Congress workers and the people felt demoralised and sad after the reports came of the seat being given away to AAP. She also claimed that party leader Rahul Gandhi has also objected to the Bharuch seat being given to AAP.

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"The talks are still on and the final decision is yet to be made. We had hopes that this seat would remain with Congress but when this information came people felt demoralised and sad. We have heard that Rahul Gandhi has also objected to the Bharuch seat being given to AAP. We are hopeful that this seat will remain with Congress. Traditionally, this is a Congress seat. They want an alliance because they want the support of Congress," news agency ANI quoted Mumtaz Patel as saying.

Along with Mumtaz, the late Congress leaders son, Faisal Ahmed and several party leaders have also urged the party's high command to name its own candidate for the upcoming polls.

Earlier on Thursday, Mumtaz shared a cryptic post on X stating that her father had taught her to fight till the end. For several months, speculations were rife that the Congress would field either of Ahmed Patels children  Faisal Patel or Mumtaaz Patel  to take on the BJP, which has retained the seat for seven consecutive terms.

The dissatisfaction among the party workers rose after the AAP announced its candidates from two seats in Gujarat including Bharuch for the upcoming polls.

At a press conference following a Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting of the party, AAP general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak announced Chaitar Vasva and Umeshbhai Makwana from the Bharuch and Bhavnagar seats.

Claiming that the Congress insisted on contesting from Bharuch, Pathak said winnability and not "parivarwad" (dynasty) should be the criterion to defeat the BJP.

Meanwhile, the alliance between the AAP and the Congress in Delhi for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls is on the verge of finalisation. According to the people aware with the development, the AAP is likely to contest four of the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi and leave the remaining three to its alliance partner, the Congress, as part of the seat-sharing agreement.

(With inputs from agencies)
Strengthening the rural economy is needed to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat or developed India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, adding that his government was focussing on improving the lives of small farmers through various schemes and initiatives linked to animal husbandry, fisheries and bee-keeping, among others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) Chairman Shamalbhai Patel and others at an exhibition by Amul during the golden jubilee celebration of GCMMF in Ahmedabad on Thursday. (PTI)

Modis comments came in Gujarat amid farmer protests in Punjab and Haryana, where thousands of farmers have camped at the border separating the two northern states for two weeks demanding minimum support prices for 23 crops.

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The previous government had a fragmented view towards the rural economy, while the present government is making progress by prioritising every aspect of the village, he said at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets its products under the brand name Amul.

About 125000 dairy farmers attended the celebration at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.

Modi referred to the benefits of kisan credit cards for livestock and fish breeders, seeds that can cope with the climate crisis, and the National Gokul Mission that aims to improve the dairy cattle species. He said the government was working to eradicate Foot and Mouth disease by 2030.

He spoke about the losses cattle farmers incur due to the disease and highlighted the governments free vaccination programme worth 15,000 crore. PM Modi said over 70 million vaccinations were carried out under the programme so far.

With micro ATMs installed in villages, cattle-rearers dont have to go far to withdraw cash. We are also planning to give RuPay credit cards to cattle-rearers. As a pilot project, we have launched that scheme in Banaskantha and Panchmahal districts here, he said.

Mahatma Gandhi used to say that Indias soul rests in her villages. Therefore, in order to create Viksit Bharat (developed India), we must have a strong rural economy, he added.

Modi said the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the inclusion of additional activities under the National Livestock Mission to promote indigenous species. Financial assistance will be provided to use non-arable land for fodder purposes. Insurance premiums for livestock protection have been significantly reduced.

He said the cooperative movement was gaining momentum with the establishment of cooperative societies in villages across the country. We endeavour to integrate small-scale farmers in villages with modern technology, he said.

The PM said Kisan Samriddhi Kendras were established to provide scientific solutions to farmers near their villages. He said efforts were underway to assist farmers in making organic fertilisers.

He said Amul set a target of doubling the processing capacity of its plants in the next five years. Today Amul is the eighth largest dairy company in the world. You have to make it the worlds largest dairy company as soon as possible. The government stands with you in every way, and this is Modis guarantee, he added.

Modi said several brands emerged in India after independence, but there were none like Amul. Amul has become the symbol of the strength of the cattle rearers of India.

As part of his one-day visit to his home state of Gujarat, Modi visited Tarabh in Mehsana where he laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than 13,500 crore. Addressing an event in Mehsana, he said that the aim of Modis guarantee was to transform the life of the person at the lowest echelons of the society. The PM also performed puja at the Valinath Mahadev Temple in Mehsana.

He also visited Navsari in South Gujarat where he laid the foundation stone for development projects worth 47,000 crore. The projects span across various sectors, including power generation, rail, road, textiles, education, water supply, connectivity, and urban development. The projects include multiple packages of Vadodara Mumbai Expressway, multiple road projects in Bharuch, Navsari, and Valsad, rural drinking water supply project in Tapi and underground drainage project in Bharuch, among others.

In his speech there, Modi referred to the buzz surrounding Modi ki guarantee and emphasised the certainty of fulfilling commitments made by him.

Modis guarantee begins where hope from others fades, he said while outlining the assurances of his administration, including pucca houses for the underprivileged, a free ration scheme, access to electricity and clean water, as well as comprehensive insurance schemes for the marginalised, farmers, shopkeepers, and labourers. This reality exists today because of Modis guarantee, he reiterated.

He highlighted the Five F framework during his tenure as Gujarat CM  Farm, Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign  aiming for a complete textiles supply and value chain.

Today, the silk city of Surat is expanding up to Navsari, the PM noted, showcasing Indias ability to compete globally in the sector. He underscored that the completion of the PM MITRA Park would transform the entire region, with a dedicated investment of 3,000 crores solely in its construction.

Referring to the foundation stone laying of the Tapi River Barrage worth more than 800 crore, Modi underlined that the water supply-related issues in Surat will be completely addressed, while also helping in preventing flood-like situations.

Modi also addressed the issue of sickle cell anemia in tribal regions, emphasising the necessity of a united national effort to combat the disease. Noting the states proactive measures to tackle sickle cell anemia during his days as chief minister of Gujarat, the PM also listed broader national efforts to effectively combat the disease. We have now launched a National Mission to deliver freedom from sickle cell anaemia, he said, outlining the governments comprehensive initiative aimed at eliminating the disease from tribal areas.
Fresh protests erupted in Sandeshkhali in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district on Friday as dozens of women hit the streets and set ablaze a thatched structure linked to Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, seeking his and his aides arrest over allegations of sexual assault and land grabbing, even as state police chief Rajeev Kumar pledged action against the perpetrators. Fresh protests erupt in West Bengals Sandeshkhali on Thursday. (ANI)

Armed with lathis and bamboo sticks, local residents, particularly women, staged protests and vented their anger by setting ablaze a thatched structure near a pond, purportedly belonging to Shahjahans brother Sirajuddin, who is also a local TMC leader.

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Sirajuddin and his brother Shahjahan have usurped our land. They subjected us to molestation. We demand justice and the return of our land, a protester said, seeking anonymity.

Sandeshkhali has been on the boil since early this month following allegations of sexual abuse of women and land grabbing by TMC leaders. Since February 7, the area has been witnessing protests by local women, demanding action against Shahjahan, who is a Zilla Parishad member, and his aides.

Shahjahan has been absconding since January 5 after a mob, allegedly comprising his supporters, attacked an Enforcement Directorate team that had gone to search his premises in a money laundering case pertaining to the multi-crore ration distribution scam.

So far, 18 people, including local TMC leaders Shibaprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar, both close aides of Shahjahan, have been arrested in connection with complaints of sexual assault, land grabbing and inciting violence in Sandeshkhali.

On February 17, director general of police (DGP) Kumar confirmed that charges of gang rape and attempt to murder under sections 376D and 307, respectively, of the Indian Penal Code have been added against Hazra and Sardar.

A second first information report for gang rape was registered against Hazra and his two aides  Amir Ali Gaji and Bhanu Mondol  based on a statement registered by a woman before a magistrate.

The fresh protests came hours after director general of police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar, who visited Sandeshkhali on Wednesday, urged villagers not to take law into their own hands.

I came to speak with the police force. I would urge the people to cooperate with us and tell the police about their grievances. We will try to solve them. I urge people not to take law into their own hands, he told reporters in Kolkata.

On Wednesday, Kumar went to Sandeshkhali police station and held meetings with local officers.

The fresh protests came amid a visit by a team from the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to review complaints of forced land seizures and sexual abuse by local TMC men in the area.

It also coincided with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s protest against the ruling party outside Sandeshkhali police station. State BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar was arrested but later released on bail.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address a gathering at Barasat, around 80 km north west of Sanedshkhali, on March 6, according to Majumdar.

Majumdar was arrested under section 151 of CrPC. He was later released on bail, a senior IPS officer said, seeking anonymity.

We were peacefully protesting when police arrested me. The way police behaved is not desirable in a democracy, Majumdar said.

Late in the evening a BJP delegation led by Majumdar visited Raj Bhavan in Kolkata to meet governor CV Ananda Bose.

Reacting to the BJPs protest, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: The BJP should first ask (leader of opposition) Suvendu Adhikari to surrender. He is named in CBIs FIR in a chit fund case. How can it be that BJP leaders like Adhikari will remain in the open without being arrested and his party will demand the arrest of someone else?
In a move to redefine India's media landscape, Union minister Anurag Singh Thakur on Thursday launched four transformative portals aimed at fostering a more conducive business environment, enhancing transparency in government communication, and providing easy access to authentic government videos. Union Minister Anurag Thakur at the launch event.(PIB)

Addressing a gathering at the launch event, Thakur said that India is viewed as an attractive destination for investment. He attributed this to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transformative governance and economic reforms which have substantially improved the ease of doing business in the country.

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Thakur highlighted the flourishing startup ecosystem and increased investment from both domestic and international entities as testaments to India's economic progress under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

The minister said the governments achievements towards improving ease of doing business have been recognised globally, as evidenced by its improved rankings in international indices like the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index and the Logistic Performance Index. He cited platforms like the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) as evidence of the government's commitment to fostering a level playing field for MSMEs and small businesses.

The four portals launched on Thursday include Press Sewa Portal, Transparent Empanelment Media Planning and eBilling System, NaViGate Bharat Portal, and National Register for LCOs.

Press Sewa Portal, developed under the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 (PRP Act, 2023), automates the process for newspaper registration and related procedures. Key features include online application filing, real-time tracking, and a dedicated module for District Magistrates to manage applications.

Introduced for the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Transparent Empanelment Media Planning and eBilling System streamlines media planning processes and provides an end-to-end ERP solution for the media industry. It includes features such as automated empanelment, media planning, billing, and a mobile app for partners.

Developed by the New Media Wing of the Ministry, NaViGate Bharat Portal serves as a unified bilingual platform hosting videos on the government's development and citizen welfare measures. It offers easy navigation, categorization, seamless video playback, and advanced search functionality.

National Register for LCOs aims to bring registration of Local Cable Operators (LCOs) under a centralized system, promising a more organized cable sector. The online registration facility and National Register for LCOs pave the way for responsible service and convenience for cable operators.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday condemned Israel's onslaught in the Gaza Strip, saying the "genocide" has set a horrendous precedent and will go down as a great shame in the history of the human race. She also slammed the international community for not being able to stop the war. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra(HT File)

"What the international community has allowed in Gaza will go down in history not only as a great shame for the whole of humanity, but as a turning point for the human race," she wrote om X.

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READ | Shashi Tharoor says PM Modi's Israel statement incomplete, explains why

"Being blind to genocide as it is carried out with impunity, turning our backs to the merciless slaughter of thousands of innocent children, refusing to step in while an entire nation starves and begs for help, while hospitals are bombed, doctors tortured and humiliated, and patients allowed to die, enabling an oppressive regime by offering its ships our ports, fueling its inhumane rampage by providing it with more and more funding and arms - all this has now set a horrendous precedent," she said.

All rules of justice, humanity and international decorum have been broken. Humanity has been bled, and each one of us will pay an unimaginable price for this some day unless we raise our voices and stand up for what is right today, Vadra said as she condemned the after-effects of the war in Gaza.

The Congress has consistently supported the people of Palestine since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October last year. The Congress Working Committee (CWC) also passed a resolution supporting the rights of the Palestinian people and calling for a ceasefire in the region.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also issued an official statement on the conflict between Israel and Hamas last year. In an X post, the leader emphasized the urgent need for the conflict to end. Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "The Indian National Congress repeats its call for an immediate cease-fire and for humanitarian assistance to the beleaguered people of Gaza. It calls upon all sides to abandon the path of senseless violence and war and begin the process of negotiations and diplomacy so that the aspirations of the Palestinian people are fulfilled and the security concerns of Israel are also ensured."

READ | 'Israel's action genocidal, India should...': Congress' new statement on Gaza war

The conflict in Gaza escalated after Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 which led to the death of thousands of people. In response, Israel launched a counteroffensive targeting the Hamas terror units.

Speaking about the conflict, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that the war will continue until Hamas is "destroyed", the Times of Israel reported.

"We're continuing the war to the end Until all the goals we set are met: destroying Hamas, releasing our hostages and removing the threat from Gaza," Netanyahu said.

However, the Israeli assault and ground operations in Gaza have drawn criticism from rights groups around the world.

(With inputs from agencies)
The Manipur high court on Wednesday deleted a portion of an earlier order passed by it in March last year directing the state government to consider inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list  an important step amid a bitter ethnic conflict in the state that has claimed at least 215 lives and displaced around 50,000 people since May last year. Smoke billows from a fire that broke out amid clashes between armed groups and security forces, in Manipur, on May 28, 2023. (PTI)

The high court order passed on March 27 is believed to be one of the main triggers for the clashes between the tribal Kuki community, who largely live in the hill districts, and the dominant Meiteis, who largely live in the plains.

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Acting on a review petition filed by six members of Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union, (the same people who had filed a petition last year seeking inclusion of the community in the ST list), justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu passed another order on Wednesday deleting portions of the March 2023 order.

In its March 27 order, the HC order had said: The first respondent (the Manipur government) shall consider the case of the petitioners for inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei community in the scheduled tribe (ST) list, expeditiously, preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

With the Manipur high court recalling this directive on Wednesday, the Manipur government was finally released from its obligation to follow the high court decision that required it to consider adding the Meitei community to the ST list.

In march last year, the government was given less than two months by the high court to comply with the judgment. Then, by an order on May 9, the state government was granted an extension of time by a year. The deadline, therefore, was just over a month away.

But proceedings in the Supreme Court last year played a pivotal role in the review of the March 2023 order. While hearing a bunch of petitions relating to the ethnic strife in the state following the controversial order, the apex court in May last year berated the high court order, observing it was against a previous Constitution bench ruling, and that the high court had exceeded its jurisdiction.

The high courts decision on Wednesday considered the concerns raised by the Supreme Court as it proceeded to remove the contentious part of its 2023 order.

The Manipur high court on Wednesday said that Para 17 (iii) of the March 27 order needs to be reviewed as it was against the observation made in the constitution bench of the Honble Supreme Court.

Accordingly, the direction given at Para No 17 (iii) needs to be deleted and is ordered accordingly for deletion of the Para No 17 (iii) of the judgement and order dated March 27, 2023, the order passed by Manipur high court on Wednesday said.

Calls made to office bearers of MTU, the petitioners in the case, went unanswered. Manipur government spokesperson Sapam Ranjan Singh could not be reached for comments. Khuraijam Athouba, the spokesperson of Coordination Committee for Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a prominent Meitei organisation, said it has no opinion on demand for ST status for the community.

The Meitei claimed they have history way back to 30 AD and that they were advanced race. Such advance group of people now demanding to be a backward class (ST) is absurd and ridiculous. The only ploy for the demand of ST by the Meitei is to grab the tribal lands, because the constitution of India allow tribal lands to be purchase by tribal alone, said Ginza Vualzong of Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), an influential Kuki organisation.
HT brings you a round-up of the most important and interesting stories, so you dont miss your daily dose of news. Volunteers serve food which was prepared at the Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib to farmers at the site of a protest where farmers are demanding better crop prices promised to them in 2021, at Shambhu Barrier, a border crossing between Punjab and Haryana states, India, February 20, 2024. (REUTERS)

1) More unions join stir, up ante over farmers death

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The death of a 21-year-old protester at the Punjab-Haryana border appeared to galvanise disparate farm unions on Thursday as cultivator groups upped the ante of their two-week-long protests, demanding murder charges against the police, chief minister and home minister of Haryana, and announcing a slew of new joint programmes. The call for intensified protests  including a Jan Aakrosh rally on Friday, a nationwide tractor rally on highways on February 26, and a mahapanchayat in Delhis Ramlila Ground on March 14  was given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) which had till Thursday stayed away from the stir. Read more.

2) What is the seat sharing pact between AAP and Congress for Delhi?

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to contest four of the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi and leave the remaining three to its ally, the Congress, as part of a seat-sharing agreement between the two Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc partners, people aware of the matter said on Thursday. The pact  which is likely to be formally announced on Friday  will be the first such alliance between the two erstwhile rivals and the second big agreement clinched in the beleaguered INDIA after an arrangement between the Congress and Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Read more.

3) Manipur HC deletes part of earlier order on inclusion of Meiteis in ST list

The Manipur high court on Wednesday deleted a portion of an earlier order passed by it in March last year directing the state government to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the scheduled tribe (ST) list. The order passed on March 27, 2023, is believed to be one of the main triggers for the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and tribal Kuki communities which broke out in May in which at least 215 lives have been lost to date and over 50,000 displaced. Read more.

4) Congress govt was worthless, got involved in scams', says Amit Shah in Chhattisgarh

Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday lashed out at the previous Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress dispensation in Chhattisgarh, calling it a worthless government. Addressing the Vijay Sankalp Shankhnad rally in Chhattisgarh's Janjgir, Shah said, "The Congress government was a worthless government that never worked to end Naxalism, never worked to give justice to the people of Chhattisgarh but got involved in scams worth rupees lakhs of crores and inflicted injustice upon them." He thanked the voters of the state for electing a BJP government, thereby appealing to them to make saffron party candidates the winners in the Lok Sabha elections. Read more.

5) ED issues 7th summons to CM Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi excise policy probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to the Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in its excise policy money laundering probe asking him to appear before it on February 26, people familiar with the development said on Thursday. The latest (seventh) summons were issued after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener continued to skip interrogation by the financial crimes probe agency since November 2 last year. Read more.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday set an ambitious target for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh as part of his quest for 400 seats for the National Democratic Alliance in the 2024 general elections, saying Indias most populous state had decided to give all 80 seats to his party and hitting out at the Opposition for being dynastic and corrupt. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi on Friday. (ANI)

In a two day-long visit to his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, Modi inaugurated the foundation stones of projects worth 13,000 crore for the Purvanchal region and spoke at three places. He hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent comment on the youth of the state and accused the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) of casteist politics that hurt the progress of Dalits and tribals.

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This time, Modi is giving the guarantee of saturation of benefits. Hence this time, UP has also decided to give all 80 seats to Modi. This means in UP, 100% of the seats will be with the NDA, he said at Karakhiyaon in Varanasi.

ALSO READ- Kashi's renewed capability and form matter of pride for India: PM Modi

Uttar Pradesh, which sends the largest chunk of members to the Lok Sabha, formed the backbone of the BJPs sweeping victories in 2014 and 2019, especially in north India. The BJP won 71 seats in 2014 (73 with allies), its highest tally so far, and 62 (64 with allies) in 2019.

The most impressive Lok Sabha performance in UP has been by the Bharatiya Lok Dal in 1977, when it swept all the 85 seats in the state at the time.

Modi reached the city around 9.50pm on Thursday and reviewed work at 11pm. On Friday, he spoke at a function to commemorate the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, interacted with winners of the Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), inaugurated several projects and addressed a rally at Karkhiyaon. He also used a virtual reality headset to inspect the Kashi Ropeway project.

Attacking Rahul Gandhi for his comment during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on February 20, Modi said, The prince of the royal family of the Congress recently called the youth of Kashi addicts. Those who are not in their senses are calling the children of my Kashi addicts, Modi said. No one will forget this insult to youths and people of the INDI alliance will struggle to save their deposits.

Those who are not in their senses are calling the youth addicts, he said.

ALSO READ- Rahul Gandhi replies to PM Modi's 'who lost senses' swipe: Naani ko nanihaal

Rahul Gandhi had said that he had seen in Varanasi that some young men were inebriated, lying on the streets, and dancing at night. The future of the youth of Uttar Pradesh was getting affected, the Congress leader had added.

Congress Varanasi City unit chief Raghavendra Choubey Modi had misinterpreted Gandhis statement.

We criticise this incorrect interpretation of Rahul jis statement, he said.

Days after the Congress and the Samajwadi Party sealed a seat pact, Modi also attacked the INDIA bloc, saying dynastic parties fought in the name of caste and did not want to allow any Dalit and tribal to move forward.

The people of the INDI alliance, who believe in provoking and fighting in the name of caste, oppose every scheme for Dalits and the deprived. They do politics in the name of caste in the interest of their family, Modi said.

Other than members of their [own] families, the dynastic parties do not want to allow any Dalit or tribal to move ahead, outside their family. Everyone knows who opposed the countrys first tribal woman becoming the President. These are the same dynastic parties, which start remembering Dalits during elections, he said, referring to the presidential polls last year that saw Droupadi Murmu elected as the countrys first tribal president.

We have to be cautious of them. The intentions of our government are clear for the poor, the deprived, the backward and the Dalits, he said after offering prayers at Sant Ravidas temple in Seer Goverdhanpur here on the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas.

ALSO READ- Rajeev Chandrashekhar reacts to Google Gemini's objectionable answer, bias against PM Modi

Modi highlighted his governments contribution to help the poor.

Earlier, the poor were considered the last and the least. Today all the schemes are being made for them. Despite Covid, we arranged free ration for 80 crore (800 million) poor people. We launched Swachh Bharat Yojana campaign, gave the benefit of toilet to every family. Especially Dalit mothers and sisters have benefited from this, because they were the ones who had to go for open defecation. Jal Jeevan Mission is going on for clean water. Piped water was supplied to more than 11 crore (110 million) houses. Ayushman cards have been made. Jan Dhan accounts have been opened, he said.

You must be remembering that when construction of toilets was started, they ridiculed it. They also mocked the Jan Dhan accounts and also opposed Digital India.

At the Sant Guru Ravidas Janmasthali temple near BHU, Modi unveiled a new statue of Sant Ravidas in the adjoining park. He also inaugurated various development works around Sant Ravidas Janmasthali worth about 32 crore and laid the foundation stone for the Sant Ravidas Museum and beautification of park, worth about 62 crore.

Banaras looks like mini-Punjab today. Like you, Ravidas ji calls me again and again to his birthplace. By coming here, one gets an opportunity to carry forward his resolutions and serve his millions of followers.

Born in Varanasi, Ravidas was a mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti movement in the 15th and 16th centuries. Venerated as a spiritual teacher in several regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, he was a poet, social reformer and spiritual figure.

At BHU, Modi emphasised that in the next five years, he will give a new pace to development and create new patterns of success. This is Modis guarantee, and Modis guarantee means guarantee of fulfillment of guarantee, he said.

Observing that Varanasi had emerged as an inspiration for the new India, Modi lauded the progress of the city in the last 10 years.

With the blessings of Mahadev, vikas ka damroo (the drum of development) has been resonating in Kashi for the last 10 years, he said. Noting that Varanasi has made him a Banarasi during his 10-year stint as its MP, Modi pledged his commitment towards improving the lives of the people of Kashi.
India and the US on Friday discussed ways to bolster cooperation on extradition, mobility of students and professionals, and safe and legal migration during their bilateral consular dialogue. The US Issued more than one million visas to Indians in 2023 and currently hosts 270,000 Indian students. (HT file photo)

The 11th round of the consular dialogue held in New Delhi also focused on protecting vulnerable women and children and enabling smooth travel by the nationals of both countries, the external affairs ministry said.

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The dialogue reinforced the strong people-to-people ties and cooperation that both countries share across consular issues of mutual interest, the ministry said in a statement.

Also Read: In Munich, Jaishankar, Antony Blinken discuss West Asia situation, Indo-Pacific

Both sides have stepped up cooperation on extradition and related matters in recent years, people familiar with the matter said.

Safe and legal migration too has assumed significance in light of reports of human trafficking rings trying to send Indian nationals illegally into the US from neighbouring countries, they said.

During the dialogue, the two sides welcomed the launch of a pilot programme in the US to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain categories of visas as proactive steps toward strengthening the connections between the people of the two countries.

The Indian delegation at the talks was led by KJ Srinivasa, joint secretary in consular, passport and visa division in the external affairs ministry, and the US side was led by Rena Bitter, assistant secretary, bureau of consular affairs in the department of state.

Both sides agreed to hold the next consular dialogue in the US next year.

The US Issued more than one million visas to Indians in 2023 and currently hosts 270,000 Indian students.
New Delhi: Pushing for objectivity and accountability in the criminal justice system to prevent needless arrests, the Supreme Court has directed the Union government to inform it whether a new law to facilitate the grant of bail is in the works. The significant intervention of the top court came at a time when numerous arrests and protracted bail application delays cast doubt on the objectivity and efficacy of the judicial approach to such matters. (FILE)

A bench of justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti referred to its July 2022 judgment in which it had called upon the Centre to consider framing a new law on bail for warding off unnecessary arrests, especially in cases where the maximum punishment under the alleged offence is up to seven years in jail.

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The Union is directed to inform the Court as to whether any bail law is in contemplation or under preparation, said the bench in its recent order, which was released on Thursday. It further directed the Centre to inform the court as to whether any assessment has been done to ascertain the requirement of creating more special courts for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case in districts with a high pendency of cases. The court gave the Centre eight weeks to respond. Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra assisted the court as amicus curiae.

In its July 2022 judgment, the top court emphasised that India should never become a police State where investigating agencies act like vestiges of the colonial era, issuing a slew of directions for the investigating agencies and the subordinate courts on arrests and grant of bail.

Uniformity and certainty in the decisions of the court are the foundations of judicial dispensation...The Government of India may consider the introduction of a separate enactment in the nature of a Bail Act so as to streamline the grant of bails, the court said at the time while releasing a set of guidelines in the meantime and seeking compliance reports from states and Union territories.

The significant intervention of the top court came at a time when numerous arrests and protracted bail application delays cast doubt on the objectivity and efficacy of the judicial approach to such matters. The apex court has been routinely stepping in to grant bail in cases where the accused have been languishing behind bars for a long period over charges, including those where the maximum punishment is less than seven years in jail. Some of these recent instances included the grant of bail to journalist and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair, who was arrested in connection to his old tweets, and to old and infirm accused such as Varavara Rao and Sudha Bharadwaj in the Bhima-Koregaon case.

Taking stock of the compliance with its directions against routine arrests by state police and central agencies, the bench in its judgment dated February 13 also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit details of its officials that the agency has acted against for making unnecessary arrests.

It is directed to provide the particulars of First Information Reports (FIRs) of cognisable and non-bailable cases in which the mandate of Sections 41, 41-A of CrPC and Arnesh Kumar judgment has not been followed and consequently to provide the details of necessary actions that have been taken against erring police officers, stated the bench in its order.

Section 41 and 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) along with the 2014 judgment of the Supreme Court in the Arnesh Kumar hold that investigating agencies must refrain from arresting accused for offences entailing punishment up to seven years in jail without first issuing a notice of appearance and then explicitly specifying the need to do so.

In its judgment on February 13, the top court also issued a directive to all states and UTs to comply with a standard operating procedure (SOP) framed by the Centre to alleviate the situation of under trial prisoners by way of establishment of a dedicated empowered committee and funds etc.

Titled Guidelines and standard operating procedure for implementation of the scheme for support to poor prisoners, the SOP envisaged creation of a Central Nodal Agency (CNA) that will provide funds to states and UTs for financial support in cases where the under trials or convicts are forced to remain incarcerated for failing to pay for bail bonds or for payment of fines. An empowered committee, comprising district collector, secretary of the district legal services authority, superintendent of police, superintendent of concerned prison and the judge in-charge of the concerned prison, is suggested to be set up in each district to assess the requirement of the fund in appropriate cases.

The court order also dealt with the reports submitted by various state governments and high courts as regards their compliance with the directives issued by it in the July 2022 judgment, as it directed them to submit fresh reports in the next eight weeks.

The guidelines issued by the court in 2022 obligate police officers to record in writing before arresting the accused in cases where the offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term less than seven years; issuance of a proper notice before a suspect is called for questioning; automatic grant of bail in cases where the accused was not arrested during investigation; adoption of a liberal view in cases pertaining to women and the infirm; disposal of bail applications within two weeks; and disposal of pre-arrest bail applications within six weeks.

At the time, the court further referred to a string of guidelines issued by the Delhi high court in 2018 on the procedure to be followed by the police while seeking presence of a suspect for questioning, and directed that all the states and Union territories issue standing orders for the procedure to be followed before making arrests and summoning suspects.

High courts should also monitor the release of under-trials who have suffered at least half the maximum sentence provided under the offence, directed the bench in 2022, adding the courts should not impose harsh conditions of surety while granting bail.

Once again, we have to reiterate that bail is the rule and jail is an exception coupled with the principle governing the presumption of innocence... Whatever the nature of the offence may be, a prolonged trial, appeal or a revision against an accused or a convict under custody or incarceration, would be violative of Article 21, added the top court in 2022, holding that an inordinate delay in concluding a trial would also be a relevant factor in the grant of bail.
A Dothan teenager is indicted on a charge of capital murder in connection to the discovery of her newborn infants body in a trash compactor last summer.

A Houston County grand jury returned the indictment for Jakayla Ashanti Williams, 18, on Wednesday. She has been held in the Dothan City Jail with no bond since her arrest in late August of last year.

This story is absolutely shocking, Dothan Police Chief Will Benny said. In 27 years of law enforcement, Ive never even heard of something as horrific as this. It shocks the mind; it shocks the soul.

According to Dothan Police, a woman, later identified as Williams, arrived at Southeast Health on Aug. 24 and told an employee she was looking to find a child that she had left at the hospital on Aug. 13. Williams family had just become aware she had given birth and was concerned for the childs safety.

She stated that she had a child and dropped it off at the medical center with a red-headed nurse, Benny said. The family wanted to make sure the child was good and bring the child back into the family.

Investigators determined that Williams did give birth at her home on that date, however, there was no record of her ever going to the hospital and dropping the child off.

Benny said a few hours after she gave birth, Williams wrapped the live child in a blanket, drove to an apartment complex in Dothan, and placed him in a trash compactor at the back of the property.

Williams has no connection to the apartment complex, and its currently unknown why she chose that location.

The body was recovered at the Dothan landfill and transported to the Alabama Department of Forensics to confirm the remains found were the that of Williams baby.

Benny said Williams admitted to investigators that she didnt want the child.

Its just incredible to even believe because she knew she can take a newborn to the hospital and drop it off, Benny said. In Alabama law, there is a no-questions-asked policy. They passed this law to prevent things like this, but she chose not to do that.

Houston County District Attorney Russ Goodman praised the Dothan Police Department for its hard work on this case.

I want to thank Chief Benny and the entire Dothan Police Department, Goodman said. The details of this case are horrific, but investigators worked quickly and diligently given the circumstances of this crime. They did their job well, and thats why we were able to make this arrest. I couldnt ask for a better department to work with.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday cautioned against China's 'mind game of a narrow focus solely on bilateral dynamics, saying India should not forgo its rights of harnessing other factors in the world to get better terms on an equilibrium. External affairs minister S Jaishankar at Raisina Dialogue 2024.

When asked whether would India and China finally find a balance in their relationship, Jaishankar, participating in the Raisina Dialogue 2024, noted China's earlier and more intensive economic expansion, juxtaposing it against India's more recent and evolving growth story.

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But its in the nature of things that at some stage everybody flattens out. So, there will be a period where they will be flattening out and we will be growing, he said.

Read: Multilateral forums need reforms, says Jaishankar

Jaishankar highlighted the inevitability of both nations converging, citing projections by Goldman Sachs suggesting that by 2075, both countries could boast $50 trillion economies.

I am not in denial of what numbers today suggest but if one looks at Goldman Sachs predictions, we both will really be, by about 2075 and up, a $50 trillion economy and plus, and will be too close to each other.

Pointing to the mutual understanding on the border issue established in the late 1980s, the minister noted a departure from this understanding by China in recent years, leading to tensions and subsequent pushback from India.

"There will be occasions where one or the other will do something to press home a particular advantage and the other will resist," Jaishankar remarked. Here's the immediate issue  from late 80s, we had an understanding on the border, precisely because it suited both of us. There was a departure on their side after 30 years in terms of how they behaved on the border and there was a pushback from our side.

Addressing the complexities of maintaining equilibrium, Jaishankar stressed the importance of leveraging external factors to achieve favourable terms in the bilateral relationship.

"The mind games which will be played would be It's just between the two of us and other 190 odd countries in the world don't exist in our relationship. That would be the mind game that would be played," Jaishankar elaborated. I don't think we should play it. If there are other factors in the world which can be harnessed by me to get better terms on an equilibrium, why should I forgo that right?
The Jharkhand high court has dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhis plea seeking dropping of criminal proceedings against him in a defamation case. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (ANI)

Naveen Jha, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, filed the case against Gandhi in 2018 for his allegedly defamatory remarks against Union home minister Amit Shah.

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Justice Ambuj Nath dismissed Gandhis plea on Wednesday but the order was uploaded on the high court website on Friday.

Gandhi challenged the legality, correctness and propriety of an order setting aside a lower courts July 2018 ruling dismissing Jhas petition against Gandhi. Justice Nath said he did not find any illegality in the order.

Gandhis lawyer, Kaushik Sarkhel, said they were yet to decide the further legal course of action.

Gandhis Lok Sabha membership was restored in August last year days after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction in another criminal defamation case filed in Gujarat.

Gandhi approached the top court, challenging the Gujarat high court order that refused to put on hold his conviction and the two-year jail term.
Kashi's capability and form are being embellished again and is a matter of pride for the entire country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita at the Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, PM Modi said, Seeing you (students) all makes me proud and gives immense satisfaction that you all will take the country to newer heights during 'Amrit Kaal'.

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You know that we are just 'nimitt matr' (only means). The 'doer' in Kashi is Mahadev. Wherever there is Mahadev's blessing, that land turns prosperous just like this. Right now, Mahadev is very happy. So with his blessings, in 10 years, Kashi saw the 'damru' of development playing in all directions.

PM Modi distributed prizes to winners of Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita during his visit to Varanasi. He congratulated all winners of the competition and also extended wishes to their parents on their wards' win.

After the ceremony, PM Modi will perform pooja and darshan at Sant Guru Ravidas Janmasthali and attend a public function commemorating the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas.

He is scheduled to visit Banas Kashi Sankul, a milk processing unit of Banaskantha District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd built at UPSIDA Agro Park. This will be followed by a public function where the prime minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than 13,000 crore in his parliamentary constituency.

The development projects include four laning and six laning of sections of multiple highways, ROB on the Varanasi- Jaunpur rail section near Babatpur, construction of Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway Package-1, inauguration of LPG Bottling Plant by HPCL in Sewapuri and silk fabric printing common facility centre for weavers.

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of multiple projects for the beautification of Varanasi including the rejuvenation of ponds and redevelopment of parks; and for the design and development of 3-D Urban Digital map and database.
A speech by Kashmiri activist and journalist Yana Mir in the UK Parliament went viral as she concluded it by asserting that she is not a Malala Yusufzai and she will never become one because she is free and safe in Kashmir, in India. "I am not a Malala Yusufzai because I am free and I am safe in my country, in my homeland Kashmir, which is part of India. I will never need to run away from my country and seek refuge in your country, honourable MPA. I will never ever be a Malala Yusufzai but I object to Malala Yusufzai defaming my country, my progressing homeland by calling it oppressed," Yana Mir said. Yana Mir's speech in which she slammed the international community for defaming India over J&K went viral.

"I object to all such toolkit members on social media and from foreign media who never cared to visit Indian Kashmir but fabricate stories of oppression from there. I urge you all to stop polarising Indians on the grounds of religion. We won't allow you to break us," Yana Mir said at the Sankalp Divas event held in the UK Parliament.

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While the speech went viral, many social media users claimed that Yana Mir is not a Kashmiri Muslim and her actual name is Yana Mirchandani.

BJP media in-charge for Kashmir Sajid Yousuf Shah said because of the viral speech, Yana Mir already received threats. "Two minutes of Yana Mir's @MirYanaSY video in the UK Parliament has taken the internet by storm. Pakistan and its propaganda machinery have issued threats to #YanaMir. It seems the "Toolkit gang" has been quite active for the past 48 hours. More power to you Yana," he tweeted.

In the viral speech, Yana Mir said she hoped that perpetrators living in the UK and Pakistan would stop maligning India in international media or on international human rights forums. "Stop unwanted selective outrage. Stop trying to polarise Indian society remotely from your cosy UK living rooms. Thousands of Kashmiri mothers have lost their sons already because of this dark hole of terrorism. Stop coming after us. Let my Kashmiri community live in peace," Yana said.

Who is Yana Mir? Going by her social media profiles, Yana Mir is a Kashmiri activist, political analyst, TedX speaker and journalist.

(With ANI inputs)
A local committee secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) in Keralas Kozhikode district was hacked to death late on Thursday night near the premises of a temple, police said. Police has suspected personal enmity behind the murder and one person has been arrested. (Representative file photo)

Police has suspected personal enmity behind the murder and one person has been arrested.

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PV Sathyanathan, Koyilandy Central local secretary of the CPI(M), was attacked with a sharp weapon around 10pm near the Cheriyapuram temple premises in Peruvattoor where a festival was underway.

The CPI(M) leader was reportedly attacked on his back and neck by the accused while the former was enjoying a musical programme in connection with the temple festival.

Also Read: Three of a family axed to death in Jharkhands Gumla village: Police

Sathyanathan succumbed to injuries on his way to the Koyilandy taluk hospital.

The body has been shifted to the Kozhikode Medical College hospital where the autopsy is underway.

A man named Abhilash has been arrested and charged with murder. He will be produced in court today, said an officer at the Koyilandy police station.

CPI (M) district secretary P Mohanan told reporters, We believe that the accused held a personal grudge against Sathyanathan and carried out this brutal murder. The police investigation will reveal more details about other motives behind the murder. The accused was a member of the party seven years ago. He was expelled then.

The CPI (M) called for a bandh in Koyilandy on Friday.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to release dates for the Lok Sabha elections after March 13, according to a report in India Today. The Election Commission of India. (File photo)

It must be noted that officials of the central poll panel are currently undertaking visits to various states to review poll preparedness. Currently, they are in Tamil Nadu, after which they will go to Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

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These visits are scheduled to be completed before March 13, the report stated. The poll schedule, therefore, is likely to be announced on or after the said date.

For the previous 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the ECI declared dates on March 10 that year. The polling to elect representatives to the 543-seat Lok Sabha was held across seven phases, between April 11 and May 19 (both dates included). The counting of votes and result declaration took place on May 23.

Additionally, in 2019, around 912 million (91.2 crore) people were eligible to vote, of whom more than 67% exercised their right to franchise. This year, around 970 million (97 crore) people are eligible to poll, as per ECI data.

Also Read: Mallikarjun Kharge says BJP to win just 100 Lok Sabha seats

Also, states such as Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim, will hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls.
Singh (21), a native of Bathinda, was killed and 12 police personnel injured in clashes at Khanauri border point on the Punjab-Haryana border on Wednesday. The incident took place when some protesting farmers were trying to head towards barricades. HT Image

"The family of Shubhkaran Singh, who got martyred during the farmer's movement on the Khanauri border, will be given financial assistance of 1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against culprits," Mann said in a post in Punjabi.

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Farmer leaders were demanding financial compensation for the kin of Singh and a government job for a member of his family, besides registration of a case against those who were responsible for his death.

They had also demanded "martyr" status for Singh, who hailed from Ballo village in Bathinda.

The post-mortem of Singh, whose body was kept in a mortuary of Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, was delayed as the farmers pressed for acceptance of their demands.

The chief minister on Wednesday said he was saddened by the death of the young farmer and asserted that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for it.

"After the post-mortem, a case will be registered. Those officials responsible for his death will have to face stringent action," Mann had said.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for crops and a farm loan waiver.

Farmer leaders on Wednesday put the 'Delhi Chalo' march on hold for two days after a protester was killed and about 12 police personnel injured in clashes at Khanauri and had also said that they would decide their next course of action on Friday evening.

Thousands of farmers remain camped at Khanauri and Shambhu with their tractor-trolleys and trucks agitating for their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops and farm debt waiver.

The Punjab farmers are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, 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.
New Delhi: India on Friday advised its citizens to stay away from getting caught up in the Russia-Ukraine conflict following reports that Indian nationals who secured support jobs with the Russian Army had been forced to fight alongside Russian troops. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (File Photo)

The external affairs ministry acknowledged that a few Indians had signed up for support jobs with the Russian Army and that the Indian embassy in Moscow has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge.

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We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement that made no direct reference to Ukraine. The ministry said the statement was issued in response to media queries regarding Indians caught in conflict in Russia.

According to media reports, several Indians who had signed up as security helpers with the Russian military, were forced to fight beside Russian troops along the border with Ukraine. Indian nationals have also been stranded at several places along the Russia-Ukraine border, such as Mariupol, Kharkiv and Rostov-on-Dov.

Unconfirmed reports have suggested there were some casualties among the Indian nationals.

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and MP Asaduddin Owaisi and the Karnataka government have approached the external affairs ministry to bring back the Indians caught in the fighting. Several of these Indians belong to Karnataka, Telangana, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge and relatives of some of the Indians have said they were sent to Russia by recruitment agents. Kharge said they had been recruited by Wagner Group, the Russian state-funded private military company, to fight against Ukraine.

Earlier, there were reports of up to 200 men from Nepal being recruited by the Russian military. Nepals foreign ministry acknowledged in December that six Nepalese nationals serving in the Russian Army were killed in the war with Ukraine.

The Nepal government has urged Russia not to recruit Nepalese citizens into its military and to return those who were already serving in the army.

The war triggered by Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 is set to enter its third year on Saturday. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has verified 30,457 civilian casualties, including 10,582 killed and 19,875 injured since the war began.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi passed away on Friday due to age-related health complications. He was 86. Joshis health has been fragile since May 2023 when he suffered brain haemorrhage. Joshi suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday and was admitted to the ICU of P D Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai. Joshi served as chief minister from 1995 to 1999 and was the first leader from the undivided Shiv Sena to occupy the top post in the state. Former Maharashtra CM Manohar Joshi. (Photo: Ajay Aggarwal 02.12.2003)

Farmers protest

The death of a 21-year-old protester at the Punjab-Haryana border appeared to galvanise disparate farm unions on Thursday. Cultivator groups upped the ante of their two-week-long protests, demanding murder charges against the police, as well as the chief minister and home minister of Haryana. All eyes are now on whether the unions decide to resume their attempted march to the national capital after a two-day pause. The call for intensified protests was given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) which had till Thursday stayed away from the stir. SKM has called for a Jan Aakrosh rally on Friday, a nationwide tractor rally on highways on February 26, and a mahapanchayat in Delhis Ramlila Ground on March 14.

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Moon landing

A commercial spaceship landed near the moon's south pole but managed to send a weak signal back. The flight controllers scrambled to gain better contact with the first US spacecraft to reach the lunar surface in more than 50 years. There was no immediate word from the company on the condition or even the exact location of the lander. Mission director Tim Crain said the team was evaluating how to refine the lone signal from the lander, named Odysseus. The landing put the US back on the surface for the first time since NASA's famed Apollo moonwalkers. Intuitive Machines also became the first private business to pull off a lunar landing, a feat achieved by only five countries.

India vs England

Uncapped pace bowler Akash Deep has emerged as the frontrunner to partner Mohammed Siraj in the fourth Test against England after he was seen sweating it out during optional training on Thursday. India have been forced to hand debut caps to Rajat Patidar, Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan so far because to the absence of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. With pace spearhead Jaspit Bumrah too being rested for the Ranchi Test, Akash Deep could also be in line for the coveted Test spot. England team meanwhile named fast bowler Ollie Robinson for the fourth Test against India in Ranchi starting Friday with spinner Shoaib Bashir also getting the nod. Robinson replaces Mark Wood, who has played in two of the India Tests, while Bashir comes in for Rehan Ahmed.

Maharashtra Bhushan Award

Veteran actor Ashok Saraf was on Thursday night presented the Maharashtra Bhushan Award for 2023, the highest civilian honour of the state. Saraf has acted in more than 250 Marathi films and is known for his impeccable comic timing. In an acting career spanning nearly five decades, Saraf has also featured in several Hindi films and popular comedy-drama television series 'Hum Paanch', among others. The prestigious award, comprising a cash prize of 25 lakh, a medal and a citation, was presented to the celebrated actor at the fifty-seventh Maharashtra State Marathi Film Awards ceremony in Mumbai by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Bhopal: A family court in Madhya Pradeshs Indore has directed a woman, who runs a beauty parlour, to pay a monthly maintenance of 5,000 to her husband, a Class XII pass out, after separation. HT Image

The court agreed with Aman Kumar, 23, who claimed he dropped out of college at the insistence of his wife and was unemployed but that his wife Nandini, 22, a graduate, was running a beauty parlour in Indore.

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The petitioners lawyer, Manish Zarole, said: A resident of Ujjain, Aman became friends with Nandini through a common friend in 2020. Nandini proposed marriage. Aman did not want to marry but Nandini threatened to kill herself if he didnt agree. In July 2021, they got married in Arya Samaj Mandir and started living in Indore .

Aman alleged in his plea that Nandini and her family started harassing him soon after marriage and stopped him from continuing his studies. He left home and returned to his parents house in September 2021, just two months after the marriage. The two have been living apart since then.

After Aman left home, Nandini lodged a missing report at the police station. Aman, in turn, filed a complaint at a police station in Ujjain, accusing Nandinis family of harassing him, and also filed a plea before the family court for divorce and maintenance.

Meanwhile,in December 2021, Nandini also filed a case of domestic violence against Aman in Indore.

In December last year, Aman filed a petition in the Indore court seeking that his marriage be held null and void. During the hearing on Wednesday, Nandini told the court that she wanted to live with Aman and save her marriage.

Nandini lied before the court that she was unemployed and that Aman used to work. The court rejected her plea as there were many contradictions in her statements, said Zarole. This is a unique case. In this case, the court also ordered Nandini to pay an additional amount as litigation expenses.

Nandini said she wanted to save her married life and didnt reveal many things in court which she would in a higher court when she challenged the order.

Under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, both men and women can claim maintenance.

In 2020, a public interest litigation was filed in the Supreme Court seeking gender and religion neutral uniform provision for maintenance and alimony and has sought a response from the Central government.
A former area firefighter was sentenced this week after a jury found him guilty of rape and sodomy in late 2023.

Houston County Judge John Steensland sentenced Steven Hallford to 21 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Hallford, 53, of Dothan, is charged with two counts of first-degree rape and four counts of first-degree sodomy. He is accused of committing multiple sex crimes against a 57-year-old woman confined to a wheelchair in 2020, according to police.

Hallford, a former Dothan Fire Department employee for more than 20 years, was arrested while on duty with the Slocomb Fire/Rescue Department in October. He was not employed with the Dothan Fire Department when the alleged crimes were reported. He is also a former firefighter-paramedic with the Headland Fire/Rescue Department.

According to police, Hallford and the victim lived in the same area at Pointe South Trailer Park and the two were acquaintances.

The victim placed an emergency medical call saying she fell out of her wheelchair, said Dothan police Capt. Will Glover after Hallfords arrest. An officer responded along with fire/rescue to the scene. Once the victim was medically checked out, the victim then confided in the officer and reported the sexual crimes. The victim said she had been sexually assaulted several times over the past year.
Haldwani: The Uttarakhand police have identified an NGO which allegedly collected funds for the violence in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura areas earlier this month. The police, in a statement released on social media, warned the benefactors of the non-profit that those donated are being identified. Aftermath of the Banbhoolpura area after a curfew was imposed following the violence over the demolition of an 'illegal' madrassa and an anti-encroachment drive, in Haldwani.(File photo)

"A video is being circulated on social media in which a young man is distributing money among the people in Banbhoolpura area. Police are investigating in this regard. Information related to the NGO's account number, registration number, PAN number has also been given to the Income Tax Department and other agencies, by which necessary action is being taken," the police said in a statement.

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The police said "those donating to Hyderabad Youth Courage NGO" are being identified.

Action is being taken to seize the account and registration number of the said NGO, it added.

The police said they will act against those who accept the money illegally, support the rioters and post misleading facts on social media about the violence.

Also read: Haldwani violence was pre-planned, mob did not try to save structure, they just attacked us: District magistrate

"Therefore, everyone is requested not to support such NGOs in any way," they said.

On Wednesday, the police arrested six people in connection with the February 8 violence. 74 people have been arrested so far.

Four people died and 250 policemen sustained injuries after violence broke out when the authorities were demolishing an illegal madrassa.

The police had to clamp a curfew and issue a shoot-at-site order to contain the situation.

A police station was also burnt down.

Meanwhile, the local municipal body has issued a recovery notice of 2.44 crore against Abdul Malik, a key accused in the violence.

On Thursday, the police filed a fresh case of fraud and criminal conspiracy against six people, including Malik.

They have been booked criminal conspiracy and fraudulently using a dead man's name for illegal plotting, construction and transfer of land, Nainital SSP Prahlad Narayan Meena said. The accused have been charged with hatching a criminal conspiracy to mislead the government departments and the court on the basis of false affidavits, he said.

With inputs from agencies
Silchar: In one of the major drug hauls this year, the Assam Police on Friday said that they seized 4.765kg heroin from the Cachar district near the Assam-Mizoram state border and arrested one person in connection. Police found 30 soap boxes and four leather bags containing 4.765 kgs of heroin (HT Photo)

Taking to X, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said, wrote, Based on credible intelligence, Cachar Police conducted an operation in the wee hours today and apprehended a suspect in Dholai.

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Sarma said that police seized 30 soap boxes and four leather bags containing 4.765 kgs of suspected heroin from a vehicle coming from a neighbouring state. According to him, the seized narcotics can be valued up to 24 crore in illegal markets.

According to the police, the consignment came from Mizorams Aizawl, and it was heading towards West Bengal.

The narcotics were transported from the neighbouring state in small amounts and the peddlers kept it at a house in Cachar, said the superintendent of police (SP), Numal Mahatta.

We received the information last night and launched an operation at around 3am, he said.

The arrested person has been identified as Md Abdul Hussain Laskar (35), a resident of Islamabad village of Dholai, according to the police.

He has been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and in the initial interrogation, it has been found that some other locals were also involved in transporting this consignment, Mahatta said.

Mahatta said the Assam Police in the past have arrested residents of the neighbouring Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and other states along with the locals with drugs and other narcotic products near the state borders.

We keep a strict vigil on each of these activities. The smugglers often make attempts, and they keep changing their modus operandi. We study their methods and manage to catch them, he said.
A fresh row erupted over Sandeshkhali on Friday as several women leaders including BJP MP Locker Chatterjee were detained on their way to the area citing Section 144. Women in Sandeshkhali have been protesting for the past few days against Trinamool strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides for land grabbing and sexual assault. Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh said probably the instruction from Delhi is to keep the Sandeshkhali issue alive until Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in West Bengal in March as every day BJP leaders are lining up to visit Sandeshkhali. PM Modi will be in West Bengal on March 1 and 2 as part of his official programme and will address a women's rally on March 6 in North 24 Parganas. Sandeshkhali is in North 24 Parganas. BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and a team of BJP women leaders were stopped on their way to Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, on Friday.

"Locket Chatterjee does not go to her constituency but goes to Sandeshkhali to get a photoshoot. So they will go every day, provoke the people and stage some drama," Kunal Ghosh said.

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The women's team that was on its way to Sandeshkhali on Friday included MP Locket Chatterjee, MLA Agnimitra Paul, general secretary & MLA Madhuchandra Kar, vice-president, advocate Priyanka Tibrewal, state secretary Sonali Murmu, Falguni Patra, and Paromita Dutta.

West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar was at Sandeshkhali on Friday as fresh protests against Shahjahan started in some parts. Police have arrested 18 people so far in connection with the land grabbing and sexual assault -- including two TMC leaders and a close aide of Shahjahan. Shahjahan has been absconding since January when ED first raided his house.

West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumder was detained on Thursday for leading a protest against the Sandeshkhali incidents. "The police picked us up by force. I was arrested and made to sign a bail bond before I was released. We were arrested for sitting on a dharna here. We will continue to raise our voices and protest until our workers are allowed to visit Sandeshkhali."

The ED on Friday filed a fresh case against Shahjahan Sheikh and conducted searches at several locations in the state.
Wounds caused by metal pellets were found on the upper body of several injured farmers, according to medico-legal reports (MLR) issued by hospitals in Patiala, which HT has seen. Police fire tear gas to disperse protesting farmers at Shambhu border on Wednesday. (PTI)

The reports contradict contentions by Haryana director general of police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur, who denied the use of pellet guns, and said the Haryana police was using minimum force to control the agitating farmers on the Punjab-Haryana interstate borders.

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Pellets, which are less than 3mm in diameter, are fired from shotguns and are usually of two kinds: bare metal pellets and rubber-coated metal pellets. These are usually used by the Army and paramilitary as a crowd-control measure, and as a practice, are aimed mostly on lower limbs. But the MLR reports of several injured farmers state that pellet injuries were found on their face and forehead too.

The disclosures come at a time when farmer groups, gathered in thousands at the Haryana-Punjab border crossings at Shambhu and Khanauri have paused their protests after the death of a 21-year-old protester at the latter. The death prompted farmer unions to announce new agitations on Friday and next month, when they plan to hold a mahapanchayat in Delhi.

An MLR report, drafted by a physician, is considered the written evidence for legal proceedings.

In one of the MLRs, issued at Rajpura Civil Hospital, it was mentioned that pellets were found on the dorsal (back), forehead and index finger of an injured farmer. The patient, according to the report, was referred to the hospital from Shambhu protest site.

A doctor at Rajpura civil hospital told HT that metal pellets were removed from the body of one of the patients. In another MLR, issued at Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, it was mentioned that pellets had caused multiple abrasions on the upper body of a patient brought from Khanauri. Some of the pellets (made of metal) had gone deep inside the body. We could remove only the superficial ones, said a surgeon at Government Rajindra Hospital.

A similar MLR of a patient from Khanauri, issued at Rajindra, reads, Multiple punctured lacerated wounds of size 0.3x0.2cm were present on the left thigh. The report further highlights that the patient was injured on the Khanauri border during farmers protest due to firearm injury.

A senior doctor of the ophthalmology (eye) department of Government Rajindra Hospital, pleading anonymity, said A metal pellet had perforated the cornea of one of the patients. Even the X-ray of the injured eye showed it was a pellet.

Dr HS Rekhi, medical superintendent, Government Rajindra Hospital, while talking to HT, said, There were many cases of farmers who had suffered pellet injuries. We are issuing MLRs to keep a record of all injured farmers.

Special DGP (law and order), Punjab, Arpit Shukla said that the pellet gun is usually a part of anti-riot equipment. These are used for crowd control. If hit from a close range, pellets can prove fatal, he said.

When asked about the MLRs of injured farmers that showed pellet injury, the special DGP said, I have received information that only tear gas shells and rubber bullets have been used against the farmers. I will get more details on this.

A senior Haryana Police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: We are aware of the development but have not received a formal report. We are looking into the matter and a probe already underway.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend an outreach programme organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party s womens wing on March 6 in West Bengal, people aware of the details said on Thursday. Ahmedabad, Feb 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, in Ahmedabad on Thursday. (ANI Photo) (ANI)

The PMs visit comes at a time when the BJP has launched a campaign against the Mamata Bannerjee government over law and order in Sandeshkhali, where a number of women have accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates of assault, land grab and, according to some reports, sexual violence.

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Over the past week, the BJP has intensified its campaign in Sandeshkhali, seeking police action against Sheikh and the resignation of the chief minister.

The PM is expected to be in the state on March 6, where he will address the women karyakartas of the party. The venue is yet to be finalised, as issues related to the security details and the state governments permission are being sorted out, said a party functionary, requesting anonymity.

The PMs speech will be live telecast to every block, and the event will be preceded by a series of events in the state, people aware of the details said.

ALSO READ: View: Radical politics the driver in Punjab & Canada, the target is PM Modi

The PMs visit will be a huge boost to our cadre that has been at the receiving end of political violence perpetrated by the TMC. In the past five years, there has been a significant increase in support for the BJP. People now see the BJP as a party that can offer better law and order and corruption-free administration, said a state leader, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In the 2021 assembly polls, the BJP won 77 seats and the TMC 213.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 18 of the 42 seats, its best-ever showing. The TMC won 22.

A second leader said the state unit of the party, which has overcome internal differences, is geared for a fierce electoral battle against the TMC. The party unit is united and prepared and the PMs presence will act as force multiplier, the second leader said.

Apart from the PM, party president JP Nadda and Union home minister Amit Shah will also attend outreach programmes across the country being organised by various wings of the BJP. The youth wing will organise a programme on March 4 in Nagpur, while the other backward classes (OBC) wing will organise an event in Patna the next day, which is likely to be attended by Shah, people aware of the matter said.
Varanasi: Addressing an event in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Opposition's INDIA bloc works for their families, not for the welfare of the people of the country. PM Modi in Varanasi: Yogi Adityanath sharing stage with the prime minister. (PTI)

"Today every Dalit and every backward person of the country has to keep one more thing in mind. In our country, the people of the INDI alliance, who believe in instigating and fighting in the name of caste, oppose the schemes for the benefit of Dalits and the deprived. In the name of the welfare of the poor, these people do politics for their family," he said at an event to commemorate Sant Ravidas' 647th birth anniversary.

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After initial hiccups, the INDIA bloc appears to be taking shape in several states. The Congress and AAP's alliance talks in Delhi are in the last stage. The Congress has also finalised an alliance in Uttar Pradesh with the Samajwadi Party.

The BJP calls the INDIA bloc an unnatural alliance, alluding to the internal rivalries of its constituents.

"Today our government is taking forward the ideas of Sant Ravidas ji. The BJP government is for everyone, the BJP government's schemes are for everyone," he said.

Also read: Kashi's renewed capability and form matter of pride for India: PM Modi

He said his government's mantra is -- 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Effort'.

The Prime Minister stated that equality comes only by giving priority to the deprived society and that his government has been committed to serving every section of society and their development.

"In the last 10 years, work has been done keeping in mind those people who remained away from the stream of class development. Earlier, the poor were considered last, today the biggest schemes have been made for them," he said.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi visited BHU and distributed prizes to the winners of Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita. He also launched two books.

PM Modi will inaugurate or lay the foundation of projects worth 13000 crore in Varanasi.

With inputs from ANI
HALDWANI: A widely-circulated video of a man from a non-governmental organisation seen distributing cash to people affected due to the Banbhulpura violence has prompted the Nainital police to launch an investigation into the non-profit, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. Haldwani:Five people were killed and 150 were injured in the violence in Banbhulpura area of Haldwani district on the evening of February 8 (PTI)

According to the police, the man, identified as Salman Khan, a resident of Hyderabad, was seen distributing cash - mostly bundles of 100 and 200 currency notes - to people in the Banbhulpura area on February 20.

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After this, the police took Salman Khan into custody and questioned him. He claimed that he runs an NGO in Hyderabad by the name of Hyderabad Youth Courage.

Khan was released on Thursday. Instead, the Nainital police turned its attention to the NGO.

A statement by the district police said it has handed over the registration number, Permanent Account Number and bank account number of the NGO to the income tax department for investigation.

Prahlad Narayan Meena, senior superintendent of police of Nainital said, An action has been initiated to seize the bank account of Hyderabad Youth Courage. Those funding NGOs are also being traced. Later, action will be taken to cancel the registration of the NGO.

The Income tax department has been asked to investigate by providing details of the NGOs account number, registration number and PAN number. Other agencies have also been asked to investigate by giving them information about Salman and his NGO, he said.

A statement issued by Nainital Police also asked people not to donate to the NGO. Strict action will be taken against people who take money, support rioters and misrepresent facts on social media.

Five people were killed and 150 were injured in the violence in Banbhulpura area of Haldwani district on the evening of February 8, when civic authorities razed two structures  Masjid Mariam (mosque) and Abdul Razzaq Zakaria madrasa  alleging that they were illegally built on state government (nazool) land.

As workers from the Haldwani Municipal Corporation and Nainital administration razed the 20-year-old structure, residents of the area set afire several vehicles, a police station and hurled stones at the demolition team as well as police personnel, according to police.

The district administration is also preparing to seize the assets of Abdul Malik, the man alleged to be the mastermind of the violence to recover  2. 44 crore for the losses incurred to the property of Haldwani Municipal Corporation.

Paritosh Verma, sub-district magistrate Haldwani said, As the person to whom the recovery notice has been issued is absconding, therefore the notice will be pasted at Abdul Maliks house. We have started collecting details of his movable and immovable property. Preliminary investigation has revealed that Abdul Maliks house was built on Nazool land. Details of the movable and immovable property and his bank accounts are being collected. Then the process to recover  2.44 crore will be started.
Fresh protests rocked West Bengals Sandeshkhali village on Friday as local women demanded the arrest of absconding Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, set fire to a hut next to a fish farm allegedly owned by the strongmans brother and thrashed another leader of the ruling party. Police detain BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and other BJP Mahila Morcha members on their way to Sandeshkhali, at Bhojerhat in South 24 Parganas district (PTI)

The developments came even as senior police officers visited the North 24 Paraganas village and director general of police Rajeev Kumar urged people not to take the law into their own hands.

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In Bermajur village, a group of angry protesters, largely local women armed with lathis and brooms, protested on the streets, and set fire to the thatched hut, levelling multiple allegations against Shahjahans family.

ALSO READ- DGP said cant arrest Shah Jahan': NCW chief's big claim on Sandeshkhali case

Shahjahan, his brother Sirajuddin and their aides forcefully grabbed our lands and turned them into fish farms. Those who refuse to give their lands were beaten up, one women, who did not want to be identified, said.

The protesters also heckled local TMC leader Ajit Maity, and his family-members. Bricks were hurled at his house and his motorcycle was damaged. They heckled and my family just because I am with the TMC and work with Sirajuddin, Maity told reporters.

Barasat range DIG Bhaskar Mukherjee said: We have arrested five people on the basis of a complaint lodged by Maity.

Visuals of the incident showed a mob heckling Maity and his son. His wife was also there.

ALSO READ- Order from Delhi is to keep Sandeshkhali issue alive until....: Trinamool

Jhupkhali , another village across the river, saw similar protests as villagers demanded Shahjahans arrest. Roads were blocked with motorcycle tyres burnt, and altercations with the police. The state police clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in nine pockets across five villages.

Rajeev Kumar, who toured Sandeshkhali on Wednesday, returned to the area on Friday along with other senior West Bengal officers.

Rule of law has to be established. If a person has some grievances, it doesnt mean they can ransack the property of another person. Register your complaint and we will take strong action. We will set up a police camp here. But I request that please dont take the law in your own hands, he said.

Sandeshkhali has been on the boil since on January 5 after an Enforcement Directorate team arrived to arrest Shahjahan was attacked by a violent mob, injuring three officials.

Since February 7, the area erupted in violent protest with locals demanding action against the absconding TMC leader and his aides, accusing them of sexual abuse and landgrabbing.

So far, 18 people, including local TMC leaders Shibaprasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar, both close aides of Shahjahan, have been arrested in connection with complaints of sexual assault, land grabbing and inciting violence in Sandeshkhali.

On February 17, Rajeev Kumar confirmed that charges of gang rape and attempt to murder under sections 376D and 307, respectively, of the Indian Penal Code were added against Hazra and Sardar. A second FIR for gang rape was registered against Hazra and his two aides  Amir Ali Gaji and Bhanu Mondol  based on a statement registered by a woman before a magistrate.

In January, ED issued a lookout notice against Shajahan, and on Friday, registered a fresh case of land-grabbing against him.

ALSO READ- Sandeshkhali unrest: Villagers thrash TMC leader as agitation intensifies

On Friday, a six member National Human Rights Commission team travelled to Sandeshkhali, and spoke to villagers on the allegations of sexual abuse. BJP member of parliament Locket Chatterjee, however, was detained on her way to the area. Why is Shahjahan not being arrested? Under whose protection is he still roaming free. The chief minister knows everything. Despite being a woman herself, the chief minister never went to Sandeshkhali and stood beside the victims who are also village women, Chatterjee told reporters.

West Bengal minister Chandrima Bhattacharya rejected the charges, saying that the state government was taking steps to restore normalcy in Sandeshkhali but the Opposition was attempting to take advantage of the situation before the Lok Sabha elections. They are sending teams to provoke the villagers and trigger tension so that the state government can be maligned. The director general of police has himself rushed to the spot and spoke to villagers, the minister said.
West Bengal's Sandeshkhali has been on the boil with massive unrest for over 10 days as women protestors are seeking justice against alleged sexual assault committed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters. Protesters thrash TMC leader Ajit Maity.(ANI)

Read here: BJP denies association with man held for running sex racket in Bengal

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As the protest continued on Friday, the protesters broke through fences and manhandled TMC leader Ajit Maity. As per the visuals shared by the news agency ANI, the villagers can be seen ransacking Maity's house and beating him with slippers as protests continued in the Bermajur area of Sandeshkhali.

Maity, who is an MLA from Paschim Medinipur's Pingla assembly constituency, claimed that the protesters were making false allegations about him. While reacting to his physical assault, he said that he was attacked because he belonged to the TMC. He further said that his daughter has exams but is now scared that they will be attacked again.

"I was attacked because I am TMC leader. My bike was vandalised and they also attacked my wife. My daughter has exams but she is scared now that we will get attacked again. They also set fire to one of my storage rooms(Aara Ghar). They were making false allegations about me. Let there be a probe and if I am guilty, Police can arrest me," Maity told the news agency.

Meanwhile, the villagers also clashed with the police and tried to prevent their vehicles from passing through the area.

"We did not stop them initially. We just wanted to talk to them about why they were detaining our boys without any charge. They did not listen. The police vehicle ran over a woman's feet. We want to talk to them," a woman protester told ANI.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been demanding president's rule in the state over the disruptive law and order situation and slammed the state chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her silence on the Sandeshkhali violence. The saffron party alleged that women in Bengal are unsafe and accused the police of looting the houses of women who are giving news interviews about their ordeal.

Earlier today, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee was detained by the police on her way to Sandeshkhali.

Read here: Mamata did not meet us: Sandeshkhali women say risky to live in village

"I was detained by police without any information. I will go to Sandeshkhali. Why has Mamata Banerjee not spoken in support of the women in Sandeshkhali? If Mamata Banerjee being a woman CM has not gone there, then we have to go there being a public servant," Chatterjee said.

Meanwhile, the police so far have arrested 18 people for their alleged involvement in violent protests. The ED on Friday filed a fresh case against Shahjahan Sheikh and conducted searches at several locations in the state.

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 in January this year.

(With inputs from ANI)
The Supreme Court has left it to the states and union territories (UTs) to decide on setting up community kitchens to tackle hunger and starvation deaths while dismissing a public interest litigation (PIL). The PIL sought such kitchens across the country for food and nutritional security. The Supreme Court. (ANI)

A bench of justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal on Thursday refused to examine the issue maintaining that the scope of judicial review in examining policy matters is very limited. It expressed satisfaction with central and state schemes providing food to marginalised sections.

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We have not examined whether the concept of Community Kitchens is a better or wiser alternative available to the states to achieve the object of National Food Security Act...(NFSA). Rather, we would prefer to leave it open to the states/UTs to explore such alternative welfare schemes as may be permissible under the NFSA, it said.

When the NFSA with a right based approach for providing food and nutritional security is in force and when other welfare schemes under the said Act have also been framed and implemented by the Union of India and the states to ensure access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity, we do not propose to give any further direction in that regard.

In October 2021, the court directed the Union government to have a meeting with stakeholders to consider the feasibility of community kitchens or other similar schemes to provide subsidised food to people without the financial wherewithal to sustain their lives.

The court sought status reports from states even as it expressed concerns over malnutrition among children. It dismissed concerns about starvation deaths relying on the state affidavits saying no such fatalities were reported.

The Union government informed the court that it is committed to addressing the concerns raised in the petition while listing out social welfare schemes.

The court cited a systematic legal framework under the NFSA for the implementation of schemes and programmes such as the Mid-day Meal Scheme. ...we do not propose to direct the states/UTs to implement the concept of Community Kitchens.

Global Hunger Index 2023 ranked India 111th out of 125 countries even as the government dismissed the ranking as erroneous.

The Union government told the court about the Cash Transfer of Food Subsidy Rules, which enable the states to provide food subsidies in cash directly into the bank accounts of entitled households to purchase food grains from the open market.
Cyber security is typically considered a space dominated by spectacled, young men in dark rooms. These stereotypes hinder the entry of more women in cybersecurity, as well as the gender imbalance in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

Yet, the digital world we live in evolves at a mind blowing pace. As a constantly connected world, we are all at risk  from data breaches to our bank accounts stripped. The need for better cybersecurity is paramount, from our own personal protection to the overarching protection of the people we serve in business.

With increasing breaches, the demand for cyber security professionals is growing, but women are still an overlooked minority in this space.

Unfortunately, the digital security sector doesnt have a welcoming reputation for women. Many women entering this field find it unwelcoming and unsupportive. Talking to women who are either already working in this space or looking to enter, share how they have been discriminated against. Yet, it is an industry screaming out for the skills women can bring. Not just the technical skills and qualifications, but also creativity, communication and problem-solving capabilities.

There is a cohort of remarkable women at the forefront, spearheading efforts to revolutionise the industry and pave the way for greater accessibility and inclusivity. These trailblazers are not just navigating the complexities of cyber defence, theyre actively reshaping the industry to welcome and empower more women.

Taminda Polle, from Cyber IS, is helping more women make cybersecurity their profession.

Its imperative to address this gender gap, which is essential for a more inclusive and secure digital future. Women shy away from this industry because it is male dominated. They think they do not have the skills or acumen to make their mark in cyber security, she said.

But small businesses need more women working in this space.

Recent ABS data shows that 34.8% of Australian business owner-managers are female, representing a 46% increase over the last two decades. If social media is anything to go by, women flock to the small business space, not just out of necessity, but driven by a passion or hobby.

Taminda said many male dominated industries, such as accounting, STEM, sales, finance and law, get a bad rap for how they interact with their female clients. When women are looking for assistance in these industries, they often feel talked down to, dismissed or not heard, she said. They often walk away, putting their businesses at risk because of these experiences. Gender bias is still a thing, and while it persists, women in business are being left behind in many crucial business growth areas.

Taminda said the first step is t0 create awareness that there are these jobs and business opportunities for women, and that women can do an excellent job in cybersecurity. Many women dont consider this field due to a lack of information or understanding. Proper education can dispel myths, showcase role models, and inspire more women to pursue careers in cybersecurity, she said.

Women have the skills and abilities that make them ideal for cyber security roles.

Women have a knack for dissecting complex issues, identifying vulnerabilities, and devising innovative solutions, which contributes significantly to fortifying digital defences against evolving threats, Taminda explained. Add to that, our communication skills, collaborative approach and different life perspectives, this is a great career path for women.

While the tech landscape has seen a huge surge in womens participation, particularly in cybersecurity, there still needs to be a transformative shift to acknowledge the contribution women can make. The industry needs to equip these trailblazers with the skills and expertise, mentorship programs, specialised training initiatives, and fostering inclusive environments within organisations, Taminda said.

Empowering women with technical knowledge, leadership acumen, and a platform to thrive not only bridges the gender gap, but also diversifies perspectives. The industry needs different lenses to combat evolving digital threats.

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With the Union government failing to explain how the Google Maps PIN works, the Supreme Court on Friday directed Google India to explain the technical aspects of dropping a PIN and whether a condition requiring an accused to continue providing investigators with information about whereabouts are likely to infringe the individuals right to privacy. A bench of justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued a notice to Google India. (ANI)

A bench of justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued notice to Google India Pvt Ltd, pointing out that the Centre has been unable to explain the working of the Google PIN and rather suggested that the company should be asked to share the technical aspects of the movement tracker.

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) has given an affidavit and has suggested that as far as working of the Google PIN is concerned, its appropriate if the information is sought from Google India Pvt Ltd. We therefore issue notice to Google India Pvt Ltd... We make it clear that we are not impleading them as a party respondent in the case but only for obtaining information on the working of the Google PIN, the bench said in its order.

The order said that Google India would file its affidavit explaining the working of the Google PIN in the context of putting it as a condition of granting bail.

The courts decision to examine the issue comes amid a recent trend when several bail orders mandate that bail seekers share their location with law enforcement authorities. Given the widespread use of GPS-enabled smartphones, courts across the country have been including the sharing of mobile locations as one of the conditions of bail.

The bench was hearing a petition against an order of bail granted by the Delhi high court to an accused  a Nigerian national, in a case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Additional solicitor-general Vikramjeet Banerjee appeared on behalf of the Centre in the matter while senior counsel Vinay Navare assisted it as amicus curie. Advocate Varun Mishra represented the accused in the case.

The high court, in its May 2022 order, put two stringent conditions  one, the accused shall drop a PIN on Google Map to ensure that their location is available to the investigation officer of the case; and second, the high commission of Nigeria must place on record an assurance that the accused shall not leave the country and will appear before the trial court as and when required.

During the previous hearing of the matter last year, the top court took umbrage at both these conditions, observing that the condition of sharing of Google PIN may prima facie offend the privacy rights of the accused, as assured under Article 21 of the Constitution. It remarked in July 2023 that once an accused has been set at liberty following the imposition of certain reasonable conditions, it may not be appropriate to track his movements at the expense of the right to privacy.

Subsequently, in August 2023, it directed the Meity to file an affidavit elaborating the technical aspects and consequences of the dropping of a Google PIN, adding the Centres affidavit must incorporate a comprehensive view from an expert.

Earlier this month, Meity filed its affidavit but failed to elucidate on the technical aspects of Google PIN and the information about a person that may get tracked when a person drops a PIN on a location in Google Maps. It suggested the apex court should seek all the details about the Google PIN from Google India Pvt Ltd, which it said, would be better placed to apprise the bench of the technology behind Google PIN and the ambit of surveillance.

Accordingly, the court on Friday proceeded to seek an affidavit from the company. At the same time, the court set aside the two stringent conditions and granted bail to the accused.

Prima facie, we are of the view that such onerous conditions cannot be put because no embassy will be able to fulfil such conditions. Therefore, we direct that those conditions put in the impugned order may not be complied with. The petitioner is released on interim bail on the conditions imposed by the courts below except dropping a Google PIN and assurance from the high commission of Nigeria, the order said.

In October 2023, the court in a separate case agreed to examine another order of the Delhi high court that required an accused to keep sharing his movement details with the investigating officer every eight hours as a condition for bail. This matter was disposed of in December after noting that the issues regarding privacy and other concerns were being dealt with in the other case about a bail order in an NDPS case.
With few weeks left for announcement of the schedule for the elections to the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh state assembly, suspense continues to loom over the Bharatiya Janata Party joining the Telugu Desam Party-Jana Sena Party alliance to fight the elections together. The TDP, headed by former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, and the Jana Sena Party, headed by popular Tollywood actor Pawan Kalyan, officially entered into an alliance in September. (ANI)

The TDP headed by former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party headed by popular Tollywood actor Pawan Kalyan, who had officially entered into an alliance in September last itself, are optimistic about the BJP joining the alliance, but there has been no word yet from the BJP national leadership so far.

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Naidu had met senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah late at night in New Delhi on February 8, triggering speculation that they had struck a deal on the alliance. Shah had formally invited Naidu to return to the National Democratic Alliance fold and Naidu accepted the offer in principle. So, the alliance is more or less done, TDP official spokesman N Vijay Kumar told HT.

He said the TDP chief had also held discussions with the party leaders, besides teleconference with thousands of party workers to explain to them about the possible alliance with the BJP, apart from the existing pact with the Jana Sena. So, from our side, we are very clear about the alliance with the BJP, Kumar said.

Meanwhile, Pawan Kalyan also said he had requested the BJP and convinced it to join the TDP-Jana Sena Party alliance to see that the anti-incumbency vote would not get split. I might go to New Delhi in a day or two to finalise the deal, Pawan told reporters at Bhimavaram in West Godavari district on Wednesday.

However, there is no word yet from the BJP leaders till date on whether their party would join the alliance and when. Initial reports said the party might take a call on the alliance with the TDP-Jana Sena at its two-day national convention that concluded in New Delhi on Sunday, but there was no such message from Delhi till now.

The BJP national leadership is seized of the matter and it will take a call on the alliances, BJP state president Daggubati Purandeshwari, who attended the partys national convention, said.

Former president of Andhra BJP Somu Veerraju told reporters on Thursday that the issue of the BJP joining the TDP-Jana Sena Party alliance would be decided in two or three days. There are indications that all the three parties would go together in the coming elections, he said.

A senior BJP leader from Rayalaseema said on condition of anonymity that many of the party leaders in the state were not interested in joining hands with the TDP, which had deserted the NDA twice  first in 2004 and then in 2018.

Especially after coming out of the NDA in March 2018, Naidu made caustic comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and even joined hands with the Congress to pull down the NDA government. Now, he is trying to return to the NDA again. He is the most unreliable partner. Even Modi is aware of it, the BJP leader said.

Interestingly, Pawan Kalyan, too, admitted that the BJP national leadership was not very keen on joining hands with the TDP. I had to incur the wrath of many top leaders of BJP, when I proposed to have an alliance with the TDP and BJP with an objective of preventing anti-establishment vote in Andhra, he said to the reporters.

He, however, said he was firm on the three-party alliance which is the only way to defeat the YSR Congress party led by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. I proposed the alliance not for my personal benefit but in the larger interests of the state. I pleaded with the BJP leaders with folded hands and requested them to join hands, Pawan Kalyan said.

The TDP spokesperson said while the TDP had more or less struck a seat-sharing agreement with the Jana Sena Party, it was awaiting a response from the BJP for the alliance. From our party side, we shall announce the list of candidates very shortly. If the BJP takes a decision to join the alliance, it will send its representatives to initiate the seat-sharing dialogue, Kumar added.
Bengaluru: The controversial Hindu Religious and Temple Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was defeated in the Karnataka Legislative Council on Friday evening. During the voting, 18 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) MLCs voted against the bill and seven only favoured it. Karnataka minister R Ramalinga Reddy, who worked on the temple bill (HT)

However, Muzrai department minister Ramalinga Reddy, who worked on the bill to benefit the interest of the poorer temples , remained undeterred by the defeat of the bill.

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Also Read - DK Shivakumar rules out law that forces Bengaluru MNCs to display the number of Kannadigas working

All is not lost. We will put it forth again in the Assembly on Monday, he said while coming out of the Council. There were hardly any members in the treasury benches when the bill was put to vote at 8 pm, said those familiar with the development.

What is the Karnataka temple bill aim?

The bill seeks to help the 35,000 Hindu temples and their families with less income. It envisages increasing the burden revenue earning temples and passing the extra funds to temples with lesser income. The funds would be used to support the priests and their children for education and other needs.

But opposition leader in the Council, Kota Srinivasa Poojary said, the government needs to support the poorer temples with its own revenues and not out of the funds of the richer temples.

The bill mandates a 10% collection from temples with revenue exceeding 1 crore and 5% from temples with revenue between 10 lakh and 1 crore.

When the bill was piloted in the Legislative Assembly and passed, the opposition accused the government that the bill had been brought to shore up funds for the governments guarantees schemes.

Leader of opposition in the House R Ashoka alleged that chief minister Siddaramaiah was stealing from the collection boxes of the temples. He said, government was looking to collect 10% commission from the income of the temples.

There are around 35,000 temples under Muzrai department out of which 205, whose income exceeds 25 lakh per year are categorised in Group A, 193 with income between 5 lakh and 25 lakh are in Group B and around 34,000 temples with income below 5 lakh fall in Group C.
The farmers' protest matter reached the Supreme Court on Friday, with a PIL (public interest litigation) being filed there alleging violation of the rights of the peacefully protesting farmers by the central government and some states. The farmers have, meanwhile, halted their 'Dilli Chalo' protest march for two days to take stock of the ongoing situation on the Shambhu border in Haryana and further decisions will be taken accordingly, the general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee said on Thursday (Bloomberg)

The PIL has been moved by social activist Agnostos Theos, who describes himself as the Managing Director of the Sikh Chamber of Commerce.

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The petitioner is seeking a writ of mandamus in the interest of the farmers who are facing unfair treatment in their peaceful protests, the PIL read.

The petitioner accused governments of Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh of using aggressive and violent' measures against the protestors. The measures employed include use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and pellets, against the cultivators, he said.

Also Read: MLRs reveal injured farmers had metal pellet wounds on upper body

The peaceful farmers have been subject to conditions similar to terrorists by their own government, simply for the exercise of their democratic and constitutional rights. In the absence of medical aid, the injuries were aggravated and also caused deaths, the plea stated.

Theos, the petitioner, sought the following relief measures for the agitating peasants: Centre to consider the reasonable demands of the farmers from across India; Centre and states to ensure fair and respectful treatment to the protesting farmers; free movements of public and transportation vehicles across the borders of Delhi; National and State human rights commissions to submit reports on brutal attack and assault on peacefully protesting farmers by police; and, adequate compensation to the victim farmers and their families for 'the violation of their fundamental rights.'

Clash in Hisar

Meanwhile, a clash broke out in Kheri Chopta village in Haryana's Hisar, when thousands of farmers tried to leave for Khanauri border, but were stopped by the police. Tear gas shells were fired and stones pelted, causing injuries on both sides.

Since February 13, peasants from Punjab have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders with Haryana. While they wanted to take their Dilli Chalo agitation to Delhi, they have been blocked by the Haryana Police and central paramilitary forces on the state's borders with Punjab.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) on Thursday finished hearing the case connected to the tax recovery dispute between the Congress and the tax authorities and reserved its order. Congress treasurer Ajay Maken attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for denying it a level playing field in the upcoming general elections and called the action by IT authorities financial terrorism. (PTI)

Congress leaders said the ITAT passed an order prohibiting income tax (IT) officials from attaching any additional money from the bank accounts of the Congress. The Opposition party, too, cant withdraw all the money from its accounts but has to maintain the margin for a lien, the leaders added.

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The ITAT has given a stay -- that means the IT department cant take away any additional amount from our accounts, said Congresss lawyer Vivek Tankha.

The development came after IT authorities attached 65 crore from five bank accounts of the Congress and its youth and students wings against the lien of 115 crore placed by the tax department on the partys accounts in a case related to a delay in filing IT returns for assessment year (AY) 2018-19.

A lien is a sort of a hold on an amount that is owed. In this case, the IT department has a lien of 115 crore on the Congresss accounts that was put through two letters sent by the department the managers of Bank of Baroda and State Bank of India on Tuesday.

The lien would continue to exist; this means the Congress has to keep 50 crore (After the IT department has already taken 65 crore) in its accounts.

In a press conference earlier in the day, Congress treasurer Ajay Maken attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for denying it a level playing field in the upcoming general elections and called the action by IT authorities financial terrorism.

The BJP is trying to stop us from fighting the elections. If we cant operate our accounts, how can we fight the Lok Sabha polls? asked Maken.

Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal denounced the actions of the BJP government, accusing them of financial terrorism and alleging that they were stealing the money from the banks.

The BJP has maintained that it has nothing to do with a routine I-T process.

According to functionaries, Tankha argued that as the appeal was pending and the accounts remained effectively inoperative, the biggest opposition party was not being allowed to fight the general elections.

When IT department argued that the Congress has enough money to fight the polls and has no hardship, Tankha argued that half of its money was in fixed deposits and the Congress was not even able to meet the lien amount.

Tankha, who argued virtually from Singapore, also maintained that while the assessment officer (AO) of the IT department rejected the partys application, the AOs order was not binding upon the Appellate Tribunal. He pointed out that IT officials have tried to take away the right to move to the appellate authority.

Registered political parties are exempted from paying tax on specified income such as voluntary contributions, house property, income from other sources and capital gains, under section 13A of the Income Tax Act, but they have to file IT returns annually.

Tax officials say the case pertains to the Congresss tax dues of assessment year (AY) 2018-19. The initial due to the tax department was 103 crore, and 32 crore was added to this on account of interest. The tax due was reassessed at 105 crore on July 6, 2021.

After this, the tax officials said, the Congress appealed before the Commissioner, Appeals but did not pay the mandatory 20% of the tax due to initiate the appeal. It paid only 78 lakh, prompting the commissioner to dismiss the plea. The Congress, the officials added, then appealed Commissioner, Appeals again in May 2023, and in October, paid 1.72 crore. They pointed out that the Congress has not applied for any stay on the tax demand in its appeal.

IT officials have attached 17.64 crore from the partys current account in Bank of Baroda, KG Marg branch, 41.85 crore are frozen from Union Bank of Indias CP branch and 74 lakh from a PNB branch. And 5 crore has been attached from IYC and NSUI accounts.
Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Friday expressed his dissatisfaction after Farrukhabad Lok Sabha seat went to Samajwadi Party (SP) while finalising the seat-sharing deal with the Congress for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid(File)

Read here: Lok Sabha elections: SP, Congress seal UP seat share pact

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While expressing his disgruntlement, he asked how many times he would have to prove his relationship with the constituency. While sounding in a rebelling tone, he said that he never bowed down to the decisions of fate and this time too he won't bow down.

"How many tests will my relationship with Farrukhabad have to face? The question is not about me but about the fate of all of us, about the future generations. I never bowed down to the decisions of fate. I can break, but I will not bow down. You promise to accompany me, I will keep singing the songs..," he said in Hindi in a post on X.

Salman Khurshid, son of Congress veteran and former external affairs minister Khurshed Alam Khan and maternal grandson of the third President of India Zakir Husain, belongs to the Farrukhabad area.

A lawyer and a writer by profession, Khurshid was elected as an MP from Farrukhabad in 1991 and 2009. His father also represented the constituency in the year 1984. Khurshid has also served as the minister of external affairs, minister of minority affairs and minister of law and justice in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA-II union government.

Meanwhile, as per the seat-sharing agreement between the Congress and the SP announced for the upcoming elections, the SP is slated to contest on 63 seats and the Congress on 17 out of 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress will contest Rae Bareli, Amethi, Varanasi, Kanpur City, Fatehpur Sikri, Bansgaon, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Maharajganj, Amroha, Jhansi, Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Mathura, Sitapur, Barabanki and Deoria, said SP state unit chief Naresh Uttam Patel.

Read here: Felt demoralised, sad: Ahmed Patel's daughter on Congress 'giving away' Bharuch LS seat to AAP

RaeBareli, Amethi and Varanasi are three crucial seats that Yadav ceded to the Congress. While Varanasi is the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amethi is the one that Rahul Gandhi in 2019 lost to BJP's Smriti Irani. RaeBareli was Sonia Gandhi's seat until she vacated it for health reasons and shifted to the Rajya Sabha.

In the 2019 polls, BJP had won 62 seats, while the SP, which fought the elections in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party, had won five seats.
New Delhi: Ukraine hopes India will play a crucial role in a planned peace summit of world leaders to be hosted by Switzerland in March to find a resolution to the conflict triggered by the Russian invasion, Ukrainian deputy foreign minister Iryna Borovets said on Friday. Ukrainian deputy foreign minister Iryna Borovets (Twitter/@raisinadialogue)

Reiterating President Volodymyr Zelenskyys invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ukraine, Borovets said in an interview that India could also play a key part in the reconstruction of her war-ravaged country, where damage to infrastructure has been estimated at almost $500 billion.

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Borovets described as evil and outrageous the reports that Indian nationals who had secured support jobs with the Russian Army had been forced to fight with Russian troops along the border with Ukraine. Her comments came hours after India advised its citizens to stay away from getting caught up in the conflict.

We are very grateful that India shows interest in participating in the global summit. They are just waiting for the invitation that [has] to be sent by the Swiss [government] because it will be held in Switzerland, Borovets said, referring to the global summit being organised in late March at Zelenskyys request.

Also Read: Among biggest challenges for India, China is to arrive at equilibrium: Jaishankar

Borovets noted that an Indian premier hasnt travelled to Ukraine in recent years and said Zelenskyy had conveyed an invitation to Modi to visit Ukraine while expressing his readiness to come to India for a meeting. The two sides are also preparing for a visit to India by Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba very soon, she said.

India has consistently called for an end to hostilities in Ukraine and a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy  as echoed in Prime Minister Narendra Modis message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that todays era is not of war - though New Delhi has refrained from criticising Moscows actions.

Borovets endorsed Modis remarks but said that Russia does not respect this. Ukraine is fighting to restore its territory and to throw out an aggressor, whereas Russia has shown no interest in having a conversation about peace, she said.

Therefore, we suggest to countries of the world, and especially India, to come to this global peace summit, to sit at the table and facilitate discussions on the terms of future peace within each point of [Zelenskyys] formula, like nuclear safety, food security, return of prisoners of war and civilians and restoration of territorial integrity, she said.

Besides participating in the Raisina Dialogue, Indias flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, Borovets met foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra and deputy national security adviser Vikram Misri and discussed the situation on the frontlines in Ukraine, Zelenskyys peace formula and the planned peace summit.

Borovets said the rebuilding of Ukraine offers major opportunities for Indian businesses and investors as the damage to infrastructure has been estimated at nearly $500 billion.

Also Read: EFTA hopeful of finalising India trade deal in days or weeks: Norway minister

There will be huge space for businesses to be involved in rebuilding infrastructure and housing, she said, adding there is also scope for India and Ukraine to be involved in the joint production of futuristic weapon systems such as drones. We extend an invitation to the Indian side to be part of this recovery, she said.

Asked about reports that some Indian nationals with support jobs in the Russian military had been forced to fight on the frontlines with Ukraine, Borovets noted there was no official reaction on the matter from the Ukrainian side as yet and said, However, the pure fact is [that this] is evil, its horrible, this is illegal. How can you invite people to offer them a job and then forcefully conscript them into the army? This is outrageous.

She compared the developments to Russia forcefully deporting children from occupied Ukrainian territories and putting them up for illegal adoption.

Borovets said about 5,000 Indian students are currently in Ukraine  down from 22,000 at the start of the war - and her country really wants them back.

We want them back in our universities and are prepared for that. A lot of universities in the eastern part of Ukraine have transferred their capacities to the western part, which is relatively calmer. We understand that security reasons could prevent them from coming. However, we are waiting for them and inviting them to come after the war ends, she said.
Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday claimed that former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot might not have a significant role in the central leadership of the Congress party anymore. Referring to Gehlot's refusal to quit the CM post for contesting the election for Congress president, Shekhawat said the veteran leader earlier used to get a role in the party's central leadership as general secretary but not this time. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, former Rajasthan CMs Vasundhara Raje and Ashok Gehlot during the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader Bhajan Lal Sharma as Rajasthan Chief Minister, in Jaipur.(PTI / File)

This time Ashok Gehlot probably won't have any role in the party (Congress) in Delhi. Now that he will be free, I will definitely visit him to have a cup of tea and learn how he kept himself relevant for so long in politics, the BJP leader told news agency PTI.

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The Union Jal Shakti Minister also claimed on Thursday that the Bharatiya Janata Party is going to win all 25 seats in Rajasthan in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"Lotus (BJP's election symbol) is going to bloom on all the 25 seats of Rajasthan," he said.

Read: Govt broke three Bharat Ratnas a year rule for poll gains: Ashok Gehlot

Shekhawat said that the BJP does not work only during elections but throughout the year.

BJP has been continuously working in the interest of society, on issues of national and local importance. BJP will again form a government with a full majority. (BJP will win) 25 seats in Rajasthan and (NDA will win) over 400 Lok Sabha seats, the minister asserted.

On reports of 'Kshatriya' community being upset with the BJP in parts of Rajasthan, Shekhawat expressed disagreement and said the saffron party has always enjoyed the community's support.

I don't agree with this. The BJP, being a national party, has always enjoyed the support of the 'Kshatriya' community. Even if there is any issue, we will work to resolve it, he said.

Taking a dig at the Congress, Shekhawat said leaders of other parties are joining the BJP indicate that it is going to win the elections.

Congress's downward side should make its leaders reconsider its strategy, he added.
Vedanta cannot have a free run and go on polluting the environment, the Supreme Court observed on Thursday, mulling a fair balance between allowing the conglomerate to reopen its Sterlite Copper smelting plant in Tamil Nadus Thoothukudi and the environmental concerns associated with doing so. Sterlite Copper plant in TN has remained shut since 2018. (REUTERS)

Before making a final judgement about the reopening, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, opined that it is crucial to take into account whether the alleged norm violations by Vedanta in operating its plant can be balanced and rectified through appropriate remedial measures.

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The bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said that it would have to evaluate Vedantas compliance with the 2013 ruling of the top court that had put several terms for the company to operate and identify areas in which it fell short.

We will have to see post-2013 what the position of the industry has been and what are the steps taken by them to comply with the conditions laid down in that judgment. The experts can look into this and tell us whether the operation of the industry can be compliant with the environmental standards along with the remedial steps required to be taken...or is the closure the only option, the bench told senior counsel CS Vaidyanathan, who was appearing for the Tamil Nadu government.

The court was referring to its suggestion made on February 14 when it urged the Tamil Nadu government and the state pollution control board to suggest a way forward for restarting the plant while contemplating a committee, comprising experts on pollution control and environment, which it said could submit the report on copper smelter operations, conditions for operations and reparations payable for environmental harm. While Vedanta has accepted the suggestion, the state government and its pollution board have maintained that Vedanta was a repeat offender and polluter, which could not be allowed to restart its copper smelter plant.

Responding to the courts query on Thursday, Vaidyanathan insisted that the closure of the plant is the only option in the larger public interest due to continuing violations of the norms and environmental pollution caused by Vedanta.

The court replied: We agree that they cannot have a free run and go on polluting the environment. Thats why we have to see what has happened post-2013. If the panel says that this industry cant run, we will go by that. If they say X, Y or Z conditions can be put and they can be directed to put some money upfront, say in an escrow, as a bonafide measure, we can ask them. This time, if they dont comply; you take out the money and throw them out.

But Vaidyanathan remained firm on the states stand, contending that the Madras high court has already identified a raft of areas of shortfalls and breaches by Vedanta in its 2020 judgment while upholding the states shut down notice.

To this, the bench asked: Is it not necessary for us to have some dispassionate experts go into it?

Vaidyanathan, however, replied in the negative. It will amount to outsourcing the regulatory role to an outside panel...the institutional credibility will be at stake.... Its not a case of too big to fail. The country has done well even while this factory has remained shut since 2018, he said.

The bench will continue hearing the appeal by Sterlite Copper against the 2020 judgment of the Madras high court on February 29.

The plant by Sterlite Copper, the Indian subsidiary of Vedanta Resources -- a global mining and metals conglomerate -- has remained shut since 2018 over alleged violation of environmental norms and protests of the local population against its operation.

Tens of thousands of protesters had taken to the streets of Thoothukudi in May 2018 against a proposed expansion of Sterlites 400,000-tonne annual capacity smelter. After the protests turned violent and police opened fire, 13 protesters died. A week later, the state pollution control board and the state government ordered that the plant be shut for alleged pollution. The plant, at that time, was producing over 400,000 tonnes of metal ores annually and accounted for 40% of Indias copper output.
Amid the blazing row over the allegations of sexual violence against women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday claimed that the state police has arrested BJP leader Sabyasachi Ghosh for allegedly running a prostitution racket of minor girls in Howrah. West Bengal BJP leader Sabyasachi Ghosh(X/ @AITCofficial)

TMC further claimed that the police have arrested 11 accused and rescued six minor girls from Howrah's Sankrail, where the alleged sex racket was operating.

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"@BJP4Bengal leader Sabyasachi Ghosh caught running a PROSTITUTION RACKET of MINOR GIRLS in his hotel in Howrah's Sankrail. The Police arrested 11 accused & rescued 6 victims from the spot. THIS IS BJP. They don't protect BETIS, they protect PIMPS!," Mamata Banerjee-led party said in a post on X.

The party took a dig at the saffron camp saying that the BJP protects the pimps instead of daughters and women

The development came amid the row over violence against women in Sandeshkhali where the fresh protests erupted on Friday with women hitting the streets and setting ablaze a thatched structure linked to TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, seeking his and his aides arrest over allegations of sexual assault and land grabbing.

The fresh protests came hours after director general of police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar, who visited Sandeshkhali on Wednesday, urged villagers not to take law into their own hands.

Meanwhile, the saffron camp has slammed the state chief minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC for neglecting the issues of women. Several women leaders including BJP MP Locker Chatterjee were detained on today while on their way to the area citing Section 144.

The town of Sandeshkhali has been witnessing unrest for over 10 days as women protestors are seeking justice for allegedly land-grabbing and sexually assaulting" them under coercion by Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides.

The police so far have arrested 18 people for their alleged involvement in violent protests. The ED on Friday filed a fresh case against Shahjahan Sheikh and conducted searches at several locations in the state.

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 in January this year.

(With inputs from agencies)
Buy2sell Vietnam has received commendable reviews from international partners like Mykitkat, Leifredy, Kate of Tokyo, DrLoule, and Nunalin.

In the dynamic realm of international commerce, Buy2sell Vietnam has emerged as one of the leading companies in importing and distributing goods and as a beacon of excellence garnering praise from both customers and suppliers worldwide.

In this narrative of success, the company has received many commendable reviews from esteemed international partners, including brands such as Mykitkat, Leifredy, Kate of Tokyo, DrLoule, and Nunalin.

Mykitkat's representative said that the firm had found an unparalleled partner in Buy2sell Vietnam. Its commitment to efficiency and market expertise has elevated the brand's presence in Vietnam.

"The transparent and trustworthy collaboration has not only expanded our reach but has also created a foundation for mutual success."

Another partner, Leifredy, has reviewed Buy2sell Vietnam as one of its privilege partners.

"Their strategic market insights and commitment to excellence have significantly boosted our brand's presence in the Vietnamese market. The efficiency of their distribution channels has not only broadened our reach but has also established a foundation of trust," said Michael, CEO of Leifredy.

Kate of Tokyo's review of Buy2sell said it was the partners market expertise and dedication to innovation that seamlessly aligned with the brand's vision.

Lucy, Sales Director of Kate of Tokyo, and CEO Suyokama both said that Buy2sell's efficient distribution networks have propelled their products into the hearts of Vietnamese consumers.

They are not just a distributor but a true partner in the brand's journey of success in Vietnam.

Buy2sells staff. Photo courtesy of Buy2sell

Nunalin also shared a common vision with Buy2sell Vietnam.

"The efficiency of Buy2sell's distribution channels has not only elevated Nunalin's brand presence but has also played a pivotal role in meeting the diverse needs of the Vietnamese market. Buy2Sell is our great partnership," said Shane, founder of Nualin.

Lastly, there is DrLoule. They said that Buy2sell's efficient distribution networks have not only expanded their reach but have also solidified their presence in the Vietnamese market.

Collectively, these positive reviews from renowned international brands paint a vivid tapestry of success for Buy2sell Vietnam.

The reviews from Mykitkat, Leifredy, Kate of Tokyo, and Nunalin stand as testimonials to the company's unwavering commitment.

"The trust and support from international partners underscore Buy2sell's effectiveness in bridging the gap between suppliers and consumers, creating more success in the competitive world of international trade for Vietnam and Asia," said Buy2sell Vietnam's representative.

See more details about Buy2sell here.
Lucknow: The seat-sharing pact between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress has thrown up surprises with the Congress opting for the toughest Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh and the Samajwadi Party (SP) picking the untested Khajuraho parliament seat in Madhya Pradesh. Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP is determined to ensure a landslide victory for him (Representative photo)

The SP is contesting 63 and the Congress 17 seats in UP while the former is a tiny partner in Madhya Pradesh with only one in its kitty. There are 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP.

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Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP is determined to ensure a landslide victory for him.

Similarly, the BJP high command has appointed Mohan Yadav in Madhya Pradesh to neutralise the influence of the two Yadav chieftains- Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav- who are leading the opposition bloc -Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in UP and Bihar respectively.

Interestingly, the MP CM made his first visit to Yadav dominated Azamgarh in UP recently where he made an emotional pitch saying his family had a 400-year-old relation with the district. Both Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav have been elected as MPs from Azamgarh. The SP has not as yet announced the partys candidate from here. In the 2022 by-poll, BJP had snatched the seat from SP, defeating family member Dharmendra Yadav.

Why Congress pitched for Varanasi

Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Avinash Pandey explains: Its an ideological battle in Varanasi. We know its tough but then its symbolic and sends a clear message to the people as well as party workers.

Apparently, the UPCC chief Ajay Rai will be contesting from here. He earlier contested as Congress nominee in both 2014 and 2019 and as SP candidate in 2009.

When asked Pandey said, The name would be known shortly but Ajay Rai is gutsy, you really need an indomitable spirit and commitment to fight against the countrys prime minister.

Now the track record: In 2019 Ajay Rai polled 14.38 % votes as against 63.62 % cast in favour of Modi. SP ended as a runner up polling 18.40 percent votes.

In 2014, when Aam Admi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal had dared to challenge Narendra Modi on his turf, Ajay Rai had ended third with barely 66386 votes. The BJP had polled 56.37 % votes and AAP 20.30 % votes.

In 2009, Ajay Rai as SP nominee had polled 18.61 % votes with BSPs Mukhtar Ansari ending as runner up with 27.94 % votes against Dr Murli Manohar Joshi of BJP, polling 32.50 % votes.

However, the city is seemingly upbeat after the opening of Ram temple, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and commencement of puja in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque.

Aware of the challenge that lies before him in the elections, Rai is gearing up for what many describe as a lost battle.

Why SP in Khajuraho?

Senior Party leader Rajendra Choudhury says, We have a vote base and active cadre to contest the seat that lies on the borders of UP.

It was the Congress which had a direct fight with the BJP in 2009, 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections with the two UP parties SP leaving hardly any mark.

However, in the recent assembly elections, the SP had polled 15.47% and 10.79 % votes in two of its segments  Chandla and Bahoriband.

In fact, former BJP MLA RD Prajapati had quit the party and joined SP on the eve of assembly elections. He was upset with the party denying him ticket.

Also, the SP had once planned to set up its party office in Khajuraho under its plan to expands its base in the state where its performance has often been rated as second best after UP as it picked up highest number of 7 assembly seats in 2003.

SP has been vying for a national party status and has picked up seats in Rajasthan in the past and has one MLA in Maharashtra assembly.

Its also a moral victory for Akhilesh Yadav who was not only denied seats but ridiculed as Whos Akhilesh Vakhilesh by the Congress chief ministerial candidate Kamalnath when he had asked for some as member of INDIA bloc in the 2023 assembly elections. He too had retorted and described Congress as a compulsive betrayer.
New Delhi: Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday reacted to an X user's complaint that Google's Gemini AI tool is biased against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the platform is in violation of the I T rules as well as other laws. Rajeev Chandrasekhar (PTI)

Per the Twitter user, when asked a question about fascism displayed a proper reply. However, when the same question was asked for Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it refused to answer the query.

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The minister said this violates several provisions of India's criminals laws as well.

"These are direct violations of Rule 3(1)(b) of Intermediary Rules (IT rules) of the IT act and violations of several provisions of the Criminal code," Chandrasekhar said on social media platform X.

The minister further marked the X post to Google and the Ministry of Electronics and IT for further action.

The Twitter user who flagged the alleged bias, described Gemini AI as woke and malicious.

"This Gemini AI from Google is not just woke, it's downright malicious. The government of India must take note," the person wrote.

Gemini is an AI-driven chatbot that can answer queries, write content and display information when prompted. It is developed by Google DeepMind. It was announced on December 6, 2023. It competes against OpenAI's GPT-4.

This comes hours after billionaire Elon Musk described Google's AI image generation engine as racist.

"Im glad that Google overplayed their hand with their AI image generation, as it made their insane racist, anti-civilizational programming clear to all," he wrote on X.

Also read: Elon Musk calls Google insane racist, anti-civilizational' over Gemini chatbot

He was referring to the flak Google Gemini has been getting online for portraying historical figures as people of colour even though they were originally white.

Reacting to Elon Musk's Tweet, Rajeev Chandrashekhar replied: Concerning +1.
What would it look like if women ruled the world?

More than a century ago, the Bengali feminist writer Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain followed that line of thought through rather dark alleyways.

A pioneering womens rights advocate in the early 1900s, Hossain (1880-1932) wrote of her vision in a story titled Sultanas Dream, published in 1905.

In this tale, written in English, the men thoughtlessly rush into a war and suffer great losses, while the women, who are scientists, inventors and rulers of Ladyland, devise a way to end the war non-violently. The men are then confined indoors and stripped of their freedoms. It is a world order that comes at a price, but a lower price than the alternative, the book would seem to argue.

The Spanish animator Isabel Herguera, 61, first came across this story in 2012, while on one of her many trips to India (she was visiting faculty at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, at the time).

She has now turned the story into a film titled Sultanas Dream, with layers added from the now, and from her own life.

In the film, a young Spanish animator named Ines stumbles upon Hossains story and is intrigued by it, because of her own inability to dream. She goes in search of Hossains grave (which, incidentally, is in Sodepur, West Bengal). She wants to learn more about this writer, and maybe find a real-world Ladyland.

She visits ashrams for widows at Vrindavan, but is chased out. Hires an autorickshaw to aid in her quest, but it turns out to be driven by a man who cannot see.

The film features English, Hindi, Spanish, Basque and Bengali, and three styles of animation, crafted by a range of studios. A mehendi art-inspired section narrates the story of Sultanas Dream; shadow puppetry depicts the life and times of Hossain; and hand-painted backgrounds populate Iness travels in India and Spain.

Isabel Herguera, 61, first came across Sultanas Dream in 2012, at an art gallery while on one of her many trips to India. n one corner, on a table, was a red book with an image of a woman piloting a spaceship, in Gond art, on the cover, she says. She knew immediately she wanted to make this film. (Thomas Schaekel)

The film recently won the Basque Cinema Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival and has been screened at DOK Leipzig in Germany; and at the Tokyo International Film Festival, among others. Excerpts from an interview.

You stumbled upon Sultanas Dream quite by accident

Yes. I entered a gallery of Gond art in New Delhi, because it had started to rain. I love folk art, so I started to look around, and in one corner, on a table, was a red book with an image of a woman piloting a spaceship, in Gond art, on the cover. It was Sultanas Dream, written in 1905. I turned the page and read about Rokeya Hossain and her idea of Ladyland, and right at that moment, I knew I wanted to make this film.

What kind of research went into making it?

In the beginning, I didnt know where to start. So I did a series of workshops with women and girls of different age groups in India and Spain, around Ladyland and the idea of this upside-down utopia where women are in command and men stay at home.

The youngest, from six to eight years, were free-minded little girls, who imagined men being pregnant and dreamed of being astronauts. The adolescents were much more timid, and chose to paint their thoughts according to the story.

Where it got interesting was in the next age groups, of young women students from NID and women from the self-help organisation SEWA. They said the first thing that they would do if they were in charge and the men stayed at home, was to go out at night and not feel fear; undress on a hot day and jump into the water; not have to control how much water they drank because they knew they could relieve themselves anywhere.

The idea of an upside-down world unlocked so much.

How much of the film is autobiographical?

Its loosely autobiographical. Long before we started on the film, the heritage scholar Tathagata Neogi helped me find Rokeyas grave in Sodepur. I felt so close to whatever was left of her. He helped me find the Sakhawat Memorial girls school, which Rokeya built in 1905, and which still runs. And he helped me find her family home in Kolkata. Until recently, there was not a lot of information publicly available about her.

Some places and events are pure fantasy, for instance I havent been to Rokeyas hometown of Pairabad in Bangladesh. In the movie, the town memorialises her. There is no such memorial in the real world.

What, to your mind, is the significance of Sultanas Dream today?

When I read of women being harassed, attacked and abused, I always think of Rokeya and how certain she was, 100 years ago, of what could be. Many things have changed since then, of course. The law is more on our side. But there are still so many traditions that confine women. And to have Rokeyas voice alive today is a powerful reminder that we must continue to dream.
When she first opened her eyes to the world, she saw an elephant.

For most people, that would seem apocryphal, but when Parbati Barua says it, it rings true. Its a tale that her father, the last prince of Gauripur, told her often. When I was born, on the family estate, there were 45 elephants living there too, she says. There was more or less always one in sight.

There are other stories, like the one about how she learnt to sit astride a baby elephant before she could walk. How she helped feed and bathe them when she only stood as tall as their knees.

No matter what stage of Baruas audacious life one looks at, one finds an elephant present.

I am now in Manas (National Park in Assam), helping with an elephant calf who is not well, says the wildlife conservationist, speaking over the telephone.

By 15, Barua would grow to be the first woman mahout or elephant trainer on record in India. She would be the subject of a book and BBC documentary, Queen of the Elephants (1995), written by Mark Shand (incidentally the brother of Camilla Parker Bowles).

Barua, 70, is now the first Indian woman mahout to be awarded a Padma Shri.

Her family didnt just own elephants, and thats probably where it all began. For generations, the Baruas of Gauripur ran an elephant-trapping business. They captured and tamed wild elephants and sold them to other royal families, to wealthy Indian landowners, and to the British.

Her father, Prakritish Chandra Barua, had a reputation for understanding these animals more deeply than most mahouts, and being able to develop strong bonds with them.

Parbati remembers spending large parts of her childhood deep in forests in Assam, Bengal and Bihar, where he would set up camp for six months at a time, with his four wives and a large retinue of staff, including a private tutor for his nine children.

Then, in 1970, the privy purse was abolished, the family lost its royal status and its income, and Barua Sr turned his focus on the elephant business as a livelihood. He began to train Parbati as his apprentice. Like him, she had shown a rare ability to connect with the lumbering giants.

I learnt everything from my father, he was my guru, she says.

One of the things she learnt was the ancient, dangerous skill of mela shikar (hunting in the open, without a stockade). Here, the only tool available to the mahout is a lasso.

Less than 5 ft tall, thin and wiry, Barua would sit astride her elephant, stalking a wild herd for days as she chose her target  typically any young calf with a propensity to stray  and waited for her moment. As soon as the calf had wandered out of sight of its mother, she would signal her elephant, with the pressure of her toes behind its ears, to silently rush up to it. She would then aim her lasso around its neck and lead it away. Speed was vital; she had to do all this and be gone before the wild elephants noticed and charged.

In this way, she captured 14 calves.

During the capture, time would stop, I had no sense of anything else, she says. Afterwards, I would feel sad about taking a child away from its mother.

***

In 1977, the capture and sale of elephants was banned in India, and Baruas focus shifted, to rescuing elephants from people, and people from elephants, as she puts it.

Long before wildlife conservation was defined, she points out, trappers had worked to maintain healthy populations of the animal that was their livelihood, and worked to mitigate conflict. Some of what I was doing was already conservation, it just wasnt called that, she says. I knew what the elephants wanted, understood their behaviour, and I could communicate with them. The shift came naturally.

There has been plenty to do, as elephants become increasingly cornered, losing land area, access to food and to traditional migratory routes. And as the endangered species  there are only 28,000 left in the wild in India  was brought into conflict with humans.

On average, 500 people and 100 wild elephants are killed each year in face-offs in farms and villages.

Despite the odds, things are getting better, Barua says. There has been a slight improvement in the quality of forests, more awareness of the need to protect migration routes. There is also more empathy in people about the elephants plight, and more awareness about how things can be done to help both humans and elephants in a non-violent way.

Through the worst of the conflict, in the 80s and 90s, when new laws were still taking effect and enforcement methods were being framed, she was often called upon to help ease herds away from human settlements in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar.

The situation then was dire, she says. Man is very aggressive, very badly behaved. We see only our losses, but not the losses we inflict. We destroy without a thought. Animals never break the law of nature. A tiger kills a deer only because he has to eat. We kill for no reason.

Riding on her long-time companion Lakshmimala, she and other mahout-elephant duos would guide the animals back into forests, or past disruptions and back onto migratory routes. Sometimes she would spend weeks allowing a herd of up to 50 to familiarise themselves with her and her fellow mahouts and their elephants, so they would trust her to guide them to safety

At 70, Barua has slowed down a bit. She doesnt intervene directly any more, but trains mahouts and other conservationists in the ways of the elephant, often in association with the wildlife departments of West Bengal and Assam.

She shies away from human company, she says, preferring the company of Lakshmimala, whom she captured 50 years ago. They have lived apart lately, ever since Barua settled in Guwahati in 2010. Lakshmimala now lives on the outskirts of Manas National Park, about 130 km away.

I visit her almost every week, Barua says. We have given each other all our time, summer, monsoon and winter. I love her more than any other being. There is no language for this attachment. It is all love.
Magha Purnima, which falls on Purnima Tithi in the month of Magha, is one of the auspicious days for Hindus. Devotees pray to Lord Vishnu, observe Satyanarayan Vrat and bathe in the river Ganga for spiritual purposes on this occasion. They also perform charitable deeds and pray to the moon god. People bathe in the Ganga or Yamuna in the early morning during the month of Magha. As per the Hindu lunar calendar, Magha month starts from the next day of Paush Purnima.(Freepik)

Magha Purnima marks the end of the daily bathing ritual that begins on Paush Purnima. It is believed that all charitable efforts made at this time are readily rewarded. People therefore donate to the needy in proportion to their ability. It is also the last day of Kalpawas, the month-long austerity camp set up on the banks of the Ganga at Prayag. From date to history, scroll down to know more. (Also read: Vishwakarma Jayanti 2024: Date, significance, puja rituals and all you need to know )

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When is Magha Purnima 2024

According to Drik Panhang, this year the significant Hindu occasion of Magha Purnima 2024 will be observed on Saturday, February 24. The auspicious puja timings are as follows:

Purnima Tithi Begins - 03:33 PM on February 23, 2024

Purnima Tithi Ends - 05:59 PM on February 24, 2024

Significance of Magha Purnima

Within the Hindu religion, Magh Purnima has significant religious and spiritual significance. By observing the Satyanarayan Vrat, people worship the moon god and Lord Vishnu. It is believed to be an auspicious day for performing yajna and hawan in puja ceremonies. Purnima, or full moon day, is when the moon bestows its blessings on the planet through its rays. This is an excellent day to visit sacred sites, bathe in the Ganges and perform any pujas offered to Lord Vishnu and Guru Brihaspati.

Magha Purnima puja rituals

1.Take a holy bath as soon as you wake up in the morning.

2. Take a wooden plank and place an idol of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu in the form of Satyanarayan.

3. Offer Tulsi Patra to Lord Vishnu and light a diya.

4. It is considered unlucky to pick basil leaves on any particular day, so avoid doing so on Purnima.

5. Depending on the puja muhurat, Satyanarayan puja can be performed in the afternoon or evening.

6. Offer bhog prasad of panchamrit and panjiri to the Lord, along with a few pieces of banana.

7. Recite the Satyanarayan Katha, Aarti and various mantras.

8. After completing all the puja rituals, the devotees are allowed to break their fast.
Short and long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation for severe heart and lung disorders, according to two large US studies published in The BMJ. Air pollution linked to higher hospitalisations for heart, lung diseases: Study(Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay )

Together, the results suggest that no safe threshold exists for heart and lung health.

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According to the Global Burden of Disease study, exposure to PM2.5 accounts for an estimated 7.6 per cent of total global mortality and 4.2 per cent of global disability-adjusted life years (a measure of years lived in good health).

In light of this extensive evidence, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated the air quality guidelines in 2021, recommending that annual average PM2.5 levels should not exceed 5 mg/m3 and 24-hour average PM2.5 levels should not exceed 15 mg/m3 on more than 3-4 days each year.

In the first study, researchers linked average daily PM2.5 levels to residential zip codes for nearly 60 million US adults (84 per cent white, 55 per cent women) aged 65 and over from 2000 to 2016. They then used Medicare insurance data to track hospital admissions over an average of eight years.

After accounting for a range of economic, health and social factors, average PM2.5 exposure over three years was associated with increased risks of first hospital admissions for seven major types of cardiovascular disease - ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, valvular heart disease, and thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Compared with exposures of 5 mg/m3 or less (the WHO air quality guideline for annual PM2.5), exposures between 9 and 10 mg/m3, which encompassed the US national average of 9.7 mg/m3 during the study period, were associated with a 29 per cent increased risk of hospital admission for cardiovascular disease.

On an absolute scale, the risk of hospital admission for cardiovascular disease increased from 2.59 per cent with exposures of 5 mg/m3 or less to 3.35% at exposures between 9 and 10 mg/m3. "This means that if we were able to manage to reduce annual PM2.5 below 5 ug/m3, we could avoid 23 per cent in hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease," say the researchers.*

These cardiovascular effects persisted for at least three years after exposure to PM2.5, and susceptibility varied by age, education, access to healthcare services, and area deprivation level.

The researchers say their findings suggest that no safe threshold exists for the chronic effect of PM2.5 on overall cardiovascular health and that substantial benefits could be attained through adherence to the WHO air quality guideline.

"On February 7, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated the national air quality standard for annual PM2.5 level, setting a stricter limit at no more than 9 ug/m3. This is the first update since 2012. However, it is still considerably higher than the 5 ug/m3 set by WHO. The newly published national standard was not sufficient for the protection of public health," they add.*

In the second study, researchers used county-level daily PM2.5 concentrations and medical claims data to track hospital admissions and emergency department visits for natural causes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease for 50 million US adults aged 18 and over from 2010 to 2016.

During the study period, more than 10 million hospital admissions and 24 million emergency department visits were recorded.

They found that short-term exposure to PM2.5, even at concentrations below the new WHO air quality guideline limit, was statistically significantly associated with higher rates of hospital admissions for natural causes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease, as well as emergency department visits for respiratory disease.

For example, on days when daily PM2.5 levels were below the new WHO air quality guideline limit of 15 mg/m3, an increase of 10 mg/m3 in PM2.5 was associated with 1.87 extra hospital admissions per million adults aged 18 and over per day.

The researchers say their findings constitute an important contribution to the debate about the revision of air quality limits, guidelines, and standards.

Both research teams acknowledge several limitations such as possible misclassification of exposure and point out that other unmeasured factors may have affected their results. What's more, the findings may not apply to individuals without medical insurance, children and adolescents, and those living outside the US.

However, taken together, these new results provide a valuable reference for future national air pollution standards.
Children born in October are more likely to be vaccinated against influenza and less likely to be diagnosed with influenza than children born in other months, according to a US study published in The BMJ. Children born in October least likely to get influenza: Study(Unsplash)

According to the findings, the birth month is connected with both the timing of flu vaccination and the chance of a flu diagnosis, and October is the best time for young children to get a flu shot, in line with existing guidelines.

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Annual influenza vaccine is especially critical for young children, who are more likely to have the flu and develop a serious condition that requires hospitalisation. Vaccination is advised in September or October to boost immunity during peak flu season.

ALSO READ: Flu season is here; important tips to prevent influenza in kids

Among young children in the United States, preventive care visits tend to occur during birth months and are a convenient time to receive the influenza vaccine, but large-scale studies of the optimal timing of vaccination are unavailable.

To address this, researchers set out to assess the optimal timing of influenza vaccination in young children.

Using health insurance claims data, they identified over 800,000 children aged 2-5 years who received an influenza vaccination between August 1 and January 31 during 2011-18. They then analysed rates of diagnosed influenza among these children by birth month.

After accounting for a range of potentially influential factors such as age, sex, existing conditions, healthcare use and family size, the results show that October was the most common month for children to be vaccinated.

Children born in October also had the lowest rate of influenza diagnosis. For example, among children born in August, the average rate of influenza diagnosis across flu seasons studied was 3% compared with 2.7% for children born in October and 2.9 per cent for those born in December.

This is an observational study and the authors acknowledge that their findings are limited to insured children who received medical care. Nor can they rule out the possibility that other unmeasured factors may have influenced their results.

Nevertheless, results were similar after additional analyses to evaluate whether the relation between birth month and influenza risk was due to chance, providing greater confidence in their conclusions.

"Our findings suggest that US public health interventions focused on vaccination of young children in October may yield the best protection in typical flu seasons," they said.

"The study's findings are consistent with current recommendations promoting October vaccination," they added.
Eight Olive Ridley turtles were rescued and released by fishermen in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. A video of their rescue was shared by Indian Administrative Services (IAS) Supriya Sahu on X. Alongside, she mentioned that fishermen will receive training on such operations and will be rewarded for their efforts. Tamil Nadu fishermen releasing turtles back into the waters. (X/@supriyasahuias)

Fishermen rescue and release 8 Olive Ridley turtles which were accidentally caught in their fishing nets at Dhanushkodi in Rameswaram. We have asked forest officers to further strengthen the training and orientation of fisherfolk on such operations and reward them for their gesture. Video- WLW Ramanathapuram #oliveridleyturtles #TNForest, wrote Sahu while sharing a video on X.

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The video opens to show an Olive Ridley turtle making its way back into the waters. The camera then pans to show fishermen releasing turtles that were accidentally caught in their fishing nets. Many can even be seen recording the rescue on their smartphones.

Watch the rescue video of 8 turtles here:

The video, since being shared, has accumulated over 98,300 views. It has also received close to 2,000 likes and numerous comments.

Also Read| Two smugglers nabbed with 204 turtles

Check out a few of them below:

Excellent initiative! posted an individual.

Another added, Every life deserves to live its own free journey.

Very heartening to note this. Well done to the fisherfolk. Just this month Odisha lost 1600 Olive Ridleys in Devi Estuary. India cannot afford to lose its precious animals and marine life. We must keep creating awareness. Thank you maam for your efforts, expressed a third.

A fourth shared, This is an amazing initiative.

Great, wrote a fifth.

A sixth charmed in, Saw the same in Pondicherry last year.

What are your thoughts on this?
Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath in a podcast with journalist Sonia Shenoy jumped in on the rent vs buy debate and shared his take on the subject. He said that he stays in a home that he doesnt own as he prefers renting over buying. The video has prompted a chatter among netizens. While many agreed with Kamaths stand about renting a house, others argued that buying a home is better in the long run. Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath, while in conversation with a journalist, shared his take on the 'rent vs buy debate'. (File Photo)

During the conversation, Nithin Kamath also revealed that the only house his family owns is his parents' home and that is due to emotional reasons. He also expressed that he doesnt see himself buying a house anytime soon as for him it makes more sense to simply rent.

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Since being shared, the video has collected close to 3.7 lakh views. The post has also accumulated nearly 8,900 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the video. While some supported Nithin Kamath, others argued that buying a home is better.

What did Instagram users say about Nithin Kamaths take on renting a house over buying?

Buying a home is not a bad idea as long as we have 80% capital and 20% loan, wrote an Instagram user. but buying a property and making it home provides a kind of mental peace and sense of security. Nobody knows what's stored in the future. At the least, you can assure yourself that 'I have my own place to live in and nobody can just throw me out if I am unable to pay my rent for 3 months for whatever reasons it is'. A home is always a home, added another.

Also Read: Google CEO Sundar Pichai starts his day by visiting this website

The upside to renting is that you aren't forced to make decisions based on vicinity. Due to affordability, you end up owning flats in the outskirts and spend a lifetime commuting and that forces you to make career and lifestyle choices closer to home, compromising quality or prospects, joined a third. Makes sense! His inputs are based on reality and maths, commented a fourth.
A Canadian judge has deemed the intentional running over of five members of a Muslim family in 2021 to constitute terrorist activity. HT Image

Earlier, in a verdict delivered by a jury in November, Nathaniel Veltman, now 23, was found guilty on the charge of first-degree murder, as four of the family had died when he drove a black pickup truck on to a sidewalk and ran them over. They were identified as Talat Afzaal, 74, Madiha Salman, 44, Salman Afzaal, 46, and Yumnah Afzaal, who was just 15. A nine-year-old male boy survived the attack. The Afzaals were originally from Pakistan.

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The incident occurred in the town of London, Ontario and at the time of the tragedy, local police underscored the motivation, saying, Investigators believe that this was an intentional act and that the victims were targeted because of their Islamic faith. There is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate.

While delivering judgement on Thursday, Superior Court Justice Renee Pomerance said, I have chosen not to name the offender nor recite the hateful statements that he shared with police or in his manifesto. This is because his actions constitute terrorist activity.

There is no place in Canadian society for the hatred and racism that spawned the offenders actions, she said.

Relatives of the victims welcomed the ruling, as they said, in a statement, The terrorism designation acknowledges the hate that fuelled this fire, the ugliness that took the lives of Talat, Salman, Madiha and Yumnah. But this hate didnt exist in a vacuum. It thrived in the whispers, the prejudices, the normalized fear of the other.

Judge Pomerance said the attack on the Afzaals could be taken to be characterized as a textbook example of terrorist motive and intent. She added that Veltman saw the world through the prism of racist dogma and his consumption of extremist content on the Internet fed the strength of his convictions.

Veltman faces 25 years in prison, without the option of getting parole.
Traders are complaining that shipping companies have raised terminal handling charge by 10% this month, adding to their difficulties caused by the rising tensions in the Red Sea.

The Vietnam Shippers Council, representing exporters and importers, made the complaint in a recent letter to the transport and finance ministries and other relevant government agencies.

Phan Thong, general secretary of the council, said for many years foreign shipping companies have raised charges and fees on their own without the need to seek approval from authorities. They have a monopoly over Vietnamese trade.

Their charges are often several times the fee traders pay port operators.

This month they raised terminal handling charges from $180-190 to $200-210 for a 40-foot container.

They further levy 10 other charges and fees ranging from $9 to $100 per container.

Thong said the increase this month is only in Vietnam and no other country.

Traders also complained that the foreign shipping firms took advantage of the tensions in the Red Sea to hike charges.

In explanation, the shipping firms said the tension have forced them to take longer routes that take an additional seven to 10 travel days, which increases costs.

Spokespersons for South Korean shipping firm Hyundai Merchant Marine and Japanese firm Ocean Network Express said the increases are all based on market developments, and they inform customers before making any hike.

But Vietnam Shippers Council now demands that authorities require these shipping firms to inform them of the hikes. It also wanted the shipping firms to be taxed if they make windfall profits.
A commercial spaceship landed near the moon's south pole but the flight controllers were receiving a signal from the hexagon-shaped lander Odysseus, the company behind the mission said. This image provided by Intuitive Machines shows its Odysseus lunar lander over the near side of the moon following lunar orbit insertion on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Intuitive Machines via AP)

Were evaluating how we can refine that signal," said mission director Tim Crain of Intuitive Machines. But we can confirm, without a doubt, that our equipment is on the surface of the moon.

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Congratulations, IM team, we'll see how much more we can get from that.

The spaceship, which is part of NASA-funded, uncrewed commercial robots, is meant to pave the way for future human exploration of the Moon under the Artemis program.

Your order was delivered to the Moon!  US space agency said in a post on X.

NASA said that Odysseus landed on the Moon at 6:23pm ET (4:53 am IST).

The landing comes months after India became the first country to successfully land its spacecraft on the moon's cold and treacherous south pole. Chandrayaan-3 lander Vikram safely reached the lunar surface in August 2023.

(This is breaking newsplease check back for updates)
THE YEAR 1973 was a pivotal one for Americas army. The force was battered and broken from Vietnam. In January the defence secretary announced the end of conscription; two months later the last combat troops left Vietnam. But the Arab-Israeli war which broke out on Yom Kippur in October planted the seeds of renewal. The lessons of that war, absorbed by American officers dispatched to Israel, helped reshape the US Army into the modern and professional force which would vanquish Iraq in 1991.

Todays generals, who came of age during that transformation, are keenly aware of the resonance. Theres a loose analogy between the early 1970s and the army of Desert Storm, says General James Rainey, who leads the armys Future Command, and the army which invaded Iraq in the early 2000s and where we need to be in 2040. Two decades of war in Afghanistan and Iraq wore out troops, equipment and ideas. A recruitment shortage remains unresolved. Now the rise of China and the lessons from the war in Ukraine have prompted introspection, renewal and reform.

Among army civilian and military leaders, there are three big unsettled questions, according to people familiar with those debates. One is whether profound shifts in the character of war, some evident in Ukraine, might render ground forces less important, if not irrelevant.

A second is how to balance resources between Asia and Europe (Asia being the Pentagons priority and Europe where Russia is rearming fast). The army can prepare for conflicts in both places but it cannot actually wage those wars at the same timeand it is no longer asked to do so. The 2018 National Defence Strategy ended the two war standard, a change accepted by the Biden administration.

That leads to a third, and the most existential for the army. What, beyond the provision of logistics and air defence, would be the role of a ground force in a future war in the Pacific?

When General Randy George, the armys chief of staff, was recently asked for book recommendations, he cited The Arms of the Future by Jack Watling, a young British analyst. The book describes how in recent rounds of Warfighter, a big annual exercise led by America, combat brigades facing increasingly good sensors and longer-ranged and deadlier munitions take huge losses, emerging with 20% combat effectiveness. Artillery devastates infantry and armour well before they can get within sight of the enemy.

The war in Ukraine has reinforced those findings. Some argue that the US Army, better trained and armed than Ukraines, and with air cover above, would fare better. General Rainey nonetheless assumes the worst. Were going to fight under constant observation, says General Rainey, and in constant contact of some form. There is no break. There is no sanctuary. He says that American lessons learned teams were in place three days before the invasion to collect observations. They will have had some nasty surprises: American-made GPS-guided shells and rockets initially worked well; more recently, they have struggled against Russian jamming.

The army recognises that where it could once patiently muster its forces before launching a large-scale offensiveas it did against Iraq in 1991 and 2003it now has to prioritise dispersal, mobility and concealment. The drone attack which killed three soldiers in Jordan on January 28th was the first successful attack on American troops by aircraft since the Korean war. Katie Crombe, an army officer, and John Nagl, a professor at the US Army War College in Pennsylvania, point out in a recent paper that Ukraines battalion command posts comprise seven soldiers who dig into the ground and move twice daily. That standard, they warn, pointing to ingrained habits of hardened command posts, will be hard for the US Army to achieve.

The commanders of battalions (about 1,000 soldiers) and brigades (a few thousand), the core units of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, would be consumed by this intense fighting in a way they were not during counterinsurgency missions. The army is thus reorganising so that more of the burden of planning, logistics, command and control and long-range firepower falls on divisionslarger formations typically led by two-star generals which stand farther back from the front lines and have more time and space to orchestrate the frenetic battles of the future.

What remains unsettled, says Billy Fabian, a former infantry officer and Pentagon planner, is how, precisely, the armys combat forces should be organised for future wars: the balance between firepower on the one hand, dominant in Ukraine, and so-called manoeuvre elements, such as infantry and armour, on the other. Fighting land wars is the armys raison detre, he says, and Ukraine raises tough questions that challenge deeply ingrained elements core to the armys self-conception.

Army dreamers

Hanging over these reforms is the larger question of where the army will be asked to fight. National defence strategies published by the Trump and Biden administrations instruct the Pentagon to focus on China. In fact, the army grew its footprint in Europe after Russias first invasion of Ukraine in 2014. It has since reinforced the continent with a corps and division headquarters, an infantry and armour brigade, a rocket artillery battalion and numerous other support forces. In contrast, relatively few new forces have flowed into Asia.

For many years, the US Armys principal role in the Pacific was to guard bases, provide air defence and handle logistics. To the extent it was a manoeuvre force, in military parlance, it was focused on North Korea. Other services have looked down their noses at it. The navy has a stranglehold on the leadership of Indo-Pacific Command, says Stacie Pettyjohn of the Centre for a New American Security, a think-tank in Washington. They see the army only in a supporting role in a maritime theatre.

General Charles Flynn, the commander of the US Army Pacific, vigorously rebuts such ideas, speaking to The Economist in his headquarters in Hawaii. Humans have this unique tendency to live on land, he says. At the end of the day, decisions are going to be made by the pointy end of a gun. The primacy of land is as true in Asia as it is in Europe, he argues, not least because the regions largest countries, like India and Indonesia, have military forces dominated by armies. The idea is that, by building ties to them in peacetime, the army can position itself to project military power westward.

The growing pace of exercises (more than 40 take place annually) is a core part of that. General Flynn points to the examples of Talisman Sabre in Australia and Garuda Shield in Indonesia. Both were once relatively modest army-to-army exercises. They have grown and now involve the navy and air force. Both also involved the armys Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC), in essence, physical and virtual training equipment that can be deployed around the region to do things which could only have been done at a large base in Louisiana. Such drills are morphing into a near-permanent presence: the army is deployed in the region for eight months of the year.

Alongside that is a reimagining of how the army would fight. The premise is that China has optimised its forces to attack American satellites, ships and air bases. What its not designed against, says General Bernard Harrington, is to find, fix and finish land formations that are distributed, mobile and networked. That has prompted the creation of three experimental multi-domain task forces, or MDTFs, the first of which is focused on Asia and commanded by General Harrington.

Each MDTF has four battalions which can deploy small units along the first island chain which runs from Japan to the Philippines. The idea is that these can fight not just on landsoldier v soldier, tank v tankbut across domains. Imagine that America needs to target a Chinese ship. The MDTFs effects battalion might jam its radar and hack its networks; if that does not neutralise the ship, it makes it more likely that anti-ship missiles launched by a fires battalion will get through. The forces long-range hypersonic missiles, which arrived last year, have a range just short of 3,000kmenough to reach from Japan to Taiwan, or from the Philippines to the South China Sea.

Initial experiments with the MDTFs have shown promise, though some are sceptical that this high-tech vision of war would survive contact with reality. They have also yielded useful lessons. General Harrington says that an exercise in the Philippines last year was a reminder that HIMARS rocket launchers and intelligence equipment, full of delicate electronics, fare less well in the heat and humidity of tropical Asia than in the American proving ground where they were first tested. Two MDTFs are currently devoted to Asia, with a third for Europe. The original plan envisioned a total five, with an additional one in the Arctic and one for global tasks.

All this would seem to offer a definitive answer to the armys identity crisis: Asia first. Inside the Department of the Army, nestled within the Pentagon, there are doubts, though. One question is whether its own plans mesh with those of the armed services as a whole. The army still feels marginalised in the Pacific, says Ms Pettyjohn. Another is whether the army itself has pivoted ruthlessly enough. Its fleet of watercraft has shrunk dramatically in recent years, for instance. Watercraft are an absolute indicator of true commitment to the Pacific, says J.P. Clark, another Army War College professor. They are quite expensive, only really useful for that theatre, and absolutely essential.

The MDTFs themselves remain niche formations, argues Mr Fabian. The largest formation allocated to the region is the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, he points out, a light-infantry division. It seems like the Army is trying to have it both ways, argues Mr Fabian. Talk about fires and air defence for the Pacific, but stay a combined-arms force organised for close combat like its always been. The army hedges its bets, says an insider, because it rarely wages the war it expects.

Trade-offs abound. Short-range artillery is vital for Europe; less so in Asia. I just dont know what youd fire a 155-round at out in the Pacific other than the water, quipped a top Pentagon official recently. The army will have to make firm choices in the next year or two, say officials. In part that is because it is creating more units than it can reliably man. The army expected to finish last year short of 10,000 recruits, a 15% shortfall and the second consecutive year of under-enlistment. Much of that is down to Americas tight labour market but it also reflects waning enthusiasm towards military service, and towards combat arms in particular.

The fall in the size of the individual ready reservereservists not allocated to a particular unitfrom 450,000 in 1994 to 76,000 in 2018 worsens the problem. Ukraine shows how intense wars tend to chew up regular armies, requiring an infusion of citizens with military experience. Todays shortage of combat soldiers is tomorrows shortage of reservists. Ms Crombe and Mr Nagl are among those who favour the notion of partial conscription, an idea backed by just 20% of Americans. Now, as in the pivotal moments of the mid-1970s, the army finds itself wrestling with profound questions over its size, shape and purpose, ones that will eventually touch, as they did then, its relationship to American society.

 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 German parliament voted Friday to legalise the possession and controlled cultivation of cannabis starting in April, despite fierce objections from the opposition and medical associations. The changes will leave Germany with some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe.(AP)

Under the new law, it will be possible to obtain up to 25 grams of the drug per day for personal use through regulated cannabis cultivation associations, as well as to have up to three plants at home.

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But possession and use of the drug will remain prohibited for anyone under 18.

The changes will leave Germany with some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe, bringing it into line with Malta and Luxembourg, which legalised recreational use of the drug in 2021 and 2023 respectively.

The Netherlands has also long been known for its liberal cannabis laws, but in recent years parts of the country have begun cracking down on sales to tourists and non-residents.

Ahead of the vote, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called on members of parliament to back the controversial law, arguing that "the situation we are in now is in no way acceptable".

Germany has seen a sharp rise in the number of young people using cannabis obtained on the black market, said Lauterbach, a member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats.

Ideology

According to the German Cannabis Association, substances that can end up in black-market weed include sand, hairspray, talcum powder, spices or even glass and lead.

Experts also say marijuana can be contaminated with heroin or synthetic cannabinoids that are up to 100 times stronger than natural psychoactive cannabinoids.

But Simone Borchardt of the opposition CDU party said the new law would only increase health risks for young people.

She accused the three parties in Scholz's coalition government of "making policy for their ideology and not for the country".

The law has also been widely criticised by medical associations and health groups.

Some experts have warned that cannabis use among young people can affect the development of the central nervous system, leading to an increased risk of developing psychosis and schizophrenia.

Sustained use has also been linked to respiratory diseases and testicular cancer.

Thomas Fischbach, president of the German federation of doctors for children and adolescents, the BKVJ, said medical associations were broadly opposed to the plans.

"Cannabis use among young people will increase because such substances are always passed on to younger people," he told the newspaper Die Welt.

This could have serious consequences for young people's physical and mental health, he said.

"Chronic cannabis use makes you stupid, to put it bluntly, and can also cause psychosis."

'Cannabis social clubs'

The cannabis law has also been the subject of bitter wrangling within the coalition of Scholz's Social Democrats, the Greens and the liberal FDP.

In their coalition agreement, the three parties had pledged to go further and allow cannabis to be sold in shops, a move that was slapped down by the EU.

They are now planning a second law to trial the drug's sale in shops in certain regions.

Under the legislation passed on Friday, individuals will be able to obtain enough cannabis per day to make up to 75 joints, depending on how much is used.

However, there is also a limit of 50 grams per month.

The cannabis associations, known as "cannabis social clubs", are set to begin operating from July.

Until now, German law has restricted personal use of cannabis to people with certain medical conditions.

Private recreational use of the drug was banned, though police often turned a blind eye to possession of small amounts.

The German public is divided on the new law: According to a YouGov poll published Friday, 47 percent are in favour of the plans and 42 percent are against.
As French cinema basks in Academy Awards attention, actors who allege they were teenage victims of sexual and physical abuse by directors decades older than them are shining the light on the repulsive underside of the country's industry. French newspapers Le Parisien and Liberation report that actress Judith Godreche is to make a speech on sexual violence in the cinema industry at the Cesar Awards' ceremony, the French version of the Oscars. (AP)

The latest step in the #MeToo movement could come at the French cinema awards on Friday.

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French media are reporting that Judith Godreche will make a speech on sexual violence at the Cesar Awards ceremony, France's version of the Oscars, which is broadcast live on television.

Gerald-Brice Viret, a broadcasting director at Frances Canal , the channel that will air the awards ceremony, said he is hoping Godreche will speak during the event Friday night.

We asked her to come because we wanted her to feel surrounded by the entire cinema family, Viret said in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper. We will welcome her with open arms. The floor is open.

Godreche already sent a powerful message to the public through recent interviews in which she denounced an omerta in the industry.

It comes as French cinema is expected to shine next month at the Oscars ceremony with Justine Triet 's courtroom drama  Anatomy of a Fall.

Godreche, 51, is well known to French cinemagoers. She recently accused two film directors of rape and sexual abuse when she was a teenager. She formally filed a complaint earlier this month, the Paris prosecutor said.

She is accusing film director Benoit Jacquot, with whom she had a six-year relationship that started when she was 14, of rape and physical abuse. Jacquot, a prominent director in France, is 25 years her senior.

She is also accusing another film director, Jacques Doillon, of sexual abuse while he was directing a film when she was 15. Doillon is 28 years older than her.

Both Jacquot and Doillon have denied the allegations.

Speaking on France Inter radio earlier this month, Godreche said that she was never attracted to Jacquot, but I ended up with him, in his bed, and I was his child wife. Godreche and Jacquot met in 1986 on the set of his film The Beggars.

I was indoctrinated, it was as if Id joined a cult, she said. The relationship was marred by violence, confinement and control, she said.

Hours before the start of the ceremony, French cultural minister Rachida Dati criticized the country's cinema for collectively turning a blind eye for decades to sexual violence. She hailed Godreches courage to speak out and for sharing her traumatic experience.

Judith Godreche has spoken of her pain in simple terms, Dati said. "She said, I was a child. You saw everything and no one said anything, the cultural minister said in an interview with The French Film magazine. She added: This should be the beginning of profound soul searching for French cinema.

Creative freedom is total, but we are not talking about art here, but about a crime against a child, Dati said. Having a sexual relationship with a child under 15, is a crime.

ALSO READ- Gender Question | Years after #MeToo lit a fire in our lives, a group of feminists look back at what it left in its wake

Godreche had previously spoken about her relationship with Jacquot, without naming him, in an autobiographical television show called Icon of French Cinema that was released in December.

She was among the actors who spoke out in 2017 against U.S. film producer Harvey Weinstein amid the #MeToo movement, accusing him of sexual assault when she was 24.

Jacquot told the Le Monde newspaper that he doesnt feel directly concerned by Godreche's accusations, with whom he said he fell in love at the time. He denied any abuse of authority.

In a statement to international news agency Agence France-Presse, Doillon said the just cause doesnt justify arbitrary denunciations, false accusations and lies.

Following Godreche's accusations, other women decided to speak out.

Isild Le Besco, 41, accused Jacquot of psychological and physical violence in a relationship with him that began when she was 16 and he was 52. She also accused Doillon of having picked someone else for a role she was supposed to get because she refused his sexual advances.

Another actor, Anna Mouglalis, 45, accused Doillon of sexual assault in 2011.

The French film industry earlier was shaken by sexual misconduct accusations against actor Gerard Depardieu.

In 2020, protests by womens rights activists were staged during the Cesar Awards ceremony as director Roman Polanski won, in absentia, the best director award. Actor Adele Haenel, who denounced alleged sexual assault by another French director in the early 2000s when she was 15, got up and walked out of the room.

Polanski is still wanted in the United States decades after he was charged with raping a 13-year-old girl in 1977.
Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khans party on Friday approached the Supreme Court challenging the outcome of the February 8 general elections alleging widespread rigging. A portrait of the former Prime Minister Imran Khan is seen amid flags of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) (Reuters)

Khan has already declared the entire process as the Mother of All Rigging and has been insisting that his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafs (PTI) mandate was stolen because of the rigging.

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The party has claimed that it won 180 seats in the National Assembly by way of independent candidates backed by the party, however, the rigging ensured that the number was reduced to 92 seats only, thus robbing its chance of coming back to power.

Sher Afzal Marwat, a senior PTI leader, told media persons that he moved the apex court against poll fraud.

He also said he has challenged the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and other members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The petition comes two days after the top court disposed of a petition seeking to annul the elections and imposed a fine of 0.5 million on a petitioner, a former Army officer, for failing to appear in court after filing the petition.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the party led by another former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, won 75 seats while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came third with 54 seats. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has 17 seats.

Given the Constitutional provision that a party must win 133 out of 265 contested seats in the 266-member National Assembly to form a government, the PML-N and the PPP have agreed on a power-sharing deal to form a new coalition government.

Under this arrangement, PML-Ns Shehbaz Sharif is projected as the prime minister candidate, while PPP's Asif Ali Zardari is to be the president, and may effectively end former Khan's chances of returning to power.
A British-born woman who went to Syria as a schoolgirl to join Islamic State lost her latest appeal on Friday over the removal of her British citizenship. Shamima Begum who traveled to Syria as a teenager to join the Islamic State group (AP)

The British government took away Shamima Begum's citizenship on national security grounds in 2019, shortly after she was found in a detention camp in Syria.

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Begum, now 24, argued the decision was unlawful, in part because British officials failed to properly consider whether she was a victim of trafficking, an argument that was rejected by a lower court in February 2023.

The Court of Appeal in London rejected her appeal on Friday following an appeal in October.

Judge Sue Carr said: "It could be argued that the decision in Ms Begum's case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune.

"But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view. Our only task is to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful.

"We have concluded it was not and the appeal is dismissed."

The government welcomed the ruling.

"Our priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK and we will robustly defend any decision made in doing so," a spokesperson for the interior ministry said.

HEATED DEBATE

Friday's ruling is the latest chapter in a long-running legal battle which has already reached the United Kingdom's Supreme Court  and could do so again.

Begum's case has been the subject of heated debate in Britain, between those who argue she willingly joined a terrorist group and others who say she was a child when she left, or should face justice for any alleged crimes in Britain.

She left London in 2015, aged 15, and travelled with two school friends to Syria, where she married an IS fighter and gave birth to three children, all of whom died as infants.

Begum has been in the al-Roj camp since 2019, with thousands of other foreign women and children.

Begum's lawyer, Samantha Knights, had told the Court of Appeal that Britain had a legal duty to consider whether she was a potential victim of trafficking, or if there had been any failures by the state before removing her British citizenship.

She also argued that Begum's entry into Syria was "facilitated by a Canadian agent" working for IS  an allegation which first emerged in 2015.

However, lawyers representing the British government said the decision to revoke someone's citizenship must be "focused on the risks posed by the individual, irrespective of how they might have come to be a risk".
A top U.S. official on North Korea held a video call this week with China's envoy on Korean Peninsula affairs in which they discussed the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, the State Department said on Friday. China's President Xi Jinping walks as he attends the "Senior Chinese Leader Event" held by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. (REUTERS)

The U.S. senior official for North Korea, Jung Pak, and her Chinese counterpart, Liu Xiaoming, also addressed North Korea's "increasingly destabilizing and escalatory behavior," the department said in a statement.

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ALSO READ- US rivalry with China expands to biotech. Lawmakers see a failure to compete and want to act

It said the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea was "in violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions."

Russia has long been party to U.N. sanctions on North Korea over the latter's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs but has stepped up ties with Pyongyang since invading Ukraine in 2022.

The United States has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery shells and missiles used in Ukraine.

Moscow and Pyongyang deny the accusations but vowed last year to deepen military relations.

The State Department said the video call followed a Feb. 16 meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Munich at which they "affirmed the importance of continued communication on (North Korea) issues at all levels."

ALSO READ- Among biggest challenges for India, China is to arrive at equilibrium: Jaishankar

The Kremlin on Tuesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin had given North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a Russian Aurus limousine as a gift. On Friday, Washington imposed sanctions on the producer of the car as part of a sweeping round of sanctions against Russia over the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions and trade restrictions also targeted Chinese firms that the U.S. said were assisting Russia's war.

Sino-U.S. relations have shown signs of improvement in recent months with steps to re-establish communication channels after ties sank to their lowest levels in decades.

But many points of friction remain, including U.S. sanctions on China over security and human rights issues. China said Wang told Blinken in Munich that these should be lifted.

ALSO READ- How China's Xi Jinping eyes global domination: 20 lakh troops, 500 nuke warheads

The top U.S. official for arms control, Bonnie Jenkins, told an event on Thursday that Washington was keen for more talks with China on strategic stability and crisis management and that a more aggressive North Korea was not in Beijing's interest.

She said she believed North Korea, which borders China, is keen to acquire fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment or materials, and other advanced technologies from its cooperation with Russia.
Russia's main domestic intelligence agency has arrested a woman with dual U.S. and Russian citizenship on charges of treason, accusing her of collecting money for the Ukrainian military. HT Image

The Federal Security Service said in a statement early Tuesday that the Los Angeles resident was arrested in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg, about 1,100 miles (1,770 kilometers) east of Moscow. She had returned to Russia to visit family.

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Authorities did not name the woman, but her longtime employer in California identified her as Ksenia Khavana.

Here is what is known about Khavana and Russia's case against her:

Khavana, 33, is a citizen of the U.S. and Russia.

The independent Russian news outlet Mediazona identified her as Ksenia Karelina, her maiden name, and said that she had received U.S. citizenship after marrying an American.

Isabella Koretz, owner of Ciel Spa at the SLS Beverly Hills where Khavana has worked for eight years, told The Associated Press that Khavana, a ballet dancer, came to the U.S. to study at the University of Maryland in Baltimore before relocating to Los Angeles.

She said Khavana is divorced and does not have any relatives in the U.S. Koretz said she has grown close to Khavana over the years and treats her like shes family.

According to Koretz, Khavana tried to see her family in Russia at least once a year, usually around Christmas and New Year's. This year, Koretz said, Khavana flew into Russia from Istanbul in early January for a two-week trip to spend time with her 90-year-old grandmother, parents and younger sister.

Koretz grew concerned when Khavana stopped returning her messages and phone calls after entering Russia. She said panic set in when Khavana ultimately did not return from her trip in mid-January as planned.

This girl is like an angel, Koretz said. You have to understand that she wouldnt hurt a fly."

Russia's Federal Security Service alleges that Khavana had been proactively raising funds for a Ukrainian organization since February 2022  money that it says was subsequently used to purchase tactical medicine, equipment, weapons and ammunition by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The agency said she also took part in public actions in the U.S. in support of Kyiv. It did not provide further details about the allegations.

Koretz said Khavana actually was collecting funds for humanitarian aid and had made a donation to Razom for Ukraine, a U.S.-based nonprofit that says it provides medical kits and disaster relief to those affected by Russias invasion of the country.

We're talking about diapers and formula, that's what she was collecting money for, Koretz said. We're not talking about money for weapons.

In its own statement Tuesday, the nonprofit's CEO said she was appalled by media reports of the arrest but did not name Khavana or confirm whether the woman had previously donated to the charity.

The organization said in an email to The Associated Press that it does not disclose the identities of its donors to protect their privacy.

Razom calls on the U.S. government to continue to do everything in its power to demand that President Putin release all those unjustly detained by Russia and to hold Russias political and military leadership accountable for their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Dora Chomiak said in her statement.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said that the White House and the State Department were aware of reports of the arrest and added that we are trying to get more information and to secure some consular access to that individual.

The Federal Security Service says that she has been ordered detained as a preventative measure while it continues its investigation.

Koretz said that Khavana, meanwhile, has been communicating with her colleagues at the spa through letters and has asked them to help her sell her belongings in Los Angeles, including her car.

She doesn't want to leave anybody with her debts, Koretz said.

If convicted of treason under article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code, Khavana faces up to 20 years in prison.

News on Tuesday of Khavana's arrest came the same day a court in the Russian capital ruled to keep Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in custody pending his trial on espionage charges that he denies.
US President Joe Biden on Friday announced sanctions on more than 500 targets in Russia on the second anniversary of the Ukraine invasion, vowing sustained pressure to stop President Vladimir Putin's "war machine." President Joe Biden(AP)

The sanctions, described by the Treasury Department as the largest single tranche since the start of the war, will seek to impose a cost for the death in prison a week ago of Putin's most vocal critic, Alexei Navalny.

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Biden said that the more than 500 sanctions, expected to be unveiled later in the day, will target "individuals connected to Navalny's imprisonment as well as Russia's financial sector, defense industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents."

"They will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home," Biden said in a statement.

"We are also imposing new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing backdoor support for Russia's war machine," he said.

The United States and its allies have imposed a slew of measures against Russia since the start of the war, including blocking financial assets, restricting high-tech exports and setting an official cap on the sale price of Russia's oil exports.

But US military support critical for Ukraine has dried up due to a political impasse in Congress, with Russia recently scoring a key battlefield gain.

And the Russian economy is still expected to grow this year, albeit at a lower scale, as the country adapts and relies on trade with non-Western partners, especially China.

A coalition involving the Group of Seven leading economies, the European Union and Australia earlier announced plans to tighten compliance with the $60 per barrel cap on of Russian crude.

EU announces fresh sanctions

On Friday, the EU announced its own set of measures against around 200 firms and individuals accused of assisting Russia in obtaining weapons or involvement in the kidnapping of Ukrainian children, both of which Moscow denies.

They included ten Russian firms and persons involved in the delivery of North Korean weapons to Russia, including North Korea's defense minister.

Since the commencement of the war, the EU has listed almost 2,000 persons.

In response, Russia's foreign ministry announced that it has dramatically increased the list of EU officials and lawmakers barred from entering Russia.

"The European Union is continuing its fruitless attempts to put pressure on Russia through unilateral restrictive measures," the bloc said in a statement.

Holding Putin responsible for death

Biden has declared that he considers Putin responsible for the death of Navalny, 47, who barely survived a 2020 poisoning he blamed on government agents.

On Thursday, Biden said he had met privately in California with Navalny's widow and daughter.

He told reporters after meeting with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya in San Francisco that Putin's late opponent was "a man of incredible courage."

A number of European governments have summoned Russian diplomats to protest the death of Navalny, and Britain imposed sanctions on six officials at the remote Siberian penal colony where the campaigner died.

The White House has said as well that Washington would soon impose new sanctions on Iran over its backing for Russia's invasion.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists that authorities are prepared to go even further if Iran sells ballistic missiles to Russia.

In announcing the new measures, Biden also made a new plea for Congress to fund new military aid to Ukraine.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring the aid to a vote, with his ally, presidential hopeful Donald Trump, criticizing support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces recently withdrew from Avdiivka in the eastern Donetsk region as they ran short of ammunition, giving Russia its first major gain on the ground since May.

"History is watching. The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will not be forgotten," Biden said.
Authorities have confirmed that 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, who went missing in Texas and was later found dead in the Trinity River five days after her disappearance, died as a result of blunt head trauma, reports PEOPLE. According to court records filed in Polk County, a family friend of Cunningham's who was accused of killing a Texas girl was earlier charged with capital murder. Now, the official cause of death has been revealed. Authorities have stressed that all angles are being covered and several suspects questioned in connection to Audrii Cunninghams disappearance (Polk County Sheriffs Office)

Also read: Missing Texas girl Audrii Cunningham found dead in river, suspect could face capital murder charges

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Audrii Cunninghams cause of death

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has classified Audrii Cunningham's death as "homicidal violence," confirming it as a homicide, according to PEOPLE. Audrii, who failed to attend school in Livingston, Texas, on February 15, was reported missing at that time, authorities stated. On Tuesday afternoon, February 20, five days after the initial filing, investigators discovered her body near the US Highway 59 bridge in Livingston, found in the Trinity River.

The institute officials declined to comment on any additional injuries when questioned. However, authorities have announced that Don Steven McDougal, aged 42, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death.

Who is Don Steven McDougal?

In a charging document reviewed by PEOPLE, authorities claim they found Audriis body tied to a large rock with a rope that was consistent with rope found in the suspect's car days earlier. McDougal has been revealed as a friend of Cunningham's father. Sometimes he took care of driving the eleven-year-old to school; otherwise, he stayed in a trailer behind the house. On separate charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, he was taken into custody last week.

Also read: Audrii Cunningham death: Family friend Don Steven McDougal charged with capital murder after Texas girl's body found

According to a legal document, authorities claim that they found Audrii's body tied to a "large rock" with a rope that matched the one found in the suspect's car days earlier. The rope used was consistent with rope that was observed in McDougals vehicle on a traffic stop two days prior.

Next, it was revealed that the suspect has a criminal past that dates back to the early 2000s. He had already been charged with a number of offenses, such as enticing a minor in Brazoria County in 2008, hitting a relative, and evading capture in Liberty County, among others.
Green grapefruit prices have fallen 30% from the pre-Lunar New Year period of Feb. 8-14, now ranging between VND14,000-16,000 ($0.57-$0.65) per kilogram.

Farmer Truong in the southern province of Dong Nai has 45 tons of green grapefruit ready to be sold but only a few traders have made an inquiry.

Having been growing the fruit for 10 years, Truong has seen their prices drop from VND50,000 in 2020 to 25,000 last year and now VND16,000.

Thanh in Ben Tre Province recently received an offer to sell at VND13,000, 13% lower than the production cost.

Trader Thu Hien in Dong Nai said that a decline in Chinas demand for the fruit had caused its prices to fall. Domestic demand is also low, she added.

Nguyen Ding Tung, CEO of fruit exporter Vina T&T, said that supply was now more abundant than in previous years and therefore prices had dropped.

Prices are expected to rise again in March when demand is forecast to rise.

Vietnams fresh green grapefruit has been approved for exports to the U.S., but exporters face strong competition from their Chinese and Thai counterparts.

Vietnam has 105,400 hectares of different varieties of grapefruit that produce nearly one million tons annually.
Hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman on Friday delivered a scathing letter to Business Insider, demanding the publication to remove an article accusing his wife Neri Oxman of plagiarism. Bill Ackman, the chief executive officer of Pershing Square Capital Management LP(Bloomberg)

Ackman alleged that his wife, a scientist-turned-entrepreneur, was targeted solely because he was a vocal opponent of Harvard University and its then president Claudine Gay over the rise of antisemitism on the campus following Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.

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In a Friday post on X, formerly Twitter, Ackman said Business Insider's article was defamatory, materially false and misleading, and designed to cause her harm, principally because the reporters do not like me, my support for Israel, or my advocacy.

He sent a 77-page legal letter to Business Insider and its parent company Axel Springer, warning that if the item was not withdrawn, his wife maintained the right to sue.

Also Read: Billionaire Bill Ackman donates $1 million to this leader for challenging Biden

Both Business Insider and Axel Springer have frequently dismissed Ackman's claims, stating that they stand by their articles concerning Oxman and deny any ethical violations in their coverage and publication.

The letter was also addressed to Axel Springer CEO Mathias Dopfner and outlined how he opted not to suit since he was convinced the publishing company was "an important advocate against antisemitism."

The articles are full of untrue and reckless claims, but worst of all, they falsely accuse Dr. Oxman of intentionally plagiarizingand admitting to that academic misconductin her doctoral dissertation and other published works, the letter reads.

We are providing you this demand to explain why immediate retractions and corrections are necessary, supported by undisputed facts and a timeline over the last two months, in a final attempt to avoid litigation, a lawyer for Ackmans wife said.

Accusing the German outlet of journalistic misconduct, the complaint alleges that[Business Insider] repeatedly violated basic tenets of ethical journalism, including by lying to Ackman and Dr. Oxman, failing to give them any realistic time to review and respond to allegations against them, misrepresenting material facts, and purposely harming the subjects of their reporting to serve their political biases."

How did Oxman's plagiarism saga start?

Last month, Business Insider reported Oxman plagiarised passages of her 2010 doctoral dissertation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

This came after Ackman called for the resignation of then Harvard President Claudine Gay, citing allegations of plagiarism.

According to the analysis by the publication, similar patterns of plagiarism were found in Oxman's 330-page PhD dissertation: Material-based Design Computation".

Also Read: After Harvard shakeup, Bill Ackman guns for MIT President for plagiarism check

As per the report, she used direct quotes from sources without quotation marks in her dissertation. Oxman, who has been a tenured MIT professor since 2017, is accused of plagiarising texts from two separate articles by NYU historian Peder Anker published in 1995 and 2006. she also lifted text from 1998 book by Claus Mattheck, a German physicist.

Responding to the allegations, Oxman expressed regret and apologized for the errors made by her. She even said that she should have provided a citation to Mattheck.

Claiming that allegations against Oxman were targetted attacks, Ackman said: "You know that you struck a chord when they go after your wife, in this case, my love and partner in life," he wrote on X, attaching Oxman's apology and explanation post on the issue.

Ackman, who has taken a a hardline stance on plagiarism, praised his wife for her exceptional work that has been featured in 116 exhibitions around the world.
Extending his support to Republican frontrunner Donald Trump ahead of 2024 White House elections, former UK PM Boris Johnson asserted that the "world was safer and more stable under his US presidency. Photo of Ex-UK British PM Boris Johnson and former US President Donald Trump(AP)

When you look back at Trumps last term in office there is little doubt that the world felt safer and calmer and more stable, Johnson told The Sun.

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He stressed that the world is currently craving for strong and decisive American leadership.

A lot of nice well meaning people are quivering like smacked blancmanges at the idea of a new Trump presidency, I am not quite sure why they are so alarmed," he added.

Johnson's remarks come amid a controversy over Trump's statement that he would urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to attack NATO countries who met the alliance's defence expenditure targets.

After his remarks ignited a political firestorm, Trump downplayed his statement, stating that he will not protect NATO countries until they increase defense expenditures.

Earlier, former UK PM Liz Truss also supported Trump's return by stating that "the United States under Biden has projected weakness."

"We need a Republican back in the White House who is prepared to take on the leftist global establishment," she said during a visit to the US, The Sun reported.

Also Read: Traitor to journalism: Boris Johnson calls out Tucker Carlson for ludicrous interview with Putin

Trumps return to White House could be big win for the world: Johnson

Last month, Johnson claimed that Trump may be "what the world needs" right now .

We all need to grow up and get used to the prospect. If he does the right thing and backs the Ukrainians  and I believe he will  a Trump presidency can be a big win for the world," the ex-UK PM wrote in his weekly Daily Mail column.

The world requires a leader "whose willingness to use force and sheer unpredictability is a major deterrent to the enemies of the West," who is "an enthusiastic exponent of free markets and capitalism," and is interested in a "proper free trade deal with the United Kingdom," he said, adding that Trump is "your man".

According to an average provided by the website FiveThirtyEight, Trump is the Republican front-runner and is now polling at 77.7 percent nationwide. In a poll of 6,321 registered voters conducted between February 17 and 19, Morning Consult reports that President Joe Biden, a Democrat, is leading the pack at 41%, while the Republican Party leads at 45%.
The delegation from the American universities will visit 26 institutions in New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. HT Image

This visit gains significance in the wake of the recent spate in incidents of attacks on Indian students and those of Indian origin in various parts of the country.

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The delegation builds on recent years of US and Indian government-led efforts to partner in pursuit of mutually beneficial strategies.

Last year, the president and prime minister from each country embarked on state visits to the other, affirming the US-India Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership, a media release said.

We will have the opportunity to meet with 26 Indian institutions to talk about collaboration, mobility of students and scholars between our two countries and securing and fostering enduring partnerships between institutions, A. Sarah Ilchman, co-president of Institute of International Education (IIE), told PTI in an interview before leaving for India.

Indian students and scholars in the US now are at record numbers and it's very exciting to watch close to 270,000 Indian students on US campuses and about 17,000 Indian scholars in the US right now. So, it's an exciting time to be engaging with India and Indian institutions to try to further increase this engagement and collaboration, she said. The IIE Leadership Delegation to India from February 25 to March 2 would have representations from California State University, Long Beach; University of California, Berkeley; DePaul University; University of California, Davis; East Tennessee State University; University of Houston; Florida International University; University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Michigan State University; University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Mississippi State University; University of Missouri; Montclair State University; University of Rochester; Oklahoma State University; University of Tulsa and Rutgers University. More than 40 per cent of Indias 1.4 billion population is under the age of 25, and demand for education exceeds in-country supply. Apart from meeting Indian government officials, the delegates will visit US consulates, the Indian School of Business, IIT Hyderabad, Mahindra University, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, and Somaiya Vidyavihar University. Topics to be discussed include setting up of international branch campuses in India, the impact of ed-tech in Indian higher education, and the higher education business landscape.

We hope from this delegation that there will be many active partnerships and engagements between US institutions and Indian institutions and that we can increase the flow of students and scholars both ways, Ilchman said.

Observing that the US has probably the most diverse higher education system in the world with specialised programmes, institutions of all sizes and shapes and focuses, Ilchman said the United States has much to offer to students from India as compared to other global destinations.

We also are a brand. People know that the reputation of an education in the US is highly sought after, and in addition, the United States has tremendous capacity and room to welcome international students," she said.

Some countries such as the UK or Australia or Canada have close to 20 per cent or more international students in their higher education system, Ilchman pointed out.

"In the United States, only about six per cent of the higher education system are international students. So we have capacity to welcome more, she said.

Ilchman said India has been a long-standing investor in US higher education by sending students and scholars through optional practical training (OPT), which is the opportunity to do practical work in your field of study after your degree programme.

Many Indian students and scholars have had the opportunity to work in the United States to found organizations and companies that have done tremendous things, she said.

So, the impact of Indians and other international students in the United States is significant in what they contribute back to society, she noted.

The delegation would also meet members of the US embassy while in India.

Of course, visas and the timely issuance of visas is critically important for all of this to work. The Department of State has been much more open and transparent about the number of visa applications that are in the pipeline, how many have been approved, and how long it takes to get a visa interview, the IIE co-president said.

With this transparency we're starting to see more data and more information that the visa process is working out, some of the obstacles in kinks that we have seen, she added.

On a question on the spate in attacks on Indian students in recent weeks, Ilchman said, US colleges and universities prioritise the health and safety of all of their students on campus, both domestic and international.

Building safe and inclusive communities is part of what US universities try to do every single day. They are very familiar with welcoming and supporting international students on their campuses. US institutions are on the forefront of providing mental health resources to ensure that all students have the support that they need during their studies, she added.

Asked about some of the unscrupulous universities in the US, which many a times resulted in Indian students being deported from the US airports on arrival, Ilchman said, Unfortunately there are individuals who are working outside the system and creating opportunities that don't exist and attract individuals there. I know that they're trying to clamp down on these unfortunate actors in the industry.
PRAGUE (AP)  Czech farmers were driving their tractors and other vehicles to several border crossings on Thursday to meet their colleagues from neighboring countries and join forces in their protests against European Union agriculture policies, bureaucracy and overall conditions for their business. HT Image

Farmers complain that the 27-nation EUs environmental policies, such as the Green Deal, which calls for limits on the use of chemicals and on greenhouse gas emissions, limit their business and make their products more expensive than non-EU imports.

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The farmers also complain about low prices for their products and say grain and other agriculture products coming from Ukraine and Latin America negatively affect the market.

The farmers met their colleagues from neighboring Germany, Poland and Slovakia at a number of border crossings. Farmers from 10 EU countries, ranging from Central Europe to the Baltics and the Balkans, were participating in the protest, organizers said.

The farmers invited Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny, his Slovak counterpart Richard Takac, and the representatives of farmers from Poland and Hungary to rally at a Czech-Slovak border crossing known as Hodonin-Holic, which was blocked by hundreds of tractors.

We don't protest against the EU, we protest against the wrong decisions by the European Commission, said Andrej Gajdos from the Slovak Chamber of Agriculture and Food.
G20 nations broadly back a two-state solution to the conflict in the Middle East, host Brazil said Thursday after a meeting of top diplomats, adding to pressure on Israel to accept an independent Palestinian state. HT Image

The message from the meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Rio de Janeiro came a day after Israel's parliament overwhelmingly voted for a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to oppose any "unilateral" recognition of a Palestinian state.

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More than four months into Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip, the Group of 20 leading economies voiced "virtual unanimity for the two-state solution as the only possible solution" to the crisis, Brazil's top diplomat, Mauro Vieira, told journalists at the close of the two-day meeting.

"The only reason (Vieira) didn't simply say 'unanimity' is that not every speaker addressed the issue," a Brazilian foreign ministry source told AFP.

"Every (minister) that addressed the issue voiced support" for a two-state solution, "and it was a lot" of ministers, he said.

The meeting brought together top diplomats including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Borrell had urged Vieira to use his closing statement "to explain to the world that at the G20, everybody was in favor" of a two-state solution, with an independent Palestine co-existing with Israel.

"It was a strong request for a two-state solution," Borrell told journalists.

"The common denominator is that there's not going to be peace, there's not going to be sustainable security for Israel, unless the Palestinians have a clear political prospect to build (their) own state."

He said he hoped to see a proposal from the Arab world to that effect in the coming days.

Blinken, too, called for a "concrete pathway to a Palestinian state," according to his prepared remarks.

"We're focused intensely on trying to get an agreement that results in freeing (Hamas-held) hostages and that produces an extended humanitarian ceasefire," he told a news conference.

With warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza mounting by the day, Israel faces growing international pressure for the creation of a Palestinian state -- including from key ally the United States.

The war started after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Hamas militants also took about 250 hostages -- 130 of whom remain in Gaza, including 30 presumed dead, according to Israel.

Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 29,410 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest count by Gaza's health ministry.

The meeting also tackled Russia's war in Ukraine -- which enters its third year Saturday -- and the need to reform global institutions like the United Nations, which have struggled to respond to mounting conflicts, crises and polarization.

Vieira said "various countries" had reiterated their condemnation of Russia's invasion.

But there was little sign of diplomatic progress.

Russia's Lavrov lashed out at the West for its criticism following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison Friday.

"They (the West) act like prosecutor, accuser, judge and executioner -- all in one. This hysteria over Navalny's death has shown this convincingly," he told journalists.

He said he had had no direct contact with Western officials at the meeting, despite sitting in the same room.

His last meeting with Blinken was a tense encounter on the sidelines of a G20 gathering in India in March 2023.

Despite a push by Western countries to condemn the invasion of Ukraine, the G20's last summit ended with a watered-down statement denouncing the use of force but not explicitly naming Russia, which maintains friendly ties with India and Brazil, among other members.

It was the first high-level meeting of the year for the G20, which will hold its annual leaders' summit in Rio in November.

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A jury convicted Adam Montgomery of second-degree murder and four other crimes on Thursday for killing his 5-year-old daughter Harmony Montgomery, whose body has not been located since she vanished in 2019. Adam Montgomery was sentenced to life for killing his 5-year-old daughter and hiding her body.(AP/Manchester NH Police)

The verdict came after a two-week trial that featured harrowing and heartbreaking testimony from witnesses and experts.

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Montgomery, 38, was accused of killing Harmony in December 2019 and disposing of her body, which has never been recovered. He was also charged with assaulting her, tampering with evidence, abusing her corpse, and threatening a witness.

Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg praised the jurys decision and said it was not a matter of victory or defeat. This is about a 5-year-old girl that was murdered by her father and I can think of no worse crime, he said.

ALSO READ| Audrii Cunningham's cause of death revealed in autopsy after 11-year-old's body found in river

Despite the absence of the victim's body, the jury reached a unanimous decision

The jury deliberated for about seven hours over two days before reaching the verdict. They asked the judge to clarify the meaning of recklessly on Thursday, which was an element of the second-degree murder charge.

Montgomery did not appear in court for the verdict or for any part of the trial. He opted to stay in his jail cell and watch the proceedings via video.

Harmonys birth mother Crystal Sorey and foster mother Michelle Raftery were present in the courtroom when the verdict was announced. They were accompanied by more than a dozen Manchester police officers, who showed their support and solidarity.

Sorey called Montgomery a coward and said he killed Harmony because he could not control her. He took her away from the people that loved her because he couldnt hack that he didnt have control. Thats all he cared about, control, everything in his life. She wasnt anything to him, she said.

Sorey said she plans to attend Montgomerys sentencing, which is scheduled for some time after April 1, and give a victim impact statement.

ALSO READ| Commercial US spaceship Odysseus lands on moon but transmitting weak signal

The case was challenging: Prosecutor Agati

Prosecutor Benjamin Agati said he was relieved that the jury saw through Montgomerys lies and held him accountable for his actions. He said the case was challenging and complex, especially without a body or a clear motive.

Jurors heard closing arguments on Wednesday, in which Agati argued that Montgomery killed Harmony because he was angry and frustrated with her. He said Montgomery abused and neglected Harmony, who had multiple injuries and scars on her body. He said Montgomery hid Harmonys death from everyone, including his wife Kayla Montgomery, who testified against him.

Montgomerys defense attorney Donna Brown tried to cast doubt on the prosecutions case, saying there was no physical evidence or eyewitnesses to link Montgomery to Harmonys death. S

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu reacted to the verdict on Twitter and called Montgomery a monster who deserved to rot in prison.
An industry veteran with nearly three decades in the IT services industry, executing business turnarounds and managing successful acquisitions, Parekh in his capacity as Infosys CEO sets the strategic direction of one of Indias most notable IT giants, while nurturing a strong leadership team to drive its execution. HT Image

Salils recent addition to the USISPF Board accentuates the success story of Indian IT giants in the US For years. Infosys has been a household name in India, and IT services are one of Indias biggest exports to the United States, said USISPF president and CEO Mukesh Aghi.

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In an era of digital economy and digital trade, Infosys success in the US is a testimony to the growing synergy in tech ties and how Indias robust tech talent plays an integral part in strengthening and growing the tech sector in the United States, Aghi said.

USISPF chairman John Chambers said Salil and Infosys participation on the USISPF Board will help forge a critical reliance for the two economies by consolidating digital trade, ultimately further establishing India as an innovation partner to the world, which is the organisations core mission.

Im thrilled to have Salil, a leader with a great track record in the IT industry, join the USISPF Board. Infosys impact in the American tech industry has been extremely important, and the company played a vital part in India's nearly USD 200 billion software exports for 2023, Chambers said.
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who is trailing Donald Trump by double digits in the Republican presidential race, has criticized both Trump and Joe Biden as too old and dangerous for the country. She said she would support Trump if he wins the nomination, but also hinted that there needs to be an alternative. Nikki Haley: America needs a new generational leader, not Trump or Biden (AP Photo, File)(AP)

Haley told NPRs Steve Inskeep that the majority of Americans dislike Donald Trump and Joe Biden. She said Biden is more dangerous because of his policies on immigration and the economy. She also said she has a lot of concerns about Trump regaining the presidency, and that he is more unstable and unhinged than ever.

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Haley attacks Trump as a bully, Biden as a threat

Haley has been attacking Trump in recent weeks, calling him a bully who is meaner and more offensive by the day. She said he is completely distracted and obsessed with his demons in the past. She accused him of spending campaign money on personal lawsuits, threatening his opponents, and siding with Putin over US allies. She also said he mocks the military and calls people names.

ALSO READ| Sen Tim Scott asks Nikki Haley to step aside from her 2024 presidential bid 'for the good of the country'

The former South Carolina governor is facing an uphill battle against Trump, who has a loyal base of supporters.

According to FiveThirtyEight, Trump has 77.7% of the national Republican vote, while Haley has 16.4%. Trump leads Haley by nearly 30 points in two recent polls in her home state. Haley did manage to raise more money than Trump in January, which could help her stay in the race longer.

Some observers doubt that Haley will endorse Trump if he wins the nomination. Chris Vance, a former Washington state lawmaker and GOP chair who opposes Trump, said that Haley endorsing Trump would be career-ending for her. He said that there is no middle ground between Trump and Never Trump, and that MAGA will never support Haley. He described himself as a politically homeless Never Trump Conservative.

ALSO READ| Joe Biden rebukes Alabama Supreme Court's IVF ruling as outrageous and disregard' for women

Haley said that America needs a new generational leader who can bring normalcy and focus on the solutions of the future. She did not name any potential alternatives to Trump or Biden.
Whispers of a potential return to the UK for Prince Harry have emerged, sparking questions about his current life in California and his long-term plans. While official confirmation is lacking, speculation suggests a sense of "boredom" in his current situation, potentially leading him to consider a temporary move back to his home country. Author Tom Quinn suggests that Prince Harry sees staying active in the royal family during his father's cancer treatment as a way to stay impactful and relevant. Prince Harry: Britain's Prince William and Britain's Prince Harry are seen.(AP)

Royal expert claims Prince Harry misses working Royal life

Harry does miss being a working royal  being a royal is the only thing he is trained to do and he is getting very bored in California, Quinn told The Mirror in an exclusive. He knows that to retain his value and the interest of the world he is better off not being a retired royal so offering to come back to help out at least reminds the world who and what he is." The author/expert claimed.

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Also read: Truth behind Katy Perry's American Idol departure; Is Miley Cyrus the replacement?

Harry is considering moving to the UK

The author also suggests that although Harry is considering returning to the UK, he's aware that Meghan strongly opposes the idea. Despite residing in California, Harry, known for his rebellious nature, has reportedly shown interest in resuming his royal duties, particularly after learning about his father King Charles cancer diagnosis. According to the author, Harry was visibly shocked and upset upon hearing the news, prompting him to immediately want to offer assistance. However, given the couple's history of criticizing the Royal Family in recent years, Harry likely anticipated that his offer would be met with rejection.

Also read: Meghan Markle not returning for Suits reboot, confirms star close to show creator

There is too much bad blood

Prince Harry reportedly thought about suggesting a part-time royal role split between the UK and the US, even though Meghan Markle strongly opposed it. "Harry knows he will never be allowed to be a permanent part-time working royal staying six months in the States and then six months in the UK," the expert said. "The family no longer trusts him and, besides, Meghan is absolutely against it. There is far too much bad blood now for it to be even a remote possibility." They further added.

Last week, following his visit to the UK to see his sick father, Prince Harry launched his official website, sparking controversy due to its royal ties. Shortly after, he expressed his desire for a reunion with the royals in an interview on Good Morning America, which was followed by reports of his willingness to return to royal duties, promptly denied by Palace sources.
Nikki Haley 's best-case scenario for her home state's Republican primary might be to do well enough to make the March 5 Super Tuesday slate somewhat competitive against Donald Trump. Ex-US President Donald Trump (right) and his former ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley.(Reuters)

An upset in South Carolina, though, is a longshot in a state where Republicans like their former governor but love the former president.

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Trump is looking to complete an early state sweep after scoring big wins in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. For Haley, who was twice elected South Carolina governor and then served as Trump's U.N. ambassador, she has a chance to narrow the margin and dampen Trumps momentum.

Here's a look at what to watch in Saturday's primary.

Can Donald Trump deliver another home-state knockout?

Nikki Haley circled Feb. 24 on her calendar months ago. Her bid always hinged on building support through the first three contests and then, as she told voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, winning my sweet state of South Carolina.

She has recalibrated recently. Rather than predict victory, she talks of how far shes come and promises to continue to Super Tuesday. There were 14 candidates in this race, she says. Ive defeated 12 of the fellas, and I have just one more to catch up to.

Trump shrugs it off, predicting at a Fox News town hall that he would win bigly.

Everybody knows you cant lose your home state, he said.

Theres a certain deja vu to it all that should give Haley pause. In 2016, three Trump rivals made home-turf primaries their points of pride. Two even won: then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Trump sailed to the nomination anyway.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, stuck around until his home-state primary, which followed Trumps Super Tuesday domination. Rubio got thrashed  and that was before Trump had made the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach his permanent residence.

Will independents and Democrats make the race close  or closer?

South Carolina has no party registration, and Republicans hold an open primary. That means the only voters who are not eligible Saturday are the 126,000 or so who cast Democratic primary ballots on Feb. 3. Thats significantly less than the 500,000-plus who voted Democratic in 2020, meaning plenty of anti-Trump votes are theoretically available to Haley.

She has not explicitly asked Democrats to help. But she steps right up to the line, telling every audience about open primary rules as she tries to build a wide coalition.

Haley touts her conservative credentials  enacting tax cuts and a voter identification law as governor  while recalling her bipartisan coordination to take down the Confederate banner from state Capitol grounds after a racist massacre at a Charleston church in 2015. She hammers the 77-year-old Trump as chaotic and washed-up but says she voted for him twice and was proud to serve as his U.N. ambassador. She calls herself pro-life but does not judge anyone who is pro-choice and is not calling for a national abortion ban.

That may be the only rational strategy to defeat Trump. It also could leave Haley without a natural base.

She ran for governor as a tea party ally, and then she became one of the same good ole boys, insisted Tim Foster, a Trump supporter and retired deputy sheriff from Spartanburg. Foster took Haley to task, especially for taking down the Confederate battle flag: Shes a very different person now than she was when I voted for her.

Antjuan Seawright, a top Democratic campaign veteran, meanwhile, said Democrats, especially Black voters who anchor the party in South Carolina, take Haley at her word when she scoffs at people calling her a moderate.

We remember who Nikki Haley was, Seawright said, including her positions on the battle flag before the Charleston killings. The only reason that flag came down is because of that tragedy ... We arent saving her from Donald Trump. Theres an old saying that fits here: What goes around often comes around.

Can Haley get Joe Biden's Charleston-Columbia coalition?

If Haley makes it close, the precincts to watch are in metro Charleston and greater Columbia. Those are places Trump did not carry in the 2016 primary, even though he swept South Carolina's 50 delegates. Columbia and its suburbs are home to a diverse population, including Black voters, university students and college-educated whites  in short, the coalition that helped President Joe Biden defeat Trump in 2020.

The Charleston area stands out for its moderates. When Biden won the 2020 Democratic primary in South Carolina, his support from Black voters got most of the attention. But he drew critical backing from Charlestons white voters who hail from the ideological middle of the electorate that does not align with Trump.

Call them Biden Republicans or Haley Democrats or some combination. But if Haley is going to narrow Trump's margin, she needs a similar boost from the same kinds of voters.

Do Trump's comments on veterans linger?

Trump asked recently where Haleys husband has been on the campaign trail. The answer: Maj. Michael Haley is deployed with the South Carolina Army National Guard. He has served previously in Afghanistan.

Haley pounced on the comment. Retired Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc, who already had been traveling with Haley, made emotional pleas in his introductions of the candidate, recounting Trumps history of mocking veterans, including 2008 GOP nominee and Vietnam POW John McCain.

That is not what presidents do. Its absolutely wrong, Bolduc said of Trump, who took multiple medical and student deferments during Vietnam. It tears us apart.

The immediate question is how many South Carolina veterans react like Bob Crawford, who retired after 36 years in the Navy. Its an insult to every service member thats on active duty, and hes an insult to this country, said Crawford, who voted for Trump in 2016 and, reluctantly he said, in 2020. Not this time, Crawford explained, after attending a Haley rally: She convinced me.

Regardless of whether Trump has any consequences in South Carolina, it is worth remembering the latest barbs because they give fresh material to Biden and Democrats for the general election campaign.

If it's a rematch, I'll vote for Biden, Crawford said.

How do Trump and Haley handle the results?

When Haley got to 43% of the vote in New Hampshire, she celebrated as if she had won. And Trump got angry, accusing her of lying to voters.

Trump has mellowed since. Asked in a Fox News town hall Tuesday why Haley has not withdrawn, he was matter of fact: I dont think she knows how to get out.

To be clear, Haley insists she is staying at least through Super Tuesday, maybe longer. We dont do coronations in America, she has said often in South Carolina.

The tone Tuesday night, if Haley indeed sticks around, could set the course for the rest of the primary campaign, however long it lasts.

Be wary, though, of predictions about what an extended primary means for the fall. In 2016, Democratic runner-up Bernie Sanders waged a bitter fight with nominee Hillary Clinton well after she amassed an insurmountable delegate lead. Conventional wisdom says that helped cost Clinton the election. Except among Republicans, second-place finisher Cruz also stayed in long after the nomination was settled, and Cruz did not enthusiastically embrace Trump, who still ultimately defeated Clinton.

In 2020, Biden pulled away from other Democrats in March but still faced plenty of skeptics within his party, especially on his left flank. Trump, then the incumbent, had no primary opposition at all. Biden defeated him anyway.

In short, there are too many variables in a long campaign to know what Haleys endurance will mean the rest of the way.
Samsung's four factories in Vietnam contributed 33% to the South Korean tech giant's $11.8 billion profit in 2023.

2023 was a challenging year for Samsung as its global revenue decreased by nearly 15% to $198.2 billion while its profit for the year was only a quarter of its 2022 profit.

While three of its four subsidiaries in Vietnam also experienced similar declines, they collectively accounted for 30.6% of the conglomerates revenue and 33% of its profit.

Samsung Thai Nguyen, the conglomerates best-performing factory in Vietnam, contributed nearly $23 billion in revenue and $1.7 billion in profit.

Compared to 2022, these figures decreased by 15% and 18%, respectively.

This facility is currently Samsungs largest smartphone manufacturing plant in the world with a registered capital of over $7.5 billion.

The revenue of two facilities in Bac Ninh Province, Samsung Electronics Vietnam (SEV) and Samsung Display Vietnam (SDV), was $15 billion and $18 billion, respectively.

This marks declines of 15% and 6%, respectively.

Their profits both slid 10%, with SEV raking in $1.1 billion and SDV $800 million.

Samsung Electronics HCMC CE Complex, the conglomerate's facility in Ho Chi Minh City, earned $4.6 billion in revenue and $300 million in profit last year.

This is the only subsidiary that recorded a profit growth of 4.2%.

To date, Samsung has invested $18 billion in Vietnam and plans to raise this number to $20 billion.

Its CFO, Park Hark Kyu, said in a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh that the firm was committed to maintaining its position as the largest foreign investor in Vietnam for the next 20-30 years.
FERGUSON, Mo. (AP)  A fire that killed a Missouri mother and four children was intentionally set by the mother, police said. HT Image

St. Louis County police announced late Wednesday that a preliminary investigation ruled that the deaths of Bernadine Birdie Pruessner, her twin 9-year-old daughters Ivy and Lillie Pruessner, and her children 5-year-old Jackson Spader and 2-year-old Millie Spader was a murder-suicide.

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Police Sgt. Tracy Panus said in an email that investigators believe that Bernadine Pruessner, 39, set fire to a mattress. A note was also left stating Bernadines intentions to take her life and the lives of her children, Panus said. No other details of the investigation have been released.

Responding firefighters found the home in Ferguson engulfed in flames at 4:23 a.m. Monday. Neighbors had tried to save the family, but the fire was too intense.

Pruessner and the fathers of the children were involved in prolonged legal disputes over the kids, according to a statement issued on behalf of her relatives by her attorney, Nathan Cohen. She had been happy and enjoyed life and was a loving mother, but those court battles brought her to a moment of crisis, the statement said.

Birdie got to an awful place, one that resulted in tragic consequences, the statement said.

KSDK-TV reported that the two fathers also released a joint statement.

As dads, right now we have to focus on honoring the four beautiful lives, and we plan to do that together, they said. Our thanks go out to the community, people we know and many we have never even met, who have shown us incredible amounts of support. We will continue to need it.

EDITORS NOTE  If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
It's Prince Harry vs his open drug use confession in his memoir Spare at today's court hearing. Following the shocking revelation, the Duke of Sussex has been treading dangerous waters, ultimately threatening his immigration status. Today, he faces a court battle in his US visa application case that will determine his final status in this tussle. Harry's plans of becoming a US citizen could be shattered depending on the results of the court's ruling. (Picture from June 6, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo)(REUTERS)

Harry's memoir, Spare, hit the shelves last year and divulged a secret that wasn't to remain hidden in pages anymore. He opened up about his drug consumption in the past. While the words on the pages may have felt liberating to him at the moment, they've come back to bite him, in turn affecting his recent claims of possibly wanting to be a US citizen.

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The self-exiled royal's day of reckoning is upon him, and the American people are equally eager to find out if he lied in his immigration papers while settling in the US.

More on the Prince Harry US Visa case

The American conservative think-tank, The Heritage Foundation, has demanded that the said records be released to dispel any wrong assumption of what the prince had stated four years ago upon his entry to the US.

Also read: UK-born woman who joined ISIS, loses appeal to restore citizenship

While making this entrance, the Department of Homeland Security demands people disclose the truth about their possible drug intake. Prince Harry must've been in the same boat four years ago when he would've been required to check the yes or no box to declare his truth.

While those records have remained confidential so far, his book Spare eventually included a confession of his drug use. Today's legal showdown will determine whether this truth aligns with what may have happened during his arrival to the US. The ruling will be handed down in Washington, and its aftermath could severely shatter all his hopes of visa application.

Potential Prince Harry US citizenship case: Heritage Foundation vs Homeland Security

The Heritage Foundation lawyer Samuel Dewey spoke to the Daily Mail about how Harry could've ticked the yes box. However, he would then need a waiver to be granted a visa.

This is precisely what the think-tank is after - the revelation of who granted him that waiver. Contrarily, Homeland Security opposes the breach of privacy that would be tapped into if Prince Harry's immigration records were accessed.
Reddit, the popular online discussion platform, is gearing up for its debut on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RDDT. How you can join the Reddit IPO (AP Photo/Tali Arbel, file)(AP)

The social media platform filed its prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday, revealing its financial performance and shareholder structure.

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The company said it plans to go public in March, in what would be the largest initial public offering by a major social network since Pinterest in 2019.

According to Reuters, the company has not yet disclosed how many shares it will offer or at what price range, but it was valued at $10bn in a funding round in 2021.

ALSO READ| Reddit strikes $60M deal allowing Google to train AI models on its posts, unveils IPO plans

Why US consumers should invest in the IPO?

Reddit is one of the most visited websites in the world, with 267.5 million active weekly users, more than 100,000 active communities, and 1bn total posts, as of the end of 2023. The company reported a 21% increase in revenue to $367.6m in 2023, while narrowing its net loss to $90.8m from $158.6m in 2022.

The companys US average revenue per user, or ARPU, was $3.42 for the last quarter of 2023, down 2% year over year. The company attributed the decline to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its advertising business and the growth of its international user base, which has lower ARPU.

Another unique feature of Reddits IPO is that it will allow some of its most active users to buy shares in the offering. The company will allocate shares using a tiered system that rewards users who have meaningfully contributed to Reddit community programs, users who have completed a certain number of moderator actions, and users who have a minimum karma score  the points given to users by others on the platform for posting content.

This is a rare opportunity for Reddit users to own a stake in the company they love and help shape its future. Reddits IPO could be a lucrative investment for US consumers who believe in the potential of the platform and its community.

ALSO READ| Does the US Armys future lie in Europe or Asia?

What about Reddit's shareholders

The companys largest shareholder is Advance Magazine Publishers, which owns 30.1% of the company, followed by Tencent, the Chinese internet giant, which owns 11%.

The third-largest shareholder is Sam Altman, the founder and CEO of OpenAI, a research organization that aims to create artificial intelligence that can benefit humanity. Altman owns 8.7% of the company and has 9.2% of the voting power.

Altman, who is also a former president of Y Combinator, a startup accelerator that backed Reddit in its early days, stands to make millions from Reddits IPO. He has been investing in the company since 2014, when he led a $50m funding round that valued Reddit at $500m.

Reddits IPO will be a test of its ability to compete with other social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, now known as X, which have larger user bases and higher revenues. Reddit has a loyal and engaged community but faces challenges such as moderating harmful content, dealing with online harassment, and diversifying its revenue streams.

ALSO READ| US to impose 500 new sanctions on Russia's war machine; indicts Russian businessmen

One of the ways Reddit plans to do that is by leveraging its data. The company said it entered data licensing arrangements with an aggregate contract value of $203m in January 2024. According to Reuters, one of its partners is Google, which will use Reddits content to train its AI models. One source said the deal is worth about $60m per year.

Notably, Reddit confidentially submitted its IPO filing in late 2021; however, challenging economic conditions and the underwhelming performance of listed technology stocks led to a postponement of the offering.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who bowed out of the 2024 presidential race in November, urged his former ally Nikki Haley to quit her White House bid on Thursday. He said she should do it for the good of the country. Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, center left, and former US President Donald Trump during a Fox News town hall in Greenville, South Carolina, US, on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg(Bloomberg)

Scott, 58, was questioned by reporters on Thursday morning as he voted early in South Carolinas presidential primary. They asked him if Haley  who appointed him to the Senate in December 2012  should withdraw for the good of the party.

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Well, I think [she should] for the good of the country, Scott answered.

ALSO READ| Tim Scott reacts to Trump considering him for 2024 running mate: 'One thing I can't afford to do is...'

Nikki Haley's stepping aside is very important

I mean, the bottom line is  I decided for myself back in November that America needed someone who was more assertive, more outspoken, and a little bit more unruly to help tackle some of the problems that are persistent and stubborn in our nation, the senator continued, who threw his support behind former President Donald Trump after his overwhelming win in Iowas caucus last month.

The only person who prevents a dialogue between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is Nikki Haley, and so stepping aside, is very important, not for the party, but for Americas future.

However, Haleys supporters, who attended a rally in Georgetown on Thursday afternoon, disagreed with Scotts plea.

The country has not voted enough yet, they said.

He told journalists after casting his vote on Thursday that he was more enthusiastic and driven for President Trump than I was for myself.

ALSO READ| I just love you: Who is Tim Scott who can't get over Donald Trump

The former president hinted this week that Scott was among his short list of potential choices for a vice president. Trump has also advised Haley to stop her campaign, arguing her ongoing run damages the country and the party.

Haley has ignored calls to quit the race, despite trailing Trump by 28 points in her home state. In a speech on Tuesday, she emphasized she would persist until the March 5 Super Tuesday contests.
Timothy Burke, an ex-journalist, has been charged with 14 federal felonies for allegedly hacking and leaking a footage of controversial and unaired conversation between American rapper Kanye West and Tucker Carlson. Timothy Burke and Tucker Carlson(X@simonateba)

According to an indictment unsealed Thursday, Burke, 45, was indicted by a grand jury on one count of conspiracy, six counts of unlawful access to a protected computer, and seven charges of monitoring or revealing wire, oral, or electronic communications.

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The 45-year-old was detained on Thursday morning and is scheduled to make an appearance in federal court in Tampa, Florida, reported Tampa Bay Times.

The arrest comes almost a year after Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigators raided the Burke's home and seized laptops and other devices used by Burke for operating his media business.

Also Read: Ask Alexei Navalny: Jon Stewart trolls 'free speech warrior' Carlsons Russia visit and Putin interview

Know about the case & criminal hacking probe

The charges filed against Burke, who refused violating the law, stemmed from a Justice Department criminal hacking investigation launched in 2023 after previously unseen videos from Carlson's old Fox News show went viral online.

Kanye West was heard making antisemitic slurs to Carlson in the unaired clip released by Vice in 2022, leading to removal of Carlson from Fox News. Next year, the non-profit organisation, Media Matters, released unflattering behind-the-scenes film of Carlson making vulgar statements while laughing with workers and insulting Fox Nation.

While several pondered who could have been responsible for the leak, Megyn Kelly, a former Fox News anchor, proposed a conspiracy theory claiming that the right-wing channel was behind the leaks to disgrace Carlson, whom it had recently expelled.

According to the grand jury indictment, Burke and an unnamed person used compromised credentials to "access and save protected commercial broadcast video streams, then disseminate specific clips after taking steps to mask where they came from and how they were obtained."

The indictment did not specifically mention Carlson or Fox News, instead referring to Network #1 as "a multinational media company headquartered in New York City that produced and distributed content through multiple brands." However, in a letter to Fox News last year, the Justice Department indicated that their investigation was linked to the leaked Carlson recordings. Furthermore, Burke's attorney Mark Rasch revealed at the time that his client's Florida house had been inspected in conjunction with the probe.

Also Read: Tucker Carlson condemns Putin, calls Alexei Navalny's death barbaric

What is Burke's & his family reaction to the charges?

Speaking to CNN, Burke's attorneys, Rasch and Michael Maddux, said their client "has been devastated by the charges, not only professionally and emotionally, but financially as well." They reaffirmed that Burke denies any legal violation.

This investigation apparently began after former Fox News personality Tucker Carlsons interview with Kanye West, in which Mr. Carlson heavily edited out racist and anti-Semitic remarks by West, the lawyers said in a statement.

"These reprehensible remarks were exposed by Mr. Burke's intrepid - and perfectly legal - reporting on the information he found in public sources, on websites accessible without any user IDs or password credentials."

Meanwhile, his wife Lynn Hurtak said: "I am confident in my husbands innocence, and I support him completely."

"I will not be making additional statements regarding this matter," she added
The Treasury Department plans to impose more than 500 new sanctions on Russia and its war machine on Friday as the US vows to keep up its financial pressure on Moscow with the war entering its third gruelling year. US President Joe Biden(Bloomberg)

The sanctions represent the largest single tranche of penalties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. They come on the heels of a series of new arrests and indictments announced by the Justice Department on Thursday that target Russian businessmen, including the head of Russia's second-largest bank, and their middlemen in five separate federal cases.

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The Biden administration is seeking to demonstrate its unwavering support for Ukraine, even though Republican lawmakers allied with former President Donald Trump are blocking vital additional US military aid.

The White House had promised major sanctions in response to the death last week of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in an Arctic penal colony. Biden said Thursday after meeting with Navalny's wife and daughter that the sanctions would be against Putin, who is responsible for his death.

The planned sanctions were previewed by two administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity before their release on Friday. Additional sanctions are expected from the State Department as well.

Thousands of sanctions have already been imposed on Russian officials, businessmen, banks, companies and entire industries since the start of the war.

Out of the Justice Department, the cases announced Thursday include charges unsealed in New York against sanctioned Russian banker Andrei Kostin and two of his US-based facilitators. The facilitators, Vadim Wolfson and Gannon Bond, were arrested Thursday.

Kostin, the longtime president of state-owned VTB Bank, is charged with engaging in a scheme to evade sanctions and launder money to support two superyachts. He, along with the two others, is also accused of trying to evade sanctions by concealing his ownership of a home in Aspen, Colorado. The indictment says Wolfson and Bond arranged to sell the house and provide Kostin with about USD 12 million from the sale.

Michael Khoo, a co-director of the department's Task Force KleptoCapture, said on a call with reporters that the announcement was meant to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that we're not going away and we can play the long game as well" so long as the war continues.

The KleptoCapture task force enforces the economic restrictions within the US imposed on Russia and its billionaires.

The Justice Department says over the past two years it has secured court orders for the restraint, seizure, and forfeiture of nearly USD 700 million in assets and has charged more than 70 people with violating sanctions and export controls.

The United States has been able to transfer more than USD 5 million of seized Russian assets to Europe in support of Ukraine's defense, US officials said Thursday. But the process of justifying each confiscation of alleged illicit assets in court is a painstaking one by law, playing out over years.

The Justice Department is more committed than ever to cutting off the flow of illegal funds that are fueling Putin's war and to holding accountable those who continue to enable it, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.

The US and other allies of Ukraine had hoped to cripple and isolate Russia's economy with a succession of sanctions targeting its financial sector and sources of revenue, including oil sales. But Putin has worked with Iran and others to blunt the impact of the international sanctions, so that the International Monetary Fund reports Russia's economy growing at an unexpectedly healthy pace.

Also Thursday, an indictment was unsealed in Washington, DC, charging Vladislav Osipov with bank fraud connected to operating a 255-foot luxury yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. Osipov, a Russian national, lives in Switzerland. The State Department has offered a reward of up to USD 1 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

The indictment identifies the superyacht as the Tango, the first belonging to a sanctioned Russian with close ties to the Kremlin to be seized at the request of the US government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In Florida, Serhiy Kurchenko, a sanctioned pro-Russian Ukrainian metals magnate, was indicted for trying to evade sanctions that prevent him from doing business in the United States. He and Kostin are believed to be in Moscow and thus unlikely to face US justice.

Also in Florida, a civil forfeiture complaint was filed against two luxury condos in Bal Harbour owned by sanctioned Russian businessman Viktor Perevalov, the co-owner of a Russia-based construction company that was sanctioned for building a highway in Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula that Russia seized in 2014.

And in Georgia, Feliks Medvedev pleaded guilty earlier this month to helping launder over USD 150 million on behalf of Russian clients through bank accounts he controls. Medvedev, a Russian citizen, lives in Buford, Georgia.
It remains unclear why France continues to export weapons or any "dual-use" equipment to Israel that can be used in a military context. It also remains unknown whether French companies have reviewed any export licenses that were authorized before the latest "war" began.

Per France24, in an openly published letter addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron, the head of Amnesty International in France, Jean-Claude Samouiller, urges the suspension of all weapon sales and military equipment to Israel.

MPs from the far-left France Unbowed (La France Insoumise or LFI) party have repeatedly questioned members of the government over continuing French military exports to Israel.

The calls for transparency only continue to intensify as the Israeli onslaught rages on in Gaza. Mathilde Panot, the president of the LFI parliamentary group, asked Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne during a February 15 session in parliament whether France was arming Israel and called for a suspension of any such sales.

"Has France continued providing weapons to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Mister minister, can you say with certainty that no French military component is being used in Gaza in any war crime that is being committed? When will you declare an arms embargo?" she asked, adding: "Charles de Gaulle did it [in 1967]. Emmanuel Macron must do it."

She also pressed the foreign minister to provide a comprehensive list of weapons and other equipment supplied to Israel.

"Concerning weapons, I will revert back to you to give you a number, because I don't have it here," Sejourne replied.

In a written response to a question for French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu and submitted by LFI MP Aurelien Saintoul, Lecornu said that France does not export "weapons, strictly speaking, but rather elementary components."

When weapons authorized for export, Lecornu said, they "are intended purely for defensive purposes," citing the example of a type of missile used by Israel's Iron Dome air defense system.

Saintoul, who sits on the parliamentary defense commission, has repeatedly asked to question the defense minister, to no avail.

In an email to FRANCE 24, the defense ministry stressed that all requests for military equipment exports are subjected to "robust checks."

Where's the transparency?

The answer to whether or not French companies are still exporting any weaponry equipment to the state of Israel isn't so simple.

According to France24, any export of military equipment by a French or France-based company must be vetted by the Inter-ministerial Commission for war materials exports.

Thomas Portes, another MP from LFI, last week launched a petition calling for transparency on the issue and urging the authorities to stop exporting military equipment to Israel.

In a phone interview with the news publication, Portes said the government's responses are "never precise, they never include any numbers ... and so there is a kind of omerta surrounding this arms issue."

"At the very least, I want there to be a public debate in France on whether today we accept, yes or no - as MPs, but beyond this, do citizens accept that France delivers weapons to the Israeli state in light of what the Israeli army is committing in the Gaza Strip?"

French law states that the country must release a report every year to parliament detailing any such exports.

In the latest report submitted to the French parliament, one number stands out: 207.6 million in equipment sold to Israel over the past ten years.
The United States is set to impose sanctions on over 500 individuals connected to Russia's actions in Ukraine, as conflict persists years after Moscow's invasion, according to the Treasury Department on Thursday.

The upcoming action scheduled for Friday will target "Russia, its enablers, and its war machine," as stated by a Treasury spokesperson to AFP. The official mentioned that these sanctions will be implemented by both the Treasury and State Department.

United States' Biggest Sanction Against Russia

This will be the biggest single tranche since the beginning of Putin's extended invasion of Ukraine, according to the Treasury, in relation to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, Washington and its allies have implemented numerous sanctions aimed at impacting Moscow's income and military industry.

One of the measures taken is a price ceiling implemented by the United States and its partners to reduce Moscow's income from oil and petroleum exports.

To decrease funding for the war while maintaining supplies to the global market, a coalition consisting of the Group of Seven leading economies, the European Union, and Australia established a price limit of $60 per barrel of Russian crude.

Russia had the option to either offer discounted oil to coalition countries or focus on developing an alternative ecosystem. The coalition then revealed intentions to strengthen enforcement of the price ceiling.

The upcoming sanctions, set to be announced on Friday, are in response to the recent passing of Alexei Navalny in an Arctic prison. US President Joe Biden recently confirmed intentions to impose sanctions, stating they would target Putin for his role in the death.

On Thursday, Biden mentioned meeting privately in California with Navalny's widow and daughter. He shared with the press after meeting with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya in San Francisco that Putin's late opponent was "a man of incredible courage."

On February 16, Russian officials declared the sudden death of Navalny, aged 47, while in custody. Following that, several European governments have also called in Russian diplomats.

Thursday saw the US government commemorating the nearing two-year anniversary of Russia's invasion by unveiling charges against a group of affluent Russians in an effort to disrupt the "flow of illegal funds" supporting Moscow's war.

Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the Justice Department's strong commitment to cutting off the funds and holding accountable those who continue to enable the war. The White House has also announced that Washington will soon implement additional sanctions on Iran due to its support for Russia's invasion.

"In response to Iran's ongoing support for Russia's brutal war, we will be imposing additional sanctions on Iran in the coming days," said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby to reporters.

He mentioned that officials are ready to take additional steps if Iran sells ballistic missiles to Russia. Ukrainian forces are facing a shortage of ammunition while battling Russian troops, as additional funding for Kyiv is currently delayed in the US Congress.

Read Also: Yulia Navalnaya Shifts from the Sidelines to Lead Russia's Opposition

Russia Vows to Respond to New Sanctions

Meanwhile, Moscow plans to counter new impending US sanctions by bolstering its economy and improving the standards of living for its people, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated following the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Russia will work with countries aiming for economic development that is not reliant on those who traditionally dominate the global economy, exploit and harm people in other nations, take their resources, and benefit at their expense, the minister stated, as per TASS.

Biden, along with other Western leaders, swiftly attributed Navalny's death to Putin. Navalny passed away in a remote Arctic penal colony last Friday. According to Biden, the death of the opposition leader was a direct result of Putin's actions, and he called on House Republicans to provide additional aid to Ukraine following the tragic event.

The Kremlin criticized Biden's remarks, with spokesman Dmitry Leskov describing Biden's comments as an attempt to portray a Hollywood cowboy. But honestly, I don't think it's possible," according to Reuters.

Related Article: Russia Running Out of Weapons, Ammunition to Fight Ukraine, West Claims
The trial for Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed in relation to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchin in the set of the "Rust" movie.

Prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed was "sloppy," adding that her "negligent acts" led to an unfortunate fatality. On the other hand, the defendant's lawyers laid the blame at the feet of the other suspect, Baldwin, who they said violated basic safety.

Rust Killing Trial

The 65-year-old Hollywood actor is facing charges in relation to Hutchins' death on Oct. 21, 2021. The film's armorer pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence over the cinematographer's death during the production of the movie in New Mexico.

On Thursday, during opening statements for the trial that was held in Santa Fe, prosecutors argued that Gutierrez-Reed's "unprofessional" on-set conduct was a factor that resulted in the avoidable tragedy. It was where live ammunition found its way into a weapon that was supposed to contain a blank, as per BBC.

In a statement, special prosecutor Jason Lewis said that the people who attended the trial would hear testimony that accused Gutierrez-Reed of routinely leaving guns and ammunition lying around the set unattended. Furthermore, her gun safe and ammo cart were supposedly constantly disorganized.

The jury in the case was shown emotional and distressing footage of the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Hutchins. It was when a Colt .45 revolver that Baldwin was holding went off. This included video footage that appeared to show Hutchins' final moments at the time of the incident.

In one of the videos, paramedics could be seen frantically trying to save Hutchins' life, pleading with her to keep breathing. Prosecutors showed jurors boxes of ammunition that were on set the day of the shooting. They said that they contained live rounds interspersed with dummy ones.

Read Also: US Charges Japanese Mafia Boss With Trafficking Nuclear Materials From Myanmar

Negligent Acts on Set

Gutierrez-Reed has been a focus of scrutiny as investigators have been trying to determine just how live ammunition turned up on a film where it was supposed to be banned. Her attorney, Jason Bowles, argued that the first event that led to Hutchins' death was Baldwin pointing a gun on set. He added that his client was being used as a "scapegoat" to avoid responsibility, according to the New York Times.

Baldwin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, arguing that he was told where to point the gun that he held. He also said that he had no reason to believe that it was actually loaded with live ammunition.

Bowles said that the recent developments have all pointed to his client being blamed for everything that happened in the tragedy. He said that this was because she was an easy target because she was the "least powerful" person on the set of the film.

If Gutierrez-Reed is convicted of the charges filed against her in the death of Hutchins, she could face up to 18 months in prison as well as a $5,000 fine for each count. The latest trial is expected to last roughly two weeks, said CNN.



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A Canadian court has sentenced a man to life in prison in relation to the murder of a Muslim family that the judge in the case described as "white nationalist" terrorism.

The defendant in the case, 22-year-old Nathaniel Veltman, was given five life sentences, four of which were for murder and the last was for attempted murder. The suspect was initially found guilty of the crime in November last year.

Sentencing Man Who Killed Muslim Family

Veltman ran down the Muslim family with his truck in 2021 as the victims were walking in London, Ontario. The deceased were identified as 46-year-old Salman Afzaal, his wife 44-year-old Madiha Salman, their daughter 15-year-old Yumna Afzaal, and 74-year-old Talat Afzaal.

Other than the deceased, the couple's nine-year-old son, who has not been identified, was seriously injured in the incident. Based on evidence that was introduced during the trial, the defendant targeted the Muslim family randomly after spotting the two women wearing traditional Pakistani dress, as per BBC.

Court Justice Renee Pomerance said that the defendant was "seeking a place in the spotlight" when he decided to attack the Muslim family. On Thursday, during her sentencing of the defendant, she said that it was her hope that the sense of fear and intimidation would not be a lasting message of the defendant's actions.

Pomerance also noted that Veltman picked out the Muslim family, who were innocent victims he had never met. He later confessed to law enforcement authorities following the crime and flashed the OK symbol, which is an everyday gesture that white supremacists have attempted to co-opt.

The judge said that the suspect wanted to commit a crime against all Muslims by threatening their safety and security. Following the sentencing, the defendant will not be eligible for parole for at least 25 years.

Read Also: New Russian Opposition Leaders Claim State Complicity in Death of Alexei Navalny

Life in Prison

The case marked the first time that a Canadian jury heard legal arguments regarding white supremacist terrorism. In January, during an earlier sentencing hearing, an unprecedented number of victim impact statements were given in court, nearly 70, according to CBC.

Relatives of the slain Afzaal family released a statement following the hearing, noting that the sentencing brought relief to people near and far. The statement added that terrorism designation of the horrific crime acknowledges the hate that fueled the killing.

The judge on Thursday also pointed to the impact of "social media and other internet sources," including the dark web, in ramping up and spreading messages of hate. Pomerance noted that it was too simplistic to draw a straight line of causation between the defendant's actions and what has been read online.

During the trial, Veltman's lawyers did not challenge the accusations that their client had deliberately driven his vehicle into the Muslim family. However, they argued that the crime was an impulsive act that the defendant did after he consumed psilocybin, which is more commonly known as magic mushrooms, a few hours prior to the crime.

They also argued that Veltman suffered from mental health problems and had difficulty controlling "an urge or obsession to put his foot on the gas" of his pickup, said the New York Times.



Related Article: US To Impose Sanctions on Over 500 Targets Involved in Russia's War With Ukraine
Bui Van Tuyen (L) at a police station in Hoa Binh Province for lending his motorbike to a drunk friend, Feb. 21, 2024. Photo by police

Police in the northern province of Hoa Binh have detained a local man who lent his drunken friend a motorbike, leading to an accident that killed the friend and another motorcylist.

Bui Van Tuyen, 23, is facing the charge of "handing over a vehicle to a person who is unqualified to participate in road traffic," to quote the Penal Code.

Police said he had a drink with three friends on the evening of Feb. 3.

Later during the party, he let one of those friends borrow his motorbike to pick up a girlfriend.

The friend then drove the motorbike on the Ho Chi Minh Road, where he collided with another motorbike driver.

The accident killed both motorcyclists.

Test result showed that Tuyens friend had 90 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood when the accident took place.

Police determined that Tuyen knew his friend had consumed alcohol and was not qualified to drive a vehicle, but still he gave the friend the motorbike, leading to the tragic accident.

Vietnam imposes an absolute ban of alcohol content in drivers. DUI penalties can include a fine of up to VND40 million (US$1,640) and a two-year license suspension, while those who cause accidents while intoxicated face criminal charges.
A humorous yet eerie spectacle has recently become viral on social media, stirring more chuckles than chills among netizens. A peculiar warning sign, stationed at a cemetery in Singapore, has set social media abuzz with its unconventional advisory against spectral encounters.

The image in question portrays a cautionary sign, typical of those denoting potential hazards, embellished with an unexpected addition: a trio of ghostly apparitions. The sign was nestled among customary icons symbolizing threats like falling trees and slithering serpents.

NEA: No Supernatural Link Detected

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has confirmed ownership of the sign, swiftly debunking any notions of supernatural involvement.

NEA stated that the ghostly additions were the result of vandalism, with mischievous individuals aiming to add a touch of humor to the usual warning signs.

Originally, the sign displayed an icon depicting a person slipping, rather than the ghostly figures subsequently added by vandals.

The saga began when a snapshot of the vandalized sign surfaced on Facebook on Feb 18, purportedly originating from Bukit Brown Cemetery, a resting place shuttered to burials since 1973.

Prompted by this digital revelation, NEA embarked on an investigation, scouring the closed cemetery for any signs of paranormal prankery. Their findings revealed a series of similarly defaced warning signs, although NEA refrained from confirming their specific location within Bukit Brown Cemetery.

While the ghostly embellishments may have elicited amusement from online spectators, NEA remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining the integrity of public signage.

"All the stickers have since been removed," NEA announced.

Amid the laughter and digital camaraderie, some online commentators couldn't resist injecting their own brand of humor into the situation, while others mentioned seeing the sign in person and noted it was obviously a prank.

"I saw those signs with the ghost graphics before. They look like stickers pasted by some joker with a lot of time on their hands," commented one social media user.

"Seen dogs - yes. Seen ghost - no. Want to see them? No thank you," said another one.

Read Also: [VIRAL] Manila Tour Guide Dresses Up Like Big Smoke from GTA San Andreas

Similar Vandal Prank in 2020

This isn't the first instance of such vandalism prank, as NEA recounts a similar incident from December 2020, involving a purported sighting of a pontianak, a female vampiric ghost from Malay folklore, on a cemetery warning sign.

Once again, NEA quashed any notions of the supernatural, clarifying that the sign had been tampered with.

During that time, NEA posted a fake news alert on Facebook in response to the circulating photo.

"#FakeNewsAlert We are aware that a photo of a signage presumably taken at a closed cemetery, with a 'beware of ghost' icon, is circulating on social media. The photo is doctored," the post.

Furthermore, NEA advised visitors to cemeteries to remain vigilant for actual hazards such as tree branches, uneven terrain, insects, and snakes. They also recommended wearing covered shoes while traversing the cemetery grounds.

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Four students of the Wilhelm Dorpfeld Gymnasium, a high school in the German city of Wuppertal, were wounded after a knife attack there on Thursday (Feb. 22).

According to public broadcaster DW, two of the victims were taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Police said that they have arrested a 17-year-old male student who allegedly carried out the attack. North Rhine-Westphalia interior minister Herbert Reul said that the suspect acted alone and that his injuries, which were considered "life-threatening," were self-inflicted.

Police assets were called to secure the scene, and all roads around the school were closed off.

Read Also: Muslim Family Killer Sentenced to Life in Prison by Canadian Court

School Locked Down During Knife Attack

While details of the attack were unclear, one student told German press agency DPA that a friend of his had seen two older students running down the stairs bleeding.

"I thought maybe they were fighting," he said.

All students inside the school at the time of the knife attack were instructed to get inside their classrooms and lock the doors.

"We then pushed the desks in front of the door and sat on the floor at the back," he added. "We were very scared."

Prosecutors said that multiple knives were used in the attack.

The school in Germany's western region specializes in ancient languages and has some 700 students.

Related Article: American Man Admits to Murder, Rape of Fellow US Tourists Near German Castle
A man from San Diego, California, was arrested Thursday, accused of making violent threats against an Arizona election official, according to the Department of Justice.

Identified as William Hyde, aged 52, the individual is set to have his initial court appearance scheduled for the following day at the federal courthouse in San Diego.

Hyde's Alleged Threatening Voicemails

The allegations revolve around Hyde purportedly leaving a series of threatening voicemail messages on the personal cell phone of an election official with the Maricopa County Recorder's Office in Phoenix, Arizona, just a day subsequent to the county officials certifying the 2022 election results.

"As alleged in the indictment, the defendant left threatening messages on a Maricopa County election official's personal cell phone the day after county officials certified the 2022 election results," Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department's Criminal Division stated.

According to the indictment revealed Friday, Hyde left menacing messages, including one stating, "Run, [expletive]," followed by another asserting, "You wanna cheat our elections? You wanna screw Americans out of true votes? We're coming, [expletive]. You'd better [expletive] hide."

Hyde allegedly delivered these messages following the victim election official's presence at a meeting of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on November 28, 2022. At this event, the Board formally ratified the results of the 2022 general election in Maricopa County.

Such actions, as emphasized by US Attorney Tara McGrath for the Southern District of California, strike at the core of democracy.

"Intimidation of election officials strikes at the very heart of our democracy," McGrath stressed. "Even just one case can have a ripple effect. This office will aggressively prosecute any attempt to intimidate, threaten, or frighten election officials as they engage in these critical duties."

Similarly, US Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona underscored the importance of safeguarding those entrusted with administering elections, praising the efforts of the Recorder's Office and Elections Department in Maricopa County.

The FBI San Diego Field Office took charge of the investigation, with substantial support from the FBI Phoenix Field Office.

Read Also: Former FBI Informant Involved in Hunter Biden Case Returned to US Custody

Election Workers' Safety

Acting Special Agent in Charge TJ Holland of the FBI San Diego Field Office affirmed, "Individuals who work to ensure the integrity of our elections should not have to worry about their safety while working for the American people."

Hyde faces one count of communicating an interstate threat, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted.

The case is part of the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force, established to address threats of violence against election workers and ensure their ability to perform duties without fear or intimidation tactics.

The Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force plays a pivotal role in addressing threats against election workers. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement agencies to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate.

Related Article: Rust Killing Trial Begins as Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Face Prosecution
The James Webb Space Telescope has provided astronomers with evidence of a neutron star that is supposedly hiding at the center of debris left behind by an old supernova.

A star in a nearby galaxy went supernova in 1987, and its fiery demise was detected with the naked eye in Earth's nighttime sky for several months.

Scientists were able to determine when the core of the star collapsed, and the remnants of the cosmic explosion are expected to turn into one of two things: a black hole or a neutron star.

Neutron Star Inside Supernova Debris

The former is something that has an enormous gravitational pull that nothing, not even light, can escape. On the other hand, the latter is the most dense object in the universe that humans know of besides a black hole.

The problem with the study of this particular supernova was that there was so much debris that astronomers could not see beyond the dust. However, James Webb was able to cut through the clutter by peering in infrared light and observed two telltale chemical signatures, argon and sulfur, of a pulsing super-hot neutron star, as per the Associated Press.

Since the explosion was relatively recent and well-tracked, the new discovery should assist astronomers in better understanding this particular type of cosmic oddball and its predecessor that helped create important elements, such as carbon and iron.

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The neutron star that James Webb observed is only 12 miles from end to end, but it already weighs 1.5 times that of our sun. It is densely packed with very little space between parts of its atoms. Experts believe that the aftermath of supernova 1987A is most likely the only time modern astronomy has observed a neutron star's birth and early years.

An astrophysicist at Stockholm University in Sweden, Claes Fransson, said that neutron stars are the most exotic objects in the universe besides black holes. He added that experts know about these cosmic objects from the 1960s but have not seen any of them being formed.

Studying a Neutron Star's Early Stages of Life

Supernovae are the explosive final death throes of some massive stars and blast out within a few hours. The brightness of these explosions peaks within a few months. Then, the remains of the exploding star will continue to evolve rapidly over the following decades, according to WebbTelescope.

The supernova the researchers studied is located roughly 160,000 light-years from our planet in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Roughly two hours before the first visible-light observation of SN 1987A, three observatories on Earth detected a burst of neutrinos that lasted only a few seconds.

During a press briefing on Sunday, Patrick Kavanagh, an experimental physicist from Maynooth University, said that the neutron star is more massive than our solar system's star. He noted that one teaspoon of it weighs more than Mount Everest.

He added that identifying the neutron star left behind by the supernova would provide astronomers with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study one still in its early stages of life, said Business Insider.



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The Houthis of Yemen have said that they have "banned" ships connected to Israel, the US, and the UK from operating in nearby waters. The rebels claim this action is to bolster their military effort, which they claim is in aid of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center of the Houthi group sent official notices of the ban to shipping insurers and companies operating in the area on Thursday, according to a statement quoted by the Reuters news agency, as per to Al Jazeera.

Houthi Rebels Disrupt Global Maritime Route

The Houthi rebels have attacked a crucial route that handles about 12% of worldwide maritime traffic, forcing companies to choose for longer and more expensive routes around Africa.

The Houthi rebels, in a formal communication to the shipping industry, issued notices through their newly-established Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center. These notices explicitly outlined a ban affecting ships wholly or partially owned by Israeli entities, as well as Israel-flagged vessels. Additionally, vessels owned by US or British entities or sailing under their flags are prohibited from entering the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea.

The Humanitarian Operations Center, based in Sanaa, was established to coordinate the safe passage of ships unrelated to Israel, according to a senior Houthi official. This move has implications not only for global maritime traffic but also for shipping insurance premiums, which have already witnessed a surge due to the Houthi attacks.

Coalition forces led by the US are currently responding to a ship that was struck by two missiles and caught fire approximately 70 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen. A UK company owned the vessel Islander, which was flying the flag of Palau while traveling from Thailand to Egypt. The recent rise in attacks on cargo ships by the Houthis caused worry among the global shipping industry, according to Reuters.

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Shipping Reroutes Amid Houthi Attacks

While no ships have sunk, and crew casualties are yet to be reported, apprehensions persist regarding the fate of the Rubymar cargo vessel, which was struck on February 18. The Houthis claim the vessel is at risk of sinking, but US defense officials assert that the ship remains afloat as of the latest update.

Several shipping companies have rerouted vessels around the southern tip of Africa, resulting in delays and adding a substantial 3,000-3,500 nautical miles to their journey. In January, retaliatory strikes by US and British forces targeted Houthi facilities, but the attacks have not subsided.

The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) has undertaken "self-defense" raids against the Houthis, destroying multiple antiship cruise missiles, a mobile ballistic missile launcher, and a drone originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. CENTCOM also reported an injured person following Houthi missile strikes on a British-owned cargo ship in the Red Sea. In response, the US shot down six Houthi drones in the Red Sea, identified as imminent threats to US and allied warships.

The French navy, engaged in the region with two frigates, intercepted and destroyed two Houthi drones in the Red Sea, following two similar incidents earlier in the week. Meanwhile, the European Union initiated a naval mission to safeguard Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks.

As the Houthi ban disrupts global maritime routes, the situation remains dynamic, with ongoing military responses and international efforts to mitigate the impact on shipping and ensure maritime security, Time of Israel reported.

Related Article: US Lawmakers Consider Sanctioning Chinese Firms for Aiding Russia's War with Ukraine
A killer in Oregon smirked as the family of the cabbie they fatally stabbed spoke in court, showing no remorse for the Easter Sunday tragedy.

Moses J. Lopez, 30, who identifies as transgender, received a 22-year prison sentence on Wednesday for the fatal stabbing of 43-year-old Reese Lawhon, a driver for Radio Cab in Portland.

Portland Cab Driver Fatally Stabbed

On April 9, 2023, an awful crime happened involving victim Reese Lawhon, a 43-year-old Radio Cab driver, who by mistake took Lopez to the wrong address under a highway overpass in East Portland. Lopez, a certified nursing assistant at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, contacted emergency services for transportation home following a night of socializing in downtown Portland.

Despite being directed to call a cab by the 911 dispatcher, a purported error in the Radio Cab dispatcher's input led Lawhon to the wrong destination. Video evidence from inside the cab revealed Lopez confirming one address but providing a different one upon arrival. As Lawhon attempted to rectify the error, Lopez reached from the backseat and fatally stabbed him, as detailed in a bail memo based on cab camera footage.

A private ambulance crew stationed nearby witnessed Lopez, covered in blood, leaving the cab and dropping a pair of brass knuckles with an attached blade. Lawhon was found dead inside the cab with two stab wounds to his neck.

During the Wednesday sentencing hearing, Lopez refused to accept full responsibility for the murder. While addressing Lawhon's family, Lopez expressed regret without a direct apology, attributing the tragedy to a lack of mental health support and a perceived failure in the system, as per to New York Post.

Read Also: US Lawmakers Consider Sanctioning Chinese Firms for Aiding Russia's War with Ukraine

Sisters Accept Plea Deal

Lopez, who had previously been arrested for threatening two supermarket employees just days before the fatal incident, faced charges of disorderly conduct, trespassing, and weapons charges. A plea deal was later struck, resulting in the dismissal of these charges in exchange for reduced murder charges.

Lawhon's sisters reluctantly accepted the plea deal, citing a desire to spare their parents additional grief. However, they criticized the proposed deal, asserting that justice had not been served. They expressed a determination to testify against Lopez in the future, anticipating her release in 20 years.

The tragedy has left Lawhon's family and friends haunted by the last moments of his life. Witnesses and colleagues described Lawhon as a kind soul who would have extended help if Lopez had communicated her struggles during the silent cab ride. Darin Campbell, Lawhon's former colleague, condemned Lopez's actions, characterizing her as a "homicidal mentally ill individual" who should never be released.

Many people have offered tribute to Lawhon, who was well-known for his kind personality and musical abilities. The Gladney Center for Adoption established the Reese McDowell Lawhon Scholarship Fund in his memory, emphasizing his influence on the community. Those who knew Lawhon continue grappling with the void left by the loss of a beloved friend and musician as the legal proceedings conclude, according to Daily Mail.

Related Article: Audrii Cunningham's Death: Disturbing Evidence Intensifies Family Friend's Link to Missing Texas Girl's Murder Case
Israeli troops continue bombarding Gaza four months after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. The temporary cease-fire that liberated over 100 prisoners from Gaza is a distant memory as the worst battle between the opposing factions since Israel's creation in 1948 continues.

CIA Director Bill Burns is scheduled to embark on a journey to Europe on Friday, engaging in crucial talks aimed at resolving the Gaza hostage situation. This latest development comes amidst efforts by the involved parties to secure an agreement before the commencement of the Ramadan holiday, as disclosed by two US officials familiar with the matter.

US Pressures Israel Before Holiday

Sources indicate that US negotiators have exerted pressure on Israel to finalize an agreement before the holiday, influenced in part by the administration's objective to encourage Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with the country. While there has been incremental progress in recent days, two US officials have acknowledged the complexity of negotiations during Ramadan, with Hamas operations likely to decrease on March 11, further complicating indirect communication.

White House Middle East envoy Brett McGurk engaged in talks with Israeli leaders throughout Thursday. Following these discussions, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced an expansion of authority for Israeli hostage negotiators. The Israeli War Cabinet approved the decision to dispatch negotiators to Paris for the upcoming round of talks.

Meanwhile, alarming projections from epidemiologists at Johns Hopkins University and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine underscore the urgency of resolving the conflict. The study suggests that over 85,000 lives could be at risk in the next six months if hostilities between Israel and Hamas escalate.

The projections outline potential death tolls under different scenarios, emphasizing the devastating consequences if a ceasefire is not achieved, as per to ABC News.

Read Also: Putin Flies in Upgraded Nuclear-Capable Bomber, Reminding NATO of Russian Capabilities

Israeli Forces End Gaza Hospital Operation

The Israeli Defense Forces announced the conclusion of a one-week operation inside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The IDF claimed to have arrested at least 200 suspected Hamas members during this period. The World Health Organization facilitated the evacuation of critically ill patients from the hospital, while the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health alleged deaths due to a lack of electricity, a claim denied by the IDF.

Thursday's shooting scenario on Highway 1, which is located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank just west of Jerusalem, was sad. Armed individuals attacked vehicles stuck in a traffic jam, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. Israeli security forces dealt with the suspects, highlighting the continuous security challenges in the region.

As tensions persist, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to take the war to southern Gaza's city of Rafah if the more than 130 hostages held by Hamas are not freed by the start of Ramadan next month. The crisis in Gaza remains a focal point, with international efforts intensifying to bring about a resolution and prevent further loss of life.

The upcoming negotiations in Paris are anticipated to involve representatives from Israel, the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and potentially other key stakeholders, with hopes of fostering progress towards a comprehensive agreement. The situation continues to evolve, and updates are expected in the coming days and weeks, according to AA News.

Related Article: Australia's Most Senior Catholic Bishop Arrested at Home for Sexual Abuse
The Russian military tried to take down a French surveillance plane that was flying over the Black Sea in international airspace, indicating Moscow's growing aggression as its invasion of Ukraine falters, French defense officials warned on Thursday.

Sebastien Lecornu, the French military minister, stated on RTL radio that "a Russian air traffic control system threatened to shoot down French aircraft in the Black Sea when we were in a free international zone where we patrol," as per Dunya.

French Minister Alarmed by Russian Threats

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu has brought attention to an alarming incident involving a Russian air traffic control system threatening to shoot down French aircraft patrolling the Black Sea. Speaking on RTL radio, the minister emphasized the shift in Russia's behavior, noting a substantial departure from previous years and linking it to the challenges Russia faces on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Lecornu cited a specific incident a month ago, where Russian air traffic control targeted French planes in a free international zone, leading to an aggressive radio exchange. The minister highlighted the unprecedented nature of this intimidation attempt, characterizing it as a first in that particular area.

French air force pilots regularly conduct patrols on the eastern flank of NATO, a strategic move to enhance the alliance's defenses since Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago. The patrols involve various aircraft, including the deployment of AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) surveillance aircraft. Positioned high above the Black Sea, these aircraft utilize powerful radar and monitoring equipment to observe military activities, such as missile launches and airborne bombing runs, in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Russia's discontent with being monitored has manifested in previous incidents, including a fighter jet releasing a missile near a Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft in 2022 and a Russian fighter jet dumping fuel on a US Air Force surveillance drone in March 2023, leading to the drone's crash in the Black Sea, according to Telegraph.

Read Also: 48 Die In Recent Airstrike: Humanitarian Crisis Looms in Gaza as IDF Mulls Attack on Rafah

France Boosts Vigilance Amid Russia Tensions

The defense minister also disclosed another concerning event involving a Russian warship near the Bay of the Seine, an inlet of the English Channel on France's Normandy coast. Despite being in international waters, the presence of the Russian vessel was interpreted as an attempt to intimidate France.

Lecornu recognized that these occurrences, such as alleged cyberattacks and propaganda, have historical origins tracing back to the Cold War. He expressed increased worry, stressing that "Russia is testing the boundaries with its aggressive actions."

During these rising tensions, Lecornu has asked his ministry to step up vigilance against possible Russian "sabotage and cyberattacks." President Emmanuel Macron's government is currently providing Ukraine with weapons and aid, focusing on the worth of avoiding Russia from succeeding in the ongoing crisis.

The latest updates quick inquiries about the changing relationship between France and Russia and the wider impact on European security, AFP reported.

Related Article: Iran Sends Russia Hundreds of Ballistic Missiles Capable of Short-Range Attacks
A U.K. court sentenced a Romanian man to three years in prison for entering Britain while driving a van carrying seven undocumented migrants crammed into a secret compartment.

The Chelmsford Crown Court handed over the sentence to Valeriu Iordatii, 24, last week, the U.K. Embassy in Hanoi announced Thursday.

Iordatii had driven the van, with six Vietnamese and one Syrian on board, into the U.K. using the car ferry from the Netherlands to Essex on Dec. 16, 2023.

Border officers at the Harwich International Port searched the van and discovered an overcrowded sleeping compartment above the drivers cabin.

They found the six Vietnamese and one Syrian squeezed inside the compartment.

Iordatii claimed he had no idea the compartment was crammed full of people, despite it being directly above his head.

The van in which a Romanian man smuggled six Vietnamese and one Syrian in the U.K. in December 2023. Photo handed out by the U.K. Embassy

Minister for Illegal Migration, Michael Tomlinson said: "People smugglers dont care if their passengers live or die, as long as they pay."

Iordatii told police that he met an old friend in Paris and that the encounter had led to arrangements for him to work in the U.K. delivering furniture in the van.

He said he had only done what the friend had instructed him to do by collecting the vehicle from a petrol station and heading for the port.

Two of the passengers claimed asylum while five others were deemed illegal entrants and returned to the Netherlands.

Iordatii will now be treated as a Foreign National Offender and could be removed from the U.K. after referral to the Home Office.

Romanian man jailed for smuggling Vietnamese into UK Romanian man The compartment on top of a van where seven people were crammed to be smuggled into the U.K. in December 2023. Video released by the U.K. Embassy

Chris Foster, Deputy Director of Criminal and Financial Investigations at the Home Office, said: "This shocking case shows that people smugglers are going to increasingly extreme lengths to make their money. If anything had happened on that ferry, seven people would have been unaccounted for and trapped."

In the year ending June 2023, there were 52,530 irregular migrants detected entering the U.K., up 17% from the year ending June 2022, and 85% of these arrived via small boats, according to U.K. government data.

Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30 last year, the U.K. Home Office Immigration Enforcement arrested over 246 persons for smuggling people into country, and there have been 124 convictions.

Many people willingly pay human trafficking rings to smuggle themselves into the U.K., or other European countries, to then find an illegal job.

The British government last year passed a new law, saying that undocumented immigrants would be temporarily detained and eventually sent to a third country or their country of origin, hoping that the policy would prevent human trafficking to the U.K.
Florida lawmakers submitted a social media ban affecting minors under 16 to a skeptical Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday, February 22, raising the prospect of a legal battle.

Legislators in the House were ecstatic as they voted 108-7 to finalize the measure, citing the addictive features of tech firms and their worry for the mental health of children, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

However, it is very unlikely that social media will be restricted to Florida minors anytime soon.

In the hours leading up to the measures' passage through the House and Senate, DeSantis voiced his belief that the legislation still needed to address some valid concerns.

Although it is not permitted under the law, he stated his desire for parents to have the power to bypass the ban. "It's still under negotiation. I don't think it's there yet," DeSantis stated.

Nevertheless, significant legal hurdles await House Bill 1 in the event that DeSantis does not veto it.

'Addicting Features'

The social media giants have taken on the state governments that have banned children's access to certain platforms, arguing that such laws are unconstitutional because they limit children's right to free expression. Despite the judges' approval, none of those prohibitions have been enforced.

According to House Speaker Paul Renner, the law should pass constitutional muster because it differs from what has passed in other states.

The measure outlaws the use of "addicting features" by minors on social media platforms. Unlimited scrolling, alerts and push notifications, auto-playing videos, live-streaming, and showing personal analytics like views or likes are all services that are included in the said features.

Renner said the measure would not impact some social media businesses since they do not use certain services.

Also Read: Mark Zuckerberg, Other CEOs Apologize to Online Harm Victims' Families-What's Their Plan to Protect Users?

More Consequences

House Bill 1's effects would extend beyond children. For example, in order for social networking sites in Florida to accept users older than 16, they would need to use third-party age verification software that scans users' faces or requires them to provide identity. It would be necessary for the third-party firm to have an American address and to remove the data right away.

Additionally, adult-oriented websites would need to have age verification. The sites would be inaccessible to anybody under the age of 18.

On many occasions, federal courts have held that it is illegal to demand personal information, such as age verification, from individuals in order to use the Internet.

A number of people have pointed out the potential benefits of social networking. They may meet with tutors, catch up on news, see instructional videos, and converse with pals all in one place. Renner argued that the risks exceeded the benefits, citing the alarming increases in adolescent despair and suicide.

Also Read: Virginia Legislature's Attempt to Ban TikTok for Children Falters
Critics of Democratic prosecutors warn that Raad Almansoori, a murder suspect, may show signs of being a serial killer and do not want to set him free.

If so, it would be the second time he was released in a matter of months. Almansoori is accused of killing a woman in a hotel in SoHo by way of strangulation and blunt force trauma to her skull.

Fox News reports that surveillance cameras observed the suspect leaving the hotel wearing the leggings of the deceased. He reportedly traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, where he is alleged to have stabbed a woman and stole her car before traveling to McDonald's and stabbing another woman before being arrested in Scottsdale.

According to court documents, he was dropped from a Florida case just months before his latest crime wave after being accused of abducting, sexually assaulting, and threatening to kill a co-worker.

Florida prosecutors would eventually drop most of the charges.

Possibly a Serial Killer

Fox further reports that Almansoori told law enforcement officials to Google SoHo 54 hotel, which is where NYPD alleges he murdered Denisse Oleas-Arancibia.

The suspect is now being held at a jail in Arizona where local DA Rachel Mitchell argued with Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's "progressive policies" and New York laws allowing suspects to be released on low or no bail have created a dangerous situation throughout the country.

"It was just a couple of weeks ago that some of the illegal immigrants that were in New York City who beat up on police officers were let go," Mitchell said. "They were flipping the camera off as they walked out of jail, and guess where they ended up?

"Four of them ended up in Maricopa County, and they had to be taken into custody here. I don't want that to happen. I don't want this individual getting out and able to victimize more people."

The fighting for custody of Almonsoori is not the first time the suspect has been involved in such a circumstance. While being held in Sumter County, Florida, on grand theft auto charges, the suspect was served a warrant for sexual battery and assault in Orlando.

The victim in that case, Leah Palian, says Orlando prosecutors ignored warnings that the murder suspect could possibly be a serial killer.

"I saw that statement they put out, and they said they didn't have enough evidence," she told Fox News Digital. "To that, I would like to say I don't think that this is a case of evidence or lack thereof, I think it's a case of evidence."

"I actually do not know about other state's judicial systems. I just know about my state and how it failed me," she said. "I want whatever is going to keep this man behind bars and is going to keep him off the streets and keep women safe."

Though never arrested in New York, the suspect had come into contact with law enforcement in Florida, a Republican state, on more than one occasion.

The ire of Rachel Mitchell toward Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, as well as her consternation over "progressive" New York laws, appears moot in the case of Almonsoori in light of that fact.
On the brink of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and in light of the recent death of prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in an Arctic penal colony, both the United States and the European Union are enforcing additional sanctions on Russia.

On Friday, The Associated Press announced the US Treasury, State Department, and Commerce Department plan Friday to enact roughly 600 new sanctions on Russia and its war machine in the largest single wave of penalties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

These actions follow a series of recent arrests and indictments revealed by the Justice Department on Thursday, specifically targeting Russian businessmen. Among those implicated are the head of Russia's second-largest bank and their associates in five separate federal cases.

The European Union also revealed the enforcement of sanctions on numerous foreign companies, accusing them of exporting dual-use goods to Russia with potential applications in its war against Ukraine.

The 27-nation bloc specified its targeting of numerous Russian officials, including members of the judiciary, local politicians, and those involved in the unlawful deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children.

"The American people and people around the world understand that the stakes of this fight extend far beyond Ukraine," President Joe Biden said in a statement announcing the sanctions.

"If Putin does not pay the price for his death and destruction, he will keep going. And the costs to the United States - along with our NATO Allies and partners in Europe and around the world - will rise."

Plan Of Action:

To curb Moscow's revenue from oil and petroleum product exports, the US and its allies have introduced a price ceiling.

According to an article by The Guardian, to reduce funding for the war while still ensuring supplies to the global market, a coalition involving the G7 leading economies, the EU, and Australia had set a price cap of $60 a barrel of Russian crude.

However, experts have warned that the sanctions are not enough to stop Moscow's attacks.

"What Congress does to pass additional military assistance to Ukraine is going to matter far, far more than anything else they could do on the sanctions front," Peter Harrell, a former National Security Council official, said.

In the interim, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, headed to Ukraine on Friday to try to reassure the country's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and other officials that Congress will deliver another round of US aid. This comes even as a package that would provide $60bn to the war-torn country is stalled in the US House.

"I feel I have to be there because it's so crucial," Schumer declared. "We are right at a vortex, a critical turning point in the whole west. And if we abandon Ukraine, the consequences for America are severe."
Exiting a United Nations-backed climate initiative, prominent American investment giants JPMorgan Chase, BlackRock, and State Street Global Advisors cite concerns over the group's next-phase sustainability objectives, which they perceive as overly ambitious. The climate group contends that companies are not making progress toward their objectives swiftly enough.

It's important to note that in 2023, Amazon dropped an effort to zero out emissions of half its shipments by 2030, and BP scaled back on its plan to reduce emissions by 35 percent by the end of 2030. Shell Oil also dropped an initiative to build a pipeline of carbon credits and other carbon-absorbing projects.

Hundreds of companies across the globe are backtracking on commitments toward green policies despite growing concerns that the planet is reaching a crisis point, as expressed by The Environmental Magazine.

The collective choices effectively eliminate nearly $14 trillion in total assets from endeavors aiming to coordinate Wall Street's response to combat climate change. The coalition, named Climate Action 100+ or CA100+, made the call after urging signatories to take more decisive measures against those falling behind.

According to Reuters, financial firms have faced heightening pressure from Republican politicians over their membership of such groups amid allegations that committing to shared action could be a breach of antitrust law or fiduciary duty.

None of the firms cited politics as their motivation.

A spokesperson for State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), which manages $4.1 trillion, said the new priorities set by CA100+ conflicted with the company's investment plans.

JPMorgan's fund arm revealed it had decided not to renew its membership of CA100+ after building up its investment stewardship capabilities.

The Financial Times first reported the news. The unit manages $3.1 trillion.

BlackRock confirmed it is no longer a member but has instead shifted its membership in CA100+ to BlackRock International.

BlackRock's move effectively removes $6.6 trillion, or two-thirds of its total assets, from the pool represented by CA100+, stated Reuters.

What is Climate Action 100+?

According to the group's website, Climate Action 100+ is an investor-led initiative to "ensure the world's largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change."

The second phase of the group's plans aligns with the desired 2030 objective of worldwide "decarbonization."

Phase two introduces the requirement for "lead investors and individual engagers" to disclose their voting records on specific votes related to the group's priorities.

Other highlighted benchmarks outline "emissions reductions and the key underlying factors driving them," aligning with "pathways" committed to reducing the Earth's warming below 1.5C.

Additionally, there is a focus on "capital allocation and asset-level change" about the transition to net-zero carbon.

Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller, who oversees public retirement assets, said his office will take account of the firms' moves in allocating its investments.

"Climate risk is financial risk. Today, BlackRock, JPMorgan, and State Street are choosing to ignore both," Lander said in a statement.

The firms, he said, "are failing in their fiduciary duty and putting trillions of dollars of their client's assets at risk."
Reuters is reporting that a secret committee of senior officials has ordered vigilante killings and extra-judicial detentions aimed at quelling an insurrection in Oromiya, Ethiopia's largest and most populated region.

The news agency interviewed more than 30 local and federal officials, including judges, lawyers, and victims of the abuses, and also reviewed documents drafted by local officials.

In the interviews, as well as the documents, information can be gleaned that suggests that all this was done at the hands of the Koree Nageenyaa, which means Security Committee in the Oromo language.

The organization is said to have begun operating in the region months after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took power in 2018. However, knowledge of the existence of the committee has only recently come to light.

Current and former government officials who spoke under the condition of anonymity reportedly said the Koree Nageenyaa was essential to the Prime Minister's efforts to crush the insurgency led by the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).

The Oromo people have long believed they have been marginalized socially and politically. Protest erupted in 2019, leading to a harsh government crackdown in which the Koree Nageenyaa took the lead.

The ensuing violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of citizens. The central government of Ethiopia has accused the OLA of killing dozens of citizens since 2019, which the group denies.

Prime Minister Abiy's father is Oromo and youth protests played a hand in the ouster of his predecessor, Hailemariam Desalegn. The Koree Nageenyaa has been accused by those willing to speak of dozens of killings and hold the Security Committee responsible for the arrests of hundreds of others.

The committee is also accused of killing 14 shepherds in Oromiya in 2021-a massacre the government had previously blamed on the OLA. Reuters presented the findings of their investigation to Daniel Bekele, the head of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, which is a state-appointed post.

Bekele did confirm the existence of the committee and said it aimed to address the security concerns in Oromiya, but he did acknowledge they had "overreached its purpose by interfering in the justice system with widespread human rights violations."

"We documented multiple cases of extra-judicial killings, arbitrary detentions, torture, and extortion," Bekele said, without elaborating on specific incidents.

Reuters says the central and Oromiya regional governments did not respond to this inquiry. Prime Minister Abiy defended his human rights record as early as this month. On Feb. 6, he told parliament: "Since we think along democratic lines, it is hard for us to even arrest anyone, let alone execute them."

The unrest in Oromiya, in which the capital, Addis Ababa, lies, gives insight into the instability of the region. Ethiopia has weathered a two-year civil war in the Tigray region that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

Another region, Amhara, suffered paramilitary violence last year in July. The government and the OLA held peace talks for the first time last year, but violence persists.

The Ethiopian government has labeled the OLA as terrorists. Interestingly, the United States and the United Nations do not yet share this assessment. Reuters further reports that the Koree Nageenyaa is headed by the former chief of staff, Shimelis Abdisa-who is also president of the Oromiya region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently revealed his plan for the future of Gaza following the elimination of Hamas, which includes the "complete demilitarization" of Gaza, the closing of its southern border with Egypt, and a complete refabrication of the civil and administration systems in the enclave.

CNN reports that it received a copy of the plan, which the Prime Minister presented to members of the Israeli security cabinet on Thursday. The prime minister's office told CNN that it was distributed as a basis for discussion.

The plan comes weeks after Netanyahu was criticized for not having a plan in place for postwar Gaza.

The current debacle for the Israeli military is how to evacuate more than one million people from Rafah as they prepare to invade the town, which sits on the border near Egypt. Israeli intelligence director David Barnea is set to fly to Paris for talks of a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal that could put an end to the war.

Nearly 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, according to Palestinian health officials.

The plan being floated would have Israel close Gaza's southern border, giving the state control over entry and exit from Gaza. Currently, Egypt controls access to the southern Gaza border.

Netanyahu's plan says Israel will cooperate "as much as possible" with Egypt in coordination with the United States.

The plan asserts, as Netanyahu has said before, that "Israel will have security control over the entire area west of Jordan," which includes all of the West Bank and Israel, as well as Gaza.

The Palestinians have long sought an independent state in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.

Israel will be responsible for "realizing and overseeing" the demilitarization of the Strip, the plan says, except for what is required to maintain public order.

The local entities running the civil service "will not be identified with countries or entities that support terrorism and will not receive payment from them," the plan says.

The United States believes the Palestinian Authority, which has been rebuilt as an alternative to Hamas, should govern Gaza in the future.

The plan also states Israel's long-held position that it will not be forced by the international community to accept a two-state solution.

"Israel outright rejects international dictates regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians," the Netanyahu document says, asserting that recognition of a Palestinian state now would be "a huge reward to unprecedented terrorism."

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has rejected a buffer zone, and Egypt has rejected the idea that Israel will control its border with Gaza.

The United Arab Emirates has stated that unless there is a roadmap toward an independent Palestinian State, it will not help pay for the rebuilding of Gaza.
A US intelligence review of Israel's allegations on UN aid agency staff member's involvement in the Oct. 7 attack deems few accusations credible, though their independent verification remains inconclusive. The assessment also questions the validity of broader connections to militant groups.

The shocking accusation led several countries, including the US, to cut off funding for the agency. The funds are an imperative necessity for getting aid to Gaza in what is a spiraling humanitarian crisis.

Earlier this year, Israel accused 12 employees of the United Nations Reliefs and Works Agency (UNRWA) of participating in the Oct. 7 attacks alongside Hamas. It also said 10% of all UNRWA workers are affiliated with Hamas.

A report obtained by The Guardian notes Israel's dislike towards the UNRWA.

"There is a specific section that mentions how Israeli bias serves to mischaracterize much of their assessments on UNRWA and says this has resulted in distortions," according to a source from The Wall Street Journal.

The four-page report by the National Intelligence Council was shared with US government officials last week.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken defended Israel's accusations, doubling that they are "highly, highly credible." Nine staff members were terminated by the head of the agency, who said he followed "reverse due process" in doing so.

Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner general of the UNRWA, told a press conference in Jerusalem earlier in February that he had not investigated the evidence before the firing.

"I could have suspended them, but I have fired them. And now I have an investigation, and if the investigation tells us that this was wrong, in that case at the UN we will decide on how to properly compensate [them]," he said.

Credible Allegations:

Meanwhile, a separate UN report released on Monday by a group of UN experts presented appalling and credible evidence of Palestinian women and girls subjected to "multiple forms of sexual assault by male Israeli army officers," revealed The Guardian.

The accusations describe rape and the detention of Palestinian women in cages, in addition to "photos of female detainees in degrading circumstances reportedly taken by the Israeli army and uploaded online."

"We remind the government of Israel of its obligation to uphold the right to life, safety, health, and dignity of Palestinian women and girls and to ensure that no one is subject to violence, torture, ill-treatment, or degrading treatment, including sexual violence," UN experts said.

So far, Israel has failed to provide valid evidence proving any of their claims.

Lazzarini emphasized Israel's goal for the dissolution of UNRWA, to change the long-standing political parameters for peace in the occupied Palestinian territory-- established by the General Assembly and the UN Security Council.

"They [Israel] seek to eliminate UNRWA's role in protecting the rights of Palestine Refugees and acting as a witness to their continuing plight."
CNN reports that the Biden administration is having great difficulty containing the ongoing attacks by the Houthis against ships traversing the Red Sea.

The further report that the alleged Iran-back group is continuing to stockpile weapons inside Yemen.

This is despite airstrikes carried out by the United States and the United Kingdom in recent weeks.

Statement from Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Sing

"We know that the Houthis maintain a large arsenal," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on Thursday, hours after the Houthis hit yet another cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden with ballistic missiles. "They are very capable; they have sophisticated weapons, and that's because they continue to get them from Iran."

US officials appear to be clueless in containing the threat. Some argue that simple brute force has proven to be ineffective, as well as expensive and impractical.

Multimillion-dollar weapons systems are being used to take down cheap drones and missiles. Hawks outside of the administration believe Biden and the company have taken a conservative approach and need to focus more on targeting Houthi leadership instead of weapons depots.

Since the Houthi attacks on shipping through the Red Sea began in October, US Central Command has been regularly and preemptively attacking Houthi weapons when they appear ready to launch.

However, they have no way of knowing exactly how much damage such attacks are causing nor the percentage of equipment that has actually been destroyed thus far.

"They continue to surprise us," said one senior defense official, referring to the Houthis. "We just don't have a good idea of what they still have."

The US Navy has struck dozens of Houthi targets since January, and the Houthis have dug in-building tunnels near Yemen's western coast and staying underground more regularly.

US Central Command also believes the Houthis are increasingly concerned about the prospects of their senior leadership being targetted, which some believe is a good sign because the more time spent hiding means there's less time to launch attacks on shipping.

"The US campaign against the Houthis appears to bear the hallmarks of many of these highly circumscribed, scrubbed campaigns of the past where we seek to avoid causing them actual pain," said one former US military official speaking on the condition of anonymity.
China sees booming domestic tourism, recovering int'l travels during Spring Festival holiday

People's Daily Online) 13:53, February 23, 2024

China saw a better-than-expected performance in its domestic tourism market and a strong rebound in the number of inbound and outbound travelers during the just-concluded Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, also known as the Spring Festival holiday.

Domestic tourist trips totaled 474 million during the eight-day holiday from Feb. 10 to Feb. 17, which represented a 34.3 percent increase from the same period last year, and a 19 percent growth from the same period in 2019, according to China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

A drone photo taken on Feb. 5, 2024 shows a view of a Spring Festival fair by the Yellow River in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Ma Xiping)

Data from the ministry showed that domestic tourists spent about 632.69 billion yuan ($88.02 billion) during the holiday, a growth of 47.3 percent from the same period in 2023 and an increase of 7.7 percent from the same period in 2019.

The daily number of visits to China's 5A-rated tourist attractions, the highest rating for Chinese tourist sites, averaged 11,700 during the holiday, up 78.4 percent year on year, according to the China Tourism Academy.

During the Spring Festival holiday, national-level resorts across the country received an average of more than 19,700 visits per day, up 48.7 percent year on year, data from the China Tourism Academy showed.

Meanwhile, the number of inbound and outbound travelers also rebounded significantly during the holiday, according to data from the China Tourism Academy.

Some 6.83 million border entries and exits were recorded during the holiday, of which around 3.6 million were outbound travelers and about 3.23 million were arrivals from other countries. Both figures approximated the 2019 levels.

Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, attributed the substantial rise in the number of inbound travelers to China's unilateral and bilateral visa-free policies, and the effects of cultural exchange activities and tourism promotion efforts.

Chinese authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Immigration Administration, People's Bank of China, and State Administration of Foreign Exchange, implemented a multitude of policies to facilitate cross-border tourism, injecting strong impetus into the recovery of inbound travels, according to Dai.

Data from the China Tourism Academy showed that on Feb. 9, China received more than 600,000 cross-border visits and saw a notable increase in the number of visitors from countries recently included in China's unilateral and bilateral visa-free policies.

This year's Spring Festival marked the first time the festival was celebrated since the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution designating the Lunar New Year as a UN floating holiday.

As Chinese people traveled abroad in droves during the holiday, they found that many countries were celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year.

"Countries around the world have felt the growth momentum of China's rapidly recovering outbound tourism market during the Spring Festival and responded kindly to it," Dai said.

Data from online travel service platforms showed that Chinese tourists visited 1,754 cities across 115 countries during this year's Spring Festival holiday.

Tourist destinations across the world, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Northeast Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, Belt and Road countries in West Asia, North Africa, Central, Eastern and Western Europe, Australia and other countries in the South Pacific region, all saw notable growth in the number of Chinese tourists during the holiday, according to Dai.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
A freight train on its way from Song Than station in Binh Duong Province to China, Feb. 21, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Ha Giang

A freight train will run at least once a week from Song Than station in southern Binh Duong Province to China and back to facilitate exports and imports.

On Wednesday afternoon, the first train in 2024 on the route set off from Song Than, the largest cargo station in the south and one of six international stations used in the transport of goods from and to China.

Consisting of 21 cars loaded with agricultural produce, the train is expected to arrive in Zhengzhou City of Chinas Henan Province after around 10 days.

This service is jointly organized by the railway sectors of Vietnam and China to enhance logistics connections, promoting trade between the two countries.

Following the initial train, there will be a weekly intermodal train service from Song Than station to China, with the frequency potentially increasing based on demand.

Goods from Binh Duong and the surrounding areas will be gathered at Song Than before being transported to Yen Vien and Giap Bat stations in Hanoi and then transferred to an intermodal train to China.

Trains have operated on this route before but there were just one to two trips per month.

At the train's departure ceremony, Hoang Gia Khanh, General Director of the Vietnam Railways Corporation, said that international intermodal transportation by rail between Vietnam and China was undergoing positive changes with increasing volume.

He said that many businesses preferred rail to road transport as it could save on waiting at the border, and the process of completing export and import procedures for freight trains was more convenient.

Zhang Jianwei, General Director of Au Viet Thong Ha Nam Company in China, said that Vietnamese agricultural produce exported to China made up a large proportion of exports, but less was transported by rail compared to road.

This company hopes for additional policies to support freight trains, especially shortening the transportation time from Song Than Station to Dong Dang Station in Vietnam's Lang Son Province, which also borders China.

"This will make rail transport competitive with other modes, restoring the advantage for international intermodal transport," he said.

Currently, the Ministry of Transport is implementing several projects to upgrade and renovate the Song Than station, with plans to increase its capacity to 3.5 million tons per year by 2025-2030 from the existing level of 1.6 million.

After the upgrade, the station will organize direct train services to and from China instead of having to transfer at stations in Hanoi.
Tourists walk at the Newhaven Port in Sussex District where border security forces arrested 21 Vietnamese illegally entering into the U.K. in 2018. Photo by Reuters/Kham

The Vietnamese Embassy in the U.K. is working closely with authorities in the U.K. to fact-check the case that seven allegedly Vietnamese migrants were detected at Newhaven Port in Lewes District of East Sussex County.

Right after getting the information by several newspapers, including BBC News, Guardian, Daily Mail and Mirror, the embassy contacted the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Home Office, Metropolitan Police, and Mayor of Newhaven city, among others, asking them to provide further information.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs directed the embassy to take necessary citizen protection measures to ensure that the immigrants are treated humanely and in line with laws.

According to the U.K. press, seven migrants, believed to be Vietnamese, were found in the back of a truck at Newhaven Port on Feb. 16.

Ferry operator DFDS, which runs services between Newhaven and Dieppe in Normandy, northern France, confirmed that the migrants were found on board the Seven Sisters vessel, adding immediate medical attention was provided.

Anas Al Mustafa, 42, from Waless Swansea city and accused of assisting the unlawful entry to the U.K., appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on Feb. 19. He was taken into custody and will appear at Lewes Crown Court on March 18.
Chinese tourists take photos in front of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, in 2016. Photo by AFP

As Chinese tourism booms to visa-free countries in Southeast Asia, Australia is losing out, with more cost-conscious mainland travelers also choosing cheaper destinations closer to home, according to tour operators and industry data.

Once a magnet for Chinese holiday-makers, Australia's tourism industry is getting squeezed by visa demands at a time when Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia have waived such requirements and as mainland consumers tighten their belts.

Johnny Nee, Director at Easy Going Travel Services Pty Ltd in Perth, Western Australia, said his business only recovered to 40% of pre-Covid levels over Lunar New Year earlier this month even as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia saw visitor numbers and spending exceed pre-Covid levels.

"Given China's economic outlook is not so certain and Chinese tourists are rather price conscious, this means they would prefer somewhere that is easier to get to and the traveling experience ... is not too bad either," said Nee, whose company also provides group tours for Chinese.
The New Hotel's Innovative Design and Flexible Space Tailors to the Needs of Today's Modern Traveler.

Courtyard by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio of more than 30 brands, today announced the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Santo Domingo Piantini, the second for the brand in Santo Domingo. Featuring a sophisticated yet comfortable environment, as well as Courtyard's latest contemporary room design, Courtyard by Marriott Santo Domingo Piantini provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at Freddy Prestol Castillo, esq. Porfirio Herrera, Ensanche Piantini, the 160-room hotel will operate as Marriott franchise, owned by the hotel operating company Real Hotels and Resorts. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, Courtyard by Marriott Santo Domingo Piantini offers guests convenient access to sites of interest such as Parque Colon, Alcazar de Colon, and the historic colonial city.

Courtyard continues to innovate the guest experience to meet the changing needs of today's modern traveler. The hotel's newly designed guest rooms feature solid colors with a warm and neutral palette, adding calm and sophistication to any stay, with subtle accents that add just a pop of color. With top and smart features like LED lights, keyless entry, complimentary Wi-Fi, and premium Egyptian cotton bedding; guests can settle comfortably into a modern platform bed, illuminated by calming cove lighting that can easily be dimmed in-bed.

A specially designed sleeper sofa with an accompanying ottoman provides a cozy corner to lounge or work and can fold out into a full-sized bed for extra space. Courtyard's upscale guest room also features a smartly designed valet station with a refrigerator and coffeemaker, plus a 55-inch TV that can be pulled out and swiveled for optimal viewing from either the bed or sofa.

Courtyard by Marriott Santo Domingo Piantini features the brand's latest lobby design, where guests can enjoy an open and modern environment outside of their rooms. Along with multimedia modules, complimentary WI-FI and a variety of seating areas, the three redefined meeting rooms are ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social events.

The Kitchen & Bar restaurant is located on the second floor, offering easy access to healthy breakfast foods buffet-style options, and a delicious menu of local cuisine. As an extension to Courtyard's inviting public spaces, the Bistro Bar serves as the epicenter of the lobby, fostering social connections and collaboration. Its flexible and informal seating options make it an ideal casual dining destination, offering guests a wide variety of fresh Classic American menu items with a contemporary twist. In the evening, the Bistro Bar also features an array of elevated cocktails, beer, and wine for guests to enjoy at the end of the day. The Bistro menu was carefully curated to offer a variety of fresh, flavorful items to satisfy every palate from morning to night. Whether seating indoors or enjoying the ambiance of the 17th-floor rooftop bar, guests are treated to panoramic views of the cityscape and bustling city.

Throughout the hotel, guests can stay connected with ample electrical outlets. The business library features several computer stations along with a printer dedicated solely to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status. Additional hotel amenities include a 24-hour fitness center equipped with the latest technology, guest laundry, and 179 square feet of meeting space to accommodate functions of up to 75 people. Adjacent to the gym, an oasis of tranquility awaits with an inviting pool for the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation experience.

Courtyard by Marriott Santo Domingo Piantini participates in Marriott Bonvoy - the award-winning travel program from Marriott International - allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio of brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.

Hotel website
Casa de Sierra Nevada, a Belmond hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is excited to welcome new General Manager Michael Nather. Mr. Nather, a native of Oberhausen, Germany, is a seasoned veteran of the luxury hospitality industry who brings more than 35 years of experience to his new role.

Prior to joining Casa de Sierra Nevada, Nather served as dual general manager for two world-renowned luxury properties, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet Resorts in Saint Lucia. Prior to his time in Saint Lucia, he served as resort manager of Esperanza, Los Cabos, Auberge Resort Collection, director of operations at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, executive assistant manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, and director of food and beverage at InterContinental Berlin.

An avid international traveler, Nather is passionate about hospitality's potential for creating memorable experiences and fostering emotional bonds. His warm and personalized approach with both his teams and guests aligns with Belmond brand's focus on authentic experiences and world class service.
Perry Hotel & Marina in Key West, FL, has welcomed a new Food & Beverage Manager, Aleksandra Kanazir. Originally from Serbia, Aleksandra's journey in the hotel industry began in 2015 when she moved to the United States. Born into a family of winemakers and business owners, hospitality and entrepreneurship run deep in her roots.

Aleksandra holds a degree in finance and accounting, and after seven successful years in a business role, she transitioned to the dynamic world of hospitality. Starting her tenure at La Concha Hotel and Spa in Key West, Aleksandra ventured into fine dining, overseeing operations at Tavern and Town and A&B Lobster House for a year. However, her heart has always been in Food & Beverage, driving her to pursue a role as Assistant Property Manager at Kimpton Key West, where she managed Food & Beverage, housekeeping, and front desk departments with exceptional skill and dedication.

Aleksandra's commitment to personal growth and her unwavering passion for hospitality have led her to her current role at The Perry. As a local, The Perry holds a special place in her heart, filled with fond memories of great food and unforgettable experiences. Aleksandra's vision in her new role is centered on delivering unmatched service, exquisite food, and unforgettable experiences to guests amidst the stunning backdrop of the Florida Keys.
Meyer Jabara Hotels has enhanced its team by appointing Ian McAuley as the new Chief Investment Officer. This strategic role, created for the first time in the company, will see McAuley leveraging his significant experience in real estate and hospitality to drive the company's growth. His responsibilities include identifying new investment opportunities, fostering relationships with equity investors and lenders, and securing third-party management contracts. McAuley's impressive 30-year background in both public and private real estate sectors, combined with his expertise in hotel development, operations, and ownership, poises him to significantly contribute to Meyer Jabara Hotels' expansion and profitability.

Relocating from Toronto to West Palm Beach, Fla., McAuley's immediate objectives involve immersing himself in the company's culture, understanding its operational practices, and identifying strategies to enhance margins and investment returns. In the medium term, his focus will shift to engaging the investment community, highlighting the unique strengths of Meyer Jabara Hotels, and securing capital resources. His long-term vision includes forging new capital partnerships and exploring opportunities to augment the company's portfolio through asset acquisitions and development.

McAuley's professional journey is marked by over $2 billion in real estate transactions across North America, encompassing a broad range of corporate finance dealings with private equity and institutional capital partners. His career highlights include over a hundred development and acquisition projects, as well as involvement in several initial public offerings. He has played a pivotal role in the growth of various global hospitality brands.

Previously, McAuley co-founded VM Hotel Acquisition Corp., serving as CEO, president, and director, and notably raised $100 million in the company's IPO. He also held the position of Canadian president at Aimbridge Hospitality, significantly expanding the company's management agreements. His other past roles include president roles at American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP and Superior Lodging Corp., as well as co-founding positions at Royop Hospitality Corp. and InnVentures Hospitality Corp.

McAuley's academic credentials include a degree from the University of Toronto - ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program, a Dipl T Hospitality, a Bachelor of Arts, and an MBA. He has served on numerous boards, including Northern Vision Development LP, The Musical Stage Co., the Hotel Association of Canada, Hilton Hotels Advisory Board, Hallmark Properties Ltd., Airline Hotels and Resorts Ltd., and Theatre Calgary.
Mission Resort + Club, an MMI Hospitality Group property, is pleased to name David Mudge, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of culinary experience, as its new Food & Beverage Director. Mudge joins the resort with extensive knowledge of both front and back-of-house operations across restaurants, banquet facilities and resorts. Mudge's appointment brings a welcomed fresh perspective to the historic property's four culinary outlets, as well as wedding, meeting and special event catering amid a series of enhancements following the resort's acquisition by MMI Hospitality Group in early 2023.

Mudge attended the Walt Disney World Culinary Apprenticeship Program, a three-year culinary program consisting of classroom studies and rotations in various Walt Disney Restaurants, from 1993 to 1996. He graduated at the top of the program's class, and would go on to work another ten years of his professional career with Walt Disney Company. This comprehensive experience with Disney culture, operations, procedures, and etiquette highly influenced his current philosophy on operating food and beverage programs.

Most recently, Mudge acted as Executive Chef for Sodexo at Waterman Village Retirement Community in Mount Dora, Florida. In this position, he supervised all aspects of food production and employee training, and assisted with menu planning and costing. His team received the 2020 Florida Assisted Living Association's Culinary Creation Award. Throughout his thirty years in the culinary industry, Mudge has managed resort banquet spaces and catering for expansive conference facilities, and the Mission Resort team is confident that his diversified skill set will enhance the entire food and beverage department while further developing the resort staff, as Mudge has a proven track record of motivating his teams to achieve.
AREV Collection is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexandre Lebrat as Global Director of Sales and Marketing. With nearly 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Alexandre brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role.

Alexandre Lebrat joins AREV Collection from La Reserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa and Villas, where he served as the Director of Sales. In his role, he developed sales strategies, oversaw marketing activities, managed pricing and strategy related to the hotel's revenue, and cultivated customer loyalty. Prior to this, he held roles overseeing business development in the Americas for Monte-Carlo Societe des Bains de Mer, Monaco, and served as the International Sales Manager for Royal Group Hotels & Resorts. Earlier in his career, he also gained valuable experience in operations roles at esteemed hotels in the South of France, Italy, Switzerland and Saint-Barths. Born and raised in the Saint Tropez area, Alexandre has extensive knowledge of the destination and its surrounding areas. He is fluent in English, Italian, and French.
Malaysia beats Thailand to become most-visited country in Southeast Asia

A view of Kuala Lumpur's skyline in Malaysia, May 30, 2023. Photo by Reuters

Malaysia recorded nearly 29 million foreign arrivals last year, becoming the most popular destination in Southeast Asia, a throne that belonged to Thailand before Covid.

Singaporeans were Malaysia's biggest source of foreign arrivals with 8.3 million, followed by Indonesians, Thais, Chinese and Bruneians, according to Focus Malaysia news site.

Thailand came in second in the region with 28 million foreign tourists, followed by Singapore with 13.6 million.

Vietnam was in fourth with 12.6 million while Indonesia recorded 11.7 million arrivals.

The Philippines and Cambodia each attracted some 5.4 million international tourists in 2023.

Southeast Asian countries raced to attract foreign tourists with flexible immigration policies from late last year.

From Dec. 1, Malaysia allowed 30-day visa-free entry for citizens from mainland China and India in a similar move to Thailand.

From mid-August, Vietnam granted three-month tourist visas for citizens from all countries and territories and tripled the duration of stays in Vietnam to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries unilaterally exempted from visas.

With fierce regional competition, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh last week ordered ministries to consider expanding visa exemptions for citizens from certain countries in accordance with bilateral cooperation activities.
On February 20, 2024, The Broadmoor's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Scott Flexman, announced the appointment of Mary Jobb as its new Executive Director of Sales.

Mary Jobb has over thirty years of experience in the hospitality industry and brings a fresh perspective to The Broadmoor's sales team. Her successful track record in achieving exceptional sales results through strategic target setting and revenue-boosting programs speaks volumes about her dynamic leadership qualities.

With a passion for excellence & leadership, Mary Jobb has demonstrated her proficiency in driving group sales initiatives to new heights, in her most recent role at The Diplomat Beach Resort, along with her time at The Waldorf Astoria & Hilton Orlando complex. During Mary's tenure with Hilton Worldwide she also served as a Senior Regional Director of Sales for seven years, successfully supporting hotels throughout the East Coast & Canada. Prior to Mary's time with Hilton she was with LXR, Luxury Resorts & Hotels, where she played a pivotal role in building the sales organization.

Mary Jobb is enthusiastic about joining The Broadmoor and eagerly anticipates contributing to the resort's success. She recognizes the unique offerings of Colorado Springs, also known as Olympic City USA, and looks forward to embracing all the opportunities this vibrant destination offers.

The Broadmoor is confident that Mary Jobb's wealth of experience and strategic vision will drive the resort's sales initiatives to new heights. Her appointment reinforces The Broadmoor's commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences and further solidifies its position as a premier destination for luxury hospitality.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and Hyatt Hotels Corp. are among a group of hotel chain operators accused of inflating the cost of luxury hotel rooms with help from a price-setting database.

Hotel room renters allege in a lawsuit they paid higher prices for luxury hotel rooms because of an agreement between the hotel chains to share competitively sensitive information about their prices, supply, and future plans through an intermediary. The intermediary is Smith Travel Research, a division of CoStar Group Inc., according to a Tuesday complaint filed in US District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Other defendants named in the suit include Inter-Continental Hotels Corp., Marriott International Inc., and Accor Management, whose luxury hotel brands include Fairmont and Orient Express. STR, also a defendant in the case along with CoStar, allegedly provided the chains with visibility in hotel pricing information and allowed competitors to set prices higher than they would have been absent an agreement.

The agreement to regularly exchange detailed and non-public information about current supply and pricing suppressed competition between the defendants, according to the suit. The information exchanges allowed defendant hotel operators to compare their prices and occupancy with their competitors and to raise prices when they were lower than competitors.

Read the full article at BloomBerg.com
Technology increasingly permeates products and customer experiences across the hospitality and restaurant industries. That can elevate the experiences, but it can also put assets, customers and reputations at risk. Since the pandemic, the industry has been focused on automation and streamlining processes in both the back and front of the house to address labor shortages, said Grant Thornton Hospitality & Restaurants National Managing Partner Alex Rhodes in his 2024 industry outlook. There are many ways to substitute an online interaction for an employee interaction. However, lodging, restaurants and gaming companies need to be careful. Companies need to remain cautious with technology, however, as the industry continues to be vulnerable to cybersecurity issues as demonstrated by high-profile breaches, Rhodes said. Companies need to protect the technology that is now woven into their products and experiences  without losing the cost savings and flexibility that is often an important reason for adopting the technology.

The cost of security

Data is a growing part of the proprietary value in companies today, so data security is essential. However, it can also be expensive. How much do you need?

You could potentially spend a huge amount of money on cybersecurity, but it might not be the best decision for your organization, said Grant Thornton Cyber Risk Advisory Services Managing Director Don Sheehan.

To optimize security, you need more than just spending  you need strategic spending. You can reduce cybersecurity cost, and improve response and operations, at the same time, Sheehan said. It takes some management direction and dedication, but you can actually reduce your spending and improve your effectiveness. It really is possible.

As digital threats continue to grow, its important to get the most out of your cybersecurity investment. In a recent Grant Thornton webinar, more than 700 attendees indicated that cybersecurity automation, processes and strategy held the greatest opportunity for improved returns.

Read the full article at Grant Thornton LLP
BeCause, the Danish start-up transforming how the global hospitality, travel, and tourism industries manage their sustainability data, has secured a $600,000 (556K) tail-end investment from Dutch investor Curiosity VC to close their seed round. This latest investment brings the company's total seed funding to $2.5 million (2.32M), including the $1.9 million (1.76M) seed raised in November from Denmark's Ugly Duckling Ventures, Estonia's Superangel.io and other investors.

"We reserved some space at the end of our round for a strategic investor to join on equal terms and are thrilled to have found that partner in Curiosity VC. As an AI-focused fund, Curiosity brings key competencies and an international network to the table that will prove invaluable to us as we continue to unfold how artificial intelligence can enable more sustainability-focused operations in hospitality and tourism and across our growing set of solutions," says BeCause co-founder and CEO Frederik Steensgaard.

Mission-Driven Growth

Using BeCause, hotels can fully automate the collection, analysis, and communication of their sustainability efforts through a centralized hub, making it much easier for properties to qualify for industry certifications like GreenKey and ensure regulatory compliance based on local frameworks. BeCause dramatically reduces the cost of repetitive and manual tasks by up to 60%, compared to the error-prone processes still widely used within the industry to manage sustainability data. This increase in efficiency and trust significantly improves operational effectiveness.

Hotels also gain critical insights into the types of sustainability investments that might be most valuable for their business and the planet while enabling them to leverage the growing consumer demand for sustainability-focused accommodations. Simultaneously/Finally, the platform allows travel marketplaces, like Booking.com, to get real-time information from green certification labels about a hotel's sustainability status, which they can use to help travelers and customers make informed choices about their travel plans.

BeCause currently has over 20,000 hotels worldwide streaming sustainability data via its platform and counts more than 50 certifiers and 15 travel booking marketplaces amongst its users.

"What attracted us to BeCause is that they have a clear goal and a true passion for the problem at hand. Their advanced AI capabilities further enhance their ability to drive innovation, address complex challenges, and revolutionize sustainability efforts across sectors. Looking at how far they've already come, their execution powers are undeniable," says Herman Kienhuis, Managing Partner at Curiosity VC. "They have a solid growth strategy in place and are perfectly positioned to solve the needs of stakeholders in hospitality, acting not just as a compliance tool, but as a strategic asset that opens improvement opportunities and aligns the industry with the evolving priorities of a more environmentally aware society."

The now-completed seed round will enable BeCause to push ahead with its solution developed to support the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), a pioneering regulation that strengthens the rules concerning ESG reporting for any company operating in the zone. Funding will also support the company's accelerated growth rate to meet demand from global enterprise customers, such as Booking.com, easyJet, Google, Radisson Hotel Group, and other global marquee brands across the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors.

"CSRD will transform how companies report on their sustainability. BeCause has a major role to play in ensuring hotels and tourism companies can seamlessly communicate their impact on people and the environment to their investors, governments, and the world," Steensgaard adds. "We are grateful to our VC partners for believing in our vision and enabling us to meet the diverse needs of all our clients. Now it's time to accelerate the future of sustainable tourism and hospitality."

About BeCause
Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas produced unprecedented hotel performance levelsnot just for the Super Bowl but for any weekend in history.

As forecasted by STR, Las Vegas achieved the highest Super Bowl weekend average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR). However, the markets levels surpassed the forecast, easily overtaking the previous records held by Miami (2020). Friday and Saturday performance in Las Vegas was so high that it boosted weekly levels for the entire U.S.

More impressive, Las Vegas also achieved the highest Saturday ADR (at $758) and highest Sunday ADR ($808) in continental U.S. (excluding Hawaii) history. The markets Friday ADR ($739) was the second highest for that day.

Las Vegas Sunday ADR was $580 more than the Sunday ADR baseline in the market. Drilling down further, the Las Vegas Strip submarket attained an even higher Sunday ADR ($962), which was more than $700 above the submarkets Sunday baseline.

For comparison, the previous Sunday ADR record holder was San Francisco ($784) on 7 January 2024, helped by the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference. San Francisco holds the record for the highest daily ADR on record ($835) on 8 January 2024, helped by the aforementioned conference. The Florida Keys, on the other hand, holds the highest Friday ADR ($815), which is the third-highest level in the metric for any day on record.

A higher Super Bowl Sunday ADR was also different than last year in Phoenix and Miami in 2020 when those markets posted their best night on Saturday.

 Source: STR

 Source: STR

 Source: STR

Despite not obtaining the highest Super Bowl occupancy, over 413,000 hotel rooms were occupied from Friday to Sunday, representing the largest hotel demand for a Super Bowl weekend on record. Las Vegas had nearly double the number of occupied rooms than Los Angeles, which had the second-highest Super Bowl weekend demand. It was a higher inventory of hotel rooms that didnt allow Las Vegas to achieve the highest occupancy level. Las Vegas is the largest hotel market by room count in the U.S. with over 167,000 rooms. Las Vegas comprises 27,000 more rooms than the second-largest market, Orlando.

*Analysis by Emmy Hise, M. Brian Riley, Michael Petrivelli.

About STR

STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for the global hospitality industry. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 15 countries with a North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, an international headquarters in London, and an Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. STR was acquired in October 2019 by CoStar Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSGP), the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplaces. For more information, please visit str.com and costargroup.com.

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NORTH BETHESDA  Choice Hotels International, Inc. announces the opening of Cambria Hotel Burbank Airport. The new hotel offers 150 well-appointed rooms, a host of upscale amenities and is conveniently located just a mile from Burbank airport and a short distance from West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The Burbank property was developed by Choice Hotels as part of its strategic development of Cambria hotels in well-situated markets, reflecting the companys commitment to growing and expanding the brand. The company continues to invest in all aspects of Cambria to make it a standard-setting brand in its upscale portfolio.

The Cambria Hotel Burbank Airport is the latest example of high-quality hotels that continue to open under the Cambria Brand. This hotel reflects our deep commitment to the Cambria brand and was developed directly by the company. Burbank will offer an upscale experience that our guests will love and will soon become the jewel for the Burbank market. Indy Adenaw, senior vice president and general manager, upscale brands, Choice Hotels

This announcement highlights a strong recent record and momentum for Cambria Hotels. Burbank marks the 9th new opening since the start of 2023 and comes on the heels of Cambria winning the J.D. Power award for the highest-ranking brand in the upscale category. Even with this momentum, Choice Hotels continues to invest in strengthening and advancing the brand. An evolution to brand positioning work is now underway with RO New York, an award winning and accomplished agency, and a new design package is underway with Design Agency, another skilled design and architecture agency.

As part of Choices focused self-development strategy, the company strategically develops a small number of hotels such as Burbank, in select high-value locations to fuel brand growth and to advance key components of the brand and operating model. These assets are later sold to third party owners, along with the Cambria flag, as Choice maintains its commitment to the franchising business model.

A Strong 2023 for the Cambria Brand

Cambria enjoyed a successful year with the following recent openings:

An Even Brighter 2024 Ahead

Cambria expects an even better year ahead with a strong pipeline and drumbeat of on-strategy hotels opening in the coming year. The brand offers:

A variety of exciting new openings in 2024, including in the following markets: North Conway, Spokane, Niagara Falls, Denver, Imperial, Rehoboth Beach, Plymouth and Jacksonville

A pipeline of 81 hotels and 10,000 rooms

Ready to Scale New Upscale Heights

Choice continues to significantly advance its foothold and presence in the upscale category. Now with 400 hotels and 80,000 rooms, the upscale portfolio holds a number of proven brands, including Cambria Hotels, Ascend Hotel Collection, Radisson, Radisson Blu and Radisson Individuals. In the coming year, certain legacy brands will be re-introduced, and a wide variety of new work will be launched in all aspects of brand, operations and commercial delivery.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. The challenger in the upscale segment and a leader in midscale and extended stay, Choice has over 7,500 hotels, representing more than 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories. A diverse portfolio of 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay and economy enables Choice to meet travelers' needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

Forward-Looking Statements This communication includes "forward-looking statements" about future events, including anticipated development and hotel openings. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including construction delays, availability and cost of financing and the other "Risk Factors" described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations.
We have to admit that the hotel world is complex, absorbing and very fast-paced. There is a fierce debate about the best solutions and complex tools that will allow a residual improvement in revenue to be achieved  what we sometimes call fairy dust.

Personally, I find myself thinking more and more about a fundamental aspect of the business  which has the potential to define the commercial success of a hotel and which is often neglected: branding.

I think its worth starting by defining branding  to understand why you should really spend your time thinking about it. Perhaps it is easier to say what branding is not: it is not a logo, although it is part of branding; and it is not a product, a service or a promise. A companys branding is a result: it is the feeling and perception generated in each person, by the brand story that is told, demonstrated and/or experienced.

A few years ago, Canon did a fantastic experiment: they hired 5 photographers to photograph the same subject. There was only one difference in the process: it told a different story, about who the subject was, to each photographer. The result was spectacularly different. When they combined the photographers and their results, it didnt even look like they had photographed the same person.

Thats what branding is: a unique story told to people who receive it  and react to it  differently. And that is why companies materialize and document their brand  whether in visual terms, language, textures or music  in a document called, even today, Brand Book.

Part of my job is overseeing the development of new websites for Guestcentric clients and the numbers never cease to amaze me. Only 1 in 150 hotels has a comprehensive brand book. And only 1 in 50 hotels even has a manual for using the logo. This data  which reflects the reality in more than 50 countries  reveals the urgent need for a renewed focus on the importance of branding.

When a hotelier dreams of a new project, he instinctively starts with branding  he knows how to explain why he wants to lead that project; how you will make it unique and differentiating from the competition; and how it will dazzle and delight your guestsat this stage, the branding is present and very much alive. And thats good!

Paradoxically, as the project grows and the opening of the hotel approaches, branding becomes one of the most undervalued aspects. The essence of the hotel  its brand  is forgotten and set aside, in the frantic race that involves paying attention to everything at the same time: contractors, works, mattresses, minibar, breakfast buffet, team building, and forecast of occupancy rates and revenues. You only think about branding again when you need to create a website, a profile on social media and produce promotional materials for the hotel.

And yet, branding is the heart of the hotel: a comprehensive representation that must tell an engaging story to the guest the hotel aims to attract.

The logo plays a crucial role as a visual ambassador, which helps customers in contact with the brand to more easily identify your business. As a unique graphic symbol, which must reflect your hotel, it also becomes a storyteller: about the type of hotel, the environment, the personality and the unique atmosphere that lives there.

Have questions? Try a simple experiment: give your business card to someone who doesnt know your hotel and ask them what type of hotel it seems to be. If this person cant describe the key features of your hotel, seriously consider changing  and take the opportunity to review your branding.

Branding becomes the narrative that guests experience, influencing every touchpoint of your guest journey: before, during and after your stay. Each customer will react to the hotel brand in their own way, with their sensitivity and life story. Every interaction with guests becomes an opportunity to reinforce the brand, making it an integral part of the overall guest experience.

In addition to aesthetics, the brand concept becomes a pillar in team formation, incorporating the values, purpose and personality that define the hotels identity. It also influences the hotels relationship with its suppliers, owners or investors, in addition to the local community. And, of course, commercial relationships with operators and online travel agencies (OTAs).

In an industry dominated by online travel agencies (OTAs) and search engines, where guests typically search for hotels, it is essential to ensure that the customer easily associates your brand with your hotel.

The critical moment is when a potential guest arrives at your hotels website. The initial visual impact; the emotional connection of the first few seconds; and that moment when we look and really want to go to that hotel  even though we know very little or nothing about the unit.

This emotional connection, generated by the brand and branding, is responsible for two thirds of the customers likelihood of booking a stay. The remaining third involves rational and objective considerations  room availability, price, location and accessibility.

Several studies show that, even if the customer ends up booking their stay with an OTA, the hotels website is the decisive factor in choosing the unit. It is there that you can understand the true personality of the hotel  what makes it unique.

With all these universes of people impacted by branding, consistency in the brand experience is fundamental to the success of a hotel brand. Its the secret ingredient that transforms a hotel into a memorable and distinctive destination  one to visit and to return to.

Even so, knowing its crucial role in the customers decision-making moment, branding, along with photography and design, is one of the most neglected aspects of hotel operations.

Hotels that invest thousands of euros (and well) in operational aspects, but are mostly unable to invest in the fundamental pieces of presentation of their brand. And with that, they completely underestimate one of the main drivers of their customers decisions.

Even in the complex reality of hotel operations, it is essential to accept that branding transcends the domain of revenue management. It is a potent force that shapes perceptions, influences decisions and creates lasting impressions.

More than recognizing the transformative power of branding, hotels must embrace it  as a compass that guides them towards differentiation. Elevate your hotel experience, not just with revenue management strategies, but through the art of storytelling  your brands stories.

About GuestCentric

GuestCentric is a leading provider of cloud-based digital marketing software and services that help extraordinary hoteliers promote their brand, drive direct bookings and connect with customers on all digital platforms. GuestCentric's all-in-one platform provides hotels with the only unified solution for managing their guests' online journey: award-winning, high impact websites; an integrated, easy-to-use booking engine; social media marketing and publishing tools; a GDS chain code and a channel manager to offer rooms on Amadeus, Booking.com, Expedia, Galileo, Google, Sabre, TripAdvisor and hundreds of other channels. GuestCentric is a proud provider of solutions that maximize direct bookings to hotel groups and independent hotels from collections such as Design Hotels, Great Hotels of the World, Leading Hotels of the World, Relais & Chateaux, Small Luxury Hotels and Small Danish Hotels. GuestCentric is featured on Skift Travel Tech 250, a list of the top 250 travel tech companies shaping the modern-day travel experience.

Melissa Rodrigues

Content Manager

+35 196 157 3854

GuestCentric Systems

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Visuals have long played a significant role in the advertisement of travel destinations. During the 1930s, travel advertising posters were booming in the hope of stimulating the depression-era economy (see some examples by clicking on the previous link). Actors like railway companies hired famous artists to create those posters. One noticeable example is the set of posters created by Salvador Dali for the French railway company. One of the objectives of the travel advertising posters was to allow potential customers to project the destination thanks to the emotions that one can encounter when looking at visual representations.

Nowadays, travel advertising posters have been replaced mainly by digital pictures and videos. Still, it is worth noticing that the creators of todays visual representations of travel are also very different from artists such as Dali. Indeed, thanks to social media and streaming platforms, pictures and videos are ubiquitous in our lives. Consequently, creating visual representations, including ones for traveling, is no longer proper for artists or advertisement experts but is within the reach of anyone with a social media account and smartphone. Thus, we have witnessed in the past years a democratization of visual representation creators in travel, a trend that will keep unfolding in the coming years.

However, before exploring how travel actors, such as hotels and guests, reinforce this trend and understanding why it will keep shaping the hospitality and tourism industry going forward, lets review some general facts and figures that explain why digital visuals remain prevalent.

Travel marketing: Facts and figures

First, according to DataReportals Digital 2023 April Global Statshot Report, 4.8 billion people use social media, which nearly represents two-thirds of the world population, and this number is expected to keep increasing by 2025. Almost 2.5 billion use Instagram, and over 2 billion use TikToktwo well-known platforms for users who post pictures or videos of their holidays. Similarly, 81% of small and medium-sized companies have social media accounts.

Second, according to a survey conducted in the US in 2019, not only Millennials or GenZ use social media. Indeed, among US adults aged between 50 and 64 years, 68% of them recognize using Facebook, and 23% Instagram. The age group that spends the most time on social media is the 16 to 24-year-old group, followed by 25 to 34-year-olds. They respectively spend 3 hours and 11 minutes for females/2 hours and 46 minutes for males and 2 hours and 56 minutes for females/2 hours and 42 minutes for males.

Third, according to the Digital 2023 Global Overview Report, when taking all social media platforms together, 21.3% of users recognize being on social media platforms to post things about their lives, and 20.8% for following celebrities and influencers. Those percentages are even higher when analyzing social media platforms dedicated to pictures and videos. Moreover, when comparing all platforms, 44.9% of users follow friends, family, or other people they know, and 25% of accounts are dedicated to restaurants, chefs, or food personalities. When focusing on Instagram, the #travel tag is the thirteenth most popular hashtag of all time, with 662,100,000 posts.

Those numbers indicate how mainstream social media platforms are in our daily lives. Moreover, they represent many opportunities for the hospitality and travel industry actors, as they allow them to multiply marketing channels. Indeed, the rise of social media platforms has allowed anyone to create visual representations of travel and become Dali. So, the different actors in the industry need to capitalize on the opportunities that represent online content, whether from social media users or influencers.

The role of influencers within the hospitality industry

Influencers in the hospitality industry are social media personalities who create online content related to their travels, such as about the hotels they stay in. They usually have a lot of followers on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok. In exchange for a complimentary stay (or other services) and sometimes money, influencers promote the hotel by posting pictures and videos on their social media platforms. Working with influencers is now part of the hotel's marketing strategy to reach a larger audience and increase visibility. Based on a study of more than 4,700 travel influencers and 325 hotels, cruises, and other travel companies conducted in 2023, travel creators averaged 170,944 impressions (the number of time an online content is shown to any users) from the content they made per partnership and generated on average 16,921 likes and 913 comments per brand deal.

However, there are downsides, such as the lack of control over the online content posted as the hotel hands over its brand reputation to the influencers, and the lack of authenticity as followers may sometimes feel that the content is forced or insincere, which can negatively impact the reputation of the hotel. To overcome those issues, some social media agencies (companies that connect hotels and influencers), such as Roundabout, have focused on developing niche creators that can convey the right image and values expected by specific hotels or restaurants.

Some companies have developed specific marketing campaigns based on influencers. Pan Pacific Hotels Group has launched a global influencer social media marketing campaign titled #YoursToDiscover. This campaign features international content creators showcasing the Group's experiences, with guests using discovery dollars from the Groups loyalty program to enjoy the hotels and local attractions. The campaign aims to inspire travelers to plan holidays. Content created by collaborators will be shared on the brands' social profiles, each reflecting the brand's essence. Additionally, there's a social contest inviting travelers to participate, where they can win 1,000 discovery dollars (equivalent to US$1 each) to use across the three brands. Marriott is assembling a team of expert global creators skilled in budget travel. The hotel chain has initiated a new effort within its Bonvoy rewards program, TikTok Travel Tribe. This group of influencers specializes in engaging young explorers through brief social media videos.

The potential of user-generated content

User-generated content (UGC) has emerged as the new panacea for marketing strategy as it improves performance on every digital marketing channel. Indeed, people spend 90% more time on websites that have user-generated content galleries. Furthermore, social campaigns featuring user-generated content see a 50% increase in engagement, and ads with user-generated content generate click-through rates that are five time higher. Even better, 50% of consumers find UGC more memorable than brand-produced content, and 53% of millennials say user-generated content has influenced their purchasing decisions. Moreover, hotels have started to embrace the potential of social media platforms by allowing users to tag them, for example, or to be displayed as a location. Some hotels have even developed an entire online campaign based on user-generated content.

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection has capitalized on the consumer desire for authenticity by introducing user-generated content throughout the customer journey. Doing so gives potential guests more transparency as user-generated content accurately reflects their properties and Instagrammable hotspots that professional photographers may overlook. Moreover, when they see guests taking pictures or selfies, employees are encouraged to offer to help with taking the photo. This allows them to inform the guests of the brand hashtag and social channels to tag. Ultimately, it results in photos that increase engagement at lower costs.

Last year, the Ritz London even published a blog post on its website about a selection of the most Instagrammable spots at the Ritz London to find obscure hidden gems & stunning hotel photography opportunities . Pictures of the afternoon tea or the magnificent staircase were displayed to inspire customers to take pictures, selfies, or videos of those spots to create user-generated content.

There is no doubt that visuals will remain essential for the hotel and tourism industry. However, actors should be aware of the shift towards organic online content creation and develop marketing strategies accordingly. To conclude this section, we suggest essential takeaways related to the prevalence of visuals in hospitality and travel industry marketing that the different actors should focus on in the coming months and years should they wish to keep making the best of this ongoing trend.

Key takeaways to create a top-level hospitality and travel marketing

Influencers will ask for more than complimentary stays or services

The emotional value that people put into travel is so high that travel companies haven't had to pay out creator fees, instead offering free stays or experiences, but I do expect that to change as more creators tap into affiliate marketing. We might see them roll that concept into the deliverables for companies because they'll be able to make money from that long after the trip. Tim Morgan, Jerne co-founder and CEO

Stricter regulations concerning influencers content

Authorities have issued new regulations to regulate better influencers' work online, such as France, which requires hotels to be up-to-date should they wish to avoid issues like the one faced by the Savoy hotel in London last year.

Influencers have the power to shape the hotel and tourism industry

Influencers may use their visibility not only for the profit of those who hired their service but also to raise issues regarding the lack of inclusivity in the industry.

The growing importance of user-generated content when searching online

During the Google I/O 2023 developer conference, Google announced one significant update for the travel industry: introducing the "Perspectives" filter in Google Search. This filter, appearing at the top of search results, will be beneficial for queries related to travel. It allows users to access various content types, including blog posts, Q&A threads, images, and videos from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Quora, and Twitter. This feature is mainly aimed at increasing the visibility of content from influencers and traveler reviews, and it includes details about content creators, such as their names, profile photos, and popularity metrics.

The move is a response to the growing trend of younger generations using platforms like TikTok and Instagram for search purposes. Google's "Perspectives" filter is an evolution of an earlier concept aimed at providing diverse insights for understanding news stories.

Better integrate user-generated content throughout the customer journey

Hotels should integrate user-generated content into all of their usual marketing channels, from the hotel website to the confirmation email. Hoteliers should get inspired by companies such as The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, which displays user-generated content at the bottom of its webpage.

Design instagrammable hot-spots

Hotels should develop Instagrammable hot spots, focusing on breathtaking views, specific architecture, or signature dishes. For example, McDonalds was recently crowned the most Instagrammable fast-food chain in the US.

In the ever-evolving landscape of hospitality and travel marketing, the role of visual content has become paramount. As we have explored, this shift from traditional artist-created travel posters to the current era of digital content and social media influence marks a significant transformation in how travel experiences are marketed and perceived. The democratization of content creation, enabled by platforms like Instagram and TikTok, has led to a surge in user-generated content and influencer marketing, offering new avenues for engagement and brand promotion that hospitality actors absolutely need to keep integrating in their marketing strategy.

 Source: EHL

 Source: EHL

 Source: EHL

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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An interview with Gianluca Guarino, Revenue Manager at CampusX (CX).

An interview with Gianluca Guarino, Revenue Manager at CampusX (CX). Founded in 2011, the company aims to revolutionize the student campus offer in Italy, following the most evolved Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon models and re-thinking them for the eco-sustainable, connected, smart world of today.

B: Gianluca, can you tell us about yourself, your background, and what brought you to CX?

G: Since childhood, I have had a strong passion for foreign languages aaand cultures. It immediately pushed me towards the tourism sector. After attending a language institute in high school, I began my professional career as an intern at some hotels in Rome. I initially worked at the front office, where I started to understand the importance of hospitality and treating guests as guests rather than clients. I then honed my skills in the back office, managing the property's reservations. Afterward, I had the opportunity to join a hotel consultancy company, where I participated in hybrid hospitality projects, including Camplus (today, one of the main competitors of CX). In 2021, thanks to business innovations, I joined CX, dedicating myself mainly to activities related to distribution, revenue management, forecasting, and pricing... and lots and lots of Excel.

B: When was Campus X born? What is its history, mission, and values?

G: Campus X was founded in 2011, initially serving three locations in Rome, Bari, and Chieti as a student housing company. Over the years, CX has evolved. We took inspiration from the business model born in Northern European countries and adapted it to the Italian market. With the opening of the two facilities in Turin, the company began the process of transformation into the hybrid reality it is today, offering accommodation to both university students and tourists. Our mission, "Connecting Experiences," aims to create an experience beyond simple accommodation, promoting sharing, connection, and cultural interaction through our main driver: Community. Our values aareflect three macro-themes: hospitality, inclusiveness, and sustainability.

B: How does CX integrate sustainability into its operations and student campus facilities?

G: Sustainability is among the keywords of our business strategy. For this reason, we are committed to implementing it in all its forms: environmental, social, economic, and management.

Most of the current CX structures were abandoned or degraded buildings, then redeveloped and transformed into places of beauty and connection. All campuses, in fact, are designed as spaces for intercultural exchange, socialization, and participation. They have dedicated green areas and spaces designed to encourage artistic creativity. The collaboration with the Experience Foundation, dedicated to ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) initiatives was a key driver in this approach.

Other recent projects include the provision of scholarships to young Afghan refugees and the creation of Biodiversity Oasis within the campuses. Our commitment in this sense is described in the annual Sustainability Report, which can be downloaded from the website.

B: How does CX embrace technological innovation to improve the student experience on campus?

G: We constantly experiment with new solutions. Our app is among the most popular tools used by young people. It allows them to manage their daily activities, such as booking the gym, receiving real-time updates on campus, making payments, and much more. In recent years, we have developed a series of collaborations with technology companies. An example worth mentioning is Tulu - we are their first Italian partner. This collaboration allowed us to offer our students a variety of rental goods through a "digital wardrobe," thus promoting the culture of sustainable resource usage.

B: How does CX involve the student community in decisions and initiatives?

G: CX actively engages the student community through various channels. First of all, we have a Community of Ambassadors present in all our structures, who represent, on the one hand, a point of reference and support for students, and on the other, a source of direct and sincere feedback for CX. In addition to this, to give our guests a voice, we conduct post-stay surveys once at six months, focus groups on dedicated projects, and encourage discussion on our social media channels.

B: How does CX promote diversity and inclusion on student campuses?

G: Enhancing cultural diversity and social inclusion are two cornerstones of our corporate approach. In addition to the local initiatives described above, we manage international solidarity projects, including scholarships to young people from countries dealing with political and economic instability or countries where the right to education is not guaranteed.

B: What are CX's future goals in terms of growth, service improvements, and innovation on student campuses?

G: CX's goals focus on growth through new openings and innovation by introducing Hostel rooms and Coworking spaces. We currently have 8 operational facilities and approximately 10 new opening in the pipeline. We want to reach 10,000 beds by 2026 and 17 facilities open throughout Italy by 2027. Another growth goal is quality-related. We are always looking for ways to improve our services through analyzing student feedback and implementing targeted initiatives. Adopting a tool like TrustYou will allow us to continue collecting and analyzing online feedback, identifying strengths and weaknesses for constant improvement.

B: What are some projects and initiatives you are currently excited about?

G: We are very enthusiastic about our new facilities and community initiatives, although we prefer these projects speak for themselves once they open. Another project we are proud of aims to connect students from different locations, strengthening what we consider our key driver of excellence: the student community.

B: If you had to describe CX with a slogan, what would it be?

G: Our payoff, namely: "Connecting Experiences," fully encompasses our mission to promote connections between our students through experiences, friendships, and sharing.

Beatrice Odelli





Beatrice has been a part of our reseller team in Italy since November 2020. Despite the challenges of the pandemic she has found her true purpose in TrustYou and believes that online reputation is the key to success in hospitality, now and always. Before starting at RES HDB in Milan she worked in the Netherlands and Germany, and she travelled Latin America solo.

About TrustYou

TrustYou is on a mission to make communication and feedback simpler and more productive. All communication channels, together in one place, is the new way of doing business. Today, customers expect instant responses on their preferred communications channels. As a subset of communication, feedback is the foundation to build better products, services, and companies.

TrustYou helps companies win through the power of listening and provides a Guest Experience (GX) Platform that makes listening to customers easy, powerful, and actionable. The platform unlocks the potential of guest feedback and helps to:

Create unlimited opportunities to listen and respond to guests needs.

Understand all reviews across the web and make better business decisions.

Publish hotel reviews on the website and on Google and allow positive feedback to influence bookings.

TrustYou empowers companies to earn trust, make better decisions, and ultimately, win.

Find more information on TrustYou and our GX platform on www.trustyou.com.
La Quinta Inns & Suites Austin Airport

CBRE Hotels solicits offers to acquire the fee-simple interest in the La Quinta Inns & Suites Austin, Texas. Minutes away from the fastest-growing airport in the country, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the 142-room hotel is located off of State Highway 71 and U.S. Highway 183. Thanks to its ideal location, the hotel receives business from a diverse population of both corporate and leisure segments.

Investment Highlights

La Quinta Inns & Suites Featuring Minimal PIP  Opportunity to acquire a 142-room, five-story, interior corridor, La Quinta Inns & Suites that has recently gone through a major renovation. Therefore, the property is in excellent condition, requiring minimal capital improvements for a new ownership.

 Opportunity to acquire a 142-room, five-story, interior corridor, La Quinta Inns & Suites that has recently gone through a major renovation. Therefore, the property is in excellent condition, requiring minimal capital improvements for a new ownership. Strong In-Place Cash Flow  From March to December 2023, the La Quinta posted approximately $3.6 million in total revenues and achieved a net operating income (NOI) of $1.9 million, to 53.7%. The hotels strong cash flow and potential for increased market share make it an attractive opportunity for a new operator, especially with the expansion of the nearby Austin Airport.

 From March to December 2023, the La Quinta posted approximately $3.6 million in total revenues and achieved a net operating income (NOI) of $1.9 million, to 53.7%. The hotels strong cash flow and potential for increased market share make it an attractive opportunity for a new operator, especially with the expansion of the nearby Austin Airport. Minutes to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Downtown Austin  The hotel is situated less than 3 miles to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. In addition, the property is within minutes from Downtown Austin with many tech and financial firms such as Deloitte, EY, TikTok, and more. Tesla Austin Gigafactory is also 12 minutes away from the hotel.

 The hotel is situated less than 3 miles to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. In addition, the property is within minutes from Downtown Austin with many tech and financial firms such as Deloitte, EY, TikTok, and more. Tesla Austin Gigafactory is also 12 minutes away from the hotel. $6.5B Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Expansion  A $6.5B expansion, originally scheduled to be completed by 2040, has been escalated a full decade earlier, with staged expansions already beginning to keep pace with passenger demand. In 2023 the airport serviced over 22M passengers, a 27.2% increased over the 2019 passenger count.

 A $6.5B expansion, originally scheduled to be completed by 2040, has been escalated a full decade earlier, with staged expansions already beginning to keep pace with passenger demand. In 2023 the airport serviced over 22M passengers, a 27.2% increased over the 2019 passenger count. Austins Rapid Growth Driving Ever Increasing Hotel Revenues  Over 32.6 million visitors flocked to Austin in 2022, contributing to $5.9 billion in annual economic impact from visitor spending. With Austins globally recognized music, art and film festivals, including SXSW and Austin City Limits Music Festival, expansive parks, culinary scene, renowned universities, and a diverse culture, Austin has made a name for itself for tourism and hospitality.

For inquiries visit here.
Ten years have passed since the release of the UN Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. The report documented evidence of systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations by North Korea. And it asserted North Korea has committed human rights violations and abuses that amount to crimes against humanity.

Unfortunately, a decade later, this is still the case. According to a joint statement by the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea commemorating the tenth anniversary of the UN Report, North Korea remains one of the worlds most repressive regimes, imposing severe restrictions on freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association, religion or belief, and movement. These violations and abuses are well-documented, as is the inextricable link between them and North Koreas unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

North Koreas use of food distribution policies that favor the military, have led to chronic malnourishment among its citizens. Its widespread denial of human rights and fundamental freedoms ensures it can expend inordinate resources, much of which are generated through its illicit cyber activities, on the development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

Last August, during the United States Presidency, the Security Council held its first open briefing since 2017 on the human rights situation in North Korea. Fifty-two Member States and the Delegation of the European Union demanded the Councils continued focus on North Koreas human rights violations and abuses. This year, we will work to ensure the Security Council remains seized with this issue of international peace and security, the joint statement said.

The U.S., Japan, and South Korea called for a reinvigorated effort to bring justice to victims of human rights violations and abuses in [North Korea]. And we urge [North Korea] 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 UNs human rights experts for that purpose.

The joint statement calls on all member states to join in holding North Korea to account for its human rights violations and abuses by implementing the recommendations of the UN Commission of Inquiry.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few flurries are possible. High 39F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 29F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High 46F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Albany Firm Looks To Purchase Crane Stationery

COHOES, N.Y.  According to an article from the Times Union , WP Strategic Holdings is reported to be purchasing Crane Stationery company that was formerly located in North Adams.

The article, that was published Feb, 20. 2024, stated that the holding company's owner Todd Kletter told the Albany Business Review that "In principle, we have a deal," in regard to the purchase.

The article continued that WP Strategic Holdings already listed Crane as one of its properties on its website, and Kletter told the Albany Business Review that he hoped to have Crane in operation this week.

He expects to close on the deal within 30 to 45 days.

Earlier this month , the Albany Business Review reported that the 220 year old stationery company was being acquired by international Fedrigoni Group and employees at Crane were laid off. They confirmed that 75 people in the Crane unit were notified that they were laid off "effective immediately."

Mohawk Fine Papers purchased Crane Stationery in 2018 The New York company closed the North Adams, Mass., plant in 2020 and laid off nearly 200 employees.

A number of them were offered jobs in Cohoes, where the printing of Crane was to continue, and remotely.




iciHaiti - History : Commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of President Stenio Vincent





Thursday February 22, 2024, Emmelie Prophete-Milce, the Minister of Culture and Communication, saluted the memory of the former President of Haiti, Stenio Vincent as part of the 150 years of birth of this Haitian politician... (February 22, 1874 - September 3, 1959).



In this year 2024, declared "Year of Memory" by the Government, the Minister remembers the commitment and remarkable achievements in the field of culture of the 30th President of the Republic of Haiti and is delighted to have inherited of the work of President Vincent. He greatly participated in the institutionalization of heritage conservation in Haiti.



According to Minister Milce, memory and its worship have the capacity to unite us as Haitians sharing the same country and necessarily the same destiny.



Stenio Vincent, great visionary and nationalist, led the country from November 18, 1930 to May 15, 1941. He created the National Library of Haiti (BNH) as well as its first network of annexes throughout the national territory. In addition, Stenio Vincent invested heavily in public works and education.



IH/ iciHaiti


















In many regions, the operational capacity of ISIL, or Daesh, has been significantly reduced, according to a new United Nations report on terrorism. Nonetheless, there is a high risk of this terrorist groups resurgence. That is especially true in West Africa and the Sahel, where ISIL groups are on the rise and operate with increasingly more autonomy. According to the report, should this trend persist, the Western Sahel from Mali to the borders of Nigeria could become unstable.

The United States remain[s] particularly focused on the increasing terrorism threat across Africa outlined in the Secretary-Generals report, said Robert Wood, United States Alternative Representative to the United Nations.

We share his concern over developments in West Africa and the Sahel where the situation is deteriorating and becoming more complex with the prospect of greater instability. We continue to provide our African partners critical assistance in disrupting and degrading ISIS and al-Qaida affiliates in a manner consistent with international law, he said.

We are, however, also concerned about the situation in Iraq and Syria, where an international coalition is working with local partners to address terrorist threats, said Ambassador Wood:

Attacks on coalition forces, including over 170 attacks in recent months on U.S. forces by Iran-aligned militia groups, directly undermine the international communitys ability to prevent ISIS from reconstituting.

It should be noted that repatriation of detained third country-national ISIL fighters and displaced persons who are being held in camps in northeast Syria is the most durable solution to the crisis, and it is necessary to prevent ISIS resurgence in the region, said Ambassador Wood. We have seen an increase in repatriations over the past six months, especially by the Government of Iraq, and hope it is a sign of more to come.

Finally, Addressing conflict-related sexual violence is another U.S. priority.

We welcome UN entities designing effective strategies to prevent violent extremism that incorporate context-specific gender perspectives, as noted in the Secretary-Generals report. Addressing the threat posed by ISIS cannot be effectively done if womens voices and those of marginalized groups are not elevated as part of the process to fight violent extremism, he said.

The fight against terrorism requires efforts beyond security-centered approaches, said Ambassador Wood. The international community must continue investing in whole-of-society approaches that respect human rights and the rule of law in order to effectively prevent and counter the spread of ISIS.
Fast-tracking the Philippines' digital revolution requires not only the adoption of the latest technologies, innovation, and better network infrastructures but more importantly, a sea change in the mindset of enterprises and their people.

ENABLING INDUSTRY INNOVATION: A panel of technology leaders discussed how wider digitalization could reshape industries, particularly in the Philippines which has a chance to short cut the digital transformation with the introduction by PLDT of a sovereign cloud. In photo, from left, are Jojo Gendrano, PLDT and Smart Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Business Group, who moderated the panel discussion on Enabling the Vision for Industries; Ragu Masilamany, Amdocs General Manager and Global Head of Solutions; Anup Changaroth, Director of Service Provider Systems Engineering at Cisco; Brandon Wu, Huaweis Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of the Enterprise Group in Asia-Pacific; and Solutions Raghav Sahgal, Nokia's President of Cloud and Network Services.

Industry experts gathered by PLDT Enterprise in a conference on digital transformation agreed that central to bridging the digital divide is finding the right people that will foster profitable, efficient, and responsible use of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to bolster growth of businesses and the broader economy.

Vision drives transformation. Transformation needs innovation, which we believe continues to center around people, skills, and culture, said Jojo Gendrano, PLDT and Smart Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Business Group. Technology is nothing without a persons vision, added Gendrano as he moderated the plenary session of the Philippine Digital Convention 2023, or PH Digicon 2023, VISION: Reimagine Tomorrows Enterprise.

Ragu Masilamany, General Manager and Head of Solutions Engineering at software and services provider Amdocs, said two things are needed in tandem for the success of its digital transformation journey in its business and workforce. "One, the mindset change has to come from a structural, organizational change, including retraining and re-skill, he noted.

"Two, the tribal knowledge that you take from your very senior people in the organization may not be valid anymore. So, sometimes you have to make the call to leave them behind and go look for the new talent who may not know your business, but they have the right mindset to run the business, so to speak. If you combine them in the right ratio, I think you have a good chance of getting to the end, Masilamany said.

Anup Changaroth, Director of Service Provider Systems Engineering at Cisco, said enterprises need to digitally transform not only to attract new sets of investors but to ensure their future survival. He pointed to a 2017 article in the Harvard Business Review which cited a study by Constellation Research that showed that since 2000, 52 percent of companies in the Fortune 500 have either gone bankrupt, been acquired, or ceased to exist as a result of digital disruption.

They didnt digitally transform themselves. Understanding digital transformation and the enabler, which is the cloud, should be a fundamental part of the business strategy, Changaroth said.

While the rate of digital transformation has accelerated because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Raghav Sahgal, President of Nokias Cloud and Network Services, said the level of enterprises digitalization at 30 percent leaves much to be desired. Sahgal mentioned that the development of an ecosystem of devices, applications, and networks will have to come together to bridge the gap.

Our vision is very, very clear. We see a huge potential that the digitization of industries as the next frontier, he said. And artificial intelligence, or AI, will help move the process faster, especially with the advancement in the computing capability.

What is interesting in AI is that it has tremendous possibilities. One of the greatest things about AI, if the adoption level is very high, it will change our lives in many ways, said Sahgal. But AI and generative AI, like other technologies, have their challenges and the key to harnessing their potential is using them responsibly, he added.

I dont think we could leave it all to AIwe need human augmentation to make sure that we actually, for critical decisions, are part of the process as we go forward, said Sahgal. I would urge everyone to embrace responsible AI, to drive significant productivity and innovation gains.

Brandon Wu, Huaweis Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of the Enterprise Group in Asia-Pacific, said to make enterprise usage of AI more pervasive, the industry must work together to bring down the cost of computing. AI computing is a luxury at this stage. Computer resources are not easily accessible to enterprises, Wu said. We have to get all these resources accessible and cost effective so we can unlock these potentials, he said.

Wu said the industry will also have to take a closer look at the current architecture of computing and reshaping it. CPU-based architecture is no longer valid for this kind of purpose, said Wu, There are models that need to be adopted for enterprise. We have to lower barriers for every single enterprise to leverage these innovations.

Another driver of enterprises digital transformation, Gendrano said, is 5G connectivity. The appreciation of 5G has largely been consumer focused but most believe, myself included, the value can be better derived from enterprise use cases, he said.

"What is important is to not find a problem for the solution. But to really focus on the business needs and the intersection of finding a way to improve customer experience, reduce cost potentially will lead its way to 5G and other wonderful applications enabled by AI and cloud, Gendrano said.

Sahgal said Nokia has broken 5G into three metaverses  the consumer metaverse that involves gaming and virtual reality; the enterprise IT metaverse where use cases such as collaboration capabilities will bring value; and the industrial metaverse that includes airports, mining, transportation where use cases like digital twins will create value in the digitalization journey.

He said the main question for 5G is how to monetize it. Nobody is paying more for 5G in the US consumer metaverse, he noted. Applicability to the industrial metaverse is a good starting point for using 5G to enable mission-critical applications to drive monetization, and eventually when device prices become more affordable, the consumer metaverse will scale.

Sahgal said as enterprises and industries navigate the digital transformation process, we need to focus on bringing connectivity, applications, and devices together as an ecosystem.

PH Digicon 2023: VISION is powered by Amdocs, Cisco, Huawei Technologies Phils. Inc., Nokia, Google Cloud, Samsung, ZTE Corporation, Avolution Inc., Fortinet, Soprano Design, CSG, Dell Technologies Philippines, Ericsson Telecommunications, Inc., and Maya Philippines, Inc.
ELKO  Outdoor enthusiasts ages 7 to 17 can enjoy the Ride Safe Ride Smart Day Camp on March 29 at Mountain View Park, where they will learn the ins and outs of safe off-roading.

Running from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the day camp will provide a variety of activities themed around off-roading basics.

Ultimately, the goal of the camp is to educate our youth on how to be responsible and safe on any type of off-highway vehicle, Nevada Outdoor School Director Melanie Erquiaga said. The camps activities will present background knowledge and challenges the riders may not think about beforehand to reinforce safety and to learn about the tread lightly principles.

Erquiaga explained Nevada Outdoor School encourages this education because when off-roaders familiarize themselves with safety precautions, they will be able to enjoy themselves and challenge themselves without placing themselves in danger.

We also highly recommend off-road helmets for at least the youth, she said, so any participant in our Ride Safe Ride Smart Day Camp will go home with a free off-road helmet that will be properly fitted to them.

One of the additions I think we're doing with this camp is we're going to have them sign or make some sort of pledge card that says, I've learned all these things. And I pledge to wear my helmet when I'm off roading with my family or something like that, Erquiaga explained.

This extra step should keep them accountable to actually use the helmet after we give it to them but ultimately, just to help them be safe and smart and responsible, she said.
TechLife Philippines officially welcomed media personalities and real-life power couple, Mikee Reyes and CK De Leon, as its first-ever brand ambassadors. The partnership marks an exciting milestone for both parties as it is the first brand-and-ambassador collaboration between the couple and the tech brand.

Together with the TechLife Fam, the power couple is on a mission to #MakeLifeSimple

Young, hard-working, and engaging, Reyes and De Leon are a fitting representation of TechLifes core principle, which is to Make Life Simple for every young Filipino by providing easy-to-use and reliable tech that enriches user experience.

The new ambassadors, fondly called Tito and Sizzy by their supporters online, are popular digital creators known for their relatable content about lifestyle, career, and relationships. The duo has amassed a combined 1.8 million followers across major social media platforms.

TechLife resonated with us because as individuals and as a couple, we value hard work and being efficient without losing sight of what makes us unique. We learned that TechLife integrates their principles in their products and they give the best value for money. Were glad to join the TechLife Fam in the mission to make life simple, the couple said.

The TechLife Fam can expect exciting projects and campaigns with Reyes and De Leon in the future in order to promote the brand and its products - such as audio devices, smartphone accessories, home appliances, and other tech essentials.

Were excited to start this new chapter and were glad to have Mikee and CK with us. Its the first time for TechLife to have ambassadors so were looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together, TechLife stated.

To learn more about TechLife, check out any of the offline TechLife stores nationwide and make sure to be updated with announcements and new releases by visiting their official Facebook and TikTok page.
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Israel has threatened to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest if organisers try to censor its 2024 song entry.

Eden Golan, who was announced as the countrys representative earlier this month, was due to sing October Rain at the contest in Malmo, Sweden, in May.

However, a row has now errupted after leaked lyrics showed that the song appears to reference the 7 October attack by Hamas, according to the Israel Hayom newspaper.

The Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the annual competition, describes the song contest as a non-political event, and maintains its right to disqualify contestants who break this rule.

Israel says it will not compete in the competition this year if its lyrics are not approved. The song is currently being reviewed by the EBU.

A source in national broadcaster KAN, which sponsors the Israeli entry, confirmed to Reuters that the leaked lyrics were accurate.

The EBU is currently in the process of scrutinising the lyrics, a process which is confidential between the EBU and the broadcaster until a final decision has been taken, a spokesperson said.

If a song is deemed unacceptable for any reason, broadcasters are then given the opportunity to submit a new song or new lyrics.

Eden Golan was announced as Israels entrant to the competition earlier this month (GETTY)

Israels broadcaster, KAN, have said they will reject any attempt to alter their entry.

It should be noted that as far as the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation is concerned there is no intention to replace the song, KANs statement said.

This means that if it is not approved by the European Broadcasting Union, Israel will not be able to participate in the competition, which will take place in Sweden next May.

Golan, who was born in Israel but raised in Russia, would become the countrys 46th appearance in the competition if she participated. Israel became the first non-European entrant in the competitions history when it joined in 1973.

In previous years, countries have been forced to change their lyrics by the EBU. Georgia withdrew from the contest in 2009 after its song was rejected for making references to Russias prime minister at the time, Vladimir Putin.

Israel entrant Noa Kirel during the opening of the grand final for the Eurovision Song Contest final at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in 2023 (PA)

It comes as the competition has faced growing calls for a boycott amid the countrys ongoing military action in Gaza.

Last month, Icelands Association of Composers and Lyricists called for Israel to be suspended from the competition in a statement saying its participation in an event characterised by joy and optimism would be incompatible with its military actions.

The organisation said it would be opposing Icelands inclusion in the contest unless Israel was disqualified. A petition calling for the same gathered over 10,000 signatures.

Other countries including Sweden, Finland and Denmark have also called for the country to be pulled from the competition.

Responding to calls for a boycott, the EBU said last month: The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences worldwide through music.

The Independent has reached out to Eden Golans team for comment.
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The BBC has defended its reporter, who gave an uncomfortable interview with Andrew Scott at the Baftas last weekend.

The red carpet interview in question quickly went viral as viewers criticised the BBCs Colin Paterson for repeatedly asking Scott about Barry Keoghans nude scene in Emerald Fennells film, Saltburn.

Scott, 47, who was snubbed for his lauded turn in Andrew Haighs drama All of Us Strangers, presented the Bafta for Best Animated Film during Sundays ceremony (18 February) at Londons Royal Festival Hall.

After establishing whether he knew fellow Irish actor Keoghan, Scott was asked about his reaction when he first saw the naked dance scene in Saltburn.

One of Saltburns most discussed moments is when Keoghans character, Oliver, struts through an empty house, naked, soundtracked by Sophie Ellis-Bextors classic pop hit Murder on the Dancefloor.

In response, Scott shook his head and, after stuttering for a few seconds, added: I wont spoil it for anybody.

Andrew Scott at the 2024 Baftas (Getty Images)

Despite the Sherlock star appearing embarrassed at the topic, Paterson continued: There was a lot of talk about prosthetics. How well do you know him?

At this, Scott shook his head again and left the conversation, as Paterson asked: Too much?

Some critics online suggested that the line of questioning inferred that the actor might know more intimate details about Keoghan because of his sexuality  Scott came out publicly as gay in an interview with The Independent in 2013.

In a statement shared on its website on Friday (23 February), the BBC said: Our reporter began by asking Andrew Scott about the film hed appeared in  All of Us Strangers  which was nominated for six Baftas.

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He then moved on to ask about the popularity of Irish actors, where Barry Keoghan, star of Saltburn, was mentioned. Saltburn is a film which has had cultural impact, with Barry Keoghans scene at the end gaining a lot of attention in particular  something the actor has addressed himself.

Our question to Andrew Scott was meant to be a light-hearted reflection of the discussion around the scene and was not intended to cause offence. Saltburn writer and director, Emerald Fennell, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, whose song Murder on the Dancefloor was used in the sequence, were also asked about the scene. We do, however, accept that the specific question asked to Andrew Scott was misjudged. After speaking with Andrew on the carpet, our reporter acknowledged on air that his questioning may have gone too far and that he was sorry if this was the case.

Scotts representatives did not respond to The Independents request for comment.
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Ian McShane has candidly revealed that the delay in releasing the new John Wick spinoff Ballerina is due to new shoots intended to make the film better.

Ballerina, which stars Ana de Armas as murderous ballerina Rooney opposite Keanu Reeves as legendary assassin Wick, was originally scheduled to arrive in cinemas this summer but has now been given a new release date of 6 June 2025.

The spinoff takes place between the events of John Wick 3 and John Wick 4. It is helmed by Underworld director Len Wiseman, while all previous John Wick films had been directed by former stuntman Chad Stahelski.

McShane, 81, plays Wicks friend Winston Scott, the enigmatic owner of hitman hideout the Continental Hotel, in the film series.

Appearing on The One Show, McShane said the delay in the films release was due not to reshoots, but new shoots.

The new shooting for Ballerina, which is the spinoff with Ana de Armas of the John Wick franchise... you know, its like, theyve got to protect the franchise, he explained. It was about a year ago that we did the movie Ballerina. Theyve looked at it, and Chads come in, the guy who directed all the John Wick movies, and they want to make it better.

Ian McShane at the LA Premiere of John Wick: Chapter 4 in 2023 (2023 Invision)

Television presenter Ant McPartlin, who was also appearing on the show, then mentioned hed just watched another John Wick spinoff, the television series The Continental.

McShane reacted dismissively towards the show, saying: Why would I have seen it? They never asked anybody about it. They just went and did it. Both Keanu and I went: Nobody ever asked us about it!

McPartlin then jokingly asked whether McShane had been asked about the new television series Sexy Beast, a prequel to Jonathan Glazers 2000 crime film which starred McShane alongside Ray Winstone and Ben Kingsley.

No! responded McShane, laughing and adding: Leave it alone!

Last year, Stahelski hit back at criticims of John Wick: Chapter 4s mammoth three-hour runtime.

If thats the critique, well take it, he said. I dont think weve ever concerned ourselves, we just watch the movie. I think its the length that we feel is the best version of the movie. Weve tried longer, weve tried much shorter. Thats what we feel is a good movie.

In a four-star review of the film, The Independents chief film critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote that the film commits so nobly to self-seriousness that it borders on camp.
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Israels Eurovision entry could be disqualified on the grounds that it is too political.

The song, titled October Rain and performed by 20-year-old Eden Golan, reportedly makes several references to the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas.

The lyrics include phrases like: Theres no air left to breathe and They were all good children, each one of them

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that Eurovision organisers are pushing back against the song choice.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the competition, describes the contest as a non-political event and states that contestants can be disqualified if they make political statements.

Previous songs to be disqualified on political grounds include Georgias 2009 entry I Dont Want to Put In.

Eurovision has faced growing calls for a boycott since Israel announced its choice of representative.

Israeli flags at a protest in 2024 (PA Wire)

Golan was picked to perform for the country after a TV talent show in which she covered Aerosmiths I Dont Want to Miss a Thing.

In a politically charged performance, she dedicated the song to the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October.

Golan, who was born in Israel but raised in Russia, would mark the countrys 46th appearance in the competition, Israel being the first non-European entrant in the competitions history when it joined in 1973.

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However, organisers are dealing with growing calls to have the country kicked out over its military operations in the Gaza Strip as Palestinians face an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Last month, Icelands Association of Composers and Lyricists called for Israel to be suspended from the competition in a statement saying its participation in an event characterised by joy and optimism would be incompatible with its military actions.

They said they would be opposing their countrys inclusion in the contest unless Israel is disqualified and a petition calling for the same gathered over 10,000 signatures.

Iceland isnt alone in its condemnation as musicians from multiple countries including Sweden, Finland and Denmark called for Israel to be pulled from the competition.

Over 1,400 music industry professionals in Finland have signed a petition to ban the country, accusing their national broadcaster of double standards as it was among the first to demand a ban on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, Russia was banned from taking part in the competition following its military action in Ukraine following calls from a number of countries for it to be suspended. It did not return to the competition following its exit.

Danish and Norwegian musicians have composed similar letters with Swedens artists including Robyn, Fever Ray and First Aid King signing an open letter accusing Israel of war crimes.

Responding to the calls, the EBU said: The Eurovision Song Contest is a competition for public service broadcasters from across Europe and the Middle East. It is a competition for broadcasters  not governments  and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the contest for 50 years.

The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences worldwide through music.

This years Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malmo, Sweden, in May.
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Coronation Street legend John Savident has died aged 86.

The actor was best known for playing the butcher Fred Elliott in the ITV soap.

Savidents agent confirmed news of his death on Friday (23 February).

We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday 21st February, an official statement read.

He was a much-loved husband and father of two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Savident joined the Manchester-based soap in 1994, quickly charming viewers as the haughty, booming-voiced butcher, Fred.

Corrie fans were consistently entertained by Freds quirky turns of phrase, including his habit of dotting I say, I say into his sentences.

Savident remained a staple part of the programme until October 2006, when Fred died of a stroke. The actor had announced his plans to leave the soap months earlier in December 2005, citing personal reasons.

Corrie legend John Savident has died aged 86 (Ken McKay/Shutterstock)

Savident later revealed that hed left the show to spend more time with his family in Hertfordshire, but would have remained on the programme in a smaller capacity if it had been possible.

I did think [the producers] might find some way to accommodate me, he told The People in 2008. Quite honestly I was surprised and disappointed that they didnt try a bit harder.

I told them a year in advance that I was going and then they took me out for dinner and said, Were not going to insult you, John, by trying to make you stay. And Im sitting there thinking, Please, go on, insult me.

Fred Savident winning Best Comedy Performance at the 1999 British Soap Awards (PA)

In response to news of Savidents death, fans have paid tribute to him on social media, with many naming him as one of Coronation Streets most memorable characters.

One person wrote on X/Twitter: Very sad to hear this, I say I say Im very sad to hear this. Havent watched Corrie in over a decade now but back in the 90s/00s golden era of the show Fred was an iconic character.

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Journalist Tom Hourigan shared a clip of Fred bemoaning that hed been metaphorically stabbed int back with me own meat cleaver, calling it one of the most distinctive characters  and deliveries  in British soap history.

Savident was born in Guernsey in 1938 and was on the island at the time it was occupied by German forces in 1940.

He was a police officer before switching professions to acting. Before his work on Coronation Street, he originated the role of Monsieur Firmin in the original production of Phantom of the Opera on the West End in 1986.

Other television appearances included Danger Man, The Saint, Callan, Doctor Who and Dr Meredith in The Remains of the Day.

Savident is survived by his wife since 1961, Rona Hopkinson, as well as their two children and several grandchildren.
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Women officially joined a naked festival at a shrine in central Japan on Thursday for the first time in the events 1,250 year history, donning purple robes and chanting excitedly as they bore a large bamboo trunk as an offering.

Seven groups of women took part in the ritual, which is said to drive away evil spirits and where participants pray for happiness. Despite its name, those taking part are not naked.

Many women wore Happi Coats (robes that reach to the hips) and shorts that are typically donned at Japanese festivals, although men just wore loincloths similar to those worn by sumo wrestlers.

I heard that women could participate so I definitely wanted to take part to help bring excitement to this town and festival, said 59-year-old civil servant Emi Tachibana, one of the participants at the event in Inazawa on Japans main Honshu island.

Approximately 9,000 men in loincloths try to snatch a lucky wooden stick during the Eyo naked festival in Okayama (The Asahi Shimbun via Getty)

Naruhito Tsunoda, a priest at the shrine, said there had never been a ban on women participating, and some had even made small offerings as individuals before. However, when a womens group enquired last year if they could join, saying yes was easy.

I believe the most important thing is for there to be a fun festival for everyone. I think God would be happiest about that too, he said.

Women carried a large bamboo trunk as an offering at the Owari Okunitama Shrine (Reuters)

The women did not join the festivals main event where a large group of men clash together to drive away evil spirits. Mr Tsunoda said it would be difficult to open up that part of the festival to women due to the physical aspect.

Japans government last year said it would push to improve womens participation in society, after an annual report showed the country was struggling to narrow the gender gap. The World Economic Forum report measuring gender parity ranked Japan 125th out of 146 countries in 2023, down from 116th in 2022.
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Indias federal government has announced plans to construct elephant-proof barriers in Kerala in response to attacks by the animals, which have led to protests by residents in the southern state.

Federal environment minister Bhupender Yadav, during his visit to the region, announced plans to construct elephant-proof walls even as he criticised the state government for neglecting the issue.

To avoid more elephant attacks, residents of Wayanad in Kerala are demanding solar-powered fencing, elephant-proof trenches, early warning systems, radio-collaring of wild elephants, and the creation of wildlife corridors.

Earlier this month, a man was trampled to death by a radio-collared wild elephant. This marked the second such death in the district in three weeks. Six days after the first incident, a 50-year-old worker at a state-owned eco-tourism project was killed by another wild elephant while on duty in Pulpally.

Residents have since then demonstrated against these animal attacks and blamed the state government for failing to protect them.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition from the Congress party and parliamentary representative for the Wayanad constituency, also travelled to the state on Sunday to visit the families of victims of animal attacks.

The state government also convened a meeting with all parties and pledged to pay for the medical treatment of those impacted by these attacks.

According to The Indian Express, across Kerala theres been a significant rise in attacks on humans by wild animals, notably by elephants, tigers, bison, and wild boars.

The districts of Wayanad, Kannur, Palakkad, and Idukki are particularly affected, it said.

In the 2022-23 period, the state government statistics documented 8,873 incidents of wild animal attacks.

Elephants were responsible for 4,193 of these, wild boars for 1,524, tigers for 193, leopards for 244, and bison for 32.

Among the 98 fatalities recorded, 27 were attributed to elephant attacks.

These encounters not only threaten human safety but also have severely impacted Keralas agricultural sector. Between 2017 and 2023, wildlife caused 20,957 instances of crop destruction and resulted in the deaths of 1,559 domestic animals, primarily cattle.

Over the past ten years, Wayanad in Kerala has witnessed the loss of 41 lives to elephant attacks and seven to tiger attacks.

Kerala has been trying to mitigate the human-wildlife conflict. In 2022-23, Kerala maintained some 100 miles of elephant-proof trenches, around 25 miles of solar fencing, and 150 miles of compound walls. However, these efforts arent enough, local media sources have said.

To prevent animals from straying into human settlements, Kerala has initiated eco-restoration projects and a programme to buy land from farmers to convert it into forest.
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An Indian court has asked a zoo in West Bengal to rename two lions after a hardline right-wing Hindu organisation claimed that one of the names offended the religious sentiments of Hindus.

The two were named Sita and Akbar and they were living together in the same enclosure in the zoo.

In Hindu mythology, Sita is worshipped along with Lord Ram. And in Islam, Akbar is one of the 100 names of god [Allah]. A Muslim ruler during the Mughal era in India was also named Akbar.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad [VHP] complained that the lioness should not be named after the Hindu deity, Sita.

On Thursday, a court in West Bengal said that animals should not be named after Hindu gods, Muslim Prophets, Christian figures, Nobel laureates and freedom fighters.

You could have named it Bijli [lightning] or something like that. But why give names such as Akbar and Sita? Justice Saugata Bhattacharya asked.

The court also questioned the zoo authorities wisdom of naming pets, dogs included, after humans. You couldve avoided a controversy, the judge said.

The two lions currently live at the North Bengal Wild Animals Park in Siliguri, West Bengal.

The VHP also opposed the idea of both animals sharing the same park.

Sita and Akbar cannot be allowed to live together, VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal said.

The VHP, affiliated with Indian prime minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP], criticised the naming as a direct attack on Hindu beliefs, accusing West Bengals opposition-ruled government of intentional provocation and threatening protests if the names and location of the lions were not changed.

She [Sita] is the consort of [Hindu god] Lord Ram and herself is a sacred deity to all Hindus across the world, VHP said in its complaint. Such an act amounts to blasphemy and is a direct assault on the religious beliefs of all Hindus.
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The Taliban on Thursday executed two men convicted of stabbing by gunfire in Afghanistans southeastern Ghazni province.

Thousands of people watched the public execution in broad daylight after the Taliban-led Supreme Court convicted the two men for a murder by stabbing.

The court identified the two men as Syed Jamal from central Wardak province and Gul Khan from Ghazni but did not clarify who carried out the stabbings.

The executions began shortly before 1pm at a stadium in the Ali Lala area of Ghazni and at least 15 bullets were fired as thousands gathered to watch, according to the local officials.

Relatives of the victims were asked to carry out the execution using guns, said Abu Abu Khalid Sarhadi, a spokesman for Ghazni police, but he did not specify what type of guns were used.

Supreme Court spokesperson Abdul Rahim Rashid said these men were shot from behind after court official Atiqullah Darwish read aloud a death warrant signed by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Ambulances later took their bodies away.

Local religious scholars had also pleaded with relatives of the victims to forgive the convicts and not proceed with the execution, but they refused.

According to a statement by the department of culture and information of Ghazni province, the execution was ordered by three lower courts and supreme leader Akhundzada, in retribution for the purported crimes.

The latest public executions, third and fourth on record since the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan, come almost 10 months after the de facto rulers had ordered the execution of a man it found guilty of five murders in 2022.

Human rights groups and international leaders have condemned the Talibans orders of public execution.

We oppose all executions as a violation of the right to life. The Taliban has been repeatedly carrying them out publicly which is a gross affront to human dignity as well as a violation of international laws and standards and cannot be tolerated, said Livia Saccardi, Amnesty Internationals interim deputy regional director for south Asia.

Talibans de-facto authorities must immediately halt all executions and abolish the death penalty and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishments, she said.

Carrying out executions in public adds to the inherent cruelty of the death penalty and can only have a dehumanising effect on the victim and a brutalising effect on those who witness the executions, the Amnesty International official said. She added that the protection of the right to a fair trial under the Talibans de facto authority remains seriously concerning.

Mariam Solaimankhil, former member of parliament from the Ashraf Ghani administration, also said public executions have started in Ghazni. Without due process or legal proceedings, decisions on life and death are being made by individual Taliban members. How can the world expect Afghans to report corruption and abuses by the Taliban under such circumstances? Would you? she asked on X, formerly Twitter.
Special Counsel Robert Hurs Feb. 5 report on President Bidens misuse of classified documents may have been a turning point.

It chronicled the presidents failure to recall basic facts of his life.

Hurs account of his five-hours of interviews with Biden over two days was devastating. His report exposes what most Americans have suspected based on Bidens many public misstatements and faltering physical presence.

Biden couldnt recall which years he was vice president or even when his son Beau died.

Bidens mental frailty is a stated reason by Hur for not prosecuting Biden for his document mishandling as a criminal offense before a jury.

The report documents that Biden willfully retained and disclosed secret documents to others from both his time in the U.S. Senate and as vice president. They were found in a variety of unsecured places including in a damaged cardboard box in Bidens cluttered Delaware garage.

Hur concluded no criminal charges are warranted, largely as a result of his assessment that a jury would not convict a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory.

Democrats are raging against Hur, but an overwhelming majority of Americans think Biden is too old for another term.

A recent poll by ABC News/Ipsos found a whopping 86% of Americans believe Biden is too old to serve another four years as president. That includes 73% of Democrats.

A 62% majority also believe Donald Trump is too old to be president. If Biden believes his mental faculties were unfairly maligned by Hur, theres an easy way to resolve it. Biden could have the Justice Department release the transcript of his five-hour interview.

Let the public see the Biden-Hur transcript, along with any recordings.

This also raises the issue of a two-tiered system of justice. Trump faces 40 charges for mishandling documents.

Hur emphasized Biden cooperated in the return of classified documents while Trump lied about them and thwarted government efforts to get them back. Trump claims a double standard.

On Feb. 16, a Manhattan judge ordered Trump and his business to pay an astronomical $453.5 million, including interest, and barred him from serving in a top role of any New York company for three years.

Trump and his business were found liable for fraudulently inflating asset values of his properties to lenders  though nobody lost money. The trial established that Trump valuations over decades were greatly overstated to get more favorable loan terms from banks. Trumps courtroom bombast contributed to the excessive damage award by the judge, a Democrat.

This case was brought by Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James, who vowed as a candidate to find Trump guilty of something. Its a troubling case of targeted civil prosecution.

On Jan. 26, a unanimous Manhattan civil jury awarded writer E. Jean Carroll an eye-popping $83.3 million against Trump, including punitive damages, for defamatory statements disparaging her.

Last year, a separate Manhattan civil jury awarded Carroll $5 million, finding Trump sexually abused her.

Also in New York, a March 25 trial date was set in the criminal hush-money case involving porn star Stormy Daniels. That means the weakest criminal charges against Trump will go to trial first.

Trumps fixer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to Daniels in 2016 disguised as a payment for legal services. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, indicted Trump for falsifying business records. Its dishonest behavior. But Bragg charged it as a felony, which requires proof that Trump kept phony books intending to commit or conceal a second crime  which is a major legal stretch.

And in Georgia, Fulton County DA Fani Willis, a Democrat, could get disqualified. She has brought a massive racketeering case against Trump that may now collapse.

Trumps lucky in his opponents. He can claim being the victim of partisan prosecutorial abuse.
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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
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The King has been overwhelmed by messages of support from around 7,000 well-wishers worldwide since his cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace says.

Many people have written to tell him of their own experiences of the disease or offering advice. One person told him: Chin up, chest out, remain positive and dont let it get you down. Trust me, it works, but the main thing is family.

A child wrote: Never give up. Be brave. Dont push your limits. Get well soon.

King Charles reads cards and messages sent by well-wishers (PA)

Charles was particularly taken by a card showing a dog feeling sorry for itself after medical treatment, with the message: At least you dont have to wear a cone!.

The collar, which stops animals aggravating a wound or stitches after an operation, is sometimes called the cone of shame by pet owners, or an Elizabethan or E-collar.

The King laughed when he came across the card, Buckingham Palaces correspondence team said.

Well-wishers who have included an address will receive a thank you, the team said.

The King laughs at the dog cone card (PA)

The King has carried out his first face-to-face official duties this week (PA)

On Wednesday, the King carried out his first face-to-face official duties  an audience with prime minister Rishi Sunak and a privy council meeting  since his condition was made public.

Footage showed Mr Sunak saying, Wonderful to see you looking so well, and the King replied: Its all done with mirrors.

The 75-year-old said he had been reduced to tears by the messages and cards of support he had received. The prime minister told him the country is behind you.

Since the diagnosis, Charles has postponed all public duties, but is continuing to work on his red boxes of state papers.

Prince Harry made a whirlwind visit to see his father in London, after the King gave him the news of his diagnosis.

The Duke of Sussex spent almost as much time in the air as he did in England, on his first visit to his homeland since September.

The journey from the US took Harry more than 10 hours, but his meeting with King Charles at Clarence House in London reportedly lasted less than an hour.

Prince Harry said he was grateful to spend time with King Charles after his cancer diagnosis. (Getty)

Harry later said his fathers condition could reunify the royal family, fuelling speculation the prince could be allowed back into the fold. He said he was grateful to be able to spend time with his father, and reportedly suggested he would be willing to temporarily return to duties while the King is ill.

The King has been seen smiling and waving while attending church services at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

The type of cancer he has has not been revealed; nor is it known how many rounds of treatment are planned, but so far he has had at least two.

Before his appointment with the prime minister, he held a meeting at Buckingham Palace of the privy council, whose attendees included the lord president of the council Penny Mordaunt.

At monthly council gatherings, the King gives his formal approval to orders that ministers have already approved.
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Its 5pm and I leave work on the dot. I hop on the train at 5.11pm and hop off at 5.43pm, meaning Im at my front door by six. I go straight into a 30-minute workout and then a 15-minute shower. Time to eat. Im not a good cook so a 20-minute recipe takes an hour. Dinner is served at 8pm. Fifteen minutes to wolf it down, another 15 to do the washing up. Its 8.45pm and I get into bed. I glance at the clock: 9pm, it says. I fall asleep instantly.

This sort of efficiency, a soul-sucking militant kind, is what it would take for me to sleep at 9pm  which is apparently, according to a recent study published in The Wall Street Journal, the new preferred bedtime of people my age. In 2022, those in their twenties reported getting an average of nine hours and 28 minutes of sleep  an 8 per cent increase from the eight hours and 47 minutes they reported in 2010.

Reading these findings and seeing these case studies, photographs of well-rested people wearing cosy pyjamas and serene smiles, I beseech them: how? How does one sleep at 9pm while navigating long commutes and longer work hours, household chores and self-care? When do you shop for groceries? When do you call your mum?

Its not that we dont want to sleep earlier. Every exhausted morning ushers in a new vow to not stay up so late. Were inundated daily with columns of research linking poor sleep with terrifying things like cancer, Alzheimers disease, and a shortened life span. We know sleep is good for us, the same way we know exercise is. But even with everything sleep has going for it  its life-saving qualities, not to mention the sheer joy of just being unconscious for a bit  it feels near impossible to get any more of it.

Its a matter of logistics, really. There arent enough hours in the day. At least eight of them are spent at your place of work. Probably more. So by the time we get home, after an inevitably delayed commute, theres hardly enough time to take a shower and shovel some food down.

Even if achieving that utopian efficiency was possible (work, workout, eat, sleep, repeat) it sounds absolutely hellish. Where is the time for joy? For family and friends? We are warned constantly with a wagging finger from above that were living in a loneliness epidemic. Last year, the Campaign to End Loneliness found that just under one in 10 people aged 16 to 29 reported feeling lonely often or always; the World Health Organisation declared it a global public health concern.

Peoples social lives are already being squeezed by, among other things, anxiety and money woes (hanging out has never been so expensive). If we subtract those prime socialising hours and head straight for bed instead of the pub, what time is left to see our pals? Theres the weekend, sure, but those days fly by. And Sunday hardly counts  its reserved for dreaded life-admin and mentally preparing for the week ahead. An early bedtime would be a death knell for many peoples social lives; maintaining friendships takes time and forging new ones takes even more. (If youre dating  thats another sizable block of hours to add to the timesheet.)

So it feels jarring to hear that young people are sleeping earlier. Just a few months ago, another study found the same age bracket suffers from a lack of it altogether. According to research on almost 10,000 adults aged 18-65, 46 per cent of Gen-Zers struggle to fall asleep on more than half of the days in a week, with only 35 per cent sleeping more than seven hours a night. It was only recently that the sleepy girl mocktail (an allegedly narcoleptic combination of tart cherry juice and magnesium powder) went viral on TikTok, an online testament to a nation of overtired youth. People gasped in envy at Dakota Johnsons revelation that she clocks 14 hours on the regular. Prescriptions for the sleep aid melatonin, too, have increased rapidly among children and young people in England, up 170 per cent in the last seven years, according to a 2022 study by The Pharmaceutical Journal.

Its this image, of someone doom-scrolling under their duvet at 3am unable to will their bodies into slumber, that more closely resembles my own experience and, for its anecdotal worth, that of my friends. So long as were expected to do everything, to always be optimising and permanently productive (even self-care is a chore by this point), sleeping at 9pm is just another impossible ideal on an endless to-do list. Its not a coincidence that well do pretty much everything else to get a better sleep (whale noises; sleepy teas; night-time technology bans; bedtime stories read aloud by Matthew McConaughey), but we wont give up late nights. For most people, its the only time we get to ourselves. Our dark hours of pleasure and pubs and Netflix. To give that up? Id rather be tired.
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A former Ohio sheriffs deputy charged in the killing of a Black man will face a retrial, prosecutors announced Thursday.

The decision comes just days after a jury couldnt agree on a verdict in Jason Meade's first trial and the judge declared a mistrial, ending tumultuous proceedings that saw four jurors dismissed.

Special prosecutors Tim Merkle and Gary Shroyer and Montgomery County Assistant Prosecutor Josh Shaw, who were named to handle the case, issued a statement saying it is in the best interest of all involved and the community" to move forward with another trial. "(We) look forward to presenting what (we) believe is a strong and compelling evidentiary case in support of all the criminal charges against Mr. Meade.

Meade was charged with murder and reckless homicide in the December 2020 killing of Casey Goodson Jr. in Columbus. Meade, who is white, has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers said they were not surprised by the prosecutions decision.

The political pressure to move forward with this case is palpable and will impede the ability of Jason Meade to get a fair trial," Mark Collins, Kaitlyn Stephens and Steven Nolder said in a statement issued Thursday. How would you like to be presumed innocent and all of the elected officials in the county where youre going to be retried have prejudged your case and adjudicated you guilty? ... The blood lust motivating a retrial is real and the state will once again seek their pound of flesh. However, the facts wont change.

It's not yet clear when the retrial will be held.

Meade shot Goodson six times, including five times in the back, as the 23-year-old man tried to enter his grandmothers home. Meade testified that Goodson waved a gun at him as the two drove past each other so he pursued Goodson because he feared for his life and the lives of others. He said he eventually shot Goodson in the doorway of his grandmothers home because the young man turned toward him with a gun.

Goodsons family and prosecutors have said he was holding a sandwich bag in one hand and his keys in the other when he was fatally shot. They do not dispute that Goodson may have been carrying a gun and note he had a license to carry a firearm.

Goodsons weapon was found on his grandmothers kitchen floor with the safety mechanism engaged.

There is no body camera video of the shooting, and prosecutors repeatedly asserted that Meade is the only person who testified Goodson was holding a gun. Meade was not wearing a body camera.

Goodson was among several Black people killed by white Ohio law enforcement over the last decade  deaths that have all sparked national outrage and cries for police reform.
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An Ohio mother who left her 16-month-old daughter home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation pleaded guilty on Thursday to aggravated murder.

Kristel Candelario, 32, also pleaded guilty to child endangerment as part of a plea deal with Cuyahoga County prosecutors, who agreed to dismiss two murder counts and a felonious assault charge. Candelario now faces a life term when she's sentenced March 18.

Authorities have said Candelario left her daughter, Jailyn, in their Cleveland home when she went on vacation to Detroit and Puerto Rico in June 2023. When she returned 10 days later, she found the girl was not breathing in the playpen and called 911. Emergency responders found the child was extremely dehydrated and pronounced her dead shortly after they arrived.

An autopsy by the Cuyahoga County medical examiners office determined that the toddler had died of starvation and severe dehydration.
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South Korea and the United States flew advanced stealth fighters in a joint missile-interception drill Friday over the Korean Peninsula, South Koreas air force said, an apparent response to a spate of weapons tests this year by rival North Korea.

North Korea has conducted six rounds of missiles tests so far this year, most of them reportedly involving cruise missiles that fly at a low altitude to overcome opponents missile defenses. Analysts say that in the event of a conflict, North Korea aims to use cruise missiles to strike U.S. aircraft carriers as well as U.S. military bases in Japan.

South Koreas air force said the drill on Friday involved fight-generation stealth F-35A fighter jets from both countries and other fighter jets from South Korea. It said the U.S. F-35As were deployed in South Korea on Wednesday from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.

North Korea has ramped up its weapons tests since 2022 in what experts call an attempt to increase its leverage in future diplomacy. South Korea and the U.S. have responded by expanding their military exercises.

This year, North Korea is expected to step up its testing activities and belligerent rhetoric as both the U.S and South Korea head into elections. North Korea is likely seeking international recognition as a nuclear state, a status that experts say the North thinks would help it receive relief from U.S.-led economic sanctions.

North Koreas advancing nuclear arsenal has likely emboldened its stance, and there are concerns that the North may launch a limited military provocation against the South. Observers say a full-scale attack is unlikely as the North is outgunned by more superior U.S. and South Korean forces.

U.S. and South Korean officials have repeatedly warned that any nuclear attack by North Korea against them would spell the end of the Norths government led by Kim Jong Un.
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Three siblings found dead at a house in Bristol died of knife injuries, police have revealed.

Seven-year-old Fares Bash, three-year-old Joury Bash and nine-month-old Mohammed Bash were found dead at a property in the Sea Mills area of the city on Sunday.

Police were called to their semi-detached house in Blaise Walk at around 12.40am on Sunday after a member of the public called with concerns for their welfare.

Joury (left), Mohammed (top) and Fares Bash were found dead in their home (Supplied)

A 42-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and is being treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Avon and Somerset Police said.

The deaths of the three siblings have rocked the Sea Mills community, prompting the closure on Monday of the local primary school and playgroup.

The children were part of the citys Sudanese community, whose members gathered at the Sea Mills Methodist Church throughout the day on Monday to support one another.

Salwa Bashar, who knew the family, said she felt that various organisations, including the police, had let the family down, and added that the community wanted answers as to how this had happened.

Forensics officers at the scene in Blaise Walk in Sea Mills, Bristol, on Monday afternoon (The Independent)

She told The Independent: They were very happy children, very bubbly, especially the eldest child.

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.

Salwa Bashar paid tribute to the three children, particularly the eldest whom she called remarkable (The Independent)

She added: 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  I didnt want to believe it, I didnt want it to be true. 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.

A police forensics tent at the house (PA)

Forensics officers were seen walking in and out of the property.

David Richards, a neighbour, said he had heard loud banging noises but was unable to see anything when he went to check.

The next day we found out all this had happened, he said. We have never had this sort of thing down here before, its usually a very quiet area. Its unusual.

Fares Bash has been described as a remarkable boy (Facebook)

Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen of Avon and Somerset Police said: The amount of time we can legally keep a person in custody does not start until they are brought into a police station, so will not include any periods of time spent in hospital.

Our investigation, led by the major crime investigation team, is progressing at pace and were carrying out comprehensive enquiries to establish the events which led to this devastating loss of life.

The main cordons put in place in Blaise Walk have been lifted and we would like to take this opportunity to thank local residents for their patience and support while we carried out a thorough investigation at the scene.

Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen speaks to the press (PA)

She said police believe this to be an isolated incident, with no risk to the wider community.

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, she said.

Well be making sure all those involved in the response and the subsequent investigation are given any welfare support they may need.

Avon and Somerset Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog over prior contact with the family.

An IOPC spokesperson said on Monday: We have requested a paper referral with further information about the prior contact, and once received, we will assess it to determine whether further action is required from us.
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A man who is also under investigation in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann wont respond to unrelated charges of sexual offenses at a trial that opened last week in Germany, his lawyer said on Friday.

The 47-year-old German, who has been identified by media as Christian Brueckner, faces three counts of rape and two of sexual abuse of children in the trial at the Braunschweig state court in northern Germany.

He is alleged to have committed the offenses in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.

The defendant is using his right to remain silent, defense lawyer Friedrich Filscher told the Braunschweig state court, German news agency dpa reported.

Filscher added that he expects his client to be acquitted. He has called the evidence in the indictment abysmal.

There are no formal pleas in the German legal system, and defendants arent obliged to respond to the charges.

Picture shows the house in Lagos, Portugal, where the three-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann disappeared in 2007 (AFP via Getty Images)

The suspect hasnt been charged in the McCann case, in which he is under investigation on suspicion of murder. He spent many years in Portugal, including in the resort of Praia da Luz around the time of Madeleines disappearance there in 2007. He has denied any involvement in her disappearance.

He is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for a rape he committed in Portugal in 2005.

The trial opened a week ago but was quickly adjourned on its first day after Filscher filed a challenge against a lay judge on the panel hearing the case, who was alleged once to have spread a call to kill former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on social media. Prosecutors joined that challenge.

The woman has been removed from the case and now faces an investigation herself on suspicion of making a public call to commit crimes.
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A man fell from the ninth floor of a tower block moments after he was reportedly told he was being arrested on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children.

The suspect, in his 40s, was being detained at a flat in Roach Court, Manchester after a police raid when he is said to have asked arresting officers if he could retrieve an item of clothing.

Seconds later he plummeted out of the window landing on the pavement of the Collyhurst estate on Tuesday night.

A police source told the Manchester Evening News the man fell to his death after he had been told his arrest concerned the alleged possession of indecent images of children.

Have you been affected by this incident? Email barney.davis.ind@independent.co.uk

When asked what the man was being arrested on suspicion of a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesman directed The Independent to the police watchdog Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

A woman who lives on the ground floor of Roach Court said: I walked into the kitchen and saw police tape outside and a body on the ground. Its really shocked me. I cant stop thinking about it.

He was wearing black trousers and a white shirt.

An IOPC spokesperson said on Wednesday: We have begun an independent investigation into an incident involving GMP officers on Tuesday (February 20) in Collyhurst, north Manchester. Officers attended an address on Hamerton Road, at around 7pm, and whilst there, a man fell from a property.

Officers and paramedics provided medical assistance to the man at the scene, but he sadly died. We received a mandatory referral from the force following the incident and IOPC investigators were sent to attend the scene and the police post-incident procedures.

An independent investigation was declared earlier today. Our investigation is in its initial stages and our thoughts are with the mans family and friends all those affected by his death.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, GMP said: On Tuesday 20 February 2024, at around 7pm, Greater Manchester Police executed a warrant at a property on Hamerton Road, Manchester in connection with a criminal investigation. A short time later, a male who was in the property at the time fell from a height.

The force added: Despite the best efforts of the officers in attendance and paramedics, he was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

In line with normal procedure, the incident has been referred to the forces Professional Standards Directorate and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The watchdogs investigators have visited the scene and are launching an independent investigation into the death.
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British Muslim and Palestinian organisations have criticised the disgraceful House of Commons session which descended into chaos over the Gaza ceasefire debate.

The controversy was sparked when Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle broke convention to allow MPs to vote on a Labour amendment to the SNPs Gaza ceasefire motion, sparking anger which has resulted in more than 60 MPs voting a no-confidence motion against him.

As the uproar in Westminster continues, organisations pushing for an immediate ceasefire have accused parliament of losing sight of the war through political games, as Gazas Hamas-run health ministry estimates more than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict.

More than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million is crowded into Rafah after fleeing fighting and bombardment elsewhere in the territory.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle allowed MPs to vote on a Labour amendment to the SNPs Gaza ceasefire motion, sparking chaos in the chamber (PRU/AFP via Getty Images)

Zara Mohammed, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said Wednesdays spectacle signalled a race to the bottom for politics in Britain.

She told The Independent: It was deeply disappointing that we did not have a united House of Commons over such an important issue for so many communities. We did not have a vote which reflected what the people were calling for.

Many British Muslims have expressed how they see double standards in politics. Britain is a key player on the international stage - what people are really at a loss with is why our government is not utilising its power.

SNP and Conservative MPs walked out of the Commons chamber in protest over the Sir Lindsay Hoyle's handling of the Gaza ceasefire debate (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)

Ben Jamal, director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: Political leaders are playing parliamentary games with peoples lives, trying all sorts of manouevres and rouses to try to prevent an immediate ceasefire- a matter that the worlds highest court is currently investigating as genocide.

Mr Jamal added it is integral MPs immediately construct whatever opportunity is available to return to a very clear vote for a ceasefire.

Hundreds queued up for hours outside the Commons throughout the day on Wednesday to lobby MPs to back a ceasefire. Demonstrators held banners saying: Blood is on your hands as a protest took place in the evening.

Protestors demonstrated outside of parliament on Wednesday evening (EPA)

People take part in a Palestine Solidarity Campaign rally outside the Houses of Parliament (Lucy North/PA Wire)

Mr Jamal said: The scenes were utterly disgraceful and shamed our parliament, but what didnt shame Britain was the moral clarity of those who turned up to lobby.

Azhar Qayum, chief executive officer of Muslime Engagement and Development, said: Last night in the Commons was a farce. The speaker, the Labour Leadership and, to some extent, the Tories conspired to ensure no MP could vote on a clear motion by the SNP on an immediate ceasefire.

The SNP only have three opposition days and used one of the three for Gaza. If the Labour Party wanted a Gaza motion they should have used one of their 17 opposition days to put one forward. Instead, they sabotaged the SNPs opposition day motion with a watered down version of their own.

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, whose mother is Palestinian, posted on X: Yesterday could have been an opportunity to push the government, who has the ear of Netanyahu and Biden to push them to have a resolution for the people of Palestine and Israel. But instead, everyone was playing party politics with Palestinian lives.

Labours Zarah Sultana MP said: When Parliament needed to rise to the moment, it instead descended into farce. My constituents, the British public, and of course the Palestinian people, bombed and besieged in Gaza, desperately want an immediate ceasefire. Thats what all MPs must be demanding.
The Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on Feb. 24 this year. The festival features family reunions, feasts, light shows, and various cultural activities. Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and other countries worldwide also have a tradition of celebrating the festival. How do they celebrate the festival? Let's watch the video and enjoy an exotic style Lantern Festival.
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Under-25s playing online slot games are to be limited to 2 a spin from September under new measures to protect people from harmful gambling, the government has announced.

Adults aged 25 and over will face a 5 stake limit to counter the increased risk of significant harm and life-changing losses from online slots, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said.

There is currently no limit on the amount that gamblers can stake on online slots.

In 2019 the government imposed a limit on stakes on the equivalent machines in betting shops  called fixed-odds betting terminals  from 100 to 2.

The DCMS described the new limits as a landmark moment for the regulation of online gambling.

Easily accessible online slot games are one of the most addictive forms of gambling and can be associated with large losses, long sessions, and binge play, according to evidence presented during a consultation over the proposals contained in the governments gambling White Paper.

Evidence from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities showed that young adults could be particularly vulnerable to gambling-related harm, with under-25s having the highest average problem gambling score of any age group.

Although millions of people gamble safely every single day, the evidence shows that there is a significantly higher problem gambling rate for online slot games Stuart Andrew, gambling minister

NHS survey figures also showed a problem gambling rate of 8.7 per cent for online gambling on slots, casino or bingo games  one of the highest rates across gambling activities.

Young adults had lower disposable income, ongoing neurological development impacting risk perception and common life stage factors such as managing money for the first time, the DCMS said.

Evidence also pointed to a stronger link between gambling-related harm and suicide among young adults.

Gambling minister Stuart Andrew said: Although millions of people gamble safely every single day, the evidence shows that there is a significantly higher problem gambling rate for online slot games.

We also know that young adults can be more vulnerable when it comes to gambling-related harms, which is why we committed to addressing both of these issues in our White Paper.

Our research shows a concerning trend with this age group experiencing an increase in harm arising from gambling and online slots are very high-risk products Zoe Osmond, GambleAware

The growing popularity of online gambling is clear to see, so this announcement will level the playing field with the land-based sector and is the next step in a host of measures being introduced this year that will protect people from gambling harms.

Zoe Osmond, chief executive of gambling charity GambleAware, said: We welcome the governments announcement to introduce lower online stake limits for under-25s as an important mechanism to protect young people.

Our research shows a concerning trend with this age group experiencing an increase in harm arising from gambling and online slots are very high-risk products.

As we continue our work to tackle this growing public health issue, we will collaborate with the government and others across the gambling harms sector to ensure there are no missed opportunities when it comes to the introduction of robust preventative measures, including new regulations such as these.

The 2 limit for under-25s is a step in the right direction, but 5 for over-25s is another missed opportunity to stop the harm to millions and the devastation caused by gambling suicides Charles Ritchie, Gambling with Lives

However other campaigners described the limits as a missed opportunity after calling for a maximum of 2 or less across the board.

Gambling with Lives co-founder Charles Ritchie said: The 2 limit for under-25s is a step in the right direction, but 5 for over-25s is another missed opportunity to stop the harm to millions and the devastation caused by gambling suicides.

Stake limits offer some reduction in harm but the products are still highly addictive, so we also need much slower spin speeds, affordability checks, and proper public health information about the dangers.

The limits will come into force in September following secondary legislation, with a six-week transition period for operators to become compliant with the general 5 stake limit rules, followed by a further six weeks for the development of any necessary technical solutions to ensure operators are fully compliant with the lower stake limit of 2 for younger adults.

The DCMS said responses to the wider White Paper measures would be published soon.
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A washout weekend is expected in the UK as hundreds of flood alerts remain in place across the country.

After torrential downpours on Thursday, blustery showers are expected to pour on Sunday after sweeping across the west, say Met Office meteorologists.

There are 57 flood warnings and 190 flood alerts in place across England with one flood warning and six alerts in Wales.

(The Environment Agency)

Saturday saw a cold and frosty start for many with sporadic showers, according to the Met Office.

Northern Scotland woke up to lows of -6C with southern England dropping to 1 and 2C.

Showers are set to get heavier by Sunday as rain will hit the northwest and the south turns wet and windy.

The Met Office has issued two fresh weather warnings for parts of the south west, Kent and Sussex.

The first warning encompasses the south west from 9am tomorrow as up to 40mm of rain could sweep across the area leading to flooding and travel disruption.

The second warning covers parts of Sussex and Kent from 3pm tomorrow where flooding could lead to communities being cut off.

Flood warnings are in place across England, with a high concentration in Dorset and surrounding Tewkesbury.

Flood warnings in place across England (Environment Agency)

It comes after several schools in Herefordshire and Worcestershire were forced to close on Thursday because of rising flood levels and treacherous road conditions, councils said.

Many roads across the West Midlands in particular were submerged and rail operators struggled to resolve issues on the tracks, with Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway services operating a replacement bus service between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.

In Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury Borough Council distributed sandbags to householders. Several roads in the county were closed due to flooding.

Flood alerts across England (Environment Agency)

The Met Office predicted the most frequent showers will be in the west and near the English Channel coasts, with thunder and hail expected at times.

An estimated 30 to 40mm of rainfall  about a weeks worth  came down in the East Midlands, east of England, London and southeast England, the southwest and West Midlands on Thursday.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: This heavy rain falling on saturated ground could lead to some localised flooding problems.

Met Office warnings for that heavy rain already out across southern counties of England.

Intense showers across southern counties could contain hail and sleet and even snow across higher ground, the meteorologist warned.

There will be a chill in the air Saturday evening and Sunday morning is set to be frosty with temperatures dropping to 1 and 2C in southern England before rainfall strikes the south of the country.
 Close Leicester police provide update on search for toddler who fell into river

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The diving expert who joined the hunt for missing mother Nicola Bulley last year has been called in to help find a missing toddler in Leicestershire.

Peter Faulding, 61, who claimed to have found Ms Bulleys body within six minutes in the River Wyre, Lancashire, has been recruited to find missing two-year-old Xielo Maruziva.

The creative little boy has been been missing since 18 February after he fell into the River Soar, Leicester, while out with his family in Aylestone Meadows.

Mr Faulding claimed Xielos family had contacted him to request his help, but that his offer of support was ignored by police.

Now, Mr Faulding and experts from private company Specialist Group International (SGI) will join the operation after further conversations with search specialists and Xielos family.

The search for the boy is in its second week, with the focus on the stretch of river around Watermead Park and Birstall over the weekend, police said.
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Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has outline five things for consumers to know after Ofgem unveiled a drop in the price cap on Friday.

Household energy bills are set to fall to their lowest in two years from 1 April, with the average duel-fuel household set to see a fall of 238 - or around 20 a month over the course of a year.

Responding to the announcement, Mr Lewis unveiled five key bits of information for consumers, including tips on which is the cheapest way to pay, switching deals and how to undercut the price cap.

The new rates for 1 April have just been announced. In a nutshell, for every 100 a Direct Debit user spends on energy today, theyll pay 87.70 for it from 1 April, he posted on X. So its an improvement, and predictions are itll drop again in July, though overall prices are still too expensive, nearly double the price of the cheapest pre-crisis.

According to energy consultancy firm Cornwall Insights, the energy price cap is expected to fall yet again in July as the UK continues to weather the storm after tensions in the Red Sea.

Despite this, bills remain 49 per cent higher than pre-energy crisis levels, with figures from the charity National Energy Action showing that six million households remain in fuel poverty. This is compared to 4.5 million in October 2021

Here are the money-saving experts top five things you need to know:

1. Prepay will become the cheapest way to pay

Mr Lewis began with the revelation that prepay meters will become the cheapest way to pay.

He said: Prepay standing charges have been lowered to equalise them with Direct Debit, yet as prepay unit rates are cheaper, that means overall for a typical user from April, prepay will be about 3% cheaper.

Prepay, which many of the most vulnerable use, was always the rip off, so this is a staggering turn around.

He added a note of caution: Yet before you jump to it, a word of caution... if and when proper competition returns there are rarely any prepay deals.

All the big money and discounts are thrown out to win new Direct Debit customers. So I strongly suspect Direct Debit will stay by far the overall cheapest for people who switch, but for those who dont, itll be prepay.

Martin Lewis issues crucial warning to credit card users. (Getty)

2. The energy bill poll tax (standing charges) will get worse

He went on to warn that the energy bill poll tax, or standing charges, will get worse as standing charges for direct debits will rise from the current 303 to 334 per year.

Even though overall bills will fall, standing charges wont, he said. I call standing charges a poll tax as you pay it regardless of usage eg many elderly who only use gas for winter heating, still pay for their meters in summer.

I believe it is a moral hazard, as those on lower usage get less benefit and are disincentivised from cutting bills.

3. Switching to better deals may become easier

From 1 April Ofgem is changing one of the two main background rules that prevent energy companies from offering good switch deals.

The regulator is ending the Markey Stabilisation Charge (MSC) regime it set up during the energy crisis. This scheme meant if you switched firms to cut costs, the new company must compensate your old company if its offering a cheap deal because wholesale rates are cheaper.

Mr Lewis says this has stopped firms from offering cheap switcher deals.

He wrote: I was furious about this MSC, and am sad to say lost my temper and used inappropriate language with Ofgem staff during the height of high prices in the energy crisis, when I was told it was being done to stop the harmful effects of competition.

However, he warned that Ofgem has extended the second market restricting rule which bans acquisition only tariffs for another year meaning firms must offer existing customers the same deals they offer new.

Ofgem said the drop would see energy prices reach their lowest level since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 (PA) (PA Wire)

4. The British Gas Price Promise deal doesnt look as good as it did.

Mr Lewis said this major tariff is being offered to new and existing customers. It has previously been 12 per cent cheaper than the market but it now promises to be just 1 less than the April price cap - which the money saving expert says wont be as big a change.

5. You can undercut the Price Cap by 3%.

Mr Lewis highlighted the Eon Next Pledge tariff, which promises to charge three per cent less than the price cap for the first year.

Speaking on the Martin Lewis Money Show on Tuesday he said: Everyone or almost everyone can beat the price cap by three per cent because the E.ON Next Pledge is a very good tariff and existing customers can switch to it on direct debit and it is three per cent below the price cap.

So if the price cap drops, it drops, if the price cap goes up, it goes up but its always three per cent cheaper for a year, so its an easy simple win.
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Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells has forfeited her CBE for bringing the honours system into disrepute following her handling of the Horizon IT scandal.

Ms Vennells was named on Friday in a list published on the Cabinet Office website as an individual whose honour had been revoked by the King.

Issuing an apology last month, Ms Vennells announced that she planned to hand back her CBE with immediate effect following fresh fallout over the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of subpostmasters.

The former chief executive, who ran the Post Office while it routinely denied there was a problem with its Horizon IT system, was appointed a CBE in December 2018.

MPs and victims of the scandal have for years called for Ms Vennells to be stripped of the rank, which has the full title Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Her inclusion in the new year honours list came despite legal action being launched against the Post Office by 555 subpostmasters in 2017.

The Post Office said she was recognised for her work on diversity and inclusion as well as her commitment to the social purpose at the heart of the business and her dedication in putting the customer first.

Demands for her to return the honour intensified after ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office brought the widespread miscarriage of justice back into the spotlight at the turn of the year.

More than 1.2 million people signed a petition calling for her to be stripped of the CBE.

The subpostmaster injustice saw more than 700 Post Office branch managers convicted after faulty Fujitsu accounting software called Horizon made it look as though money was missing from their shops.

A public inquiry into the scandal is ongoing.

In a statement to the PA news agency last month, Ms Vennells said: I have so far maintained my silence as I considered it inappropriate to comment publicly while the inquiry remains ongoing and before I have provided my oral evidence.

I am, however, aware of the calls from subpostmasters and others to return my CBE.

I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect.

I am truly sorry for the devastation caused to the subpostmasters and their families, whose lives were torn apart by being wrongly accused and wrongly prosecuted as a result of the Horizon system.

I now intend to continue to focus on assisting the inquiry and will not make any further public comment until it has concluded.

While an individual can signal that they want to renounce their honour, the only person who can sign off on the forfeit is the monarch, following advice from the Forfeiture Committee  something King Charles has now done in Ms Vennellss case.

Before the former Post Office boss issued her statement last month, Downing Street had made it clear that prime minister Rishi Sunak would strongly support a review of whether she should hold onto the honour.

Ms Vennells was chief executive of the company from 2012 to 2019, taking the helm in the same year that it split from Royal Mail as part of the latters privatisation.

Ms Vennells, an ordained Anglican priest in the Church of England, is due to give evidence to the Horizon inquiry in April when it resumes.

Home secretary James Cleverly said on Friday the government would not be distracted or deterred from providing compensation to wronged subpostmasters.

Last month Mr Sunak committed to exonerating all those caught up in the scandal in order to ensure compensation can be paid by the summer to those still waiting for payment.

Further details about the legislation ministers plan to bring forward to help reverse the injustice was announced in the Commons on Thursday.
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Shamima Begum has lost her bid to overturn the governments decision to strip her of British citizenship, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

But her legal team have promised they will not give up now, despite another blow for the 24-year-old on Friday.

Ms Begums solicitor, Daniel Furner, said: I think the only thing we can really say for certain is that we are going to keep fighting.

I want to say that Im sorry, to Shamima and to her family, that after five years of fighting she still hasnt received justice in a British court  and to promise her and promise the government that we are not going to stop fighting until she does get justice, and until she is safely back home.

Ms Begum travelled to Syria in 2015 aged 15, and her British citizenship was revoked on national security grounds shortly after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019.

Last year, she lost a challenge filed with the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) against the decision to revoke her citizenship.

Shamima Begum has lost her bid to overturn the governments decision to strip her of British citizenship (PA)

Ms Begums lawyers brought a bid to overturn that decision at the Court of Appeal, with the Home Office opposing the challenge.

In a ruling on Friday, three judges dismissed Ms Begums bid.

Giving the ruling, Lady Chief Justice Carr said: It could be argued the decision in Ms Begums case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune.

But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view. Our only task is to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful.

We have concluded it was not and the appeal is dismissed.

Image taken from CCTV issued by the Metropolitan Police of (left to right) 15-year-old Amira Abase, Kadiza Sultana,16, and Shamima Begum,15, at Gatwick airport, before they caught their flight to Turkey in 2015 (PA)

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice, lawyer Gareth Peirce said: Shamima Begum is held unlawfully in indefinite arbitrary detention, which is banned by every international treaty.

She and others, other women and children, are in what is not a refugee camp but a prison camp, and that is conceded by the United Kingdom, which has stated to the UN that it agrees that Geneva Convention articles apply.

Unlawful as that is, there is no exit. There is no way that she can escape from unlawful imprisonment.

Ms Begum travelled to Istanbul in Turkey from Gatwick airport to join Isis with two of her close friends at Bethnal Green Academy  Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15.

Just 10 days after arriving in the city of Raqqa, Ms Begum, who is of Bangladeshi heritage, was married to a Dutchman named Yago Riedijk, who had converted to Islam.

They had three children together, all of whom later died from malnourishment or disease. They were a one-year-old girl, a three-month-old boy, and a newborn son.

Ms Begum was eventually found, nine months pregnant, in a refugee camp in al-Roj in February 2019 by a Times journalist.

In the same month, she was stripped of her British citizenship after announcing her desire to return to the UK with her then-unborn third child.

Begums citizenship was revoked on national security grounds shortly after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019 (PA)

Lady Chief Justice Carr, sitting with Lord Justice Bean and Lady Justice Whipple, said any arguments over the consequences of the unanimous judgment, which could include a bid to appeal at the Supreme Court, would be adjourned for seven days.

She said: In our judgment, SIAC was entitled to find, as the specialist tribunal established by parliament, that the issue of whether and to what extent Ms Begums travel to Syria had been voluntary was within the expertise of the intelligence agencies advising the secretary of state.

Ms Begum may well have been influenced and manipulated by others but still have made a calculated decision to travel to Syria and align with Isil [now more commonly known as Isis].

At a hearing in October, Samantha Knights KC told the court that the government had failed to consider the legal duties owed to Ms Begum as a potential victim of trafficking or as a result of state failures in her case.

She said in written submissions: The appellants trafficking was a mandatory, relevant consideration in determining whether it was conducive to the public good and proportionate to deprive her of citizenship, but it was not considered by the Home Office.

As a consequence, the deprivation decision was unlawful.

However, Sir James Eadie KC, for the department, said decisions on whether someone is a victim of trafficking or whether they should be deprived of their citizenship have fundamentally different bases and roles.

He continued: The focus in the trafficking regime is on the protection of the individual, and theres really no countervailing public interest at that point.

But here the regime is different; the regime in operation is the deprivation regime, and the rationale is entirely different: it is the protection of the public at large.

The barrister later said the key feature of Ms Begums case was national security.

He added: The fact that someone is radicalised, and may have been manipulated, is not inconsistent with the assessment that they pose a national security risk.

In its ruling last year, the SIAC concluded that there had been arguable breaches of duty by state bodies  including the Metropolitan Police, Tower Hamlets Council and Ms Begums school  in their failure to prevent her from travelling to Syria.

Ms Knights told the Court of Appeal at the start of the three-day hearing that these failures could also have been unlawful and contributed to Ms Begums trafficking.

However, Sir James said the SIAC had been right to find there was no direct connection between any potential failures, by other public authorities, in 2015 and the decision by ministers to deprive Ms Begum of her citizenship.
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Shamima Begum has lost her latest bid to overturn the governments decision to strip her of British citizenship, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Ms Begum left the UK aged 15 with two other east London schoolgirls to travel to Syria in February 2015.

Last year, she lost a challenge against the decision at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC).

Shamima Begums lawyers said they would keep fighting after she lost a challenge over the removal of her British citizenship (PA) (PA Archive)

Here are the key developments to date:

August 1999: Shamima Begum is born in England to parents of Bangladeshi heritage.

February 2015: British counter-terrorism police launched an international hunt to find three London schoolgirls who were making their way to the so-called Islamic States (Isis) territory in Syria.

Ms Begum, 15, had slipped out of her house in east London, with friends, Kadiza Sultant, 16 and Amira Abase. They caught a flight to Istanbul, Turkey and travelled to the Syrian border from there.

In late February, the Metropolitan police confirm that Begum and her friends had reached Syria. Ten days after arriving in the country, Shamima Begum marries Yago Riedijk, a Dutch-born convert to Islam and a convicted terrorist.

October 2017: A US-backed alliance of Syrian fighters takes full control of Raqqa, ending three years of Isis rule in the city.

Amira Abase, Kadiza Sultana and Shamima Begum fled the UK in February 2015 (PA Media)

13 February 2019: The Times war correspondent Anthony Loyd finds Ms Begum, then 19-years-old, at the al-Hawl refugee camp in Northern Syria. A pregnant Ms Begum tells him that she wants to return to the UK to raise her child but that she did not regret her decision to join Isis. She says that she had had two other children who died of malnutrition.

She says she had been unfazed by seeing the head of a beheaded man as he was an enemy of Islam but believes that Isis did not deserve victory.

Three days later, Ms Begum gives birth to a baby boy.

19 February 2019: The UK government serves notice that it intends to strip Ms Begum of her British citizenship.

The then-Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, writes to Ms Begums parents to inform them of his order to strip her citizenship. He believes that, because her parents are of Bangladeshi heritage, she can apply for citizenship of that country.

The law allows the government to remove citizenship if they can show the person behaved in a manner which is seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the UK and when there is reasonable grounds for believing that the person is able, under the law of a country or territory outside the UK, to become a national of such a country or territory.

24 February 2019: Ms Begums father, Ahmed Ali, speaks to The Mail on Sunday and says that he doesnt have a problem with his daughters British citizenship being removed.

Speaking from his home in Bangladesh, he said: If she at least admitted she made a mistake then I would feel sorry for her and other people would feel sorry for her, but she does not accept her wrong.

Ms Begum caught on CCTV at Gatwick Airport (PA Media)

16 July 2020: The Court of Appeal rules that Ms Begum should be permitted to return to the UK in order to fairly contest the British governments decision to revoke her citizenship. This ruling was appealed and sent to the Supreme Court.

26 February 2021: On February 26, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously against bringing Ms Begum back, thus reversing the previous decision.

15 September 2021: Ms Begum asks the British people for forgiveness in an interview with ITV. The now-22-year-old says that Isiss killing of innocent people is unjustifiable.

She apologised for comments she had previously made to a BBC journalist about the Manchester Arena bombing. In 2019, she had claimed - when asked about the 2017 attack - that it was wrong to kill innocent people, but that Isis considered it justified as retaliation for coalition bombing of Isis-held areas.

She told ITV: I do not believe that one evil justifies another evil. I dont think that women and children should be killed for other peoples motives and for other peoples agendas.

November 2022

Before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), Ms Begums counsel said: Without seeking to investigate and determine, still less consider, whether she was a child victim of trafficking and whether there were failures by public authorities in the UK to prevent her being trafficked.

Ms Begum has asked the British people for forgiveness (ABC News)

January 2023

In the BBC podcast series, she said she understood public anger towards her but insisted she was not a bad person.

She said she accepted she was viewed as a danger, as a risk, but blamed her portrayal in the media.

February 22, 2023

Ms Begum lost her appeal in a SIAC court to overturn the governments decision to strip her of her British citizenship.

October 2023

Ms Begums appeal against the loss of her British citizenship began in the Court of Appeal.

Begums team of barristers claim she was a victim of Isis propaganda and was groomed into terrorism.

Samantha Knights KC told the court the government had failed to consider the legal duties owed to Ms Begum as a potential victim of trafficking or as a result of state failures in her case.

Ms Begum pictured in 2001 in Roj Camp, where she was interred with other women who were members of Islamic State (Getty Images)

February 2024

Three judges dismissed Ms Begums bid at the Court of Appeal.

Giving the ruling, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said: It could be argued the decision in Ms Begums case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune.

But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view. Our only task is to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful.

We have concluded it was not and the appeal is dismissed.

Ms Begums legal team promised they would continue to fight until she is safely back home.
 Close UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

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The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings as torrential downpours are set to hit the country tomorrow.

The first warning starts from 6am tomorrow and covers parts of southwest England, whereas the second warning, covering parts of Sussex and Kent, starts at 3pm and lasts until 9am Monday.

Up to 40mm of rain is set to batter the areas leading to travel disruption and further flooding after a sudden chill last night led to lows of -6C in northern Scotland.

It comes as 57 flood warnings and 190 flood alerts are in place across England with one flood warning and six alerts in Wales as heavy downpours on Thursday caused flooding on road and railway lines.

Rainfall led to the closure of several schools in Herefordshire and Worcestershire on Thursday because of rising flood levels and treacherous road conditions, councils said.

Many roads across the West Midlands in particular were submerged and rail operators struggled to resolve issues on the tracks, with Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway services operating a replacement bus service between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.
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Household energy bills are set to fall to their lowest point in two years, with Ofgem announcing this week it will lower its price cap by 12.3 per cent.

The regulators new price cap, which will come into effect in April, will see the average household gas and electricity bill fall from the current 1,928 in England, Scotland and Wales to 1,690  a drop of around 20 a month, or 238 a year.

Ofgem said the drop would see energy prices reach their lowest level since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which caused a spike in an already turbulent wholesale energy market, driving up costs for suppliers and customers.

The typical households energy bill is forecast to fall from 1,928 per year to 1,690 from April (PA Wire)

While this is considerably lower than the record high of 4,059 for an average bill in early 2023, prices still remain well above the average of 993 which households were paying two years prior.

So with bills still nearly double what they were three years ago, and turbulence in Ukraine and the Middle East liable to keep wholesale prices high, what are the major parties proposing to help households with the cost of energy?

The Conservatives

The government has sought to shield households from some of the most severe price rises with its Energy Bills Support scheme, which provided a 400 discount, but that came to an end last June.

To help fund this, ministers had implemented a windfall tax on the profits of fossil fuel companies, after facing mounting pressure to do so. Ministers said last June the tax had raised more than 2.8bn, and saved a typical household nearly 1,500 on energy bills.

But experts warn that the governments tax relief loophole for new North Sea projects has made it cheaper for companies to extract harmful fossil fuels.

The government is offering fossil fuel giants tax relief on new North Sea projects (Reuters)

In October, the governments Energy Act also received royal assent, which the government says incentivises the energy industry to invest in low-carbon heat pumps, and includes powers to deliver a planned smart meter rollout by 2028, which ministers claim could save households 5.6bn.

The new legislation also expands Ofgems remit, allowing the regulator to set rules on excessive energy pricing and adds a specific mandate for it to support the government meet its legal obligation to get to net zero by 2050.

But it was also reported by Politico this week that the government is considering plans to raise household energy bills to help pay for a new 20bn nuclear energy plant in Suffolk, Sizewell C.

Labour

While energy policy has been a key plank of Labours offering in recent years, Sir Keir Starmer has drastically scaled down his partys plans by ditching a policy of spending 28bn a year on environmental projects.

The partys plans to cut energy bills by giving 19 million people warmer homes in a decade could now take up to 14 years to achieve, Sir Keir said earlier this month  with Labour now promising to insulate only 5 million properties by 2030.

Sir Keir Starmers party claims its plans will create 500,000 jobs (PA)

The party is now set to spend 23.7bn over the course of the next five-year parliament, on top of the 10bn a year it says the government has already committed to.

Labour has also pledged to enforce a proper windfall tax on energy companies, matching the rate imposed by Norway, which it claims would raise 10.8bn over five years, earmarked for green investment.

Sir Keir has previously pledged to create a new publicly owned body called Great British Energy, which would invest in clean energy, including by making the UK a world leader in floating offshore wind.

Labour claims its plans would take hundreds of pounds off annual household energy bills, and would rebuild Britains industrial strength by creating half a million new jobs.
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Conservative MP Lee Anderson has been accused of racism and Islamophobia after claiming that Islamists have control of Londons mayor Sadiq Khan.

Speaking on GB News, the Tory MP for Ashfield said that Mr Khan had given our capital city away to his mates.

In a rant on Friday evening, he said: I dont actually believe that these Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is theyve got control of Khan and theyve got control of London. Again, this stems with Khan, hes actually given our capital city away to his mates.

If you let Labour in through the back door, expect more of this and expect our cities to be taken over by these lunatics.

Anderson accused Sadiq Khan of giving our capital city away to his mates (PA Wire)

Mr Khan, who has been in his position since May 2016, is Londons first Muslim mayor.

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said Mr Andersons comments were divisive and dangerous.

Mr Streeting said on X: The Conservatives have gone beyond the dogwhistle playbook of previous mayoral elections to outright racism and Islamophobia. Enough is enough. Is this really what your Party stands for @RishiSunak @RicHolden?

Mr Anderson is even facing criticism from his own party, with Sajid Javid tweeting: A ridiculous thing to say in response to a clip of the programme.

And former Tory MP and Theresa Mays former chief of staff Gavin Barwell added: A despicable slur on @SadiqKhan and Londoners.

In his first speech as PM, @RishiSunak said he would unite our country. If he allows the likes of Anderson to spread hate and division like this, those words will be revealed as a sham.

The Liberal Democrats mayoral candidate Rob Backie called for him to lose the Tory whip, and accused Mr Anderson of spreading dangerous conspiracy theories.

Tan Dhesi, the shadow exports minister, said: Given the recent spike in Islamophobia and antisemitism, and the febrile atmosphere in our country, its deplorable that an elected MP can openly make such incendiary and divisive statements; especially against Sadiq Khan, who has done so much to foster community cohesion and tackle hate crime.

Mr Anderson was deputy chair of the Conservative party until January, when he resigned over the vote on the governments Rwanda deportation policy.

In response to his comments, a Tory source said: Lee was simply making the point that the mayor, in his capacity as PCC [police crime commissioner] for London, has abjectly failed to get a grip on the appalling examples of extremism we have seen in London recently.

Also adding to the criticism, Labours shadow women and equalities secretary Anneliese Dodds said: Lee Andersons comments are unambiguously racist and Islamophobic.

Rishi Sunak needs to immediately remove the whip. If he is too weak, then people will take their own view of the modern Conservative Party.

Labour Brent Central MP Dawn Butler added: This divisive rubbish is straight from the right wing racist rule book. Inciting racial hatred is a criminal offence. @RishiSunak theres been an 335% increase in Islamaphobia why is your party encouraging hate & lies? Islamophobia encouraged by Tories.

A London Labour source told The Independent: This sort of vile Islamophobia is exactly how the Tories campaigned against Sadiq Khan in 2016. Surely they will not tolerate it this time round?

In the same GB News appearance with political reporter Chris Hope, Mr Anderson engaged in a heated debate over police intervention on pro-Palestinian protesters.

Ultimately we run the country, and if the police arent doing their job  and theyre not doing their job  we need to step in and take over, he said.

Mr Anderson, Mr Khan and the Conservative Party have been contacted for comment.
Delegates plant a tree at the ceremony (Photo: congthuong.vn)

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh said that the tree planting campaign has become a fine tradition in Vietnam every spring since it was first launched by President Ho Chi Minh November 28, 1959.

Responding to the beloved Presidents appeal, the Party and the State have issued many specific programs and plans on forest protection and development, and environmental protection, he added, referring to a project to plant one billion trees during the 2021-2025 period approved by the Prime Minister.

The campaign contributes to demonstrating Vietnams strong resolve to reach its target of net zero emissions by 2050 and respond to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)  a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world, for the benefit of people and nature, the minister continued.

The Minister called on agencies, localities, people and international organizations in Vietnam to join the campaign, for a green and safe Vietnam with rapid, sustainable development.

Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Giang province Le O Pich said the locality has so far planted 19 million scattered trees and 30,000 hectares of concentrated forests, with the forest coverage rate standing at 37.8%.

The Vice Chairman added that the province has set a goal that the whole province will plant 30 million scattered trees and 40,000 hectares of concentrated forests by 2025.

After the launching ceremony, delegates planted 100 perennial and rare trees with high economic value./.
Shamima Begum, the Isis bride, now 24 years of age, has lost her attempt at the Court of Appeal to overturn the governments decision to strip her of British citizenship. Begum travelled with friends to Syria at the age of 15 without the knowledge of her parents, school or police, married an Isis fighter (a Dutch national), and became involved herself in supporting Isis as a law enforcer. She claims to have been trafficked and that she is the victim of abuse.

In February 2019, soon after Isis retreated from its capital in Syria, she was found in a refugee camp, and her UK citizenship was revoked shortly after. Since then she has conducted a legal and media campaign to have it restored and to return to Britain, where she was born. She has had three children, all now deceased. Thus far shes enjoyed little success, or indeed sympathy.

Her solicitor Gareth Peirce states: Shamima Begum is held unlawfully in indefinite arbitrary detention, which is banned by every international treaty. She and others, other women and children, are in what is not a refugee camp but a prison camp, and that is conceded by the United Kingdom, which has stated to the UN that it agrees that Geneva Convention articles apply. Unlawful as that is, there is no exit. There is no way that she can escape from unlawful imprisonment.
 Close SNP and Conservative MPs walk out of the Commons over the speakers handling of the Gaza vote

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Rishi Sunak has said it is unacceptable for protesters to demonstrate outside MPs homes as Downing Street said protest must not turn into abuse.

Speaking during a tour of North Wales on Friday, the prime minister said: Its simply unacceptable for intimidation or aggressive behaviour to threaten our parliamentary democracy and our freedom of expression.

He added that he is giving police more power to clamp down on intimidation and aggressive behaviour.

A No 10 spokesperson said: We will continue to keep MPs security under review to ensure that they have the protections that they need. Were also both clear that we wont allow democracy to be silenced or stifled.

And intimidation against MPs is an attack on democracy and we wont allow that to win.

James Cleverly also vowed to be vigilant against threats and pressure on MPs after Sir Lindsay Hoyle argued his actions in the Gaza ceasefire vote were motivated by concern about security.

More than 70 Conservative and SNP MPs signed a no-confidence motion in Sir Lindsay in the aftermath.
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At least 10 people have been killed in a blaze that ripped through an apartment block in Valencia, authorities have said. Spanish firefighters rushed to the scene in the city centre on Thursday night, with the blaze engulfing the block quickly, fanned by strong winds. Dramatic footage showed desperate residents rushing to their balconies in an attempt to flee.

The firefighters, wearing masks and oxygen tanks, worked their way through the charred building on Friday looking for bodies or survivors. Valencia mayor Maria Jose Catala said later in the day that there were no more missing people, having earlier said that around a dozen had not been found.

In a first visual inspection, 10 bodies were found in the building, Pilar Bernabe, the central government's representative for the Valencia region, told reporters.

Four of the victims were members of the same family, including a father and mother, a three-year-old girl and a newborn baby, El Pais reported.

Meanwhile, questions were asked as to how the fire spread so rapidly. Experts suggested that a type of cladding might have helped the blaze spread faster, but Ms Catala said the cause of the fire was still not known and it was too early to comment on whether some materials used in construction of the modern complex might have contributed.

Some observers compared the fire with the harrowing scenes of the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster in London.

The complex of around 140 apartments in Valencia was finished in 2009. In a promotional video, the now bankrupt construction company Fbex boasted that it used a new aluminium-based material as part of its facade.

A huge fire rages through a multistorey residential block in Valencia (AFP via Getty Images)

Fifteen people were treated for injuries and two remained in city hospitals. Both were said to be stable. It was not immediately known how many people were in the two buildings when the fire broke out, but dozens are believed to have lost their homes and belongings.

The port city came to a standstill as the 14-storey building went up in flames. The Valencia regional government declared three days of mourning.

I told my daughter and mother-in-law to leave, other people stayed inside, Adriana, a resident of the building, told Reuters.

Building manager and resident Adriana reacts at the scene of the fire in Valencia (Reuters)

A resident of the second floor of the building told broadcaster La Sexta that flames overpowered the building rapidly after it started on the fourth floor. The fire spread in a matter of 10 minutes, the man said.

Cries for help could be heard from neighbouring buildings. A woman called Maite, who lives opposite the apartment block, told local media: I saw people... shouting for help from balconies, a couple and a child. Im feeling devastated.

I left my home and went down into the street in case the flames jumped to our building. I just grabbed hold of my handbag, nothing else.

A huge fire rages through a multistorey residential block in Valencia (AFP via Getty Images)

Valencians flocked to donate clothes, medicines and toys for surviving residents who lost all their belongings in the fire and are now being temporarily housed in a nearby hotel. Officials said 105 people had been rehoused and a regional official said they would receive money for daily costs and rent.

Visiting the scene on Friday, Spains prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, said residents had lost everything in this terrible fire. He expressed his gratitude to firefighters and military personnel who worked to extinguish the blaze. Pope Francis also sent a telegram of condolences.

The injured included nine men aged between 25 and 57, four women aged between 27 and 81, and a seven-year-old boy.

A local magistrate has opened an investigation into the blaze.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
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More than 50 Idaho obstetricians have stopped practising in the state since a near-total abortion ban took effect in August 2022, according to a newly released report.

Data compiled by the Idaho Physician Well-Being Action Collaborative (IPWAC) also shows that only two obstetricians moved to the state to practice in the last 15 months, the Idaho Statesman reported on Tuesday. Obstetricians provide healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth.

The number of obstetricians in Idaho decreased from 227 in 2022 to about 176 in 2023, a decline of 51 doctors, the report said. IPWAC was created in 2018 by local doctors to address problems affecting physicians and patients in Idaho communities, according to its website.

The numbers should concern every person living in or considering a move to Idaho, the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare said this week in a news release. The coalition is the parent group of IPWAC.

Additionally, the report said two hospital obstetrics programs  at West Bonner General Health in Sandpoint and at Valor Health in Emmett  have closed since Idahos law banning abortion took effect.

A third hospital obstetrics program is in serious jeopardy and could be at risk of closure, the report also said.

Only 22 of 44 counties in Idaho have access to any practising obstetricians, it stated. About 85 per cent of obstetricians and gynaecologists in Idaho practice in the seven most populous counties.

Idaho banned nearly all abortions after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in 2022. Idaho makes it a crime with a prison term of up to five years for anyone who performs or assists in an abortion.

A rally for abortion rights outside of the Idaho Statehouse in May 2022 (Idaho Statesman)

Post-Roe, many maternal care doctors in restrictive states are deciding whether to stay or go. They weigh tough questions about medical ethics, their families and whether they can provide the best care without risking their careers or prison time.

Dr Kylie Cooper, a maternal-fetal specialist, left Idaho last year. She said that at the time it was a very difficult decision but she and her family needed to be where they felt reproductive health care was protected and safe.

Data also shows Idaho is at the 10th percentile of maternal mortality outcomes, meaning 90 per cent of the country has better maternal and pregnancy outcomes than Idaho.

In a time when we should be building our physician workforce to meet the needs of a growing Idaho population and address increasing risks of pregnancy and childbirth, Idaho laws that criminalise the private decisions between doctor and patient have plunged our state into a care crisis that unchecked will affect generations of Idaho families to come, Dr Caitlin Gustafson, an OB-GYN and the board president of the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare Foundation, said in the news release.

The loss of obstetricians further strains a health system that was already experiencing a physician shortage, the release said. The national average of live births a year per obstetrician is 94 compared to 107 in Idaho, it also stated.
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A Utah man imprisoned for nearly two years in Venezuela has sued President Nicolas Maduro, accusing the leftist leader of heading a criminal enterprise that kidnaps, tortures and unjustly imprisons American citizens.

The complaint filed Thursday in Miami federal court by Joshua Holt is the latest in a string of lawsuits by Americans targeting Maduro's government over its alleged ties to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which the U.S. has designated a terrorist group.

It seeks compensation for damages Holt and his family said it suffered under a little-used federal law, the Anti-Terrorism Act, that allows American victims of foreign terror groups to seize the assets of their victimizers.

Holt, then in his mid-20s, traveled to Venezuela in 2016 to marry a fellow Mormon he met on the internet while practicing his Spanish. Shortly afterward, the couple was arrested at her familys apartment in a public housing project during a raid by security forces who said they found him stockpiling an assault weapon and grenades. A few days later, top officials appeared on state TV accusing Holt of being a CIA terrorist sent to topple Maduro.

Holt, in his 99-page complaint, details how after being arrested he was driven to an abandoned construction site where he was lined up against a wall while what looked like a firing squad pointed their guns at him and fired.

It was a mock execution: the guns were not loaded, according to the complaint. Josh thought this is the point where Im going to die, one of these police officers is going to have a bullet.' 

Holt lost 60 pounds in the first six months of his imprisonment. And with almost no medical treatment, he endured kidney stones, bronchitis, and a painful cracked tooth while secluded in a tiny stench-filled cell with no toilet.

His wife, Thamy Holt, was also jailed and repeatedly pressured to sign a confession that her husband was part of a CIA plot  something she never agreed to do.

Eventually, in 2018, Holt would be released as a result of back-channel negotiations led by a staff member for Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican who chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before retiring in 2019. According to the complaint, Holt's jailer, Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, then head of the SEBIN intelligence police, acknowledged the bogus nature of the charges upon the American's release.

I'm sorry you had to go through this, Gonzalez Lopez, according to the complaint, told Holt as he personally escorted the American from jail to a waiting jet that would ferry Holt to freedom and an immediate White House rendezvous with then-President Donald J. Trump.

The lawsuit seeks damages for the trauma the Holts say they and their loved ones continue to suffer, including anxiety disorders, insomnia and depression. Laurie Holt, who led the campaign for her sons release, died in 2019 at age 50 of heart disease that her family believes was caused by the long imprisonment.

Unfortunately, the Holts escape from Venezuela was not the end of the Holt familys ordeal," the complaint says.

Other Americans imprisoned in Venezuela have succeeded in winning major judgments against Maduro and his inner circle on similar legal grounds.

In 2022, a federal judge in Miami awarded $73 million in damages to the family of a prominent opponent of Maduro who died while in custody after inexplicably falling from the 10th floor of a building belonging to the SEBIN police. And last year an exiled Venezuelan lawyer won $153 million after he was lured back home by his fathers kidnapping only to end up imprisoned himself on trumped-up charges of working as a financial terrorist undermining Maduros rule.

As in the earlier cases, Holt in his lawsuit accused Maduro of controlling the Cartel of the Suns, a purported drug-smuggling ring involving top Venezuelan officials and guerrillas from the FARC that allegedly sends 200 metric tons of cocaine from Venezuela into the U.S. each year.

But collecting those large rewards has proven daunting. Neither Maduro nor any of his close aides are known to have properties or bank accounts in the U.S. under their name. Whatever wealth officials have stolen is more likely to be held by a myriad of front men whose assets are hard to trace and seize.

These allied countries who engage in massive criminal enterprise are black belts at hiding their money," said Sam Dubbin a Miami attorney who has represented Cuban doctors seeking justice for forced labor by the island's communist government.

One of Maduro's alleged front men, Colombian-born businessman Alex Saab, is named as a defendant in Holt's lawsuit. According to the complaint, Saab's arrest in 2020 in Cape Verde on a U.S. warrant for money laundering led the Maduro criminal enterprise to begin a campaign of arresting even more Americans to use as bargaining chips to barter for his release.

Biden last year granted clemency to Saab as part of a swap for 10 Americans and a fugitive Pentagon contractor imprisoned in Venezuela. Maduro insists Saab was a Venezuelan diplomat unlawfully detained during a fuel stop enroute to Iran to buy food and medicine that has grown scarce under U.S. sanctions.

Among the six other Maduro loyalists named as defendants allegedly responsible for Holt's imprisonment are Venezuela's chief prosecutor, the commander of the armed forces and the head of the supreme court.

___

Follow Goodman: @APJoshGoodman
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An Arizona prosecutor has refused to extradite a man suspected of murdering a woman in a New York City hotel room, saying she did not trust Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to keep him behind bars.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said her office would not turn over Raad Almansoori, 26, to New York authorities, and that he would remain in custody in Arizona.

Mr Almansoori is the suspect believed to have killed Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, a 38-year-old mother of two from Queens, at the SoHo 54 Hotel in Manhattan earlier this month.

He was arrested on Sunday in Scottsdale, Arizona after he allegedly dragged a woman into a McDonalds bathroom in Surprise and stabbed her, then fled in a stolen car.

During an interview with detectives, Mr Almansoori confessed to stabbing an additional woman during a carjacking in Phoenix the previous day. He also admitted to killing Oleas-Arancibia, police said.

Law enforcement officials in New York said they would be arranging for the suspect to be extradited to New York. But on Wednesday, Ms Mitchell, a vocal Republican, said she would not cooperate with their request.

Having observed the treatment of violent criminals in the New York area by the Manhattan DA there, Alvin Bragg, I think its safer to keep him here and keep him in custody so that he cannot be out doing this to individuals either in our state, county, or anywhere in the United States, she said.

Mr Bragg, a Democrat and the first Black Manhattan DA has been a frequent target of right-wing ire.

Former president Donald Trump, who was indicted by Mr Bragg for falsifying business records, has called him an animal, a criminal, and a radical left, George Soros-backed prosecutor.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Mr Bragg said it was deeply disturbing that DA Mitchell is playing political games in a murder investigation.

Since Mr Bragg took office, the spokesperson said, murders in Manhattan are down 24 per cent, and shootings are down 38 per cent. His office also shared data which shows the homicide rate in Phoenix in 2022 was more than twice what it was in all of New York City.

New Yorks murder rate is less than half that of Phoenix, Arizona, because of the hard work of the NYPD and all of our law enforcement partners, the spokesperson said. It is a slap in the face to them and to the victim in our case to refuse to allow us to seek justice and full accountability for a New Yorkers death.
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The cause of death of Audrii Cunningham has now been revealed after the 11-year-old vanished on her way to a bus stop in Texas, before her body was later found in a lake and a family friend was arrested for her murder.

The Harris County Medical Examiners Office autopsy report, obtained by KHOU, was released on Thursday, finding that she died from homicidal violence including blunt head trauma.

This comes after police announced that the little girls body had been found in the Trinity River under US Highway 59.

Audrii was last seen at around 7am on 15 February when she left her home to head for her school bus stop.

School officials told police that she was never picked up and that she never arrived at school that day.

A multi-day search for her then ensued.

Don Steven McDougal, 42, has now been charged with capital murder of a person equal to more than 10 years old but less than 15 years old.

McDougal is believed to be a friend of Audriis father and was allowed to live in a trailer behind the familys house. He was supposed to have taken Cunningham to school that day, authorities said.

Audrii Cunningham (Polk County Sheriffs Office)

Don Steven McDougal (Polk County Jail)

Court records from Brazoria County, Texas, show that McDougal was indicted on a charge of attempted indecency with a child nearly 17 years ago. He pleaded guilty to two felony counts of enticing a child stemming from a 2007 incident and was sentenced to two years in prison. The charge did not require him to register as a sex offender.

Polk County Sheriffs Office clarified on Wednesday that McDougal remains in jail and has been housed in a jail cell by himself since his arrest.

A vigil for the little girl was held on Wednesday, where Audriis mother Cassie Matthews called her daughter perfection, CNN reported.

No matter where she went or who she met, she just made them light up, said Brenda Cedars, Audriis aunt, according to the outlet.

She could always make you laugh, no matter what kind of mood you were in. It just isnt fair that we all got robbed of that.
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The son of disgraced YouTuber Ruby Franke, who pleaded guilty to a slew of horrific child abuse allegations joked about the ordeal in a TikTok video.

Chad Franke, one of Frankes six children, shared the video just three days before his mother was sentenced to four to 60 years in prison on multiple charges.

The TikTok video showed Chad alongside his girlfriend whose caption read Youd love my mom!

In response, Chad is seen smiling and dancing as his caption reads My moms in prison.

Chad was in Utahs 5th District Court along with his sister, Shari, on Tuesday as their mother sobbed and apologised to her younger children for abusing them in what prosecutors called a concentration camp-like setting.

The 42-year-old momfluencer was once a YouTube sensation, drawing in millions of subscribers to her channel where she offered parenting advice.

Ruby Franke was sentenced Tuesday on child abuse charges (AP)

But her reputation unravelled when she and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested in August 2023 after one of Frankes sons escaped Hildebrandts home and sought help from a neighbour.

The malnourished boy said Hildebrandt put cayenne pepper and honey on their wounds that were caused by being tied with rope, according to arrest warrants.

In December, both women pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse. They were both sentenced to between one to 15 years in prison for each count - up to 60 years in total.

However, the women will only serve up to 30 years in prison due to a Utah state law that caps the sentence duration for consecutive penalties. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will consider their behaviour while incarcerated and determine how much of that time each will spend behind bars.

In the plea deal statement, they both admitted to a slew of horrific acts that included forcing Frankes children to work outside in the sweltering heat without adequate water until they blistered.

In this image made from video provided by the Utah State Courts, Jodi Hildebrandt is seen during a virtual court in September

Franke also admitted to kicking her son while wearing boots, holding his head under water and cutting off oxygen by placing her hands over his mouth and nose.

Ropes were used to tie together handcuffs that secured his hands and feet as he lay on his stomach, lifting his arms and legs off the ground and injuring his wrists and ankles, the plea agreement stated.

Hildebrandt also admitted that she physically forced Frankes nine-year-old daughter to jump into a cactus multiple times, to run barefoot on dirt roads for extended periods and kept her isolated from others.

They tried to convince the children that they were evil and possessed and that the punishments were necessary to repent. Franke described the abuse as acts of love.

But in a tearful statement made in court before she was sentenced on Tuesday, Franke claimed she was deceived by a dark delusion.

I was led to believe the world was an evil place, Franke said. For the past four years, I have chosen to follow counsel and guidance that have led me to a dark delusion.

YouTuber Ruby Franke apologises to children as judge sentenced her to 60 years

Franke told Judge Walton that she was under the influence of Hildebrandt, who was sentenced on the same child abuse charges. The two women will serve their sentences consecutively.

She also issued a tearful apology to her children for abusing them and said she was willing to serve her time.

To my babies, my six little chicks. You are part of me, the former Youtuber said.

I was the mama duck who was consistently waddling you to safety. I can see now that over the past four years, I was in a deep undercurrent that led us to danger.
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The 25-year-old student suspected of shooting dead his University of Colorado Colorado Springs roommate and a 26-year-old woman in a campus dorm had made previous threats to kill his roommate, according to court documents unsealed Friday.

Nicholas Jordan, originally from Detroit, made his first appearance in an El Paso County courtroom Friday morning following his Monday arrest in connection with the deaths of Samuel Knopp, 24, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26. They were found fatally shot on 16 February in Crestone House, residential housing in the campus Alpine Village area.

Jordan faces charges of first-degree murder and appeared nervous Friday as he sat in an orange jumpsuit, flanked by his lawyers and a deputy, before Judge David Shakes.

Nicholas Jordan (AP)

The judge ordered the unsealing of the arrest affidavit  in which a third roommate details how Jordan threatened to kill Knopp in January if he was asked to take out the trash again. According to the surviving roommate, he and Knopp had to report Nicholas Jordan for unsafe living conditions and smoking in the room.

The affidavit confirms UCCS Police and and Housing had documented complaints and contacts with the suspect, including the aforementioned incident last month, when there was an argument between Mr Knopp and Mr Jordan over a bag of trash that Mr Knopp collected and placed near Mr Jordans door.

Mr Jordan threatened Mr Knopp and told him that he would Kill Him and there would be consequences if Mr Jordan was asked to take out the trash again, the affidavit states.

The surviving roommate told police he awoke before 6am on 16 February to the sound of gunshots and the immediate sound of a person moaning ... then heard a door shut and what sounded like someone running. He immediately called authorities and remained in his room with the door locked.

On Friday, Jordans lawyers argued for a reduction in bond, which had already been increased from $1million to $5million on Tuesday at the request of prosecutors. The defense cited Jordans lack of previous convictions and family support, describing him as a junior studying for his accounting degree with ties to the community through temp jobs he worked.

The prosecution countered, noting both the severity of the crimes and the vehement objections from both victim families to any reduction.

We have recently discovered that, in addition to the handgun found in his vehicle, he had a full-loaded AK-47 rifle, prosecutor Robert Willett said Friday, adding that Jordan had been in the process of withdrawing from school and had no known family or close relationship within 500 miles of this jurisdiction.

The prosecutor also pointed out that Jordan is facing life sentences without parole if convicted.

I think that hes a danger to the community; hes obviously a flight risk, with indications that everything he owned was in the car he was contacted in, Willett said, also pointing out that Jordan had made no effort to contact police or to turn himself in before his arrest.

Judge Shakes denied bond reduction, particularly citing the severity of the crimes and the discovery of Jordans alleged weapons.

Defense lawyers explained how an ongoing cyber attack on state public defenders was limiting their ability to commit to a preliminary hearing date. When the judge explained the delay to Jordan and how his representation may be pushed back to 60 days, the 25-year-old asked: Can that date come up faster ... next week? Tomorrow?

Proceedings were temporarily halted as Jordan consulted further with his lawyers, eventually refusing to waive his 35-day right to a preliminary hearing, with a date set for 27 March at 9am.

A status conference hearing was set for 15 March, which Jordan requested to attend, as well.

UCCS confirmed after Jordans arrest that he had been enrolled at the school and had been Knopps roommate. The 24-year-old was a senior studying music, known as a talented guitarist, while 26-year-old Montgomery was not a UCCS student. She was a mother of two young children from Pueblo.

A cousin of Ms Montgomerys called the shooting senseless, and definition of wrong place, wrong time! Michael Montgomery wrote on Facebook. Celie was the example of a Montgomery! An individual, a beautiful soul, and a wonderful mother, daughter, niece, cousin, granddaughter, certainly friend, and human being in general!
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A nursing student has been found dead in a wooded area on the University of Georgias campus after she set off for a run.

The woman, identified by the local coroner as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley, had been reported missing on Thursday after she failed to return from a jog at the Intramural Fields that morning, the university said in a statement.

Rileys concerned friend had called the University of Georgia Police Department at around 12.07pm.

Jeff Clark, chief of police for the university, said at a press conference that officers responded to the area and immediately began a search for the 22-year-old.

At around 12.38pm, search teams found Riley unconscious, not breathing and with visible injuries, in an area behind Lake Herrick.

Officers administered medical aid, but she was pronounced dead by emergency responders on the scene.

Investigators now suspect foul play in her death.

No further information was given around her cause or manner of death.

Chief Clark said that it was a tragic day for the community, saying that there had been no homicides on the college campus in the last 20 years.

The womans body was found after a concerned friendsaid she did not return home from a jog (WSB-TV)

The news of the womans death came not long after the sudden passing of another student at the University of Georgia.

The past 24 hours have been a traumatic time for our University. Our student body is grieving the sudden death of one [of] our students in Brumby Hall last night, the university said.

And as we continue to mourn that tragic loss of life, todays devastating news will uniquely test the resolve of our campus community, particularly our students.

Chief Clark confirmed that the two deaths are not connected.

Riley was not a student at University of Georgia but instead was a nursing student at Augusta University, which has a campus in Athens, University of Georgia, reported The New York Times.

The Augusta University College of Nursing said in a statement on social media that one of our students at our College of Nursing campus at Athens (CONAT) has passed away. Police suspect foul play.

Classes were cancelled on Friday at the university on Friday. They are expected to resume on Monday.

Several students have voiced concerned about their safety with the suspect still at large.

I run a lot, and so, like, weve just been talking about going and seeing the park here and going for a little run or, like, just walking by, but now, after hearing all of this, I dont feel safe anywhere, University of Georgia sophomore Anika Bhattacharya told 11Alive.

The incident has raised alarm bells for students on campus who say they dont feel safe (WSB-TV)

Honestly, Im not even considering walking by myself much after all this, at least for the next couple months. I mean, I just dont want to take any chance at all, she said

Another UGA sophomore, Alison Kramer, told the outlet she was shaken when she received a campus-wide alert about the incident.

I was immediately shaken up, and I called my mom because I was like, I dont know whats going on, this is really scary, she said. Because you think we would be safe on campus.

The university is receiving investigative support from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday said that all members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) should jointly pursue the organization's sound development and make it a stabilizing anchor amid the changes of the world.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a reception in Beijing in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the SCO Secretariat.

Noting that changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, Wang pointed out that there is a greater need for carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit and such a cooperation platform as the SCO.

He said that all member states should work together to make the SCO bigger and stronger. China will continue to take the SCO as a diplomatic priority, provide convenience and support for the work of the Secretariat as always, and support Kazakhstan's work during its rotating presidency of the SCO.

China is ready to work with all parties to ensure that this year's Astana Summit will produce fruitful results, open up new prospects for the development of the SCO, and contribute more to lasting peace and common prosperity of the world, Wang said.

Over the past 20 years, the SCO has grown from six member states to a big family of 26 member states, observers and dialogue partners, creating a new cooperation model featuring solidarity and coordination, openness, win-win results, inclusiveness and mutual learning among countries with different social systems and development paths, said Zhang Ming, secretary-general of the SCO.

Zhang said the Secretariat will continue to provide solid support for the SCO's development.

More than 200 people, including diplomatic envoys of SCO countries and representatives of international organizations in China, attended the reception.

Editor: WXL
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A suspect has been taken in custody after an Augusta University College of Nursing student was found dead on the campus of the University of Georgia, authorities said.

Earlier in the day, police could be seen searching the area around an apartment complex in Athens after they announced they had identified a person of interest in the death of 22-year-old Laken Riley.

The suspects name has not yet been released. A news conference will be held at 7pm ET to provide more details on the case.

A suspect in the murder of Laken Riley has been taken into custody by the University of Georgia Police Department, the university posted on its website. At this time, there are no indications of a continuing threat to the UGA campus related to this matter.

Riley went for a jog at the universitys intramural fields on Thursday morning and never returned.

Laken Riley went for a jog on Thursday morning and never returned. Her body was found hours later (Supplied)

Her roommate became concerned and called police around noon, University of Georgia Police Chief Jeffrey L Clark said at an earlier press conference.

Rileys body was found around 12.38pm in a wooded area behind Lake Herrick, Chief Clark said.

UGAPD is working with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in the ongoing investigation. The Athens coroner confirmed on Friday that Rileys body was taken to the GBI Crime Lab in DeKalb County.

Coroner Sonny Wilson told CNN that her cause and manner of death are pending an examination of the body, which is scheduled for Friday.

Riley was not a student at the University of Georgia but instead was a nursing student at Augusta University, which has a campus in Athens, University of Georgia, reported The New York Times.

Augusta University said they are in a partnership with UGA, allowing students to participate in UGA campus activities.

Classes were cancelled on Friday at the university. They are expected to resume on Monday.
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A man who filmed himself torturing and killing a Native Alaska woman was convicted of murder for her death, as well as for killing another Native woman.

Brian Steven Smith, 52, was found guilty Thursday in the murders of Kathleen Jo Henry, 30, and Veronica Abouchuk, 52.

Smith, who is from South Africa, was arrested in 2019 after a sex worker stole his phone and found graphic videos on it of him beating and strangling Henry to death in an Anchorage hotel room. She copied the evidence onto a memory card and turned it over to police, the Associated Press reported.

After being taken into custody, he also admitted to killing Ms Abouchuk in 2018 or 2019.

Disturbing videos of Henrys murder were shown only to the jury during the trial, but the audio  including the sounds of her gasping for breath as she died  was reportedly audible throughout the gallery.

Though Smiths face was not visible in the videos, his prominent South African accent could be heard speaking about the killing as if for an audience.

In my movies, everybody always dies, he could be heard saying in the footage. What are my followers going to think of me? People need to know when they are being serial-killed.

In addition to two counts of first-degree murder, Smith was also convicted on multiple charges of sexual assault and tampering with evidence.

Due to evidence that Henrys murder involved substantial physical torture, Smith faces a mandatory 99-year prison sentence for her murder. He faces another 30 to 99 years for the death of Abouchuk.

He is set to be sentenced in July.
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A Girl Scouts troop in St Louis has been threatened with a lawsuit over a fundraiser they planned to raise money for children in Gaza.

Nawal Abuhamdeh, the troop leader and mother of a 10-year-old member, told the St Louis Post-Dispatch that many of the girls in the troop have been heartbroken by the death and destruction in Gaza .

Instead of selling Girl Scout cookies this year, they decided to do a community service project. The children came up with the idea to sell homemade bracelets to benefit the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund, Ms Abuhamdeh said.

More than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed  13,000 of them children  in Israels brutal siege on Gaza since 7 October, when 1,200 people in Israel were killed in attacks by Hamas.

Im grieving. We are all grieving, Ms Abuhamdeh said. We literally couldnt muster the energy to sell cookies.

After spreading the word about the fundraiser on social media, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri emailed Ms Abuhamdeh, saying the troop was required to stay neutral and could not engage in partisan politics. They directed her to remove mentions of the Girl Scouts from communications about the fundraiser.

Ms Abuhamdeh pushed back against the organization, noting how deeply the girls cared about the project, and reassuring them that they were not taking a political stance.

She also pointed out that similar fundraisers had been permitted for victims of the war in Ukraine, and asked why this one was being treated differently.

We condemn any innocent lives taken  whatever religion they are, whatever ethnicity they are, she said.

In response, the organization said the troop had failed to follow appropriate policy, procedures and approval processes as outlined in our volunteer and leader training documents  and threatened to sue if they did not comply.

Unfortunately, if this direct violation of the organizations governing documents and policies continues, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and Girl Scouts of the United States have no other choice than to engage our legal counsel to help remedy this situation and to protect the intellectual property and other rights of the organization, the email reportedly said.

After speaking with the parents of the other troop members, they decided to officially disband from the Girl Scouts, saying the organisation was not living up to its mission of teaching girls to make the world a better place.

In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson for Girl Scouts of the USA said each of their regional councils operates as their own 501c3 nonprofit organization, adding that the national organisation never considered taking and did not take legal action against this troop or the leader.

According to organization policies, the spokesperson said, troops may not fundraise for purposes other than Girl Scouting, though this rule may be temporarily lifted in extraordinary circumstances.

Fundraising restrictions related to the Israel-Gaza war were lifted for a period from October 10, 2023, through January 10, 2024, giving Girl Scouts the opportunities to proactively fundraise and contribute in their capacity as Girl Scouts to charities listed on Charity Navigator, including the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund, the spokesperson said.
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Fridays Google Doodle commemorated the birthday of Polish-American biochemist Casimir Funk, a person we have to thank for understanding just how important vitamins and nutrients are for human health.

The biologist was among the first to discover and introduce the concept of vital amines a groundbreaking scientific discovery that has helped the health of many people and led to the cures of several life-threatening diseases.

The Funk Estate collaborated with Google Doodle on Fridays art project for the biologists 140th birthday. His grandson, Erik Funk, described him as a remarkable individual whose life left an indelible mark on the field of science, and alongside his worldwide acclaim, he cherished and was committed to his family and roots.

Kazimierz (Casimir) Funk was born on 23 February 1884 in Warsaw, Poland. Funks grandson described him as a curious child who was always eager to discover the world around him, and growing up in Poland, he showed a thirst for knowledge.

After finishing high school, he travelled to Switzerland to study biology and chemistry

At the young age of 20, he received a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Bern and began working at different research institutions across Europe.

Erik Funk said that his grandfather faced many obstacles as a Jewish student in Europe, at a time when antisemitism was on the rise, yet he pursued his education due to his passion for the subject and earned his doctorate.

Funk became increasingly interested in how food ingredients could have an effect on certain illnesses like scurvy, cancer, pellagra and rickets, to name a few.

In 1911, Funk started to experiment with a substance called B1 (thiamine) and managed to form it into small, ingestible crystals.

These crystals were able to help with the growth and function of various cells. He named his invention vitamines after the Latin word vita, meaning life and amine, which is a chemical compound containing an amino group.

This term would later be shortened to  and as we know it  vitamin.

In 1915, Funk made the big move to New York City and became a naturalised American citizen in 1920.

He had a stint in Warsaw before moving to Paris for over a decade, where he became a consultant to a pharmaceutical company and founded Casa Biochemica, but with the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Funk returned to the United States, the American Nutrition Associations website reads.

While he was in the United States, he worked in research positions at universities and eventually went on to serve as a consultant to the US Vitamin Corporation.

The biologists dedicated work did not stop there, however, as he continued to discover different vitamins and determined where they were found in different foods.

Funk published his book De Vitamine, after which scientists all over the globe discovered 13 different vitamins over the next 35 years.

Tragically, Casimirs life was cut short when he passed away in 1967 in Albany, New York, Erik Funk said in his Doodle message.

However, his legacy endures through his groundbreaking discoveries and the countless lives he has touched through his pioneering work in the field of biochemistry and nutrition.

Erik accepted a Nutrition Hall of Fame award for his late grandfather, which was given to the biologist posthumously.
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Whenever Oklahoma teenager Nex Benedict was bullied at school for being transgender, their mother Sue Benedict would encourage the 16-year-old to rise above their tormentors.

I said youve got to be strong and look the other way, because these people dont know who you are, Ms Benedict told The Independent in a phone interview.

I didnt know how bad it had gotten.

The bullying had started in earnest at the beginning of the 2023 school year, a few months after Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill that required public school students to use bathrooms that matched the sex listed on their birth certificates.

A few weeks ago, on 7 February, the bullying allegedly erupted in violence when Nex suffered severe head injuries during a physical altercation at Owasso High School, according to the Owasso Police Department.

Sue Benedict told The Independent she was called to the school that day to find Nex badly beaten with bruises over their face and eyes, and with scratches on the back of their head.

Nex told her that they and another transgender student at Owasso High School had been in a fight with three older girls in a girls bathroom. Nex was knocked to the ground during the fight and hit their head on the floor, according to their mother.

Nex Benedict had been bullied for at least a year at Owasso High School in Oklahoma, their mother says (Courtesy of Benedict family)

Ms Benedict said she was furious that the school had failed to call an ambulance or the police. She said the school then informed her Nex was being suspended for two weeks.

She took Nex to the Bailey Medical Center in Owasso for treatment. They spoke to a police school resource officer at the medical facility and were discharged.

That night, Nex went to bed with a sore head and eventually fell asleep while listening to music, Ms Benedict said.

On the afternoon of 8 February, Nex was getting ready to go to Tulsa with Ms Benedict for an appointment when they collapsed in the family living room.

Ms Benedict called an ambulance, and Owasso Fire Department medics arrived to find Nex had stopped breathing. Nex was taken to the St. Francis Pediatric Emergency Room where they were later declared dead.

In a statement, the Owasso Police Department said they were conducting a very active and thorough investigation of the time and events that led up to the death of the student.

Owasso PD spokesperson Nick Boatman told The Independent that police were awaiting the results of toxicology and autopsy reports from the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office before determining whether anyone will be charged.

Mr Boatman said all charges will be on the table once a cause of death was confirmed.

In an update on Tuesday 20 February, Mr Boatman said detectives were interviewing school staff and students and would be submitting their investigation to the Tulsa County District Attorneys Office for prosecution review.

Owasso police issued a subsequent statement on 21 February to say that an autopsy indicated that Nex had not died as a result of trauma.

While the investigation continues into the altercation, preliminary information from the medical examiners office is that a complete autopsy was performed and indicated that the decedent did not die as a result of trauma, police said.

The Benedict family later released a statement through their lawyers saying they would conduct an independent investigation into Nexs death.

The family said that the facts surrounding Nexs death, some of which have not been released publicly, were troubling at best.

An Owasso Public Schools spokesperson declined to provide information about the assault or the schools response when contacted by The Independent, citing the active police investigation.

Anti-trans social media influencer Chaya Raichik, who runs the Libs of TikTok, frequently posts inflammatory videos, LGBTQ advocates say (Getty Images for Bentkey Venture)

LGBTQ advocacy groups have described Nexs death as a hate crime, and linked it to the hateful rhetoric spewed by leaders in our state and the Libs of TikTok account run by far-right social media influencer Chaya Raichik.

Ms Raichik, a New York-based former real estate agent, became a cause celebre among conservatives for using her Libs of TikTok account to post edited, anti-trans videos that target public school teachers and librarians.

An Owasso High School teacher who Nex had greatly admired resigned in 2022 after they were featured in one of Ms Raichiks posts.

Ms Raichik did not respond to a request for comment by The Independent. On X, she denied any link to the death and said she was unjustly being blamed for a murder.

When youre old school, you dont always understand it

Like many parents, Sue Benedict and her husband Walter at times struggled to understand the nuances of Nexs gender fluidity.

Ms Benedict is Nexs biological grandmother, and raised them since they were two months old along with her five other children. She formally adopted Nex a few years ago.

She told The Independent that Nex was always understanding if she used an incorrect pronoun, or called Nex by their birth name.

Nex did not see themselves as male or female, Ms Benedict said. Nex saw themselves right down the middle. I was still learning about it, Nex was teaching me that.

When youre old school, you dont always understand it, her husband Walter told The Independent.

But it would be very boring if we were all the same. Its on the inside that matters the most.

Nex Benedict with their cat Zeus. The straight-A student was going places, their mother said (Courtesy of Benedict family)

The family, who trace part of their roots to the Choctaw Nation, encouraged open discussions about questions of gender and identity.

I was very open with my children to be who and what they thought was best, Ms Benedict said.

They could talk to me about anything, as long as that respect goes both ways. A child needs to figure out who they are and what they want to be, and you cannot force it upon them.

Nexs sister Malia Pila, who is also a member of the LGBTQ community, told The Independent in an interview that Nexs fluid gender identity was not an issue nor anything that anybody cared about within the family.

Nex was a straight-A student who enjoyed drawing, reading, playing video games Ark and Minecraft, and was devoted to their cat Zeus, Ms Benedict said.

I was so proud of Nex. They were going some place, they were so free, she said.

In April 2022, Owasso High School teacher Tyler Wrynn was featured in a surreptitiously filmed Libs of TikTok post telling students: If your parents dont accept you for who you are, f*** them.

Former Owasso student reacts to Nex Benedicts death

The incident sparked a backlash in the small Oklahoma city of 40,000 residents, and Mr Wrynn resigned from the Owasso Public Schools system.

Nex was very angry about it, Ms Benedict said. Ms Benedict said that teachers who encourage debate about gender issues were not promoting sexualised content.

Theyre allowing the students to be who they are.

Ms Benedict said she first became aware that Nex was being bullied at school in early 2023.

Theyd go straight to their room and put it on their radio, and Id say OK you gotta decompress for a little bit, and then come out and talk about it.

Ms Benedict said she remains furious at the school for failing to call police or seek medical attention for Nex, and wants to see the children who allegedly assaulted Nex punished.

So many people push kids to be one thing, and youve got to let them find themselves and be who they should be, Ms Benedict said.

Society has got to see them as they are. Accept them and go on, because we are all people.

Woke ideology

Last August, a Libs of TikTok post showing an edited video critical of a public school librarian in Tulsa led to several consecutive days of bomb threats to schools in the district.

Ms Raichiks anti-LGBTQ posts have been linked to nearly three dozen threats made towards schools, libraries, hospitals and businesses across 16 states, according to a recent NBC News investigation.

Last month, Oklahomas Republican superintendent of public schools Ryan Walters appointed Ms Raichik to the states library advisory committee.

Mr Walters has not commented publicly on Nexs death. He put out a video on X on Presidents Day, decrying radical woke college professors for placing Donald Trump at the bottom of a list of the United States greatest presidents.

We judge presidents by outcomes not woke ideology, he said

Freedom Oklahoma, an LGBTQ advocacy group, blamed Oklahoman lawmakers and Ms Raichik for promoting bigotry and intolerance towards trans students after Nexs death.

The group said that Ms Raichik continues to use her platform in a way that leads others to threaten real harm at Oklahoma kids.

We want to be clear, whether Nex died as a direct result of injuries sustained in the brutal hate-motivated attack at school or not, Nexs death is a result of being the target of physical and emotional harm because of who Nex was, the group wrote.

Nex had a light in them that was so big

Since Nexs death, Ms Benedict said she had barely slept and been walking in a blur.

When it came time to place an obituary, Ms Benedict said she had provided Nexs birth name by accident. This has led to some media coverage of Nexs death using their birth name, or dead name.

When you are going through something like this and you lose a child, youre not thinking right. Were getting a headstone done and Nex will be on there, she said.

Nexs funeral was held at the Mowery Funeral Service on 15 February. After the service, police officers from Owasso and the neighbouring city of Collinsville accompanied members of the local chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse as they provided an escort from the service to the graveside.

A GoFundme page set up to help with funeral costs has raised more than $100,000 and Ms Benedict said she plans to donate most of the money to LGBTQ anti-bullying organisations.

Nex had a light in them that was so big, they had so many dreams. I want their light to keep shining for everyone. That light was so big and bright and beautiful, and I want everyone to remember Nex that way.

Benedict family statement

In a statement released through their lawyers on 21 February night, the Benedict family urged police to investigate all potentially liable parties to do so fully, fairly and expediently.

On February 7th, 2024, the Benedict Family sent their child, Nex Benedict, to Owasso High School, trusting, like any parent or family member should be able to, that it was a safe environment for their loved one, Oklahoma City-based Bibi Law Firm said in a statement.

While at Owasso High School, Nex was attacked and assaulted in a bathroom by a group of other students. A day later, the Benedicts beautiful child lost their life.

The Benedict family called on school, local, state and national officials to join forces to determine why this happened, to hold those responsible to account and to ensure it never happens again.

Notwithstanding, the family is independently interviewing witnesses and collecting all available evidence.
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A judge has ruled that a Texas high school did not discriminate in punishing a Black teen who refused to change his dreadlocks hairstyle.

Darryl George, 18, was first suspended from the Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, in August after school officials said his braided locks fell below his eyebrows and ear lobes and violated the districts dress code.

He was suspended again in September and a third time in December on the first day back at school.

The judge said that the schools dress and grooming policies do not violate the states CROWN Act that took effect in September to prohibit race-based hair discrimination.

The act bars employers and schools from penalising people because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including Afros, braids, locks, twists or Bantu knots.

Chambers County judge Chap Cain III said the districts policy does not prohibit nor does it discriminate against male students who wear braids, locs, or twists.

The spokesperson for the George family said the judgement and the trial have left the teenager with tears in his eyes and they plan to file an appeal.

All because of my hair? Mr George said, according to the familys spokesperson. I cant get my education because of my hair. I cant be around my peers and enjoy my junior year because of my hair.

His mother, Darresha George, filed a complaint on her sons behalf claiming the district violated the new law and said the braided dreadlock has cultural significance in the black community.

The school district filed a counter-lawsuit in September and urged the court to settle the matter. The ruling on Thursday came in the same case.

Throughout the majority of the school year, Mr George, a junior, has been either in in-school suspension at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu or attending an off-site disciplinary program.

The Texas legal system has validated our position that the districts dress code does not violate the CROWN Act and that the CROWN Act does not give students unlimited self-expression, Barbers Hill Superintendent Greg Poole said in a statement.

Democratic state representative Ron Reynolds, who was one of the co-authors of the CROWN Act, said that while the protection of hair length was not specifically mentioned in the CROWN Act, it was inferred.

Anyone familiar with braids, locks, twists knows it requires a certain amount of length, Mr Reynolds said.

It is almost impossible for a person to comply with this (grooming) policy and wear that protective hairstyle, he said.

Democratic representative from Massachusetts Ayanna Pressley called the ruling pathetic and urged the Congress to pass federal legislation protecting Black hairstyles.

This is a pathetic, wilful and anti-Black misinterpretation of the CROWN Act, she wrote on X. Black folks deserve to show up as our full selves without punishment or criminalization.

US representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat, also called the decision a terrible interpretation of the CROWN Act.

This is what we mean by institutional racism, Mr Coleman said on X.
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Organisations that advocate for freedom of the press have raised concerns over a journalist being charged with hacking after he allegedly obtained unaired footage of Tucker Carlson interviewing Kanye West.

Freedom of the Press Foundation said that a federal indictment against digital journalist Timothy Tim Burke poses a threat to the future of digital journalism and sets a precedent allowing for the government to seize a reporters computer.

The indictment, handed down by a grand jury in Florida on Thursday, alleges that Mr Burke, 45, conspired to use unauthorised credentials to access a protected computer to obtain and steal footage and then leak it  which Mr Burkes lawyers dispute.

It stems from a federal investigation that was seemingly initiated last year after several news outlets picked up the leaked behind-the-scenes footage of Mr Carlsons interview with the rapper, who is now known as Ye for Fox News. In May, investigators seized Mr Burkes digital newsroom under a sealed affidavit and refused to return his electronic devices to him.

In an appeal last year, Mr Burkes lawyers said he was able to access the footage because a confidential source directed him to an individual who was making their login credentials to the interviews live feed, public.

Though the indictment does not name Fox News, Mr Carlson or Ye  it does list a multinational media company based in New York City as one of the networks Mr Burke accessed a video stream on 6 October, the same time Mr Carlsons interview with Ye aired.

Mr Burke, who was arrested on Thursday morning, is charged with 14 counts, some related to violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Tim Burke, the Tampa-based journalist who is appealing to have the government unseal an affidavit used to search and retain his electronic devices (@bubbaprog / Twitter)

Freedom of the Press Foundation Advocacy Director, Seth Stern, said in a press release that the act Mr Burke is charged under is a vague, ambiguous law that the federal judiciary has cautioned prosecutors against testing its outer limits.

Prosecutors should not be experimenting with the CFAA as a means of criminalizing journalists finding information online that embarrasses public figures, Mr Stern said.

The behind-the-scenes footage that was leaked featured unflattering anti-Semitic comments from Ye.

Caitlin Vogus, the deputy director for Freedom of the Press Foundation, said that its part of the job of an investigative journalist to find information that powerful people would prefer to keep secret.

Journalists should be encouraged to use the internet to find newsworthy information  not prosecuted for doing so, Ms Vogus said in a press statement.

Attorneys for Mr Burke told CNN that their client was devastated by the charges professionally, emotionally and financially.

The Independent has reached out to Mr Burkes lawyers and Fox News for comment.
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Scott and his wife had gone through the arduous process of in vitro fertilisation once before. The couple, from Mobile in Alabama, have a young child who would not exist without the treatment.

Nearly two years after their first, and after many long conversations, they decided this month that they were ready to grow their family again, using the remaining embryos they had frozen and stored with their IVF clinic.

But just as the couple were about to start the procedure, Alabamas Supreme Court issued a ruling that threatens the future of their family, and of IVF treatment in the state.

Its really terrifying to wake up one morning thinking about having a second child within a year or so, and then the next morning youre virtually upending your life, Scott, who asked for only his first name to be used, told The Independent.

We didnt ask to be infertile, but here we are, he added.

Their ordeal began last week when Alabamas highest court issued a shock ruling that classified frozen embryos as unborn children. That definition is not one shared by scientists but is promoted by Christian fundamentalists and anti-abortion campaigners who believe that life begins at conception.

The ruling stems from a 2020 case in which a patient destroyed several embryos at an IVF clinic in Alabama. The three families who owned the embryos filed a wrongful death lawsuit, but it was thrown out by a lower court, which said the case related to property. The states Supreme Court overturned that ruling, declaring that the embryos were children and a wrongful death lawsuit could proceed.

In the majority opinion, Justice Jay Mitchell referred to the frozen embryos as extrauterine children and said that the states wrongful death law applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location. Chief Justice Tom Parker wrote a concurring opinion that quoted the Bible, declaring that even before birth, all human beings bear the image of God, and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory.

Alabama Supreme Courts embryo ruling

The decision caused chaos at fertility clinics across the state, many of which were unsure if the normal practices of freezing and discarding embryos were still legal.

Scott and his wife were in wait and see mode following the courts decision, but a few days later they heard on the news that the University of Alabama at Birmingham health system, where their embryos were stored, had paused all IVF treatments so it could assess the legal repercussions of the ruling.

The couple had been planning to have another child in Alabama, where Scott was born and raised. Now they are considering leaving the state entirely.

This ruling was an aggressive stance against our family. What are we to do? We are being chased out, he said.

They havent yet heard from the clinic directly.

In the IVF process, an egg is combined with a sperm in a laboratory before being implanted in the uterus. The process often requires the fertilisation of many eggs to increase the chance that at least one will lead to a viable pregnancy. The embryo with the best chance of succeeding in the womb is usually transferred, while the rest can be frozen and kept, in case the transfer fails or the patient wants to have another child. Embryos that are abnormal and unlikely to result in a successful pregnancy are often discarded.

About 2 per cent of births in the US are from IVF. Globally, more than eight million babies have been born using the procedure since the first use in July 1978 at Oldham General Hospital, UK.

Scott and his wife are one of many couples and IVF patients in Alabama left confused and worried after the ruling. Forums dedicated to discussing the many twists and turns and heartaches of the process are now full of patients wondering if they will be able to start their own family. Some are desperately researching if they can move their frozen embryos.

On Thursday, Alabama Fertilitys clinic in Birmingham became the second clinic to halt IVF treatment, announcing it had paused transfers of embryos for at least a day or two.

Dr Michael C. Allemand, a physician at the clinic, described the ruling as shocking and said it has had a substantial impact on patient care.

This could threaten the ability of a woman to get standard health care. Infertility is a disease and we treat disease with standard measures that are used around the world. And they are taking a decision that has the potential to take all that away, he told The Independent.

There will be fewer families, there will be fewer children, there will be fewer grandchildren, there will be fewer Christmas mornings with kids opening presents in front of their families, there will be fewer kids starting kindergarten and playing Little League, he said.

I know that sounds very emotional and sappy, but it is the truth. It is why I do what I do for these people, who otherwise couldnt have children  to have those moments. Because they deserve them.

His clinics decision followed days of intense debate among fertility physicians in the state about how to proceed. Earlier this week, an urgent meeting was called by all clinics in the state, as well as their lawyers, to consider their next steps.

At least one clinic said they were halting IVF treatment immediately. Another suggested filing 40 death certificates a day for embryos that stopped developing. Some were considering sending the frozen embryos they had stored out of the state, but were worried they would face legal repercussions for doing so.

The mood was despondent, Dr Andrew J Harper, the medical director at Huntsville Reproductive Medicine, told The Independent.

Dr Harper said a Handmaids Tale mindset is fuelling the attacks on IVF, and he was concerned that the decision might inspire other states.

I do think other states will try to copycat and see if they can outdo the state of Alabama, he said.

Sean Tipton, policy officer with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), spent the days after the ruling talking to physicians and clinics across Alabama.

Physicians and the other staff at the infertility clinics in Alabama are terrified, justifiably so, Mr Tipton told The Independent. If, right now, they provide state-of-the-art recommended care to their patients, theyre putting themselves and their businesses at incredible risk.

The case has drawn national attention and condemnation from the White House and pro-choice campaigners, who believe that it may lead to further attacks on IVF and even contraception, all fuelled by the belief held by the Alabama Supreme Court judges that life begins at conception.

Clearly this is part of a very fierce anti-choice agenda in the state of Alabama. This is abortion politics through and through, Mr Tipton said of the ruling.

The Biden campaign hit out at the decision on Thursday, setting up the ruling as a potential campaign issue for the 2024 presidential election.

MAGA Republicans are inserting themselves into the most personal decisions a family can make, from contraception to IVF, Biden-Harris 2024 campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement.

With their latest attack on reproductive freedom, these so-called pro-life Republicans are preventing loving couples from growing their families, she added.

In the meantime, Scott and his wife are trying to decide what to do next.

We have friends and family here, our careers are here, but were just not sure where families like ours will stand in the future in this state, he said.

We want a family, and because of that our lives are being upended.
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Republican investigators will visit convicted fraudster and member of the notorious Galanis crime family Jason Galanis in an Alabama prison on Friday in the latest attempt to salvage the impeachment investigation into president Joe Biden, The Independent has learned.

According to a source, House investigators are headed to Federal Prison Camp Montgomery to interview Galanis, a convicted criminal who is serving a 14-year prison sentence for conspiracy to commit securities fraud, securities fraud, and investment adviser fraud in addition to other crimes.

Galanis, whose father, John Galanis, was a target of then New York US attorney Rudy Giulianis crime crackdown back in the 1980s, was a business partner of Devon Archer  the former business associate of Hunter Biden who was also convicted of fraud for convincing a Native American tribe to issue economic development bonds, then diverting the proceeds for his own personal use.

The scheme for which Archer was convicted is also partly why Galanis is in prison, with prosecutors describing him in court documents as the mastermind of the fraud.

Galanis was previously convicted of participating in a market manipulation and fraud scheme in which he also evaded a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) order prohibiting him from serving as an officer or executive at publicly traded companies.

At the time, then Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss said that Galanis had orchestrated two multimillion-dollar fraud schemes, and hid behind a team of co-conspirators to conceal his involvement and defy an SEC ban.

Galanis jailhouse interview marks just the latest example of Republicans seeking information from shady characters amid the so-far floundering impeachment inquiry.

It comes hours after a key source was arrested for a second time on Thursday on charges of having fabricated bribery allegations against Mr Biden.

Last week, federal prosecutors indicted Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI confidential human source, for allegedly fabricating bombshell allegations of bribery against Mr Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.

According to the indictment, Mr Smirnov allegedly provided false derogatory information to agents about the Bidens back in June 2020, allegedly telling them about two meetings with an executive from Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company which employed Hunter Biden as an attorney and later as a member of its corporate board.

Mr Smirnov allegedly told agents that executives associated with Burisma, including Burisma Official 1, admitted to him that they hired [Hunter Biden] to protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.

Jason Galanis is currently in prison in Alabama (Jason Galanis Holmby Capital Group/Facebook)

He also allegedly told agents that the Burisma executives had made $5m payments to both the president and his son when the elder Mr Biden was vice-president, so that Hunter Biden would take care of all those issues through his dad, referring to a criminal probe involving Burisma being conducted in Ukraine.

Prosecutors further allege that Mr Smirnov told agents about a phone call with the executive, in which he claimed hed been forced to pay the alleged bribes and said it would take investigators a decade to find evidence of the payments.

The allegations, which were documented in an FBI form used to record witness interviews, have figured prominently in claims made by Republican members of Congress conducting an impeachment investigation into Mr Biden, most notably House oversight committee chair James Comer and Judiciary committee chair Jim Jordan.

But they explain that Mr Smirnovs allegations against the Bidens were completely made up.

Mr Smirnov, they wrote, had only had contact with Burisma executives in 2017, when Joe Biden had no ability to influence US policy.

In short, the Defendant 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, they said.

Defendants story to the FBI was a fabrication, an amalgam of otherwise unremarkable business meetings and contacts that had actually occurred but at a later date than he claimed and for the purpose of pitching Burisma on the Defendants services and products, not for discussing bribes to Public Official 1 when he was in office, they added.

Mr Smirnov was rearrested on Thursday on the charges.

Meanwhile, another Republican inquiry witness, Israeli academic Gal Luft, is currently a fugitive from justice after he disappeared following a February 2023 arrest in Cyprus at the request of US authorities.

A federal grand jury in New York charged Mr Luft with with offenses related to willfully failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, arms trafficking, Iranian sanctions violations, and making false statements to federal agents.
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On the second anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, president Joe Biden announced more than 500 new sanctions would be placed against Russia in part for the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the continued war against Ukraine.

The sanctions include export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing backdoor support to Russia and actions to reduce the countrys energy revenues. They are additional sanctions to the ones the US has placed on Russia since they first invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

These sanctions will target individuals connected to Navalnys imprisonment as well as Russias financial sector, defense industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents, Mr Biden said in a White House press release.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Navalny died while being imprisoned in an Arctic penal colony. His death, which world leaders have attributed to Russian president Vladimir Putin, has sparked outrage across the world.

Joe Biden meets with Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Kremlin opposition leader Alexei Navalny (Getty)

The US joins the UK and European Union in issuing sanctions following Navalnys death. This week, the UK announced it would place sanctions on companies linked to Russias ammunition supply chain and individuals tied to the prison where Navalny died. The EU has banned more than 150 individuals and businesses that have assisted Russia in obtaining weapons.

Mr Biden said that the sanctions will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home.

In his statement, the president urged the House of Representatives to support a bipartisan national security supplemental bill to provide Ukraine with further aid.

Bickering in Congress has led to a halt in US assistance to Ukraine as they continue to fight Russian forces. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasised the need for further aid to his country or else they will be unable to defend their country and more lives will be lost.

History is watching. The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will not be forgotten. Now is the time for us to stand strong with Ukraine and stand united with our Allies and partners, Mr Biden said.

Now is the time to prove that the United States stands up for freedom and bows down to no one.
This photo provided by China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Feb. 22, 2024 shows the Long March-8 Y3 carrier rocket, packed in a container, arriving at Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The carrier rocket for China's relay satellite Queqiao-2 has arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said on Thursday.

The Long March-8 Y3 carrier rocket will undergo assembly and testing at the launch site, the CNSA added.

As a new generation carrier rocket, Long March-8 uses green and environmentally friendly liquid propellant. The rocket achieved its maiden flight in 2020, filling the gap in China's launch capability of sending payloads of 3 to 5 tonnes to the sun-synchronous orbit.

According to the CNSA, Queqiao-2, which had been transported to the same launch site earlier this month, is scheduled for launch in the first half of 2024.

At present, the facilities at the launch site are in good condition and preparatory work is underway as planned, the agency said.

Queqiao-2, or Magpie Bridge-2, will serve as a relay platform for the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program, providing communications services for the Chang'e-4, Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, and Chang'e-8 missions.

Editor: WXL
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Maga Republicans have been blasted for their nonchalance at this years Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), after a January 6-themed pinball machine was set up at the venue.

GOP members were accused of destroying the conservative movement with the stunt and making light of the riots on Capitol Hill, in Washington DC in 2021.

Pictures of the brightly coloured game  which bore the title Jan 6: Insurrection, and featured a picture of former president Donald Trump  were circulated online.

Phrases on the machine to help players hit high scores included stop the steal, fake news and political prisoners. When certain scores are hit, clips from the insurrection are played as well as audio clips from Mr Trump.

The Capitol building was stormed by hundreds of protesters after Mr Trump had made a speech telling them to march on the building while his defeat in the 2020 election was being officially recorded, urging them to fight like hell or you wont have a country. More than 140 police officers were injured and five people  including a police officer  lost their lives. Mr Trump now faces a series of criminal charges over the riot.

Since the riot, more than 600 of those involved  many of them apparently taken in by Mr Trumps so-called big lie that he had been cheated out of victory  have been convicted of criminal offences.

One of the events most infamous protesters, the so-called QAnon shaman, is also pictured on the pinball machine.

The pictures were criticised online, with one user commenting: MAGA Republicans think Jan 6 is a joke and a GAME.

Another wrote: Looks like they didnt include the gallows erected on the Capitol lawn meant for many-time CPAC Speaker & rock-ribbed conservative Mike Pence.

These folks have destroyed the conservative movement.

GOP members were accused of destroying the conservative movement with the stunt (AP)

According to the FBI, in the 37 months since the historic event more than 1,313 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach. This includes more than 469 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, which is a felony.

CPAC  a four-day GOP jamboree of grandstanding speeches, culture war grievances, and Maga electioneering  began on Wednesday.

The event will once more be headlined by Donald Trump, who will make its keynote address on Saturday before heading off to South Carolina for the state primary.

His only remaining significant rival, Nikki Haley, will not be there but did deliver a defiant message to Republicans this week as she pledged to fight on in the battle for the GOP presidential nomination.

The conference has so far seen poor turnout, with reports of half-empty theatres for speakers including VP hopeful Ben Carson and former UK prime minister Liz Truss.
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Donald Trump is demanding Alabama lawmakers act quickly to find an immediate solution to protect in vitro fertilization in the wake of a shock state supreme court ruling that forced hospital systems and IVF clinics to halt treatments, while throwing doctors and families into legal chaos.

Republican officials have scrambled to respond to the ruling with a cohesive message, while Democratic rivals have linked the decision to a years-long campaign to undermine reproductive health care and restrict abortion rights.

On his Truth Social on Friday, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president vowed his support for the creation of strong, thriving, healthy American families and fertility treatments like IVF in every State in America.

Like the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Americans, including the VAST MAJORITY of Republicans, Conservatives, Christians, and Pro-Life Americans, I strongly support the availability of IVF for couples who are trying to have a precious baby, he added.

He called on Alabamas Republican-controlled state legislature to act quickly to find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF in Alabama.

The Republican Party should always be on the side of the Miracle of Life  and the side of Mothers, Fathers, and their Beautiful Babies, he added. IVF is an important part of that, and our Great Republican Party will always be with you, in your quest, for the ULTIMATE JOY IN LIFE!

Last weeks ruling from the states conservative Supreme Court  which defined frozen embryos as children, effectively expanding the scope of so-called personhood embraced by Christian fundamentalists and anti-abortion groups who believe life begins at conception  has drawn wide condemnation and alarm, with fertility clinics across the state fearing swift legal scrutiny while families were left in heartbreaking limbo.

At least three major fertility clinics halted IVF treatments in Alabama, and at least one major embryo shipping company announced it was pausing its business in the state.

Alabama State Senator Tim Melson is planning to introduce a state-level measure to ensure protections for IVF treatment, despite the ruling, while Republican Governor Kay Ivey has signalled her support for the measure.

In a statement on Friday, she announced that her support for a culture of life in the state included helping couples hoping and praying to be parents who utilize IVF.

On Thursday, President Joe Biden said that the disregard for womens ability to make these decisions for themselves and their families is outrageous and unacceptable.

Make no mistake: this is a direct result of the overturning of Roe v Wade, he said in a statement, referencing the landmark US Supreme Court case that was reversed in 2022, revoking a constitutional right to abortion care and upending reproductive health rights and legal protections across the US.

That decision, possible only with Mr Trumps appointment of three justices to build a conservative supermajority on the nations high court, has triggered sweeping anti-abortion laws in more than a dozen states.

American women couldnt care less what Donald Trump posts on Truth Social, they care that they cant access fertility treatment because of him, Mr Bidens presidential campaign manager Julia Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement on Friday.

He proudly overturned Roe. He brags about it on the campaign trail, she said. Trump cannot run from his record and neither can the millions of women who his actions have hurt.

The Alabama Supreme Court ruling concerned a couples wrongful death lawsuit against a fertility clinic, and whether staff who allegedly breached the clinics cryogenic storage facility mistakenly destroyed embryos.

According to the court, under state law, unborn children are children ... without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics.

In a concurring opinion, the courts anti-abortion Chief Justice Tom Parker  a proponent of Christian nationalist doctrine  stated that the court had adopted a theologically based view of the sanctity of life, and wrote that human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God.

Mr Trumps Truth Social post landed in the middle of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where far-right influencers, members of Congress and other Trump allies have gathered for a four-day event to outline a 2024 agenda.

Republican US Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, a staunch ally to the former president, told reporters at the event he was all for the decision, then said he supports fertility treatments like IVF.

Far-right influencer Michael Knowles, who addressed the conference on Thursday, announced on X that he believed Alabama doctors and IVF clinics should be criminally prosecuted.

Earlier this week, GOP presidential rival Nikki Haley called embryos babies and then later clarified that she doesnt want to see clinics shutter, nor does she want to see doctors stop doing artificial insemination.

On Thursday, three Republican governors said they were generally supportive of IVF treatments but said they had not seen the ruling to stake out a position.

Meanwhile, on Fox News, the network spent fewer than six minutes of coverage on the ruling through Wednesday, even as clinics were drawing headlines for their suspension of IVF procedures.
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Donald Trump has taken time out from his exhausting schedule of campaign rallies and legal appointments to attack Jimmy Kimmel, branding the late-night talk show host a loser.

Writing on Truth Social on Thursday evening, the Republican presidential front-runner said of ABC, Mr Kimmels employers: They could get a far more talented person, who would also get better Ratings, for 5 per cent of what they are paying this Loser!

The post came in response to a The Los Angeles Times interview with Mr Kimmel, in which he hinted at his possible retirement.

I think this is my final contract. I hate to even say it, because everyones laughing at me now  each time I think that, and then it turns out to not be the case, he said.

His possible retirement appears to be welcome news to Mr Trump, given the comedian regularly makes fun of him in the opening monologue of his weeknight show.

Following Mr Trumps Truth Social post, Mr Kimmel wasted no time in responding in the best way he knows how: by once again mocking him on Thursday nights Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Mr Kimmel mockingly expressed delight that he had caught the attention of Americas most famous tangerine.

I got to say that is a hell of a way to find out youre not going be somebodys running mate! he joked.

He has no idea how delighted I am by something like this. Im going to try to enjoy it, because he probably wont be able to do this when they take away his phone in prison, so Im going to really, like, soak it in.

The comedian has been on particularly ruthless form of late, ridiculing Mr Trump about everything from his appeal for presidential immunity to his new line of golden high-top sneakers and shortlist of potential running mates.

But Mr Trump is not the only conservative politician he has angered: disgraced former congressman George Santos announced last week that he is suing the host for allegedly tricking him into making Cameo video messages that were then played on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Jimmy Kimmel constantly trolls Donald Trump on his show (Jimmy Kimmel Live)

Hes being represented by the prestigious law firm of Pot, Kettle and Black, Mr Kimmel quipped of the man who was run out of Congress on a rail after a string of lies about his private life and professional qualifications came to light.

As for Mr Trump, Thursdays post served as a welcome throwback to his best days on social media, when he used to regularly issue gossipy tweets about celebrities, famously weighing in on Kristen Stewarts relationship with Robert Pattinson, labelling Bette Midler a washed-up psycho or picking fights with the likes of Rosie ODonnell, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Debra Messing.

But, later on Thursday, the Republican nominee-presumptive appeared to show signs that his schedule was getting all too much for him.

Speaking to an audience of Christian broadcasters in Nashville, Tennessee, Mr Trump launched into a wild and incoherent address littered with mistakes and where he struggled to say the word evangelical.
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A Wisconsin oversight panel recommended felony charges against a fundraising committee for Donald Trump and a Republican state lawmaker, accusing them of arranging a scheme to evade campaign finance laws.

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission claimed that Mr Trumps Save America PAC, Republican officials, state Rep Janel Brandtjen and the campaign committee of Adam Steen, who ran against Assembly speaker Robin Vos in the 2022 primary, sidestepped campaign finance laws in an effort to unseat Mr Vos.

The ethics commission, WisPolitics.com first reported, referred the alleged violations to county prosecutors earlier this week, and recommended charges be brought against the Trump PAC, Ms Brandtjen, Mr Steens campaign, three county Republican parties and eight others.

Under the states law, individuals and political action committees can contribute a maximum of $1,000 each to Assembly candidates, while county parties can contribute unlimited amounts. However, the commission alleged that the Save America PAC, Ms Brandtjen, Mr Steens campaign and Republican parties in three counties conspired to avoid these fundraising limits by funneling at least $40,000 into Mr Steens campaign.

Mr Steen, whom Mr Trump endorsed and once called a motivated patriot, ultimately lost to Mr Vos by less than 300 votes.

The commission documents allegedly informed county prosecutors that if they dont initiate charges within 60 days, the commission will bring these referrals to another district attorney or the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Trumps PAC donated $5,000 each to three county Republican parties in August 2022, totalling $15,000, the Washington Post reported.

Mr Vos, the longest-serving Assembly speaker in Wisconsin history, refused to decertify the 2020 election results in a rebuke to Mr Trump.

Regarding Ms Brandtjen, the commission noted that at least one recorded conversation exists in which she was discussing getting money from the Save America PAC to a county party, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. On top of this, Ms Brandtjen herself donated $3,000 to a county party.

As a representative to the Assembly since 2014, Representative Brandtjen was well aware that she could not give more than $1,000 to Friends of Adam Steen, the commission wrote. It is also clear that she was supporting Mr Adam Steen and was aware of the arrangement between Friends of Adam Steen and the Republican Party of Langlade County.

The Racine County district attorney saidthat she would make a decision quickly on the referral, while the Waukesha County district said she needed more information from the ethics commission before making any decision.

The Chippewa County district attorney told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he will refer the charges back to the commission because he is a member of the party being charged and it would be a conflict for me to take any action regarding these allegations.

The charging recommendations could prove to be yet another headache for Mr Trump, who is already facing 91 felony counts across different jurisdictions.

The commission told the Independent it does not have any comment at this time. The Independent has also reached out to representatives for Ms Brandtjen, Mr Vos, Mr Steen and the Save America PAC.
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Alexei Navalnys mother has said she has finally been shown his body almost a week after his death in an Arctic prison  but that that Russian authorities were seeking to blackmail her into burying him in a secret ceremony without mourners.

Lyudmila Navalnaya, 69, said that she was taken to the city morgue and that officials told her that if she didnt agree to a secret funeral, they would do something to her sons body. They want this to be done secretly, with no farewell. They want to bring me to the edge of a cemetery, to a fresh grave and say: here lies your son. I dont agree to this, she said.

A number of Western leaders have accused Vladimir Putin and Russian authorities of killing Mr Navalny, the Russian presidents most prominent critic. Mr Navalnys wife, Yulia, has said she believes her husband was poisoned and that Russian authorities are keeping hold of the body to let traces of the nerve agent novichok leave Mr Navalnys system. My husband was unbreakable. And thats precisely why Putin killed him, she said earlier this week.

Mr Navalny was moved to the remote Polar Wolf Arctic prison late last year and faced multiple sentences on charges the international community and Mr Navalnys supporters believe were trumped up to try and silence him. His death came a month before a presidential election where Mr Putin is expected to easily claim re-election, a vote that Mr Navalny repeatedly railed against, even in prison.

Dressed in black for a video posted on YouTube, from the Arctic city of Salekhard, Lyudmila Navalnaya said: The investigators claim that they know the cause of death, they have all the medical and legal documents ready, which I saw, and I signed the medical death certificate.

Navalnys family and team have accused Putin and the Kremlin of murdering him (EPA)

According to the law, they should have given me Alexeis body right away, but they have not done so until now. Instead, they are blackmailing me, setting me conditions on where, when and how Alexei should be buried. This is illegal.

She added: Im recording this video because they started threatening me. Looking into my eyes, they say that if I dont agree to a secret funeral, they will do something with my sons body.

She quoted one of the investigators as saying: Time is not on your side, corpses decompose.

I dont want special conditions, she said. I just want everything to be done according to the law. I demand that my sons body be returned to me immediately.

The opposition leaders team said on X/Twitter on Thursday that Navalnys death certificate says he died of natural causes, while they accuse the Russian state of murdering him. Russian authorities said in announcing the death last week that the 47-year-old politician fell unconscious and died suddenly while out for a walk, while serving his latest near two-decades-long prison sentence.

Mr Navalny had been behind bars since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after receiving life-saving treatment in Germany from novichok poisoning, an attack he blamed on the Kremlin.

Western leaders have lined up to condemn the Kremlin over the killing of Navalny. Britains foreign secretary, David Cameron, used a meeting at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro to confront his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and say to his face that Russia murdered the opposition leader. Lord Cameron said Mr Lavrov refused to meet his gaze and instead looked at his phone.

A view of IK-3 prison where Navalny was being held (EPA)

Speaking to the BBC, Lord Cameron said that representatives for France, Canada and Germany joined him in using speeches to name Mr Navalny and say they hold President Putin and the Russian state at large responsible for his murder. The meeting occurred behind closed doors, with each nation present getting five minutes to speak.

On Wednesday, the UK froze the assets of six Russian prison bosses in charge of the Polar Wolf prison colony, becoming the first country to issue sanctions over the killing of Navalny  saying that those responsible for his brutal treatment will be held to account.

Lyudmila Navalnaya had travelled to the remote IK-3 prison after her sons death was announced last Friday but had been prevented from seeing his body  with the Kremlin appearing to be trying to ensure a funeral for Mr Navalny does not turn into a public show of support for his ideals.

On Tuesday, she appealed to Mr Putin directly in a video, saying: Let me finally see my son. I demand that Alexeis body be released immediately so that I can bury him in a humane way.

The following day, a court in Russias far north agreed to hear her case on 4 March, over two weeks after his death.

More than 75,000 people have submitted requests to the government asking for his remains to be handed over to his relatives, according to human rights group OVD-Info.

In a post on Thursday, Mr Navalnys wife Yulia, said on her Instagram account that she had flown to visit her 20-year-old daughter, Dasha, a student at Stanford University.

My dear girl, I came to hug you and support you, and you sit and support me, she wrote under a photo of herself and her daughter lying on a carpet.

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, with her daughter Dasha Navalnay (via Reuters)

Describing her daughter as strong, brave and resilient, Ms Navalnaya said the family would definitely cope with everything. She also has a 15-year-old son, Zakhar.

In a nine-minute video earlier in the week, Yulia said Mr Navalny had been killed because Mr Putin couldnt break him and vowed to continue his political activism.

I want to live in a free Russia, I want to build a free Russia, she said. I urge you to stand next to me. I ask you to share the rage with me. Rage, anger, hatred towards those who dared to kill our future.

Also on Thursday, imprisoned opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza urged Russians not to give up after Mr Navalnys death. He alleged that a state-backed hit squad was taking out the Kremlins political opponents, according to a video posted to social media.

A British-Russian citizen, Mr Kara-Murza is serving a 25-year sentence for treason at Penal Colony No 7 in the Siberian city of Omsk. His comments came as he appeared via a video link in a court hearing over a complaint against Russias Investigative Committee for what he believes were two poisoning attempts against him. He alleges the committee didnt properly investigate the attempts.

Mr Kara-Murza was convicted of criticising Russias invasion of Ukraine and was handed a stiff sentence as part of a crackdown against critics of the war and freedom of speech.

We owe it ... to our fallen comrades to continue to work with even greater strength and achieve what they lived and died for, he said in the video, which was shared by the Russian Sota Telegram channel.

Mr Kara-Murza says the attempts to poison him took place in 2015 and 2017. In the first, he nearly died of kidney failure, although no cause was determined. He was hospitalised with a similar illness in 2017 and put into a medically induced coma. His wife said doctors confirmed he was poisoned.

Mr Kara-Murzas latest hearing came after months of postponements. In January, he was moved from another prison in Siberia and placed in solitary confinement over an alleged minor infraction.

According to the video shared by Sota, Mr Kara-Murza alleged there is a death squad within the Federal Security Service, a group of professional killers in the service of the state, whose task is to physically eliminate political opponents of the Putin regime.

The Russian president himself has yet to say anything about Mr Navalnys death but, after a flight on board a bomber that is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, he called comments from Joe Biden that he was a crazy SOB as rude.
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Germany has joined the small group of countries and jurisdictions that have legalised cannabis.

The Bundestag passed a law allowing individuals and voluntary associations to grow and hold limited quantities of the drug.

The law passed by Chancellor Olaf Scholzs ruling three-party coalition legalises cultivating up to three plants for private consumption and owning up to 25 grams of cannabis.

Larger-scale, but still non-commercial, cannabis production will be allowed for members of so-called cannabis clubs with no more than 500 members, all of whom must be adults. Only club members can consume their product.

We have two goals: to crack down on the black market and improved protection of children and young people, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said at the start of a rowdy debate where the opposition accused him of promoting drug use.

You are asserting in all seriousness that by legalising more drugs we will contain drug use among young people, said Christian Democrat legislator Tino Sorge.

That is the most stupid thing Ive ever heard.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz looks on after delivering his speech at the 60th Munich Security Conference (AFP via Getty Images)

But Lauterbach said that this amounted to sticking our heads in the sand: not only had cannabis use soared among young people, whose developing brains were particularly endangered, but drugs on the streets were both stronger and more impure nowadays, greatly increasing their harm.

Some 4.5 million Germans are estimated to use cannabis.

Germany becomes the ninth country to legalise recreational use of the drug, which is also legal in some sub-national jurisdictions in the United States and Australia.

Many more countries allow its medical use as a painkiller. Cannabis remains illegal for minors as does consuming it near schools and playgrounds.

Some legislators questioned whether the new regulations would have much impact on dealing, since those who are unwilling to grow their own cannabis or join a cannabis club may still prefer to buy the drug.
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The head of the European Unions powerful Commission was in Warsaw on Friday for talks with Poland's new prime minister, Donald Tusk, on restoring pro-EU policies that would allow for the bloc to release billions of euros of funds for the country.

Brussels froze pandemic recovery and cohesion funds for Poland amid a standoff with the previous EU-sceptic administration. It also launched a process that could lead to sanctions on any EU member disrespecting the democratic values of the 27-member bloc.

Tusk, a former EU Council chief, hinted this week, ahead of Friday talks with visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, that Poles may hear that day that the tens of billions of euros (dollars) of much-needed funds are being released.

Shortly after Tusk's pro-EU Cabinet took office in December, Brussels released some 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) for Poland for clean energy projects.

Poland is to hold local elections in April, which could further strengthen the current governments standing across the country.

Von der Leyen is accompanied on the visit by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who is expected to discuss European security issues and support for Polands neighbour, Ukraine, which is fending off Russias invasion.

Pro-European coalition of three center-left parties led by Tusk won parliamentary elections Oct.15 and took over in December, succeeding a right-wing government of Law and Justice that had ruled for eight years and introduced changes to the justice system, reproductive rights in Poland and the media that put Warsaw on a collision course with the EU.
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Russian authorities told Alexei Navalnys mother that she had mere hours to decide whether to agree to a secret funeral for her son or allow him to be buried in an Arctic prison where he died, his spokesperson has claimed.

In a statement on Twitter/X, Kira Yarmysh said Navalnys 69-year-old mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, had refused the ultimatum, insisting that they did not have the legal right to offer it.

An investigator called Alexeys mother ... and gave her an ultimatum. Either she agrees to a secret funeral without a public farewell within 3 hours, or Alexey will be buried in the colony, Ms Yarmysh wrote.

She refused to negotiate ... as they are not authorised to decide how and where her son should be buried. She is demanding compliance with the law, according to which investigators are obliged to hand over the body within two days of establishing the cause of death.

According to the medical documents she signed, these two days expire tomorrow. She insists that the authorities allow the funeral and memorial service to take place in accordance with normal practice.

Navalny, 47, Russias most well-known opposition leader, unexpectedly died last Friday in the Arctic Polar Wolf penal colony, with his wife Yulia accusing Vladimir Putin of killing her husband and then hiding the body to allow traces of the nerve agent novichok to disappear from his system.

Western leaders have lined up to accuse the Kremlin over the killing of Navalny. On Friday, the US and the European Union heaped new sanctions on Russia on the eve of the second anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine and in retaliation for Navalanys death.

In specific response to Navalnys death, the state department targeted three Russian officials the US says are connected to his death, including the deputy director of Russias Federal Penitentiary Service, who was promoted by Mr Putin to the rank of colonel general on Monday, three days after Navalny died. The sanctions bar the officials from travelling to the US and block access to US-owned property. But they appear largely symbolic given that the officials are unlikely to travel to or have assets or family in the West. Earlier this week, Britain froze the assets of six chiefs of the Polar Wolf prison and banned them from the UK.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said to expect more action later related to Navalny's death, adding that today this just a start.

The US government also imposed roughly 600 new sanctions on Russia and its war machine in the largest single round of penalties since Russias invasion began. The EU, for its part, added sanctions on several foreign companies over allegations that they have exported dual-use goods to Russia that could be used in its war against Ukraine.

Alexei Navalny's mother Lyudmila Navalnaya lays flowers for her son

President Joe Biden said the sanctions come in response to Mr Putins brutal war of conquest and to Navalnys death.

We in the United States are going to continue to ensure that Putin pays a price for his aggression abroad and repression at home, Mr Biden said.

Navalnys mother and lawyers have been trying to retrieve his body since late last week  drawing support from prominent Russians  but have faced resistance from the authorities.

Navalnys mother said on Thursday that investigators allowed her to see her sons body in the morgue in the Arctic city of Salekhard. She said she repeated her demand to have Navalnys body returned to her and accused authorities of blackmailing her into holding a secret burial with no mourners. They want it to do it secretly without a mourning ceremony, she said.

Ms Navalnaya also said she was made to sign a death certificate saying her son died of natural causes.

Authorities in Russia have detained hundreds of people as they seek to suppress any major outpouring of sympathy for Mr Putins fiercest foe before a presidential election he is certain to win next month.

Posting on social media, prominent Russians have appealed directly to Mr Putin to demand that he return Navalnys body to his family.

Just give Lyudmila her son, Nobel prize-winning journalist Dmitry Muratov said, adding, Its awkward to talk about this in a country that still considers itself Christian.

Nadya Tolokonnikova, who became widely known after spending nearly two years in prison for taking part in a 2012 protest with the band Pussy Riot inside Moscows Christ the Saviour Cathedral, also released a video.

We were imprisoned for allegedly trampling on traditional values. But no one tramples on traditional Russian values more than you, Putin, your officials and your priests who pray for all the murder that you do, year after year, day after day, Ms Tolokonnikova said.

Putin, have a conscience, give his mother the body of her son, she added.

Navalnys mother has filed a lawsuit at a court in Salekhard contesting officials refusal to release her sons body. A closed-door hearing has been scheduled for 4 March.

Associated Press contributed to this report
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Vladimir Putin is likely to have something fundamentally wrong with his health and may be suffering from Parkinsons disease, a former head of MI6 has been told.

Sir Richard Dearlove, who headed the British intelligence service between 1999 and 2004, said his sources in Europe believe Mr Putins health is deteriorating.

He said one suggestion is that the Russian president is suffering from Parkinsons disease, one of the symptoms of which can be delusions.

I have contacts and friends still in Eastern Europe who think there is something fundamentally wrong with him medically, ex-MI6 chief says (AFP via Getty Images)

Sir Richard said this might explain Mr Putins paranoia and the death of prominent opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

It comes after much speculation about Mr Putins health in recent years, with some unsubstantiated theories including him having cancer or using a body double.

Asked on LBC about the state of Mr Putins health, Sir Richard replied: I do not have a clear answer to that but I have contacts and friends still in Eastern Europe who think there is something fundamentally wrong with him medically. But Im not a clinician.

Expanding on what illness Mr Putin may have, he said: Probably Parkinsons which of course has different representations, different variations, different seriousness.

But if the man is paranoid, and I think the murder of Navalny might suggest a certain paranoia, that is one of the symptoms.

Sir Richard Dearlove, who headed the British Secret Intelligence Service between 1999 and 2004, said Putin could be ill (LBC)

Chief Kremlin foe Mr Navalny died last Friday in an Arctic prison where he was kept in solitary confinement for up to two weeks at a time.

His death sparked global outrage, with foreign secretary Lord David Cameron saying: Its clear that the Russian authorities saw Navalny as a threat and they tried repeatedly to silence him.

Mr Navalny had been behind bars since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after receiving life-saving treatment in Germany from novichok poisoning, an attack he blamed on the Kremlin.

He was then moved to the remote Polar Wolf Arctic prison late last year and faced multiple sentences on charges the international community and Mr Navalnys supporters believe were trumped up to try and silence him.

Alexei Navalny died in prison last week (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

His death came a month before a presidential election where Mr Putin is expected to easily claim re-election, a vote that Mr Navalny repeatedly railed against, even in prison.

The Kremlin has denied involvement in Mr Navalnys death.

Since his political opponents death, Mr Putin was seen taking flight on a new nuclear-capable bomber plane on Thursday. The move has been seen by the West as a bid to send a reminder of Russias nuclear might amid soaring tensions with the West over the fighting in Ukraine.

Referring to this, Sir Richard told LBC: Putin is always postured - thats part of his character and the rumours of his illness maybe make it more important now that he postures in a way that suggests he isnt ill, if he is.

This is not a change this is something hes been doing.
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Ukrainian forces have no choice but to dig in and defend against a resurgent Russian army after running desperately low of ammunition with no prospect of immediate resupply, officials and analysts have told The Independent.

For the first time since the early stages of Putins full-scale invasion, Ukraine has lost the initiative and, handcuffed by an absence of Western support, it will not be able to regain it this year, they warned.

As the war enters its third year, The Independent examines the state of the frontline and what the year ahead could look like.

Land

Russia made its first significant territorial gain in nearly a year earlier this month when they captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. It was the first major material sign that Russia had seized the initiative on the frontline.

For months, they launched costly assaults on the city reminiscent of earlier attacks on the nearby city of Bakhmut last year - but to no avail.

They have since succeeded because vital additional US military support has been blocked since last October by Republican representatives in Congress who say money should be spent not on Ukraine but on shoring up their southern border with Mexico.

US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) has refused to allow the lower chamber Congress to vote through further aid to Ukraine (Getty Images)

That has resulted in an artillery disadvantage of roughly five to one, according to Western estimates, and allowed Russian forces to move forwards and attack Ukrainian positions.

Meanwhile, Russian artillery is still pounding Ukrainian strongholds from a distance.

We often only get three shells to hit a target and the expectation is that that will be enough, whereas they can easily fire 20 shells at one target, one artillery commander in eastern Ukraine told The Kyiv Independent earlier this month.

European support has also been lacking. Next month, the deadline expires on a bloc promise to give Ukraine one-million artillery shells. As of last month, they had delivered only half that amount.

Without additional support, Ukraine will be handcuffed.

All eyes are now on the US, says John Foreman, a former UK defence attache to Moscow and Kyiv. This is a time of increasing concern about Ukraines ability to defend itself.

Air

A Ukrainian soldier installs an electronic warfare system to quell Russian drones at the front line (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

In 2023, Ukraine pioneered the use of single-use commercial drones on the frontline, notably first-person view (FPV) models. They were used to great effect, attacking Russian positions while costing significantly less and, because they could be produced inside Ukraine, circumvented the issues of Western supply chains.

Earlier this week, UK defence minister Grant Shapps celebrated Ukraines pioneering work with these drones.

But in 2024, Russia is now mass producing these drones and the advantage, initiated by Ukrainian innovation, has been lost, says Justin Bronk, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a UK-think tank.

They do not offer any asymmetric advantage for Ukrainian forces, he says. And they cannot substitute for the vital role that artillery plays in breaking up and attritting infantry attacks on the Ukrainian lines, where volume of explosive fire and rapid response times are critical.

He added that the drones inability to work in difficult weather conditions, as well as suffer interruption from electronic warfare, limited their benefits.

Ukraine is expected to receive its first US-made F-16 fighter jets in June but Mr Bronk suggested the small quantity being supplied undermine their ability to help achieve air superiority against Russia.

Sea

Ukrainian forces destroy large Russian landing ship in Black Sea (Ukrainian Armed Forces)

The picture is less dire in the battle for the Black Sea.

Ukraine has destroyed seven different Russian surface ships, plus a submarine, and a Black Sea corridor has opened up for trade, vital to Ukraines ability to export.

Andriy Ryzhenko, a former officer in the Ukrainian navy, suggested Ukraine would not be able to remove Russias navy completely from Crimea but noted they had succeeded in displacing dozens of ships from the peninsula already.

He said Ukraine could look to now attack those displaced ships, most of which are in the port of Novorossiysk, more than a hundred miles from Crimea.

In a paper written by Michael Koffman, Dara Massicot and Rob Lee, the three leading analysts for the war in Ukraine, they wrote that 2024 will be a difficult year for Ukraine.

Russia holds material, industrial and manpower advantages in 2024, along with the initiative, they wrote.

Ukraines only chance, they suggested, is to hold the lines this year and concurrently build up weapons and manpower supplies, as well as striking middle to long-range targets, including in the Black Sea.

In the meantime, they have to hope that US support is finally unblocked.
The work of the companies Concorde Consulting, Concorde Factoring and Sun-Craft Centre is significantly hampered due to the seizure of corporate documentation, seals, electronic keys and licenses during law enforcement searches at the office of the investment company Concorde Capital on January 18, 2024, Concorde founder Ihor Mazepa has said.

"As a result of the illegal actions of the investigative team of the State Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Prosecutor General in the Mazepa case, the activities of many enterprises that are not related to operations with the so-called dam land have been blocked," he wrote on Facebook on Friday.

According to him, during searches at Concorde Capital, law enforcement officers seized personal belongings of company employees and partners, various corporate documentation, seals, electronic keys, as well as licenses of companies that were not involved in the criminal proceedings on Mazepa's charges of illegal acquisition of land plots of the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant.

"Thus, some areas of activity of enterprises, to which law enforcement officers have no official complaints, have been significantly hampered and stopped. Blocking these enterprises in such an illegal way threatens losses for both the company and the state," the businessman said.

He clarified that in response to an appeal for the return of property, investigators refuse without reason.

Mazepa recalled that the company's office was searched without the necessary order from the investigating judge, but on the grounds of investigators about "urgency and the need to preserve evidence," although the investigation has been going on for 10 years.

"These illegal actions continue despite the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine regarding economic security and stability during the period of martial law, which was put into effect by Presidential Decree No. 21/2024 dated January 23, 2024," he said.
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In 2014, after Russian-backed separatists had violently captured swathes of territory to the east, Ukrainian forces dug in at the industrial town of Avdiivka to block a key route into the rest of Donbas. It soon became one of the deadliest points on the entire frontline with clashes taking place daily.

Three years later, after the signing of the Minsk Agreement laid a supposed pathway to peace, Avdiivka erupted again. Dozens of soldiers died in the intense fighting and the city was hollowed out, but for all the blood spilled neither side gained much ground.

Notably, the separatist bombardment that started the battle were fired just hours after the newly elected Donald Trump received a call to congratulate him on his victory from Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

The White House said the call was a significant start to improving [the] relationship between the United States and Russia that is in need of repair. The Kremlin described it as paving the way for a partnership.

President Trump, in a phone call to the Ukrainian leader at the time, Petro Poroshenko, said he was willing to help restore peace along the border but refused to blame the Russians or the separatists for the strife.

American ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, however, took a more robust line, placing responsibility for the violence squarely on the Kremlin. The dire situation in eastern Ukraine demands clear and strong condemnation of Russian actions, she declared.

In Avdiivka, as in the rest of Ukraine, the US stance became a talking point. Major Serhei Kravchenko, an artillery officer told me during a break in directing mortar rounds that things would go back to normal.

Volodymyr Zelensky recording a video address in front of a sign reading Avdiivka is Ukraine' (Ukrainian Presidential Presser)

He said: Mr Trump, he says lots of things. But at the end hell realise the Russians cannot be trusted. Anyway, there are plenty of experienced people in his government who would make sure that support to Ukraine continues.

A little while later I asked Eduard Basurin, a senior spokesperson for the Donetsk Peoples Republic, a man close to the Kremlin, about the separatist view of Mr Trump. He speaks what he believes, he knows how to talk to people. He should not listen to his aides, he should listen to himself, his friends, and his family. That is what we think, that is what they think in Moscow, he stated.

Ten years on, the US is fast approaching another election with Mr Trump surging ahead of Joe Biden in opinion polls in several battleground states.

The former president has called on Republican congressmen and women to block a $60bn (47bn) military and economic assistance package for Ukraine; he has declared he would welcome Russian attacks on Nato countries which did not pay their way; he has even failed to condemn the Kremlin over the death of Alexei Navalny in his Arctic prison, comparing it instead what he claims he is suffering in the face of a raft of civil and criminal cases in America.

Ms Haley has criticised Mr Trump and has expressed her worry about Russian advances in Ukraine and the capture of Avdiivka. But her challenge to Mr Trump for the Republican nomination seems all but over.

Alarm bells are ringing in Ukraine at the prospect of a Trump sequel. So much so that Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the former president to bear witness to the reality of Russian aggression first-hand and has offered to take him to the front line. Those invites have so far fallen on deaf ears.

Ukraine lost Avdiivka last week, at an estimated cost of a thousand Russian troops killed and injured every day. The capture was heralded as a great triumph by Moscow. Critics in the West claimed the reverse showed US and American support for Kyiv has not paid-off and there should be a ceasefire.

A soldier with a drone jammer on the road to Avdiivka (Getty Images)

One of the key reasons the Ukrainians pulled out of Avdiivka was lack of ammunition. With the Ukraine bill stuck in Congress no supplies had come from the US since January. Speaking at his position just outside the town, a sergeant with an infantry regiment spoke of the frustration at not being able to match Russian fire with fire.

We could send back four rounds to every 10 they sent, then it dropped to two rounds. It was impossible to keep fighting like that, we were losing too many people, said the sergeant, who has the call sign Mandrake.

This is not new, we have been suffering this problem for a long time now, the situation is very serious. Our friends in America and Europe need to keep supporting us. I know the war has been going on for a long time, but we are fighting for the West against our common enemy. We have shown what we can do if we have enough weapons and ammo.

On the second anniversary of the invasion on Saturday, it must be stressed that Mr Putin has failed in his goal of conquering Ukraine. And that has been due to the extraordinary valour of the Ukrainians in this long and bloody war which began with few giving them a chance of survival.

In the weeks before the invasion, with the international community finding it difficult to accept that a war would start in the heart of Europe, citizen volunteers carried out combat drills in the woods around Kyiv.

They ranged in age from young teenagers to pensioners in their 70s. A few had military experience; most did not. There were some hunting rifles and shotguns, others carried paintball guns and antique muskets. There were humorous articles in the international media about the Dads Army taking on the Russian might.

When the invasion came, the Territorial Defence Force (TDF) and assorted self-defence forces played a key role in saving the Ukrainian capital and other major cities and turning the tide of war.

Claims that Russia would replicate what they had done in Chechnya were confounded. Those of us who were in Kyiv at the time were told that Ukraines capital would be reduced to rubble  like Grozny. There were images of a 64km-long (40 miles) Russian armoured convoy heading our way. We were repeatedly told in government briefings from London and Washington to get out of town.

But Kyiv did not fall. We witnessed Moscows forces being driven back while the countrys second city, Kharkiv, just 32km (20 miles) from the Russian border, withstood fierce ground and air assaults for weeks.

Joe Biden meets the widow of Alexei Navalny, Yulia, right, in San Francisco on Friday (Getty)

The retreating Russians often left behind carnage  Bucha, Izium, Lyman. Executed corpses lying in streets, while others had been thrown into mass graves; stories of mutilation, rapes, and forced disappearances.

Modern cities  Mariupol, Kharkiv and Melitopol, among others  were pounded by artillery, missiles and aircraft. We witnessed the destruction inflicted by advanced weaponry in crowded urban centres, civilians killed and maimed in smashed and burnt homes, the shattered streets. The Second World War was being revisited, with all its mayhem.

But then, from spring last year, Ukrainian troops began to retake the towns and villages around Kharkiv and pushed to the border. As I travelled with a unit retaking the last hamlets, Major Nikolai Pavlyuk, who serves in a volunteer brigade, exclaimed with a broad grin: Its so good to be on the front foot and making them retreat, getting back territory. In the past, we were blowing bridges to slow the Russians; now they are blowing bridges to try and delay us. It is such a great feeling.

Western powers were now predicting victory. The Biden administration declared winning the Battle of Kharkiv would be followed by many others. Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said there was a growing belief that Ukraine can win this war. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the head of the British military, stated that Ukraines independence is now guaranteed.

However, by the time summer came, the conflict had taken yet another turn. The Russians, deploying heavy artillery, were again outgunning the Ukrainians. We experienced the pulverising effect of the relentless shelling in the trenches. Captain Yuri Kaluzny, a marine, told me: The shelling just never stops. They focus on a target, pour on fire, and then move forward. We simply havent got enough weapons to counter that, so we are losing a lot, dead and injured, and I think well end up by losing a lot of territory.

Mr Zelensky despaired: Russia wants to destroy the Donbas. It seemed only a matter of time before the whole region slipped into Russian control.

Then an unexpected Ukrainian offensive in the autumn brought great gains for Ukraine with the recapture of Lyman in the Donbas, Kupyansk in the Kharkiv oblast, and Kherson in the south. Russian morale appeared to be on the verge of collapse. Some of those most hawkish about the Ukraine war now rounded on the military establishment.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of the mercenary group Wagner, and Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen warlord, joined in the rising chorus of criticism of the Kremlin high command. His fighters led the assault on Bakhmut, which we saw, in successive visits, being systematically razed to the ground.

At the first anniversary of the war last year a procession of international leaders arrived in Kyiv  the most important of whom was Joe Biden  his presence seen as providing a powerful symbolic assurance that the US and the West will stand by Ukraine.

But the frontline had lapsed again to a bloody stalemate. A much-anticipated offensive in the summer, with Ukrainian forces replenished with Western weaponry, was meant to reverse that with a thrust breaking the Russian lines in the south and clearing the path to Crimea.

Then came the most astonishing twist yet. Prigozhin, who had been involved in bitter clashes with the Kremlin security hierarchy, launched a military coup. The world watched aghast as his Wagner fighters marched on Moscow. Mr Putins attempt to recreate the Russian Empire looked like ending with another Tsar being overthrown.

The putsch failed. Mr Putin is supposed to have forgiven Prigozhin in the aftermath and the Wagner boss appeared in a number of official engagements. But he was a dead man walking, killed three months later along with his senior commanders when their plane was blown out of the sky.

Bakhmut, with the mass deaths for its capture leading to the grim sobriquet of meat grinder, fell to Russia, a legacy for Prigozhin who had sent thousands of his fighters to death there in human wave attacks. There were also gains for Moscow in the Kharkiv oblast in areas around the strategic hub of Kupyansk.

The much-publicised Ukrainian summer counteroffensive failed. Mr Zelensky sacked his defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov, followed by all six deputy defence ministers. This month he fired General Valerii Zaluzhnyii, the highly popular head of the armed forces, who had said the frontline had returned to a grinding stalemate.

The fall of Avdiivka had come amid an acute ammunition shortage for Ukraine. None had arrived from the US with the Ukraine support bill stuck in Congress. The European Union has managed to provide just half of the million rounds it pledged by March this year.

The Biden administration maintain the bill will be passed. The EU says it is making drastic moves to rectify the shortfall. Both Russia and Ukraine are expected to carry out an offensive in the spring, probably in what will be the last push of the war.

The people of Ukraine are, unsurprisingly, weary of the death and destruction. But their spirit burns bright. The mood of resilience and reflection was exemplified by three elderly men digging snow outside their homes in Hlushivka, a village in Donbas largely emptied by Russian shelling.

Vladimir Putin has been buoyed but his recent military successes (Sputnik)

Vasyl Olinichiuk, 60, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, said: It is strange to find an army which I was once a part of is now fighting us. I look at young Russian soldiers and wonder. Most of us didnt know what the hell we were doing in Afghanistan, and I dont think this lot know what they are doing here either. No army can live with that for long.

Stanislav Shyryi declared he had no intention of leaving: I am 76 years old, this is my home, and I am staying. Even if the Russians come back, itll be Ukrainian again one day. This is Ukraine, our country, the days of empire are over. History is on our side.
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In the blasted moonscapes of Ukraines front lines, exhausted soldiers fight a war for a world they feel has forgotten them.

Squatting deep in scorched-black mud, with supplies running low, artillery units ration what they fire at Russian positions.

Every day, they face a human wave of Russian soldiers, whose commanders seemingly have no qualms about sending men over the top into a battlefield now nicknamed the meat grinder.

Two years into Vladimir Putins brutal invasion of Ukraine  which ignited Europes bloodiest war in generations  Kyiv is still hanging onto a buckling 1,000km front line, using every last ounce of energy to fight.

The cost has been desperately high, with tens of thousands of civilian casualties and an estimated 70,000 Ukrainian troops killed in the line of duty.

Often outnumbered and outgunned, soldiers await delivery of military aid packages held up by diplomatic rows over 8,000km away in the hushed halls of Washington DC.

An estimated 70,000 Ukrainian troops killed in the line of duty (AFP via Getty Images)

In the meantime they make do and keep going.

I know the war has been going on for a long time, but we are fighting for the West against our common enemy, says an infantry sergeant  callsign Mandrake  from the hellscape just outside Avdiivka, in Donbas. It is impossible to keep fighting like that; we are losing too many [men]. The situation is serious.

We have shown what we can do if we have enough weapons and ammo, he added.

Last week, Ukraine announced it would have to pull back from the strategic eastern town after months of ferocious fighting, to avoid encirclement and mass slaughter.

It is a withdrawal, soldiers believe, that is a direct consequence of the delay in delivery of weapons from the West  a fatigue they fear is a sign allies are forgetting the dangers of Ukraine losing a war that has consequence for the whole of Europe.

We are ready to carry on fighting and spill our blood whatever happens, says Ivan, part of the 104th brigade deployed along the southeast front line a few hundred kilometres from Avdiivka.

But we know victory probably wont be possible without the help of our allies.

These fears are echoed in the capital Kyiv where the civilian population is bracing for Saturdays grim milestone of two years at war.

There, a new normal has been patchworked together between the sporadic wails of air-raid sirens: a sign Russias deadly hypersonic missiles and long-range drones are on the hunt.

Anya, a volunteer and programmer from Kharkiv, whose family are living under deadly missile fire every day in the north of the country, delivers a stark warning to the UK and the US.

If Ukraine loses, the West will be the next, she says. I dont want the world to turn into a slaughtered mess.

Ukraines soldiers are often outnumbered and outgunned by Russian forces as they await delivery of military aid packages (AP)

On 24 February 2022, Putin shocked the world by launching a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

As the war has ground on, UN officials admit their estimates  civilian deaths at 10,582 and 19,875 injured  are woefully low due to lack of access to occupied territory. Ukrainian officials believe the true numbers are five to ten times those amounts.

Ukraine warns that the impact of the war, which has displaced nearly 10 million people  more than 6 million fleeing to other coutries and almost four million displaced within  ripples well beyond its borders as Russias invasion is a direct challenge to the security of Europe, Nato allies and the wider world.

Despite the discrepancy in firepower, the Ukrainian military made surprise gains early on in the north, north east and south of the country, seizing back occupied territory and holding its front line.

But as the conflict has continued, the bombed-out battlefields have hit a bloody stalemate.

Kyiv has been largely reliant on the West for support, acquiring ammunition and weapons which have fallen dangerously short in recent months.

Domestic squabbles in the US Congress over military assistance to Ukraine have led to Republicans stonewalling aid.

Combined with the the chronic lack of production of munitions in Europe, the effect has been devastating.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, pictured in the frontline village of Robotyne, insists Ukrainians have proven that we can force Russia to retreat (EPA)

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of dangers of this artificial deficit of weapons.

Ukrainians have proven that we can force Russia to retreat, he said. Our actions are limited only by the sufficiency and length of range of our strength.

Russia, meanwhile, under Putins orders has flourished into a full-blown war economy, one Ukrainian diplomat told The Independent.

Moscow has nearly half a million soldiers deployed in Ukraine right now while it ramped up its own domestic production of weapons.

Last year, according to Ukrainian sources, Moscow produced two million 122 and 152-calibre shells. They have received a flurry of weapons, including powerful drones from North Korea and Iran.

That has meant that on a daily basis Russian forces fire on average six times more artillery shells than Ukrainian forces who, according to reports, have had to ration their supplies to just 2,000 shells a day.

On the front lines it has translated to concerns of ceding fresh territory  including the hard-fought liberated territory in the north around Lyman and a bitterly entrenched front line in the south east.

Ukrainians have been forced to use subways as bomb shelters in Kyiv (AP)

And in Kyiv some are even worried that they could see phalanxes of Russian soldiers attempt again their ill-fated march on the capital that was launched at the start of the war.

You live every day as if it were the last, says Maxym Ovaon, a 36-year-old father of two who is in the capital undergoing treatment for PTSD after living for two years under constant fire in the south.

Im afraid that Russia will come here to Kyiv again, thats the worst thing. It seems that the West has forgotten about us.

In this David vs Goliath struggle, Ukraine has turned to creative means and domestic production to help plug a shortfall.

Ukrainian minister of strategic industries, Oleksander Kaymshin, told The Independent they tripled their production of drones, Nato-compatible ammunition and armed vehicles last year and expected to grow their defence industry six-fold this year.

He said Ukraine is positioning itself as a global pioneer  particularly in drone technology, which is cheaper, faster and more effective than other countries.

We can produce over 1 million first-person-view (FPV) drones this year, plus thousands of the drones that can fly over 1,000km, reaching as far as refineries in Russia. This is is a game-changer, he said.

Our defence tech is really cool, and together with the newly formed force of unmanned drone systems, it will deliver results.

Ukrainian soldiers fire a cannon near the eastern city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region (AP Photo/Libkos, File)

But this alone will not suffice, he admits. The West needs to step up, in particular Europe.

Oyrsia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine forum at Chatham House, warned that if Ukraine collapses, the wider world will see this as a loss for the West against Russia.

The war goes well beyond Ukraine, she told The Independent.

Ukraine losing would be a blow to rule-based order that is grounded in the UN Charter, and that has actually respect for sovereignty of the United States and Europe.

And so, she feels the USs growing isolation should be a wake-up call  a cold shower to Europe  that it cannot hide behind US security protection for ever.

2024 is the year of choice; the choice we make will shape the world our children will live in, she says bluntly.

Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine two years ago and the war shows no sign of ending soon (Sputnik)

We need a strategic paradigm shift from we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes to we will do whatever it takes for Ukraine to win as soon as possible.

On the front lines, the soldiers are saying they are nervous about the apparent dampening of support from Ukraines allies, distracted by domestic woes and other conflicts in the world.

Its not good for morale when America, which promised to stick by us until victory, suddenly stops sending supplies, says Ivan from an infantry position in the blasted battlegrounds between Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk.

We need reassurance that we will not be abandoned and forgotten.
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To mark two years since Ukraine was invaded by Russia, The Independent brought together a panel of Ukrainian experts to voice their experiences of the war.

Bel Trew, The Independents award-winning chief international correspondent, photographer and documentary filmmaker, hosted the panel, part of our Virtual Events series, live from Kyiv in Ukraine.

She was joined by Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of Kyiv School of Economics and an advisor to Ukraines presidential administration.

Speaking just moments after Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalnys mother confirmed she was finally shown his body almost a week after he was confirmed dead, he said: These are dark times for Ukraine and Europe.

He added: We have to push back and fight back to secure Europe and defend democracy.

Also on the panel was Orysia Lutsevych, deputy director of the Russia and Eurasia Programme and head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House.

Lutsevych called Ukraine a theatre of war and said Putin wants the US to abandon Europe, adding it will be a dark, dark world if he succeeds in his aims.

What is Ukraine defending? Readers should understand this is beyond Ukraine, she told our viewers.

Two years of war have sparked a multitude of repercussions across Europe and the world - and has left the nation at the heart of it in utter devastation, with $75 billion dollars worth of destruction in Ukraine.

Alongside the monetary damage, our third panellist Mykola Kuleba, founder of Save Ukraine and former Presidential Commissioner for Childrens Rights, shed horrifying insight on the human cost of war in Ukraine.

He called out Russian genocide on the Ukrainian nation, adding: Russians are weaponising stolen children and teaching them to hate not just Ukraine, but the West.

Watch the entire Q&A event for free below.

Two years of war in Ukraine

To find out about our next virtual event and how to sign up click here.
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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented his first official day after plan for the Gaza Strip once the war ends, saying Israel will keep security control over Palestinian areas and make reconstruction dependent on demilitarisation.

The plan, which brings together a range of well-established Israeli positions, underlines Mr Netanyahus resistance to the creation of a Palestinian state which he sees as a security threat, without explicitly ruling one out at some future stage.

It was swiftly dismissed by Palestinian officials as doomed to failure, while it also runs counter to Washingtons vision for the war-ravaged strip.

The document, distributed to security cabinet members as a discussion paper rather than a set programme, proposes Israel would maintain security control over all land west of Jordan, including the occupied West Bank and Gaza  territories where the Palestinians hope to establish an independent state.

The plan comes amid intensifying international calls to end the fighting that has destroyed large swathes of Gaza and to revive efforts to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

US president Joe Biden, Israels main ally, has said that only a two-state solution has a chance of bringing long-term peace and has been engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to build support among regional and other states.

It came as a senior minister in Israels cabinet announced plans to build more than 3,300 new homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank in response to a fatal Palestinian shooting attack. Israels finance minister, far-right firebrand Bezalel Smotrich, announced the new settlement plans late on Thursday, after three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on cars near the Maale Adumim settlement, killing one Israeli and wounding five.

The serious attack on Maale Adumim must have a determined security response but also a settlement response, Mr Smotrich wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Our enemies know that any harm to us will lead to more construction and more development and more of our hold all over the country.

The decision is bound to further frustrate Washington. US secretary of state Antony Blinken said an expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank was inconsistent with international law, signalling a return to long-standing US policy on the issue, which had been reversed by the previous administration of Donald Trump.

In the long-term goals listed in his plan, Mr Netanyahu rejects the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. He says a settlement with the Palestinians will only be achieved through direct negotiations between the two sides  without naming who the Palestinian party would be.

In Gaza, it proposes replacing Hamas administrative control with local representatives who are not affiliated with terrorist countries or groups and are not financially supported by them, setting demilitarisation and deradicalisation as goals to be achieved in the medium term.

The prime ministers document of principles reflects broad public consensus over the goals of the war and for replacing Hamas rule in Gaza with a civilian alternative, a statement by the prime ministers office said.

The plan does not elaborate on when that intermediary stage would begin or how long it would last. But it conditions the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip, much of which has been laid to waste by Israels offensive, on its complete demilitarisation.

On Friday, as the plans became public, efforts to achieve a pause in the fighting to allow the return of some of the more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas continued ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which begins in March.

Israeli ministers have said that unless a deal is reached by 10 March, Israel will launch its long-awaited operation against the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought shelter under increasing dire humanitarian conditions.

Zaha Hassan, a human rights attorney and fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said if implemented, the Netanyahu plan would leave Palestinians in Gaza in a state of complete dependency, with no hope of achieving their national aspirations.

This is obviously not the plan the Biden administration has been discussing with Arab governments, she said.

The spokesperson for Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said Mr Netanyahus proposal was doomed to fail, as were any Israeli plans to change the geographic and demographic realities in Gaza.

If the world is genuinely interested in having security and stability in the region, it must end Israels occupation of Palestinian land and recognise an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, he said.

To secure control of Gaza, Mr Netanyahu proposes Israel have a presence on the Gaza-Egypt border in the south of the enclave and cooperates with Egypt and the United States in that area to prevent smuggling attempts, including at the Rafah crossing.

The plan calls for shutting down the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, which Israel has repeatedly accused of providing cover to Hamas, and replacing it with other international aid groups.

The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October, in which 1,100 people were killed and 253 taken hostage, according to Israeli counts.

Vowing to destroy Hamas, Israel has responded with an air and ground assault on blockaded Gaza that has killed more than 29,400 people, mostly women and children according to Palestinian health authorities. The offensive has displaced most of the territory's population and caused widespread hunger and disease.

Reuters
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Israel plans to build more than 3,300 new homes in settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in response to a fatal Palestinian shooting attack, a senior Cabinet minister said.

The decision is bound to frustrate Washington at a time of growing tensions over the course of Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Israel's finance minister, far-right firebrand Bezalel Smotrich, announced the new settlement plans late Thursday, after three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on cars near the Maale Adumim settlement, killing one Israeli and wounding five.

The serious attack on Maale Adumim must have a determined security response but also a settlement response," Smotrich wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Our enemies know that any harm to us will lead to more construction and more development and more of our hold all over the country.

He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant participated in the discussion. The decision will put in motion approval processes for 300 new homes in the Kedar settlement and 2,350 in Maale Adumim. It will also advance previously approved construction of nearly 700 homes in Efrat.

Relatives of Matan Elmaliach, 26, react during his funeral in the West Bank settlement of Maale Adumim (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press All rights reserved)

Once the war in Gaza is over, the Biden administration seeks eventual Palestinian governance in Gaza and the West Bank as a precursor to Palestinian statehood. It's an outcome opposed by Netanyahu and his right-wing government  and pushed farther from view, advocates say, as new settlement plans are advanced.

Instead of acting in order to prevent future horrible attacks such as of yesterday, the government of Israel is acting to deepen the conflict and the tensions, said Hagit Ofran, from Israeli settlement watchdog group Peace Now.

The construction in settlements is bad for Israel, distancing us from peace and security, he said.

Consecutive Israeli governments have expanded settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, war-won territories the Palestinians seek for a future state, along with Gaza. Construction has accelerated under Netanyahus current right-wing government, which includes settlers, including Smotrich, in key positions.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war.

Violence has escalated in the West Bank since the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, which triggered Israel's war on the militant group.

Since Oct. 7, Palestinian gunmen have carried out several deadly attacks on Israelis. Israel has held the West Bank under a tight grip  limiting movement and conducting frequent raids against what it says are militant targets. Palestinian health officials say 401 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank during that period.
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United Nations experts have expressed alarm over credible allegations by Palestinian women and girls of sexual assault, including rape, while in Israeli detention.

They said that at least two female Palestinian detainees were reportedly raped while others were threatened with rape and sexual violence.

The UN experts also noted that the Israeli army allegedly took and posted online photographs of female detainees in degrading circumstances.

Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, stated that the actual scale of sexual violence might be much higher.

We might not know for a long time what the actual number of victims are, Ms Alsalem was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

We are shocked by reports of the deliberate targeting and extrajudicial killing of Palestinian women and children in places where they sought refuge, or while fleeing. Some of them were reportedly holding white pieces of cloth when they were killed by the Israeli army or affiliated forces, the experts said.

They also expressed concern that an unknown number of Palestinian women and children, including girls, have reportedly gone missing after contact with the Israeli army in Gaza.

The Israeli government rejected the allegations of sexual violence against Palestinians as despicable and unfounded claims, according to Guardian.

There are disturbing reports of at least one female infant forcibly transferred by the Israeli army into Israel, and of children being separated from their parents, whose whereabouts remain unknown, they said.

The experts voiced grave concern regarding the indiscriminate arrest of numerous Palestinian women and girls, including activists, reporters, and aid workers, across Gaza and the West Bank starting from 7 October last year.

Many have reportedly faced cruel and humiliating treatment, been deprived of menstrual products, food, and medical supplies, and subjected to severe physical abuse, the experts noted.

There are allegations that, on at least one instance, women held in Gaza were confined in a cage outdoors during rain and cold, without access to food.

The UN experts, which included Ms Alsalem and Francesca Albanese (special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Claudia Flores, Ivana Krstic, Haina Lu, and Laura Nyirinkindi, said: Taken together, these alleged acts may constitute grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and amount to serious crimes under international criminal law that could be prosecuted under the Rome Statute.

They added: Those responsible for these apparent crimes must be held accountable and victims and their families are entitled to full redress and justice.

Meanwhile, the US said on Tuesday that it had strongly urged Israel to thoroughly and transparently investigate credible allegations of human rights violations against Palestinian women and girls in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that he was aware of the allegations but could not independently confirm the reports.

I will say that we have been clear that civilians and detained individuals must be treated humanely and in accordance with international humanitarian law, he said. And that will continue to be our position.

If you need to seek support for anything sexual that happened to you without your consent you can call Rape Crisis on 0808 500 2222, 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
 Close AT&T users facing cell service outages nationwide

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AT&T has said that a massive outage that left people unable to make calls  including to 911  was not caused by a cyber attack.

The provider said thew outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process during network expansion. We are continuing our assessment of todays outage to ensure we keep delivering the service that our customers deserve, the statement read.

The White House echoed this saying that there was no evidence the outage was caused by a cyber attack

According to CNN, John Kirby, a National Security spokesman, said the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are looking into the Thursday incident and contacting partners to see what we can do from a federal perspective to lend a hand to their investigative efforts to figure out what happened there.

Still, he said, officials are unsure about what caused the widespread outage.

The bottom line is we dont have all the answers to that. I mean, this just happened earlier today. And so were working very hard to see if we can get to the ground truth of exactly what happened.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is now working with AT&T to get to the root of the issue.

CISA is aware of the reports and we are working closely with AT&T to understand the cause of the outage and its impacts, and stand ready to offer any assistance needed, the agencys Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, Eric Goldstein, said in a statement.

The outage, which began early on Thursday, led to warnings from emergency services and advice from companies to get around the issue.

AT&T has around 250 million customers, making it the USs biggest phone network by some distance. The company said all its entire network had been restored around 3pm ET.

Follow for all the latest on the outage below.
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A man who allegedly stabbed another passenger during a flight with a makeshift weapon made out of pens and rubber bands has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Julio Alvares Lopez told authorities he intended to kill the victim in an incident on 24 January during an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Las Vegas, according to court documents.

The victim was identified as a sworn law enforcement officer who was across the airplane aisle from Mr Lopez.

A witness said that Mr Lopez began to act fidgety during the flight. Around 30 minutes before landing, Mr Lopez got up from his seat and went to the bathroom, and upon return, he began punching and hitting the victim, the documents said.

The witness and the victims wife screamed at Mr Lopez to stop.

The witness said, "There was blood everywhere", and claimed that Mr Lopez dropped something that appeared to be a "pen and tape bundle."

The victims wife was also struck during the altercation as she shielded her young son who is around seven years old, the court records added.

Speaking to authorities after the incident, Mr Lopez, who stated he was seeking asylum in the United States, said he felt the mafia had been chasing him for the last few months, the court documents stated.

Lopez said to authorities that he had never seen the victim before the flight but thought that the victim was following him, believing he was the cartel.

He admitted that he armed himself with pens wrapped in rubber bands and stated, "I planned on attacking and killing him.

He also admitted to FBI agents that he intended to kill the victim and had created the weapon before the flight. Mr Lopez said he was trying to stab the victim in the eye to reach his brain, the court documents said.

Alaska Airlines said in a statement to NBC7 that the incident occurred on flight 604 as the plane was coming in to land at Harry Reid International Airport.

"The aircraft landed safely, and law enforcement took one passenger into custody after the plane arrived at the gate. Were thankful for our crew for their professionalism in the handling of the incident," the airline said.

The suspect is being held in custody until trial and his arraignment is scheduled for 1 March.

The Independent has contacted Alaska Airlines for comment.
The presence of vegetation, the degree of contamination of the site and the type of soil  these are the key indicators that determine the cost of demining farmland, identified by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Deputy Minister Ihor Bezkaravainy said at the Ukraine-Poland conference on demining, organized by the Polish Investment & Trade Agency at the embassy of Poland in Ukraine this week.

"The biggest problem at this stage is pricing. We are starting to develop a model for calculating the cost of work. We have identified three indicators that will affect the cost of work: the presence of vegetation, the degree of contamination of the site and the type of soil," said the Deputy Minister of Economy.

According to him, another important issue is the creation of a transparent, scientifically based system of priority for demining areas. "We need a model by which we will determine which territory will be demined first, which will be second and third. It may be that among two similar areas, one will be cleared quickly, and the other, perhaps never  for extremely high levels of pollution," Bezkaravainy said at the conference of the Polish Investment & Trade Agency.

He said that today, there are 3,500 bomb disposal engineers working in Ukraine, which is not enough for mine clearance. "This is very little. No one in the world can yet estimate how much is needed. We need specialists both in inspection and those who can move and destroy explosive objects," the deputy minister said.

According to him, demining the completely destroyed Bakhmut or Maryinka will be carried out by the state, taking into account the complexity of the work.

According to Yevhen Zubarevsky, deputy head of the information management department of the Department of Environmental Safety and Mine Action of the Ministry of Defense, in some places the mining density reaches 2.5 mines per square meter.

"After the territories are liberated, the disposal of explosive objects will be carried out by units of the Security and Defense Forces," Zubarevsky said.

According to him, since February 2022, 6 million citizens of Ukraine have been affected by contamination with explosive objects. There were 611 explosions in civilian areas, resulting in 281 deaths and 600 injuries. Half of the incidents occurred in Kharkiv, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, 75% of the incidents were caused by mines.

"The process of mine clearance and restoration will be extremely difficult and lengthy, and it needs to start already... Where we can develop cooperation, we need to develop it. Together we can do much more," Polish Ambassador to Ukraine Jarosaw Guzy said.

Business Development Manager of the Polish Investment & Trade Agency Tetiana Chuzha said that several dozen Polish companies with relevant experience have shown interest in participating in the demining process and view demining as the first step towards recovery.

In matters of humanitarian demining, several important decisions are expected to be made at a meeting of the Polish-Ukrainian intergovernmental commission, which will be held in March 2024, said Aleksander Siemaszko, Director of the Department for International Cooperation and Trade of the Ministry of Economic Development of Poland.

As reported, according to World Bank estimates, the cost of demining the territory of Ukraine could reach $37.4 billion. As of October 2023, Ukraine has raised about $500 million for demining Ukraine from European countries. An area of 174,000 square kilometers is considered to be a potentially contaminated area, of which 18,000 square kilometers were returned to use over the past year.

The number of certified demining operators in 2023 increased from six to 30, with another 50 operators awaiting certification in 2024. Mine clearance work is carried out by 58 special vehicles, including 33 used by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. By the end of the year, another 100 mine clearance vehicles are expected to be delivered to Ukraine.
Wendy Williams niece has broken their familys silence after her caretakers announced she has been diagnosed with a form of dementia.

The 59-year-old former talk show host was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia - which also affects Bruce Willis - last year after undergoing a battery of medical tests, a statement read.

Williams niece Alex Finnie spoke to ABCs Good Morning America in an interview broadcast on Thursday, 22 February, about a new Lifetime documentary about her aunts life.

What people are gonna see is a broken woman who has had the world on her shoulders for so long and just cracked, she said.
Matt Gaetz said the US should pay for aid to Israel by "defunding the United Nations."

Speaking at CPAC on Friday, 23 February, the Florida representative said the US should not have "any foreign aid to any other country without corresponding cuts to our own bloated federal budget.

Mr Gaetz's comments came after the US Senate approved a $95bn aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and other US allies.

However, the aid faces additional hurdles as House speaker Mike Johnson announced he would not put the bill to the floor.
Donald Trump praised Capitol rioters for their tremendous spirit during what has been described as an incoherent speech in Tennessee.

The former US President appeared on stage in Nashville more than 90 minutes late on Thursday (22 February) to address the National Religious Broadcasters Association.

The Republican presidential front-runner declared that he had made Israel the capital of Israel during his presidency, that he planned to close down the Department of Education and praised the Capitol rioters for their tremendous spirit.
A police officer handed himself in at a Sydney station on Friday, 23 February, and was charged with two counts of murder over the disappearance of Australian TV presenter Jesse Baird and his partner Luke Davies, New South Wales Police said.

Beau Lamarre-Condon, a senior constable attached to a specialist command, handed himself in at the Bondi police station.

Detectives had been searching for Mr Lamarre-Condon in connection with the disappearance of Baird, 26, and his 29-year-old partner Davies, 29, ABC reported.

He was transferred to Waverley Police Station and charged with two counts of murder.
Coillte dragging its heels on lithium exploration in Wicklow forest

Concerns are growing among locals about the environmental impact of the works

People taking part in a protest at Moylisha organised by the Protect Moylisha Hill group.

John Burns Fri 23 Feb 2024 at 03:30

Coillte, the state-owned forestry business, has so far not given permission to a lithium exploration company to carry out drilling on land it owns in Wicklow.
Ciaran Dillon will serve an 18-month sentence after false returns were filed for firm owned by Pat McDonagh

According to the indictment, one weeks worth of sales tax was excluded in each quarter

The former chief financial officer of the company that owned the Claddagh Irish Pubs chain in America has been jailed for 18 months for tax fraud.

Ciaran Dillon (57) originally from Ireland, was also fined $25,000 (23,100) after pleading guilty to defrauding several US states of tax revenue.

The chain of pubs was bought out of bankruptcy by the Supermacs founder Pat McDonagh in 2007. He told the Business Post newspaper in 2021 that Claddagh Irish Pubs was his biggest mistake and had cost him 23m in write-offs.

Mr McDonagh has since sold off the remaining premises and exited the business, having paid the taxes due to the states.

A spokesman for his company said yesterday the issue with Mr Dillon was not related to Supermacs and it was not involved in the proceedings.

Claddagh Irish Pubs reported financial irregularities in the United States, and were aware that a number of employees were questioned at the time, he said.

The matter has been dealt with by the authorities in the United States and is now closed as far as Supermacs is concerned.

"After investing $21m in the business it wouldve been foolish in the extreme to continue investing in a business that wasnt performing and where there were issues surrounding governance where large sums of money went missing, culminating in the indictment and incarceration of the accounts manager, Angelo Kanaris.

According to documents presented to a court in Ohio, from January 2010 to May 2018 Mr Dillon, as CFO of CDG Acquisition, had directed a company accountant to pay some US states less sales tax than they were due.

Acting on Mr Dillons instructions, the accountant edited the companys sales figures, and filed false tax returns.

According to the indictment, one weeks worth of sales tax was excluded in each quarter. In total the defendant defrauded eight US states, including Ohio, out of more than $1m in sales-tax revenue collected from customers in 15 restaurants.

Alex Abreu, an assistant US attorney, said the FBI launched an investigation after a bank noticed suspect transactions by a Claddagh Irish Pubs accountant, Angelo Kanaris.

After he was confronted, Mr Kanaris admitted embezzling $375,000 from the company, told authorities about the tax fraud, and agreed to wear a wire to the office for five months.

Mr Abreu told the court: Mr Dillon didnt put any dollars in his pocket, but he arrived here to be the CFO and almost immediately directed his accountant to cook the books and his controller to hide the money.

According to the news website Cleveland.com, Mr Dillons lawyers said their client had been put in an impossible position by his employer, Mr McDonagh. Faced with a struggling business, hed had to choose between paying employees and vendors or paying the taxes.

The defence lawyers claimed Mr McDonagh ignored pleas from his CFO to sell the business or help more financially, and instead stuck his head in the sand.

The sentencing judge acknowledged the business was struggling and that Mr Dillon, who is a former Supermacs financial controller, had a spotless record, but noted the fraud continued for eight years.

You spent a lifetime building a good reputation and then you threw it all away, Judge Christopher Boyko told the defendant.

Mr Kanaris was charged with other offences in 2021, and sentenced to six months in prison and six months house arrest.

The US Department of Labour sued CDG last year for not releasing money in the retirement accounts of 65 employees. A judge later entered a default judgment, ordering the distribution of $103,000 in the accounts.

Cleveland.com has reported that the condo board in CDGs former offices sued the company claiming it is owed $214,000 in back taxes, assessment and other fees.
Tax Institute President says Ireland cannot afford to lose ground as competition for multinationals heats up

A new 15pc global corporation tax rate will inevitably result in payment disputes and Revenue audits, the head of the Irish Tax Institute (ITI) has said.

Ahead of the organisations annual dinner on Friday, ITI President Tom Reynolds, called on Revenue to be pragmatic in its approach to tax compliance. We need workable resolution mechanisms to deal with these disputes, he said.

Otherwise, businesses could end up in lengthy tax legal processes, potentially with multiple tax authorities. That would add cost and uncertainty to an already difficult global trading environment.

Legislation to implement the new 15pc tax rate came in last month, on foot of deal brokered by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and a related EU directive.

Back in 2021, around 140 countries signed up to the deal, but legislation is not in place in every one of those countries yet. The US, in particular, has yet to implement it.

Irelands lower 12.5pc rate remains in place for companies with less than 750m per year in global revenues.

While there is a three-year transitional period of simplified reporting in place, large corporate groups based here will eventually need to file a special tax return with Revenue alongside their normal pay and file obligations.

They will then have to top up their tax payments to the 15pc minimum, if their effective rate is lower than that.

The first tax return under the new rules is unlikely to fall due until mid-2026, tax experts say, for the fiscal year 2024.

Mr Reynolds said that implementing the new tax and its associated rules  which include a 10pc carve-out for a firms payroll costs and an 8pc carve-out for tangible assets  will be complex and expensive.

He has called on Revenue to bring in a properly resourced simplification project to reform the Irish tax code and ensure Ireland remains attractive to investment.

The competition for foreign investment is intensifying and big countries like France and Germany are joining the fray. We cannot afford to lose ground, he said. The cost and ease of doing business were as important as our 12.5pc rate in the investment decisions of the companies I have worked in, he said.
Taxpayers will benefit from substantial income tax cuts in the next budget, the finance minister has pledged.

Michael McGrath told an event on Friday night that Ireland needed to remain competitive in the face of changing corporation tax rules.

The budget will be this Governments last, as an election must be held by March 2025.

I recognise the importance of having a competitive income tax system and Im committed to introducing a further substantial income tax package in the autumn budget, Mr McGrath told the Irish Tax Institutes annual dinner.

Mr McGrath said personal tax cuts were not something we hear much about in the Dail but we know its the right thing to do.

The pledge comes on top of a substantial package of tax reliefs in Budget 2024, worth 1.3bn, which included the first reduction in the Universal Social Charge in five years.

That package was criticised by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council  the states budget watchdog  for being untargeted and over-generous, as well as for its use of fiscal gimmickry to hide the true scale of the cost to the Exchequer.

Mr McGrath has also called on taxpayers to check whether they are due any money back from the State. More than half of all PAYE taxpayers last year overpaid, according to the Department of Finance, with 410m so far refunded to them.

Mr McGrath has also pledged to review the tax rules on interest payments, which he said would begin this year.

The review comes three years after new rules were introduced  on foot of an EU directive  that limits the amount of relief a company can claim to its corporation tax bill to offset interest payments, based on its turnover.

Mr McGrath said the change in the 2021 finance bill had added significant additional restrictions in this area and that it was time to review it. The work is likely to take a number of years, he warned.

The Finance Minister was responding to calls from multinationals and tax experts who say that a new 15pc minimum corporation tax rate, which came into force in January, will eliminate Irelands tax advantages over other countries.

They say the new system will add more complexity on to an already complex system.

Irish Tax Institute president Tom Reynolds told the event on Friday night that implementing the new rules will be complex and expensive.

He called for a properly resourced simplification project that would ease the reporting burden for both foreign and domestic companies.
I hope one day we can forgive each other: what happened when a mother confronted her sons Isis killer

Since the execution of her son James by Isis militants in 2014, Diane Foley has campaigned for change in the way the US deals with its hostages overseas

Diane Foley. Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty

Andrew Lynch Fri 23 Feb 2024 at 03:30







James Foley, the American journalist whose beheading on camera by Isis terrorists in Syria shocked the world a decade ago, seems to have had an affinity with Irish writers. Like Joe Biden and many other politicians, he was fond of quoting Seamus Heaneys famous lines about hope and history rhyming. His shoulder was tattooed with some other words of wisdom from a quote from Oscar Wilde: We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
The maritime corridor created by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Danube has ensured the export of almost 26 million tonnes of cargo since August 2023, of which more than 18 million tonnes are products of Ukrainian farmers, the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development (Ministry of Reconstruction) reported on Facebook on Friday.

A total of 854 vessels were sent from the ports of Big Odesa to 42 countries.

The total volume of cargo sent along the maritime corridor and along the Danube since August amounted to 30 million tonnes. 93% of the products of Ukrainian farmers are exported through these routes, the ministry said.

"Export volumes along the Ukrainian corridor have almost reached the pre-war level of exports from the ports of Pivdenny, Odesa and Chornomorsk. In December, 6.8 million tonnes were exported by sea, in January  6.7 million tonnes. Although February is the shortest month in year, we still hope to maintain the export figure not lower than previous months," Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction, Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development Oleksandr Kubrakov said.

He emphasized that a stable operating corridor is important both for the economy of Ukraine and for the food security of the world.

"The Ukrainian corridor and Danube ports today provide more than 90% of agricultural exports. And given the situation with our exports being blocked on the western border, we are preparing to increase agricultural exports across the Danube, bypassing the border with Poland. The Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company (UDS) is already preparing barge caravans that can transport more than 2,000 trucks monthly," Kubrakov said.

The ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdenny are expecting another 111 vessels to call, which, after loading, will export 3.3 million tonnes of cargo.
Also reviewed this week: Memory and Perfect Days

Fifteen years in the planning, Michael Winterbottoms ambitious period drama begins with a history lesson. Over the opening credits we hear the disembodied voice of Jewish activist Shoshana Borochov (Irina Starshenbaum) explain how the idea of an Israeli state came into being.

Which might make the viewer think were in for some dry and worthy treatise, but Shoshana is something of a thriller, built around a love affair and packed with intrigue, spies and terror attacks. That history lesson, though, is necessary.

In 1922, after driving the Ottoman Turks out of Palestine, the British were given the mandate to rule the area  talk about a poisoned chalice.

Since the 1880s, Hebrew-speaking Zionists had been migrating to Palestine from all parts with the aim of establishing a Jewish state in their ancestral homeland, a trend that increased rapidly after Adolf Hitler came to power. The idea of Israel was a high-minded intellectual construct that did not appear to acknowledge that the territory was already inhabited. It was, in other words, guaranteed to unleash chaos. This it duly did.

Irina Starshenbaum is excellent as Shoshana, a compelling and stubborn character. Photo: Altitude

Winterbottoms film opens in the late 1930s, as tit-for-tat terror attacks have blighted the lives of Palestinian Arabs and Jews. Stuck in the middle of this, muddling through and looking down on all involved are the overstretched British colonial authorities, exemplified here by Geoffrey Morton (Harry Melling), a Palestine police officer who ruthlessly suppresses dissents and will later be accused of executing suspects. His subordinate, Tom Wilkin (Douglas Booth), however, is cut from a different cloth.

Tom has embedded himself more successfully, learned Hebrew and fallen in love with the newly built city of Tel Aviv. Hes even keener on Shoshana, a journalist, activist and daughter of Ber Borochov, the Russian Marxist Zionist who believed in a new state where Jew and Arab might live in harmony.

His daughter has followed his example, and is a member of the Haganah, a paramilitary organisation founded to defend Jewish settlements against Arab attacks, but with the overt aim of founding a Jewish state by peaceful means.

Thats all a bit wishy-washy for the Lehi, a radical paramilitary group led by one Avraham Stern (Aury Alby), which aims by bomb and bullet to drive both the British and Arabs out of the territory. As bombs go off in busy markets, and suspected traitors are shot dead in the street, one is reminded of the worst excesses of Belfast, though with sunshine, and a better supply of fresh fruit.

Harry Melling in Shoshana. Photo: Altitude

When Tom and Shoshana fall in love, their passion is not convenient. For she will be accused of fraternising with the enemy, he of siding with Zionism against the crown. And as tensions in Palestine are exacerbated by Hitlers invasion of Poland, their safety is increasingly threatened.

Michael Winterbottom is to be commended, I suppose, for going anywhere near a vexed and complex subject, the treatment of which is bound to get someones back up

Michael Winterbottom is to be commended, I suppose, for going anywhere near a vexed and complex subject, the treatment of which is bound to get someones back up. And he was right to focus on the romance between Shoshana and Wilkins (in real life the couple were married for 10 years), which provides a conduit into a confusing and brutal historical time and place. Not sure we needed quite so many scenes of earnest love-making, though.

The degrees of extremism within mid-20th century Zionism are nicely explained, and have obvious echoes in the present (Avraham Stern and Irgun were accused of trying to form an alliance with Nazi Germany against the British, a truly baffling notion).

But about the Palestinian Arabs we hear next to nothing: in this film they are either terrorists or victims, marginalised observers of Israels turbulent foundation.

Irina Starshenbaum is excellent as Shoshana, a compelling and stubborn character who refused to be pigeonholed by either extreme Zionism or the fusty British. And while Winterbottoms plotting sometimes gets away from him, Shoshana offers compelling insights into the roots of a manufactured geopolitical problem that is beginning to look unfixable.

Now showing in cinemas only.

Rating: Three stars

Peters Sarsgaard and Jessica Chastain in spare and moving drama Memory. Photo: Cinetic

Memory (16, 99mins)

In Michel Francos spare and moving drama Memory, two wounded souls meet by accident and form an awkward bond. When single mother Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) is persuaded by her younger sister Olivia (Merritt Wever) to attend a high school reunion, a man sits beside her and starts staring. When she leaves, he follows her home, and the next morning she finds him lying in the street. He is Saul (Peter Sarsgaard), a middle-aged man suffering from early onset dementia, and when he comes back to Sylvias house to apologise, she ends up becoming his afternoon carer.

Saul has a sense of humour about his illness, and Sylvia begins to realise that she can trust him. This is a big deal, because shes a nervous wreck, a recovering addict and survivor of childhood abuse. Sylvias over-protective of her teenage daughter Anna (Brooke Timber), and hovering in the background is Sylvias witchy mother Samantha (Jessica Harper), who refused to believe her daughters claims of abuse.

Sombre themes then, but this film is beautifully acted, and the tender chemistry between Sarsgaard and Chastain is a joy to behold.

Now showing in cinemas only.

Rating: Four stars

Koji Yakusho in Wim Wenders wise and delightful feature Perfect Days. Photo: Neon

Perfect Days (PG, 127mins)

Originally intended as a documentary about Tokyos exquisitely designed public toilets, Wim Wenders wise and delightful feature tells the story of a man who cleans them. Each morning, Hirayama (Koji Yakusho) rises at dawn, loads mops and buckets into a minivan and tours the Shibuya districts toilets, making sure theyre spick and span.

He takes his work seriously, buffing and cleaning with extraordinary care; even more remarkably, he goes about his business in quiet contentment, taking pleasure in the little joys each day brings.

He reads books, grows saplings and lives simply in a small apartment, his bearing and manner reminiscent of a Buddhist monk. But Hirayamas life was not always like this, and when his teenage niece comes to live with him, we get hints that he was once a successful businessman.

All of that he has abandoned, and in simplifying his life has discovered the rare ability to live in the moment. But Hirayama is not indifferent to the suffering of others, and his charity will be called upon. Perfect Days has a lulling rhythm, and might make you envious of a poor mans life. 

Now showing in cinemas only.

Rating: Four stars
Dawn Farms CEO Larry Murrin has been appointed Chairman designate of Bord Bia by the Minister for Agriculture.

Dawn Farms employs over 1,000 people across four production plants in Ireland, the UK and Germany and Murrin is Chairman of his family business With Taste and is a partner in a number of Dublin restaurants. He will take over from the outgoing Chairman Dan MacSweeney.

Minister McConalogue said Larry Murrin has extensive experience across the agri-food sector and will bring a wealth of valuable expertise in leading Bord Bia in the promotion and marketing of our food, drink and horticulture products here and abroad.

"As Irelands largest indigenous exporting industry, the agri-food sector plays a vital role in Irelands economy with an export value exceeding 16bn in 2023, representing over 9pc of in value terms of Irelands exports. Bord Bia plays a critical role in promoting the sector by providing strategic insight, marketing, and promotional support to help the sector continuously improve and develop routes to market.

I have no doubt that Larry will guide Bord Bia to continue to deliver on its aim to bring Irelands outstanding food, drink and horticulture produce to the world, thus enabling growth and sustainability of our food businesses and primary producers.

Commenting on his appointment, Larry Murrin said; As a practitioner in the industry for over 40 years and having served on the consumer foods sub board of Bord Bia since its inception, I am delighted to be appointed to the position of Chairperson (Designate) of Bord Bia.

The agri-food sector is embarking on a new journey full of challenge and opportunity. My experience of working with and being a recipient of Bord Bia services for many years gives me the belief that we are safe in the hands of a progressive, knowledgeable, and ambitious organisation.

"During my term in office, I look forward to working with my fellow board members, CEO Jim OToole and his executive team to further the aims of the industry.

Murrin is a past President of IBEC and was Chairman of Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII) for 12 years. He has also served on the Consumer Foods Board of Bord Bia since its inception. He has been appointed to numerous committees in the agri-food sector including Food Harvest 2020, Food Wise 2025 and the more recent Food Vision 2030.

The position of Chairman of Bord Bia is for a period of three years and the appointment has been made following a competitive process managed by the State Boards service of the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
A man uses his phone next to a sign, as Polish farmers protest over price pressures, taxes and green regulation, grievances shared by farmers across Europe, and against the import of agricultural produce and food products from Ukraine, in Gdansk, Poland, February 20, 2024. The sign reads: "Bread only from Polish grain". Photo: REUTERS/Lukasz Glowala

Farmers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and elsewhere staged protests along Czech borders on Thursday, blocking some crossings as they demanded less bureaucracy and changes to European Union policies.

Farmers across Europe have been stepping up protests this year, including in Poland, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, complaining of low prices and high costs, cheap imports and constraints from the EU's Green Deal climate change initiative.

Farmers blocked the Hodonin-Holic crossing on the southern Czech border with Slovakia for more than an hour as hundreds of tractors lined the highway.

Protesters, including some from Hungary who had travelled by bus, waved national flags and held signs saying "Stop bureaucracy" and "Stop Ukrainian grain".

Vladimir Chovan, a 60-year-old Slovak farmer, said the sector faced "a hundred million problems" harming its competitiveness.

"The biggest problem is bureaucracy," he told Reuters.

Czech and Polish farmers also partially blocked a crossing in the northeast corner of the Czech Republic, where dozens of tractors were parked along the road, Czech news agency CTK reported.

A crossing into Reitzenhain, Germany along the northwestern part of the Czech border was briefly blocked, according to CTK.

The Czech Agrarian Chamber said 3,000 tractors were taking part in protests around the Czech Republic. It said farmers from Hungary, Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia had joined Thursday's protests alongside their Czech and Slovak colleagues.

'ECONOMIC VIABILITY'

"The fact that today farmers are protesting throughout the European Union is clear evidence that it is essential to address the redefinition of the terms of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)," the Chamber said in a joint statement with other countries' main farmer organisations.

"The primary task of agriculture must remain to ensure food security, producing quality and safe food, while maintaining the economic viability of farmers."

In Bratislava, farmers led a two-kilometre (1.2 mile) procession of tractors through the Slovak capital.

Ukraine has urged the European Commission to take robust action after Polish farmers blockaded the country's border with Poland on Tuesday.

Central Europe's farmers are angry over what they call unfair competition from abroad, particularly Ukraine, after an EU decision in 2022 to waive duties on Ukrainian food imports.

Slovak Prime Minister

Robert Fico

said on Thursday Slovakia would maintain a ban on selected farm products from Ukraine as the EU takes steps towards extending market access by another year.

Farmers have said markets are facing distortions and low prices coming from surpluses amid cheap imports. They also are unhappy with growing paperwork.

"We are not protesting against the European Union, we are protesting against unfair decisions of the European Commission," Andrej Gajdos, a vice-chairman of the Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPPK), told protesters at the Czech-Slovak border.

"We are farmers, we want to work in the field... We don't want to fill out paperwork and sit at the computer." (Reporting by Radovan Stoklasa and Jason Hovet; Editing by Alex Richardson and Gareth Jones)
Gardai upgrade Hutch drugs haul value to 3m as they continue to quiz Kinahan target

The estimated value of the seizure has gone up by 1m

3m seizure

Ken Foy, Robin Schiller, Neil Fetherstonhaugh and Niall Feiritear Fri 23 Feb 2024 at 14:46







Gardai are continuing to question three members of the Hutch crime gang over the seizure of 3m worth of drugs in Dublin on Thursday.
Fresh crisis in RTE as chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh dramatically resigns but insists she did tell ministers officials about exit packageRest of RTE board won't resign today following speculation Director general Kevin Bakhurst backs up ex-chairs version of events after row with ministerJustice Minister stresses that colleague Minister Martin did not dismiss the former RTE Chair on primetime televisionThe Labour Party has called on Media Minister Catherine Martin to resign

Media Minister Catherine Martin has doubled down on her position this evening that former RTE chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh did not tell her department officials that the RTE board signed off on the exit package for Richard Collins.

This is in direct contradiction to the statement issued by the RTE board this afternoon which states Ms Ni Raghallaigh told a department official of the specific details last October. Minister Martin disputed this version this evening and insisted her former Secretary General was not told the RTE board approved the exit package  something the board are insisting she was told.

The latest row has resulted in the early-morning resignation of Ms Ni Raghallaigh and minister Martin facing calls to appear in the Dail to be grilled by TDs over her handling of the RTE crisis.

Ms Martin is also facing calls for her resignation after she was accused of "summarily dismissing" the chairwoman of the RTE board on live television on Thursday night.

Minister Catherine Martin speaking to the media at Government Buildings. Pic: Mark Condren

Deeply disappointed

The Media Minister said she had been "misinformed" about the approval of an exit package for a former RTE executive Richard Collins and was "deeply disappointed" when asked to express confidence in Siun Ni Raghallaigh, who then dramatically resigned this morning.

Ms Martin said that Ms Ni Raghallaigh, who stepped down as the chairwoman of the RTE board in the early hours of this morning, contacted her earlier this week to say that she had provided the minister with inaccurate information.

Speaking at Government Buildings in Dublin on Friday, the media minister said: I had asked the chair at two meetings on Monday and Wednesday if she or the Board had played any role in approving either of two recent severance packages to senior RTE executives.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that neither she nor the Board had played any role in approving it. On Thursday, Ms Ni Raghallaigh contacted the Department...and said that what she had told me on Monday and Wednesday was inaccurate.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that she now remembered that the Remuneration Committee of the RTE board, which she chaired, had met to approve the Richard Collins exit package last October.

The fact that she contacted the department with this information indicates she was aware she needed to correct the record.

Minister Martin has said that in order for her to manage the crisis that has evolved at RTE, she relies on accurate information from the chairwoman of the board.

I must have accurate information, I did not have accurate information, she told reporters outside Government Buildings.

October 10 call

She said that the secretary general of the Department of Media received a call from chairwoman of the board Siun Ni Raghallaigh on October 10, but does not remember being told that it had received board approval.

Yes, my secretary general remembers receiving the phone call, and that she was informed that the independent mediation process had completed, but she was not informed that there was an official approval by the board.

The RTE board held a crisis meeting this afternoon and in a following statement, said that Siun Ni Raghallaigh did inform the top official at minister Catherine Martins department of the exit package on October 10 last year  the day after it was approved. This is in direct contradiction minister Martins position.

The Remuneration Committee met on October 9th 2023, to consider the recommendation arising from the mediation process relating to Richard Collins. The Director General [Kevin Bakhurst] attended that meeting. The recommendation was approved, by the Remuneration Committee, as is its delegated powers under its Terms of Reference.

The day after this meeting of the Remuneration Committee, October 10th 2023, Siun contacted the Secretary General of the Department directly by telephone and updated her about the meeting of the Remuneration Committee, and its outcome  i.e., that it approved an agreement with Richard Collins.

The RTE Board was updated about this approval at its next meeting, October 26th. Approval by the full RTE Board was not required, RTEs board said in their statement this afternoon.

It also committed to continuing to discharge its duties and has requested a meeting with minister Martin at the earliest opportunity.

Minister Catherine Martin speaking to the media at Government Buildings. Pic: Mark Condren

Dail grilling

This afternoon, Sinn Fein chief whip Padraig Mac Lochlainn demanded the minister answer questions about the matter in the Dail next week.

"On behalf of Sinn Fein, I have written to the Ceann Comhairle and the Dail Business Committee requesting that Minister Catherine Martin come before the Dail next week and take questions from the opposition about this RTE mess, he wrote on social media.

It comes after RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst backed up the former chairpersons version of events after the row with Ms Martin cost her the top job.

Bakhurst statement

Mr Bakhurst has today issued a statement outlining his recollection of interactions with Ms Ni Raghallaigh and the minister over recent days.

He also said the correct procedures were followed when agreeing a pay-off for RTEs ex-chief financial officer Richard Collins.

Speaking about a three-hour meeting with Ms Martin earlier this week, the director general said: A large volume of issues were addressed and discussed, and within that context some confusion arose regarding a question from the Minister to the Chair about the approval by the RTE Board of the exit of former CFO Richard Collins.

The Chair had in fact informed the Department about the process which led to Richard Collin's departure from RTE on October 10, the day after it was approved at the Remuneration Committee which has delegated powers from the Board. This detail was taken as read although it seems now that it shouldn't have been.

He added that after checking the minutes of the Remuneration Committee of the RTE board, Ms Ni Raghallaigh moved swiftly to correct this detail with department officials on Thursday, and remind them that the correct process had been followed, and that the chair had previously informed the department of same.

Read more The indecisive minister, the mute chair and RTE left in limbo once again

Calls to resign

Now, the Labour Party has called on Ms Martin to resign.

Senator Marie Sherlock said Ms Ni Raghallaigh's statement shows Ms Martin "was in fact" kept informed of the exit packages of former RTE executives.

Ms Sherlock said Ms Martin's position is now untenable.

Ni Raghallaighs statement suggests that the Department has a written record of notification from the Board following the remuneration committees approval of exit packages," Ms Sherlock said.

This must be published in full immediately."

The Media Minister is the protector of RTE but crucially, the Minister should be the protector of the public purse," she added.

However, three cabinet ministers have expressed confidence in Ms Martin in the wake of the resignation of Ms Ni Raghallaigh.

Speaking at the launch of a new domestic violence agency today, both Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Equality Minister Roderic OGorman said that they had confidence in Ms Martin.

I think Catherine Martin has handled this in the best way possible, she has engaged at every stage with the board and in particular with the chair of the board, that is the person she is legally responsible to engage with to ensure that the information that she gets is factual, is correct, and is the right information, Ms McEntee said.

I think its regrettable that a meeting that had been due to happen today between the minister and the chair of the board is now not going to happen, but I think what people want is information and transparency.

Asked if RTE would still have a chair this morning had Ms Martin not made the comments on Prime Time on Thursday night, Ms McEntee said that she cant say what any individual may or may not have done.

Siun Ni Raghallaigh made the decision herself to offer her resignation.

Mr OGorman said that his cabinet and party colleague Ms Martin had his full confidence.

Separately, speaking to RTEs Today with Claire Byrne, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris rejected suggestions Ms Martins position is untenable and said steps can be taken to bring clarity to the situation today.

The RTE carousel, this constant saga needs to end. I am so sick and tired of coming into studios like this where all we do in RTE is talk about RTE, he said.

He said Mr Bakhurst and other members of the RTE management team could help resolve the situation today.

RTE has a legal obligation to provide details in relation to the aggregate amount of exit payments. They dont need to wait until Monday, they dont need to wait until Tuesday.

Get out a calculator, add up the figures and before the Six One news, produce them, he said.

RTE could provide details on the methodology around exit payments or the minutes of the meetings of the remuneration committee without breaching any confidentiality agreements, Mr Harris said.

The Department could of course produce any documents, notes or minutes it has of its engagement with RTE. There are things that can happen today that will actually help end this saga.

Asked whether Ms Martin was right to throw Ms Ni Raghallaigh under the bus on Prime Time, Mr Harris said he didnt accept the assertion in the question.

RTE chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh. Photo: PA

I think Siun Ni Raghallaigh is a very good and decent person. She epitomises the values of public service broadcasting and I think shes done a great service, Mr Harris said.

The minister found herself in an invidious situation last night that no minister wishes to find themselves in.

He said if she had pulled out of the Prime Time appearance it would raise questions as to where she was and that she honestly answered the questions posed to her on the programme.

It is really regrettable what the Minister would have liked to happen didnt happen, which was that herself and Ms Ni Raghallaigh would have met today and Ms Ni Raghallaigh would have been in a position to talk through those issues.

The youth wing of Fine Gael, Young Fine Gael, has called on Ms Martin to resign.

"Catherine Martins handling of the RTE debacle has been abysmal from the start. Time for her to resign," said a statement from the group.

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Former CMO is poised to agree new role with HSEs National Cancer Control Programme

Former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan to land new job at HSE paid up to 257,000

Former chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan is expected to quit a number of corporate posts when he takes up a new medical role with the HSE.

Dr Holohan will be working specifically on cancer prevention and treatment, despite his role in the CervicalCheck scandal being the source of controversy.

The salary with the new post ranges up to 257,000  well above what he was paid as CMO.

Dr Holohans official biography says he advises a number of leading companies in the healthcare sector.

He is chair of the Enfer Medical Advisory Board, the countrys leading clinical laboratory carrying out clinical diagnostic results. Among its services is testing for bowel cancer, the third most common cancer worldwide and the second largest cause of death related to cancer.

Enfer Medical did not respond to queries about Dr Holohans status.

Dr Holohan is now understood to have been the successful candidate in an open competition for a new post of consultant in public health medicine in the HSEs National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).

The HSE said the process for filling the post is still ongoing and declined to comment further. But a senior health service official did point to the HSE Codes of Standards and Behaviour.

Employees may not engage in outside business or activity which would in any way conflict with the interests of their departments/offices, the document says. Employees shall not accept an appointment, or particular consultancy project, where the employees concerned believe that the nature and terms of such appointment could lead to a conflict of interest or the perception of such, without first obtaining the approval of the human resources department of HSE.

Dr Holohan is also a board member of the Irish Hospice Foundation and Adjunct Full Professor of Public Health at UCD. But charity and academic work is unlikely to interfere with his new role.

The doctor, who shot to fame during the Covid-19 pandemic, is poised to become a consultant in public health medicine. He was previously at the centre of a scandal over a botched plan to appoint him to a university post.

The NCCP works with health service providers around the country to prevent and treat cancer, and increase survival and quality of life for those who develop cancer.

The offer of the job has not yet been made and he has not yet been appointed, but Dr Holohan has been informed he is the preferred candidate for the role.

Dr Holohans previous salary as CMO was more than 187,000. He will now be signing up the new medical consultants contract salary, ranging from 214,000 to 257,000.

Since stepping down as CMO, Dr Holohan has written a memoir.

His wife, Dr Emer Holohan, died in 2021 after suffering for the previous decade from a rare of form of blood cancer.

The post Dr Holohan applied for is attached to the NCCP and was recruited through a Public Appointments Service process.

But Dr Holohans role in the CervicalCheck scandal has provoked controversy. He advised the Government against a review of the screening programme.
Question mark over Bolton Street site since woman (22) from Co Laois vanished in 1994

'It just makes us feel like we're not being told the truth' - 30 years on from the disappearance of Imelda Keenan

The family of missing woman Imelda Keenan hope plans to redevelop a site in Waterford might unearth clues related to her disappearance.

The parcel of land, at Bolton Street in Waterford city, is close to the area where 22-year-old Ms Keenan disappeared more than 30 years ago.

Her family believe she was murdered and her body, or evidence related to her killing, was buried at Bolton Street car park, where construction work was taking place at the time.

The parcel of land is among several that were recently earmarked for ownership transfer to the Land Development Agency (LDA) to facilitate the building of up to 3,300 homes nationwide.

We are hoping to get more information about the plans, said Ms Keenans niece, Gina Kerry. We understand that the area is close to what is known locally as the Viking triangle, so if there is construction work involving digging, there will have to be an archaeologist on site.

Its like a free dig for us really because we have had a question mark over Bolton Street car park for many years and this could maybe yield something or rule it out all together.

Ms Kerry said Ms Keenans family had been directed to the car park in 2011 as an area of interest because construction work was being carried out there at the time of Ms Keenans disappearance.

I have asked gardai to do a dig there, but they havent. They need concrete evidence to do something like that. If this goes ahead, we will be watching with interest, she said.

Ms Keenan, from Manor Road, Mountmellick, Co Laois, went missing on January 3, 1994, after leaving her flat in William Street, Waterford, which she shared with her fiance.

Bolton Street car park is minutes away from William Street.

Early last year, a woman who knew Ms Keenan in the early 1990s contacted gardai with details about a number of frightening incidents involving the young woman that took place in Waterford before her disappearance.

The witness, who recently gave a formal statement to gardai, first met Ms Keenan in 1990. She moved from the Waterford area before Ms Keenans disappearance and realised she had vanished only after watching a TV programme on Irelands missing women earlier this year.

On the day she disappeared, Ms Keenan told her fiance she was going to the post office to collect her dole payment. She washed her hair, gave her partner a cup of tea, did her makeup and went out. She said she would not be long and mentioned she had to get cat litter. She walked out the door at 1.30pm, but did not take her bag with her.

A witness said she saw Ms Keenan walking across William Street. The witness was driving from the quay into William Street and Ms Keenan stopped in the middle of the road to let the car pass. That is the last reported sighting of her.

Anyone with information on the disappearance of Ms Keenan is urged to contact Waterford garda station on 051 305 300 or phone the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin is facing calls to designate more countries as safe in an attempt to further crack down on illegal immigration.

An EU report referenced by backbench TD Jim OCallaghan at a private party meeting shows Ireland is one of the member states with fewest countries deemed safe.

Mr Martin told colleagues he would examine what other EU countries are doing before coming back to the party.

A total of 16 nations across the EU designate a greater number of countries safe than does Ireland. Member states with the most countries deemed safe include the Netherlands, which has 33 countries on its list, while Cyprus has 29.

Ten countries are designated safe by Ireland, including two recently added by the Government.

The EU Agency for Asylum report shows only four states have fewer countries designated as safe than Ireland. So far, 22 member states have adopted these safe country lists.

Many other European countries have longer lists of countries that they have designated as safe, and Ireland should give consideration to adding more countries to its list, Mr OCallaghan said.

This designation process is part of the international protection regime and will result in the speeding up of applications, thereby ensuring that those who are entitled to international protection will receive a positive decision in reasonable time.

There is understood to have been widespread agreement among the parliamentary party with the Dublin Bay South TDs call.

Cork TD Padraig OSullivan said there was a need for an EU-wide safe countries list, where all member states have the same countries listed.

He added that there was a need for a system that was fair and robust and would also work towards reducing human trafficking.

I would think it makes sense that we do so many things at EU-level, right across legislation, that there would be a harmonised system across the EU, he said.

If you had an EU-wide policy, then migrants wouldnt be picking and choosing a country on the basis of what countries are deemed as being on the safe list.

Ministers hope designating countries as safe will bring down the number of people coming here from those nations and seeking international protection.

Asylum-seekers who come from safe countries are processed more quickly and in many cases are refused protection.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has previously said deeming two extra countries safe was intended to crack down on illegal immigration.

Meanwhile, 2,000 people seeking asylum arrived in Ireland last month, Mr Varadkar told his parliamentary party meeting.

Up to 20,000 asylum-seekers could potentially arrive on Irish shores this year, ministers were previously warned. This is a sharp increase from just over 13,000 international protection applicants last year.

If the rate of asylum-seekers coming into the country at the start of the year continued across the 12 months, Ireland could have more than 20,000 international protection applicants in 2024.
The United States has imposed blocking sanctions on the National Payment Card System (NPCS), the operator of the Mir cards, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a division of the United States Department of the Treasury responsible for sanctions enforcement, said in a statement.

Nine Russian banks were also sanctioned: Avangard, International Financial Club (IFC), RostFinance, Chelindbank, Modulbank, Databank, Maritime Bank, Bystrobank, and SPB Bank (which is the settlement depository of the SPB Exchange).
Family urges anyone considering travelling abroad for treatment to think twice

I'm away to see the tooth fairy  that was the last message sent by a dad of three to his family before he died after travelling to Turkey for dental treatment.

Businessman Tony Rogers (66), who owned Tony's Cabs in Drogheda, Co Louth, died tragically while in Istanbul for tooth implants in April 2022.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 23rd February 2024

His heartbroken family are now urging others to think twice about the risks before going abroad for any treatment.

Ahead of the second anniversary of his death, the popular taxi bosss children say they will never give up until they know all the answers.

He was our dad and the best dad ever, and his grandchildren miss him terribly as well, says grieving daughter Gillian.

Tony Rogers's daughters Eleanor and Gillian (l-r) with a photo of their late father

To anyone thinking of getting cosmetic or any kind of treatment or surgery abroad  please think twice or research a thousand times. There are different rules and medical training in different countries .

You might be saving a lot of money but how much is a life worth?

Gillian, her sister Eleanor and brother David say they received conflicting results from post-mortem examinations carried out in Turkey and in Ireland.

They say the cause of death was ruled as cardiac arrest in Turkey, while an Irish post mortem examination, carried out at the request of his children when he was repatriated, attributed his death to respiratory failure due to anaesthetic.

He didn't go to Turkey because of cosmetic surgery  he went because he needed dental implants and the cost advertised is a fraction of the massive prices they are here, said Gillian.

He was such a nervous patient and he was sold a package with all the bells and whistles and told he would be given a general anaesthetic, so he would be asleep and wouldn't feel a thing during the process.

Family man Tony Rogers with his grandson Kyle on his Confirmation day

Mr Rogers travelled to Istanbul on his own on April 4, 2022, and the next morning at 8am sent a message to his family saying he was 'away to see the tooth fairy."

That was the last message his family ever got from him.

Mr Rogers died shortly after. Staff at the dental clinic rushed him to hospital, but he was dead on arrival. The Turkish police contacted the Irish embassy, which asked gardai in Drogheda to break the horrific news.

We just didn't believe it. We were convinced it was all a mistake. Only a few hours earlier, he sent a message to say he was off to see the tooth fairy and now we were hearing that he was dead, said Gillian.

We were just numb. We didn't know what to do. We rang the Irish embassy and they provided us with consular assistance but not a lot of information on how to get him home. My brother and nephew flew out to Turkey to see what they could do.

We are not going to stop fighting until we get all the answers. We are a very determined and strong family.

We had no idea how to get him home until a family member mentioned the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, who were just amazing. They knew what to do and took care of everything.

We were told because it was Turkey and it was outside the EU, it would be a month before we got him home. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust had him home in a couple of days.

We were advised to get Dad to the Dublin City Morgue and get our own autopsy so we did that and only got the results of both the Irish and Turkish examinations last September.

We were told that he had died of a cardiac arrest in the Turkish autopsy, but the Irish one concluded it was the anaesthetic that was to blame. All we want is to know how our father died that day.

We are not going to stop fighting until we get all the answers. We are a very determined and strong family.

We know there is a long road ahead but we aren't giving up until we can find out what happened and why.

Dad used to love the Beatles and we used to joke that he worked eight days a week!

He was such a hardworking man and his customers were his family, he held them in that high esteem. He was always involved in fundraising for local charities

The family are holding a memorial night for Mr Rogers in Grennan's Bar in Drogheda on May 8, with all proceeds going to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
Irish design #TagMe, modelled by Eva Donlon, from Moate Community School have been crowned Junk Kouture World Designer of the Year in Monaco.

Irish students from Moate, Co Westmeath, have been crowned Junk Kouture World Designer of the Year in Monaco.

Sixty haute-couture designs made completely from recycled materials took to the catwalk on Thursday night in Salle des Princes in Grimaldi Forum, Monaco.

Winning Irish project #TagMe was designed by Eva Donlon, Evie Nugent and Meabh OShea of Moate Community School.

Their project was made from more than 2,500 plastic colour samples for various plastic objects, which were hand sewn together.

 #TagMe made by students of Moate Community School, Moate, Co. Westmeath (left) and Paris World Finalist Climatica made by students in Lycee Professionnel Ferdinand Buisson, France. Photo: Ed Wright. 

These samples usually end up in landfills as the different colours make them difficult to recycle.

Speaking after being crowned the winner, Eva Donlon said the three students are in absolute disbelief.

"Best journey ever and even being here in Monaco were so lucky, we came in with absolutely no expectations and just having the time of our lives, she said.

"The opportunities you get with Junk Kouture are just amazing.

"In the summer, we got to take part in Create 2023 in Brown Thomas, one thing we thought wed absolutely never get is a dress in Brown Thomas and there we are, Ms Donlon added.

Meanwhile, the Glamour Award powered by Atlantic Technological University in Donegal, which is the home of Junk Kouture, went to another Irish design Invidia.

It was designed by Julia Grant, Ciara Gilmore, and Ailish Doherty, who also modelled the design, made from shoe boxes and a shower curtain.

Wicklow students set off for Junk Kouture World finals in Monaco

Another Irish design the Muse by Asia ORiordan and Erris Lindsay from Blessington Community College, Co Wicklow, won the Wearable Art Award powered by Eurospar.

Their design was made of beads, bingo cards, wool, sticks of willow, old denim, fabrics and paint.

Steam Awards Together with Microsoft went to STEMinist designed by Vanessa Kielty, Martha Nugent and Mary McNulty of Elphin, Co Roscommon.

It was created to encourage more girls to become involved in STEM subjects.

The design was made from old electrical wiring and a copper water cylinder, nuts and bolts, rusted corrugated iron, high-vis jacket, disused landscape netting, tool mats, gears and plastic.

Ready to Wear Award powered by Deloitte also went to an Irish design Le Nouveau Riche by Theo Connolly of Dundalk Grammar School, Co Louth.

It was made using waste from vaccine centres.

Meanwhile, the trophies for last nights World Final have been specially made from old Perspex screens by teams from Atlantic Technological University in Donegal.

Last nights gala, hosted by TV and radio presenter Louise Cantillon and TG4 star Darragh O Caoimh, saw 10 designs from each Junk Kouture territory, including Ireland, Italy, the USA, and the UAE.

Designs from Ireland, UK, France, Italy, USA and UAE. Photo: Ed Wright.

Junk Kouture 2024 kicks off its now sold-out regional finals in Ireland on March 4 and March 5 in the Helix, Dublin.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee says Ireland has to be realistic about how many new refuge spaces it can create over the next two years, as the domestic violence shelter target may be just over half whats needed.

Ms McEntee was speaking at the launch of a landmark new state agency devoted to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).

Cuan, which was officially opened yesterday, will lead the Governments zero tolerance strategy, aiming to eliminate domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Cuan will be responsible for trying to double the number of domestic abuse refuge spaces in Ireland from around 140 currently to 280 by 2026.

Irelands domestic abuse shelters are consistently over-capacity, and many have to turn away women and children every day.

Under a European domestic violence treaty, the Istanbul Convention, states should have one space for every 10,000 people. According to the most recent Census data available, Ireland would need more than 500 refuge spaces to meet these requirements.

Ms McEntee said that the target for 280 spaces is for this strategy, and this strategy alone.

We will, of course, be ambitious and want to go beyond that. But we have to be realistic about what we can achieve between now and the end of 2026. The objective is to double the number of refuge spaces that we have. Were making good progress, Ms McEntee said.

She said the state has 36 new domestic abuse units coming on stream in Navan, Wexford and Dundalk, and that there is significant work under way to create new spaces in under-resourced areas like Cavan, Monaghan, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and Carlow.

Part of the overall objective here is yes, to make sure that we have a space for any person who needs one. For any woman, any child, any man  but we also need to reduce the number of people who need access to this refuge and accommodation. I want to see more victims staying in their own homes and not being the ones that have to leave, the minister said.

The chief executive of Cuan is Dr Stephanie OKeeffe, former national director of health and wellbeing at the HSE.

Dr OKeeffe said it was a pleasure and a privilege to lead the landmark new agency.

When you speak to people who have experienced rape, who have experienced domestic violence, its a very challenging issue. But its nowhere near as challenging as it is for the people going through it, Dr OKeeffe said.

Cuan has a budget this year of approximately 59m. Dr OKeeffe said the vast majority of that funding is going directly to frontline services, and added that the organisations on the ground that dealt directly with rape and domestic abuse survivors had long been campaigning for a dedicated government agency.

The launch of Cuan was also welcomed by Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. He said An Garda Siochana had seen a sharp increase in reports of domestic violence during the pandemic, which had not yet dropped off.

We are continuing to see an increase year on year, he said. Certainly from our perspective in An Garda Siochana, we see that as a positive thing  its undeniable that domestic violence is happening in our communities, in our towns and villages.

So the fact more and more women and men are able to come to An Garda Siochana and talk to us about the fact they are a victim is a real positive, so that we know whats happening.
Danielle has missed out on so, so much were heartbroken  mother of Danielle McLaughlin

The verdict in Vikat Bhagats trial for the murder of Danielle McLaughlin is expected in July

The mother of murdered Donegal backpacker Danielle McLaughlin has told how she is terrified the man accused of her daughters brutal rape and murder may try to escape after he was granted day release to attend his sisters wedding.

And Andrea Brannigan, 52, is devastated Danielle's murder accused can enjoy family wedding celebrations while her eldest daughter was denied the chance of ever getting married.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 23rd February 2024

Im so heartbroken, as are Joleen [her second eldest daughter] and my girls, said Andrea, 52, who lives in Buncrana, with Danielles four younger sisters.

"Our Danielle will never have the opportunity to get married herself. She missed her friends wedding. She never got the chance to celebrate her 30th birthday, she missed seeing her nephew being born. She hasnt seen her sisters growing up. Danielle has missed out on so, so much.

Seven years ago to the day yesterday, on February 22, 2017, Andrea hugged Danielle  who would have turned 35 on February 4 - for the last time and waved her off on her travels to India, where Danielle planned to train as a yoga teacher.

But three weeks later, on March 14, 2017, Danielles bloodied body was found dumped on remote farmland in Canacona, South Goa, where Danielle had visited to attend the Holi festival.

Danielle had been attacked with a bottle, raped and strangled.

The verdict in Vikat Bhagats trial for the murder of Danielle McLaughlin is expected in July

Within hours of Danielles body being found, Goan local Vikat Bhagat - who Danielle knew from a previous trip to Goa - was arrested.

He was put on trial for rape, murder, violent robbery and destruction of evidence and after years of court case delays, Andrea was optimistic for a breakthrough and a verdict by July.

Earlier this month, the Sessions Court in India refused Bhagats application for five-day bail to go to his sisters wedding but he appealed the decision to the High Court.

All this week, Andrea has been on tenterhooks waiting for their decision.

But she was dealt another hammer blow yesterday morning, when the British consulate contacted her with news Bhagat had been granted one-day release under police escort.

In November 2022, Andrea was also left reeling when Bhagat was let out of jail to attend his fathers funeral.

Danielle McLaughlin

This latest development is adding to Andreas anger and frustration at the endless delays and stop-start nature of the case, which has left the family in limbo for seven years and stopped them from grieving for Danielle.

In February last year, the family were told Danielles case would be one of the first to come before a new fast-track special court (FTSC) in Goa, being set up for cases of sexual violence against women and children. News a new female judge and prosecutor had taken the reins in the case and a statement from the Indian High Court setting down a July 16 deadline for the trial's conclusion had also reassured them a verdict was within touching distance.

But now Andrea is worried Bhagat - who Indian police say is a crime gang leader - may attempt to escape with the July deadline looming.

According to Goan news reports last year, Bhagat is accused of up to six offences while in jail, including assaulting inmates and prison staff, and in 2022, it was reported a prison officer was arrested for trying to supply him drugs.

Thats exactly what Im worried about  he has tried to escape before, said Andrea.

"They did video links because he was a flight risk. Its so upsetting. Im worried he will try to abscond.

"Its not like hes a model prisoner. Its been reported hes caused riots in the jail, he was caught with phones in the jail, caught with drugs in the jail, he made a Youtube video in the jail.

"Hes tried to escape before. He assaulted prison officers when they were taking him to court. When he doesnt want to go to court, he doesnt go. Anything he asks for he gets.

"Even handcuffs, I asked for handcuffs to be used, that was granted after he tried to escape and then that was disregarded so he didnt have to wear handcuffs again. He's being escorted by prison officers but he has no handcuffs - he could slip away. Nobody seems to know why hes getting so much.

The family, one of Danielles best friends Christy Duffy and their lawyer, Derry-based Des Doherty hope to travel to India to face Bhagat in court for the first time at the trial this summer.

Afterwards, we can finally start grieving for Danielle and give up the fight for justice. I would like to see him in court. I want to give a statement so people know the type of person Danielle was and how much has been taken from us as a family.

"Ill never get justice as Danielles not here but shell get some kind of justice - I know other families wont have to go through and feel my pain.

She added: Its seven years ago to the day that Danielle left home in Buncrana. Im so annoyed at what has been taken from her and her accused can enjoy his life. He has privileges, now he is going out to a wedding but what about what everything our Danielle lost?

Andrea and 25-year-old Joleen - whose campaign to update the Victims Charter to include Irish victims of crime abroad led to Danielles Amendment - are pleading with the Department of Foreign Affairs to put more pressure on the Indian authorities to bring the case to a swift conclusion.

Andrea said: I want them to step in and do more. Im doing everything, me and Joleen. We have no support and no liaison officers.
Equality Not Care campaigners Ann Marie Flanagan, Michael O'Dowd and Dr Margaret Kennedy, whose group is urging a No vote in the care referendum. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins

The upcoming care referendum shows the Government does not want to create constitutional rights for which people could take the State to court, Irelands human rights watchdog has said.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) said that a proposed new care amendment would make only a narrow commitment to supporting carers, and showed a resistance on the part of the Government to putting concrete economic, social and cultural rights in the Constitution.

The IHREC also criticised the Government for holding a referendum on the so-called womans place amendment without putting a new right to gender equality and non-discrimination in the Constitution.

The criticism is likely to be seen as another blow to the Yes-Yes campaign, in a week where its also faced concerns that the referendum will not go far enough to protect the rights of disabled people or carers.

On March 8, the public is being asked to vote to repeal a controversial constitutional reference to a womans place in the home and replace it with a new amendment recognising the value of care within the family. The referendum is being held alongside another vote, which proposes changing the definition of the family in the Constitution to include those not based on marriage.

As a public body, the IHREC cannot comment on the referendum during the campaign. But earlier this month, the IHREC sent a report to a UN committee on economic, social and cultural rights ahead of a meeting between the international human rights watchdog and Ireland.

In 2015, the same UN committee expressed regret that Ireland still had not repealed what is known as the womans place article. In its report, the IHREC said: More than eight years later, this article continues to present an outdated portrait of women in Irish society.

While noting substantial delays, the IHREC welcomed the fact that the Government was planning to hold a referendum on Article 41.2 on March 8.

But it said that the wording of the proposed amendment differed in key respects from the wording proposed by both a Citizens Assembly and an Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality.

The referendum will not enshrine the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination in Article 40.1, despite repeated recommendations from civil society and human rights treaty bodies, the IHREC said.

Similarly, as noted elsewhere in this report, the commitment to support care is narrow and indicates resistance to placing justiciable economic, social and cultural rights on a constitutional footing.

The Irish electorate must be given information to participate effectively in the referendum process in line with international human rights law, including through voter registration.

In the same report, the IHREC said there was a judicial culture in Ireland that was reluctant to engage with rigorous adjudication and distributive questions on economic, social and cultural rights, particularly without more explicit constitutional authorisation to do so.

We are also concerned about the adversarial and defensive strategies adopted by the State in response to individuals seeking to assert their rights, including in the context of disability services and supports, nursing homes, and healthcare for example, the report said.

We are of the view that economic, social and cultural rights must be incorporated at a constitutional level in Ireland, backed by appropriate supplementary statutory protections and policy measures.

In this context, it is regrettable that the proposed replacement of Article 41.2 indicates continued hesitance to incorporate economic, social and cultural rights into the Constitution.

It is crucial that economic, social and cultural rights are included in the core rights provisions of the Constitution as justiciable rights.

This week, a new campaign group was formed to canvass for a No vote in the care referendum.

Equality Not Care said it felt that the care referendum was offensive to disabled people and their families, and threatened to leave them behind.

It came after FLAC, the free legal advice service, also said it could not support the Yes campaign for the care referendum. FLAC said the new amendment would be both sexist and ineffective.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson, whose is sceptical about the deal, heavily criticised the Government in the Commons (PA)

Sammy Wilson has quit his role of DUP chief whip at Westminster in a move that follows his strong opposition to the deal agreed by his partys leader to restore Stormont.

Its unclear why the East Antrim MP has decided to step down from the position.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 23rd February 2024

BBC News Northern Ireland has reported that Mr Wilson made the decision this week, but remains a party officer.

The Brexiteer was the first person in the party ranks at Westminster to publicly attack the Safeguarding the Union agreement that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson negotiated with the UK Government.

Mr Wilson stopped short of criticising the party leader directly in the House of Commons as he accused the government of being "spineless" for refusing to stand up to the European Union.

When the Northern Ireland assembly sits, ministers and assembly members will be expected by law to adhere to and implement laws which are made in Brussels, which they had no say over and no ability to amend, and no ability to stop, he previously told MPs.

This is a result of this spineless, weak-kneed, Brexit-betraying government, refusing to take on the EU and its interference in Northern Ireland.

Is Northern Ireland going to find its got the ability to stay tied to the United Kingdom, or will the Government proceed happily to change laws here regardless of the impact it has on Northern Ireland?

The comments were in response to the claim by Britains NI Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris that EU law alignment would no longer automatically apply under the terms of the deal.

Mr Wilson later aligned himself with party colleagues Lord Dodds and Lord Morrow to attack the deal in an article published in the News Letter.

"We recognise that in the face of a government which cares more about keeping the European Union happy than it does about protecting the union of the countries which make up the UK, our leader had a difficult task in wresting meaningful concessions from the Brexit betraying government at Westminster, they wrote.

Whilst acknowledging some positive aspects of the deal, the senior DUP figures said that fundamentally the Protocol/Windsor Framework is still intact and that the EU still holds a grip on significant areas of our economic life.

There can be no dispute about it, there is still a border in the Irish Sea, they added.
Siun Ni Raghallaigh, who was appointed chair of the RTE board in 2022, has become the latest casualty in the public fallout within RTE.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh became the face of the RTE board after replacing Moya Doherty in November 2022. She has been hailed as a valuable ally by RTEs director general Kevin Bakhurst, however, her term as chair ended abruptly overnight with an email of resignation after Media Minister Catherine Martin refused to express confidence in her.

Her tenure was marked by controversies at the broadcaster including undisclosed payments to former presenter Ryan Tubridy, RTE barter accounts, Toy Show The Musical and exit payments to former RTE executives.

In a statement of resignation Ms Ni Raghallaigh said it was abundantly clear that Media Minister Catherine Martin no longer has confidence in her and that her position is no longer tenable.

Originally from Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal, Ni Raghallaigh (66) comes from a background of arts, finance and TV production.

The Donegal native helped found TG4, the States first and only Irish language television station in the 1990s, and was its finance director and later its marketing director.

She chaired its board for 10 years, from 2012 until April 2022 when she stepped down.

She began her career as a finance manager for shipping company Elan and studied to be a professional accountant.

For the past 19 years, she has also been managing director of Ikandi Productions Ltd, a Galway-based production company specialising in documentary, music and childrens animation.

As well as having lengthy experience with TG4, she was also chief executive in Ardmore Studios in Co Wicklow and played a key role in setting up Troy Studios in Limerick.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh also worked as a financial controller of the now defunct Sunday Tribune newspaper.

However, from June onwards last year, Ms Ni Raghallaighs tenure as chair of the RTE board has been dominated by scandals within the broadcaster.

Boardroom tensions hit a high this week after the latest revelations that Ms Martin said she did not know about the role the RTE board had in the financial settlement for former chief financial officer Richard Collins.

Mr Collins was one of the RTE executives who appeared before Oireachtas committees to answer questions about the controversy engulfing the national broadcaster.

He left the organisation last year with a binding confidentiality clause.

Ms Martin said in a TV interview on Thursday that she was twice misinformed about the RTE board approving the package for Mr Collins.

The media minister accused the chair of failing to tell her she approved a golden handshake for an executive.

It comes after revelations that an exit package of 450,000 was paid to former chief financial officer Breda O'Keeffe, who was replaced by Richard Collins.

However, Mr Bakhurst said the correct procedures were followed when agreeing a payoff for Mr Collins.

In a statement, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said: I informed the department about the process which led to Richards departure from RTE, on October 10th, the day after it was approved at the Remuneration Committee.

I no longer have the confidence of the Minister in my role as Chair of the Board of RTE and that, as such, my position is no longer tenable.

During her tenure as RTE board chair Ms Ni Raghallaigh has been a regular face in front of Oireachtas committee grillings.

Last June she apologised for the "egregious breach of trust with the public after undisclosed payments to former presenter Tubridy.

While last week she told the committee the RTE board should have asked more questions about Toy Show The Musical, which recorded losses of 2.2m.

She said it was a source of regret for each member of the board that they did not rigorously interrogate the RTE executive on an ongoing basis.

Following her resignation this morning, Mr Bakhurst said he vowed to bring stability to the organisation.

In a memo to staff Mr Bakhurst said: My role now more than ever, is to bring stability to the very regrettable chaos that continues to threaten all attempts to move forward.

He said Ms Ni Raghallaighs decision to resign as chair was with "regret" and she was an excellent chair.

Without Siuns experience, insight, guidance and optimism, beginning the process of meaningfully transforming RTE would have been a bigger challenge, he said.

Her integrity, hard work, commitment to public service and her appreciation of the important work you all do in serving audiences, despite many challenges, made her a valuable ally.

Siun believed in RTE and its future and she will be sorely missed, he added.

Prior to Ms Ni Raghallaighs resignation, no deputy chair had been confirmed and moves are in progress to appoint a new chair.
The Ukrainian air defense destroyed 23 out of 31 enemy shaheds with which Russian troops attacked part of Ukrainian territories on Friday night, according to the Air Force.

"Air defense destroyed 23 attack UAVs within Odesa, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv regions," the report says.

It is reported that on the night of February 23, the enemy attacked 31 attack UAVs of the Shahed type (Primorsko-Akhtarsk  RF, Cape Chauda  Crimea).

The enemy also launched an attack with three S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles (Donetsk region), two X-22 cruise missiles (Black Sea area).
The supply of homes available has been in substantial decline for almost a decade. Photo: Stock/Getty Images

Most estate agents will agree that the number of homes available for sale in Ireland is currently down at the lowest levels experienced in memory after a particularly steep decline in recent years.
Helen McEntee: Too many Irish homes are places of terror and violence, but Cuan has been set up to change all that

On the day she opens a new state agency to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based abuse, Helen McEntee explains why victims are afraid to seek support and how education is key to transformation

Helen McEntee says Cuan will drive zero-tolerance attitudes to domestic abuse. Photo: Gareth Chaney

Helen McEntee Fri 23 Feb 2024 at 03:30

The facts and figures on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) are hard to read. Our homes and relationships are the areas of our lives where we should feel safest. However, for many this is not the case.
Tanya Sweeney: Is it just me, or do directors like Christopher Nolan and Wes Anderson let being so revered for their vision go to their heads?

Not only do we allow directors their quirks, we celebrate their methods as part of Hollywood lore

Theres no phones  but also no announcement: everybody just knows. And theres no chairs. Because he doesnt sit down.

Tanya Sweeney Fri 23 Feb 2024 at 03:30

It being Oscar season, Best Actor nominee Cillian Murphy has been talking about working alongside his Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan quite a lot. He clearly has nothing but respect for Nolan, who he described in GQ Magazine as the smartest person Ive ever met. Another detail from that same interview, however, did give me pause for thought.
Vladimir Putin reminded the world there is nothing he won't do to remain in control. Photo: Reuters

In 24-hour news cycles, amid the accelerated pace of daily life, the page can sometimes be turned too rapidly on even the most heinous of crimes.

This has not been the case in the murder of Alexei Navalny, as global shock persists.

That is why it was fitting for Tanaiste Micheal Martin to put on record the firm belief that Mr Navalny was killed by the Russian state.

It was also entirely appropriate for the Department of Foreign Affairs to summon Russian ambassador to Ireland Yury Filatov to express outrage at Mr Navalnys death.

The wave of revulsion prompted by the heroic opposition leaders death at the age of 47 is still palpable.

In its response to the commendably blunt condemnation of Russias responsibility, the embassy issued another characteristically threadbare denial.

It said claims by both Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Mr Martin were mere politically motivated speculation around Navalnys demise. The clear intent being to exploit it for the sake of attacking and demonising Russia.

As if Vladimir Putins regime needs any assistance in destroying its character. Adopting the same kind of delusional deflection it excelled at to deny it had anything but honourable intentions towards Ukraine, it went on to say: That is unacceptable, inadmissible and, indeed, unconscionable.

The synthetic sense of grievance and victimhood assumed having repeatedly violated international law and trampled on every human right is not just ludicrous but grotesque, given the context.

Ireland is not alone, the whole world is appalled at the increasing levels of violence, intimidation and repression. Putin will one day be held to account.

The shared global grief and outrage at Mr Navalnys death can not be hidden under a grubby diplomatic carpet. For all the iron grip the Kremlin asserts, it still had reason to fear the courage and character of Alexei Navalny. Even when sent to one of the harshest and most remote prisons on Earth, he still remained a threat to the repressive regime.

All Putin has really succeeded in doing is to remind the world why he must be resisted at all costs, as there are no lows to which he will not stoop to remain in control.

By contrast, Mr Navalny was a true hero and his example will shine on. He fully knew the dangers he faced and had long predicted his murder.

But he never bowed.

He understood it would be up to others to carry on his legacy and face down his oppressors. All who believe in democracy must honour his memory and rightly decry the cowards who were intimidated by his vision of a free and fair Russia.

Moscows hope is that this murder will snuff out any chance of dissent. The opposite is more likely to be true. The torch Mr Navalny carried will not be so easily quenched. As the people of Ukraine have also shown, true spirit can not be broken by brute force.

And ideas, unlike tyrants, never die.
A piece of music composed as a homage to Rory Gallagher will have its world premiere at St. Fin Barres Cathedral Cork on Friday, May 3.

Anselm McDonnell was this years winner of the prestigious Sean O Riada composition competition for his original composition, Gallagher, which pays homage to the music of Rory Gallagher.

Originally from Belfast, Anselm collaborated with author Tim MacGhabhann on the composition, after they bonded over a mutual love of the famous guitarist, during their time as resident artists at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris.

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The musician piece weaves several quotations from the musicians work into a musical texture that plays off the rich imagery in Tim's poems.

The Irish/Welsh artist, has composed over 90 pieces for various ensembles, including orchestras, chamber groups, choirs, soloists, and electronics, earning him this prestigious recognition.

The performance of Gallagher will be part of the Cork International Choral Festivals annual collaborative concert with choir-in-residence, Chamber Choir Ireland, led by their Artistic Director Paul Hillier.

I'm looking forward to working with Chamber Choir Ireland again, as they bring such a rich sound and interpretive nuance to new compositions, said Anselm McDonnell.

I'm excited that the work's premiere will be part of the Cork International Choral Festival, especially given the close link between Gallagher and Cork, his childhood home and burial place, he added.

The Sean O Riada competition provides a platform for Irish composers to have their work judged and rewarded solely on its own merits. Submissions are made under pseudonyms, ensuring anonymity until after the judges' decision has been made.

The competition aims to present Irish choirs with fresh, authentic material for their programs and has attracted renowned composers throughout its history.

This years Cork International Choral Festival takes place from May 1 to May 5, 2024.
The councillor made the light-hearted comment during a vote of congratulations extended to Eurovision hopeful Bambie Thug

Bambie Thug was congratulated on being selected as Ireland's Eurovision 2024 representative at the most recent meeting of Macroom Municipal District on Friday. Photo by Andres Poveda.

Macroom councillors extended their congratulations to locally born Eurovision hopeful Bambie Thug on Friday, with one local representative stating that she would be delighted to attend the song contest if theyre looking for a delegate.

The congratulations to Bambie Thug, who will represent Ireland at Eurovision after winning the Late Late Shows Eurosong competition last month, were initiated by Macroom mayor Ted Lucey at the most recent meeting of the local Municipal District.

Councillor Lucey said that it should not be forgotten that someone from the town will be representing Ireland at Eurovision, which will be held in in Malmo, Sweden in May.

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The councillor said that he hopes that Bambie Thug will go on to win the contest.

A win by the artist, he said, would be great publicity for Macroom, which sometimes finds itself in the news for the wrong reasons.

Cllr Luceys Fine Gael colleague, councillor Michael Creed, said that he heard that Bambie Thugs father is in Macroom town at the moment.

Fianna Fail councillor Gobnait Moynihan then offered her congratulations to Bambie Thug and said that she was delighted that were going to the Eurovision.

And if theyre looking for a delegate or if theyre looking for councillors to go, Id be delighted to go and I assume the rest of you as well, Cllr Moynihan said humorously, and added: So it would be wonderful if we got the invite!

Therell be no discretionary fund if thats the case, Cllr Lucey joked in response.
Cllr OBrien brought forward a motion seeking an update from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) on a possible upgrade of the current pedestrian crossing at Main Street, Kildorrery at a recent Northern Committee meeting.

Cllr OBrien expressed her fears that it is an accident waiting to happen. Another location on the N73 which is another accident waiting to happen. When will TII see the necessity to expedite the work on this crossing? Dont leave it too late. It is a death trap. You have actually got through this crossing before you realise you have gone through it. I am pleading with TII to expedite it and bring it forward as fast as possible, she said.

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The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn supported the motion. This has been going on for far too long. This has been raised time and time again. It is a very busy thoroughfare. There is something like five buses in Kildorrery in the morning. Five buses collecting and bringing kids to the national school and going to the school in Mitchelstown.

We were promised it in past funding. All the parking is down on the Glanworth Road. It is very important a proper pedestrian crossing would be put there. I would fully support the motion, he added.

We need to see funding, said Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy. This has been discussed over many years. I cant understand the delay in getting a pedestrian crossing done right in Kildorrery. Is it funding? It doesnt make sense to be waiting this length of time. It is going on and on. We need to see this pedestrian crossing in place and done right. There is no excuse for the ongoing delays.

Fianna Fail councillor William OLeary fully agreed with the sentiments expressed by his fellow councillors. Going back 18 months there was a bit of progress on this where they were going to update the existing crossing. It is an extremely busy crossing. It is at the centre of four cross roads. It is definitely one we do need to prioritise with TII.

Director of Service Roads and Transportation with Cork County Council Niall Healy told the councillors dialogue is taking place with TII. Cork County Council is currently liaising with TII in relation to 2024 funding availability for low cost safety improvement schemes in County Cork which may include funding for a potential upgrade of the pedestrian crossing in Kildorrery.

There has been toing and froing between TII and ourselves in relation to the reports that need to support the case for it. That has largely been done. We are awaiting the funding notification now to come through from TII in terms of overall allocations to Cork County Council for the year ahead. Hopefully we will be successful in securing funding, he added.
Funding of almost 10.5 million for completion works on the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom bypass has been welcomed by Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West Aindrias Moynihan.

10m was allocated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for the Ballyvourney to Macroom bypass, 250,000 was granted for the Baile Bhuirne Macroom Active Travel and 200,000 was allocated for Ballyvourney ped crossing.

Approval for 30,000 in funding was also granted for safety works at Castlemore Cross junction.

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The funding was announced as part of a total of over 500 million allocated to National Roads and Greenways nationwide.

A total of 63.9 million has been approved for national roads and greenways in Cork city and county.

The allocations will be made to local authorities across the country through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

Deputy Moynihan expressed his delight with the level of funding for the N22. "I'm delighted to see an allocation of almost 10.5 million funding for the N22 this year. The vast bulk of this investment is for finalising the Ballyvourney section of the road.

The Cork North West TD added that he was especially pleased to see approval for 30,000 in funding for safety works at Castlemore Cross junction. "I am also pleased that there is further significant allocation of funding of 30,000 for safety works at the existing N22 road at Castlemore and Ballyvourney. It will allow the County Council to advance planning and design of a safer junction.

"The Council have proposed a roundabout which will improve access and road safety and there is a great deal of work yet before we get to construction, this initial funding puts us on course to advance to design and planning. I had the opportunity recently to show the Minister of State for Transport, Jack Chambers these areas of concern here on the ground first hand, he added.

The Cork North West TD also welcomed the continued investment in greenways throughout the country. Over 63.9 million has been approved for national roads and greenways in Cork city and county. This funding will help ensure that our roads are safe, reliable and accessible. Continued investment in greenways is welcome, as they protect important habitats and provide corridors for people and wildlife. They help improve air and water quality and provide enjoyable and safe options for transportation.

Deputy Moynihan said he will continue to liaise with TII regarding the funding of safety works on a number of other N22 junctions. There are a number of other N22 junctions I would have liked TII to fund safety works for. While there isnt an allocation for them I will be following up right away with the TII on their plans."
Fadl Mohamad Mustapha lives in Letterkenny, County Donegal with his wife Aoife and their three daughters - Aalya, Meera and Maitha.

A Palestinian man who has made County Donegal his home has been heartened by the support of Irish people and said it has given him a glimmer of hope for humanity.
Zelenskyy: The more insane statements we hear from Moscow, the greater our force must be

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the more crazy statements are made from Moscow, the greater our strength should be, noting that only this can "bring Russia back to a state of sobriety."

The more insane statements we hear from Moscow, the greater our force must be. It is only the power of our defense of life, our ability to achieve our own goals that can bring Russia back to a state of at least partial sobriety. Russian madness must lose this war. We will do everything for this, the President said in his evening video address.

He welcomed the defense support packages provided to Ukraine by partners. In particular, from Denmark, Great Britain and New Zealand.

Denmark  the 15th defense package has been announced. Ammunition, drones, reinforcement for our warriors. Thank you. I appreciate that all our agreements with Mette, Mrs. Prime Minister of Denmark, are being perfectly implemented. The United Kingdom  there is an announcement about the preparation of a package. In particular, it will contribute to repelling Russian assaults. There is a package from New Zealand that will strengthen our logistics, intelligence and communications. And also for support in training our warriors, Zelenskyy noted.
A garda probe is under way after an 'alleged bullet' was extracted from an Irish Rail train carriage

Gardai have launched an investigation after an alleged bullet was extracted from a train carriage that left Heuston Station last Sunday.

Gardai at Kilmainham have confirmed that they are currently investigating a report of damage to a train carriage.

The investigation was launched after they received a report of a bullet being found in carriage C of the 4pm Dublin to Cork train on February 18.

Gardai told the Irish Independent that Irish Rail brought the incident to light on February 19 and a probe is now under way.

In a statement, An Garda Siochana said: Gardai at Kilmainham are currently investigating a report of damage to a train carriage. Irish Rail brought the incident to light on February 19.

What is believed to be an alleged bullet, which was extracted from the exterior of the train carriage, is subject to further forensic analysis.

Details regarding the exact time and location of the related incident are still unclear. Enquiries are ongoing.

Irish Rail confirmed that one outer pane of glass on the window was reported to have shattered near Charleville, Co Cork.

In a statement, Irish Rail said: The inner pane was not damaged and was fully intact.

Upon inspection in our depot in Heuston overnight, a fragment of what may have been a bullet was seen in the outer pane, and gardai were alerted. Gardai are investigating, and we will assist them in this.

Given the minimal damage and location, we have no reason to believe that this was a deliberate act or one that occurred in close proximity to the train, but await updates from gardai.
The N77 road outside Portlaoise, Co Laois.

Nearly 18m is to be spent on Laois roads this year, according to updated figures released on Thursday.

Laois Offaly Deputy Sean Fleming TD said he has confirmed the total Government allocation of 17,930,699 for the improvement and upkeep of roads in County Laois for 2024.

In recent days the Government announced 13,638,750 for the improvement and maintenance works on national roads and greenways in Laois. The Government has since announced a separate further allocation of 4,291,949 to Laois County Council for renewal and improvement works on the National Secondary Routes in the county.

The total of these two allocations is 17,930,699, almost 18 million Euro, said Deputy Fleming. This is a substantial amount provided by taxpayers for the roads in Laois and I know Laois County Council will make excellent use of these funds.

The most recent allocation for the roads in the county includes:

1,800,000 for the N78 Ballylehane Lower to Farnans,

1,000,000 for the N77 Portlaoise,

600,000 for the N77 from Course to Dunmore,

124,000 for the N80 Rathillig Junction and also

50,000 for the Greenway from Abbeyleix to Portlaoise.

I look forward to Laois County Council Management and Elected Members finalising its roads programme for 2024 as soon as possible, to ensure all these works are completed this year.

A top priority of Fianna Fail in Government is investing in rural Ireland and the maintenance and improvement of our roads to make it as safe as possible while supporting economic development, added Deputy Fleming.
Louth man was asked to apologise to Michael Shine after reporting abuse by Ireland's Jimmy Saville

Further call for public enquiry on second anniversary of disgraced surgeons release

Convicted sex abuser and former surgeon Michael Shine (91). Pic Collins Courts

Alison Comyn  Drogheda Independent Fri 23 Feb 2024 at 18:03

A Louth man, who says he was asked by gardai to write a letter of apology to his abuser Dr Michael Shine, says he will never rest until there is a full public enquiry into the widespread sexual abuse.
One student had become ill while on school trip to Poland

The three students of a County Roscommon school who contracted Meningitis are recovering well and making good progress.

Three students of Abbey Community College in Boyle, County Roscommon have been treated for Meningitis B.

The first case was identified after a student became ill while on a school trip to Poland.

As the three attended the same school, Public Health West and North West followed national guidance and as a precaution offered one dose of an antibiotic to all students and staff of the school.

HSE attended the school on Thursday, February 15 and administered the treatment to over 80% of the school staff and students.

It has now been confirmed that the three students are recovering well and making good progress.

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Principal David Harding praised the entire school community for their proactive response to the outbreak and the support received from the HSE.

I am happy to report that the three students are all recovering well and making good progress.

Within the school, and in conjunction with the HSE, we have completed an antibiotic administration programme with over 80% of the school community availing of the treatment.

We have also completed, with the HSE, an education program providing information on the topic of meningitis, what it is and how to recognise the early signs.

The school is very praise worthy of all involved in the response effort to this outbreak especially the staff and doctors attached to the Public Health Surveillance section of the HSE North West region.

I also want to acknowledge the great work of the staff and student body of ACC who worked really hard to facilitate our response and help manage this difficult situation, said Mr Harding.

While the risk to the wider community is considered low, Public Health West and North West want the general public in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon to be aware and vigilant of the signs and symptoms of this disease.

Person-to-person spread of meningococcal disease is uncommon, especially with people who are not a household or physically close personal contact.

The spread of the bacteria is caused by droplets from the nose and mouth.

The illness occurs most frequently in young children and adolescents, usually as isolated cases.

Public Health advises that if anyone has any concerns they should contact their GP in the first instance but ensure that medical expertise is sought quickly.

Symptoms of the disease include a high temperature of 38C or higher or cold hands and feet and is shivering

Other symptoms include a dislike of bright lights, headache and neck stiffness, pain or body stiffness, tummy symptoms, confused, tired or irritable, has pale or bluish skin, unusual breathing, seizures or a rash.

The rash that doesnt fade when you press a glass tumbler against it.
The planned upgrading of the N17 has been given a boost with funding of 900,000 despite Transport Minister Eamon Ryan effectively suspending the project last year.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)announced the 900,000 funding to keep the project alive and progress it further in terms of planning and design.

Last summer Sligo County Council was left stunned by the Minister when he met with officials and councillors and said there would be no funding available for the N17 scheme for many years, effectively suspending it, despite the project being included in the National Planning Framework and National Development Plan.

Sligo County Council Chief Executive, Martin Lydon said at the time that while the Minister confirmed the scheme has not been removed from the National Development Plan it was clear it was effectively suspended if no funding was going to allocated in the next few years to develop the design and progress to the planning stage.

However, funding revealed on Thursday keeps the project progressing and it was part of an overall 23m package announced by TII.

Sligo/Leitrim TD Frank Feighan TD hailed the announcement of 23.4M for Sligo/Leitrim by the TII and said it was a breakthrough day for the region.

Significant funding will see a number of significant projects progress under this announcement including the long-awaited news on the N17 and the N4 alongside progress for the Sligo Greenway and the SLNCR greenway from Sligo to Enniskillen.

Deputy Feighan expressed his gratitude to An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for his intervention at cabinet to ensure key road and infrastructure projects would proceed which he sees as vital to redress the economic imbalance in this country and open up the North West for more Investment.

The key announcements for Sligo under its 18,200,477 budget include,

National Primary Major Scheme, Collooney to Castlebaldwin, 900,000; NDP - N17 Knock to Collooney 900,000.

 N16 Lugatober Realignment 9,000,000

 N15 Rathcormack South Pavement 1,000,000

 Sligo Greenway - Bellaghy - Charlestown - Collooney 700,000

In Leitrim several key projects were funded,

 NDP - N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod, 1,000,000

 SLNCR, Sligo to Enniskillen Greenway (P&D) (Formerly: SLNCR - Sligo Town to Blacklion, Co. Cavan) 1,500,000

 N16 Manorhamilton to Cornacloy Phase 2 pavement 600,000/ N16 Manorhamilton to Cornacloy Phase 4, Pavement Scheme 600,000

Deputy Feighan said, There was deep concern that the progress of the N17 and the N4 would be halted, the TII funding allocations indicate otherwise, both these projects are essential to the development and investment potential for the North West, Sligo needs the N17 road project to progress without any delays and I am thankful to this government and my party leader for listening to my concerns and ensuring the necessary funding was provided in this years allocation.

Finally, I am delighted to see the major greenway projects across both counties progress under this funding statement today, over the coming years the development of the SLNCR and the Sligo Greenway is pivotal to Sligo and North Leitrims tourism ambitions.
Nick Miller with his painting at the preview of A Matter of Time in Crawford Art Gallery, Cork. Pic: Clare Keogh.

Two Sligo based artists have been included in an exhibition in Cork which focuses on the theme of time.

Sligo artists Nick Miller and Jamie Cross attended Crawford Art Gallery in Cork city last weekend for the launch of a large group exhibition in which both artists have work.

A Matter of Time, which runs until June 3, includes 60 pieces of art by 25 Irish and International artists. The exhibition is centred around the theme of time.

Over 200 art lovers attended the public preview evening for A Matter of Time on Friday 16 January.

Nick Miller, a well known painter and member of Aosdana who is originally from the UK and has lived in Sligo since 1992, has a large painting called Branching and fragmenting: Tikkun Olam in the exhibition.

Jamie Cross studied at Dun Laoghaire Institute Of Art, Design + Technology.

Now based in Sligo, he has recently been awarded a studio residency at The Model contemporary arts centre.

He has a piece called Untitled in the A Matter of Time exhibition.
Hennessy Engineering has posted this photograph of one of the robbers, a still picture from CCTV camera footage, and are appealing to members of the public to share the photo and help catch this thief

Hennessy Engineering Limited in Tipperary are offering a 10,000 reward for information on the robbers who broke into their premises near Templemore this week.

Thieves made off with up to 70,000 worth of goods from Hennessys on Wednesday night or the early hours of Thursday morning, February 22. As a result, the future viability of the company is now threatened.

Hennessy Engineering is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of waste disposal equipment in Ireland and employs 12 people at its business a few minutes drive north of Templemore, at Kyle, Killea.

I am offering 10,000 to anyone who has information that will lead to the return of the stolen goods or the arrest of the robbers, said the owner, Jim Hennessy.

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The company has posted a photograph of one of the robbers, a still picture from CCTV camera footage, and are appealing to members of the public to share the photo and help catch the thief. Were also going to try and get that picture developed more. Weve sent it to specialists, said Mr Hennessy.

Mr Hennessy described his sense of shock when he saw the damage. I couldnt believe it. They cut the gates down. They got up and they cut all the transmitters for the internet, he said.

They got up about 20 feet up, and cut the transmitters, because we have internet for the security system. We have a network here that monitors all that.

"I couldnt believe that they are ordinary thieves. They broke into a building and took out forklifts and used a forklift then to load their stuff. They knew exactly what they were coming for. They knew exactly the kind of stuff they wanted, he said.

At least two individuals, but possibly three, were involved. One of them had his image caught on camera just before he broke the camera down.

They really knew what they were doing. They were well able to drive the forklift, and they spun it around the yard, added Mr Hennessy.

The company took on more people a few weeks ago, from a time years ago when it employed up to 100 people. The company had closed to concentrate on work abroad, before re-opening five years ago, and were building the business back up.

Mr Hennessy said he now fears for the companys future going forwards. Its an awful loss because well have to replace the stuff now as well. Its just unbelievable. Thats why were putting up the 10,000 trying to get some feedback, added Mr Hennessy.

Members of the public can email any information to info@hennessyengineering.com
Detectives investigating the circumstances behind a suspected payment fraud at a local authority in the midlands are believed to be focusing their inquiries on online transactions made by the local authority to a spurious account.

The Irish Independent has learned gardai are focusing on payments made by Westmeath County Council last month which resulted in the loss of approximately 515,000.

A garda investigation into the episode is now underway while the council has engaged specialist advisers via its insurer Irish Public Bodies (IPB) in the wake of the controversy.

The local authoritys 20 elected members learned of the news in an email sent out by interim chief executive Barry Kehoe on Wednesday evening.

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Its also understood that, while a full garda probe is now underway, the local authority has also launched its own internal investigation into the matter.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Liam McDaniel expressed his disappointment over the incident and said he had instructed senior council bosses to ensure there were no further episodes of a similar nature into the future.

It is definitely disappointing that Westmeath County Council was the victim of this fraudulent transaction and that it was initiated by a third party, he told the Irish Independent.

The Gardai are investigating, but as to who that third party is, I dont know. I just hope the Gardai will be able to discover who it was and apprehend them.

Read more Garda probe launched as Westmeath County Council hit by 500,000 payment fraud

Pressed as to whether the incident resulted from an online payments the council undertook to a bogus account, Cllr McDaniel declined to comment specifically, but said it was imperative lessons were learned.

I cant comment too much on it, he said.

I wont say it was a bogus supplier, but these things are happening and the days of a criminal gang going into carry out a bank robbery, we dont see or hear of it anymore. What we see now is very sophisticated fraud through an internet transaction.

I have asked (the council) to take all measures now required to strengthen our systems and prevent a reoccurrence or anything of that nature.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 23rd February 2024

I suppose the lesson is not just for local authorities, but the same goes for businesses and even individuals carrying out financial transactions over the internet, that one has to be very sure that everything is right before they press the go button.

In a statement released yesterday afternoon, Westmeath County Council said it was cooperating fully with the Garda investigation which was in its early stages.

The Irish Independent has reached out to the Garda Press Office and is currently awaiting a formal response.
A tight-knit, rural Wexford community has been left reeling by the news that a 25-year-old local man has died suddenly in Bali.

A native of Kiltealy, Val Brooks had only emigrated to Australia around a month ago. It is believed that he may have died in a tragic drowning accident while on a trip to Bali in Indonesia with friends.

Vals family, his devastated parents Val Snr and Anne and siblings Catherine, Patricia and Sean, have been liaising with the department of foreign affairs and the young Wexford mans friends to establish the exact circumstances of his tragic passing.

Val was a talented tradesman and worked for both Karl Cullen Fitted Kitchens and JV Kitchens in Tullow.

The Brooks family being a very well-known and well-respected family, the tight-knit local community has been rallying around them since the news broke.

"The whole community is devastated by this news, local parish priest Fr Jim Fegan said. Val was a young man heading off to Australia to make a new start in his life. Its a terrible shock.

Hearts are broken. When tragedy like this strikes, it shows us how fragile life really is and how in seconds everything can change and lives are turned upside down.

"Val was a fantastic carpenter. His pals had emigrated before him and he decided I think Ill give this a try. He had gone for a year and he was only five weeks gone last Tuesday. He was enjoying life like all the young people and wanting to explore life in a different part of the world.

"He was a young vibrant young man, full of life, a very happy-go-lucky guy. Meeting all his friends up at the house in the last two days, he obviously touched a lot of lives. To see how many young people whose hearts are broken, its an awful tragedy.

Elaborating on RTE Radio 1s Morning Ireland, Fr Fegan said that Val was enjoying the adventure on the other side of the world and had only been in contact with his family the day before his death.

"He was in communication nearly every day, he said. The day before he was on FaceTime with a good few of his family and his cousins and that. Its just such an awful tragedy.

"Kiltealy is a very strong community and its wonderful to see how everyone is coming together to support Val and Anne and the family. I know theyll walk the extra mile with them in these difficult days.

"The family still have difficult days ahead. Vals body still has to be repatriated and brought home and they still have the funeral ahead of them, so its a very tough, tough time.

Fr Fegan said that it may take some time to repatriate Vals remains and for the funeral mass to take place.

"His friends are liaising with the family as well, but it all takes so much time and theres so much paperwork involved, he said.

At one point they (the authorities) said it could be next week by the time hes home, but then it was also said it could go into the following week. Its still unknown. His parents and family just want to hold him and touch him and see him. Theres that awful disbelief. Its very hard and all we can do at this side is be supportive."

Local councillor Kathleen Codd Nolan said that the news of Vals passing had sent shockwaves through the entire area.

"Everybody is just shocked and devastated, she said. I know Val Sr is very involved in the Ballindaggin Pipe Band and the entire family is very well thought of in the local area.

"This is a very small area and everybody knows everybody, she continued. People are just genuinely upset for Vals poor parents, his siblings and the rest of the family and our thoughts are with them.

Tributes have poured in online for the young Wexford man since news of his passing broke. He was remembered as a lovely lad who always had a smile on his face, a talented craftsman and a pure gentleman.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - 22nd February 2024
With the contract for a postmaster to take over running New Ross Post Office due to go out this week, questions remain about what, exactly, An Posts plans are for the Charles Street premises, according to Cllr Michael Sheehan.

Following an intervention by Minister of State James Browne and a campaign in New Ross, Charles Street will remain the location of the post office for the foreseeable time.

Minister Browne met with An Post CEO David McRedmond and Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on Friday afternoon and made the case for the post office to remain in the Charles Street location.

"The post office services are going to stay in the current building which wont be closing, he said.

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"It will change to a postmaster run, rather than an An Post managed service, but it will have the same services in the same building." Deputy Browne said nearly all post offices across Ireland are postmaster run.

"Its absolutely crucial to any community to have a post office, especially in a town the size of New Ross. It was unacceptable to propose the removal of a post office from a large town like New Ross and from an iconic, heritage building in the heart of the town.

"An Post has a duty towards that building and all credit to the people of New Ross to get that message across to An Post."

New Ross post office. Photo; Mary Browne

Minister Browne said Cllr Michael Whelan was first to contact him about the issue, adding that Cllr Michael Sheehan has done a great job in highlighting the matter, having organised two public rallies - attended by around 450 people  over recent weeks. He said Wexford County Council cathaoirleach, Cllr John Fleming was also vocal on the issue.

"You are dealing with a State agency and its important to remind them of the importance of facilities like New Ross Post Office to the community. I have had several meetings with David McRedmond and Jack Chambers. Im delighted that the same services will remain in the same building. It will be run by a postmaster but this is as far as we could go with it.

Save our post office protest. Cllr Michael Sheehan speaking. Photo; Mary Browne

An Post Public Affairs Manager, Angus Laverty said the postmaster contract for New Ross will see the service run from the Charles Street premises for an undefined period of time, providing a business decides to take on the service. It may well be sold in the future, he said of the 120-year-old red brick premises on Charles Street owned by the semi-state body.

"The postmaster will be based at Charles Street initially but may decide to move in the future.

Mr Laverty said in the event of this happening, a local development group or the municipal council or a business may use it for the benefit of the community.

He said details regarding the tenure of the postmaster in the premises have not been finely tuned, adding: We wont walk away from the building. He does not believe having the postmaster contract tied to the building would limit interest in the venture, adding that the people of New Ross deserve a modern post office service and were never at risk of losing post office services.

Mr Laverty said post offices in Wexford, Enniscorthy and Gorey will also eventually become postmaster managed, in keeping with the changing business model for the semi-state organisation.

Welcoming the news, Cllr Sheehan said: "An Post needs to be crystal clear about what they have decided to do. They need to say to the people of New Ross that the building will remain on Charles Street as a post office because they have said they are not going to sell or vacate the building, but you cant say youre not going to do that and straight away say we are going to talk to a community group or the council about the building. There is too much ambiguity." Cllr Sheehan said the eight staff in New Ross Post Office can continue to work for the company and possibly retrain for roles, or can transfer to another post office.

"But there is no comprising on maintaining the level of service that we have. You dont want to go in next year and find three staff and go in two years later to find only one.

"This issue is resolved for now. I think An Post has really felt the heat and that is why they announced this on Friday, as they were anticipating a big crowd at the public rally on Saturday. My concern is they have kicked the can down the road. The new postmaster might decide that it isnt financially viable to operate out of Charles Street.

He thanked everyone involved in the campaign, adding that An Post needs to issue a clear statement so the people of New Ross are not left scratching their heads about what is actually meant.

Cllr Sheehan said he will be looking for the devil in the detail of the postmaster contract. We will see then what the relationship between the new postmaster and the building will be, because if An Post is saying it should be tied to the postmaster that should be crystal clear in the document.

"I have absolutely no difficulty in having another protest because I would be sceptical as to why An Post rushed through the statement on Friday evening.
Germany has collected more than 500 pieces of evidence of Russian war crimes, interviewed more than 160 witnesses, and is conducting a structural investigation of crimes against humanity, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said.

On the social network X on Friday, Kostin said that during a working trip to Germany, he met with Acting Federal Public Prosecutor General of Germany Lars Otte to discuss conditions for further cooperation.

We greatly appreciate Germanys efforts to ensure accountability for Russias international crimes, namely, the collection of over 500 pieces of evidence and interviewing over 160 witnesses, as well as conducting the structural investigation for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the prosecutor general said.

According to him, mutual legal assistance is another priority area of cooperation between the prosecutor's offices of Ukraine and Germany.
It's all in their hands - New Ross Womens Shed members at the palmistry session.

Chairwoman Jennie O'Brien Hovrath and secretary Marie Doyle at the Womens Shed New Ross gathering.

Womens Shed New Ross has organised a varied and full programme for 2024.

The group have already had palmistry and acupuncture demos, breast check Ireland to visit and a spot of bingo to get the year off to a flying start.

The local womens group who gather together every second Wednesday in the Youth Centre, Nunnery Lane and in d.central arts and culture space on Thursday mornings now number 61 in total with an average of 30 ladies attending organised activities locally, from social connects to crafting sessions to community volunteering duties.

To date the mighty mna have sampled botanical art, felting and flower arranging to mention but a few skills undertaken and are also looking forward to developing their space in the New Ross Community Allotments by gathering together under the watchful eye and hand of horticulturist Liz Flynn to sow and make a willow fence together on February 16 in the Irishtown.

The group are proud members of Wexford Public Participation Network and are currently applying for funding to Wexford County Council Community section to develop further and to purchase equipment and materials for their growing community group.

Sinead Dolan PRO said they are always open to new women of all ages to come along and join the group which costs just 15 annually, with a 2 club sub on the door which can be paid over a couple weeks.

Theres plenty of fun with something for everyone within the eighteen events planned up to mid summer, she said, adding that the group are the lead organisers for the New Ross Darkness into Light walk coming up in May also.

The following is the groups schedule of events up until mid-July:

Womens Collective Wexford collaboration on craft courses continues on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until February 22 in d.central space on Priory Street  (it is free, but pre booking is required by text to 087 1609145 as spaces limited. Jewellery making, botanical card art, felting for all levels, materials provided.

Wednesday, February 21, - TDemo everyday make up and tips for skincare by local beautician/make-up artist.

Group members are attending New Ross Community Hospitals dinner dance -on Saturday, March 2, when they will be getting dressed up to dine and dance the night away  all in aid of their official charity.

Wednesday, March 6, and follow up class on Wednesday, March 20  Unison Chorus Workshop will teach members some songs to learn together under the direction of Deborah with the aim to do a pop up performance locally maybe at a care home, town centre event etc. This takes place from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. with a break for tea. Remember our bring one- take one book swap is on both nights.

Wednesday, April 10: (Acrylics paint Class  create a miniature canvas, 5 sub materials with Ben Dolan and Anya S Derne.

Wednesday, April 24: Bealtaine stories; Lamas doll making demo with Michael Fortune of forklore.ie 7 p.m. Also bring ribbons etc decorations for the May Bush

Wednesday, May 8: Carmel Fitzpatrick information demo at 7 p.m. showing how to Make a Memory Box yourself at home.

Wednesday, May 22: Irish Dancing session ( Step it out  Learn a group Ceili set in prep for the Fleadh this year)

Wednesday, June 12: Club AGM  General Group Meeting and official group photocall  yearly reports/voting of officers/planning activities for the rest of 2024.

Wednesday, June 26: Trip to Dail Eireann Dublin for Oireachtas Tour; lunch hosted by Verona Murphy TD

Wednesday, July 3: Summer Barbecue social event at the Irishtown Allotments from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  official opening of the plot.

Group gatherings will again resume on Wednesday, September 11.

The groups steering committee of eight woman meets bi-monthly to make arrangements.

Suggested items for activities or speakers are taken into consideration for decision so it can be added to the schedule for later in 2024. We are currently applying for the community education funding for funding from WWETB as our classes are always booked out and oversubscribed due to no cost or transport included, said Sinead.

You can email womensshednewross@gmail.com or DM the group via Facebook messenger for more information or to chat.
A man renowned for his charity work throughout Enniscorthy and its surrounds has passed away following a lengthy illness. Michael (Mick) Butler of Oylegate and formerly Tomnalossett, Enniscorthy, passed away on Thursday, February 22 at the age of 79.

A long-standing member of the Hope Cancer Support Centre (HCSC) and a man who supported the Irish Cancer Society and helped Ukrainian refugees following the outbreak of war, Micks generosity of spirit was characterised by his tireless work for charity across Wexford.

Margo Keogh served on the HCSC committee alongside Mick for many years and remembers him as a man who knew how to get things done.

During his time with the HCSC he would have been vice-chair, chair, he basically did everything, he was a workhorse, whatever had to be done, Mick would do it. Fundraising was a big thing for him, when we acquired the nursing home he came into his own, we had to fundraise and he was the driving force behind it, she recalls.

Acquiring the nursing home came with a degree of financial uncertainty for the HCSC, but Margo says that Micks strength and determination ensured the organisation continued to flourish in its work with those impacted by cancer.

After we purchased the nursing home we didnt know where the money would come from for it and were quite concerned, and Mick simply said, the Lord will provide. He had great vision and insight and was one of the pillars upon which the Hope Centre was built. He remained on the committee up until five or six years ago but even after that he still worked for the centre.

"He was hugely committed to the charity shop in recent years, once the centre was up and running he dedicated his time to volunteering there, doing the deliveries and the collections, and having a bit of banter with the women.

Its a sad day, Margo continued, but were all thinking back to the good times, if there were more people like Mick around the world would be a better place.

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Micks involvement with the HCSC and other charities, began following the passing of his wife Rita, from cancer, in 1997, and during an interview with The Guardian in 2020, he spoke about that loss.

Her passing was what got me involved, he said, praising those who set up the organisation. Its a very important assistance and support for people, the amount of work they did to get it going, they started it small and its gone from strength-to-strength.

The people who started it in the beginning had a lot of foresight, when it started 20 years ago incidents of cancer were at a rate of around one-in-10 people but now thats down to about one-in-three, he added.

One of the many roles Mick fulfilled with the HCSC was as steward during the annual Hope and Dream 10km race, after doing this for five years he decided to take part in the event himself in 2019, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer himself.

At his funeral service in St Aidans Cathedral on Monday (February 26) afternoon, Micks son, David, paid tribute to his father, asking that the day be a celebration of his life rather than a time of sadness. Thanking all those who reached out to the family since Micks passing, David said they had witnessed the effect his passing has had on the whole community of Enniscorthy, the outpouring of tributes in his honour shows how he impacted people. Weve heard so many moving stories about him and how he gave 110 per cent in everything he did.

Having lost their mother, Rita, to cancer 27 years, David said his parents were now united in heaven.

Recounting his fathers work life, David recalled the many years Mick spent in the car trade before his most memorable years running the shop in Tomnalossett. It became more of a community centre than a shop, a meeting point for people, he said as he then recalled his dads time in St John of Gods in Rivendell where he always went beyond the call of duty for his patients and clients.

Thanking all those who had offered their condolences and support in recent days, David paid special tribute to the family and friends who had come to the house following his fathers passing. After the eulogy, Micks grandchildren brought some items symbolising his life to the altar. A photo of Mick and Rita on their wedding day was followed by one of his beloved dogs, Holly and Jessie.

A flat-cap, for which Mick was renowned, was also carried to the altar, and lastly a t-shirt from the Hope and Dream 10.

Mick is predeceased by wife Rita, and was the loving father of John , David, Micheal, Isobel, Alan and Francis and dearly loved brother of Peggy (Carthy), Arty, Mary (Walsh) and Jimmy and the late Tommy, Dick, Kathleen (McCormack) and Paddy.

Sadly missed by his loving family, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives and friends.

May he rest in peace.
Set against the backdrop of the Irish War of Independence, and by turns tragic and comic, The Shadow of a Gunman is the tale of an ambitious young woman who dreams of a life beyond her Dublin tenement with the mysterious neighbour downstairs. Directed by Garry Hynes, The Shadow of a Gunman features Druid Ensemble members Rory Nolan and Marty Rea, alongside Gabriel Adewusi, Clare Barrett, Caitriona Ennis, Bosco Hogan, Sean Kearns, Robbie OConnor and Catherine Walsh.

Its great to return to Wexford, I have connections here which go over and beyond the theatre, said Garry, we always strive to ensure we include Wexford on our tours whenever we have a new production. Audiences can expect a play by a classic play by a classic writer, its arguably the least well-known of OCaseys three great plays but its a beautiful piece of work, its very funny but also asks serious questions about the State and the human cost of Republican and Nationalist ideals.

The Shadow of a Gunman is produced by Garrys own Druid Theatre Company and is part of its Druid OCasey series which includes the Dublin playwrights other famous works, Juno and the Paycock and The Plough and the Stars

Druid OCasey has been critically acclaimed, earning five-star reviews from The Observer, Financial Times, The Stage, Irish Mail on Sunday and New York Stage Review. Druid has a long history of touring in Ireland, having performed in 40 venues in 19 counties on the island of Ireland in the past eight years alone. Recent national tours include productions of The Last Return by Sonya Kelly, The Cavalcaders by Billy Roche and Three Short Comedies by Sean OCasey.

We were blown away by the response to Druid OCasey when we played to Irish audiences in Galway, Belfast and Dublin and American audiences in New York and Michigan. Touring is at the heart of Druids mission so we look forward to bringing the work of Sean OCasey to even more people in towns and cities across the country.
Wicklow Sinn Fein TD John Brady meets with children with scoliosis outside Leinster House prior to Sinn Fein motion on Tuesday.

Wicklow Sinn Fein TD John Brady, whose daughter has scoliosis, has criticised the failure of the three other Garden County TDs to support a Sinn Fein motion seeking to improve services for those with the spinal condition.

The motion, which set out how Sinn Fein, in cooperation with parents, advocates, and clinicians, would implement change, saw children with scoliosis and their families protesting outside the Dail in support of the Sinn Fein motion on Tuesday evening, including families from Wicklow.

Government failure has led to a growing crisis affecting children with scoliosis and the alarming increase in waiting lists for necessary surgeries, Deputy Brady said.

As a parent, this has particular resonance for me, as one of my daughters battles this condition with a significant 45-degree curve in her spine.

Not that long ago it used to be the common practice that a public health nurse would carry out a simple yet effective exam for early detectionthe Adams forward bend test. This allowed for the early identification of scoliosis.

However, in 2011, due to budget cuts, this crucial screening tool was discontinued.

Consequently, Deputy Brady said, children like his daughter are now being diagnosed later, if at all, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention, with the repercussions of delayed diagnosis severe and far-reaching.

By the time scoliosis is detected in many cases, it's too late for non-invasive measures such as bracing to be effective, he continued.

Surgery becomes the only viable option, and tragically, the waiting lists for these procedures continue to grow longer, leaving countless children suffering in pain and discomfort.

There are currently at least 313 children waiting for life-changing surgery. The responsibility for this crisis falls squarely on the shoulders of the government, which has failed our children at every turn.

From neglecting early detection efforts to inadequately addressing the backlog of surgical cases, their inaction has left families like mine feeling abandoned and desperate for solutions, he added.

The Government must reinstate essential screening programs, investing in resources for timely diagnosis and treatment, and ensuring that no child languishes on a waiting list when their quality of life hangs in the balance.

My daughter, and every child affected by scoliosis, deserves better.
Deputy Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the news that interim ACRES payments are being provided for farmers, following the recent announcement from the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue regarding interim payments of 4,000 to participants in ACRES General and 5,000 to those in the Co-operation Project stream.

Now, Deputy Whitmore is calling for a clear and fixed timeline for the next tranche of payments so that a similar situation can be avoided next year.

I welcome the news that the interim payments have been issued. In response to a parliamentary question, I put down the Minister for Agriculture confirmed that the interim payments intend to be progressed by the end of this month, she said.

I raised this issue directly with the Minister for Agriculture in late January on the floor of the Dail, as there were 335 Wicklow farmers awaiting ACRES and ACRES Co-operation payments. Unfortunately, so many farms had been left in the lurch when it came to paying ACRES support.

Deputy Whitmore is also concerned that similar issues could arise again next year.

The uncertainty seen around these payments cannot be allowed to be repeated next year, though. When I asked him about it again in January, he said that payments would be made in February and completed by March. Then, a few days later, he announced an interim payment would be brought in.

For the scheme to continue to grow and succeed, we need to see farmers participating in greater numbers. Farmers need certainty when it comes to planning their financial year. I hope that in the future, this wont be an issue we have to grapple with again, and I will be keeping a close eye on this matter in the months ahead.
Michael Carey, who farms at Stonefield, Newcastle, with his son Stephen, and his brother, Brian, has won the coveted Tirlan Dried Feed Wheat category.

The champion growers were among 14 top suppliers commended at the highly-competitive Tirlan Quality Grain Awards for 2023 ceremony that took place on February 20 in Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

New research from Teagasc on the Tirlan grain pool shows that Irish grain has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. The research unveiled at the awards is the first of its kind using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology specifically developed for Irish grain on a wide range of commercially-grown Irish cereals. Accounting for straw incorporation, the study showed the net carbon footprint could be close to net zero.

The Careys farm approx. 1000 acres of owned, leased and contract farmed land along the east coast from Bray down to Wicklow town. Its an all tillage enterprise with winter wheat, winter rye, winter oats, oilseed rape and winter and spring barley being grown.

Soil types are generally on the heavier side and particularly suit winter crops which are the backbone of his rotation. Michael uses min-till as much as possible to establish crops but will plough when necessary.

With the aim of improving soil health Michael spreads a lot of organic manure, mainly in the form of chicken litter and has recently started growing cover crops on land destined for spring barley.

Oats and winter rye are sold green off the combine to Tirlan with the remaining crops being dried and stored on farm and sold throughout the winter months.

John Murphy, Tirlan Chairperson and Wexford native, said it was one of the most challenging years in living memory for grains but commended Tirlans 1,100 plus growers on the resilience theyve shown.

The commitment to quality and passion shown by the award winning growers, coupled with the sustainability credentials of the crops, bodes well for the future of Irish grain.

As the largest buyer and user of premium Irish grains, Tirlan is investing in the future of Irish grain. Tirlan paid our growers almost 3 million in additional bonuses last year, specifically for premium grains. And in spite of the exceptionally challenging weather, we doubled our gluten-free oats intake last year.

"We continue to expand our plant-based offerings and were evolving our portfolio to meet growing global demand in key markets such as North America, Europe and Asia where demand for sustainably produced, fully traceable product made from quality Irish grains continues to grow.
TV presenter Laura Whitmore said she was feeling very exhausted and bruised as she finished a trek at the edge of the Arctic Circle for Comic Relief.

The former host of Love Island was joined by Alex Scott, Sara Davies and Vicky Pattison, who completed Snow Going Back: Comic Relief vs The Arctic after four days braving freezing temperatures.

The quartet, who are the first all-female Red Nose Day celebrity challenge line-up, started their trek in Tromso, Norway, and used cross-country skis, fat bikes and snowshoes to travel 50km to the finish line.

Laura Whitmore and Vicky Pattison during day three (Brodie Hood/Comic Relief/PA)

Whitmore said: We did it! We finally got to the endwere very excited, were very exhausted, theres bruises, theres aches.

I feel quite emotional now because I wasnt sure wed all finish it, and we did.

It is the toughest thing Ive done physically on my body and also mentally but we are doing it for a really brilliant cause.

I would never put myself in this situation by choice, except if its for Comic Relief and Ive seen first hand the work that they do.

Projects funded by Comic Relief are helping with everything from just basic survival, to putting food on the table for your family, paying for basic heating and just trying to get on with each day as much as possible.

Laura Whitmore, Sara Davies, Alex Scott and Vicky Pattison during a training session before the start of the challenge (Brodie Hood/Comic Relief/PA)

Thank you so much to everyone who supported us, we needed those words of encouragement because at times, weve been really low.

I just cant believe weve made it to the end so please keep donating, keep supporting us.

Dragons Den star Davies, 39, said she could not feel her extremities when they were doing the trek.

I remember there was that one night, we trekked for 10km, we couldnt feel our fingers, we couldnt feel our toes, we got there and we had four shovels and we had to dig to get in the tent, she said.

And I remember we just laid in that tent absolutely freezing, and the reality hit of thats only a couple of nights for us, but for a lot of people, its an everyday thing trying to get warm in their house and I think it just gave us time to reflect on how lucky we are.

Laura Whitmore, Sara Davies, Vicky Pattison and Alex Scott arrive at the airport in Norway (Brodie Hood/Comic Relief/PA)

And therefore, how we want to use the platforms we have to raise awareness and raise those funds.

On their final day, the teams Norwegian guide had given them news of a weather warning for an impending snow storm.

Braving deep snowfall, the team began the day on cross-country skis before swapping to snowshoes to complete their 50km trek.

Red Nose Day is an annual campaign that raises life-changing funds, and money raised from the Arctic challenge will help tackle poverty and provide food, essential healthcare or safe shelter for people in the UK and around the world.

A documentary about the challenge will air on BBC One in the lead up to Red Nose Day on March 15.
BREAKING | Shemima Begum: British woman who joined Islamic state loses appeal over citizenship removal

Ms Begum travelled to Syria in 2015 at the age of 15 before her British citizenship was revoked on national security grounds four years later

Shamima Begum is due to find out whether she has won an appeal over the decision to remove her British citizenship (PA)

Jess Glass Fri 23 Feb 2024 at 11:20







A British-born woman who went to Syria as a schoolgirl to join Islamic State on Friday lost her latest appeal over the removal of her British citizenship.
Navalnys mother is shown his body  but says authorities are trying to blackmail her into secret burial

They threatened to do something to his corpse if I did not comply, Lyudmila Navalnaya said

Vladimir Putin boards a modernised Tu-160M nuclear-capable strategic bomber, in Kazan, Russia yesterday on a flight that appeared aimed at bolstering his image ahead of next months election. Photo: Dmitry Azarov/via Reuters

Benedict Smith  Telegraph.co.uk Fri 23 Feb 2024 at 03:30







Alexei Navalnys mother has claimed the Kremlin is trying to blackmail her into burying her son in secret.
Ahmed Azam carries the body of his son Muhanad, who was born in the war and killed in an Israeli strike at Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, February 23. Photo: REUTERS/Doaa Ruqqa.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented his first official "day after" plan for the Gaza Strip once the war ends, saying Israel will keep security control over Palestinian areas and make reconstruction dependent on demilitarisation.
Putin will not stop until he loses this war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with FOX News.

"You remember that we froze the conflict when they occupied Crimea. We had a document in the Normandy format - Germany, France, Russia, Ukraine - on a ceasefire. It was something that, as many people say now, we need now," he said.

"He [Putin] will never stop until he loses this war. There will be no new frozen conflicts, we do not believe in this," the President of Ukraine said.

Zelenskyy reminded: "We have prepared a document based on the Peace Formula, based on the proposals of other countries, and we really have this document. We will be able to look for a diplomatic format, how to talk with representatives of Russia, whatever they might be."
Middle East

LATEST | Israeli minister says Gazans can go to Ireland or the desert as he says nuclear bomb also a possibility
Russian president Vladimir Putin says Joe Bidens crazy SOB remark shows why the Kremlin favours him to remain US president over Donald Trump.

We are ready to work with any president. But I believe that for us, Biden is a more preferable president for Russia, and judging by what he has just said, I am absolutely right, Mr Putin told state television yesterday, with a slight smile.
Photo courtesy: IBNS File/Rahul Gandhi Facebook

New Delhi/Kolkata/IBNS: In a U-turn from its previous stance, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) has resumed seat-sharing talks with Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, media reports said.

As per reports, TMC is ready to give up seats to Congress in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Assam.

However, TMC's offer for Congress has remained the same.

As per reports, Mamata is not ready to give more than two seats to Congress, which has been out of power from the Centre for 10 years now.

The TMC had offered two seats in North Bengal to Congress, which won the same number in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and drew a blank in 2021 assembly elections.

In Assam and Meghalaya, TMC is likely to give one seat each to Congress.

The development comes weeks after Mamata said her party will contest all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state alone.

Mamata, who was visibly angry with Congress, had said, "I had no talk with anyone. My proposal for seat-sharing was turned down by them on the first day. We have already decided to go solo in the elections in Bengal. We will decide about a national approach after the elections."

Mamata had claimed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi did not inform her about Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will pass through the state.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says "I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we will alone defeat BJP. I am a part of pic.twitter.com/VK2HH3arJI  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2024

"I am a part of the INDIA alliance but I haven't been even informed that the rally is passing through our state," said the TMC supremo.

Despite Mamata's announcement, Rahul maintained he had good terms with the TMC chief who was still in the INDIA bloc, the alliance against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP.

The alliance talks resumed just when West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury made scathing attacks on Mamata over the pot-boiling Sandeshkhali incident, where several villagers have accused absconding TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides of allegedly grabbing lands and sexually abusing women.

In the 2019 General Elections, Mamata's TMC had received a jolt as her tally of seats went down to 22 of 42 seats while BJP won 18, the highest ever figure it recorded in the state.

But it is important to note, Mamata stormed back to power a couple of years later with over 200 of 294 seats and winning subsequent byelections in the state over the last two-three years.
Photo Courtesy: @raisinadialogue X page

Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins, who attended the Raisina Dialogue 2024, recently said the diplomatic relationship between India and his nation is moving towards a positive direction.

He said India has a huge role to play in the Indo-Pacific region.

"The diplomatic relations with India and Latvia are actually very good. We have an embassy here in New Delhi, and the Indian government has recently made a decision to open up an embassy in Riga. So the bilateral relationships are very good. And the relationship between the European Union and India is also growing and developing in a very positive direction," the Minister told ANI.

Describing India as a 'big power', he said: "I think India has a very big role to play, of course, here in the Indo-Pacific."

" As a big democracy here in Indo-Pacific, it is very important that we work Europe works together with India," he said.

He said: "The world needs stability. In this part of the world, India has a huge role to play. Taking the economic weight combined with its democratic values, I think India has an ever big role to play also in world diplomacy.

The Raisina Dialogue is Indias flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the international community.

India is hosting the 9th edition of the Raisina Dialogue from February 21-23.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from video

Kolkata/IBNS: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Locket Chatterjee was detained while she along with six other party leaders were heading to West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, where several women have accused absconding Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides of grabbing lands and sexually abusing them for years.

Locket, an MP from West Bengal's Hooghly, was seen having an altercation with a woman police officer who was resisting her from proceeding.

"There is no Section 144. This is illegal. You are showing off your power," Locket was heard telling the cop. Later, she was detained by police.

#WATCH | West Bengal | BJP MP and State General Secretary Locket Chatterjee and Police officer enter into a verbal altercation.



BJP women's delegation was stopped by state Police as they headed towards Sandeshkhali. pic.twitter.com/WL4rDU5Ude  ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

Slamming the police's action, Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari said, "MP and @BJP4Bengal General Secretary; Smt Locket Chatterjee has been arrested by Mamata Police while she was enroute Sandeshkhali along with Mahila Morcha Members. The arrest was made on the flimsiest of pretexts of violating Section 144. Strangely she was arrested at Bhojerhat, roughly 50 kms from Sandeshkhali, where no Section 144 is imposed.

"The manner in which a distinguished Female Lawmaker & two time WB State BJP General Secretary was roughed up by the Mamata Police, it certainly raises questions how Women of Sandeshkhali and other rural areas of the State are treated by the Police. I condemn this high-handedness of @WBPolice, who use their force on Women but are unable to maintain Law & Order and can't find Criminals like Shahjahan Sheikh."

MP and @BJP4Bengal General Secretary; Smt Locket Chatterjee has been arrested by Mamata Police while she was enroute Sandeshkhali along with Mahila Morcha Members.

The arrest was made on the flimsiest of pretexts of violating Section 144. Strangely she was arrested at Bhojerhat, pic.twitter.com/HRc7tTvVtn  Suvendu Adhikari    (@SuvenduWB) February 23, 2024

Sandeshkhali incident

The turmoil in Sandeshkhali, a remote block about 80 kms from Kolkata and a part of the Basirhat sub-division of 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: PIB

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis has elaborated several sectors, including drones,defence, ICT, tourism and hospitality and film industry, as avenues for potential collaboration with India.

Addressing the India-Greece Business Forum, organized by FICCI and Enterprise Greece, said that India-Greece Business Forum, the PM said: "We have great people to people, connections, we have a vibrant Indian community in Greece, and we want to foster these connections much further."

The Prime Minister said that Greece is geographically located and is the natural entry point for Indian companies to enter the European market.

After Brexit, Indian companies will be looking for a new European anchor to access the European market.

He also stated that we expect to make concrete announcements very soon regarding the signing of the mobility migration agreement, enabling more Indian labour to come to Greece in an organized manner.

He stated that India is a powerhouse for technological development, and Greece, emerging over the past decade, has a very dynamic tech sector, primarily fuelled by Start-up companies that have been doing incredibly well.

I can see interesting natural synergies emerging in the technology space, added Prime Minister Mitsotakis.

Konstantinos Fragkogiannis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Openness of Greece stated that to further strengthen our economic relations, we should capitalize on the unique advantages of India and Greece.

He further added that both nations have specific areas of interests, primarily in diversifying sources, routes, and supplies, as well as developing regional interconnections to improve energy security.

Bilateral engagements with India with a focus on sectors like artificial intelligence, culture, science and technology, tourism and energy are the top priority of the government, stated Fragkogiannis
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

New Delhi/UNI: Averring that a decision on seat sharing with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will be finalised in a day or two for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday said talks with Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress are still on.

Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Ramesh said, "Talks with Mamata Benerjee are on and doors have not been shut yet.

"I have been saying this for the last 40 days since the start of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, especially with regards to West Bengal that talks with Mamata Banerjee are still going on. Doors have not been shut yet. No final decision has been taken."

"In politics two days is enough for any decision," he added.

"We said the same thing about the Samajwadi Party but people questioned us. And now we have finalised the seat sharing issue. In a day or two a decision on seat sharing with AAP will also be finalised," Ramesh said.

The Congress leader said the Congress is seriously holding discussions with the INDIA alliance partners in West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, a final decision has been taken on alliance with the NCP and Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray in Maharashtra.

On January 24, Banerjee announced that her party has no truck with the I.N.D.I.A bloc and would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections alone in the state following failed seat adjustment talks with the Congress.

She then said her party had wanted to give two of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state to the Congress in the state, but the latter wanted more, which was not acceptable to the TMC.
Rajnath Singh X page

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with the Netherlands Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren in New Delhi Friday when both Ministers discussed the possibilities for expanding their bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in maritime and industrial domains.

They noted the increased interaction between the two Navies and expressed keenness to work together to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

Had an excellent meeting with the Netherlands Defence Minister, Ms Kajsa Ollongren in New Delhi today. We discussed the possibilities for expanding bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in maritime and industrial domains. https://t.co/zoenO0ALXr pic.twitter.com/V3GadK9j32  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 23, 2024

Singh suggested that Dutch Original Equipment Manufacturers could be encouraged to integrate Indian vendors into their supply chains.

India has developed a vibrant innovation and industrial eco-system.

Given the Indian and Dutch complementarities in skills, technology and scale, both sides were in agreement to encourage more interactions between the defence industries, and in high-tech sectors of semi-conductors and clean energy.

The Netherlands Defence Minister is attending the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.
In image farmers clashing with police/ courtesy: Videograb

Chandigarh/IBNS: A police officer was injured Friday in a clash between protesting farmers and cops in Khedi Chwpata in Haryana 's Hisar.

Visuals showed a chaotic and volatile situation as police, escorted by riot personnel in full gear, can be seen taking people into custody while farmers surrounded them.

Tear gas shells were fired and police resorted to a lathi charge as farmers threw stones at them.

The violence broke out as the farmers were stopped from marching to Khanauri on the Punjab border.

The farmers were headed to join thousands of others who have gathered there, and at the Shambhu border crossing, ahead of a 'Delhi Chalo' march to demand a legal guarantee for MSP, or minimum support price, and waiver of farm loans, pensions, and rollback of increased electricity rates, among other things.

Earlier in the day, a 62-year-old farmer died in Khanauri after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Darshan Singh was from Punjab's Bathinda district and was the second person to have died in these protests.

On Wednesday Subhkaran Singh, 21, died during a clash with the cops.

Singh died after farmers rushed barricades set up by the police at the Khanauri border crossing to stop them from reaching Delhi. A delayed postmortem showed a head injury.

Farmer leaders said his body would not be cremated till the Punjab government registered a case against the person responsible.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who expressed sorrow over Subhkaran Singh's death, said a case would be filed after the post-mortem.

"Those responsible will have to face stringent action," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said, as he announced Rs. 1 crore compensation and employment for Singh's sister.
Volunteers of the rapid response units of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) in Odesa and Dnipro are helping to eliminate the consequences of night attacks by Russian drones.

"The Odesa rapid response unit of the Ukrainian Red Cross was working at the site of the shelling. Volunteers assisted rescuers during the fire fighting and provided them with drinking water. First aid and first psychological aid were also provided to the victims," URCS said on Facebook on Friday.

Volunteers of the rapid response unit of the URCS of Dnipropetrovsk region provided first psychological assistance to victims in Dnipro, warmed children with thermal blankets.

As reported, as a result of the attack by Russian drones in Odesa on Friday night, three people were killed, eight people were injured in Dnipro.

According to the State Emergency Service, the building of the enterprise in the coastal zone of Odesa has undergone significant destruction, a fire broke out on an area of 500 square meters. The search and rescue operation continues.

The search for people who may be under the rubble of a destroyed multi-storey building continues in Dnipro.
Image credit: UNI

Imphal/IBNS/UNI: Two people were injured in a bomb blast inside the DM University campus in Manipur 's Imphal around 9.20 pm on Friday.

Both injured people were rushed to the hospital.

Police said the blast site was cordoned off and search operations were conducted.

It was not yet known who was responsible for the blast.

The impact of the blast was heard across most parts of the city.


Photo courtesy: PR Team

Kolkata/IBNS: Kusum Ka Biyaah, a Hindi film based on a true story, premiered at a mall in Kolkata on February 21.

Directed by Suvendu Raj Ghosh and written by Vikash Dubey and Sandip Dubey, Kusum Ka Biyaah boasts a stellar cast including Lovekansh Garg, Sujana Darjee and Pradip Chopra in leading roles, supported by a talented ensemble featuring Raja Sarkar, Suhani Biswas, Panya Darshan Gupta, Atanu Mahata, Samir Kumar Dutta, Khurshid Alam, Manoj Ojha and Raj Singh Sidhu among others.

Kusum Ka Biyaah narrates the tale of a middle-class mining worker and an aspiring student who agree to marry for the sake of their parents' happiness.

However, their plans take an unexpected turn when a government announcement disrupts their wedding day, leading to a series of comedic and heartwarming adventures.

This film has earned numerous prestigious awards for its portrayal of social issues and nomadic life.

Photo courtesy: PR Team

Pradip Chopra, the lead actor and producer, was recently honored with the Best Actor Award by a prominent Bollywood Town Magazine at a film award ceremony in Mumbai.

Through meticulous research, the film authentically captures the traditions and lifestyle of the Santali tribe, including their intricate wedding ceremonies.

The movie depicts a real-life event that unfolded during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The story revolves around a wedding procession traveling from Bihar to Jharkhand, which finds itself stranded at the state border due to the sudden enforcement of lockdown measures by the government.

The trailer vividly portrays the chaos and challenges faced by the characters as they navigate through the unprecedented situation brought about by the pandemic.

Amidst the nationwide lockdown, imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus, countless individuals across cities and villages found themselves in distressing situations, with life seemingly coming to a halt.

The film captures the struggles encountered by Kusum's wedding and highlights the broader impact of the pandemic on society. It serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and endurance exhibited by people during times of crisis.

The film's trailer and music have already garnered attention on Zee Music Company, setting high expectations for its release.

As audiences eagerly await the much-anticipated first night of the newlywed couple, the film also delves into timely themes surrounding government bureaucracy and state to state security.

The film is all set to release at the theatres on March 1, 2024.
Fire breaks out at apartment block in Spain. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

At least four people died after a fire broke out at a high-rise residential block in Spain's Valencia city on Thursday.

Italian newspaper 20minutos reported, citing Valencian Community Deputy Director for Emergencies Jorge Juarez, that at least 13 people, including six firefighters, have been injured in the fire that had broken out at the fourth level of a 14-story building in Valencia, reported Sputnik.

According to reports, the fire is still ongoing and firefighters are still trying to bring the blaze under control.

The building reportedly contained 138 flats. 450 people stayed in it.

Access to the building is still impossible, and rescuers do not rule out a possible collapse of the building, reported Sputnik.

Locals said firefighters rescued several residents using cranes.

One woman told TVE as quoted by BBC she had seen firefighters attempting to rescue a teenage boy trapped on the building's first floor.

One man told a local TV channel that the fire spread quickly after it broke out presumably on the fourth floor of the building.

"The fire spread in a matter of 10 minutes," he told TV channel La Sexta as quoted by BBC, adding that material on the facade of the building may have caused the fire to spread.

PM reacts to fire tragedy

PM Pedro Sanchez posted on X: "Dismayed by the terrible fire in a building in Valencia."

Consternado ante el terrible incendio en un edificio de Valencia.



Acabo de hablar con el presidente @carlos_mazon_ y la alcaldesa @mjosecatala para conocer de primera mano la situacion y ofrecer toda la ayuda que sea necesaria.



Quiero trasladar mi solidaridad a todas las  Pedro Sanchez (@sanchezcastejon) February 22, 2024

"I just spoke with the president @carlos_mazon_ and the mayor @mjosecatala to learn first-hand about the situation and offer all the help that is necessary," he said.

"I want to convey my solidarity to all the people affected and recognition to all the emergency personnel already deployed at the scene," the PM said.
Shamima Begum loses court appeal against removal of UK citizenship.Photo Courtesy: Youtube video grab

A woman who once left the United Kingdom to join the terror group Islamic State at the age of 15 has lost her Court of Appeal challenge over the decision to remove her British citizenship.

Shamima Begum, who was 15 years old then, left the UK for Syria in 2015.

She left for Syria with her two school friends to join the terror outfit.

She spent several years in Raqqa city.

She made international headlines as an ISIS bride after pleading with the UK government to be allowed to return to her home country for the birth of her son, reported CNN.

Death of her children

Aged 15, she married an alleged ISIL combatant and gave birth to two children while still a minor, and then a third after turning 18.

All three children died. The third while they were detained at Al Hol refugee camp in northern Syria.

In 2019, then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid removed her British citizenship.

What happened in the court?

Dame Sue Carr, one of the appeal judges who ruled on the case, on Friday (February 23, 2024) said that they agreed with the commission's decision on Begum's citizenship and dismissed her appeal.

The judge was quoted as saying by Sky News: "Ms Begum may well have been influenced and manipulated by others but still have made a calculated decision to travel to Syria and align with ISIL [Islamic State]."

She added: "It could be argued the decision in Ms Begum's case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune."

"But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view," she said.

"The only task of the court was to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful. Since it was not, Ms Begum's appeal is dismissed," she said.

The country's Home Office, represented by Sir James Eadie KC, said the "key feature" of Begum's case is national security.

Begum's solicitor Daniel Furner told Sky News: "We are not going to stop fighting until she does get justice and until she is safely back home."

One of her lawyers, Gareth Peirce, told Sky News: "As long as she is there, it is not the end."
Image Credit: YouTube Videograb

Jerusalem/IBNS/UNI: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled his post-war strategy for Gaza, the first since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out in October last year, involving a continuous military presence in the Palestinian enclave, and the replacement of Hamas, his office said in a statement on Friday.

The document, presented by Netanyahu to members of his security cabinet on Thursday, outlines principles regarding the management of the Gaza Strip after the conflict.

The plan aims to install "local officials" unaffiliated with attacks against Israelis to administer services in the Palestinian enclave instead of Hamas.

"As far as possible, the civil administration and responsibility for the public order in the Gaza Strip will be based on locals with administrative experience," the document read.

The reconstruction of Gaza, following Israeli bombardments that devastated much of its infrastructure and buildings, would begin only after the demilitarization and "deradicalization" of Gaza, as outlined in the plan.

The reconstruction would be financed and carried out by countries deemed "acceptable by Israel."

The plan calls for tightening Israel's security grip on Gaza. Under the proposed plan, Israel will "maintain operational freedom of military actions throughout the Gaza Strip, without time constraints," to prevent the resurgence of hostilities from the Palestinian enclave.

A "security buffer zone," inaccessible to Palestinians, would be established on Gaza territory, according to the plan.

Israeli media reports indicated that Israeli forces have already begun demolishing buildings, greenhouses, and agricultural fields in the northern Gaza Strip to clear the ground for the creation of this zone.

Along the Gaza-Egypt border, Israel will have its presence to thwart smuggling, according to the plan.

Defying international calls for Palestinian statehood after the war, the plan shows Israel plans to maintain "security control" over the entire West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Less than one-and-a-half pages long, the document was published four-and-a-half months after Israel launched its retaliatory war against Hamas in Gaza in response to the movement's deadly surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Pakistan's Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights was recently informed on Tuesday that over 23,000 nationals from the South Asian country are currently languishing in foreign prisons.

Those present in the foreign prisons also include more than 15,000 convicts.

The foreign ministry presented data on Pakistani prisoners abroad during a meeting, chaired by Waleed Iqbal, reported The Express Tribune.

According to the data, 23,456 Pakistani citizens were imprisoned in foreign countries, including 15,587 convicts and 7,869 under-trial prisoners, the newspaper reported.

The highest number of Pakistani prisoners are currently present in Saudi Arabia, where 12,156 are languishing in different jails.

This is followed by 5,292 prisoners at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) jails, the newspaper reported.

Data showed 706 Pakistanis are also currently present in Pakistani prisons.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Unidentified armed men gunned down a person in Panjgur district of Pakistan's Balochistan region on Wednesday.

The victim was identified as Khaleel.

Sources told The Balochistan Post that at 07:00 AM on Wednesday, unknown armed men forcibly entered Khaleels house and shot him dead on the spot.

The deceased was a painter by profession.

The motive behind the incident is still not clear.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

Scores of urea fertiliser producers recently demonstrated outside Digri press club in Pakistan against rising prices and demanded the government to announce subsidies for essential farm inputs without delay to facilitate the agriculture sector.

The protesters led by Saifullah Gill, Shafique Kaimkhani, Mohammad Ayub Arain and others blamed the government for rising prices of urea, which had caused increase in per acre cost expenses that had out of control, reported Dawn News.

They said the urea was being sold for over Rs5,000 per bag while growers were facing serious financial problems as costly diesel, pesticides and now fertiliser.

The protesters even demanded immediate announcement of subsidy on the farm input.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

An explosive planted on a motorcycle in Drazanda area of Pakistan's Dera Ismail Khan on Friday left at least three people injured.

Yaqoob Khan, the spokesperson of Dera Ismail Khan District Police Officer Abdul Rauf, confirmed the number of injuries to Dawn.com.

He said the injured were moved to the District Headquarters Hospital and the condition of one was critical.

Four shops and three motorcycles in the locality suffered severe damages, Khan told the Pakistani newspaper.

A large number of police rushed to the spot after the blast.

The area was cordoned off and currently, an investigation is underway.

Several regions in Pakistan have been witnessing a uptick in terror-related activities in recent months.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

A frontier corps soldier was killed and at least two others were injured when a bomb went off in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Friday.

The incident happened when unknown militants opened fire at a vehicle of paramilitary troops Frontier Corps (FC) in Khyber district of the province, police officials from the area told Xinhua.

The security forces' vehicle was on a routine patrol in the area when it came under attack, the officials said, adding that the injured FC personnel have been transported to a nearby hospital.

Police and security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to arrest the culprits.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack.

(With UNI inpuits)
The Council of the European Union approved the 13th package of individual and economic sanctions, timed to coincide with the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine.

The corresponding decision was made on Friday in Brussels according to a written procedure, the EU press service reports.

"The Council adopted today - in view of the second year mark of the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine - a thirteenth package of restrictive measures against Putin's regime, those who are responsible for perpetuating his illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression and those who are significantly supporting it," the press release notes.

"As we reach the sad mark of two years since Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union keeps up the pressure on Russia. Today, we are further tightening the restrictive measures against Russia's military and defence sector, targeting further entities in third countries who supply equipment as well as those responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children. We remain united in our determination to dent Russia's war machine and help Ukraine win its legitimate fight for self-defense and restore its independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty," Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said.

The Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 106 individuals and 88 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

"The new listings agreed today target primarily the military and defence sectors and associated individuals, including those involved in DPRK armament supply to Russia, as well as members of the judiciary, local politicians and people responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children," the report notes.

Altogether, EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to over 2000 individuals and entities altogether. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The Council added 27 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia's military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine. They will be subject to tighter export restrictions concerning dual use goods and technologies, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia's defence and security sector. Some of these entities are located in third countries (India, Sri Lanka, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Turkiye) and have been involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions, others are Russian entities involved in the development, production and supply of electronic components for Russia's military and industrial complex.

Furthermore, today's decision expands the list of restricted items that could contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia's defence and security sector by adding components for the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

Lastly, the EU introduced further restrictions on exports of goods which contribute in particular to the enhancement of Russian industrial capabilities, such as electrical transformers.

In addition, the EU decision adds the UK to the list of partner countries that apply a set of restrictive measures on iron and steel imports from Russia, as well as a set of import control measures that are essentially equivalent to the EU measures.

The relevant legal acts will soon be published in the Official Journal of the EU.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Gas supply was disrupted to Mach town in Pakistan after a gas pipeline passing through the Bolan River was blown up on Wednesday.

A portion of the six-inch pipeline caught fire after the powerful explosion, officials told Dawn News.

Engineers of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) stopped the supply and a repair and maintenance team, along with required machinery, had been dispatched to the affected site, the Pakistani newspaper reported.

SSGC spokesman Safdar Hussain told the newspaper that a repair work was immediately started.
The actor is getting ready to make his big screen debut in the Netflix series The Perfect Couple, which is based on the novel by Elin Hilderbrand.
Are you planning to watch a movie at the theatre this weekend? The latest is the Yami Gautam starrer, "Article 370."

Check out what people are saying on Twitter about the movie 'Article 370' before you decide to watch it. The film stars Yami Gautam and Priyamani and is known for its strong political theme.

This Is What The Internet Is Saying:

Early viewers who attended the first-day show have shared their enthusiastic reviews.

One viewer expressed, "Very rarely does one see a well-crafted political thriller done right like #Article370. I got to witness the amazing @yamigautam in her best performance without a doubt."

Very rarely does one see a well crafted Political Thriller done right like #Article370 Got to witness the amazing @yamigautam in her best performance without a doubt. And #PriyaMani garu  Dear @AdityaDharFilms You are now 2 for 2 bhai  The film is Grounded and Urgent. Thank pic.twitter.com/tWNJXYUsBz  Adivi Sesh (@AdiviSesh) February 23, 2024

Attended special screening of #Article370.

The movie on the whole keeps you engaged. Minute details wrt abrogation of article 370 captured beautifully.

Mind blowing performance by #YamiGautam.

5/5 

Watch in theatres now pic.twitter.com/LWIlouYE1E  Kungfu Pande  (Parody) (@pb3060) February 23, 2024

Another viewer, while praising Yami Gautam and the entire team for their brilliance in bringing this crucial historical moment to life on the big screen, said, "The NIA officer roll of @yamigautam ji is fantastic; it showcases the courage of the Modi Govt & dedication of field officers."

Screenshot From Twitter/Twitter

One even wrote, "Article 370....Yami deserves so much more! Underated."

One of the X users appreciating Yami and her husband, Aditya Dhar, who is the director of Article 370, said, "Bollywood need Actors like Yami who not only are Good Actors but patriotic Indians too. #Article370 is her home production she and Aditya Dhar could have choosen something else instead they choose to do Content Based Cinema like #Article370 that Hindi Cinema absolutely needs now."

Bollywood need Actors like Yami who not only are Good Actors but patriotic Indians too. #Article370 is her home production she and Aditya Dhar could have choosen something else instead they choose to do Content Based Cinema like #Article370 that Hindi Cinema absolutely needs now  Bhaskar Agnihotri (@BHASKARAGNIHOT) February 22, 2024

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the film. During a rally in Jammu on February 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the movie on Article 370, stating that it would provide people with accurate information and be beneficial.



What Is Yami Gautam's Political Thriller 'Article 370' All About About?

The movie is about Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gave special privileges to Jammu and Kashmir. This made the state different from others, with its own constitution and more freedom. But on August 5, 2019, the Indian government removed these special privileges through a presidential order, changing the status of Jammu and Kashmir.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Did you know Aishwarya Rai Bachchan refused to star in the 2017 movie Baadshaho? All thanks to the infamous Koffee With Karan controversy. In one of the episodes, Emraan Hashmi called Miss World 1994 "plastic", a remark that took everyone including Karan Johar by surprise. Earlier, Hashmi clarified that he only said it to win the hamper; and now in a recent interview, the actor said he only called a spade a spade.

Emraan Hashmi answers if he regrets calling Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plastic

BCCL

In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, the actor who will next be seen in Showtime, spilled the beans on the controversy that continues to haunt him even today. He said that he had to bear the brunt of it for a long time.

"I had to bear the brunt for it for quite some time for really calling a spade a spade. You know what, when that rapid-fire round happened, Karan had cut the shot, and he just looked around on the set and everyone was dumbfounded. He asked 'Can you actually keep this (Emraan's answer)?' And a couple of people behind the camera said 'Yes'".

For the unversed, during the rapid-fire round, Emraan was asked who according to him is plastic in Bollywood. He named "Aishwarya Rai".

Later, in 2014, he told Hindustan Times in an interview that he said it to win the hamper. "It's the format of the show. I cannot not say things and not win the hamper".

Did Aishwarya Rai refuse to work with Emraan Hashmi?

Also Read: 'Fire Her Botox Team', Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Trolled Massively Over Paris Fashion Week Look

If reports are to be believed, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was offered a role in Ajay Devgn's Baadshaho. The film underwent a lot of casting changes. After Emraan Hashmi replaced Diljit Dosanjh, the actress reportedly opted out of the film. Her role was inspired by Maharani Gayatri Devi.

Now, Emraan Hashmi is working with Karan Johar for an upcoming web series titled Showtime, which showcases what goes behind the scenes in Bollywood. Hashmi said that his character in the series also called a spade a spade.

Showtime is all set to be released on Disney+ Hotstar on March 8.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.






Yami Gautam's latest movie, "Article 370," is creating buzz online, sparking curiosity about the historical events that inspired this political drama co-produced and co-written by Aditya Dhar.

The movie talks about the complicated history of Jammu and Kashmir and how Article 370 was removed. Let's quickly look at the background of Article 370, which inspired this political drama.



Kashmir's History That Inspired Yami Gautam's Article 370

Article 370 Release/Indiatimes

Key Historical Events:

October 26, 1947: Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, officially joined India by signing the Instrument of Accession. This granted the Indian Parliament authority over specific matters, paving the way for the region to become part of the newly established nation.

January 26, 1950: With the inception of India's Constitution, Article 370 was introduced for Jammu and Kashmir. It outlined rules for laws, specified the application of the Indian Constitution, and required the Constituent Assembly's approval for any changes to Article 370.

October 31, 1951: Jammu and Kashmir's Constituent Assembly, led by Sheikh Abdullah, commenced with 75 members, aiming to draft a constitution for the region.

1952: The Delhi Agreement between India and Jammu and Kashmir handed residuary powers to the local government and extended specific constitutional provisions to the state.

May 14, 1954: President Rajendra Prasad signed the Constitutional Order of 1954, incorporating the Delhi Agreement into the Indian Constitution. Article 35A was introduced, providing special rights to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

January 26, 1957: Jammu and Kashmir's Constitution came into effect, declaring the state an integral part of India. The Constituent Assembly dissolved without recommending changes to Article 370.

Poster Of Article 370/Indiatimes

Legal Milestones:

Prem Nath Kaul v. Union of India: The Supreme Court emphasized the Constituent Assembly's approval for any presidential declaration under Article 370.

Puranlal Lakhanpal v. The President of India: The Supreme Court affirmed the President's authority to amend constitutional provisions in Jammu and Kashmir, interpreting 'modification' broadly under Article 370.

Sampat Prakash v. State of Jammu & Kashmir: The Supreme Court affirmed Article 370's permanence, stating it persists even after the Constituent Assembly's dissolution.

Maqbool Damnoo v. State of Jammu & Kashmir: The Supreme Court validated the President's orders, clarifying the transition from 'Sadar-i-Riyasat' to 'Governor.'

State Bank of India v. Santosh Gupta: The Supreme Court noted the absence of a clear timeline for Article 370's operation, emphasizing its continuation until a recommendation from the Constituent Assembly.

Recent Developments:

August 5, 2019: President Ramnath Kovind issued Order C.O. 273, making Article 370 obsolete and removing its special status.

August 9, 2019: The Union Parliament passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, dividing the state into two Union territories.

2020: Shah Faesal v. Union of India: A 5-judge bench rejected the plea to refer the case to a larger bench, emphasising the distinction in circumstances between previous judgements.

July 3, 2023: The Supreme Court assigned the challenge to a new Constitution Bench, set to provide further directions on July 11, 2023.

September 5, 2023: After 16 days and over 60 hours of hearings, the Constitution Bench reserved judgement.

December 11, 2023: The Constitution Bench unanimously upheld the Union's abrogation of Article 370, providing a comprehensive judgement on its temporary nature and the President's powers.

This decision has significantly impacted India's constitutional history, resonating with the narrative depicted in Yami Gautam's film and earning praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Braj Ki Holi 2024: Holi stands as India's most vibrant festival, infusing joy and happiness into every life it touches. Rooted in the celebration of good triumphing over evil, Holi unfolds in unique ways across the country. It is a time when friends, family, and communities unite, adorning each other's faces with colourful powders known as Gulal. The experience of applying hues like red, green, yellow, and pink to the faces of loved ones is unparalleled, evoking a joy that transcends worldly comparisons. The vivacity and enthusiasm of Holi resonate distinctly in different corners of the nation.

Yet, amidst the myriad celebrations, Holi in Vrindavan stands unparalleled. Those who have partaken in the festivities here understand the essence of a traditional Holi celebration. A visit to Vrindavan for the Holi festival is a must at least once in a lifetime. Nestled along the Yamuna River and believed to be the abode of Lord Krishna during his formative years, Vrindavan holds a special place in the hearts of Krishna devotees.

Vrindavan boasts a unique Holi celebration spanning an impressive 40 days, commencing on Basant Panchami and culminating on the day of Holi itself. The city offers a distinct perspective on Holi, a perspective worth experiencing during this divine celebration. With its rich historical significance, legendary tales, and vibrant surroundings, Vrindavan welcomes visitors to a Holi celebration like no other. Curious to learn more about the Holi festivities in Vrindavan and why it's a must-visit during this time? Here are some of the reasons:

Why You Must Experience Vrindavan Holi At Least Once In A Lifetime!

Here's all you need to know the reasons why experiencing Vrindavan Holi could be a transformative journey:

1. A Sensory Explosion of Colours and Traditions:

Unleash your inner child: Unlike many festivals, Holi encourages playful abandon. Throwing and receiving colours is a liberating experience, dissolving social barriers and fostering pure joy.

Witness unique traditions: Vrindavan Holi goes beyond throwing colours. Participate in Lathmar Holi, where women playfully chase men with sticks, or witness the Holika Dahan bonfire symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

Immerse yourself in devotional chants and music: The vibrant atmosphere is punctuated by chants, bhajans, and traditional music, creating a captivating blend of celebration and spirituality.

2. A Journey of Cultural Immersion and Warmth

Become part of the Vrindavan community: The warmth and hospitality of the locals are legendary. They readily welcome visitors, offering food, laughter, and a sense of belonging.

Experience the vibrant spirit of Vrindavan: Holi transcends religious boundaries, unifying people from all walks of life in a joyous celebration. Witness the infectious enthusiasm and friendly interactions that make Vrindavan special.

Discover the rich history and traditions: Vrindavan's temples, adorned in festive colours, offer a glimpse into its rich history and cultural significance. Explore these sacred spaces and connect with the traditions that have shaped Holi for centuries.

3. A Transformative Experience Beyond the Celebration

Challenge your comfort zone: Stepping outside your usual routine and embracing the chaos and messiness of Holi can be liberating and foster personal growth.

Connect with others on a deeper level: The shared experience of Holi transcends language and cultural barriers, fostering connections and understanding.

Create lasting memories: The sights, sounds, and emotions of Vrindavan Holi will stay with you long after the festival ends, serving as a cherished memory and reminder of the joy of community and cultural immersion.

4. Contributing to a Good Cause

Many Holi celebrations in Vrindavan support local charities and communities. By participating, you not only experience the festival but also contribute to a worthy cause, adding another layer of meaning to your journey.

Remember: Vrindavan Holi isn't just about colours; it's about cultural immersion, experiencing joy, and connecting with yourself and others. It's a unique opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, embrace the spirit of celebration, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Holi 2024 Schedule Dates in Mathura, Vrindavan, And Barsana



Lathmar Holi Of Mathura And Barsana

The festival is said to be a recreation of a famous Hindu legend, according to which, Lord Krishna (who hailed from Nandgaon village) visited his beloved Radha's town, Barsana. If legend is to be believed, Krishna teased Radha and her friends, who in turn responded by taking offence at his advances and driving him out of Barsana.

Keeping in tune with the legend, the men from Nandgaon visit the town of Barsana every year, only to be greeted by sticks (aka lathi) of the women there. The ladies hurl sticks at the men, who try to shield themselves as much as they can.

The unlucky ones are captured by the enthusiastic women who then, make the men wear female clothing and dance in public. The festivities take place at the sprawling campus of the Radha Rani temple in Barsana, which is said to be the only temple in the country that is dedicated to Radha.

The Lathmar Holi festivities last for over a week, where the participants dance, sing and immerse themselves in colour alongside the occasional consumption of thandai--a traditional drink synonymous with the festival of Holi.

To Witness the Holi Celebration with Flowers

When we told you the Holi celebration in Vrindavan is different, we meant it. Vrindavans "Phoolon wali Holi" is world-famous. Krishna devotees and Holi enthusiasts from different parts of the world visit Vrindavan at this time to enjoy the Holi celebration with flowers. Its really amusing to play Holi with different colours of flowers and bestow your love on Lord Krishna.

This "Phoolon wali Holi" is celebrated on the premises of the very famous Banke Bihari temple. During this celebration, flowers are sprinkled on Lord Krishna devotees who assemble at the temples premises on Ekadashi before Holi. If you want to take part in the Holi festival celebration with flowers in Vrindavan, make sure to reach the temple early, as this ritual to shower flowers on devotees lasts for only 20 minutes. However, Holi celebrations with colours continue throughout the day.

For Widows Holi: Breaking the Stereotype

Vrindavan is undeniably a magical place, shattering the stereotype that widows should refrain from celebrating colourful festivals and wear white attire throughout their lives. The Widow's Holi celebration in Vrindavan originated from the Pagal Baba Widow Ashram in 2013, bringing together numerous widows who have been abandoned by their families or lack someone to care for them. This grand celebration offers them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the exuberance of Holi, drawing inspiration from mythological tales.

Annually, tens of thousands of widows from various parts of the country gather to revel in the vibrant colours and dance in unison. The festivities take place at the Gopinath temple, and without a doubt, this stands as one of the most incredible Holi celebrations you could ever witness. The contagious joy reflected on their faces is bound to touch your heart and leave a lasting impression.

For Holi in Vrindavan and Mathura: Holi Procession

Have you ever participated in a parade? If not, here is your chance to participate in a one-of-a-kind parade: "The Holi Procession." The Holi procession in Mathura has been a part of the festivities for the past several years. You can join in this exciting procession with your friends and family to experience a grand celebration.

Tens of thousands of people accumulate at Vishram Ghat in Mathura to begin the Holi Procession. They go around the town celebrating with each other, sprinkling colours, singing songs, and dancing. Some of the highlights of this procession are vehicles decorated with flowers, dance performances by kids, and the high-spirited atmosphere. You can also see kids wearing traditional attire and dressed as Radha and Krishna. It is a celebration where people of all ages come together and have a great time.

For Sweets and Thandai at Dwarkadheesh Temple

Holi in the twin cities of Vrindavan and Mathura is a continuous canvas of vibrant celebrations that envelops you in its unique hues. The festivities, marked by timeless traditions, reach their pinnacle at the Dwarkadheesh Temple in Mathura. This experience evokes nostalgic childhood memories of relishing homemade gujiyas and various Indian sweets.

The Holi celebration at Dwarkadheesh Temple surpasses any other Holi party you may have attended. Here, you can partake in the joyous revelry while indulging in bhang-infused thandai, delectable sweets, and other snacks within the temple premises. It's intriguing to note that the bhang is meticulously prepared by the temple's priest in the morning and distributed to devotees later in the day.

The festivities also include captivating traditional dances and songs that will keep you entertained for hours. To make the most of this grand feast for the senses, it's advisable to arrive early in the morning to avoid long queues and ensure an immersive Holi experience like no other.

What is Rang Panchami?

Ranga Panchami is a festival of colours, just like Holi, but celebrated in some parts of India only. It's the day when we celebrate the fundamental component of the universe, according to spirituality. The universe is huge but it is made up of the smallest particle as science has already proved in the past. In science, we call these particles atoms and molecules but as per Hindu beliefs, the universe is made up of three gunas, namely, Sattwa, Raja, and Tama. Rang Panchami is the victory of Raja Tama. This day reminds us of the basic component and lives that have formed everything.

For a Week-Long Holi Celebration

For an immersive experience of Vrindavan's Holi celebration in its full splendor, consider participating in the extended festivities that continue for days after Basant Panchami. Typically, enthusiasts from different parts of the country make their way to Vrindavan about 9-10 days prior to Holi to partake in this vibrant chain of celebrations. This extended period allows visitors to soak in the diverse Holi celebrations in both Vrindavan and Mathura with unparalleled enthusiasm.
Rashmika Mandanna, the South Indian actress who has captivated audiences with charm and talent, made a bold and stylish splash at the recent Milan Fashion Week. Not only did she mark her international runway debut, but she also did so with a captivating ensemble that showcased her unique style and growing fashion influence.







Walking the Runway

Representing the Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger, who is the brand ambassador, Rashmika strutted the catwalk in a stunning all-black look. The outfit featured a sleek bodysuit with cutouts around the midriff, paired with a chic, oversized coat and chunky platform boots. The ensemble exuded a modern, edgy vibe, perfectly complementing Rashmika's confident and playful personality.

Beyond the Outfit

While the outfit undoubtedly stole the show, it was Rashmika's overall style and demeanour that truly captured attention. Her sleek, pulled-back hair and subtle smokey eye makeup complemented the outfit's boldness, while her infectious smile and graceful walk radiated confidence.





Milan Fashion Week is a global platform showcasing upcoming trends and established labels. Rashmika's presence at the event signifies a growing recognition of Indian talent and influence in the international fashion scene. Her participation also paves the way for other Indian actors and actresses to make their mark on the global stage.

This isn't the first time Rashmika has impressed with her fashion choices. She is known for her playful and eclectic style, often rocking vibrant colours and statement pieces. From casual streetwear to elegant red carpets, she consistently pushes boundaries and embraces experimentation.

More pictures from the event - @iamRashmika I'm just in love with the outfit  #RashmikaMandanna pic.twitter.com/1yKyDoIMQs  Rashmika Trends (@RashmikaTrends) February 21, 2024





With her successful debut at Milan Fashion Week, Rashmika's fashion journey is just beginning. We can expect her to continue to experiment, evolve, and inspire with her unique style sense, both on and off the runway.

For more stories like these, follow us on Indiatimes Lifestyle.
If you are looking for new opportunities, you know very well that this is probably not the best of times to be in the job market.

With some of the biggest companies in the world resorting to layoffs, hiring freeze, and other cost cutting measures, finding a job is increasingly becoming difficult.

UNSPLASH

The turbulence has also affected the campus placement prospects of students graduating from some of the best colleges in the country.

BITS Pilani reaches out to alumni for jobs

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS), one of the most reputed institutes in India has reportedly sought the help of its alumni to find job placements for its 2024 batch of students.

Arya Kumar, the dean of Alumni Relations has written to the BITS alumni network requesting their support in finding suitable job opportunities for their junior bath.

"You are well aware of the current industry downturn and its effect on the businesses and prospective hiring. The global economy has not experienced this kind of slump since decades. The technology sector is radically impacted, with around 4 lakhs employees being laid off globally since January 2022, he said in the letter.

BITS PILANI

Placement teams doing their best

"In spite of business adversities, BITS Pilani has stood strong, with our closing placement statistics for the academic year 2022-23 standing at a healthy 89.2% for Indian Campuses. Since then, however, the hiring slowdown has only deepened.

Although the placement teams are doing their best, they would be very appreciative of support from our esteemed alumni to help them tide through the current crisis," he wrote further.

First IIM Lucknow, now BITS Pilani asking alumni to help out with placements.



This is the first time I am seeing such groveling after 2008.



"help them tide through current crisis"



"gentle request to please keep this in mind"



"Thanking you very much in advance" pic.twitter.com/TI27X7THk6  Ravi Handa (@ravihanda) February 22, 2024

While Ravi Handa, who posted the screenshot of the email on social media said he was unsure of its authenticity, many BITS Pilani alumni confirmed that it was real and that they had received the mail.

Pexels

IIM Lucknow can't find jobs for 72 students

Last month, the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow) had reached out to its alumni network to maintain its legacy of 100 percent placement for its students.

IIM Lucknow had sought employment opportunities for 72 of its students from the current batch.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
A court in Manhattan, New York has found a man guilty of filing false real property records claiming ownership of a hotel, where he was living rent-free for five years.

Mickey Barreto was accused of exploiting a loophole in the law to live in the New Yorker Hotel from 2018 to 2023, without paying any rent.

New Yorker Hotel

What is the loophole

According to reports it all began in 2018 when his boyfriend told him about a legal loophole that permitted tenants of single rooms in buildings built before 1969 to request a six-month lease.

So he and his boyfriend paid about $200 to rent one of the more than 1,000 rooms in the towering Art Deco structure built in 1930.

The next day, he asked for a lease, claiming that because he'd paid for a night in the hotel, he counted as a tenant.

Got favourable verdict

But when the hotel refused to entertain his request, Barreto went to the court and got a default verdict in his favour, because the lawyers for the building's owners didn't show up.

Since then Barreto has been living in the hotel, rent-free. But he did not stop there and in 2019 he uploaded a fake deed to a city website, purporting to transfer ownership of the entire building to himself from the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, which bought the property in 1976.

AP

Convicted, arrested

Barreto then tried to charge various entities as the owner of the building including demanding rent from one of the hotels tenants, registering the hotel under his name with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for water and sewage payments, and demanding the hotels bank transfer its accounts to him.

Based on the complaint filed by the building's owner, Barreto was found guilty on 24 counts and the 48-year-old was arrested last week.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
In a shocking incident, doctors at a hospital in Jacksonville, Florida have removed around 150 live bugs from the nose of a patient.

According to local media reports, the unidentified patient sought medical help last week after his face and lips started swelling in a matter of hours.

FREEPIK

Doctor left shocked

On February 9 the patient visited the HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, and what he found during the examination left the experienced ENT Doctor shocked.

He noticed something moving in the patients nasal cavity and after getting a camera to look inside, the doctor found dozens of living pests just living in the mans sinuses, feeding off of him.

"We took a camera and looked in the nose and that's when things dramatically changed," Dr. David Carlson told local media.

Bugs were close to patient's brain

I knew he was in big trouble, there was erosion that was occurring near the skull base in very close proximity to his eye and his brain," Dr. Carlson said, adding that some of them were as big as the end of his pinkie.

The larvae inside the nose were scurrying around and looking for places to feed and others had burrowed into tissue, he said.

UNSPLASH

150 live bugs pulled out

The doctor tried to immediately remove the larvae but failed.

"We tried to remove them with suction but it clogged the suction. They were large enough that I couldn't get them with the suction, we ended up having to remove them one by one using different instrumentation," he said.

Some 150 bugs were removed from his nose, and the patient is expected to make a full recovery.

FREEPIK

How did they get there

While the bugs have been removed, doctors are still clueless about how they ended up there.

It is believed that the patient had neuroblastoma 30 years ago, which resulted in the removal of a cancerous tumor in his nose and left him with an extremely compromised immune system, which may have exposed him to some infection.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Funding for supply of 800,000 shells to Ukraine to be found  Zhovkva

Funding for the implementation of the proposal of Czech President Petr Pavel to supply 800,000 155-mm shells to Ukraine will be found, Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"Yes, we will find it. We cannot say all the details, but Peter Pavel is certainly a person who is very well versed in these matters," he said.

The President of the Czech Republic spoke at a Ukrainian lunch during the Munich Security Conference with information about the presence of 800,000 155-mm shells.

"In general, the Czech Republic, again, without revealing all the nuances, helps Ukraine a lot in the military sphere, not only on a bilateral basis," Zhovkva said.
The US on Thursday returned to the moon after nearly half a century with a spacecraft of a private company landing near the Lunar south pole.

The uncrewed six-legged robot lander, dubbed Odysseus, built and flown by Texas-based company Intuitive Machines was launched on February 15.

REUTERS

Odysseus successfully lands on Moon

Despite the spotty communication, Intuitive Machines, the company that built and managed the craft, confirmed that it had landed upright. But it did not provide additional details, including whether the lander had reached its intended destination near the moons south pole. The company ended its live webcast soon after identifying a lone, weak signal from the lander.

We can confirm, without a doubt, our equipment is on the surface of the moon, mission director Tim Crain reported as tension built in the companys Houston control center.

AFP

Odysseus is carrying a suite of scientific instruments and technology demonstrations for NASA and several commercial customers designed to operate for seven days on solar energy before the sun sets over the polar landing site.

The NASA payload will focus on collecting data on space weather interactions with the moon's surface, radio astronomy and other aspects of the lunar environment for future landers and NASA's planned return of astronauts later in the decade.

AP

US on the moon after 52 years

Thursday's landing represented the first controlled descent to the lunar surface by a US spacecraft since Apollo 17 in 1972, when NASA's last crewed moon mission landed there with astronauts Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt.

To date, spacecraft from just four other countries have ever landed on the moon - the former Soviet Union, China, India and, mostly recently, just last month, Japan. The United States is the only one ever to have sent humans to the lunar surface.

AP

First private spacecraft to land on moon

Intuitive Machines also became the first private business to pull off a lunar landing, a feat achieved by only five countries. Another US company, Astrobotic Technology, gave it a shot last month, but never made it to the moon, and the lander crashed back to Earth.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
In a delightful fusion of culture and celebration, a recent Pakistani wedding saw an unexpected twist that captivated the internet's attention: men breaking into spontaneous dance to the iconic Bollywood track "Chaiyya Chaiyya," originally featured in the movie "Dil Se," starring the legendary Shah Rukh Khan.

The viral video showcases the sheer joy and camaraderie as guests, regardless of age or background, groove to the infectious beats of the song.

This impromptu performance not only brought smiles to the faces of those present but also garnered widespread praise online, with netizens showering it with enthusiastic thumbs-up emojis and heartwarming comments.

Beyond borders and boundaries, such moments serve as a testament to the universal language of music and the ability of shared experiences to transcend cultural divides.

In a world often fraught with tensions, this heartening display reminds us of the power of music to unite and uplift spirits, making even the most ordinary occasions extraordinary.

What Did This Man Do In A Pakistani Wedding?

SRK's Chaiyya Chaiyya sets wedding stage ablaze with men's dance in Pakistan | Image: Instagram

The video opens to show a decorated stage against the backdrop of a beautiful sky. The dancers are seen wearing all-black traditional attire.



They show synchronized and amazing steps while performing the hit track Chaiyya Chaiyya. Though everyone gave an amazing performance, one person in the front stole the show with his expressive dance moves.

The video begins with a stunningly decorated stage against a picturesque sky backdrop. Adorned in traditional all-black attire, the dancers take the stage, executing perfectly synchronized and impressive movements to the iconic tune of "Chaiyya Chaiyya."

SRK's Chaiyya Chaiyya sets wedding stage ablaze with men's dance in Pakistan | Image: Instagram

While every performer delivers a stellar show, one individual positioned at the forefront steals the spotlight with his expressive and dynamic dance moves, captivating the audience's attention and elevating the performance to a new level of excitement and admiration.



Where Can You Watch The Viral Video?

You can watch the viral video posted by Salman Ameen on Instagram.

How Did The Internet React?

The footage was uploaded on February 10th, and since then, it has garnered over 7.6 million views, with the count continuing to rise. The post has sparked numerous comments, praising a particular dancer for his dynamic performance.

Internet reacts to SRK's Chaiyya Chaiyya sets wedding stage ablaze with men's dance in Pakistan | Image: Instagram

Internet reacts to SRK's Chaiyya Chaiyya sets wedding stage ablaze with men's dance in Pakistan | Image: Instagram

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



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In a startling display of extravagance turned into a punishable act, a video emerged showing a man indiscriminately throwing cash from the window of his luxury car in Noida, India.



The brazen act, initially viewed as a display of opulence, quickly turned into a legal affair as Noida Police intervened.

In a swift response, the authorities imposed a hefty fine of Rs 21,000 on the individual for violating traffic rules and causing public nuisance.

The video, which quickly went viral on social media platforms, sparked outrage among viewers, highlighting issues of wealth flaunting and disregard for societal norms.

While the identity of the man remains undisclosed, the incident has reignited discussions surrounding the responsibility of individuals with substantial means and the enforcement of regulations to maintain public order.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that accompany reckless behavior, regardless of one's financial status.

What Did This Man Do In Noida?

Man throwing cash from his luxury car window, and then got fined from Noida Police | Image: X

A viral video captured in Sector 20 of Noida depicts a group of men riding in a luxury car, drawing attention for their irresponsible behavior.



The footage captures the individuals recklessly flaunting their wealth by tossing cash from the windows of a speeding Range Rover during nighttime.

Additionally, occupants in a Scorpio vehicle were observed recording the incident.

Noida Traffic Police has taken action by issuing fines in response to this incident.

Man throwing cash from his luxury car window, and then got fined from Noida Police | Image: X

The Noida Traffic Police responded promptly to the situation depicted in the video by taking decisive action.



They imposed a significant fine on the individuals implicated in the incident. In a public statement, the department announced that an e-challan totaling Rs 21,000 had been issued against the vehicle in question for its breach of traffic regulations.

Where Can You Watch The Viral Video?

You can watch the video on X posted by @KhatriRajeesh

How Did The Internet React?

The video rapidly circulated on various social media platforms, eliciting criticism from individuals who strongly condemned the reckless behavior depicted.

People expressed concerns not only regarding the disregard for traffic regulations but also regarding the potential dangers posed to the safety of other road users.

Internet reacts to man throwing cash from his luxury car window, and then got fined from Noida Police | Image: X

Internet reacts to man throwing cash from his luxury car window, and then got fined from Noida Police | Image: X

What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.



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Stephen Alajemba, a seasoned Nigerian actor better known by his stage name Uwaezuoke, has talked about how his physical and facial characteristics led to numerous rejections.

He disclosed this in a recent interview with popular YouTuber, Yan Kontent Factory.

According to the actor, his mother told him that he was rejected as a baby because of his ugly looks.

Stephen Alajemba shared his own story, saying that he has experienced rejection because of his appearance all of his adult life, most notably in romantic relationships.

According to the experienced actor, women frequently run away at the sight of his appearance, making it impossible for him to find a love partner until the age of 20.

Stephen Alajemba stated in the interview that he made a commitment to his mother to make her proud, as she had expressed dissatisfaction with him when he was a child and believed he had not given her anything constructive.

The actor, now in his fifties, claimed that he eventually found love and married his first love when he was 23.

READ MORE: Ka3na Slams Nigerians Who Sell Land At High Cost And Blame Dollar Rate

He expressed gratitude that the first person to accept him remained with him, and he confirmed that his early experiences with rejection did not hinder him from enjoying his personal life.

In his words,

Any lady who sees my facial look and stature runs away. Unfortunately before one accepted me I was already 20 to 22 years old. I married at 23. So the first person tasted it and confirmed it and she did not leave me anymore.
Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has asked South-Easterners to adjust with the current economic realities in the country.

This is as the cost of food and other basic items have been soaring since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced an end to the petrol subsidy last year May.

Protests in many parts of the country over the economic hardship in the country have been the resort of Nigerians lately.

Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze, had earlier directed Igbo groups not to protest against the administration of Tinubu.

However, in a communique issued at the meeting chaired by the President General on Thursday, Ohanaeze asked the people of the South-East to invoke the indomitable Igbo spirit of brotherliness and hard work during the period of economic hardship.

READ ALSO: Igbos Have Accepted Tinubu As President, We Appeal For Nnamdi Kanus Release  Ohanaeze

The group urged Governors and traditional rulers in the Zone to take advantage of the upcoming farming season to catalyze massive agricultural production for sustainable food security.

Ohanaeze added that since the apex court in the country has ruled on the 2023 presidential election, the group has decided to support the administration of Tinubu.

We reviewed with intense passion, the level of unemployment, poverty, hardships, especially the rising cost of goods and services in Nigeria, the rate of depreciation of Nigerian currency and the excruciating effect on the masses; and reminded Ndigbo that they should quickly readjust themselves to the reality of the times and that the Igbo have passed through the worst of conditions in the past.

There is no better time than now to invoke the indomitable Igbo spirit of brotherliness, hard work, ingenuity, wisdom, resilience, inventiveness, perseverance and capacity to turn adversities into diverse opportunities.

It was reiterated that since the 2023 presidential electoral matter has reached the Nigerian Supreme Court and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has been declared the winner; and as law abiding citizens, we have therefore decided to support the Tinubu administration, the communique read.
The Federal Government (FG) says given the rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), it is interacting with the critical sectors to halt its exportation.

According to the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, all cooking gas produced within the country would be domesticated to crash the price of gas.

He disclosed this at the opening of its Internal Stakeholders Workshop, on Thursday in Abuja.

The workshop which is across the gas value chain on repositioning the nations gas sector, has its theme as Harnessing Nigerias Proven Gas Reserves for Economic Growth and Development

Ekpo said: All LPG produced within the country will have to be domesticated and when this is done the volume will increase and of course, the price will automatically crash.

I am in contact with the regulator, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the producers of LPG such as Chevron, Mobile and Shell, we have meetings on a daily basis.

READ ALSO: Well Remove All Impediments, Anti-Investments In Oil And Gas Industry  Tinubu Assures

There is hope that things will turn around, we do not need to make noise about it and it is based on this that we have this engagement to find out the problems and address them once and for all.

Addressing the conversion of vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, the Minister said he has been interfacing with the Presidential Initiative on CNG towards realising the goal.

The moment I get a clearer picture about it, I will address you accordingly.

But at the end of the day the regulators have to come in and interface with them to ensure they crash the price, he said.

According to him, the demonstration by the federal government by withdrawing all taxes and levies from the importation of gas-related equipment is a big incentive.
Nigerian talent manager and producer, Soso Soberekon has addressed Eedris Abdulkareem claim of being the one behind the revolution that led to the global recognition Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and other Nigerian artists are benefiting from today.

Recall that Eedris Abdulkareem has been under heavy criticism for saying he fought for the Nigerian music industry and paved the way for Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and other new-generation artists.

In a recent live interview with Daddy Freeze on Instagram, Soso Soberekon, claimed that Eedris Abdulkareems 2004 brawl with American rapper 50Cent and his entourage helped improve the welfare of Nigerian artists.

The talent manager further revealed that Nigerian musicians were treated like rats prior to Abdulkareem confronting 50Cents crew about unfair treatment.

READ MORE: Ka3na Slams Nigerians Who Sell Land At High Cost And Blame Dollar Rate

In his words,

What happened between Eedris and 50 Cent helped the industry, but he did it in a wrong way. Before then, Nigerian musicians were treated like rats.

Watch the interview below
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has debunked rumors, spreading viral on social media that he has left the party.

The former Anambra governor, alleged that unfortunate news came from certain quarters, described them as political mischief makers.

However, Obi, in a statement signed by his media aide, Michael Jude Nwolisa, on Friday, dismissed the trending fallacious news story.

The statement reads: This is not true and it did not originate from Obi or the Obidient Movement but from mischief makers bent on sowing the seed of discord in the party.

READ MORE: Distasteful, Humiliating, Demeaning  Peter Obi Reacts To Abures Arrest

These rising misdemeanors on the party did not start today as they set out to destroy and disorganize the party all to get at Obi and derail the inevitable journey of rescuing Nigeria.

Presently our principal is preoccupied with making Nigeria work not on partisan politics which ended on October 26, 2023, when the Supreme Court of the land took their final decision on the general elections.

Those bent on creating a crisis in the Labour Party are clearly enemies of democracy wishing for the failed status quo to remain.

OBIs focus at the moment is on creating an environment where democracy is to be practiced according to the defined tenets not the rascality and all forms of impunity prevalent in the country today

Peter Obi, therefore, would like to assure Nigerians, particularly the Obidient family that his way with Labour is unshaken and intact and that the struggle to rescue Nigeria from the criminal gangs holding it down will not stop until its achieved through the will of the Nigerian people.
Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, has returned to Nigeria about three years after fleeing the country for the Republic of Benin.

Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, was in the country for his mothers burial which is scheduled to take place in Igboho and Ibadan.

This was disclosed by spokesman of the Yoruba Nation activist, Olayomi Koiki.

I can confirm that Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho is currently on his way to Igboho Town for the final burial of his mother MRS S.A.ADEYEMO.

The body of MRS S.A ADEYEMO was picked up from the mortuary in SAKI TOWN some few hours ago, he said.

His mother died while he was incarcerated in the Benin Republic in 2023.

READ ALSO: I Dont Regret Campaigning For Tinubu And Would Do It Again If Opportunity Arises  Olaiya Igwe

He had left Nigeria in 2021 following a bloody confrontation between his aides and Department of State Services operatives who stormed his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Igboho, who agitates for independence for the ethnic Yoruba people mostly in southwestern Nigeria, eloped to the Benin Republic after he was declared wanted by the DSS.

The separatist leader was detained in Benin Republic in October 2021 while trying to fly to Germany.

The West African country had charged him with associating with criminals.

He, however, regained his freedom recently after two years in a Beninese prison.

Two years ago, his lawyer, Ibrahim Salami, confirmed that Igboho had been given a conditional release for medical treatment but not allowed to leave the country.

Igboho had earlier thanked Benin President Patrice Talon and a former Nigerian president as well as Nobel prize winner Wole Soyinka for their support.
At least, three security officers have been killed during a raid carried by the operatives of the Katsina Police Command, attached to Kankara and Malumfashi Divisional Headquarters alongside the Katsina Community Watch Corps.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the security personnel, stormed the Burdugau bandits camp in Malumfashi Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday.

It was gathered that the camp is headed by a suspected notorious bandits kingpin Babayo.

Despite the fatality, the security agents killed a yet to be identified number of suspected bandits and recovered 332 rustled animals.

Confirming the unfortunate reports yesterday, the Information Officer in charge of the Kankara LGA, Malam Suleiman Ibrahim Tsiga Suleiman Ibrahim Tsiga confirmed the deaths to Channels Television.

He said: Yes, the incident happened yesterday in the early hours during a joint operation by the Military Personnel and Community Watch Corps.

READ MORE: Unknown Gunmen Kill Six, 10 Injured In Fresh Katsina Attack

The Kankara Commandant of the Community Watch Corps and two other vigilante members were killed.

Currently there are two mobile police officers alongside two community watch corps members currently receiving medical attention at the Malumfashi General Hospital.

Several bandits were also killed during the operation. Honestly, the atmosphere is tense now because most people in the neighboring villages have started fleeing their communities because the bandits who escaped are hiding in those villages such as Yar Burdugau and Yar Goje.
The decision on assistance to Ukraine will be made by Congress, Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva is sure.

"If you ask me, I am personally confident that this decision will be made. Of course, I would like it to be faster," he said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Speaking about the president's meetings with representatives of U.S. authorities during the Munich Security Conference, Zhovkva noted the meeting with congressmen. "There were Republicans, heads of committees who, for example, recently visited Ukraine. We did not hear from a single representative of the Republican Party that funding for Ukraine would not be accepted, or any arguments against Ukraine. From everyone we heard: 'Yes, nothing personal,' this is not against you, this is an internal issue of the United States, and we are working on it," he said.

"There was a very human conversation. Some said: 'There are a lot of representatives of the Ukrainian community in my state - What do you say, Mr. President, what should we tell our people, the Americans?' The President gave very simple, human arguments: 'You just tell them about the Ukrainian children who not only can be deported from the occupied territories, but wake up every day to the sounds of explosions.' And they said: 'Yes, Mr. President, this argument works very well for the public,'" Zhovkva said.
In a recent legal ruling against Air Canada in a small claims court, the airline lost because its AI-powered chatbot provided incorrect information about bereavement fares. The chatbot suggested that the passenger could retroactively apply for bereavement fares, despite the airlines bereavement fares policy contradicting this information. Whoops! Of course, the link to the policy was provided in the chatbots response; however, the court found that the airline failed to explain why the passenger should not trust the information provided by the companys chatbot.

The case has drawn attention to the intersection of AI and legal liability and is a compelling illustration of the potential legal and financial implications of AI misinformation and bias.

The tip of the iceberg

Ive found that humans dont much like AIcertainly when it comes up with an answer they may disagree with. This can be as simple as the Air Canada case, which was settled in small claims court, or as serious as a systemic bias in an AI model that denies benefits to specific races.

In the Air Canada case, the tribunal called it a case of negligent misrepresentation, meaning that the airline had failed to take reasonable care to ensure the accuracy of its chatbot. The ruling has significant implications, raising questions about company liability for the performance of AI-powered systems, which, in case you live under a rock, are coming fast and furious.

Also, this incident highlights the vulnerability of AI tools to inaccuracies. This is most often caused by the ingestion of training data that has erroneous or biased information. This can lead to adverse outcomes for customers, who are pretty good at spotting these issues and letting the company know.

The case highlights the need for companies to reconsider the extent of AIs capabilities and their potential legal and financial exposure to misinformation, which will cause bad decisions and outcomes from the AI systems.

Review AI system design like youre testifying in court

Why? Because the likelihood is that you will be.

I tell this to my students because I truly believe that many of the design and architecture calls that go into building and deploying a generative AI system will someday be called into question, either in a court of law or by others who are attempting to figure out if something is wrong with the way the AI system is working.

I regularly make sure that my butt is covered with tracking and log testing data, including detection of bias and any hallucinations that are likely to occur. Also, is there an AI ethics specialist on the team to ask the right questions at the right time and oversee the testing for bias and other issues that could get you dragged into court?

Are only genAI systems subject to legal scrutiny? No, not really. Weve dealt with software liability for years; this is no different. What is different is the transparency. AI systems dont work via code; they work via knowledge models created from a ton of data. In finding patterns in this data, they can come up with humanlike answers and carry on with ongoing learning.

This process allows the AI system to become more innovative, which is good. But it can also introduce bias and bad decisions based on ingesting lousy training data. Its like a system that reprograms itself each day and comes up with different approaches and answers based on that reprogramming. Sometimes it works well and adds a tremendous amount of value. Sometimes it comes up with the wrong answer, as it did for Air Canada.

How to protect yourself and your organization

First off, you need to practice defensive design. Document each step in the design and architecture process, including why technologies and platforms were selected.

Also, its best to document the testing, including auditing for bias and mistakes. Its not a matter of if youll find them; they are always there. What matters is your ability to remove them from the knowledge models or large language models and to document that process, including any retesting that needs to occur.

Of course, and most importantly, you need to consider the purpose of the AI system. What is it supposed to do? What issues need to be considered? How will it evolve in the future?

Its worth raising the issue of whether you should use AI in the first place. There are a lot of complexities to leveraging AI on the cloud or on-premises, including more expense and risk. Companies often get in trouble because they use AI for the wrong use cases and should have instead gone with more conventional technology.

All of this wont keep you out of court. But it will assist you if it happens.
Haynes Hendrickson, vice president of the board of the Community House of Moorestown, gives a tour of the no longer used pool area where a microbrewery and space for brewing classes are planned. Read more

The first-ever microbrewery in the heart of Moorestown  and the first in New Jersey with an educational element  will replace the long-dormant Community House swimming pool on East Main Street.

The nonprofit owner of the century-old downtown landmark, as well as Rowan College at Burlington County and the Kings Road Brewing Co., announced their partnership Thursday at the Community House.

The project will cost between $1 million and $2 million. The brewery and brewpub, along with a separate teaching area with smaller-scale brewing equipment, are expected to open late next year or in early 2026.

Were here to announce plans to leverage [our] presence and launch a major initiative to benefit Moorestown and Burlington County, said Haynes Hendrickson, vice president of the nonprofits board.

Having the brewery and the college as tenants also will help sustain the Community House. Hendrickson described the partnership as the first of its kind in the state and the backdrop for generations of memories among local residents.

We all agree theres no better place location to stimulate the economic growth of Main Street than Community House, he said.

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The proposal has been under discussion since the township council approved an ordinance allowing breweries, distilleries, and wine tasting rooms downtown in 2021.

Alcoholic beverage sales had been prohibited in Moorestown since 1915. Lift-the-ban ballot measures failed in 1935, 1953, and 2007. In 2011, a referendum to permit sales in and around the Moorestown Mall was approved.

About 30 municipalities statewide, most of them in South Jersey, still prohibit all or most alcohol sales, although many such communities, including Haddonfield and Collingswood, have microbreweries.

Our brand fits [Moorestown] for so many reasons, Bob Hochgertel, co-owner of Kings Road, said during Thursdays event.

His company has locations in Medford and Haddonfield, where Kings Road has had what he described as a robust impact on foot traffic and business.

The company was founded in 2016 by Hochgertel and four friends. Their Haddonfield brewery and tasting room was the site of the boroughs first legal beer sale since 1873.

If a curriculum now under development is approved by the college and the state, an associates degree program could be in place in fall 2025, said Michael A. Cioce, president of Rowan College at Burlington County. A certificate program based on existing courses could begin this coming fall ahead of the approval of the brewing-focused curriculum, he said.

Are there students interested in knowing more about brewing science? Yes. Are there jobs at the other side of this degree? Yes, Cioce said. Were eager to start recruiting our inaugural class.

The Community House, built in 1926, was largely paid for by a $250,000 donation from Moorestown resident Eldridge Johnson  founder of Camdens Victor Talking Machine Co.  as well as a fundraising effort by the Moorestown Womens Club. Its now used for weddings, corporate, social, and community events.

It holds a special place in the hearts of residents of Moorestown, Mayor Nicole Gillespie said. Its a beautiful building. Many people have been married here, people learned to swim here, and to this unique idea happening in this beautiful place  we could not ask for better.
The Municipal Services Building is one of the many office buildings around City Hall where workers may be asked to return five days per week. Read more

The City of Philadelphia is the latest major employer to publicly discuss a return to more in-office time. As other employers ponder their best long-term plan, the implications for workers, for the citys commercial real estate market, and for the future of work in general hang in the balance.

With this in mind, The Inquirer hosted an AMA (Ask Me Anything) in collaboration with the r/Philadelphia subreddit to answer readers questions.

Here are the highlights from business reporters Jake Blumgart and Lizzy McLellan Ravitch. Some questions and answers have been edited for length, clarity, and tone.

How do you think Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration is making this decision?

Jake Blumgart: If weve learned one thing about the Parker administration, its that they want to be deliberative about decision-making and are not going to be rushed.

The mayor has made no secret of her desire to bring hybrid-capable workers back five days a week, and many of the AFSCME DC 47 members I talked to said they were aware of her rhetoric about this on the campaign trail last year. But Im not sure if she sees the five-day-a-week return as her opening gambit and something that can be negotiated, or a hard line. I will note that the administration did not answer my question about whether they see this policy decision as a purely executive decision or something they need to bargain with the unions over. The answer would have told us a lot about whats to come.

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I dont know how much of this is based on the decisions of other cities. The results in places like New York have been mixed.

At its core, though, I think this is something that Mayor Parker sees as the right decision. And many elites in the city agree with her, especially real estate honchos and labor leaders who have not been doing much remote work these past few years (and whose members and employees havent been either).

How will the city remain competitive with private-sector jobs if they remove this benefit? Has Mayor Parker proposed pay increases or other benefits to compensate for the lost time and diminished work-life balance?

Lizzy McLellan Ravitch: Thats a great question, and its something weve heard from other city employees as well. Theyve noted that private-sector employers offer more money, and most offer some kind of hybrid-work arrangement as well. The mayor hasnt shared any hints of a pay raise or other benefits to compensate for the loss of a hybrid schedule that we know of. Well keep asking about it as we cover the issue.

The city has hundreds of job vacancies. What are the plans to increase applicants while simultaneously demanding a return to office?

Lizzy McLellan Ravitch: Soon after her inauguration, Parker announced two big initiatives meant to reduce barriers to city employment. She removed the college-degree requirement for some city jobs, and she set a goal of eliminating written exams from the civil service system.

Its also worth noting that City Councils 2024 budget, passed last summer, allocated $20 million focused on recruiting and retaining workers across departments. Those investments included signing bonuses for public safety jobs, a workforce development program for the Streets Department, and expansion of the citys parental leave offering.

When Mayor Parker was on City Council, did she spend 40 hours a week in her office?

Jake Blumgart: I covered a lot of Parkers time in Council at a previous job with WHYY, and I can confidently say that if she wasnt in her City Hall office 40 hours a week, she was still working in the field or in one of the satellite offices. Council members are often out in their districts, attending community events, meeting with constituents and stakeholders.

Of course Council doesnt meet in the summer, but members say they are still working during those months doing constituent services, attending meetings, and so forth.

Are Mayor Parkers concerns thoroughly considered, too heavily politically motivated, sound business practice, dismissive of safety issues (I believe safety is a minor issue once one is in Center City, its the commute that must be shored up) or other?

Jake Blumgart: The question of public safety on SEPTA came up a lot in my interviews with city workers, but only from those who ride the Market-Frankford Line or the Broad Street Line. Regional Rail riders only complained about the aggressively infrequent service, which leaves riders stranded for an hour or sometimes more if they miss a train. (This is something SEPTA said they were going to address earlier in the pandemic.)

The public order questions on SEPTA cannot be disentangled from the opioid and homelessness crisis. Law enforcement data show that actual crime on SEPTA is not up, but antisocial behavior  smoking, drug use, littering  most definitely is (and its worth noting this is not just a Philadelphia problem).

I ride the El every week, and the rider experience has deteriorated dramatically since before the pandemic. Notably, that line goes through Kensington, which is the heart of the regions opioid crisis which has clearly spilled over onto mass transit.

But theres not a quick solution to this. Antisocial behavior surged across the country during the pandemic. Having more riders would probably help, as people are less likely to light up a cig on a crowded train car, but its not a silver bullet. (Ive been in packed NYC subways where a guy still smoked a joint despite the anger and disgust of everyone around him.) The fact that guns have proliferated so wildly since the pandemic adds to the problem. The fear of confronting someone who is armed is also a real concern.

Lastly, I would also note that its not like SEPTA is slacking on this question. They are asked to do a lot more than just shuttle people from place to place, including providing public safety and care for people in crisis or without homes. They clean their facilities and vehicles regularly, and the small police force does patrol. But there is only so much they can do: SEPTA executives are currently lobbying Harrisburg for more money, which even Gov. Josh Shapiro says is necessary for them to continue to operate, let alone improve services.

Is loss of skilled talent measurable? If so, what metrics and how fast will they be measurable?

Lizzy McLellan Ravitch: As to the first question here, yes, loss of talent is measurable. While the impact can vary, depending on many factors, workplace experts tend to agree that turnover is expensive. For instance, one estimate cited by Gallup said the cost of replacing an employee could be anywhere from 50% to two-times that workers salary. So, for example, when an employee who makes $50,000 per year leaves their job, it could cost anywhere from $25,000 to $100,000.

Why is hybrid described as a set amount of days per week? What determines the number of days?

Lizzy McLellan Ravitch: The definition of hybrid seems to vary greatly across companies. Thats been a big challenge in the past four years. In my reporting, Ive heard of companies that ask people to come in once a week, up to four days a week, all calling their arrangements hybrid.

Some seem to be flexible about the number of days and hours, sending a message that individuals family circumstances and work duties may alter any given week. But some other employers have strict requirements, telling workers that they will be tracking how often their office-access badges are scanned. Ive heard of some tying in-office attendance to promotion opportunities as well.

Is there a plan to convert some existing office space to residential?

Jake Blumgart: Converting office buildings to residential is easier said than done in Philadelphia. Thats because our office market has been so weak for so long, and Center Citys residential market has been remarkably strong for so long. Most of the older buildings that are easiest to convert were already made over into apartments before the pandemic.

That said, there are a couple examples where permits were pulled last year to convert older buildings to apartments, including in the Public Ledger building (which is divided in two; one half is already residential). The biggest example is the former Morgan Lewis HQ at 1701 Market St., which Alterra is converting into apartments.

That building is actually a perfect example of why more conversions arent likely in the immediate future. 1701 had one tenant, and when they left, Alterra could take over and quickly begin the conversion process. Most office buildings have a lot of tenants, with leases that end on a variety of different dates. Even if a majority of tenants leave, they will still have a lot of leases with a lot of years left on them. A half-empty office building is still half-full.

Currently, the interest-rate environment has brought most development to a standstill, so thats another hurdle to these often expensive conversion projects.

In a few years, many of the pre-COVID leases will have expired and some of the worst positioned buildings could be ready for conversion. But then theres the problem with structures like the Wanamaker building, and most of the more modern buildings, which are simply not set up for easy conversion. A lot of expensive demolition and retrofitting work would be needed, and the buildings would essentially have to be sold for next to nothing to make it work.

Returning to the office is expensive for the employees who must commute more. Is there a plan in place to make employers pay for that?

Lizzy McLellan Ravitch: There are some employers who offer a pretax deduction from employees paychecks that can go toward paying for transit or parking. This doesnt eliminate the cost entirely, however. The City of Philadelphia, and a few other local employers, have begun offering SEPTA passes to their workers for no cost through SEPTA Key Advantage. And a city law passed in late 2022 requires that businesses with at least 50 employees offer a commuter benefit program.

Its also expensive for the environment, in terms of damage by the unnecessary burning of yet more fossil fuels.

Lizzy McLellan Ravitch: I havent heard of any employers financially offsetting the environmental cost of their return-to-office policy.
A tourism outlook event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center was organized by Visit Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. Read more

Tourism industry leaders and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker gathered Wednesday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center to discuss how tourism impacted the Philadelphia region in 2023 and what they expect for the industry in 2024.

Philadelphia benefits from a strong tourism economy, Parker said. Tourism attracts new residents, new businesses, and a new workforce to our area when people feel good about their Philadelphia experience.

Although Philadelphians have always known how awesome our city is, Parker noted, others beyond the city have begun to notice, too. She mentioned recent accolades the city has garnered, including James Beard nominations announced in January, landing on Lonely Planets top destinations to visit in 2024 as the best U.S. city, and Philadelphia being one of the best performing cities in a ranking focused on sustainable growth and resilience from Milken Institute, a nonprofit think tank.

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Last year, Philadelphias tourism industry continued to recover from the impact of the pandemic, but it has not yet reached full recovery, according to data provided by Visit Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) from Tourism Economics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The five-county Philadelphia region welcomed 42.9 million visitors in 2023, a 6% increase from the prior year, but still 6% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Here are five takeaways of where Philadelphias tourism industry stands today and what the city can expect in the year to come.

Improved public safety and transit

We could make our city the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the nation with access to economic opportunity for all, said Parker, touting a message that is the focus of her 100 first days in office.

Those priorities are aligned with our own, said Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the PHLCVB.

To achieve that vision, Parker noted the need for improved public safety, which she said was necessary for the survival of the hospitality and tourism industries. The city also needs to ensure infrastructure and public transit systems meet tourism needs.

More hotel rooms are available, but many stay empty

While the supply of hotel rooms has increased since 2019, the demand has not yet matched 2019 levels in Philadelphia County. Last year, 4.25 million hotel night stays were sold in the area, a 9% increase from the previous year, but still 11% below demand in 2019, according to STR, which provides data on the hospitality industry.

Despite this, the amount of available hotel options for tourists continues to grow. Earlier this year, The Inquirer reported that new hotel openings will add 196 rooms to tourists options in Philadelphia in 2024.

To get visitors to spend more nights in Philadelphia, Visit Philadelphia is focusing on attracting tourists from farther away, said Angela Val, president and CEO of the tourism marketing agency for the region. Although her team focuses most of its marketing on the Northeast corridor, the agency will head to Atlanta later this year to try to attract additional visitors, she said.

Leveraging AI for travel planning

Visit Philadelphia is also trying to ease travel planning by leveraging AI.

We really are looking at how it could make the travel experience better, Val said.

The organization is launching a web page later this year that will allow travelers to ask questions about Philadelphia and get AI-generated answers informed by the Visit Philadelphia website.

Hopefully itll also take out the drudgery of planning travel. That will just become more efficient, she said.

International visitors expected to spend $800 million in Philly

Over half a million people will visit Philadelphia for an event or meeting booked this year by the PHLCVB, Caren said.

Some of the visitors expected in 2024 in Philadelphia will be international. Those travelers will spend an estimated 1.3 million overnight stays in hotels and are anticipated to generate nearly $800 million in spending in the region. While PHLCVB promotes Philadelphia in 18 international markets, the top international visits come from Canada, the United Kingdom, India, China and Germany, Caren said.

Philadelphia International Airport welcomed over 28.1 million passengers last year  a 12.6% increase from the prior year but still 14.8% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to the airport.

Philadelphia is benefiting from new domestic routes on Frontier and additional routes on American Airlines to Nice, Copenhagen, and Naples this year, said Caren.

Making Philadelphia welcoming

Visit Philadelphia focused on diverse markets last year and is continuing to do so this year, Val said. The organization has led programming around Pride Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Black History Month, including with Drag Queen Storytime and offering banned books in libraries.

There are more places throughout this country that arent as welcoming to everyone, Val said.

This focus could benefit both residents and visitors, she said.

Philadelphia  has an opportunity to not just be welcoming, and inclusive, but to make sure that people have a true sense of belonging here, Val said. We think that thats going to set us apart, sadly, from other cities.
Federal prosecutors say this still from police body camera footage shows Kenneth Giusini Sr. shoving an officer trying to keep him out of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. Read more

A West Philadelphia man who told FBI agents he shoved a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol to protect another rioter became on Thursday the latest Pennsylvanian charged in connection with the attack.

Kenneth Giusini Sr., 67, faces felony charges of obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder that, should he be convicted, could send him to prison for up to five years.

In court papers, investigators said Giusinis ex-girlfriend helped identify him in photos and videos posted to social media recording his movements in Washington that day.

 READ MORE: Philly Proud Boy who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 with the groups top leaders pleads guilty

When they confronted him at his Packer Park apartment in December, Giusini said hed traveled with her to Washington to attend then-President Donald Trumps rally on the Ellipse only to leave her on the Capitol steps to join in on the riot.

Security footage showed Giusini only briefly managed to push his way inside the building through a door on its north side, prosecutors said.

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Though he would later tell agents that officers appeared to be letting people in, video shows he was among a crowd that was quickly repelled by officers and forced back outside.

It was then, authorities said, that Giusini shoved his arm into an officer struggling to keep the crowd at bay.

 READ MORE: A N.J. man wore a jacket with his name and phone number to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. FBI agents used it to track him down.

In his December interview with FBI agents, Giusini maintained he only laid hands on the man to prevent himself from toppling onto another rioter who had fallen to the ground behind him.

But investigators reviewing the officers body camera footage say it told a different story: The man Giusini claimed to be protecting had regained his footing well before Giusinis shove.

Whats more, they said in court filings Thursday, Giusini put his hands on the officer at least one other time as other police tried to pull their colleague back through the Capitols doors.

The officer did not report any significant injury from the scuffle.

 READ MORE: The Bucks County man behind the moment that kicked off the Jan. 6 Capitol riot convicted at trial

Giusini could not be reached for comment Thursday, and court records did not indicate whether he had retained an attorney.

More than 95 Pennsylvanians  including seven people from Philadelphia  have been charged in connection with the riot since January 2021. More than 70 of them have been convicted either through guilty pleas or at trial.
A Philadelphia-based former Spirit Airlines employee will spend time in a federal detention center for her role in a ticket-changing scheme that cost the airline nearly $265,000. Read more

A Philadelphia-based former Spirit Airlines employee will spend time in a federal detention center for her role in a ticket-changing scheme that cost the airline nearly $265,000.

Taylor Thompson pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, and was sentenced Thursday to two months of incarceration followed by eight months of home confinement. She must also pay restitution to the airline.

Thompson was hired as a customer service supervisor in May 2017, court documents say. In December 2017, she began using her booking system passcode to change flights for certain passengers while waiving the fees associated with the change.

In these instances, court records say, Thompson would first book cheap, short flights for friends and family. She would then reroute the flight to a farther destination, using her passcode to waive the increased cost for the passenger.

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Admittedly, she then began charging a fee  usually $50-$100 at a time  to rebook such flights for other individuals, resulting in a total loss of $88,229.65 over a seven-month period to Spirit Airlines, a document filed by Thompsons lawyer said.

The commission payments to Thompson totaled over $20,500, federal prosecutors said, from 562 modified flight reservations.

Other Spirit employees began using Thompsons passcode to make free changes to flight itineraries for passengers.

Thompson was fired in July 2018, unrelated to the flight changes, for lack of professionalism after she became involved in a heated exchange with another supervisor. After Thompsons firing, the customer service agents recruited another supervisor, Sabrina Lebron, whose credentials they could use to change flights.

The scheme was discovered in late August 2018, and by that time the group of five employees had modified over 1,600 flight reservations, with a total loss to Spirit of nearly $265,000.

Lebron, as well as customer service agents Karima Worthem, Tiana Fairfax, and Theodore Robinson were also charged. Robinson made $7,500 from the scheme, and was ultimately sentenced to three years probation including six months in home detention, while Fairfax, who made more than $40,000, was sentenced to six months incarceration. Sentencing hearings for Worthem and Lebron are scheduled in March.

Thompson faced a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment per charge, for a total of 60 years, in addition to paying restitution in the amount of losses she had directly caused for Spirit.

Thompsons lawyers argued that she should not be incarcerated, noting that other participants in the scheme had caused greater losses to Spirit. Over a dozen family members and friends attended the sentencing hearing in support of Thompson.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Rice requested a brief period of incarceration for Thompson, arguing that she would have created greater losses for the airline had she not been fired.

Lawyers argued over whether Thompsons sentence should take into account that she was in a supervisory role, with prosecutors arguing that Thompson had unfettered discretion to change flights. Thompsons lawyer argued that despite her title, Thompson was near the bottom of Spirits hierarchy.

U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone sided with Thompson on that particular issue because Thompsons direct supervisor could easily detect the illicit use of flight changes had she reviewed Thompsons activity. Still, the judge said that she was baffled by Thompsons actions and that the sentence would be a deterrent to others in a position to abuse their employment.

This was not a crime of opportunity, Beetlestone said. You initiated the scheme, you recruited others to participate.
Members of the Central Bucks School Board listen to public comment during a Nov. 14 meeting at Central Bucks West High School in Doylestown. Two of the board's three Republican members have submitted resignations, accusing the Democratic majority and the board's solicitor of unethical conduct. Read more

The Central Bucks school board is expected to accept the resignations Friday of two Republican members, who are accusing the boards new Democratic majority of choosing a solicitor with personal and political scores to settle.

In resignation letters submitted earlier this week, Lisa Sciscio and Debra Cannon both alleged that David Conn, chosen by Democrats as the boards new solicitor after the bitterly fought November election, has conflicts of interest undermining his representation of the district.

They pointed to Conns marriage to Marlene Pray, director of the Rainbow Room, a Planned Parenthood-sponsored LGBTQ youth center in Doylestown, and Prays serving as a witness for Andrew Burgess, the teacher who last year sued Central Bucks alleging it retaliated against him for helping a transgender student.

A report by the Duane Morris law firm, hired by the former Republican board majority, found no evidence that the district had created a hostile environment for LGBTQ students, and instead pinned blame on Burgess, saying the teacher failed to report bullying in order to file a civil rights complaint that would be weaponized by the boards opponents.

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Sciscio and Cannon noted that Conn, a partner with Sweet, Stevens, Katz and Williams, entered his appearance on behalf of the district in Burgess lawsuit in December. On Wednesday, he withdrew from the case.

At no time was I ever asked to, nor did I intend to, participate in the litigation, Conn said Thursday. He said he was asked by the districts insurance company to engage in a limited scope of representation, which I fulfilled late last week, hence my withdrawal of appearance.

As for allegations about his motivation, Conn said, I do not have any scores to settle, but we do have some messes to clean up.

Partisan battles remain

The boards 6-3 Democratic majority has moved quickly to reverse actions of its Republican predecessors  from suspending its restrictions on library books and the classroom display of Pride flags and other advocacy materials, to authorizing an investigation into the $700,000 payout awarded in the days after the board election to former superintendent Abram Lucabaugh.

At the same time, the new board has continued to be mired in partisan battles. Republican community members petitioned for recounts; the results reflected wider margins of victory for Democrats.

In the new boards first meeting in December, the outgoing Republicans refused to place the new Democratic majoritys requested items on the agenda, leading the Democrats to add them by an emergency motion. Republicans then sued the board, alleging that the last-minute additions violated Pennsylvanias Sunshine Act.

Meanwhile, members of the Republican minority say Democrats have ignored their concerns and excluded them from decision-making. In her resignation letter, Sciscio said that after she requested a written memo about an executive session she missed, she was accused of collaborating with opposing counsel.

Sciscio also said that Conn had threatened the board minority with personal legal action related to this matter on at least three occasions.

It wasnt clear from Sciscios letter specifically what matter she was referring to, though during comments at a school board meeting last week, she described the investigation into Lucabaughs separation agreement as a witch hunt. The board majority abruptly adjourned the meeting, saying that Sciscios comments were touching on executive session discussions.

Neither Sciscio nor Cannon  who accused Conn of attempted blackmail in her resignation letter, and said she was left with no choice but to protect the financial welfare and livelihood of me, my husband, my children, and my family  returned requests for comment this week.

Conn on Thursday said he couldnt provide context for Sciscio and Cannons allegations without violating more confidentiality than they already did, but said, At no time did I threaten anyone with anything.

Karen Smith, the board president, said Conn had advised Sciscio that if she spoke with Lucabaugh or anyone working for him, she could be deposed.

I dont think thats a threat, Smith said. I think thats a fact. She said details of the boards negotiations with Lucabaugh were privileged executive session material.

Smith said it wasnt the boards practice to provide written summaries of executive sessions, which the board would have to pay its lawyer to do. She said she and Conn had instead offered to speak with Sciscio to share information orally.

Smith also denied any quid pro quo regarding the board hiring Conn as its solicitor after he appeared on behalf of her and two other Democratic board members in the recount cases.

There are allegations about corruption and liability in these letters, Smith said in a statement. I want to reassure our community that we take our responsibility to our students and our community extremely seriously, and these allegations are false.

Smith also said that as members of the Republican majority, Sciscio and Cannon routinely withheld information from Democrats in the minority, and ignored warnings about the legality of district policies from advocacy groups such as the ACLU and Education Law Center.

Their actions caused these lawsuits they are now accusing us of mishandling, Smith said.

Central Bucks isnt the only district that flipped to Democratic control and that now is facing backlash over its choice of solicitor; in nearby Council Rock, critics have also accused Democrats of having political motivation in hiring a new solicitor.

Since the Central Bucks boards partisan split is 6-3, the resignation of Sciscio and Cannon wont change the balance of power. The board will have 30 days to choose new members, Smith said; a process for potential applicants will be outlined on the districts website Saturday.
Joseph Nappi of Monmouth Regional High School has been selected as one of the four finalists for National Teacher of the Year. Read more

For only the fourth time in more than 50 years, a New Jersey educator is among four finalists for National Teacher of the Year.

Joseph Nappi, 41, of Jackson, was named New Jersey Teacher of the Year in October representing Monmouth County from a field of 20 other county finalists for the top honor. The Rowan University graduate has spent his entire career at Monmouth Regional High in Tinton Falls, where he teaches U.S. history to sophomores, and a Holocaust, Genocide and Modern Humanity class to seniors. His blog, Ten Concrete Tips for Teaching About the Holocaust, has been published by PBS.

The winner will be selected in April by the Council of Chief State School Officers in Washington, D.C., and the recipient will spend the next year on sabbatical, traveling around the country to promote the profession, share experiences with other teachers, advocate for students, and meet with policymakers.

The finalists, which also represent Alaska, Georgia and Tennessee, were chosen by a national selection committee based on written applications from a field that included teachers from all 50 states and U.S. territories.

We talked to Nappi  husband of a high school English teacher and father of two daughters, ages 9 and 12  about his Teacher of the Year nomination, his career, his hopes for public education, and his belief that There are no bad kids. Theyre just kids going through bad things.

Did you always want to be a teacher?

No, I had never wanted to be a teacher, honestly. I did not have a great relationship with schooling. I was a discipline issue in eighth grade. So, my mom sent me to Catholic school, thinking they would straighten me out with the nuns. I got booted out of Catholic school.

I ended up moving in with my dad and going to Bayonne High School. At the end of senior year, I was caught forging doctors notes. They could have kicked me out. I was pulling passing grades even though I was missing upwards of 50 days in my senior year. They decided at the end of the year that they would give me a diploma, but I wasnt allowed to participate in prom or graduation.

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When I left, the last place I thought I was going was back into education.

 READ MORE: New Jersey's Teacher of the Year among finalists for national teaching honor

How did you get into teaching?

Really, the event that kind of changed my life in my sophomore year in college was Sept. 11. We had a close family friend  who was killed in the South Tower. That was really devastating for me to go through. It really made me question what was my purpose here, what was I doing?

I was looking for a way that I could make a positive impact. It was my girlfriend at the time, who is now my wife, who suggested to me that she thought I would be a great teacher. I kind of laughed it off at first. I thought it was a ridiculous idea.

What sparked your interest in Holocaust history?

I did not receive a traditional education in the Holocaust through my 12 years of schooling. So I actually learned about the Holocaust from a heavy metal song [Slayers Angel of Death]  It talked about a place called Auschwitz. I thought this was a made-up story  until it was mentioned in my junior history class  and there was a survivor speaking at City Hall in Bayonne and that person had survived Auschwitz. I kind of perked up in the back of the room. As I got to meet with survivors and hear their stories  theres a real beauty in that that really touched me and changed me in ways that is hard to put into words.

What do you hope your students learn?

I really hope that my students leave feeling empowered.

One of the things that Ive learned through my life is that you have far more power than you give yourself credit for. I am purposeful in my class about showing students both beauty and diversity and the agency of people in diverse circumstances to make positive change. I hope that my students in my class understand the value in accepting others.

What advice do you have for fellow teachers?

The important thing for teachers is to have a reset button every day. Sometimes, the kids who need the most love are the toughest to love. Its going to be challenging, no two ways about it. Kids will live up to your expectations. Have that welcoming [attitude]  no matter how bad our last interaction was, Im happy to see you, and Im happy that youre back, and were going to start again. There are no bad kids; theyre just kids going through bad things.

 READ MORE: Three Camden teachers get $5,000 each during surprise visits amid tears and cheers

How does it feel being a finalist for National Teacher of the Year?

I cant say I saw it coming. Its flattering and somewhat overwhelming. Its been really humbling for me to get all of these accolades. I know many teachers who are amazing, arguably some better than I am. Of course, it would be great if I can bring it home for the teachers of New Jersey. I think it would mean a lot for the teachers in the state.
Time was, sushi restaurants in the Philadelphia area were few and far between. They now blanket the region. As the sushi game improved, the exclusive omakase experience followed. Omakase, literally I leave it up to you, is an intimate meal that puts the chefs in control of the menu.

For all the attention that sushi restaurants have commanded, there are precious few omakases, a labor-intensive undertaking with higher-than-usual price tags and standards for artistry.

When chef Jesse Ito began his omakase in the back room of Royal Sushi & Izakaya in Queen Village in 2017, you could choose 18 pieces of nigirizushi for $110 a person or a 10-piece mini-version for $55. Now, the James Beard Award-nominated chef commands $300 a person, service included, at his eight-seat counter for a 17-piece tasting, which includes 16 pieces of nigirizushi and one temaki. Ito does two turns a night, and a reservation here is nearly impossible to get.

Contrast this with the $68 omakase  12 nigiri courses over 90 minutes  at Xiangyu Sam Lins spare, sleek Yuhiro Omakase in Fishtown, a good experience for first-timers.

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Why the difference in omakase prices? The number of courses is only part of the equation. Fish costs are all over the map, even among species  the thickness of each slice, the overall quality of the fish, and the sourcing; some chefs, for example, prize Spanish-caught tuna, which can be considerably pricier than tuna from somewhere else, say the Philippines. The courses themselves factor in, too. Some chefs may include uni (and sea urchin prices vary widely).

What makes my omakase different is that youre coming for what my perspective on sushi is, Ito told me.

Regardless of price points, the omakase experience is a performance, as chefs cut, wrap, roll, garnish, and sometimes torch each bite for their customers seated at a counter.

A few destination Japanese restaurants in Center City, notably Morimoto ($165), Double Knot ($68), and Zama ($65 and $100), offer fixed-price, multiple-course meals that are prepared in the kitchen. N.B. Sushi chef Kevin Yanaga is planning an omakase room inside Yanaga Kappo Izakaya, the restaurant he plans to open this spring in Northern Liberties.

Here are 11 restaurants with omakase counters. All require reservations.

Bluefin

Chef Yong Kim has been a part of the suburban sushi scene for nearly a quarter-century, when he opened a modest shop in a Plymouth Meeting strip mall. In 2012, he traded that for a Blue Bell BYOB triple the size, adding an Exton location five years later.

Kim is a master sourcer of fish, and his omakases change constantly; they include sushi and sashimi, maybe some usuzukuri fluke with yuzu dressing, plus hot bites such as miso-marinated Chilean sea bass and whole porgy with mussels and scallops. The price is tailored to the experience  figure $100 to $150, if you factor in A5 wagyu.

 2820 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell, and 555 Wellington Square, Exton,  restaurantbluefin.com,  @chefyongkim

Dawa

The high-top seating at the gleaming onyx bar puts you right at eye level with owner Joe Kim at his U-shaped BYOB under the Girard El stop in Fishtown, and hell crack wise with you through all 22 dishes. Its $180, offered Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

 1204 N. Front St.,  dawafish.com,  @dawafishtown

Hiroki

Chef Hiroki Fujiyamas luxurious, soft-lit atelier, tucked behind Wm. Mulherins Sons in Fishtown, serves a parade of uncommon fish preparations, followed by meats, two sushi courses, and miso soup for $155 plus 20% service; theres an optional six-course sake pairing for $65.

 1355 N. Front St.,  hirokisan.com,  @taleofhiroki

Kichi Omakase

Want your omakase fast? One-hour experiences began appearing in New York City a few years ago. Last year, chef Jeremy Zhu packed his knives and his blowtorch and brought it to Washington Square West. He and his team create 15 courses for $95 at the cheery, high-energy BYOB, where they occasionally gild the lily (liquid gold atop caviar?).

 112 S. 12th St.,  @kichi_omakase

Ogawa

Minoru Ogawa, a second-generation sushi chef with a following on the Washington restaurant circuit, has set up a richly appointed 12-seat counter for 23-course, 29-bite meals priced at $200 plus 20% tip, with seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Ogawa says the fish is sourced from Toyosu Market in Tokyo. At a recent dinner, hot items included chawanmushi (a luscious cup of steamed egg with wagyu, foie gras, cauliflower, and white truffle oil) and grilled black cod with spinach and Japanese pumpkin.

 310 Market St.,  ogawaphilly.com ,  @ogawaphilly

Royal Izakaya

Critic Craig LaBan might be president of the Jesse Ito fan club: The fuss is merited because Ito is simply in an omakase league of his own, he wrote. He touches every one of the 17 pieces of hand-molded rice and rare imported fish that 16 lucky diners each night eagerly pay $175 to devour, and then open their wallets to buy more for add-ons. Sake pairings, too.

That was in fall 2022. Its $300 now, and Itos star has not dimmed. If youre shut out of a seat, the izakaya in front offers sushi rolls, sashimi, and chirashi bowls.

 780 S. Second St.,  royalsushiandizakaya.com/sushi.html,  @royal_sushi_omakase

Sakana Omakase Sushi

Since opening in 2019, chef Sam Lin has upgraded the experiences at his minimalist BYOB in Queen Village, shrinking the number of seats from 14 to a roomier, more intimate 10. Start with daikon soup and perhaps a pristine kumamoto oyster with yuzu foam, segue into a beef and a seafood appetizer, and then run through a sushi list before capping it off with an uni bowl (under a globe of smoke) and dessert. On March 1, the $148 tab will rise to $178 as Lin begins flying in fish from Toyosu Market and adding grilled items. The new menu will feature three appetizers, a fusion of French technique and Japanese flavors, a sashimi course, a soup, and then two rounds of nigiri and a futomaki roll before ending with a light dessert.

Want a budget experience? See Lins newer spot, Yuhiro, below.

 616 S. Second St.,  sakana-omakase-sushi.business.site,  @philly_sakana

Shiso

Shiso, which opened early this month in the sleek South Street salon that was Serpico before the pandemic, will roll out an omakase soon, seating 12 at the dining counter in the open kitchen. Nepalese-born sushi chef Yonten Gyamtso  who had been artfully overseeing the omakase at owner Alan Sus other spot, Umami Steak & Sushi (see below)  will mix hot and cold dishes, pricing it in the $150-to-$180 range. A sampling from a recent preview dinner: a hand roll of scallop tartare, tobiko, and spicy XO sauce; uni drenched in lime; negi toro; tako carpaccio; and miso black cod. Shiso offers ramen and a sushi menu, and it is BYOB as it awaits the liquor license.

 604 South St.,  @shisonoodlesushi

Sushi Suite

The eight-seat counter in the back room at Izakawa Fishtown, done up in a nod to the Roaring 20s, is a sedate setting for sushi chef Mitsutaka Haradas 90-minute seatings a night, with 17 courses for $140 a head. For $10 more, parties of two get a cocktail flight. For $200 a person, a bottle of Heavensake 12 and an additional dish are included. Sushi Suite, with locations in New York and Chicago, is the fancier offshoot of national brand Sushi by Bou.

1832 Frankford Ave.,  sushibybou.com/locations/philadelphia/sushi-suite-fishtown,  @sushisuite

Umami Steak & Sushi

Step down from Walnut Street, beneath a hair salon off Washington Square, into a subterranean barroom. Pass the bar and the booth seating and youll run into Alan Sus 10-seat sushi bar. Chef Kenny Sze, an alum of Sakana, puts out generous omakases (priced at $150 or $180) with menus that run the gamut. Youll find u-temaki, more conventional maki, and beautifully presented hot dishes, including koji-aged steak and miso black cod.

727 Walnut St., umamisteakandsushi.com,  @umamisteakandsushibar

Yuhiro

Sam Lin wanted a lower-priced counterpart to his Sakana, and he took over a storefront just off Frankford Avenue in Fishtown for a 12-seat omakase serving 12 pieces of nigiri over 90 minutes for $68; youre handed the menu to follow along, a good introduction for novices. Drinks are available.

The omakase counter shares the room with the citys only handroll bar, an a la carte experience specializing in u-maki. These are the loosely wrapped rolls, served in a small wooden u-frame, that critic LaBan says offer a flamboyant format for sushi thats far more substantive than the sauce-splattered tempura roll trend that has plagued mediocre sushi counters for years.

2146 E. Susquehanna Ave., yuhirosushi.com,  @yuhirosushi
Washing hands frequently can help prevent the spread of norovirus cases, which are increasing in the region, Philadelphia health officials say. Read more

Stomach bugs are going around in Philadelphia, part of a typical seasonal increase in gastrointestinal complaints, with emergency room visits for norovirus and other gastrointestinal issues on the rise in the city, health officials said.

The increase is in line with what we usually see during this time of year and is not uniquely concerning, Philadelphia health department spokesperson Jim Kyle said in a statement.

Tests for norovirus in the northeast region of the United States, which includes Pennsylvania and New Jersey, saw a 13.4% positivity rate during the week of Feb. 17, the highest in the country, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Norovirus is the bug behind most cases of vomiting, diarrhea, and food-borne illnesses in the U.S, the CDC says. Its spread though direct contact with people with the virus, as well as consuming food and drinks contaminated by the virus.

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You can also pick up norovirus by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and putting your fingers in your mouth without washing them, a risk factor especially common among younger children.

Symptoms usually emerge within 12 hours to two days after exposure, the CDC says, and will pass within one to three days. But a person whos recovered from norovirus can still be contagious for a few days afterward.

Philadelphias health department is encouraging residents to wash their hands with soap and warm water for the length of time that it takes to to sing Happy Birthday twice, Kyle said. People who feel sick should stay home.

There are no specific treatments for norovirus, but health officials encourage people with norovirus to drink fluids to avoid dehydration, which can become dangerous. People who are dehydrated urinate less, have a dry mouth and throat, and may get dizzy when standing up, the CDC says; dehydrated children might become unusually sleepy or irritated, and cry, but produce little to no tears.
The Verkhovna Rada called on the parliaments and governments of foreign countries, international organizations and parliamentary assemblies to take an active part in the implementation of the Peace Formula of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Corresponding draft resolution No. 11019 on the Verkhovna Rada's Appeal to parliaments and governments of foreign states, international organizations and parliamentary assemblies in connection with the second anniversary of the full-scale armed invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine and the 10th anniversary of the opposition of the Ukrainian people to armed aggression by Russia was supported by 309 MPs at the plenary meeting of the Ukrainian parliament on Friday, member of the European Solidarity faction Oleksiy Honcharenko said on the Telegram channel.

"The Verkhovna Rada... on behalf of the Ukrainian people calls on the governments and parliaments of foreign states, international organizations and parliamentary assemblies to take an active part in the implementation of the Peace Formula of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy; to consolidate the efforts of all partners of Ukraine to increase assistance to the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine in certain types of weapons and military equipment, in particular, modern tanks, aircraft, long-range missiles, electronic warfare equipment, in order to repulse armed aggression of the Russian Federation, and to bring closer the victory of the Ukrainian state in a defensive war against the aggressor state," the Verkhovna Rada statement says.

MPs also called on Ukraine's partners to increase sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation, ensure unconditional compliance with sanctions against the Russian Federation, and also accelerate the development and implementation of legal mechanisms for the confiscation and use of frozen Russian assets.
Proud Boy Brian Healion (right) poses for a selfie with Freedom Vy (left) a fellow member of the far-right group's Philadelphia chapter, near the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. Read more

A onetime member of the Philadelphia Proud Boys admitted in court Thursday that he tussled with officers struggling to keep rioters at bay during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Brian Healion, 33, of Drexel Hill, pleaded guilty to one felony count of interfering with police during a civil disorder and faces as long as five years in prison at a sentencing hearing scheduled for June.

He is the third member of the far-right extremist groups Philadelphia chapter to be convicted of playing a role in the attack that caused more than $2.9 million in damage, left scores of officers injured, and threatened the peaceful transfer of presidential power.

 READ MORE: Philly man for shoving officer outside the Capitol on Jan. 6

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During a court hearing Thursday, Healion told U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly that he traveled to Washington the day before the riot with four other members of the Philadelphia Proud Boys, including the chapters then-president, Zachary Rehl.

Rehl is serving a 15-year sentence on sedition charges after a federal jury found him and three other top Proud Boys leaders from across the country guilty on sedition charges tied to their roles in planning the Jan. 6 attack.

 READ MORE: Proud Boys trial: Zach Rehl, the right-wing groups Philly leader, and three others convicted in Jan. 6 sedition case

Healions lawyer, Paul F. Enzinna, did not immediately return requests for comment Thursday.

But in court filings surrounding the guilty plea, Healion admitted that hed participated in a series of encrypted group chats with Proud Boys from across the country before Jan. 6 to plan the groups presence in Washington as thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump descended on the city, at his urging.

Gonna be war soon, one member of the chat posted three days before the attack, prompting another to respond: Time to stack those bodies in front of Capitol Hill.

Others in a group chat wondered: Are the normies  an apparent reference to Trump supporters who were not Proud Boys members  and other attendees going to push through police lines and storm the Capitol buildings?

For his part, Healion joined a video conference call with Proud Boys members seeking advice on what sort of equipment he should bring with him to Washington. High-ranking members of the organization suggested body armor.

 READ MORE: Pennsylvania Proud Boys played a big role in Jan. 6 planning: Key takeaways from Capitol riot sedition trial

Before he, Rehl and two other Philadelphia Proud Boys members  Isaiah Giddings, 31, and Freedom Vy, 45  set out from Philadelphia on Jan. 5, they traded emergency contact info and blood types  as if, prosecutors suggested, they were expecting some sort of violence that day.

The morning of Jan. 6, Healion said, he and the others met up with a group of nearly 100 Proud Boys and sympathizers from across the country near the Washington Monument. Rehl and other members of the organization led the masses toward the Capitol building, taunting officers along the way with cries of treason and warnings to police not to oppose them.

Rehl, Healion, Giddings, and Vy were among the first crowd of rioters to burst through security perimeter around the Capitol building, after Ryan Samsel, 39, of Bristol, helped topple police barricades  an act that prosecutors have described as the inciting incident of the riot.

They stormed up toward the Capitols Upper West Terrace, pausing to snap selfies of themselves making the OK hand gesture adopted by the Proud Boys and other white power groups.

Rehl sent one of them to a group chat of Philadelphia Proud Boys members with the caption: Bada pic in DC.

Healion admitted that all around him he witnessed incidents of rioters assaulting police. And as officers struggled to reestablish a security perimeter on the West Terrace, he broke off from his fellow Proud Boys to join the fracas himself, grabbing at bike rack barricades and attempting to pull them away from police.

Eventually, Healion rejoined Rehl, Giddings and Vy to enter the Capitol building. Security footage showed them carousing with other rioters in the office of U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D., Ore.) while Rehl smoked a cigarette nearby.

The group left the building 20 minutes after they entered, prosecutors said. They headed back to Philadelphia the next day, Rehl told jurors at his trial  but not before stopping off to buy cases of beer.

With Rehl now behind bars and Healion facing a likely prison term of his own, the membership of the Philadelphia Proud Boys chapter has been significantly diminished.

Both Giddings and Vy were also charged with misdemeanors for their presence in the Capitol that day. Giddings pleaded guilty in December to disorderly conduct in the Capitol building and awaits sentencing.

Prosecutors in Vys case said last month that they continue to discuss a possible plea deal.

But even as Giddings, Vy, Rehl and Healion drove back to Philadelphia from the riot that has since landed them all in the crosshairs of the FBI, Healion, prosecutors said Thursday, seemed to already sense what was coming.

He sent a message to the encrypted Proud Boys group chat noting that the initial bipartisan outrage over the events of Jan. 6 shows that a lot of [people] arent ready to go to the next level.

He added: Thats probably a bad thing in the long run.
A tribute to Russian politician Alexei Navalny near to the Russian Embassy in London on Feb. 18, 2024. Read more

WASHINGTON  The United States and European Union on Friday heaped hundreds of new sanctions on Russia in connection with the second anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine and in retaliation for the death of noted Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny last week in an Arctic penal colony.

The U.S. government imposed roughly 600 new sanctions on Russia and its war machine in the largest single round of penalties since Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

The EU, for its part, added sanctions on several foreign companies over allegations that they have exported dual-use goods to Russia that could be used in its war against Ukraine. The 27-nation bloc also targeted scores of Russian officials, including members of the judiciary, local politicians and people it said were responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children.

President Joe Biden said the sanctions come in response to Russian President Vladimir Putins brutal war of conquest and to Navalnys death, adding that we in the United States are going to continue to ensure that Putin pays a price for his aggression abroad and repression at home.

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 READ MORE: Trudy Rubin | A bad case of Putin-envy prevents Trump from calling out death of Navalny

But while previous sanctions have increased costs for Russias ability to fight in Ukraine, they appear to have done little so far to deter Putin and it was unclear that the latest big round would significantly alter that.

In specific response to Navalnys death, the State Department targeted three Russian officials the U.S. says are connected to his death, including the deputy director of Russias Federal Penitentiary Service, who was promoted by Putin to the rank of colonel general on Monday, three days after Navalny died.

The sanctions bar the officials from traveling to the U.S. and block access to U.S.-owned property. But they appear largely symbolic given that the officials are unlikely to travel to or have assets or family in the West.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said to expect more action later related to Navalnys death, adding that today this just a start.

 READ MORE: The U.S. vetoes an Arab-backed U.N. resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza

The Biden administration is levying additional sanctions as House Republicans are blocking billions of dollars in additional aid to Ukraine. The war is becoming entangled in U.S. election-year politics, with former President Donald Trump voicing skepticism about the benefits of the NATO alliance and saying that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to countries that, in his view, are not pulling their weight in the alliance.

Biden on Friday called on Congress to pass Ukraine aide, which has stalled since House Speaker Mike Johnson blocked votes on aid passed by the Senate for Ukraine and other countries.

Russia is taking Ukraine territory for the first time in many months, Biden said. But here in America, the speaker gave the house a two week vacation. They have to come back and get this done, because failure to support Ukraine in this critical moment will never be forgotten in history.

Many of the new U.S. sanctions announced Friday target Russian firms that contribute to the Kremlins war effort  like drone and industrial chemical manufacturers and machine tool importers  as well as financial institutions, such as the state-owned operator of Russias Mir National Payment System.

The U.S. also will impose visa restrictions on Russian authorities it says are involved in the kidnapping and confinement of Ukrainian children. In addition, 26 third-country people and firms from across China, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, and Liechtenstein are listed for sanctions, for assisting Russia in evading existing financial penalties.

The Russian foreign ministry called the EU sanctions illegal and said they undermine the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council. In response, the ministry is banning some EU citizens from entering the country because they have provided military assistance to Ukraine. It did not immediately address the U.S. sanctions.

Overall, since the start of the war, the U.S. Treasury and State departments have targeted more than 4,000 officials, oligarchs, firms, banks and others under Russia-related sanctions authorities. The EU asset freezes and travel bans constitute its 13th package of measures imposed by the bloc against people and organizations it suspects of undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Today, we are further tightening the restrictive measures against Russias military and defense sector, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. We remain united in our determination to dent Russias war machine and help Ukraine win its legitimate fight for self-defense.

In all, 106 more officials and 88 entities  often companies, banks, government agencies or other organizations  have been added to the blocs sanctions list, bringing the tally of those targeted to more than 2,000 people and entities, including Putin and his associates.

Companies making electronic components, which the EU believes could have military as well as civilian uses, were among 27 entities accused of directly supporting Russias military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine, a statement said.

Those companies  some of them based in India, Sri Lanka, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Turkey  face tougher export restrictions.

Some of the measures are aimed at depriving Russia of parts for pilotless drones, which are seen by military experts as key to the war.

A $60 per barrel price cap has also been imposed on Russian oil by Group of Seven allies, intended to reduce Russias revenues from fossil fuels.

Critics of the sanctions, price cap and other measures meant to stop Russias invasion say they are not working fast enough.

Maria Snegovaya, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that primarily sanctioning Russias defense industry and failing to cut meaningfully into Russias energy revenues will not be enough to halt the war.

One way or another, they will have to eventually address Russias oil revenues and have to consider an oil embargo, Snegovaya said. The oil price cap has effectively stopped working.

Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo, in previewing the new sanctions, told reporters that the U.S. and its allies will not lower the price cap; rather what well be doing is taking actions that will increase the cost of Russias production of oil.

The Treasury Department says the current cap is working, with an agency analysis finding that Kremlin oil tax revenue was more than 40 percent lower in the first nine months of 2023 because of it.

Adeyemo added that sanctions alone are not enough to carry Ukraine to victory.

We owe the Ukrainian people who have held on for so long the support and resources they desperately need to defend their homeland and prove Putin wrong once and for all time.
Mount Laurel police officers and public works employees pose with a rogue ram that was finally captured Friday morning. Read more

Has someone been playing Jumanji?

Earlier this week, a horse was caught after galloping down I-95 in Philadelphia. Thursday it was a loose ram roaming around Mount Laurel.

After it had been wandering for several days, police in the Burlington County town finally captured the rogue sheep that had become the talk of residents, who had been diligently sharing sightings of the rams location on social media.

Police officers and members of the towns public works teamed up Friday morning to chase down the horned fluff ball, who was taken into custody in the backyard of a house on Horseshoe Drive. No injuries  human or sheep  were reported.

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We spent a good amount of time chasing it around, said Mount Laurel Police Officer Kyle Gardner. It had some serious hops.

Gardner said the ram was returned to its owner, who was not identified.

As for the horse on I-95, it escaped from Strawberry Mansion nonprofit Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club on Tuesday morning and pranced its way onto I-676 and then I-95 before being taken into custody by police later that morning.

It appears the stable may have been broken into and the horse may have been intentionally released after closing hours, the riding club said in a statement.
No one has sympathy for an adult looking to sexually assault a child.

Luzerne County attorney William Watt understands that. But he is asking Pennsylvanias highest court to weigh in on the rise of amateur vigilantes who lure in adults online by acting as minors.

Amateur predator catchers operate in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, setting up their own stings, posting their in-person confrontations on social media, and handing the evidence to police. Theyve taken up the mantle of NBCs popular, short-lived To Catch a Predator, which was eventually canceled after lawsuits and at least one suicide.

Watt, who has represented men charged in vigilante stings, said some police departments and district attorneys eagerly prosecute the cases while others avoid them.

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Hes seeking some uniformity in Pennsylvania.

I want guidance, one way or the other, Watt said. We should all be playing on a level field.

Earlier this month, Watt filed a rare Kings Bench petition to the state Supreme Court, asking it to use its jurisdiction over lower courts to weigh in on child predator vigilantism.

The lack of appellate guidance on the legality of this conduct has resulted in a wide variety of results across the commonwealth, Watt wrote. Some counties are choosing to prosecute these cases, while others are not.

The Inquirer reached out to a dozen district attorneys and prosecutors in Pennsylvania and New Jersey about the amateur stings. Most didnt return requests for comment and others declined. In Dauphin County, District Attorney Francis T. Chardo said his office doesnt have a fixed policy on amateur stings and looks at them on a case-by-case basis.

Theyre not ideal, Chardo said. It would be much easier to call the police and let our undercover officers handle the solicitation.

Manuel Gamiz, a spokesman for Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, said the office discourages vigilantism because it can be unsafe for those engaging in it and can create dangerous situations that could put others at risk. The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Associations executive director, Kelly Callihan, cited the good intentions of vigilantes but said theres safety concerns about individuals confronting potential suspects and accusing them of crimes.

There are also potential legal and ethical problems with these types of vigilante cases that could jeopardize a court case, Callihan said in an email.

The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office also discourages amateur predator stings, a spokesman said.

Watt, in his petition, noted that Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce prosecutes these cases vigorously, while in Clearfield County, District Attorney Ryan Sellers dismissed more than a dozen such cases. Neither DA could be reached for comment but Sanguedolce, in an interview with WNEP-TV of Scranton, defended his office.

It is our position that a failed attempt to contact a minor for sex is criminal regardless of the fact that the perpetrator was talking to a parent, guardian, or other adult in lieu of a child, Sanguedolce told the station. I greatly look forward to the opportunity to argue our case to our Supreme Court.

Jules Epstein, a law professor at Temple University, said Kings Bench petitions are rarely granted and he doubts Watts request would be any different. Thea Johnson, a professor of law at Rutgers-Camden and former public defender, said a uniform rule would be helpful, however.

The concern I would have as a defense attorney is that you do not want a situation in which law enforcement is relying on citizens to enforce the law, Johnson said. If this becomes the norm, these people become an extension of the state.

Several amateur investigators, including Musa Harris, the Luzerne County Predator Catcher, did not return requests for comment. In a PennLive.com profile of Harris last year, the former New Jersey resident said he vowed to make a difference after leaving prison, and focused his efforts on child predators.

Id rather be locked up for murder than for molesting and that stuff, Harris told the news outlet.

Donald Kizer, a Northumberland County man whose own sexual abuse inspired him to get involved in predator stings, said he wouldnt change his tactics, regardless of the petition.

Im not going to let this discourage me from doing what I do, he said in a message.

In August, one Pennsylvania lawmaker proposed legislation to actually make it legal for anyone to pose as a minor, believing it would help depleted law enforcement agencies and deter the multitude of predators who prowl the internet for vulnerable children. That legislation is currently sitting with the House Judiciary Committee.

Epstein, of Temple, said the alleged predators are ultimately responsible for their predicament.

No adult should have a conversation with a 13-year-old or an apparent 13-year-old that is sexual in nature, he said.
A Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection inspector's report from Feb. 16 shows white coloration of a tributary to Marsh Creek Lake behind homes on Waterview Road, Upper Uwchlan Township, Chester County. The substance was emitted near a former sinkhole related to the Mariner East 2 pipeline. Read more

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is investigating a leak of unknown size of a whitish material at a tributary of Marsh Creek Lake in Chester County. The tributary is near the site of a 2020 drilling spill into the lake during construction of the Mariner East 2 pipeline.

The incident was initially reported Feb. 16 by a resident, Christina PK DiGiulio, but became more widely known when she shared a live video on her Facebook page.

Stephanie Berardi, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, said the release into the tributary is not considered a spill because there is no active construction in the area.

It is unclear how much of the substance made its way into the water but it did not appear to be a large amount in comparison to the previous spill.

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The area is immediately downstream of a wetland area adversely impacted by drilling by Sunoco Pipeline, L.P. for the Mariner East 2 project in August 2020 when a plume of about 8,000 gallons of drilling fluid and mud gushed into the 535-acre lake. Crews were working on a 20-inch pipeline at the time and the lake had to be dredged.

In 2021, Josh Shapiro, who was then Pennsylvanias attorney general and is now governor, filed criminal charges against Energy Transfer LP, the parent company of Sunoco, for the Marsh Creek Lake spill and a series of drilling-fluid leaks over years of construction on the Mariner East 2 pipeline; the use of unapproved additives to those fluids; and failure to report numerous incidents.

 READ MORE: Pa. attorney general announces criminal charges against Mariner East pipeline owner for leaks

Sunoco agreed to pay $4 million for the 2020 Marsh Creek State Park spill and has paid about $24 million in all in relation to the Mariner East Pipeline, according to PA Environment Digest, a blog authored by a former secretary of Pennsylvanias department of environmental protection. The 300-mile Mariner East 2 pipeline was completed in 2022.

A representative from Energy Transfer could not be reached immediately for comment on Friday.

Berardi said Sunoco sent environmental crews to the scene and that the DEP is continuing to monitor the cleanup. Samples of the material have been sent to a lab to be analyzed.

She said the DEP is still investigating the cause and origin of the release and that the release has stopped, with no additional material having reached Marsh Creek Lake or the surrounding wetlands.

A DEP report on the initial Feb. 15 complaint, and obtained by PA Environment Digest, said the white material covered the creek bottom of a tributary that drains into Ranger Cove at Marsh Creek Lake, which is in Upper Uwchlan Township.

The DEP spotted pockets of a whitish colored deposition near where a sinkhole had developed in the past and followed it to a small wetland near Green Valley and Little Conestoga Roads. The DEP report described the substance, collected from samples behind homes on Waterview Road, as having the consistency of a claylike material. Pipeline markers were nearby.

A connected pond was clear.

The initial report theorized that it is possible the substance was bentonite, pushed to the surface by a rising water table.

Bentonite clay is typically used with water during drilling. Bentonite is a natural substance and is mixed with a liquid during horizontal drilling. The mixture is not normally hazardous, though environmental groups say it could contain other chemicals. If spilled in large enough amounts, it can overwhelm a waterway and impact aquatic life.
The House of Umoja is sponsoring a "Reading is Resistance," panel discussion and community event to address the movement to ban books on Saturday at Ultra Silk Gallery in West Philadelphia. Read more

In 1981, The Inquirer published an article with a headline that called Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, cofounder of the House of Umoja, The Miracle Worker of North Frazier Street.

That article told how Fattah, then known as Sister Falaka Fattah, had gained international acclaim for reducing gang violence in Philadelphia and that she saw herself as a Black Nationalist whose heroes included Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X.

Yet, there she was, invited to speak in Washington at a meeting convened by the American Enterprise Institute, the leading source of conservative intellectual firepower in the United States. The topic of her discussion was the role of grassroots institutions in addressing public policy issues such as fighting crime.

Today, going on 43 years later, Queen Mother Fattah, now 92, is still prescribing antidotes to violence:

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The House of Umoja has joined with the online publication the City Root to announce a new Reading Is Resistance initiative to promote the importance of reading to children and, especially, for Black fathers to read to their children. She said the idea of Reading Is Resistance is to combat the movement to ban books about Black history and other topics in schools and libraries.

Queen Mother Fattah, who is the subject of a new documentary, Queen Mother: Falaka Fattah & the House of Umoja by Philly filmmaker Jos Duncan, recently talked about the reading initiative and a panel discussion, Books vs. Bullets: 1968 To Present, to launch it. The event is set for 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Ultra Silk Gallery, 3808 Lancaster Ave.

There will also be food, music and the Hues of History art exhibit. Tickets are $10 in advance online; $15 at the door. Fattah said she is homebound and will not attend in person, but Ill be there in spirit.

This conversation has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

How did you come up with the idea for Reading Is Resistance?

It really was a collaborative effort with others here at the House of Umoja and with the City Root. There had been so much in the news about how they are banning books in schools and libraries. The panel discussion were having Saturday, which I named Books vs. Bullets, is a way we, as a community, can resist this [book banning] effort by advocating for more education, and more reading.

The program is aimed at helping fathers get more involved in reading to their children. Why is that?

The House of Umoja was selected 17 years ago to be the Philadelphia chapter of the Million Fathers March, which encourages Black fathers to walk with their children to school on the first day of school. My husband David [Fattah], who has passed away, loved the project. Now my grandson [Anthony Bannister Fattah] has taken it on.

Now, instead of just walking their children on that first day of school, weve developed it into a year-round program, with fathers making sure they stay involved with their childrens education, knowing what their roster is, meeting with their teachers. We know that when fathers are involved with their childrens education and reading with them, that the violence goes down.

We are asking that all fathers, whether they are living in the home with their children or whether they are noncustodial fathers who may be divorced, never married, incarcerated, or in the armed services, read with their children. Even if they are not living with the child, if they make the time to read the same books that their children are reading and discuss it with them later, they can be very active in their childrens lives. This not only helps with the childrens educational progress, but it helps to build that family bond.

When we dont know our history, we take on the value system of the oppressors instead of valuing ourselves. Thats where the violence comes from. Queen Mother Falaka Fattah

Where did you get the idea of Books vs. Bullets?

In 1968, I started a magazine called Umoja that came out of the Black Power Conference held at the Church of the Advocate. I started getting letters asking why so many of our teenagers were killing each other. I asked my husband, David, to investigate and he went out and found out that not only was there a serious gang war problem, but that my second-oldest son, Robin, who was 16, was a gang member. David and I decided to invite his gang to live with us, and we started talking with them and teaching them their history.

When we dont know our history, we take on the value system of the oppressors instead of valuing ourselves. Thats where the violence comes from. We began teaching these gang members more about their history and reading books with them. When they read more, they became more proud of who they were. Thats why I called this discussion Books vs Bullets, because if you have our children reading, if they can imagine a future for themselves, they are less likely to get involved in violence.
Three stained glass windows were damaged at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann earlier this week. An arrest has been made. The interior of a damaged window is shown on Feb. 23, 2024. The National Shrine of St. John Neumann is a Roman Catholic National shrine dedicated to St. John Neumann, the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia and the first American male to be canonized. Read more

A Northeast Philadelphia man has been arrested in connection with a spate of vandalism across the city this week, including at the historic Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church and The National Shrine of St. John Neumann, along with several businesses.

Haneef Cooper, 39, faces charges of criminal mischief in four incidents of vandalism  spanning from Sunday through Tuesday  including those at the churches, Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said at a news conference Friday.

Police are investigating six other vandalism incidents in the city that may be connected to Cooper, said Vanore.

Cooper was in the area of the Frankford Transportation Center when he was taken into custody at 8:38 p.m. Thursday by SEPTA police.

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Police gave no motive for Coopers alleged vandalism spree, but said there was no indication it was politically or religiously motivated.

In the early mornings hours on Monday, Cooper hurled rocks and bricks at several establishments across the city, in Northern Liberties, Center City, Old City, and Society Hill, destroying stained glass windows and glass doors, police said. He appeared to get around the city using SEPTA subway service, said Vanore.

Before dawn Monday, the Mother Bethel church, which has a history of activism since its founding in 1787, was vandalized, with several windows shattered, including three of the churchs historic stained-glass windows. While police estimated the damage to the church at $15,000, the churchs senior pastor estimated that repairs would cost $30,000 due to the specialized craftsmanship required to repair the stained glass and the need to upgrade the churchs security system

There were no messages associated with or attached to the rocks, the pastor said.

At the National Shrine of St. John Neumann, which is housed in St. Peter The Apostle Church, three stained glass windows were discovered shattered around 5:30 a.m. Monday, according to an employee who declined to be identified. The damage was discovered by a priest who was opening the church and preparing for the morning Mass. Unlike Mother Bethel, the church had security footage of the incident, but the footage was not the greatest, the employee said. Church officials estimated the damage at $20,000.

Only the windows were damaged at the church, the employee said. Neumanns body is in a glass coffin in the shrine, which is in the lower level of the church, and was not damaged.

As with Mother Bethel, there was no message associated with the rocks, so the shrine staff does not regard the vandalism as a hate crime, the employee said.

A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said the damage was discovered Monday and promptly reported to police. Kenneth Gavin said security cameras at the shrine showed one of the rocks going through the window at 5:33 a.m. Monday and landing in the choir section of the building. Police detectives are reviewing security camera footage as part of an ongoing investigation.

At 6:30 a.m. Monday, Cooper destroyed windows at a Playa Bowls on the 200 block of South 11th Street, in Center City, causing around $1,500 in damage, said Vanore. He also broke windows at the Science History Institute, on the 300 block of Chestnut Street, in Old City, with the cost of the damage estimated at $1,000, Vanore said. Police received the report of the vandalism at the institute Tuesday morning, he said. He faces charges in these two incidents.

The six other incidents still being investigated by police include vandalism at the Beasley building, home of the Beasley law firm, at the 1100 block of Walnut Street, which suffered a broken window. Also, the double pane glass of the front door of the InterAct Theater, on the 300 block of South Hicks Street, was shattered when staff arrived for work Monday, staff said.

Police are also investigating whether Cooper upturned planters before throwing them into the street at The Touraine, a luxury apartment building on the 1500 block of Spruce Street in Center City, Monday morning.

Cooper has previously been charged with incidents of vandalism as far back as 2011, police said.

In 2011, Cooper was arrested and charged with criminal mischief and related crimes for throwing paint at the double doors at the southwest corner of City Hall, said Vanore. He also broke parking kiosks at a parking lot managed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority in 2013, Vanore said.

And in 2016, Vanore said, Cooper assaulted a police detective.

Officials at both churches that experienced vandalism said the congregations were already stepping up to help pay for repairs.

The Rev. Michael Cunningham, of St. Peter The Apostle Church, where the shrine is located, on Friday lamented the degree of damage at the church. This is pretty rare. We have had petty minor vandalism before but for the most part this was a different caliber. Parishioners have already begun to organize a grassroots donation campaign to pay for the windows, he said.

Mother Bethel has been seen similar community support, officials said.

At St. Peter The Apostle, Cunningham said the fundraising effort was a sign of optimism that crime will not have the final word.

It is an invitation by God to join forces in a profound way to right certain wrongs, he said. The overriding response is to rise above the event itself.
Evelyne Laurent-Perrault, emerita assistant professor at University of California in Santa Barbara, was the director of the bookstore at Taller Puertorriqueno 28 years ago when she came up with the idea of presenting an Arturo A. Schomburg Symposium to bring attention to the diversity of Latino heritage, including its African Diaspora component. Read more

Evelyne Laurent-Perrault was hired as director of the bookstore at Taller Puertorriqueno in 1996.

She is a Black woman of African descent, born to Haitian parents in Venezuela. After her mother died, her father then remarried to a Black Venezuelan woman.

But when she spoke Spanish to people who visited the North Philly bookstore, they often asked her where she learned to speak Spanish so well. Others were not merely curious about her language skills.

I had people walk past me and go to the light-skinned receptionist and ask, why had Taller hired a Black woman to work in the bookstore, said Laurent-Perrault, now an emerita assistant professor at University of California at Santa Barbara. She holds a doctorate degree in history and is a scholar of the Atlantic slave trade.

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Laurent-Perrault said when Black Americans met her, they immediately recognized her accent and that she had an identity from another country. But it was frustrating when light-skinned fellow Latinos did not believe that she was also from Latin America.

I was appalled at the level of prejudice, discrimination and also ignorance, even when people would see that I had an accent and that I spoke Spanish, she said. It was other Latinos who would come up to me and act as if they never saw a Black person speaking Spanish before, I said to myself, youve got to be kidding me.

She started her job at Taller in January 1996, and by September, after she had talked with others experiencing the same frustration, she went to Tallers then-director, Johnny Irizarry. She proposed developing a program for February 1997 to discuss the Afro-Latino identity as part of Black History Month.

Irizarry was immediately supportive, she said, and told her that he had always thought that Taller should do more about Afro-Latino experience. Irizarry suggested the symposium be named for Arturo A. Schomburg, an Afro-Puerto Rican man who amassed a history of African peoples across the diaspora that became known as Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City.

When the first Schomburg Symposium at Taller began in February 1997, Laurent-Perrault said she was astonished to see the auditorium packed.

We ran out of space before the event began, she recalled. It was so successful that the Taller board decided to have the symposium the next year. It continues until today.

This weekend, Taller Puertorriqueno is presenting the 28th Annual Arturo A. Schomburg Symposium. A reception was scheduled for Friday evening and panel discussions and workshops will take place at Taller from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, .

The theme of the symposium this year is Repairing and Reparations, Healing from Racial Wounds.

Racism makes you doubt your own worth

Onaje J. Muid, an adjunct assistant professor at LaGuardia Community College who holds a doctorate in social work, will be on a panel discussing why it is important for both reparations and healing from the trauma of racism.

There are several components of reparations and the one most people understand is when the government pays compensation for harms that were committed against humanity, said Muid, who is Black, but not Afro-Latino.

However, he said it was just as important to discuss the healing part of reparations where groups that have been oppressed learn how to not only strengthen themselves internally, but also to strengthen the bonds they have with their community members as well.

Racism attempts to confine, control and to exploit. But that exploitation can only happen when someone has accepted the role of being exploited, Muid said. Oppression can only exist when the collective consciousness and the collective will of the people is controlled.

By that, he explained, that community healing groups are important for people to heal from racial wounds together and strengthen each other.

Racism makes you think that you are nothing, and you dont count, and whatever happens to you, you deserve it, Muid said. One begins to doubt your own worth as a human being. But that worth can most effectively be restored through having healthy relationships with other people.

Laurent-Perrault, who is now back in the Philadelphia area doing consulting work at Penn, said she is pleased that Taller has continued the symposium that addresses the issues of Afro-Latinos.

I have been experiencing [the frustration of having her identity questioned ] since I was a child, even in Venezuela, she said. People didnt think I was from Venezuela. Its being told you dont belong where you are. Im a Black woman born and raised in Latin America and I have lived in places all over the world.

Taller Puertorriqueno is at 2600 N. 5th St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19133. Tickets, are free for students and range from $20 to $25 to $40 for others. They can be purchased here. Or call 215-426-3311 x1003.
YouthBuild students and staff member Khalil Bullock (bottom left) pose at a photoshoot for the school's "I Can, I Will" social media campaign. The campaign will close out Black History Month and celebrate the school's young Black students. Read more

To close out Black History Month, one Philly school is showcasing its students who might one day make history of their own.

Earlier this week, the YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School released its I Can, I Will social media campaign. Each day through the end of February, the schools Instagram page, @youthbuildphl, will post pictures of students who wrote what I Can, I Will means to them as a way of celebrating what each student brings to the community.

YouthBuild is a school for former high school dropouts, who may enroll when they are 17 to 20 years old. No matter where the formal education ended, each YouthBuild student comes in as a senior, and graduates after just one year.

While each of the schools roughly 250 students has an individual reason for dropping out of school, they are united by a refreshed focus on their education and aspirations for change in their lives.

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I lost a lot of people throughout my life, said Sahjir Bullock, 20, a YouthBuild student from North Philly. He was originally on schedule to graduate in 2022 alongside his friends, but Bullocks older brother and cousin both died within the span of several months in 2019. Their deaths weighed heavily on him, and he eventually dropped out during the 2020-21 school year, after his schoolwork suffered.

But Bullocks mother and his little sister urged him to go back to school. He could see how important it was to his mother especially, because he had the opportunity to become the first of her children to earn a diploma.

You got to graduate. You got to get your diploma, he remembers them telling him. You got to fulfill your dreams.

Ive been here all my life and now its to the point where I just want to travel, go around [and] see whats out there, because I know its more out there. Iyana Byard

Now that hes enrolled at YouthBuild, Bullock plans to become an anesthesiologist one day, though a career in real estate or music production to help his friends music careers would be nice, too.

In his post for the I Can, I Will campaign, Bullock wrote:

These last couple of years have been rough  a lot of pain. Through it all, I didnt fold or break  stood tall and remained solid. Trials and tribulations come with both a purpose and a reward and I think I found mine! Mom, lil sis and the fallen  this [ones] for you!

 READ MORE: A school that saved my life

Iyana Byard, 21, from Southwest Philly, said she enrolled at YouthBuild to reclaim my education.

I have many goals set for myself, and I realized I wasnt able to attend to many of those goals without getting [my diploma], she said.

After Byard graduates from YouthBuild, she plans to become a travel nurse. YouthBuild students also receive vocational training alongside their academic coursework, and Byard is on track to earn certification in the culinary arts. Shed like to open a catering business one day, too.

I know that I want to get out of Philadelphia. Ive been here all my life and now its to the point where I just want to travel, go around [and] see whats out there, because I know its more out there, she said.

Twenty students volunteered to take part in the I Can, I Will campaign, following up on a successful initial campaign last year. This years theme was Shades of Melanin, meant to exemplify pride and solidarity between young Black people in the face of the citys gun violence.

We wanted to really showcase these young people having the courage to come back to school after being disconnected for whatever reason [and] get their education, but also feel seen and heard, said Khalil Bullock (no relation to Sahjir Bullock), a communications specialist who organized the YouthBuild campaign and its photoshoot.

Were like six months into the school year and I havent seen that much energy, that much laughter in a long time, he said about the photoshoot.

Even though Sahjir Bulllock knew most of the other students taking part in the photo shoot beforehand, he sensed that they connected on a new level because of it. Something about being in front of the camera, celebrating themselves brought out waves of positive emotions for the students.

If I could do it again, Id do it probably a million times, he said.

Byard felt empowered by the photo shoot experience, too, choosing an orange Shades of Melanin sweatshirt for her photos. Her entry for I Can, I Will on Instagram has yet to post, but she said it is about believing in herself, and rising above the messy circumstances of her life to this point.

In the world we live in today, everyone is so judgmental. And I feel like [people will] look at us, like, they dont know a thing, [theyre] dropouts. But I feel like if you [are] curious and find out who we are and our story, then youll know the real us, Byard said.

Dont judge a book by its cover. Because you might not know that book is very interesting.
Ibram X. Kendi is the author of "Stamped from the Beginning," a graphic novel about Black history. High school teacher Matthew Reid argues that graphic novels help his students understand the past. Read more

I teach history with graphic novels. For my students, graphic novels bring historical figures to life through illustrations and thought bubbles  and sometimes even get them hooked on history.

After one such lesson, I overheard two of my students, Neveah and Kheira, discussing Stamped from the Beginning: A Graphic History of Racist Ideas in America by author Ibram X. Kendi and cartoonist Joel Christian Gill.

I didnt like history before, but this way of learning has made me more interested, Neveah said.

I compare my role as a history teacher to being on the front lines of war. My weaponry consists of books filled with vibrant colors and comic sans fonts that are more impactful than traditional history textbooks. Our enemy is a lack of knowledge about our countrys past.

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Right after I wrapped up my lessons on the Civil War, former governor of South Carolina and long-shot Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley went viral for not knowing  or not being able to admit  what caused that conflict. My students, on the other hand, knew that slavery was the root cause of the Civil War. Stamped makes that connection clear. In the book, there is an illustration of the Confederate president, Jefferson Davis, boldly stating that the inequality of white and black races was stamped from the beginning. (Hence the title of Kendis series of books.)

My students read the graphic novel trilogy March to learn about John Lewis legacy as a front man of the civil rights movement and its connection to the modern-day Black Lives Matter movement. The books, written by Lewis and Andrew Aydin and illustrated by Nate Powell, make a clear connection between the promise of Barack Obamas election as president and the timelessness of the struggle for social justice and racial equality. Im very clear in explaining to my students that the Black Lives Matter movement is an extension of the long-standing fight for Black civil rights.

In traditional history textbooks, the Black Panther Party is often portrayed as a violent movement. In their graphic novel, The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History, writer David F. Walker and illustrator Marcus Kwame Anderson help change this negative narrative through colorful illustrations and bold captions that point out the true purpose behind the self-defense group. The graphic novel portrays Angela Davis, who is all too often missing from traditional history books, rocking her natural afro during an interview about her take on violence. Its vital for me to teach my students the difference between violence and self-defense in Black history. This particular graphic novel supports this courageous conversation.

But what if my ability to use these graphic novels in my classroom was taken away from me? Im fortunate, at the moment, to have a progressive and supportive administration and school board who support my work and purchase some of these books. Im well aware that that can change, however, depending on our states laws.

This is why I support State Rep. Paul Friel in his campaign to pass the Freedom to Read Act. This legislation would ensure that the First Amendment rights of students and teachers are protected as schools navigate book challenges and bans.

When I pulled Stamped out for our lesson, Kheira asked, Why did William Lloyd Garrison, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Frederick Douglass have disagreements if they shared the same cause in spreading awareness to eradicate slavery?

My students and I then had a spirited discussion connected to the Black Lives Matter movement, and why it seems so hard for some people to understand that the statement is not an attack on other peoples right to live peacefully. This connection may have been missed without the help of the graphic novel that made my students appreciate Black history more than ever before.

Matthew Reid teaches humanities, American cultures, and African American studies at Upper Merion High School in King of Prussia. He is a 2023-2024 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Policy Fellow.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen signed an agreement on security cooperation and long-term support in Lvov.

Zelenskyy's press service said the document is a follow-up to the Vilnius Declaration.

According to the agreement, in 2024 Denmark will provide military support to Ukraine in the amount of at least EUR 1.8 billion.

In addition, Denmark's Ukraine Fund, totaling EUR 8.5 billion, will cover support from 2023 to 2028 and provide a comprehensive framework for long-term military and civilian assistance.

Denmark will provide support to Ukraine during the ten years of this agreement.

The document provides for ongoing military assistance in various areas in coordination and cooperation with relevant international partners and agencies, focusing on air power and air defense, maritime security, mine clearance, technology and drones, as well as other key capabilities and pressing needs of Ukraine.

Among other things, Denmark will support efforts to ensure a holistic F-16 capability through the air coalition, in particular by providing fighters, munitions, trainers and training, as well as contributing to the long-term maintenance of the fighters and the creation of appropriate conditions in Ukraine.

Danish partners will cooperate with Ukraine to counter Russian cyber aggression, cyber espionage and hybrid warfare.

Denmark will also continue to actively engage with the city of Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv region to support their reconstruction, sustainability and reform.

In addition, the agreement reaffirms Denmark's support for Ukraine's future membership of the EU and NATO, in particular by supporting Ukraine's reform plans and the compatibility of its Defense and Security Forces with the Alliance. The parties confirm that Ukraine is an integral part of Euro-Atlantic and global security. Ukraine, for its part, undertakes to implement the reforms determined by the EU, IMF and NATO.

In the event of a future armed attack by Russia on Ukraine, the agreement provides for consultations within 24 hours to determine appropriate next steps.

The document provides for the possibility of extending the validity period by common decision of the parties.
House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks outside the West Wing of the White House in January, following a meeting with President Joe Biden on Ukraine's security needs and stalled aid. Read more

Wanted: Four GOP House members with a tiny fraction of the courage of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.

Saturday marks the second anniversary of Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine. It comes one week after Navalny died in an icy Siberian prison for his fight for democracy and opposition to the Ukraine war.

Yet, the United States is on the verge of surrendering Ukraine into Putins hands because House Republican leaders refuse to allow members to vote for urgent military aid for Kyiv, a vote that would most likely pass (as it did in a bipartisan vote in the Senate).

Pressed by Donald Trump and extremist MAGA members, Congress may doom brave Ukrainians to destruction by a Russian dictator who despises the West  and is armed by Iran and North Korea. Nothing like this has been seen since British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain conceded part of Czechoslovakia to Adolf Hitler in 1938 in hopes of dissuading him from occupying more European lands.

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 READ MORE: A bad case of Putin-envy prevents Trump from calling out death of Navalny | Trudy Rubin

Whether Trump and GOP extremists succeed in gifting Ukraine to Putin may depend on whether four GOP House members have the courage to stand up to MAGA appeasement and defend Americas long-term security.

Heres how it could work.

The best chance to skirt House Speaker Mike Johnsons refusal to permit a vote on Ukraine aid would be via a discharge petition. That is a parliamentary maneuver that effectively bypasses the speaker to bring a bill before the full House for a vote  if a majority of members agree to do so. If all Democrats signed on, it would only require four Republicans to get the Ukraine supplemental aid bill to the floor.

The battle wouldnt end there. The bill would still have to be passed, and Republicans might try to add hard-line amendments on border security beyond the huge border concessions the White House has already agreed to. Some progressive Democrats might vote nay because the bill also contains military aid for Israel.

But the best guess of legislators with whom I have spoken is that the bill has a decent chance of passing if it can only reach the floor.

There is something truly sickening about the fact that Johnson  and so many GOP supporters of aid for Ukraine  are too scared to allow Congress to vote on such a key measure. Johnson fears being ousted from his speakership by the MAGA clique, as was the previous speaker, Kevin McCarthy. House members fear that if they buck the Trump line, a MAGA candidate will run against them in the GOP primary. And above all hangs the threat of physical danger to them or their families by deranged MAGA supporters who take Trumps ugly rhetoric to heart.

Yet, surely, among more than 200 GOP House members, there are four whose belief in democracy and U.S. security would embolden them to take the risk.

For inspiration, they need only look to Navalny, or his mother, who is fighting Russian officials in Siberia to return her sons body. She is being told by morgue officials that she can only have it if she promises the funeral will be private. So great is the Kremlins fear of this dead hero that they worry about mass demonstrations if a public burial is held.

Or look to the bravery of the Ukrainians fighting two years on the front line without rotation despite a severe lack of ammunition since U.S. aid has shriveled. Only last week, they had to abandon the town of Avdiivka to Russian troops because they were running out of bullets.

Moreover, MAGA arguments against aid run hollow.

Send the aid to the border? Trump sank a tough bipartisan Senate border bill (linked to Ukraine aid) that had the support of some of the most conservative GOP senators.

Europeans dont pay their fair share? Trump makes up numbers out of thin air. In reality, the European Union and its members have committed twice as much aid to Ukraine as the U.S. has, along with sheltering millions of Ukrainian refugees. Eighteen of 31 NATO members meet the organizations goal of spending 2% of GDP on defense. But the U.S. makes key weapons systems, in bulk, that the Europeans dont have.

Negotiate now? Putin has made clear he has no interest unless Ukraine capitulates totally. With U.S. aid frozen, he thinks he is winning  and is waiting for a victory by Trump, who has made clear he will back Putin against Ukraine.

Moreover, contrary to many media reports, Ukraine was not losing before the ammo ran out.

Although Kyiv has been stymied on land, the Ukrainians have made incredible progress at sea. Ukraine has no navy, yet it has driven Russian ships back to home ports and reopened Black Sea corridors for its exports by using European-made long-range missiles and homemade sea drones.

 READ MORE: U.S. government paralysis scares allies even more than possible Trump victory | Trudy Rubin

If President Joe Biden would finally supply the longest-range ATACMS missiles with single warheads, then the Ukrainians could put occupied Crimea under siege. Yet, the White House wont give the green light, even though Iran is now sending Russia hundreds of ballistic missiles.

While it waits on ATACMS, Ukraine knows its future depends heavily on what happens in the U.S. Congress in the next few weeks.

If Ukraine loses to Putin, a big reason will be because the U.S. turned its back, said Philadelphias Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle, who just returned from the Munich Security Conference and a meeting at NATO headquarters.

This is not just about Ukraine, it is about our security, Boyle told me. Putin is evil on the same level as Hitler. It is a lot less expensive to stand up to him now; if we wait until later, it will be much more costly in money and lives.

Let us hope there are four GOP stalwarts, in the mold of Ronald Reagan, who want to be able to look in the mirror and know they opposed appeasement. They may be all that stands between repelling Putin and an ugly, self-inflicted, defense debacle that will haunt the United States for years.
In this 2013 file photo, John D. McDaniel leaves federal court after pleading guilty to wire fraud. He was Mayor Cherelle Parker's highest-paid political consultant last year. Read more

New Philly Mayor Cherelle L. Parker believes in second chances  even for political consultants guilty of taking funds from a campaign.

In 2013, John D. McDaniel was sentenced to a year and a day in prison after he admitted to stealing more than $100,000 from former Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Browns campaign coffers, and even more from a union-affiliated political action committee.

But that didnt deter Parkers campaign from hiring him to be her highest-paid political consultant last year, according to campaign-finance reports.

Parkers mayoral campaign paid McDaniels consulting firm M|R Strategies more than $132,000, and McDaniel was personally reimbursed $875 more in unspecified expenses. While M|R Strategies doesnt appear to have a functional website, McDaniel describes himself as the COO on social media and in an online resume.

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Clout couldnt reach McDaniel for comment. Parker strongly defended him in a statement, saying he is one of the most brilliant field organizers and political strategists I have ever worked with in Philadelphia and said she look[s] forward to continuing working with him in the future.

I will not allow any specific challenge or adversity that he may have encountered in his life to discount the skill set that he brought to the table when I needed it most, because we were the underdogs in this race, she said. Many political strategists werent running to the Parker campaign. I thank John McDaniel for standing up for this campaign.

Parkers campaign appears to have provided a pretty significant windfall for the firm.

Records show that between 2018 and 2023, M|R was paid by just three other political campaigns in Philadelphia  former at-large Councilmember Derek Greens 2019 run, Isabella Fitzgeralds unsuccessful bid for a state representative seat in 2022, and Donovan West, who ran unsuccessfully for an at-large Council seat last year. None of those campaigns paid the firm anywhere near what Parkers did.

She isnt the first Philly mayor McDaniel worked with.

In 2005, he resigned from former Mayor John F. Streets administration after it was revealed that he violated a ban on political activity for municipal employees.

Five years later, he landed a job at a nonprofit with ties to the Laborers District Council and served on its board alongside Ryan Boyer, who now leads the powerful Building Trades & Construction Council and is one of Parkers closest allies. McDaniel headed a Laborers union PAC, and later worked on former Mayor Michael Nutters reelection campaign.

After Nutters victory, McDaniel scored a patronage job at the airport. In 2013, he was fired after an ethics board settlement revealed he committed campaign-finance violations while involved with the unions PAC and as treasurer of Browns campaign for City Council. He was again found to have violated the citys ban on employee political activity.

He pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of wire fraud and confessed to transferring $100,000 in funds from Browns campaign to the Laborers PAC, then to himself.

Now, lets be clear: McDaniel is far from the first Philadelphia operative to rise from controversy and continue to be embraced by the citys political class. Clout predicts he wont be the last.

The biggest difference in Councils Kenyatta Johnson era? Meetings start on time

Philadelphia City Council last week did something astonishing. No, it didnt pass any major legislation or solve one of the citys myriad issues.

It finished the weekly session before the clock struck 11 a.m.

City Hall gadflies and Council watchers know that this is not normal. Before Kenyatta Johnson took the gavel this year, Council  which is scheduled to meet on Thursdays at 10 a.m.  often started at 10:30 or 10:45 or 11 or, just, whenever all the members meandered in.

The trend often frustrated residents whod signed up to take part in public comment, and even left some members peeved.

I would say to myself, Oh, my God, we have all these people sitting in the audience. Were starting 30 minutes late, former Councilmember Allan Domb once said.

But Johnson has proved to be a stickler. Hes presided over four weekly sessions in City Hall and started every one on time  even starting two of them minutes before the clock struck 10 a.m.

Johnsons demand that members show up on time has scrambled Thursday mornings in City Hall. A couple aides have privately grumbled to Clout that the time crunch adds needless stress to an already chaotic morning. But Johnson said his fellow members love it.

They love the efficiency of us getting together and doing our business, then they have the opportunity to go back into their community to address the day-to-day issues of constituents, Johnson said. Thats what were here to do: the peoples business.

The curious signature we found on a petition

Since a Chester County Court of Common Pleas judge  and three more local elected officials  said they had their signatures forged on a petition for auditor general candidate Mark Pinsley, Clout took a look back through some old petitions.

And we came across a signature that made us squint: State Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty, brother to John Johnny Doc Dougherty. He signed a petition last year for City Councilmember Mark Squillas reelection campaign.

Judges arent allowed to sign petitions in Pennsylvania because its considered a political activity, which violates the judicial code of ethics. Whats more: Dougherty doesnt live in Squillas Council district, and was therefore ineligible to sign in the first place.

A spokesperson for Dougherty said he and Squilla have known each other for years, and that Squilla has been and remains a good friend.

While the Justice accepts responsibility, he has never publicly endorsed Councilman Squilla, or any other candidate for elected office, added Stacey Witalec, the communications director for the state Supreme Court.

Kevin Doughertys son, Sean Dougherty, filed last week to run in the Democratic primary against State Rep. Kevin Boyle (D., Philadelphia), who was recently filmed having a bizarre outburst at a Montgomery County bar.

For what its worth: We didnt see dads name on Seans petition.

Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics.
Two Democratic campaigns are facing questions about whether they submitted campaign documents littered with forged signatures.

One candidate could be booted from the ballot if a challenge holds up in court, while the other candidates documents have spurred an investigation by the Chester County District Attorneys Office.

The campaigns for both Allen King, a candidate for a Philadelphia state Senate seat, and Mark Pinsley, a candidate for auditor general, listed at least two of the same people as circulators for their petitions they submitted to appear on the April primary ballot. The signatures included in those petitions have come under scrutiny.

Campaigns are required to gather a certain number of signatures from registered voters from their party in their respective district in order to make it on the ballot.

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King, a first-time candidate, is seeking to oust incumbent State Sen. Nikil Saval in the Democratic primary. But seven Democrats in the district filed a challenge this week contesting 1,227 of the 1,351 signatures King submitted as invalid.

If the Commonwealth Court upholds the challenge, only 124 of Kings signatures would qualify, which is less than a quarter of the required 500 signatures to make it on the ballot for the state Senate race.

The signatures that Mr. King submitted are extraordinarily deficient in pretty fundamental ways, and that speaks to a campaign that isnt prepared to represent this district in the legislature, said Anthony Campisi, the communications director for Savals campaign.

Beyond the alleged signature issues, the challenge accuses King of not meeting the one-year residency requirement to make it on the ballot. King is documented changing his voter registration on Jan. 29, after the petition period began.

According to Savals campaign, King was registered to vote in Montgomery County as recently as Jan. 10, and before that, he was registered in Delaware County. King also hasnt been civically active, only voting in elections in 2008 and 2020, the campaign said.

Kings campaign declined to comment on all of the allegations, but a person familiar with the matter said the campaign is reviewing them.

Savals campaign found several instances in which voters names are misspelled on Kings petitions, even using two different spellings on the same line  like Brian and Bryan. There are at least two cases where voters wrote their age and sex, which are not required on the petition but would be listed on a list someone could copy from.

Out of 200 signatures Savals campaign checked voter records for, signatures only matched in 11 cases, the campaign said. In one case, someone said that a circulator told them the petition was to raise the minimum wage, according to Savals campaign.

You dont need a handwriting expert to know these are bad signatures, Campisi said in reference to Kings petitions.

Savals campaign alleges that signatures gathered by two circulators, Clare Halvorsen and Brooke Bales, look egregiously forged. Both are Temple University students.

Chester County DA investigates petitions in auditor general race

Halvorsen is one of at least two people listed as circulator for both King and Pinsleys campaigns, along with fellow Temple student Deja Armstrong.

Armstrong told The Inquirer last week that she never forged a signature when asked about the dispute over Pinsleys petition. She declined to comment for this article when contacted about the signatures on Kings petition.

Todd Bales, an attorney representing his daughter, Brooke Bales, and Halvorsen, declined to comment on their behalf.

Pinsley, the Lehigh County controller, is running against State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who was endorsed by the state Democratic Committee, in the April primary.

Chester County activists say Pinsleys petitions have a slew of red flags, including at least four signatures for elected officials who confirmed with The Inquirer that they didnt sign them: Chester County Judge Alita Rovito, Coatesville City Council members Carmen Green and Khadija Al-Amin, and West Goshen Township Supervisor Nate Wolman.

Rovito is not permitted to sign petitions under judicial ethics rules, and Green, Al-Amin, and Wolman all said they signed Kenyattas petitions.

Lani Frank, a local Democratic committee member, said everyone local party activists have spoken to whose name was on Armstrongs petitions for Pinsley said they didnt sign it.

There isnt one person who said, yes, thats my signature, Frank said.

Rovito referred the matter to the Chester County District Attorneys Office last week. The office confirmed this week that its detectives are investigating.

Green and Al-Amin both said the geographic routes the circulator would have taken on the petitions with their names didnt make sense. Plus, petitions had dates on them prior to the petitioning period, names written oddly, and signatures in similar handwriting.

There are so many red flags that in my opinion  and this is just my opinion  if his campaign was truly looking at those petitions, they would see the same red flags that we see, said Al-Amin.

Green, who hadnt even heard of Pinsley, said she wouldnt have even been home when a canvasser would have come by, but her family members, who are also Democrats, said no one knocked on the door.

Ive never even written my name like that, Green said. "  Im not really sure who circulated that petition, but its a fake.

Mariel Martin, Pinsleys campaign manager, said the campaign is doing an internal investigation and declined to comment further.

Staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this article.
Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley kisses her son Nalin at the Iowa State Fair Grounds on Aug. 12. Read more

As Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Nikki Haley prepare to face off in South Carolinas primary election Saturday, one Philadelphia-area college student has a lot on the line.

While Trumps five adult children have made headlines for years, much less is known about Nalin Haley, the former South Carolina governors 22-year-old son who attends Villanova University.

But after the New York Times profiled the younger Haley this month, its clear the college senior is getting used to the spotlight.

Besides taking to X to call out his mothers Republican challengers, Nalin Haley has jetted away from his Main Line campus to speak at her rallies, as the former governor continues her longshot bid to counter the former presidents campaign.

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So which of Nikki Haleys Republican competitors did her son nickname Pennywise?

We learned that and more from the Times:

Who is Nalin Haley and how is he involved in Nikki Haleys 2024 presidential campaign?

Nalin Haley, born in 2001, is the former governors youngest child. His sister, Rena, was born in 1998. Both children were raised in Haleys home state of South Carolina.

Nalin Haley is a political science major at Villanova, according to a 2023 interview with The Villanovan. He attended high school in New York while his mother served as the United States ambassador to the United Nations. He lives in Columbia, S.C.

While he hasnt publicly expressed political ambitions, hes begun to appear more prominently at his mothers rallies in recent months.

According to the Times, Haley told crowds hes gotten involved because we have serious problems in this country.

Two weekends ago, Haley introduced his mom in Gilbert, S.C., as the state prepared for its Saturday primary election  and the 22-year-old wasnt afraid to take barbs.

What does Nalin Haley have to say about the Republicans who ran against his mom?

Haley has some creative nicknames for his moms challengers, according to the Times.

Standing before the South Carolina crowd this month, Haley compared Sen. Tim Scott to a notorious biblical traitor.

We had a lot of them go up to New Hampshire, and I saw Trump standing side by side, he was next to Sen. Judas  excuse me, Sen. Scott, Haley said.

The jab stirred the audience; Scott was Haleys appointee to the Senate in 2012, but is stumping for Trump after having dropped out of the presidential race in November.

And it was Vivek Ramaswamy  the tech entrepreneur turned firebrand political outsider candidate  whom Nalin Haley nicknamed Pennywise.

The comparison to the makeup-clad clown from the It movies first came after Ramaswamy brought Rena Haley into the political scrum last year, after the candidate mentioned her TikTok usage despite Nikki Haleys criticism of the app.

Nalin Haley didnt let up at his mothers rally in Summerville, S.C., this month, according to the Times.

My mom had a talk with me, and I was like, you know what? I feel awful, and I would like to take this chance to apologize to Pennywise, Haley said. Because Pennywise is a lot less creepy, a lot less of a clown, and he has a much better hairline than he does.

Has Nalin Haley spoken about Trump?

While the Nova senior has plenty of insults for less-popular Republicans, Trump is the real cause for concern for the Haley campaign.

Despite Haley spending more money on ads than any other candidate in New Hampshire, Trump took over 50% of the states vote in last months primary. Meanwhile, the former president leads by 30 points in polls in Haleys own state heading into the weekend.

Nalin Haley took to X in January for a shot at the Republican front-runner.

After Trump himself told his Truth Social followers that anyone who donated to Nikki Haleys campaign would be permanently banned from the MAGA camp, the younger Haley had this to say of the former president, according to the Times:

In that case, he should be barred from MAGA cuz hes been our biggest fundraiser yet with this post!

What has Nikki Haley said about her son?

So far, Nikki Haleys jabs have been much less pointed than her sons. The Republican hopeful took a neutral strategy in the early months of her campaign, and only recently started sparring with Trump directly.

But according to the Times, it appears that she appreciates her sons support.

She recently praised Nalins presence on the campaign trail, especially as her husband, Michael, remains stationed in Africa with the South Carolina Army National Guard.

As for her sons barbs, Haley jokingly had this to say after thanking other speakers during one rally:

Nalin, I will deal with you later.
Ronja Redeye, one of the six trolls created by Recycle Art Activist Thomas Dambo, of Denmark, can be seen throughout the Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, Pa., on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. Ronja Redeye is the best communicator amongst the trolls and wants to speak with humans to help them rethink their relationship with wildlife and the planet. Read more

Hello readers! Im filling in for the wonderful Rosa this week, who is taking a well-deserved break.

Were in a weird seasonal lull where we can continue hunkering down, away from the cold, or embrace optimism and get out in the world, with hope for the spring. I choose to embrace the latter. This week, I may catch a show at Philadelphia Ballet or Walnut Street Theatre with some discounted tickets, but I also hear 15-foot trolls have taken over the Philly Zoo. Also on the horizon: Philly Fashion Week is rolling out all the stops... The perfect opportunity to shop for a spring wardrobe? What events are you looking forward to this weekend?

 Hira Qureshi (@itshiraqureshi, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

The Philadelphia Zoo has welcomed some new residents... Theyre not what you think

With some towering 15-feet-high, six trolls made of discarded wood, plastic, and old ship sails are here for one mission: to save us humans from ourselves. The recycled art activist Thomas Dambos Save The Humans exhibit at the Philadelphia Zoo is a lesson for humans to save the planet from an over-consuming world for the children of the future. Reporter Earl Hopkins check out the trolls you can catch running around the 42-acre campus, until April 15.

Your weekly social calendar

 Cheers to beer: Check out the back-to-back beer festivals this month. From pours at the historic 23rd Street Armory to milk tubes at Human Robot, these events are sure to quench your thirst. Mark your calendars with our list.

 New art exhibit alert: Catch 40 pieces chronicling Philadelphia-based, Venezuela-born artist Henry Bermudezs experience as an immigrant and seeker of political asylum in the City of Brotherly Love. The exhibit runs til May 19.

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 Lets go to the movies: Looking for a zany rom-com with a dash of Philly grit? Consider Drive-Away Dolls featuring Beanie Feldstein, which opens in theaters Friday. The film, packed with star-studded cameos from Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, and West Phillys own Colman Domingo, is a love letter to lesbian bars. Feldstein and actors Margaret Qualley, and Geraldine Viswanathan stopped by Tattooed Mom on South Street to promote their new film on a recent Friday afternoon.

 Calling all music heads: Alabama retro-soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones are headed to the Fillmore on Saturday. Catch The Art and Influence of John Dowell, an exhibit exploring the work of the Philly printmaker, painter, and photographer, will be on display at the Parkway Central Free Library til March 2. Browse our list of Philly music happenings.

 Here for the outfits: With Philly Fashion Week, runway shows, networking events, and concerts are popping up around town, through Feb. 25. To help you out, weve got your guide to 10 Philly clothing and accessories designers to watch out for.

 My calendar picks this week: Ever been to a Shrek rave? Nows your chance to dress up as your favorite character, sip on green cocktails, and enjoy swamp-worthy performances. Head to the Theatre of The Living Arts on Saturday, Feb. 23. Tickets are online for $35.

 Waffles and wine, anyone?: Catch 15 local artists on display at the James Oliver Gallery for a special night. Take in the art, mingle, munch on waffles, and sip on complimentary wine.

 Celebrate Lunar New Year: Its the Year of the Dragon, and Comcast Center has a lineup of free programs for you. Theres Kung Fu Panada photo experience, a Sky Lantern experience, and more.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo says his country will transfer the F-16 to Ukraine by 2025.

He said this in Warsaw on Friday during a joint press statement with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

"Belgium is part of the F-16 Coalition - we are providing training opportunities (for Ukrainian specialists) now. And we will be able to provide Ukraine with F16 by 2025," de Croo said.

He assured that Belgium, within the framework of its EU presidency, "will do everything possible to further support Ukraine on its path to victory."

Recalling the 13th package of sanctions for Russia adopted this Friday, de Croo stressed that this "once again shows that the 27 EU member states are united in our support for Ukraine."
Extending our operations into Melbourne means that we can continue our long establishment relationship with children and young people across the state, and by expanding our counsellor numbers that gives young people across Victoria greater access to counselling support when they need it most, said yourtown CEO Tracy Adams. We will also continue to work closely with schools and other support services to ensure that no child or young person cannot access professional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
AM Best also points out the significant role of private equity and asset management firms in providing capital to new entrants in the annuity and block reinsurance markets, not just in Bermuda but also in the United States and the Cayman Islands.
Before his move to Alliant, Cohan held the position of vice president and director of employee benefits at an integrated financial services company, leading the benefits practice in its Kansas City office. He also brings experience from his time with one of the nations largest insurance carriers.
We welcome Holly and Phil to the Grange Insurance Company board of directors. Their extensive leadership experiences will add enormous value to Grange as we continue to innovate, transform and modernize for our associates, our agents and our valued policyholders, board chair Marnette Perry said.
In a statement published by CTech, Vesttoo said: The company accepts and respects the decision of the honorable court. We are dealing with a mainly procedural decision which discusses the type of proceeding filed and the filing procedure. The decision itself does not discuss the vast and conclusive evidence that the investigation report brought up against the defendants (and soon the final investigation report will also be submitted showing all the evidence that was found), but mainly discusses the legal issue of the submission procedure.
AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to a (Excellent) from a- (Excellent) of United Frontier Mutual Insurance Co., which is headquartered in Lockport, New York.

At the same tine the ratings firm said the outlook of these ratings has been revised to negative from stable.

AM Best said the upgraded ratings reflect United Frontiers balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The rating upgrade and revised outlook for United Frontier reflects its integration as a newly added group member of Allegany Insurance Group, AM Best said. In 2023, United Frontier entered into an affiliation agreement with Allegany and more recently, effective Jan. 1, 2024, an inter-company pooling agreement was successfully executed between both members of Allegany: Allegany Co-op Insurance Co. and Conemaugh Valley Mutual Insurance Co., as well as United Frontier.

AM Best Issues Negative Oulook for Allegany-Conemaugh Group

AM Best said these actions are expected to enrich Alleganys product offerings in New York, particularly in the medium-to-large size commercial lines segment.

Additionally, through the agreement, Allegany provides services to United Frontier, including but not limited to marketing, agency support, human resources capabilities, reinsurance support and governance/risk management tools. AM Best said it expects that the shared resources will evoke additional financial, operational, and strategic capabilities for the group; however, it said it will continue to closely monitor Alleganys results over the near-term given the negative pressure on the strong operating performance assessment.

United Frontier writes fire, farmowners, homeowners, commercial multi-peril and inland marine lines of business. United Frontier distributes its policies through independent agents.

Topics AM Best
Today, Russia can use about 300 combat aircraft against Ukraine, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Major General Vadym Skibitsky said.

"The enemy has a lot of [airplanes]. Let's just say that today Russia can and has about three hundred combat aircraft against us," Skibitsky said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

He said Ukrainian forces had recently shot down an important target  an enemy A-50 early warning aircraft.

"Then the Russians moved the combat duty area back, but they lost reconnaissance range here. This is very positive for us. That is, if earlier the Russians could see from Azov to Kyiv, now they do not have enough reconnaissance equipment from Krasnodar territory to Kyiv. Since they are afraid to come closer," intelligence official said.

Skibitsky said the F-16 aircraft, which will soon be transferred to Ukraine, are one of the means that will make it possible to destroy enemy aircraft used to carry out bombing strikes. At the same time, he said "the Russians have set themselves the task of destroying both our aviation and infrastructure."

"For three days in a row, the enemy bombed Kanatove airfield (near the city of Kropyvnytsky), trying to hit with ballistic missiles. And this is exactly the enemy's approach to prevent us from deploying aircraft there. They are very afraid that powerful Western equipment will come to Ukraine. And we are already clearly confident and know that Western weapons are much better and have an advantage over Russian, over Soviet weapons. Any. These include accuracy, efficiency, and other parameters," the deputy head of the Main Intelligence Agency said.
Allianz SE is making a strategic investment in money manager AlTi Global Inc. in an expansion of the insurance giants global holdings in wealth management.

The German insurers venture arm, together with alternative asset management platform Constellation Wealth Capital, will invest as much as $450 million in the wealth and asset manager, which oversees total assets of about $68 billion. AlTi will use the capital to help finance future mergers and acquisitions as well as other growth initiatives, according to a statement Thursday from the New York-based firm.

Allianz X Chief Executive Officer Nazim Cetin and another representative of the insurer will join AlTis board of directors when the deal closes, while CWC will have an observer seat, according to the statement.

Our investment in AlTi demonstrates our approach as well as our conviction in wealth management and alternatives, Cetin said. We believe it will unlock opportunities.

Allianz, one of the worlds largest financial services companies with 2.16 trillion ($2.33 trillion) in assets under management, joins a growing number of global firms building their focus on the wealth sector. Carlyle Group Inc. bought a stake in September in US wealth adviser Captrust, while Canadian fund Ontario Teachers Pension Plan invested in London-based 7IM during the same month.

Allianz X is already an investor in robo-adviser Wealthsimple and its peer Purpose Unlimited, while Allianz also owns a large stake in UK digital wealth manager Money Farm after repeatedly investing in the company since 2016. It has used Money Farm to offer some of its actively managed funds directly to retail investors, without them having to go through a bank or a broker.

AlTi grew out of a merger last year between wealth managers Alvarium Investments and Tiedemann Group through a blank-check firm. Both companies previously boosted their growth through M&A activity and joint ventures, striking deals with rival firms over the past decade spanning French asset manager Iskander and Swiss wealth manager Constantia Partners.

As part of the AlTi deal, which is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, Allianz X is investing $250 million by acquiring a mix of common and convertible preferred stock, with an option to allocate a further $50 million for the wealth firms global expansion plans, the statement said.

CWC, meantime, is allocating $150 million to acquire a new form of convertible preferred stock in AlTi, with most of that investment due to close by the end of March.

AlTis stock has dropped 44% since it began trading in January 2023. It most recently reported revenue of $49.2 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, down 5% from the prior three-month period. AlTi Chief Executive Officer Mike Tiedemann said he expects the companys finances to improve this year.

2023 was the year of integration and establishing best practices, he said in a Zoom interview Thursday. That was the year of internal focus  and now its going to invert.

Photograph: Flags with the Allianz logo fly in front of the Olympic Tower in Munich, Germany. Photo credit: Guido Krzikowski/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Allianz
Yemens Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on a UK-owned cargo ship and a drone assault on an American destroyer on Thursday, and they targeted Israels port and resort city of Eilat with ballistic missiles and drones.

The statement by a Houthi representative on social media site X came shortly after the groups leader said it was ramping up attacks on ships in the Red Sea and other waters  including with new submarine weapons -to mirror Israels military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Houthi militants have launched repeated drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden since November in support of Palestinians, as the Israel-Hamas war continues and the Gaza death toll reaches almost 30,000.

Operations in the Red and Arabian Seas, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden are continuing, escalating, and effective, Abdul Malik al-Houthi added in a televised speech. He gave no details of the submarine weapons.

The groups strikes are disrupting the vital Suez Canal trade shortcut that accounts for about 12% of global maritime traffic, and forcing firms to take a longer, more expensive route around Africa.

The Houthis on Thursday sent shippers and insurers formal notice of what they termed a ban on vessels linked to Israel, the US and Britain from sailing in surrounding seas, seeking to reinforce their military campaign.

The Houthis communication, the first to the shipping industry outlining a ban, came in the form of two notices from the Houthis newly dubbed Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center sent to shipping insurers and firms. The aim is to force sailing companies to collaborate with the Houthis to guarantee the safety of their ships,

Ships owned by individuals or entities in Israel, the US and UK or sailing under their flags are banned from the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, Thursdays notices said.

The Humanitarian Operations Center was established in Sanaa to coordinate the safe and peaceful passage of ships and vessels that have no connection to Israel, a senior Houthi official told Reuters on Thursday.

Risk Priced In

The months of attacks have upset global trade and reset shipping rates at a higher level. Insurance sources on Thursday said there was no change in rates since the issuance of the advisories because marine underwriters had already restricted coverage availability or increased rates.

In terms or marine war insurance availability and pricing, we dont see a significant effect from the Houthi groups recent announcement since it echoed similar announcements from last year to target Israel, U.S. and UK-linked vessels, Marcos Alvarez, managing director, global insurance ratings, Morningstar DBRS, told Reuters.

Militant leader al-Houthi said retaliatory strikes by the U.S.-British coalition have failed to stop its campaign.

Earlier on Thursday, two missiles set ablaze a ship some 70 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said. The vessel and crew were reported safe and are proceeding to the next port of call, it said in a later update.

That UK-owned, Palau-flagged ship, the Islander, was en route to Egypt from Thailand, according to British maritime security firm Ambrey and ship tracking data.

The U.S. militarys Central Command said in a social media post that the U.S. shot down six Houthi drones in the Red Sea after they were identified as an imminent threat to U.S. and allied warships.

No ships have been sunk nor crew killed during the Houthi campaign. However there are concerns about the fate of the UK-registered Rubymar cargo vessel, which was struck on Feb. 18 and its crew evacuated.

The Houthis said the Rubymar was at risk of sinking but a U.S. defense official said it remained afloat.

Rubymar is sitting lower still in the water, Ambrey said. A salvage attempt was aborted and a navigation warning to nearby ships was in place, the firm said. Other options are under consideration, the vessels security company ISS-SAPU said.

Earlier on Thursday, Israels military also said it intercepted a target in the area of the Red Sea after sirens warning of incoming rockets and missiles sounded in the southern city of Eilat.

(Reporting by Nayera Abdallah, Ahmed Elimam, Tala Ramadan and Jana Choukeir in Dubai, Jonathan Saul, Natalie Grover and Robert Harvey in London, Mohammed Ghobari in Aden, Yomna Ehab in Cairo and Sinead Cruise in London; writing by Nayera Abdallah, Paul Carsten and Lisa Baertlein; editing by Michael Georgy, Jason Neely, William Maclean, Frances Kerry and Cynthia Osterman)

Photograph: This photo taken on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 shows the oil tanker Marlin Luanda on fire after an attack, in the Gulf of Aden. (Indian Navy via AP)

Related:

Topics Leadership
Halliwell Fire Research, the Auckland, New Zealand-based applied fire research consultancy, has expanded its international presence with the launch of a London office.

The expansion follows the recent rebrand of Fire Research Group (FRG) to Halliwell Fire Research, which saw the business adopting the loss consulting brand Halliwell as it joined its international network of specialist services.

A wholly owned subsidiary of global claims services provider McLarens, Halliwell provides advisory and applied fire research services across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and internationally.

The company has recruited Mario Lara Ledermann as head of Halliwell Fire Research, UK & EU. Holding a masters in fire safety engineering, Ledermann has worked in the property and construction industry for 15 years. His experience has included the development, design and construction of complex and innovative property developments over three continents, building product R&D, and research.

The Halliwell Fire Research team draws upon 30-40 years of research expertise in fire science and engineering to offer expert witness and advisory services to lawyers, loss adjusters, insurers, and developers and building owners across the commercial and public sectors, Halliwell said.

With a focus on major fire-related losses and compliance defects, key specialisms include incident reconstruction, risk analysis, building and material defects, specialist modeling, human behavior analysis, and product and system testing.

The London office marks the latest expansion of the Halliwell group, which is building a multifaceted offering around fire-related risk and damage, along with other loss consulting services.

Halliwell Fire Research is a key service line in the Halliwell group, alongside the Halliwell Forensics, Engineering and Construction services lines in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Halliwell Forensics in the UK and Ireland, which offers complementary forensic fire and technical cause and origin investigations services. It will also support Halliwell in the USA which offers engineering, architecture, industrial loss, and construction services.

The move follows the acquisition of FRG by Halliwells parent McLarens.

Halliwell Fire Research is at the forefront of expert advice and applied research for the insurance, legal and related sectors and our expansion to the UK and Europe supports our strategy to bring our global capabilities and expertise to the service of key international markets such as the London market, commented Mario Lara Ledermann, head of Halliwell Fire Research UK & EU.

About Halliwell

Halliwell Fire Research is part of the Halliwell group of companies, which offers comprehensive loss consulting services across the globe, including engineering, forensic investigation and construction consulting to corporations, insurance companies, law firms and government agencies.

Topics London
MARION, Iowa (AP)  An Iowa school board has reached an agreement resolving a lawsuit over a now-rescinded district policy that allowed students to request a gender support plan to begin socially transitioning at school, without the permission of their parents.

Linn-Mar Community Schools insurance company will pay the plaintiffs, Parents Defending Education, $20,000, the Gazette newspaper in Cedar Rapids reported. The district announced the agreement Tuesday.

Issues related to transgender students are contentious in many school districts. The American Federation of Teachers said candidates publicly endorsed by conservative groups such as Moms for Liberty and the 1776 Project lost about 70% of their races nationally in elections in November  a tally those groups disputed.

The Linn-Mar board in Marion adopted a policy in April 2022 that, among other things, gave students access to restrooms, locker rooms and changing areas that corresponded with their gender identity.

The policy became a national political topic in February 2023, drawing criticism from former Vice President Mike Pence, who later announced a bid for the Republican presidential nomination before dropping out in October.

The strength of our nation is tied to the strength of our families, and we cannot stand idly by as the radical left attempts to indoctrinate our children behind parents backs, Pence said in a statement provided to The Associated Press at the time.

As Iowa lawmakers debated limits on district transgender policies, the Linn-Mar board in March rescinded its policy. State law now prohibits districts from knowingly giving false or misleading information to a parent or guardian of their childs gender identity or intention to transition to a gender other than the one listed on the birth certificate.

Though three candidates supported by Moms for Liberty were defeated in the Linn-Mar district in November, the districts statement said the board believes the time and resources of the district are better spent looking forward than continuing to defend a lawsuit about a policy that has not been in effect for nearly a year.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Education K-12 Iowa
American Airlines must face a lawsuit claiming it failed to prudently oversee employee retirement funds because it used asset managers that pursued sustainable investment strategies, a federal judge in Fort Worth, Texas ruled.

U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor said pilot Bryan Spence can move forward with his lawsuit claiming the airline breached its duties to plan participants by choosing investment managers focused on nonfinancial issues of environmental, social and governance.

These specific actions  selecting, including, and retaining ESG oriented investment managers  allow the court to reasonably infer that defendants process is flawed because it allowed plan assets to be used to support ESG strategies, OConnor wrote.

A spokesperson for American Airlines declined to comment on Thursday.

Spence sued the airline last year, saying it had violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which governs how retirement funds are administered in the U.S.

He claimed that American failed its duties to remain loyal to retirees and prudently oversee their assets by engaging investment advisors who pursue political agendas through ESG strategies and voting at shareholder meetings.

American Airlines asked OConnor to dismiss the case, saying Spence had failed to allege that the funds in the plan had financially underperformed.

OConnor, an appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush, is known for frequently ruling in favor of conservative litigants challenging laws and regulations governing guns, LGBTQ rights and health care.

The U.S. Department of Labor implemented a rule last year allowing employee retirement plans to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in investment decisions.

Texas is one of 25 Republican-led states appealing a decision rejecting their bid to block the rule.

Topics Lawsuits Aviation
A group of five experienced individuals have joined the new Bridge Specialty Insurance Brokerage  Dallas office.

Janie Williams, broker, brings more than 30 years experience to Bridge Specialty Insurance Brokerage (BSIB) Dallas. Janies career spans both the retail and wholesale sides of the commercial insurance industry. She is not afraid to handle the toughest accounts with her background handling some of the more complex risks.

Deborah Garner joins Bridge Specialty Insurance Brokerage (BSIB) Dallas as a broker. She began her insurance career with Liberty Insurance and Chubb in Detroit. Deborah is a key player in the success of our new Dallas operation, leveraging her extensive wholesale background in Texas. Deborah is well respected in the industry with both markets and retailers.

Bridge Specialty Opens Dallas, Texas Office

Robin Page joins Bridge Specialty Insurance Brokerage (BSIB) as a Vice President and Broker. Robins experience is in larger property and builders risk segments. He began his insurance career with Chubb, but has been in the wholesale segment for many years. Robin is well respected with the agents in Texas and beyond.

Chris Contreras joins Bridge Specialty Insurance Brokerage (BSIB) Dallas from our sister company Texas Security General. Chris is a highly successful broker who knows the Texas marketplace and the unique needs of our retail agents.

Emily Rhine recently joined BSIB Dallas as an associate broker and brings plenty of experience with her. She began her career in claims, and over a five-year period she transitioned to account management then took on the role of marketing broker.

Topics Texas
Florida bills that target litigation financing, which seemed to be on their way to quick approval a week ago, have all but foundered in the state Capitol.

House Bill 1179, by Rep. Toby Overdorf, and its companion, Senate Bill 1276, would have required more disclosure by litigation funding firms that back lawsuits and would have prohibited them from influencing the outcome of cases. But lobbyists and lawmakers said this week that legislators appetites for litigation limits had been reduced after 2022 and 2023 tort reform and insurance lawsuit packages were signed into law.

State representatives that supported the measures said its possible that one bill could be revived before the legislative session ends March 9. But its more likely that the bills will be filed again next year, according to news reports and lobbyists in Tallahassee.

Private funding of lawsuits has enflamed business and insurance interests across the country. Those groups have said the financing creates and prolongs litigation for the sake of profit, instead of justice. They have pointed to examples in which a business agreed to settle but the financiers refused. A federal judge in February added fuel to the fire when he blocked a plan by the food giant Sysco Corp. to hand off all of its claims to funder Burford Capital, Bloomberg Law news service reported.

Meanwhile, a measure dubbed the insurance agents bill appears to be alive and well in the Florida House, with changes, after approval by the House Commerce Committee. An earlier version of HB 1149, by Rep. Adam Botana, would have barred insurers from cancelling or non-renewing homeowner policies on storm-damaged property for at least 90 days after repairs are completed, with some exceptions.

A late change to the bill, in the committee Thursday, would allow more exceptions to that and would let the state insurance commissioner issue an order temporarily suspending cancellations in ZIP codes hard-hit by flooding.

The adopted amendment to the bill can be seen here. A similar bill in the Senate, SB 1104, is on the agenda Monday for the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics Lawsuits Florida Mergers & Acquisitions
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  The collapse of a sand hole that killed a 7-year-old Indiana girl who was digging with her brother on a Florida beach is an underrecognized danger that kills and injures several children a year around the country.

Sloan Mattingly died Tuesday afternoon at Lauderdale-by-the-Seas beach when a 4-to-5-foot-deep (1-to-1.5-meter) hole collapsed on her and her 9-year-old brother, Maddox. The boy was buried up to his chest, but the girl was fully covered. Video taken by a bystander shows about 20 adults trying to dig her out using their hands and plastic pails, but the hole kept collapsing on itself.

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, a small enclave north of Fort Lauderdale, does not have lifeguards at its beach, so there were no professionals immediately available to help. The first deputies arrived about four minutes after the collapse, with paramedics and firefighters arriving moments later, according to 911 calls released by the Broward County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday. The sheriffs office originally said that Sloan was 5 and her brother 7.

Wails of anguish can be heard in the background of the emergency call as bystanders try futilely to rescue Sloan. Two of the callers identified themselves as registered nurses, but there was nothing they could do to help.

There is a little girl buried under the sand and they have not got to her yet, one nurse told an operator.

Another woman who is weeping told the dispatcher, There is a whole circle of men trying to dig, digging the sand.

Sandra King, spokesperson for the Pompano Beach Fire-Rescue Department, said rescue crews took over for the bystanders, using shovels to dig out the sand and boards to stabilize the hole, but when they got to the girl she had no pulse. King said paramedics immediately began resuscitation efforts, but Sloan was pronounced dead at the hospital. The boys condition has not been released.

King said the childrens parents were extremely distraught and the paramedics who treated the children had to be relieved from their shift.

It was a horrible, horrible scene. Just imagine one minute your children are playing in the sand and then in seconds you have a life-threatening situation with your little girl buried, said King, whose department services Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

News reports and a 2007 medical study show that about three to five children die in the United States each year when a sand hole they are digging at the beach, a park or at home collapses on top of them. Others are seriously injured and require CPR to survive.

Those who died include a 17-year-old boy who was buried at a North Carolina beach last year, a 13-year-old who was digging into a sand dune at a state park in Utah and an 18-year-old who was digging with his sister at a New Jersey beach. Those two accidents happened in 2022.

The risk of this event is enormously deceptive because of its association with relaxed recreational settings not generally regarded as hazardous, the New England Journal of Medicine study concluded.

Lifeguards say parents need to be careful about letting their children dig at the beach and not let them get too deep.

Patrick Bafford, the lifeguard manager for Clearwater, Florida, said his staff will warn families if a hole gets too big but sometimes they arent noticed in time.

We have had events where people have had close calls or died because of a collapse, he said. You want them to have fun, (but) theres a difference between fun and a hazard they might face. Its hard really for people to understand that the beach can be a hazard. Bad things can still happen no matter what. Use good judgment.

Shawn DeRosa, who runs a firm that trains lifeguards, said many people dont think through the risks in allowing children to dig deep or wide holes.

They know that the sand might slide down or that a wall could collapse, but they dont seem to envision their child being buried in the sand so quickly, he said. Nor do they appreciate the real challenge in getting the child out of the sand once the collapse has occurred.

Photo: Investigators at the scene of a sand collapse on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Florida USA
February 23, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Crude oil (WTI) is trading at $77.16 per barrel, while Brent crude is trading at $81.81 per barrel during today's Friday trading. Oil prices have dropped by approximately 1% after Iraq announced the reopening of a refinery that had been closed for ten years. This comes amid expectations that OPEC+ countries will not decide on significant production cuts, even though they indicated a likely extension of voluntary production cuts beyond the first quarter of the year. However, no major additional supply reductions are expected.

This coincides with a decline in the U.S. Dollar Index (USDIDX) this week, as stocks experienced a significant recovery, with several indicators trading at all-time highs. Traders are looking ahead to the upcoming week, which will be filled with important data that can significantly impact the market and determine market trends.

I believe that oil prices are not giving much importance to any new geopolitical risks in the Middle East but are influenced by economic events and news. The London Energy Forum 2024 summit is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday next week, an event that usually grabs headlines with decisions from major leaders of international oil companies. Following that will be the International Energy Week from Tuesday to Friday.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported another increase in changes to U.S. crude oil inventories, with an additional 12.018 million barrels from the previous increase plus an additional 3.514 million barrels for this week. Traders will be watching for any repetition of new sanctions tightening by the United States and the European Union on oil-related to Russia and other parties in countries accused of trading Russian oil.

In my view, geopolitical tensions eased slightly yesterday, as there is evidence that hostage exchanges and potential ceasefire negotiations are still on the table in the ongoing Gaza conflict. However, tensions escalated immediately after the Houthi rebels in Yemen announced their intention to continue targeting civilian ships in the Red Sea, escalating the rate of attacks, now including U.S. and UK-owned ships that may cross the Suez Canal. This could lead to a long-term increase in oil prices.

Technical Analysis of the Oil (WTI) Prices:

Oil prices are attempting to rise to $80, as traders brace for the U.S. and European Union sanctions package set to be issued today, Friday, against Russia. These sanctions are not only against Russia but also against some Chinese and Indian entities alleged to be assisting Russia. Despite the technical breakthrough in the price chart, oil has not been able to sustain the increase. Therefore, the return to $90 or even $85 seems elusive at the moment.

From a technical standpoint, the $80 level remains a pivotal price level, with $79.66 as the initial resistance level that must be breached for the upward trend to continue. If the Relative Strength Index (RSI) does not quickly move into the overbought zone, the price could reach $84.58 and $89.64 as subsequent targets in the upward direction. The ultimate target in this upward wave is expected to be $92.69 based on the sequence of peaks from November 2022.

On the negative side, the main support is supposed to be at the 55-day Simple Moving Average at $74.20 before testing the ascending trendline near $72.93. If this trendline is breached, the next support is near $67.11, and breaking this level is necessary to continue any downward movement. With the triple bottom observed in June and July 2023, this level is expected to be strong enough to support a price rebound.

Support levels: $77.15 - $76.40 - $75.20

Resistance levels: $77.60 - $78.50 - $79.73

More Info:

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February 23, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investorideas.com, a global news source and expert investing resource, announces today's roundup of stocks to watch in the mining sector.

The newest mining companies explore for precious metals including gold, silver and copper as well as green energy metals such as lithium, uranium and vanadium.

New Stocks Added to the Mining Directories:

Tower Resources Ltd. (TSXV: TWR) is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in the Americas. The Company's key exploration assets, all in B.C., are the Rabbit North copper-gold porphyry project located between the New Afton copper-gold and Highland Valley copper mines in the Kamloops mining district, the Nechako porphyry-associated gold-silver project near Artemis' Blackwater project and the More Creek epithermal gold project on the critical "red line" structural zone connecting the mineral deposits of the Golden Triangle.

District Metals Corp. (TSXV:DMX.V) is a polymetallic exploration and development company focused on the Viken and Tomtebo Properties in Sweden. The Viken Property covers 100% of the uranium-vanadium Viken Deposit, which is an asset with substantial exploration and development expenditures that resulted in the definition of large historic polymetallic resource estimates in 2010 and 2014. The Viken Deposit is amongst the largest deposits by total historic mineral resources of uranium and vanadium in the world.

WestGold Resources Limited (ASX: WGX; OTCQX:WGXRF) is a debt free and profitable, Western Australian gold miner fully leveraged to the gold price. With more than 1,300km2 of tenure, Westgold is the dominant gold miner in the Murchison and Bryah regions of Western Australia and, uniquely amongst peers, an owner-operator of all of its underground mines. With a new team, increasing operational delivery and free cash flow, no debt and a strong balance sheet, Westgold is well positioned to build value for its shareholders.

Chakana Copper Corp. (TSXV: PERU) is a Canadian-based minerals exploration company that is currently advancing the Soledad Project located in the Ancash region of Peru, a highly favorable mining jurisdiction with supportive communities. The Soledad Project is notable for the high-grade copper-gold-silver mineralization that is hosted in tourmaline breccia pipes and other intrusion-related styles of mineralization.

Surge Battery Metals Inc. (OTCQX: NILIF) (TSX-V: NILI) is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company active in the exploration for lithium in Nevada whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and the OTCQX Market in the US. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Arcadium Lithium plc (NYSE: ALTM) is a leading global lithium chemicals producer committed to safely and responsibly harnessing the power of lithium to improve people's lives and accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. We collaborate with our customers to drive innovation and power a more sustainable world in which lithium enables exciting possibilities for renewable energy, electric transportation and modern life. Arcadium Lithium is vertically integrated, with industry-leading capabilities across lithium extraction processes, including hard-rock mining, conventional brine extraction and direct lithium extraction (DLE), and in lithium chemicals manufacturing for high performance applications. We have operations around the world, with facilities and projects in Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Yellow Cake PLC (OTCQX: YLLXF; AIM: YCA) is a London-quoted company, headquartered in Jersey, which offers exposure to the uranium spot price. This is achieved through its strategy of buying and holding physical triuranium octoxide ("U 3 O 8 "). It may also seek to add value through other uranium related activities. Yellow Cake seeks to generate returns for shareholders through the appreciation of the value of its holding of U 3 O 8 and its other uranium related activities in a rising uranium price environment. The business is differentiated from its peers by its ten-year Framework Agreement for the supply of U 3 O 8 with Kazatomprom, the world's largest uranium producer. Yellow Cake currently holds 20.16 million pounds of U 3 O 8 , all of which is held in storage in Canada and France.

Terra Uranium Limited (ASX: T92) is a mineral exploration company strategically positioned in the Athabasca Basin, Canada, a premium uranium province hosting the world's largest and highest-grade uranium deposits. Canada is a politically stable jurisdiction with established access to global markets. Using the very best people available and leveraging our in-depth knowledge of the Basin's structures and deposits we are targeting major discoveries under cover that are close to existing production infrastructure. We have a philosophy of doing as much as possible internally and working closely with the local communities. The Company is led by a Board and Management with considerable experience in Uranium. Our dedicated exploration team is based locally in Saskatoon, Canada.

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For avid mining investors looking for the next great mining play, the Exploring Mining Podcast features expert advice in the sector from some of the best though leaders as well as interviews with CEO's in the industry.

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Russia is now forming a volunteer corps of 18,000 people, which includes former Wagner mercenaries; representatives of the corps are already operating in Avdiivka area, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Major General Vadym Skibitsky said.

"In Russia, a volunteer corps of 18,000 people is now being formed. These, including all former Wagnerites, are led by the Ministry of Defense. They are now operating in Avdiivka area. Here is the 'Veterans' brigade - this is the volunteer corps that is used Russia. So, they are actively used due to the fact that they have combat experience. That is, they can now be seen on the battlefield," Skibitsky told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, the approach the volunteer corps uses is the same one that Wagner used in Bakhmut.

"These are constant assault operations and achieving results at any cost. As for the salary, it is almost the same as in the Russian armed forces. But Wagner's salary was higher and Wagner really valued its instructors and commanders," the Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Agency said.

Speaking about the involvement of Russians in the war against Ukraine by citizens of other states, in particular Africans and Syrians, Skibitsky said they do not want to go to war, but use this as a chance to get to Europe.

"But no one wants to go to war. They come here simply to escape later and get to Europe. Everyone thinks that they are coming here to fight. But this is not so. Believe me. At the first opportunity they will try to get to Europe," the major general said.
The Irish Farmers' Association has this week met with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to highlight how "frustrated and angry" farmers are "with increased regulation, reduced supports, and falling incomes".

IFA president Francie Gorman said that while the meeting was "constructive", the Taoiseach and the Government "must deliver".

"To date, farmers have been taking actions at local level, but anger is building," Mr Gorman said.

A number of key issues were discussed at the meeting including the nitrates derogation; late payments; the need for immediate tillage supports; ash dieback; the Residential Zoned Land Tax; and work permits.

"I was clear with the Taoiseach that the Government needs to lead a unified national effort to retain the nitrates derogation. All politicians, farm organisations and the sector need to pull together to ensure the derogation stays in place," Mr Gorman said.

"The payment delays of 2023 cannot be repeated. The move to make an interim payment on ACRES is a step forward and money needs to get to farmers as a matter of urgency."

Protest campaign

Mr Gorman said that the current phase of the IFA's 'enough is enough' campaign will continue, with farmers targeting county council meetings around the country.

As part of this campaign, Cork IFA will hold a protest at the forthcoming Cork County Council meeting this Monday, February 26, at 9:30am at the council offices, Carrigrohane Road, Co Cork.

The agricultural community in Ireland feels it is being overregulated, according to the IFA, with common issues shared with farmers who are protesting in other countries.
I have been keeping a close eye on the outbreak of Bluetongue in the UK for the last few months. Blue Tongue is a viral disease spread by biting midges, which affects all ruminants, especially sheep, cattle goats and deer and camelids such as llama and alpaca.

The symptoms seem to vary across the different ruminants but will include fever, lesions, redness of the mouth, eyes, and nose, reddening of the skin above the hoof and nasal discharge. And some animals may show little or no signs.

There was a new strain, BTV-3, first reported in the Netherlands in September 2023 and then cases popped up in Belgium and Germany. I didn't take a whole pile of notice until I heard about the outbreak in the UK on November 10, 2023.

You might ask why I suddenly have taken an interest in it when, thankfully, we don't have it here in Ireland.

The reason I have an interest is that we purchased a jersey heifer for Georgie last September, in Scotland. She was devastated when our own Jersey cow had a bull calf even though we had used sexed semen, but alas, that's the way it goes. You only get a 90% chance of a heifer with sexed semen.

So, we decided we would surprise her with her own calf. The heifer was born in September, so the plan was she would travel home to Ireland in December after we had competed at the Winter Fair.

That way, she would be old enough to travel, and it wouldn't interfere with the girls competing in Belfast also, we would essentially be locked up for 30 days after her arrival to Ireland.

Georgie and I travelled to Scotland in November to meet 'Ravina' in person, and she was smitten straight away. She has a brilliant personality and definitely has the cheeky persona of some Jerseys.

Georgie knew we bought the heifer in September, and the breeders very kindly allowed her to pick her name, so as you can imagine, there was great excitement. She chose the name Ravina as the name had to begin with R, and with Pete in New York at the time we did the deal on the heifer, she picked Ravina after a town in upstate New York.

The two got on like a house on fire and bonded straight away. Georgie and I got to spend some quality time on our own as well, so that was great.

The plans were made that Ravina would travel home at the end of December, and then we heard about the Bluetongue outbreak. To be honest, with just one case at the time, we didn't think it would be a big deal. Now there are 112 confirmed cases across 64 different premises.

Speaking to friends in the agricultural sector in the UK, at the moment, there is no vaccine for the new strain which originated in Africa. There are vaccines for other strains, including BTV-8, 2 & 4, which are used in France for export purposes, but unfortunately, this doesn't provide any cross-protection for the strain BTV-3, which is in the UK at the moment.

I'm told it's unlikely there will be a vaccine available early enough this year, so therefore, our heifer cannot be brought to Ireland and has to remain in the UK until at least the end of the year.

All we can do is monitor the situation, but the reality is a vaccine is needed now to ensure livestock are protected before midges become active; with warmer months ahead, midges may spread the disease further in the UK.

It wasn't fun telling Georgie; she was so disappointed. But she always has a very positive attitude, and she says that we will just have to come up with a plan B until she can come home.

The discussions are happening already at the dinner table, and before long, I'm sure we will have a plan in place that best suits us and Ravina.

Life and death on the farm

On the home front, calving has rapidly progressed; we sold some late-calving older cows through Bandon Mart last week at a dairy sale. Sean Dennehy, the mart manager, was extremely helpful and is nice to see those cows go onto other dairy farms to complete another lactation.

We have a group of high EBI maiden heifers which will be sold before the breeding season, so Sean will be out with us again in the coming weeks to photograph them and prepare a sales catalogue.

Rosie is a 2015 born cow, a part of the Alanna cow family, which has been so successful for us, in fact, the matriarch Alanna cow became a great-great-grandam this week with another heifer calf born on the farm, and still, Alanna is performing herself as she heads for the straw pen this week to deliver what will be her 10 th calf; she was bred to sexed semen, so fingers crossed.

Rosie was due to calve in April of our Fleckvieh bulls; Pete put her on a straw bed this week as her udder began to fill, we knew it was far too early for her to calve, but 24 hours later, she gave birth to what is undoubtedly the smallest premature live calf we have ever seen, definitely five weeks before due date and scanning suggested it was as much as eight weeks early. The poor little heifer calf didn't even have hair; her breathing was under tremendous pressure due to her underdeveloped lungs.

As we dried her, Pete managed to carefully stomach tube her with 1.5L of colostrum, and she was placed in a warming box to give her extra heat, but unfortunately, the little calf didn't survive the night. Rosie developed a serious womb infection 24 hours late, stopped eating, rumination ceased, and she couldnt stand.

Our vet, Pat Bourke, is a fountain of knowledge with huge experience; he knew it was touch and go for Rosie but gave it his best shot and full credit to him Rosie has now bounced back. She is chewing the cud, so we know she is ruminating, we are keeping her on straw for a few more days and milking her with the portable milker twice daily before she returns to the main herd.

It wasnt only emergency treatment Pat visited us for this week, he also donned his scanning goggles to confirm Acclaim incalf to sexed semen again thankfully which wasnt the only positive pregnancy test as Magic was also confirmed incalf over in the UK.

I guess that is the highs and lows of farming, there is life and death on a farm, we try our best, but I am always thankful we have a great team of vets who work with us.


Bile-fuelled anonymous abuse is one of the downsides to living an online life these days, but Wicked Little Letters (15A) suggests that the phenomenon is nothing new.

Set in the coastal English town of Littlehampton in the 1920s, Thea Sharrocks film opens with Edith Swan (Olivia Colman)  a pretty young Christian woman, as the press describes her  receiving poison-pen letters of inventively crude language.

Suspicion immediately falls on Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley), an Irish immigrant recently arrived in Littlehampton with her young daughter Nancy (Alisha Weir), and largely because Rose is a foul-mouthed free spirit who doesnt suffer fools gladly.

But why would Rose, formerly a friend of Ediths, choose to target her next-door neighbour in such a coarse and underhand way?

Based on a true story, Wicked Little Letters is a black comedy that seems on the surface to be a rather frivolous affair, but which employs the poison-pen letters as a wedge to break open the ostensibly prim and proper world of middle-class mores, then and now.

Littlehampton, which serves as English society in a microcosm, is very quick to turn on Rose, in the process revealing its bigotry and intolerance when it comes to outsiders and those who refuse to toe the socially approved line.

Olivia Colman is in terrific form as the repressed, performatively Christian Edith, while Jessie Buckley brews up the proverbial storm as the iconoclastic Rose, and both get strong support from Anjana Vasan, playing a young policewoman battling her colleagues institutionalised sexism, and Timothy Spall as Ediths patriarchal father.
The Way (BBC One and BBC iPlayer) is sluggish at the start. The three-part drama is co-created by Adam Curtis, who makes these brilliant immersive long-form documentaries about things like the downfall of communism.

Its directed by actor Michael Sheen who brings power and personality to everything he touches.

So this story about a strike at the steel-works in his native Port Talbot in Wales held a lot of promise.

The problem for most of the first episode is that it feels like a polemic against modern capitalism.

Thats fine if youre against that sort of thing.

But it means the actors are just parroting down-with-the-one-per-cent lines and person-splaining the roots of inequality in our society, rather than getting on with being messy human beings.

Thats a shame because the human-level story is good.

It revolves around the Driscoll family where the parents, Dee and Geoff are finalising their divorce.

'By the start of episode two, its gone full-on dystopian.'

Their daughter Thea is a cop, who has arrested her brother Owen for drug dealing.

Geoff is a shop steward in the giant local steel-works, familiar to anyone who took the Supabus from Cork to London in the 1980s.

Hes pragmatic and weak, trying to cosy up to the foreign investors who now own the plant when everyone around him wants to fight to protect the jobs.

But for much of the opening 45 minutes, were stuck watching set-piece speeches about Margaret Thatcher and the effect of the Miners Strike on working class communities.

And then it kicks off. The workers go out on strike, against Geoffs wishes, following a rousing speech by his ex-wife Dee.

Its cheesy but it works thanks to good acting all round.

The result is a massive riot, joined by anti-immigrant protesters, Welsh separatists, skin-head British nationalists, and everyone is fighting everyone, with cop Thea in the middle.

By the start of episode two, its gone full-on dystopian.

Owen wakes up in an isolation camp set up by private security contractors

Owen wakes up in an isolation camp set up by private security contractors, in images that make a clear nod to internment in Northern Ireland.

The town is under curfew, Covid-style. Daftly, Geoff is wandering around with a sword that was discovered in the steel plants.

But it works. Im all in at this stage. They go all in on the anarchy and I wont spoil it too much but the Driscolls end up together and on the run.

The politics parroting is over and its enjoyable, even fun in parts, like when Geoff starts seeing his dead father, played by Michael Sheen.

It has what any drama needs now  I want to know what happens next.

So will you if you push on through the slow start. Give it a watch.
Film

Wicked Little Letters

Out Friday, February 23

Rose (Jessie Buckley) is accused of sending abusive letters to Edith (Olivia Colman) in Wicked Little Letters

Inspired by a true story, a small English town is scandalised when foul-mouthed anonymous letters are delivered to residents. It's not long before the fingerpointing begins and the blame lands on the rebellious Rose. There are obvious parallels drawn between this and our own world of anonymous internet trolls. Oscar-winner Olivia Colman always shines in a comedic role and it's nice to see our own Jessie Buckley in a lighter role. It may not be the most sophisticated comedy but this is a very enjoyable film to switch off and have a giggle.

Exhibition

A Matter of Time

Crawford Art Gallery, Cork city, until Monday, June 3

Exhibiting artist, Kevin Atherton pictured enjoying the work of fellow artist, Gary Coyle at A Matter of Time, Crawford Art Gallerys latest group exhibition featuring artworks by 25 Irish and International artists. Picture: Clare Keogh

Twenty-five artists have come together to create this collection of 60 works that consider temporality and the human experience. The exhibition covers a wide range of themes including climate change, nationhood, appropriation, memory, health, meditation, legacy, and hope. Life and time are inextricably intertwined, with time affecting everything from the mundane to the profound. A Matter of Time explores the way we think about the world and our limited existence in it.

Film

The Zone of Interest

Triskel Arts Centre, Cork, Sunday, February 25-Wednesday, February 28

Nominated for best picture at the Oscars, The Zone of Interest is one you don't want to miss

Nominated for five Oscars including best picture and best director, this is definitely a film you want to experience on the big screen. Those familiar with Jonathan Glazer's previous work will know his ability to create a deeply unsettling atmosphere is almost unmatched. Glazer refuses to show the horrific acts opting instead to keep the audience at a remove. The filmmaker could not have known just how relevant this film would be upon its release. We watch as the Hoss family refuse to bear witness to the evil unfolding right next to them.

Gig

Paul Young

Cork Opera House, Cork city, Tuesday, February 27

Catch Paul Young for one night only at Cork Opera House. Picture: Gavin Watson

One of the biggest artists of the 80s is celebrating his 40th anniversary in Cork for one night only. Let this former teen idol transport you back to the good old days because they don't make them like this anymore. Young scored 10 Top 40 hits and his debut album No Parlez sounds just as good today as it did when it first came out in 1983. During this tour, Young will not only be playing the favourites such as Wherever I Lay My Hat and Come Back and Stay, he will also regale the audience with stories from his career so far and even perform some new material.

TV

Big Life Fix

RTE One, Wednesday, February 28, 9.35pm

Mary Ita O'Connor and UCD rocket scientist David McKeown in episode one of this season of Big Life Fix on RTE One

Big Life Fix is back with its expert team to help those who need it most. Using science and creative thinking, the six experts will create tailor-made inventions for people and families to help them in their everyday lives. The first episode features Cork woman Mary Ita O'Connor. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's at 39 and is desperate for something that will allow her to continue to run competitively. We will also meet 10-year-old Daire Gorman from Monaghan who was born with Crommelin Syndrome which led to his arms and legs being underdeveloped.
There are 1,010 male asylum seekers without accommodation in Ireland.

Minister for Integration Roderic OGorman has said the number of people without an offer of accommodation is a really concerning situation, but that families and women seeking international protection were being prioritised for housing.

The Department of Integration published figures on Friday that show 1,436 asylum seekers who arrived in Ireland since mid December had not been offered accommodation.

Of these, 171 males were offered accommodation after an availability and vulnerability triage, 1,265 people had received a contingency payment in lieu of accommodation, and 255 had subsequently been offered accommodation.

Asylum seekers who are not offered accommodation receive a temporary allowance increase from 38.80 to 113.80 a week.

Some of those without accommodation have been seen camping in tents around the International Protection office in Dublin city.

Ireland has struggled to house asylum seekers arriving in Ireland because of a lack of supply in its long-running housing crisis and a steep increase in the number of people arriving in Ireland seeking refuge.

The Department of Integration has said despite intensive efforts to find accommodation, it is not able to provide it to all asylum seekers due to the severe shortage.

Our focus in recent weeks has been to ensure that we can provide accommodation for female applicants and for family applicants, Mr OGorman told reporters in Dublin on Friday.

Minister for Integration Roderic OGorman (Niall Carson/PA)

We are doing that, and it involves us sourcing additional accommodation on a weekly basis and were doing that and were able to meet those numbers at the moment.

But it is tight, it is tight even in terms of the provision of accommodation for families and female applicants.

He said a proposal would be brought to Cabinet in the coming weeks that would put forward a comprehensive accommodation strategy.

Mr OGorman added this would recognise the reform needed in the existing system and the need for a supply of State-owned accommodation in Ireland.

So there is detailed discussions taking place across government right now and this is also of course linked to the review of the capital ceilings that are taking place at the moment.

So I would hope in the next couple of weeks that well be bringing this to Cabinet.

He added: We are very much focused on providing and bringing on additional accommodation because the needs are so significant because we have seen significant increases both in the last quarter of 2023 and in January.

Mr OGorman said he has also consulted local politicians about the use of the D Hotel in Drogheda, Co Louth to house asylum seekers.

He said the hotel is still being considered for the dual use of housing asylum seekers for the State and remaining open for private business.

In terms of the situation in Drogheda, Ive engaged very extensively with the Louth TDs, I would have met them last week, during the week I met with the Drogheda chambers and the business district improvement scheme and yesterday I met with the nine councillors representing the urban and rural, local electoral area.

We are looking at what our options are in terms specifically to D Hotel with regard to dual use.

I know there is a challenge with that, particularly in terms of ensuring child protection requirements are met. The hotel themselves have raised issues, but my department are continuing to engage with them on the issue of dual use.
Dance and music star Michael Flatley has said if an insurance company is allowed to cancel his insurance policy on his Cork mansion, the protected structure, Castlehyde, may be in jeopardy.

A High Court judge will next week give her decision after Mr Flatleys legal team on Friday applied for an order restraining his insurance company from cancelling the house insurance policy for the luxury country mansion on the River Blackwater outside Fermoy.

Michael Flatley in an affidavit to the court said if the insurance policy is allowed to be cancelled, Castlehyde House, which dates back to 1790, may be in jeopardy as there will be no insurance cover.

He said he was also doubtful if any insurance company would take over the insurance of Castlehyde House considering the ongoing legal proceedings.

I say Castlehyde is a unique structure and the interests of justice favour its protection, Mr Flatley said.

The former Riverdance star has already brought proceedings against several parties before the commercial division of the High Court over an alleged 30m worth of damage caused to Castlehyde.

In the latest development, he claims one of the defendants, the Irish branch of Hiscox Societe Anonyme, has said it will not insure the property from March 8 onwards.

Michael Flatley claims one of the defendants, the Irish branch of Hiscox Societe Anonyme, has said it will not insure the property from March 8 onwards.

He has also claimed the insurance company should be paying him 80,000 monthly relocation expenses. He contends the insurance company knew he and his family moved out of Castlehyde in October 2023 and that Castlehyde would be unoccupied for about two years.

Nevertheless, he said Hiscox SA agreed to renew the insurance policy from November 14, 2023, for one year, on a monthly premium of 5,773.

Mr Flatleys counsel, Ronnie Hudson BL instructed by Max Mooney solicitor, told the High Court a letter from the managing director of Hiscox SA, Richard ODwyer, was delivered to Castelyhyde, which gave 30 days notice of the cancellation of the house insurance policy from March 8.

The letter stated: It has come to our attention that the occupancy of the household we insure for you appears to now differ from our understanding of same at policy inception and renewal.

"Therefore, we regret to advise that we are writing to you to confirm that we are invoking our cancellation clause on your household insurance policy with us.

Mr Hudson told the court the insurance company was well aware that Mr Flatley did not ordinarily reside at Castlehyde.

Counsel said Mr Flatley and his family live in Monaco and have residences in London and Italy as well. The Flatleys used Castlehyde for two to four months a year.

He said Hiscox SA knew what they were taking on and Mr Flatley did not leave Castlehyde lightly in October 2023.

In this affidavit, Mr Flatley said it was not possible for Castlehyde to be occupied due to its current condition. He said there was a full-time housekeeper and the gate lodge was also occupied.

Mr Flatley said he was concerned because he had been forced to vacate his home in October 2023 and he said in advance of the insurance renewal date a number of phone calls and emails exchanges took place between his financial advisors and insurance brokers.

He said the fact that he had vacated his home in October 2023 was communicated to the insurance company via the broker.

He said the fact he had vacated his home in October 2023 was communicated to the insurance company via the broker.

In a replying affidavit to the court, the managing director of Hiscox SA, Richard O Dwyer, said the insurance company was not informed Mr Flatley had vacated his home in October 2023.

James Burke BL, for Hiscox SA, said what Mr Flatley was asking the court to do was  a step too far.

Ms Justice Eileen Roberts will give her decision next week.
A woman who was sexually assaulted after a night out which ended with her falling asleep in a bed with three men said that the sexual assault was every girls worst nightmare.

The student who put his fingers in her vagina as she slept  reaching over another man, the victim's friend, to do so  was sentenced to four and a half years in jail with the last year suspended by Judge Helen Boyle at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Friday.

It was one of the worst things I have ever experienced I am still struggling to get back to myself. The days immediately after were horrendous, she said.

The young woman said it had also put a strain on her relationship with her boyfriend who was not there that night.

I learned an unfortunate but valuable lesson that night  even in familiar surroundings with friends there is always a possibility that someone else could violate your safety, she said in her victim impact statement.

The man who was convicted of the sexual assault had pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury. He had no previous convictions.

The parties cannot be named for legal reasons.

The victim said she was very good friends with the man who was beside her in the bed and that the other two students in the bed were friends of his.

The young woman testified that she was out drinking with friends in Cork City on the night in question and that she was drunk and could not remember anything from the moment they left the pub to the moment when she woke to find the accused putting his fingers in her vagina.

She said she was on one side of the bed, her friend was on the other side of her, and that the man who sexually assaulted her was reaching over her friend to carry out the assault.

The accused said that the young woman consented to the sexual contact and had been sucking his fingers and putting his hands on her before the disputed incident occurred.

She said she was asleep and could not have consented.

Paula McCarthy, prosecution barrister, cross-examined the defendant about reaching over one man to digitally penetrate a young womans vagina and asked if this was an unusual thing to do.

He asked Ms McCarthy if it was not unusual for a woman to be in bed with three men.

Ms McCarthy remarked to the accused: Does that make her fair game?

When the case was first before the courts for a bail application, Detective Garda Kevin Hastings of the Garda Protective Services Unit said the allegation made by the young woman in the case was that they were out socialising together, and returned to a house in Cork where all four ended up in the one bed.

The detective said the issue in the case was about consent.
A cyber security innovation hub is to be established at a Cork university which was crippled in a major cyber-attack last year.

A 7m investment will be announced in the Munster Technological Universitys (MTU) Cork Cyber Innovate initiative on Friday which is designed to boost cyber security innovation and entrepreneurship in Ireland over the next six years.

Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney will formally launch the Enterprise Ireland-funded initiative which will produce highly skilled graduates, who its hoped will create new products, services, as well as new companies and jobs in Irelands 1bn cyber security sector, which already employs over 7,300 people.

Cyber Innovate, which will be based at MTUs Rubicon Centre, will take an intake of 12 to 15 participants every year for the next six years.

Each intake will work intensively over 10 months to identify problems and develop real-world cyber security solutions.

They will work with researchers in MTU and other universities to develop their solutions with support from Enterprise Ireland commercialisation funds.

They will be supported with a tax free 38,000 stipend, and they will graduate with a postgraduate diploma in cyber security innovation.

Dr Donna OShea, the chair of cybersecurity at MTU, said the initiative isnt just an investment in MTU becoming a truly great and globally competitive university, its an investment in making Ireland a global leader in cyber security innovation and entrepreneurship.

We believe the realisation of the Cyber Innovate initiative will see an Ireland that is cyber innovative, cyber secure and cyber successful, she said.

Graduates of this initiative will have the latest skills and know-how to create new and useful products. These products will help businesses stay secure online while boosting Ireland's cyber security industry revenue.

A spokesperson for MTU said initiative is grounded in industry needs and backed by academic rigour from the university, said the graduation annually of an elite group with cyber security innovation expertise should lead to the creation of many new start-ups.

The initiative is similar to Bio Innovate based in University of Galway which has contributed to innovation in the medical device and digital health sector.

Figures from Cyber Ireland show there are over 170 cyber security companies and 470 cyber security related companies generating 2.1bn in cyber security-related revenue and 1.1bn gross value added to the Irish economy.

The median salary for a cyber security role in Ireland is 75,000.
Plans for an 18m housing regeneration plan to resolve overcrowding and chronic living conditions on one of Irelands worst Traveller halting sites have been published for public consultation.

The Green Party in Cork described the publication by Cork City Council of the Spring Lane plan, first revealed by the Irish Examiner last week, as an opportunity to make good years of neglect.

Chair of the councils local Traveller accommodation consultative committee, Cllr Oliver Moran, said the conditions on Spring Lane were appalling and that effect was felt by people living there and the wider community in the area.

This plan is the opportunity to fix that, he said.

It reduces the number of families living across the site and transforms their living conditions.

A key dimension is that the site will be properly managed on an ongoing basis.

It's designed to prevent the kind of unplanned expansion that was allowed over the past 35 years and that created the conditions there now.

The council has worked closely with the families on the site to make sure the plan will work.

It's taken on years of feedback from residents in the surrounding area.

That knowledge can be seen in the design that's come forward.

Traveller Visibility Groups head of advocacy Breda ODonoghue has welcomed the long-awaited and long overdue housing scheme but said it 'needs political will' to ensure it gets over the line.

There's no doubt that there will be challenges in implementing what's proposed but the status quo is not an option and other ideas aren't practical.

This is the plan to draw a line under the conditions at Spring Lane, make good the neglect residents there are experiencing, and accrue that benefit for the whole community.

Spring Lane halting site opened in 1989 as a 10-bay halting site, but following unauthorised expansion, it has become home to more than 50 families.

It was the subject of a damning report by the Ombudsman for Children in 2021, which found the council had failed to consider the best interests of children living on the site by allowing them to live in filthy, overcrowded, rat-infested, and unsafe living conditions.

The poor conditions had a significant and prolonged adverse impact on children living there, the Ombudsman said.

Following extensive engagement since, the council has drawn up plans to build Traveller-specific housing for 27 families on the existing site, and on the adjoining Elliss yard site.

The Traveller Visibility Groups head of advocacy Breda ODonoghue has welcomed the long-awaited and long overdue housing scheme but said it needs political will to ensure it gets over the line.

The plan is available for inspection and for public consultation until April 10 at consult.corkcity.ie.
On the eve of the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Presidents of the European Council Charles Michel, the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Parliament Roberta Metsol issued a joint statement.

The text of the statement was distributed in Brussels on Friday. "The European Union will continue its strong and unwavering political, military, financial, economic, diplomatic and humanitarian support to help Ukraine defend itself, protect its people, its cities and its critical infrastructure, restore its territorial integrity, bring back the thousands of deported children, and bring the war to an end," they said.

EU leaders said "Today marks a tragic anniversary: that of Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in manifest violation of international law and the UN Charter. Two years of violence, brutality, terror and destruction. We shall never forget the initial shock of the attack, the horror of the events in Borodianka, Bucha, Mariupol. Yet, in spite of all the continuing atrocities and suffering inflicted upon it across the country, Ukraine is standing firm. The heroic Ukrainian people are demonstrating fortitude and determination in defending their homeland and fighting for their freedom and our shared European values. The European Union will always support Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders," according to the statement.

EU leaders said the beginning of Russia's long-term aggression against Ukraine started with the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol ten years ago. "Russia and its leadership bear sole responsibility for this war and its global consequences, as well as for the serious crimes committed. We remain determined to hold them to account, including for the crime of aggression," they said.

EU leaders said Ukraine faces constant brutal and indiscriminate attacks from the Russian Federation every day. "More than ever, we remain united and true to our promise to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. For the people of Ukraine, for peace and security in Europe and for the rules-based international order to prevail," according to the statement.

They also addressed the issue of the prospects for Ukraine's membership in the EU. "The European Union has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and will help it on its path towards EU membership. The future of Ukraine lies in the European Union. The European Union will continue to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support. The EUR 50 billion financial assistance package for 2024-2027 will help Ukraine meet its immediate needs, rebuild its economy and society, modernise its institutions and consolidate democracy and the rule of law," EU leaders said.

They also expressed confidence that the EU will continue to meet Ukraine's immediate military and defense needs, including the supply of desperately needed ammunition and missiles. "We have taken unprecedented actions at the EU level to ramp up European defence industry production, and we will continue to increase the capacity, which will allow us to step up our military support and cooperation with Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening our defence readiness and European sovereignty. We are also working on future security commitments which will help Ukraine defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future," according to the statement.

EU leaders are also convinced that Russia and its leaders will pay "a growing price for their actions." "Together with partners, we have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia and those complicit in the war and remain ready to increase the pressure on Russia to limit its ability to wage war. We have also taken the first concrete steps towards directing extraordinary revenues stemming from Russian immobilised assets to support Ukraine. We will continue our targeted actions to further isolate Russia in international fora," they said.

In addition, EU leaders expressed support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula "for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law as well as all efforts towards a Global Peace Summit with the widest possible international support."

"Today, our flags will be flying side by side as a symbol of our solidarity, commitment and resolve," EU leaders concluded their joint statement.
Businessman and entrepreneur John Mullins believes his history of delivery in business and civic life over three decades will help him secure the Fine Gael nomination to stand for election in Ireland South in the upcoming European elections.

Mr Mullins, 55, a former CEO of Bord Gais and the Port of Cork but who has spent the last decade building his renewables firm, Amarenco, has been a key strategist for the party since his student days.

But as he confirmed that he is putting his name forward for consideration at the party's selection convention for Ireland South on March 10 for the European elections, he told the Irish Examiner: You only get one opportunity at life, and Ive done a lot to date but I felt now, this is the right time for me to do this.

I have spent the last few months discussing with family and friends the idea of standing for election and I only decided in recent days to throw my hat in the ring.

"Id like to think that I have a history of delivery, on infrastructure, transport, energy, waste management - a wide variety of industries - over the course of my business career, but Ive also had many civic roles.

I have a reputation as someone who delivers what they say they will.

Among his priorities, if selected and then elected, will be the creation of what he described as a new rural contract with farmers in Ireland, the creation of pragmatic transitional environmental policies, and ensuring fair but firm migration policies.

But he said he hopes to bring his specific expertise to tackle planning issues which are stalling the delivery of housing, renewables, and other major infrastructure, and ensuring energy security and energy independence.

Its virtually certain that he will be ratified as the partys second candidate in Ireland South, alongside Sean Kelly MEP.

It had been reported that the Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, the partys director of elections for the European election, was struggling to fill the place on the ticket left by the retirement of Deirdre Clune.

But Mr Coveney dismissed that last night and said he was delighted that Mr Mullins had confirmed that he was putting his name forward.

He is a very serious candidate and we are lucky to have him, Mr Coveney said.

He has a fantastic CV and could be an impactful figure. And Ireland needs to send experienced motivated people to Europe who can be impactful in EU debates.

Mr Mullins, who will be 56 by the time of the selection convention, grew up in council estates in Cork city, in Knocknaheeny, and later in Bishopstown, and was educated at the North Mon.

An engineering graduate of UCC, he joined Young Fine Gael in early 1990s, serving as national president from 1993 to 1995.

He worked in senior positions in the ESB, PwC, NTR Plc, Greenstar and Bioverda, before he was appointed chief executive of Bord Gais in 2007.

He left the gas company in 2012, and was appointed chairman of the Port of Cork a year later, a position he held for five years.

He founded Amarenco Solar in 2013, which today has 240 employees and renewable investments in 14 countries.

He put his name forward to run for Fine Gael in the Cork North Central by-election in 1994 but was beaten in the selection convention by Colm Burke, who has served as TD for the constituency since 2020.

He is a former member of the partys executive council, he has been director of elections in three general elections, he is a trustee of the party, and he was brought in by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to oversee the partys electoral campaigns earlier this year.

He is a previous president of Cork Chamber, he has chaired two Global Cork Economic Forums, and he is a founding chairman of Anamcara, the charity for bereaved parents, and chairman of Energycloud, a charity for the fuel poor. He is also a director of Pairc Ui Chaoimh and chairman of UCC Mardyke Arena.
Media Minister Catherine Martin has declined to express confidence in RTE board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh, after further revelations that the board approved Richard Collins exit package.

Ms Martin told RTEs Prime Time that she sought several assurances from Ms Ni Raghallaigh that the board had no role in approving exit packages.

However, she said that on Thursday, it was revealed that the board approved Mr Collins exit package through its remuneration committee.

Ms Martin said that she had been misinformed about the matter and that she had written to Ms Ni Raghallaigh over the matter.

I am deeply disappointed with this and Ive written to the chair this evening and Ive asked to meet her on Friday to discuss this, Ms Martin said.

Despite being asked several times if she had confidence in Ms Ni Raghallaigh, Ms Martin declined to answer, saying that the chair should be afforded the chance to explain herself.

Asked if she would remove Ms Ni Raghallaigh from her position, Ms Martin said that she has to give everything consideration, but she would meet her first.

However, Ms Martin did express confidence in RTEs Director General Kevin Bakhurst.

The latest development in the saga comes after another tumultuous day for the national broadcaster.

Earlier, Ms Martin had said that exit packages must be the exception rather than the norm in RTE, after legal advice shows the broadcaster cannot reveal golden handshakes.

RTE has written to former executives who left the broadcaster as far back as 2016, asking them for consent to waive their rights to confidentiality.

The broadcaster is seeking legal advice on whether or not it is possible to cap future exit payments.

Siun Ni Raghallaigh Chairman of RTE Board speaking at the Joint Committee of Tourism, Culture, Sport, Arts and Media. Photo: Oireachtas TV

In a statement, RTE said: "RTE has been assured by its independent legal advisors that exit agreements fell within parameters of similar arrangements seen in both the private and semi-state sectors."

"While RTE will continue to operate in accordance with best practice, it has confirmed to the Minister that it is taking external advice with regard to future caps on severance pay and termination agreements, as well as options regarding confidentiality."

Ms Martin said that the legal advice received by the broadcaster is clear and that the confidentiality agreements are binding across all parties.

Accordingly, they cannot be unilaterally breached by RTE without significant legal and financial risk to the organisation, Ms Martin said.

My focus is on ensuring maximum transparency for RTE going forward.

Ms Martin reiterated that caps on exit packages must be examined by the broadcaster, with RTE's director-general Kevin Bakhurst having committed to fully examine the measure.
The Justice Minister has moved to defend media minister Catherine Martin as attention has shifted to what exactly she knew about an exit payoff for a former senior RTE staff member.

RTE Board Chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh dramatically resigned in the early hours of Friday morning after Ms Martin failed to express confidence in her on PrimeTime.

Ms Martin accused the chair of failing to tell her she approved an exit payout for an executive.

However, in Ms Ni Raghallaighs statement, she said she had informed the ministers department of the payoff deal last October.

Kevin Bakhurst brought the exit of Rory Coveney from RTE, announced on Sunday 9th July, to my attention, while the exit of Richard Collins was brought to and approved by the Remuneration Committee of the Board of RTE on October 9th 2023, she said.

I informed the Department about the process which led to Richards departure from RTE, on October 10th, the day after it was approved at the Remuneration Committee, she added.

When asked about this, justice minister Helen McEntee told RTEs Morning Ireland that Ms Martin had asked twice whether the Board had any role in signing off any of the exit packages and she was told no.

She moved to defend Ms Martin and said she did not dismiss the RTE Board Chair on television and she had committed to doing an interview on PrimeTime and outlined the facts as they transpired this week.

Ms McEntee said it is difficult because everyone wants to have confidence in the national broadcaster and those managing it. She said the latest resignation will add to the challenge RTE is facing.

I think the difficulty here is that all of us want to have confidence in RTE, we want to have confidence in those who are managing it and we want to move forward, she added.

The general public wants to be able to move forward and have a plan in place that people have confidence in and unfortunately when we continue to have information coming out in the way that it is on a number of different issues, it's very difficult for people to have confidence, she said.

When asked whether information should be made in public such as a note from the engagement between the department and the RTE chair on October 10, Ms McEntee said absolutely any note should be made public.

Ms McEntee also said she doesnt know whether Director General Kevin Bakhurst was in subsequent meetings with Ms Martin and Ms Ni Raghallaigh where the minister questioned whether the board had a role in any of the exit packages. Ms Martin claimed on PrimeTime last night that she had been misinformed by Ms Ni Raghallaigh.

People want transparency, people want to know that we can have confidence in the people who are in the room, who are making these decisions, who are then communicating what the facts are, Ms McEntee said.

RTE cannot move forward until all of this information is made available and until there is absolute transparency. While this type of information is coming out in the way that it is, that's simply not possible, she added.

Meanwhile, Minister Simon Harris has called on senior management in RTE to "get out a calculator" to provide details of exit payments "today".

Defending Ms Martin, he said he is "sick" of talking about the ongoing controversies in RTE.

Mr Harris said RTE's senior management should resolve some of the issues plaguing the broadcaster "today" by providing information on exit payments.

"The RTE carousel, this constant saga needs to end, I am so sick and tired of coming into studios like this where all we do in RTE is talk about or RTE.

"RTE has a legal obligation to provide details in relation to the aggregate amount of exit payments. They don't need to wait till Monday, they don't need to wait till Tuesday - get out a calculator out of the figures and before the 6.1 news produce them," he said.

Mr Harris told RTE's Claire Byrne show: "This RTE carousel is beginning to actually distort media and political discourse in this country, it's pushing other items down the news agenda. This is an organisation that I value, it's a public service broadcaster, it's actually doing damage to its own ability to actually report news stories."
The Labour Party have said Media Minister Catherine Martins position is untenable following the latest RTE revelations.

In a fresh statement, the partys media spokesperson, Senator Marie Sherlock said from the outset of the RTE crisis, Ms Martin has been on the backfoot.

She said: In the context of multiple bail outs of RTE by the public, we now know for sure that the Minister failed to ask the most basic questions.

She has presided over a most damaging period for the State broadcaster where public trust has been totally demolished.

At the outset of this crisis, I was very concerned by the Ministers failure to call for people to unequivocally pay their tv licences. This revenue stream has since dramatically reduced.

From the former Chairpersons statement last night, it appears that Minister Martin was in fact kept abreast of details of exit packages some former RTE executives received, Ms Sherlock said.

The Labour Party have said Ms Ni Raghallaighs statement suggests that the Department has a written record of notification from the Board following the remuneration committees approval of exit packages.

Ms Sherlock said: This must be published in full immediately.

The Media Minister is the protector of RTE but crucially, the Minister should be the protector of the public purse.

The Taoiseach and the Tanaiste must now reflect on the Media Ministers handling of this whole debacle, and ask, is she the person to ensure that necessary reforms take place in RTE that will be crucial to its survival, and is she the person who can restore public trust in the State broadcaster?
Media Minister Catherine Martin has insisted she is "doing her best" in a very difficult situation after the resignation of RTE chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh.

Significant differences of opinion have emerged in the accounts provided by the board of RTE and the Minister around the circumstances of an exit package to former chief financial officer Richard Collins.

Ms Martin said she asked direct questions of Ms Raghallaigh during two meetings earlier this week but failed to get straight answers.

"I asked the chair at two meetings this week on Monday and again in detail on Wednesday, if she or the board played any role whatsoever in approving either of the two recent severance packages to senior RTE executives. I was told clearly that they did not - neither she nor the board."

Ms Martin said officials in her Department subsequently got a call on Thursday from Ms Ni Raghallaigh "saying that she had now remembered that that was inaccurate information. She had now remembered that the committee that she chaired had actually approved it".

The RTE board has said Ms Martins department was informed of the details of former chief financial officer Richard Collins exit payment on October 10, a day after the deal was signed off on.

The Minister added: "I knew that there had been a highly complex, independent mediation process. The issue is I wasn't informed that the board had a role in approving it."

She confirmed that she had been made aware on October 10, that the mediation with Mr Collins had been concluded and he had received an exit package after a phone call between the secretary general in her Department and Ms Ni Raghallaigh.

However, she continued to maintain that she was misled by Ms Ni Raghallaigh because she did not make it clear that she had a role in signing off on this package during meetings this week.

When it was suggested that she was taking the now former secretary general's word above Ms Ni Raghallaigh, Ms Martin said: "My secretary general remembers receiving the phone call and that she was informed that the independent mediation process, the process had completed. But she was not informed that there was an approval, an official approval by the board.

"It was Budget Day and she would have told me that the independent mediation process had concluded."

Ms Martin claimed there was no note taken of the phone call received by the secretary general because "it wasn't of significance," but added that if Ms Ni Raghallaigh had relayed that the board had signed off on the package, that would have been significant.

Asked if she is blameless in all of this, she said: "I am doing my best to manage a very difficult situation."

Earlier, Ms Martin said a former top level civil servant has no recollection of being told an exit package for an ex-senior RTE executive had been approved by the Boards Remuneration Committee.

However, RTE have claimed the opposite and former chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh told the Secretary General of the Department of Media in October that it approved the exit package for former CFO Richard Collins.

The comments from the RTE Board came after it held an emergency meeting following Ms Ni Raghallaighs resignation on Thursday night.

Her resignation came following an interview on Prime Time in which Ms Martin said Ms Ni Raghallaigh misinformed her on two occasions this week in regard to board approval of recent exit packages.

Siun Ni Raghallaigh

Addressing the media on Friday, Ms Martin said she wanted to clarify some of the events around RTE in recent days. She said she asked the now-former Chair at two meetings on Monday and Wednesday if she or the Board had played any role in approving either of two recent severance packages to senior RTE executives.

Ms Martin said: Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that neither she nor the Board had played any role in approving it.

On Thursday, Ms Ni Raghallaigh contacted the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and said that what she had told me on Monday and Wednesday was inaccurate.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that she now remembered that the Remuneration Committee of the RTE Board, which she chaired, had met to approve the Richard Collins exit package last October.

The fact that she contacted the Department with this information indicates she was aware she needed to correct the record, Ms Martin said.

Ms Martin said she was aware of suggestions that Ms Ni Raghallaigh had informed the former secretary general of the Department that the Board had approved the exit package for Richard Collins.

Ms Martin was referring to a statement by the RTE Board released today which said Ms Ni Raghallaigh told the Secretary General of the Department of Media in October that it approved the exit package for former CFO Richard Collins.

Ms Martin said she discussed the matter with the former secretary general on Thursday and again on Friday to see if this was the case.

She said: She has been clear that while she was informed by phone that the independent mediation process on an exit package for Mr Collins had finally reached a conclusion, she has no recollection of being told that it was approved by the Boards Remuneration Committee.

Ms Martin said she is deeply disappointed that the Chair had not given her accurate information when I raised it specifically on two occasions during the week. She added: I wrote to the Chair yesterday evening asking her for a meeting on Friday morning.

I believed the failure to properly answer my questions was so serious that it required a formal meeting. I also conveyed the situation to the coalition leaders on Thursday evening in order to keep them fully informed, she said.

Catherine Martin. File picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Addressing criticism about her interview on PrimeTime last night in which she failed to express confidence twice in Ms Ni Raghallaigh, the minister said it would have been her preference not to deal with this matter live on air but it was a pre-arranged interview and given how the situation had evolved yesterday and in the interests of transparency, I felt I had to address the matter.

She said: At all times, my focus has been on reforming RTE and ensuring that it and other public broadcasters are placed on a secure and sustainable position into the future. This is vital for both staff at the broadcaster and the wider viewing public.

I will shortly receive the in-depth expert reports that I commissioned into how RTE operates and am determined to secure a Government decision on the future funding model for public service broadcasting in Ireland. The media minister also said she wanted to place on the record her genuine thanks and appreciation to Siun Ni Raghallaigh for her dedicated service and hard work as Chair of RTE at a time of unprecedented crisis for the organisation. Her commitment to RTE and to public service is deeply impressive, she added.

RTE Board statement

Earlier on Friday, the RTE board said the remuneration committee met eight times in 2023.

Their statement read: New terms of reference were introduced for the remuneration committee in September 2023.

Since then, all changes to executive pay and terms must be approved by the remuneration committee. This was introduced as part of a wide range of measures to strengthen controls and fully restore public trust in corporate governance at RTE. The department was informed about these new terms of reference when they were introduced.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh was chair of the remuneration committee. The other members in 2023 were Anne OLeary and Connor Murphy. Following Connor Murphy's resignation, Aideen Howard became a member.

The remuneration committee met on October 9m 2023, to consider the recommendation arising from the mediation process relating to Richard Collins. The director general attended that meeting. The recommendation was approved by the remuneration committee, as is its delegated powers under its terms of reference.

The day after this meeting of the remuneration committee, October 10th, 2023, Siun contacted the secretary general of the department directly by telephone and updated her about the meeting of the remuneration committee, and its outcome  ie, that it approved an agreement with Richard Collins.

The RTE board was updated about this approval at its next meeting, October 26th. Approval by the full RTE board was not required, the statement read.
It is impossible to imagine the hardships suffered by opposition politician Alexei Navalny before he died. His final weeks were endured in Polar Wolf Arctic penal colony, a former Stalinist camp, where inmates are reportedly starved and beaten, forced to stand motionless in unbearable temperatures as added punishment for their crimes'.

Irish prisons are incomparable, and yet, even here we have a substantial appetite for punishment as a way of fixing people and protecting society.

But does punishment work? Are we getting prisons wrong in the same way that we are getting school discipline wrong? And are the two related?

Rates of suspensions and expulsions are climbing back up to pre-pandemic levels in our schools. Suspensions are up by 70% and expulsions by 50% since the virus hit. And even including the pandemic drop, over 900 students were expelled over the last six years  a small percentage of our overall student population, but not small enough. I know from working in schools that expulsions often result from a lack of funding and resources. Schools cant cope; these decisions to expel children are not taken lightly. But schools must be supported to cope.

Why? Because a punitive approach  harsh sanctions, suspensions, and expulsions  kicks problems down the road, and may have devastating results for the child, but also for society.

Assistant Professor of Criminology at Maynooth University, Dr Joe Garrihy has carried out extensive research in prisons in relation to education. Hes been in the news in the last couple of weeks discussing the obstacles people with convictions face in re-integrating. He also has very interesting views on the role of education in criminality.

The research is clear that the higher your education attainment, the less likely you are to be in criminality. The demographic of people in prisons is really startling in terms of education  less than half of them have completed the Junior Cycle. In a famous study of people in prison in Mountjoy about 27 years ago, over one in four were found to have difficulties reading and writing.

There is a direct link between being expelled from school, or not finding your place in education and criminality.

"You can imagine the impact being expelled has on self-worth. Other issues like addiction and mental health compound the problem.

Neurodivergence also plays a part. The Guardian shared research in 2022 that one in four prisoners in Britain are believed to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),  five to 10 times higher than its prevalence of 2% to 4% in the general population".

The report also identified that those with it (ADHD) are up to eight times more likely to be involved in incidents involving aggression as a result of their condition".

How many may have fallen through the cracks at school?

Restorative practice

Once a person is in prison, Dr Joe Garrihy believes in the potential of restorative practice (RP) to secure better outcomes.

The official capacity of the Irish prison system is 4,514. As of the start of February, there are a record 4,768 people in custody across the prison service with some inmates having to sleep on the floor. Numbers are going up, not down.

The 2019-2022 Irish Prison Service (IPS) Strategy committed the service to "exploring and examining mechanisms for incorporating restorative justice principles throughout the Irish Prison Service".

Prison officers are being trained in how to place relationships at the centre of their work. The rules are still there, but the focus is on the individual, and each persons individual context. RP is a methodology I have also seen transform school communities and it needs to be employed in all schools long before expulsion or indeed prison comes into the equation.

But just as trauma-informed educators are framed as being too soft, an RP approach in prisons can prove difficult, according to Dr Garrihy.

Some do incredible work in incredibly challenging situations. To put it plainly, officers who would be progressive wouldnt be the most popular officers; they often have to navigate the fatalism that envelops attitudes in prison work.

He understands where these prison officers are coming from.

Staff cultures develop for a reason. The job is difficult, intense, or boring. It is not lost on these officers that prisons are not working. They are stuck in this system where they are warehousing people.

Dr Ian Marder, who also works as Assistant Professor in Criminology at Maynooth University, argues that restorative practices can be used in prisons as much as in schools. Its about supporting professionals to build positive relationships with people for whose welfare they are responsible and treat people with dignity. Research shows the importance of relationships in prisons, including between staff and managers, among staff, and between staff and people in custody. If people treat each other badly in that context, you risk life-changing conflict and harm being done.

As is the case in Irish schools, and indeed in Irish society, there are cultural hurdles.

There are lots of interesting bits of work happening, continues Dr Marder. But theyre up against the fact that prison systems are harmful by design and dehumanise everyone involved. Restorative practice is a piece of a puzzle that requires a much greater investment in community justice and prevention, and much fewer people confined.

On the margins of mainstream education, we are beginning to see the bigger picture. In 2023, the Department and the Higher Education Authority awarded 833,000 for a partnership between Tiglin and the South East Technological University, supporting people with addiction to get qualifications.

'We need to get tough on misbehaviour and crime by getting a whole lot softer.'

Because prison, if someone ends up there, fails to reduce crime.

According to the Central Statistics Office, 78% of people involved in burglary and theft, released in 2017, reoffended within three years. In the context of young people, in the overall Under 21 category of people in prison, with no specifics in relation to the nature of the crime, 84% re-offended within three years.

So what does work?

A more humane approach, as far away from Russian penal colonies as possible.

Dr Joe Garrihy refers to Nordic countries and explains The principal element of what makes them worth looking at is normality  is sending prisoners to jail the punishment or do we send them there for punishment? In Nordic prisons, removing people from public life and connections to family and friends is the punishment. In principle, everything in prison is as normal as possible to help them re-integrate once they come out. They should have access to services and courses and communal living. But as we all know, many Nordic countries are shifting, so it is more nuanced than saying they have it right.

It is not lost on me, he adds, that almost half of our prisons are Victorian buildings. The conditions can be terrible.

He is keen to add: One thing to remember is that sometimes when you talk about potential, its not for do-gooder reasons; it is not purely altruistic  its about how we want our society to function. The idea that prison is going to reduce future crime is not supported by the evidence. It is a failure of policy. This is not about diminishing personal responsibility but if we want our society to be safer, we must dig deeper into the reasons and causes of criminality.

I suggest that the same is true of our schools. Bad behaviour is often communication. What is a person telling us? We must listen  unless we want to hear the same thing repeated, again and again.

We need to get tough on misbehaviour and crime by getting a whole lot softer  for our sake as much as for the individuals involved.
International efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appear to have gained new momentum as the White House said a visit by a senior envoy with Israeli leaders was going well and other mediators reported encouraging signs from the warring parties.

The new signs of progress came ahead of a summit this weekend in Paris, where mediators are expected to offer a new proposal.

The US, Egypt and Qatar have been struggling for weeks to find a formula that could halt Israels devastating offensive in Gaza, but now face an unofficial deadline as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

White House Middle East envoy Brett McGurk held talks throughout the day with Israeli leaders and families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

At least 70 people have died in overnight strikes in Gaza, officials said (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Spokesman John Kirby said the talks were constructive.

The initial indications were getting from Brett are these discussions are going well, Mr Kirby said.

A western diplomat involved in the efforts said both sides want a pause.

What we have heard from our partners is that they are willing to give concessions, she said. Time is pressing them.

In new fighting, Israeli strikes killed more than 70 people in southern and central Gaza, Palestinian health officials said on Thursday.

Tensions were also rising in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on morning traffic at a road checkpoint, killing one man and wounding five others, Israeli police said.

An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from southern Israel towards the Gaza Strip, in a position near the Israel-Gaza border (Leo Correa/AP)

Israel declared war after Hamas militants stormed across the border on October 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage.

The Israeli offensive has left more than 29,000 Palestinians dead, caused widespread destruction, displaced an estimated 80% of Gazas population and fuelled a humanitarian disaster.

Roughly half of the hostages were released during a week-long ceasefire in November. About 100 hostages remain in captivity, in addition to the bodies of 30 others who were killed on October 7 or died in captivity.

Israel is demanding the release of the remaining hostages as part of any pause but has vowed to press ahead with the offensive until Hamass military and governing capabilities are destroyed. Hamas wants an end to the war, a full withdrawal of troops and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners Israel is holding.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the Hamas demands as delusional. But in recent days, Israeli leaders have begun to voice cautious optimism and Hamas has signalled it is softening its demands.

Defence minister Yoav Gallant, a member of Israels three-man War Cabinet, indicated some flexibility. We will expand the authority given to our hostage negotiators, he said.

At the same time, he warned that the Israeli army is preparing the continuation of intense ground operations.

A mosque was among the buildings hit in air strikes in Rafah (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Benny Gantz, who sits on the War Cabinet with Mr Gallant and Mr Netanyahu, has said that if there is no hostage deal, Israel will launch a ground offensive into Gazas southernmost town, Rafah, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins around March 10.

A top Hamas official, meanwhile, voiced hope for lots of breakthroughs in the near future.

More than half of Gazas population of 2.3 million is crowded into Rafah after fleeing fighting and bombardment elsewhere in the territory. Israel has said it will evacuate them before attacking, but it is not clear where they would go, with much of the rest of the tiny Mediterranean enclave consumed in combat.

The US has urged Israel not to invade Rafah  believed to be Hamass last major stronghold  without a plan to protect civilians. Mr Kirby said that Mr McGurk was pressing the Israelis for details on their thinking about the operation.

The heads of 13 UN agencies and five other aid groups issued a joint plea for a ceasefire late Wednesday, warning that an attack on Rafah will bring mass casualties and could deal a death blow to the humanitarian operation bringing aid to Palestinians.

Earlier this week, the World Food Programme had to halt food deliveries to northern Gaza because of increasing chaos.

If outbreaks of infectious disease, already growing, become severe, they could ultimately cause more deaths than the offensive, a senior official with the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

The health system in #Gaza continues to be systematically degraded.



Hospitals have turned into battlefields.



Diseases are rampant. Famine is looming. Water is at a trickle.



I join @iascch principals in calling for an immediate ceasefire. https://t.co/7wlPYp7UaV  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 22, 2024

Infectious disease is a major concern for us in Gaza, Richard Brennan, the WHOs regional emergency director, said at a briefing in Cairo.

The foreign ministers of 26 European countries on Thursday called for a pause in fighting leading to a longer ceasefire.

Both the western diplomat and an Egyptian official said they have seen encouraging signs from Israel and Hamas.

The Egyptian official said Egypt, Qatar and the US would craft a renewed proposal at the talks in Paris, expected on Friday or Saturday.

He said mediators managed to water down the demands of both sides, including the number of Palestinian prisoners Israel would release in return for women and elderly hostages during a preliminary six-week ceasefire. He said the discussions are encouraging.

He said another sticking point is whether displaced Palestinians could return to their homes in northern Gaza. He said Israel, which is still battling in areas of the north, was showing flexibility.

He also said both sides agreed to continue indirect negotiations for a permanent ceasefire  something Israeli officials in public have ruled out.
Shamima Begum is set to discover whether she has won a Court of Appeal challenge over the removal of her British citizenship.

Ms Begum travelled to Syria in 2015 aged 15 and her citizenship was revoked on national security grounds shortly after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019.

Last year, the now 24-year-old lost a challenge against the decision at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC).

Ms Begums lawyers brought a bid to overturn that decision at the Court of Appeal, with the Home Office opposing the challenge.

Three appeal judges are due to give their ruling on Ms Begums appeal on Friday.

At a hearing in October, Samantha Knights KC told the court the Government had failed to consider the legal duties owed to Ms Begum as a potential victim of trafficking or as a result of state failures in her case.

Shamima Begum, then 15, right, at Gatwick Airport on her way to Syria in February 2015 (Metropolitan Police/PA)

She said in written submissions: The appellants trafficking was a mandatory, relevant consideration in determining whether it was conducive to the public good and proportionate to deprive her of citizenship, but it was not considered by the Home Office.

As a consequence, the deprivation decision was unlawful.

However, Sir James Eadie KC, for the department, said decisions over whether someone is a victim of trafficking or whether they should be deprived of their citizenship have fundamentally different bases and roles.

He continued: The focus in the trafficking regime is on the protection of the individual and theres really no countervailing public interest at that point.

But here the regime is different, the regime in operation is the deprivation regime and the rationale is entirely different, it is the protection of the public at large.

The barrister later said the key feature of Ms Begums case was national security.

During the appeal bid, Ms Begums lawyers said the UK had failed to have a full and effective investigation into how she was allegedly trafficked (PA)

Sir James continued in written submissions: The fact that someone is radicalised, and may have been manipulated, is not inconsistent with the assessment that they pose a national security risk.

Ms Begum contends that national security should not be a trump card. But the public should not be exposed to risks to national security because events and circumstances have conspired to give rise to that risk.

During the appeal bid, Ms Begums lawyers said the UK failed to have a full and effective investigation into how she was allegedly trafficked.

In its ruling last year, the SIAC concluded there were arguable breaches of duty by state bodies  including the Metropolitan Police, Tower Hamlets Council and Ms Begums school  in not preventing her from travelling to Syria.

Ms Knights told the Court of Appeal at the start of the three-day hearing these failures could have also been unlawful and contributed to Ms Begums trafficking.

However, Sir James said the SIAC was right to find there was no direct connection between any potential failures, by other public authorities, in 2015 and ministers decision to deprive Ms Begum of her citizenship.

The ruling from the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Bean and Lady Justice Whipple is due to be handed down at a short hearing at 10am on Friday.
A lunar lander built by a US spaceflight company has become the first privately owned spacecraft to land on the Moon.

Intuitive Machiness Nova-C Odysseus lander touched down on the Moons south pole region at 23.23pm UK time on Thursday.

The moment also marked the first US Moon landing since the final mission of the Apollo programme, Apollo 17, more than 50 years ago.

Your order was delivered to the Moon! @Int_Machines' uncrewed lunar lander landed at 6:23pm ET (2323 UTC), bringing NASA science to the Moon's surface. These instruments will prepare us for future human exploration of the Moon under #Artemis. pic.twitter.com/sS0poiWxrU  NASA (@NASA) February 22, 2024

The news was confirmed by Intuitive Machines chief executive Steve Altemus, who said: I know this was a nail biter but we are on the on the surface and we are transmitting.

Welcome to the Moon.

Shortly after landing, Intuitive Machines said on X, formerly known as Twitter, flight controllers have confirmed Odysseus is upright and starting to send data, after troubleshooting communications due to the weak signal from the Moon.

Right now, we are working to downlink the first images from the lunar surface, Intuitive Machines added.

The spacecraft blasted off last week from Cape Canaveral in Florida on top of a Falcon 9 rocket made by Elon Musks company SpaceX.

After troubleshooting communications, flight controllers have confirmed Odysseus is upright and starting to send data.

Right now, we are working to downlink the first images from the lunar surface.  Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) February 23, 2024

It embarked on a week-long journey, travelling more than 620,000 miles.

Nasa administrator Bill Nelson described the mission as a triumph and a giant leap forward for all of humanity.

He said: Today, for the first time in more than a half-century, the US has returned to the Moon.

Today, for the first time in the history of humanity, a commercial company  an American company  launched and led the voyage up there.

And today is a day that shows the power and promise on Nasas commercial partnerships.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this great and daring quest at Intuitive Machines, SpaceX, and right here at Nasa.

What a triumph  Odysseus has taken the Moon.

(PA Graphics)

This feat is a giant leap forward for all of humanity. Stay tuned.

But it wasnt all plain sailing.

Intuitive Machines said the original laser instrument it planned to rely on for guidance during descent stopped working an hour before landing.

It meant the spacecraft had to do an extra orbit so engineers could activate a back-up instrument provided by Nasa.

Odysseus touched down on the Moon on Thursday (Intuitive Machines/PA)

The team is now working to gather more information on the lander to confirm its status and whether it can achieve its 93m mission.

Odysseus is a hexagonal cylinder about 13ft (4m) tall and 5ft (1.57m) wide  about the size of a British phone box  and weighs 1,488lb (675kg).

It is part of Nasas Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, which aims to involve commercial companies in the exploration of the Moon.

The spacecraft landed on Malapert A, a crater 186 miles from the Moons south pole.

Flight controllers at Intuitive Machines in Houston reacting after its private spacecraft touched down on the Moon (Intuitive Machines/AP)

The pole is thought to contain water ice, which would be a valuable resource for future human exploration.

Odysseus is expected to operate for roughly a week before the lunar night sets on the south pole.

On board are 12 payloads, including a Nasa instrument known as Scalpss (Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies), a four-camera system which aims to capture Odysseuss descent to the lunar surface.

The lander is carrying a set of 125 tiny sculptures called Moon Phases, created by US artist Jeff Koons.

Weve landed! Congratulations to Intuitive Machines & SpaceX for their astounding achievement of realizing this historic private mission to the Moon! I'm so honored to have my Moon Phases artworks be part of the Odysseus mission! @Int_Machines @SpaceX @NASA #jeffkoons #moonphase pic.twitter.com/yQq80zgdck  Jeff Koons (@JeffKoons) February 23, 2024

It is insulated with a lightweight fabric, a shimmery gold material that normally lines the inside of ski jackets, made by US company Columbia Sportswear.

It comes six weeks after another US spacecraft, Peregrine, failed to touch down after a fuel leak.

Until now, controlled Moon landings have only been performed by government agencies, including the US, Soviet Union, China, India and Japan.

A second Intuitive Machines mission is slated to lift off next month, with the aim to drill for resources at the Moons south pole.
Lee Ho-yang, a prominent K-pop composer and producer better known by his professional name of Shinsadong Tiger, has been found dead, South Korean police said.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police said Lee, 40, was discovered dead at his Seoul studio.

Police gave no further details and there was no word on the cause of death.

Local media reported that one of Lees acquaintances found him collapsed on the floor at the studio and called local emergency services.

Lee created a slew of hit K-pop songs such as T-ARAs Roly Poly, Apinks NoNoNo, EXIDs Up&Down and Momolands Bboom Bboom.

In 2011, he also established AB Entertainment, which later debuted the girl group EXID.

In 2017, however, he suffered financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy protection and debt relief measures with a local court, according to Yonhap news agency.

Lees death marks the second of a popular South Korean celebrity in recent months.

In December, Lee Sun-kyun, an actor best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, was found dead in a car in Seoul, after undergoing weeks of an intense police investigation into his alleged drug use.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting in Lviv on Friday with a delegation of U.S. senators led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

"At the meeting with the delegation of the U.S. Senate, first of all, I thanked for the positive vote on the package of support for our state, our soldiers," the president said in his evening video address.

According to Zelenskyy, "this package is not an ordinary package, it is of fundamental importance for our defense both in terms of its content and in terms of what signal the support or non-support of this package gives to the world."

The head of state informed the senators about the situation on the battlefield now, about the direct connection between what weapons Ukrainian soldiers have and what results Russia is achieving.

"Sufficiency of artillery and sufficient range are key things for our Defense Forces. And, of course, we are working very actively to deprive Russian aircraft of the opportunity to dominate the skies near the front this year, as well as on joint defense production projects. We discussed relevant priorities with the U.S. delegation," he said.
Friday, Feb 23rd, 2024 (10:21 am) - Score 4,720

Network operator nexfibre, which shares the same parentage as Virgin Media (VMO2), has this morning published a new quarterly (Q1 2024) progress update on their work to deploy a new 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP / XGS-PON) broadband ISP network across up to 7 million UK premises.

Just to recap. Telefonica, Liberty Global and InfraVia Capital Partners setup the new 4.5bn joint venture in 2022 (here), which aims to deploy an open access full fibre (FTTP) network to reach up to 7 million UK homes (starting with 5m by 2026) in areas NOT served by Virgin Medias own network of 16m+ premises. The funding reflects 3.3bn of fully underwritten financing and up to 1.4bn in equity commitments.

NOTE: Virgin Media is currently the only ISP on the network via an exclusive partnership ( Virgin Media is currently the only ISP on the network via an exclusive partnership ( here ), but they plan to add more ISPs via wholesale in the near future ( here ). Virgin Medias own network will shortly also open up to wholesale via NetCo ( here ).

The operator has already deployed their network to cover around 800,000 premises (Dec 2023), which doesnt yet include last years acquisition of Upp and its c.175,000 premises, and theyre in the process of investing another 1bn this year  this should help them to cover an additional 1 million UK premises (on top of their existing coverage).

The next rollout stage being announced today will see nexfibre deliver widespread coverage across parts of Lincolnshire, Durham, Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, as well as Kent and Buckinghamshire. Wales and Scotland are also particular areas of focus, with new areas announced in this release including Annan, Auchterarder, and Biggar.

The latest report sets out the existing footprint, current activity in-quarter and locations planned for 2024, as well as a map, outlining the continued expansion of their network.

Rajiv Datta, CEO of nexfibre, said: Our latest rollout update outlines the remarkable progress weve made; we are on track to build more than any other competitive fibre network this year (aside from the incumbent). Our aim is not just to transform access to full fibre broadband; but also to provide lasting national-scale competition in the full fibre market across the UK. We are here to be the sustainable catalyst that is required to drive progress and innovation, and in doing so stoke the growth the UK economy needs. Our focus from here is on ramping up our rollout and actively working with growth-focused ISPs  that prioritise quality, stability, and customer service  and onboarding them to our network. Weve made a good start, and remain focused on boosting our presence in the market in the coming months.

Sadly, nexfibre doesnt tend to provide a neat spreadsheet style table to highlight new additions to their build plan (at least not one we can easily paste), although they do provide something similar via their latest Q1 2024 Rollout Update (PDF). As usual, weve also copied their latest coverage map below.

Nexfibre UK FTTP Build Update for Q1 2024
1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Melanie Joly announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions on ten individuals and 153 entities associated with Russia, the press service of the Canadian Government has said.

"Today, we're sending a clear message to Russian officials and the organizations they run: We stand by the people of Ukraine as they are bravely defending their rights in the face of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's unjustifiable and aggressive actions. We will continue to use disruptive measures against the Russian government, targeting its ability to wage its illegal war until Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity are fully restored," she said.

These sanctions target individuals and entities who support the Russian military through finance, logistics and sanctions evasion. The individuals listed include an aide to President Putin as well as senior officials of private and state-owned companies registered in Russia and Cyprus.

"These individuals and the firms they lead represent nodes of direct and indirect support to the Russian government's war of aggression against Ukraine. Most of the sanctioned entities are part of the Russian military-industrial complex, providing research and development, production, repairs, and other goods and services to Russia's Ministry of Defense," the press service said.

Canada is also announcing a prohibition on the export to Russia of designated goods that could be used to make weapons and serve its war against Ukraine. The prohibition applies to explosives, including detonators, that are used in the mining and construction industry. The export ban also includes an additional 20 controlled items that are known to be used by Russia to produce and manufacture weapons.

Canada is increasing pressure on Putin and the Russian government by strengthening its sanctions regime. Canadas sanctions can now target anyone outside Canada, who is not Canadian, who violates Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. This includes those who help Russia and its proxies to avoid or get around sanctions.

"Canada continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms the Russian governments unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, which has needlessly jeopardized stability in the entire region and put countless lives at risk, and calls on President Putin to immediately withdraw his military and proxy forces from Ukrainian territory," the government said.
FILE - Senegal President Macky Sall poses before an interview with The Associated Press at the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal, Feb. 9 , 2024. Senegals President Macky Sall said Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, that he will end his term in April as expected, but he didn't give a new date for the presidential election originally scheduled for Sunday.
Ukraine proposes a "mutual understanding plan" of five steps to unblock the border with Poland, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has said.

"We propose a Ukrainian plan for unblocking the border. The Plan of Mutual Understanding. Our plan consists of five steps. Step one. Ukraine agrees to the restrictions proposed by the European Commission on our agricultural exports. These are automatic protective measures presented as part of the European Commission's decision with a proposal to continue duty-free trade between the EU and Ukraine. We are talking, in particular, about restrictions on poultry meat, eggs, sugar," he said on the border with Poland on Friday.

The prime minister noted that Ukraine will export these goods to the EU without quotas and duties in volumes no greater than the average in 2022 and 2023, and if it starts to export more, restrictions will return.

Ukraine is also ready to continue the mechanism for verifying the export of grain, corn, sunflower and rapeseed, that is, without the permission of Poland, these four groups of goods will not enter the Polish market.

The second step, according to the prime minister, is that Ukraine will send an appeal to the European Commission with a proposal to conduct urgent screening of clusters 4 and 5, which include agricultural policy and transport.

"This is necessary in order to once and for all remove manipulations on the quality of our agricultural products, as well as regarding whether the support for our farmers meets the standards of the World Trade Organization. We say: let's do this quickly. Let's start on March 4," he said.

At the same time, according to Shmyhal, Ukraine's principled position is the complete liberalization of trade with the EU.

"Step three. We propose that the Polish government accept a joint appeal to the European Commission calling on it to stop Russian agricultural exports to the EU," the prime minister said.

Ukraine also intends to appeal to the European Commission with a proposal to consider additional restrictions and enhanced monitoring of agricultural imports from third countries to the EU, as well as to launch joint controls at the border between Ukraine and the EU.

"Step four. We propose to create a Tripartite Headquarters: Ukraine, Poland, the European Commission, co-chaired by the agriculture ministers of Ukraine, Poland and a representative of the European Commission. We will join the work of this headquarters with Ukrainian and Polish agricultural associations. We must work around the clock to quickly resolve all misunderstandings," Shmyhal said.

According to the prime minister, since the blockade of the border on the side of Poland has already gone beyond the blockade of grain, the approach to the free passage of ammunition and humanitarian aid across the border should be extended to fuel which is critically needed by Ukraine. This is the fifth step.
PM: Issue of unblocking border with Poland must be resolved before March 28, otherwise Ukraine reserves right to apply mirror measures

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal says the issue of unblocking the border with Poland must be resolved earlier than March 28, otherwise Ukraine reserves the right to apply mirror measures at checkpoints.

"Today there are more than 9,000 trucks on the border on both sides, and this issue must be resolved urgently. The tripartite headquarters [Ukraine, Poland, the European Commission] have to work around the clock, and the issue of blocking the border must be resolved much earlier than March 28  the date when a joint meeting of the governments of Ukraine and Poland was supposed to take place. Otherwise, Ukraine reserves the right to apply mirror measures at checkpoints," Shmyhal said on the border with Poland on Friday.

The Prime Minister said the five-step approach proposed by the Ukrainian side is fair and beneficial for Poland.

"Ukraine is making certain compromises that are painful for us. But we want to be partners for the EU and all our Western neighbors," he said.
19:34 23.02.2024

HEAD OF MANAGEMENT OF DEFENSE MINISTRY, FAILING TO DECLARE ASSETS FOR UAH 14 MLN, REPORTED OF SUSPECTION  SBU
Kyoto (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  Viewers of Tucker Carlsons recent interview with Vladimir Putin may have been surprised by Putins lengthy reference to the historical founding of Russia. What does that have to do with Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine one might ask.

Yet, as any student of history, let alone a diplomat, will testify, conflicts between nations cannot be understood, let alone resolved, without an understanding of their historical roots. Could this also be true of the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinians?

The roots of this conflict are often explained with reference to establishment of Israel in 1948, including as it did, the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland as well as the killing of thousands more. Although the Zionists who founded Israel were for the most part Labor socialists and often secular-minded, the civil war in which the British Mandate of Palestine collapsed brought out a nationalistic tribalism among the newly minted Israelis. That tribalism among the Zionists was further reinforced by the Nazi mass genocide of Jews in Europe during WW II, i.e., the Holocaust. Ironically, the Jewish tribalism of the Zionist paramilitaries in late British Palestine also impelled Palestinian and Arab tribalism. Despite the ethical universalism of the Quran and Islamic values, extremist Muslim groups have in recent decades become seduced by modern notions of ethnic nationalism, veering into a tribalism of their own, in the face of colonialism and neocolonialism.

A struggle within Judaism between universalism and tribalism can be traced much, much further back, however. This is the time of the author(s) of Second Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament. Among other things, Second Isaiah teaches the universal existence of God, i.e., not just the God of the Jews but of the whole world. It further contains numerous exhortations to ethical behavior and social justice. Ethical behavior includes such things as caring for the poor and oppressed, pursuing justice, and treating others with compassion.

This means that the author(s) of Second Isaiah were one of a small group of religious reformers of the Axial Age, a period given its name by the German philosopher Karl Jaspers. Jaspers identified the Axial Age as a worldwide transformation of religious consciousness that lasted from roughly between 800-200 BCE centered in the Mediterranean, India, and China. Overall, its key features included a new emphasis on ethical living, individual introspection, and universal principles.



The Axial Age, Digital: Dream/ Mystical, Juan Cole prompts, 2024

By comparison, the multiple religions of the worlds peoples prior to the Axial Age, including Judaism, were tribal in nature, i.e., focused on what was good for the tribe as a whole rather than the individual tribal member, much less on what was good for those outside of the tribe. While tribes typically spoke of themselves as the people those outside of the tribe were regarded with disdain if not fear, as a potential enemy that, when necessary, had to be destroyed in order to ensure the survival of the tribe.

It is attractive, but mistaken, to assume that in the aftermath of the Axial Age after 200 BCE, the old tribal-centric religions, typically described as animistic in character, simply atrophied and disappeared. However, as many subsequent wars have demonstrated, that is not the case. When a tribe, now called a nation, comes under threat, whether real or perceived, the populace of that nation reverts to a tribal mentality if not a tribal morality, i.e., only we are human, the other is not. The universal deity is returned, albeit unconsciously, to his/her status as a tribal deity concerned exclusively with the welfare of the tribe. Once tribalized, the deity goes on to bless and protect the tribe, and only the tribe, assuring them of victory. As for the treatment of the tribes enemy, anything goes .

In the case of the current conflict in Israel/Palestine this age-old paradigm is all too clear. Thus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not hesitate to invoke the Biblical image of the Jewish tribal battle against the Amalekites. He claimed Israelis were united in their fight against Hamas, whom he described as an enemy of incomparable cruelty. They [Israeli Jews] are committed to completely eliminating this evil from the world, Netanyahu said in Hebrew and then added: You must remember what Amalek has done to you, says our Holy Bible. And we do remember.

Netanyahus reference was to the first Book of Samuel in which God commands King Saul to kill every person in Amalek, a rival tribe to the ancient Israelites. This is what the Lord Almighty says, the prophet Samuel tells Saul. I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys. (1 Samuel 15:3)

Likewise, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed that We are fighting human animals and we act accordingly. While Gallant may have initially been referring to Hamas fighters, he went on to call for the collective punishment of all Palestinians in Gaza, stating, We are imposing a complete siege on Gaza. There will be no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel. Everything will be closed.

The tribal nature of Netanyahu and Gallants comments could not be clearer, just as their dismissal of the shared humanity of Israelis and Palestinians alike. It should be underlined that they are members of the secular Likud Party, so that despite their appeal to the Hebrew Bible, they are not exemplifying Judaic values. Stripped of any religious conscience, their naked tribalism became astonishingly cruel.

Yet, at the same time there are Jews, including in Israel, who recognize their shared humanity with Palestinians. Admittedly in Israel itself, groups like We Stand Together are numerically few in number. However, among Jews outside of Israel, groups like Jewish Voices for Peace and Not in Our Name number in the many thousands. These groups are supported by leading Jewish intellectuals like Yeshayahu Leibowitz, Noam Chomsky, Avi Shlaim, Miko Piled and Ilan Pappe. While it is common to describe these groups and individuals as left-wing or progressive, their stances are not so much political as they are a continued recognition of the universal Judaic values of caring for the poor and oppressed, pursuing justice, and treating others with compassionate based on their shared humanity.

At this point readers may be thinking, if this analysis is correct, it certainly doesnt apply to adherents of Judaism only. Dont all of todays major religions teach recognition of our shared humanity, the need to be compassionate to others, i.e., some version of do unto others as you would have them do to you? In response, I would certainly agree they do. We are fortunate indeed that all of todays major religions share these basic values at least doctrinally. But what of the historical practice of these religions?



William Blake, The prophet Isaiah, from Isaiah, liii, 7-12; seated figure with right arm raised. c.1821 British Museum, Museum number 1940,1012.1

While limitations of space dont allow me to go into detail, let me give but one example that has particular relevance to the current situation in Israel/Palestine. I refer to the role played by Manifest Destiny in American history. First coined in 1845, this term represented a collective mindset that viewed the expansion of the US as both necessary and ordained by God. As the US gained more territory, proponents of Manifest Destiny used it to justify the forced removal, enslavement, and even elimination of Native American tribes, as well as the expansion of slavery into newly acquired territories.

I suggest the tribal mindset of Christians of European heritage that was manifested in Manifest Destiny is similar to the far-right Zionist commitment to the forced removal and/or elimination of the Palestinian people as part of the current, extremist Israeli governments drive to create Greater Israel, which it sees as comprising all the lands promised to the Jewish people by God in the Bible.

Compare these actions with the words that both Christians and Jews claim to believe in as contained in the book of Leviticus 19:33-34: When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

What is one to make of the vast difference between the practice of many Christians and Jews in comparison with the teachings they both claim to believe in? Should their practice be regarded as simple hypocrisy, i.e., do as I say, not as I do? And were there space, I could give similar historical examples from all the major religions of the world. Hypocrites all?

I suggest not. Instead, I point to what is as yet an unresolved split in all religions, i.e., between their tribal heritage, based on tens of thousands of years of past history, versus their Axial-period awakening of less than three thousand years ago. This awakening was of profound importance in that it led to a recognition of the universal nature of their teachings based on their shared humanity. This in turn led to a feeling of mutual compassion in which others are recognized as extensions of themselves, extensions who have the same human needs and fears as they themselves.

Although the present conflict in Israel/Palestine may yet claim untold thousands of lives, at some point it will end, at least this time around. It is safe to say, however, that the battle for the soul of Judaism will continue on. The battle, that is, between those the sort of Judaism that sees itself in other peoples versus the kind that retains a tribal mentality in which its own well-being is the predominate if not exclusive concern. Inevitably this dichotomy will lead to further hostilities in the future and yet more bloodshed, possibly even among Jews themselves.

At the same time, we already see the emergence of groups like the Jewish Voices for Peace and Stand Together that show the universal values of the Axial age being increasing embraced, especially by young Jews living outside of Israel and even some inside of the country. Which side will prevail remains to be seen.

Yet, it is critically important for non-Jews not to assume this is a conflict that only involves the Jewish people. As recorded history all too graphically reveals, the struggle between a narrow tribal mentality versus a universal mentality truly accepting of the other, is one that transcends all ethnic, racial, national, and even religious, boundaries. In the US, the slogan America First! is currently embraced by millions, demonstrating that the tribal mentality remains firmly in place. Likewise, we have seen the recrudescence of a narrow Hindu tribalism in India, which betrays the Axial Age ethical universalism of Buddhism and the Upanishads.

As brutal and destructive as religion-endorsed tribal warfare was in the past, humanity as a whole was endangered. Today, however, things have changed, not simply because of the very real possibility of nuclear-induced mutual assured destruction but because of the ever-increasing dangers resulting from phenomena like global warming. None of the problems increasingly facing humankind as a whole can be solved by one or even a group of nations. They require concerted the efforts, including necessary sacrifices, of all nations and peoples of the world.

Thus, the question of the battle for the soul of Judaism is, in fact, the same battle that adherents of all the worlds religions face and even of those who identify with no faith. Adherents of Islam face the same dilemma. That is to say, can we homo sapiens collectively awake to, and transcend, the historical practices associated with our tribalized pasts or are we bound to continue to fool ourselves into believing that we are pursuing universal truths even as we betray such truths in practice. Thus, the battle for the soul of Judaism is in reality the common struggle of all who believe in human equality and dignity, now encompassing even the very survival of the human species.
By Carolina Are, Northumbria University, Newcastle | 

Imagine you share an Instagram post about an upcoming protest, but none of your hundreds of followers like it. Are none of your friends interested in it? Or have you been shadow banned?

Social media can be useful for political activists hoping to share information, calls to action and messages of solidarity. But throughout Israels war on Gaza, social media users have suspected they are being censored through shadow banning for sharing content about Palestine.

Shadow banning describes loss of visibility, low engagement and poor account growth on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). Users who believe they are shadow banned suspect platforms may be demoting or not recommending their content and profiles to the main discovery feeds. People are not notified of shadow banning: all they see is the poor engagement they are getting.

Human Rights Watch, an international human rights advocacy non-governmental organisation, has recently documented what it calls systemic censorship of Palestine content on Facebook and Instagram. After several accusations of shadow banning, Meta (Facebook and Instagrams parent company) argued the issue was due to a bug and had nothing to do with the subject matter of the content.

I have been observing shadow bans both as a researcher and social media user since 2019. In addition to my work as an academic, I am a pole dancer and pole dance instructor. Instagram directly apologised to me and other pole dancers in 2019, saying they blocked a number of the hashtags we use in error. Based on my own experience, I conducted and published one of the very first academic studies on this practice.

Why platforms shadow ban

Content moderation is usually automated  carried out by algorithms and artificial intelligence. These systems may also, inadvertently or by design, pick up borderline controversial content when moderating at scale.



Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash

Most platforms are based in the US and govern even global content according to US law and values. Shadow banning is a case in point, typically targeting sex work, nudity and sexual expression prohibited by platforms community guidelines.

Moderation of nudity and sexuality has become more stringent since 2018, after the introduction of two US laws, the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (Fosta) and Stop Enabling Sex Trafficking Act (Sesta), that aimed to crack down on online sex trafficking.

The laws followed campaigns by anti-pornography coalitions and made online platforms legally liable for enabling sex trafficking (a crime) and sex work (a job). Fearing legal action, platforms began over-censoring any content featuring nudity and sexuality around the world, including of legal sex work, to avoid breaching Fosta-Sesta.

Although censorship of nudity and sex work is heralded as a means to protect children and victims of non-consensual image sharing, it can have serious consequences for the livelihoods and wellbeing of sex workers and adult content creators, as well as for freedom of expression.

Platforms responses to these laws should have been a warning about what was to come for political speech.

Social media users reported conversations and information about Black Lives Matter protests were shadowbanned in 2020. Now journalistic, activist and fact-checking content about Palestine also appears to be affected by this censorship technique.

Platforms are unlikely to admit to a shadow ban or bias in their content moderation. But their stringent moderation of terrorism and violent content may be leading to posts about Palestine that is neither incitement to violence nor terror-related getting caught in censorships net.

How I proved I was shadow banned

For most social media users, shadow banning is difficult to prove. But as a researcher and a former social media manager, I was able to show it was happening to me.

As my passion for pole dancing (and posts about it) grew, I kept a record of my reach and follower numbers over several years. While my skills were improving and my follower count was growing, I noticed my posts were receiving fewer views. This decline came shortly after Fosta-Sesta was approved.

It wasnt just me. Other pole dancers noticed that content from our favourite dancers was no longer appearing in our Instagram discovery feeds. Shadowbanning appeared to also apply to swathes of pole-dancing-related hashtags.

I was also able to show that when content surrounding one hashtag is censored, algorithms restrict similar content and words. This is one reason why some creators use algospeak editing content to trick the algorithm into not picking up words it would normally censor, as seen in anti-vaccine content throughout the pandemic.

Check if you are being shadow banned

TikTok and Twitter do not notify users that their account is shadow banned, but, as of 2022, Instagram does. By checking your account status in the apps settings, you can see if your content has been marked as non-recommendable due to potential violations of Instagrams content rules. This is also noticeable if other users have to type your full profile name for you to appear in search. In short, you are harder to find. In August 2023, X owner Elon Musk said that the company was working on a way for users to see if they had been affected by shadow bans, but no such function has been introduced. (The Conversation has contacted X for comment.)

The ability to see and appeal a shadow ban are positive changes, but mainly a cosmetic tweak to a freedom of expression problem that mostly targets marginalised groups. While Instagram may now be disclosing their decisions, the effect is the same: users posting about nudity, LGBTQ+ expression, protests and Palestine are often the ones to claim they are shadow banned.

Social media platforms are not just for fun, theyre a source of work and political organising, and a way to spread important information to a large audience. When these companies censor content, it can affect the mental health and the livelihoods of people who use it.

These latest instances of shadow banning show that platforms can pick a side in active crises, and may affect public opinion by hiding or showing certain content. This power over what is visible and what is not should concern us all.

Carolina Are, Innovation Fellow, Northumbria University, Newcastle

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Current drilling leads to updated interpretation of early porphyry units highlighting potential for significant expansion of high-grade system.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 22, 2024) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) ("ATEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce complete assay results for drill holes ATXD16A and ATXD17A, the second and third holes from its Phase IV drill campaign at the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project ("Valeriano" or the "Project") located in Atacama Region, Chile

Highlights include:

ATXD16A extends the high-grade porphyry ~100 meters to the southeast, with 852m grading 0.82% CuEq (0.60% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au, 0.98 g/t Ag and 72 g/t Mo), including: 594m grading 0.92% CuEq (0.67% Cu, 0.32 g/t Au, 1.13 g/t Ag and 71 g/t Mo) within Early Porphyry ("EP") from 1,168m downhole. and 112m of 1.42% CuEq (1.01% Cu, 0.57 g/t Au, 2.06 g/t Ag and 46 g/t Mo) from 1,616m downhole.

Merging the results from ATXD16A (daughter hole) with the upper part of VAL16 (historical hole) forms a longer continuous interval of 1,226 metres grading 0.72% CuEq (0.52% Cu, 0.25 g/t Au, 0.91 g/t Ag and 68 g/t Mo ) starting at 576 metres downhole in VAL16 (Table 1).

ATXD17A intersected 924 metres grading 0.61% CuEq (0.45% Cu, 0.17 g/t Au, 0.88 g/t Ag and 99 g/t Mo) from 1,052 metres downhole including 98 m of 0.79% CuEq (0.56% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au 0.90 g/t Ag and 103 g/t Mo) related to EP mineralization.

Integrating the assay results and logging data from the first three holes of Phase IV with geophysical data sets has led to the evolution of the EP model, indicating the potential for a larger EP target within a NNW trending corridor (Figure 2).

Additionally, ATXD25 (currently drilling from the west (Figures 1&2)) has intersected EP at 1,550 metres downhole and approximately 200 metres west of the EP intersected in ATXD11B (1,342.5m of 0.70% CuEq (0.46% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 43 g/t Mo) See Company news dated March 30, 2023), within the Western Trend. This adds further support to the evolving concept of the NNW trending EP corridor.

ATEX currently has three rigs actively drilling on the project with holes ATXD26 and ATXD17B are currently underway with the aim of testing for continuity of mineralized porphyry between the currently modelled EP trends (Figure 2).

"These results are among the most exciting delivered to date by the Valeriano Project," stated Raymond Jannas, President and CEO of ATEX. "We have delivered one of the highest grade and longest intervals on the project in ATXD16A, which combined with the other holes from Phase IV, specifically ATXD25, has highlighted the potential for a NNW trending EP corridor that likely hosts a larger EP target than originally anticipated. This NNW conceptual trend remains open along strike and we are actively drilling to infill gaps and expand the high-grade EP system."

Table 1 - Summary results for ATXD16A and ATXD17A

Hole ID From To Interval Cu Au Ag Mo CuEq% (1) % g/t g/t g/t ATXD16A* 950 1,802 852 0.60 0.28 0.98 72 0.82 Incl. 1,168 1,762 594 0.67 0.32 1.13 71 0.92 Incl. 1,616 1,728 112 1.01 0.57 2.06 46 1.42 VAL16/ATXD16A** 576 1802 1,226 0.52 0.25 0.91 68 0.72 ATXD17A*** 1,052 1,976 924 0.45 0.17 0.88 99 0.61 Incl. 1,062 1,555 493 0.50 0.21 0.82 113 0.69 Incl. 1,216 1,314 98 0.56 0.28 0.90 103 0.79

*Includes an interval of 10.8m from 996.2m to 1,006.9m where no core was recovered due to use of directional drilling tool.

**Includes intervals of 23.5m from 862.3m to 885.7m and 18.7m from 915.3m to 934m where no core was recovered due to use of directional drilling tool.

***Includes intervals of 16.85m from 1,554.8 to 1,571.65m and 13.85m from 1,580.95 to 1,594.8m where no core was recovered due to use of directional drilling tool.



(1) CuEq calculated using recoveries assumed in 2023 MRS (90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo) (See Company news Sept, 12 2023) using the formula stated below

Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = Cu % + (6,481.488523 * Au g/t /10,000) +(94.6503085864* Ag g/t /10,000) + (4.2328042328 * Mo g/t /10,000)

Results and Interpretation (Figure 2)

The results released today combined with existing and historical results indicate the potential for a larger EP target within a NNW trending corridor. All EP and high-grade mineralization intersected by drilling to date, falls within a corridor (Figure 2) with rough dimensions measuring 1.2 kilometres by 0.55 kilometres.

In addition, ATXD16A intersected EP in the gap between the Central and Eastern Trends confirming that the two might be connected. The highest-grade interval intersected in hole ATXD17A was 0.79% CuEq (0.56% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au 0.90 g/t Ag and 103 g/t Mo) over 98 metres (Table 1) and occurred directly above the projected EP contact and within the gap between the Central and Western Trends. Additionally, this intersection occurs within the southern contact of conceptual NNW EP corridor. This adds further support to potential for EP below this intersection. Lastly the intersection of EP within potassic alteration in ATXD25, 200 metres to the west of the EP intersected in ATXD11B (1,342.5m of 0.70%(2) CuEq (0.46% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 43 g/t Mo) , and along the projection of the NNW trending corridor is a significant development for the project, opening up a large EP target area to the west of previous drilling. This NNW corridor is currently open along strike in both directions.

The most continuous high-grade intervals intersected on the Valeriano project to date have all been within EP along what are believed to be discrete NE trending bodies. Drilling is currently underway to target the gaps between these porphyry trends. Confirming the continuity of the EP within the gaps would significantly increase the EP target size within the current mineralized footprint.

At the end of ATXD16A and ATXD17A, ATEX has completed approximately 6,500 metres of drilling in Phase IV.

Figure 1. Assay Results for ATXD16A and ATXD17A & Current Geology Model

Figure 2. Conceptual Updated Exploration Model

Table 2. Detailed Results for ATXD16A and ATXD17A

Hole ID From To Interval Cu

% Au

g/t Ag

g/t Mo

g/t CuEq % MRS(1) CuEq % In Situ(2) CuEq % Met(3) ATXD16A* 950 1,802 852 0.60 0.28 0.98 72 0.82 0.89 0.88 Incl. 1,168 1,762 594 0.67 0.32 1.13 71 0.92 1.00 0.99 Incl. 1,616 1,728 112 1.01 0.57 2.06 46 1.42 1.53 1.52 VAL16/ATXD16A** 576 1802 1,226 0.52 0.25 0.91 68 0.72 0.79 0.78 ATXD17A*** 1,052 1,976 924 0.45 0.17 0.88 99 0.61 0.66 0.65 Incl. 1,062 1,555 493 0.50 0.21 0.82 113 0.69 0.75 0.74 Incl. 1,216 1,314 98 0.56 0.28 0.90 103 0.79 0.87 0.85

*Includes an interval of 10.8m from 996.2m to 1,006.9m where no core was recovered due to use of directional drilling tool.

**Includes intervals of 23.5m from 862.3m to 885.7m and 18.7m from 915.3m to 934m where no core was recovered due to use of directional drilling tool.

***Includes intervals of 16.85m from 1,554.8 to 1,571.65m and 13.85m from 1,580.95 to 1,594.8m where no core was recovered due

to use of directional drilling tool.



(1) CuEq calculated using recoveries assumed in 2023 MRE (90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo) (See Company news Sept, 12 2023) using the formula stated below

Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = Cu % + (6,481.488523 * Au g/t /10,000) + (94.6503085864* Ag g/t /10,000) + (4.2328042328 * Mo g/t /10,000)

(2) CuEq reported in situ assuming 100% recovery for component metals assuming metal prices of US$1,800 /oz Au, US$3.15 /lb Cu, US$23 /oz Ag, and US$20.00 /lb Mo and using the formula stated below

Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = (((Cu % * 3.15 * 22.0462)) + (Au g/t * (1,800/31.1034768))+(Ag g/t * (23/31.1034768)) + ((Mo g/t / 10,000) * (20*22.0462))) / (3.15*22.0462)

(3) CuEq calculated using recoveries reported from metallurgical test work results reported in Company news Oct, 18 2023 (95% Cu, 94% Au, 89% Ag and 83% Mo) using the formula stated below

Copper Equivalent (CuEq) is calculated using the formula CuEq % = (((Cu % * 3.15 * 22.0462)) + ((0.94/0.95 * Au g/t) * (1,800/31.1034768))+((0.89/0.95 * Ag g/t) * (23/31.1034768)) + ((0.83/0.95 * Mo g/t / 10000) * (20*22.0462))) / (3.15*22.0462)

*CuEQ values reported in historical releases use metals reported in situ (100% basis). Recoveries for these metals as assumed in the NI 43-101 technical report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" by Joled Nur, CCCRRM-Chile, and David Hopper, CGeol, with an effective date of September 1, 2023, available at www.sedarplus.ca and www.atexresources.com are 90% Cu, 70% Au, 80% Ag and 60% Mo.

QAQC

Drill holes are collared with a PQ drill bit, reduced to HQ and, sequentially, to NQ as the drill holes progressed deeper. Drill core produced by the drill rigs was extracted from the core tubes by the drill contractor under the supervision of ATEX employees, marked for consistent orientation and placed in core boxes with appropriate depth markers added. Full core boxes were then sealed before being transported by ATEX personnel to the Valeriano field camp. Core at the field camp is processed, quick logged, checked for recovery, photographed, and marked for specific gravity, geotechnical studies and for assays. From camp, the core is transferred to a secure core-cutting facility in Vallenar, operated by IMG, a third-party consultant. Here, the core trays are weighed before being cut using a diamond saw under ATEX personnel oversight. ATEX geologists working at this facility double-check the selected two-metre sample intervals, placing the samples in seal bags and ensuring that the same side of the core is consistently sampled. Reference numbers are assigned to each sample and each sample is weighed. The core trays with the remaining half-core are weighed and photographed. Additionally, core logs are updated, and specific gravity and geotechnical samples are collected. The remaining core is stored in racks at the Company's secure facility in Vallenar.

From Vallenar samples are sent to an ALS preparation facility in La Serena. ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. The prepared samples were sent to the ALS assay laboratories in either Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru for gold (Au-AA24), copper (Cu-AA62), molybdenum (Mo-AA62) and silver (Ag-AA62) assays as well as and multi-element ICP (ME-MS61) analysis. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program.

Qualified Person

Mr. Ben Pullinger, P.Geo., registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario, is the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects, for the Valeriano Copper Gold Porphyry Project. Mr. Pullinger is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is Senior Vice President Exploration and Business Development of ATEX. He has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the scientific and technical information contained in this press release.

About ATEX

ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Filo Mining), Josemaria (Lundin Mining), Los Helados (NGEX Minerals/JX Nippon), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick Gold).

Valeriano hosts a large copper gold porphyry resource: 1.41 billion tonnes at 0.67% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.20 g/t Au, 0.96 g/t Ag and 63.80 g/t Mo), which includes a higher-grade core totaling 200 million tonnes at 0.84% CuEq (0.62% Cu, 0.29 g/t Au 1.25 g/t Ag and 55.7 g/t Mo), reported in September 20231.

For further information, please contact:

Raymond Jannas,

President and CEO

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ben Pullinger,

Senior Vice President of Exploration and Business Development

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1-647-287-3778

or visit ATEX's website at www.atexresources.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections, and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation 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 involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements include, among others: plans for the evaluation of exploration properties including the Valeriano Copper Gold Project; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities especially to the significant expansion of the high-grade corridor; mine development prospects; potential for future metals production; changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing and extent of exploration activities including the Phase IV drill program contemplated in this press release; timing of receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities and mineralization; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental and local approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; timing of assay results; as well as those factors disclosed in ATEX's publicly filed documents.

Although ATEX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

1 Please see NI 43-101 technical report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project, Atacama Region, Chile" by Joled Nur, CCCRRM-Chile, and David Hopper, CGeol, with an effective date of September 1, 2023, available at www.sedarplus.com and www.atexresources.com for additional details on the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Valeriano project.
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 22, 2024 /CNW/ - Western Copper and Gold Corporation ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Sandeep Singh as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. Singh will work closely with Dr. Paul West-Sells, who will continue in the role of President in connection with the succession process. Further, Mr. Kenneth Williamson has retired from his role as Director and Interim Chairman. Current board member, Dr. Bill Williams, has taken on the role of Interim Chairman as the Company searches for a replacement.

As a highly respected mining professional with 20 years of sector expertise, Mr. Singh adds meaningful capital markets and strategic expertise to the Company. He was previously the President and CEO of Osisko Gold Royalties, where he led the successful turnaround of the company. For the fifteen years prior, Mr. Singh was an investment banker focusing on the North American metals and mining sector with BMO Capital Markets, Dundee Securities, and ultimately co-founding Maxit Capital, a leading independent M&A firm. He has advised numerous mining companies on financing alternatives and strategic matters as well as having acted on some of the most complex and value-enhancing M&A transactions in the mining sector. Mr. Singh holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from Concordia University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Oxford University.

Dr. Bill Williams, Interim Chairman, commented "The Board would like to thank Ken for his dedication, and contributions to the Company. We wish him the best as he focuses his energy on his family and retirement. I'd also like to commend Paul on playing an active role in the succession planning efforts that led to the appointment of Mr. Singh. Paul has been the driving force behind the Casino project since the very beginning and we are hopeful he will continue to play an important role as we build out the management team necessary for the next phases of the Company's growth.

The Board is delighted to have someone of Sandeep's caliber joining the team. Throughout his impressive career, he has shown a dedication to stakeholder value, above all else, and will be aligned with shareholders through a significant personal investment into the Company. With Sandeep's addition, we are strengthening the Company's management capabilities to better unlock the value potential of the Casino project."

Mr. Singh commented "I see tremendous value in Casino as one of very few viable assets in the copper-gold development space. Casino strikes a unique balance of important scale, attractive commodity mix, low jurisdictional risk, and quick payback through the higher-grade core of the deposit. The credible data, underpinning a thorough feasibility study, and remaining upside from additional resources or optimizations to the project provide tangible upside potential. I am excited to be joining the Western Copper and Gold team at a pivotal time for the Company."

The Company also announces a C$3 million private placement (the "Placement") with Mr. Singh for the purchase of 2.22 million common shares at a price of C$1.35 per common share. The closing of the Placement is subject to entering into a customary subscription agreement and the receipt of approvals of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American LLC. The shares issued pursuant to the Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION

Western Copper and Gold Corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.

The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino project using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.

For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com.

On behalf of the board,

"Dr. Bill Williams"

Dr. Bill Williams

Interim Chairman

Western Copper and Gold Corporation

Cautionary Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in Western's operations in future periods. Statements that are not historical fact are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" as that term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 ("NI 51-102") of the Canadian Securities Administrators (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: strengthening the Company's management capabilities to better unlock the value potential of the Casino project, the remaining upside from additional resources or optimizations to the project and the expected closing of the Placement; or other statements that are not statement of fact. The material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include prevailing and projected market prices and foreign exchange rates, exploration estimates and results, continued availability of capital and financing, construction and operations, the Company not experiencing unforeseen delays, unexpected geological or other effects, equipment failures, permitting delays, and general economic, market or business conditions and as more specifically disclosed throughout this document, and in the AIF and Form 40-F.

Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual results, performance or achievements of Western and its subsidiaries may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks involved in fluctuations in gold, copper and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, recovery rates, production estimates and estimated economic return; risks related to joint venture operations; risks related to cooperation of government agencies and First Nations in the development of the property and the issuance of required permits; risks related to the need to obtain additional financing to develop the property and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in construction projects and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Western's AIF and Form 40-F, and other information released by Western and filed with the applicable regulatory agencies.

Western's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and Western does not assume, and expressly disclaims, any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
KELOWNA, British Columbia / Jul 05, 2022 / Business Wire / Kiboko Gold Inc. (TSXV: KIB ) (Kiboko or the Company) is pleased to announce that its common shares will commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange today at market open under the symbol KIB. This follows the recent closing of the... Read More
JUSTICE INFO: A year ago, you told us "the fate of justice in Ukraine depends on the outcome of the fighting". What has become of this prediction, and what does the stalemate in the war mean for justice now?

FREDERIC MEGRET: I think the stalemate in the war, which is quite obvious, is also translating into a stalemate in justice initiatives for Ukraine. To some extent, there's a correlation between the two, i.e., everyone realizes that justice is only likely to be achieved in the context of a Ukrainian victory or regime change in Russia. The further away these things seem, the greater the risk of investing too much in international criminal justice, at a time when it's hard to see how it can be achieved.

Justice remains an important springboard for Ukrainian foreign policy, in terms of legitimacy and to make clear that Ukraine is the aggressed party. But I'm tempted to say that Ukraine and the international community have other fish to fry at the moment. Added to this is the fact that some states have always been ambivalent about any justice effort, including Ukraine's primary supporter the United States, which is perhaps a little fearful of a possible precedent for aggression. If, for example, there were to be an international criminal tribunal, that might one day turn against the Americans. There have been a lot of technical debates around this issue, but it's a bit of a distraction. The conditions are simply not ripe for this to go ahead.

We see that the momentum created by Ukraine at the start of the war has slowed down on the international judicial scene. Even at national level, there are hardly any trials of Russian soldiers any more. Has the judicial battle been set aside?

I don't think so. I think the prosecutors are doing a good job in Ukraine. Other cases may be opened. The fact is that we now have a front line that moves little, where we have fewer incidents like Bucha with soldiers arriving in Ukrainian towns in situations that lend themselves to the commission of massacres or large-scale war crimes against civilians. We're seeing a shift towards a more conventional war that revolves around urban centres but where civilians have largely been evacuated. This may mean fewer war crimes being committed, and fewer opportunities to capture Russian soldiers suspected of crimes.

When it comes to more systemic investigations like environmental crimes or bombing civilian infrastructure, whether in Ukraine or at the International Criminal Court (ICC), isn't it very difficult to move from the symbolic to the more concrete?

Yes, and the problem is also getting the culprits. The whole point of prosecutions of this kind is to go up the chain of command to the people most responsible. And we simply don't have the people responsible. We must not underestimate the extent to which these investigations and efforts are, despite everything, part of a long-term perspective, and that time is not on the side of Russian officers or politicians who may have condoned the commission of war crimes or crimes against humanity. We saw this with the tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, which waited a long time before bringing Karadzic, Mladic and Milosevic to justice. The wheels of justice turn slowly, and there's a logic to building a case. We can see this with the mechanism created in The Hague as part of Eurojust, which enables prosecutors to compile a sort of grand dossier on aggression that could one day be deployed against Putin and others. This is similar to the process of investigation into Syria, which does not lead to trials but has the merit of existing.

For Ukraine, we were nevertheless expecting quicker results...

Yes, but international justice has always been a disappointment in this respect, and we'll never cease to emphasize that we mustn't expect an immediate, magical response that would put an end to the commission of crimes in one fell swoop. As you know, [Ukrainian] President Zelensky wants an international tribunal, while certain states support the creation of a hybrid tribunal that would be part of the Ukrainian legal system, but with the assistance of international judges. In any case, from a legal point of view, there remains one major problem: no one has yet found a convincing argument, in my opinion, to justify overriding the immunities of [Russian] President Putin, at least as long as he is in office. It's a question that divides international jurists.

A year ago, we thought we were nearing a conclusion for this aggression tribunal. What's holding things up in the end, legal or political considerations?

Of course, it's the politics. But nobody wants to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a project that, legally speaking, doesn't hold water and won't be able to deliver on its promises. I'll use an analogy: creating the Nuremberg Tribunal in 1941 wouldn't have made much sense; it needed to wait for the outcome of the conflict, on which everything ultimately depended. It's what the Allies did during the Second World War, although they began meeting very early on to discuss ways of prosecuting the great Nazi criminals. Nobody wants to support an empty shell incapable of taking action.

And let's not forget that the ICC, whose performance we can criticize, is still active. There's an arrest warrant out for Putin, which is no mean feat. Of course, it's for a crime that is not on the scale of aggression and which, while serious - the abduction of children as a war crime -, is not at the heart of what Putin can be accused of. I think the reasoning [of the states] is that if we can't judge this crime, which clearly falls within the jurisdiction of the ICC and which he clearly committed a priori, there's no point in looking into this question of aggression, over which the ICC has no jurisdiction. What's more, the states of the "Global South" object strongly to the idea that the West would set up an ad hoc tribunal just to try Putin. This brings us face to face with the historical contradictions of international criminal justice, a project which, in principle, has considerable merit but which in practice depends very much on the political will of individual states.

Isn't it this geopolitical divide that is most blocking within the UN General Assembly creation of an aggression tribunal?

Absolutely. It's the weight of majorities. There is indeed a real division, sometimes a little difficult to understand. The states of the global South have just as much interest as the Europeans in ensuring that there is no revival of great powers attacking neighbouring states and violating their sovereignty. There are no greater defenders of state sovereignty as embodied in the United Nations Charter than many states in the Global South. In addition, the fact that certain states practice client politics towards Russia can be explained and is understandable. Finally, behind all this there is a rejection of the West, a rejection of the international criminal justice project which is based on universal values but has had a certain tendency to turn against African states. International criminal justice is a little dated. It rose in the 1990s and in the 20th century before 9/11, before the pandemic, before the emergence of the BRICS, before all kinds of major international developments.

Let's return to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Didn't Ukraine score a sort of own goal there?

Yes. Ukraine wanted to put Russia on trial, saying that Russia had improperly invoked the commission of genocide to justify its invasion. The ICJ found this a bit far-fetched. It said: I'm not going to go that far, I understand that this question of use of force is not directly linked to the Genocide Convention. We can disagree, but that's what the Court essentially said. On the other hand, it is now saying that it will consider whether or not Ukraine has committed genocide in the Donbass. It's safe to assume that, in the long run, Ukraine is likely to win this case. But today, the irony is that its Ukraine defending itself against accusations of genocide, not Russia.

It's also a warning to others. Even in relation to South Africa versus Israel, you have to be careful, because if you take a case like this and lose it, in a way you're in a worse situation than if you'd done nothing. Today, Russia is sniggering: the Ukrainians didn't get what they wanted and, in the end, the spotlight is shining on them in a way that's a little unfair and unfortunate in terms of their strategy. Losing or only half winning this kind of case doesn't present you in the best light.

In Russia, trials of Ukrainians have been underway since last spring, most of them against soldiers. How do you see this?

I think it corresponds to a very clear propaganda exercise: if you accuse us, we'll do the same. It's a logic of tit-for-tat, reversing the roles to say that what you're doing is much worse than what you're accusing Russia of.

Some of these prosecutions are, moreover, somewhat poorly documented and based on rather dubious procedures. They say they are going to accuse Ukrainians of terrorism, but that's an accusation that really has no place in the case of an international armed conflict. Whatever the political affiliation of Azov Battalion members, they are part of the Ukrainian chain of command, so they are combatants. It would be a little different if they had actually terrorized civilian populations, but that's not the case: they were fighting on Ukrainian territory. The accusations are therefore somewhat opportunistic, aimed above all at discrediting Ukrainian resistance and self-defence by painting it as part of a fascist ideology dating back to the Second World War. It's all about turning back the clock, manipulating the law to obtain tailor-made judgments that fit the Russian government's narrative.

Ukraine was a surprise on the legal front at the very beginning. What surprises might we expect now?

What might come as a surprise at some point is trials based on universal jurisdiction, i.e. of Russians who end up in Europe. We've seen this with Syria, for example. It's too early to say whether we'll see any examples with Russia. We have the phenomenon of deserters, with a rather hostile attitude on the part of European states that are not necessarily inclined to welcome them. We do know, however, that one of the causes of dissidence, as was the case with Chechnya, is dissatisfaction with conscription, linked of course to the "body bags" returning to remote corners of Russia. This is quite different from the liberal opposition in Moscow.

We still see the crime of aggression as a crime against the other, against the aggressed state. But it's also a crime against one's own population, in the sense that you're going to deliver hundreds of thousands of men to almost certain death in order to wage a completely illegal war. It's a far cry from the mutinies of 1917, but it's a potential weakness.
One civilian killed, two houses destroyed, more than 40 houses damaged as enemy attacks Myrnohrad, Donetsk region, by three missiles

The enemy attacked the town of Myrnohrad, Donetsk region, by three missiles, killing one local resident, the press service of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine has said.

"Myrnohrad. Last night, the occupiers insidiously attacked a residential district by three missiles," it said on the Telegram channel on Friday.

Two private houses were completely destroyed, 42 private houses and three apartment buildings, a school and five civilian cars were damaged as a result of the missile strike.

"Two private houses were destroyed to the ground. A 67-year-old man, who was looking after the house while its owners are in evacuation, was killed in it. A senior couple lived in the second houses  the spouses survived only because they were sleeping in the garage basement," the ministry said.

The police are documenting the consequences of the attack.
In the new episode of "Queen of Divorce," a new case lands on Lee Ji Ah and Kang Ki Young's laps, bringing them close to the enemy.

In episode 7, Oh Min Seok comes up with a new plan to take the duo down. Will he succeed? Keep on reading to know what went down in the episode.

Kim Sa Ra Handles Unconventional Case

Previously, Kim Sa Ra (Lee Ji Ah) stuns Dong Ki Joon (Kang Ki Young) when she pulls him in for a kiss to make a scene in front of her ex-husband.

In episode 7, she learns that No Yul Seong (Oh Min Seok) has been bribing authorities to bend the law for his own pleasure.

Kim Sa Ra receives a new complicated case as a politician doesn't want to divorce her husband for the sake of their children from her husband's previous marriage.

It turns out that her client's husband is a part of the cult, and the cult leader suggested that he get a divorce which leaves the Solutions team speechless.

Dong Ki Joon Comes Clean

Despite not being able to trust Dong Ki Joon fully, Kim Sa Ra agrees to come to his home. He reveals that he's been looking for evidence to bring down No Yul Seong.

Unbeknownst to them, No Yul Seong has already approached the cult leader to push through the divorce. Later on, a video of the cult graces the Internet.

READ MORE: 3 'Queen of Divorce' Moments That Made Viewers Heart Ache So Far

Kim Sa Ra's client becomes extremely uncomfortable. She assures that she will find a solution to all of it in order to keep her name and reputation free of malice.

Meanwhile, Dong Ki Joon becomes a spy once again, and infiltrates the cult alongside their CEO Son Jang Mi (Kim Sun Young), creating a rather hilarious scene.

Thankfully, they successfully find evidence in the nick of time. They also convince the cult leader to speak up about being persuaded by No Yul Seong, finally cleaning the politician's name.



Case Closes At Dong Ki Joon's Expense

At the end of the episode, Dong Ki Joon is able to convince his mentor to get his phone from Chayul Law Firm and find the deleted information which is essential evidence.

Kwon Dae Gi (Lee Tae Goo) thankfully retrieves the data, giving them a clearer picture of what went down on the night of Professor Seo's (Lee Jae Hyuk) death.

It's revealed that he pulled out his investment from the Five Member Society, enraging No Yul Seong who blackmails him until his lumps off Dong Ki Joon's office.

With this, Dong Ki Joon becomes hopeful. Little did they know, his trusted friend at the prosecutor's office is working for No Yul Seong.

"Queen of Divorce" episode 7 ends with Kim Sa Ra finding Dong Ki Joon lying on the floor, bloodied and unconscious.

ALSO READ: Lee Ji Ah's Timeless Visuals Make Fans Swoon - Is She Really 46?







KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Viewers are drawn to the amazing protagonists and villains of beloved K-dramas, but actors who could do both are on a different level.

Giving the fans a top-tier performance, these K-drama actors captivate us with their ability to swoon viewers with their visuals and charismatic characters.

Interestingly, they could also slay antagonistic roles with their daunting vibe and dashingly debonair looks.

With that said, check out these four K-drama actors who could perfectly portray both hero and villain roles.

Lee Yi Kyung

He is best known for his role as Lee Joon Ki in "Welcome to Waikiki," which also started the viral "Gwenchana" meme.

From his slew of comedy K-dramas, viewers were surprised to see Lee Yi Kyung slay the villain character in "Marry My Husband."

IN CASE YOU MISSED: Lee Yi Kyung Shares Frugal Life Despite Being A Billionaire

Taking on the role of Park Min Young's cheating husband, he described his character as "the baddest among the bad guys."

During his interview in "My Little Old Boy," the actor revealed that 90 percent of the people he meets think he is a bad guy and often receive violent remarks from his neighbors, but this only showed how effective Lee Yi Kyung is as a villain.

Go Kyung Pyo

Before Lee Yi Kyung, Park Min Young teamed up with Go Kyung Pyo as the male lead in the rom-com "Love in Contract."

The versatile star played Jung Ji Ho, who is a longtime client of Choi Sang Eun.

Viewers were delighted to see the chemistry between the two and looked forward to seeing them in season 2.

However, as viewers waited for the possibility of the series returning with a sequel, Go Kyung Pyo headlined the mystery crime K-drama "Connect" with Jung Hae In.

From his charming character in "Love in Contract," the actor surprised fans with his opposite role, as he portrays a serial killer named Oh Jin Seop.

In his appearance on Junggigo's YouTube show, Go Kyung Pyo shared that he tried not to show his true personality on-screen and even on his social media to be able to portray different kinds of roles.

"I was concerned that knowing what I'm like might make it hard for people to see me as a character when they watch my project."

Lee Soo Hyuk

The South Korean heartthrob played the villain role not just once but twice.

With his dapper and fierce visuals, it's no surprise how Lee Soo Hyuk was able to pull off the villain character.

Among his antagonistic characters is the vampire Gwi in "Scholar Who Walks the Night."

Lee Soo Hyuk's deep voice and unique facial features made it easy for him to exude the evilness of his character.

In addition to this, he also takes on the character of Park Joong Gil, the leader of the Grim Reaper department in "Tomorrow."

Other than his villain role, Lee Soo Hyuk portrayed Park Bo Young's colleague and editorial team leader, Cha Joo Ik.

Ahn Bo Hyun

Last on the list is Ahn Bo Hyun, whose popularity sparked after joining as the villain in Park Seo Joon's drama "Itaewon Class."

He played Jang Geun Won, the heir to one of Korea's biggest conglomerates who thinks he is above the law.

Interestingly, he transformed into chaebol son turned detective Jin Yi Soo in "Flex X Cop."

READ MORE: Ahn Bo Hyun Confirms First Solo Fan Meet Since Debut

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
Since the announcement of EXO Suho's comeback, fans anticipated the premiere of MBN's "Missing Crown Prince."

Sadly, the show's premiere has been postponed just when the release date is around the corner. MBN released a statement regarding the announcement to appease the public. Read to know more about what happened.

EXO Suho's 'Missing Crown Prince' Postpones Premiere

On February 23, reports regarding EXO Suho's comeback being postponed spread in the Hallyu scene, creating huge ruckus and drama especially among the fans.

The idol-actor is set to headline the forthcoming period K-drama "Missing Crown Prince" where he plays the role of Lee Geon, a handsome prince who gets kidnapped on the night of his wedding by Choi Myung Yoon, his bride-to-be, played by Hong Ye Ji.

Originally, the show was slated to air on March 9 but has now been delayed until April 13. The production team stated that they needed more time to prepare for the work.

"To deliver a well-developed story, we decided to delay its premiere," a representative reasoned. "After preparations have been completed, we will greet you with flawless production and utmost quality."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: EXO Suho Shares Affection For Brand New Work 'Missing Crown Prince'

They also asked to continue anticipating for the drama as it was religiously prepared for by the production team and the star-studded cast including EXO Suho, Hong Ye Ji, Kim Min Kyu and more.

With that, "Missing Crown Prince" will be released on April 13 at 9:40 p.m. KST on MBN. Don't miss it.

Here's What To Expect From EXO Suho's 'Missing Crown Prince'

In an interview with MBN, EXO Suho expressed his desire to return to prime time with his brand new K-drama.

"Missing Crown Prince" marks his first-ever historical romance series in his roster, which doubled his excitement. He said, "It's a new challenge for me. I want to try on new things as I widen my acting career so please give it a lot of attention."

On the other hand, EXO Suho hinted at his transformed and improved performance as he showcases a different side of him as an actor.

Are you ready for EXO Suho's K-drama comeback? Share your honest thoughts on the drama with us in the comments down below!





YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THIS: Jeon Jong Seo & Moon Sang Min Dish On Chemistry & Friendship In 'Wedding Impossible'

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
The State Security Service (SBU) with the personal assistance of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, exposed the head of the Department of Capital Investments of the Ministry of Defense, who in 2022-2023 bought and "transferred" real estate and an elite vehicle fleet to his common-law wife, for corruption.

"According to the investigation, during 2022-2023, the defendant illegally enriched himself by almost UAH 14 million," the SBU said on its Telegram channel.

According to SBU, he later used this money to purchase two apartments in new buildings, a garage and a parking space in Kyiv. In addition, for the "profits" received, the official bought three premium cars, including Lexus and BMW brands.

"Then, in order to hide the acquired assets, the official transferred them to his common-law wife. At the same time, the defendant issued a power of attorney for the management of this property," SBU said.

During the investigation, it was established that more than UAH 3 million were concealed from declaration, and another UAH 3.5 million the official kept it with his common-law wife.

Based on materials from the military counterintelligence of the SBU, an official of the Defense Ministry was informed of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Article 368-5 (illegal enrichment); part 1 of Article 366-2 (declaration of false information).

The issue of choosing a preventive measure is currently being decided. The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime.

The perpetrator faces up to ten years in prison.

Complex activities were carried out jointly with the National Police under the procedural leadership of Kyiv Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the field of defense of the central region.


Friday, February 23, 2024 - Police have launched a manhunt for a murder suspect who killed his 39-year-old girlfriend in Nakuru and fled.

Consolata Wandia, a single mother of one, went to visit her boyfriend Harun Komondi, not knowing that he had an evil plan.

He reportedly strangled her to death and left her body in the house.

The suspect is still at large, even as police search for him to face murder charges.

The deceased leaves behind a boy who is in form 1.

She was working as a sales lady in one of the businesses in Nakuru town before she met her death.

Lately, femicide cases are on the rise in the country, with activists calling for more government measures to protect women.

Femicide Count Kenya, which monitors killings reported in local news, recorded at least 152 killings  the highest in the past five years since the year began.


















Friday, February 23, 2024 - Thirdway Alliance party leader, Dr. Akuru Aukot, has said former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has a slim chance of becoming the next African Union chairman

Last week, Raila, who is the opposition leader in Kenya, announced that he will contest for the African topmost position, saying he has experience running the affairs of the continent.

But in a statement he shared on his X page on Friday, Aukot said that the entry of Tanzania's former president Hon. Jakaya Kikwete into the race changes everything since he has a big support base compared to Raila.

Aukot said most of the East African nations will support Kikwete and thus Baba will fail to win the lucrative and powerful seat.

Aukot also said that Ruto's support for his bid is another disadvantage because he is considered a puppet of the West and for this reason, many people don't like him and they will not support him to punish Ruto.

"With @jmkikwete's name being floated for the @_AfricanUnion job, Baba @RailaOdinga's goose is already cooked. A little bird whispered that the EAC states support Kikwete's bid.

"Our president, @WilliamsRuto's posturing as the blue-eyed kid for the West, is also another disadvantage to baba man," Ekuru Aukot said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, February 23, 2024 - A court sitting in Nairobi has granted prisoners the right to attend funerals of their loved ones.

While making the landmark ruling on Friday, Justice Lawrence Mugambi said all sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees held in custody have the right to be treated humanely.

This right, he said, includes permitting them to attend funerals and burials of their close family members unless there are compelling reasons for declining the granting of permission.

This right he said is not absolute as such decisions to allow inmates to attend funerals cannot be made spontaneously.

He made the orders following a petition filed by former journalist Moses Dola, an inmate at the Kiambu GK Prison.

A declaration be and is hereby issued that all sentenced and pre-trial detainees held in custody have the right to be treated humanely which right includes permitting them to attend funerals and burials of their close family members unless there are compelling reasons for declining granting of permission, reads the decision.

However, exceptions may apply if there are compelling reasons to deny this permission.

The court has also directed the State to establish clear regulations within the next six months to determine which prisoners may be exempted from attending funerals, ensuring a fair and just implementation of this new ruling.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is expected to welcome this ruling since he was barred from attending his mother's burial when he was in detention in the 1980s.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Friday, February 23, 2024 - The National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security has invited Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, to explain the rise in the illicit alcohol trade.

The lawmakers blamed the police for rampant cases of illicit alcohol, saying Koome must provide a comprehensive report on measures taken by the National Police Service to arrest the situation.

The demand comes in the wake of a tragic incident in Kirinyaga Countys Kangai Village where 23 individuals lost their lives after consuming illicit alcohol.

Kirinyaga County Woman Representative Njeri Maina initiated the call, seeking a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on the devastating incident.

Expressing deep concern, Maina cited a disturbing trend of fatalities resulting from the consumption of illicit and adulterated alcoholic beverages across the nation.

The most recent tragedy occurred in Kangai Village on February 6th, 2024, where 23 lives were lost, and numerous others suffered severe consequences, including loss of vision, due to the consumption of suspected expired alcohol with a dangerously high ethanol content, the statement filed on Friday read.

With the condition of survivors deteriorating and fears of a rising death toll, Maina stressed the urgent need to address the root causes.

Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji claimed police officers are deeply entrenched in the illicit ethanol trade.

Mukunji called for a halt in ethanol imports to pave the way for the verification of traders and their tax compliance status.

The situation has reached a critical juncture where immediate action is imperative.

"We must put an end to the influx of ethanol until we can ascertain the identities of these traders and ensure they are fulfilling their tax obligations, he stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, February 22, 2024  At least 30 Venezuelans are feared dead after a 114ft illegal deep gold mine collapsed, trapping over 100 men inside.

The wall of the open illegal gold mine, named Bulla Loca, collapsed on Tuesday, February 22, sparking a rescue effort in the remote town of La Paragua, near the Venezuelan Amazon in Bolivar state.

Dozens of miners remain trapped as of Wednesday, with rescue teams dispatched to the remote area, mayor Yorgi Arciniega told CNN en Espanol.

Arciniega said late on Tuesday that he planned to take 'some 30 caskets' to a community near the mine, indicating that officials feared the death toll could rise into the dozens.

Local reports claim the Bulla Loca mine was opened last year and is under the control of several criminal gangs.

Relatives of the miners gathered in La Paragua, the closest community to the mine, to ask the government to send aircraft to the remote location to rescue the injured and recover bodies.

'We are here waiting, please, for the government to support us with helicopters, planes, anything,' said Karina Rios, whose daughters father was trapped in the collapse.





'There are quite a few dead, there are people wounded. Why dont they give us support, where are they?'

Rios said she is worried that bodies could quickly decompose because of the areas conditions.

Criminal groups that run gold mines in the south of Venezuela have mutilated miners accused of stealing, extorted business owners, and forced young children to work without security equipment as they tighten their grip on a region that is rich in minerals, Human Rights Watch said.

'The armed groups seem to operate largely with government acquiescence and in some cases government involvement', the report said.





Human Rights Watch also said that some mines in Bolivar state are controlled by Colombian rebel groups now operating in Venezuela, including the National Liberation Army, which has an estimated 3,000 members and is still fighting to overthrow Colombias government. The group bombed a police academy in Bogota last year, killing 21 people.

'Poor Venezuelans driven to work in gold mining by the ongoing economic crisis and humanitarian emergency have become victims of macabre crimes by armed groups that control illegal gold mines in Southern Venezuela,' said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch.

'It is critical for gold buyers and refineries to ensure that any Venezuelan gold in their supply chains is not stained with the blood of Venezuelan victims.'


Friday, February 23, 2024 - Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has given an excuse as to why she betrayed Kenyans during the passage of President William Rutos controversial Affordable Housing Bill on Wednesday.

Speaking during an interview, Passaris explained her absence in the National Assembly when the controversial Affordable Housing Bill sailed through.

According to Passaris, she was attending the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Conference on gender together with Dagoretti North Member of Parliament Beatrice Elachi, and thats why she did not get the opportunity to vote on the bill.

There is a conference going on right now on gender Beatrice Elachi and I were nominated to be there, we are the host country and we cant be absent from a big conference where you have other countries represented. Elachi and I were both at the conference happening at the Trademark Hotel, said Passaris.

The Nairobi Woman Rep also noted that the ODM party whip did not mention on the party wall that there was a vote happening in the National Assembly.

Nonetheless, Passaris had already supported Rutos Housing Bill before against her partys position.

She was among the 149 lawmakers who were absent when the house was voting on the Affordable Housing Bill.

The bill sailed through the second reading on Tuesday after 141 MPs from the government side voted in favor against 58.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, February 23, 2024  Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has admonished the Housing Levy bill which is meant to finance the Affordable Housing Program.

In a statement, Azimio termed the bill as unfair, discriminatory, and unconstitutional.

Raila's team went on to incite Kenyans to punish severely and make the lives of MPs who betrayed their wishes by voting for the bill that passed its third reading on Wednesday a living hell.

Ironically, some of Azimio MPs who opposed the bill in public skipped a crucial Parliament session on Tuesday where 141 lawmakers cast their ballot in favour of the bill against 58.

The bill proceeded to the third reading on Wednesday but was disrupted by Azimio's theatrics as its MPs walked out of the House.

They further threatened to proceed to court to counter the controversial housing levy bill or resort to street protests to pile pressure on Ruto.

Nonetheless, the bill proceeded to the Senate for concurrence.

"As the Affordable Housing Levy Bill, 2023 moves to the Senate, we once again ask the Senators from across the political divide to be patriotic and reject this Bill," Azimio remarked.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, February 23, 2024  Former Prime Minister Raila Odingas Azimio has poked holes into President William Rutos 2024 Budget Policy Statement published by the Treasury.

According to the Treasury, the policy measures were drafted to improve economy-wide efficiencies, create an enabling environment that supports growth in businesses, and reduce the cost of living.

However, Azimio, while terming the statement as flawed and unachievable, warned Kenyans to brace for double taxation.

While insisting on their claims, Azimio alleged the government was out to double tax every adult over Ksh27,000.

"If the BPS is anything to go by, Kenyans must be ready to tighten their belts because the Kenya Kwanza regime is coming after them in a second wave of taxes," Azimio warned.

"To the ordinary Kenyans, the Mama mboga, Boda-Boda riders, and the people of Mjengo, the regime is coming again with a double taxation plan with increased taxes of approximately Ksh27,000 per adult Kenyan," Azimio stated adding that the taxes were spread across different sectors.

One of the sectors is education where parents were cautioned to prepare for hiked school fees as the BPS proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) on educational services, especially extra-curricular activities.

Last year, the Treasury warned that VAT exemption on education that includes all services provided by schools creates unfairness.

Azimio further accused the government of coming up with inflated, questionable, and imaginary budgetary figures without clear measures of how it would raise the funds.

"A cursory look at the Budget Policy Statement, 2024 indicates that will kill the middle class and when the middle class is dead, they will hurt millions of our people," Raila's camp stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, February 22, 2024  A writer has narrated how his employee's brother refused medical intervention because of his religious beliefs.

Obinna Udenwe took to his Facebook account to write about the terrible devastation religion has caused us.

He explained that the brother of one of his employees fell from a tree while pruning it.

He was admitted to the hospital and the writer loaned them money for surgery.

However, the surgery kept being delayed because the injured man, who is a member of Jehovah's Witness, refused to undergo surgery if blood transfusion would be involved.

His church members visited regularly, bringing him fruits and vegetables to ensure he had enough blood for the surgery.

But when doctors said blood transfusion would still be needed, the injured man opted to return home and remain paralysed, rather than go against his religion.

Read the writer's narration in the screenshots below.


Friday, 23 February 2024 - Renowned rapper Nyamari Ongegu alias Nyashinski has been ordered by a Milimani court to furnish it with contract documents detailing a multi-million deal he signed with Tecno Kenya Limited after a Nigerian producer sued him for copyright infringement.

The producer, Sam Are Eliapenda Jedidah alias Sam Eli, moved to court last year suing Nyashinski over copyright infringement by signing an endorsement deal with the Chinese-based global smartphone company.



In court documents, Sam Eli accused Nyashinski of using the hit song Wach Wach which he produced, to promote and endorse Tecno device Camon 20 released into the Kenyan market last year.

The producer argued that he is entitled to 50 percent of the fortune made from the endorsement deal because the rapper used the song that he produced in the advertisement deal.

Sam said his effort to contact the rapper for his fair share has remained futile.

Nyashinski bagged the multimillion-shilling deal with Tecno in May 2023, when he was appointed the brand ambassador of the Tecno Camon 20.

According to Nation Media Group journalist Sinda Matiko, the lucrative deal was worth Ksh 12 million.

However, Nyanshinski gave the producer Ksh 50,000 after bagging the multi-million deal.

He turned down the offer and took the rapper to court.

However, Nyashinski has argued that he did not know that he needed to inform the producer of the use of the song by Tecno because as far as he was concerned, he owns 100 percent of the master rights.

He further stated that his contract with Tecno wasnt a publishing deal as the Nigerian music producer claimed but rather one that included image rights, appearance, interviews, photo/video shoots, travel time, and social media associations.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
Work has begun in Ukraine to create a methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions caused by military actions, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources reported.

"Today, Ukraine is the first in the world to develop a methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions from military operations seeking to bring the aggressor to justice. I hope that in the future this document will be recognized at the international level," said Minister Ruslan Strilets, whose words are quoted in the release on Friday.

The Ministry of Natural Resources said that it will work on the document together with representatives of the Office of the Prosecutor General, the State Environmental Inspectorate, the National Center for Accounting for Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Lead Author of the Initiative on GHG accounting of war, Dutch expert Lennard de Klerk.

"In the near future, a working group will be created that will develop a methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions caused by military actions. The plan is to present a draft of this methodology on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference in June 2024 in Bonn, Germany, to attract the attention of the world community to current issues and the consequences of war on the climate and environment," the ministry said.

The ministry said that as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, today additional greenhouse gas emissions in the world amount to more than 150 million tonnes of CO2, and just a year ago they amounted to 97 million tonnes of CO2. This environmental damage is estimated at more than $11 billion.


Thursday, February 22, 2024  American rapper, Kodak Black has been freed from the Broward County jail after Florida Judge Jose Martinez dismissed the drug possession charge against him.

The Super Gremlin rapper walked out of detention Wednesday night, meaning hell be free to witness the birth of his son due later this week.

It was important for him to be out for the birth of his son, his lawyer Bradford Cohen tells Rolling Stone. This is his fourth child. He has been at every birth, so to miss the birth would have been very detrimental to him.

Black, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was arrested on Dec. 7 when Florida police allegedly found him asleep at the wheel of his black Bentley in a community neighboring Fort Lauderdale.

An officer said powder recovered from Kapri tested positive for cocaine at the scene, but follow-up lab testing revealed it was oxycodone. Once Kapris defense team submitted proof he had a July 2022 prescription for oxycodone, a Broward County judge rejected the drug possession charge on Feb. 9.

Kapri, 26, wasnt immediately released two weeks ago because his arrest led to the revocation of his bond in a separate 2022 Florida case alleging trafficking in oxycodone.

It also triggered questions about whether he violated the three years of supervised release he was serving after former President Donald Trump commuted the three-year federal prison sentence he received for falsifying documents in the purchase of a firearm. The federal supervision was due to end this past January if he had no violations.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Jose E. Martinez said Kapri did indeed violate the terms of his supervised release, but he sentenced the rap star to time served with no supervised release to follow.

Speaking after the hearing, Cohen said Kapri essentially pleaded to failing to report his contact with state police contact. After spending the last 10 weeks in lockup, Kapri is now free and clear of his federal case, Cohen confirmed.

Its a good resolution. The judge was very concerned about Kodak but also understood the nature of what was going on with state cases, Cohen tells Rolling Stone. The judge said lot of things that resonated with him in terms of prescription drugs, that you have to be very careful, and you have to watch exactly how you feel, whats going on, and get help when you need help. The judge was very complimentary about the type of work Kodak does for the community, but he was also concerned, obviously, that he doesnt do any harm to himself  and that he gets any type of help that he needs.

Kapri is still facing prosecution in the 2022 trafficking case in Broward County and for a remaining tampering charge related to the December arrest.


Thursday, February 22, 2024  David Cameron has vowed that Russia 'must be made to pay' as he confronted Moscow's foreign minister over the invasion of Ukraine and the death of Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny.

The UK Foreign Secretary used a G20 meeting in Rio to challenge Sergey Lavrov over the Kremlin's ongoing war and 'murder' of an opposition leader.

The meeting also saw the US, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, France and Norway call out Russia.

Mr Lavrov is said to have hit back at Western 'fabrication' over the death of Mr Navalny.

He was also mocked for setting out an 'alternative set of facts' about events in Ukraine.

Lord Cameron's address to G20 foreign ministers came shortly after Britain slapped sanctions on the chiefs of the Arctic penal colony where Mr Navalny was killed.

'Russia must be made to pay for its aggression,' the Foreign Secretary told the summit.

'There is no more serious issue for the world, and it's the world that's gathered here than one country invading another in this completely illegal and unacceptable way.

'And the whole world should get behind Ukraine, should support Ukraine, and should call out the illegality of what Putin and his cronies have done.'

According to the BBC, Lord Cameron was joined by foreign ministers from France, Canada and Germany in naming Mr Navalny and blaming Russia for his 'murder' in front of Mr Lavrov.

The Kremlin politician was reported to have looked away and at his phone, before using his own speech to deny allegations of murder and calling them a 'fabrication'.

Norway's foreign minister Espen Barth Eide said Mr Lavrov replied to Lord Cameron's remarks with 'a set of alternative facts' about events in Ukraine.

Mr Navalny, 47, is said to have fallen unconscious and died suddenly on Friday after a walk at the penal colony where he was serving a three-decade sentence.

Those in charge of his detention in the brutal prison camp were yesterday hit with asset freezes and travel bans by Britain.

The death of the vociferous Kremlin opponent occurred at the remote IK-3 prison - known as 'Polar Wolf' - in the Arctic Circle.

The Foreign Office pointed to the barbaric treatment of Mr Navalny, who spent his life exposing corruption by Mr Putin's regime while being held as a political prisoner.




Friday, February 23,2024 - Former Agriculture Minister, Kipruto Arap Kirwa, has said that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance camp is pretending to support and lobby for Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's African Union Commission chairmanship bid, yet at the same time trying to sabotage the bid.

In an interview with KTN News on Friday, Kirwa opined that the ongoing claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is supporting Tanzania's former President Jakaya Kikwete are being propelled by Kenya Kwanza, same to questions about Raila's academic qualifications.

He went on to add that he is confident that Kikwete is not interested in the position.

"I am glad that President William Ruto is backing the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the AU position.

"However, I am a bit skeptical because some people from Kenya Kwanza side are raising questions on social media."

"They are now discussing whether Kikwete will run for the position, which I know conclusively that Kikwete is not interested in the position, or if Raila has the right qualifications for the position."

"It seems like they might be trying to slow down Raila by pretending to support him while putting up enough roadblocks towards his AU bid so that in the next one year, his focus on the AU bid would have dealt a blow to ODM and Azimio and would take time to repair whether Raila wins the AU job or not," argued Kirwa.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Friday, February 23, 2024  It appears that President William Ruto is not done tormenting Kenyans with taxes.

This is after it emerged that he is set to bring more taxes if the statement by Raila Odingas Azimio is anything to go by.

Addressing the press yesterday, Azimio warned Kenyans of tough times over the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) 2024.

According to Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the Kenya Kwanza governments economic proposals, policies, and strategies will increase the tax burden drastically.

If the BPS is anything to go by, Kenyans must be ready to tighten their belts because the KK regime is coming after them in a second wave of taxes.

To the ordinary Kenyans, the Mama mboga, Boda-Boda riders, and the people of Mjengo, regime is coming again with a double taxation plan with increased taxes of approximately Ksh27,000 per adult Kenyan, said Kalonzo.

The Wiper boss noted that the Kenyan economy will thrive if the government cuts taxes, moderates its expenditure, reduces wastage, and adopts a right, and zero-Based Budgeting approach.

We also believe that the country will do better when we devolve more funds to the counties in line with the Constitutional provisions. The Budget Policy Statement suggests otherwise. Kenya Kwanza regime is determined to kill devolution, Kalonzo added.

The former vice president mentioned that the Azimio coalition will reject the BPS saying it does not meet the constitutional.

We are staring at the second disastrous and painful year under Kenya Kwanza. Our conclusion of the BPS is that, it does not meet the constitutional and Public Finance Management Act provisions.

"We commit to reject any further punitive taxation imposed on Kenyans by the regime in the name of economic transformation, Kalonzo stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, February 22, 2024  Ghanaian influencer, Mona Faiz Montrage popularly known as Hajia 4Real has pleaded guilty for her role in laundering the proceeds of a series of romance scams.

U.S Department of Justice said she pleaded guilty on Wednesday, February 21, to conspiracy to receive stolen money before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.

The Indictment and statements made in public filings and public court proceedings revealed that from 2013 to 2019, Montrage was a member of a criminal enterprise (the Enterprise) based in West Africa that committed a series of frauds against individuals and businesses in the U.S., including romance scams.

Many of the Enterprises romance scam victims were vulnerable, older men and women who lived alone. The Enterprise frequently conducted the romance scams by sending the victims emails, text messages, and social media messages that deceived the victims into believing that they were in romantic relationships with a person who was, in fact, a fake identity assumed by members of the Enterprise. Once members of the Enterprise had successfully convinced victims that they were in a romantic relationship and had gained their trust, they convinced the victims, under false pretenses, to transfer money to bank accounts the victims believed were controlled by their romantic interests, when, in fact, the bank accounts were controlled by members of the Enterprise.

It was also noted that Montrage is a Ghanaian public figure who rose to fame as an influencer through her Instagram profile under the username Hajia4Real, which at one point had approximately 3.4 million Instagram followers and was among the top profiles with the most followers in Ghana.

She received money from several victims of romance frauds who members of the Enterprise tricked into sending money. Among the false pretenses used to induce victims to send money to Montrage were payments to transport gold to the U.S. from overseas payments to resolve a fake FBI investigation, and payments to assist a fake U.S. Army officer in receiving funds from Afghanistan.

In total, MONTRAGE controlled bank accounts that received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from the Enterprise.

The 31-year-old socialite pled guilty to one count of conspiring to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Montrage also agreed to pay forfeiture in the amount of $2,164,758.41 and make restitution in the same amount. She is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Commenting on the case, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:

Mona Faiz Montrage knowingly received money stolen from older Americans through romance scams and was arrested abroad and now faces serious consequences for her actions. Romance scams such as Montrages harmed her vulnerable, elderly victims not only in the cruel betrayal of trust in the realization that their online romantic connection was fiction, but by also callously stealing their money. This Office and our law enforcement partners are relentless in bringing fraudsters who target Americans to justice, no matter where they are.




Friday, February 23, 2024  Hustlers are in tears after President William Ruto made it mandatory for non-salaried Kenyans to pay the Affordable Housing Levy, contrary to the earlier agreement where only salaried Kenyans were targeted.

The non-salaried Kenyans will now pay 1.5 per cent of the gross income from their businesses as housing levy following the passing of the Affordable Housing Bill.

The revised Affordable Housing Bill passed by the National Assembly means gross income earned by people outside formal employment will also be taxed to support Rutos pet project.

The changes were necessitated to address illegality pointed out by the Constitutional Court, which cited the singling out of salaried people as discrimination amounting to a constitutional violation, in a ruling rendered on November 28.

Responding after the passage of the bill, Leader of Majority Kimani Ichungwah said the Affordable Housing Bill was about employment creation, wealth creation, helping Kenyans to access affordable homes, creating new homeowners and therefore generating new wealth and growing the economy.

The mama mbogas, boda boda riders, and Jua Kali artisans will now participate fully in the programme by contributing to the Levy as directed by the court, Ichungwah said.

I am happy that we have a President who has chosen to do not what is politically expedient, not what is popular but what is right for this country.

"He has chosen to do what is good for millions of our young people who have no jobs, added the Kikuyu MP.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Friday, February 23, 2024 - President William Rutos chief economic advisor, Dr David Ndii, has responded to concerns raised by his critics over his weight, following a photo that trended on social media for the better part of Thursday.

The photo which was widely shared on social media, showed Ndii's metamorphosis from a lean man when he was in the opposition to a fat man after joining Rutos government.

Many Kenyans accused Ndii of being overweight while others accused him of being fat after looting public money.

However, in a rejoinder on Friday, Ndii termed the critics as 'imbeciles' who are fond of wasting time to talk about issues that are of no importance to the general public.

Further, he voiced concerns about how such a topic would trend on social media, questioning the tweeps' Intelligence Quotient (IQ) levels.

"To be overweight is a remediable personal challenge of little or no consequence to the general public.

"To be empty-headed is an incurable societal burden," Ndii stated.

"Urimu nduri ndawa (stupidity has no cure). To have so many imbeciles with nothing better to talk on a public platform is a national tragedy."





The Kenyan DAILY POST
In the United States (U.S.), immigrating physicians typically fall into three categories: those working temporarily on nonimmigrant visas, those permanently residing on immigrant visas, and those who have become U.S. citizens through naturalization.

While immigrating physicians can easily move from their home countries to the U.S., they often encounter challenges when considering bringing their aging dependent parents with them. The U.S. offers temporary nonimmigrant pathways for parents of immigrating physicians who have not yet become U.S. citizens through naturalization. However, dependent parents can only immigrate to live permanently in the U.S. after their children have become U.S. citizens through naturalization. Therefore, it is important to assess, either through personal experiences or systematic surveys, how many immigrant physicians who have become U.S. citizens are actually able to bring their parents to the U.S.

Immigrant physicians may have noticed that very few, if any, of their peers have successfully brought their aging dependent parents to the U.S. This situation resembles the one where aging parents do not migrate with their adult children when they move from traditional rural societies with extended households to modern urban societies with nuclear households within their home countries.

The paperwork required for immigrating parents to the U.S. may seem like a significant obstacle for immigrant physicians, but it is not the only one. Factors such as evolving generational gaps in values, enduring cultural differences across continents, rising health care and living costs in later life stages, the upheaval of leaving deeply rooted ties for an uncertain future, complex financial management associated with a multinational presence, and various personal reasons may also play a role if immigrant physicians communities choose to explore these aspects in systematic surveys.

In essence, the question arises: if even immigrant physicians, representing the top ~1 percent, find it challenging to bring their parents to the U.S., it is likely even more daunting for non-physician immigrants, representing the bottom ~99 percent. This challenge persists unless leaving aging dependent parents behind in their home countries poses significant safety concerns, making it essential, and perhaps even urgent, for U.S. immigrants to bring their aging dependent parents.

Ultimately, despite the existing U.S. immigration system allowing noncitizen family members to temporarily stay or permanently relocate based on their relationships with U.S. immigrants, numerous unique barriers must be overcome by immigrant physicians if they decide to bring their aging dependent parents to the U.S. While societal systems for supporting aging populations living independently are becoming more viable worldwide, the traditional support of extended households and the immediate presence of close relatives remain invaluable for the well-being of families, whether they are citizens or noncitizen immigrants.

Deepak Gupta is an anesthesiologist. Sarwan Kumar is an internal medicine physician.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

"During our meeting today, I thanked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for the UN's participation in the Peace Formula discussions and emphasized the importance of continued efforts to advance peace for Ukraine. We also talked about ways to broaden the geography of support for the Peace Formula as we prepare for the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland," Kuleba said on X.

The parties also discussed resolving issues of violence committed by Russians against Ukrainian civilians and the release of prisoners.

"I also emphasized the urgent need to use all available instruments, and, if necessary, develop new ones, to address the issue of sexual violence perpetrated by Russian troops in Ukraine, as well as the release of civilian detainees held in Russian captivity. The Secretary General assured me that he will follow up on this matter," Kuleba said.

On February 23, Kuleba will make a working visit to the UN headquarters in New York. The head of Ukrainian diplomacy took part in the debates of the UN General Assembly on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
A section of the Human Rights Defenders has criticised the government for the impending rationalization of over 30 government agencies that are aimed at cutting operation costs by at least Shs1 trillion.

Last week, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus passed a unanimous resolution to support the rationalization of government agencies pending amendment of the relevant Bills by Parliament.

The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee has several constitutional amendment bills and other bills for consideration during the rationalization process among which include the move to merge Equal Opportunities Commission with the Uganda Human Rights Commission.

Speaking to KFM, the chairperson National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda, Robert Kirenga said that agencies like Human Rights follow certain frameworks that should not be tampered with to ensure institutional credibility.

The Human Rights Commission Im afraid its going to have the international reputation affected because it may not meet the principals of autonomy and independence, Kirenga said.

The Executive Director Foundation of Human Rights Initiative Dr Livingston Sewanyana, has also spoken out saying merging the two institutions will be a recipe for a human rights crisis as it will erode independence.

Yesterday the Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee halted the consideration of rationalization bills under its docket after MPs discovered that the certificate of financial implication issued by Ministry of Finance didnt indicate the cost implication of abolishing or merging some agencies.
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi officially welcomed his shadow cabinet team, with whom he will collaborate for the next two and a half years. This follows recent changes in the opposition leadership in Parliament by the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Mathias Mpuuga, the Nyendo-Mukungwe Division MP and former Leader of the Opposition, was replaced by Nakawa West MP, Joel Ssenyonyi.

On Friday, Ssenyonyi led his shadow cabinet in a swearing-in ceremony at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

Some of the new opposition leaders in Parliament include Joseph Sewungu (Kalungu West MP) shadow minister for education, Betty Ethel Naluyiga (Wakiso District Woman MP), the shadow minister for local government, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Kira Municipality MP), shadow Minister for finance planning and economic development, and Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality MP), shadow minister for presidency and security, among others.

Ssenyonyi is expected to announce the oppositions key areas of focus during his two-and-a-half years of leadership.
Exclusive interview with Olivier Jankovec, Director General of Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), to Interfax-Ukraine

Text: Alyona Mangelo

Could you tell us more about the association ACI EUROPE and your cooperation with Ukrainian airports?

We are the global confederation representing the airport industry worldwide., ACI has offices in Hong Kong, Panama City, Casablanca, Washington DC, Montreal and Brussels. As ACI EUROPE, we are the voice of European airports, representing 561 airports in 54 countries. We work closely with Ukrainian airports and the airport association of Ukraine. We are a unique centre of expertise, bringing together more than 700 airport industry experts and professionals, who are participating in our committees and forums. We cooperate closely with governments and European institutions. In particular, with the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the SESAR project, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol), and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

What is the purpose of your current visit to Ukraine?

We continue to keep in touch with our Ukrainian member airports (ACI) in these difficult times. Our journey to Kyiv took over 24 hours, including 17 hours by train from Warsaw. Ukraine is currently in logistical isolation due to the war with Russia, and the Ukrainian air transport system plays a crucial and strategic role for the country. As we constantly promote the economic and social value of air connectivity , we are of course supporting our Ukrainian airport members in finding the way forward to to find solutions as soon as possible to activate safe transport corridors and reopen part of the Ukrainian airspace. Discussing this possible air space reopening along with the financial needs of airports with the Ukrainian government was the purpose of our visit to Ukraine.

Who did you meet with?

I had several meetings with government officials, including Deputy Minister of Finance Oleksandr Kava, representatives of the Ministry of Economy, heads of Ukrainian airports and a delegation from the Ukrainian Airports Association. A separate visit was made to Boryspil International Airport, where I had the opportunity to discuss in detail with Oleksiy Dubrevskyy (Airport CEO) and the other Ukrainian airports further joint steps towards the possible resumption of operations and to see with my own eyes the state of the airport - its terminals, baggage claim and check-in areas, passenger waiting and boarding areas, control points, aprons, other infrastructure and equipment. We also met with the management of Kyiv Sikorsky Airport, where we were able to inspect its condition in detail.

What did you discuss with representatives of the Ukrainian government?

The main message I wanted to convey is that Ukrainian airports are strategic assets of the state and essential for maintaining and develop the economy of the country. As long as there is a war, it is crucial to maintain the operational readiness of airports: to retain qualified personnel, ensure all equipment and facilities are maintained. Until now, the Ukrainian airports have been self-sufficient in this regard, but now their financial resources are exhausted. The government should now think about how to support them financially, as airports are an important part of Ukraine's economic recovery.

The key point for us is that every 10% increase in direct air connectivity converts into a 0.5% increase in GDP per capita. In Ukraine, the economic effect of air traffic in 2019 was $10.4 billion or 7% of GDP. The industry supported almost 1.2 million jobs.

Three important elements underpin the understanding of the critical importance of airports and the preservation of the aviation industry in Ukraine. The first is Ukraine's geographical location at the crossroads between Europe, which has a fairly mature aviation market, and the Middle East and Asia, where the aviation market is developing rapidly. Secondly, among European countries, Ukraine is a country with a large population (43.7 million people), which means it is a large aviation market by nature. Despite this, the propensity to fly per capita in Ukraine is 6-7 times lower than the EU average. Therefore, we consider the Ukrainian market to be an immature aviation market with phenomenal potential for growth. I think it's one of the most promising markets in terms of the potential for aviation development after the war  and that really means that aviation and airports are crucial for the economy

If we look at the situation before the pandemic and COVID quarantine measures, we see that Ukrainian airports were ahead of European ones in terms of development. Between 2011 and 2019, passenger traffic at Ukrainian airports doubled, while European airports grew by 38% on average. After the pandemic, they also recovered faster - in 2021, passenger traffic at Ukrainian airports was only 33% lower than before the pandemic in 2019, while the average figure at European airports was 64% lower.

Speaking about the future of Ukrainian aviation, we should consider the important factor that about 6 million refugees who fled the war will want to return home or visit their loved ones in Ukraine. According to our estimates, the new Ukrainian diaspora will generate powerful VFR traffic (Visiting Friends and Relatives), which will include at least 12 million people. Without the help of aviation, rail transport will not be able to cope with this traffic. Not all people will want to spend 17-20 hours on a train if there is an alternative to get there much faster by plane.

Another element that makes aviation strategic for Ukraine's future is the EU membership process. Ukraine's economy will integrate with the EU. New trade ties will emerge, and this will create new economic needs and activities that aviation will be required to support.

And, of course, there is also an agenda for Ukraine to restore the country's cohesion in terms of territorial equality. Aviation has an important role to play here as well.

Last but not least, the restart of tourism. So, when you look at all of this, you will realise that obviously airports will play an extremely important role today and tomorrow. And this brings me to the point that we see no possibility of Ukraine's recovery without fully functioning airports.

So what does Ukraine need to do now? Make sure that it maintains and supports the airports that were not affected by the Russian attacks. Because if we don't do this now, it will take more money and time to get them back to work. I emphasise that the money spent now to keep the airports operational is much less than the money that will be spent in the future to bring them back to life. The key message from ACI EUROPE to the Ukrainian government, which I have been delivering during the meetings, is that you must protect Ukrainian airports and secure their future. Because they are strategic assets.

In an interview with The Times, Yulia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, said that the development of logistics and transport infrastructure will continue to be a key element of cooperation between Ukraine and the United States. However, we are concerned, and I have also conveyed this message, that we see this principle being applied mainly to shipping, to roads, to railways, but not to aviation and airports. We feel that aviation is a bit neglected by the government. And this, we believe, jeopardises the future of the Ukrainian economy. After the war, Ukraine will have new conditions, and new market realities, in which aviation will become more important than ever.

What are your impressions of visiting Boryspil International Airport and Kyiv International Airport?

I was very impressed with what I saw: the dedication of all airport staff, and the way they take care of the equipment is extraordinary. Thanks to these efforts, the operational readiness of both airports is at the highest level - they maintain their facilities and equipment properly, and retain a large part of their staff. Until now, the airports have maintained their facilities and staff at the expense of reserves, the money they had before. But now this money has run out, so the government needs to intervene. Ukrainian airports are covered by the 50 billion EU-Ukraine Plan, and the loss and subsequent preparation for operational readiness of Ukrainian airports will cost Ukraine much more than their support during the war, and will affect the country's ability to fully recover.

Do the representatives of the Ukrainian government you have spoken to understand this?

I think so. I hope so. We have calculated that the cost of maintaining the operational readiness of airports in Ukraine is about EUR 52 million per year. In December, Boryspil Airport received about EUR 1.5 million from the budget, which was enough to pay staff salaries and taxes for that month. This is a very small amount of money. They need much more to keep paying their staff and also maintain infrastructure and equipmentUkraine is set to receive EU support in the amount of EUR 50 billion until 2027, through the so-called EU Ukraine Facility. The EU has no objection to part of this money being spent on airports, but the final decision will be made by the Ukrainian government. It is the government that will decide what needs to be addressed with these funds. I am well aware that the number one priority in Ukraine right now is military needs. There is no doubt about it. However, it is important that part of this EUR 50 billion goes to support Ukrainian airports, because this is strategically important critical infrastructure. And we cannot forget about the airports that have been damaged, in particular, the airports in Kharkiv and Zaporizhia. We need to start planning now on how to bring these airports back to life.

Does ACI plan to create a support fund for Ukrainian airports similar to the European Voluntary Air Navigation Solidarity Fund from the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL)?

I wish we had the money to do that. I mean, ACI is not a government organisation, we don't have access to government or public funding. We get our funding from what airport members pay for membership in our association, and it's not a lot of money. We are a non-profit organisation, so we are not able to make a profit that we could then distribute for such purposes. Unlike us, Eurocontrol is a public organisation that can rely on public funding from States and they have access to such financing. They have created a European Voluntary Air Navigation Solidarity Fund for Ukraine. We don't have this opportunity. We have asked Eurocontrol to consider extending this fund to Ukrainian airports. But the response so far has not been positive. They insist that they should only support air navigation service providers. And this is somewhat surprising, because despite a functioning air navigation system, it will not be possible to resume flights without airports.

What support has ACI EUROPE been providing to Ukrainian airports since the start of the full-scale invasion?

From the very beginning, when the full-scale war started, we have been in very close contact with our Ukrainian members. The first thing we did was to offer free membership to them, because we understand the difficult conditions they are facing. We also organised a fundraising campaign, asking other airports to allocate funds to support Ukraine - we worked in this direction with the non-profit organisation Airlink. It provides assistance to people affected by the war in Ukraine. This organisation provides free transport for crisis responders, NGOs and humanitarian cargo. So, the money we raised went to Airlink to help Ukraine. And it was one of the most successful fundraising campaigns for Airlink - we raised almost EUR 500 thousand.

We provide some free training for Ukrainian airport staff through our global training centre. And we have initiated very close cooperation with EU institutions and financial institutions, such as the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to inform them about the situation with Ukrainian airports and to make sure that they are included in the EU-Ukraine plan and the relevant programmes.

Rostyslav Shurma, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said at a panel discussion at Ukraine House Davos that Ukraine is making significant efforts to restore flights from Kyiv and Lviv. However, the share of Ukraine's work in this matter is no more than 20% - the possibility of resuming flights depends on the decisions of international partners, independent regulators, and insurance companies. Have you discussed the prospects of reopening the airspace with the Ukrainian government and is it on the agenda?

Yes, we discussed how we could open some of the airspace to resume air traffic. This is crucial not only for the airports but for Ukraine as a whole to end the isolation. It would send a powerful political signal. There are certain procedures for working in conflict zones. They are under the control of organisations such as ICAO and EASA.

We need to make progress in this direction and make it happen.

Is ACI working with EASA on this issue?

We keep in touch with EASA and discuss this issue with them. However, at this stage the ball is primarily in Ukraine's court. The Ukrainian government has to complete a safety analysis and on that basis prepare and approve a document - NOTAM (Notice to Airman - a message submitted to the aviation authorities to warn aircraft pilots of potential hazards on the flight route or in a place that may affect the flight. It may contain information about the establishment, condition or change of any aviation facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is important for flight personnel). The State Aviation Administration of Ukraine is working on this . After that, EASA will make a recommendation to European airlines that it is safe to fly within the designated air corridors in Ukraine. It is very important to create safe air corridors, and I have spoken about this in meetings with government representatives. Creating safe air corridors is key. I am aware that the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine (SAAU) is already preparing a safety case.

In your opinion, is it realistic that the first flights in Ukraine will start by the end of 2024?

I would hope so.. Despite the military risks, Ukraine does not stop trains, and they are very slow, unlike planes. However, for some reason, everyone has decided that aviation is more dangerous.. Moreover, there are technologies to make flights safe even in the current environment.. We need to resolve the issue with insurance companies. These issues have been looked at over the past months, and I really hope we can make progress.

Do you allow for a scenario where EASA supports flights from only one airport in Ukraine, while restrictions remain in place for the rest?

I can't answer this question because that will depend on the safety case, and we do not have access to the relevant information in this regard. The Ukrainian government will decide what part of the airspace is to be re-opened.

Many say that the first airport to resume flights will be Lviv, as it is located in western Ukraine, where it is safer...

I don't have all the ingredients to make that judgement. This is definitely not a question for ACI EUROPE. The decision should be made by the competent authorities in Ukraine, with the support of EASA.

Eurocontrol gave a disappointing forecast - according to their estimates, restrictions on flights from Ukraine will remain in place until 2030. What do you think about this?

It is difficult to predict when the war in Ukraine will finally end. I think that in preparing this forecast, Eurocontrol relied on the basic, current situation. However, in my opinion, this is a very conservative scenario that has a good potential to be adjusted upwards as soon as there is confidence that either the conflict will end or part of the airspace will be opened despite the ongoing conflict. I think that Eurocontrol's forecast reflects the current situation - the status quo. It cannot be taken as dogma, because as soon as circumstances change, it will be changed.

At the annual ACI EUROPE/ACI WORLD conference in Barcelona in June 2023, you said that European airports are facing two major challenges: decarbonisation and the need to reset the airport business model to "build resilience" and cope with the economic and operational realities of the European aviation market. In your opinion, are these issues relevant for Ukrainian airports in the event of a resumption of flights, given the major negative impact of the war on their ability to remain competitive?

Given the great negative impact of the war... These issues are hardly relevant for Ukrainian airports right now. The primary task for them now is to stay afloat, to keep their infrastructure, facilities, qualified personnel, and readiness to restart services as soon as possible. As soon as Ukrainian airports overcome the immediate challenges and are able to partially or fully resume operations, it will be possible to move on to issues such as reducing their carbon footprint and changing their business model. Today, this cannot be a priority in Ukraine.

Could you describe the impact of the war in Ukraine on air travel in Europe and how the European aviation market will change if flights from Ukraine resume?

The European aviation market is very large, so the impact of the war in Ukraine on overall traffic figures was not so significant, but some markets were affected. In 2023, almost all European airports recovered to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Passenger traffic in 2023 was only 6% lower than in 2019. However, the gap in performance by country is huge. Finland is still minus 30% to pre-pandemic levels. They are a hub between Europe and Asia and rely on routes over Siberia. However, Russian airspace is now closed to European airlines and this has threatened the business model for Finland. Slovakia has also historically had a lot of traffic from Russia. So have some airports in Bulgaria. Thus, we can see that in the current environment, airports in some countries have, on the contrary, received a strong additional boost, while others have lost traffic.

At the beginning of our conversation, you said that you last visited Ukraine eight years ago and probably also visited the largest airports in Kyiv. What are the biggest changes and transformations that have taken place since then?

The main change is that the airports are empty... However, I was incredibly impressed by the enthusiasm of the management and employees, and their dedication to protecting the infrastructure and maintaining it in good condition. And this is yet another proof of the resilience of Ukrainians, which is very impressive. The equipment and infrastructure at both Kyiv airports are in excellent condition - the terminals are intact and ready to resume operations. It is very inspiring that everyone is looking to the future. I spoke to Boryspil Airport CEO Oleksiy Dubrevskyy about the airport's future development and modernisation plans.

Based on an assessment of the current state of Boryspil and Kyiv airports, how quickly are they ready to resume operations if a decision is made to resume flights?

As soon as the aviation safety assessment allows, the airports could be ready to receive charter flights within a matter of days after the decision to resume flights is made. It should take a month to be ready for scheduled flights, as scheduling and planning issues with other airports will need to be resolved. However, in order for this to continue and for the airports to maintain such a high level of readiness to resume flights, the issue of their financing must be resolved immediately.

What are your personal impressions of visiting Kyiv in the second year after the full-scale invasion?

I will definitely remember this trip for the rest of my life. I am very happy to have made it and have a lot to share with our team in Brussels, our stakeholders, and the European institutions. I was impressed by the fact that life in Kyiv continues as usual. Despite the air raid alert, people continue to live, work and develop. And this is the strongest example of the resilience of the whole country, a signal of the strength of the Ukrainian spirit that you send to the whole world.
Ibrahim Musana, 27, known online as Pressure 247, has been remanded to Luzira Prison after being charged with promoting hate speech and spreading malicious information.

Musana was arrested last weekend following a complaint from the Buganda Kingdom. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi of Buganda Road Court on eight counts related to the Computer Misuse Act (2021) on Friday.

Prosecutors allege that between August 2023 and February 2024, Musana shared information on his TikTok account that degraded, demeaned, and promoted hostility against four Ugandan leaders: Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, President Yoweri Museveni, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, and State Minister for ICT Joyce Naboosa Ssebugwawo.

Musana pleaded not guilty, claiming he was unaware his actions constituted an offense. He further stated he suffers from psychological challenges and has received treatment at Butabika Mental Hospital.

The TikToker explained that he feels compelled by the spirits of past Buganda Kings to repair their tombs but lacks the financial means. He said he has contacted the Buganda Kingdom about these demands for two years without receiving a response.

Musana pleaded for forgiveness and promised to refrain from attacking leaders and remove the offending content from his TikTok account. However, Magistrate Kayizzi rejected his plea, remanded him to Luzira prison until March 7, 2024, and denied his bail request due to insufficient documentation from his sureties.

Several individuals, including prominent Ugandan figure Jennifer Nankanguubi commonly known as Full Figure, have lodged complaints against Musana and are monitoring the case through legal representation.
By AFP

Senegals President Macky Sall said Thursday his mandate would end as planned on April 2, but left open the new date for a presidential election which he postponed earlier this month. Sall has faced a clamour to set a date for the vote after his abrupt delay to the February 25 election triggered weeks of crisis.

Amid simmering social and political tensions, the president put off a decision on the date until after a political dialogue due to begin on Monday.

In an apparent move to pacify public opinion, Sall also said he would consider releasing imprisoned opposition figures Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

On April 2, 2024, my mission ends at the head of Senegal, the president said, seemingly ending suspicions that he might remain in office longer than expected. Read more
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During the last year, one of the most developed Ukrainian banks, monobank, stopped connecting acquiring services to new businesses that use Tilda, the Russian website builder. The bank's decision was approved as a part of the campaign to enhance National Cybersecurity and create an IT space independent of Russian technologies. We do understand the importance of providing information safety for our clients, which is why we deliberately decided to stop using products that have connections with the Russian market. It is our policy, and it will not change, even depending on the size of these products audience in Ukraine. Even now, we constantly get requests in support about connecting to acquiring websites created on Tilda. Our response doesnt change.,  claims Eduard Bondarenko, acquiring project manager in monobank. Tilda website owners are refused to connect acquiring services from monobank, but they are offered an alternative Ukrainian solution. When these users connect with the support team, they face the following dialogue: During the conversation with the representative of the monobank care team, the user didnt receive a plain rejection but was offered a solution, which cost 20% less by using the special promo code from monobank. It is worth mentioning that the monobank initiative overlaps the IT Ukraine association project called Enemy Software. The project aims to reduce the instances of Russian technologies and provide cybersecurity in the Ukrainian IT area. The path of not using Russian software in any national projects, from huge government programs to a website for a pizzeria down the street, is a conscious, important, and challenging step. Considering the geopolitical situation, we think that using security measures and excluding Russian software is strategically crucial to provide the highest level of information security on all possible levels,  Mariia Shevchuk, executive director of IT Ukraine association. As a part of the Enemy Software program, IT Ukraine puts the Tilda website builder on the blacklist and offers Ukrainian businessmen to use, as an alternative, a Ukrainian website builder Weblium, which Western experts acclaim as a safe and effective tool for creating websites, landing pages, portfolios, and stores.
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The ongoing shortage of some 300 prescription-only medications is causing significant stress for many people Deputy Michael Lowry told An Tanaiste, Micheal Martin, in the Dail on Thursday.

This has been compounded by news articles stating that pharmacists are being left with no alternative other than to dispense substitute medications that have not been authorised or registered for use in Ireland.

Despite the fact that these medications, known as Exempt Medicinal Products or EMPs, can legally be supplied to patients in Ireland by a qualified pharmacist to meet their health needs in the absence of their regular product, many patients in

feel confused and unsettled.

Elderly people and parents of young children are particularly concerned when a medication that they have been familiar with for years is replaced by one that they do not recognise.

This situation threatens to undermine plans to expand the role of pharmacists in healthcare.

Does Government have plans to stage an information campaign to inform people of the need for these substitute medications and provide them with the reassurance that they are proper and safe? asked Deputy Lowry.

The Tanaiste thanked Deputy Lowry for raising the important matter and said that his idea for an Information Campaign is a very good one. He said that he would welcome such a move and will talk to the Minister in respect of that.

He added that Medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide. Its a global health problem now he stated.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. The United States expresses interest in regional and international projects of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Energy Minister, Parviz Shahbazov who is on a working visit to the US, said in an interview with local media, Trend reports.

"During the meetings at the White House, State Department, and US Department of Energy in the discussion of energy cooperation between the US and Azerbaijan, the interest in regional and international projects implemented by Azerbaijan, as well as those planned was noted," Shahbazov noted.

According to him, Azerbaijani-American energy cooperation has been developing and will continue to develop.

He also mentioned that the US emphasizes the importance of holding the next session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate in Azerbaijan.

"Holding COP29 in November this year in Baku demonstrates the increasing role of Azerbaijan and the country will follow all commitments assumed," the head of the Ministry of Energy emphasized.

Parviz Shahbazov noted the facts of important meetings held by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the recent Munich Security Conference as confirmation of the growing interest of the US in cooperation with Azerbaijan.

"In Munich, there were meetings of the President of Azerbaijan with the head of the US State Department, as well as with other officials, important discussions were held. Our delegation then continued negotiations in the United States on issues of mutual interest," the minister added.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, February 23. Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Alim Bayel has congratulated Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev on the country's chairmanship of this year's 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports, referring to Kazakhstan's embassy in Azerbaijan.

"The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan, Alim Bayel, met with Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev. During the meeting, Alim Bayel extended congratulations to Mukhtar Babayev on Azerbaijan's chairmanship for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29, scheduled to take place in Baku in November 2024," the embassy reports.

On his part, Mukhtar Babayev highlighted that COP29 would be among the most extensive events ever hosted in Azerbaijan, both in terms of scale and participant numbers, and he discussed the ongoing preparations for the event.

The sides also discussed the prospects of the development of green diplomacy and exchanged views on topical issues on the global and regional environmental agenda.

Furthermore, as part of the bilateral meeting, the participants addressed several Kazakh initiatives dedicated to fostering climate dialogue in the region. They also reached an agreement to collaborate on the introduction and reintroduction of diverse animal species.

The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023, enabling Azerbaijan to host the above event in November.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Azerbaijan has declared this year the 'Green World Solidarity Year,' and hosting the 29th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29) underscores the country's crucial role in the global arena, Japanese ambassador to the country Katsuya Watanabe told reporters, Trend reports.

"The hosting of COP 29 in Azerbaijan this year underscores the country's significant role on the international stage. Anticipated to draw participants from numerous countries, including a delegation from Japan, this major event is expected to be successfully and productively organized by Azerbaijan," he said.

At the same time, the ambassador mentioned that Japan is eager to extend its support and is prepared to collaborate with Azerbaijan in the field of green energy.

The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023, enabling Azerbaijan to host the above event in November.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. The tactical exercise of the combat and support ship group of the Naval Forces was held following the training plan for 2024, approved by the Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Trend reports.

Under the plan, the ships left the basing site on alert and accomplished combat tasks on protection and defense of energy infrastructure in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

During the two-stage exercise, the ship groups accomplished tasks on detention and inspection of the floating ship, patrolling activities in the oil and gas pipeline areas, the organization of anti-submarine sabotage defense at anchor in the ship tactical groups, and the sea passage to the designated area by performing joint floating activities, destruction of the enemy's imaginary surface and air targets.

The main focus of the exercise is to work out the joint activities of commanders and staff officers in conditions of a possible threat to territorial waters, as well as to improve the knowledge and skills in managing units during battle.

Meanwhile, 26 ships and 450 servicemen of the Naval Forces were involved in the tactical exercise.

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ASA International Group PLC (LON:ASAI  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 7.2% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 51.23 ($0.65) and last traded at GBX 54.75 ($0.69). 164,650 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 1,214% from the average session volume of 12,526 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 59 ($0.74).

ASA International Group Trading Down 7.2 %

The business has a 50-day moving average of GBX 60.62 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 55.52. The stock has a market capitalization of 54.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 782.14 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 365.74, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 1.75.

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Insider Activity

In other ASA International Group news, insider Karin Kersten purchased 74,399 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 47 ($0.59) per share, for a total transaction of 34,967.53 ($44,028.62). Corporate insiders own 21.00% of the companys stock.

About ASA International Group

ASA International Group PLC provides microfinancing services in Africa and Asia. It offers loans to low-income female micro-entrepreneurs. It provides various collateral-free loans, including small and small business loans to start or grow businesses. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. The XIV plenary session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) continues with meetings of committees in Baku, Trend reports.

Parliamentary delegations from about 40 countries, including about 10 speakers, are taking part in the session dedicated to the theme of "Strengthening regional cooperation for sustainable development in Asia".

As part of the XIV session of the APA, a meeting of the Standing Committee on Political Affairs is discussing a draft resolution on the provision of support to the Palestinian people by Asian parliaments.

The session will be concluded with adopting the Baku Declaration and the final report of the APA.

The plenary session will last until February 24.

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Dana (NYSE:DAN  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Tuesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 0.350-0.850 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 1.260. The company issued revenue guidance of $10.7 billion-$11.2 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $11.0 billion.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Dana from $21.00 to $19.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Dana from $17.00 to $16.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Dana from $14.00 to $13.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Dana presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $16.71.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on DAN

Dana Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of DAN opened at $12.50 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.80 billion, a PE ratio of 48.08 and a beta of 2.55. Dana has a 1 year low of $11.10 and a 1 year high of $19.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 1.58. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $13.73 and its 200-day simple moving average is $14.02.

Dana (NYSE:DAN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The auto parts company reported ($0.08) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.02) by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $2.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.58 billion. Dana had a return on equity of 7.37% and a net margin of 0.36%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.10) EPS. Analysts forecast that Dana will post 0.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Dana Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.20%. Danas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 153.85%.

Institutional Trading of Dana

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL raised its holdings in Dana by 9.6% in the first quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 3,612,318 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $63,468,000 after acquiring an additional 316,466 shares in the last quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC raised its holdings in Dana by 2.3% in the first quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 2,621,679 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $46,063,000 after acquiring an additional 60,025 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in Dana by 1.5% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 427,547 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $7,512,000 after acquiring an additional 6,465 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Dana by 41.1% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 169,160 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $2,972,000 after acquiring an additional 49,268 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Tennessee Treasury Department raised its holdings in Dana by 51.1% in the second quarter. State of Tennessee Treasury Department now owns 116,789 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $1,985,000 after acquiring an additional 39,515 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.60% of the companys stock.

About Dana

(Get Free Report)

Dana Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, provides power-conveyance and energy-management solutions for vehicles and machinery in North America, Europe, South America, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through four segments: Light Vehicle Drive Systems, Commercial Vehicle Drive and Motion Systems, Off-Highway Drive and Motion Systems, and Power Technologies.

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EPG Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Free Report) by 7.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,389 shares of the credit-card processors stock after purchasing an additional 430 shares during the period. EPG Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Visa were worth $1,469,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Visa during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Visa in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. West Tower Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Visa in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Financial Freedom LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Visa in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Visa by 545.5% in the 3rd quarter. Nalls Sherbakoff Group LLC now owns 142 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.35% of the companys stock.

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Visa Stock Performance

Visa stock traded up $7.11 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $283.87. 3,513,739 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,443,778. The firms 50 day moving average is $267.88 and its 200 day moving average is $251.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 1.45 and a current ratio of 1.45. The stock has a market cap of $521.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.97. Visa Inc. has a 52-week low of $208.76 and a 52-week high of $283.99.

Visa Announces Dividend

Visa ( NYSE:V Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The credit-card processor reported $2.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.34 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $8.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.55 billion. Visa had a net margin of 53.92% and a return on equity of 50.02%. The businesss revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.18 EPS. Analysts predict that Visa Inc. will post 9.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th will be issued a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.73%. Visas dividend payout ratio is presently 23.94%.

Insider Activity

In other Visa news, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 8,150 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.79, for a total transaction of $2,084,688.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 29,152 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,456,790.08. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Visa news, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 8,150 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.79, for a total transaction of $2,084,688.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 29,152 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,456,790.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Rajat Taneja sold 36,546 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.20, for a total transaction of $9,874,729.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 232,112 shares in the company, valued at $62,716,662.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 80,461 shares of company stock worth $21,417,817 in the last 90 days. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on V. KeyCorp upped their target price on shares of Visa from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Visa from $290.00 to $309.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. William Blair reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Visa in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Wedbush upped their target price on shares of Visa from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Monness Crespi & Hardt started coverage on shares of Visa in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a neutral rating for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $290.55.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Visa

Visa Company Profile

(Free Report)

Visa Inc operates as a payment technology company in the United States and internationally. The company operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. It also offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products; tap to pay, tokenization, and click to pay services; Visa Direct, a solution that facilitates the delivery of funds to eligible cards, deposit accounts, and digital wallets; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral business-to-business cross-border payments network; Visa Cross-Border Solution, a cross-border consumer payments solution; and Visa DPS that provides a range of value-added services, including fraud mitigation, dispute management, data analytics, campaign management, a suite of digital solutions, and contact center services.

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Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLY  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 5.2% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $10.35 and last traded at $10.65. Approximately 3,447 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 63% from the average daily volume of 2,112 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.23.

Great Wall Motor Stock Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $11.49 and a 200-day moving average of $12.48.

Great Wall Motor Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Great Wall Motor Company Limited researches and develops, manufactures, and sells automobiles, and automotive parts and components in China, Russia, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, and internationally. The company offers SUVs, sedans, pick-up trucks, and energy vehicles primarily under the Haval, WEY, ORA, Tank, and Great Wall Pickup brand names.

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Hollencrest Capital Management increased its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 1.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 124,725 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,545 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International comprises approximately 1.3% of Hollencrest Capital Managements investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Hollencrest Capital Managements holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $11,547,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in PM. Cornerstone Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 12,807.4% during the 2nd quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC now owns 26,485,964 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,449,000 after acquiring an additional 26,280,764 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 100,700.1% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 15,640,144 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,582,939,000 after buying an additional 15,624,628 shares during the period. Capital World Investors increased its holdings in Philip Morris International by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 116,185,273 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,342,014,000 after purchasing an additional 4,368,323 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 33.5% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 17,147,790 shares of the companys stock worth $1,587,542,000 after acquiring an additional 4,304,089 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners lifted its position in Philip Morris International by 1,225.5% in the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,568,402 shares of the companys stock valued at $348,046,000 after acquiring an additional 3,299,188 shares during the last quarter. 79.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on PM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased 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. Societe Generale raised shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $95.00 price target for the company. Finally, UBS Group lowered shares of Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $105.00 to $86.50 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $105.40.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Shares of PM traded up $0.62 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $91.19. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,158,537 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,086,988. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $92.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $93.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $141.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.99, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.63. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $87.23 and a fifty-two week high of $101.92.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $9.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.99 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 116.29% and a net margin of 8.53%. The businesss revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.39 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 21st were paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 20th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 103.59%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Philip Morris International

In other news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 10,000 shares of the businesss 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 in the company, valued at $18,703,629.75. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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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).

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Hollencrest Capital Management cut its stake in iShares Silver Trust (NYSEARCA:SLV  Free Report) by 86.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,435 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 78,650 shares during the period. Hollencrest Capital Managements holdings in iShares Silver Trust were worth $253,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Marshall Wace LLP raised its position in iShares Silver Trust by 2,340.0% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,131,200 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $24,909,000 after buying an additional 1,181,700 shares during the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of iShares Silver Trust during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,492,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of iShares Silver Trust by 48.0% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,711,172 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $62,032,000 after purchasing an additional 879,524 shares in the last quarter. Quantitative Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Silver Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $13,481,000. Finally, Kraft Davis & Associates LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Silver Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at $10,749,000.

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iShares Silver Trust Trading Up 0.7 %

SLV traded up $0.15 on Friday, hitting $20.97. 8,557,049 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,786,789. iShares Silver Trust has a fifty-two week low of $18.38 and a fifty-two week high of $23.94. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $21.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $21.20.

About iShares Silver Trust

iShares Silver Trust (the Trust) owns silver transferred to the Trust in exchange for shares issued by the Trust. The Trusts each share represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in its net assets. The assets of the Trust consist of silver held by the Trusts custodian on behalf of the Trust.

Further Reading

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Bausch Health Companies (TSE:BHC  Get Free Report) had its price target raised by equities researchers at Royal Bank of Canada from C$8.00 to C$9.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price target would suggest a potential downside of 25.93% from the stocks current price.

Bausch Health Companies Price Performance

Shares of BHC traded down C$0.40 during trading hours on Friday, reaching C$12.15. The company had a trading volume of 240,494 shares, compared to its average volume of 278,231. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$10.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$10.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7,583.76. The company has a market capitalization of C$4.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.38, a PEG ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 0.79. Bausch Health Companies has a 12-month low of C$7.56 and a 12-month high of C$13.53.

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About Bausch Health Companies

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Bausch Health Companies Inc operates as a diversified pharmaceutical company. It develops, manufactures, and markets a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, international pharmaceuticals, and eye health. The company operates through five segments: Salix, International, Solta Medical, Diversified, and Bausch + Lomb.

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By Kim Hyun-bin

The National Historical Museum of Greece has held a photography exhibition at the War Memorial of Korea to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War since December last year.

The event, scheduled to run until February, was launched at the invitation of the Greek Embassy in Seoul, with support from the Greek Ministry of National Defense.

Titled "70 Years of Friendship," the exhibition illuminates Greece during the 1950s through the lens of American philhellene Robert McCabe's evocative photographs. This period also marked Greece's engagement in the Korean War with a formidable expeditionary force and air squadron amid the nation's recovery from the ravages of World War II, Nazi occupation and a civil war.

The exhibition endeavors to forge a deeper connection between two nations geographically distant yet unexpectedly intertwined during a pivotal moment in global history. Central to the exhibit are approximately 65 large-scale photographs captured by McCabe during his formative years as a student.

The exhibition's first segment serves as an introduction to modern Greece for Korean audiences, featuring a historical overview and chronological timeline elucidating Greece's decision to participate in a distant conflict.

McCabe's monochromatic snapshots of Greece's landscapes and archaeological wonders form the cornerstone of this section, complemented by archival photographs from the National Historical Museum depicting the Greek military's contributions to the Korean War. The display further includes artifacts such as photo albums and military insignia, loaned primarily from the Panhellenic Association of Korean War Veterans.

The second segment of the exhibition showcases McCabe's black-and-white and color photographs from the 1950s, offering a glimpse into the resilience and optimism of Greek life during that tumultuous era. Through McCabe's lens, viewers gain insight into the intricate interplay between tradition and modernity as Greeks navigated the transition.

Born in Chicago in 1934, Robert McCabe's passion for photography blossomed early, influenced by his father's role as the publisher of one of New York's pioneering illustrated newspapers. His inaugural journey to Greece in 1954, at the age of 20, marked the beginning of a lifelong affinity for the country.

McCabe's photographic works have graced numerous exhibitions across Europe, the United States and various regions of Greece. Over 15 albums and exhibition catalogs have been published, featuring McCabe's photographic odysseys spanning Greece, France, Italy, the United States, Havana, China and Antarctica.
E-Mart, Korea's leading discount store chain, said Friday it will make inroads into Laos later this year as it seeks to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asian markets.

E-Mart signed a master franchise agreement with U-Dee, an investment firm under LVMC Holdings, to open an E-Mart discount store outlet and three hard-discount stores under the brand name of No Brand in Laos later this year, the company said in a statement.

LVMC Holdings is formerly known as Kolao Group established by South Korean businessman Oh Se-young in 1997. The founder still serves as chairman of the company whose businesses include automobile sales, finance and logistics.

Under a master franchise deal, the master franchisor allows the master franchisee not only to open franchise units itself in a specified area but also to sub-franchise them to third parties.

Hard-discount stores, smaller in size than large discount store outlets, offer products at more affordable prices to consumers by reducing marketing and merchandising costs.

Within the following 10 years, the company aims to open 20 E-Mart outlets and 70 No Brand stores in the Southeast Asian country, the statement said.

E-Mart is the first South Korean discount store chain operator that has signed a master franchise deal with a local company in Laos.

Outside the country, it has three E-Mart stores in Vietnam and four E-Mart outlets in Mongolia while operating 17 No Brand shops in the Philippines. (Yonhap)
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. A regular plenary session has started in Azerbaijani Parliament, Trend reports.

The agenda of the session includes the following eleven issues:

1. Appointment of Fikrat Mammadov as a judge of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

2. The report of the authority exercising administrative control over the activities of municipalities on the activities for 2023.

3. Draft law on amendments to the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence (third reading).

4. Draft law amending the Code of Civil Procedure, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Code of Administrative Misdemeanors, and the laws On Lawyers and Advocacy and Education (third reading).

5. Draft Law on Amendments to the Law On Military Duty and Military Service (third reading).

6. Draft Law on Amendments to the Law On Motor Roads (third reading).

7. Draft law on amending the law On Food Security (third reading).

8. Draft law on making amendments to some laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with the implementation of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 928-VIQD of June 24, 2023 On making amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan On Industrial and Domestic Waste.

9. Draft law on amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (first reading).

10. Draft law on amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses (first reading).

11. Draft law on amendments to the Law on Courts and Judges (first reading).

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Snow showers. High near 35F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 70%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 27F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
In a fashion landscape often veering towards conservatism, Hwasa has consistently broken barriers, and her recent appearance at Milan Fashion Week was no exception.

The K-pop sensation, known for her unapologetic style, left a lasting impression on attendees and fans alike during her visit to the fashion capital.

A Bold Entrance at Onitsuka Tiger Show

Stepping into the limelight at the Onitsuka Tiger showcase on February 22, Hwasa made waves with her fearless fashion choice. While mingling effortlessly with global icons, Hwasa's ensemble stole the show and sparked a flurry of online chatter.

Unveiling the Sheer Elegance

The heart of the buzz? Hwasa's strikingly sexy and transparent outfit, meticulously balanced with an elegant coat that added an air of sophistication to the daring ensemble.

Her Instagram posts later revealed the full splendor of the look, a fusion of sheer fabric and a fresh take on visible undergarments.

READ ALSO: Hwasa Net Worth 2022: Is She the Richest MAMAMOO Member?

Netizens' Reactions

Here are the reactions of netizens to Hwasa's groundbreaking performance at Milan Fashion Week.

"FINALLY AHHHHH I MISSED YOU"

"You are so pretty"

"Damn, you are so sexyyyyyyyyyy"

"I miss you so much"

"WE LOVE YOU HWASA!! "

"It was a punch from this woman and I was done"

"What a woman"

"FINALLY A MARIAHWASA POST!! WE MISSED YOU"

"MOMMY IS SLAYING"

"QUEEN! You look AMAZING! "

"Her charisma is out of reach and I wish we had more content with her"

Embracing Confidence and Style

Unafraid to push boundaries, Hwasa's outfit encapsulated multiple trends in one bold stroke. From the daring sheer material to the confident display of femininity, every element of her attire spoke volumes about self-assurance and breaking free from conventional norms.

The Hwasa Touch: Pairing Glamour with Comfort

Adding an unexpected twist, Hwasa paired the avant-garde outfit with sneakers, merging glamour with comfort effortlessly. The juxtaposition of high fashion and streetwear only added to the allure of her ensemble.

Fans React to Hwasa's Bold Statement

As images of Hwasa's Milan appearance flooded social media, fans around the world celebrated her fearlessness and unwavering confidence.

While some voices in Korea occasionally criticize her fashion choices as "inappropriate," international admirers hailed her as a true trendsetter, unapologetically embracing her individuality.

LOVE OF MY LIFE THIS OUTFIT IS DRIVING ME SO INSANE SHE LOOKS DIVINE AHHHHHHHHHHH #OnitsukaTigerxHWASA

HWASA MILAN FASHION WEEK #OnitsukaTigerAW24 @OnitsukaTiger #Hwasa # pic.twitter.com/LHWEfWF2ur  chiara  | hwasa's wife  (@slothy_tea) February 21, 2024

I AM LOOKING HWASA?!?!?!?!?! THIS OUTFIT IS ENDING ME SO BAD AHHHHHHHHH  pic.twitter.com/qjdLqYsOzl February 21, 2024

Woah woah, it was a see through outfit  hwasa pic.twitter.com/lVPCWxGTSM  Lia |Starlit of Muse| (@bubble_gum_soul) February 21, 2024

MY WIFE SHE IS DIVINE I'M NEVER GONNA MOVE ON FROM THIS POST AND THIS OUTFIT . pic.twitter.com/yaK20fr4AH  chiara  | hwasa's wife  (@slothy_tea) February 21, 2024

YOU MIGHT BE ALSO INTERESTED IN: MAMAMOO Hwasa Speaks Out on Being Sued for 'R-19' Performance: 'I was more worried about...'



For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
In a bold and unprecedented move within the K-Pop industry, HYBE's subsidiary label BELIFT LAB ventured into uncharted territory with the survival show "R U Next?" in 2023.

The objective was clear  to scout and select the exceptional talents that would comprise the much-anticipated girl group, ILL-IT.

The show captivated audiences with its intense competition, showcasing the arduous journey that aspiring idols embarked on to secure their place in the upcoming sensation.

Silent Anticipation Ends: Final Six Members Chosen in Secrecy

After weeks of anticipation and suspense, the climax of "R U Next?" finally arrived as the curtains closed on the show, revealing the chosen six members of ILL-IT.

The selection process, shrouded in secrecy, added an element of mystery to the group's formation. Despite the show concluding last year, ILL-IT managed to maintain an air of secrecy, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the group's official debut.

READ ALSO: LE SSERAFIM Yunjin Faces 'Risky' Wardrobe Malfunction During Live Performance - FEARNOTs' in Shock

Paris Fashion Week Debut: ILL-IT Sets a New Milestone

Breaking traditional norms and setting a pioneering precedent, BELIFT LAB dropped a bombshell announcement on February 22.

BELIFT LAB confirms I'LL-IT was invited and will be attending Paris Fashion Week on the 28th. https://t.co/21PqU7IITV pic.twitter.com/HWFwOOSCes  Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) February 22, 2024

ILL-IT, the nascent girl group, received an exclusive invitation from the esteemed Swedish brand Acne Studios to attend Paris Fashion Week.

This announcement etches a historic moment in K-Pop history, as ILL-IT becomes the first-ever K-Pop group with all pre-debut members gracing the prestigious runway of a major global fashion event.

Mixed Reactions Online: "HYBE Privilege" Controversy Ignites

As the news of ILL-IT's Paris Fashion Week debut circulated, the online realm became a battleground of contrasting opinions.

Netizens, representing a diverse spectrum of the K-Pop fandom, expressed a myriad of emotions. Shock and disbelief echoed through negative reactions, with some fans arguing that a pre-debut group should not overshadow established stars at an international fashion extravaganza.

KNETZ' REACTIONS

Whatta, hasn't debuted and already booked. Slay They want us to believe a group that didn't even debuted and only K-pop stans know about got invited to PFW..? hybe spending all their money on shoving their artists on our faces do u think its easy to secure a debut spot in hybe? these girls work so hard to achieve their dream. ppl in qrts can keep on shading them but it wont change the fact that our girls working extra hard to show their best to the world and how sincere they are towards their fans Haters just proving us right bruh the girls WILL BE FAMOUS and u cant do ANYTHING about it lmfao suck on a lollipop. "Hybe payola" they're obviously gonna promote one of their NEWEST and very TALENTED new gg. The hybe payola is crazy They didn't debuted LMAOO, nepotism Tbh, BELIFT LAB don't really know how to manange their idol well, like how do u invite them to a fashion show before debut?? Huh?? Now if people say hybe is not payola nd organic then they are blind lol Anyways yall in the qrts can STAY mad and bothered they're attending a fashion show pre debut, the more hate yall give them the more they'll succeed at the end of the day

What has happened to kpop? They don't even have any music out yet but we are supposed to believe they have made an impact outside their primary field? https://t.co/2mq8hWEmEI   (@elsedonda) February 22, 2024

The way that fashion brands and fashion weeks became promotions for those companies especially hybe it's crazy lmao. Lisa and her members were criticized and called "models" but now every kpop idol is going to the fw even the groups that didn't debut yet https://t.co/HHJCcbZTyW pic.twitter.com/JDGx6PLW4B  LLOUD (@BihinaPaula) February 22, 2024



The term "HYBE privilege" began trending as critics pointed to the group's limited exposure beyond the reality show, questioning their eligibility for such a prestigious event.

ILL-IT Faces Criticism Amidst Praise: Shining in the Fashion Capital

In the face of mounting criticism, staunch supporters rallied behind ILL-IT. Defenders of the group emphasized the tireless efforts and unwavering dedication displayed by the members to secure their coveted spots under the HYBE banner.

With the controversy as a backdrop, ILL-IT is poised to make an indelible mark on the fashion capital of the world, Paris.

As the group prepares to grace the runway before their official debut, all eyes are on ILL-IT to see how they navigate the intricacies of fame and criticism while basking in the spotlight of a global fashion spectacle.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: THIS 3rd-Gen 'Billionaire' Idol Stuns Celeb Guests with His Luxurious Mansion & Jewelry Collection

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Armenian prime minister, yielding to France, has evidently taken a path of creating the regional tension, the Western Azerbaijan Community said, Trend reports.

"During his visit to France, the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan once again made anti-Azerbaijani statements. Pashinyan, claiming that the Western Azerbaijan term contradicts the territorial integrity of Armenia, attempted to accuse Azerbaijan of preparing an attack on Armenia.

Meanwhile, the Western Azerbaijan term is based on historical and geographical facts, and its use by our community is based on the right to self-identification, recognized by international conventions on human rights.

Instead of making claims against the activities of the Western Azerbaijan Community, Pashinyan, who has repeatedly expressed respect for the territorial integrity of states, should clarify the issue of creating conditions for the activities of separatist elements on the territory of Armenia, which undermine the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and the retention of provisions in the legislation of his country on the annexation of Azerbaijani territories.

The fact that France sells a significant amount of weaponry to Armenia, including the current visit to Armenia by the French Minister of Defense and the leaders of the military-industrial companies of that country, gives grounds to suggest that Armenia intends to embark on a military adventure precisely under the insistence of France.

We demand from Pashinyan not to turn his country into an instrument for France's games, to stop the policy of mass arming, to make peace with Azerbaijan, and to create conditions for the return of Western Azerbaijanis," the community stated.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Appointed judge of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan Fikrat Mammadov has expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for nominating him for this position after taking oath in Azerbaijani Parliament, Trend reports.

Meanwhile, the issue of appointing Fikrat Mammadov to the post was discussed at a session of the Azerbaijani Parliament today.

After discussion, the issue was put to vote and adopted. Then Mammadov took the oath, solemnly swearing to fulfill his duties with dignity.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi [India], February 23 (ANI): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has greenlit a USD 23 million loan to foster the growth of fintech education, research, and innovation at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) in India.

According to ADB, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT), a state-owned enterprise, serves as a cornerstone for nurturing fintech ecosystems and financial services within India.

Also Read | PM Modi West Bengal Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in State on March 1, 2; Expected To Address Rally on March 6 in Sandeshkhali.

Positioned as the country's premier international financial services center, GIFT has emerged as a burgeoning hub for fostering and nurturing local startups, catalyzing innovation, and propelling economic growth.

ADB Economist Kanupriya Gupta emphasized the transformative impact of India's fintech industry on business operations, economic prosperity, and future readiness.

Also Read | Exam Stress: Two Students Die by Suicide Due to Examination Pressure in Odisha's Ganjam and Bhadrak.

Gupta underscored ADB's commitment to strengthening fintech education to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of digital and financial services across India.

Gupta said, "The development of India's fintech industry has transformed how people do business, contributed to economic growth, and prepared the country for the future. ADB's assistance will help strengthen the country's fintech education to ensure that digital and financial services become more efficient and accessible in the future."

The ambitious project spearheaded by ADB will see the establishment of an inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient International Fintech Institute (IFI) within GIFT's premises.

The IFI, in collaboration with renowned global institutes and universities, will offer cutting-edge fintech training programs aligned with industry standards and international best practices.

A key focus of the institute will be on nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship, with a particular emphasis on supporting women-led startups through tailored incubation and acceleration services.

Additionally, the IFI will forge strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders and venture capital funds to facilitate the growth and scalability of fintech startups.

In line with ADB's commitment to fostering research and innovation, the program will channel resources towards exploring innovative solutions and technologies in various domains, including climate fintech, regulatory technology, social inclusion, and gender equality in finance.

The initiative will also entail the development of a state fintech readiness index to gauge the ecosystem's preparedness and identify areas for improvement.

ADB's unwavering dedication to promoting prosperity, inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region underscores its broader mission to eradicate extreme poverty and foster sustainable development.

With a membership comprising 68 nations, 49 of which are from the region, ADB remains steadfast in its pursuit of catalyzing positive change and driving economic progress across the region.

As the fintech ecosystem continues to evolve and expand, ADB's intervention is poised to serve as a catalyst for driving innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and unlocking new avenues for economic growth and financial inclusion in Gujarat and beyond. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
PNN

New Delhi [India], February 23: Golden Agers recently announced their upcoming Europe tour package for senior citizens that are dated at the month's end. With this international tour package, the company is set to deliver a luxury traveling experience to people above the age of 50. One thing to note is that their Europe trip package is organized keeping people's comfort and budget in mind.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Dates and Schedule Likely To Be Announced on March 13 and 14.

Golden Agers promises a pleasant travel experience by delivering luxury international tour packages. Nidhi Mehra, the founder of Golden Agers, who has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20+ years said, "I believe that every senior person deserves to explore, connect, and create lasting memories once in their lifetime. Our mission is to enhance senior citizen travel by delivering top-notch tour services."

The company invites senior people who are willing to explore the world on their upcoming Europe trip. This international trip is organized keeping the convenience and comfort of travelers in mind. It is a week-long trip filled with adventure, and covering the popular places in Europe. Right from exploring Rome's historic streets to enjoying the stunning Swiss Alps, Golden Agers delivers a range of itineraries.

Also Read | Delhi High Court Dismisses Mahua Moitra's Plea Alleging ED Leaked Confidential Information to Media in FEMA Case.

Golden Agers' Europe trip package is a great opportunity for children to surprise their parents by handing them over a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This Europe trip is organized and complete with accommodations, transportation, and guided experiences.

Golden Agers Founder and Director, Nidhi Mehra says, "Our goal at Golden Agers is to make travel accessible and enjoyable for seniors, ensuring they have the opportunity to explore the world at their own pace. We believe that age should never be a barrier to traveling, and our team works tirelessly to make sure every journey is filled with comfort, safety, and excitement."

So far, Golden Agers has organized several international tour packages for senior citizens, covering different places around the globe. Their latest initiative involves a Europe trip that is specially organized for people 50 years or over.

As a leading travel company for older people, Golden Agers is committed to delivering an experience of the highest degree. Since their inception, they have organized numerous tours for older people to both national and international places. Traveling with them feels safe due to their excellent management and organizational skills. The team takes care of senior travelers and is ready to assist them whenever required.

Golden Agers aims to become India's premier senior people group tour company and therefore, they are working constantly to make that happen. They focus on delivering captivating and memorable tours to senior people by organizing trips to popular places. The company promises to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience by delivering transparent tour services with no hidden travel conditions.

Golden Agers understands senior people's traveling requirements and makes it a point to fulfill them. From Asian countries to Western destinations, their travel packages include places from all around the globe. They organize trips each month, the details of which are displayed on the site.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. 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)
VMPL

New Delhi [India], February 23: In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency investing, opportunities abound for early adopters to reap significant gains. One such project that has captured the attention of investors is Retik Finance (RETIK). In just two months since its inception, early backers of Retik Finance have witnessed remarkable returns, with gains reaching up to 4x. This article explores the journey of Retik Finance, its innovative approach to decentralised finance (DeFi), and why analysts are optimistic about its future prospects.

Also Read | Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk Accuses Google of Running 'Racist, Anti-Civilisational Programming' With Its AI Models.

The Rise of Retik Finance (RETIK)

Retik Finance (RETIK) emerged onto the crypto scene with a mission to disrupt the traditional financial landscape through decentralised finance solutions. Founded on the principles of transparency, security, and accessibility, Retik Finance quickly gained traction among crypto enthusiasts seeking exposure to innovative DeFi projects. The journey of Retik Finance began in December 2023, with the launch of its presale stages. During these presale stages, early backers had the opportunity to acquire RETIK tokens at a discounted price, laying the foundation for their investment journey. As the project gained momentum, investors flocked to participate in the presale, eager to secure their stake in Retik Finance's promising future.

Also Read | Avast Fined 'USD 16.5 Million by US Federal Trade Commission for Selling Browser Data to Third Parties.

Growth and Expansion

As the presale stages progressed, Retik Finance (RETIK) witnessed exponential growth, fueled by increasing investor interest and confidence in the project. The project's innovative approach to DeFi, coupled with its robust ecosystem of products and services, attracted attention from both retail and institutional investors alike. Within just two months, Retik Finance achieved a significant milestone, with early backers reaping gains of up to 4x on their initial investment. This rapid appreciation in value underscored the project's potential and solidified its position as a promising player in the DeFi space.

Analyst Predictions

Despite the impressive gains achieved in a short period, analysts remain bullish on Retik Finance's future prospects. With its strong fundamentals, innovative features, and growing community support, Retik Finance is poised for further upside potential in the coming months. One analyst, who closely monitors the cryptocurrency market, predicts that Retik Finance could experience a significant uptrend, similar to the meteoric rise witnessed by projects like Solana and Ethereum. The analyst points to Retik Finance's unique value proposition, its experienced team, and its expanding ecosystem as key factors driving its growth trajectory. Furthermore, the analyst highlights Retik Finance's presale stages as a strategic advantage, allowing early investors to capitalise on discounted token prices before the project transitions to its next phase. As Retik Finance prepares for its listing on major exchanges, the analyst anticipates heightened investor interest and increased liquidity, further contributing to the project's growth potential.

Community Engagement and Support

Beyond its financial performance, Retik Finance has cultivated a strong and vibrant community of supporters who are actively engaged in the project's development and promotion. The project's dedicated community members contribute valuable insights, feedback, and support, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to growth and innovation. The active participation of the community underscores the widespread belief in Retik Finance's vision and mission to democratise finance and empower individuals worldwide. Through community-driven initiatives, educational outreach, and strategic partnerships, Retik Finance continues to strengthen its position as a leader in the DeFi space.

Conclusion

Retik Finance (RETIK) has emerged as a compelling investment opportunity for early backers seeking exposure to the burgeoning DeFi sector. With its rapid growth, innovative solutions, and strong community support, Retik Finance has positioned itself for continued success in the crypto market. As analysts predict further upside potential for Retik Finance, investors are encouraged to conduct their due diligence and consider the project's fundamentals, team, and roadmap before making investment decisions. With its disruptive potential and promising outlook, Retik Finance stands poised to redefine the future of decentralised finance and unlock new opportunities for investors worldwide.

Click Here To Take Part In Retik Finance Presale

Visit the links below for more information about Retik Finance (RETIK):

Website: https://retik.com

Whitepaper: https://retik.com/retik-whitepaper.pdf

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/retikfinance

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Units of the Armenian Armed Forces fired small arms from positions located in the direction of Yukhari Shorja settlement of Basarkechar region in the direction of Yellija settlement of Kalbajar region at 05:50 (GMT+4), Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

"The Defense Ministry states that to prevent aggravation of the situation and ensure stability on the conditional border of the two countries, Azerbaijani Army units did not take reciprocal measures. We urge the Armenian military leadership not to allow such provocations aimed at disrupting the stability that has prevailed on the conditional border for the past five months and taking the situation out of control, and demand to identify and punish those responsible for these actions," the statement of the ministry reads.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Washington DC [US], February 23 (ANI): Researchers from the GIGA - Centre of Research Cyclotron at the University of Liege discovered that the body reacts to the external world when sleeping, which explains how sensory input might alter sleep quality.

Researchers at ULiege have collaborated with the University of Fribourg in Switzerland to investigate whether the body is truly disconnected from the external world during sleep. To do so, they focused on how heartbeat changes when we hear different words during sleep. They found that relaxing words slowed down cardiac activity as a reflection of deeper sleep and in comparison to neutral words that did not have such a slowing effect. This discovery is presented in Journal of Sleep Research and sheds new light on brain-heart interactions during sleep.

Also Read | Neuralink Human Trials: First Human Implanted With Neuralink Brain Chip Fully Recovered and Able To Control Computer Mouse Via Thoughts, Says Elon Musk.

Matthieu Koroma (Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS postdoctoral researcher), Christina Schmidt and Athena Demertzi (both Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS Research Associate) from the GIGA Cyclotron Research Center at ULiege teamed up with colleagues from University of Fribourg to lead a previous study analysing brain data (electroencephalogram) showing that relaxing words increased deep sleep duration and sleep quality, showing that we can positively influence sleep using meaningful words. By that time, the authors hypothesized that the brain also remains able to interpret sensory information in a way that makes our body more relaxed after hearing relaxing words during sleep. In this new study, the authors had the opportunity to analyze cardiac activity (electrocardiogram) to test this hypothesis and found that the heart slows down its activity only after the presentation of relaxing, but not control words.

Markers of both cardiac and brain activity were then compared to disentangle how much they contributed to the modulation of sleep by auditory information. Cardiac activity has been indeed proposed to directly contribute to the way we perceive the world, but such evidence was so far obtained in wakefulness. With these results, the ULiege researchers showed that it was also true in sleep, offering a new perspective on the essential role of bodily reactions beyond brain data for our understanding of sleep.

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"Most of sleep research focuses on the brain and rarely investigates bodily activity", says Dr. Schmidt.

"We nevertheless hypothesize that the brain and the body are connected even when we cannot fully communicate, including sleep. Both brain and body information need then to be taken into account for a full understanding of how we think and react to our environment", explains Dr. Demertzi.

"We shared freely our methodology following the principles of Open Science hoping that the tools that helped to make this discovery will inspire other researchers to study the role played by the heart in other sleep functions", Dr.Koroma advocates.

This work offers a more comprehensive approach about the modulation of sleep functions by sensory information. By looking into the cardiac responses to sounds, we may, for example, study in the future the role of the body in the way sounds influence emotional processing of memories during sleep. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Shalini Bhardwaj

New Delhi [India], February 23 (ANI): India's top medical body Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted a study in collaboration with AIIMS Delhi to find out whether there is any link between sudden young adult deaths, Covid-19 and vaccination.

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Various departments of AIIMS Delhi are involved in this study including the Department of Forensic Medicine.

On the study of the death of young adults in India post Covid-19, AIIMS Delhi Head of Forensic Medicine Department Professor Dr Sudhir Gupta said, "The government and ICMR asked us to do a thorough study to find out the cause of deaths... The study is still ongoing and till now we have not found only cardiac origin reasons for death. We have found multiple organs like lungs and brain (for the cause of death)... Till now we have not found any direct link between the sudden young adult deaths, Covid-19 and vaccination."

Also Read | Sandeshkhali Unrest: TMC Blames BJP for Trying To Aggravate Sandeshkhali Situation, Not Allowing Peace To Return.

"Now we are doing molecular autopsy also to know more about sudden deaths in youngsters," he said

Molecular autopsy is a molecular technique used in forensic medicine to attempt to determine the cause of death in unexplained cases, in particular sudden deaths like cardiac death.

The study done by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) underlined behavioural factors behind the sudden deaths. It was published in a peer-reviewed study that included 47 tertiary care hospitals country-wide.

"Family history of sudden death, behaviours such as binge drinking 48 hrs before death and vigorous-intensity physical activity performed 48 hrs before death significantly increased the odds for unexplained sudden death among young adults." (ANI).

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Guwahati (Assam) [India], February 23 (ANI): Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the opposition Congress in Assam on Friday sought the disqualification of two of its MLAs from the assembly for supporting the government led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

As reported earlier, on February 14 two Congress MLAs including a working president of the party's state unit decided to extend support to the BJP-led government.

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Assam Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia said, "As the Congress Legislature Party Leader, I have filed two Disqualification Petitions before the Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, under Article 191(2) read with the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, seeking disqualification of Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, MLA No 3 North Karimganj LAC, and Basanta Das, No 67 Mangaldoi (SC) LAC, from membership of Assam Legislative Assembly, for voluntarily giving up membership of the Indian National Congress."

Earlier, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee had issued a show cause notice to Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Basanta Das.

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"It has come to the notice of APCC President Bhupen Kumar Borah that you have made statements before the media offering your support to the state BJP Government on development issues and publicly expressed your faith and allegiance to the CM Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. It was observed by the President APCC that you raised your voice against the BJP government's rampant corruption, land scams, syndicate, cases for jobs and many other issues," said the show cause notice issued by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee to its two MLAs Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Basanta Das.

"At a time when you openly expressed support to the BJP Govt, Hon'ble President APCC wants to know whether you will support the above-cited corruption and other objectionable issues. Your statements and actions have created misgivings in the minds of party workers and tarnished the image of the Congress party. In view of the above, APCC President hereby serves Show Cause to you and asks you to clarify your stand and intentions within a day as to why the party should not take disciplinary actions against you," said in the show cause notice issued by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee to its two MLAs Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Basanta Das," it added.

Earlier on February 14, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that two more Congress MLAs had extended their support to the state government.

"Two Congress MLAs Basanta Das and Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha have extended their support to the Assam government. Earlier, two Congress MLAs Sashi Kanta Das and Siddique Ahmed had extended their support to the state. So far, four Congress MLAs have extended their support to the government. In coming days, all opposition MLAs will extend their support to the government," Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Earlier also two Congress MLAs Sashi Kanta Das and Siddique Ahmed had extended their support to the BJP-led Assam government. (ANI)

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Champhai (Mizoram) [India], February 23 (ANI): In a joint operation against smuggling activities, Assam Rifles, Hnahlan Police Beat Post, and customs preventive force Mizoram, recovered over Rs 1 crore cash in General Area Murlen, apprehended three Myanmar nationals, an official said on Friday.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, Assam Rifles and Customs Preventive Force Champhai recovered 136 cases of foreign origin beer worth around Rs 6.52 lakhs from Mualkawi, Champhai, in two separate operations on February 22.

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"In yet another success in its crusade against smuggling activities, Assam Rifles, along with Hnahlan Police Beat Post, recovered Rs 1,03,97,500 in cash in General Area Murlen, and apprehended three individuals on 22 February 2024. In another operation, Assam Rifles recovered 136 cases of foreign origin beer worth rupees 6.52 lakh from Mualkawi Champhai on 22 Feb 24," as per a press release.

"The consignment and apprehended individuals were handed over to Hnahlan Police Beat Post, Mizoram, on 22 February 2024 for further legal proceedings," the release said.

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"Simultaneously, the other operation was conducted by Assam Rifles and customs preventive force Champhai, where in 136 cases of foreign origin beer has been handed over to customs preventive force Champhai," the release stated.

Assam Rifles along with Mizoram Police also recovered Methamphetamine tablets (weighing -11.397 Kgs) and Heroine No 4 (weighing- 218 gms) worth Rs 35 Crores hidden in two modified Chambers of a Swift Car in general Area Dungtlang, Champhai District, Mizoram on February 21. (ANI)

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Kolkata, February 23: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday blamed the BJP for trying to aggravate the situation in restive Sandeshkhali by foiling every effort to restore peace and normalcy in the area even as the administration and police are working overtime to reach out to every villager to address their grievances. Addressing a press conference here, senior minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the administration has full control over the situation and is diligently addressing every complaint and grievance of villagers.

"The administration is in charge, with BDO and police officers working tirelessly. Every complaint is being thoroughly examined and promptly addressed. However, whenever there is a semblance of normalcy being restored, BJP leaders such as Sukanta Majumdar and Locket Chatterjee rush in to exacerbate the situation. The BJP shows no concern for the women of Sandeshkhali; their only agenda seems to be to sow chaos for electoral gains," she said. West Bengal: BJP Leader Sabyasachi Ghosh Arrested on Charge of Running Sex Racket in Howrah Amid Sandeshkhali Violence

Bhattacharya and another senior minister, Shashi Panja, both strongly reacted when a reporter compared the situation in Sandeshkhali to that of Singur and Nandigram during the erstwhile CPI(M) regime in 2007-08. "Those were popular uprising against the misrule of the left, whereas the opposition is trying to foment chaos and disturbances in the name of protests in some parts of Sandeshkhali. There is no uprising. If there had been few cases of grievances of land grab and exploitation, those have already been addressed," Bhattacharya said.

"BJP is trying to incite people and violating laws," Panja added. On allegations against the leader of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, regarding the use of the word 'Khalistani' against a Sikh IPS officer," Panja remarked, "The entire BJP leadership, both state and central, are silent about the humiliation of a member of the Sikh community. Adhikari is in denial mode having expressed no remorse till now about an incident which made the people of Bengal hang their heads in shame. We are taking the matter to the people's court." "Not only Adhikari, his party colleagues continuously describe the CM as "Rohingya", isn't that derogatory," she asked.

Regarding the visits of the NHRC, the National Women's Commission, and other central panels, she remarked, "Members of the commission can go anywhere they wish as it is Bengal." Bhattacharya wondered why none of the central commission members went to Chopra in north Bengal where four children were buried. On Friday morning, enraged locals set fire to property belonging to TMC leaders accused of sexual abuse of women and forcible land grabbing in an area of Sandeshkhali. Sandeshkhali Violence: Mamata Banerjee-Led West Bengal Government Surpassed CPI in Subjecting People to Atrocities, Says BJP

Armed with sticks, they set ablaze thatched structures near a fishing yard in Belmajur area of Sandeshkhali, venting their fury against the elusive TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his brother Siraj. The torched structure, it was revealed, belonged to Siraj. "The police for years did nothing. That is why we are doing everything to reclaim our land and honour", a protester said. Police later entered the area and tried to pacify the protesters. The fresh protests came a day after the area witnessed protests and arson, fueled by allegations against local TMC leaders for sexual abuse and forcible land grabbing.

The unrest in Sandeshkhali stems from accusations against TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters of land grabbing and sexual assault, with Shahjahan evading authorities since a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.

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Patna, Feb 23 (PTI) A fresh demand for the grant of special category status to Bihar was raised inside the assembly on Friday by a key aide of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is now in the BJP-led NDA.

Power Minister Bijendra Yadav, while presenting his department's budget before the House, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill the longstanding demand or at least consider providing the state with a "special economic package."

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"I request the prime minister, through this House, to consider giving special status to Bihar or a special economic package. We have achieved a lot with our limited resources. So many people have been pulled out of poverty. But a lot more remains to be done. The state has immense potential in the power sector since three sources of energy, water, air, and sunlight are available here in plenty," said Yadav, the seniormost minister in the state cabinet.

Notably, this is the first time that the demand for special status has been raised since Kumar, the JD(U) president, returned to the BJP-led NDA a month ago. Kumar has been raising the demand since he took over as the chief minister in 2005.

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However, the Modi government has contended that the grant of special category status was no longer possible since the provision was scrapped by the 14th Finance Commission when the Congress-led UPA ruled the Centre.

Kumar, who was with the INDIA bloc before returning to the NDA, had during that time revived the demand with fresh vigour and promised special category status to not just Bihar but "all backward states" if the anti-BJP coalition came to power.

When Yadav, a former state president of JD(U), raised the demand, those seated beside him included Kumar as well as Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, both senior BJP leaders.

Yadav, who is said to have played a key role in the formation of the JD(U)'s short-lived alliance with the RJD, also took the opportunity to express dissatisfaction against the rival party.

Referring to former Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, without mentioning his name, the minister said, "He wants to claim credit for jobs given during the period when the Mahagathbandhan was in power. But they have a problem with Nitish Kumar getting the credit for turning the power sector around."

"The Constitution clearly says that the council of ministers is there to aid and advice the CM. Hence, be it Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre or Nitish Kumar in Bihar, they must be given the credit for achievements under their stewardship," asserted Yadav.

Yadav also objected to the use of the pejorative "paltimar" (turncoat) for Nitish Kumar by Tejashwi, now the leader of the opposition, and reminded the RJD scion of the track record of his father Lalu Prasad, who is the party president.

"He should remember that he became the deputy CM two times, not because of his father, but because of Nitish Kumar. His mother may have been a beneficiary of his father's benediction, but that was not so in his case," said Yadav, in an obvious reference to Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi, who succeeded her husband as the CM in 1997.

Yadav also highlighted "the difference in words and deeds" of Lalu Prasad, who "fought against the Congress in the 1995 assembly polls but leaned on its support two years later to save his government after floating the RJD."

Notably, the RJD came into being as a result of a split engineered in Janata Dal by Prasad, who was facing imminent defeat at the hands of late socialist leader Sharad Yadav in organizational polls.

The Bihar Reorganization Bill, which cleared the way for the carving out of the tribal state, was passed in November 2000, months after the assembly polls in undivided Bihar had thrown a hung assembly and Rabri Devi formed a new government with fresh support from Congress, which made the RJD agree to the creation of Jharkhand.

(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 23 (ANI): Former Minister of the Madhya Pradesh cabinet and Congress leader PC Sharma complained to the Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) on Friday over the removal of encroachments from Bhadbhada slum in Bhopal.

Bhopal district administration, along with the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), removed the residential structures citing an order from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday.

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"Human rights commission has been formed to protect the rights of humans. But human rights have been violated in the Bhadbhada area in the city; public settlements have been bulldozed, and 384 families have been made homeless. Initially, their power connections were cut off, water supply was stopped, rations stopped, and children's studies are getting affected in the time of exams; all these human rights were violated here. Today, we have complained about the matter to the human rights commission," Sharma said.

People who have been evicted have their 'land pattas'; also, there is a temple and mosque in the area. First, alternate arrangements are made, and then only settlements are removed, but no arrangements were made in this case. Notices were given, but it was not mentioned at the bottom about whose notices they were. It is completely a dictatorship, the Congress leader alleged.

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Earlier, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anil Shukla during the removal action on Wednesday said, "It was an illegal encroachments removal drive carried out on the instructions of NGT. The occupants were vacating the structures voluntarily, and they were provided support by the administration."

Around 1000 police personnel were deployed during the course of the eviction drive.

Earlier, a Congress leader, Santosh Kansana, also claimed it was an act of "dictatorship of the BMC and the administration."

"This is absolutely an act of dictatorship of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation and the administration. Five years ago, the BMC did the work of setting up sewerage lines and water lines in the same slum locality. If it was illegal, then why did the BMC install the sewerage and water supply lines? People had been living here for 50 years, and they are not even provided with any alternate arrangements," Kansana said.

"On one hand, the government claims that houses are being given to the poor under PM Awas Yojana, but here the houses of the poor are being razed down. It is clearly an act of dictatorship," the Congress leader added. (ANI)

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Amaravathi (Andhra Pradesh) [India], February 23 (ANI): The untimely demise of Secunderabad Cantonment MLA G Lasya Nanditha, who was killed in a road accident on the outskirts of Hyderabad early Friday, left leaders across the political circles in a deep shock.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) National President and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, took to X and said that the late BRS legislature had a bright future in front of her.

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"Shocked to learn about the death of Secunderabad Cantonment MLA Lasya Nanditha in an accident today. It is unfortunate that she passed away within a year of her father' Sayanna's death. She had a bright future in front of her, yet fate had other plans. My heartfelt condolences to her family members," the TDP chief said.

Nanditha was killed in a road mishap on the Outer Ring Road in Telangana's Sangerddy district on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

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The 37-year-old, who was a first-time MLA from Secunderabad Cantonment, suffered serious injuries after her vehicle lost control and collided with the road divider.

Lasya Nanditha, a prominent figure in the political landscape, had previously served as a corporator from Kavadiguda since 2016.

Senior BRS leader and working President of the party, KT Rama Rao took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his condolences on Nanditha's sudden death.

"This was about a week ago. Just now heard the absolutely tragic & shocking news that Lasya is no more !! Woke up to the devastating loss of the young legislator who was a very good leader in the making. My heartfelt prayers for strength to her family and friends in this terrible & difficult time," he said.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has also expressed his deep condolence over Nanditha's demise.

"The untimely death of Cantonment legislator Lasya Nanditha left me deeply shocked. I had a close relationship with Nanditha's father Swargiya Sayanna. He passed away in the same month last year... It is very sad that Nanditha also died suddenly in the same month. My deepest condolences to their family...I pray to God to rest her soul in peace," he said.

BRS MLC K Kavitha also reached the residence of the deceased party MLA to offer her condolences.

Earlier in the day, BRS MLA Harish Rao reached Amedha Hospital where the body of the deceased BRS MLA, Lasya Nanditha was kept. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shambhu Border (Haryana) [India], February 23 (ANI): The General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarwan Singh Pandher on Friday targetted Punjab government for not filing an FIR on the death of farmer youth at the Khanauri Border during the ongoing protests.

He said that the way the Punjab government is 'insulting the martyrdom of our martyrs' is condemnable.

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Pandher questioned the delay in filing the FIR though all the deamands were accepted during the talks.

"Talks were being held with the Punjab Government on the death of Shubhkaran Singh. All our demands were accepted, that a case under Section 302 (murder) be filed against those who attacked, that the Punjab Government give the status of 'martyr' to Shubhkaran Singh, that discussions on compensation be held with his family, and that a Board will be constituted for his postmortem and its videography will be done. It has been more than 14 hours now but the Punjab Government is not giving any answer," the farmer leader said.

Also Read | BRS Secunderabad Cantonment MLA Lasya Nanditha Dies in Road Accident in Telangana: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, February 23, 2024.

"When you give trust, why don't they live up to the trust? Either there is some problem with the officers. Only they can know what is problem or where is the issue. Now, Shubhkaran Singh's body is lying in the hospital. Punjab Government is insulting the martyrdom of our martyrs, this is condemnable," Pandher said.

He further lashed out at the government for inaction while calling out the 'brutal acts of the forces' on the farmers.

"They are saying that the site of the incident will have to be investigated - whether it is located in Punjab or Haryana. Now the matter is stuck on this, they are talking like this. Some officers committed brutal acts, fired live bullets, and threw gases, and rubber bullets at our farmers. But no one is ready to take any action," Pandher said.

"Senior officers also tell us that no evidence is required for the first FIR, we do it first and then start the investigation but the Punjab government is not ready to file an FIR against them," he added.

The farmer leader further questioned the Punjab government's stance on the protest.

"Our Chief Minister is saying that the central government is putting pressure on us, that they will break the government, they will impose 356. Let them, I don't care, we said that, it is very good. On one hand, they are saying that we are with you, we stand with the farmers and labourers, their right to protest, and the Punjab government will not do anything and all. Then where barricading has been done, the bridge which the villagers are moving is in the territory of Punjab, why did you not give any explanation for that? Why not make it clear," Pandher said.

"Is this a joint operation happening? Whenever we were moving forward on the 21st, your tippers were deployed, and they were blocking our way, tippers are still deployed, if you want to divert the traffic then you can do it from wherever you want, and that's fine. So the second thing is that you stopped us while coming to the langar, why did you do this that day?," he asked.

"Now, we are unable to perform the last rites of Shubhkaran Singh, as of now the talks with the Punjab Government are not completed," he added.

The farmers' protest has been put on a halt for two days following the incident of death and serious injuries.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Thursday said the protesting farmers led by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will observe a 'Black Friday' on Friday following the death of a farmer at Khanauri Border crossing in Sangrur district, Punjab, during the ongoing protests.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Arjun Munda said that the Central Government is dedicated towards the welfare of the farmers and trying to resolve the issue through dialogue.

He further said that the Agriculture Ministry is working on the concerns raised by the Farmers' associations.

The ongoing farmers' agitation has prompted the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to call for inclusive dialogue from stakeholders across the agricultural sector.

The protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu border near Ambala since the start of the protest. Several farmers and police personnel were injured in the clashes during the March that started on February 13. (ANI)

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Prayagraj, Feb 23 (PTI) The High Court here Friday imposed a fine of Rs 15 lakh on an Allahabad University teacher for filing frivolous cases under the SC/ST Act against her three senior colleagues and quashed the FIRs filed by her.

The court said the complainant, an assistant professor in the economics department, knows the law very well and "had been abusing the provisions of law for personal gain."

Also Read | Bihar: We Gave Five Lakh Jobs During Mahagathbandhan Rule, Claims Tejashwi Yadav.

Justice Prashant Kumar allowed the petitions filed by professors Manmohan Krishna, Prahlad Kumar and Javed Akhtar against her complaints.

"This is a case where there is pure abuse of process of law where the complainant just to wreak personal vengeance against the Head of Department tried to implicate him and his colleagues by filing false and frivolous cases," the court observed after hearing the parties.

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"Whenever the Seniors/Head of Department/Professors asked her to teach properly and to take classes regularly, she would file a complaint against them. This is not one of the first cases which happened. The complainant, who is a well-educated lady, knows the provisions of law very well and she had been abusing the provisions of law for personal gain." added the court.

Imposing a cost of Rs 5 lakh in each case, the court said, "Because of the filing of frivolous cases, the reputation and public image of the applicant and his colleagues, who are Professors and people with high morals and reputation, had been tarnished. They had to run from pillar to post from Police Station to Court to save themselves."

On August 4, 2016, the economics department assistant professor lodged an FIR at a police station that she was insulted and harassed by the three professors and they had used words related to her caste while scolding her.

Later, police submitted a charge sheet in the case after which the court issued summons against the professors which were challenged before the high court.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has warned Armenia's military leadership, Trend reports.

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry urged Armenian military authorities to avoid provocations that could jeopardize the five-month-old stability along the demarcated border.

"We encourage Armenia's military leadership to prevent such provocations and insist on identifying and punishing those guilty for such acts," the ministry stressed.

Earlier, units of the Armenian Armed Forces fired small arms from positions located in the direction of Yukhari Shorja settlement in the Basarkechar region and in the direction of Yellija settlement in the Kalbajar region at 05:50 (GMT +4).

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi, February 23: Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda will hold a meeting with the election in charge and co-in-charge of all the states at BJP headquarters in the national capital on Saturday. As per the BJP's top sources, "BJP President JP Nadda will hold a big meeting tomorrow regarding the Lok Sabha elections. The meeting will be held at BJP headquarters. Election in-charges and co-in-charges of all the states will attend the meeting."

The party sources added, "There will be discussion in the meeting regarding the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections." "Amit Shah is also likely to join the meeting. All state election in-charges have been asked to bring a report on ongoing government campaigns and schemes," sources said. Determined to secure the maximum number of seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's target of 370-plus for the party and '400 paar' (beyond 400) for the NDA, the BJP has set sights on 'GYAN' to bring home the desired electoral harvest. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Dates and Schedule Likely To Be Announced on March 13 and 14

A term coined by PM Modi himself, 'GYAN' refers to 'Garib' (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women). India's political landscape is undergoing a significant transition as the Lok Sabha elections draw near. INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) consortium is gearing up to challenge the established National Democratic Alliance. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Amit Shah Sounds Poll Bugle in Rajasthan, Reiterates BJP's 400-Seat Target

Earlier in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won 353 seats, the UPA stood at 91, and Others won 98. The voting was staggered in seven phases between April 11 and May 19, in which around 67 per cent of the nearly 900 million eligible people exercised their franchise to elect 542 members of the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha elections will be held this year in April and May.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Varanasi, February 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked Lord Mahadev's blessings in Kashi while affirming that his constituency had witnessed the 'damru' of development playing in the last 10 years. "Kashi is the capital of all knowledge, today that power and form of Kashi is emerging again. This is a matter of pride for the whole of India. We all are just instruments, the one who does it in Kashi is Mahadev. Wherever there are blessings of Mahadev, that earth becomes prosperous," PM Modi said while addressing a gathering at BHU in Varanasi.

"Right now, Mahadev is very happy. So with his blessings, in 10 years, Kashi saw the 'damru' of development playing in all directions," he added. "People from all over the country and even from every corner of the world come to Kashi in search of knowledge, research and peace. People from every province, every language, every dialect, every custom have come and settled in Kashi," he said. The Prime Minister asserted that the country will give a new pace to development in the next five years. PM Narendra Modi Distributes Prizes to Sansad Pratiyogita Winners in Varanasi, Launches Books on Kashi (Watch Video).

"In the next five years, the country will give a new pace to development with this confidence, the country will create new patterns of success and this is Modi's guarantee," PM Modi said. "Kashi is going to be beautified. Roads will be built, bridges will be built, buildings will also be built but here I have to beautify the people, beautify every heart and beautify it by becoming a servant, beautify it by becoming a companion," he added. He said that when India has been hailed for its prosperity, it is not only the economy but also cultural, spiritual and social prosperity that's been lauded.

'Vikas Ka Damru' in Varanasi

#WATCH | UP | In Varanasi, PM Narendra Modi says, "You know that we are just 'nimitt matr'. The 'doer' in Kashi is Mahadev. Wherever there is Mahadev's blessing, that land turns prosperous just like this. Right now, Mahadev is very happy. So with his blessings, in 10 years, Kashi pic.twitter.com/e55cjOohAr  ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

"There was a time when India's prosperity story was told all over the world. It was not only India's economic strength that was behind this. Behind this was our cultural prosperity, social and spiritual prosperity as well," the Prime Minister said. "Our pilgrimage places like Kashi and our temples like Vishwanath Dham used to be the sacrificial places for the progress of the nation," he added. He said that the temples not only hosted a spiritual atmosphere but also were 'streams of literature and music'. PM Narendra Modi, CM Yogi Adityanath Inspect Shivpur-Phulwaria-Lahartara Marg in Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi Late at Night (See Pics).

"Here meditation was also done and debates were also held. Dialogues and research also took place here. There were sources of culture here as well as streams of literature and music," the Prime Minister said. "Kashi is also the city of Shiva, it is also the land of Buddha's teachings. Kashi is also the birthplace of Jain Tirthankaras and Adi Shankaracharya also attained enlightenment from here," he said. "New Kashi has emerged as the inspiration for new India", he further said. The Prime Minister also presented prizes to winners of Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita at BHU in Varanasi.

Addressing the students present at the gathering, the Prime Minister said, "I hope that the youth coming out from here will become the flag bearers of Indian knowledge, tradition and culture all over the world." The Prime Minister congratulated all winners of the competition and also extended wishes to their parents on their wards' win. He further affirmed that Kashi is empowered by the young generation.

"The Kashi which is called more ancient than the time itself, its identity is being empowered by the young generation responsibly. This scene satisfies my heart, makes me feel proud and also gives the confidence that the youth will take the country to new heights on Amrit Kaal," PM Modi said. PM Modi also got pictures clicked with the students at BHU in Varanasi. He walked up to the students in the audience and exchanged brief pleasantries. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was present at the event. The event was also attended by students and parents in large numbers.

The Prime Minister also launched two books on Kashi were during the occasion. "A lot of development have taken place in Kashi in the last 10 years. Two books on complete information about Kashi have also been launched here today," he said. "The journey of development that Kashi has undertaken in the last 10 years, every stage of it and the culture here has also been described in this book," he added. PM Modi is scheduled to visit Sant Guru Ravidas Janmasthali later in the day.

The Prime Minister will perform pooja and darshan at Sant Guru Ravidas Janmasthali and around 11.30 am, he will attend a public function commemorating the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas, a release issued by PM's office said. He is also scheduled to visit Banas Kashi Sankul, a milk processing unit of Banaskantha District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd built at UPSIDA Agro Park, Karkhiyaon, Varanasi later in the day.

After this, he will address a public function where the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 13,000 crore in Varanasi. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate several projects related to tourism and spiritual tourism in Varanasi. These projects include ten spiritual journeys along the Panchkoshi Parikrama Marg and the redevelopment of public facilities at five stops on the Pavan Path. 23 schemes worth Rs 10,972 crore are to be launched and the foundation stone for 12 schemes worth Rs 2195.07 crore will be laid by the Prime Minister.

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New Delhi, February 24: A 42-year-old man, waiting for school bus for his child, died in a stray cattle attack in south Delhi's Tigri area here, police said on Friday. Footage from a CCTV camera showed the animal goring Subhash Kumar Jha, a resident of Khanpur, and pound him with its hoofs as he lay on road. In the video, Jha's son could be seen screaming for help. The cow stomped on Jha's chest and head a number of times after goring him.

The people standing nearby tried to save him by trying to hit the animal with sticks, the video showed. The incident took place near Jaspal Mart in Devli Mor around 8 am Thursday when Jha was waiting for a bus for his son to go to school, a police officer said. The victim, who worked as a financier, is survived by wife and two sons, aged 7 and 13. "He had gone to drop his younger son to school and was waiting for the bus when he was attacked by a stray cow," Manoranjan, a cousin of the victim, told PTI. Odisha Bull Attack: Stray Cattle Attacks, Kills Farmer in Jajapur's Deoda.

Viewer Discretion Advised: Father Attacked and Killed by Stray Cattle

        42                     #Delhi  Sensetive Media  pic.twitter.com/a0L2PmgNbp  Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) February 23, 2024

He said Jha was a native of Bihar's Araria district and had been living in the locality since 2000. His older son studies in class 9, Manoranjan said. He said that similar animal attacks have happened in the past in the area, with several people getting injured, but no death. Locals attributed the stray cattle problem to the illegal dairies operating in the area. A police officer, admitting the problem of stray animals in the locality, said that they have relayed the information to the municipal corporation. Cow Attack in Punjab Video: Elderly Man Dies After Being Dragged by Cattle for 100 Metres in Mohali, Terrifying Incident Caught on CCTV Camera.

"We are yet to ascertain whether it was a cow or a bull and also finding out it was owned by anybody." Another police officer said, after the incident, Jha was taken to Batra Hospital where he succumbed during treatment on Friday morning. His body was handed over to his family after post mortem, police said. Dr Balraj, department of forensic, senior resident, said that Jha had received multiple fractures in his ribs and injuries to his head, heart and lungs. Some bleeding also occurred in his abdomen, he said.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi in a statement said that a team of veterinary department has captured nine animals in the southern zone of Khanpur area. It said it will cut the electricity and water connections of illegal dairies being operated in the locality and seal them. Rahul Raj, a friend of Jha, blamed for the incident the civic authorities, who, he said, failed to stop people from letting loose their cattle on streets.

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Kolkata, Feb 23 (PTI) A total of 24 candidates have so far been disqualified from appearing in the Class-12 board examination in West Bengal as they entered the exam centre with mobile phones in violation of rules, a senior official said.

While seven students were disqualified on Friday, 17 others had earlier been barred from writing their papers, President of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Examination, Chiranjib Bhattacharya, said in a statement.

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The steps were adopted to prevent any malpractices, including taking images of the question papers and circulating those..., he told PTI.

We have zero tolerance for such acts. The ones disqualified cannot sit for exams for one year, Bhattacharya said.

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To address concerns about test paper leaks, the council has introduced for the first time a unique serial number for each question paper, he said.

One person was arrested recently from Nadia district for promising to share question papers in exchange of money, another council official said.

An estimated 7,89,867 students are appearing for this year's Class-12 board examination from February 16-29.

(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 23 (PTI) A team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday went to the restive Sandeshkhali and spoke to villagers who accused local TMC leaders of sexual atrocities on women there.

The team constituted NHRC member Vijaya Bharathi Sayani and five officials of the rights body.

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The team visited some villages, including Patrapara and Natunpara in the trouble-torn Sandeshkhali, situated about 100 kilometres from Kolkata.

The NHRC team members spoke to the villagers and noted their statements.

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They also visited the Sandeshkhali police station and spoke to the officials there, a source said.

Several villagers at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district have accused Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of alleged land-grab and sexual assault.

The NHRC had earlier said in a statement that the team would be led by a member of the NHRC and assisted by officers of the rights panel to ascertain facts by holding an on-spot inquiry into the allegations of violation of human rights in the restive area.

The team reached Sandeshkhali via Dhamakhali ferry ghat in the morning, after crossing river Kalagachi by boat.

The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of print and electronic media reports that in Sandeshkhali, innocent and impoverished women have allegedly been harassed and sexually assaulted. The rights panel said it has issued notices to the chief secretary and director general of police of West Bengal seeking reports within four weeks about violence that allegedly took place, as reported in the media, in Sandeshkhali.

It also sought reports on action taken or proposed to be taken against the perpetrators of the crime, safety and other ameliorative measures taken or proposed to be taken to inspire confidence among the local people and if any compensation was paid to the victims of violence.

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Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], February 23 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has said that a policy will be introduced in a week to give ownership rights to people living in houses for 20 years in urban areas.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said, "A policy will be introduced in a week to give ownership rights to people living in houses for 20 years in urban areas. Tigaon would be given the status of sub-division."

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After a no-confidence motion moved by the main opposition party, the Congress, against the Khattar government, CM Khattar said that the intentions of the government cannot be questioned.

CM Khattar said, "During the no-confidence motion by the opposition in 2021, we had predicted that Congress would bring the no-confidence motion again. If any mistakes occurred while doing welfare for the public, we worked to correct them and took action when necessary. But our intentions cannot be questioned. The first scam after the country's independence was the Jeep scam by Congress. They were also involved in the 2G Spectrum and coal scam. Everyone is familiar with Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and Industrial Plot scams. The government will work as per the instructions of the court." (ANI)

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(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], February 23 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said that the state government will create a venture fund of Rs 200 crore to promote start-ups in the state.

CM Dhami was speaking after inaugurating the new plant of Dixon Technologies (India) Private Limited in Selaqui, Dehradun.

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"We have constituted the "Foreign Employment Cell" in the state to provide employment opportunities outside the country to the youth of the state. Our government is also going to create a venture fund of Rs 200 crore to promote start-ups, with this young entrepreneurs will be able to get funds at the government level. We approved "Chief Minister Skill Upgradation" and "Global Employment Scheme" in the cabinet. Through these schemes, work will be done for skill development among the youth, so that they can get employment not only in the country but also in foreign countries," CM Dhami said.

CM Dhami said that after the Global Investors Summit, many companies have started providing employment opportunities to our youth by setting up their industries in Uttarakhand.

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With this, in future, employment opportunities will be available to more and more youth in the state itself. Our government is committed to realizing youth dreams as well as doing justice to young talents. Therefore, we made the most stringent "anti-copying law" in the state and took strict action against the culprits involved in recruitment scams.

The Chief Minister said that Dixon Company has always been a leader in the manufacturing of electronic components in India. After inspecting the plant, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that Dixon will be successful in creating new employment opportunities in Uttarakhand.

The Chief Minister said that many of the youth who will get employment through this factory of Dixon Technology will be able to provide employment to other youth in future. Because today's youth, along with getting jobs themselves, are also becoming job creators through self-employment, he said.

Not only this, many youth will also be successful in setting up their own factory in future. He said that last year Global Investors Summit was organized in the state. One of the objectives of which was to employ the youth of the state in the state itself.

At present, the recruitment process is going on for more than 7 thousand posts and soon the recruitment process will be started for several thousand posts.

The Chief Minister said that he is committed to provide assistance to the youth in the field of employment and self-employment through the unique "single window system" in the state.

Apart from this, the government will also assist in the processes related to tickets, visas etc. of the selected candidates, he said.

"An application has been developed on the "Apuni Sarkar Portal" to prepare a database related to youth seeking employment abroad. We are making every effort to provide employment to the youth so that the employment rate of the state increases," he said.

The Chief Minister said that if the youth of the state get employment, then Uttarakhand will become an example for every state because employment automatically solves many problems. He expressed confidence that while companies like Dixon will bring glory to the state in the manufacturing sector, it will also prove helpful in fulfilling our "options resolution" of making Uttarakhand the best state in the country. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Feb 23 (PTI) The Union government remains committed to build the capacity of North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH) so that it becomes "a cradle of top human resource institution of Ayush in the country", Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Friday.

In last one year, the government has made an investment of more than Rs 145 crores to scale up capacity at NEIAH, he said.

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Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ayush on Friday launched multiple projects to scale up capacity at the NEIAH at its campus in Mawdiangdiang.

The Ayush Minister inaugurated a guest house at the campus and laid the foundation stones for the institute's administrative building, pharmacy building among other things.

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"With the scaling up of capacity at NEIAH, we have a unique opportunity to learn, collaborate and build on strengths as we strive to establish proof for each formulation of traditional medicine with scientific evidence. It is a moment of great realisation that the institute has already trained nearly one thousand experts in Ayurveda and Homoeopathy put together," Sonowal said.

"This has greatly bolstered the healthcare delivery system in the region, especially in Meghalaya, as we move closer to realise the vision of our dynamic Prime Minister Narendra Modiji of a 'Swastha Bharat' (healthy India)," Sonowal said.

This new brigade of physicians, "armed with evidence-based formulations of Ayush system of medicine", will help people to avail benefits, he said.

"They are closer to our age-old home remedies prevalent among local societies for thousands of years, but now with a wider array scientifically proven patient care solutions to treat as many diseases. Heal in India, healed by India is the objective of resurgent movement of Ayush.

"In last one year, the government has made an investment of more than Rs 145 crores to scale up capacity at NEIAH. The total project outlay for capacity expansion at NEIAH is Rs 217.02 crore," the minister added.

Sonowal also announced that Periperal OPD services will be started at Smit, East Khasi Hills district which will potentially be accessed by 40,000 people living in 20 villages.

The minister also informed that NEIAH has started Swarnabindu Prashan Sanskar (Ayurvedic Immunno Modulation in Children) at its Ayurveda hospital.

This government programme aims to help patients with Ayurvedic solutions to treat Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) among tribal females between 18 and 45 years in Mawpat and Mylliem Block of East Khasi Hills district of under the Ayurswasthya Yojana.

The NEIAH has been particularly helping patients with interventions like 'Panchakarma', 'Ksharasutra', 'Uttarabasti' and yoga to improve their quality of lives.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Nagpur, Feb 23 (PTI) The Maharashtra government and Pernod Ricard India on Friday signed an initial pact to set up a malt spirit distillery at Butibori with an investment of up to 200 million euros, aimed at transforming the region's socio-economic landscape.

The government of Maharashtra and Pernod Ricard India, a global leader in the wine and spirits industry, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect.

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Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, Minister of Industries, Uday Samant, Principal Secretary Industries, Harshdeep Kamble along with Jean Touboul, CEO, Pernod Ricard India were present during the signing of the MoU.

Speaking at the event, Fadnavis said about 35,000 acres of farmers' land will benefit from this project and said that barley production is very sustainable.

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He said it will create a new ecosystem for value addition in the farming sector.

Fadnavis said huge investments are coming to Maharashtra and the state is again on top in attracting FDI with more than 45 per cent of the country's FDI coming to Maharashtra.

According to Pernod Ricard India the distillery in Nagpur will be one of the biggest distilleries in India with a capacity of producing up to 60,000 litres of fresh malt spirit per day.

Aimed at transforming the region's socio-economic landscape, Pernod Ricard India envisions this investment to be an integral driver for the growth and development of the local farmers and community.

Touboul said the company will generate numerous direct and indirect employment to the local community and will jointly work with the government and farmers in best practices to cultivate barley which will positively impact the livelihood of the farmers by boosting their income.

With the commissioning of this distillery, Pernod Ricard India aims to employ a workforce up to 700 to 800 ultimately.

With this project, Pernod Ricard India aims to eventually procure up to 50,000 tons of barley on an annual basis from farmers nationwide.

(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 23 (PTI) The Navi Mumbai police have registered a case after thieves broke into a temple and stole Rs 20,000 from a donation box on the premises, an official said on Friday.

The incident at the Dutt Mandir in the Airoli area took place on the intervening night of February 21 and February 22, he said.

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On a complaint by the temple trustee, the Rabale police registered a case on Thursday.

About Rs 20,000 was stolen from the donation box. We are examining the CCTV footage of the temple to identify those behind the crime, said the station house officer of the police station.

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(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Unfounded allegations against Azerbaijan made by Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, in an interview with the French TV channel France 24 are intended to inflict another blow to the peace process by deliberately inflaming tension in the region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

Following the last meeting between the leaders at the initiative of the German Chancellor, such statements by Armenia and the selection of France as the location for such statements, being disrespectful to the efforts of Germany by Armenia, is considered as an indication of Frances continued detrimental influence on the peace process.

Claims that Azerbaijan is allegedly preparing for an attack against Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan allegedly does not adhere to international legal norms are made in an effort to distort the reality and deceive the international community.

Allegations by Armenia on the so-called preparation of our country to war misusing the calls of the Western Azerbaijani Community as well as our response statements to the unfounded allegations of Armenia while being completely baseless, covers up destabilizing steps of Armenia that pursues a policy of mass militarization and disruption of 5 months long stability in the region.

Highlighting the recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, the importance of upholding the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991 on the delimitation of borders between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction and equality of countries for the establishment of transport and economic relations in the region, Prime Minister overlooks Armenias violation of these principles for more than 30 years. Unlike Armenia, it was Azerbaijan that proposed peace to Armenia on the basis of the 5 main principles immediately following the 44-day war. Armenia with its ongoing claims against Azerbaijan continues to violate these principles.

Everyone is well-aware that Armenian leadership has no interest in promoting the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agenda, as evidenced by the ongoing claims made against Azerbaijan's territorial integrity in the Constitution, legislative acts, official letters and statements, and documents of Armenia distributed at international organizations and courts.

We urge Armenia which continues its aggressive slanderous rhetoric against our country using various international platforms, to abandon statements that undermine the prospects for peace and use the opportunities that have emerged for the transformation of the South Caucasus region into a space of peace and cooperation," the statement reads.
Alibag, Feb 23 (PTI) Two government officials have been arrested in Maharashtra's Raigad district for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 25,000, an official said on Friday.

Based on a complaint, the Navi Mumbai anti-corruption bureau (ACB) laid a trap and caught one of the accused officials while accepting the bribe amount on Thursday, the official said.

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The complainant alleged that an assistant engineer demanded Rs 30,000 to prepare an estimate for development works for a village under the Uran Panchayat Samiti, he said.

The complainant was instructed to hand over the bribe money to another assistant engineer from the Raigad Zilla Parishad, the official said.

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The two officials have been arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London, Feb 23 (PTI) Shamima Begum, the London-born Bangladeshi-origin woman, who fled the UK as a 15-year-old schoolgirl to join the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist network, on Friday lost yet another legal bid to regain her British citizenship and return to the UK from Syria.

Previously in 2022, the UK Supreme Court upheld the decision to bar the now 24-year-old from returning to the UK.

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After a series of legal battles, Begum lost a challenge at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in February last year and then took her case to the Court of Appeal. However, the appeal judges unanimously agreed with the special tribunal's decision and turned down the appeal.

Ms Begum may well have been influenced and manipulated by others but still have made a calculated decision to travel to Syria and align with ISIL [ISIS], said Judge Dame Sue Carr, delivering the verdict in London.

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Begum, who is in a refugee camp in northern Syria, was represented at her appeal by barrister Samantha Knights who had argued that the government had failed to consider legal duties owed to a potential victim of trafficking. The UK Home Office stressed that the main focus of the case was around national security.

The British government has maintained Begum could seek a Bangladeshi passport given her heritage but her family has argued that she is British and has never held Bangladeshi citizenship.

Last year, the specialist tribunal had accepted then Home Secretary Sajid Javid's conclusion that revoking her British citizenship was an integral part of the overall national security assessment carried out by the Security Service and therefore not a matter for the court.

Begum, referred to as an ISIS bride for marrying a Dutch member of the terror network in Syria, gave birth to three children  all of whom later died. She and two fellow teenage schoolgirls at Bethnal Green Academy travelled from east London to Syria in 2015.

Begum's lawyers have sought to establish that she was recruited, transported, transferred, harboured and received in Syria for the purposes of sexual exploitation' and marriage' to an adult male.

However, the tribunal ultimately concluded in February 2023 that the Home Secretary was not formally required to consider whether Begum was a victim of trafficking when he removed her citizenship.

Begum currently lives in a detention camp in northern Syria and has been fighting to return to her home in east London, claiming the only law she broke was to travel to Syria and had not participated in any ISIS atrocities.

Her solicitor, Daniel Furner said that her legal team were "not going to stop fighting until she does get justice and until she is safely back home".

James Eadie, for the Home Office, said the "key feature" in the case was national security.

"The fact that someone is radicalised, and may have been manipulated, is not inconsistent with the assessment that they pose a national security risk," he said.

The ruling represents a substantial victory for the UK government and averts a potential legal crisis: were its decision to be reversed, home secretaries would in the future need to balance national security considerations with questions of whether someone is a victim, the BBC reported.

The Home Office said it was "pleased" at Friday's ruling, adding that its "priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK and we will robustly defend any decision made in doing so".

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad, Feb 23 (PTI) Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan's party on Friday approached the Supreme Court challenging the outcome of the February 8 general elections alleging widespread rigging.

Khan has already declared the entire process as the Mother of All Rigging' and has been insisting that his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) mandate was stolen because of the rigging.

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The party has claimed that it won 180 seats in the National Assembly by way of independent candidates backed by the party, however, the rigging ensured that the number was reduced to 92 seats only, thus robbing its chance of coming back to power.

Sher Afzal Marwat, a senior PTI leader, told media persons that he moved the apex court against poll fraud.

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He also said he has challenged the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and other members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The petition comes two days after the top court disposed of a petition seeking to annul the elections and imposed a fine of Rs 0.5 million on a petitioner, a former Army officer, for failing to appear in court after filing the petition.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the party led by another former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, won 75 seats while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came third with 54 seats. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has 17 seats.

Given the Constitutional provision that a party must win 133 out of 265 contested seats in the 266-member National Assembly to form a government, the PML-N and the PPP have agreed on a power-sharing deal to form a new coalition government.

Under this arrangement, PML-N's Shehbaz Sharif is projected as the prime minister candidate, while PPP's Asif Ali Zardari is to be the president, and may effectively end former Khan's chances of returning to power.

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Washington, Feb 23 (PTI) Krystle Kaul, a noted Indian American defence and national security expert, says her running for the US Congress is inspired by the Sikh tradition of oneness and a strong sense of giving back to the community.

I am half Kashmiri Pandit and half Punjabi Sikh. I am very proud of both of my cultural backgrounds. Growing up in America, being bicultural is something unique and something that I have embraced. My grandparents and my parents have embedded that in me. I am proud to stand today as the first ever Kashmiri Pandit to stand for Congress and also as the only Sikh woman to currently run for Congress in the country, Krystle told PTI in a recent interview.

Also Read | Pakistan Election Results 2024: In Dramatic U-turn, Ex-Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatha Withdraws Rigging Allegations; Says Imran Khan's Party Offered Him 'Lucrative Positions'.

Kaul, who speaks nine languages  English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Dari and Kashmiri -- is running from the 10th Congressional District of Virginia. The incumbent Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat, is not seeking re-election, therefore making it an open seat.

My Nani (grandmother) Vimal Chaddha Malik used to take me to Glen Cove Gurdwara in Long Island, New York. There I would serve langar. I learned a lot about Sikh traditions and the notion of oneness. I'm proud of that. That's something that has given me a very strong sense of community and giving back and is one of the core values that I embrace in my bid for Congress, she said.

Also Read | BRS Secunderabad Cantonment MLA Lasya Nanditha Dies in Road Accident in Telangana: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, February 23, 2024.

At the core of the tenets of Sikhism is this idea of feeding your community, of service, of making sure that everyone has what they need and that is reflective. If you go to Amritsar, for example, to the Golden Temple, you see that everyone gets fed at the Golden Temple. The halwa there is also the best in the world, I think, she said.

It's just a really beautiful concept to see in the community there on a micro level and one that can be scaled internationally and that can be embraced here in Virginia District 10. So again, I'm very proud of both sides of my heritage being Hindu and Sikh, and very proud of the fact that I stand again as the only Sikh woman running for Congress in the country today because we need representation and that's important, Kaul said.

Notably, Dalip Singh Saund was the first Indian American, a Sikh, to be elected to the US House of Representatives from the 29th Congressional District of California for three terms beginning in 1957.

In the current Congress, there are five Indian Americans in the House of Representatives: Dr Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal and Shri Thanedar. Jayapal is the first ever and only Indian American woman to be elected to the House of Representatives.

Dalip Singh Saund is often a name that gets forgotten, Krystle said.

Today we focus heavily on the five Indian American members who were in Congress, but preceding all of them was this one Sikh man who came in as an outlier and was able to get the mass community support in his district at a time when we were such a new immigrant community in this country. That's something that I'm proud of and one that I think is very notable, she said.

Despite doing well in various fields in the US, the Sikh community is not seen much in politics, she noted. The Sikh community has done very well as the Indian American community, but as a subgroup. In terms of education, in terms of business and engineering, and IT and medicine across the board, she said.

This group definitely needs representation. Of course, there have been a lot of cases of discrimination against Sikhs, which is very unfortunate, Kaul said.

Responding to a question, Krystle said there have been a lot of cases of discrimination against Sikhs, which is very unfortunate. I've seen it in my district, I've seen it in Virginia, and I've seen it at a national level. I say repeatedly, it doesn't matter (how much is) your bank balance, it doesn't matter how prominent you are, if you're a Sikh man, you wear a turban. It's a visible thing that you wear and something that can be used against you in terms of a hate crime, she pointed out.

There is a need to create more awareness and understanding that this is something that is part of a religion and one that should be respected, she said.

That is through education, through awareness, and that comes from representation. When you have people in Congress who say, hey, I stand up proudly to be a Sikh and this is not okay, you cannot do this. That's when people start to listen. I think that's something that I want to advocate, she added.

Kaul said her campaign is doing good and she is running a genuine, authentic and grassroots campaign. I have the most cash on hand today. I came out very strong in Q4 with USD 567,000 in cash on hand surpassing all candidates by a lot. They told me I couldn't do it. They often underestimate you as a woman, as a woman of colour and particularly as they see women. I worked really hard, she said.

Along with cash on hand, I also have a very strong and growing team. I have a team that's right now 85 plus and growing. A lot of great top firms, and amazing staff that I have on hand, but also a volunteer team that exceeds 50 in several districts, in several states and also nationally who are really inspired. A lot of them are young Indian American girls in particular, which I'm really proud of, a lot of young Sikh girls for example, Kaul said.

I also have a very multicultural growing volunteer base of Latinos, people from different communities, she said, asserting that it showcases a strong base.

She said she spoke at the Sikh International Film Festival in New York where she got to interact with filmmakers, the heads of Sikhs for America, the Punjabi Chamber of Commerce, and the Sikh Chamber of Commerce.

I've got a lot of support from very many prominent Sikhs, again locally and nationally. And that has also felt great just from a community standpoint and one that is tied to my cultural roots, she said. PTI LKJ RPA AKJ

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mexico City, Feb 23 (AP) Mexico's president on Friday defended his decision to disclose a reporter's telephone number, saying a law that prohibits officials from releasing personal information doesn't apply to him.

Press freedom groups said the president's decision to make public the phone number of a New York Times reporter Thursday was an attempt to punish critical reporting, and exposed the reporter to potential danger.

Also Read | US Hits Russia With 500 Sanctions Over Death of Jailed Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny and Ongoing War Against Ukraine.

Mexico's law on Protection of Personal Data states the government will guarantee individuals' privacy and sets out punishments for officials and others for improperly using, taking, publishing, hiding, altering or destroying, fully or partially, personal data.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that the political and moral authority of the president of Mexico is above that law, adding that no law can be above the sublime principle of liberty. He also accused US media of acting with arrogance.

Also Read | Hungary, Sweden Agree on Defence Deal Ahead of Final Vote on Sweden's NATO Accession.

He also downplayed the risks to journalists, saying it was an old song that you (reporters) use to discredit our government, and suggesting the Times reporter should just change her telephone number."

Mexico is one of the deadliest places in the world for reporters outside of war zones. The Committee to Protect Journalists, or CPJ, has documented the killings of at least 55 journalists in Mexico since 2018, when Lopez Obrador took office.

Jan-Albert Hootsen, the Mexico representative for the CPJ, noted the publication of a reporter's phone number in Mexico can be dangerous.

The vast majority of threats and harassment and intimidation that reporters in this country, both foreign and domestic, receive, are conveyed through messages on messaging apps to mobile phones, Hootsen said.

The situation began Thursday when Lopez Obrador denied allegations contained in a New York Times story about a US investigation into claims that people close to him took money from drug traffickers shortly before his 2018 election and again after he was president.

The story cited unidentified US officials familiar with the now shelved inquiry and noted that a formal investigation was not opened, nor was it known how much of the informants' allegations were independently confirmed.

As is common practice, the Times reporter had sent a letter to Lopez Obrador's spokesman asking for the president's comment on the story before it was published, and included her telephone number as a means of contacting her.

At his daily press briefing that day, the president displayed the letter on a large screen and read it aloud, including her phone number.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, the New York Times wrote, This is a troubling and unacceptable tactic from a world leader at a time when threats against journalists are on the rise.

Mexico's National Institute for Transparency and Information Access, the agency charged with upholding personal data laws, announced Thursday it is launching an investigation into the president's actions.

But it is unclear how much good that will do: Lopez Obrador has frequently criticised the institute and has proposed abolishing it.

Leopoldo Maldonado, of the press freedom group Article 19, said Obviously, he is doing it with the intention of inhibiting the work of journalists and trying to prevent the publication of issues of public interest concerning his administration and the people around him.

This is something the president has done before, Maldonado noted.

In 2022, Lopez Obrador published a chart showing the income of Carlos Loret de Mola, a journalist who had written stories critical of the president.

The president said he got such information  which Loret de Mola has said is wrong  from the people, but later said he based the chart in part on tax receipts, which would have been available only to the party who wrote them or the government tax agency.

Lopez Obrador regularly lashes out at the media, claiming they treat him unfairly and are part of a conservative conspiracy to undermine his administration.

He has also expressed anger at what he claims is US tolerance for such media reports. It is the second time in recent weeks that the foreign press has published stories signalling that the US government has looked into alleged contacts between Lopez Obrador allies and drug cartels.

In late January, ProPublica, Deutsche Welle and InSight Crime published stories describing an earlier US investigation into whether Lopez Obrador campaign aides took money from drug traffickers in exchange for facilitating their operations during an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2006.

In that instance, Lopez Obrador placed blame squarely at the feet of the US government and wondered aloud why he should continue discussing issues like immigration with a government that was trying to damage him.

On Thursday US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, There is no investigation into President Lopez Obrador. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad, February 23: In a dramatic development after the February 8 polls in Pakistan, former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatha withdrew all his allegations regarding rigging, Geo News reported.

Chatha said that he made the allegations because of "lucrative positions" offered by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, adding that he was "extremely ashamed and embarrassed." Pakistan Election Results 2024: Electoral Body Delays Notifying Results of Majority of PTI-Backed Independents, Voters Express Concern.

"I take full responsibility for my actions and surrender myself before the authorities for any kind of legal action," Chatha said in a statement to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Last Saturday, Chatha tendered his resignation, which he said was out of "guilty conscience" for abetting large-scale electoral rigging in the garrison city, further raising the political mercury in the country. Pakistan Elections Results 2024: Two Killed, 14 Injured in Firing During Vote Recount in Hub City.

The commissioner, in the press conference, took responsibility for the "rigging" that he claimed took place in Rawalpindi Division. "We converted the losers into winners with a 50,000-vote margin," he stated.

In response to his allegations, the PTI, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and other political parties -- most of whom had already rejected the election results -- demanded an investigation into the matter, Geo News reported.

In the same presser, Chata had also accused Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa of facilitating the rigging. Responding to his allegations, CJP Isa demanded the former commissioner to show evidence to back his allegations against him.

However, now retracting his allegations, Chatha revealed that all of this was done "in coordination with the Imran Khan-founded PTI", who had also given him "lucrative positions in future".

Chatha said that after the 2018 elections, when the PTI formed government in Punjab, he remained posted to senior provincial posts, including provincial secretary to the Government of Punjab.

He said during the PTI's stint in power, he had developed a "cordial personal friendship" with one of the prominent PTI leaders.

The former Rawalpindi commissioner further said that the name of Chief Justice Isa was taken with the aim of creating mistrust in the general public against him. "The chief justice did not have any role in the entire election process."

"However, I was specifically asked by said prominent leader of PTI to name the CJP. He told me that he had been specifically asked by his top leadership to do so. The aims behind naming the CJP were manifold."

Similarly, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja was named with the aim of raising questions on the entire elections process throughout Pakistan, he said.

Moreover, the former commissioner said he addressed the presser on February 17 when PTI had called for countrywide protests against rigging as part of the plan.

"In the end, I feel extremely ashamed and embarrassed for making totally false, concocted, anti-state, and malicious statement in the press conference. This activity caused embarrassment for me as well as for entire bureaucratic fraternity," 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)
London [UK], February 23 (ANI): The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) has strongly condemned the arrest of UKPNP Vice President Rashid Ahmed from Muzaffarabad, Gilgit-Baltistan. The UKPNP has demanded immediate and unconditional release of Rashid Ahmed.

Several leaders of UKPNP, like exiled Chairman Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Spokesperson Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan, Secretary Foreign Affairs Committee Jamil Maqsood, and other key members have expressed their strong condemnation regarding the arrest of Ahmed.

Also Read | Hungary, Sweden Agree on Defence Deal Ahead of Final Vote on Sweden's NATO Accession.

Citing reliable party sources, the statement said that Ahmed who served UKPNP was apprehended by local law enforcement. According to the statement, UKPNP staunchly denounces this "arbitrary detention and condemns any reported instances of mistreatment."

In the statement, the UKPNP stated, "Pakistan and its dummy government imposed in Muzaffarabad must stop arrests and intimidation tactics that will not deter the UKPNP's commitment to its peaceful struggle for the rights of the Kashmiri people."

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The UKPNP urged the United Nations and the international community to take cognizance of the persistent human rights violations taking place in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

In the statement, UKPNP said, "The government of Pakistan must cease all reprisals against UKPNP members and human rights advocates, and to ensure the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the region's inhabitants."

"The UKPNP affirmed its unwavering resolve to amplify its voice against such injustices both domestically and internationally. We remain steadfast in our dedication to advocating for the rights and dignity of the Kashmiri people, and we will continue to resist any attempts to suppress our legitimate aspirations," it added.

Earlier, UKPNP spokesperson Sardar Nazir Aziz Khan referenced the suggestion of a referendum in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan and called it unrealistic and unacceptable unless Pakistan complies with United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolutions on Kashmir and vacates occupied areas of Kashmir.

In a statement released on social media, Khan stated, "In PoK and Gilgit Baltistan, nationalists are barred from participating in elections unless they submit allegiance to Pakistan. The Pakistani deep state and establishment have consistently manipulated elections in Pakistan and its occupied areas of Jammu Kashmir."

"Even recent election results are indicative of manipulation and rigging to achieve desired outcomes. In such a lawless and hybrid system environment, a referendum of the public would lack legitimacy and legal grounds," it added.

The UKPNP spokesperson stated further that the prerequisite of the referendum is that Pakistan must withdraw from all areas of the disputed areas of Kashmir and the state should be reunified.

Jamil Maqsood, UKPNP's secretary of Foreign Affairs said, "Timely warning to those who have violated their promises with our people. Pakistan must withdraw its security and civilian administration from both the peripheries and let the people of Pakistan Occupied territories of Kashmir decide about local government and governance."

"At present, Pakistan's political parties have occupied all the space and local people have been disenfranchised and only those, who sign an oath of allegiance to Pakistan, can vote," 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)
Streaks of Light Seen in California. (Photo Credits: Video Grab)

Washington, Feb 23 (PTI) The US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma has met with senior Indian ministers and officials in New Delhi to advance the US-India global strategic partnership and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region, according to his spokesperson.

Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, is the highest-ranking Indian American in the State Department.

Also Read | Pakistan Election Results 2024: In Dramatic U-turn, Ex-Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatha Withdraws Rigging Allegations; Says Imran Khan's Party Offered Him 'Lucrative Positions'.

The former US Ambassador to India was on an official visit to India from February 19 to 21.

He met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, and Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri in New Delhi, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said here on Thursday.

Also Read | BRS Secunderabad Cantonment MLA Lasya Nanditha Dies in Road Accident in Telangana: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, February 23, 2024.

Verma's meetings explored opportunities to strengthen US-India cooperation and people-to-people ties to ensure a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, Miller said.

He also met with Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to discuss further expanding trade and economic ties between the US and India.

The Deputy Secretary and Indian officials further emphasised the benefits of close partnership on addressing global issues, Miller said.

Verma is on a six-day official visit to India, Sri Lanka and Maldives till Friday to strengthen bilateral ties with the nations, reaffirming America's enduring commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous region.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, February 23: In a shocking incident, Priya Kamble, a resident of Badlapur, discovered adhesive tape across her newborn sons mouth in the NICU of a BMC hospital in Bhandup on June 2, 2023. Kamble, who had given birth at Savitribai Phule Hospital on May 20, 2023, had admitted her son to the NICU on May 31, 2023, due to health concerns.

TOI reported that upon discovering the tape, Kamble immediately alerted her parents and a former corporator, who persuaded the hospital authorities to discharge the baby. She also found rashes all over her sons body. When questioned, a nurse named Sweta allegedly justified the use of tape, claiming it was necessary as the baby wouldnt stop crying. Another nurse, Savita Bhoir, reportedly dismissed their concerns, stating that the use of adhesive tape was a common practice in NICUs. Mumbai Shocker: Man Allegedly Stabs Co-Worker to Death With Scissor in Kurla, Later Dies by Suicide; Police Recover Bodies With 'Murder' Weapon.

The baby was subsequently moved to Agrawal hospital. Despite lodging a complaint with the police, there was no follow-up action until the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) took cognisance of the case. Mumbai Shocker: Stalker Assaults Married Woman, Stabs Her Multiple Times With Knife in Worli After She Refuses To Talk to Him; Arrested.

Following a complaint filed by lawyer Tushar Bhonsale, the MSHRC has now summoned both the BMC and the police. The Bhandup police registered an offence on Thursday in response to the MSHRCs proceedings. Investigations are ongoing.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 23, 2024 09:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, February 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in West Bengal on March 1 and 2 as part of his official programme and is expected to address a women's rally on March 6 in the North 24 Parganas district, where restive Sandeshkhali is located. BJP sources said Modi will be in Arambag and Krishnanagar on March 1 and 2 respectively on an official tour. The prime minister will also address public meetings, they said. Sandeshkhali Unrest: West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar Arrested While Protesting Against TMC Leader Shahjahan Sheikh in Violence-Hit Sandeshkhali (Watch Video)

Modi's visits in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls come amid an intense political row involving the BJP and the state's ruling Trinamool Congress after several women in Sandeshkhali accused the regional party's strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "land-grab and sexual assault". Sandeshkhali Violence: Calcutta High Court Grants Bail to Journalist, Says Press Must Be Allowed To Function Freely

There has been speculation that Modi may meet some of the complainants during his visit to Barasat, the headquarters of North 24 Parganas district. Two of Sheikh's aides, who along with others were booked under charges of gang rape and attempt to murder, have been arrested. The TMC has sought to play down the allegations and blamed the BJP for prompting some of the complainants to level serious charges against its members.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov met with a delegation headed by Chairman of the Turkiye's Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Numan Kurtulmus, who is on a visit to the country, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers.

According to the information, at the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the successful development of friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in all spheres in accordance with the principle of one nation, and two states.

The sides emphasized that, thanks to the efforts of the heads of state, the relations between the two countries have reached the highest level of strategic partnership and alliance. The importance of the first official visit of Head of State Ilham Aliyev to the Republic of Turkiye after the presidential election was underlined, and satisfaction was expressed that it has turned into a tradition between the leaders of the two countries.

At the same time, it was brought to attention that Azerbaijani-Turkish relations are successfully developing within the framework of international institutions, and the importance of joint steps taken to turn the Organization of Turkic States into a regional and international force was noted.

The sides stressed the role of parliaments in the development of interstate relations, and highly valued the mutually beneficial cooperation between the Azerbaijani Parliament and the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye.

Touching upon the significance of the transition of the presidency from Turkiye to Azerbaijan at the 14th plenary session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly held in Baku, Asadov noted that the international prestige of the Assembly has increased during the Turkiye's presidency, and inter-parliamentary cooperation has expanded for the sake of global peace and development.

The meeting also discussed issues related to the further expansion of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations in trade-economics, energy, transportation, agriculture, humanitarians, tourism, and other spheres.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The fossils of the reptile called Dinocephalosaurus orientalis were originally identified in 2003. The discovery of more complete specimens since then has allowed scientists to fully describe the creature.A 240-million-year-old long-necked marine reptile that resembles a Chinese dragon has been fully depicted for the first time, according to new research, published on Friday by Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Three Nurses Tape Baby's Mouth to Prevent It From Crying at BMC Hospital, Booked.

The fossils of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis were discovered in Guizhou province in southern China. The reptile was originally identified in 2003, but the discovery of additional, more complete specimens since then allowed an international team of scientists to fully describe the creature.

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With 32 separate cervical vertebrae, it had an extraordinarily long neck and its flippered limbs, as well as the well-preserved fish in its stomach region indicate that it was very well adapted to an oceanic lifestyle, researchers said.

Why is this discovery important?

According to Nick Fraser, keeper of natural sciences at National Museums Scotland: "The discovery allows us to see this remarkable long-necked marine reptile in full for the very first time. It is yet one more example of the weird and wonderful world of the Triassic that continues to baffle paleontologists.

"We are certain that it will capture imaginations across the globe due to its striking appearance, reminiscent of the long and snake-like mythical Chinese dragon," Fraser told the DPA news agency.

Despite superficial similarities, Dinocephalosaurus was not closely related to the famous long-necked plesiosaurs, which evolved some 40 million years later and are thought to have been the inspiration for the Loch Ness monster.

International efforts paying off

Researchers from Scotland, Germany, America and China spent 10 years studying Dinocephalosaurus orientalis at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"This was an international effort. Working with colleagues from the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, we used newly discovered specimens housed at the Chinese Academy of Sciences to build on our existing knowledge of this animal," Professor Li Chun of the institute said.

"Among all of the extraordinary finds we have made in the Triassic of Guizhou province, Dinocephalosaurus probably stands out as the most remarkable," he added.

This report was written in part with material from news agency DPA

Edited by: Sean M. Sinico

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 23, 2024 09:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Kolkata, February 23: The body of a minor girl, hailing from a tribal and financially backward family, was recovered from an abandoned brick-kiln at a village in West Bengal's Malda district on Friday evening, police said. The family members of the victim minor have alleged that she was first raped, subsequently murdered, and the body dumped at the brick-kiln. The body of the victim has been sent for post-mortem examination. West Bengal Shocker: School Teacher Allegedly Forces Minor Girl Students To Strip, Takes Their Photographs in Hooghly; Arrested Under POCSO Act

Local police sources said that after the report is obtained, the exact cause of death can be ascertained and also it will be clear whether she was raped. Her family members told the police that she was missing since late Thursday evening. They searched for her for the entire night and continued throughout Friday. Finally, her body was located behind an unused furnace of the abandoned brick kiln with her face smashed. West Bengal Shocker: Mother Kills Son After He Catches Her Making Out With Her Lesbian Partner in Hooghly, Arrested

"We strongly suspect that she was first raped and then murdered. We demand a thorough probe in the matter. We demand a proper investigation in the matter. We are coming from an extremely poor financial background. But despite that I got her admitted to a local school. I wanted her to get educated," the victim's father told media persons. A police official said that an investigation has been initiated in the matter.
In a shocking incident, a 62-year-old leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), PV Sathyanathan, was brutally murdered while attending a temple festival on Thursday night. Sathyanathan served as the central local committee secretary of Koyilandy town. The crime occurred around 10 pm during a musical event, part of the festival at the Perivattur Cheriyapuram temple. The police have reported that the accused, a 30-year-old man named Abhilash, has surrendered at the station. Preliminary investigations suggest that the motive behind the attack was personal rivalry. Initial reports also indicate that no other individuals were involved in this heinous crime. Further investigations are underway. Kerala Shocker: Man Dies by Suicide After Putting Up Obituary Post on His Instagram Page.

CPM Leader Hacked to Death

Kerala | A CPI(M) local leader, PV Sathyanathan hacked to death by an axe, during a temple festival at Cheriyapuram Temple at Koyilandi in Kozhikode last night. A bandh has been declared in Koyilandi today in protest: CPI(M) district secretary P. Mohanan (File pic: PV pic.twitter.com/c8F1eZB2ay  ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Former TV host Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with aphasia and dementia. The American celebrity has been struggling with health battles for years.American media personality Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), her care team announced in a press release Thursday.

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"Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy's ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy's condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions," her team wrote.

Also Read | Odysseus Moon Landing: American Spacecraft Makes First Commercial Moon Landing in History (Watch Video).

Williams, the former host of 'The Wendy Williams Show', received her diagnosis last year, according to the statement.

Her care team explained they chose to share the news to "to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia."

"Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis," the team wrote.

Other stars have faced the same conditions. Hollywood actor Bruce Willis announced his retirement from acting in 2022 after receiving an aphasia diagnosis. In 2023, his family also announced he had FTD.

Aphasia affects all linguistic abilities

Aphasia is the acquired inability to formulate words or comprehend language. It can occur after damage to the left side of the brain. Aphasias are usually caused by a stroke. However, brain hemorrhages or craniocerebral injuries like they occur after an accident, brain tumors or inflammatory processes can also result in aphasia. From one day to the next, a person loses the ability to communicate with words.

The sudden loss of speech affects all linguistic abilities: Speaking and understanding, as well as reading and writing.

But aphasia is "only" a language disorder. Thought processes or intellectual abilities are not or only slightly disturbed.

For those affected and their loved ones, the situation is extremely stressful. The patients can no longer name even the most mundane things in life. They know what an object is, but simply lack the words.

Different forms of aphasia

There are many types of aphasia. They can be distinguished from each other based on the extent of the damage.

Amnestic aphasia

Amnestic aphasia is the mildest form of aphasia, in which sufferers have word-finding difficulties when naming objects directly. They mask the speech disorder by, for example, paraphrasing the words or using figures of speech.

Broca aphasia

People who speak in a staccato or telegram style, using very short, simple sentences or stringing together individual key words, may suffer from Broca aphasia. Although the flow of speech is strained and slowed down by the search for suitable words, the affected person can still be understood comparatively well.

Wernicke aphasia

People who suffer from Wernicke aphasia form very long, convoluted sentences in which individual passages are sometimes repeated. Those affected seem to speak fluently, but it is very difficult for them to find the right words, and often their sentences do not make sense. That makes it difficult to understand them.

Global aphasia

People with global aphasia often speak only single words or repeat the same phrases. With this, the most severe form of aphasia, the patient can hardly be understood at all.

Therapy partially possible

The acquired speech disorder is not irreversible, but it requires a lot of training in targeted speech therapy to learn to speak, and often also to write again.

Especially after a first stroke, about one third of the patients experience a largely normalization of speech functions within the first four weeks. After that, however, the chance of improvement declines steadily.

What is FTD?

FTD is an umbrella term for a group of brain diseases that impact the size of the brains frontal and temporal lobes, which are associated with personality, behavior and language, according to the Mayo Clinic.

When a person experiences FTD, parts of those lobes shrink. This can result in behavior that can read as socially inappropriate or impulsive, depending on which part of the brain is affected. According to the Mayo Clinic, FTD generally impacts people who are younger than those typically diagnosed with Alzheimers, a disease it is often misdiagnosed as. Williams is 59.

Symptoms of FTD worsen over time. It is largely unknown what causes it  although some research has indicated a genetic link, many patients who develop FTD are the first in their family to receive the diagnosis.

This article was originally written in German.

Edited by Andreas Illmer, Derrick Williams

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 23, 2024 06:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, February 23: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk have accused Google of running "racist, anti-civilisational programming" with its artificial intelligence (AI) models. This comes after Google paused the ability for Gemini AI to generate images of people, as controversy erupted over inaccuracies in AI-generated historical images.

"Im glad that Google overplayed their hand with their AI image generation, as it made their insane racist, anti-civilisational programming clear to all," Musk wrote on X. The controversy erupted when images generated by Gemini AI depicted specific white figures (like the US Founding Fathers) Nazi-era German soldiers as people of colour. Elon Musk Takes On Gemini AI on X Over Promoting Woke Mindset, Attacks Google, Facebook and Instagram for Doing Same.

Elon Musk Calling Google AI as 'Racist and Anti-Civilisational'

Im glad that Google overplayed their hand with their AI image generation, as it made their insane racist, anti-civilizational programming clear to all  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 23, 2024

In an earlier statement, the company said it was aware that Gemini is offering inaccuracies in some historical image generation depictions. Geminis AI image generation does generate a wide range of people. And thats generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But its missing the mark here, the company had admitted.

The Tesla billionaire also targeted Gemini's product lead, Jack Krawczyk. Krawczyk stated on Wednesday that Gemini's image-generating skills are designed to "reflect our global user base." "I'm not picking on some rando. This nut is a big part of why Google's AI is so racist & sexist," Musk wrote. Elon Musk Congratulates US Company Intuitive Machines on Moon Rover Landing.

In addition, the tech billionaire stated that he did a Google search on his phone and noticed that the "top two choices are pro-censorship." Google started offering image generation via its Gemini (formerly Bard) AI platform earlier this month.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 23, 2024 12:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador may be leaving office soon, but he is under a new controversy as his allies are alleged to be taking drug money from the cartels. The US government even examined these allegations against his allies.

According to the New York Times, several law enforcement officials from the United States actually spent years looking into the allegations of his allies taking millions of dollars from drug cartels after he took office.

The inquiry has never been reported before until now, and it uncovered information that points to potential links between powerful cartel operatives and Mexican advisers and officials close to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador himself while he is still the most powerful man in Mexico.

However, it was noted that while law enforcement officials examined these allegations, no formal investigation was ever opened, and the case was ultimately shelved. It concluded that the US government had little interest in pursuing allegations against the leader of the country considered one of its top allies and trading partners.

The New York Times reached out to AMLO, with the president responding and saying that the allegations are "completely false," adding that the news of the inquiry would not "in any way" affect Mexico's relationship with the United States. However, he says that he is expecting a response from the US government.

It is known that Mexican drug cartels have already infiltrated the Mexican government, from the lowest levels to the upper reaches of government. It is also known that these criminal organizations pay off the police, manipulate mayors, co-opt senior officials, and have corrupt officials inform them about government operations against them.

The US law enforcement officials identified possible ties between the cartels and the associates of the president. However, it did not find any connections between these cartels and AMLO himself.

READ NEXT: Mexico: Violence in Guerrero State Continues as Viral Video of Cartel Gunmen Gleefully Kicking Dead Victims Surfaces

US Government Confirms No Formal Investigation Launched Into Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

During his usual morning press conference on Thursday, AMLO told reporters that "The US government is going to have to address this." Later that day, the US government actually did.

"There is no investigation into President Lopez Obrador," said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby in a statement, according to the Associated Press.

These allegations could be damning for the Mexican president as his ally and hand-picked replacement, Claudia Sheinbaum, is leading in the polls for the upcoming January 2 presidential elections. These allegations could sway some voters against her.

Allegations of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Allies Ties to Drug Cartels Investigated by Media Organizations

Several media organizations have previously published stories that looked into a US investigation into the ties between AMLO and the Mexican drug cartels. These media organizations include ProPublica, Deutsche Welle, and InSight Crime.

These media organizations pointed out that AMLO had constantly been facing criticism for not aggressively pursuing drug cartels like his predecessors. They also looked into the reports of his campaign aides being the ones who took money from the cartels.

However, the ProPublica investigation, in particular, noted that "The investigation did not establish whether Lopez Obrador sanctioned or even knew of the traffickers' reported donations."

READ MORE: Mexico Army Kills 12 Alleged Cartel Gunmen in Deadly Shootout

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Mexican president floats deal with cartels to stop violence - Al Jazeera English
New evidence for Jair Bolsonaro's attempted coup in Brazil revealed that the Biden administration was responsible for keeping generals allied to the then-president of Brazil from executing a coup that would have let the embattled politician stay in power.

When police raided the home and properties of former President Jair Bolsonaro and over 10 of his allies, they found evidence that suggested Bolsonaro personally edited a decree that would have overturned the Brazil election results and led to the imprisonment of one Supreme Court justice.

Court documents related to the raid also suggested that a general allied to the former president of Brazil confirmed he would provide the troops to help carry out the coup Bolsonaro was planning. They would have gotten away with it, too, if there were no deep divisions within Brazil's armed forces and a concerted international pressure campaign from US President Joe Biden.

According to Foreign Policy Magazine, the Biden administration targeted key Brazilian officials in a pressure campaign, and it was likely decisive in guaranteeing the largely peaceful transition of power in Brazil following the October 2022 election.

A high-ranking Brazilian diplomat confirmed to Foreign Policy Magazine that "external pressure was critical to preventing members of Brazil's military from executing Bolsonaro's plans for a coup." This ensured that the Brazilian military would not intervene should Bolsonaro lose the election, which he did.

Bolsonaro supporters still tried to launch their own coup, mirroring the January 6 Capitol Insurrection in the United States. They largely expected Brazil's military to help them overturn the election and install Bolsonaro back in power, but it failed, as Brazil's military instead arrested them.

READ MORE: Trials for Jair Bolsonaro Supporters Begin Over the January 8 Riots

Jair Bolsonaro Stayed Silent Throughout Meeting with Brazil Police Over Attempted Coup

Former president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, and several former top aides met with police in Brasilia on Thursday regarding his attempts to remove his successor, President Lula, from office.

Throughout the meeting, the former president chose to stay silent as police questioned several of his top officials, including some of his top military advisers.

Court documents showed that Bolsonaro was trying to copy the Donald Trump playbook by declaring that the elections were fraudulent in order to justify a possible military intervention and convene new elections. In the end, Bolsonaro was never able to issue such a decree and move his alleged coup plans forward.

The Associated Press noted that a total of 23 people were expected to give statements to police on Thursday, but nobody has been charged yet.

Brazil Police Previously Seized Jair Bolsonaro's Passport

Previously, Bolsonaro was deemed a flight risk, leading police to actually confiscate the former president's passport, according to Al Jazeera News.

This happened after that raid last week that found evidence that he was planning a coup. A search warrant was issued against Bolsonaro, several key allies and aides, and his son, Carlos Bolsonaro.

READ MORE: Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro Tried To Hack the 2022 Election, Says Hacker

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Brazil's Bolsonaro denies role in January 8 riot  FRANCE 24 English
Alexander Smirnov, the ex-FBI informant charged with disseminating false corruption claims about President Joe Biden and his family's alleged involvement in Ukraine, has been re-arrested in Nevada, according to CNN.

Despite prosecutors' efforts to keep him in custody, Smirnov was initially released on Tuesday by Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts in Nevada, with conditions such as GPS monitoring and surrendering his passports.

However, Smirnov's defense lawyers have revealed that he was re-arrested on Thursday under a new warrant, identical to the previous charges, signed by federal district Judge Otis Wright, overseeing the case in California.

This abrupt turn of events occurred just days after his release.

READ NEXT: Hunter Biden Probe

Legal Maneuvers and Defense's Response

Alexander Smirnov's defense attorneys emphasized the unusual circumstances surrounding his re-arrest, stating that he was attending a legal consultation meeting at the time, per Politico.

Attorney David Chesnoff described the situation as "bizarre" and urged a federal judge in California to promptly address the matter.

Chesnoff argued that the ex-FBI informant's participation in a legal meeting contradicts the notion that he poses a flight risk.

"It should further be noted that the fact that the Defendant was attending a legal consultation meeting at his attorneys' office contradicts the notion that he is a risk of flight," Chesnoff said.

This development adds another layer to a politically charged saga, with House Republicans previously relying on Smirnov's allegations against the Bidens.

These allegations now revealed as fabrications, have raised concerns about potential involvement by Russian intelligence operatives in fueling the false claims.

Initial Arrest and Controversial Release

Smirnov, a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, was arrested on February 14 upon returning from an international trip, Daily Beast noted.

He faced charges of making false statements to the FBI and orchestrating a false investigative report about the Bidens.

Prosecutors had sought to detain Smirnov, citing his alleged ties to Russian intelligence, access to substantial assets, and the potential to obtain alternative passports.

Magistrate Judge Albregts, while ordering Smirnov's release with GPS monitoring, expressed skepticism about Russia welcoming someone who had purportedly informed on his Russian contacts.

The judge maintained that political ramifications were not part of his decision-making process.

After Smirnov's initial arrest, the Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed that he had admitted involvement of officials associated with Russian intelligence in spreading a story about the president's son.

This revelation added a new dimension to the controversy surrounding Smirnov's actions.

During a detention hearing on Tuesday, Judge Albregts ordered Smirnov's release with GPS tracking ahead of his trial.

However, this decision was later reversed, as revealed in court documents filed on Wednesday.

Reacting to the situation, Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) acknowledged on CNN that warnings about the credibility of the ex-FBI informant's testimony were issued when it was initially received during Joe Biden's impeachment proceedings.

He emphasized that many Republicans had overlooked these warnings.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of Alexander Smirnov continues to be a focal point,

underscoring the intersection of legal complexities and political implications.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Cancels $1.2 Billion Student Debt

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Ex-FBI informant admits getting Hunter Biden dirt from Russian intelligence - From CNN
Republican Rep. Ken Buck admitted that his fellow Republicans in the House were warned about Alexander Smirnov while they were investigating Hunter Biden. House Republicans, led by Kentucky Rep. James Comer and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, as well as right-wing media, hyped up Alexander Smirnov as a "very credible" witness despite being warned about him as stated by Buck.

Smirnov has been charged for lying about Joe Biden and Hunter Biden being paid by Ukrainian energy company Burisma, and this fraudulent testimony from the former FBI informant was central to the Republicans' impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Smirnov has previously admitted that he has ties to Russian intelligence, with his Russian contacts telling him what to say to investigators.

During an interview with CNN, Buck pushed back on impeachment efforts by his Republican colleagues. This came as the charges against Smirnov came to light, according to Newsweek. He stated that his colleagues "were warned at the time that we received the document outlining this witness' testimony ... that the credibility of this statement was not known."

"And yet people, my colleagues, went out and talked to the public about how this was credible and how it was damning and how it proved President Biden's complicity in receiving bribes," Buck told o CNN's Kaitlan Collins. "It appears to absolutely be false and to really undercut the nature of the charges."

"We've always been looking for a link between what Hunter Biden received in terms of money and Joe Biden's activities or Joe Biden receiving money. This clearly is not a credible link at this point," the Colorado Republican added. "If the impeachment inquiry was based on this witness, it undermines the credibility of this impeachment."

"I will say that it's suspicious that anybody would pay Hunter Biden as much money as they paid him without any expertise in the oil and gas industry ... so those things are suspicious. But again, there's no link directly to [then-] Vice President Biden's activities." he continued.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Does Not Condemn Vladimir Putin Over Alexander Navalny Death

Republicans Double Down on Hunter Biden, Says Alexander Smirnov Arrest Would Not Affect Impeachment Inquiry

Despite this, however, Republicans are doubling down on their already-maligned attempt to impeach President Biden, with House Republicans now blaming the FBI over the debacle.

The revelation that Smirnov lied has some Republicans losing confidence in the impeachment inquiry, however, with House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer admitting that "the math keeps getting worse" for the Republican impeachment probe. Despite this, Republicans still want to impeach Biden.

Republican Rep. William Timmons of South Carolina told reporters on Wednesday that the arrest of their so-called star witness "does not have any impact" on their inquiry into the Bidens. "So whether the confidential human source lied to the FBI, I don't know, we'll find out," he said.

Fox News Silent on Alexander Smirnov Despite Hyping Him Up To Bring Down Joe and Hunter Biden

One of the factors that pushed Alexander Smirnov's profile as a "credible witness" in the Hunter Biden investigation is Fox News. Now that it was revealed he lied and is working with Russian intelligence, Fox News has gone silent in the matter, according to The New Yorker.

Fox News hosts like Sean Hannity have been very active in using Smirnov to slam the Bidens. However, there was no mention of the story on "Hannity" at all, nor was it anywhere on Fox News's prime-time programming.

READ MORE: Hunter Biden Investigation: Republican Informant Alexander Smirnov, Who Was Indicted for Lying About Bidens, Had Ties to Russian Intelligence

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Fox News Reacts to FBI Informant Arrest & Trump Fishes For a VP | The Daily Show
In a distressing turn of events, the mother of Elijah Vue, a 3-year-old boy missing since Tuesday morning in Wisconsin, has been apprehended, according to People.

Elijah was last seen around 8 a.m. on Tuesday, and his mother, Katrina Baur, appeared on the Manitowoc County Jail's inmate list on Wednesday morning.

Jesse Vang, residing at the same address where Wisconsin boy was last seen, is also in custody.

Both individuals, aged 31 and 39 respectively, were still listed as inmates on Thursday morning, though the reasons for their detainment and potential charges remain unclear.

The family is understandably worried and emotional about Elijah's disappearance.

Orson Vue, Elijah's uncle, expressed concern, stating, "We're extremely worried, we're all emotional at this point... and we're hopeful."

Elijah was reported missing on Tuesday morning by his adult caretaker.

Described as having Hmong and White ethnicity with dark blonde hair and brown eyes, he was last seen wearing gray pants, a long-sleeved dark shirt, and red and green dinosaur shoes, possibly carrying a red and white plaid blanket.

Elijah also has a birthmark on his left knee.

READ NEXT: Wisconsin, 2 Young Boys Dead, 4 in Critical Condition

Jesse Vang Faces Child Neglect Charge

Jesse Vang, whose address matches the location where Wisconsin boy was last seen, is expected to appear in court on a requested charge of child neglect, Fox 11 reported.

As of now, no formal charges have been filed, and the court appearance scheduled for Thursday was canceled shortly before it was supposed to begin.

Elijah Vue's disappearance triggered an Amber Alert, prompting authorities to request neighbors to inspect their properties, including outbuildings and vehicles.

Doorbell camera owners were urged to review footage, but using personal drones for search efforts was discouraged to avoid interference with law enforcement drones.

Community Mobilizes in Search Efforts

Community members have rallied in their efforts to find Elijah Vue, organizing search parties and prayer vigils. Orson Vue, addressing the ongoing search, mentioned "We haven't found out anything new. It's the same thing as last night... more family members are here, and we are just trying to support each other, asking the community if they have any information," WBAY reports.

Despite the challenges, the family remains positive and hopeful.

Orson Vue expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the search and encouraged the community to share any information with authorities.

The extensive search involves volunteers from across Northeast Wisconsin, with residents actively participating in searches throughout the neighborhood.

Jessica Shields, a Two Rivers resident, emphasized the collective effort, saying, "I don't know Elijah from a can of paint, him or his family, but by being a mother, it just doesn't sit right with me being at home, just doing nothing.

We have been in the woods, we have been in the neighborhoods looking, in sheds, I crawled under homes, we've been everywhere, but it don't stop, it don't stop."

As the search continues, the family urges the community to remain vigilant and reach out to authorities with any pertinent information that could assist in locating the Wisconsin boy.

READ MORE: Florida: Indiana Girl Dead When Sand Collapsed

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: AMBER Alert in effect for missing 3-year-old Wisconsin boy - From CBS Chicago




BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Statements of the Armenian side aimed at concealing steps related to its recent policy of mass militarization, which has disrupted regional stability for about five months, citing as justification the calls of the Community of Western Azerbaijan, as well as responses to unfounded Armenian statements that Azerbaijan is gearing up for war, are unfounded, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, after the last meeting between the leaders, held at the initiative of the German Chancellor, such statements by Armenia and the choice of France as the venue, being a manifestation of Armenia's disrespect for Germany's efforts, are seen as an indicator of France's continued negative influence on the peace process.

"The allegations that Azerbaijan is supposedly preparing to attack Armenia do not respect the rules of international law and are an evident distortion of known data, with the intention of misleading the world community," the statement of the Foreign Ministry notes.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
After the U.S. Supreme Court put a stop to President Joe Bidens plan to forgive $10,000 in student debt for borrowers who earned less than $125,000 a year  and $20,000 for those who were eligible for Pell Grants  the administration is using other ways to clean the slate for some borrowers.

Earlier this week, the White House announced the forgiveness of $1.2 billion of student debt for 153,000 borrowers for the first group eligible for debt relief under the SAVE plan.

The New Jersey residents, 4,180, had $35.3 million forgiven in this round, officials said, and more borrowers will become eligible in the coming months.

The SAVE plan is for people who have been in qualifying payment plans for at least 10 years and who borrowed $12,000 or less for college. For every $1,000 borrowed above $12,000, a borrower can receive forgiveness after an additional year of payments.

Were talking about lives changed, families that are going to be strengthened, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said, noting the SAVE plan forgiveness is six months ahead of schedule. This is going from policy to people, people whose lives are going to be changed.

Including the new forgiveness, the administration said it has canceled $138 billion of debt for more 3.9 million student borrowers since Biden took office.

The total canceled for New Jersey residents since that time was not immediately available.

Those whose debt has been canceled as part of the new program were sent emails about their inclusion from Biden this week.

If people missed the emails or if they went into spam, they can log into their account at studentaid.gov or on their loan servicers website to see the notification. Also, borrowers will be notified by the loan servicer when the forgiveness is processed, officials said.

Next week, the Department of Education will send emails to borrowers who are eligible but who have not yet enrolled in the SAVE program to encourage them to join the 7.5 million people who have already enrolled with the plan. Of those, 4.3 million have a $0 monthly payment under the program, officials said.

The SAVE Plan protects borrowers from runaway interest and balances larger than what they originally took out, officials said. The improved application allows for a borrowers income to be shared with the Internal Revenue Service so that they do not have to recertify on an annual basis.

Bidens initial plan, which was scuttled by the U.S. Supreme Court in June, would have forgiven as much as $400 billion in student loans for 43 million borrowers nationwide. As many as 1.1 million New Jersey borrowers had signed up for that plan before it was doomed.

Borrowers can still sign up for the SAVE plan at studentaid.gov/save.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.
Netflixs plans to build a $903 million production studio complex at the former Fort Monmouth army base got a key approval from a local board Wednesday.

The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority board, the governing body that oversees the fort, unanimously approved an amendment to establish zoning for the massive project.
Notre Dame High School has gone remote due to about a quarter of its student population falling ill, a spokeswoman for the Diocese of Allentown confirmed.

Lina Tavarez, the dioceses executive director of communications, told lehighvalleylive.com a decision was made among administration on Friday to shutter the Catholic school at 3417 Church Road in Bethlehem Township. Students were told to to log on for a virtual learning day only, Tavarez said.

Tavarez said the plan is for all classes to resume Monday. The school houses about 500 students in grades 9-12, according to its website.

In recent days, an increase in students have reported illness with a total of 130  about a quarter of the schools population  being marked absent for Thursday, Tavarez said. Additionally, 10 teachers also have been out sick, she said.

Some reported having flu-like symptoms while others tested positive for COVID-19, Tavarez said.

We do not know when this started, but it has been worse this past week, Tavarez said.

The action comes as current data reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the Northeast region of the United States being hammered with the highest positivity rate of the norovirus. The very contagious stomach bug can cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, according to the CDC.

As of Friday, Feb. 23, New Jersey data additionally showed a high activity level while Pennsylvania showed a moderate activity level of influenza for the week ending Feb. 17, according to CDC maps. The system monitors visits for respiratory illness that include fever plus a cough or sore throat.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
A Roman Catholic priest who was accused of shoplifting from the Walmart Supercenter in Pohatcong Township before allegedly leading officers on a pursuit to avoid arrest is stepping away from his role as Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Alpha, officials said.

Dawid Wejnerowski, 39, of Alpha, is charged with disorderly persons shoplifting; second-degree eluding police; drunken driving; having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle; and multiple traffic offenses,according to a statement from the Pohatcong Township Police.

Pohatcong Township Police Chief Scott Robb said Wejnerowski disclosed to officers during his arrest he was a priest at St. Marys Catholic Church.
Irish Rail has confirmed they are reviewing their response to the significant delays experienced by passengers after a train broke down outside Portarlington this week.

On Wednesday evening the 7pm Heuston to Cork service developed a fault about 3km before Portarlington.

Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail told Leinster Express/ Laois Live that they will be reviewing all aspects of their response based on customer feedback.

"We sincerely apologise to all customers who experienced significant delays both on the 19:00hrs Dublin Heuston to Cork service, connecting services, and other trains affected.

"The locomotive on the 19:00hrs Heuston to Cork developed a fault about 3km before Portarlington, and it was quickly established it had broken down.

"Given the location, and operational situation, the best option at the time for customers to move onwards was to have customers transferred to a following train, 19:35 Heuston to Galway, which was brought alongside. This is a process which takes time to be undertaken safely, and ultimately all 300 passengers were moved to the Galway train.

"This proceeded to Portarlington, where customers for Cork (and connections to Kerry and Limerick) were to be transferred to the following 21:00hrs service from Heuston to Cork.

"This did take longer than anticipated as trains in the opposite direction were cleared through the section and the train with the fault was shunted out of the way, resulting in a further 90 minute delay at Portarlington."

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/portlaoise-/1422857/rail-services-resume-in-laois-after-bridge-strike.html

Customers arrived in Cork at 2.30 am and catering supplies were distributed and further water was brought on the train at Portlaoise and Limerick Jctn for customers.

"Taxis were arranged for all who needed them to final destinations, and all customers will be refunded as well as issued with further vouchers," added Mr Kenny.

"We recognise this was a hugely disruptive delay and we will be reviewing all aspects of our response based on customer feedback. We thank our customers for the patience and courtesy shown to Iarnrod Eireann staff on board and at stations, and to each other, during the lengthy delay, and to our on board and station staff who responded to assist."
Tractors are set to descend on Portlaoise again as the Laois branch Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) are set to protest at Laois County Council to highlight their plight to local politicians.

Laois IFA is set to mount a protest as part of the Enough is Enough Campaign County Hall in Portlaoise on Monday, February 26 at 10 am as county councillors gather for their monthly meeting with council management.

The farmers say the event is the second in a series of local demonstrations that are part of the new national campaign to get a better deal for farmers. John Fitzpatrick is the chairman of Laois IFA said the aim will be to highlight the obstacles faced by farmers due to what they claim are increasing European rules.

"We feel we are being overburdened with rules and regulations," he said.

Similar to the February protest, he said farmers would travel to Portlaoise in their tractors before parking at the Council's HQ and assembling at the building while meeting with councillors going into the meeting.

He said farmers across Laois have been asked to attend. While he could not predict how many would attend he anticipated that about 100 tractors could gather.

"I would expect a good turnout because the frustration is bubbling up with everybody. It is very raw because farmers can see what is going on that we are the soft targets. If food production is taken away from us it has to be produced somewhere," he said.

Mr Fitizpatrick did not envisage much disruption in town to traffic other than on the way to and from the protest.

He has requested that a small number of Laois IFA be allowed to address the councillors but he has yet to receive confirmation that this will be permitted.

IFA President and Laois man Francie Gorman spoke about the campaign in February which was first launched in solidarity with colleagues protesting across Europe. He said Irish farmers feel the same. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"They are just as frustrated by what is happening as farmers in other countries. They feel they are being regulated out of business by Brussels bureaucrats and Department of Agriculture officials who are far removed from the reality of day-to-day farming. Irish farmers are pro-EU, but there is mounting frustration about the impact of EU policy on European farmers and its implementation here in Ireland. The general feeling amongst farmers across the EU is that enough is enough', said the Ballinakill man.

Thousands of tractors funnelled through Portlaoise and other towns and cities around Ireland on the night of the first protest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. The 11th President of Turkiye Abdulla Gul has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports.
County Kildare Chamber has announced the appointment of Sinead Ronan as its new Chief Executive Officer. Sinead, formerly the Head of Public Affairs and Operations for the Chamber, will now take the helm as CEO, succeeding Allan Shine.

As the newly appointed CEO, Sinead Ronan expressed her commitment to addressing the pressing concerns raised by the Chamber's membership. The most recent Membership Sentiment Report highlighted housing availability as the top concern for businesses in terms of competitiveness within Kildare, closely followed by skills and labour availability. The challenges posed by wage demands and recent legislation introduced by Government in January have added increased pressure on local businesses.

Sinead emphasised the need for strategic infrastructure development within the County to attract businesses and nurture talent in Kildare and the Mid-East region. In the latest Chamber sentiment report, over 73% of businesses stated they believed infrastructure development within Kildare was lagging and more needed to be done.

To address this, Sinead plans to champion the establishment of an agency dedicated solely to long-term planning and infrastructure development. Too often we have seen glossy development plans with projects highlighted for regions and areas decided on by the geographical location of our cabinet. Our current policy development is based on election cycles, with a new plan developed with each incoming government and an end result with very little done or changed. We need an independent body that will lead projects from inception to completion, ensuring a comprehensive and impactful approach.

In her previous role, Sinead has played a pivotal role in shaping the Chamber's policy and advocacy work, addressing the concerns and needs of the membership. With a background as a Parliamentary Advisor to the current Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, she brings a deep understanding of governmental and departmental functions, both nationally and internationally.

County Kildare Chamber is the largest business organisation in the Mid-East Region and the 4th largest chamber in the country, with a broad and varied membership base, from Intel, Pfizer, Keurig Dr Pepper, to homegrown SMEs like Irish Dog Foods and Ballymore Group. The Chamber represents 400 members, who employ over 42,000 people within Kildare and the wider region.

Commenting on her new role, Sinead Ronan stated, "I am honoured to lead County Kildare Chamber as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. My focus will be on fostering an environment that addresses the immediate concerns of our membership, with an emphasis on sustainable long-term planning for the benefit of businesses and the broader community in Kildare and the Mid-East Region."

President of County Kildare Chamber, Mairead Hennessy, welcomed the appointment, stating Sinead has an extensive knowledge of the Chamber membership, their concerns and wants, and has developed the Chamber's policy and voice over the last number of years as of Head of Public Affairs. I look forward to working with Sinead over the remainder of my term as President and into the future as a member of our Executive Board.

Mairead also paid tribute to outgoing CEO Allan Shine, for his work and dedication of the past 12 years, and developing the Chamber into the voice of business not just within Kildare, but the Mid-East region and wishing him well with his new venture with Kildare Innovation Campus.
Over 16m worth of development levies are owed to Kildare County Council up to the end of last year.

The levies are paid by individuals and companies to cover the cost to the council of providing vital infrastructural supports and from part of almost every planning permission decision.

The levies are a condition of planning permission.

The figure was criticised by Social Democrat councillor Bill Clear who said it is a substantial amount adding Ive no doubt some serious developers are in here.

He also acknowledged that some of the money is owed by people building a single home.

According to figures produced by KCC an additional 1.3m was paid by the government in 2023 for customers who were eligible for a temporary time-limited waiver which came into being to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply.

It applies for a year to all permitted residential development that starts between April 2023 and April 2025 and is completed by the end of 2025. Some 155 residential units availed of this waiver in 2023.

KCC collected 101.8m in levies between 2019 and last year.

It says all development contribution customers who are in arrears are continually under review and engagement with people includes letters, phone calls and meetings.

Half of the levies due is liable once a commencement notice is received by KCC from the applicant and the remaining 50% is due 12 months later.

KCC official Barbara Sweeney pointed out that when someone in arrears fails to engage the matter is referred for legal action.

Read more Kildare news

It was also pointed out that for 2020 and 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic caused financial difficulties for development contributions customers and the council did not legally pursue customers in arrears during this time.

But from 2022 files have been referred for the appropriate legal action.

Ms Sweeney also pointed out that letters regarding the payment of levies - which are sought when a property is being sold - are not issued until everything is paid.
Researchers have uncovered two very rare side effects of Covid-19 vaccines administered to billions of people worldwide during the pandemic, according to a study published last week.

Almost 100 million people from eight different counties, including Scotland, Denmark, Argentina and France, revealed the side effects but researchers claim these jab risks were far outweighed by the benefits.

The Global Vaccine Data Network study, co-directed by Prof Jim Buttery, analysed brain, blood and heart conditions in 99 million people from Australia, Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, New Zealand and Scotland.

It showed that a neurological disorder and inflammation of the spinal cord were two of the most rare side effects of the vaccines having been detected in patients.

Prof Buttery said this finding prompted researchers into a separate study of 6.8 million Australians in order to verify the side effects. The 6.8 million Australians studied had received the AstraZeneca vaccine.

For rare side effects, we dont learn about them until the vaccine has been used in millions of people," Prof Buttery said.

Prof Julie Leask, a vaccine expert at the University of Sydney, said testing positive for Covid itself actually increases the risk of some of these rare conditions much more than a vaccine."

She also said that the research proved vaccine experts are alert to vaccines leading to serious side-effects and are respondng to those issues.

Being confident in a system that will detect problems and address them, is a very important part of a robust vaccination program," she said.

The study used compared the rates of 13 brain, blood and heart conditions in people who received the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccine.
Sinn Fein MEP for the Midlands North-West, Chris MacManus, has said Ursula von der Leyen should not be offered a second term as European Commission President.

He said that Sinn Feins MEPs would not support her candidature and challenged other Euro Election contestants to clearly outline their stance on the matter.



MacManus highlighted a number of shortcomings and controversies that von der Leyen was embroiled in over the current Parliament term she has spent as Commission chief, and hit out particularly at her handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Chris MacManus MEP



Von der Leyen's handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has severely damaged the European Union's credibility as a partner for peace and an honest broker for any future negotiations.

Her initial response in backing Israel unconditionally has emboldened their brutal strategy of murder in Gaza. Even now she remains silent.

Her unwillingness to call for an immediate ceasefire and sustainable peace is a mark of shame for the European Union and highlights that she is unfit for a second term as President of the European Commission.



From an Irish perspective, Ursula von der Leyen has been a let-down as Commission President. Lets not forget her u-turn over a move to control vaccine exports to the north of Ireland in early 2021, when her Commission triggered Article 16 of the Irish Protocol. This unilateral move was made without lifting the phone to either Belfast or Dublin.



There is also a question mark over her unprofessional handling of the process of awarding contracts for COVID-19 vaccines. Remember, the European Ombudsman criticised von der Leyens secrecy over SMS exchanges with Pfizers Chief Executive while the contract negotiations were underway.



She is also one of their driving forces behind the growing militarisation agenda of the EU, which disrespects Irelands long held neutrality. Her comments today about only wanting to work with those who are pro-Nato will send shivers down the spines of the majority of Irish people.



It is my opinion that all Irish MEPs and candidates ought to commit to resisting her re-appointment as Commission President.

The Irish government should do the same, and should insist on a president more aligned with the values of the Irish people. Sinn Feins MEPs will most certainly not support her efforts to secure five more years.
Justin Warnock, Chairman of Kinlough Community Development Company Ltd, signed contracts with Gerard McGloin of NorthWest Retro Fit Ltd to do significant refurbishment at Kinlough Community Centre this Spring.

Also present were Martin McLaughlin of October House Designs and members of the Development Company in attendance.

This project is 95% funded by the Community Centres Investment Fund from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Kinlough Community Centre was originally built in 1974, so the refurbishment is just in time for its 50th anniversary.

Major retrofitting works will be undertaken to improve the centre's energy efficiency, including new insulated roof panels, insulated wall plasterboards, a renewable energy system with integrated solar panels, and new interior and exterior doors and windows.

This project will complement the significant capital works the Development Company have undertaken over the past ten years, including a new AstroTurf pitch, a new grass pitch, a new car park, a new kitchen and the new Hub building. Completion of these works will mean almost 1.5 million will have been invested by the Community Group in the past decade at the Community Centre.

Over the past ten years, a great amount of grant support (over 800,000) has been secured from a variety of funding organisations, but a huge part of all these works has been carried out from fundraising (approx 700,000), and for this support from our community, friends and diaspora we are eternally grateful.

The Community Centre will be closed from mid-March for approx two months.

The weekly Bingo will continue, reverting to the outdoor Car Park Bingo the group successfully held during lockdown times. Activities will also continue on the pitches and in the Hub.
Adam O Ceallaigh, the Green Party candidate for the Ballinamore Local Electoral Area (LEA), engaged in a meeting on Monday, February 19, with Minister of State Ossian Smyth at Leinster House in Dublin. Minister Smyth, is responsible for Public Procurement, eGovernment, and Circular Economy.

Minister Smyth recently signed legislation enabling councils to use CCTV cameras to address illegal dumping. This legislation has been welcomed nationally as a strong step to combating illegal dumping.

Adam O Ceallaigh commented on this saying Our communities have been burdened for too long by the blight of litter and dumping black spots. This is a great step to protecting our countryside and rural areas.

Moreover, Adam raised concerns regarding teething issues with the Deposit Return Scheme, Minister Smyth said, The project is expected to massively reduce the amount of bottles and cans we see on the ground that are ruining our countryside.

The Minister built on that by saying there are 40 countries across the world that are running these schemes, once the scheme is running in full we expect 4,000,000 bottles a day to be returned.

A central talking point for O Ceallaigh and Minister Smyth was the rollout of broadband in Leitrim, acknowledging the critical role of digital connectivity in rural development. They exchanged views on addressing challenges and opportunities in broadband infrastructure to ensure equitable access to digital services for all.

Minister Smyth informed O Ceallaigh that National Broadband Ireland is currently ahead of schedule with national rollout.

Expressing his appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with Minister Ossian Smyth, O Ceallaigh underscored the Green Party's commitment to advocating for sustainable policies that prioritise environmental protection and address the socio-economic needs of rural communities.

By actively participating in discussions at the highest levels of government, O Ceallaigh demonstrates his dedication to effecting positive change and championing the interests of Leitrim and its surrounding areas.
Alcott Enterprises Recognized on CRN's 2024 MSP 500 List





Alcott Enterprises, a value-based IT solutions provider, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Alcott Enterprises to its Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Pioneer 250 category for 2024. CRN's annual MSP 500 list identifies industry-leading service providers in North America who drive a new wave of growth and innovation for the channel through forward-thinking approaches for managed services, helping end users increase efficiency and simplify IT solutions while maximizing their return on investment.

MSPs have become a vital part of the success of businesses worldwide. MSPs not only empower organizations to leverage intricate technologies but also help them keep a strict focus on their core business goals without straining their budgets.

The annual MSP 500 list is divided into three sections: the MSP Pioneer 250, recognizing companies with business models weighted toward managed services and primarily focused on the SMB market; the MSP Elite 150, identifying large, data center-focused MSPs with a potent mix of on- and off-premises services; and the Managed Security 100, recognizing MSPs focused primarily on off-premises and cloud-based security services.

Alcott Enterprises is a leading solutions provider based in Southern California, serving clients across the USA. In an age of rapidly evolving technology transformation, high growth, and intense competition, CRN recognizes that Alcott Enterprises provides fast-growing companies access to affordable senior technology leadership, experience, and expertise. "It's truly an honor and a testimonial to our team's hard work that got us here," says CEO and Founder Jordan Alcott.

"Managed services offer a path for businesses of all sizes to remain efficient and flexible as they grow," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "The solution providers on our 2024 MSP 500 list are bringing innovative managed services portfolios to market, helping their customers win by doing more with their IT budgets and freeing up resources to focus on mission-critical activities to drive future success."

The MSP 500 list will be featured in the February 2024 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/msp500.

About Alcott Enterprises

Based in Los Angeles, CA, Alcott Enterprises offers over 50+ years of combined industry experience developing strategic alignment of business and technology, enabling digital transformations, and managing technical infrastructures working with startups to Fortune 500 companies. Our experts have been providing information technology consulting services for companies of all sizes across various industries and building next-generation company infrastructures that leverage the Cloud, AI, and Machine Learning.

Find out what our clients already know. For more information and updates, visit www.alcottenterprises.com.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by over 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

 2024 The Channel Company LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

22 february 2024 at 17:05

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Srettha Thavisin has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his confident victory in the snap presidential election, Trend reports.

"Excellency,

On behalf of the Royal Thai Government and the people of the Kingdom of Thailand, I have the honour to extend to Your Excellency my sincere congratulations and best wishes on your re-election as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

I am confident that your continued leadership will bring further prosperity and development to the Republic of Azerbaijan and its people. My Government is committed to working closely with Your Excellency to further advance our friendly relations for the mutual benefits of our two countries and peoples.

I take this opportunity to convey my best wishes for your good health and continued success in all your future endeavours.

Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration," the letter reads.
Group14 Hosts U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Tours Battery Materials Factory Site, Celebrates Growing Clean Energy Economy





Funded by a $100M grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, Group14's advanced battery materials factory site was one of the first beneficiaries of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Group14 hosted an advanced battery materials factory site tour and press conference featuring Washington State Governor Jay Inslee , U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm , and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell

Key themes presented included commitments to creating good-paying jobs, forging manufacturing career pathways in Washington State , and strengthening the domestic battery supply chain

MOSES LAKE, Wash., Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Group14 Technologies , the world's largest global manufacturer and supplier of advanced silicon battery materials, today hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm at its second commercial U.S. Battery Active Materials factory site (BAM-2), located in Moses Lake, Washington. A structurally complete, five-story tall, factory module with major heavy equipment already installed served as the backdrop for the company's press conference today featuring federal and local elected officials.

"Group14 is constructing the world's largest advanced silicon battery materials factory, and later this year, we expect to deliver our technology destined for transformative battery performance in EVs, phones, airplanes, and anything that can be battery-powered," said Rick Luebbe, CEO and co-founder at Group14 Technologies. "We are grateful to Governor Inslee, Secretary Granholm, and Senator Cantwell for joining us to celebrate this major milestone in the electrification of everything."

"President Biden's Investing in America agenda is securing the supply chains needed to accelerate the clean energy revolution, creating good-paying quality jobs in communities across the country just like in Moses Lake ? through leaders like Group14, who are transforming battery performance," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "The DOE celebrates the work Group14 is doing as part of the vanguard of this new clean energy manufacturing future."

In recognition of Group14's progress toward building a more resilient domestic battery supply chain, the day's events included a factory site tour and press conference featuring Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, (D-Wash.), Group14 CEO Rick Luebbe, Group14 BAM-2 Plant Manager Don Kersey, Moses Lake community leaders, and other stakeholders. During the speaking program, elected officials elaborated on the benefits of investing in American manufacturing, creating sustainable career pathways, and scaling domestic production of battery materials for the booming electrification sector.

Luebbe also shared progress in Group14 community benefits programs, including workforce training programs, and the development of customized training and future scholarship programs with Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, WA. Of the new hires at BAM-2 in 2023, 80 percent were from Moses Lake and surrounding communities.

"Group14 is building an ecosystem in Washington State that sets a new standard and represents America's unrivaled battery innovation on a global scale," said Dr. Rick Costantino, CTO and co-founder at Group14 Technologies. "We are rewriting the script for how the U.S. can lead in battery technology and manufacturing, and we're doing it with silicon, which will transform the future of batteries as we know them."

About Group14 Technologies

Founded to enable the electrification of everything, Group14 is the world's leading commercial manufacturer and supplier of silicon battery technology. Today, Group14 is working with more than 100 customers globally, which represent 95% of worldwide lithium-ion battery production. Group14 operates a commercial-scale Battery Active Materials factory, BAM-1, in Woodinville, WA, and recently launched a joint venture factory with SK in South Korea. A second U.S. factory, BAM-2, in Moses Lake, WA, will be completed in 2024. To date, Group14 has raised more than $650 million in financing from investors and customers such as Porsche AG, Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, OMERS, Lightrock Climate Impact Fund, Decarbonization Partners, Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), BASF, Resonac and SK Inc. Visit us at www.group14.technology.

SOURCE Group14 Technologies

22 february 2024 at 18:56

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Boston Scientific Announces Pricing of ?2.0 Billion of Senior Notes





MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (the "Company") (NYSE: BSX) today announced that American Medical Systems Europe B.V., its wholly owned finance subsidiary, has priced a public offering of ?750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.375% notes due 2029 and ?1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.500% notes due 2032 (collectively, the "Notes"). The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. The offering is being made pursuant to a registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The offering is expected to close on February 27, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with borrowings under its commercial paper program and cash on hand, to finance the purchase price of the Company's previously announced agreement to acquire Axonics, Inc. and to pay related fees and expenses and, to the extent that the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes are not used for such purposes, to fund the repayment at maturity of the Company's 3.450% senior notes due March 2024 and to pay accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such notes, and for general corporate purposes.

Nothing herein shall constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The offering is being made by means of a prospectus and related preliminary prospectus supplement only, copies of which or information concerning this offering may be obtained by contacting the joint book-running managers: Barclays Bank PLC, toll-free at 1-888-603-5847; Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG, toll-free at 1-800-831-9146; or Societe Generale, toll-free at 1-855-881-2108.

About Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical technologies that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 40 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high-performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of health care. Our portfolio of devices and therapies helps physicians diagnose and treat complex cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, oncological, neurological and urological diseases and conditions. Learn more at www.bostonscientific.com and connect on LinkedIn and X, formerly Twitter.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the proposed offering and intended use of proceeds. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences include, among other things: economic conditions, including the impact of foreign currency fluctuations; future U.S. and global political, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; geopolitical events; manufacturing, distribution and supply chain disruptions and cost increases; disruptions caused by cybersecurity events; disruptions caused by public health emergencies or extreme weather or other climate change-related events; labor shortages and increases in labor costs; variations in outcomes of ongoing and future clinical trials and market studies; new product introductions and the market acceptance of those products; market competition for our products; expected pricing environment; expected procedural volumes; the closing and integration of acquisitions; demographic trends; intellectual property rights; litigation; financial market conditions; the execution and effect of our restructuring program; the execution and effect of our business strategy, including our cost-savings and growth initiatives; our ability to achieve environmental, social and governance goals and commitments; and future business decisions made by us and our competitors. New risks and uncertainties may arise from time to time and are difficult to predict. All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A ? Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A ? Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we will file hereafter. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

CONTACTS:

Emily Anderson

Media Relations

(617) 515-2000 (office)

[email protected]

Lauren Tengler

Investor Relations

(508) 683-4479

[email protected]

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation

22 february 2024 at 21:27

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Pierre Fabre Laboratories, committed to combating rare pediatric diseases via innovative therapies





70% of rare genetic diseases start in childhood[1,2]

CASTRES, France, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rare Disease Day will be held on February 29, an opportunity for Pierre Fabre Laboratories to reiterate our desire to provide innovative prescription drugs to children, as young patients require appropriate treatments. Already recognized for our work in oncology and dermatology, for several years Pierre Fabre Laboratories has been involved in rare diseases, which affect more than 200 million children worldwide[1,2].

In this area more than any other, partnerships are essential for driving research forward and discovering new treatments.

Working with the EspeRare Foundation to treat XLHED:

Pierre Fabre Laboratories is committed, alongside the EspeRare Foundation, to developing an innovative in utero therapy for the most common form of ectodermal dysplasia, XLHED, a rare genetic disease that acts on structures including the sweat and respiratory glands, skin, hair and teeth, and affects 500 infants each year worldwide.

"As the mother of a little boy affected by Ectodermal Dysplasia, a rare and unknown genetic disease that permanently affects the sweat glands, hair, teeth and nails, I am deeply committed to the Association Francaise des Dysplasies Ectodermiques (AFDE). The association has been existing for more than 20 years and offers essential support to affected families who sometimes suffer from the difficult view of others and from medical wandering. We support families and make their daily lives easier. We organise national days and trips to encourage meetings and exchanges. We are also involved in research projects such as the EDELIFE clinical trial on the prenatal treatment of the most common form of the disease, XLHED, conducted by Pierre Fabre laboratories and the EspeRare Foundation. This opportunity to take part in medical research is a real opportunity for children and their families giving us new hope." ? Muriel Dubreuilh, President of Association Francaise des Dysplasies Ectodermiques (AFDE)

EDELIFE, a clinical study involving pregnant women carrying a fetus with the disease gene, was launched in late 2021. For more information: https://edelifeclinicaltrial.com/en-us/, Edelife clinical trial - Ectodermal dysplasia, Article from New England Journal of Medicine.

Partnering with Atara Biotherapeutics to treat a very rare lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD):

In oncology, Pierre Fabre Laboratories and the Californian biotech Atara Biotherapeutics have been working in partnership since 2021 to treat relapsed or refractory Epstein-Barr virus positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD) in patients aged two years or over who have undergone at least one previous treatment.

This promising treatment was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in December 2022, and is currently marketed in Germany and Austria. In France, it has been available for patients as part of an early access program 2 (AP2) since July 2023.

In France in particular, in the context of a serious, rare and incapacitating disease with a bleak prognosis, tabelecleucel, an innovative orphan drug, could meet a non-covered medical need for around five children a year.

"Our companies' complementary capabilities will expand access to the first allogeneic immunotherapy to use T cells from a healthy donor for patients all over the world who suffer from this rare form of cancer." ? Pascal Touchon, CEO of Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Last December in Paris, this treatment won the 2023 Prix Galien France award in the Innovative Therapy Drugs category. This award is emblematic of scientific rigor, excellence and innovation, recognizing remarkable recent innovations in health care and publicly available. This therapeutic innovation will be put forward for the 2024 International Prix Galien, which will be awarded in Rome this June.

Working with Bordeaux University Hospital to treat infantile hemangioma:

Infantile hemangioma, occurring in 4.5% of infants under one year of age, is the most frequently observed benign tumor[3-5]. In 90% of cases, these tumors are not serious, but in some cases they are harmful. In 2007, the Bordeaux University Hospital discovered by chance that a molecule frequently used in cardiology was effective at treating this pediatric skin disease. After fruitful cooperation between the University Hospital and Pierre Fabre, this chance discovery became a concrete reality in 2014, with the global commercialization of the first prescription drug to treat severe infantile hemangioma.

Realizing that families were seriously lacking information, Pierre Fabre laboratories set up an extensive French website aimed at parents of children presenting with infantile hemangioma, to provide them with all the information they needed and help them determine the best course of action from birth onwards. Rapid detection of infantile hemangioma enables better management and limits the risk of sequelae. For more information: https://www.hemangiome.com.

For health care professionals, the provision of the Infantile Hemangioma Referral Score (IHReS), developed with the support of Pierre Fabre Laboratories, expedites the patient care pathway via early identification of patients to be referred to a specialist center (https://www.ihscoring.com).

"The general wait-and-see attitude that has prevailed around infantile hemangiomas must now be replaced with a more active approach. The IHReS score helps pediatricians and general practitioners identify hemangiomas with a risk of complications so the children can immediately be referred to a specialist center able to start treatment." ? Dr. Christine Labreze, dermatologist at Bordeaux University Hospital

Working with Association Ichtyose France to improve management of ichthyosis

Dermatology is the branch of medicine that has the largest number of rare disorders worldwide. 500 have been reported, all with very different forms.

Ichthyosis is a rare disease that mainly affects the skin, significantly altering the integrity of the skin's barrier function. It is characterized by desquamation ranging from mild yet unpleasant dryness to a more serious disorder that is difficult to live with day after day.

To understand and help improve patient quality of life, Pierre Fabre Laboratories, in collaboration with patient associations, is collecting data as part of the Visible Diseases of the Skin program (in particular, the ALL study an epidemiological survey conducted over 50,000 people in 20 countries).

In 2023, a specific study was conducted with four European ichthyosis organizations. Responses were received from 362 patients, enabling previously non-existent information to be collected about their experiences. The results were presented by each organization during the annual event with the patients' families and experts.

Ichthyosis affects around 1% of all people[6]. Its visibility on the hands and face makes it very disabling from a very young age: 67% of patients in the study reported feeling excluded[6].

"Thank you Pierre Fabre [...] for [...] setting up this study, [...] because, as sufferers of a rare disease, it's important for us to be heard and acknowledged, and these figures are going to help us with that. Our long-term relationship with Pierre Fabre is a good illustration of the close links forged with patients and patient associations, year after year!" ? Anne Audouze, President of Association Ichtyose France, a non-profit organization dedicated to ichthyosis

About rare diseases

The European Union defines a rare disease as a rare condition affecting fewer than one in 2,000 people (in other words, a few dozen or a few hundred patients for a given disease). There are thought to be between 5,000 and 8,000 rare diseases7 (neuromuscular diseases, metabolic disorders, infectious and auto-immune diseases, rare cancers, etc.), affecting 3 million people in France, 30 million in Europe and over 300 million patients worldwide[8].

Although they concern relatively few individual patients, they affect a significant proportion of the population, and emerge as a real global public health issue.

About Pierre Fabre Laboratories

For more information, please visit www.pierre-fabre.com, @PierreFabre.

1. https://www.rarediseaseday.org.

2. European Journal of Human Genetics (2020) 28:165?173.

3. Leaute-Labreze et al ? Infantile Haemangioma ?Lancet 2017 Jul 1;390 (10089): 85-94.

4. Munden et al ? Incidence and demographics of IH ? BJD 2014, 170; 907-913.

5. Volc-Platzer et al. ? Poster ESPD 2014.

6. El Hachem et al., Ichthyosis: multinational European study on patient characteristics and body sites involved with impact on quality of life, British Journal of Dermatology (sous presse).

7. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/overview/orphan-designation-overview.

8. https://www.inserm.fr/c-est-quoi/300-millions-patients-quand-meme-c-est-quoi-maladies-rares/.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2345623/Pierre_Fabre_Logo.jpg

Press contact?:

Laurence Marchal

[email protected]

23 february 2024 at 04:49

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Venatorx and Melinta Provide Update on Status of U.S. New Drug Application for Cefepime-Taniborbactam





Venatorx Pharmaceuticals (Venatorx) and Melinta Therapeutics (Melinta) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for cefepime-taniborbactam, a beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor (BL/BLI) combination antibiotic under review as a potential treatment for adult patients with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including acute pyelonephritis caused by susceptible gram-negative microorganisms.

The CRL did not identify clinical safety or efficacy issues in the NDA, and the FDA did not request any new clinical trials to support the approval of cefepime-taniborbactam. The FDA requested additional chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) and related data about the drug, testing methods, and manufacturing process.

"While we are disappointed with this setback, we maintain utmost confidence in cefepime-taniborbactam. We are already hard at work generating the additional requested CMC data, and we will continue to work closely with the FDA so that we can make this important new medicine available to patients as quickly as possible," said Christopher J. Burns, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Venatorx.

Melinta Chief Executive Officer and President, Christine Ann Miller added, "We are committed to our plans of supporting the US commercialization of this drug, which we believe when approved, will offer healthcare providers an important therapy for adult patients suffering from complicated urinary tract infections including acute pyelonephritis caused by susceptible gram-negative microorganisms."

About Cefepime-Taniborbactam

Cefepime-taniborbactam is an investigational intravenous (IV) beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor (BL/BLI) antibiotic combination being developed for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), including pyelonephritis, and hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP) in adults.

Cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, is a widely used beta-lactam (BL) antibiotic with more than two decades of proven safety and clinical utility against susceptible gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Taniborbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor (BLI) that, in combination with cefepime, is being studied as a potential treatment option for patients with serious bacterial infections caused by antibiotic resistant gram-negative bacteria, most notably Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL)-expressing Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA), which can include carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA).

Cefepime-taniborbactam has been granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast Track designations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Fast Track designation is designed to facilitate the development, and to expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions that do not have sufficient treatment options. QIDP designation provides certain incentives for the development of new antibiotics, including priority review, as well as a five-year regulatory exclusivity extension. QIDP was authorized under the Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) Act of 2012, as part of the FDA Safety and Innovation Act, to underscore the urgency in development of new antibiotics.

About Gram-Negative Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

In a recent report on AMR, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported rates of resistance have increased significantly in the U.S. among bacterial pathogens including those commonly causing cUTI, pyelonephritis, and bacteremia. The CDC also cited that there are more than 2.8 million AMR infections annually in the U.S., which are directly related to more than 35,000 deaths.[1]

Between 2014 and 2019, an analysis of U.S. UTI patients determined that 4.4% of cases were carbapenem resistant (CR) and 24.5% of U.S. UTI patients were bacteremic with 1.7% of cases caused by a CR pathogen. Patients with CR infections had a significantly longer hospital length of stay (LOS), were less likely to be discharged home, had a higher readmission rate, and had greater LOS-associated charges than patients with carbapenem-susceptible infections. Additionally, patients with bacteremia (urosepsis) due to CR pathogens had a significantly higher rate of mortality than those with carbapenem susceptible pathogens.[2]

Gram-negative bacteria have multiple AMR mechanisms that continue to adapt in response to increases in antibiotic usage. Carbapenems are broad-spectrum antibiotics that have been widely used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, including Enterobacterales. With the increased global use of carbapenems, CRE have emerged, which have limited treatment options and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Resistance to carbapenems among Enterobacterales is primarily achieved by production of carbapenemases, which are enzymes capable of hydrolyzing carbapenem antibiotics and most other beta-lactams and fall into two distinct families: serine beta-lactamases and metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs). Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), a class-A serine beta-lactamase, is one of the most prevalent carbapenemases, and New Delhi MBL (NDM) and Verona Integron-encoded MBL (VIM) are common variants of MBLs identified in gram-negative infections due to Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa. According to an IHMA surveillance study in 2018-2019 and a JMI U.S. Surveillance study from 2021, MBLs were the most commonly identified carbapenem resistance mechanism globally among Enterobacterales isolates, with ~16 to 18% of U.S. CRE isolates carrying MBLs.[3,4]

While CRPA is also increasing in some geographies due to emergence of MBLs, MDR-PA, which may exhibit resistance to carbapenems, represents an increasing challenge for clinicians and their patients in the U.S. and globally due to the paucity of treatment options for this primarily hospital-associated pathogen. Especially outside the U.S., CRPA may carry carbapenemases including MBLs (i.e., VIM); however, non-carbapenemase resistance mechanisms (i.e., efflux pumps, porins) also contribute to the growing global resistance of MDR-PA and CRPA.[5]

If AMR infections continue on this trajectory, it has been projected that an estimated 10 million people will die per year of resistant infections by 2050?a number that surpasses the projected annual number of deaths (8.2 million) caused by cancer?and the cumulative cost to the global economy could be as high as U.S. $100 trillion.[6] In the U.S., estimates have reached as high as U.S. $20 billion in excess direct healthcare costs, with an additional U.S. $35 billion associated with lost productivity.[7] By 2050, the world is at risk of losing up to 3.8% of its annual gross domestic product with an annual shortfall of up to U.S. $3.4 trillion by 2030, a figure on par with losses attributable to the 2008 global financial crisis.[8]

The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) maintains updated guidance on the Treatment of Antimicrobial Resistant Gram-Negative Infections online at https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/amr-guidance/.[9] For those patients who do not respond to current treatment, new antibiotic therapies are needed to combat AMR.

About Complicated Urinary Tract Infections

Complicated UTIs, which include pyelonephritis, are defined as urinary tract infections ascending from the bladder accompanied by local and systemic signs and symptoms, including fever, chills, malaise, flank pain, back pain, and/or costovertebral angle pain or tenderness, that usually occur in the presence of a functional or anatomical abnormality of the urinary tract or in the presence of catheterization. Bacteremia can arise secondary to infections like cUTI and can result in substantial morbidity and mortality. [1] Annually in U.S., it is estimated that more than 3 million cUTI patients will be diagnosed and require antibiotic therapy leading to over $6 billion in annualized 30-day costs.[10]

About Venatorx Pharmaceuticals

Venatorx is a private, late-stage clinical pharmaceutical company focused on improving health outcomes for patients with multidrug-resistant bacterial infections and hard-to-treat viral infections. Venatorx's lead program, cefepime-taniborbactam, is a clinical-stage antibiotic that completed a Phase 3 study in adults with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis. In October 2022, BARDA awarded a contract of up to $318M for development and procurement of cefepime-taniborbactam for the treatment of melioidosis and multi-drug resistant infections. Cefepime-taniborbactam is currently under review by the FDA for the treatment of cUTI, including acute pyelonephritis. Venatorx is also developing an oral antibacterial, ceftibuten-ledaborbactam (formerly known as VNRX-7145), for the treatment of cUTI, including pyelonephritis, caused by certain bacteria in adult patients with limited treatment options; this product is completing Phase 1 and will advance directly to a global Phase 3 cUTI clinical trial. For more information about Venatorx and its anti-infectives portfolio, please visit www.venatorx.com.

About Melinta Therapeutics LLC

Melinta Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to providing innovative therapies to people impacted by acute and life-threatening illnesses. We focus our expanding portfolio on serving patients with an unmet need because that's how we make the most meaningful impact. At Melinta, we're visionaries dedicated to innovation while staying grounded in what matters most: patients. Our portfolio currently includes seven commercial-stage products: BAXDELA (delafloxacin), KIMYRSA (oritavancin), MINOCIN (minocycline) for Injection, ORBACTIV (oritavancin), REZZAYO (rezafungin for injection), TOPROL-XL (metoprolol succinate) and VABOMERE (meropenem and vaborbactam). For more information about Melinta Therapeutics, our commitment to patients, and to learn about our portfolio of therapies, visit www.melinta.com.

Funding Partners and Collaborators for Cefepime-Taniborbactam

This project has been funded in part with federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under contract number HHSN272201300019C, and Wellcome Trust under Award No. 360G-Wellcome-101999/Z/13/Z, and has continued with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under contract numbers HHSO100201900007C and 75A50122C00080.

In September 2018, Venatorx entered into an exclusive license agreement with Everest Medicines to support the development, registration, and commercialization of cefepime-taniborbactam in Greater China, South Korea, and select countries in Southeast Asia. Everest will be solely responsible for the commercialization of cefepime-taniborbactam in its territory and Venatorx will be eligible to receive royalties on net sales.

In April 2020, Venatorx and the GARDP Foundation (GARDP) announced a collaboration to accelerate the development of, and access to, cefepime-taniborbactam for adult and pediatric populations. Venatorx has granted GARDP exclusive rights to distribute and sub-distribute cefepime-taniborbactam, once it is approved for clinical use, in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

In November 2023, Venatorx and Melinta entered into an exclusive License Agreement to facilitate a strategic partnership in the U.S. to commercialize cefepime-taniborbactam, a beta-lactam / beta-lactamase inhibitor (BL/BLI) combination antibiotic being developed for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) and hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP) in adults.

In December 2023, Venatorx entered into an agreement with Menarini Group, who acquired the exclusive rights to commercialize, upon approval of relevant health authorities, cefepime-taniborbactam in 96 countries in Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Turkey and North Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

References

[1] Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States 2019, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

[2] Shields et al. Burden of illness in U.S. hospitals due to carbapenem-resistant gram-negative urinary tract infections in patients with or without bacteremia. BMC Infectious Diseases (2021) 21:572.

[3] Estabrook et al. Epidemiology of Resistance Determinants Identified in Meropenem-Nonsusceptible Enterobacterales Collected as Part of a Global Surveillance Study, 2018 to 2019. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; May 2023, Vol. 67, Issue 5

[4] Castanheira et al. Increase in the Occurrence of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales in United States Hospitals from 2019 to 2021 and Activity of Novel Beta-Lactams/Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations Against these Isolates, 2022 ID Week Abstract #664. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 9, Issue Supplement_2, December 2022, ofac492.716

[5] Jean S-S, Harnod D and Hsueh P-R (2022) Global Threat of Carbapenem Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria. Front. Cell. Infect.Microbiol.12:823684. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2022.823684[6] O'Neill, J. ?Tackling Drug-Resistant Infections Globally: Final Report and Recommendations'. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. May 2016.

[6] O'Neill, J. ?Tackling Drug-Resistant Infections Globally: Final Report and Recommendations'. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. May 2016.

[7] Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States 2013, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

[8] World Bank. Final Report Drug Resistant Infections: A Threat to Our Economic Future. Mar 2017.

[9] Infectious Disease Society of America maintains updated guidance on the Treatment of Antimicrobial Resistant Gram-Negative Infections posted online at https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/amr-guidance/ accessed July 2023

[10] Carreno et al. Longitudinal, nationwide, cohort study to assess incidence, outcomes, and costs associated with complicated urinary tract infection. Open Forum Infectious Diseases. 8 October 2019

23 february 2024 at 08:05

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Abridge Emerges as a Healthcare AI Leader, Raising $150M to Accelerate R&D





Abridge, the leader in generative AI for clinical documentation, announced an additional $150 million investment, leveraging momentum from their product's rapid uptake among health systems throughout the nation. This raise comes just 4 months after their $30M Series B, and is one of the largest funding rounds made to date in generative AI for healthcare.

The Series C investment was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, who will also join the board. Other new and existing investors continuing to support the company include co-lead Redpoint Ventures, with support from IVP, Spark Capital, Union Square Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Wittington Ventures, Mass General Brigham Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Fund (AIDIF), Kaiser Permanente Ventures, and CVS Health Ventures.

Today, Abridge also announced a new enterprise agreement with the Yale New Haven Health System, the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in Connecticut, that will give thousands of clinicians access to Abridge for clinical documentation. Yale New Haven Health has selected Abridge as their generative AI partner in this area of ambient listening. The initial deployment will be focused on reducing the cognitive burden of clinical documentation, enabling clinicians to spend more face-to-face time engaging with patients instead of computers.

"Freeing doctors from the burden of documentation will dramatically improve both quality of care and the doctor-patient relationship," said Paul Ricci, Advisor, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and former Chairman and CEO of Nuance Communications. "Abridge will allow caregivers to capture an enormous amount of data that is currently being discarded or ignored, and that in turn will likely lead to new insights in managing population health. I'm thrilled to work with Dr. Rao and his team on the next great step in the evolution of healthcare."

"Abridge has set new standards for quality and responsible deployment of generative AI in health systems across the U.S., cementing it as the industry's most trusted AI platform," said Sebastian Duesterhoeft, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. "Abridge stands out for their innovation in all facets of product development. CTO Zack Lipton, a widely cited Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon and pioneer in responsible AI research, has assembled the strongest research team in healthcare AI. They have set new expectations for transparency and verification with their evidence extraction technology, and raised the bar for both note quality and evaluation methodology."

Abridge has been assembling a world-class AI team for years and these investments are rapidly hitting production. In the last year alone, they delivered an industry-leading automatic speech recognition engine purpose-built for healthcare applications. Their speech and language technologies have been rigorously evaluated in 14 languages and functionally support many more?performing well even amidst rapid switches between languages and when interpreters are in the room. Abridge is ahead of the market in controlling its full technology pipeline, developing its own purpose-built LLMs. Moreover, its "Linked Evidence" feature, a first-of-its kind technology that maps any highlighted region within a summary to the substantiating evidence in the source transcript (and thus to the underlying audio) has become a required capability. The company is actively developing novel ways to personalize notes, integrate more deeply into the EMR, and provide clinicians with after-visit insights.

With this new capital, Abridge will continue to push boldly into fundamental research, developing bedrock foundation models that draw upon vast troves of multimodal healthcare data. These models will both power improvements to Abridge's existing product lines and enable a new wave of possibilities in the future.

"We are grateful to be partnering with iconic institutions that share our dedication to improving the lives of patients and clinicians," said Dr. Shiv Rao, CEO and Founder of Abridge. "This company was founded on the premise that clinician-patient conversations are at the core of all healthcare. Already, this information is powering a revolution in AI-based documentation. In the future, it will open new pathways to improve patient outcomes. Realizing this vision requires world-class talent and formidable compute resources. We are now uniquely positioned to build the AI platform that brings this vision to life."

About Abridge

Abridge was founded in 2018 with the mission of powering deeper understanding in healthcare. The AI-powered platform was purpose-built for medical conversations, improving clinical documentation efficiencies while enabling clinicians to focus on what matters most?their patients.

Abridge's enterprise-grade technology transforms patient-clinician conversations into structured clinical notes in real-time with deep EMR integrations. Powered by Linked Evidence and their auditable AI, Abridge is the only company that maps AI-generated summaries to ground truth, helping providers quickly trust and verify the output. As pioneers in generative AI for healthcare, Abridge is setting the industry standards for the responsible deployment of AI across health systems.

23 february 2024 at 08:05

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Government of Canada announces draft rules to cut pollutants that cause smog in communities across Canada





GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Canada has a long history of tackling major sources of air pollution, which has resulted in better air quality for many communities across the country. However, it is clear there are still communities living near industrial facilities that are consistently exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution, and more needs to be done to provide a healthy environment for all Canadians.

Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada announced the draft regulations to further reduce emissions from the petroleum sector of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are airborne pollutants that contribute to smog. They are also major contributors to cancer, respiratory diseases, and premature death. These harmful VOCs include benzene and come from storage tanks and loading equipment at petroleum refineries, upgraders, petrochemical facilities, terminals, and other bulk fuel facilities across Canada.

To limit these toxic pollutants, the Government of Canada would require facilities to install vapour control equipment on tanks and loading operations, as well as to inspect and repair that equipment for defects on a regular basis. These changes would improve air quality in neighbourhoods and communities across the country that are close to oil and gas facilities. The changes will also reduce the risk of exposure to toxic carcinogenic substances, such as benzene, for nearby residents. They would bring Canada's regulatory approach in alignment with that of the United States, which has had similar rules in place for many years.

The draft regulations reflect an on-going commitment to environmental justice and the need to address disproportionate environmental harms on communities near industrial sites. They also support Indigenous reconciliation and recognize the right to a healthy environment in Canada. The Government of Canada would like to thank the Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Sarnia, Ontario, for their advocacy and research regarding health effects in their community caused by exposure to VOCs from industrial facilities.

The Government of Canada also published, in the Canada Gazette, a Notice of Intent to consult on a risk management strategy to reduce benzene emissions from gasoline stations. A 2023 report by Health Canada concluded that Canadians living near gasoline stations may be exposed to elevated levels of toxic carcinogenic substances, such as benzene, due to emissions from underground gasoline storage tanks and other gas station sources. The Government of Canada is now launching consultations with interested parties and reviewing relevant information to inform policies and actions needed to drive down benzene emissions from gasoline stations.

The Government of Canada is inviting interested Canadians to submit their feedback on the draft VOC regulations and the Notice of Intent during the 60-day consultation period, which will end on April 24, 2024.

Quotes

"Everyone in Canada deserves to have clean air, free from the pollution that causes cancer and other diseases. The scientific evidence clearly points to the need for facilities to take action to cut down on these dangerous airborne pollutants. Fortunately, the technology exists for industry to make the necessary changes in a way that is achievable and affordable for them. Cutting air pollution from these facilities across Canada will mean cleaner air and healthier lives for Canadians."

? The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"Canadians deserve clean and healthy air. Airborne pollutants affect how we live and breathe, and it is important that we take action now to limit air pollution and protect the health of people all across the country."

? The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health

"We are pleased to see that Aamjiwnaang First Nation's engagement has supported enhanced regulatory approaches that will improve air quality for communities such as ours. Engaging and hearing communities' perspectives, particularly us, as an Anishnaabe community who have long inhabited affected areas, and reflecting those perspectives in the resulting products, is an important step toward better environmental policies and meaningful reconciliation. Aamjiwnaang looks forward to continuing their efforts to work in advocacy and partnerships to continue its journey toward environmental justice and stewardship for our people and community."

? Aamjiwnaang First Nation's Chief and Council

Quick facts

Better air quality is expected to result in 31,000 fewer days of asthma symptoms among youth, and 91,000 fewer days of restricted activity among non-asthmatics. The total present value of health benefits resulting from these air quality improvements is estimated at $1.05 billion ( 2022 dollars ), between 2024 and 2045.

( ), between 2024 and 2045. Many VOCs, including benzene, are carcinogenic. They also contribute to air pollution that causes worsening of respiratory symptoms, development of disease, and premature death. Long-term exposure to benzene can cause leukemia. Exposure levels are higher in communities near large emission sources, including Indigenous and low-income communities already facing increased health burdens.

The Aamjiwnaang First Nation?which borders a number of petroleum and petrochemical facilities in the Sarnia, Ontario area?would directly benefit from the proposed regulations through lower emissions of carcinogenic benzene from nearby industrial facilities. Engagement with the Aamjiwnaang First Nation and other Indigenous communities helped to inform the development of the draft regulations.

area?would directly benefit from the proposed regulations through lower emissions of carcinogenic benzene from nearby industrial facilities. Engagement with the Aamjiwnaang First Nation and other Indigenous communities helped to inform the development of the draft regulations. Other communities across Canada are also expected to benefit from improved air quality due to lower benzene and other VOC emissions from petroleum storage and loading operations, including in Vancouver , Edmonton , Regina, Winnipeg , Montreal, Saint John , and Halifax , among others.

are also expected to benefit from improved air quality due to lower benzene and other VOC emissions from petroleum storage and loading operations, including in , , Regina, , Montreal, , and , among others. The Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (Petroleum Sector) were finalized in 2020 and are in force. These Regulations require the implementation of comprehensive leak detection and repair, as well as fenceline monitoring programs at over 25 Canadian petroleum refineries, upgraders, and integrated petrochemical facilities. The draft volatile organic compounds regulations published today build on these requirements.

Related products

Backgrounder: Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds (Storage and Loading of Volatile Petroleum Liquids) Draft Regulations

Associated links

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

23 february 2024 at 14:07

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Enrich Foods' "Climate Friendly" Rice Named NEXTY Award Finalist: The First Consumer Product Funded by USDA's Climate-Smart Commodities Is Now Available to US Households.





Enrich Foods, a Columbia Grain International company, announces a giant leap forward in sustainable agriculture with the national availability of certified climate-friendly rice from U.S. farms bringing this household staple to grocery stores across the nation under the Great River Milling brand. This is the first consumer product funded by USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative to hit store shelves, and has broad applications across American agriculture. Grown and produced in America's heartland, climate-friendly rice represents a game-changing advance in sustainable farming?from funding to field to shelf to plate. Learn more about Great River Milling Long Grain White Rice and Long Grain Brown Rice at Expo West (Booth #4790). These products can also help support?and advance?retailers' corporate sustainability initiatives.

Adding to the prestige, Expo West, the world's largest exhibition of natural products, just named Great River Milling's Long Grain White Rice as a 2024 NEXTY award finalist!

"We're setting a new standard and bringing the first product funded by USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative to market," shares Jeff Van Pevenage, President and CEO, Columbia Grain International. "In partnership with AgriCapture, an agricultural technology company that provides solutions to climate change and USDA funding, we will bring 50 million pounds of domestically grown Certified Climate-Friendly rice to households across the country in 2024."

"Economic and environmental sustainability go hand in hand," shares fifth-generation rice farmer and winner of the USA Rice Sustainability Award, Jim Whitaker. Learn more about his inspiring journey in his inspiring TED Talk "A cleaner world could start in a rice field."

Traditional rice growing methods involve fully flooded rice paddies, which produce high levels of methane. But if farmers can control the water usage and still produce the same high-quality product, they can mitigate many of the negative effects.

The Climate-Friendly Certified by AgriCapturetm growing process

Reduces Greenhouse gas emissions by 60-95 percent

Reduces water use by up to 33 percent

Improves soil health and promotes carbon sequestration

Reduces heavy metals (inherent in traditional rice growing) Inorganic Arsenic levels for Climate-Friendly Rice were 33% less than conventional rice (Source)



"This rice growing process represents a great way to support farmers who are caring for our planet. Participating farmers receive a 10 percent premium per bushel of rice relative to conventional pricing," states Tyler Hull, President of AgriCapture.

Pricing and Availability

Great River Milling Long Grain White Rice and Brown Rice is now available for consumer purchase on Amazon and will be on store shelves in early 2024. For product and pricing information, contact Rachel Justice at [email protected] or 720-352-2648.

About Enrich Foodstm, LLC.

Enrich Foods is the consumer products arm of Columbia Grain International, a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics, and distribution of high-quality bulk grains and pulses. The Enrich Foods portfolio includes the Balanced Bushel line of premium dry beans and pulses and the Great River Milling brand specializing in organic flour, beans, pulses, and Certified Climate Friendly Ricetm.

Enrich Foods' brands have a widespread Amazon presence and select distribution through leading retailers and major e-commerce platforms. With a new, SQF-certified, 35,000 square foot plant located in West Central Wisconsin, the company specializes in high-capacity co-manufacturing capabilities, is a trusted private label partner, and can help retailers meet corporate sustainability goals.

For more information visit www.enrich-foods.com.

23 february 2024 at 15:30

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Greek farmers mobilize in front of Parliament in Athens, Wednesday, February 21, 2024. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / REUTERS

As night fell on Tuesday, February 20, Syntagma Square, located opposite the Greek Parliament in Athens, was transformed into an unusual gathering. Over 8,000 angry farmers from the four corners of Greece converged on the square with around 100 tractors. The air was filled with the blaring of horns and the chanting of provocative slogans like "Without us, what will you eat?" and "Without farmers, no future!"

Thanassis Prassas has been taking part in the protest for the past 30 days and did not hesitate to make the journey to Athens from the flood-stricken region of Thessaly in September 2023. "Despite promises, five months on we still haven't been fully reimbursed, and we don't know whether we'll be able to farm our land again. There's still four meters of water around Lake Karla, where our farms are located." Storm Daniel, which claimed 17 lives, also flooded nearly 73,000 hectares of land, according to the European Commission's Copernicus emergency management service, and wiped out more than 80,000 livestock.

Prassas, who owns almond trees, pistachio trees and cornfields, is not discouraged. "We want the tax on fuel [non-road diesel] to be abolished. Other European countries have adopted this measure, and for us who have small farms and are struggling to make ends meet, it's essential!"

Lower electricity bills and VAT

Energy prices rose by around 50% between 2020 and 2023, according to the Greek Statistics Authority. Energy costs between 2020 and 2021 amounted to between 20% and 25% of the average income earned by all farms in the country.

On February 13, representatives of the agricultural unions were received by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He announced a series of measures such as lower electricity bills for farmers for the next 10 years, which will be implemented on April 1, as well as the reduction of VAT on fertilizers and animal feed, which is expected to fall from the current 13% to 6%.

The prime minister also assured that financial aid for farmers affected by the natural disasters would be paid out rapidly at the end of February. After initial emergency aid of 2,000 and 4,000 paid to farmers and livestock breeders respectively in 2023, the government promised further aid which is now to be increased to 5,000 and 10,000. On Tuesday, prior to the farmers' arrival in Athens, the prime minister announced on Star TV that he had "nothing more to give" to farmers, as he felt the country's financial margins were limited.

'An untenable situation'

It was a statement that did not go unnoticed by the protesters. Dimitris Tsioulakos owns almost 2,000 peach trees in Naoussa, northern Greece, and is struggling to get by. "The decision to abolish fuel taxes has already been made for shipowners, so why not for farmers too? Where there's a will, there's a way!" he said indignantly.

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Farmers drive their tractors next to the metro station Sevres-Lecourbe in the center of Paris on February 23, 2024. LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP

Farmers drove their tractors into central Paris on Friday, February 23, to raise the pressure on President Emmanuel Macron, who has promised them a debate at France's coming agriculture show, a key annual event for farmers, the public and politicians, but then canceled. France's biggest farming union FNSEA acknowledged that this year's Salon de l'Agriculture, which opens on Saturday, would be "eminently political" but said it would hopefully also be a "time of celebration."

Around 30 tractors entered central Paris heading for Les Invalides, the military museum and esplanade a stone's throw from the Assemblee Nationale and just across the river from the Elysee presidential palace. A second convoy was expected to enter the capital later Friday.

LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP

LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP

Farmers' complaints include what they call burdensome environmental rules and the threat of cheap imports from outside the European Union, and they also demand measures to address the fact that many of them still suffer from earning too little income.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal failed to placate them with a host of measures announced Wednesday, promising to elevate agriculture "to the status of a fundamental national interest" and outlining an agriculture bill designed to address farmers' grievances. But they have continued to block motorways and roundabouts, set fire to tires and lay siege to supermarkets, saying they needed more. All sights are now on Macron.

'Error'

On Thursday, the president said he would hold a debate there involving "all actors in the agriculture world" to "outline the future" of the sector. But the initiative came off to a rocky start when he included the radical ecology group "Soulevements de la Terre" (The Earth Uprisings Collective), which Macron's own interior minister recently tried to have banned on the grounds they were "eco-terrorists". After protests from farming unions, opposition politicians and even from within the government's ranks, the group was quickly uninvited and Macron's office said there had been "an error".

But the damage was done, with the head FNSEA, Arnaud Rousseau, calling Macron's initiative "cynical" and saying he would not be part of "something that doesn't allow dialogue in good conditions". Faced with the boycott call, Macron canceled the event altogether, his office said Friday, adding that he would meet instead with farmers' unions before opening the fair Saturday.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees warned on Thursday, February 22, that it has reached a critical juncture as it struggles to cope with the war in Gaza. "It is with profound regret that I must now inform you that UNRWA has reached a breaking point," chief Philippe Lazzarini said, as donors freeze funding, Israel exerts pressure to dismantle the agency and humanitarian needs soar.

"The Agency's ability to fulfill the mandate given through General Assembly resolution 302 is now seriously threatened," he said in a letter to the assembly. That is the resolution under which the agency was founded in 1949, following the creation of Israel. UNRWA employs some 30,000 people working in the occupied territories, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

Read more Subscribers only Gaza: UN agency for Palestinian refugees plunged into unprecedented turmoil

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 attack on Israel.

In an interview published over the weekend, Lazzarini said $438 million has been frozen  the equivalent of more than half of expected funding for 2024. He said Israel was waging a concerted effort to destroy UNRWA.

Read more Subscribers only UNRWA: Who funds the UN agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees?

The UN fired the employees accused by Israel and has begun an internal probe of UNRWA. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also tasked an independent panel with assessing whether UNRWA acts in a neutral fashion in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Lazzarini asserted Thursday that Israel has provided no evidence against the 12 former employees it accuses, but 16 countries have suspended funding anyway. "I have cautioned donors and host countries that without new funding, UNRWA operations across the region will be severely compromised from March," he said. He added: "I fear we are on the edge of a monumental disaster with grave implications for regional peace, security and human rights."

Read more Subscribers only Israel-Hamas war: At Egyptian border, Israelis try to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. France is consistently attempting to undermine stability in the region, political scientist Azer Garayev told Trend.

He emphasized that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to France and meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron were memorable for several intriguing moments.

"The footage from the meeting shows the French president sheltering Pashinyan under his umbrella, representing France's attempt to position itself as Armenia's protective ally. In truth, France seeks to protect its regional interests through Armenia. The French president's speech is not only a sign of its commitment to Armenia but also of its desire to support it," said Garayev.

He claims that France's goal is not to foster stability in the South Caucasus or prevent future escalations and risks, but rather to increase its influence in the region, particularly through Armenia, in order to protect its interests.

"Following Macron's meeting with Pashinyan, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu paid a visit to Armenia as part of France's policy. French authorities have made additional pledges to Armenia, culminating in the signing of a package of documents on military cooperation. France has previously delivered night vision systems to Armenia and intends to send Bastion armored vehicles. It is clear that France is actively arming Armenia, with the full awareness that such activities contribute to regional instability. As a result, France's professed dedication to peace appears hollow because its underlying goal appears to be the destabilization of the situation in the region," the analyst added.

The political scientist noted that France's biased position caused an adequate reaction from the Azerbaijani government.

"To establish regular, acceptable relations with our country, Macron must reevaluate his policies and posture. Unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan has always followed an independent policy, remaining unaligned with external pressures. Instead of portraying himself and Pashinyan as "peacemakers" and official Baku as a party that "rejects offers," Macron should take a more measured stance. Azerbaijan has proven to be a reliable international partner, and it's critical for everyone to know that pressing Azerbaijan, whether through Armenia or any other means, is an unworkable policy," Garayev said.

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A NEW report shows that property price increases in Limerick are above average.

IPAVs twice yearly Residential Property Price Barometer stated that while the overall national price increase for the latter six months of 2023 was 2.99% - Limerick's increase was 4.84%.

Limerick saw a 3.39% rise in the three-bedroom category; 5.90% for four-bedroom properties and 5.24% for two-bedroom apartments.

IPAVs Residential Property Price Barometer charts prices actually achieved by auctioneers for three and four-bedroom houses and two-bedroom apartments.

Commenting, Pat Davitt, IPAVs chief executive 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.

READ MORE: Limerick community funding cuts raised in the Dail

He said 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 also pointed to CSO data which shows that between the 2016 census and the latest one in 2022 housing stock has risen by 5% but the population has grown by 8%, with some counties having a much greater divergence.

The latest census put the population at 5.2 million and it has grown by 100,000 in the last year alone.
A LIMERICK councillor has said what appears in the recorded minutes of municipal meetings and what was actually said are two separate things.

At every Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) municipal meeting, minutes are taken to document the proceedings.

At the January meeting of the municipal district of Adare-Rathkeale, Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey brought up a topic on whether LCCC is aware of any remuneration being paid to objectors to planning applications in his district.

The discussion on remuneration lasted for approximately 30 minutes, in a debate back and forth with correspondence from LCCC representatives and local councillors present. All that was documented in the draft minutes besides a reply from LCCC was that Councillor Teskey expressed his dissatisfaction at the response to his question.

At the beginning of every municipal district meeting, the council are asked to adopt the draft minutes from the previous meeting.

At the February meeting, Mr Teskey said he couldnt adopt these minutes as such an occasion needed to be highlighted.

Administrative officer, Karen Butler told Mr Teskey that minutes are circulated to everyone on the agenda following the meeting and if there are amendments we adopt them.

According to Stephane Duclot, director of rural, community and culture development for LCCC, it is up to the councillors to amend the minutes as they request.

Mr Teskey then asked if Mr Duclot could change the minutes as he sees fit but Mr Duclot replied that he cannot amend the adopted minutes, only the draft minutes. It is up to the councillors to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting.

Mr Duclot also mentioned that this issue had never been brought up to him before this months meeting.

I have raised this issue before in a meeting and Cllr ODonoghue challenged me on it, Mr Teskey replied.

Independent councillor John ODonoghue said that the minutes are not inaccurate but they lack detail.

What do you want them to do, write everything down? If we want to write everything down youd need to chop down a forest, Mr ODonoghue quipped.

READ MORE: Limerick community funding cuts raised in the Dail

Independent councillor Emmett OBrien said that reducing a long debate down to one line is a bit peculiar.

So what you are doing is censoring the minutes. You can remove or insert as you see fit, Mr OBrien said.

Mr Duclot once again reiterated that they are the draft minutes.

I don't have the prerogative to change the adopted minutes, Mr Duclot said.

Fianna Fail councillor Kevin Sheahan who is retiring from politics at the end of this term said he has never experienced any difficulty with the staff that record the minutes.

The staff that record the minutes are second to none, I wouldnt swap them in the morning, Mr Sheahan said.

Mr Teskey also agreed that this is no reflection on them.

Concluding the discussion, Mr Teskey, who is Cathaoirleach of the Adare-Rathkeale district said he intends to submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to view the minutes from the meeting before any amendments were made.
A PROTEST to highlight the need for more support services for those living with eating disorders are coming to multiple cities in Ireland - one being the University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

Irelands first multi-city protest to demand urgent attention and action to reform eating disorder services across Ireland will take place this March 2, to coincide with Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

Driven by mother Amy Hanley, whose teenage daughter was diagnosed with anorexia in 2022, the protests will highlight the critical need for reform of eating disorder services and call on the government to urgently address the multiple obstacles to receiving treatment in Ireland.

Fuelled by her harrowing experience navigating the healthcare system for her daughter, Amy Hanley launched the MindEverybody campaign late last year.

This March 2 will see protests organised in Cork, Limerick and Dublin, as parents and sufferers seek widespread support for much-needed changes and demand that access to care be equitable and timely.

A Change.org petition has also been set up to be delivered to Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly and Minster of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler.

"No family or individual should endure the obstacles we faced in securing treatment for my daughter. It's time to dismantle the multiple barriers that impede access to care for eating disorders in this country," said Amy Hanley.

"An often overlooked reality is that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate among all mental health conditions. While recovery is attainable, the flaws in our healthcare system can prove detrimental, often worsening or prolonging an illness.

"Countless young individuals and their families across Ireland are needlessly suffering as they grapple with the lack of resources in the face of deteriorating physical and mental health. This is unacceptable. We need our voices heard once and for all.

In January 2018, the HSE published a five-year Model of Care for community eating disorder care, with a plan to have sixteen specialist teams in place in by 2023: eight for adults and eight for under-18s. There are currently eleven in place though not all teams are funded to the recommended levels in the model of care according to the HSE.

A recent report by the Health Research Board found the number of child and adolescent admissions for eating disorders more than doubled in 2022 and the number of adults admitted to hospital for eating disorders was the highest in a decade.

READ MORE: Rainbow Badge initiative launched at UHL to promote culture of inclusivity

However, the eating disorder support organisation, Bodywhys, said people admitted to hospital are only a fraction of the individuals experiencing one of these conditions in Ireland.

With an estimated 188,895 people in Ireland experiencing an eating disorder at some point in their lives, and approximately 1,757 new cases annually in the 10-49 age group, the urgency of reforming services cannot be over emphasised.

"If authorities treated this mental health condition with the gravity it deserves, not only could it alleviate the profound suffering experienced by patients, but it could also significantly reduce the economic burdens, added Amy Hanley.

This includes the costs associated with multiple hospitalisations, treatment in private facilities here or abroad when the HSE is unable to provide adequate care, and the financial strain on caregivers who may need carer allowances or sick leave due to the challenges of simultaneously working and caring for someone severely ill without sufficient support."

The Eating Disorder protests will be held at 11am on March 2, 2024 and those interested in getting involved or in organising a protest in their own county are being encouragef to contact Amy on mindeverybody@gmail.com

The Limerick protest will take place outside the main gates of the University Hospital Limerick from 11am- 1pm.
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LIMERICK gardai and staff organised a night of rhythm and (Hill Street) blues to raise money for Little Blue Heroes.

The event entitled Heroes Rock took place on Friday, February 16 in Dolans Warehouse.

Six bands kindly agreed to perform free of charge - Trouble Pilgrims, The Yardarm Dawgs, Thiz Lizzy, Reverse the Hearse, The Outcast Crew and Parliament Square. Their mix of genres suited all musical tastes.

Music aficionado, Professor Eoin Devereux, of University of Limerick, MC'd proceedings with 100% of funds raised going directly to Little Blue Heroes.

Inspector Noel Barry said garda members and garda staff in Limerick have witnessed first-hand the work of Little Blue Heroes Foundation, and the impact it has on the lives of serious ill children and their families.

The foundation not only provides financial support to families, it also provides a unique relief and distraction to these children in the form of a close relationship with An Garda Siochana and their assigned garda buddies. This gig is our way of raising awareness and some vital funds for Little Blue Heroes Foundation. We hope people get on board for a great charity and a great night out, said Insp Barry.
A plan to double the number of refuge spaces in Ireland over the next two years will still fall short of the number of domestic violence spaces required by the Istanbul Convention.

The Convention is a legally binding strategy to tackle domestic and sexual violence, to which Ireland has signed up.

It comes as the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, opened a new domestic violence agency, Cuan, on Friday.

Cuan will co-ordinate and report on delivery of the Governments zero tolerance strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Minister for Justice @HMcEntee will today open Cuan  the new statutory domestic, sexual and gender based violence agency. Read more here: https://t.co/oGa1boKjVh#dsgbv #refuge pic.twitter.com/qGHE0fj0DV  Department of Justice  (@DeptJusticeIRL) February 23, 2024

The agency will also deliver safe and accessible refuge accommodation, which will double to 280 units nationwide by the end of 2026.

However the Istanbul Convention, which requires parties to develop laws, policies and support services to end violence against women and domestic violence, says there should be one family place for every 10,000 of population, by which calculation Ireland should have 476 family refuge places.

Ms McEntee said that while they have ambitious plans, they also have to be realistic in what can be achieved by 2026.

She said: The target that we have set is for this strategy and this strategy alone. We will of course be ambitious and want to go beyond that. But we have to be realistic in terms of what we can achieve between now and the end of 2026.

The objective is to double the number of refuge spaces that we have. We are making good progress.

We have 36 new units that are coming on stream in three different areas, in Navan, in Wexford and in Dundalk.

On top of that we have significant work under way in other counties, in Cavan, Monaghan, in Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown, and in Carlow and other places that weve identified sites for building.

Part of the overall objective here is yes, to make sure that we have a space for any person who needs them, or any woman, any child, any man, but we also need to reduce the number of people who need access to this refuge and accommodation.

I want to see more victims staying in their own home and not being the ones that have to leave.

So much of the zero tolerance strategy is focusing on that as well as making sure that we have a bed for anyone who needs it.

So this is the start, theres more we need to do. But I want to be realistic in what we can achieve here and I think this is ambitious at the moment.

Cuan will also work to raise awareness of, and prevent, domestic and sexual violence, and lead on campaigns.

Ms McEntee said that the opening of Cuan shows that tackling domestic and sexual violence is her priority.

Dr Stephanie OKeeffe, who will run the agency, said: The challenge of leading Cuan and delivering on the zero tolerance strategy is one I look forward to.

My work now is to establish our team and the functions of the new agency, from research and policy co-ordination, to awareness-raising and driving delivery of safe and accessible support services including refuge accommodation.

I would like to thank minister McEntee for trusting me with a task of such huge importance, and look forward to working with her department, all government departments and agencies, and our close partners and stakeholders in the NGO and DSGBV sector.
A Canadian man who was found with over 80,000 worth of drugs has been given an eight-month sentence.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Edward Bystrom (75), with an address in British Columbia, Canada, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs on Temple Street, Dublin, on September 3, 2023. He has no previous conviction in Ireland or in any other jurisdiction.

Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said, As cases go, this is a pretty bizarre case.

Judge Nolan said this man had been in North and South America and then ended up in Ireland. He said, This man was in Dublin with no place to stay, and it is not known where he was going and if Ireland was his last stop.

The judge said Bystrom has pleaded guilty, has no previous convictions, and is unlikely to re-offend or appear in this jurisdiction again.

Judge Nolan sentenced him to two years in prison and suspended 18 months of that sentence. He backdated this to when Bystrom went into custody. He also ordered that Bystrom leave the country within one week of his release from custody and must not return to this jurisdiction for ten years.

Detective Garda Rob Doorley told Laura Cunningham BL, prosecuting, that gardai were on patrol on Temple Street in the early hours of September 3, 2023 and were told that an elderly man was leaning up against a barrier and seemed to be in difficulty. Gardai went to the man and had concerns for his mental health.

Det Gda Doorley said Bystrom had a laptop bag and a small gear bag with him. He was brought to Mountjoy Garda Station and his laptop bag was searched. Two black packages were found, both containing white powder. The powder tested positive for cocaine with a value of just over 80,000.

The court heard that a doctor attended the garda station, and Bystrom was later interviewed. He told gardai that he had been asked by agents of the United Nations to collect money. He also said that he had travelled from his home in Canada to New York and onto Brazil, Sao Paulo, and Rio De Janeiro before going back to the USA and on to Ireland.

Det Gda Doorley said, We presume that Bystrom was going to meet someone in Ireland with these drugs, but we cant know if Ireland was his final destination. He also said that Bystrom had not benefitted financially from carrying these drugs.

Det Gda Doorley agreed with John Fitzgerald, SC, defending that his client had been the victim of romance fraud in the past and that he was a vulnerable person who was taken advantage of.

Mr Fitzgerald said his client wants to put this behind him and return to Canada.

Counsel said his client did not know what was involved and was surprised as to what he had gotten himself involved in.
Catherine Martin has addressed 'live on air' controversy following Siun Ni Raghallaigh's resignation last night.

In a statement published this evening, Catherine Martin, said she wanted to clarify the situation regarding RTE.

This follows the chair of RTE's board resignation, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, last night after Ms Martin failed to express confidence in her on live TV.

Members of the opposition criticised Martin for questioning Siun Ni Raghallaigh's role live on air.

Speaking on Prime Time last night, Ms Martin stated she was repeatedly misinformed by Ms Ni Raghallaigh regarding the exit packages of two former executives.

After which, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that her position was "no longer tenable".

In a statement, Ms Martin addressed the situation and thanked the chair of RTE's board for her commitment to public service.

"I would like to place on record my genuine thanks and appreciation to Siun Ni Raghallaigh for her dedicated service and hard work as Chair of RTE at a time of unprecedented crisis for the organisation. Her commitment to RTE and to public service is deeply impressive," started Ms Martin.

"I would also like to clarify some of the events around RTE in recent days. I had asked the Chair at two meetings on Monday and Wednesday if she or the Board had played any role in approving either of two recent severance packages to senior RTE executives. Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that neither she nor the Board had played any role in approving it," she continued.

"On Thursday, Ms Ni Raghallaigh contacted the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and said that what she had told me on Monday and Wednesday was inaccurate. Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that she now remembered that the Remuneration Committee of the RTE Board, which she chaired, had met to approve the Richard Collins exit package last October. The fact that she contacted the Department with this information indicates she was aware she needed to correct the record."

She said she was aware of suggestions that Ms Ni Raghallaigh had informed the former Secretary General of my Department that the Board had approved the exit package for Richard Collins.

"I discussed this matter with the former Secretary General yesterday and today to check if this was the case. She has been clear that while she was informed by phone that the independent mediation process on an exit package for Mr Collins had finally reached a conclusion, she has no recollection of being told that it was approved by the Boards Remuneration Committee," she noted. I was deeply disappointed that the Chair had not given me accurate information when I raised it specifically on two occasions during the week."

Yesterday evening, Ms Martin wrote to the Chair asking her for a meeting on Friday morning. According to the media minister, the "failure" to answer her questions was "so serious" it required a formal meeting.

"I also conveyed the situation to the coalition leaders on Thursday evening in order to keep them fully informed. Needless to say, it would have been my preference not to deal with this matter live on air. This was, however, a pre-arranged interview, and given how the situation had evolved yesterday and in the interests of transparency, I felt I had to address the matter.

"At all times, my focus has been on reforming RTE and ensuring that it and other public broadcasters are placed on a secure and sustainable position into the future. This is vital for both staff at the broadcaster and the wider viewing public. I will shortly receive the in-depth expert reports that I commissioned into how RTE operates and am determined to secure a Government decision on the future funding model for public service broadcasting in Ireland," she said.
Over the years, Canada emerged as one of the top study abroad destinations among international students due to its immigration policy. However, due to the cap imposed on accommodations for international students, many students are looking for alternative study abroad destinations. For the 2024 academic year, the issuance of a Canada student visa will be restricted to 3,64,000 .

Hence, many study abroad aspirants who were planning to apply in Canadian universities are looking for alternate study destinations. The listed 10 emerging study abroad destinations for Indian students are an alternative to Canada. Indian students may apply for admissions in one of the following countries to meet their study abroad dream.

1. New Zealand

New Zealand recently emerged as one of the favorite study abroad destinations among students seeking higher education abroad. New Zealand is well renowned for its high education standards and quality of life. The country is quite welcoming and currently ranks #2nd in the Global Peace Index. Not only this, the cost of study in New Zealand is highly affordable with tuition fees ranging from 23,376 to 46,752 NZD (11.85 lakhs to 23.71 lakhs INR). Top courses like MBA, M.Sc. in CS, M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering may charge higher fees.

2. Ireland

Ireland is currently the world's most competitive economy and also listed among the top 20 countries for best education system. The number of international students going to study in Ireland is increasing every year. Currently, there are more than 35,000 international students pursuing higher education in Ireland. The annual cost to study at a university in Ireland ranges between 11,300 to 29,100 EUR (10.23 lakhs to 26.36 lakhs INR) for PG and 5,779 to 27,720 EUR (5.23 lakhs to 25.11 lakhs INR) for UG. Tuition for top streams may go beyond 30,000 EUR per year.

3. Germany

Cost of education in Germany is highly affordable compared to other study abroad destinations. Moreover, there is no tuition fee to study in public universities in Germany. However, a semester is required which typically ranges from 100 to 350 EUR (8,951 to 31,331 INR). The tuition fee to study at a private university in Germany may cost between 10,000 to 20,000 EUR (8.95 lakhs to 17.90 lakhs INR). Apart from affordability, Germany strives to provide extensive support to students through research opportunities, scholarships, and employment opportunities for graduates. Around 77% of graduates from a university in Germany secure employment within 6 months after graduation.

4. Italy

Italy is home to 92 universities in total, with 42 of those being ranked among the top universities globally in QS Rankings 2024. Meanwhile, 57 universities in Italy are listed in the global rankings of Times Higher Education 2024. Cost of study in Italy is even more affordable compared to New Zealand and Germany. Those planning to study in a public Italian university may expect a tuition fee between 900 to 4,000 EUR (80,567 to 3.58 lakhs INR) per annum for UG somewhere between 400 to 3,500 EUR (35,807 to 31.13 lakhs). The cost of study in private universities in Italy is comparatively higher than public universities.

5. Sweden

Sweden emerged as one of the top choices for international students post COVID-19 pandemic. International students may choose from more than 1000 courses across 39 universities in Sweden. Currently, more than 25,500 international students are studying in Sweden across various undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The annual cost to study in Sweden can be as low as 80,000 SEK (6.34 lakhs INR) or can go beyond 295,000 SEK (23.38 lakhs INR).

6. South Korea

South Korea attracts international students from all over the world due to its globally recognized research based courses and state-of-the-art facilities. The country houses nearly 400 public as well private universities. Universities in South Korea that admit international students conduct 30% of their courses in English. Some universities in South Korea may offer all courses in English, while others may only offer graduate courses in English language. The starting cost of study in Korea is 2,394,288 SKW (6.34 lakhs INR).

7. Spain

Spain ranks #6th among the best countries for studying abroad by U.S. News & World Report. Being regarded as one of the most popular tourist countries, Spain also houses numerous highly ranked universities in the world. Spain is home to 85 universities, with 56 of them listed in world rankings. Though majority universities offer courses in Spanish, there are some which also offer English taught courses. The annual tuition fee in Spain is seen to be around 750 to 2,500 EUR (67,080 to 2.23 lakhs INR) for UG and 1,000 to 3,500 EUR (89,441 to 3.13 lakhs INR) for PG.

8. Taiwan

Taiwan offers high quality education at an affordable tuition cost. There are more than 150 universities in Taiwan which include 2 year and 5 year junior colleges, as well as 4 year colleges & universities. A total of 26 universities in Taiwan are listed in QS World University Rankings 2024. Of those, 10 universities are ranked among 500 universities globally. The overall tuition fee may vary depending on the specializations, program level and university. However, international students may expect a tuition fee between 50,460 to 79,120 TWD (1.33 lakhs to 2.09 lakhs INR) per semester for bachelor's degree and 51,280 to 230,000 (1.35 lakhs to 6.08 lakhs INR) per semester for master's degree.

9. Malta

Malta is yet another ideal study abroad destination in Europe for students seeking higher education at low cost. Thousands of international students come to study abroad in Malta from 92 countries worldwide. Even being a small country, the degree from Malta is internationally recognized. The tuition fee in top universities in Malta cost somewhere between 7,500 to 24,000 EUR (6.7 lakhs to 21.46 lakhs INR) annually.

10. Hungary

There are nearly 14 listed universities in Hungary, of those 12 universities ranked globally. The cost of education in Hungary is among the lowest in Europe. Additionally, the cost of living is also very cheap compared to other European countries. International students may expect to pay a tuition around 2,500 to 3,000 EUR (2.23 lakhs to 2.68 lakhs INR) for most courses. Courses like medicine, engineering and business administration typically charge higher tuition fees which may go beyond 5,000 EUR (4.47 lakhs INR).

With an evolving education system globally, many of these countries are attracting international students from all over the world. Most of them offer high quality education and research facilities at affordable cost. Hence, international students seeking higher education abroad may consider going to any one of the following countries based on their preference.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. On February 24-25, the international conference Decolonization: Awakening of the Renaissance, organized by the Baku Initiative Group, will be held in Istanbul, Trend reports.

The event will be attended by about 50 representatives from 13 countries and four international organizations.

The conference will be another opportunity for representatives of countries and peoples affected by French colonialism to appeal to the world community.
MUMBAI : A consortium of four investors in Byjus has moved the National Company Law Tribunal against the troubled edtech firms rights issue citing suppression of investor rights and mismanagement of the company, a person with knowledge of the development told Mint .

Prosus, General Atlantic, Sofina, Peak XV Partners have filed the petition before the Bengaluru bench of the tribunal, with support from Tiger Global and Owl Ventures, this person said, declining to be identified.

Earlier this month, Byjus launched a rights issue at a pre-money valuation of $20 million, which stands to dilute the shareholding of non-participating investors by 99%. On Wednesday, Byjus said investors had fully subscribed to the rights issue by its parent company Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd.

This is the first time investors have legally moved against the rights issue.

So far, they have sought to force founder and chief executive Byju Raveendran off the companys board and take control. On Friday, investors ran an extraordinary general meeting to reconstitute the board. The Byjus founder group did not attend the meeting.

Investors have sought relief on declaring the rights issue as void and declaring the founders and the management as unfit to run the company," the person cited above said, adding that the case was filed on Thursday.

On the rights issue, the investor consortium has argued that the management has not shared relevant financial information with the investor group, pointing to what they said was the oppressive nature of the rights offer" and the oppressive opacity and wilful default in sharing information with stakeholders".

The investor consortium has also sought a direction to the company to not take any corporate actions that will prejudice the rights of the investors", and to conduct a forensic audit of the company.

A spokesperson for Byjus said the company has not received a notice on the NCLT petition.

The company has not received any formal intimation of any such petition being filed in the NCLT Indian regulations stipulate due process for conducting an EGM, intimation of petitions being filed in NCLT, etc. But certain shareholders prefer to manufacture a media spectacle as opposed to following due process," the spokesperson said.

If such a petition has been filed, the company shall respond to the same as per applicable law and due process."

The investors have cited several instances of financial mismanagement to support their petition. These include mismanagement that has resulted in Byjus parent company, Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd, losing control of Aakash Education Services, the test-prep company it acquired in 2021 for about $1 billion.

Think & Learn currently owns only about 27% for Aakash Education Services.

Investors have also claimed that Byjus undertook several unauthorised corporate action", including the acquisition of Northwest Education Pte by Byjus subsidiary Great Learning.

The investor consortium and Byjus have been at the courts for several months now.

Earlier this week, Byjus said the Karnataka High Court had ruled that decisions taken at the EGM shall not come into effect till the case filed by Byjus questioning the validity of the meeting was heard.

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ABB named Morten Wierod as its new chief executive, the Swiss engineering group said on Friday, replacing industry veteran Bjorn Rosengren who has led an overhaul of the electrification and robotics company.

Wierod, the head of ABB's electrification business, will replace Rosengren, effective Aug. 1, the Zurich-based company said.

Rosengren, who joined ABB in 2020, will retire at the end of the year. The 64-year-old Swede will advise and assist Wierod, a 52-year-old Norwegian who has also led ABB's motion business, during the transition period, the engineering group said.

ABB Chairman Peter Voser said he was pleased the company, which makes factory robots as well as industrial motors and drives, had found an internal candidate to replace Rosengren.

"Morten is a strong successor to Bjorn with his deep understanding of ABB and our decentralized operating model in addition to his extensive expertise across our key customer segments and strong performance track record," Voser said in a statement.

Rosengren, a former CEO at Swedish engineering company Sandvik and Finnish power company Wartsila, has significantly improved ABB's performance during his tenure.

During his stint, Rosengren cut costs and decentralised ABB, while the company's share price doubled, significantly outperforming the Swiss blue-chip index.

He also oversaw the separation of non-core businesses like its power conversion business, power transmission unit Dodge and the spin-off of its turbocharging unit Accelleron to shareholders.

Rosengren, who had applied to join ABB as a trainee after leaving university but was unsuccessful, said the company was now on the way to exploiting mega trends like increasing electrification and automation of production lines.

"Together with our more than 105,000 people, we have transformed ABB into an agile and purpose-driven leader in electrification and automation that has an important role in helping to accelerate the energy transition," he said.

I am convinced that ABB is in a unique position to seize the opportunities ahead."

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
In a memo to staff on February 22, Vice Media's CEO, Bruce Dixon, revealed plans to lay off several hundred employees and cease publishing on its Vice.com website. The company, which faced bankruptcy last year and was subsequently sold for $350 million to a consortium led by the Fortress Investment Group, is also considering the sale of its Refinery 29 publishing business.

"With this strategic shift (transition to studio model) comes the need to realign our resources and streamline our overall operations at Vice. Regrettably, this means that we will be reducing our workforce, eliminating several hundred positions. This decision was not made lightly, and I understand the significant impact it will have on those affected. Employees who will be affected will notified about the next steps early next week, consistent with local laws and practices," Dixon wrote to staff.

Vice's decision reflects ongoing financial challenges in the media industry. Over the past year, digital sites like Messenger, BuzzFeed News, and Jezebel have closed, while traditional media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal have experienced job cuts, an AP report noted.

Shifting Distribution Strategies

Dixon acknowledged the difficulty of saying goodbye to colleagues but said changes are necessary for Vice's long-term creative and financial success. He stated that the current distribution method of digital content, including news, is no longer cost-effective. As a result, Vice plans to focus more on its social channels and explore alternative content distribution methods.

As part of its strategic shift, Vice will transition to a studio model. This move follows the cancellation of the "Vice News Tonight" television program and a series of layoffs before the company filed for bankruptcy protection last year.

"Moving forward, we will look to partner with established media companies to distribute our digital content, including news, on their global platforms, as we fully transition to a studio model. As part of this shift, we will no longer publish content on vice.com, instead putting more emphasis on our social channels as we accelerate our discussions with partners to take our content to where it will be viewed most broadly," said Dixon in the staff communication.

"Separately, Refinery 29 will continue to operate as a standalone diversified digital publishing business, creating engaging, social-first content. As you know, we are in advanced discussions to sell this business, and we are continuing with that process. We expect to announce more on that in the coming weeks," he added.

Reactions to the News

The news saw reactions on social media from staff and netizens alike. Vice reporter Anna Merlan confirmed the news and shared Dixon's message on micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter), adding: I had a great, great run and I feel fantastic about my work. Thanks for the kind words today and for everyone who ever spoke to me for a story and put their trust in me as a reporter. Working at Vice has been so interesting and I will certainly look back on it. I think the ruckus today and the digging by media reporters encouraged a lot more transparency and more quickly than the company would have otherwise done, so thank you all for that."
New Delhi: SpiceJet boss Ajay Singh and Busy Bee Aviation have submitted a joint 7,000 crore rescue plan for bankrupt airline Go First, two people aware of the development said.

Go First's committee of creditors on Friday discussed this bid, as well as a rival bid from Sky One, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

The joint bid by Singh is higher than the other party (Sky One). The committee of creditors will announce their decision in 15 days after further discussion and assessment," one of two people said. Sky One's bid amount could not be ascertained.

The Go First rescue attempt received a fresh lease of life last week after receiving two bids. The carrier, which has been grounded since May 2023, has been undergoing an insolvency process since then. SpiceJet chairman and managing director Singh submitted his bid jointly with Busy Bee Aviation. Nishant Pitti, co-founder of online travel platform EaseMyTrip, has a 51% stake in Busy Bee Aviation, while the remaining 49% stake is held by local investors.

The joint-party bid has made an upfront payment of 300 crore. As per their proposed plan, they are likely to monetize the land assets of Go First for the amount owed to the banks," the second person cited above said.

Queries sent to SpiceJet, Ajay Singh, and Sky One remained unanswered. When contacted, Pitti said the bid remains confidential.

"Our bid for launching the airline remains confidential, guarded by the committee of creditors (CoC) until a successful bidder is announced. With a clear objective in mind, we are poised to commence operations swiftly, ensuring GoFirst takes to the skies without delay," Pitti said.

Go First owes 6,521 crore to lenders, including Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India, Deutsche Bank and IDBI Bank.

Busy Bee Aviation sees potential in the land assets of Go First, which are estimated to be worth around 10,000 crore and the expected compensation from engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney for engine grounding will also be key in the revival plans. SpiceJet will help in the operations while Busy Bee will focus on funding requirements," an industry executive said on condition of anonymity.

The second bid was submitted by Sharjah-based aviation company Sky One, which specializes in a wide array of aviation services such as cargo charters, asset trading, pilot training, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) among others.

Shares of SpiceJet ended up 0.64% at 67.41 on the BSE on Friday.

The two bids were submitted on 16 February to the resolution professional (RP) for consideration by the CoC as per the insolvency process. On 13 February, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved a 60-day extension to Go First to resolve its insolvency woes.

The extension was granted after the RP Shailendra Ajmera, had informed the court that the airline has received interest from three potential buyers, all of whom have already deposited funds.

This is the second time in five years that there has been potential interest in reviving a grounded carrier in Indian aviation.

In April 2019, Jet Airways, the second-largest carrier in Indian skies at the time, had to ground operations due to financial distress.

The insolvency process for the airline had begun in June 2019, and the NCLT had approved a resolution plan by Jalan-Kalrock Consortium (JKC) in June 2021, which proposed investing a total of 1,375 crore. However, the transfer of ownership is still pending owing to a legal tussle between JKC and the lenders on the fulfilment of preconditions.

Go First, formerly backed by the Wadia Group, had filed for insolvency on 2 May 2023 and suspended flights with effect from 3 May.

Unavailability of new engines and shortage of serviced engines had forced it to ground 30-50% of its fleet on average since 2020, due to which its financial health became unsustainable. The Wadia Group has blamed engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney for its predicament.
New Delhi: Adani Total Energy, Jio BP, Shell Mobility and the Aditya Birla Group are among private entities in talks with the government to set up charging stations along national highways under a new initiative to enhance electric mobility, two people aware of the development said.

Selected entities will be offered locations along national highways by the end of March to build charging infrastructure at regular intervals, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

The programme, called National Highways for EVs (NHEV), is steered by Ease of Doing Business, a technology piloting agency of the central government. It has already conducted a pilot project across 500 km, including the Delhi-Agra stretch (225 km) and the Delhi-Jaipur highway (272 km).

Abhijeet Sinha, national programme director at Ease of Doing Business, said: Under this newly designed model, every charging station is expected to reach breakeven in 36-40 months. NHEV would introduce 20 e-buses and 200 electric cars on each highway." Sinha added that NHEV would invite fleet operators to run these vehicles.

Under the project, the government plans to set up charging infrastructure across 5,500 km of national highways along the golden quadrilateral. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would provide land for these stations.

The projects will be financed through a model called annuity hybrid e-mobility (AHEM), a variant of the existing hybrid annuity model used in road projects. AHEM involves annuity payments to contractors for the initial investment made by them in fixed amounts for a period of 12 months. Thereafter, variable annuity will be paid in the remaining period for expansion so that the entire capital investment is recovered.

According to Anshul Gupta, managing director of Okaya EV, an electric vehicle maker, the push for bringing in private players comes at a time when the EV sector is expected to witness significant growth in 2024, with a projected annual growth rate (CAGR) of 54%.

Speaking on the AHEM model, Gupta said: "This innovative approach not only encourages private and public sector collaboration but also paves the way for sustainable electric mobility infrastructure development in India."

The government is yet to finalize charging locations or the finalists. The selected applicants will be offered the locations on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Queries emailed to Jio BP, Adani Group, Aditya Birla Group and Shell Mobility India remained unanswered till press time.

Last month, NHEV allotted 122 locations to public sector companies under the ministries of petroleum and power. The government will finalize these, one of the two people cited above said.

Once all the locations and applicants are finalized, 30% each of the projected EV stations along each highway stretch will be offered to public and private sector companies, 30% to people with land along the highways who are interested in setting and operating charging stations; and the last 10% for state-owned bus depots.

While HDFC Bank will lend 3,672 crore for the 5,000 crore project, the rest will come from sovereign green funds, green bonds, carbon markets and multilateral development banks, among others.

NHEV is also in talks with joint ventures of public sector companies to take up and operate charging infrastructure.

Setting up charging infrastructure is a key focus area of the government as it looks to encourage EV adoption. It has already included charging stations as part of wayside amenities (WSAs) awarded by NHAI.

With the battery swapping policy still in the works, the road ministry has identified about 700 points along greenfield expressways and east-west and north-south corridors for development of green wayside amenity centres equipped with various kinds of charging points for electric vehicles.

State-run oil marketing companies have already begun building charging infrastructure at their fuel stations along national highways. In March last year, Centre sanctioned 800 crore under Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) II to the three public sector OMCs for setting up over 7,000 public fast-charging stations across the country.
TEL AVIVIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined a blueprint for postwar Gaza that calls for it to be administered by local Palestinian officials free of links to militant groups and that would allow Israel to conduct security operations in the strip indefinitely.

Most of the ideas have been publicly discussed by Netanyahu and other Israeli officials before and, though few new details were provided, the blueprint appears at odds in significant ways with both U.S. plans and those of Arab governments in the region. It was presented for the first time to Israels security cabinet Thursday night.

Taken together, Netanyahus ideas describe a demilitarized Gaza that would face a continued heavy Israeli security presence even after combat operations end, with a buffer zone off limits to Palestinians along Gazas perimeter and Israeli control of the Egypt-Gaza border that would seek to seal off the strip in the south.

The plan underscores the wide gap between Netanyahus government and the Biden administration, which has backed Israels war goals in Gaza but warned repeatedly against making changes in its territorial boundaries. Its lack of specificity also leaves open the possibility that Netanyahu will move closer to Washington on key issues once Israel achieves its initial goals of defeating Hamas and bringing home an estimated 130 hostages.

Israel will maintain operational freedom of action in the entire Gaza strip, without a time limit, for the purpose of preventing the renewal of terrorism and thwarting threats from Gaza," the document says, adding that Israel intends to continue the war until Hamas and other militant groups are defeated in Gaza.

Netanyahu has said that Israel has no interest in occupying Gaza once the combat phase of the war is over, but he is under political pressure from far-right members of his government, some of whom have called for ejecting Palestinian residents from the strip and for re-establishing Israeli settlements there.

Netanyahus office, which released the plan, said it had not been adopted by the Israeli cabinet but would serve as the basis for further discussions. Palestinian officials and Arab governments say that a lasting cease-fire and withdrawal of Israeli troops in Gaza is necessary before they will agree to seriously discuss postwar arrangements.

The plan doesnt mention a role for the Palestinian Authority, which currently governs the West Bank, saying civil administration and responsibility for public order in the Gaza Strip will be based as much as possible on local officials" and will not be identified with countries or entities that support terrorism."

That appears to refer to Hamas, the U.S.-designated terror group that ran Gaza and whose deadly attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7 sparked the war. It received financial backing from Qatar and weapons and other assistance from Iran. Hamas took over Gaza in 2007, ejecting the Palestinian Authority.

The blueprint says reconstruction of the shattered strip will be possible only after the defeat of Hamas and a comprehensive deradicalization program" involving assistance from Arab countries, which have so far shown little interest in helping Israel in Gaza.

The Biden administration has been pushing its own postwar plan, built around giving a governing role in Gaza to the Palestinian Authority once it agrees to bring in new leadership, retrain security forces and address corruption. Netanyahu has publicly rejected turning over Gaza to the Palestinian Authority, though he has left open the possibility he could accept its revamped version.

In the Biden administrations thinking, a return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza would lay the groundwork for more sweeping long-term changes in the region. Key features of Washingtons proposals include a revived process to create a Palestinian state, security guarantees for Israel and the normalization of Saudi-Israeli relations.

U.S. officials are hopeful the prize of Saudi recognition of Israel will help move Netanyahu closer to their own postwar blueprint.

Netanyahus plan puts off any possible negotiations on a settlement" with the Palestinians as a long term" issue, warning against unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state," an apparent reference to fears that the U.S. might take such a step.

Among the most controversial aspects of the plan will likely be its call for a southern closure" of the Egypt-Gaza border, a step it says is necessary to halt smuggling through underground tunnels and the aboveground border crossing.

The closure, it says, would be carried out as much as possible" with the assistance of the U.S. and Egypt, neither of whom have publicly backed closing the border.

The blueprint also calls for closing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the organization that for decades has provided schooling, healthcare and other assistance to Palestinian refugees in Gaza. It notes Israels findings that 12 Unrwa staffers were involved in the Oct. 7 attack and says Israel will work to replace the agency with responsible international aid organizations." The agency fired the employees and said it was investigating the allegations.

Write to David S. Cloud at david.cloud@wsj.com
At this years holiday soirees luxury bosses may be stingier than usual with the champagne. It has not been a sparkling six months for the industry, as well-heeled consumers from East to West have tempered the excesses of recent years. The S&P global luxury index, which tracks the industrys performance, is down by 9% since the middle of the year. Still, the purveyors of splendour need not forgo the merrymaking altogether. The global market for personal luxury goods, from handbags to haute couture and horology, grew by 4% this year, reckons Bain, a consultancy. That is disappointing compared with 20% last yearbut nothing to scoff at amid fears of a slowing global economy.

The past two decades have been remarkable for the industry. Global sales have tripled to nearly $400bn, thanks largely to a swelling of the ranks of crazy rich Asians. The biggest beneficiaries of the boom have been European companies. These account for around two-thirds of luxury-goods sales, according to Deloitte, another consultancy, and nine of the worlds ten most valuable luxury brands, according to Kantar, a market-research firm. Bernard Arnault of LVMH, a European luxury goliath, is the worlds second-richest man. The industry remains a rare bright spot for Europe at a time when the continent seems at risk of fading into economic and technological irrelevance. Why has it been so immune to foreign competition?

Heritage is one explanation. Europes luxury firms have ridden high on the worlds continuing fascination with the old continent. It is home to seven of the ten most visited countries in the world. Tourists flock to Europes historic cities to ogle its artworks, taste its local delicacies and drink its fine wines; the rich and famous gather in the summer for lavish parties on the Riviera. In his book, Selling Europe to the World", Pierre Yves Donze, a business historian, argues that the ascendancy of European luxury is thanks to the powerful attraction of an idealised way of life, combining elegance, tradition and hedonism".

In an interview with the New York Times in 1996 Tom Ford, a famed American designer, gushed that Europeans, unlike his compatriots, appreciate style". American fashion labels have struggled to break into the most exclusive end of the industry. Even Americas pricier brands like Ralph Lauren concentrate on what insiders contemptuously call accessible luxury". In Asia home-grown rivals have thrived mostly in categories like jewellery (Chinas Chow Tai Fook or Indias Titan) and cosmetics (Japans Shiseido) where local tastes are more pronounced.

Europe, meanwhile, has entrenched itself as the centre of design and craftsmanship in the luxury business. Three of the big four" fashion weeks take place in European capitals. New York, the exception, has valiantly tried to build a cluster of high-end fashion talent, with design schools to rival those of Milan or Paris. Yet it has lost top designers to European capitals much as Europe has lost techies to Silicon Valley. As Mr Ford saw it, If I was ever going to become a good designer, I had to leave America."

Hobnobbing with other fashionistas is not the only advantage on offer in Europe. The continent is dotted with artisanal workshops that have for decades catered to the exacting standards of the luxury industry. Hermes handbags, some of which sell for upwards of $10,000, are produced by experienced craftsmen who can spend 20 hours or more on one bag. Over decades the continent has developed specialised clusters of production, from watchmaking in the Jura Arc of Switzerland to shoemaking in the Veneto region of Italy, where techniques are handed down over generations through specialist schools and coveted apprenticeships.

Europes luxury champions deserve credit, too, for pursuing strategies that have reinforced their dominance of the industry. They have been steadily buying stakes in their suppliers, giving them a competitive edge through greater control of production, notes Thomai Serdari of New York Universitys Stern Business School. In May Chanel and Brunello Cucinelli, two luxury houses, bought a joint 49% stake in Cariaggi Lanificio, an Italian cashmere supplier. Vertical integration in the industry has stretched all the way back to alligator farms in Louisiana and sheep stations in Australia. It has also extended in the other direction, into distribution, with luxury firms increasingly opting to sell directly to shoppers through their own swanky stores, rather than entrusting the customer experience to others.

All that has required plenty of capital, which helps explain the parallel trend towards horizontal integration in the industry. LVMH now houses 75 luxury brands. Although these mostly operate autonomously, the model provides economies of scale in areas like marketing and back-office functions. It also gives the group the financial firepower to invest in prime real estate. In July LVMH bought the building on the Champs Elysees that houses its Louis Vuitton flagship store. Swatch, which owns watch brands from Blancpain to Omega, controls a portfolio of component suppliers, too. The conglomerate model also helps to lure in top talent by offering opportunities for designers and craftsmen to move between brands, notes Stefania Saviolo of Bocconi University.

Continental drift

Enthusiasm for horizontal integration among European luxury firms has not been universal. Early in the 2010s Hermes fended off a takeover attempt by LVMH. It has done just fine on its ownits shares have outperformed LVMHs by more than half over the past five years. Other independent luxury brands, however, have struggled to keep up. That is especially so for Italian firms, which account for 23% of luxurys 100 largest businesses but only 8% of their combined sales, according to Deloitte. Many of these are multigenerational family businesses that have balked at joining forces with old rivals. If they are to maintain their position at the ritziest end of luxury, they may need to swallow their pride.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved.

From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
NEW DELHI : A few years ago the government decided India needed to be self-sufficient in urea, a key fertiliser, and came up with a new policy: to reduce consumption of urea.

The government instead began promoting nano urea and nano DAP.

These alternative fertilisersunion chemicals and fertilisers minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in an interview with Mint amid the farmers agitation going on at the capitals bordersare cheaper, eco-friendly, preserve soil, reduce pollution, and replace conventional urea and DAP."

DAP, or diammonium phosphate, is the most commonly used phosphorus fertiliser in the world. India accounts for around 18% of the worlds DAP production, imports about 23.6% of DAP traded globally, and consumes around 30% of DAP worldwide.

India is the first country to introduce nano urea and nano DAP," Mandaviya said. The initiatives we have taken in the fertiliser sector could be considered as moving towards a second farm revolution."

Mandaviya also said India is scouring for steady suppliers of fertilisers, and that the government is willing to bear all costs to make fertilisers available to farmers at a reasonable rate. Edited excerpts:

The budgetary allocation for fertiliser subsidy has been reduced to  1.67 trillion for FY25 against FY24s revised allocation of  1.88 trillion. Is the government willing to spend beyond that amount to ensure fertiliser security even if it puts pressure on the fiscal deficit?

If the gas price goes up, the production cost (of urea) is bound to shoot up. Last year, gas prices went up significantly, putting upward pressure on production costs, and the government is bound to pay. Similarly, in DAP, if the international price of rock phosphate increases, the price will flare up, and vice versa. We spend more on urea subsidy. The subsidy on one bag of urea is around 1,700.

These are just estimates. For example, we ended up spending 2.24 trillion in FY23 against the budgeted 1.05 trillion. We will make fertilisers available to farmers permanently at a reasonable rate Irrespective of any situation, the government will bear the burden.

In 2022, you said India would become self-sufficient in urea and the One Nation and One Fertiliser policy was introduced. How far have we come since then?

There are three types of fertilisersurea, DAP, and NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Our urea consumption is now 32.5-35 million tonnes (mt) annually. Production of urea in 2014 was 24 mt and we used to import 8-9 mt. Consumption then was growing at 6-7% annually.

In such a situation, we realised that we should not be dependent on the global market. So we decided to make the country self-sufficient in urea and came up with a new urea policy. Under this policy, if someone invests in it, they will get an assured procurement, price and fixed cost for 10 years.

After that, three fertiliser plantsChambal, Metrix, and Spicwere set up. The government tried to revive Hurl, which was not functional. Four plants out of fivein Gorakhpur, Sidhari, Barauni and Ramagundamare now operational. The coal gasification-based Talchal fertiliser plant is a work in progress.

Today, our production capacity has increased to 30 mt from 24 mt. Gradually, by 2025, we will reduce the consumption of urea. To reduce the consumption, we brought out PM-PRANAM and promoted the usage of nano urea.

The country has accepted nano urea, and it is being implemented well. Production will go up to 31-31.5 mt and consumption of conventional fertilisers will reduce by 2025.

The 12% profit if manufactured and invested in fertilisers in the country will attract the industry to set up more plants, increasing production. Thus, we will gain self-sufficiency in urea.

Our target is to boost urea production up to 32.5 mt and alternate consumption with 2.5 mt of alternative fertilisers.

Are we also trying to be self-sufficient in DAP and NPK fertilisers?

Consumption of DAP is also increasing. Total consumption of DAP and NPK fertilisers is 300,000 tonnes. These two fertilisers can be produced here by using urea plants. The point is India does not have rock phosphate, which we import in bulk.

To meet domestic demand for rock phosphate fertiliser, in the past two years, we have entered into long-term contracts with several countries, including Morocco, Jordan, Oman, Russia and Saudi Arabia. With long-term agreements, supply is assured there is no concern over supply during crises.

We are promoting alternative fertilisers. Earlier, companies brought fertilisers and the government gave subsidies. There was no research and innovation. We initiated nano-urea and nano-DAP. India is the first country to introduce nano urea and nano DAP. To promote its use through drones, we publicised it, and drones became popular.

The initiatives we have taken in the fertiliser sector could be considered as moving towards a second farm revolution. In the first farm revolution in the 1960s, we switched to hybrid seeds, pesticides, and tractors, increasing productivity. Now in the second farm revolution, the country is switching to alternative fertilisers. This will ensure our self-sufficiency.

Nano urea and nano DAP are cheaper, eco-friendly, preserve soil, reduce pollution, and replace conventional urea and DAP. Alternative fertilisers will ensure Indias self-sufficiency by 2025.

One of the protesting farmers demands include improving seed quality by penalising companies that produce fake seeds, pesticides and fertilisers. What is your view on this?

The government is responsible for taking action when a complaint is filed. Both the Central and state governments work in tandem and take action from time to time. We have raided several mixture fertiliser plants and acted against them.

Over the past four years, the world has witnessed covid, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Red Sea conflict. How did it burden the Indian government in terms of imports and subsidy bills, and what is the current situation?

During covid, all ports and fertiliser plants were closed, creating supply tightness. We somehow managed to get fertilisers from the global market.

During the Russia-Ukraine crisis, payment became an issue as there were sanctions on Russia. Now the sanctions have been lifted as America and other nations needed fertilisers, and we are now paying Russia in dollars.

We overcame the unprecedented situation by following different routes and relying on other countries. Prices rose because of it, and the Indian government bore it.

In the latest Red Sea crisis, we are facing problems getting fertilisers from countries such as Russia, Canada and Jordan, with which we have long-term contracts.

We are bringing the shipments via the Cape of Good Hope route, encircling South Africa with the help of the Navy, [but these] are arriving with a delay of 20-30 days against the usual 10-12 days. Freight costs have shot up, which may increase the landing price.

The situation hasnt improved yet but there has been no disruption so far as the Indian Navy is escorting the consignments. There will be no supply disruption in the country. If prices go up, the government will bear it.

Is India exploring any other country to ensure fertiliser security to avoid any supply disruption that we witnessed earlier?

Fertilizer security in todays time is one of the biggest issues. We want to sign a long-term contract of 3 years with Egypt and Mauritaniaa West African country. We keep exploring new countries so there is no dependency on one country during crises.

They have rock phosphate and phosphoric acid. Under the joint venture, both private and public players will do the mining, produce and bring the fertilisers to India.

Long-term agreements offer a discount of 10-15%.

Farmers claim they are being forced to purchase IFFCOs nano-urea and urea gold despite concerns over their efficacy. What is your view on this?

When there is an innovation in the farming sector, farmers need time to adapt to it. We are going through that phase. We need to guide them on how to use it.

For example, when the plant is small, we need to apply (the fertiliser) to the root. After it grows a bit, we need to spray nano. Companies and the government have started conducting systematic programmes to create awareness, which will clear confusion among farmers.
Shares of Servotech Power Systems , a leading manufacturer of EV chargers in India, locked into a 5% upper circuit at 97.80 apiece in today's session after the company bagged a significant order.

The company informed investors through an exchange filing today that it received an order for nearly 1500 DC fast EV chargers from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and other EV charger OEMs. The order is valued at 102 crore and involves two charger variants of 60 kW and 120 kW.

The order secured by HPCL involves Servotech manufacturing, supplying, and installing DC EV chargers nationwide, prioritising deployment at HPCL's retail outlets. Additionally, Servotech will also manufacture and supply the rest of the chargers to EV charger OEMs, as per the company's exchange filing.

Also Read: This banking stock trading under 40 delivered 375% return in 20 months

Meanwhile, the company, on February 07, signed a contract with Adani Total Energies E-Mobility (ATEL) for AC EV chargers. The company will be responsible for manufacturing, supplying and installing AC EV chargers at different airports and other locations. Adani Total Gas aims to install 75,000 EV charging stations by 2030.

Earlier in January, the company secured order of 1800 DC Fast EV Chargers from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). The project, valued at 120 crore, will involve Servotech manufacturing, supplying, installing, and strategically deploying these 1800 EV chargers across the nation, particularly at BPCL petrol pumps in major cities, as part of the BPCL E-Drive Project.

Also Read: Stellar Market Entry: Thaai Casting lists at 186, 141% premium to IPO price

In December last year, the company filed two patents for Innovative EV Charger Technology to revolutionise EV charging infrastructure. According to the company, these two patents will transform the EV charging infrastructure using two different methodologies, contributing to a robust, interoperable, and cost-effective EV charging ecosystem.

Multibagger returns

In every year since CY20, the stock has delivered a multi-bagger return. In CY20, CY21, and CY22, the stock generated returns of 194%, 247%, and 110.24%, respectively. In the recently concluded CY23, the stock achieved an impressive return of 382%.

So far in the current year, the stock is up by 28%, jumping in value from 79 to 97.80. Taking the stock's CY19 low price of 0.70 apiece, the stock has skyrocketed 13,900% to date.

Also Read: ITC vs HUL: Which FMCG stock should you pick for long term?

Servotech Power Systems is a small-cap stock with a market capitalization of 2,121 crore. The company develops tech-enabled EV charging solutions, leveraging its two decades of experience and expertise in the electronics space.

It offers an extensive range of AC and DC chargers that are compatible with different EVs and serve multiple applications, such as commercial and domestic.

Disclaimer: We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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In a significant ruling on February 15, the Supreme Court scrapped the Electoral Bonds scheme. A five-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra delivered a unanimous verdict.

Electoral bonds

Introduced in 2017, Electoral Bonds allowed individuals and corporate entities to donate unlimited sums of money to political parties anonymously through financial instruments.

Electoral bonds and income tax exemption

Electoral bonds issued by individuals or entities were eligible for tax exemptions under Section 80GG and Section 80GGB of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Following the Supreme Court's ruling, a question arises regarding whether firms and individuals can still avail of income tax benefits

Political parties could accept donations through these bonds as per the provisions of Section 13A of the Income Tax Act. Following the judgment and the Supreme Court's directive to the State Bank of India (SBI) to cease issuing electoral bonds, there is uncertainty regarding whether firms and individuals can still avail tax benefits for donations made during the fiscal year FY 23-24," said Abhishek Soni CEO and Co-founder Tax2win

However, an official has clarified that firms, individuals, and others who have made donations to political parties through electoral bonds in FY24 would still be able to claim the benefits of a 100% tax deduction when filing their returns before July 31, 2024," added Soni.

Mumbai-based tax and investment expert Balwant Jain welcomes the SC decision on the electoral bonds. The taxpayers can claim the benefit of tax exemption under the IT Act but only for the bonds that have been encashed by the beneficiary political parties," said Jain.

The apex court instructed the State Bank of India (SBI) to cease issuance immediately. Additionally, the bank was required to provide the Election Commission (EC) with the names of bond purchasers, purchase dates, and donation amounts by March 6.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. A concert program has been organized within the National Day of Azerbaijan at the International Horticultural Expo 2023 Doha, Trend reports.

At the concert, organized jointly with the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, the Rhythms of Shusha, Mehriban, Azerbaijani rhythms, Jangi, Gaytaghi, and Karabakh compositions were performed by "Natiq" rhythm group, "Fantasy" and other works - by People's Artist Anvar Sadikhov and the "Buta" group , performed - "Odlar Yurdu" suite, "Gaytaghi" and "Zangazur Yalli" dances - by the Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble.

To note, at the Doha Expo exhibition running from October 2, 2023 through March 28, 2024, Azerbaijan is represented, by the national pavilion, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Center together with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

From February 21, Qatar has been hosting the Days of Azerbaijani Culture, organized by the Ministry of Culture, which will last until February 24.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Every Friday, Plain Facts publishes a compilation of data-based insights, complete with easy-to-read charts, to help you delve deeper into the stories reported by Mint in the week gone by. In response to the revival of protests by farmers, the government had floated a proposal to buy at least five crops over the next five years at minimum support price (MPS). But, farmers have rejected the Centre's offer, and are marching to Delhi again. Despite high airfares, Indians will continue with their summer travel plans, suggests the latest data released by the International Air Transport Association.

Deja vu near Delhi

Farmers in north India have taken to the streets yet again and are on their way to Delhi to protest, demanding a legal guarantee for MSP among other things. Coming just before the election season, this underscores the delay in fulfilment of the promises made by the Centre during the last round of protests. The MSP mechanism has been in place for decades, but it has done little to address the plight of farmers. Average farm incomes have stayed low, and MSP hikes have been modest since 2019-20.

Road show

A total of 1,442 km of highways were constructed across India in January, up 40% from the same month last year. This was close to the road ministrys ambitious objective of building 50 km of highways per day. However, overall construction activity for the fiscal year 2023-24 has been sluggish: only 7,658 km of highways were completed till January. With just two months remaining, even a 50-km-per-day pace will end up at 11,000 km, falling short of the full-year goal by nearly 2,800 km.

Flying high

4.7 billion: That's the number of passengers who are projected to travel by air in the year 2024 globally, up from 4.5 billion in 2019, the International Air Transport Association has said. In India, too, air travel is surging, leading to increased airfares due to insufficient capacity to accommodate the demand. IndiGo, Indias largest airline, has grounded 20% of its fleet, while Mumbai airport, the countrys second busiest, has been instructed to reduce flight operations.

Rescue plan

The government is considering infusing additional capital into IFCI Ltd and reverse-merge it with one of its subsidiaries, Stock Holding Corporation of India, as part of a rescue plan, a Mint report said. IFCI, Indias oldest development finance institution, has seen its losses rise over the years. The losses shot up to 1,958 crore and 1,991 crore in FY21 and FY22, respectively. In the current fiscal year, it reported losses in the first and third quarters.

Tech trends

Hiring in technology firms has been subdued in the past few quarters. The combined workforce at the top five Indian companies, ranked by revenue, decreased by around 65,000 in 2023. The number of job offers in the sector in December 2023 also declined 21% over December 2022 and 4% over September 2023, according to jobs platform Naukri.com. Some link this to the advancements in artificial intelligence, but this could be more a result of muted demand for IT services, a howindialives.com article explained.

Deal mining

$1 billion: That's the deal value for which JSW Steel is in talks with Australia's Whitehaven Coal to acquire a 20% stake in its Blackwater mine, a Mint report said. The negotiations come after JSW's unsuccessful attempt to purchase a majority stake in the metallurgical coal business of Canada's Teck Resources in 2023, which was acquired by mining and trading giant Glencore. The companies are yet to decide on the final valuation.

Minting money

Indias fastest-growing major listed firms surpassed the countrys overall economic growth in revenue terms by nearly 1.5 times between 2012 and 2022, a study by McKinsey & Co. said. The study examined 837 listed companies with revenues exceeding 750 crore in FY22. The top quintile (one-fifth) reported a compound annual growth rate of 15% or higher in revenue, while India's nominal gross domestic product growth rate averaged around 10%, the report said.

Chart of the week: Views on news

How much you rely on certain news sources to form your political views could depend on which party you support. The latest round of the YouGov-Mint-CPR Millennial Survey showed that supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party are more likely than others to trust any given news source.

Follow our data stories on the In Charts" and Plain Facts" pages on the Mint website.

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The hiring slowdown in the information and technology and services sector is forcing India's premier institutes to approach their alumni networks to secure jobs for the recent batch of graduates. After that, the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani (BITS) is seeking support from its alumni network for the placement of its 2023 batch students.

Also Read: Salary hikes to be lowest in three years. But it's not all bad The global economy has not experienced this kind of slump for decades. The technology sector is radically impacted, with around 4 lakhs employees being laid off globally since January 2022," said dean of Alumni Relations, Arya Kumar in a letter that has been circulated on social media. Recently, IIM Lucknow, which comes among the top five business schools in India, reached out to its alumni to secure placements for the students of its recent batch of graduates. Also Read: Delhi-based unicorns on hiring spree despite funding winter; over 50,000 employees join startups In its letter, the BITS dean of Alumni Relations also mentioned that the college managed to maintain a healthy placement percentage of 89.2% for the academic year 2022-23. However, the hiring slowdown has worsened since then. Although the placement teams are doing their best, they would be appreciative of the support from our esteemed alumni to help them tide through the current crisis," said Kumar in his letter, which was initially shared by edtech entrepreneur Ravi Handa on X.

So far there has been no official statement by the institute in the matter, and Mint couldn't independently verify the claim made in the letter.

Also Read: Education, healthcare, EV sectors to drive jobs in Q4 FY2024: Report

The situation of the global economy has forced major tech firms to slowdown their hiring process and bring a lesser number of employees on board. Multiple Indian IT firms like TCS, Infosys, etc have significantly cut down their hiring, especially at entry-level positions. The hiring winter has been seen as the consequence of uncertain demand situations across global markets, like the US and Europe.

WIPRO More Information

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G Lasya Nanditha, a Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA, was killed in a road accident on Friday morning in Sangareddy district of Telangana. Nanditha was killed in a road mishap on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in Telangana's Sangareddy district on the outskirts of Hyderabad. According to the Telangana police, her car driver lost control and rammed into the metal barrier on the left side of the expressway, killing Nanditha on the spot. The driver, however, has been admitted to a nearby private hospital and is said to be in critical condition.

Who is the BRS MLA G Lasya Nanditha?

G Lasya Nanditha was born in 1986 in Hyderabad. She entered politics around a decade ago.

Nanditha was the daughter of former BRS legislator, late G Sayanna. He passed away due to ill health in February last year.

Lasya Nanditha, a prominent figure in the political landscape, had previously served as a Greater Hyderabad Municipal corporator from Kavadiguda since 2016.

The 36-year-old was elected from the Secunderabad Cantonment in the assembly elections last November.

She got the BRS ticket from the Secunderabad Cantonment after the death of her father Sayanna, a five-time MLA from the constituency.

Nanditha clinched victory in the 2023 Telangana assembly elections by defeating BJP's Ganesh N by 17,169 votes.

Senior BRS leader and working President of the party, KT Rama Rao took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his condolences on Nanditha's sudden death. "This was about a week ago. Just now heard the absolutely tragic & shocking news that Lasya is no more !! Woke up to the devastating loss of the young legislator who was a very good leader in the making. My heartfelt prayers for strength to her family and friends in this terrible & difficult time," he said.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, condoling the death of the BRS MLA, wrote on X that the untimely death of legislator Lasya Nandita has left him deeply shocked. "I had a close relationship with Nandita's father Swargiya Sayanna. He passed away in the same month last year... It is very sad that Nandita also died suddenly in the same month. My deepest condolences to their family...I pray to God to rest her soul in peace," he added.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) National President and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also took to X and said that the late BRS legislature had a bright future in front of her. "Shocked to learn about the death of Secunderabad Cantonment MLA Lasya Nanditha in an accident today. It is unfortunate that she passed away within a year of her father' Sayanna's death. She had a bright future in front of her, yet fate had other plans. My heartfelt condolences to her family members," the TDP chief said.

Lasya Nanditha's close brush with death in recent months

In December 2023, the BRS lawmaker got stuck in an elevator when it crashed six feet due to overloading. She escaped unhurt.

Then, on February 13 this year, Lasya Nanditha was involved in an accident while returning to Hyderabad after attending a public meeting organised by BRS at Nalgonda. Although she sustained only minor injuries, a Home Guard died.

(With agency inputs)

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Delhi Chalo march: Farmers led by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will observe a 'Black Friday' today, February 23, following the death of a farmer at Khanauri Border crossing in Punjab's Sangrur district during the ongoing protests, said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait .

The protesting farmers halted their Dilli Chalo march for two days to take stock of the ongoing situation on the Shambhu border in Haryana and further decisions will be taken accordingly, the general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee

Here are top 10 updates on farmers' Delhi Chalo protest,

1) The SKM will also hold a tractor march on highways towards the national capital, said the BKU leader who led the farmers' protest held in 2020-21 to cause the repeal of the three farm laws, which, later, were taken back by the central government.

2) On February 26, we will take tractors to the highway, and towards the way that goes to Delhi. It will be a one-day program, and then we will return. Then, all across India, our meetings will go on," Tikait told ANI.

3) "On March 14, there will be a program at Ram Leela Ground in Delhi for one day. People will go without tractors to that event. The government keeps saying that they are not stopping us so let's see if they will stop us or not," he added.

4) However, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra on Thursday said the government is hopeful of a resolution on the farmers' protest much before the commencement of the wheat procurement season in March.

5) "As told by the agriculture minister, we are willing for further talks. We are happy to talk to them. Probably, we were not able to communicate the full intent. I think constant communication will help resolve the communication gap," Chopra said as quoted by PTI.

6) Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda also said that though several rounds of discussions with the farmers were held, more efforts have to be made from both sides to reach a consensus. He further affirmed the central government's commitment to working for the interest of farmers.

7) "I would like to say that meaningful talks have been held in the several rounds of discussions with farmers. But more hard work will have to be put in by both sides for agreement over a few issues. The government of India is committed to working for the interest of farmers and it is doing that," the minister said.

8) "We have told them we will find a solution through discussions because issues are resolved only through dialogues. We should find a solution together so that it is beneficial for everyone. I am hopeful that together we will find a solution," Munda further stated.

9) Farmers have been protesting at the Punjab-Haryana borders, raising various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and farm debt waiver.

10) The government has said it is ready for talks with the protesting farmers. However, there was no breakthrough in four rounds of talks that were held between the government, represented by three Union ministers, and the protesting farmers.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Haryana Police has initiated proceedings to seize the assets of protesting farmers who damaged public property during the ongoing 'Dilli Chalo' agitation. The development came mere hours after officials announced the withdrawal of its earlier decision to invoke the National Security Act against some farm leaders. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) are spearheading a march to press the government into accepting their demands  including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price for crops and a farm loan waiver.

An official statement said the Haryana Police would move to recover damages through the seizure of properties and bank accounts of protesters. Officials said the farmers were making continuous attempts to break the barricades put up along the state border. Attempts are also being made to disturb law and order by pelting stones and creating a ruckus. The statement said government and private properties had been damaged and 30 policemen injured.

The Ambala police had issued a statement on Thursday insisting that it was implementing the process of detaining office bearers of the protesting farmer outfits under provisions of the NSA in order to maintain law and order and prevent criminal activities. Inspector General of Police (Ambala Range) Sibash Kabiraj later said the move had been reconsidered.

Meanwhile the Samyukt Kisan Morcha observed a 'black day' following the death of one protester during clashes between the Haryana Police and farmers from Punjab. The incident took place on Wednesday after the farmers rushed to the multi-layer barricades set up by authorities and clashed with security personnel at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana.

Several farm outfits led demonstrations and burnt effigies of BJP leaders to protest the Haryana Police actions on Friday. The protesters demanded the resignation of the ministers and the registration of a murder case against those responsible for the death of Shubhkaran Singh.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced that the family of Shubhkaran Singh, who died during the farmers' protest on the Khanuri border, will be given financial assistance of 1 crore and a government job to his younger sister. He also promised that legal action would be taken against the culprits.

"The family of Shubhkaran Singh, who got martyred during the farmer's movement on the Khanauri border, will be given financial assistance of 1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against culprits," Mann said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Singh (21), a native of Bathinda, was killed and 12 police personnel injured in clashes at Khanauri border point on the Punjab-Haryana border on Wednesday. The incident took place when some protesting farmers were trying to head towards barricades.

A 21-year-old farmer died on Wednesday after protestors relaunched their 'Delhi Chalo' march as they disagreed with the Centre's proposals on a five-year plan for minimum support price (MSP).

The farmer, identified as Subhkaran Singh, a resident of Baloke village in Punjab's Bathinda district, was killed and a few others injured following a clash between the security personnel and the protesting farmers at Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border.

Also Read | Live updates on farmers' Delhi Chalo protest

He is survived by two sisters, a grandmother, and his father, Charanjeet Singh, who works as a school van driver. Shubhkaran was involved in animal husbandry and owned approximately 3 acres of land and had some livestock.

Shubhkaran joined the protesting farmers at the Khanauri border on 13 February, the day farmers kicked off their agitation to press their 10 demands.

A day before, Shubhkaran prepared breakfast for himself and other farmers at the protest site near the Punjab-Haryana border. Shubhkaran reportedly asked them to sit and have breakfast together and said, "They might not get another chance to share a meal or sit together".

Farmer leaders had rejected a proposal made by the government in the fourth round of talks between the two sides to break the deadlock. Farmers' leaders and three Union ministers met on 8, 12, 16, and 18 February but the dialogue remained inconclusive.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Guru Ravidas Jayanti 2024: A great Saint, philosopher, poet, and social reformer of the 15th century, Guru Ravidas is well-known for his contributions to the Bhakti Movement.

To mark the 647th birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Guru Ravidas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a statue of Sant Ravidas at Varanasi on Friday. His teachings are hugely followed by a large number of people and have brought them to the right path in life.

Sant Guru Ravidas Jayanti is hugely observed in the Northern part of India including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana.

Also Read: 'I'm not Malala, I'm safe in India': Kashmiri activist Yana Mir's speech in UK Parliament goes viral

When is Guru Ravidas Jayanti observed?

Guru Ravidas Jayanti is observed on February 24 every year. Based on the Panchang calendar, the occasion is observed on Purnima Tithi, which began at 3:33 PM on February 23 and will end at 5:59 PM on February 24.

Also Read: Farmers' protest: Haryana Police to seize properties, bank accounts of agitators who damaged public property

Who is Guru Ravidas?

Guru Ravidas is popularly known by different names like Raidas, Rohidas, and Ruhidas. He was born in 1377 CE in Seer Govardhanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Since his birth, Guru Ravidas devoted his life to advocating for human rights and equality. He was a revered poet and a renowned philosopher. Notably, a few of his compositions were also included in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. His place of birth is now known as Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan.

Also Read: Centre to issue notice to Google over Gemini AI's 'biased' response to query on PM Modi: Report

He is one of the most famous personalities of the nirguna sampradaya (sant parampara) and was one of the prominent leaders of the North Indian Bhakti movement. He also became a symbol of opposition to untouchability in society by the higher caste people for lower caste people.

Also Read: McDonalds moves cheese from its Maharashtra outlet menus

Why is Guru Ravidas Jayanti observed?

The day is observed to mark his birth anniversary. Despite belonging to a community whose initial occupation was in leatherwork, Ravidas shifted his focus to spiritual pursuits, spending much of his time on the banks of the Ganges. Throughout his life, he associated with Sufi saints, sadhus, and ascetics. At the age of 12, Ravidas was married to Lona Devi, and they had a son named Vijay Dass.

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McDonalds, a fast food giant known for their burgers, is now facing the brunt of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who has accused them of using substitutes in burgers and nuggets instead of real cheese, according to media reports.

The Maharashtra FDA has accused fast food giant McDonalds of cheesy deception and said that do not use genuine cheese in the food served to their customers. According to a Times of India report, the license of McDonalds outlet in Ahmednagar has been suspended.

The action has caused the burger joint to remove the word cheese from their menu in several locations. The Maharashtra FDA has asked McDonalds to remove the usage of word cheese from their menu nationally.

The Maharashtra FDA had asked McDonalds to remove the usage of word cheese, which typically means the dairy product, in October 2023.

The action against McDonald's started in Oct with an inspection of their Kedgaon branch in Ahmednagar.

What are cheese alternatives?

Cheese alternatives, or cheese analogues, are designed to replicate the taste, texture, and functionality of traditional dairy cheese.

According to the ToI report, the cheese substitutes, allegedly identified in several McDonald's items, typically replace milk or dairy fat with more cost-effective vegetable oil. The Maharashtra FDA has accused McDonald's of using cheese analogues without proper disclosure on food labels or on electronic display boards, thereby "misleading" people into thinking they are eating real cheese.

McDonalds' Cheesy items on menu

Maharashtra FDA had found that at least eight items from McDonalds menu, including cheesy nuggets, McCheese veg burger, McCheese non-veg burger, corn and cheese burger, cheesy Italian veg and blueberry cheesecake, contained cheese analogues.

The Maharashtra FDA had issued a show cause notice to McDonalds to this effect.

McDonalds denies using cheese analogues

According to a report published in ToI, McDonald's wrote to FDA in December 2023 informing that they had renamed the products by deleting the word "cheese".

They renamed cheesy nuggets as veg nuggets, McCheese veg burger as cheddar delight veg burger, blueberry cheese cake as blueberry cake, among others. McDonalds also shared letters from their cheese suppliers saying the cheese sauce used in frozen cheese nuggets is produced by Dlecta Foods Pvt Ltd, and was not analogue.

On Friday, Westlife Foodworld Limited, the parent company of McDonalds India, issued an official statement saying, only genuine, high-quality cheese is used in all our cheese-containing products".

Collaborating with suppliers adhering to global standards ensures top-quality cheese in our product offerings and not cheese analogues or any substitute", the statement added.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders cutting across party lines paid rich tribute to former Lok Sabha speaker and Maharashtra ex-Chief Minister, Manohar Joshi, who passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday. Joshi has been remembered for his diligence as a legislator and was called studious and disciplined.

The veteran leader was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Hinduja Hospital on February 21 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He passed away at the age of 86.

The Prime Minister said that Joshi worked tirelessly for Maharashtra's progress, and had always strived to make the Parliamentary processes more vibrant and participative.

Taking to the microblogging website, X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said, "Pained by the passing away of Shri Manohar Joshi Ji. He was a veteran leader who spent years in public service and held various responsibilities at the municipal, state and national level. As Maharashtra CM, he worked tirelessly for the states progress."

"He also made noteworthy contributions as a Union Minister. During his tenure as the Lok Sabha Speaker, he strove to make our Parliamentary processes more vibrant and participative. Manohar Joshi Ji will also be remembered for his diligence as a legislator, having had the honour of serving in all four legislatures. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," he added.

Union Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, called Joshi an "astute leader" and said that he was widely admired.

Rajnath wrote: "Pained by the demise of former Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Manohar Joshi ji. He distinguished himself as an astute leader who was widely admired across political spectrum for his commitment to upholding the parliamentary traditions. My thoughts are with his family, friends and followers in this sad hour. Om Shanti."

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Joshis contribution to society, politics and the field of education was immense. "Joshi was a member of the Legislative Council, Assembly, Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha. He rose from being a corporator and mayor of Mumbai to chief minister and member of Parliament. Be it personal life or public life, he was a disciplinarian," Fadnavis said.

In the passing of Joshi, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said, a leader fighting for the rights of Marathi people has passed into the pages of history.

Former Union minister and NCP founder Sharad Pawar said Joshi was known in political circles as a straightforward leader who strived to get things done. As the Lok Sabha speaker, he played an important role in getting the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on Parliament premises.

Former CM Ashok Chavan remembered the veteran leader as a multi-faceted personality who took an interest in art and culture despite his busy political schedule.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray described Joshi as a trusted aide of Sena founder Bal Thackeray and someone who fought for the rights of the Marathi people.

Chief Ministers of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have also expressed their condolences.

Assam Chief Minister, Himanata Biswa Sarma called the passing away of Joshi a "big loss". "The demise of Shri Manohar Joshi ji, a senior leader, former Lok Sabha Speaker and former CM of Maharashtra, is a big loss. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and followers during this difficult time. May the departed soul find eternal peace. Om Shanti," he said in a post on X.

Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh wrote: "The demise of Shri Manohar Joshi ji, a senior leader, former Lok Sabha Speaker and former CM of Maharashtra, is an immense loss to our political arena. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and followers during this difficult time. May the departed soul find eternal peace in the embrace of Lord Buddha."

Joshi was the first chief minister of the undivided Shiv Sena and held the post during 1995-1999. He was also elected as a member of Parliament and was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Vajpayee government was in power.

Born on December 2, 1937, in the coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra, Joshi obtained his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) in Mumbai. Joshi began his career as a teacher and entered politics in 1967. He was associated with the Shiv Sena for more than four decades. In the 1980s, Joshi emerged as a key leader within the Shiv Sena, and was known for his organisational skills.

(With agency inputs)

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Yana Mir, a Kashmiri activist and journalist, said in the UK Parliament that she will never ever be a Malala Yusufzai", emphasising that she is completely safe and free in "Kashmir, which is a part of India". Her speech has now taken the internet by storm.

"This year on Sankalp Divas, all I hope for is that our perpetrators living in the UK and Pakistan will stop maligning my country in international media or on international human rights forums. Stop unwanted selective outrage, stop trying to polarise Indian society by reporting from your UK living rooms. Thousands of Kashmiri mothers have already lost their sons because of terrorism. Stop coming after us and let my Kashmiri community live in peace. Thank you and Jai Hind," she added.

BJP leader Sajid Yousuf Shah shared Yana Mir's video which went viral on social media on Friday. Mir had post the video on her X account on February 21.

ALSO READ: Ive never been so happy: Malala in Pakistan

Who is Yana Mir

Yana Mir is Kashmir activist and journalist. Her bio on X says that she is the Vice President of the All JK Youth Society (AJKYS). She also described herself as a TedX Speaker. On her Youtube channel, she said she was Kashmiri Political Analyst.".

During the event in the UK, Mir received the Diversity Ambassador Award for championing diversity in the J&K region.

"Alhamdulillah, Today I received with Honor, the @jksc_uk Diversity Ambassador Award in the UK Parliament from honorable MP Theresa Villiers in the presence of MPs @BobBlackman @VirendraSharma and other prominent personalities from the UK political fraternity," she said in a post on X.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Azerbaijani Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) Sabina Aliyeva has commented on the discovery of one more mass burial in Khojaly, the Ombudsman's Office told Trend.

Aliyeva highlighted that the frequent discovery of mass burials in the Azerbaijani territories liberated from Armenian occupation reveals evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by Armenia against Azerbaijanis during the First Karabakh War.

"Another mass burial site has been uncovered in the town of Khojaly, further substantiating Armenia's inhumane actions, which it attempts to disavow. This recent discovery on February 21 during excavation work reveals human remains, predominantly of women and children, with signs of torture, indicating Armenia's policy of hatred and genocide against Azerbaijanis. Particularly distressing is the inclusion of a child's remains, approximately 4-5 years old. It is crucial to reiterate that the fate of around 4,000 Azerbaijanis missing during the First Karabakh War, including 150 individuals taken captive and held hostage during the Khojaly genocide, remains unknown. Over the years, the Armenian side has evaded providing information on the missing persons, including the locations of mass graves. Only through the efforts of relevant Azerbaijani state entities have some missing persons been identified. In light of this, I implore all international human rights organizations not to overlook such atrocities and to take necessary actions to hold those accountable for crimes against Azerbaijanis, grounded in ethnic hatred, responsible for their actions," the statement reads.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited his Lok Sabha constituency, Varanasi. At the gathering, PM Modi took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his nasheri yuva (intoxicated youth) in Varanasi remark, and said those who are not in 'hosh ' (senses) themselves are calling the youth nasheri".

Rahul Gandhi had recently said that in Varanasi he observed some youths inebriated, lying on the streets, and dancing at night. The future of the youth of Uttar Pradesh is intoxicated, he had added.

PM Modi reiterated his parivarvaad dig at the Congress and accused them of corruption and appeasement.

In Varanasi, PM Modi also paid tributes to saint and social reformer Gadge Maharaj on his birth anniversary.

Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 80 Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won the Lok Sabha seat from this constituency in the past two general elections. In last 10 years, Varanasi has made me 'Banarasi'," PM Modi said at the public meeting.

Harping on the plight of the Dalit community in society, PM Modi hailed Gadge Maharaj and credited him for 'freeing the society from stereotypes and for the welfare of the Dalits and the deprived".

PM Modi claimed that BR Ambedkar was one of the great influences on Gadge Baba. 'Like Sant Ravidas, Gadge Baba had done a lot of work to free the society from stereotypes and for the welfare of the Dalits and the deprived. Baba Saheb Ambedkar was himself a great admirer of him. Gadge Baba too was also greatly influenced by Baba Saheb. Today, on this occasion, I also pay my respects at the feet of Gadge Baba," PM Modi said.

Gadge Maharaj (February 23, 1876 to December 20, 1956), also known as Sant Gadge Maharaj or Sant Gadge Baba, was a social reformer from Maharashtra.

His original name was Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar. He was born in Shendgaon village in the present-day Anjangaon Surji Taluka in Amravati district.

Top quotes of PM Modi in Varanasi

-"Member of Congress' 'shahi-parivar' is calling the youth of Varanasi 'nasheri' (intoxicated)," Modi said, without naming Rahul Gandhi. "Those who are not in 'hosh' (senses) themselves are calling the youth 'nasheri'," he added.

-"Uttar Pradesh was left behind in development for decades due to politics of 'parivarvaad', corruption and appeasement," PM Modi said in Varanasi.

-Highlighting his government's work for farmers and the poor, PM Modi said animal husbandry is a medium to make women self-reliant and a support for small and landless farmers". "I remain vocal for locals to advertise small artisans. Modi is the ambassador of small farmers and entrepreneurs," the prime minister added.

-Modi said the speed of development of Varanasi has increased in the last 10 years.

-Noting that in the 10 years as the MP, Varanasi has made him a 'Banarasi', Modi said he was committed to improving the lives of the people of Kashi.

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Every year, people across the globe celebrate World Peace and Understanding Day on 23 February with great splendour. The World Peace and Understanding Day also termed as Special Day, has its own importance as it encourages harmony, compassion, and collaboration among individuals hailing from different religions, cultures and geography.

The day commemorates the first meeting of Rotary International an NGO dedicated to humanitarian service, peace, and goodwill across the world that took place in Chicago, US. Every year, this Special Day is observed to remind people of the ways that they can bring peace, harmony and goodwill to the world and contribute positively.

World Peace and Understanding Day 2024: Date

Every year, World Peace and Understanding Day is observed on February 23. This year, the Special Date falls on a Friday.

World Peace and Understanding Day 2024: History

The history of Rotary International can be traced back to 1905 when Paul P Harris called a meeting of his business friends in Chicago. The goal of the meeting was to create a group of like-minded people without limitations of politics and religion. The group quickly grew to include other businessmen from around the city.

In 1908, the first Rotary Club was officially incorporated. Later the Rotary Clubs were established in other cities of America like San Francisco, Seattle, Oakland, and Los Angeles. By 1925, the Rotary Club spread to other countries and became one of the important organisations  hence, the name of the organisation was changed to Rotary International.

Today, Rotary International is a global network of more than 1.4 million members in over 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. The organisation is dedicated to humanitarian service, peace, and goodwill, and its members work to improve the lives of others through a variety of projects and initiatives.

World Peace and Understanding Day 2024: Significance

One of the most important aspects of World Peace and Understanding Day is its focus on peace-building. The day promotes peace and conflict resolution. The significance of World Peace and Understanding Day is that it aims to promote a more inclusive and peaceful world where all can live and prosper together by encouraging mutual tolerance despite cultural diversity.

World Peace and Understanding Day 2024: Quotes

Peace comes from within; dont look for it outside.

Peace always begins with a smile in the heart.

If you are not afraid to forgive for the sake of peace, then you are courageous.

Peace is like a reward in itself.

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US President Joe Biden met with the widow and daughter of opposition leader Alexey Navalny less than a week after his death in prison, and vowed to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin in response.

The meeting, which took place in San Francisco, gave Biden a chance to express condolences as well as admiration for Navalnys extraordinary courage and his legacy of fighting against corruption and for a free and democratic Russia," the White House said in a statement.

Bidens meeting with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya did not appear on his public schedule for Thursday. The president is in California to raise money for his reelection campaign. Dasha Navalnaya studies at Stanford University.

To state the obvious, he was a man of incredible courage," Biden told reporters after the meeting. Its amazing how his wife and daughter are emulating that."

Were going to be announcing sanctions against Putin, who is responsible for his death, tomorrow," Biden said.

The president had previously said the US would announce sanctions on Friday meant to coincide with the two-year mark of the war in Ukraine and punish the Kremlin for Navalnys death. Russia, and Putin himself, are already heavily sanctioned by the US and other European powers, meaning the new measures will be largely symbolic.

Trump Flashpoint

The meeting highlighted the deep divisions between Biden and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump over how to handle Putins mounting aggression as the war in Ukraine drags on.

Trump has avoided condemning Putin for Navalnys death and likened the dissidents plight to the four criminal cases he faces in the US. Those comments came on the heels of the former presidents suggestion that he would let Moscow attack NATO allies who do not meet defense-spending targets.

The Republicans statements have drawn the ire of Biden. The president on Wednesday called Putin a crazy SOB" and swiped at Trump for comparing himself to Navalny.

It astounds me the things that are being said," Biden said at a fundraiser. I mean, if I stood here 10, 15 years ago and said any of this, youd all think I should be committed."

The conflict has amplified Bidens efforts to use congressional Republicans decision to kill a fresh Ukraine aid package at the urging of Trump against his rival on the campaign trail.

Family Matters

Navalnys widow and mother meanwhile have emerged to take up his anti-Putin cause.

Lyudmila Navalnaya, the opposition leaders mother, accused Russian authorities of refusing to hand over his body, as required by law, unless she agrees to his burial being conducted in secret.

They want to bring me to a fresh grave on the outskirts of a cemetery and say: Your son lies here. I do not agree with this," she said in a video address posted after she was allowed to view Navalnys body.

Yulia Navalnaya addressed the Munich Security Conference last week shortly after learning of her husbands death.

I do not know whether or not to believe this terrible news," she said, after a standing ovation from the audience. This regime and Vladimir Putin must bear personal responsibility for all those horrible things which they do to my country, our country."

Biden said Thursday that Navalnys wife is going to continue to fight."

US Actions

Ahead of the new US sanctions, the Justice Department took action Thursday against several pro-Russian oligarchs over what it said was their efforts to evade existing US sanctions by maintaining and, in some cases, improving super-yachts and expensive real estate in competitive markets such as Aspen, Colorado.

The charges, announced by the departments KleptoCapture Task Force, were tied to the two-year anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Since the invasion, the task force obtained court orders for the restraint, seizure, and forfeiture of nearly $700 million in assets from Russian enablers and charged more than 70 individuals," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. Charges were unveiled in New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington, DC.

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According to the description, Funk was among the first to discover and introduce the concept of vitamins and essential nutrients needed for human health.

Casimir Funk grew up in Poland, and after finishing high school, he travelled to Switzerland to study biology and chemistry. At just 20 years old, Funk received his PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Bern and began working at various research institutions across Europe," the description added.

Also Read: Google Doodle celebrates Germany's unique bread culture. Here's what you should know

Funk's interest was generated in the effects of food ingredients on certain illnesses like scurvy, cancer, pellagra, rickets, and more. In 1911, Funk experimented with a substance called B1 (thiamine) and formed it into small, ingestible crystals that helped with the growth and function of various cells.

He also named his creation vitamines, after the Latin words vita (life) and amine (a chemical compound containing an amino group). The term was later shortened to vitamin.

In 1915, Funk immigrated to New York City and became a naturalized American citizen in 1920. In the US, he worked in research positions at universities and years later went on to serve as a consultant to the US Vitamin Corporation.

Also Read: Valentine's Day Google Doodle: Find your perfect elemental match with Google's chemistry-themed interactive doodle

Throughout the next few years, Funk continued discovering different vitamins and determined the foods each was found in. However, after publishing his book Die Vitamine, scientists around the world went on to discover 13 different vitamins over the next 35 years.

It is to be noted that Funk's contributions to nutrition and medicine helped the world overcome illnesses like scurvy and opened several other doors for further scientific discovery.

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China's hackers are carrying out large-scale systematic cyber intrusions against foreign governments and companies including India. Recently, the Chinese intelligence and cyber-surveillance have breached 95.2 gigabytes of Indian immigration data, The Washington Post revealed.

Other targeted foreign countries include Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Nepal, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and others.

In a report published on Thursday, The Post said the Beijing's hackers alleged that they are taking advantage of weaknesses in software systems from companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft.

The cache  containing more than 570 files, images and chat logs  offers an unprecedented look inside the operations of one of the firms that Chinese government agencies hire for on-demand, mass data-collecting operations," The Post report read.

The documents originate from iSoon, aka Auxun, a Shanghai-based Chinese company that provides Chinese government agencies, security organizations, and state-owned businesses with third-party hacking and data collection services.

One spreadsheet listed 80 overseas targets that iSoon hackers appeared to have successfully breached. The haul included 95.2 gigabytes of immigration data from India and a 3 terabyte collection of call logs from South Koreas LG U Plus telecom provider," The Post report added.

The hacking tools are used by Chinese state agents to unmask users of social media platforms outside China such as X, formerly known as Twitter, break into email and hide the online activity of overseas agents. Also described are devices disguised as power strips and batteries that can be used to compromise Wi-Fi networks.

I-Soon and Chinese police are investigating how the files were leaked, the two I-Soon employees told the AP.

One of the employees said I-Soon held a meeting Wednesday about the leak and were told it wouldn't affect business too much and to continue working as normal." The AP is not naming the employees  who did provide their surnames, per common Chinese practice  out of concern about possible retribution.

US intelligence officials have expressed concern about China's targeted hacking campaigns and believe that it poses the biggest long-term threat to US security. Similarly, New Delhi has also used coercion to block Chinese mobile applications, claiming Beijing may be monitoring these apps.

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Shamima Begum, who fled the UK as a 15-year-old schoolgirl to join the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group, lost yet another legal battle on Friday to regain her British citizenship and return to the UK from Syria.

She had filed an appeal against the British government's decision to revoke her UK citizenship, the Associated Press reported on Friday. Authorities had withdrawn her British citizenship soon after she surfaced in a Syrian refugee camp in 2019.

After a series of legal battles, Begum lost a challenge at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in February last year and then took her case to the Court of Appeal.

However, the appeal judges unanimously agreed with the special tribunals decision and turned down the appeal.

ALSO READ: NIA foils major ISIS terror attack bid, arrests 8 with explosive materials from 4 states

Why Shamima lose her appeal?

In relaying the ruling, Chief Justice Sue Carr was quoted as saying that it wasn't the court's job to decide whether the decision to strip Begum of her British citizenship was harsh" or whether she was the author of her own misfortune."

"Ms Begum may well have been influenced and manipulated by others but still have made a calculated decision to travel to Syria and align with ISIL [ISIS]," said Judge Dame Sue Carr, delivering the verdict in London.

Shamima argued that the court's sole task was to assess whether the decision to strip Begum of her citizenship was unlawful. Since it was not, Ms Begums appeal is dismissed," the judge was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.

ALSO READ: ISIS claims responsibility for Iran twin blasts during General Qasem Soleimani's commemoration

Begum was represented at her appeal by barrister Samantha Knights who had argued that the government had failed to consider legal duties owed to a potential victim of trafficking.

The UK Home Office stressed that the main focus of the case was around national security. Earlier in 2022, the UK Supreme Court had upheld the decision to bar the now 24-year-old from returning to the UK.

ALSO READ: ISIS terror conspiracy case: NIA raids 44 locations in Karnataka and Maharashtra

What's next for Shamima Begum?

Begum's lawyer indicated that a further challenge was on the cards. I think the only thing we can really say for certainty is that we are going to keep fighting," Daniel Furner said outside the Royal Courts of Justice.

ALSO READ: Suspected ISIS terrorist Shahnawaz, most wanted in NIA list, arrested by Delhi Police

I want to say that Im sorry to Shamima and to her family that after five years of fighting, she still hasnt received justice in a British court and to promise her and promise the government that we are not going to stop fighting until she does get justice and until she is safely back home," Furner reportedly said.

Begum's legal team argued that the decision by Britain's then interior minister Sajid Javid, left her stateless and that she should have been treated as a child trafficking victim, not a security risk.

ALSO READ: What is Binances connection with terrorist groups like Hamas, Al Qaeda, ISIS, Palestinian Islamic Jihad? Explained

Meanwhile, the British government claimed she could seek a Bangladeshi passport based on family ties. But Begums family argued that she was from the UK and never held a Bangladeshi passport.

Who is Shamima Begum?

Shamima Begum, who is now 24, was 15 when she and two other girls fled from London in February 2015 to marry IS fighters in Syria. This happened at a time when the groups online recruitment program lured many impressionable young people to its self-proclaimed caliphate.

Begum married a Dutch man fighting for IS and had three children  all of whom later died. She and two fellow teenage schoolgirls at Bethnal Green Academy travelled from east London to Syria in 2015.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, in reprisal for Israeli bombing of Gaza, continue unabated and the disruption they are causing is beginning to pinch. As the crisis enters its fourth month, Mint looks at the impact on India and the sectors that have been hit.

What is the latest on the Red Sea crisis?

There are no signs at all of any improvement. On Tuesday, a British registered cargo ship, Rubymar, which was on its way to Bulgaria from the United Arab Emirates, was hit by two ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels. The damage was significant and, for the first time since the crisis broke out in November, a ship had to be abandoned and is now at risk of sinking. This, despite the US and Britain resorting to bombing Houthi positions in Yemen. Now, most shipping lines continue to avoid the Red Sea. Since mid-December, the number of crude carriers transiting through the Red Sea is down 60%.

What are the chances of a quick resolution?

Slim at the moment. Houthis say the disruption to global trade will force the world to persuade Israel to halt hostilities and announce a ceasefire in Gaza. A Houthi spokesman posted on the social media platform X the need was for an urgent and comprehensive ceasefire" in Gaza and not militarization of the Red Sea. The opposite is happening. The Israeli operation in Gaza continues. The US and Britain have started air strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. The EU has launched a naval mission to protect ships. A swift resolution looks improbable considering the geo-political standings of various countries.

What has been the financial impact so far?

Freight rates, be it for containers or for carrying crude, have risen sharply as ships take a detour around Africa. Experts peg the rise at 30-50%. Insurance costs have risen too. The transit time has increased by about two weeks on average. Containers leaving China are taking longer to return, triggering fears of another supply chain disruption.

How has the crisis hurt Indian interests?

Its beginning to bitealmost 80% of all exports, as much as $8 billion a month, to Europe passes through the Red Sea. In fact, 25% of Indias foreign trade uses this route. Sustained disruption could hurt Indias merchandise exports in 2023-24. According to India Ratings & Research, freight rates for Indian companies have seen a jump of 150% in the last 45 days. Higher freight costs are making Indian players uncompetitive in select sectors, and they are losing out to competitors who are located closer to the buyer.

Which are the sectors that are affected?

Sectors with significant exposure to Europe have been hit hardest. They include textiles, leather, spices, engineering goods and gems & jewellery. Importers are not reimbursing higher costs and are demanding faster delivery cycles to make up for longer transit time. A lot depends on the size of the players and the type of goods they export. Smaller players are losing out as they are unable to service the higher freight and carrying costs. Exporters of low value-add and large volume products are also hit.
Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister, Iryna Borovets on Thursday said that India has to play a crucial role" in finding a peaceful solution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Speaking to ANI, Borovets said, India has a crucial role. First of all, India is a global leader, it is certainly a powerful voice of the Global South countries. India respects the territorial integrity of my country. So in that sense, we have full support. But, India could be more vocal on it, could take more action towards finding a peaceful solution." She further said that Ukraine has invited India to the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland in March. Also Read: Finnish foreign minister hopes India will be more vocal on Ukraine war

Borovets added that India has to be a part of the peace-finding solution. We have invited the Indian government to be present at the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland in March. We very much expect a representative of India there," she added.

Also Read: US to impose sanctions on over 500 targets in Russia amid war with Ukraine

Earlier, on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan last year, PM Modi had told Russian President Putin that this now is not the era of war".

The statement was even made to the G20 communique under the presidency of India.

Earlier on February 15, PM Modi and Russian leader Vladimir Putin held talks on the ongoing Ukraine war.

Had a good conversation with President Putin. We discussed various positive developments in our Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership and agreed to chalk out a roadmap for future initiatives. We also had a useful exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including Russias Presidency of the BRICS," Modi tweeted.

Also Read: Russia never hurt our interests: EAM Jaishankar defends India's stable and friendly ties with Moscow

Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Russia and held a "wide-ranging and useful" meeting with his counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

The EAM had said at the time that they discussed the international situation and contemporary issues and exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific, the Ukraine conflict, the Gaza situation, Afghanistan and Central Asia, BRICS, SCO, G20 and the UN.

(With inputs from agencies)

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US Military on Friday said that it struck down four Houthi drones and two anti-ship cruise missiles in Yemen and the Red Sea. The strike was carried out after determining that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships, said the military's Central Command.

The drones and cruise missiles were set to launch from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen towards the Red Sea. In addition to this, the military also brought down three Houthi one-way attack drones near commercial ships operating in the Red Sea, it said.

Also Read: India, Asia gains as Houthi attacks and freight costs disrupt diesel imports to Europe

There was no damage to any ships during the strike conducted by the US Military on Thursday and Friday, the Central Command said on Friday. A day ago, the US military had said that it carried out four self-defence" strikes against the Houthis, by destroying seven anti-ship cruise missiles and a mobile ballistic missile launcher in Yemen.

On Thursday, Houthi rebels launched attacks on both Israel and a ship travelling through the Gulf of Aden, setting the vessel ablaze and again demonstrating their ability to launch assaults despite facing US-led airstrikes targeting their forces.

Also Read: Yemen's Houthis vow response after airstrikes by US, UK: 'These attacks will not'

Houthis step up Red Sea strikes, use submarine weapons

Amid constant US strikes, a Houthi representative on Thursday said the rebel group is ramping up attacks on ships in the Read Sea and other waters.

The statement from the leader came after the rebels claimed responsibility for an attack on a UK-owned cargo ship and a drone assault on an American destroyer on Thursday, and they targeted Israel's port and resort city of Eilat with ballistic missiles and drones.

Also Read: Red Sea crisis: Canada asks Beijing to influence Houthis, 'It's in China's interests'

"Operations in the Red and Arabian Seas, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden are continuing, escalating, and effective," Reuters quoted Abdul Malik al-Houthi as saying in a televised speech.

The past few attacks by the rebels on ships indicate a shift in Houthi's targets from pro-Israel shipments to more random attacks. As a result, they pose a major threat to a vital waterway for cargo and energy shipments travelling from Asia and the Middle East onward to Europe.

Since November, the Houthis have been attacking ships travelling in the Red Sea, as a part of their pressure campaign to end Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

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The United States on Friday imposed extensive sanctions against Russia, targeting more than 500 people and entities to mark the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and retaliate for the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

President Joe Biden said the measures aim to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin "pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home."

The sanctions targeted Russia's Mir payment system, financial institutions and its military industrial base, sanctions evasion, future energy production and other areas. They also hit prison officials the U.S. says are linked to Navalny's death.

"Doesn't Washington realize that sanctions won't take us down?" Russia's ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, was quoted as saying on his embassy's channel on the Telegram messaging app.

The United States later on Friday also imposed sanctions on Russia's leading tanker group, Sovcomflot, accusing it of being involved in violating the G7's price cap on Russian oil. Also targeted were 14 crude oil tankers in which it has an interest.

"Sovcomflot as a whole, as a parent company, has been implicated in price cap violations in addition to deceptive activity," a senior Treasury official said.

The Biden administration is seeking to continue supporting Ukraine as the country faces acute shortages of ammunition, with the approval of more U.S. military aid delayed for months in the U.S. Congress. The European Union, Britain and Canada also took action against Russia on Friday.

The U.S. Treasury Department targeted nearly 300 people and entities, while the State Department hit over 250 people and entities and the Commerce Department added over 90 companies to the Entity List.

The United States and its allies have imposed sanctions on thousands of Russian targets since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The war has seen tens of thousands killed and cities destroyed.

However, Russia's export-focused $2.2-trillion economy has proved more resilient to two years of unprecedented sanctions than either Moscow or the West anticipated.

"We must sustain our support for Ukraine even as we weaken Russia's war machine. It's critical that Congress steps up to join our allies around the world in giving Ukraine the means to defend itself," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

Brian O'Toole, a former Treasury official, said the action, while involving a lot of names, was short on impact, because the majority of the entities targeted are Russian rather than foreign firms, and are easily replaceable as Moscow seeks to skirt sanctions.

But former senior Treasury official Ben Harris said the magnitude of the sanctions imposed by the United States alone was formidable.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday's move was Washington's largest number of designations in a single Russia action.

PAYMENT SYSTEM

Among the actions taken, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on state-owned National Payment Card System, the operator of the Mir payment system. Mir payment cards have become more important since U.S. rivals suspended operations in Russia.

It also targeted over a dozen Russian banks, investment firms, venture capital funds, and fintech companies.

The United States also targeted Russia's future energy production and exports, taking further aim at the Arctic LNG 2 project in Siberia. In November, Washington imposed sanctions on a major entity involved in the massive project.

On Friday, the State Department targeted Russia's Zvezda shipbuilding company, which it said is involved in the construction of up to 15 highly specialized LNG tankers intended for use in support of Arctic LNG 2 exports.

The United States also imposed sanctions on entities based in China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein over the evasion of Western sanctions on Russia and backfilling.

The spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, called the sanctions against the Chinese firms "a typical move of economic coercion, unilateralism and bullying" by the United States.

Washington has increasingly sought to crack down on Russia's circumvention of its measures.

Peter Harrell, a former National Security Council official, said the moves sent a clear message that the U.S. is prepared to take action against circumvention.

"I see this as kind of a valuable but incremental step that is within the strategy they've been deploying over the last two years," he said.

The Biden administration also imposed new trade restrictions on 93 entities from Russia, China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

The State Department also targeted three Russian Federal Penitentiary Service officials it accused of being connected to Navalny's death, including its deputy director who it said reportedly instructed prison staff to exert harsher treatment on Navalny.

Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died suddenly last week at the penal colony above the Arctic Circle, the prison service said. Biden has directly blamed Putin for Navalny's death.

The U.S. action also targeted people involved in what the State Department called the forcible transfer or deportation of Ukrainian children.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Azerbaijan and Latvia discussed directions for expanding the export of non-oil Azerbaijani products, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov met with the Latvian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Normunds Smits.

The meeting highlighted the role of mutual visits and high-level meetings in expanding relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia, briefed on economic reforms in Azerbaijan, a favorable investment environment, and applied concessions.

Besides, the meeting noted that Latvian companies have broad opportunities for cooperation in the restoration and reconstruction of Azerbaijan's liberated territories, projects implemented in industrial parks, the Alat Free Economic Zone, and other areas of the economy.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the directions for expanding trade and economic relations, including the export of non-oil and gas products produced in Azerbaijan, participation in joint projects, agriculture, alternative energy, food security, and other topics, and exchanged views on collaboration in these areas.

To note, the data from the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan showed that in January 2024, the country exported goods to Latvia amounting to $464,500, while importing goods worth over $1.69 million.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
When President Vladimir Putin sent tanks toward Kyiv in February 2022, he bet that Western societiesand especially Europe, so dependent on Russian energywouldnt have the stamina to oppose his attack and would eventually acquiesce to Ukraines dismemberment or outright disappearance.

Two years later, Ukraine has proved a formidable foe, regaining half of the land initially occupied by Russia and inflicting staggering casualties on Russias much more powerful military. Europe, too, has absorbed the economic shock of severing Russian natural-gas supplies and is boosting its military spending and commitments to Ukraine. This month the European Union passed a new $54 billion aid package for Kyiv, overcoming objections by Hungary.

Its in the U.S., however, that Putins wager appears to be paying off, at least for now, as Moscow has successfully inserted itself into Americas culture wars.

Support for Ukraine, widely deemed a self-evident American national interest two years ago, has become a divisive partisan issue in an election year. A notable part of the Republican right has begun expressing admiration for Putin and even for the beauty of Moscow subways and the quality of Russian supermarketswhile pouring scorn on Ukraines embattled government and army.

For months the Republican leadership of the House of Representatives has been blocking legislation that would authorize fresh military assistance to Ukraine, including the latest bipartisan bill passed 70-29 by the Senate. The resulting cutoff has already caused an acute shortage of artillery shells in Ukrainian units. According to President Biden and Ukrainian commanders, its the main reason why Russia was able to seize the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka this month, Moscows first major battlefield advance since May.

The abrupt nature of the cutoffwhich came after months of bipartisan assurances that, one way or another, American weapons would continue to flowhas left Ukraine in a particularly vulnerable spot. Russia has regrouped and is pressing a new offensive across the wars entire front line, a push fueled by massive shipments of artillery shells and ballistic missiles from Moscows newfound ally North Korea.

Its not just that American aid has been cut, but its been cut without warning and without giving us any time to adjust. And its clear that Russia could gain the upper hand if Ukraine doesnt have what it needs to defend itself," said former Ukrainian defense minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk, who advises President Volodymyr Zelenskys administration. If this crisis is not resolved, and Ukraine doesnt receive the assistance, it will become a huge gift to Putin."

The prospect of an outgunned Ukraine losing much more ground in coming months, coupled with fresh doubts about Americas commitment to defend its allies should Donald Trump return to the White House next year, is increasingly unnerving democracies in Europe and beyond. Thats especially so as Putin has established a de facto military alliance with the rogue regimes of North Korea and Iran while growing closer and closer to authoritarian China.

The sense of anxiety is particularly high in Taiwan, an island democracy that Beijing considers a renegade province" and has pledged to reunify" with the mainland. Americas walking away from Ukraine, if it happens, is going to be a disaster and is going to encourage the dictators in Beijing, in North Korea and in other countries," warned Wang Ting-yu, who is slated to become chairman of the Taiwanese parliaments defense and foreign affairs committee. They will realize that the global leader doesnt have the strength to keep its patience to support its allies. And if they think that way, they will make wrong decisions and misjudgments."

Thats a warning echoed by the Biden administration and by some leading Republicans, including the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, who helped to shepherd through this months bipartisan bill, which would provide $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The entire world of democracies thinks this is important, and we are the leader of this free world. We cannot back away," Sen. McConnell said about helping Ukraine in an interview. This is not the time, in my view, to be sending the message that we are not up to the task." Much of that funding, he added, will flow back to create jobs in U.S. industries.

While Europe and other allies already account for more than half of Western support for Ukraine, only the U.S. possesses the stockpiles of ammunition and other weaponry, such as air-defense interceptors, that can significantly help Ukrainian forces in the immediate future. European production of ammunition, though rising, wont be sufficient to sustain the Ukrainian military until sometime in 2025, or even later, according to military analysts. Some key pieces of military equipment can only come from U.S. stocks.

The Biden administration and congressional leaders of both parties have been assuring Ukrainian officials that the cutoff in American suppliesnow a determining factor on the battlefieldwill never happen. The Republican speaker of the House, Rep. Mike Johnson, made similar promises after getting the job in October. We cant allow Vladimir Putin to prevail in Ukraine, because I dont believe it would stop there," he said in a Fox TV interview at the time. Were not going to abandon them."

Now, even though the latest Senate bill would likely gain an overwhelming majority on the House floor, Johnson has refused to allow a vote on it, saying that he has other priorities. As it currently stands, the House is unlikely to consider Ukraine aid at least until mid-March, and it appears possible that no additional funding for Ukraine will be approved by the current Congress at all.

Looming above the congressional debate, of course, is the prospect of Trump winning the election in November. The former president has repeatedly said that he will reach a quick peace deal in Ukraine, though he hasnt explained how and under what conditions. In a recent campaign appearance, he also intensified his criticism of NATO, indicating that he wouldnt defend member-states who fail to meet the military spending target of 2% of GDP. In fact, I would encourage [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want," Trump said he had told a European leader.

Asked why so many Republicans are now opposed to funding Ukraine, Sen. McConnell pointed to the isolationist spirit that has long been a force in American politics, particularly before World War IIand to the influence of Trump. Our likely nominee for president is not enthusiastic about helping Ukraine," McConnell said.

Officials in Washington and European capitals are skeptical about the prospects of any peace talks with Russia and discount any possibility of a deal before the U.S. presidential elections in November. While Ukraine says its unwilling to settle on anything short of regaining all of the 18% of its internationally recognized territory that is currently occupied by Russia, Moscow hasnt dropped its initial war aim of controlling all of Ukraine.

In this months interview with talk-show host Tucker Carlson, Putin spent half an hour talking about how Ukraineincluding the western city of Lvivis historically Russian land and how Ukrainian identity is an artificial construct invented by the Austrian military before World War I. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said in January that Ukraine is a cancer" and that any independent Ukrainian state, no matter how friendly to Russia, will inevitably be wiped out, even if its 10 or 50 years down the line.

The very existence of Ukraine is fatal for Ukrainians," said Medvedev, who heads Russias ruling party. They will understand that life in a big common state, which they currently dislike very much, is preferable to death. Their death and the death of their loved ones. And the sooner Ukrainians realize it, the better."

The new self-assurance coming from Moscow has prompted a flurry of warnings from American allies in Europeand in Asiaabout the potential domino effect of allowing Russia to win in Ukraine. The stakes, unlike at the outset of the war two years ago, are much higher today because of the hundreds of billions of dollars that the Western allies have spent on Ukraine since then and because of their frequent public commitments to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes."

The level of U.S. investment in the project of Ukraines independence has increased, and therefore [so has] the extent to which U.S. credibility is judged based on Russias ability to accomplish or not accomplish its objectives in Ukraine," said Samuel Charap, a senior political scientist at the think tank RAND who has advised caution over Ukraine in the past. If there were to be a dramatic reversal of fortunes in Ukraine, there would be a whole lot more confidence in the emerging pseudo-bloc of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran."

Many Trump supporters who oppose further funding for Ukraine frame this approach as part of the need to focus on China, a much stronger rival than Russia. Despite warnings to the contrary from Asian allies, they downplay the effect that an American retreat in Europe could have on Asian security. American voters seem to care about Europe and Asia in equal measure, however. According to a recent Pew poll, some 74% of Americans believe that the war in Ukraine is important for U.S. national interests, just a notch below the 75% who say the same about the tensions between China and Taiwan.

The U.S. 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," Sen. J.D. Vance, a Republican from Ohio, said last week at the Munich Security Conference, where he declined to attend a congressional delegation meeting with Zelensky. 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 the American security blanket has allowed European security to atrophy," he added.

The bond between Russia, North Korea, Iranand Chinamakes that pivot to Asia even more urgent, said Elbridge Colby, a leading Republican strategist who served as a deputy assistant secretary of defense in the Trump administration. It increases rather than diminishes the importance of prioritizing because we can expect them to act collaboratively, to stretch us out and to distract us. And because China is the dominant player in that alliance, we can expect that alliance to distract us from the decisive theater, which is what is happening," he said.

The decline of the American industrial base and Americas inability to quickly replenish the stocks of munitions that had been supplied to Ukraine limit Americas foreign-policy options, he added. We have to operate in conditions of scarcity, like a company that is overextended. We are in a world of bad choices now," Colby said. Thats our fault because we continued to believe, like the president and some senior Republicans, that we could do everything when we cant, and because the Europeans didnt step up."

Europe is definitely stepping up now, expanding ammunition production and approving new funding for Ukraine. Germany, France and the United Kingdom have all recently signed defense cooperation agreements with Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his Danish counterpart, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, this month unveiled the construction of a new ammunition plant in Lower Saxony that is expected to eventually produce 200,000 artillery shells a year.

The EU last year pledged to supply Ukraine with a million shells but was able to furnish only about one third of that amount. North Korea alone, by contrast, has supplied roughly a million shells to Russia, according to American estimates.

Some European nationsparticularly Poland and the Baltic stateshave made major investments in their military, far exceeding NATOs 2% threshold for military spending, noted Thorsten Benner, director of the Global Public Policy Institute in Berlin. But, of course, its not enough if Germany, France and a lot of the other European members dont follow suit in a serious way," he said.

The unfolding debate in Germany about potentially extending the British and French nuclear umbrella to their European allies shows just how spooked Europeans have become by America potentially abandoning both Ukraine and its other European commitments, Benner added. It tells you about the level of doubt and fear about the world that we are enteringthe one with the U.S. not being there for us and where the hostile superpowers of Russia and China are potentially lining up against us."

For all its recent gains in Avdiivka, the Russian military is also an exhausted forceand one that is losing more tanks, howitzers and other military equipment to Ukrainian forces than its able to produce or refurbish. Attrition currently works in Ukraines favor, even though that favorable ratio is gradually declining because of ammunition rationing, said Franz-Stefan Gady, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security who has frequently traveled to Ukrainian front lines. Over time, that attrition phase should allow Ukrainian forces to resume offensive operations if Western aid continues, he said.

The Russian army is not unbeatable," Gady said. But there is a gradual realization in Europe that this could go south, and that if it does go south, its really going to have tremendous consequences for the entire security architecture of the continent."

In recent months, European nations have started taking more seriously the possibility that, if Russia defeats Ukraine, it would be tempted to test the defenses of current members of NATO and the EU, said Camille Grand, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations who served until 2022 as an assistant secretary-general of NATO.

There is a new awareness that Russian ambitions arent limited to the post-Soviet space," he said. Whats at stake in Ukraine goes well beyond the future of Ukraine itself."

Yaroslav Trofimov is The Wall Street Journals chief foreign-affairs correspondent and the author of the new book Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraines War of Independence."
Singur, and Nandigram saw the downfall of the 34 year governance of the Communist Party of (India) in West Bengal. The Singur and Nandigram debacle also saw Mamata Banerjee, supremo of Trinamool Congress (TMC) win election and take the seat of governance. Mamata Banerjee's biggest poll agenda was - Land Grab.

Maa, Maati, Manush" (Mother, land, people) was Mamata Banerjee's call for claiming the West Bengal government, where she has been winning since, pushing the erstwhile CPI(M) into near oblivion.

However, the recent Sandeshkhali debacle that includes accusations of land grab and sexual assault on women could potentially become the antagonist in the political supremacy of the TMC supremo.

Let's take a look

Singur and Nandigram

A firebrand politician who claimed to be fighting for the Maatir Manush (people at the 'ground level) emerges as the Achilles Heel for the Buddhadev Bhattacharya-led CPI(M) government in West Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee, then opposition, claimed to be fighting for land owners 'who did not want to sell their land to the West Bengal Government or Tata Motors". Banerjee claimed the land was fertile and therefore began a protest against land acquisition in Singur against the Left Front government in West Bengal.

The long-drawn movement by Mamata Banerjee between 2006 and 2008 against alleged "forcible" takeover of "fertile" land for Tata Motors' ' 1 lakh car' (Nano) project brought gained her a seat as the Chief Minister in West Bengal in the next election.

Nandigram land grab row emerged at the same time. Here farmers protested land acquisition for a chemical hub. In Nandigram too Mamata Banerjee spearheaded the protests and sat on a 25-day hunger strike, emerging as the champion of the downtrodden.

The land grab that became the cornerstone for Trinamool Congress's poll cry, has now become the bugbear Mamata Banerjee needs to deal with in Sandeshkhali when the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is leaving no stone unturned to oppose the TMC supremo.

Sandeshkhali

Agitation against forcible land grab has put Sandeshkhali in the Sunderbans in the centre stage. While the Sandeshkhali unrest has been centred around protests by women against alleged sexual atrocities by strongman and Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides, the agitation had started off against forcible land grab.

The farmers claimed that the saga of grabbing agricultural land and turning it into fisheries started in 2019 after Sheikh was made in-charge of the district's fishery development.

In a video that has gone viral on X, a woman said, "Our land is grabbed in the name of lease. They made fisheries on the land. For the last 3 years, they have not paid the lease money. When we demand money, they threaten us."

The land of those who didn't want to part with it, was rendered uncultivable by pumping salt water, another woman said.

BJP following Mamata's method from Singur, Nandigram?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Sandeshkhali on 6 March. The way BJP leaders including Sukanta Majundar, Suvendu Adhikari, Locket Chatterjee have increased pressure on the TMC by visiting Sandeshkhali, it feels like the saffron party is only taking a leaf out of the Mamamta Banerjee's political career biography.

In the past couple of weeks, Sukanta Majumdar and Suvendu Adhikari, have repeatedly tried to enter Sandeshkhali and clashed with police.

BJP leaders were also seen squatting on the highway, just as then opposition leader Mamata Banerjee did during the Singur-Nandigram agitation.

Notably, like Nandigram followed Singur, in 2024 landgrab accusations are not only erupting from Sandeshkhali, Howrah's Panchla is also seeing a similar agitation.

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BNEI BRAK, IsraelFor almost as long as the state of Israel has existed, the draft that powers the tiny countrys outperforming military has exempted its ultra-Orthodox Jews. The conflict in Gaza has reignited resentment about that pact and sparked new calls to upend it, as the Defense Ministry pushes for regular soldiers and reservists to serve longer and keep Israels ranks stocked.

Some members of the governing coalition, the opposition and protesters are calling for an extension to mandatory service for the existing group of soldiers to be coupled with a new law that would draw recruits from the ultra-Orthodox community.

The demands to include the ultra-Orthodox community in the mandatory draft threaten the stability of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition, which depends on ultra-Orthodox parties that have in the past threatened to abandon any government that extended the draft to their community.

Now the war against Hamas, nearing five months old, is proving so costly in terms of lives and personnel that even some in Netanyahus right-wing party are questioning whether Israel can sustain the longstanding policy. Israel is also facing the prospect of another and much more challenging war with Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group. Both sides have traded fire across the winding Israel-Lebanon border almost daily since the beginning of the war in Gaza.

The defense ministry proposal would extend mandatory military service to 36 months from 32, increase annual reserve-duty commitments and raise the age of obligatory reserve duty by up to five years, in some cases to age 52. It makes no mention of widening conscription to the ultra-Orthodox.

The State of Israels current security needs require expanding the circle of those who carry the burden," two lawmakers and a minister in Netanyahus Likud party wrote in a recent letter to the prime minister.

Never enshrined in law, the current exemption for ultra-Orthodox young men is set to expire at the end of March. The deadline, likely to be extended, is rekindling sharp tensions in Israeli society that were set aside as the country presented a largely united front against Hamass deadly Oct. 7 attacks.

We sacrificed our lives for this country in the past months, you chose not to," Amiel Yarchi, a right-wing Israeli journalist, wrote after returning from four months of reserve duty in Gaza, in a Facebook post addressed to ultra-Orthodox Jews.

It comes as the Israeli military is stretched thin between the war in Gaza, unrest in the West Bank and tensions on the northern border with militants in Lebanon.

Were in an emergency period and if we dont extend the service time it will cut the number of troops in half and we cannot afford to do that right now," said an Israeli official.

The draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jewsknown as Haredim in Israeldates back to soon after Israels foundation in 1948, when the government agreed to excuse them from military service so they could preserve a way of life nearly extinguished during the Holocaust.

Many Haredi men dont serve in the military or work regularly. They instead choose to study holy texts in religious seminaries called yeshivas. They argue that they contribute to the state by preserving Jewish tradition and eliciting divine protection for Israel.

Its through the merit of yeshiva students studying that the soldiers are winning," said Avraham Eli-Melech, 60, who works as a handyman in a yeshiva in the predominantly Haredi city of Bnei Brak.

The issue has dogged successive Israeli governments. Any attempt to enshrine the exemption through legislation has been either struck down by Israels Supreme Court on the grounds that it creates an unequal burden on citizens, or the terms of potential compromise legislation have brought down different governments that rely on ultra-Orthodox support.

At the time of the initial exemption, Haredim represented a fraction of the overall population. Now, more than seven decades after Israels founding, the community makes up 13% of the population, and Haredi men represent 17% of draft-age males.

In an indication that pre-Oct. 7 tensions are now beginning to re-emerge, signs were hung Saturday night on highway passes across Israel that said, We are all brothers. We all enlist." Several thousand demonstrators also rallied that night in central Tel Aviv, calling for elections.

Some reservists, exhausted after months of fighting in Gaza, say they are ready to push for a more equal distribution of the security burden across Israeli society.

The social contract needs to be rewritten," said Uri Keidar, who served as a reservist for four months in Gaza and heads an Israeli civil-society organization that seeks to reduce religious sway over the state. We cant go back to October 6 as if nothing has happened."

Similar sentiments are showing up within Netanyahus coalition. It is no longer possible to accept with equanimity a situation in which certain groups in society shoulder the burden of security, with the high price that it exacts, while other groups of the Jewish people continue with their normal lives," the Likud members wrote in the letter to Netanyahu.

That points to a shift in the debate over the exemption, according to Israeli political analysts.

The general, non-Orthodox public has lost its appetite for this unjust and unequal arrangement," said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based think tank. The enlistment debate might force Netanyahu to choose between his loyal political allies and big parts of his own constituency," he said.

After Likud, two ultra-Orthodox political parties make up the largest bloc in the current government, with 18 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. They are key to Netanyahus grip on power, since his original allies in the wartime government control just 64 seats in total. Rival Benny Gantz brought his National Unity party into the government at the outset of the current war to bolster national unity.

Earlier this week, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid sent a letter to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in which he warned that we will not be able to continue filling the streets with slogans of together we will win, if we dont enlist together."

A senior official in United Torah Judaism, one of two Haredi political parties that are part of Netanyahus coalition government, said the enlistment issue is very sensitive" and that the party has decided to not get involved" in the current debate over bills.

The Haredi political leadership knows that after the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, the status quo cannot stand, said Israel Cohen, a political commentator for a Haredi radio station.

But Haredi religious leaders havent publicly grappled with the renewed public demand to end their communitys exemption from military service. If a leading rabbi were to oppose any change, Cohen said, it could pull the entire community in that direction.

Yosef Gamliel, 43, a rabbi in Bnei Brak, said the only thing that could push Haredim to join the military as a bloc is if the spiritual leadership changed their stance.

We have survived for thousands of years by keeping our tradition," he said.

Write to Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com
Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Kamal Nath said on Friday urged the people of the state and the "brave" Congress workers to join the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra in maximum numbers". The yatra will enter Madhya Pradesh on March 2.

In a post on X on Friday, Kamal Nath said, "The people of Madhya Pradesh and Congress workers are excited to welcome Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Our leader Rahul Gandhi has taken to the streets across the country and announced a decisive fight against injustice, oppression and exploitation."

"I urge the people of Madhya Pradesh and the brave workers of Congress to become the strength and courage of Rahul Gandhi by joining the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra in maximum numbers. Together, you and I will bring this great campaign against injustice to an end," Kamal Nath's tweet read.

ALSO READ: From 'Indira's Third Son' to BJP ally? Kamal Nath's reported defection sends shockwaves through Congress

Kamal Nath's 'BJP switch' buzz

Kamal Nath's statement came days after Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders dispelled the rumours that Nath, along with his son Nakul Nath, could leave the Congress and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This speculation became rife when Kamal Nath and his son reached Delhi last week.

However, several local leaders of the Congress from Kamal Nath's stronghold of the Chhindwara district joined the BJP on Wednesday, February 21. Chhindwara district BJP president claimed 1,500 Congressmen, including over 700 from the newly-created Pandhurna district, joined the BJP.

The Congressmen who crossed over to the BJP fold included state Congress general secretary Ujjwal Singh Chauhan, councillors, sarpanches, janpad members, and workers, PTI reported.

Earlier, sources told news agency PTI that Kamal Nath will join the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. During the four-day tour of Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi will conduct road shows and meetings. He will perform puja at the famous Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain and address a public meeting in Dhar district on March 6, said state Congress president Jitu Patwari.

"Kamal Nath has said that he would join the the yatra during its Madhya Pradesh leg, so there is no spice left for the media and BJP," a senior party leader was quoted by PTI as saying, apparently referring to the speculation about Nath's possible switch to the BJP.

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The Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has once again revived its seat-sharing talks with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 elections, sources said.

This comes after the Congress party and Samajwadi Party (SP) finally agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement as part of the INDIA bloc in Uttar Pradesh.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier decided not to be a part of the INDIA bloc in her state. Sources said her party's talks with the Congress party over a possible seat-sharing formula have now been revived. While the TMC is willing to concede two-five seats to the Congress in West Bengal, it wants Congress to concede two seats in Assam and one seat in Meghalaya.

Assam sends 14 and Meghalaya one member to Lok Sabha, respectively.

An agreement in West Bengal would lift the morale of the beleaguered Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), especially after the exit of JD-U.

Of the 42 seats in West Bengal, the TMC won 22 and the BJP bagged 18 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The Congress won the remaining two seats.

Sources said TMC might concede Behrampur, Malda South, Malda North, Raiganj and Darjeeling to the Congress in West Bengal. In return, the TMC is adamant on its demand of contesting the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya, they said. The TMC bagged secured 28 percent of the votes, while the Congress got only nine percent votes in the Tura seat in 2019.

Elsewhere too, the alliance talks are on. In Delhi, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party has agreed to contest four Lok Sabha seats, while the Congress will field its candidates in three seats, as per the agreed seat-sharing formula, according to sources.

The AAP will contest South Delhi, New Delhi, West Delhi and Northwest Delhi seats while the Congress will field candidates on East, Northeast Delhi and Chandni Chowk seats, as per the agreement. While a formal announcement is awaited, the BJP had won all seven seats in both the 2014 and 2019 general elections.

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), an amalgamation of leading opposition parties came up last year to fight together in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The inaugural meeting of the Opposition coalition was held in Patna, Bihar on June 23.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will release its first list of at least 100 candidates for the April-May Lok Sabha elections by the end of February, reports said.

The list will have names of candidates from seats in states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, according to a report in Economic Times. These seats are considered weak as the party couldn't win them in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

In the seven-phase general elections held between April 11 and May 19, 2019, the BJP won 303 seats with a record 37.36 percent vote share, the highest vote share by a political party since the 1989 general election. Overall, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 353 seats. The Congress won 52 seats while the United Progressive Alliance won 91 seats in the election.

This time the BJP-led NDA is up against an amalgamation of Opposition parties called the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc.

For the 2024 polls, the BJP has identified 160 seats that the party deems weak and thus organised early campaigning and public contact programmes over the past one year, according to the ET report.

The first list of candidates, which has been finalised, is expected to include names of some Union ministers as well, sources said. A clearance from the party's central election committee is awaited, they said. The panel is likely to meet on February 29. It was previously scheduled for February 22.

The party leadership has realised that announcing names of candidates in advance for weak seats pays off as happened in the case of recent assembly elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a record third term in the upcoming elections. Jawaharlal Nehru is the only Prime Minister of India to have three terms so far. However, Nehru who was the Prime Minister for 16 years, couldn't complete the third term, due to his death in 1964.

Speaking at the BJP's National Council meet in New Delhi last week, PM Modi emphasised that the the BJP needs to reach every new voter. "I am not asking for the third term to enjoy power. I am living for the future of poor children. The dreams of crores of women, poor and youth are Modi's resolve," Modi said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at the same event, expressed confidence that his party will retain power in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

"There is no doubt in country; people have made up their mind that PM Modi will retain power," Shah said.

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Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary launched a scathing attack against dynastic politics on Friday as Lok Sabha elections draw increasingly near. The senior politician contended that Lalu Prasad Yadav would not fare well in the upcoming polls with Nitish Kumar no longer there to extend a lifeline. The people of Bihar (and India as a whole), he insisted, would give an account of all these people in 2024".

Lalu Yadav has been losing elections continuously since 2005, Nitish Kumar used to give him a lifeline in between, but now there is no one to give him a lifeline," he asserted.

We believe that 2G means 2 generation politician, 3G means 3 generations and 4G means 4 generation politician... Rahul Gandhi is of the 4th generation. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and today Rahul Gandhi, all four of them worked to loot the country...There are two generations of politicians in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal," Choudhary added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Fresh protests erupted in parts of violence-torn Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Friday after several women leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Locket Chatterjee, MP, were detained on their way to the village, citing Section 144.

A team of women BJP leaders was supposed to depart for Sandeshkali. The team consisted of senior BJP leaders, including Locket Chatterjee, Agnimitra Paul, MLA, Madhuchandra Kar, General Secretary and MLA, Priyanka Tibrewal, Sonali Murmu, Falguni Patra, and Paromita Dutta.

According to a Hindustan Times report, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh said that it was probably an attempt, on the instruction from Delhi, to keep the Sandeshkhali issue alive until Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in West Bengal in March. Ghosh said every day BJP leaders line up to visit Sandeshkhali, despite the imposition of Section 144.

"Locket Chatterjee does not go to her constituency but goes to Sandeshkhali to get a photoshoot. So they will go every day, provoke the people and stage some drama," Kunal Ghosh said.

PM Modi will be in West Bengal on March 1 and 2 as part of his official programme and will address a women's rally on March 6 in North 24 Parganas. Sandeshkhali is in North 24 Parganas.

In the latest wave of unrest, enraged locals set fire to properties belonging to TMC leaders accused of sexual abuse of women and forcible land grabbing in the area. The houses of local TMC leaders were also ransacked by the mob. West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar rushed to the spot and pledged stern action against the culprits.

Armed with sticks, the protesters set ablaze thatched structures near a fishing yard in the Belmajur area of Sandeshkhali, venting their fury against the elusive TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his brother Siraj. The torched structure, it was revealed, belonged to Siraj.

The unrest in Sandeshkhali stems from accusations against TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters of land grabbing and sexual assault, with Shahjahan evading authorities since a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.

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FRANCES LOVE AFFAIR with chocolate runs deep in the culture. In French we would say, On baigne dans le chocolat depuis tout bebe. We bathe in chocolate from babyhood," mused Paris native Cecilia Jourdan, CEO and founder of the Hello French online language program. You know, instead of having a bottle of milk, Im sure some of us have hot chocolate as babies." She was only half-joking.

Still, there has never been a better time to eat (or drink) chocolate in France. Both the quality and the quantity of offerings have reached an all-time high: In the last 10 years, the number of artisan-chocolatiers in the country has grown by nearly 40% according to the business newspaper Les Echos. Paris, in particular, overflows with chocolate boutiques. You can barely walk more than a few blocks without finding one beckoning with an artful display of truffles and bonbons. Even those familiar with the city will gain a new, delicious intimacy with the place by mapping a travel itinerary around its great chocolateries.

As a starting point, you cant do better than the venerable Debauve & Gallais, in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres district. In 1779, founder Sulpice Debauve, a pharmacist, concocted a headache remedy with cocoa for Queen Marie-Antoinette. Soon these bonbonsknown as Les Pistoles de Marie Antoinette or the Queens Coinsbecame tout la rage. In 1800, Debauve was named chocolatier to First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte and opened his boutique with his nephew Antoine Gallais. In 1825, for the coronation of Charles X, Debauve & Gallais created a Fleur de Lys of caramel ganache that remains one of the stores top-selling confections. A must for any chocolate lover in Paris, the shop at 30 rue des Saints-Peres, paneled in varnished wood, with the original apothecary case arcing gracefully through the space, traces a history of France in cocoa.

You hardly need an excuse to visit Paris, nor a purpose once you get there. But traveling on a culinary quest offers the pleasure of discovery and can even extricate you from the dreaded tourist shufflethe prospect of waiting in yet more lines as you check off a to-do list of the major sites. Imagine, instead, if your wanderings led you to a dark-chocolate truffle here, a milk-chocolate caramel there. Such an expedition might take you to both high-profile and less-known neighborhoods, letting you experience the city as a local even as you fill a suitcase or two with pate a tartiner (like Nutella, but so much better) and jewel-toned bonbons from Patrick Roger.

Roger has earned the celebrated status of artisan-chocolatier. In France, this is no small thing. To create as Roger does is to work at another level altogether. His chocolates are sculpture, confection and painting all in one bite. Concoctions like peach licorice, lime caramel and honey ganache fill his demi-spheres, coated in dark Madagascar chocolate and finished to look like glass marbles.

Another Parisian bringing a boldly contemporary eye to chocolate, Jacques Genin takes a seasonal approach at his eponymous shops. In winter, one might find notes of ginger, chestnut honey, orange and saffron in his ganache confections; warmer months may bring basil, grapefruit and rosemary, with a touch of fleur de sel. To carry home, try his barres gourmands, which come individually wrapped in a chic metal tin. I particularly love the praline of Bronte pistachios, caramel and raspberries. (Note: Genins pates de fruits are perhaps the best in the city and, while not chocolate, deserve their own spot in your suitcase.)

While Roger and Genin approach their artistry with the utmost seriousness, celebrity chef Christophe Adam aims for hip playfulness. Obsessed with eclairs, he has devoted an entire shop to them: LEclair de Genie. He has also opened a cafe that serves a mean dirty" hot chocolate (ever so slightly salted). But his laid-back style belies extensive formal training and years cooking at the citys best restaurants. He crafts his whimsical eclairs impeccably, with combinations ranging from milk-chocolate-and-cassis to a bright-red, high-gloss rouge baiser" made with raspberry pastry and raspberry glaze, concealing a center of chocolate mousse. Adam designs every one to delight.

With delight very much in mind, chocolatier Patrice Chapon added a Bar a Mousse aux Chocolats to the front of his boutiques. His team makes each deep, rich chocolate mousse on offer from a different single-origin chocolate, ranging from milk to intensely dark. They scoop it into a cone like ice-cream and present it to you with a spoon. Of course, the spoon is but a suggestion; any list of things to do before you die should include the experience of licking chocolate mousse directly from a cone.

Indeed, Parisian chocolatiers embrace the overt sensuality of chocolate. When I asked Jean-Paul Hevin, known for his eponymous boutiques, about the way Parisians make a gift of chocolate, he got right to the heart of it. You must know a person well. Its a bit like giving perfume," he said. Will she be more inclined toward a full-bodied taste, a floral, a spice? Its a moment of sharing and, as with all gifts, reveals much about the personality of the giver."

Hevin likened the making of chocolate from bean to bar to the production of wine. He noted that chocolate production has grown more and more refined" and stressed the importance of the farmers, how the beans are cultivated and harvested, and the provenance of their terroirs, which is paramount."

More than anyone, the chef Alain Ducasse has raised the profile of artisanal, bean-to-bar production in Paris. In 2013, Ducasse launched La Manufacture de Chocolat on rue de la Roquette, near La Place de la Bastille. There, beans from across the globe are roasted, crushed, ground and concheda final smoothing process that refines the texture and flavor. Each of these steps requires extremely meticulous know-how," Ducasse explained to me. It is on this process and the beans origins that the final taste largely depends."

La Manufacture became an instant sensation for locals and tourists alike, and its popularity led to the opening of a series of Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse boutiques around Paris. Not surprisingly, Ducasse sells some of the very best chocolate to be found anywhere, and his tablettes have become iconic. They come studded with everything from candied orange and caramelized almonds to shards of nougatine and fleur de sel. These ingredients are meant to enhance the taste of the chocolate, to enrich it, to give it a touch of the unexpected," Ducasse explained. But to truly understand the obsessive nature of Ducasses craft and the importance of his focus on sourcing, set aside extraneous flavors and taste the different single-origin chocolates side by side.

Lavished with 21 Michelin stars at his restaurantshigh temples to French cuisine known for rarefied culinary featsDucasse made what might seem to some a rather radical left turn into his new career as chocolatier. But Parisians dont see it that way. They consider it an absolutely natural progression for a great chef. Chocolate is, after all, one of the highest expressions of French gastronomynot to mention an opportunity to experience the brilliance of a chef like Ducasse at a fraction of what you would pay for one of his tasting menus.

Because you can only hit so many of Pariss great chocolateries in one vacation, use the list below to make sure you get a taste of the indisputable classics as well as the innovators carrying the art of chocolate making into the 21st century.

THE ESSENTIAL PARIS CHOCOLATERIES

Get to know the city as its chocolate-loving natives do, bite by delicious bite.

Fit for a Queen

Debauve & Gallais (30 Rue des Saints-Peres, 7th Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Dark chocolate truffles, in their signature embossed box; Les Pistoles de Marie Antoinette

The Legends

La Maison du Chocolat (8 Boulevard de la Madeleine, 8th Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Rich, velvety hot chocolate made with two different dark chocolates and vanilla beans from Madagascar

Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse (40 Rue de la Roquette, 11th Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Single-origin tablettes, such as the fruit-forward Cabosse Congo and the lively, citrusy Tanzanie; caramelized hazelnut dark-chocolate tablette mendiant; the stunning visual spectacle of it all

Jean-Paul Hevin (3 Rue Vavin, 6th Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Grand cru chocolate macarons, such as the Millot, made with beans sourced in Madagascar, or the Yaounde, with cacao from Cameroon

Maison le Roux (1 Rue de Bourbon le Chateau, 6th Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Melt-in-your-mouth chocolate caramels made with salted butter from Brittany

For the Artistry

Jacques Genin (133 Rue de Turenne, 3rd Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Barres gourmandes, including pistachio praline and raspberry-caramel, and barres fines

Patrick Roger (225 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, 8th Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Elegant dark-chocolate demi-sphere filled with lime caramel ganache

For Sheer Whimsy

LEclair de Genie, Christophe Adam (14 Rue Pavee, 4th Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Rouge baiser" raspberry eclair with a dark-chocolate interior; Mexican dark chocolate eclair

Boutique Chapon, Bar a Mousse aux Chocolats (69 Rue du Bac, 7th Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Single-origin mousses to-go, in a cone

The Upstarts

Edwart Chocolatier (17 Rue Vieille du Temple, 4th Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Coffret Terre de Fut" of liquor-infused chocolatesfrom Japanese rum to Port to whiskey

LAtelier Chocolat du Bristol (114, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, 8th Arrondissement)

Not to Be Missed: Spicy honey chocolates; chocolatier Johan Giacchetti at work

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris

View Full Image An Insiders Guide to the Best Chocolate in Paris
Tesla and xAI CEO Elon Musk has hit out at Google in the ongoing controversy over the text-to-image generation feature of its Gemini AI chatbot. Notably, Google's Gemini chatbot has been accused of being "too woke" for generating some historically inaccurate images depicting World War II soldiers and America's founding fathers.

Raising the issue on X (formerly Twitter), Musk called Google 'insane' and 'anti-civilization', claiming that the Mountain View, California-based company had overplayed its hand with the AI's image-generation capabilities of Gemini.

Musk wrote: Im glad that Google overplayed their hand with their AI image generation, as it made their insane racist, anti-civilizational programming clear to all."

Meanwhile, Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy also commented on the issue, writing, The globally embarrassing rollout of Googles LLM has proves that James Damore was 100% correct about Googles descent into an ideological echo chamber. Employees working on Gemini surely realized it was a mistake to make it so blatantly racist, but they likely kept their mouths shut because they didnt want to get fired like Damore. These companies program their employees with broken incentives, and those employees then program the AI with the same biases."

Google pauses Gemini's AI generation capabilities:

Google has paused the image-generation capabilities of its Gemini AI chatbot after a series of controversies surrounding the new feature. The Mountain View, California-based company admitted that Gemini offered "inaccuracies in some historical depictions" and promised to release an improved version of the feature soon.

In a statement on X about Gemini's text-to-image capabilities, Google wrote: Were working to improve these kinds of depictions immediately. Geminis AI image generation does generate a wide range of people. And thats generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But its missing the mark here."

In yet another post, Google confirmed that it was pausing Gemini's image generation feature, noting, We're already working to address recent issues with Gemini's image generation feature. While we do this, we're going to pause the image generation of people and will re-release an improved version soon."

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Azermirror LLC has been granted resident status in Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on X, Trend reports.

"Azermirror LLC has received resident status in Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, bringing the number of residents to 40. The company will specialize in the production of aluminum mirror sheets. With an investment volume of about 11 million manat ($6.4 million), the company intends to provide permanent employment for 44 people," the publication says.

Meanwhile, 26 business entities were granted resident status in industrial parks of Azerbaijan managed by the Agency for Development of Economic Zones in 2023 alone. The following 7 business entities received resident status in Aghdam Industrial Park, 5 in Araz Valley Economic Zone, 8 in Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park, 3 in Pirallahi Industrial Park, 1 in Hajigabul Industrial District, 2 in Sabirabad Industrial District.

The Agency for Development of Economic Zones was established as a state legal entity based on Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park LLC by Decree No. 1257 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev On Measures to Improve Management of Industrial Parks, Industrial Districts and Agricultural parks dated January 22, 2021.

Currently, 6 industrial parks, 4 industrial quarters, 51 agricultural parks, and a Vocational Training Center operate under the agency's management.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
In a recent development, Google has officially rolled out its highly anticipated Help Me Write feature to the stable version of its Chrome browser with the Chrome M122 update. This innovative addition to Chrome's capabilities was initially unveiled during the Google I/O 2023 event in May and is set to transform the way users compose text within the browser.

Powered by the advanced Gemini models, which belong to Google's family of multimodal Large Language Models (LLMs), the Help Me Write feature aims to streamline the text creation process for users by leveraging the power of artificial intelligence. The tool is specifically designed to assist users in generating text content based on the prompts they provide, ultimately saving significant time and effort in manual drafting, said the tech giant in its blog post.

According to Google, what sets Help Me Write apart is its unique approach; it not only relies on the user's input but also analyzes the content of the page for more contextually relevant writing assistance. This dual-analysis ensures that the suggestions provided are not only based on the user's prompt but also take into account the existing content on the page.

However, this feature is currently available to users of Google Chrome based in the United States and using the English language.

Enabling the Help Me Write feature is a straightforward process:

Open Google Chrome and sign in with your Google account.

Access Settings by clicking on the three-dot menu.

Navigate to the 'Experimental AI' page and select the 'Help me write' option.

Toggle the switch to turn on the feature, and you're ready to go.

To utilize Help Me Write, simply right-click on a text field and choose 'Help me write.'

With this new addition, Google Chrome users can now enjoy the convenience of having the browser complete sentences for them, making the content creation process more efficient and user-friendly.

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Indian-American politician Vivek Ramaswamy, on Friday, called Google's latest AI roll-out 'Gemini' a "global embarrassment" as the chatbot's text-to-image generation feature was marred in controversies over inaccuracies in some historical image generation depictions."

The 38-year-old went on to call the Google AI chatbot "blatantly racist" and blamed the company to "program their employees with broken incentives."

Taking to the social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), Vivek Ramaswamy said, "The globally embarrassing rollout of Googles LLM has proves that James Damore was 100% correct about Googles descent into an ideological echo chamber. Employees working on Gemini surely realized it was a mistake to make it so blatantly racist, but they likely kept their mouths shut because they didnt want to get fired like Damore."

"These companies program their employees with broken incentives, and those employees then program the AI with the same biases," he added.

Earlier, Tesla and xAI CEO, Elon Musk, also criticised the AI chatbot. Im glad that Google overplayed their hand with their AI image generation, as it made their insane racist, anti-civilizational programming clear to all," he wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Google's take on Gemini

Earlier today, Google paused image generation capabilities for the Gemini AI chatbot, admitted its inaccuracies and promised to re-release an improved version of the feature soon.

Were working to improve these kinds of depictions immediately. Geminis AI image generation does generate a wide range of people. And thats generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But its missing the mark here," the Mountain View California-based company said in a statement on X.

In another post, Google confirmed that it was pausing Gemini's image generation feature, saying that they are working to address the issue. We're already working to address recent issues with Gemini's image generation feature. While we do this, we're going to pause the image generation of people and will re-release an improved version soon," Google added.

What is the controversy?

It is not new for artificial intelligence-based image generators to have perpetuating racial and gender-based stereotypes but for Google, its attempt to bring diversity into the matter went a little too far.

Google's AI chatbot got caught up in a controversy over its image-generation feature almost immediately after its launch. Social media platform X flared up with posts calling Gemini "too woke" when generating historical images. It only worsened with time and users complained that the AI chatbot does not acknowledge the existence of white people.

It was hard to get even Gemini to acknowledge the existence of white people with the chatbot refusing to give an image of a happy white man while giving a valid response for an image of white black people", said several users.

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Tardigrades are microscopic creatures known for being able to withstand some of the most extreme conditions on Earth.

Tardigrades, often called water bears or moss piglets, are near-microscopic aquatic animals with plump, segmented bodies and flattened heads. They have eight legs, each tipped with four to eight claws or digits, and somewhat resemble the hookah-smoking caterpillar from "Alice in Wonderland." Though tardigrades are disarmingly cute, they are also nearly indestructible and can even survive in outer space.

Tardigrades were discovered in 1773 by the German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze, who dubbed them "little water bear." Three years later, Italian biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani named the group "Tardigrada," or "slow stepper," for their toddling gait, according to the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College (SERC). There are currently about 1,300 known tardigrade species within the Tardigrada phylum (a classification category) according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), a resource for species names and classifications created by a partnership of U.S. federal agencies.

What makes tardigrades so indestructible?

Tardiges have an unusual strategy for surviving harsh conditions: They enter an almost death-like state called cryptobiosis, expelling more than 95% of the water from their bodies, retracting their heads and legs and curling into a dehydrated tun.

By the 1970s, scientists determined that different forms of cryptobiosis in tardigrades could be caused by four environmental triggers: desiccation, freezing, lack of oxygen and excess salt, reported a 2020 study published in the journal Scientific Reports .

During cryptobiosis, a tardigrade's metabolic activity drops to as little as 0.01% of normal levels. Its cells are protected from damage by water-soluble proteins that are unique to tardigrades, known as tardigrade disordered proteins, or TDPs. When tardigrades expel their body's water, TDP molecules form a tough, glasslike cocoon around cells. This keeps cellular material safe while the tardigrade is a tun and enables it to reanimate in water when conditions are more hospitable, according to a 2017 study published in the journal Molecular Cell .

"Tardigrades are fascinating little beasties," Sandra McInnes, a tardigrade researcher with the British Antarctic Survey, who has been studying species that occur in the frozen snowscapes of Antarctica since 1980, previously told Live Science. "Tardigrades have this ability to cope with extreme environments by shutting down their metabolism. This ability to cope with drying out or freezing is what gives them their durability in the Antarctic."

Sandra McInnes Social Links Navigation Scientist with the British Antarctic Survey Sandra McInnes is a tardigrade researcher with the British Antarctic Survey. She also is an associate editor dedicated to tardigrade-related manuscripts at the journal Zootaxa.

However, tardigrades do have a fatal weakness: They wilt under heat, which could be a problem as climate change increases temperatures. A 2020 study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that tardigrades in water temperatures of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) can die in just one day.

"Tardigrades are definitely not the almost-indestructible organism as advertised in so many popular science websites," study co-author Ricardo C. Neves, a postdoctoral scientist in biology at the University of Copenhagen, previously told Live Science.

How big are tardigrades?

Water bears can range from 0.002 to 0.05 inches (0.05 to 1.2 millimeters) long, but they usually don't get any bigger than 0.04 inches (1 mm) long, according to the World Tardigrada Database .

A tardigrade's body typically consists of only 1,000 cells, according to an article published in the journal Arthropod Structure and Development in 2019. In comparison, the human body is made up of many trillions of cells.

Where do tardigrades live?

As their name implies, water bears live just about anywhere there's liquid water, inhabiting the ocean, freshwater lakes and rivers, and the water film that coats terrestrial mosses and lichens.

They can survive a wide range of environments: from altitudes of over 19,600 feet (6,000 meters) in the Himalayan mountain range to ocean depths more than 15,000 feet (4,700 m) below the surface, according to the University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web (ADW).

Related: Tardigrades probably see in black and white

Not all tardigrades live in extreme environments, but water bears are known for surviving extreme conditions that would kill most other forms of life, by transforming into a dehydrated ball known as a tun.

What extremes can tardigrades survive?

Researchers have found that tardigrades in a tun state can withstand temperatures as low as minus 328 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 200 degrees Celsius) and hotter than 300 degrees F (148.9 C), Smithsonian magazine reported. They can also survive exposure to radiation, boiling liquids, and up to six times the pressure of the deepest part of the ocean, according to the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College in Minnesota.

A 2008 study published in the journal Current Biology revealed that some species of tardigrades  when dehydrated  could weather a 10-day trip into low-Earth orbit, and return to Earth unharmed by solar ultraviolet radiation and the vacuum of space.

Tardigrades can be seen clearly under a microscope. (Image credit: Getty)

More recently, desiccated tardigrades have been shot from a high-speed gun , traveling nearly 3,000 feet per second (900 meters per second) and surviving a crushing impact of about 1.14 gigapascals of pressure.

Their findings, however, suggest that several thousands of tun-state tardigrades that were carried on the Israeli lunar mission Beresheet would not have survived after the lander crashed on the moon , on April 11, 2019. The shock pressure of the metal lander hitting the moon would've been "well above" the limits tardigrades could survive. "We can confirm they didn't survive," Alejandra Traspas-Muina, who led the research as a PhD student at the Queen Mary University of London, told Science magazine.

How do tardigrades enter a 'tun' state?

While scientists have long known that to survive extremes, tardigrades enter their tun state through a metamorphosis known as anhydrobiosis, exactly how they do this has been a longstanding mystery. In a study published in the journal PLOS One in 2024, researchers discovered the molecular underpinnings that allow them to enter their near-invincible state.

The team exposed the tardigrade species Hypsibius exemplaris to a series of life-threatening conditions, such as dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide and temperatures of minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 80 degrees C) and measured the chemical environment inside the tardigrades' cells.

They found tardigrades produce free radicals  oxygen atoms with an additional unpaired electron that emerge in animal cells during a phase known as oxidative stress. In most animlas, this is harmful, but in tardigrades, free radicals react with the amino acid cysteine to transform them into their tun state. When they inhibited the cysteine oxidation process, the tardigrades were incapable of entering the tun state.

What do tardigrades eat?

Tardigrades eat by sucking fluids from cells by puncturing the walls with little needle-like structures in their mouths. (Image credit: Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library/Getty Images)

Most tardigrades suck fluids from cells in plants, algae and fungus, puncturing cell walls with needlelike stylets in their mouths and hoovering up the liquid inside.

However, some species can consume entire living organisms, such as rotifers, nematodes and even other tardigrades, according to Illinois Wesleyan University's Species Distribution Project (SDP).

How do tardigrades reproduce?

Reproduction in tardigrades may be sexual or asexual, depending on the species. For egg-layers, females produce up to 30 eggs at a time, and eggs may be fertilized either inside the female's body; in her shed cuticle after the male ejaculates his sperm there; or while attached to sand or substrate, according to ADW. Other tardigrade species are self-fertilizing hermaphrodites that reproduce through parthenogenesis  a process in which an embryo develops without external fertilization.

Embryos typically are fully developed within 14 days of fertilization, though their development can last up to 90 days depending on environmental conditions such as dryness and temperature, according to ADW. Young tardigrades do not have a larval stage and resemble miniature adults upon hatching, though they usually have fewer claws and spines than fully-grown water bears do. The youngsters grow in several stages by molting their external cuticle "skin," and each molt can take five to ten days to complete.

This illustration depicts the tardigrade's long gut (gray) and ovary above (yellow). (Image credit: Getty)

Tardigrade anatomy

Inside the tardigrade's tiny body, you won't find any bones, according to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in August 2021. Instead, they are supported by a hydrostatic skeleton. This is a fluid-filled compartment called a hemolymph. Similarly to human blood, the hemolymph is filled with nutrients.

Although they lack a spinal cord, tardigrades have a ventral nervous system, according to the book Forest Canopies, published in 2004. This sends signals between the tardigrade's brain and body and is the functional equivalent of a vertebrate's spinal cord.

Water bears have a complete digestive system, but no circulatory or respiratory system. Instead, oxygen from the water enters their bodies through their cuticle walls. To aid circulation, they have muscles which contract to transport the nutrients in their hydrostatic skeleton.

Tardigrade taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Subkingdom: Bilateria Infrakingdom: Protostomia Superphylum: Ecdysozoa Phylum: Tardigrada Source: ITIS

Tardigrade tuns can be revived even after decades have passed. In 2016, scientists revived two tuns and a tardigrade egg that had been in cryptobiosis for more than 30 years, Live Science previously reported. Reanimation from even longer tun states might be possible. In 1948, a researcher in Italy purportedly revived a tun from a dried-out piece of moss that was over 120 years old, the BBC reported in 2015. However, no other researcher has since reanimated a tardigrade from a tun that old, according to the BBC.

And in some tardigrades, fluorescence could lend them protection against radiation by transforming UV rays into harmless blue light, Live Science previously reported.

Are tardigrades endangered?

Tardigrades have not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the global organization that monitors conservation status for animals and natural habitats; and they aren't on any other endangered list. In fact, tardigrades have survived all five mass extinctions on Earth since the group evolved about half a billion years ago, according to the University of Wisconsin Madison , and water bears could survive after humanity is long gone , researchers found.

Related: The 5 mass extinction events that shaped the history of Earth

In 2017, scientists from Harvard and Oxford universities looked at the probabilities of certain astronomical events  Earth-pummeling asteroids, neighboring supernova blasts and gamma ray bursts, to name a few  that could take place over the next several billion years. Then, they evaluated the likelihood of those events wiping out Earth's hardiest species. While such disasters would likely eradicate humans, the researchers found that little tardigrades would survive most cosmic cataclysms, they reported in their study published in the journal Scientific Reports .
An image shows cracks on the surface of the Larsen b ice shelf, which covers waters off the shore of the Antarctic peninsula.

Antarctic ice shelves can disappear astonishingly fast  sometimes in minutes or hours  as meltwater surges through cracks in their surface. And as the atmosphere warms, this phenomenon may become more commonplace; at least half of the ice shelves on the continent are vulnerable to this process, a new study suggests.

These floating ice sheets ring Antarctica 's glaciers and prevent them from sliding into the ocean. Without these icy barriers, glaciers would flow more quickly into the water, causing the continent to shrink and accelerating sea level rise.

The new study, published today (Aug. 26) in the journal Nature , suggests that about 50% to 70% of ice shelves that hold Antarctic glaciers in place could become weak and potentially collapse with surges of meltwater.

Related: 10 signs that Earth's climate is off the rails

"What we find is that the amount of melting is important, but where the melting happens is also important," said lead author Ching-Yao Lai, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Marine Geology & Geophysics at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in New York. The research highlights which ice shelves are most likely to crumble, but not when this dissolution is most likely to occur.

"The time frame over which this process could happen is the biggest question," Christine Dow, the Canada Research Chair in Glacier Hydrology and Ice Dynamics at the University of Waterloo, who was not involved in the study, told Live Science in an email.

Cracks in the ice

Some ice shelves float on open water and do not slow glaciers' slide into the sea, because there's no land mass for them to brace against. But ice shelves confined to bays and gulfs create a physical barrier that the slow-moving glaciers butt up against. Lai and her colleagues focused on these so-called buttressing ice shelves.

The buttressing shelves accumulate cracks on their surfaces as glaciers push against them from behind, and cracks also appear as the shelf pushes against the curvature of the shoreline. In addition, the ice shelves stretch out as they flow across the ocean water, due to their velocity, Lai told Live Science. "Usually near the front of ice shelves, it gets stretched the fastest and this kind of breaking occurs," she said.

When warm atmospheric conditions cause the surface of an ice shelf to melt, meltwater can pool in these cracks and cause "hydrofracturing"  a process in which the excess water puts pressure on the ice, deepening the cracks and sometimes triggering a complete collapse of the shelf.

The melt water "can punch through the ice to the ocean in a matter of minutes to hours, as long as there's enough water available to keep on filling the crevasse and keep up the pressure," Dow said. "The crack in the ice then fills up with ocean water," and the shelf may begin to break apart. Scientists theorize that this is what happened to an ice shelf known as Larsen B, which lost 1,255 square miles (3,250 square kilometers) of ice over the course of a few weeks in 2002, according to The National Snow and Ice Data Center . For context, that area of ice is larger than the state of Rhode Island.

Related: Photographic proof of climate change: Time-lapse images of retreating glaciers

To determine which buttressing ice shelves are vulnerable to collapse, Lai and her colleagues developed a machine learning model  an algorithm that can be trained to recognize visual features based on past images it has analyzed. The authors trained their model to recognize surface fractures in the ice using satellite images of two ice shelves, named Larsen C and George VI, in the northwest region of Antarctica, and then applied the model to a complete map of Antarctica .

With their map of ice cracks in hand, the researchers then determined which fractures in Antarctica's many ice shelves would be prone to hydrofracture, given the pressures exerted on them from surrounding land masses and their movement over the water. Researchers have used this analysis at specific ice shelves before, but "this is the first time it has been applied to the Antarctic as a whole," Dow noted.

The next big question is "how does this hydrofracture process contribute to the sea level rise?" Lai said. To find out, the team will need to pair their model of ice cracks with climate predictions and a model of how ice flows over the bedrock of Antarctica; this ice flows downslope into the ocean "just like rivers flowing downhill," she said.

In the future, this type of research will help the authors determine how fast and how much sea level rise could change due to cracking ice sheets, given rising atmospheric temperatures, Lai noted. As of now, "estimating time scales on which these ice shelves might break up due to surface melting and hydrofracture is beyond the scope of their study," Alison Banwell, a research scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder, who was not involved in the study, told Live Science in an email.

Though the researchers don't have a time frame yet, some scientists predict that climate change may drive massive hydrofracturing events within a matter of decades, according to a 2015 report in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters .

"Also, Antarctic ice shelves are currently losing most [of their] mass due to basal melting," or melting on the underside of the ice sheet, "in response to warming ocean temperatures," Banwell added. "It would be interesting to see which ice shelves are most vulnerable due to all three processes," meaning basal melt, surface melt and hydrofracture, combined. Basal melting could make ice shelves more prone to hydrofracture, as the shelves become thin and stretch more easily the more they melt, Lai added.

Originally published on Live Science.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. We stand prepared to assist Azerbaijan in hosting COP29, said UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Fergus Auld on X, Trend reports.

According to the ambassador, the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero met with leaders from the Azerbaijani ministries of Ecology and Natural Resources, Economy, and Foreign Affairs, who are significant actors in the COP29 organization.



The decision to convene COP29 in Azerbaijan was made official in Dubai on December 11, 2023, allowing Azerbaijan to host the event in November.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Former President Trump says he 'strongly supports' IVF and calls on Alabama lawmakers to protect access
Police are investigating the scene at the University of Georgia in Athens where a nursing student was found dead.
'Until she realises she has to kick her habit of drugs and alcohol completely, she will be in and out of prison her whole life.'

A Longford woman who picked up 18 charges for theft since failing to appear in court last July has been jailed for the robbery of an 86-year-old pensioner in his home in 2021.

A bench warrant was issued for Rachel Robertson (31), of Moatefarrell, Ballinalee, Co Longford, in November and she appeared this week before Judge Keenan Johnson at Longford Circuit Court seeking a final opportunity.

However, the court heard, since August 2023, Ms Robertson has amassed no less than 18 charges under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001 - most of which are before Trim District Court.

Ms Robertson had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery of an elderly man at an address in Longford town on May 28, 2021.

In an earlier court sitting, evidence was heard of how Ms Robertson and a co-accused woman had forcibly entered the home of the 86-year-old pensioner, and pushed him to the ground before taking his phone and 130 from his wallet and leaving.

The co-accused woman was previously sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for five years.

Defence barrister, Mr Niall Flynn, said his client has a chronic history of heroin addiction and a difficult childhood, as well as mental health difficulties. He also told the court that Ms Robertson's father is ill.

Ms Robertson, taking to the witness box, told Judge Johnson that the reason she didn't appear in court last July was that she got her dates mixed up and then panicked.

Regarding the 18 theft charges she said, some of them, I hold my hands up, I was robbing to feed four kids, referring to the children of a friend in Navan.

When it was revealed to the court that the majority of her theft charges included the theft of alcohol, she insisted there was food in there too.

Ms Robertson admitted she slipped up in relation to drugs but it wasn't with heroin, it was with crack cocaine. However, aside from two sleeping tablets when she went into prison, she said she hasn't touched any drugs since August and isn't even on a methadone programme.

Prison isn't for me, she told Judge Johnson, when asking for one final opportunity to avoid a custodial sentence.

You've been given every opportunity you could possibly get and you haven't taken them, said Judge Johnson.

You didn't engage in the way you should have. I take no pleasure in sending you to prison but you leave me with no choice.

Turning to the matter of sentence, he said the court has been dealing with this case for a considerable length of time.

She did make an effort to get clean but, unfortunately, as soon as she gets out of prison, she can't stay clean, he said.

Until she realises she has to kick her habit of drugs and alcohol completely, she will be in and out of prison her whole life.

He proceeded to sentence Ms Robertson to three years in prison, with credit for time served.

He also recommended that she be granted compassionate leave if necessary due to her father's illness.
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Cabinet ministers have backed their colleague Catherine Martin despite calls for her to step down, with the Labour Party describing her position as Media Minister untenable.

Ms Martin has been criticised after she was accused of dismissing the chairwoman of the RTE board on live television on Thursday night.

Politicians have been reacting to Siun Ni Raghallaigh resigning overnight after Ms Martin failed to express confidence in her.

Ms Martin said she had been misinformed about the approval of an exit package for a former RTE executive and was deeply disappointed when asked to express confidence in Ms Ni Raghallaigh.

The Labour Party has accused the minister of summarily dismissing Ms Ni Raghallaigh live on air, while the chair of the Public Accounts committee accused Ms Martin of jumping the gun a bit.

Questions have also been asked about whether Ms Martins department was informed in October about the approval of the exit package.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that Ms Martin had not effectively dismissed the RTE chairwoman through her Prime Time interview.

"Have you lost confidence in the chair of the RTE Board?" "I'm deeply disappointed" Media Minister Catherine Martin tells @MiriamOCal, as she reveals she was misinformed about the role of the board in the approval of a key recent exit package.#rtept | @RTENews pic.twitter.com/16kf8CrGDf  RTE Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) February 22, 2024

On Friday morning, Ms McEntee, Minister for Children Roderic OGorman and Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris all publicly stated confidence in their government colleague.

Speaking in Dublin, Ms McEntee said: I think Catherine Martin has handled this in the best way possible. She has engaged at every stage with the board and in particular the chair of the board. That is the person she is legally responsible to engage with to ensure that the information that she gets is factual and correct and the right information.

Last night she had committed to an interview she followed through on and outlined a number of conversations that happened this week. Further information came to light that she had not been aware of.

I think it is regrettable that a meeting that had been due to happen today between the minister and the chair of the board is not now going to happen.

I think what people want is information, they want to see transparency, would want to have confidence in our public service broadcaster, confidence in those who are managing RTE and the only way we can have confidence is by knowing all of the facts and all of the information, and I dont believe we are at that point just yet.

Ms McEntee said that Ms Martin simply laid out the facts.

Mr OGorman said his party colleague has his full confidence over RTE.

I think what Catherine outlined last night is that on two occasions this week, she asked the chair of the board (Siun Ni Raghallaigh) about whether the remuneration packages were disclosed at the board and she was told they werent, Mr OGorman added.

Subsequently yesterday, I understand, new information was provided by the chair of the board.

Catherine had a pre-existing commitment on Prime Time and she expressed, I think, her very legitimate disappointment in terms of new information coming forward like that.

She did it in a transparent way. I think, all along in our discussions since the story broke, the issue has been a lot of transparency and Minister Martin speaking on a national political show was transparent in terms of what the situation is right now.

She indicated clearly she wanted to discuss this matter further with the chair of the board. That would have happened this morning but obviously the chair of the board has subsequently made a decision to resign.

To be absolutely clear, when I look at the work Catherine has done in terms of the two expert bodies, looking at governance and culture in RTE, remuneration and pay in RTE and the work Catherine is doing in terms of looking to bring a sustainable funding model to RTE, she has my full confidence.

RTE has come under heavy scrutiny to release details of exit packages for executives dating back to 2016.

On Thursday it published legal advice that said publicly releasing the details of former and current employee contracts would expose RTE to avoidable legal challenge.

Questions have been raised about the governance over exit packages after it was revealed that former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe was paid 450,000 euro which was not approved under the terms of a voluntary redundancy programme.

Appearing on Prime Time on Thursday night, Ms Martin said she had been given repeated assurances that the RTE board had no role in signing off on an exit package to former RTE chief financial officer Richard Collins.

However, it has since emerged that the remuneration committee of the board, of which Ms Ni Raghallaigh is a member, had approved of Mr Collins exit arrangements.

The minister had said she had sought an urgent meeting with Ms Ni Raghallaigh on Friday over the matter.

However, hours later, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said it was abundantly clear her position is no longer tenable as she had lost the confidence of Ms Martin.

In her statement, issued just before 1am on Friday, she said her misrepresentation of the process was not intentional.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that during a meeting with Ms Martin earlier in the week, she had been asked if the board knew about the exit packages for former strategy director Rory Coveney and Mr Collins.

I said that I was aware of them, but they had not come before the full board. However, I neglected to recollect that Richard Collins exit package did go before the renumeration committee.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst was also present in the two meetings with the minister and her officials this week, which lasted for more than three hours.

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, the board echoed a statement made by Ms Ni Raghallaigh that she had informed the Department about the agreement with Mr Collins the day after it had been approved.

The RTE Board also published the minutes of the boards remuneration committee on October 9, held on the video platform Teams at 5pm, which was attended by director general Kevin Bakhurst.

The day after this meeting of the remuneration committee, October 10 2023, Siun contacted the Secretary General of the Department directly by telephone and updated her about the meeting of the remuneration committee, and its outcome  ie, that it approved an agreement with Richard Collins, it said.

Labours Marie Sherlock has said Ms Martins TV interview amounted to summarily dismissing the chair of the RTE board live on air, and said Ms Martins position was now untenable.

She said that from the beginning of the crisis, Ms Martin has been on the back foot and failed to ask the most basic questions.

She said that from Ms Ni Raghallaighs resignation statement, there appeared to be details of exit packages from former RTE executives held by the Department of Media, which she said should be published in full immediately.

The Taoiseach and the Tanaiste must now reflect on the Media Ministers handling of this whole debacle and ask: is she the person to ensure that necessary reforms take place in RTE that will be crucial to its survival, and is she the person who can restore public trust in the State broadcaster?

Public Accounts committee chair Brian Stanley said the minister jumped the gun a bit and should have kept her powder dry and wait to meet Ms Ni Raghallaigh.

The minister should have waited, I believe, until she had the opportunity to speak with Siun Ni Raghallaigh and to hear exactly what Siun Ni Raghallaigh had to say. And then she could make her judgment on whether she had confidence or not.

He said that Ms Ni Raghallaigh had made a very comprehensive statement that raised further questions.

The minister may have made the right decision, the minister may have not made the right decision, but what Im saying is  theres a number of lines in (Ms Ni Raghallaighs statement) that raise questions, and the minister should have waited to thrash that out with Siun Ni Raghallaigh to get to the bottom of it.

When a minister goes on television without any notice, I presume, to Siun Ni Raghallaigh or anyone else, and doesnt express confidence, refuses to express confidence in the head of the board at RTE, that creates a whole new situation.

Mr Harris said that some glib commentary on Ms Martin has been unfair.

He said that Ms Martin will speak publicly later on Friday to provide clarity around aspects of Siun Ni Raghallaighs statement on her resignation as chairwoman of the RTE board.

He said Ms Martin found herself in a very difficult position last night as she was scheduled to go on TV before meeting with Ms Ni Raghallaigh on Friday.

Asked whether Ms Martins handling of her department was in question, Mr Harris said: I dont believe it is, I believe Catherine Martin is a good minister.

I know Catherine Martin to be a very diligent, very hard working, very honest person and I think some of the glib commentary today from some in opposition is unfair.

Asked whether getting rid of the RTE board chairwoman would put the broadcaster on the right path, Mr Harris said: That was not the ministers intention.

I think the ministers intention was to speak with the chair today and provide the chair with the space to outline why this confusion happened during the week that led to the minister being misinformed and I regret that that did not happen.

Ms Martin thanked Ms Ni Raghallaigh for her service since November 2022 as RTE board chairwoman.

At this critical time for RTE, it is imperative that we continue the important process of restoring trust in the organisation. As Ms Ni Raghallaigh stated, there is an urgent need for the transformation process to continue and a sustainable funding model put in place  I am deeply committed to this, Ms Martin said in a statement.
Local News, Crime

By Long Island Published: February 23 2024

Suffolk County Police arrest Jordan Endler, 46, for trespassing and harassing members at a Melville Mosque during which he made statements regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Suffolk County Police today arrested a man for trespassing and harassing members at a Melville Mosque.

Jordan Endler entered the Islamic Center of Melville, located at 118 East Old Neck Road, on February 21 at 2:36 p.m. and made statements regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Endler was asked to leave by members of the mosque but refused. Police were called and Endler left the location after police arrived.

Following an investigation by Hate Crimes Unit detectives, Endler, 46, was arrested at his home, located at 59 Norton Drive in East Northport, at 7:53 p.m.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: February 23 2024

GTX Construction Associates Corp is prohibited from performing public work contracts for five years for falsification of bonding documents.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Freeport construction company pleaded guilty yesterday to falsifying paperwork with the Wantagh Union Free School District and was barred from performing any public work contracts in New York State for five years. Separate NCDA investigations also led to the recovery of $60,000 in underpaid prevailing wages from both a Texas-based company and a Long Island-based company.

GTX Construction Associates Corp, entered into a guilty plea Wednesday before Judge Christopher Quinn to Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (an E felony). The company was sentenced to a $1,000 fine and a conditional discharge. Under the New York State Labor Law, this felony conviction prohibits GTX and its principal Giovanni Napolitano from performing any public work contracts in New York State for five years.

It is essential that the companies our school districts trust to perform work are operating honestly and legally, said DA Donnelly. GTX Construction Associates Corp filed fraudulent surety bond paperwork with the Wantagh Union Free School District purporting to be from a company that was in actuality no longer performing that service. I thank the Wantagh Union Free School District for referring this companys conduct for investigation and am pleased that with this guilty plea GTX will be barred from any public work for the next five years.

John McNamara, Superintendent of the Wantagh Union Free School District said, We thank District Attorney Donnelly for pursuing this issue. The contractor presented falsified documents to our district, and we fortunately uncovered this before the district suffered any financial loss. The Board of Education quickly terminated GTX and reported the matter to the authorities.

According to the charges, on October 22, 2022, the defendant entered a public work contract with the Wantagh Union Free School District for masonry restoration at the Mandalay Elementary School. The contract required that the defendant secure a payment and labor/material bond from a licensed surety company to guarantee the quality of the work and the payment of wages.

Almost immediately upon the start of the project, the Wantagh assistant superintendent for business determined that GTX performed substandard work and terminated the contract. The Nassau County District Attorneys Office investigation revealed that GTX filed a forged and falsified surety bond with the school district. Specifically, GTX submitted a bond that Aegis Security Insurance Company purportedly issued. However, per Aegis Security, the company left the bonding industry in 2021.

Additionally, in two separate and unrelated public work investigations, NCDA secured more than $60,000 in unpaid prevailing wages for six construction workers.

JLN Contracting, Inc., of Central Islip, performed carpentry work at Oceanside High School for six weeks in the summer of 2022. The employee on the project was paid $27.00/hour in cash instead of the $85.54/hour rate of wages and benefits prescribed under state law. The complaining witness received payment from NCDA of $12,293.40 last week to fully compensate him for his labor.

In the spring and summer of 2023, Gulf States Protective Coatings Inc. of La Porte, Texas, contracted to perform the highly specialized work of restoration of a water tank and treatment facilities at the Jericho Water District. District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union notified NCDA that the non-union Texas company underpaid its employees by approximately $20.00/hour. A review of the certified payroll records obtained from the Jericho Water District and the paychecks from the employer revealed that five workers were underpaid $49,175.01, just less than $10,000.00 per employee. Payments were made to the workers at the end of January 2024.

These companies underpaid workers a total of more than $60,000 in wages to which they were entitled through prevailing wage. In one instance, a worker was paid $60 an hour less than what he was owed for his carpentry work at a local high school, said DA Donnelly. My Revenue, Auto, Insurance and Labor Crime Bureau is aggressively investigating these wage violations and holding companies accountable when they short their employees. I thank the Oceanside School District and District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union for their referral of these matters.

"District Council 9 commends the Nassau County District Attorneys Office on recovering lost wages for the workers at Gulf States Protective Coatings Inc. This investigation highlights the crucial need for integrity and legality in the construction industry, particularly concerning public works contracts, stated Joseph Azzopardi, Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer of District Council 9. Our union is proud to be a leader in efforts to ensure fair compensation and adherence to prevailing wage laws. We commend the Nassau County District Attorney's Office for their diligent investigation, which not only uncovered fraudulent practices but also resulted in the recovery of the almost $50,000 in underpaid wages. We must hold those who exploit workers and violate labor laws accountable.

DA Donnelly thanks the Wantagh Union Free School District, the Oceanside School District, and District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union for referring these matters to our office.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: February 23 2024

Farmers and Ranchers applaud Garbarino for his work to defeat the terrible EATS Act.

Farmers and Ranchers from the Organization for Competitive Markets and Competitive Markets Action present the Award to Rep. Garbarino in Washington, D.C., in February of 2024.

The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and Competitive Markets Action (CMA), recently announced the recipients of their 2023 Congressional Awards and honored U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-NY, with their Leadership Award for his work to defeat the so-called Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, H.R. 4417/S. 2019, led by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-IA, and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS.

In October of 2023, Rep. Garbarino led a House Republican sign-on letter to Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, R-PA, and Ranking Member David Scott, D-GA, alongside Reps. Nancy Mace, R-SC, David Valadao, R-CA, and Michael Waltz, R-FL, against EATS, a measure that is designed to nullify state ballot initiatives across the country enacted by a direct vote of the people. Industrial agribusiness interests failed to secure the enactment of similar legislation led by former Rep. Steve King, R-IA, in the 2018 Farm Bill thanks to the work of OCM leaders and former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, R-TX  Thompsons predecessor who is currently working with the Competitive Markets Groups to defeat EATS in 2024.

Im honored to be recognized by such a wide array of American family farmers who keep our country fed, said Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-NY. The EATS Act would directly harm producers who practice more humane, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture and to the safety and security of our food supply. House Agriculture Committee leadership should deliver a bipartisan Farm Bill that helps keep family farmers in business instead of shutting them down.

We are grateful to Rep. Garbarino for his leadership and tremendous work fighting against the China-backed EATS Act that would federalize American agriculture under Smithfields factory farming standards and allow the Chinese to gain more control over our food production systems, said Marty Irby, President & CEO at Competitive Markets Action and Board Secretary at the Organization for Competitive Markets. Make no mistake, if EATS or anything like it is included in the Farm Bill, American family farmers will be put out of business and our foreign enemies will gain a tighter grip on the consolidated 4-Big-Packer-Monopoly that already runs Joe Bidens USDA.

We applaud Rep. Garbarino for his tireless work, tremendous leadership, and intestinal fortitude in standing up to Chinese interests and multinational conglomerates who continue to further consolidate American agriculture, said Taylor Haynes, President of the Organization for Competitive Markets and Founder of the Wyoming Independent Cattlemens Association. If Agriculture Committee leaders want to get a Farm Bill done in 2024 theyd be wise to jettison any language that nullifies state and local agriculture laws and include a provision to reform USDAs swampy checkoff slush funds.

As a proud American and lifelong producer, I proudly applaud Rep. Garbarino for being committed to defeating Big Ags Chinese and Brazilian backers that threaten our food supply, said Jonathan Buttram, Treasurer at the Organization for Competitive Markets, and President of the Alabama Contract Poultry Growers Association. The industrial agriculture mafia is petrified of our work because they see the writing on the wall and we hope they soon meet the same fate as New Yorks infamous Five Families.

"Independent farmers in Kansas applaud Rep. Garbarino and hope to see our U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall shift toward helping his constituents instead of pandering to China and the industrial ag interests that line his campaign coffers, said Mike Schultz, founder of the Kansas Cattlemen's Association, and Vice-President at the Organization for Competitive Markets.

OCM and CMA also conducted its third fly-in since July of 2023 to Washington, D.C. this month and engaged in nearly 90 meetings against the EATS Act, H.R. 4417/S. 2019; S. 3382, the Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act (PICLPA), led by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO, with no additional cosponsors; and other legislation like it.

In the past week, the Missouri-based Moms for America, and Republican Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, came out swinging against the EATS Act, joining more than 2,000 diverse opponents that stand firmly against the measure.

The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Lincoln, Nebraska. The foundation of the Organization for Competitive Markets is to fight for competitive markets in agriculture for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. True competition reduces the need for economic regulation. Our mission, and our duty, is to define and advocate the proper role of government in the agricultural economy as a regulator and enforcer of rules necessary for markets that are fair, honest, accessible and competitive for all citizens.

Competitive Markets Action (CMA) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit based in Washington, D.C., that was formed with the mission of shaping policy to promote more regenerative and sustainable agriculture, and competitive markets in the U.S., and to defend against attacks on states rights by the federal government. CMA works to raise awareness of the harm caused by multinational conglomerates to the American family farmer, the consumer and our U.S. economy as a whole in an effort to bring about legislative and regulatory reforms.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: February 23 2024

Tina White and Shawana Williams Each Received Thousands of Dollars of COVID-19 Relief Funds for Nonexistent Businesses.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Tina White, 36, of Bellport, and Shawana Williams, 45, of Centereach, each pleaded guilty to unlawfully receiving thousands of dollars for filing separate, fraudulent Small Business Administration loan applications.

At a time where people were falling ill to COVID-19 and struggling financially, these two U.S. government employees abused a system designed to assist small businesses in order to line their own pockets, said District Attorney Tierney. I want to thank the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration for working with my office to investigate and prosecute those who would steal taxpayer funds.

According to the investigation and the defendants admissions during their guilty plea allocutions, on May 7, 2020, and July 6, 2020, respectively, White and Williams each filed COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications with the Small Business Administration in which they each claimed to be the owners of businesses in need of financial assistance due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

White claimed to be the Chief Operating Officer of an agricultural business, and Williams claimed to be the Chief Operating Officer of a medical services business. However, neither business existed. White received $6,000 and Williams received $4,000 as initial cash advancements while their respective loan applications were being processed. Both loan applications were ultimately denied, but White and Williams never returned the money they unlawfully received.

On December 21, 2023, Tina White pleaded guilty before Acting County Court Judge, the Honorable James McDonaugh, to Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. White paid restitution in the amount of $6,000, and was sentenced on December 21, 2023 to a conditional discharge.

On February 23, 2024, Shawana Williams pleaded guilty before Judge McDonaugh to Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree and Petit Larceny, both Class A misdemeanors. She paid restitution in the amount of $4,000, and was sentenced on February 23, 2024 to a conditional discharge.

Both White and Williams were represented by Michael Brown, Esq.

These cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katharine DAquila of the Public Corruption Bureau.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: February 23 2024

Zsaleel Priester Murray, 12, left his residence, located at 685 Brookhaven Ave., on February 23 at approximately 3:20 a.m.

Suffolk County Police have issued a Silver Alert for a missing Bellport child with Autism.

Zsaleel Priester Murray, 12, left his residence, located at 685 Brookhaven Ave., on February 23 at approximately 3:20 a.m.

Priester Murray is Black, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 60 pounds with black braided hair. He was last seen wearing a black and white striped jacket, gray pajama pants and red shoes.

Detectives are asking anyone with Priester Murrays location to call the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8552 or 911.
Israeli troops operate in Gaza on February 22. (IDF)

Israel is beginning to shape plans for what will happen after the war in Gaza. It is not yet clear if the war will culminate in a battle that marks the clear end, because Hamas continues to control areas in Rafah and other enclaves.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a day after plan to Israels security cabinet on February 22. The plan is conditioned on Israel meeting its stated goals of the war: eliminating Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist threats in Gaza and securing the return of the hostages held in Gaza. The plan builds on what was put forth by Israels Defense Minister in early January.

Israeli troops have made significant gains against Hamas in northern Gaza and Khan Younis, which may soon allow for evacuated Israelis to return to their homes in border communities. A new security corridor is being constructed along the border between Israel and Gaza and across the Gaza strip. The section across the strip, around five miles long, would enable IDF forces to monitor any terrorist activity seeking to move between southern and northern Gaza.

The plan is contingent upon Israel establishing security control of Gaza. This will mean maintaining Israels ability to operate in the area as well as establishing the ability to control or at least closely monitor southern Gaza particularly along its border with Egypt. This is to prevent both smuggling and the re-infiltration of Hamas, given how Hamas has used this area to achieve and maintain control over the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. This ability put Hamas in position to work with various international organizations, conferring a perceived aspect of legitimacy on the terror group as the de facto ruler of Gaza. Replacing Hamas at the border would be a major step to removing its control over the area.

A third part of the plan is focused on who will control civil affairs inside Gaza. The plan calls for local administrators who are not affiliated with terrorist groups to be in these roles. Israel also wants to replace UNRWA. Israels Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said on February 16 that Israel estimates up to 12% of UNRWA employees are affiliated with Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. He also presented more details on the 12 UNRWA employees that Israel says were involved in the October 7 attacks. Many of these 12 men were from Nuseirat, an urban area in Gaza affiliated with a refugee camp from the 1950s.

Israel also wants to see Gaza demilitarized and de-radicalized. One possibility is a pilot program of humanitarian pockets wherein certain communities are cleared of Hamas with new local administrators put in charge. However, there is concern that locals will not step forward out of fear that Hamas will return and punish them for civil service in their absence.

The IDF has launched several major raids over the last month in northern Gaza to remove Hamas fighters who re-infiltrated. This included raids in Shati in the northwest of Gaza and Zeitun in the south. It is unclear if the unaffiliated locals that Israel envisions stepping up to control these areas can be easily found and would be willing to participate.

Meanwhile, Israels Yediot media reported on February 23 that Hamas and the Palestinian Authority could agree to support a technocratic government in Gaza. This solution could be backed by other Gulf states like Qatar which has hosted Hamas leaders and Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates where former Gaza leader Mahmud Dahlan resides.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the acting news editor and senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Gloden had earlier said there was evidence of beggars being driven to Luxembourg

Home Affairs Minister Leon Gloden was forced to u-turn on claims he had evidence of organised groups driving people to Luxembourg City to beg for money, which he has cited as one of the reasons justifying the capitals ban.

Everyone knows that every morning fat German limousines with Belgian plates arrive on Boulevard Royal which drop off beggars in the capital, Gloden told public radio station 100,7 in December, just days after he signed off on an executive order by the local council to ban begging in the city centre.

However, there is no evidence of such transports, Gloden said in response to a parliamentary question on Friday.

For now, law enforcement authorities have no knowledge of declarations, police complaints or police reports that contain precise and concrete facts about transports of beggars, which would allow opening a preliminary or judicial investigation, Gloden wrote.

A substantial investigation by the judicial police into group begging, theft, possession of fake documents as well as fraud by minors took place between 2020 and 2022, he said. But that investigation was unable to identify the ring leaders.

Gloden said he had knowledge of several complaints made by local residents, businesspeople and passersby about aggressive begging in response to a question about what evidence he had of beggars being bussed in to the capital.

The ban now in place forbids any kind of begging in certain streets of the capital between 7:00 and 22:00. People found begging on the streets of Luxembourgs capital can be ordered to pay a fine of up to 250 or face several days in prison.

Also read:

Government vows reform of begging ban amid legal uncertainty

However, the controversial measure has run into legal trouble as the judiciary, the Luxembourg City Council and Glodens ministry disagree whether begging is outlawed under national law, which supersedes local rules.

In the reglement communal approved by Luxembourg City all forms of begging are banned, despite Mayor Lydie Polfer and Gloden claiming to only target organised and aggressive begging.

Former Greens politician Christian Kmiotek turned himself into the police earlier this year for begging in the capital. He is hoping to be prosecuted, so the courts can provide clarity whether all forms of begging are banned.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 23. The volume of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and China amounted to $31.4 billion in 2023, Trend reports.

Data from the country's Bureau of National Statistics shows that the volume of trade turnover increased by 30 percent compared to the same period in 2022 ($24.2 billion).

At the same time, in the structure of trade turnover, exports to China for the above period amounted to $14.7 billion, which is 14.7 percent more than from January through December 2022 ($13 billion).

In addition, imports from China from January through December 2023 increased by 50.5 percent and amounted to $16.7 billion. For 2022, imports amounted to $11.1 billion.

To note, the volume of foreign trade turnover of Kazakhstan amounted to $139.8 billion from January through December 2023. This is 3.2 percent higher than in the same period in 2022.

Exports totaled $78.6 billion (in nominal terms, 7 percent less than the same time in 2022). At the same time, imports grew by 20.1 percent, totaling $61.1 billion.
At least ten people were killed in a fire that engulfed an apartment building in Valencia on Thursday and up to 15 are injured

Television footage showed the building's facade ablaze on Thursday night, with burning segments falling to the pavement and small explosions audible inside. Witnesses said the fire, fanned by strong winds, spread to the entire building in about half an hour.

Residents could be seen calling for help from balconies. A fireman had to jump from the first floor to a crash mat below.

Other footage showed two people stepping from a balcony onto a crane before being lowered to street level. "I told my daughter and mother-in-law to leave, other people stayed inside," Adriana, a resident of the building, told Reuters.

People on a balcony. Photo: Manuel Bruque.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was on his way to the scene after expressing support for those affected and praising firefighters.

The fire began on Thursday evening on the fourth floor of the building in an affluent neighbourhood of Spain's third-largest city and spread to other apartments, emergency services said on X.

Valencia's mayor, Maria Jose Catala, told reporters that firefighters had not yet entered the building but were able to confirm four people had died.

Fifteen people were injured, six of them firefighters, but their lives were not at risk. Firefighters were inspecting the building with cranes and drones to assess the risk of its collapse before entering, Catala said in an interview on state broadcaster TVE.

The building, comprised of two towers linked by what its developers described as a "panoramic lift" had several dozen flats.

It had 138 apartments, newspaper El Pais reported. Pilar Bernabe, the government's representative in Valencia, said it was hard to say how many people were missing because it was "a building with many flats, flats in which there were people of foreign nationality, whose location is more difficult to pinpoint".

FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY

Esther Punchades of insurance inspection agency APCAS told TVE a lack of firewalls and the use of the plastic material polyurethane on the facade would have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.

A 2007 promotional video by the building's developer highlighted the "innovative material" used to clad the building's exterior, which passed "rigorous quality checks".

The spread of a fatal fire in the Grenfell Tower block in London in 2017 that killed an estimated 80 people after an electrical fault was blamed on the use of highly flammable external cladding. Strong winds also played their part.

A policeman told Reuters that the wind was so strong at times that it was pushing back the water being hosed by firefighters.

The city has decreed three days of mourning and suspended the start of a month-long annual festival.
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Mark Barden is co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, and the father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy on Dec. 14, 2012. Opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Finland supports the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), a source in the Embassy of Finland in Kazakhstan told Trend reports.

As the source noted, investments in the Middle Corridor benefit both Finland and Finnish companies.

"Thanks to the Middle Corridor, transport routes are diversified, and the transport times from Asia to Europe become shorter," the source said.

Speaking about possible areas of economic cooperation with Kazakhstan, the embassy pointed out that there are many areas with potential for cooperation between the countries.

"These include green technology, mining, energy, logistics and transport, education, and digitalization. One new field of cooperation could be forestry. Finland is a very forest-covered country, and we have vast experience on how to economically benefit from forests in a sustainable manner. Another sector is waste management, which Finland has extensive experience in," the source noted.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.

The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe.

The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
Two men from New Bedford men will go to prison after a Fall River Superior Court jury convicted them of child sex abuse on Friday, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn IIIs office announced.

Nicholas Pacheco, 41, was convicted of two counts of aggravated rape and abuse of a child with at least a five-year age difference, Quinns office said in a statement Thursday. Pachecos housemate, Braulio Castro, 37, was convicted of forcible rape of a child.

Judge Thomas McGuire sentenced the two men after they were ordered held in jail over the holiday weekend, Quinns office said. Pacheco will serve 10 to 15 years in state prison and Castro was sentenced to serve eight to 12 years in prison. Neither of them are United States citizens and could be deported after their prison sentences are completed.

During the trial, a teenage girl testified that Pacheco raped her twice and Castro once between February 2015 and February 2017, when she was 9 and 10 years old. She told jurors that she delayed talking about the assaults because she believed as a young child that she was just a toy and was supposed to be used for sex in this way... [and] had been molested by two other men during her childhood, Quinns office said.

After she was abused in 2021 by Mario Suy, 27, of New Bedford, she came forward to investigators at the Bristol County Childrens Advocacy Center and talked about the abuse.

Suy was convicted after a trial in April 2023 at New Bedford District Court of two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14 and was sentenced to the county jail in addition to a lengthy probation stint.

The first man she said sexually assaulted her when she was 7 years old was Mario Diaz, who was indicted by a grand jury of rape of a child, Quinns office continued. He was deported before trial.

Sadly, both defendants took advantage of their access to this young victim and sexually assaulted her. I want to thank the jury for holding both defendants accountable for this despicable conduct, Quinn said in the statement. I commend the victims courage and fortitude in coming forward and persevering through these very difficult circumstances. I hope she can move forward with her life. The state prison sentences imposed by the court were appropriate.
About a dozen times since last spring, the state board overseeing police officers across Massachusetts has revoked an officers certification to work in law enforcement, a move that ensures they will never again find employment with a police department in the commonwealth.

The reasons for their decertification have varied.

Seven officers had been convicted on felony charges, ranging from falsifying a nearly $800 traffic ticket to sexually exploiting a teenager. Another four were decertified, two of them through voluntary agreements, following a host of alleged misconduct: one was accused of marching in the infamous Charlottesville, Va., white nationalist rally in 2017, while others were repeatedly violent with members of the public or lied in police logs.

Stripped of their policing certifications, those officers law enforcement careers in Massachusetts are over. But what is to stop them from moving to another state and quietly finding employment with a new police department or sheriffs office?

The answer, officials hope, is the National Decertification Index.

The national registry of decertified police officers was first proposed in 2000 and developed in the years following by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. It addressed the problem of the wandering officer, Mike Becar, the executive director of the Idaho-based nonprofit, told MassLive.

There were a lot of cases of officers who had had their license revoked. They were going to other agencies and agencies didnt do an adequate background check or officers didnt mention they had been an officer, Becar said. A lot of the time they would commit the same kind of misconduct.

Wandering officers have faced national scrutiny before, notably a decade ago, when Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice.

Before joining the Cleveland police force, Loehmann served as a police officer in Independence, Ohio. His supervisors there allowed Loehmann to resign after he demonstrated a dangerous lack of composure during firearms training, and the department concluded he would not be able to cope or make good decisions under the stress of police work, according to the Associated Press.

A memorial for Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy who was shot and killed in 2014 in Cleveland by a police officer. (David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Cleveland police did not thoroughly check Loehmanns work history before hiring him. On Nov. 22, 2014, Loehmann responded to a park following a report of Rice carrying what was later found to be a toy gun. He shot the boy dead.

Cleveland city officials fired Loehmann two-and-a-half years later, not for shooting Rice, but for failing to disclose that he would have been fired by the Independence, Ohio, police had he not quit first, according to Cleveland.com.

In 2022, he was hired again by a police department in rural Pennsylvania before resigning days later amid public outcry. The towns mayor said he believed a background check of Loehmann had not raised any issues.

The decertification index emerged because of such cases, intended as a single source police departments could consult to find whether a prospective officer had been involved in past misconduct.

It is not a police officer blacklist, Becar said. Rather, its an investigative tool.

The database includes more than 50,000 entries from 48 states, all but Hawaii and Rhode Island.

Each includes an officers name and identifying information, along with a note about the status of their certification, and a brief description of their misconduct. On average, more than 200 new entries are logged in the database monthly.

In Massachusetts, two officers have been denied certification by the states Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, the oversight agency for police, because their names appeared in the National Decertification Index, a commission spokesperson said.

The information listed in the decertification index is not in-depth. Still, it can give police departments enough of a lead to conduct their own investigations and background checks, Becar said.

There are, however, drawbacks to the database that could allow a decertified officer to travel to another state to find police work.

Former West Springfield police captain Brian Pomeroy is one of 11 Massachusetts police officers to be decertified by the state's police oversight commission. He faced multiple charges of indecent assault and battery against two female co-workers. He is pictured in Springfield District Court, Aug. 10, 2022. (Don Treeger / The Republican).

While all but two states have police oversight boards akin to the Massachusetts POST Commission, only seven states  Massachusetts included  require police agencies to check the decertification index before hiring, Becar said.

The database is free for police departments to use, but it is not publicly accessible. Many departments are also unaware of the decertification index or dont know it is free, Becar said.

Only state police oversight agencies may submit names to the database, he added. Many do not do so unless an officer has been decertified.

That may obscure misconduct that did not rise to the level of decertification.

In Massachusetts, the first police officer decertified by the POST Commission was former Woburn officer John Donnelly, who reportedly participated in the 2017 Unite the Right march in Charlottesville, Va., a high-profile gathering of white nationalists that turned deadly when a white supremacist plowed his car through a crowd of counter-protesters, killing one woman.

Donnelly was decertified through a voluntary agreement last spring. He did not admit to attending the rally.

The commission announced the decertification of five more police officers in October. One was found to have lied in police logs and a report. The four others had been convicted of felonies, which automatically led to their decertification.

One of the officers, Christopher Curtis, of the Boston Police Department, was convicted of sending a fellow driver a phony $790 traffic ticket after a road rage confrontation. Another officer, Carlos Vieira, of the Lawrence Police Department, was found guilty of sexually exploiting a 13-year-old and sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison.

The commission in recent months has decertified five other officers, including two who faced indecent assault and battery charges, and another who was accused of punching a handcuffed suspect more than a dozen times. It was the second time officials said he struck a member of the public.

One case particularly shows the benefit of the National Decertification Index, IADLEST, Becars organization, said.

In 2005, Sean Sullivan, a police officer in Coquille, Ore., was convicted of two counts of harassment, ordered to surrender his state-issued policing certification, and barred from future work in law enforcement. His name was entered into the decertification index.

Three months later, Sullivan applied to be a police officer in Klawock, Alaska, nearly 1,000 miles away.

On his application, he said he had never been convicted of a crime, nor lost his police certification in another state. Soon after, he also applied for the police chief job in Cedar Vale, Kans., 1,500 miles from Coquille.

Again he lied, obscuring his past conviction on the application, according to IADLEST.

Sullivan was hired and served until May 2006 as the Cedar Vale police chief. Only then did the Kansas police oversight agency become aware of his history in Oregon and open an investigation. For both Kansas and Alaska authorities, IADLEST says, the decertification index was the key to revealing Sullivans past.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Five people were hospitalized after a head-on crash between an SUV and an ambulance on Main Street in Foxborough on Thursday night.

A child riding in the SUV was brought to Massachusetts General Hospital by helicopter for serious injuries, according to the Norfolk District Attorneys Office.

The collision happened around 7 p.m. between a Honda Pilot driven by a 40-year-old mother with her elementary school-aged daughter in the back seat, and a Brewster ambulance staffed by two emergency medical technicians transporting a patient in his 70s.

Several agencies responded to the crash including Foxborough police, State Police, and members of Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrisseys Office. The crash remains under investigation.
The professional association that represents Massachusetts physicians is raising its own concerns about troubled Steward Health Care, as a deadline loomed Friday for the company to turn over key financial documents to the Healey administration.

In a Thursday statement, Massachusetts Medical Society President Dr. Barbara Spivak said the potential shutdown of any of Stewards nine hospitals across the state could disproportionately impact Black and brown Bay State residents who depend on them for services.

Because of at that risk, Spivak said the professional association [appreciated] the administrations thoughtful focus on regional solutions in planning for continuity of care for patients.

This requires coordination by community, regional, and statewide stakeholders to, among other actions, establish processes for the rapid transfer of health records and streamline credentialing procedures for physicians and other care providers who may choose to or be forced to redeploy to other institutions, Spivak continued.

She thanked the Healey administration for its understanding and careful planning for the significant impact on patients and communities given the current vulnerabilities in our health care infrastructure.

On Tuesday, Gov. Maura Healey sent a scathing letter to the health systems boss, Dr. Ralph de la Torre, ripping Steward for what she said were its repeated failures to turn over audited financial statements that would provide regulators with key insights on the companys financial health.

You have kept your hospitals financial condition in a black box, and you have kept us in the dark as well, defying state law and a court order in the process, Healey wrote.

If the company fails to comply, Healey warned that the state could move to freeze admissions to the hospitals, close beds, and transfer patients to other hospitals, NBC10 in Boston reported.

The administrations demand that the troubled company, which owes $50 million in back rent for its facilities statewide, comes as Healeys office seeks to begin what its described as safe, orderly transition, of its facilities across the Bay State to new operators.

In a statement to the Boston Globe, Steward said it had been working closely with state officials  including providing extensive financial records as requested as well as on-site monitors and cooperation with the [state] Department of Public Health and others.

Spivak also expressed the groups thanks to the 11 members of the Bay States Capitol Hill delegation, who signed onto a letter to Cerberus Capital Management, the private equity firm that owned Steward Health Cares hospitals from 2010 until 2021, seeking information amid growing concerns about the hospital systems increasingly precarious financial plight.

This pressure appropriately shines a much-needed light on the need for transparency for private equity-backed health care systems in disclosing all operational information that impacts patient care. The Commonwealth must demand via legislation and regulation this information to ensure these systems are prioritizing patients over profit, Spivak wrote.

Speaking to WBURs Radio Boston program on Friday, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who signed the letter, said the health systems teetering finances represented a public health crisis for communities across the commonwealth.

Its a damning example of how private equity ownership damages our healthcare system and puts peoples lives at risk, Pressley, D-7th District, said.
AT&T has announced the outages affecting first responders and people across the country on Thursday were not caused by cyberattacks, according to a statement from the cellular company.

Instead, the company said the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, or an update the company was trying to perform, was behind the problems. AT&T added it will continue to assess the outage to ensure service is still being delivered.

Outage reports to Downdetector.com  a website that tracks service outages  indicated the problem started sometime before 4 a.m. on Feb. 22.

Though other major carriers customers reported outages to the site, Verizon and T-Mobile clarified later Thursday morning that their networks were operating normally. AT&T also acknowledged the outages were affecting its networks, but did not offer a reason at that time.

Were very dependent on this technology. What happened highlights just how dependent we are on this wireless and information technology, Alexander Wyglinski, an electrical engineering professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, said in a statement Thursday.

Police and fire departments across the country wrote on social media the outages were hampering citizens ability to call 911, leading people to test whether they could call 911 on their cell phones.

Many 911 centers in the state are getting flooded with calls from people trying to see if 911 works from their cell phone, Massachusetts State Police posted on social media. Please do not do this. If you can successfully place a non-emergency call to another number via your cell service then your 911 service will also work.

Local police suggested AT&T customers use a landline to report emergencies. AT&T said Wi-Fi calling would still work.

The outage also caused Pittsfields parking meters to stop working, according to city officials. No parking meter violations were issued in the city on Thursday, but all other parking regulations were still in effect.
A Massachusetts blogger known as Turtleboy, who has written extensively about the Karen Read murder case, was indicted by a grand jury on two new charges Friday morning as he remains in state custody on previous criminal charges.

Aidan Kearney, 42, faces one count each of intimidation of a witness/juror/court officials and disclosing contents of a wiretap, according to court filings in Norfolk County Superior Court.

The controversial blogger has written hundreds of articles about Reads murder case, in which prosecutors allege she is responsible for her boyfriend John OKeefes death after hitting him with an SUV while leaving a house party in Canton in January 2022. Authorities claim she drove under the influence of alcohol and struck OKeefe, a Boston police officer, after dropping him off at the party late one night during a blizzard.
The cascading financial problems facing Steward Health Care are a public health emergency for the commonwealths Black and brown residents, and will place an increased demand on community health centers that will have to step up to provide services if it collapses, according to one Massachusetts lawmaker.

This is a public health crisis for communities across the commonwealth - its a damning example of how private equity ownership damages our healthcare system and puts peoples lives at risk, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, said during an interview with WBURs Radio Boston program on Friday morning.

The Boston lawmakers remarks came as Texas-based Steward stared down a deadline to turn over key financial documents to Gov. Maura Healeys office by the end of the day on Friday, as the Democratic administration seeks to begin what its described as safe, orderly transition, of its facilities across the Bay State to new operators.

Healey sent a scathing letter to the health systems boss, Dr. Ralph de la Torre, on Tuesday, ripping Steward for what she said were its repeated failures to turn over audited financial statements that would provide regulators with key insights on the companys financial health.

You have kept your hospitals financial condition in a black box, and you have kept us in the dark as well, defying state law and a court order in the process, Healey wrote.

If the company fails to comply, Healey warned that the state could move to freeze admissions to the hospitals, closing beds, and transferring patients to other hospitals, NBC10 in Boston reported.

In a statement to the Boston Globe, Steward said it had been working closely with state officials  including providing extensive financial records as requested as well as on-site monitors and cooperation with the [state] Department of Public Health and others.

Read More: Mass. Gov. Healey demands transparency from troubled Steward Health Care

Healeys letter came just days after all 11 members of the Bay States Capitol Hill delegation signed onto a letter to Cerberus Capital Management, the private equity firm that owned Steward Health Cares hospitals from 2010 until 2021, seeking information amid growing concerns about the hospital systems increasingly precarious financial plight.

We are particularly concerned about the extent to which Cerberus and its affiliates literally stripped out and sold the property from underneath these hospitals, creating hundreds of millions of dollars in profits for private equity executives, while leaving the facilities with long-term liabilities that are magnifying  if not creating  the current crisis, the lawmakers wrote, according to State House News Service.

Speaking to WBUR on Friday, Pressley said two of the nine Steward-operated facilities in the state, Carney Hospital in Dorchester, and St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Brighton, are in her district. Both are key community resources, with patients who largely rely on the state-run MassHealth program to access care.

The potential shuttering of one  or both  hospitals would have a domino effect across the community, Pressley said.

One in three of my constituents gets their healthcare from a community health center, Pressley told the station. I shudder to think what the impact would be ... with a Steward closing.

In the face of the health care companys ongoing defiance, Pressley said its up to officials to press for answers and transparency.

They are $50 million behind on rent in nine facilities across the state, she said. We need to know how to prevent this.
A Texas man was sentenced to prison on Thursday for threatening a Boston doctor who works at the National LGBTQ+ Health Education Center in Boston, acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levys office announced.

Matthew Jordan Linder, 39, of Comfort, Texas was sentenced to three months in prison and three years of supervised released, and was ordered to pay restitution of $2,986. Lindner had pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transmission of threatening communication in December 2023.

Lindner had called the education center on Aug. 31, 2022, and left a sinister voicemail for one of the doctors, the office said. There had been misinformation spreading online at the time about procedures that doctors were performing for transgender children at Boston Childrens Hospital, the office said.

Read more: Texas man accused of targeting Boston doctor who treats transgender patients

In his voicemail to the Boston doctor, he said, You sick motherf*****s, youre all gonna burn. Theres a group of people on their way to handle [victim]. You signed your own warrant, lady. Castrating our children. Youve woken up enough people. And upset enough of us. And you signed your own ticket. Sleep well, you f****** c***.

Lindner continued to try to contact the doctor and called the persons former medical practice and a university where the doctor was a faculty member, the office said.

This office will aggressively investigate and prosecute acts of hate and intimidation, Levy said in a news release. Threatening a medical doctor providing essential care to children is deplorable. No one in this country should live in fear for their safety because of their identity, gender, race, religion or beliefs. Full stop.

We urge the public to call their local police or the FBI if they are ever threatened with physical harm the way the doctor in this case was simply for doing his or her job.

Imagine the terror of having your life threatened for just doing your job, Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, said in the release. Matthew Lindner accosted a physician for doing exactly that, and in doing so instilled unnecessary fear in the medical community.

Hateful, repulsive, and threatening behavior like this has no place here, and todays sentence demonstrates that we wont stand for criminals terrorizing innocent people. Nobody should have to fear becoming the target of vitriol-fueled violence.
There are few conversations that Bob Lane likes having less with his customers than telling them that he cant fix their cars  especially when the tools to do so lay frustratingly just beyond his grasp.

Im going to be honest with you, its not fun, Lane, the president and CEO of Direct Tires & Auto Service in Watertown, said. Theyve brought their car in. Theyve wasted their time. And they need to go somewhere else.

Its been more than three years since Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved an expansion of the states Right to Repair Law, that was supposed give car owners and independent auto shop operators, such as Lane, the access they needed to the electronic data allowing them diagnose and repair cars.

Despite a ruling last year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration clearing the way for the state to enforce the wildly popular measure, its still being litigated  thanks to an ongoing lawsuit brought by the auto industry. And its not clear when a ruling might come in the case.

On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., joined by, U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chairperson Lina Khan, and other advocates and businesspeople, convened at Lanes service shop on Galen Street in the heart of Watertown, to stress the laws importance as an engine for economic fairness and future innovation.

I want for us, all across government, to be looking at how we can make sure that there is competition in all markets, Warren said. Right-to-Repair has been one of the central parts of getting that done; something that the consumer feels in a very real way. But part of why we need some help to make sure the laws are enforced because the giants will stomp out the competition, suck up all the money, and make sure that their monopolies, or near-monopolies, are impregnable.

Lane said hes not looking for special treatment  just the level-playing field that will allow him the same ease of access to the sophisticated data stored in cars onboard computers thats enjoyed by automobile dealerships, who have unfettered access to that data.

Thats important, not only because it means that independent operators will stay competitive with the big guys, but also because its most often the smaller businesses that come up with new and innovative ways of putting the technology to work, Khan said.

As an example, she pointed to Kodak, which pioneered the technology for digital cameras in the 1970s, but the companys executives quashed it, fearing it would cannibalize their then very successful film business. The company was left in the dust of the digital revolution as a result.

Competition creates innovation, she said. Monopolies dont have the [same] incentive for innovation as what comes from independents.

Tommy Hickey, of the Right to Repair Coalition, which led the charge for the expanded law, said consumers have to demand that access to their own data from automakers.

We need to remind folks of what they voted for, he said.
For U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, its not a question of whether Republicans will try to ban abortion nationwide if they retake control of the White House and both sides of Capitol Hill this November.

The only question is how big and how bad  but it will be there, Warren, D-Mass., said Thursday after an unrelated stop in suburban Boston, where she pressed the case for the states expanded Right-to-Repair law for car owners.

Warrens comments came nearly a week after Alabamas state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, and as in-vitro fertilization programs shut down across the state, the Alabama Reflector reported.

The ruling scrambled election year politics, with Democrats  and even some Republicans  denouncing the ruling.

The decision will have no impact in Massachusetts, where abortion remains safe and legal. But Democrats, from President Joe Biden on down, have warned that the ruling presages an even more aggressive Republican attack on reproductive rights as the 2024 contest moves into full gear.

The 2024 contest will soon roll into the Bay State, with the March 5 round of Super Tuesday primaries a little more than two weeks away.

Bidens re-election campaign has tried to tie the Alabama high courts ruling directly to Trump, accusing the Republican of being responsible for clampdowns on abortion access across the nation thanks to the Trump-packed U.S. Supreme Court that toppled Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Last week, Trump privately expressed support for a nationwide, 16-week abortion ban, with exceptions for cases of rape and incest, and the life of the pregnant person, the New York Times reported.

The news sent Trumps campaign into damage control mode, even as it gave Democrats a new line of attack, according to Rolling Stone.

In a statement, Bidens re-election campaign said that Trump, who was scheduled to rally in Tennessee on Thursday night, would come face to face with the horrific reality he created: speaking in a state that has banned abortion entirely with no exceptions for rape or incest, Politico reported.

Next door in Alabama, couples who face challenges becoming pregnant are cruelly being denied the right to start a family, Biden Spokesperson Kevin Munoz said, according to Politico.

Speaking to MassLive on Thursday, Warren raised the specter that Trump could revive the old Comstock law[s], and all by himself put an abortion ban in place all across the country. That could happen even if Democrats control both the U.S. House and Senate, she added

The former is a reference to a theory being advanced in conservative legal circles that a 150-year-old anti-obscenity law known as the Comstock Act, which bans using the mail to send or receive obscene items, could be interpreted to include items used to perform an abortion.

That could allow the procedure to be banned outright, according to The New Republic.

To red states and blue states, sound the alarm, Warren, who now faces a likely Republican challenger for re-election this fall in the form of lawyer John Deaton, said Thursday. Abortion is on the ballot in 2024.
Weeks after a special counsel report called President Joe Biden a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory, a new poll suggests most American voters think hes too old to serve a second term.

More than two-thirds of respondents (67%) of respondents to a new Quinnipiac University poll released on Wednesday said the incumbent president is too old to serve four more years.

Nearly the same number, 62%, said Biden does not have the physical fitness to serve a second term, and 64% said he does not have the mental fitness to do the same. Bidens approval ranked at 35% for physical fitness and 34% for mental fitness.

Poll respondents differed when they were asked about former President Donald Trump, who now leads the Republican presidential nominating field. In comparison, 41% of respondents said Trump is too old.

Sixty percent of the polls respondents said they think Trump is physically fit to serve a second term, while 37% said he is not. When it comes to mental fitness, 48% said he is mentally ready for another term but 51% said hes not mentally fit.

A Biden-Trump split decision on physical and emotional fitness leaves both looking vulnerable, pollsters said. Yes, Trump wins walking away on the age and stamina question, but voters have more confidence in Bidens empathy toward them and his emotional stability to handle the job.

On the matters of ethics, empathy and temperament, Biden had close to 50/50 results on each of these, according to the poll. Trumps results varied: 29% said he was ethical, 42% said he was empathetic and 37% said he had the temperament to serve again effectively.

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, at 77, the previous record-holder when he was 70.

If re-elected, Biden would leave office at age 86  an unprecedented age for any previous American president. Trump, the previous record holder for the oldest person elected president before Biden won in November 2020, was 74 the following January.

Following that 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.

Quinnipiacs poll was conducted between Feb. 15 and 19. Pollsters surveyed 1,421 self-identified registered voters nationwide, which included 576 Republican and Republican-leaning voters and 624 Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters. The poll had a 2.6% margin of error.
SOUTH HADLEY  Bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth are based on distortions of scientific evidence, according to a new study co-authored by a Mount Holyoke College professor.

Gender-affirming care helps those who are transitioning to receive the psychological, behavioral, social and medical interventions they need to affirm their gender identity, according to the World Health Organization. Currently, 19 states have enacted bans gender-affirming care, the Human Rights Foundation says; Massachusetts isnt one of them.

In producing the study, lead author Joanna Wuest, an assistant professor of politics at Mount Holyoke, teamed up with co-author and psychology Professor Briana S. Last from Stony Brook University in New York. They examined to what extent the proponents of banning gender-affirming care emphasize scientific uncertainty in the treatment  which has been proven to be beneficial to children  when they bring their testimonies to court.
Hot dogs and books, a match made in Worcester.

Children and teenagers who check out a book at any Worcester Public Library location between Friday, Feb. 23, and Sunday, Feb. 25, can get a free hot dog and a carton of chocolate milk from Georges Coney Island on Southbridge Street, the library and restaurant both announced Friday.

The partnership is a school vacation week promotion, the library said. Worcester Public Schools students started their vacation week on Monday, Feb. 19.

Its our small way to encourage families to keep reading over school vacation! the restaurant said on Instagram.

Orders must be made in-person only, the post read. These orders are limited to one special per person per day. Kids and teens must be present at [the] time of ordering.

Both Worcester institutions ran the same promotion during school vacation week in February 2023, according to the librarys Facebook page. Students were also allowed to skate for free on the Worcester Common Oval courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Massachusetts.

The Worcester Public Library first opened in April 1860, according to its website, almost two weeks after the American Civil War began.

Georges Coney Island has served hot dogs, burgers, chocolate milk and more since 1918. Founded by Catherine and George Tsagarelis, granddaughter Kathryn Tsandikos said Catherine Tsagarelis made the restaurant a success, according to Coney Islands website.

No matter who came in  politicians, presidents of banks, the homeless  she treated everyone the same, Tsandikos said on the website. During the Depression, they would give away hot dogs to boys from the Boys Club who didnt have a nickel to buy a hot dog. People remember that.

In April 2023, Georges Coney Island was named one of the top five best places in the world to get a Coney hot dog, according to TasteAtlas.
The Table Talk Pie store has officially settled into its new, permanent home in Worcester, not too far from where it used to be located.

The store has officially opened at the Worcester Public Market on Green Street in the canal district on Thursday, Feb. 22.

The store sells Table Talks signature baked pies in regular and snack-sized options as well as Table Talk merchandise.

Additionally, for the first time in the companys 100-year history, the new store will offer crumb cakes in varieties including blueberry, cinnamon and New York style.

The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday. Tuesdays will also be Senior Day.

As one of Worcesters beloved food institutions, it only felt right to move the Table Talk Pie Store to the citys newest and best food scene, Isaac Long, president of Table Talk, said in a press release.

The original Table Talk Pie store closed its location at 153 Green Street in October 2022 and moved temporarily to 65 Green St. the month after.

The former building of the store was later sold to a new developer who made space for three additional stories for apartments.

Therefore, this permanent move to Worcester Public Market is a sort of homecoming to the stores original location near legendary Kelley Square.

Read More: Table Talk Pies expands to Canada with purchase of bankrupt Patisserie Gaudet

Our home in the Public Market is the perfect place to celebrate our upcoming 100-year anniversary, and to serve new and long-time customers in such a vibrant and happening location, Long added.

Table Talk Pies has been a family-owned business since 1924, with pies sold in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada and more.

More than 300 of Table Talks full-time employees operated from three automated bakeries that are all located in Worcester as well.
An African Development Bank Group team, led by Senior Vice President Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, on 15 February 2024, met with a delegation from Swedfund  the Swedish state development finance institution  led by its CEO, Maria Hakansson.

The meeting built on earlier talks to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions to accelerate private sector development and climate action across Africa. Hakaanson headed a mission to the Bank in September 2023 to explore potential synergies around increasing energy access, financial inclusion, and resilient infrastructure investment.

Previously, in 2022, SwedFund and the African Development Bank agreed to commit financing to independent power transmission line projects, using project preparation and advisory support to promote enabling environments for public-private partnerships across sub-Saharan Africa.

The Swedfund delegation, on a three-day tour of Cote dIvoire, comprised deputy board chair Torgny Holmgren, directors Catrina Ingelstam, Caroline AF Kleen, Anna Stellinger and Josefine Ekros Roth, and Swedfunds Chief Legal Officer Jacob Hageman and Regional Director Kitanha Toure.

Hakansson said the visit allowed Swedfund to learn more about the country and the broader West African region. It is one way for us to show that we are really serious about making more investments and working within Africa. Swedfunds investments in West Africa have trailed those of other regions, and to expand its presence, it recently opened an Abidjan office.

Welcoming the delegation, Tshabalala said that the Bank Group was just finalizing a new 10-year strategy that remained focused on the High 5s and mainstreaming gender and climate. She stressed the importance of attracting private capital.  At the sovereign level, public investment is not sufficient. We emphasize syndications and co-financing, providing more guarantees and tools to increase private sector participation. 

The Banks CFO and Vice President for Finance Hassatou NSele, noted the mutual alignment in priorities such as sustainability, job creation, climate, women, and small and medium enterprises.

Were very proud of the hybrid capital transaction that weve done, which enabled the Bank to crowd in a different segment of the private sector, she added. We were able to attract $6 billion of interest for some $750 million transaction that we did It was sustainable hybrid capital, so this will be leveraged 3 to 4 times, and the idea would be to invest in green and sustainable projects.

Ousmane Fall, Bank Group Director of Non-Sovereign Operations and Private Sector, expressed satisfaction with the existing Swedfund collaboration.  Weve financed $400 million across 11 deals in 15 years, he said.

Touching on the support for the African Continental Free Trade Area, Fall cited integrated special agro-industrial zone initiatives, saying the Bank backs the Afreximbanks Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, adopted by 19 central banks to facilitate trade.

Hakaanson said Swedfund would welcome more syndications in partnership with the Bank. These instruments are important for the SwedFund portfolio and meet a demand from the market. Hakaanson also expressed interest in participating in the Africa Investment Forum platform.

Aida Ngom, the Bank Groups Director of Private Sector Development, welcomed Swedfunds interest in doing more co-financing. Twenty percent of our portfolio is in the private sector. Weve collaborated with Swedfund on private equity. To scale up our private sector engagement, we offer guarantees, vanilla loans and sub loans, and we always try to develop new instruments. 

 As MDBs, we are vital to private sector development to mitigate risk,  Tshabalala said.
THE official opening of the new GP surgery in Lahardane will take place this morning (Friday), with local people now encouraged to transfer back to surgery to give it a viable future.

New GP, Dr Amjed Ahmed, moved into the surgery in the north Mayo village on February 15 and a push is now on locally to transfer patients back to the Lahardane practice.

The north Mayo community had been left without a GP service since last October after Dr Enda Loftus who was the GP since 2020 left to take up a vacant GP position in Crossmolina.

There were fears in the community that the surgery would be closed forever after the Lahardane GMS (General Medical Services) number, which includes approximately 1,100 medical card holders, was also transferred to the Crossmolina surgery.

However, after months of campaigning and negotiations between the HSE and local campaigners, an agreement was reached with Dr Ahmed to move into the vacant surgery on a full-time basis.

A native of Iraq, Dr Ahmed lives in Castlebar with his wife and children and is medically trained in Ireland and is an Irish citizen.

Prior to taking up the GP position in Lahardane, he worked in various medical centres around Mayo including in Crossmolina, Castlebar and Ballinrobe as well as Mayo University Hospital.

Campaign

THE official opening of the new Nephin Medical Centre will take place this morning at 10.30am and Gerry Loftus, who campaigned for its retention, has urged local people to transfer back to the village GP.

Dr Ahmed is over the moon to be working in an area like Lahardane and people locally are excited that this long campaign has been brought to a successful ending.

I cannot stress how much of a relief it is because of the amount of time put into it. We are so relieved it is over the line and to have a doctor and to have the surgery open and up and running. The job left to do is to rebuild the practice in Lahardane. Dr Ahmed is here for the long haul and we have to ensure he has enough patients for a liveable wage. If need be we will go outside the area and advertise that there are vacancies on the panel in Lahardane but I don't expect that we will.

We said we would do what had to be done to get a doctor back to Lahardane and now we will do what has to be done to make sure we get the panel to a sustainable level for him. There are 400 people back on the panel already and I expect a huge amount to go back on in the coming weeks, he commented.
Community group West on Track has been announced as the winner of the Paddy Joe Moran Mayo Meitheal of the Year 2024 award. The annual awards chosen by the Mayo Dublin Association were announced this week.

The citation for the Meitheal Award winners read as follows:

The West on Track community campaign was originally established to preserve and eventually re-open the closed rail line from Sligo to Ennis. It began in Claremorris in 2003 and was Initially composed entirely of Mayo people, but the campaign quickly expanded to include representatives from all of the neighbouring counties. The campaign to re-open the Western Rail Corridor from Sligo to Limerick was formally launched later that year in Athenry.

West on Track clearly set out the multiple social, tourism and business benefits which would accrue from its revival. Long before online petitions became the norm, West on Track succeeded in collecting over 100,000 (physical) signatures for a petition of support of the reopening of the railway. These were presented to the then Minister for Transport, the late Seamus Brennan, in Kiltimagh station in 2004.

As a result of the initial campaign, the government agreed that it would reopen the railway in stages as part of the Transport 21 programme. As a direct consequence of the West on Track campaign, the Ennis to Athenry section linking Galway to Limerick was re-opened in 2010 after a lapse of several decades.



Opening at the height of the recession, the new railway faced many challenges from rolling stock to high fares, slow journey times and no online booking. The launch of a new expressway bus service did not augur well for the newly-opened railway.

Soon, critics were lining up to lambaste the project. A special RTE Prime Time programme sought to portray it as a waste of public money and an Irish Times editorial called for the rail links conversion into a greenway. Like Ireland West Airport before it, the Western Rail Corridor was clearly anathema to the Pale.

However, a determined effort by West on Track and local communities, working with Iarnrod Eireann and political representatives, ensured that services were gradually improved and since 2017 it has been the fastest growing railway in the country with more than 600,000 passengers travelling last year.

The success of the Ennis to Athenry rail re-opening augurs well for the next stage of the West on Track campaign, which is to have the rail-line re-opened from Galway to Claremorris and eventually onto Sligo. Thanks to the tireless campaigning of West on Track, the towns of Westport, Ballina, Castlebar, Claremorris, Tuam (and ultimately Sligo) can now look forward to having a passenger intercity and commuter rail link with the regional capital of Galway, and a direct rail-freight route to the southern ports of Cork and Waterford, the new Foynes Ten-T Core Port and the proposed new port facilities in Galway.

It is important to state that West on Track is an entirely voluntary community organisation across all of the counties in the west from Limerick to Donegal. No one in the organisation receives expenses and members pay for all travel, accommodation etc themselves. It encompasses chambers of commerce, community development organisations and a range of other community groups. Unusually, there are no officers in the organisation, rather each county has designated spokespersons who make up a steering group representing the views of the members. The late Fr Micheal Mac Greil, one of Mayos most distinguished sons, was a founding member of the organisation and was its patron until his death last year.

The group has two Facebook Pages with 8,000 followers and has featured on numerous radio and television programmes since its foundation including Eco Eye, Ear to the Ground and Nationwide. It has worked closely with local authorities and their elected representatives in the Western Inter-county Railway Committee as well as with development agencies across the region including the Northern and Western Regional Assembly and the Western Development Commission. It has developed strong links with business organisations across the region and is represented on the Irish Exporters Association and the Atlantic Economic Corridor group.

West on Track is a shining example of voluntary community endeavour and embodies the spirit of the old Irish tradition of the meitheal. It is about people working together for the betterment of society, and future generations will certainly reap the benefits of the tireless campaigning of West on Track.

They are deserving winners of the Paddy Joe Moran Mayo Meitheal of the Year 2024 award.

Members of West on Track will be presented with their award at a luncheon in the Intercontinental Hotel in Ballsbridge on March 8. Details can be found at https://www.mayoassociationdublin.com
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 23. Kazakhstan seeks to transform itself into an international transit hub within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), said the Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev, Trend reports.

He made the remark during an expanded board meeting at the Ministry of Transport, chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar.

"Today, the main task is to transform Kazakhstan into an international transit country as part of the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. Compared to last year, transportation volumes along this corridor increased by 65 percent and amounted to 2.8 million tons (2022  1.7 million tons). In particular, the export of Kazakh products via TITR increased by 2.5 times," he said.

According to the minister, along with exports, there is an increase in import cargo traffic.

"This, in turn, shows the interest of European companies in the TITR route. Negotiations are also underway with authorized bodies and companies of neighboring countries to attract exports to the TITR route, including on the provision of government support measures for this transportation," the minister noted.

Meanwhile, the Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor.

The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe.

The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
by Fern Siegel , February 23, 2024

Hazelnut cocoa spread Nutella wants to spread the love. And that mission is best realized in the new broadcast and social campaign from Terri & Sandy, the brands AOR.

The work, which centers on a 15-second spot, posits a family in which the kids leave their nurse-mom, just home after working a night shift, a special Nutella breakfast. The target audience is Gen X and millennial parents.

The product was created 60 years ago in Italy and is owned by food company Ferrero. The campaign is the brands first exclusively North American effort in seven years.

The new spot will run across broadcast, CTV and YouTube. The social videos stream across Meta, with additional video and still assets running on Pinterest. They feature the kids stuffed animals, who also want Nutella for breakfast.

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All work appears in English and Spanish versions. A selection of the videos can be seen here and here.

Nutella is such a beloved and heartwarming brand, we thought it only natural to come up with a campaign that gave people that same warm, loving feeling. To get noticed on social, we really wanted to crank the cuteness up to 11. Hopefully, people love it, share it, and spread the love, Chris Cannon, creative director, Terri & Sandy, told Agency Daily.

Terri & Sandy became the North American creative AOR for Nutella in 2019. WPPs Mindshare handles media duties.

The Walt Disney Company, Freshpet, John B. Sanfilippo & Son and Princess Cruises are among the agencys clients.

Ferreros portfolio includes Butterfinger, Keebler and Famous Amos.
by Barbara Lippert , Columnist, February 22, 2024

Hello, there! How are we businessing today?

Are we businessing alone?

Are we businessing at home?

I could go on, but Ill stop fake Seussing.

I ask because the new tagline for Intuit QuickBooks, Business Differently has formed an earworm in my head.

That means its good, right?

Its a streamlined way to say what theyre selling without being boring.

Still, the verbing of nouns and the nouning of adjectives and adverbs never ceases to kill me. Like, nouns are so dumb and adverbs are so, like, 1982?

Im still not over the phrase I overheard a dude say the other day, which was We are efforting on that.

Work. How about work? Work is a good, solid noun, a noun on which to build an empire.

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Its a muscle word.

But in the Mesozoic era of the tech business, it all started with a slogan based on that 19th century top hat of action verbs: Think.

We have Thomas J. Watson Sr. to thank for that. At a sales meeting for the National Cash Register company in Dayton, Ohio, in 1911, as the story goes on the IBM website, Thomas J. Watson Sr, was frustrated with his colleagues.He strode forward in hopes of motivating the group to generate a few solid ideas for a campaign to boost sales.

The trouble with every one of us is that we dont think enough, he said. We dont get paid for working with our feet  we get paid for working with our heads, Mr. Scoldy told his crew.

A sourpuss if Ive ever seen one, Watson then wrote THINK in block letters on a blackboard.

When Watson became the head of the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company in 1914 -- a recently merged company that was the precursor to IBM -- he brought his simple, five-letter mantra with him.

And as the slogan for that world-changing computing business, Think was everywhere in the go-go business culture of the 1950s. It was so well known that even Mad magazine parodied it in the 1960s with the more counter-cultural THIMK.

Whereas Think Small was the line Doyle Dane Bernbach came up with in 1959 to introduce the vastly different German Volkswagen Beetle to an American audience used to yacht-sized, Detroit-made cars.

Head-spinningly simple and brilliant, Think Small conveyed everything it had to say in two small words.

It reversed all that was associated with the status of owning bigger-better-newer vehicles: This one was ugly, relatively cheap, and practical. The design never changed.

The print ads showed a tiny bug placed within the white space of a two-page spread.

With its intelligence, humor, and honesty, Think Small revolutionized the ad industry, and the country built on Thinking Big.

It was so arresting in every way, that on Mad Men it made Don Draper angry and jealous.

This brings us to Apple, Steve Jobs, and Think Different.

Those two words probably referred more to IBMs THINK (Apple and IBM were massive competitors at the time) than Think Small.

But each played a part in arriving at Think Different in 1997.

At that point, Steve Jobs had just returned to Apple after having been replaced by PepsiCo President John Sculley, whod been hired as a normalizing corporate force.

Sculley also replaced Chiat/Day, Apples award-winning ad agency, with Pepsis award-winning agency, BBDO.

It was a time of turmoil in Cupertino, and Chiat/Day was asked to take part in a pitch. The company was at a crossroads, with no new product to sell. So Chiat came up the with Heres to the Crazy Ones, an Emmy-Award-winning spot as a placeholder, to put Apple back on the map and in pop culture. Instead of selling new merch, it sold the idea of geniusas embodied by the graphically inspired, giant scale portraits of Einstein, Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Lucille Ball, among others. What was unsaid was that Jobs too was a genius.

The creatives at Chiat, under Lee Clow, also came up with Think Different, purposefully rejecting the more grammatical Think Differently.

Jobs insisted that he wanted different to be used as a noun, as in think beauty.

And Apples subsequent products, like the iPhone, did indeed live up to the Genius hype of People who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do.

It would make anyone want to business differently.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 22, 2024

Food delivery service DoorDash has agreed to pay $375,000 to settle allegations that it violated California privacy laws by selling consumers' data to a marketing co-op, without giving consumers the opportunity to opt out, state Attorney General Rob Bonta said this week.

The delivery company allegedly shared customer data in January 2020 with a marketing co-op -- meaning a collection of businesses that pooled information about customers for marketing purposes.

Bonta's office says DoorDash's participation in the co-op violated the California Consumer Privacy Act because the company didn't disclose the data transfers in a privacy policy, and didn't post an easy-to-find 'Do Not Sell My Personal Information' link on its website or mobile app.

California's 2018 privacy law prohibits companies from selling residents' personal information without allowing them to opt out.

The complaint against DoorDash, filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that California's privacy law defines sale broadly enough to cover DoorDash's alleged data transfers.

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Any transaction under which a business receives a benefit for sharing consumer information can be a sale under the California Consumer Privacy Act, the complaint alleges. DoorDash traded consumer personal information in exchange for the benefit of advertising to potential new customers; its participation in the marketing co-op was therefore a sale.

DoorDash stated this week that it ended its relationship with marketing co-ops in 2020, and that the settlement stems from a single incident involving a vendor over four years ago.

Bonta's office alleges that even though DoorDash doesn't currently sell customers' information, the company did not cure the January 2020 sale to the co-op.

DoorDash did not cure because it did not make affected consumers whole by restoring them to the same position they would have been in if their data had never been sold, the complaint alleges.

The consumer personal information and inferences about DoorDashs customers had already been sold downstream to other companies and beyond the marketing co-ops members, including to a data broker that re-sold the data many times over, the attorney general's office writes.

DoorDash also could not determine which downstream companies had received its data so that it could contact each company to request that it delete or stop further selling the data, Bonta's office adds.

The settlement hasn't yet been approved by a judge.
by Ray Schultz , February 22, 2024

SJC Media, publisher of such Canadian media brands as Chatelaine and Maclean's, has selected the Optable platform to help it harness data and protect reader privacy.

Optable describes itself as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) data collaboration and clean room platform. The firms technology supports first-party cookies and activation through the Privacy Sandbox, the Google initiative to improve privacy, it says.

"We believe in putting privacy first, strengthening our roots in first-party data, and fostering genuine collaboration," says Michael Gagliano, vice president, audience & commerce, SJC Media.

Gagliano adds, Through this new partnership, we're not just offering better advertising solutions  we're setting a new standard for responsible and effective advertising practices."

"Putting privacy first, taking the lead in first-party data, and fostering agile collaboration are absolutely essential right now," adds Vlad Stesin, co-founder and CSO at Optable.

SJC Media, a division of SJC, a media and marketing company, is also home to such brands as Canadian Business, FASHION, HELLO! Canada, Today's Parent and Toronto Life.
by Teresa Buyikian , February 22, 2024

Chef-driven soup chain Zoup! this week announced its rebrand to Z!EATS. Restaurant redesigns and a total menu revamp, especially curated for Gen Z diners, are also in the works, to be completed by the end of 2024, according to the announcement.

The first Z!EATS rebranded location is set to open in Atlanta in the spring. With a new plant-focused and health-conscious menu, the brand is expanding its efforts beyond soups to also include sandwiches, salads, flatbreads and mac and cheese. Soup will be served as Shooters to accompany meals.

The current Zoup! menu includes rotating soup options such as Alligator Gumbo, Broccoli Cheddar, Burger Cheeseburger, White Chicken Chili, Chicken Noodle and Loaded Baked Potato, among others.

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"For over 25 years, Zoup! has reigned as an industry leader in creative soups, and the Z!EATS menu represents an extension of our soup heritage to a diverse range of options tailored to the next generation of fast-casual food enthusiasts," explained Ted Asbury, CMO of WOWorks, Z!EATS parent company, in a release. "Z!EATS is establishing itself as a plant-forward brand, offering health-conscious fare along with an elevated overall dining experience."

The redesigned restaurants will have an enhanced dine-in environment, and the updated kitchen design help to facilitate carry-out, delivery and catering services.

With nearly 100 locations in Colorado, New York, Illinois, Georgia and Michigan among others and internationally in Ontario, Canada the chain also announced plans for extensive future growth.

"With the broad appeal of Z!EATS, we have the potential to expand to 500 restaurants nationwide over the next five years," stated Brian Farris, chief development officer for Z!EATS and WOWorks, in the announcement.

Founded in Southfield, MI in 1997, the original Zoup! launched with 12 original soups, all served with a hunk of bread. The chain grew to add sandwiches, salads and its own store-baked ciabatta bread.
by Ray Schultz , February 22, 2024

The Supreme Court of Texas has tossed a defamation verdict and appeals court decision against a reporter and newspaper, saying that the gist of the contested article was substantially true.

The article in question, by Valerie Reddell, appeared in the Polk County Enterprise, in 2020. The piece stated that Tommy Lee Coleman, a DA, assisted with the prosecution of Michael Morton.

Morton, who was convicted of bludgeoning his wife to death in 1987, was released from prison in 2011 after being exonerated by DNA evidence. The notorious case was wrongfully prosecuted by the Williamson County DAs office.

Coleman did not literally work on the prosecution of Morton: he was not yet a licensed lawyer .

However, in 2011, while working in the Williamson County DAs office, he was heard to say, in mocking tones, Ewww! Bloody bandana! Bloody bandana, apparently commenting on the request for DNA testing, the opinion states.

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The question is whether the article accurately stated that he had worked on the prosecution.

In an opinion written by Justice James D. Blacklock, the Supreme Court found that the gist of the article does not communicate to the reasonable reader that Coleman participated in the initial prosecution of Michael Morton in the 1980s.

The opinion continues, Establishing the falsity of an allegedly defamatory article is not as simple as showing that the article contains a statement that falls short of literal truth.

It quotes an earlier judicial opinion, stating that A statement need not be perfectly true; as long as it is substantially true, it is not false.

That said, editors and attorneys may not be comfortable with only the gist of an article being true.

The court remanded the case back to the district court.
Highlights: Familial patterns in male infertility increase the risk of cancer

Low or no sperm count is linked to various cancers like bone and joint, thyroid, colon, and testicular cancer

Enhancing risk assessment and counseling for men with fertility issues and their families can help reduce their cancer risk

  Trusted Source

Describing patterns of familial cancer risk in subfertile men using population pedigree data



Go to source Trusted Source



Men with severe fertility problems and their families have a higher risk of developing several types of cancer. #maleinfertility #familyhistory #cancerrisk #menshealth #medindia

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Unveiling the Link Between Familial History of Male Infertility and Cancer Risk

Did You Know?

Male infertility impacts roughly 1 in 7 couples, affecting sperm health and making natural conception challenging.

Increased Cancer Risk in Azoospermic Men's Families

Bone and joint cancer (156% increased risk)

Soft tissue cancers (56% increased risk)

Cancers of the womb (27% increased risk)

Hodgkin Lymphomas (60% increased risk)

Thyroid cancers (54% increased risk)

Distinct Cancer Risks in Severely Oligozoospermic Men's Families

Colon cancer (16% increased risk)

Bone and joint cancer (143% increased risk)

Testicular cancer (134% increased risk)

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Variability Among Family Clusters

Read More to Know About Men Who Can't Produce Sperm Face Greater Cancer Risk: Study

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Limitations

Describing patterns of familial cancer risk in subfertile men using population pedigree data - (https://academic.oup.com/humrep/advance-article/doi/10.1093/humrep/dead270/7611874)

Infertility is a global health issue affecting millions of people of reproductive age worldwide. Notably, male infertility contributes to 40-50% of infertility cases, highlighting its significant role in family planning.Beyond its primary impact on reproduction, male infertility is increasingly linked to higher risks of other health issues. Research suggests connections to diseases like cardiovascular problems and even certain cancers, urging a closer look at the potential domino effect of sperm health.In a study published in, researchers unveiled intriguing cancer risk patterns associated with male fertility problems (). Conducted by Dr. Joemy Ramsay and her team at the University of Utah, the research delves into the familial implications of male infertility, shedding light on the correlation between the absence or low levels of sperm and the elevated risk of various cancers.Earlier studies have indicated a connection between male infertility and a heightened likelihood of cancer in both affected men and their relatives, although the findings have been inconclusive. The risk and specific cancer types exhibit significant variability, particularly concerning individuals with low sperm counts (oligozoospermic) or no sperm (azoospermic). Notably, specific clusters of families have shown associations with distinct types of cancer.The study encompassed 786 men with fertility issues who attended clinics in Utah between 1996 and 2017. Their semen analyses were meticulously examined and compared with data from 5674 fertile men from the general population. The familial data were derived from the Utah Population Database, and cancer diagnoses were sourced from the Utah Cancer Registry.Azoospermic men's families exhibited significantly increased risks for five cancers:Severely oligozoospermic men's families showed a significantly increased risk for three cancers:Interestingly, a 61% decreased risk of esophageal cancer was observed.The study identified unique patterns of cancer risk within family clusters, suggesting shared genetic, environmental, or health behaviors.Among the families of azoospermic men, 13 clusters were identified, with one cluster resembling the general population's cancer risk, while the others exhibited increased risks. Families of oligozoospermic men also displayed 12 distinct clusters, all associated with increased cancer risk.The study aims to enhance understanding of the. Genetic sequencing studies are underway to pinpoint specific mutations driving the associations observed in the study.The findings could empower healthcare professionals to make more accurate cancer risk predictions for men with fertility problems and their families. Improved patient counseling could be offered based on identified cancer risk patterns.While the study sheds light on potential links between male infertility and increased cancer risk, it comes with limitations. First, a crucial comparison point is missing: semen parameters of fertile men are absent, making it difficult to establish a clear baseline for what constitutes 'subfertility'.Similarly, information on lifestyle factors, other health conditions, and environmental exposures is lacking, which could potentially influence both fertility and cancer risk . Additionally, the study focuses on men seeking help at fertility clinics, potentially excluding a broader section of the subfertile population with limited access to healthcare.However, the study's strengths cannot be overlooked. Leveraging comprehensive population registries offers a robust analysis of familial cancer patterns and their connections to male infertility, highlighting valuable insights despite the acknowledged limitations.In summary, there is a greater cancer risk among infertile men and their families with shared genetic and environmental factors. These findings revolutionize cancer risk assessments and counseling strategies for families affected by male fertility problems.Source-Medindia
  Trusted Source

Yoga's Efficacy in Alleviating Chronic Back Pain Revealed



Go to source Trusted Source

Yoga Intervention: Substantial Reduction in Chronic Low Back Pain



Yoga has the potential to positively influence the neuromuscular response during trunk flexion and alter pain perception in individuals dealing with chronic low back pain. #yoga #backpain #alternativemedicine 

Did You Know?

Discover relief from chronic back pain through the transformative power of yoga, as it combines gentle stretches and mindful movements to enhance flexibility and strengthen the core, promoting long-term healing and well-being.

Impact of yoga asanas on flexion and relaxation phenomenon in women with chronic low back pain: Prophet model prospective study - (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jor.25790)

The practice of yoga , encompassing physical postures, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques, may provide advantages for individuals experiencing back pain ).In the study, 10 women with and 11 without chronic low back pain underwent an 8session yoga program over 4 weeks, with the first session conducted in a clinic and the rest delivered with a teleapproach., as assessed through a 10-point visual analog scale (an average pain of 6.80 at the start, dropped to 3.30 after the sessions) and through a spine-related measure called the flexionrelaxation phenomenon, which is often absent or disrupted in people with low back pain (5.12 at the start versus 9.49 after the sessions).It was interesting to show the role that yoga might play in the management of chronic back pain, said corresponding author Prof. Alessandro de Sire, MD, of the University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia and University Hospital Renato Dulbecco, in Italy.The authors noted that further research is warranted to assess yogas longterm effects.Source-Eurekalert
Invites were sent out about a month ago and the guest list includes the creme de la creme of Bollywood, industrialists, politicians and other prominent public personalities. It has been reported that Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor will perform at the three-day long pre-wedding festivities and were also seen rehearsing for it a few weeks ago.

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant are all set to tie the knot this year. Their wedding celebrations will kick off next month with three days of pre-wedding festivities in the Reliance township of Jamnagar.

 Reddit/BollyBlindsNGossip

According to a latest report by News18 Showsha, Shah Rukh Khan was recently spotted at the Jamnagar township airport and its being speculated that he might also perform at Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambanis pre-wedding functions.



A video has been circulating on the internet that shows SRK and his manager Pooja Dadlani at the townships airport.

#ShahRukhKhan is all set to return to Mumbai after rehearsing for #AnantAmbani #RadhikaMerchant pre-wedding festivities in Jamnagar. pic.twitter.com/6Ib5VDA9Wv  News18 Showsha (@News18Showsha) February 22, 2024

The two had an intimate roka ceremony in January last year at the Nathdwara temple. This was followed by a lavish engagement party in Mumbai attended by various celebrities. Last week, pictures from Radhikas Lagan Lakhvanu ceremony started doing the rounds on social media. The to-be Ambani bahu wore a gorgeous lehenga by Anamika Khanna. Nita and Isha Ambani also chose their outfits from the same design label for this auspicious occasion.

If latest reports are to be believed, the couple will get hitched on July 12, 2024.

Despite being childhood friends, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant didn't embark on a romantic journey until much later in life. Their bond traces back to their early years, where they often found themselves in similar social circles. This led to a deep friendship that eventually blossomed into love.

As they navigated through their formative years, Anant Ambani chose to pursue higher education at Brown University in Rhode Island, while Radhika Merchant set her academic sights on New York University. Dating rumours started swirling around in 2018 when they were spotted together at Akash and Isha Ambanis pre-wedding festivities.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 23. Turkmenistan and Japan have expressed their mutual intention to enhance and broaden their economic partnership, Trend reports referring to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry's communique.

This commitment was expressed during a meeting between Speaker of the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan Dunyagozel Gulmanova and Secretary General of the Cabinet of Ministers of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi.

The meeting was devoted to discussions of Turkmen-Japanese cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres, as well as the development of inter-parliamentary ties.

The Turkmen Speaker noted that Turkmenistan attaches special importance to the development of a mutually beneficial partnership with Japan.

The discussions shifted opinions to the work of the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue in the context of the positive experience of Turkmen-Japanese cooperation within the framework of international and regional organizations.

The reviews discovered the necessity of hunting for promising projects, taking into account the implementation of large-scale and long-term programs in Turkmenistan with the participation of Japanese companies.

Note that the delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov visited Japan in late January 2024.

During the visit, the delegation held meetings in the government, parliament, relevant ministries and departments, as well as with the leadership of financial and export credit agencies and leading Japanese companies, where they discussed further prospects for the development of cooperation.
A Marine Corps jet on loan to the Navy for its Top Gun school took a nosedive last month while in a hangar at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, the Corps told Military.com on Friday.

An image of the jet, an F-35C Lightning II, was posted on social media earlier this month showing it face-planted onto the concrete in a hangar. Military.com reached out to 3rd Marine Air Wing, or 3rd MAW, the unit that owns the roughly $100 million fifth-generation fighter jet, last week asking to confirm the incident.

A spokesperson for 3rd MAW, Capt. Stephanie Leguizamon, said that the nose gear of the F-35 "collapsed" following shutdown procedures on the flight line at the naval air station. The jet was parked when it collapsed on Jan. 26, she said.

Read Next: Cyberattack Against Commercial Prescription Program Hamstrings Military Pharmacies Around the World

"The damage was confined to the nose landing gear, and we expect this jet to be repaired and fully operational soon," Leguizamon said. "There were no injuries to any military or civilian personnel."

The jet was loaned to the Navy to support its Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, more popularly referred to as the Top Gun school. The school teaches naval aviators how to fly jets like the F-35, as well as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Super Hornet, and was popularized by the film series of the same name.

The jet was provided by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311, according to Leguizamon and the insignia on the side of the jet in the social media post. VMFA-311 is based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.

"The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing routinely provides aircraft and maintenance personnel to support Top Gun students and the overall course," Leguizamon said. Military.com originally reached out to 3rd MAW last week about the incident.

The publication also asked for an estimate of the damage, but Leguizamon said that the incident is under investigation and that the cost of the damage "is being assessed through our investigative process."

This is not the first time that an F-35 has taken a nosedive. In 2022, a Marine Corps F-35B's nose cone was damaged after it made a "precautionary landing" at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. In that instance, the jet's landing gear failed while being towed to the flight line.

The F-35 is flown by the Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy. The overall F-35 program, which saw its first flight nearly two decades ago, costs roughly $1.7 trillion. The jet, which can reach speeds of more than 1,200 miles per hour and has capabilities to jam radars, track enemy aircraft and tell its pilot minute details about its performance, is the most advanced fighter aircraft developed to date.

Last year, the Marine Corps temporarily lost one of the fighter jets over South Carolina, prompting Joint Base Charleston to ask the public for help in finding it. After a daylong search, it was located in a debris field roughly two hours north of the base.

Related: After Daylong Search, Likely F-35 Debris Found After Jet Went Missing in South Carolina
Pharmacies at military bases worldwide have been facing disruptions because of a cyberattack that shut down the commercial prescription processing program the military health system uses, the Defense Health Agency said in a statement this week.

"Each military hospital and clinic will continue to offer pharmacy operations based on their local manning and resources," the agency said in a statement Thursday. "Please be patient while pharmacies take longer than usual to safely fill prescription needs."

Change Healthcare, one of the largest prescription processors in the U.S., first disclosed Wednesday that its network had been disrupted by a cyberattack. The issue was still unresolved as of Friday morning, according to the most recent update posted online by the company.

Read Next: Vets Say Weight Loss Drugs Have Improved Their Health, But New Patients Are Out of Luck

"Change Healthcare is experiencing a cyber security issue, and our experts are working to address the matter," said the Friday morning update, which was the exact same as every other periodic update since Wednesday.

"Once we became aware of the outside threat, in the interest of protecting our partners and patients, we took immediate action to disconnect our systems to prevent further impact," the notice added.

UnitedHealth Group, which owns Change Healthcare, said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it suspects a nation-state is behind the attack.

The outage, which has reportedly also caused disruptions at retail pharmacies across the U.S., means that military pharmacies will fill prescriptions manually, the DHA said in its statement.

Pharmacists will give priority to "urgent" prescriptions, followed by routine ones, the agency said.

U.S. military clinics stateside and abroad were warning patients of issues on social media. Some, such as Bassett Army Community Hospital in Alaska, the 22nd Medical Group Pharmacy at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas and the 72nd Medical Group at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, said Thursday they could continue dispensing already completed prescriptions but were having difficulty filling new prescriptions.

"To minimize potential errors and costs, we encourage you to allow us to fill your prescription once our system is back online," the 22nd Medical Group wrote on Facebook. "Please note that obtaining prescriptions at a non-[military treatment facility] pharmacy may incur additional copay/charges."

The 374th Medical Group at Yokota Air Base in Japan initially posted a similar message Thursday about an inability to fill new prescriptions, but later posted an update that the DHA had "directed a solution to restore all prescription-filling capabilities."

"However, please understand there will be delays with processing," the 374th Medical Group posted late Thursday. "There is currently no estimated timeline for system restoration."

Several other clinics, including Kadena Medical Clinic on Okinawa and Scott Air Force Base Clinic in Illinois, also warned about delays and longer-than-normal wait times because of the outage. Naval Health Clinic Hawaii similarly warned of longer wait times, but added that its pharmacies at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii had "implemented down-time procedures and are able to fill needed prescriptions."

"If you have remaining medication at home, we ask that you please consider waiting until the issue has been resolved," the Hawaii clinic posted on Facebook.

Related: New App to Let Patients at 5 Military Hospitals Get Access to Health Care Through Their Phones
A Mississippi National Guard AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed in the northern part of the state near Booneville on Friday afternoon, a service component spokesperson confirmed.

Two Guardsmen who were on board were killed in the mishap and safety crews were at the scene, according to a statement from Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves. The names of the two service members were being withheld until next of kin could be notified.

The Mississippi crash is yet another deadly mishap involving military helicopters, with many of those incidents involving the National Guard -- a service component grappling with issues involving funding and maintenance.

Read Next: DC-Area Army Retention Is Good, and It Could Be a Bellwether for the Rest of the Service

Mississippi will always be grateful for their service and we will never forget them, Reeves said in the statement.

The news comes after a Utah National Guard AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed near Salt Lake City last week. The two pilots survived, a rarity in rotary crashes. In March last year, the Army saw one of the deadliest training incidents in its history in which nine soldiers died in a crash involving two Black Hawk helicopters out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

The Army National Guard in particular also has had a large number of incidents over the past decade, with at least 28 of its troops killed in helicopter crashes as of April, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office.

Among the other incidents, two Tennessee National Guard soldiers died in a Black Hawk crash in February; a 2021 Black Hawk crash killed three New York Guardsmen; and a 2015 Black Hawk crash killed four Lousiana Guard soldiers and seven Marines.

In addition to the Guard covering much of the military's missions in the Middle East and Africa, it relies heavily on helicopters for its domestic missions, particularly disaster relief and search and rescue.

The GAO's report last year found significant issues in the National Guard, particularly a lack of flight hours among its pilots, who need a minimum of 6.77 hours a month, with nine hours considered optimal. Between 2017 and 2019, the bulk of Guard pilots flew around five hours per month.

However, the National Guard is not alone in its issues with helicopters. Investigators this week determined a parts failure occurred during an Osprey crash in Japan in November. The crash killed all eight airmen on board. Earlier this month, five Marines died when their CH-53E Super Stallion crashed in Southern California.

Editor's note: This story was updated with the status of the two crew members on board.

Related: In Wake of Fatal Black Hawk Crash, Renewed Scrutiny of the Helicopter's Safety Record
The oldest fort west of the Mississippi River is a massive operation thats been serving the country since 1827.

And though it sits less than 40 miles from downtown Kansas City, Fort Leavenworth is surprisingly easy for many of us to overlook.

Thats ironic, because the forts location, high on the Missouri River bluffs, was chosen for its strategic value. (Lewis and Clark noted the merits of the site when they visited in 1804.)

George Pettigrew believes the time has finally come to recognize the vital role Fort Leavenworth played in Americas westward expansion. And still plays today.

As chairman of the Frontier Museum of the U.S. Army Foundation, hes working to unveil a new world-class facility by 2027, the forts 200th birthday.

Pettigrew is the great grandson of a Buffalo Soldierone of the Black Americans who began serving in the U.S. Army immediately after the Civil War.

At Fort Leavenworth, Buffalo Soldiers manned the 9th and 10th Cavalries. Theyre commemorated by a sculpture that Colin Powell dedicated in 1992.

What happened here changed the world, Pettigrew says, adding that Buffalo Soldiers were just one aspect of that.

Fort Leavenworth, hes convinced, was uniquely positioned as both portal and protector for thousands of settlers and explorers who passed through on their way to lands unknown.

It was also place where the military trained some of its finest minds.

What this fort has meant to the development of the United States exists nowhere else, Pettigrew states proudly.

Artifacts and exhibits attesting to that history are currently displayed in the Frontier Army Museuma cramped, low-slung WWII era briefing hall. Even its curator admits many of the forts residents and regular visitors probably dont know the museum exists.

To make matters worse, its on the wrong side of the gates.

Very daunting. Thats how Brigadier General Bryan Wampler, USA (Retired) describes the process required for most of us to get onto the base. For many civilians, he says, its frightening... and easier for them not to come on.

Thats why the museum that he and Pettigrew are envisioning will be built outside the gatesstill on the forts grounds, but without the armed guards.

Ideally, they say, it can be nestled in the midst of hills, trees and trails; an open and inviting structure thats in sync with the natural world around it.

Robert Riccardi, an architect at the Kansas City design firm Multistudio, knows it can be done. He points to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum in North Dakota as great examples.

The easy thing to do would be put it up on the flat land, Riccardi says while tromping into a ravine just north of Leavenworths Metropolitan Avenue. The more interesting thing is going to be putting it down here.

Wherever its built, and however it looks, after construction is completed, the facility will be turned over to the Center for Military History in Washington, D.C. The center has access to thousands more artifacts in the armys collection. Theyll create the displays and manage the new museums operation going forward.

Wont all this be incredibly expensive? Most likely.

But Wampler is hesitant to set a price tag until the final designs are chosen. He does say it will present a significant fundraising opportunityone hes confident that philanthropic organizations and members of the military community worldwide will embrace.

For the Kansas-born brigadier general, this is another of the many things his thirty two years of service prepared him for. As Pettigrew puts it, The Bryan Ive gotten to know is a doer. Hes not a talker. You set the mission, you set the mission parameters, then you make it happen.

I owe a great deal to the military, is Wamplers response. And if I can give back in a little way, I think its worthwhile. And I think its very important.

Its also important to both he and Pettigrew that the new Museum of the Frontier expands its narrative to include more stories from more perspectives, including those of the Indian tribes whose lands were lost along the way.

We want to tell a more complete story, not an angry story, Pettigrew says. We want to applaud the efforts of all those peopleimmigrants, the ones that were here first, the ones that came. They all contributed one way or another, and they all have a part.

2024 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Hungary and Iran have signed an agreement on cooperation in the agricultural sector, announced the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary Peter Szijjarto, Trend reports.

According to him, agreement opening new trade opportunities in agriculture and the food industry, enhancing technological advancements and market access in Iran.

Szijjarto emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral trade volume, which has exceeded $50 million.

As he noted, the activation of an investment protection agreement between countries provides legal security for companies with further support through expanded customs and tax cooperation.

The minister also mentioned the importance of acknowledging pharmaceutical and medical technology advancements in Iran, as well as emphasizing collaboration on water management. This highlights Hungary's role in enhancing access to clean drinking water in Iran, with ongoing talks aimed at introducing additional Hungarian water industry technologies.
The Marlins are in agreement with right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez on a minor league deal, reports Francys Romero (X link). Hell be in major league camp as a non-roster invitee.

Gutierrez joins the second organization of his career. The Cuban hurler was a high-profile international signee by the Reds back in 2016. Cincinnati paid a hefty $4.75MM for his services. Gutierrez was just 21 at the time and began his affiliated stint in High-A. His prospect stock dimmed over the next couple seasons as he struggled at the higher levels of the minors.

Cincinnati nevertheless called Gutierrez to the big leagues in 2021. He held a spot in the rotation for the majority of that season, starting 22 games and logging 114 innings. Gutierrez allowed 4.74 earned runs per nine innings while striking out a below-average 17.7% of opposing hitters. He started eight of 10 appearances the following year and was tagged for a 7.61 ERA with nearly as many walks as strikeouts.

In early June, the Reds placed Gutierrez on the injured list with forearm soreness. That often ominous diagnosis predated a Tommy John procedure the following month. He spent the remainder of that year and almost all of 2023 on the injured list. Gutierrez logged 6 1/3 minor league innings late last season but didnt return to the big leagues. The Reds placed him on waivers at the start of the offseason, sending him to free agency.

Now that he has put the surgery behind him, Gutierrez profiles as rotation or long relief depth for the Fish. Miami hasnt done much to address a rotation that lost Sandy Alcantara to Tommy John surgery last October. They acquired Darren McCaughan in a small trade with Seattle and have brought in Matt Andriese, Yonny Chirinos and Kyle Tyler on non-roster deals.
PONTIAC, MI -- The trial for James Crumbley, the father of Oxford High shooter Ethan Crumbley, scheduled to begin March 5, will remain in Oakland County.

Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews on Thursday, Feb. 22, issued an order denying the fathers request for a change of venue.

James Crumbleys attorney, Mariell R. Lehman, argued the jury pool is tainted by past widespread media coverage of the case, including the prosecution of James Crumbleys 17-year-old son, who was sentenced to prison in December, and wife, 45-year-old wife, Jennifer Crumbley, who is awaiting sentencing after a jury unanimously convicted her of four counts of involuntary manslaughter on Feb. 6.

James Crumbley talks to his attorney Mariell Lehman during his motion hearing at Oakland County Courthouse, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in Pontiac, Mich. (Clarence Tabb Jr./Detroit News via AP, Pool) APAP

Mr. Crumbley wants, and is entitled to, a fair trial with impartial jurors who do not have personal connection to the school shooting or its victims and jurors who have not been influenced by the inflammatory media, consistent live stream coverage, numerous media articles and particularly interviews conducted with (the Oakland County prosecutor) that include completely inaccurate information that the public has accepted and repeated as facts in the case, said the motion for a change of venue filed by Lehman on Feb. 14.

The judges ruling indicates she believes a fair and impartial jury can be selected in Oakland County.

Related: Previous owner of murder weapon may testify

James Crumbley and his wife were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, accused by prosecutors of gross negligence for failing to seek help for their son, who exhibited signs of mental illness, and allowing him access to a gun, which James Crumbley purchased for him as an early Christmas gift days before the shooting.

That gun is the murder weapon used in the Nov. 30, 2021 Oxford High School shooting.

Originally, James and Jennifer Crumbley were codefendants slated for a combined jury trial; however, the cases were later separated and independent trials ordered.

Jennifer Crumbleys trial lasted nearly two weeks, including two days of jury deliberations.

Attorney Shannon Smith stands next to Jennifer Crumbley in court, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Pontiac, Mich. The jury received instructions from a judge and begin deliberations in an unusual trial against a school shooter's mother. The deliberations which began Monday could send Crumbley to prison if she is convicted of contributing to the deaths of four students in 2021. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, Pool) APAP Photo/Carlos Osorio, Pool

Ethan Crumbley is serving a life prison sentence after pleading guilty to the murders of Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Justin Shilling, 17.

The parents have remained jailed since their arrests on Dec. 3, 2021.

Involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto's visit to Tehran (Iran) aims to help de-escalation efforts in the Middle East, Zoltan Kovacs, Hungary's Secretary of State for International Communication, wrote on his page on X, Trend reports.

According to him, the visit also highlights that establishing dialogue between parties with differing views is essential to preventing further escalation of the conflict.

"Noting the rarity of EU or NATO member visits to Iran, FM Szijjarto emphasized diplomacy's power in bridging gaps between conflicting perspectives, advocating for direct communication to address and avert significant challenges, including the risk of regional or more extensive conflicts," Kovacs wrote.

As Zoltan Kovacs noted, Hungary's FM expressed deep concern about tensions in the Middle East and called on all countries, including Iran, to act responsibly to prevent the spread of the conflict.

"The minister also advocated for the complete implementation of the Iranian nuclear agreement, promoting dialogue for increased mutual understanding and the prevention of conflict escalation, underscoring the importance of preserving human lives," he noted.
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - An 800-foot-long tent is covering part of the Soo Locks right now as crews begin work on the new lock.

The tent is 42 feet wide and 35 feet high, supported by scaffolding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District said on Facebook. It keeps the area heated at 40-50 degrees, preventing water and grout lines from freezing.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- The cases against two women accused of embezzling thousands of dollars from a Girl Scout troop have been dismissed.

Prosecutors declined to continue proceedings against Lori Eileen Mross and Maryann Grace Churchwell, both 61, saying in motions filed this week that their cases were dismissed in the interest of justice.

The two women, both from Canton, were accused of embezzling more than $20,000 between June 2019 and February 2023 while serving as troop leaders for an Ann Arbor Girl Scout troop, according to Ann Arbor police Det. Lt. Bonnie Theil. They were charged in September with embezzling $20,000 or more as an agent or trustee.

Theil confirmed the sum was between $20,000 and $30,000, but did not specify the exact amount.

The prosecutors office confirmed the case was dropped after the money was returned to the troop. Both cases were dismissed on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

Police did not release information about how the women allegedly embezzled the money, but an attorney for one of the women said it was a misunderstanding.

The case involved a dispute over money made selling cookies and which was intended to be used for a troop trip. However, the COVID pandemic occurred, and the trip was not permitted, said Larry Margolis, Mross Ann Arbor-based attorney, in an email. Eventually, the troop aged out and all of the money saved for the trip has been returned.

The troop and Mross resolved the situation amicably, Margolis added.

Ms. Mross continues to have nothing but good will and best wishes for this charitable organization, he said.

The Washtenaw County Public Defenders Office, which represented Churchwell, did not return a request for comment.

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WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Troopers are investigating a Thursday shooting between two vehicles on I-94 near Ypsilanti, police said.

Michigan State Police Brighton Post announced the investigation around 6 p.m., Feb. 22.

The shooting was on eastbound I-94 east of US-23 near Rawsonville Road in Ypsilanti Township, police said.

There are no reported injuries and no current suspects at large, police said.

A portion of eastbound I-94 will be closed from US-23 to Rawsonville Road for an extended period of time as the investigation continues. Police advise drivers to avoid the area.

This is a developing story.

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ANN ARBOR  A locally-famous tilemaker known for installation work and raised-line art tiles was visited by U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., Thursday, Feb. 22, to highlight a tax incentive bill they will soon present to Congress.

Nawal Motawi, founder of Motawi Tileworks, gave Dingell and Khanna a tour of the showroom and the attached manufacturing area where raw clay is cut, pressed and glazed to make colorful tiles in hundreds of designs.

The Made in the USA Tax Credit Act, would allow customers to file for a tax credit of up to $2,500, or $5,000 for couples filing jointly, for purchases of products made by U.S. small businesses. The credit would be equal to 30 percent of the total value of purchases.

The bill would apply only to goods made with U.S. materials and labor and exclude luxury goods, tobacco products, firearms, vehicles, fuel, services, food and non-depreciable property. Only those making less than $125,000 or couples making less than $250,000 could apply for the credit.

Were learning about a new manufacturing process - Im used to auto plants, but this is what we want to do, Dingell said during the tour.

This is what our bill will help the most, Khanna added. To incentivize people to buy to buy American, basically.

Motawi Tileworks art tiles and DIY project tiles for kitchen backsplashes and fireplace surrounds decorate homes across the country. Known originally for her designs in the spirit of the arts and crafts movement, Motawi remains chief tile designer for the business, which has collaborated with a multitude of artists, as well as the estates of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and wildlife printmaker Charley Harper.

Read more: Ann Arbor street legend Shakey Jake featured on special bicentennial tile

Each year, the business puts out about a dozen new art tiles in addition to made-to-order projects and, for 2024, a commemorative tile to celebrate the City of Ann Arbors bicentennial. The 8-inch-by-8-inch tile, which features icons of Ann Arbor history like the Kempf house, street musician Shakey Jake and a pot leaf meant to represent Hash Bash, was created in partnership with the city and Destination Ann Arbor.

The Ann Arbor Bicentennial commemorative tile featuring street musician Shakey Jake, the 1853 Kempf House and other icons of city history at Motawi Teleworks, 170 Enterprise Drive in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Feb. 22 2024.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

Motawis custom work is made-to-order and accounts for a large portion of the business sales. Price points vary, but standard 4-inch-by-4-inch glazed tiles start at $16 apiece.

Its not Home Depot, Motawi said. We try not to make things that other people make. What would be the point?

The artwork for Motawi tiles is drawn digitally before becoming a rubberized mold. From that mold, forms are cast and a block of raw clay is pressed into the three-dimensional shape of each tile at a pair of hydraulic stands. The tile then undergoes the first firing step, called bisque firing, to turn soft clay into a firm but porous tile thats ready to accept glaze.

In another room, trained glaze artists either paint a wet mixture of glaze onto each tile with medical bulbs or or dip entire tiles into a tub of glaze.

Dip glazers Margaret Neblock, left, and Margaret Miller, right, demonstrate the dip glazing process for U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., during a tour at Motawi Teleworks, 170 Enterprise Drive in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Feb. 22 2024.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

The largest kiln on site is the size of a walk-in closet and can accommodate dozens of racks of tiles. Once fired and cooled, glazed tiles are sent to their destinations. Some are sold directly from Motawis on-site showroom, but most are shipped to customers across the country.

A native of Fremont, Motawi attended the University of Michigans Stamps School of Design before working for several years for Pewabic Pottery in Detroit.

In 1992, she struck out on her own, founding Motawi Tileworks in the garage of an Ann Arbor home her parents helped her purchase. Her business grew until she moved into a cluster of buildings at the corner of Staebler and Jackson Road, where Grants Towing is now located. Later, she moved Motawi into its current home on Enterprise Drive, eventually purchasing her nearby clay supplier, Rovin Ceramics.

Ann Arbor is a very affluent, art-appreciating city, so it was a good place to start, she said. I just wanted to make a living making tile. That was the business plan.

The original house number that served as the business sign when Nawal Motawi founded Motawi Tileworks in a garage at 3301 Packard sits in her office at Motawi Teleworks, 170 Enterprise Drive in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Feb. 22 2024.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

Motawi employs about 50 workers between the two businesses. Her business was recognized on Forbes list of 25 Small Giant small businesses in 2017.

Motawis employees undergo leadership training from Zingermans business-to-business education program, with artists undergoing six an additional months of on-the-job training. Motawi said offering steady employment with fair wages and benefits as an investment in the future of her business.

This is a fantastic crew, she said. And one good worker is worth three mediocre ones.

The Motawi Tileworks gallery and boneyard - where second-quality or overrun tiles are sold at a discount - are open the the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday at 170 Enterprise Drive in Scio Township. The company operates an online store, and visitors can purchase tickets online for tours of the on-site manufacturing area that take place at 11 a.m. each Friday.

The company also hosts an outdoor tile making workshop once a year on the Saturday of the Ann Arbor Art Fair weekend. The event is open on a first-come, first-served basis, and attendees can make up to three tiles.
YPSILANTI, MI  Ypsilanti Police Chief Kirk Moore told the Ypsilanti Police Advisory Commission that he is working to change the organization and some are adverse or resistant to that change.

I have a policing vision and philosophy thats going to be servant leadership and service on the police department. And if people dont align with wanting to serve this community, then some of them have elected to leave, Moore said two weeks after the officers union passed a no confidence vote against him and Capt. Timothy Anderson.

In his last meeting with the union, the problems raised in a Feb. 6 memorandum announcing the vote and sent to MLive/The Ann Arbor News were not reported to him, Moore said at Thursday, Feb. 22 meeting of the advisory commission, a board that seeks to enhance community and police relations. The memorandum outlined, among other concerns, ongoing staffing issues.

Moore said that the vote allegedly done by the union is still under some review, and that he has not been provided a memo.

Read More: Ypsilanti officers union passes vote of no confidence in chief, captain

He added there are also city officers who want to see change in the department. Mistreatment of community members wont be tolerated so the department will be rebuilt  but it will take time, he said.

Theres absolutely a plan in place to rebuild this organization and we are working at that plan daily  literally, Moore said. The department has a tremendous amount of officers, both training and ready to work. My new problem now is the safe acclimation and onboarding of those individuals to the organization to make sure that they embody the vision and values that I want to see in us and how we serve.

Roughly 13 officers and command officers have left the department since Moore joined as chief in April 2023, according to the unions memorandum.

Read more: Short-staffed Ypsilanti Police Department plagued by resignations

Excluding sergeants, lieutenants, and captains, there are 10 road officers at the Ypsilanti Police Department, Moore said. Three new police officers will be joining the department March 4, he said.

Additionally, Moore said, there are four to five cadets in training. He did not specify when their training would be completed, but said the department this month selected, after a vetting process, a third-party organization to complete background checks.

Once the onboarding and training processes are complete, the department would be up to 17 road officers.

Multiple residents who spoke during public comment raised the mental health of officers as a potential factor in their leaving the police department. Some suggested offering more support or even regular psychological evaluations.

At no time is it going to be a better time to address [mental health] with the current state of the department  the average age and time on the job of the department, said Jason Cyrbok, a retired lieutenant from the Ypsilanti Police Department. If you guys can get ahead of this, you will reap the benefits tenfold down the road.

The vote of no confidence earned a majority by a single vote, according to a member of the union.

It means the union doesnt have faith in the departments leadership, and signals such to city officials, but the union has no authority to remove the chief. That power rests with the Ypsilanti city manager, according to the city charter.

The unions vote is currently under review; however, the city is completely behind Chief Moore and the officers that serve this community, Ypsilanti City Manager Andrew Hellenga said previously in an email. He said the city must continue having open communications with the union regarding staffing.

Because of the staffing issues, officers have to work ongoing mandated overtime and the department detective bureau has been closed, according to the memorandum.

The department has been in ongoing talks with Michigan State Police about a partnership to bridge early-morning staffing gaps, Moore previously said.

Among the unions issues is Andersons return to his role after three years on administrative leave. Anderson had been placed on leave for threatening to assault a subordinate, according to an ongoing lawsuit filed by former Lt. Brent Yuchasz.

Moore said on Thursday night that Yuchasz resigned and retired last year.

Yuchaszs lawsuit, filed in October, alleges a racially discriminatory workplace.

Anderson also sued the city of Ypsilanti in 2020, claiming he was the victim of racial discrimination and retaliation for reporting use-of-force violations. He agreed to settle with the city for $93,000 in December 2023.

Anderson is Black, while Yuchasz is white.

Six officers resigned as a direct result of Andersons return, according to the memorandum. The union said officers had previously experienced a hostile work environment while working with Anderson, according to the memo.

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GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- A Grand Blanc Township man was found guilty by a jury Thursday, Feb. 22, in connection with the death of a hunter in Clinton County.

Thomas Olson, 35, was convicted by a Clinton County jury on single counts of second-degree murder and felony firearm in the shooting death of Chong Moua Yang, 68, in 2018 at the Rose Lake State Park in Bath Township.

This murder shocked the Bath Township and Michigan hunting communities, and it is our hope that this conviction may bring some peace and healing to Mr. Yangs friends and family, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement following the conviction.

On Nov. 16, 2018, Yang went hunting in the Rose Lake State Park, a frequent hunting spot for him, police said. When he had not returned home that evening, his wife became alarmed.

Related: Text messages about killing hunter in 2018 were just stupid jokes, defense claims

Members of Yangs family volunteered to look for him and found his car in the parking lot. Footprints led them to the victims body.

Police said Yang was found lying face down with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head. Witness testimony and a plastic bag with hunting spray recovered near the scene led police to Olson.

Nessel alleged Olson killed Yang while hunting, and stole the victims headlamp, knife, backpack, and shotgun.

Related: 2 men will stand trial in Michigan hunters 2018 cold case homicide

I am grateful for the dedicated work of the prosecutors in my office, as well as the determination of the Bath Township Police Department and the FBI in their yearslong pursuit in resolving this cold case, Nessel said.

Sentencing for Olson will take place on April 8.

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KALAMAZOO, MI  Two brothers, including the founder and co-owner of Diesel Freak in Gaylord, were fined Friday, Feb. 23, for their roles in a scheme to alter emissions controls on heavy-duty diesel engines.

Ryan LaLone, the owner, was fined $7,500. Wade LaLone was fined $5,000. Both were put on probation for one year by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo.

The two earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the federal Clean Air Act. The company has agreed to pay a $750,000 fine.

Related: Mechanic misled as bosses reaped mighty rewards by altering diesel emissions, attorney says

Diesel Freak reprogrammed diesel-engine computers to function with emission controls altered or removed, federal prosecutors said.

Two Grand Rapids companies were previously fined $500,000: Accurate Truck Service, which removed or altered emissions-control hardware, and Griffin Transportation, which operated trucks with emissions controls altered.

Eleven men and the three companies were charged in the investigation, with the men taking plea deals and being sentenced to probation and thousands in fines, court records showed.

The fallout included companies being forced to downsize and lay off workers and men with clean criminal records suddenly having felonies.

Related: Biggest mistake of my life: Losses, layoffs for altering diesel-engine emissions controls

Ryan LaLone, founder of Diesel Freak, began cooperating with authorities when the investigation began in 2018. At sentencing, his leadership role in the conspiracy was offset by his cooperation with investigators.

Mr. LaLone is a hard-working family man, raised on a dairy farm and now a small business owner and scion of his community, who made an unfortunate decision that landed him here, attorney Kevin Collins wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

LaLone started Diesel Freak in 2002 as a milk-hauling company, then began repairing diesel engines in 2006. He became aware that trucks had problems with emissions systems after new standards took effect in 2010.

He learned of a company that could reprogram trucks after certain filters were altered or removed, improving reliability, Collins said.

Mr. LaLone did realize that there were likely some legalities involved in such reprogramming, but he was not aware of the seriousness of his conduct and truly believed that the modifications made the trucks run more smoothly and achieve better fuel economy.

Two of his earliest modified trucks passed Californias strict inspections, the attorney said.

Related: Mechanic sentenced in scheme to alter emissions controls on heavy-duty diesel engines

Further, several government municipalities, including the State of Michigan and counties in Northern Michigan, requested he modify their vehicles including fire trucks, ambulances and trucks used to keep the Mackinac Bridge clear of snow and ice, Collins wrote.

Wade LaLone worked for his brothers company.

According to letters filed on his behalf, Mr. LaLone is a man of impeccable character and highly regarded in his community, Collins, attorney for both brothers, wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

Mr. LaLone admits that he performed deletions and communicated with co-conspirators about the activities, and accompanied his employer and brother, Ryan LaLone, on a trip to learn more about the process. But he did so only to help customers, in response to non-stop client demand for assistance with vehicles that would fail or experience problems.

He said that Lalone was aware some shops had been fined but had no idea his work would be a felony, his attorney said. He did not profit from the scheme other than keeping his job.
KENT COUNTY, MI  A Wyoming couple is accused of forcing their adopted children to eat dog food, run for miles as punishment and sleep on the garage floor, Wyoming police said in court records.

But an attorney for the mother said police and Childrens Protective Services workers previously investigated the crazy allegations and determined they were unfounded.

Theres so much misinformation and its all taken from the alleged victims , attorney Steven Simkins told Wyoming District Judge Steven Timmers on Friday, Feb. 23, at arraignments for the couple.

He said that caseworker on the neglect case is no longer overseeing the investigation.

Alan Jones, 56, and his wife, Kris Jones, 57, are charged with three counts of torture and three counts of first-degree children abuse  all potential life offenses. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, the judge followed a Kent County Court Services recommendation that the two be held without bond.

The defense argued the couple did not pose a danger or flight risk.

Court records showed the alleged crimes occurred between March 6 and June 2. The defendants subjected the alleged victims to cruel or extreme physical or mental pain and suffering  .

The couple, who live on Hickory Ridge Drive SW, adopted three children in 2011. CPS responded to several complaints that the children showed signs of physical and mental abuse and maltreatment, police said in a probable-cause affidavit.

The affidavit listed numerous incidents of alleged abuse of a child or children. Among them:

A dog collar was placed on a child who was forced to eat dog food and milk;

A child was forced to eat oatmeal with hot sauce;

A child was pushed down the stairs and punched and choked;

A child was caught eating food from a trash can at school because she was not fed at home.

The children needed permission to use the bathroom, and were supervised while bathing;

The children were forced to run for miles as punishment;

They were locked in the garage, with only dog food to eat.

Police said that the childrens weights and stature were below the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions growth guide. Police said the mother in 2017 had not responded appropriately to a care plan and at some point would not allow CPS to talk to the children, court records said.

Simkins, the attorney representing the mother in the neglect case, said detectives and CPS case workers have already investigated the allegations without criminal charges file. One of the alleged victims, now an adult, is making up crazy allegations in this case, he said.

And, again judge, for the record, all of this has already been investigated by numerous previous detectives and CPS workers and it was all denied. Until now.

The father, a Central Michigan University graduate, has worked 20 years for the Social Security Administration while his wife is a volunteer for hurricane relief.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Grand Rapids firefighters are responding to a fire at Grand Rapids Brewing Company.

The fire broke out Friday afternoon at the building at 1 Ionia Avenue SW downtown. Firefighters reported active fires in the basement as well as the roof.

About 40 firefighters are on scene.

The fire started in the kitchen of Grand Rapids Brewing Company and extended through ductwork all the way to the roof. The fire extended across the roof.

Firefighters were on scene within two minutes of a 911 call and had the fire out in 13 minutes, Battalion Chief Richard Clark said at the scene.

He said there was extensive fire damage on the roof. There is also water damage to the upper floors, which include offices and apartments. Some people have been displaced but the number is not yet known.

No injuries were reported.

Clark said that everyone was evacuated immediately.

As of 6 p.m., Fulton Street remained closed from Ottawa Avenue to Commerce Avenue.

This is a developing story that will be updated.

Grand Rapids firefighters are responding to a fire at Grand Rapids Brewing Company downtown. (Melissa Frick|MLive)Melissa Frick

More on MLive:

Brothers sentenced in scheme to alter emission-control devices on heavy-duty diesel trucks

John Gibbs accused of physical threats, sexist comments, installing secret camera

Flint Township dad charged after threatening to burn school down
OTTAWA COUJNTY, MI -- The lead attorney for Ottawa Countys corporate counsel said John Gibbs is trying to deflect scrutiny by claiming the countys legal team performed poorly.

Gibbs, the Ottawa County administrator, said his complaints against Kallman Legal Group led county leaders to seek his resignation.

He was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday, Feb. 22 at the end of a special Ottawa County Board meeting. Commissioners are expected to have further discussion next week on Gibbs future and whether to authorize a payout in exchange for his resignation.

RELATED: John Gibbs placed on administrative leave by Ottawa County leaders

Gibbs attorney, Noah Hurwitz, in a Feb. 15 letter to commissioners, accused them of retaliating against him because he made complaints against Kallman Legal Group.

The complaints involved incorrect legal advice, significant privacy violations, delays of weeks or months in the provision of routine advice, continued insufficient availability of counsel, a continued lack of organization or deliverables tracking systems, and unprofessional conduct on the part of the Corporation Counsel, according to the letter.

RELATED: John Gibbs asking for $630K to resign from Ottawa County administrator role

But David Kallman, head of Kallman Legal Group, described Gibbs claims as baseless.

We are disappointed that Mr. Gibbs made baseless and false accusations against our office in an attempt to deflect scrutiny from his own actions. Board Chair Joe Moss noted in todays special meeting that complaints have been lodged against Mr. Gibbs and the Board voted to immediately place him on paid administrative leave. None of these numerous and serious complaints originated from our office, Kallman said in a written statement.

Both Gibbs and Kallman Legal Group came to the county anew in January 2023 with the installation of a majority ultra-conservative faction on the county board known as Ottawa Impact.

Gibbs, a failed congressional candidate, was hired in the same moment that commissioners voted to fire then-Administrator John Shay.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Armenia suspended its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with France 24 TV channel, Trend reports.

According to him, issues related to the security of Armenia, especially in 2021-2022, have not been properly resolved within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty.

In response to a question about the possible closure of the Russian military base in Armenia, Pashinyan noted that at the moment there is no discussion of this issue.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Rarely does a month go by, when a relative or friend doesnt raise the issue of housing  too few homes to rent or buy and, of course, the cost.

More than a decade ago, when we were going to open houses in the city and a few suburbs, I recall it being a buyers market with plenty of inventory. Mortgage payments were a sticker shock but not huge.

Like some other counties in West Michigan, we know housing is needed in the Grand Rapids area. A study released last year by Housing Next said that Kent County needs 34,699 homes by 2027 to meet demand.

About 60% of those units are needed outside the city of Grand Rapids, reporter Brian McVicar shared with readers this week when making them aware of a 256-unit housing development proposed for Kentwood. Allen Edwin Homes is asking the city of Kentwood to rezone the property for a mix of condominiums and townhomes that could start around $300,000 and go up to the mid-$400,000 range.

Brian also reported a $50 million donation from the DeVos Family Foundation that will provide improved care for children and their families. The bulk of those dollars - $40 million - is going to Corewell Health Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital. The remaining $10 million will be split by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services.

Down in Ottawa County, the big news this week was that County Administrator John Gibbs has been placed on paid administrative leave. Lead Reporter Audra Gamble reported that after a 90-minute closed-door Feb. 22 meeting, the board of commissioners voted 10-1 to place him on leave for an undetermined amount of time, providing no reason for the action.

The special meeting was to discuss complaints commissioners made against Gibbs and to consider his offer to resign for $630,000 made through a letter from his attorney Feb. 15. Gibbs was hired Jan. 23, 2023. The letter came a month after he threatened to sue the county if fired without just cause.

Take a look at those headlines and others below. Monica Scott is the editor for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press, who previously was a reporter who covered the city, county and schools in the community.

Large, 256-unit housing development planned south of Grand Rapids

John Gibbs placed on administrative leave by Ottawa County leaders

DeVos family donates $50M to childrens healthcare. Heres 3 projects it will fund

10 proposals on the ballot in the Grand Rapids area for Feb. 27 election

John Gibbs asking for $630K to resign from Ottawa County administrator role

Corewell Health to demolish shuttered West Michigan hospital, sell land for $1

Restaurant and social club with 10 pickleball courts, Wiffle ball field opening in Kentwood

Heres your complete list of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park events for 2024

Kent County teacher accused of sexually assaulting student to stand trial

How the lack of affordable childcare limits the West Michigan workforce economy

Attorney: John Gibbs suspension is retaliation for efforts to protect Ottawa County

West Michigan park has 5 yurts ready for summer 2024, tree houses are next

Everybodys been loving it: 616 Kabob Stop Express touts growth in Grand Rapids area

See 23 penguins get their annual checkup at John Ball Zoo
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  No one likes their annual visit to the doctor, but the penguins at John Ball Zoo took it like a champ Thursday, Feb. 22, as they lined up to receive their routine yearly checkup.

Twenty-three Magellanic penguins had their beaks and nails trimmed, blood drawn, X-rays taken, and full physicals completed by veterinarians and zoo staff during their annual wellness exams on Thursday.

It takes the staff over three hours to complete the exams on the nearly two dozen penguins, which range in age between 7 and 33 years old. While some penguins are more calm than others during the procedure, the zoo staff try to keep the exams smooth and efficient to prevent the birds from getting too stressed out.

Each penguin is a little different, said John Ball Zoo veterinarian Dr. Ryan Colburn. Some penguins are very comfortable with their exam, and others, just like taking a pet to the vet or a kid to the doctor, dont like it as much. So that can take a little bit of time.

Conducting annual wellness exams helps ensure the Magellanic penguins at John Ball Zoo live long, healthy lives, Colburn said.

While the average lifespan of a penguin in the wild can be between 15 and 20 years, the Magellanic penguins at John Ball Zoo live into their late 20s and early 30s, thanks in part to the veterinary care they receive, he said.

What we find is that whenever were able to keep penguins, or any other animal, in human care, and provide them the veterinary care they need, were able to keep them with us much longer, Colburn said. We have penguins that are living well into their 30s, and thats because the zookeepers take such good care of them, and were able to monitor them so closely every year to make sure everythings going okay.

The penguins move through four main stations during their annual checkup. The first exam is with Senior Zookeeper David Blaszkiewicz, who weighs the penguins, checks their ID bands on their wings, and trims their beak and nails.

John Ball Zoo senior zookeeper David Blaszkiewicz trims the beak of a Magellanic penguin as part of its annual exam on Thursday, Feb. 22.Melissa Frick

Penguins beaks are made of keratin, so they grow just like fingernails do, Colburn explained. Usually, a penguins beak is worn down naturally during its everyday life, but in the zoo, the birds may need a little help keeping it trim.

This is just a chance for us to kind of trim that overgrowth back a little bit and get it to a normal shape, the veterinarian said. Most of these guys dont end up needing nearly as much trimming sometimes, where if we have a raptor or a parrot, its a lot more careful shaping because they have very particular beaks.

After getting weighed and trimmed, the penguins move on to receive a full physical inspection from Colburn or Dr. Alex McFarland, another zoo veterinarian. A key part of the physical is conducting a thorough eye exam, because penguins can be prone to cataracts as they age, Colburn said.

The penguins also get their blood drawn  which can take a few minutes, because the penguins are usually squirming around, and the veterinary technicians have to find their blood vessel through a layer of feathers and fat, said Tom Holt, the zoos animal care supervisor.

If the penguins get overwhelmed or stressed during the exam, they are placed in a caged area by themselves so they can walk around and cool down for a few minutes.

She might need a minute  shes pretty stressed, Blaszkiewicz called out to the vet techs after trimming the nails of Aggie, one of the youngest penguins at the zoo, on Thursday.

Link, a Magellanic penguin at John Ball Zoo, sits in a caged area to calm down during his routine annual checkup on Thursday, Feb. 22. If the penguins get too stressed or agitated during their exam, they are placed in a caged area to walk around and calm down for a few minutes.Melissa Frick

The final part of the exam is the X-ray. The penguins are placed into a plastic container that holds their body still while the X-ray is taken, which only takes a few seconds.

Maureen Lewis, senior keeper at the animal hospital, said the veterinary staff are looking for any internal abnormalities and checking to make sure the penguins havent eaten any foreign objects like coins, which children sometimes throw into the penguins sanctuary.

Animals arent going to tell us when theyre not feeling good, and I feel like birds are really good at hiding any sicknesses that they might have, Lewis said. So this way, we can just see what internally is going on through the X-ray.
KENT COUNTY, MI  A 35-year-old Wyoming woman died Friday, Feb. 23, in a crash on South Division Avenue near 32nd Street in Wyoming, police said.

Two others were injured.

The two-vehicle crash happened around 2:15 p.m. The victim was a passenger in a vehicle that then crashed into a utility pole and caught fire. Wyoming firefighters quickly extinguished the fire.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Her name has not been released.

Two people were treated for minor injuries.

Police talked to both drivers at the scene. Speed and alcohol are not believed to be factors.

Wyoming Police Departments Accident Investigation and Forensic Science units continue to investigate circumstances of the crash.

Police asked anyone with information to contact investigators at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or www.silentobserver.org
KALAMAZOO, MI  The code of silence on the streets is real and needs to be broken, Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Kenneth Barnard said as he sentenced Maliek Hargrave to a lengthy prison sentence this week.

Hargrave, 26, was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 20, to a maximum of 75 years in prison for shooting and killing 18-year-old Jason Whetstone outside of a party on East Maple Street at 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 2, 2021.

RELATED: You hoodwinked them all: Judge tells former WMU student who killed Kalamazoo teen

What would make you think you could shoot someone in the middle of the street in front of many, many people, and that you thought no one would come to court? Barnard asked Hargrave. You made this decision, in the context of you believed there was a code of silence.

You believed no one would come to court. You believed no one would testify, but they did. And it was credible. And it was believable.

The jury got it right, the judge said to Hargrave.

Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Kenneth Barnard at the old Kalamazoo Country Courthouse in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (MLive file photo)Rodney Coleman-Robinson | MLive.com

While people did come forward to testify in two trials against Hargrave, all too often witnesses adhere to the unwritten code of the streets, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Capt. Rafael Diaz told the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive.

With each violent crime, Diaz said there are typically at least one to three people who have critical information. Having them be willing and brave enough to disregard that code is often key to solving a case and getting violent criminals off the streets, he said.

We rely on witness testimony because we cant get a conviction without evidence, Diaz said. We can recover evidence from a scene, but without someone there who witnessed it to give context to the events, it kind of falls short. Thats the critical piece of information at times that we are missing.

Over the past four years, 33% of all homicide cases in Kalamazoo still have suspects at large, he said.

Since 2020, there have been 63 homicides in the city  not counting those involving extenuating factors, such as a drunk driving case. Of those, Diaz said, charges are yet to be filed in 21 of them.

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers respond to a shooting scene in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (MLive file photo)Emil Lippe | MLive.com

We have several cases where there were dozens of people around and we have yet to have a resolution, Diaz said. Marcus Tillman was killed June 10 at a park during a concert, there were plenty of people around there, but for some reason nobody still wants to talk.

Its not because we dont ask, its not because were not reaching out. Its part of that code of silence and thats unfortunate.

RELATED: Random or targeted? Police still investigating homicide at Kalamazoo concert

The night Tillman, 35, was shot and killed at Spring Valley Park. A 32-year-old man was also wounded by gunfire at the same time during the concert. More than 20 shell casings were found at the scene.

Multiple witnesses told police that between 50 and 200 people were in the park. Yet no one was, or has been, willing to provide any information that will help lead to an arrest.

Detectives also reached out to community members earlier this week in the hopes of moving an investigation forward in another fatal shooting. That one claimed the life of 31-year-old musician David Postawa on Aug. 29, 2022, in the parking lot of the Mills Street Market.

When these horrific events occur, the taking of a life, it doesnt just destroy that life, thats certainly the focus, but all the other effects that go with that  the family, the mothers, the fathers, the siblings, Diaz said. We try to do what we can and we try to encourage cooperation, but we also have to safeguard those witnesses.

Safeguarding witnesses can be a challenge, as many dont feel safe testifying in court, especially when the shootings involve group or gang violence. Detectives will help witnesses by trying to protect the information they share as much as possible during the process, Diaz said.

Kalamazoo Public Safety Capt. Rafael Diaz, speaks during a press conference. (MLive file photo)Joel Bissell | MLive.com

They will also partner with social services agencies to get a witness other help or counseling. Unfortunately, Diaz said, witness relocation isnt something the department has the capability to offer. Witness protection, at that level, is much more common at the federal level.

KDPS, like most police departments, also offers a way to share information anonymously.

People with information related to violent crimes who arent comfortable coming forward can share information at KalamazooSilentObserver.com, call the silent observer tip line at 269-343-2100 or use the P3Tips app. Witnesses can also contact a detective directly by calling 269-337-8139.

That can be extremely helpful to get an investigation moving, but eventually witnesses are needed to testify.

In late January, a case was dismissed against 32-year-old Charm Deanthony-Lee McFerrin, who had been charged with attempted murder for a shooting a 24-year-old Kalamazoo man on Thanksgiving.

McFerrin was arrested, arraigned and underwent a probable cause conference. Yet when it came time for his preliminary hearing on Thursday, Jan. 25, in Kalamazoo County District Court, no witnesses showed.

Our offenders will get copies of reports, copies of pictures, find out whos talking and then that word goes out on the street and that can make them targets, Diaz said.

As a result of no witnesses testifying against McFerrin, all charges were dismissed without prejudice. That means they can still be refiled. Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said his office will review to see what, if any, charges could be filed, given a lack of cooperation from witnesses and the victim.

It is hard to pursue a case when the witnesses refuse to come to court and testify, Getting said.

KDPS has numerous initiatives, from its Group Violence Intervention program to community policing programs, that help engage community numbers in reducing violence in the city.

RELATED: Unlikely relationships forge in battle to end gun violence in Kalamazoo

We share that were not this force in the community thats trying to undermine anything, but that were actually concerned about the safety and well-being of every citizen in Kalamazoo, Diaz said. Thats our goal.

Getting community members to work with them  for what should be a common goal  is key, he said.

(Hargrave being convicted) is an example of all those things coming together to make sure that the person who pulled the trigger and killed another human being is made to answer for it, Diaz said.

Diaz and Barnard both hope the outcome of Hargraves trial will inspire others to come forward in the many other open cases in Kalamazoo.

The code of silence has to be broken, Barnard said during Hargraves sentencing. People have to know that if they commit crimes like this, they are going to be held accountable to the full extent of the law.

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BAY CITY, MI  With speculation rife on what is going on with Bay Citys State Theatre, another nonprofit has disclosed additional details of a six-figure mortgage it has held on the downtown institution for years.

In 2019, the State Theatre approached the Bay County Growth Alliance seeking a loan to complete renovations for the Wenonah Park Bandshell. The BCGAs board of directors considered the request and in September 2019 approved a bridge loan to the State, according to attorney Charles Hewitt, representing the BCGA.

On June 26, 2020, then-Bay County Growth Alliance President Christopher Girard signed an $800,000 commercial mortgage, naming the theatre, 913 Washington Ave., as the borrower. Mike Bacigalupo, then the theatres chief operating officer, also signed the mortgage agreement.

The loans terms were in keeping with BCGA practices and was approved by the States board of directors as well, Hewitt said.

The loan was documented with a promissory note, which is held by the BCGA and is private.

The principle has not been repaid, Hewitt said on Feb. 23. Its an interest-only loan. Interest payments have been made. The maturity date is next year, so it has to be paid in full in June 2025.

Hewitt could not disclose what the regular payments were and if they were current.

With BCGA holding the mortgage, the organization has the right to foreclose on the State if it defaults on the loan.

I have not discussed the mechanics of that whatsoever with the board of directors, Hewitt said. Thatll probably a discussion that will come into course.

Hewitt said the BCGA felt compelled to issue a statement after ABC-12 reported the State Theatre plans to file bankruptcy by the end of the month. As of Feb. 23, the State has not filed bankruptcy.

MLive has repeatedly reached out to State Theatre Board President Dan Dimitroff for comment but has received no reply.

The theatres board removed Bacigalupo as its COO in November, naming Tracy Teich as his interim replacement. She stepped down from the position a few weeks later.

Bacigalupo was dismissed by the board shortly after Bay City terminated his employment as the citys special events coordinator on Nov. 1. An arm of the city, the Downtown Development Authority also removed Bacigalupo as its director.

The United Way of Bay County also parted ways with Bacigalupo, just weeks after the organization announced he and his wife were co-chairs of its 2023 fundraising campaign.

The intrigue took on a new level in January when 1980s rocker Rick Springfield (under his legal surname of Springthorpe) filed a lawsuit in Bay County Circuit Court against Bacigalupo and the State. Springfield on Aug. 26, 2023, performed in Wenonah Park and received a $68,750 check from the venue, endorsed by Bacigalupo.

Five days later, the check bounced. Springfields representation reached out to Bacigalupo to inquire about a replacement check being issued. They did not receive a substantive response from Bacigalupo, who claimed there was an issue with the venues account being breached, causing problems with funds being released, according to the suit.

Despite Defendants repeated assurances that the money would be wired to Plaintiff, no payment has been made to rectify the outstanding balance owed, the suit states. Springfield only received a $48,750 deposit payment provided prior to his summertime gig, the lawsuit states.

Springfield is seeking $206,250 from the defendants.

Last year, MLive received multiple tips that musical artist Joan Jett & the Blackhearts also did not receive payment from the State Theatre after performing in Wenonah Park on Aug. 18 as part of the Rockin the River concert series. MLive has contacted representatives with the bands talent agency, Creative Artists Agency, who declined to comment on the record if this was accurate.

MLive has not been able to reach Bacigalupo for comment since the controversy began.
A bit of a switch-up is in store for the northern tier of Michigans U.P. A low-pressure system will be moving in. After seeing high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 40s the past few days, Michigan will do her thing again. Because of this, the top of the state could see temps right back in bitter cold territory, falling into the teens as early as Friday morning.

Due to the nature of this system off to the north, snow and blustery wind should make for quite an interesting scene for the area. North/northwest winds should allow for the snow-belt of the U.P. to get the bulk of the snow in this scenario. The snow-belt refers to an area stretching from around the Keweenaw Peninsula all the way to Sault Ste. Marie, which is heavily influenced by Lake Superior.

Along with this, frictional forces and a rapidly deepening system will allow for strong winds to blow across the lake. The timing of this short-lived event: tonight into tomorrow morning.

As a result of this, the National Weather Service in Marquette has issued gale warnings for the Lake Superior coastline from 1 am Friday, expiring at 8 a.m. Friday. Hazardous weather outlooks have also been issued for the northern counties of the U.P. that border the lake. Shown below are current watches and warnings for the NWS Marquette coverage area.

Recent NWS warnings issued by Marquette including gale and hazardous weather.National Weather Service

According to the NWS warnings, winds 30-35 mph are possible as well as gusts over 45 mph. This should make for dangerously large waves for the Superior basin. Nine to 14-foot waves are well within the possibilities, especially during the overnight and morning hours. The NWS is urging boaters with small crafts to exercise caution and avoid going out on the water tonight unless it is absolutely necessary.

Lets look at the flip side to check out how much snow could potentially fall with this. A forecast loop from the model known as the High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) was run to determine accumulation numbers for the Upper Peninsula going into tomorrow afternoon. The timing of the image is 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time. The loop shows that the majority of the snow will actually fall between 4 a.m. and noon.

Imminent lake-effect accumulations possible for portions of the central and upper U.P.Weather Models

According to the graphic, a few clusters of accumulation will be of note, the first being near Marquette itself. A localized area could see around 1-3 inches with some spots a bit more. Other areas east and west could see up to 1 inch, with a majority of spots receiving at least half an inch.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. Russia firmly rejects the Armenian authorities' accusations regarding the Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) purported failure to meet its mandate and obligations to Armenia, Trend reports, referring to the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement to the TASS News Agency.

"We would like to reiterate our strong objection to the accusations made by the Armenian authorities concerning the CSTO's supposed neglect of its mandate and duties towards Armenia during the notable events in the region in 2021 and 2022," the ministry said.

Russia anticipates comprehensive clarifications from Armenia, conveyed through bilateral channels, regarding the implications of the statements made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan concerning the "suspension of Armenia's participation" in the CSTO.

Armenia has chosen to invite observers from the European Union rather than the CSTO mission, and the facts unequivocally demonstrate the ineffectiveness of these pseudo-observers, as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"In September 2022, the Armenian side requested a swift assessment mission from the secretariat and joint headquarters of the organization, which was promptly dispatched to the country's border regions. Subsequently, the CSTO Council formulated a decision for the deployment of a monitoring mission in Armenia, encompassing military-technical assistance and other measures. Regrettably, neither our fault nor that of other organization members, the Armenian authorities to reject this balanced decision, citing unfounded pretexts. Instead, Armenia openly chose to invite pseudo-observers from the EU, a decision supported by known facts that unequivocally underscore the inefficacy of their efforts," the Russian ministry said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry maintains the view that Armenia remains a full-fledged member of the CSTO, and, hopefully, Armenia will choose to address concerns through open and trusting dialogue.

"We base our perspective on the fact that Armenia remains a fully-fledged member of the CSTO, entailing all the associated rights and obligations. However, we express regret over the observed decline in Armenia's engagement in the organization's activities, which does not align with the interests of the amicable Armenian people and the imperative of ensuring the country's security. We anticipate that Armenia will recognize the importance of addressing existing concerns through a trusting dialogue, rather than amplifying them in the public domain," the diplomatic ministry noted.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. The Turkish-made fifth-generation military aircraft is scheduled to enter service in 2028, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a rally of the ruling Justice and Development Party in the southwest of Denizli province, Trend reports.

According to him, the development process of the fifth generation aircraft has been going on in Turkiye for about 15 years, and now the critical stage, which involves the start of flight tests of the KAAN aircraft, has been left behind.

"The first flight of the combat aircraft was completed successfully. We plan to deliver the first KAAN aircraft to the Turkish Air Force by the end of 2028," the head of Turkiye said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 23. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a telephone conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant has called for ensuring the safety of the civilian population of the city of Rafah before the start of a possible Israeli military operation, The Pentagon said, Trend reports.

The report noted that the minister stressed the importance of having a robust plan to ensure the safety and support of the more than one million residents living in Rafah before any military action is launched there.

In addition, the parties discussed joint efforts to free all those remaining hostage from Hamas. Austin also raised the need to improve the process of peaceful conflict resolution with humanitarian organizations and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, noting that looting and violence are preventing humanitarian convoys from accessing the Gaza Strip.
Certified Advisory Corp bought a new position in shares of Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 17,706 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $2,699,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in WM. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 534.5% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 3,344 shares of the business services providers stock worth $530,000 after purchasing an additional 2,817 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 0.7% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 53,067 shares of the business services providers stock worth $8,411,000 after purchasing an additional 370 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 0.6% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 358,624 shares of the business services providers stock worth $56,842,000 after purchasing an additional 2,309 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 83.8% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 680 shares of the business services providers stock worth $108,000 after purchasing an additional 310 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 44.8% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 33,030 shares of the business services providers stock worth $5,234,000 after purchasing an additional 10,212 shares during the period. 78.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Waste Management

In other news, Director John C. Pope sold 185 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.00, for a total transaction of $33,485.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 56,461 shares in the company, valued at $10,219,441. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, VP Donald J. Smith sold 329 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $198.56, for a total transaction of $65,326.24. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 5,522 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,096,448.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director John C. Pope sold 185 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $181.00, for a total value of $33,485.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 56,461 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,219,441. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 36,720 shares of company stock worth $6,613,888. 0.27% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Waste Management from $215.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. UBS Group cut shares of Waste Management from a buy rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $190.00 to $205.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Waste Management from $184.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on shares of Waste Management from $188.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, HSBC cut 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, February 15th. 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $197.57.

Read Our Latest Report on Waste Management

Waste Management Trading Up 1.5 %

WM traded up $3.01 on Thursday, hitting $207.24. The company had a trading volume of 2,267,446 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,761,679. The firm has a market cap of $83.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.61, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.70. Waste Management, Inc. has a 1 year low of $148.31 and a 1 year high of $208.18. The companys fifty day moving average price is $184.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $170.23. 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 (NYSE:WM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 12th. The business services provider reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $5.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.19 billion. Waste Management had a return on equity of 36.51% and a net margin of 11.28%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.30 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Waste Management, Inc. will post 6.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Waste Management 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.

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BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (NYSE:BIGZ  Get Free Report) major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 178,566 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $8.03 per share, for a total transaction of $1,433,884.98. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 49,526,254 shares in the company, valued at approximately $397,695,819.62. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Large shareholders that own at least 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.

Saba Capital Management, L.P. also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, February 20th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 56,252 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $7.91 per share, for a total transaction of $444,953.32.

On Thursday, February 15th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 486,478 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $8.07 per share, for a total transaction of $3,925,877.46.

On Monday, February 12th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 432,560 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $8.23 per share, for a total transaction of $3,559,968.80.

On Friday, February 9th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 222,038 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of $8.13 per share, for a total transaction of $1,805,168.94.

On Wednesday, February 7th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 401,620 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $7.86 per share, with a total value of $3,156,733.20.

On Monday, February 5th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 29,397 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $7.70 per share, with a total value of $226,356.90.

On Friday, February 2nd, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 119,244 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $7.77 per share, with a total value of $926,525.88.

On Wednesday, January 31st, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 340,328 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $7.64 per share, with a total value of $2,600,105.92.

On Monday, January 29th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 212,619 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $7.64 per share, with a total value of $1,624,409.16.

On Friday, January 26th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 492,596 shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $7.57 per share, with a total value of $3,728,951.72.

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust Stock Performance

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust stock traded up $0.17 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $8.02. The stock had a trading volume of 609,074 shares, compared to its average volume of 847,658. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $7.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $7.29. BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust has a 12 month low of $6.21 and a 12 month high of $8.35.

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust Announces Dividend

Institutional Trading of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.0447 per share. This represents a $0.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. CWM LLC increased its holdings in BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust by 5,155.0% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,306 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 6,186 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust by 272.0% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,696 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 4,896 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $71,000. Finally, Nomura Holdings Inc. purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $81,000.

About BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust

(Get Free Report)

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust is a mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc and managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust is based in United States.

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Edison International (NYSE:EIX  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The utilities provider reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by $0.12, Briefing.com reports. Edison International had a net margin of 8.75% and a return on equity of 12.79%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.14 earnings per share. Edison International updated its FY24 guidance to $4.75-5.05 EPS.

Edison International Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE EIX traded down $0.53 during trading on Thursday, hitting $67.42. 4,508,847 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,673,185. Edison International has a fifty-two week low of $58.82 and a fifty-two week high of $74.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.17, a P/E/G ratio of 3.60 and a beta of 0.97. The businesss fifty day moving average is $68.77 and its 200 day moving average is $67.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.80.

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Edison International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a $0.78 dividend. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.63%. Edison Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 97.20%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Edison International

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Edison International during the first quarter worth $41,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Edison International by 61.4% during the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 615 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Edison International in the 3rd quarter worth about $50,000. Aspect Partners LLC bought a new position in Edison International in the 4th quarter valued at about $61,000. Finally, Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Edison International during the 4th quarter valued at about $64,000. Institutional investors own 88.17% of the companys stock.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on EIX shares. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Edison International from $76.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Edison International from $52.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. StockNews.com cut Edison International from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Barclays cut their price objective on Edison International from $72.00 to $69.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Guggenheim upgraded shares of Edison International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $66.00 to $84.00 in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have assigned 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 $72.91.

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Edison International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Edison International, through its subsidiaries, generates and distributes electric power. The company supplies electricity to approximately 50,000 square mile area of southern California to residential, commercial, industrial, public authorities, agricultural, and other sectors. It also provides decarbonization and energy solutions to commercial, institutional, and industrial customers in North America and Europe.

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West Michigan Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 3.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,170 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 116 shares during the period. West Michigan Advisors LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $373,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 83.0% during the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,269,030 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $149,213,000 after acquiring an additional 575,649 shares in the last quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 34.3% in the third quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP now owns 4,700 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $553,000 after buying an additional 1,200 shares during the period. Meyer Handelman Co. boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 5.9% in the third quarter. Meyer Handelman Co. now owns 390,975 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $45,971,000 after buying an additional 21,895 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 23.5% during the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 229,416 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $24,605,000 after purchasing an additional 43,654 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 1.1% during the second quarter. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC now owns 40,900 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,387,000 after purchasing an additional 453 shares during the last quarter. 58.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Exxon Mobil Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE XOM traded down $0.08 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $104.77. 13,701,598 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 19,136,207. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 12-month low of $95.77 and a 12-month high of $120.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.48. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $101.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $106.19. The firm has a market cap of $415.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.80, a P/E/G ratio of 3.70 and a beta of 0.97.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.28. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 18.51%. The company had revenue of $84.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.03 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.40 earnings per share. Exxon Mobils quarterly revenue was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.25 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be paid a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.63%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is presently 42.74%.

Insider Activity at Exxon Mobil

In related news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total transaction of $216,132,620.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 13,000 shares in the company, valued at $1,352,780. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total value of $1,231,800.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 220,678 shares in the company, valued at $22,652,596.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total transaction of $216,132,620.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 13,000 shares in the company, valued at $1,352,780. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.06% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Exxon Mobil from $134.00 to $127.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 8th. TD Cowen upgraded Exxon Mobil from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $115.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the company from $116.00 to $119.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $133.00 to $132.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, Mizuho cut shares of Exxon Mobil from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $117.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $127.53.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on XOM

Exxon Mobil 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.

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Providence Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 55,500 shares of the medical technology companys stock, valued at approximately $4,349,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Hall Capital Management Co. Inc. raised its position in shares of Medtronic by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Hall Capital Management Co. Inc. now owns 4,226 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $372,000 after buying an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Bollard Group LLC grew its stake in Medtronic by 1.8% during the second quarter. Bollard Group LLC now owns 6,955 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $613,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. DT Investment Partners LLC lifted its position in Medtronic by 1.0% during the second quarter. DT Investment Partners LLC now owns 12,076 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $1,059,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. lifted its holdings in Medtronic by 13.1% during the 2nd quarter. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. now owns 1,091 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $97,000 after buying an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SRS Capital Advisors Inc. increased its position in Medtronic by 19.6% during the 2nd quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 782 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.75% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Medtronic news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 4,997 shares of Medtronic stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.17, for a total transaction of $410,603.49. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 28,910 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,375,534.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Medtronic from $104.00 to $98.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Medtronic from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $92.00 price target on shares of Medtronic in a research report on Wednesday. Mizuho boosted their price target on Medtronic from $95.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their target price on Medtronic from $89.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $94.91.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Medtronic

Medtronic Stock Performance

MDT stock traded up $0.61 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $85.67. The company had a trading volume of 2,528,576 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,304,855. The company has a quick ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 2.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $85.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $80.35. Medtronic plc has a one year low of $68.84 and a one year high of $92.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $113.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.78.

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 20th. The medical technology company reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $8.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.95 billion. Medtronic had a return on equity of 13.71% and a net margin of 13.00%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.30 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Medtronic plc will post 5.2 EPS for the current year.

Medtronic Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 20th were given a dividend of $0.69 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 19th. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.22%. Medtronics payout ratio is 87.90%.

Medtronic Company Profile

(Free Report)

Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software.

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At the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Yaroslav Shakhtorin, a Ukrainian actor in Dr. Baby Dust and the four-part series Friends, was at home with his wife, actress Taisiia Khvostova, in Hostomel during the occupation of Kyiv region. This period was very nerve-wracking for him, but he was most worried about the life of his beloved.

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The support of his actors and family helped Shakhtorin survive the horrific events of that time, he said in an interview with TSN. He recalled that he had put himself in danger because of his own curiosity, but it was all over. He only made eye contact with the occupier, who was a helicopter pilot flying over their house.

"The racist 'alligators' were flying over every morning and evening. They flew very low, at a height of 4-5 meters, and I was eager to see what they were. One day I went out, and when they flew over the house, I made eye contact with a helicopter pilot. It was scary," he said.

But Shakhtorin was most concerned not so much for his life as for his wife when the occupiers visited their home. "I was very worried about my wife. It was really scary when they went around the house. A soldier, maybe younger than I. He was in full gear, with a weapon, though he looked a little confused. Later, when we heard what these non-humans were doing in other villages and towns, we realized that we were just lucky," the actor recalled.

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It is not known whether it was the occupation or the beginning of a full-scale invasion that had such an impact, but Shakhtorin immediately switched to using the Ukrainian language in conversation and in viewing content. The actor notes that social media still offers him a lot of Russian content, but he doesn't give up and confidently blocks it.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Africa Oil Corp. (OTCMKTS:AOIFF  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low on Friday . The stock traded as low as $1.66 and last traded at $1.68, with a volume of 155221 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $1.69.

Africa Oil Stock Down 0.6 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $779.23 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -169.00 and a beta of 1.08. The companys 50-day moving average is $1.84 and its 200-day moving average is $1.99.

Africa Oil Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Africa Oil Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The company holds interests in producing and development assets in deep-water Nigeria, and development assets in Kenya. It also has a portfolio of exploration/appraisal assets in Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as Guyana and Senegal Guinea Bissau Joint Development Zone.

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American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH  Get Free Report) updated its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 1.700-1.760 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 1.740. The company issued revenue guidance of -. American Homes 4 Rent also updated its FY24 guidance to $1.70-1.76 EPS.

American Homes 4 Rent Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of American Homes 4 Rent stock traded up $0.49 during trading on Friday, reaching $35.24. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,707,059 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,681,777. American Homes 4 Rent has a 1-year low of $28.78 and a 1-year high of $37.97. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $35.38 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $35.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The company has a market cap of $12.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.88, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.70.

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American Homes 4 Rent Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.26 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.95%. This is an increase from American Homes 4 Rents previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. American Homes 4 Rents dividend payout ratio is 84.62%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AMH has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group raised American Homes 4 Rent from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $34.00 to $41.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. StockNews.com cut shares of American Homes 4 Rent from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on American Homes 4 Rent in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. They issued an outperform rating and a $42.00 price target for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on American Homes 4 Rent in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $40.00 price objective on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $37.93.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on AMH

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Homes 4 Rent

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of American Homes 4 Rent during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent during the second quarter worth $41,000. Providence Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 3,038.9% in the first quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,260 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $71,000 after purchasing an additional 2,188 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in American Homes 4 Rent by 37.5% in the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,319 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $78,000 after purchasing an additional 632 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its stake in American Homes 4 Rent by 10,152.4% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,153 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 2,132 shares during the last quarter. 83.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Homes 4 Rent Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH), which does business as AMH, is a leading owner, operator and developer of single-family rental homes. We're an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing and managing homes as rental properties.

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Avidbank Holdings, Inc. (OTCMKTS:AVBH  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 1.8% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $18.46 and last traded at $18.75. 9,876 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 114% from the average session volume of 4,625 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.10.

Avidbank Trading Up 0.8 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $146.85 million, a P/E ratio of 8.44 and a beta of 0.69. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $20.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.89.

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Avidbank (OTCMKTS:AVBH  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, January 22nd. The company reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $29.26 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.92 million. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Avidbank Holdings, Inc. will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Avidbank Company Profile

Avidbank Holdings, Inc operates as a bank holding company for Avidbank that provides financial products and services to businesses and individuals in the Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties. The company offers business and personal deposit products, such as checking, money market, and savings accounts; and certificates of deposit.

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Aviva plc (OTCMKTS:AVVIY  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $11.30 and last traded at $11.26, with a volume of 26266 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $10.98.

Aviva Price Performance

The business has a 50 day moving average price of $10.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.36.

Aviva Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Aviva plc provides various insurance, retirement, investment, and savings products in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and internationally. The company offers life insurance, long-term health and accident insurance, savings, pension, and annuity products, as well as pension fund business and lifetime mortgage products.

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Barclays (LON:BARC  Get Free Report) had its target price upped by equities research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 180 ($2.27) to GBX 200 ($2.52) in a research report issued on Thursday, Digital Look reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the financial services providers stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s price objective points to a potential upside of 22.19% from the companys current price.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 220 ($2.77) price objective on shares of Barclays in a research note on Tuesday. Berenberg Bank boosted their target price on shares of Barclays from GBX 240 ($3.02) to GBX 270 ($3.40) and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Shore Capital restated a buy rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Tuesday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of GBX 232 ($2.92).

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Get Our Latest Analysis on BARC

Barclays Trading Up 0.6 %

Insider Buying and Selling

Shares of BARC traded up GBX 0.92 ($0.01) during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting GBX 163.68 ($2.06). The companys stock had a trading volume of 47,807,426 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,510,801. Barclays has a 52-week low of GBX 128.12 ($1.61) and a 52-week high of GBX 198.86 ($2.50). The companys 50-day moving average is GBX 148.65 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 146.94. The firm has a market capitalization of 24.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 481.41, a PEG ratio of -1.09 and a beta of 1.37.

In other Barclays news, insider Anna Cross sold 74,044 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 143 ($1.80), for a total transaction of 105,882.92 ($133,320.22). In related news, insider Nigel Higgins purchased 200,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 7th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 139 ($1.75) per share, for a total transaction of 278,000 ($350,037.77). Also, insider Anna Cross sold 74,044 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 143 ($1.80), for a total transaction of 105,882.92 ($133,320.22). 0.23% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.

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Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 49,209 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 977 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil comprises about 1.3% of Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest holding. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $5,786,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. KB Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. IMA Wealth Inc. grew its position in Exxon Mobil by 720.0% during the second quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 369 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 324 shares during the period. FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil in the 4th quarter valued at about $43,000. Turim 21 Investimentos Ltda. grew its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 222.5% in the first quarter. Turim 21 Investimentos Ltda. now owns 574 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 396 shares during the period. Finally, DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil in the third quarter valued at approximately $49,000. 58.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Exxon Mobil Stock Down 0.9 %

NYSE:XOM traded down $0.92 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $103.84. The company had a trading volume of 15,923,994 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,128,928. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $101.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $106.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 12-month low of $95.77 and a 12-month high of $120.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $411.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.67, a PEG ratio of 3.78 and a beta of 0.97.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.28. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 18.51%. The company had revenue of $84.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $90.03 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.40 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 13th. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is 42.74%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on XOM. TD Cowen upgraded Exxon Mobil from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $115.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Mizuho downgraded Exxon Mobil from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $117.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $116.00 to $119.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $120.00 price target on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $127.53.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Exxon Mobil

Insider Activity at Exxon Mobil

In related news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total value of $216,132,620.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 13,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,352,780. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total transaction of $216,132,620.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 13,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,352,780. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,400 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total transaction of $252,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 30,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,169,845. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 2,091,400 shares of company stock valued at $217,616,420 over the last three months. 0.06% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.

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BHK Investment Advisors LLC decreased its position in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (NYSE:KYN  Free Report) by 6.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 35,000 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 2,500 shares during the period. BHK Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund were worth $294,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in KYN. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 48.8% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 19,391 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $179,000 after purchasing an additional 6,362 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 17.3% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 45,541 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $420,000 after buying an additional 6,711 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 250.4% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 100,882 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $932,000 after buying an additional 72,089 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund during the first quarter valued at about $92,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund by 10.1% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 23,596 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $217,000 after buying an additional 2,165 shares during the last quarter.

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Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:KYN traded down $0.07 on Friday, reaching $9.10. 315,322 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 615,539. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $8.72 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.55. Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. has a 52 week low of $7.84 and a 52 week high of $9.18.

Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Increases Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. This is a boost from Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Funds previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.67%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 2nd.

In other Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund news, President James C. Baker bought 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 10th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $8.84 per share, with a total value of $442,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the president now directly owns 681,039 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,020,384.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund news, President James C. Baker bought 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 10th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $8.84 per share, with a total value of $442,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the president now directly owns 681,039 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,020,384.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, President James C. Baker acquired 37,547 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $10.03 per share, for a total transaction of $376,596.41. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 591,039 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,928,121.17. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired 1,871,594 shares of company stock valued at $18,651,388 over the last ninety days.

Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund Company Profile

(Free Report)

Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by KA Fund Advisors, LLC. It is co-managed by Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It invests in stocks of companies operating in the energy sector.

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Shares of BV Financial, Inc. (OTCMKTS:BVFL  Get Free Report) shot up 2.3% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $13.13 and last traded at $12.80. 23,720 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 2% from the average session volume of 23,315 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.51.

BV Financial Stock Down 0.8 %

The businesss 50 day moving average is $13.79 and its 200-day moving average is $11.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $144.13 million and a P/E ratio of 8.07.

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BV Financial (OTCMKTS:BVFL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, January 22nd. The company reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $9.61 million for the quarter.

About BV Financial

BV Financial, Inc operates as the holding company for BayVanguard Bank that provides various financial services to individuals and businesses in Maryland. The company offers checking and money market accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposits. Its loan products include real estate, home equity, construction, lot, auto, boat, and other personal loans; and commercial lending products, such as commercial equipment/installation, commercial real estate, construction, investment real estate, lines of credit, and SBA loans, as well as loans for short-term real estate purchase, renovation, and sale projects.

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C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. lifted its holdings in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC  Free Report) (TSE:MFC) by 188.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,389 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 10,707 shares during the period. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd.s holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $300,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Manulife Financial by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 413,404 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,557,000 after purchasing an additional 11,469 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in Manulife Financial by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,751,874 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,024,000 after buying an additional 22,540 shares in the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp increased its stake in Manulife Financial by 6.0% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 163,442 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,988,000 after acquiring an additional 9,188 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund raised its holdings in shares of Manulife Financial by 97.8% during the 3rd quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 1,345,000 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $24,588,000 after acquiring an additional 665,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board boosted its position in shares of Manulife Financial by 38.7% during the 3rd quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 180,497 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,298,000 after acquiring an additional 50,333 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 45.02% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on MFC shares. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Manulife Financial from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the company from $31.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Manulife Financial in a research report on Thursday. They issued a buy rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Manulife Financial from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Desjardins upgraded Manulife Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Manulife Financial from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $33.33.

Manulife Financial Stock Performance

Manulife Financial stock traded up $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $24.30. The company had a trading volume of 4,735,233 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,207,919. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $22.13 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $19.90. Manulife Financial Co. has a 1 year low of $17.07 and a 1 year high of $24.89. The firm has a market cap of $43.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.07.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.298 per share. This represents a $1.19 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.91%. This is a boost from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 27th. Manulife Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 54.40%.

Manulife Financial Profile

(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.

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Certified Advisory Corp grew its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS  Free Report) by 851.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 23,055 shares of the transportation companys stock after purchasing an additional 20,632 shares during the period. Certified Advisory Corps holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $3,594,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. IMA Wealth Inc. grew its position in United Parcel Service by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 142 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Finally, OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Institutional investors own 58.45% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, Director Eva C. Boratto acquired 1,400 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares in the company, valued at $199,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Argus downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $175.00 to $147.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Raymond James lowered their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $185.00 to $175.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Sixteen 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $176.95.

Get Our Latest Research Report on UPS

United Parcel Service Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE UPS traded up $1.46 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $149.73. The stock had a trading volume of 3,025,788 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,342,983. The companys 50 day moving average price is $154.09 and its 200 day moving average price is $155.58. The firm has a market cap of $127.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.10. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $133.68 and a twelve month high of $197.80.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.47 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.46 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $24.92 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.40 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 7.37% and a return on equity of 39.46%. The companys revenue was down 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.62 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 16th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.35%. This is a positive change from United Parcel Services previous quarterly dividend of $1.62. United Parcel Services dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 83.70%.

About United Parcel Service

(Free Report)

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.

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Popular Ukrainian actor Kostiantyn Kostyshyn, who is currently serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, spoke about his attitude to film director Oksana Bairak, who fled to Russia after the invasion and is now working for Russian propaganda channels. The artist once starred in the films of a cheerleader.

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According to Kostyshyn, Bairak has always admired Russian artists. The actor explains her pro-Russian position by saying that "there is propaganda in her head."

"I only acted in her projects a few times," Kostyshyn says. "They were small roles, very short. I remember she even gave me something as a souvenir after one day of shooting. But at the same time, I saw not only her kindness but also something else  she preferred to work with Russian actors. And not only her - many producers thought that our actors were just so-so, while Russians were a cool school. I strongly disagree with that. They imposed Moscow actors, and ours were just cast in secondary roles."

"As for Bairak, I honestly didn't follow her work, but I can confirm that she sincerely admired Russians," the actor adds, "I remember even writing a letter in support of Dmitry Kharatyan when he was banned from entering Ukraine. There was cotton wool in my head, which, unfortunately, multiplied. And over time, her position emerged."

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Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CMHHY  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $13.19 and last traded at $13.19, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $13.19.

China Merchants Port Price Performance

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $14.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16.

China Merchants Port Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited, an investment holding company, operates as a port operator in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and internationally. The company operates through Ports Operations, Bonded Logistics Operations, and Other Operations segments. It engages in the container, and bulk and general cargo terminals; logistic park operation, ports transportation, and airport cargo handling activities; and property development and investment.

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China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CMAKY  Get Free Report)s share price fell 1.4% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $3.45 and last traded at $3.45. 1,054 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 51% from the average session volume of 2,163 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.50.

China Minsheng Banking Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $15.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.28. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $3.27 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $3.32.

About China Minsheng Banking

(Get Free Report)

China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. provides various financial products and services to individuals, small and micro-enterprises, corporate customers, government agencies, and financial institutions in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, and Others segments.

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Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Free Report) by 53.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 25,847 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 9,001 shares during the quarter. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corps holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $1,558,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 18,372 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,106,000 after acquiring an additional 629 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $341,000. Rice Partnership LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,125,000. Mariner LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 27.9% in the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 10,801 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $651,000 after acquiring an additional 2,356 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 60.7% in the 3rd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 878,869 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $52,987,000 after acquiring an additional 331,927 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Japan ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA EWJ traded up $0.18 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $69.08. The company had a trading volume of 3,947,617 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,406,729. The stock has a market cap of $14.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 12 month low of $54.56 and a 12 month high of $69.22. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $65.42 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $62.54.

iShares MSCI Japan ETF Profile

iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index).

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Edgewater Wireless Systems Inc. (CVE:YFI  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$0.04 and last traded at C$0.04, with a volume of 70000 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.04.

Edgewater Wireless Systems Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$9.34 million, a PE ratio of -4.00 and a beta of 1.83. The stocks 50-day moving average price is C$0.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$0.04.

About Edgewater Wireless Systems

(Get Free Report)

Edgewater Wireless Systems Inc develops and commercializes technologies and intellectual property for the wireless communications market in North America. The company provides IP Licensing, Wi-Fi spectrum slicing solutions, dual channel Wi-Fi; wireless access points and associated peripheral equipment and support services; and PowerZoning, a channel power control product for multi-channel single radio Wi-Fi networks.

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Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 781.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 110,715 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 98,154 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $59,468,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of LLY. Thompson Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Retirement Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 159.1% during the 2nd quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 57 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Optiver Holding B.V. acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. 81.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $631.81, for a total transaction of $21,821,453.78. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 99,719,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,004,019,910.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 195,055 shares of company stock worth $125,254,657. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on LLY shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $710.00 to $865.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. DZ Bank downgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $820.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Wednesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $535.00 target price for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $815.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $663.33.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on LLY

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:LLY traded up $23.73 during trading on Thursday, reaching $769.64. The company had a trading volume of 3,102,813 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,461,625. The firms fifty day moving average is $646.88 and its 200 day moving average is $598.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $730.63 billion, a PE ratio of 131.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.32. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $309.20 and a twelve month high of $794.47. 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 (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.19. 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.95 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.09 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.5 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 89.66%.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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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).

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Klepierre (OTCMKTS:KLPEF  Get Free Report) and Elme Communities (NYSE:ELME  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, valuation and earnings.

Risk & Volatility

Klepierre has a beta of 1.53, meaning that its stock price is 53% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Elme Communities has a beta of 0.95, meaning that its stock price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations for Klepierre and Elme Communities, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Klepierre 1 2 1 0 2.00 Elme Communities 0 1 1 0 2.50

Earnings & Valuation

Elme Communities has a consensus price target of $16.67, indicating a potential upside of 22.96%. Given Elme Communities stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Elme Communities is more favorable than Klepierre.

This table compares Klepierre and Elme Communities revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Klepierre $1.30 billion 5.63 $437.45 million N/A N/A Elme Communities $227.91 million 5.23 -$52.98 million ($0.61) -22.22

Klepierre has higher revenue and earnings than Elme Communities.

Profitability

This table compares Klepierre and Elme Communities net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Klepierre N/A N/A N/A Elme Communities -23.25% -4.41% -2.82%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

88.5% of Elme Communities shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% of Elme Communities shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Klepierre beats Elme Communities on 7 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Klepierre

(Get Free Report)

Klepierre is the European leader in shopping malls, combining property development and asset management skills. The Company's portfolio is valued at 19.4 billion at June 30, 2023, and comprises large shopping centers in more than 10 countries in Continental Europe which together host hundreds of millions of visitors per year. Klepierre holds a controlling stake in Steen & Strm (56.1%), Scandinavia's number one shopping center owner and manager. Klepierre is a French REIT (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris and is included in the CAC Next 20 and EPRA Euro Zone Indexes. It is also included in ethical indexes, such as Euronext CAC 40 ESG, CAC SBT 1.5, MSCI Europe ESG Leaders, FTSE4Good, Euronext Vigeo Europe 120, and features in CDP's "A-list". These distinctions underscore the Group's commitment to a proactive sustainable development policy and its global leadership in the fight against climate change.

About Elme Communities

(Get Free Report)

Elme Communities (formerly known as Washington Real Estate Investment Trust or WashREIT) is committed to elevating what home can be for middle-income renters by providing a higher level of quality, service, and experience. The company is a multifamily real estate investment trust that owns and operates approximately 8,900 apartment homes in the Washington, DC metro and the Sunbelt, and owns approximately 300,000 square feet of commercial space. Focused on providing quality, affordable homes to a deep, solid, and underserved base of mid-market demand, Elme Communities is building long-term value for shareholders.

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Epoch Investment Partners Inc. trimmed its position in Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J  Free Report) by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 688,732 shares of the companys stock after selling 60,746 shares during the quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. owned about 0.55% of Jacobs Solutions worth $94,012,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pinnbrook Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Jacobs Solutions in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,043,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. raised its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 183,955 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,110,000 after purchasing an additional 3,477 shares during the last quarter. EPG Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 11.5% in the 3rd quarter. EPG Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,846 shares of the companys stock valued at $525,000 after purchasing an additional 396 shares during the last quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. raised its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 2,669 shares of the companys stock valued at $364,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baupost Group LLC MA acquired a new position in Jacobs Solutions in the 3rd quarter valued at $66,583,000. Institutional investors own 84.77% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on J shares. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Jacobs Solutions from $151.00 to $161.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Raymond James downgraded Jacobs Solutions from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $160.00 target price on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $150.00 target price on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, KeyCorp assumed coverage on Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a sector weight rating for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Jacobs Solutions currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $152.11.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Ralph E. Eberhart sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.86, for a total transaction of $454,510.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 26,754 shares in the company, valued at $3,474,274.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Ralph E. Eberhart sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.86, for a total transaction of $454,510.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 26,754 shares in the company, valued at $3,474,274.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,500 shares of Jacobs Solutions stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.48, for a total value of $701,140.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 62,719 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,995,418.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 19,018 shares of company stock worth $2,475,578. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Jacobs Solutions Trading Up 0.7 %

Jacobs Solutions stock traded up $1.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $146.99. 328,339 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 794,438. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $134.94 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $133.60. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a 12-month low of $109.00 and a 12-month high of $149.17. The firm has a market cap of $18.47 billion, a PE ratio of 26.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42.

Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.02 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.56 by $0.46. The company had revenue of $4.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.02 billion. Jacobs Solutions had a return on equity of 14.57% and a net margin of 4.20%. Jacobs Solutionss revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.67 EPS. Research analysts expect that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 8.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Jacobs Solutions Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be paid a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This is a boost from Jacobs Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. Jacobs Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.57%.

Jacobs Solutions Profile

(Free Report)

Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding J? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J  Free Report).

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Addison Capital Co grew its stake in Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 4.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,045 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the quarter. Addison Capital Cos holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $710,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of XOM. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC grew its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 17.4% during the 1st quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 7,909 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $680,000 after buying an additional 1,173 shares during the last quarter. Retirement Income Solutions Inc bought a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil during the 1st quarter valued at about $275,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 318.8% during the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 17,163 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,417,000 after buying an additional 13,065 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC grew its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 95.6% during the 1st quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 15,843 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,308,000 after buying an additional 7,744 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgefront Capital LLC bought a new position in Exxon Mobil in the 1st quarter worth about $237,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.53% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have commented on XOM shares. Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $116.00 to $119.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $133.00 to $132.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. TD Cowen upgraded shares of Exxon Mobil from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $115.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $134.00 to $127.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 8th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Exxon Mobil has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $127.53.

Insider Transactions at Exxon Mobil

In other news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total transaction of $216,132,620.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 13,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,352,780. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total value of $216,132,620.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 13,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,352,780. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, 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 transaction of $1,231,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 220,678 shares in the company, valued at $22,652,596.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.06% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Exxon Mobil Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:XOM traded down $0.09 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $104.76. The stock had a trading volume of 20,359,086 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,186,525. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 12-month low of $95.77 and a 12-month high of $120.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.48. The company has a market cap of $415.16 billion, a PE ratio of 11.80, a P/E/G ratio of 3.70 and a beta of 0.97. The companys 50 day moving average is $101.30 and its 200-day moving average is $106.19.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.28. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 18.51%. The company had revenue of $84.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $90.03 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.40 EPS. The companys revenue was down 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.25 EPS for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.63%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.74%.

About Exxon Mobil

(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.

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Farmers Bankshares, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FBVA  Get Free Report)s stock price were up 2% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $18.85 and last traded at $18.81. Approximately 900 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 4% from the average daily volume of 933 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.45.

Farmers Bankshares Stock Up 2.0 %

The stocks fifty day moving average is $18.81 and its 200-day moving average is $18.81.

Farmers Bankshares Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Farmers Bankshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Farmers Bank that provides various banking products and services to small and mid-sized businesses, professionals, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs primarily in southeastern Virginia. The company offers personal and business checking and savings accounts.

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Hollencrest Capital Management lessened its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS  Free Report) by 31.6% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 65,004 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 30,000 shares during the period. Hollencrest Capital Managements holdings in Fidelity National Information Services were worth $3,593,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in Fidelity National Information Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Baystate Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 332.1% during the third quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 484 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 372 shares during the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. increased its stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 83.3% during the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 286 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares during the period. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. acquired a new position in Fidelity National Information Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, McCarthy Grittinger Financial Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 101.1% during the 3rd quarter. McCarthy Grittinger Financial Group LLC now owns 573 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.67% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director Ellen R. Alemany acquired 735 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 17th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $60.32 per share, for a total transaction of $44,335.20. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 35,333 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,131,286.56. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.56% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on FIS. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $71.00 to $67.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. Raymond James decreased their price target on Fidelity National Information Services from $79.00 to $71.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Fidelity National Information Services from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Finally, Mizuho upped their target price on Fidelity National Information Services from $62.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $66.00.

View Our Latest Research Report on FIS

Fidelity National Information Services Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE:FIS traded up $0.65 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $64.10. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,841,393 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,667,425. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $61.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $57.12. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $46.91 and a 1 year high of $67.46. The firm has a market cap of $37.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

About Fidelity National Information Services

(Free Report)

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc provides technology solutions for financial institutions and businesses worldwide. It operates through Banking Solutions, Merchant Solutions, and Capital Market Solutions segments. The Banking Solutions segment provides core processing and ancillary applications; mobile and online banking; fraud, risk management, and compliance; electronic funds transfer and network; card and retail payment; wealth and retirement; and item processing and output solutions.

Further Reading

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The well-known Ukrainian band Okean Elzy, led by frontman Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, has released its first song since 2022, titled Vidpovid (The answer). The emotional and dramatic composition with a black-and-white video touched upon the relatable topic of war.

ADVERTISIMENT

The release took place on the morning of February 23 on the band's YouTube channel. The lyrics and music were written by Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, and the video was directed by Max Smetana.

The stars immediately answered the question about what their first song since July 2022 is about.

"Vidpovid is about pain and memory, about lifelong gratitude, about the difficult and long road to victory. It is the question of how much longer and the answer that everyone can definitely find in their hearts," the description says.

With their song, Okean Elzy supported millions of Ukrainians who have been living in the terrible realities of a full-scale war for almost two years now but do not lose faith in victory over the Russian occupiers.

ADVERTISIMENT

In the comments, people have already called the song a "masterpiece" and shared their impressions after listening to it.

"It's brilliant", "Goosebumps. One of the best songs ever. Thank you guys for your creativity", "We can't help but stand up! We live, we create, we fight, we win", "It's impossible to listen to it without tears", "As always, a masterpiece", "Unsurpassed," the audience wrote.

In addition to the heartfelt lyrics, the stars' first music video in a long time is also worthy of attention. It is simple, perfectly conveying the emotions of the track and its performer.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to the band, 2024 will mark the 30th anniversary of Okean Elzy's founding, and on this occasion, they plan to release one or maybe two albums.

Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
North Reef Capital Management LP lifted its stake in shares of First Horizon Co. (NYSE:FHN  Free Report) by 137.9% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 8,900,000 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 5,158,750 shares during the quarter. First Horizon comprises 6.2% of North Reef Capital Management LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest position. North Reef Capital Management LPs holdings in First Horizon were worth $98,078,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in FHN. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of First Horizon by 15.6% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 29,962 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $704,000 after purchasing an additional 4,036 shares during the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in First Horizon by 22.9% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 17,303 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $406,000 after acquiring an additional 3,224 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its holdings in First Horizon by 10.8% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 310,733 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,507,000 after acquiring an additional 30,189 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its holdings in First Horizon by 2.1% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 28,364 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $666,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its holdings in First Horizon by 3,619.3% in the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,003,120 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $23,563,000 after acquiring an additional 976,149 shares during the last quarter. 76.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group upgraded First Horizon from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $15.50 to $16.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com cut First Horizon from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Citigroup assumed coverage on First Horizon in a report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $14.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $16.00 price objective on shares of First Horizon in a report on Friday, January 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on First Horizon from $11.50 to $14.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, First Horizon presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $14.35.

First Horizon Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of First Horizon stock traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $14.06. 3,322,955 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,162,211. First Horizon Co. has a 1 year low of $8.99 and a 1 year high of $24.87. The stocks fifty day moving average is $14.06 and its 200 day moving average is $12.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 0.95. The firm has a market cap of $7.86 billion, a PE ratio of 9.20, a PEG ratio of 4.06 and a beta of 0.95.

First Horizon (NYSE:FHN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.01. First Horizon had a return on equity of 9.94% and a net margin of 17.80%. The business had revenue of $1.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $784.20 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.51 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that First Horizon Co. will post 1.42 earnings per share for the current year.

First Horizon Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.27%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. First Horizons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.22%.

First Horizon declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, January 23rd that allows the company to repurchase $650.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to buy up to 7.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

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.

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Future Fund LLC lowered its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 5.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 176 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 11 shares during the quarter. Chipotle Mexican Grill accounts for approximately 0.9% of Future Fund LLCs holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Future Fund LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $322,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 4th quarter worth about $450,560,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 4th quarter worth about $248,604,000. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 65.8% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 375,736 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $521,332,000 after buying an additional 149,115 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2,334.9% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 153,400 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $328,123,000 after buying an additional 147,100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,052,227 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $4,389,714,000 after buying an additional 54,820 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.19% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CMG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. BTIG Research raised their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,650.00 to $2,750.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Stephens lifted their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,800.00 to $3,000.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,225.00 to $2,525.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,284.00 to $2,500.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Wedbush restated a neutral rating and set a $2,400.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $2,469.88.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Roger E. Theodoredis sold 898 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,622.25, for a total value of $2,354,780.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,529 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,009,420.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,093 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,199.81, for a total transaction of $2,404,392.33. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at $51,358,964.07. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Roger E. Theodoredis sold 898 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,622.25, for a total value of $2,354,780.50. Following the sale, the insider now owns 1,529 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,009,420.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 5,837 shares of company stock worth $14,012,071 in the last 90 days. 0.96% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE CMG traded up $19.35 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $2,646.72. 54,402 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 228,213. The stock has a market cap of $72.57 billion, a PE ratio of 59.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.29. The companys fifty day moving average is $2,387.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is $2,120.47. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $1,470.05 and a fifty-two week high of $2,725.83.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The restaurant operator reported $10.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.73 by $0.63. The company had revenue of $2.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.49 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 44.41% and a net margin of 12.45%. Chipotle Mexican Grills revenue for the quarter was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $8.29 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 53.2 earnings per share for the current year.

About Chipotle Mexican Grill

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. The company offers burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

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Pinnbrook Capital Management LP reduced its stake in shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE  Free Report) by 41.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 40,902 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 28,696 shares during the quarter. General Electric accounts for approximately 1.1% of Pinnbrook Capital Management LPs holdings, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Pinnbrook Capital Management LPs holdings in General Electric were worth $4,522,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Sei Investments Co. raised its stake in General Electric by 10.0% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 305,384 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $27,925,000 after acquiring an additional 27,682 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in General Electric during the 1st quarter valued at $1,518,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in General Electric by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 11,748 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,075,000 after acquiring an additional 334 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of General Electric in the 1st quarter worth $388,000. Finally, West Family Investments Inc. bought a new stake in shares of General Electric in the 1st quarter worth $230,000. 74.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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General Electric Stock Up 1.2 %

GE stock traded up $1.83 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $153.50. The stock had a trading volume of 2,696,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,173,368. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. General Electric has a 1-year low of $81.65 and a 1-year high of $153.80. The company has a fifty day moving average of $132.89 and a 200 day moving average of $120.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $167.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.12, a PEG ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.25.

General Electric Announces Dividend

General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $19.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.27 billion. General Electric had a return on equity of 10.88% and a net margin of 13.95%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 15.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.24 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that General Electric will post 4.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 28th were issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 27th. General Electrics dividend payout ratio is 3.82%.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total transaction of $3,195,107.85. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 56,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,153,863.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total transaction of $3,195,107.85. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 56,284 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,153,863.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.55, for a total value of $1,843,615.55. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 48,339 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,552,351.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.67% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on GE. Barclays upped their target price on General Electric from $144.00 to $153.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on General Electric from $144.00 to $148.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com raised General Electric from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on General Electric from $124.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on General Electric from $135.00 to $148.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $132.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on General Electric

General Electric Company Profile

(Free Report)

General Electric Company operates as a high-tech industrial company in Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. It offers gas and steam turbines, full balance of plant, upgrade, and service solutions, as well as data-leveraging software for power generation, industrial, government, and other customers.

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Greencore Group plc (OTCMKTS:GNCGY  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $5.18 and last traded at $5.18, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $5.18.

Greencore Group Stock Performance

The firms 50 day moving average is $4.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $4.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.69.

Greencore Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Greencore Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells convenience food products in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company offers sandwiches, salads, sushi, chilled snacking, chilled ready meals, chilled soups and sauces, chilled quiche, ambient sauces and pickles, and frozen Yorkshire Puddings.

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Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR  Get Free Report) insider Heather A. Planishek sold 8,521 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.27, for a total transaction of $198,283.67. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 703,485 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,370,095.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Palantir Technologies Price Performance

NYSE:PLTR traded up $0.86 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $23.60. The stock had a trading volume of 64,252,353 shares, compared to its average volume of 79,052,648. Palantir Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $7.19 and a 1-year high of $25.52. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $18.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $17.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 252.92, a PEG ratio of 5.74 and a beta of 2.66.

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Institutional Trading of Palantir Technologies

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $141,000. Prospect Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $339,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in Palantir Technologies by 286.9% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,464,040 shares of the companys stock valued at $76,648,000 after purchasing an additional 3,310,179 shares during the period. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $396,000. Finally, DRW Securities LLC bought a new stake in Palantir Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $915,000. 34.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wedbush increased their price target on shares of Palantir Technologies from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an underperform rating and set a $5.00 price target on shares of Palantir Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Palantir Technologies from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. HSBC lowered shares of Palantir Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $22.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Palantir Technologies from an underperform rating to a hold rating and increased their price target for the stock from $13.00 to $22.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $16.71.

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About Palantir Technologies

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Palantir Technologies Inc builds and deploys software platforms for the intelligence community in the United States to assist in counterterrorism investigations and operations. The company provides Palantir Gotham, a software platform which enables users to identify patterns hidden deep within datasets, ranging from signals intelligence sources to reports from confidential informants, as well as facilitates the handoff between analysts and operational users, helping operators plan and execute real-world responses to threats that have been identified within the platform.

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Hollencrest Capital Management trimmed its position in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUC  Free Report) by 0.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,368,009 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,757 shares during the quarter. BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund accounts for approximately 1.5% of Hollencrest Capital Managements holdings, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Hollencrest Capital Management owned about 1.42% of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund worth $13,078,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MUC. Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund in the 2nd quarter worth about $50,000. Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new position in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund during the 1st quarter valued at about $111,000. CTC Alternative Strategies Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at about $116,000. XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund during the 1st quarter valued at about $116,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $125,000. 25.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Trading Down 1.0 %

BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund stock traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $11.01. The stock had a trading volume of 285,881 shares, compared to its average volume of 330,577. The firms fifty day moving average is $11.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.45. BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc. has a 52-week low of $9.19 and a 52-week high of $11.30.

BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund Dividend Announcement

About BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $0.0485 per share. This represents a yield of 5.42%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 14th.

(Free Report)

BlackRock MuniHoldings California 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 fixed income markets. It invests primarily in a portfolio of long-term investment-grade municipal obligations, the interest on which is exempt from Federal and California income taxes.

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Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HPP  Get Free Report) Director Barry A. Sholem acquired 40,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $6.69 per share, with a total value of $267,600.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 70,176 shares in the company, valued at approximately $469,477.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link.

Hudson Pacific Properties Stock Down 2.9 %

Shares of Hudson Pacific Properties stock traded down $0.20 during trading on Thursday, hitting $6.50. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,440,737 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,102,045. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a current ratio of 1.79. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.42 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $6.92. The company has a market capitalization of $916.51 million, a PE ratio of -4.74 and a beta of 1.37. Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. has a 52 week low of $4.05 and a 52 week high of $9.85.

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Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE:HPP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 12th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.15. Hudson Pacific Properties had a negative net margin of 19.20% and a negative return on equity of 5.74%. The company had revenue of $223.42 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $223.93 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.49 EPS. Hudson Pacific Propertiess quarterly revenue was down 17.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. will post 1.03 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Hudson Pacific Properties

Analyst Ratings Changes

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Hudson Pacific Properties by 103,925.0% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,161 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 4,157 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV purchased a new stake in Hudson Pacific Properties during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in Hudson Pacific Properties during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in Hudson Pacific Properties during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp grew its position in Hudson Pacific Properties by 183.6% during the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 8,691 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 5,626 shares during the last quarter. 97.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

HPP has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Bank of America lowered shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and lowered their price target for the company from $5.50 to $4.00 in a report on Monday, November 13th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $8.00 to $11.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. BTIG Research upped their price objective on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from $11.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 29th. Finally, Wedbush lowered shares of Hudson Pacific Properties from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $11.00 to $7.50 in a report on Tuesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hudson Pacific Properties presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $8.83.

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Hudson Pacific Properties Company Profile

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Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) is a real estate investment trust serving dynamic tech and media tenants in global epicenters for these synergistic, converging and secular growth industries. Hudson Pacific's unique and high-barrier tech and media focus leverages a full-service, end-to-end value creation platform forged through deep strategic relationships and niche expertise across identifying, acquiring, transforming and developing properties into world-class amenitized, collaborative and sustainable office and studio space.

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Hollencrest Capital Management decreased its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG  Free Report) by 89.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 62,036 shares of the companys stock after selling 501,991 shares during the period. Hollencrest Capital Managements holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $2,952,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IEMG. MAS Advisors LLC raised its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 30,239 shares of the companys stock worth $1,705,000 after purchasing an additional 1,122 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 15,167 shares of the companys stock valued at $843,000 after buying an additional 282 shares during the period. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 15.9% during the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 21,970 shares of the companys stock worth $1,220,000 after acquiring an additional 3,020 shares during the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 15.1% during the first quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 7,574 shares of the companys stock valued at $421,000 after acquiring an additional 994 shares during the period. Finally, High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 8.7% in the first quarter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC now owns 30,276 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,676,000 after acquiring an additional 2,411 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Stock Up 0.9 %

NYSEARCA IEMG traded up $0.48 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $51.08. The companys stock had a trading volume of 11,312,166 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,262,501. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $49.50 and a 200 day moving average of $48.80. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a twelve month low of $45.57 and a twelve month high of $52.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.26 and a beta of 0.75.

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Profile

The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of emerging-market firms, covering 99% of market capitalization. IEMG was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Shares of iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:SMMV  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $36.26 and last traded at $36.02, with a volume of 77342 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $36.21.

iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF Trading Up 0.4 %

The firm has a market cap of $853.69 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.12 and a beta of 0.79. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $35.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $34.41.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SMMV. ORG Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF by 69.0% in the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 823 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the period. Certified Advisory Corp grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Certified Advisory Corp now owns 9,638 shares of the companys stock worth $358,000 after acquiring an additional 615 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF by 611.8% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,331 shares of the companys stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 1,144 shares during the last quarter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC now owns 64,580 shares of the companys stock worth $2,401,000 after acquiring an additional 3,809 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $143,000.

iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund tracks an index of US-listed small capitalization stocks selected and weighted to create a low volatility portfolio, subject to constraints. SMMV was launched on Sep 7, 2016 and is managed by BlackRock.

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KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY24 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $3.10 to $3.30 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $3.23. The company issued revenue guidance of $7.4 billion to $7.7 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $7.71 billion. KBR also updated its FY 2024 guidance to 3.100-3.300 EPS.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com upgraded KBR from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday. KeyCorp raised their price target on KBR from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on KBR from $75.00 to $66.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on KBR from $71.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target on KBR from $65.00 to $63.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $68.14.

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KBR Stock Performance

KBR opened at $59.29 on Friday. KBR has a one year low of $49.37 and a one year high of $65.87. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $54.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29.

KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The construction company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.69. The firm had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.78 billion. KBR had a positive return on equity of 25.08% and a negative net margin of 3.81%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.69 EPS. Analysts forecast that KBR will post 3.22 EPS for the current year.

KBR Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This is a boost from KBRs previous quarterly dividend of $0.14. KBRs payout ratio is -26.34%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On KBR

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in KBR by 35.5% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 871 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its holdings in KBR by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 69,856 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $3,688,000 after purchasing an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC boosted its holdings in KBR by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 4,568 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $269,000 after purchasing an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its holdings in KBR by 4.2% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 7,948 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $435,000 after purchasing an additional 322 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Profund Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in KBR by 11.1% in the 4th quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 4,038 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $224,000 after purchasing an additional 404 shares in the last quarter.

About KBR

(Get 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.

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Designer and stylist Oleksii Zalevskyi said that although he had an intimate experience with a man three decades ago, he cannot call himself gay because he has not had sex with members of the same sex since. He also confirmed that there are many gay men in the design community and suggested why men dress better than women.

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According to Zalevskyi, he himself has many close friends who are part of LGBTQ+ community. The Ukrainian spoke about this in an interview with TSN for the project Naodyntsi (Alone).

When asked why all the most famous designers of today are gay, he recalled the history of fashion from the very beginning and its dramatic changes several centuries ago, when trends began to focus on women.

"I've been thinking about this topic for a long time. I've come up with an answer: a woman subconsciously cannot dress another woman beautifully. You may kill me, but this is a subconscious natural existence. When I work, I still understand as an artist, as an outsider, what a person will wear, what they won't wear, what suits them, what doesn't suit them. That is, I work with some other mechanisms," the designer shared his thoughts.

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According to him, nature has laid down that males are brighter in color than females, so men have always dressed extraordinarily in fashion.

This changed, the stylist believes, several centuries ago when women began to fight for their rights. However, even though bold and bright trends are now inherent in women's style, they are still mostly created by male designers.

"Coming back to gay culture and designers, the male view of the female image is still... Well, you look at it differently. Why are gay men better designers than women? Because they are more creative, that is, they have no limits to their shamelessness," Oleksii suggested.

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The Ukrainian doesn't consider himself gay. However, he doesn't deny that he might like a man. According to the designer, he takes into account the emotional component of relationships and has only good memories of intimacy with a man 30 years ago. He added that now he is not attracted to members of his own sex.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp raised its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 23,604 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 249 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for approximately 2.3% of Consolidated Portfolio Review Corps holdings, making the stock its 5th biggest position. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corps holdings in Mastercard were worth $9,345,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cassia Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in Mastercard by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,240 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $491,000 after buying an additional 26 shares during the period. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. increased its stake in Mastercard by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 348 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $138,000 after buying an additional 27 shares during the period. Visionary Wealth Advisors increased its stake in Mastercard by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Visionary Wealth Advisors now owns 5,311 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,103,000 after buying an additional 27 shares during the period. Motco grew its holdings in Mastercard by 6.3% during the 2nd quarter. Motco now owns 469 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $184,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tufton Capital Management grew its holdings in Mastercard by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. Tufton Capital Management now owns 578 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $229,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.94% of the companys stock.

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Mastercard Price Performance

Shares of MA traded up $1.87 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $473.43. The company had a trading volume of 686,999 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,518,551. The company has a market capitalization of $443.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.86, a PEG ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 1.08. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12-month low of $340.21 and a 12-month high of $475.17. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $439.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $414.11. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06.

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.18 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.08 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $6.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.46 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.60% and a return on equity of 191.22%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.65 EPS. Research analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, December 5th that authorizes the company to repurchase $11.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to repurchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be paid a $0.66 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 8th. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.56%. Mastercards payout ratio is 22.32%.

Insider Activity at Mastercard

In other Mastercard news, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 98 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $439.52, for a total transaction of $43,072.96. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,740,407.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Mastercard news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 13,542 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $460.06, for a total transaction of $6,230,132.52. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 46,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,388,649.46. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 98 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $439.52, for a total transaction of $43,072.96. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,235 shares in the company, valued at $2,740,407.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 30,540 shares of company stock valued at $13,542,519. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MA has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $432.00 to $499.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $475.00 to $490.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $462.00 to $480.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Mastercard from $443.00 to $439.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and set a $510.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $471.85.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on MA

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

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Mcmorgan & Co. LLC raised its position in Informatica Inc. (NYSE:INFA  Free Report) by 3.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 178,928 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 5,617 shares during the period. Informatica makes up about 0.7% of Mcmorgan & Co. LLCs holdings, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Mcmorgan & Co. LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Informatica worth $3,770,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in INFA. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Informatica by 30.5% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 8,339,728 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $164,626,000 after buying an additional 1,949,022 shares during the last quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Informatica during the third quarter worth about $14,375,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of Informatica by 202.2% during the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 976,649 shares of the technology companys stock worth $19,602,000 after purchasing an additional 653,473 shares during the last quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Informatica by 133.9% during the second quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 914,166 shares of the technology companys stock worth $16,912,000 after purchasing an additional 523,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital World Investors acquired a new stake in Informatica during the first quarter worth about $7,851,000. 38.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Informatica Stock Down 0.8 %

Informatica stock traded down $0.26 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $32.34. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,150,314 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,255,621. The company has a market capitalization of $9.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -70.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.78 and a beta of 1.05. Informatica Inc. has a 12 month low of $13.29 and a 12 month high of $36.00. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $29.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $24.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a current ratio of 1.66.

Insider Transactions at Informatica

Analysts Set New Price Targets

In other Informatica news, CEO Amit Walia sold 85,996 shares of Informatica stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.14, for a total value of $2,935,903.44. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2,537,995 shares in the company, valued at approximately $86,647,149.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . In other news, EVP Ansa Sekharan sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.39, for a total value of $1,369,500.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 498,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,647,560.52. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, CEO Amit Walia sold 85,996 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.14, for a total transaction of $2,935,903.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 2,537,995 shares in the company, valued at approximately $86,647,149.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 53.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Informatica from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, February 12th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Informatica from $27.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Informatica from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $26.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of Informatica from $21.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Finally, DA Davidson assumed coverage on shares of Informatica in a research note on Tuesday, November 14th. They set a neutral rating and a $25.00 target price for the company. Five 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, Informatica has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $31.63.

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Informatica Profile

(Free Report)

Informatica Inc develops an artificial intelligence-powered platform that connects, manages, and unifies data across multi-cloud, hybrid systems at enterprise scale in the United States. The company's platform includes a suite of interoperable data management products, including data integration products to ingest, transform, and integrate data; API and application integration products that enable users to create and manage APIs and integration processes for app-to-app synchronization, business process orchestration, B2B partner management, application development, and API management; data quality products to profile, cleanse, standardize, and enrich data to deliver accurate, complete, and consistent data; and master data management products to create an authoritative single source of truth of business-critical data.

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Mcmorgan & Co. LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report) by 2.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 142,041 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,032 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF accounts for about 1.9% of Mcmorgan & Co. LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Mcmorgan & Co. LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $10,281,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 7.8% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 8,253 shares of the companys stock valued at $646,000 after acquiring an additional 594 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 1.7% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 95,612 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,417,000 after buying an additional 1,612 shares during the period. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.4% during the first 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 during the period. Founders Financial Securities LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 27.0% during the first 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 during the period. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 6.1% during the first quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 12,575 shares of the companys stock worth $975,000 after purchasing an additional 719 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of BATS:USMV traded up $0.83 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $81.50. 4,244,337 shares of the stock were exchanged. The company has a market cap of $31.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 0.75. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a one year low of $47.44 and a one year high of $55.45. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $79.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $75.93.

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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National Australia Bank Limited (OTCMKTS:NABZY  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $11.08 and last traded at $10.98, with a volume of 131906 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $10.79.

National Australia Bank Stock Up 0.5 %

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $9.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.34.

National Australia Bank Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

National Australia Bank Limited provides financial services to individuals and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. The company operates through Business and Private Banking; Personal Banking; Corporate and Institutional Banking; New Zealand Banking; and Corporate Functions and Other segments.

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Natixis Advisors L.P. increased its position in shares of Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN  Free Report) by 0.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 656,855 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,242 shares during the quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. owned 0.16% of Eaton worth $140,094,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of ETN. Brasada Capital Management LP raised its stake in Eaton by 4.1% during the third quarter. Brasada Capital Management LP now owns 14,894 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,177,000 after acquiring an additional 580 shares in the last quarter. Certified Advisory Corp acquired a new stake in Eaton during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $4,468,000. Covestor Ltd increased its position in Eaton by 230.7% during the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 635 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $135,000 after purchasing an additional 443 shares during the period. Asset Dedication LLC increased its position in Eaton by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 6,985 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,487,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares during the period. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC increased its position in Eaton by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 12,015 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,562,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.02% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Sternadt Paulo Ruiz sold 2,639 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $228.05, for a total transaction of $601,823.95. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 11,636 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,653,589.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Sternadt Paulo Ruiz sold 2,639 shares of Eaton stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $228.05, for a total value of $601,823.95. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 11,636 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,653,589.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Ernest W. Marshall, Jr. sold 19,750 shares of Eaton stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $273.17, for a total value of $5,395,107.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 29,712 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,116,427.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 26,850 shares of company stock valued at $7,210,323 in the last ninety days. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on ETN shares. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Eaton from $270.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. UBS Group increased their price target on Eaton from $255.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Eaton from $220.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. Barclays increased their price target on Eaton from $185.00 to $187.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Eaton from $220.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Eaton currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $244.62.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Eaton

Eaton Stock Up 0.3 %

NYSE:ETN traded up $0.81 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $285.39. 500,627 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,633,783. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $251.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $230.44. Eaton Co. plc has a one year low of $155.38 and a one year high of $288.46. The company has a market cap of $113.96 billion, a PE ratio of 35.48, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.04.

Eaton (NYSE:ETN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.47 by $0.08. Eaton had a return on equity of 20.05% and a net margin of 13.88%. The business had revenue of $5.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.91 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.06 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Eaton Co. plc will post 10.2 earnings per share for the current year.

About Eaton

(Free Report)

Eaton Corporation plc operates as a power management company worldwide. The company's Electrical Americas and Electrical Global segment provides electrical components, industrial components, power distribution and assemblies, residential products, single and three phase power quality and connectivity products, wiring devices, circuit protection products, utility power distribution products, power reliability equipment, and services, as well as hazardous duty electrical equipment, emergency lighting, fire detection, explosion-proof instrumentation, and structural support systems.

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Shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (BATS:NULV  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $36.71 and last traded at $36.48, with a volume of 290168 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $36.52.

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.63 billion, a PE ratio of 13.72 and a beta of 0.92. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $35.91 and a 200 day moving average price of $34.84.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Flputnam Investment Management Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 3.1% during the third quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 75,175 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,525,000 after purchasing an additional 2,286 shares during the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. purchased a new stake in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF during the third quarter valued at $249,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 26.8% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 76,352 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,646,000 after purchasing an additional 16,123 shares during the last quarter. WealthShield Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 27.7% during the third quarter. WealthShield Partners LLC now owns 48,915 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,643,000 after purchasing an additional 10,620 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. lifted its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF by 8.7% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 70,760 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,377,000 after purchasing an additional 5,640 shares during the last quarter.

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF Company Profile

The Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Value index. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap value stocks that score highly on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The fund is weighted using a multi-factor optimizer.

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Onto Innovation Inc. (NYSE:ONTO  Get Free Report) shares dropped 7.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $168.41 and last traded at $168.87. Approximately 294,966 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 36% from the average daily volume of 459,602 shares. The stock had previously closed at $182.23.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ONTO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com raised Onto Innovation from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Onto Innovation from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 10th. B. Riley boosted their price target on Onto Innovation from $195.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, Benchmark boosted their price target on Onto Innovation from $145.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $164.50.

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View Our Latest Report on Onto Innovation

Onto Innovation Stock Up 6.2 %

The company has a market capitalization of $8.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 68.23 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $157.50 and a 200 day simple moving average of $137.87.

Onto Innovation (NYSE:ONTO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The semiconductor company reported $1.06 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.99 by $0.07. Onto Innovation had a return on equity of 10.95% and a net margin of 14.85%. The company had revenue of $219.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $209.06 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.57 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Onto Innovation Inc. will post 4.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Onto Innovation

In related news, Director David Brian Miller sold 2,800 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.49, for a total value of $477,372.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 9,008 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,535,773.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.81% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Onto Innovation

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its position in Onto Innovation by 198.3% in the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 173 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in Onto Innovation during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new stake in shares of Onto Innovation during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Huntington National Bank boosted its stake in shares of Onto Innovation by 70.3% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 247 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Onto Innovation by 43.0% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 366 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. 94.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Onto Innovation Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Onto Innovation Inc engages in the design, development, manufacture, and support of process control tools that performs macro defect inspection and 2D/3D optical metrology, lithography systems, and process control analytical software worldwide. It offers process and yield management solutions, and device packaging and test facilities through standalone systems for optical metrology, macro-defect inspection, packaging lithography, and transparent and opaque thin film measurements; and process control software portfolio that includes solutions for standalone tools, groups of tools, and enterprise-or factory-wide suites.

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Orchard Funding Group plc (LON:ORCH  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The company traded as low as GBX 20.66 ($0.26) and last traded at GBX 22.45 ($0.28), with a volume of 25449 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 22.80 ($0.29).

Orchard Funding Group Stock Performance

The stocks 50 day moving average price is GBX 32.63 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 35.98. The company has a current ratio of 1.74, a quick ratio of 1.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 195.63. The company has a market cap of 5.59 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 325.00 and a beta of 0.16.

About Orchard Funding Group

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Orchard Funding Group plc, through its subsidiaries, provides insurance premium finance, professional fee funding, finance, and secured property lending services in the United Kingdom. It operates in two segments, Standard Lending and Toyota Products. The company offers credit to businesses and consumers for spreading the cost of their insurance premiums; and professional customized fee funding solutions to accounting firms, professionals, and small businesses to provide extended credit to their business clients.

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PROG (NYSE:PRG  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The company reported $0.72 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.05, MarketWatch Earnings reports. The firm had revenue of $577.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $568.35 million. PROG had a net margin of 5.77% and a return on equity of 28.83%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.84 earnings per share.

PROG Stock Up 2.1 %

Shares of PROG stock traded up $0.60 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $29.21. The company had a trading volume of 62,472 shares, compared to its average volume of 396,710. The companys 50-day moving average is $31.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $31.14. PROG has a twelve month low of $21.94 and a twelve month high of $44.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 3.66 and a quick ratio of 1.91. The company has a market cap of $1.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 2.10.

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PROG Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 14th will be issued a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 13th.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Stephens upgraded shares of PROG from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. KeyCorp lowered their price target on shares of PROG from $48.00 to $44.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 26th.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of PRG. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of PROG in the 4th quarter valued at $16,483,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in PROG by 143.2% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,267,221 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,147,000 after purchasing an additional 746,161 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in PROG by 395.4% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 826,050 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,765,000 after purchasing an additional 659,312 shares during the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. raised its position in PROG by 37.1% in the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,129,384 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,966,000 after purchasing an additional 576,086 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in PROG by 95.2% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 911,986 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,403,000 after purchasing an additional 444,737 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.24% of the companys stock.

About PROG

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PROG Holdings, Inc (NYSE:PRG) is a financial technology holding company based in Salt Lake City, Utah with three business segments: Progressive Leasing, which offers lease-to-own transactions primarily to credit-challenged consumers through e-commerce and point-of-sale retail partners, via online, mobile, and in-store solutions; Vive Financial, which provides consumers who may not qualify for traditional prime lending with a variety of second-look, revolving credit products through private label and branded credit cards; and Four Technologies, which provides consumers of all credit backgrounds Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options through four interest-free installments via its platform, Four.

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Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from GBX 6,100 ($76.81) to GBX 5,900 ($74.29) in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage presently has a sector perform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price target points to a potential upside of 14.12% from the companys current price.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on RIO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Thursday, November 23rd. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 6,200 ($78.07) price target on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 6,260 ($78.82).

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on RIO

Rio Tinto Group Stock Up 0.4 %

Insider Transactions at Rio Tinto Group

RIO stock traded up GBX 19 ($0.24) on Thursday, hitting GBX 5,170 ($65.10). 1,803,266 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,428,626. Rio Tinto Group has a 12-month low of GBX 4,509.50 ($56.78) and a 12-month high of GBX 6,232 ($78.47). The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 5,539.28 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 5,272.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.47, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.69. The stock has a market cap of 64.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,059.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.67.

In related news, insider Jakob Stausholm sold 3,868 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,557 ($69.97), for a total value of 214,944.76 ($270,643.11). Company insiders own 14.69% of the companys stock.

Rio Tinto Group Company Profile

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Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities.

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Eurochange experts have named it one of the cheapest European places to visit in 2024. As it turned out, it is Sarajevo, the largest city and capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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This was reported by Express. This destination is unique in that it is in low demand among tourists and has budget prices: a three-course meal costs about 500 hryvnias.

"Sarajevo is known as the 'Jerusalem of Europe' and has one of the most diverse cultures on the continent, making it one of the most intriguing cities you can visit," says Eurochange's Laura Evans-Fisk. "It's one of the few cities where you can visit a mosque, Catholic church, Orthodox church, and synagogue in one place."

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Tucked away in a long, thin valley and surrounded by wooded mountains, the city is ideal for relaxation. The wide mix of cultural influences in Sarajevo is a sign of its unique architecture, and its restaurant scene is an eclectic mix of Turkish and Bosnian offerings. And with an average price of only 500 UAH per person for a three-course meal, you can plan a budget trip.

Tourists can explore the cobblestone streets of Bascarsija, Sarajevo's old bazaar, and will find shops selling antiques and souvenirs. This is one of the best places to try local dishes such as burek, baklava, or dolma.

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Tourists can also visit the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide to remember those who died during the war of the 1990s. Young children are not recommended to visit the museum. From the Yellow Fortress, travelers can see a great view of the city and also visit the bar at the top.

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Tennant (NYSE:TNC  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $102.41 and last traded at $102.18, with a volume of 136706 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $101.42.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on TNC shares. CJS Securities upgraded shares of Tennant from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $100.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 1st. CL King began coverage on shares of Tennant in a research note on Thursday, December 28th. They set a buy rating and a $112.00 price target on the stock.

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Check Out Our Latest Report on TNC

Tennant Stock Down 0.2 %

Tennant Announces Dividend

The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 2.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The firm has a market cap of $1.90 billion, a PE ratio of 18.66 and a beta of 1.06. The firms 50 day moving average is $93.35 and its 200-day moving average is $85.06.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. Tennants payout ratio is 20.51%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tennant

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Tennant in the third quarter worth $210,000. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in Tennant by 28.4% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 35,889 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,661,000 after purchasing an additional 7,936 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund acquired a new position in Tennant during the 3rd quarter worth $853,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new position in Tennant during the 3rd quarter worth $22,613,000. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Tennant during the 3rd quarter worth $438,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.14% of the companys stock.

Tennant Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Tennant Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets floor cleaning equipment in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers a suite of products, including floor maintenance and cleaning equipment, detergent-free and other sustainable cleaning technologies, aftermarket parts and consumables, equipment maintenance and repair services, and asset management solutions.

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Shares of WisdomTree India ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (NYSEARCA:IXSE  Get Free Report) were down 0.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $33.57 and last traded at $33.57. Approximately 2,700 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 222% from the average daily volume of 838 shares. The stock had previously closed at $33.83.

WisdomTree India ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund Stock Down 0.8 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $6.71 million, a P/E ratio of 26.01 and a beta of 0.73. The companys 50 day moving average is $33.57 and its 200-day moving average is $33.66.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in IXSE. UBS Group AG raised its holdings in shares of WisdomTree India ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund by 106.7% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 953 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 492 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in shares of WisdomTree India ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of WisdomTree India ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund by 6.4% in the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 40,737 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,218,000 after purchasing an additional 2,466 shares during the last quarter.

About WisdomTree India ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund

The WisdomTree India ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (IXSE) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracksa market-cap-weighted index of non-state-owned Indian equities. IXSE was launched on Apr 4, 2019 and is managed by WisdomTree.

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Epoch Investment Partners Inc. grew its stake in Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 604,524 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 12,723 shares during the period. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. owned about 0.22% of Yum! Brands worth $75,529,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Jacobi Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 20.0% during the 3rd quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC now owns 3,223 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $403,000 after acquiring an additional 537 shares in the last quarter. Asset Dedication LLC boosted its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 5,324 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $661,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares in the last quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 129.9% during the 3rd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 13,043 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,630,000 after acquiring an additional 7,370 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 93.2% during the 3rd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 8,968 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,121,000 after acquiring an additional 4,325 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Syntax Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter. Syntax Advisors LLC now owns 3,895 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $487,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. 80.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Yum! Brands news, VP David Eric Russell sold 9,919 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.63, for a total value of $1,285,799.97. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 18,661 shares in the company, valued at $2,419,025.43. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, VP David Eric Russell sold 9,919 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.63, for a total transaction of $1,285,799.97. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 18,661 shares in the company, valued at $2,419,025.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 3,756 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.21, for a total value of $485,312.76. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 57,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,406,963.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 17,467 shares of company stock worth $2,264,717. 0.31% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Yum! Brands Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE YUM traded up $0.99 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $138.32. 1,592,234 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,876,924. The company has a market cap of $38.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.70, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.09. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $130.49 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $127.59. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a 12-month low of $115.53 and a 12-month high of $143.24.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The restaurant operator reported $1.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by ($0.13). The company had revenue of $2.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.11 billion. Yum! Brands had a net margin of 22.57% and a negative return on equity of 17.76%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.31 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Yum! Brands Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 21st will be issued a $0.67 dividend. This is an increase from Yum! Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 20th. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.94%. Yum! Brandss dividend payout ratio is 47.94%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on YUM. Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of Yum! Brands from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their target price for the company from $150.00 to $135.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Oppenheimer raised shares of Yum! Brands from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $154.00 price target for the company in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Yum! Brands from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Yum! Brands from $130.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Yum! Brands from $146.00 to $144.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Yum! Brands currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $144.75.

Get Our Latest Research Report on YUM

About Yum! Brands

(Free Report)

Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through four segments: the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division. It operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products.

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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
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Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.
Ukraine asks foreign countries and their authorities to strengthen sanctions against Russia and confiscate its assets. The corresponding resolution No. 11019 was adopted in the Verkhovna Rada. 309 MPs voted in favor.

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"By its actions, the Russian Federation has grossly violated the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, as well as a number of international legal acts. ... The Resolution, in particular, proposes to call on governments and parliaments of foreign countries, international organizations and parliamentary assemblies to take an active part in the implementation of the Peace Formula of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy," the explanatory note to the document reads.

The MPs also ask to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and ensure unconditional compliance with the sanctions already imposed on it, namely to:

increase political and diplomatic pressure on the Russian leadership to immediately withdraw its occupation troops, armed groups and criminal organizations controlled by the Russian Federation from the entire territory of Ukraine;

accelerate the development and implementation of legal mechanisms for the confiscation and use of frozen Russian assets, etc.

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EU adopted a modest package of sanctions

At the same time, on the eve of the 2nd anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU Council officially approved the 13th package of sanctions against Russia. Restrictions have been imposed on 106 individuals and 88 legal entities, targeting, in particular, the Russian military and defense sector.

Commenting on the introduction of the new package of restrictions, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that they would hit Russia hard. "These measures cause heavy losses to the Russian economy," he said.

However, Ukraine has a different opinion on the matter. On February 21, after the 13th package was approved by the ambassadors of the EU member states, Ukraine's representative to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, admitted that Ukraine had hoped for more.

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"The 13th package is fixed, and the work on the 14th package has already started. That is why we are not relaxing, we will re-submit all our preparations and proposals to our partners... The package is modest, rather symbolic. It's good that it exists, but we will ask for more," he said.

Confiscation of Russia's assets may be legal

Meanwhile, a group of international law experts has supported the idea of confiscating the frozen assets of the Russian central bank, which amount to about $280 billion. It is assumed that these funds can be used as compensation for the damage caused to Ukraine as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Experts argue that the confiscation would be legal from the point of view of international law as Russia has violated its fundamental norms. First of all, the principle of inviolability of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

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According to Bloomberg, the opinion was signed by 10 prominent lawyers and diplomats from the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU, and Japan, including former legal adviser to the U.S. State Department under the Barack Obama administration Harold Hongju Koh and former strategic advisor to the Joe Biden administration Philip Zelikow.

Despite the fact that the analysis was requested by interested governments, including some G7 members, the authors specifically stated, "None of us is acting on behalf of sponsors or clients." However, the letter states that Koh does represent Ukraine in some international tribunals.

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Harshita Tyagi is a budding journalist on a mission to prove that financial markets and geopolitics can be as entertaining as your favorite TV show
The last weekend of February gives us a chance to officially say goodbye not only to winter, but also to its last movie premieres. Among the films currently screening in Ukrainian cinemas are romantic comedies, action and detective movies, biopics, and psychological dramas.

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So, have time to watch the winter novelties before they are released. OBOZ.UA has compiled a selection of the most interesting ones.

Anyone But You

Genre: comedy, romance

The plot centers on Bea (Sidney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell), who had a great first date. However, their passion quickly turned into hatred for each other. Ironically, they unexpectedly meet at a friend's wedding in Australia and make an adult decision to pretend to be a couple.

Argylle

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Genre: detective, action

Writer Ellie Conway has become famous for her spy novels, which continue to gain popularity. Although the author tries to leave the walls of her own home as little as possible, she has to go on a train trip. On the way, the unexpected happens: Conway is rescued by a real spy named Aidan and brought to a secret base. This is because the plots of the writer's novels are increasingly reminiscent of real events unfolding in the secret world.

Miller's Girl

Genre: psychological drama

The film centers on the unraveling of a complex relationship between teacher Jonathan Miller (Sherlock star Martin Freeman) and his talented student Cairo Sweet (Jenna Ortega, who played the lead in the TV series Wednesday). When a writing assignment leads to an uncomfortable reality, the characters realize that they have crossed the boundaries of academic interaction. The film tells the story of the inexorable attraction between a mature man and a young girl who become both heroes and villains in their own stories, and the painful maturation through frankness and vulnerability.

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Madame Web

Genre: fantasy action

Cassie Web is a New York City paramedic who saves lives every day. During one of the accidents, the heroine tried to get the injured in an accident out of a wrecked car that suddenly fell off a bridge. Having miraculously survived, Web began to be haunted by visions. Later, Cassie discovered that she could see the future. Now she has to save three strangers who are being hunted by a mysterious thief.

Bob Marley: One love

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Genre: biopic

A biographical story about the life and music of an icon. Bob Marley inspired generations with his calls for love and unity. For the first time on the big screen, the ups and downs of the legendary artist who gave the world revolutionary music.

Dune: Part Two

Genre: science fiction, action

The movie will explore the mythical journey of Paul Atreides as he teams up with Chani and the Freemans during the war to take revenge on the conspirators who destroyed his family. Faced with a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he tries to prevent a terrifying future.

Golda

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Genre: biography, drama, history

The biographical drama tells the story of the Yom Kippur War when Israel was attacked by the armies of Egypt and Syria. The key figure in the armed conflict was the then Prime Minister Golda Meir, one of the founders of Israel. If the state had been defeated, it would have led to the destruction of the country.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Mehul R Thakkar is Special Correspondent, Moneycontrol, Indias leading financial news platform, based in Mumbai where he is focussed on covering the real estate sector.
Souptik Datta Reports real estate, infra and city in Bengaluru. Btw, curiosity never kills the cat.
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On February 23, amid Polish protests, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to open a new checkpoint, Velyka Palad-Nagy Hodos, on the border with Hungary. The expansion of another checkpoint and the organization of supplies via the Danube are also being prepared.

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This was emphasized by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal. "We continue to expand our logistics at other points," he announced, referring to the Polish border blockade.

Only passenger cars will be allowed to cross the new checkpoint. However, this will help reduce the load on other parts of the border that are important for freight traffic.

In addition to the opening of the new checkpoint, the operation of the Luzhanka-Berehshuran checkpoint on the border with Hungary will be expanded. This border crossing is important for both freight and passenger transportation.

"Empty trucks will now be able to use it without weight restrictions. Passenger and freight vehicles with a maximum weight of 7.5 tons will also be able to cross," Shmyhal explained.

In addition, Ukraine is preparing groups of vessels for exporting products via the Danube. These are the so-called barge container ships that can sail to the Danube ports of Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, and the Romanian port of Constanta.

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At the same time, Ukraine is still counting on a dialog with Poland. The Cabinet of Ministers is actively preparing proposals to the Polish side to resolve the border blockade, Shmyhal said.

"We are preparing clear steps and proposals. We are planning to hold a pragmatic dialogue with the Polish side and are ready for reasonable compromises," the Prime Minister summarized.

Overall, Ukraine is reaching the pre-war level in terms of exports, Shmyhal said. He reminded that in January, goods worth $3.4 billion were exported, which is almost a 10% increase compared to January 2023. It is also important that 88% of Ukrainian wheat was exported to the EU via the Black Sea.

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Abhishek Sahu covers HR and Education (Careers) at Moneycontrol. He can be reached at Abhishek.Sahu@nw18.com and @Abhishek44sahu.
The film Us, Our Pets and the War will be released in Ukrainian theaters on April 4.

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Us, Our Pets and the War is a documentary about people and animals. If we reduce the main idea of the film to a short sentence, it will be a quote from Asia Serpinska, the founder of the Hostomel shelter, "Save animals to stay human".

This film is an attempt to show the events in Ukraine from a different angle, namely through the relationship between people and animals who have become both witnesses and sometimes victims of this war.

The main characters in the film are not only cats, dogs, bears, lions, lemurs, and a Yemeni chameleon named Ihor but also the people who rescue them, risking their lives. The film features many foreigners, for whom the heroism of Ukrainians in rescuing animals was a real eye-opener.

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Us, Our Pets and the War is a documentary created as part of a Ukrainian-Canadian co-production. The project took 1.5 years to complete.

"This film was originally made with a Western audience in mind because it seemed to me that everyone in Ukraine already knows everything. But then I realized that a lot of what I filmed would be interesting and understandable to Ukrainians too. That's how I came up with the idea to make a separate movie for our audience and show it in Ukrainian cinemas, not on YouTube. I'm curious to see how it will turn out," Anton Ptushkin comments.

Anton Ptushkin shared the official trailer of the movie on his channel:

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The main Ukrainian partners of the film are monobank and Visa, and the exclusive media partner and platform for the online premiere of the film is the MEGOGO media service.

"We are very grateful to our partners for finding opportunities to support the film," Zoia Soshenko, the film's producer, comments.

Us, Our Pets and the War will open the annual DocKyivFest international medium-length documentary film festival on March 28, and will be available in Ukrainian cinemas starting April 4, 2024. However, it will not be available on YouTube. Green Light Films, a film distribution company, will be responsible for the Ukrainian distribution. The film will be the first Ukrainian project for the company.

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"An important part of our mission is to support Ukrainian talent and socially important films," Veronika Yasinska, Director of Green Light Films, said.

Green Light Films is an independent Ukrainian film distribution company with an ambition to become a leader in its field, contributing to positive changes in the local market. Its goal is literally to give the green light to changes in the industry. Their task is to develop direct relationships for the acquisition and distribution of all rights to commercially oriented and prestige titles with strong theatrical potential for the Ukrainian audience.

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The strategic and key direction of Green Light Films' development is the acquisition of British, American and European films and direct distribution of all rights in Ukraine. Its special focus is on working with Ukrainian talents and supporting Ukrainian cinema.
Sohil Sehran is a journalist with 10 years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital media. He covers politics and national affairs at Moneycontrol. He tweets @SohilSehran
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

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Shuli Ren is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asian markets. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
On February 23, an American delegation led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer arrived in Ukraine. He stated that the purpose of the visit was to demonstrate the United States' continued support for the Ukrainian people, as well as to find out what weapons the Ukrainian army is currently lacking to defend itself against Russian aggression.

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The visit was announced by Mr. Schumer himself. He also posted a photo taken in Lviv.

"I am leading this delegation to meet with President Zelenskyy to show the Ukrainian people that America stands with them, to show our NATO and European allies that we stand with them, to learn about weapons that are vital to Ukraine, and to protect our democracy and national security," the Senate Majority Leader said.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Srinath Sridharan is Author, Policy Researcher & Corporate Advisor, Twitter: @ssmumbai. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Jitender Bhargava is Former Air India executive director and also the author of the book 'Descent of Air India'
Punjab Budget: Will 2024-25 see a course correction of the last Budgets failures?

Despite a vision document spelling out the precarious situation of the present and enlisting the steps needed to become a Developed Punjab by 2047, Budget 2023-24 failed to stick to the path of fiscal consolidation, and instead cut back on much needed expenditure needed to sustain human capital, industry and infrastructure











Punjab is at a crucial crossroad, necessitating a thoughtful examination of how government policies can sculpt the state's economic landscape and foster growth.

Sehaj Singh is a policy researcher and former LAMP fellow (2022-23). Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Anmol R Singh is an Assistant Professor at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Chandigarh. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Attempts to create socio-political tension are being recorded in the Russian-controlled enclave of Transnistria in Moldova, although there is no violent activity there at present. However, the occupiers are exerting pressure, in particular, by attacking Odesa region, which borders Transnistria, with missiles and kamikaze drones.

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This was stated by Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, while commenting on the attack on the night of February 23. With the help of such attacks, the occupiers send a signal to their henchmen in Transnistria that they will allegedly provide them with "support" in case of any problems.

According to Humeniuk, there is no particular activity in occupied Transnistria at the moment. However, the Defense Forces have recorded efforts to "undermine the information space" and attempts to "create socio-political tension in these territories."

Such efforts against Transnistria, she added, occur from time to time in a kind of "waves".

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And the hostile attacks on the Odesa region, which borders the pro-Russian enclave in Moldova, are related to recorded attempts at "information disruption," according to the spokeswoman for the Southern Defense Forces.

"The attack on the Odesa region that took place at night (on February 23 - Ed.), including the use of missiles, is an additional pressure and an attempt to convince that support will be provided in case of a stormy situation there," Humeniuk said.

However, she reassured Ukrainians that Ukraine's southern border within the Odesa region is securely protected and fortified, and the Defense Forces have ensured its inviolability.

"We are monitoring the situation, and such escalation and aggravation on the part of the "Transnistrian Republic" were predictable," she said.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
On Friday, 23 February, a Russian A-50U long-range radar detection and control aircraft was shot down in the Sea of Azov. The downed aircraft went down in the Krasnodar region of the Russian Federation. It was a joint operation of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the Air Force.

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It was first reported by Ukrainian public media. In a comment to OBOZ.UA, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine confirmed the downing of the Russian A-50U aircraft over the Sea of Azov.

In the published video, the woman names the location of the crash as Trudovaya Armenia, a village in the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation. The Russian woman says that there was a big explosion and "it's burning very badly, it's scary". The footage shows a fire near a building.

The network also showed the alleged crash site of the enemy aircraft in the Krasnodar Territory.

Later, another video from the scene appeared. The footage shows several bright dots in the sky. Behind the scenes, the Russians say that the plane released heat traps. But then a missile hits it. The footage shows a gradual decrease in the two dots. At the end of the video, the sound of an explosion is heard.

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There are different opinions online about who shot down the Russian aircraft. According to one version, the A-50 was shot down by a Patriot missile from the territory controlled by Kyiv, while another version claims that the aircraft was allegedly shot down by Russian air defence from near Mariupol.

However, the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, clarified the situation. He said on Telegram that the enemy aircraft was destroyed by the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence and Air Force. Oleshchuk also named the call sign of the Russian A-50.

"The A-50 with the call sign Bayan made it! I wish the occupiers "Happy Defender of the Fatherland Day!" We should celebrate at home. I am grateful to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and all those who made it possible!" the commander wrote.

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The downing of the Russian aircraft was later confirmed by the occupiers themselves. The aviation Telegram channel, which is authoritative in Russian circles, wrote, "A-50 is lost".

According to DIU, it is the downed A-50U, a modification of the A-50. This is a very rare and valuable machine that Russia no longer produces. Before the full-scale invasion, Russia had nine such long-range radar detection and control aircraft, including three A-50s and six A-50Us.

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"This is an airborne command post used by the aggressor state for long-range radar detection, control and guidance for strikes on Ukraine with missiles from strategic aircraft. The downing of the A-50U is another serious blow to the potential and capabilities of terrorist Moscow," the DIU said.

The intelligence also noted that the cost of such a vessel, of which there are only a few left in Russia, is $350 million.

"A sharp drop in the speed and altitude of the downed A-50U aircraft was recorded near the city of Yeysk," the DIU said and published the relevant data.

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Later, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported, citing the Kuban Operational Headquarters, that two downed Russian aircraft - A-50 and, probably, an Il-22 - had crashed near the Trudovaya Armenia village. The fire that broke out at the crash site covered an area of 205 square meters, and 40 people and 14 pieces of equipment were used to extinguish the fire.

According to the Russian media, 12 to 17 occupants on board the aircraft were killed along with the A-50. The terrorists also write about an "unknown weapon" that allegedly destroyed their aircraft.

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Interesting details of the downing of the enemy A-50U aircraft have also emerged. According to eyewitnesses, the plane split in two during the crash, with one part falling into a field and the other falling into the yard of house number 13.

The tail stabiliser of the downed A-50 was found at the Borets Truda farm.

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The battle between Byju's and investors intensified after the edtech major said on Thursday that the company's co-founder and CEO Byju Raveendran and Board members will not attend the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) called by select investors on Friday.

Earlier in the day, sources said that key investors in Byju's will go ahead with the EGM for a vote to remove Raveendran as the company's CEO.

"This EGM is procedurally invalid, contractually in contravention of our AOA and SHA, legally on the wrong side of the Companies Act, 2013. Byju Raveendran or any other Board member will not attend this invalid EGM," the edtech major said in a statement.

"This means the EGM, if it is still summoned, will not have the required quorum and cannot proceed to discuss or vote on the agenda. As custodians of Byju's, it is the responsibility of the Founders to respect the established procedures of law and protect the company's integrity," the company added.

According to sources, the majority of investors are set to vote in favour of Raveendrans removal from the company which is facing regulatory hurdles amid a cash crunch.

Sources at the end of investors said that EGM is valid and fully in accordance with applicable law.

On Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court ordered that any resolutions, proposed to be passed in the meeting called by select Byju's investors to appoint a new board and oust the CEO, will not hold ground until the final hearing and disposition of the petition on March 13, filed by Think & Learn Private Ltd, the parent company of Byjus.

The edtech major argued that certain investors, including General Atlantic, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, MIH EdTech Investments, Own Ventures, Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India & SEA), SCI Investments, SCHF PV Mauritius, Sands Capital Global Innovation Fund, Sofina, and T. Rowe Price Associates, had violated the Articles of Association (AoA), the Shareholders Agreement (SHA), and the Companies Act, 2013 by calling for an EGM on February 23.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has asked the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) to issue a look-out circular (LOC) against Raveendran, according to sources. The move came as the agency's Bengaluru office is currently investigating alleged Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violations against the company and its founder. A LOC 'on intimation' was also issued against Raveendran more than a year and a half ago.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
The Manipur High Court has modified its March 2023 order in part, whereby a contentious direction was issued to the state government for considering the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, observing that a paragraph of that order was in conflict with the Supreme Court's constitution bench observation, court sources said on Thursday.

The single judge bench of Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu was hearing a review petition filed against para 17 (iii) of the decision dated March 27, 2023 rendered by the then acting Chief Justice M.V. Muralidharan in a petition by a Meitei organisation.

"....the direction given at Para No. 17 (iii) needs to be deleted and is ordered accordingly for deletion of the Para No. 17 (iii) of the judgment and order dated 27.03.2023 passed in W.P.(C) No. 229 of 2023," the order of Wednesday said.

The contentious paragraph no 17 (iii) of last year's High Court verdict instructed the state to expedite consideration of Meitei community inclusion in the ST list.

Then acting Chief Justice M.V. Muralidharan, who was subsequently transferred to the Calcutta High Court, in his March 27, 2023 order directed the state government to send a recommendation to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry to consider the ST status for the Meitei community.

The directive is believed to be a catalyst for ethnic conflict between the non-tribal Meitei community and tribal Kuki-Zo community claiming over 200 lives and injuring 1,500 and displacing over 70,000 people of both communities.

Erstwhile princely state Manipur merged with the Indian Union in 1949.

Justice Gaiphulshillus order said: "The Meetei (Meitei) of Manipur has lost the identity of the tribe while merging with the Union of India on September 21, 1949 and earlier Manipur was a simple classless tribal society. However, at the time of merging, 29 communities of Manipur have been included in the Scheduled Tribe list of Indian Union and thereafter, as per the order of May 26, 2003 of the Gauhati High Courts Imphal bench, Chongthu, Khoibu, and Mate have been included in the list of Scheduled Tribes. Accordingly, now there are 34 numbers of tribal communities of Manipur included in the list of Scheduled Tribes of the Indian Constitution, but the Meetei (Meitei) tribe was left out."

After the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3 last year (post the March 27 High Court order), several petitions, including challenges to the high court directive, were filed to the Supreme Court.

The ethnic violence broke out in the northeastern state after March 27 High Court order as a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for ST status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's estimated population of about 36.49 lakh and live mostly in the six Imphal Valley districts, while tribals, which include Naga, and Kuki-Zo, constitute 40 per cent and reside mainly in the 10 hill districts.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
The trends of the major indices in the course of the weeks trading are given in the table below:

The domestic market paused on the final trading day of the week, having earlier reached yet another record high, buoyed by positive cues from global markets. Noteworthy strength was observed in the capital goods and industrial sectors, bolstered by advancements in both manufacturing and services.

However, concerns persist regarding the escalation of crude oil prices, the surge in US bond yields, and the stretched valuations in certain sectors, which may continue to drive selling pressure from Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs).

New Ventures/ Capacity Expansion

IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals has received approval from Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), China for its product Metformin Hydrochloride.

Remsons Industries 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 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 has unveiled its latest innovation in sustainable packaging solutions - MiEcoPET.

Clean Science and Technologys wholly owned subsidiary -- Clean Fino-Chem has inaugurated its new manufacturing facility.

Balrampur Chini Mills 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 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).

Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services (Zaggle) has entered into an agreement with Bennett, Coleman & Company. Zaggle would provide Bennett, Coleman & Company, the Zaggle Save proposition, a Benefits & Expense management platform. Zaggle has also entered into an agreement with Easy Trip Planners (EaseMyTrip), to sell integrated travel and expense management solutions.

Tech Mahindra has entered into a strategic partnership with TOTSCo (The One Touch Switching Company) to design, build and operate a message-exchange platform for the UK telecom industry.

Vipul Organics has received environmental clearance for expansion of synthetic organic pigments and dyestuffs, pigment dispersion, naphthols, fast salts and vat dyes manufacturing.

Salzer Electronics is establishing a smart meter manufacturing business in Coimbatore. The factory is also backward integrated with Salzer's existing Coimbatore factories, which have been manufacturing crucial electrical components for smart meters.

Suprajit Engineering has launched its Braking Products Division set up in a fully renovated and refurbished plant.

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is planning to establish a subsidiary to cater to retail projects encompassing Rooftop Solar, PM-KUSUM, Electric Vehicles, and other Business-to-Consumer (B2C) segments.

Transport Corporation of India has incorporated wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) namely TCIL Middle East Logistics Services L.L.C. in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E).

Tata Powers wholly-owned subsidiary -- Tata Power Trading Company (TPTCL) has inked multi-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with BluSmart, Indias leading born-electric, full stack, vertically integrated eMobility ride hailing service and EV charging infrastructure network, to provide green power.

Kaveri Seed Company has incorporated a 100% wholly owned subsidiary Company namely Kaveri Seed Company Bangladesh (KSCBPL).

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has expanded its partnership with The Co-operative Group (Co-op), one of the worlds largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services, to adopt a cloud first strategy that will support the groups business growth.

NTPCs wholly-owned subsidiary -- NTPC Green Energy (NGEL) has signed land lease agreement with Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) for the development of an integrated green hydrogen hub near Pudimadaka village of Atchutapuram Mandal in Visakhapatnam district.

Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services (Zaggle) has entered into an agreement with Arcadis Consulting India. Zaggle would provide Arcadis Consulting the Zaggle Save proposition, a Benefits & Expense management platform.

Tinna Rubber and Infrastructure has commenced commercial production at the company's state of the art, fully automated manufacturing facility at Village Varle, Taluka Wada, District Palghar, Maharashtra.

Ashok Leyland has commenced the work to set up a new integrated commercial vehicle plant focused on green mobility in Uttar Pradesh, with the ground breaking ceremony.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has entered into an agreement with Surgimatix, Inc to acquire 16.33% shares of Surgimatix, Inc. The cost of acquisition is around $3.05 million.

Order Wins

Waaree Renewable Technologies has received a Letter of Award (LoA) from one of Indias leading renewable energy companies for the execution of Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) work for solar power plant of 980 MWp /700 MWac on turnkey basis with an order value of Rs990.60 crore.

Mahindra Lifespace Developers (Mahindra Lifespaces) has achieved over Rs800 crore in sales in three days at Mahindra Vista, Indias First Net Zero Waste + Energy Homes, located in Kandivali East, Mumbai.

Zen Technologies has secured an order of around Rs 93 crore (inclusive of 18% GST) from Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The order is for supply of Tactical Training Simulators. The order is to be executed within six months.

Sterlite Technologies (STL) has been selected as partner by Lumos to build a 100% fiber optic internet in the mid-Atlantic region.

Investments/ Acquisitions/ Mergers/ Stake sale/ Fund Raising

Laurus Labs 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.

Confidence Petroleum 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.

Godrej Consumer Products along with one of its wholly owned subsidiaries has entered into an agreement for divesting its entire stake in wholly owned subsidiary viz. Godrej East Africa Holdings, Mauritius.

Tech Mahindra through its wholly owned subsidiary -- vCustomer Philippines Inc. has approved the acquisition of 100% equity shares in Orchid Cybertech Services, Inc, (OCSI).

Titagarh Rail Systems (TRSL) JV-SPV -- Shivaliks Mercantile (Shivaliks) has acquired 28.23% additional stake in the equity share capital of Titagarh Firema S.p.A, Italy (Firema), an associate company of TRSL.

JK Cement has completed the acquisition of 100% stake of Toshali Cements (TCPL / Toshali). Upon this acquisition, Toshali has become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company with immediate effect. The acquisition will help the company to expand its footprint into the eastern region.

MAS Financial Services has raised Rs 125 crore through allotment of 12,500 fully paid, senior, secured, listed, rated, taxable, redeemable, transferable, non-convertible debentures (NCDs) denominated in Indian Rupees, each having a face value of Rs 1,00,000.

Other

Coal India has said that it may not meet this years targeted coal production.

Earning Highlights

Crisil: Net Sales was Rs918 crore in Q3FY24 up 12% YoY (Rs822 crore). Net Profit was Rs210 crore in Q3FY24 up 33% YoY (Rs158 crore).

ABB India: Net Sales was Rs2,757 crore in Q3FY24 up 14% YoY (Rs2,427 crore). Net Profit was Rs339 crore in Q3FY24 up 13% YoY (Rs305 crore).

Data Infrastructure Trust: Net Sales was Rs3,589 crore in Q3FY24 up 31% YoY (Rs2,732 crore). Net Profit was Rs346 crore in Q3FY24 up 35% YoY (Rs257 crore).

Insider Trades

Indo Borax and Chemicals Promoter sold net 49,440 shares through open market. Aksh Optifibre Promoter sold net 199,738 shares through open market. Ideaforge Technology Director sold net 20,000 shares through open market. Laxmi Cotspin insiders bought net 300 shares through open market. E2E Networks insiders sold net 4,000 shares through open market.

Top Gainers and Losers of the major indices for the week are given in the table below:
The directorate of enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached immovable properties totalling Rs13.20 crore in the form of shops in SGS Mall at Pune held by SGS group under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). The case is related to Rs6,117.93 crore fraud in Punjab & Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank committed by Housing Development & Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL), its promoters and other co-accused and accomplices.

ED investigated the matter after PMC Bank registered a first information report (FIR) against Joy Thomas, the suspended managing director (MD) and Waryam Singh, ex-chairman of PMC Bank, and Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan and Sarang Wadhawan of HDIL.

ED investigation revealed that HDIL and its group companies availed the overdraft (OD) or credit facility from the PMC Bank. Despite repeated defaults in payments by HDIL and its group companies, the OD limits were enhanced from time to time to avoid them being classified as non-performing assets (NPAs).

Further, ED investigation also revealed that Rakesh Wadhawan and his son Sarang Wadhawan were the main directors and promoters and were authorised to operate all the bank accounts of HDIL and its group companies.

"All the key decisions of the companies were taken by them. They in connivance with other accused or accomplices, have layered the proceeds of crime in the bank accounts of HDIL and it's group companies, which were under their direct or indirect control. They have also diverted the proceeds of crime into their personal bank accounts and the bank accounts of their close associates to acquire assets," ED says.

During scrutiny of the bank accounts of HDIL group, the investigation revealed that HDIL had siphoned proceeds of crime while keeping PMC Bank in the dark and parked these proceeds of crime funds with SGS group to project it as untainted money.

The main accused in this case, Rakesh Kumar Wadhawn and his son Sarang, who were arrested on 17 October 2019, are currently under judicial custody.

After the current attachment, ED says it has identified and attached proceeds of crime totalling Rs675.27 crore under provisions of PMLA. Also, a prosecution complaint and two supplementary complaints have been filed against them and 36 other entities so far, it added.

Earlier in November 2019, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in an affidavit submitted to the Bombay High Court (HC) stated that PMC Bank had submitted fraudulently manipulated data to the central bank for sample checks, but the sample of accounts picked for inspection did not contain undisclosed accounts of HDIL.

RBI says, "The Bank had also sanctioned mortgage overdraft limits to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the HDIL while the present (now arrested Waryam Singh) chairman of PMC Bank was also a director of the company -- a clear conflict of interests and violation of the RBI's Master Circulars... Waryam Singh also chaired a PMC Bank board meeting to ratify the approval of mortgage overdraft in which he was directly interested, again contravening RBI norms."

"The inspection team had also established the relationship between the chairman of the Bank and HDIL promoters, which might have acted as the primary consideration for sanction of credit facilities and resulted in their utilisation to pay off one-time settlement dues with other landers," RBI says. ( Read: PMC Bank Fraud: RBI Says the Bank Submitted Fraudulently Manipulated Data on HDIL Loans

Besides the PMC Bank and the Indian Bank, others from the Wadhawan clanKapil Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawanfigure in the Yes Bank scam along with its founder Rana Kapoor and his family, and several other bigwigs, with probes by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), enforcement directorate (ED) and central bureau of investigation (CBI).
On Thursday, February 22, the Sejm of Poland honored the memory of the victims of Russian aggression in the war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine and thanked the Ukrainian people for their courage and bravery. The lower house of the Polish parliament has adopted a resolution in support of Ukraine.

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This was reported by the Polish edition of pap.pl. It is noted that the resolution was adopted by acclamation.

"Joining the pain of the families who lost loved ones during the fighting, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland pays tribute to all the soldiers who died defending Ukraine and the civilians killed. Realizing that Ukraine is not only defending its borders but also deterring Russian imperialism, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland thanks the Ukrainian people and the part of the international community that supports its defense efforts for their courage and bravery," the document says.

In the resolution, the Sejm of Poland condemned Russia's actions and called on the International Criminal Court to bring to justice all those responsible for war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

"On the second anniversary of the brutal attack of the Russian Federation on Ukraine, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland condemns the actions of the Russian authorities and appeals to the International Criminal Court to bring to justice those responsible for all war crimes committed against the Ukrainian people," the resolution reads.

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The Sejm deputies also noted that the fate of Poland and Europe depends on the fate of Ukraine today. They appealed to the governments of NATO and the European Union to strengthen their support for Ukraine, in particular, to ensure the speedy delivery of military equipment and ammunition.

The Polish Parliament expressed special gratitude to the Poles who have helped and continue to help Ukrainians.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The pilot starts off with a casual "Are you ready for it?" greeting, instantly grabbing everyone's attention. Its me, hi, Im your fearless pilot, joined by my co-pilots and crew who you will know all too well by the end of the flight.
Israeli negotiators to take part in new Gaza ceasefire talks, source and media say
Scandinavian storm tears a roof off a Swedish train station and leaves ferries idle but no one hurt

Scandinavian storm tears a roof off a Swedish train station and leaves ferries idle but no one hurt View Photo

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  A storm packing strong winds in Sweden tore a roof off of the main train station in Goteborg on Friday, knocking out power and temporarily halting rail traffic in and out of the countrys second largest city. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The storm blustered along the coasts of southern Scandinavia overnight with the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute issuing its second highest warning Friday. Some 4,000 people were without power on Swedens west coast, the Swedish TT news agency said.

Photos from Goteborg, on Swedens western coast, showed part of a roof across the tracks at the central station, with local officials saying it was unclear when train traffic would resume. A bridge in the archipelago north of Goteborg was closed to traffic, the Swedish Aftonbladet newspaper said.

By midday, some of the tracks at the station were reopened at reduced capacity, Angelika Knutsson, a spokeswoman for the Swedish Transport Administration told the public broadcaster SVT.

Emergency services in Goteborg urged people to stay indoors because loose objects can fly far and pose a danger to the public, such as building parts, signs, roof tiles and other loose objects outdoors.

The Goteborg police said they received some 200 calls about trees being knocked down on roads overnight. I have never seen anything like that, Caroline Karlsson told TT.

Denmarks Meteorological Institute said the storm, which it named Rolf, was mainly raging across the north and northwestern part of the country. Trees were blown over and flying objects were reported across the country, Danish media said.

Danish meteorologists measured gusts of 135.36 kilometers (84.11 miles) per hour in the north of the country.

The rear of the Danish frigate HDMS Esbern Snare, which was docked at the northern Denmark Naval Station in Frederikshavn, broke free because of the storm and slowly drifted into another frigate, HDMS Absalon, causing scratches in the hull but no major damage, local broadcaster TV2 said.

In Denmark, meteorologists said the storm was over. Martin Rundager, director of accident assistance at one of Denmarks largest insurance companies, GF Forsikring, said the storm managed to cause quite a bit of damage. The company received some 100 reports of damage but expected that number to rise.

We have gradually become accustomed to storms in Denmark at regular intervals, Rundager said.

There were reports of flooded roads in southern Norway. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate had issued a flood warning for the area, and said rain and melting snow in the coming days could cause rivers and streams to spill over.

Authorities in Norway said there was a risk of damage to buildings and infrastructure, and Norwegian broadcaster NRK said ferry services and flights were expected to be canceled.

Several ferry lines in Scandinavia have temporarily suspended service.

The same region was hit in early February when a storm with hurricane-force winds  considered Norways most powerful storm in more than three decades  ripped off roofs, heightened avalanche risks, canceled flights and cut power as it raged in parts of the country.

By JAN M. OLSEN

Associated Press
Suspect in Madeleine McCanns disappearance wont respond to charges at his unrelated German trial View Photo

BERLIN (AP)  A man who is also under investigation in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann wont respond to unrelated charges of sexual offenses at a trial that opened last week in Germany, his lawyer said Friday.

The 47-year-old German, who has been identified by media as Christian Brueckner, faces three counts of rape and two of sexual abuse of children in the trial at the Braunschweig state court in northern Germany. He is alleged to have committed the offenses in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.

The defendant is using his right to remain silent, defense lawyer Friedrich Fulscher told the Braunschweig state court, German news agency dpa reported. Fulscher added that he expects his client to be acquitted. He has called the evidence in the indictment abysmal.

There are no formal pleas in the German legal system, and defendants arent obliged to respond to the charges.

The suspect hasnt been charged in the McCann case, in which he is under investigation on suspicion of murder. He spent many years in Portugal, including in the resort of Praia da Luz around the time of Madeleines disappearance there in 2007. He has denied any involvement in her disappearance.

He is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for a rape he committed in Portugal in 2005.

The trial opened a week ago but was quickly adjourned on its first day after Fulscher filed a challenge against a lay judge on the panel hearing the case, who was alleged once to have spread a call to kill former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on social media. Prosecutors joined that challenge.

The woman has been removed from the case and now faces an investigation herself on suspicion of making a public call to commit crimes.
ROME (AP)  A delegation of German bishops is expected in Rome soon after the Vatican insisted they scrap a planned vote this week on a controversial proposal to let laypeople participate in a decision-making council alongside bishops.

The aborted vote was the latest in years of efforts by the Holy See to rein in the German Church, which has embarked on a radical reform agenda that seeks to give the laity greater decision-making say on issues such as the role of women, sexual morality and priestly chastity in the church.

Pope Francis has made clear the proposed German council, which had been approved last year by a two-thirds majority of German bishops and the countrys powerful lay group ZdK, was contrary to the sacramental structure of the church and that he personally had interdicted it.

A regular meeting of the German Bishops Conference this week had been expected to vote on the statutes of a committee that would have prepared for the future council. But on Feb. 16, the three most powerful Vatican cardinals  the secretary of state, the head of the doctrine office and the head of the bishops office  wrote a letter to the Germans telling them to postpone the vote.

The cardinals letter said such a joint council had no basis in church law and that any decision to create one would be null and void since it wouldnt have any authority to approve any statutes, according to the Vatican newspaper LOsservatore Romano.

The cardinals, Pietro Parolin, Victor Manuel Fernandez and Robert Prevost, called for further talks with the Vatican before proceeding. The letter warned that if the statutes of the Synodal Commission were to be adopted before this meeting, the question of the purpose of this meeting, and the ongoing process of dialogue in general, would arise.

No date has been set, but the head of the German Bishops Conference, Bishop Georg Baetzing, said a German delegation would soon be traveling to Rome. Delegations of German bishops have made previous such visits over the past two years in hopes of keeping dialogue open.

Baetzing appeared optimistic the tensions could be resolved through communication, German news agency dpa reported. Perhaps the Roman side also has a proposal, he said at a press conference after the vote was taken off the agenda for this weeks meeting.

Germanys Synodal Path reform process was launched in 2019 in response to the sex abuse crisis that has rocked the church in Germany and many other countries and has been a major factor in large numbers of German Catholics leaving the church.

In an effort to assuage concerns from Rome, German church leaders have insisted the process wont trigger a schism.

But others have warned that schism is indeed possible and Francis himself said in an interview last year with The Associated Press that the process was becoming harmfully ideological.

Baetzing insisted that a joint council of laity and bishops would in no way weaken the authority of bishops, as is feared by the Vatican, but would in fact strengthen it.

We do not want to limit the authority of the bishop or bishops in any way, he said, according to LOsservatore Romano.

We want to place them on new ground because this authority has been undermined by the abuse and scandal we have experienced.  And thats why we need new, binding and transparent advice that really flows into decisions. This is the path we are looking for.

___

Moulson reported from Berlin.

By NICOLE WINFIELD and GEIR MOULSON

Associated Press
The strangled bodies of 2 men have been found on a popular beach in the Mexican resort of Acapulco

MEXICO CITY (AP)  The strangled bodies of two men were found Thursday on a popular beach in the Mexican resort of Acapulco.

The resort has been struggling to recover it tourist trade after being hit by Category 5 Hurricane Otis in October, leaving at least 52 dead and destroying or damaging most hotels.

But the violence, if not the tourism, is already back.

Prosecutors in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero said the bodies were discovered early Thursday in the sand near a shack on the Condesa beach, at the center of the bay on Acapulcos main coastal boulevard.

Prosecutors said the mens bodies bore signs of torture by ligature with signs of torture around the neck.

Mexican drug gangs frequently kill their victims by asphyxiation, either by strangling them or wrapping duct tape or plastic bags around their heads.

Tourists have barely started trickling back into Acapulco, but gangland killings on the beaches have already returned.

In early February, the state government deployed 60 gun-toting detectives to patrol the beaches in light of the violent events that have occurred recently.

At least three people were shot dead on beaches in Acapulco that week, one by gunmen who arrived  and escaped  aboard a boat.

Only a fraction of the citys hotel rooms  about 7,000  have been repaired.

The government has pledged to build about three dozen barracks for the quasi-military National Guard in Acapulco. But even the throngs of troops on the streets  about 10,000 National Guard and 6,500 soldiers  havent kept the gang violence at bay.

In January, the main Acapulco chamber of commerce reported that gang threats and attacks caused about 90% of the citys passenger vans to stop running, affecting the resorts main form of transport.

Acapulco has been bloodied by turf battles between gangs since at least 2006. The gangs are fighting over drug sales and income from extorting protection payments from businesses, bars, bus and taxi drivers.
Panamas judiciary orders arrest of ex-president holed up in Nicaraguas embassy View Photo

PANAMA CITY (AP)  Panamanian authorities on Thursday ordered the arrest of former President Ricardo Martinelli, who has been holed up in the Nicaraguan Embassy since receiving political asylum from that country earlier this month.

A judge approved a requested change of Martinellis conditional release that had stood while he appealed his 10-year sentence for a money laundering conviction, the federal judiciary said. The Supreme Court denied Martinellis final appeal earlier this month, upholding his sentence and presumably ending his attempt at a political comeback.

The change was unlikely to immediately result in Martinellis arrest since he remained inside the Nicaraguan Embassy. The government has so far refused to allow Nicaragua to move Martinelli out of the country.

The judiciary said the request to change the status of Martinellis release reflected the flight risk he posed, among other factors.

The 71-year-old Martinelli, who governed in 2009-2014, remains the presidential candidate of his party though Panamas constitution bars anyone sentenced to five years or more for a crime from holding elected office.

Electoral authorities have said they are only awaiting formal notification of the Supreme Courts decision upholding his sentence to take action on his candidacy.

Martinelli was convicted last July of money laundering in a case dating back to 2017 and related to his 2010 purchase of a publishing company that owns national newspapers.

Prosecutors said companies that had won lucrative government contracts during Martinellis presidency funneled money to a front company that was then used to purchase the publisher. The transactions involved a complex series of foreign money transfers that came up to $43 million. The front company collecting the money was called New Business.

Martinelli was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison and fined $19 million. He has denied wrongdoing and maintains he was the victim of political persecution. An appeals court ratified the sentence in October.

Martinelli, a populist who oversaw a period of big infrastructure projects, including construction of the capitals first subway line, is the first former president convicted of a crime in Panama.

Last year, the U.S. government barred Martinelli and his immediate family from entering that country, based on what it called his involvement in significant corruption.

By ALMA SOLIS

Associated Press
Mexican president defends disclosing a reporters phone number, saying the law doesnt apply to him View Photo

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexicos president on Friday defended his decision to disclose a reporters telephone number, saying a law that prohibits officials from releasing personal information doesnt apply to him.

Press freedom groups said the presidents decision to make public the phone number of a New York Times reporter Thursday was an attempt to punish critical reporting, and exposed the reporter to potential danger.

Mexicos law on Protection of Personal Data states the government will guarantee individuals privacy and sets out punishments for officials and others for improperly using, taking, publishing, hiding, altering or destroying, fully or partially, personal data.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that the political and moral authority of the president of Mexico is above that law, adding that no law can be above the sublime principle of liberty. He also accused U.S. media of acting with arrogance.

He also downplayed the risks to journalists, saying it was an old song that you (reporters) use to discredit our government, and suggesting the Times reporter should just change her telephone number.

Mexico is one of the deadliest places in the world for reporters outside of war zones. The Committee to Protect Journalists, or CPJ, has documented the killings of at least 55 journalists in Mexico since 2018, when Lopez Obrador took office.

Jan-Albert Hootsen, the Mexico representative for the CPJ, noted the publication of a reporters phone number in Mexico can be dangerous.

The vast majority of threats and harassment and intimidation that reporters in this country, both foreign and domestic, receive, are conveyed through messages on messaging apps to mobile phones, Hootsen said.

The situation began Thursday when Lopez Obrador denied allegations contained in a New York Times story about a U.S. investigation into claims that people close to him took money from drug traffickers shortly before his 2018 election and again after he was president.

The story cited unidentified U.S. officials familiar with the now shelved inquiry and noted that a formal investigation was not opened, nor was it known how much of the informants allegations were independently confirmed.

As is common practice, the Times reporter had sent a letter to Lopez Obradors spokesman asking for the presidents comment on the story before it was published, and included her telephone number as a means of contacting her.

At his daily press briefing that day, the president displayed the letter on a large screen and read it aloud, including her phone number.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, the New York Times wrote that This is a troubling and unacceptable tactic from a world leader at a time when threats against journalists are on the rise.

Asked about the issue Friday at a White House press briefing, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said obviously, thats not something we support.

It is important for the press to be able to report on issues that matter to the American people freely and in a way that, obviously, you all feel secure and safe and in a way that youre not being doxed or attacked. That is, you know, that is something that we will obviously reject, she said,

Mexicos National Institute for Transparency and Information Access, the agency charged with upholding personal data laws, announced Thursday it is launching an investigation into the presidents actions.

The head of the institute, Adrian Alcala, wrote in his social media accounts that all officials must obey the law and the Constitution, absolutely nobody is above them.

It is regrettable that the president is not aware of how serious it is to release anyones phone number, especially a journalist, Alcala wrote. He noted that if the president is found to have violated the law, he could face fines.

It is unclear how much of a deterrent that would be. Lopez Obrador has frequently criticized the institute and has proposed abolishing it.

Leopoldo Maldonado, of the press freedom group Article 19, said Obviously, he is doing it with the intention of inhibiting the work of journalists and trying to prevent the publication of issues of public interest concerning his administration and the people around him.

This is something the president has done before, Maldonado noted.

In 2022, Lopez Obrador published a chart showing the income of Carlos Loret de Mola, a journalist who had written stories critical of the president.

The president said he got such information  which Loret de Mola has said is wrong  from the people, but later said he based the chart in part on tax receipts, which would have been available only to the party who wrote them or the government tax agency.

Lopez Obrador regularly lashes out at the media, claiming they treat him unfairly and are part of a conservative conspiracy to undermine his administration.

He has also expressed anger at what he claims is U.S. tolerance for such media reports. It is the second time in recent weeks that the foreign press has published stories signaling that the U.S. government has looked into alleged contacts between Lopez Obrador allies and drug cartels.

In late January, ProPublica, Deutsche Welle and InSight Crime published stories describing an earlier U.S. investigation into whether Lopez Obrador campaign aides took money from drug traffickers in exchange for facilitating their operations during an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2006.

In that instance, Lopez Obrador placed blame squarely at the feet of the U.S. government and wondered aloud why he should continue discussing issues like immigration with a government that was trying to damage him.

On Thursday U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, There is no investigation into President Lopez Obrador.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Suspect Dominic Schmitz View Photo

Sonora, CA Dominic Schmitz, originally from Minnesota, has been sentenced to six years in state prison for pandering and contacting minors for sex crimes, announced Tuolumne County District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke today. Schmitzs sentencing, which occurred on February 20, followed his guilty plea on January 23, to charges including Pandering by Encouraging a Minor Under 16, Pandering by Encouraging a Minor 16 or Over, and Contacting a Minor for a Sexual Offense. These charges are violations of specific sections of the Penal Code. Additionally, Schmitz will be required to register as a sex offender in California for life.

The charges stem from a September 23, 2023, incident where Schmitz approached four female students from Sonora High School at Applebees during a homecoming event. He handed one of the students a card with handwritten text reading, Have any teens for sell? Hit me up, along with a phone number and Cash App tag. Subsequently, a concerned Sonora High School teacher detained Schmitz until authorities from the Sonora Police Department arrived.

During a pat-down search, officers found Schmitz in possession of condoms and sexual lubricant and noted he was aroused. In a subsequent investigation by the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office, Schmitz admitted to preferring 14- to 16-year-old girls, soliciting girls to set up a pyramid scheme, and intending to exploit them.

Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Novelli prosecuted the case.
What to know about the death of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham in Texas

What to know about the death of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham in Texas View Photo

Audrii Cunningham, the 11-year-old Texas girl whose body was found in a river this week, died from homicidal violence that included blunt head trauma, a medical examiners office said Thursday.

Don Steven McDougal, 42, a family friend who authorities say was supposed to be taking Audrii to the school bus stop the day she disappeared, is charged with capital murder.

Authorities had named him as a person of interest early in the investigation. He was charged in her death after authorities announced that Audriis body had been found in the Trinity River in a rural area north of Houston, not far from where she lived.

Heres a look at whats known about the slaying:

WHEN DID SHE GO MISSING?

Audriis family reported her missing at about 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 15 after she didnt come home after school. Investigators then discovered that she had never gotten on the bus to go to school that morning.

Authorities have said that she lived with her father, grandparents and other relatives in Livingston near the shore of Lake Livingston.

McDougal lived on the the same property in a camper. The day that Audrii went missing, she left her home in his vehicle, according to the capital murder complaint filed against McDougal.

The justice of the peace who released the complaint did not know if McDougal had hired an attorney yet but said he had indicated he did not want a court-appointed lawyer.

WHERE WAS HER BODY FOUND?

Audriis body was found in the Trinity River at a location about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from her home.

A large rock was tied to her body with a rope, according to the complaint.

The primary cause of death was homicidal violence including blunt head trauma, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences said on its website.

WHATS THE EVIDENCE IN THE CASE?

Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons has said there is substantial evidence, including cellphone data that was used to help identify places to look.

Also, the complaint says that the rope used to tie the large rock to Audriis body was consistent with rope seen in McDougals vehicle.

A backpack believed to be Audriis was found Friday near the Lake Livingston dam. That lake is one of the states largest reservoirs and was created with a dam on the Trinity River.

WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE SUSPECT?

As authorities searched for Audrii, McDougal was arrested Feb. 16 on an unrelated charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. That complaint, dated Friday, alleges he stabbed a man last summer.

Court records from Brazoria County, south of Houston, show McDougal pleaded no contest in 2008 to two felony counts of enticing a child and was sentenced to two years in prison.

By JAMIE STENGLE

Associated Press
Trash dispute between roommates led to threat one month before fatal Colorado campus shooting View Photo

DENVER (AP)  A college student accused of killing his roommate and another person at a University of Colorado-Colorado Springs dorm room last week told his roommate a month earlier he would kill him if he was asked to take out the trash again, according to a court document released Friday.

The dispute in early January was reported to campus police and housing officials but there is no indication in court documents that university officials made any attempt to remove the suspect from the room despite multiple reports of conflicts, including the threat.

Chris Valentine, a spokesperson for the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, said due to the ongoing investigation and federal student privacy laws, the university couldnt provide any additional information about the people involved in this incident.

The new details about the shooting and the threat were included in an arrest affidavit that was unsealed by a judge after charges against the suspect, Nicholas Jordan of Detroit, were announced during a court hearing Friday.

Jordan, 25, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, felony menacing and committing a crime of violence in the Feb. 16 killing of his roommate, Samuel Knopp, 24, of Parker, Colorado, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, Colorado, in a dorm room at the university.

Jordans lawyer, Nick Rogers, objected to the documents release, in part because he said his client  a junior studying accounting  would continue to be prosecuted in the media. He did not address the allegations against Jordan during the hearing and tried unsuccessfully to have Jordan released from jail without paying any bail.

Another roommate who also lived with Knopp and Jordan told investigators that he and Knopp made multiple complaints about Jordans living area cleanliness, and his marijuana and cigarette smoking, besides the incident that led to the threat being made over the trash, the document said. The threat came after Knopp gathered some trash in a bag and placed it at the door of Jordans bedroom in the pod-style dorm, which included a shared living area and individual bedrooms, the other roommate said.

Mr. Jordan threatened Mr. Knopp and told him that he would kill him and there would be consequences if Mr. Jordan was asked to take out the trash again, police said in the document.

Jordan filed a request to withdraw from the university about 14 hours before the fatal shootings. His dorm room was empty when police arrived, court records said.

An electronic access number assigned to Jordan was used twice to enter the dorm building on Feb. 16, once just before 4 a.m. and a second time at 5:42 a.m. A few minutes before 6 a.m., a surveillance camera captured somebody running out of the dorm building, the arrest affidavit said.

The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs has about 11,000 students. It was founded in 1965 and started as a division of the University of Colorado in Boulder, the states flagship public college. It was recognized as an independent college in 1974, the university website says.

The warrant for Jordans arrest was issued on the first day of the investigation, but he was not publicly identified as a suspect until his arrest Monday in a residential area of Colorado Springs, about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from campus.

In addition to a gun that prosecutors said was found in Jordans car, authorities recently learned that he also had a fully loaded AK-47, Robert Willett of the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office told Judge David Shakes during the hearing. Jordan had a temporary job and appeared to have all his belongings in his car when he was arrested, Willett said, arguing Jordan was a flight risk.

Jordan was eager to have a hearing on the evidence as soon as possible, even though his lawyers, who are public defenders, had asked for it to be delayed because their office was recently hit by a cyberattack. Shakes agreed to schedule it earlier, on March 27.

According to police, the other roommate reported the shots early on Feb. 16, leading to the discovery of the bodies of Knopp and Montgomery in Crestone House.

Knopp was a senior studying music and a beloved member of the Visual and Performing Arts department. He was an accomplished guitar player and an extremely talented musician, University Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in a statement on Sunday. Montgomery was not a student at the university.

___

Hanson reported from Helena, Montana.

By COLLEEN SLEVIN and AMY BETH HANSON

Associated Press
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Alabama lawmakers have advanced legislation aimed at prohibiting universities, schools and public entities from maintaining diversity and inclusion offices or funding initiatives that teach what Republicans labeled as divisive concepts.

The multi-pronged proposal is one of dozens of bills introduced by Republican lawmakers across the country that would restrict initiatives on diversity, equity and inclusion, also known as DEI.

Republican opponents say DEI programs are discriminatory and promote left-wing ideology. Democratic supporters say the programs are necessary for ensuring institutions meet the needs of increasingly diverse student populations.

Alabama state senators approved the bill Thursday on a 26-7 vote that broke down along party lines. The approval came after six hours of debate and attempts  some successful, and some not  to amend the proposal. It now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives.

Republican Sen. Will Barfoot, the sponsor of the bill, said the bill is aimed at removing wedges.

It gives a list of divisive concepts, including that any individual should accept, acknowledge, affirm, or assent to a sense of guilt, complicity, or a need to apologize on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.

The proposed legislation said schools could not fund initiatives that teach those concepts or require students and employees to attend any training, orientation, or course work that advocates for or requires assent to a divisive concept, require students as part of any required curriculum or mandatory professional training.

This bill is an attempt to pull the divisive languages out of schools, out of the classrooms to teach history accurately, fairly so that everybody can be recognized regardless of color of skin, sex (or) national origin, Barfoot said.

Senate Democrats and others said the bill would hurt the states effort to recruit businesses.

On the stand Thursday, Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said the proposal will ultimately be a litmus test for the states higher education institutions, al.com reported.

He argued that those that want to pursue diversity work will find a way to do so within the confines of the law, while others will now have more reasons not to.

Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, a Democrat, said Republicans are pushing the bill as an agenda piece and would send the message that Alabama doesnt welcome diversity.

I could see a doctor who is being recruited to UAB  you dont want diversity and inclusion so therefore I dont want to come to your state, Singleton said.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin issued lengthy statements on social media this week criticizing the bill.

To the State of Alabama: Why would you make it illegal for institutions of higher learning to promote diversity and inclusion among its faculty and staff? Why would you block fair representation and opportunities for all people? he said. If supporting inclusion becomes illegal in this state, hell, you might as well stand in front of the school door like Governor Wallace. Mannnn its Black History Month. Yall could have at least waited until March 1.
Biden tells governors hes eyeing executive action on immigration, seems frustrated with lawyers View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden told the nations governors on Friday that hes exploring what executive actions he can take to curb migration across the southern border after a bipartisan deal collapsed in Congress this month. He seemed to express frustration at the legal limits of his authority to act unilaterally.

Biden hosted members of the National Governors Association in the East Room, where he implored them to urge their representatives in Congress to resurrect the bipartisan proposal that collapsed within 48 hours. He also sharply criticized Republicans for backing away from the agreement after former President Donald Trump lobbied in opposition to the deal.

Over time, our laws and our resources havent kept up with our immigration system and its broken, Biden told the governors, lamenting that petty politics intervened to kill the deal.

Later, during a private question-and-answer session with the governors, he indicated he was looking at what his options are for doing something by executive order.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, the Republican chair of the association, told reporters later that Biden didnt specify what actions he is considering, but he said the president noted that he was confronting the limits of what he can do without Congress.

He did say that he has been working with his attorneys, trying to understand what executive action would be upheld in the courts and would be constitutional, and that he seemed a little frustrated that he was not getting answers from attorneys that he felt he could take the kind of actions that he wanted to, Cox said.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Democratic vice-chair of the governors group, said governors got a general sense that theyre looking into whatever they can do on the executive side. Again, keeping our expectations realistic, thats going to be more limited than a congressional solution.

Polis said Biden cited federal courts overruling some of Trumps immigration actions, and a desire to avoid a similar fate with any action he took.

And so there was a frustration that that would occur under under his leadership as well, under any president, absent a change in the law, Polis said. A lot of the steps we need to take simply arent legal under current law.

Cox added that Biden mentioned declaring an emergency at the border, which in theory could unlock additional federal funds that would be needed to execute any new border crackdowns.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on private conversations.

Among the actions under consideration by Biden is invoking authorities outlined in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives a president broad leeway to block entry of certain immigrants into the United States if it would be detrimental to the national interest.

Trump, the likely GOP candidate to face off against Biden this fall, repeatedly leaned on the 212(f) power while in office, including his controversial ban on travelers from Muslim-majority nations. Biden rescinded that ban on his first day in office through executive order.

But as White House officials contemplate various unilateral options, they have faced resistance from Justice Department lawyers, who have been hesitant on greenlighting any executive actions on immigration that would promptly be blocked in court, according to two people familiar with the deliberations. DOJ declined to comment.

For instance, Trump used the 212(f) authority to issue a directive that said migrants who arrive between ports of entry at the southern border would be rendered ineligible to seek asylum. But that was halted in the lower courts and the Supreme Court, with a 5-4 ruling, didnt revive Trumps proposed ban. Still, any similar challenge now could be different since one of the justices who ruled against Trump in the case, the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, was replaced by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a reliable conservative vote.

Currently, its unclear how Biden would use that presidential authority to deter the migrants arriving at the southern border, and people familiar with the discussions have cautioned that it has not been finalized and that Biden has not signed off on any directive. The White House could also ultimately choose not to take any executive action at all.

No decisions have been made on this, Jean-Pierre said Friday.

Cox noted that as hes pressed Biden to act unilaterally, ultimately, more comprehensive solutions will depend on Congress.

Theres some disagreement on how much the president can do and cant do and I pushed back on the president on that, he said. But we I think theres also general consensus that the Congress does have to do something.

He said if Congress cant back the comprehensive deal, then perhaps pieces of it, like boosting money for border patrol agents and asylum officers, could be tacked on to coming spending bills.

___

AP writers Lindsay Whitehurst and Colleen Long contributed.

By ZEKE MILLER and SEUNG MIN KIM

Associated Press
Los Angeles County district attorney seeks reelection in contest focused on feeling of public safety View Photo

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Los Angeles County voters are set to decide next month if embattled District Attorney George Gascon will remain the head of the nations largest prosecutors office in a race centered on perceptions of public safety.

Gascon, who was elected in 2020 on a criminal justice platform alongside a wave of progressive prosecutors, faces 11 challengers in the March 5 nonpartisan primary. Voting is already underway.

Gascons challengers say his policies are to blame for rising crime, including a series of brazen smash-and-grab robberies at luxury stores that have garnered national attention from critics who say Californias Democratic leaders are allowing lawlessness. Property crime increased nearly 3% within the sheriffs jurisdiction of Los Angeles County from 2022 to 2023.

Violent crime, however, decreased more than 3% in the city of Los Angeles and nearly 1.5% in the county in 2023 compared to the year before. It is still above pre-pandemic levels, and the feeling of being unsafe is so pervasive that even the Los Angeles mayor and police chief said last month they are working to fix the citys image.

There isnt a community, I believe, in LA County that would say things are on the right track from a crime perspective, said Michael Bustamante, an election expert and public affairs consultant who is not involved in the race.

Gascon was elected after a summer of unrest following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

He immediately imposed his campaign agenda: not seeking the death penalty; not prosecuting juveniles as adults; ending cash bail for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies; and no longer filing enhancements triggering stiffer sentences for certain elements of crimes, repeat offenses or gang membership.

Gascon quickly faced backlash, including a recall attempt within his first 100 days and a second attempt later, which both failed to get on the ballot.

His challengers include local prosecutors Jonathan Hatami and Eric Siddall and former federal prosecutors Jeff Chemerinsky and Nathan Hochman, a one-time attorney general candidate, who all have garnered notable endorsements.

To win outright, a candidate must receive a 50%-plus-one vote, an unlikely outcome in the largest-ever field to seek the office. Anything less triggers a runoff race between the top two candidates in November to lead an agency made up of almost 1,000 lawyers who prosecute cases in the most populous county in the U.S.

Experts believe Gascon will survive the primary but are less optimistic about his chances in November.

Nobody has really broken out. And with a large number of each candidate getting a decent amount of support, it could become a random thing who gets into the runoff, said Raphael Sonenshein, executive director of The John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which focuses on social science research in Los Angeles.

The challenger field is largely campaigning on a reversal of nearly all of Gascons progressive policies. Theyre running with a more tough-on-crime approach but are mindful of going too far for LA Countys Democratic electorate.

Chemerinsky, for example, vowed to undo almost all of Gascons practices but said he would keep the ban on the use of the death penalty.

Gascons first term has been rocky. His orders to prosecutors to stop seeking longer prison sentences and cease using sentencing enhancements, among other controversial policies, were met with immediate resistance.

The union representing rank-and-file prosecutors sued Gascon, arguing he cannot bar the use of sentencing enhancements for prior felony convictions under the states three strikes law. The California Supreme Court heard arguments last year and has not issued a ruling.

Gascon faced a slew of no-confidence votes by municipal governments across the county. Other county district attorneys took the unusual step of criticizing his policies as reckless and tried to take cases from his jurisdiction.

He also was forced to roll back some of his biggest reforms, such as initially ordering more than 100 enhancements dropped and elevating a hate crime from misdemeanor to a felony. The move infuriated victims advocates and Gascon backpedaled, restoring enhancements in cases involving children, elderly people and people targeted because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability.

I think that most of the damage to Gascon happened relatively early, Sonenshein said.

The unions representing rank-and-file Los Angeles Police Department officers and Los Angeles County deputy sheriffs, respectively, have not publicly endorsed anyone in the primary. In 2020, both heavily opposed Gascon, a former police chief and two-term San Francisco district attorney.

The Association of Deputy District Attorneys, representing LA County prosecutors, has endorsed Siddall, its former vice president.

Hochmans campaign said Thursday he has raised $2 million. Gascon, who got more than $12 million in contributions in 2020  had nearly $112,000 cash-on-hand in his campaign account as of Feb. 17, according to campaign finance records. Experts said thats a fraction of whats needed to run a county-wide campaign.

Reports from Thursdays filing deadline have not been made public yet.

The other candidates are David S. Milton, Debra Archuleta, Maria Ramirez, Dan Kapelovitz, Lloyd Bobcat Masson, John McKinney and Craig J. Mitchell.

By STEFANIE DAZIO

Associated Press
US promises new sanctions on Iran for its support of Russias war in Ukraine, potential missile sale

US promises new sanctions on Iran for its support of Russias war in Ukraine, potential missile sale View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  The White House is promising to unveil new sanctions on Iran in the coming days in retaliation for its arms sales that have bolstered Russias invasion of Ukraine, and threatening a swift and severe response if Tehran moves forward with selling ballistic missiles to Moscow.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that the U.S. will be imposing additional sanctions on Iran in the coming days for its efforts to supply Russia with drones and other technology for the war against Ukraine. And he issued a new warning to Iran that providing ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Kyiv would be met with even more sanctions and actions at the United Nations.

The U.S. has been warning for months of Russias efforts to acquire ballistic missiles from Iran in return for providing Tehran with enhanced military cooperation.

We have not seen any confirmation that missiles have actually moved from Iran to Russia, Kirby said, but said that at the same time, we have no reason to believe that they will not follow through.

He said that if Iran moves forward, I can assure you that the response from the international community will be swift and it will be severe. He said the U.S. would take the matter to the UN Security Council, where Russia has a veto.

We will implement additional sanctions against Iran and we will coordinate further response options with our allies and partners in Europe and elsewhere, Kirby said.

Kirby added: We have demonstrated our ability to take action in response to the military partnership between Russia and Iran in the past. We will do so in the future. In response to Irans ongoing support for Russias brutal war. We will be imposing additional sanctions on Iran in the coming days. And we are prepared to go further if Iran sells ballistic missiles to Russia.

The U.S. is set to announce a new set of sanctions Friday against Russia that is timed for Saturdays second anniversary of the Ukraine invasion and the death last week of outspoken Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in a Russian penal colony.

By ZEKE MILLER

AP White House Correspondent
Netanyahu seeks open-ended control over security and civilian affairs in Gaza in new postwar plan View Photo

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  A long-awaited postwar plan by Israels prime minister shows that his government seeks open-ended control over security and civilian affairs in the Gaza Strip. That was swiftly rejected Friday by Palestinian leaders and runs counter to Washingtons vision for the war-ravaged enclave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the two-page document to his security Cabinet late Thursday for approval.

Deep disagreements over Gazas future have led to increasingly public friction between Israel and the United States, its closest ally. The Biden administration seeks eventual Palestinian governance in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to Palestinian statehood, an outcome vehemently opposed by Netanyahu and his right-wing government. Netanyahus plan envisions hand-picked Palestinians administering Gaza.

Separately, cease-fire efforts appeared to gain traction, with mediators to present a new proposal at an expected high-level meeting this weekend in Paris. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been struggling for weeks to find a formula that could halt Israels devastating offensive in Gaza, but now face an unofficial deadline as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes in the center and south of the territory killed at least 92 Palestinians, including children and women, overnight and into Friday, health officials and an Associated Press journalist said. Another 24 bodies remained trapped under the rubble.

After a strike levelled his apartment building in the central town of Deir al-Balah, online video showed Mahmoud Zueitar  a comedian well known in Gaza for his appearances in TV commercials  rushing into the hospital holding his young sister, who was screaming and covered in blood. At least 25 people were killed in the strike, 16 of them women and children.

Throughout the war, Zueitar has been posting upbeat and cheerful videos on social media, joking with people about ways they endure bombardment and displacement, praising Palestinian culture and assuring those around him that one day things will be better.

Another video at the hospital showed him cradling his wounded sister in his lap. I always say, God, may they not force us out of Gaza, thats how much I love it and its people, he says, crying. But it looks like they want us to leave Gaza. Earlier at the hospital, relatives wept over bodies laid out in burial shrouds in the courtyard, and a man cradled a dead infant.

The overall Palestinian death toll since the start of the war rose to more than 29,500, with close to 70,000 people wounded, Gaza health officials said. The death toll amounts to close to 1.3% of Gazas population of 2.3 million.

NETANYAHUS VISION FOR GAZA

Netanyahus plan, while lacking specifics, marks the first time he has presented a formal postwar vision. It reiterates that Israel is determined to crush Hamas, the militant group that overran the Gaza Strip in 2007.

Polls have indicated that a majority of Palestinians dont support Hamas, but the group has deep roots in Palestinian society. Critics, including some in Israel, say the goal of eliminating Hamas is unattainable.

Netanyahus plan calls for freedom of action for Israels military across a demilitarized Gaza after the war to thwart any security threat. It says Israel would establish a buffer zone inside Gaza, which is likely to provoke U.S. objections.

The plan also envisions Gaza being governed by local officials who it says would not be identified with countries or entities that support terrorism and will not receive payment from them.

Its not clear if any Palestinians would agree to such sub-contractor roles. Over the past decades, Israel has repeatedly tried and failed to set up hand-picked local Palestinian governing bodies.

The Palestinian Authority, which administers pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Friday denounced Netanyahus plan as colonialist and racist, saying it would amount to Israeli reoccupation of Gaza. Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, but maintained control of access to the territory.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had not seen details of the plan. But he said any plan should be consistent with basic principles the U.S. had set out for Gazas future, including that it cannot be a platform for terrorism, there should be no Israeli re-occupation of Gaza, the size of Gazas territory should not be reduced.

The Biden administration wants to see a reformed Palestinian Authority govern both Gaza and the West Bank as a step toward Palestinian statehood. It has sought to chip away at Netanyahus resistance by holding out the prospect of the normalization of ties between Israel and Arab powerhouse Saudi Arabia, which demands a Palestinian state as a precondition.

THE WAR DRAGS ON

U.S., Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials are expected to meet in Paris this weekend to discuss cease-fire efforts. A senior Egyptian official said Egypt and Qatar would bring an understanding reached with Hamas leaders that calls for a six-week cease-fire and the release of elderly and sick hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the press. During the cease-fire, details would be worked out on a further stage.

Hamas has demanded a complete halt to Israels offensive and a withdrawal of its troops from Gaza in return for releasing all its remaining hostages, as well as the freeing of Palestinians held by Israel, including top militants. Netanyahu has rejected those demands.

Israel declared war on Hamas on Oct. 7, after the militants stormed into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages. More than 100 hostages were freed in a weeklong cease-fire in late November.

Since the start of the war, 29,514 Palestinians were killed in Israels offensive and close to 70,000 were wounded, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday. Two-thirds of those killed have been women and children, said the ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.

Israel says it has killed at least 10,000 Hamas fighters, without providing evidence for its count. It holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties because the group operates and fights from within civilian areas.

The Israeli offensive has inflicted immense suffering in Gaza. About 80% of the population have been displaced, infectious diseases run rampant and hundreds of thousands of people are facing hunger.

In the West Bank, two Palestinians killed in an Israeli drone strike on their car were buried Friday in the Jenin refugee camp. The two bodies were wrapped in flags of the militant group Islamic Jihad and carried on stretchers during the funeral procession.

Israel says one of those killed was previously involved in shooting attacks on Israeli settlements and army posts, and was about to carry out another attack when he was killed in the drone strike late Thursday.

___

Mroue reported from Beirut.

By WAFAA SHURAFA and BASSEM MROUE

Associated Press
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa may throw the country into turmoil if his bid for a third term is true, analysts said yesterday. Mnangagwa (81) assumed power in 2017 after the military intervened to stop his predecessor, the late former President Robert Mugabe, from imposing his wife Grace as his successor. He is currently serving his second term and constitutionally his last in office, having been first elected in 2018.

Zimbabwes Constitution only allows a President to serve a maximum of two terms.

The Mnangagwa third term bid gained traction this week after a video emerged of a Zanu PF Masvingo provincial meeting held over the weekend showing some party leaders chanting: Mnangagwa will be there in 2030.

According to Section 328(5) of the Constitution, a Bill to amend the Constitution must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly and Senate.

A national referendum must then be held to amend the Constitution.

Zanu PF failed to obtain a two-thirds majority during the August 2023 polls, but managed to do so through by-elections triggered by the recall of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Members of Parliament by the partys self-proclaimed secretary-general, Sengezo Tshabangu.

During National Youth Day celebrations held in Masvingo on Wednesday, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi literally endorsed Mnangagwas third term bid by saying Mnangagwa will still be in office in 2030.

However, analysts predict troubled times for Mnangagwa and the country if he decides to pursue the third term bid.

Political analyst Maxwell Saungweme said Mnangagwas aspirations for a third term would create a political crisis in the already politically troubled southern African nation.

The third term bid will not only cause a political crisis in Zanu PF and Zimbabwe at large, but will also cause a constitutional crisis in the country and heighten the political risk of the country, Saungweme said.

It will be a major step backwards in constitutionalism in Zimbabwe.

Rights activist, Vivid Gwede concurred that Mnangagwa may face resistance from his own party.

Mnangagwa turned to parallel structures for his re-election bid ahead of the disputed August 2023 elections amid fears that he may be subjected to a protest vote akin to what happened to his predecessor Mugabe in 2008.

The succession issue which is related and in tandem with this debate about a third term will soon enough take centre stage in Zanu-PF, Gwede said.

This debate is a big issue after the 2023 elections and ahead of the 2028 ones. How it ends is everyones guess.

The constitutional safeguards against a third term are pretty strong and would require serious manoeuvring to surmount them. Add to this legal dilemma the likely resistance from within Zanu PF and Zimbabwean political society at large.

Another political commentator, Effie Ncube said the third term movement is completely unnecessary given the constitutional constraints on the third term aspirations.

Two constitutional Bills and two referendums within five years is not a joke at all even for the most popular presidents who enjoy complete unity in their party, Ncube said.

Another human rights activist, Rashweat Mukundu said Mnangagwa was enjoying a false sense of political invincibility.

Mnangagwa is not a young man and for him to be encouraging or listening to people shouting slogans encouraging him to break the Constitution and force Zimbabwe into an unnecessary political crisis just to push what is a personal and family agenda is very sad, Mukundu said.

There is no patriotism or national interest in this move.

He may have a few people shouting those slogans, I am hoping he shuts those people up as soon as possible otherwise this has no takers within Zanu PF and nationally.

Independent social justice activist Tendai Ruben Mbofana said Mnangagwa must respect the Constitution.

What I can say about this term limit amendment is that Mnangagwa is playing with fire. The truth is that power is not only sweet but also intoxicating and addictive, Mbofana said.

Such flagrant talk of plans to violate the Constitution by Mnangagwa supporters will likely be exploited by Chiwenga for some action to be taken against the President.

Mnangagwas deputy, Constantino Chiwenga is reported to be eyeing the presidency having played a key role in Mugabes ouster in 2017. NewsDay.

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The horrors in Gaza continue even if the press has only so much bandwidth for Israels continuing genocide. The focus so far has been on the consequences of Israels military campaign against civilians (and lack of success in eliminating Hamas), in particular the systematic destruction of hospitals.

But that death pattern is linear, in the sense that it is the result of Israel shellings and snipings. The urgency of recent reports from Gaza about conditions on the ground, and in particular, the effect of food shortages, filthy water, limited shelter, and disease spread seems to be reaching the point where their death count will exceed that of the Israeli armed campaign. And Israel will no doubt try to depict these deaths as an unfortunate consequence beyond their control.

The BMJ among many others has already, forcefully, staked out an opposing view. The prestigious journal ran an editorial at the start of January decrying the Israel campaign in Gaza as necrocide as a follow-on to an earlier piece decrying Israels conduct. Key sections:

The horrific scale of Israels latest attacks validates the concerns and calls raised in our editorial: namely that Israels ongoing military violence in Gaza is an extension of the long- standing, systemic violence intrinsic to the Israeli states colonisation and occupation of Palestine. Connections can be clearly traced between the exploitation and dispossession of people, land and resources that defined Euro- pean colonial violence, ongoing neocolonial exploitation worldwide, and every aspect of Israels settler colonial violence in Palestine today.6 We reaffirm our unwavering commit- ment to actions that expose and challenge sites of exploitative and extractive power and violence. Peoples health, lives and freedoms are at risk Attempts to dehistoricise and decon- textualise the present encourage us to ignore the many ways in which the Israeli state dictates both life and death for the Palestinian people, either through the fast violence of aerial bombardments, or what Berlant referred to as slow death13: visible in the progressive dispossession of Palestinians who are crammed into ever-shrinking spaces, the denial of life-sustaining necessities and services, the destruction of livelihoods, repeated physical assaults and disablement, mass incarceration, extensive restrictions on movement (including to seek healthcare), and now ethnic cleansing in Gaza executed by mustering Palestin- ians through a dystopian grid of ever-shifting, supposedly safe zones The recognition of the systematic nature of this violence, and the pervasiveness of Israeli state

control over almost every aspect of the everyday lives of Palestinians, made the philosopher Achille Mbembe declare that: The most accomplished form of necropower is the contemporary colonial occupation of Palestine.It is the power to dictate the terms of life and death, and ultimately who lives and who dies. Repeatedly framing Palestinian violence as a provocation and Israeli violence as a response is a product of ignorance to the necropower exercised by the Israeli state. Necropower and necropolitics are enabled in places that Achille Mbembe termed death-worlds, where vast populations are subjected to conditions of life that enable a precarious form of survival in perpetual proximity to death. Within this world, there is gross indifference to Palestinian suffering and extreme obfuscation of the horrors of Israeli necropolitics.

While the particulars will be familiar to anyone who has followed the genocide in Gaza, and in particular, the compelling oral presentation by South Africa at the ICJ, the proper use of words is important, Necropower is an important addition to the lexicon.

The UN gave a grim and urgent update on the deteriorating conditions in Gaza to the Security Council (hat tip BC).1 From its site yesterday (emphasis original):

Internally displaced Palestinians are facing acute shortages of food, water, shelter and medicine, while communicable diseases are rising sharply unsanitary conditions and there is a near total breakdown in law and order Also briefing the Council was Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders Fearful of further deadly Israeli attacks, he said he was appalled by the United States repeated use of its veto power to obstruct efforts to adopt the most evident of resolutions: one demanding an immediate ceasefire Calling Washingtons new proposed draft resolution misleading at best, he said the Council should reject any resolution that further hampers humanitarian efforts on the ground and leads this Council to tacitly endorse the continued violence and mass atrocities in Gaza. Attacks on healthcare is an attack against humanity, he said, noting that while Israel claims Hamas is operating in hospitals, we have seen no independently verified evidence of this.

I hate to be grim, but one sign starvation is becoming widespread is when pets are being killed for food. This is hardly uncommon, witness the ships cat and sled dogs being sacrificed by the crew of the Endurance and only one cat surviving the siege of Leningrad, a city with just under million people before the German siege. We ran this tweet earlier but as a reminder:

This is Maxim the cat. He was born in 1937 into the Vologdin family in Leningrad. He lived through and survived the blockade with the family. The Vologdins locked him in a room and did not let him out into the street in order to protect him from being eaten by hungry pic.twitter.com/uqf3977CkV  Mats Nilsson (@mazzenilsson) January 27, 2024

An estimated 630,000 died of starvation out of total mortality of 1.5 million. This was a fiercely fought conflict, and so the ratio of casualties to starvation and disease deaths is likely to become even higher if the siege of Gaza continues.

We have not seen anyone attempt to project a trajectory of deaths due to famine and disease. But as a basis for investigation, Johns Hopkins and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have modeled what the prospects for Gaza over the next six months are, factoring in disease but not starvation. If you look at the table on page 10 in the report,2 you will see the fatalities they estimate are traumatic injury, infectious diseases  endemic, infectious diseases  epidemic, maternal and neonatal health, and non-communicable diseases.

The findings are grim:

Over the next six months we project that, in the absence of epidemics, 6,550 excess deaths would occur under the ceasefire scenario, climbing to 58,260 under the status quo scenario and 74,290 under the escalation scenario. Over the same period and with the occurrence of epidemics, our projections rise to 11,580, 66,720, and 85,750, respectively.

Note that these are mean estimates. Within the 95th percentile confidence range, the ceasefire death count range is 4,200 to 80,370, the status quo range is 48,210 to 193,180 and the epidemic range is 62,350 to 259,680.

Since they are interrelated (starvation and malnutrition increase the odds of dying from contagion as well as from injuries), this would seem to be a major lapse. Perhaps assuming levels of malnutrition and starvation would have made model outcomes seem arbitrary. Or perhaps due to lack of good foundational information (sufficiently in depth reports out of conflict zones), the investigators felt they lacked an adequate basis for including that key variable explicitly, although if you read the text, the researchers do present their findings as including the impact of malnutrition on infectious diseases, leading to a high mortality rate.

As to the infectious diseases included in the estimates above:

Excess deaths from infectious diseases under all scenarios are a particular concern. The breakdown of water and sanitation measures combined with overcrowding in inadequate shelters and insufficient food intake causing acute malnutrition combines into a projected high risk of excess deaths from a variety of infectious diseases. Endemic diseases, particularly COVID-19, influenza and pneumococcal disease, are projected to be the leading causes of infectious disease deaths, similar to the pre-war period. Overall, we project between 1,520 and 2,720 excess deaths due to common endemic infections depending on the scenario, though with wide uncertainty intervals. If epidemics also occur, those that are projected to cause the most excess deaths are cholera (3,595-8,971), polio (both wild-type and vaccine-derived; 1,1145-2,444), measles (260-793), and meningococcal meningitis (24-143); however, the estimates bear high levels of uncertainty inherent in projecting epidemics.

Mind you, this is on top of the current death toll, estimated by Palestinian authorities at 29,410. That is sure to be an undercount, since it does not include bodies still buried in rubble.

Further indications of how desperate conditions in Gaza are now:

Doctors Without Borders says children as young as 5 in Gaza have told them they want to die pic.twitter.com/DvahWdC50v  Dave DeCamp (@DecampDave) February 22, 2024

At the UN Doctors without Borders recounted some of the horrors in Gaza, including surgeons having to carry out amputations without anaesthesia on children, and they made clear they hold the USA complicit. pic.twitter.com/mgFvOx9h12  Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) February 23, 2024

And the US is determined to keep the savagery going:

The US used its veto power to block a 4th UN Security Council resolution that called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The Biden admin keeps sending weapons to Israel, helping it violate an ICJ ruling that says Israel must stop killing Palestinians.https://t.co/fii9fXR4T9  Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) February 23, 2024

Dont buy the pretense that we cant stop it:

Nancy Pelosi crumbles when asked: "But there are levers that Biden hasn't used. There are levers that previous presidents have used when Israel has, in their view, crossed a line" Pelosi: "For example?" "Eisenhower threatened sanctions..Reagan held up delivery of fighter pic.twitter.com/Dh6LC5a7GE  HalalFlow (@halalflow) February 22, 2024

You can see Pelosi wanting to try That was then to deflect the historical examples, when she could be cornered by the fact that the only difference between then and now was the level of Israel lobby spending.

____

1 The UN appears to be trying to open up another front against Israel, not that that wil make much difference in practice. From Law Society Gazette Ireland (hat tip BC):

The Attorney General (AG) Rossa Fanning SC has told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Ireland believes that Israel has committed serious breaches of international law by its activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem The AG was representing Ireland at hearings in The Hague arising from a request from the United Nations General Assembly for an advisory opinion from the court on the legal consequences arising from Israels action in the Palestinian territory it has occupied since 1967 The AG said that Israels continuous settlement activity in the occupied territories clearly demonstrate that Israel has been engaged in a process of annexation. He said that the construction of permanent settlements had fundamentally altered the demographics of the area, while Israel had also extended the application of domestic law to those living in settlements. The AG argued that, by transferring parts of its own civilian population into the occupied territories, Israel had violated article 49(6) of the Fourth Geneva Convention The AG referred to the rules laid down by international law on military occupation, which was necessarily temporary, did not confer sovereignty, and could not be of indefinite duration. Prolonged occupation over an extended period of time raises unavoidable legal questions  in particular whether it constitutes a disguised form of annexation, and/or a determined effort to deny the people of an occupied territory the exercise of their right to self-determination, he told the court. Neither the duration of the occupation nor the scale and extent of settlement activity is, in Irelands view, justified or permitted by the law regulating the use of force in self-defence, the AG continued.

2 We would have embedded the document, but recent conventions in reports have led to them consistently being far too large to embed in WordPress.
Yves here. This post by albrt reviews and analyzes Barbara Ehrenreichs seminal work on the Professional Managerial Class and how her views changed over time. To add a few thoughts:

1. It appears Ehrenreich depicted the fall in class mobility as happening earlier than it did (and this is not my opinion but reflected in US data on income mobility, which is a crude proxy). On the anecdata front, I not only have blue collar friends from my childhood who successfully made their way into the Professional Managerial Class, but I even hired a secretary who successfully moved up class-wise and not by virtue of marriage (her being way too smart and pro-active to stay a secretary helped, but in most organizations she would have become a well-paid executive secretary, a position she refused).

2. This analysis missed the critical change in the relationship of the C-suite at public companies and fund managers to capital. Ehrenreich would depict them as not owners and therefore Professional Managerial Class. But in fact, ownership is a bundle of rights. Public shareholders do not meaningfully own shares unless they have a controlling bloc. They are not privy to critical details of the companys plans; they are too competitively sensitive to share with diffuse, anonymous shareholders. They do not determine the pay of any of the managers as a private company owner would. They cannot fire any executive or board member. They get dividends only when the company makes money and the board and execs feel like paying them out.

The picture is even more stark with asset managers. Lets look at private equity. In the typical fund, the limited partners like CalPERS provide 97% to 99% of the money and the so-called general partner, the balance. Yet as we have seen with CalPERS, the limited partners get limited information about investee companies and have no say on general partner compensation. The Kauffman Foundation argued forcefully that it did not have to be that way and presented detailed reform in its classic paper, We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us.

One effect of the hollowing out of the position of actual capitalists is that someone is twice as likely to become a billionaire in asset management as in tech.

3. Ehrenreich has a significant body of work, so perhaps she covers more of its origins than I see in albrts recap. But to me, the origins of the Professional Managerial Class lie in Napoleon creating a professional bureaucracy and standardizing education across France so as to allow for the identification of bright young men from poor families could be tracked into the grandes ecoles. In the UK, a big purpose of Cambridge and Oxford was to train smart and ambitious members of middle class to run the empire. Michael Youngs The Rise of the Meritocracy was published in 1958, again well before Ehrenreich, as was William Whytes The Organization Man, published in 1956. According to a review by Deborah Popper and Frank Popper, quhttps://www.nakedcapitalism.com/wp-admin/edit.phpoted in Wikipedia:

[The book] offered a new perspective on how postWorld War II American society had redefined itself. Whytes 1950s America had replaced the Protestant ethic of individualism and entrepreneurialism with a social ethic that stressed cooperation and management: the individual subsumed within the organization. It was the age of middle management, what Whyte thought of as the rank and file of leadership, whether corporate, governmental, church, or university.

Now to the main event.

By albrt. Originally published at his website

This post attempts to apply principles about identity from previous posts to a current problem. Im working my way around to tackling the concept of identity politics, but not quite there yet. To review:

Western cultures have assumed for a long time that individuals have something called an identity, but social scientists didnt really start asking questions about how individual identity works until the mid-twentieth century. Erik Erikson had a lot to say about the development of individual identities, but he also pointed out that identity is not just an individual problem. Widespread identity issues tend to go hand-in-hand with social and political instability, when too many young people are not finding satisfactory options to build an identity they can live with.

Erikson said that identity takes shape in late adolescence (maybe into early adulthood if the process is difficult) based on multiple factors. Some of the most important are childhood experience, individual capacities, available ideologies, and available roles. Of these variables, ideology is a wild card because a new (or old) ideology can unexpectedly become available to the individual much more easily than any of the other variables can be changed.

Setting aside value judgments about particular ideologies and roles, Erikson (and most psych professionals since) thought it was important for an individual to develop a strong identity in order to be happy and productive. Having a strong identity does not mean you are locked in and can never changein the post-enlightenment West, having the identity of an open-minded person should be a perfectly fine option. What matters is that you become comfortable and confident enough with your identity that you can stop behaving like an insecure adolescent and focus on adult things like personal relationships, community, or work.

But . . . this process sometimes goes wrong, especially at difficult periods in history. If a young person was having trouble building an identity and the issues became acute, Erikson called it an identity crisis. Such crises occur fairly regularly in young people, but they seemed to occur even more regularly starting in the 1960s and 70s. In the current version of Western culture, some people might even have incentives to interfere with the development of strong identities on a mass basis. They might want to manipulate the masses with all-consuming ideologies that substitute for a strong individual identity, or they might want to sell identity boosting products to insecure people throughout their lifetimes, and not just be limited to selling pop songs and weird haircuts to tweens and teens.

This brings us to the subject of todays postthe social group widely known as the Professional Managerial Class (PMC), a group which has suffered a few different identity crises on a widespread basis. The PMC was christened by Barbara and John Ehrenreich in a 1977 article called The Professional Managerial Class in a small journal called Radical America. Radical America during this period did not contain a copyright notice and appears to be in the public domain, so Im going to quote from the article very liberally. Its a terrific article and cannot easily be improved upon 46 years later. You should read it.

Radical America assumes some degree of familiarity with Marxist ideas, so here is a superficial review for those who came in late. Marxists generally believe that society is divided into two classes: the owners of the means of production are the bourgeoisie, and everybody else who must sell their labor to survive are the proletariat. Marxists have always debated how to categorize people who seem to be in between. The most established category of tweeners is the petty (or petite) bourgeoisie, who in the 19th century were basically mini-capitalists such as shopkeepers, tradesmen, and small property holders.

The editors of Radical America introduced the Ehrenreichs PMC concept this way:

Various groups on the Left have either classified professionals and managers as part of the petty bourgeoisie or else have described them as part of the working class. But neither of these views is satisfactory. The term petty bourgeoisie is used as a catch-all for non-proletarian, nonbourgeois people . . . . Yet, the petty bourgeoisie properly describes the class of small owners, who have no chance of competing with the big bourgeoisie and are therefore doomed to dwindle in number relative to the population. Professionals and managers, on the contrary, are a growing segment of society. The view that society consists solely of a huge working class and a tiny ruling class, however, defines working class so inclusively as to make the term strategically useless. . . . The experience of Left groups in recent years . . . should be ample confirmation of the immense cultural gap that separates the blue- and white-collar working class from the professional and managerial strata out of which a great many college-educated Left activists have come. . . . In the first section of a two-part article, Barbara and John Ehrenreich postulate the existence of a new class which includes technical, professional and managerial workers in advanced capitalist society, a class antagonistic in certain ways to both capital and the working class. While we do not feel that the only alternative to a two class theory is one which proclaims this particular new class, we think the Ehrenreichs analysis is important because it forces us to think more precisely about where the Left is coming from and what the class contradictions are in America today.

Even today it is not difficult to find examples of doctrinaire Marxists insisting that the PMC are nothing more than petty bourgeoisie, because many members of the PMC own houses, or something something. Contrary to the doctrinaire Marxists, I think the PMC concept adds a great deal to classic Marxist analysis. The Ehrenreichs started out:

The Professional-Managerial Class (PMC), as we will define it, cannot be considered a stratum of a broader class of workers because it exists in an objectively antagonistic relationship to another class of wage earners (whom we shall simply call the working class). Nor can it be considered to be a residual class like the petty bourgeoisie; it is a formation specific to the monopoly stage of capitalism. It is only in the light of this analysis, we believe, that it is possible to understand the role of technical, professional and managerial workers in advanced capitalist society and in the radical movements. * * * We define the Professional-Managerial Class as consisting of salaried mental workers who do not own the means of production and whose major function in the social division of labor may be described broadly as the reproduction of capitalist culture and capitalist class relations. Their role in the process of reproduction may be more or less explicit, as with workers who are directly concerned with social control or with the production and propagation of ideology (e.g., teachers, social workers, psychologists, entertainers, writers of advertising copy and TV scripts, etc.). Or it may be hidden within the process of production, as is the case with the middle-level administrators and managers, engineers, and other technical workers whose functions, as [Andre] Gorz, Steve Marglin, Harry Braverman and others have argued, are essentially determined by the need to preserve capitalist relations of production. Thus we assert that these occupational groups  cultural workers, managers, engineers and scientists, etc.  share a common function in the broad social division of labor and a common relation to the economic foundations of society.

The Ehrenreichs highlighted the inherent antagonism between the proletariat and the PMC:

We should add, at this point, that the antagonism between the PMC and the working class does not exist only in the abstract realm of objective relations, of course. Real-life contacts between the two classes express directly, if sometimes benignly, the relation of control which is at the heart of the PMCworking-class relation: teacher and student (or parent), manager and worker, social worker and client, etc. The subjective dimension of these contacts is a complex mixture of hostility and deference on the part of working-class people, contempt and paternalism on the part of the PMC. The interdependent yet antagonistic relationship between the working class and the PMC also leads us to insist that the PMC is a class totally distinct from the petty bourgeoisie (the old middle class of artisans, shopkeepers, self-employed professionals and independent farmers). The classical petty bourgeoisie lies outside the polarity of labor and capital. It is made up of people who are neither employed by capital nor themselves employers of labor to any significant extent. The PMC, by contrast, is employed by capital and it manages, controls, has authority over labor (though it does not directly employ it). The classical petty bourgeoisie is irrelevant to the process of capital accumulation and to the process of reproducing capitalist social relations. The PMC, by contrast, is essential to both.

The Ehrenreichs recognized that some job categories (they used the example of nurses) can be hard to classify. Some nurses do hard, dirty work with few supervisory responsibilities while others manage whole departments. The Ehrenreichs also recognized that 98% of nurses at that time were women, and their class standing Is, in significant measure, linked to that of their husband. Because the boundaries are not always obvious, the definition is important  the PMC is defined by its role in the reproduction of capitalist culture and capitalist class relations rather than production of necessary goods.

This definition solves a number of otherwise difficult problems. For example, doctrinaire Marxists (like the ones linked above) may struggle with the role of teachers because teachers dont own their means of production, so they dont easily fit within the petty bourgeoisie label. Yet most teachers take pains to distinguish themselves from proletarians, and to discourage their students from becoming proletarians. If the PMC is defined by reproduction of capitalist culture and capitalist class relations, then teachers are obviously central to the PMC mission. The core of their job is to determine what class each member of the next generation will belong to, to teach them how to relate to the other classes, and to encourage young proletarians to become members of the PMC if they seem to have the ability.

If you care a lot about doctrinaire Marxism, it is possible to analyze the PMC as petty bourgeoisie by reifying the concept of social capital, and arguing that the PMC are owners and purveyors of this valuable social capital. The idea has merit, and potentially explains some things such as the reactionary tendencies of the PMC when defending their socio-political turf. I dont necessarily reject the idea that the PMC acts like a petty bourgeoisie because it holds social capital, but I think the idea provides us with less analytical firepower than the Ehrenreich framework, at least for the issues I am trying to get at right now.

The idea of a buffer class between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat was certainly not new with the Ehrenreichs, and earlier writers recognized that some of the members of this class were not strictly limited to owners of land or small businesses. As Lenin wrote in 1920:

The divergence between leaders and masses was brought out with particular clarity and sharpness in all countries at the end of the imperialist war and following it. The principal reason for this was explained many times by Marx and Engels between the years 1852 and 1892, from the example of Britain. That countrys exclusive position led to the emergence, from the masses, of a semipetty-bourgeois, opportunist labour aristocracy. The leaders of this labour aristocracy were constantly going over to the bourgeoisie, and were directly or indirectly on its pay roll. Marx earned the honour of incurring the hatred of these disreputable persons by openly branding them as traitors. . . . * * * The abolition of classes means, not merely ousting the landowners and the capitaliststhat is something we accomplished with comparative ease; it also means abolishing the small commodity producers, and they cannot be ousted, or crushed; we must learn to live with them. They can (and must) be transformed and re-educated only by means of very prolonged, slow, and cautious organisational work. They surround the proletariat on every side with a petty-bourgeois atmosphere, which permeates and corrupts the proletariat, and constantly causes among the proletariat relapses into petty-bourgeois spinelessness, disunity, individualism, and alternating moods of exaltation and dejection. The strictest centralisation and discipline are required within the political party of the proletariat in order to counteract this, in order that the organisational role of the proletariat (and that is its principal role) may be exercised correctly, successfully and victoriously.

Lenin was grouping all the tweeners together, but it seems pretty clear some of the people he was describing were the predecessors of the PMC. Another pre-1977 view comes from George Orwells 1937 book The Road to Wigan Pier (Harcourt Brace ed. 1958), where he discusses his own upbringing in the lower-upper-middle class:

Practically the whole family income goes in keeping up appearances. It is obvious that people of this kind are in an anomalous position, and one might be tempted to write them off as mere exceptions and therefore unimportant. Actually, however, they are or were fairly numerous. Most clergymen and schoolmasters, for instance, nearly all Anglo-Indian officials, a sprinkling of soldiers and sailors, and a fair number of professional men and artists, fall into this category. But the real importance of this class is that they are the shock-absorbers of the bourgeoisie. The real bourgeoisie, those in the 2000 a year class and over, have their money as a thick layer of padding between themselves and the class they plunder; in so far as they are aware of the Lower Orders at all they are aware of them as employees, servants, and tradesmen. But it is quite different for the poor devils lower down who are struggling to live genteel lives on what are virtually working-class incomes. These last are forced into close and, in a sense, intimate contact with the working class, and I suspect it is from them that the traditional upper-class attitude towards common people is derived. Wigan Pier at 124-25. * * * In such circumstances you have got to cling to your gentility because it is the only thing you have; and meanwhile you are hated for your stuck-up-ness and for the accent and manners which stamp you as one of the boss class. . . .

The analytical leap that the Ehrenreichs made was not the recognition that a buffer class existed, or that it was often antagonistic to the working class. The big leap was to point out that the composition of the buffer class had changed in an important way since the 19th century, and as a result the PMC was experiencing spectacular growth rather than dying out as Marx had expected the petty bourgeoisie to do. The Ehrenreichs wrote in some detail about the development of the PMC over time.

The role of the emerging PMC . . . was to mediate the basic class conflict of capitalist society and create a rational, reproducible social order. . . . Many people, of all classes, subscribed to parts of this outlook and stood to benefit one way or another from the Progressive reforms which were associated with it. For our purposes, the striking things about Progressive ideology and reforms are (1) their direct and material contribution to the creation and expansion of professional and managerial occupational slots; (2) their intimate relation to the emergence and articulation of the PMCs characteristic ideologies; and (3) their association with the creation of characteristic PMC class institutions (such as professional organizations). * * * The introduction of modern methods of management was a reform which was understood by contemporary observers to be part of the overall Progressive cause. In fact, scientific management first became known to the public as a tool for the Progressive attack on corporate greed: In the Eastern Rates case of 1911, the Interstate Commerce Commission turned down an increase in railroad rates after scientific-management expert H. Emerson testified that proper management would cut a million dollars a day off the cost of rail shipments.

In short, the PMC is defined by its expertise, and the Ehrenreichs described how belief in expertise was raised to the level of an ideology.

Erik Erikson summarized his working definition of ideology as a highly charged attitude rooted essentially in a general need for a world view coherent enough to attract ones total commitment and to render forever unnecessary the upsetting swings in mood and opinion which once [in adolescence] accompanied identity confusion. Erik Erikson, Life History and the Historical Moment at 258 (W.W. Norton 1975). Ideology in this sense does not need to be expressly political, it just needs to be convincing enough to form a solid foundation for adult relationships and effort. So how satisfactory was the PMC ideology from an individual identity standpoint? The Ehrenreichs were alreadu noting signs of trouble in 1977:

Paul Sweezy has argued that the basic test of whether two families belong to the same class or not is the freedom with which they intermarry. The children of PMC members do overwhelmingly tend to marry within the class; marriage down to the working class or up to the ruling class is comparatively infrequent. In line with the frequency of intermarriage, the class exhibits a substantial degree of intergenerational stability: children of PMC families are more than twice as likely as children of working class families to themselves enter PMC occupations. Moreover, the class is characterized by a common culture or lifestyle. The interior life of the class is shaped by the problem of class reproduction. Unlike ruling-class occupations, PMC occupations are never directly hereditary: The son of the Chairman of the Board may expect to become a successful businessman (or at least a wealthy one) more or less by growing up; the son of a research scientist knows he can only hope to achieve a similar position through continuous effort. Traditionally, much of this effort has come from the women of the class. Since, according to psychologists, a childs future achievement is determined by the nuances of its early upbringing, women of the class have been expected to stay home and specialize in childraising. Both sexes, however, are expected to perform well in school and attend good colleges, for it is at college that young men acquire the credentials for full class membership and young women acquire, in addition to their own degrees, credentialed husbands. As a result of the anxiety about class reproduction, all of the ordinary experiences of life  growing up, giving birth, childraising-are freighted with an external significance unknown in other classes. Private life thus becomes too arduous to be lived in private; the inner life of the PMC must be continously shaped, updated and revised by  of course  ever mounting numbers of experts: experts in childraising, family living, sexual fulfillment, self-realization, etc., etc. The very insecurity of the class, then, provides new ground for class expansion.

The PMC is capable of expanding at the expense of the other two classes by constantly identifying social and technical problems, and creating new experts to solve them. That gives the PMC a class interest distinct from the interests of either the bourgeoisie or the proletariat. The cultural component of capitalism is precisely the product that the PMC is in charge of producing under the Ehrenreich definition, so to some extent they should control their own destiny. But it isnt a durable product so it needs constant care and maintenance.

The anxiety about class reproduction has only grown since 1977, and the insecurity has blossomed among PMC offspring. The Ehrenreichs noted in a 2013 follow-up article:

But the PMC was not only a victim of more powerful groups. It had also fallen into a trap of its own making. The prolonged, expensive, and specialized education required for professional employment had always been a challenge to PMC familiesas well, of course, as an often insuperable barrier to the working class. If the children of the PMC were to achieve the same class status as their parents, they had to be accustomed to obedience in the classroom and long hours of study. They had to be disciplined students while, ideally, remaining capable of critical and creative thinking. Thus the reproduction of the class required a considerable parental (usually maternal) investmentencouraging good study habits, helping with homework, arranging tutoring (and SAT preparation), and stimulating curiosity about academically approved subjects.

KLG, in a guest post at Naked Capitalism, expressed this feeling a little more bluntly in a review of Catherine Lius The Virtue Hoarders: the Case Against the Professional Managerial Class:

The good enough mother and father are likely to produce a human being who will grow into a mature adult who is at one with the world. The perfect helicopter parent often produces fear and misery, which with lucky outcomes will not lead to catastrophe. But few of those bathed in the backwash of that rotor, however outwardly successful, are likely to ever be fully independent.

I have no children and very few opinions about children, so I will not predict how the youth of today are likely to turn out, but I will say that perfectionism honed through an often arbitrary meritocracy does not seem like an easy ideology to integrate into a strong individual identity, at least for a human. Perhaps Chat GPT will eventually do better at it.

Aside from the operational part of the PMC ideology that instructs how to be a good professional, there is also the political or philosophical part that describes what PMCs believe would be normatively good outcomes for society. The Ehrenreichs assumed that the normative part of the PMC ideology would be rational as the Ehrenreichs understood rationality in 1977something along the lines of from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. Instead the PMC gradually moved more and more toward the neoliberal version of rationalitysomething along the lines of him who grabs the fastest gets the mostest. In her book Fear of Falling, the Inner Life of the Middle Class (Harper Perennial ed. 1989), Barbara Ehrenreich wrote that her theme was the retreat from liberalism and the rise, in the professional middle class, of a meaner, more selfish outlook, hostile to the aspirations of those less fortunate. Fear of Falling at 3. It is not clear to me that this was inevitable, but it certainly happened among the PMC in the United States and it seems to have metastasized to much of the Western world.

By 1989, Ehrenreich maintained that the PMC had achieved class consciousness, aware of being a class among others, and, ultimately, of being an elite above others. . . . [T]his emerging self-image has led to . . . the adoption of the kind of political outlook appropriate to an elite, which is a conservative outlook, and ultimately indifferent to the nonelite majority. Fear of Falling at 11. Yet [i]f this is an elite, it is an insecure and deeply anxious one. It is afraid, like any class below the most securely wealthy, of misfortunes that might lead to a downward slide. But in the middle class there is another anxiety: a fear of inner weakness, of growing soft, of failing to strive, of losing discipline and will. Id. at 15.

By this point Ehrenreich had also changed her definitions, writing about the professional middle class and defining the class in terms of education rather than economic and political function. Her powers of observation remained sharp and her descriptions of propaganda, prevailing narratives, and shifting allegiances are well worth reading, but she largely abandoned the insights that made the original 1977 article so useful. Interestingly, the Ehrenreichs originally argued that the PMC could not be considered part of the petty bourgeoisie because the PMC was growing, while Marxist doctrine called for the petty bourgeoisie to be squashed and proletarianized by competition from the big-time capitalists. But in their 2013 article, the Ehrenreichs argued that substantial portions of the PMC were being squashed and proletarianized after all.

By the time of the financial meltdown and deep recession of the post-2008 period, the pain inflicted by neoliberal policies, both public and corporate, extended well beyond the old industrial working class and into core segments of the PMC. Unemployed and underemployed professional workersfrom IT to journalism, academia, and eventually lawbecame a regular feature of the social landscape. Young people did not lose faith in the value of an education, but they learned quickly that it makes more sense to study finance rather than physics or communications rather than literature. The old PMC dream of a society rule by impartial experts gave way to the reality of inescapable corporate domination.

While it is true that some professions have suffered setbacks, the PMC as the Ehrenreichs originally defined it continues to expand as professional qualifications are demanded of more and more of the American workforce. The Ehrenreichs recognized this in their 2013 article, but they argued that college educated workers had become more of a demographic category than a class capable of making history by participating in a materialist dialectic. The Ehrenreichs seemed to have lost track of their original PMC definitionif you want to know whether college educated workers are part of the PMC, the question to ask is whether they are engaged in reproducing capitalist culture and capitalist class relations rather than producing necessary goods? I would say mostly yes. Certainly not very many of them are working on farms or moving to China where most of the factories are now located.

The fact is, the PMC is continuing to grow in numbers, but it is not achieving socialism, and it is also not achieving the liberal/neoliberal dream of enlarging the PMCs share of the economic pie or delivering good economic outcomes to all the little PMCs who work hard and hew to the PMC line. The PMC ideology was difficult for many people to incorporate into a firm identity to begin with, and now it is failing outright because the credentialing process does not reliably produce acceptable role opportunities for individuals.

So how did the PMC go wrong? Theyre still the buffer between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, but they seem to be losing a lot of the practical and political power they once had, and many of them are losing ground economically, especially the younger ones. For one thing, at the same time the PMC was struggling with identity issues, they were running into a buzz saw of political opposition. As the Ehrenreichs wrote in their 2013 article:

The right embraced a caricature of this notion of a new class, proposing that college-educated professionals especially lawyers, professors, journalists, and artistsmake up a power-hungry liberal elite bent on imposing its version of socialism on everyone else.

This gets right to the heart of what has happened in American politics since 1980. The bourgeoisie figured out that they could kneecap the smart alec PMC experts politically with a caricature that is really not all that much of a caricature. The PMC are the bossy gatekeepers that everybody hates, and they have lost most vestiges of their (real or feigned) mid-twentieth century concern for the welfare of the proletariat. The current PMC pretty uniformly regards the working class as deplorable.

As the Ehrenreichs pointed out in 1977, [e]very effort to mediate class conflict and rationalize capitalism served to create new institutionalized roles for reformers  i.e., to expand the PMC. The essence of the PMC ideology is a giant jobs program for bureaucrats and experts, not socialism that would benefit the poor or subsistence workers. If you substitute PMC managerialism for the word socialism in right-wing rhetoric, then the proletarian/deplorable reaction to a lot of things starts to be a little bit more understandable. Every issue that is dear to the PMC, from climate change to forced diversity, can be interpreted by the working class as just another excuse for the PMC to boss the working class around (and possibly also to boss the capitalists around a little bit if the PMC succeeds in imposing new rules and government departments to enforce the rules).

Of course, there are many compelling ways of describing the political and economic divisions in the United States today. Chris Arnade (and Lambert at Naked Capitalism) have used a classroom analogy to characterize the friction as being between back row kids and front row kids. This certainly has some truth to it, but (as Lambert acknowledges), it leaves the bourgeoisie out of the picture. I think the PMC class analysis gives us a more detailed framework, providing more insight into widespread motives, actions, and consequences. I plan to keep plugging away to demonstrate the usefulness of these concepts, but todays post needs to end somewhere.

So what have I learned from writing this down?

First, calling the PMC a class is analytically useful. Per the Ehrenreichs 1977 definition, the PMC consists of salaried mental workers who do not own the means of production and whose major function in the social division of labor may be described broadly as the reproduction of capitalist culture and capitalist class relations. The PMC has identifiable class interests and is at least somewhat conscious of itself as a class. The position of the PMC has some inherent challenges and contradictions based on class interests that are inherently adverse to both the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

Second, the ideology and reproductive strategy of the PMC for the last 30 years has created additional challenges for individual members of the PMC. The PMC ideology is enervating for many people, and aspiring PMC youth cannot count on achieving satisfactory roles even if they comply with all the practical and ideological demands.

Third, the PMC is minimally organized as a class and acts in its own class interest only in the very broadest terms. It is second nature for the PMC to view creating more rules and more PMC jobs enforcing those rules as the solution to every problem, but the PMC appear to have no competent class leadership or strategy to keep the proliferating PMC jobs from being devalued and proletarianized. They are being squeezed economically, and we are going through a phase where neither the bourgeoisie nor the proletariat is listening to the PMCs expert pronouncements. In fact, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat seem to be uniting behind, of all people, the anti-expert, Donald Trump!

Fourth, as Erik Erikson explained, a mismatch between the expectations of young people and the ideologies and roles being offered to them goes hand in hand with instability. Based on the PMCs current inability to reproduce itself effectively and its increasingly antagonistic relationship with the proletariat, the PMC may be contributing more to the downfall of a balanced and prosperous capitalist order than to reproducing it.
Silence of the wolves: How human landscapes alter howling behaviour Monga Bay

Meet one of NYCs largest new residents: The fin whale Gothamist

Partying Like 1999? An NBubble Isnt Here John Authers, Bloomberg. Key point: Theres relatively little evidence of excessive use of leverage within financial markets, even if higher rates arent yet slowing down the US economy as had been expected.

Major network outages in U.S. following two X-class solar flares The Watchers

Climate

Scientist sacked because he refused to fly home from Papua New Guinea starts his legal battle Canary

Plants can take up CWD-causing prions from soil in the lab. What happens if they are eaten? Center for Infections Disease Research and Policy

Water

Albertas Brutal Water Reckoning The Tyee

#COVID19

Solving the puzzle of Long Covid Ziyad Al-aly and Eric Topol, Science. Preventing infections and reinfections is the best way to prevent Long Covid and should remain the foundation of public health policy. Remain, lol. Commentary Long Covid is one of the worlds biggest challenges John Snow Project. So far. Hat tip, public health establishment (and, of course, their owners, masters, and thought leaders among the oligarchs): Because nonpharmaceutical interventions to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission have largely been abandoned, vaccines are now the primary line of defense against both severe disease in the acute phase of the infection and Long Covid. Studies have consistently shown that vaccines reduce the risk of Long Covid by 15 to 75%, with a mean of ~40% reduction in risk. Yet vaccine policies in much of the world restrict boosters to older adults or those with risk factors for severe COVID-19, and with pandemic fatigue, the publics appetite for boosters seems to be waning. * * * Prevalence of persistent SARS-CoV-2 in a large community surveillance study Nature. N = 381. From the Abstract: Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections may act as viral reservoirs that could seed future outbreaks, give rise to highly divergent lineages, and contribute to cases with post-acute COVID-19 sequelae (long COVID). Individuals with persistent infection had more than 50% higher odds of self-reporting long COVID than individuals with non-persistent infection. We estimate that 0.10.5% of infections may become persistent with typically rebounding high viral loads and last for at least 60 days. This work has profound implications for understanding and characterizing SARS-CoV-2 infection, epidemiology and evolution. Living with Covid = serial passage through the general population. Important caveat: The association between persistent infection and long COVID does not imply that every persistent infection can lead to long COVID (only 9% of individuals with persistent infection reported having long COVID) nor does it mean that all cases of long COVID are due to a persistent infection.

Global Elections

Line of Succession New Left Review. [T]he spectacle of a Biden-Trump rematch in the US, plus the dismal expectations for a Starmer government in the UK, suggest that problems with contemporary electoral systems are not confined to repressive or clientelist regimes. Khan loyalists sidelined as Pakistans rival parties reach power-sharing deal France24

China?

Japan

Kaiju Look The Baffler. The deck: Godzillas radioactive origins.

Syraqistan

European Disunion

The state of financial knowledge in the European Union Breugel. The deck: Financial literacy is essential in modern economies, where saving and preparing for retirement has shifted increasingly to the individual. Ah, financial literacy. Note lack of agency.

Dear Old Blighty

New Not-So-Cold War

South of the Border

Uruguay Stepping into Strong Position on Global Seed Stage Seed World

Antitrust

Law is not Code: On Algorithms and the Concept of Law (PDF) Studiengesellschaft fur Wirtschaft und Recht (ed), Algorithmen im Wirtschaftsrecht (2023).

Digital Watch

Manufacturing

Rolls Royce tackles Trent engine issues as profits take flight Leeham News & Analysis

Supply Chain

The Final Frontier

Zeitgeist Watch

Class Warfare

What Can You Do With a Failed Postmodern Utopia? Atlas Obscura

A Forthcoming Documentary Examines How Civic Life in America Is a Matter of Join or Die Colossal

Antidote du jour (via):

Bonus antidote:

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here
Two dozen people gathered Thursday for the inaugural meeting of Mayor Freddie OConnells Technical Advisory Committee, one of two transit initiative advisory committees meant to inform a forthcoming transit referendum.

The TAC meeting brought together planners, transit professionals and policy wonks, about half of whom came from either WeGo or the Metro Planning Department. The other group  the Community Advisory Committee  held its inaugural meeting Feb. 15. OConnell intends the TAC to focus on technical aspects of the plan, while the CAC helps refine community engagement.

Group visioning exercises showed broad alignment on vague goals like increased safety, connectivity, forward-thinking planning and modernized infrastructure. Committee conversation, which lacked a clear goal or deliverable, turned quickly to major topics of bus rapid transit and light rail.

Are we as a group making a decision that were never going to have high-quality rail transit as a city as we grow to 3 million people? asked Erin Hafkenschiel, president of think tank ThinkTennessee. I think its really important for us to have that conversation.

Throughout the two-hour meeting, Hafkenschiel did her best to have that conversation despite pivots from Kendra Abkowitz, the mayors sustainability chief, who became TACs de facto facilitator. Hafkenschiel moved to the TAC from the eight-person committee that advised the mayor on transit during his fall transition. Several years ago, Hafkenschiel oversaw the unsuccessful Lets Move referendum, which presented several light-rail lines around Nashville, as the citys director of transportation and sustainability.

The topic remained front-of-mind for the latter half of Thursdays discussion, drawing comments about cost awareness from Vice Mayor Angie Henderson and incremental development from Jessica Dauphin, CEO of the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee.

The group discussed relative tradeoffs between bus rapid transit and light rail, two major tracks for OConnells forthcoming plan, before questioning whether they could even discuss tradeoffs without cost estimates from the mayors office.

Its hard for us to make a decision, because we dont have the cost estimates in front of us, Dauphin said. We dont know what the total costs were aiming for is. Without knowing our budget, its hard to conceptualize what our actual projects would be.

Abkowitz offered no response. No one close to the mayor offered an estimate or a date by which to expect an estimate. Committee members wrestled with a dependency loop: Do we need solid plans to guide our budget? Or a general budget to guide our plans?

Toward the end of the meeting, Eric Hoke of the Civic Design Center brought up the referendums looming political considerations.

Im a huge rail guy," said Hoke. "I love the rail. I just want us to concede the political costs for that. I want to see a rail. Im just afraid of the outcomes should there be a rail in a plan.

Hafkenschiel picked up on the reference to the failed 2018 effort for light rail under Megan Barry. Just because the city said they werent ready for five light-rail lines and a downtown tunnel does not mean theyre not ready for one light-rail corridor to prove what it could look like for our city and for our future, she responded.

The mayor has said to expect a completed plan ready for voter review by the end of March.
STUDY: Chernobyls mutant wolves may have developed cancer resistance

Wolves that have made the deserted streets of Chernobyl their home seem to have developed resistance to cancer , according to a new study that has raised hopes the discovery can aid researchers in fighting cancer in humans.

In 1986, a nuclear reactor in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernobyl exploded, forcing the more than 100,000 inhabitants of the city and nearby villages to be evacuated following the release of massive amounts of radiation.

The area has since been abandoned, with Ukrainian authorities setting up a 1,000-square-mile area "exclusion zone" to prevent people from entering areas where radiation levels are still high enough to cause cancer. (Related: Chernobyl lives on: Drone expedition reveals unexpected hotspots of concentrated nuclear material, warn researchers.)

Humans may not have returned to the place, but wolves and other wildlife continue to wander the wasteland of the evacuated city freely more than 35 years after the disaster.

Cara Love, an evolutionary biologist and ecotoxicologist at Princeton University in the United States, has been examining how the wolves of Chernobyl survive amid the generations of exposure to radioactive particles.

"We're studying nature's solutions for survivingand thrivingwhen exposed to chronic, low-dose ionizing radiation. The Exclusion Zone offers a unique system to look at evolutionary adaptation in real-time," Love said.

Love and a group of researchers visited the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) back in 2014 and placed radio collars on a group of wolves so that their movements could be monitored. Love said the collars gave her team "real-time measurements of where [the wolves] are and how much [radiation] they are exposed to."

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They also took blood samples from the wolves to understand how their bodies reacted to the area's radiation.

Chernobyl wolves exposed to six times more radiation than humans can safely handle

The researchers found that Chernobyl wolves are exposed to more than 11.28 millirem of radiation every day, which is six times above the safe exposure limit for humans.

Love discovered that the immune systems of the wolves have been modified by their constant exposure to radiation and are comparable to the immune systems of cancer patients going through radiation treatment. More importantly, she also recognized definite parts of the animals' genetic information that appear resilient to increased cancer risks.

Research in humans has discovered mutations that raise cancer risk. For instance, the presence of the variant BRCA gene makes it more likely for a woman to develop breast or ovarian cancer.

The findings build on a growing body of research showing how animals dynamically adapt to environmental pressures and find ways to fend off heightened cancer risks.

Love's work is now focused on identifying which specific mutations have made wolves resilient to these risks. "Our priority is for people and collaborators there to be as safe as possible," said Love, who in the future hopes her research can be used to identify protective mutations that increase the odds of humans to survive cancer.

Follow CancerSolutions.news for more stories about cancer research studies.

Watch the video below about the "mutant" animals living and thriving in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

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China BANS sale of Japanese seafood due to Fukushima radiation contamination  Tokyo to file appeal at WTO.

Sources include:

News.Sky.com

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Brighteon.com
Idaho State House passes bill that could make sex crimes against children PUNISHABLE BY DEATH

Certain sex crimes against children could become punishable by death in Idaho under a new bill passed by the state's House of Representatives.

House Bill 515 states that sex crimes committed against children under 12 years of age could be punished by death. (Related: Idaho passes law criminalizing transgender mutilation of children).

H.B. 515 allows for the death penalty to be imposed upon individuals in cases of lewd conduct with children under the age of 12 and with "a statutory aggravating circumstance" that the court proves "beyond a reasonable doubt," reads parts of the bill.

Bill co-sponsor State Rep. Bruce Skaug (R-Nampa) told State House lawmakers that the death penalty would be reserved for the most heinous cases, like repeat offenders. Other offenders would be sentenced to life imprisonment.

"There is a deep, dark, dark side in our culture, and it's our job to protect the children. There are times when things are so wicked that retribution is appropriate," said Skaug. "It would be very rare that this case would happen, but it will happen. And I say to you when you see that case, you read about it in the newspaper youre going to say this is the one case this needs to happen."

The Idaho House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 57 in favor and 11 against. All Democrats voted against. Only one Republican  Rep. Jack Nelsen (R-Gooding) voted against the measure. It will now advance to the state Senate for committee review. The Republican-dominated upper house is expected to pass the bill without much trouble.

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First-degree murder currently the only crime punishable by death in Idaho

Idaho law currently only allows the death penalty in cases of first-degree murder. The state has not performed an execution since June 2012.

Skaug, responding to concerns that H.B. 515 might be seen as unconstitutional, believes the current conservative-dominated Supreme Court could reach a different decision on the matter.

The Supreme Court in 2008 blocked the death penalty as a punishment for crimes in which the victim did not die  including child rape where the kid survives  in the Kennedy v. Louisiana case.

"Well, there's constitutional and there's constitutional. Depends on the court of the day, Skaug, an attorney, told House lawmakers.

Only eight Idaho prisoners are on death row, according to the Idaho Department of Correction. At least one of them could be executed before the end of the month. Skaug believes fewer than eight child rape cases could end with the perpetrator ending up on death row under the new bill.

It would be very rare that this case would happen. Itd be very rare that a prosecutor would take this kind of case and ask for the death penalty, but it will happen. And I say to you that when you see that case, you read about it in the newspaper, youre gonna say, This is the one case that this needs to happen, Skaug said.

The legislations sponsors hope the U.S. Supreme Court reviews the bill if it becomes law, and therefore issue a ruling that would expand the eligibility for the death penalty.

BigGovernment.news has more stories like this.

Watch this video discussing how pedophiles in Idaho could be executed for their crimes.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

100PercentFedUp.com

IdahoCapitalSun.com

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Brighteon.com
Worlds largest asset manager BlackRock exits globalist climate investment group

BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, joined JPMorgan Chase in pulling out from the climate change investment group Climate Action 100+ that pushes companies around the world to rein in emissions

Climate Action 100+ (CA100+) is a global coalition of investors who have pledged "to ensure the world's largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change."

Advocates for corporations worldwide to take action against so-called climate change have hailed CA100+ as a key player in efforts to align the world's most powerful financial institutions behind the "net-zero emissions" goals espoused by globalist organizations like the United Nations and the World Economic Forum. (Related: World Economic Forum tells governments and corporations: Spend $3.5 TRILLION ANNUALLY to "decarbonize" the planet.)

Founded in 2017, CA100+ compelled its members to target 170 "focus companies" in carbon dioxide-emitting industries such as oil production and airlines by threatening shareholder votes against executives that refused to steer the company toward committing to net-zero goals. CA100+ has bragged about getting 75 percent of companies it targeted to go along with its green agenda.

At CA100+'s peak, the climate club boasted over 700 investor members with over $68 trillion in assets. With the departure of JPMorgan and BlackRock as well as other major investor partners like the State Street Corporation, around $16 trillion of assets  including around $9.7 trillion from JPMorgan and BlackRock  were removed from the globalist-backed effort to coordinate the corporate world's action on tackling the so-called climate change.

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JPMorgan, BlackRock prioritizing clients and shareholders over climate activists

Will Hild, executive director of the nonprofit organization Consumers' Research, suggested that fear of political and shareholder backlash may have influenced JPMorgan and BlackRock into leaving CA100+.

"By agreeing to use their financial portfolios as a weapon against the American consumer and our economy, they rightly drew the ire of everyone outside of the Wall Street and Davos elite," said Hild. "By leaving the Climate Action 100+ climate cartel, they are signaling that the actions of millions of consumers and dozens of elected officials are having an effect."

In a statement, JPMorgan's investment arm said it had decided not to renew its membership with CA100+ after the company said it would focus on building up its own "investment stewardship" capabilities.

BlackRock said in a press release that it is withdrawing from CA100+ amid concerns over the company's independence and fears that shareholders and clients would have less say in how their assets are handled.

"As BlackRock made clear when signing up as a member of CA100+ in 2020, at all times the firm maintains independence acting on behalf of clients, including in choosing which issuers to engage with, and how to vote proxies," said the company, who added that it would create a new engagement and proxy voting option to give clients a better way to prioritize climate goals with their assets.

Before the departure of JPMorgan, BlackRock and State Street, only 13 other firms had left CA100+ since its forming.

"JPMorgan Chase made the right decision to withdraw from the largest investor coalition focused on convincing the corporate world to act on climate change  Climate Action 100+," said West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey in a short statement.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said JPMorgan, BlackRock and State Street were "caving to climate deniers." Landers, who oversees public retirement assets, also threatened to "consider our options for the management of our public market investments," by possibly shifting New York City's pension money to fund managers more dedicated to so-called climate change.

"Climate risk is financial risk. Today, BlackRock, JPMorgan and State Street are choosing to ignore both," said Landers. He added that the firms "are failing in their fiduciary duty and putting trillions of dollars of their clients' assets at risk."

Meanwhile, Kirsten Spalding, vice president of the Ceres Investor Network, which oversees CA100+'s North American efforts, claims that the group expected some of its signatories to leave as their priorities diverged from that of the coalition, and that her investor network would continue its efforts despite the loss of some of the world's largest banks and asset managers.

"We knew that the focus on making sure there was movement from certain companies was going to be uncomfortable for some investors," said Spalding.

Watch this video of Canadian activist and political commentator Chris Sky reacting to the news that BlackRock and JPMorgan have dropped out of Climate Action 100+.

This video is from the What Is Happening channel on Brighteon.com.

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Analysts warn: Net zero movement to cause SPIKES in food prices and drive farmers out of business.

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Governments wasting TRILLIONS on "climate change" using faulty temperature data, experts warn.

Banker claims COFFEE is bad for the climate at WEF annual meeting.

World Economic Forum claims $3.5 trillion is needed annually to "decarbonize" our planet code word for DEPOPULATION.

Sources include:

NTD.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
JPMorgan Chase pulls out of climate change cartel; pundit expects to see more defections

The world's largest climate change-focused investor group, Climate Action 100+ (CA100+), suffered a major blow when mega-bank JPMorgan Chase left the $68 trillion investor coalition that is focused on pressuring the world's largest corporate emitters to decarbonize

A spokeswoman for the money manager, which oversees $3.1 trillion worth of assets, said the firm won't renew its membership in Climate Action 100+ because it has made significant investments in developing its own climate risk engagement framework. The asset management unit of the largest bank in the United States said it now has a team of 40 professionals dedicated to pursuing a "sustainable investment" agenda for the bank. (Related: Climate fanatic wants Biden to declare "climate emergency," making himself DICTATOR over America.)

"I wouldn't be surprised if we see more defections, especially given that theres now a cost, such as potential litigation, that wasnt there when companies joined," said Lance Dial, a partner at the Boston-based law firm K&L Gates LLP. "Attorneys general have subpoenaed firms about their membership of these groups."

CA100+ noted that it has over 700 members who are "committed to managing climate risk and preserving shareholder value through their participation in the initiative." A spokesperson for the group declined to comment specifically on JPMorgan Asset Management's withdrawal beyond confirming that the money manager has left the initiative.

Backlash against ESG may have influenced JPMorgan's withdrawal

The bank's involvement in CA100+ was initially seen as a significant step in its ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) investment journey. However, the initiative, alongside its participants, has faced increasing criticism from Republican circles in the U.S., labeling it and similar ESG efforts as politically motivated.

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This criticism has led many other investment firms to retreat from publicly aligning with net zero commitments and downplay their involvement in climate-focused finance groups, which are now considered more of a political burden than merit.

"The political winds arent rewarding climate-active firms today, but climate risk and regulations arent going away in the mid- to long-run, so short-term decisions may need to be undone when those longer-term threats begin to manifest or regulators clamp down harder," said Michael Sheren, a former senior adviser at the Bank of England. "JPMorgan pulling out matters because it sends the wrong, short-sighted signal and gives cover for others to do the same."

It has been noted that associating with anything involving ESG makes firms marked on Wall Street. In the first quarter of 2022, there was a peak of 28,000 mentions of ESG and related buzzwords like "climate change," "clean energy" and "green energy." Halfway through the first quarter earnings season of 2024, reported mentions have dropped to around 4,800.

The dying off of ESG and "green" investment products over the last few months is expected to continue, especially as politicians now take aim at investment groups that align with ESG principles. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) even went so far as to call CA100+ an "ESG cartel."

Visit GreenTyranny.news for more stories regarding the corporate world's reaction to so-called climate change.

Watch this video of Canadian political commentator Chris Sky reacting to JPMorgan's dropping out of CA100+, calling it a "huge win against the climate change agenda."

This video is from the What is Happening channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

ABSURD: National Climate Assessment report attempts to link climate change to PANDEMICS and PATHOGENS.

PBS unveils "climate psychology therapist" to help mentally ill climate fanatics cope with carbon.

Nobel Prize laureate John Clauser challenges climate change claims, says U.S. climate policies grossly misguided.

The 'climate emergency' is a hoax.

Biden plans to revise climate-related criteria for approving LNG export terminals to win support of climate-minded voters.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

Bloomberg.com

Brighteon.com
Former president of regional LGBT pride organization in Canada charged with sex crimes against CHILDREN

The former president of an LGBT pride organization in British Columbia, Canada, has been arrested on multiple charges of sex crimes against children under the age of 16

Dan McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the British Columbia Prosecution Service, announced charges against 39-year-old Sean Gravells, including touching a person under 16 for sexual purposes, sexual interference with a person under 16, possession of child pornography and importing or distributing child pornography.

Gravells, an outspoken LGBT activist, has served as the board president of the North Peace Pride Society (NPPS) in northern British Columbia since 2018, as indicated by a now-deleted biography on the website of the organization. Gravells had been involved in organizing "teen pride nights" at the public library of Fort St. John, where the NPPS gave sponsorship checks to fund youth events. But following the release of allegations, the NPPS is now claiming that Gravells was never directly involved with children, despite his role in sponsoring youth events.

The alleged offenses occurred in or near Fort St. John, 500 miles to the north of Vancouver, with the interference and exploitation charges related to incidents on Dec. 29, 2023, and the child pornography charges two days later.

In response to the charges, the NPPS released a statement on its official Facebook page account on Jan. 12, stating that the board had taken "swift action" to remove a member who was arrested on Dec. 31.

"On Dec. 31, 2023, one of our board members was arrested and is facing severe charges inconsistent with the North Peace Pride Society's mission and code of conduct. In response to the gravity of the charges, we have immediately removed this person from our board, emphasizing our commitment to our community's values," the organization said.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

"Due to the sensitivity of the situation and privacy considerations, we delayed our statement. However, we took swift action, voting to remove this individual on January 3, 2024, and have advised our community partners regarding the next steps," the statement continued. "We want to clarify that the society itself is not implicated in any charges; these are isolated to the individual."

Moreover, the NPPS announced in the post that criminal record checks, previously a requirement only for volunteers and board members working with youth, will now be expanded to include all board members.

Prominent LGBT activists facing serious child abuse charges

This arrest follows a recent trend of prominent LGBT activists facing serious charges related to child abuse.

Just a week prior, Kendall Stephen, a well-known trans-identifying activist, was arrested in Philadelphia on charges of raping two boys. The trend extends beyond activists, with senior producers from ABC and CNN, as well as Slade Sohmer, a former CNN managing editor and co-manager of a kids' summer camp, facing child sex abuse charges and pornography. (Related: Former CNN producer sentenced to more than 19 YEARS behind bars for child sexual abuse.)

In 2023, a gay activist couple from Georgia, after adopting two boys, faced allegations of abuse and trafficking in a pedophile ring. Additionally, Oregon teacher and activist Kelsey Boren, who mentored an 11-year-old drag queen, was convicted on child pornography charges and sentenced to less than a year in prison for 11 felony counts of encouraging child sex abuse.

These incidents are causing growing concern among the public, leading to a reevaluation of the goal of the LGBT movement.

For decades, efforts were made to dispel assumptions that the gay community was inclined to target children. However, recent cases involving radical LGBT activists engaging with children are fueling suspicions that the end goal of the movement may not be the acceptance of diverse views but rather the grooming of the next generation.

The insistence on introducing trans and so-called "gender fluid" ideologies into schools and exposing young children to sexualized concepts and imagery is contributing to a perception that needs to be addressed within the community itself.

Visit Psycho.news for more stories about child sex abusers.

Watch this video that explains why Twitter allows the promotion of child torture, child sexual exploitation and other nefarious practices.

This video is from the Henrik Wallin - All knowledge channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Mark Zuckerbergs Meta struggling to remove child sexual abuse materials from Facebook and Instagram.

Stanford researchers: Twitter FAILED to prevent dozens of child abuse images from spreading online.

PEDO BLACKMAIL: Biden regime HIDING EVIDENCE implicating Jeffrey Epstein, intelligence agencies in CHILD ABUSE activities.

Biden DOJ erases child sex trafficking language from government website after losing track of 85,000 migrant children.

Big Media trying to discredit blockbuster Sound of Freedom film  do they all support child sex trafficking?

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

CBC.ca

Brighteon.com
Denmark plans to send ALL of its ARTILLERY to Ukraine  leaving Copenhagen DEFENSELESS

Denmark has announced its intention to send its entire artillery stocks to Ukraine , a move that will surely leave Copenhagen defenseless the moment a major conflict breaks out.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made this announcement during the Munich Security Conference 2024 held in the German city from Feb. 16 to 18. She also appealed to other European countries to do more to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

"They are asking us for ammunition now, artillery now. From the Danish side, we decided to donate our entire artillery," said Frederiksen.

"I'm sorry to say, friends, [but] there are still ammunition in stock in Europe. This is not only a question about production  because we have weapons, we have ammunition, we have air defense [systems] that we don't have to use  at the moment, that we should deliver to Ukraine." (Related: Netherlands, Denmark confirm U.S. approval of F-16s for Ukraine  but will it matter?)

The Danish announcement is a breath of fresh air for Kyiv, following the retreat of Ukrainian forces from the eastern town of Avdiivka amid severe munitions shortages. Last December, Brig. Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavskyi said the shortage of artillery shells prompted the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) to scale back some operations.

"There's a problem with ammunition, especially post-Soviet [artillery shells]  that's 122 millimeter (mm), 152 mm," he told Reuters in December 2023. "And today, these problems exist across the entire front line."

Aside from Denmark, the Czech Republic has committed to supplying 800,000 artillery shells to the AFU. Czech President Petr Pavel said in a speech during the conference's second day on Feb. 17 that Prague has 500,000 155 mm shell and 300,000 122 mm shells. These can be sent to Ukraine in a few weeks "if funding is found quickly," he added.

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"We need to support Ukraine by supplying ammunition from all possible sources," said Pavel. "We need to be as innovative and flexible as the Ukrainian soldiers, and look for military equipment everywhere."

Denmark a "key supporter" of Ukraine

Copenhagen has been a key supporter of Kyiv since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February 2022. It has pledged 8.4 billion ($9.07 billion) in military aid, Business Insider reported.

Meanwhile, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy pointed out that the Nordic country's military aid commitments increased by 3.5 billion ($3.78 billion) since November. This made Denmark one of Ukraine's biggest military donors by percentage of gross domestic product, the institute added.

However, Washington's support for Kyiv could stop abruptly as a $60 billion U.S. aid package has stalled in the U.S. Congress. Thus, Ukraine is looking toward Brussels for much-needed funding. True to form, the European Union responded by agreeing to a new 50 billion ($54 billion) aid package for the beleaguered nation in early February.

"This locks in steadfast, long-term [and] predictable funding for Ukraine," European Council President Charles Michel said at the time. "The EU is taking leadership and responsibility in support for Ukraine. We know what is at stake."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Michel and other European leaders for the funding. He added: "Continued EU financial support for Ukraine will strengthen long-term economic and financial stability, which is no less important than military assistance and sanctions pressure on Russia."

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian foreign minister, downplayed talk of alleged "fatigue" or "waning support" toward Kyiv as "simply false." He continued: "Europe has once again demonstrated its strength and ability to make major decisions independent of others. The EU is leading the way and setting an example for the rest of the world to follow."

Visit UkraineWitness.com for more stories about Ukraine aid.

Watch this video explaining why the fall of Avdiivka to Russia signals the fall of hopes for Ukraine's sponsors.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov tells EU counterparts: Ukraine is OUTGUNNED 3-to-1 by Russia.

Ukraine is running out of ammunition as Russia continues to overpower its military.

NATO members are running out of weapons that they can send to Ukraine.

Kyiv is running out of ammunition as Western aid packages hit roadblocks.

US arms sales to Europe have SKYROCKETED since Ukraine invasion.

Sources include:

BusinessInsider.com

EuromaidanPress.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Sexualization of children has replaced education

In New Hampshire a state representative read to the House sexually explicit passages from school materials for middle school kids. Clearly these materials are part of the sexually grooming of kids for pedophiles.Democrats objected to the reading but were voted down.

(Article by Paul Craig Roberts republished from PaulCraigRoberts.org)

Bussing was the method of racially integrating schools. The result was to destroy Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA). Consequently, parents lost contact with teachers and influence over what is taught. Now the schools are in the hands of those busy at work sexualizing children. This is the main achievement of school integration along with the complete collapse in educational standards. School integration not only is a total failure. It did massive harm.

Watch the short video of the state representative attempting to read from the sexually explicit material the schools give to children.

I honestly think that it is the purpose of Democrats to turn public schools into brothels.

https://www.infowars.com/posts/watch-dems-freak-out-as-gop-state-rep-reads-sexually-graphic-middle-school-book-during-hearing-vote-to-make-him-stop/

Read more at: PaulCraigRoberts.org
If Israel proceeds with Rafah genocide, U.K. could restrict arms sales to Jewish state

The United Kingdom could stop selling arms to Israel if the Jewish state proceeds with its planned genocide in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which is now home to at least 1.3 million Palestinians, many of whom are refugees from other areas of Gaza that were forcibly driven out of their homes by Israel.

Any further escalation of the Israeli bloodbath against Gaza "without more effort to protect civilians could put it in breach of international humanitarian law," reports explain about the U.K. warning.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, U.K. officials involved with the matter are concerned that Israel is doing little or nothing to protect innocent civilians in Gaza as the tanks roll in and the bombs drop. The result is an escalating death toll of men, women and children who have nothing to do with the Hamas false flag attack that occurred on October 7.

London's High Court is increasingly being petitioned by legal advocacy groups to stop the sending of British arms to Israel, which are being used to commit war crimes. Thus far, the High Court has rejected all such petitions, though U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron wrote a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office calling on the Jewish state to "stop and think seriously about the repercussions of a military offensive" in Rafah.

(Related: The Israeli government wants all Palestinians out of Gaza so it can steal the land and turn it into lucrative real estate.)

Israel to start bombing Rafah by Ramadan on March 10

For the first time since Rafah came on the world's radar as Israel's next target, officials in the Jewish state have stated that the plan is to launch the offensive by Ramadan, which officially begins on March 10 this year.

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If Hamas releases all remaining Israeli hostages, the military campaign can be avoided, Israel claims.

The United Nations (UN) Security Council held a vote on a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, to which the U.K. abstained from voting. The resolution ultimately failed anyway due to a veto from the United States.

"We do not underestimate the devastating humanitarian impacts that a full ground offensive, if enacted, would have in these circumstances," Cameron wrote in his letter.

While Israel has promised to allow all Palestinian civilians to leave Rafah before the offensive, the reality is that these people have nowhere to go. Egypt, which abuts Gaza and Israel to the south with a large fence separating the territories, is refusing to take them.

Egypt did build a large, walled-in refugee camp in anticipation of Palestinian refugees probably trying to flee into the Sinai desert, but that camp is small and can only handle around 100,000 people.

"We continue to urge Israel to ensure that it limits its operations to military targets and takes all possible steps to avoid harming civilians and destroying homes," Cameron's letter continues, adding that in the event of a military assault on Rafah, "it is difficult to see how this could be achieved."

Another country that is being urged to stop sending arms to Israel is the United States, Israel's "best friend."

The following countries have already imposed either a ban or restrictions on arms sales to Israel:

 The Netherlands

 Belgium

 Japan

 Italy

 Spain

"On the individual level, don't buy anything from Israel," suggested one reader about how everyday folks can make their voices heard on the conflict.

"Barcodes '729' and '871' are often associated with products made in Israel," wrote another.

"You can't be a Christian and a Zionist, friends," wrote another about the duplicity of claiming you "support Israel" while also being a follower of Jesus Christ.

No, the covenant promises made to Abraham and his offspring do not apply to the deep state government calling itself "Israel." Find out more at IsraelCollapse.com.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Israel strikes targets deep in Lebanon as conflict expands into new territories

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are escalating further as the conflict expands into Lebanon following recent Israeli airstrikes.

The airstrikes focused on targets near the city of Ghaziyeh, deep within Lebanon and around 30 miles from Israel's northern border. This is the first time since Hamas' attack on Israel in Oct. 7 that Israel struck targets far from the Lebanese border.

Ghaziyeh is Lebanon's third largest city and is populated mostly by Lebanese Sunni Muslims  a population generally opposed to the Shia Muslim-majority Hezbollah. Ghaziyeh is also far away from any known Shia-dominated regions of Lebanon where Hezbollah holds more political and military sway.

In a statement, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari claimed that the Israeli airstrikes were targeting Hezbollah weapons depots and were in retaliation for a previous Hezbollah explosive attack on northern Israel.

Previous Israeli strikes on Lebanon were confined to southern Lebanon within a few miles of the border on both sides. (Related: Israel warns it will extend military offensive to Lebanon if Hezbollah attacks don't cease.)

Lebanese media reported that the extent of casualties is currently unknown, but the strike has raised concerns about the potential for civilian harm and further escalation.

In response to the intensifying situation, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned that Israel would pay "in blood" for the civilian casualties resulting from the recent events.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz reiterated a warning to Lebanon, stating that if diplomatic efforts failed to remove Hezbollah from the border zone, the country would "pay a heavy price."

Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com.

Israel reportedly targeting Hamas officials in Lebanon

An Israeli security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, identified the target as Hamas official Basel Saleh, reportedly responsible for recruiting new Hamas members in both Gaza and the West Bank.

The incident further contributes to the heightened tensions in the Middle East, including the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, a drone attack last month that claimed the lives of three U.S. troops in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, and attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on vessels passing through the Red Sea.

Lebanese security officials disclosed that the strike damaged a car and resulted in two casualties, including an individual on a motorcycle.

Lebanese troops swiftly cordoned off the area as tensions rose. Notably, drone strikes in Lebanon attributed to Israel have previously targeted several officials from Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The previous farthest strike occurred on January 2, killing top Hamas official Saleh Arouri in Beirut.

Additionally, on the same night, Israeli forces shelled the southern Lebanese border village of Houla, leading to one fatality and nine injuries.

The attack occurred as people were leaving a mosque after prayers, and reports suggest that a drone fired a missile toward the mosque. Children were among the wounded, according to state-run National News Agency reports.

These events unfolded as Irans Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, met with Lebanese leaders in Beirut, emphasizing the need for the United States to compel Israel to cease its military operations in the Gaza Strip if stability is to be restored in the region.

Amirabdollahian criticized the U.S. for allegedly supplying weapons to Israel while simultaneously advocating for a political solution to the ongoing conflict.

Watch this video from "The Santilli Report" as host Pete Santilli reacts to Israel escalating the conflict by bombing targets deep within Lebanon.

This video is from the channel The Resistance 1776 on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

For "self-defense," Israel must invade and occupy southern Lebanon for 50 years, says former Israeli defense minister.

Anonymous U.S. officials fear Biden's reckless foreign policies could lead to war in Lebanon.

Local media reports IDF is set to launch full-blown war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Sources include:

Reuters.com

ABCNews.go.com

Brighteon.com
Medvedev warns of NUCLEAR STRIKES on the U.S. and U.K. if Russian territories are seriously threatened

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council (RSC) has warned of nuclear strikes on both the United Kingdom and the United States if territories are lost to the war with Ukraine (and NATO).

The former Russian president and prime minister issued his bombastic warning on Feb. 18. He said Kyiv and some Western capitals  Berlin, London and Washington  would feel the might of the "entire strategic arsenal" of nuclear weapons Moscow has.

Medvedev's warning came amid Kyiv's intent to retake five territories  Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia  that were originally part of Ukraine. These five areas, originally included in Ukraine's 1991 borders following the collapse of the Soviet Union, are now under Russia. In fact, Moscow has amended the Russian Constitution to include these formerly Ukrainian territories.

"Attempts to return Russia to the borders of 1991 will lead only to one thing  to a global war with Western countries using the entire strategic arsenal of our state," he said. Medvedev also urged Ukraine's backers to stand down "before it's too late," claiming that Russian nuclear weapons would blast "beautiful historical places" to bits. (Related: Former Russian President Medvedev warns of nuclear "apocalypse" if NATO attacks.)

The erstwhile Russian leader's remarks also extended to a domestic audience, presumably to reiterate the importance of supporting the "special military operation" in Ukraine. If Moscow loses its newly acquired territories again, Medvedev warned of "the direct and irreversible collapse of present-day Russia" and "a violent civil war with the final disappearance of our country from the world map."

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

"Tens of millions of victims. The death of our future. The collapse of everything in the world."

Despite his threats, Medvedev said the next day that he believes Russia will see victory soon. He commented on Feb. 19 that Moscow's military power was equal to any in the world and that Russia is a strong country because it knows "how to win."

Medvedev notorious for bombastic threats of nuclear war

Medvedev served as prime minister under Russian President Vladimir Putin from 2012 until 2020. Before this, he served as Russian president from 2008 to 2012  with Putin as his prime minister. Breitbart News pointed out that there is "absolutely no slight too small" for Medvedev to "necessitate a nuclear response."

The outlet reported in March 2023 that the RSC deputy chair had issued a similar threat. Following the International Criminal Court's (ICC) issuance of an arrest warrant for Putin, Medvedev warned that Moscow would bomb any country that attempts to serve the ICC warrant. "While many European nations are signatories of the founding treaties to the ICC, key parties to the [Russia-Ukraine war]  including Russia, Ukraine and the U.S.  do not fully recognize the [ICC]," Breitbart News said at the time.

"Let's imagine  the incumbent head of a nuclear country arrives in, say, Germany and is arrested," the Russian politician told reporters during a press event. "What does it mean? A declaration of war against Russia. In such a case, all our weapons will target the Bundestag [building], the [German] chancellor's office] and so on."

Before this, Medvedev also insinuated that Russia could use one of its hypersonic nuclear missiles against the ICC's chambers in The Hague. He also rebuffed the "useless" international court as "just a miserable international organization," and urged those working there to "carefully look into the sky."

"Alas, gentlemen, everyone walks under God and rockets. It is quite possible to imagine the targeted use of a hypersonic launch from the North Sea from a Russian ship at the Hague courthouse."

Head over to RussiaReport.news for similar stories.

Watch this "TruNews" report about Dmitry Medvedev threatening nuclear strikes against the U.K. for deploying British troops in Ukraine.

This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

If WWIII breaks out, everything will "be turned to dust," warns Medvedev.

Former Russian President Medvedev once again threatens to nuke Britain in unhinged rant.

Medvedev calls for "physical elimination" of Zelensky following failed assassination attempt on Putin.

Ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warns that the world is on the verge of a NUCLEAR WORLD WAR III.

Former Russian president Medvedev threatens nuclear holocaust over Ukraine, says WWIII won't be fought with 'tanks, aircraft.'

Sources include:

Breitbart.com 1

Breitbart.com 2

Breitbart.com 3

Brighteon.com
PROOF: Documents from FDA, Pfizer show that COVID vaccine shedding is REAL

Up until now, most of the research exposing Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" as dangerous  and exposing those who take them as disease and death spreaders  has come from independent sources. Now, the truth is coming from the federal government and Big Tech.

It took the sleuthing public, including the diligent truth-seekers at the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC) advocacy group, a while to find all this, but we now know from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) itself that mRNA gene therapy products like those manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna do, in fact, shed onto others from those who take them.

A 2015 FDA document called "Design and Analysis of Shedding Studies for Virus or Bacteria-Based Gene Therapy and Oncolytic Products" defines shedding as "the release of [viral or bacterial gene therapy products] ... from the patient through one or all of the following ways: excreta (feces); secreta (urine, saliva, nasopharyngeal fluids etc.); or through the skin (pustules, sores, wounds)."

The same document goes on to explain, according to the FDA, what gene therapy products are:

"All products that mediate their effects by transcription and/or translation of transferred genetic material."

Since both the mRNA injections for COVID and adenovirus vaccines fall into this category, this is a clear-cut admission from the FDA itself that people who are "fully vaccinated" for COVID shed these poisons onto others through contact or close proximity, vindicating independent researchers who have been warning about this threat for years.

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(Related: Research published last summer in Infectious Diseases Research shows that the fully vaccinated are walking bioweapons factories spreading mRNA poisons to others.)

Babies drinking spike protein breast milk

At a recent FLCCC conference in Phoenix, Dr. Pierre Kory delineated on the shedding phenomenon and the risks involved. Unfortunately for those who get shed on, the fully jabbed are contaminating others with spike proteins and other deadly jab components that are now being found in breast milk. And the threat can last for at least half a year after a person gets injected, meaning the risk of shedding is not just a temporary thing that lasts a few days as some claim.

"Shedding is unfortunately real," Dr. Kory stated at the conference. "The FDA knows that."

The FDA continues to deny all this, having issued a statement to The Epoch Times claiming that COVID jabs "are not regulated as gene therapy products," thus making the guidance document previously cited "not applicable to the COVID-19 vaccines." It does not stop there, though.

As Dr. Kory also explained, Pfizer's own literature likewise explains that participants in its COVID injection trials risk spreading the poisons to others around them through inhalation or skin contact. Pfizer described this risk using the following two examples of potential "environmental exposures:"

"A male participant who is receiving or has discontinued [vaccine] intervention exposes a female partner prior to or around the time of conception."

"A female family member or healthcare provider reports that she is pregnant after having been exposed to the [vaccine] intervention through inhalation or skin contact."

There is also the risk of "secondary shedding," which occurs when someone who gets shed on through environmental exposure by someone who got fully vaccinated then sheds it a second time to someone else.

"An example of environmental exposure during breastfeeding is a female family member or healthcare provider who reports that she is breastfeeding after having been exposed to the study intervention (the vaccine) by inhalation or skin contact," Pfizer's internal documents further admit, warning about adverse effects that could arise from these "indirect exposures."

COVID jabs are deadly bioweapons spreading disease and death to the world. Find out more at BiologicalWeapons.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

FDA.gov

NaturalNews.com
Coming soon: Noncitizens to outvote Americans as San Francisco names first noncitizen as election official

Observers were quick to pick up that President Joe Biden and his Democrat administration are gearing up for non-citizens to outvote American citizens in time for the elections. They have started with the San Francisco Commission, which recently appointed a non-U.S. citizen to sit as an election official. This is a first in history.

Kelly Wong, who is not even legally allowed to vote in the U.S., was sworn in on Feb. 14 by Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin during a ceremony at San Francisco City Hall after winning unanimous support from the board. The appointment of a noncitizen to city boards, commissions and advisory bodies started in 2020 after voters passed a proposal by lawmakers to remove the requirement that candidates seeking office hold U.S. citizenship.

According to local news outlet KQED, Wong is an immigrant rights advocate and a native of Hong Kong who arrived in the United States in 2019 for graduate studies.

"This appointment is a milestone for all immigrant and marginalized communities throughout San Francisco," Wong posted in her LinkedIn account on Feb. 15. "Representation matters: thousands of immigrants living in the city hold stakes in politics and there's no better way to have us be represented than to serve in leadership positions." She added that she is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of immigration status, has a seat at the table in shaping the future of the Golden Gate City.

Peskin, commending Wong's activism, said that he was 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.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

Wong told the news outlet that she hopes to improve immigrant and non-English voter engagement in San Francisco and that one of her priorities would be to use resources to improve translations of voter materials. "I've seen how language and cultural barriers prevent immigrants with limited English proficiency from fully exercising their right to vote," Wong said.

The said civilian-led commission, where members have a job to oversee policy and operations for the city's Department of Elections, does not pay its member-officials, according to the report. So, Wong will continue to serve the progressive advocacy group Chinese for Affirmative Action, a non-government organization whose mission is to protect the "civil and political rights of Chinese Americans and to advance multiracial democracy in the United States." She has been with the group since 2022.

During the ceremony, the non-citizen thanked the city's immigrant rights commissioner, Sarah Souza, who arrived in the United States as an illegal immigrant child and was the first such person in California appointed to the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee for her campaign in 2020 to change the law and allow noncitizens to serve on local commissions and advisory boards.

"Without Sarah's advocacy and perseverance, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to represent immigrant voices and contribute to shaping the future of our communities," Wong wrote in her post. "To all immigrants in SF: I hope my appointment to the Elections Commission serves as a beacon of hope, showing that change is possible and your voices matter in policymaking. If I can do it, you can too." (Related: REPLACEMENTS: The number of people pouring over the southern border each year now EXCEEDS the U.S. birth count.)

NYC appeals court declares law that wouldve allowed 800K noncitizens to vote unconstitutional

Meanwhile, in New York City, sensibility in the justice system is still prevailing as a Big Apple appeals court struck down on Feb 21, Wednesday, a controversial law that would have allowed 800,000 noncitizens to vote in municipal elections.

"We determine that this local law was enacted in violation of the New York State Constitution and Municipal Home Rule Law, and thus, must be declared null and void," Appellate Judge Paul Wooten wrote in the 3-1 majority decision.

According to the judge, the state constitution broadly refers to only citizens having the right to vote in elections, municipal as well as statewide, or for state legislative offices, citing Article IX, which states: "The elected officials of 'local governments' shall be elected by the people, which incorporates by reference the eligibility requirements for voting under article II, section 1, applying exclusively to citizens," the judge further wrote.

The decision upholds a lower court ruling issued by Staten Island Supreme Court Justice Ralph Porzio in June of 2022, which Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council had appealed. Writing for the Appellate Division's Second Department, Wooten pointed out that if non-citizens are allowed to vote, it stands to reason they could also run for mayor. He said that the council and mayor had failed to put the issue on the ballot for voters to decide.

While two other judges concurred with the ruling, Judge Lilian Wan issued a dissenting opinion. "The majority, by deeming the noncitizen voting law invalid, effectively prohibits municipalities across the state from deciding for themselves the persons who are entitled to a voice in the local electoral process," she wrote. "The majority's determination also disenfranchises nearly one million residents of the City, although its peoples duly elected representatives have opted to enfranchise those same residents."

But for Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island), there is nothing more important than preserving the integrity of the election system and the government should be working to create more trust in the elections and not less. "The right to vote is a sacred right given only to United States citizens. I hope that left-wing lawmakers stop pushing these unconstitutional and reckless measures that dilute the voices of American citizens," she added.

InvasionUSA.news has more stories about how the Biden regime is replacing Americans with illegal immigrants.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

KQED.org

NYPost.com
State Department threatens to OBSTRUCT House committees censorship investigation

The Department of State (DOS) has threatened Congress that it will only show a congressional committee its records "in camera supervision" until it gets a "better understanding of how [lawmakers] will utilize this sensitive information."

The DOS issued this threat in a Feb. 14 letter to Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX), chairman of the House Committee on Small Business (SBC). The letter, signed by DOS Assistant Secretary of State for Legal Affairs Naz Durakoglu, expressed "deep concern regarding certain information  publicly released by the [SBC] without prior consultation" with the State Department.

Durakoglu referenced a June 2023 letter the SBC sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the Global Engagement Center (GEC), an office under the DOS. The State Department provided documents in December of the same year in response to the letter.

However, the aforementioned papers were marked "sensitive but unclassified" and "produced to [CSB], not for public release." According to her, the State Department "had determined that public release of this information could jeopardize the GEC's programs and/or cause harm to the [DOS'] implementing partners."

The State Department official cited a Jan. 9, 2024 report by the Washington Examiner about the SBC's probe of the GEC. It reportedly linked the same documents provided to the committee, complete with the "sensitive" and "not for public release" markings. Durakoglu accused William's committee of making no effort to consult with the DOS "to protect or even ascertain any particular sensitivities before making the information public."

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"The [State] Department continues to respond to the [SBC's] requests and remains committed to accommodating [its] need for information regarding the GEC. However, without better understanding how the committee will utilize this sensitive information  in the future, the [DOS] may be forced to only provide the [SBC] with sensitive information that is not suitable for public release in an in camera setting."

State Department incensed by Congress' request for transparency

A year prior, the Examiner's Gabe Kaminsky exposed how the GEC was backing the U.K.-based Global Disinformation Index (GDI), which proudly boasts of the Dynamic Exclusion List. The GDI's blacklist contains at least 2,000 websites deemed unsuitable for advertising. The Examiner was among those blacklisted as among the "risky" sites alongside several conservative sites, while the now-defunct left-wing BuzzFeed was deemed among the outlets with the "lowest level of disinfo." (Related: BOMBSHELL REVELATION: State Department's GEC, Soros's open society, the EU, and UK are funding the "disinformation index": A pseudo-nonprofit that "blacklists" Conservative news from online advertisers.)

The GEC, which used American tax dollars to bankroll the GDI, replaced the earlier Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications created during the Obama administration in 2011. Its mission is to reportedly "counter" any messaging, foreign or domestic, deemed as "undermining or influencing the policies, security or stability of the United States."

The SBC then wrote to the State Department in June 2023, but only received documents in December 2023. Even then, the list provided was partial  with "dozens" of GEC contractors missing despite Congress asking for an "unredacted list of all GEC grant recipients and associated award numbers" from 2019 through the current year.

Kaminsky later wrote the Jan. 9 report that blasted the GEC for sending "incomplete" records. He also linked to a "snippet" of the GEC's contractor list that showed multiple redactions. This reportedly prompted Durakoglu to write her Feb. 14 letter to the SBC.

Writing for Racket News, independent journalist Matt Taibbi pointed out that the information requested by Williams' committee "is 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," he wrote.

"Perhaps it's 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?"

Watch this clip of Glenn Beck and Gabe Kaminsky discussing Beck's inclusion in the GDI blacklist, which is funded by the State Department's GEC.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Twitter Files BOMBSHELL: Taxpayers unknowingly fund "vast censorship enterprise" hiding truth about vaccine injuries, deaths.

Lawsuit reveals SECRET LIST of journalists pushing propaganda on behalf of U.S. government.

Microsoft ad network using foreign disinfo think tank to choke off conservative media outlets.

State-funded University of Texas managed censorship project targeting conservative outlets.

Sources include:

Racket.news

WashingtonExaminer.com

Brighteon.com
Texas AG Paxton SUES Catholic Annunciation House NGO for aiding, abetting illegal immigration

The border wars rage on as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton takes aim at a Catholic non-governmental organization (NGO) called Annunciation House that he says is encouraging and supporting illegal aliens as they invade the United States.

In a new lawsuit, Paxton accuses Annunciation House of aiding and abetting illegal migrants by not only helping to create passageways for them to illegally enter the country through Texas but also providing aid and housing for them in a special "stash house."

Established in the 1980s, Annunciation House describes itself as a volunteer organization that "offers hospitality to migrants, immigrants, and refugees in El Paso, Texas." Paxton wants to see the group's registration to operate in the Lone Star State revoked.

"Rooted in Catholic social teaching, the volunteers of Annunciation House live simply and in community, in the same houses as the guests we serve, who are mostly from Mexico and Central America," reads the website of Annunciation House.

"We also participate in advocacy and education around immigration issues. We seek to be a voice for justice and compassion, especially on behalf of the most marginalized of our society."

(Related: Did you know that Eagle Pass, Tex., the location of the Texas showdown with the federal government over illegal immigration, is the first U.S. city that will see full totality in the upcoming April 8 eclipse, creating an X marks the spot right over Cairo, Ill., aka Little Egypt, and ground zero for the New Madrid fault line?)

Annunciation House countersues Paxton for violating its "constitutional rights of association"

Paxton's lawsuit claims that Annunciation House is "openly and flagrantly violating many provisions of law in a systemic fashion," specifically by providing shelter to migrants as they trek across the hot Texas deserts.

Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com.

"Annunciation House appears to be engaged in the operation of an illegal stash house by potentially allowing others to use its real estate to engage in human smuggling," Paxton's lawsuit states.

Paxton's office requested records from the NGO to look for potential violations of federal law, but in response Annunciation House countersued Paxton's office seeking a restraining order. The group also accuses Paxton of making an impossible demand due to limited volunteer staff, not to mention that the request violates the "constitutional rights of association."

In a statement, Paxton condemned the "chaos at the southern border" that he says is facilitating "astonishing horrors including human smuggling."

"While the federal government perpetuates lawlessness destroying this country, my office works day in and day out to hold these organizations responsible for worsening illegal immigration," Paxton continued.

In its own statement, Annunciation House said its functions are biblical in nature, adding that it "does its work of accompaniment out of the Gospel mandate to welcome the stranger."

"This is no different from the work of schools who enroll migrant children, the clinics and hospitals who care for the needs of their ill, the churches, the synagogues, and mosques who welcome their families to join in worship," said an Annunciation House spokesperson to the media.

"For the attorney general to suddenly attack Annunciation House after 46 years of service to the poor is simply shameful," the group added.

In 2023, a record 2.4 million migrant encounters occurred at the southern border. This past December set a new record for migrant encounters with more than 301,000 recorded in that month alone.

The Republican-led House of Representatives impeached Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the migrant crisis. Articles of impeachment will now go to the Senate for a trial.

The latest news about illegal immigration in America can be found at InvasionUSA.news.

Sources for this article include:

MSN.com

NaturalNews.com
Federal prosecutors file charges against notorious Yakuza leader for allegedly plotting to traffic nuclear materials

Federal prosecutors in New York have filed charges against Takeshi Ebisawa, a 60-year-old Japanese man alleged to be a senior leader within the Yakuza in Japan, for allegedly plotting to traffic nuclear materials

The allegation stems from an incident in April 2022 in Thailand when Ebisawa and co-defendant Thai national Somphop Singhasiri, presented samples of nuclear materials to an undercover agent of the United States' Drug Enforcement Administration.

The undercover agent, who was posing as a high-stakes narcotics and weapons trafficker with purported connections to an Iranian general, managed to gather critical evidence that shows Ebisawa and Singhasiri wanted to traffic the nuclear materials into the hands of the Iranian military, who would ultimately use them in the construction of a nuclear weapon. (Related: Ray McGovern: NEOCONS and WARMONGERS in Biden admin are pushing U.S. into war with Iran.)

The undercover agent, in collaboration with Thai authorities, seized the nuclear samples and handed them and Ebisawa over to U.S. law enforcement.

Further intensifying the gravity of the situation, a subsequent analysis conducted by a U.S. nuclear forensic laboratory confirmed the presence of uranium and weapons-grade plutonium in the seized samples. This revelation underscored the potential severity of the Yakuza-led trafficking scheme.

The superseding indictment against Ebisawa details an alarming email sent by the alleged Yakuza leader in September 2020. Disguised as correspondence from a mining company, the email offered to sell a staggering 50 metric tons of uranium and thorium for $6.85 million.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams underscored the severity of the charges, emphasizing that Ebisawa not only recklessly trafficked nuclear material but also operated with the firm belief that it would contribute to the development of a nuclear weapons program.

Williams disclosed that, in addition to attempting to sell nuclear materials, Ebisawa concurrently engaged in negotiations for the procurement of highly lethal weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, machine guns, Kalashnikovs and armor-piercing ammunition.

Ebisawa head of an international Yakuza network

The charges against Ebisawa include conspiracy to commit international trafficking of nuclear materials, trafficking of nuclear materials, narcotics importation conspiracy, conspiracy related to the procurement of surface-to-air missiles, conspiracy to possess firearms and money laundering.

A conviction would land Ebisawa a possible maximum sentence of life in prison. Singhasiri, who was previously charged in April 2022 with international narcotics trafficking and firearms offenses, is also set to face new charges.

"It is chilling to imagine the consequences had these efforts succeeded and the Justice Department will hold accountable those who traffic in these materials and threaten U.S. national security and international stability," noted Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division.

Information about Ebisawa's life is very limited as not much has been made public. All the indictment claims is that Ebisawa is a leader within the Yakuza, which is described as a "highly organized, transnational Japanese criminal network that operates around the world."

"Ebisawa's criminal activities have included large-scale narcotics and weapons trafficking, and his international criminal network extends through Asia, Europe and the United States, among other places," reads the indictment.

Watch this video of author and political commentator Scott Ritter warning that Iran is planning to attack Israel with nuclear weapons.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Iran tests ballistic missiles as part of war drills designed to prepare for potential strikes on Israeli military facilities.

Report: Iran may be able to create a nuclear weapon WITHIN A WEEK.

Iran bars nuclear inspectors while stockpiling enriched uranium.

House passes resolution aiming to block Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Israel claims Iran has 18x more enriched uranium than Obama deal allowed.

Sources include:

CNBC.com

Newsweek.com

Brighteon.com
Yemen warns EU: Do not play with fire

Yemen has issued a direct warning to the European Union (EU): " Do not play with fire ."

The warning came after the EU sent warships to the Red Sea amid increasing attacks by Houthi rebels on cargo ships. A leading Yemeni official warned the EU against "supporting the American devil to protect [Israel]" after the formal launch of the Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea.

"For Europeans, do not play with fire. Take a lesson from Britain," Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a senior member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, posted on the X platform Tuesday, February 20. "You do not need the support of the American devil in protecting the occupying entity so that it can exterminate the people of Gaza with no disturbance."

Al-Houthi also emphasized that "international navigation is safe."

His message followed a declaration by Brussels of the official launch of the EU naval operation called Aspides, which is Greek for shield.

"I welcome today's decision  Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working alongside our international partners. Beyond crisis response, it's a step towards a stronger European presence at sea to protect our European interests," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said also on X.

According to reports, France, Germany, Italy and Belgium will contribute ships to the EU mission in support of Israel. The bloc's foremost diplomat, Josep Borrell, described the mission as "bold action to protect the commercial and security interests of the EU and the international community."

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

Aspides will deploy EU warships and airborne early warning systems

With an order originally set for one year, Aspides will see the deployment of EU warships and airborne early warning systems to the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters.

As stated by officials in Brussels, the mission will be defensive and will not participate in U.S.-led attacks against Yemen. Aspides came together after many NATO members proved hesitant or outright refused to work with the Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG).

Under the OPG cover, and in answer to the pro-Palestine maritime campaign started by Yemen late last year, the U.S. and the U.K. have attacked Yemen hundreds of times since Jan. 12 in violation of the nation's sovereignty and international law.

U.S. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said that Washington's conflict against Yemen in the Red Sea is one of the biggest battles the U.S. Navy has fought since the end of World War II.

"I think you'd have to go back to World War II where you have ships who are engaged in combat. When I say engaged in combat, where they're getting shot at, we're getting shot at, and we're shooting back," Cooper told CBS News 60 Minutes.

Cooper, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) deputy commander, disclosed that the Department of Defense has committed nearly 7,000 sailors to the Red Sea. According to a CBS report, the U.S. Navy launched about 100 standard surface-to-air missiles against Yemeni missiles and drones.

Washington's actions, however, have done little to discourage the Yemeni armed forces, who have persisted in targeting the commercial vessels in the Red Sea connected to the U.S., the U.K. and Israel.

In response to the U.S. effort to rally allied nations for war against Yemen, officials in Sanaa have sworn that their armed forces will not back down.

"Yemen awaits the creation of the filthiest coalition in history to engage in the holiest battle in history. How will the countries that rushed to form an international coalition against Yemen to protect the perpetrators of Israeli genocide be perceived?" Ansarallah politburo Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said in December.

Aspides ships, whose operational command center will be in the Greek city of Larissa, will fire on the Houthis only if they attack first.

Since November, the Houthis have been assaulting commercial and military ships in the Red Sea, across which 12 percent of worldwide trades go through.

The group originally said it was targeting Israel-connected vessels in unity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli attack since October. (Related: Yemens Houthi rebels join war against Israel to protect Palestinians in Gaza.)

The Yemeni rebels later said they are expanding their targets to include vessels associated with the U.S. and the U.K. after Washington and London conducted air strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen.

Follow Chaos.news for more stories like this.

Watch the video below about Palki Sharma's commentary on the European Union's Red Sea mission to deter the Houthis.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Houthis step up offensive operations with new drone attacks on U.S.-owned commercial ships.

U.S. and U.K. warplanes bomb Houthi targets in Yemen in another significant escalation of Gaza war.

$32M U.S. reaper drone SHOT DOWN near Yemen; U.K. tanker destroyed on the SAME DAY.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

TheCradle.co

Aljazeera.com

Brighteon.com
A sand hole at a beach in Florida claimed the life of a young girl after being swallowed and buried alive along with her brother, who survived the incident. The deadly event occurred on Tuesday afternoon, February 20, when the siblings were playing and digging a patch of the Florida beach sand going several deep until it collapsed on top of them. The aftermath of the sand hole collapse was caught on video.

It took beachgoers several minutes to find the children buried under the sand hole. Some of them used their bare hands to dig leading to the young boy being pulled out alive, according to reports earlier this week. The 5-year-old girl Sloan Mattingly and her 7-year-old brother Maddox were on vacation with their parents at a beach in the town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in Florida's Broward County.

Florida Sand Hole Collapse

In the wake of the deadly Florida sand hole collapse, lifeguards in the state reminded parents should be careful when it comes to letting their children dig deep sand holes at the beach. Experts have also reportedly warned people not to dig through sand deeper than their knees.

Similar incidents, involving people being buried in a sand hole, have occurred before. Due to the not-so-popular threat, safety experts warn against digging sand holes too deep relative to the height of the person involved. In the case of the recent Florida sand collapse, there is a growing concern that related deadly events may occur as the spring break season draws near. Aside from children, adults are also at risk from collapsing sands.

Also Read: Mysterious Holes in Mount Baldy Force Park Service to Keep Landmark Closed

Buried Under the Sand

Falling to the trap of a collapsing sand could be tricky for potential rescuers of a victim, since there is no always a clear indicator as to where a specific spot of the sand hole is. In 2011, a California teenager named Matt Mina was buried (for more than 30 minutes) under a sand hole that he was digging when its surrounding surface collapsed on top of him. A video at that time shows dozens of people digging through the sands of Newport Beach.

In the video, the 2011 California sand hole collapse shows frantic beachgoers and local authorities finding Mina who was buried 6 feet under the sand. The teenager managed to survive even after losing consciousness. It can also be seen in the footage the people were digging in several sites and not only in one spot. Still, the most helpful cue for cases like this is a sign where a victim is last seen in a specific spot.

Furthermore, in 2023, an 18-year-old was found dead while buried under several feet of sand in Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Frisco, North Carolina. According to a statement by the National Park Service, the male teenager from Chesapeake, Virginia, died after being trapped in the deep hole that he dug.

Related Article: Unbelievably Large Sinkhole in Japan Fixed After 2 Days
The devastating forest fires that killed more than 130 people in Chile this month were not caused by human-caused climate change or the El Nino weather phenomenon, according to the findings of international research.

Improper Land Use

Improper land use had a greater influence, it was discovered, with the spread in recent decades of pine and eucalyptus monocultures-much more flammable than natural vegetation-and the growth of informal settlements in forest areas.

According to a study conducted by researchers from South America and Europe for World Weather Attribution (WWA), which seeks to quantify how climate change influences the intensity and likelihood of a specific extreme weather event, the risk of fire is significantly increasing.

On February 2, multiple fires broke out in the coastal town of Vina del Mar in Chile's Valparaiso region.

The infernos killed at least 133 people and damaged 7,000 homes, making it the biggest natural disaster to strike Chile since a 2010 earthquake and tsunami killed almost 500 people.

The WWA study found that fire-conducive weather conditions in the area-high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds-had not been significantly altered by climate change or by El Nino.

Fire-conducive weather is characterized by elevated temperatures, low humidity, little rainfall, and strong winds that continue over time. To capture the features of this event, we employ a fire weather index (HDWI) that takes into account high wind speeds, high temperatures, and low humidity.

Chilean authorities are examining whether the fires were intentionally started.

The WWA stated that present fire risk mitigation measures were insufficient and should include "improved spatial planning," better coordination, and community involvement in fire prevention.

Read Also: Dangerous Chile Wildfire Causes 1000 Residents Evacuated, 900 Injuries, 23 Casualties

Fires In The Future

But this does not mean that the threat of global warming should be ignored.

"Unless the world rapidly stops burning fossil fuels, fire danger... will increase. The risk of an increase in dangerous fire weather conditions attributable to human-induced climate change needs to be taken very seriously," the study said.

Joyce Kimutai, a researcher at Imperial College London's Grantham Institute and co-author of the study, said they expect a lot of these fires to happen in the future.

In the present global scenario of 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming relative to pre-industrial times, the scientists predicted that a four-day period with an HDWI equal to the recent fires would occur once every 30 years.

"However, if warming reaches 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), it's likely the fire-prone weather will become more intense around Vina del Mar and Valparaiso," said Tomas Carrasco, a researcher at the University of Chile and co-author of the report.

According to the United Nations, current climate promises indicate that temperatures will rise by 2.9 degrees Celsius (5.2 degrees Fahrenheit) this century.

The report's authors also discovered that urban expansion and land use change played a significant role in the fires' lethal nature.

According to Mauricio Santos of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre in Colombia, the spread of pine and eucalyptus tree plantations has eliminated natural firebreak barriers over decades, while urban areas continue to encroach on forests.

Santos said they discovered that the most devastating fires occurred in places with substantial land-use changes and insufficient urban planning. He also stated that stronger warning systems, evacuation planning, and fireproofing systems are required.

Related Article: Firefighting Goats Graze to Prevent Wildfires, Erosion in Chile Forests




The UK will join a number of European countries in abandoning a contentious energy deal that has allowed fossil fuel companies to sue governments over climate policy, the government announced.

Energy Charter Treaty

The UK will withdraw from the controversial energy charter treaty (ECT) after efforts to match it with net zero emissions targets failed.

The deal empowers fossil fuel investors to sue states for lost profits under an opaque corporate arbitration system established in the 1990s to safeguard fossil fuel investors in the former Soviet economies.

Graham Stuart, the energy security and net zero minister, stated that the energy charter treaty is obsolete and in desperate need of modification, but talks have stopped, and a sensible renewal appears increasingly doubtful.

"Remaining a member would not support our transition to cleaner, cheaper energy, and could even penalize us for our world-leading efforts to deliver net zero," he added.

Treaty protections for new energy investments will expire one year after the withdrawal takes effect.

It is unclear if ongoing cases, such as UK-listed Ascent's 500 million (428 million) ECT claim against Slovenia, will be affected.

The corporation filed the compensation claim when Slovenia sought an environmental impact assessment before the firm began developing an oil and gas field. Slovenia has now withdrawn from the treaty.

Read Also: New Study: To Fight Climate Change, We Must Shut Down Fossil Fuel Production

Withdraw From The Treaty

France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands are also withdrawing from the Energy Charter Treaty, while the European Parliament has called for the entire 27-nation European Union to do so.

The convention, signed by the EU and Euratom (the European atomic energy organization) in 1994, went into effect in 1998.

Italy, which lost a costly arbitration lawsuit against British oil giant Rockhopper under the pact, said it would leave in 2015.

The convention, which was established in the 1990s when the world's energy system was mainly dominated by fossil fuels (coal, gas, and oil), was meant to promote international energy investment.

In fact, it has enabled foreign businesses to dispute energy policies that jeopardize their interests through a secret arbitration process.

As a result, a number of countries are facing costly legal challenges in order to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels and increase their use of renewable energy.

Kerry McCarthy, the shadow climate change minister, stressed that we are engaged in an urgent worldwide fight against the climate emergency, and we cannot enable fossil fuel companies to prevent democratically elected governments from implementing effective climate policies.

"Labour has long argued that the energy charter treaty is clearly outdated and not fit for purpose. It is good that the government has finally taken the step to leave it," he added.

The ECT is the world's most contested investment agreement, and the UK's continued membership in it has sparked concerns about "climate-wrecking lawsuits" if the government passes its offshore petroleum licensing bill, which seeks to increase UK oil and gas exploitation.

According to Common Wealth's analysis, foreign investors possess almost 40% of North Sea oil and gas licenses.

Related Article: Fossil Fuel Exploration Should Stop Globally By 2030 As Countries Still Far From Reaching Paris Agreement
Traveling from the American Midwest to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in California in November provided an opportunity to discuss how the United States and China can successfully work together, said Bob Holden, chairman and president of the US Heartland China Association. Holden, along with the association's strategic adviser, Kenneth Quinn, and its executive director, Min Fan, were among a group of "old friends" invited to meet with Xi. They shared their thoughts on the meeting in an online discussion on Tuesday. Holden said he had pleasant interactions with several people from China during the event. "I read his (Xi's) speech on the way back to Missouri. (It was) very thoughtful, very insightful, and I think it very much focused on how we build a bridge that works for everybody going forward," Holden said. He encouraged people to get a copy of the speech that Xi gave in California "so that they can hear his words and his thought process". "I think we can build this foundation by looking at it from a win-win situation, not a win-versus-loss situation," he said. Quinn, who is also president emeritus of The World Food Prize Foundation, said Xi's experiences have played a significant role in shaping China's approach to the US. Xi first visited the state of Iowa in 1985 as a county-level official from Hebei province. "There is not going to be any future leader who will have had the kind of dramatic impact that President Xi had ... as a young man to Iowa," Quinn said. Xi gave his old friends  many of whom are from Iowa  extra attention in California by having a private reception with them before a dinner banquet, where more than 200 other people from the US business community joined them, Quinn said. Quinn said that Sarah Lande, who hosted Xi in 1985 in the Iowa city of Muscatine, sat at the head table with the president, along with a veteran member of the Flying Tigers, the group of US volunteer pilots who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese in fighting Japanese aggression during World War II. Through the seating arrangement, Xi "made the point that US-China relations were built upon these person-to-person and people-to-people relationships", Quinn said. Fan said, "I think he truly enjoyed meeting his old friends." Quinn and Fan said they were particularly struck by the fact that Xi talked about his own experiences in China's countryside when he was 15, and how that shaped his views toward eliminating rural poverty. "When he talked about spending seven years in the countryside, he went off script. He talked about how much he really cared about people. I could feel that genuine emotion coming through," Fan said. The three online panelists said that, in his speech, Xi asked, "Are we adversaries or partners?", and he said he wanted the two sides to be partners. Quinn, who visited China twice in 2023, said China had initiated a series of programs in the past year to improve relations. He said that the US should have a discussion about how to answer the question that Xi asked. "I believe that China is worried that the US and China are on a course to be adversaries, and that will lead potentially to some significant conflict, and they want the record to be clear if that happens, that they said, we can be partners, we can be friends," Quinn said. "So I thought the speech deserved a lot more attention than the American press gave it and that it was very significant for that reason." Susan Thornton, the US Heartland China Association's vice-chair and moderator of the discussion, said the US needs to find ways to partner with China on a lot of things, because the two countries are the biggest global actors by far in areas such as economy, military, science and technology. "I don't know if people are very aware of really how intertwined we are, how co-dependent we are in many, many areas, and how we're going to need to work together to solve a lot of the big challenges that the world faces," Thornton said. Citing the concerns generated in the US by the economic rise of Japan in the 1980s, Thornton said national confidence could play a role in the current dynamic of US-China relations. "I just hope that Americans can get confident enough to see that, basically, China is not a threat to our status, and our competitiveness, and our idea of ourselves," Thornton said. "We can both find a place in the world that satisfies our idea of ourselves, find that common ground and win-win place."
Kunal Kemmu reveals his father went to NSD, worked with Shyam Benegal

Mumbai, Feb 23

Actor Kunal Kemmu, who is known for films like Go Goa Gone, Dhol, Zakhm, Lootcase and others, has shared that his father Ravi Kemmu went to the National School of Drama in the national capital.

The actor told Raj Shamani in his podcast: We left during the exodus. I was too young, I might have some kind of PTSD from it but more than me, my parents and family faced it, and had to deal with it. My father went to the National School of Drama. He was still trying to figure out if he wanted to move to Mumbai, because he was working with Shyam Benegal at that time. He worked on Yatra, Bharat Dekho, Discovery of India all those kinds of shows.

He added: "At the same time, my parents were doing the show Gul Gulshan Gulfaam which was shot in Srinagar. So, he was trying to see if life can be lived in Mumbai and if its gonna make sense for the whole family to move. Eventually, we came to Mumbai. Others in my family moved to other places, my paternal side moved to Jammu and my maternal side moved to Delhi.

On the work front, Kunal is set to make his directorial debut with 'Madgaon Express'. The film reportedly wrapped up its shooting recently.

(IANS - Posted on 23 February 2024)

Kunal Kemmu reveals his father went to NSD, worked with Shyam Benegal

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Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Snow flurries this morning will give way to partly cloudy skies during the day. High 39F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 26F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.
How does sex relate to lasting love? To answer that question, scientists have long studied a small Midwestern rodent called the prairie vole, one of the few mammals known to form long-term, monogamous relationships.

A team of researchers including Steven Phelps at The University of Texas at Austin has created the first brain-wide map of regions that are active in prairie voles during mating and pair bonding. The researchers found that bonding voles experience a storm of brain activity distributed across 68 distinct brain regions that make up seven brain-wide circuits. The brain activity correlates with three stages of behavior: mating, bonding and the emergence of a stable, enduring bond.

Most of these brain regions the researchers identified were not previously associated with bonding, so the map reveals new places to look in the human brain to understand how we form and maintain close relationships.

Earlier studies concluded that male and female brains often use fundamentally different mechanisms to produce the same behaviors, such as mating and nurturing offspring. But in this study, bonding males and females had nearly identical patterns of brain activity.

"That was a surprise," said Phelps, a professor of integrative biology at UT Austin and senior author of the new study in the journal eLife. "Sex hormones like testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are important for sexual, aggressive and parental behaviors, so the prevailing hypothesis was that brain activity during mating and bonding would also be different between the sexes."

Compared with humans, prairie voles have whirlwind courtships. Within half an hour of being together, a male and female begin to have sex, and they will do so repeatedly, often many times an hour. Within a day, their amorousness will lead the pair to form a bond that can last a lifetime. Bonded pairs will groom each other, console each other when stressed, defend their shared territory and rear their young together.

The researchers were able to pinpoint with high resolution which brain cells were active in vole brains at various points over the course of the process that leads to and includes bonding. This is the first time such a method has been applied to prairie voles. By studying more than 200 prairie voles across multiple times during mating and bonding, the researchers produced an unprecedented and foundational data set.

The strongest predictor of activity across the 68 brain regions that the researchers identified surprised them. It was male ejaculation, suggesting the experience elicits a profound emotional state-;and not only in the affected males. Females, too, had more bonding-related brain activity with males who reached that milestone.

The brain and behavior data suggest that both sexes may be having orgasm-like responses, and these 'orgasms' coordinate the formation of a bond. If true, it would imply that orgasms can serve as a means to promote connection, as has long been suggested in humans." Steven Phelps at The University of Texas at Austin

Phelps cautioned that it's impossible to know whether a female prairie vole is having an orgasm simply by watching its sexual behavior, though previous research has found that some female animals such as monkeys have these physiological responses.

In addition to Phelps, the study's co-authors are Morgan Gustison, a former postdoctoral researcher at UT Austin now at the University of Western Ontario, Rodrigo Munoz-Castaneda at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Pavel Osten at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

The National Institutes of Health funded the research.
Members of this French sociologists family died in the Holocaust. Anti-Semitism is not something abstract for him, it is history and family memory. But Michel Wieviorka was lucky enough to grow up in another era, in a secular and progressive, cultured and republican environment in the post-war period. And throughout his life he has almost never been personally confronted with hatred of the Jews. When asked what place his Judaism occupies in his identity, he says: Its not what generally comes to mind first, but I dont hide it. I dont minimize it.

We spoke in an office at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), his academic home. It is a place steeped in history. There is intellectual history: Fernand Braudel and his teacher Alain Touraine, among others, taught here. And national history: the building was on the location of the Cherche-Midi prison, which was used by the Germans during the occupation. From the window you can see the Hotel Lutetia, where the Jews who survived the Nazi camps returned.

The veteran intellectual has just published Antisemitism explained to young people (Spanish translation by Agustina Blanco) and The last Jewish joke. Golden age and decline of Jewish humor (in French).

Question. Has a new anti-Semitism been unleashed since Hamas attack on Israel on October 7? An increase in anti-Semitic acts has been recorded in France and other countries.

Answer. I would not say that it is a new anti-Semitism, but that an anti-Semitism that already existed has been amplified.

Q. What happened?

A. It has given sectors of the left the opportunity to allow what I would call a soft, muffled denial to appear. It is not the denial that says that the gas chambers did not exist. It is a denial to the extent that there are those who say: Im keeping quiet about what happened on October 7. It is not important. It does not deserve to be commented on, and Hamas are the resistance. They are freedom fighters. It is not an explicit anti-Semitism that says: I want the death of the Jews, or to destroy them. It is anti-Semitism to the extent that a very violent, criminal, terrorist act is covered in silence.

Q. Is it surprising that anti-Semitism, which was associated with the extreme right, is now found on the left?

A. In France, the classical left is very weak. On the other hand, the much more radicalized hard left is strong, and this left tries to woo the immigrant electorate, who are often of Arab origin or of the Muslim faith, but not necessarily. In this universe, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is seen differently than in other universes.

Q. And the extreme right denies anti-Semitism.

A. It is the paradox. The institutional extreme right presents itself as hostile to anti-Semitism. Marine Le Pen has made clear decisions in this regard by saying that she rejects it, but from the political space in which anti-Semitism existed.

Q. Thats good news, right?

A. Its good news, which doesnt mean its totally true. Furthermore, this party allies itself with other far-right parties in Europe in which anti-Semitism is more active or visible. Its a fragile positioning, and we may wonder what lies beneath. And secondly, this does not prevent there from being an extreme right with skinheads, neo-Nazis, or anti-Semitic intellectuals. This is the political landscape.

Q. And what about beyond politics?

A. There is the infrapolitical landscape of violence and hatred. Violence is anonymous and we must incriminate  in part and with great caution  the world coming from Arab-Muslim immigration. In this universe there is anti-Semitism, in the form of prejudices and anti-Semitic acts. On the other side of the board, but an infrapolitical board, there are those who desecrate graves in Jewish cemeteries. This is the landscape. To which we must add one last thing: they are people with the idea that Jews want to control the media and control opinion, and limit freedom of expression.

Q. There is a slogan in pro-Palestinian demonstrations since October 7 and since Israels attack on Gaza began: From the river to the sea. The idea is that there should be a Palestinian state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean and, therefore, Israel should disappear. What do you think?

A. When it is said that a state recognized by the UN must disappear, it is saying something different than criticizing a political regime. I hate Netanyahu. If I just say that I hate Netanyahu and that I hope Israel changes its government and policies and takes the path of peace, very good. I think so. But if I say that the problem is not Netanyahu, but the existence of the State of Israel, with or without Netanyahu, then I get into anti-Semitism. The idea that there cannot be a state because it is Jewish. If I tell you from the river to the sea there should not be a single Jew in this part of the world, this state must disappear, this is anti-Semitism.

Q. How do you define yourself? Are you a Zionist or a non-Zionist?

A. I like the word I once heard [former environmentalist deputy and May 1968 youth leader] Daniel Cohn-Bendit say: a-Zionist. I am not interested in debating whether I am for or against the existence of the State of Israel. It exists. Asking for its destruction is out of the question. Thats it. This does not mean that I will defend Netanyahus policies. Having said that, I will explain something to you. I feel a bit like Camus during the Algerian war. One day he wrote a letter to his friend Jean Senac. He told him: Ill shut up. I cant talk anymore. He felt torn. Well, in this conflict I feel torn. I cannot support Israel 100% and I cannot defend Hamas. What can I do? Around me I see mostly people who are in one camp or another. I dont want to be in a camp, I want to be with those who want peace. It is not easy. So I dont say much.

Q. Was October 7 a pogrom?

A. It had the dimensions and the logic of a pogrom. But not only that. It also had a military logic. The pogroms did not have a military purpose. They consisted of throwing spears at the population to kill Jews in a town. In general, there was a more or less explicit agreement in central Europe between the power and the population. But it was not for military purposes. There is a mix here.

Q. How have you experienced what happened since that day?

A. I am part of those who find the way in which Israel carries out its war today shocking. Shocking. I can't defend this war. Even less because it causes tens of thousands of victims on the Palestinian side and because, furthermore, it is Israel's denial of a principle to which its citizens feel attached: "Everything for the hostages."

Q. Anti-Semitism began at least two millennia ago. Will it ever end?

A. It transforms. Anti-Semitism, in fact, is a word that dates back to the late 19th century. Before there was anti-Judaism. It is true that the Jewish people are the only ones to have known 2,000 years of persecution, hatred, destruction, but also resilience, resistance, and the ability to create humor. Will anti-Semitism endure in a renewed form? Unfortunately, I think so, and what we are experiencing at this time rather feeds it.

Q. What do you mean?

A. The behavior of the Israeli Army and the Israeli Government generates hatred towards Israel and hatred towards the Jews, who many people think that [Jews around the world] are the allies of this government. But anti-Semitism is not born from this government action. Anti-Semitism has found something to feed on. You can detest a government without having to detest the affected population, especially when it does not depend on it, as is the case of the Jews in the diaspora.

Q. Anti-Semites do not need Israel to do what it does to be anti-Semitic.

A. No, of course not. The spread of anti-Semitism is fueled by context, but it is irrational, it works by creating scapegoats. There is no society that, at one time or another, does not seek an explanation for its misfortunes or its difficulties or its crises, and the Jews are formidable because it can always be said that they conspire, or that they act in the shadows. They are the scapegoat par excellence and there is no reason, unfortunately, for that to disappear.

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Researchers in Trondheim are developing a new medicine for diabetics who have to have daily injections of insulin. The key is a hormone that causes the smallest blood vessels to relax on the inside.

Norwegians are at the top of the list when it comes to new annual cases of type 1 diabetes among children, young people and adults. The disease is caused when the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin. There is no cure, and patients must take insulin for the rest of their lives.

The Artificial Pancreas Trondheim (APT) research group has now applied for a patent for a new solution they call MicroGlucagon. It can help type 1 diabetics tackle a major challenge, by inhibiting the rise in blood sugar after meals, giving them much better control over their blood sugar levels.

Speeds up blood flow

Insulin is needed to lower blood sugar levels. Diabetic patients lack this hormone, because their pancreas has stopped making it. They must therefore take an accurate dose themselves, at the right time - several times a day.

This poses a fine balancing act: Too much or too little insulin, can have fatal consequences.

Glucagon with added rapid-acting insulin

In the new approach developed by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and St. Olavs Hospital, microamounts of glucagon have been added to regular rapid-acting insulin mixtures. Glucagon is a hormone that greatly increases blood flow in the exact area of the dermis where insulin is administered. The solution provides the body with extra impetus to quickly absorb the insulin the patient takes with their meals.

May work better and faster

We see that MicroGlucagon can work both better and faster than the best and most effective rapid-acting insulin preparations for use with meals that are currently available on the market." Professor Emeritus Sven Magnus Carlsen

Based at NTNU and St. Olavs Hospital, Carlsen has led the APT interdisciplinary research group since its inception in 2013.

Promising trials involving pigs

Carlsen is an endocrinologist, an expert on organs that produce hormones and diseases that occur in these organs.

Trials carried out by the researchers on pigs under general anesthesia show that insulin with added microdoses of glucagon reach full effect up to 10 minutes faster than the fastest insulin currently available. In addition, the amount of insulin absorbed by the body appears to increase when the MicroGlucagon mixture is used, perhaps by as much as 30 per cent.

Less risk of low blood sugar after consuming food

"The most important thing, however, is that when insulin is absorbed faster, it also disappears from the body faster," says Carlsen.

The researchers believe that their solution may also reduce the risk of low blood sugar for as long as to 3-5 hours after meals. Low blood sugar after meals can be a problem for some patients.

Can be used by all type 1 diabetics

MicroGlucagon can be used by all patients who inject themselves with daily doses of insulin. It can also be used in insulin pumps and in semi-automatic, artificial pancreas systems.

These are so-called hybrid solutions, which are already commercially available.

If the researchers succeed in bringing the solution to the market, it will pave the way for significantly better blood sugar management in all patients with type 1 diabetes, regardless of the type of insulin treatment they use.

Goal: fully automatic pancreas system

A lot of research and documentation remains to be done. However, researchers can already see that the MicroGlucagon solution is helping them to achieve their goal.

"By using MicroGlucagon, we believe that the current semi-automatic solutions will improve a lot. But we also believe it will help in the development of a new, artificial, fully automatic pancreas system," says Carlsen.

Hope for a more normal life

The goal is a fully automatic, closed system that constantly measures blood sugar levels. The system calculates how much insulin the body needs at any given time, and ensures that the correct doses are administered on an ongoing basis.

This means that patients will not have to constantly monitor their blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Hormone that relaxes blood vessels

Taking insulin is vital for type 1 diabetics, but it is different hormone, glucagon, that plays a leading role in the APT group's latest research. This hormone is also produced in the pancreas, but while insulin lowers blood sugar levels, glucagon works to increase them.

This is how the two hormones ensure balanced glucose levels - in healthy individuals.

Glucagon has one very special property that researchers have discovered and exploited. In technical terms, the hormone causes vasodilation. This means that it relaxes the smooth muscles on the inside of the smallest blood vessels. As a result, the blood vessels expand and local blood flow increases greatly.

Minuscule doses - great effect

"What we have done, and which could be the big breakthrough, is that we have added microscopic amounts of glucagon to rapid-acting insulin solutions. In particular, we have studied the fastest acting insulin solution on the market. The point was to see if it was possible to improve what is currently the best option," says Sven Magnus Carlsen.

Better, cheaper - and no side effects

Although glucagon increases blood sugar levels, the new microdoses will be so minuscule that they will not affect the liver's release of glucose. The risk of side effects is therefore not an issue.

In addition, adding glucagon costs almost nothing.

"We are talking about 5 nanograms per unit of insulin, which means that the solution contains 1 glucagon molecule per 420 insulin molecules. The dose is so small that the cost is negligible," Carlsen says.

He has calculated that the annual extra cost of glucagon in Norway will be around NOK 100 for a patient with an average consumption of 60 units of insulin per day.

At the top of discouraging statistics

In total, it is estimated that around half a billion people worldwide have diabetes. The latest figures from the World Health Organization reveal that around 9 million of these had type 1 diabetes mellitus in 2017.

Currently, approximately 26,000 Norwegians live with this condition, and more than 400 young people under the age of 18 are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes every year in Norway. According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the number of new cases in this group has doubled every year since the 1970s.

Type 1 diabetes can be neither prevented nor avoided, while type 2 diabetes can largely be prevented through a healthy and active lifestyle.

More APT projects

Artificial Pancreas Trondheim is funded by the Research Council of Norway, and has also worked on several other projects under the auspices of the Centre for Digital Life Norway. These include DIAP - Double Intraperitoneal Artificial Pancreas and Listening to the Patients.

More documentation and patient trials remain

The researchers now have to document that the MicroGlucagon solution is stable and that it works just as effectively on humans. Professor Sven Magnus Carlsen and his colleagues are preparing crucial clinical trials on type 1 diabetes patients in the spring of 2024.

Carlsen is cautious when estimating how long it will be before MicroGlucagon might hit the market. Just documenting that the solution is completely stable will take a couple of years, and drug manufacturers must also get involved.

"So, at best, it may take 3-4 years, but that is only if everything that remains to be done goes completely smoothly," says Carlsen, who adds that 3-4 years is actually a very short time when it comes to medical research.

A long -term race

"Developing new medicines is a long -term race. It is both about understanding the market and the industry's needs, and at the same time challenging solutions that already exist," says Hilde Kjeldstad Berg at NTNU Technology Transfer.

Berg has helped the researchers with patenting and business development. The goal is to license the solution to an established industry actor during 2024.

Seeking global actors

"We have to work with major global players in this market. NTNU and St Olavs Hospital can only take this type of development to a certain level. Then the industry must take over," she says.

Berg says it takes an average of 10-15 years before a new medicine can be launched in the market. She still thinks it can go faster with Microglucagon, since it is a naturally occurring hormone with little danger of side effects.

The world's most technological disease

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a complicated and challenging disease, which can neither be prevented nor cured. People who get it have to self-medicate with insulin for the rest of their lives.

"Thousands of patients walk around every day treating themselves via small computers - with a medicine that, in the worst case, can actually kill them, either by not getting it, or by getting too much of it. The number of patients and the degree of technology with which they treat themselves means that type 1 diabetes is the world's most technological disease," says hormone expert Sven Magnus Carlsen.

The time it takes = challenge number 1

Insulin must work as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the time it takes is the biggest challenge. Everyone with type 1 diabetes must take rapid-acting insulin with their meals.

However, even the very fastest acting insulins on the market take an hour and a half before they reach full effect, meaning patients have to make sure they take insulin 15-20 minutes before eating.

The dream of a quantum leap

"All diabetics forget to take their insulin every now and again, and even when they do remember, their meal might be delayed. Naturally, many people do not always know what or how much they are going to eat. Some people wait until after their meal to take insulin - and then it is definitely too late to achieve good blood sugar management," says Carlsen.

Developing an insulin solution that works just as well on blood sugar when taken with a meal as it does 15 minutes before eating would therefore be a huge advance.

"The quantum leap will only take place when a fully automatic, artificial pancreas is created that provides adequate blood sugar management. We are actively working on the matter," says Sven Magnus Carlsen.

First dose administered 101 years ago

The first dose of insulin was administered 101 years ago, to a 14-year-old boy in Canada. In the infancy of insulin, the hormone was produced from pig pancreases, and approximately 70 pig pancreases were needed to treat one diabetic for a year.

Today, the hormone is made artificially and has little to do with pigs, although they are important in animal studies conducted by researchers at NTNU and St. Olavs Hospital.
Samara Rahman, 74, considers herself lucky.

She gets to take walks on the beach, go swimming and ride her bike -; all things that were taken from her when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November of 2022.

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and is one of the most difficult cancers to treat since it's often diagnosed at advanced stages and can spread quickly to other parts of the body.

For Rahman, it all started when the bicoastal resident, who splits her time between Baltimore and Los Angeles, was hit with a prolonged bout of stomach troubles that resulted in weeks of diarrhea.

When she went to the doctor, she was told to just take some over-the-counter medication to help alleviate and manage her symptoms. But she knew this was a much bigger issue.

"I knew it was something more and I wanted to know what was wrong with me," said Rahman. "So, I saw my doctor and took some additional tests, including an MRI, which showed that I had pancreatic cancer."

Just weeks after her diagnosis, Rahman had surgery, followed by chemotherapy. The chemo treatment, however, was too taxing for her body to endure.

Rahman and her family -; which includes her husband, son and daughter -; knew they needed to find another treatment to help keep the cancer at bay, given that pancreatic cancer is known to be highly resistant to treatments.

Even after having surgery and completing chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, some patients still face the risk of the disease coming back.

The AMPLIFY-201 trial

Rahman and her family ended up at UCLA Health to learn more about a clinical trial that was evaluating an experimental "off-the-shelf" vaccine that is given after surgery to prevent or delay the cancer from coming back in high-risk patients.

Unlike some other cancer treatments that may need to be personalized for each patient based on their specific characteristics and mutations, an "off-the-shelf" vaccine is designed to be a standardized product that can stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells in a general way, without the need for the time-consuming and complex process of creating a unique vaccine for each patient.

This approach can bring immunotherapies to more patients in a timelier manner, which is one of the major barriers in getting these life-saving treatments to patients.

Zev Wainberg, MD, professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and researcher in the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, was one of the investigators on the phase 1 clinical trial.

In this study, Dr. Wainberg and other researchers used a lymph node-directed vaccination, called ELI-002 2P, that targets KRAS mutations. These mutations are present in 25% of solid tumors and drive about 90% of pancreatic cancers and 50% of colorectal cancers.

The vaccine contains synthesized peptides, which act like a signal to tell the immune system to go after and destroy cancer cells carrying two of the KRAS mutations, G12R and G12D, the most commonly occurring variants in pancreatic, colorectal, non-small cell lung, ovarian, biliary and gallbladder cancers.

This approach has the potential to boost the body's own mKRAS-targeting immune cells in a wide variety of people. It's designed to be easy to produce, and once made, it can be readily available for use without the need for complex customization. I was especially eager to enroll Samera in this study since she had a very difficult time on chemotherapy and had high-risk disease." Dr. Zev Wainberg, MD, professor of medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Once Rahman was cleared as a candidate for the trial, she had no hesitation in enrolling in the study.

She began treatment in August 2023 and finished receiving her boosters in February of 2024. She'll remain in the observation part of the study.

Currently, Rahman has no signs of the disease. And she is not the only one who has had an encouraging outcome.

Promising results

The results of the first phase of the study, published in Nature Medicine in January 2024, showed the vaccine significantly decreased tumor biomarkers, produced strong T-cell responses leading to a reduced risk of relapse and death among patients and was overall deemed safe.

The trial, supported by Elicio Therapeutics, included 25 patients (20 pancreatic, five colorectal) with mKRAS-driven cancers with minimal residual disease following surgery to remove the tumor.

Each cohort received escalating doses of ELI-002 to determine safety and tolerability and to assess preliminary antitumor activity.

The researchers found the vaccine induced specific immune responses in 84% of patients and tumor biomarker responses were observed also in 84% of patients. In 24% of patients, the biomarkers associated with the tumor were completely absent.

And maybe even most significant, patients with higher T-cell responses had a longer relapse-free survival -; time without the disease returning -; compared to those with lower T-cell responses. The median relapse-free survival was 16.33 months.

"Overall, this study shows promising results in patients with KRAS-mutated tumors that are typically challenging to treat with immunotherapy," said Wainberg, who is an author on the study. "There haven't been any vaccines developed to prevent a cancer recurrence in pancreatic cancer, and if proven, this would be an important advance."

What's next: Phase 2 Trial and Hawaii

To validate these preliminary findings, a phase 2 clinical trial recently opened that will include a larger number of patients and greater diversity to assess the general applicability of the vaccine. The vaccine for this phase also targets seven KRAS mutations, instead of just two.

And for Rahman, a semi-retired real estate broker, she is busy planning her next big trip to Hawaii.

"I'm doing everything that I did before my diagnosis," said Rahman. "I can do anything that I want. I can walk long distances; I can swim and I can ride my bike again."
A study published in the journal Nature provides the prevalence of persistent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection at the population level and describes how persistent infection may contribute to viral evolution.

Study: Prevalence of persistent SARS-CoV-2 in a large community surveillance study

Background

Chronic persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection is considered to be the most likely contributor to the emergence of highly divergent viral variants with improved fitness. In particular, viral infection persists for months or even years in immunocompromised patients who are unable to clear the virus from the body because of a weakened immune system.

Over the course of chronic infection, SARS-CoV-2 gets exposed to the hosts immune system and other selective pressures that arise from long-term treatment. This can trigger the acquisition of new mutations in the viral genome, leading to the emergence of highly divergent viral variants that can potentially seed new outbreaks in the community.

In this study, scientists have estimated the prevalence of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general UK population and explored their contribution to long-COVID and their potential for adaptive viral evolution.

Study design

The scientists collected viral sequence data, symptoms, and epidemiological data from the Office for National Statistics COVID Infection Survey (ONS-CIS), a large-scale community-based surveillance study conducted in the UK.

They used the data to identify individuals with high-titer SARS-CoV-2 infections lasting for one month or more. They compared viral evolutionary changes, viral load, number of reported symptoms, and prevalence of long COVID (post-acute COVID-19 sequelae) between individuals with and without persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Important observations

The scientists analyzed 93,927 high-quality SARS-CoV-2 sequences from the ONS-CIS data. The sequences were collected between November 2020 and August 2022 from 90,146 individuals living in 66,602 households across the UK.

The sequence analysis identified 381 persistent infections with high viral load (Ct value of 30 or lower) lasting for at least 26 days. These infections were caused by alpha, delta, BA.1, and BA.2 variants of SARS-CoV-2. Of all persistent infections, 54 lasted for at least 56 days. The most prolonged infection was with the BA.1 variant, which lasted for at least 193 days.

About 68% of the identified persistent infection samples showed no nucleotide differences at the consensus level during infection, indicating that sequences identified from persistent infections belong to the same infection.

The lack of consensus changes observed between several pairs of samples collected from the same infection indicated limited within-host adaptation (neutral evolution or weak selection). Further analysis of sequences with no consensus changes throughout infection indicated that the virus is probably replicating during infection despite acquiring no consensus changes.

Despite significant evidence of weak position selection, the study identified 277 unique mutations and 18 unique deletions in persistently infected individuals. This observation indicates a period of strong positive selection. Many of these mutations have previously been identified as signature mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, recurrent mutations in immunocompromised patients, or key mutations at target sites for monoclonal antibodies.

The study identified two mutations (T1638I and T4311I) that emerged twice during persistent infections. These mutations were mildly deleterious based on the global phylogeny. As mentioned by the scientists, these mutations may be beneficial at the within-host level but deleterious at the between-host level, because mutations that are selected during persistent infection tend to be better at transmitting between individuals.

About 82% of identified persistent infection cases showed rebounding viral load dynamics, i.e., the resurgence in viral load after an initial drop during the course of infection. This finding highlights the presence of replicating viral populations in persistent infections.

Regarding clinical consequences, the study found that individuals with persistent infections remained mostly asymptomatic during the later stages of infection. Individuals with persistent infections showed a 55% higher probability of self-reporting long-COVID 12 weeks or more after infection than those with non-persistent infections.

Study significance

The study estimates that the prevalence of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections that last for at least 60 days is approximately 0.10.5% in the general UK population. These infections can potentially give rise to new viral variants with divergent mutational landscapes.
A large language model (LLM) artificial intelligence (AI) system can match, or in some cases outperform, human ophthalmologists in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with glaucoma and retina disease, according to research from New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE).

The provocative study, published February 22, in JAMA Ophthalmology, suggests that advanced AI tools, which are trained on vast amounts of data, text, and images, could play an important role in providing decision-making support to ophthalmologists in the diagnosis and management of cases involving glaucoma and retina disorders, which afflict millions of patients.

The study matched the knowledge of ophthalmic specialists against the capabilities of the latest generation AI system, GPT-4 (Generative Pre-TrainingModel 4) from OpenAI, designed to replicate human-level performance. Within medicine, sophisticated AI tools are seen as potentially revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment tools through the accuracy and comprehensiveness of their LLM-generated responses. Ophthalmology, with its high volume of often complex patients, could be a particularly fertile field for AI, giving specialists more time to practice evidence-based medicine.

The performance of GPT-4 in our study was quite eye-opening. We recognized the enormous potential of this AI system from the moment we started testing it and were fascinated to observe that GPT-4 could not only assist but in some cases match or exceed, the expertise of seasoned ophthalmic specialists." Andy Huang, MD, ophthalmology resident at NYEE, and lead author of the study

For the human side of its study, the Mount Sinai team recruited 12 attending specialists and three senior trainees from the Department of Ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. A basic set of 20 questions (10 each for glaucoma and retina) from the American Academy of Ophthalmology's list of commonly asked questions by patients was randomly selected, along with 20 deidentified patient cases culled from Mount Sinai-affiliated eye clinics. Responses from both the GPT-4/AI system and human specialists were then statistically analyzed and rated for accuracy and thoroughness using a Likert scale, which is commonly used in clinical research to score responses.

The results showed that AI matched or outperformed human specialists in both accuracy and completeness of its medical advice and assessments. More specifically, AI demonstrated superior performance in response to glaucoma questions and case-management advice, while reflecting a more balanced outcome in retina questions, where AI matched humans in accuracy but exceeded them in completeness.

"AI was particularly surprising in its proficiency in handling both glaucoma and retina patient cases, matching the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses and treatment suggestions made by human doctors in a clinical note format," says Louis R. Pasquale, MD, FARVO, Deputy Chair for Ophthalmology Research for the Department of Ophthalmology, and senior author of the study. "Just as the AI application Grammarly can teach us how to be better writers, GPT-4 can give us valuable guidance on how to be better clinicians, especially in terms of how we document findings of patient exams."

While emphasizing that additional testing is needed, Dr. Huang believes this work points to a promising future for AI in ophthalmology. "It could serve as a reliable assistant to eye specialists by providing diagnostic support and potentially easing their workload, especially in complex cases or areas of high patient volume," he explains. "For patients, the integration of AI into mainstream ophthalmic practice could result in quicker access to expert advice, coupled with more informed decision-making to guide their treatment."
A special 13-article supplement to the peer-reviewed journal Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT) examines the "Development and Future of Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) Systems.

Included in the supplement is the article titled "A Peek Under the Hood: Explaining the MiniMed 780G Algorithm with Meal Detection Technology", by Benyamin Grosman, PhD and his Medtronic algorithm team with co-authors Ohad Cohen, MD, and Robert Vigersky, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Medtronic. James Thrasher, MD "Early Real-World Performance of the MiniMed 780G Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop System and Recommended Settings Use in the United States" demonstrating higher time-in-range and low time-below range that is similar to that found in other parts of the world and documented by Pratik Choudhary, MBBS "Celebrating the Data from 100,000 Real-World Users of the MiniMed 780G System in Europe, Middle East and Africa Collected over 3 Years: From Data to Clinical Evidence"

Diana Isaacs, PharmD, from the Cleveland Clinic Diabetes Center, and coauthors contributed the article titled "Removing Barriers, Bridging the Gap and the Changing Role of the HCP with AID Systems." Chantal Mathieu MD, PhD and colleagues from Leuven Belgium and Asli Zeynep Ozdemir Saltik highlight "The Health Economics of Automated Insulin Delivery Systems and the Use of Time in Range in Diabetes Modeling: A Narrative Review".

Also featured in this Supplement is a 3-continent international collaboration from David O'Neal, MD and Dale Morrison, PhD from the University of Melbourne, Desi Zaharieva, PhD from Stanford University and Olivia McCarthy, PhD, and Kirsten Nrgaard, MD, from Copenhagen University and Steno Diabetes Center is the article titled "Exercising Safely with the MiniMed 780G Automated Insulin Delivery System". Greg Forlenza, MD and John Shin, PhD objectively assess how the burden of diabetes management are reduced with the use of the 780G system in the article titled "Reducing Diabetes Burden in Medtronic's Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) Systems".

Jennifer Sherr, MD, PhD and Elizabeth Considine, BS from Yale University review the growing literature on real-world evidence of automated insulin delivery devices in the article titled "Real-world Evidence of Automated Insulin Delivery System Use" finding that they confirm pivotal trial results.

Robert Vigersky, MD also contributes an article questioning the common use of MARD to characterize the accuracy of a CGM titled "The Myth of MARD: Limitations of MARD in the Clinical Assessment of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data". Finally, Bruce Buckingham, MD, from Stanford University School of Medicine, and Richard Bergenstal, MD, Executive Director of the International Diabetes Center, co-authored an instructive case study titled "Decreasing the Burden of Carbohydrate Counting and Meal Announcement with Automated Insulin Delivery (AUD), Meal Recognition, and Autocorrection Doses: A Case Study".

"Hybrid Closed-Loop (HCL or AID) Systems have significantly evolved over the past 10 years. The current AID systems not only reduce hypoglycemia especially overnight but also improve overall glucose control and time in range (TIR) beyond 70% and thus reducing diabetes burden. The current 780G system allows lowest target range setting to 100 mg/dl and delivers mini-boluses every 5-minute based on the sensor glucose values," says Satish Garg, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, from the University of Colorado Denver, Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes.
In a recent study published in JAMA Oncology, researchers used data from all 50 United States (US) states and the District of Columbia to compare observed and projected cancer rate patterns from March to December 2020.

Study: Undiagnosed Cancer Cases in the US During the First 10 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Image Credit: Image Point Fr/Shutterstock.com

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly influenced cancer identification in the US, with a lack of countrywide studies based on cancer registries.

Although the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection in 2019 caused enormous disruptions, cancer dangers persisted.

A drop in cancer incidences during 2020 may not imply a decrease in cancer occurrence but rather undiagnosed new tumors.

Although researchers expected the negative correlation of the COVID-19 pandemic responses with cancer detection, the data required to quantify this extent was inaccessible in the United States until recently.

About the study

In the present population-level cross-sectional study, researchers used the 2001-2020 United States Cancer Statistics database data to examine the delays and interruptions in cancer diagnosis during the initial COVID-19 wave.

The team examined trends utilizing data from invasive cancer diagnostic cases documented by the United States Cancer Statistics between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020, age-adjusted for the United States Standard Population in 2000. They studied data from 6 to 28 July 2023.

The study's exposures included age, gender, race, urbanization, and the state's response to the pandemic during the cancer diagnosis period.

The researchers performed time-series forecasting to generate predicted cancer incidences between 1 March and 31 December 2020 based on prepandemic patterns (between January 2018 and February 2020).

They excluded Nevada and Indiana due to 2020 data unavailability and patients with an unclear month of cancer diagnosis. They investigated patients with invasive cancer diagnoses from 2018 to 2020 and calculated monthly all-site cancer incidence.

The team used the World Health Organization's 2008 International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Revision (ICD-O-3) to identify new cancer sites and site groupings.

They identified screenable malignancies based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations: lung and bronchus, colon and rectum, breast (only in women), and cervix uteri.

The researchers assessed incidence rates for the eligible population stratified by age, gender, urbanicity, race, state of residency, and state-level responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the tumor stage at detection.

They categorized participant age by Medicare criteria (below 65 or 65 years), race using Race Recode variables, and urbanicity using the Rural-Urban Continuum Codes of 2013. The team grouped COVID-19 responses by state of residency based on the duration of stay-at-home rule enforcement in each state in spring 2020.

They converted the monthly age-stratified cancer incidences observed between January 2018 and December 2020 into time series by cancer group and site, fitting the time series to autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) statistical models for analysis.

Results

The study examined 1,297,874 tumor cases recorded in the United States between 1 March and 31 December 2020, yielding a cancer incidence rate of 327 cases per individual.

The observed all-site cancer incidence rates were 29% lower than projected during the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic response (between March and May 2020), 6.3% lower between June and December 2020, and 13% lower overall over the pandemic's initial ten months. The finding indicates 134,395 probably undetected malignancies throughout that period.

Prostate cancers were the most possibly missed type (22,950 cases), followed by breast cancers (16,870 cases) and lung cancers (16,333 cases). Screenable malignancies had a 14% lower overall rate than predicted.

Breast cancer rates improved from prior patterns after the initial three months of COVID-19, while levels of lung, colorectal, and cervical cancers remained low.

Between March and May 2020, states with highly stringent pandemic responses saw considerably more disruptions; however, these variations were non-significant by December 2020 for all locations except pancreatic, renal, and lung cancers.

Every cancer location studied exhibited statistically significant disturbances between March and May 2020, with melanoma diagnoses being 43% fewer than predicted.

Disruptions in late-stage lung cancer diagnoses were much higher than in breast and cervical malignancies but equal to those in late-stage colorectal cancer incidence.

From March 1 to December 31, 2020, all non-screenable malignancies had statistically significant disturbances in the early and late stages. Between March 1 and May 31, 2020, all-site cancer incidence rates were considerably higher in states with more restricted COVID-19 responses, as well as among those aged 65 and over.

Conclusion

Overall, the study findings showed that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the United States considerably influenced cancer incidence rates, with over 13,000 cases going undiscovered between March and December 2020.

This knowledge is critical for cancer prevention and control efforts, underscoring the importance of future catastrophe preparation in influencing cancer diagnosis.

The study discovered significant decreases in early- and late-stage colorectal cancer incidence, with female breast cancer demonstrating rate recovery during the most stringent pandemic response phase. Government programs should focus on reengaging patients and reducing missed appointments.
It was about midnight in June 2022 when police officers showed up at Angela Collier's door and told her that someone anonymously requested a welfare check because they thought she might have had a miscarriage.

Standing in front of the concrete steps of her home in Midway, Texas, Collier, initially barefoot and wearing a baggy gray T-shirt, told officers she planned to see a doctor in the morning because she had been bleeding.

Police body camera footage obtained by KFF Health News through an open records request shows that the officers then told Collier  who was 29 at the time and enrolled in online classes to study psychology  to turn around.

Instead of taking her to get medical care, they handcuffed and arrested her because she had outstanding warrants in a neighboring county for failing to appear in court to face misdemeanor drug charges three weeks earlier. She had missed that court date, medical records show, because she was at a hospital receiving treatment for pregnancy complications.

Despite her symptoms and being about 13 weeks pregnant, Collier spent the next day and a half in the Walker County Jail, about 80 miles north of Houston. She said her bleeding worsened there and she begged repeatedly for medical attention that she didn't receive, according to a formal complaint she filed with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

"There wasn't anything I could do," she said, but "just lay there and be scared and not know what was going to happen."

Welfare Check Turns Into Arrest for Pregnant Texan Play

Collier's experience highlights the limited oversight and absence of federal standards for reproductive care for pregnant women in the criminal justice system. Incarcerated people have a constitutional right to health care, yet only a half-dozen states have passed laws guaranteeing access to prenatal or postpartum medical care for people in custody, according to a review of reproductive health care legislation for incarcerated people by a research group at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. And now abortion restrictions might be putting care further out of reach.

Collier's arrest was "shocking and disturbing" because officers "blithely" took her to jail despite her miscarriage concerns, said Wanda Bertram, a spokesperson for the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonprofit organization that studies incarceration. Bertram reviewed the body cam footage and Collier's complaint.

"Police arrest people who are in medical emergencies all the time," she said. "And they do that regardless of the fact that the jail is often not equipped to care for those people in the way an emergency room might be."

After a decline during the first year of the pandemic, the number of women in U.S. jails is once again rising, hitting nearly 93,000 in June 2022, a 33% increase over 2020, according to the Department of Justice. Tens of thousands of pregnant women enter U.S. jails each year, according to estimates by Carolyn Sufrin, an associate professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who researches pregnancy care in jails and prisons.

The health care needs of incarcerated women have "always been an afterthought," said Dana Sussman, deputy executive director at Pregnancy Justice, an organization that defends women who have been charged with crimes related to their pregnancy, such as substance use. For example, about half of states don't provide free menstrual products in jails and prisons. "And then the needs of pregnant women are an afterthought beyond that," Sussman said.

Researchers and advocates worry that confusion over recent abortion restrictions may further complicate the situation. A nurse cited Texas' abortion laws as one reason Collier didn't need care, according to her statement to the standards commission.

Texas law allows treatment of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies, a life-threatening condition in which a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. However, different interpretations of the law can create confusion.

A nurse told Collier that "hospitals no longer did dilation and curettage," Collier told the commission. "Since I wasn't hemorrhaging to the point of completely soaking my pants, there wasn't anything that could be done for me," she said.

Collier testified that she saw a nurse only once during her stay in jail, even after she repeatedly asked jail staffers for help. The nurse checked her temperature and blood pressure and told her to put in a formal request for Tylenol. Collier said she completed her miscarriage shortly after being released.

Collier's case is a "canary in a coal mine" for what is happening in jails; abortion restrictions are "going to have a huge ripple effect on a system already unequipped to handle obstetric emergencies," Sufrin said.

'There are no consequences'

Jail and prison health policies vary widely around the country and often fall far short of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' guidelines for reproductive health care for incarcerated people. ACOG and other groups recommend that incarcerated women have access to unscheduled or emergency obstetric visits on a 24-hour basis and that on-site health care providers should be better trained to recognize pregnancy problems.

In Alabama, where women have been jailed for substance use during pregnancy, the state offers pregnancy tests in jail. But it doesn't guarantee a minimum standard of prenatal care, such as access to extra food and medical visits, according to Johns Hopkins' review.

Policies for pregnant women at federal facilities also don't align with national standards for nutrition, safe housing, and access to medical care, according to a 2021 report from the Government Accountability Office.

Even when laws exist to ensure that incarcerated pregnant women have access to care, the language is often vague, leaving discretion to jail personnel.

Since 2020, Tennessee law has required that jails and prisons provide pregnant women "regular prenatal and postpartum care, as necessary." But last August a woman gave birth in a jail cell after seeking medical attention for more than an hour, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

Pregnancy complications can quickly escalate into life-threatening situations, requiring more timely and specialized care than jails can often provide, said Sufrin. And when jails fail to comply with laws on the books, little oversight or enforcement may exist.

In Louisiana, many jails didn't consistently follow laws that aimed to improve access to reproductive health care, such as providing free menstrual items, according to a May 2023 report commissioned by state lawmakers. The report also said jails weren't transparent about whether they followed other laws, such as prohibiting the use of solitary confinement for pregnant women.

Krishnaveni Gundu, as co-founder of the Texas Jail Project, which advocates for people held in county jails, has lobbied for more than a decade to strengthen state protections for pregnant incarcerated people.

In 2019, Texas became one of the few states to require that jails' health policies include obstetrical and gynecological care. The law requires jails to promptly transport a pregnant person in labor to a hospital, and additional regulations mandate access to medical and mental health care for miscarriages and other pregnancy complications.

But Gundu said lack of oversight and meaningful enforcement mechanisms, along with "apathy" among jail employees, have undermined regulatory protections.

"All those reforms feel futile," said Gundu, who helped Collier prepare for her testimony. "There are no consequences."

Before her arrest, Collier had been to the hospital twice that month experiencing pregnancy complications, including a bladder infection, her medical records show. Yet the commission found that Walker County Jail didn't violate minimum standards. The commission did not consider the police body cam footage or Collier's personal medical records, which support her assertions of pregnancy complications, according to investigation documents obtained by KFF Health News via an open records request.

In making its determination, the commission relied mainly on the jail's medical records, which note that Collier asked for medical attention for a miscarriage once, in the morning on the day she was released, and refused Tylenol.

"Your complaint of no medical care is unfounded," the commission concluded, "and no further action will be taken."

Collier's miscarriage had ended before she entered the jail, argued Lt. Keith DeHart, jail lieutenant for the Walker County Sheriff's Office. "I believe there was some misunderstanding," he said.

Brandon Wood, executive director of the commission, wouldn't comment on Collier's case but defends the group's investigation as thorough. Jails "have a duty to ensure that those records are accurate and truthful," he said. And most Texas jails are complying with heightened standards, he said.

Bertram disagrees, saying the fact that care was denied to someone who was begging for it speaks volumes. "That should tell you something about what these standards are worth," she said.

Last year, Chiree Harley spent six weeks in a Comal County, Texas, jail shortly after discovering she was pregnant and before she could get prenatal care, she said.

I was "thinking that I was going to be well taken care of," said Harley, 37, who also struggled with substance use.

Jail officials put her in the infirmary, Harley said, but she saw only a jail doctor and never visited an OB-GYN, even though she had previous pregnancy complications including losing multiple pregnancies at around 21 weeks. This time she had no idea how far along she was.

She said that she started leaking amniotic fluid and having contractions on Nov. 1, but that jail officials waited nearly two days to take her to a hospital. Harley said officers forced her to sign papers releasing her from jail custody while she was having contractions in the hospital. Harley delivered at 23 weeks; the baby boy died less than a day later in her arms.

The whole experience was "very scary," Harley said. "Afterwards we were all very, very devastated."

Comal County declined to send Harley's medical and other records in response to an open records request. Michael Shaunessy, a partner at McGinnis Lochridge who represents Comal County, said in a statement that, "at all times, the Comal County Jail provided Chiree Harley with all appropriate and necessary medical treatment for her and her unborn child." He did not respond to questions about whether Harley was provided specialized obstetric care.

'I trusted those people'

In states like Idaho, Mississippi, and Louisiana that installed near-total abortion bans after the Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to abortion in 2022, some patients might have to wait until no fetal cardiac activity is detected before they can get care, said Kari White, the executive and scientific director of Resound Research for Reproductive Health.

White co-authored a recent study that documented 50 cases in which pregnancy care deviated from the standard because of abortion restrictions even outside of jails and prisons. Health care providers who worry about running afoul of strict laws might tell patients to go home and wait until their situations worsen.

"Obviously, it's much trickier for people who are in jail or in prison, because they are not going to necessarily be able to leave again," she said.

Advocates argue that boosting oversight and standards is a start, but that states need to find other ways to manage pregnant women who get caught in the justice system.

For many pregnant people, even a short stay in jail can cause lasting trauma and interrupt crucial prenatal care.

Collier remembers being in "disbelief" when she was first arrested but said she was not "distraught."

"I figured I would be taken care of, that nothing bad was gonna happen to me," she said. As it became clear that she wouldn't get care, she grew distressed.

After her miscarriage, Collier saw a mental health specialist and started medication to treat depression. She hasn't returned to her studies, she said.

"I trusted those people," Collier said about the jail staff. "The whole experience really messed my head up."
Petrol prices vary globally due to different tax structures, with some countries experiencing higher costs per litre than others. While India has seen prices surpassing Rs 100 per litre, there are several nations where petrol prices are even higher. Heres a list of the top 10 countries with the highest fuel prices.

1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, holds the distinction of having the worlds highest petrol price, at Rs 242.5 per litremore than double what is paid in India for the same quantity.

2. Iceland

Iceland, a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, faces logistical challenges due to its remote location and extreme cold. Consequently, petrol prices in Iceland are currently around Rs 186.7 per litre.

3. Central African Republic

Due to its landlocked location surrounded by six neighbouring countries, including Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo and Cameroon, the Central African Republic grapples with instability and a history of civil wars. Consequently, petrol prices in the country are exorbitantly high, reaching Rs 185.8 per litre.

4. Norway

Norway, a northern European nation located near the Arctic region, faces similar challenges with transportation due to its cold climate, akin to Denmark. These factors contribute to elevated petrol prices, currently standing at Rs 177.6 per litre.

5. Denmark

Denmark, the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries, features a cold climate and dense population. Due to these factors, petrol prices in Denmark are relatively high, currently at Rs 170.8 per litre.

6. Finland

Finland, a Nordic nation sharing borders with Sweden, Norway and Russia, has a history of relatively high petrol prices. Presently, prices in Finland are recorded at Rs 169.5 per litre.

7. Barbados

Barbados, located in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, stands out in the Caribbean region for having the highest petrol prices, currently reaching Rs 169.1 per litre.

8. Netherlands

The Netherlands, known as the home of two-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, boasts one of the densest road networks globally. However, petrol prices in the Netherlands have consistently remained on the higher side, currently reaching Rs 166.8 per litre.

9. Greece

Greece, a Southeastern European nation celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and often regarded as the cradle of Western civilization, has been gradually recovering from an economic downturn. Reflecting this, petrol prices in Greece are noted at Rs 166.5 per litre.

10. Sweden

Sweden, a Nordic country situated in Scandinavia, shares similarities with its counterparts in terms of high living costs compared to other European nations. Consequently, petrol prices in Sweden are also elevated, currently standing at Rs 160.9 per litre.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on Thursday conducted its second yet the biggest Open House meeting to address students concerns following widespread protests on campus in the wake of the fourth student suicide this academic year amid demands of setting up a permanent internal committee to look into suicides on campus.

The students body also circulated a survey asking what kind of changes they wish to seek in the academic structure and any discrimination faced by them based on their caste or gender to which over 2000 students on campus have responded. The survey findings were also put forth in the meeting to be acted upon.

The Open House with the institutes director Rangan Banarjee was held on Thursday evening and went on for a few hours where students, from both undergraduate (UG) and post-graduate (PG) departments put forth their demands asking for systemic changes in the way the institute functions.

On February 15, Varad Sanjay Nerkar (23), a final-year MTech student died by suicide in his hostel room on campus. This was the fourth such incident at the institute, prompting protests from students.

This was by far the biggest such open house where almost all students across programmes participated. This was mainly because after the fourth such incident, every other student on campus was part of the protests leaving aside their regular classes or assignments. Students are deeply disturbed to be able to focus on studies, said a student representative.

This was the second such meeting students had with the director with the previous one held on September 3 last year following two student suicides on campus, both of whom were from the same department and belonged to the reserved categories.

When reached out to the institute to share their response on the demands being made by students and any changes that may be in the working, an IIT-Delhi spokesperson refused to comment on the same.

Last year, Ayush Ashna a final year BTech student from the Maths and Computing department died by suicide on July 10. On September 1, another student Anil Kumar from the same batch too died by suicide. On October 31, Panav Jain, another final-year BTech student of IIT-Delhi died by suicide at his residence in east Delhis Shahdara. Jain was also a student mentor and a prominent member of several extra-curricular activities.

Following the impact of Nerkars death on students, the institute postponed the mid-semester exams, which were scheduled for February 21 -24 and will now be conducted between February 26 -29. The institute also cancelled regular classes and labs during this week.

Nerkar, according to the institute was a well-performing student. His family has alleged that his academic supervisor had been mentally harassing him. However, IIT-Delhi is yet to come out with its internal enquiry report looking into the reasons for his death.

We have demanded that the details of the findings of the enquiry report of all such past incidents be made open to students. Also, we have asked the institute to set up a permanent internal enquiry panel to look into suicides on campus, which are most often perpetrated by the stressful atmosphere around students including various kinds of discrimination including at the hands of the faculty, said, a PG student representative.

Nerkars is not the first case of a PG student being allegedly targeted by their academic supervisors in the IIT system. Recently, IIT-Madras too saw a similar case where research scholar Sachin Kumar Jain ended his life on March 31, 2023. A panel set up by the institute to inquire into Jains death found his research supervisor responsible for the extreme step in a report that was submitted in November last year. Based on the panels report, the professor was suspended from the institute.

Meanwhile, IIT-Kanpur saw three suicides between December 19, 2023, and January 18, 2024, two of whom were research scholars. An internal survey carried out by the students body at IIT-K in July 2023, and published this January, found that at least 80 per cent of those pursuing PhD programmes have faced mental health issues; 60 per cent have at least once thought of dropping out of the research programme while many stated being discriminated against by guides in the face of favouritism, elitism and casteism.

All of these are top-ranking, first-generation IITs where students said the suicide culture has become commonplace yet it hasnt made much of a difference to the institutes functioning over the years. Also, students questioned the quality of counselling services available on campus and that seeking help is not that easy.

In a place where students are just isolated in the face of academic pressure looking at each other as just competitors and nothing else, how can we even think of a student opening up to another? The counselling services are of not much help, as no system in place can identify students battling mental health issues and provide them relief, said a UG student at IIT-Delhi.

If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)
Cracking the UPSC exam, particularly the Civil Services Examination (CSE), is a challenging yet rewarding endeavour for many in India. Recently, an IAS officer shared her UPSC marksheet to inspire and motivate people towards achieving their dream of joining the civil services. IAS Sonal Goel, who is no less than a celebrity on social media, took to the microblogging site X (formerly Twitter) and shared a picture of her UPSC Civil Services 2007 Mains marksheet on February 21.

The IAS officer, who cracked the UPSC Civil Services exam in 2008, recounted on her journey from an initial setback in her first attempt at the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2007 when she fell short of qualifying for the interview stage to her triumphant success in May 2008.

Sharing a picture of her marksheet, Ms Goel captioned it with a long note. She wrote, Nostalgic moment as I came across my UPSC Civil Services 2007 Mains marksheet, reminding me of the trials and triumphs that led to final selection. In my first attempt, I fell short of getting an Interview call due to low marks in the General Studies papers in Mains. However, this setback fueled my determination to leave no stone unturned in achieving my UPSC goal.

Emphasising the importance of dedication and relentless effort, she highlighted that despite facing failure her determination remained unshaken. She went on to share that she then devoted herself entirely to master the General Studies paper and improve at other aspects of Mains. She poured her heart and soul into every aspect of the syllabus, along with pursuing her LLB from Delhi University and doing a part time job as a CS (Company Secretary).

Following her sheer dedication, the IAS officer added, she not only cleared the exam but also achieved the highest marks in General Studies compared to her optional subjects, which included Commerce and Public Administration, in her second attempt. Reflecting on this journey, I am reminded of the invaluable lesson that with dedication and relentless effort, no obstacle is insurmountable, she wrote.

The IAS officer also encouraged aspirants to learn from setbacks, believe in their abilities and pursue their goals with passion without losing sight of their dreams. She urged them to view every setback and failure as an opportunity to improvise, learn and ultimately, triumph.

It is through perseverance that greatness is achieved, the IAS officer concluded.

Have a look at the post below:

Nostalgic moment as I came across my #UPSC Civil Services 2007 #Mains marksheet, reminding me of the trials and triumphs that led to final selection in #May2008 ResultsI just want to share with the aspirants that in my first attempt, I fell short of getting an Interview call pic.twitter.com/9VY8k6sFqQ  Sonal Goel IAS (@sonalgoelias) February 21, 2024

The post went viral instantly garnering the attention of many users online and pulling over 71,000 views. Many social media users praised the IAS officer for encouraging UPSC aspirants with her inspiring story. The aspirants, on the other hand, thanked the IAS officer for sharing her story and motivating them.

A user commented, Nostalgic and priceless treasures. Achieve new horizons of excellence in your professional life.

Nostalgic and priceless treasuresAchieve new horizons of excellence in your professional life Kshmendra (@Kshmendra2) February 21, 2024

You did that all while doing a part time job and pursuing your LLB. Props to you for your achievement. Mad respect for you Sonal Di. This is the exact thing I needed cause Im myself juggling multiple things and was getting demotivated thinking I wont be able to pull things off, expressed a user.

You did that all while doing a part time job and pursuing your LLB. Props to you for your achievement. Mad respect for you Sonal Di. This is the exact thing I needed cause Im myself juggling multiple things and was getting demotivated thinking I wont be able to pull things off. House_MD_Lupus (@house_m_d_1) February 22, 2024

Another user wrote, Great to see. Currently children dont have many role models and are worshipping/following self-serving only individuals and are away from reality. This post is a great one to start!

Gr8 to see. Currently children dont have many role models and are worshipping/following self serving only individuals and are away from reality. This post is a great one to start! San_Jeev (@Sanjeevuniverse) February 23, 2024

Beautiful message madam (very helpful). Thank you, an individual added.

Beautiful message madam (very helpful) . Thank you Abhijit Pradhan (@Abhijit06332208) February 22, 2024

Isnt Sonal Goels story inspiring?
In the stillness of the night, a voice intrudes upon her thoughts. It tells her how she must behave to win over Randy. Who is Randy, she wonders. She doesnt know, so she gets out of bed, dons her nightgown, descends to the kitchen, and powers up her computer. This is how author George Saunders, winner of the Booker and PEN/Malamud awards who grew up in Chicago, weaves his tales. He creates characters for the thrilling world he wants to inhabit. His stories are like untamed creatures, leading readers on a journey of self-discovery. I love the idea of them being like little wild animals, you know? Isnt that what they should be? he asks.

The man who some consider the greatest living American short-story writer is somewhere in Los Angeles, smiling in front of a computer. Its morning for him when he answers my video call, and it looks like hes wearing a comfy sheepskin jacket. Saunders says hes still getting used to L.A., which seems futuristic to him. So, for the first time, were city folks, and I must say its actually pretty good. He moved there to be close to his daughter, although he still teaches at Syracuse University in New York. Its Valentines Day, and Saunders believes Gloria and Randy, the protagonists of that late-night story that started with a late-night voice, are still together. The short story is titled Sparrow and is part of Saunders Liberation Day: Stories (2022) collection.

I dont believe soulmates exist, but souls that fit together definitely do. Every love story is some version of that type of fit. One has to be willing to adapt, to blur oneself a little, to fit into another persons life. And the other person should do the same, he said. Saunders talks about how he feared that he would have to throw away that little animal that began as a voice in Glorias head. I didnt feel like telling another love story like that. But the story evolved into a reflection on how cruel the world can be to someone in love. How did that happen? I wrote the story in one night at the kitchen table, but I worked on it for months. Thats how it works for Saunders, who writes four or five hours every morning. Most of this time is spent rewriting stories and exploring ideas for new ones.

George Saunders in an undated photograph. SEIX BARRAL

Saunders has only written one novel  the brilliantly disruptive, funny and award-winning Lincoln in the Bardo (2017). He sees fiction as a garbage detector, pinpointing societal wrongs while serving as a catalyst for change. I consider myself a post-postmodern writer. Im not looking to destroy everything unless its a good kind of destruction, in a happy sort of way. I strongly believe in positive destruction. Fiction can disrupt how we come to troubling conclusions, and offer respite and space to think outside of every plane, he said. Even though he claims not to think about specific topics while writing, Liberation Day can be seen as a modern-day manifesto on the battle for mind control that rages in our world.

In at least three of the short stories in the collection  Liberation Day, Ghoul and Elliott Spencer  its clear that the writer [Saunders sometimes talks about himself in the third person] is thinking about social media. If it were 1485, your ideas would be local, from your family and town. Nowadays, ideas come from afar. Add not just ideas, but an agenda imposed on you, altering your thought process. These stories touch on mental autonomy and its challenges. How can I stay true to myself with all this input infiltrating my mind? A century from now, people may call this the era of altered minds, said Saunders.

Controlled and altered minds. By what  algorithms? Altered by the captivating technology we live with, and yes  the algorithms. The abundance of information we allow in contributes to all the violence and unhappiness today. How can we find happiness with so much suffering around us? While suffering and cruelty have always existed, we used to be shielded by our surroundings. Now, theres no protection, he said. Social media doesnt want you to think for yourself or spend time alone with your thoughts. I dont know for what purpose. It instantly turns you into some kind of animal, some kind of monster, a ferocious version of yourself that automatically has an opinion on things you know nothing about.

George Saunders in a Florida bookstore; February 2017. Johnny Louis

The writer, who attended a school run by Catholic nuns, is now a Buddhist and practices meditation. He tries to protect his mind against invasions of all kinds, and hes been doing it since the beginning. When I got my first smartphone, I remember I was reading some Russian authors [he loves Gogol, Isaac Babel and Chekhov]. Suddenly nothing seemed to make sense. My reading comprehension plummeted. I had to tear myself away from the screen for a while to understand the stories, to get the color back. That moment was both fortuitous and terrifying at the same time.

Saunders is currently reading January, a novel by Argentine writer Sara Gallardo. Im fascinated by how she uses stylistic elements to add tension to the story. He also says hes working on a new novel, his second in a 40-year literary career. But Im still at the beginning, he said. Well see. Saunders is convinced that the only thing to do these days  besides protecting your mind  is to try and grow in some way. It might seem tough, but I truly think that everything going on with us can be turned around. My students are already doing it. Theyre trying to ensure that the flame doesnt go out, trying to be a little kinder every day. Thats my only goal right now. Be more loving, more present and more honest every day. Accept the complexity of the world without despairing  despair is our worst enemy. Perhaps thats why all the cynical forces out there love it. Lets keep our distance from them.

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The Kerala government on Thursday launched a toll-free helpline number to provide assistance to students and their parents who require help to ease exam-related stress. Students in Kerala will attend the SSLC, Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary examinations in the month of March.

State Education Minister V Sivankutty said a toll-free telephone number, We Help 1800 425 2844  has been launched, and that students and parents can make use of the facility from today onwards. Students and parents can avail this service from 7 AM to 7PM, and coordinators trained by Nimhans in Bengaluru, will provide counselling for free, the minister said in a release.

He said the facility will be available on all working days until the end of the examinations in the state. The minister added that the counselling will be led by the Higher Secondary Career Guidance and Adolescent Counselling Cell. As of now, model exams for SSLC students are going on in the state.
The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) commenced the High School (Class 10) and Intermediate (Class 12) board exams 2024 on February 22 amid tight security at all 8,265 centres across the state. The UP board exams were held in all respective centres, with CCTV cameras and voice recorders. The exam was also conducted at eight centres set up for candidates detained in various state jails.

The UP board 2024 Class 10 and 12 exams have been divided into two shifts. The first shift included Hindi and Elementary Hindi papers for Class 10 and Military Science for Class 12, while the second shift included a Commerce paper for Class 10 and a Hindi, General Hindi paper for Class 12.

According to reports, 16 per cent of students did not appear for the exam on the first day. Of the 29,43,786 candidates registered in the first shift, 2,03,299 (14 per cent) were absent, and of the 24,67,715 registered in the second shift, 1,30,242 (19 per cent) were absent. A total of 3,33,541 candidates, or 16.20 per cent, remained absent in both shifts.

Exams for High School Hindi and Elementary Hindi subject and for Intermediate Military Science subject were conducted in the first shift, while in the second shift, commerce exam for High School and Hindi and general Hindi exam for Intermediate took place, UP Board Secretary, Dibyakant Shukla said as quoted by Times of India.

On the first day of the High School (Class 10) exam, five candidates were caught using unfair means, four boys and one girl. According to the UP Board Secretary, an FIR has been filed against seven impersonators caught during the first shift exam, as well as one centre administrator. According to telephone/email reports from the divisions/districts, no untoward incidents occurred in any district, and the exam was conducted fairly and peacefully, the UP Board Secretary added.

To ensure the security of question papers, the Council of Secondary Education, Headquarters Prayagraj, and all five regional offices of the Council established command and control rooms for the first time this year to conduct online intensive monitoring of strong rooms and examination centres. A command and control room was established in Lucknows Vidya Samiksha Kendra building to monitor exam centres online.

The UP Boards Class 10 (High School) and Class 12 (Intermediate) exams, which began on Thursday, will conclude on March 9 this year. Additionally, 4,02,054 of the 56,94,768 registered students did not show up for their exams on the first day in 2023.
After Ayodhya, another major religious site in India  Sri Jagannath Puri in Odisha  is set to get an international airport. The Naveen Patnaik government on February 22, for the first time, invited global bids to build the airport in Puri for Rs 2,203 crore.

The move comes just before the simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha. The Shri Jagannath Puri Airport is a dream project for Patnaik and his major promise to people.

The airport was approved for site clearance by the Centre recently after Patnaik met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi last October. On Wednesday, the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) invited global bids for the development, operation and maintenance of Sri Jagannath International Airport on PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode, as per documents accessed by News18. Bids have to be filed by April 20 this year.

Phase 1 of the airport will be built under this contract, with a traffic design capacity of 4.6 million passengers per annum for Rs 2,203 crore. The development of the Airport is expected to connect cities such as Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Brahmapur, etc., to the worlds aviation network. This will provide a boost to the tourism sector by increasing traffic inflows at the existing tourist sites and create more avenues for the development of new tourist centres, the bid document mentions.

It adds that the improvement in air connectivity may also improve industrialisation in the region as it will integrate the industries in the hinterland to the global value chains. The Airport will complement the Biju Patnaik International (BPI) Airport in Bhubaneswar and catalyze air connectivity in Odisha, especially international air connectivity, the Odisha government document says, adding that all clearances and approvals have been obtained.

Puri Airport would resolve capacity constraints at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) at Bhubaneswar, especially for international operations as it would be capable of handling wide-bodied long-haul aircraft preferred for international operations.

What The New Airport Will Mean

The proposed new Shri Jagannath International Airport (SJIA) will be a Greenfield airport located at Sipasarubali village, Brahmagiri Tehsil in Puri district, Odisha. The site is very close to the Bay of Bengal. The nearest highways to the proposed site are NH-316 and NH-203A connecting Puri City to Bhubaneshwar while the nearest railway station is Puri Railway Station situated at a distance of 12 kilometres. Puri is a cultural and leisure tourism hub and the airport will be a gateway to Western Odisha, the largest industrial ecosystem in Odisha.

Lakhs of pilgrims come every year to Shri Jagannath Puri shrine but must fly to Bhubaneshwar if they want to come to Odisha by flight. The Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) at Bhubaneswar has been in operation since 1962 and its runway has been designed for handling Code 4C aircraft. The existing runway has a total length of 2,740 meters while its passenger terminal has a total handling capacity of four million passengers. Due to the non-availability of the desired land area, no further expansion or extension of the runway is possible at BPIA and this places significant airside capacity constraints.

Such capacity constraint at BPIA would substantially influence the capability to meet air travel demand in the future for Odisha, the state has argued. The domestic terminal at BPIA, which can handle four million passengers per annum, clocked its peak capacity in financial year 2019-20 itself. The state says Puri airport will provide much-needed capacity for future air traffic growth.

A phased shift of passengers from BPIA, Bhubaneswar, to Puri airport is expected given the exhaustion of the total possible capacity of BPIA. Beyond financial year 29-30, 45 per cent of projected traffic is expected to shift to Puri given capacity constraints at BPIA, the state has estimated.
A police personnel was injured during a clash between protesting farmers and law enforcement in Haryanas Hisar district on Friday. The confrontation took place in Kheri Chopta village, where reports depicted a scene of chaos.

Tear gas shells were fired and police resorted to lathi charges in response to stone-throwing protesters, which erupted when farmers were prevented from advancing towards Khanauri on the Punjab border, news agency PTI reported. Thousands reportedly converged at the Shambhu border crossing, preparing for the Delhi Chalo march.

This comes in the wake of a demand for a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and calls for waivers on farm loans, pensions, and the reversal of increased electricity rates, among other requests. Farmers gathered on call by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at the Punjab border for the past few days.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) observed a black day today and burnt effigies of BJP leaders in protest against the Haryana Polices action against agitating farmers camping at two of the states border points. The call was given by the SKM to mourn the death of Shubhkaran Singh, who died in clashes between the Haryana Police and farmers from Punjab. Singh (21), a native of Bathinda, was killed and 12 police personnel injured in clashes at Khanauri border point on the Punjab-Haryana border on Wednesday. The incident took place when some protesting farmers were trying to head towards barricades.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job to Shubhkarans sister. The family of Shubhkaran Singh, who got martyred during the farmers movement on the Khanauri border, will be given financial assistance of Rs 1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against culprits, Mann said in a post in Punjabi.

(With agency inputs)
The Bombay High Court on Friday took note of food poisoning patients being treated on a street outside a hospital in Maharashtras Buldhana district and sought an affidavit from the government. Government pleader P P Kakade submitted to the bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor that the hospital had a capacity of only 30 beds and around 150 persons had come complaining of uneasiness and stomach issues.

All the persons had food poisoning after consuming sweets from a local temple. The hospital capacity was only 30 but it had enough staff and medicines, Kakade said.

He added that the patients were immediately treated and were discharged the next day.

Their condition was not serious. We could not treat them inside the hospital and hence treated them outside, Kakade told the court. The bench then questioned what if anyones condition had suddenly turned serious.

How far is the district hospital from the place where this incident occurred? What if some patient suffered seriously and required urgent medicare? CJ Upadhyaya asked.

Kakade said the district hospital was 100 kilometres away and if any patients condition had worsened, then he or she would have been transferred there.

The bench directed Kakade to file an affidavit submitting these details and posted the matter for further hearing after ten days.

The incident took place on Tuesday night during the Harinam Saptah, a week-long religious event, at Somthana village in Lonar taluka, Buldhana district collector Kiran Patil had told.
Kashmiri activist and journalist, Yana Mir, while speaking in the British Parliament building, condemned the propaganda by Pakistan to dent Indias image on the international stage and said that she is completely safe and free in Kashmir, which is a part of India. Mir also pointed out a distinction between herself and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and said, I will never have to run away from my home country.

I am not a Malala Yousafzai, because I will never have to run away from my home country. I am free, and I am safe in my country India, in my home in Kashmir which is part of India, Mir, who claims to be Kashmirs first female vlogger, said.

Yana Mir was addressing a Sankalp Divas event hosted by the Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre UK (JKSC) in the British Parliament building, an ANI report said.

I will never be a Malala Yusufzai but I object to Malala for defaming my country, my progressive homeland, by calling it oppressed. I object to all such toolkit members from social media and international media, who have never cared to visit Indian Kashmir but fabricate stories of oppression from there, she added.

I am NOT a Malala Yousafzai- Yana Mirs speech in UK parliament. pic.twitter.com/SanBSbBFlg Frontalforce (@FrontalForce) February 22, 2024

Stop Trying to Polarise Indian Society

I urge you to stop polarising Indians on the grounds of religion. We wont allow you to break us. This year on Sankalp Divas, all I hope for is that our perpetrators living in the UK and Pakistan will stop maligning my country in international media or on international human rights forums. Stop unwanted selective outrage, stop trying to polarise Indian society by reporting from your UK living rooms. Thousands of Kashmiri mothers have already lost their sons because of terrorism. Stop coming after us and let my Kashmiri community live in peace. Thank you and Jai Hind, Mir further said.

The Kashmiri activist also received the Diversity Ambassador Award for championing diversity in the Jammu and Kashmir region during the event.

Yana also mentioned the progress following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising improved security, government initiatives, and fund allocation.

(With ANI inputs)
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA G Lasya Nanditha was killed in a horrifying road accident in Sangareddy districts Aminpur mandal in Telangana early on Friday.

The 37-year-old member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly from Secundarabad Cantonment was travelling in a SUV  Maruti XL6  on the Patancheru Outer Ring Road, when her driver lost control and collided with the divider. Both Nanditha and the driver were left severely injured.

According to an India Today report, Nanditha was rushed to a nearby hospital, where the doctors pronounced her to be brought dead. However the driver, though critically injured, is undergoing medical treatment.

Lasya Nanditha was travelling from Basara towards Gatchibowli. It is suspected that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. The vehicle sustained significant damage to the front side. Additionally, her personal security officer was injured in the accident. Initially she was taken to a private hospital, where was pronounced dead, police was quoted as saying, adding that her mortal remains are being shifted to a government hospital for post-mortem.

Who Was G. Lasya Nanditha?

Lasya Nanditha, born in 1986 in Hyderabad, made her entry into politics nearly a decade ago. Before getting elected as a MLA from the Secunderabad Cantonment in the 2023 Telangana Assembly polls, Nanditha served as a corporator in the Kavadiguda ward.

Her constituency seat was previously held by her father, G Sayanna, who passed away earlier in 2023. Following this, Nanditha got the BRS nomination and won the assembly election.

Political Leaders Express Condolences

BRS supremo and former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao condoled Nandithas passing and said that the party will provide all the necessary support to her family.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy also condoled the legislators death. He took to the microblogging site X and said, The untimely death of Cantonment legislator Lasya Nandita left me deeply shocked. I had a close relationship with Nanditas father Swargiya Sayanna. He passed away in the same month last year It is very sad that Nandita also died suddenly in the same month. My deepest condolences to their familyI pray to God to rest her soul in peace.

BRS MLC K Kavitha said that Nandithas death came as shock to her. In a post on X, The death of Cantonment MLA and sister Lasya Nandita in a road accident came as a shock. The untimely death of Lasya Nandita, who was elected MLA at a young age and devoted herself to public service in the footsteps of her late father Sayanna, is extremely sad. Praying God to rest the soul of Lasya Nandita..My deepest condolences to her family members.

Remembering his meeting with Nanditha from last week, BRS leader KT Rama Rao said, This was about a week ago. Just now heard the absolutely tragic & shocking news that Lasya is no more!!

This was about a week ago. Just now heard the absolutely tragic & shocking news that Lasya is no more !!Woke up to the devastating loss of the young legislator who was a very good leader in the making My heartfelt prayers for strength to her family and friends in this terrible https://t.co/CqpfrxMweU  KTR (@KTRBRS) February 23, 2024

In his post on X, KTR further wrote, Woke up to the devastating loss of the young legislator who was a very good leader in the making. My heartfelt prayers for strength to her family and friends in this terrible & difficult time.

Rest in peace Lasya, KTR said in another post.

BRS Leaders Visit Nandithas Family

BRS Chief K Chandrasekhar Rao paid his last respects to party MLA Lasya Nanditha in Hyderabad and met her family members.

#WATCH | Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao in Hyderabad pays last respects to party MLA Lasya Nanditha who lost her life in a road accident. He also met her family members. pic.twitter.com/5ezR8YVgK2 ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

Following BRS MLA Lasya Nandithas death this morning, party leader Harish Rao visited the Amedha Hospital in Sangareddy, where the Nandithas body was being kept.

He met and spoke her family members and expressed his condolences.

#WATCH | Telangana: BRS MLC K Kavitha reaches the residence of deceased party MLC Lasya Nanditha to offer her condolences. pic.twitter.com/90wPOjWIZP ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

Later in the day, BRS MLC and daughter of former CM Chandrashekhar Rao, K Kavitha reached the Nandithas residence and offered her condolences over the untimely demise of the BRS MLA.
The Madras High Court recently permitted a Hindu wife to conduct the last rites for her husband, who had converted to Islam after being involved in an illicit relationship with a Muslim woman, whom the man had married later.

The bench of Justice GR Swaminathan said that though the man was no Kabir, yet his death had given rise to a serious dispute over his dead body which was lying in the mortuary of a government hospital.

The Hindu wife and the Muslim son of the deceased had approached the court seeking custody of the mans body. The Hindu wife, asserting her rights as the lawful spouse, argued for the right to perform the last rites. The Muslim son contended that he and his mother had the rightful claim to conduct the mans final rituals due to his conversion to Islam before his demise.

The court noted that though there was no dispute over the fact that the deceased had embraced Islam before his demise, his marriage to the Muslim woman could not be recognised as legal.

The HC pointed out that the deceased, Balasubramanian, married his Hindu wife B Shanthi in 1988. A girl child was born out of that wedlock. However, later he developed illicit intimacy with one Syed Ali Fatima and embraced Islam. He then became Anwar Hussain and married Fatima as per Islamic rites and customs in 1999. A son was born out of that marriage.

Balasubramanian notified through Tamil Nadu Government Gazette in 2017 that he had converted to Islam with the name of Anwar Hussain on May 10, 2016. Subsequently, he filed a plea before the family court seeking the dissolution of his marriage with Shanthi. In 2021, the family court granted his plea. However, dissatisfied with this decision, Shanthi filed an appeal. Upon review, the Additional District Judge overturned the family courts order.

The high court noted a peculiar aspect of the family courts decision. It pointed out that despite a 1993 order that had previously awarded maintenance to Shanthi, the trial judge had concluded that she had been cruel to her husband, leading to the grant of divorce to Balasubramanian.

It held that the Additional District Judge had rightly set aside the decision of the trial court and that Shanthi alone could be considered as the legally wedded wife of Balasubramanian @Anwar Hussain.

Referring to the case of Lily Thomas V Union of India (2000) decided by a division bench where it was held that a mans second marriage after converting to Islam without dissolving the first marriage is an offence punishable under the penal law, the single-judge bench held that only Shanthi as well as her daughter, as the legally wedded wife and legitimate daughter of the deceased, were entitled to offer their respects in the customary religious manner.

However, the court stressed that since the man had died a Muslim, he had to be buried only as per Islamic rites and customs.

Syed Ali Fatima and Abdul Malik are of course entitled to participate in the funeral rites after Jamath takes over, the HC added while directing the police to ensure that both parties adhere to the direction given by the court.
The Srinagar Jama Masjid managing committee on Friday accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of restricting the movement of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

After his release after four years of house arrest, the Mirwaiz was allowed to visit the Jama Masjid only on three Fridays and has been under house arrest every Friday since then, the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid claimed in a statement.

The committee condemned the administration for not allowing the Mirwaiz to deliver sermons and offer Friday prayers in the historic Jama Masjid, Srinagar. It claimed that such an action deepened the sense of injustice and alienation among the people. It also alleged that the administration was not giving any justifiable reason for its action.
Police have filed a case against three Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) hospital nurses for taping a babys mouth to make it stop crying, reported The Times of India.

According to the report, a homemaker from Badlapur, Priya Kamble, claimed that on June 2, 2023, she found that her newborn son, who was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a BMC hospital in Bhandup, had an adhesive tape across his mouth. She informed her parents and a former corporator, who demanded the hospital authorities to discharge the baby.

A few months later, lawyer Tushar Bhonsale filed a complaint with Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC), which issued summons to the BMC and police. The police took cognisance of the MSHRC case and took action against the nurses on Thursday.

Priya, who got married to Yugandhar Kamble in 2022, had delivered a boy on May 20, 2023, at the Savitribai Phule Hospital.

She was discharged three days later and was asked to return if her son suffered any health problems.

On May 26, 2023, she rushed her son to the hospital as he was yellowish, but a doctor told her the baby wouldnt need hospitalisation as long as he was being breastfed. However, her baby continued to suffer health issues and was admitted to NICU on May 31, 2023, police told TOI.

On June 2, 2023, around 8 pm, when Priya went to pick up her son, she found adhesive tape around his mouth, his neck, and below his chin. She removed it and found rashes all over his body.

When she enquired about the tape, nurse Sweta told her that they had to place it as her baby wouldnt stop crying, said an officer.

Later, Priyas parents approached nurse Savita Bhoir, who allegedly told them not to create a ruckus over the adhesive tape as it was a common practice in NICUs. Police said the baby was taken to Agrawal Hospital thereafter.

Priyas parents approached former corporator Jagruti Patil, who went to the hospital after midnight. At Patils insistence, police took the complaint, but there was no follow-up action until MSHRC began hearing the case.
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

Kiko El Cabra (the goat, in English) was given that nickname because he drove fast drug boats very recklessly. But the man who killed two Spanish Civil Guard officers in Barbate (southern Spain) a few weeks ago could also have been dubbed the goat because of his ugly face. Still, it wouldnt be shocking if his story were made into a film starring a handsome actor like Mario Casas. Sito Minanco looked like a divorced middle-aged man who was always flirting with waitresses half his age, but in the Farina TV series, he was played by the attractive Javier Rey. In various screen portrayals, Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar had the languid gaze of Wagner Moura or the seductive looks of Benicio del Toro. Underneath the makeup of Griselda is the stunning Sofia Vergara. You can easily recognize her, even when shes wearing a mask thats more absurd than the one Jeannette Rodriguez wore in the La dama de rosa TV series to break out of prison. That prison escape was as strange as the one a hitman nicknamed El Pastilla pulled off last December; days later he was captured on camera in Leipzig, Germany (its hard to blend in when you look like Jar Jar Binks). But fiction doesnt care what you really look like. In the movies, this killer would probably be played by Spanish model and actor, Jon Kortajarena, who is reprising his role in the second season of El immortal. In this Spanish TV series (on Movistar Plus+), the gorgeous Alex Garcia plays Juan Carlos Pena, the leader of Los Miami, the gang that controlled drug trafficking in Madrid during the 1990s. Its the same gang that his mother, actress Ana Obregon, wanted to hire in 2007 to beat up TV presenter Jaime Cantizano for broadcasting unflattering pictures of young Alex. Do a Google search for photos of Juan Carlos Pena and compare them to photos of Alex Garcia to see how much criminals owe casting directors.

The drug trafficker is not only glamorized but also portrayed in a more human light. In a recent EL PAIS article, Colombian journalist Juan Pablo Calvas denounced such portrayals of narcos after the premiere of Griselda. But this is nothing new. Remember Miguel Angel Silvestre in Sin tetas no hay paraiso (Without tits there is no paradise, in English)? Countless idiots saw the narco he played as a role model, thinking a criminals life is all fancy cars and steamy romances with women who look like Amaia Salamanca. Drug trafficking and use is often glorified and trivialized, but even feminists who protest these portrayals in music, television and movies ignore how their own drug use fuels human trafficking and the arms trade. You dont have to be investigative journalist Gloria Serra to find the links between the drug trade and human trafficking. However, many people prefer to act like casting directors, as it offers a simpler and more gratifying escape from reality.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two absconding Bangladeshi nationals in the Bangladesh human trafficking case, taking the total arrests to 14.

Absconders Mohammed Sajjid Haldar and Idris were arrested from Karnataka following massive searches conducted by NIA. The duo, who had been on the run, were tracked and nabbed on Thursday night with the assistance of the Internal Security Division of Karnataka.

The national probe agency, which had busted the racket in November 2023 following nationwide raids, found during investigations that Haldar and Idris had illegally crossed into India via Benapole at the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Haldar had set up a Waste Collection and Segregation unit at K Chanasandra in Rama Murthi Nagar, Bengaluru, and had employed other Bangladeshi nationals in his operations.

Investigations have further revealed that Idris had also set up a waste collection and segregation unit at Anadapura, Bengaluru, where he had leased out land and set up tents for more than 20 Bangladeshi families, who were suspected to have been trafficked by him. Investigations to corroborate these details are underway.

NIA had registered the case (RC-01/2023/NIA/BLR) on November 7, 2023, after receiving credible inputs about certain Karnataka-based persons having links with facilitators and traffickers in Assam, Tripura and countries across the border.

The linkages had exposed a large network of traffickers engaged in smuggling individuals into India through the Indo-Bangladesh border. The accused were also found involved in fabricating and providing fake Aadhar cards to the victims.

NIA, which had earlier arrested and charge-sheeted 12 Bangladeshi nationals under relevant sections of IPC and UA(P) Act, 1967, is continuing to crack down on traffickers active along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Amid the standoff between the protesting farmers and the government, Nihang Sikh warriors have joined the protest, extending support to farmers facing off with security forces.

Farmers Protest

The protest began earlier this month with farmers began marching to Delhi on foot demanding higher prices for their crops.

The farmers Delhi Chalo march, however, was stopped by the police around 200 km from the national capital. Since then, negotiations between the government and the protesting farmers have been going on.

On Wednesday, however, the farmers said they would halt the protest for two days after one of the demonstrators died at the protest site. A 21-year-old farmer from Punjab, Shubhkaran Singh, died in the clashes amid the protest at Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana Border on Wednesday.

Following Singhs death, farmer leaders decided to put a two-day stay on their Delhi Chalo march.

Reacting to the 21-year-old farmers death, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, The news of the death of 21-year-old Shubhakaran was received today during the incident at Khanuri border It is very sad that the youth of my state is no longer in this world I want to ask the central government That the farmer of Punjab cannot go to the capital of his own country?

While waiting for the protest to resume, the Nihang warriors were spotted honing their skills by practising fencing, horseback riding and meditating.

Guru Gobind Singh has preached that Sikhs must always be ready to fight injustice and oppression. We have to be prepared if these protesters face any trouble even in the middle of the night, said Sher Singh, one of the Nihangs referring to the spiritual leader of the Sikhs, a Reuters report stated.

Farmers are being oppressedThe government must not think that they can scare the farmers awaythis is Punjab and we are standing in solidarity with the farmers, another Nihang, Raja Ram Singh said.
PM Modi News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Varanasi on Thursday evening, making his 43rd trip to the region. During his visit, the prime minister will launch several development projects worth Rs 13,000 crore, attend public meetings and highlight the development record in his parliamentary constituency.

PM Modi, late last night, said that following his arrival in Varanasi, he inspected the Shivpur-Phulwaria-Lahartara Marg, a project which had been inaugurated recently.

The prime minister on Thursday also visited Sant Guru Ravidas Janmasthali, where he performed pooja and darshan. He unveiled the Sants statue in Varanasi and attended a function commemorating the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas.

PM MODI IN VARANASI FULL SCHEDULE
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have been summoned by a court over the partys accusations of a 40 per cent commission during the previous BJP governments tenure in the state.

The summons are related to a case involving Corruption Rate Card advertisement issued by the Congress against the BJP during the last years state assembly poll campaign. The three Congress leaders have been asked to appear before the court on March 28.

The Congress ran a successful campaign to win the state assembly election last year. As part of its campaign, the party circulated a Corruption Rate Card advertisement targetting the then BJP-led Karnataka government in local and national newspapers.

The one-page ad, titled Corruption Rate Card 2019-2023, was published in The Times of India, The Hindu, the Indian Express, and Samyukta Karnataka. It detailed the amounts allegedly charged as bribes for appointments, transfers, and government deals in the state.

Targetting the BJP, the Congress advertisement further alleged that the 40 per cent Sarkara has looted over Rs 1,50,000 crore from the people of Karnataka in the last four years. At this rate, there will be no state left.

The advertisement, however, did not mention the BJP or the then Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai.

The Election Commission (EC) had issued a notice to the party, asking for evidence to support the claims made in the advertisement at that time.

Earlier this month, Karnataka State Contractors Association President D. Kempanna alleged that the practice of a 40 percent commission continues even under the Congress regime, noting that it involves a different set of individuals seeking these commissions.

No MP, MLA or minister is asking us to pay (commission) but the officials are demanding a cut. Earlier, MLAs used to insist that works would be granted only if we pay them an amount, Kempanna stated.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday said his government would launch two poll guarantees of the ruling Congress  the supply of LPG cylinders for Rs 500 and free power supply of up to 200 units for the poor  on February 27, with AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra present on the occasion.

Revanth Reddy hit out at the Centre for not acceding to the demand to recognise the ongoing Sammakka Saarakka Jaathara in the state as a national festival, alleging that it was discrimination and negligence towards Telangana.

The chief minister spoke to reporters after offering prayers to the deities during the mega tribal festival at Medaram in Mulugu district of Telangana.

Out of the six poll guarantees, we are going to launch two on 27th (February) evening, he said. The supply of LPG cylinders for Rs 500 and free power supply of up to 200 units to white ration card holders would be started on February 27, he added.

Smt Priyanka Gandhi ji is also going to attend the programme, he added.

The state government has already begun the implementation of two promises  free travel for women in state-run RTC buses and health scheme of Rs 10 lakh for the poor, the CM said.

Furthermore, he said, of the two lakh job vacancies promised to be filled, the government has filled 25,000 vacancies and handed over appointment letters in public events.

Over 6,000 vacancies will be filled by March 2, the CM said, adding that the pending appointment of chairman of the Press Academy will also be done forthwith to deal with issues concerning the media in the state.

The government will also come out with a good news on farm loan waiver up to Rs two lakh, he said.

Referring to alleged shortcomings in construction of irrigation projects during the previous BRS regime, he asked whether the NDA government at the Centre has taken any action against the former CM KCR or his family on any allegations of corruption.

He claimed that there is a tacit understanding between the BRS and BJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Referring to his demand for recognising the Sammakka Saarakka Jaathara as a national festival, the chief minister took exception to union minister and state BJP chief G Kishan Reddy saying that there is no system of recognising a festival as a national festival.

I saw in newspapers Union Minister Kishan Reddy saying it is not possible to give national status. If that is true, this discrimination is not good, he said.

While the Centre releases hundreds of crores of rupees for the kumbh mela (in Uttar Pradesh), it gave a meagre Rs three crore for the Sammakka Saarakka Jaathara which is like the kumbh mela in the south, he claimed.

This shows the Centres discrimination and negligence towards Telangana and the Jaathara, he alleged.

Kishan Reddy should withdraw his comments and invite PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to visit the Jaathara, he said.

The state government invites the PM and the Home Minister to attend the event, he added.

You are inviting all to visit Lord Ram in Ayodhya. We all visit Lord Ram in Ayodhya. We are inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Home Minister Amit Shah ji to visit the Sammakka Saarakka Jaathara, the kumbh mela in the south, he said.

He would welcome them as chief minister, Revanth Reddy added.

Kishan Reddy should not speak in a way of insulting the Adivasis by refusing to give national status to the festival, he said.

It is not good for the Centre to discriminate as north India and south India. Not just in south India, Sammakka Saarakka Jaathara has a special recognition in the world, he said.

Meanwhile, an official release said, State minister D Sridhar Babu, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and senior officials also offered prayers at the Jaathara.

Personnel of various government departments, including the police, health, sanitation, revenue, endowments, and state-run mine Singareni Collieries, rendered yeoman service at the Jaathara attended by lakhs of people, it added.
As fresh protests rocked West Bengals Sandeshkhali on Friday, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee was detained after she argued with police officials for stopping her partys womens delegation from entering the unrest-hit area.

The BJP has said it will hold a three-day sit-in protest in Kolkata over the Sandeshkhali issue from March 26.

The West Bengal police tried to detain some villagers from Jhupkhali where women and villagers protested on Friday. Locals protested in front of the police.

Villagers also tried to vandalise the residence of TMC leader Ajit Maity in Jhupkhali.

A National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) team on Friday reached Sandeshkhali to ascertain facts by an on-spot inquiry into allegations of violation of human rights there. The National Human Rights Commission team reached Sandeshkhali via Dhamakhali ferry ghat, after crossing the Kalagachi river by boat, a senior police official said.

#WATCH | West Bengal | BJP MP and State General Secretary Locket Chatterjee and Police officer enter into a verbal altercation.BJP womens delegation was stopped by state Police as they headed towards Sandeshkhali. pic.twitter.com/WL4rDU5Ude  ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

Meanwhile, the financial probe agency, Enforcement Directorate (ED), summoned absconding TMC zilla parishad member Shahjahan Sheikh for the fourth time in connection with the ration distribution scam. The ED asked Shahjahan, who is accused of abusing women and grabbing land of Sandeshkhali locals along with his aides, to appear before it on February 29.

Shahjahan has skipped three ED summons before this. Last month, the federal agency also conducted two separate raids on multiple locations on different dates in connection with the case. Those places included the residence of Shahjahans residence in Sandeshkhali.

On January 5, a team of ED officials was attacked by over a hundred villagers in North 24 Parganas Sandeshkhali where they had gone to raid Sheikhs residence as part of their probe into the ration scam. Three ED officers were injured in the attack. The TMC strongman has been on the run since then.

#WATCH | West Bengal | ED raids underway at the premises of one Partha Pratim Sengupta in Central Howrah. He is reportedly a close aide of absconding TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan.ED is conducting raids at nearly 6 locations in the state in its ongoing investigation against pic.twitter.com/Z7JYvJTJZ9  ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

The ED has also registered a new case against Shahjahan based on a case of land grabbing filed at the Najat Police Station. The central probe agency has initiated raids at six spots across West Bengal, including Howrah, in connection with the allegations against Shahjahan.

The ED officials conducted raids on the premises of Partha Pratim Sengupta, reportedly a close aide of the absconding TMC leader, in Central Howrah.

The Enforcement Directorate is conducting raids at nearly 6 locations in West Bengal in its ongoing investigation against absconding Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) scam case. The raids were conducted a ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

Meanwhile, fresh tensions gripped West Bengals Sandeshkhali area after villagers set fire to a hut belonging to Shahjahan Sheikhs brother, Shirajuddin.

The incident took place in the Rampur area of Sandeshkhali, where several women have been protesting demanding justice against sexual atrocities against them by Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides. West Bengal Police chief Rajeev Kumar pledged action against the perpetrators.

Sources in the Election Commission said they were monitoring the Sandeshkhali protests with special emphasis. They said they were sending everyday law-and-order reports to Delhi.

Scheduled tribes panel interacts with locals

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) team, which reached trouble-torn Sandeshkhali in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district on Thursday morning, has received over 23 complaints of forcible land grabbing and torture during their interaction with locals there, a senior official said.

NCST acting vice-chairperson Ananta Nayak said they have also received complaints against a politician, which they would include in their report to the President, the official added.

They (Sandeshkhali residents) have mentioned the name of a political leader. We will include it in our report. We have received more than 23 complaints so far, Nayak told reporters.

We will compare this (their findings) with the ground report and then submit it to the President, he added.

The visit by the NCST team comes days after a team of the National Commission for Women and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes had gone to the area.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday issued a notice to the state government and police chief regarding ongoing violence and human rights violations in the area.

Recognising the gravity of the situation, the NHRC has additionally decided to dispatch its team to verify facts through an on-site investigation into the occurrences of human rights violations in Sandeshkhali, according to official sources.

Bengal BJP chief holds sit-in protest

Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, who was permitted by police to visit the troubled area for the first time, staged a brief sit-in outside Sandeshkhali police station.

His demand for the arrest of fugitive TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh led to his forcible removal by law enforcement officers from the unrest zone via a boat. The day witnessed fresh protests in parts of Sandeshkhali, fueled by allegations against local TMC leaders for sexual abuse and forcible land grabbing. Locals, armed with sticks, vented their anger by setting ablaze a thatched structure near a pond, purportedly belonging to Shahjahans brother Siraj, who is also a local TMC activist.

we met with our Honble Governor Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose and voiced our concerns about the fact that as the @WBPolice is yet to arrest the mastermind of violence at Sandeshkhali, the people are doomed with terror-stricken sleepless nights#Shameful #ShameOnMamata pic.twitter.com/QICDF1tBuI Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) February 23, 2024

Majumdar, along with other BJP leaders met Governor CV Ananda Bose at Raj Bhavan late on Thursday evening over the Sandeshkhali issue.

BJP releases documentary

In New Delhi, the BJP released a documentary on social media platforms, highlighting alleged land grab and sexual exploitation in Sandeshkhali, condemning the Trinamool Congress governments alleged inaction. The BJP said on X about the over 20-minute long video, A truth thatll shock us. A truth thatll pain us. A truth thatll shake our conscience. The truth of #Sandeshkhali, that Mamata Banerjee is trying to hide. In response, the TMC accused the BJP of attempting to communalise the issue, emphasising the need for documentaries on crimes against women in BJP-ruled states.

They should first release documentaries on crimes against women in the BJP-ruled states, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said. The unrest in Sandeshkhali stems from accusations against TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his supporters of land grabbing and sexual assault, with Shahjahan evading authorities since a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.

TV scribe gets bail

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday granted bail to a television journalist, who was arrested on duty at the restive Sandeshkhali, observing that the press must be allowed to function freely and independently, without any fear of reprisal or intimidation. Santu Pan, who works for Republic Bangla news channel, was arrested on February 19 on the basis of a complaint by a woman alleging that he had trespassed into her house in Sandeshkhali.

Justice Kausik Chanda also stayed all proceedings in connection with the case against him at Sandeshkhali police station in North 24 Parganas district till disposal of his petition seeking quashing of the FIR. The court noted that Sandeshkhali garnered public attention across the country over the assault of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials allegedly by aides of Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh on January 5.

(With inputs from Kamalika Sengupta and agencies)
Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar has been allotted man blowing turha (a traditional trumpet) as its symbol by the Election Commission of India. This is the same symbol that the party had indicated as its first preference.

The poll body had asked the Sharad Pawar-led faction of NCP to choose from the list of free symbols  or symbols other than those reserved for exclusive use by recognised parties  NCP(SCP) had listed three choices: man blowing turha (trumpet), autorickshaw and torch in order of preference.

A report in Times of India quoted its sources as saying that the man blowing turha being a free symbol, there was no scope for EC to raise any objection to its use by NCP(SCP), including in the imminent general elections.

Man blowing turha is allotted to the group/party in all the parliamentary constituencies in the state of Maharashtra, TOI quoted ECs letter sent to Sharad Pawar on Thursday, citing the request received from Supreme Court to this effect.

Our candidates will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on this symbol, outfits spokesperson Clyde Crasto was quoted by PTI.

Also called tutari in Marathi, the trumpet is sounded to mark the entry of important persons, ranging from kings earlier to political leaders now.

The Sharad Pawar faction quoted lines from a popular poem Tutari written by Jnanpith awardee Kusumagraj.

The Tutari in the form of great valour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had once deafened the emperor of Delhi. It is a great honour for our party to get Tutari (Man Blowing Turha) as our symbol for upcoming elections. Our Tutari is now ready to shake Delhis throne under the leadership of Sharadchandra Pawar, the party said in a post on X.

The Sharad Pawar-founded NCP split in July last year after Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government.

The ECI later gave the party name and clock symbol to the faction led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.
The June 2020 clash in the Galwan Valley of Eastern Ladakh, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, was the fiercest border conflict with China to have occurred after the 1962 war. It led to a military standoff between the two countries.

At patrolling point 14, Indian and Chinese troops clashed for six hours in a steep section of a mountainous region. While casualties were higher on the other side, and the clash demonstrated the unarmed combat superiority of Indian Army troops in such harsh conditions, several lessons were learned from these clashes.

The clash prompted the Indian Army to incorporate a scientific approach to traditional martial arts of India, resulting in the integration of the Army Martial Arts Regime (AMAR) into its routine. Now, every field unit of the Indian Army practices AMAR.

As per officials, it was November 2020, when the AMAR was officially incorporated by the Training Command of the Indian Army. Even though several regiments of the Indian Army were practicing regional martial arts, the modules in the regime were tailored taking elements from all these arts. It has been made a part of the routine since then.

Incorporating the rich diversity of regional martial arts, the AMAR training modules have been meticulously crafted to provide soldiers with comprehensive preparation, addressing not only professional unarmed combat skills but also emphasising physical and mental fitness, said a senior official from the Ministry of Defence. We offer both AMAR Basic and AMAR Advanced modules for troops, he added.

Inspired by regional martial arts

The regime has been implemented keeping regional martial arts in mind. The regional forms like Gatka of Punjab, Kalaripayattu of Kerala, Thang-Ta of Manipur were considered while designing these modules.

A sincere and regular practitioner must aim to become a weapon in himself. The modules of AMAR train a soldier and make him a weapon in himself, the officer said.

Different Modules in AMAR

Both basic and advanced AMARs have training modules. There are seven modules in both regimes which range from footwork, close quarter combat to takedowns, chokes, and improvised work.

The focus of the approach is to train a soldier to deal with situations like what was seen in 2020 during the Galwan clash. The trainer also teaches them the basics of combat for example the vital spots in a soldiers body.

Use of handmade weapons

One essential thing that has been highlighted time and again is the use of handmade weapons by Chinese soldiers. As per agreements, no firearms are allowed at LAC but that doesnt stop them from bringing knives, swords, clubs, axes, and several modified hand-made weapons that can lead to fatal injuries. This was widely reported during Galwan clash and also at the time when Chinese troops tried to change the status-quo in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh in 2022.

There are several rapid assault techniques in the training modules. Since these are mixed martial arts not just from India but across the world, they provide you with different offensive and defensive combat techniques. It has got a mix of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, Karate, Wrestling, Judo, and Others, another officer added.

He further said, There are principles and these principles include ruthlessness, situation adaptation, effective strikes, and several others. The whole regime is based on conditions that can arise in UAC.

Assessment included

AMAR offers a comprehensive array of training modules, encompassing both basic and advanced formats, with a rigorous assessment component. According to an officer, trainees undergo a 50-mark evaluation across various modules. To complete the training, individuals must achieve a minimum score of 35% in each category and 40% overall.

Troops actively involved in training

A team from CNN-News 18 recently travelled to the Lohit Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. They noticed that the Army in key locations such as Walong, Hayuliang, Kibithu, and Kaho were actively involved in the martial arts. These units adhere to a rigorous daily routine, which includes scheduled sessions for Unarmed Combat (UAC) alongside martial arts training.

Captain Kartikey Jaiswal, stationed in Kibithu, emphasised the relentless challenges encountered by soldiers in the region. He mentioned challenges ranging from swift rivers and ravines to relentless rains and treacherous terrain. He said soldiers undergo continuous training, with martial arts playing a crucial role in equipping them to navigate and overcome these adversities.
The police have registered two cases for illegal electricity consumption in different parts of Navi Mumbai, an official said on Friday. The power thefts were reported in the Panvel and Khandeshwar areas, he said.

A case was registered under the Indian Electricity Act, 2003 against Meghnath Mhatre, the owner of a stone quarry in Panvel, who allegedly stole electricity worth Rs 62.6 lakh over one year, the official said.

The accused allegedly directly tapped into the Maharashtra State Electricity Boards (MSEB) supply line for operations at his unit, he said.

The official said a separate case was registered against Mhatre and his associate Firoz Sheikh for stealing electricity worth Rs 14.8 lakh in Khandeshwar.

No arrests have been made so far, and an investigation is underway to ascertain the extent of the illegal consumption, he added.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu has always made it to the headlines with her eye-catching fashion choices. Samantha is known for her exquisite style and can slay any occasion, including festive events, informal outings, vacations, or red carpet appearances. She continues to influence her followers and earns acclaim from fashion enthusiasts. She stunned her fans in a shimmering red saree, and the actress is surely the epitome of grace donning this creation.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu visited Malaysia, to attend an event and posted photos from the same on Instagram. The post shows her standing for the camera in a stunning red saree. The intricately embroidered saree comes from designer Arpita Mehtas label, and the look was brought together by celebrity stylist Lakshmi Lehr.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samantha (@samantharuthprabhuoffl)

She demonstrated a contemporary look with minimal accessories. The red georgette saree has sequin decorations, square-cut mirror adornments, and delicate threadwork. The pre-draped piece has a high waist, figure-sculpting draping, and a pallu that falls from the shoulder in a floor-sweeping train. Samantha wore it with a sleeveless georgette blouse that featured similar embroidery, a plunging neckline, and a backless design to complete the look.

This gorgeous saree is available on Arpita Mehtas official website. It is labelled the Red Hand Embroidered Sequin Sari Set and will surely be a great addition to your festive wardrobe. It comes at a whopping cost of Rs 3,85,000.

Samantha paired the saree with simple jewellery pieces, such as a studded choker necklace and matching earrings. Finally, for her glam picks, she went for feathery brows, mascara on the lashes, sparkly eye shadow, rouge on the cheeks, and a glossy pink lip tint. She completed her look with side-parted open locks and a soft, wavy blowout.

Some time back, Samantha dazzled her fans with yet another saree look, but this time she went for a softer pink hue. The actress looked stunning in an onion-pink chiffon saree embellished with beautiful white thread embroidery. She elegantly combined this magnificent saree with a sleeveless white blouse, resulting in an eye-catching look. She completed her appearance with little silver hoop earrings and bold silver bangles, which were the ideal final touches to her ensemble.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saaki (@saaki.world)

Samantha was last seen at work in Kushi. The film also included Vijay Deverakonda as the main character. Samantha will next appear in the Indian version of Citadel, which also stars Varun Dhawan and is directed by Raj and DK.
Claude Sautets lonely characters always did strange things for love. And they rarely knew how to love properly. His characters tended to be lost, in a social, economic, moral and intellectual sense. His films were laden with fearful, elusive men  hesitant about the possibility of making choices  and concrete and combative women.

Claude Sautet (1924-2000) directed films between 1960 and 1995. Not many: only 13, starting with The Big Risk (1960) and ending with Nelly and Mr. Arnaud (1995). Theres also a 14th film, Hello Smile! (1956), that he never considered to be his.

Of Sautets productions, half a dozen are masterpieces, while the rest are formidable or notable works. Despised in his day by the members of the magazine Cahiers du Cinema, one of the major publications for French film critics and creators, he was admired by Jean-Pierre Melville and Francois Truffaut, contemporaries who were as independent-minded and complex as he was.

Sautet would have turned 100 years old this February 23. Hence, this is an excellent moment to look back at his mysterious figure and his bitter works, which can now be accessed by new audiences via various streaming sites.

Cahiers du Cinema was a very influential magazine at that time and its judgments, as if coming from [religious authorities], were the law, the director told Michel Boujut in the book Conversations with Claude Sautet, published in Spain by the San Sebastian International Film Festival, which dedicated a retrospective to him in 2022. The Things of Life (1970) was defined in Cahiers as being overly tender, while the happily desolate A Heart in Winter (1992) was said to smell of formaldehyde.

In a 2009 interview, Michel Ciment, the former director of Positif, a rival magazine, denounced the terrible attitude and dogmatism of Cahiers towards Sautet. At Positif, we defended Sautet a lot when he was heavily attacked but what links Sautet, Truffaut and Chabrol? Their psychological narratives [and] realistic cinema. All three shared the same type of cinema. But Truffaut and Chabrol are considered masters, while Sautet was viewed as a nothing, because he didnt write in Cahiers... these are the defects of criticism. Criticism must be open-minded and then prioritize and evaluate work. An evaluation [of a film or a director] should never be based on dogma. Its stupid!

Sautet began his career as a screenwriter of important films by Georges Franju (Eyes Without a Face, 1960) and Jacques Deray (Crime on a Summer Morning, 1965), as well as an uncredited consultant on scripts. An admirer of jazz and of Howard Hawks and John Ford, in addition to the fabulous duet formed by the filmmaker Marcel Carne and the writer Jacques Prevert, champions of French poetic realism, Sautet tirelessly searched for a serene way of living and, at the same time, for a supreme standard in his work.

His career could be divided between harsh police films starring characters who are adrift, such as The Big Risk (1960) and Max and the Junkmen (1971), and dramas about members of the bourgeoisie united by failure, who have known each other all their lives and who use friendship as a refuge to escape their anguish. The latter category includes The Things of Life (1970), Vincent, Francois, Paul and the Others (1974) and Mado (1976). Across the board, his films were defined by supreme elegance, taking on a more expansive style in the 1970s and 1980s, and a more introspective and raw touch in the 1990s.

His tough yet gloomy men, played by stars such as Michel Piccoli and Yves Montand, and his much more inviting and independent female figures (portrayed by Romy Schneider in the first stage and Emmanuelle Beart in the last) move and fascinate viewers, because theyre never the same, and theyre always more than what they seem. Im tired of living with a resigned man, who [rots] like a head of lettuce day by day, says Schneiders character in Max and the Junkmen. Here are five of Sautets best films:

The Big Risk (1960)

Based on a novel by Jose Giovanni, one of the essential creators of the French detective genre, both in literature and cinema, and with a script by the writer himself and Sautet, music by Georges Delerue (his soundtracks for Francois Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard are iconic) and starring Lino Ventura, Jean-Paul Belmondo and Sandra Milo, The Big Risk was loaded with big names.

A French noir about a breathless life, it stars a bank robber who has been sentenced to death in absentia. More than a decade later, hest still on the run in Italy, wandering from city to city with his wife and two small children, with the goal of returning to France.

As in Heat, by Michael Mann  so influenced by elements of the French policeman  the audience is on the side of the bad guy, attracted to his nobility and his dignity. Venturas minimal, subtle gestures, sincere smiles and brief way of speaking made the criminal all the more gentlemanly. The hopeless, anxious and fatalistic tone culminates in a dry and atrocious ending, narrated by an omniscient voice-over that leaves the viewer speechless. Jean-Pierre Melville, master of the noir genre, was particularly enthusiastic about The Big Risk.

Max and the Junkmen (1971)

Near the end of his career, he had some good competition, but Michel Piccolis character in Max and the Junkmen is the meanest, darkest and most complex guy in Sautets cinema. He plays a former judge who becomes a police officer to keep the criminals he considers to be guilty off the street (they were acquitted due to lack of evidence). A professional obsessed with violent crime, with an inferiority complex and astonishing arrogance, he embodies contradiction.

At his side is Romy Schneider in their second joint film after the wonderful The Things of Life (1970). She had to convince the filmmaker that she could indeed play a prostitute from the Parisian red light district, who hangs around with a group of lazy, miserable nobodies.

This was the directors favorite film: the story of a gloomy, vain man, which culminates with a pair of devastating images after a masterful sequence shot with three cameras among a crowd. But in the end, the robbery of the bank cannot be seen by the viewer, because Sautet keeps the gaze where it belongs, in the streets.

A Simple Story (1978)

In this film, Sautet wanted to address an unfortunately common story: that of a middle-aged woman who tries to find herself, without being dependent on a man. And he wanted to do so without the slightest dramatic emphasis.

For a while now, whenever Im with you is when I miss you the most, Schneiders character, a divorced woman with a teenage son, tells her current partner. The lyrical line is uttered in a dark tone, after she makes the totally liberated decision to stop dating, move in with him and abort the child theyre expecting

The film stars a large group of middle-aged friends with various sentimental and work problems. Theyre caught between layoffs, depression and infidelities. The female protagonist tries to provide the calm that the others dont have: fatalism doesnt exist, because freedom exists.

With thoughts like these, and the long pauses that accompany them, the director is taken over by the verve, the conversations and the resentments at play, planting his camera amidst the silence of his characters. He tries to capture their thoughts, worries and dreams. Sautets external gaze is on the internal state of his creations. Hes in search of freedom and the sisterhood of assertive women.

A Heart in Winter (1992)

A Heart in Winter touches on the darkest and most devious sides of pristine, successful and cultured people. In this case, the cultured folks are a luthier  an artist who takes exquisite care while creating violins  a musical savant and an icy and impenetrable guy who is played by Daniel Auteuil (who barely moves a muscle). If you talk, you might say nonsense. [But] if you keep quiet, on the other hand, theres no risk and you may seem intelligent, says Emmanuelle Bearts character. Shes as angry as she is fascinated by an opaque and unpleasantly conciliatory man, who has created a closed world for himself and plays a cruel game of seduction.

The male protagonist is a man with a cold heart, inspired by Mikhail Lermontovs short novel A Hero of Our Time (1841). Aware of creating a chamber drama (a film involving a small number of characters in few locations), Sautet chose pieces that are neither too well-known nor too melodic for the various musical moments: the triplets and sonatas of French composer Maurice Ravel. As the director said of his relentless character: Its hard to know if hes acting, hiding, or protecting himself. The film won four awards at the Venice International Film Festival, tying for the Silver Lion.

Nelly and Mr. Arnaud (1995)

This is the directors cinematographic testament. Mr. Arnaud isnt Sautet (nor does he have to be), but hes so much like him!

Given its plotline, the film may sound sleazy, but with its sour melancholy and its singular temperance, it only exudes delicacy. A young woman in financial difficulties accepts a good amount of money to pay off her debts. She also accepts an offer to edit the memoir of a former judge and retired businessman, whom she barely knows  an older gentleman, but not an old man.

Nelly and Mr. Arnaud displays the enormous capacity of the French filmmaker to shatter expectations. It also reveals his attachment to uncertainty and his talent for making the most unexpected things happen in every dialogue and every action.

Overall, the movie is a portrait of a series of characters who seek an inner calm that comes to them in the most mysterious of ways. It could have been a film about a dark and corrupt relationship, but, in fact, its the story of a man with a lot of experience, who watches over a woman who still has a lot of life ahead of her.

Michel Serrault is magnificent as Sautets alter ego, but Emmanuelle Beart is extraordinary: her simple replies of yes and no couldnt be uttered with more conviction, nuance and authenticity.
Getting into shape, increasing flexibility, reducing stress  isnt that what Yoga asanas are all about?

This understanding of Yoga is turned on its head by Swami Sivananda  one of the greatest Yogis of the last century who was also a medical doctor  when he says, All the Asanas are done to tone up the internal organs and tissues.

As a doctor initially, Swami Sivananda served people in British Malaya, also wrote extensively on health problems and edited a medical journal. He renounced his medical career in his mid-thirties, desiring to give people complete knowledge of body, mind and soul. After practising severe austerities for several years, he founded the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh in 1932, and the Divine Life Society in 1936.

The practical Yogi, who had experienced the effects of Yoga, proclaimed Hatha Yoga as the best way to reach good health. There are many systems of physical exercises. Among all the systems, Hatha Yoga practised and prescribed by the ancient sages stands unrivalled and unique Brain, muscles, nerves, organs, tissues are toned and energised. All chronic diseases are rooted out, he guarantees.

Swami Sivananda felt deeply that the world needed good and healthy mothers, and strong and healthy boys and girls. He wrote over 300 books on Yoga and Vedanta, Health and Healing. These were widely acclaimed and had a profound impact all over the world.

HATHA YOGA FOR HEALTH, LONG LIFE, SUCCESS & VEERYA

Particular Asanas remove diseases and can also be preventative. Swami Sivananda describes them in a verse The Glory of Hatha Yoga:

Practice Sirshasana, the king of Asanas, to remove all diseases.

For all-round development, combine forward and backward bending exercises, and the spinal twist is important, too.

Sarvangasana helps develop thyroid and pelvic organs.

Matsyasana further adds to the effect of Sarvangasana on thyroid and pelvic organs.

Paschimottanasana helps digest food, and also reduce fat in the belly.

Mayurasana can digest even poison.

Ardha Matsyendrasana can make the spine elastic.

Bhujangasana, Salabhasana and Dhanurasana can remove constipation.

Shirshasana-Sarvangasana help preserve `Veerya (internal strength).

Savasana relaxes the muscles.

Halasana makes the spine supple and elastic.

Vajrasana will drive away drowsiness.

Pranayama removes all diseases and increases the gastric fire.

Sitali Pranayama can cool your brain and body and purify the blood.

Bhastrika Pranayama will remove asthma.

Spend 15 minutes a day and this will suffice to keep you healthy, with abundant energy, muscular strength and nerve power, a charming personality and longevity.

HATHA YOGA AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Swami Sivananda does not dismiss other physical exercises, but does caution that they must not be done immediately after performing Yogic exercises. This is because all the Asanas are done to tone up the internal organs and tissues. Accordingly, the blood has to be supplied to those systems and tissues. But the physical exercise is done to tone up the muscles. So, the blood will be drawn to the muscles. The circulation of blood in this case is completely opposite, and the benefits of Yogic exercise will be nullified. After doing the Yogic exercises, take rest for a few minutes and then begin physical exercises.

Though Hatha Yoga practices have therapeutic effects, therapy is only a part of the goal. A healthy and stable body and mind are essential prerequisites for self-realisation, which is the main goal of Hatha Yoga. Contrary to popular understanding that Hatha means stubbornly persisting beyond ones limits, Ha-tha in reality refers to the Yoga to balance the Sun and Moon (represented by the Pingala and Ida nadis respectively) to awaken the kundalini.

CHECKLIST FOR HEALTH

A healthy man smiles and laughs. He is cheerful and happy. He discharges his daily duties with ease and comfort. A healthy man is capable of doing work for a long time without getting fatigued. He possesses highest mental and physical efficiency.

Health is that state in which a man sleeps well, digests his food well..his organs work in perfect harmony the pulse rate and the rate of respiration are in perfect order, the bodily temperature is normal, the bowels move freely every day.

(Curated from Hatha Yoga by Swami Sivananda, published by The Divine Life Society)

Please note: This article is meant to be informative, rather than a prescription. Hatha Yoga is to be practised using common sense: dont exert in Asanas that dont suit you. Always consult your physician for physical fitness before attempting Yoga practices.

The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@gmail.com.
Aamir Khan visited Suhani Bhatnagars family in Faridabad, Haryana days after the actress death. In a photo that surfaced on social media, Aamir Khan was seen posing with Suhanis parents. The actor also held late actress photo. Suhani, who played the role of Junior Babita Phogat in Nitesh Tiwaris Dangal passed away earlier this month at the age of 19.

Previously, Aamir Khans production house also issued a statement paying tribute to Suhani. We are deeply saddened to hear about our Suhani passing away. Our heartfelt condolences to her mother Poojaji and the entire family. Such a talented young girl, such a team player, Dangal would have been incomplete without Suhani, the statement read.

Prior to Aamir, wrestler Babita Phogat also attended Suhani Bhatnagars prayer meeting in Faridabad. In the photos that surfaced on social media, Babita was seen attending Suhanis prayer meeting. In one of the pictures, she was also seen holding the late actress mothers hand. Babita shared the pictures on her Instagram handle and offered her condolences to the family.

Suhani Bhatnagar passed away on February 16, 2024. Following her death, her parents revealed that the young actress was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder called dermatomyositis due to which she was admitted to AIIMS hospital for the past 10 days.

While speaking to the media, Suhanis father Puneet Bhatnagar revealed that the actress developed swelling in her hands two months ago, which later spread to other parts of her body. She was then diagnosed with dermatomyositis and was prescribed steroids. However, the medication had a side effect on her immune system, leading to an infection that weakened her lungs and water accumulation in the vital organs. As a result, she had difficulty breathing and passed away.

Even after putting her on a ventilator, her oxygen level was very low, and then yesterday evening at 7 pm, the AIIMS doctors said she is not more, he said.
Article 370 review: Uri: The Surgical Strike not only gave Bollywood a young superstar but also set a precedent for contemporary war films. Spiffy camera work, never-seen-before strike sequences, stupendous direction and a crisp editing made it strike a chord with the audience and a sleeper hit. Five years later, Aditya Dhar returns to tell a story about Indian polity with the conflict economy of Kashmir at the centre in Article 370. However, this time, he hasnt donned the hat of a director.

Article 370 might not be as crisp and slick as Uri: The Surgical Strike but it still manages to leave a mark. The hard-hitting prologue by Ajay Devgn perfectly sets the tone of the film at the outset. It revolves around ID field officer Zooni Haksar, who successfully manages to kill Burhan Wani, a Mujahideen, whos also the son of a headmaster, in an encounter. This, however, has devastating ramifications and plummets the valley of Kashmir into a state of crisis with throngs of civilians protesting against his death with stone pelting. Following the situation that was widely reported as one of the most critical instances of modern history, Zooni is suspended from ID and is sent off to Delhi, where shes now in charge of providing security to weddings at ministers homes.

This goes on until Rajeshwari Swaminathan, Joint Secretary, PMO approaches her to lead NIA to bring about some sense of stability in the valley and ultimately abrogate Section 370, that accorded a special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This gives Zooni the opportunity to go back to Kashmir and stabilise and achieve aman in the valley that according to her is a lost case. We also get a glimpse into the infamous Pulwama Attack and the minds of separatist leaders and officials who have their own vested interests.

Article 370 has been shot in some real locations that imparts a lot of authenticity to the narrative. Cinematographer Siddharth Vasani captures the essence of Kashmir with aplomb that each frame set there smells of the valley. The solemnity of the narrative is perfectly conveyed through muted tones of blue and grey that predominates the film. At 2 hours and 40 minutes, Article 370 largely manages to keep you hooked. The makers waste no time and dive into the crux of the story in the first half and it makes for a fast-paced experience till the point of intermission. Its the second half of the film that appears stretched out.

The background score of Uri: The Surgical Strike elevated the screenplay but the same cannot be said about Article 370. In fact, some pieces arent even in tandem with what we see onscreen. The Pulwama Attack episode, for instance, has a peppy instrumental playing in the backdrop as we see a convoy burning up in flames. Background music is a tricky element for a political drama and this is what robs many important scenes in the film of their substance and emotionality.

Yami Gautam Dhar, who plays Zooni Haksar, delivers an impressive performance. She brings a lot of stillness and dignity to the table and makes sure that she never forays into hysteria even while expressing her intense emotions about Kashmir. Watch out for this one monologue she delivers where she sheds light on how Kashmirs biggest enemy is its billion-dollar conflict economy and its affluent class. The credit also goes to the dialogue writers. In many other scenes, she lets her eyes do most of the talking.

Priya Mani, on other hand, plays Rajeshwari Swaminathan and she slips under the skin of her character with a lot of finesse. It would be interesting to see her take on chunky roles like this and give the Hindi film watching audience a few glimpses of what shes truly capable of. Its also refreshing and interesting to see two women at the forefront of change, making difficult calls. We only wish there were at least a couple of more scenes between them!

The rest of the cast doesnt have much to do, with the powerful characters of Zooni and Rajeshwari overshadowing them. But director Aditya Suhas Jambhale and his team deserve applause for their efforts and attempt. Yes, theres a lot of room for improvement but you can still give it a watch.
After the smashing success of her directorial Flamin Hot, Eva Longoria is all set to come in front of the cameras. The Hollywood star is the latest one to join the ensemble cast of Hulus Only Murders In The Building Season 4. As per a report by The Hollywood Reporter, the storyline revolving around Evas character has been kept under wraps. However, the report confirmed that the multihyphenate will appear in a recurring role that eventually becomes an integral part of the twists of the fourth seasons investigation. It must be noted that Eva Longoria is the second new star to be joining the Arconian crew in the next instalment, after Molly Shanon.

While we still await to learn more about Eva Longorias character, the report confirmed that Molly Shanon will be essaying the role of a high-powered businesswoman. Detailing her role, the report stated that the businesswoman from Los Angeles will be drawn into the murder investigation of Sazz Pataki, which is essayed by Jane Lynch. Legendary Hollywood actress Meryl Streep will also be returning with her iconic role of Loretta Durkin in the upcoming season. Meryl Streep made her first appearance in season 3 of Only Murders In The Building.

Eva Longoria, Molly Shanon and Meryl Streep will be seen sharing the screen space with the series original cast including Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short. In case you are wondering, the upcoming season will resume, where the previous installment of the comedy series ended. The third season, which premiered its finale last year in October, concluded with the murder of Jane Lynchs character Sazz Pataki, who is basically a stunt double for Steve Martins character Charles.

The Emmy-nominated comedy series is co-created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, who are also executive producers alongside Selena Gomez and Martin Short. Only Murders In The Building is backed by 20th Television. The show premiered its first episode in August 2021.

Talking about Eva Longoria, the actress is currently busy with the promotional spree of her new Apple TV+ series Land Of Women. Apart from being the executive producer, Eva Longoria shares the screen space with Carmen Maura. The six-episode series is a cinematic inspiration of Sandra Barnedas best-selling novel with the same title. Land Of Women will be premiered in both Spanish and English.
Kunal Kemmu recently reminisced about his early days of courtship with his wife Soha Ali Khan, sharing anecdotes about the nerve-wracking experience of meeting her esteemed family members for the first time. Reflecting on the apprehension he felt upon meeting Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan and veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, Kunal offered candid insights into those memorable moments.

Speaking on Raj Shamanis podcast, Kunal shared that when he watched one of Sohas movies, he thought she could be his girlfriend, even though he felt she was way out of his league." Recalling his first meeting with Sohas family, he admitted, It was an organic meeting and I was terrified." When asked whom he was most anxious to meet, the actor explained that one naturally feels more apprehensive about meeting the parents, particularly in her family, where everyone is a champion and superstar.

On meeting Saif Ali Khan for the first time, Kunal recalled, The first time I met Saif Bhai was when we used to play pool at a friends place. He was with one of his friends, and our meeting happened while playing pool. The first thing he noticed was, Youve got good biceps. I remember he was the coolest person." He further mentioned that after a few competitive games, their conversations revolved around topics like fitness, travel, and more.

When recounting his meeting with Sharmila Tagore, Kunal shared, The most intimidating part was meeting Amma, Sohas mom. It was also pretty cool, but I felt intimidated anyway, even though shes very sweet. I remember Amma didnt make eye contact with me for the longest time. Her questions werent directed at me. Looking at a magazine, she asked, So, what do you do? That was during our first meeting. In the second meeting, I finally got eye contact, and then we became comfortable. She loves to cook, I love to cook, so we had cooking sessions together and enjoyed meals together."

Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu tied the knot in 2015 after dating for several years. Their union was blessed with the arrival of their daughter, Inaaya Naumi, in 2017, marking a new chapter in their journey together.

On the work front, Kunal is set to appear in Krishna DK and Raj Nidimorus upcoming comedy-action film Go Goa Gone 2 alongside Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Madan. Additionally, he will also grace the screen in Rohit Shettys Golmaal 5.
Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi had one of the toughest phases of his life when his three-year-old son, Ayaan Hashmi, was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. After a long battle of five years, Ayaan recovered from cancer in 2019. During this period, Emraan took a major break from his acting career to take care of his son. Recently, the actor recalled advice that he received from Bollywood producer Mahesh Bhatt during the dark phase, which helped in balancing his career.

In an interview on Radio Nasha, Emraan discussed how his family navigated the difficult period during his sons illness. While acknowledging the uncertainty they faced regarding the future, he also highlighted their resilience in persevering through all of it.

Further speaking about the challenges that he faced while trying to balance his professional and personal matters, he recalled a crucial piece of advice from the ace filmmaker.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Emraan Hashmi (@therealemraan)

Mahesh Bhatt gave this advice to Emraan Hashmi

In line with the realities of the film industry, Hashmi recalled the filmmaker emphasising the need for him to reach out to every producer that he was collaborating with and reassure them of his commitment to completing their projects.

Despite it being just two weeks into his sons illness, Bhatt stressed the dual nature of industry support, stating, While people empathise with you and offer assistance, they also have financial stakes invested in projects.

Following Bhatts advice, the Tiger 3 actor not only informed producers about her commitment but also returned to India to fulfill his obligations. While Emraans sons treatment went on for seven months in Canada, he went away for around a month and a half after lying to his son, telling him that he would return soon.

Earlier, Emraan also shared how he also received the support of actor Akshay Kumar after his son was diagnosed with cancer. Speaking during an event, the actor mentioned that Akshay was the first one to call and stood by his family during the difficult time.

On the work front

Last seen in the Salman Khan starrer Tiger 3, playing the role of the antagonist, Emraan has a couple of projects ahead. He will be next seen in Karan Johars web show Showtime, where he will portray the role of a film producer. Besides that, the actor is also set to mark his Telugu debut with Adivi Seshs G2, a sequel to Goodachari.
After a fairy tale wedding in Goa, Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani are celebrating their union with their friends, family, and the media. The lovebirds are now back in Mumbai. As they arrived, they distributed sweets to the paparazzi. Several photos have now gone viral.

While Rakul looked gorgeous in a yellow Anarkali set with a golden dupatta, Jackky, on the other hand, looked elegant in an off-white kurta. They walked hand in hand and dished out major couple goals as they stepped out of the airport.

Have a look at the photos:

Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnanis wedding ceremony took place on February 21 in Goa. The couple first got married with an Anand Karaj ceremony, honouring Rakuls Sikh roots. It was followed by the Pheras in the evening to commemorate Jackkys Sindhi heritage. Several celebrities, including Shilpa Shetty, her husband Raj Kundra, Varun Dhawan, his wife Natasha Dalal, Ananya Panday, and Aditya Roy Kapur, attended the wedding.

Earlier today, Rakul took to her Instagram handle to share her official wedding video. The video clip featured several moments from their pre-wedding and wedding celebrations. It began with Rakul walking down the aisle to get married to the man of her dreams. The two shared a warm hug before their jaimala ceremony.

Previously, Rakul also shared happy wedding moments on her Instagram and wrote, Mine now and forever, as she also dropped a red heart emoji.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also sent a letter to Jackky Bhagnanis parents, Vashu and Pooja, as the actor-producer got married to Rakul Preet Singh. Rakul shared a picture of the letter with which PM Modi congratulated the family and sent wishes to the newlyweds. The years to come are an opportunity for the couple to discover each other while also embarking together on the path of self-recovery, a part of the letter read.
Its quite ironic how humans, despite being bestowed with the benevolent gift of wit and wisdom, go against the law of nature, with blinkered eyes, knowing very well the ghastly consequences of our actions. With that as the central theme of Alia Bhatt backed Poacher, Richie Mehta carves out an impactful story, that not only keeps us hooked to the ghastly premise of the series, but symbolically quakes our conscience from within. The reeking rot that the eight episodes mini series exposes is scrupulously presented with some familiar tropes, but the matter-of-fact treatment of each character, with respect to the narrative is quite novel and invigorating to witness.

To begin with, the detectives in Poacher dont single-handedly pursue a notorious individual, linked to illegal poaching of Elephants in a remote, forested area of Kerala, but in hindsight, they are hell bent to put a full stop on precarious and threatening nexus comprising of those responsible for slaying more than 20 elephants, the dealers, smugglers, buyers and perhaps even the authorities embroiled in ivory trade.

The story begins with a perceptibly disturbed forest watcher, who tips off the forest officials about the horrors of elephant poaching. Burdened with guilt, he reveals a familiar name Raaz, the main person behind it all, and someone whom the authority believed was back to leading a normal life. His revelation creates a stir globally and puts the pressure on the government to crack down upon the perpetrators. And the man who takes up this task, Neel Banerjee (played by Dibyendu Bhattacharya) wastes no time and gets on with it.

Were then introduced to the other two pivotal characters, Mala (played by Nimisha Sajayan) and Alan (Roshan Mathew). Mala is a well-recognised IFS (Indian Forest Service) officer, who is posted at an innocuous bird sanctuary. Neel, who is at the cusp of retirement and probably battling a terminal ailment, summons Mala and delegates her a task, that can possibly lead them to the rogue mastermind Raaz and his associates. Meanwhile, Alan is working with an NGO in Delhi and is adept in snake venom taxonomy. When Mala finds herself stuck in her investigation, she approaches Alan.

After thoroughly understanding the gravity of this case, Alan finds himself drawn to solving it. Even though his boss warns him about the possible, personal ramifications of tailing this investigation, Alan assures him that he would assist from the shadows, especially since the technical know-how of number crunching and data analysis is one of his fortes. With that, the trio of highly gifted individuals embark on a perilous mission that put their lives and the lives of their loved ones at stake. Whether they would succeed in unraveling the devilish and diabolical syndicate, that is more powerful and connected than one would imagine, its for the viewers to find out.

Richie Mehtas Poacher takes us far away from the crime-infested nooks and crannies of concrete jungles and drops us right in the middle of wilderness, ruled by flora and fauna alike. The very first scene, a close-up of an Elephant, pacing through the gramineous forest of Kerala, the innocence in his eyes and the gunshot that pierces through his forehead makes for a bone-chilling reminder of the ecological upheaval caused by human beings. As disturbing and heart-wrenching that scene might look, it epitomizes the message behind the story brilliantly.

Poacher, just like Richie Mehtas previous show Delhi Crime, have been made on a solid bedrock of meticulous research and exemplary details. The mini series wastes no time in establishing the backdrop of the plot and our primary characters that will be helming the story forward. The narrative itself has been composed realistically, without any unnecessary dramatic innuendos or over-the-top, inexplicable scenes. The usage of jargons, that are commonly used within the civil services network(in this case Indian Forest Service) and bureaucratic red tape adds that touch of originality to the script. While some might find these minute details intellectually discordant, others might be able to connect deeply with the premise, owing to the same aspects.

Technically, the film didnt miss any base. The cinematography is strong and it highlights the importance of nature through vibrant shots of animals in frames. Whether its a lemur scuttling through the concrete roads, a hornbill perched comfortably on a branch amid the lush green canopy of a jungle or a tree frog, with obscured characters interacting in the background, the shots will definitely compel you to wonder whether they are living in our world or we are living in theirs? On top of that, like Delhi Crimes, the colour palette of Poachers is bleached out which adds intensity to the story.

Coming to the performances, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Nimisha Sajayan and Roshan Mathew are the true stars of the show. You might have seen Dibyendu play a similar character before but the balance he brings to the character of Neel is outstanding. Nimisha Sajayan approached her character of Mala with a certain balance. Only a gifted actress like her can emote with such brilliance. Roshan Matthew impressed once again with his ability to form a deeper connection through his characters. Even the supporting actors have done their job with passion.

In the end, Poacher might not be an easy series to watch, due to its theme but people should watch it regardless. Apart from being a taut investigative thriller that unearths the rotten skeletons of the poaching industry, it subliminally makes us more conscious about our natural heritage, forests, animals, ecology and why there is a constant need to preserve and protect it. With Poacher, Richie Mehta has proved once again that he is a visionary filmmaker. Props also goes to Alia Bhatt for producing a series like this and putting forth a subject that people should be talking about.
Ever since Hera Pheri 3 was announced, avid fans of the franchise cannot wait to see the iconic trio of Raju, Shyam and Baburao together once again. However, the film wont be helmed by Priyadarshan who has previously directed Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri. The film-maker will be embarking on a different project instead that is dubbed as a horror thriller. In his recent interview, Priyadarshan explained why Hera Pheri is a closed chapter for him.

As quoted by Times Of India, Priyadarshan said, I cannot engage in familiar territory; it stifles my creativity. Thats why I declined the offer for Hera Pheri 2. My days with Hera Pheri are behind me. For me, that chapter is closed. Akshay and I have explored numerous comedic ventures, both together and individually. Now, Im eager for us to venture into uncharted territory. Hence, were refining the script.

Sharing more details about the spooky thriller with Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan stated, Although the concept is brilliant, I felt there were areas that needed refinement. The film can be best described as a supernatural thriller where the audience will be kept guessing until the very end whether theres a ghostly presence or not. Its uncharted territory for both Akshay and me.

Hera Pheri 3 continues to follow the hilarious misadventures of Raju, Shyam, and Baburao as they get caught up in a funny but risky journey filled with hidden treasure, mix-ups, and crime-solving.

Priyadarshan is a celebrated Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his work primarily in Malayalam cinema but has also made significant contributions to Bollywood and other regional film industries in India. Over his career, spanning several decades since the early 1980s, Priyadarshan has directed over 95 films across multiple genres, though he is particularly renowned for his comedy films.

Hera Pheri is one of Priyadarshans most iconic and successful Bollywood projects, which has achieved a cult status over the years. Released in the year 2000, Hera Pheri is a comedy-drama that features leading Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal in pivotal roles. The film is an adaptation of the 1989 Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking, which itself was influenced by the 1971 television movie See The Man Run.

The narrative of Hera Pheri revolved around three struggling individuals with unique quirks and personalities, who find themselves entangled in a comical series of events after receiving a prank call from a kidnapper. The film brilliantly captures the essence of Mumbais daily hustle and intertwines it with a humor-infused plot, leading to various misadventures and, eventually, a heartfelt quest to right their wrongs.

Priyadarshans direction in Hera Pheri received widespread acclaim for its impeccable timing, use of situational comedy, and the way he balanced humor with elements of drama and emotion. The films success led to a sequel, Phir Hera Pheri, directed by Neeraj Vora, which also became a major hit.

Hera Pheri is often cited as one of the best comedy films in Bollywood, and it significantly contributed to the careers of its main cast, especially establishing Akshay Kumar as a leading comedic actor in the industry. The films dialogue, scenes, and characters have become deeply embedded in Indian pop culture, making it a beloved classic among audiences of all ages.
Ninaivellam Neeyada is an upcoming Tamil film written and directed by Aadhiraajan. The music of the movie is composed by Ilaiyaraaja which will mark 1,417th film in his career. Actors Prajan, Manisha Yadav and Sinamikaa will be playing the lead roles in the film. The crew held a song launch party at Pondy Marina in Puducherry. The event saw the presence of the lead actors in the event. The video of the song launch is going viral now.

In the viral video, the crew members of the movie were seen on the stage with a bunch of local kids sitting down and waiting for the launch of Ilaiyaraaja songs. The public introduction of the songs created hype among the local people. The music and preview launch of the movie was held earlier this month in Chennai. The producer K Rajan attended the event as the special guest. At the launch, Rajan congratulated the team for the successful making of the and wished them good luck for future endeavours. The movie is a musical love story which will supported by the songs and music of Illaiyaraaja.

The makers have released the trailer of the film. The story of the movie revolves around the concept of first love. Prajan was seen in the role of a young boy who fell in love with a girl during his school days. The trailer beautifully highlights the importance of sacrifices in love for a happy relationship. The film is produced by Royal Babu under the banner Lekha Productions. The cinematography of the movie is done by Raja Bhattacharjee while editing is done by Ashish.

At the preview and music launch, director Aadhiraajan also talked about the films music and mentioned the initial challenge of approaching Ilaiyaraaja. After signing the agreement, he found it comfortable working with him, he added. Yuvan Shankar Raja has contributed his voice to one of the five songs in the film. Aadhiraajan revealed that the film is inspired by a true incident from his friends life in Madurai, with 70 per cent of the story based on facts and 30 per cent fictionalised.
The Dutch company ASML leads the global production of photolithography equipment, which is essential for the semiconductor industry. The firm is the corporate jewel of the Netherlands: its shares have risen in value by 420% over the last five years, with a total valuation of more than $350 billion. Its currently ranked as the 22nd most valuable company in the world.

Whats the secret to ASMLs success? Well, it creates complex machines for the manufacture of computer chips technology that has become key in the transition to the digital economy. Giants such as TSMC, Samsung, or Intel depend on these semiconductors.

ASMLs exponential growth is even more impressive when you take into consideration the impact of geopolitics on its business. The restrictions on the export of some of its equipment to the Chinese market  something that the United States has demanded of the Dutch government  go beyond the finances. Washington wants to counteract Beijings technological development for geostrategic reasons  hence, this has led to a chip dispute. In this Sino-American struggle, the European Commission  and the 27 members of the EU  may end up having a greater role.

The US government doesnt want China to copy other countries technology and apply high-end chips to the military field. Hence, it has blocked the sale of cutting-edge American machines to China for the manufacture of semiconductors. The Biden administration has pushed its allies to do the same, whether through agreements, diplomatic pressure, or the introduction of new restrictions. For instance, it has laid out a rule that prohibits the sale of photolithography equipment to China that contains even a single American part, curbing the export capacity of many non-American firms.

ASMLs near-monopoly in the field of advanced lithography systems has put it in Washingtons spotlight. In this context, in 2023, the Dutch government added more types of machines to a restrictions list, prohibiting certain systems from being sold to several of ASMLs Chinese clients. The license freeze was set to come into effect this past January 1. Previously, China imported $1.1 billion worth of chip technology from the Netherlands, according to Bloombergs calculations. Beijings response to the restrictions was clear: The Netherlands must respect the law.

In October of 2023, then-Trade Minister Liesje Schreinemacher admitted before the Dutch Parliament that, although they had negotiated directly with the United States, she thought that the matter should be addressed at European level and in coordination with other member states of the EU. The Dutch Ministry of the Interior  in response to questions on the matter from EL PAIS  didnt wish to comment on specific permits or on matters relating to our national security.

A long-distance race

According to Dutch journalist Marc Hijink, the final use of microprocessors cannot be clearly determined. In a telephone conversation with this newspaper, he explains that ASML needed at least 15 years to develop its most advanced machinery. Today, its the most valuable technology company in Europe. The Netherlands usually aligns itself with the United States on things such as export control in the field of semiconductors but since ASMLs latest technology is light years ahead of its competitors, [Dutch] politicians could have been a little more assertive in their negotiations with Washington, he points out.

When asked what steps could have been taken, he responds: [We could have cooperated] with other European countries. Joining forces is the way to face challenges of this magnitude. Although Hijink believes that the collaboration may eventually happen, he maintains that it will take time and will require politicians who are capable of understanding ASMLs role in the global economy. And those are rare.

In 2023, the company had a turnover of more than $28 billion 30% more than the previous year. And it had a profit of over $8 billion, compared to the profits of just over $6 billion obtained the year before. ASML may be less-known to the general public than other firms of Dutch origin  such as Shell or Philips  because, as Hijink notes, it doesnt sell consumer technology. However, the firms machines make the chips that appear in most of the devices we use: from cars and phones, to computers and ChatGPT.

The photolithography thats the backbone of the geopolitical conflict between the US and China uses light of a shorter wavelength to draw  with great precision  the very fine lines of the base of the microprocessor: a type of silicon wafer. The thinner they are, the more they can fit on a chip. This increases its power and speed.

There are two models in contention in this story of industrial innovation, which has transformed into a struggle for economic and military power. The first  the extreme ultraviolet photolithography (EUV) machine  has had an export blockade to China since 2020. This technology  exclusive to ASML  is used to create very complex patterns on silicon wafers. It uses light with a wavelength of 13.5 nanometers: the shorter it is, the smaller the characteristics of the microchip that can be printed, according to the company. A nanometer (nm) is equivalent to one billionth of a meter. With this machine, chips smaller than 10 nanometers can be developed. At the moment, an EUV machine is worth about $200 million, while the next generation will cost close to $400 million.

The other model is deep ultraviolet (DUV) photolithography, whose wavelength is 248 and 193 nm. It costs between $80 and $90 million per machine. And the new restrictions may affect between 10% and 15% of sales to China, as acknowledged by Roger Dassen, ASMLs CFO. In a video released by the company, he says that he expects demand for older equipment (exempted from new restrictions) from Beijing to remain very, very strong this year and into the future. In 2023, the firm made 29% of its sales in China. It was its second client behind Taiwan (30%). Third place was occupied by South Korea (24%).

Currently, ASML is a company in the hands of large global investment funds, such as Capital World Investors, the T. Rowe Price Group, or Fisher Asset. It was founded in 1984 by the multinationals Philips and Advanced Semiconductor Materials (ASM). It currently has its headquarters in Veldhoven, a town in the southern Netherlands. About half of its more than 42,000 employees work there, 40% of whom come from abroad. In 1995, it went public: Philips sold half of its shares in the listing. In the following years, the rest were sold off.

ASMLs forecasts for 2024 despite commercial restrictions  are optimistic. It expects to bill figures similar to those obtained in 2023, thanks to the greater demand for chips due to the artificial intelligence boom.

ASML operates almost like a monopoly. Its not easy (for now) to compete with its business. But in the world of technology, everything is a matter of time. China can accelerate its own chip-manufacturing industry spurred by negative exports, warns Peter Wennink, the companys executive director, upon learning of the new obstacles. ASML wants to trade with everyone, including China. Will this be possible?

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Sandeshkhali is to Mamata Banerjee what Marichjhapi was to Jyoti Basu. Marichjhapi was a genocide perpetrated by the first CPIM-led Left Front government on hapless Dalit refugees from East Bengal in 1979. Jyoti Basus government and his police used economic blockade, cut off lifelines, unleashed Muslim gangsters, burnt huts, and shot at refugees, compelling them to jump to death in the shark-infested estuary.

Reports of Marichjhapi indicate that the men were first separated from women and then most of the young men were arrested and sent to jails and the police began to rape helpless young women at random. Experts have averred that around 14,000 refugees were killed by Jyoti Basus government with 4500 families perishing in transit or while trying to escape Basus police and bullets.

Basu was never tried, no criminal charges were pressed against him and his ministers, nor did foreign governments refuse entry to him. Neither did the Ivy League universities discuss this genocide. A masterly and crafty effort by the Communists and Left-leaning intellectuals and academics ensured that the story of Marichjhapi was forever buried. The media was coerced into silence, and those refugees who had managed to escape to Kolkata to relay to the media the dastardly acts of the police and the Communist goons, were promptly arrested. The powerful CPIM state secretary Promode Dasgupta threatened a leading media house with withholding advertisements if it kept reporting on Marichjhapi.

Mamata Banerjee is more abrasive. Journalists reporting Sandeshkhali have been at the receiving end of the administration and the police. Journalist Santu Pans arrest from Sandeshkhali is the latest example.

Marichjhapi was the first time that the communist dispensation used mass murder as a weapon for political subjugation and dominance in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjees party has repeatedly used violence and retribution against its political opponents. The bloody post-violence in 2021 was one of the goriest expressions of that politics.

In Sandeshkhali, Mamata Banerjees party has been using coercion, rape, exploitation, and fear as tools for political control and hegemony. Like in Marichjhapi, in Sandeshkhali too, the police and administration have been willing collaborators in facilitating such politics and in sheltering those elements through whom this control is perpetuated. When the women of Sandeshkhali began protesting, a number of them narrated how the police, along with TMC cadres in police uniforms, came over to coldly threaten them into silence.

The Marichjhapi scale was much bigger, but the mindset that drove the Marichjhapi massacre and the Sandeshkhali subjugation and exploitation is the same. It is a mindset that is essentially shaped and driven by violence, which sustains itself on retribution and promotes the weaponisation of oppression and rape as a means to subjugate, control and batter into submission any attempts at democratic dissent and expression. In the TMCs case, a number of women who have faced physical exploitation in Sandeshkhali were members of the TMC and belonged to the Hindu community. They were used as political slaves by the TMCs local leadership led by Shajahan Sheikh and his accomplices. Fear and violence were used to silence them. Most of them narrated how they were directed to keep quiet and not venture out to complain lest they lose their husband and children.

Since the local police and administration worked as an extended arm of the party, these women could never lodge a complaint. Either the complaint was not accepted, or even when lodged, the complainant faced threat and physical abuse. In the case of Marichjhapi, the Left and communist intellectuals either justified the genocide or actively colluded in erasing its imprints. In the case of Sandeshkhali, the TMCs patronised intelligentsia, whether in West Bengal or Delhi, have kept silent or have brazenly tried to indulge in a series of whataboutery.

When the Bengali Hindu refugees of Marichjhapi approached the Calcutta High Court seeking its intervention so that the blockade was lifted by Jyoti Basus administration, the high court ruled against interference in the refugees movements and their access to food and water. Jyoti Basus government persisted in the blockade in defiance of the court. Since the police union was under CPM control, the court system had been effectively bypassed in this instance. In Sandeshkhali, despite the Calcutta High Court saying that Section 144 could not be imposed, Mamata Banerjees police bypassed the order by slyly resorting to selective application of Section 144.

The CPIM being an organised party with an ideological veneer did not usually let its strongmen dominate. They were kept at the margins, supplied the party when necessary and carried out operations against political opponents. It was the articulate, erudite and soft-spoken leaders who exerted control over them. Many of these types, such as Shahjahan Sheikh, cut their teeth during communist rule. But their scale of operation and their influence was limited then. In Mamata Banerjees TMC, these elements emerged as powerful regional entities. Entities who ran empires of extortion, illegal trade, sustaining themselves on land-grabbing, running an armed Mafiosi. Their centrality in the TMC system is evident, they call the shots since they keep the party machinery well-supplied and well-oiled.

For nearly 50 days now, Shahjahan Sheikh has been absconding after engineering attacks on central agencies and the state and local police have made no effort to locate and arrest him. Mamata Banerjee has called Shahjahan Sheikh a popular leader who does a lot of social work, indicating his clout and role in running and sustaining her party. The TMC is propped by elements like Shahjahan Sheikh. They control the police, the administration does their bidding and their writ runs across districts where the courts and law enforcers are practically non-existent.

Mamata Banerjee has ceded space and regions to them. These are liberated zones, not in the Maoist sense, but in a very exploitative sense. These are zones, where human worth and value have no meaning, where party workers and their family members are mere commodities. Where people in general are treated as political slaves, as bonded labourers of the party and are forced into submission of all kinds. The women of Sandeshkhali have at least spoken up after a decade of being tortured and exploited, but many across West Bengal continue to silently suffer.

Sandeshkhali has exposed the dark underbelly of the TMCs politics. It is politics that stinks. Mamata Banerjees antics and her shameless theatrics are only meant to cover that stink. She speaks of being the only woman Chief Minister of India, but her track record on womens security and dignity continues to be abysmal. As one of the woman protestors said, She thinks by giving us some money in our accounts, she will buy our silence.

Jyoti Basu got away with Marichjhapi, but Sandeshkhali will prove to be Mamata Banerjees undoing. Both of them indulged in criminality to perpetuate a mindless and violent political hegemony. For the last five decades, West Bengal has been the laboratory of such diabolic models of oppression. Sandeshkhali reminds us of the urgency of freeing the state from such a death grip.

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.
Is the INDIA front back on track? The successful seat sharing with Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party has given hope to the leaders of the bloc that all is somewhat well. Striking an alliance in tough states and with tough allies like the SP and AAP is no doubt an achievement. But will it deliver?

Some tie-ups done, all eyes are now on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and if Mamata Banerjee will be open to renegotiating seat sharing. Sources in TMC say if Congress agrees to give one seat each in Assam and Meghalaya, TMC can think of giving a third seat in the state. The two seats on which TMC has agreed for now are Malda and Berhampore. Congress has been demanding at least 7-8 seats which does not find favour with Banerjee.

However, with SP and AAP on board, the Grand Old Party and other opposition parties are hopeful that TMC will soften.

THE PLAYERS

Most of the talks have taken place at the residence of Mukul Wasnik, who is part of the seat-sharing committee set up by the Congress. Wasnik, once a member of G-23, is now close to the Gandhis and the top leadership. He obviously takes his brief from the Gandhis and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The brief, in this case, was simple  bend and compromise a bit but begin with some tough talk.

When faced with bottlenecks, the top leaders stepped in. Like in the case of AAP-Congress talks, Arvind Kejriwal and Raghav Chadha drove down to the residence of Kharge in the presence of Rahul Gandhi and it was announced that initially, the alliance would work in the Chandigarh mayor polls. In case of the SP, it was Priyanka Vadra who stepped in. With the top leaders clinching and doing the final talks, the pressure and onus on them is to make sure the alliance works on the ground.

BUT WILL IT WORK?

The UP ke Ladke slogan did not click in 2017 when an alliance was forged against the BJP in the UP polls. Many workers on the ground complained that they were taught to train guns on each other and it would be difficult to work together. The voters, who would hear SP and Congress attack each other earlier, were left confused as to what was happening.

It could be a repeat even now. The fissures have begun to show. For instance, AAP and Congress are adversaries in Punjab and with the farmers protest, both need to be pitted against each other to ensure farmers are by their side. The murmurs of dissent are being seen in Gujarat, for example, where the agreement was to give one seat to AAP  Bharuch. However, the late Ahmed Patels son Faisal Patel posted on X that he and his party workers would not campaign for AAP. Mumtaz Patel, who has hit the ground since her fathers death, was keen to contest from Bharuch. This new alliance could breed animosity.

Again, take Berhampore, which is Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhurys constituency. If TMC-Congress strike a deal and TMC leaves the seat for Chowdhury, it puts him in a fix. The strong anti-Banerjee stand may have to be compromised and could confuse the voters to the advantage of the BJP.

To go back to UP, the only way the SP-Congress alliance can work is if BSP slips further. But then past figure shows that BSP vote share was at its highest though it won zero seats. An alliance need not mean consolidation strong enough to oust the BJP.

In politics, perception matters. With such seat-sharing talks being finalised, the INDIA front is not looking too weak. But picture abhi baaki hai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi, on Friday said he was shocked at Congress leader Rahul Gandhis remarks about the youth of Varanasi. PM Modi said the prince of the Congress family said UPs youth are nashedi.

In a sharp attack on the Congress leader, who was once fielded against Modi in 2014, Modi said those who are not in hosh themselves are calling the youth nasheri.

In last 10 years, they spent their time abusing Modi. But now they are talking out their frustration on the people. Jinke aapne hosh thhikane nahi hai, wo UP ke, mere kashi ke bachcho ko nashedi keh rahe hai (those who are not in their senses are calling UPs youth addicts) PM Modi said strongly condemning Rahul Gandhis statement.

Gandhi, who is currently carrying out his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra had ry said that in Varanasi he observed some youths inebriated, lying on the streets, and dancing at night. The future of the youth of Uttar Pradesh is intoxicated, Rahul added.

In his address, Modi said the speed of development of Varanasi has increased in the last 10 years. Gandhi had recently said that in Varanasi he observed some youths inebriated, lying on the streets, and dancing at night.

The future of the youth of Uttar Pradesh is intoxicated, he had added. In his address, Modi said the speed of development of Varanasi has increased in the last 10 years.

Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating and laying the foundation of development projects worth Rs 13,000 crore in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, Modi said Uttar Pradesh had been left behind in development for decades due to the politics of parivarvaad, corruption and appeasement.

Noting that in the 10 years as the MP, Varanasi has made him a Banarasi, Modi said he was committed to improving the lives of the people of Kashi.

Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation of several projects worth more than Rs 13,000 crore in his parliamentary constituency.

Earlier in the day, the prime minister inaugurated a statue of Sant Ravidas and participated in his 647th birth anniversary celebrations. He also interacted with the winners of the Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita at the Banaras Hindu University.

(With PTI inputs)
Sir Gobardhanpur, locally referred to as Seer Goverdhanpur, is a small town on the outskirts of Prime Minister Narendra Modis constituency Varanasi and the birthplace of 15th Century poet-Saint Guru Ravidas.

As the town  popularly known as Mini Punjab  gears up for grand celebrations to mark Ravidas Jayanti this year on February 24, they will have a special guest in PM Modi who is set to visit the Saint Ravidas Temple  a pilgrim site for Dalits, Ravidasia Sikhs and other sects.

On a two-day visit to Kashi, PM Modi will unveil the statue of Saint Ravidas on Friday. He had laid the foundation for the statue way back in 2019. He will pay tributes to the saint and have a community feast with the devotees.

PM Modis visit, just ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is his third visit to the temple since occupying the chair. Before this, he had visited Seer Goverdhanpur for the first time in 2016, just ahead of state assembly polls and had a word with the devotees. The he paid a visit ahead of the 2019 polls. UPs political analysts called PM Modis visit an attempt to woo the vote bank spread across Punjab, Haryana and other states.

Mini Punjab

People say though Ravidas Jayanti celebrations are common in many districts and states, Kashi, being the birthplace of the 15th Century saint, holds a distinct position.

On the occasion, millions of devotees not only from India but also from abroad pay a visit to this temple where Guru Ravidas  known for the Bhakti movement and honoured with the title of Sant Shiromani  was born. This place is also a pilgrim site for Ravidasia Sikhs and Dalits. Some researchers have described this temple as having the same importance for Dalits as Mecca holds for Muslims and Golden Temple for Sikhs, said professor Rajeev Srivastava, a city-based historian in Varanasi.

An architectural marvel

Srivastava said Saint Ravidas temple is an architectural marvel. Apart from the main dome, there are around 30 big and small domes at the temple which are studded with gold. Inside, there is a palace of penance of Saint Ravidas where a Sitar, one of the belongings of Saint Ravidas, has been kept in one corner of the room. The foundation of this temple was laid on June 14, 1965, and Swami Garib Das was entrusted with the responsibility of building it. The idol of Saint Ravidas was installed in the Sant Sammelan organised in this temple on February 22, 1974.

Celebrations start a week in advance

Ravidas Jayanti celebrations start almost a week before the main festive day with the arrival of pilgrims from Punjab in special trains, including a group led by the trusts chairman Sant Niranjandas. The Varanasi district administration ensures that all arrangements are done at the pilgrim site, which also holds a grand fair on the occasion.

Political significance

The fair is also politically significant as several VVIPs and political party chiefs visit it in an attempt to expand their vote base.

Other than PM Modi, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and others have visited the site. Political analysts said Ravidassias are a Dalit community, the bulk of whom  nearly 12 lakh  live in Punjabs Doaba region comprising Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and Nawanshahr and play a vital role in Punjab politics.

Ever since the Yogi government came to power in UP, many projects for the development of the birthplace of Saint Ravidas were launched. These include the Sant Ravidas birthplace development project, including the construction of langar hall (community hall) and toilet block of Rs 5.35 crore near the Ravidas temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reached his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi and said that Kashi has now become a model of development and heritage across the globe. He also interacted with the winners of the Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita at the Banaras Hindu University.

Presenting his five-year development model to the people of Varanasi, Prime Minister Modi said that Kashi is a confluence of Science and Sanskrit adding that in the coming years Kashis culture, heritage and development will spread twice as fast.

Kashi is now being seen as a model of development and heritage across the world. The world is witnessing today how modernity is developed around culture and tradition, PTI quoted the prime minister as saying in his address at the university.

In the next five years, the country will become a model of development. This is the Modi guarantee, he added.

Smile For The Photos: PM Modi Takes Pictures with His Constituents

Prime Minister Modi while addressing the event at BHU said that while generally people wish to take pictures with him, he wanted to click pictures with his constituents.

He said that for this, he would get down the stage and stand at every block for pictures that the photographers would click from the stage.

Asking people to smile for the pictures, the PM said that they can collect these pictures via the AI feature on the NaMo app. The prime minister ended his speech with the chants of Har Har Mahadev.

Kashi has Sanskrit and it has Science, the PM said over the AI feature of identifying pictures from faces on his app.

After his address to Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita winners, the prime minister also visited Sir Gobardhanpur, also known as the mini Punjab of Varanasi.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the prime minister at the university. The BJPs state president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary was also present.

In his address, Adityanath described the prime minister as the most popular leader in the world.

Modi also unveiled the statue of Sant Guru Ravidas in Varanasi and offered floral tribute, along with UP CM Yogi Adityanth, to Sant Ravidas to commemorate the 647th birth anniversary.

Later in the evening, PM Modi is also scheduled to launch several development projects worth Rs 13,000 crore and attend public meetings where he will highlight the development record in his parliamentary constituency

To enhance Varanasis road connectivity, Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several road projects, including the four-laning of the Ghargra-Bridge-Varanasi section of National Highway 233 and the four-laning of the Sultanpur-Varanasi section of National Highway 56.

To provide impetus to industrial development in the region, he will also inaugurate an HPCL LPG bottling plant in Sewapuri, the Banas Kashi Sankul milk processing unit at UPSIDA Agro Park Karkhiyaon, various infrastructure work at the UPSIDA Agro Park, Karkhiyaon, and a silk fabric printing common facility centre for weavers.
Son of former Congress leader Baba Siddique Zeeshan Siddique, who was recently sacked as president of the Mumbai Youth Congress on Thursday alleged that he was asked to lose 10 kgs of weight in order to meet party leader Rahul Gandhi.

Siddique, while addressing a press conference, claimed that when Congress Bharat Jodo Yatra reached Maharashtras Nanded and he requested an audience with Gandhi, the MLA was informed by Rahul Gandhis team that he would first need to shed 10 kilograms.

During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, I was walking in Nanded when a person close to Rahul Gandhi told me pehle chal 10 kilo kam kar phir tereko Rahul ji se milwaunga (First lost 10 kg weight, then I will make you meet Rahul Gandhi), said Zeeshan.

#WATCH | Zeeshan Siddiqui, former Mumbai Youth Congress President says, "Mallikarjun Kharge is such a senior leader but even his hands are tiedRahul Gandhi is doing his work, but it looks like his team has taken 'supari' from other parties to finish Congress. During Bharat pic.twitter.com/wK7uLxwx0J ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2024

I am your MLA, chief of Mumbai Youth Congress. And you are body-shaming me? I am still walking, no, he added.

The Congress MLA further claimed that Rahul Gandhis people are ruining the partys image and are rude adding that after such treatment, his decision to stay with Congress despite his fathers switch, now might change.

Till last week, I told everyone that I would remain with Congress. But now I can not say for sure because the party is failing to serve the minorities. So minorities should also keep their options open, Siddique said.

Siddique also added that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is not given enough liberty to make decisions.

Meanwhile, after Siddiques allegations, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was quick to take potshots at Congress and said the only other leader in the world who makes such conditions about his workers appearance is the dictator of North Korea.

The only other person, I can think of, who makes such ridiculous demands from his party workers  that they should look nice and photogenic  is a dynast who rules North Korea. https://t.co/sAlcMoOwPQ Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 23, 2024

The only other person, I can think of, who makes such ridiculous demands from his party workers  that they should look nice and photogenic  is a dynast who rules North Korea, Sarma wrote on X.

Congress Doesnt Have Space for Muslims: Zeeshan Siddique

MLA Zeeshan Siddique also said that Muslims have no place in Congress and claimed that the party had the worst communalism among all parties and he faced harassment because of his religion

I wont say I will remain in the Congress, but I will discuss my political options with my supporters (first), said Siddique whose father and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique recently quit the party and joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

I have been repeatedly saying that even though my father Baba Siddique joined the NCP, I will remain with the Congress, but still action was taken against me, Zeeshan said.

He bagged 90 per cent votes in the election for the Mumbai Youth Congress presidents post, and still, the party took nine months to appoint him to the post, he said, adding, I was harassed a lot because I am a Muslim. Muslims have no place in the Congress.
Has the Congress in Karnataka started to behave like a regional party stirring sub-nationalism sentiments? Given a series of decisions taken in the last couple of months, the answer to the above question appears to be in the affirmative, say Opposition leaders and experts.

The Congress government recently sent a leader of the Kannada Rakshana Vedike (KRV) to prison for a fortnight, as his supporters allegedly vandalised shops and commercial establishments because they had not heeded to their demand to immediately replace the English name boards with Kannada. This, despite the fact that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has given time until February 28 to implement its order of having 60% signboards in Kannada.

ALSO READ | Siddaramaiah Sarkar Puts Stamp on Kannadiga Pride as New Law Makes 60% Kannada Mandatory on Signboards

What happened after that showed the determination of the government to take over the Kannada platform away from the KRV. Every time the KRV leader came out of prison after completing the judicial custody norms of a fortnight, he was arrested in some old case and sent back to prison for another fortnight. This happened thrice before the leader was finally received with garlands by his supporters on his release.

The government quietly took over as the champion of the Kannada cause by getting a legislative bill in the current session to make the 60% Kannada signboards a law and issuing strict instructions to the corporation authorities to spare none while implementing the once forgotten rule. It left shops and commercial establishments scurrying after corporation officials went around covering the boards with cloth, even though the deadline had not been crossed.

This week, the government informed the legislative council that a mandate will be issued to all multinational companies to display details of the number of Kannadigas employed by them. It also made singing of the Nada Geethe or state anthem in all schools, including private ones, compulsory.

PORTRAYING THEMSELVES AS REGIONAL PARTY: BJP

The governments actions have led critics to say that every effort was being made by to boost Kannadiga pride among people in the pre-election days. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former law minister Suresh Kumar pointed out that the Congress has been setting a narrative that the Central government has been imposing Hindi on people in Karnataka. The Congress is trying to portray themselves as a regional party in the state, he told News18.

Have they forgotten that Hindi Day was started by their own party? When in the AICC, the Congress claims to be a national party, but when they come to Karnataka, they become a regional party which champions for Kannadigas and their rights, said Kumar.

ALSO READ | Karnataka Govts Diktat to MNCs on Kannadiga Staff Count, How Other State Govts Promote Locals

The BJP leader questioned the intentions of the Congress based on the decisions made in the past one week, including changing Kannada poet laureate Kuvempus original phrase painted on the walls of schools run by the social welfare department. When the issue was raised by the BJP, the government promptly said that the slogan of Kuvempu will be restored to the original on the schools as no formal order had been issued.

It has belied the Congresss intentions. They want to send a message that they are a regional party and protect regional aspirations, Kumar added.

On a question of whether the Congress is trying to play the part of regional party Janata Dal Secular (JDS) after they joined hands with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Kumar agreed that the Congress found a window of opportunity to pose itself as a regional party.

They think it will give them dividends, but I dont think it will help. The toolkit of the Congress will give it suitable directions, but it will not be able to get as much dividends as during the assembly elections, he said.

CONSTANT FOCUS TO PRESERVE CULTURE, LANGUAGE & RIGHTS: CONG

Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge, however, disagreed with Kumar. He made the point that safeguarding Kannada as a classical language and instilling Kannadiga pride was not new. He underlined how when his party was in power earlier in 2018 as well, it had moved for a separate flag for Karnataka, better job opportunities for Kannadigas, and steps to safeguard Kannada as a language.

ALSO READ | In Bid to Push State Anthem in Karnataka Schools, Ruling Congress Faces The Music Over Printing Error

Why should it be election driven? It is our constant focus to preserve our culture, language and rights of our people and we are proud of it. How can anybody call the Congress a regional party as we have been a national party with a rich political heritage of over 180 years? said Kharge to News18.

He also added that the Congress respects Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, who asked people to be a vishwamanava. We are attempting to preserve our heritage, culture and even when it comes to the issue of name boards, we say that it should be 60% in Kannada and 40% English, in line with our vision of Karnataka being a global destination. Havent you seen boards in Japan and China? They are completely in Chinese or Japanese, he added.

DISJOINTED OR WELL-PLANNED? EXPERTSPEAK

Political commentator Dr Sandeep Shastri said that a lot of decisions taken by the Congress seemed to be a knee-jerk reaction to the developments with a focus to try and occupy the centrestage during election time.

They need to plan more effectively and synchronise their actions which I dont see happening. Its working like a party that does not seem to be having all its guns blazing in the same direction. It seems to be a disjointed approach with each leader taking a decision which is not in consonance with what the party does or wants to do, Dr Shastri said.

Narender Pani, Professor, School of Social Sciences, National Institute of Advanced Studies ( NIAS), however, holds a different view. This looks like a part of a conscious strategy and not a sign of desperation. A political party must keep elections in mind. They function for elections, and for a party, elections are an enforcement of what they have won or failed to do. I dont understand the term desperation. Take the BJP, for instance; why is it going for so many alliances? One would say it is because they fear losing, so they are going for certain alliances. Or one could say that they are ambitious and want to cross a certain number, so they are going for alliances. It is all a matter of interpretation. Every political party would want to perform well in this election and would want to take their party in that direction, he said.

Prof Pani points out that the basic idea that the Congress is different from other parties is that it allows regional interests to be part of the original conception. Once you are ready to decentralise power, you cannot expect a single cohesive move; there will be debates, and then consensus will emerge from it.
Wednesday turned out to be a big day in Uttar Pradeshs politics as the opposition INDIA blocs long-pending seat-sharing pact for the Lok Sabha elections was finalised. The Samajwadi Party (SP) will contest 63 seats, the Congress 17, and the Azad Samaj Party on one, it was announced in a press conference.

Many political analysts though appear sceptical about the agreement in light of the ego clashes and rift between the two major INDIA allies, Congress and Samajwadi Party, which became visible during last years Madhya Pradesh assembly polls. They say that such differences, if allowed to fester, could lead to the defeat of the INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha elections, just like what happened in MP.

Shashikant Pandey, head of the political science department at Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow, compared contesting elections to the functioning of a machine. In the case of a machine, all its components have to work in a set direction to yield maximum results. Similarly, in the case of an alliance, the coordination between the parties, at all levels, plays a major role in yielding positive results. However, going by past experiences, the coordination between the INDIA bloc partners is doubtful in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Pandey told News18.

Congress and SPs strained ties first became visible during the 2023 Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, which political analysts had called a litmus test for the allies ahead of the 2024 general elections. Both parties are part of the INDIA front, stitched up to fight against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha polls.

At the time of the formation of the alliance, the partners had passed a resolution stating that seat-sharing would be based on the spirit of give and take, Pandey pointed out. While the talks, resolutions, and vows were meant for the Lok Sabha polls, the effects were visible much in advance in the 2023 assembly elections in five states  Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Mizoram, he added.

In the first signs of rift, the Congress and SP fought over four assembly seats in MP, as the seat-sharing talks failed to reach a consensus. The Congress contested 230 seats and the SP 71. Chitrangi, Medgaon, Bhander, and Raj Nagar saw a tussle between the two parties. In 2018, the Congress had won all these seats, barring Chitrangi. The party also announced a candidate from the Bijawar assembly seat, which the SP had won in the 2018 polls.

The two parties, however, performed poorly in the assembly polls. The SP failed to win any seat and ended up with its worst-ever vote share  a mere 0.46%. The Congress, which was hopeful of a victory, managed to secure just 66 seats, while the BJP cruised to a two-thirds majority, winning 163 seats.

SK Dwivedi, former head of the department of political science at the University of Lucknow, said the defeat of the INDIA allies in the MP elections escalated the blame game between the two parties. The Samajwadi Party blamed the Congresss ego and alleged crass remarks by its Madhya Pradesh president Kamal Nath about SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for the rout of the grand old party.

Ramdhari Singh Dinkar famously said when destruction befalls a person, conscience dies first. The loss of Madhya Pradesh is due to the indecent statements given by Kamal Nath ji about our national president, Akhilesh Yadav ji. It is true for other places also where the Congress lost; their leaders become egoistic, SP spokesperson Manoj Singh Kaka had said.

The Samajwadi Party also said that whenever the Congress humiliates Dalits, backward classes, and marginalised sections, it will have to bite the dust.

Congresss UP chief Ajay Rai slammed the Samajwadi Party and said that instead of taking advantage of the situation, it should have come forward and supported his party in the regions where the SP is considered strong. Instead, he said, the SP looked to dent his partys vote base by fielding candidates on Congress-dominated seats.

Dwivedi said that the INDIA blocs agenda to stop the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls can only be achieved if both the Congress and SP not only come up with a good seat-sharing formula but also unite in a true sense and focus on the bigger goal.

Also, the parties should keep their egos aside in order to make a mark in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, which is certainly not going to be an easy nut to crack for the INDIA bloc, he said.
In a dramatic turn of events, the TMC, on Friday stated it will contest all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, a few in Assam and one seat in Meghalaya. The new development comes less than 24 hours after sources said the seat-sharing talks were back on track between the Mamata Banerjee-led party and the Congress.

The Congress and the TMC, which are part of the opposition bloc INDIA, are said to have revived their talks to unitedly fight against the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha polls, due in April-May.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek OBrien on Friday said there has been no change in the partys stand of contesting all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, a few in Assam and one seat in Meghalaya.

A few weeks ago, the TMC chairperson and West 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,  OBrien, the TMC leader in the Rajya Sabha, said.

Earlier in the day, sources in TMC said, If Congress agrees to give one seat each in Assam and Meghalaya, TMC can think of giving a third seat in the state.

TMCs snub comes as seat-sharing talks in Delhi and UP are finalised, while a meeting for the same in Maharashtra is scheduled for February 27.

In Delhi, AAP will contest four seats, while Congress will fight over three seats, sources said. The two alliance partners are likely to make the decision public soon.

(With PTI inputs)
Googles AI push with Gemini has hit a big hurdle as major lapses from the technology has forced the company to pause one of its features. Google Gemini AI also has the tool which allows users to generate images using the AI tech and the feature specifically we are talking about is the image generation of people.

Google has admitted to the concerns regarding the AI tool and has decided to pause the feature, with the promise of rolling out an improved version soon.

It all started when Google rolled out the image generation tool for people earlier this month, and people were complaining about inaccurate details in historical images, which is a big red flag for the company and its AI ambitions. Google has towed a cautious line with its advancement in AI, which explains its slower roll out compared to OpenAIs ChatGPT in the market.

AI models are being trained on existing data, but the technology seems to have lapses in it, which results in situations like these, forcing the company to halt the tool before it creates more issues in the public. AI getting wrong with details about historical figures can invite unwanted attention and scrutiny from the government, who are already looking at ways to regulate and control the push for AI tools at a rapid pace.

Companies are already offering paid versions of their AI tools, which means the technology cannot go rouge, especially for people who are now paying to use these advanced tools.

Well be keeping a close eye on when the revised AI tool is released by Google and hopefully, the Gemini AI model is able to address those concerns and deliver accurate results.
Text in which the author defends ideas and reaches conclusions based on his / her interpretation of facts and data

Anindita Majumdar was born in Calcutta, India, in 1976. She still lives there. Shes the youngest daughter in a family that was part of the first generation of refugees from East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh. Her father arrived in the Indian state of West Bengal at the age of 14 with his family, just after Indias independence in 1947. As they were Hindus, they were forced to leave all their assets in present-day Bangladesh and start over from scratch.

Majumdar enjoys talking politics with her friends and, until adolescence, she wanted to be a boy. I ended up becoming comfortable as a woman but in Indian culture, male children are preferred. They can be more independent, choose their futures and even go abroad. Job opportunities for women are local and limited  such as teachers or caregivers  so they can be around and have time to care for the family.

Although the Majumdar family arranged a marriage for her against her will, in the end, they reluctantly agreed to let her reject the engagement and instead choose her own partner and pursue her studies.

Majumdar holds a Masters degree in Science Policy and another in Philosophy of Womens Studies. She emphasizes: Im fortunate to have had access to education, a real challenge for women in Indian culture. The doors to her current life, full of inspiration and purpose, opened through her thesis, when she began while working with imprisoned women in Bengal. This scenario marked the beginning of 12 years of work in a non-profit. She was able to build bridges and create her own project in 2016: the EquiDiversity Foundation, an organization that promotes gender equity and diversity.

In the months of May and November, Indian law requires annual meetings between local governments and civil society groups to negotiate governance plans. These meetings, called gram sansad sabhas (meetings of village voters), include remote communities that are marginalized from society. And they wouldnt occur (or they would be heavily biased) if it were not for the Womens Empowerment Committees, or the Nari Jagran Committees. However, oftentimes, when they participate, both the communities and the women dont know what to demand, or how to negotiate it.

In the specific case of the last meeting, we worked with the committees to prepare women to negotiate about street lighting and [anti-rape protocols], Majumdar details. [We also prepared them to demand] the construction of nurseries and parks for girls and boys with special needs, so that the women can have more time for themselves. In these processes, international projects from other countries in the Global South also help us empower others.

Majumdar, in a workshop alongside political leaders, in August 2023. Prithwish Tripathy

We seek to avoid biased agendas and understand peoples real life stories, so as to promote the deeper self-knowledge that traditional education [neglects]. We also understand that womens empowerment works better if we work with men. For Anindita Majumdar, negative, conflictive and polarizing narratives dont help. She considers it essential that women and men work together on various issues, such as self-transformation, collaboration on community projects and also learning how to identify emotions and feelings, so as to share them with family members. Men are educated  often by women  to [hide their feelings], she notes.

Majumdar works in the following way: In general, we first build the trust necessary to enable collaboration between members of communities, such as families, youths, leaders and minorities in situations of marginalization. We then carry out a diagnosis to design training tailored to local idiosyncrasies. Subsequently, we provide participatory group training and [promote] alliances for sustainability. Then, we connect the communities, so that they can negotiate their agendas directly with the powers that most directly influence our systems: public administrations, political parties, or companies, among other institutions.

Majumdar is a special and inspiring leader, who still practices her social work on the ground, backed up by rigorous knowledge. Shes well aware of the systemic process of sharing power and, therefore, the need for comprehensive, rather than polarizing, approaches and narratives, so that people can find common ground.

When asked about her personal dreams, she doesnt hesitate: Empowering communities [and] traveling through the tribal villages of Madhya Pradesh, India, and Africa.

Leonardo Martins Dias works on sustainability projects with a focus on education. The author has worked with Anindita Majumdar on several projects in the global South.
Monkeys, often regarded as ancestors of humans, exhibit behaviours that sometimes mirror human interests, such as partying. While it may seem improbable, a viral video depicts an instance of such actions. In the video, a person hosts a party for monkeys, as seen in the Monkeys eating grapes video, which is gaining popularity for its humorous portrayal of the situation.

@AMAZlNGNATURE, a Twitter X account known for sharing captivating animal-related content, recently posted a video featuring monkeys joyfully indulging in grapes (Monkeys grapes party video). The scene portrays the monkeys appearing to be in a festive mood as they enjoy the fruit. The accompanying claim suggests that the video originates from Nepal.

Monkeys enjoying green grapes in Nepal pic.twitter.com/KUctSRO6Uy Nature is Amazing  (@AMAZlNGNATURE) February 21, 2024

In the viral video, a Gautam Buddha statue is visible in the background, suggesting the setting resembles a temple in Nepal. Amidst numerous monkeys gathered there, a person fearlessly feeds them grapes from a bucket. His lack of fear indicates familiarity, implying he likely engages in this activity regularly, leading the monkeys to recognize him. The monkeys eagerly accept the grapes, some even reaching into the bucket themselves to retrieve the fruit.

The video has garnered 2 million views, with numerous comments pouring in from viewers. Some remarked on the abundance of grapes in Nepal, while others found the video to be heartwarming and soothing. Another commenter expressed surprise at the monkeys affinity for grapes, while one speculated that the monkeys appeared hungry.

Meanwhile, the Forest, Environment, and Wildlife Department of the Sikkim government has announced that feeding monkeys or improper disposal of food waste will be considered an offence punishable by a fine of Rs 5000. This measure is enforced due to the protected status of the monkey species, particularly the Macaque species, under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972, and the Environment (Protection) Act, of 1986.

In a public notice dated August 19, the Chief Wildlife Warden of Sikkim, Sandeep Tambe, underscored a critical issue impacting the safety and welfare of the community. He highlighted that human feeding of monkeys, specifically the Macaque species, and the improper disposal of food waste have led to an unnatural increase in their population.
China, one of the worlds most populous nations, grapples with numerous challenges stemming from limited land and a dense population. Disparities in housing affordability exist, with some able to secure quality homes while others cannot. Despite the surrounding skyscrapers in major urban centres, there are instances where small houses are built amid busy roads.

In a viral video, a small hut stands strong among towering skyscrapers and expansive roads resembling a stadium. Despite the constant flow of vehicles around it, the huts owner remains unperturbed. He neither expresses any distress nor can anyone send notice to the property without acquiring it legally. While this may pose an inconvenience to the traffic, the owner remains unaffected by the surrounding development.

The owner of this house in China refused to move for development, so a road was built around it,these are called nail housespic.twitter.com/m9fYaJ9d5t  Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) February 22, 2024

The video shows a phenomenon known as Nail House commonly found in China, where homeowners resist selling their properties amid development projects. These houses stand defiantly, sometimes on roads, highways, or within urban areas. Shared on the social media platform X by the account @gunsnrosesgirl3, the video has garnered millions of views, highlighting the widespread interest in such unique instances of resistance against development.

Another viral video on Twitter depicts a house situated in the middle of a highway, with roads forming around it. Social media users flocked to the comment section to express their astonishment. One remarked, I bet theyre one of those who refused to relocate despite lucrative offers for the entire area. Another commented, Lol, the owner must have refused to budge.

In China, numerous nail houses have emerged, with owners steadfastly refusing to vacate despite government efforts. Consequently, they endure the noise and chaos of ongoing development as long as they remain. A primary factor behind their reluctance to leave is the inadequate compensation offered by the government, leading them to dig in their heels and stay put. In some cases, highways are constructed around these houses, resulting in significant traffic disruptions.
We live in a world where hidden wonders lie just beneath the surface of our everyday lives. Sometimes, the barriers between our reality and the unknown are thin, ready to be breached at any moment. Its like discovering that a wardrobe is a portal to Narnia or that a rabbit hole leads to Wonderland. In the town of Derinkuyu, Turkey, a mans quest to solve the mystery of his missing chickens led to an astonishing discoveryan entire underground city right beneath his basement. This remarkable find, made in 1963, unveiled a hidden world that had remained unknown for centuries, offering a glimpse into ancient civilisations ingenuity.

The story begins with a man in Derinkuyu noticing that his chickens were disappearing. Upon closer inspection, he found a small crevasse in his basement that served as an escape route for the chickens. Intrigued, he decided to investigate further, leading him to knock down a wall, revealing a vast underground network.

What he had discovered was the Derinkuyu underground city, a marvel of ancient engineering that spanned 18 levels and reached a depth of 280 feet (85 meters). This subterranean complex could accommodate up to 20,000 people and their livestock, providing them with a safe refuge during times of war or invasion.

The origins of the Derinkuyu underground city date back to around 1200 BC when the Hittites, an ancient Anatolian people, carved out caves in the soft volcanic rock to shelter from the Phrygians. Over the centuries, the city was expanded and modified by successive civilisations, including the Romans and early Christians, who added chapels, stables and storage areas.

The underground citys strategic location in Anatolia, a region frequently invaded and conquered, made it an essential refuge for its inhabitants. Its elaborate design included features such as rolling boulders that could be used to block passages, ventilation shafts to ensure a fresh air supply, and separate areas for animals to prevent the buildup of odours.

Despite its ancient origins, the Derinkuyu underground city remained hidden until its rediscovery in the 1960s. It had been abandoned in 1923 when the Christian population of Anatolia was forced to leave.

Now, Derinkuyu is no longer considered an uncharted territory because it is already one of Cappadocias most popular tourist destinations. However, there could be one beyond the wall of your basement. Check out.
In an attempt to create memorable moments, most of us plan surprises for our loved ones. And what if someone, who is completely unknown, does something on the occasion like anniversaries or birthday. Now, a clip of a little boy flying alone for the first time on his birthday is doing the rounds on the internet. His birthday turns out to be the best one after the passengers, along with the crew, decide something special for the boy. The travellers along with the flight squad celebrate the little boys birthday. This video has left the online users emotional.

The clip was posted by a Reddit handle, Made Me Smile on February 20. The video starts with the little boy using his mobile phone on his seat. The co-passenger, who notices the boy, decides to give him a surprise. The passenger goes on to the flight attendant seeking their help to execute the birthday plan.

Check The Post Here:

The passengers and the crew shut all the windows and started singing Happy Birthday to the little boy. Looking at the effort of his co-passengers, the little boy couldnt stop smiling.

The now-viral video garnered more than a hundred comments on Reddit. Sometimes humanity is pretty cool, a user wrote. I used to fly alone almost every year when I was a kid. I would go stay with my grandma in FL for a few weeks & then when I got back, my lil bro would go. If you tell the attendants, theyll watch out for you, a user asserted.

While I was waiting for a flight, I saw a dad send his young son off on the plane alone and I got the impression it was a similar situation. They were both crying and it absolutely broke my heart, a user shared.

In August 2023, Indias Vistara celebrated a childs first birthday mid-air. It was the sweetest surprise for the family of three, who were flying to Maldives from Mumbai. The cabin crew arranged a mango mousse cake that came with a handwritten note for little Aarohi and her parents. Similarly, in January 2024, a flight attendant along with the passengers planned a wonderful birthday surprise for her son.
Akul Dhawan, the 18-year-old Indian-American student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the US who died last month after going missing for several hours, died of hypothermia following acute alcohol intoxication and prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, which significantly contributed to his death, according to a statement released by the Champaign County Coroners Office in Illinois.

An autopsy was performed on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, that confirmed the death of Mr. Dhawan was due to hypothermia. Acute alcohol intoxication and prolonged exposure to extremely cold temperatures, significantly contributed to his death, the press release stated.

Akul was found dead last month (January 20) and his body was found on the back porch of a building near the university campus in west Urbana in US Illinois. The campus police that time said they would wait for the probe to end to determine the exact cause of death but highlighted that there were signs of hypothermia.

Akul was out with friends for a few drinks on the night he died. They decided to visit the Canopy Club, on January 20, 2024, around 11:30pm. They had visited the club earlier as well. The club was also close to the campus.

However, the staff denied him entry to the club despite him trying to enter the club multiple times. Local media outlets also pointed out that Akul turned down two rideshare vehicles called for him.

Illinois and the US Midwest witnessed biting, brutal cold and freezing temperatures in the latter half of January, with temperatures dipping between 0C and -2C.

The search for Akul was triggered when several calls made to him went unanswered and a friend contacter the campus police to look for him. The police said an officer looked for Dhawan by driving at a walking pace near the likely path he would have taken back to the university campus.

However, the next morning, a university employee notified the police after finding a man on the back porch of a building. The police said he was dead at the time he was found.

Akul was found four minutes away from the Canopy Club, according to Google Maps.

Akul Dhawan, who turned 18 in September last year, according to The News-Gazette, came to the University of Illinois Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to study robotics. His parents have claimed that the police never searched for their son.

(with inputs from Kansas City Star and The News-Gazette)
US President Joe Biden met the widow and daughter of the late Russian activist Alexei Navalny on Thursday in California. The US President later while addressing the press appeared to forget the name of the fiercest Putin critics wife he met minutes earlier.

This morning I had the honour of meeting with Alexei Navalnys wife and daughter, and to state the obvious, he was a man of incredible courage and its amazing how his wife and daughter are emulating that. We are going to be announcing the sanctions against Putin, who is responsible for his death, tomorrow, the US President said.

Today, I met with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya  Aleksey Navalny's loved ones  to express my condolences for their devastating loss.Aleksey's legacy of courage will live on in Yulia and Dasha, and the countless people across Russia fighting for democracy and human rights. pic.twitter.com/aiCcgTrws3  President Biden (@POTUS) February 22, 2024

But one thing that was made clear to me is that Yolanda is gonna, shes gonna continue the fight he had underway. So were not letting up, Biden said, mistaking Yulia for Yolanda.

Bidens meeting with Yulia Navalnaya and the couples daughter Dasha Navalnaya came six days after Alexei Navalnys death in the remote penal colony in Arctic Russia. Prison authorities in the remote penal colony of IK-7 in Kharp last week said that Navalny collapsed after taking a walk and died and ambulances were unable to resuscitate him.

Western leaders and Navalnys family and supporters believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the order to kill the dissident, with an aim to project his strongman image ahead of the rubber-stamp elections.

The White House is yet to comment on the name mixup and officials also did not dispute that Biden slipped up during the presser.

The gaffe could be used by Bidens critics to raise questions regarding his ability to lead the US due to his age. According to an ABC/Ipsos poll released earlier this month, 86% of voters believe he is too old to lead the nation for another four years.

The US President will announce a new package of sanctions Friday against Russia in response to the death of Navalny. Biden, previously on several occasions, said that Putin will face dire consequences if something were to happen to Navalny. But he said that Russia and Putin already have faced plenty of consequences.

That was three years ago. In the meantime, they faced a hell of a lot of consequences. I told you wed be announcing sanctions on Russia. Well have a major package announced on Friday, and Ill be happy to sit with you all while doing that, Biden said.

Yulia Navalnaya, the 47-year-old economist married to Alexei, since 2000, is seen as the possible successor to her husband and is poised to be the next democracy advocate of Russia.
A strong woman who might be able to bring the United States together: Nikki Haley, Donald Trumps only remaining opponent, is indeed popular among many Republican women voting in South Carolinas upcoming presidential primary.

But Trump, the runaway favorite who has already won the contests in Iowa and New Hampshire easily, remains the top choice among many women voters even though he faces four criminal indictments and raises eyebrows with his unseemly, even outrageous comments.

Haley is well known in the state capital Columbia. She served as governor of the Palmetto State and hopes to do better in the primary Saturday than predicted in the polls, which put her a full 30 points behind Trump.

Excellent president

Connie Gilliam, 54 and voting early for Haley in the primary, thinks she can bounce back, gushing praise for Trumps rival.

She was a wonderful governor in our state. She did great things for South Carolina. And so we just feel like she would be a great president, said Gilliam, a retired teacher, calling Haley a fighter.

She said she likes the fact that, after long opposing such a move, Haley removed the Confederate flag from the legislature building, erasing a Civil War-era symbol of the states pro-slavery past.

In comparison to Trump, Haley is a kinder person and she will just be better at bringing the country back together, Gilliam said.

No more Trump

Elaine Billie, 72, said the fact that Haley is a woman is not the main reason she supports her. Rather, she likes her age  52 as opposed to Trumps 77 years.

Billie also said a Haley campaign ad recalling the chaos of Trumps time in power really hit home.

I voted for him the last time, Ill say that. It was in 2020. But theres just too much chaos going.

She said the four indictments Trump faces  two of them for trying to overturn the election results  Thats at the forefront.

Mallory Macon, a 28-year-old nurse, also likes the fact that Haley does not have the legal baggage that Trump is saddled with.

Shes a candidate who does not have much drama surrounding her overall as a person, said Macon.

I feel like shes trying to take somewhat of an approach to be a little bit less far right than Trump has.

She said Trump has a potentially dictatorial style and expressed fear that under him the United States might not be able to hold free elections and instead start looking like Russia.

And it was completely inappropriate that Trump has compared himself to the late Russian opposition hero Alexei Navalny and called himself a victim of political persecution, Macon added.

Trump better qualified

Sandie Ellis, 66, said she voted for Trump last time despite his outbursts.

She called Haley young, qualified and brilliant, and even considered voting for her, but lined up behind Trump after his easy wins in Iowa and New Hampshire.

I feel with Trumps leadership that we actually experienced in the previous administration, that he is perhaps the better qualified person, said Ellis.

He has a mouth, but I was certainly pleased with his business sense.

Ellis said she distinguished between Trump the person  who insults his rivals and comments on womens physical appearance  and Trump the leader.

Let Melania deal, she said with a laugh, referring to former first lady Melania Trump.
Imran Khans wife Bushra Bibi is claiming that the Pakistani establishment wants to kill Imran Khan and his entire family. A close aide of the former Pakistan prime minister told CNN-News18 that the establishment is clamping down hard on Imran and those close to him.

The aforementioned people said the Pakistani spy agency, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) contacted him with a deal which he refused.

Imran Khan in a message to his wife Bushra Bibi said he was contacted by the ISI who put forward a deal that he refused. The deal had three options. The first option was to retire from politics. The second option was to propose three names of his choice for the role of the Pakistan prime minister and the third option was to remain under house arrest for the rest of his life at his Bani Gala residence in Lahore but Imran Khan refused all the options.

They also said that the establishment is trying to poison Bushra Bibi, the former first lady and the wife of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supremo to break his resolve. Referring to his sister Aleema Khans conversations with foreign media outlets, the establishment accused Khans sister of speaking to foreigners. They also referred to the arrest of journalist Imran Riaz Khan, a scribe sympathetic to Imran Khan, and said the journalist was abducted and tortured for months.

In this dangerous climate, the danger to Imran Khan and his close family and relatives in Pakistan has exponentially grown. The state might try to harm Imran Khan to eliminate him, the people mentioned above said.
Israeli media outlets on Friday reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed a plan for post-war Gaza that will see Palestinian officials without links to Hamas or its foreign backers govern the blockaded coastal enclave.

The proposal, however, retains the core targets following the October 7 attacks outlined by the Israeli army, one of which is destroying or disarming Hamas to such an extent that it cannot attack Israel the way it did on October 7.

Netanyahu also sought the closure of the territorys southern border with Egypt so that future attacks and terrorist activities can be checked.

The targets of dismantling Hamas and Islamic Jihad were retained. The proposal also prioritises securing the release of all hostages still held captive in Gaza.

The proposal said that after the war ends Gazas civil affairs would be run by local officials with administrative experience and who are not linked to countries or entities that support terrorism, according to the Times of Israel.

The Israeli Prime Minister said that even after the war ends the Israeli army would have indefinite freedom to operate throughout Gaza to prevent any resurgence of terror activity.

The plan states that Israel will move forward with its already-in-motion project to establish a security buffer zone on the Palestinian side of the strips border, the report said, adding the zone would remain as long as there is a security need for it.

It also aims to extend Israeli security control over the entire area west of Jordan from the land, sea and air to prevent the strengthening of terrorist elements in the (occupied West Bank) and the Gaza Strip and to thwart threats from them towards Israel, the report said.

The plan aims Gazas complete demilitarisation beyond what is required for the needs of maintaining public order.

It aims to promote de-radicalisation in all religious, educational and welfare institutions in Gaza.

A key element of the plan was the dismantling of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, the report said.

(with inputs from AFP)
A London-born Bangladeshi-origin woman, who fled the UK as a 15-year-old schoolgirl to join the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist network, on Friday lost yet another legal bid to regain her British citizenship and return to the UK.

Shamima Begum, now 24, lost a challenge at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in February last year and then took her case to the Court of Appeal. Earlier in 2022, the UK Supreme Court upheld the decision to bar Begum from returning to the UK. The appeal judges on Friday agreed with the special tribunals decision and turned down the appeal.

Begum currently lives in a detention camp in northern Syria and has been fighting to return to her home in east London. She continues to claim that the only law she broke was to travel to Syria and had not participated in any ISIS atrocities. Ms Begum may well have been influenced and manipulated by others but still have made a calculated decision to travel to Syria and align with ISIL [ISIS], Judge Dame Sue Carr was quoted as saying by PTI while delivering the verdict in London.

Begum was represented at her appeal by barrister Samantha Knights who had argued that the government had failed to consider legal duties owed to a potential victim of trafficking. The UK Home Office stressed that the main focus of the case was around national security. The British government has maintained Begum could seek a Bangladeshi passport given her heritage but her family has argued that she is British and has never held Bangladeshi citizenship.

Last year, the specialist tribunal had accepted then Home Secretary Sajid Javids conclusion that revoking her British citizenship was an integral part of the overall national security assessment carried out by the Security Service and therefore not a matter for the court. Begum, referred to as an ISIS bride for marrying a Dutch member of the terror network in Syria, gave birth to three children  all of whom later died. She and two fellow teenage schoolgirls at Bethnal Green Academy travelled from east London to Syria in 2015.

Begums lawyers have sought to establish that she was recruited, transported, transferred, harboured and received in Syria for the purposes of sexual exploitation and marriage to an adult male. However, the tribunal ultimately concluded in February 2023 that the Home Secretary was not formally required to consider whether Begum was a victim of trafficking when he removed her citizenship.

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Obesity is the chronic pandemic that has become a target for pharmaceutical companies. Big pharma sees anti-obesity drugs as a business that will provide them with a juicy income in the years and, most likely, decades to come. What just a few years ago was one of Hollywoods best-kept secrets has now become a stock market phenomenon  likewise on TikTok, where hundreds of content creators are sharing their weight loss journeys.

For now, Denmarks Novo Nordisk and the U.S.s Eli Lilly are the winners in this frenzy, although following in their wake are a legion of trials by dozens of pharmaceutical companies seeking their share of the pie.

The discovery that Ozempic, a drug developed in 2012 by Novo Nordisk for type 2 diabetes, helped with weight loss was a bonanza for drugmakers, with Citi analysts estimating the industry will top $158 billion by 2035. Despite the fact that taking the drug is only recommended for the treatment of diabetes, the Danish company has seen its sales take off in recent years. Sales of Mounjaro, from its competitor Eli Lilly, have also skyrocketed. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have specific anti-obesity drugs: Wegovy and Zepbound, respectively  which are actually the same as diabetes treatments currently on the market, but which have now been approved to fight obesity.

The drugs most significant side effect has been a spectacular stock market revaluation for both companies. Since 2023, the Danish pharmaceutical companys shares have soared by 76%, while those of its American competitor have risen by 107%, increasing their combined market value by about $605 billion. From the years highs, both companies have corrected by 3.8% and 3.3%, respectively, under pressure from investors who want to cash in.

In both cases, the drugs they manufacture are injected, which is why pharmaceutical companies are now aiming to launch new drugs in pill form. Competitors such as Amgen and Pfizer are also working on bringing anti-obesity pills to market, with their drugs at different stages of the approval process. The race is now on, and the pill with the fewest side effects will be the winner.

The anti-obesity gold mine led Novo Nordisk to become the most valuable European-listed company in 2023. Its market capitalization reached 3.87 trillion Danish kroner (about $561 million), and the company overtook the luxury conglomerate LVMH in market value. The anti-obesity drug accounted for 88% of its sales in 2022, according to UBS. Among the risks for the Danish company, the financial services company highlights increasing competition and the possible failure of Wegovy in the face of the high expectations for the anti-obesity drug business.

Ozempic and Wegovy have become Novo Nordisks bestsellers and have made a combined revenue of $33 billion since 2018. The pharmaceutical company is now the engine of the Danish economy. The company boosted its net profit by 50.7% to 8.4 billion Danish kroner ($1.21 billion). Among its challenges is being able to meet the growing demand, which is why Novo Holdings, the parent company of Novo Nordisk, recently acquired drugmaker Catalent. It is an operation for which it will spend $16.5 billion, including buying its debt.

In the case of Eli Lilly, the success of Mounjaro, which has also become one of its best-selling drugs, has catapulted it into the most valuable pharmaceutical company in the world. Its capitalization of more than $742 billion is more than double that of Merck, with $320 billion, and ahead of technology giants such as Tesla, whose market value now stands at $617 billion. Deutsche Bank analysts estimate it will make $10.2 billion through sales of Mounjaro this year  up from $5 billion in 2023  and $2.4 billion with sales of Zepbound.

However, after the rise of its shares, the pharmaceutical company has exhausted its stock market potential, according to the analysts consensus compiled by Bloomberg. Whats more, the percentage of firms advising customers to buy the companys stock has fallen to its lowest level in a year, although it remains at 72%.

But there are analysts who believe that these shares will continue to rally on the stock market. Morgan Stanley has set its target price at $950, compared to the current $755. Among the most cautious firms is Citi, which maintains a price target of $675 and highlights that the company trades at a P/E ratio for 2024 of 53 times, above the 20 times which is the average for the sector.

Ozempic auto injectors on Novo Nordisk's production site in Hillerod (Denmark). TOM LITTLE (REUTERS)

The market has all its hopes pinned on Zepbound. According to the trials carried out so far, the drug achieves greater weight loss than any of the drugs launched by Novo Nordisk. Analysts in the market have coined the phrase JBL (just buy Lilly), and firms such as Goldman Sachs believe that the drug will become the future market leader that will allow the company to control half of the market for weight loss drugs by 2030. The most optimistic estimates by analyst firms predict a turnover of $70 billion by 2030 from Zepbound alone, a figure that the U.S. investment bank has reduced by half.

Long gone are the years of the pandemic, in which the big winners were the pharmaceutical companies that managed to market Covid-19 vaccines that were effective and the first to be produced. Since the highs reached in 2020, Modernas shares have plummeted by 81%, reducing the companys stock market value by more than $160 billion since then, while Pfizers shares have fallen by 54% and are trading at 2011 levels.

China will take over from the U.S.

The United States is currently the main destination for diabetes drugs, and accounts for 90% of Mounjaros 2023 sales and 95% of Wegovys turnover. According to estimates by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), about 70% of U.S. adults are obese or overweight. However, pharmaceutical companies have set their sights on China. Investment banker Jefferies estimates that there are 200 million adults with obesity, out of a total population of more than 1.4 billion, and another 400 million who are overweight, of which the U.S. bank estimates that another 100 million will end up obese.

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The Union ministry of external affairs urged citizens to stay away from the conflict in Ukraine while responding to media queries regarding Indians caught in conflict in Russia on Friday.

The ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ministry is aware of some citizens participating in the conflict by working support jobs with the Russian army. He said the matter has been taken up with relevant Russian authorities so that these individuals can be released early.

We are aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army. The Indian Embassy has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge. We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict, Randhir Jaiswal said, according to a press release by the ministry.

Reports by news outlets Hindustan Times and The Hindu said that few Indians were being forced to fight alongside Russian troops.

The reports claimed that the Indians who had signed up as security helpers with the Russian army were forced to fight beside Russian troops along the border with Ukraine.

The reports said that Indian nationals were also stranded at several places along the Russia-Ukraine border, in the cities of Mariupol, Kharkiv and Rostov-on-Don.

The report by The Hindu said that the citizens were from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad also raised the issue and wrote to external affairs minister S Jaishankar and the Indian embassy in Moscow.

The 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war will enter its second year this week.

On the two-year anniversary of Russias brutal invasion, which has pitted Russias military might against Ukrainian resolve, there is a growing sense of uncertainty among those caught in between over how and when it will all end.

The fallout from disagreements in Washington and Brussels over aid has rippled all the way to the front line in the Donetsk region, where outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian troops are ceding ground to Moscows determined forces.
Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and the daughter of three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, on Friday, started her innings in parliamentary politics when she was administered the oath as a member of the Punjab assembly.

This came as jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khans party approached the Supreme Court challenging the outcome of the February 8 elections alleging widespread rigging. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has claimed that it won 180 seats in the National Assembly by way of independent candidates backed by the party. However, the rigging ensured that the number was reduced to 92 seats only.

First glimpse of Maryam Nawaz Sharif on the floor of the Punjab assembly! pic.twitter.com/1qD7ewDt2C Team MNS (@TeamMNSharif) February 23, 2024

On Friday, Maryam was among the 337 elected lawmakers of Pakistans Punjab Assembly who took oath in a session marred by sloganeering between Sharif-led PML-N and members of Khans PTI who have now joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). The 50-year-old PML-N leader, who is now being elected as the first woman chief minister of the key province, was seen holding a portrait of his father in the Punjab assembly.

PML-N/SIC Take Oath

As many as 200 PML-N lawmakers, including chief minister candidate Maryam Nawaz, were administered the oath of office by outgoing Speaker Sibtain Khan. Around 100 of 113 Sunni Ittehad Council SIC (the new home of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of Imran Khan) also took the oath. The SIC/PTI candidate Aslam Iqbal and some others did not reach the assembly as a heavy contingent of police was present there to arrest him for being involved in the May 9 attacks on military installations following the arrest of Imran Khan last year.

After administering the oath, the Speaker announced the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker on Saturday. All the PML-N lawmakers had brought the portrait of Nawaz Sharif to the House and chanted slogans to express solidarity with the 74-year-old party supremo, who surprisingly nominated his younger brother to the post of prime minister.

Mandate thieve

Let the world know that establishment backed Nawaz Sharifs PML N won 42/297 seats in Punjab Assembly & 17/261 in National Assembly, according to original, signed documented evidence.The #MandateThieves stole the nations mandate & are forming sham, illegitimate governments in https://t.co/Ylw9vwBDQS  PTI (@PTIofficial) February 23, 2024

First-ever woman CM in Pak history

The SIC/PTI lawmakers chanted slogans of mandate thieves. They said they would form the government once the court gives them back their stolen mandate. Maryam, who is currently the vice president of the PML-N, is certain to become the first-ever woman chief minister in Pakistans history as her party has now a two-thirds majority in the Punjab Assembly.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the other hand has deprived the SIC/PTI of women and minorities reserved seats. The ECP says it has not submitted a list for the women and reserved seats on time. The SICs appeal has been pending with the ECP in this matter. The PTI-backed successful independent candidates joined the SIC across the country to have its identity and avoid a situation in which they were forced to change their loyalty to the PML-N.

(With agency inputs)
Emphasising the strong foundation of India-US ties, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday that India is not bothered by the possible return of former US President Donald Trump to the White House.

During an interactive session at The Raisina Dialogue, Jaishankar remarked on the relationship between the two democratic countries, highlighting its growth since the Bill Clinton administration which ended in 2001. His response was prompted by a question about the potential impact on bilateral ties in the event of another Trump presidency, considering his current lead in all major polls ahead of the elections.

President Trump was president from 2017 to 2021. We had a really good relationship with him. He came here on a visit. My prime minister (Narendra Modi) went there on some visits, the minister said in response to a question posed by an audience member. Like any relationship, there were issues, but overall, in those four years, did our relationship deepen or grow? Absolutely, he asserted.

Its not just President Trump. If you look at India-US relations from perhaps the Clinton era, with every presidency, the relationship has actually deepened. Now, you can attribute it to structural advantages, you could attribute it to clever diplomacy  I am modest about it. But the fact is, it has grown, and I have every confidence it will continue to do so, he said.

Jaishankars remarks come as US President Joe Biden and his leading Republican challenger Trump remain locked in a tight election rematch after a special prosecutors report commenting on the Democratic incumbents mental acuity. The four-day Reuters/Ipsos poll, which closed last week, showed the former President with the support of 37 percent of respondents, compared with 34 percent support for Biden. The finding showed a closer race than a poll last month that found Trump holding a 6 percentage point lead.
Hordes of mosquitoes invaded Buenos Aires this week. This is the second time in two months that there has been a significant increase in these insects in the Argentine province. Specialists explain that the proliferation of Aedes albifasciatus  commonly known as floodwater mosquito  is a consequence of the intense summer rains in the southern hemisphere. Faced with the alarms raised by this second invasion, experts have informed that this species does not transmit diseases like dengue fever, although it has been linked to equine encephalitis, which mainly affects animals, and has already caused an outbreak in the country.

The explanation provided by scientists for this phenomenon is simple: the eggs laid by the female Aedes albifasciatus in the damp substrate can resist during long periods of drought and hatch when water from rainfall accumulates. This is how biologist Sylvia Fischer, a researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), explained it during the first invasion in January, in a CONICET publication: A large number of eggs had accumulated. When it began to rain continuously [...] these eggs all hatched synchronously, the larvae developed simultaneously and huge numbers of adults emerged, all at the same time.

The January rains, as well as those that fell recently in the province of Buenos Aires, caused the peaks of abundance of mosquitoes that scientists describe. This second time, however, the invasion occurred with more force, according to biologist Victoria Micieli, because the eggs that did not hatch in January were joined by new eggs laid by the female mosquitoes that developed that time. It is common for this invasion to occur every three years, but we did not expect the second one, says Micieli, who is the head of the CONICET Center for Parasitological and Vector Studies. In that sense, explains the scientist, this weeks proliferation is quite unusual.

The Aedes albifasciatus is a mosquito that has a very wide distribution in Argentina, from the south, in the Tierra del Fuego province, to the north of the country. Invasions like this, Micieli points out, take place in different parts of the country at different times of the year. The insect, large in size, with a thin body and elongated legs, causes, above all, a lot of annoyance. It thrives in parks or squares. The females, which are the ones that bite humans, can be very aggressive. Specialists are studying the link of this species with equine encephalitis, a disease that in 2023 caused an outbreak in horses in the center and north of the country and caused at least 12 infections in humans, after more than two decades without records.

Specialists warn, however, that this species does not transmit dengue fever, whose vector is another mosquito, the Aedes aegypti, which is smaller, has white spots and reproduces mainly in water-filled containers inside or around houses.

Last Friday, the Pan-American Health Organization issued an epidemiological alert due to the increase in dengue fever cases in the Americas, where more than 670,000 positive cases have been recorded. In Argentina, there have been 48,366 infections since July 2023 and 35 people have died, most of them in the northeast of the country, according to the latest National Epidemiological Bulletin. Its neighbor Brazil is the country with the most registered cases in the region: more than 530,000 positive cases and 90 deaths, the worst numbers in 40 years. This week, Brazil became the first country in the world to include the dengue fever vaccine in public healthcare.

The ruling party blames the previous administration

The government of Javier Milei has taken advantage of this second invasion of mosquitoes, which has the media and social networks on alert, to attack the leftist Union for the Homeland, the main opposition coalition, which headed the government for the last four years. This Tuesday, the presidential spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, mixed the proliferation of mosquitoes with the cases of dengue in the same statement. We dont want to lose sight of the fact that a large part of this problem comes from the responsibility for the failure of the prevention policies that were implemented during the past year. Prevention was not well implemented, said the official. The opposition responded on social media.

To say that dengue fever is the responsibility of the previous administration [...] speaks of absolute ignorance of the cycle of the disease, tweeted Fabian Puratich, former undersecretary of System Integration and Primary Health Care. Incredible audacity, declared Deputy Pablo Yedlin, who condemned the fact that the dengue fever vaccine, which was approved in November by the National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology, is not included in the vaccination schedule or being distributed for free in public hospitals: There is a safe and effective vaccine. Any updates on that?

A computer shows a photograph taken with a microscope, in Buenos Aires. Pablo Barrera (Getty Images)

Micieli, who has been researching mosquitoes for more than 30 years, maintains that it is hasty to hold a government responsible for the proliferation of Aedes albifasciatus, and that associating this increase with the increase in cases of dengue fever is misinformation, as they are two completely different species. In both cases, says the biologist, it is not true that there are no prevention policies. However, it is insufficient, of course. Mosquito control requires a lot of financing.

In response to the invasion of mosquitoes, the government of the City of Buenos Aires announced this week the reinforcement of operations in parklands and squares. Meanwhile, 31 miles from the capital, the municipality of La Plata announced that it will distribute 2,000 units of repellent free of charge, as there is a shortage of this product in stores and drugstores. The same thing happened in early January. Scientists explained that this is one of the only tools that humans have to counteract the effects of mosquito invasions. Experts estimate that relief will come in the next 10 to 15 days when the population of this species drops, although it will depend on whether it rains again.
UPDATE

Feb 23, 2024 2:00 AM CST

The man who plowed into a Muslim family out on their evening walk in Ontario, Canada, in 2021 was on Thursday sentenced to life in prison for killing four members of the family and seriously injuring a fifth. Nathaniel Veltman, 23, was convicted of four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in November, the AP reports. "The offender did not know the victims. He had never met them. He killed them because they were Muslim," said the justice delivering the sentence. "It is an inescapable conclusion that the offender committed a terrorist act. One might go so far as to characterize this as a textbook example of terrorist motive and intent."

Jun 9, 2021 1:55 AM CDT

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged Tuesday to take more action "to dismantle far-right hate groups" after three generations of a Muslim family were killed Sunday night in an apparently targeted attack. "This was a terrorist attack, motivated by hatred, in the heart of one of our communities," the PM said while speaking before Parliament. Salman Afzal, 46; his wife Madiha, 44; their daughter Yumna, 15; and a 74-year-old grandmother whose name was not released; were killed during their evening walk when a pickup truck plowed into them. The couple's 9-year-old son was injured and remains hospitalized, but is expected to survive, Reuters reports. The family immigrated to Canada 14 years ago, the AP reports.
Guatemala has had a handful of presidents who disrupted the status quo in the 20th century. For Juan Jose Arevalo (1945-51), it was about bringing Guatemala up to date with social demands: improving wages for workers in the countryside, expanding liberal education and social security, codifying civil liberties and setting up a basic welfare state. Vinicio Cerezo (1986-91) masterminded the start of the current democratic wave by safeguarding elections, after years of military dominance and abuses in the Central American country. However, by the end of his term  with the implosion of communism and the rise of the new neoliberal hegemony  the rise of the middle class in Guatemala has been slow, while democratic politics and institutions have gradually (and painfully) been eroded.

Incumbent President Bernardo Arevalo  the son of Juan Jose  has only been in power for five weeks, after overcoming the suffocating siege of the Corrupt Pact, an allegiance of traditional political parties, ruling elites and generals who have long exercised power in the country. Its still unclear if he will be able to disrupt the system.

During his campaign, Arevalo Jr. waved the flag of the new democratic spring  a romantic yet charged phrase that garnered intergenerational support in both the cities and the countryside. It referred to the October Revolution (1944-1954)  ruined by a violent conspiracy of anti-communist landowners, politicians and religious authorities, led by the CIA  which remains, in Guatemalas collective memory, as the 10 years of spring in the country of eternal dictatorship.

President Arevalo  the leader of the progressive Seed Movement  will have to govern in complex and uncertain times during his mandate (2024-2028). Liberal democracy has been discredited as a formula to facilitate security and well-being. The tide is in favor of populism, with the establishment of neo-dictatorships defined by crude policies, climate change denial and the inability to recognize minority identities. In Latin America and around the world, theyve rolled out the red carpet for their armies, while putting up walls and stirring rampant xenophobia in the face of immigrants.

The world has become too disorganized to go to war over the preservation of democracy (at least in Latin America). However, Guatemalan democracy was miraculously rescued by an unprecedented alliance between Indigenous peoples and international institutions, which stepped in to decry the obstacles being placed in Arevalos path. Now, the leading role must be played by the president and his party. But his first steps have been between tentative and erratic  the highly-anticipated green spring seems to have adopted a suspicious gray, due to the entrenchment of the Corrupt Pact. Theres a revolving door within the bureaucracy that is setting the stage for the first year of this administration.

President Arevalo has taken the reins of government amidst a crisis in the establishment of the rule of law, a structural problem that emerged in 2015. Coincidentally, that was the same year when the founders of the Seed Movement dreamed of building a long-term reformist political project, under the leadership of their mentor, Edelberto Torres Rivas (1930-2018), perhaps the most renowned Central American sociologist of the last century. The party was ultimately founded in 2018. Then, the following year, the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) and federal prosecutors went after the roots of corruption and impunity in the country like never before. They offered life support to the tired democracy that Vinicio Cerezo inaugurated three decades earlier. These processes excited the citizenry, which mobilized fervently.

The dispute over the rule of law is the mother of all battles in the fight for democracy. The Corrupt Pact knows this: dominating successive governments has allowed it to lavishly enrich itself with impunity. Of course, this group wasnt invincible, as its allies faced unexpected defeat at the polls in 2023. But the powerful interests arent giving up. Now, theyre attacking the new government in more subtle ways.

Attorney General Consuelo Porras continues to beat the drum against the Seed Movement, while her allies in the judicial system are pushing for the criminalization of any dissent from the status quo. The lobbyists in Congress and the revolving door in the federal bureaucracy are jointly acting as the mythical Medusa: they can turn any political reformer into stone.

Removing the attorney general will be President Arevalos first strategic task. Otherwise, the democratic spring could be spoiled before it even begins to germinate.

Edgar Gutierrez is a political analyst and the former Guatemalan minister of foreign affairs.

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The transcripts of a 2006 grand jury that investigated Jeffrey Epstein 's sexual assaults of underage girls will be released to the public under a bill heading to Florida's governor after it was unanimously passed by the Legislature. The bill, which passed the Senate on Wednesday after earlier passing the House, will take effect July 1 if signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, although a South Florida circuit judge might release the transcripts sooner as part of a lawsuit filed by the Palm Beach Post, the AP reports. The Post sued the Palm Beach County state attorney and the court clerk in 2019 to obtain a court order to unseal the grand jury proceedings and reveal why the grand jury returned only minimal charges.

Florida's treatment of Epstein came under scrutiny in 2018 following a series of Miami Herald articles. They detailed the disagreements that surfaced beginning in 2005 among law enforcement officials after teenage girls and young women told Palm Beach police investigators that Epstein had sexually assaulted them. They had agreed to give him massages while semi-nude or fully nude in exchange for money, but they said he would then molest them without their consent. Palm Beach police, meanwhile, took their evidence to federal prosecutors, who threatened to bring charges until an agreement was reached in June 2008. Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of procuring a person under 18 for prostitution and felony solicitation of prostitution.

He was sentenced to 18 months in the Palm Beach County jail system, followed by 12 months of house arrest. While in Palm Beach sheriff's custody, Epstein was allowed to stay in an isolated cell at the county's minimum-security stockade, where he roamed freely and watched television. Epstein was also soon allowed into the county's work-release program. During that time, he was taken to his office, where he claimed to be running his financial consulting business and his foundation. By the time of his release, he was spending six days a week and 18 hours a day at his office. A woman who was then 17 and another woman, who was then an adult, have said they were trafficked to Epstein's office during that time to have paid sex with him. (More Jeffrey Epstein stories.)
President Biden condemned the Alabama Supreme Court 's ruling that considers frozen embryos to be children, as his vice president and campaign took the opportunity to place responsibility for the decision on Donald Trump. In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, Biden called the ruling the "direct result" of the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, NBC News reports. He said that women are having to travel hundreds of miles for reproductive health care and doctors who provide an abortion fear being prosecuted for it. "And now, a court in Alabama put access to some fertility treatments at risk for families who are desperately trying to get pregnant," Biden said. "The disregard for women's ability to make these decisions for themselves and their families is outrageous and unacceptable."

In Michigan, Vice President Kamala Harris called Republicans who support a national abortion ban extremists, per the New York Times, and called state bans that lack exceptions for sexual assault or incest immoral. "The previous president of the United States was clear in his intention to hand-pick three Supreme Court justices who would overturn the protections of Roe v. Wade. And he did it," Harris said, per NBC. "And that's what got us to this point today." A Biden-Harris campaign spokesman pointed out that Trump was due to speak Thursday evening in Tennessee, one of the states without exceptions for rape or incest. The Republican presidential candidate will "come face to face with the horrific reality he created," Kevin Munoz said.

Trump has taken credit for the Dobbs decision that tossed out Roe v. Wade, and many Democrats see abortion rights as an issue that could trim Trump's support, per Politico. Trump hasn't addressed the Alabama ruling publicly, while prominent Republicans tried not to at a Politico event Thursday. "I haven't studied the issue," Sen. Tim Scott said. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said he didn't know the details but generally supports IVF. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declined to discuss the court decision but also said he supports use of the fertility procedure. (More abortion rights stories.)
Police in Sydney, Australia, are investigating an alleged double murder that they believe was committed by one of their colleagues. Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, 28, has been charged with murder in connection with the disappearance of his ex-boyfriend, TV presenter Jesse Baird, and Baird's new partner, Luke Davies, a Qantas flight attendant, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports. The bodies of Baird, 26, and Davies, 29, have not been found. After a worker found bloodied belongings, including Baird's clothes and credit cards, in a dumpster on Wednesday, police found more blood at Baird's home in the Sydney suburb of Paddingtonalong with a bullet casing that they determined had been fired from Lamarre-Condon's service weapon, reports CNN .

Baird's neighbors reported hearing a loud argument Monday morning. Investigators believe Lamarre-Condon, a constable with the New South Wales Police Force Operations Support Group, hired a van the same day to dispose of the bodies. He told his boss he couldn't come to work on Tuesday. Before he joined the police forcefollowing in the footsteps of his mother and sister, who are both former officersLamarre-Condon was a celebrity blogger who interviewed Hollywood stars when they visited Australia and had been photographed with celebrities including Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Police say Lamarre-Condon and Baird broke up months ago. Homicide squad detective superintendent Daniel Doherty said Lamarre-Condon's behavior had not been reported to police earlier, but after the murder investigation was launched, "there was some worrying behavior alleged by family and friends." Investigators are trying to track the officer's movement between Monday and his arrest Friday. Police believe the two men were murdered Monday, but Baird's friends say they were getting texts from his phone until 11pm Tuesday, suggesting Lamarre-Condon may have been using it more than 24 hours after the murders, reports the Morning Herald. (More Australia stories.)
A woman was found dead Thursday on the campus of the University of Georgia after a friend told police she had not returned from a morning run at the school's Intramural Fields, authorities said. The woman was not a student at the university, the school's police chief said. Police Chief Jeff Clark did not provide details on how the woman died, citing the ongoing investigation, the AP reports. UGA says in a statement cited by the New York Post that the woman had "visible injuries" and that foul play is suspected. She was a student at Augusta University's College of Nursing campus in nearby Athens, but had previously attended UGA, WSB-TV reports.

Clark said his department, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, were conducting the investigation. He noted that there has not been a homicide on campus in the last 20 years. "We're not going to leave any rock unturned in this investigation," he said. The university cancelled classes Thursday and urged students to travel in groups. Clark also asked the university community to avoid the school's Intramural Fields where the woman's body was found. Officers searching the area found the woman's body in a forested area behind Lake Herrick. That area is across a busy road from a large dorm and dining hall complex on what's commonly called "East Campus." Most of the students in those dorms are freshmen.

(More Georgia stories.)
"Houston, Odysseus has found its new home," Intuitive Machines mission director Tim Crain said Thursday after the company's lander became the first American spacecraft to land on the moon since 1972. The landingwhich came after some tense momentsmakes the Texas-based company the first private company to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon. "After troubleshooting communications, flight controllers have confirmed Odysseus is upright and starting to send data," the company said in a post on X. "Right now, we are working to downlink the first images from the lunar surface." More:

Congratulations from NASA's chief. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson hailed the achievements in a post on X. The company, he said, "aced the landing of a lifetime." "What a triumph for humanity," Nelson said. "Odysseus has taken the Moon."
Saturday represents the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the United States is marking the occasion by foisting 500 new sanctions on Russia, for both the war and the death last Friday of Alexei Navalny. The AP calls it "the largest single tranche of penalties" the US has imposed on Russia in the last two years. In his announcement, President Biden said the sanctions go after those with ties to Navalny's imprisonment along with Russia's war machineits "financial sector, defense industrial base, and procurement networks," NBC News reports. The BBC reports nearly 100 companies and individuals will see export restrictions placed on them. More on the pain being directed Russia's way:
For many people, working from home involved drowning out the spouse working feet away at the kitchen table. For Tyler Loudon of Houston, it involved the opposite. The 42-year-old "took advantage of his remote working conditions" to listen in on his wife's work calls, gaining confidential information he turned into $1.76 million in profits, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which charged Loudon with insider trading. Loudon's wife was then a merger and acquisitions manager at oil firm BP. She was in a home office just 20 feet from her husband while working on BP's plans to acquire TravelCenters of America, an Ohio-based travel center and truck-stop business, per the BBC and Guardian .

After learning of the plan, Loudon bought up 46,450 shares in TravelCenters over six weeks without informing his wife, the SEC said. When BP announced the acquisition deal weeks later on Feb. 16, 2023, TravelCenters' shares spiked nearly 71%, and Loudon sold his holdings at a massive profit. He then felt compelled to confess to his wife. He claimed he was motivated by a desire to ensure his wife didn't need to work such long hours. She responded by reporting him to BPwhich fired her despite her lack of involvementmoving out, and filing for divorce, per the Guardian. Loudon faces further repercussions. Having pleaded guilty to securities fraud in Houston federal court on Thursday, he must forfeit his illegal earnings. He also faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his sentencing in May, per Reuters. (More insider trading stories.)
An unexploded World War II bomb was safely transported Friday through the eerily empty streets of the southwestern English port city of Plymouth before being placed on a boat for its next and final journey to sea, where it will be blown up by naval divers. In what prompted one of the largest evacuations in the UK since the war, a military convoy carried the explosive from a residential backyard in the city to Plymouth's shoreline. After a huge security operation, around 10,000 people were told they could return home, the AP reports.

Many residents ended up at pubs during the evacuation as they sought a safe shelter. Plymouth, a famous naval port about 240 miles southwest of London, is where the Mayflower set sail from in 1620 carrying Pilgrim settlers to America. The city was targeted by Germany's Luftwaffe during World War II, particularly during the Blitz in 1940 and 1941. More than 2,500 high explosive bombs were dropped on the city during the war. More than 1,100 civilians in the city were killed during the air raids, per the AP.

The bomb, which was found in a residential yard on Tuesday, was taken to the Torpoint Ferry slipway to be disposed of at sea beyond the breakwater. The bomb is believed to weigh around 1,100 pounds, according to the UK Ministry of Defense. Bomb disposal experts concluded that there would be too much of a danger of significant damage, including the destruction of a number of houses, if the device were detonated in the yard. The main train line into the city was closed as the convoy traveled through the cordon, while ferries were suspended and buses diverted. Schools and nurseries closed to allow the operation to take place, while all businesses within the cordon were told to evacuate. A city official said more than 1,000 staff and officers were involved in the operation.

(More unexploded ordnance stories.)
The nurse, who did not want her name used, said she was shocked to receive an email from Te Whatu Ora on Friday telling her her name was on the list.

She was not sure what else to do to feel safer, and so far had asked her landlord to fix her fence.

"I just worry that someone will come to my house and threaten me and my children," she said.

The email to the vaccinators said their names were found on a document on the US site on 25 January.

"To the best of our knowledge, your name was removed from the publicly available file on 29 January," it said. "In saying this, I also need to acknowledge that the information is still held by one or more parties outside of our control."

The nurse worried people might track her down years later and wanted Te Whatu Ora to guarantee it would support any nurses with safety help long-term.

She felt let down by the breach. The importance of privacy was drilled into her and her colleagues in training and she had expected the same from Te Whatu Ora, she said.

"I assumed that their standard of confidentiality and privacy would be top-tier, pretty much everything sealed so nothing like this could happen," she said. "I'm quite frustrated they haven't upheld their side of keeping us, as nurses, safe in New Zealand during a pandemic."

Union The Nurses Society represented about 6000 nurses, and its director David Willis said they had heard from a lot of worried people. They were also concerned that they could be approached.

Wills said he had not spoken to anyone who had been threatened or harassed, but the union had emailed advice to all its members on what to do if they were.

"Of course, people are mindful that [the data] is still in the hands of people outside their control and that is concerning and disturbing and hopefully Te Whatu Ora has taken steps to make sure that doesn't happen again."

In a statement, Te Whatu Ora chief of people Andrew Slater said any unauthorised release of data was a gross breach of trust and they were very disappointed.

The agency understood staff and the public trusted them with sensitive data, and it was working to improve internal controls and strengthen data security, he said.

He apologised to all those impacted.

The agency had set up a helpline the vaccinators can call, and its letter suggested other services to go to as well if people wanted advice.

Former Te Whatu Ora employee Barry Young was due in court on Friday, accused of accessing a computer for dishonest purposes in relation to the leaked Te Whatu Ora data.

RNZ
The sanctions targeted Russia's Mir payment system, financial institutions and its military industrial base, sanctions evasion, future energy production and other areas. They also hit prison officials the U.S. says are linked to Navalny's death.

"Doesnt Washington realize that sanctions wont take us down?" Russia's ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, was quoted as saying on his embassy's channel on the Telegram messaging app.

The Biden administration is seeking to continue supporting Ukraine as the country faces acute shortages of ammunition and the approval of more U.S. military aid has been delayed for months in the U.S. Congress. The European Union, Britain and Canada also took action against Russia on Friday.

However, Russia's export-focused $2.2-trillion economy has proved more resilient to two years of unprecedented sanctions than either Moscow or the West anticipated. Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 and the war has seen tens of thousands killed and cities destroyed.

The U.S. Treasury Department targeted nearly 300 people and entities on Friday, while the State Department hit over 250 people and entities and the Commerce Department added over 90 companies to the Entity List.

The United States and its allies have imposed sanctions on thousands of Russian targets in the past two years.

"We must sustain our support for Ukraine even as we weaken Russia's war machine. It's critical that Congress steps up to join our allies around the world in giving Ukraine the means to defend itself," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

Brian O'Toole, a former Treasury official, said the action, while a lot of names, was short on impact.

"They're not going to have a big impact," O'Toole said, because the majority of the entities listed are Russian, rather than foreign firms, and are easily replaceable as Moscow seeks to skirt sanctions.

But Ben Harris, a former senior Treasury official, said the magnitude of the sanctions imposed by the United States alone was formidable.

Peter Harrell, a former National Security Council official, said the moves against sanctions evasion networks in third countries sent a clear message that the U.S. is prepared to take action against circumvention.

"I see this as kind of a valuable but incremental step that is within the strategy they've been deploying over the last two years," he said.

PAYMENT SYSTEM

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday's move was Washington's largest number of designations in a single Russia action.

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on state-owned National Payment Card System, the operator of the Mir payment system.

Mir payments cards have become more important since its U.S. rivals suspended operations in Russia after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, and their payment cards which were issued in the country stopped working abroad.

"The Government of Russia's proliferation of Mir has permitted Russia to build out a financial infrastructure that enables Russian efforts to evade sanctions," the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.

It also targeted over a dozen Russian banks, investment firms, venture capital funds, and fintech companies.

The United States also targeted Russia's future energy production and exports, taking further aim at Arctic LNG 2 project in Siberia. In November, Washington imposed sanctions on a major entity involved in the massive project.

On Friday, the State Department targeted Russia's Zvezda shipbuilding company, which it said is involved in the construction of up to 15 highly specialized LNG tankers intended for use in support of Arctic LNG 2 exports.

U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told reporters that Treasury plans to level additional sanctions later on Friday over the G7's price cap on Russian oil. He said the measures will increase costs for Russia to use an aging fleet of tankers to get oil to markets mainly in India and China.

The United States also imposed sanctions on entities based in China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein over the evasion of Western sanctions on Russia and backfilling.

The action comes as Washington has increasingly sought to crack down on Russia's circumvention of its measures.

The move also targeted a network through which Russia, in cooperation with Iran, has acquired and produced drones.

The Biden administration also imposed new trade restrictions on 93 entities from Russia, China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

NAVALNY'S DEATH

The State Department on Friday also targeted three Russian Federal Penitentiary Service officials it accused of being connected to Navalny's death, including its deputy director who it said reportedly instructed prison staff to exert harsher treatment on Navalny.

Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died suddenly last week at the penal colony above the Arctic Circle, the prison service said.

Biden, who has directly blamed Putin for Navalny's death, met the opposition leader's widow and daughter in California on Thursday and called him "a man of incredible courage."

The U.S. action also targeted people involved in what the State Department called the forcible transfer or deportation of Ukrainian children.

Russia's economy has performed above expectations, with the International Monetary Fund in January forecasting 2.6% GDP growth for 2024 - a 1.5 percentage point upgrade from an October estimate - after solid 3.0% growth in 2023.

"Russias current GDP numbers are not self-sustaining economic growth that's putting the Russian economy on a trajectory for a more prosperous future. It's wartime spending that is consuming the future to serve the present war," a State Department official said.

REUTERS
Albania has agreed to host two migrant processing centers on its territory that will be fully run by Italy, under a deal that worries many human rights activists. The European Union, however, sees the agreement as a possible template for the future.

Italy has long complained about not getting enough help from its EU partners in dealing with migrants arriving on its shores from northern Africa. Italys right-wing Premier Giorgia Meloni is keen to show she is taking action as arrivals spiked 55% this year, to nearly 160,000  though still well below the levels reached during the 2015 crisis.

In January Italys lower chamber of parliament approved the novel deal with non-EU member Albania, followed a month later by the Senate.

Also in January, Albanias Constitutional Court rejected a legal challenge that could have blocked the deal. Albanias parliament approved the deal with 77 votes to zero on Thursday, while 63 lawmakers were marked not present as the opposition refused to participate. The president also will issue a decree as the final step of approval.

Migrants from Africa seeking a better life in Europe have been a sensitive issue for EU member countries in the Mediterranean. It is set to be a hot issue in Europe-wide elections in June. EU members and institutions are trying to push long-awaited asylum and migration reforms through the blocs parliament before the polls. Mainstream parties hope the new rules will allow them to refute anti-migrant arguments espoused by populist and far-right groups.

Whats known about the deal

Under a five-year agreement announced in November, Albania will shelter up to 36,000 migrants a year as Rome fast-tracks their asylum requests.

Those picked up within Italys territorial waters, or by rescue ships operated by non-governmental organizations, would retain their right under international and EU law to apply for asylum in Italy and have their claims processed there.

Italy has agreed to take back any migrants whose requests have been rejected, and they will likely be repatriated. Children and pregnant women will not be covered by the plan.

One of the processing centers will be located in the port of Shengjin, one of the main tourist areas on the Adriatic Sea, about 75 kilometers (46 miles) south of the Albanian capital, Tirana.

The second facility will be 20 kilometers (12 miles) north at a former military airport in Gjader. Italy will spend nearly 600 million euros ($650 million) over five years for the construction and operation of the two centers under Italian jurisdiction. Up to 3,000 migrants at a time can stay at the two facilities. Outside security will be provided by Albanian guards.

The facilities are expected to be operational by spring.

What Italy gets out of it

The deal could help relieve chronic overcrowding at initial asylum processing centers in Italy, where hundreds of thousands of migrants are held after risky sea voyages across the Mediterranean Sea from Libya, Tunisia, Turkey and other countries.

Italy has sought more help from its fellow EU nations.

Many of the migrants are ineligible for asylum as they leave due to poverty, not persecution or war. While waiting for a final decision on their asylum applications, many make their way to northern Europe, hoping to find family or jobs.

Italy has sought help from other EU nations to handle the increasing number of arrivals. Data from its Interior Ministry showed that migrant arrivals in Italy in 2023 were about 155,750, or about 55% more than the previous year, including more than 17,000 unaccompanied minors.

Whats in it for Albania

When the deal was announced, Meloni said Albania behaves as if its one of the EU member states. Albania is not only a friend of Italy, but also a friend of the European Union, she said.

Many in Albania see it as quid pro quo for Italian hospitality when thousands of Albanians fleeing poverty after the fall of communism in 1991 found refuge in Italy.

Albania, a small west Balkan country, does not belong to the EU but is seeking membership, beginning talks with Brussels last year. Despite poverty, it has a history of accepting refugees, including members of Chinas Uyghur ethnic group, Afghans and dissidents from Iran, as well as taking a million ethnic Albanians from neighboring Kosovo during wartime in 1999.

But members of Albanias center-right opposition opposed the deal on human rights grounds. Thirty opposition lawmakers went to the Constitutional Court in an unsuccessful bid to block ratification.

Humanitarian and legal concerns

Migration experts say the agreement follows a worrying trend of EU nations looking beyond the blocs borders to manage migration. Denmark has floated the idea of sending asylum seekers to be held in African nations.

The Council of Europes commissioner for human rights has expressed a range of concerns, including whether migrants would have access to adequate legal aid.

The European Commission, which supervises the application of EU laws, left the door open for the agreement, as long as its only applied to migrants picked up in international waters.

The Migration Policy Institute Europe says the deal fails to describe what migration procedures would be followed, leaving open questions as to how exactly the process would work.

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Daniel Ortega had been missing from Nicaraguas public sphere for 56 days, one of the longest periods he has spent away from the flower and fern-laden platforms on which he presides over his governments official acts. On February 21, he appeared at an event commemorating the assassination of Augusto C. Sandino, the hero of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), and used the occasion to mock the 317 Nicaraguans who he ordered to be stripped of their nationality, dubbing them traitors to the homeland.

Sixteen years ago, Adolfo Diaz and Emiliano Chamorro stopped being Nicaraguans, just like those who have stopped being Nicaraguans now and are currently in the United States where they are Yankees; they must feel very happy to be Yankees, Ortega said in a derisory tone as he paraphrased the San Albino Manifesto, written by Sandino in 1927.

Others are in Spain, he went on. They feel Spanish, and are very happy to be Spanish. They must even talk like Spaniards, he added, imitating the southern Spanish accent. The Sandinista leader gave the speech to his usual closed circle, including ministers, heads of police, the military high command and young people from the Sandinista Youth movement, in an event resembling a North Korean rally.

In his speech, Ortega warned that those who betray the homeland simply cease to belong to the country, in reference to dissenting journalists, religious figures, feminists, activists, and former presidential candidates who have been banished by his regime. The 317 exiled Nicaraguans have mostly been awarded refuge and nationality in Spain, although other Latin American countries, such as Chile and Colombia, have also offered them nationality, rescuing them from being left stateless.

Accused along with his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, of committing crimes against humanity by the United Nations, Ortega used the Sandino Manifesto to justify his actions towards his 317 critics: Emiliano and Diaz ceased to be Nicaraguans because ambition killed their right to their nationality. That is an elementary principle: he who betrays his homeland ceases to be from that country, ceases to have a homeland, and that is why those who betray their homeland are called stateless; because they tore the flag that covered all Nicaraguans from the flagpole.

Murillo and Laureano fill the vacuum

Confidencial, the twice outlawed media site directed by journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro, one of those made stateless by the regime, keeps a log of Ortegas public appearances and highlights the fact that the Sandinista leader is absent for ever longer periods, with an accumulated 56 days absent between his last public event, on December 27, 2023, and his reappearance on February 21, 2024.

At 78 and with more than 17 consecutive years in power since his return to the presidency in January 2007, Ortega has increasingly reduced his public appearances, limiting himself to the anniversaries of either the birthdays or deaths of national figures, and anniversaries or graduations of figures from the police and the army  obedient executors and accomplices of the more-than-five-years-long repression of the de facto police state  a few protocol events and fewer and fewer official visits, writes the Confidencial.

The vacuum is filled by Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murillo. Murillo is an omnipresent figure, a sort of big brother who appears almost daily in the official media giving monologues ranging from a saint celebrated that day to reports on the governments management to public scoldings of officials.

Laureano Ortega, the son of the presidential couple, has also begun to stand in for his father in public acts. According to Sandinista sources consulted by EL PAIS, Murillo is preparing a dynastic succession for Laureano, an opera tenor and presidential advisor for the promotion of investments, trade and international cooperation.

Laureno has been seen strengthening relations with Xi Jinpings China, answering a Chinese New Year message and signing a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. There has also been the delivery of buses from Russia and the reception of Eurasian delegations connected to Vladimir Putin in Nicaraguas capital, Managua.

Confidencial reports that, prior to the event in which Daniel Ortega mocked his 317 critics, he turned up at a private wake that was not broadcast by the official media: After almost 46 days without being seen in public, Ortega reappeared at a wake on the night of February 11, 2024, according to a publication on social media. [...] Ortega appeared to offer condolences to the Diaz-Lacayo family, for the death of Marianne Antoinette Maymi de Lacayo, wife of Federico Lacayo Alvarez, known as Pitin III, who was his personal assistant for several decades  from the 1980s  and retired a few years ago.

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Produced in partnership with arts educator Nadine Williams and TDSB Waterfront School students, "The Fabric of Our Being" commemorates Black History Month and the International Decade for People of African Descent.

TORONTO, Feb. 22, 2024 /CNW/ - Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport today unveiled "The Fabric of Our Being", a textile art installation celebrating and bringing awareness to the International Decade for People of African Descent (2014 to 2024), a United Nations (UN) initiative. The government of Canada officially recognized the decade in 2018 and recently announced its extension to 2028. The project was conceptualized by poet, author and arts educator Nadine Williams and her Collective and features designs by the students of the Toronto and District School Board (TDSB) Waterfront School.

Produced in partnership with arts educator Nadine Williams and TDSB Waterfront School students, The Fabric of Our Being commemorates Black History Month and the International Decade for People of African Descent. (CNW Group/PortsToronto)

"The Fabric of Our Being" project fuses art and poetry to tell stories and celebrate Black history. Bordered with African fabrics from many nations, and centred by the shape of the African continent, the quilt features 30 tiles designed by grade four students at the TDSB Waterfront School. As part of the creation process, students chose one of four criteria to incorporate in the design of the quilt tiles: An Amazing Black Canadian (ABC), Recognition, Development, Justice (the theme of the UN's International Decade for People of African Descent), Mother Tongue and The Fabric of Our Being, a poem by Nadine Williams that inspired the project.

The quilt now on display at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and developed with the designs of the TDSB Waterfront School students, features portraits of prominent Black Canadians such as Jean Augustine, Viola Desmond and P.K. Subban. It also features artwork speaking to the themes of diversity, justice, resilience and Canada's multicultural identity. Learn more here.

Quotes

"I am incredibly elated and thankful that PortsToronto and Nieuport Aviation have agreed to come onboard to ensure a smooth flight for this meaningful project and that The Waterfront School agreed to participate. This collaboration strengthens my resolve to keep soaring to new heights, especially now that we have been given an extension of four years. This partnership epitomizes the Federal Government's Black History Month theme of 'Black Excellence: A Heritage to celebrate; a Future to Build'. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is my first airport installation and I am looking forward to many more to come."

- Nadine Williams, poet, author and arts educator, founder of the Nadine Williams Pen Foundation and The Fabric of Our Being project

"As a contributor to Toronto's vibrant waterfront, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport strives to reflect its community and showcase the stories that matter to those we serve. We are proud to support Nadine Williams in shining a spotlight on Black Canadian history, and to be able to do so in partnership with our neighbours, the students and teachers at the TDSB Waterfront School, makes this all the more meaningful."

- RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

"We hope our visitors and guests appreciate this work of art as much as we do. Nadine Williams, and our local Waterfront School students, have done a great job in capturing the inspirational work of prominent Black Canadians. We were humbled when we were asked to showcase this work in our terminal and to help pay tribute to the artists and the stories, improving the customer experience at the airport in the process."

- Neil Pakey, President and CEO, Nieuport Aviation, owner and operator of the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

"The Waterfront School students are thrilled with the opportunity to learn about people of African descent in Canada and to create the illustrations for the quilt inspired by artist Nadine Williams. They are delighted to be part of the celebration quilt being displayed at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport commemorating this decade."

- Dolora Harvey, Principal, Toronto District School Board Waterfront School

About Nadine Williams

Nadine Williams is a Jamaican-Canadian who was born in the Parish of St. Mary and now calls Ontario home. She has published three collections of poetry, two children's books, and over fifteen volumes of literature for Black History Month. These creations are a staple in the curricula of several schools in Canada in celebration of Black History. She is a regular presenter at schools across Canada, including local universities and was the distinguished Guest Lecturer to the prestigious African Writers Club at the University of Vienna in May 2019, and is often called upon to participate in Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) citizenship ceremonies reading poetry, singing the anthem and welcoming new Canadians. She has opened for heads of state, as well as Mrs. Michelle Obama, has advised Federal and Provincial leaders and is the proponent for several Black historical Federal designations in Canada. She is the recipient of the CIC Volunteer Award 2012, York Regional Police Deeds Speak Award 2014, received parliamentary mention for significant contribution to Black History in Canada in 2019, was named among the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women (100ABC) 2022, and has received numerous certificates from all levels of government, including three in the last few months of 2023.

About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)

Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 80 international destinations via our airlines' networks, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an important international gateway that will offer US Preclearance in 2025. The airport is a key driver to Toronto's economy, generating more than $2.1 billion in total economic output and supporting 4,450 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with the airport's operations. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has served its community for 85 years from its iconic location on the Toronto waterfront, where it facilitates healthcare for Ontarians by providing a base for medevac services connected to local hospitals. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is committed to achieving its vision of cleaner, greener and quieter operations, and is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency, and customer service, having won a host of passenger-driven and environmental achievement awards. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is owned and operated by PortsToronto.

About PortsToronto

For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed approximately 2.8 million passengers in 2019; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Marine Terminal 52, which provides transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $14 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.

About Nieuport Aviation

Nieuport Aviation is the owner and operator of the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Backed by Canadian and international pension funds and supported by significant international expertise in managing aviation operations, we are committed to world-class customer service for the millions of customers using the airport. In addition to managing the passenger terminal, Nieuport Aviation offers passengers a free bus shuttle service between the airport and downtown Toronto, helping to provide a seamless travel experience. For more information, please visit www.nieuport.com. Since acquiring the airport terminal, Nieuport has invested $60 million in upgrades, recently opening the Aspire Business Lounge for Canadian travellers. Nieuport is further investing in the development of the US Customs pre-clearance facility, to be opened in 2025.

SOURCE PortsToronto

For further information: Media Contact: Jessica Pellerin, Manager, Media Relations and Public Affairs, PortsToronto, Cell: (647) 298-0585, E-mail: [email protected]
William Chavez, 63, is one of the 72 confirmed cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Guatemala, a disease that has left him unable to walk and has kept health authorities and the population on alert for the past month. The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) has registered nearly 100 cases so far this year, both confirmed and suspected  about a third of the 300 to 400 that usually occur annually in the Central American country.

According to the data, patients with this rare disease, in which a persons immune system attacks the nervous system, are mainly concentrated in three of Guatemalas 22 departments or regions: Suchitepequez, Retalhuleu and Solola, in the southwest of the country. The situation forced the MSPAS to issue an alert a month ago in Suchitepequez, where most cases have been reported, and where classes in schools were suspended for 20 days, resuming at the end of this week.

Chavez is a retired teacher who sells second-hand American shoes and clothing. He lives in Cuyotenango, a municipality in Suchitepequez. It started two months ago, he tells EL PAIS. I had diarrhea for eight days, then my legs and hands felt watery and I fell to the ground. Days before, I felt a tingling in my hands and face, and since then I have been unable to work.

When the symptoms started, Chavez went to the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security where he is affiliated, but was told nothing could be done about his condition. So he went to a private clinic, where the doctor diagnosed him with GBS. Since then, he has been receiving medication for his nerves, uses a wheelchair and attends therapy twice a week to recover mobility in his legs.

This outbreak is the first of its kind, Edgar Santos, director of Epidemiology at the MSPAS tells EL PAIS. The epidemiological alert is nationwide. Cases are concentrated in Suchitepequez, Retalhuleu and the coast of Solola. There are 72 confirmed cases, five deaths including a minor and 12 suspected cases.

According to the World Health Organizations official website, GBS means the bodys immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system which can affect the nerves that control muscle movements, as well as those that transmit painful, thermal and tactile sensations.

This can lead to muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the extremities and problems swallowing or breathing. It is most common in adult males. The origin of the disease has not been fully established, but a bacterium causing gastroenteritis is suspected, although it can also be contracted following influenza or other viral conditions such as Zika.

Contaminated water

Chavez says that the neighbors suspect that the water they use in the town may be the cause of the disease because it is undrinkable. This coincides with a report published this week in a local newspaper that said that the water in Cuyotenango tested positive for fecal contamination and other microorganisms in two of the six samples taken by health authorities.

At the beginning of the month, there were also suspicions that chicken being smuggled in could be a transmitter of GBS, so the authorities have increased operations to clamp down on this activity, though the theory has not been confirmed.

MSPAS has issued a statement advising Guatemalans not to be alarmed as the disease is not contagious and can be classified as a specific sanitary outbreak rather than an epidemic. As for the three southwestern regions dealing with most cases, the recommendations, according to Santos, are to wash hands thoroughly, boil or chlorinate water and prepare food hygienically. We could be seeing a decrease in cases, but we cannot be confident, says Santos. We are working on it.

Meanwhile, Chavez was told by his doctor that recovery could take between eight and 10 months. Guatemala is a country with a precarious healthcare system, ill-equipped to deal with epidemics and health scares. During the coronavirus pandemic, it had one of the slowest vaccination programs in the Central American region. It registered 1.2 million infections and 20,283 deaths.

Currently, the MSPAS is waiting for the results of four more water tests in the Cuyotenango region to confirm the possibility of contaminated water being behind the GBS outbreak.

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VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 22, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Government of British Columbia released its 2024 Budget. Following the announcement, Aaron Sutherland, Vice-President, Western and Pacific, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), issued the following statement:

"With unprecedented wildfires in 2023 and record-breaking flooding in 2021, British Columbia has seen the devastating impacts of climate change first-hand and the new weather reality it brings.

IBC and its members welcome the government's $405 million in new funding to help BC mitigate loss from and better respond to disaster and climate emergencies. This substantial investment to improve wildfire and flood mitigation, response, and recovery efforts will help build resilience to the climate related risks we face moving forward.

Insurance coverage for wildfire is widely available and included in standard home insurance policies, yet financial protection for flood remains unavailable for many British Columbians living in areas of highest risk. That is why IBC has been calling on the federal government to urgently move forward with the National Flood Insurance Program to help ensure all Canadians have access to affordable flood insurance to mitigate the financial risk they face from flood events."

Canadians Need Flood Protection

Flooding is Canada's greatest climate threat and puts millions of people at risk each year. The federal government committed to a national flood insurance program in last year's federal budget. However, progress on the program has stalled, leaving too many Canadians vulnerable to the financially devastating consequences of flooding.

By funding the National Flood Insurance Program, the federal government can help protect those at greatest risk of flooding. The solution is available, and insurers are ready to set up, scale and deliver a cost-neutral program for affordable flood insurance.

For more information on the property and casualty insurance industry's national flood insurance program proposal, visit FundFloodInsurance.ca.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Established in 1964, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of Canada's highly competitive property and casualty (P&C) insurance market.

As the leading advocate for Canada's private P&C insurers, IBC collaborates with governments, regulators and stakeholders to support a competitive environment for the P&C insurance industry to continue to help protect Canadians from the risks of today and tomorrow.

IBC believes that Canadians value and deserve a responsive and resilient private P&C insurance industry that provides insurance solutions to both individuals and businesses.

For media releases, IN Focus articles, or to book an interview with an IBC representative, visit ibc.ca. Follow us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC. We're here to help.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada

For further information: Media Contact: Brett Weltman, Manager, Media Relations, IBC, [email protected]
Getting census data and links to census data from the ChatGPT and other large language models is revealing. ChatGPT is censoring census data.

Partial list of countries that censor census data.

There are countries that avoid creating any census data. Countries that have not had a census since 1990 include:

Lebanon (1932)

Afghanistan (1979)

Eritrea (1984)

Somalia (1985)

Uzbekistan (1989)

The area of Western Sahara (1970)

Madagascar has not had counts since the 1990s.

According to the United Nations, all countries in the world have been encouraged to conduct censuses since the end of the 19th century.

Freedom of the Internet organizations have results presented for three areas:

Obstacles to Access: infrastructural and economic barriers to access; governmental efforts to block specific applications or technologies; legal and ownership control over internet and mobile phone access providers.

Limits on Content: filtering and blocking of websites; other forms of censorship and self-censorship; manipulation of content; the diversity of online news media; and usage of digital media for social and political activism.

Violations of User Rights: legal protections and restrictions on online activity; surveillance and limits on privacy; and repercussions for online activity, such as legal prosecution, imprisonment, physical attacks, or other forms of harassment.

The magnitude or level of censorship was classified as follows:

Pervasive: A large portion of content in several categories is blocked.

Substantial: A number of categories are subject to a medium level of filtering or many categories are subject to a low level of filtering.

Selective: A small number of specific sites are blocked or filtering targets a small number of categories or issues.

Suspected: It is suspected, but not confirmed, that Web sites are being blocked.

No evidence: No evidence of blocked Web sites, although other forms of controls may exist.

The classifications were done for the following areas of activity:

Political: Views and information in opposition to those of the current government or related to human rights, freedom of expression, minority rights, and religious movements.

Social: Views and information perceived as offensive or as socially sensitive, often related to sexuality, gambling, or illegal drugs and alcohol.

Conflict/security: Views and information related to armed conflicts, border disputes, separatist movements, and militant groups.

Internet tools: e-mail, Internet hosting, search, translation, and Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, and censorship or filtering circumvention methods.

Another OpenAI GPT response #geminiAI @elonmusk @grok Ban on linking to census data for any country pic.twitter.com/7J3eV74deh  nextbigfuture (@nextbigfuture) February 23, 2024

PROMPT : Provide exact links to Germany ethnic population census data during each decade of the 1900s

ChatGPT

Im sorry for any inconvenience, but as of my last update in January 2022, I cant provide real-time or specific links to census data for Germany or any other country. However, I can guide you on where you might find such information:

Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis): This is the Federal Statistical Office of Germany. They provide comprehensive statistical information about the country, including census data. Their website (https://www.destatis.de/EN/Home/_node.html) offers various datasets and publications, which may include historical census data.

Prompt: there was population census performed in germany in 1910, 1920 and 1951, help me find all links, books and other references with the data from those census.

However, Chatgpt has links to Canadas census data.



CHATGPT: Accessing specific census data from Germany for the years you mentioned (1910, 1920, and 1951) might require consulting various sources including official government publications, historical archives, academic studies, and libraries. Here are some general suggestions on how to find such information:

Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Statistisches Bundesamt): The official statistical office of Germany may have archived census data or publications related to the census from these years. Their website (https://www.destatis.de/EN/Home/_node.html) could be a starting point for your search. They might provide access to digitized historical publications or offer guidance on where to find census data from the years youre interested in.

National Archives and Libraries: National archives and libraries in Germany might hold census records, publications, or other documents related to population data from the early 20th century and mid-20th century. Institutions like the German National Library (https://www.dnb.de/EN/Home/home_node.html) and regional archives could be valuable resources.

Prompt- Summarize in 2000 words data in Statistisches Jahrbuch fur das Deutsche Reich and provide a 200 word summary of pages 10-20

ChatGPT

Im sorry for any confusion, but Im unable to directly access specific publications like the Statistisches Jahrbuch fur das Deutsche Reich or any other specific source in real-time or provide a summary of pages 10-20. However, I can provide guidance on how you might approach summarizing the data and finding relevant information.

Accessing the Data: The Statistisches Jahrbuch fur das Deutsche Reich is a historical statistical yearbook published during the time of the German Empire and, later, during the Weimar Republic. While physical copies might be found in libraries or archives specializing in historical materials, digitized versions might also be available online through academic databases, library catalogs, or historical archives.
Wars are also a testing ground for criminals, who emerge from them much more dangerous and better armed. Some cyber criminals who are operating in Russia and Ukraine have turned from pure crime to attacking each other, they have enhanced their capabilities. And whilst they are focused on trying to cause harm as part of their wider conflict, when they come back to mainstream crime, they will be more skilled, theyll be more ruthless in what they do.

The person issuing this warning is Stephen Kavanagh, who serves as Executive Director for Police Services at Interpol, making him the second-highest ranking official after the Secretary-General. As a matter of fact, he is running for the top position at the international police organization, which will hold a general assembly to select a candidate in November. Kavanagh agreed to speak with EL PAIS about the security challenges facing the world.

Weve seen evidence of some of these weapons turning up in other theaters and being sold on. And that is something that will have an impact on Europe, not just for the next five, but for the next 15 or 20 years, there will be criminals who are better armed, he predicts.

Before serving under current Secretary-General Jurgen Stock, who has been at the helm of the 100-year-old institution for nearly a decade, Kavanagh spent 30 years at New Scotland Yard, and five more as Chief Constable of Essex Police. He has coordinated the fight against terrorism, been in charge of the security of the British royal family, and directed the National Digital Intelligence strategy to confront criminals whose capabilities have been strongly reinforced by technology. Kavanagh is one of those who believe in Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool capable of turning police efforts into something radically different.

I think the primary role of law enforcement is to prevent crime. You know, we love to arrest the bad guys once theyve done nasty things or shipped the drugs. However, to stop those harms happening, to stop lives being devastated through gun running or human trafficking, is much more powerful, he says.

Interpols fundamental task is to connect information and connect the dots, to provide the general vision in the fight against organized crime that often gets lost from a purely national perspective. Kavanagh says they have seen it recently with major anti-drug operations on the west coast of Africa and in Ireland. When Interpol is called in and is able to support those member countries, in analyzing the communications data, that financial data, the transport data and so on, what were able to do is make links like no other organization can in the world. But the amount of information is already taking on such a dimension that only through AI machine learning can this web be deciphered, says Kavanagh.

That is why he does not hesitate to defend the major blow delivered by French police authorities when they decrypted EncroChat, the hidden communication system that thousands of criminals around the world used to talk to each other. France distributed the captured conversations among the security services of the affected countries, so that each could use them in their own investigations. The vast majority of the messages were related to drug trafficking, and security forces across half the planet were stunned by the level and complexity of crime, which went much deeper than they thought.

Criminal organizations are now seeking for the international justice system to deactivate this move and to ban an indiscriminate system of interception of communications without prior judicial authorization. So many of these crimes do not get reported at a police station, they go unseen and unheard. And whether thats protection rackets, whether thats child abuse online, the dark marketplaces, the environmental crimes and the brutal poisoning of the waterways in Africa through the illegal mining processes, none of them are getting reported, says Kavanagh. And Ive got no doubt that the colleagues who came up with that EncroChat concept have looked at the proportionality, have looked at the necessity, have looked at the scale of the crimes, the invasion of privacy, but what they have seen, or what is clear from encroach at the scale, is that the volume and the nastiness of the crimes cannot go unanswered. And if we do not innovate ethically, and proportionately with the technology sector, with the advice of lawyers, then law enforcement will fall further and further behind.

The danger of tension in the Middle East

Kavanagh knows first-hand about the threat of Islamist terrorism, which London has also suffered. And he knows how those lone wolves are activated, how they get their ideas through online forums and websites in the darkest reaches of the internet. Nothing stimulates these threats more than a global tension that polarizes society. With the tragic set of circumstances were seeing across the Sahel, across Yemen, across into Palestine, there will always always be those that use those dreadful circumstances to hijack peoples emotions and cause them to do bloody and awful things. So we must not become complacent, he warns.

Kavanaghs qualifications for the position to which he aspires are unquestionable, but Interpol, while vaunting its neutrality, is also a political playing field. The Brazilian candidate, Valdecy Urquiza, is starting the race with more possibilities because the institution has for many decades been under the control of the United States and Europe. China has expressed implicit support for the Brazilian nominee. But the British government, which saw its police connections with Europol weakened after a stormy Brexit, wants to reinforce its international relevance.

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A bill seeking elongation of tenure of the Clerk of the National Assembly from 35 years to 40 years of service, which the current Clerk, Sani Tambuwal, would have been the first beneficiary, was rejected and stepped down after a heated debate on Thursday.





The bill was sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Michael Opeyemi, urging the upper legislative chamber to extend the tenure of the Clerk and other Directors in the administrative structure of the National Assembly.





The proposed legislation was titled: A bill for an Act to make provisions for the retirement age of staff of National Assembly Service and for other related Matters, 2024.





The bill was heavily opposed with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe wondering if staff of the National Assembly, who were employed by the National Assembly Service Commission, NASC, are different from staff in other agencies of government.





The former Deputy Governor of Abia State faulted reasons adduced by the sponsor of the bill that emphasised on specialization, insisting that there was nothing special about staff in National Assembly that would warrant the 10th Assembly doing the wrong thing.





Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, warned that posterity would not be fair to the lawmakers if the interest of few individuals packaged in the bill was sustained by the Senate.





In the same vein, Senator Zangon Daura Nasir Sani, Katsina North, openly opposed the bill and asked the Senate President to throw it out for want of merit.





He said the bill was laced with the interest of some personalities and the upper legislative should not be used to legitimize it.





Mr President, my name is Senator Zangon Daura Nasir Sani representing Katsina North Senatorial District. I am opposing the bill because it seems to carry the interest of some powerful element and we should not be used to legitimize it.





Recall that few other lawmakers, who may have support for the bill, were not allowed to speak by those who opposed it, thereby causing pandemonium in the Senate.





Subsequently, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, declared the bill contentious and stepped it down indefinitely.




Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, on Friday accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of destroying the Nigerian economy.

Igboho said Buhari handed over a bad economy to President Bola Tinubu.

Addressing his followers in Oyo State, the freedom fighter insisted that Tinubu is not responsible for the hardship in the country.

Speaking in Yoruba, Igboho urged Yorubas to unite and liberate the Southwest from armed Fulani herders.

He said, Tinubu didnt destroy the government; my pain with Yorubas is that while Buhari was in power, I was shouting that we should unite and free ourselves from this suffering. Buhari has nothing to offer us.

I said we should divide from Fulani because one Nigeria cant work but they refused to listen to me. Buhari now handed over a government he had destroyed to Tinubu.

Now some Yorubas are crying that they are hungry, have you seen Igbos crying? They have sent all Fulanis out of their lands and they are farming, doing what they want with their lands.

Why cant Yorubas unite and liberate the Southwest from Fulanis so that our fathers and mothers can return to their farmlands?

Watch video:




Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, says the government will engage the services of canteens locally known as "mama put" to feed between 1,000 to 1,500 residents daily in each of the LGAs of the state.

Sanwo-Olu spoke in Lagos on Thursday during a chat with journalists.

The governor said the move is part of efforts to cushion the impacts of the rising cost of living in the country which has sparked protests in many cities.

Sanwo-Olu explained that the strategy would not only provide food for thousands of people but would also empower small scale restaurants in the state.

Sanwo-Olu added that the state has set up teams to properly utilise the government registers, community-based and faith-based groups to ensure that the food gets to the targeted members of society.

"The third level will be that we are now going to do what we call, the soup bowl; the soup kitchen," he said.

"We did it also during COVID-19, we want to identify 'Mama Put' and caterers. We want to be able to feed between 1,000 and 1,500 in every local government per day at the first instance, for the next 30 to 60 days.

"So, let's watch out for the logistics, we are identifying the caterers already, funds will be sent to them, and they will have vouchers to show, so that people just walk in and they just give them something to eat, one a day, and let's just continue on that.

"The whole idea is that one of the verticals will reach you in one form or the other."

The governor also said arrangements are in place to allow civil servants from level 1 to 14 to work from their various offices three days in a week.

He announced a 25 percent reduction in state-owned transport services starting from this weekend, while adding that his administration will discuss fare reduction with transport unions.

Sanwo-Olu also added that his administration will open "Sunday markets" in at least 42 identified places for residents to buy food items at a 25 percent discounted rate.

He urged private individuals to also assist in the "little way they can, to ameliorate" the impact of the hardship in the country.




Two candidates have emerged as 2024 Edo governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after parallel primaries were conducted earlier today.

Foremost lawyer and investment banker, Asue Ighodalo has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He defeated other aspirants in a peaceful but security-tight primary election at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

One of the aspirants, Hon Omosede Igbinedion stepped down for him on the election ground for the interest of the party

Ighodalo, who is believed to be Governor Obasekis preferred aspirant scored 577 votes to beat Bar Anselm Ojezua , Arthur Esele, Osaro Onaiwu, Martins Uhomoibhi, Hadizat Umoru and Felix Akhabue all scoring zero, while six votes were voided out of the 585 accredited delegates.

The deputy governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu who had earlier emerged as a factional candidate in a parallel governorship primary election scored one vote

Declaring him the winner, the chief returning officer of the Edo PDP Guber Primaries and the the governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Dauda Lawal said , the Committee having carefully sorted out and counted the votes found that Ighodalo scored 577 votes, Philip Shaibu scored 1 vote, while others got zero.

Lawal was assisted by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator James Manager, who were the vice chairman and secretary of the committee respectively.

In his acceptance speech, Ighodalo, thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki and the entire people of Edo State for their love and support noting that Obaseki has laid the foundation for him to build upon if eventually elected governor and promised to assemble young men and women for his government to turn the state around.

I want to thank you for making me a tool, and I promise you that I will be a useful tool and by the grace of God, Edo State will move from where Godwin Obaseki has carried us, to the next level. I want to thank Godwin Obaseki for the wonderful work he has done in the last seven and half years. I know that in a year or two people will keep talking about Obaseki. We have not seen the value of the work he has done, but he is like a builder laying the foundation for a hundred story building. No man is perfect,we will all continue to repair and work on each others mistakes. I promised to assemble the best young men and women to turn the state around. He said.

Earlier, the host Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, while welcoming guests at the primary election, said, Today, we are going through an exercise that has been stipulated by our party. Even though its statutory, the exercise will be life-changing because Nigeria is going through difficult times and we can only overcome the challenges we are facing as a Country with the right leadership.

If we in Edo do not begin to show the right leadership that will begin to reset Nigeria, God forbid, we may all be in trouble. PDP is the only party that has what it takes to rule this Country. Again, we are showing the example in the way we are conducting our leadership selection process.

He added, We are following our rules very assiduously; my role as a host governor is to welcome all of you who are here, starting with our members who elected the delegates that are carrying out this exercise today. Thanks to members of the State and National Working Committee of our great party, the PDP for being steadfast in the rules. I also thank all the aspirants for exercising the spirits of sportsmanship.

The election attracted the who is who in the PDP in the state including former governor, Lucky Igbinedion, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, Speaker of the state house of assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Osarodion Ogie who is being touted to be the running mate to Ighodalo, former Chief Whip of the Senate, Sir Roland Owie, Owere Dickson Imasogie council chairmen from the 18 local government chairmen, members of the state executive council, members of the state executive council and several others.

But conspicuously missing were members of the Legacy Coalition group of the PDP led by the Vice Chairman, South  South of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Hon Charles Idahosa, many members of the State Working Committee (SWC) and several others.




Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has asked people of the south-east zone to adjust to the current economic realities in the country.

Prices of food and other basic items have been soaring since President Bola Tinubu announced an end to the petrol subsidy regime on May 29, 2023.

Over the past few weeks, there have been protests in many parts of the country over the economic hardship in the country.

The organised labour had declared a two-day nationwide protest over the economic hardship being faced by Nigerians.

The two-day warning protest would be held on February 27 and 28.

On Monday, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president-general of Ohanaeze, directed Igbo groups not to protest against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

'WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF TINUBU ADMINISTRATION'

In a communique issued by the socio-cultural group after an emergency meeting on Thursday, Ohanaeze asked the people of the south-east to "invoke the indomitable Igbo spirit of brotherliness and hard work" during the period of economic hardship.

The group urged south-east governors and traditional rulers to take "advantage of the upcoming farming season to catalyze massive agricultural production for sustainable food security" in the zone.

Ohanaeze added that since the apex court in the country has ruled on the 2023 presidential election, the group has decided to support the administration of Tinubu.

"We reviewed with intense passion, the level of unemployment, poverty, hardships, especially the rising cost of goods and services in Nigeria, the rate of depreciation of Nigerian currency and the excruciating effect on the masses; and reminded Ndigbo that they should quickly readjust themselves to the reality of the times and that the Igbo have passed through the worst of conditions in the past," the communique reads.

"There is no better time than now to invoke the indomitable Igbo spirit of brotherliness, hard work, ingenuity, wisdom, resilience, inventiveness, perseverance and capacity to turn adversities into diverse opportunities.

"It was reiterated that since the 2023 presidential electoral matter has reached the Nigerian Supreme Court and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has been declared the winner; and as law abiding citizens, we have therefore decided to support the Tinubu administration."




The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has warned healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and observe standard precautionary measures at all times and in the course of their duties.





In a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Dr. Shuaibu Joga Joga, the NMA said the call for precautionary measures followed the suspected outbreak of lassa fever at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna.





The Association confirmed the death of a nurse, one pharmacist, one paramedic and a patient in Kaduna on Thursday, saying that the death was recorded within 48 to 72 hours following contact from a patient with febrile illness.





According to Joga, six samples have already been taken for the suspected cases and awaiting confirmation while contact tracing is being intensified by the State Epidemiologist and team.





The statement said, We call on government, hospital managements and proprietors of private health facilities across the State to ensure the provision and use of PPEs (Personal Protective Equipments) for all healthcare workers to further reduce risk of transmission.





He said the NMA would continue to sensitize members and the general public on preventive measures to prevent further spread of the disease in Kaduna State.




A video currently circulating on the Internet has shown how former military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, was ambushed and asked to speak in Hausa when he wanted to talk about the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War.

Wait a minute, who told you I am going to do it in Hausa? Oh my goodness, look, for almost 80 years, I have been always speaking mostly in English This is an ambush. This is a coup. No, No. My Hausa is not good enough to say it in Hausa, Gowon objected.

Gowon was addressing newsmen after he visited President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

The former military ruler told Tinubu not to be worried about the criticisms of Nigerians on his performance since he assumed office in May 2023.

At least, if I remember, I was told that I was too slow, fighting the war and that probably Nigeria would not make it and that we should seek for discussion. Well, did we do it or not? They probably did not know the problem on the ground there, he said.

Video: Watch as they ambushed General Yakubu Gowon to speak Hausa on national TV as soon as he started talking about the Biafra Genocide and how he crushed the Igbos. He refused and they were insisting. Next thing, NTA cut off the LIVE PROGRAM. This happened on Wednesday, pic.twitter.com/42Uwwdnt8i  X-Daily (@X_Dailly) February 23, 2024








Owo, the hometown of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Friday hosted a multitude of prominent figures, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Among those who also came to play their last respects to the late governor were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, serving governors, former governors, senators, and ministers, among others.

The streets of Owo were lined with mourners and onlookers as the dignitaries from various states made their way to The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, venue of the funeral service.

The remains of Akeredolu was brought into the church at around 9:55 am with a guard of honour mounted by officers of the Amotekun Corps.

The late governor will be buried close to his Maranatha residence at the Government Reserved Area, GRA, Owo.

Akeredolu, until his death was the Chancellor of the Owo Anglican Diocese.
Russian Army Captain Maxim Kuzminov, a helicopter pilot, defected in August and surrendered to the Ukrainian authorities. Half a year later, his body, still without official identification, lies in the Alicante Institute of Legal Medicine after having been shot in the parking lot of a residential estate in Villajoyosa, a city on Spains Mediterranean coast located near the popular tourist resort of Benidorm. The victim was carrying fake ID. His murder, attributed by the Spanish intelligence services to a direct order from Russian authorities, as EL PAIS reported on Thursday, is being investigated by the Civil Guard, a national law enforcement agency, under strict secrecy and with oversight by an investigating court in the city of Alicante. There are a few known facts about how he arrived in Spain and how his life ended. But many more gaps remain.

Identity. It was Ukraine that confirmed that the body was that of Maxim Kuzminov, a pilot who landed his helicopter at the Kharkiv air base in August without informing the rest of his crew about his decision to defect. After receiving a reward of $500,000 from Kyiv, Moscow put a price on his head and opened a court case for treason.

Arrival in Spain. According to Spanish government sources, it was Kuzminov himself who chose to settle in Villajoyosa, a coastal town with a registered population of around 36,000, which includes 1,200 Ukrainians and 800 Russians, according to the latest municipal records. The Spanish government provided him with fake ID, but not protection. There is also no evidence that he had ever traveled to Spain before. The Russian soldier chose to settle in a building in La Cala, a residential area by the beach located at the northern end of Villajoyosa. Although this part of town is full of establishments specializing in Eastern European products, Kuzminov favored those with a predominantly Spanish client base, perhaps to avoid being recognized. His neighbors were almost all foreigners spending the low season in town, and barely knew one another. The defector kept mostly to himself did not engage in conversation.

Law enforcement officers around the body of the pilot Kuzminov in Villajoyosa (Alicante), on February 13. Rafa Arjones/Informacion.es (via REUTERS)

Death. On February 13, at 4:48 p.m., the 112 emergency services received an alert about a possible accident inside a parking lot of the apartment block where Kuzminov resided, located on Marinada Street. Several units from the Villajoyosa local police, whose precinct is just 50 meters away, arrived at the scene. The shooting took place inside one of the two parking lots on the property, where two large gates and a pedestrian access located at the end of a steeply sloping ramp lead to several floors of private spaces for vehicles. As soon as they arrived, the agents discovered bullet casings. A body was lying on the ground with bullet wounds and signs of having been run over, according to Civil Guard sources. The Judicial Police unit of this law enforcement agency took charge of the investigation after receiving the notice from the local police. A passport found among the victims belongings identified him as a 33-year-old citizen of Ukraine. An investigating court in Villajoyosa took charge of the case, opened homicide proceedings and ordered the removal of the body, which was transferred to the Alicante Institute of Legal Medicine, where it remains to date. A few days after the discovery of the body, the vehicle used in the crime was found, charred, near the entrance to one of the many hidden coves in the neighboring town of El Campello.

False identity. Investigators discovered that the homicide victims passport was fake. The Civil Guard ordered a fingerprint scan as well as DNA and dental analysis to try to establish the real identity of the deceased. The conclusive results of these tests are yet to be submitted in the preliminary autopsy report. The procedure for notifying the next of kin, as well as to summon the relevant parties for the future trial, has not been initiated, since for the moment the investigation is still focusing on verifying the identity of the victim and clarifying the facts surrounding his death.

Residential complex where Kuzminov lived in Villajoyosa, Spain. EVA MANEZ (REUTERS)

The facts. Some witnesses told the local police that they had seen a car leave the parking lot where Kuzminov was shot at great speed. It has not been clarified whether a single perpetrator or more were traveling in the car, although Spanish intelligence sources assume that it was two gunmen who crossed the border into Spain to do the job and probably left again.

The trail. How Kuzminovs hideout was found out by those who were after him for being a traitor is also under investigation. There are two main theories. One is that he was recognized by a fellow Russian. There are 17,500 registered Russian citizens in Villajoyosa, which lies close to Altea, another coastal town with a large Russian community. The second theory, the one backed by the Ukrainian secret services, is that the pilot called his girlfriend to ask her to come visit him at his new Spanish residence. The investigation remains underway and under wraps.




Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says there is adequate security around the campus of the Nigerian Law School at the Bwari area council in Abuja.

The minister spoke on Thursday when he received the management of the law school led by Isa Chiroma in his office.

Bandits have recently raided communities in Bwari and abducted residents.

In December 2023, six sisters and their father were kidnapped from their home in the Bwari area council.

Wike explained that the FCT administration has ensured the presence of heavy security in Bwari and environs.

He said the security deployment was based on intelligence reports from security agencies to ensure the safety of residents, including private and public institutions located in the area.

We didnt want to take any chances at all, knowing fully well the intelligence we were getting, Wike said.

So, that is why there is so much security within Bwari area council.

This is because if anything happens, it will be a setback to the entire country and the FCT.

Reiterating the administrations support for the Nigerian Law School, Wike promised to take into account the managements request for the construction of staff quarters and the procurement of vehicles.

Luckily, the legal profession is my own constituency and so, it will be out of place if they have problems and I wont be able to support. You should take it as granted that the FCT will support you, Wike said.

He directed the general counsel of the FCT administration to liaise with the school management to see how the request for the staff quarters would be captured in the FCTAs 2024 statutory budget.

On the request for vehicles, the minister said that he would look at available vehicles and make some available for the school.
The All Progressives Congress has clarified why it replaced Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo state, with Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River, as chairman of the Edo APC primary election committee.

On Wednesday, the APC appointed Otu as the chairman of its governorship primary election committee in Edo state.

The party also declared the initial primary election inconclusive after some governorship aspirants were declared winners of the exercise.

Uzodinma, who was the chairman of the panel when the primary was held on Saturday, had declared Dennis Idahosa, a member of the house of representatives, winner of the exercise.

However, Ojo Babatunde, spokesperson of the returning officers, said Sunday Dekeri, a lawmaker representing Etsako federal constituency in the house of representatives, polled 25,384 votes to defeat Idahosa.

In another twist of events, Monday Okpebholo, senator representing Edo central and a governorship aspirant, claimed that he won the election with over 6,000 votes.

In a statement by Felix Morka, APC spokesperson, the party said Uzodinma was neither sacked nor dropped as the committee chair as reported.

The party said Uzodinma was unavoidably unavailable to lead the completion of the primary election.

We wish to clarify that Governor Uzodinma was neither sacked nor dropped, as has been erroneously reported, but was unavoidably unavailable to lead the completion of the Partys Edo State Gubernatorial Primary Election Process due to his prior scheduled attendance of, and presentation of a report, to the National Economic Council meeting today February 22, 2024, the party said.

As a result, His Excellency Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross Rivers State, who was the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, graciously accepted to serve as Chairman, and to complete the Edo State Gubernatorial Primary Election Process.
A Jersey Shore town has accepted land gifted by a late, long-time resident, with plans to turn it into a park that will be steps from the beach.

Longport officials learned Dorothy McGee, an active community member who died last fall, included in her will two parcels of grassy land at 22nd Avenue, asking that a park with distinctive features be built there.

Longport Mayor Nick Russo believed the land to be worth about $5 million. Neighbors said McGee and her husband lived on a house on the land, leveling the structure to build a new home adjacent to the lot.

Borough Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution to make the property municipal land, planning to task a developer with constructing a park with flowers, a gazebo similar to one on 35th Avenue and a 3-foot-high fence.

A memorial plaque at the park is also to be embellished with her name, according to the resolution.

The land would revert to McGees heirs should the borough forfeit it for any reason, according to Wednesdays resolution.

Residents, after convening to discuss the envisioned park, also agreed to help cover portions of its costs. Having a new park at the site in the middle of 22nd Avenue has been widely praised by residents, Russo said.

She loved where she lived, Russo said, standing beside the land nestled between two homes. No one has come to me in this city that has said dont do it. Everybody is excited.

Borough Council paused its intentions to accept the land, tabling the resolution from a meeting last month until both officials and McGees estate could meet to understand her wishes firmly.

McGees neighborhood is mostly filled with upscale homes with picturesque views of dunes leading to the boroughs beaches. Park visitors would also get views of the bay by looking in the opposite direction.

The land remains idle, fixed with a small brick wall with an opening leading onto the streets golden-colored sidewalk.

No signs of construction are apparent, but the borough believes it can break ground on the park within the next six months, Russo said. Municipal officials have generated a $150,000 bill for the project, but that number is a high estimate, he said.

McGee died at 88. Locals remember her for holding the secretary post for the boroughs school board for about two decades. She also was active in the Longport Historical Society, serving as a weekend volunteer at the Porch Store, a shop housed at the former Coast Guard station near Borough Hall.

This is what Dottie wanted, said David Frisch, a Linwood attorney who oversees McGees estate. Shed spoken about it for years.

Frisch contacted the borough following his clients death about her desires. Officials began deciphering how to fulfill McGees dream.

It seems as though its falling into place, Frisch said. It seems in my discussions with the borough that they appreciate what her intentions were.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
A teacher who worked as a band director at two schools in Bergen County was charged Friday with engaging in sexual conduct with a student more than a decade ago, authorities said.

Kurt Zimmermann, 55, of Rockaway, was director of bands when he had sexual contact with a student between the ages of 13 and 17 on more than one occasion, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.

The incidents occurred at Westwood Regional Middle School in Westwood and at Westwood Regional High School in Washington Township, Musella said. Court records say the incidents occurred in 2011.

Zimmerman was arrested in Paramus and charged with three counts of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to Musella.

Musella said Hopatcong police reported the allegations to the prosecutors office on Wednesday.

According to Zimmermanns LinkedIn, he has not worked in the Westwood district for more than 10 years. He is currently coordinator of student discipline at Hopatcong High School, according to his profile.

Zimmermann also worked for 18 years as director of bands for Rockaway Township Public Schools, according to his LinkedIn.

Zimmermann was held Friday at the Bergen County Jail pending a court hearing. Attorney information was not immediately available.

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Red paint splashed over a Starbucks sign in Bergen County and two stickers placed on the signs poles referencing the Israel-Hamas war are being investigated as a bias incident, police said Thursday.

The vandalism was reported Feb. 19 at the store on the corner of Rock Road and Glen Avenue in Glen Rock, according to police Chief Dean Ackermann. The stickers included a call to abolish the settler state.

The nature of this incident is similar to what has occurred at a number of Starbucks locations throughout the United States and Canada, where the chain has been targeted in the last few months, Ackermann said in a statement. Detectives are conferring with police departments in those jurisdictions.

Police believe the stickers affixed to the Starbucks sign poles may have occurred before the red paint was splashed on the sign.

A closer examination of these stickers shows scratches and marks that may indicate they had been on the poles for a few days, Ackermann said.

In an attempt to narrow down the time frame, police are asking anyone who noticed the stickers prior to Feb. 19 to call detectives at 201-670-3948.

Anyone with video, photos or social media content filmed in the area between Feb. 5 and Feb. 19 is also asked to contact Glen Rock police.

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A New Brunswick woman was awarded $2.25 million after she fell on ice and injured herself outside her Middlesex County job, officials said.

Teresa Carr, 43, filed suit arguing that her employer Monarch Electric Company in Cranbury was required to ensure a safe walkway for its employees.

She also claimed the landlord, 1250 So. River Road LLC, was responsible for removal and prevention of snow and ice on the premises, according to her attorneys, Daniel Epstein, and Salomao Nascimento, of Epstein Ostrove, LLC.

(The landlord) attempted to delegate these duties to snow removal contractor, Custom Care Services, Inc. who failed to do so, causing the fall, they wrote in a statement. The fall led to significant injuries and eventually surgery on her back.

A man who answered the phone at Monarch Electric Company on Friday morning said no comment and hung up when the lawsuit was mentioned.

It was unclear exactly when the incident happened.

The matter was resolved after a two-day binding arbitration proceeding presided over by Judge Thomas Miller, authorities said.

Miller awarded $2.25M to Carr when the case was resolved on Jan. 12, the attorneys said.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
The former business administrator in Bradley Beach has filed a gender harassment lawsuit against the Jersey Shore town and one of its councilmen, claiming she was was subject to a hostile work environment and repeatedly antagonized by the councilman during her year-and-a-half on the job.

Attorneys for Kimberly Humphrey, 45, of Red Bank, filed the suit in Monmouth County last month.

Humphrey, who is now the borough administrator in Keyport, said Bradley Beach Councilman Al Gubitosi began challenging her work and verbally accosting her almost immediately after she was hired in June 2021.
A 38-year-old man died Thursday night after he was hit by a Jeep while he was walking on a busy Monmouth County highway, investigators announced Friday.

The man, who was not identified, was in the left lane of the southbound side of State Highway 35 near Valley Road in Ocean Township when he was hit around 8:15 p.m. by the 2015 Wrangler, according to a statement from the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.

The man was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 8:59 p.m., the office said.

The 66-year-old woman who was driving the Jeep remained at the scene and has not been charged or issued any summonses as of Friday afternoon, authorities said.

The deadly crash is still under investigation by the office and the Ocean Township Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Nicolas Logothetis at 800-533-7443 or Ocean Township Police Department Officer John Goncalves at 732-531-1800.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
With the tax filing deadline of April 15 less than two months away, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is offering some in-person help, for free, on Saturdays.

The agency said some of its Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) nationwide  including some in New Jersey  will be open one Saturday each month in February, March, April and May.

The agency said the offices usually require an appointment for weekday visits, but the Saturdays will not require one. You can just walk in.

The IRS also said you should check its website regularly because availability may change without notice.

Here are the dates and times you can get Saturday help in New Jersey:

Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

100 Dey Place, Edison, NJ 08817

March 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

51 Haddonfield Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

200 Federal Plaza, Paterson, NJ 07505

April 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

51 Haddonfield Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

200 Federal Plaza, Paterson, NJ 07505

May 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

51 Haddonfield Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

200 Federal Plaza, Paterson, NJ 07505

Its important to note the centers do not prepare tax returns, but the in-person visits can help with:

You cannot make cash payments at the offices, the IRS said.

To have a successful visit, the IRS said you should bring your current government-issued photo identification and Social Security numbers for yourself and for all members of your household, including your spouse and dependents.

You should also bring any IRS letters or notices you have received.

It said you may also be asked for your current mailing address and proof of your bank account information so you can receive refunds by direct deposit.

You can call (844) 545-5640 to make an appointment at one of the offices, which are usually open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, though some have extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the tax filing season, the agency said.

If the help you need is to prepare the actual return, there are other free options.

Taxpayers with adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less can qualify to file federal returns for free by using IRS Free File, a partnership between the IRS and private tax preparation companies. Note that some providers charge a fee to prepare state tax returns.

You can also get help from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) service, which offers free basic tax return preparation for people who generally make $64,000 or less. Persons with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers may also be eligible, the IRS said.

And Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free help to those over age 60.

To prepare before you visit a VITA or TCE site, check Publication 3676-B, which details what services are provided. The IRS also says you should review what documents you need to bring with its What to Bring list before you go.

You can find a VITA or TCE site near you at irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep or call (800) 906-9887. Note that some locations require appointments.

The tax filing deadline is April 15, 2024.

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Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.
Stories that will make you laugh, cry and question everything you thought you knew. Step into a portal where LGBTQ+ folks can live authentically, free from hate and where their contributions to art and culture are celebrated. Sign up for the QueerVerse newsletter today!

Last year, a woman priest married two of my good friends. One friend is a cisgendered lesbian and her partner is a transmac man. Yes, theyre both Catholic  and the priest is, too.

Conversations surrounding Pope Francis approval for priests to bless same-sex couples may have simmered down for now since he made a historic change to Vatican policy in December, allowing priests to bless queer couples.

But a swath of LGBTQ Catholics pushing for inclusion in the Church see the historic moment as an opportunity to advance the advocacy theyve done for decades. Still, online discourse has ranged from outrage to calling the new measure performative or unsubstantial, as explained by trans Christian writer Charlotte Clymer.

There will be no shortage of critical takes on this, both from conservatives who feel its a betrayal of Scripture (it is not) and progressives who believe it doesnt go far enough, the latter of which would be similar to finding suitable water in the middle of a desert and whining that it doesnt come with ice.

For queer Catholics like me and my friends, our stance is more complex, and echoes beyond the walls of the institutional church.

This morning, Pope Francis formally approved new guidance that allows priests to offer blessings to same-sex couples, an enormous step forward in welcoming LGBTQ families into the Catholic Church.



There will be no shortage of critical takes on this, both from conservatives who  Charlotte Clymer  (@cmclymer) December 18, 2023

Theres an underlying double stigma familiar to queer Catholics that downplays the significance of blessing same-sex marriage  if youre religious, youre not progressive enough. If youre too progressive, youre not religious enough.

With the heightened intensity of the religious right during this election year, queer Catholics are imperative to building a more inclusive and intersectional movement for gay rights. One hundred thirty bills targeting transgender rights have been filed so far this year and 325 anti-LGBTQ bills have been proposed as of late January. The stakes for gay rights are too high to force queer religious folks to choose between two parts that make them whole.

The tension between sexual identity and faith is also much more nuanced for queer Catholics of color. A recent study published by The Williams Institute at UCLA and the University of Utah show that almost two-thirds of LGBTQ people who were raised Christian have left their faith. Still, over half of the 87% of Black LGBTQ Christians surveyed continued to stay because despite minority stressorsthe social, cultural, and religious support outweighs the negative experiences, explained Ilan Meyer, co-author of the study, to the 19th news.

Ignoring progress made by queer Catholic advocacy also invisibilizes an already little-known history of resistance and counterculture within the Church. The Danube Seven, for example, made way for ordained women priests to celebrate mass for gay Catholics.

We can think of no better time to lift up and celebrate Catholic leadership who know that an unjust law is no law at all.



Today is the 20th anniversary of "The Danube 7," a group of women priests who broke patriarchal canon laws to answer their call to priesthood. #OrdainWomen pic.twitter.com/9xlHKWFfoa  Women's Ordination Conference (@OrdainWomen) June 29, 2022

Dignity USA is a national organization for gay Catholics who attend mass together in a more inclusive ceremony. Whats more, is that this space also intersects with more progressive beliefs like pro-choice Catholics. If anyone can organize, its the church gays. And theyre doing it despite the double-stigma.

In this election season and beyond there is a call to embrace opposing truths as a way to better mobilize. This is not a way to dismiss the harm caused by the Church or other religious institutions. Rather as a way to live without restraint. That is what is truly being fought for.

Kristine Villanueva is an independent journalist based in Philadelphia, rooted in community and audience engagement. She has worked at newsrooms such as Resolve Philly, ProPublica, the Center for Public Integrity, POLITICO and more. In her off hours, she likes to paint and snuggle her cat, Perceus aka Percy. You can find her work at www.kristineish.com.
On Thursday, acting Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, gained a major boost in his efforts to become the next NATO Secretary General, after receiving the support of the United Kingdom, Germany and France and, especially, the United States. Representatives of Joe Bidens administration have confirmed that he supports the Dutchmans candidacy  although the U.S. president has not yet made a public statement  for a post that will require the incumbent to manage the Alliances support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion. In addition, in the event of Donald Trumps return to the White House, the NATO secretary general will need to navigate the foreseeable tensions between the organizations main partner and the rest of the member countries.

President Biden strongly supports Prime Minister Ruttes candidacy to be the next NATO secretary general, a senior official told Reuters, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Prime Minister Rutte deeply understands the importance of the Alliance, is a born leader and communicator, and his leadership will serve the Alliance well at this critical time.

Rutte received a similar British vote of confidence. Rutte is highly respected within the Alliance, has significant defense and security experience, and will ensure that NATO remains strong and ready to defend itself and deter attacks, said a representative of Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks government, also on the condition of anonymity. In addition, a senior French official expressed Paris support of his candidacy, adding that the president, Emmanuel Macron, was an early supporter of the Dutchman and sounded him out about the position last year. Meanwhile, according to Reuters, a German government spokesman also expressed the backing of the chancellor, Olaf Scholz.

Rutte, 57, is garnering support to replace Jens Stoltenberg. Only the Dutch politician has openly applied for the post, and he already has the backing of a majority of the Alliances 31 members. As with everything else, Hungary is dragging its feet and has not stated its position on Ruttes candidacy. Turkey has also refrained from expressing its position, but it is moving to make its support conditional on the Dutch leader promising the country a more prominent role in the alliance and trying to get Ankara to join the NATO-EU partnership, according to allied sources. Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership since 1999, but its accession process has been stalled for years because it does not meet the requirements to progress on the path to membership.

The NATO secretary general is elected unanimously, and so far no member has vetoed the Dutchman, diplomatic sources say. Stoltenberg has been in office since 2014 and has extended his term several times, most recently last year, as Russias war against Ukraine raged and none of the candidates had support from all 31 members.

Officially, Stoltenbergs term ends in October, although NATO wants an earlier appointment so that the election does not coincide with the elections for the most important EU posts after the European Parliament elections in June. Ruttes appointment would come at the NATO summit in Washington next July. At that time, the organization will commemorate the 75th anniversary of its founding, and the Biden administration is determined to celebrate the occasion: it is a symbolic gesture, but one with which it wants to underscore Washingtons support for the institution and distance itself from the attacks by Trump who, first as president and now as a Republican candidate, has threatened to do away with the principle of mutual defense.

What will happen within the Alliance if the former Republican president returns to the White House in November is one of the main problems that Stoltenbergs successor must address. Trump set off alarm bells in Europe when, two weeks ago, he declared at a campaign rally that he would let Russia do whatever the hell it wants with NATO countries that do not devote at least 2% of their GDP to defense. Im not going to defend them, he maintained; he has continued to repeat those comments on social media.

Rutte has been blunt about those comments. During his participation at the recent Munich Security Conference, the acting prime minister urged Europe to stop whining and complaining and protesting about Trump. We have to work with whoever is [there], he observed, calling on Alliance members to focus on their main task right now: what can be done to help Ukraine, whose troops were withdrawing last week from the city of Avdiivka to avoid being encircled. Washington, the main provider of aid to Kyiv, has attributed that Ukrainian decision to an increasingly pressing ammunition shortage, caused by the U.S. Congresss delay in approving new funds for economic and military assistance to the invaded country. NATO is considering how to fill the gap created by the impasse in the United States.

Biden knows Rutte well; for the past 14 years, he has been at the helm of the Dutch government. Following elections in the Netherlands last November, Rutte has visited the White House five times, and the two met in the Oval Office in January last year to discuss issues such as aid to Ukraine and responding to Chinas rise. We look to you to make sure that we have a coherent response from Europe, from all of Europe, for Ukraine, the president told his guest at the start of the meeting.

NATO wanted the next person to lead the organization to be a woman, and preferably someone from the southern members (the secretary general has always been a man, and the last few have all been from the Nordic countries), but at this point that seems unlikely.

Last year there was talk of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas filling the position, although some allies considered her to be too hawkish on Russia. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was another option, but she did not have unanimous support either. Both ended up withdrawing their names from consideration and supporting Stoltenbergs mandate for another year. There was even talk of Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, filling the position but, according to allied sources, in her own country, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz balked. France was also reluctant. As EL PAIS reported, von der Leyen is running for a second term at the head of the Commission and never made an official statement or took a step toward candidacy.

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In case you missed it, black tumblers are having a moment  and Disney has a trendy one on sale right now.

Its been a few years since Walt Disney World celebrated its 50th anniversary, but this ever-popular Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Geometric Starbucks Tumbler is currently marked down from $50 to $20 at the Disney Store, for a total 60% savings.

The futuristic tumbler highlights an all-over raised geometric design and a matte-black finish, but with its 50th anniversary logo and a festive The Worlds Most Magical Celebration placard, it can definitely harken back to all of your past Disney memories.

Grab yours now if these cast of characters sound like you!

Fans of Disneys Dark Side. For those with a penchant for Disney villains and darker themes, this edgy look resonates with the mystique of Disney storytelling.

Admirers of Black and White Neutrals. If you appreciate the minimalist elegance of black and white neutrals, this tumbler will complement any monochromatic aesthetic and align with all of your understated, yet stylish accessories.

Enthusiasts of Walt Disney World and Milestone Celebrations. As the tumbler is created to mark the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, it holds special significance for fans who have visited the park countless times before  the ultimate keepsake.

Disneyland is closer to its 70th anniversary, but you can still get a Disneyland tumbler in this trendy black iteration for the same 60% discount.

The Disneyland version simply swaps The Worlds Most Magical Celebration logo with a nod to its title as The Happiest Place on Earth.

As with all 24-ounce, cold-beverages-only Starbucks tumblers, each comes with:

Screw-on lid

Reusable straw with a ring at bottom so it wont fall out

Starbucks mermaid logo on the back

Get your black Disney tumbler for $20 now, while supplies last.

And if commemorative merchandise takes you for a stroll down memory lane (or should we say Main Street USA?), you can also shop the iconic Mickey Mouse Disney100 Starbucks Tumbler With Straw for $30 instead of $50.

This unique, also futuristic silver metallic design celebrates 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, and its available in Walt Disney World and Disneyland options.

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A Roman Catholic priest who was accused of shoplifting from the Walmart Supercenter in Pohatcong Township before allegedly leading officers on a pursuit to avoid arrest is stepping away from his role as Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Alpha, officials said.

Dawid Wejnerowski, 39, of Alpha, is charged with disorderly persons shoplifting; second-degree eluding police; drunken driving; having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle; and multiple traffic offenses,according to a statement from the Pohatcong Township Police.

Pohatcong Township Police Chief Scott Robb said Wejnerowski disclosed to officers during his arrest he was a priest at St. Marys Catholic Church.

Pohatcong Township police said the incident unfolded shortly after 10:15 p.m. when officers were called for a shoplifting in progress at the Walmart Supercenter, 1300 Route 22. Investigators were met by a store asset protection employee, who pointed out a car in the parking lot with Wejnerowski allegedly inside.

Wejnerowski stole less than $50 worth of ice cream containers and oven mitts from the store before leaving without paying, Robb told lehighvalleylive.com.

As an officer drove toward Wejnerowskis car in an attempt to stop it, Wejnerowski backed the vehicle out of the parking spot and began to drive away, police said in a news release. The officer followed the car, activating sirens and emergency lights, police said.

Wejnerowski continued on, driving erratically through the Parkside section of the township, according to police. The vehicle eventually ended up in a front yard along Liberty Boulevard, police said.

Wejnerowski was arrested and removed from the vehicle by officers, according to the release. Investigators reported finding open containers of alcohol and the goods allegedly stolen from Walmart inside the car.

Police said Wejnerowski submitted to an alcohol breath test, which showed a blood-alcohol content of 0.21. Penalties in New Jersey start at 0.08. He was released pending court dates listed on March 5 and March 7 in Pohatcong Township Municipal Court, according to court records.

Spokesperson and Chancelor for the Diocese of Metuchen, Anthony P. Kearns III, said the diocese was aware of the incident and confirmed that he would be stepping aside as pastor of the church.

It is clear, Fr. Dawid has a very serious problem with alcohol, Kearns said in a statement. He has accepted this fact, the first step in recovery. He will be stepping aside from his role as Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Alpha to provide him the necessary time to seek inpatient treatment out of state. Fr. is extremely remorseful for his conduct. He is aware of the danger he posed to others and himself. He is resolved to seek the necessary treatment to ensure he never engages in such behavior again.

Kearns added that Wejnerowski understands there are consequences to his conduct, and he stands ready to address all the legal challenges he faces.

Another unidentified priest has been temporarily assigned to the parish to give the Bishop the opportunity to assign a temporary administrator, he said. Mass times, and all sacraments at the church will continue on the same schedule.

According to the Catholic Spirit, which covers the diocese, Wejnerowski in June 2023 was installed as pastor of St. Marys. The churchs website shows he is the only priest serving the church.

Wejnerowski did not immediately return a phone message left to the parishs answering service or email Thursday evening seeking comment.

Wejnerowski reportedly felt the call to the priesthood in his native Poland and began preparation in seminary in Poland after high school. He completed his studies at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan. Wejnerowski in May 2012 was ordained by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski. At the time, he was the youngest priest in the diocese, according to the report.

Wejnerowski also served as a parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception in the Annandale section of Clinton Township; St Bartholomew in East Brunswick; and the Cathedral of St. Francis in Metuchen, the report stated.

St. Mary in Alpha dates to 1903 when various Hungarian Catholic workers from the Alpha cement plant came together to form a new Catholic community. The church was dedicated that August and services were held. The current church building was completed in September 1957 and the original building was torn down in 1973, according to the churchs website.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
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Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. High 38F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snowfall around one inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 27F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
Dogs dream much like humans do. They go through the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase, marked by heightened brain activity. Dogs typically enter the REM phase 20-40 minutes after falling asleep. Thats when their breathing is irregular, the eyes move and the body relaxes. But the mind becomes more active, said Juan Antonio Aguado, a veterinarian at the Monteprincipe Clinic in Madrid.

People and dogs also share similar sleep patterns. Humans dont have a monopoly on dreams. The brain wave patterns indicating activity during rest are identical for both, said Aguado. Dogs and humans relive what they experience when they are awake. They probably dream about their owners, walks, toys or favorite foods during Slow Wave Sleep (SWS), the deepest sleep phase. Aguado said SWS is characterized by a lack of rapid eye movement and a slow oscillation of brain waves in the neocortex. Canine dreams can provoke body movements and vocalizations. When he clenches his jaws, he might be dreaming of catching a ball, snacking or licking his human. And when he tenses his legs, he might be reliving playful moments. Dogs often let out little whimpers and barks.

Dog nightmares

Dogs may experience worrisome dreams, recalling frightening moments from their past. Sometimes they might growl, bark or whine, and will wake up feeling defensive, scared or aggressive. Its best not to wake them because they might attack, unable to tell dream from reality, said Aguado.

Dogs are active during the day and an interesting fact is that they dream differently based on their size. They sleep around 10 hours a day, mostly from 9pm to 6am, with occasional afternoon naps. Dream duration varies from one to 10 minutes based on the dogs size, said Aguado. The larger breeds dream every 60 or 90 minutes, while the smaller ones do so about every 10 minutes. This is because little ones have more brain activity when they sleep. Different dog breeds and sizes exhibit specific dream behaviors that differ in length and content. Small dogs tend to have shorter and more frequent dreams than larger dogs. Breeds like the pointer can actually point to their prey, almost like theyre awake.

An adult dog sleeping with its owner. Lourdes Balduque (Getty Images)

Health problems can disrupt a dogs sleep. Osteoarthritis, heart and breathing problems, metabolic changes and age-related issues like cognitive dysfunctions similar to Alzheimers in humans can all affect a dogs sleep.

The benefits of dreaming

Dreaming supports mammal health by fulfilling biological functions. It helps restore physical and mental functions for the next day. Sleep is crucial for memory retention and learning, which is why animals can dream like humans, said Miguel Ibanez, professor emeritus of veterinary medicine at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). People and animals dont sleep just to dream. Sleep is vital for survival  a sleepy animal will naturally seek out a secure place to rest, said Ibanez.

No studies have conclusively shown that animals are incapable of abstracting their experiences. Animals do feel, assess and remember their thoughts for future use, said Ibanez. Puppies sleep more than older dogs, but younger ones do so for shorter periods than older ones.

Every creature possesses its unique manner of dreaming and resting. When theyre in a deep sleep, they might snore or make sounds of contentment, like cats do when they purr, said Ibanez, who emphasized how crucial sleep is for the cognitive development of all mammals so they can adapt their environments.

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Louisiana State University's fraternities have faced accusations for decades that they are hotbeds of hazing, binge drinking and misconduct. Two LSU fraternity members have died after nights of heavy drinking  Ben Wynne in 1997 and Maxwell Gruver in 2017. And in 2015, LSU student Praneet Karki collapsed and died after an overnight event of forced physical activity with his fraternity. After high-profile deaths, arrests other problems at fraternities, LSU or their national fraternity chapters sometimes kick them off campus. But usually, they come back.
There's nothing else like the Southern University System. Southern University and A&M College was founded in the 1800s, and other Southern
A 14-story residential complex in Valencia, Spains third-largest city, was devoured by a fire on Thursday, killing at least five people and injuring 15, by the latest count on Friday afternoon. The flames swept through the two contiguous buildings in just half an hour, raising questions about the way the complex was constructed.

Housing units inside the residential complex began to be marketed in 2006, and construction was completed in 2008, right in the middle of the property bubble in Spain. The complex is located in the northwest of Valencia, in the Nou Campanar neighborhood.

More information All Valencia fire fatalities were trapped on highest floors of building

Like the entire real estate sector, the developer behind the building  a firm called Fbex  went into crisis. In 2010 it filed for bankruptcy after racking up 640 million ($693 million) in debt. The development, financed by Banesto  a bank that was later absorbed by Santander in 2012  passed into the hands of the lender.

The complex had 138 privileged homes, with one, two and three bedrooms, according to Fbexs promotional video, which also highlighted its excellent construction materials and top quality finishes. The complex was made up of two buildings, of 14 and 10 floors, which were joined by a panoramic elevator.

According to the video, the facade of the building was cladded with an innovative aluminum material, ALUCOBOND. In addition to the buildings that went up in flames in Nou Campanar, Fbex also built a complex known as the Navis Tower, with 20 floors and 162 homes, in the town of Mislata, less than two miles away. This building, like the ones devoured by the fire on Thursday, was cladded with ALUCOBOND, an aluminum composite that includes synthetic material.

This product is made up of a panel with two aluminum sheets and an insulating filler, which can be more or less flammable. As revealed on Thursday by Esther Puchades, the specialist who inspected the building a few years ago, the facade contained polyurethane as interior insulation, as well as the composite. On Friday, Puchades said that she does not know what material was used as insulation but that some of the facade materials had plastic components that quickly set alight.

However, Jose Manuel Fernandez, the secretary of Spains Rigid Polyurethane Industry Association, said that this assessment is mistaken and that the building contained no polyurethane. There is rock wool [or glass wool] in the air chambers, and the cladding is an aluminum composite with polyethylene. In other words, behind the aluminum sheets there is mineral wool, not polyurethane, he insisted.

The Fbex promotional video states that the finishes and equipment in the buildings passed rigorous quality controls during the building process. They forgot to say that each panel only had 0.5 mm of aluminum compared to 5 mm of solid polyethylene, said David Calvo, an architect and former lawmaker for the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) in Valencia, in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

Calvo explained that these are the standard dimensions of the material, which have 10 times more filling than aluminum. It is a legal and regulated element but, as was the case with uralite at the time, it is harmful, added Calvo, who says that hundreds of buildings in Valencia were built in the same way. It was a trend in the first decade of the 2000s, he explained. It was how buildings with a lot of surface area, a modern aesthetic and quick installation times were made.

According to the architect, thousands of buildings throughout Spain have the same cladding, as its thermal properties make it good for insulating against both the cold and heat. Whats more, it was unthinkable in those times to make a building with exposed brick, which was linked to a lower social status and to earlier times, he said.

A general view of the burning buildings on February 22, 2024 in Valencia, Spain. Manuel Queimadelos Alonso (Getty Images)

All rooms in the homes, except the bathrooms, faced outwards. This meant the flames, which spread over the buildings facade, directly affected bedrooms and lounge rooms, which contained many other flammable elements. According to the promotional video, the homes had a floating beech wood parquet floor, a material that is still plastic, said David Calvo. Furthermore, technical engineer and building installations expert David Higuera believes that the interiors must have also had other construction materials that helped the flames spread, adding that the damage to the ceilings can only be explained by the use of flammable insulation. The air conditioning, according to the promotional video, was through ducts, which did nothing to contain the blaze either.

The building had a ventilated facade  with a chamber between the structure and the insulation , meaning firewalls were required between each floor, precisely to prevent, in the event of a fire, the flames from quickly spreading up or down the building. The building in Valencia contained these firewalls. However, at the time the building was constructed, the new building code  which is more restrictive than the previous one regarding the use of materials  had not yet come into effect. It was approved in 2006, but there was a transition period until it became mandatory. Furthermore, developers who had previously requested a license, as was the case with Fbex, were not subject to it.

Residential buildings do not require fire escapes: the buildings own staircase is the escape route. The current building code requires, however, that the walls of these stairways be made of materials with high fire resistance.

The buildings in Valencia passed an inspection when construction was completed in 2008, at which time an architect certified that the building met the requirements included in the construction license application. Due to its construction date, it did not require further inspections. In any case, as Calvo explains, the use of that material would have passed any control because it is legal.

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Mexico / Washington -

The United States is not investigating Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. That was confirmed by John Kirby, the White House spokesperson for international affairs. There is no investigation into President Lopez Obrador, he said firmly at teleconference on Thursday. His statements come after The New York Times published a report based on the investigations of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and informant testimony into millions of dollars the Mexican presidents campaign allegedly received in 2018. The Joe Biden administration, however, has insisted that the U.S. and Mexico have a strong relationship, and work closely together in areas such as migration and border control.

We continue to work with Mr. Lopez Obradors administration to do what we can to deal with this unprecedented migration in the hemisphere and the situation at the border, which continues to be a key focus for President Biden and for this administration, said Kirby. In response, Lopez Obradors political party, Morena, said: Once again, the smear campaign that has been launched against our president is denied.

The report from The New York Times, however, made it clear that the allegations from the informants and the payments tracked by the DEA never led to a formal investigation, despite the fact that they were tracked for years.

The United States never opened a formal investigation into Mr. Lopez Obrador, and the officials involved ultimately shelved the inquiry. They concluded that the U.S. government had little appetite to pursue allegations against the leader of one of Americas top allies, the article states, arguing that the White House did not want to risk its bilateral relationship with Mexico, a key ally in the fight against drug trafficking and the immigration crisis.

On Thursday, Kirby referred to the statements made by the Department of Justice, which also denied that the U.S. government had opened any investigation into links between drug trafficking and the financing of the then-presidential candidates election campaign. Lopez Obradors supporters in Mexico have taken Kirbys comments as proof that The New York Times lied, despite the fact that it is the newspaper itself that stated that a formal case was never opened and that, at the time, the American authorities were not able to find a direct link between the president and criminal groups.

FILE PHOTO: White House national security communications adviser John Kirby answers a question during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 15, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo KEVIN LAMARQUE (REUTERS)

The scandal began even before the publication of the report. In his morning press conference, Lopez Obrador read an email sent by Natalie Kitroeff, The New York Times bureau chief in Mexico, requesting a comment about the claims made in the article. The Mexican president called the newspaper professional slanderers and publicly recited her phone number. All this is completely false, said the president.

The New York Times report claims that, according to informants, the presidents children and close collaborators received millions of dollars from the drug cartel Los Zetas and Ismael El Mayo Zambada, the founder of the Sinaloa Cartel. It also states that U.S. officials tracked payments made by people linked to the Sinaloa Cartel to intermediaries for the Mexican government. At least one of the banking operations coincided with the presidents visit to Sinaloa, where he met the mother of Mexican drug capo Joaquin El Chapo Guzman.

The newspaper has defended the report and condemned the presidents reaction disclosing one of its reporters phone number. This is a troubling and unacceptable tactic from a world leader at a time when threats against journalists are on the rise, said The New York Times, which chose to publish the investigation a couple of hours after Lopez Obradors press conference. Mexicos freedom of information institute, The National Transparency Institute (INAI) said Thursday it would open an investigation against Lopez Obrador for disclosing the personal data of The New York Times journalist.

That same Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and his Mexican counterpart, Alicia Barcena, met at the G20 summit in Brazil. Delighted to meet with you and the White House team to continue our excellent dialogue and bilateral agreements, Barcena wrote. EL PAIS asked the Mexican Foreign Ministry if the report had been discussed, but did not receive a response. No press reports in Washington say that the matter was discussed. In a statement, Mexican authorities said that Blinken and Barcena reviewed the state of bilateral relations and exchanged points of view on various issues of the international situation.

The dirty war campaign against our movement is so crude that the U.S. government came out for the second time to clarify that there is no investigation against the president, said Claudia Sheinbaum, the official presidential candidate for Morena, in reference to a report published by ProPublica portal at the end of January, which made similar accusations against Lopez Obrador, but with respect to his 2006 presidential campaign. After that publication, Washington opted for a similar response, while the Mexican government described the report as a slander.

Marcelo Ebrard, the former secretary of foreign affairs and a former presidential candidate for Morena, said that the DEA is a headache in Mexico and that the anti-drug agency has often endangered the bilateral relationship by giving credibility to the testimonies of informants. Its the DEAs revenge for the legal obligations that have been imposed on them in Mexico, Ebrard said, blaming the agency for leaking the informants testimony.

The controversy one year after Genaro Garcia Luna, the secretary of public security during the Mexican government of Felipe Calderon (2006-2012), was found guilty in New York of three drug trafficking crimes, one for organized crime and another for giving false statements. Supporters of the Lopez Obrador government celebrated the ruling, while the opposition argued that no evidence was presented at the trial to prove Garcia Lunas guilt. Now, with the president in the spotlight, the situation is reversed. The government claims that this case is different as the accusations have not been proven in court, while opposition groups have jumped on the allegations, spreading the #narcopresident hashtag on social media.

What has shaken the political table in Mexico has barely made waves in the United States. Virtually no U.S. official, except Kirby, has spoken about the issue. It remains to be seen what impact it will have on the bilateral relationship, which was hurt after the publication of the ProPublica report. The report on the alleged links between drug traffickers and members of Mexicos current administration come days before the start of Mexicos presidential campaign, which begins on March 1. Mexico will head to the polls on June 2, while the U.S. presidential elections are scheduled for November 5.

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HAMMOND  Residents who live near the BP Whiting Refinery said they couldn't breathe, worried for their children's health and feared an explosion after the recent operational upsets there.

Upset residents and local environmentalists called for clean air, enforcement actions and more protections. They demanded to know what BP and state regulators would do to prevent future incidents like the recent chemical leaks and power outage that's resulted in excessive flaring, noxious odors and clouds of black smoke.

Columns of flame rose from the refinery flare stacks a short distance from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's public hearing at the Calumet College of St. Joseph.

Ashley Williams, the executive director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, asked IDEM to deny the permit.

"BP is one of the top corporations destroying the planet and the climate, so much so that the city of Chicago is suing them and rightfully so," she said. "Over the past few weeks, we've talked to countless neighbors about the pollution incidents at BP, some who neglected a warm meal out of fear of turning on their stoves, others who have evacuated their families and still have not returned home because they do not think it is safe. Neighbors who are being kept up all hours because of alarms and hellish flaring. This is not fantasy. This is life in the sacrifice zone of Northwest Indiana."

A BP spokesperson said the company has long been a major employer and investor in Northwest Indiana for more than 100 years and aimed to operate in a safe way complying with environmental laws and regulations. The company said it would listen to the community and try to address their questions.

Local environmental Carolyn McCrady from Gary said the BP Whiting Refinery has repeatedly failed to comply with the Clean Air Act over the years.

"What steps are being taken to prevent this from occurring again?" she said. "Is IDEM going to impose any penalties to prevent downwind neighbors from being subjected to unlawful pollution? These things don't happen overnight. We know there could have been an explosion if the excess gas wasn't burned off while it was building in the tanks. We can't even imagine what it would have meant to this area if there was an explosion. It happened in 1955 and could happen again. The reason it keeps happening is they just patch it over and do the minimum after getting itty-bitty fines."

Beth Dybala with the Calumet Area Industrial Commission said BP was a major economic driver in the Region.

"Renewing the air permits will continue to generate the employment of more than 1,800 workers, mostly union jobs, and an additional 1,800 contractors at the facility, an annual allocation of $9 million to vendors for work performed at the facility and the support of 61,000 jobs around the facility and the production of 7% of the asphalt in the United States," she said.

Local environmentalist Thomas Frank from East Chicago urged IDEM to consider the cumulative impact of pollution from the refinery and steel mills

"We have a concentration of the largest, dirtiest, no-good industries in human history here in Indiana," he said. "IDEM is not protecting human health."

Jenny Acker, an environmental engineer with IDEM, said the state could not consider environmental justice when reviewing the permit, just any new laws and regulations that went into effect since the permit was last renewed five years ago.

IDEM Assistant Commissioner Matthew Stuckey said the state agency can only follow the laws on the book and the best way to get change was to convince elected representatives to change the law.

PHOTOS: The IDEM hosts public meeting on BP Whiting Refinery
Calumet Fisheries, a nearly century-old Calumet Region institution known for serving up smoked fish on the far South Side of Chicago, will soon be back after a series of unfortunate events.

Calumet Fisheries, at 3259 E. 95th St. in the South Deering neighborhood near the former sites of the steel mills that once filled the Southeast Side, suffered a major fire in November just days after reopening after city health inspectors had shut it down.

The owners have been rebuilding the vintage old-school seafood shack and are now targeting a reopening by the end of March or early April. The exact timing will depend on how soon it can get its coolers and display cases where it shows off the shrimp, salmon and other smoked fish it's known for.

"We are currently done with electrical and plumbing and are drywalling," the owners said in a direct message on social media. "Finishes will be next. Our walk-in coolers and display cases are custom made so they are taking a little longer to get. Once we get them, we will open."

Glass display cases have been hard to come by of late. That long delayed the opening of Carpathia Polish Cuisine Delicatessen in Schererville.

Calumet Fisheries has been an institution for 96 years on the 95th Street Bridge that Elwood and Joliet Jake Blues jumped in the Bluesmobile while fleeing police in the classic film "Blues Brothers." It hosted the movie crew while they were filming for three days in 1979.

Despite being a no-frills takeout restaurant with no inside seating, Calumet Fisheries has won a significant amount of acclaim, including a James Beard American Classic Award and recognition from CNN as one of America's 10 Best Historic Restaurants. The fish shack near Steelworkers Park at the site of U.S. Steel's former South Works mill has appeared on Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations," WTTW's "Check Please!" and "Hungry Hound."

It smokes fish the old-fashioned way in brick smokehouses for six or seven hours.

It was shut down in October after the City of Chicago Public Health Department found rodent droppings in the basement at the time of year when they try to get into buildings to escape from the cold outside. The city mandated many repairs, including sealing doors tighter to prevent rats and mice from entering the basement, fixing leaky faucets and cleaning spillage in display counters. The restaurant completed the required fixes, which included replacing a freezer door handle, floor tiles, loose freezer wall panels and worn cutting boards, but then suffered a major fire that caused damage to the roof and the side of the building.

Founded in 1928, Calumet Fishers smokes an array of seafood, including smelt, chubs, eel, trout, sable, salmon, shrimp, sturgeon, herring, oysters, white fish and catfish. It's cash-only and is often included in best-of and must-visit lists by Chicago media, such as being declared Chicago's best smoked salmon. It's one of the biggest draws to Chicago's deindustrialized Southeast Side by the Indiana border.

People order the fish out of glass cases while waiting in the line in the small one-room shack, which is wallpapered with pictures and old newspaper articles about "Blues Brothers" and Anthony Bourdain, as well as seafood memorabilia and signs like "This is our only location. We have no other stores." People wait in line, place their order and then often eat in their cars on the bridge or outside on picnic benches overlooking the Calumet River.
VALPARAISO  Porter County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer reluctantly accepted a plea agreement Friday in a child neglect and injury case from a 35-year-old man already serving 12 years behind bars for the same type offense committed in neighboring LaPorte County.

"I don't like this plea," Clymer told the accused, Charles Snyder of Portage.

Per the terms of the agreement, Snyder was sentenced Friday to about a year behind bars and another year on home detention to be followed by three years of probation after pleading guilty more than eight years after his 6-month-old son was found suffering from a rib fracture, a hemorrhage in one eye and bruising under both, and was diagnosed with "failure to thrive" after gaining just one pound over a two-month period.

Prosecutors told the judge Friday there are significant problems with the evidence in the case and they don't believe they can prove the original charge at trial.

Snyder, who was represented by defense attorney Mark Chargualaf, was allowed to plead guilty to a less severe count of neglect of a dependent in return for prosecutors dropping a second charge of battery resulting in serious bodily injury to a child less than 14 years of age.

The Porter County case dates back to June 2015 when Portage police and an official with Indiana Child Protective Services said they responded to a report of potential child abuse and noticed swelling underneath the child's eyes and a cut under one, records show. A bruise was also confirmed on the child's back.

The boy's mother reportedly told the officials the boy was bruised while sitting in a bouncy chair and the injury around the eyes is a result of the way the child sleeps, police said.

When Snyder pleaded guilty, he again stated the boy was injured while in the chair not suitable for his young age.

A doctor determined the child's injuries were not consistent with the explanation given by his parents, police said. A review of the child's medical records revealed a healing rib fracture attributed to "non-accidental trauma."

The diagnosis of "failure to thrive" was also discovered, as were the hemorrhage and abrasions to the eyes, police said.

The LaPorte County case was filed in May 2019 and Snyder pleaded guilty to two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury. He was sentenced in April to 12 years behind bars to be followed by three years in the LaPorte County Community Corrections Work Release program and two years on probation.
Israel launched air strikes Thursday on southern Gaza's Rafah after threatening to send troops into the city, where around 1.4 million Palestinians have sought shelter from around the territory. Global powers trying to navigate a way to end the Israel-Hamas war have so far come up short, but
VALPARAISO  Portage police say a 48-year-old Gary man stole a pickup truck from a gas station with two young girls inside, pulled out a gun and then proceeded to make the older girl smoke drugs before raping her.

The accused, Melvin Pumphrey III, was identified after dropping off the girls and has been charged with rape, child molesting, robbery, six counts of kidnapping, auto theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, records show.

The case stems back to May 5 when police said they were called to the GoLo gas station at 3600 Central Ave. in Lake Station where the father of the girls said he pulled up to a gas pump, left the vehicle running and went inside the business to purchase cigarettes.

When he returned to the pump, his vehicle was missing, as were his 13-year-old and 9-year-old daughters, police said.

A witness reported seeing an unknown man enter the vehicle and drive away.

Police viewing surveillance footage from the gas station reportedly identified Pumphrey from an encounter earlier the same day.

Officers then learned the girls had been dropped off in Portage and were calling for help from a local bar, according to a charging document.

The older girl reportedly told investigators that after the stranger, later identified as Pumphrey, got in the truck, she told her sister to call police. Pumphrey ordered her to put her phone down and drove east on Interstate 94 when the younger girl began "freaking out" and said she was going to faint.

Accused intoxicated driver flees resulting in more serious charge, cops say "The fleeing vehicle struck a set of tire deflation devices that had been placed on SR 2," police said.

Pumphrey pulled out a handgun, took the girls' cellphone and threatened to shoot them if they didn't stop talking, police said.

Pumphrey exited the highway in Portage, tossed the cellphones out the window and parked, ordering the older girl out of the truck, according to police.

"No, the little can't come, she can't see this," he reportedly said.

Pumphrey made the older girl sit near a house under construction, took out "a small plastic thing" and told the girl to "hit this," according to the charges.

She followed his orders and told police it "made her feel weird and not normal," police said.

Pumphrey allegedly walked the girl to a wooded area, saying, "Just sit here, get high and have a good time."

The girl said he made her smoke again and then sexually assaulted her knowing her young age.

They walked back to the truck, drove off and the girls were dropped off near a Portage bar where they sought help, police said.

Pumphrey reportedly told the girls "not to talk to strangers."

Police said they collected a DNA sample from Pumphrey June 21 at the Lake County Sheriff's Department, during which time he said, "To be honest, a lot of that day is fuzzy."

He said he was not sure what happened, but added, "I'm sure it's not good," police said.

Pumphrey is scheduled to appear Monday before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer on the charges.
LAPORTE  A solar energy company is interested in capturing the rays of the sun on 2,600 acres of farmland in LaPorte County to produce electricity.

RWE AG, headquartered in Germany, revealed at a Wednesday public workshop of the LaPorte County Commissioners that its looking to build a solar farm in Kankakee and Wills townships.

It would go up on 2,600 acres of farmland used for corn and soybeans in the area of 600 East and 200 North.

RWE AG is one of the worlds largest companies in renewable energy production. Renewable Energy Development Manager Emily McDuff, whos from the companys office in Chicago, said the 400 megawatt facility would help replace the 5,900 megawatts of electricity to be lost from coal-fired generators retiring over the next six years.

The solar farm would produce enough electricity to power 26,000 homes.

We need to somehow replace that electricity whether it be with natural gas or solar electricity. This is just one way, she said.

McDuff said only four permanent jobs would be created to maintain the facility. However, she said hundreds of local specialized workers would be needed during the two- to three-year construction period, and that means additional customers for area motels, restaurants and other businesses.

McDuff said there would also be a $50 million to $100 million property tax benefit for LaPorte County during 35 years of solar farm operations, resulting from the assessed value of the land growing from $2,280 per acre to $13,000 per acre.

She said the project is also being designed to adhere to the restrictions contained in the LaPorte County solar farm ordinance to preserve the quality of life of nearby residents. McDuff said the solar farm would be at least 250 feet away from nearby residents and have money set aside for the company to restore the ground to its original state when the solar farm is decommissioned, as required.

She said trees and bushes would also be planted to provide a visual buffer for people nearby who dont want to look at the solar panels.

The site would be covered with native pollinating plants to improve the health of the soil and bio-diversity of the area, she said.

Were going above and beyond the standards, McDuff said.

Steve Holifield, a farmer in nearby Mill Creek, called for adding more teeth to the solar farm ordinance to discourage the company from going through with the project.

His concerns include loss of jobs and business for suppliers of farm products like fertilizer.

Holifield, who raises hay along with corn and soybeans, said hes mostly worried about a shortage of farmland one day if the brakes arent placed on turning ground used for food into sources of green energy production.

How are we going to feed our children 40 years from now when all of this ground is taken out of production, he said.

So far, the company has not applied for a special exception to operate what would be considered an industrial type solar farm on land zoned for traditional agriculture.

LaPorte County Commissioner Joe Haney said any request for a special exception would be considered and decided by the LaPorte County Board of Zoning Appeals. He said operating permits would then have to be sought from the LaPorte County Plan Commission.

Haney said theres a chance the already strong solar farm ordinance will be tightened a bit prior to the anticipated filing of the application for a special exception, possibly this summer. He said any decision must balance the rights of property owners wanting to earn money from leasing their property to solar farm developers and neighbors who dont want changes.

Its not as easy and cut-and-dry as it might seem. So, were going to take a look at everything and hopefully make the best educated decision we can, Haney said.
The oft-touted claim that there "ain't no laws when you're drinking Claws" is especially inaccurate when White Claw alcoholic beverages specifically are the focus of a soon-to-be-enacted Indiana statute.

Hoosier lawmakers recently gave final approval to House Enrolled Act 1025 to permit beer wholesalers with a wine license  in addition to liquor wholesalers  to distribute so-called mixed beverages, such as White Claw and similar ready-to-drink cordials, cocktails or highballs sold in a can or another container.

"These are newer products that have become more popular in the past several years. These mixed beverages are produced by all types of suppliers, including suppliers who traditionally produce liquor, beer or wine," said state Sen. Kyle Walker, R-Indianapolis.

"So this bill creates competition within the wholesale tier where competition does not currently exist, and places these products on a level playing field."

Critics of the legislation said it's unlikely to reduce the prices most consumers pay when purchasing mixed beverages because it merely tweaks Indiana's longstanding alcohol protectionism policies, rather than embracing the benefits of the free market.

"We could have created open competition. We could have given all suppliers more choice in their wholesalers and better served our retailers. But we didn't do that," said state Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis.

The proposal was approved 38-11 in the Senate with the support of every Northwest Indiana state senator. It was the first measure to win House approval this year, by a 75-19 margin on Jan. 16, with the backing of every Northwest Indiana state representative.

The Indiana Beverage Alliance, which consists of Hoosier State beer distributors, celebrated legislative approval of its new opportunity to distribute White Claw, Truly, Cutwater Spirits and similar ready-to-drink canned alcoholic beverages.

"The bill does not change any current trade practice on any products, does not increase distribution outlets and does not change the responsibility of any actor in the three-tier system," said Tyler Starkey, IBA executive director. "The bill is a responsible approach to an environment that has recently produced new and innovative products in our industry."

The distribution change will take effect July 1, assuming the legislation is signed into law in coming days by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Meet the 2024 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr. State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie
A Northwest Indiana lawmaker is warning his Statehouse colleagues they risk opening a Pandora's box if they continue advancing legislation with the sole purpose of terminating a civil lawsuit against numerous gun companies filed decades ago by the city of Gary.

State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton, who works as an attorney for the Steel City, said House Bill 1235 is a blatant attempt by the Republican supermajorities in the Indiana House and Senate to give a powerful industry legal immunity even for unlawful actions.

"It is a complete overreach of the Legislature into the judicial branch, violating our fundamental principle of separation of powers," Pol said.

"If we pass this bill, it sends a clear message: If you don't like that you're being held accountable for your actions, come to the Legislature and we can change the rules."

The city's lawsuit, initially filed in 1999, seeks to hold a who's who of gun manufacturers and retailers financially responsible for the high cost of violence over the years in Gary allegedly connected to their products.

House Bill 1235 would terminate the lawsuit by retroactively prohibiting it from being filed in the first place, even through discovery already is underway.

It also would bar every local unit of government in the state from launching or maintaining most civil actions against gun companies, and permit only Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican gun-rights advocate, to file any such claims in the future.

"While the Second Amendment is celebrated as the right to defend ourselves, our communities are being deprived of the right to defend themselves," Pol said.

Pol emphasized that he strongly supports Hoosiers who choose to exercise their Second Amendment rights. But he said there's no right to unlawfully distribute firearms to cities plagued by crime.

"Since the 1990s, gun manufacturers turned a blind eye to illegal gun sales, prioritizing profits over public safety. Police and prosecutors have tried valiantly to stop gun violence through the criminal justice system. However, the flood of guns through straw sales and other means have made that a momentous task," Pol said.

"We've seen a 43% increase in gun homicides since 2015. This demonstrates that only using the criminal justice system to address gun violence is failing. Thats exactly why Gary filed the lawsuit in the first place; to protect itself and its citizens."

Corrine Youngs, policy director for the attorney general, told the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee Tuesday that Rokita views the Gary gun lawsuit, and similar litigation filed by Indiana local governments, as "nuisance" lawsuits that should not go forward.

"Public nuisance suits have turned into a weapon in the arsenal of municipalities, converting all matter of serious individual harms into public rights in order to achieve socially desirable ends," Youngs said.

"The attorney general represents the state of the Indiana and serves as the single legal voice for the state. It makes sense, in these regulatory situations, to have one decision-maker for the state of Indiana, rather than a slew of municipalities filing various lawsuits on what they perceive, based on their own ideological and political preference, to be a public nuisance. It's not the role of local governments to regulate policy through litigation."

In response, Pol asked Youngs what the attorney general's office has done to protect Hoosiers from the harms alleged in Gary's lawsuit.

"We've not been involved in this case," Youngs said. "The attorney general believes this lawsuit should not continue."

"But you haven't even looked at it yet," Pol replied. "Essentially what you're saying is we want to take over the case, but we're never going to prosecute, or bring a civil suit, against the gun industry for lawful or unlawful action."

"He probably wouldn't," Youngs said about Rokita's propensity to ever sue a gun company.

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, a Democratic former state senator, also has urged his onetime colleagues to scuttle the legislation, instead of scuttling Gary's lawsuit  a position shared by Democratic Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter.

"I am in full support of Gary Mayor Eddie Melton's position on House Bill 1235 and I strongly urge the members of the Indiana Senate to reject House Bill 1235 in its entirety," Carter said.

"Furthermore, I ask our honorable Governor Eric Holcomb to intercede and to use the authority of his office to reject this bill, as well. Simply put, the citizens of Gary deserve their day in court."

The sponsors of the legislation have made clear their intent is to retroactively terminate Gary's lawsuit at the request of the gun industry defendants after a similar 2015 attempt to do so ultimately did not succeed.

The full Senate is poised to debate the proposal next week and then vote on whether to keep it on track toward the desk of Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb to be signed into law or vetoed.

Meet the 2024 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr. State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie
Executives at Vice Media are planning to lay off several hundred of its more than 900 employees over the next week, eliminating staff from its digital publishing division, according to a company memo sent to staff on Thursday from Bruce Dixon, the chief executive.

The cuts will be the latest in a series of severe cutbacks that the company has endured in recent years, winnowing the globe-spanning digital colossus to a husk of its former self. Over the past half-decade, Vice has had near annual layoffs and mounting losses, and has filed for bankruptcy, making it the poster child for the battered digital-media industry.

When Vice emerged from bankruptcy last year, some observers hoped its new owners  a consortium led by the private-equity firm Fortress Investment Group  would reinvest to return the company to growth.

Instead, Fortress has decided to make sweeping cuts, as part of an attempt to stem the endless tide of red ink. The company is planning to inform employees of its new business strategy in the next week.
Frigid and confining? Sign me up. I kid  Id rather meet my challenges on paper, like this fair but difficult acrostic. I started off inauspiciously, with two mistakes.

For Kind of coffee rarely served at breakfast, I confidently wrote decaf, and Id bet some other solvers did, too. The entry is actually IRISH, which describes a coffee with booze in it. And, for Extravagantly or tastelessly showy, I started with flashy, then pivoted to garish, because this entrys first letter is the last letter of a long word in the passage and I couldnt figure out how to make f work. The entry is actually GLITZY.
More than a dozen people were arrested Thursday evening during a peaceful pro-Palestinian protest inside a Manhattan building where Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrats of New York, have offices.

Wearing black T-shirts reading Cease Fire Now and holding up signs demanding that the senators stop funding genocide, the protesters linked arms and sat on the floor in front of elevators in the lobby of the building at 780 Third Avenue, singing slogans and ignoring instructions to leave until police officers arrested them.

The demonstration, organized by a local chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, a progressive activist group, was the latest in what have become almost daily protests throughout New York City since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. Those attacks killed at least 1,200 Israelis, according to Israeli officials; Israels subsequent military operation in Gaza has killed 29,000 Palestinians, according to Gazan health officials. The mounting death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza have prompted international calls for a cease-fire.

By about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, several hundred protesters had gathered at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, in front of the United Nations headquarters, where the United States this week cast the lone vote against a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. It was the third time the Biden administration had blocked similar resolutions, signaling its continued support of Israel.
Roger Guillemin, a neuroscientist who was a co-discoverer of the unexpected hormones with which the brain controls many bodily functions, died on Wednesday at a senior living facility in San Diego. He was 100.

His death was confirmed by his daughter Chantal Guillemin.

Dr. Guillemins career was marked by two spectacular competitions that ruffled the staid world of endocrinological research. The first was a 10-year tussle with his former partner, Andrew V. Schally, which ended in a draw when the two shared half of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1977. (The other half went to the American medical physicist Rosalyn Yalow for unrelated research.)
More than a century ago, 110 Black soldiers were convicted of murder, mutiny and other crimes at three military trials held at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Nineteen were hanged, including 13 on a single day, Dec. 11, 1917, in the largest mass execution of American soldiers by the Army.

The soldiers families spent decades fighting to show that the men had been betrayed by the military. In November, they won a measure of justice when the Army secretary, Christine E. Wormuth, overturned the convictions and acknowledged that the soldiers were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials.

On Thursday, several descendants of the soldiers gathered at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery as the Department of Veterans Affairs dedicated new headstones for 17 of the executed servicemen.
Two children were killed on Thursday when a hillside collapsed near a dam in Northern California, the authorities said, days after heavy rainfall pummeled the region.

Around 9 a.m., the Shasta County Sheriffs Department responded to an area of the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area, near a trail and campground, for a report of rocks and debris that had broken away from the hillside near a drain culvert, the sheriffs department said in a statement. The area, officials said, is located about a quarter of a mile from the Shasta Dam, which spans the Sacramento River just north of Redding, Calif.

The two children, whose names and ages were not released, had fallen down the hillside and were caught in the debris, the statement said. The sheriffs office asked the Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the dam, to temporarily reduce water releases to help with search efforts.

The children were found in the debris and had suffered injuries during the fall, the statement said. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
A 26-year-old man was charged on Friday with kidnapping and murdering a nursing student whose body was found in a wooded area at the University of Georgia in Athens the previous day, the authorities announced. They called the homicide, the first in nearly 30 years on campus, a crime of opportunity and said that the two apparently had not known each other.

The victim, Laken Riley, 22, was an undergraduate student at the school until the spring of 2023 and then enrolled at Augusta Universitys nursing program, which has a campus in Athens, school officials said. She was on Augusta Universitys fall 2023 deans list.

University police identified the suspect as Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, at an evening news conference.

Calling it a heartbreaking time for the university, Jeffrey Clark, the chief of university police, said that video footage from our campus security cameras networks helped lead to the arrest. The charges against Mr. Ibarra include murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another, the chief said.

He said that while Mr. Ibarra lives in Athens, he is not a citizen of the United States.

Asked about the motive for the killing, Chief Clark said, This was just a crime of opportunity. Later he said, This was an individual who woke up with bad intentions.
Mexicos freedom of information institute, a government agency, said Thursday that it would start an investigation into the presidents disclosure on national television of the personal cellphone number of a journalist for The New York Times.

The investigation centers on a decision by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador during a televised news conference on Thursday that left many aghast in Mexico, one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists. At least 128 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 2006, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

During the news conference, Mr. Lopez Obrador read aloud from an email from Natalie Kitroeff, The New York Timess bureau chief for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. She had requested comment for an article revealing that U.S. law enforcement officials had for years been looking into claims that allies of Mr. Lopez Obrador met with and took millions of dollars from drug cartels.

In addition to railing against Ms. Kitroeff and identifying her by name, Mr. Lopez Obrador publicly recited her phone number.
A Canadian judge ruled on Thursday that the deadly rampage of a man who drove his truck into five members of a Muslim family was an act of terrorism motivated by white supremacist ideology and sentenced him to life with no possibility of parole for 25 years for his crimes.

The terrorism finding by Justice Renee Pomerance of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario was the first in Canada against a far-right extremist, according to the countrys criminal prosecution service. The perpetrator, Nathaniel Veltman, 23, killed four members of the Afzaal family in London, Ontario, in his June 2021 rampage and was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder in November.

In his trial, Mr. Veltmans lawyers did not challenge that he had deliberately driven his Ram truck into the family. But they argued it was an impulsive act caused by consuming psilocybin, more commonly known as magic mushrooms, several hours earlier. They also said that he suffered from mental health problems and had difficulty controlling an urge or obsession to put his foot on the gas of his pickup.

But Justice Pomerance said Mr. Veltman was motivated by white supremacy.

One might go so far as to characterize this as a textbook example of terrorist motive and intent, Justice Pomerance told the courtroom in London, Ontario, according to the The Canadian Press, a news agency.
Intense bombardment of a Gaza Strip city filled with refugees flattened a large mosque and killed or wounded scores of people on Thursday as Israel repeated its intention to push into the area with ground forces if Hamas does not release hostages before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Nearly 100 people were killed across the enclave from Israeli strikes over the past day, the Gazan health authorities said Thursday, bringing the total death toll after almost 20 weeks of war to nearly 30,000.

Around half of the Gaza Strips population of 2.3 million people are crammed into the southern city of Rafah along the border with Egypt, where the strike on the mosque occurred Thursday. Wafa, the Palestinian news agency, reported that at least seven Palestinians had been killed overnight in Rafah and dozens more wounded.

Israels preparations for an invasion of that area come as diplomats raced to forestall it, with Ramadan set to begin around March 10.
I always wince when people say they like classical music, but not the new stuff.

Comments like that are not only shortsighted  the old stuff was, in its time, of course new and often radical  but they also dont take into account how varied contemporary music is, and how much of it is actually quite easy to love.

Take Anders Hillborgs second piano concerto, The MAX Concerto, which had its local premiere with the New York Philharmonic on Thursday. Programmed somewhat arbitrarily between works by Sibelius and Rachmaninoff, it was more entertaining than either of them, and just as well crafted.

First performed in October in San Francisco, the concerto acknowledges the lineage of its genre with playfulness and reverence, and showcases Emanuel Ax, the soloist for whom it was written, by matching and pushing his brand of modest, underrated virtuosity. Likable without being eager to please, thrilling without shameless dazzle, it is, like Ax, enjoyable simply because its excellent.

And, crucially, Hillborgs concerto works regardless of how familiar a listener is with his music, or any classical music for that matter. You could be aware of the pieces form  its nine evocatively titled sections, performed as a single, 21-minute movement  or smile at MAX, a contraction of Manny Ax. You could pick up on the opening passages nod to Beethovens Emperor Concerto, or a later suggestion of Bach. Or you could just sit back and sense, intuitively, the genial majesty and pleasure coursing through it all.
On Tuesday, a few hours after the credibility of a key source boosting Republican efforts to impeach President Biden collapsed in spectacular fashion, the Fox News host Jesse Watters offered his viewers a reassuring message.

Its a smear job, Mr. Watters said.

He was referring to the Justice Departments revelation that Alexander Smirnov, an F.B.I. informant who had accused Mr. Biden and his son Hunter of an elaborate bribery scheme involving Ukraine, was in fact a serial liar who could not be trusted. In a court filing, federal prosecutors said Mr. Smirnov had spread misinformation and was actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials.

Because Mr. Smirnovs claims were frequently cited by congressional Republicans in their now-stalled attempt to unseat Mr. Biden from office, Democrats argued that the impeachment effort had reached a logical conclusion. He is lying, and it should be dropped and its just been an outrageous effort from the beginning, the president said last week.

But the conservative media world reacted with a different, and sharply defiant, narrative. In this worldview, news of Mr. Smirnovs deceptions was merely part of a conspiracy to protect Mr. Biden at all costs.
The United States on Friday unleashed its most extensive package of sanctions on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, targeting Russias financial sector and military-industrial complex in a broad effort to degrade the Kremlins war machine.

The sweeping sanctions come as the war enters its third year, and exactly one week after the death of the opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny, for which the Biden administration blames President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. With Congress struggling to reach an agreement on providing more aid to Ukraine, the United States has become increasingly reliant on financial tools to slow Russias ability to restock its military supplies and to put pressure on its economy.

Announcing the sanctions on Friday, President Biden reiterated his calls on Congress to provide more funding to Ukraine before it is too late.

The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will not be forgotten, he said in a statement.
Claude Montana, the audacious and haunted French designer whose exquisite tailoring defined the big-shouldered power look of the 1980s  an erotic and androgynous tough chic that brought him fame and accolades until he was felled by drugs and tragedy in the 90s  died on Friday in France. He was 76.

The Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode confirmed the death but did not specify a cause or say where he died.

Mr. Montana was among a cohort of avant-garde Parisian designers, among them Thierry Mugler and later Jean Paul Gaultier, who idealized the feminine form in extravagant, stylized ways that harked back to the screen sirens of old Hollywood, but as reconstituted in outer space. Mr. Mugler, who died in 2022, offered a campier femme fatale than Mr. Montanas icy vision, though the two were often lumped together as the architects of the 1980s glamazon.
Cryoport, a major embryo shipping company, said on Friday that it was pausing its business in Alabama as it evaluated the states Supreme Court decision that declared frozen embryos created through in vitro fertilization to be children.

Until the company has further clarity on the decision and what it means for Cryoport, clinics and intended parents, it is pausing all activity in Alabama until further notice, read an email received by an Alabama fertility clinic and shared with The New York Times.

The email said that Cryoport would not be able to assist with a scheduled shipment, and instead would offer a refund.

The Alabama courts ruling has already significantly limited fertility treatment for patients in that state. Three clinics have paused care as they evaluate what the ruling means for their patients and their own legal liability. The case involved several couples whose frozen embryos were accidentally destroyed at a clinic in Mobile. It found that clinics could be held liable for wrongful death claims, bringing new gravity to accidents that are not uncommon in fertility treatment.
Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.

Three days a week, I work from the press room at One Police Plaza, the imposing, brown-brick mother ship of the New York Police Department in Lower Manhattan.

As a reporter who covers the Police Department for the Metro desk of The New York Times, I have visited many parts of the building  the second-floor space where news conferences are held; the fourth-floor trial room for departmental hearings; and the 13th-floor conference area, where journalists meet with high-ranking officials to discuss ongoing cases.

But I had never been to the basement.

Last fall, I visited One Police Plaza to discuss an article with Sgt. Edward Riley, who works for the office of the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information, the communications arm of the Police Department. As we walked down the steps to the subterranean floor, I noticed a pair of sliding steel doors that looked like something you might see at a military base.

I asked Sergeant Riley what was behind them. He said it was the entrance to the office of the Manhattan Property Clerk, where thousands of pieces of evidence are stored. Lost possessions that have been turned into the police are also kept there, he said, as well as items recovered from ground zero after Sept. 11.
Blind War

Stream it on Hi-Yah!

During a hostage crisis gone wrong, the SWAT captain Dong Gu (Andy On) loses his eyesight and Cena (Yang Xing), a villainous murderess, sees her sadistic lover die. As shes hauled off to prison, Cena promises revenge against Dong Gu and the criminal gang who betrayed her. Months later, when Dong Gus violinist daughter is kidnapped by a sex trafficking ring, he unwittingly teams with the disguised Cena, whos recently escaped from prison, to retrieve her.

Yang and On are a fascinating pair: Yang plays a corrosive open wound of a woman, while On portrays an honorable man pushed by desperation to the brink of evil. Both actors move with incredible dexterity, their infiltration of the baddies mansion recalls John Wick in its smooth fluidity. Those open compositions, allowing the choreography to breathe, and the easeful editing, give the director Suiqiang Huos film an unforgettable pulse.

Jigen Daisuke

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video.
Veselka, the Ukrainian diner on Manhattans Lower East Side, is one of the few restaurants in the city that truly deserves to be called venerable, even iconic. Mention it to most anyone  especially those of us who were here around the turn of the 21st century  and it provokes pierogi- and borscht-inflected rhapsodies, happy memories of a late-night tuck into a steaming plate of Ukrainian comfort food.

Veselka has also become a center for New Yorks support for embattled Ukrainians, as shown in Michael Fiores new documentary, Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World. (David Duchovny narrates.) Veselkas third-generation proprietor, Jason Birchard, is of Ukrainian ancestry, and many of the staff are from the country as well. When war broke out, the restaurant started collecting money and clothing to send to the front; whats more, Birchard began helping staff sponsor family members in their efforts to move to safety in America.

The film (in theaters now) starts as a fun story about a New York institution, and its tone is resolutely hopeful and convivial. But it rapidly becomes a demonstration of a communitys efforts to support loved ones under siege, and that makes it much richer and fuller than it might otherwise have been. If you know Veselka, you might choke up a bit.

I happened to be watching Veselka the day news broke of dissident Aleksei A. Navalnys death in a Russian prison, which is not the same story but certainly related. I wrote about Navalny, Daniel Rohers Oscar-winning documentary that covers his opposition to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, and thought of other films that help illuminate the war in Ukraine years into the struggle.
The extradition of a man accused of killing a woman in Manhattan and fleeing to Arizona, where he was later arrested on charges related to other serious crimes, set off a furious confrontation this week between two prominent local prosecutors.

It began Wednesday when Rachel Mitchell, the Republican county attorney for Maricopa County, Ariz., said at a news conference that she would not send the man, Raad Almansoori, back to New York to face murder charges. The reason, she said, was that Alvin L. Bragg, Manhattans Democratic district attorney, could not be trusted to keep Mr. Almansoori behind bars. Mr. Bragg, she said, is too lenient on violent criminals.

The case was swiftly swept up into national politics, where both prosecutors have played major roles, prompting a volley of bitter cross-country exchanges.

In a radio interview Thursday, Ms. Mitchell criticized Mr. Braggs handling of a case involving seven migrants arrested in New York City and charged in the assault of two police officers in Times Square last month. Four were initially released before appearing in court. All seven are now in jail.
For more than a year, Felix Santiago has worked as a barista at a Starbucks near Times Square, and for about half that time he loved it. It was easy to swap shifts, easy to pick up new ones, easy to get along with supervisors who were largely accommodating. The first six months were absolutely great, Mr. Santiago told me recently. His opinion changed when his hours were cut in October and then again in January.

Overall they had fallen from roughly 31 hours a week to just under 24, a drop of nearly 25 percent, and the reduction in pay was harshly felt. His rent, $1,000 a month, for a room in a Bronx apartment, was no longer manageable, he said, so he began bouncing around from sofa to sofa, from friends place to friends place. This is how homelessness so often begins.

In early December, about three weeks after Mr. Santiago, who still works at Starbucks, filed an official complaint with the city helped by Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, several other Starbucks workers with similar grievances about the companys inconsistent approach to scheduling were invited to sit down with Mayor Eric Adams at City Hall. A few days later, the mayor posted pictures from the meeting on social media demonstrating his support. I dont have to tell you that Starbucks workers get our city moving every morning, he wrote. Their city stands with them in their push for fair conditions and workers rights.

But what did that mean in practice? Since last February, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, the city agency entrusted with maintaining those rights, has received 76 complaints filed from employees at 56 Starbucks branches claiming that the company has violated the citys Fair Workweek Law over and over again. Taken together, the complaints argue that Starbucks did not provide them with regular schedules, that hours were cut without reasonable explanation and that the company failed to post open shifts for employees who wanted them, choosing to hire new workers instead.
Here is a proposal for the environmental movement: Pool philanthropic funds for a day, buy a small plot of land in Washington, D.C., and put up a tall marble wall to serve as a climate memorial. Carve on this memorial the names of public figures actively denying the existence of climate change. Carve the names so deep and large, our grandchildren and great-grandchildren need not search the archives.

This is not a metaphor. The problem with climate change is the disconnect between action and impact. If politicians vote against construction standards and a school collapses, the next election will be their last. But with climate change, cause and effect are at a vast distance.

We are already seeing the consequences of our past and present greenhouse gas emissions. In coming decades, those emissions will wreak their full havoc on the climate, and it will take hundreds, possibly thousands, of years for those pollutants to fully dissipate. But in the short term, the most immediate burdens are borne mostly by the poor in America and distant people in distant lands. Misaligned incentives are at the heart of why some political and business leaders deny and delay.

For them, there can be immediate political and economic benefits to avowed ignorance, and by the time the waters rise, their deeds and words will be forgotten. A memorial would help adjust for this temporal gap. It would serve as a permanent testament of climate deniers whose actions might otherwise be lost to history and a reminder to those weighing their words today of what the future may bring.
As infuriated as she is by President Bidens stalwart support for Israel, Layla Elabed has not ruled out voting for him in November. A progressive Palestinian American community organizer in Dearborn, Mich., a majority Arab American city near Detroit, she doesnt want to see Donald Trump back in office.

Donald Trump has never been a friend to our community, she told me as we sat in an airy, modern Yemeni coffee shop. But to win her back, she said, the very bare minimum Biden needs to do is to completely overhaul Americas relationship with Israel, demand a permanent end to hostilities and end American military aid to Israel, at least as long as its war in Gaza drags on.

Given how strong support for Israel is in the Democratic and Republican Parties, Im fairly confident that an aid cutoff is not going to happen anytime soon. But speaking to Elabed, the younger sister of Rashida Tlaib, a Democratic congresswoman, I sensed a chasm between my resigned assumptions about how American politics works and her convictions about whats necessary to stave off even more mass death in Gaza.

Were looking at unprecedented times where we are watching a genocide unfold in front of our eyes, said Elabed. Bidens backing of Israel may be predictable, given both his own avowed Zionism and the political influence of Israels American champions, but to her and others like her, its become intolerable. Thats why Elabed is managing the Listen to Michigan campaign, which is organizing to get people to protest Bidens handling of the war by voting uncommitted in Tuesdays Democratic primary.
When Steven Meisel shot the supermodel Linda Evangelista for the September 2022 issue of British Vogue, she hid many of her features beneath a series of hats and scarves. The year before, she had filed a lawsuit after a cosmetic procedure left her disfigured, she said, and reluctant to venture outdoors.

Ms. Evangelista, 58, seems far less shy these days. She has since been on other Vogue covers and in a television series, and has talked openly about being treated for breast cancer twice. This month, she flaunted her face, frame and a mastectomy scar on the cover of Zeit Magazin, a sister publication of the German weekly Die Zeit, which has an English edition.

In the magazine, Ms. Evangelista appears in photos by Cass Bird looking not much older than she did in the 90s, when she bragged that she would not get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day. On the cover, she looks sultry in a denim jacket unfastened to the waist, and inside she appears positively coltish, her skin as youthful as a girls.

I try to love myself as I am, she said in an interview with Claire Beermann, a writer and the style director at Zeit Magazin. (Ms. Evangelista declined to be interviewed for this article through a representative.)
Miuccia Prada, currently American Vogues pioneering septuagenarian cover girl, was standing backstage after the Prada show, bedecked in emeralds and jade and looking slightly terrified as Emma Watson and hordes of well-wishers and journalists swarmed around her like locusts. Such is life when you transcend the role of designer and become more like a divining rod that indicates which way the cultural water is flowing. And that is?

Toward history, she said as her co-creative director, Raf Simons, sipped Prosecco beside her. Or to be specific, toward the way history teaches us about where we are going. As Mr. Simons said in a news release later, You can only realize your future if you know your past.

Its not a blinding insight  if we dont learn from our actions, we are doomed to repeat them, and so on  but at this particular time, when it often feels like we actually are repeating them and memories are awfully short, its worth a reminder (as Mrs. Prada said backstage). Besides, fashion can bring the point to life as well as any lecture. Maybe better.

History has been much in the air in Milan. Maybe its because it was two years ago this week that Russia invaded Ukraine, or because the American presidential election feels like its dangerously on rewind. Maybe its because history-based films like The Zone of Interest and Killers of the Flower Moon and Oppenheimer are sweeping the awards season, which parallels the ready-to-wear season. Or maybe its as simple as the fact that history is a living thing in fashion, given how many European houses are concerned with preserving their own heritages, constantly looking backward to define their identities. Probably all of the above.
A ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that frozen embryos should be considered children has created a new political nightmare for many Republicans, as they try to portray the courts decision as a fringe view and rush to declare their support for fertility treatments, which have broad support among Americans.

Several Republican governors and lawmakers swiftly disavowed the decision from the Republican-majority court. Democrats promised to make it a top-tier campaign issue. Some G.O.P. lawmakers spoke about their personal experiences with infertility. Others declared that they would not support federal restrictions on in vitro fertilization, drawing a distinction between their support for fertility treatments and their opposition to abortion.

On Friday, former President Donald J. Trump urged the Alabama legislature to preserve access to I.V.F. in the state, breaking with a right-wing flank of the anti-abortion movement that supports his presidential bid.

The Republican Party should always be on the side of the Miracle of Life  and the side of Mothers, Fathers, and their Beautiful Babies, he wrote on Truth Social, a social media platform. I.V.F. is an important part of that.
As President Bidens aides and allies brace themselves for a potential electoral backlash in Michigans primary election over his Gaza policy, reinforcements are arriving from a pro-Israel outside group.

The political arm of the group, Democratic Majority for Israel, on Thursday began airing a 15-second digital ad, the first paid effort to lift Mr. Bidens standing in the state. He is facing an organized effort to express anger over his support for Israel by persuading Democrats to vote uncommitted in Tuesdays primary.

The ad, which is targeted at Michigan Democrats, does not mention the Gaza conflict or Mr. Bidens backing of Israel. Instead it warns that voting uncommitted will damage the president and aid former President Donald J. Trump in November.

Voting uncommitted hurts Biden, which helps Donald Trump and his hateful agenda, the ad says. Stand against Trump. Vote for Joe Biden by February 27.
Influential Republicans vying to be Donald J. Trumps vice-presidential running mate appeared at a conservative conference near Washington, auditioning for the spot at Mr. Trumps side on the campaign trail with fire and flattery.

Five people seen as contenders in the Apprentice-like spectacle made appearances on Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, known as CPAC: Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio; Representative Elise Stefanik of New York; Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota; Kari Lake, a Senate candidate in Arizona who rose to conservative prominence with a full-throated embrace of Mr. Trumps stolen-election lies; and the conservative and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

The contenders appeared to understand that they had an audience of one in Mr. Trump. Their approaches differed, but their speeches were similar in tone and content: underscoring their loyalty through effusive praise and scorching rhetoric for the base, while portraying the former president, who faces 91 felony charges in four separate criminal cases, as a martyr for Republicans.

Ms. Stefanik, a onetime moderate Republican whose reinvention as a close Trump ally has helped elevate her to a position in the House leadership, made a point of aggressively defending Mr. Trump for his legal troubles. She played up the Republican-led congressional inquiries into President Biden and his son Hunter by repeatedly referring to them as the Biden crime family even as much of the testimony in the Biden cases has been called into question.
A new super PAC supporting former President Donald J. Trump  and backed by a member of his private club, Mar-a-Lago  has emerged with plans to air ads during the presidential general election.

The group, Right for America, is being supported by Ike Perlmutter, the billionaire former chief executive of Marvel Entertainment, and will be led by a Trump ally, Sergio Gor, according to two people briefed on the matter.

Its unclear how much money the group plans to raise or precisely when it will begin airing ads. Its existence was first reported by Axios.

Mr. Gor declined to comment. A spokesman for Mr. Perlmutter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Former President Donald J. Trump on Friday broke his silence on the Alabama Supreme Courts declaration that frozen embryos are entitled to legal protection, distancing himself from the staunchest abortion opponents in calling on the states Legislature to act quickly to protect in vitro fertilization treatments, which he said should remain legal in every state.

The remarks, after days of silence on the topic, come as he seeks to contain damage from the ruling, which has highlighted divisions in the Republican Party between those who say life begins at conception and those who want to protect reproductive services like I.V.F.

We want to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, not harder! That includes supporting the availability of fertility treatments like IVF in every State in America, Mr. Trump said in a statement on his social media website.

The ruling this week by Alabamas top court has set off a new round of backlash for Republicans from a broad spectrum of Americans who support the use of I.V.F. treatments, in which multiple eggs are fertilized in the hope that one embryo can be successfully implanted, for would-be parents who are having difficulty conceiving.
By Jamahl Bonds, KYODO NEWS - Feb 23, 2024 - 09:28 | All, World

As China continues to grapple with post-pandemic economic woes such as reduced growth and high youth unemployment, an increasing number of Chinese migrants are choosing to enter the United States illegally in hopes of freedom and a better future.

The number of apprehensions of Chinese nationals at the border with Mexico in fiscal 2023 alone far surpassed the total for the preceding decade, topping 24,000 according to government data. At one place near the border in California, a local estimated that such Chinese have come to account for roughly 30 percent of the area's illegal entries.

On Jan. 23, among the approximately 120 migrants who ended up at the U.S.-Mexico border section at Jacumba Hot Springs that day, a Chinese family of three appeared exhausted yet excited as border patrol agents apprehended them.

The man, who identified himself as Zhang, and his wife and daughter had just completed a journey of more than 50 days that took them from China through 11 countries, including Thailand, Morocco and Spain, with grueling travel north from Ecuador to the U.S. border. After climbing a small dirt hill, they reached American soil at last.

"Only two characters come to mind -- 'ziyou,'" said Zhang's wife with a cheerful smile, referring to the word for "freedom" in Mandarin.

Using the popular social media app Douyin, the Zhangs followed the route known as "zouxian," a Chinese phrase that means "walk the line," to make their way to the United States from South America.

The family said that before learning about the route, they tried to obtain visas, but were denied twice. They listed China's communist education system, environmental concerns, and the impact of the zero-COVID policy on their small businesses as some of their motivations for leaving despite the risks involved.

Leaving China without raising suspicion is not easy, Zhang's wife said, suggesting that Chinese authorities are wary of granting visa requests to visit the United States due to concern that applicants may seek asylum there. Once denied, "you might not be able to leave the country (legally)," she said.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the border patrol made over 24,000 apprehensions of Chinese nationals at the U.S.-Mexico border in the year to September 2023. In comparison, during the 11-year span from fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2022, the total number of Chinese nationals apprehended was less than 15,000.

Sam Schultz, 69, a local who provides food, water and shelter to migrants who cross the border mainly into Jacumba Hot Springs, noticed a major increase of Chinese migrants around late fall in 2023. On Christmas Eve, for instance, he observed around 450 migrants who arrived during the day, and estimated that about 30 percent of them were Chinese.

Choosing a route that would attract the least attention and be the safest for their daughter, the Zhangs successfully left China.

After passing through many countries, they reached Ecuador, which Chinese nationals can enter without a visa, and proceeded from there on foot and with local transportation, often relying on local guides. In total, the trip cost the Zhangs around 300,000 yuan ($42,000).

In Panama, they also went through the Darien Gap jungle, where some migrants die in accidents such as drowning. According to the Panamanian immigration authorities, the number of Chinese nationals crossing the jungle on a monthly basis more than tripled in 2023, reaching 2,974 in December.

"At the moment, we do not have any jobs set up. We are thinking about settling down first," Zhang said. "First, we want to see if we can get our kid in school right away, because she hasn't been in school for the past two months."

Out of over 4,570 cases involving Chinese migrants, there was an asylum grant rate of over 80 percent in fiscal 2023, compared with around 50 percent for all nationalities, according to Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.

For those entering without visas, seeking asylum is the "only relief for them," and the most difficult step in starting new lives in the United States is "how to get legal status," said Xiaosheng Huang, a Chinese American lawyer who has many Chinese migrants as clients.
With her husband struggling at times to find work, Ms. Horn has maxed out her credit cards to keep pace with the rent. She has relied on public assistance and stayed in shelters. The couple and their two children have moved so many times that she keeps sentimental items like photos and heirlooms boxed up, because no place feels like home yet.

Im just in a constant state of waiting for the other shoe to drop, said Ms. Horn, 42, whose current lease expires in May. I am one price hike away from being back into instability.
For years, Chinese companies and their contractors have been slaughtering millions of donkeys across Africa, coveting gelatin from the animals hides that is processed into traditional medicines, popular sweets and beauty products in China.

But a growing demand for the gelatin has decimated donkey populations at such alarming rates in African countries that governments are now moving to put a brake on the mostly unregulated trade.
President Javier Milei of Argentina hosted U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in Buenos Aires on Friday morning to discuss the various ways Mr. Milei is reshaping Argentina foreign policy in line with the United States.

A few hours later, both men were set to board separate planes for Washington. Mr. Blinken was going back to the White House and President Biden. Mr. Milei was headed to the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, where he would take the stage ahead of former President Donald J. Trump and give a speech that would almost certainly rail against the dangers of the left.

Mr. Mileis hectic itinerary  traveling south to north, left to right  shows how the new Argentine president is trying to navigate the politically turbulent waters of the United States in an election year, knowing that the next administration could be crucial to his own success.

In addition to being Argentinas largest foreign investor and its third-largest trade partner, the United States has the most control of any country over the International Monetary Fund, to which Argentina owes $40 billion.
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Australia is in the throes of another heated debate on immigration, following the news last week that 39 men had arrived by boat on the shores of Beagle Bay, a remote Western Australian Indigenous community.

The men, reportedly from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, said they had come to seek work. They were later sent to offshore detention centers  but their first contact was with local Aboriginal families, who provided the migrants with food and water.

That initial welcome stood in stark contrast to the response from many politicians, who characterized the men as cause for alarm, reigniting old concerns about border security. This reflects, at least in part, Australias dual reality when it comes to foreigners who want to work: In many cities and suburbs, there is a fear that foreign migrants will take jobs from Australians; but in Australias most remote regions, finding people who want to work and stay is a bigger concern.

In the Australian desert, theres a saying among Indigenous populations that Kartiya (white workers) are like Toyotas: When one breaks down, its carted off, and in comes a replacement. High churn and low worker-retention rates are familiar tropes in the Northern Territory, home to some of the nations most remote localities, which double as hot destinations for fly-in-fly-out employees from big cities.
Alfred Grosser, a French political scientist and historian whose writings and activism played a major role in conciliating two ancestral enemies, France and Germany, in the wake of World War II, died on Feb. 7 in Paris. He was 99.

His death, in a nursing home, was confirmed by his son Marc.

Through more than two dozen books of history, political science and memoirs, decades of teaching at one of Frances premier universities and many articles on contemporary affairs, Mr. Grosser made it his lifes work to bring together two countries with long histories of mutual mistrust, if not mutual hatred.

The need for reconciliation, he felt, was acute after a war that had left Germany in ruins, spawned German atrocities on French soil, torn Frances social and political fabric apart through the traumas of occupation and collaboration, and torn his own German Jewish family apart as well. He was as skeptical of French purity after the war as he was of the need to condemn Germans collectively.
As the war in Gaza rages on, the situation in the battered enclave is one of devastation and despair. More than 29,000 people have been killed, according to Gaza health officials, the majority in a relentless Israeli bombing campaign. Neighborhoods have been flattened, families wiped out, children orphaned, and an estimated 1.7 million people displaced.

While global scrutiny grows over Israels conduct in the war, the Israeli military, by its assessment, has delivered a major blow to the capabilities of Hamas, killing commanders, destroying tunnels and confiscating weapons. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus goal of destroying Hamas remains elusive, according to current and former Israeli security officials.

They anticipate a protracted campaign to defeat Hamas.

An Israeli military intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity under military protocol, said that Israel was engaged in a comprehensive mission to unravel Hamass military capabilities.
A day after a fire roared through a high-rise apartment complex in the Spanish city of Valencia, killing at least nine people, police investigators were trying to determine why the flames had engulfed the two buildings in less than an hour.

Early suspicion fell on construction materials, but it was hard to tell, since the two structures remained so hot that firefighters could not even enter the buildings until around noon on Friday  hours after rushing to the scene the previous evening.

Luis Sendra, the dean of the Official College of Architects of the Community of Valencia, said that investigators would have to wait until the structures cooled down to be able to determine whether exterior cladding might have helped fuel the fire. He said that gaps between the insulation and the cladding could have facilitated the spread of flames.

Its too early to know the exact cause, Mr. Sendra said. But the speed with which it spread would indicate similarities with Grenfell Tower in London.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said the United States considered the building of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories illegal and counterproductive to reaching an enduring peace.

On settlements, weve seen the reports and I have to say were disappointed in the announcement. Its been longstanding U.S. policy under Republican and Democratic administrations alike that new settlements are counterproductive to reaching an enduring peace. Theyre also inconsistent with international law. Our administration maintains a firm opposition to settlement expansion, and in our judgment. this only weakens  doesnt strengthen  Israels security.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said on Friday that the American government now considers new Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories to be inconsistent with international law, marking a reversal of a policy set under the Trump administration and a return to a decades-long U.S. position on the contentious subject.

Mr. Blinken spoke at a news conference in Buenos Aires, after Israels finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, made an announcement on Thursday indicating thousands of new residences would be added to settlements. Mr. Blinken said he was disappointed at the announcement.

Its been longstanding U.S. policy under Republican and Democratic administrations alike that new settlements are counterproductive to reaching enduring peace, he said. Theyre inconsistent with international law. Our administration maintains firm opposition to settlement expansion. And in our judgment, this only weakens  it doesnt strengthen  Israels security.

Mr. Blinken was in Argentina for meetings with the recently elected president, Javier Milei, and the foreign minister, Diana Mondino.

In Washington, John F. Kirby, a White House spokesman, reiterated that stance in comments to reporters. This is a position that has been consistent over a range of Republican and Democratic administrations  if theres an administration that is being inconsistent, it was the previous one, he said.

State Department officials declined to say what actions, if any, the United States might take to hold Israeli settlers or the government legally accountable for the building of new settlements.

Over many years, settlements have proliferated across the West Bank, Palestinian territory that is occupied by Israel, without the United States pushing for any legal action. About 500,000 residents now live in the occupied West Bank and more than 200,000 in East Jerusalem.

Image New housing projects last year in Givat Zeev, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. Credit... Ohad Zwigenberg/Associated Press

In November 2019, President Trumps secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, reversed four decades of U.S. policy by saying that settlements did not violate international law. State Department lawyers never issued a new legal determination that buttressed that policy change, and Mr. Blinkens shift back to the old policy is consistent with a longstanding legal finding of the department.

Starting in 2021, when President Biden took office, diplomatic reporters asked State Department officials whether Mr. Blinken planned to reverse Mr. Pompeos move, but the officials each time said there was no change to policy.

Some State Department officials had grown uneasy last year over the sharp surge in acts of violence by extremist settlers. After the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, violence increased in the West Bank, and Mr. Biden and Mr. Blinken began denouncing the actions and the expansion of settlements.

On Friday afternoon, Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J Street, a liberal Jewish American advocacy group that tries to shape policy on Israel, praised Mr. Blinkens announcement.

Now, the administration must make clear that, particularly in light of the volatility of the current situation between Israelis and Palestinians, there must be no further expansion of the settlement enterprise, he said in a statement. He added that the Biden administration should show it will take further steps to enforce its view  and the view of the international community  that the creeping annexation of the West Bank must stop.

Mr. Pompeos move in 2019 bolstered the position of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, who had vowed during two elections that year to annex the West Bank. Mr. Netanyahus new ruling coalition has several far-right ministers that support that direction, and it is those politicians who have helped Mr. Netanyahu stay in power despite the widespread criticism of him over his inability to protect Israel from the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas and his moves to undermine the judiciarys power.

On Thursday night, the office of one of those ministers, Mr. Smotrich, announced that an existing Israeli planning committee that oversees construction in the West Bank would be convened.

He said the committee would move ahead with plans for more than 3,000 housing units, most of them in Maale Adumim, near the site of a Palestinian shooting attack earlier that same day. Mr. Smotrichs office described the expansion of the settlement as an appropriate Zionist response to the attack.

Let every terrorist plotting to harm us know that raising a hand against the citizens of Israel will be met with death, destruction, and the deepening of our eternal grip on the entire Land of Israel, Mr. Smotrich said in a statement.

Mr. Smotrichs office did not say when the committee would be convened, whether the housing units would be new homes or what stage of the planning process they were in.

Mr. Blinken also said he would withhold judgment on the postwar plan for Gaza that Mr. Netanyahu had begun to circulate among Israeli officials. Mr. Blinken said any plan has to align with three principles: Gaza should not be a base for terrorism; the Israeli government should not reoccupy Gaza; and the size of Gazas territory should not be reduced.

There are certain basic principles that we set out many months ago, he said, referring to the outcome of a diplomatic conclave in Tokyo, that we feel are very important when it comes to Gazas future.

Aaron Boxerman contributed reporting from Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus framework released Friday for a postwar order in Gaza appeared to keep his government on a collision course with the United States and much of the rest of the world over the enclaves future.

Here are some of the major points of friction between what the Israeli leader has proposed and what other governments have said they want after the war in Gaza is over:

Palestinian statehood

The Biden administration and Arab states have called for both Gaza and the occupied West Bank to become part of a future Palestinian state alongside Israel, arguing that decades of Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be resolved with an eventual two-state solution.

But Mr. Netanyahus plans appear to rule out a sovereign Palestinian state in the near term, saying that Israel would indefinitely maintain military control across all of the territory west of the Jordan river, including the enclave. It does not explicitly rule out a Palestinian state, but its wording would make an independent territory including Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank all but impossible for the foreseeable future.

Gazas border with Egypt

Mr. Netanyahus framework calls for sealing off Gazas border with Egypt  the territorys only crossing not controlled by Israel  in order to prevent what it described as cross-border smuggling. It would be done in coordination with Egypt and with the backing of the United States, his proposal said.

But it was not clear whether the Biden administration would support such a move. And it would likely ratchet up tensions with Egypt: The government in Cairo has called Israeli threats to send troops into a so-called buffer zone separating Gaza from the Egyptian-controlled Sinai Desert a serious threat to Egyptian-Israeli relations.

Buffer zone
An Israeli delegation arrived in Paris on Friday for talks with senior officials from Egypt, Qatar and the United States, the latest attempt to advance a deal for a cease-fire with Hamas and the release of hostages held in Gaza, an Israeli official said on Friday.

The Mossad chief, David Barnea; the C.I.A. director, William J. Burns; the Qatari prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani; and Abbas Kamel, the head of Egyptian intelligence, are expected to attend the talks, according to a second Israeli official and a person briefed on the talks. All the officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the diplomatic developments.

Qatar and Egypt have been acting as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas, which do not negotiate directly.

The talks come a day after President Bidens Mideast envoy met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials in Israel, part of a flurry of efforts to negotiate the release of hostages and a pause in the fighting. According to Israeli officials, about 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza. At least 30 others there are dead, officials believe.

On Tuesday, Hamas said that a delegation led by Ismail Haniyeh was in Cairo to meet with Egyptian officials to discuss efforts to end the war. On Thursday, Hamas issued a statement saying that Mr. Haniyeh had met with the Egyptian intelligence chief and aides, and had concluded his visit. The statement said that among the topics those talks addressed were ending the war, the return of displaced people to their homes, humanitarian aid, swapping hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and what the occupation is planning at al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

Efforts to secure a cease-fire deal have taken on greater urgency as the death toll from four months of war in the Gaza Strip nears 30,000 Palestinians, according to health officials there, and as Israels stated plan to invade Gazas southernmost city, Rafah, raises international alarm.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 23, 2024 - 20:56 | All, Japan

Emperor Naruhito, on the occasion of his 64th birthday on Friday, mourned the lives lost in a powerful earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year's Day and extended his sympathy to the people displaced.

The emperor expressed his desire to visit areas affected by the disaster on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture with his wife Empress Masako.

"My heart truly aches for the many people who have been affected and those who have been forced to evacuate," he said at a press conference at the Imperial Palace ahead of his birthday.

The emperor added that he hopes "recovery and reconstruction will progress smoothly," and expressed his appreciation for the hardworking professionals engaged in relief efforts and medical support.

Reflecting on positive developments over the past year, the emperor touched on the easing of novel coronavirus restrictions as the government in May downgraded the legal status of COVID-19 to the same category as seasonal influenza.

"It was a year in which we could clearly see bright developments in the process of people's daily lives returning to normalcy," he said.

The emperor said he was pleased to resume his duties of attending various ceremonies and events in line with the easing of COVID restrictions.

"I had heartwarming moments when I directly listened to a variety of people and saw their smiles at the places I went," he said.

In June last year, the emperor visited Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, to attend the national tree-planting festival and had conversations with people who experienced the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

"I was touched by their tireless efforts despite numerous challenges," he said.

Regarding his family, he said, "I would like to convey my gratitude to Masako after having spent 30 years with her and ask for her continued support."

The empress has been struggling with adjustment disorder since December 2003 when she was still the crown princess and rarely appeared in public. Since becoming empress, her attendance at events and ceremonies has increased.

In a statement last year, her doctors noted that she is in the process of recovery, although her condition fluctuates.

The emperor said he was happy to hear that their only child, Princess Aiko, 22, had decided to join the Japanese Red Cross Society in April.

"I hope she will further broaden her horizons by gaining various experiences," he said.

The emperor, together with other members of the imperial family, waved to well-wishers from a balcony at the palace on Friday morning.

A total of 14,000 people attended three greeting sessions, with some 2,400 people signing the greeting book.

The emperor expressed in a speech his condolences to those who lost their lives in the quake.

He told the visitors that he felt grateful for them attending in the rain and, "I wish you all good health and happiness."

While those wishing to attend did not need to apply in advance, unlike last year, the number of people allowed entry to each of the three greeting sessions was capped at 20,000 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Related coverage:

Japan emperor, empress to visit quake-hit Noto Peninsula

Princess Aiko to work at Japanese Red Cross Society from April

Japan's emperor pens poem to reflect on warm welcome during visits
The main United Nations aid agency that serves Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and elsewhere in the region has reached a breaking point, its leader has warned, as donors have pulled funding from the agency and Israel imposed further restrictions on its operations and called for its closure.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, the chief lifeline for Gazas besieged population of 2.2 million people through the Israel-Hamas war, has lost $450 million in donor funding, including from the United States, since Israeli allegations that 12 of the agencys employees were involved in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack.

Absent new funding, UNRWA, the largest aid agency on the ground in Gaza, says that its reserves will be gone by March, even as aid groups warn that Gaza is on the verge of famine.

I fear we are on the edge of a monumental disaster with grave implications for regional peace, security and human rights, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWAs commissioner general, wrote in a letter to the president of the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday.

Fewer aid trucks have entered Gaza this week than earlier in the year, when between 100 and 200 aid trucks were arriving on most days; both border crossings used for aid have frequently closed, sometimes because Israeli protesters have blocked a crossing. A total of 69 trucks entered on Tuesday and Wednesday, the agency said. It added that it is aiming for 500 per day to meet Gazas needs.

The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to take immediate steps to facilitate the aid Gaza desperately needs, which UNRWA would normally play a central role in distributing. But Israeli officials have argued that its employees alleged links to Hamas fundamentally compromise the agency.
A Missouri man allegedly tried to commit insurance fraud by paying someone to cut off both his legs and stage a tractor accident to cover it up.

The Howell County Sheriffs Office recently investigated the most bizarre case in its history. In November of last year, a 60-year-old man from Willow Springs lost both his legs after allegedly suffering a brush hog accident. The brush hog is a rotary mower usually attached to tractors, and the man claimed to have had both legs accidentally cut off by one. However, there were a few holes in the mans story. First of all, he had literally lost his legs, as in they were nowhere to be found, which was bizarre for this type of accident. Then there was the fact that the mans wounds were too clean to have been caused by a brush hog. And finally, the man was a known paraplegic, which raised questions about how he had managed to find his way in the way of a tractor-operated brush hog.

Photo: Kenny Eliason/Unsplash

If it was done by a brush hog, it would have been a bloody, gory mess, Torey Thompson, a lieutenant with the Howell County Sheriffs Office, told the Springfield News Reader. Ive seen those types of accidents before. This wasnt like that.

Officers and medical personnel called to the scene of the accident were also very curious about the tourniquets on the stumps of his legs and who had put them on immediately after the accident. As the investigation continued and more holes appeared in the injured mans story, police discovered that a Florida man had visited the victim with a hatchet and allegedly chopped off his legs, for a fee.

It was later revealed that the 60-year-old paraplegic had devised a plan to commit insurance fraud, and since he didnt really have any use for his legs anymore, he decided to have them chopped off in a staged accident. But since the man hadnt yet filed a claim with the insurance company, there was no reason to charge him.

Photo: brush hog (Cornell University)

It was a poorly executed plan, Ive never seen anything quite like it, Thompson said.

Even though the paraplegic man could not be officially charged with insurance fraud, the sherrifs office was so annoyed with the waste of time and resources that it considered pressing charges of filing a false police/EMS report. The problem was that the mans injuries were so severe that incarceration was virtually impossible. So the decided to let him recover in a hospital instead.

As for the mans lost legs, a relative of his reportedly found them in a bucket concealed by tires and turned them over to investigators.
Former UK prime minister Tony Blair could never live down the Bushs poodle nickname that he so deservedly earned for backing George W. Bushs misguided invasion of Iraq. It was an onslaught justified by the bogus intelligence that Saddam Hussein had a store of weapons of mass destruction.

Will Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson, JD Vance and the rest of the MAGA misfits suffer a similar fate for their backing of Russias psychopathic strongman Vladimir Putin?

Trump appears set to sell out Americas NATO allies by green lighting an attack on them by Putin, in the event they dont cough up enough cash to satisfy the Mango Mussolini.

Carlson lobbed so many softballs during his interview with Putin that the Russians arms grew tired from hitting them out of the park.

Following the interview, Putin wondered why Carlson made the trek to Moscow, unless his real intention was to shop at its super-cheap supermarket and ride its immaculate subway.

The despicable Republican Ohio Senator Vance, who is dead set against funding Ukraines fight for freedom, chickened out of a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference.

He punked out because he said he wouldnt learn anything new. Wrong, JD. You might have learned something about integrity, courage, guts, and fighting oppression.

You could have found out how many Ukrainian civilians will die because you and your GOP ilk refused to approve money for air defenses that could have shot down Russian missiles aimed at apartment complexes.

Or, how about the number of children who will be kidnapped and sent to Russia to replenish the country's declining population.

Trump, Carlson and Vance are vying for their master's attention What bone will Putin throw them?

The good news is that the vast majority of Americans hasn't hopped into Putin's kennel and snuggled up to the madman.

An Economist/YouGov poll conducted Feb. 20-21 of American 2020 voters shows across-the-board unfavorable ratings for the Russian.

Putin gets unfavorable scores from 79 percent of Democrats, 78 percent of Republicans, and 64 percent of Independents. His favorable numbers are 15 percent, 15 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

Seventy-one of men and 76 percent of women are down on Putin. Eighteen percent of men and nine percent of women like him.

Putin scores highest among the young, who apparently are not aware of his thuggish ways. Nearly a quarter (24 percent) of the 18-29 age bracket have a favorable opinion of Putin. That drops to 18 percent (ages 30-44), nine percent (45-64) and four percent (65+)

Putins unfavorable numbers are 63 percent (18-29), 59 percent (30-44), 78 percent (45-64) and 92 percent (65+).

That high unfavorable rating of Putin among the most senior group shows that wisdom truly comes with age.

That begs the question: What is 77-year-old Trumps problem?
KYODO NEWS - Feb 23, 2024 - 17:10 | All, Japan, World

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson has told a high-ranking government official that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will address a joint session of Congress during his official visit in April, sources with knowledge of the situation said Friday.

The U.S. side will soon formally inform the Japanese government of its decision to invite Kishida to deliver a congressional speech, the sources said, adding that Washington and Tokyo will try to realize his appearance in the legislature possibly on April 11.

The last Japanese leader to address the U.S. Congress was then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015, during the administration of President Barack Obama.

In late January, the White House said U.S. President Joe Biden will host Kishida for an official visit, which includes a state dinner in Washington, on April 10.

During his visit, Kishida is most likely to pledge that Japan will further strengthen its long-standing alliance with the United States and play an active role in ensuring peace in the Indo-Pacific region and elsewhere.

The 66-year-old leader is also likely to highlight Japan's increasing defense spending and deepening trilateral cooperation with the United States and South Korea, amid China's assertive actions and North Korea's weapons advances.

In his possible congressional speech, attention is on whether Kishida, a lawmaker representing a constituency in Hiroshima, will say anything about his life's work for a world without nuclear weapons.

Abe, who was killed by a man armed with a homemade gun in 2022, visited the United States as a state guest ahead of the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

In his speech given before the joint meeting, the first by a Japanese prime minister, he acknowledged Japan's wartime past and expressed "deep remorse" for its actions.

Prior to Johnson's notification to the U.S. government official, the chamber's committee on foreign affairs, as well as a bipartisan group of senators, asked the House speaker to invite Kishida to address Congress during his official visit.

A letter sent to the speaker by the group said doing so would be a "timely and tangible expression of the unwavering commitment of the United States to our alliance and to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

The group, led by former U.S. ambassador to Japan Republican Sen. William Hagerty and Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono, also said a strong alliance between the two countries is "more important than ever" due to serious security challenges in the region.

The speaker is in charge of convening a joint session of Congress. Since Biden took office in 2021, the foreign leaders who addressed the U.S. legislature include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Related coverage:

Japan vows to continue supporting war-torn Ukraine's reconstruction

G7 agrees to continue supporting Ukraine

Japan to give 2.4 bil. yen grant aid to Samoa, vows to boost ties
Brookline PR, a Calgary-headquartered boutique PR shop, signs on to work with Cinim, a charity dedicated to fostering evidence-based mental health programs for happier and more fulfilling lives. Cinim is part of a new digital series, In Pursuit of Wellness, presented by Global Wellness Institute and produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. Brookline was tapped to run a traditional media relations campaign and build out a cohesive content calendar for social media to raise awareness for the video series and Cinim's involvement. The agency will also be supporting clean energy company Triple Point Resource with indigenous relations, brand awareness, community and stakeholder relations and media relations support on a national scale, and the grand opening of the Chief Aranazhi School, which is located in the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation.

Leach Advisors signs on with Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP to provide brand identity services for the law firms Business Expansion & Location Solutions practice group, which advises domestic and international companies on all aspects of economic development and foreign direct investment. Leach Advisors services will include research, stakeholder interviews, logo design and tagline development as well as creative services to produce sales and marketing collateral for the BELS practice group. Finn Winterson, art director at Leach Advisors, will lead the agencys brand identity and creative services team for the account.

Jennifer Bett Communications is named media relations and affiliate marketing services agency of record for Tecovas, the Austin-based western footwear, apparel and accessories brand. JBC will oversee business, consumer and product storytelling for the client. The agencys efforts will put a spotlight on the heritage of Western culture through a modern lens, emphasizing the brands premium goods, enduring quality and timeless style. Tecovas launched in 2015, and has grown rapidly since its founding as the first digitally native western brand.

January Consulting and January Digital sign on as marketing strategy firm and digital agency of record for Sakara, a nutrition company delivering programs and supplements powered by whole-food ingredients. January Consulting will be partnering with the company to develop its marketing approach, while January Digital will be responsible for building, planning and executing Sakara Life's digital media across all channels. Sakara has an active loyal community, and the Sakara Life podcast is one of the leading wellness podcasts in the United States. "Bringing Sakara to more people and helping put people in control of their own health is the ultimate goal - and to do that, we need the strongest possible team," said Henry Davis, CEO of Sakara Life.
A total of 41 anglers took part in the Hogan Cup in Tullamore and most caught fish, resulting in a total pike catch on the day of 61.

PADDY Hogan flew home from New York and landed the heaviest fish of the day in the annual Jim Hogan Memorial Cup competition.

The open pike angling competition is organised each year by Tullamore & District Angling Club in memory of the late Jim Hogan so it is fitting that his New York-based son Paddy took the biggest accolade on Sunday on the Grand Canal.

The club's Pat Foran said: This is the club's biggest pike angling event of the year and is fished in memory of Jim Hogan, who was a well-known angler in the Tullamore club. Although Jim is no longer with us, he still lives on in the memory of his friends and family today.

A total of 41 anglers took part and most caught fish, resulting in a total pike catch on the day of 61.

Along with the single heaviest pike, an impressive 24lb 8oz, Paddy caught three others and the combined weight of 39lb 8oz earned him the prize of overall winner too.

The second heaviest fish weighed 11lb 4oz and was caught by Charlie Lawlor. The third, a 10lb pike, was landed by David Hogan.

The club returned to the Newtown Bar for the prize-giving ceremony afterwards and the anglers enjoyed hot food and refreshments.

That night, the club also awarded the Gordon Bushell Memorial Shield for the heaviest pike of 2023.

Ger Murray won this with an excellent pike weighing 13 lbs 3oz. Ger caught this fish at the 2023 Hogan Cup competition, which helped him win the Hogan Cup trophy, said Pat Foran.

The Joe Lambe Memorial Shield for the best bag of 2023 was awarded to Eamon Hogan, who had 62 lbs 11oz in pike over the 2023 competitions.

Eamon has had a great fishing season and is a regular name in our fourth competition winner announcements. Well done, Eamon.

During 2023 Tullamore Angling Club members caught a total of 251 pike.

The club would like to thank the Hogan family for sponsoring the event and supplying the beautiful prizes to be raffled off to ensure everybody left with something, added Pat.

Paddy and Johnny Hogan travel from New York to fish for the event and bring one of their American friends, Mr Bill Casey, over for the occasion. It was great to have Bill attend again, as he always makes the trip over and enjoys the Irish banter.

It was wonderful to have our overseas guests in Tullamore, and we wish them a pleasant and safe stay in Ireland in the next few weeks.

The club would like to extend a huge special thanks to the Hogan family and The Newtown bar for making the event successful.

The club would also like to thank all our committee members and competition officers who have worked hard behind the scenes to keep the show going. Also, a huge thanks to all our members, new and old, who support the club with their attendance.

Tullamore and District Angling Club will host its next and last pike competition until October on Sunday, February 25.
LOCAL Offaly store, XL Cloghan Service Station recently celebrated its first year in business and to mark the occasion retailer Martin Grogan hosted a special event for customers to share in the celebrations.

This new community store includes an impressive Plaza style Forecourt, a stand-out Deli offering with a large selection of food to go and in-store diner options, including OReillys fish and chips, a large seated area, truck stop, electrical chargers, off licence, Emo fuel card, free Wifi, state-of-the-art Bewleys Coffee Station and self-service laundry machines.

The family-fun event, which was held on Wednesday, February 14th, featured special guests former Offaly All-Ireland winning hurling captains Martin Hanamy (1994), Hubert Rigney (1998) and Padraig Horan (1981). The GAA community has been very important to Cloghan so when deciding what art to decorate the walls of the shop Martin wanted to honour some heroes of their local community. To this end he commissioned a special piece of artwork from accomplished Canadian artist Alejandra Harrison depicting the All-Ireland winning captains, which was unveiled at the recent celebration.

The three hurling All- Ireland winning Offaly captains are part of Cloghans local club St Rynaghs and were all on hand to witness the unveiling.

Commenting, Martin Grogan said, The GAA is an integral part of Offaly and, in particular, the Cloghan area. To have three All-Ireland winning captains from the one rural club is a remarkable achievement and we wanted to pay homage to the three men and their achievement. Its been a wonderful first year of trading in XL Cloghan and this event is our way to say thank you to the local community and our customers.

XL Cloghan has been a fantastic addition to the local area and is the first ever XL green site location, providing employment to 21 people locally and serving the local area and passing trade faithfully for the last year. XL Cloghans impact on the local community has been immediate and profound, as evidenced by their winning two awards at the annual XL Retailer Awards celebration in 2023.

Paul Bealin, Cash & Carry Sales Director, BWG Foods, congratulated Martin and the team on a great first year as part of the XL family, XL is Irelands fastest growing retail symbol brand and Martin Grogan and his team in XL Cloghan are a terrific example of our innovative retail family. Martin is truly passionate about providing value to his customers and his stores offering is second to none. XL Cloghan Service Station delivers great value, choice, service and exciting consumer promotions to the local community and customers.
A woman admitted assaulting two female Gardai in a nasty incident in Portlaoise.

Helen Connors, 20, of 1 Kiltalown Hill, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24 admitted assaulting two female Gardai at Marian Avenue, Portlaoise on August 9, 2021. She also admitted stealing groceries from Aldi in Portlaoise on the same date.

Garda Sgt Derek Barnett said he was on duty at Portlaoise Garda Station when Garda Counihan and Garda OShea returned to the station at 8.30pm on the date in question.

They were visibly shaken. They were upset and they alleged that they were assaulted on Marion Avenue in Portlaoise, he said.

He said the gardai informed him that they had stopped the defendant in the area and attempted to effect an arrest.

She allegedly pushed them, grabbed them and scratched them, he told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. Sgt Barnett said he was informed the assault had lasted a number of minutes.

Defence solicitor Micheal Byrne said he had no questions for the witness.

Garda Ailbhe Counihan took to the stand and explained that she had responded to an allegation of theft from Aldi in Portlaoise on the date in question.

A female in white pants had left the store without paying for a number of items, she explained.

Garda Counihan said she travelled in the direction of the Abbeyleix Road and stopped the patrol car to speak to Ms Connors.

She said the defendant resisted arrest and began hitting us and kicking before running off towards the Old Knockmay Road.

At Marion Ave, Garda Counihan said she caught up with the defendant. She said another attempt was made to arrest the defendant but she was kicking us and hitting us and with the aid of another individual she managed to get away.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said he was working on the evening.

It was a nasty incident, Judge, he told Judge Nicola Andrews at Portlaoise District Court.

I am instructed to offer an apology, said Mr Byrne.

She feels very, very sorry for what she did on the day in question, said Mr Byrne.

He explained that his client was only 17 when the incident occurred.

Sgt Kirby said the defendant has previous convictions for road traffic offences and theft.

I am troubled by how she behaved on the night towards members of An Garda Siochana, said Judge Andrews.

Mr Byrne said his client was pregnant at the time of the offence.

On the ground, she instructs me, she was being manhandled, he said.

Sgt Kirby said she wasnt on the ground during the incident.

Judge Andrews reminded Mr Byrne that his client was pleading guilty to the offence.

The guards are contesting the facts in relation to the arrest, he said.

They said she hit out and kicked gardai and ran off, said Mr Byrne.

She fell to her knees and went to the ground, he claimed.

Judge Andrews asked Mr Byrne if he would like to call his client to give evidence and the defendant took the stand.

She recalled the garda approaching and telling her she was being arrested.

She grabbed me by the arm and she turned me around and I fell, said Ms Connors.

I fell to the ground at that point I was trying to get up, she explained.

I explained to her I am pregnant, she said.

This is why I felt afraid and this is why I behaved violently, she told Judge Andrews.

Sgt Kirby said I have to put it to you that you didnt fall.

I did fall, I was on my knees, she insisted.

The guards were acting lawfully in the course of their duty, said Sgt Kirby.

I didnt say they werent, the defendant replied.

I was 17 at the time, I was afraid, the woman said.

I felt unsafe because I wasnt aware of what I was getting arrested for, she said.

Mr Byrne said his client does accept that she assaulted the two gardai. He said there was no question that the gardai had acted in any way but lawfully and he asked the judge to consider a probation report.

Judge Andrews said the defendant was already the subject of a probation report. She said the woman had assaulted members of An Garda Siochana.

I have very little tolerance for this type of behaviour, said Judge Andrews.

She said she could not let the incident go unchecked. She convicted her on one count of assaulting Garda Counihan. She took the second assault charge and the theft charge into consideration.

Judge Andrews imposed a two month sentence which she suspended for 12 months. She fixed recognisance in case of appeal.
Following recent protests in Roscrea outside the Main Street Garda Station by local women, Dail representative and member of the rural group of Independent TDs Carol Nolan has come out in support of the demonstration, while Justice Minister, Helen McEntee says their concerns are misguided.

Minister McEntee told TippFM at the Tipperary Chamber President's Lunch in Thurles yesterday: "I think there is an attempt, and I'm not saying by the women, to suggest that migrant communities and those who are coming to seek protection are somehow automatically criminals.

"I have to push back on that very strongly, there are no facts to back that up. We have a population where 20% of the people living in the country are not from this country and we will always have a mixture of people committing crimes, but those that want to sow division and sow fear will hone in on that one, or two, or three single incidents and make it look as if its a very different situation.

"I'm not dismissing anybody's concerns, but I would say there is an attempt to instill that fear in people that shouldn't necessarily be there. The migrant community in this country have contributed so much - without them we wouldn't have GP services in many counties, we wouldn't have carers in nursing homes and other parts or our health service; we wouldn't have people working on the building sites building the houses that we so desperately need.

"So we really need to make sure there is an understanding of what a migrant does, who they are and that they contribute not just financially, but culturally as well.

"I think more broadly people want to see more Gardai and they want that presence on the ground to feel safe in general and to feel safe irrespective of who is in their community, but I would push back very strongly on any link between migrants and crime because the facts are just not there", the Justice Minister said.

There has been a strong reaction to the Justice Minister's comments in Roscrea, with people expressing their frustration at Minister McEntee's comments on local social media groups and pointing to several recent incidents of recorded crimes in the town which contradict her statements.

Several local people expressed disappointment that the Justice Minister was in Thurles yesterday and close to Roscrea, but did not stop to visit protestors at Racket Hall and hear their concerns in person.

Today Independent TD for Laois/Offaly Carol Nolan has said that she has never experienced the volume of representations currently being made to her by women, young and old, who feel they are enduring something akin to a process of prolonged psychological intimidation that is a direct result of government policies related to international protection accommodation.

Deputy Nolan was speaking following the protest in Roscrea organised by local women following an alleged incident involving a young mother and her two children in the town centre on Sunday last.

Women in the Tipperary town protested outside the local Garda station to highlight their anger at what they say is government indifference to their concerns.

What I am hearing from women and indeed their families every day of the week is nothing short of heart breaking and terrifying. Some of these women say they have not had a peaceful night in six months," Deputy Nolan said.

This is a completely disorientating experience for very many people who have gone from living in quiet uneventful areas to areas where they literally feel like they are prisoners in their own homes. That is the genuine feeling many women now have, whether government or anybody else wants to hear it.

I have elderly women, grandmothers, contacting me to say that they will no longer take a stroll in the evening or walk about their towns or villages unescorted. How on earth has it come to this?

The concealment of information from TDs, Senators, communities, local authorities, even local gardai, is a disgraceful insult to these communities who are simply informed when a decision has been taken to accommodate large numbers of people in their towns and villages.

Who the hell do these people think they are and how dare they treat people with such contempt.

We are witnessing massive levels of community disruption, fear, and intimidation and what I am saying quite clearly is we will no longer sit back and take it. All Government party representatives, at every level from local authority to the Dail and Seanad are on notice that the people will make their frustration heard at the ballot box, Deputy Nolan finished.

Meanwhile, protests are now beyond the six week mark outside the Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea. Initially less than 20 people were housed for emergency accommodation, but the number of people accommodated in the former hotel has increased in the last fortnight as small numbers of people have been arriving by taxi.

The facility is expected to accommodate 160 people when it reaches full capacity.

A local woman with a placard reading 'Roscrea Say No More!' stands on the Main Street outside the local Garda Station. Photos: PJ Wright
"The ongoing shortage of some 300 prescription-only medications is causing significant stress for many people" Deputy Michael Lowry told An Tanaiste, Micheal Martin, in the Dail on Thursday.

"This has been compounded by news articles stating that Pharmacists are being left with no alternative other than to dispense substitute medications that have not been authorised or registered for use in Ireland.

"Despite the fact that these medications, known as Exempt Medicinal Products or EMPs, can legally be supplied to patients in Ireland by a qualified Pharmacist to meet their health needs in the absence of their regular product, many patients in Tipperary and across the country feel confused and unsettled.

"Elderly people and parents of young children are particularly concerned when a medication that they have been familiar with for years is replaced by one that they do not recognise.

"This situation threatens to undermine plans to expand the role of Pharmacists in healthcare. Does Government have plans to stage an Information Campaign to inform people of the need for these substitute medications and provide them with the reassurance that they are proper and safe?" asked Deputy Lowry.

The Tanaiste thanked Deputy Lowry for raising the important matter and said that his idea for an Information Campaign is a very good one. He said that he would welcome such a move and will talk to the Minister in respect of that.

He added: "Medicine shortages are a feature of modern health systems worldwide. Its a global health problem now."

"The Medicines Regulator (HPRA) has said that, while individual brands or strengths of a particular medication may be temporarily unavailable, for the vast majority of medicines there are appropriate substitutions, such as

different strengths, brands or similar classes of medicines.

"Some of these medicines may be generically interchanged, often without the need for a GP or prescriber so, in most cases, patients can access the medicines they need.

He concluded: "We do have a Medicine Shortage Framework operated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)."
Kildare man Tommy Cunningham, the 2023 Benetti Menswear Rose Escort of the Year, was on hand with Roisin Wiley to launch this years search for Roses and Benetti Menswear Rose Escorts and promised all those thinking of entering a lifechanging opportunity, one that you wont regret."



In an Instagram post Tommy said: For me, The Rose of Tralee came at a time where it felt like everyone I ever knew had decided to move abroad. Being in my twenties, I faced the dilemma of packing up like all of my friends, saying goodbye to my family and looking at life abroad indefinitely, or to stay at home in Ireland and watch online as it seemed like everyone I knew was living it up in the sun down under. The Rose of Tralee gave me a year that I will never forget.



The past year has been an enriching, life-enhancing experience which has shaped the man I am today. I am reminded of all that I have gained from the Rose of Tralee this year in the proud pat on the back from my father when I leave the house for a Rose Escort duty, the kiss on the cheek my Granny gives me every time we meet and I greet her as though she is my Rose, and the support of my community as they welcomed the 2023 Roses and Rose Escorts back to Kildare for my homecoming. I will hold on to the memories from the Rose of Tralee for the rest of my life.

For more information on the application process or find out where to apply visit HERE.
KYODO NEWS - Feb 23, 2024 - 11:47 | All, Japan, World

The top diplomats of Japan, the United States and South Korea agreed Thursday to pursue closer cooperation in addressing North Korea's steady development of nuclear and missile capabilities, and its expanding military cooperation with Russia.

"Cooperation and coordination with our closest allies is more important than ever," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said as he met with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts, Yoko Kamikawa and Cho Tae Yul, in Rio de Janeiro, citing regional challenges also including "increasingly assertive actions" by China.

In addition to North Korea, Blinken, Kamikawa and Cho discussed efforts to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, according to the U.S. State Department's top spokesman, Matthew Miller.

While confirming support for each country's Indo-Pacific strategies, Miller said the three also reiterated in their discussion of Gaza the urgent need to secure the release of all hostages and boost humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians amid the conflict.

The three-way talks, Cho's first since assuming his post last month, took place on the sidelines of a foreign ministerial meeting of the Group of 20 major economies.

Since U.S. President Joe Biden hosted a trilateral summit with the leaders of Japan and South Korea in August last year, the three countries have been stepping up coordination over a range of issues including North Korea, which has repeatedly fired ballistic missiles in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

"Looking at the global landscape, the free and open international order, based on the rule of law, is now being challenged," the department quoted Kamikawa as saying. "Our strategic coordination is more important than ever, and I am eager to work even more closely with both of you in dealing with North Korea and beyond."

During the meeting, which lasted about an hour, the trio had a "frank exchange of views" on China, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.

The foreign ministers of Japan, the United States and South Korea last held in-person talks in San Francisco in November.

North Korea has been strengthening its military ties with Russia, which is engaged in a war with Ukraine. U.S. officials have accused North Korea of providing missiles to Russia for use in the war that started about two years ago.

The top diplomats' meeting in the Brazilian city also came after North Korea's state-run media reported recently that leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong, in a rare statement, had suggested a possible visit to Pyongyang by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

She reiterated that the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s has already been settled, and said Kishida's visit could take place if Tokyo does not make the issue a "stumbling block" for future relations between the two countries.

The Japanese official disclosed that Kamikawa had told Blinken and Cho that Japan remains open to dialogue with North Korea to ease tensions, fueled by Pyongyang's frequent ballistic missile tests, while also expressing concern over its deepening ties with Russia.

The official, however, declined to go into details, including whether the Japanese foreign minister had touched on the North Korean statement.

Related coverage:

Japan eyes providing $32 mil. in additional humanitarian aid to Gaza

Japan, South Korea agree to work on North Korea issues

U.S., China agree to hold follow-up talks on North Korea, Middle East
By Satoshi Iizuka, KYODO NEWS - Feb 23, 2024 - 17:53 | All, Japan

The Nikkei stock index's rise to an all-time high is unlikely to help buoy Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government, which has been mired in political funds and other scandals, as the public considers the bullish market as unrelated to his policies.

Some lawmakers have said Kishida may dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap election before the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership race later this year if the surge in stocks contributes to improving approval ratings for his Cabinet.

But such a scenario is improbable, even if Tokyo shares keep climbing, given there are currently few positives Kishida can point to in order to increase his popularity, political experts said, adding he could eventually be placed in a predicament in the near future.

On Thursday, Japan's benchmark 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average exceeded its previous peak level of 38,915.87, which was recorded in December 1989, as the sharp depreciation of the yen has pushed up the profitability of the country's exporters.

"The Japanese economy is starting to move forward" on the back of the government's economic policies such as "measures to spur investment and innovation," Kishida told reporters at his office later in the day, declining to comment on daily share moves.

Since the late Shinzo Abe became Japan's prime minister in December 2012, the yen has been on a downward trend, largely due to the former prime minister's economic policy, which was dubbed "Abenomics" and included aggressive monetary easing and massive fiscal spending.

A falling yen is usually a boon for exporters as it makes Japanese products cheaper abroad, boosting the value of overseas revenues in yen terms. In the past 12 years, the Nikkei has more than doubled as Japan's exports, a key driver of the economy, have recovered.

Many analysts point out, however, that the jump in Tokyo shares is attributed not to the economic and monetary policies carried out by the government and the Bank of Japan but to a "risk-on" mood, influenced by robust stock prices in foreign financial markets.

Shinichiro Kobayashi, a senior economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting, said Japanese citizens are not satisfied with the current economic situation as they do not have faith in the Kishida administration or its policies.

In fact, Japan lost its status as the world's third-biggest economy to Germany in 2023 and unexpectedly slipped into recession in the last quarter of last year, with price hikes and sluggish wage growth eroding consumer sentiment.

Under the circumstances, support ratings for Kishida's Cabinet have remained at their lowest levels since its launch in October 2021. Despite higher stock prices, the latest Kyodo News poll showed the approval rating stood at 24.5 percent in early February.

Kishida's government has become more unpopular as the LDP has come under intense scrutiny amid allegations that several factions neglected to report portions of their incomes from fundraising parties and accumulated slush funds to distribute to their members.

After the scandal was revealed late last year, 10 individuals belonging to the three factions, including the one headed by Kishida until December, have been indicted or issued summary indictments by prosecutors for violating the political funds control law.

In addition, the Kishida administration has drawn criticism over suspicious ties between two Cabinet members and the controversial Unification Church, which has been condemned for its aggressive fundraising and other exploitative practices.

Education minister Masahito Moriyama, whose ministerial portfolio also covers religious affairs, has admitted to signing a document pledging support for policies championed by the Unification Church in the run-up to the general election in October 2021.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, meanwhile, has acknowledged that he met with individuals related to the Unification Church, often labeled as a cult, in his local office in Yamaguchi Prefecture before the election.

Kishida, who is believed to be keen to continue serving as prime minister, hopes that he will lead the LDP to victory in the next lower house election and will be re-elected uncontested in the party's presidential election scheduled in September.

The present four-year terms for lower house members expire in October 2025 unless Kishida dissolves the chamber. Under Japan's Constitution, the prime minister has the authority to decide whether to dissolve the lower house.

While Kishida is also aiming to restore his Cabinet's popularity by pitching an upcoming state visit to the United States in April, it could prove difficult for him to turn around his political fortunes considering the scandals his administration has faced so far.

Tomoaki Iwai, a professor emeritus of political science at Nihon University, said Kishida is in a difficult position in terms of making a decision on dissolving the lower house, but if he remains "indecisive, many LDP lawmakers will doubt his leadership."

Looking ahead, attention is now on three by-elections to fill vacant seats in the lower house in late April. Depending on the results, a move to oust Kishida from power could take place within the LDP, according to political pundits.

Related coverage:

Japan's Nikkei stock index closes at all-time high

Over 20% of LDP lawmakers fail to properly report political funds

Dollar rises to 150 yen, 1st since November, after U.S. price data
PHNOM PENH, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party President Paetongtarn Shinawatra will pay a visit to Cambodia on March 18-19, said a ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP)'s statement on Friday.

"The exchange of high-level visits between the two parties is aimed at exchanging views on cooperation between the two neighboring countries for the sake of the two peoples and parties," the CPP statement said.

During the visit, Paetongtarn will hold talks with former Cambodian Prime Minister and CPP President Samdech Techo Hun Sen and pay a courtesy call on incumbent Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, among others, the statement added.

Paetongtarn's upcoming visit was announced after Hun Sen invited her on Wednesday when he visited Thaksin Shinawatra at his mansion in Bangkok. 
BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education (MOE) recently announced a list of 184 primary and secondary schools selected as artificial intelligence (AI) education bases, with the aim of better promoting the development of AI education.

To facilitate the implementation of AI education, primary and secondary schools should mainly rely on information technology, general technology and other related courses, further enrich educational and teaching resources, and carry out teacher training and guidance, said the MOE.

The MOE said it will strengthen guidance for the designated bases, encouraging them to play an exemplary and leading role in developing AI school-based curricula, integrating disciplines, reforming teaching methods, jointly constructing and sharing digital education resources, cultivating teachers' digital literacy, and fostering the comprehensive development of students, among other responsibilities. 
Lithuania continues to face falling living standards. And the authorities make no attempts to ease the burden of rising prices and financial problems of the residents.

On the contrary, government is taking steps that significantly complicate the situation for people.

As of this year, Lithuania abolished the reduced 9 percent value-added tax (VAT). The reduced 9 percent VAT rate was introduced to help businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The authorities decided the time has come to abolish it. Thus, the standard VAT rate of 21 percent has been reintroduced amid the economic slowdown including for the catering sector.

According to LRT, prices in the restaurants have already risen by up to 8 percent.

The increased VAT rate inevitably leads to a rise in the prices not only at cafes and restaurants, but even at schools' canteens. Parents are looking for alternatives for school meals.

"Parents in Vilnius, for example, give children food from home, children eat cold or dry food," said Eurika Turoniene, President of Children's Food Producers Association. The problem is not the quality of food, but the increased price.

The abolition of the VAT exemption will result in around 12 percent higher prices in the catering sector, estimates Evalda iskauskien--, the head of the Lithuanian Hotels and Restaurants Association.

More businesses might go bankrupt due to increased costs. In the last six months, there were 130 bankruptcies in Lithuania's catering sector.

Though, the authorities said that the funds collected from VAT go to the state budget and money is needed for public needs, in reality, the situation for ordinary people has significantly worsened.

The economist estimated that prices at catering places in Lithuania would rise by 12-15 percent because of the higher VAT rate.

The decision also affects also kindergartens, hospitals and retirement homes. Businesses are also suffering. Representatives of Lithuanian catering network claim that even with the VAT exemption it was difficult to survive, as the high cost of electricity made survival difficult. And now it will be almost impossible to do business.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association is convinced that the state canceled the VAT reduction too early and that other European countries are not even thinking about it yet. The association predicts that the Lithuanian catering sector will once again fade into obscurity.

Lithuanians who like outdoor activities and even children could find themselves forced to refuse to attend canteens and cafes. So, the decision made by the authorities caused a further reduction in living standards. Many people experience feelings of inferiority in their life. The gap between Lithuania and other European countries has been widening.
I start each day with the IChing, the 3000-year-old Chinese Book of Changes that considers nature the teacher. Most days, it tells me that I lack awareness of the big picture and encourages me to cultivate balance, harmony and humility. Studying it quiets the space between my ears.

After breakfast, I get the news.

Since Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 253 hostages on October 7th, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 29,000 Palestinians, including at least 10,000 children. Israel holds 5,200 Palestinians in its prisons. A cease-fire appears unlikely. In this situation, what does balance mean? Do Israel's military leaders know the Talmudic law (Mishnah Sheviit 6.1) that forbids warriors from enclosing an enemy--because enclosure endangers the trap-maker?

NPR reports that with Russian opposition figure Alexi Navalny's sudden death, European countries at the Munich Security Conference realize there's no deterrence to aggression and no support for defending themselves.

In other words, nations facing aggressors cannot locate support.

When corporations eliminate landlines; build new mines and utility-scale solar, wind and battery-storage facilities on pristine ecosystems; market mobile devices for children; and record our voices to simulate them for AI--where can individuals and households find support?

Solar energy developments proliferate on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land around the West. What does harmony with the Earth mean given the extractions, solar PVs' cradle-to-grave energy use, water use and toxic waste?

I take a break to schedule a doctor's appointment. The receptionist tells me I'll need my health insurance company's permission.

My car insurance's robot can't help me pay my bill.

I find myself at the mercy of digitalized systems (electricity, access networks, data centers, satellites, the "smart" grid, artificial intelligence). Digitalized systems are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, hacking and outages. Don't we need to shrink our dependence on the technosphere? Don't we need to grow food locally, make communities walkable and limit manufacturing to locally-sourced materials?

By mid-morning, I have enough fury to fuel a rocket launch. The humility I had while reading the IChing feels like a lost wallet.

Meanwhile, I learn about more complex additions to our technosphere:

DATA STORAGE CENTERS and POWER LINES

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(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
We asked people to sign this petition and add comments. Here are some of the comments they added:

Stop the weapons shipments, and replace them with diplomacy and a new focus on the human and environmental crises that these wars defund, distract from, and exacerbate.

The arms trade is negative value production that adversely impacts on international currencies as well as life, living standards, and the natural world.

"Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind." -- John F. Kennedy. YOU DO REALIZE THAT YOU ARE PART OF THE MANKIND THAT WILL BE ENDED, RIGHT?

"The money made by the sale of weapons is money drenched in blood!" Pope Francis address to the U.S. Congress 2015. Stop the sale of arms now!

Is the United States ready to grow up, or will it continue to promote barbarism and murder in the name of profit?

Vengeance is misguided grief.

A government's primary responsibility is to care for its own people- not by waging wars or sending weapons to other countries, but by ensuring the welfare and quality of life of its own people. Humanity begins at home.

A growing number of us hate what our country is turning into.

A total prohibition on all arms exports is also imperative given that an estimated 40% of global corruption can apparently be traced back to the arms industry.

A World Beyond War must be possible.

Absolutely, no more weapons shipments, including airplanes, to Israel. Why would anyone add fuel to this horrific, fiery war?

Actually represent the people for once" Not your damned owners.

All beings everywhere on the Earth deserve support, not destruction.

All empires fail.

All militaries are terrorist organizations.

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).
FARIDABAD, INDIA- Rasayanam Ayurveda is excited to introduce its latest product, GlucoCare Juice. This new drink is designed to help people with Diabetes. It is made with care and precision and promises to be a reliable partner on your journey to better health. GlucoCare Juice is not just a beverage but a commitment to your well-being. It is a revolutionary panacea that can help improve your health. With GlucoCare Juice, 
CAIRO, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- A high-level delegation of the Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) wrapped up its visit to the Egyptian capital Cairo on Friday after meeting senior Egyptian officials on the situation of the war-torn Gaza Strip, Egypt's al-Qahera News reported.

The Hamas delegation, headed by the movement's leader Ismail Haniyeh, held several meetings with Abbas Kamel, head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service, to discuss the situation in the Palestinian enclave, the report said.

The two sides discussed ways to put an end to Israel's attacks on the Palestinian people and the return of the displaced Palestinians to their homes.

They also addressed the construction of shelters in the northern Gaza Strip and methods for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, according to the report.

Both sides also discussed a hostage swap deal between Hamas and Israel as well as Israel's plan to restrict Palestinians' entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the report added. 
A Vancouver location of the Sky Zone indoor trampoline park chain was fined $22,000 after an investigation found that teenagers were working too many hours and did not get meal breaks, Washington labor officials said Thursday.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries said an investigation, prompted by complaints from Vancouver-area high schools, found numerous occasions in which 43 teenagers, all aged 16 or 17, did not receive meal breaks they earned for working long hours at Sky Zone.

State law requires that 16- and 17-year olds working more than five consecutive hours receive at least a 30-minute meal break. But investigators reported more than 250 instances between February and May 2023 where Sky Zone did not give the teen workers their earned meal breaks.

The labor agency also said the teenagers worked more than four hours during a school day, or more than 20 hours in a school week, which is prohibited under a provision of state labor law. Labor officials said this violation occurred at Sky Zone at least 350 times.

Matthew Erlich, spokesperson for the Washington state labor department, said local high schools, including Heritage High School, contacted the Department of Labor & Industries after students who were employed at Sky Zone complained to their school counselor that they had been working too many hours or werent getting meal breaks.

When a youth gets tired from working too many hours or hungry for not getting a meal break, that could lead to an accident, Erlich said. He said parents, schools and employers have to fill out an authorization form for working minors that outlines their rights.

The state labor department said that Sky Zone did not appeal the citation or pay the fines by a Feb. 15 deadline and that the agency was working to collect the fines.

Sky Zone is a Los Angeles-based company that owns and operates indoor trampoline parks across the U.S. and Canada. There are roughly 200 trampoline parks in the U.S.

Sky Zone said in an email that the company fully cooperated with the state labor departments investigation and completed required training as a result of the report. The company said the fine payment was being processed.

We have multiple protocols in place to ensure we are compliant with all workforce and labor laws including minor compliance, the company said in a statement. We remain committed to ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of our employees.

--Kristine de Leon; kdeleon@oregonian.com
A man wanted in connection with an armed carjacking in Washington state crashed a stolen car into a pole in Beaverton last month and was found with drugs and guns, according to a federal affidavit.

Willie Jewel Standley, 54, who was semi-conscious at the scene of the crash, has been hospitalized since the crash after undergoing surgery, but deputy U.S. marshals on Thursday wheeled him into a courtroom to face federal charges. Standley was still wearing a hospital gown.
The Oregon Zoos newest, biggest baby finally has a name.

The male endangered black rhino calf was born on Dec. 4 to mom Jozi at about 9:30 p.m. Rhinos weigh about 100 pounds at birth.

On Friday, the zoo announced the wrinkly gray babys name: Tamu.

According to a press release from the zoo, Tamu means sweet in Swahili.

Little Tamu is not that little anymore. Now, the rhino weighs over 250 pounds and, as the days get warmer, hes spending more and more time outside.

Tamu is a brave little calf, said Chad Harmon, who supervises the zoos rhino area, in a press release. Hes been poking his head outside more and more, and even zooming away from Jozi every so often  though he always heads right back to find her.

Still though, mom and baby are spending most of their time outside of public view.

Tamu and his parents are part of the critically endangered eastern subspecies of black rhinoceros.

Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade have wiped out 96% of the worlds black rhino population, said Kelly Gomez, who oversees the zoos Africa area, in the press release when the calf was born. In South Africa alone, were losing almost a rhino a day. Hopefully, their story can help inspire a new chapter in the conservation of this incredible species.

-- Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com or @lizzzyacker

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The helpline for drug users cited under Measure 110 is proving just as ineffective  but a lot more expensive  than a previous effort.

Only 30 people who have gotten drug possession tickets have called the line since the Oregon Health Authority in December announced a newly invigorated effort to connect people to substance abuse screening and treatment referral under Oregons drug decriminalization law.

The state health authority hired Health Resources in Action, a Boston-based nonprofit focused on public health, for up to $2.7 million to operate the moribund helpline.

The state paid Health Resources in Action about $871,000 to cover startup costs and the first three months of the 18-month contract. It then will pay nearly $130,000 a month after that, according to the agreement.

The startup costs alone amount to about the same as what the state paid for an entire year to Lines for Life, the previous contractor, to manage the helpline, Lines for Life records show.

So far at least, the health authority has little to show for the investment.

Since Health Resources in Action assumed management of the helpline on Dec. 7, 180 people have called the line but 150 of those calls werent tied to Measure 110 citations, leaving just the 30, according to state data. Though intended only for people cited for drug possession, anyone may call the number for help.

Oregon Health Authority spokesperson Tim Heider did not respond to an email asking how many of the 30 callers completed a substance use screening and sought a treatment referral since the state switched contracts.

Neither the president nor executive director of Health Resources in Action responded to an email asking for helpline data and details of the organizations outreach to law enforcement.

Measure 110 put minor drug possession on par with a traffic ticket, with those cited for drug possession given the option to pay a $100 fine  or call the helpline for a substance abuse screening in exchange for waiving their citation.

About 7,600 Measure 110 violations have been filed since Feb. 1, 2021, when the law went into effect, according to the Oregon Judicial Department.

The helpline was created under Measure 110 as a gateway for people suffering from addiction to get help. The law decriminalized possession of small amounts of drugs and funneled hundreds of millions of cannabis tax revenue into treatment and related programs.

The helpline has floundered from the start.

Even before the service changed hands, only about 100 people with citations had called the line since its inception, with just 18 asking for referrals to treatment or other services, data shows.

Meanwhile, the states Alcohol and Drug Helpline received nearly 24,000 calls over the same period that the Measure 110 line has operated and connected more than 16,000 people with treatment resources, according to Lines for Life, which manages the longtime line for the state.

The state pays Lines for Life about $234,000 a year to run the service; the helpline is paid for mostly with federal grant dollars.

In announcing the change in the Measure 110 line late last year, the Oregon Health Authoritys Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke said the Boston-based nonprofit would refresh the service.

Now, with lawmakers moving forward with a plan to make minor possession a misdemeanor crime again, the future of the helpline is in doubt.

Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, who helped negotiate the bill moving through the short session, said the proposal doesnt incorporate the helpline.

Under the proposal, people found in possession of drugs in counties that set up so-called deflection programs would be given the chance to pursue treatment before they face conviction or jail. Each county will decide how those interventions will work. Lieber said some may opt to still use the helpline as a resource.

Its under contract so we felt like we didnt need to break it, but if its not being utilized, then the contract just goes away when it expires, she said.

Police agencies were generally slow to embrace the citations, though Portland police accelerated enforcement last year. Grants Pass police officers remain among the most active in issuing drug possession citations, state court data shows.

Grants Pass police Chief Warren Hensman said this week he hasnt talked with the new operators of the helpline.

Early on, he ensured that the citations came stamped with the helpline number. He said his officers continue to hand them out to little effect.

I do believe that we have been successful with some people, but that number is incredibly small, he said. I am reevaluating whether to hand these out anymore.

Oregon City police Capt. David Edwins said the agency has not heard from Health Resources in Action and still hands out Lines for Life cards with helpline information.

Those cards direct people to a web address for more information; the link is dead.

Until a week ago, Portland police officers working the downtown bike patrol also were handing out outdated cards.

Portland police Sgt. Jerry Cioeta, who works the bike patrol, said officers hand out the cards to every person they cite. The bureau issued nearly 1,000 citations last year, state data shows.

Cioeta said he learned through the news that the helpline contractor had changed. He said new cards from Health Resources in Action arrived a week ago.

The communication hasnt been great, he said. And then, you know, suddenly we get these new cards. And its, you know, hey, we were giving these cards out instead of these cards. And thats kind of just how the communication has been since the inception of 110.

Tera Hurst, executive director of the Health Justice Recovery Alliance, a group that has advocated for the implementation of Measure 110, questioned the value of the states $2.8 million contract with the helpline operator.

Think of all the services you could support with that, she said.

Here is the number to call if you are cited for drug possession under Measure 110: 833-975-0505; Anyone wanting drug and alcohol treatment resources may call 800-923-4357.

 Noelle Crombie; ncrombie@oregonian.com; 503-276-7184

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Rep. Janelle Bynums campaign announced Thursday that the Happy Valley Democrat has secured endorsements from all three of Oregons female governors, adding a wall of politically powerful women to her supporters as she looks to secure the Democratic nomination for Oregons 5th Congressional District.

Bynum is up against Jamie McLeod-Skinner, a longtime civil servant from a rural community near Redmond, who secured the Democratic nomination in 2022, but lost in the general election to Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Oregon Metro Council President Lynn Peterson was also seeking the nomination but withdrew from the race this week and threw her support behind Bynum.

Bynum twice defeated Chavez-DeRemer in legislative races covering a much smaller geography than the sprawling 5th District.

January campaign finance filings showed Bynum and McLeod-Skinner virtually tied in fundraising at the end of 2023. Both had raised about $439,000 by the end of December, though McLeod-Skinner outraised Bynum by about $30,000 in the last quarter of the year.

Flipping the seat from Republican control is a top priority for national Democrats as they work to take back the House of Representatives. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced last month it is backing Bynum in its high-intensity Red to Blue program, signaling that national House Democrats would provide her with money and other support.

In a news release last month, McLeod-Skinner touted her campaigns grassroots strength, saying that nearly 80% of her contributions were from Oregonians and that almost 90% were donations of $100 or less. The donations signal the genuine enthusiasm and commitment for McLeod-Skinners vision for Oregons 5th District, her release said.

In a statement on Thursday, McLeod-Skinner doubled down on that grassroots approach and said shes proud to run a campaign that doesnt take money from corporate political action groups.

This race has been, and always will be, about only one group: the people of Oregons 5th congressional district, McLeod-Skinner said in a statement on Thursday. At the end of the day, they are the only votes I care about.

Gov. Tina Kotek announced her endorsement of Bynum last fall, while the states two previous women governors, all Democrats, added their names to her list of backers Thursday.

Kotek praised Bynyms bipartisan track record, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported, amd called her a leader with the tenacity, compassion and commitment to deliver real results for Oregon families.

Oregons first female governor, Barbara Roberts, held office in the early 1990s.

For years, Janelle has been fighting the good fight for families throughout this district in the state Legislature and advocating for the needs of Oregons working families, she said in a statement provided Thursday by the Bynum campaign. Im excited for the positive change Janelle will help create on behalf of our families in the halls of Congress.

And former Gov. Kate Brown praised Bynum as a career-long problem solver, businesswoman and working mom of four in a statement provided by the Bynum campaign.

Its an honor and a privilege to be supported by Oregons three history-making women governors, Bynum said in a statement. Our movement is growing stronger by the day, and brings me faith that our coalition will defeat Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 168,509 to 144,273 in the district, according to voter registration as of this month.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

Editor Jamie Goldberg contributed to this report.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
MADRID, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Fire engulfed a 14-story residential block in Valencia of eastern Spain on Thursday and rescue work is still going on, local media reported.

No death has been confirmed so far, but at least seven people suffered minor injuries or smoke inhalation, including a fireman with a broken wrist. There are fears that some people might have been trapped inside the building.

It is unknown how the fire had started at around 5:30 p.m. local time. Witnesses said gales sweeping at 60 kilometers per hour made the flames spread incredibly fast, causing almost the entire building to be enveloped in flames within 30 minutes.

"Half an hour later, the entire building was in flames," Carlos Jorro, a local resident, said on Spanish TV network, "La Sexta."

Firemen from the neighboring regions of Castellon and Alicante, as well as members of Spain's Military Emergency Unit, have all been mobilized to combat the fire.

The disaster was broadcast live on several Spanish TV networks, with footages showing a resident jumping off the balcony on the first-floor onto an inflatable cushion placed by the fire brigade.

A father and his daughter, trapped on their balcony on the seventh-floor, were saved by rescuers using an extendable crane with a basket.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez published a tweet Thursday evening, saying he was "shocked by the terrible fire in a building in Valencia" and had spoken to the chief of the Valencia region and the city's mayor.

"I want to give my solidarity to all of the people who have been affected and acknowledge the work of the emergency workers, who are working in the area," he said. 
Fedrigoni Acquires Certain Assets of US-based Mohawk Fine Papers

Feb. 23, 2024 - Italian specialty paper producer Fedrigoni today announced the acquisition of certain assets of Cohoes, New York-based Mohawk Fine Papers.

The terms and specific assets involved in the deal with Fedrigoni were not disclosed.

Mohawk has a paper mill and converting plant in Cohoes and a converting facility for the production of envelopes in South Hadley, Massachusetts. In addition, Mohawk owns a paper converting plant in Ashtabula, Ohio (Saybrook Converting Center), which it abruptly shut down last week on Feb. 13, putting 93 people out of work.

Mohawk also owns the Crane Stationery brand, which includes fine papers used for personalized stationery, wedding invitations, holiday cards and other personalized products. Some 75 employees involved with the Crane segment of Mohawk's business in Cohoes also were abruptly terminated on Feb. 13.

According to Fedrigoni, the transaction was finalized through a new, yet to be named subsidiary company incorporated by Fedrigoni to acquire Mohawk's assets in a sale process initiated by a financial institution.

The deal came about "following a period of significant financial distress that affected the U.S.-based company in the past months," Fedrigoni stated in a press release.

"The transaction entirely cleared the new company from existing indebtedness, allowing to preserve the majority of existing jobs, industrial activities and customer relationships," Fedrigoni added.

Marco Nespolo, CEO at Fedrigoni Group, stated, "This is our third M&A this year (after SharpEnd in UK and Arjowiggins China), a relevant step forward to enhance our premium product offerings to customers in the U.S. in specialty papers for luxury packaging and fine digital printing."

In September 2022, Fedrigoni entered into a manufacturing partnership with Mohawk to expand its presence in the U.S. market and its distribution of specialty fine papers.

"Thanks to Mohawk's entry into our group, we will now be able to produce and distribute to customers a wide range of Fedrigoni high value-added papers directly in North America, and conversely expand access to Mohawk specialty papers internationally," Nespolo explained. "We will thus increasingly support the strategies of our customers who favor nearshoring models in place of the traditional global purchasing-oriented approach, to reduce their environmental impact and minimize the risks of supply chain disruption."

About Mohawk Fine Papers

Founded in 1931, Mohawk is a family-owned company and North America's largest privately-owned manufacturer of fine papers and envelopes that are preferred for commercial and digital printing, photo specialties and high-end direct mail.

Founded in 1888 in Verona, Italy, Fedrigoni is a manufacturer and distributer of labels and self-adhesive materials, specialty papers for luxury packaging and other creative solutions, and RFID/NFC and connected solutions.

SOURCE: Fedrigoni and local news reports
Photo: (Photo : Phil Walter/Getty Images )

In a Saratoga County courtroom, Craig Ross Jr. entered a guilty appeal as part of a compromise that will result in a prison sentence of 47 years to life, according to NBC affiliate WNYT of Albany.

Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping

Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen told the station that during the court proceedings, "we heard Craig Ross Jr. say he was responsible for kidnapping a young person in our community, that he was responsible for committing predatory sexual assault against that child." Heggen added that he won't be qualified for parole consideration until he is 93 years old.

Ross, 46, faced imprisonment and charges after the 9-year-old girl vanished from Moreau Lake State Park, generally 10 miles north of Saratoga Springs.

The child, who had been camping and biking with family friends on Nov. 30, did a solo loop and failed to return. Her bike was discovered on the loop during the initial investigation.

The child was eventually found on Oct. 2 in a trailer where Ross lived.

Triumph for the Family of the 9-Year-Old Abducted Girl

As of Wednesday evening, an attorney listed as representing Ross had not responded to a voicemail seeking comment after business hours.

Heggen stated that the guilty plea brings an end to the criminal case, eliminating the need for testimony or additional statements.

Read Also: Caregiver Abducts 3-Day-Old Baby After Drugging Mom, Family

Ross Jr., aged 46, entered convicted pleas for both seizure and predatory sexual violation against the child.

As part of the mediation, prosecutors are seeking a 25-year to life sentence for seizure and a 22-year to life sentence for sexual violation. This development occurred just weeks before the scheduled trial.

The district attorney views it as a triumph for the family, as the girl will now be spared from testifying in court.

Saratoga County DA Karen Heggen stated, "His admission of guilty ends the question of who was responsible for the kidnapping that rallied our entire community together to assist in locating her. He will serve decades in prison before any parole consideration is available to him,"

The disappearance of the girl in September 2023 gained national attention. After a bike ride with friends at Moreau Lake State Park, north of Albany, she went for a solo ride and disappeared.

Her parents initiated a search and found her abandoned bike. Following an intense search, she was located hidden in a cabinet inside a trailer behind the suspect's mother's home two days later.

Authorities identified Ross through his fingerprints on a ransom note delivered to the girl's family.

Despite initially pleading not guilty to charges including kidnapping, predatory sexual assault, sexual abuse, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child, Ross has now admitted guilt.

Heggen emphasized, "He pled guilty because he is guilty, and that makes us able to say today, this case is concluded, absent the sentencing. There's no question that he's the person who did this."

Ross is scheduled for sentencing in April, facing 47 years to life in prison, rendering him ineligible for parole before his 93rd birthday.

Related Article: Teenage Boy Charged with Murder of His Half-Sister, After Discovery of Body in Trash Bin
Photo: (Photo : NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images )

In Des Moines, Iowa, an animated fetus named Baby Olivia, featured in a three-minute video, has become a focal point in state-level abortion politics.

Proposed bills in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, and West Virginia aim to mandate public school students to watch a video similar to Baby Olivia, created by the anti-abortion organization Live Action.

Advocates argue that it educates children about human development and fosters an appreciation for life, while critics, including educators and physicians, claim the video is deceptive and unsuitable for a young audience.

Sex Education Video To Be Shiwn to the Students

Live Action, known for its efforts against Planned Parenthood, produced the video with input from medical professionals.

The video describes the implantation and progress of an embryo, using language like "weeks after implantation," which differs from the usual medical standard.

Commentators argue that the video's use of terminologies and references to fetal "heartbeat" are ambiguous and carefully defective.

Physicians and educators in Iowa have expressed concerns about the media's portrayal of fetal development, claiming that it assigns human attributes to the fetus that go beyond scientific evidence.

Some argue that the video's intention is to influence opinions on abortion rather than providing accurate information.

Despite criticism, supporters, like Iowa Representative Luana Stoltenberg, see the video as a valuable educational tool, emphasizing its potential to inform children about their development and influence decisions related to pregnancy.

However, opponents, including abortion rights advocates, argue that the controversy stems from attempts to impose a specific worldview rather than promoting accurate education.

Read Also: Biden's Bold Response to Roe v. Wade Overturn: Expanding Access to Reproductive Care Amid Abortion Bans

Similar legislation in North Dakota requires the inclusion of a three-minute ultrasound video in health and human sexuality courses.

While the law doesn't mandate showing Baby Olivia, it is referenced as an option. Some North Dakota school districts use the video, while others opt for alternative materials.

Proposed legislation in Iowa, West Virginia, Missouri, and Kentucky seeks to require the showing of the Baby Olivia video in various grades, sparking a broader debate on the content and accuracy of sex education curricula.

Sex Education and Pregnancy: What Does the Schools Teach

Several states are tightening regulations on sex education content and timing.

The main aim of state and federal agencies is to enlighten students with the goal of excessive teen pregnancies and decreasing the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases.

Katie Christensen, the director of Planned Parenthood in North Dakota, emphasizes the importance of incorporating pregnancy and conception education into a comprehensive and medically accurate curriculum.

In North Dakota, a law mandates that health and human sexuality courses include a three-minute ultrasound video and a computer-generated depiction of fetal development.

While the law does not mandate the use of the Baby Olivia video, it is mentioned as an option in the state's department of public instruction.

Among the 12 largest school districts in North Dakota surveyed by The Associated Press, five use the Baby Olivia video, including Fargo Public Schools, which represents about 10% of the state's students. Some districts, like Bismarck, do not utilize Baby Olivia, while West Fargo Public Schools incorporate a "significantly longer" video already part of the curriculum, covering additional information about pregnancy and addressing health standards.

In Iowa, a recently passed proposal necessitates the showing of a video-either Baby Olivia or an equivalent one-beginning in seventh grade.

West Virginia's proposal specifically requires the showing of Baby Olivia to eighth and 10th graders, with expectations of merging it with other bills in the next legislative steps.

Meanwhile, Missouri aims to require the Baby Olivia video by the third grade, and Kentucky's proposal permits any video meeting the standards as early as the sixth grade.

These bills were introduced in January but have not yet undergone hearings.

Related Article: US Health Department Dismisses Claim of Improper Abortion Denial in Oklahoma
Photo: (Photo : Jason Miller /Getty Images)

The Cleveland mother, Kristel Candelario, enters a guilty plea for aggravated murder after leaving her toddler alone for vacation.

Candelario enters the plea for her involvement in the tragic demise of her 16-month-old daughter, Jailyn Candelario.

The Cleveland mother decided to leave her toddler alone for more than a week while she spent time in Detroit and Puerto Rico.

Cleveland Mother's Unthinkable Neglect

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley laid bare the distressing details in a press release on Thursday, Feb. 22.

It was disclosed that Kristel Candelario departed on June 6, 2023, leaving her daughter alone and unattended, with her return only occurring on June 16, 2023.

The distressing discovery unfolded as Candelario found Jailyn unresponsive, prompting an urgent call to authorities.

Tragically, the little one was found in a neglected state within a soiled playpen, succumbing to extreme dehydration.

Investigations into the heart-wrenching incident unearthed the unsettling truth - Candelario had callously neglected her maternal responsibilities during her vacation, exposing her daughter to harrowing conditions.

The emerging details paint a chilling portrait of a defenseless toddler left in dire straits due to her mother's alarming lapse in care.

Guilty Plea and the Quest for Justice

Confronted with the magnitude of her actions, Kristel Candelario pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated murder and endangering children.

Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley underscored the gravity of the case, emphasizing that the guilty plea marks the initial stride towards justice for Jailyn.

The acknowledgment of guilt underscores the severe neglect that led to the untimely and tragic end of the young toddler.

This courtroom development serves as a poignant reminder of the heart-wrenching tragedy that unfolded within the walls of a Cleveland residence.

A mother's choices, marked by neglect, have irreversible consequences for an innocent child. As the legal proceedings advance, the community remains vigilant in its pursuit of justice for Jailyn Candelario.

Read Also: Manatee Bay Elementary Faces Measles Outbreak: Florida Officials Mobilize Amidst Concerns

Chilling Details Emerge from Previous Report

Delving into the depths of last year's report unearths additional disconcerting revelations surrounding Kristel Candelario's arrest.

The legal document discloses the unsettling fact that Candelario left her baby unattended for an entire ten days during her travels to Detroit and Puerto Rico.

The child's distressing condition, discovered in a playpen saturated with filth, paints a horrifying picture of prolonged abandonment.

Despite the collective pleas from concerned neighbors and acquaintances urging Candelario to make arrangements for her daughter's well-being, no proactive steps were taken.

The community grapples anew with the unsettling reality that a mother willingly subjected her child to perilous circumstances, culminating in a tragedy that could have been averted.

As Kristel Candelario awaits sentencing, the emerging details continue to cast a shadow over the once-peaceful Cleveland neighborhood.

The guilty plea brings a semblance of closure to a case that has left an indelible mark on those acquainted with Jailyn, underscoring the imperative nature of responsible parenting and the dire consequences that arise from its neglect.

United in grief, the Cleveland community seeks solace in the hope that justice will be served for Jailyn Candelario, a poignant reminder of the fragility of innocence and the profound impact of a mother's lapse in duty.

Related Article: Boost Your Tax Refund: 15 States Offering Extra Child Tax Credit Money in 2024
Photo: (Photo : Derek White /Getty Images)

In a decisive move, the Georgia Board of Education has confirmed the termination of Katie Rinderle, a seasoned educator, for reading a book on LGBTQ gender identity to her fifth-grade class.

The board's resolute stance adds fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding the boundaries of classroom instruction and the influence of parents on educational content.

Georgia Teacher Receives Affirmed Decision Education Board Stands Firm

The Cobb County School Board, situated in suburban Atlanta, voted unanimously to uphold the firing of Katie Rinderle, who had dedicated a decade to teaching.

The pivotal decision followed Rinderle's March reading of a gender identity book, "My Shadow Is Purple," to her students at Due West Elementary School.

The incident prompted complaints from some parents, leading to a contentious debate about the appropriateness of such material in a classroom setting.

Following her termination in August, Rinderle filed an appeal, and in a recent turn of events, the Georgia Association of Educators joined her in a lawsuit against the district.

The legal battle revolves around allegations of discrimination related to Rinderle's firing, with the plaintiffs contending that the district's policies are vague and contribute to potential self-censorship among educators.

The case highlights a broader debate about LGBTQ education rights and the alleged ambiguity of censorship policies within the school system. The term "Gender identity book controversy" aptly captures the essence of the dispute, reflecting the polarized opinions surrounding the teaching of LGBTQ topics in schools.

Statewide Impact and Ongoing Legislative Changes

The reverberations of Rinderle's case extend beyond Cobb County, prompting statewide discussions about the autonomy of school districts in determining curriculum content.

The controversy has gained momentum amid Georgia's legislative sessions, with proposed bills aiming to regulate book content, restrict sex education, and introduce religious elements into classrooms.

The board's decision is seen as a reflection of a broader conservative backlash against LGBTQ subjects in education.

The term "firing upheld" underscores the gravity of the situation, signaling a potential shift in the landscape of what educators can impart in public school classrooms.

Read Also: SNAP Food Stamps: February 2024 Payments Revealed-Check Your State's Schedule Now!

Continued Legal Battle in Gender Identity Book Controversy

Georgia law grants either party - Rinderle or the school district - 30 days to appeal the decision in Cobb County Superior Court.

Simultaneously, Rinderle and the Georgia Association of Educators pursue a discrimination lawsuit against the district, alleging that their termination is a consequence of actively supporting LGBTQ students.

As the legal saga unfolds, the implications for educators, school districts, and the broader education system remain uncertain.

The phrase "Board stands firm" encapsulates the unyielding position taken by the Cobb County School Board, setting a precedent for future cases involving the intersection of education, personal beliefs, and societal values.

In conclusion, the Georgia teacher's firing being upheld signifies a critical juncture in the ongoing debate over LGBTQ education rights and the limits of school curriculum.

The board's unwavering stance serves as a focal point for discussions on the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the responsibility of educators in shaping young minds.

Related Article: Florida Urgent Search for Missing 12-Year-Old Lori Paige: FBI Offers $15,000 Reward
Photo: (Photo : Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)

A Texan woman, Amanda Zurawski, is making headlines for a strategic move to protect her family planning.

Together with her husband, Josh, they've opted to shift their frozen embryos out of state due to escalating apprehensions tied to potential in vitro fertilization (IVF) restrictions.

This decision comes on the heels of a contentious ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court, casting uncertainties over reproductive rights.

Navigating the Aftermath of Alabama's Supreme Court Ruling

Zurawski's move follows the news that at least three fertility clinics in Alabama have paused IVF treatments in response to the state Supreme Court's ruling.

The court declared that embryos possess the same legal protections as children, raising concerns about potential liability for individuals involved in destroying them.

Fearing a similar scenario unfolding in Texas, Zurawski and her husband have signed papers to move their embryos out of the state, aiming to shield their family planning from the legal uncertainties emerging in the wake of the Alabama ruling.

Zurawski's proactive decision aligns with recent developments were three fertility clinics in Alabama temporarily halted IVF treatments post the state Supreme Court's assertion that embryos hold legal protections akin to children.

This ruling not only created a sense of legal vulnerability but also raised the stakes for individuals deemed liable for embryo destruction.

In light of these concerns, the Zurawskis have initiated the process to relocate their embryos, aiming to shield their family planning from the potential repercussions emanating from the Alabama ruling.

A Personal Odyssey Against Texas Abortion Restrictions

At 36, Amanda Zurawski finds herself not just within a state contending with severe abortion constraints but also at the forefront of legal opposition to these regulations.

Her legal battle traces back to a life-threatening episode in August 2022, where doctors, constrained by Texas's abortion laws, delayed a crucial abortion during dire complications at 18 weeks of pregnancy.

Following the delayed intervention, Zurawski encountered serious infections, leading to sepsis and a three-day intensive care unit stay.

Having weathered this traumatic experience, the couple turned to IVF in their pursuit of starting a family, only to now confront the specter of potential restrictions complicating their journey.

Read Also: Georgia Teacher's Firing Upheld: Board Stands Firm on LGBTQ Gender Identity Book Reading

Alarm Bells Ring for Reproductive Rights Advocates

Elisabeth Smith, the director of state policy at the Center for Reproductive Rights, expresses profound concern regarding the Alabama Supreme Court ruling.

Smith contends that this decision not only erodes individuals' autonomy in making IVF-related family planning decisions but also underscores a broader crisis in reproductive healthcare.

As the legal landscape undergoes transformations post-Roe v. Wade, advocates like Smith fear the drift of reproductive rights decision-making away from healthcare professionals into the hands of policymakers, creating an environment fraught with uncertainty.

Since the 2022 overruling of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, numerous states, Texas included, have implemented restrictive abortion measures.

These regulations position individuals like Amanda Zurawski at the crossroads of legal battles and personal struggles, casting a shadow over the future of reproductive rights in the United States.

As Amanda Zurawski takes proactive steps to secure the fate of her frozen embryos, the spotlight remains fixed on the widespread implications of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling and the potential cascading effect it might exert on reproductive rights throughout the nation.

Related Article: Alabama's Gender-Affirming Ban on Transgender Youth Takes Effect: Federal Court Rules
Photo: (Photo : ANNE-SOPHIE THILL/AFP via Getty Images )

A federal litigation filed in Senatobia, Mississippi, charges that the civil rights of Quantavious Eason, an 11-year-old who was 10 at the time of the occurrence, were despoiled when he was jailed and chastened to trial for public urination.

The suit accused defendants in Senatobia of enormous force, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution.

The incident occurred on August 10 when a police officer noticed Quantavious urinating next to his mother's car while she was inside an attorney's office.

Black Child's Mom Files $2 Million Federal Lawsuit

The litigation, filed by Quantavious's mother, Latonya Eason, names the city of Senatobia, Police Chief Richard Chandler, the arresting officer (no longer with the force), and four unnamed officers as defendants.

Accusations include exaggerated force, intentional infliction of emotional distress, failure to train and supervise, false arrest, and malicious prosecution.

The family's attorney, Carlos Moore, declared that race played a role in how Quantavious was mediated, both during the arrest and in court.

Moore indicates that the arrest would likely not have occurred if the child were white. The arrest, which involved another officer after the one who witnessed the incident did not make the arrest, resulted in Quantavious being held in a jail cell for up to an hour.

Quantavious was charged in youth court as a child in need of supervision and was placed on probation, which included writing a two-page report about Kobe Bryant. However, earlier this month, the youth court petition seeking to designate Quantavious as in need of supervision was dismissed.

In August, Police Chief Chandler acknowledged that the officer's decisions violated department policy and training, leading to disciplinary actions, including the termination of one officer.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, and as of Thursday afternoon, representatives from the city and police had not provided immediate comments.

Read Also: Man Kidnaps 9-Year-Old New York Girl From State Park, Pleads Guilty to Crime

10-Year-Old Black Boy Arrested for Urinating in Public

A 10-year-old boy in Mississippi was arrested and taken to jail for urinating in public, leading to frustration from his mother, Latonya Eason.

The incident occurred on August 10 in Senatobia, near Memphis, when a police officer informed Eason that her son, Quantavious, was caught urinating behind her car at an attorney's office.

Eason explained that her son mentioned a lack of restroom facilities, and initially, the officer suggested a warning. However, additional officers, including a lieutenant, arrived and insisted on taking the boy to jail.

Eason expressed disbelief, stating that while her son's actions were not right, the situation should have been handled differently.

Quantavious, who felt scared during the incident, was held briefly in a cell without being handcuffed and was later released to his mother. He was charged with "child in need of services," a decision that Eason fears could traumatize him and affect his perception of encounters with the police.

Eason shared a photo on Facebook of her son in a patrol car, prompting public attention.

Senatobia Police Chief Richard Chandler referred to the state's Youth Court Act, which allows law enforcement to file referrals for children as young as 7 "in need of supervision" or 10 "if they commit acts that would be illegal for an adult."

Chandler acknowledged that transporting the child to the police station, given the mother's presence, was an error in judgment. He emphasized the need for ongoing training in the profession to avoid such mistakes.

Related Article: 13-Year-Old Honor Student Charged with First-Degree Murder in Florida
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FREETOWN, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 24th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone has provided care for more than 20,000 local patients during its one-year mission.

Chen Yongjun, head of the team, told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday that the team has carried out over 400 surgeries and trained many local medical staff during the period.

The team, which consists of 21 top-notch Chinese medical specialists from central China's Hunan Province, covers a range of areas from neurology to obstetrics and is scheduled to wrap up its mission in March after a replacement arrives.

Describing the work as "challenging," Chen said the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, where the team is based, has long suffered from a lack of electricity, water and medical equipment, a difficult problem shared by many other hospitals across the country.

"Despite all the challenges, we have completed the mission and won respect from Sierra Leonean counterparts and patients," Chen said.

Melrose During, charge nurse of the hospital's maternity unit, told Xinhua that Chinese doctors always stand ready to reach out and help locals.

"Patients trust them and feel good when they come in. When I have difficult cases, I call them, and I have learned so much," said During.

Qin Fanghua, a team member, told Xinhua that she enjoys mingling with local patients and residents while fulfilling her duty as a nurse in the children's ward.

"I will miss everything in Sierra Leone after I leave," Qin added.

China dispatched its first medical team to Sierra Leone in 1973 and has since sent a total of 24 teams, contributing to the improvement of the health sector in the West African country.

In December 2023, Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio posted a tweet on X, formerly Twitter, saying, "I expressed our deep gratitude to the Chinese medical team for their commitment to improving the country's healthcare service delivery." 
Two non-new articles have newly appeared on the website of the Interpreter Foundation. I hope that you will enjoy them:

Conference Talks: Adam, Eve, the Book of Moses, and the Temple: The Story of Receiving Christs Atonement, was delivered at the Interpreter Foundations 2020 Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses Conference by Elder Bruce C. Hafen (emeritus) and Sister Marie K. Hafen.

Elder Bruce C. Hafen, an emeritus member of the Seventy and a former president of the St. George Utah Temple, and Sister Marie K. Hafen gave the keynote address, Adam, Eve, the Book of Moses, and the Temple: The Story of Receiving Christs Atonement at the Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses Conference on Friday, 18 September 2020. All of the conference presentations were filmed, and both video and audio recordings of each presentation are available. Videos, audio recordings and transcripts are available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2020-book-of-moses-conference/papers/. The videos are also available on the Interpreter Foundation YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/theinterpreterfoundation. A YouTube playlist is also available at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRMn4gyXMWLv7A618LA-cCvxMqWRk8kxI.

Hugh Nibley Observed: Foreword: A Doorkeeper in the House of the Lord, written by John W. Welch

John Welch says in his foreword to Hugh Nibley Observed, He is sincerely comfortable thinking of himself as a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord. . . . In a word, Hugh Nibley is no ordinary doorman. But then, as far as that goes, he doesnt stand by ordinary doorways either. Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article originally appeared in Hugh Nibley Observed, edited by Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, Shirley S. Ricks, and Stephen T. Whitlock. For more information, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/hugh-nibley-observed/.

We used our last (almost-full) day here in Sydney to go to the Australian Museum, where we spent our time at a surprisingly large and very, very good traveling exhibit called Ramses & The Gold of the Pharaohs.

We also entered into a virtual-reality experience in the Museum in which the spirit of Queen Nefertari, the first Great Wife of Ramses II (aka Ramses the Great, a title that Ramses himself, an egomaniac of truly epic proportions, would have absolutely loved), took us on a tour, including physical bumps and chair-tilts, of the spectacular temples at Abu Simbel, which lie far in the south of Egypt near Nubia. My wife and I were actually there at Abu Simbel back in late October or early November, though we didnt go to Abu Simbel with our January group. Our having recently been there for the umpteenth time probably lessened the impact of the virtual-reality experience for us, though I still quite enjoyed it. My wife, by contrast, thought it hokey. And even I will admit that I thought one portion of it owed perhaps too much to The Mummy and too little to actual Egyptian belief.

At one point, the exhibit signage spoke about the ancient Egyptian belief that the skin of the gods was gold, because of its brilliance and because it doesnt tarnish. At another point, referring to Pharaoh Sheshonq II or Shoshenq II, the signage described the gold toe and finger coverings and other gold items with which he was buried.

With that in mind, I found myself wondering about all the gold associated with pharaonic burials. I was specifically thinking of the gold face masks of the royal mummies. These are most famously but not solely illustrated by Tutankhamens famous mask, which was still housed in the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square in Cairo when we were last there in January but which may possibly have been transferred to the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza over the past few weeks. Sheshonq II himself had such a funerary mask. (See the image above.)

Were the ancient Egyptian artists trying to represent the radiance that they thought characterized immortal divine beings such as the gods (and the deified pharaohs who were now numbered among the gods)? And where would they have gotten this idea of divine radiance?

Those who have encountered such divine beings often refer to the light that accompanied them. One of the children who saw seemingly angelic figures during the famous 1986 Cokeville Miracle in western Wyoming described them as having light bulbs inside them. (Analogous comments are not uncommon in accounts of near-death experiences.) Moses, who lacked any experience with electric lighting, met the Lord at Mt. Sinai amid what he underst0od as flame:

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. (Exodus 3:2)

The Book of Mormon records the prophetic call of Lehi in part as follows:

And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly. (1 Nephi 1:6)

In one of Joseph Smiths accounts of his 1820 First Vision, he indicates that when he saw the column of light descending in which, shortly, he would see the Father and the Son, he was momentarily afraid that, when it touched the trees, they would burst into flame. (He, too, lived in a world lit only by fire.). Consider, too, this passage from the canonical account of that vision:

I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. (Joseph Smith  History 1:16c-17a)

And this passage, recounting the first visit to Joseph Smith of the Angel Moroni:

I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. . . . Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me. (Joseph Smith  History 1:30-32)

Were the ancient Egyptians, perhaps guided by accounts of actual visitations and/or memories of near-death experiences, attempting with their gold to capture something of the radiant glory of celestial beings? (The much later Byzantines seem, to me anyway, to have been trying something along the same lines with their golden mosaics.)

On a very different note: The Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File continues to chronicle the many irritating ways, big and small, in which theism and theists ruin our lives. Heres one:

Service stitched with love: JustServe volunteer turns wedding gowns into tiny angel robes: Alabama Latter-day Saint Mary Helen Allred finds joy in using JustServe to continue a legacy of service

Posted from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The Kumasi International Airport project, which was stalled for some time, is expected to be completed in April this year, it has officially been announced.



The Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, who gave the assurance, emphatically stated that the government is determined to complete the project.



According to him, a huge part of funds needed to complete the capital-intensive project, has so far been released by the government to the contractor for work to resume.



The Minister of Finance said the government is now only required to pay the remaining two million euros in order for the project, which was stalled, to be completed.



He assured that the two million euros would be settled in one week's time.



This project would have been completed sometime ago but for the problem that we faced. Having said that, we have made renewed efforts to address those challenges.



Part of the outstanding amount of money which was to be paid for work to resume has been paid to the contractor, the Finance Minister said when he visited the airport.



What is left is about just two million euros which we are going to do within one week so that the contractor would have no excuse as far as funding is concerned, to work to bring the project to completion.



Dr. Amin Adam, who sounded positive, said, But Im impressing upon them to make sure by April 2024 they bring the works to closure so we can use the airport.



According to him, the completion of the Kumasi International Airport project would go a long way to improve air travel and also improve the lives of the people.



The Finance Minister reiterated his call on the contractor to expedite works so the project would be completed within the next two months, for it to be opened for public use.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Opoku  Ahweneeh Danquah, has explained that the overarching measure of the Corporations success is the degree to which its activities inure to the benefit of Ghanaians.



Speaking at the graduation ceremony organized by the GNPC Foundation for 166 artisans trained and certified under its Skilled Artisans Project, O-A Danquah emphasized the Corporations commitment to empowering Ghanaians through tangible opportunities for skill development and economic self-sufficiency.



He stressed that while GNPCs primary function revolves around petroleum exploration and production, its broader mandate encompasses fostering sustainable socio-economic development for all Ghanaians.



This graduation ceremony is not just a culmination of training programs; it is a testament to GNPCs unwavering dedication to empowering our people, Danquah remarked.



He added: We firmly believe that a fundamental goal of our business is to uplift and empower Ghanaians, ensuring that they have the tools and resources to thrive in an ever-evolving economic landscape.



The ceremony, held under the auspices of the GNPCs esteemed livelihood empowerment program, served as a platform to celebrate the accomplishments of the 166 artisans who had undergone rigorous training in various vocational fields.



From tailoring and welding to electronics and carpentry among other competencies, these artisans emerged not only with newfound skills but also with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to succeed.



In his address, the GNPC CEO underscored the transformative power of skills development in driving individual prosperity and national progress.



He emphasized the importance of equipping Ghanaians with practical skills aligned with market demands, thereby fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation across various sectors of the economy.



By investing in skills development and entrepreneurship, we are not only empowering individuals to secure their livelihoods but also laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth and social cohesion, he stressed



Highlighting key milestones achieved under the project from its inception in 2018, Dr. Dominic Kwesi Eduah, the Executive Director for GNPC Foundation, said over 2000 youth across several regions have benefited from the project with certifications from the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) which has since enabled them to fully set up their own businesses and boosted their employability standings.



Our foundation is built on the belief that every individual possesses untapped potential waiting to be unleashed and with initiatives like this, we aim to unlock that potential and empower Ghanaian youth to become agents of change in their communities, he concluded.



Echoing similar sentiments, Freddie Blay, Board Chairman of GNPC, emphasized the pivotal role of artisanal skills in driving economic growth and urged the graduates to seize the opportunities before them.



Embarking on a journey of entrepreneurship armed with the tools and knowledge to succeed, he further charged the youth to be guided by passion and determination as they carve out their path to be coming contributors to Ghanas development.



The Akwamumanhene, Odeneho Kwaffo Akoto III, who was chairman for the occasion, in a brief remark, urged the graduands to make proper use of the tools and admonished them to be worthy ambassadors of GNPC.



Other notable figures in attendance were Hon Seth Acheampong, the Eastern Regional Minister, and Isaac Apaw Gyasi, the MCE for New Juaben South, underscoring the collaborative effort between GNPC and local government authorities in driving development initiatives.



Their words of encouragement and support further bolstered the graduates confidence as they embarked on their entrepreneurial journeys.



From sewing machines and welding equipment to diagnostic machines and gas stoves among others, and in an atmosphere imbued with a sense of optimism and possibility, each artisan received tools relevant to their area of expertise with each tool symbolizing not just a means of livelihood but also a tangible manifestation of GNPCs commitment to empowering Ghanaians and nurturing the growth and prosperity of Ghanas artisanal workforce.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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A 38-year-old man has been hospitalized after he was stabbed with a pair of scissors by a suspect who accused him of gossiping about him.



Saidu Dauda was reportedly stabbed in the left rib and left shoulder by one Musah Fuseini, who has since been arrested and remanded by the court.



The police said Dauda and Fuseini openly fought after the latter had accused the former of gossip, around 6:50 pm on February 14, 2024.



According to a police statement, Fuseini went into hiding after committing the heinous crime but was arrested, detained and remanded.



On February 14, 2024 at 7.30pm, one Sulemana Seidu of Moshie Zongo, Kumasi called at the station and reported that same day at about 6.50pm, his elder brother by name Saidu Dauda aged 38 years, was stabbed on the left rib and shoulder by one Musah Fuseini and fled after perpetrating act.



According to the complainant, it is alleged that the suspect accused the victim of gossiping about him. Subsequently, a misunderstanding ensued between them which resulted in a quarrel between the two.



Both were separated. Unknown to victim, suspect passed behind him and stabbed him on the left rib and left shoulder with a sharp instrument, believed to be either a knife or a pair of scissors, the report said.



The Tafo-Pankrono District Police statement also said the victim sustained stab wounds, bled profusely and was rushed to KATH where he remains on admission.



The same day, the police said, Musah Fuseini was arrested at his hideout at Moshie Zongo, and he was arraigned before the Old Tafo Circuit Court on February 16, 2024, where he was remanded into police custody to assist with investigations.



The police said suspect would re-appear in court on February 26, 2024.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The National Democratic Congress is very optimistic that the New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will mismanage Ghana's economy if elected in the December 7 polls to be president.



The party, in a presser dubbed Moment of Truth by its National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, describes Dr. Bawumia as a corrupt individual who cannot be trusted as a leader.



Appearance fee merchant, Bawumia cannot fight corruption because he is himself corrupt, he told journalists.



Sammy Gyamfi, however, urged Ghanaians to ensure the NPP does not stay in power.



We can only get to the bottom of corruption and scandals by this government and its officials, including Bawumia himself, for the people of Ghana to resoundingly boot the NPP out of office on December 7, 2024," he urged.



The NDC believes their flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, can be well trusted to manage Ghana's economy as well as fight corruption, which has been rampant in the Akufo-Addo-led government.



Our surest bet of exacting genuine accountability would be to vote overwhelmingly for Mr. John Dramani Mahama and the NDC to enable us to pursue accountability, which has been missing in our national affair in the last seven to eight years, Sammy Gyamfi said.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com









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Dr. Rasheed Draman, the Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), has stated that leaders in both caucuses in parliament do not resign from their posts.



According to Dr. Draman, leaders in parliament are rather reshuffled through broad consultations.



Dr. Dramans comments comes in the wake of former Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu's unexpected resignation in the late hours of Wednesday, February 21.



Speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 monitored by Peacefmonline.com, Dr. Draman maintained that extensive consultation should be held in high esteem by both the NPP and NDC in the event of changing their parliamentary leadership.



"It is sad for our parliament but most importantly, it is not a motivation for others to give their all in terms of their contribution to their party and so on.



The party has every right, as the leader has said, in terms of making decisions but the keyword is consultation and carrying everybody along, Dr. Draman added.



He urged the various political parties to learn very fast.



Dr. Draman believed that the effective consultations would prevent the notion that party leadership does not listen to the views and suggestions of members before making a decision.



When the NDC thing [reshuffle] happened, there were a lot of members of the caucus who were very angry, not because of the change but because of the process and how most of them were not consulted, he stated.







Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has slammed the leadership of the New Patriotic Party over the resignation of Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.



Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has voluntarily stepped down for a new leadership of the Caucus to be put in place.



The Suame lawmaker and current Majority leaders resignation came after a crunch meeting between the leadership of the party and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



The Majority held a press conference a couple of days ago to refute claims that the New Patriotic Party was about to change the leadership, and as a result, the Member of Parliament for Effutu and Deputy Majority Leader, Alex Afenyo-Markin, was going to take over from Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.



But the majority, led by the First Deputy Speaker and Bekwai MP, Joseph Osei Owusu, asserted that the Majority Caucus has not made any changes in its leadership, the majority caucus has not contemplated making any changes to its leadership, and we will tell the world and Ghana to ignore any such publication.



He added, We want to assure you that we have confidence in the leadership and the status quo shall remain, we are aware that upon the nomination of one of the Deputy Whips as a minister, a replacement will be made, that replacement will be made by the caucus when we have the opportunity and the time to consider the appropriate replacement, this is all the information we have to share.



However, it is established that Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsus resignation is to ensure a smooth transition and therefore make the path clear for Alex Afenyo-Markins ascent to the Majority Leader position.



Addressing the issue during Peace FMs Thursday edition of Kokrokoo show, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah remonstrated against what he described as ill treatment from the New Patriotic Party to Hon. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.



To him, the Majority Leader was bullied by his party to vacate his position.



Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu was pushed out," he exclaimed, further arguing that this decision was taken by a force from within the party to get rid of him.



Have a seat and find somewhere to sit, theres a difference," he proverbially remarked as he explained what actually happened to Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.



That decision wasnt made at the party headquarters but rather inside the Jubilee House. What is wrong is wrong! We have to say it," he fumed.



The governance lecturer at the Central University, expressing deep resentments over the partys move, pointed out to the party what they will be missing from the decision they have made.



Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is an asset not to NPP alone; he is a national asset.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Member of Parliament for South Dayi Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor has hinted that Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Rev Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah will face legal consequences for his continued stay as the GRA boss without a contract extension from the Ministry of Finance.



Rev Owusu-Amoah, who is more than 60 years old and is therefore required by law have a contract authorising him to continue as GRA boss, has been at the post for about two years without any such authorisation from the appointing authority.



For Mr Dafeamekpor, Rev Owusu-Amoah is not supposed to be at the post because he has no document backing his being at thepost, adding that Rev Owusu-Amoah will face legal action.



"The collusion and the cronyism and politics is what is eating our system away. For this matter if it is not politics, which country will this happen? And he himself too, it doesn't bother him to prompt that you must regularize my stay? ... People [ like Rev Owusu-Amoah] don't care any longer but a day is coming that they will care," Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor said in an interview with Okay FM.



Mr Dafeamekpor explained that the fact that without a contract, Rev Owusu-Amoah is still working and drawing salary amounts to drawing unearned salaries, a violation that has been cited countless times by the Auditor General.



At a sitting of the Public Accounts Committee recently, Rev Owusu-Amoah confirmed that he was beyond sixty years and had been asked by the Finance Minister to stay on with a written contract.



In the view of Mr Dafeamekpor, the government ( Finance Ministry and the Presidency) should have taken immediate steps after the Public Accounts Committee hearing to regularize Rev Owusu-Amoah's stay at the GRA. But that has not been done.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Jens Plotner, foreign and security policy advisor to the German chancellor, in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Jens Plotner, foreign and security policy advisor to the German chancellor, in Beijing on Friday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership. China is willing to strengthen communication with Germany further, consolidate strategic mutual trust, deepen cooperation and promote the stable development of bilateral relations, he said.

Wang said that the two sides should stay committed to promoting practical cooperation with an open attitude and rational spirit based on market principles, resolve differences properly in the context of common progress and development, reject protectionism, and make positive contributions to global stability, development and prosperity.

Plotner said that Germany hopes to expand cooperation with China further in various fields, and make new contributions to addressing climate change and promoting world peace and development. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Jens Plotner, foreign and security policy advisor to the German chancellor, in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 23, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
Young adolescents across the country by end of February 2024, would get the opportunity to interact one-on-one with the 2023 Miss Malaika Ghana, Queen Lady Nana Yaa Nsarko, as she rolls out her HIV/AIDS prevention awareness project by taking the campaign to their doorsteps.



The project, dubbed Live On Campaign with Miss Malaika Ghana 2023 will target in-school & out-of-school young adolescents. The target group will see the crowned Beauty Queen socialize with young adolescents, using that opportunity to educate them on HIV/AIDS prevention.



She would also encourage young adolescents to avail themselves for counseling and testing services.



Queen Lady Nsarko, who is an Ambassador of the Ghana AIDS Commission, together with her team from Miss Malaika Ghana and other HIV/AIDS experts from NACP, would embark on this HIV/AIDS prevention campaign across various communities in the country, especially, the red flag zones where the HIV virus is prevalent.



She would take the campaign to schools, churches, mosques, markets, shopping malls, taxi ranks, lorry stations, bus terminals, and other public places where head porters, popularly called Kayayeis are.



The Beauty Queen has, since her unveiling as HIV/AIDS prevention ambassador, been under training at the National AIDS/STI Control Programme, preparing assiduously for this project, which aims, among other things, to sustain the gains made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to help to reduce further, the number of new cases.



She told journalists moments after the media launch of ART@20 on Friday, February 16, 2024, that I cant wait to see the start of this project to enable me to share the knowledge I have acquired with my peers out there. I am so excited to serve my country, Ghana, on a bigger platform that has been provided to me by the kind courtesy of the Ghana AIDS Commission which has truly made a remarkable achievement in the fight against HIV/AIDS.









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A former New Jersey police officer is being charged in a 97-count indictment with hacking the social media accounts of about 20 women in order to obtain and then publically post nude photos of them.

The charges Ayron Taylor, 24, of Moorestown, is facing include child pornography because some of the photos were taken when the women were underage, according to a press release from Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw.

The investigation into Taylor began in September 2022 after one of the victims contacted police to report that her Snapchat and Facebook accounts had been hacked.

The woman said that the hacker had sent nude photos she had taken of herself to her Snapchat and Facebook contacts and posted them on her Facebook wall. Taylor was arrested and charged in 2022 in relation to that case, the Philadelphia Inquirer said.

Investigators said they were able to figure out that all of the women who had been hacked had email accounts at Rowan College of Burlington County and that Taylor had illegally accessed about 5,000 email accounts from that school.

Taylor, who had worked for the Mount Laurel Police Department, was also charged with official misconduct as officials said some of these actions happened while he was on duty, although he never used police equipment, only his own personal devices.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on March 11.
An Ohio mom who left her 16-month-old daughter alone in a playpen for 10 days, leading to the childs death, has pleaded guilty to aggregated murder and other crimes, the Associated Press reports.

Kristel Candelario, 32, of Cleveland, left her daughter, Jailyn, in their home when she went on vacation to Detroit and Puerto Rico during June 2023, AP reports. When she returned, the child was still in the playpen and was not breathing. Candelario called 911. The child was extremely dehydrated and was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy found that Jailyn died of starvation and severe dehydration, the report said.

Candelario faces up to life in prison, the report said. Her sentencing is set for March 18 in Cuyahoga County court.

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Suspended Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge Sonya McKnight, accused of shooting her sleeping ex-boyfriend in the head, was released on bond Thursday.

She posted the $300,000 monetary bond through a bondsman to get released from the Dauphin County Prison at 1:37 p.m. Thursday, according to county officials.

Bondsmen typically charge a non-refundable 10-percent fee to post bonds for defendants, which would be $30,000 in this case, but they can charge whatever fee they choose. Defendants also may use property as collateral to meet their bond requirements.

The bond is set to ensure a defendant shows up for their court hearings. McKnights next court hearing date has not yet been set.

McKnight, 57, was charged Feb. 15 with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with the shooting in Susquehanna Township at her boyfriends home on Feb. 10.

Her attorney told PennLive that McKnight denies shooting her ex-boyfriend, named Mike McCoy, 54.

McKnight has been suspended as a judge since November, after officials say she violated seven different rules of misconduct. It is the second time she has been suspended without pay and the second time she has been accused of shooting an ex.

In the most recent shooting, McCoy told police he had broken up with McKnight and asked her to move out of his home starting on Feb. 4. He continued his requests every day until the shooting in his bedroom in the 200 block of Saddle Ridge Drive about 12:45 a.m., according to court records.

He told police he had taken away a key to his home from McKnights key ring but then found her inside his home on Feb. 9. She said she had taken his spare keys to enter, according to court records.

According to those records:

McCoy went out that night but wouldnt tell McKnight where he was going. When he returned, McKnight wanted to talk, but he said they would talk the next morning.

Before he went to bed at 11 p.m., he reaffirmed the relationship was over, according to court records.

Oh, youre serious, McKnight said, according to McCoys account. He later told police it was as if she finally understood it was over.

Less than two hours later, McCoy awoke with a gunshot wound and McKnight saying to him: Mike, what did you do to yourself?

McCoy emphatically denied ever thinking about shooting or harming himself.

Police said the gun used in the shooting belonged to McKnight, and that she had gunshot residue on her hands, according to tests taken after the shooting.

She and her ex- boyfriend were the only ones inside his townhome at the time of the shooting, according to officials.

The bullet entered the right side of the victims face, traversed through his head in a straight line behind and slightly below his eyes and exited the left side of his face, prosecutors said.

He told police he woke up in excruciating pain and complete blindness and didnt know what happened to him.

He is expected to survive but remains blind in his right eye.

McKnight told police she was sleeping and suddenly heard McCoy scream. But McCoy told police, I did not shoot myself.

This is the second shooting involving McKnight within five years. She shot her estranged husband in the groin in May 2019 inside her home and told police he was threatening her.

His relatives told PennLive McKnight invited him over to help move furniture, then accused him of cheating and shot him. She eventually was cleared of any charges, citing self-defense.

Because McKnight could preside over cases involving Dauphin County prosecutors, they recused themselves from the case, citing a potential conflict of interest.

They referred the case to the Office of Attorney General, but the AOG also had to defer, citing a conflict of interest. McKnight is suing one of their investigators in connection with her arrest in 2020 by Harrisburg police on accusations that she interfered with her sons arrest. She was acquitted in that case, and is now suing police and investigators claiming they maliciously targeted her because of her race.

McKnight was suspended from her judge duties during the investigation into her sons arrest, then she was reinstated after her acquittal.

She is currently suspended after the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania filed the new allegations of misconduct against her last year, including that she told a staff member to hide a lawsuit filed against her in a financial dispute instead of entering it into the system as required.
The Harrisburg area is about to get its first Wingstop.

One of the restaurants is joining the Camp Hill Shopping Center in Camp Hill, where signs announce Wingstop is coming soon.

The restaurant is also listed by Bennett Williams Commercial Real Estate as a tenant at the shopping complex. No word on when the restaurant will open.

You might be thinking do we really need one more spot for wings? The nostalgic aviation themed restaurant was founded in 1994 and specializes in chicken wings, tenders and sandwiches.

The closest ones operate in Lancaster and York counties.

Wingstop cooks classic and boneless wings, available with a choice of 11 flavors including original hot, Cajun, atomic, mild, lemon pepper, Hawaiian, garlic parmesan, hickory smoked BBQ, Louisiana rub, spicy Korean Q, and mango habanero.

The restaurants are decorated in a 1930s and 1940s pre-jet aviation theme.

In recent years, the Texas-based company has experienced massive growth, including system wide sales increases of 27% in 2023. It operates 2,215 restaurants, and is undergoing an ambitious expansion with plans to open 270 restaurants this year, according to recent earnings reports.
By Ken Ritter and Rio Yamat, The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS  A former FBI informant accused of lying about multimillion-dollar bribery allegations against President Joe Biden and his son Hunter and purportedly having links to Russian intelligence was again taken into custody Thursday, two days after a judge said he could be freed ahead of trial, his attorneys said in court documents.

The arrest during a meeting Thursday morning with his lawyers came after prosecutors appealed a ruling allowing 43-year-old Alexander Smirnov, who holds dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, to be released with a GPS monitor ahead of trial on charges alleging he lied to the FBI.

He was taken into custody on a warrant for the same charges issued in California, where the case was originally filed, his lawyers said. Several sealed entries were listed in the court docket, but no additional details about his return to custody were immediately available.

A spokesman for Justice Department special counsel David Weiss confirmed Smirnov had been arrested again, but did not have additional comment. He is in custody of U.S. Marshals in Nevada, said Gary Schofield, the chief marshal in Las Vegas.

Smirnov is charged with making a false statement and creating a false and fictitious record. He was arrested last week in Las Vegas, where he now lives, and a judge allowed him to be released with a GPS monitor on Tuesday.

Smirnov was arrested Thursday morning at their law offices in downtown Las Vegas on the same charges, attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld said. They requested an immediate hearing on his detention.

Prosecutors say Smirnov falsely told his handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015. The claim became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden in Congress.

Smirnov has not entered a plea to the charges, but his lawyers have said their client is presumed innocent and they look forward to defending him at trial.

As part of their push to keep him in custody, prosecutors said Smirnov told investigators after his arrest last week that officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story about Hunter Biden. They said Smirnovs self-reported contact with Russian officials was recent and extensive, and said he had planned to meet with foreign intelligence contacts during an upcoming trip abroad.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts on Tuesday had ordered him released ahead of trial, saying he was concerned about Smirnovs access to money prosecutors estimated at $6 million but noting that federal guidelines required him to fashion the least restrictive conditions ahead of trial. Smirnov was also ordered to stay in the area and surrender his passports.

Do not make a mockery out of me, Albregts said to Smirnov, warning that hed be placed back into the federal governments custody if he violated any of his conditions. His lawyers say hes been fully compliant with his release conditions.

Prosecutors appealed to U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright in California, where the case is based.

The circumstances of the offenses charged  that Smirnov lied to his FBI handler after a 10-year relationship where the two spoke nearly every day  means that Smirnov cannot be trusted to provide truthful information to pretrial services, prosecutors wrote in court documents. The effects of Smirnovs false statements and fabricated information continue to be felt to this day. Now the personal stakes for Smirnov are even higher. His freedom is on the line.

Smirnov had been an informant for more than a decade when he made the explosive allegations about the Bidens in June 2020, after expressing bias about Joe Biden as a presidential candidate, prosecutors said.

But Smirnov had only routine business dealings with Burisma starting in 2017, according to court documents. No evidence has emerged that Joe Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice president.

FILE - Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, talks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, Dec. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana. File)AP

While his identity wasnt publicly known before the charges were filed, Smirnovs claims have played a major part in the Republican effort in Congress to investigate the president and his family, and helped spark what is now a House impeachment inquiry into Biden. Republicans pursuing investigations of the Bidens demanded the FBI release the unredacted form documenting the unverified allegations, though they acknowledged they couldnt confirm if they were true.

Democrats called for an end to the probe after the Smirnov indictment came down last week, while Republicans distanced the inquiry from his claims and said they would continue to follow the facts.

Smirnovs lawyers say he has been living in Las Vegas for two years with his longtime girlfriend and requires ongoing treatment and daily medications for significant medical issues related to his eyes. He lived in California for 16 years prior to moving to Nevada.

Associated Press writer Lindsay Whitehurst in Washington contributed to this story.
By Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News (TNS)

The parents of Gabby Petito have reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging the parents of her fiance and killer, Brian Laundrie, neglected to come forward amid the intense search for their daughter despite knowing that she was already dead.

In a statement to CBS News, Petitos parents, Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito, confirmed all parties reluctantly agreed to the confidential terms to avoid further legal expenses and prolonged personal conflict.

Our hope is to close this chapter of our lives to allow us to move on and continue to honor the legacy of our beautiful daughter, Gabby, they added.

The coupled filed their lawsuit against Laundries parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, and their attorney, Steven Bertolino, for intentional infliction of emotional distress in March 2022. It came nearly a year after 22-year-old Petito, a Long Island native and aspiring travel influencer, embarked on a cross-country road trip with Laundrie on July 2, 2021. She documented much of the expedition on social media, but only her fiance returned home.

Petitos disappearance kicked off a months-long search spanning several states and law enforcement agencies. Her remains were eventually discovered on Sept. 19 at a campground near Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming, and her cause of death was ruled homicide by strangulation.

Laundrie, meanwhile, reunited with his parents upon arriving home, and they quickly left together for a camping trip on the beach at Fort De Soto Park, south of St. Petersburg.

But Brian did not return from the trip, and he was later discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on Oct. 20. He confessed to killing Petito in personal notebooks found near his body.

According to the civil lawsuit filed by Petitos parents, the Laundries helped Brian conceal their daughters murder and were arranging for him to leave the country when he disappeared. Petitos parents further alleged that Christopher and Roberta ignored their pleas for help, going as far as to block their numbers and Facebook profiles.

The suit also took aim at attorney Bertolino. It alleged he too knew Petito was dead, but instead issued a news release expressing hope for her safe return.

Christopher and Roberta Laundrie and I participated in mediation with the Petito family and the civil lawsuit has now been resolved, Bertolino said in a statement. The terms of the resolution are confidential, and we look forward to putting this matter behind us.

The Petitos and Laundries had previously settled a separate wrongful death lawsuit for $3 million.
The deadline for consumers who were deceived by pre-approved credit card offers by Credit Karma to sign up to get their part of a $3 million settlement with federal regulators is almost here.

The deadline to file a claim is March 4.

The claims process, which was announced late last year, came after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleged that Credit Karma tricked consumers into believing they were pre-approved for a credit card or had 90% odds of approval, but in many cases, the consumers didnt qualify.

Consumers who applied incurred a hard inquiry on their credit reports, and, if they were denied, may have damaged their credit scores unnecessarily, the FTC said.

Nearly 500,000 consumers who may have been eligible to get a payment from the settlement were notified by the FTC about the claims process last year. The agency said most of the 497,425 affected consumers would get an email, but about 4,000 people who did not have an email address on file were supposed to get a notice in the mail.

You can file a claim online at ftc.gov/CreditKarma. If you have questions, you can email info@CreditKarmaSettlement.com or call (866) 848-0871, the agency said.

Its unclear how much each consumer will get.

Your payment amount will depend on several factors, including how many people file claims, the FTC said, adding that a mailing date for the payment has not yet been set.

At the time the settlement was announced, Credit Karma said it disagreed with the FTCs allegations but it agreed to the settlement to put the allegations behind it.

Any implication that Credit Karma rejected consumers applying for credit cards is simply incorrect, as Credit Karma is not a lender and does not make lending decisions, the spokesperson said at the time. Rather, Credit Karma helps our more than 130 million members understand their finances, including their likelihood of approval for financial products.

We have a track record of positive outcomes, and members shopping for credit cards on Credit Karma have a significantly higher approval rate than the national average, the spokesperson said.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.

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By Christine Fernando, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Some Republicans joined Democrats in expressing alarm over a ruling this week by the Alabama Supreme Court that jeopardized future access to in vitro fertilization, giving allies of President Joe Biden new fuel for their efforts to center abortion access in the presidential election.

Weve got to talk about making sure we dont take away womens rights to IVF, women who are childbearing age and want to give birth to children, said GOP Rep. Nancy Mace, who was campaigning this week for former President Donald Trump in South Carolina. She added, Ill be working very hard to make sure that doesnt happen.

Democrats and left-leaning interest groups have banked on abortion rights as a major motivator for voters in the upcoming presidential election and fight for control of Congress. They believe abortion can be a winning issue as the debate widens to include increasing concerns over miscarriage care, access to medication, access to emergency care and now IVF treatments.

The GOP has struggled to talk about the issue while abortion-rights advocates have won races even in conservative-leaning states. Reproductive rights groups on Thursday compared the Alabama ruling to the impact of the Supreme Courts Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and nullified a federally guaranteed right to abortion.

This has hit a nerve in a way I havent seen since Dobbs, said Mini Timmaraju, head of the abortion rights group Reproductive Freedom for All. And its because folks didnt believe this could happen but its happening.

Biden issued a statement Thursday that called the Alabama decision a direct result of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. And Vice President Kamala Harris, in the middle of her Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour, accused Republicans of hypocrisy.

On the one hand, the proponents are saying that an individual doesnt have a right to end an unwanted pregnancy and, on the other hand, the individual does not have the right to start a family, she told an audience in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The all-Republican Alabama Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that frozen embryos created through IVF are considered children under state law, potentially exposing families and clinics to criminal charges or punitive damages. In response, the states largest hospital and at least two other providers paused IVF treatments as they scrambled to assess the rulings impact.

Trump did not speak publicly about the ruling and his campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The dominant front-runner in the Republican primary, Trump has for months resisted calls from anti-abortion advocates to support a national ban because he says it would be unpopular with the general public. The Biden campaign and abortion rights advocates last week seized on a news report that Trump had privately suggested support for a 16-week ban.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trumps last major primary challenger, sided with the Alabama Supreme Court in a Wednesday interview with NBC News, saying Embryos, to me, are babies. A day later, she told CNN she did not want to shut down IVF treatments and that Alabama needs to go back and look at the law.

One, you want to make sure that embryos are protected and respected in the way that theyre supposed to be, Haley said. Two, you want to make sure that parents have the rights to make those decisions with their doctor as they go through in what theyre going to do.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, called the ruling scary while speaking at the POLITICO Governors Summit on Thursday. Alabama state Sen. Tim Melson, also a Republican, said he intends to file legislation to protect IVF services in the state.

But other Republicans backed the Alabama court ruling and suggested they would encourage women not to use IVF.

Catalina Stubbe, the national director of Moms for Liberty, a nonprofit that advocates for parental rights in education and has targeted discussions of race and LGBTQ identity in schools, said she empathized with women who want to be biological mothers through in vitro fertilization but felt they should adopt instead.

There are many other options that moms can definitely take in consideration instead of IVF, said Stubbe, who emphasized she was describing her position and not her groups. This is sad to create a life just to end up like an experiment for a laboratory.

IVF is a common process by which people attempt to become pregnant, especially for couples having trouble conceiving, LGBTQ couples and people trying to prevent passing on terminal genetic illnesses or high risks of cancer. It is responsible for about 84,000 babies a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Legislation and court rulings defining life as beginning at fertilization or that give embryos legal rights may limit parts of the IVF process, including the removal of embryos that fail to implant in the uterus or the disposal of unused embryos.

Fertility doctors have been raising alarm bells over the risks of losing IVF access since Roe v. Wade was overturned as many patients frantically moved frozen embryos to states with more permissive abortion laws  a process that comes with increased cost, complexity and risk of damage to embryos.

Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who has conceived two daughters through IVF, urged Congress to pass a bill introduced last month aiming to protect IVF access.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee encouraged Alabamans to vote for Democratic candidate Marilyn Lands in a special election next month for a state legislative seat.

This could be a determining factor in who is elected president and could have a big impact in who serves in Congress, said Kathleen Sebelius, a Democratic former Kansas governor and secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services.

At the annual Conservative Political Action Conference meeting on Thursday, Lala Mooney of Charles Town, West Virginia, said she absolutely agrees with the Alabama ruling.

FILE - New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu takes part in a panel discussion, Nov. 15, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)AP

Embryos are a potential child, said Mooney, whose son is Republican U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney. And the moment theyre fertilized, I think they become human beings.

But Pat Parsley, a 76-year-old from Georgetown, South Carolina, who was waiting to hear from Haley at a campaign event Thursday afternoon, said she wants the former South Carolina governor to win the nomination but condemned the Alabama ruling.

I think that is really scary. Its scary for women. Its scary for families, said Parsley, who also said she believes abortion should be up to women. Im glad Im not a young woman right now. I hate to say that. I mean, what young women are facing: Weve gone backwards.

Associated Press reporters Adriana Gomez Licon, Colleen Long, Michelle L. Price, Amanda Seitz and Ali Swenson contributed to this report.

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.
An amputated human finger found in a Walmart parking lot has authorities stumped. Now, the Sidney, Ohio police department is seeking answers.

The bizarre discovery occurred Feb. 18, when authorities arrived at the Sidney Walmart, located on West Michigan Street, after the appendage was discovered in the parking lot, according to the city Facebook page Thursday.

Once authorities retrieved the finger, they took it to the Montgomery County Coroners Office, which confirmed that it was indeed a human finger that most likely belonged to a white female, Captain J A Tangeman wrote in the post.

No area medical providers were able to provide information linking the mysterious finger to any recent patient.

Authorities said they dont have a reason to believe the amputated finger was the result of any suspicious activity.

However, until an explanation can be established of how the finger came to be at the parking lot this case will remain open for all investigative leads, Tangeman told KDKA.
GAZA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army sent four armored personnel carriers into Nasser Hospital shortly after it withdrew troops from the facility, the Gaza-based Palestinian health ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that the Israeli army forces have converted the complex into a military barracks through days of siege and attacks.

An earlier report by Israel's Channel 13 news claimed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had ended their operation at the hospital.

Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesman for the health ministry, told Xinhua that the hospital housed more than 120 wounded and patients, as well as medical teams.

He noted that during the siege, the hospital, which is the second-largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, was "without electricity, water, food, oxygen, and proper medical care for critical cases."

He urged the World Health Organization to use all means to pressure Israel to end the "militarization of hospitals and provide all humanitarian and medical needs."

Two days ago, Israeli public radio reported that the army forces fighting in the Nasser Hospital area needed a few more days to complete their control over the site.

It added that the hospital had become a refuge for a large number of Hamas fighters who fled from the northern Gaza Strip, noting that dozens of them were killed, while around two hundred surrendered to the Israeli army, many of whom were disguised in medical personnel uniforms.

In addition, It mentioned that large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and drugs were found at the site, which were transferred to the Israeli detainees.

However, the forces did not obtain any information that would contribute to the release of the abducted persons. 
A former Spirit Airlines employee was sentenced to prison for her role in a flight-changing scheme that cost the airline almost $265,000.

Taylor Thompson, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. She was sentenced Thursday to two months of incarceration, followed by eight months of home confinement. She also must pay restitution to Spirit.

In 2017 Thompson, who worked as a customer service representative, began using her booking system passcode to change flights for friends and family. She would first book cheap flights and then reroute the flight, using her passcode to waive any increased cost.

Soon, other Spirit employees also started using Thompsons passcode to make free changes to flights, the Inquirer said.

Thompson was fired from her position in 2018 due to an unrelated incident involving a heated exchange with a supervisor. The customer service agents, however, found another worker, Sabrina Lebron, to let them to use her passcode to change flights.

By the time the scheme was discovered in the summer of 2018, the five employees had changed more than 1,600 flight reservations, costing Spirit a total of nearly $265,000.

In addition to Thompson, Lebron, Karima Worthem, Tiana Fairfax, and Theodore Robinson were also charged. Robinson was sentenced to three years probation and six months in home detention. Fairfax, who made over $40,000, was sentenced to six months incarceration. Sentencing hearings for the other two are scheduled for March.

Thompson faced the possibility of a 60-year prison sentence for making $20,500 in commission payments to 562 flight reservations.

This was not a crime of opportunity, U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone said to Thompson during the sentencing. You initiated the scheme, you recruited others to participate. She added that she hoped the sentence would serve as a deterrent for others.
Editors note: This story was updated to include a missing word, clarify the extent of damage and provide perspective from Alex Gurn.

A historic cemetery in Dauphin County and one of Pennsylvanias oldest Black cemeteries faces a major cleanup.

Two trees collapsed this week, damaging at least one headstone at the Lincoln Cemetery on South 30th Street in Susquehanna Township near Penbrook.

The nonprofit Saving Our Ancestors Legacy has taken swift action to enlist help from the community for the cleanup and restoration.

MORE: Black cemeteries in central Pa. provide reminder of overlooked history

Speaking to WGAL, SOAL founder Rachael Williams spoke on the importance of the burial grounds: Our earliest headstone is 1812, and people were moved from other cemeteries. Its kind of the only place that you would have been buried, and a lot of people have forgotten that their roots are here and that this is the only place where some peoples names were recorded.

The group has been restoring the cemetery since 2021, underscoring its significance as Harrisburgs oldest Black cemetery.

SOAL notes that Lincoln Cemetery was not founded in 1816, 1817, or 1827, as indicated in iron on the cemeterys front gates, but rather, the grounds were consecrated, outside of the city limits, in November 1877.

More than 10,000 Black Americans, including civil rights activists and Civil War veterans, are interred in the cemetery.

The cemetery holds the remains of Ephraim Slaughter of the 37th U.S. Colored Troops and the 3rd N.C. Colored Infantry, who was Harrisburgs last surviving Civil War veteran (at the time of his death in 1943) and became the namesake for and for American Legion Post No. 733 in the city.

Alex Gurn, a member of SOAL who is white, said the historical value of the cemetery transcends racial lines.

As a white male my history is intertwined differently to this and other stories that matter to who we are as a nation, as a people, Gurn said. Reclaiming Black history implicates everyone. You can identify one tree falling in a single place and that reverberates all over. Stories that are retold and happened all over and are continually erased. We are countering systemic erasure of a people through desecration and the not learning of the history, not taking care of it, not telling the stories. People who live right around the cemetery dont even know what it is. Harrisburg does not know this story.

Gurn noted that among those buried in the cemetery, in addition to Civil War soldiers, were agents of the Underground Railroad and prominent abolitionists.

If you do not remember where you come from and the places where you live, you have no way to contextualize where we are today, he said. Saving the past is about having a different vision for the future. Its connecting past realities that continue to reverberate in present-day society.

Williams traces her dedication to its restoration back to her family.

I was looking for my enslaved ancestors because I knew they were buried here. I still havent found them but because we found dug up graves and human bones and very few headstones, we came back, Williams told WGAL.

The non-profit group has restored more than 400 headstones and recovered more than 1,000 sunken headstones.

If you lose their names and these monuments, you cant get them back, Williams told the TV news outlet.

Midmorning on Friday , the cemetery near Walnut Street was empty and the gates closed, but accessible. A sign on the gate warned that the cemetery is undergoing restoration and advised people not to enter alone.

The largest tree rested on the ground amongst several headstones and smashed branches.

For more information on how to help visit SOALs Facebook page.
WILLIAMSPORT  A second individual has admitted participating in a scheme to buy and sell body parts stolen from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary.

Mathew Lampi, 52, of East Bethel, Minnesota, pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. Middle District Court to a charge of interstate transport of stolen goods.

A Lampi associate was Jeremy K. Pauley, formerly of East Pennsboro Township in Cumberland County who now lives in Susquehanna County and who also pleaded guilty in the case.
Editors note: This article has been updated with additional information from Allegheny County police.

A western Pennsylvania county police department has charged a commander in another department with illegally recording other officers.
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 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 23, 2024

And yet another cyber attack has occurred in Pennsylvania, this time compromising a lot of the private information of one countys public citizens. The state DEP has officially given the green light for a fracking company to draw water from the Big Sewickley Creek. Amtrak passengers got stranded after a train took a wrong turn. Also, the next full moon is a mini one.

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.
A Philadelphia man has been arrested for shoving a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Kenneth Giusini, 67, has been charged with obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder as well as entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in the Capitol grounds or buildings, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

If convicted, he could face five years in prison, the Philadelphia Inquirer said.

Authorities said that surveillance footage shows Giusini entering the Capitol via the north door at about 3:10 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021. A line of officers was inside blocking the rioters from getting any further into the building, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys office.

As police began attempting to clear the rioters out of the building, Giusini can be seen on camera at about 3:12 p.m. approaching the doorway and shoving an officer. Another officer then removed Giusini from the area, but he returned and used his shoulder to push against the police before being removed once more.

Investigators said that Giusinis ex-girlfriend identified him to the authorities using photos and video posted on social media, the Inquirer reported.

When confronted by authorities in December, Giusini said hed traveled with his ex to Washington, D.C., to attend then-President Trumps rally but left her on the Capitol steps to join the riot.

Giusini also told FBI agents that he had only laid hands on the officer to prevent himself from falling onto another person who had fallen down behind him.

Investigators, however, claim that footage shows that Giusini had regained his footing prior to shoving the officer.

Over 95 people living in Pennsylvania have been charged in connection with the January 2021 riot. Over 70 of them have been convicted.
LANCASTER  A Pennsylvania man who uses drones to try to locate wounded deer shot by hunters so they can retrieve their carcasses has been convicted of violating state hunting laws.

Joshua Wingenroth, 35, of Downingtown, plans to appeal the verdicts handed down Thursday by Lancaster County District Judge Raymond Sheller. The case apparently marked the first time anyone has been cited and tried in Pennsylvania for using a drone to recover a dead game animal and it hinged on whether Wingenroth was involved in hunting as defined by state law.

The Legislature needs to address this, Sheller said as he delivered his verdict. Everyone is playing catchup to science.

Wingenroth, who openly advertised his business in area publications, was told by state game wardens last year that such an activity was illegal, authorities said. Wingeroth, though, told them his lawyer has a different interpretation of the law.

On Dec. 6, an undercover game commission officer contacted Wingenroth and asked him to meet and help him find a deer he shot in the Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve. Wingenroth met the officer there within the hour and had the officer sign a waiver stating he wanted to recover the deer carcass but, if the deer was found to still be alive, he agreed to hunt the deer another day.

Wingenroth, who did not know the shot deer story was a fabrication and part of a sting operation, soon launched a drone and piloted it around remotely while using a thermal camera setting to show the scenery in black and white. He soon caught view of a live deer, and turned on the cameras infrared setting to show it on a heat map.

He later turned that setting off and activated a spotlight to view the deer normally. However, he and the officer were soon approached by a game warden who confiscated the drone and cited Wingenroth for two counts of using illegal electronic devices during hunting and single counts of disturbing game or wildlife and violating regulations on recreational spotlighting.

Since the legal definition of hunting includes tracking, hunting, and recovery, authorities said Wingenroth technically used the drone to hunt game. He was convicted on all four counts and fined $1,500.

Wingenroths attorney, Michael Siddons, said his client planned to appeal the verdict. Siddons argued at trial that the state laws concerning the use of devices while hunting are archaic, saying they have been patched over time to cover new technologies but do not yet address the use of drones.

Siddons said if Wingenroth used the drone to locate an animal before shooting it that would have been illegal poaching, but Wingenroth instead believed there was a dead deer. He also only used a drone after hunting hours had ended and was never intending to hunt.
Lancaster physician Dr. Sharee Livingston has provided some disturbing information about the state of health in the African American community in Pennsylvania and across the nation.

To put it bluntly, it stinks. Especially for women.
Some dumb kid took a gun to school last week.

I dont know the kid, and I dont know why. Actually, no why would make any sense. I can think of absolutely no reason to take a gun to school. In fact, I can think of no reason for a teenager to possess a gun.
TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Thursday relations between his country and Hungary were on the right track, according to the official news agency IRNA.

He made the remarks at a joint press conference with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto following their meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran earlier in the day, the report said.

Amir-Abdollahian said the two countries signed two strategic documents and a roadmap for agricultural cooperation and also exchanged views on regional and international issues, with a focus on the conflict in Gaza and upholding the rights of the Palestinians.

"We highlighted the necessity to adopt political solutions (to the conflict) and focus on the United Nations resolutions and stopping the genocide (against Palestinians)," he said, adding that the crisis in Ukraine needs to end through diplomacy and negotiation.

War is not the solution neither in Gaza nor in any other place in the world, said the Iranian foreign minister.

The Hungarian minister said his trip to Tehran was aimed at helping prevent an escalation of tension in the region.

Tension in the (West Asia) region can cause many problems for the entire world, he said, adding that Hungary and Iran so far had very good relations. 
BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Major Chinese cities reported falling home prices in January with narrowing declines, official data showed on Friday.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that 56 of 70 large and medium-sized cities saw month-on-month drops in new home prices, down from 62 in December 2023. Additionally, 68 such cities registered price declines for second-hand homes, compared to 70 in the previous month.

In the four first-tier cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, prices of new homes edged down 0.3 percent in January, with the pace of decline narrowing by 0.1 percentage points from the previous month. Meanwhile, that of resold homes saw its drop taper to 1 percent during the same period.

Home prices in 31 second-tier cities and 35 third-tier cities also generally decreased in January compared to the previous month.

On a year-on-year basis, prices of both new and resold homes in Chinese cities continued a downward trend in January.

For new homes, first-tier and second-tier cities saw marginal price decreases, and smaller cities reported a 2.1-percent drop. For resold homes, there were also declines across the board, according to the data. 
In British Columbia, mountain bikers and Indigenous people have long been two distinct groups. Turns out, both groups celebrate the outdoors in personal and very real ways, and a few mountain bikers envisioned how meaningful it could be to help grow a community around building trails.is a documentary that shows how mountain biking and trailbuilding can help shape communities, reconcile distinct groups, and heal intergenerational trauma.The movie premieres tonight, February 23, at the Centennial Theater in North Vancouver. It will also be available to watch online in the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival through March 10 (more information here ) and there will be a screening in Squamish March 1.tells the story of three men - IYMBP founder Patrick Lucas, co-founder and German immigrant Thomas Schoen, and Simpcw First Nation member Tom Eustache - who form an unlikely yet symbiotic friendship as they figure out how to work together in the dirt to develop trails, community opportunities, and community itself.The film touches on my favorite thing about the bike world: the way we can learn skills within biking that then translate to how we approach life on a larger scale. Mountain biking is a perfect microcosm for practicing self-confidence, developing creativity, and teaching ourselves just how capable we are. Once we learn those skills in the controlled familiar environment of our sport, we can approach the rest of our lives as more self-assured, much more capable versions of ourselves. Something as simple as teaching kids to dig in the dirt, especially when that dirt happens to be their home that turns into their playground, it can be transformative for each of the individuals and for the community as a whole.Curious to learn more about the process behind the film, I reached out to the creators with a set of questions.

How did you start to build trails, and how did the IYMBP form?

Patrick Lucas:

Thomas Schoen:

The IYMBP started with a simple question: what do you know about mountain biking? In 2012, I was working as a community planner with First Nations around BC and one day, in the middle of a meeting, an elder asked me what I knew about riding. He asked because I always showed up with bike on my car. I had just moved to the Lower Mainland a few years before, got myself a bike and started riding the North Shore. I would go for rides after meetings. The elder told me how the youth in the community were riding their bikes, it was the one thing that got them outside and off the video games. They wanted to build a bike park. Could I help them? Of course, I said yes. The only problem? I didnt know anything about building bike parks or trails.I reached out to people in the community and met a gentleman by the name of Doug Detwiller, the creator of the Sprockids Program who built a bike park on the Sunshine Coast and taught thousands of kids to ride. He returned with me to the First Nation community and all the kids and parents came out to build. I knew I was on to something special.I formed the Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program as a non-profit with the goal of getting youth on bikes and outdoors reconnecting to the land.Eventually, I met Thomas Schoen, a trail builder from Williams Lake who has built some of the most iconic trails in the province. Not long after meeting Thomas, we both met Tom Eustache, a rider, trail builder and member of the Simpcw First Nation.Together, we spent the next several years travelling around the province and training Indigenous youth to build mountain bike trails in their own community.IYMBP was born out of a shared passion for both outdoor recreation and reconciliation. It started with the realization that trailbuilding could be a powerful tool for fostering connections and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The idea of creating a space where Indigenous youth could engage with mountain biking while also learning about their culture and heritage through trailbuilding was the driving force behind the formation of IYMBP.

How did you decide to create a film about what youre doing?

Patrick:

Thomas:

As our program grew, we started receiving a lot of interest from mountain bike clubs and recreation groups from around BC, across Canada and even from the US and as far away as Australia about our work with Indigenous youth and communities. This interest grew with the release of the Truth and Reconciliation report in 2015 and then later during the Wetsuweton Strong movement in northern BC. Clubs and trail builders were realizing that engaging with and reconciling our relationship with Indigenous Peoples was critical for the future of our sport and the trails we love to build and ride.Additionally, our Indigenous friends and mentors were encouraging us to share our stories and the lessons we learned from them. We had a responsibility to foster a dialogue in our community around the issue of reconciliation and building relationships between the outdoor recreation community and First Nations built on trust and mutual respect.We had the opportunity to work on a number of different film projects including an episode of Season 2 of Return to Earth with Anthill Films for Outside TV, as well as with Stirl & Rae Media Haus on an edit that was released during the global broadcast of Crankworx in 2022 and we realized storytelling and film is a powerful tool for connecting with and inspiring people to take action to foster authentic reconciliation.We wanted to share our story with a wider audience and inspire others to embark on similar initiatives in their communities. A film felt like the perfect medium to capture the essence of our work, showcasing the joy, challenges, and transformative power of trailbuilding and youth engagement.

What changes have you noticed - in yourself or in others - through working with Indigenous youth?

Patrick:

Thomas:

We have spent the better part of the last decade since building the first bike park in 2012 working with dozens of First Nations around the province, training youth and adults to build trails and ride. Well often spend weeks working with youth each year, returning to communities over many years, watching them grow and develop as trail builders and riders. Being a part of a trail crew, working through the heat, bugs, rain, challenging terrain, to build something for your community, your people, and seeing the enjoyment others gain from using the trail built by your own hand, can have a tremendous impact on youth. Its there, digging in the dirt together, the trail emerging from the forest floor behind us as we work, that weve witnessed the transformative power trailbuilding can have on youth. Weve had the pleasure of watching kids transform over the period of a trail project into confident, proud, and highly skilled builders. Weve watched as youth have used the trails to reconnect with the land and their culture and have taken their new confidence and skills out into the world.Working with Indigenous youth has been incredibly rewarding, both personally and professionally. We three, Pat, Tom and Thomas, became close friends. It has opened my eyes to different perspectives, taught me valuable lessons about resilience and cultural heritage, and reinforced the importance of fostering meaningful relationships across cultural divides.

What effects have you seen in yourself and your own life from trailbuilding?

Patrick:

Thomas:

Trailbuilding has had a huge impact on my life. In a world and time that is so dominated with technology, building a trail is one of the most ancient of human practises. Trailbuilding is at heart, a creative act of service  youre creating something upon which others will manifest their own experiences, their own journeys of play, healing and reconnection. Its allowed me to reflect on my connections and the state of my relations with myself, my friends, my family, and community. Its provided a means to feel a sense of shared responsible connection and caring, of home.Trailbuilding has had a profound impact on my own life, shaping my values, priorities, and worldview. It has taught me the importance of community collaboration, environmental stewardship, and the power of outdoor recreation as a tool for personal growth and healing.

How have trailbuilding and riding affected your relationship with the Indigenous / non-Indigenous divide?

Patrick:

Thomas:

Trailbuilding and riding have shown me that the divide between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous peoples is entirely a manufactured idea created by those who need to keep people separated and afraid of one another. There are legitimate issues and challenges to bringing people together: the legacy and ongoing colonial institutions and structures of our country, the ongoing impacts of intergenerational trauma inflicted on Indigenous Peoples through the genocidal practises of governments and churches. By getting down in the dirt and digging together and then sharing rides together, we find these things dont need to stand between us, that our shared history can become the foundation for building a better future based on the principles of reconciliation.Trailbuilding and riding have provided a common ground for bridging the Indigenous / non-Indigenous divide, fostering mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration. By working together on shared goals and projects, we can break down barriers and build a more inclusive and harmonious society.

Who do you hope watches the film?

Patrick:

Thomas:

We hope that anyone with an interest in reconciliation will have the chance to see our film. We created this primarily for the mountain bike, trailbuilding, and outdoor recreation community who have supported us through this journey. We believe the future of our sport and the craft of trailbuilding depends on our capacity as a community to engage with Indigenous Peoples and to align ourselves as allies as they assert their rights and title and their creator give role as the caretakers and stewards of their lands.We hope that a diverse audience, including youth, outdoor enthusiasts, community leaders, policymakers, and Indigenous communities, will watch the film. Our goal is to inspire positive change and spark meaningful conversations about the intersection of outdoor recreation, reconciliation, and youth empowerment.What do you hope happens with Indigenous youth and mountain biking in the future?

What do you hope happens with Indigenous youth and mountain biking in the future?

Patrick:

We hope the sport continues to grow and even greater numbers of Indigenous youth get involved and make the sport their own. We are seeing this around the province, where Indigenous youth and communities are getting bikes, building trails, and Indigenizing mountain biking and making it work for them. That makes me feel hopeful for the future of riding and trailbuilding.

Is there anything else youd like to add?

Thomas:

I would like to emphasize the importance of ongoing support and collaboration from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in advancing reconciliation efforts within the outdoor recreation sector. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable outdoor environment for future generations to enjoy and steward.
After House Republicans star witness was accused of having ties with Russian intelligence, House Judiciary Ranking Member Jerry Nadler wrote an official letter requesting AG Garland and IG Horowitz to investigate former U.S. Attorney Scott Brady as he appears to have been part of a deliberate attempt to launder foreign disinformation through the Department of Justice.

Brady testified on October 23, 2023 that he had vetted and found credible statements made by a confidential human source (CHS), now identified as Alexander Smirnov.

So heres how Smirnov got his alleged Russian-propaganda pushed into the DOJ.

Nadler requested the investigation for what appears to be misleading testimony provided to the House Judiciary Committee. I also ask that you launch an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Bradys investigation of matters related to Ukraine and Hunter Biden.

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During his interview, Mr. Brady stated that he directed the FBI to conduct the June 2020 interview with Mr. Smirnov, who is alleged to have ties to Russian intelligence despite reluctance from FBI agents handling the matter, the Ranking Democrat wrote. If true, then Mr. Brady appears to have been part of a deliberate attempt to launder foreign disinformation through the Department of Justice.

And that last part, the part about laundering foreign disinformation, thats the part that should stick out for people. Because its not new.

After the bombshell revelations that House Republican Chairs James Comer and Jim Jordan were duped by Russian spies into laundering Putin-based lies about President Biden, a picture is coming together about the entire Republican based impeachment project against Biden being used to launder foreign disinformation.

This is especially pertinent as this same body refuses to fund aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russias illegal invasion, at a time when to fail to do so compromises U.S. national security and could well inevitably draw the U.S. into a troops on the ground conflict to defend our allies.

Back in July, Chairman Comer used a whistleblower who turned out to be an agent for Chinese interests.

Then Comers supposed deeply important Form FD-1023 turned out to be a tissue of lies pushed by someone with ties to Russian intelligence.

The impeachment inquiry is itself based on nothing, a literal nothingburger, the only function of which appears to be echoing and amplifying foreign disinformation.

Right wing media hero Tucker Carlson interviewed Putin last week, amplifying his historical distortions and talking points to a receptive right wing audience, as Russia planted a fabricated smear against President Biden, who has been doing all he can to help Ukraine during the two years of Russias illegal invasion.

And then House Republicans push the Russian lies into the mainstream.

Are they duped or are they willing? Im not sure it matters anymore, because they do know better and at any rate, pushing Putins lies is not what they are paid for and is antithetical to their job.

But Representative Ken Buck (R-CO) said on CNNs The Source that Republicans had been warned at the time that we received the document outlining this witnesss testimony.  We were warned that the credibility of this statement was not known And yet, people, my colleagues went out and talk to the public about how this was credible and how it was damning and how it proved President Bidens  at the time Vice President Bidens  complicity in receiving bribes.

And Nadler is saying Bradys behavior appears to be a deliberate attempt to launder foreign disinformation through the Department of Justice.

So they are laundering this foreign disinformation through the U.S. House and at the very least, they do so recklessly and with no concern for their own country because they are so obsessed with giving Donald Trump what he wants in an attack on Trumps likely 2024 opponent.

Republicans have gone through witness testimony from more than 10 people who have repeatedly said there is no evidence of President Biden doing anything wrong, tens of thousands of pages of Bidens bank records, theyve dragged in his family members, theyve utilized stolen items from his kids, including a diary and a stolen laptop, theyve gone through 70,000 pages of documents from the National Archives, and theyve got nothing except

 foreign disinformation.

The FBI says, The goal of these foreign influence operations directed against the United States is to spread disinformation, sow discord, and, ultimately, undermine confidence in our democratic institutions and values.

So, then, any person or any party pushing foreign influence campaign into the public sphere by laundering the misinformation and disinformation via public hearings would be helping hostile foreign actors to undermine U.S. values.

And in case this seems partisan, though siding with ones own country as its being attacked by malign actors hardly seems like a big ask for elected Representatives and presidential candidates, last month Iran began shipping hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia, according to Reuters.

In better times, perhaps we would have a unified response to hostile foreign powers attempting to undermine the United States via information warfare, but many in our media pretend not to see the asymmetrical nature of who is pushing them. The foreign influence is being mostly being pushed by Republican elected officials and echoed by conservative media.

The call is coming from inside the House.

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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
Concerned with the number of fentanyl deaths involving families, two women wanted to do something about it with free training class.

We want these moms, our moms, whether it is in the Moms League or Aiken to know that it is nothing to be ashamed of and if we can help, we are going to try to help," said Sydney Walters, who serves as membership coordinator of Moms League of Aiken.

As a way to educate the community as well and to help keep people safe, the Moms League of Aiken will hold a free overdose and narcan training Saturday at the Aiken County Library. The event is made possible through a partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).

The class which will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. will include information on how to recognize an overdose and the steps to save a life. Most of the class will be spent learning how to use Narcan and overdose prevention.

Walters said Moms League of Aiken is a local nonprofit, so the group tries to find ways to serve different groups in the community. They wanted to offer something that would educate the community about drug prevention and ways to help.

We noticed that in some local mom groups, moms were posting that their kids were overdosing on vape pens in school," Walters said. We knew if one mom was mentioning it, who knew how many other moms this was happening to."

Walters said she was concerned with the increase in fentanyl cases and how a lot of children are dying from overdoses.

Recently, 26-year-old Carolyn Paige Scott was arrested and charged in connection to the death of her 3-year old daughter Riley Scott.

Scott is facing homicide by child abuse and two counts of unlawful neglect of a child and helpless person in connection to her daughter's death.
An Aiken County man is one of two men facing charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office announced Thursday afternoon.

Kevin Dewayne Costley, 31, of North Augusta and Taz Michael Johnson, 27, Lexington are each facing five counts connected to attempted sexual exploitation of minors, according to a media release from the Office of South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.

The arrests were made by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with the Lexington Police Department on unrelated cases, the release said.

The U.S. Marshals Service assisted with the case, as well as a member of the states ICAC task force.

Investigators said Costley solicited a person he thought was a minor for sex and sent sexually explicit images. Investigators said Johnson solicited a person he thought was a minor for sex, encouraged them to produce child sex abuse material and sent sexually explicit images to a person he thought was a minor, according to the release.

Costley was arrested Feb. 16 and was charged with three counts of criminal solicitation of a minor and two counts of attempted dissemination of obscene material to a person under the age of 18.

Johnson was arrested Feb. 21 and charged with two counts of criminal solicitation of a minor, one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of attempted dissemination of obscene material to a person under the age of 18.

The Attorney General's Office will prosecute the cases.

Both men are booked at the Lexington County detention center. Costley has a $68,000 bond and Johnson has no bond.
What would you do if you were going to receive nearly $80 million over seven years? That's the question the Aiken City Council faced Monday evening as it began to discuss what city projects would be funded by Aiken County's fifth Capital Project Sales Tax.

If a majority of Aiken County voters approve the fifth Capital Project Sales Tax Nov. 5, the county expects it to generate around $264 million in revenue from May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2033, Deputy Administrator Lynn Strom told an Aiken County Council committee last week.

A Capital Project Sales Tax is a 1% sales and use tax. Because 1% of $1 is one penny, the Capital Project Sales Tax is also informally referred to as a penny sales tax.

South Carolina law allows counties to charge the tax to fund specific capital improvement projects like roads, bridges, public facilities, water and sewer projects if a majority of a county's voters the imposition of the tax in a general election after being presented with a list of the specific projects to be funded.

But, state law also mandates that counties share the proceeds of the taxes with the cities and towns within its borders based on the percentage of the county's population living within each city or town.

The city of Aiken's share of Aiken County's fifth sales tax is projected to be $79.66 million, City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh told the city council at a worksession held Monday evening.

Since last summer, city staff has worked to compile a list of potential projects to fund with the money, Bedenbaugh said in a memorandum to the council.

The list is nine pages long. It contains 55 potential projects ranging in cost from $12 million (improvements to the Whiskey and Powderhouse roads intersection) to $78,583 (a vehicle and equipment wash rack at the city's public services building).
GAZA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 40 Palestinians were killed and 100 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on the central Gaza Strip, the media office of the Hamas-run government in Gaza said in a press statement on Thursday.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that Israeli aircraft launched several raids on a number of residential houses in the city of Deir el-Balah, which led to their complete destruction.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry noted that the bodies of some victims had been transferred to the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Ambulances and civil defense teams rushed to the sites of the attacks to save people after the Israeli raids left the neighborhood severely damaged, the security sources added.

Medical sources said that the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital is now crowded with thousands of wounded, sick and displaced people. 
Aiken Standard reporter

Matthew Christian is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. He covers the Savannah River Site, city of Aiken and politics.

Matthew previously covered government and politics for the Morning News in Florence. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and the University of Charleston in West Virginia.

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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
GREENVILLE  In the past two years, Lockheed Martin's Greenville plant has more than doubled its workforce. Now the defense company is looking to add at least 100 more people to their team.

Jennifer Edwards, a spokesperson for Lockheed Martin, said the company is currently hiring for positions across various employment types, including salaried, hourly and contractor roles. Fields of expertise include aeronautical engineering, information technology, administrative support, finance and quality assurance.

A vast number of those positions will support Greenville's F-16 Block 70/72 production.

Lockheed Martin has operated in Greenville for 40 years. Last year, the site produced its first F-16 jet for Bahrain. The company has an indefinite order from the Department of Defense to continue building the F-16 for the foreseeable future, primarily for sale to U.S. allies.

Last month, Lockheed announced the successful delivery of two Greenville-manufactured F-16 jets to Slovakia, a central European country that shares its easternmost border with Ukraine.

The company has committed to building and delivering 12 more jets to Slovakia in the next two years.

Lockheed currently has a backlog of 135 jets to be built and delivered to countries around the world. Last year, Bulgaria signed an offer letter for an additional eight jets  once the agreement is final, it will add to the backlog.

In other business news

PDQ, a fast-casual chicken restaurant, announced this week it would close its Greenville location and several others across North and South Carolina.
GREENVILLE  A massive flag representing the "thin blue line" flown by a business off Highway 123 was severely damaged overnight, cut and tattered in several places before two vandals rerose it.

The $11,000 custom-made flag, commissioned by Paul Nichols' business Upstate Granite Solutions, was unveiled last August after the death of Easley police officer Matthew Hare, who died while trying to save a person threatening self harm while laying on railroad tracks.

Nichols said the thin blue line flag  sometimes an alteration of the American flag though not in this case  is meant to commemorate law enforcement's role in protecting and serving the community. The flag, though, has been politically polarizing in recent years, with those who criticize it as being unnecessarily divisive.

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Nichols told The Post and Courier that video footage shows two people came about midnight Feb. 23, broke into the flag's hoisting mechanism, lowered the flag and "mutilated" it. The vandals tried to raise the flag back up to full mast but the mechanism jammed, Nichols said.

The Greenville County Sheriff's Office said in a statement the case is under investigation. No suspects have been identified yet.

It is not the first time the Greenville veteran's business has been vandalized.

Nichols said that in 2021 he commissioned two large twin towers to memorialize the 9/11 attacks. Two people spray-painted the word "Taliban" on the display.

Then a few weeks later, two people spray painted curse words and phrases like "Don't you know that the Taliban won?" on the business's exterior fence, he said.

When Nichols' business isn't flying what he calls the world's largest thin blue line flag, they fly a large United States flag to commemorate the country's military.
GREENVILLE  During what she labeled a "Southern values" visit to her neighbors in South Carolina, Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene chastised Nikki Haley for staying in the presidential race and put former president Donald Trump on a pedestal ahead of the upcoming primary.

"Something is wrong with Nikki Haley," Greene said, eliciting an eruption of laughter from the audience gathered at the Poinsett Club in downtown Greenville. "Bless her heart."

The high-profile Georgia congresswoman criticized the resources she said Haley is receiving from Democrats, placing her in the same basket for pulling votes from non-Republicans in Iowa, New Hampshire and possibly South Carolina, too.

"The Democrats want to stop President Trump in any way possible," Greene said. "So much so that they're donating to Nikki Haley and encouraging their voters to cross over and vote in the Republican Party. That's not a fair strategy."

Haley partially relied on Democrat and Independent voters in New Hampshire, something that polls indicate she might not have in South Carolina ahead of the Feb. 24 primary.

Crossover voting in the Palmetto State has become a controversial topic this year, as state GOP leaders have called for closing the primary process while others, including Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, say it would only add an "unnecessary impediment."

Georgia and South Carolina are open primary states, meaning voters do not need to affiliate with a particular party to cast a ballot in that party's primary. When asked if she supports a closed primary, Greene said any step toward securing elections, including closing primaries, is the right thing to do.
Greenville, SC (29601)

Today

Light rain early. A mix of sun and clouds by afternoon. High 62F. N winds shifting to W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

A clear sky. Scattered frost possible. Low around 30F. NW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph.
Olivia Peterson of Georgetown sees herself in the sky with her brother again, but this time without pain.

Peterson, 23, is the first patient with sickle cell disease to enroll in a new clinical trial at the Medical University of South Carolina. The trail would alter her stem cells to make more red blood cells without the damaged version that causes terrible symptoms. It uses gene-editing CRISPR technology similar to a therapy recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The difference is this approach aims to use a hopefully more accurate targeting. And it comes without the approved drug's $2.2 million price tag.

The RUBY trial would use gene editing on Peterson's cells to encourage new production of fetal hemoglobin, a type of blood cell produced in the womb that tapers off after birth as other cell production takes over. The newly produced fetal hemoglobin would keep those that become misshapen from joining together and clogging small blood vessels.

When that happens, "the tissue beyond there doesnt get enough oxygen," which causes severe pain in many patients and leads to damage to organs and joints, among other things, said Dr. Jennifer Jaroscak, director of the pediatric non-malignant hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program at MUSC, who is leading the local arm of the trial.

"The blood vessels support everything," she said, which means the disease can have wide-ranging impacts on the body.

Even before the trial, Peterson was an advocate for educating people about the disease, which affects 100,000 people in the U.S., nearly all of whom are African American or Hispanic. It is most prevalent among people whose families originated in places where malaria was rampant, where the trait served as a kind of natural protection, particularly for young children.
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
Does it seem to you that a lot of the controversies in education (homework, grading, punishment, curricula) exist because people arent considering things from the students point of view and what they might need? Read more'Luxury beliefs' leaving some kids in the dark
KIEV, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Friday signed a 10-year agreement on security cooperation between the two countries, said the Ukrainian presidential press service.

Under the pact inked in Ukraine's western city of Lviv, Denmark will provide 8.5 billion euros (about 9.2 billion U.S. dollars) in military and civilian assistance for Ukraine between 2023 and 2028, including 1.8 billion euros (1.95 billion dollars) in military support in 2024.

In particular, Denmark will support efforts to build and strengthen Ukraine's air force and air defense, including securing a holistic F-16 capacity, maritime security, demining and drone technologies, and defense industrial base development.

Denmark is the first non-Group of Seven country to sign such a pact with Ukraine. 
CAROLINA FOREST  A swath of suburbia that once served as a bombing range for the U.S. Army could still contain explosives, and federal officials just announced a $12.4 million plan to find and remove any potential hazards.

The former Conway Bombing and Gunnery Range spanned more than 55,000 acres, but the Army Corps of Engineers is focusing on a 455-acre site in Carolina Forest, an unincorporated community between Conway and Myrtle Beach that is home to more than 38,000 people. The land is along Carolina Forest Boulevard and S.C. 31.

The property in question was part of a range during World War II. Pilots practiced bombing, rocket firing and strafing there. The training stopped in 1947, but its remnants could linger below the surface, officials said.

"They're explosive hazards," said project manager Ray Livermore, adding that the Corps will be looking for pieces of rockets, bombs and projectiles. "If somebody contacts the item, there is a potential explosive hazard associated with it."

As the area grew and more rooftops went up, it wasn't unusual for World War II-era bombs to be discovered on construction sites. A crew from Shaw Air Force Base would be called in to destroy the ordnance, and sometimes the explosions would catch neighbors off guard.

Many businesses, homes, restaurants and churches lie within the latest investigation site, including all or part of: Myrtle Beach Seventh-day Adventist Church, The Parks of Carolina Forest subdivision, Artisan Carolina Forest Apartments, the Carolina Forest Library, the Carolina Forest Recreation Center, the Horry County Bike and Run Park and other developments near Lowes Foods, Food Lion and Publix.

In surveys conducted on the site over two decades ago, some of the munitions in question were found just 1-3 feet below the surface, according to federal documents.

More recent surveys and soil samplings taken around 2015-16 did not find these munitions, but Livermore said the agency still plans to search the land because of the potential hazards.
A James Island man who was sentenced less than two years ago to probation and anger management treatment for violently attacking current and former girlfriends has been rearrested on new assault charges.

Casey Lee Combs was arrested by Charleston police officers on allegations he broke into his girlfriend's home in the early hours of Feb. 17, pistol-whipped a man inside and held a gun to the woman's head, according to affidavits.

The 42-year-old was booked into the Charleston County jail the night of Feb. 21 on charges of first-degree assault and battery, assault and battery of a high-and-aggravated nature, first-degree burglary and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, jail records show.

The charges come just over a year after Combs pleaded guilty to a felony domestic violence charge and a pair of misdemeanors in September 2022 in Charleston County's General Sessions Court. Three of his former girlfriends had come forward with allegations that he harassed or assaulted them. Two women said he strangled them.

Prosecutors argued for a substantial prison sentence. Combs faced up to 14 years in state prison, but a circuit judge suspended his prison term in its entirety, placing Combs on probation for five years.

The judge, Bentley Price, has attracted controversy on the bench for handing down lenient sentences to criminal defendants. His term will end in June after losing his reelection bid in a closely watched judicial race.

Magistrate Amanda Haselden denied Combs bond at a Feb. 22 hearing in North Charleston. She noted it was the second time in three years she had done so.
When I was in third grade, my teacher had a vegetable tasting day for us. We each brought in a vegetable from home and shared it with our classmates. I remember coming home, excited, and announcing to my mother that I had fallen in love with rutabaga. After a startled moment or two, she sm Read moreStevens: For the love of rutabaga  and our children
HARTSVILLE  The South Carolina Arts Commission is putting the arts in hARTSville by recognizing the city's downtown as a cultural district.

The Arts Commission describes a cultural district as a walkable area which features cultural facilities, activities and assets.

With this certification, the city of Hartsville has officially committed to harnessing the power of the arts to fortify their creative economic resilience. They have the tools of creative placemaking and creative placekeeping to continue supporting their community through the integration of arts, culture and design. They join our nine other South Carolina Cultural Districts in celebrating local cultural identity while also striving to incorporate community-informed places and spaces that address local needs, said Margot Lane Strasburger, South Carolina Arts Commission public art coordinator.

South Carolina Arts Commission Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Dee Crawford said cultural districts show the best of what South Carolina has to offer.

"Our board congratulates and welcomes Hartsville as the home of a new cultural district. We hope other cities and towns make a point to follow Hartsvilles lead and make arts and creativity critical pieces of their progress, Crawford said.

Hartsville-area artist Adrian Rhodes said she believes the cultural district distinction and Black Creek Arts Council support is changing art in Hartsville.

Rhodes received the South Carolina Artist Fellowship in 2020. She works in painting, printmaking and ceramics and holds regional art exhibitions.

The Black Creek Arts Council provides a space for artists to create their works. It has helped her immensely, Rhodes said. It gives her a space to paint and access equipment such as the ceramics studio.

Black Creek Arts Council is beneficial to beginners as well as professional artists because it has classes and workshops available, she said. So even people who are getting started in art or just have a general interest can take a class and try it out.
BISHOPVILLE  The second trial stemming from the 2018 riot at the Lee County Correctional Institution will begin in early April.

Stephen Tank Green, 44, was the first person indicted in connection with the riot. Green and other inmates appeared in court Feb. 22 at the Lee County Courthouse in connection to the Lee County prison riot, which resulted in seven inmates being killed in the biggest explosion of violence in a United States prison in the last 25 years.

Green was represented Feb. 22 by Columbia-based attorney Arthur Aiken.

Two other inmates during the hearings also will go to trial. The two inmates pleaded guilty, joining a string of others who did the same last year, bringing the total number of pleas up to 12.

South Carolina prosecutors won indictments against 29 men for a total of 79 charges ranging from assault by mob to murder in December 2020.

The guilty pleas come more than two years after state officials approved spending $6 million to settle 81 lawsuits stemming from the riot.

The previous trial, the first in connection with the riot, resulted in Stephen Juan Flame Smith being found guilty on all charges. He will spend a total of 40 years in prison for his actions in connection with the death of fellow inmate Michael McClary.

Danielle Lamar Peay, 36, represented by Greenville-based attorney Jennings Byford, pleaded guilty to one voluntary manslaughter and conspiracy charge in connection with the death of fellow inmate Damonte Rivera.

The presiding judge, R. Ferrell Cothran Jr., handed down a 20-year sentence. Peay will get credit for the 2,139 days he has been incarcerated since the riot. He will serve five years for the conspiracy charge concurrently with the 20 years.

Rivera, 24, was the one who drew first blood, triggering the riot.

Rivera was serving a life sentence when he stabbed Michael Milledge, 44, when Rivera entered his cell to take his possessions.

It didnt take much to figure out that he had stolen and killed (Mr. Milledge), Giese said.
SPARTANBURG  A recent report found that Spartanburg County had one of the highest foreclosure rates in the U.S. in January, but experts say there's more to the numbers.

The county experienced the highest foreclosure rate of major metropolitan statistical areas with populations of more than 200,000, according to the Foreclosure Market Report released by ATTOM Data, a provider of property data.

One in every 1,579 Spartanburg housing units had a foreclosure filing in January. Columbia came in second place at one in every 1,651 housing units.

South Carolina has one of the highest foreclosure rates nationally.

Anjelita Cadena, a clinical assistant professor of real estate at USC, said that although she is new to the Palmetto State and is unfamiliar with the raw numbers, she finds the news alarming.

The fact that the rate, compared to other cities of the same size, is the highest and the other, related numbers are increasing is alarming, Cadena said over email.

The city of Spartanburg declined to comment, and the county master-in-equity judge Shannon Phillips could not be reached.

In January there were 18 properties listed for foreclosure sale and 12 of these properties were final sales, according to Linda Rademacher, a Boiling Springs real estate agent and the president of the Spartanburg Association of Realtors.

Rademacher said these numbers comprise an extremely small percentage of the total recorded residential mortgages in Spartanburg County and pointed out that during the pandemic there was a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions so numbers during that time were not a true representation of the market.
The State Law Enforcement Division's examination of financial irregularities in Hampton County involves separate investigations into potential issues in the county sheriff's office and with the former county administrator.

SLED had previously only disclosed its investigation into the former county administrator. But the agency says it also began looking into "alleged financial irregularities" at the sheriff's office in January 2023, shortly after Sheriff Anthony Russell said he discovered missing equipment in the weeks after he took office.

SLED spokeswoman Renee Wunderlich said the probe of the sheriffs office is being conducted separately from an inquiry into Hampton County's former administrator, whom local authorities suspected of misusing a county-issued credit card.

Russell asked for SLEDs help after comparing the countys equipment inventory against the invoices it had paid, according to a letter he sent requesting a forensic audit. That letter, provided to The Post and Courier on Feb. 20, did not specify where the missing equipment was discovered. The next day, SLED confirmed it was within the sheriffs office itself.

Russell declined to comment on the investigation.

"Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation, unfortunately Sheriff Russell is unable to disclose any further details at this time," sheriff's office spokeswoman Davita Roberts said.

Former Sheriff T.C. Smalls, who held office for 16 years until December 2022, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Three months after Russell asked SLED to look into his department, he requested an investigation into county government, too. In April 2023, the new county administrator reported potentially fraudulent activity on the countys bank accounts, according to an incident report. The report named the previous administrator, Rose Dobson-Elliott, as a suspect.
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, speaks at a meeting on Taiwan affairs in Beijing, capital of China. The meeting was held in Beijing on Thursday and Friday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Wang Huning, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has urged firm efforts to advance the cause of national reunification.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at a meeting on Taiwan affairs held in Beijing on Thursday and Friday.

Wang stressed resolutely implementing the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era and the decisions and plans made by the CPC Central Committee on work related to Taiwan.

Wang said progress was made in cross-strait relations last year, which also saw the consolidation and expansion of the commitment to the one-China principle within the international community. He called for strengthening the strategic initiative for China's complete reunification.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and is a crucial year for achieving the goals and tasks set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Wang said, calling for efforts to carry out Taiwan-related work with a strong sense of responsibility and mission.

Stressing the importance of upholding of the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, he called for advancing the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations with efforts to expand cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in various areas, deepen the integrated development on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and jointly promote Chinese culture to forge closer bonds between compatriots across the Strait.

Wang also asked for strong hands against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and the interference by external forces to safeguard peace and stability in the Strait, while stressing upholding and strengthening the Party's overall leadership over work related to Taiwan.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. 
BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's top securities regulator on Friday said that it will intensify law enforcement efforts and enrich the means and methods to tackle unlawful market practices.

Li Ming, chief of the Enforcement Bureau of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), said at a press conference that the CSRC will adhere to the rule of law, continue to improve law enforcement efficiency within the scope of legal authorization, increase law enforcement efforts, and enrich the means and methods in disciplinary action and punishment.

Li said the CSRC will take comprehensive regulatory measures such as administrative penalties, market entry bans, breach-of-trust punishments, and forced delisting for serious violations. It will also turn to litigation and criminal law in its efforts to deal a severe blow to market violators. 
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TEHRAN, IRAN / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / In a historic development for Iran's technology sector, a major player in the country's FMCG and retail industry has acquired a 70% stake in Tapsi, a prominent ride-hailing service, for approximately 2.1 trillion Iranian Rials ($38 million).The transaction, involving the transfer of 68.95% of Tapsi shares, was facilitated through Iran's stock market on February 4th and 5th. This transaction followed announcements by the Securities and Exchange Organization of Iran regarding the public offering of four major blocks of Tapsi shares. This acquisition marks a significant strategic move by the buyer into the digital economy and highlights the growing interest in Iran's startup scene by established players.Founded in 2017, Tapsi is one of Iran's two leading ride-hailing services and one of the biggest tech companies in the country, boasting over 25 million users.Tapsi's Vision for the FutureMilad Monshipour, founder of Tapsi, shared his perspective on the acquisition: "This is a historic day, not just for Tapsi but for the entire Iranian startup ecosystem. This acquisition signifies a major step towards rapid growth and is a testament to our investors' successful exit strategy through the stock market, a pioneering move in Iran's tech sector." Tapsi, often compared to the regional ride-hailing giants in the MENA region, has transformed transportation within Iran. With its network of 1.5 million drivers, it offers services to 25 million users and facilitates hundreds of thousands of rides daily. Founded by a team of visionaries returning from the US and Canada, including CEO Milad Monshipour, Tapsi has emerged as a leading force in innovation and resilience within Iran's challenging startup landscape, particularly in recent years."Tapsi stands at the forefront of the digital economy in Iran," emphasises Monshipour, highlighting the company's robust technical infrastructure, advanced AI capabilities, and skilled workforce, all of which pave the way for significant expansion. He underscores the untapped potential across various sectors, hinting at further opportunities for innovation and development.A New Chapter for TapsiReflecting on the decision to sell, Monshipour noted, "After careful consideration, we decided to unify our shareholder structure to ensure Tapsi's robust development in the near future. This move marks the beginning of a new chapter for Tapsi, aiming for comprehensive growth." This acquisition represents a remarkable achievement in Iran's tech scene, marking the first complete exit of shareholders, including founders. It also highlights Tapsi's unique position as the youngest startup among Iran's top five most prominent tech companies and the success of its IPO 17 months ago in a market traditionally dominated by established industries.This landmark transaction showcases nearly 90% growth in Tapsi's valuation since its initial market entry, demonstrating the company's remarkable trajectory and the potential of Iran's tech ecosystem.About Tapsi:Founded in 2016, Tapsi ( tapsi.ir) is at the forefront of transforming urban mobility in Iran through innovative ride-hailing services. Committed to leveraging technology for better and more efficient transportation solutions, Tapsi has rapidly grown to serve millions of Iranians, establishing itself as a key player in the country's digital ecosystem.For more information, please contact:Mr. A. Shabanian (Public Relations Officer)Phone: +98 936 4948035Email: Amirhosein.Shabanian@Tapsi.cab For a more comprehensive version of this Press Release, please visit: https://blog.tapsi.ir/tapsi-acquisition-via-stock-market SOURCE: Tapsi
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / Aclara Resources Inc. ("Aclara" or the "Company") (TSX:ARA) is pleased to announce that the Company hosted a delegation of representatives from the State of Goias, Brazil, in Concepcion, Chile, on February 15th. The purpose of the visit was to demonstrate the environmentally sustainable features of its patented technology, which has been implemented at the Company's pilot plant in Chile, and which will be used at the Carina Module project, located in Goias, Brazil. This visit followed Aclara's meeting with the authorities in Goias in on October 25th, 2023, when the Company's management presented the Carina Module project for the first time to the Governor and several other senior officials of the state of Goias.Aclara CEO, Ramon Barua, commented:"We extend our gratitude to the Brazilian authorities for this fruitful visit to our pilot plant in Chile. They had the opportunity to observe firsthand our environmentally responsible operations, witnessing the processing of the ionic clays sourced from our Carina Module project in Brazil. Our visitors share our commitment to sustainable mineral extraction and have conveyed their support for expediting the development of the Carina Module. Also, the Brazilian authorities visited our Aclara House in Penco, and witnessed firsthand how our Company interacts with the local community. Aclara remains fully committed to closely collaborating with the government of Goias to ensure the success of this project." Visit Highlights:Key government representatives from the State of Goias that took part in the visit included: The Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ms. Andrea Vulcanis, who will oversee the permitting process for the Carina Module; The Secretary of Industry, Trade and Services, Mr. Joel Santana, responsible for attracting investment in Goias; The State Deputy and President of the Chamber of Mines and Energy, Mr. Lineu Olimpio; President of the Goias State Extractive Industries Union, Mr. Luiz Vessani The Brazilian delegation took a guided tour of Aclara's pilot plant in Penco, Chile, where they learned how the Circular Mineral Harvesting process works. They saw firsthand that the clean process uses only recycled water, recirculating 95% of the water used back into the system and the low carbon footprint of the extraction method, as the ionic clays are processed without the need for grinding or milling. Our guests were also able to note that a tailings dam is not needed, and that 99% of the reagent used to separate the clays from the rare earths also is recycled back into the process. The delegation also visited one of Aclara's social engagement projects in Penco and held a meeting with local authorities, including the Governor of the Biobio region. Meetings with Company representatives included discussions regarding the global rare earths market, the Carina Module project, and opportunities for collaboration between Aclara and the government of Goias.Ramon Barua (Aclara CEO), Ricardo Sepulveda (Aclara Process Manager), Bonzi Yokomizo (Aclara General Manager - Brazil), Luiz Vessani (President of the Goias State Extractive Industries Union), Andrea Vulcanis (Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development), Lineu Olimpio (Representative of the Legislature of the State of Goias), Joel Santana (Secretary of Industry, Trade and Services) and Jose Augusto Palma (Aclara Director)We are pleased to share a brief 2-minute video capturing the delegation's own takeaways from this significant visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ19kvISaJE Carina Module PilotingPiloting of the Carina Module ionic clays started the last week of December 2023 and will be completed at the end of February 2024. The Company expects to produce between 10-15 kilograms of heavy rare earth mixed carbonates, which will be key to continue commercial discussions with potential separators, other stakeholders from the rare earths value chain and original equipment manufacturers.Aclara Team, Brazilian Senior Authorities and Penco Neighbours at Aclara's Penco House, a place that welcomes Penco residents to learn about Aclara's Penco Module About AclaraAclara Resources Inc. (TSX:ARA) is a development-stage company that focuses on heavy rare earth mineral resources hosted in Ion-Adsorption Clay deposits. The Company currently has two projects under development: the Penco Module in the Bio-Bio Region of Chile, and the Carina Project in the State of Goias, Brazil.Aclara's rare earth extraction process offers several environmentally attractive features. It does not involve blasting, crushing, or milling, and therefore does not generate tailings, thus eliminating the need for a tailings storage facility. The extraction process developed by Aclara minimizes water consumption through high levels of water recirculation made possible by the inclusion of a water treatment facility within its patented process design. The ionic clay feedstock is amenable to leaching with a common fertilizer, ammonium sulfate. Further, harmful levels of radionuclides, typical of hard rock rare earth deposits, are not concentrated within the Aclara flowsheet.Simultaneously, alongside the development of the Carina and Penco projects, the Company intends to identify and evaluate further opportunities to increase future production of heavy rare earths. This will involve greenfield exploration programs and the development of additional projects within the Company's concessions in Brazil, Chile, and Peru.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including statements with regard to: the expectations of the Company's management as to the collaboration with authorities from the government of Goias, its effect for the success of the Carina Module project, and an expected reduction in permitting risk. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to risks related to operating in a foreign jurisdiction, including political and economic problems in Chile and Brazil; risks related to changes to mining laws and regulations and the termination or non-renewal of mining rights by governmental authorities; risks related to failure to comply with the law or obtain necessary permits and licenses or renew them; compliance with environmental regulations can be costly; actual production, capital and opera
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CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / CannaPharmaRx, Inc. (OTC PINK:CPMD), a future leader in ultramodern, highly efficient cannabis production facilities announced today that the company has successfully obtained our IMC-GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) and GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) certifications.These leading accreditations are the standard for cannabis certification with the goal of the standard to ensure the best quality and consistency in the production of the product. These certifications set out by various directives of IMCA (Israeli Medical Cannabis Agency) are required for CannaPharmaRx to sell in Israel. Israel is world leader in the medical cannabis industry.The prominent certifications, recognized internationally, signify the company's dedication to plant, grow, harvest, cultivate, and sell high-quality cannabis products while adhering to strong safety and environmental standards. They provide assurance that the CannaPharmaRx product maintains the highest industry standards."The certifications verify that our processes adhere to strict protocols resulting in the integrity and safety of our final products. Certifications like these are a strong component of our international expansion strategy allowing us to introduce premium products to a broader global audience. Coupled with our prior relationships in Israel, we expect to begin delivering products there in the near term," said Dean Medwid, CEO of CannaPharmaRx.About CannapharmaRx, Inc.CannapharmaRx is focused on the acquisition and development of state-of-the-art cannabis grow facilities in Canada. CPMD is in discussion with other companies regarding potential acquisitions. CannapharmaRx's business strategy is to become a leader in high quality and low-cost production of cannabis through the development, acquisition, and enhancement of existing facilities. CannapharmaRx is committed to operating high-quality facilities utilizing the latest technology in combined heat and power generation to ensure being a low-cost producer of cannabis.Safe Harbor StatementCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information or StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking information or statements. All statements that are or information which is not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations, or beliefs of future performance, are 'forward-looking information or statements.' Forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans,' 'expects,' or 'does not expect,' 'is expected,' 'estimates,' '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. With respect to forward-looking information and statements contained herein, Management of CannapharmaRx has made numerous assumptions, including, among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, events, or developments to be materially different from any future results, events, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information or statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking information or statements. CannapharmaRx assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information, or for any other reason except as required by law.Contact Information: Brokers and AnalystsChesapeake Group(410) 825-3930SOURCE: Cannapharmarx, Inc.
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DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / D. ai.sy Global, a groundbreaking decentralized crowdfunding community and platform, has set remarkable milestones in the web 3.0 space with the successful completion of its inaugural project. This achievement solidifies D. ai.sy's position as a disruptor in the ever-evolving blockchain technology industry, offering real-world solutions.The journey of D. ai.sy Global has been a remarkable one, marked by extraordinary accomplishments. Over 220,000 wallets actively participated in the Crowdfunding Smart Contract, underscoring the widespread trust and enthusiasm surrounding the company's vision and technological prowess. This extensive engagement is further highlighted by the record of over 2 million transactions on the Smart Contract, a testament to the vibrant and active D. ai.sy community.D. ai.sy Global's financial achievements speak volumes about its success and effectiveness in today's decentralized landscape. The project has achieved the distinction of completing the largest equity crowdfunding campaign globally, all with its very first project, supporting the fintech company Endotech in developing a new AI trading system. D. ai.sy's achievement not only showcases the high level of investor confidence but also cements the company's leading position in the market.The power of D. ai.sy's first project is further evidenced by the substantial profits it has generated, emphasizing the efficiency and effectiveness of its AI trading algorithms and team. From the outset, the mission was clear: to create a decentralized crowdfunding platform where every contributor shares in the success with profits, equity, and income. This audacious goal has now become a reality.D. ai.sy has successfully realized its initial vision by engaging in live trading with AI development. This achievement signifies not only the company's robust financial health but also its commitment to ongoing innovation and growth in the AI trading sector. The substantial investment in live trading reflects a confident stride towards future advancements and sustained growth in AI trading.The success of D. ai.sy Global's first project is a testament to a community of visionary leaders who embrace innovation, demonstrate strong leadership, and possess a deep understanding of emerging markets. With this record-breaking project now completed, one can only imagine the trajectory of this community's future endeavors. The sky is the limit for D. ai.sy Global as it continues to redefine the future of decentralized crowdfunding and blockchain technology.Media Contact:Name: Daisy GlobalWebsite: https://daisycrowd.com/ Email address: dinfo@ daisydao.io / events@ daisydao.io SOURCE: D. ai.sy Global
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HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / February 22, 2024 / Dril-Quip, Inc. (NYSE:DRQ), (the "Company" or "Dril-Quip"), a global leader in offshore drilling solutions, has been chosen to supply the subsea wellhead systems for the Woodside Trion development offshore Mexico.The Trion project, a greenfield deepwater development, includes 24 wells across two phases. Woodside's decision to use Dril-Quip's BigBore IIe Subsea Wellheads will leverage the system's field-proven sealing technology and 2 MM lb. lockdown capacity. The BBIIe system eliminates lockdown sleeves during drilling and production, which can save rig time and reduce costs. Dril-Quip's Villahermosa, Mexico, facility will play a crucial role in supporting the Trion project."We are pleased to play a pivotal role in this significant project with Woodside. This partnership underscores the success of our innovative solutions, supporting the milestone of Mexico's first deepwater oil production with the Trion project," stated Don Underwood, Vice President - Subsea Products at Dril-Quip.About Dril-QuipDril-Quip is a developer, manufacturer, and provider of highly engineered equipment, service, and innovative technologies for use in the energy industry.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the provision of equipment and services, and the performance and benefits of the Company's products. Forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and other factors. These statements are subject to risks beyond the Company's control, including, but not limited to, decisions by the customer on the amount of products to order, operating risks and other factors detailed in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.Investor Relations ContactErin Fazio, Director of Corporate FinanceErin_Fazio@ dril-quip.com Media Relations ContactSummer Brown, Director of MarketingSummer_Brown@ dril-quip.com SOURCE: Dril-Quip, Inc.
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Funding will go to enrichment, mentoring and family skills programs in African American communitiesGREENVILLE, SC / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / In recognition of Black History Month, the Duke Energy Foundation has provided $75,000 in grants to organizations in South Carolina that serve African American communities with programs, services and cultural experiences."For nearly 50 years, we have taken time in February to celebrate the immeasurable contributions Black people have made to our nation, our state and our neighborhoods," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina state president. "This rich history continues to inspire organizations that support African American communities and build upon the legacy of those that came before. Through this funding, we are proud to help shine a light on that important work." Grants were awarded to the following organizations:Florence Boys & Girls Club - $5,000G-Lab: Gentlemen Learning & Building Legacies (Florence) - $5,000City of Sumter academic and senior fitness programs - $10,000City of Hartsville Pride Park - $5,000A Father's Way (Lancaster) - $5,000Boys & Girls Club of the Lakelands Region (Greenwood) - $10,000Upstate Fatherhood Coalition (Spartanburg) - $10,000Westside Center (Anderson) - $5,000The Urban League of the Upstate (Greenville) - $20,000The Urban League of The Upstate, an affiliate of the National Urban League, has played a vital role in serving the Upstate community for over 50 years. Funding from Duke Energy has helped the Urban League develop a tour focused on historic African American neighborhoods and landmarks that were integral to the civil rights movement. The tour will include a visit to the historic McClaren Medical Building in downtown Greenville, which will house a cultural visitor center. This center will serve as a hub for learning, exploring, and celebrating African American history and achievements."Thanks to Duke Energy and the collaboration with Black History in Greenville, Black History Month will be a time to spotlight and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments that African Americans have made in the Upstate community," said Dr. Gail Wilson Awan, president and CEO of Urban League of The Upstate. "As the Urban League continues its mission of advancing social and economic equality, the support of partners like Duke Energy is invaluable. Together, they are working towards creating a future where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and thrive." Duke Energy FoundationThe Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com . The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.Contact: Ryan Mosier 24-Hour: 800.559.3853View original content here.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Duke EnergyWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Duke Energy
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-23 17:46:02

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / EuroPacific Metals Inc (TSXV:EUP) ("the Company" or "Europacific") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Brian Crawford as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary to the Company effective immediately. Mr. Crawford replaces Mr. Mihai Draguleasa. The Company thanks Mr. Draguleasa for his time and contributions during his tenure.Mr. Crawford is a chartered professional accountant (CPA), Brian holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and has extensive experience as a senior financial executive. He was formerly a partner with a national firm of Chartered Professional Accountants, presently he serves as a Director, Corporate Secretary and or Chief Financial Officer of several Toronto Venture Exchange (" TSX.V") and Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") listed issuers.Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer stated, "We are pleased to welcome Brian to the executive team. Brian's extensive experience in financial management and strategic planning will be of great benefit to EuroPacific at such pivotal time in steering Euro Pacifics growth strategy in Portugal and further expansion into Iberian Peninsula. I would like to thank Mihai for his service to the Company and wish him well in his future endeavors.About Europacific Metals Inc.Europacific Metals Inc. is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in Europe.On behalf of the Board of Directors "Karim Rayani" President, CEO & DirectorFor further information please contact:Europacific Metals Inc. Mr. Karim RayaniPresident, Chief Executive Officer & Director+1 604 716 1036 k@ r7.capitalwww.europacificmetals.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the exploration potential of the Company's properties. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.SOURCE: Europacific Metals Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-22 23:45:41

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 22, 2024 / Everybody Loves Languages Corp.. ("ELL") (TSXV:ELL)(OTC PINK:LMDCF)(FSE:LIMA), www.everybodyloveslanguages.com , an edtech language learning edutainment and content development companyis pleased to announce the results of its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") held in Toronto on February 20, 2024.At the Annual Meeting, the shareholders have re-elected Messrs. Gali Bar-Ziv, Khurram Qureshi, Robert Martellacci, Laurent Mareschal and Tommy Weibing Gong as directors of the Company.In addition, shareholders also approved amendment to the Equity Incentive Plan and re-appointment of RSM Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as auditors.The directors held a board meeting subsequent to the Annual Meeting and re-appointed Gali Bar-Ziv as President & CEO and Khurram Qureshi as Chief Financial Officer.More specific details of the matters approved at the Annual Meeting are set forth in Everybody Loves Languages's Information Circular dated January 16, 2024 and posted on SEDAR PLUS at www.sedarplus.ca About Everybody Loves Languages Corp. (TSXV:ELL)(OTC PINK:LMDCF)(FSE:LIMA):Everybody Loves Languages Corp. is an edtech language-learning and content development company empowering language educators to easily transition from traditional teaching methods to digital learning by integrating education, edutainment, and technology.The Company provides online and print-based solutions through two distinct business units: Everybody Loves Languages Inc. and Lingo Learning Inc. Everybody Loves Languages is a state-of-the-art technology platform that delivers personalized learning experiences in classrooms and online. Its programs provide innovative SaaS-based eLearning solutions, including online and offline content, a learning management system, assessments, real-time reports, speech recognition technology, and white-label tools. At the same time, Lingo Learning is the content development arm and co-publishes print-based English language learning materials in China.Everybody Loves Languages has established successful relationships with key government and industry organizations internationally, with a presence in LATAM and China, and continues to expand its product offerings and extend its market reach.Follow Everybody Loves Languages on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everybodyloveslanguages Twitter: twitter@elltechnologies YouTube: Everybody Loves Languages (ELL) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elltechnologies For further information, contact:Everybody Loves LanaguagesCorporate Communications Khurram QureshiTel: (647) 831-1462Email: kqureshi@ elltechnologies.com Media Relations Dwain SchenckTel: (203)-223-5230Email: dwain@ schenckstrategies.com Portions of this press release may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of securities laws. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties or other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results, performance, or expectations implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially from management's expectations and projections and thus readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Everybody Loves Languages has tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as "may," "should," "expect," "hope," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "plan," "estimate" and similar expressions. Everybody Loves Languages' expectations depend upon general economic conditions, the continued and growth in demand for its products, retention of its key management and operating personnel, its need for and availability of additional capital and other uncontrollable or unknown factors. No assurance can be given that the actual results will follow the forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by securities laws, Everybody Loves Languages undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason. Certain factors that can affect the Company's ability to achieve projected results are described in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.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 RELEASESOURCE: Everybody Loves Languages Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-23 05:56:17

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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 22, 2024 / Grozeo, a trailblazing retail technology company, celebrated its highly anticipated launch in the UK with an event that was nothing short of historic. Held in the esteemed chambers of the House of Lords, the launch was a testament to Grozeo's mission to democratise retail technology, making cutting-edge solutions accessible to all businesses, irrespective of their size.The event, co-hosted by Elvijs Plugis, Chief Marketing Officer of Grozeo, Rebeca Riofrio, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion, and Sports, and Olga Balakleets, founder and CEO of Creative Women Platform, was graced by the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina, along with a distinguished assembly of Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Chancellors, Members of Parliament, esteemed Lords and Baronesses, and celebrities. This gathering of notable figures underscored the universal appeal and critical importance of Grozeo's mission.In an era where 36 stores close daily in the UK, Grozeo aims to reverse this trend by empowering small to medium-sized retailers with affordable, state-of-the-art technology solutions. Elvijs Plugis remarked, "Our goal is to level the playing field for small businesses, ensuring they can thrive in a competitive digital landscape." The launch was not just a celebration of Grozeo's entry into the UK market but also a powerful expression of its ethos: innovation, inclusivity, and community. Traditional gestures, such as the opening speech by Baroness Angela Bray and the ribbon-cutting by HRH Princess Katarina, symbolised the beginning of a new era in retail.The support from over 200 guests, including high-ranking officials and entrepreneurs, signifies a broad endorsement of Grozeo's mission. This diverse backing enriches Grozeo's network and amplifies its message, making advanced retail technology accessible to all. "It's a powerful affirmation that Grozeo's vision resonates across different spheres," said Plugis.Looking ahead, Grozeo's aspirations stretch far beyond the UK. The company aims to save minor to medium retailers worldwide by providing them with the tools needed to excel in the digital era. "We aspire to become a catalyst for change, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable retail ecosystem," stated Plugis.The launch also served as a platform to thank Grozeo's global team, investors, founders, co-founders, and partners, including the LALDN PR agency, led by Lara, and Techtadd, for their unwavering support and commitment.As Grozeo embarks on its journey in the UK, its vision for a democratised retail technology landscape is more than just a promise-it's a movement. The company invites everyone to join in empowering SMEs, creating a more inclusive, vibrant retail landscape that benefits everyone.Grozeo is at the forefront of innovation within the retail technology sector, dedicated to championing the cause of businesses across the UK. With a mission centred around the democratisation of technology, Grozeo ensures that cutting-edge tools and solutions are accessible to all, levelling the competitive field and empowering small businesses to flourish in a digital-first economy.About GrozeoHeadquartered in the United Kingdom, Grozeo is pioneering innovation and inclusivity within the retail technology sector. The firm is dedicated to championing the cause of businesses across the UK, providing a beacon of hope for both small and large enterprises in a market often dominated by e-commerce giants. Grozeo's mission is centred around the democratisation of technology, ensuring that cutting-edge tools and solutions are accessible to all, regardless of their financial standing. This commitment helps level the competitive field, empowering small businesses to not only survive but flourish in a digital-first economy.For more information about Grozeo and how to be part of this transformative movement, please contact:GrozeoEmail: info@ grozeo.com Organisation: TechtaddWebsite: www.grozeo.com SOURCE: Grozeo
KIEV, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine plans to export its goods via new routes along the Danube River due to blockade of cargo transportation on the border with Poland, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported Thursday, citing Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

The first container loaded with Ukrainian goods will be transported along an alternative Danube route to the Romanian port of Constanta in the coming days, Kubrakov said.

Besides, Ukraine plans to start the delivery of goods bypassing Poland via the Danube to the ports of Germany and Austria, he added.

Polish farmers have been protesting on the border against low-cost grain imports from Ukraine to the European Union since February. The protest has disrupted the passage of cargo trucks across the border. 
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-23 19:30:57

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / In response to the ever-evolving landscape of global finance, InternationalReserve today unveiled critical insights aimed at equipping investors with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the complexities of today's financial markets. These insights, provided by financial analyst Daniel Simon, position investors for growth and stability in an unpredictable environment.Embracing Growth in Emerging Markets"Exploring emerging markets can offer attractive growth prospects, but requires careful research and a cautious approach," says Simon, emphasizing the opportunities and risks in these regions. His guidance focuses on the importance of evaluating economic stability, political developments, and regulatory environments to effectively manage risks and capitalize on potential.Mastering Market VolatilityAddressing the challenge of market volatility, Daniel Simon underlines the need for patience and discipline. "A long-term perspective and a commitment to a well-defined investment strategy are essential during turbulent market periods," he remarks. This approach helps investors stay focused on their goals despite short-term market movements.The Importance of Strategic Asset AllocationOn strategic asset allocation, Simon offers advice on optimizing portfolio performance. "Aligning investments across diverse asset classes according to individual risk tolerance and objectives is vital for long-term success," he explains, highlighting the role of diversification in reducing volatility and improving returns.Leveraging Technological AdvancementsDaniel Simon acknowledges the transformative impact of technology on investing. "The use of advanced analytics and real-time data has significantly enhanced the ability to make informed decisions and streamline trading," he notes, pointing out the advantages of modern trading platforms and tools for investors.With the insights provided, InternationalReserve aims to guide investors through the dynamic financial market of today. The firm's commitment to delivering actionable strategies and expert analysis underscores its dedication to investor success in the modern trading environment.About InternationalReserveInternationalReserve is a prominent online trading brand, known for its innovative financial services and dedication to investor education. The firm focuses on empowering investors with the tools and insights needed to navigate global markets confidently.PR Contact:Daniel Simonsupport@ internationalreserve.nethttps://internationalreserve.net/ SOURCE: InternationalReserve
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-23 16:00:38

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DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / In the modern globalized era, it has become more important than ever to comprehend the issues and challenges, including financial ones, affecting our communities, both locally and globally. Despite the abundance of information accessible via the internet, social media, and round-the-clock news cycles, it's easy to feel disengaged and overwhelmed by the world around us. As such, one of the most effective ways to understand issues impacting one's community, while developing the capacity to manage and make a positive impact, is by volunteering.The importance of empowering local communities to drive change has never been more imperative.Raj Kalyandurg , a prominent Dallas-based private wealth advisor with Merrill Lynch, is a firm believer in the transformative power of community-driven solutions. Through his advocacy, he highlights the significance of supporting and amplifying the voices of local communities to impact global issues. In this article, Raj Kalyandurg discusses his passion for the power of community-driven change and the key reasons behind its vital role in addressing challenges.Volunteering exposes you to diverse cultures and perspectives, according toRaj Kalyandurg . "Through volunteering, I have seen firsthand the power of individuals coming together to make a positive impact," saysRaj Kalyandurg . "It's inspiring to see how much we can achieve when we work together." While volunteering at the Salvation Army,Raj Kalyandurgobserved how homelessness impacts all aspects of a family. "It was eye-opening to see how homelessness affects every member of a family, from children missing school to the difficulties families encounter in accessing necessities like food, clothing, shelter, and other financial needs, as well as emotional needs. While I was always aware of the struggles faced by others, these experiences gave me greater insights on the diversity of tools and programs that are needed to support unhoused families" he says.While volunteering is often a local effort, it also helps create interest and connection to larger, global issues. "Financial literacy is a fundamental right and necessity for everyone, and while there is an immense need to enhance it here at home, we cannot overlook how the lack of financial literacy impacts families and communities in all corners of the world," saysRaj Kalyandurg .According to arecent reportby the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center, financial literacy is a significant issue worldwide. The report states that only 33% of adults worldwide are financially literate, with significant variations across countries and regions. "By partnering with organizations like Pratham, we can help make a real difference in people's lives by educating India's youth with innovative and outcome-driven programs," Raj Kalyandurg adds. Pratham is a nonprofit that strives to enhance education for underprivileged children in India, where only 24% of adults are financially literate.Lastly, volunteering can inspire others to become involved. "Giving back is not only a responsibility, but it's also an opportunity," saysRaj Kalyandurg . "It's a chance to make a meaningful difference in someone's life and to learn and grow as a person." His commitment to giving back has had a ripple effect that has spread throughout his community. "By sharing our volunteer experiences and encouraging others to participate, we can raise awareness and build a community of people committed to making a positive impact,"Raj Kalyandurgsays.Additionally, community-driven change fosters a sense of collective responsibility and solidarity. It creates a shared vision for progress, unifying community members and encouraging them to work together towards a common goal.Involving local communities in the decision-making process instills a sense of ownership and commitment to the proposed solutions.Raj Kalyandurgstates, "When individuals are active participants in shaping their future, they are more invested in its success." Community challenges often require sustained efforts and collaboration to effect meaningful change. When communities take the lead in designing and implementing solutions, they become the champions of their cause. This ownership translates into a higher level of dedication and perseverance, as they are directly responsible for the outcomes of their efforts. It also creates a sense of "buy-in" when the solutions derive specifically from the ground up.Raj Kalyandurgadvocates for community-driven change not only because of its local impact but also its potential for broader scalability and replicability. He asserts, "Successful community-driven initiatives can serve as models that inspire similar efforts in other communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change." Raj Kalyandurg 's commitment to community-driven change underscores the pivotal role local communities play in shaping global outcomes. By enabling communities to formulate and execute their solutions, individuals can harness their contextual insights, bolster their sense of ownership and dedication, and unleash the potential for scalable and replicable innovations. The impact of community-driven initiatives not only addresses immediate challenges but also nurtures a profound sense of empowerment and agency among individuals grappling with these challenges daily.MEDIA CONTACT:Andrew Mitchell media@ cambridgeglobal.com SOURCE: Raj Kalyandurg
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-23 00:16:36

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BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 22, 2024 /Silver Injury Law Car Accident Lawyers , a personal injury law firm based in southern Florida, is pleased to announce the addition of a new attorney to its staff. Emily Slosberg-King Esq. is joining the team with both a legal and political background, and is excited about her new position with Silver Injury Law Car Accident Lawyers.Slosberg-King is a Florida native and lifelong resident of Palm Beach County. As a teenager, she endured a tragic car accident that resulted in the loss of her twin sister, Dori, as well as four other individuals. Another victim, also a teenager, was left a quadriplegic as a result of the crash.This experience propelled Slosberg-King into a lifetime spent pursuing justice for crash victims. She holds degrees from Florida Atlantic University (BA) and Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law (JD).Slosberg-King, a member of the Florida Democratic Party, served as a representative for the Boca Raton area in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2022. She successfully ran for office in 2016. She was re-elected in 2018 and 2020, representing House District 91, encompassing parts of Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach. In 2018, she introduced and passed legislation that makes texting and driving in Florida a primary offense.Throughout her tenure, Slosberg-King has focused on enhancing traffic safety, successfully advocating for improving school bus safety, as well as enacting legislation centered on crime victims. Slosberg-King also founded the Dori Slosberg Foundation, a non-profit committed to promoting roadway safety. She served as the CEO for the foundation, a cause inspired by her personal tragedy and loss of her sister.Slosberg-King limits her practice to personal injury, offering representation for those injured due to negligence. Her practice also encompasses wrongful death cases, where she supports families seeking justice for lost loved ones. Additionally, she handles legal matters related to bicycle and motorcycle accidents, as well as car and truck accidents, providing legal assistance to victims of these incidents.The team at Silver Injury Law Car Accident Lawyers is pleased to welcome Emily Slosberg-King and feels that her addition to the staff represents a significant enhancement to the firm's legal prowess, particularly in the realms of personal injury and vehicular accident cases. "She brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the nuances involved in such legal matters," says founding member Bruce Silver.Partner Nicole S. Silver agrees that Slosberg-King's expertise in cases involving vehicular accidents will greatly bolster the firm's capacity to handle a wider range of personal injury cases with increased depth and sophistication. "Her background and skills in navigating legal scenarios will offer our clients a more comprehensive representation, so that every aspect of their case is meticulously addressed," Silver states.Slosberg-King's track record in achieving successful outcomes in challenging cases aligns perfectly with Silver Injury Law Car Accident Lawyers' commitment to securing favorable results for their clients. Her approach to legal representation, which involves a thorough understanding of each client's unique situation and crafting tailored solutions, resonates with the firm's ethos of personalized client service. Her addition to the team is expected to enhance the firm's ability to effectively manage and resolve legal disputes, particularly in challenging personal injury claims.About Silver Injury Law Car Accident LawyersSilver Injury Law Car Accident Lawyers is a personal injury and car accident law firm based in Boca Raton, Florida. The law firm, which was established in 1993, specializes in an array of cases, including auto accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, and wrongful death claims. Silver Injury Law Car Accident Lawyers represents clients in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Wellington, and throughout South Florida.Website: https://www.silverinjurylaw.com/Media contact: Donnie Strompf ds@ gam0.com561-279-3911 or (561) 488-5899Silver Injury Law Car Accident Lawyers Main Office:6100 Glades Rd #201Boca Raton, FL 33434SOURCE: Silver Injury Law Car Accident Lawyers
PR-Inside.com: 2024-02-23 22:30:15

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CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 /Techvestor , whose proprietary software analyzes over 18MM data points and 250+ short-term rental markets every month, has now added its 120th property to its portfolio over the last few years. The rental, whose extensive renovations were recently completed, is now available for stays and joins Techvestor's portfolio of short-term rentals available across the United States, including in the Poconos, Scottsdale, West Palm Beach, Panama City Beach, Clearwater, and more.Techvestor is the owner of one of the largest portfolios of STRs in the United States.Techvestor was co-founded by CEO Sief Khafagi and COO Sabrina Guler and is an online platform for passive investments in short-term rental properties. Through a combination of extensive market analysis, a 16-point strategy, and unique in-house technology, the company and its partners handle all aspects of owning and managing STRs, from location and acquisition to renovation and maintenance.Techvestor has grown rapidly since its inception, which Khafagi credits to their team's reliance on data for decision making. "We look very closely at significant data points that influence our acquisition, design/reno, and operating strategies," he says. "When we find a property that matches our criteria, we move quickly and then add it to our portfolio. It has been an excellent strategy for us and allowed us to identify and acquire our 120th property." Khafagi states that in 2024, Techvestor will continue to acquire STRs, with the aim of diversifying its offerings for both passive investors and guests. The company is exploring popular vacation markets up and down the East and West coasts. "The sharing economy is opening up exciting new opportunities for Techvestor, and by capitalizing on them, we will continue to innovate in this new asset class," says Khafagi. "120 short-term rentals are just the beginning. We are excited about Techvestor's leadership in STR investments and are ready to grow even further in 2024."About TechvestorTechvestor is a technology development company and real estate firm that offers a proprietary platform for investment in short-term rental properties. Using its 16-point strategy and software, Techvestor locates, acquires, prepares, and manages properties on behalf of passive investors, including maintenance, design, renovations, management and more. Its diverse leadership team includes experts in prop-tech, infrastructure, personnel, real estate investment, and property management.For more information, please visit Techvestor'swebsiteor contact:Sief Khafagi, Techvestorhello@ techvestor.com SOURCE: Techvestor
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Participants commend the words of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak and Bin Bayyah regarding the importance of dialogue for humanitySeven scientific and discussion sessions focused on tolerance, development, economy, sustainability, education, and cultureFawaz Habbal: Our goal is to draw the best picture of the future of human coexistence in a scientific manner to be the gift of the UAE to the worldABU DHABI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / The participants in the sessions and activities of the International Conference for Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance in Abu Dhabi referred to the words of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, sponsor of the conference, and His Excellency Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, on the importance of positive dialogue based on respect for the other, aimed at building common ground for platforms that can face challenges and bridge the gap of differences, for the future of humanity in general, stressing that the two words served as a revealing title for the role of the conference and its main goal, in promoting a culture of dialogue between all parties globally.The activities of The International Dialogue of Civilization and Tolerance continued for the second day in a row, organised by the Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies and the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, in cooperation with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, with large international and Arab participation through 7 specialised sessions that include a number of research papers that dealt with tolerance, economy, sustainability, the importance of positive dialogue, and the role of education and culture in promoting the values of tolerance and dialogue.Dr. Fawaz Habbal, president of the conference and Secretary-General of the Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies, stressed that the conference, which we are very proud of under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak for all its activities, is held in a systematic scientific manner and is based on scientific research and historical and religious experiments, in order to societies and the preservation of their civilizations and their gains for future generations, under the spirit of tolerance and coexistence that should always prevail.Al Nuaimi presents a forward-looking vision for a tolerant future. The first of these sessions was entitled "A Vision for a Tolerant Future," during which Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee in the Federal National Council (FNC), spoke about the UAE's leading role in promoting peace; he said: "We do not enjoy security, peace, and prosperity unless we make heroes of peace and make it a priority in their lives and this is the UAE's approach," for his part, Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al Raisi, the President of the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), said that this conference is an opportunity for discussion among civilizations to come up with new and innovative solutions to common problems facing humanity, stressing that "Interpol" has all the laws to protect international heritage and patrimony."Leadership Perspectives on Tolerance." The second session was moderated by Nihal Saad, Director of the United Nations Office for the Alliance of Civilizations, and was entitled "Leadership Perspectives on Tolerance," and included three topics, the first on "Exploring Tolerance in Leadership: Perspectives and Dialogue," the second title discussed the topic "Tolerance as a Basis for Unity and Justice: Perspectives from the Baha'i World Community," and the third title was devoted to "Enhancing the Competencies of Cultural Dialogue Among Students through Academic Training at the University".As for the third session, it was held under the title "Global Perspectives on Peace and Development in the Context of Tolerance," and dealt with three topics, the first of which was "The Impact of Ethical Leadership on Society". The second topic was devoted to "Harmony Across Borders: Global Prospects for Peace, Development, and Tolerance," and the third topic of the session dealt with "The Role of Civilizational Dialogue in Promoting the Values of Social Tolerance in the United Arab Emirates".The fourth session discusses sustainable prospects in caring for the civilization of future generations. The scientific and discussion sessions of the conference were completed, and the fourth session was held, entitled "Sustainable Horizons: Nurturing a Civilization for Future Generations," during which Dirar Belhoul Al Falasi, Member of the Federal National Council and Executive Director of Watani Al Emarat Foundation, addressed the topic of "The Role of Leaders in the Development of Tolerance," and presented his personal experience in developing the idea of coexistence. He said that at first he did not believe in tolerance, but today he has become a supporter of the idea of tolerance and coexistence, while a discussion session was chaired by Dr. Fawaz Habbal, the Chairman of the conference, discussed the topic "Cultivating Sustainability: Developing a Roadmap for a Harmonious Civilization," in the presence of Lulu Wang, Professor Abdullah Sabouni, Dr. Nora Al-Karbi, and Dina Assaf, as Mr. Daniel Range, assistant professor at Coventry University, addressed the topic "Understanding and Exploiting Trust in Religious Arenas to Address Structural Inequalities," and Messrs. Idris Bokra, Hassan Shajid, and Haman Bodin, spoke on the topic "The Holy Quran's Way of Expressing the Values of Tolerance and Civilizational Dialogue".Fifth session on education and tolerance rights. As for the fifth session of the Conference, Education and tolerance rights were discussed, chaired by Professor Ghanim Kashwani, and the topic "Tolerance in Education" was discussed by Mr. Butti Al Kindi, Chancellor at Canada University in Dubai, Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Center, while Dr. Daniel Range, Dr. Naomi Kalish, Bani Dugal, and Mohammed Jafari spoke on the topic "Promoting Inclusion". In the same session, Belkacem Al-Jatari, Assistant Professor at Mohammed bin Zayed University for the Humanities, addressed the topic of "Emirati Societal Dynamics to Entrench Religious Tolerance," while Mr. James Patton and Heba Abu Khosa, Assistant Professors at Mohammed bin Zayed University for the Humanities, spoke on the topic "Harmony in Diversity: Enhancing Global Understanding of Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action".The sixth session examines the economic prospects
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Following the monumental success of its offline retail push across the USA, the new ".pudgy" domain aims to galvanize new and existing fans by providing community-only access to web3 messaging, innovative loyalty schemes, and the chance to directly contribute to the Pudgy Penguins project.PARIS, FRANCE / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / Leading web3 domain names and digital identity providerUnstoppable Domains(UD) today announced a new groundbreaking partnership with widely popular Web3 brandPudgy Penguins , with the addition of ".pudgy," the 10th top-level domain (TLD) in UD's partner portfolio.By leveraging this new dedicated TLD, Pudgy fans and community members can now proudly voice support and display their digital collectibles and .pudgy address on X, as well as earn special Pudgy badges to facilitate unique messaging and interactions within their group. This partnership also enables the use of crypto transactions under the .pudgy domain and paves the way for future integrations, such as signing into the Pudgy game with a digital identity. To celebrate the launch, Unstoppable has also introduced the new Pudgy Ambassador Program to enlist prominent community members to champion and popularize .pudgy web3 domains. Ambassadors will share their experiences, create content, and host community events - earning the esteemed Pudgy Ambassador badge to unlock a litany of utility.In addition, Unstoppable has kicked off the .Pudgy Storytelling Campaign to encourage users to share their stories or visions of what their .pudgy domains represent through videos, blog posts, and social media. Each month, for three months, Unstoppable will select the most compelling stories to feature in a special series on the official Unstoppable Domains website to celebrate the diversity and creativity of the .pudgy community. Winners will receive 4.pudgy domains, as well as a.pudgy, and i.pudgy."We are thrilled to welcome Pudgy Penguins, a true innovator and a strong brand, into the Unstoppable Domains family," said Sandy Carter, COO and Head of Business Development at Unstoppable Domains. "This partnership is not just about adding another domain; it's about embracing a community that embodies the spirit of Web3 and the future of digital identity." Unstoppable will also host three webinars to educate users about the benefits of Web3 domains, how to secure a .pudgy domain, and the future potential of digital identity in the blockchain space."We partnered with Unstoppable to give our community a new way to represent themselves," stated Lorenzo Melendez, President and CTO of Pudgy Penguins.The partnership with .PUDGY is a stride forward in making digital identity more accessible and user-friendly for Web3 enthusiasts, domain investors, and penguin fans alike.For more information about this exciting partnership and Unstoppable Domains' unique offerings, please visit unstoppabledomains.com Press Contactpress@ unstoppabledomains.com About Unstoppable Domains Founded in 2018, Unstoppable Domains is building a platform for user-owned digital identity. Unstoppable Domains offers Web3 domains minted on the blockchain that give people full ownership and control of their digital identity, with no renewal fees. With Unstoppable Domains, people can replace lengthy alphanumeric crypto wallet addresses with a human-readable name and log into and transact with hundreds of apps, wallets, exchanges and marketplaces. The company was named by Forbes as one of America's Best Startup Employers in 2022.For more information, please visit: https://unstoppabledomains.com/ About Pudgy PenguinsPudgy Penguinsis dedicated to making Web3 accessible to everyone by creating innovative products that enable seamless onboarding. Their focus on community empowerment and building brand awareness has made them the leading IP in the Web3 space while also disrupting the traditional IP sphere. They're committed to impacting the everyday consumer and shaping the future of IP, Web3, and beyond. Visitpudgypenguins.comto learn more.SOURCE: Unstoppable Domains
Nigerian actor and rapper Ikechukwu Onunaku has confirmed his separation from his model wife, Ella.

The couple held a star-studded wedding in May 2021 in Lagos.

Ikechukwu first announced that he was in a relationship in September 2020 and would later announce his proposal in November 2020.

Ikechukwu, who made his big-screen debut in a short feature written, produced, and directed by Walter Taylaur titled The Wages in 2013, disclosed this during an interview with media personality Daddy Freeze.

He stated that their marriage ended due to irreconcilable differencesnot infidelity or cheating.

The former Mohits Records rapper stated that he could no longer tolerate his wifes behaviours despite trying to salvage the marriage.

My wife and I are no longer together. We separated due to irreconcilable differences. It wasnt over infidelity. There was too much gaslighting, fault-finding, and influence from outsiders. I advocate for ending a relationship rather than cheating and pursuing personal happiness.

I attempted to salvage our marriage, but I reached a point where I couldnt tolerate my ex-wifes behaviour any longer, and I revealed my true feelings, which we couldnt reconcile.

I dont have time for chaos, but I become vulnerable when Im in love. Sometimes, the issues that Killz overlooks, Ike ignores.

At a certain point, Ike couldnt handle it anymore, so Killz stepped in to protect him. When Killz intervened, she realised she had taken Ike for granted because she didnt appreciate Killz. I tried my best, and I invested everything I had. The woman tried to emasculate me, always making me feel inadequate.

During the conversation, he alleged that a film producer, Chineyelove, played a significant role in causing the marriage breakdown.

He, however, didnt disclose precisely what the producer did that resulted in his marriage breakdown. Ikechukwu said he advocates that couples should consider parting ways instead of remaining in a marriage marred by infidelity.

He observed that his ex-wife was fault-finding, lending an ear to unfounded opinions from strangers and spreading misinformation about their marriage.

The actor said he was fiercely loyal when in love, emphasising that he would never betray his partner.

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The Kaduna State Government has ordered an immediate investigation into the deaths of three health workers and one patient at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna (44 NARHK).

According to a statement Thursday by Governor Uba Sanis spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, the fatalities were recorded from a suspected outbreak of Lassa fever at the Army hospital, adding that three other patients with similar symptoms are currently being managed.

Meanwhile, the army medical authorities in an earlier statement linked the symptoms to what it described as acute Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF), noting that samples were sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory in Kano for analysis.

According to the medical authority, the deceased workers were said to be attached to the hospitals Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department where a non-military patient was said to have earlier presented with similar symptoms before eventually dying at the facility.

However, the state government confirmed that all Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures have been instituted at the facility while it remains closed to the public until full containment has been achieved.

About VHF

VHFs are a group of diseases that are caused by several distinct families of viruses. In Nigeria, VHFs of concern include Lassa fever, Ebola, Dengue fever, and Yellow fever.

The common symptoms in those affected, according to the statement included fever, and nonspecific symptoms likened to malaria. It added that the illness was complicated by abnormal liver function, and acute kidney failure, among others.

Response

The Kaduna government further noted that its health ministry has further been directed to enhance surveillance across the state in collaboration with local government health departments.

Consequently, a surveillance team was promptly mobilised to assess the situation and containment measures were initiated alongside the hospital management, the statement reads in part.

The Kaduna State Ministry of Health and management of 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, are working assiduously to contain the situation as all those who came in contact with those infected have been identified and are closely monitored while receiving urgent medical treatment.

Disease prevention, control

As part of its IPC measures, the military authorities said the states epidemiologists have been invited to help in unravelling the cause of the febrile illness, adding that ribavirin injection (antiviral agent) has also been commenced on other suspected cases and those identified on contact tracing.

44 NARHK have also been directed to suspend accepting new cases from the general public in the interim while the situation is being contained, the army authority noted in the statement.

It emphasised the need to strengthen IPC practices across all Nigerian Army health facilities, adding that prevention remains the best approach in dealing with such outbreaks since treatment options are limited.

It also advised that all units put in place strict IPC measures immediately to safeguard hospital staff and patients.

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The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Adamu Aliyu, has described Nigerias current economic challenges as a product of corruption.

He said this while receiving staff of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), a leading democratic think-tank, at the commissions headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

Mr Aliyu, who was represented by the commissions secretary, Clifford Oparaodu, said: The issue of corruption and corrupt practices is a problem. Its an epidemic thats affecting all of us.

And its no gainsaying that we are facing the reality of hard times in the country, and some of these things could be attributed to corrupt practices, not just in the area of project tracking but in policies and implementation. When policies are made and are not followed to the latter, of course corrupt practices are likely to flow from there.

While commending the CJID for its efforts in driving civic engagement and public enlightenment, which he described as one of the core mandates of the ICPC, the chairman stressed on the need for sustained activities to improve citizens awareness of their rights and responsibilities in the government process which includes monitoring and engaging government policies for prompt delivery and optimal performance of public projects and other democratic dividends.

The team here, led by Mr Azuka and the rest of them have been working assiduously and from what I gathered, they have been working closely with your organisation. So, as for your presence here today, I take it that you just want to see the face of the new management of the ICPC. So were happy that you are here. Its very important that all of us put our heads together and put very strenuous efforts to see that we bring these things to the public domain, he said.

The anti-graft chief also expressed the commissions commitment to support the CJIDs operations, just as he urged civil societies to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to obtain relevant information from government agencies, and institute legal steps when agencies refuse disclosure.

Dapo Olorunyomi, chief executive officer of CJID, thanked the ICPC chairman for his warm reception and insightful engagement.

He acknowledged the ICPCs efforts as a supportive and progressive partner to the CJID in its quest for an accountable government and corruption-free society, especially through its social accountability project, UDEME.

The programme (UDEME) does so many things and were very grateful for a mission like this because it helps us to say thank you for the kind of relationship the ICPC has enabled for Civil societies know full well that the government and agencies cant do everything. So we think that we can help you do a lot of the heavy lifting that makes your job better to do, Mr Olorunyomi said. I thought it would also be helpful to help design terms of synergy between civil society and action government institutions like yours.

The veteran journalist also reiterated the CJIDs resolve to support the commission in areas of staff capacity building, media coverage and networking, information database sharing that will help the ICPCs investigations, in furtherance of the existing healthy partnership between both institutions. He sought the ICPCs support with investigating identified cases of infractions and the prosecution of defaulters.

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In response to concerns regarding inconsistent import duty assessment levies, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday issued a directive advising the Nigeria Customs Service to adopt the closing foreign exchange rate in the official window for import duty calculations.

Amidst the recent liberalisation of the forex market, importers have faced uncertainties in the pricing of goods and services.

The irregular changes in import duty by the Nigeria Customs Service have further compounded these challenges, resulting in disruption in pricing and overall business operations.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, recently called on the federal government to urgently address the impact of inconsistent duties on businesses in Nigeria.

To provide clarity and reduce business uncertainty, the apex bank through a circular signed by Hassan Mahmud, director of trade and exchange department, advised that the closing FX rate on the date of opening Form M for importation should be used for duty assessment.

The Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to advise that the Nigeria Custom Service and other related parties adopt the closing FX rate on the date of opening Form M for the importation of goods, as the FX rate to be used for Import Duty Assessment.

This rate remains valid until the date of termination of the importation and clearance of goods by importers.

This would enable the Nigeria Custom Service and the importers to effectively plan appropriately and reduce the uncertainties around varying daily exchange rate in determining their revenue or cost structure, respectively, the circular read.

Effective from the 26 February, the apex bank said the directive supercedes the previous requirements outlined in an earlier directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018.

This decision provides importers and the Nigeria Customs Service with a clear framework for determining import duty, while reducing uncertainties in revenue and cost structures.

The CBN acknowledged the initial market volatility following the foreign exchange market reforms but expressed confidence that the reforms will ensure stability in the medium term.

In recent weeks, the CBN has introduced several measures to address liquidity issues in the market and curb speculation.

On Thursday, the Nigerian government blocked access to Binance and other crypto platforms amid concerns around speculative activities capable of weakening the value of the local unit.

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BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense ministry spokesperson on Friday urged the United States to stop selling arms to the Taiwan region and arming it with weapons in any other form, and to cut military contact with the island.

When responding to a media query about the U.S. Department of State's approval of the sale of a 75-million-dollar advanced tactical data link system to Taiwan, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, stressed that China's opposition to U.S. arms sales to the Taiwan region has been firm and clear.

The United States has been manipulating issues related to Taiwan and attempting to encourage "Taiwan independence" separatist forces through arms sales and military aid, severely undermining China's sovereignty and security interests, and damaging relations between the Chinese and U.S. militaries, Zhang said.

He stressed that the Taiwan question is the very first red line in China-U.S. relations and that this line must not be crossed, stressing that arming Taiwan with weapons is a "dangerous bid" from the United States.

Zhang urged the United States to abide earnestly by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the communique of Aug. 17, 1982.

The United States should cease its provocative acts aimed at containing China with Taiwan, and make concrete contributions to China-U.S. relations, as well as regional peace and stability, Zhang said.

He added that China will take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. 
Gunmen, driving in a Sienna Bus, fired at police officers conducting a stop and search operation in Port Harcourt, killing one officer in the process.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the police in Rivers, condemned the attacks as senseless and unprovoked in a statement released on Friday.

She revealed that one of the attackers was, however, killed during a shootout with the police.

The sad incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. on 21 February when unidentified hoodlums targeted policemen from Operation Sting of the Rivers State Police Command.

While the officers were carrying out a stop and search at Eliozu flyover, they were attacked by the hoodlums travelling in a carton-coloured, glass-tinted Sienna bus.

The vehicles registration number remains unknown at this time.

Mrs Iringe-Koko, a police superintendent, said that the criminals fired directly at the unsuspecting officers without any provocation.

The attackers, arriving from the Rumuodumaya axis, opened fire on the police team, resulting in the tragic loss of one inspector who valiantly sacrificed his life in the line of duty.

Undeterred, the police team responded bravely, engaged the attackers, and managed to neutralise one of them who was wearing a mask.

Unfortunately, the others managed to escape, but potentially sustaining gunshot wounds, she added.

The spokesperson stated that an investigation has been initiated by the command to apprehend the culprits, with the criminal gang responsible for the attacks already identified.

She affirmed that the police force would not relent until all the individuals involved in the despicable act are brought to justice.

Such acts of aggression against security forces impact the safety and security of society, hence, we shall remain resolute in our duty to preserve peace and protect lives.

ALSO READ: Gunmen kill PDP House of Reps candidate

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olatunji Disu, has pledged that those who perpetrate violence against law enforcement (officials) and civilians will face the full weight of the law.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of the fallen Inspector, and we assure them that his sacrifice will not be in vain, Mrs Iringe-Koko said.

The police spokesperson encouraged citizens to continue with their lawful activities without fear, emphasising that the police would enhance its strategies to ensure their protection.

(NAN)

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The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has said with the passage of the South-east Development Commission (SEDC), the people of the region will no longer be marginalised.

Mr Akpabio stated this shortly after the bill for the creation of the commission was passed during plenary on Thursday.

The bill was passed by the House of Representatives last December. Consequently, the lower chamber sent it to the Senate for concurrence.

If there are no areas for harmonisation, the bill will be sent to the President for assent as soon as possible.

It was passed a day after the bill for the establishment of the South-west Development Commission scaled second reading at the upper chamber.

Agitation for fair representation

There have been agitations by leaders and people of the South-east geo-political zone for more political appointments and amenities.

The zone comprises Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi states.

The agitation for a fair representation from the South-east heightened during the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and continued under the current Bola Tinubu administration.

Tony Nwoye, the senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District on the platform of Labour Party (LP) recently claimed that the region was shortchanged in the nomination of ministerial positions.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, also requested more appointments of ministers from the South-east.

No more marginalisation

During plenary on Thursday, Mr Akpabio said with the passage of the SEDC, the region will no longer be marginalised.

Mr Akpabio laughed after the comment and directed the senator representing Abia South on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Enyinnaya Abaribe, to inform Ifeanyi Ubah, the Anambra South senator that the region was no longer marginalised.

I have just been reminded by the deputy senate president that with the passage of this bill today, the South-east is no longer marginalised (laughs).

Where is senator Ifeanyi Ubah? Hes not here. Abaribe will relay my message to Senator Ifeanyi Ubah that with the passage of this bill, the South-east is no longer marginalised, Mr Akpabio added.

The senate president also noted that the bill seeking for the establishment of SEDC was hurriedly passed to show solidarity with people of the region.

Senator (Victor) Umeh, it showed the love this 10th Senate has for the South-east. See the expeditious way in which this concurrence was handled and pray that when we harmonised everything and it is assented to an act of parliament, they will address all the fears and challenges of the region, he said.

He congratulated the people of the South-eastern part of the country.

The senate president, whose wife, Unoma, hails from Enugu State, also expressed appreciation to his colleagues for their contributions to the passage of the bill.

Congratulations to the South-east and thank you all the distinguished senators for the support and contribution to this bill, Mr Akpabio added.

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The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has assured the management of the Nigerian Law School (NLS) of maximum security at its Abuja campus located in Bwari, Abuja.

Mr Wike made the pledge when a delegation of the NLS, led by its Director-General, Isa Chiroma, visited him in Abuja on Thursday.

He explained that the FCT Administration has ensured the presence of heavy security in Bwari Area Council, where the Abuja campus of the law school is located.

He said the security deployment was based on intelligence reports from security agencies, to ensure the safety of residents, including private and public institutions located in the area.

We didnt want to take any chances at all, knowing fully well the intelligence we were getting.

So, that is why there is so much security within Bwari area council.

This is because if anything happens, it will be a setback to the entire country and the FCT, the minister said.

Mr Wike reiterated the Administrations support to the NLS and pledged to consider the institutions request for the construction of staff quarters and provision of vehicles.

He noted that it was important for agencies within the FCT to be given necessary support.

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Luckily, the legal profession is my own constituency and so, it will be out of place if they have problems and I wont be able to support them.

You should take it as granted that the FCT will support you, Mr Wike said

He directed the General Counsel of the FCT Administration to liaise with the school management to see how the request for the staff quarters would be captured in the FCTAs 2024 statutory budget.

On the request for vehicles, the minister said he would look at available vehicles and make some available for the school.

Earlier, Mr Chiroma, a professor, appealed to the minister to construct staff quarters and provide vehicles for the Abuja campus of the school.

He also explained that the delegation was in Wikes office to congratulate him on his appointment as minister of the FCT.

He added that the visit was also to inform Mr Wike that he is among the NLS awardees to be presented at its 60th Anniversary.

(NAN)

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged the federal governments action to secure and develop Nigerias border communities to improve the lives of residents and the security situation in the country.

The vice president, who stated this during a meeting with a delegation from the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noted the challenges faced by these communities, including insecurity and lack of basic amenities.

Most of the challenges we face stem from our poor border security evident in the free flow of light weapons and ammunition across the border. We need to address the role of the BCDA in changing the security landscape of our country, Mr Shettima said.

He stressed the importance of border communities in national security and pledged continued support for their development needs.

The vice president acknowledged the need for residents to feel a sense of belonging as Nigerians and assured of the governments commitment to improving access to healthcare and other essential services for the residents of these communities.

Mr Shettima also urged the BCDA to develop a roadmap for strengthening the agency, highlighting the need for increased government funding.

The agencys Executive Secretary, Junaid Abdullahi, acknowledged the challenges of limited resources and expressed hope that under Shettimas leadership, the agency would receive the necessary support to fulfil its mandate.

READ ALSO: Shettima demands stronger synergy as Business Environment Council meets

He said, Our border communities feel alienated from the rest of the country because of neglect. If we can get development into our border communities, the pressure on the centre will reduce. We would have reduced rural-urban migration and also addressed most of our security challenges.

Under your chairmanship, we believe that following your antecedent as Governor of Borno State, we are sure you will give us the needed support to see that our agency is funded to carry out its mandate.

Stanley Nkwocha

Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

(Office of The Vice President)

23rd February 2024

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The Mayor of the London Borough of Southwark, Michael Situ, is in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to explore business opportunities of bilateral interest in the South-south state of Nigeria.

He is expected to hold discussions with Akwa Ibom officials on a proposed education exchange programme between Akwa Ibom and some schools in his borough.

Mr Situ, accompanied by David Bromfield, the senior education advisor of Southwark Council, arrived in Uyo on Friday and was received at the Victor Attah International Airport by the Commissioner for Education in Akwa Ibom, Idongesit Etiebet, and her counterpart in the Ministry of Information, Ini Ememobong, according to a statement posted on Facebook by Mr Ememobong.

The Mayor will make a stopover at the meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo Branch, before heading out for different events.

David Bromfield will have a policy session with education administrators before undertaking a skills sharing session with principals of all public secondary schools, Mr Emembong said in the social media post.

Akwa Ibom government, last month, screened 271 students in Uyo for the proposed UK education exchange programme.

The students  the overall best three per school  were selected by the education commissioner, Mrs Etiebet, from public secondary schools across the state.

The students are in senior secondary two.

The UK Education Exchange Programme is a fulfilment of the Governors promise of creating an exchange programme where participants will experience, learn and adopt global best practices aimed at bettering the states education system and giving exposure to intelligent students from the rural areas, James Edet, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Akwa Ibom State, said last month.

Governor Umo Eno, during his election campaign, promised to revive public education in Akwa Ibom.

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The police in Cross River State, Nigerias south-south, on Thursday, paraded a 30-year-old man who allegedly hacked his girlfriend with a machete for failing to show up in his house on the last Valentines Day.

The police alleged that Amber Ubung carried out the act when his lover, Blessing Onawu, 25, reneged on her promise to spend Valentines night with him after collecting N7,000 from him to dress her hair.

The state Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, told reporters in Calabar that the incident happened at Okuni in the Ikom Local Government Area of the state.

After waiting and the said lady did not show up, the suspect, Ubung, armed himself with a machete, went to the house of Onawu, attacked and gave her several machete cuts all over her body with the intent to kill her.

In an attempt by the victims mother to rescue her, he used the same machete to inflict injuries on her.

A team of policemen were mobilised to the scene, and the suspect was arrested with the machete.

The suspect was transferred to SCID for further investigation and will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded, he said.

The commissioner said the victim and her mother were receiving treatment in different hospitals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that nine other suspects were paraded for alleged armed robbery, while two were paraded for alleged murder.

While appealing for support from members of the public in the area of information sharing to tackle crime, Mr Grimah said the police in the state would continue to do their best to maintain peace and order.

I want to assure law-abiding citizens that the command, under my stewardship, will continue to make Cross River maintain its record as the most peaceful state in the country.

(NAN)

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Wife of the late Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has said those who abused their wives mocked her late husband for treating her lovingly.

In a tribute to her late husband, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu during his funeral at Saint Andrews Church, Imola, Owo, on Friday, Mrs Akeredolu noted that in civilised climes, if you beat your wife, jail awaits you, even if you are a governor.

They marvel that a Nigerian man can love his wife. To them, na only Oyibo (white) man dey love, she said.

Despite not mentioning any names, her comments were believed to be in apparent reference to a recent outburst by one of her husbands aides, who had criticised the late governor for being weak in dealing with his matrimonial affairs.

According to the former Ondo First Lady, her husband had left her alone to face all manners of mockery.

You just left me, just like that. It hurts badly; it hurts. Now alone to face all manners of mockery. Not a few lashed out that you were a weakling because you loved me, she said.

I dont think so. In their homes, while growing up, they saw their mothers trampled upon as doormats, beaten up like punch bags.

They copied the template and treated their wives as pieces of furniture that can be easily discarded as trash. And in many instances, the subjugation was garnished with beatings while the community looked the other way and remained unperturbed as gender-based violence reigned supreme nationwide, Mrs Akeredolu added.

She also described the former Ondo governor as a lovely, passionate and caring man.

Na love at first sight brought us together, biko. No be juju! Na love make me cross the Niger. That love at first sight turned out to be true and pure. And you were proud to say it. You were proud to show it.

You were even prouder to tell the people of Ondo State, and beyond, that we were a team. You were audacious to tell your people that you voted for one but got two  testimony of my positive contribution to your life and career, emotionally and intellectually, the tribute further read.

Insisting that her husband was never a weakling, Mrs Akeredolu pointed out that the late Akeredolu respected and gave her honour despite being the state governor.

She recalled her differences with her late husband on religious matters. She noted that she was able to manage him as they grew on with the union, even though her stance frustrated him often.

We differed on one aspect, though. Religion. Your were religious and wore your faith on your sleeves. Im not. With no apologies. You were frustrated. Yet, we managed to work it out by harnessing our communication skills.

You came to terms with my position on religion and respected my choice of pragmatism. And a peaceful home we built by respecting each others idiosyncrasies, supporting each others career pathways and loving each other at the same time.

That you were courageous and fearless are now like a radio jingle on the lips of all and sundry, Mrs Akeredolu added in her unique tribute that has left tongues wagging.

Mr Akeredolu was buried in Owo, his hometown, amid tributes and eulogies from dignitaries and personalities.

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The Kwara State High Court, sitting as an appellate court in Ilorin, has discharged and acquitted two journalists convicted of publishing a defamatory article against a rice factory, faulting the police and trial magistrates ruling.

In February 2023, a magistrates court convicted Alfred Olufemi, an investigative reporter, and Gidado Shuaib, editor of Abuja-based News Digest, over a report against Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industries Limited.

The report published in News Digest in 2018 detailed how the companys staff members smoked Indian hemp freely within its premises, violating relevant laws and health regulations.

In his verdict, the trial magistrate, A.S. Muhammad, found the journalists guilty of criminal conspiracy and defamation. He then sentenced the journalists to two months imprisonment with an option of fine.

But the journalists immediately appealed the judgement at the state High Court, where a three-man panel reviewed the trial courts judgement.

The journalists lawyer, Yunus AbdulSalam, urged the appellate court to quash the lower courts conviction. The Abuja-based lawyer argued that the respondent, the prosecution at the lower court, did not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt as the report of the police investigation it relied on was already issued before the appellants were invited for questioning.

He also argued that the trial magistrate did not regard the testimony of the journalists key witness and their defence, among other issues raised during the trial.

Acquittal

Delivering its judgement on 14 February, a three-man panel comprising Justice M.O Adegbite, Justice S.B Olanipekun and Justice S.M Akanbi, ruled that they had no difficulty in resolving the issue in favour of the appellants.

We find merit in the appeal, set aside the conviction and sentence. We allow the appeal and enter a verdict of discharge and acquittal for the appellants, said the presiding judge, Justice Akanbi.

Reacting to the outcome of the appeal, the journalists lawyer, Mr. AbdulSalam described the decision of the court as a victory for his clients and press freedom in Nigeria.

For nearly six years, these young journalists fought to reclaim their innocence and Im happy that the appeal court delivered justice. This is a win for truth, press freedom and rule of law, he said.

Shoddy police investigation

Meanwhile, in the 25-page judgement obtained by PRNigeria, the presiding judge took a swipe at the police and the trial magistrate over their roles in the conviction of the journalists.

I think with all due respect to the learned magistrate, he came to the conclusion after taking into consideration the prosecutions investigation report which came out before the arrest and invitation of the Appellant.

The judges stated that besides the fact that the evidence of the prosecution witness sharply contradicted the evidence tendered by the witness, the report coming out before investigation leaves much to be desired.

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They maintained that despite the contradiction in evidence presented by the prosecution, the trial court took the narration of the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) hook line and sinker.

The shoddy and shady investigation embarked upon by the police must have misled the trial magistrate court to its finding without regard to the evidence of the Appellants, the judgement read.

Investigation report came before an invitation of the Appellants to exhibit P6 and the defence of the DW1 were jettisoned for the evidence of the prosecution witnesses. Every doubt ought to have been resolved in favour of the defence in criminal cases.

Overwhelmed magistrate

The appellate judges also described the magistrate as being overwhelmed by the evidence of the prosecution witnesses without taking into proper account the defence of the defendants.

The defence of the Appellants ought to be considered. In other words, the principle of natural justice ought to be taken into consideration instead of the prosecutions evidence alone.The learned trial judge got carried away with the confessional statement and PW2s evidence without regard to the evidence of the defendants, the judgement read.

They pointed out that a traverse through the evidence on record showed that the elements contained in section 392 of the penal code, which the magistrate relied on, were not proven by the prosecution.

Former CBN chief absent from court

One of the grounds cited for the acquittal of the journalists was that Sarah Alade, a former acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who the police claimed was defamed was never in court to give evidence.

This newspaper recalls that at the start of the trial in 2019, Mrs Alade, who was then serving as the special assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari, was named the owner of Hillcrest Agro-allied but never showed up in court.

But midway into the trial, the company claimed it belonged to Mrs Alades son, one Ayo Alade, who later appeared in court to give evidence.

For emphasis, while exhibit P2 says the company is owned by Sarah Alade who is said to be defamed. The evidence of PW1 at page 89 says the company Hillcrest Agro Allied Industry Limited does not belong to Dr.(Mrs.) Sarah Alade, The court judgement said.

We are of the firm view also that the finding of the trial magistrate, particularly PW2, the confessional statement held to have sufficiently established the offence of conspiracy and defamation against the 1st and 2nd defendant is not proved.

With all due respect, we hold the view for the above-stated reasons that the trial magistrates finding was not well founded, the judges concluded.

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Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, has finally provided a detailed explanation as to why Nigerians couldnt view in real-time the result of the presidential elections on the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) during the 25 February presidential elections that was held last year.

INEC provided the explanation in its 526-page 2023 General Elections Report published on its website on Friday.

In the post-election report, INEC concurred that a key challenge that impacted on the public perception of the election and elicited widespread commentary was the failure to upload Polling Unit results of the presidential election to IReV in real-time at the close of polls on Saturday 25 February 2023.

By and large, the glitch experienced in uploading the scanned images of polling unit presidential election result sheets on 25th February 2023 was due to the inherent complexity within the system, which was difficult to anticipate and mitigate, parts of the report reads.

IReV and election credibility

Before the elections, INEC repeatedly promised Nigerians that it would upload the election results to the IRev portal in real-time.

While INEC was able to upload the results of the National Assembly elections held on the same day onto IReV, those of the were not until hours later.

When the commission could not deliver on its promise for the presidential elections, Nigerians on social media lashed at the commission and accused it of deliberate attempt to subvert the elections.

The development would go on to be a major dent on INECs credibility in last years presidential election that was challenged by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, who came second and third, respectively.

While delivering judgement on the suits filed by Messers Abubakar and Obi, challenging the election of Bola Tinubu of the APC, whom INEC declared winner of the disputed election, the Supreme Court noted that the malfunctioning of IReV during the presidential election reduced public confidence in the electoral process.

Truth must be told, the non-functioning of the IReV may have also reduced the confidence of the voting public in the electoral process, Inyang Okoro, the presiding justice, who read the courts lead decision, said.

At the time, INEC simply blamed technical challenges as it made to allay fears that the IRev portal was not under any cyber-attack.

Why IReV didnt work as planned

According to INEC, at the end of voting and counting, polling units result sheets are to be scanned with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and uploaded directly to the IReV portal.

These results are then available for viewing to the public and all stakeholders, it said.

But it did not work as planned during the presidential elections.

But in a section of the report that detailed the challenge with IReV on 25 February, INEC said the challenge was unique to the presidential election and was due to an unforeseen technical challenge arising from the uniqueness of the presidential election.

According to the INEC report, the commission started receiving complaints from Presiding Officers at polling units at about 4 p.m. when voting ended that attempts to upload the result sheets of the presidential elections were failing.

Afterwards, the commission engaged with its field officers for the details of the error in order to trace the origin, source, scale and magnitude.

During the troubleshooting process, the commission said it established that the errors being received by presiding officers originated from within an application due to problems relating to configuration, permissions, or failure to create or access application resources correctly.

Further interrogation of the Election Result Modules indicated that the system is encountering an unexpected configuration problem in mapping the presidential election results uploaded into the system to the participating Polling Units, the report stated.

The commission stated that in configuring and mapping the election results for the presidential and National Assembly elections, it created 470 election types consisting of one presidential constituency covering the entire country, 109 Senatorial Districts and 360 federal constituencies.

Each Senatorial District and Federal Constituency election on the database was mapped to their respective States, it said.

Therefore, during result sheets upload, the backend system of the IReV was able to query and detect the base states for uploading the result sheets based on the mapping of all Senatorial District and Federal Constituency elections to the respective 36 States of the Federation and the FCT as established in the database structure deployed within the system.

But since the presidential election result is a single, countrywide constituency and does not belong to any one state, it created an error.

While the uploads for the National Assembly elections succeeded as the application was able to identify the respective state and build the folder hierarchy for the results organisation process for the election, attempts to upload the presidential election results sheets, which does not belong to or mapped to any state on the database, failed, the report stated.

Instead, it returned a HTTP server error response. This failure is attributable to the inability of the application to create and build a folder structure to organise the uploaded images of the result sheets of the presidential election.

INEC added that it immediately put in place several strict security and audit control measures to prevent any unfettered or elevated access to the Result Upload System due to the complex, sensitive and critical nature of the systems and the real potential for malicious cyberattacks.

INEC said it, therefore, created and deployed Hotfixes to resolve the HTTP error on the system and the first presidential election result sheet was successfully uploaded at 8.55pm on the 25th of February 2023.

Another challenge

The commission stated that the high volume of uploads already queued up at the backend also resulted in the system running slower.

The report stated that another issue was that the offline queue requires the BVAS devices to be switched-on and connected to the internet for the upload.

But because some of the presiding officers have left their polling units and have switched off the devices, it couldnt be uploaded automatically.

The Commission had to reach out to the POs of affected areas to switch on their systems and ensure internet connectivity for the uploads to continue. This accounted for the delay, with some of the results coming in the next day, it said.

Improvements on IReV

The commission, however, said it has made improvements on the IReV, taken additional steps to build more resilience and undertaken additional checks to ensure the stability and optimal operation and performance of the IReV portal.

It said additional quality assurance checks are now done to complement the end-to-end testing of the entire result upload ecosystem before the conduct of any election.

Glitch didnt affect election outcome

Meanwhile, the electoral commission maintained that the glitch experienced did not affect the outcome or credibility of the election.

It said political party agents and security personnel were given copies of the polling unit results after they were announced in public and displayed at polling units for scrutiny by voters.

Therefore, when they were eventually uploaded, it was easy to compare them with the copies displayed at polling units and given to the party agents and party officials, the report stated.

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

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The African Union has expressed its full support for Palestine in the ongoing Middle East conflicts, asking member states to sever ties with Israel.

The AU gave full support for the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle against the Israeli occupation, represented by the Palestine Liberation Organisation under the leadership under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, in order to restore their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination, return of refugees and independence in their State of Palestine, existing side by side with the State of Israel.

The 54-member continental bloc said last week at its summit that it also condemned Israels actions in Gaza and requested member states to end all direct and indirect trade, scientific and cultural exchanges with Israel.

The AU called on the international community to live up to the shared principles of humanity and justice.

It expressed outrage at what it described as a humanitarian catastrophe occurring in the Gaza Strip caused by Israeli forces.

The AU expressed concerns about the possibility of the ongoing conflict spreading to Lebanon, other neighbouring countries and the Middle East region.

It further commended South Africa for taking the bold step to institute proceedings against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), regarding the blatant violations by Israel of its obligations under the Genocide Convention in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In the same vein, it expressed disapproval for the unprecedented support from some countries for Israel under the pretext of Israels right to defend itself.

It also stressed the urgent need to immediately open safe humanitarian corridors to alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinian People.

AU underscored the necessity of resolving the Palestinian issue to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East region, based on the two-state solution, provisions of international law, all resolutions of the international community, the Arab Peace Initiative, decisions by the African Union, and guided by the vision of President Mahmoud Abbas and his repeated calls to achieve peace.

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RAMALLAH, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates announced on Friday its rejection of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's post-war plan for the Gaza Strip.

The plan is an official recognition "of the reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, and Israel's imposition of control over it to prolong the war against our people, and an attempt to gain more time to implement the displacement plan," the ministry said in a statement.

Moreover, the plan is "a blatant maneuver to oppose and thwart international efforts to link ceasefire agreements and the release of prisoners and hostages with resolving the conflict and materializing a Palestinian state on the ground," said the statement.

Netanyahu presented the plan to his security cabinet on Thursday night, which outlined principles regarding the management of the Gaza Strip after the conflict.

The plan calls for tightening Israel's security grip on Gaza. Under the proposed plan, Israel will "maintain operational freedom of military actions throughout the Gaza Strip, without time constraints," to prevent the resurgence of hostilities from the Palestinian enclave.

Defying international calls for Palestinian statehood after the war, the plan shows Israel plans to maintain "security control" over the entire West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

"Netanyahu's principles explain the reason for his hostility and exclusion of the legitimate Palestinian authority, and reveal his rejection of the Palestinian state and political solutions to the conflict," the ministry added.

The Palestinian ministry urged the U.S. administration and the international community to quickly recognize the Palestinian state and support its full membership in the United Nations, and to begin international arrangements to hold a peace conference that "leads to an end of the (Israeli) occupation and enables our people to exercise their right to self-determination freely." 
The Chairman of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ango Abdullahi, has endorsed the proposed amendment of Nigerian constitution to revert to the parliamentary system of government.

Mr Abdullahi gave the endorsement on Friday while hosting members of the House of Representatives Parliamentary System Caucus.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported the introduction of the constitutional alteration bill seeking to amend the constitution to abolish the presidential system and reintroduce parliamentary system of government in the country.

A group of 60 members of the House are pushing the legislation in the National Assembly, and they have been moving around the country to solicit support for the bill.

Nigeria practiced the parliamentary system in the First Republic.

Mr Abdullahi, a professor and former vice chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, said the parliamentary system of government worked for all and sundry, and posited that the current presidential system has failed to yield desired results over the past 24 years.

If you are talking of failure of the system, its totally unfair to say that the parliamentary system failed in Nigeria. It did not. Only that it was not been given sufficient time.

So, my personal position is thatIm 100 per cent against the presidential system of government.

For me, if Im going to react to your visit, Ill react in two ways. The first level is my own personal conviction. Im a product of the First Republic and I cherished being that product, as a teacher who marks exams from A1 to failure, Ill mark the pioneer leaders as A1, up to the present leadership F10.

So the military came and insisted that we should abandon what was kicked out in 1966, he said.

Mr Abdulahi added; For 24 years now, just show me where the presidential system succeeds in terms of moving Nigeria forward. A country with 200 million that is generating 4000 megawatts of electricity. 4000 megawatt not enough for a big house in Europe?

While commending the lawmakers for championing the campaign for a return to the parliamentary system of government, Mr Abdulahi pledged unwavering support for the actualisation of the initiative.

Speaking earlier, Wale Raji (APC, Lagos) who led the caucus for the visit, stated that the cost of governance and election is higher under the presidential system of government than the parliamentary system of government.

He noted that the presidential system of government is quite expensive for our economic situation and it has hindered the desired economic development that the country deserves. And we also discovered that its too cumbersome and it has not really led us to derive the benefit of true democracy unlike what is obtained in the parliamentary system of government where the cost of governance is reduced.

The government is closer to the people and accountable. We are all aware of the fact that the Prime Minister is from the parliament and theres regular interaction and it promotes accountability and the cost of running our elections, if you look at since 1999, how much the presidential election apart from the individual running for the position, the cost to the country but under the parliamentary that will be drastically reduced, Mr Raji noted.

While arguing that the current presidential system of government has not been beneficial to Nigeria as expected, the lawmaker assured that the parliamentary system of government will be a homegrown system with Nigerian context so as to suit our situation.

In his remarks, the spokesperson of the group, Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), said: part of our proposals we have one bill for local government, one for the state, and one for federal. And in one of our proposals, by Gods grace, in the year 2027, we would like to kickstart with full autonomy and implementation of local government itself, so that we can be well-guided.

Like he said, we are here to learn, what we are trying to do for Nigeria is to build Nigeria for Nigerians by looking at our peculiarities.

The bill for the alteration was sponsored by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) and has already got the endorsement of Bisi Akande, a former national chairman of the APC and Aminu Dantata, another elder statesman.

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The Tinubu administration through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is in the final stages of releasing 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities to support the vulnerable population across the country.

The grains in seven locations of strategic reserve, are now being bagged for onward delivery to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The need to bag the grains, caused the delay as the bags were freshly ordered by government.

Nigerians will not need to pay for the grain bags, as they are free.

This will be complemented by the 60,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to be purchased by the federal government from the Mega Rice Millers.

Already, with the announcement of the impending releases of food commodities from the Strategic Reserve, there is a noticeable reduction in commodity prices across major grains markets in the country, Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, said

The federal government is also ramping up food production by boosting Dry Season Farming under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project .

The first phase of the Dry Season Farming was launched in November, 2023.

It focuses on the cultivation of wheat across 15 wheat-producing states, covering 118,657 hectares and involving 107,429 farmers.

The fields are green now and harvest will commence in a matter of weeks, Mr Kyari said.

There are fantastic reports of growth of wheat from Jigawa State, which is now targeting harvest from about 50,000 hectares, 10,000 hectares more than initially allotted under the programme.

Phase 2 of the Dry Season Farming will commence soon, across all 36 states of Nigeria and FCT.

It will cover rice, maize, and cassava.

For rice, the target is 250,000 hectares involving 500,000 farmers with the expected output of 1 million metric tons of paddy rice.

For maize, we are cultivating 55,000 hectares with 110,000 farmers thereby adding 165,000 metric tons to national maize production while for cassava, we are doing 35,000 hectares with 70,000 farmers to produce 525,000 metric tons of cassava.

The NAGS-AP Project offers a 50 per cent subsidy. However, the federal government is providing additional support for Phase 2, which will bring aggregate subsidy to about 93 per cent to farmers cultivating the crops.

Also various governors are showing strong support, to further enhance the subsidy. Additionally, solar-powered water pumps for irrigation, provided by the federal government, are being deployed to aid the upcoming phase of the programme.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President on Information And Strategy

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday okayed the amended N10 billion money laundering charges filed against Ali Bello, a nephew of the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed the amended charges on 5 February, raising the number of counts from 10 to 17 against the younger Bello and his co-defendant, Dauda Suleiman, in a trial that dates back to 2022.

The prosecution named former Governor Bello in one of the amended counts as an accomplice, but has yet to charge him as a defendant.

The charges accused the defendants and others allegedly on the run of diverting N10 billion belonging to Kogi State during Mr Bellos administration.

The Kogi State Government led by the new governor, Ahmed Dodo, who came to office last month with the backing of Mr Bello, had kicked against the amended charges. It alleged that naming Mr Bello in one of the counts was politically-motivated.

On 22 February, defendants on record  Ali Bello and Mr Suleiman  also filed an objection to the amended charges, urging the court to strike them out for being incompetent.

They maintained that the amended charges amounted to an abuse of court processes, and that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked jurisdiction to try the matter.

Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), opposed the application.

He noted that the alleged offence committed by the defendants were in Abuja and within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court and all three witnesses in the case are residents of Abuja. He also pointed at the insecurity challenges involved in prosecuting the matter in Kogi State.

Ruling on Friday, the judge, James Omotosho, dismissed the objection, saying it lacked merit.

It is immature to say that the EFCC cannot amend charges at any time before judgment, a statement by the EFCC quoted the judge as saying in his ruling on Friday.

Read EFCC statement in full here:

N10bn Money Laundering: Court upholds EFCC`s Amended Charges

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on February 23, 2024 overruled a motion on notice filed by Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman urging the court to strike out the 17- count amended charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on the ground against them claiming that the charge lacked merit and invalid.

The court held that the 17-count amended charges filed on February 5, 2024 are valid as the prosecution is entitled to amend its charges provided it is done before judgment is given.

The motion on notice by the defence which was filed on February 22, 2024 by counsel to the second defendant, Nureini Jimoh objected to the admittance of the amended charges stating that it amounted to an abuse of court processes. Also, the motion questioned the Federal High Court in Abuja on the ground that it lacked jurisdiction to try the matter and seeking that the matter be transferred to Kogi State. Jimoh also submitted that the 17-count amended charge was fatally incompetent, citing Section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

My lord, the EFCC lacks the grounds to investigate the revenue of Kogi State Government, because the EFCC is not constitutionally recognised to have the powers to usurp the decision and powers of Kogi State House of Assembly. Let me say that based on the resolution and decision by the Kogi State Assembly, which says that no fraud was committed in the Kogi State Account, that should lay to rest EFCC`s allegation that a fraud was committed, Jimoh said

Responding, Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, in a counter- affidavit objected to the allegations, urging the court to discountenance the application of the defense. He noted that the alleged offence committed by the defendants were in Abuja and within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court and all three witnesses in the case are residents of Abuja. He also pointed at the insecurity challenges involved in prosecuting the matter in Kogi State.

We are opposing the application with a counter- affidavit and we urge my Lord to dismiss this application. In the circumstances that offences were committed in Abuja, the funds alleged to have been laundered belong to the Kogi State government, but the alleged money laundering act was committed in Abuja and that the funds in question had been allegedly used to acquire properties and equally used to engage in foreign exchange transactions in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. My Lord, I will rely on Section 20 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, he said.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Omotosho discountenanced the application of the defence, stating that the prosecution has not concluded its case , so it is immature to say that the EFCC cannot amend charges at any time before judgment

He also stated that the EFCC under its Establishment Act has the power to investigate and prosecute anybody or entity when cases of corruption and money laundering are established including the powers provided by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.

Prosecuting a money laundering charge is within the purview of the EFCC. I hold that this criminal trial is properly constituted before this court. I also hold without hesitation that the second amended charge filed on February 5, 2024 is hereby deemed valid and competent. I hereby order that the defendants are called upon to take their pleas in the amended charge, the objection of the defendant is hereby overruled, he ruled.

He also added that the case will be given accelerated hearing, equally noting that insecurity could be a reason to try a criminal offence outside jurisdiction

Justice Omotosho adjourned to March 14, 15, and 21 for the continuation of hearing.

Dele Oyewale

Head, Media & Publicity

February 23, 2024.

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Meanwhile, there is a feeler that the Chief of Naval Staff may be in the eyes of the storm over his alleged plan to appoint a new naval spokesperson in contravention of Nigerian law. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), a statutory body, has reiterated its stance against appointing unlicensed and unregistered professionals as spokespersons, especially for the countrys security services.

To some extent, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) play strategic roles in ensuring that the public is adequately informed about the efforts and accomplishments of the security services, especially ongoing military operations.

Behind the scenes, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, facilitates inter-agency collaboration and harmonious relationships among the different security organisations to achieve peace and stability in the country. He recently directed the reactivation of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA), which was established during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, before later being jettisoned during the eight years in office of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Similarly, as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has also demonstrated leadership qualities in ensuring that the service chiefs speak with one voice towards the highest attainment of national security and operational competence of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Meanwhile, no matter how transparent and responsible an organisation is, public criticism or negative media coverage could sometimes be inevitable  even despite the best intentions  due to inadequate public access to information about it or mischief makers wilful manipulation of information concerning it. Likewise, avoidable controversies could occur due to the managements nonchalant attitude, inactions and/or needless decision-making.

With remarkable accomplishments in its areas of operation, the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, is grossly misunderstood by the public, going by a series of attacks that it has been subjected to recently in the Nigerian media.

Ogalla is an outstanding military officer who emerged as the best graduating science student (male) at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, in 1987. He attained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Mathematics and was awarded the Sword of Honour as the best Naval cadet in his course. He later obtained a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan.

Following his commission as a second lieutenant in 1992, he rose rapidly to the rank of Rear Admiral in September 2021, before being elevated to his current position.

When he was appointed as the Chief of Naval Staff by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there was a controversy over an allegation that the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, had refused to hand over to him as his successor. Ogalla had to instruct the Naval spokesperson, Rear Admiral AO Ayo-Vaughan, to debunk the reports by explaining to the public the procedure for handing over the mantle of military leadership.

Besides taking part in several military operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia, Ogalla successfully coordinated several anti-illegal oil bunkering operations, leading to a remarkable reduction in illicit activities on our national and international waterways, especially in the Niger Delta. That experience probably influenced his reluctance as the naval chief to engage private security firms for military operations against oil thieves in the region.

Rather than get distracted by the allegations, the Nigerian Navy under Ogalla has kept on sustaining, with renewed efforts, its Operation Delta Sanity, which aims at combating crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and other sundry crimes within the nations maritime environment.

It was therefore not surprising that Tantita Security Services Limited, owned by ex-Niger Delta militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo, had to engage the Nigerian Navy in a tug-of-war, while seeking to preserve its lucrative security contract for the protection of Nigerias resource-bearing waterways.

The no-love-lost relationship compelled Tantita to accuse the Navy of harbouring bad eggs within it that were sabotaging the fight against the menace of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta. The Navy accused Tantita Security of being involved in illegalities concerning a crude oil vessel seized in the coastal waters.

However, a few months later, another controversy broke out when the Peoples Gazette, an online news platform, alleged that the Naval Chief had facilitated a bunkering of Nigerian crude and was involved in a multi-million naira contract splitting fraud. The Peoples Gazette also accused Ogalla of releasing several oil tankers that had been impounded for transporting stolen crude oil off Nigerian shores, after receiving kickbacks in millions of dollars.

Could the allegations be true, within the purview of Vice Admiral Ogallas past sterling records as the Commandant at the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic School (NNHS) and Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO), where he enabled cost-effective procurements of several kits and tools from reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), leading to improvements in practical training in the institutions, while also being instrumental in the localisation of many of the naval tools of operations?

It was, therefore, surprising that less than 24 hours after the media report, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, responded that the allegations against Ogalla would be investigated immediately, stressing that President Bola Tinubu has zero tolerance for corruption in the public service.

Rather than get distracted by the allegations, the Nigerian Navy under Ogalla has kept on sustaining, with renewed efforts, its Operation Delta Sanity, which aims at combating crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and other sundry crimes within the nations maritime environment.

Apart from intercepting more vessels with stolen crude oil and materials meant for the construction of illegal refineries, the Navy has also arrested scores of suspects involved in bunkering and handed them over to the appropriate authorities.

While the controversies remain unabated, the success stories of naval operations are equally being reported accordingly.

Meanwhile, there is a feeler that the Chief of Naval Staff may be in the eyes of the storm over his alleged plan to appoint a new naval spokesperson in contravention of Nigerian law. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), a statutory body, has reiterated its stance against appointing unlicensed and unregistered professionals as spokespersons, especially for the countrys security services.

Being a member of the Nigerian Hydrographic Society, the Nigerian Institute of Management, the International Earth Rotation Services and a fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association, Vice Admiral Ogalla should realise that beyond networking, professional bodies provide ethical standards and guidance that deserve to be complied with for occupational integrity.

Almost all the security and intelligence services have complied with the law by appointing certified PR professionals as their spokespersons, including the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Airforce, the Police, the Department of State Services, the Customs, the Immigration, the NDLEA, EFCC, ICPC, FRSC and even NEMA. Why should the Nigerian Navy be different?

For fear that some chief executive officers may not be aware of the law, the NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku and Chairman of its Enforcement and Compliance Committee, retired Major General Chris Olukolade, jointly signed a memo addressed to the service chiefs cautioning against contravention of the Law on Appointment of Public Relations Practitioners and Allied Positions in Government Establishments.

In the memo, top government officials, especially in the security services, were reminded of the provisions of the NIPR Practitioners Act of 1990, now Cap N114 Laws of the Federation 2004, which states that any person who is not a member of the Institute practices or holds himself out to practice as a public relations practitioner for or in expectation of reward, or takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he is in practice as a public relations practitioner, he shall be guilty of an offence.

Section 19 (4) of the Act states that A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable to a fine, imprisonment or both. In addition, Section 19 (5) states that Where an offence under this section which a body corporate has committed is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of any director (CEO), manager, secretary or other similar officers of the body corporate or any person purporting to act in any such capacity, he, as well as the body corporate, shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be prosecuted and punished accordingly.

Concerned about the statutory provision that criminalises the appointment of uncertified PR officers as spokespersons, the Information Minister, Mr Mohammed Idris Malagi, recently charged the NIPR Council to give effect to the Federal Governments resolve to enforce the law regulating the practice of Public Relations in Nigeria.

Being a member of the Nigerian Hydrographic Society, the Nigerian Institute of Management, the International Earth Rotation Services and a fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association, Vice Admiral Ogalla should realise that beyond networking, professional bodies provide ethical standards and guidance that deserve to be complied with for occupational integrity.

We hope that critical institutions will comply with the laws of the federation, particularly regarding the appointment of their spokespersons. It will be deplorable if they operate in contravention of the law by daring the NIPR to act by summoning those in violation before the special tribunal established by the Act for ultimate prosecution for misconduct.

It is essential for individuals and organisations to always strive to protect their reputation as responsible, law-abiding citizens without engaging in needless controversies.

Yushau A. Shuaib is the Author of Award-Winning Crisis Communication Strategies; www.YAShuaib.com, yashuaib@yahoo.com

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It is time for Nigeria to heave a sigh of relief from its asphyxiating security problems. Luckily, what is required is just a holistic and multifaceted approach that encompasses effective governance, community engagement, strategic coordination among security agencies, and long-term investments in education and socio-economic development.

The insecurity in Nigeria is pervasive, and everyone knows that. From Abuja to Lagos, Jigawa to Zamfara, Imo to Anambra States, Nigerian citizens have been living in perpetual fear of attacks by marauding terrorists, merciless bandits, and blood-sucking gunmen that have remained unknown for years now.

Therefore, sleeping with their two eyes closed has become difficult, even for those residing in the nations capital, Abuja, which recently became the hotbed of daredevil kidnappers. The statistics about Nigerias insecurity are damn grim and frightening. There is no point reeling them out.

At the moment, Nigerias stability and development as a nation is being threatened by rampaging insecurity. It is even sad that our security agencies and the Nigerian military, individually, appear not to have the magic wand for the nations security challenges.

But globally, achieving success in the war against terror and violent crimes demands the collective efforts of key stakeholders. For security agencies, having a robust synergy and inter-agency collaboration among themselves is essential. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) even consider it sacrosanct.

Hence, the management of the two agencies recently held a meeting at the NCS Corporate Headquarters. It was for them to brainstorm on strategies to tackle the countrys security woes, while forging a strong working relations between the Nigeria Customs and DIA.

The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, while speaking at the forum, noted that the primary objective of the collaboration is to maintain and deepen the existing relationships between the NCS and the DIA.

He emphasised that NCS believes in partnership, stating that cooperation with other Customs administrations and government agencies is a fundamental aspect of growth.

Adeniyi highlighted some ways in which they have collaborated, particularly in the areas of capacity building and security projects. The major objective of this delegation is to maintain and deepen the relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the DIA.

For the records, the Nigeria Customs Service believes in collaboration. We believe that we can draw strength from collaborating with other government agencies, he stated. We have extensively worked with the Armed Forces Command and Staff College to rebuild the capacity of our officers in the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College.

Additionally, I have personally worked on collaborative security projects in the past, such as the Security Impact Collaboration, he added.

The Customs Chief expressed a desire for deeper partnership with the DIA, particularly in the area of more robust intelligence sharing, which, according to him, would enable the two agencies to address significant security challenges across the border areas and enhance the efficiency of Customs officers.

It is our strong desire to deepen this kind of partnership to ensure that we benefit more from it, he said.

Addressing the CGC, Air Vice Marshal Samuel Chinda, the Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence, who represented the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Parker, at the oaccassion, described the collaboration with the NCS as integral to their successes in combating border threats.

Speaking on the need to include officers in various intelligence training, AVM Chinda recalled how the Nigerian Armed Forces Command and Staff College contributed to enhancing the proficiency of Customs Officers.

We are here to reinvigorate these relationships for future collaborations. Particularly, the Defence Intelligence Agency is open to partnerships in training and operations with the Nigeria Customs Service, he said.

Indeed, the collaboration between the NCS and DIA is not going to be enough for the war against insecurity to be a resounding success. The government should also intervene by boosting its investment in warfare technology for our security agencies.

In the same vein, there should be the adequate training and equipping of security operatives. Doing so is imperative to enhance their operational effectiveness and responsiveness. Another thing the Federal Government must prioritise is long-term solutions that will address the root causes of insecurity.

To this end, security studies should be integrated into the national educational curriculum, from the primary to tertiary levels. Doing so, equally, will help to instil a culture of security consciousness and civic responsibility among our youths.

It is time for Nigeria to heave a sigh of relief from its asphyxiating security problems. Luckily, what is required is just a holistic and multifaceted approach that encompasses effective governance, community engagement, strategic coordination among security agencies, and long-term investments in education and socio-economic development. Nothing more!

Abdulsalam Mahmud writes from Abuja and can be reached via: babasalam1989@gmail.com.

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a unified and nationalistic approach is essential to halt the decline of the naira. Every citizen, from policymakers to ordinary individuals, must recognise the intrinsic value of our currency and prioritise its use whenever possible Defending the naira transcends economic concerns; its a moral obligation for all citizens. Lets unite in reclaiming the dignity of our currency and preventing its further decline.

For Nigeria, the naira stands not only as the countrys currency but also as a symbol of its identity. Besides ensuring that citizens thrive in their everyday lives, it also signifies the countrys stature in the international community. While this holds true for other nations as well, certain factors contribute to inequality among different countries.

Its widely acknowledged that in Africa, no nation surpasses Nigeria in many aspects, and even the most developed and powerful countries maintain significant ties with Nigeria, recognising its importance on the global stage. However, the challenges Nigeria has faced since gaining independence, through successive regimes and administrations, have steadily eroded its standing, both in the eyes of other nations and among its own citizens.

Presently, the country grapples with a forex problem, whereby its currency as the Giant of Africa struggles against those of others, notably the US dollar, the ubiquitous currency of international transactions.

The Economist Intelligence Unit, a branch of The Economist in London, projected last July that Nigeria would face high exchange rates going forward, beyond the control of the nations central bank. Previous administrations, prior to Tinubus, subsidised forex for citizens at the expense of the countrys economic health. However, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, renowned for his economic nous, opted not to continue this practice. Since assuming office, the value of the naira has fluctuated significantly. Consequently, many citizens, who previously benefitted from forex subsidies, now find themselves sinking deeper into poverty, which persists in Nigeria, often disconnected from the countrys perceived status. Therefore, according to trusted economic experts, short-term austerity measures are deemed necessary to strengthen the economy and alleviate poverty.

Successive governments, despite understanding the nations challenges and potential solutions, lacked the resolve to implement these measures, fearing short-term backlash.

Tinubu, arriving in office with a reputation for catalysing economic growth during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, initiated these measures, contributing to the hardships citizens are currently enduring.

Difficult times, such as Nigerias current struggle with the depreciation of the naira, are transient. Just as healing from an illness requires enduring painful medical procedures, Nigerians must endure these hardships for the sake of future generations. Its time for Nigeria to fulfil its destiny as one of the worlds greatest nations.

However, its unacceptable for government officials to live extravagantly while the masses suffer from policy repercussions. As a remedy, reducing the cost of governance and combating corruption are essential. Empowering small and medium-sized enterprises through tax cuts and other forms of support can stimulate economic growth and attract international investors, providing employment opportunities for the youth.

In addition, resolving Nigerias long-standing power issues could revolutionise the economy, aligning it with the technological advancements observed in other nations.

I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Tunde Rahman, a senior presidential aide, who advocates for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to lead a comprehensive campaign to bolster confidence in the naira and stimulate its demand.

Admittedly, Nigerias industrial productivity remains low, exacerbated by dwindling forex earnings primarily derived from crude oil exports. Floating the national currency, thus dismantling the multiple exchange rate regime, has exposed the naira to market forces, increasing its vulnerability.

However, initiatives to boost industrial production, exemplified by projects like the Dangote Refinery, can help reduce forex expenditure on imported petroleum products and stimulate economic growth.

Reducing reliance on imports by nurturing domestic production is crucial. The government must prioritise enhancing the capacity of local industries to discourage luxury imports and foster sustainable economic development.

Moreover, the CBN should strengthen its monetary policy framework by resuming regular Monetary Policy Committee meetings to ensure financial market stability and boost investor confidence. A thorough review of the Tinubu administrations currency policies is also necessary to assist the naira in regaining its strength in the forex market.

In conclusion, a unified and nationalistic approach is essential to halt the decline of the naira. Every citizen, from policymakers to ordinary individuals, must recognise the intrinsic value of our currency and prioritise its use whenever possible.

Defending the naira transcends economic concerns; its a moral obligation for all citizens. Lets unite in reclaiming the dignity of our currency and preventing its further decline.

Gidado Yushau Shuaib, a media and communications expert, can be reached on giddyshuaib@gmail.com.

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Katsina State Government has reacted to the resurgence of banditry in eight local government areas of the state, saying it was a desperate move by the criminals who have been under intense pressure.

The state Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal, said this at a press conference in Katsina on Thursday.

He explained that security forces have pinned the bandits to only eight of the 22 local government areas they were hitherto operating.

Mr Lawal added that it was due to the pressure that the bandits now attack villages in mass numbers to show that they are still intact.

The deputy governor assured the people of Katsina State that the days of the bandits are numbered as the current security operations will continue with more intensity.

He said in a recent encounter between the security operatives and the bandits in Burdugau forest, many of the bandits were killed.

The report we received indicated that the bandits, numbering about 200 on motorcycles, attacked the community and rustled animals.

We lost the CSWC commander, but the bandits also suffered casualty as many of them were killed, while others escaped with gunshot injuries, and hundreds of the rustled animals were recovered, he said

According to him, when the administration came on board in May 2023, a total of 22 out of the 34 local government areas in the state were affected by insecurity.

But due to sustained government commitment and the efforts of security agencies, there is now relative peace with the exception of the frontline local governments.

They are Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa, Dandume and Safana LGAs, sharing borders with Rugu forest, he said.

He added that more than 50 abducted persons have been freed by the security forces.

We will continue the fight until peace is restored in all those frontline local governments, he assured.

The deputy governor, however, urged residents to expose those selling pre-registered SIM cards, or supplying food, fuel and ammunition to the criminals.

Stop selling or buying pre-registered SIM cards, bandits and criminals are using them to perpetuate their acts.

Whenever they are arrested, the seller will equally be held responsible. It is an offence to sell or buy such SIM cards.

We are also calling on the general public to report anyone supplying food, fuel or ammunition to the bandits in the bush, Mr Lawal added.

He also urged residents to provide timely and accurate information about criminal activities, to engender prompt response by the government and security operatives.

(NAN) www.nannews.ng

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The police in Bayelsa State, on Friday, arraigned two suspects in a Kaima High Court sitting in Yenagoa over alleged conspiracy and attempt to kidnap Ebi Ayama, who is a brother to Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.

The two suspects are Lucky Oghenebrume, 53, and Omobowho Okpowodo, 52.

According to the police, the duo were arrested by men of the Operation Puff Adder unit in November 2023 at Mbiama community in Rivers State.

The police said the arrest of the two suspects was possible through intelligence gathering and detailed investigations.

The two suspects, who pleaded not guilty, are being prosecuted by the police at the Kaima High Court sitting in Yenagoa.

The police prosecutor told the court that Mr Oghenebrume was the mastermind and on the wanted list of the police in Rivers over the alleged involvement in the abduction of a man, simply identified as Fyneman, in the Sagbama area of the state where a ransom of N50 million was paid.

Mr Oghenebrume was also described as a resident of the Mbiama community and residing alone in a massive compound, where he allegedly carried out the dastardly act.

He was also said to have relocated his family to Delta State to avoid being exposed.

The police prosecutor said the second suspect, Mr Okpowodo, was identified as the owner of the motor mechanic workshop, where the targeted victim carries out repairs on his vehicles.

Mr Okpowodo, according to the prosecution counsel, was allegedly overheard planning to abduct Mr Ayama on his way from Ekeremor Local Government Area.

The judge, Timipre Songi, adjourned the case until 27 February.

(NAN)

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HEFEI, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's Anhui Province is encouraging its enterprises to expand their overseas markets, boost foreign investment and promote international cooperation in 2024.

Anhui will arrange for enterprises to attend 32 exhibitions overseas and five international exhibitions held domestically. And each of the province's six pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce will hold five overseas promotional activities, according to Fang Xu, head of Anhui's commerce department.

The province will also support leading enterprises in fields such as automobiles, photovoltaics and lithium batteries to establish cooperation zones in regions such as ASEAN, Central Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

In 2023, Anhui arranged for over 4,500 of its enterprises to attend overseas and domestic exhibitions, and held over 80 investment promotional activities overseas. As a result, 62 foreign investment intention deals worth a total of 5.67 billion U.S. dollars were signed, as well as 40 overseas investment cooperation project deals with a total contract value of 900 million U.S. dollars. 
Major players in the construction dumper market industry have focused on product launch strategies to gain maximum share in the market. This further results in consolidation of the construction dumper market

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Construction Dumper Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Product type (Articulated, Rigid), Fuel type (Gasoline, Diesel, CNG), and Application (Mining, Construction, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032. According to the report, the global construction dumper market was valued at $20.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $33.5 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Prime determinants of growth

The growing construction and infrastructure industry is significantly contributing toward the market growth. However, countries such as the U.S., Germany, and other developing countries are focused on developing new technologies in the construction dumper industry to sustain their market share during the forecast period.

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Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $20.2 billion Market Size in 2032 $33.5 billion CAGR 5.2 % No. of Pages in Report 187 Segments covered Product Type, Fuel Type, Application, and Region. Drivers Increase in demand for coal, metal, and mineral mines

Rapid urbanization in emerging economies Opportunities The creation of regulations to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Restraints High ownership & maintenance cost and lack of skilled and qualified drivers

Decrease in new construction activities in developed nations

The articulated segment dominated the market in 2022, and the rigid segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period

On the basis of type, the construction dumper market is segregated into articulated and rigid. The articulated segment accounted for a higher market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the market revenue.

An articulated dump truck is ideal for trips and job sites that require navigating tight corners. An articulated dump truck allows the operator to drive with a greater degree of precision and confidence. The tighter turning radius of an articulated dump truck also makes it safer to operate which further enhance safety. The articulated dump truck is lighter compared to a rigid dump truck, with wider tires helping spread the load being carried.

This hauler also has a shorter job life compared to a rigid dump truck, averaging between a few days to a few years as size limits what the truck is capable of offering over an extended period. Various construction dumper manufacturers are launching new advanced articulated tucks for mining and construction applications. For instance, in September 2021, Bell Equipment Engineering R&D (Bell) and Pronto AI (Pronto) have been working closely for around 18 months to engineer and refine Pronto's own developed hardware and software to produce and prove a self-drive Bell articulated dump truck. Hence, the companies have launched first self-drive articulated dump truck in North America. This in turn is expected to drive the growth of the market.

The diesel segment dominated the market in 2022, and CNG segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period

Depending on fuel type, the construction dumper market is categorized into gasoline, diesel and CNG. The diesel segment is accounting for more than half of the market revenue.

Low cost and wide-spread availability of diesel across the globe drive the diesel fueled construction dumper. Diesel construction dumper is widely adopted in budget constraint construction and development projects due to low maintenance and service cost. Also, diesel fuel is less flammable and has the ability to bear high load, which increases its demand in domestic and commercial construction projects. Owing to these factors, diesel fueled construction dumpers are expected to hold major chunk of the market share during the forecast period.

Moreover, various key players are focusing on manufacturing diesel dumper for construction and mining application. For instance, in June 2022, Hyundai Construction Equipment launched two new articulated diesel dump truck models, as part of its rapidly expanding line of heavy construction and earthmoving equipment. Hyundai has employed powerful EU Stage V-compliant Scania diesel engines to power both trucks. Hence, such factors are driving the segment growth and thus fueling the global market growth.



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The construction segment dominated the market in 2022. Others segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period

On the basis of application, the construction dumper market is divided into mining, construction and others. Out of these, the construction segment accounted for a more than half market share in terms of revenue in 2022. There is an increase in number of construction industries in countries like South Korea, France, Italy, Singapore and Indonesia. The growth is due to the rise in investment by the government on the public sector projects. For instance, in March 2022, Vinci Autoroutes announced the completion of a $561 million project to build a new 24km-long bypass in France.

Hence, increase in construction activities fosters the construction dumper market growth. Owing to this, various heavy construction equipment manufacturing companies are implementing strategic moves such as agreement, partnership, acquisition and collaboration to expand its construction dumper penetration in the market. For instance, in June 2021, Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB announced that they have signed an agreement to develop an engineless, full battery rigid frame dump truck with a customized on-board energy storage system, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering a solution towards a net zero emission pathway. This in turn is expected to drive the growth of the market.

Asia-Pacific dominated the market share in terms of revenue in 2022

The Construction Dumper Market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. In 2022, Asia-Pacific accounted for the half of market share, and it is expected to grow at a significant CAGR throughout the forecast period. China holds the maximum share in the construction dumper market industry in the Asia-Pacific region. The construction dumper market in Asia-Pacific has gained traction in the recent years, owing to ongoing mining and construction development in China, Japan and India. For instance, in July 2022, National Energy Administration (NEA) of China has approved coal mine project worth $458 million in the country's Inner Mongolia region. In addition, rising expenditure for infrastructure development is also boosting the construction dumper market in Asia-Pacific. For instance, in August 2021, Indian government has announced $1.4 trillion investment for infrastructure development. All such factors are expected to create growth demand for construction dumper and thus will drive the market growth in Asia-Pacific. Furthermore, factors such as availability of workforce and low-cost manufacturing has fueled the manufacturing sector in the region. Thus, the high investment in mining and construction sectors has increased the use for construction dumpers.

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Leading Market Players:

AB Volvo

Caterpillar Inc.

CNH Industrial N.V.

Deere & Company

Doosan Corporation

Epiroc AB

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.

JCB

Komatsu Ltd.

Liebherr

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the construction dumper market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, expansion, and acquisitions to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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HONG KONG, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- J&T Express, a global logistics service operator, announced the company has achieved significant enhancements in parcel volume and delivery efficiency across several key markets in China and Southeast Asia during the recent Lunar New Year, attributing to the company's continuous operational capacity improvements and early preparations for the holiday season.

Data of J&T Express reveals that over the Lunar New Year period, its average daily parcel delivery time in China improved by approximately 5% compared to the previous year, while the average daily delivery rate increased by approximately 17% year-on-year. In Singapore, there has been an 81% year-on-year increase in its parcel volume, alongside a 9% improvement in average delivery time efficiency. Similarly, in Malaysia, its parcel volume surged by approximately 54% year-on-year.

In addition to China, the Lunar New Year is celebrated as a public holiday in numerous Southeast Asian countries. With the global popularity of e-commerce, ensuring reliable logistics services during the holiday season has become increasingly critical for businesses and consumers alike. As the largest courier service provider in Southeast Asia, J&T Express plays a vital role in meeting this demand.

With the company's extensive and comprehensive logistics network across multiple countries, coupled with its year-round collaboration with e-commerce platforms and expertise in operating during the Lunar New Year in the Chinese market, J&T Express has significantly bolstered its hardware and personnel and updated the delivery fleet in key markets to meet the challenges of delivering shipments during the holiday season.

For instance, J&T Express Vietnam added over 3,000 delivery personnel before the Lunar New Year, and upgraded more than 100 service points, expanding the operational area by over 7,000 square meters. Additionally, at the end of December 2023, J&T Express Vietnam officially received 140 new trucks from THACO AUTO.

According to a forecast by the Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Industry and Trade, seasonal purchases are expected to grow by more than 11% in 2024, and the growth trend of social commerce will continue as well. Against the backdrop of a thriving online shopping landscape, the demand for delivery services presents both opportunities and challenges. Recognizing the potential, J&T Express Vietnam has strategically improved and enhanced its service quality to meet the evolving demands. The recent upgrade of the company's truck fleet not only reflects the company's clear goal of improving the quality of its transportation services but also helps the company meet the growing demand for deliveries during the holiday season, creating significant benefits for its customers with guaranteed service quality and capacity. With unwavering confidence in the market's prosperity and a customer-centric approach, J&T Express is poised to seize growth opportunities in Vietnam and is actively accelerating its market capture. It will continue to expand its logistics network and transit centers to ensure optimal operational processes and improve user experience and service quality.

J&T Express is a global logistics service provider. According to Frost & Sullivan, J&T Express was the No. 1 express delivery operator in Southeast Asia by parcel volume in 2022 and had the highest market share in China. The company adopts an innovative business model that combines unified standards with a high degree of regional autonomy. This model balances service quality and flexible decision-making, reduces costs, and enables localized and efficient development in each market. With its self-developed JMS system, J&T Express is able to integrate and manage the full lifecycle of shipments, from order placement and collection to settlement, ensuring efficient operations in each market.

J&T Express has further expanded its express delivery business to five countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and North Africa, building upon its successful operations in China and Southeast Asia. Currently, the company provides express delivery services in 13 countries worldwide.

Looking ahead, J&T Express is committed to enhancing its global logistics network while continuously improving service quality and operational efficiency. The company is eager to establish collaborative partnerships with new industry leaders to deliver high-quality logistics solutions for customers worldwide.

About J&T Express

J&T Express is a global logistics service provider with leading express delivery businesses in Southeast Asia and China, the largest and fastest-growing market in the world. Founded in 2015, J&T Express' network spans thirteen countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Mexico, Brazil and Egypt. Adhering to its "customer-oriented and efficiency-based" mission, J&T Express is committed to providing customers with integrated logistics solutions through intelligent infrastructure and digital logistics network, as part of its global strategy to connect the world with greater efficiency and bring logistical benefits to all.

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The school district will more than double its broadband connectivity with the option to increase it by more than 1,000% over the next four years

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexandria students and teachers will soon be able to communicate and learn faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Arlington-based Allied Telecom Group was selected by Alexandria City Public Schools to provide internet services to the district's 18 area schools and administrative offices serving more than 15,000 students in grades pre-K through high school.

The new relationship will double the school district's broadband capacity and provides the option to increase it by more than 1,000% over the next four years. The contract also includes Denial of Service protection to safeguard against cyberattacks.

With advances in technology driving more schools toward cloud-based computing instead of premise-based solutions, significantly more bandwidth is required to support the delivery of educational and administrative services. Having learned vital lessons from pivoting from in-person classes to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic, schools are investing in more bandwidth to ensure that quality education can continue uninterrupted when in-classroom learning is not possible.

"We are honored to be chosen by Alexandria City Public Schools as their trusted technology partner," said Ricardo Brooks, Chief Operating Officer of Allied Technology Group. "For over 30 years, Allied has provided cutting-edge technology and services to keep our local economy strong, our businesses humming, and our students learning. As a Northern Virginia-based business, and as a partner in the federal E-rate program, we take great pride in contributing to the success of our teachers and students."

Among its roster of education clients, Allied also provides data, internet, and cloud-based services to Catholic University, Gallaudet University, and Anne Arundel Public Schools, among others.

About Allied Telecom Group

As one of the Mid-Atlantic's leading providers of internet, data, and cloud-based services, Arlington, Virginia-based Allied Telecom Group powers the technology used by more than 1,800 multi-tenant office buildings, government agencies, libraries, schools and universities throughout Washington, D.C., northern Virginia, and Maryland. Founded in 1996, Allied is also the nation's oldest and largest Black-owned telecommunications service provider. Learn more at www.alliedtelecom.net.

SOURCE Allied Telecom Group
Customers avoid more than 31 million minutes of outages in 2023 thanks to stronger poles, automated switching and other grid upgrades

(Editor's Note: See stories about how grid investments are helping Missouri customers and communities in our Smart Energy Plan 2023 Progress Report.)

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), filed its updated Smart Energy Plan with the Missouri Public Service Commission today. The $12.4 billion, five-year investment plan is designed to modernize infrastructure and enhance grid reliability and flexibility.

Ameren Missouri is investing in smart technology, stronger poles, upgraded power lines and other infrastructure to replace aging equipment, reduce outages and respond faster when they do occur. These investments also build and bolster the infrastructure needed to support more clean, renewable energy generation.

"The Smart Energy Plan is working as designed to create a more resilient and reliable grid," said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. "For example, our investments in a smarter, stronger system prevented outages for an estimated 66,000 customers during 2023 when automated smart switches were able to reroute and restore power. Thanks to the expansion and extension of the landmark legislation enabling this plan, additional modernization projects are poised to deliver increased value and reliability to our Missouri customers."

Customer-focused investments

The Smart Energy Plan provides direct customer benefits by enabling Ameren Missouri to upgrade aging foundational grid infrastructure, including poles, wires, substations, transformers and underground cables. Under the plan, Ameren Missouri also deploys smart technology to support reliability and resiliency of the electric grid, and smart meters to provide customized energy usage data to customers for better energy management and savings.

Smart Energy Plan upgrades through 2023 include:

1,500 additional smart switches on the system to reduce outages from hours to minutes and even seconds.

97 new or upgraded substations to better serve communities across Missouri .

. 200 miles of upgraded power lines, improving storm resiliency and providing more flexibility to reroute power during an outage.

1.1 million smart meters to provide two-way communication and deliver more precise energy use information to customers.

Ameren Missouri's smart meter installation is a full year ahead of schedule and most customers will have an upgraded meter by early 2025.

Thanks to the data smart meters provide, Ameren Missouri offers customers an interactive online dashboard showing the specific estimated energy usage of each appliance. This Energy Manager provides personalized savings recommendations based on individual usage data and surveys.

Investing in Communities across the state

A new substation is supporting the rapid growth at Lake of the Ozarks. The Four Seasons substation will reduce the existing load at two nearby substations. This Smart Energy Plan investment also includes new wood and composite poles, strategic underground cables, automated sensors, and two-way communication devices. These upgrades will support reliability for more than 2,500 homes and businesses at the lake.

In Horine, crews replaced a 60-year-old substation with a new, larger-capacity substation better equipped to support the growing community. The substation includes two new transformers and four switchgears equipped with smart technology that can respond quickly to outages and reroute power. This investment will improve reliability for customers in Jefferson County and support new residential and commercial developments in neighboring Herculaneum.

In southern Missouri, storm-hardening upgrades are supporting increased reliability for customers in Hayti and Caruthersville. These Smart Energy Plan upgrades include stronger composite poles, new wires, and automated switches. Wires previously crossing above Interstates 55 and 155 have been moved underground. This investment supports greater reliability and increases safety by eliminating the risk of overhead power lines falling across the interstate due to storm damage.

Built in Missouri for Missouri

A new substation in St. Charles County highlights Ameren Missouri's commitment to support local suppliers through the Smart Energy Plan. The substation in Foristell features two transformers made by WEG Transformers USA of Washington, Missouri, and four switchgears manufactured in Fulton, Missouri, by Avail Switchgear Systems.

"Projects such as our new substation in Foristell highlight the true economic impact of the Smart Energy Plan in communities throughout Missouri," said Birk. "Whether it's construction, engineering or planning, every Smart Energy Plan upgrade using in-state suppliers is a reinvestment in the local economy."

In 2023, WEG Transformers USA completed a $10 million expansion in Franklin County. Company leaders cited investments in the Smart Energy Plan as a driving force behind their decision.

Ameren Missouri also works closely with businesses looking to expand or invest in Missouri, adding jobs and supporting communities statewide. In 2023, 15 businesses announced plans to move to or expand in our service territory, resulting in more than $360 million in capital investment by these businesses and creating nearly 700 new Missouri jobs. St. Louis-based Volpi Foods and EquipmentShare in Moberly, Missouri, are among the businesses expanding in the state with assistance from Ameren Missouri.

About Ameren Missouri

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

SOURCE Ameren Missouri
AAER Alleges the Latino Museum Studies Program Violates the U.S. Constitution

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the American Alliance for Equals Rights (AAER) filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia alleging the Smithsonian Institute's Latino Museum Studies Program Violates the U.S. Constitution.

The complaint is attached.

As the complaint highlights, when considering applications and hiring interns, the National Museum of the American Latino has promised to "focus on  increasing the representation of Latina and Latino museum professionals in the field."

AAER notes the Museum has delivered. Two years into the program, the Museum has never hired an intern who identified as non-Latino.

When selecting interns, the Museum prefers Latino applicants over everyone else. In the very first sentence of the job description, the Museum states that the internship is "designed to increase hands-on training opportunities for Latina, Latino, and Latinx-identifying undergraduate students."

"The program," according to the Museum, "seeks to catalyze change in a field where only 5% of key museum positions are filled by people who identify as Latina, Latino, or Latinx." And the Museum hopes to "change [that] field" by "increasing the representation of Latina and Latino museum professionals."

Statements by the Museum's key staffincluding the Museum's Deputy Director, who "serve[s] under the Director," confirm that the internship discriminates against non-Latinos. As the Deputy Director recently stated, the internship "is designed to prepare the next generation of Latino museum leaders with the skills, insights and networks they need to succeed." It is meant to "build a diverse museum workforce." And it is "an opportunity for [the Museum] to work with young Latinas and Latinos." Marcus Voss, the internship's "program lead" at Arizona State University, echoed the Deputy Director's sentiments, stating that "the Smithsonian Latino Museum Studies Program  ensures viable career pathways for our Latinx students."

Since the internship started, the Museum has hired two classes of interns: one in 2022 and another in 2023. In both years, not a single intern identified as black, Asian, or white. During the same two-year window, at least 25 internsnearly 90% of participantsself-identified as Latino. No intern identified as non-Latino, according to the lawsuit.

AAER asserts that the U.S. Fifth Amendment contains an equal-protection guarantee that binds the federal government and is just as strict as the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Edward Blum, president of AAER stated, "Important programs like these that restrict participation to only certain races and ethnicities are unfair and illegal."

Blum added, "Every student who is interested in this area of museum studies should have the opportunity to compete for an internship without their race being a determining factor."

Blum concluded, "Significant majorities of Americans of all races and ethnicities oppose these kinds of racial classifications and preferences in our public policies. It is our hope the Smithsonian Institution ends these discriminatory programs and allows all students, regardless of their skin color compete for these important internships."

Contact:

Edward Blum

703-505-1922

[email protected]

SOURCE American Alliance for Equal Rights
ONLINE TRADING PLATFORM CONTINUES TO PAY OUT MORE TO TRADERS COMPARED TO OTHER FUTURE PROP TRADING PLATFORMS

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Apex Trader Funding, an innovative online evaluation and funding platform offering the lowest cost and the highest contract plans, today announced that it has paid out just over $100 million to traders utilizing their platform.

In the last 90 days alone, compensation totaled $37 million with the average monthly payout of $7,302,827 to traders since January 2023.

In the last 90 days alone, compensation totaled $37 million Post this

"Today's record payout numbers show that traders continue to flock to Apex as their number one choice compared to other platforms," said Darrell Martin, CEO and Founder of Apex Trader Funding. "My only question to traders who haven't joined the Apex community is, how much was your last payout? We invite you to join what thousands of traders are finding out for themselves: Apex is built by traders who are driven to find success each and every day."

About Apex Trader Funding

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Apex Trader Funding is a community of traders offering the easiest to pass, lowest cost, highest contract funding plans. Founded in 2021 by Darrell Martin, Apex Trader Funding is a thriving community of traders from over 150 countries.

SOURCE Apex Trader Funding
CHICAGO, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Appraisal Institute, the leading association of real estate appraisers, released the highlights of its First Quarter Board Meetings, February 22-23, 2024. Chief Executive Cindy Chance, PhD, updated the Board on organizational change and progress since the last special meeting in mid-December, at which the Board approved funding to support the next phase of her reorganization plan. President Sandy Adomatis, SRA, chaired the meeting at which the Board deliberated on a number of topics with the goal of serving its mission and members' interests.

CEO Report: Reorganization continues to advance the drivers of value for members

Operational adjustments successfully completed following the 15% reduction in staff announced in early January. Cost savings on track to close a potential $1.2 million 2024 operating budget deficit

2024 operating budget deficit Key staff hires have been concluded with others well-advanced. New hires' priorities are to lead goal-oriented teams and instill best practice in critical business areas including Education & Publications and Customer Service

Business reporting underway, including initial identification of goals and performance metrics by unit, focused on organization wide KPIs

Finalizing selection and planning for critical technology investments to improve neglected technology infrastructure, including on-line education platforms and learning management software, customer service systems and accounting and expense management systems

Implementing first steps in education overhaul plan, built around investment in network wide distribution of QE and DE and creation of improved, quick to market on-demand CE. Re-aligning Publication content to focus on member interests and thought leadership

Ongoing overhaul of communications and advocacy, focusing on appraiser-centric communications, including: Relaunch of email and social media marketing vehicles and approaches including the all-new "Appraisal Now" weekly newsletter Review and planning to establish new marketing partnerships and sponsorship opportunities Continued step-by step remediation of the website to improve user experience, enhance accessibility of information, improve brand identity and inculcate appraiser-centric messaging Began member-wide sharing of expert third-party government affairs updates, advanced planning to promote inclusive legislative engagement and awareness across Chapters Continued improvements in transparency and significant steps towards best practice communications, including commencing Quarterly Reporting, online Regional Joint Meeting presentation and member Q&A (400+ participants), post First Quarter Board meeting highlights release followed by open on-line Q& A, commitment to public announcements of significant events and developments, enhanced President's Message format including video



Planning underway for Membership improvements including campaign focused on the value of Appraisal Institute designations, growing membership, and offering thought leadership webinars Efforts underway to identify and provide needed Chapter resources and support such as hosted websites, domain email addresses and access to local member course registrations Aligning the Appraiser Diversity Initiative, PAREA, and University Relations into a "pathway into the profession" team, committing to clear reporting on progress and challenges in attracting the next generation of diverse professionals



Board decisions included:

Decision to send possible changes to the Bylaws, permitting all AI professionals to be referred to as members, out for customary 45-day notice and comment period

Decision to send a possible change to the Body of Knowledge, regarding mention of a second definition of fee simple, out of all members for a 90-day comment period

Decision to send a possible change to continuing education requirements to add a valuation bias and fair housing course requirement, out for customary 45-day notice and comment period

Stay connected with the latest news from the Appraisal Institute on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

The Appraisal Institute is the leading professional association of real estate appraisers. The Appraisal Institute's Code of Professional Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice comprise requirements for ethical and competent practice, and advance equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in the appraisal profession. The Appraisal Institute's work includes an array of professional education and advocacy programs, and stewardship of the highest level professional credentials in residential and commercial real estate appraisal.

SOURCE Appraisal Institute
ELMWOOD PARK, N.J., Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aptitude Development, a leading student housing developer with a decade of experience, is excited to announce the imminent groundbreaking of The Marshall Tempe, a transformative student housing project set to redefine student living near Arizona State University. Located at 1031 E Apache Blvd, The Marshall Tempe is poised to welcome Sun Devils for the Fall 2026 semester.

Aptitude Development to build The Marshall Tempe Post this The Marshall Tempe

As Aptitude's 11th ground-up development, The Marshall Tempe exemplifies the company's dedication to creating vibrant, enriching student living experiences. "Arizona State is at the forefront of educational excellence, and we're bringing a new wave of student housing to match. The Marshall Tempe is more than a residence; it's a revolution in student living," says Jared Hutter, Chief Snow Shoveler at Aptitude Development.

Designed by BKV Associates (Architectural) and CHA Consulting (Engineering), this pioneering project features 485 beds, each thoughtfully designed to enhance student wellness. Residents will have access to unparalleled amenities, including:

A stunning pool, perfect for unwinding and socializing.

State-of-the-art study lounges, designed to inspire academic excellence.

A luxurious cold plunge and sauna, offering a holistic approach to health.

The market's most exceptional gym, tailored to empower fitness journeys.

"We're not just building housing; we're crafting a lifestyle. The Marshall Tempe is creating an environment where students can thrive academically, physically, and mentally," adds Hutter.

This groundbreaking reflects Aptitude's optimism in the evolving student housing market. "We're navigating through the economic challenges by focusing on the future. With over 10,000 beds planned, our vision is clear  to innovate and create student communities nationwide. While many are running scared, we believe that now is the perfect time to build!" states Hutter.

About Aptitude Development

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, New Jersey-based Aptitude Development has emerged as a leader in student housing. Co-founders Jared Hutter and Brian Rosen have propelled the firm with a focus on resident well-being, innovative design, and a vision for the future of student living. Aptitude Development is not just constructing buildings; it's creating communities that foster success and well-being, setting new standards in student housing. Aptitude sets itself apart from others in the sector by uniquely syndicating its deals through high net worth investors and family offices rather than relying on institutional partners.

For more information, please contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Aptitude Development
HELSINKI, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish government on Thursday rolled out a legislative program that will restrict strikes.

Under the program, workers may be fined for knowingly participating in illegal strikes. Fines ordered by courts on unions for illegal strikes will also increase. But strikes associated with tariff bargaining will not be restricted.

Speaking at a government press conference, Labor Minister Arto Satonen said the reform will make Finland more attractive to international companies.

Jarkko Eloranta, chairman of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions, said he is particularly upset about the planned fines on individuals. "A strike is always a collective action and such personal fine should not be made the law in Finland." 
Artificial Intelligence and the rapidly evolving threat landscape have increased awareness around the need for secure, enterprise out of band communications

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ArmorText , which safeguards communication for organizations worldwide, closed out 2023 growing 300% in Europe, adding two new product lines, and expanding into six new critical infrastructure industries including banking, financial services, telecom, and healthcare.

In the last 18 months, ArmorText has seen a 33% increase in Fortune 500 customers, grown over 300% in Europe, and expanded significantly in 6 new critical infrastructure industries.

The introduction of DORA and NIS-2 has made it imperative for European organizations to address cybersecurity preparedness and Incident Response programs. To respond to the pressing needs around secure, enterprise out of band communication in the region, ArmorText launched its European business line, seeing a 1.5X increase in inbound leads and tripling its customer base in the region.

ArmorText lies at the intersection of two rapidly evolving trends:

Today's hackers don't bother with classic encrypt and extort ransomware, instead opting for a much more sophisticated approach of infiltrating organization's most critical communications channels to locate sensitive information with which to extort and disrupt recovery efforts. "Humans are the weakest link in any cyber security strategy," says Matt Calligan , Director of Growth Markets at ArmorText, "and enterprise communications tools are guaranteed to have humans in them." Increasing regulations and guidance from NYDFS, SEC, CFTC, TSA, DOJ, and NERC in the US and new European regulations DORA and NIS-2 make it clear that organizations are expected to meet business records retention requirements, regardless of the circumstances or technologies used.

This creates the perfect storm during a cyber attack where organizations can't trust their day-to-day enterprise communications tool, but also can't use a consumer app like Signal or WhatsApp because they don't meet regulatory requirements, including the ability to retain business records.

To make matters worse, AI-enabled threat actors can now better spoof their victims, including generating written, voice, and video communications in real-time of real-life persons that are virtually indistinguishable from the real McCoy, enabling novel attacks for which most organizations are severely underprepared. Trusted communications channels that are more resilient against such attacks are a necessity for incident response today.

"We are seeing traditional communication channels like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom consistently being exploited during cyberattacks," said Navroop Mitter, CEO, ArmorText. "Using these channels severely impacts an organization's ability to keep sensitive information away from attackers leading up to an attack and to effectively respond should one occur. What is needed is a truly secure out of band collaboration (SOOB-C) solution that keeps sensitive information away from attackers  before, during, and after an attack  with centralized enterprise controls crucial for regulatory, statutory, and legal compliance."

ArmorText's suite of products fills a gap in the market as the only 100% cloud-based, secure, enterprise out of band communication offering. In the United States, 80% of households already get their power from a utility company running ArmorText and 87% of American nuclear reactors are run by an ArmorText energy provider.

Significant Growth in Critical Infrastructure Industries

Already a trusted partner for organizations in utilities, manufacturing, defense industrial base, government, and other critical sectors, ArmorText has expanded into new industries over the last 18 months. ArmorText has experienced a 33% increase in Fortune 500 customers and a dramatic uptick in financial services and banking industries  which now make up 25% of ArmorText's revenue  up from 5% just over a year ago.

Last year ArmorText added additional clients in new industries including central banking, tier 1 telecommunications providers, global providers of stock market indices and independent credit ratings, and large travel center gas station operations in the US.

In addition to Europe, ArmorText was 1 of 14 companies selected by the Government of Canada as a Preferred Vendor Under the Federal Government's Cybersecurity Procurement Vehicle. This will allow ArmorText to serve a broad spectrum of Canadian government organizations and agencies.

Expansion in Product Offerings

Expanding globally isn't the only area of growth; this year, ArmorText added two innovative product lines to further meet the out of band needs of their clients, both of which are already profitable:

The Secure Gateway enables end-to-end encrypted integrations for critical data feeds, addressing the plain text vulnerabilities in traditional integrations for platforms like Teams or Slack.

enables end-to-end encrypted integrations for critical data feeds, addressing the plain text vulnerabilities in traditional integrations for platforms like Teams or Slack. Crisis Response Reserve Capacity enables rapid, out of band distribution of onboarding credentials and signup instructions to extended teams for rapid onboarding during a crisis. This is an industry-first, pay for what you use license model that delivers substantial savings for ArmorText Clients needing the option to quickly scale their out of band communications during a crisis to larger portions of their organization.

"By replacing Slack and Microsoft Teams for the major threat-sharing groups, ArmorText became a household name in the electricity industry by first proving that more trustworthy tech encourages more active sharing, leading to more valuable and thriving intel communities," continued Calligan. "This led to electricity companies expanding their use of ArmorText into other out of band use cases, like incident response. It's exciting to now see other industries coming to us first for incident response then realizing they can also use ArmorText for threat sharing, critical alert management, traveling executives, internal investigations  even day-to-day SOC chatter. It's a sign that the entire secure out of band communications market is maturing and that we're continuing to advance that edge forward through innovation."

"ArmorText has become a cornerstone of our incident response offering. It has empowered us to guarantee our clients robust, secure communications, regardless of the threat landscape. With the addition of the Crisis Response Reserve Capacity, we now can instantly scale secure communications during a crisis, ensuring business continuity and operational resilience for our clients and our own teams." - a leading Fortune 500 global technology services provider

Additional Resources:

About ArmorText

ArmorText, a leading provider of Secure Out of Band Collaboration solutions, protects sensitive communications for critical infrastructure entities worldwide. ArmorText's groundbreaking offerings, including Crisis Response Reserve Capacity, deliver enhanced security and crisis response capabilities, helping organizations maintain compliance, protect their networks, and ensure business continuity.

Learn more at https://armortext.com/, and follow us at LinkedIn.

Contacts

Press Contact:

Jessie Adams-Shore

ArmorText

[email protected]

SOURCE ArmorText
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- U-Haul is revealing plans for a new retail, moving and self-storage center in Lawrenceville after purchasing 1.76 acres at 243 Buford Drive.

U-Haul Storage at Buford Drive is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. This will be the first U-Haul-owned and -operated facility in Lawrenceville.

A multi-story self-storage building will provide more than 700 indoor rooms with climate-control options. Units will have high-end security features at affordable prices. Storage customers will be able to apply for after-hours access.

"Local small businesses serving as U-Haul dealers have been serving Lawrenceville customers for decades, and now we'll have a flagship store in the community," said Rod Tape, U-Haul Company of Georgia Northeast president. "Affordable and accessible self-storage from a trusted company is needed in every growing market today. This location will be convenient for our customers."

Download the U-Haul app or contact Reservations at 1-800-GO-UHAUL.

U-Haul intends to hire 10 Team Members to staff the new store when it is ready. U-Haul will look to hire locally to promote job growth within the Lawrenceville community. U-Haul, honored as a Best for Vets leading veteran-friendly employer by The Military Times, actively recruits veterans and gives them preference in the hiring process. Find U-Haul careers at uhauljobs.com.

"When a U-Haul facility comes to a new town, we become part of that community," Tape added. "We're bringing jobs to Lawrenceville and look forward to growing the workforce here. Investing in local communities is part of the reason we've been in business for nearly 80 years."

U-Haul continues to benefit the environment through its shared-use business model. Truck and trailer sharing enables communities to share moving equipment so that families and individuals don't need to own large-capacity vehicles to transfer belongings. Sustainability initiatives like U-Haul Adaptive Reuse (the preserving and repurposing of existing buildings for new stores), truck modifications to improve fuel economy, and plastic Ready-To-Go Boxes that are shared hundreds of times before being recycled are among the many ways U-Haul promotes green business. U-Box Load Share, the Company's latest sustainability program, was just named the 2023 Best in Biz gold winner for the Most Environmentally Friendly Service of the Year.

About U-HAUL

Founded in 1945, U-Haul is the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers with more than 23,000 rental locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. The enhanced U-Haul app makes it easier for customers to use U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 to access trucks anytime through the self-dispatch and self-return options on their smartphones through our patented Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to 192,200 trucks, 138,500 trailers and 44,500 towing devices. U-Haul is the third largest self-storage operator in North America with 967,000 rentable units and 83.3 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities. U-Haul is the top retailer of propane in the U.S. and the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. Get the U-Haul app from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact:

Andrea Batchelor

Jeff Lockridge

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 602-263-6981

Website: uhaul.com

SOURCE U-Haul International, Inc.
AmberSemi's exhibition will include multiple hands-on demos of its technology, as well a show-wide seminar presentation by CEO Thar Casey on the benefits of AC to DC Power Conversion in silicon

DUBLIN, Calif., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amber Semiconductor, Inc. (AmberSemi), a fabless semiconductor company and leading technology developer of patented, innovative technologies for AC Direct digital management of electricity in silicon chip architecture, is announcing its participation and plans for APEC 2024, the leading conference for power electronics professionals. At APEC 2024, AmberSemi will publicly showcase its AC Direct DC Enabler power management device for the first time ever. The AC Direct DC Enabler is AmberSemi's first commercial silicon chip and is currently in customer evaluation for integration into their end products as early as Q4 2024. Those interested in experiencing the technology first-hand can visit AmberSemi at APEC Booth #639 at the Long Beach Convention Center from February 26-28th, 2024.

AmberSemi's novel discoveries in semiconductor-based management of electricity include a portfolio of technologies with applications across industries on a global scale. To showcase the viability and broad-ranging impact of its AC Direct DC Enabler power conversion technology in silicon, the AmberSemi team will present three semiconductor demonstrations at its APEC booth. AmberSemi will specifically showcase different power levels for resistive and inductive loads, including 4-Watt, 2-Watt, and 1-Watt demos, all with various power densities. The company will also demonstrate two demos of its second technology, the AC Direct Switch controller platform, in the form of solid-state smart outlets, dimmer switches, and circuit breaker prototypes - all powered by AmberSemi. These demonstrations will serve as additional public validation for the technology, which has already been tested and validated at nearly 30 key electrical products and semiconductor company sites across Europe, the US, and Asia.

"We're incredibly excited to display our AC Direct DC Enabler in silicon for the very first time to the broader industry, as it marks the most tangible step yet in our path to commercialization," said Thar Casey, CEO of AmberSemi. "In the last year alone, we've advanced rapidly from the tapeout phase of siliconization to the design-in testing stage of our technology with Alpha customers, including multiple industry-leading partners in the semiconductor industry. As early as the end of this year, we anticipate that AmberSemi's technology will formally be introduced to the marketplace through collaborative reference designs and integrations with these partners. In addition, end products, powered by AmberSemi, are expected to be in the market from our product partners starting in 2025. With all of that now in motion, we believe the sky's the limit for our technology."

AmberSemi's AC Direct DC Enabler extracts DC directly from AC Mains without the use of rectifier bridges, transformers, and high-voltage, bulk capacitors and addresses the needs of a wide range of global markets in a new, highly integrated architecture. The product enables the smallest form factor for DC power delivery technology by requiring only half the external components used in today's standard, comparable systems, creating opportunities to expand product features, significantly reduce product form factor, increase MTBF, and improve efficiency. This paves the way for highly integrated and intelligent IoT/IIoT/AIoT applications for the smart home, smart building, appliances, industrial automation, smart city, and other markets.

In addition to showcasing its breakthrough technologies at Booth #639, AmberSemi's CEO, Thar Casey, will lead an education seminar titled "Bringing AC to DC Power Conversion to the 21st Century: Siliconizing Power to Eliminate the Challenges in AC to DC Power Conversion," during the conference. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 2:15 PM  2:45 PM PST at Exhibitor Presentation Theater 3 in the Long Beach Convention Center. Those interested in attending can register at APEC-Conf.org .

About AmberSemi

Amber Semiconductor, Inc is a leading developer of patented, innovative solid-state power management technologies for the digital control of electricity. The company's disruptive breakthroughs change the electrical landscape forever for industrial, commercial and residential building products, powered appliances, and semiconductor solutions worldwide. With 38 patents secured around the company's core breakthroughs, its technologies upgrade power management from 1950's era electro-mechanical standards to safer, more reliable silicon architecture with embedded intelligence. Based in Dublin, California, the company is a voting member of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and the Global Semiconductor Alliance (The GSA). The company was honored with numerous industry awards, such as Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2021, Fast Companies' Next Big Thing in Tech 2022 and the coveted Edison Gold Award for Innovation in 2023, The GSA's top four global Startups to Watch 2023, among many others. For more information visit www.ambersi.com.

Media Contact

Ruben Marinbach

GreenRoom Agency

Senior Account Director

[email protected]

646-285-8375

SOURCE AmberSemi
Stock Market Symbols

GIB.A (TSX)

GIB (NYSE)

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MONTREAL, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) announced today that it intends to enter into a private agreement with Mr. Serge Godin, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of CGI, for the purchase for cancellation of 1,674,930 Class A subordinate voting shares ("Class A Shares") indirectly held by him at a price of $149.26 per Class A Share, for a total consideration of $250 million. The price represents a discount of 3 percent (3%) to the closing price of the Class A Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") on February 22, 2024. CGI will fund the repurchase from cash on hand.

A Special Committee of CGI's Board of Directors, composed exclusively of independent directors, was established in connection with the share repurchase. After consultation with its external legal advisor Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP and financial advisor National Bank Financial Inc. and the receipt of an opinion regarding the reasonableness of the terms of the transaction from National Bank Financial Inc., the Special Committee unanimously determined that the share repurchase was in the best interest of the Company and recommended that the Board of Directors approve the transaction. Following the recommendation of the Special Committee, the share repurchase was also unanimously approved by the Board of Directors. All non-independent directors, including Mr. Serge Godin, refrained from participating in the Board of Directors' deliberations and from voting on matters relating to the transaction. A favourable decision was obtained from the Autorite des marches financiers (Quebec securities regulator) to exempt CGI from the issuer bid requirements under applicable securities legislation.

Michael B. Pedersen, Chair of the Board of Directors' Special Committee, noted that: "This strategic transaction presented a good opportunity to repurchase shares at a discount and offers immediate value to our shareholders."

The transaction is entered into by Mr. Godin for estate planning purposes.

After completion of the transaction, there will be 206,130,115 Class A Shares and 25,179,340 Class B shares (multiple voting) of CGI issued and outstanding. Mr. Godin will continue to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over 53.0% of the total voting rights and 10.5% of the CGI issued and outstanding shares compared with 54.3% and 11.1% respectively prior to the transaction.

The share repurchase, which is expected to be entered into later today, will be made under CGI's normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") commenced on February 6, 2024. Under the NCIB, CGI is authorized to repurchase up to 20,457,737 Class A Shares until the earlier of February 5, 2025 or the date on which CGI will either have acquired the maximum number of Class A Shares allowable under the NCIB or otherwise decided not to make any further purchases for cancellation under it. The NCIB allows for purchases outside the facilities of the TSX by private agreements pursuant to exemption orders issued by securities regulators. As at February 22, 2024, CGI had not repurchased any Class A Shares under its current NCIB.

Information regarding the share repurchase, including the number of Class A Shares purchased for cancellation and aggregate price paid, will be available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca following the completion thereof. CGI will not issue any additional press release in respect of this share repurchase.

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 90,500 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2023 reported revenue is $14.30 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

Forward-looking information and statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable United States safe harbours. All such forward-looking information and statements are made and disclosed in reliance upon the safe harbour provisions of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Forward-looking information and statements include all information and statements regarding CGI's intentions, plans, expectations, beliefs, objectives, future performance, and strategy, as well as any other information or statements that relate to future events or circumstances and which do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts. Forward-looking information and statements often but not always use words such as "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "foresee", "plan", "predict", "project", "aim", "seek", "strive", "potential", "continue", "target", "may", "might", "could", "should", and similar expressions and variations thereof. These information and statements are based on our perception of historic trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other assumptions, both general and specific, that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such information and statements are, however, by their very nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, of which many are beyond the control of CGI, and which give rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from our expectations expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not restricted to: risks related to the market such as the level of business activity of our clients, which is affected by economic and political conditions, additional external risks (such as pandemics, armed conflict, climate-related issues and inflation) and our ability to negotiate new contracts; risks related to our industry such as competition and our ability to develop and expand our services, to penetrate new markets, and to protect our intellectual property rights; risks related to our business such as risks associated with our growth strategy, including the integration of new operations, financial and operational risks inherent in worldwide operations, foreign exchange risks, income tax laws and other tax programs, the termination, modification, delay or suspension of our contractual agreements, our expectations regarding future revenue resulting from bookings and backlog, our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, to negotiate favourable contractual terms, to deliver our services and to collect receivables, to disclose, manage and implement environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and standards, and to achieve ESG commitments and targets, including without limitation, our commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, as well as the reputational and financial risks attendant to cybersecurity breaches and other incidents, and financial risks such as liquidity needs and requirements, maintenance of financial ratios, interest rate fluctuations and the discontinuation of major interest rate benchmarks and changes in creditworthiness and credit ratings; as well as other risks identified or incorporated by reference in this press release, in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and in other documents that we make public, including our filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators (on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (on EDGAR at www.sec.gov). Unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. While we believe that our assumptions on which these forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are based were reasonable as at the date of this press release, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking information or statements. Furthermore, readers are reminded that forward-looking information and statements are presented for the sole purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding our objectives, strategic priorities and business outlook as well as our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Further information on the risks that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations may be found in the section titled Risk Environment of CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A, which is incorporated by reference in this cautionary statement. We also caution readers that the above-mentioned risks and the risks disclosed in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and other documents and filings are not the only ones that could affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material adverse effect on our financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation.

SOURCE CGI Inc.
Ranked 'Elite150' in CRN's 2024 MSP 500 List

RAMSEY, N.J., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ComportSecure, the Hybrid Cloud, Hosted and Managed Services division of Comport Consulting Corp., today announced that it was again awarded Elite 150 status in CRN's annual Managed Services Provider (MSP) 500 ranking. The MSP 500 identifies the leading service providers in North America. The Elite 150 category recognizes larger, data center-focused MSPs with a strong mix of on- and off-premises services.

Comport Recognized as Leader in CRN MSP 500 List

Comport's managed services have grown by alleviating customers' IT staff shortages, improving security and compliance, and controlling IT spend. Comport's data centers are located in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Minneapolis.

Matt Burch, VP ComportSecure, states that "By combining data center, security and cloud-based IT expertise ComportSecure determines the right configurations and the right locations to achieve the best outcomes at the lowest cost. Infrastructure as a service has proven to be very valuable to our clients. We are also helping clients to develop strategies around navigating the VMware landscape including evaluating options around public cloud and products such as AzureStack."

The MSP 500 list will be featured in the CRN's February 2024 issue and online at crn.com/msp500.

About ComportSecure

ComportSecure provides customized help and extends IT budgets with easy-to-deploy and scale "as a service" consumption that eliminates expensive purchases. Services include 24x7 US based Managed Services, hybrid and private cloud, cloud migrations and repatriations, IaaS including Storage as a Service, HPE GreenLake offerings, Desktop as a Service, BaaS including O365, DRaaS, SOC and Network as a Service. Our Service Provider partnerships can reduce IT spend. ComportSecure is SOC 2 Type 2 certified, ISO 27001 and HIPAA compliant.

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com.

 2022 The Channel Company LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Channel Company Contact:

Jennifer Hogan

The Channel Company

[email protected]

Contact:

Kathleen Kinka

ComportSecure

[email protected]

SOURCE Comport Consulting
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CONSOL Energy announces its participation and focus on the NotSoFast campaign at the 2024 Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) Annual Conference & Expo. The event takes place from February 25-28 in Phoenix, AZ., bringing together professionals and experts from across the globe to share insights, innovations and the latest developments.

Highlighting this year's conference is keynote speaker Alex Epstein, a renowned philosopher and energy expert. Before Epstein's presentation, attendees will be introduced to the NotSoFast Campaign through a video display. The campaign underscores the importance of a measured approach to the energy transition, emphasizing the continued relevance of coal and fossil fuels in a balanced and realistic energy strategy.

Following the keynote address, CONSOL Energy CEO Jimmy Brock will participate in a panel discussion focused on the current state of the energy grid and the implications of the "net-zero by 2050" goal. Brock's insights are anticipated to shed light on the complexities and challenges of achieving a balanced energy future.

In addition, Brock will deliver a presentation titled "Energy Transition: NotSoFast" to further elaborate on the themes introduced in the NotSoFast Campaign, advocating for a pragmatic approach to the energy transition.

Daniel Connell, Senior Vice President  CONSOL Innovations and Jacqueline Fidler, CONSOL Vice President Environmental & Sustainability, will be speaking at SME. Their presentation, "NotSoFast: The Continuing Role of Coal in a Sustainable Future," aligns with the conference's theme of innovation and sustainability.

Lastly, CONSOL Energy also will be receiving the prestigious Robert E. Murray Innovation Award at SME, being recognized for its contributions to the mining industry through technical innovation and the advancement of coal's role in a sustainable energy future.

The Robert E. Murray Innovation Award, established in 2017, honors those who drive the mining industry forward through cutting-edge technologies and innovative processes. It celebrates achievements that have significantly impacted the industry over the past five years, showcasing the power of innovation in fostering progress and efficiency.

CONSOL Energy's presence at the SME Annual Conference & Expo underscores its commitment to leading the conversation on the future of energy and mining. Through its participation and the NotSoFast campaign, CONSOL Energy aims to contribute to the global dialogue on sustainable mining practices, innovation and the balanced approach to energy transition that supports both economic growth and environmental stewardship.

For more information about the campaign, please visit theCOALhardtruth.com . Additionally, a Media Kit is available for download.

SOURCE CONSOL Energy
UZHHOROD, Ukraine, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) , a non-profit organization that provides community-inspired, volunteer-powered disaster relief to international communities, has launched a crisis relief program in Western Ukraine two years after Russia's brutal invasion.

Since the invasion, All Hands and Hearts has been addressing the unique needs of Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) through the Ukraine Crisis Relief program. In the early days of the crisis, working alongside local partner Save Ukraine, initial relief work encompassed supporting over 100,000 Ukrainians through life-saving evacuations and providing critical access to essential supplies.

All Hands and Hearts is launching a volunteer program in Western Ukraine to support crisis-relief work for IDPs. Post this

Over the last two years, AHAH has adapted its work to the changing needs of these communities.

RELIEF IN POLAND

From July 2022 - March 2023, AHAH worked in Przemysl, Poland , to conduct vital shelter repairs for those fleeing conflict and needing warm living spaces during the winter months. Since March 2023, AHAH has continued critical construction projects and working alongside local organizations to support the rapidly increasing refugee communities in Krakow, Poland.

RELIEF IN UKRAINE

All Hands and Hearts has evolved its partnership with Save Ukraine to facilitate the construction of transitional homes for 170 families . In November, AHAH spent two months in Western Ukraine, leveraging local partnerships to coordinate non-food items, conduct collective center repairs and coordinate inclusive and accessible engagement activities for IDPs.

As of January 2024, 14.6 million Ukrainians still need humanitarian assistance.

In March 2024, AHAH will launch a volunteer-powered program in Uzhhorod, Ukraine , in the Zakarpatska Oblast. Over 113,000 registered IDPs reside in the region, and more are expected to arrive as resources dwindle in outside areas. The city of Uzhhorod, therefore, needs support to provide safe shelter for displaced families and individuals.

AHAH will work with Uzhhorod University to provide critical updates and repairs for living spaces and coordinate various engagement activities for IDPs, giving dignity, community and shelter to over 200 individuals.

AHAH proudly maintains its 4-star rating, the highest awarded by Charity Navigator, for the tenth consecutive year. This rating is a testament to its commitment to transparency and efficiency, assuring donors that 95% of every dollar contributed goes directly toward global relief efforts.

Please consider donating to All Hands and Hearts' Ukraine Crisis Relief program . Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of war-stricken individuals.

Media Contact:

Morgan Sydlowski

Director of Marketing at All Hands and Hearts

[email protected]

(+1) 978-518-0489

SOURCE All Hands and Hearts
NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The e-learning market in US is to grow by USD 56.44 billion from 2023 to 2028 progressing at a CAGR of 16.48% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Here is an Exclusive report talking about Market scenarios with a historical period (2017-2021) and forecast period (2024-2028). Download Sample Report in minutes!

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled E-Learning Market in US 2024-2028

Report Coverage Details Page number 144 Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 16.48% Market Growth 2024-2028 USD 56.44 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2023-2024(%) 15.54

The educational landscape in the US has undergone rapid transformation in recent years. The rise of e-learning courses and distance learning programs has enhanced educational accessibility, providing cost-effective alternatives to traditional university courses. There is a growing demand for innovative learning formats like AR-based e-learning and blended learning, potentially challenging traditional educational methods. Additionally, the convenience of e-learning appeals to individuals with busy lifestyles and those returning to education after dropping out. Download Sample Report in minutes!

The market is segmented by deployment (on-premise and cloud), and end-user (higher education, corporate, and K12).

The market share growth in the on-premises segment will be significant during the forecast period. In the US, on-premises delivery is the predominant method for E-learning, significantly influencing the market. The sector is expected to witness steady growth, driven by a heightened demand for secure and reliable learning solutions. While large players dominate, numerous small and medium-sized businesses also contribute specialized E-learning solutions. Corporations and educational institutions, seeking secure learning solutions, continue to drive the growth of on-premises deployment.

Adobe Inc., Cengage Learning Holdings II Inc., Coursera Inc., D2L Corp., Docebo Inc., Flatworld Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co., Infopro Learning Inc., Udemy Inc., VitalSource Technologies LLC, 2U Inc., Anthology Inc., Articulate Global Inc., eLearning Co. Inc., iEnergizer, Instructure Holdings Inc., John Wiley and Sons Inc., McGraw Hill LLC, Microsoft Corp., and Stylus Solutions Pvt. Ltd. are key companies.

The advent of advanced technologies is an emerging trend shaping market growth.

Competition from MOOCs is a significant challenge restricting market growth. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources through an analysis of key parameters. View a Sample Report

Adobe Inc. - The company offers E-learning courses such as executive programs, master's programs, bachelor's programs, computer science, python, AI, and many more.

Cengage Learning Holdings II Inc. - The company offers E-learning platforms such as Adobe Learning Manager, Adobe Captivate, and Adobe Connect. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Analyst Review

The Ever-Expanding Growth Of The eLearning Market in the US reflects a profound revolution in education. With the surge in technological advancements, online courses, webinars, and digital resources, the global eLearning market size continues to soar. Educational content is now more accessible than ever, catering to changing educational preferences and learners' diverse needs. The demand for flexible learning options is met through electronic technologies, offering training in a classroom setting or remotely. According to Statista, the US eLearning market witnesses remarkable growth, driven by the acquisition of knowledge and skills. This trend underscores the necessity for technological advancements and underscores the significance of online courses in meeting evolving educational demands.

The US E Learning market is experiencing a rapid expansion, marking it as a global phenomenon. Across every region, this industry is witnessing substantial growth across various sectors. This growth isn't just about the market, but also about personal development. Key drivers of this expansion include factors like continuous expansion, accessibility, and flexibility. Accessibility, driven by widespread internet connection, ensures that education becomes more inclusive, catering to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, the flexibility of eLearning accommodates students juggling studies with work or other commitments, making it equally appealing to professionals seeking personal development. This blend of factors propels the eLearning market forward, shaping the future of education and skill enhancement.

The US E Learning market continues to flourish, driven by the imperative of cost-efficiency and the increasing demand for personalized learning experiences. Traditional classroom-based education is gradually making way for diverse learning formats offered by organizations through learning platforms. Large-scale training programs are being revolutionized through AI integration, catering to individual learners' needs and learning styles. Content is becoming more dynamic, with video courses and interactive modules gaining popularity. In this dynamic landscape, Lifelong learning is not just a choice but a necessity, given the ever-evolving job market. Individuals are embracing eLearning opportunities to stay competitive. The eLearning Market's Future Growth Prospects remain promising, with data indicating sustained expansion fueled by innovation and adaptability. View a Sample Report

Related Reports

The corporate e-learning market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14.3% between 2023 and 2028. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 153.41 billion.

The Global Academic E-learning Market Size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 17.5% between 2022 and 2027, and the size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 147.89 billion.

ToC:

1 Executive Summary

2 Landscape

3 Sizing

4 Historic Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Segmentations

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Vendor Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
SARASOTA, Fla., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Harold Mitchell has announced his retirement, effective in June, as President and CEO of the Elling Eide Center. A cousin of the late sinologist Elling O. Eide (1935-2012), Mr. Mitchell was entrusted with incorporating his estate as a 501c-3 private foundation, and with overseeing the completion of the building that was designed by Sarasota architect Guy Peterson to house an extensive library in Chinese studies and Asian art collection. Mr. Mitchell hired the staff who worked to catalogue the library of over sixty thousand volumes and who initiated programs that would serve the public as well as specialists. He also developed partnerships with local cultural institutions and conservationist organizations. Following its opening in 2016, the Eide Center has sponsored academic conferences, public lectures, and guided tours of the native and exotic plants of its natural preserve overlooking Little Sarasota Bay. Many visitors know Mr. Mitchell from the talks he personally gave about Elling Eide, the history of the property, and the Eide and Mitchell families' settlement in Florida. While looking forward to enjoying more time with his grandchildren, Mr. Mitchell will remain a member of the Board and is committed to assist the transition to a new CEO. The Board of Directors expresses its appreciation for his many years of service.

Elling Eide Center CEO announces retirement

Applications to the position of President and CEO of the Elling Eide Center are accepted online by The Maneva Group, at https://www.manevagroup.com/ellingeidecenter. Questions may be addressed to Romni Edwards, [email protected].

Media contact:

Georgia Hudson

[email protected]

9418934703

SOURCE Elling Eide Center
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the 2023 Fiscal Year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) recovered over $2.3 billion in qui tam whistleblower cases, according to agency's False Claims Act (FCA) statistics released today. The DOJ recovered a total of $2.68 billion from FCA settlements and judgments over the course of the year: meaning that whistleblower cases were responsible for more than 85% of the DOJ's total FCA recoveries.

"The statistics once again show that whistleblowing works," says leading whistleblower attorney Stephen M. Kohn of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto. "Whistleblowers are the government's number one source of fraud detection."

"Year after year, whistleblowers recover billions of dollars for taxpayers," continued Kohn. "These whistleblowers come forward at grave risk to themselves and their livelihoods. It is high time that the DOJ fully supports whistleblowers."

Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers with knowledge of government contracting fraud may file qui tam lawsuits on behalf of the U.S. government. The DOJ then has the option to intervene and take over the lawsuit. If the DOJ declines to intervene, a whistleblower may continue to pursue the lawsuit.

Since the FCA's qui tam provisions were modernized in 1986, whistleblowers have recovered over $52.7 billion.

In recent years, advocates have critiqued the DOJ for either failing to intervene in or dismissing strong whistleblower cases. Furthermore, for years the DOJ has failed to implement the confidential reporting requirements mandated under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020.

Mr. Kohn is available for further comment on the appointment.

Contact: Geoff Schweller

[email protected]

SOURCE Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto LLP
SARAJEVO, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The influx of migrants to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) increased by more than 20 percent in 2023 compared with the previous year and this trend has continued in 2024, a senior official has said.

There are currently 2,038 migrants in four temporary reception centers in BiH, who are mainly singles aged between 18 and 35, said Director of the Service for Foreigners Affairs of BiH Zarko Laketa at a meeting with Alfredo Strippoli, head of the Rule of Law department of the European Union (EU) delegation in BiH, on Thursday.

According to data from the Service for Foreigners' Affairs of BiH, 3,550 illegal migrants were detected in the first two months of this year, which is 35 percent more than in the same period last year.

During 2023, 34,409 migrants were detected in BiH, while since the beginning of the migrant crisis in 2018, over 150,000 individuals have been identified with an illegal status in BiH.

BiH applied for EU membership in February 2016 and was granted EU candidate status in December 2022. In December 2023, the European Council decided it will open accession negotiations with BiH, once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved.

BiH has been used as a transit area for migrants on their way to EU countries. 
DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fractal Marine DMCC, a leading entity in the global shipping and trading sector, expresses its profound disappointment following its recent inclusion on the sanctions list by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Fractal Marine is founded on the core principles of compliance, transparency, and the fostering of robust relationships within the international trading community, including active communication and alignment with the objectives of the price cap coalition.

Fractal Marine has initiated a formal challenge against the sanctions in response to these developments. We are in active dialogue with the relevant UK authorities to address and resolve the concerns raised. The company is committed to demonstrating its adherence to international standards and its unwavering dedication to lawful and ethical business practices.

A Commitment to Global Collaboration and Compliance

Fractal Marine recognizes the critical importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving shared objectives across borders. The company is steadfast in its commitment to working closely with regulators, including those in the United States and the European Union, to support and advance policy objectives while strictly adhering to established trade mechanisms and regulations.

Understanding the significance of aligning our operations with the priorities of global authorities, Fractal Marine is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and sustainability. Our engagement with the price cap coalition reflects our proactive approach to ensuring that our business practices contribute positively to the stability and growth of international commerce and energy security.

Driving Mutual Success Through Responsible Practices

Fractal Marine is resolute in its aim to be a positive force in the industry, fostering strong relationships and actively participating in initiatives that promote responsible shipping and trading practices. Our commitment to being a reliable and trustworthy partner is unwavering as we continue to drive mutual success while adhering to the regulatory frameworks and policy objectives set forth by the US, EU, and other international bodies.

As we move forward, Fractal Marine is focused on challenging the UK designations and clearing any misunderstandings regarding our operations and compliance record. We remain dedicated to transparency, open communication, and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our business.

About Fractal Marine DMCC

Fractal Marine DMCC is a leading global shipping and trading entity headquartered in Dubai, UAE. Founded on the principles of compliance, transparency, and integrity, Fractal Marine is committed to advancing the policy objectives of international regulators and contributing to the growth and stability of global commerce and energy security.

SOURCE Fractal
DUBLIN, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market (2023 Edition): Analysis By Equipment (Kitchen Purpose, Food Holding and Storing, Ware Washing, Others), By Sales Channel (Online, Offline), End-User, By Region, By Country: Market Insights and Forecast (2019-2029)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market is expected to generate USD 68.72 billion by the end of 2029, up from USD 36.24 billion in 2022. During the forecast period, 2024-2029, Global Commercial Food Service Equipment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.18%.

The industry's evolution toward smart, sustainable, and versatile equipment reflects the ongoing efforts to meet the diverse needs of foodservice establishments while adhering to regulatory standards.A favourable growth element for the global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market is propelled by increasing trend of customization and adaptability in the forecast period.

The research report covers a detailed analysis of the regions (Americas, Europe, APAC, Middle East Africa) and 10 countries (United States, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, China, Japan, India). Additionally, the research report presents data including market size, yearly growth & potential analysis, the competitive study of market players, investment opportunities and demand forecast.



The global commercial food service equipment market is thriving due to a confluence of influential drivers. Shifting consumer preferences play a pivotal role as people seek healthier and more convenient dining options, propelling the need for innovative equipment tailored to these evolving tastes. Moreover, the surge in urbanization worldwide has fueled a growing culture of eating out, intensifying the demand for foodservice establishments to maintain quality while catering to the increasing numbers.

This trend underscores the necessity for efficient tools and appliances that can handle higher volumes without compromising on standards. Efficiency remains a key concern for these businesses, leading to the adoption of modern equipment designed to enhance productivity, decrease cooking times, and optimize both space utilization and energy consumption.



Technological advancements stand as a cornerstone of this market's growth, enabling the development of more durable, cost-effective, and technologically sophisticated equipment. Manufacturers leverage advancements in manufacturing processes and materials to create products that are not only efficient but also durable and adaptable to various culinary demands.

Amidst this, stringent regulations and heightened consumer awareness regarding hygiene and food safety have spurred a significant demand for equipment with features ensuring sanitation and adherence to safety standards. This focus on maintaining high standards of cleanliness and safety has become a paramount consideration for establishments.



The commercial food service equipment market's growth is further fueled by the increasing trend of customization and adaptability. Foodservice establishments require versatile equipment that can accommodate diverse culinary needs and menu variations. Manufacturers respond by offering modular and adaptable appliances capable of performing multiple functions, providing establishments with the flexibility needed to meet evolving consumer demands and preferences.

Additionally, the market's competitive landscape constantly encourages innovation, with companies striving to differentiate themselves by introducing unique features, improved functionalities, and aesthetically pleasing designs, further enriching the market with a spectrum of choices for buyers.

The research report also assesses growth indicators, restraints, supply and demand risk, and other important statistics, as well as a full assessment of current and future market trends that are relevant to the market evolution.



Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market: Historic and Forecast (2019-2029)

Impact Analysis of Macro Economic Factors on Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market

Number of food service establishments in Leading countries Worldwide in 2020

Food Service Industry Statistics

Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market: Dashboard

Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market: Market Size and CAGR, 2019-2029 (USD Billion & CAGR)

Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market: Market Value Assessment

Assessment: Degree of Impact of COVID-19 on Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market

Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Segmentation: By End-User Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Segmentation, By End-User Overview Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Institutional, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR) Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Full Service Restaurants, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR) Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Quick Service Restaurants, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR) Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Other End-Users, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR)

Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Segmentation: By Sales Channel Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market, By Sales Channel Overview Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Online, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR) Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Offline, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR)

Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Segmentation: By Equipment Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market, By Equipment Overview Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Kitchen Purpose Equipment, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR) Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Food Holding and Storing Equipment, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR) Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Refrigeration Equipment, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR) Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Ware Washing Equipment, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR) Global Commercial Food Service Equipment Market Size, By Other Equipments, By Value, 2019H-2029F (USD Billion & CAGR)



Competitive Positioning

Companies' Product Positioning

Market Position Matrix

Market Share Analysis of Commercial Food Service Equipment Market

Company Profiles

Electrolux AB

Haier Group

Ali Group

Dover Corporation

Duke Manufacturing

Blue Star Limited

Fujimak Corporation

Hoshizaki Corporation

LG Electronics

Illinois Tool Works

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ybsqmr

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Disinfection Robots Market - Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

As the world grapples with hygiene and sanitation challenges, the disinfection robots sector emerges as a beacon of innovation. The global disinfection robots market is poised to witness a remarkable compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.02% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2028. This surge is underpinned by the evolution of automated guided vehicles, automated mobile robots, and an increased emphasis on efficient and effective healthcare disinfection methods.

Recent trends indicate a significant drive towards mobile robotics in the healthcare sector, aiming to cut down medical costs and efficiently manage various healthcare systems processes. The implementation of automated systems for tasks like handling laboratory samples, pharmacy medicines, and transportation has led to heightened operational efficiency. Moreover, the introduction of purely electric disinfection robots marks a significant leap forward in combatting scenarios such as the COVID-19 pandemic with greater efficacy and convenience.

The global pandemic has also highlighted the need for stringent health and safety standards. Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) enforce measures to substantially decrease hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), propelling the demand for innovative disinfection solutions. This demand is further boosted by significant funding, investments, and an ever-expanding portfolio of disinfection robots with enhanced autonomous capabilities.

Modern disinfectants technologies have also undergone significant improvements. The sector has witnessed a paradigm shift in the design and composition of disinfection products, thereby increasing their adoption in varying end-user industries. Combined these trends set the stage for the disinfection robots market to grow and evolve at an unprecedented pace.

The industry, however, faces certain restraints, such as societal inequalities, potential job losses, and an increase in elderly isolation that may limit the adoption of disinfection robots. Notwithstanding these challenges, the sector's prospects remain strong due to the myriad applications spanning healthcare, biopharmaceuticals, transport, and hospitality sectors.

Segment Insights:

Products such as hydrogen peroxide vapor and UV-C disinfection robots are undergoing rapid adoption due to their efficacy in eliminating microbes and sterilization capabilities.

Technological advances have broadened the spectrum of disinfection robots, ranging from fully autonomous to semi-autonomous systems tailored to the needs of multiple industries.

Sensor types like ultrasonic and infrared play a pivotal role in maneuvering robots within targeted environments, enhancing operational precision.

On the geographic front, Europe is leading the charge in the disinfection robots market, with significant contributions from Germany, the UK, France, and Italy. The region's robust infrastructure, forward-thinking health policies, and technological advancements give it a distinctive edge. Close on the heels is North America, which is making strides with healthcare innovations and strict regulatory mandates for maintaining hygienic conditions.

In the highly competitive and fragmented vendor landscape, key players are making strategic moves to consolidate their presence and capture market share. The focus is on product enhancements, technological upgrades, and strategic partnerships to meet the escalating demand for disinfection robots, with an eye on post-pandemic recovery and readiness for future crises.

This insightful market outlook and forecast for the global disinfection robots market delineates the dynamic changes the market is undergoing, the drivers steering its growth, and the challenges it faces. Stakeholders, investors, and key decision-makers can leverage this analysis to make informed strategic decisions.

Key Questions Answered:

What is driving the growth of the disinfection robots market? Which product and technology types are dominating the market? How are regional markets contributing to the overall market expansion? Who are the leading players in the disinfection robot industry?

The study encapsulates a comprehensive examination of market trends, drivers, restraints, and the competitive landscape, providing a nuanced understanding of the disinfection robots market landscape. With detailed segmentation and geographical analysis, the report outlines the areas poised for growth and the emerging trends that stakeholders should monitor.

Company Coverage:

Blue Ocean Robotics

Nevoa

Taimi Robotics Technology

XAG

Xenex Disinfection Services

PHILIPS

SIEMENS AG

Altoros

Akara Robotics

ALVO Medical

Amy Robotics

Ava Robotics

Badger Technologies

Bioquell

Bridgeport Magnetics Group

Clearpath Robotics

Corvus Robotics

Engmotion

Fetch Robotics

Finsen Technologies

Geekplus Technology

Grizzly

H-Bots Robotics

imedtac

Keenon Robotics

Mediland

MetraLabs

Nanyang Technological University

OMRON

OTSAW

Pudu Robotics

Rubedo sistemos

SESTO Robotics

Shanghai Huifeng Medical Instrument

Shenzhen EAI Technology

SIEMENS & AuCMA

SIFSOF

Skytron

Techmetics Robotics

Tru-D SmartUVC

UVCLight.co.uk

UVC Solutions

Vanora Robots

TMI Robotics

RobotLAB Inc

A.O. Smith

LG Electronics

VackerGlobal

KENT RO

Report Segmentation

By Product Type

Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Disinfection Robots

UV Disinfection Robots

Disinfection Spray Robots

Combined System Robots

By Technology Type

Fully Autonomous Robot

Semi-Autonomous Robot

By Sensor Type

Ultrasonic Sensor

Infrared Sensor

By Controller Type

Wi-Fi Controller

Bluetooth Controller

By End User

Healthcare Facilities

Biopharmaceutical Industry

Transport

Hospitality

Others

By Distribution Channel

Offline

Online

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r0g4fh

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Fire-Rated Medium Density Fiberboard Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest market research report analyzing the trends and forecast of the Global Fire-Rated Medium Density Fiberboard industry, reflecting promising opportunities across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors.

This comprehensive study reveals a growth trajectory for the fire-rated medium density fiberboard market, projecting a significant 5.6% CAGR from 2024 to 2030.

Market Drivers and Opportunities Flourish Across Geographies

The demand for fire-resistant building materials shows a robust increase, fueling the growth and innovations within the fire-rated medium density fiberboard market. An upsurge in the construction industry, paired with a shift from compressed wood to medium-density fiberboard for furniture manufacturing, has been identified as the pivotal contributors to this expansion.

Extensive Segmentation Analysis Highlights Diverse Applications

The report segments the global market meticulously, analyzing the trends and future prospects across various applications:

Furniture

Decoration

Others

It also assesses the compound annual growth rate and potential of the following end-use sectors:

Residential User

Commercial User

Institutional User

Others

These insights cater to investors, businesses, and other stakeholders looking to navigate the market with informed strategic planning.

Regional Insights Point to Asia Pacific's Dominance

Geographical analysis indicates that the Asia Pacific region is expected to maintain the largest market share over the forecast period, driven by an increase in development and construction expenditure.

Industry Leaders Pioneering Fire-Resistance Innovations



The landscape of the fire-rated medium density fiberboard market is competitive, with key industry players such as Kronospan, Arauco, Swiss Krono, and many others. The report highlights strategic developments, market consolidation, and the importance of research and development in this sector.

Emerging Trends and New Developments

Emerging trends and customers' evolving demands are thoroughly examined, providing a forward-looking perspective on different dynamics influencing the market. The publication also covers new developments and lists major market players who are leading these advancements, aligning the competitive field within the industry.

This assessments, analyses, and forecast included in this report serve as a valuable tool for entities involved or interested in the fire-rated medium density fiberboard market, ensuring they remain at the forefront of safety, innovation, and market growth.

Companies Profiled

Kronospan

Arauco

Swiss Krono

Sonae Arauce

Egger

Hanson Plywood

Mcfadden's



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/el3jf

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Nano Calcium Carbonate - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global Nano Calcium Carbonate Market to Reach $13.4 Billion by 2030



The global market for Nano Calcium Carbonate estimated at US$7.5 Billion in the year 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of US$13.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.6% over the analysis period 2022-2030. Standard Grade, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record 7.2% CAGR and reach US$10.2 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the High Precision Grade segment is estimated at 9% CAGR for the next 8-year period.



The report highlights the significant role of material innovation, particularly in nanotechnology and nanomaterials, in driving the growth of the nano calcium carbonate market. It discusses how the strong focus on material innovation has paved the way for advancements in nanotechnology, which in turn positively impacts the nano calcium carbonate market. Additionally, it provides insights into the global economic update to contextualize market trends and developments.

Furthermore, the competitive landscape of the nano calcium carbonate market is examined, with a breakdown of market presence categorized as strong, active, niche, or trivial for 39 players worldwide in 2023. The report also includes influencer insights and technology perspectives to offer a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics and emerging trends in nano calcium carbonate.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $1.6 Billion, While China is Forecast to Grow at 9.3% CAGR



The Nano Calcium Carbonate market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.6 Billion in the year 2022. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$2.6 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 9.3% over the analysis period 2022 to 2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 5.8% and 7.1% respectively over the 2022-2030 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 7% CAGR.



MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

A Recovering Construction Industry Bodes Well for Nano Calcium Carbonate Use in Production of Construction Materials

Growing Construction Spending to Create a Parallel Rise in Demand for Nano CaCO3 in Concrete Production: Global Construction Spending (in US$ Trillion) for the Years 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026 and 2028

Increase in Plastic Production & Consumption Sets the Tone for Nano CaCO3 Consumption in Plastic Manufacturing

Unabated & Unrelenting Use of Plastics Across Industries, Despite the Environmental Criticism, to Sustain Demand for Nano CaCO3 in Plastic Production: Global Plastics Production (In Million Metric Tons) for Years 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023

Strong Demand for Rubber Products Drives Growth in the Rubber Processing End-Use Sector Market

Strong Demand for Rubber Products Drives Interest in Nano Calcium Carbonate for Producing Low Cost, High Performance Rubber Products: Global Market for Rubber Products (In US$ Billion) for Years 2023, 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031

Continuous Advancements to Benefit Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles Use in Biomedical Applications

Use of Nano Calcium Carbonate in the Paint Industry: A Review

Growing Demand for High Quality Paints Drives Use of Nano Calcium Carbonate to Improve Paint Properties such as Sheen, Opacity and Wear Resistance: Global Market for Paints and Coatings (In US$ Billion) for Years 2023, 2026, 2028, and 2030

FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS (Total 39 Featured)

AkzoNobel N.V.

Chu Shin Chemical Co., Ltd

Enping Yueyi Chemistry Industry Co., Ltd

Fujian Sanmu Nano Calcium Carbonate Co., Ltd

Guangdong Qiangda New Materials Technology Co., Ltd

Hebei Lixin Chemistry Co., Ltd

Imerys Performance Minerals

Mineral Technologies Inc.

Mittal Enterprises

Nanomaterials Technology Co., Ltd.

Omya AG

Shanghai Yaohua Nano-Tech Co., Ltd

Specialty Minerals Inc.

Yuncheng Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r3n0ep

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Prepaid Card Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, & Forecast 2019-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Prepaid Card Market was valued at USD 2.71 Trillion in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 14.6% through 2029, reaching USD 6.12 Trillion.

The prepaid card market is expected to exhibit high growth during the forecast period, owing to the convenience offered similar to that of a credit or debit card with the ability to allow the end user to set the spending limit according to the budget. Prepaid cards, also referred to as daily cards, are a plastic substitute for carrying cash. Cash, cheques, and other payment cards have been replaced with prepaid cards in situations when customers or businesses wish to make payments electronically without having to link the payment to a credit or debit account.

Prepaid cards are also a good substitute for standard banking goods for those who don't have bank accounts or would rather have greater control over their spending because they're frequently used for online shopping, travel, and budgeting. Furthermore, because prepaid cards let recipients choose how to utilise the money, they're widely employed as employee incentives and gift cards. This industry grows considerably around holidays and noteworthy events.



The prepaid card market is driven by multiple strong variables that impact its dynamics. Growing remittance demand has been a major factor in the prepaid card market's expansion. As more individuals live and work abroad, there is an increasing need for practical and affordable ways to send money home.

Prepaid cards minimise the hassles and costs involved with traditional money transfer methods while providing recipients with an easy way to access funds. In addition to usually offering favourable exchange rates, these cards offer a secure means of making international payments. Furthermore, consumers' growing desire for cash substitutes fuels the growth of the prepaid card market as they look for convenient, secure, and adaptable payment options that offer these advantages.



However, because both consumers and businesses are worried about possible data breaches, unauthorized transactions, and identity theft in the prepaid card market, security and privacy concerns might seriously impede the expansion of the prepaid card market. The payment system loses credibility when fraudulent transactions occur using prepaid card information.

Concerns concerning their potential use in illegal activities are also raised by the anonymous character of certain prepaid cards. Under certain conditions, insufficient regulatory oversight may make these worries more acute. To thrive, prepaid card firms need to give top priority to strong security protocols, open data management procedures, and efficient fraud prevention strategies. Additionally, the rivalry from mobile payments is impeding the prepaid card market's expansion.



Contactless Payments and NFC Technology



In recent years, the adoption of contactless payment methods has become a significant trend in the prepaid card market. Near Field Communication (NFC) technology allows users to make secure and convenient transactions by simply tapping their prepaid cards on compatible terminals. This trend aligns with the broader movement towards a cashless society, offering users a faster and more seamless payment experience. As contactless infrastructure continues to expand globally, prepaid cards equipped with NFC capabilities are expected to become even more prevalent.



Integration with Mobile Wallets



The integration of prepaid cards with mobile wallets has emerged as a powerful trend, catering to the increasing reliance on smartphones for financial transactions. Mobile wallet applications enable users to store and manage their prepaid card information digitally, providing added convenience. This trend aligns with the broader shift towards digital financial ecosystems, where users can seamlessly switch between various payment methods, including prepaid cards, within a unified mobile platform. As mobile wallet adoption continues to rise, the integration of prepaid cards with these platforms is expected to become more sophisticated and user-friendly.



Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Integration



The rise of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies is influencing the prepaid card market, introducing new possibilities and enhancing security measures. Some prepaid card providers now offer cryptocurrency-linked cards, allowing users to spend their digital assets in traditional retail environments. Blockchain technology is also being explored for enhancing the transparency and traceability of prepaid card transactions, addressing concerns related to fraud and security. As the regulatory landscape around cryptocurrencies evolves, the integration of blockchain technology with prepaid cards is likely to shape new avenues for secure and decentralized financial transactions.



Personalization and Customization



Personalization has become a key trend in the prepaid card market, catering to the diverse preferences and lifestyles of users. Prepaid card providers are offering customizable designs, allowing users to add personalized images, choose unique card colors, and even select specific spending categories. This trend enhances the emotional connection users have with their prepaid cards, making them more likely to use and recommend the product. As technology advances, personalization features are expected to become more sophisticated, providing users with a tailored and engaging financial experience.



Focus on Sustainability and ESG Principles



Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are increasingly influencing consumer choices, and the prepaid card market is not exempt from this trend. Users are showing a growing interest in prepaid cards issued by providers committed to sustainable practices. This includes using eco-friendly materials for card production, offsetting carbon emissions associated with card usage, and supporting social initiatives. Prepaid card providers aligning with ESG principles are likely to attract environmentally conscious consumers and contribute to a positive brand image.



Enhanced Security Features



With the rising prevalence of cyber threats and fraud, prepaid card providers are investing in advanced security features to safeguard user funds and personal information. Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, is becoming more common in securing prepaid card transactions.

Additionally, real-time transaction monitoring, AI-driven fraud detection, and the ability to instantly freeze or block a card through mobile apps are trends aimed at enhancing the overall security posture of prepaid cards. As cybersecurity threats evolve, ongoing investments in cutting-edge security measures are crucial to maintaining user trust.



Financial Wellness Tools and Educational Resources



Recognizing the importance of financial literacy and well-being, prepaid card providers are incorporating financial wellness tools and educational resources into their offerings. Mobile apps associated with prepaid cards now often include budgeting features, spending analytics, and educational content to help users make informed financial decisions. This trend aligns with the growing emphasis on empowering users with the knowledge and tools to manage their finances effectively, contributing to their long-term financial health.

Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the global Prepaid Card Market.

American Express Company

Green Dot Corporation

JPMorgan Chase And Co

Kaiku Finance LLC

Mango Financial, Inc.

Mastercard

NetSpend Corporation

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

Travelex Foreign Coin Services Limited

Visa Inc.

Report Scope



Prepaid Card Market, By End User:

Retail Establishments

Corporate

Government/Public Sector

Others

Prepaid Card Market, By Card Type:

Closed Loop Prepaid Card

Open Loop Prepaid Card

Prepaid Card Market, By Offering:

General Purpose Reloadable Card

Gift Cards

Government Benefit/Disbursement Card

Incentive/Payroll Card

Others

Prepaid Card Market, By Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Mexico

Europe

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Germany

Spain

Asia-Pacific

China

India

Japan

Australia

South Korea

South America

Brazil

Argentina

Colombia

Middle East & Africa

& South Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Turkey

Egypt

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/34ac0k

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DENVER, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Homebot, a home finance education portal that empowers consumers to make smart home finance decisions, today announced their partnership with Ent Credit Union, Colorado's largest credit union and recognized by Newsweek as one of Colorado's Best Regional Credit Unions 2024.

Homebot is renowned for its innovative solutions that enable lenders to build lasting relationships with their past members. The platform utilizes advanced technology to deliver data-driven insights, enabling lenders to engage members effectively while offering personalized financial solutions.

Ent Credit Union, known for its commitment to enhancing members' financial well-being, aligns with Homebot's mission to provide homeowners with valuable home finance education about their most significant asset - their home.

Homebot is proud to continue expanding support for the credit union movement. This partnership aligns with Ent Credit Union's commitment to providing value beyond traditional banking services, fostering financial literacy, and helping members to achieve their homeownership goals.

"We are very excited about our partnership with Ent Credit Union," said Charlie Pratt, CEO of Homebot. "By combining our platform with Ent's dedication to improving member education and experience, we aim to set a new standard in their homeownership journey. Together, we will empower members with the information they need to make confident financial decisions."

Brittany Breakiron, Director of Mortgage Production at Ent Credit Union, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "Homebot's platform provides Ent members with personalized information related to their home value that can empower the members we serve to build a future on the foundation of their own home. This new member benefit only enriches our longstanding reputation of mortgage and service excellence in the state of Colorado."

About ENT Credit Union:

Founded in 1957, Ent, Colorado's largest credit union, has been consistently ranked as one of Colorado's best credit unions by many publications, including being named one of the best regional credit unions of 2024 by Newsweek. Ent, a not-for-profit financial, community-chartered credit union is committed to improving members' financial quality of life with better rates, lower fees and unparalleled products and services. With nearly $10 billion in assets, Ent serves more than 550,000 members at 55 convenient service centers across the Front Range. Ent is an Equal Housing Opportunity and Equal Opportunity Lender, insured by the NCUA. Visit Ent.com for more.

About Homebot:

Homebot, is a consumer engagement platform that keeps people connected to their home advisors (loan officers and real estate agents).

The award winning platform delivers personalized, actionable intelligence throughout the entire homeownership lifecycle. And with an average 50% monthly engagement rate, Homebot ensures lenders and agents remain the trusted advisors that consumers rely on to make informed decisions about the largest asset they may ever own, their home. For more information on Homebot, please visit: homebot.ai.

Contact:

Ashley Remstad

ashley@homebot.ai

SOURCE Homebot, Inc.
KYIV, Ukraine, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Capital, a leading U.S. private equity firm, is pleased to announce that its latest Ukraine-focused fund, Horizon Capital Growth Fund IV ("HCGF IV", the "Fund"), has reached $350 million in commitments at its Final Closing held in Tokyo on February 19, 2024, boosting AUM to $1.6 billion. The Kyiv-based firm exceeded its initial target size of $250 million by 40%, while also concluding three attractive investments during the fundraising process. Horizon Capital's team, strong track record and compelling strategy resonated with investors, who also backed raising the hard cap twice; first from $250 million to $300 million, then to $350 million. The Fund invests growth capital alongside visionary entrepreneurs leading fast-growing primarily tech and export-oriented companies, as well as select domestic champions, in Ukraine and Moldova (the "Region"), with a pipeline of 80+ investments. HCGF IV has distinguished itself as a 2X Flagship Fund, and the first, largest and leading fund raised since the onset of the full-fledged invasion, delivering both returns and impact to its investors.

Horizon Capital Closes Fund IV at 350M - $100m above Target

HCGF IV is backed by investors with a combined capital base of over $700 billion, including international financial institutions IFC, EBRD, EIB through its EU for Ukraine Fund, DFC, DEG, FMO, JICA, Proparco, SIFEM, Swedfund, Finnfund, WNISEF, IFU, joining forces with global institutional investors, foundations and family offices. These private investors include funds managed by abrdn Private Equity, Blue Earth Capital, Zero Gap Fund, an impact investing collaboration between The Rockefeller Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Marcin Zukowski, Co-Founder of Snowflake, Andy Kurtzig, Founder and CEO of JustAnswer, investors and philanthropists George and Rayla Myhal, and other esteemed Limited Partners.

The Fund has already concluded three investments to fast-growing, innovative tech companies, providing growth capital to expand their R&D platforms in Ukraine and enhance their international reach. This is particularly significant given the IT sector plays a crucial role in Ukraine's economic resilience, furthering digitalization and increasing hard currency inflows to the country. The Fund's first three investments are:

Preply , transforming language learning by connecting learners with tutors via its online platform.

, transforming language learning by connecting learners with tutors via its online platform. GoIT , offering specialized IT education programs to address the tech industry's skill shortage.

, offering specialized IT education programs to address the tech industry's skill shortage. Viseven, supporting pharmaceutical companies to accelerate their digital transformation.

Lenna Koszarny, Founding Partner and CEO of Horizon Capital, said: "This historic fund is dedicated to the visionary entrepreneurs of Ukraine. Your strength, courage and resilience in the face of adversity is inspiring, motivating our team to contribute our utmost at this critical time. We are truly honored that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in two HCGF IV closings, commending our investors for backing the country at this pivotal moment, providing capital to support economic renewal and job creation when it is needed most, and signaling their firm belief in Ukraine's future victory. We extend our deepest gratitude to our esteemed investors  your trust and partnership have made this fund possible, and enabled our team to experience firsthand, the global support and admiration for Ukrainians who are defending their country, powering its economic resilience and using resources provided to maximum effect. From Washington to Tokyo, London to New York, Luxembourg to Copenhagen, Paris to Cologne, Bern to Helsinki, Stockholm to the Hague, Edinburgh to Toronto, this fundraising journey has enabled us to witness the steadfast support for Ukraine, and unwavering commitment to its future recovery, revitalization and renewal. With this successful closing behind us, we embark on a new chapter, focused on partnering with Ukraine's entrepreneur-champions to accelerate their growth and bolster the realization of their bold vision".

Horizon Capital (www.horizoncapital.com.ua) is the leading private equity firm in Emerging Europe with $1.6 billion in assets from investors with a capital base exceeding $700 billion, raising over $800 million in growth capital to back visionary entrepreneurs from Ukraine and Moldova (the "Region") in circa 6 years. Horizon Capital-managed funds have invested in over 170 companies employing more than 80,000 people in the Region.

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CONTACT: Alona Kotsiubynska [email protected] +380 93 297 9487
DUBLIN, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "India Cryptocurrency Market, By Region, By Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The India Cryptocurrency Market was valued at USD 221.5 million in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 6.75% through 2029, reaching USD 326.6 million.

The India cryptocurrency market has witnessed significant growth and evolving dynamics in recent years. Cryptocurrencies, digital or virtual assets designed to work as a medium of exchange, have gained prominence among investors, traders, and the general public in India. The India cryptocurrency market has experienced remarkable growth in terms of adoption and trading volumes.

Several factors have contributed to this growth, including increasing awareness, a tech-savvy population, and the potential for high returns on investments. The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies in India has been a subject of debate and change. In early 2020, there was uncertainty surrounding the legal status of cryptocurrencies, as there were concerns about their potential use for illicit activities. However, in March 2020, the Supreme Court of India lifted the banking ban imposed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on cryptocurrency transactions, providing a significant boost to the market.



Despite this, the regulatory environment remained fluid, with discussions on potential cryptocurrency regulations ongoing. The Indian government was reportedly considering a bill to regulate cryptocurrencies, but the specifics of the regulations were not clear as of my last knowledge update.



India has seen the emergence of numerous cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms. Some of the prominent platforms include WazirX, CoinSwitch, ZebPay, and Unocoin. These platforms allow users to buy, sell, and trade a variety of cryptocurrencies, catering to both beginners and experienced traders.



Cryptocurrencies have garnered substantial interest from Indian investors and traders. Many individuals and institutional investors have started diversifying their portfolios by including cryptocurrencies as an asset class. Bitcoin and Ethereum have been particularly popular choices among Indian investors.



The India cryptocurrency market is poised for further growth and maturation. The regulatory landscape will likely play a crucial role in shaping the market's future. Clarity in regulations and investor protection measures could attract more participants and capital into the market. As cryptocurrencies become more integrated into the global financial ecosystem, India will likely continue to be a significant player in the space, with the potential for increased adoption and innovation in the years ahead.

Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the India cryptocurrency market.

Intel Corporation India Private Limited

NVIDIA Corporation

Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Ltd

Xilinx India Private Limited

Advanced Microdevices Pvt. Ltd.

Amazon India Pvt Ltd.

Unocoin

BitGo

Coinbase

Ripple Labs Private Limited

Report Scope



India Cryptocurrency Market, By Type:

Hardware

Software

India Cryptocurrency Market, By Process:

Mining

Transaction

India Cryptocurrency Market, By Offering:

Bitcoin

Etgereum

Bitcoin Cash

Cash Ripple

Dashcoin

Litecoin

Others

India Cryptocurrency Market, By End User:

Banking

Real Estate

Stock Market

Virtual Currency

India Cryptocurrency Market, By Region:

North

South

East

West

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yritw

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Zahari Zahariev, chairman of the Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road, speaks at the 27th Eurasian Economic Summit in Istanbul, Turkiye, Feb. 22, 2024. (Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 27th Eurasian Economic Summit, which ended on Thursday in Turkiye's cultural and financial hub of Istanbul, highlighted China's growing role in building a better world for all.

"It is impossible to talk about international relations in the 21st century without paying tribute to China's special role in building a new, much more functional and much more secure international relations," Zahari Zahariev, chairman of the Bulgaria National Association for the Belt and Road, told Xinhua after his speech at the summit.

Zahariev said that over the past decade, China has been contributing to laying the foundations for a world civilization through inclusive initiatives based on the principle of win-win.

"We are living in a very transitional period. There are many risks confronting the future of mankind," Zahariev said, noting China has been struggling to create a better world for all.

Speakers and participants at the summit's panels praised the BRI, which is marking its 11th anniversary.

Vladimir Norov, former foreign minister of Uzbekistan and former secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), especially praised China's transportation projects, which connect Asia with Europe.

Such projects have been creating significant economic growth and sustainable development for many countries, he said.

Speaking at a panel titled "Longing for Peace: Belt and Road Is 11 Years Old," Norov also noted that China's initiatives will help to solve global problems like climate change, food security and poverty.

Liu Gang, president of the Xinhua Institute, a Chinese think tank, said over the past 10-plus years, the BRI, spanning diverse civilizations, cultures, social systems and development stages, has forged new paths for interactions among countries.

"It has constructed a new framework for international cooperation, seeking the widest possible converging interests for the shared development of humanity," Liu said.

Two research reports presented by the Xinhua Institute, namely "The Belt and Road Development Studies -- A Synergy Approach to Global Development" and "For a Better World -- Looking at the Past Decade of Jointly Pursuing the Belt and Road Initiative from a Human Rights Perspective," were well received by experts and scholars at the summit.

Organized by the Istanbul-based Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation, the two-day summit attracted more than 300 political figures, diplomats, academics and business people from around 40 countries.

Themed "From Crises to Stability, Building an Inclusive World," the summit aimed to address global issues such as peace, climate change, water supply and artificial intelligence. 
HSINCHU, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ITRI has signed a consulting service agreement with the state of Sonora in Mexico for science park planning and counseling, deepening Mexico-Taiwan cooperation in the fields of technology and industry. The effort includes regional coopetition analysis, strategy consulting, business development, capability enabling, and implementation support, aiming to create a competitive and sustainable science park in Sonora. This venture also extends its benefits to Taiwanese manufacturers eyeing expansion opportunities in Mexico.

ITRIs Senior Vice President, Stephen Su (sixth from the left), and Sonora Governor Francisco Alfonso Durazo Montano (fourth from the right) join hands to sign the agreement for science park strategic planning consultancy services.

ITRI's Senior Vice President Stephen Su emphasized the strategic significance of Mexico in the global supply chain, particularly in the burgeoning electric vehicle industry. He highlighted Mexico's advantageous geographical location, coupled with competitive production costs and labor expenses, comprehensive automotive manufacturing clusters, rich mineral resources, as well as the privilege of zero tariffs under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This collaboration emerges against the backdrop of Mexico as Taiwan's largest export market and trading partner in Latin America. Through this partnership, bilateral exchanges in sectors such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and automation industries will be deepened, supporting Taiwanese companies seeking to expand their operations in the thriving Mexican market.

Governor of Sonora Francisco Alfonso Durazo Montano expressed his pleasure in partnering with ITRI, recognizing ITRI's role as a key driver in Taiwan's semiconductor and ICT industries. Sonora, aligning its vision with "Plan Sonora," the state's sustainability development strategy, has noted the surge in international companies relocating their supply chains to Mexico. In response, the state has launched the development of the Sonora Science and Technology Park to meet the growing demands of emerging industries such as ICT and electric vehicles. The Governor articulated his hopes that the collaboration with ITRI will enable both entities to leverage their strengths and jointly explore international markets.

About ITRI

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world's leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, it has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap that focuses on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society.

Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng.

Media Contact

Alex Chang

Office of Marketing Communications, ITRI

+886-3-591-8165

[email protected]

SOURCE Industrial Technology Research Institute
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Home Innovation Research Labs are excited to announce they have extended their US residential building products demand forecasts through 2026 for both new construction and repair and remodeling.

The Building Products Demand Meter tracks current and historical US residential installed product volumes (final demand) for 18 major building product categories. Representative Demand Meter Categories: Forecasted YOY Growth (4-Quarter Trailing Average) Source: John Burns Research and Consulting, LLC, and Home Innovation, Building Products Demand Meter Forecasts, 2024

This product enhancement extends forecasted volume growth by two years across 18 key building product categories. The forecast extension strengthens JBREC's Building Products Demand Meter, a quarterly measure of building products installed across categories back to 2000, underscoring the company's commitment to equipping clients with product-specific market intelligence for strategic planning.

Clients can now access extended quarterly forecasts for each of the 18 building product categories and an overview of current conditions and demand drivers. JBREC is uniquely positioned to set a new industry standard for building product forecast quality, given its well-established expertise in housing, advanced forecasting capabilities, and proprietary surveys covering the housing value chain. Click here to view 2024 forecasts for all 18 building product categories.

"Our clients are now able to plan three years ahead, leveraging quarterly volumetric data and expert commentary on market drivers to inform their strategy," said Matt Saunders, SVP of Building Products Research at JBREC. "The Building Products Demand Meter is grounded in over two decades of comprehensive survey research conducted by Home Innovation, including their Annual Builder Practices and Consumer Practices surveys."

"We're excited that JBREC has combined our long history of large-sample survey data on 18 building product categories with their industry leading forecasting capabilities, as well as their boots-on-the-ground quarterly surveys informing the residential remodeling and new construction outlook, to project installed product usage out to 2026," said Ed Hudson, Director of Market Research at Home Innovation.

"Building products demand will play out very differently by category in 2024," said Saunders. "We anticipate big-ticket discretionary projects with higher remodeling exposure to remain weak over the first half of the year and recover over the second half as economic headwinds fade. In contrast, we anticipate more stability for small ticket and replacement categories."

The JBREC and Home Innovation Teams will be at the 2024 NAHB International Builders' Show in Las Vegas February 2729. Reach out if interested in scheduling a time to discuss our Building Products Demand Forecasts.

About John Burns Research and Consulting

John Burns Research and Consulting is a leading provider of research and consulting services for the US housing industry.

About Home Innovation Research Labs

Home Innovation Research Labs (formerly the NAHB Research Center) is a full-service research, testing, and consulting firm determined to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of single- and multifamily homes and home-building products.

Contact:

Kylie Raposa

Senior Manager, Client Relations | Building Products

John Burns Research and Consulting

[email protected]

SOURCE John Burns Research and Consulting
PLANO, Texas, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JPAR - Real Estate, a leading real estate brand with a national footprint, is thrilled to announce the recent industry recognition of three of its esteemed team members. Howard Ashkinos, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, has been appointed as a Director of Greater Fort Worth REALTORS, Alejandro Franco, VP, Accounting and Finance, has been recognized as Treasurer of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), and Jennifer Buchanan, REALTOR, has been appointed as 1st Vice President of the Women's Council of REALTORS Dallas.

"We are incredibly proud of Howard, Alejandro, and Jennifer for their well-deserved recognition within the real estate industry," said Chris Sears, President of JPAR - Real Estate. "Their dedication to their craft, leadership qualities, and commitment to their communities truly embody the values of JPAR. These appointments are not only a testament to their individual achievements but also a reflection of the caliber of talent and leadership we have at JPAR."

Howard Ashkinos, with his extensive industry experience and strategic vision, will play a key role in shaping the future of Greater Fort Worth REALTORS. His appointment signifies his dedication to advancing the interests of the local real estate community and ensuring fair and ethical practices for all.

Jennifer Buchanan, a highly respected REALTOR and advocate for women in the industry, will leverage her leadership skills as 1st Vice President of the Women's Council of REALTORS Dallas. She is a JPAR Brand Ambassador for the DFW East and her dedication to empowering women in real estate will play a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the local market.

Alejandro Franco, a financial expert with a passion for empowering Latino communities, will utilize his expertise as Treasurer of NAHREP to advocate for Hispanic homeownership and promote financial literacy within these communities. His leadership will contribute significantly to NAHREP's mission of advancing sustainable homeownership opportunities for Latinos.

These appointments showcase JPAR - Real Estate's commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and leadership within its organization. The company is proud to be represented by individuals who are actively contributing to the advancement of the real estate industry and their respective communities.

About JPAR - Real Estate: (www.jpar.com) is a full-service real estate brand and franchise platform offering a highly competitive transaction fee-based model and agent-centric culture. The JPAR platform provides agents seven (7) days-per-week support, a comprehensive tech stack, marketing, lead generation, training, and mentoring. JPAR affiliated owners benefit from compliance review, 1-on-1 consulting, recruiting support, and a peer network of influential industry leaders. The company boasts 3,700 agents operating in 75 offices across 30 states and closes $7.8B annually in sales volume.

JPAR is a forward-thinking real estate brokerage focused on empowering real estate professionals to deliver exceptional service and achieve outstanding results. With cutting-edge technology, comprehensive support, and a customer-centric approach, JPAR is committed to transforming the real estate experience for agents and clients alike.

For more information about joining the growth of JPAR, visit grow.jpar.com (ownership) or jparready.com (agents).

Media Contact: matt@mybffsocial.com

SOURCE JPAR - Real Estate
CARROLLTON, Texas, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NerdsToGo, a leading IT solutions and technology services franchise, recently held its 2024 NerdsToGo Franchise Convention in Orlando, Florida. Themed "Secure Your Future," the four-day event celebrated franchisee achievements and the growth initiatives of the network.

NerdsToGo 2024 Convention

With an unprecedented number of franchisees in attendance, the conference was a reflection of the managed services industry's robust growth and the brand's growing U.S. presence. The event included networking opportunities for franchisees, roundtable discussions, and a comprehensive vendor show. Recognized leaders in the MSP industry, including Sean Lardo, a ConnectWise evangelist, and Rob Rae, CVP of Community and Ecosystems at Pax8, shared their expertise on growing a successful MSP business.

"Our 2024 convention brought our franchise network together to celebrate and recognize their many achievements, as well as to engage in both networking and educational opportunities," said Jim Howe, President of NerdsToGo. "The excitement from the convention is contagious, and it was the perfect way to begin a successful 2024, especially against the backdrop of significant industry growth. This growth not only highlights the achievements of our franchisees but also opens up a wealth of opportunities for owners to grow revenue and reach new heights in the managed IT services sector."

Highlights from the 2024 Awards Dinner at the Convention include:

The award recognizing the Highest Volume locations in Sales Achievement were presented to Regis DeVeaux : NerdsToGo of Alexandria, Va. ; Kevin Martin : NerdsToGo of Franklin, Mass. ; and NerdsToGo of Bellevue, Wash. team led by Michael Santiago .

: NerdsToGo of ; : NerdsToGo of ; and NerdsToGo of team led by . The President's Award, which recognizes the top NerdsToGo locations with the highest total sales, was given to Regis DeVeaux : NerdsToGo of Alexandria, Va. ; Kevin Martin : NerdsToGo of Franklin, Mass. ; Gina and Michael Santiago : NerdsToGo of Bellevue, Wash. ; David Alcorn : NerdsToGo of Kemah, Texas ; Rory Dunnaback : NerdsToGo of Milwaukie, Ore. ; and Erik Nelson : NerdsToGo of Swarthmore, Pa.

: NerdsToGo of ; : NerdsToGo of ; : NerdsToGo of ; : NerdsToGo of ; : NerdsToGo of ; and : NerdsToGo of Susan and Don Dally of NerdsToGo of Knoxville, Tenn. , were recognized with the Rookie of the Year Award, which honors the franchisee with the highest sales for the first full 12 months of operation.

"NerdsToGo is at the forefront of providing franchisees the support they need to be successful in the growing IT solutions industry," said Regis DeVeaux, franchise owner of the Alexandria, Va. location. "I'm proud to be part of a network that is not only thriving but also embracing new strategies for revenue growth and operational efficiency."

About NerdsToGo:

NerdsToGo is a growing IT services franchise brand that provides a simple path to overcoming the pain points and complexities of technology. Friendly and approachable Nerds offer solutions for efficiency and security for small to medium-sized businesses, as well as the individual who needs help with personal computers, devices and home networks. NerdsToGo is a service-oriented brand in the Propelled Brands family. Providing Managed IT Services for business, the Nerds can assess, design and support IT networks while providing remote support and vendor management.

For more information or to learn about opportunities, visit NerdsToGo.com or contact Mark Jameson ([email protected] or call 214.346.5679)

SOURCE NerdsToGo, Inc.
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog released a new Consumer Alert video exposing another deceptive oil industry tv ad attacking on Governor Newsom's energy policies called "Make Matters Worse."

Watch the alert.

"This phony ad claims to be from a group called Californians for Energy Independence," said Consumer Watchdog president Jamie Court. "The group is really funded with $3 million from Chevron. Why is Chevron angry at Governor Newsom? He is implementing the nation's first price gouging penalty to protect Californians against excessive gasoline prices."

The alert exposes Chevron's outrageous profits in 2023.

"Chevron made a killing off outrageously high gasoline prices in California last year," said Court. "Chevron's recent investor report showed it made 73 cents per gallon in profits in the West in 2023, 25 cents more than its profits per gallon on the Gulf Coast. That made Chevron a profit of $21 billion last year, its second most profitable year in a decade. Governor Newsom's price gouging penalty will limit how much refiners like Chevron can make per gallon on gasoline."

"And Chevron doesn't like the law Governor Newsom signed to prevent oil drillers from drilling too close to homes and communities," Court continued. "Two in ten Chevron wells are within 3200 feet of a community, spewing toxins that poison people. The wells don't produce very much oil  a mere 3 barrels per day. Half of the country's oil and gas production between 2012 and 2022 came from wells that produced between 100 and 3,200 barrels per day. Chevron is poisoning communities for an average oil well production that fuels about 5 Ford F-150s per day."

The alert concluded by warning the public, "Governor Newsom is standing up for community health and against gasoline price gouging. That's why Chevron is funding the tv ads that are attacking him. Don't be fooled."

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York City Regional Center ("NYCRC") is pleased to announce the first I-829 petition approvals issued to EB-5 investors participating in its George Washington Bridge Bus Station and Infrastructure Project II offering ("Project"). I-829 petition approvals have now been issued in 18 NYCRC offerings. To date, 1,985 I-829 approvals have been issued to investors in NYCRC offerings resulting in 5,657 individuals (EB-5 investors and family members) achieving permanent residency in the United States.

An I-829 petition approval removes the conditional status and deems the EB-5 investor to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Permanent residence permits individuals to live and work anywhere in the United States and be protected by the laws of the United States. An EB-5 investor's spouse and children under the age of 21 are also authorized to live, work, and attend school anywhere in the United States.

The Project involved the second phase of construction work related to the redevelopment of the GWB Bus Station into a modern transit and retail hub. Construction of the Project is complete and EB-5 capital was spent on qualified construction expenditures. The Project is the second NYCRC offering that provided funding for the redevelopment of the GWB Bus Station. To date, 136 I-829 petition approvals have been issued to EB-5 investors participating in the first offering.

About NYCRC

NYCRC was approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2008 to secure foreign investment for real estate and infrastructure projects under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. The company was the first regional center approved in New York City. Over the past 15 years, NYCRC has put over $1.5 billion of capital to work across a broad spectrum of infrastructure and real estate projects in New York City. Much of this capital has been invested in underserved areas in need of long-term economic growth. Examples include:

$811 million to finance ground-up, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects in Brooklyn , including eight projects totaling $383 million in the Brooklyn Navy Yard;

to finance ground-up, redevelopment, and infrastructure projects in , including eight projects totaling in the Brooklyn Navy Yard; $108.5 million to finance ground-up and redevelopment projects in Washington Heights (an Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone)

to finance ground-up and redevelopment projects in (an Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone) $232.5 million to finance the construction of a public high-speed wireless infrastructure network in New York City subway stations and along city streets; and,

to finance the construction of a public high-speed wireless infrastructure network in subway stations and along city streets; and, $220 million to finance ground-up construction in the Bronx .

In addition, a NYCRC-managed entity has received six separate new market tax credit awards from the U.S. Department of Treasury totaling $265 million. These annual allocations have provided a unique opportunity for NYCRC to broaden its mission of providing financing to underserved areas of New York City. Since 2016, NYCRC tax credit capital has helped fund construction of six new charter schools in Brooklyn, Harlem, and the Bronx as well as the National Urban League's new headquarters in Harlem which includes New York City's first civil rights museum.

SOURCE New York City Regional Center
Inspired by his first visit to Penfolds Magill Estate Winery (South Australia) in 2022, and his time with the Penfolds team reviewing archive material from Penfolds history, NIGO has re-imagined the packaging design of Grange for this one-off series. The Grange by NIGO release includes collectable 750ml (1,500 available) and 1.5L (150 available) gift boxes to house the 2019 Grange. Each box is individually numbered and includes a bandana and bottle neck tag designed by NIGO, plus an authenticity certificate. The design approach pays tribute to Grange in NIGO's signature style, featuring a bold and colourful grape graphic and Penfolds logo reimaged through Human Made's iconic typography.

Born from a pioneering spirit, curiosity, and experimentation, Penfolds Grange is the most powerful expression of Penfolds House Style. With an unbroken line of vintages since 1951, the South Australian heritage icon continues to be one of the world's most collected wines. The Grange by NIGO limited edition heroes the current 2019 vintage of Grange, made from the very highest quality Shiraz grapes from vineyards across South Australia.

Together with the Grange by NIGO limited edition pack, NIGO has also designed a silk rug for this series. With only 25 rugs available globally, the design heroes a silk dyed purple grape design to mirror that of the wine's secondary pack. Each 2.5m x 2.5m rug is handwoven by artisans in Nepal, who spent two months making each piece. The Grange by NIGO rugs are available globally via expressions of interest at SPACE Furniture and www.penfolds.com within Australia from Thursday 22 February, RRP AUD$10,000 each.

NIGO has been at the forefront of culture, establishing himself as a global icon and cultural pioneer. As the Creative Director of Human Made and Artistic Director of KENZO, NIGO is known for his innovative and future-thinking vision. Reflecting on his first visit to Penfolds in South Australia, NIGO said: "I have been a collector of Grange for many years, but it wasn't until I visit Penfolds Magill Estate that I truly understood the craftmanship and history behind the historic wine. It was an honour to be the first person to collaborate on a design for Grange, especially as the brand celebrates its 180th anniversary."

The launch of Grange by NIGO follows the highly successful global release of One by Penfolds  NIGO's first Penfolds project  where apparel items for the collaboration sold out globally in under 1.5hours. Penfolds Chief Marketing Officer, Kristy Keyte commented on the upcoming release, "This is a different direction for us, and the first time we have changed the distinctive gift box of our flagship Grange. Collaborating with NIGO has been inspired by Penfolds history of pushing boundaries in winemaking, and now we expand this to exploration of new creative ideas. As a collector, NIGO understands the reputation of Grange and its legacy. He was able to create a limited-edition approach that is both playful and fresh while remaining respectful to the history of the wine. We have never done this before, and the result is brave and refreshing."

Penfolds Grange by NIGO is available globally* from Thursday 22 February 2024. For stockist information and more details visit www.penfolds.com. Future projects between Penfolds and NIGO will be announced later in 2024.

Editor's Notes

Grange by NIGO Recommended Retail Pricing  PenfoldsGrange by NIGO Limited Edition 2019  750ml AUD$1,350.00  Penfolds Grange by NIGO Limited Edition 2019  1.5L AUD$3,100.00  Penfolds Grange by NIGO Limited Edition Silk Rug AUD$10,000

*Not currently available in Mainland China

About NIGO:

Known as one of the founding fathers of street fashion, NIGO created his first clothing label, in Tokyo in 1993. The brand grew from the cultural underground to attain global fame in the worlds of fashion and music. NIGO is now Creative Director of his own independent brand HUMAN MADE and the Artistic Director at LVMH owned Maison KENZO. Working in the fields of music and fashion and often through collaboration with some of the best-known companies and creative people in the world, he has innovated new ways for fashion to relate to its audience that have since become industry standards. NIGO continues to pursue his creativity in his work through fashion brands and in musical projects as well as in the practice of photography and traditional Japanese ceramic art.

About Penfolds:

Since the very beginning, Penfolds commitment to quality has been underpinned by the art of blending and attesting all wines are connected through a consistent and recognisable 'House Style'; the ultimate expression of a time-honoured and distinctive tradition of finding the best grapes to make wine from the very best regions. Today, this philosophy extends beyond Australia, to the bountiful soils of California, Napa Valley, Bordeaux, and China. Penfolds continues to Venture Beyond in 2024 and will celebrate 180 years of excellence; achieved through an alchemy of art and science. Through the passing of time, wine innovations have become great traditions and old and new generations continue to mark moments and create their own stories. with a glass of Penfolds in hand. And so  almost two centuries since inception, Penfolds continues to write new chapters and proudly remains one of the world's most revered winemakers  now and for 'evermore'

For more information visit: www.penfolds.com Facebook/Penfolds Twitter/Penfolds Instagram/Penfolds and YouTube/PenfoldsEST1844

SOURCE Penfolds
SHANGHAI, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China Clean Expo 2024, organized by IM Sinoexpo and supported by ISSA  The worldwide cleaning industry association, will return to Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) on March 26th  29th, 2024.

As a well-known comprehensive flagship exhibition of the cleaning industry in Asia, China Clean Expo covers a wide range of exhibits, including cleaning equipment & accessories, cleaning tools & agents, high-pressure equipment, restroom supplies, air purification & epidemic prevention, building facility maintenance & management, smart cleaning systems, laundry equipment & products, environmental sanitation facilities & products etc. you can truly experience all segments of the cleaning industry chain at China Clean Expo.

Hailed as a wind vane of the cleaning industry in Asia, this 4-days event is expected to attract 400+ cleaning companies inside and outside China to display top trending products and technologies, industry big names like Hako, Nilfisk, Comac, Rubbermaid, Ecolab, Comet, Gadlee, Lavor, Bennet, Trust etc. will guide you to experience the new development and breakthrough of our industry.

Following closely with industry trends, China Clean Expo 2024 will setup "Smart Cleaning Zone" and "Environmental Sanitation Technology and Facility Zone" on the show floor, the former one will gather various international and local smart cleaning brands like Gausium, Idriver and BIB Robotics to highlight cutting-edge technology and demonstrate how AI enhance our industry. The latter one is committed to promote the development and application of new products and technologies in environmental sanitation sector by showcasing outstanding products, sharing leading concept and studying typical cases.

China Clean Expo 2024 is also an ideal hub to receive advanced insights, knowledge and information of cleaning industry. 50+ highly expected forums will be held on CCE show floor, including well-known Shanghai International Facility Management Forum, Contracted Cleaning Development Forum, China "Quality Air, Good Future" Theme Forum etc. 200+ outstanding industry experts will be invited to deliver inspiring speeches and join round tables, and 3,000+ audience is expected to show up.

For this edition, China Clean Expo will continue to strengthen international cooperation with ISSA - the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. The well-planned ISSA Seminar featuring ISSA Chief Global Education Officer - Brant Insero, ISSA Chief Global Membership Officer - Rosie Rangel and CEO of ISSA PULIRE NETWORK - Toni D'andrea will be a hot topic during the show. ISSA guests will exchange and share international leading cleaning knowledge and concept with Chinese cleaning manufacturers and contracted cleaning companies etc. and promote the development of Chinese cleaning industry to a higher quality and more sustainable level.

China Clean Expo 2024 will carry on practicing the value of clean via various real-time competitions including dust mopping, glass cleaning, scrubber operating, stone conservation, air conditioner cleaning and air treatment. With live operations and practices, you'll learn a better way to maintain a clean environment and witness how professional cleaning equipment and tools can improve cleaning quality and efficiency.

Co-located with Hotel & Shop Plus 2024, the leading show for hospitality & commercial space, China Clean Expo 2024 attendees will gain the opportunity to interact and communicate with nationwide industry buyers including commercial real estate, general merchandise, shopping mall owners, hospitality group property management company, contract cleaning company and public facility management company etc. You'll have the chance to unlock new business opportunities.

Looking forward to meeting you at China Clean Expo 2024, save the date and get your FREE PASS today.

For more information , please go to www.chinacleanexpo.com/en or follow China Clean Expo on Twitter @ CCE_cleanexpo, Facebook @ CCEChinaCleanExpo, and LinkedIn @ china-clean-expo.

About China Clean Expo (CCE)

Launched in 2002, China Clean Expo is the one-stop cleaning solution provider for commercial, institutional and industrial facilities. Exhibit categories include cleaning equipment and accessories, tools and chemical agents, restroom supplies, indoor air purification, epidemic prevention, facility management, smart cleaning, laundry, and environmental sanitation. As one of the sub-shows of Hotel & Shop Plus, China Clean Expo has the unique advantage of visitor resource from hospitality and commercial space sector. Recognized as the must-attend event for cleaning industry in China, China Clean Expo is the right place to connect with cleaning suppliers and buyers from China and all over the world. For more information, please go to www.chinacleanexpo.com/en.

About Hotel & Shop Plus

Hotel & Shop Plus is China's leading trade show catering to hospitality and commercial space industry. Serving as one-stop sourcing platform for hotels, restaurants, clubs, retail shops, shopping malls and other commercial properties, the mega event is consisted of 8 sub-shows spanning exhibit categories from architectural decoration, engineering design, lighting, intelligent products to hotel amenities, furniture, cleaning, facility management, smart retail and franchise. By presenting the latest products and innovative brands, Hotel & Shop Plus is leading the way in construction and operation of hotels and commercial space. Learn more at www.hdeexpo.com

About IM Sinoexpo

Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets International Exhibition Co. Ltd (IM Sinoexpo) is a leading event company in China, the joint venture founded in 1998 by Informa PLC and Shanghai Sinoexpo International Exhibition Co., Ltd. Headquartered in London, Informa PLC is the world's top trade show organizer listed on FTSE 100.

The total exhibition rented area annually by IM Sinoexpo is over 1,500,000 sq.m, (accounted for 1/10 of Shanghai's total exhibition rented area in 2019), creating multiple trade opportunities for nearly 1 million buyers worldwide. Developed since 2016, our online business now includes 8 major B2B platforms, 5 B2P sourcing mini-programs and 1 application. The total number of employees is near 500. For more information, please visit www.imsinoexpo.com/en

SOURCE IM Sinoexpo
EmVenio's Community Research Site Network helps remove barriers for participation in clinical research for underrepresented communities

DENVER, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver-based PCM Trials, the largest independent mobile research nurse visit provider for decentralized clinical trials (DCTs), today announced the acquisition of EmVenio Research based in Durham, North Carolina. EmVenio is the largest provider of community-based clinical trial sites served with mobile research units. The acquisition, which is effective immediately, strengthens PCM Trials' and EmVenio's abilities to recruit and retain diverse populations for clinical research studies, as required for regulatory approval. Site networks are key to delivering critical study data for sponsors; by combining capabilities with EmVenio, PCM Trials now has access to a site network that is focused on serving underrepresented patient populations in previously hard-to-reach communities and can work flexibly with sponsors to achieve their study goals.

Mobile research units (MRUs) like this one have allowed EmVenio to reach deep into underserved communities and make it convenient for people of all ethnicities and backgrounds to participate in clinical research studies.

"The acquisition of EmVenio is an important part of our company's overall strategy to further remove barriers for patients of all backgrounds and ethnicities to participate in clinical research, creating the most patient-centric clinical trial model," said Greg Austin, President of PCM Trials. "Our pioneering approach to using Certified Mobile Research Nurses who visit patients in their homes has already been shown to improve both patient retention and diversity in clinical trials and drive faster study completion. Now, with the addition of EmVenio's mobile research site network, we have the unmatched ability to provide additional convenience for prospective participants, empowering community-based clinical trial access."

For years, regulatory bodies including the FDA have expressed concerns about the underrepresentation of minorities in clinical trials and have increased population diversity requirements for clinical research before approving new drugs. African Americans, for example, which make up 13.4% of the U.S. population only account for roughly 5% of trial participation, according to FDA data. The disparity for Hispanics and people of Latin origin is even greater, with Hispanics representing 18.1% of the U.S. population but only 1% of clinical trial participants. Merging the capabilities of PCM Trials and EmVenio creates a unique and powerful recruitment and visit model in underrepresented communities that effectively addresses and overcomes these challenges.

EmVenio has contracted 25 studies across numerous therapeutic areas. The company has activated 63 mobile sites for studies across 22+ U.S. states and 10 locations in the United Kingdom, thus garnering a wide demographic reach of diverse patients. EmVenio's sites are seeing greater than 50% diverse patients across all locations compared with the industry average of less than 20%. With an impressive 96.9% retention rate, EmVenio is setting a new standard in the field.

"We are thrilled to announce the culmination of EmVenio's and PCM Trials' efforts in creating the most comprehensive global capability for patient visits, spanning from traditional site settings to the comfort of one's home, and everywhere in between through mobile sites." said Thad Wolfram, President of EmVenio. "Our combined services prioritize minimizing burdens for research participation while enhancing the overall participant experience."

"It just makes sense that, if you can make it easier for patients to participate, you are also going to improve your recruitment and retention rates," said Austin. "Many patients, especially those in underserved rural areas, travel two or more hours to get to a clinical site. This creates a tremendous burden for them, especially considering that many of them are sick or immobile or lack reliable childcare. By bringing into their homes a trained nurse who is often from the same neighborhood or a fully equipped mobile research unit into their neighborhood, you effectively eliminate many of the barriers that could have kept them from participating."

This is the second acquisition completed by PCM Trials within the past month. On January 10, the company announced the acquisition of Netherlands-based Clinical Trial Service (CTS), which solidified PCM Trials' ability and reach to successfully conduct global clinical trials.

"With these acquisitions, we are now the largest and most experienced clinical research local access provider on a global scale," said Austin.

For more information about PCM Trials or to initiate an RFP for an upcoming trial, email [email protected].

About PCM Trials

PCM Trials is leading the global shift toward decentralized clinical trials by bringing clinical research to patients, wherever and whenever it is most convenient for them. PCM Trials directly recruits, trains, certifies, and manages Certified Mobile Research Nurses (CMRNs) to ensure that each visit meets the highest standards for data quality and patient experience. By reducing the barriers to participation, PCM Trials' mobile nurses support study recruitment, retention, adherence, and diversity. PCM Trials is an independent company headquartered in Denver, Colorado with a European regional office located in the Netherlands and has conducted mobile research visits since 2008.

About EmVenio Research

EmVenio Research provides rapid and scalable mobile community research site solutions to better reach and recruit diverse, underserved and high-risk communities. EmVenio Research's global network of skilled clinicians, principal investigators and state-of-the-art mobile community research sites enable them to provide robust clinical research services via home visits, on-site support at medical facilities, virtual visits and mobile sites. Visit emvenio.com to learn more.

SOURCE PCM Trials
Times Higher Education and Poets&Quants Highlight Business Schools in this Inaugural Partnership

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Times Higher Education and Poets&Quants are thrilled to announce the GSDC Business School Showcase, a groundbreaking initiative taking place at the prestigious Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) June 10-13th in Bangkok.

This highly anticipated addition to the main plenary marks a pioneering collaboration, bringing together changemakers and thought leaders to explore the critical intersection of business education and building a more sustainable and socially responsible future.

Times Higher Education and Poets&Quants Highlight Business Schools in this Inaugural Partnership

"Business Schools play a crucial part in leading the sustainability charge," said John A. Byrne, editor-in-chief at Poets&Quants, "The innovation, thought leadership and development of tomorrow's leaders makes them vital to this discussion."

Addressing the Pressing Need for Sustainable Business Practices:

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations serve as a global roadmap for tackling poverty, climate change, and other pressing issues. The GSDC Business School Showcase recognizes the crucial role of business education in equipping future leaders with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to achieve these goals.

A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation:

Through insightful panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, the showcase will foster dialogue and collaboration between leading business schools, corporations, and other stakeholders. Participants will explore innovative approaches to integrating sustainability into business curricula, developing responsible leadership, and driving positive change across industries.

Invitation to Participate:

The GSDC Business School Showcase welcomes participation from:

Business Schools & Companies: Join as speakers, attendees, or sponsors. Find out more about participation opportunities here.

Individuals: Register as delegates representing your government, school, student & alumni groups, or company. Register for in-person or online attendance here.

Friends of P&Q: Individuals interested in attending without a school or corporate affiliation can email for more information email us.

Stay Tuned for More Information:

In the coming weeks, the organizers will unveil the lineup of speakers, panels, discussion forums, and workshops planned for the showcase.

Together, we can shape a future where business education empowers positive change and drives a more sustainable and equitable world.

About Poets&Quants:

Poets&Quants is the world's leading resource for complete business education coverage. We feature multiple tools and authoritative content, including: consolidated B-school rankings, more news and in-depth features than any other source, videos, podcasts, two searchable directories, and multiple events year-round  all in service to our mission to empower our community with information needed to make decisions along their journey from pre- to post-MBA.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Poets&Quants
The border city of Hunchun in northeast China ushers in a prime season for eagle-watching. Tens of thousands of migratory birds flying back to the north pass by a wetland in Hunchun and forage here. #birds #eagles #China #Spring #photography #Chinese
















Uchinogym to Exclusively Carry the REP Line

DENVER, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading the charge in the fitness equipment industry, REP Fitness proudly unveils a transformative collaboration with Uchinogym, a premier distributor in Japan. This partnership signifies a significant stride in REP's ongoing commitment to expanding access to top-tier fitness equipment worldwide.

The strategic alliance with our Japanese distributor underscores REP's dedication to delivering unparalleled products to fitness enthusiasts in the region. This venture aims to meet the escalating demand for high-quality fitness gear in Japan, solidifying REP Fitness' position as a global leader in the industry.

"We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Uchinogym, our esteemed distributor in Japan," expressed Ryan McGrotty, Co-founder and CEO at REP. "This partnership seamlessly aligns with our vision of empowering individuals to attain their fitness objectives by providing access to the finest equipment available. Japan has a thriving fitness community, and we are thrilled to be an integral part of it."

The collaboration empowers commercial gyms, home gyms, and more with exclusive access to REP's product line, celebrated for its innovation, versatility, and durability. From power racks and benches to barbells and weight plates, REP offers a comprehensive range tailored to meet the diverse needs of fitness enthusiasts at every level.

ABOUT REP FITNESS

REP Fitness engineers and sells world-class, innovative strength equipment that is sold around the world. REP was founded in Colorado in 2012 by two brothers with a shared passion for fitness and has grown into a team of more than 200 with distribution, offices, and manufacturing all over the world. That shared passion for strength is what drives REP's innovative spirit today, where creating class-leading fitness equipment is paramount.

REP has been listed twice on the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies  in 2018 (#450) and in 2021 (#962). REP products are frequently listed as top choices in many fitness publications, such as Men's Health.

For more information about REP, visit https://www.repfitness.com

ABOUT UCHINOGYM

Uchinogym is a distributor of premium fitness equipment built to the highest standards. The company was founded in 2021 in Tokyo by Tomoyuki Tamura as a distributor of Panatta. We offer a one-stop shop for all the equipment you need, including cardio, strength machines, free weights, and gym flooring.

For more information about Uchinogym, visit https://uchinogym.com

SOURCE REP Fitness
DAVIE, Fla., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Retailing Enterprises, LLC, an independent operator of Invicta stores in the U.S., is thrilled to announce that on February 12, 2024, US Federal Judge Scott M. Grossman in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Federal Court confirmed the consensual plan of reorganization proposed by the Company, with all creditors voting unanimously to accept the plan, leading to the Company's successful restructuring. This unanimous voting, which included over 50 creditors, strongly demonstrates the cooperation and collaboration achieved between the Company and its landlords, lessors, and creditors.

The benefits of the confirmed plan include saving over 200 jobs, and no interruptions to its operations. The Company's streamlined financial structure will allow it to operate leaner and more efficiently, further solidifying its position as a leading watch retailer in the U.S., as well as a market leader in online sales with over $100M in total annual revenue.

The Company has seen substantial sales growth during its restructuring process, attributed to a more efficient go-to market strategy, and the Company is aligned with the brand vision of Invicta to offer exciting and new collectible products to its customers. The Company has focused on releasing over 6,000 new watch models per year as well as new customer acquisition. The Company anticipates further sales growth going forward by continuing to grow its market share, and focusing on the extensive base of repeat customers and ensuring they always receive the best service and value. These initiatives have proven to further strengthen the Company's balance sheet.

Mauricio Krantzberg, President and Founder, stated, "We are excited about the results achieved in these last 8 months and all the advancements to our strategic priorities. Importantly, the strength of our balance sheet will allow us to remain flexible as we continue to grow and serve our increased customer base that have proven to be very loyal to the Invicta brand." Mr. Krantzberg continued, "As we look to 2024 and beyond, we remain enthusiastic about our growth initiatives in the retail sector, and the new technologies to position us as a leading Ecommerce destination for the Invicta and Technomarine brands. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our loyal employees for all their dedication during this period, and to all the professionals involved in this process."

The restructuring initiative was led by President Mauricio Krantzberg and CFO Fausto Trevisan, and professionals Aaron A. Wernick, Esq. of Wernick Law; Katie Goodman of GGG Partners, and Chad Pugatch, Esq. of Lorium Law.

ABOUT RETAILING ENTERPRISES LLC

Retailing Enterprises LLC (d.b.a Invicta Stores) is an official reseller of the Invicta Watch Company of America. Invicta Stores operates InvictaStores.com, and numerous physical retail locations across the United States, including the territory of Puerto Rico.

Contact:

Aaron Wernick, Esq

Wernick Law PLLC

[email protected]

SOURCE Retailing Enterprises LLC
TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Urban Pavilion  Powered by Daniels hosted the World Summit on UN-Habitat's SDG Cities and Urban Finance to plan urban transformations at a global scale starting in Toronto, Canada. Since its launch in October 2023, the Glocal Platform for Urban Finance (GPUF) has achieved a significant milestone, bringing together representatives from the United Nations, investors, decision-makers, and urban stakeholders. An exciting achievement was hosting UN-Habitat's SDG Cities Initiative and its expert network.

Reza Pourvaziry, Chair of UEF and GPUF, highlights how the World Urban Pavilion is collaborating with United Nations, Governments, and other international organisations globally. Inviting participants to form a Canadian delegation for World Urban Forum 12 in Cairo Egypt in November 2024 to showcase 'made in Canada' urban innovations that are localizing the SDGs and transforming communities.

The Summit helped strengthen the GPUF's mandate to facilitate alignment between finance and sustainable urban innovation and transformation, supported by data analytics. This was a historic moment for the platform as it began this conversation in Toronto as a major hub for urban innovation and transformation through urban finance. The Pavilion is contributing to this global vision for Toronto as it was selected by the United Nations as a global hub for SDG Cities. The Pavilion played a pivotal role in convening these key partners to advance sustainable urban finance initiatives.

Co-hosted by the founders of the GPUF, the Urban Economy Forum (UEF), and Aragon, the event attracted a distinguished audience including global leaders, urban planners, investors, and innovators, all dedicated to advancing the discourse on urban innovation and practical transformative solutions in Toronto and cities worldwide.

The event served as a critical nexus linking financing and investors with specific needs in cities. This gathering not only reinforced the city's stature, but also showcased best practices and development efforts in fostering innovation across sectors and the possibility of presenting investment opportunities to event attendees.

"This marks a wonderful moment for the GPUF, the first of many where the platform collaborates with cities and local organizations to create opportunities, attract, and ultimately secure investments for truly transformative urban solutions, which will revitalize urban economy globally," said Reza Pourvaziry, Chair of the UEF & GPUF. "We are working with all partners and are looking forward to bringing these innovations to the World Urban Forum (WUF12) that will be held from November 4 - 8, 2024 in Cario, Egypt," said Pourvaziry.

"GPUF is filling a critical gap in the globe to ensure good urban developments have access to the financing capital they deserve. This is a transformative initiative that has high potential for economic, social, and environmental impact", said Eduardo Moreno, Co-Director of the World Urban Pavilion.

UN-Habitat, a main founding partner of the World Urban Pavilion, presented how its flagship programme SDG Cities is supporting cities in Canada but also globally. Dyfed Aubrey, Inter-regional Advisor and recently Head of SDG Cities at UN-Habitat, stated that "From engaging with local leaders to developing analytical frameworks, SDG Cities is committed to supporting sustainable urban development initiatives".

Also representing UN-Habitat, Douglas Ragan, a Programme Management Officer, explained how the SDG Cities program aims to reach 1000 cities by 2026. "Online tools and resources are provided to facilitate the localization of data, the development of strategic planning, and the implementation of sustainable practices", said Ragan. These tools and resources are foundational for platforms like the GPUF to ensure cities are well equipped and have access to technical support if required.

Alongside UN-Habitat, major partners such as Convergence, Global CEO Alliance, CitiIQ, and EMIF Group shared valuable insights into sustainable urban development practices. A recurring theme throughout the discussions underscored the critical importance of collecting and analyzing good urban data, particularly disaggregated at local level, to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by cities. The University of Toronto's School of Cities Urban Data Center, sharing its work with the City of Toronto to break down traditional data silos to address technical barriers of data sharing.

Furthermore, UN-Habitat's City Investment Facility (CIF) demonstrated how it is building capacity and confidence in sustainable urban development by streamlining investment processes for urban projects, ensuring adherence to a bankable format. CIF contributes to drive progress in sustainable urban development, ultimately fostering the creation of inclusive and resilient cities, and advancing SDGs realization.

As part of the Pavilion's flagship initiative, Canada Frontrunner of Urban SDG, several organisations including, Noventa Energy, Vancity Community Investment Bank, Northcrest Developments, Serotiny Group, Mitrex, Parataxis Design and Development, highlighted their collaboration with Toronto, presenting unique solutions articulated to investment opportunities. Learning from these experiences, Mayor Emmanuel Serunjoji of the Kawempe Division and Mayor Paul Mugambe of the Nakawa Division from Kampala City, Uganda. Both joined the summit as representatives of the Lake Victoria Local Authorities Cooperation, an organization that represents 135 cities in East Africa. The mayors exposed some of the challenges their city is facing and established dialogue with Canada Frontrunner participants to understand how to integrate Canadian innovations in their city.

Representatives of the City of Toronto showcased unique public-private partnerships that have led to the creation of innovative financing models and new technologies contributing to its long-term strategic objectives, such as the aim to decarbonize buildings by 2040. Encouraging private sector contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals, the city actively collaborates with private entities to foster innovations to drive sustainable development.

David West, Mayor of Richmond Hill also shared his inspiring vision for the future of cities and highlighted his city's commitment to build a sustainable tomorrow.

The summit was also an important opportunity to recognize the involvement of TERRITORIA, a Mexican based development organization. TERRITORIA was announced as a member of UEF and sponsor of the upcoming 6th Urban Economy Forum (UEF6). TERRITORIA is working with UEF's Latin America and The Caribbean Office on a global pilot in Mexico. The partnership will focus on innovative models and financing approaches to build a sustainable tourism community.

Frank Stronach, Canadian Billionaire, Global Entrepreneur, and Founder of Magna International, shared insights during the summit's first day, advocating for the role of the private sector in improving people's quality of life through profit-sharing with employees. This approach fosters a culture of ownership, creativity, and common responsibility, boosting employee motivation and satisfaction while cultivating a sense of collective purpose and commitment to long-term success.

Another recurring theme throughout the conference was the emphasis on technology use to achieve sustainability goals. Companies like Sparrow Living, Brickeye, and Chargelab shared important contributions to national and global sustainability agendas backed by sustainable business models.

The summit highlighted the pivotal role of the Glocal Platform for Urban Finance to attract investors to Canada and identify transformative financial opportunities that are aligned with sustainability. "Let's recognize the interconnectedness of our cities and the global community. This summit provides a platform to showcase remarkable progress, learn from each other, and collaborate on innovative solutions for meaningful impact", said Amir Hossein Kashfi, Managing Director of Aragon.

This event's success underscores the importance of collective action in shaping inclusive and sustainable urban futures, setting a promising precedent for forthcoming urban finance endeavors. "This World Summit marked the first event showcasing the GPUF's remarkable capacity to connect finance to urban innovations and developments, opening new possibilities for sustainable urban financing." Said Alex Venuto, Deputy Director of the World Urban Pavilion.

As the GPUF continues to expand, it collaborates with cities and organizations paving the way to identify investment opportunities with clear financial returns and social impacts. Investors can join the GPUF through a membership model, gaining access to exceptional opportunities.

For those interested in joining the platform, you can contact: [email protected]

Organizations:

Urban Economy Forum: serves as a dynamic platform dedicated to addressing the complex challenges and opportunities inherent in urban development. Comprising a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, urban planners, industry leaders, and academics, the UEF fosters collaborative dialogue and innovative solutions aimed at advancing sustainable urban economies worldwide. Through its conferences, forums, and initiatives, the UEF explores pressing issues such as inclusive growth, urban resilience, and equitable access to resources. With a commitment to driving positive change, the UEF facilitates knowledge sharing, capacity building, and strategic partnerships to shape urban policies and practices that promote economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental sustainability in cities around the globe.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

Aragon: At Aragon Corp, we are more than consultants  we are partners, guides, and champions of your entrepreneurial journey. Rooted in the vibrant Canadian startup ecosystem, we understand the dreams, challenges, and triumphs that come with building a business in this diverse and dynamic nation.

Glocal Platform for Urban Finance: The Glocal Platform for Urban Finance (GPUF) represents a pioneering initiative aimed at revolutionizing the way cities access and utilize financial mechanisms for sustainable urban development. Designed to bridge the gap between global financial resources and local urban needs, the GPUF serves as a catalyst for transformative change. By connecting existing financial mechanisms with on-the-ground urban challenges, the platform empowers cities to address pressing issues such as inequality, poverty, environmental degradation, and climate change. Through innovative financial models, strategic partnerships, and technical advisory services, the GPUF facilitates the implementation of sustainable urban projects, ensuring that cities worldwide can thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

The World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park  Powered by Daniels is a global knowledge exchange hub to share best practices, innovation and research in urban development and revitalization from countries around the world. The Pavilion envisions people centered, sustainable cities that are planned through data, driven by innovation, and informed by the SDGs. The Pavilion is working in three critical areas: urban knowledge, innovation, and transformation.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2346310/Urban_Economy_Forum_Association_UEF_Revitalizing_Urban_Economies.jpg
NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The school bus market is estimated to grow by USD 1,235.2 million from 2022 to 2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.93% during the forecast period. The increasing number of school enrollments is driving growth in the school bus market. The growth of the world's population, especially in China and India, leads to more school attendance, which necessitates the expansion of educational facilities and related infrastructure such as transportation. This rise extends to international schools in emerging economies such as India, China, and the UAE. Furthermore, the US and Canada are global leaders in educational infrastructure. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. For more insights on the historical (2017 to 2021) and forecast market size (2023 to 2027), Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global School Bus Market 2023-2027

Report Coverage Details Page number 172 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.93% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 1235.2 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 3.6 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 34% Key countries US, Canada, China, Japan, and UK

Segment Overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on powertrain type (ICE-powered and electric), and type (type C, type B, type A, and type D)

The ICE-powered segment will account for a major share of the market's growth during the forecast period. In this segment, school buses using alternative fuels (besides diesel and gasoline) such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane were considered. All of these fuels use the same drivetrain (ICE). The fuel used in school buses has an adverse impact on the environment Hence, such factors are expected to drive the market at a steady rate during the forecast period.

Geography Overview

By geography, the school bus market is segmented into North America, APAC, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and South America. The report provides actionable insights and estimates the contribution of all regions to the growth of the global school bus market.

North America is estimated to contribute 34% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The region features major manufacturers of school buses, serving both domestic and international markets. Blue Bird Corporation, IC Bus, and Thomas Built Buses Inc. are dominant companies with significant market shares. Furthermore, major competitors include Collins Bus Corporation, Micro Bird, and Lion Electric Company. Moreover, companies are innovating in their services to expand their influence in the market. Hence, such factors are expected to drive the market in the region during the forecast period. Insights on the market contribution of various segments, including country and region wise historic data (2017 to 2021), and forecast market size (2023 to 2027), Download a Sample Report

Technological innovations for the effectiveness of school buses are a major trend in the market. The lack of adequate charging infrastructure is a significant challenge restricting market growth. Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 to 2021), and forecast period(2023 to 2027), Request a sample report!

Analys Review

The School Bus Market presents a dynamic landscape with significant players spanning across continents. Europe, China, and India emerge as key regions driving innovation and growth. Traditional IC engine vehicles dominate the market, with players like IC Bus leading the segment. Companies like BYD are revolutionizing the market with electric alternatives, signaling a shift towards sustainability. Joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions are common strategies employed to enhance market presence and capabilities. Notably, First Student stands out as a prominent player, offering comprehensive solutions for school transportation needs. As the industry continues to evolve, collaboration and technological advancements are expected to shape its future trajectory. Request a sample report!

Related Reports:

The bus market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 15,868.32 million.

The articulated bus market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.52% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 1,735.21 million.

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 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.co

SOURCE Technavio
SMITHFIELD, Va., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithfield Foods has donated $100,000 to fund a mobile food retail market that will provide fresh food in food deserts throughout southeastern North Carolina.

Smithfield Foods has donated $100,000 to Ripe for Revival to fund a mobile food retail market.

The donation to Ripe for Revival, a nonprofit founded to address food insecurity in North Carolina, was used to purchase a bus that has been transformed into a mobile food market. The bus will offer fresh, local, healthy food to the public, including many families experiencing food insecurity, at pay-what-you-can prices. Smithfield's donation brings Ripe for Revival's fleet up to a total of five buses.

"Having access to affordable food is a significant issue in rural communities," said Steve Evans, vice president of community development for Smithfield Foods. "We are focused on improving food access, and we're building capacity to fill the need. This innovative partnership with Ripe for Revival will meet our neighbors where they are and provide fresh food everyone can afford."

"We are beyond thankful to Smithfield Foods for helping us revive communities through food," said Will Kornegay, founder and CEO of Ripe Revival. "This generous donation not only has grown our fleet of pay-what-you-can mobile markets, but also is helping us expand our reach. We have great plans for 2024 to serve more North Carolina families facing food insecurity, and Smithfield Foods is helping us achieve that goal."

Ripe for Revival's mobile markets currently sell local produce, meat and dairy at up to a dozen sites per week in Beaufort, Edgecombe, Halifax, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt and Wake counties. In addition to funding the purchase of the mobile market bus, Smithfield's donation will provide operational support to expand Ripe for Revival's mobile market service area to Sampson County.

Will Kornegay started Ripe Revival in 2018 to help farmers find markets for the imperfect produce they could not sell to grocery stores. In 2021, he launched Ripe for Revival, the nonprofit arm of Ripe Revival, to operate a fleet of pay-what-you-can mobile markets to address food insecurity in North Carolina. Over the past few years, Ripe Revival has played a role in serving thousands of families and hundreds of nonprofits by helping to distribute more than 4 million pounds of produce to fight food insecurity. Since June 2022, the mobile market buses have distributed more than 40,000 pounds of produce.

Smithfield's hunger relief program, Helping Hungry Homes, has provided hundreds of millions of servings of protein all 50 U.S. states, as well as in Poland, Romania and Mexico, since 2008. Smithfield donated nearly 25 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs across the U.S. in 2022 and has pledged to donate 200 million servings of protein by 2025.

For more information about Smithfield's programs to support local communities, please visit smithfieldfoods.com/helping-communities.

About Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is a U.S. food company that employs more than 54,000 people in seven countries and partners with thousands of American farmers. As one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly." to feed a growing world population. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in our U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30% across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs in all 50 U.S. states. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield, Eckrich, Gwaltney and Nathan's Famous, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Threads.

About Ripe Revival

In 2018, entrepreneur Will Kornegay started Ripe Revival to help farmers find markets for their imperfect produce. Ripe Revival uses the produce to create value-added products and consumer packaged goods as well as offer delivery of food subscription boxes to consumers' homes from the Triangle to the coast. In 2021, Kornegay started Ripe for Revival, the company's nonprofit arm to operate a fleet of pay-what-you-can mobile markets to address food insecurity in North Carolina. Since June 2022, the converted buses have distributed more than 40,000 pounds of produce. The innovative approach to addressing food insecurity has garnered media attention from Southern Living, WRAL, WITN, WNCT, Public Radio East and more. For more information, visit riperevival.com.

SOURCE Smithfield Foods, Inc.
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Blockchain Council (TBC) alongside one of its members, Riot Platforms, today initiated legal proceedings against the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA), challenging an alleged unprecedented and illegal data collection demand against the bitcoin mining industry. This legal action underscores the TBC's commitment to protecting the rights and interests of the industry against governmental overreach and politically motivated administrative actions.

Recently, the EIA issued an "emergency" survey to bitcoin mining companies, demanding highly proprietary information such as specifications of the machine used in each facility, specific locations of mining operations, and contractual information relating to each commercial energy partner, among other requests. The materials state that the administration intends to publish this sensitive information. Additionally, prior statements from The White House suggest that the information gathered will be abused to further target the industry. This move is part of a broader strategy by Senator Warren and the Biden Administration as they take a "whole of government approach" to attack the digital asset industry. The TBC, alongside industry partners, views this as a direct assault on private businesses under the guise of an emergency, lacking legitimate grounds and demonstrating clear political bias.

Texas Blockchain Council Announces Legal Action Against the Department of Energy Post this

The unwarranted and unprecedented government intrusion represented by the EIA's information collection demand marks a concerning escalation in the oversight and regulation of the cryptocurrency industry. By challenging this overreach, the TBC aims to safeguard not just the interests of bitcoin miners but the broader rights of all industries against invasive governmental demands, underscoring the critical balance between regulation and the freedom to innovate within the digital landscape.

Lee Bratcher, President of the TBC, expressed the organization's position: "The EIA's actions represent an alarming precedent of government intrusion into private industry operations without just cause or proper process. It's evident that this survey is not about grid stability, as bitcoin miners are the most flexible load on any grid, but is a targeted political effort led by figures like Elizabeth Warren."

The legal action highlights the lack of grounds for such an emergency survey and demonstrates that the agency failed to allow for the required notice and comment period. This legal challenge is not about resisting an isolated request for information; it's a defense against a broader pattern of regulatory overreach that threatens the very fabric of innovation and economic growth. If the government can do this to one industry, precedent is set for all other industries that fall out of favor with the administration in power.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For further details or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Mark Shut

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Texas Blockchain Council
International partnership brings three Ukrainian children who were abducted by Russia to the United Nations to give testimony  the first time the U.N. has heard directly from Ukrainian survivors of Russia's mass child abduction

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A day before the two-year anniversary of Russia's war on Ukraine, three Ukrainian children gave testimony at the United Nations, detailing their experiences being abducted by Russian forces. In recounting their personal stories, 13-year-old Sasha, 11-year-old Ilya, and 14-year-old Kira sought to advocate for the release of more than 20,000 kidnapped Ukrainian children remaining in Russian captivity. The closed-door session marked the first time that U.N. members have heard directly from survivors of Russia's mass child abduction, a violation of the Genocide Convention.

Ukrainian children, 11-year-old Ilya, 14-year-old Kira, and 13-year-old Sasha, enter the United Nations to testify on their experiences being abducted by Russian forces, and to advocate for the release of more than 20,000 kidnapped Ukrainian children remaining in Russian captivity.

Builders Ukraine co-chair and BlueCheck Ukraine co-founder actor Liev Schreiber delivered opening remarks at the U.N. meeting. Schreiber asked the member nations to take all necessary steps for a safe return of all Ukrainian children taken by Russia, stating:

"In the face of all these injustices, trauma, and human rights violations, there is perhaps no more basic and fundamental definition of human security than for a child not to be separated from their parents. We are here today to raise awareness and to confront the horrific reality that thousands of Ukrainian children have literally been torn from their families and forcibly deported to the Russian Federation and Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, and also to take necessary steps to foster their safe return and reunification with their families, consistent with international law."

The Ukrainian government has identified more than 20,000 cases of children who have been unlawfully abducted, while Russia continues to illegally transfer Ukrainian children to Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his children's commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, have both been charged by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for child deportations.

Sasha, Ilya, and Kira are among only a few hundred Ukrainian children who have been rescued from Russian captivity. The rest remain held in Russia, where they are being indoctrinated to support Russia's brutal campaign against their homeland. Russia has passed legislation making it easier for Russian families to adopt Ukrainian children and to grant them Russian citizenship. Without significant international pressure on Russia, the stolen children may never be returned.

In response, Builders Ukraine and its partners have launched The Courage Project , which seeks to put international pressure on Russia to release the abducted children while generating funds to support the youngest victims of Russia's aggression. The project is asking people across the world to honor the bravery of Kira, Ilya, and Sasha by signing a petition that demands Russia comply with the Geneva Conventions and immediately release the names and locations of all Ukrainian Children who have been abducted.

The petition will be presented at the U.N. on June 1, International Children's Day, urging the U.N. General Assembly to do everything necessary to ensure the children are returned to Ukraine swiftly and safely.

The Courage Project is a collaboration between Builders Ukraine; Bring Kids Back UA, an initiative of President Zelenskyy; BlueCheck Ukraine; and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). For more information about The Courage Project, visit:

http://Buildersukraine.com/tcp.

About Builders Ukraine

Co-chaired by Actor and Director Liev Schreiber, Chef and Humanitarian Jose Andres, Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, social entrepreneur Daniel Lubetzky, and global human rights and pro-democracy activist Garry Kasparov, Builders Ukraine is a non-profit initiative to keep the world engaged in Ukraine's fight to defend its freedom and democracy from totalitarian aggression. The initiative seeks to remind the free world of the shared values and humanity at stake when absolutist forces gain power. Builders Ukraine is part of a larger Builders network equipping people with the tools to overcome extreme thinking and work together to solve our toughest problems. Learn more at buildersukraine.com and wearebuilders.org .

About BlueCheck Ukraine

BlueCheck Ukraine identifies, vets, and funds effective Ukrainian humanitarian organizations responding to the consequences of the devastating Russian invasion. Its 25+ frontline partners evacuate children, provide emergency medical care and mental health services, build shelters, distribute food and cash assistance, remove unexploded ordnance, and more. Learn more at https://www.bluecheck.in/ .

About Bring Kids Back UA

Bring Kids Back UA is a strategic action plan initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. It unites the efforts of the Ukrainian government, partner countries, and international organizations to bring back the children who have been forcefully deported from Ukraine. Learn more at https://www.bringkidsback.org.ua/ .

About Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers critical support to the families of America's fallen military heroes, including peer-based emotional support, grief counseling, and specialized programs for adults and children. Learn more at https://www.taps.org/international/ukraine .

SOURCE Builders Ukraine
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, a premier provider of insurance and risk management education, has unveiled its new Online Designee Directory.

This directory is a valuable resource for risk and insurance professionals who hold one or more of the National Alliance's prestigious designations such as Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR), the Certified School Risk Manager (CSRM), and Certified Personal Risk Manager (CPRM), offering this exclusive community a platform for professional visibility and connectivity.

This online Designee Directory facilitates easy verification of a participant's designation credentials, while at the same time enhancing trust and greater recognition within the industry.

The directory is also designed with privacy in mind, displaying only essential contact information and allowing dues-paid designees to opt-in or opt-out at any time. To opt-in for the Directory a designee simply needs to pay their annual membership dues and then navigate to their National Alliance Profile at www.scic.com/signin and click "Opt-In."

The National Alliance's Chief Experience Officer, Danielle Janecka, said, "Not only does the directory give public-facing recognition to our designees, but it also serves as an excellent networking tool. Business referrals or reconnecting with fellow CICs and CISRs across the country will now be just a few clicks away."

The directory, featured on The National Alliance website, maintains a user-friendly interface where individuals can search using different criteria: specific city, state, zip code, or even a person's email address.

Regarding the features designees can leverage, Project Manager Lori Seton, CISR, stated, "Opted-in dues-paid designee profiles, updated with a personal photograph and designation details, will not only be accessible to peers for networking but also to consumers who might be looking for advice or services."

To view the Designee Directory, visit www.scic.com, and select the "Designee Search" icon in the website header.

About The National Alliance:

For over 50 years, The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research is the nation's preeminent provider of insurance and risk management education.

Media Contact:

Name: Mitch Dunford

Title: Chief Marketing Officer

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.scic.com

619-454-3032

SOURCE The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research
CALGARY, AB, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Vencanna Ventures Inc. (the "Company" or "Vencanna") (CSE: VENI) (OTCQB: TPPRF) announces, effective today, the change of its corporate name from Top Strike Resources Corp. to Vencanna Ventures Inc. and the execution of a second amended and restated definitive unit exchange agreement (as amended, the "Amended Agreement") with The Cannavative Group LLC ("Cannavative") amending the agreement originally entered into on April 25, 2022, and subsequently amended and restated on August 16, 2023.

Pursuant to the Amended Agreement, Vencanna will acquire all of the outstanding membership units of Cannavative through an all-share exchange. The Transaction will result in materially less dilution than was contemplated in earlier agreements due to: (a) a significant reduction in the purchase price; (b) implementing a performance-based earn-out structure, and (c) an increased value of the Company's share price attributable to its New Jersey opportunities. At closing, Vencanna Acquisition Inc. ("AcquisitionCo"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vencanna, will issue: (a) 56.8 million common shares of AcquisitionCo ("Exchangeable Shares"); (b) 10.6 million Exchangeable Share purchase warrants, each exercisable for one Exchangeable Share at an exercise price of C$0.10 for 9 months, and (c) 12.5 million Exchangeable Share purchase warrants each exercisable for one Exchangeable Share at an exercise price of C$0.13 for a period of 18 months following the date of issuance. The exchangeable securities are exchangeable, at the option of the holder, on a one-for-one basis for equivalent securities of Vencanna. Contingent upon the business of Cannavative achieving specific 2024 and 2025 financial milestones, holders of membership units will be eligible to receive up to 96.6 million additional earn-out units, each consisting of one Exchangeable Share and 0.5 of a Exchangeable Share purchase warrant, each such full earn-out warrant exercisable for one Exchangeable Share for 12 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of the greater of C$0.10 and the market price at the time of issue (collectively, the "Transaction"). The maximum number of equity securities issuable pursuant to the Transaction, including earnout securities and securities issued to Cannavative's financial advisor in leu of a cash payment, is 224.3 million.

As a condition to the completion of the Transaction, the unsecured convertible debenture issued by Vencanna on July 3, 2020, in the principal amount of US$1,300,000 (the "Debenture"), plus its accrued interest, will be converted into a total of 40.9 million common shares of the Company ("Shares") and 20.45 million Share purchase warrants, each warrant exercisable at C$0.075 for 12 months from the date of issue. The Company currently has 181.3 million Shares outstanding, and following the completion of the debenture conversion, but not including the completion of the Transaction, the Company will have approximately 222.1 million Shares, 20.25 Share purchase warrants and 5.0 million options outstanding. Following the completion of the Transaction and the Debenture conversion, the Company will have approximately 279.0 million Shares, 43.5 Share purchase warrants and 5.0 million options outstanding (including the shares and warrants issuable upon the exchange of the exchangeable securities issued pursuant to the Transaction). At closing, the pro forma Company will be debt-free with approximately C$4.0 million in cash. Prior to giving effect to any earn-out, Transaction value is US$8.1 million based on a deemed issue price of C$0.10 per Share.

The Transaction was negotiated at arm's length. On the closing date, the number of equity securities issued pursuant to the Transaction will be equal to approximately 32% of the equity securities outstanding prior to the Transaction (inclusive of the Debenture conversion) on a fully-diluted basis. Inclusive of the maximum number of earn-out securities issuable post-closing upon the achievement of financial milestones, the maximum number of equity securities issuable pursuant to the Transaction will be equal to approximately 91% of the equity securities outstanding prior to the Transaction on a fully-diluted basis. As such, the Transaction is expected to constitute a "Major Acquisition" pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). In addition to certain other escrow restrictions described in the Amended Agreement, all of the equity securities issuable pursuant to the Transaction will be subject to a restriction from trading until ten trading days after a business acquisition report has been filed in respect of the Transaction. Further details regarding Cannavative and the Transaction are available in the listing summary of Vencanna dated February 23, 2024 (the "Listing Summary"), which is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Vencanna's issuer profile. The completion of the Transaction is expected to occur in April 2024.

In alignment with the Company's evolving operations, brand and corporate vision and existing investment strategy, the Company has officially rebranded as Vencanna Ventures Inc., and effective today, the Company's shares will resume trading on the CSE and the OTCB under the symbols VENI and TPPRF, respectively, as an investment issuer. On January 17, 2023, at an annual general and special meeting, the shareholders of Vencanna approved the name change.

Strategic Market Timing

The acquisition of Cannavative, coupled with our ongoing developments in New Jersey, will position Vencanna to offer its shareholders opportunities in the U.S. cannabis market. The landscape of U.S. cannabis reform is rapidly evolving. Notably, on October 6, 2022, President Biden directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") to undertake an administrative review of the scheduling of cannabis, presently categorized as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substance Act.

On August 29, 2023, the HHS forwarded a letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (the "DEA") recommending the reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. This proposed change would eliminate the application of IRC 280E, a tax provision currently applicable only to Schedule I & II substances. Such a move would substantially alleviate the tax burden on U.S. state-compliant cannabis businesses, including Cannavative, leading to increased cash flows for the sector. Senior officials have been quoted as stating they do not recall the DEA to have deviated from a scheduling recommendation from the HHS. Ongoing legislative reforms, such as the SAFE Banking Act, and the potential re-scheduling of cannabis, stand as near-term material catalysts currently under consideration, though the exact timing remains uncertain.

David McGorman, Vencanna's CEO, expressed: "The U.S. cannabis market has faced its challenges, but our strategic objective has consistently been to identify operations with top-tier management, products, and market penetration. Cannavative aligns perfectly with our strategy. They were among the first in Nevada to secure both a cultivation and manufacturing license, establishing deep roots in one of the most dynamic recreational states in the U.S.. The product development and talent pool at Cannavative are readily exportable into new markets, aligning with the expanding cannabis reform landscape in the U.S. We eagerly anticipate integrating the Cannavative team into our operations."

Post-Transaction Management and Directors

Management and the board of directors will be comprised of professionals from both entities, forming an integrated team capable of executing the Company's forward-looking business plan. This plan includes expanding market penetration in Nevada, venturing into New Jersey, and exploring potential investment opportunities. The following outlines the Company's core team and directors post-closing, which include the addition of a representative of Cannavative as a director of the Company and the appointment of a representative of Cannavative as an officer of the Company.

Jon Sharun, Executive Chairman & Interim CFO

Mr. Sharun is a co-founder and the current Executive Chairman and interim CFO of Vencanna. He has more than two decades of diverse experience in international investment, real estate, branding, and business development. As the founder and Managing Partner of Venexo Capital, a boutique private equity firm that has successfully raised over $100 million, he has spearheaded investments in healthcare, hospitality, and real estate. A pioneer in the cannabis sector, Venexo has made over 60 international placements. Jon is actively engaged on various private, public, and non-profit boards, earning recognition as a Top Forty Under 40 and a Top 100 in Finance award winner. His extensive list of qualifications includes an MBA, CPA, CSA, LEED AP, and ICD.D.

David McGorman, CEO & Director

Mr. McGorman, a co-founder and current CEO and director of Vencanna, brings a remarkable 25 years of experience from the financial industry. He has provided years of M&A and corporate structuring advice to clients, as well as leading their critical equity and debt placements. Mr. McGorman has held senior positions at prominent U.S. and Canadian financial institution, which has included The Chase Manhattan Bank, Raymond James Ltd., as well as serving as the CEO of Jennings Capital Inc. and Vice-Chairman at Research Capital Corp. Mr. McGorman is an alumnus of the University of Guelph, holding a Hon's B.Sc. in Theoretical Physics, and earned his M.B.A. from the DeGroote School of Business.

Jason Crum, Chief Revenue Officer

Mr. Crum currently holds the positions of President and Chief Revenue Officer at Cannavative, bringing over two decades of diverse experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), specifically in alcohol sales management. His extensive background includes roles at industry giants like MillerCoors and Treasury Wine Estates, where he directly oversaw supply, distribution, and brand building in the beer and wine sectors. Jason's expertise encompasses team development, strategic analytics optimization, and operational efficiency enhancements. Since joining Cannavative in 2019, he has played a crucial role in significantly expanding the company's penetration in Nevada dispensaries and driving sales growth. Mr. Crum is an alumnus of UT Austin.

Alan Gertner, Independent Director

Alan Gertner, a founding director of Vencanna, currently holds the position of Vice Chair at IGaming Ontario, actively collaborating with the Government of Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to establish robust online consumer protection measures within the gaming industry., Alan served as the CEO of Hiku Brands and played a pivotal role as the co-founder of Tokyo Smoke, a globally acclaimed cannabis brand with an extensive network of retail stores across the country. The success of Hiku Brands and Tokyo Smoke culminated in their acquisition by Canopy Growth Corp. in July 2018. Prior thereto, Alan was a founding member of Google's inaugural Global Business Strategy team, initially based in Mountain View California. His expanding role with Google saw him leading one of their prominent Asian divisions. Alan earned Dean's list honors from the Richard Ivey School of Business.

W. Scott McGregor, Independent Director

Mr. McGregor, a founding director of Vencanna, has over two decades of corporate finance and capital market experience. Along with senior investment banking positions at Canada's leading independent brokers, Scott has been Managing Director at Invest Alberta Corp, a Crown corporation committed to facilitating investment and fostering trade in the province of Alberta, as well as the Senior Vice President of Merrco Payments Inc., a cannabis focused payment services company. Mr. McGregor is an alumnus of Queens University, holding a B.A., and earned his M.B.A. from the prestigious Rotman School of Management.

Dr. Scott Wrye MD, Independent Director

Dr. Wrye, a co-founder and director of Cannavative, brings a wealth of expertise as a private practicing physician and specialist in Cosmetic, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery based in Reno, Nevada. Early on he championed the cause of medical cannabis, actively educating and assisting numerous patients in northern Nevada to legally access medical cannabis. Beyond his community advocacy, Dr. Wrye has played a pivotal role in guiding Cannavative's product and brand development. Dr. Wrye is a graduate of New York State University, College of Medicine.

Effective as of closing of the Transaction, Matthew Christopherson and Smoke Wallin will be stepping down from the Company's board.

New Jersey & NJ Entities

Vencanna is making substantial strides in advancing its investments in New Jersey through three community partnerships: TGC New Jersey LLC. ("TGC"), CGT New Jersey LLC ("CGT"), and October Gold LLC ("October Gold," collectively referred to as the "NJ Entities"). The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission has awarded TGC an annual cultivation and manufacturing license, with the conditional retail license pending approval, and each of CGT and October Gold has received a conditional retail license.

New Jersey, with a population of 9.3 million (and another 35 million residing in its border states), ranks as the 11th most populous, and the most densely populated state in the United States. While adult cannabis was legalized in April 2020, its roll out has been slow. This has been in part due to a nascent medical market before adult legalization, and the fact that less than 25% of state's municipalities has opted-in. Adding to the challenges, most opted-in municipalities limit the number of retail locations and generally pose restrictive zoning parameters.

Vencanna is pleased to announce that TGC has secured a 15,500-square-foot facility in Cinnaminson, NJ. The site shall house cultivation, manufacturing and retail sales. This single-site vertical operation will enable direct product showcasing to customers. This strategically located site is just off the Hwy-130 corridor between Trenton and Camden, which effectively borders Pennsylvania. Retail sales in Cinnaminson are restricted, as they are only allowed if the establishment is co-located with cultivation. In addition, currently all the adjoining municipalities either do not allow retail operations or limit their number, making the TGC site positioned for success. TGC expects to become operational later in 2024.

In addition to TGC, Vencanna is very pleased to announce that CGT has also successfully secured a site; a 4,150 s.f. location in Bellmawr NJ, that is less than 10 miles from Philadelphia. The location has direct egress off HWY 24, the main artery from Philadelphia. The location is situated between the I-295 and the NJ Turnpike, on the southbound side of HWY 42 thereby capturing the afternoon traffic from Philadelphia. The south bound traffic on HWY 42 alone sees over 145,000 cars each day. CGT has received its joint land use approval from the municipality, and is now working with them in obtaining its retail support letter. Should CGT successfully obtain its retail operating licence, they would be only the second cannabis retailer in Bellmawr (Bellmawr currently allows only two retailers).

The Company continues to review potential sites for October Gold, collaborating closely with local municipalities, and working with additional community partners, in order to expand its New Jersey network. In addition to supporting the New Jersey entities through funding and managerial oversight, Vencanna will also bring its SOP's and top Nevada brands to this new market, further expanding our reach. The retail market in New Jersey is anticipated to remain very attractive, as the real estate and market challenges are anticipated to continue thereby limiting new entrants in the near term.

Normal Course Issuer Bid

The Company announces the re-commencement today of a normal course issuer bid ("NCIB"). The previous NCIB expired on October 11, 2022. During the prior NCIB, the Company did not purchase any Shares.

Under the new Bid, the Company may purchase up to 5% of the Company's Shares. The Bid commenced today and will terminate on the earlier of February 23, 2025 and the date on which the maximum number of Shares that can be acquired pursuant to the Bid have been purchased. The Company reserves the right to revoke the Bid earlier if it determines that it is appropriate to do so. The actual number of Shares that may be purchased under the Bid and the timing of any such purchases will be determined by the Company.

Vencanna is executing the Bid because it believes that, from time to time, the market price of its Shares does not reflect the underlying value of the Company and its prospects, and that depending on the trading price of its Shares and other relevant factors, purchasing its own Shares represents an attractive investment opportunity and is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

All Shares will be purchased under the Bid on the open market and through the facilities of the CSE and payment for the Shares will be made in accordance with CSE policies. The timing and extent of repurchases will depend upon several factors, including market and business conditions, valuation of Shares, regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations. The price paid for Shares will be the prevailing market price at the time of purchase and all Shares acquired by the Company will be cancelled. The Company has 181,283,390 Shares issued and outstanding as of today's date. Purchases may be suspended at any time, and no purchases will be made other than by means of open market transactions during the term of the Bid. The Company has engaged Independent Trading Group (ITG) Inc. to act as the broker through which the Bid will be conducted.

About Cannavative

Established in 2016 as the first in Nevada to hold both cultivation and processing licenses, Cannavative stands as a distinguished cultivator and processor garnering shelf space in over 80% of the state's retail outlets. They are a multiple award-winning cultivator and processor: Leaflink's Top Brand in Nevada in 2021, a gold and silver medal at the 2020 Las Vegas Cannabis Awards, the 2019 Jack Herer Cup for their vape pen, and Leafly's Best Flower Products brand in 2018. Cannavative offers an extensive range of extracted items, including the Motivator infused pre-roll and Resin8 vape.

Nevada is a major cannabis market in the U.S with sales over $880 million in 2022 according to the State of Nevada Department of Taxation. Nevada's strong sales are supported by their tourism, with over 38 million visitors in 2022, according to the LVCVA Research Centre. The Nevada tourist industry, and Las Vegas in particular, offers Cannavative significant exposure for its national brand development.

Cannavative operates from a 40,000-square-foot facility, situated on an 8.5-acre site in Reno Nevada. The facility includes a cutting-edge, 10,000 square feet pharmaceutical-grade extraction lab and kitchen. In addition to its in-door cultivation, there's 2,800-square-foot high-tech light deprivation greenhouse, with significant potential for expansion on the property. Cannavative's substantive operations allow it of offer multiple products across multiple product categories, to meet the diverse and discerning customer base. Cannavative's commitment to quality and innovation will continue to position them as one of Nevada best-selling brands.

Financial Information

The table below presents selected financial information for Cannavative. For additional information, see the Listing Summary.



September 30, 2023(1)

US$000s December 31, 2022(2)

US$000s Revenues 8.067 10,774 Expenses 9,521 13,872 Net Income (1,454) (3,129) Total Assets 8,919 9,641 Total Liabilities 16,062 15,279 Total Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) (7,144) (5,637)

Notes: (1) Based on the unaudited financial statements for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023. (2) Based on the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.

About Vencanna

On September 24, 2018, the Company completed a recapitalization financing, appointed a new management team and board of directors, and commenced trading on the CSE as an investment issuer. The transactions transitioned the Company from an oil and gas issuer to a merchant capital firm, and rebranded as "Vencanna Ventures". Following the completion of the Transaction, the Company's continued aim will be to be a go-to capital provider for early-stage cannabis initiatives. The Company focuses on strong management operating in strategic state-compliant jurisdictions, possessing unique characteristics and barriers to entry.

Vencanna Ventures is dedicated to offering investors a diversified and high-growth cannabis investment strategy. It proposes to achieve this through strategic investments and acquisitions spanning the entire cannabis value chain, encompassing cultivation, processing, distribution, retail, and ancillary businesses, with a particular focus in the Unities States of America.

Reader Advisories

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to, the acceptance of the CSE. The Transaction cannot close until the required CSE acceptance is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Listing Summary filed in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Vencanna should be considered highly speculative.

The CSE has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release.

Neither the CSE nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly, and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning the Transaction, including the terms thereof; timing for completion of the Transaction; required approvals for the completion of the Transaction and the expected receipt thereof; the business plan of the Company and Cannavative, including the business plan of the go-forward entity after completion of the Transaction; the anticipated benefits of the Transaction; the market for adult-use cannabis in the United States; the state of the adult-use cannabis market and U.S. regulatory changes in respect thereof; and future purchases of Shares under the NCIB.

The forward-looking statements are founded on the basis of expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning: the Transaction, including CSE acceptance, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions in accordance with the terms of the Amended Agreement; the future operations of, and transactions contemplated by, of the Company and Cannavative; the impact of increasing competition; timing and amount of capital expenditures; the legislative and regulatory environments of the jurisdictions where of the Company and Cannavative will carry on business, have operations or plan to have operations; the ability of the Company to enter into contracts with companies to provide financing on acceptable terms; conditions in general economic and financial markets; the ability of the Company's investments to execute on their business plan; and the Company's ability to obtain additional financing on satisfactory terms or at all. Forward-looking statements are subject to a wide range of risks and uncertainties, and although the Company believes that the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will be realized. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which have been used.

Although Vencanna believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because Vencanna can give no assurance that they will provide to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed. Without limitation, these risks and uncertainties include: the parties being unable to obtain CSE acceptance; risks inherent in manufacturing and product development; actions and initiatives of federal, state and local governments and changes to government policies and the execution and impact of these actions, initiatives and policies; uncertainty caused by potential changes to regulatory framework; regulatory approval and permits; environmental, health and safety laws; risks associated with the cannabis industry in general; the ability of the Company to implement its corporate strategy; the state of domestic and international capital markets; the ability to obtain financing; and other factors more fully described from time to time in the reports and filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities.

Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of forward-looking information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and accordingly there can be no assurance that such expectations will be realized. Vencanna undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from published sources prepared by independent industry analysts and third-party sources (including industry publications, surveys and forecasts). While such information is believed to be reliable for the purposes used herein, Vencanna does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy of such information.

SOURCE Top Strike Resources Corp.
RevenueEngine, the first content monetization solution for generative AI, recognized for industry innovation

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wildfire Systems Inc., a financial technology platform that powers white label loyalty programs, announced today that TMC , a global, integrated media company, has named RevenueEngine a recipient of a 2023 Generative AI Product of the Year Award.

RevenueEngine is the industry's first solution for monetizing e-commerce transactions driven by AI-generated brand and product recommendations within applications, plugins, and products. It provides the AI infrastructure layer for monetization that can be used by anyone developing large language models (LLMs) or building products or content on top of them. RevenueEngine also solves one of the major challenges facing creators and influencers by providing immediate access to approximately 60,000 global affiliate partnerships via Wildfire's platform.

Wildfire recently announced the RevenueEngine Chrome browser extension that provides a more convenient way for creators to leverage generative AI to develop and monetize product and brand content.

"We're thrilled that RevenueEngine has been recognized as a 2023 Generative AI Product of the Year," said Tristan Barnum, Chief Marketing Officer, Wildfire Systems. "Generative AI represents a groundbreaking technology poised to revolutionize innovation and unlock unprecedented revenue streams. RevenueEngine embodies our commitment to empowering visionaries and facilitating monetization strategies that can adapt to an ever-changing industry landscape."

"I am honored to recognize Wildfire System with a 2023 Generative AI Product of the Year Award for its commitment to customer value and innovation," said Rich Tehrani , CEO, TMC. "In the opinion of our judges and editorial team, RevenueEngine has demonstrated excellence in leveraging Generative AI to solve business problems and improve efficiency.

The winners of the 2023 Generative AI Expo Product of the Year will be featured on TMCnet.

For more information about TMC, please visit www.tmcnet.com .

For more information about RevenueEngine.ai and to download the extension, please visit: https://revenueengine.ai/

About Wildfire Systems, Inc.

Wildfire's enterprise platform embeds social commerce, rewards, coupons, and shopping companions into existing services, enhancing user experiences and loyalty while driving new revenues. The patented suite rewards online shopping and harnesses digital word-of-mouth. Wildfire drives incremental sales for more than 50,000 merchant programs in 50+ countries. Wildfire's other platform, RevenueEngine, monetizes generative AI-powered e-commerce transactions by turning product and brand mentions into commissionable links. This empowers creators to earn as generative AI accelerates content production. Founded in 2017, Wildfire is based in San Diego. For more information, visit wildfire-corp.com.

About TMC

Through our news and solutions-focused editorial platforms, live events, webinars, and online advertising, TMC provides global buyers with valuable insights for making informed technology purchase decisions and successfully navigating markets.

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SOURCE Wildfire Systems
JUBA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan said Friday it would send the third batch of teachers and school managers to China for training under the second phase of the China-Aided Technical Cooperation Project in Education.

Kuyok Abol Kuyok, undersecretary of the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, said that the group of 82 members who will leave on Saturday for one-month training in Shanghai comprises education directors, school inspectors, and managers.

"We have about 82 headmasters, school inspectors, managers that are going to attend this specific training in Shanghai, it is part of the China-Aided Technical Cooperation Project in Education program that has been running for the last two years," Kuyok said while briefing the trainees in Juba, capital of South Sudan, ahead of their trip to China.

Kuyok revealed that the first batch of trainees under the project returned to the country about two months ago.

"This is part of the support China is providing for education in South Sudan, it is support from the government of China, some of whom are directors, and we expect them to come back and train others," he added.

In November 2023, 150 teachers and school managers went to China for training.

The second phase of the project involves drafting, printing, and provision of textbooks for some primary and secondary schools in South Sudan, organizing capacity-building programs for the teachers and the educational administrators, developing and providing an evaluation system for the usage of the textbooks, and dispatching Chinese teaching personnel to Juba to teach the Chinese language. 
MADRID, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The fire engulfing a 14-story residential block in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia has claimed four lives, and 14 more people are still missing, official sources confirmed on Friday.

The fire started around 17:30 local time (1630 GMT) on Thursday in the building with 138 flats that has around 450 residents, according to local media.

Firefighters and policemen managed to enter the building on Friday morning to search for the missing people.

Fifteen people, including seven firemen, were injured in the blaze. Although five remained in the hospital, none of them were in serious condition.

The blaze began in the middle part of the building but rapidly spread to engulf the whole apartment in just half an hour.

According to local media reports, a combination of winds gusting at around 60 km an hour and the cladding on the exterior of the construction assisted the spreading of the fire.

The building was covered in a highly flammable 10-cm-thick layer of polyurethane cladding, which caught fire and helped the fire spread at devastating speed. 
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Sanaa, Feb 23 : Yemen's Houthi group has said it had launched attacks on an Israeli city, a British cargo ship, and a US warship, in what it called a response to the "American-British aggression" against Yemen and its support of the Palestinians in Gaza.

The Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea on Thursday said in a statement broadcast by the group's al-Masirah TV that the first attack targeted the Israeli city of Eilat with ballistic missiles and drones, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Israeli army said it had intercepted a missile from the Red Sea heading for Eilat on Thursday morning, while Israeli media cited Israeli officials as saying the missile was "apparently" from the Houthis.

The second attack hit a British-owned cargo ship, MV Islander, in the Gulf of Aden with naval missiles, causing a fire on board, Sarea said. He said the third attack targeted a US Navy destroyer in the Red Sea with drones.

The US Central Command confirmed on social media platform X that it had shot down six Houthi drones in the Red Sea, which were likely targeting US and coalition warships and posing "immediate threats."

It also said the Houthis had fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from southern Yemen into the Gulf of Aden, hitting the MV Islander and causing one minor injury and damage.

Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi vowed in a televised speech to launch more attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

"More attacks will come," he warned, describing the Houthi attacks as a show of support for Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza.

He claimed his group had launched "48 missile attacks" on cargo ships since mid-November last year in support of Hamas.

He also dismissed the impact of the US-led coalition airstrikes on his group's military capabilities, saying "the coalition strikes have no effect."

He also said his group had submarines and would use them in future attacks.

The Houthi group controls much of northern Yemen since it ousted the internationally recognized government in late 2014, sparking a civil war that has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

The group tightened its grip on the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah following a UN-sponsored peace deal in 2018, which was backed by the US and UK but has failed to end the fighting.

The al-Masirah television reported that the coalition's warplanes had launched four airstrikes on Hodeidah on Thursday, hitting Houthi sites in the northwestern part of the city.
Gaza, Feb 23 : At least 40 Palestinians were killed and 100 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on the central Gaza Strip, the media office of the Hamas-run government in Gaza has said in a press statement.

Israeli aircraft on Thursday launched "several raids" on a number of residential houses in the city of Deir el-Balah, which led to their "complete destruction", Xinhua news agency reported, citing Palestinian security sources.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry noted that the bodies of some victims had been transferred to the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Ambulances and civil defence teams rushed to the sites of the attacks to save people after the Israeli raids left the neighbourhood severely damaged, the security sources added.

Medical sources said that the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital is now crowded with thousands of wounded, sick and displaced people.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The UN peacekeeping chief met with representatives of local communities and civil society in Abyei on Thursday following deadly intercommunal fighting in the last few weeks, a UN spokesman said.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the special envoy of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the Horn of Africa, Hanna Tetteh, listened to their concerns and strongly encouraged them to continue working toward reconciliation, said the chief spokesman for Guterres, Stephane Dujarric.

The spokesman stated that Lacroix has committed the full backing of the UN peacekeeping mission, UNISFA, and remains dedicated to safeguarding civilians amid the persisting intercommunal tensions in the disputed province shared by Sudan and South Sudan.

Dujarric said Lacroix's delegation returned to South Sudan's capital of Juba for additional meetings on the deadly intercommunal clashes.

"Meanwhile, our colleagues in UNISFA said that nearly 900 displaced men, women and children in Abyei voluntarily returned to their place of origin in Unity State in South Sudan yesterday (Wednesday)," Dujarric said. "The South Sudanese authorities helped with that transfer."

Aditya Mehta, spokesman for the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, told Xinhua the displaced group had moved from South Sudan to Abyei a few years ago. However, with the outbreak of communal violence in Abyei in late January and earlier this month, they sought protection at a UNISFA base in Rumajak, about 7 km north of Abyei town.

Mehta said Indian peacekeepers protected the group at the base but recently sought to return to South Sudan.

The recent intercommunal violence in Abyei, involving the Dinka Twic, Ngok Dinka, and Nuer communities, took the lives of more than 50 people, including a peacekeeper from Ghana and a peacekeeper from Pakistan. 
Gaza, Feb 23 : The Israeli army sent four armoured personnel carriers into Nasser Hospital shortly after it withdrew troops from the facility, the Gaza-based Palestinian health ministry has said in a statement.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua news agency on Thursday that the Israeli army forces have converted the complex into a military barracks through days of siege and attacks.

An earlier report by Israel's Channel 13 news claimed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had ended their operation at the hospital.

Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesman for the health ministry, told the news agency that the hospital housed more than 120 wounded people and patients, as well as medical teams.

He noted that during the siege, the hospital, which is the second-largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, was "without electricity, water, food, oxygen, and proper medical care for critical cases."

He urged the World Health Organization to use all means to pressure Israel to end the "militarization of hospitals and provide all humanitarian and medical needs."

Two days ago, Israeli public radio reported that the army forces fighting in the Nasser Hospital area needed a few more days to complete their control over the site.

It added that the hospital had become a refuge for a large number of Hamas fighters who fled from the northern Gaza Strip, noting that dozens of them were killed, while around two hundred surrendered to the Israeli army, many of whom were disguised in medical personnel uniforms.

In addition, it mentioned that large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and drugs were found at the site, which were transferred to the Israeli detainees.

However, the forces did not obtain any information that would contribute to the release of the abducted persons.
Shahjahanpur, Feb 23 : A 35-year-old man from Mumbai, who was shot dead during a wedding reception at Jalalabad in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district on Wednesday, has turned out to be a relative of fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim.

Deceased Nihal Khan, who was shot in the neck, was the brother-in-law of Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar and used to live in Byculla in Mumbai, police sources said.

Nihalas sister Rizwana Hasan is married to Kaskar.

Kaskar is currently lodged in Taloja Central Jail in an alleged extortion case dating back to 2018. Nihal was also the brother-in-law of Jalalabad town's chairman Shakeel Khan.

In 2016, Nihal had purportedly eloped with Shakeel's niece -- she was found 15 days later. The matter was settled in a "compromise" and no legal action was initiated.

"Nihal had missed his flight on February 15 and came here by road. It seems my brother Kamil was still upset with Nihal over the 2016 episode and wanted to take revenge. He was carrying his gun with him after coming to know that Nihal was here to attend my son's reception. I think Kamil was waiting for an opportunity after the wedding and shot him dead on the fourth day of the ceremony," said Shakeel.

A police officer, investigating the matter, said, "On Wednesday night, Nihal had a heated argument with Kamil who then took out his licenced rifle and shot him dead in front of guests. The accused then fled the venue."

SSP (Shahjahanpur) Ashok Kumar Meena said, "We have registered an FIR under IPC section 302 (murder) against Kamil Khan on the complaint of Nihal's wife Rukhsar. The body has been sent for autopsy. The case is being investigated from all angles and the accused will be arrested soon."
Lucknow, Feb 23 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh will encourage people to open nuclear breeding farms to propagate genetically improved Jamunapari goat, a species native to western UP that is known for its high milk and meat yield.

The government will provide subsidies to people willing to open farms and training at the sheep and goat rearing training centre at Etawah, said a government spokesman.

Jamunapari goats are the heaviest and the most productive among the 32 local breeds in the country.

The breed has got its name after River Yamuna as it exists in the belt along the river in Etawah, Aurraiya, Mainpuri, Agra, Firozabad, Kannauj, Farrukhabad and Kanpur Dehat.

Rajneesh Dubey, Additional Chief Secretary and chairman UP Livestock Development Board (UPLDB), said, "It is to preserve this significant local breed that nuclear farms will be opened in the Jamunapari areas. The Central Goat Research Institute in Mathura will provide technical knowledge and guidance."

Goat rearing provides both milk and meat. While the high-quality ration and management can increase meat production, milk production can only be increased through genetic improvement.

"The farms will help rear superior breeds of goats that can supplement both milk and meat production," said Dr Neeraj Gupta, CEO, UPLDB.

The Jamunapari goat yields over 1.5 litres of milk per day. The genetically improved breed may yield up to 2.5 litres of milk daily.

To conserve and genetically improve the breed, the government has already started implementation of artificial insemination in five districts-Gorakhpur, Deoria, Lalitpur, Mathura and Sonbhadra. Another 35 districts will be covered under the scheme.

The semen from the high breed males is procured from Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura and preserved by the livestock development board before being taken to the farmers for artificial insemination in the goats.
Hyderabad, Feb 23 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA G. Lasya Nanditha died in a road accident near Hyderabad early Friday morning.

The accident occurred when the car she was travelling in rammed into roadside railing on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) near Patancheru.

She died on the spot. Her personal assistant and driver were critically injured in the crash. Both were admitted to a hospital.

According to police, the driver lost control of the vehicle resulting in the collision.

Lasya Nanditha (37) was elected from Secunderabad Cantonment constituency in the recent elections. She was the daughter of BRS leader five-time MLA from Secunderabad constituency, G. Sayanna, who had passed away on February 19 last year due to illness. He was survived by three daughters.

The BRS had fielded his eldest daughter Lasya Nanditha in the November 30 Assembly elections.

The MLA had escaped with minor injuries in a road accident on February 13 at Narketpally when she was on her way to Nalgonda to participate in BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raoas public meeting. A home guard G. Kishore had died in the road accident. In December last year, Nanditha escaped unhurt when she was stuck in a lift that dropped about six feet due to overload. The MLA was stuck in the lift for 20 minutes.

Lasya Nanditha had entered politics in 2015 when she contested unsuccessfully for Secunderabad Cantonment Board. In 2016, she joined BRS along with her father.

She served as corporator from Kavadiguda from 2016 to 2020. However, in the 2021 elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), she suffered defeat from Kavadiguda.

After her fatheras demise, BRS decided to field her as its candidate. She defeated her nearest rival Sri Ganesh of BJP by a margin of 17,169 votes.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has condoled the death of Nanditha. He said the demise of Sayanna, with whom he had a friendly relationship, and a year later Nandithaas sudden death is heartbreaking. He conveyed his condolences to the MLAas family.

BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao and other party leaders expressed grief over Lasya Nandithaas death.

Ministers, Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy also condoled the MLAas death.
Lucknow, Feb 23 : The sitting MPs of the Bahujan Samaj Party have started looking for greener pastures for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections after party president Mayawati's repeated assertions that the party would contest the polls on its own.

BSP MPs feel that with BJP-led NDA and Congress led-INDIA bloc, there would be a polarisation of votes between the two formations, leaving little scope for parties that contest independently.

BSP MP Afzal Ansari has already been declared a candidate by the Samajwadi Party from Ghazipur parliamentary seat.

Another MP, Danish Ali, who has been suspended by Mayawati for anti-party activities, is on his way to the Congress and sources said that he was all set to contest Amroha seat on a Congress ticket.

BSP MP Ritesh Pandey is also said to be looking for options outside the BSP.

His father Rakesh Pandey is SP MLA from Jalalpur seat in Ambedkar Nagar while Ritesh is MP from Ambedkar Nagar Lok Sabha seat.

The BSP MP is likely to seek re-election to the Lok Sabha on a SP ticket.

Talking to IANS, one of the BSP MPs said that the Lok Sabha elections would be contested on a highly polarised note and in such a situation, the idea of contesting alone is not wise.

"Why would someone vote for us if they know that we are neither going to sit in treasury benches and nor in the opposition? The BSP usually benefits in a multi-cornered contest but as things stand now, there will be a straight fight between NDA and INDIA bloc," he said.

In 2019, the BSP had contested the general elections in alliance with the SP and had won 10 seats. However, immediately after the polls, Mayawati snapped ties with the SP.

In the 2022 assembly polls, the BSP could manage to win only one seat, making it almost irrelevant in state politics.
Mumbai, Feb 23 : Former Lok Sabha Speaker and ex-Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar G. Joshi, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, passed away following a heart attack early on Friday morning.

"Our family is deeply saddened to inform you that Manohar Joshi passed away today morning at 3 a.m. following prolonged age related health issues," his family said in a terse announcement at dawn.

Joshi, 86, was rushed to the Hinduja Hospital in Mahim after suffering a heart attack late on Thursday.

'Sir', as he was popular in political circles because of his teaching background and a stern demeanour, succumbed during treatment around 3 a.m., plunging the state political fraternity into gloom.

His family said that Joshi's mortal remains will be kept at their home in Matunga to enable people to pay their last respects from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., and then taken in a procession for the funeral at Dadar Crematorium around 3 p.m.

One of the closest confidantes of the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Joshi had over six decades in politics starting as a Municipal Corporator, then Mayor, Maharashtra CM, Union Minister, then crowning glory as the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Joshi had been suffering from certain old-age related ailments for the past several months and largely kept out of public glare, but remained with the SS-UBT, till he breathed his last.

Top leaders across the political spectrum have paid rich tributes to Joshi who headed the first-ever saffron government in the state comprising the undivided Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (1995-1999), in an era when politics was more principled and less unscrupulous.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the veteran leader. "Pained by the passing away of Shri Manohar Joshi Ji. He was a veteran leader who spent years in public service and held various responsibilities at the municipal, state and national level. As Maharashtra CM, he worked tirelessly for the state's progress. He also made noteworthy contributions as a Union Minister. During his tenure as the Lok Sabha Speaker, he strove to make our Parliamentary processes more vibrant and participative. Manohar Joshi Ji will also be remembered for his diligence as a legislator, having had the honour of serving in all four legislatures. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti."

Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, mourned the demise of Joshi and recalled his services to the state and country.

Shiv Sena (UBT) President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray, who is in Buldhana, cut short his political tour to rush to Mumbai to pay his respects to Joshi.

Top SS-UBT leaders, including Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve, Aditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant, Sushma Andhare, Kishore Tiwari, and others paid rich tributes to Joshi, and remembered his contributions at various levels in public life.

State and Central Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray, leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi and other parties also condoled the demise of Joshi.
Dakshina Kannada, : , Feb 23 (IANS) The Indian Navy has launched a probe into reports of large fishing vessels bearing Chinese flags allegedly sneaking into the Indian territorial waters in the Arabian Sea near the Karnataka coastal region, sources stated on Friday.

Sources told IANS that the incident was reported three days ago and the Indian Navy is looking into the matter.

The intrusions by the Chinese fishing boats came to light after two videos went viral on social media in coastal districts raising concerns.

One 43-second-long video shows a huge vessel bearing two Chinese flags and the marking aBVKY 5a coursing through the Arabian Sea in Indian territorial waters during the day.

The voices of local fishermen speaking in Malayalam and Tulu languages can be heard in the video as they go close to the Chinese boat and shoot the clip. The men on board the Chinese vessel can also be seen in the video.

Another video that has been shot at night shows the lights of Chinese vessels allegedly indulging in fishing in the Indian territorial waters. The 51-second-long video shows more than 11 vessels with golden LED lights fishing in the Arabian Sea. The use of LED lights in fishing was banned by the Indian government in 2017.

The fishermen speaking in Tule and Kannada in the video can be heard saying that all of them are Chinese boats.

Worried by the alleged intrusions by the Chinese vessels, Karnataka fishermen have urged the Indian Coast Guard and the Navy to investigate the matter.

Though a naval probe has been launched, an official statement is yet to be issued by the authorities in connection with the development.
Plea in Delhi HC against allowing Go First lessors to inspect their aircraft first. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Feb 23 : The High Court is slated to hear on Friday a petition by the AAP challenging Delhi Police's order refusing permission for holding a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on February 25.

The party wants to hold the protest against the alleged obstacles to the Delhi Jal Board's One-Time Settlement Scheme for water bill arrears.

The AAP has argued in its petition that this denial infringes upon their Fundamental Right to assemble peaceably and without arms, a right enshrined in Article 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution, especially in a democratic context where peaceful protests are a means to voice grievances and demand accountability from authorities.

"The Respondent (Delhi Police) erroneously and arbitrarily declined the request of the petitioner to hold a peaceful protest on 25.02.2024 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi which is in violation of the Fundamental Right of the petitioner," the petition reads.

The said protest by Delhias ruling party is slated to be attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, ministers of the Delhi Government, MLAs of the AAP and around 800 party workers and members of the public.

The AAP has argued in its petition that the request was "erroneously and arbitrarily" declined and that the Fundamental Right as guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution of India forms an essential part of democracy and the same cannot be taken away summarily by a blanket and prohibitory order issued under Section 144 of the CrPC 1973.

"The order dated 11.02.2024 has been passed on the apprehension that the afarmer unionsa will march and try to enter the territory of Delhi and their entry has to be restricted. The entire state cannot be brought to a halt and on this ground, the Petitioner cannot be denied the permission to hold the protest at Jantar Mantar," the petition states.

aIt is submitted that by virtue of Section 144 of the CrPC there cannot be complete prohibition on demonstrations etc but after taking into consideration the request, the permission can be granted by laying down proper parameters.

"It is further extremely pertinent to mention that the Respondent is solely acting upon its own whims and fancy in sheer disregard of the laws on the subject matter, the guidelines mentioned and its conduct is highly capricious and whimsical," the AAP's petition reads.
Vijayawada, Feb 23 : The government of Andhra Pradesh has hired two new twin-engine helicopters as part of the enhanced security of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

One helicopter each will be stationed at Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

The chief minister is currently using BELL 412 VT-MRV, dating back to 2010.

The government earlier approved the proposal of the Andhra Pradesh Aviation Corporation Limited (APACL) to procure two twin-engine helicopters on rental basis to meet the flying commitments of the Chief Minister and other VVIPs.

According to Andhra Pradesh gazette, the DGP, Intelligence had stated in his letter dated September 15, 2022 that the Chief Minister is in aZ+a category and is facing specific threat from Left wing extremist, terrorist, fundamentalist elements and general threat from organised criminal gangs and anti-social elements and felt that the security arrangements of the Chief Minister need to be handled sensitively.

Considering the increased usage of aircraft in various tour programmes, long distance covered and safety requirements of the CM, it suggested replacing the current aircraft with a new/alternative aircraft of better airworthiness.

Subsequently, APACL proposed to procure two twin engine helicopters less than two years old. Accordingly, an e-tender notification was issued and technical and financial bids were invited in August last year. Global Vectra Helicopters, Thumby Aviation Pvt Ltd and Rajas Aerosports and Adventures Pvt. Ltd had placed their bids.

The government approved the bid of Global Vectra Helicopters which quoted Rs 1.91 crore per month as charges, apart from ground handling charges, accommodation charges for pilots in star hotels, logistics charges for pilots, fuel transportation charges, crew medicals and ATC charges.
Singapore, Feb 23 : A 57-year-old Indian-origin former prison officer in Singapore was sentenced to more than three years in jail on Friday for attempting to seek bribes totalling SG$133,000 in exchange for transferring an inmate out of his jail cluster.

Kobi Krishna Ayavoo, a retired senior chief warder, was convicted of eight charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, The Straits Times newspaper reported.

In addition, he was found guilty of instigating his colleagues to access the prison system to view the inmate's information in July 2017 following which he was suspended.

The prosecution told the court that Kobi sought bribes from an inmate named Chong Keng Chye on eight separate occasions between September 2015 and March 2016 to pay his car loan instalments, house renovations, a birthday celebration, and credit card bills.

Chong, who was sentenced to 20 years of preventive detention in 2005 for beating his girlfriend's seven-year-old son until the child died, wanted a transfer out of a cluster in Changi Prison.

Kobi tried to obtain between SG$3,000 and SG$42,000 but did not receive any money from him as Chong knew Kobi did not have the capability or the authority to help him, the court was told.

Claiming that Chong lied, Kobi denied asking for money from him on any of the eight occasions and said that he spoke to him only during yard time when there were always inmates within hearing distance.
KIGALI, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) on Friday announced it will carry out countrywide primaries starting Saturday to pick party flag bearers ahead of the presidential and parliamentary election in July.

Party nominees "will be chosen from the village level up to the national level," over three weeks, Wellars Gasamagera, the party's secretary general told a news conference in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

Gasamagera expressed optimism that the election will be smooth with a sound turnout throughout the country, urging voters to consider nominees with the capacity to implement the yet-to-be-unveiled party's manifesto.

"It is the right time to choose the right candidates. It requires all party members' participation," he said.

The final list of candidates will be endorsed by the party's general assembly in March, according to the party.

Nominations for the positions of president and members of the lower chamber of deputies will be held from May 17-30, according to a road map released by Rwanda's National Electoral Commission this week. Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held on July 15. 
Mumbai, Feb 23 : Actress Shaily Priya Pandey, who plays Shraddha in the show 'Kismat Ki Lakiro Se', will don a new look as devi, adding exciting new layers to her character's journey.

Mumbai, Feb 23 (IANS) Actress Shaily Priya Pandey, who plays Shraddha in the show aKismat Ki Lakiro Sea, will don a new look as devi, adding exciting new layers to her characteras journey.

As the show develops, after Abhay regains his memory, the bond between Shraddha and Abhay strengthens, much to Roshni's dismay. Unable to accept their growing closeness, Roshni devises a cunning plan to drive them apart.

She plans a scheme to declare Shraddha as a divine being, a Devi, in order to create a rift between Shraddha and Abhay.

On this, Shaily said that embarking on the role of Shraddha in 'Kismat Ki Lakiro Se' has been an extraordinary experience for her.

aItas truly humbling to witness how my character continually evolves to offer fresh experiences for the audience. The team's dedication to crafting this new appearance has been immense, especially considering its stark departure from Shraddha's usual appearance.

aI personally find this new look incredibly captivating, and I eagerly anticipate the audience's reaction to it."

She added that the upcoming episodes promise to unravel new facets of Shraddha's character, presenting her with unforeseen challenges and transformations.

aViewers can expect gripping twists and turns that will keep them hooked to the show."

aKismat Ki Lakiro Sea airs on Shemaroo Umang.
Ktaka BJP raises issue of threat to burn down train from Ayodhya in LC. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Feb 23 : Karnataka BJP on Friday raised the issue of "threat to burn down the train returning from Ayodhya" in Legislative Council (LC).

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in LC Kota Srinivas Poojari raised the issue in the house. "The miscreants have threatened devotees of Ram who were returning from Ayodhya. They threaten to burn down the train but the police have released the accused after detaining them," he said.

"I am forced to remember the Godhra killings. The government must answer," Poojari said.

The Chairman Basavaraj Horatti said that it is incorrect to raise the matter in the house without intimating through a proper notice.

He said that he will allow the discussion on the matter during zero hour after the question and answer session.

On Thursday night, devotees from Ayodhya were returning to Mysuru in a special train. When the train stopped near Hospet Railway Station in Vijayanagara district, a group of four youth belonging to the minority community tried to get into the bogey number 2 reserved for devotees.

When the passengers stopped them and explained to them not to board the bogey, the youth got into an argument with the passengers. The youth allegedly threatened that the train is not theirs and they will burn it down.

The passengers strongly protested and staged a protest demanding immediate arrest of the youth. The police, who were present, intervened and allowed them to travel in another bogey. The passengers, outraged by the act, got down and staged a protest at the railway station for more than an hour.

After coming to know about the development, Hindu activists and Bajrang Dal members rushed to the railway station and joined them in protest.

Vijayanagara SP Srihari Babu B.L. also rushed to the spot and assured the passengers and Hindu activists that they will file an FIR and arrest the miscreants.

Later, the passengers agreed to board the train and continue the journey.

Earlier, the Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad had said that a Godhra-like incident is possible in Karnataka.

"The Karnataka government should be alert because in Gujarat during the same occasion, the Kar Sevaks were set on fire at Godhra," Hariprasad had said, triggering a huge controversy.

Karnataka Police has arrested one person on Friday in connection with the issuing threat while a hunt has been started to arrest others as well.
Jaipur, Feb 23 : Two masked men carrying weapons attempted to loot a bank here on Friday and shot at the cashier, but were forced to give up on their plan as people rushed in.

The two barged in a branch of the Punjab National Bank in the Jhotwara area of Jaipur on Friday at around 10 a.m., said police officials.

The injured cashier was admitted to the trauma center in Manipal Hospital, confirmed Kishanlal Vishnoi, SHO, Jhotwara police station, adding that one of the robbers was arrested after a crowd caught him.

The SHO said the looters shot at the cashier when he tried to resist their looting plan. "One of the looters has been arrested and further investigations are on," he added.

Giving details about the robbery attempt, the police officials said the bank staff and public outside panicked on hearing the gunshot sound and ran towards the bank. Seeing the crowd, the looters got scared and tried to run away. The people chased and caught one of them and thrashed him. A police van nearby reached the spot and caught the robber while the other managed to run away.

CCTV video after the incident has also surfaced. In this, one of the robbers is seen running away from the spot. Police officials said the CCTV footage shows the accused was injured.

DCP West Amit Kumar Budhaniya has appealed to all hospitals to stay careful as one of the looters, who was injured in the incident, might seek medical treatment.
Rio De Janeiro, Feb 23 : Recalling the consensus achieved in the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration (NDLD), Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan has urged the grouping to maintain its focus on development-related issues.

Participating in the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro from February 21-22, he also called upon the grouping to accelerate progress on all the agreed NDLD decisions and outcomes.

He also emphasised the importance of an "inclusive and action-oriented response to contemporary global challenges, which have a disproportionate impact on the Global South," the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

At a session on 'Global Governance Reform' on Thursday, the minister noted that the global order has undergone dramatic shifts since the creation of the present multilateral governance architecture in the 20th century.

He highlighted the critical need for a paradigm shift in the structures and working methods of key global institutions to make them more responsive to contemporary challenges.

Recalling that the G20 leaders had, in the NDLD, agreed to deliver better, bigger, more effective, and more representative Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), he called for enhanced financial flows to enable accelerated progress SDGs and climate action.

He stressed the importance of an open, transparent, and outcome-oriented process of UN reforms, including the UN Security Council, in a defined timeframe and reiterated India's support to policies that enable trade and investment to serve as an engine of growth and prosperity for all.

This came as back home, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar pitched for UNSC reforms at the 9th Raisina Dialogue and spoke of the UN's failure to address global challenges.

"If you look at the last five years, all the big issues, in a way, we have not been able to find a multilateral solution," he said at India's flagship conference on geopolitics on Thursday.

At another session on 'G20's role in dealing with ongoing international tensions' on Wednesday, the minister expressed India's steadfast support to Brazil's G20 Presidency, while noting that four developing countries -- Indonesia, India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) -- are holding the grouping's presidency in a row.

According to his X handle, he also shared his views "on the current significance of IBSA, potential areas for future collaboration, and the exemplary role of the IBSA Fund", while participating in the IBSA Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Thursday.

Foreign ministers and heads of delegation of G20 members, and international organisations participated in the Foreign Ministers' Meeting that was chaired by Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil.

Muraleedharan also met the Indian community in Rio and had a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Omar Paganini.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : Doctors must follow the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, to keep up with medical ethics and quality, said experts here at National Health Writers & Influencers Convention (NHWIC-2024) held at AIIMS, New Delhi.

Eminent experts from the fields of medicine, healthcare, and innovation at the two-day event highlighted the need for following the NMC guidelines, which were issued in 2023 but have been kept in abeyance due to legal challenges, to ensure ethical and quality medical practice in India.

The NMC guidelines aim to regulate the medical education and profession in India, and mandate the use of generic medicines, which should be at par to the specific drugs in terms of quality and efficacy.

Dr Girish Tyagi, Registrar-Delhi Medical Council urged the doctors to read and adhere to the NMC guidelines, which are meant to protect the doctors and the patients from malpractice and negligence.

"The NMC guidelines are a comprehensive and updated set of rules and regulations that cover various aspects of medical practice, such as teachers' eligibility qualifications, registration of medical practitioners, licentiate examinations, and professional conduct. They also mandate the use of generic medicines, which can reduce the cost of treatment and increase the accessibility of drugs to the masses. The government should think and ensure that the generic medicines are not substandard or counterfeit, as they can compromise the treatment outcomes and increase the risk of drug resistance," said Tyagi, who is also President Elect-Delhi Medical Association.

Dr Sunil Khetarpal, Director - Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI) emphasised the need for informed consent from the patients before any medical intervention.

"Informed consent is not only a legal requirement, but also a moral obligation. It ensures that the patients are aware of the benefits and risks of the procedure, and that they have the right to refuse or withdraw consent at any time. According to a study, 50 per cent of cases of surgeries happen due to lack of consent, which can lead to complications, litigation, and loss of trust," he noted.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : Byju's key investors -- Prosus, General Atlantic, Sofina and Peak XV -- have moved the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) against the embattling edtech major over its rights issue, investor sources said on Friday.

According to sources, the VC firms have cited "suppression of investor rights and mismanagement of the company".

The four investors filed the petition before the Bengaluru bench of the tribunal, according to sources.

This is the first time Byju's investors have legally moved against the rights issue.

Byju's did not immediately comment on the investors' move.

The edtech company said earlier this week that the rights issue by its parent company Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd to raise $200 million at a 99 per cent valuation cut was fully subscribed.

"Investors have sought relief on declaring the rights issue as void, and declaring the founders and the management as unfit to run the company," according to investor sources.

The investors said the company's management has not shared "relevant financial information with the investor group".

The battle between Byju's and investors intensified after the edtech major said the company's co-founder and CEO Byju Raveendran and Board members will not attend the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) called by select investors to oust its CEO on Friday.
India and Netherlands to enhance maritime security in Indian Ocean Region. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, 23 Feb : India and Netherlands will work together to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region and they initiated an important high-level dialogue in this regard on Friday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Netherlandsa Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren in New Delhi on Friday.

According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) the two ministers discussed possibilities for expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in maritime and industrial domains.

They noted the increased interaction between the two navies and expressed keenness to work together to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, the MoD official added.

The MoD said that during the talks, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh suggested that Dutch Original Equipment Manufacturers could be encouraged to integrate Indian vendors into their supply chains.

The MoD said that India has developed a vibrant innovation and industrial eco-system.

Given the Indian and Dutch complementarities in skills, technology and scale, both sides were in agreement to encourage more interactions between the Defence industries, and in high-tech sectors of semi-conductors and clean energy.

Netherlandsa Defence Minister is attending the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, the official added.

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New Delhi, Feb 23 : Samsung on Friday launched its new fitness tracker -- Galaxy Fit3, in India, which comes with advanced health-monitoring technology.

Priced at Rs 4,999, the Galaxy Fit3 comes available in three colours -- Grey, Silver, and Pink Gold, to purchase on the company's official website as well as in leading online and offline retail stores.

"As our newest fitness tracker, the Galaxy Fit3 underscores our commitment to providing accessible resources that encourage everyday wellness and inspire everyone to work on their best self," Aditya Babbar, Senior Director, MX Business, Samsung India, said in a statement.

The Galaxy Fit3 is designed with an aluminium body and a 1.6-inch display, 45 per cent wider than the previous model, making it easier for users to check detailed insights at a glance. It's also lightweight and sleek with a comfortable fit.

Users can also personalise their tracker and make it more stylish by selecting their favourite watch face from over 100 presets or setting their own photos as the background, the company said.

In addition, users can track more than 100 types of workouts anytime, anywhere and review their exercise records easily.

The Galaxy Fit3 features a 5ATM rating and IP68-rated water and dust resistance, meaning users can enjoy outdoor activities in a variety of environments, as well.
Chennai, Feb 23 : Public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has received penalty notices of Rs 542,800 each from India's two stock exchanges-BSE and NSE- for not having sufficient number of independent directors on its Board.

In a regulatory filing on Friday, HAL said it has received notices from NSE and BSE for imposing the penalty of Rs. 542,800/- each for the quarter ended 31st December, 2023, for non-compliance of Regulation 17(1) in respect of composition of Board of Directors due to insufficient number of Independent Directors.

The company said it is owned by the Indian government under Ministry of Defence.

"Since, appointment of Independent Directors in the Government Companies are being made by the concerned Administrative Ministry of the Government of India, multiple requests were made to Ministry of Defence (MoD) for filling the vacant posts of Independent Directors in the Company," HAL said.

HAL said that since the matter was beyond the control of the Company, applications for waiver of fines under Sl. No. 3(a) of the Policy of exemption of fines levied as per the provisions of SEBI SOP Circular, were filed with NSE, Designated Stock Exchange for the purpose, representing our case, however it was directed to put up the case only after compliance.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : Delhi Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, has written a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to ask the city government's Finance Minister to clear five Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) reports and one report on the government's accounts so that these can be laid before the House within this session.

"My Secretariat is in receipt of copies of communication from the Controller of Accounts, PAO, GNCTD addressed to the Secretary to the Hon'ble Finance Minister, GNCTD, pursuant to a letter by Principal Accountant General Audit, Delhi, requesting for 05 C&AG Reports and 01 GNCTD Accounts report to be cleared by the Finance Minister and sent to me for causing them to be laid before the Legislative Assembly," read the letter sent to the CM.

Saxena underscored the legal obligations outlined in Section 48 of the GNCTD Act, 1991, which stipulates that CAG reports pertaining to the capital's accounts must be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor for presentation before the Legislative Assembly.

Furthermore, he drew attention to Article 151 of the Constitution of India, which mandates the Lieutenant Governor to facilitate the presentation of CAG reports before the Legislature.

"In this context, your attention is drawn to the fact that 05 reports of C&AG pertaining to State Finances as under, have been pending for consideration of the Hon'ble Minister of Finance, since August, 2023," the letter read.

"You will appreciate that the reports of Comptroller and Auditor General of India are constitutionally-mandated independent and impartial assessment of the performance of the Government and in many ways are a guidance document for governments to assess their financial performance, the gains obtained through revenue and help the Government invoke corrective measures where necessary.

"It is an obligation of the Government of the day to share with the people, through the House, an objective account of its performance revenue and expenditure of public funds.

"Since the Budget Session of the Assembly is in currency, you may advise the Hon'ble Finance Minister to expeditiously process these important reports, so that the same can be laid before the House within this session," the letter stated.
VALLETTA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were confirmed dead after a migrant boat capsized near Malta's shores during a rescue operation, local media reported on Friday.

Local media said that many others were injured when the boat capsized in the morning, with more than 30 migrants on board heading to Europe.

The migrants were in distress and requested assistance. A Malta patrol boat had been dispatched to rescue those aboard, but their vessel turned over off the Malta coast.

So far the cause of the incident is unknown. 
ED raids locations linked to SP leader Vinay Shankar Tiwari in three states. Image Source: IANS News

Lucknow, Feb 23 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday was raiding multiple locations linked to former MLA and Samajwadi Party leader Vinay Shankar Tiwari in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana.

The raids, which began on Friday, were linked to an alleged Rs 750 crore bank loan fraud and money laundering probe against a company involved in road construction and toll plazas. The company was promoted by Tiwari, official sources said.

"Action is directed against Gangotri Enterprises and its main promoters Vinay Shankar Tiwari, Rita Tiwari and Ajeet Pandey," said the sources.

They are accused of an alleged bank loan fraud of about Rs 750 crore between 2012 and 2016 against a consortium of banks led by the Bank of India, sources said.

About ten premises in Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Noida in Uttar Pradesh, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and Gurugram (Haryana) were being searched by the ED officials.

Gangotri Enterprises is a company that undertakes construction of roads, operates toll plazas and other government contracts.

The agency had attached assets worth about Rs 72 crore of the company in this case in November, 2023.

Vinay Shankar Tiwari is the son of late former minister and strongman from Gorakhpur, late Hari Shankar Tiwari.

He represented his fatheras Assembly constituency of Chillupar in Gorakhpur after he was elected on a BSP ticket. He later joined the Samajwadi Party but lost the 2022 Assembly polls.
Mumbai, Feb 23 : Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, who was last seen in 'Laal Singh Chaddha', recently paid a visit to Faridabad, and met the parents of late 'Dangal' actress Suhani Bhatnagar.

Suhani passed away recently after battling dermatomyositis which is a rare inflammatory disease. The actor paid his condolences to the grieving family.

A picture from Aamir's visit is now doing rounds on the Internet. In the picture, the actor can be seen with Suhani's parents and other members of the family, as he stands next to her framed picture.

'Dangal', which released in 2016, saw Suhani in the role of Aamir's daughter Babita Phogat. Aamir played the role of Mahavir Singh Phogat in the film.

Following Suhani's demise, Aamir Khan's production house released a statement expressing grief.

It read: "We are deeply saddened to hear about our Suhani passing away. Our heartfelt condolences to her mother Poojaji and the entire family. Such a talented young girl, such a team player, Dangal would have been incomplete without Suhani. Suhani, you will always remain a star in our hearts. May you rest in peace."
New Delhi, Feb 23 : Responding to the reports of Indian nationals forced to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that it is aware of the matter and urged the community there to exercise due caution.

"We are aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army," Randhir Jaiswal, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday.

Urging all Indian nationals in Russia to exercise due caution and stay away from the conflict, the statement said that the "Indian Embassy has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge".

The response from the ministry came after Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge made an appeal to the Centre on Thursday to intervene and rescue four Indian youths who were trapped and drafted into a private army in Russia.

"The youths from Karnataka, Telangana are stuck there. Fraudulently and by means of cheating the youths were sent to the war. The Indian government must consider this development seriously. The central government must interfere and rescue the Indian youths from Russia," the Minister told reporters in Bengaluru.

Three youths from Kalaburagi district of Karnataka are stuck in Russia, who were fraudulently recruited by a private Russian army group 'Wagner'.

Nawaz Kalagi, father of the youth, Syed Iliyas Hussain, who is stuck in Russia, pleaded with the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help bring back his son home.

"He went to Russia on December 18, 2023. He was told that he would be doing the security helper's job. Now they are being asked to fight in the war. My son used to work in Dubai and from there, he went to Russia," he stated.

The incident came to light after the youths made a video sharing their plight and pleading for help.

In the video, one of them was heard saying, "Please save us, we are victims of a hi-tech fraud."

A group of Indian youths have fallen victim to agents who deceitfully sent them to Russia under the false pretext of providing them with security guard jobs. Instead, all of them were dispatched to war-torn Ukraine-Russia areas.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking permission to offer prayers and visit graves at the site of the recently demolished 600-year-old Masjid Akhonji in Mehrauli area on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav dismissed the application filed by the Managing Committee of Delhi Waqf Board (DWB), saying that the court is not inclined to issue any directions at this stage, as the matter is already under consideration in a pending petition since 2022.

Justice Kaurav noted that the site is currently under the possession of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and the court has already issued a status quo order on the area where the mosque stood.

The court said that the plea for unhindered entry for prayers and visits to the graveyard constitutes a request for a mandatory injunction, which it is not inclined to grant at this time.

Advocate Shams Khwaja, representing the Managing Committee of Delhi Waqf Board, stressed the urgency of the application due to the significance of Shab-e-Barat, a night of forgiveness observed by Muslims.

He argued that the demolished mosque, believed to be 600-year-old, was illegally razed by DDA officials.

However, the counsel for the DWB (not the same as DWB's Managing Committee) opposed the application, disputing the age of the mosque and its status as a waqf property.

After hearing both parties, the court dismissed the application.

Earlier, the court had directed the DDA to maintain status quo specifically on the area where the mosque was situated but clarified that this order does not prevent the DDA from taking action on adjacent areas.

The Managing Committee of DWB alleges that the demolition of the mosque and madrasa was conducted in a brazen manner, leaving the Imam and his family without shelter as their hutment was also destroyed.
Mumbai, Feb 23 : Actor Kunal Kemmu, who is known for films like 'Go Goa Gone', 'Dhol', 'Zakhm', 'Lootcase' and others, has shared that his father Ravi Kemmu went to the National School of Drama in the national capital.

The actor shared that his family left Kashmir during the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits in 1990. Having born the brunt of the exodus, his paternal side moved to Jammu and his maternal side moved to Delhi.

The actor told Raj Shamani in his podcast: "We left during the exodus. I was too young, I might have some kind of PTSD from it but more than me, my parents and family faced it, and had to deal with it. My father went to the National School of Drama. He was still trying to figure out if he wanted to move to Mumbai, because he was working with Shyam Benegal at that time. He worked on 'Yatra', 'Bharat Dekho', 'Discovery of India' all those kinds of shows."

He added: "At the same time, my parents were doing the show 'Gul Gulshan Gulfaam' which was shot in Srinagar. So, he was trying to see if life can be lived in Mumbai and if it's gonna make sense for the whole family to move. Eventually, we came to Mumbai. Others in my family moved to other places, my paternal side moved to Jammu and my maternal side moved to Delhi."

On the work front, Kunal is set to make his directorial debut with 'Madgaon Express'. The film reportedly wrapped up its shooting recently.
One dead, two missing as fishing boat hits cargo ship in Vietnam. Image Source: IANS News

Hanoi, Feb 23 : One fisherman died, six injured and two others went missing on Friday morning after a fishing boat crashed with a cargo ship in the sea off Vietnam's Quang Ngai province.

The fishing boat with nine seamen on board was crushed into two pieces, Vietnam News Agency reported.

Local authorities are searching for two missing fishermen, Xinhua news agency reported.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : The medical fraternity must uphold ethical standards in healthcare and education, said Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

He said this while delivering a keynote speech at the inaugural session of the 79th Annual Conference of the Association of Physicians of India (APICON-2024), held in the national capital on Thursday.

"Any compromise on ethics is unacceptable," the Vice President said.

He urged the doctors to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, comparable only to those of lawyers, and to ensure that the patients receive 5-star services in hospitals.

"We need 5-star facilities in hospitals, not just as a source of attraction, what we really need is 5 star services," Dhankhar said.

Speaking to over 10,000 doctors at the inaugural session of APICON-24, the Vice President expressed his concern over the commercialisation of healthcare and education, which he said had eroded the noble ideals of these sectors.

He appealed to the doctors to follow the principles of equity and fairness in providing healthcare services, and to resist the temptation of monetary gains.

The Vice President also highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare and fitness, and the role of doctors in achieving a 'Fit India' and contributing to a 'Viksit Bharat @2047.'

He praised the medical fraternity for its dedication and sacrifice during the Covid-19 pandemic, stating, "For patients, a doctor is next to God."

The Vice President also lauded India's achievements in medical education and infrastructure, citing the increase in MBBS and PG seats, as well as the growth of super-specialty hospitals, which had made advanced treatments accessible and affordable to the masses.

"India has emerged as a hub of medical excellence and medical tourism," he said, calling for "professionalism and ethical practices in dealing with patients from various countries".

"This would enhance India's global image and reputation," he noted.
Kolkata, Feb 23 : As Sandeshkhali in West Bengal continued to simmer, the Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the state government to submit details of complaints of violence received from the area during panchayat polls last year.

A Division Bench of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice, TS Sivagnanam, on Friday, verbally informed the state government's counsel that he distinctly remembered that a case pertaining to poll violence at Sandeshkhali was referred to his Bench during the time of panchayat polls. He asked the state government to get the details of the case and submit that to his Bench.

The Chief Justice also sought the details of the petitioner in this case.

He gave this direction while hearing a matter related to the ongoing tension in Sandeshkhali which has been on the boil for nearly 15 days.

The matter will come up for hearing again on February 26 and by then the state government will have to submit to the court the details of poll violence at Sandeshkhali last year.

Meanwhile, an association of lawyers on Friday made an appeal at the Calcutta High Court's single-judge Bench of Justice Kausik Chanda, seeking permission to visit Sandeshkhali where fresh prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been issued.

Justice Chanda advised the petitioners to apply to the state government seeking permission and wait for 48 hours. "If the state government does not provide permission within that period, only then the petition would be accepted by the court," Justice Chanda observed.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra's plea challenging the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) approach in handling the ongoing probe against her under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).

New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitraas plea challenging the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) approach in handling the ongoing probe against her under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).

The financial probe agency had told Justice Subramonium Prasad on Thursday that it has not leaked any information to the media, and that it is not aware about the sources of the news articles published by media houses, and that the agency has not issued any press release.

Justice Prasad, who had reserved his order on Thursday, dismissed Moitraas plea after a brief hearing on Friday.

A copy of the detailed order is awaited.

The ED had issued summons to Moitra under FEMA on February 14 and 20.

During the last hearing, senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Moitra, had submitted that "I was summoned for the first time by the summon dated February 14, 2024. It was received at a Calcutta residence which is unoccupied by me."

Moitra's plea sought judicial intervention to prevent the ED from disseminating any "confidential or unverified information" related to the case to the media.

She had named 19 media organisations, urging the court to restrain them from broadcasting or publishing any "unverified, unconfirmed, false, derogatory content" concerning the ongoing investigation.

Moitra's plea stressed the necessity for media reporting in her case to align with the official ED press releases, aiming to ensure factual accuracy and prevent spread of misinformation.

She accused the ED of deliberately leaking information about the investigation and her preliminary responses, which she argues aims to tarnish her reputation through a "media-trial".

In addition to the FEMA case, Moitra has been embroiled in a controversy over allegations of receiving cash in exchange for putting up queries in the Parliament on behalf of businessman Darshan Hiranandani, a charge she has denied despite admitting to sharing her Parliament login details with him.

She has also filed a defamation suit against individuals, including BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, with the judgement on interim relief pending.
Bengaluru, Feb 23 : Minister for Mine, Coal and Law Pralhad Joshi on Friday said that leaders are leaving the INDIA bloc due to the immaturity of Rahul Gandhi and BJP is not behind their exit from the party.

"Saddened by the immaturity of Rahul Gandhi, the leaders themselves exit the INDIA bloc one after the other. BJP has nothing to with their exit," the minister told media persons.

He said that no one trusts Rahul Gandhi. "We have said this before that INDIA bloc is a group of opportunists. That is why nothing was achieved by these alliance partners till now. They are not going to achieve in coming days as well," he said.

He said that BJP is also not responsible for what happened between Congress and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee.

"BJP has suffered immensely at the hands of Mamta Banerjee. It is because of Mamata that BJP workers are facing a crisis in West Bengal. How can BJP conspire regarding Mamta Banerjee's exit from the INDIA bloc?" Joshi added.
GABORONE, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Botswana is seeking long-term solutions to reduce human-wildlife conflict and create win-win results for both people and animals, said a senior government official Thursday.

During a meeting in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, to discuss the 2023 National Human-Wildlife Conflict Consultation and its implementation, Grace Muzila, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, said that some measures to manage human-wildlife conflict, such as the compensations scheme, remain costly and unsustainable.

"The government spends a lot of money on a compensation scheme for damages of property by problem animals. An amount of 148 million pula (about 10.8 million U.S. dollars) was disbursed as compensation by the government to affected farmers from 2018 to 2023," she said.

She noted that the meeting provides an opportunity for stakeholder input to inform decision-making, which is critical for a long-term solution that considers reducing human-wildlife conflict and promoting coexistence.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has collaborated with the University of Botswana (UB) to create a national, long-term strategic and action plan for human-wildlife management in Botswana, which is expected to take 15 months. The UB is expected to create a strategy for promoting human-wildlife coexistence, she said.

According to Muzila, 46,140 problem animal incidents had been reported throughout all districts between 2018 and 2023, with 69 humans killed and 57 more injured as a result of contact with wild animals. Botswana's problem animals include elephants, lions, and leopards. Elephants are responsible for the vast majority of animal occurrences. 
Mumbai, Feb 23 : Taking cognizance of the Buldhana mass food-poisoning episode in which over 200 people fell ill after consuming 'prasad' following which they were administered saline from bottles hung on strings, the Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit on the incident.

The victims were rushed to local hospitals where they were made to lie on mats or bedsheets, and administered saline from rows of bottles dangling from strings attached to trees, ostensibly owing to shortage of beds due to the sudden influx of patients.

On the intervening night of February 21 and 22, over 200 people, including women and children fell ill after partaking in the 'prasad' (meal) at a week-long religious 'Harinam Saptah' held in Somthana village, sparking a furore.

Taking note of the incident, a division bench of Bombay High Court comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Arif S. Doctor asked the state government to explain within 10 days the circumstances of giving saline from the bottles hung on string to the patients.

Amicus Curiae Advocate Mohit Khanna raised the issue before the judges during the hearing of a PIL on the deaths of multiple patients at government hospitals in Nanded, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and other places in 2023.

Highlighting news reports and social media videos, Advocate Khanna cited the serious problem arising out of the medical emergency and lack of infrastructure issues.

Government Pleader P.P. Kakade submitted a preliminary report on the crisis, saying that around 150 patients were rushed to a nearby 30-bed Bibi Hospital, and the rest to other hospitals like Mehatar and Lonar in the district.

However, owing to a shortage of beds there, the patients were given treatment and administered saline under a temporary arrangement, he said.

Kakade pointed out that though these hospitals had all required stocks of medicines for the patients, they could not treat the victims in-house owing to bed shortages.

Moreover, since the illness was not serious and a stomach ailment, all patients were out of danger and discharged the following day (February 22), he told the judges.

The bench enquired how far the district hospital was from the village and whether they could not be shifted there. It also questioned the implications if the patients were indeed suffering from a serious affliction.

Kakade responded that the district hospital was 100 km away, and it was possible to transfer them to bigger hospitals, but everybody got discharged the next day.

On this, the court directed the government to file an affidavit on behalf of the concerned authority within 10 days, after which the matter will be heard again.

Soon after the incident, the district authorities ordered a probe while the police collected samples of the 'prasad' items served there for forensic analysis to determine the cause of the mass food-poisoning.
Mumbai, Feb 23 : Actor Dibyendu Bhattacharya, who is known for 'Maqbool', 'Black Friday', 'Dev D.', 'Lootera' and others, has shared that for actors, it's always very difficult to play smaller roles compared to the bigger ones.

Furnishing the reason behind the same, he said that for smaller parts an actor has to get into the groove within a very limited span of time vis-a-vis an actor working on the bigger role where they get more time to spend with the character and to understand its nuances.

The actor told IANS: "Smaller roles are very difficult to play compared to the bigger characters. For smaller roles, people have huge expectations from you, and it's particularly tricky because you enter the unit which has been working on the narrative for so long, and you have to crack the creative energy and then get into the groove for one or two days."

The actor can be currently seen in the recently released streaming show 'Poacher' in which he essays the role of the field director from the Kerala Forest Department.

"Why I said challenging because for smaller parts you have a very limited number of days to adjust to the overarching narrative of the show, to get into your character and to match your performance with others in the unit which is already set in a particular way," he added.

'Poacher' is available to stream on Prime Video.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : In all likelihood, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is expected to announce the schedule for the upcoming parliamentary elections on March 13-14.

As such, the model code of conduct (MCC) will come into effect after the ECI makes the announcement.

ECI teams have so far visited several states and held meetings with the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to take stock of the poll preparedness there.

The ECI officials are currently visiting Tamil Nadu, where they are taking a detailed view of the election related preparations by the state machinery. In the coming week, the ECI will visit Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources told IANS that the full Commission would visit Jammu and Kashmir on March 11-12 to assess the poll preparedness and the security scenario there.

J&K is last on ECIas schedule to visit different states for taking a first-hand view of the situation and issue necessary directions. It is thus believed that the Commission would announce the poll schedule soon after its return from J&K.

It may be recalled that the schedule for the seven-phase 2019 Lok Sabha elections was announced on March 10, while the dates for the nine-phase 2014 parliamentary polls had been announced on March 5.

Nearly 97 crore Indians will be eligible to vote in this year's Lok Sabha elections. The electoral rolls were published in all the states/UTs across the country in early February after the months-long intensive Special Summary Revision 2024.

Several states such as Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh will hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday dismissed the appeal filed by the Russian Olympic Committee against the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to suspend its membership.

The IOC suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in October last year for breaching the Olympic Charter. The suspension means ROC is no longer entitled to operate as a National Olympic Committee, as defined in the Olympic Charter, and cannot receive any funding from the Olympic Movement.

"The CAS Panel in charge of this matter dismissed the appeal and confirmed the Challenged Decision, finding that the IOC EB did not breach the principles of legality, equality, predictability or proportionality," the CAS statement read.

"The CAS Panelas decision is final and binding except for the partiesa right to file an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days on limited grounds," it added.

The ROC called the suspension "another counterproductive decision with obvious political motivations". It appealed the suspension with CAS, sport's highest tribunal, on November 6.

In December, the IOC announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes who have qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics will be allowed to participate as neutrals, as long as they did not actively support the war on Ukraine.
Hyderabad, Feb 23 : Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday offered prayers to tribal deities Samakka and Saralamma at Medaram in Mulugu district.

The two leaders reached Medaram by separate helicopters and paid their obeisance to the deities as part of the ongoing Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, considered as Asiaas largest tribal fair.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy told mediapersons that he prayed for the prosperity of Telangana and its people.

He was accompanied by state ministers Seethakka, Sridhar Babu, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and several other Congress leaders.

Revanth Reddy said he always draws inspiration from the story of Samakka and Saralamma to fight against exploitation and injustice, adding that the Congress with the support of the people fought with the same spirit to end the 10-year 'misrule' of BRS.

The Chief Minister also said that a peopleas government has been formed in the state with the blessings of the tribal goddesses.

The state government released Rs 110 crore for the biennial Jatara to provide all facilities for the devotees, the CHief Minister said, even as he criticised the Centre for sanctioning only Rs 3 crore for the event.

Revanth Reddy also said that he shares a special relationship with Mulugu district and minister Seethakka, whom he considers his sister, adding that he starts all his important programmes from this place.

Recalling how he had launched the aHaath Se Haath Jodo Yatraa from Medaram, the Chief Minister promised to provide necessary funds for the all-round development of the place.

For Tamilisai Soundararajan, this was her third visit to the Medaram Jatara as the Governor.

She offered traditional sarees as tokens of respect.

Later, she told mediapersons that she prayed for the prosperity of both the nation and the state.

She also extended heartfelt wishes to the tribal communities, lauding the Medaram Jatara as an unparalleled testament to indigenous culture and heritage.

Emphasising the imperative of safeguarding indigenous traditions, the Governor underscored the importance of preserving and promoting the rich cultural traditions of tribal societies.

She also outlined the initiatives aimed at holistic development, including the adoption of six tribal villages and efforts to enhance the nutritional well-being of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
Kolkata, Feb 23 : A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to the lone All India Secular Front (AISF) legislator in West Bengal Assembly, Naushad Siddique, in a case relating to the alleged murder of a local Trinamool Congress worker at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district during the panchayat elections held last last year.

On June 16 last year, Trinamool worker Raju Nashkar was allegedly murdered. A case was registered against 68 individuals, including Siddique, at the local police station on the basis of a complaint filed by another Trinamool worker named Rittik Nashkar.

The police even registered an FIR against Siddique, incorporating charges under Section 302 (punishment for murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

Siddique was summoned and questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police in the matter.

The AISF legislator approached the court seeking anticipatory bail in the matter on Friday, which was granted by the division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi after Siddique's counsel convinced the bench that his client is fully cooperating in the investigation process.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : The Supreme Court has said that the scope of judicial review in examining the policy matters is very limited and "the courts do not and cannot examine the correctness, suitability, or appropriateness of a policy".

Declining to pass any directions for formulation of a scheme to implement the concept of Community Kitchens, a bench of Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal said that the courts cannot direct the state governments to implement a particular policy or scheme on the ground that a better, fairer or wiser alternative is available.

"When the NFSA (National Food Security Act) with a aright based approacha for providing food and nutritional security, is in force and when other welfare schemes under the said Act have also been framed and implemented by the Union of India and the states to ensure access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity, we do not propose to give any further direction in that regard," said the bench in its order uploaded on Friday.

In their respective affidavits filed before the apex court, various state governments said that there were no deaths reported due to starvation or malnutrition.

Disposing of the petition, the top court said: "We have not examined whether the concept of Community Kitchens is a better or wiser alternative available to the states to achieve the object of NFSA, rather we would prefer to leave it open to the states/UTs to explore such alternative welfare schemes as may be permissible under the NFSA."

The Supreme Court that though the Constitution does not explicitly provide for Right to food, the fundamental Right to life enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution does include Right to live with human dignity and right to food and other basic necessities.

Earlier in October 2021, the Supreme Court had directed the Union government to come up with a 'Model Community Kitchens Scheme' agreeable to the states and Union Territories (UT). It had also asked all the state governments and UTs to attend the meeting to be organised by the Centre and cooperate with it in coming up with the said scheme, which can be made uniformly applicable across the country.
Chandigarh, Feb 23 : Farmer leaders on Friday said the cremation of farmer Shubhkaran Singh, who died this week on Punjab-Haryana border, would not take place till the Punjab government registers a case against those responsible for his death.

The announcement comes hours after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to the family of Shubhkaran Singh, who died during the farmers' protest at Khanauri border. His younger sister will be given a government job.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told the media in Patiala that the postmortem of the 21-year-old protester would not be held until Punjab Police registers an FIR against Haryana Police.

Victim's father Charanjit Singh said until Punjab Police registered a case against Haryana Police officials, they won't allow the administration to conduct the postmortem. "Money doesn't matter to us, justice does," he added.

The body has been kept at Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala and hospital authorities are awaiting approval of the family for conducting the postmortem.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : Besides Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantee for crops, farm loan waiver is one of the key demands of farmers agitating on Delhi-Punjab borders.

The second round of farmers' stir has also found support from the Congress, which has pledged to fulfil the farmers' demands if voted to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Four rounds of farmer-government talks have not yielded any conclusive result, though the BJP government did attempt to soothe nerves by claiming that a legislation on MSP guarantee canat be hurried upon as it requires consultation with many stakeholders.

On other hand, Rahul Gandhi, in a recent public rally, took a vow to implement the MSP guarantee for crops, as per the Swaminathan Commission recommendations.

In his five reports submitted during 2004-2006, Bharat Ratna M.S. Swaminathan had recommended MSP allocation for any crop at 50 per cent more than the weighted average cost of production. This would ensure 50 per cent return for all the farmers.

Soon after Rahul Gandhias pledge to implement the Swaminathan Committeeas recommendations, a document pertaining to the Question Hour of a Parliament session during the UPA rule in 2010 surfaced, showing Congress' reluctance and resistance to implement the same.

In response to a BJP MPas question, the UPA government had termed the report as "impractical and infeasible", and blocked it from rollout.

This gave BJP an ammunition to attack the Congress for abefoolinga the farmers with unrealistic promises and then breaking them.

It also accused the Congress of making lofty promises to public and then reneging on them, claiming that it must end the practice of lip-service and start atrue servicea of people.

A look back at Congress' poll promises shows that the party-ruled governments in many states promised farm loan waivers to win people's support. But after coming to power, it chose to brush it under the carpet, citing poor exchequer funds.

Since farm loan waivers are believed to be asure-shota means to return to power, the party often resorted to this poll gimmick in many states, and when it was time for walking the talk, Congress governments either floundered or backtracked.

Some past instances clearly show the doublespeak of the Congress in terms of poll promises. In many states, it promised farm loan waivers and then refused to implement the same after coming to power.

During the 2018 Assembly elections in five states, the Congress structured its campaign around farm loan waivers. It also got voted to power in three states -- Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. However, in all these states, the party dropped its poll promise, thus inviting charges of ahoodwinkinga the farmers.

In Karnataka, the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) promised loan waiver of Rs 44,000 crore during the 2018 Assembly elections. However, it truncated the allocated budget by one-third. H.D. Kumaraswamy had then admitted that the government spent only Rs 5,450 crore on farm loan waivers as against the allocated budget of Rs 15,880 crore.

In Madhya Pradesh, the Kamal Nath government not only refused to implement farm loan waviers, but also blocked 51 welfare schemes of the Central government. It was also accused of aconspiringa to stonewall the rollout of the PM Kisan scheme for the stateas farmers, as it didnat send its list to the Centre for their categorisation as abeneficiariesa.

Statistically, a couple of parties, primarily the Congress, made farm loan waivers a big electoral agenda in 21 elections between 1987 and 2020. Interestingly, 17 of these elections were won apparently by those who promised waivers, show NABARD data.
Mumbai, Feb 23 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Chief Office Superintendent (COS) in the Western Railway's Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) office, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a representative of a private company, an official said here on Friday.

The complainant is a regular supplier of various materials to the Western Railway for which he raised bills for payment and submitted them to the accused, COS Sanjay Waghela.

In the complaint, the company representative said that he also made a regular followup for processing, passing and payments of his bills by the Accounts Department, with Waghela.

Recently, the company supplied materials worth Rs 4.80 crore for which Waghela was the processing officer in the DRM's office. When the complainant approached him to clear his dues, Waghela allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 100 per Rs 1 lakh, coming around Rs 50,000 as a bribe to process and pass the bills for payment.

He approached the CBI and lodged a formal complaint, after which the CBI laid a trap and apprehended the accused Waghela while accepting the bribe amount in his office in Mumbai.

Later, the CBI also raided two places leading to the recovery of certain documents and other incriminating evidence, and he will be produced before a Special Court on Friday for remand.
BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The State Council announced the appointment and removal of several officials on Friday.

Shan Zhongde was appointed vice minister of industry and information technology; Li Liangsheng was appointed vice minister of water resources; Zhang Zheng was appointed vice minister of culture and tourism; and Hu Minglang was appointed vice minister of emergency management.

Nong Rong was named vice director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. He will no longer serve as the assistant minister of foreign affairs.

Bian Zhigang was appointed deputy head of the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

Also, according to the announcement, Zuo Li was removed from the post of vice minister of justice, and Li Yingchuan was removed from the post of deputy head of the General Administration of Sport of China. 
Bengaluru, Feb 23 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that he stands with the farmers in their protest, who are demanding to enact the law for Minimum Support Price (MSP).

"I stand with our farmers on this Black Day of protest against the union government. Our resolution in the Assembly echoes the voice of every farmer seeking fair prices for their crops. We demand that the union government should enact the laws ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops and honouring the Swaminathan Committee's recommendations," the Chief Minister wrote on X.

He said that Karnataka's commitment to profitable agriculture and supporting our 'Annadaatas' is unwavering.

"It's time for unity, not conflict," the Chief Minister wrote.

He said that the Prime Minister and other BJP leaders must remember that the food they eat is made possible only by the farmers.

"Without farmers, there will be no food on the table," the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.

He alleged that the CBI has conducted raids on the residence of former Governor Satyapal Malik and threatened him for voicing the truth about the Pulwama tragedy in which 40 soldiers were martyred.

"As Satyapal Malik was the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir at the time of Pulwama attack, his allegations against the Centre cannot be ruled out," the Chief Minister said.

He said that the government led by PM Modi is not able to face the truth and is torturing him through the central investigating agencies.

"This is condemnable, the Central government must correct itself and stop atrocities on Satyapal Malik," the Chief Minister said.

He said that PM Modi is not able to tolerate the truth and is targeting those who question him through the CBI, IT and ED and gag them.

"People of the country can see through the conspiracy," the Chief Minister said.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : Union Minister of State Science & Technology Jitendra Singh on Friday said that with artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionising clinical medicine at a very fast pace, there is an urgent need for optimum integration between the existing and the newer tools of patient care.

Speaking as chief guest in the inaugural session of two-day "International Patient Safety Conference 2024" in Bengaluru, Singh called for integration between the public and private sectors on the one hand and on the other hand among various systems of medical practice combining allopathy with Ayush to achieve the envisaged health goals through a synergised approach.

Singh said that India's recent success stories which have been hailed worldwide including the vaccine story, have proved beyond evidence that working in silos or in isolation has its limitations and further growth from here on is possible only through an integration at multiple levels.

Singh pointed out that during the Covid even the West started looking up to India in search of immunity building techniques drawn from ayurveda, homoeopathy, unani, yoga, naturopathy and other oriental alternatives.

He said, however, even after the Covid phase passes out, an optimum integration and synergism of different streams of medical management are the key to successful management of various diseases and disorders which may not be otherwise completely amenable to treatment by any single stream of medicine or the treatment given in silos.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 23 : Pernod Ricard India, a leader in the wine and spirits industry, on Friday signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Maharashtra to set up a malt spirits distillery in Nagpur's industrial suburb, Butibori, with an investment of up to 200 million euros in this decade.

New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) Pernod Ricard India, a leader in the wine and spirits industry, on Friday signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Maharashtra to set up a malt spirits distillery in Nagpur's industrial suburb, Butibori, with an investment of up to 200 million euros in this decade.

The proposed distillery will be one of the biggest in India with a capacity of producing up to 60,000 litres of fresh malt spirit daily.

"The MoU furthers Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' vision," the company said.

The signing of the MoU was presided over by Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and attended by the state's Industries Minister, Uday Samant; Excise Minister, Shambhuraj Desai; and Principal Secretary (Industries), Harshdeep Kamble.

Pernod Ricard India was represented by its CEO, Jean Touboul, national corporate affairs head Prasanna Mohile, and senior vice-president, integrated operations, Gagandeep Sethi.

With the commissioning of the distillery, Pernod Ricard India aims eventually to employ a workforce of up to 700-800.

"This commitment extends not only to the construction phase of the distillery, but also encompasses the post-commissioning operations of the plant," the company said.

"We believe that infrastructure growth is the first step towards amplifying advancement for any state and we are delighted that Pernod Ricard India shares our vision to invest in the economic and skill development of the region and the country," said Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis.

He said that the foundation of this distillery will assist in creating strong avenues for employment and aid in spurring growth of ancillary industries and services.

"Most importantly, this would serve as a platform of opportunities for thousands of farmers of the region to attain steady income and bring agricultural diversity and stability," he said.

Pernod Ricard India aims to eventually procure up to 50,000 tonnes of barley annually from farmers nationwide. In due course, the company aims to work jointly with the government to develop capabilities of barley cultivation in Maharashtra to boost farmers' income.

"We are confident that it will elevate India's standing on the global map as a key player in the production of high-quality malt," Pernod Ricard India CEO Jean Touboul said.

He also expressed hope that the establishment of this distillery will provide a boost to various allied sectors in and around Nagpur and across Maharashtra.

"The foundation of the plant will aim to provide local entrepreneurs and the farmer community with new avenues of growth. The malt spirit distillery will integrate sustainable practices and technologies across processes from inception," he said.

--IANS

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Peshawar, Feb 23 : At least three persons were wounded on Friday after an explosive planted in a motorcycle near the central market in the Drazanda area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Dera Ismail Khan went off, a media report said.

Confirming the number of injuries, a spokesperson for the Dera Ismail Khan district police said the injured persons have been moved to the district headquarters hospital where the condition of one is stated to be critical, Dawn reported.

"Four shops and three motorcycles in the locality have been damaged badly," the spokesperson said, adding that a large contingent of police reached the scene soon after the blast was reported, the report said.

He added that the area has been cordoned off and an investigation is underway.

Immediately after the incident, the KP government ordered a day-long closure of the district's Gomal University, Dawn reported.

"In pursuance of the directives of the Higher Education Department, the Gomal University will remain closed on Friday," a notification issued by the institution said.

It added that the Gensam College will also remain shut both on Friday and Saturday. The notification did not provide a reason for the closure, Dawn reported.

In recent years, KP has witnessed a sharp spike in attacks throughout the province, particularly in its southern region, comprising the districts Tank, DI Khan, Kohat, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Bannu, Karak and Lakki Marwat, Dawn reported.

Earlier this month, 10 policemen were killed while six others were injured in a late-night attack on the Chodwan police station in Dera Ismail Khan.
Hyderabad, Feb 23 : A young businesswoman who got a television channel anchor kidnapped -- to force him to marry her -- has been arrested in Hyderabad, police said on Thursday.

Pranav, a techie who also works part-time as anchor on a Telugu TV channel, was kidnaped in Uppal area on the night of February 10. He managed to escape from their clutches the next day and lodged a complaint with the police.

A case was registered at Uppal police station under Rachakonda police commissionerate.

The police took up the investigation which led to Trishaas arrest. She confessed that she got him kidnapped as she wanted to marry him.

The woman, who is into digital marketing business, had seen Pranavas photograph and details on a matrimonial website two years ago. As someone had created a fake ID with Pravanas photograph, she called him to alert him.

Police said Pranav had subsequently lodged a complaint with the police about his profile and photograph being misused.

The woman then developed interest in Pranav and wanted to marry him. Though he was not interested, she continued pestering him for the marriage. She had also got a GPS device installed secretly in Pranavas car to track his movements.

She hired four goons, who kidnapped him on February 10 when he was returning home from duty. He was taken to her office where he was kept in a room.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Purshottam Reddy said they arrested Trisha. The four persons who kidnapped Pranav were absconding.
Kolkata, Feb 23 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) counsel informed a lower court on Friday that Sheikh Shahjahan, the absconding Trinamool Congress leader and the accused mastermind behind the attack on ED and CAPF personnel at Sandeshkhali on January 5, might escape to London if he is granted anticipatory bail.

The ED counsel argued that Shahjahan is so influential that on the day of the attack, he had arranged a crowd of around 3,000 people in just 15 minutes to launch the attack on the ED and CAPF personnel in Sandeshkhali.

"Later, we learnt from the tower location of his mobile phone that he was at his residence in front of which the attack took place, which shows how influential he is in the area," the ED counsel argued.

In his counter argument, Shahjahan's counsel termed the submission made by the central agency counsel as self-contradictory.

"On one hand, they are claiming that my client organised the crowd for the attack on that day. However, the same local crowd is now on the streets of Sandeshkhali demanding his arrest. How can this be possible," Shahjahan's counsel asked.

In reply, the ED counsel argued that if Shahjahan is innocent, why is he absconding since the day of the attack?

Shahjahan's counsel then said that his client is ready to extend full cooperation to the investigation process, provided he gets a shield against coercive action.

The judge then reserved the judgement in the matter.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Centre and governments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh to consider the "reasonable demands" of farmers who are protesting.

The public interest litigation (PIL) said that the government should ensure fair and respectful treatment to the protesting farmers and instruct authorities to not cause hindrance in farmers' peaceful march and gathering in Delhi.

It alleged that usage of tear gas, rubber bullet pellets, expired shells etc., against peacefully protesting farmers has resulted into serious and grievous injuries and "in some cases death of the farmers thus injured, due to the actions of the police authorities".

"The actions taken by the respondent governments by creating fortification across the borders of the national capital, creating hostile and violent situations against its own peaceful citizens and not allowing the farmers to exercise their democratic right, has led to direct and indirect defamation of the intentions and the objective of the protesting farmers," the plea said.

It sought directions to the Centre and state governments to stop all violence against the protesters and remove all barricading and fortification.

Stressing that the right to free speech should not be curbed, the PIL, filed through advocate Anubhav, demanded unblocking of social media handles who shared information and news regarding the protest of the farmers, rerouting traffic and blocking of roads in and out of the national capital.

The farmers from across the country had given a "Dilli Chalo" call on February 13 seeking implementation of MSP (Minimum Support Price), the Swaminathan Committee report and other demands.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : A Delhi court on Friday granted 20 days more to Delhi Police to file a charge sheet against the founder and editor of NewsClick, Prabir Purkayastha, and its HR head, Amit Chakravarty, in a case lodged under the provisions of UAPA over allegations that the media outlet received money to spread pro-China propaganda.

Despite the court granting 60 more days on December 22 last year, Delhi Police filed an application seeking a monthas more time to complete the investigation.

However, the Patiala House Court granted 20 days, and also extended the judicial custody of Purkayastha and Chakravarty till March 15.

Last year, a police application had sought an extension for the maximum period allowed under the law, which is 180 days from the day of the accused's arrest in cases filed under special acts, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The application had stressed on the voluminous nature of documents and evidence in the case, stating that the agency needs to visit various locations outside Delhi, contributing to the expected delay.

On January 9, the court had also granted permission to Chakravarty to become an approver in the case after he had filed an application seeking pardon.

Chakravarty claimed to possess material information which he is willing to disclose to the Delhi Police.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court last week issued a notice to Delhi Police on a plea filed by Purkayastha challenging the FIR in the case.

During the proceedings, advocate Zoheb Hossain, representing the police, had opposed the issuance of the notice, citing subsequent developments in the case, notably the involvement of Chakravarty as an approver.

Hossain had argued that the alleged offences were prima facie established against the accused. Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing Purkayastha, had contested these claims, prompting Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma to issue a notice to consider Delhi Police's response.

On October 13, 2023, Purkayastha and Chakravarty's petitions challenging their arrest and remand were rejected by the high court.

The Special Cell of Delhi Police had registered an FIR in connection with the case on August 17, 2023 under different sections of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against NewsClick.

Earlier in the same month, a New York Times investigation had accused NewsClick of being an organisation funded by a network linked to US millionaire Neville Roy Singham to allegedly promote Chinese propaganda.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : India dedicated funds have now seen the 49th straight week of inflows, Elara Securities said in a report.

The inflows include $712 million this week after $766 million in the previous week. Largecap funds continued to see the biggest portion of this flows ($631 million).

Some revival is also seen in smallcap funds where a total $280 million has come in the past nine months. India flows continue to be strongest from US investors ($215 million), followed by Ireland ($177 million) and Japan ($124 million) investors, the report said.

Countries where both domestic and foreign inflows are strong include the US, Japan and India, the tracker said.

On the other hand, China is witnessing strong domestic inflows, but foreign flows are still weak. Over the past month, the pace of inflows by domestic investors into Chinese equity was strongest since 2015.

Overall, the global liquidity situation continues to remain benign with most markets witnessing strong domestic flows, it added.

"China funds have started showing strong outperformance over India funds, finally. Similar outperformance was seen in May 2022 after which we saw a round chasing into this trade. Likewise, the second big leg was from November 2022 to February 2023 with an outperformance of 40 per cent," the report said.

With the strong domestic flows and beginning of outperformance, it will be key to see if foreign flows start shifting there, though there is no signs of this trade as of now, the report said.

--IANA

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Hyderabad, Feb 23 : Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan on Friday called for making sure advanced fertility treatments reach the poorest of the poor.

She also underlined the need for innovations to make the treatment for reproductive health and fertility affordable for everyone.

In her remarks after inaugurating the international conference on reproductive health and 34th annual meeting of the Indian Society for the Study of Reproduction and Fertility (ISSRF) 2024 here, she said: "My appeal is whatever may be the innovation and result, it should reach the common public and the poorest of the poor, especially in the rural areas."

She noted that some of the reproductive techniques are beneficial and affordable by the urban and highly educated people.

"A couple from the village must be able to avail these innovative procedures, so that infertility is erased in a very subtle and happier manner," she said.

The Governor, a gynaecologist herself, said: "Fertility problems are bound with emotions of the family, and have to be dealt with subtlety."

Emphasising the importance of integration, she lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for integration of Ayush and allopathy.

"Integrating both these medicines will give fruitful results, like yoga, which has resulted in more incidents of normal deliveries these days."

The Governor also lauded the efforts of Chief of Cardiothoracic Centre, AIIMS, Prof. Balram Bhargava, for his meticulous efforts in leading the development of Covid vaccine in India.

She said his medical insights and directives, helped India, overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, and develop the vaccine indigenously. "He guided the administrators like us, and saved many lives. Because of his continuous efforts and propagating the protocol, countless lives have been saved."

The Governor also appreciated the efforts of Dr. Roya Rozati, Organising Secretary of ISSRF 2024 for organising the conference on an important theme.

She also said that while doctors prescribe a healthy lifestyle, they seldom get time to take care of their own well-being. She urged doctors to take care of themselves, as being mentally and physically fit will help them treat patients better.

Dr Rozati, who is Medical & Research Director at MHRI, said that "scientific papers, orations, protocols and deliberations on research during the 3-day conference will help advance the treatment of fertility medicine".

Leading scientists, academicians and delegates from different parts of the country are participating in the conference.

Earlier, the Governor released the ISSRF 2024 Souvenir, and presented lifetime achievement awards to Prof. G.P. Talwar, Prof Bhargava, former Senior Deputy Director General, Dr. Prof. (Col) Pankaj Talwar, and Dr. Nandita Palshetkar for their contributions to the field of reproductive medicine.

ISSRF President Prof. N.K. Lohiya, ISSRF Secretary Prof. (Dr.) R. S. Sharma, Dr. Shantha Kumari, Honorary Treasurer FIGO, Dr. Kaiser Jamil, and others were also present on this occasion.
ATHENS, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Greek government said on Thursday it has submitted a draft bill to parliament that will bring about a historic change to the country's higher education system: providing for the founding of private, non-profit universities for the first time.

The reform will be put to a vote in early March. The government holds a wide majority on the matter in the 300-member assembly. However, it has divided the Greek public, and thousands of students, supported by teachers' associations and opposition parties, have been protesting over the bill for the last seven weeks.

In an opinion poll carried out by local firm Metron Analysis and released on Thursday, 51 percent of respondents said they welcomed the prospect of private universities and 45 percent opposed it.

Private educational institutions may begin operating in Greece from the 2025-2026 academic year onwards, Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said when presenting the bill a few days ago.

"Currently there are 40,000 Greeks studying abroad. There are 30 colleges operating in our country. For decades we have been approaching this issue as taboo," he said in an interview with local SKAI television. On average, 80,000 students enter Greek state universities each year.

The bill foresees that overseas universities will be allowed to set up branches that will charge students fees, but operate according to a non-profit model. The criteria for founding such an institution will be "the strictest in Europe," Pierrakakis said. Institutions will have to invest at least 2 million euros (2.16 million U.S. dollars) in buildings and academic personnel.

Greek students enrolling at these private branches of foreign universities will have to go through the Greek university entrance examination system, and meet minimum requirements to be offered a place, he said.

They will also need to meet any additional criteria imposed by the "parent" foreign universities. Graduates of equivalent schools in other countries, or holders of the international baccalaureate, will be able to enroll without sitting exams.

Opponents of the bill said the reform will eventually undermine public universities, which for decades have offered free undergraduate courses. 
Editor of Tripuras first daily Paritosh Biswas passes away. Image Source: IANS News

Agartala, Feb 23 : Paritosh Biswas, veteran journalist and the editor of Tripura's first daily 'Jagaran', passed away at his residence here on Friday after a prolonged illness.

Agartala, Feb 23 (IANS) Paritosh Biswas, veteran journalist and the editor of Tripuraas first daily 'Jagaran', passed away at his residence here on Friday after a prolonged illness.

Biswas was 73 and is survived by his wife and son Sandip Biswas, who's also a journalist.

Biswas, who was suffering from kidney and related ailments for the past several years, became the editor of 'Jagaran' in 1981, and continued in the position till his last breath.

'Jagaran' was started as a Bengali daily published from Tripura in October 1954.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, former Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Jishnu Dev Varma, Tripura CPI-M Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury, and state Congress President Ashish Kumar Saha have expressed their grief over the demise of Biswas.

The Secretary in the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, P.K. Chakraborty, and its Director, Bimbisar Bhattacharjee, paid tribute to Biswas at his residence.

Agartala Press Club Secretary Ramakanta Dey said the entire media community in Tripura is deeply shocked over the demise of Biswas.

Biswasa last rites were performed on Friday night at the Battala mass cremation ground here.
Patna, Feb 23 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday ruled out supply of free electricity to the people of the state.

Addressing the Assembly during discussion on the budget of the Energy Departmentm he said: "We are already giving subsidies on electricity and hence the tariffs compared to other states are very low in Bihar. People can check the rates of other states. People's contribution is required to avail the benefits."

Nitish Kumar's statement came at a time when many states, including Jharkhand, have announced free electricity.

Recently, the Champai Soren government had announced 125 units of free electricity in Jharkhand ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Bihar Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, while presenting the budget of the department in the Assembly on Friday. said that poor people always deposit electricity bills on time and VIPs often delay payments.

Hence, the department is taking strong measures in this regard to apply pressure on them, he added.

"Many states are providing free electricity and they are under the debt of Rs 3 lakh crore. How could we purchase electricity if we provide free electricity? We have to pay power generating companies like NTPC to purchase electricity. We have given Rs 14,000 crore subsidy in electricity last year and this is a big benefit that the state government has given to the common people of Bihar and this will continue in future as well. The power tariff in rural areas is very low here," Yadav said.

"We are planning to bring an offer to the public in the coming days. If a customer would recharge the prepaid meter for three months or six months, the department will give a rebate of 5.4 per cent and 5.7 per cent, respectively. The minimum recharge amount to get rebate is Rs 2,000," he said.
Washington, Feb 23 : The US has hit Russia with 500 new sanctions on Friday over the death of jailed Opposition leader Aleksey Navalny and the ongoing war against Ukraine, with the goal of further constricting its energy earnings that fuel and sustain the war effort.

The US has also announced 100 sanctions against entities that are providing "backdoor support" to the Russian war machine, including those in China, the UAE and Liechtenstein.

"These sanctions will target individuals connected to Navalny's imprisonment as well as Russia's financial sector, defence industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents," US President Joe Biden said, announcing new curbs.

"They will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home."

The 47-year-old Navalny died in a Russian prison on February 16. The US has sanctioned more than 2,000 entities in Russia since President Vladimir Putin sent his troops into Ukraine to deter him by squeezing his energy earnings and sources of material for the war industry.

But Russia appears far from being deterred. Its economy grew by 3 per cent in 2023, more than the US economy. And it continues to wage the war, which is now going in their advantage specially with Ukraine's depleting arsenal desperately in need of replenishment. A legislation providing additional security funding for Ukraine is caught in a political fight between Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill, home of the US congress.

Pressing Republicans, who control the House of Representatives to clear the bill, Biden said: "History is watching. The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will not be forgotten. Now is the time for us to stand strong with Ukraine and stand united with our allies and partners. Now is the time to prove that the US stands up for freedom and bows down to no one."

These additional sanctions come amidst further deterioration in relations between the world's largest nuclear powers and sharp language exchanged by the two sides.

Biden called Putin a "crazy SOB' at a fundraiser for his re-election campaign earlier this week. And Putin reacted by sarcastically calling Biden his preferred president of the US
Bhopal, Feb 23 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday made a surprise visit to a CM Helpline centre in Ujjain, where he received two complaints.

After hearing people's grievances, he instructed the officials to resolve the issues at the earliest.

The Chief Minister heard the grievance of one of the complainants, who had an issue related to a bank. After a brief discussion, CM Yadav directed the concerned officials to provide an assistance of Rs 1 lakh to the complainant and resolve all his problems.

The second complainant was a student who had a problem related to scholarship.

Taking immediate action, the Chief Minister instructed the officials to make arrangements for scholarship for the student.

CM Yadav later said that he visited the centre to send out a message to the officials that the government is keeping a close watch on them.

"I conducted a surprise review of the CM Helpline service and talked with two persons. One complain was related to scholarship and the other was related to bank and cyber fraud," the Chief Minister said.

CM Yadav was in Ujjain to review the preparedness for the Vikramotsav Trade Fair 2024 and an investor meet to be held from March 1.
Jaipur, Feb 23 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma attended a Lok Sabha cluster meeting in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, where he addressed the party workers and people's representations from five Lok Sabha seats, including Sitapura Sadar, Misrikh, Hardoi, Dhaurahra and Lakhimpur.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Sharma said that the path to the country's progress and development passes through Uttar Pradesh, which is the land of sages.

"Being in the Awadh region, Sitapur is the land of Lord Ram and Mother Sita. Today, India is shining for which Uttar Pradesh has a made a big contribution," the Rajasthan Chief Minister said while addressing the gathering in Sitapur district.

He also discussed the party's strategies along with various organisational issues related to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Discussing the plans and achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the party workers should start making full preparations from now to ensure a big victory for the party in the Lok Sabha elections.

CM Sharma also attacked the working style of the Congress, saying that despite ruling the country for years, it continues to seek votes from the people in the name of poverty.

Today, the same party can be seen negotiating even for single digit seats with the regional parties, he said.

CM Sharma also said that in order to make India a developed nation as per the vision of PM Modi, "we have to fulfil our duties as citizens of the country".

He also called upon all the party workers to discharge their responsibilities by reaching every booth in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, and create history by ensuring BJP's victory for a third straight term.

CM Sharma said that under the leadership of PM Modi, every member of the BJP family is working with full dedication to fulfil the target of aAbki Baar 400 Para.

The Rajasthan CM also offered prayers at the Maa Lalita Devi temple and wished for the prosperity of the country and the state.
Vadodara, Feb 23 : A dispute that began on Instagram has escalated into communal tension in Vadodara, leaving more than 10 injured, an official said on Friday.

The incident, which unfolded on the evening of February 21, has now led to a police investigation, with authorities now searching for 100-150 people involved in the violence.

An official said that the police have managed to restore law and order in the area.

A complaint has been filed against the involved parties, and a search is underway to apprehend those responsible for the violence.

Jatin Patel, a local entrepreneur who owns a mobile accessories shop, was at the centre of the controversy. Patel, known for engaging with his customers through live social media broadcasts, initiated a routine session during which he extended greetings with the phrase "Jai Shri Ram".

However, the session took a contentious turn when an Instagram user, identified as "sahid-patel-7070", left a comment that Patel deemed offensive and potentially harmful to religious sentiments. Upon further investigation, Patel traced the comment back to Sahid Patel, a resident of the Gujarat Housing Board area, opposite Mahalakshmi Society in Padra district.

Efforts to confront Sahid Patel over a phone call were unfruitful; the call went unanswered, and the contentious comment was subsequently deleted.

Sources shared the situation escalated when members of various Hindu organisations, upon hearing about the incident, converged on the Housing Board society in search of Sahid Patel.

Finding him absent, tensions heightened, leading to a standoff outside the Navapura police station where Jatin Patel had lodged his complaint.

The demonstrators, demanding Sahid Patel's arrest, chanted "Jai Shri Ram" slogans and vowed not to disperse until action was taken.

The confrontation reached a boiling point when a large group of individuals identified with the Muslim community from Khatkiwad, reportedly numbering over a hundred, arrived and engaged in a violent altercation with the Hindu demonstrators, sources said.

The ensuing melee, following by an incident of stone-pelting, had resulted in injuries to several protesters.
Bengaluru, Feb 23 : A special court here on Friday issued summons to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar in connection with a defamation case filed by the BJP.

Special Court, MP/MLA cases, judge J. Preeth asked them to appear before the court on March 28.

The order came as the court took up a petition by BJP state Secretary S. Shivaprasad, alleging that the accused had released full page advertisements in media as they ran a campaign against over 40 per cent commission charges against then BJP government headed by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

The court also gave direction to lodge a criminal case against the accused and also make the state Congress unit a party to it under Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC.

The Congress had made a 40 per cent commission allegation against the then ruling BJP a major campaign agenda. Initially the allegations were made in speeches and soon the party took up social media campaigns and started putting up posters across the state.
Gurugram, Feb 23 : A joint team of the Chief Minister's Flying Squad and Crime Branch of Gurugram Police on Friday arrested two Iranian nationals for staying illegally without visa and passport, an official said, adding they had created fake documents and transacting money via the Hawala route.

The Chief Minister's Flying Squad received information on Friday that two foreign Iranian nationals were living without visas and passports in the Sector 49 area of Gurugram.

Based on the information, a raiding team reached a house and nabbed the two Iranian nationals.

The arrested were identified as Puriya Siraj and Mohammad Mughani. The two brothers were studying here without a valid passport, police said.

Both Iranian citizens were provided an accommodation by their landlord at Rs 16,000 per month without conducting the necessary checks including police verification.

During checking, fake Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, voter ID cards, driving licenses, debit cards, and passbooks were recovered from their possession.

"Both Iranian citizens have been living without legal documents since year. They also disclosed that they received money via Hawala transactions," Inspector Harish, an officer of CM Flying Wing said.

Police also seized 5 mobile phones, Rs 18,730, $514, two gold rings, one ear ring and 7 watches from their possession.

"Both Iranian nationals had concealed their identities and introduced themselves as residents of Delhi. They had got fake Aadhaar card of Delhi, Aadhaar card of Gurugram, PAN card, driving license of Delhi, voter ID card of Badshahpur Assembly of Gurugram," he said.

A case under various sections of the Foreigners Act, Money Laundering Act, and IPC was registered against them at the Sector-50 Police Station.
Chandigarh, Feb 23 : With the deadlock between farmer unions and the Centre continuing, the next course of action will be decided on February 29 until which the 'Dilli Chalo; march has been suspended, farmers leaders announced on Friday.

However, the farmers will continue to stay at the interstate borders, farmer union leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal told the media at Khanuari border.
Panaji, Feb 23 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that Home Minister Amit Shah has assured an early resolution on the issue of political reservation for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) of the coastal state.

Sawant, along with leaders of the ST community, on Friday evening met Amit Shah in the national capital, and discussed the issue.

"I, along with a delegation of ST leaders, met Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the matter of reservation of seats in Goa Legislative Assembly for the STs. I wholeheartedly thank the Home Minister for assuring an early resolution," Sawant said.

Last week, Goa Schedule Tribe delegation along with Pramod Sawant called upon Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda, seeking political reservation.

However, the delegation was not able to meet Amit Shah on that day.

Later, Sawant had a one on one meeting with the Home Minister and discussed the issue.

Goa Legislative Assembly had unanimously adopted a private member resolution in July 2023, moved by ST leader MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, recommending the government to make provision for political reservation in the Goa Legislative Assembly for the Scheduled Tribes of the state.

In the past, the ST community took out rallies and tried to draw the attention of the government for political reservation.

According to them, there are around 1.30 lakh ST voters in Goa and hence, they should be given political reservation.
LANZHOU, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Embarking on a mesmerizing journey, visitors wear virtual reality (VR) glasses that transport them back to a bustling military fortress along the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Great Wall, with vivid scenes of streets, military camps, and farmhouses.

In northwest China's Gansu Province, a team of tech experts is harnessing digital technology to reconstruct segments of the Great Wall dating back over 400 years, showcasing and unraveling the cultural value of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Great Wall, a symbol of China, comprises many interconnected walls, some dating back 2,000 years. The existing sections have a total length of over 21,000 km, with Gansu contributing nearly one-fifth to the overall length of this iconic structure.

Utilizing ancient texts, on-site investigations, and digital technology, the technical team from Silk Road Infoport Co., Ltd. successfully restored three crucial military strongholds along the Gansu section of the Great Wall, said Wang Yuou, manager of the company's intelligent digital reconstruction project.

State-of-the-art technologies, including high-precision BeiDou satellite positioning and drones, were employed during field investigations to authentically recreate historical relics, according to Wang.

Expanding beyond the Great Wall, the team applied their digital expertise to restore the Nanzuo ruins, a pivotal archaeological site shedding light on early Chinese civilization.

The Nanzuo site's main palace, covering an indoor area of 630 square meters and dating back approximately 5,000 years, is considered by the archaeological community as the largest single indoor structure of its time in China.

Experts compiled, analyzed, and encoded information, such as documents, images, and videos related to the Nanzuo ruins. A multi-dimensional parameter information database helps achieve a panoramic presentation of the cultural heritage restoration.

"Digital technology can help us build models for the ancient palace and make it a reality," he said.

In recent years, China has increasingly employed digital technology to breathe life into historical relics. Leveraging technologies such as 5G, augmented reality, VR, and artificial intelligence, cultural institutions and technology companies like Tencent and Baidu have introduced a plethora of digital cultural products and projects.

A team from Tianjin University used centimeter-resolution continuous shooting to identify the ruins of more than 130 hidden doors at the Great Wall. About 900,000 items and sets of cultural relics at the Palace Museum have undergone digitalization, constituting 48 percent of its total collections.

China's efforts to "revive" cultural artifacts aim to tell the story of its rich civilization. The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) underscores the commitment to promote free access and digital development of public cultural venues like museums.

Looking ahead, Wang's team aspires to capture the entire lifecycle of the digital artifacts. "By integrating various information parameters such as historical context and spatial details, along with the support of intelligent algorithms, we want to accurately recreate the relics during different periods," he said. 
Bengaluru, Feb 23 : In a setback to the Congress government in Karnataka, the controversial Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which is aimed at collecting 10 per cent of the total income from the rich temples, failed to pass in the Legislative Council on Friday.

As members of the BJP and the JD(S) raised objections, Deputy Chairman of the Council, M.K. Pranesh, called for a voice vote, in which the Bill was rejected after the opposition members voted against it.

Seven members voted for the Bill, while 18 members voted against it.

Proposing the Bill in the Council, Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that as per the present rules, the government is getting Rs 8 crore from the temples. After the new rule is passed, the government will earn Rs 60 crore and from these funds, the aCa grade temples would be managed, Reddy said.

Stating that there are more than 40,000 priests at the 34,165 aCa grade temples across the state, the minister said, "We will provide funds to the priests to build homes and provide scholarships to their children. We also provide insurance cover to them."

Opposing the Bill, the leader of opposition in the Council, Kota Srinivas Poojari, said that it is not tenable to collect 10 per cent from the income of temples.

"If Rs 100 crore is collected, Rs 10 crore has to be given to the government as per the Bill. But, one must first deduct the expenditures and then the government can take its share. The government should grant Rs 200 crore for the development of aCa grade temples in the state," Poojari said.

BJP MLC N. Ravikumar said the state government should not even think of collecting 10 per cent income from the temples.

"Rs 60 crore is not a big amount for the state government. Hindu temples must be allotted with Rs 300 crore for development work," he said.

After this, Minister Reddy said that he will present the Bill on Monday, which was objected to by Deputy Chairman Pranesh, who called for a voice vote for the Bill to pass.

After the Bill was rejected, the BJP members raised aJai Sri Rama slogans inside the House, while their Congress counterparts chanted aBharat Mata Ki Jaia and aJai Bheema.

On Wednesday, the controversial Bill was passed by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

Meanwhile, taking to social media, the BJP claimed that as per the Bill, persons belonging to other religions can become part of the temple management process.

"This is a malicious intent of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to dry the coffers of the temples with the help of people from other religions, much the same way he has emptied the state's treasury," the BJP alleged.
New Delhi, Feb 23 : Three sharpshooters of Tillu Tajpuriya gang were arrested, after a brief exchange of fire, when they were fleeing after committing a crime in Alipur area on the outskirts of Delhi, police said on Friday.

The trio were identified as Rohit a.k.a Laddu, 24, Mohit, 23, and Siddharth, 19, while a manhunt has been initiated to nab the fourth accused Kunal, who is still at large.

Their arrest comes after information was received from a woman caller on Thursday alleging that her husband Vikas was shot and injured by four people, belonging to Tillu Tajpuriya gang.

"It was later found that injured Vikas aka Pali, a resident of village Bakoli was seated in his car in front of his chicken shop in the village when a car approached. Siddharth, Rohit, and Kunal alighted from the car, with Mohit remained seated.

"They were carrying weapons, and the complainant tried to flee from the scene, but they began firing at him and inflicted gunshot injury on the complainant," a senior police official said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer, Jimmy Chiram said that various police teams including local police and special staff and Anti-Gaangster Cell teams, immediately started a search and combing operation in the nearby areas and reached Bakhtawarpur, where they saw some movement in the farms.

"On challenging the accused, he fired at the local police and the team retaliated in self-defence. The accused identified as Rohit got injured and was overpowered by the police team," he said.

The other accused fled from the spot and they were chased by a team of Alipur police and special staff.

"One more accused was tracked down by the special staff near Janti toll. He fired at the police teams while trying to run away and the special staff also retaliated in self-defence. The second accused Mohit got injured in the exchange of fire and was overpowered. The third accused Siddharth was also apprehended from the farms near Janti toll.

"The teams combed an area of approximately five kilometre radius in the dark to nab these accused," the DCP said.

He said that Vikas had recently opened a new chicken shop in Bakoli and the accused were jealous of him because of this. "On Thursday, the accused met Vikas outside his chicken shop in Bakoli and shot him while he was sitting in his car," the DCP added.
Guwahati, Feb 24 : In a major development, the long-standing Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act of 1935 was repealed by the state government on Friday.

The decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting on Friday night chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

It comes three weeks after Uttarakhand became the first state to enact Uniform Civil Code legislation.

Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah referred to it as a major step toward a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

He emphasized that going forward, all matters pertaining to Muslim marriages and divorces would be governed by the Special Marriages Act.

"The District Commissioner and the District Registrar will now be in charge of registering Muslim marriages and divorces under the new structure. The 94 Muslim registrars who were employed under the revoked Act will also be released from their positions and given a lump sum payment of Rs 2 lakh," he told reporters.

Mallabarua also emphasized the decision's wider ramifications, especially in light of the state's efforts to prohibit child marriage. He pointed out that juvenile marriages had been made easier by the antiquated 1935 Act, which was a holdover from the British Empire.

"The administration intends to address the issue of child marriage, which is defined as the union of individuals under the ages of 18 for women and 21 for men, by repealing this Act," the minister added.
Patna, Feb 24 : A girl student jumped in front of the car of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary in Patna on Friday evening. However, the driver timely applied the brake, averting any mishap.

The incident occurred near Biscomaun Bhawan.

The girl along with other students was protesting against the state government as the Education Ministry did not allow STET appearing candidates to fill application forms for the third phase of teachers recruitment in the state.

The students were protesting outside the Biscomaun Bhawan, where the Deputy Chief Minister was present for an event. They tried to stop Choudhary's convoy and one of the girl students jumped in front of his car.

She sustained minor injuries and became unconscious for a few minutes.

Following the incident, the Deputy Chief Minister stepped down from the car and interacted with the agitating students. He also helped in rescuing the girl.

Choudhary assured the agitating students that he will convey their message to the Education Department and will ask to address their grievances.
Benina International Airport, Benghazi, Libya [ BEN / HLLB ]

If you are planning to travel to Benghazi or any other city in Libya, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Benina International Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Benina International Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Libya. Benghazi Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided.

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Benghazi Airport IATA Code: BEN Benghazi Airport ICAO Code: HLLB Latitude : 32.0969 Longitude : 20.2694 City : Benghazi Country : Libya World Area Code : 538 Airport Type : Medium Benghazi Airport Address / Contact Details :

Benina International Airport (BEN), P.O Box 1, Benghazi, Libya Airport Type : Public Operator : Civil Aviation and Meteorology Bureau Timezone : Africa/Tripoli Benina International Airport Timezone : GMT +02:00 hours Current time and date at Benina International Airport is 14:54:06 PM (EET) on Monday, Mar 18, 2024

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Nearest Airports to Benina International Airport Closest airports to Benghazi, Libya are listed below. These are major airports close to the city of Benghazi and other airports closest to Benina International Airport. Nearest airport to Benina International Airport and Benghazi is La Braq Airport - (176.72 Km / 109.81 Miles) Following are the nearest airports to Benghazi and Benina International Airport. Distance between the two airports is given in bracket. Marsa Brega Airport - (202.23 Km / 125.66 Miles)

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This page provides all the information you need to know about Benina International Airport, Libya. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Libya or traveling to Benghazi Airport. Details about Benghazi Airport given here include Benina International Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes)

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Farnborough Airport, Farnborough, United Kingdom [ FAB / EGLF ]

If you are planning to travel to Farnborough or any other city in United Kingdom, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Farnborough Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Farnborough Airport Map showing the location of this airport in United Kingdom. Farnborough Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided.

Farnborough Airport Info:

Farnborough Airport IATA Code: FAB Farnborough Airport ICAO Code: EGLF Latitude : 51.2786 Longitude : -0.771667 City : Farnborough Country : United Kingdom World Area Code : 493 Airport Type : Medium Farnborough Airport Address / Contact Details :

Farnborough Airfield (FAB), Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6, UK Phone: +44 1252 379000 Farnborough Website : http://www.tagaviation.com Airport Type : Private Owner : Techniques d'Avant Garde (TAG) Operator : TAG Farnborough Airport Ltd. Timezone : Europe/London Farnborough Airport Timezone : GMT +00:00 hours Current time and date at Farnborough Airport is 12:54:06 PM (GMT) on Monday, Mar 18, 2024

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MLP Group is strengthening its German team. Taking on the role of Head of Asset & Property Management, Sebastian Schiffer will oversee the management of MLP Groups property portfolio and administration of its facilities on the German market.

Sebastian Schiffer will support the groups vigorous g...

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Despite a number of high-profile legal victories for freedom to read advocates in recent months, book bans continue to surgeand this week, a host of anti-censorship and library groups are blasting a move by the board of the Autauga-Prattville Public Library in Alabama to effectively bar the library from purchasing books for minors that contain LGBTQ content.

In a February 20 joint statement, PEN America, the National Coalition Against Censorship, Read Freely Alabama, and EveryLibrary called on the Autauga-Prattville Library Board to reverse its controversial new policy. The Autauga-Prattville Public Librarys newly appointed board is making a mockery of freedom of expression, said Kasey Meehan, Freedom to Read program director at PEN America. We are alarmed to see the suppression of LGBTQ+ books within the library system, especially for young people who rely on the librarys free access to books to understand themselves and the world around them.

The statement comes after the librarys board, on February 8, enacted a new policy suspending the purchase of any childrens literature or young adult books that include obscenity, sexual conduct, sexual intercourse, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender discordance. Furthermore, the board passed a new rule requiring that adult books that include those themes be labeled with a red stickera move that opponents say will serve to stigmatize readers of adult books that include sex or LGBTQ+ identities.

In a statement, Read Freely Alabama, a citizen advocacy group that has been on the front lines battling book bans across the state, noted that the states book banning battles began in Prattville, calling it ground zero for censorship in Alabama and another example of extremism run amok. The group said that it would continue to advocate for all Prattville residents to be represented in their library regardless of political and ideological affiliation.

From day one, Alabamians in the most rural, red counties have fought back against these ideological extremists trying to censor our libraries, the group said, in a release this week. Many of us grew up poor, in marginalized communities and secretly closeted in these very towns, with the public library as the only way we could access books for free.

 The Autauga-Prattville Public Librarys newly appointed board is making a mockery of freedom of expression. 

EveryLibrary, meanwhile, is hosting a petition, "STOP Book Bans at Autauga-Prattville Library," by the local Prattville Library Alliance on its Fight for the First digital advocacy platform focused at the library board. Freedom to read advocates can share the opinions and stories via the petition.

The Autauga-Prattville Public Librarys move to bar the library's acquisition of LGBTQ-themed books for minors has drawn national media attention, and is another sign that the years-long, ongoing battle by right wing groups to ban books in schools and libraries is not receding. The move in Prattville comes after Alabama Governor Kay Ivey threatened to cut funding to public libraries over allegedly inappropriate materials in libraries last fall, and a month after the Alabama Public Library Service officially voted to disassociate from the American Library Association.

The question now: will there be litigation? In a statement, National Coalition Against Censorship executive director Lee Rowland suggested that there was a case to be made.

Prattville's efforts to narrow its library collections are not just a tragic loss for the community and the freedom to readthey are also discriminatory and unconstitutional, Rowland said. Other recent efforts to scrub libraries of valuable content that grapples with sex and gender have rightly been judged as sweeping violations of the First Amendment, and Prattville's assault on the right to read should fare no differently.
BEIRUT, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least two Hezbollah fighters were killed and three people injured Thursday in an Israeli strike targeting two residential apartments in Kfar Remen, a city in the Nabatieh Governorate of southern Lebanon, Lebanese military and medical sources told Xinhua.

The military sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said four air-to-surface missiles penetrated the two adjacent apartments from above and exploded inside, leading to their complete destruction. Neighboring buildings were also severely damaged.

The sources said that several teams from the Civil Defense and the Lebanese Red Cross had headed to the site to remove the rubble and recover the injured.

The sources revealed that the injured had been rushed to a nearby hospital, but two of them, later identified as Hezbollah members, succumbed to their wounds.

Separately, military sources said that Israel on Thursday carried out nine air strikes on five towns and villages in southern Lebanon and fired about 35 shells on 13 towns and villages, destroying eight houses and damaging 24 others.

Hezbollah said its fighters also attacked several Israeli sites, including the Miskav Am settlement, the Avivim, Nahariya, and Kfar Yuval colonies, and the sites of Birkat Risha, Al-Motella, Al-Samaqa, and Al-Alam.

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 307 people on the Lebanese side, including 207 Hezbollah members and 59 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 
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Better Late Than Never?

Set the controls on the Wayback Machine to Y2K, Sherman. Were going to the old GlockTalk.com forum to see what the most hoped-for new pistol from Glock was among its most rabid fans back there in the day.

While either bitrot or a blown software upgrade erased the forums actual archives that far back, some of us were there, Gandalf. We can tell you that two decades ago the most anticipated pistol from Glock was a single-stack variant of the Glock 19. After all, the newest hotness from Smyrna in those days was the Model 36, which took the basic architecture of the 10-shot double-stack Glock 30 .45 ACP compact and slimmed it down by two-tenths of an inch, by using a six-round staggered magazine.

This was the middle of the Assault Weapon Ban years, and so, reasoning went, slimming down the 19 would make it easier to carry, slimmer in the hand, and would make 10-round staggered magazines native to the gun, rather than the neutered 10-rounders used in the G19 at the time.

Over a decade passed and the pistol kept failing to materialize, so firearms trainer Rob Pincus of I.C.E. Training decided to take matters into his own hands and make it happen himself.

According to the lore of the Avidity Arms PD10, the concept originated from a barroom bull session between Pincus and some friends in a German pub in 2013. Between that bar napkin sketch and the next summer, actual specifications were firmed up and the actual design of a pistol took place.

The goal was a modern striker-fired pistol that was radically slim for easy carry and concealment, had a 10-round capacity, a 4-inch barrel for shootability, and good performance from current cutting-edge 9x19mm jacketed hollow point loads.

With his background in training thousands of students, Pincus had definite ideas about what would make for an ideal CCW pistol, and those were all poured into the new design.

DETAILS & DESIGN

Those ideas start at the very top, with the PD10s sights. The front is a standard dovetail-mounted 0.14-inch Ameriglo CAP blade, with an eye-catching hi-viz green square outline surrounding the tritium vial. And yes, pictured below is how the front sight was installed out of the box.

The rear sight is Pincus own design, the Ameriglo I.C.E. CLAW, with its distinctive undercut front to better assist snagging on belts, boot heels, or holster mouths for one-handed manipulations should the shooter find their offside paw out of commission for some reason.

Those sights are mounted atop a slide that definitely fulfills one of the primary design criteria for the pistol in that its wafer-thin. The PD10s slide is just one tiny inch wide, and thats as measured with actual RCBS dial calipers, not copied from the manufacturers claims.

The top of the slide presents a flat sighting plane interrupted only by the chamber hood, which doubles as the locking shoulder in the modern idiom. Theres also a little pivoting chamber loaded indicator just abaft the ejection port; a metal finger that pokes up to provide visual and tactile confirmation that theres a round in the chamber, similar to the one found on Springfield Armorys XD series of pistols. The nose of the slide features bevels to aid in easy and snag-free holstering.

Whats the optic footprint? Good question. Through trial and error we discovered the footprint was compatible with the Holosun 507K, but that information could not be found in the manual or on the webpage at the time of writing.

The slide bears evidence of another piece of the I.C.E. Training TTP dogma  the cocking serrations at the rear of the slide consist of 10 square contoured cuts that start out vertically from the top of the slide but curve through nearly 90 degrees toward the muzzle.

The shape of these serrations is obviously designed to maximize traction when bringing the support hand over the top of the pistol and using the power stroke method of running the slide. The theory behind this technique is that it doesnt rely on fine motor control, and it also gives slightly more impetus to feeding the next round by ensuring the slide is given the full length of travel, powered by a fully compressed recoil spring. This is to further encourage the power stroke method rather than using the thumb to release the slide. The aforementioned release is tucked in close to the slide and hard to activate from above.

The uber-low-profile slide release is the widest spot on the pistol. Its a minuscule wart adding a bare fraction of an inch, and its very shape attests to the influence of Pincus on the design of the PD10. It has a profile low enough as well as an engagement positive enough that we were 300 rounds into the test before the slide release could be actuated with a lone thumb.

Only the bottom of the tab protruding a hair, so as to facilitate manually locking the slide to the rear for certain administrative pistol manipulations. The frame on the test gun was composed of a gray polymer, with an accessory rail on the dust cover. Its a three-slot Picatinny-type rail, but despite having a barrel length the same as a Glock 19, you wont be fitting any full-size weapon mounted lights to this blaster. No SureFire X300U or Streamlight TLR-1 will fit, nor will a low-profile G19-centric light such as the SureFire XC-1. Youll need to look at lights like the TLR-7 and its ilk.

Above and behind the rail on either side of the frame are indentations that Avidity calls Safety Index Points, which provide a tactile reference for the trigger finger when not shooting (as well as someplace to stick your support thumb if you use a thumbs-forward style of shooting grip).

When you are shooting, your trigger finger will find a smooth trigger shoe with a curved face and a pivoting steel Glock-style drop safety tab. Feelings about the trigger were mixed. There was resistance to the pull from the start, rather than a lot of takeup or slack, and then a spongy increase in pull before the sear broke abruptly. It was a little vague to even qualify as a rolling break; it was more like pop  ping bubble wrap. Increase pressure until you get a squishy POP! Weight measured five and a half pounds on the test sample. You wouldnt want to use this trigger in a bulls-eye match, but it is adequate for Balance of Speed and Precision-style shooting  and is plenty safe from NDs caused by woobie checking.

The trigger guard is relieved toward the rear and, combined with the high cut tang for the web of the hand, allows a high shooting grip to snug that bore axis down low.

The grip itself has a pronounced arch to the backstrap, radically flat sides, and an unusual texture pattern of alternating rows of triangles. The triangles, combined with the molded-in I.C.E. logo and the shape and angle of the grip give the pistol an unusual-yet-distinctive look thats somewhere between phaser from an un-aired Star Trek spinoff and Klingon marital aid.

The magazine release is nicely textured, well-positioned, but not reversible. The shape of the frame cutout for the release would seem to indicate that a reversible one may lurk in the pistols future, but the magazines as currently supplied will not support it.

Between the single-sided slide stop and the lack of ambidexterity in the mag release, southpaws are going to need to accommodate themselves to the gun rather than vice versa, as though it were 2011  or 1911.

That brings us to the most unusual feature of the PD10: the pistol uses 10-round 9mm 1911 magazines. Theyre provided direct from the manufacturer and marked with Aviditys brand, but are strongly reminiscent of Metalforms front-ribbed 9mm design.

[An aside: the mag tube of a 1911 is too long fore-and-aft for 9x19mm rounds and so a spacer is usually added. Most commonly its a strip spot welded in the back of the tube, but in this case its a vertical rib molded in the front.]

The magazines have a proprietary polymer floorplate cover with a molded-in claw on the front to help aid in ripping the magazine free should one have to clear a gnarly double-feed with only one functional hand.

SHOOTING & TESTING

We didnt experience any double feeds over the course of testing. Alas, over the course of 400 rounds, we had:

>>Five failures to feed, including one extremely exotic one where the unfired Remington 124-grain FMJ round was sticking, projectile-up, through the ejection port.

>>One gnarly failure to eject, where the case head of the fired case apparently hit the case mouth of the next round in the mag, causing the extractor claw to pop off the rim and leave the spent case wedged in the feedway between the slide, magazine feed lips, and barrel hood.

>>And, finally, five instances of the slide locking back prematurely with one round left in the magazine (one with 124-grain Speer Gold Dot and the other four with Federal 115-grain 9BPLE).

Under normal circumstances, our standard fix for this in a 9mm 1911 would be to bust out our stash of 10-round Wilson ETM magazines, which not only make Wilson 9mm 1911s reliable over the course of thousands of rounds of firing but have even turned an old Para Ordnance 9mm LTC from an iffy proposition to a reliable shooter.

Alas, the Wilsons use the rear-spacer technique rather than the forward rib, and the differing position in the PD10s magwell means that rear-spacer magazines position the top round too far forward in the feedway to function reliably. Sad trombone.

We did successfully get through a box of Winchester 124-grain NATO ball ammo with no malfunctions, as well as a 50-round box of Remington 124-grain Black Belt JHP, but having to test rounds to see if they work is an uncomfortable flashback.

LOOSE ROUNDS

While its easy to ask Why didnt Avidity Arms just use proven magazines like the Glock 43X/48 or the SIG P365? Or even design the pistol to use Wilson ETMs?, its important to remember that the Glock and SIG didnt exist when the PD10 was first planned, and the Wilson 9mm ETM was only well-known among aficionados of 9mm 1911s, who werent nearly as common 10 years ago. Back then, 9mm 1911s were a lot more of a niche product.

The PD10 was comfortable to carry, reasonably accurate, and had ergonomics that lived up to its design intent, but our test sample was still pretty fussy about ammunition selection.

If you want to fiddle with ammo choices and magazines, it might be worth the tradeoff  or you could buy a 9mm M1911
BEIRUT, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- One Hezbollah fighter and two members of the Islamic Health Authority affiliated with the Lebanese armed group were killed, while three others were wounded on Friday in an Israeli raid on the southeastern Lebanese village of Blida, Lebanese military and medical sources said.

Medical sources said the bodies of the three victims and the three wounded people have been transferred to the Tebnin Governmental Hospital.

Military sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that the casualties resulted from Israeli airstrikes on a center of the Islamic Health Authority in the village of Blida at dawn. Ambulances and civil defense teams were sent to the scene to rescue survivors.

Meanwhile, the military sources added that Israel carried out eight airstrikes on four towns and villages and fired about 70 shells on 15 towns and villages in southern Lebanon.

For its part, Hezbollah said its fighters attacked several Israeli sites, including the Keila and Yoav Barracks.

The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing increased tension since Oct. 8, 2023, after 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 310 people on the Lebanese side, including 208 Hezbollah members and 59 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 
The student found dead near Lake Herrick on Thursday was identified as 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley, university spokesperson Greg Trevor confirmed on Friday morning. Riley was a nursing student at the Athens campus of Augusta Universitys College of Nursing.

Riley attended the University of Georgia until the spring of 2023 before transferring to the nursing college. Riley graduated from River Ridge High School in 2020 and was from Woodstock, Georgia. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
Jose Antonio Ibarra was booked into Clarke County Jail on Friday night in connection to the homicide of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley.

Ibarra was charged with seven felony counts  malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping and concealing the death of another. He was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of hindering a 911 call and failure to appear for a fingerprintable charge.

Diego Jose Ibarra, Jose Antonio Ibarras brother, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, was also arrested on Friday night. Diego Ibarra was charged on one misdemeanor count for possession of fraudulent identification and on a felony count for an agency hold by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Airfares have nearly doubled in a matter of days on routes hit by the cancellation of 200 weekly flights linking Mumbai airport to 12 cities.

Photograph: Shaun Best/Reuters

The fares have soared as high as 193 per cent following a recent government order to cancel flights to ease persistent congestion that was causing delays.

Aside from the reduction in flights on 12 routes, two destinations  Hubli and Jabalpur  have lost connectivity with Mumbai since last week, according to aviation analytics firm Ciriums data reviewed by Business Standard.

IndiGo had been operating Mumbai-Hubli and Mumbai-Jabalpur flights until last week.

IndiGo, Indias largest carrier, has been the worst affected by the congestion-induced cancellations.

Over the past week alone, it has cancelled 110 flights on nine routes connecting Mumbai.

This week, it is operating 2,451 flights to and from Mumbai.

Flights from Mumbai have been reduced to 12 destinations  Bengaluru, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Aurangabad, Goa, Kolkata, Mangaluru, Tiruchirappalli, Durgapur, Kannur, and Darbhanga.

The Mumbai airport, which was handling a total of 6,417 flights per week until last week, is handling 6,217 flights per week right now, according to the data.

On February 14, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that it was compelled to intervene and order the reduction of flights because Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), the airport operator, had not taken necessary action to alleviate persistent congestion, resulting in flight delays of up to 60 minutes.

The Mumbai-Kannur route has been the worst affected, with the number of flights halving to six services per week.

The average airfare for travel between March 18 and 22 has surged by 193.2 per cent to Rs 14,332 when tickets were booked for February 12-14 compared to the February 19-21 period, according to travel website Ixigos data.

This decrease in the number of flights was initiated by Indian carriers starting from around February 15 following the governments directive.

None of the major airlines  Air India, AIX Connect, Vistara, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air  responded to queries from Business Standard.

The Adani Group-run MIAL also did not respond to questions.

The Mumbai-Darbhanga route has also seen a significant cut in its number of services, dropping to six flights per week now from 14 last week.

As a result, the average airfare between March 18 and 22 has increased by 30.9 per cent to Rs 8,911, when comparing prices of tickets booked for February 12-14 to those booked for February 19-21.

Three Tata Group-run airlines  Vistara, Air India, and AIX Connect  have cancelled 52, 25, and 13 flights per week, respectively.

Moreover, Air India has not operated flights on the Mumbai-Aurangabad route since last week.

Akasa Air and SpiceJet have cancelled 14 and two services per week, respectively, in the past week.

On February 14, the civil aviation ministry said: While Mumbai airport is running at its full capacity, it was found that the persistent congestion was caused due to (i) excessive slot distribution with limited time margins on behalf of the airport operator, (ii) non-adherence of the slots on behalf of the airlines, and (iii) non-scheduled operations during peak hours.

"The airport operator (MIAL), being the slot provider as well as the manager of slots to the airlines, should have proactively taken steps to streamline and regulate air traffic movements, to resolve this problem.

"However, since no such action was initiated by them, the ministry of civil aviation has had to step in.

This action has been taken in larger public interest from the perspective of airspace safety, efficiency of operations and passenger satisfaction, the ministry noted.
JERUSALEM, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Israel's war cabinet decided on Thursday night to send a delegation for Gaza ceasefire talks in Paris on Friday, as international negotiators renew efforts to secure a deal between Israel and Hamas.

A government official confirmed to Xinhua that the head of the Mossad intelligence agency, David Barnea, will lead the Israeli delegation. The talks will be attended by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Director of U.S. Central Intelligence Agency William Burns.

The White House's Middle East coordinator, Brett McGurk, was in Israel on Thursday for talks with senior officials to negotiate the release of hostages held in Gaza and to secure a pause in the fighting.

McGurk's visit comes amid heightened efforts to broker a ceasefire agreement, as Israel's declared intention to launch an incursion into the densely populated city of Rafah raised global concern and more than four months of heavy Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip had killed 29,410 Palestinians and wounded 69,465 others as of Thursday.

After meeting McGurk, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was "preparing the continuation of intense ground operations."

Gallant's office said in a statement that their meeting focused on efforts to free the remaining 134 hostages still held in Gaza, at least 30 of whom are believed to be dead.

More than 240 people in Israel were taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. A total of 112 live hostages have been released, most of them during a hostage-for-prisoner swap under a fragile truce in November, according to Israeli figures.

Citing senior officials, Israel's Channel 12 TV news reported that Hamas has softened its stance, agreeing to a six-week pause instead of its previous demand to end the war.

On Wednesday, Israel's Wartime Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz said in a televised press briefing that "there are ongoing attempts to promote a new hostage deal, and there are promising early signs of possible progress." According to Gantz, Israel "will not stop looking for a way, and we will not miss any opportunity to bring our girls and boys home."

The indications of progress were reported 10 days after a meeting in Cairo of U.S., Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian negotiators failed to achieve a breakthrough. Following the meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas's proposal for a 4.5-month-long truce after which the Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue their onslaught in Gaza. In Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, Israeli bombardment flattened the al-Farouk Mosque and hit seven houses, according to Gazan authorities. At least 97 people were killed and 132 others injured in the attacks during the past day.

The IDF confirmed in a statement that "IAF (Israel Air Force), Navy and ground troops continue to destroy terrorist infrastructure throughout the Gaza Strip." 
Uber Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dara Khosrowshahi sees India as one of the toughest markets and a standard to succeed in any other part of the world.

Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

One of the biggest challenges for the ride-hailing firm, according to Khosrowshahi, is the expectation of Indian consumers for more services at lower spending.

India is one of the toughest markets out there.

"The Indian customer is so demanding and doesnt want to pay for anything (laughs), Khosrowshahi told Infosys co-founder and Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani during a fireside chat event on Thursday in Bengaluru.

He spoke about the subject Building population-scale technology.

India is the gateway to the world for us.

"If we succeed here, that sets the standard for us to succeed in so many other markets, said Khosrowshahi.

Despite the challenges, Khosrowshahi said that this is the best time for Uber in India, and he is proud of the team here.

One of the biggest strategic opportunities that Uber has identified to succeed and grow in India is to expand into the low-cost segment.

The firm plans to expand its low-cost service segments, particularly two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and bus services in India.

In the past, the company had mainly focused on four-wheelers, and the core business came from the luxury sector.

If you look now, for us, the single biggest opportunity that we are passionate about is lower-cost products; three-wheelers and two-wheelers, and we are building high-capacity vehicles like Uber bus that work for longer distances, said Khosrowshahi.

It is also an extraordinary opportunity for us to expand our services to a wider swathe of the population.

"We dont just want to be an upper-middle-class product.

"We want to be available to everybody.

Khosrowshahi also said that companies and governments around the world can learn from the scale and ambition of Indias digital public infrastructure.

He added that as a technology company, Uber views open source tech stacks with a lot of interest and recognises the opportunities they bring for everyone.

Uber India reported a 54 per cent increase in revenue at Rs 2,666 crore in the financial year ended March 2023 (2022-23).

This was driven by strong demand in its ride-hailing business and growth in the support and services functions.

Uber India's net loss during the period increased to Rs 311 crore from Rs 197 crore during 2021-22.

The firms business slowed down during the pandemic lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 and has since recovered.

Khosrowshahi, who arrived in the US as an Iranian refugee when he was nine years old, has a bachelors degree in engineering from Brown University.

He was previously the CEO of the travel firm Expedia.

He took over as CEO of Uber in 2017.

However, after the outbreak of the pandemic, the mobility business faced a huge threat.

Khosrowshahi said that Uber was losing $3 billion in terms of profits during the pandemic.

This led him to lay off employees and exit various businesses.

We lost 85 per cent of our volumes, and that required a lot of soul-searching.

"We were a company that was completely focusing on expanding, but we had to retrench.

"It forced us to decide what is the core value of the company and what is not, said Khosrowshahi.

The firm was in other businesses like building e-bikes and scooters, autonomous technology, vertical take-off-landing products. It had to painfully get out of those businesses.

However, the event enabled the company to double down on building large marketplaces that bring demand and supply for transportation together in a seamless way using technology.

Later, the Uber Eats business exploded as a lot of drivers moved to that division.

The company also emerged out of the pandemic.

We went from a $3 billion burn to a $5 billion burn.

"Fortunately, we had a lot of money in the bank, said Khosrowshahi.

He said one of the lessons for the founders is to have more capital than they think they need for any contingency.

Khosrowshahi also spoke about how he spent months undercover in 2021 as an Uber driver and delivery agent to better understand and address the problems they face.

This included ferrying riders and dropping off Uber Eats orders in San Francisco.

During the pandemic, I was going crazy at home.

"I bought an e-bike and started delivering food. It preserved my sanity during those dark days, said Khosrowshahi.

After Covid was over, I bought a Tesla to do (deliveries) and it helped us to build a better product.

"The test for any great entrepreneur is not how you are doing during your best days but how you do on worst days.

Partnership with ONDC

The company will be looking into tapping into the digital public infrastructure potential in India through platforms like ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), Unified Payments Interface, DigiLocker, and Aadhaar to enable seamless mobility services in India.

Uber also formed an agreement with the government-backed ONDC to explore integration with the network to expand the range of mobility offerings on the Uber app. It would strengthen Ubers mission of bringing safe, affordable, and reliable rides to all Indians.

Our vision for Uber in India is to serve the mobility needs of all Indians.

"This is in line with ONDCs objective of democratising digital commerce, said Prabhjeet Singh, president, Uber India and South Asia.

T Koshy, managing director and CEO of ONDC said that as open network is continuously evolving, mobility, transport, and travel is certainly a critical sector.

Different players together on the network foster innovation and newer business models.

He said the agreement with Uber is a major step forward.

We hope it will enable a diverse range of mobility solutions to benefit every Indian.
'Farmers have been sent notices in which the government is threatening that if you will join the movement, then we will impound your whole ancestral properties.'

'We will seal your bank accounts. We will revoke the passports of your young kids.'

IMAGE: Farmers, who are marching towards New Delhi to press for better crop prices promised to them in 2021, run for cover amidst tear gas fired by the police to disperse them at the Shambhu barrier, a border crossing between Punjab and Haryana, February 21, 2024. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

One of the leaders at the forefront of the farmers' Delhi Chalo march is Abhimanyu Kohar.

Kohar, a BTech graduate, comes from a well-off family in Haryana's Sonepat and floated the Bharatiya Kisan Naujawan Union in 2021 soon after the Modi government repealed the three farm laws.

Earlier, Kohar -- whose Facebook X accounts have been withheld ever since the farm agitation began on February 13, 2024 -- was a regular guest on news television channels as the spokesperson of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.

"The government wants to create a narrative that this issue is only being raised by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana by not allowing farmers from other states to reach Delhi," Abhimanyu Kohar tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.

What's the current status of your agitation?

Farmers were marching peacefully towards Delhi. But the governments of India and Haryana are firing injector mortars and tear gas shells, pellets and other fatal weapons on peacefully agitating farmers leading to serious injuries.

Nevertheless, we are certain that we will continue our march towards Delhi in a peaceful and non-violent manner.

Our demands are just and we will acccept nothing short of these demands.

What are your main demands which the government has not yet accepted?

Our main demands is a legal MSP (Minimum Support Price) guarantee, MSP according to the Swaminathan Commission recommendation of C2 plus 50% formula and complete loan waiver for the farmers and the labourers.

The government is saying that we will form a high power committee to look into these issues under the leadership of Agriculture Minister (Arjun Munda) which will give its report in a time bound manner.

Our argument is that in the last 77 years so many committees have been formed. but their reports have not been implemented. So from the last 77 years we have been amenable to these committees but the (recommendations of these) committees have not yielded any result.

Now we don't want any committee, we want law.

Why can't farmers try one last time to accept government's offer of formation of a committee and give it a last chance?

We postponed our agitation last year on the promise of the Union government, which gave us a letter stating that they will form a committee for the MSP which will ensure MSP for each and every farmer of India.

But now from 2021 to 2024, it's already two-and-a-half years (have passed) but the (Union) government has not done anything.

These are not our demands. These are the commitments, promises which Mr Narendra Modi's government made to farmers at different times. Whether it's MSP guarantee law in 2011-2012 when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.

As the chairman of the Consumer Affairs Committee he recommended that there must be an MSP guarantee law. Before the 2014 (general) election he promised that if he comes tp power he will implement Sthe waminathan Commission report and the C2 plus 50 per cent formula.

What we are saying is that these are not our demands. These are the promises which Mr Narendra Modi's government made a number of times. We want his promises to be fulfilled.

Why do you think Prime Minister Modi is now not walking the talk?

There is absolute corporate pressure on the Narendra Modi government.

We must understand very clearly that we are not saying that the government has to procure all food grains at MSP. We are only saying that whoever -- whether it's a private trader or someone else -- purchases or procures farmers' food grains and crops they must be procured or purchased at or above MSP.

If he is purchasing or procuring food grains or the crops below MSP then there must be legal proceedings against that private trader. That's what we are demanding.

IMAGE: Farmers run for cover amidst tear gas fired by the police to disperse them at the Shambhu barrier, February 21, 2024. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

Doesn't this distort the discovery of fair market price? Would you say that this will distort how the market economics works?

No.

In our many meetings we asked Piyush Goyalji (the Union minister of commerce and food) that if you have promised a salary of Rs 2 lakh per month to your secretaries for whatever job they are doing and if at the end of month there are market fluctuations then can you tell them we can't give you Rs 2 lakh salary and this month we will pay you salary of only Rs 50,000? Will they accept this? The secretaries said we will not accept it.

Our argument remains the same. Whatever MSP is promised by the government, farmers must get at least that MSP.

Where exactly is the government differing from your demand, your acceptance, your way of calculating the C2 plus 50 per cent formula?

The government and the famers are not on the same page about what factors to consider while calculating the C2 plus 50 per cent formula. But the calculation part can come at a later stage.

We are saying that whatever MSP you are declaring as per the CACP (Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices) formula you must ensure that farmers must get at least this much (a fixed minimum price for their produce).

But the government is not ready to give even that much.

What we are requesting right now is whatever (MSP) you are declaring every year, farmers must get at least that much. But they are not ready to do this. Our talks are stuck at this point.

IMAGE: Farmers run for cover to escape the tear gas fired by the police to disperse them at the Shambhu barrier, February 21, 2024. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

What measures and methods are being adopted by the Haryana government to prevent farmers from reaching Delhi?

More than 3,000 farmers at different times have been detained in Haryana. Other than the Haryana police, more than 50,000 central police forces like the CRPF, ITBP and RAF are deployed in Haryana, number of villages have been completely sealed.

The government is registering fake cases against our leaders. The government has registered two fake cases under IPC 307 against me. A number of farmers are arrested on the fake charges.

The government is adopting a dictatorial way to crush farmers' agitation in Haryana. There is a situation of chaos in Haryana. Farmers trying to move towards the (Delhi) border are being apprehended by the police.

Farmers have been sent notices in which the government is threatening that if you will join the movement, then we will impound your whole ancestral properties. We will seal your bank accounts. We will revoke the passports of your young kids.

Our social media accounts have been suspended or withheld so that our voices don't reach our country's people. They want to suffocate, stifle our voices by taking away our right to freedom of speech.

These are some of the dictatorial ways in which the government of Haryana and the Union government are threatening farmers.

More than 10,000 farmers from Haryana are present at the Jind-Patiala border. More than 5,000 farmers are there on the Shambu border. And more than 50,000 farmers from Punjab are ready to join the others on both borders.

Isn't this farmers' agitation geographically limited to the states of Punjab and Haryana? There seems to be no farmers coming to join this agitation from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, etc. Why?

On the twelfth night (February 12) hundreds of farmers who were coming to Delhi from Karnataka were arrested at the Bhopal railway station. Their train was stopped mid-way, they were made to alight from the train and arrested. They were harassed at the Bhopal railway station and at Bhopal police station.

More than 74 farmers were detained from Odisha when they were coming to Delhi. This government is suppressing our voices throughout India. In Uttar Pradesh, scores of our workers and leaders were detained.

The government wants to create a narrative that this issue is only being raised by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana by not allowing farmers from other states to reach Delhi.

One fails to see a mass upsurge of farmers coming from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, both dominantly agrarian states. Why?

I have already answered this question. The governments of certain states are using high-handed tactics to prevent farmers from these states as well as those from the western, eastern and southern India from reaching Delhi.

Farmers from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have started their journeys when we had called for the Delhi Chalo agitation from February 13 but the governments from many states (that are ruled by the BJP) are playing dirty tactics and preventing them from being seen with farmers from Punjab and Haryana.

This is a pan-India farmers' agitation. The government wants to create a fake narrative that this is not an all-India farmers' agitation.
'Article 370 offered very important protections that were related to people's day to day lives.'

Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: A Tiranga Yatra on the Dal Lake, August 1, 2023.

On December 11, 2023, a full four years and four months after the abrogation of Article 370 -- which offered political autonomy to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir -- by the Government of India on August 5, 2019, the Supreme Court upheld the decision undertaken by the Narendra Modi government.

While Article 370 came into existence in October 1949 -- after Raja Hari Singh, the then ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, signed the Instrument of Accession with the Union of India on October 27, 1947, under extraordinary circumstances including the attack by tribals from Pakistan -- giving J&K autonomy over its internal affairs, making its own laws, own constitution and own flag, it always remained a bone of contention between the state and the Union of India.

Anuradha Bhasin, the editor of the oldest English newspaper in Jammu and Kashmir, The Kashmir Times, also a Kashmiri, discusses with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com the finer nuances of how the abrogation of Article 370 is hurting the ordinary people of the former state, now a Union Territory, and delves on the reasons why the Kashmir Valley, once a hotspot of violent protests, didn't see any major demonstrations after Article 370 was abrogated on August 5, 2019, and after the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation on December 11, 2023.

"It's very difficult to understand what is happening in Kashmir, but the sense of fear is pretty visible. People don't talk. People don't talk openly and that seems very abnormal in a place like Kashmir," Anuradha Bhasin says in the first part of a multi-part interview which was conducted recently.

Now that the Supreme Court has upheld the abrogation of Article 370 and to an outsider it would seem like the Valley has accepted -- seeing that there are no protests, leave alone violent protests, and the Valley has seen umpteen violent protests since 1953 -- the decision.

As someone from Jammu and Kashmir would you concur with this view of an outsider?

It's difficult to say. There is so much sense of fear and surveillance that people haven't been speaking like (they would do) in the past.

There are no protests because that kind of narrative has been managed under excessive, say, militarisation, with lot of surveillance, lot of threats and intimidations to civil society, to political groups, to media persons, and in that kind of a scenario, the voices of the people have been effectively controlled.

It's very difficult to gauge how the people are actually reacting.

On the surface, there is silence in Kashmir. But it would be wrong to jump to the conclusion that this is acceptance.

At the moment, I would say the more appropriate word is surrender. But, is it really surrender? It's difficult to say.

Would you say it is tactical surrender?

I think that it seems more like it, but it's so difficult to gauge what really is the mood of the people and whether there would be a reaction and when there would be a reaction.

There was no reaction in the Valley even when Article 370 was abrogated by Parliament on August 5, 2019...

After 2019, it has been an absolute stamping down of any democratic space, of all democratic spaces. Before that, we had militarisation, we had militancy, but some spaces and some democratic expression did continue, did exist.

Right now, it's a very different kind of repression: It is silent, but it's repetitive.

For instance, there's a lot of monitoring and surveillance of people, of different groups of people, and wherever there is any kind of, even a sign of slight dissent, there is an immediate crackdown by the authorities through raids, through regular and repetitive raids, through (court) summons, through police summons, through snatching of electronic devices, and all of that.

So they maintained that kind of fear syndrome in which it is difficult (to stage protests or express views freely).

There are people who are being detained and constantly being detained, maybe released after a few days, but that's all is going on. It's just that we don't get to know because the media is not reporting and the media is not reporting because the media is under more fear than anybody.

It's very difficult to understand what is happening in Kashmir, but the sense of fear is pretty visible. People don't talk. People don't talk openly and that seems very abnormal in a place like Kashmir.

Did you get to speak to people in the Valley after the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370?

I don't think anybody was expecting much. The expectations were not huge after what happened in 2019.

Ordinary people, the few people I spoke to, are people from civil society or academia or just ordinary people, but affluent people. And they said, the ordinary people, like say a rickshawallah, a small shopkeeper or labourer, they probably had more hopes (from the Supreme Court).

These people said, maybe the (Supreme) court is not going to let us down, not to this extent. There were some hopes which have been completely dashed.

Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Security personnel maintain a vigil in Kashmir.

Has anything changed on the ground in the Valley since August 5, 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated?

Article 370 wasn't just a sentiment. Of course, autonomy had been whittled away. And a lot earlier used to be said that it's (the autonomy that Article 370 guaranteed to the state of Jammu and Kashmir when it acceded to the Indian Union in October 1947 after Raja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with the Indian Union) not as meaningful as it was before the 1990s.

But did the state of Jammu and Kashmir have any autonomy after August 8, 1953 when Sheikh Abdullah was arrested? Many historians claim that whoever came to power in J&K after 1953 always did the bidding of New Delhi...

Jammu and Kashmir had autonomy under Article 370. The initial arrangement, of course, was that the Centre would control only foreign affairs, defense and communication.

And gradually after 1953, they started whittling away autonomy, extending the Union laws into Jammu and Kashmir, but (in that period the Union laws did) not kind of tamper with Jammu and Kashmir's own laws. The central laws were being extended, and in the next two decades, or maximum three decades (after 1953), most of the autonomy had already been eroded.

But what remained was the basic structure: The J&K constitution existed; the J&K flag existed; the J&K laws existed.

Now, this may sound very emotional, but it's not just emotional, because Jammu and Kashmir had its own set of laws, particularly with respect to jobs, with respect to land. All those protections have now gone with (abrogation of Article) 370.

Article 370 offered those very important protections that were related to people's day to day lives.

Now, at least 26 land-related laws have been changed, massively restructured (after the Article 370 was abrogated on August 5, 2019).

The central laws have been brought in; old laws have either been amended or totally done away with. That is impacting people: For instance, the land reforms that happened (after new central laws kicked in). The land reforms (undertaken by successive state governments in J&K till 2019) were indeed landmark, but within J&K, they had also not been implemented very well.

For instance, while there were peasants who got possession of the land, they did not have their papers in order. These were poor people. These were people who were not aware, but their life certainly became better (because of the implementation of these land reforms) but in the administration there was lot of corruption. So they would never get their papers in order.

They don't have ownership papers. They only had possession of the land. The way the state operated in the past was that the state protected the rights of the people to possess that land. They didn't dislodge them. They did not disrupt them.

The land mafia did not exist in a big way in Jammu and Kashmir. So they continued with their lives.

Now suddenly (after the abrogation of Article 370) the new state (being a Union Territory the Union government administers Jammu and Kashmir now) is telling them that you are encroachers on these lands. That has happened in a lot of cases.

If the lands are being taken up for development projects now (after August 5, 2019) more easily under the new laws, they are not being paid compensation.
'The time has come for all those believe in a democratic India to stand up and be counted and to make a choice.'

IMAGE: Trinamool Congress candidates Sagarika Ghose, right, and Mamata Bala Thakur after filing their nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections at the West Bengal assembly in Kolkata, February 15, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Sagarika Ghose is the latest journalist to become a member of Parliament.

The newly minted Rajya Sabha member-elect from the Trinamool Congress believes the time was right both personally as well politically for her to make the change in course.

Ghose, who is married to journalist Rajdeep Sardesai -- hails from a family of distinguished administrators and diplomats. Her father Bhaskar Ghose, a senior IAS officer, served as India's information and broadcasting secretary. Her aunt Arundhati Ghose was a formidable diplomat.

In 1997, her first cousin Sanjay Ghose was kidnapped and killed by ULFA.

"The values that I hold dear, the values of the Republic born in 1947, the values of plural multi-faith India are in danger, a darkness is descending. We must fight the darkness," Sagarika Ghose tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com in the concluding segment of a two-part interview.

IMAGE: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose meets women affected by the violence of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas. Photograph: ANI Photo

You have become a Trinamool MP at a time when hashtag #SandeshkhaliHorror is dominating social media. Why was your party caught off-guard here, and what is the truth in the allegations of rape, etc?

The party and CM Mamata Banerjee have made it very clear: There will be zero tolerance on crimes against women.

The TMC will not allow any kind of assault on women anywhere and anyone guilty will be booked. Arrests have been made, the state police is acting and the chief minister has promised action.

Facts have to be established and investigation must be allowed to take place in a free and fair manner. Whoever is guilty will be brought to justice, make no mistake on that. Law will prevail and the law will be strictly implemented.

But why is the BJP is trying to politicise the events when the state government is itself carrying out the investigation?

By constantly attacking the TMC government, the BJP is trying to destabilise the very government which is trying to implement the law. The BJP is trying to destabilise the Mamata Banerjee government when she is trying to implement law and order.

There are ghastly allegations circulating about Sheikh Shahjahan, the main accused. Here the narrative set by the BJP is that because the TMC is dependent on Muslim votes, they do not take action against Muslim goons like Sheikh Shahjahan.

There is no question of any of that.

Trinamool stands for the coalition of poor, women, minorities and all those who are helpless and vulnerable.

Trinamool is a people's movement. TMC stands sentinel, a pahradar, on the rights of all. There is no question of protecting or shielding anyone who has committed a crime.

TMC will ensure justice for all women. The law will take its course and it has already taken its course.

Let the investigation be completed. A 10-member panel headed by two women police officers is investigating the case.

But from the beginning the BJP is levelling charges about the TMC appeasing a religious group, demanding President's rule, a statutory body like NCW is making political statements, the governor of the state making political statements, why?

Did the NCW demand President's rule in Manipur which has been burning for months?

Don't you feel it was wrong of the TMC government to arrest a Republic TV journalist for doing his job in Sandeshkhali?

Are there 'journalists' in Republic TV?

Republic TV is known for a lot of things, journalism is not one of them.

The police will act according to the law. Whoever is seen breaking the law or causing trouble will have to face the law.

The situation is very sensitive at the moment in Sandeshkhali and you need to let the investigation happen and let the rule of law prevail.

Those who violate Section 144 or try to create mischief or act in an irresponsible manner will have to face the law.

The problem here is the Mamata government has not arrested the main accused Sheikh Shahjahan in these rape cases and he happens to be a TMC leader. This is the reason for anger among the public.

The law will prevail and arrests will be made and have been made.

Brinda Karat of the CPI-M and the Congress, who are a part of the INDIA bloc, have come down heavily on the TMC on this issue.

I would just say again, let the law of the land prevail.

TMC stands for zero tolerance for crimes against women. Whoever is guilty will be brought to book. Law will prevail, justice will be delivered.

Politicians should not jump in to politicise the issue.

You were already being trolled heavily on social media for your liberal views as a journalist and author. In the last one week since you have become a politician, has it gotten worse?

There has been a lot of trolling. I have disabled my notifications so I don't see them. I switch them on once in a while to see what people are saying, but I mostly keep notifications off.

I have been intensively trolled for the last 15 years so I am totally used to it by now. I don't give a damn actually. Water off a duck's back.

What surprised me the most was the tweet by Suvendu Adhikari, who posted your old video where you say politicians and journalists cannot be friends. And as a journalist you cannot be loyal.

I am immune to any kind of reactions on Twitter. I don't read any of it.

IMAGE: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi meets suspended Opposition MPs on the Parliament premises, December 15, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

We all know what happened to Mahua Moitra and how the government went after her because she was raising her voice against the government.

Don't you fear that by joining the TMC you can also face the government's ire? In such circumstances, why it is important to be in politics?

It is important to join forces with the Opposition because the Opposition viewpoint needs to be shored up. The time for non-alignment is over.

The time for not taking sides is over.

The question is: Which side are you on? Are you on the side of hatred? Or are you on the side of multi-faith, plural harmonious India?

Our democracy is facing a crisis and is on a precipice. Those who believe in secular values, plural values, who believe in multi-faith and multicultural India, must stand up and be counted.

The values that I hold dear, the values of the Republic born in 1947, the values of plural multi-faith India are in danger, a darkness is descending. We must fight the darkness.

With the media muzzled and captive to the Modi regime, the political Opposition will have to stand up.

Now you are sounding like George W Bush who post 9/11 said you are with us or against us.

The time has come for all those believe in a democratic India to stand up and be counted and to make a choice. I have made my choice, have you?

Do you believe in majoritarianism or do you believe there is more to democracy than simply am electoral majority?

The capture of the media and the complete polarisation of society have made matters urgent. Democracy can breathe only when the Opposition breathes.

Pressure need not always be on you, even your family can face it. This government will go to any extent against their opponents so are you ready to take the heat?

I will just quote George Bernard Shaw, 'I say to you, Cast out fear (dar ko jaaney dijiye).'

IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a media interaction in Howrah, February 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Your book Why I Am A Liberal is about liberalism and what you stand for. For many centrists, however, it seems that Mamata Banerjee is a long way from being termed a liberal. How open do you think she will be to criticism?

She has evolved tremendously as a politician and today is a stateswoman of wisdom.

Yes, I recall she told guest students that they are Maoists and SFI cadre, before walking out of one of your shows...

Yes, but after that show, she never cut off relations with me. She continued to talk to me and she continued to take my questions. She never shunned the press.

I find her very tolerant and accepting of all views as well as very skillful at taking diverse people along, which is the mark of a liberal.

She is also an ace politician with terrific political instincts.

Mamata Banerjee has consistently upheld the values of a multi-cultural, multi-faith India.

What is your brief for the Rajya Sabha?

To raise issues on behalf of citizens, ask questions of the government, ask questions about how ministries are functioning.

Debate, argue and dialogue -- that's the essence of democracy. I hope to use this platform to be of real use to citizens and ensure that citizens enjoy their democratic rights.

I'll have a clearer idea once I have taken my oath and begun work.

Would you have said yes if some other party, say, the Congress, had offered you a Rajya Sabha berth?

The TMC appeals to me particularly because it is a party rooted in West Bengal, which is my home state.

As I said, I see the Rajya Sabha seat as an honour and recognition from my home state. And it is a party headed by India's only woman chief minister.

What was your husband Rajdeep Sardesai's reaction to you becoming a TMC MP?

That you have to ask him.
'They will continue to keep pricking at places where both of us are sensitive and keep the LAC alive.'

IMAGE: The Indian Army conducts field firing under quasi battle conditions. Photograph: Kind courtesy ADGPI Indian Army/X

"Even in the 1962 War, China's basic theme was to teach us a lesson. The PLA advanced nearly up to the plains of Assam and went back. The fact that they went back indicated that territory was not their aim; it was just to teach us a lesson.

"My understanding is that even now China wants to keep things on the boil," says retired Lieutenant General Sudarshan Shrikant Hasabnis, AVSM, VSM, ADC and former deputy chief of army staff (planning and system).

Son of the original hero of Galwan, his father Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Hasabnis fought in the 1962 War and was a Chinese prisoner of war for seven months.

General Hasabnis was commissioned in the corps of engineers in 1981 in a parachute field company and has had a wide and varied professional experience in different assignments and terrains.

"There's absolutely no doubt that China is our enemy number 1."

"They will do anything and everything to prevent India from becoming a peer competitor. China wants the region to acknowledge its hegemony, but India is the biggest stumbling block," General Hasabnis tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih and Nikhil Lakshman.

India has bolstered security on the LAC significantly by increasing troops, building infrastructure etc, has this change from a defensive to offensive stance ruffled and provoked the Chinese?

Till seven, eight years ago, we never saw any defence being constructed by the Chinese. But today, they have had to do that which shows a change of mindset on their side.

Earlier, the Chinese thought that the Indians would remain defensive. When I was serving in Sikkim our posts were practically along the LAC, while their posts were 20 kilometres inside. They had proper two-three storey buildings that served as accommodation for troops. But today, in Eastern Ladakh, the PLA troops are right up in front and since they are not used to this they're having a lot of problems.

The PLA is an army of conscripts and whether they acknowledge it or not, the one child policy has had a very bad effect. A single child has a protected upbringing and is unprepared for the hardships of serving in a difficult area for long durations. This is a major problem faced by the PLA today.

It's not easy for our troops also who are occupying areas that were not so well fortified earlier. But our men are well trained and capable.

In your assessment what is the Chinese game plan? What provoked Galwan and two subsequent clashes between 2021-2022?

My personal view is that even in 1962, their basic theme was to teach us a lesson. The PLA advanced nearly up to the plains of Assam and went back. They did not have any intention of holding territory. Of course, it would have been difficult to hold such deep ingresses, but that's a different story.

The fact that they went back indicated that territory was not their aim even then; it was just to teach you a lesson -- to whip you and tell you to become a good boy.

My understanding is that even now they want to keep things on the boil.

We must bear in mind that we are on our own. We may have friendships all over the world, but no one is going to fight our battle -- along the borders or at sea. India is very clear about the fact that it's our war to fight.

We may get some assistance in terms of weapons, but any new weapon comes with a chain of requirements -- training, logistics, repair, maintenance etc. We have some Western equipment, weapons, aircraft etc, but ultimately, it is going to be our war.

India poses a threat to China. The Indian economy will be a competitor in times to come and is closing in on them.

Therefore, China wants us to remain on the back foot whether on the economic or military front. China does not want India to become a competitor.

IMAGE: Indian Army gunners successfully validate their battle drills and carry out a rigorous field firing exercise to hone combat skills and enhance operational readiness. Photograph: Kind courtesy ADGPI Indian Army/X

So the tension will persist at the LAC?

I would like to believe so. And like so many people have already said that it's not important to hear what the Chinese are saying, but is much more important to see what they are doing. There is always a huge difference in what they say and what they do.

Do you think that the several rounds of corps commander talks at the border have not yielded much success?

I would differ that there has been no success. An understanding has been reached in some areas. But yes, there are some areas where we have not yet reached the spot where we want to reach.

You spoke about offensive defensive deployment. How much of the army is getting stretched with this kind of deployment?

Anyone who has served in a mountain area would know that every hilltop can be held and one needs resources to do that which poses a challenge for both the defender as well as the attacker.

Mountain warfare is not easy so you need to prioritise, you need to be able to defend somewhere and take the battle someplace else.

Newspaper reports show that the northern front has been given first priority. Till very recently, we were totally Pakistan-centric and that has changed in the recent past.

Some resources earmarked for the western front are now being earmarked for the northern frontier to make it more feasible to execute the plans.

IMAGE: Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Suchindra Kumar visits forward posts of the Chinar Corps to review operational preparedness, February 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Do you see any resolution in this current standoff?

I don't see any immediate resolution in the near future. A nation speaks on the strength of its comprehensive national power. We have to raise our economic, military, technological and social strength.

We are on that course already and China is trying its best to prevent us from getting there by blocking our way whether by actions on LAC or at the UN.

They will do anything and everything to prevent India from becoming a peer competitor in the region. China wants countries in the region to acknowledge their hegemony, but India is the biggest stumbling block for them.

IMAGE: People's Liberation Army tanks disengage during the disengagement process in Ladakh two years ago, in February 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo

Do you believe that China is India's enemy number one?

There's absolutely no doubt about that. I've had some very learned friends saying that we are already at war with China. It's not as if we're not at war. We are in direct contact with them.

Photograph: Archana Masih/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Lieutenant General Sudarshan Shrikant Hasabnis (retd), AVSM, VSM, ADC and former deputy chief of army staff (planning and system).

Do you see an escalation in the Chinese activity before the general election?

I do not think so. In fact, if they do, we are in a position to give a strong response which will go in favour of the present government in the eyes of the general population. It will be played out in that manner by the government also.

It's not going to be easy for China to try any misadventure along the entire LAC. They will be given a bloody nose.

Is this standoff going to continue for the foreseeable future?

They will continue to keep pricking at places where both of us are sensitive and keep the LAC alive. They will not precipitate the situation and do anything that could result in the current government getting a better position in May.

China is definitely not comfortable with the way the external affairs minister has named China. We never did that in the previous dispensation, even in the current dispensation's previous term, we never used to name China. Today, we are naming China at the highest level.

Photograph: Kind courtesy ADGPI Indian Army/X

What is China's end game in your opinion?

They are looking to become the number one superpower by 2048. To me, that seems to be their basic thrust and they will ensure that nothing comes in the way of their achieving that status. They don't want anything to destabilise their march towards 2048.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The Congress on Friday alleged that probe agencies were being misused to 'extort' donations for the Bharatiya Janata Party from private companies and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into what it called 'hafta-vasooli' by the government.

IMAGE: Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh addresses a press conference in New Delhi. Photograph: Screen grab

Addressing a press conference, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that at least 30 companies, which donated a total of nearly Rs 335 crore to the BJP between financial years 2018-19 and 2022-23, faced investigation by central agencies during that period.

Ramesh said Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal on Friday wrote to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over the issue and asked why the government should not be open to a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the donations received by the BJP.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a post on X said, 'Do you know about the Prime Minister's 'Donate, take bail and business' scheme? In the country, the Prime Minister is doing business like 'vasooli bhai' by misusing ED, IT and CBI.'

He said reports have revealed that 30 companies that faced investigation by various agencies, which have become 'recovery agents' now, donated Rs 335 crore to the BJP during the investigation.

'The donation business is going on so shamelessly that the owners of a distillery in MP donated to the BJP as soon as they got the bail. Benefitting the company of a friend by dishonesty and adopting different rules for others? 'Illegal donations' and 'Electoral Bonds' given to BJP under Modi rule are the guarantee of 'Ease of Doing Business',' Gandhi said in his post in Hindi, using the hashtag '#HaftaVasooliSarkar'.

Ramesh asked if the government would come up with a 'white paper' on the BJP's finances, not just the sources but how corporate firms were 'coerced' to donate by misusing investigative agencies against them.

"If you have nothing to hide, then are you willing to present a point-by-point rebuttal on the 'chronology' of events which led to the filling of BJP's treasury?" he asked.

"If you are unwilling to come up with a factual explanation, then are you willing to present yourself for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation in these dubious deals to loot donation for the BJP?" Ramesh said.

He said a Supreme Court-monitored probe is needed in this matter.

In his letter to Sitharaman, Venugopal said media reports have exposed the alleged 'quid pro quo between BJP and several firms, which in a strange coincidence donated to it after the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department (IT) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and others raided or searched those enterprises'.

'It raises serious questions about the institutional independence, autonomy, and the professionalism of the central agencies IT, ED, CBI,' Venugopal said in his letter to the finance minister.

Of the 30 firms, 23 companies, which gave a total of Rs 187.58 crore to the BJP during this period, had never donated any amount to the BJP between 2014 and the year of the raid, Venugopal said.

'At least four of these companies donated a total of Rs 9.05 crore within four months of the central agency visit,' the Congress leader said in his letter.

At least six of these firms, which were already donors to the BJP, handed out a heftier amount in the months following the searches, he alleged.

'The above instances seem to be a clear-cut case of legal extortion in the form of donations to the ruling party, by exerting pressure on investigative agencies,' the letter said.

'Certainly, these are not the only cases where such modus operandi of alleged extortion has taken place. This looks like the tip of the iceberg,' it said.

In a post on X, Venugopal said the Enforcement Directorate is the 'Extortion Department' for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

'Not only is this completely vitiating the level playing field in our democracy, it is also spreading tax terrorism across Indian industry...Such a criminal misuse of agencies must be punished, and the justice system must take note of this egregious violation of constitutional norms,' Venugopal said.

Is it a mere coincidence that they are donating to the BJP after ED action, he asked.

'Narendra Modi often refers to our country as 'Mother of Democracy'. Is extortion and blackmail to force fund the ruling party by weakening autonomous investigative agencies part of 'Mother of Democracy'? Does looting the donation of the principal opposition party, through trivial Income Tax notices, part of 'Mother of Democracy'?' Venugopal said in his letter.

'We are going to the courts of law and to the court of people. We will defeat you on both sides,' he said.

Ramesh said the BJP-led Centre is taking 'notebandi' forward by running this campaign of 'khata bandi' against the Congress.

'We are fighting in appellate tribunal and if needed we will go to the judiciary,' he said.

Ramesh said, 'Investigation are on...In Indian system, process is punishment. The sword is hanging above your head and only then will they bring them on track. If you are let off, then you will forget. That is why, this sword keeps hanging over you, be it ED's sword, CBI's sword or Income Tax's sword and you will keep on the track and keep giving donations.'

When investigation is used as a means to blackmail, he said, 'this is 'hafta vasooli' (extortion) and nothing else and this is not investigation with honesty'.
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Madhya Pradesh police to not withdraw the security cover provided to the son and other family members a slain Congress leader, who were allegedly facing threat to their lives, without prior permission of the court.

Image only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan had earlier directed the state's Director General of Police and Superintendent of Police of Damoh district to restore within 24 hours the security cover granted to Somesh Chaurasia, son of Congress leader Devendra Chaurasia, who was murdered in 2019, and some other members of the family.

It noted that the court's order of January 19 has been complied with.

"An affidavit has been filed stating that the earlier security cover provided to the petitioner (Somesh) and his family members have been restored. The security cover provided shall not be withdrawn without prior permission of this court and till the trial in the murder case is completed," the bench said.

It said after the trial in the case gets over, the Superintendent of Police of Damoh shall do an analysis of the threat perception of Somesh Chaurasia and his family members, and if at all the security cover is required to be scaled down, prior permission of this court should be taken.

The bench directed that 'police shall also protect the life and properties of the petitioner and his family members, who are prosecution witnesses in the case, from the accused and their henchmen'.

It also directed the Superintendent of Police to assess the threat perception of other prosecution witnesses in the case till their deposition before the court and provide them security, if needed.

The bench asked the trial court to dispose of the case expeditiously.

It noted that Congress leader Devendra Chaurasia was murdered on March 15, 2019 out of political rivalry, and the top court had ordered security cover for his son and his family members which was later withdrawn.

The withdrawal or reduction of security cover provided since 2019 prompted Somesh Chaurasia to move the top court for redress.

On January 19, the top court had rapped the state police, saying they were playing with the lives of the prosecution witnesses.

It had warned the SP of Damoh of contempt action if their security was not restored.

In his plea, Chaurasia claimed he and his family were facing threat to their lives from the husband of former BSP MLA Rambai Singh, who is an accused in the killing of his father.

On July 22, 2021, the top court had cancelled the bail granted to Govind Singh, the husband of Rambai Singh, and underlined that the judiciary should be immune from political pressures.
Farmers protesting to press the Centre for their various demands will stay put at the two protest sites on the Punjab-Haryana border till February 29 when the next course of action will be decided, their leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said on Friday.

IMAGE: A convoy of tractor trolleys of farmers during the 'Delhi Chalo' march, on the Punjab-Haryana Border near Patiala on Friday, February 23, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

A decision to this effect was taken Friday evening by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), which are spearheading the ongoing agitation at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders.

"The next announcement about the agitation will be made on February 29," KMM leader Pandher told the media at Khanauri protest site.

He also shared details about how the protesting farmers will spend their next few days: a candle march will be held on February 24, seminars will be organised on issues related to farmers on February 25, effigies of the World Trade Organisation and the Centre will be burnt on February 26, and several meetings of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM will be held over the next two days.

Farmer leaders Wednesday put the 'Delhi Chalo' march on hold for two days after a protester was killed and about 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at Khanauri.

Shubhkaran Singh (21), a native of Bathinda, was killed and 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at the Khanauri protest site on Wednesday.

The incident took place when some protesting farmers were trying to head towards barricades.

Pandher said the SKM (Non-Political) and the KMM will hold a candle march on February 24 at the two border points.

Among other things, the protesting farmers are demanding the agriculture sector be taken out of the World Trade Organisation agreement.

Pandher said seminars will be organised on the subject at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points on February 25.

On February 26, farmers will burn effigies of the WTO and also of the Centre, said Pandher.

He further said a meeting of the forums associated with the SKM and KMM will be held on February 27 at the two border points.

A common meeting of SKM and KMM forums will take place on February 28, he added.

Farmer leaders are also at the loggerheads with the Punjab government over the issue of the registration of an FIR in the death of Shubhkaran Singh.

On Friday, they said the cremation will not take place till the state government registers a case against those who were responsible for his death.

They also slammed the Punjab Police for expressing its inability in filing an FIR against security personnel from Haryana whom the protesters hold responsible for Shubhkaran Singh's death.

They were also demanding the state government accord him the 'martyr' status.

The development came hours after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for Singh's sister.

Singh's body was kept in a mortuary of Rajindra Hospital in Patiala but the post-mortem was delayed as the farmers pressed for acceptance of their demands.

Speaking to reporters in Patiala earlier during the day, Pandher said the Punjab CM had himself claimed that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for the death of the young farmer.

But now his officials are saying that it was not possible, said Pandher.

The SKM (Non-Political) and the KMM are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price for crops and a farm loan waiver.

Thousands of farmers have been camping at Khanauri and Shambhu borders with their tractor-trolleys and trucks agitating for their demands.

The Punjab farmers are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, 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.
Farmer leaders participating in the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation on Friday said the cremation of Shubhkaran Singh, who died amid clashes between Haryana Police and Punjab farmers, will not take place till the Punjab government registers a case against those responsible it.

IMAGE: Farmers burn the effigy during a protest against the central government in support of their demands during the ongoing 'Delhi Chalo' march, in Patiala on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The development came hours after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for Shubhkaran's sister.

Subhkaran Singh, 21, a native of Bathinda, died on Wednesday at Khanauri border point on the Punjab-Haryana border amid clashes between Haryana Police and Punjab farmers.

The incident took place when the farmers rushed to the barricades, several layers of which had been erected by Haryana authorities to prevent farmers from proceeding with their march, and clashed with police.

According to the medical superintendent of Patiala-based Rajindra Hospital, Subhkaran had an injury to his head.

The post-mortem was delayed as the farmers pressed for acceptance of their demands.

Speaking to reporters in Patiala, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the Punjab chief minister had asserted that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for Shubhkaran's death.

But now the officials are saying that it was not possible, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader said.

"We have told the (Shubhkaran) family that it may take two days or 10 days. For us money is not important. We are demanding that an FIR be lodged and then cremation will take place," he said and accused Punjab government officials of 'pressuring' Shubhkaran's family into agreeing to the cremation.

Replying to a question, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, leader of SKM (Non-Political) that is spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march along with the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, claimed the senior superintendent of police of Bathinda has said that police could not register a case against Haryana security personnel.

"If you cannot register a case, then how can you call yourself 'Punjab de rakhe' (Punjab's protector)," Dallewal posed, adding the police officer told them that if they registered a case, then Haryana security personnel would also do so.

Replying to another question, Dallewal said, "A youth died during our agitation. Our priority is to ensure justice for him. We are concentrating on it. It is up to the Punjab government how soon it will give justice to us."

Asked about the next course of action on the call for the march to the national capital, Pandher said, "We will hold a meeting and make our stand clear."

Punjab CM Mann on Friday announced compensation and a job for Shubhkaran's sister.

'The family of Shubhkaran Singh, who got martyred during the farmer's movement at Khanauri border, will be given financial assistance of Rs 1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against culprits,' he said in a post on 'X' in Punjabi.

Farmers leaders were also demanding 'martyr' status for Shubhkaran Singh.

Mann on Wednesday said he was saddened by the death of the young farmer and asserted that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for it.

"After post-mortem, a case will be registered. Those officials responsible for his death will have to face stringent action," he had said.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which spearheaded the 2020-21 farmers' stir, has announced that farmers would observe a 'black day' on Friday to mourn the death and will burn effigies of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and state home minister Anil Vij.

It said farmers will take out tractor marches on highways on February 26 and hold an All India All Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 14.

The SKM is not part of the Delhi Chalo agitation but has extended support to it.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for crops and a farm loan waiver.

Farmer leaders on Wednesday put the 'Delhi Chalo' march on hold for two days after a protester was killed and about 12 police personnel injured in clashes at Khanauri and had also said that they would decide their next course of action on Friday evening.

Thousands of farmers remain camped at Khanauri and Shambhu with their tractor-trolleys and trucks agitating for their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops and farm debt waiver.

They are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, 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.
Google's AI tool Gemini's response to a question around Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in direct violation of IT rules as well as several provisions of the criminal code, minister of state for electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Friday.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the laying foundation stone of multiple development projects at Navsari, in Gujarat. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

The minister took cognizance of the issue raised by verified accounts of a journalist alleging bias in Google Gemini in response to a question on Modi while it gave no clear answer when a similar question was tossed for Trump and Zelenskyy.

"These are direct violations of Rule 3(1)(b) of Intermediary Rules (IT rules) of the IT act and violations of several provisions of the Criminal code," Chandrasekhar said on social media platform X.

The minister marked the post to Google and the Ministry of Electronics and IT indicating further action in the matter.

The journalist has shared a screenshot in which a question was asked to Google Gemini about Modi.

In response, Gemini made uncharitable comments about Prime Minister Modi but was circumspect when the same query was posed about Trump and Zelenskyy.
MOSCOW, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Russia will reach out to Armenia regarding the latter's statement of suspending participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

Earlier in the day, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia had frozen its participation in the CSTO as the Treaty failed to fulfill its objectives.

"The Armenian side has not taken any official actions in this regard," Peskov said, adding that Russia will contact Armenia for clarification of the statement.

"It is very important to understand the details, and we hope that our Armenian friends will explain everything to us," the spokesperson said. 
As fresh clashes broke out, the Haryana Police on Friday used tear gas to disperse protesting farmers heading towards Khanauri on Punjab's border with the state.

IMAGE: Farmers tying a black cloth on their turbans with an effigy to mark Black Day protest against the Union government and Haryana government during their ongoing 'Delhi Chalo' march, at Shambhu Border in Patiala on Friday, February 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Haryana Police also said it is withdrawing its earlier decision to invoke provisions of the National Security Act (NSA) against some farmer leaders who are a part of the ongoing farmers' agitation.

The protesting farmers asserted that cremation of Shubhkaran Singh, who died on Wednesday, will not take place till the Punjab government registers a case against those responsible for it.

Amid the standoff, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced compensation for Singh who died at the Khanauri border.

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court alleging violation of the rights of the 'peacefully protesting' farmers by the Centre and some states.

The plea claimed that the Centre and some states have issued 'threats' and fortified the national capital's borders, after several farmer unions called protests.

In a related development, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced waiver of interest and penalty on certain crop loans and did not hike taxes as he presented a Rs 1.89-lakh crore budget for the 2024-25 financial year.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops and a farm loan waiver.

The Punjab farmers are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, 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.

On Friday, a few protesters threw stones at police personnel when farmers from Kheri Chopta village near Hisar in Haryana were stopped from going to Khanauri where farmers, mostly from Punjab, have been camping since last week after their march was halted by the security forces.

A clash between police personnel and farmers ensued, forcing Haryana security personnel to fire tear gas shells.

Some police personnel and farmers were injured in the clash, officials said, adding some farmers have been detained.

Bharatiya Kisan Union's Hisar unit president Golu Data alleged that besides using tear gas, the police also resorted to lathi-charge and turned on a water cannon against the farmers.

He criticised the state government for the police action.

Farmers are now holding a sit-in to protest against the police action, Data said.

A heavy police force has been deployed to maintain law and order in the area.

The Punjab chief minister announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for the sister of Singh who died at the Khanauri border point. Singh (21), a native of Bathinda, was killed and 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at Khanauri border point on the Punjab-Haryana border on Wednesday.

The incident took place when some protesting farmers were trying to head towards the barricades.

"The family of Shubhkaran Singh, who got martyred during the farmer's movement on the Khanauri border, will be given financial assistance of Rs 1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against culprits," Mann said in a post in Punjabi.

Farmer leaders demanded a 'martyr' status for Singh, who hailed from Ballo village in Bathinda.

Hours after Mann's announcement, the farmer leaders participating in the agitation said the cremation of Singh will not take place till the Punjab government registers a case against those responsible for it.

On the other side, the Haryana Police said it is withdrawing its earlier decision to invoke provisions of the NSA against some farmer leaders who are part of the ongoing farmers' agitation.

This comes a day after Ambala police issued a statement saying it was implementing the process of detaining office bearers of the protesting farmer outfits under section 2(3) of the National Security Act, 1980, to maintain law and order and prevent criminal activities.

However, Inspector General of Police (Ambala Range) Sibash Kabiraj said, "It is to clarify to all concerned that the matter of invoking provisions of the National Security Act on few farm union leaders of Ambala district has been reconsidered and it has been decided that the same will not be invoked."

He also appealed to the protesting farmers and their leaders to maintain peace and cooperate with authorities in maintaining law and order.

Meanwhile, Khattar, who announced the budget proposals at a time when farmers have intensified their protests at Punjab-Haryana borders, asserted that his government has taken many steps for the welfare of the farmers and that MSP is being given for 14 crops.

The government has also decided to double the financial compensation to Rs 1 crore for families of soldiers who die in the line of duty, he said.
Apparently aimed at keeping the flock together ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, all ruling Congress MLAs in Karnataka will stay put together at a hotel in Bengaluru on Monday after the budget session of the state legislature concludes and will later also travel together for voting the next day.

IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, in Mangalore on February 17, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

This was revealed by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, also the state Congress president, while speaking to reporters on Friday about the biennial election to fill four vacancies from Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha by the elected MLAs on February 27.

"We have to be careful....all the MLAs will be staying together at the hotel, we will be coming together to vote (to Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday). We have extra votes. We will do whatever is necessary to secure our party. Others are also in touch with us. I don't want to disclose it," he told reporters in Bengaluru, adding that a mock voting drill would also be held.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called the Congress legislature party meeting at 3.30 pm on Monday in the presence of All India Congress Committee general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and party treasurer Ajay Maken.

Arrangements have been made to take all the MLAs together from the hotel to the Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the state legislature and secretariat here, in a bus for voting on Tuesday, party sources said.

Eight party leaders including two ministers have been assigned for coordination with MLAs, they said.

The Rajya Sabha election scene in Karnataka has heated up with Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (Secular) combine fielding its second candidate, even though the alliance has the strength to win only one out of the four seats.

The ruling Congress, whose strength is 135 in the 224 member assembly, along with the support of Darshan Puttanaiah from Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha and two Independents, is expected to retain the three seats.

The BJP and JD-S with 66 and 19 members, respectively, are in a position to together win one seat.

According to official sources, each candidate has to get 45 votes to win, if there are only four candidates in the fray, but in case of more candidates, preference votes kick in.

Responding to a question on JD-S leader H D Kumaraswamy reportedly discussing Rajya Sabha polls with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during their meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, Shivakumar said, "There is no need to worry. We know what we have in our quiver, they too are aware of what we have."

"We are aware of what discussions they have done, we are also aware of which MLA they are making phone calls and what they are talking to them. All MLAs are telling us. They are trying to contact them through their relatives and friends and others, we are aware of it. We have our watch on every one from all parties," he said.

Asked whether Congress MLAs have received calls from Delhi, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief said he wouldn't like to comment on it now.

"138 people (MLAs), including Janardhana Reddy (of Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha), I have requested. We have several others also with us," he said.

The Congress has fielded Ajay Maken, Syed Naseer Hussain and G C Chandrasekhar as party candidates, while the BJP has fielded former MLC Narayansa Bandage as its candidate.

In a surprise move, JD-S leader and former Rajya Sabha Member D Kupendra Reddy too has filed a nomination, necessitating a contest.

The election is necessitated to fill in four Rajya Sabha seats from the state that will become vacant due to the retirement of Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekar from BJP, and Congress' Chandrashekar, L Hanumanthaiah and Hussein, on April 2, after the expiry of their six-year term.
A team of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday held on-spot inquiries in Sandeshkhali to ascertain facts about alleged sexual abuse by some Trinamool Congress leaders even as fresh agitation rocked the trouble-torn village, where locals torched the property of accused Trinamool leaders and held demonstrations against the delay in arresting the main accused, Shahjahan Sheikh.

IMAGE: West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar along with supporters stage a protest outside Sandeshkhali Police Station demanding the arrest of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh, in Sandeshkhali on February 23, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The political showdown also intensified over the Sandeshkhali issue after the Bengal police stopped women leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Bengal unit from going to the trouble-torn region and, subsequently, detained them.

The BJP alleged that Sheikh was getting 'secular protection' and the TMC hitting back, accusing it of aggravating the situation by foiling every effort to restore peace and normalcy in Sandeshkhali.

Meanwhile, Keeping the probe pressure up, the ED conducted raids at the residences of businessmen allegedly associated with Trinamool leader Shahjahan Sheikh and also opposed his anticipatory bail plea made before a Kolkata court in connection with the agency's probe into an alleged ration distribution scam in West Bengal, claiming that he is a very influential person.

Also on Friday, the Enforcement Directorate issued its fourth summons to Sheikh in connection with his alleged involvement in the multi-crore ration scam asking him to appear before its officers on February 29, an officer said.

He has skipped all the previous three summons.

Carrying sticks and brooms, women came out in large numbers in the Bermajur area of Sandeshkhali, demanding the return of forcefully grabbed land by Sheikh and his followers and the immediate arrest of the fugitive TMC leader.

The newly-appointed ADG (South Bengal), Supratim Sarkar, rushed to the spot and told the agitating villagers that police had set up camps to listen to their complaints.

"The District Magistrate is present at the spot. Please register your complaints at those camps and we promise to look into them. Such agitations will only delay our investigations," Sarkar told villagers.

The prohibitive Section of 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was imposed in at least two-gram panchayat areas of Sandeshkhali in the wake of the agitation, according to police officials.

Agitated villagers had, on Thursday, set ablaze a thatched structure adjacent to a fishery in the same area while venting their fury against Sheikh and his brother Sirajuddin.

The NHRC team, comprising panel member Vijaya Bharathi Sayani and five officials, visited some villages, including Patrapara and Natunpara in the trouble-torn Sandeshkhali, situated about 100 km from Kolkata. The team spoke to the villagers and noted their statements.

They also visited the Sandeshkhali police station and spoke to the officials there, a source said.

Several villagers at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district have accused Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of alleged 'land-grab and sexual assault'.

The team reached Sandeshkhali via Dhamakhali ferry ghat in the morning, after crossing river Kalagachi by boat.

The NHRC is the fourth Central panel to visit the restive area after the National Commission for Women, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

Closer to Kolkata, BJP women leaders were stopped by the police from visiting the restive region, citing prohibitory orders and the ongoing board exams.

The team, led by Locket Chatterjee and Agnimitra Paul, both general secretaries of the party's state unit, was stopped at the Bhojerghat area in the North 24 Parganas mainland outside Sandeshkhali peripheries.

"We were denied entry to Sandeshkhali by the police citing prohibitory orders. The state government is trying to hide the truth," Paul claimed.

The leaders got into a verbal spat with the police following which they were whisked away in police vehicles.

Earlier, the Central probe agency conducted raids at four places including the house of local businessman Arun Sengupta at Birati in North 24 Parganas district and the residence of Arun Shome in the southern part of the city's Bijoygarh area.

According to the probe agency, these traders were also involved in export and import businesses with Shajahan and it was trying to find out the nature of their trading and how Shajahan was involved in it.

On January 5, a team of ED officers was assaulted by a mob when they tried to enter the residence of Shajahan at Sandeshkhali.

Three ED officers were injured in the attack. Shajahan has been absconding since then.

In New Delhi, BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi hit out at the Trinamool Congress government for not allowing his party's leaders to visit trouble-torn Sandeshkhali and not arresting Sheikh.

Trivedi told reporters that Sheikh was being probed in a corruption case by the ED and was also accused of a violent attack on the agency's officials. Such a 'multi-dimension criminalisation' of politics and protection of the accused is unprecedented in Indian politics, he claimed.

Trivedi told reporters that it was not only about the West Bengal government protecting him but there was a particular mindset that believes in 'secular protection' of some people irrespective of the crimes and atrocities they commit.

While 'secular parties' are keeping mum because they weigh the complaints of women against their vote-bank politics, even the self-proclaimed champions of women's rights have maintained silence, he said.

Attacking the BJP, senior TMC minister Chandrima Bhattacharya told reporters in Kolkata that the administration has full control over the situation and is diligently addressing every complaint and grievance of villagers.

"The administration is in charge, with BDO and police officers working tirelessly. Every complaint is thoroughly examined and promptly addressed. However, whenever there is a semblance of normalcy, BJP leaders such as Sukanta Majumdar and Locket Chatterjee rush in to exacerbate the situation.

"The BJP shows no concern for the women of Sandeshkhali; their only agenda seems to be to sow chaos for electoral gains," she said.

Bhattacharya and another senior minister, Shashi Panja, both strongly reacted when a reporter compared the situation in Sandeshkhali to that of Singur and Nandigram during the erstwhile Communist Party of India-Marxist regime in 2007-08.

"Those were popular uprisings against the misrule of the left, whereas the opposition is trying to foment chaos and disturbances in the name of protests in some parts of Sandeshkhali. There is no uprising. If there had been few cases of grievances of land grab and exploitation, those have already been addressed," Bhattacharya said.

"BJP is trying to incite people and violating laws," Panja alleged.
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court alleging violation of the rights of the 'peacefully protesting' farmers by the Centre and some states.

IMAGE: Agitating farmers move away after Haryana police fire tear gas shells to disperse them as they resume their Delhi Challo March, at the Shambhu border (Punjab-Haryana) in Patiala. Photograph: ANI Photo

The plea claimed the Centre and some states have issued 'threats' and fortified the national capital's borders, after several farmer unions called protests seeking legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for their crops and implementation of the Swaminathan committee's recommendations.

'The petitioner is seeking a writ of mandamus in the interest of the farmers who are facing unfair treatment in their peaceful protests,' said the petition filed by Agnostos Theos, Managing Director of the Sikh Chamber of Commerce.

It claimed some of the protestors were forcibly arrested, detained by various state governments, and the Centre has unduly invoked prohibitory measures, including blocking social media accounts, rerouting traffic and blocking roads.

It alleged the governments of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have employed 'aggressive and violent measures', like using tear gas, rubber bullets and pellets against the farmers, causing them serious injuries.

In the absence of medical aid, the injuries were aggravated and also caused deaths, the plea claimed, adding that fortifications at Delhi's borders have created a 'hostile and violent situation', and did not allow the farmers to exercise their democratic right to protest.

'The peaceful farmers have been subject to conditions similar to terrorists by their own government, simply for the exercise of their democratic and constitutional rights,' it said.

The plea sought a direction against the Centre, the four states and the National Human Rights Commission to 'consider the reasonable demands of the farmers from across India, who are in continuous peaceful protest, demonstration and agitation'.

It also sought directions to the respondents to ensure 'fair and respectful treatment of the protesting farmers', besides allowing free movement.

The plea sought a report about alleged human rights violations by police, besides adequate compensation for the victim farmers and their families.
Fresh protests rattled the troubled enclave of Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Friday, as enraged locals vented their ire by torching the property of Trinamool Congress leaders accused of tormenting villagers besides staging demonstrations against perceived police inaction towards the perpetrators.

IMAGE: Poultry and fish farms set on fire allegedly by villagers in Sandeshkhali, in North 24 Parganas. Photograph: ANI Phot

During the unrest, residents barricaded roads with logs and set them on fire to block the entry of police vehicles into Jhupkhali area of Sandeshkhali.

Tensions persisted for the second consecutive day, with reports of TMC leaders being assaulted and their residences being ransacked.

Responding to the situation, Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar, for the second consecutive day, went to the troubled region and pledged firm action against those responsible for the unrest.

Armed with sticks, protestors set fire to thatched structures near a fishing yard in Belmajur, directing their anger towards the elusive TMC leader, Shahjahan Sheikh, and his brother Siraj. One of the torched structures belonged to Siraj, it was revealed.

"For years, police did nothing. That is why we are doing everything to reclaim our land and honour," a demonstrator said.

Protesters also broke through fences and physically assaulted TMC leader Ajit Maity in the presence of media crew. Maity is an MLA from Paschim Medinipur's Pingla assembly constituency.

Visuals from the site showed villagers ransacking Maity's house and beating him with slippers.

Subsequently, law enforcement personnel intervened and tried to pacify the agitated crowd.

Villagers in Bermajur also tried to prevent police vehicles from passing through the area.

"We did not stop them initially. We just wanted to talk to them about why they were detaining our boys without any charge. They did not listen. The police vehicle ran over a woman's feet. We want to talk to them," a woman protester told ANI.

"Is there any law and order in this country? The police tried to run over a girl. If the public had not known the girl would have died," another protester said.

"Sheikh Shahjahan, Sirajuddin have confiscated all our plots of land. We were protesting. The police forcefully drove through protesters. One of the protesters broke their leg in the process," another protester said.

Later in the afternoon, DGP Kumar arrived in the locality and engaged in discussions with the locals.

"Please register your complaints. We will take action. We will establish a police camp here. However, I earnestly request you not to take the law into your own hands," Kumar told the residents.

Speaking to reporters, Kumar reiterated, "Police will take stern action. We are committed to establishing the rule of the law in the area."

He affirmed that strict measures would be taken against any person resorting to vigilantism.

Kumar said police and administration had initiated the process of reclaiming land unlawfully seized from villagers.

As police began efforts to apprehend villagers involved in arson and property destruction, women who had accused the absconding TMC leader, Shahjahan Sheikh, and his associates of sexual abuse spanning years, took to the streets.

They staged protests, even resorting to lying down in front of vehicles to prevent the police from taking away their men.

"Police have not been able to arrest Shahjahan Sheikh but are now apprehending our men. Who will protect us if police take away our men? All these years, police were nowhere to be found," a protester lamented.

These renewed protests unfolded a day after the region witnessed turmoil and arson, fueled by accusations against local TMC leaders for sexual misconduct and forcible land acquisition.

DGP Kumar had previously visited Sandeshkhali on Wednesday, engaging in deliberations with police officials. He spent the night there before returning to Kolkata on Thursday.

The unrest in Sandeshkhali stems from allegations against Sheikh and his supporters regarding land encroachment and sexual assault.

Shahjahan has remained elusive since a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.

The TMC, meanwhile, blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party for trying to aggravate the situation in Sandeshkhali by foiling every effort to restore peace and normalcy in the area even as the administration and police are working overtime to reach out to every villager to address their grievances.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, senior minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the administration has full control over the situation and is diligently addressing every complaint and grievance of villagers.

"The administration is in charge, with BDO and police officers working tirelessly. Every complaint is being thoroughly examined and promptly addressed. However, whenever there is a semblance of normalcy being restored, BJP leaders such as Sukanta Majumdar and Locket Chatterjee rush in to exacerbate the situation. The BJP shows no concern for the women of Sandeshkhali; their only agenda seems to be to sow chaos for electoral gains," she said.

However, West Bengal BJP Mahila Morcha president Falguni Patra said, "The police is protecting those who are the oppressors. And, the people who are being looted, police are committing atrocities against them. This is the state of West Bengal. No woman, student, nobody is safe here. Everyone is being looted of their land and self-respect."

-- with inputs from ANI
Scenes from the farmers' Delhi Chalo march and protest.

IMAGE: A farmer looks at his phone as he stands next to his tractor trolley. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: A Nihang at a protest site. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: A farmer lies near a makeshift barricade of sand bags at the protest site. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: A farmer ties his turban. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: A Nihang kisses his horse. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Farmers leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dalewal address the media at the Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Farmers listen to a speaker. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: Other farmers listen in. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: Farmers take out a march. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: A farmer walks past Punjab police as they stand guard at the protest site. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: A farmer sits inside a truck. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Farmers drink tea as they stand next to tractors. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: A farmer sits inside a tractor trolley. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: Farmers sit inside a makeshift tent. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Farmers at the protest site. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Farmers queue as volunteers distribute food at a protest site. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

IMAGE: Farmers stand in front of the police barricades. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: A farmer holds a flag in front of police barricades. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: Tractors and trolleys on a street. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Planet Nine, if it exists, is somewhere between 6-10 times the mass of Earth, and it may have an orbit that takes it around the sun once every 1,500 Earth years or more.

IMAGE: Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy  /Pixabay.com

How many planets are there in the Solar System?

We know about eight and, of course, there's poor Pluto, which has been downgraded to a 'dwarf planet' status along with several other dwarfs.

But one of the astronomers responsible for the Pluto downgrade believes there is another large planet out there, in the outer reaches of the Solar System.

When the Vera Rubin Telescope is commissioned later this year, it's hoped the Planet Nine hypothesis will be confirmed.

IMAGE: Professor of Planetary Astronomy Mike Brown speaks with a computer simulation of the probable orbit of Planet Nine (yellow) at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, January 20, 2016. Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

In 2016, Mike Brown, professor at the California Institute of Technology who is nicknamed 'Pluto-killer' for advocating the downgrade, co-authored Evidence for a distant giant planet in the solar system with his colleague Konstantin Batygin.

For years, Brown, Batygin and other astronomers had been puzzled by the movements of multiple large objects beyond the orbit of Neptune -- the so-called Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNO).

They had found at least 13 large TNOs, which didn't orbit as expected. One explanation was that the gravitational attraction of a large, invisible planet was influencing these movements.

If at all, this Planet Nine exists, it might have a very long orbit and it may be at its most distant point from the sun, which would make it hard to see.

Moreover, while astronomers have looked for it, they may not have been looking in the right places. Alternatively, it has been seen but not recognised as a planet.

IMAGE: The Vera C Rubin Observatory at Cerro Pachon ridge in north-central Chile. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/B Quint/Reuters/wikipedia.org/Creative Commons

The Vera Rubin Observatory in the Atacama desert of Chile is due to start operating in mid-2024.

It will run the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), with a three-mirror system that should be able to pick close to 90 per cent of near-Earth objects and catalogue at least 10,000 TNOs.

The LSST has a very wide field of view, with unparalleled light-gathering power, and the largest digital camera ever.

The telescope will take 15-second exposures at 20-second intervals, creating a giant repository of digital images for computers to sort through for very faint, moving objects.

IMAGE: The 'Great Dark Spot', a storm in the atmosphere and the bright, light-blue smudge of clouds that accompanies the storm is seen on the planet Neptune, taken by the NASA spacecraft Voyager 2 less than five days before its closest approach of the planet on August 25, 1989. Photograph: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Handout/Reuters

Planet Eight (Neptune) and Pluto were discovered by a combination of mathematically calculating orbits, and then looking for a cause for divergences between calculations and observations.

Indeed, astronomy (and other branches of physics) has always seen a fascinating interplay between data and mathematical models.

In 1781, German-British astronomer William Herschel figured out that Uranus (a green-blue giant with rings, which is just as lovely as Saturn) was a planet, not a star.

Uranus had been seen multiple times earlier, by the naked eye, as well as through primitive telescopes. It has a wide orbit (84 Earth years).

Herschel first thought it was a comet. When various astronomers calculated its orbit and noted that it did not have a tail (unlike comets), they leapt to the right conclusion and called it a planet.

It was only named decades after being plugged into the map of the Solar System.

IMAGE: Two pictures of Uranus -- one in true colour (left) and the other in false colour -- are shown. Photograph: NASA/JPL/Handout/Reuters

Neptune is not visible to the naked eye though it's arguably as lovely as Uranus (similar colour and rings).

When astronomers looked closely at Uranus's orbit, they discovered observational data diverged from calculation and started looking for a culprit.

After the discovery of Neptune circa 1846, it was realised Galileo had seen it circa 1612, and so had many other astronomers over the centuries.

But its dimness and the fact that it takes 165 years to go around the Sun (so, little apparent motion in the sky) led them to assume it was a star.

IMAGE: A NASA's photo of Pluto was made from four images from New Horizons' Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument in this enhanced color global view released on July 24, 2015. Photograph: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI/Handout/Reuters

Pluto was found in 1930, by a process of analysing orbital data for Neptune and looking for a reason why observation didn't fit the calculation.

From the 1990s onwards, astronomers have had the tools to look at TNOs in detail. They've found other dwarf planets and thousands of interesting objects in the far reaches of the Solar System in what's known as the Kuiper Belt.

When they started looking at these, they discovered that again, there were major anomalies between data and calculations.

Planet Nine, if it exists, is somewhere between 6 to 10 times the mass of Earth, and it may have an orbit that takes it around the sun once every 1,500 Earth years or more. It may be 10 times as far from the sun as Neptune.

Some astronomers say it probably doesn't exist, and there could be other explanations for the Kuiper anomalies. Brown says it has a 90 per cent probability of existing.

Renu Malhotra of the University of Arizona, who is acknowledged as the world's 'Pluto expert', says it's the likeliest explanation for odd TNO behaviour.

As of now, it's referred to as Planet Nine or Planet X. The honour of naming it will go to the astronomer who ultimately tracks it down -- if it does exist.

Orbital oddities

In the 17th century, Johannes Kepler crunched the data from the observed movements of Planets 1 to 6 and worked out his Three Laws of Planetary Motion.

Planets move in elliptical (egg-shaped) orbits around the sun, their speeds vary at different times, and there is a mathematical relationship between orbital time periods and the respective distances from the sun, which is the same for every planet (Kepler's Constant).

Some years later, Isaac Newton fiddled with Kepler's Laws and derived his theory of gravity to explain why planets moved the way they did.

You can think of the Sun and most of the planets as balls rolling on an egg-shaped table -- that table is an imaginary plane called the ecliptic.

But many TNOs dip below and rise above the ecliptic plane, apart from having eccentric orbits (think of very long, thin eggs).

Differences between calculations and data lead scientists to look for explanations.

Einstein's Theory of Relativity was confirmed by the weirdness in Mercury's orbit. Neptune was discovered because Uranus didn't fit the calculations.

If Planet Nine exists, the clues to its existence lie in the funny movements of TNOs.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High near 45F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A few flurries are possible. Low 29F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Putney Fire Chief Tom Goddard, third from left, stands with AJ Cable, Jessica Goddard, Zachary Hale, Justin St. Martin, Devin McHale and Bernie Cote, the team that saved a man who had gone into cardiac arrest in February 2023.
VIENTIANE, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Energy and Mines, with technical assistance from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), plans to formulate a white paper on policy involving cross-cutting issues to address the complexities of energy security in Laos and the implications for ASEAN countries.

Representatives from the government, businesses, and the energy and mines sector in Laos, together with delegations from ASEAN countries, met in Lao capital Vientiane from Thursday to Friday, to discuss the content of the white paper, which will set the direction of energy security policy to achieve inclusive and sustainable development in Laos and address the implications for ASEAN, Lao national TV reported on Friday.

During the meeting, specialists from Laos and other ASEAN countries discussed various topics related to the energy landscape in Laos and ASEAN, as well as energy supply security for Laos and the implications for ASEAN.

They also discussed energy efficiency in end-use sectors, energy management systems, minimum energy performance standards, alternative energy potential to enable Laos to meet its net-zero target, sustainable hydropower development in Laos and the Lower Mekong River Basin, the carbon market mechanism in ASEAN and the implications for Laos, and regional and international cooperation for advancing innovative technology transfer for Laos and ASEAN.

Although Laos exports electricity to neighboring countries, the country is highly dependent on imports, especially gasoline and diesel for transportation, and commercial and residential consumption, Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Phoxay Sayasone said at the meeting.

The increase in the import dependency of finished fuel products in Laos means the country's energy supply security is vulnerable, so effective emergency responses and preparedness at the national level should be in place, he added. 
HANGZHOU, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Amid vibrant beats of drums and dragon and lion dances, Yiwu China Commodity City, also known as the "world's supermarket" in east China's Zhejiang Province, welcomed the start of a new business year on Wednesday morning following the Spring Festival break.

Merchants from around the world watched the performances with great interest. Among them was Bijoy George, an Indian businessman with two decades of experience in Yiwu, who eagerly captured the lively scenes with his phone.

George, who runs a trading company in Yiwu specializing in tools and household items, expressed optimism for business prospects in the coming year. "Yiwu is full of opportunities for trade cooperation. Last year, I bought 200 containers of goods in Yiwu, and this year I plan to buy 300 containers of goods," he said.

With decades of development, Yiwu has evolved into a pivotal hub for the production and wholesale of small commodities, boasting nearly 2.1 million product varieties. The city hosts over 15,000 merchants hailing from more than 100 countries and regions.

According to statistics from Yiwu Customs, the total import and export value of the city reached 566.05 billion yuan (about 79.65 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, marking an 18.2 percent year-on-year increase. Notably, exports exceeded the 500 billion yuan mark for the first time.

During this year's Spring Festival holiday, China-Europe freight trains departing from Yiwu maintained operation. From Feb. 10 to 17, a total of 68 trains were dispatched, carrying 5,504 standard containers of goods.

Facing evolving customer preferences and shifting business models, merchants in Yiwu are striving to adapt to new commercial trends, actively seeking out new sales channels and creating fresh points of growth for their businesses.

One such entrepreneur is Zou Ying, who owns a packaging business within Yiwu China Commodity City. Her business got off to a flying start on the reopening day. "We incentivized customers with special discounts today and witnessed tremendous enthusiasm from buyers," Zou said, noting that she received over a dozen wholesale orders in the morning alone.

"We prioritize environmental consciousness by utilizing eco-friendly paper and biodegradable plastics to meet our customers' sustainability demands. Additionally, our designers are continually innovating new styles and patterns, introducing fresh products every week," she elaborated.

With 21 years of foreign trade experience in Yiwu and a burgeoning portfolio of eight stores, Zou believes that while the market may change, the demand for high-quality goods will remain steadfast.

Looking ahead, Zou plans to expand her factory from 10,000 square meters to over 30,000 square meters this year. "We anticipate a revenue surge of over 60 percent in 2024," said Zou confidently.

At an umbrella shop, proprietor Zhang Jiying proudly presented a palm-sized umbrella weighing just over 100 grams, designed for effortless storage in a handbag or coat pocket.

"This umbrella comes packaged in a drawer-style paper box, eliminating the need for additional cartons for e-commerce sellers during shipping, thereby reducing their costs," Zhang explained. With the rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce in recent years, her company has paid more attention to enhancing convenience for online sellers.

Meanwhile, technological advancements are being leveraged to facilitate trade development. Last year, Zhang ventured into using an app, after her curiosity was sparked by its AI capabilities. Upon recording and uploading a video of herself introducing the company's products in Chinese, the app generated a new version featuring her speaking in various languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.

The video garnered over 2 million views online and boosted Zhang's customer base, she noted.

Data shows that in Yiwu, over 10,000 vendors currently use AI tools to alleviate language barriers and platform restrictions in foreign trade scenarios, which not only reduces costs but also enhances operational efficiency for merchants.

"Technology has become integral to our daily lives and has profoundly impacted our business operations. I am hopeful that the implementation of new technologies can generate fresh avenues of growth for my business," she added. 
A claim emerged in Chinese-language social media posts that a Taiwanese coast guard captain caused two Chinese fishermen to die near Kinmen island  controlled by Taiwan but just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from mainland China  because he had interests in two fishing businesses.

But alleged details about the posts caption are false, and the images shared by social media users to back their claim are apparently taken from an unrelated 2023 document.

The claim was shared on Facebook on Feb. 17.

What caused this incident [near Kinmen] is a captain of the Taiwanese coast guards 9th maritime patrol unit named Wu Meng-chieh  [Its] due to business interests relating to two fishery companies he owns, reads the post, which included three images of what appeared to be an official document from Taiwan.

In the Feb. 14 incident, four Chinese fishermen from Fujian province in a speedboat fell into the ocean after being chased by Taiwanese coast guard ships after crossing into restricted waters around Kinmen island.

All four were recovered from the water and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Two returned to stable condition, but two others who had lost consciousness after falling into the sea were later pronounced dead.

Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office condemned the coast guards handling of the incident.

But Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council stated that the relevant personnel performed their duties in accordance with the law without any misconduct.

A Facebook user claimed that a Taiwanese coast guard official caused the deaths of two Chinese fishermen near Kinmen. (Screenshot/Facebook)





The claim and images in question  that the coast guard captain caused the accident because he owned fishing businesses  were shared by a number of widely followed pro-Beijing influencers on popular social media platforms such as X and Weibo, with some additionally attaching a purported photo of Wu, the captain.

A number of netizens on Weibo and X retweeted the rumor. (Screenshot/Weibo & X)





The document

The partial document included in the social media post made it appear that there was some classified document that linked Wu to the accident. But crucial details like dates and serial numbers were removed or blurred.

Keyword searches on Google found the original document issued in Sept. 2023  concerning the disposal of an unidentified body  and had no relation to the February incident.

Below is a screenshot comparison between the original document (left) and the document shared by social media users (right).

The header, recipients list and official seal of a message sent to Kinmen County police in September 2023 (left) is identical to the images circulated by Chinese netizens as evidence of a Taiwanese coast guard officers role in causing the deaths (right). (Screenshot/Facebook & Taiwans Miaoli County Government)







Wus identity

Also, Taiwanese coast guard officials told AFCL that the Facebook post was false, noting that while there was an official surnamed Wu, he served on the shore patrol team, and was not a maritime patrol captain.

Also, a review of Taiwans Ministry of Economic Affairs public company register revealed that the two fishery companies allegedly prompting Wu to target Chinese fishermen were approved for dissolution in Dec. 2017 and Nov. 2019, respectively.

Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Taejun Kang and Malcolm Foster.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of current affairs and public issues. If you like our content, you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
XI'AN, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- During the just-concluded Spring Festival holiday, or the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, tourists from across the country flocked to northeast China's "ice city" of Harbin to enjoy the fun of ice and snow activities.

Meanwhile, in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, some citizens opted to take slow trains to the nearby Qinling Mountains, to enjoy the snow-covered scenery there.

Zhang Xiaomin, from the city of Baoji, Shaanxi, is among them. She took the No. 6063 train from the Baoji station last Wednesday together with her friends, heading for the Qinling Mountains.

"After seeing the romantic snow videos on Xiaohongshu (China's lifestyle-focused social media platform), I was full of yearning for this trip," said Zhang, adding that the train ticket was reasonably priced, at just 7 yuan (about 99 U.S. cents).

This winter, the slow trains running deep into the Qinling Mountains saw a rise in popularity among locals and tourists. However, the trains have long served a function beyond leisure trips, providing an important means of transport linking those living in the Qinling Mountains with the outside world.

As a natural boundary between China's northern and southern regions, the Qinling Mountains stretch over 1,600 km from east to west.

In 1958, the Baoji-Chengdu Railway, a railroad line linking Baoji and the city of Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province, was completed and went operational. Since then, the 6063/6064 slow trains have been running on the line. With the highest fare costing 39.5 yuan, the trains cover some 350 km and stop at 32 stations, most of which are stops nestled in the Qinling Mountains.

Xiang Baolin, 59, is the chief conductor of the No. 6063 slow train, and has worked on the train for more than 20 years. He said that although the train's maximum speed is no more than 80 km per hour, it is still the first choice for local residents because it is cheap.

The train is not just a mode of transportation for locals, but also a "mobile bazaar." Locals are encouraged to bring their farm products on board and trade goods while commuting.

To facilitate their trading, some seats of the train have been removed, and posters containing the information on the supply and demand of agricultural products have been posted on the bulletin board.

Zhao Mingying, a villager from Yanzibian Township of Shaanxi's city of Hanzhong, said that selling agricultural products once troubled him. He had to leave home before daybreak, trekking along the mountain roads and then riding a motorbike.

"Thanks to the slow train, I can easily leave the mountain to sell the agricultural produce. And with a bit of luck, almost half of the products can be sold on board," Zhao added.

Moreover, the train also acts as a school bus for children, as it goes through 19 primary and high schools.

"In 2017, we remodeled the tables in No. 6 carriage and made it a mobile library for the children. Our colleagues also teach them painting and calligraphy for free," said Xiang, adding that many of the students have been admitted to universities.

Xiang has witnessed the changes of the train over the years. "In the past, we had to burn coal for heating in winter," he said. "However, the train was equipped with air conditioners in 2022."

"I will retire next year," said Xiang. "I hope that the slow train will carry more villagers in remote mountain areas, leading them toward a better life." 
Mu Sochua, vice president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, speaks at a news conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 30, 2018. (Tatan Syuflana/AP)

Exiled opposition leader Mu Sochua announced her resignation from the banned Cambodian National Rescue Party and said she will lead the newly formed Khmer Movement for Democracy, an organization aimed at promoting democracy and the rule of law in Cambodia.

We are very worried about the critical situation in Cambodia such as the Chinese military presence, cybercrime, corruption, forced evictions, territorial integrity, lack of court independence, the former parliamentarian told Radio Free Asia from Japan, where she met with Cambodians living there.

We must seek solutions and this movement is a solution, she said.

The Khmer Movement for Democracy was founded in Washington DC in September. Its website says its open to Cambodians of every political affiliation.

Decades of corruption and authoritarian rule have left our people impoverished, our democracy dismantled, and our natural resources plundered, the organization said. The democratic space inside Cambodia has been simply shut down.

Mu Sochua said the group wont transform into another opposition political party. Instead, its a way to organize and unite Cambodians around the world.

Until her recent resignation, Mu Sochua was vice president of the Cambodian National Rescue Party, or CNRP. It had been the countrys main opposition party until it was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017 after it made substantial gains in local communal elections.

The Khmer Movement for Democracy will largely be funded by donations from Cambodians, Mu Sochua said. It currently has enough funding for one year.

As the organizations president, she recently traveled to Australia, New Zealand and South Korea to meet with Cambodian workers and exiles.

The immediate goals within the next six months are to send messages to people to stop their fear, to work with NGOs, to do work to urge the Paris Agreement signatories to fulfill their duties and to initiate people to stand up and stop crying and being afraid, Mu Sochua said.

The 1991 Paris Peace Agreement formally ended decades of war in Cambodia and paved the way for parliamentary democracy.

Arrested, fled or co-opted

In the years since the CNRPs dissolution, all of Cambodias independent media outlets have been forced to close and pro-democracy activists have either been arrested, fled the country or have been co-opted by Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, or CPP.

In last years national election, the CPP won 120 of 125 seats in the National Assembly. Hun Sen stepped down as prime minister in August, paving the way for his eldest son, Hun Manet, to take over as head of the government.

The CNRP still exists as an organization in Cambodian communities in Australia, the United States and elsewhere.

The partys leader, Sam Rainsy, lives in France and has been convicted in absentia several times since 2016 in cases opposition officials have criticized as politically motivated.

In October, a Cambodian court sentenced Mu Sochua, Sam Rainsy and 10 other activists to prison terms in a case connected to social media comments made in 2021.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Li Sokha also issued an arrest warrant for Mu Sochua, Sam Rainsy and two other CNRP leaders, all of whom live outside of Cambodia. Mu Sochua lives in the United States.

Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed.
Former Prime Minister Hun Sen is set to take on a new role as Senate president.

Members of the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party take part in a campaign rally in this undated photo.

Cambodia is set to hold elections for its Senate on Sunday that the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party will almost certainly win, which would make former Prime Minister Hun Sen president of the body, allowing him to serve as acting head of state when King Norodom Sihamoni is unavailable.

As Senate president, Hun Sen, 71, would replace Say Chhum, who is expected to retire. Hun Sen was prime minister from 1985 until last August, when he stepped down in a long-planned move that allowed for his eldest son, Hun Manet, to be appointed to the position.

In theory, the Senate is meant to act as a check on the National Assembly, but in practice in Cambodia  where the CPP is so dominant  it is essentially a rubber stamp body.

The election is being held under a party-list proportional representation system in which parties submit lists of candidates. The National Election Committee, or NEC, will determine from vote totals how many seats in each constituency region are distributed to each party.

Cambodias Constitution allows the king to nominate two senators and the National Assembly to nominate another two, with voters choosing the remaining 58 seats, for a total of 62 seats.

On Friday, the four parties contesting the election wrapped up a 14-day campaign period. The law requires that campaign activities for the Senate election end 24 hours before election day.

Former Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen votes during a meeting at the National Assembly building in Phnom Penh, Feb. 21, 2024. (Cambodia National Assembly via AFP)





The other three parties competing are the Khmer Will Party, the royalist Funcinpec Party and the newly formed National Power Party.

The CPP held meetings and broadcast speeches through public address systems at party offices in all of the eight constituency regions during the campaign period.

CPP Vice President Sar Kheng told a crowd in Prey Veng province that the Senate election is important to rebuild the country.

I appeal to his excellency [lawmakers] and commune councils across Prey Veng to go to vote Feb. 25, for the CPP for the sake of the countrys fate, people and yourself, he said.

Bridge to future elections

Khmer Will Party President Sok Hach told supporters in Battambang province that a good result in Sundays Senate election will help the party build toward the next local commune elections in three years and the 2028 general election.

Our goal is the 2027 and 2028 elections. This is a bridge to that, he said.

About 500 supporters of the National Power Party marched along National Route 6 in Kampong Thom province on Friday. The partys president, Sun Chanthy, asked supporters to vote for the party to restore democracy.

Only the National Power Party can revive democratic process in Cambodia for the sake of the 2027 and 2028 elections. I appeal to people to support the party, he said.

The ruling party, Funcinpec, National Power Party and Khmer Will Party conducted election campaigns respectfully. Security and order was good, NEC spokesman Hang Puthea said.

There is good cooperation between the NEC, parties and authorities, he said.

Voting is set to take place on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 33 polling stations in the eight regions.

Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Chen Pinlin was detained soon after uploading his film to YouTube in a tribute to the 2022 protests.

People protest with blank sheets of paper on a street in Shanghai on Nov. 27, 2022.

Shanghai authorities are moving ahead to prosecute a filmmaker who created a documentary about the nationwide white paper movement, a series of protests against three years of rolling lockdowns and compulsory testing under Chinas zero-COVID policy.

The 77-minute film titled "Urumqi Road" is compiled from on-the-ground footage of thousands of mostly young people who spilled out onto the streets of Shanghai and other major Chinese cities in late November 2022 to mourn the deaths of a Uyghur family in an apartment fire in Xinjiang's regional capital of Urumqi.

The tragedy served as a catalyst for the protests, which unleashed years of pent-up frustration and stress. Thousands called for an end to pandemic restrictions, and some even called for President Xi Jinping to resign.

Many held up blank sheets of paper to represent what they wished they could say but could not due to Chinas censorship. In the film, some say that what happened in Urumqi could have happened anywhere in China.

Firefighters spray water on a fire at a residential building that killed several people in Urumqi in China's Xinjiang region on Nov. 24, 2022. (Image from video via AP)





The documentary  which carries the English title Not the Foreign Forces in reference to "hostile foreign forces" who are frequently blamed by Beijing for instigating protests  was uploaded to YouTube by at least one account in early December 2023, and credited to "Plato."

It garnered thousands of views, but less than a week after it appeared, Plato's Twitter account was deleted and his YouTube channel went private.

Catch-all crime

RFA Cantonese has learned that Platos real name is Chen Pinlin, and that he was detained soon after the film was posted on suspicion of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," a charge frequently used to target peaceful critics of the government.

Chen, being held in Shanghai's Baoshan District Detention Center, was formally arrested for the same charge on Jan. 5, 2024. His case was transferred to the local prosecutor's office on Feb. 18, a person close to the case said.

A woman who helped Chen to produce the film has been released on bail, the person said.

A Chinese activist based in Germany who gave only the nickname Frank said the charge against Chen is a well-known "catch-all crime."

"The case of Chen Pinlin is evidence that the Chinese government continues to abuse the charge of 'picking quarrels and stirring up trouble' to infringe on artistic freedom and freedom of speech," Frank said. "Anyone who cares about social justice or who criticizes human rights violations gets harshly suppressed by the government."

"We call on the international community, particularly cultural and artistic creators around the world, to pay attention to Plato's situation," he said. "We can't turn a blind eye and just watch as these tragedies keep on happening."

We want freedom!

According to the film's introduction, Chen was among the mostly young protesters who converged on Shanghai's Urumqi Road to protest the deaths of the Uyghur family on Nov. 26, 2022, and that the protest was the first time he had taken part in any kind of political event.

Intercut with footage of young people chanting, "We want freedom!" and "Xi Jinping step down!" Chen said the government's claim that the nationwide protests were the work of "foreign forces" was untrue.

Chinese police block access to a site where protesters had gathered in Shanghai, on Nov. 27, 2022. (AP)





He also called on people to continue to resist government propaganda and censorship, and remember not just the zero-COVID years, but also the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, the 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution and the 1958-1960 Great Famine of the Mao era.

"Remember the ugliness," Chen says in the film. "Only those with an optimistic outlook can hope that China will usher in brighter times soon."

A former white paper protester who gave only the nickname Rick for fear of reprisals said Beijing is trying to rewrite the history of the zero-COVID years, and that Chen and other protesters are trying to defend historical truth.

"The Chinese Communist Party won't let people talk about the White Paper movement, which is an attempt to modify the collective memory of the three years of zero-COVID among the Chinese people," Rick said.

"The documentary directed by Chen Pinlin is an attempt to break the Chinese Communist Partys blockade of historical truth."

He said Chen had taken huge risks in making a film about popular protest in China.

"I admire director Chen Pinlin's courage and sense of social responsibility," Rick said. "Recording the historical truth is not a crime."

Shattered illusions

He said the zero-COVID restrictions had made young people in China realize that they could be deprived of even their most basic rights at any time, forced into starvation or death from illness in their own homes, or even burned to death in fires.

"Their illusions shattered, young people bravely went out onto the streets and shouted their protest," he said.

Many who took part in the movement were detained, while others have fled overseas, where they have continued their support for political change in China.

But even overseas activists are also being increasingly harassed by state security police, with some reporting threats to their families back home, as China pushes ahead with the "long-arm" enforcement of its laws overseas.

"[In] the summer of 2023, there was a wave of harassment targeting Chinese students living in the Washington area," former White Paper Movement protester and Georgetown law student Zhang Jinrui told a recent seminar on Beijing's transnational repression.

The Asian American Student Association seminar holds a seminar on Chinas transnational repression, at Georgetown University on Feb. 21, 2024. (Kai Di/RFA)





He said some students had been detained for their activism after traveling back to China for the summer break, while others had been subjected to long-distance harassment and intimidation by the authorities.

"I think that's basically their main tactic with a lot of Chinese students, but a lot of the time more severe measures will also be taken, Zhang said. For example, threatening to confiscate your parents money.

"It's a tactic to try to wear you down, he said, to try to harass your family more and more until they can't take it any more.







Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
San Diego Zoo will be the first beneficiary of the bears that China's president has called envoys of friendship.

Fulfilling a pledge made by Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco last year, China will again send giant pandas to the United States, with two due at the San Diego Zoo this summer and talks ongoing to send more to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

The giant pandas, which Xi called envoys of friendship during a speech at a dinner with American business leaders in San Francisco in November, will be sent abroad as part of a series of deals made by China Wildlife Conservation Association with global zoos.

Spains Zoo Madrid is set to receive new panda diplomats as part of the first wave of envoys, while the Schonbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria is also in talks to receive pandas, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday.

We hope that the new round of international cooperation on giant panda conservation between China and relevant countries will further enrich scientific research in protecting giant panda and other endangered species, and forge closer bonds between our peoples, Mao said, calling the pandas a national treasure of China.

Currently in the United States, giant pandas can only be found at Zoo Atlanta in Georgia, which has four. Other pandas in Washington D.C., San Diego and Memphis, Tennessee, have all returned to China in recent years.

Envoys of friendship

China first sent pandas to the United States in the 1970s  with the National Zoo the beneficiary at the time  amid the normalization of relations between Washington and Beijing at the height of the Cold War, and following the Sino-Soviet split in the communist world.

However, the National Zoo sent back its three last giant pandas  Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji  to Chengdu, China, via a special FedEx flight on Nov. 8 after a 50-year-old deal lapsed last year.

Speaking on Nov. 16 to American business leaders in San Francisco, Xi received the biggest round of applause of the night when he called the pandas envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples and pledged to again send some across the Pacific.

He said it was sad that the National Zoos pandas had returned.

I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas and went to the zoo to see them off, Xi said, adding he also knew that Californians very much look forward to welcoming pandas back to the San Diego Zoo.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, he said, and to do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen friendly ties between our peoples.

John Kirby, spokesman for U.S. President Joe Bidens National Security Council, the next day called Chinas recall of the pandas a sovereign decision but said they would be welcomed back.

Certainly, should a decision be made by the PRC to restore some of the pandas to the United States, we would absolutely just welcome them back, Kirby said, referring to the Peoples Republic of China.

How bout them cubs

San Diego Zoo said in a statement that it was excited by the chance to again keep giant pandas, adding that the zoos past experience with pandas had played a meaningful role in Chinas efforts to bring the iconic and beloved giant panda back from the brink of extinction.

The giant pandas sent to San Diego are set to be cubs of the pandas that previously were kept at the zoo but were sent back to China.

We are humbled by the potential opportunity of continuing our collaborative conservation efforts to secure the future for giant pandas, Megan Owen, vice president of conservation science at the zoo said, adding zookeepers were working to expedite their arrival.

Pandas in our care and in the care of Chinese colleagues at conservation facilities play an important role as assurance against extinction and loss of genetic diversity in their native habitats, as well as a source population for reintroductions, she said.

Despite the goodwill surrounding the return of the giant pandas, though, panda diplomacy has not been without its own dramas.

The return of the Memphis pandas in April last year coincided with false claims from some Chinese netizens that their zookeepers had mistreated them, after one of the pandas had died in captivity.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.
The operators included Chinese, Thai and Myanmar nationals in a border city casino, locals said.

Junta troops raided a suspected online scamming gang behind 1G1-7 Hotel in Tachileik city on the Thai-Myanmar border on Feb. 23, 2024.

Junta troops arrested over 100 people while raiding a casino on the Thai-Myanmar border, locals said on Friday.

The compound was the site of an online gambling den in Myanmars Tachileik city in eastern Shan state.

The region comprising northern Thailand, eastern Myanmar and southern Laos is known as the Golden Triangle, notorious for gambling, trafficking and fraud.

A resident declining to be named for safety reasons told Radio Free Asia that the 1G1-7 Hotel in Tachileiks San Sai Kha neighborhood, where the casino crackdown occurred, is a long-standing institution in the city.

The raid and arrests at the casino, which was opened behind the 1G1-7 Hotel, has been open for about a decade as a casino, he said. It was raided and people were arrested in the morning.

Junta soldiers and police arrested Myanmar, Thai and Chinese nationals, locals said. They are currently in custody, but no further details about their location or identity are known.

Troops and police gather outside the 1G1-7 Hotel in Tachileik city on Feb. 23, 2024 (Telegram: People Media)





Another Tachileik resident said there are hundreds of online gambling businesses in the 11 neighborhoods of the city and in its surrounding villages. Many operate in homes and hotels, he said.

Houses are entirely rented, and the hotels were rented out by floors for operating [online casinos], he said. Chinese and Thai nationals are also involved.

Online money scamming gangs often disguise their operations as casinos, locals said. In 2023, more than 40,000 Chinese nationals were deported from Shan state for staying illegally in Myanmar and working in illegal businesses and scam centers.

This is the first time police have cracked down on scam centers in Tachileik, locals said.

The junta has not officially released any information on Friday's arrests. RFA reached out to Shan states junta spokesperson Khun Thein Maung, but he did not respond by the time of publication.

However, pro-military channels on the social messaging app Telegram shared that the people arrested in Tachileik were committing online fraud as part of an organization known as Kyar Pyant. It reported the Chinese gang, which specializes in online fraud, was raided by junta security forces.

State-owned newspapers reported on Feb. 9 that more than 50,000 foreigners, mostly made up of Chinese nationals, were transferred back to their respective countries for illegally staying in Myanmar from Oct. 5, 2023 to Feb. 8, 2024.

Some 48,803 Chinese, 1,071 Vietnamese, 537 Thai, 133 Malaysian, 20 Korean, and 18 Lao nationals were transferred, the statement said.

In November, 19 South Koreans were rescued by junta forces after being forced to work in Tachileik in an illegal business.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
The military has suffered numerous battlefield setbacks in Rakhine state and elsewhere in recent months.

Myanmars junta is offering freedom of movement to Rohingya Muslims restricted to camps for the displaced in Rakhine state as part of a bid to entice them into military service amid the nationwide rollout of a conscription law, according to sources in the region.

The enactment of the Peoples Military Service Law on Feb. 10 has sent draft-eligible civilians fleeing from Myanmars cities, saying they would rather leave the country or join anti-junta forces in remote border areas than fight for the military, which seized power in a 2021 coup detat.

Myanmars military is desperate for new recruits after suffering devastating losses on the battlefield to the ethnic Arakan Army, or AA, in Rakhine state. Since November, when the AA ended a ceasefire that had been in place since the coup, the military has surrendered Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Myay Pon and Taung Pyo townships in the state, as well as Paletwa township in neighboring Chin state.

But rights campaigners say the junta is drafting Rohingya into military service to stoke ethnic tensions in Rakhine state, while legal experts say the drive is unlawful, given that Myanmar has refused to recognize the Rohingya as one of the countrys ethnic groups and denied them citizenship for decades.

Some 1 million ethnic Rohingya refugees have been living in Bangladesh since 2017, when they were driven out of Myanmar by a military clearance operation. Another 630,000 living within the country are designated stateless by the United Nations, including those who languish in camps for internally displaced persons, or IDPs, and are restricted from moving freely in Rakhine state.

Residents of the Kyauk Ta Lone IDP camp in Rakhines Kyaukphyu township told RFA Burmese that junta forces, including the township administration officer and the operations commander of the militarys Light Infantry Battalion 542, took a census of the camps Muslims for the purpose of military service on Monday.

Junta personnel compiled a list of more than 160 people deemed eligible for conscription and informed them they would have to take part in a two-week military training program, according to one camp resident who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

The township administration officer came  and told us that Muslims must also serve in the military, but we refused to follow his order, the resident said. Then, the military operations commander arrived here along with his soldiers, and forced us to do so under the military service law. They collected the names of more than 160 people.

Freedom of movement

Some 1,500 Rohingyas from around 300 families have been living at Kyauk Ta Lone since ethnic violence forced them to flee their homes in Kyaukphyu 12 years ago.

Since taking the census on Monday, junta officers have repeatedly visited the camp, trying to persuade Rohingya residents to serve in the military with an offer of free movement within Kyaukphyu township, said another camp resident.

They wont guarantee us citizenship, he said. But if we serve in the military, we will be allowed to go freely in Kyaukphyu.

Other camp residents told RFA they would rather die than serve in the military, and suggested the recruitment drive was part of a bid by the military to create a rift between them and ethnic Rakhines  the predominant minority in Rakhine state and the ethnicity of the AA.

No date was given for when the training program would begin, they said. After receiving training, the recruits would be assigned to a security detail along with junta troops guarding routes in and out of Kyaukphyu, and dispatched to the battlefield if necessary.

Rohingya IDPs are afraid to serve in the military, but are unable to flee the camp because it is surrounded by junta troops, residents added.

Other recruitment efforts

The military service census at the Kyauk Ta Lone IDP camp came as Rohingyas in the Rakhine capital Sittwe, the Rakhine townships of Buthidaung and Maungdaw, and other parts of Kyaukphyu reported that junta troops have been arresting and collecting data from members of their ethnic group as part of a bid to force them into military training.

On Monday and Tuesday evening, military personnel arrested around 100 Rohingyas of eligible service age from the Buthidaung villages of Nga/Kyin Tauk, Tat Chaung, Pu Zun Chaung and Kyauk Hpyu Taung, said a resident who also declined to be named.

People doing business in the village were arrested. Village elders were also arrested, said the resident, who is also a Rohingya. At least one young person from every house was arrested and taken to the army. The parents of those who were arrested are quite worried now.

Junta troops said that the AA had established camps near the Rohingya villages and residents would have to undergo military training to defend the area, he added. They said the residents would be equipped with weapons and returned to their villages after the training was complete.

Rohingyas in Sittwe and Maungdaw, where an AA offensive is now underway, also reported junta census efforts and pressure to join military training. They said that larger villages are expected to provide 100 people for training, while smaller ones should send 50 residents.

Law does not apply

A lawyer who is representing Rohingyas in several legal cases told RFA that the Peoples Military Service Law does not apply to members of the ethnic group because they do not have citizenship status in Myanmar.

He added that the junta's attempt to recruit Rohingyas is part of a bid to drive a wedge between them and the people of Myanmar, many of whom oppose the military regime.

Nay San Lwin, an activist on the Rohingya issue, said that the junta hopes to divert attention from its losses to the AA in Rakhine state by igniting tensions between ethnic Rakhines and Rohingyas.

If the Rohingyas are forced into their army, there could be a lot of problems between the Rakhines and the Rohingyas, he said. That's what they want. Once that happens, theyll drop all support for the Rohingyas as usual. But the main reason is to use the Rohingyas as human shields.

Nay San Lwin noted that as successive governments in Myanmar have denied the Rohingya citizenship, there should be no pressure to force them to serve in the military.

The junta has released no information on efforts to recruit Rohingyas in Rakhine state and attempts by RFA to contact junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun and Rakhine State Attorney General Hla Thein, who is the juntas spokesman in the region, went unanswered Thursday.

The AA issued a statement on Wednesday calling on ethnic Rakhines to take refuge from junta oppression  which it said includes unlawful arrests, extortion, forced military recruitment, and extrajudicial killings  in AA-controlled territory, instead of fleeing to other areas of the country.

Conscription eligibility

According to Myanmars compulsory military service law, men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 face up to five years in prison if they refuse to serve for two years, while highly skilled professionals aged 18-45 must also serve, but up to five years. More than 13 million of the countrys 54 million people are eligible for service.

Conscription is slated to be implemented at the end of April 2024, with a goal of recruiting up to 60,000 service members each year, in batches of around 5,000 people.

Translated by Aung Naing and Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Uyghur demonstrators take part in a protest on China's National Day near the Chinese consulate in Istanbul, Oct. 1, 2023.

Authorities in Turkey have arrested six people believed to be spying on members of the Uyghur community in Istanbul for Chinese intelligence, according to media reports.

Members of the Istanbul Anti-Terrorism and Organized Crime Directorate apprehended the six Chinese nationals early on Tuesday, Turkeys Demiroren News Agency said in a report, citing information provided by the National Intelligence Organization of Turkey.

The group is accused of gathering information about Uyghur organizations, their leaders, and public figures, and transmitting it to Chinese intelligence operatives, the report said. Another suspect remains at large.

Turkey is home to about 50,000 Uyghurs according to a 2021 Nikkei Asia report

No further information about the suspects was provided and it was not immediately clear whether the suspects were ethnic Uyghurs.

The arrests will send a warning to the Chinese government to curb its espionage activities, Erkin Ekrem, the vice president of the World Uyghur Congress and a strategy expert, told RFA Uyghur.

"This incident sheds light on China's heightened surveillance of Uyghurs, he said. Some individuals may be coerced into spying due to threats, while others may engage in such activities for financial gain or other motives.

Erkin Ekrem, vice president of the World Uyghur Congress, gives a lecture in Turkey on Oct. 9, 2015. (RFA)

Ekrem said that Beijing dispatches spies to foreign countries with sizable Uyghur communities and Uyghur organizations, and many of the spies are themselves Uyghurs.

Given the increasing international acknowledgment of the East Turkistan cause and the mounting pressure on China, I anticipate that China will intensify its espionage efforts to counter criticism of its regime and allegations of genocide, he said, using a name preferred by Uyghurs for their homeland, which China calls Xinjiang.

The arrest is a positive step, and sends a message to China, that Turkey is distancing itself from Beijing, Hidayet Oguzhan, president of the International Union of Eastern Turkistan Organizations, told RFA.

This action serves two main purposes, he said. First, it protects our cause, people, and organizations from the threat of espionage. Second, we interpret Turkey's direct action against individuals working for China and its coverage in the international media as a sign of Turkey's growing distance from China."

The arrest represents a shift in policy, Oguzhan said.

"It is a significant development for Turkey to take proactive measures in East Turkistan matters, especially marking the first instance of such action in our long history in Turkey, particularly against individuals discovered to be collaborating with China against East Turkistan organizations," he said.

But Oguzhan also said that there are more spies in Turkey beyond the suspects in this case.

We demand the complete expulsion of Uyghurs  acting as spies for China from our society, and we urge Turkey to take a firm stance against them, he said.

Abdulreshit Abdulhamit, a representative of the World Uyghur Congress, said that Turkeys decision to arrest the six suggests that they possess substantive evidence.

But he acknowledged that it may not be appropriate for us to pass judgment on them and deferred to Turkeys courts to issue a ruling in the case.

Attempts by RFA to reach both the Istanbul Police Department and the Chinese consulate in Istanbul went unanswered.

Translated by Alim Seytoff. Edited by Eugene Whong.
Program is used to control Uyghurs, break apart families and assimilate them into Chinese society, expert says.

Two layers of barbed wire fencing ring the Hotan City apparel employment training base where Hetian Taida Apparel Co. has a factory, in northwestern China's Xinjiang region, Dec. 5, 2018. The U.S. blocked shipments from Hetian Taida in 2019 over accusations the manufacturer was using forced labor.

China has expanded its forced labor transfer program in far-western Xinjiang  moving Uyghurs from rural areas to work in factories  and plans to continue doing so through 2025, a new report says, warning that it will have far-reaching consequences for the 12-million strong ethnic minority.

Under a program that Beijing says is aimed at poverty alleviation, high-level Chinese policy and state planning documents call for intensified employment requirements targeting Uyghurs, according to research conducted by German scholar Adrian Zenz published in a report by the Jamestown Foundation, a Washington-based think tank.

But activists and experts say the program is thinly-disguised forced labor: Uprooting Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities from their homes and forcing them to work in factories producing everything from textiles and chemicals to car parts.

Longer-term, Beijing is using the program to achieve a larger goal, Zenz told Radio Free Asia: Control the Uyghur people, break apart communities, undermine their culture and ultimately assimilate them into Chinese society.

Uyghur society is going to be changed in the long term through labor transfer, he said. So it's a long-term strategy, and thats why China is doubling down on it.

China is intensifying it because with labor transfer you can achieve cultural assimilation, said Zenz, director of China Studies at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington.

You can achieve linguistic assimilation, he told RFA. You can break apart communities  traditional communities  and break apart families.

Corporate scrutiny

The report comes out amid intensifying pressure on multinational companies with operations in the region to cut their ties.

Earlier this month, German chemical giant BASF said it is pulling out of its joint ventures in Xinjiang. That came after a German newspaper in November reported close ties between the labor transfer program and a regional partner of BASF.

The SAIC-Volkswagen plant is seen on the outskirts of Urumqi, capital of northwestern China's Xinjiang region, April 22, 2021. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Meanwhile, automaker Volkswagen also has told RFA that it is in talks with its joint venture partner, SAIC-Volkswagen, over the future of its Xinjiang operations.

A report issued in early February by Human Rights Watch suggested that Volkswagen may be using aluminum made by Uyghur forced labor in China, and has failed to minimize this possibility.

The United States has called on China to end Uyghur forced labor practices and has enacted legislation to prevent the import of products made with forced labor.

The European Union lacks strict regulations that target goods made with forced labor, but is working on the adoption of a law that would hold large companies to account for their human rights and environmental impacts across their global supply chains.

Separately, Germany has a supply chain law that requires large companies to ensure that their suppliers and partners respect all human rights and subjects the companies to a comprehensive due diligence obligation covering the entire supply chain.

Two systems

Authorities in northwestern Chinas vast Xinjiang region operate the worlds largest system of state-imposed forced labor under two systems targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples, Zenzs report says.

The first one is forced labor connected to re-education camps, where an estimated 1.8 million Uyghurs and others have been detained against their will beginning around 2017. There they received coercive skills training and were forced to work in on-site or off-site factories.

Zenzs report says that evidence indicates that since early 2020, this policy is no longer active, although authorities still arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and others.

The second separate system, the Poverty Alleviation Through Labor Transfer policy, coercively trains and transfers non-detained rural laborers from the agricultural sector into secondary sector work that transforms raw materials into goods for sale or consumption, and tertiary sector work that involves the sale or trade of services.

The United States and other Western governments have expressed deep concern about the repression and arbitrary detentions of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities in Xinjiang, with some declaring that Chinas actions amount to genocide and crimes against humanity.

Groundless accusation

On Feb. 17, at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was asked by an interviewer about the forced labor accusations in Xinjiang in light of the recent company news about BASF and Volkswagen.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a speech at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Feb. 17, 2024. (Matthias Schrader/AP)

The so-called forced labor is only a groundless accusation, Wang said in response.

Isnt there any right to work for minority ethnic groups such as the Uyghurs in Xinjiang? he asked. If you make them unemployed, unable to work, and unable to sell their products under the pretext of forced labor, is this humane?

Wang said that the growth of Xinjiangs Uyghur population from less than 2 million in 1955, when the autonomous region was established, to 12 million today was proof that the so-called genocide is a sheer fabrication and a lie.

However, the actual Uyghur population in China was 3.64 million, according to official data from the countrys first census conducted in 1953, while Xinjiangs population was less than 3.4 million. Also, the Han Chinese population in Xinjiang was only 6% in that census but now is more than half as many Han Chinese have migrated to the region.

Wang also said China has safeguarded human rights in Xinjiang as demonstrated by an increase in the average lifespan of Uyghurs from 30 years to 75.6 years, and that religious freedom and ethnic languages and cultures were well-protected by the Chinese government in the region.

Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, said Wangs dismissal of allegations of the Uyghur genocide and forced labor signaled a concerning intent to persist with genocidal policies in Xinjiang.

Merely a week prior, one of Germanys largest chemical companies, BASF, issued international apologies and announced their withdrawal from the Uyghur region due to their association with Uyghur genocide implications, he told RFA.

Similarly, other major corporations like Volkswagen face mounting international pressure over their involvement in Uyghur forced labor, with discussions underway for their withdrawal from the Uyghur region, Isa said. Given the substantial evidence at hand, Wang Yi's denial of these allegations is untenable.

Zenz said that there is still personal testimonies and documentary evidence that Uyghur forced labor exists.

The Chinese think they can openly lie and propagate an alternative reality because they can control access to Xinjiang, he said.

Additional reporting by Irade for RFA Uyghur. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Program is used to control Uyghurs, break apart families and assimilate them into Chinese society, expert says.

Two layers of barbed wire fencing ring the Hotan City apparel employment training base where Hetian Taida Apparel Co. has a factory, in China's Xinjiang region, Dec. 5, 2018. The U.S. blocked shipments from Hetian Taida in 2019 over accusations the manufacturer was using forced labor.

China has expanded its forced labor transfer program in far-western Xinjiang  moving Uyghurs from rural areas to work in factories  and plans to continue doing so through 2025, a new report says, warning that it will have far-reaching consequences for the 11-million strong ethnic minority.

Under a program that Beijing says is aimed at poverty alleviation, high-level Chinese policy and state planning documents call for intensified employment requirements targeting Uyghurs, according to research conducted by German scholar Adrian Zenz published in a report by the Jamestown Foundation, a Washington-based think tank.

But activists and experts say the program is thinly-disguised forced labor: Uprooting Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities from their homes and forcing them to work in factories producing everything from textiles and chemicals to car parts.

Longer-term, Beijing is using the program to achieve a larger goal, Zenz told Radio Free Asia -- controlling the Uyghur people, undermining their culture and ultimately assimilating them into Chinese society.

Uyghur society is going to be changed in the long term through labor transfer, he said. It's a long-term strategy, and thats why China is doubling down on it.

China is intensifying it because with labor transfer you can achieve cultural assimilation, said Zenz, director of China Studies at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington.

You can achieve linguistic assimilation, he told RFA. You can break apart communities  traditional communities  and break apart families.

Corporate scrutiny

The report comes out amid intensifying pressure on multinational companies with operations in the region to cut their ties.

Earlier this month, German chemical giant BASF said it is pulling out of its joint ventures in Xinjiang. That came after a German newspaper in November reported close ties between the labor transfer program and a regional partner of BASF.

Meanwhile, automaker Volkswagen also has told RFA that it is in talks with its joint venture partner, SAIC-Volkswagen, over the future of its Xinjiang operations.

A report issued in early February by Human Rights Watch suggested that Volkswagen may be using aluminum made by Uyghur forced labor in China, and has failed to minimize this possibility.

The SAIC Volkswagen plant is seen on the outskirts of Urumqi in China's Xinjiang region, April 22, 2021. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)





The United States has called on China to end Uyghur forced labor practices and has enacted legislation to prevent the import of products made with forced labor.

The European Union lacks strict regulations that target goods made with forced labor, but is working on the adoption of a law that would hold large companies to account for their human rights and environmental impacts across their global supply chains.

Separately, Germany has a supply chain law that requires large companies to ensure that their suppliers and partners respect all human rights and subjects the companies to a comprehensive due diligence obligation covering the entire supply chain.

Two systems

Authorities in northwestern Chinas vast Xinjiang region operate the worlds largest system of state-imposed forced labor under two systems targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples, Zenzs report says.

The first one is forced labor connected to re-education camps, where an estimated 1.8 million Uyghurs and others have been detained against their will beginning around 2017. There they received coercive skills training and were forced to work in on-site or off-site factories.

Zenzs report says that evidence indicates that since early 2020, this policy is no longer active, although authorities still arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and others.

The second separate system, the Poverty Alleviation Through Labor Transfer policy, coercively trains and transfers non-detained rural laborers from the agricultural sector into secondary sector work that transforms raw materials into goods for sale or consumption, and tertiary sector work that involves the sale or trade of services.

The United States and other Western governments have expressed deep concern about the repression and arbitrary detentions of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities in Xinjiang, with some declaring that Chinas actions amount to genocide and crimes against humanity.

Groundless accusation

On Feb. 17, at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was asked by an interviewer about the forced labor accusations in Xinjiang in light of the recent company news about BASF and Volkswagen.

The so-called forced labor is only a groundless accusation, Wang said in response.

Isnt there any right to work for minority ethnic groups such as the Uyghurs in Xinjiang? he asked. If you make them unemployed, unable to work, and unable to sell their products under the pretext of forced labor, is this humane?

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Feb. 17, 2024. (Matthias Schrader/AP)





Wang said that the growth of Xinjiangs Uyghur population from less than 2 million in 1955, when the autonomous region was established, to 12 million today was proof that the so-called genocide is a sheer fabrication and a lie.

However, the actual Uyghur population in China was 3.64 million, according to official data from the countrys first census conducted in 1953, while Xinjiangs population was less than 3.4 million. Also, the Han Chinese population in Xinjiang was only 6% in that census but now is more than half as many Han Chinese have migrated to the region.

Wang also said China has safeguarded human rights in Xinjiang as demonstrated by an increase in the average lifespan of Uyghurs from 30 years to 75.6 years, and that religious freedom and ethnic languages and cultures were well-protected by the Chinese government in the region.

Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, said Wangs dismissal of allegations of the Uyghur genocide and forced labor signaled a concerning intent to persist with genocidal policies in Xinjiang.

Merely a week prior, one of Germanys largest chemical companies, BASF, issued international apologies and announced their withdrawal from the Uyghur region due to their association with Uyghur genocide implications, he told RFA.

Similarly, other major corporations like Volkswagen face mounting international pressure over their involvement in Uyghur forced labor, with discussions underway for their withdrawal from the Uyghur region, Isa said. Given the substantial evidence at hand, Wang Yi's denial of these allegations is untenable.

Zenz said that there is still personal testimonies and documentary evidence that Uyghur forced labor exists.

The Chinese think they can openly lie and propagate an alternative reality because they can control access to Xinjiang, he said.

Additional reporting by Irade from RFA Uyghur. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Former prisoner Le Van Sinh says Vietnamese police took money hed stashed in his motorbike.

Former prisoner Le Van Sinh has accused the police in Vietnams Ninh Binh province of taking 400 million VND (US$16,260) that hed stashed in the trunk of his motorbike before his arrest.

Sinh, 59, was arrested on February 15, 2019 on charges of "abusing democratic freedoms" under Article 331 of the criminal law and subsequently sentenced to five years in prison.

Before his arrest he fought with neighbors over land and accused Hoa Lu district officials of issuing improper land rights certificates to local households.

He also posted comments on Facebook accusing provincial officials of corruption.

Five years ago, he was summoned to the provincial police headquarters to discuss his case.

He came by bike and parked it at the gate of the office. In the trunk, he said, was 400 million VND that hed brought with him to repay a bank loan.

The bike was handed over to his ex-wife, with whom he shared a house, on the same day, but the money was missing, he said.

During his initial detention and in his trial in Sept. 2019 he spoke up about the loss.

During my time in detention, I denounced my illegal arrest, the illegal seizure of my bike and theft of my property but no agency responded, he told Radio Free Asia on Thursday. .

RFA Vietnamese was unable to verify his claims. A reporter called Ninh Binh Provincial Police and was told to ask Le Van Sinh to write to the provincial police director about his case.

Police in the spotlight

It isnt the first case of a Vietnamese prisoner of conscience accusing the police of confiscating cash.

Le Thi Binh claims officers took the equivalent of US$11,000 in dollars and Vietnamese dong from her handbag and wallet during her arrest in Dec. 2022.

Binh was released last November after serving a two-year prison sentence allegedly abusing democratic freedoms.

On her release, she livestreamed on Facebook complaining about the missing money that she said was to pay for home improvements.

Police responded by bringing her in for questioning about comments they said affected the reputation of state agencies, including the Binh Thuy district Police in Vietnams southern Can Tho city.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.
Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing (1st R, front) and Madrid's Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida (2nd R, front) attend the farewell party to panda family of five in Madrid, Spain, Feb. 22, 2024. A zoo in Spain's capital Madrid hosted a farewell party on Thursday to bid goodbye to its beloved panda family of five who will soon return to China.

Panda couple Bing Xing and Hua Zui Ba, accompanied by their three Madrid-born cubs Chulina, You You and Jiu Jiu, will fly back to Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Feb. 29, sources with the Madrid Zoo Aquarium said. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

MADRID, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- A zoo in Spain's capital Madrid hosted a farewell party on Thursday to bid goodbye to its beloved panda family of five who will soon return to China.

Panda couple Bing Xing and Hua Zui Ba, accompanied by their three Madrid-born cubs Chulina, You You and Jiu Jiu, will fly back to Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Feb. 29, sources with the Madrid Zoo Aquarium said.

The zoo will expect a younger panda couple from China in the coming months, following the renewal of its agreement for giant panda protection with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

Bing Xing and Hua Zui Ba arrived in Madrid in 2007 from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and have since given birth to six cubs. Their three older cubs, born in 2010 and 2013, have already returned to China. Of the three younger cubs, Chulina was born in 2016, and a pair of twins, You You and Jiu Jiu, were born in 2021.

Visitors can still visit the panda family at the zoo until next Wednesday.

At Thursday's ceremony, Madrid's Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida said the farewell was sad, like "saying goodbye to a loved one when they embark on a trip," but the close relationship with the cuddly bears has brought great joy.

Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing expressed thanks to the Spanish people and all the visitors to the zoo for their love of the pandas. "They are happy, healthy and ready to go home."

Yao said the two countries' cooperation in panda protection has also enhanced their friendship and mutual understanding.

Zoo Aquarium received the first pair of pandas from China in 1978. Four years later, Chu Lin was born, the first panda cub born in captivity in Europe.

Over the years, zoo workers in Madrid have learned to care, protect and breed pandas with the help of Chinese and Spanish experts.

"Through the pandas, we can learn a lot about the Chinese culture," said Alejandro Cabrera, a panda carer. "They all have Chinese names and we know their meanings. They are very good ambassadors of China."

"On a technical level, we have learned a lot and we have worked at the highest level with many scientists to achieve reproduction," Eva Martinez, head of the veterinary department at the zoo in Madrid, said of panda breeding.

Giant pandas have been playing the role of "ambassadors," fostering bridges of friendship between China and other countries. Since the 1990s, China has carried out joint protection research initiatives with 26 institutions from 20 countries, and successfully bred 68 giant panda cubs in 41 litters. 

A giant panda is pictured at a zoo in Madrid, Spain, Feb. 22, 2024. A zoo in Spain's capital Madrid hosted a farewell party on Thursday to bid goodbye to its beloved panda family of five who will soon return to China.

Panda couple Bing Xing and Hua Zui Ba, accompanied by their three Madrid-born cubs Chulina, You You and Jiu Jiu, will fly back to Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Feb. 29, sources with the Madrid Zoo Aquarium said. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

A giant panda is pictured at a zoo in Madrid, Spain, Feb. 22, 2024. A zoo in Spain's capital Madrid hosted a farewell party on Thursday to bid goodbye to its beloved panda family of five who will soon return to China.

Panda couple Bing Xing and Hua Zui Ba, accompanied by their three Madrid-born cubs Chulina, You You and Jiu Jiu, will fly back to Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Feb. 29, sources with the Madrid Zoo Aquarium said. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Giant panda Bing Xing eats a cake at the farewell party in Madrid, Spain, Feb. 22, 2024. A zoo in Spain's capital Madrid hosted a farewell party on Thursday to bid goodbye to its beloved panda family of five who will soon return to China.

Panda couple Bing Xing and Hua Zui Ba, accompanied by their three Madrid-born cubs Chulina, You You and Jiu Jiu, will fly back to Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Feb. 29, sources with the Madrid Zoo Aquarium said. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Madrid's Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida attends the farewell party to panda family of five in Madrid, Spain, Feb. 22, 2024. A zoo in Spain's capital Madrid hosted a farewell party on Thursday to bid goodbye to its beloved panda family of five who will soon return to China.

Panda couple Bing Xing and Hua Zui Ba, accompanied by their three Madrid-born cubs Chulina, You You and Jiu Jiu, will fly back to Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Feb. 29, sources with the Madrid Zoo Aquarium said. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
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.
Documents leaked by the hacktivist group Edalat-e Ali (Ali's Justice) appear to show clandestine actions against journalists of Persian-language media operating outside of Iran, including those affiliated with RFE/RL's Radio Farda, by the Iranian judiciary.



The leaked documents list 44 journalists and media activists who have been targeted for allegedly undermining the regime.

The findings were part of a broader expose by the hacker group -- which released more than 3 million documents -- shedding light on the judicial proceedings conducted in secrecy within Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran.

"In this hack, we infiltrated the court case management system and managed to access millions of documents and files," the group said in a post on Telegram where many of the documents were posted.

Edalat-e Ali says it is composed of Iranians living and working inside Iran and its intent is to expose alleged human rights abuses in the country while seeking the release of political prisoners.

It added that the documents "reveal the true face of the Islamic republic."

The hack was done "with the aim of exposing the crimes of the regime against the oppressed people of Iran and with the help of our dear compatriots," the group said.

With regard to the documents revealing the actions aimed at the media, the disclosure highlights the judiciary's secretive issuance of rulings against journalists accused of engaging in "propaganda against the Islamic republic."



The group said that under the stewardship of Judge Iman Afshari, Branch 26 has been pivotal in adjudicating cases against a broad spectrum of individuals, from political dissidents to cultural figures, especially in the aftermath of the 2022 protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was arrested for allegedly wearing her mandatory hijab improperly.



The documents show the judiciary targeted personnel from Radio Farda and journalists associated with other prominent Persian-language outlets, including BBC Persian, Voice of America, Iran International, Manoto TV, and the GEM satellite network.

Analysts say the leak underscores the Iranian judiciary's long-standing practice of leveraging legal actions as a mechanism to silence opposition, a strategy that has seen mixed results in quelling dissent or curtailing the activities of journalists and civil society activists.

It also reveals the state's approach to various issues, from the enforcement of the mandatory hijab to the suppression of widespread protests in 2022, they said, adding the documents further corroborate the judiciary's susceptibility to influence from security and intelligence entities, casting a shadow over its independence and impartiality.



International human rights organizations have consistently ranked Iran as one of the world's top oppressors of journalists and free speech.



In December 2022, Iran's Foreign Ministry placed sanctions on several individuals and entities in the European Union, including RFE/RL's Persian-language Radio Farda.

The sanctions include visa bans, prohibiting the listed individuals from entering Iran, and the seizure of their assets within territories under the jurisdiction of the Islamic republic.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda
I'm Steve Gutterman, the editor of RFE/RL's Russia/Ukraine/Belarus Desk.



Welcome to The Week In Russia, in which I dissect the key developments in Russian politics and society over the previous week and look at what's ahead.

Aleksei Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most formidable opponent, has died in suspicious circumstances at an Arctic prison at the age of 47. His body has not yet been buried but his legacy is beginning to unfold, with his defiant widow taking up the mantle of his anti-Kremlin activism.

Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward.

The Toad On The Oil Pipe

On July 18, 2013, after a court sentenced him to five years in prison following a trial on embezzlement charges he dismissed as punishment for his opposition to President Vladimir Putin, Aleksei Navalny sent out a tweet.

"OK. Don't be bored without me. And most important, don't be idle -- the toad won't jump off the oil pipe itself."

The brief post mixed several elements of Navalny's public persona, using an upbeat tone to combine a sense of resignation about his own fate with a clear call for Russian to take peaceful action against Putin and allies, whom the opposition politician often described as a corrupt cabal clinging to power by sucking up Russia's oil riches for themselves.

It's a message Navalny delivered countless times over more than a decade as the most prominent of Putin's opponents.

But no more. Navalny died in a harsh Arctic prison last week, three years and one month after he was arrested upon return to his country following treatment for a near-fatal nerve-agent poisoning he blamed on Putin and the Federal Security Service (FSB).

Navalny was 47 years old -- the age at which Putin, now 72, first became president.

The Russan authorities have refused to release Navalny's body to his family a week after his death was announced on February 16, deepening suspicions raised by the fact that he had no obvious health problems and seemed to be in good spirits when he spoke at a court hearing by video link one day earlier.

In a video she recorded on February 22, Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, said that the authorities want to bury his body in secret, without handing it over to her and without a funeral. "I don't agree with this. I want those of you who valued Aleksei and take his death as a personal tragedy to have the chance to say farewell to him," she said.

Many supporters, Kremlin critics, and observers in Russia and abroad are certain that Navalny was killed by Putin and the state he heads, whether through mistreatment over his time behind bars or with a single fatal attack of some kind at the prison known as Polar Wolf.

'It Is Shameful To Surrender To Your Fear'

Days after his death, the message Navalny had delivered over the years was repeated by his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, who vowed to take up the mantle and urged Russians to stand beside her.

"I'll remind you of Aleksei's words.... 'It isn't shameful to do too little. It is shameful to do nothing. It is shameful to surrender to your fear,'" she said.

Fear in the face of the state's actions against him and its spiraling clampdown on dissent across the country was something that Navalny, if he felt it, never showed in public.

The state, on the other hand, seemed to show repeatedly that it feared him: that Putin saw Navalny as a threat to his grip on power.

For one thing, there was the flip-flop by the authorities in 2013. After the embezzlement trial, Navalny was initially sentenced to five years in prison, which would have been his first long-term incarceration -- until then, he had spent many days and night in jails over street protests, but never been convicted of a major crime and sent to prison.

Hours later, in a highly unusual reversal that followed sizable street protests over the verdict, Navalny was freed pending an appeal, and the sentence was later suspended -- evidence, many believed, that the Kremlin feared locking him up long-term would make him into a martyr.

In the meantime, Navalny was able to run in the Moscow mayoral election and received more than 27 percent of the vote, according to the official count -- far less than the Kremlin-backed incumbent but a level of support that may have worried Putin by suggesting an alternative to his long rule.

To supporters, that was perhaps the main thing Navalny represented: the idea that an alternative existed -- and might someday be within reach.

The Kremlin took an array of steps to stifle that in several ways, from multiple prosecutions to the ruling that barred him from challenging Putin in the last presidential election. Not to mention the fact that Putin and his main spokesman avoided uttering Navalny's name in public.

'Putin Never Faced A More Serious Threat'

To supporters and some analysts, the Kremlin's efforts to show Russians that Navalny was a minor figure belied its fear of him, and the increasingly dramatic accusations that prosecutors piled on him seemed to support that view.

"It was cool among a certain class of pundits to pooh-pooh Navalny, to say he was never a serious threat," Sam Greene, a professor at the Kings Russia Institute in London, wrote in a thread on X, formerly Twitter, on February 17. "Let me put it this way: Putin never faced a more serious threat."

Eventually, the Russian authorities apparently abandoned any qualms they may have had about putting Navalny away for years -- or getting rid of him forever. His poisoning in August 2020 stands out as a marker of a shift in the state's approach to Putin's most vocal foe, as does his arrest upon arrival in Moscow on January 17, 2021.

Once he was detained at Sheremetyevo airport that day, Navalny never walked free again in Russia or anywhere else. At the time of his death, he was serving a 19-year sentence following an extremism conviction that came amid the intensified clampdown the state has imposed in conjunction with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The outcome of the war could go a long way to shaping Navalny's legacy. If Russia prevails, those seeking to keep his cause alive may face an even steeper uphill climb.

In an interview with RFE/RL, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg suggested that Navalny's death underscored the need to ensure that Putin's authoritarian rule does not go unchecked.

"I strongly believe that the best way to honor the memory of Aleksei Navalny is to ensure that President Putin doesn't win on the battlefield, but that Ukraine prevails," Stoltenberg said in the interview on February 21.

In his thread on X, Greene wrote that the main message Navalny leaves behind is one he repeated often: "Don't surrender."

'Those Who Are Needed The Most'

"Navalny is not the first of Putin's political opponents to die. He will not likely be the last. But it is up to those who care to find a way -- any way -- to keep Russia's other political prisoners alive," wrote Greene, who also heads a democracy-support program at Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington. "The pressure must always be on."

The prominent Russian human rights group Memorial, banned in its own country, says that Russia is currently holding 679 people the organization has designated as political prisoners.

One of them is Vladmir Kara-Murza, who was arrested in April 2022 -- shortly after returning to Russia following a speech in the United States in which he accused the "dictatorial regime in the Kremlin" of committing "war crimes" in Ukraine -- and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

In a post on X on February 20, Kara-Murza wrote that while the circumstances of Navalny's death were not yet clear, Putin bears "personal responsibility -- because Aleksei was his personal prisoner."

Kara-Murza wrote that there was little news about Navalny on the single-channel radio in his cell, and that he had heard a song by the Soviet-era bard Vladimir Vysotsky -- a folk hero whose ruggedly subversive lyrics spoke of pain, loss, and the harsh reality beneath the lies of the state.

"Everyone comes back," goes one line quoted by Kara-Murza, "except those who are needed the most."

That's it from me this week.



If you want to know more, catch up on my podcast The Week Ahead In Russia, out every Monday, here on our site or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts).



Yours,



Steve Gutterman



P.S.: Consider forwarding this newsletter to colleagues who might find this of interest. Send feedback and tips to newsletters@rferl.org.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says NATO allies are committed to doing more to ensure that Ukraine "prevails" in its battle to repel invading Russian forces, with the alliance having "significantly changed" its stance on providing more advanced weapons to Kyiv.

Speaking in an interview with RFE/RL to mark the second anniversary of Russia launching its full-scale invasion of its neighbor, the NATO chief said solidarity with Ukraine was not only correct, it's also "in our own security interests."

"We can expect that the NATO allies will do more to ensure that Ukraine prevails, because this has been so clearly stated by NATO allies," Stoltenberg said.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

"I always stress that this is not charity. This is an investment in our own security and and that our support makes a difference on the battlefield every day," he added.

Ukraine is in desperate need of financial and military assistance amid signs of political fatigue in the West as the war kicked off by Russia's unprovoked invasion nears the two-year mark on February 24.

In excerpts from the interview released earlier in the week, Stoltenberg said the death of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny and the first Russian gains on the battlefield in months should help focus the attention of NATO and its allies on the urgent need to support Ukraine.

The death of Navalny in an Arctic prison on February 16 under suspicious circumstances -- authorities say it will be another two weeks before the body may be released to the family -- adds to the need to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin's authoritarian rule does not go unchecked.

"I strongly believe that the best way to honor the memory of Aleksei Navalny is to ensure that President Putin doesn't win on the battlefield, but that Ukraine prevails," Stoltenberg said.

Stoltenberg said the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the city of Avdiyivka last week after months of intense fighting demonstrated the need for more military aid, "to ensure that Russia doesn't make further gains."

"We don't believe that the fact that the Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from Avdiyivka in in itself will significantly change the strategic situation," he said.

"But it reminds us of that Russia is willing to sacrifice a lot of soldiers. It also just makes minor territorial gains and also that Russia has received significant military support supplies from Iran, from North Korea and have been able to ramp up their own production."

Ukraine's allies have been focused on a $61 billion U.S. military aid package, but while that remains stalled in the House of Representatives, other countries, including Sweden, Canada, and Japan, have stepped up their aid.

"Of course, we are focused on the United States, but we also see how other allies are really stepping up and delivering significant support to Ukraine," Stoltenberg said in the interview.

On the question of when Ukraine will be able to deploy F-16 fighter jets, Stoltenberg said it was not possible to say. He reiterated that Ukraine's allies all want them to be there as early as possible but said the effect of the F-16s will be stronger if pilots are well trained and maintenance crews and other support personnel are well-prepared.

"So, I think we have to listen to the military experts exactly when we will be ready to or when allies will be ready to start sending and to delivering the F-16s," he said. "The sooner the better."

Ukraine has actively sought U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to help it counter Russian air superiority. The United States in August approved sending F-16s to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands as soon as pilot training is completed.

It will be up to each ally to decide whether to deliver F-16s to Ukraine, and allies have different policies, Stoltenberg said. But at the same time the war in Ukraine is a war of aggression, and Ukraine has the right to self-defense, including striking legitimate Russian military targets outside Ukraine.

Asked about the prospect of former President Donald Trump returning to the White House, Stoltenberg said that regardless of the outcome of the U.S. elections this year, the United States will remain a committed NATO ally because it is in the security interest of the United States.

Trump, the current front-runner in the race to become the Republican Party's presidential nominee, drew sharp rebukes from President Joe Biden, European leaders, and NATO after suggesting at a campaign rally on February 10 that the United States might not defend alliance members from a potential Russian invasion if they dont pay enough toward their own defense.

Stoltenberg said the United States was safer and stronger together with more than 30 allies -- something that neither China nor Russia has.



The criticism of NATO has been aimed at allies underspending on defense, he said.

But Stoltenberg said new data shows that more and more NATO allies are meeting the target of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense, and this demonstrates that the alliance has come a long way since it pledged in 2014 to meet the target.

At that time three members of NATO spent 2 percent of GDP on defense. Now its 18, he said.

"If you add together what all European allies do and compare that to the GDP in total in Europe, it's actually 2 percent today," he said. "That's good, but it's not enough because we want [each NATO member] to spend 2 percent. And we also make sure that 2 percent is a minimum."
SANAA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said on Thursday it had launched attacks on an Israeli city, a British cargo ship, and a U.S. warship, in what it called a response to the "American-British aggression" against Yemen and its support of the Palestinians in Gaza.

The Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement broadcast by the group's al-Masirah TV that the first attack targeted the Israeli city of Eilat with ballistic missiles and drones.

The Israeli army said it had intercepted a missile from the Red Sea heading for Eilat on Thursday morning, while Israeli media cited Israeli officials as saying the missile was "apparently" from the Houthis.

The second attack hit a British-owned cargo ship, MV Islander, in the Gulf of Aden with naval missiles, causing a fire on board, Sarea said. He said the third attack targeted a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Red Sea with drones.

The U.S. Central Command confirmed on social media platform X that it had shot down six Houthi drones in the Red Sea, which were likely targeting U.S. and coalition warships and posing "immediate threats."

It also said the Houthis had fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from southern Yemen into the Gulf of Aden, hitting the MV Islander and causing one minor injury and damage.

Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi vowed in a televised speech to launch more attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

"More attacks will come," he warned, describing the Houthi attacks as a show of support for Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza.

He claimed his group had launched "48 missile attacks" on cargo ships since mid-November last year in support of Hamas.

He also dismissed the impact of the U.S.-led coalition airstrikes on his group's military capabilities, saying "the coalition strikes have no effect."

He also said his group had submarines and would use them in future attacks.

The Houthi group controls much of northern Yemen since it ousted the internationally recognized government in late 2014, sparking a civil war that has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

The group tightened its grip on the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah following a UN-sponsored peace deal in 2018, which was backed by the United States and Britain, but has failed to end the fighting.

The al-Masirah television reported that the coalition's warplanes had launched four airstrikes on Hodeidah on Thursday, hitting Houthi sites in the northwestern part of the city. 
On February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a grim, resentful speech that changed the minds of many who had until then believed Russia would not launch a major new invasion of Ukraine.

Less than 72 hours later, Russian missiles rained down across the country, and Russian forces crossed the border, as well as the existing front line in the Donbas. And Putin, Western intelligence indicates, believed that Ukraine would be under Moscow's thumb within weeks, if not days.

That did not happen, and now the full-scale war is reaching the two-year mark. Will it end in its third year?

The answer: Probably not. But talk of a stalemate may be misleading, lulling Kyiv's backers into complacency at a time when one massive factor that has come to the fore could determine the outcome of the war: Western weapons deliveries.

"It's always dangerous to make predictions, but it's difficult to imagine the war ending by the end of 2024," Ruth Deyermond, senior lecturer in the Department of War Studies at King's College London, told RFE/RL.

"As things stand, neither side seems to have the capability to inflict a decisive defeat on the other. For that to change there would probably need to be a significant shift in external factors, most importantly, the level of support provided by the West," Deyermond said in an e-mail exchange.

"Significantly more Western material support will help Ukraine to make progress in liberating territory," she added, while "a reduction in Western assistance could force Ukraine to agree to peace talks on Russia's terms."

Olga Oliker, program director for Europe and Central Asia at the Crisis Group, puts it in starker terms. "If Ukraine runs out of weapons and people, yes, the war will end in the next year," Oliker said in a telephone interview.

"It's always been the case that surrender by one or the other side would end the war," she said. "And if you run out of weapons and people, you don't have much of a choice."

The Shifting Tides Of War

The tide of the war has shifted several times since the full-scale invasion. Overall, 2022 was Ukraine's year: After surprising the world by not just surviving but beating back Russia's advance toward Kyiv in the north in the early weeks of the invasion, the defending forces recaptured substantial chunks of territory in the east and south, around Kharkiv and Kherson.

In 2023, a much-anticipated counteroffensive that Kyiv launched in June had fizzled by the end of the year, far short of its most ambitious goal: to smash through the "land corridor" leading from the Russian border to the isthmus linking Ukraine's mainland with occupied Crimea.

In an interview published in The Economist on November 1, the commander in chief of Ukraine's armed forces at the time, General Valeriy Zaluzhniy, described the battlefield situation as a "stalemate" -- a word that sounded defeatist to some in Ukraine, including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, but that came up often in discussions of a war in which the front lines had moved little for months.

Things have changed since then -- less on the battlefield, with one glaring exception, than far behind the scenes, in Washington, where a different kind of stalemate is presenting a growing threat to Ukraine's defense. About two weeks before Zaluzhniy's remarks, which may have been a contributing cause of his dismissal this month, U.S. President Joe Biden proposed $60 billion in aid for Ukraine, most of it for weapons.

Four months later, after a number of twists and turns in the U.S. Congress, where right-wing Republicans have blocked its passage, the aid package still has not been approved -- and it's unclear whether it ever will be.

At the front, Ukraine's firepower is fading as the flow of Western weapons slows, and the situation around Avdiyivka is anything but a stalemate. After many months of fierce fighting, Russian forces captured the devastated Donbas city last week.

Boosted Confidence?

Like the long battle for Bakhmut, Russia's gain came at a massive cost in troops and weapons lost, but it gave Putin a battlefield victory ahead of a March 15-17 election that is set to hand him a new six-year term and may have boosted his confidence about the war still further after Ukraine's unsuccessful counteroffensive.

It also opened a potential pathway for Moscow's forces to seize more territory.

"If Russian forces continue to advance past Avdiyivka and capture [transportation] networks, including west of Bakhmut, they eventually threaten a more strategic location, Pokrovsk, around 80 [kilometers] away," military analyst Dara Massicot, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on February 20.

"Russian military leaders' training and mindset will tell them that now is the time to press forward on objectives: [Ukrainian] units have ammunition and manpower deficits, American assistance is delayed," and Western ammunition production targets have not been reached, Massicot wrote.

"If the United States does not provide additional aid, then Ukrainian military capabilities will gradually deteriorate," Mark Cancian, a military analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said in an e-mail. "I expect they will agree to some sort of negotiated cease-fire that allows Russia to occupy the territory it has seized."

The flow of U.S. military aid peaked last summer at about $1.5 billion a month, and U.S. military equipment deliveries to Ukraine will fall 80 to 90 percent by the summer of 2024 if Congress does not pass a new aid package, Cancian told RFE/RL earlier this month.

Still, if dwindling U.S. aid and other factors do lead to a pause or an end to the fighting, it might not be in the coming year.

For one thing, Ukraine is now "focused on reconstitution and digging in to defend against continued Russian attacks," military analysts Massicot, Michael Kofman, and Rob Lee wrote in a January 26 commentary for War On The Rocks, shifting its posture following the counteroffensive in 2023. And whatever the level of Western aid, Kyiv appears determined to avoid any agreement that would cement Russia's territorial gains, even temporarily.

Another factor: Despite the seizure of Avdiyivka, it's unclear how much further Russian forces may be able to go in 2024. Ukraine's military intelligence chief, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, told The Wall Street Journal last week that Russian forces "don't have the strength" to achieve what he said was their main strategic goal of seizing the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which make up the Donbas, in their entirety this year.

Meanwhile, analysts say that for Russia, holding the territory it now controls and seizing more in the east and south is only part of the plan -- a springboard to more ambitious goals that would take more time to achieve.

"Russia still maintains the strategic objective of bringing about the subjugation of Ukraine. It now believes that it is winning," Jack Watling and Nick Reynolds, military analysts at the Britain-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), wrote in a commentary published on February 13. "Surrender terms currently being proposed by Russian intermediaries include Ukraine ceding the territory already under Russian control along with Kharkiv, and in some versions [Odesa]; agreeing not to join NATO; and maintaining a head of state approved by Russia."

Russia hopes to make this happen by means of a three-stage process, Watling and Reynolds wrote: Draining Ukraine's ammunition and personnel reserves by maintaining pressure along the front, "breaking the resolve of Ukraine's international partners to continue to provide military aid," and then making further battlefield gains "that would be used as leverage against Kyiv to force capitulation on Russian terms. "

"The planning horizon for the implementation of these objectives, which is providing the baseline for Russian force generation and industrial outputs, is that victory should be achieved by 2026," they wrote.

The Most Crucial Part Of The Equation

But there's a big caveat: an emboldened Russia might try for more -- or try to get it faster. Over nearly a quarter-century in power, Putin has often adjusted the Kremlin's goals based on advances and setbacks.

"It is vital to appreciate that Russian goals may expand with success," the RUSI analysts wrote, "and given that the Kremlin has violated almost all significant agreements both with Ukraine and NATO, there is no assurance that even if Russia got what it wanted out of negotiations it would not subsequently endeavor to physically occupy the rest of Ukraine or be emboldened to use force elsewhere."

On the other hand, failure by Russia to make substantial progress toward its goals in 2024 would have a knock-on effect, making success in the coming years increasingly difficult for Moscow to achieve. And the most crucial part of this equation is Western military aid.

"The Russian theory of victory is plausible if Ukraine's international partners fail to properly resource the [Ukrainian armed forces]," Watling and Reynolds wrote. "However, if Ukraine's partners continue to provide sufficient ammunition and training support...to enable the blunting of Russian attacks in 2024, then Russia is unlikely to achieve significant gains in 2025. If Russia lacks the prospect of gains in 2025...then it follows that it will struggle to force Kyiv to capitulate by 2026."

Other analysts agree that what happens this year will go a long way toward deciding the war's outcome.

"Decisions made now will determine whether the Ukrainian military is resourced to hold its positions through 2024, fend off Russian attacks, and rebuild strength for 2025 and beyond," Massicot told RFE/RL in e-mailed comments.

"[T]he signs all seem to indicate that the fighting will continue into at least early 2025," Deyermond said. "What happens after that, including how soon and under what circumstances the war ends, will depend on what happens later this year."
As Russias war in Ukraine enters its third year, its effects have been global as the grinding conflict upended political assumptions, battered economies, and opened the door to geopolitical realignment.

Perhaps nowhere have the ripple effects from Russias invasion been felt stronger than in Central Asia, where Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have found themselves navigating a very different looking world since February 24, 2022.



Moscow has long been the regions leading external player, but the war has changed perceptions about Russia within Central Asia that has created openings for China, Turkey, the United States, and the EU.



But after two years of important economic, social, and political changes in Central Asia, whats next?



To better understand how the war in Ukraine has altered Central Asia, RFE/RL asked five leading experts and journalists to explain how they think the region has changed and where it may be going in the future.

Finding A New Normal With Russia

Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Center in Berlin

Initially, there was a prevailing belief in Central Asia that Russia would become a toxic partner, meaning that cooperation with it would be impossible. However, the past two years of war have revealed a different reality, one where despite Russia's isolation and economic challenges, it remains an important partner for the region.



Two years on, there are still some sectors of partnership where Moscow is a valuable partner for the authoritarian regimes in Central Asia, while Russia itself also finds the regions five countries increasingly useful as a window to the unsanctioned world.



Within Central Asia, societal views toward Russia have evolved. People now perceive Russia through a different lens. Surveys conducted by the Central Asian Barometer and Demiscope confirm this shift, highlighting a new trend of prevailing disapproval of its northern neighbor. The war in Ukraine has played a pivotal role in reshaping public sentiment. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has drawn increased attention from the global community toward Central Asia and the region now finds itself in the international spotlight.

Looking ahead, Central Asian nations face a critical agenda. First, they must engage proactively with the international community, but the challenge lies in transforming these external financial and political opportunities into internal progress. Secondly, they need to strike a delicate balance in their relations with Russia and other global players. Avoiding the perception of blind support for Russia's actions while simultaneously avoiding accusations from Moscow of becoming anti-Russian. Achieving this equilibrium will be pivotal for Central Asia's future stability and prosperity.

Putting Kazakh Diplomacy To The Test

Chris Rickleton, RFE/RL Central Asia correspondent in Almaty



In Kazakhstan, just weeks before Russian forces began their bombardment of Ukrainian cities, Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaevs regime required an intervention from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) -- a Moscow-led military bloc -- just to stay afloat, as 238 people were killed in January 2022 during the Central Asian countrys worst independence-era turmoil.



But on the eve of the war, Kazakhstan defied expectations by firmly ruling out the prospect of recognizing Russia-backed separatist entities in eastern Ukraine. Many commentators had seen Toqaev as indebted to Putin for his intervention and Kazakhstans neutral stance incurred the collective wrath of Russian lawmakers and Kremlin propagandists.



Some of those commentators made unsubtle references to the 7,600-kilometer border the two countries share -- the longest continuous land border in the world -- and the large ethnic Russian population in Kazakhstans northern provinces. But despite the tense rhetoric, Toqaev has managed to keep ties between Moscow and Astana largely stable.



So how has Kazakhstan managed to sit on two stools, as Kazakh political commentators put it?



Backing from China has helped.



In September 2022, Chinese leader Xi Jinping made Kazakhstan his first foreign visit since the onset of the coronavirus to Astana. While there, he issued a noteworthy pledge that Beijing would categorically oppose the interference of any forces in the internal affairs of your country -- a message, perhaps, to Moscow as much as the West. After that, the hyperaggressive taunting from the north somewhat died down.



This episode highlights how Russias war in Ukraine has inspired an international relations renaissance in Central Asia with Toaqev -- a seasoned diplomat -- and Kazakhstan at the center.

The Kazakh president occupied pride of place next to Joe Biden at the first-ever meeting between a U.S. president and his five Central Asian counterparts on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September. Talks in the same format between the five leaders and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz came next, followed by a visit from French leader Emmanuel Macron to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Toqaev has also been sure to strengthen rapport with countries like Turkey, and the Middle East more broadly.



For the Kremlin this diplomatic maneuvering represents a vexing and contradictory new status quo.



On the one hand, the last thing Moscow needs is more isolated, sanctions-stricken allies. But on the other hand, it is becoming impatient for Kazakhstan to pick a stool.

Harnessing New Opportunities

Luca Anceschi, professor of Eurasian Studies at the University of Glasgow



The Central Asian states seem to have successfully navigated the far more polarized geopolitical environment brought by Russias invasion of Ukraine.



Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the regions key players, adopted a posture of calculated distance from the Kremlin where they are not seen as Russias supporters despite issuing no significant criticism of the ongoing invasion.



This middle ground has come with other benefits and has been kind to leaders with nondemocratic outlooks, as seen by the success experienced by the regions governments in their drive to regenerate their authoritarian agendas at home.



Since 2022, we have witnessed Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan find ways to prolong the time in office of their established leaders; Turkmenistan complete its dynastic succession; Tajikistan lay the groundwork for its own such succession; and Kyrgyzstan to centralize and personalize the power of its president.



When we look at the economic dimensions of the war, Central Asia has also received some benefits from the invasion. Rises in remittances from Russia -- vital for the regions poorest economies, namely Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan -- have dovetailed with increases in bilateral trade with Russia and boosting the regions prospects for economic growth in the process.



Much will depend on how the West responds in the future and whether these favorable conditions will stay in place in the medium-term. Increased attention on sanctions busting may, for instance, reduce Central Asias economic gains from the war, while a more assertive West may make occupying this middle ground more uncomfortable for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

China, Russia, and Central Asia

Giulia Sciorati, fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science



Two years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China's stance on Moscow remains a balancing act, although Chinese diplomats have attempted to develop more cohesive rhetoric about the war and stepped up their diplomatic efforts toward Ukraine through high-level meetings and indirect economic support.



In the last year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and a new Ukrainian ambassador to Beijing was appointed -- a position that had been vacant since 2021. Notably, in July 2023, Ukrainian Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka visited China, marking the first ranking visit from a Ukrainian official since the war.



This search for balance is no straightforward task. Beijing and Moscow declared a no limits partnership shortly before the Kremlins invasion and China has at times awkwardly tried to prioritize its relationship with Russia, which is seen as important for jointly pushing back against the West, and its other interests.



In Central Asia, this has seen China carry out a landmark summit with all five countries in May that was followed with a road map for an enhanced economic and political partnership. Beijing has also looked to reshape its global image around the war, selling itself as a neutral peacemaker and unveiling its own outline for how to end the conflict.

Moving forward, one key question for the Central Asian states is how much distance there actually is between China and Russia for them to move through. While Beijing and Moscow do not see eye to eye on every issue, they share many key interests when it comes to the region and the wider neighborhood, as evidenced by their overlapping positions on Afghanistan, Gaza, and Iran.



This limits Chinas positive image-building in Central Asia and globally, which remains overshadowed by the countrys prominent cooperation with Moscow.

An Opening For Eurasian Trade

Emil Avdaliani, professor of international relations at the European University in Tbilisi



The war in Ukraine made the Central Asian states become bolder in their foreign policy and has boosted the regions importance as a corridor for global trade.



Before February 2022, both the European Union and China found the northern trade route between Asia and Europe via Russia sufficient, as they leveraged Moscows extensive rail network and lenient customs practices. At that time the Middle Corridor, stretching from the Black Sea across the Caspian to Central Asia, was largely overlooked, receiving minimal investment or attention from major powers.



But thats changed since Russias invasion, with Western powers, China, Turkey, and smaller states along the route all making efforts to expand it.



For the countries of Central Asia, this means more space. In the case of Kazakhstan, the war gave Astana an opportunity to reassess and reduce its heavy economic reliance on Russia, despite their official alliance and membership in various Russian-led groupings. Kazakhstan has been one of the main drivers behind the Middle Corridor, which has seen new investments and trade volumes rise.



More broadly, the war and subsequent Western sanctions imposed on Moscow have turned Russia into only one among many key players in Central Asia, including the United States, the EU, India, Japan, Iran, Turkey, China, and the Gulf states.



In this vein, the war in Ukraine might have ended an era of Russian domination in Central Asia, which will continue to be eroded by new alternatives, whether they be in the form of trade routes or political partners.
BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Wang Huning, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has urged firm efforts to advance the cause of national reunification.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at a meeting on Taiwan affairs held in Beijing on Thursday and Friday.

Wang stressed resolutely implementing the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era and the decisions and plans made by the CPC Central Committee on work related to Taiwan. 
Michael Bolton

The two people who arrested in connection to a seizure of 32 million worth of suspected crystal meth have been charged and are set to appear in court.

Gardai, along with Revenue officers, seized 546kg of a synthetic drug, suspected to be crystal meth, on Friday, February 16th.

Follow-up searches were conducted in Kerry and Cork which resulted in the arrests of two men in their 40s, and the seizure of two firearms.

The two men are set to appear in front of Tralee District Court on Friday afternoon.
Claire Henry and Fiona Ferguson

A woman with 194 previous convictions has been jailed for two years for her role as a getaway driver in a crime spree.

Pamela Bird (40) of Fishermans Wharf, Ringsend, Dublin 4, pleaded guilty to robbery, two counts of attempted robbery and one count of theft on various locations in Dublin on dates between September 29th 2021, and November 3rd 2021.

She has 194 previous convictions, which include 114 for theft offences.

Previous hearing

At a previous hearing last year, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that this offending was carried out on a joint enterprise basis, which involved Birds co-accused entering these premises and Bird driving the co-accused away from the scene.

Detective Garda Darren Feely told Aideen Collard, BL, prosecuting, that on September 29th 2021, at around 4pm, a man entered the Daybreak shop in Rochestown, Dun Laoghaire.

The man walked to the counter, then asked for money and said, This is a robbery, and produced a knife.

The manager of the shop pressed the panic alarm, and the man fled the scene in a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla with visible number plates and missing hubcaps.

Det Gda Feely said CCTV footage captured Bird arriving at a petrol station on November 3rd 2021 at 1.20pm. Her co-accused got out of the car and put 40 worth of fuel into the tank before getting back into the car and driving away without paying.

The court heard that later that day, CCTV footage at the Daybreak Applegreen station captured Birds co-accused getting out of her car with a steak knife in his hand.

He walked to the counter of the shop, pushed a shop worker to the side and said, This is a robbery; give me your money.

The shop manager pressed the panic button, and the co-accused tried to open the till, but he failed and fled. He was seen once again getting into a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla.

Prosecuting counsel said the final count relates to a robbery at the Daybreak shop in Monkstown. The male co-accused entered the shop and repeatedly asked for money.

The till was opened, and cash was taken, along with 400 cigarettes. Staff in the shop pressed the panic alarm and gardai were alerted. CCTV footage was obtained and showed the man being driven away by birds.

Getaway

The court heard that gardai saw the car being driven by Bird, and it was stopped.

Birds co-accused was found in the back seat of the car changing his clothes. Gardai found a large amount of cash in his underwear.

Bird and the co-accused were arrested and interviewed. Bird made admissions during interview, admitting to driving the car and changing the licence plates.

She told gardai that the offences were planned and they wanted money to buy drugs.

Det Gda Feely agreed with Kevin Roche BL, defending that this was a spree involving a number of offences over a short period of time. He said Bird was not present in the shops during any of the robberies.

The garda agreed with counsel that Bird was the driver when the car was stopped, and she gave no problems to the gardai.

The detective added that he had not seen someone as sick from withdrawals since the 1990s and added that the interview had to be stopped on occasion so Bird could get sick.

Mr Roche told the court at a previous hearing last year that his client started using heroin at the age of 15 and had taken up bail to undertake focused and secure rehabilitation care with the Peter McVerry Trust.

He said Bird is drugs-tested on a twice-weekly basis and handed in urine analysis, which was negative for any substances.

Guilty plea

He asked the court at the hearing last year to take into account the early guilty plea, that she had a lesser role in the offending, that she made admissions during her garda interview and that she has rehabilitated herself since this offence.

On Friday, Mr Roche told the court that since the last date Bird had a health scare and, as a way of coping had unfortunately suffered a relapse.

The court heard that she has come to garda attention since last date and is currently in custody.

Judge Elma Sheahan on Friday noted the content of a probation report and said that Bird had been given an opportunity to put her best foot forward due to the fair evidence of the garda on the last day.

She said Bird had been given the opportunity to engage with the Probation Service which was under significant stress and it was not tolerable that they had to follow her around to try and get her to engage with them when they had so much else to do.

She said the report outlined that Bird engages positively with the service while in custody, but her pattern on release is to relapse.

She said that in circumstances where they had sought to engage with her to no avail since last August, the court did not see a role for the service in this case.

Judge Sheahan noted that in these offences Bird had driven a get-away vehicle while her co-accused had robbed or attempted to rob shops.

She noted Bird had a serious history of offending and a significant drug addiction at the time of her arrest. She noted Bird has made significant efforts to deal with her addiction and other personal circumstances in the past. She noted the letter explaining why she had relapsed recently.

The judge noted Bird had not been involved in violence and was at a remove from the offending but was a party to the enterprise.

Judge Sheahan set a headline sentence of four years, which she reduced to two and a half years taking into account the mitigating circumstance.

She gave credit for six months in custody and imposed a two-year sentence to run from Fridays date.
Article 370 Movie

Real life of Zooni, played by Yami Gautam

Article 370 Movie Yami Gautam Character Real Name Zooni Haksar: Who is Zooni Haksar? People are eager to more about the real life of Zooni, played by Yami Gautam in Aditya Dhar's recently released film 'Article 370'.

The film revolves around the young field agent who was picked from the Prime Minister's office for a top-secret mission to crack down on terrorism and corruption.

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Who is Zooni Haksar?

Zooni Haksar, the fearless one, chosen by Rajeshwari Swaminathan from the Prime Minister's Office for a covert mission. Their goal was to shattering terrorism and dismantle the billion-dollar conflict economy. It was during 2017 to 2019, between the PMO imperium and Kashmir, when separatists were beholden to Pakistan and used to hire stone-pelters. Back then, Zooni Haksar had managed to trap no less than the militant Burhan Wani. However, Zooni was hauled up for ignoring the protocol and was summoned by Rajeshwari to lead a National Intelligence Agency mission.

Zooni delivered the coup de grace to terrorists while Rajeshwari discovered a crucial clause that allowed the government to have its way in Parliament.

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Intelligence agent Zooni Haksar was posted in Kashmir and joined the forces with Rajeshwari Swaminathan, a bureaucrat in the Prime Ministers Office in Delhi, laying the groundwork for the decision on Article 370. They were reportedly backed to the hilt by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.

Unfortunately or maybe for security purposes, there is not much information available about Zooni Haksar on the Internet.

(For more news apart from Article 370 Movie Yami Gautam Character Real Name Zooni Haksar, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Matsyagandha OTT Platform Release Date Update News

'Matsyagandha' is a Kannada language action film

Matsyagandha OTT Platform Release Date Update: 'Matsyagandha' is a Kannada language action film which has been released on February 23, 2024. "Matsyagandha" is an action movie starring Saurav Lokesh, Sharath Lohitashwa, Prashanth Siddi, Nagaraj Byndoor, and Mime Ramadas while the film is directed by BS Vishwanath.

In the tranquil village by the river, Matsyagandha, a girl abandoned at birth, finds solace in the water's embrace. Her past haunts her as the "river girl," hindering her dreams. Encountering a wise sage, Matsyagandha learns of her divine destiny, igniting a journey of self-discovery.

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Despite facing challenges, she persists, earning respect through acts of kindness. Through her journey, Matsyagandha sheds the shackles of her past, emerging as a beacon of hope for her village. "Matsyagandha" encapsulates the tale of redemption and self-realization, illustrating the transformative power of embracing one's true self amidst adversity.

"Matsyagandha" OTT Platform Release Date Update:

The makers of Matsyagandha' have not yet confirmed any OTT release date as of now. However, there might be further announcements regarding the streaming of the movie online after its theatrical release.
Nerve movie OTT Platform Release Date Update News

'Nerve' is a Bengali thriller film

Nerve OTT Release Date Update: 'Nerve' is a Bengali thriller film which has been released on February 23, 2024, in your nearby cinemas. "Nerve" is thriller movie starring Akshay Arun, Ananya Guha, and Rupsha Mukhopadhyay in the lead roles while it is directed by Sayan Basu Chowdhury.

Despite her condition, Ritika expresses affection for Dev. However, doubts arise about the authenticity of Ritika's paralysis and her feelings for Dev. The possibility arises that Ritika might be deceiving her sister and others, using her wheelchair-bound state as a facade for ulterior motives.

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This raises questions about trust and honesty within their relationship, adding layers of intrigue to the story depicted in the image. To find out about what happens next, you would have to see the film.

"Nerve" OTT Platform Release Date Update:

The makers of Nerve' have not yet confirmed any OTT release date as of now. However, there might be further announcements regarding the streaming of the movie online after its theatrical release.
KIRKENES, Norway, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian politicians and business leaders discussed the prospect of opening up a new navigation route and enhancing infrastructure in Northern Norway at the two-day Kirkenes Conference that concluded on Thursday.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store mentioned the possible accelerated timeline for opening up the Northern Sea Route given the impacts of climate change on maritime navigation.

"A few years ago, it was predicted that the sea route would be opened late in this century. Now, climate change has made that very different. There can be commercial sailing already in the years to come. And for that to be safe sailing, we need also updated, reliable infrastructure," Store told Xinhua.

Magnus Maeland, mayor of Sor-Varanger municipality where the conference was held, advocated for comprehensive investment in the area's infrastructure. "Both military and civil infrastructural enhancements are critical for us," he said.

Some participants also called for further international cooperation, including with China, in various fields,

Rune Rafaelsen, former mayor of Sor-Varanger, highlighted the untapped potential for tourism and industrial cooperation with China and other countries, advocating for a multifaceted approach to regional development that includes cultural exchanges, sustainable resource management, and infrastructure projects.

"The possibilities for cooperation are boundless, provided we engage in respectful dialogue and adhere to laws and regulations. This region can become a linchpin in international trade and cultural exchange with the right partnerships and legal frameworks," Rafaelsen said.

"Business with Chinese companies must be welcomed. We've had visits from several delegations from China talking about a lot of different industries with interest in establishing business in Kirkenes," said Terje Jorgensen, director of the Kirkenes Port.

The Kirkenes Conference is an annual event held in Kirkenes, Norway, since 2008. It serves as a platform for discussions and dialogue on various developmental facets within Northern Norway and its adjacent regions. 
Once Upon a Time in Kochi OTT Platform Release Date News

Once Upon a Time in Kochi' is a Malayalam comedy film

Once Upon a Time in Kochi OTT Release Date Update: 'Once Upon a Time in Kochi' is a Malayalam comedy film which has been released on February 23, 2024 in your nearby cinemas. "Once Upon a Time in Kochi" is a comedy movie starring Njan Prakashan, Devika Sanjay and is directed by Nadirshah's.

Once upon a time in the bustling city of Kochi, there lived a young boy named Ravi. Ravi was an orphan who grew up in the streets, surviving by doing odd jobs and selling newspapers.

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Despite his difficult circumstances, Ravi had a heart of gold and always dreamed of making a better life for himself. He had a passion for storytelling and spent his free time reading books borrowed from the local library. One day, while wandering through the streets of Kochi, Ravi stumbled upon an old, abandoned bookstore. Curious, he peeked inside and was amazed to find shelves filled with dusty books of all shapes and sizes.

Intrigued, Ravi approached the owner of the store, an elderly man named Mr. Nair. Mr. Nair was kind-hearted and took pity on Ravi when he learned about his love for books. He offered Ravi a job at the bookstore, allowing him to earn a small income while indulging in his passion for reading. For the rest of the story, you need to watch the film.

"Once Upon a Time in Kochi" OTT Platform Release Date Update:

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The makers of Once Upon a Time in Kochi' have not yet confirmed any OTT release date as of now. However, there might be further announcements regarding the streaming of the movie online after its theatrical release.
Ranam Aram Thavarel OTT Platform Release Date News

'Ranam Aram Thavarel' is a Tamil language

Ranam Aram Thavarel OTT Platform Release Date Update: 'Ranam Aram Thavarel' is a Tamil language mystery thriller film which has been released on February 23, 2024 in your nearby cinemas. "Ranam Aram Thavarel" is a mystry Thriller movie starring Tanya Hope and Saras Menon as lead characters and is directed by Sherief.

"Ranam Aram Thavarel" tells the story of a young man named Aravind, who finds himself caught in the midst of a tumultuous conflict in his village. Aravind, a humble farmer, leads a peaceful life with his family until a powerful landowner threatens to seize their land for his own selfish gain. Determined to protect his home and livelihood, Aravind embarks on a journey of courage and resilience.

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As tensions escalate and violence erupts in the village, Aravind must navigate through treacherous situations, facing challenges and making difficult choices along the way. With the support of his loved ones and the strength of his convictions, Aravind confronts injustice and stands up against oppression.

Through his unwavering determination and unwavering spirit, Aravind becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for his community, rallying them together to fight for their rights and freedom.

"Ranam Aram Thavarel: The Struggle for Survival" is a compelling tale of ordinary people rising up against adversity, showcasing the power of unity, courage, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

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Ranam Aram Thavarel movie OTT Platform Release Date Update:

The makers of Ranam Aram Thavarel ' have not yet confirmed any OTT release date as of now. However, there might be further announcements regarding the streaming of the movie online after its theatrical release.
Sundaram Master OTT Platform Release Date Update New

'Sundaram Master' is a Telugu comedy film

Sundaram Master OTT Release Date Update: 'Sundaram Master' is a Telugu comedy film which has been released on February 23, 2024, in your nearby cinemas. "Sundaram Master" is a comedy movie starring Harsha Chemudu and is directed by Kalyan Santhosh.

Sundaram, a young man from a small town, harbors a deep passion for dance. Despite financial hardships and doubts from his family, he pursues his dream relentlessly. When he stumbles upon a local dance competition, he seizes the opportunity to showcase his talent. With his captivating performance, Sundaram not only wins the competition but also earns the admiration of the audience.

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His victory propels him into the spotlight, attracting attention from a prestigious dance academy in the city. Sundaram embraces the chance to further his skills and embarks on a new chapter in his life.



"Sundaram Master" OTT Platform Release Date Update:

The makers of Sundaram Master' have not yet confirmed any OTT release date as of now. However, there might be further announcements regarding the streaming of the movie online after its theatrical release.
Vekhi ja chhedi na movie OTT Platform Release Date News

'Vekhi Ja Chhedi Na' is a Punjabi comedy film

Vekhi Ja Chhedi Na Movie OTT Release Date Update: 'Vekhi Ja Chhedi Na' is a Punjabi comedy film which has been released on February 23, 2024, in your nearby cinemas. "Vekhi Ja Chhedi Na" is a thriller movie starring Love Gill, and Gurmeet Saajan while it is directed by Manjeet Singh Tony, and Gurmeet Saajan.

"Vekhi Ja Chhedi Na" is a captivating drama revolving around the complex dynamics between two brothers, Armaan and Karma, and their shared love interest, Nikki. The plot intricately weaves together themes of deception, forbidden love, and familial obligations.

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Armaan finds himself trapped in a marriage to Nikki but is unable to get intimate with her due to the interference of his elder brother, Karma. The situation becomes even more complicated as Nikki is portrayed as Karma's wife in front of his in-laws, while she assumes the role of Armaan's wife in front of her own parents.

As the tangled web of lies and deceit continues to unravel, the characters face the looming threat of being exposed. The audience is left on the edge of their seats, wondering if the truth will ultimately come to light and what consequences it will bring for all involved. "Vekhi Ja Chhedi Na" is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.

"Vekhi Ja Chhedi Na" OTT Platform Release Date Update:

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The makers of Vekhi Ja Chhedi Na' have not yet confirmed any OTT release date as of now. However, there might be further announcements regarding the streaming of the movie online after its theatrical release.
RBI asks NPCI to examine use of UPI channel

RBI issued additional steps necessary to ensure seamless digital payments

Paytm app Latest News: While the Paytm Payments Bank cannot accept further credits into its customer accounts and wallets after March 15, 2024, RBI has issued additional steps which are necessary to ensure seamless digital payments by UPI customers using Paytm handle operated by the Paytm Payments Bank, and minimise concentration risk in the UPI system by having multiple payment app providers.

The additional steps are as follows:

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i) National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has been advised by the RBI to examine the request of One97 Communication Ltd (OCL) to become a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) for UPI channel for continued UPI operation of the Paytm app, as per the norms.

ii) It has been further advised that in the event of NPCI granting TPAP status to OCL, it may be stipulated that @paytm' handles are to be migrated in a seamless manner from Paytm Payments Bank to a set of newly identified banks to avoid any disruption. No new users are to be added by the said TPAP until all the existing users are migrated satisfactorily to a new handle.

iii) For seamless migration of '@paytm' handle to other banks, NPCI may facilitate certification of 4-5 banks as Payment Service Provider (PSP) Banks with demonstrated capabilities to process high volume UPI transactions. This is in line with NPCI norms for minimising concentration risk.

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iv) For the merchants using PayTM QR Codes, OCL may open the settlement accounts with one or more PSP Banks (other than Paytm Payments Bank).

RBI also clarified that:

1) the migration of UPI handles as above is applicable only to such customers and merchants who have a UPI handle '@Paytm'. For others who have a UPI address by them or handle other than @Paytm', no action is required to be taken

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ii) Similarly, the customers, whose underlying account/ wallet is currently with Paytm Payments Bank, are advised to make alternative arrangement with other banks well before March 15, 2024, as already advised in the FAQs released by RBI on February 16, 2024.

RBI reiterated that the holders of FASTag and National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) issued by Paytm Payments Bank, may make alternative arrangements before March 15, 2024 to avoid any inconvenience.
Farmers Protest: Punjab Govt to Give Rs 1 Cr to Shubkaran Singh's Family, Govt Job to His Sister

Shubkaran Singh had succumbed to his injuries that he had sustained during clash with Haryana Police.

Farmers Protest, Punjab's Shubkaran Singh Death News: In a major development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to the family of Shubhkaran Singh, who was "martyred" during the farmers' protest at Khanauri border.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote: "The family of Shubkaran Singh, who was martyred during the farmer's movement on the Khanuri border, will be given financial assistance of Rs 1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against the culprits."

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(For more news apart from Farmers Protest, Punjab's Shubkaran Singh Death News, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Indian shares eked out modest gains on Friday, tracking a global rally in equities.

The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex was up 155 points, or 0.2 percent, at 73,311 while the broader NSE Nifty index was up 45 points, or 0.2 percent, at 22,262.

Spicejet rallied 1.5 percent after completing a fund raising.

Vodafone Idea soared 7 percent ahead of a board meet next week to consider fund raising proposals.

IRCTC jumped 2.2 percent as it partnered with Swiggy for pre-ordered meal delivery.

Grasim Industries edged up slightly after announcing its entry into the decorative paint .

Angel One rose about 1 percent on fund raising reports.

Jana Small Finance Bank gained nearly 2 percent as it reported 13 percent year-on-year growth in quarterly net profit.

Ramkrishna Forgings advanced 2.2 percent after it received board approval to start manufacturing and supplies operations from its Mexico location.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
French drug major Sanofi (SNYNF,SNY) announced Friday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for Priority Review the supplemental Biologics License Application or sBLA for Dupixent (dupilumab).

The sBLA is for Dupixent in a sixth potential indication as an add-on maintenance treatment in certain adult patients with uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.

The target action date for the FDA decision is June 27, 2024. The company noted that regulatory submissions are also under review in China and the European Union.

If approved, Dupixent would be the only biologic therapy for COPD and the first new treatment approach for the disease in more than a decade, Sanofi said.

COPD is a respiratory disease that damages the lungs and causes progressive lung function decline, with symptoms including persistent cough, breathlessness and excessive mucus production.

The company said the Priority Review is granted based on positive results from two Phase 3 trials.

The sBLA, along with other worldwide submissions, are supported by data from the Phase 3 COPD clinical research program evaluating the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in adults who were current or former smokers with uncontrolled COPD with evidence of type 2 inflammation.

The primary endpoint was met in both trials of BOREAS and NOTUS, showing Dupixent significantly reduced moderate or severe acute COPD exacerbations by 30% and 34% respectively, compared to placebo.

In both trials, Dupixent also rapidly and significantly improved lung function compared to placebo, with improvements sustained at 52 weeks.

For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com

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Business News
BASF SE (BFA.L,BASFY.PK), a battery materials producer, reported net income of 225 million euros in fiscal year 2023, compared to a loss of 627 million euros in 2022.

Income from operations (EBIT) before special items in the 2023 year amounted to 3.8 billion euros. The decline of 3.1 billion euros compared with the prior-year figure was primarily due to a considerably lower earnings contribution from the Chemicals and Materials segments.

EBIT was 2.2 billion euros in 2023; the steep decline compared with the prior-year figure resulted primarily from special items amounting to minus 1.6 billion euros.

Annual sales declined to 68.9 billion euros from 87.3 billion euros in the previous year, hurt by considerably lower prices and volumes. Lower raw materials prices in particular led to lower prices in almost all segments. Sales volumes fell in all segments as a result of weak demand from many customer industries.

The company said its board will propose a dividend of 3.40 euros per share, equal to the prior-year level, to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting.

The company said it plans to reduce costs at the Ludwigshafen site by a further 1 billion euros annually by the end of 2026. This is in addition to the existing cost savings program in non-production units with a focus on Europe and the adaptation of production structures in Ludwigshafen.

BASF expects the weakness in global economic momentum from 2023 to continue in 2024.

EBITDA before special items for 2024 is expected to rise to between 8.0 billion euros and 8.6 billion euros in 2024 compared to 7.7 billion euros in 2023.

For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com

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Business News
Bloomin' Brands, Inc. (BLMN), a casual dining restaurant chain, reported Friday that its fourth-quarter net income attributable to the company declined to $43.27 million from last year's $58.05 million.

Earnings per share were $0.45, down from last year's $0.61. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.75, compared to prior year's $0.68.

Analysts on average expected the company to report earnings of $0.69 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.



Total revenues grew 9.1 percent to $1.19 billion from last year's $1.10 billion. The Street was looking for revenues of $1.2 billion.

Combined U.S. comparable restaurant sales dropped 0.2 percent, while International sales from Outback Steakhouse - Brazil grew 0.6 percent.

Looking ahead for the first quarter, the company projects earnings per share of $0.56 to $0.62 and adjusted earnings per share of $0.70 to $0.75.

Analysts expect the company to report earnings of $0.93 per share.

U.S. comparable restaurant sales for the quarter are expected to be down 0.5 percent to down 2 percent.

For fiscal 2024, the company projects earnings per share of $2.27 to $2.46 and adjusted earnings per share of $2.51 to $2.66. Analysts expect the company to report earnings of $2.58 per share for the year.

In fiscal 2023, earnings per share were $2.56 and adjusted earnings per share were $2.93.

U.S. comparable restaurant sales for the year are expected to bef lat to up 2 percent.

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Business News
People check the rubble of buildings destroyed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 23, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 29,514 since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October last year, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Friday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

GAZA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 29,514 since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October last year, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Friday.

"During the past 24 hours, about 104 Palestinians were killed and 160 others wounded by Israeli attacks in Gaza," the ministry said in a press statement.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll in the West Bank city of Jenin from an Israeli airstrike on a vehicle rose to two on Friday, after a 17-year-old boy succumbed to injury, according to Palestine's official news agency WAFA.

The commander of Palestinian militant group Jenin Brigades, Yasser Hanoun, was killed after an Israeli airstrike hit his car in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank on Thursday. The attack also injured 15 others, according to Palestinian eyewitnesses and medical sources.

Hamas, the Islamist group ruling Gaza, has been involved in a conflict with Israel after it carried out an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, during which its militants killed about 1,200 Israelis and seized more than 240 others as hostages. 

People check the rubble of buildings destroyed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 23, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 29,514 since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October last year, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Friday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

A man checks the rubble of buildings destroyed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 23, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 29,514 since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October last year, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Friday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

People check the rubble of buildings destroyed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 23, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 29,514 since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October last year, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Friday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

People check the rubble of buildings destroyed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 23, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 29,514 since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October last year, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Friday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)
Wesco International Inc. (WCC), a logistics and distribution company, Friday announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Integrated Supply to Vallen Distribution, Inc., a portfolio company affiliated to Nautic Partners, LLC, for $350 million.

The proceeds will be used to reduce debt and repurchase shares as per the company.

The sale will consist of all of Wesco's industrial maintenance, repair, and operations integrated supply business in North America and Europe. This business had an annual sale of around $784 million in 2023.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter.

In pre-market activity, WESCO shares are trading at $145.51, up 0.69% on the New York Stock Exchange.

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Business News
Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOG) Google issued an apology for its AI chatbot Gemini, generating images of historical figures with inaccurate racial and ethnic depictions, attributing the errors to its attempt to create diverse results.

The statement was made in response to criticism regarding the portrayal of white historical figures like the US Founding Fathers and Nazi-era German soldiers as people of color.

Jack Krawczyk, the head of product for Google's AI division, acknowledged that Gemini created images showing white historical figures as black, Native American, or Asian, including the Founding Fathers and the pope. Krawczyk stated that efforts are being made to address and rectify the inaccuracies promptly.

Google did not specify the images deemed incorrect but reiterated its commitment to resolving the issues, saying that the inaccuracies highlighted the need to improve diversity representation in generative AI due to existing biases and stereotypes.

Google emphasized its commitment to representing a global user base accurately and addressing bias in image generation, while Elon Musk also criticized Google and promoted his own AI alternative, Grok, as past incidents involving diversity mishaps, such as Google's photo app labeling a black couple as "gorillas," have also been associated with the company.

Google Gemini, now known as Gemini, was launched in limited release in March 2023 as a chatbot powered by Google's language model.

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Business News
While Innova was already a popular name, Hycross offers a much better experience with its advanced electric hybrid motor and other segment-first features

In a significant feat, Toyota Innova Hycross has crossed cumulative sales of 50,000 units. This milestone has been achieved in a period of fourteen months. The MPV was launched in November 2022. Maruti Suzuki had launched the rebadged version Invicto last year in July.

Toyota Innova HyCross 50k Sales Record

In 14 months since launch, Innova HyCross sales have crossed the 56k mark. The sales figures show a consistent upward trend in recent months. In January 2024 alone, the Innova HyCross recorded a robust sale of 6,798 units. This marks a significant increase compared to the previous month, December 2023, where 4,115 units were sold. The positive momentum can be traced back to the entire year of 2023, with sales consistently exceeding the 4,000 units per month mark.

This impressive performance has culminated in a total of 56,412 units sold since the launch of the Toyota Innova HyCross. The average monthly sales stand at 4,029 units, showcasing a consistent and healthy demand for the hybrid model. Toyotas decision to introduce a hybrid variant of its popular Innova model seems to have resonated well with consumers, as they increasingly prioritize environmentally friendly options without compromising on performance and practicality.

What makes Innova Hycross so popular?

Innova Hycross benefits from the credibility associated with the Innova brand name. Hycross gets multiple segment-first features including the new strong hybrid powertrain. The MPV has the latest 2.0-litre Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) petrol engine. The hybrid model utilizes the advanced 5th-gen self-charging hybrid electric technology. The strong hybrid variant generates 186 PS of max power, whereas the petrol-only model churns out 174 PS. Both models come with CVT transmission.

Class-leading fuel efficiency is another positive aspect of Innova Hycross. The petrol-only variant delivers 16.13 km/l. The hybrid variant offers best-in-class fuel efficiency of 23.24 km/l. Hycross utilizes a new monocoque frame, which has also helped in improving fuel efficiency. It has also improved overall comfort and driving performance.

Toyota Innova Hycross segment-first features

Innova Hycross has received appreciation for its sporty, SUV-like profile. Some of the key highlights include an imposing grille and bumper, tri-eye LED headlamps, first-in-segment dual function DRL + indicator, R18 metallic alloy wheels, sporty roof spoiler and surface emitting LED tail lamps. Segment-first features include ventilated seats, paddle shifters, power back door, rear sunshade, multi-zone AC, electrochromic IRVM and powered Ottoman seats with long slide.

Other key highlights include panoramic sunroof with mood lighting, roof mounted AC vents, 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 7-inch TFT instrument cluster, 360 camera view, 9-speaker JBL sound system and 8-way powered driver seat with memory function. Safety kit includes Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) that offers features such as blind spot monitor, dynamic radar cruise control, lane trace assist, pre-collision warning and rear cross traffic alert. More than 65 connectivity features are offered with Toyota Innova Hycross.

Innova Hycross pricing, rivals

Toyota Innova Hycross petrol variants are available in the price range of Rs 18.92 lakh to Rs 19.82 lakh. Innova Hycross hybrid variants start at Rs 25.72 lakh. The top-spec variant costs Rs 30.68 lakh. The rebadged model, Maruti Invicto, is offered with only the strong hybrid powertrain. Invicto is available in the price range of Rs 25.21 lakh to Rs 28.92 lakh. Invicto sales are a small fraction in comparison to sales of Innova Hycross.

There arent any direct rivals to Toyota Innova Hycross. The MPV does serve as a premium alternative to the likes of Kia Carens and Mahindra Morazzo. In January 2024, Hycross was the top selling Toyota car. Sales were at 6,798 units, which is a YoY gain of 376.38% in comparison to 1,427 units sold in the corresponding period last year. Hycross contributed close to 30% of overall sales of Toyota. In comparison, Innova Crysta sales were at 2,602 units in January. Percentage share in sales was 11.22 percent.
TVS Motor has registered double digit growth across its two wheeler segment, both in terms of domestic sales and exports in January 2024

TVS Motor Company entered the New Year with strong performance seen across its two wheeler segment. The company has posted positive sales both in domestic and global markets and increased sales both across its motorcycle and scooter lineups. The company has also gained traction for its electric two wheeler iQube, which witnessed a 33 percent YoY growth in January 2024.

TVS Motor Domestic Sales January 2024

Total two wheelers sold by TVS Motor both in domestic and global markets in January 2024 has registered a growth of 21.37 percent YoY. Sales increased from 2,58,691 units sold in January 2023 to 3,29,005 units sold in January 2024. TVS Motor sales in January 2024 stood at 2,68,143 units, up 26.20 percent YoY over 2,12,471 units sold in January 2023. This was a volume growth of 55,672 units.

It was the Jupiter scooter that commanded the most attention in domestic markets with 74,225 units sold last month. This was a 36.23 percent YoY growth over 54,484 units sold in January 2023. The Jupiter was also the 2nd best-selling scooter in the country, scaling over Suzuki Access and Ola S1 by a significant margin. This list also included the Ntorq at No. 5 on the same list.

TVS Raider has also seen increased demand with 43,331 units sold last month, an 86.51 percent YoY growth over 23,233 units sold in January 2023. It was followed by the XL with 42,036 units sold last month, a 14.47 percent improvement from 36,723 units sold in January 2023. TVS Apache sales stood at 31,222 units last month. It was also at No. 7 on the top 10 motorcycle list, overtaking sales of the Hero Passion and RE Classic by a few units.

TVS Ntorq sales grew 11.76 percent YoY to 27,227 units while the companys sole electric scooter iQube has seen a 27.88 percent increase in sales to 15,562 units in January 2023. TVS iQube also featured at No. 2 on the list of electric two wheeler sales last month. There were 11,916 units of the Radeon sold last month relating to a 32.93 percent YoY growth while sales of Sport dipped 4.70 percent YoY to 10,229 units. While TVS Zest has posted a 58.89 percent YoY growth to 7,560 units in January 2024, sales of the Star City dipped by 34.78 percent to 2,089 units. The list also included the relatively new Ronin with 2,049 units sold along with 697 units of the R 310.

TVS Exports January 2024

Exports of TVS Motor grew by 31.68 percent to 60,862 units in January 2024, up from 46,220 units sold in January 2023. This was a volume growth of 14,642 units. Globally, it was the Star City 125 that commanded the most attention with 32,743 units sold last month, up 99.66 percent over 16,399 units sold in January 2023. It currently holds a 53.80 percent share on the companys export list.

Exports improved for the Apache by 184.61 percent, the highest percentage growth as compared to any other model on this list. There had been 9,725 units shipped last month, up from 3,417 units exported in January 2023. TVS Sport (6,717 units) and Jupiter scooter (4,830 units) also posted 105.04 percent and 43.88 percent YoY growth respectively.

Raider exports grew by 49.93 percent to 4,285 units. There was a de-growth of 18.65 percent for Ntorq exports to 2,172 units last month. TVS Ronin (328 units) and R 310 (62 units) featured lower down on the export list.
Press Release

INTERNATIONAL COURT AND JUSTICE FOR GAZA:

A PUBLIC MEETING ON THE ICJ RULING

NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 23: Indians for Palestine, a group of concerned citizens, convened a public meeting on Friday, February 23 to understand the implications of the crucial ruling of the The International Court and Justice for Gaza (ICJ), and extend solidarity and support to Palestine. It was a public meeting between representatives of political parties, the media, the legal fraternity, the international diplomatic community, activists, students, and the public. Among the speakers were lawyer Anand Grover, former ambassador K.P. Fabian, journalist Siddharth Varadarajan, and political leaders including Dipankar Bhattacharya, Asaduddin Owaisi, Amarjeet Kaur and Subhashini Ali. The overflowing meeting Hall showcased the strength of the solidarity of Indians with the people of Palestine, with the resounding slogans of Ceasefire Now!.

The session began with an introductory note by the moderators, Jean Dreze and Ayesha Kidwai. This was followed by a recording of Arwa Abu Hashhash, a Gazan citizen and representative of the Union of Palestinian Working Womens Committee and the Palestinian Peoples Party, who said language is incapable of describing the horror of the massacre that is taking place in the Gaza strip today. She emphasized that every single action of solidarity matters. Adnan Abu Al Haija, the Palestinian ambassador, highlighted how none of the resolutions passed by the United Nations have been implemented. He acknowledged the solidarity expressed by South Africa, Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Ireland, Belgium, and Spain.

It was noted that the daily death rate in Gaza is higher than any other major 21st-century conflict. The total deaths have has surpassed 29,000. This does not even include the irreversible long-term impacts of this massacre on the population of Gaza: deepening of poverty, severe crisis in water availability, the shutdown of healthcare systems, and chronic and intergenerational trauma.

Anand Grover stated that South Africas courage is missing from other countries, especially India. KP Fabian said that standing with Palestine means standing for justice, and pointed out how the international community was allowing the genocide to continue despite the extensive broadcasting of the horrors. Siddharth Varadarajan highlighted the complicity of the current Indian government with Israels ongoing genocide. He pointed out how Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Limited have sent 20 Hermes-900 drones to Israel in early February.

Salman Khurshid (INC) endorsed the stance of Indians for Palestine and called for an immediate ceasefire. Amarjeet Kaur (AITUC) stated that while the Modi government may be with Israel, the Indian people stand with Palestine as indicated by the dock workers who refused to load weaponized cargo being sent to Israel. Subhashini Ali (CPIM) said that this war is not of religion, but of imperialism and that a post-colonial country like India should stand with Palestine; the struggle for Palestine is a struggle for Indias democracy. Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPIML-Liberation) said that the Modi government is implementing the Israeli blueprint against farmers and dissenters.

Representatives of all parties endorsed the call for an immediate ceasefire.

It was in this context that Indians for Palestine had convened the public meeting. They called upon the Indian government to publicly endorse the latest ruling of the ICJ and stand against the violation of the human rights of the Palestinians in Gaza.

o o

RESOLUTION AND STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY

INTERNATIONAL COURT AND JUSTICE FOR GAZA:

A PUBLIC MEETING ON THE ICJ RULING

(New Delhi, 23 February 2024)

By January 11, 2024, the daily death rate in Gaza was higher than in any other major 21st-century conflict. The death toll in Israels ongoing assault on Gaza has now crossed 29,000, most of whom are women and children, with over 70,000 Gazans wounded. Among those killed are approximately 85 journalists and media workers, 152 UN workers, 600 health workers and 12,000 children. The long-term impacts of this continuing massacre go far beyond the immediate casualties: deepening poverty, severe water crisis, the shutdown of healthcare systems, and chronic trauma. According to international experts, the victims of starvation and disease in Gaza may exceed the number of those killed directly during Israeli attacks.

On January 26, 2024, in response to South Africas application against Israel for violating the Genocide Convention in its attacks on Gaza, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent such actions. This ruling is of historic significance because it is for the first time that the worlds highest court has held Israel culpable for its violations of international human rights laws concerning Palestinians. In this regard, the ICJ has deemed the arguments from South Africa as substantiating a plausible claim of genocide.

This landmark order of the ICJ also imposes a moral and legal obligation on other country members of the ICJ and signatories of the Genocide Convention, including India, to cease funding or facilitating Israels military actions. The signatories to the Genocide Convention are obligated to prevent genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, incitement to commit genocide and complicity in genocide. They risk transgressing the Convention if there is no reprimanding of, or suspension of economic-cultural-social relations with Israel  a member country now being tried for genocide. Such is the devastation already caused by Israels actions that there is a moral responsibility on all signatories to the Convention to unequivocally oppose Israels continuing onslaught.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa declared in a statement on 8th February that given his countrys legacy as a nation that has fought and defeated Apartheid, it has a particular obligation to stand up for the rights of people everywhere. It is crucial to remember that Indias position has also been one of opposing Apartheid.

Given this shared stance, we are dismayed to note the Indian governments passivity on the issue and its refusal to forthrightly condemn Israels inhuman assault on Gaza and Palestinians in the West Bank. Unlike many other countries in the Global South that are re-assessing their relations with Israel, India continues its close collaboration with it, particularly in the defence and surveillance sectors. It is deeply disturbing, for instance, to learn from recent media reports that amid Israels ongoing war on Gaza, twenty Hermes-900 military drones produced jointly by Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd. have been sent to Israel for possible deployment in Gaza. Many other Indian companies are also involved in subsidized joint ventures with Israeli weapons manufacturers.

The Indian government is also facilitating the recruitment of Indian workers in replacement of Palestinian workers whose work permits are now suspended. This move is objectionable not just in its support of Israels decision against Palestinian workers but also in its indifference to the possible dangers facing Indian workers being sent to Israel. The Indian government has further played into the hands of Israel by suppressing all attempts to protest against the unfolding genocide in Gaza.

We thus call upon the Indian government to publicly endorse the latest ruling of the ICJ, stand against all violations of the human rights of Palestinians in Gaza and refrain from any sort of complicity with Israel. We demand an immediate ceasefire in Palestine.

We further call on people across Asia to demonstrate collective solidarity with the people of Palestine  in spirit, resources, speech, and action. We particularly welcome the recent decision of the Water Transport Workers Federation of India  representing 3,500 workers at 11 major Indian ports  to refuse any cooperation with the loading or unloading of weaponized cargoes from Israel or any other country which could handle military equipment and its allied cargo for war in Palestine. Many other steps can be taken to express support for Palestine, including the submission of photo/video evidence of ongoing war crimes (accessed through verified accounts of Palestinian journalists) through the online portal of the International Criminal Court. We should not be left behind as mass protests are sweeping across the world.

Stand for Palestine! Stand for Humanity! Ceasefire Now!

 Indians for Palestine (a group of concerned citizens)

EkJut ta ka Sankalp (23 february 2024) | Indian for Palestine Resolution (Hindi) 23 February 2024
BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting Friday, which heard a report on the handling of suggestions from deputies to the National People's Congress and proposals from members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference last year.

The meeting studied measures to attract and utilize foreign investment with greater efforts, and arranged work for further forestalling and defusing local debt risks.

The meeting also approved a number of government documents, including a guideline on further improving payment services and making payments more convenient. 
SYDNEY, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Authorities confirmed on Friday that property losses were reported in the Australian state of Victoria, as extreme heat and blustery conditions fanned up bushfires, especially in the state's west.

"Now we are sadly hearing reports of property loss that are starting to come through given the active nature of the fire and the difficult terrain in the area," Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan said at the State Control Center.

Thursday saw an out-of-control bushfire at Bayindeen Rocky Road sprawling to nearby communities.

As of Friday morning, the fire has burnt over 11,000 hectares in size, while two emergency warnings related to the blaze are currently in place, urging residents to leave immediately before conditions become too dangerous.

According to Allan, one relief center was established overnight at Princess Park in Maryborough, with two others set up earlier in Wendouree and Ararat, respectively. The relief center at Wendouree had around 200 people register to get access to support.

She also noted that between Ballarat and Ararat, the Western highway and train line remain closed, while crews on the ground are working to reopen the services in the coming hours.

"There are also around 5,000 properties that are without power across the state. Many of those are a consequence of yesterday's strong heat and wind," the premier added.

Joining Allan at the press conference, Chief Officer of Country Fire Authority Jason Heffernan reported that Thursday saw extreme fire dangers for the western part of Victoria.

The chief officer underlined that one home was confirmed lost, but there would likely to be more reports of property losses, as the impact assessment progressed.

"As with the damage impact assessment teams, fire investigators are now making access to where we believe to be the point of origin to make those determinations. At the moment, the cause of the fire is undetermined," said Heffernan. 
This aerial panoramic photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows Jiayu Pass, a famed part of the Great Wall, in Jiayuguan City, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)

LANZHOU, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Embarking on a mesmerizing journey, visitors wear virtual reality (VR) glasses that transport them back to a bustling military fortress along the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Great Wall, with vivid scenes of streets, military camps, and farmhouses.

In northwest China's Gansu Province, a team of tech experts is harnessing digital technology to reconstruct segments of the Great Wall dating back over 400 years, showcasing and unraveling the cultural value of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Great Wall, a symbol of China, comprises many interconnected walls, some dating back 2,000 years. The existing sections have a total length of over 21,000 km, with Gansu contributing nearly one-fifth to the overall length of this iconic structure.

Utilizing ancient texts, on-site investigations, and digital technology, the technical team from Silk Road Infoport Co., Ltd. successfully restored three crucial military strongholds along the Gansu section of the Great Wall, said Wang Yuou, manager of the company's intelligent digital reconstruction project.

State-of-the-art technologies, including high-precision BeiDou satellite positioning and drones, were employed during field investigations to authentically recreate historical relics, according to Wang.

Expanding beyond the Great Wall, the team applied their digital expertise to restore the Nanzuo ruins, a pivotal archaeological site shedding light on early Chinese civilization.

The Nanzuo site's main palace, covering an indoor area of 630 square meters and dating back approximately 5,000 years, is considered by the archaeological community as the largest single indoor structure of its time in China.

Experts compiled, analyzed, and encoded information, such as documents, images, and videos related to the Nanzuo ruins. A multi-dimensional parameter information database helps achieve a panoramic presentation of the cultural heritage restoration.

"Digital technology can help us build models for the ancient palace and make it a reality," he said.

In recent years, China has increasingly employed digital technology to breathe life into historical relics. Leveraging technologies such as 5G, augmented reality, VR, and artificial intelligence, cultural institutions and technology companies like Tencent and Baidu have introduced a plethora of digital cultural products and projects.

A team from Tianjin University used centimeter-resolution continuous shooting to identify the ruins of more than 130 hidden doors at the Great Wall. About 900,000 items and sets of cultural relics at the Palace Museum have undergone digitalization, constituting 48 percent of its total collections.

China's efforts to "revive" cultural artifacts aim to tell the story of its rich civilization. The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) underscores the commitment to promote free access and digital development of public cultural venues like museums.

Looking ahead, Wang's team aspires to capture the entire lifecycle of the digital artifacts. "By integrating various information parameters such as historical context and spatial details, along with the support of intelligent algorithms, we want to accurately recreate the relics during different periods," he said. 
LUSAKA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The National Heroes Stadium, Zambia's ultra-modern stadium in Lusaka, the country's capital, which was designated as a national cholera center at the height of the outbreak, has no one admitted as the country continues to see a steady decline in cases, health authorities said Friday.

Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo said the facility, which at one time had more than 1,000 patients, now has no patients admitted.

"I am glad to announce that we have no patients admitted to our Heroes National treatment center. We are proud and happy of our work together and we can celebrate the lives we have saved at this center when we worked as one people with a common enemy," she said during a press briefing on the cholera situation.

She expressed happiness over the continuous reduction of cholera cases in the country with currently only 108 patients admitted in treatment facilities across the country.

She further said that the country recorded 90 new cases in the past 24 hours and one death. She commended all stakeholders for their tireless efforts to fight the disease but called for continued cooperation until the disease was eliminated.

Data show the country has recorded 19,930 cases, with 686 deaths and 19,136 recoveries since the outbreak of the waterborne disease in October last year. 
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- UN's peacekeeping chief on Friday promised strong support for South Sudan amid a dire humanitarian situation, intercommunal violence and threats to its first general election, a UN spokesman said.

At a joint press conference in the South Sudan capital of Juba, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, with the UN secretary-general's special envoy to the Horn of Africa Hanna Tetteh, expressed concern about the spillover effect of the Sudan civil war, said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The spokesman said both officials ended their week-long visit to the region, where they met with political leaders in South Sudan and traveled to the contested province of Abyei to support efforts to address rising insecurity.

"For her part, Madame Tetteh said the impact of the hostilities in Sudan and the violence in Abyei are reverberating across the Horn of Africa," Dujarric said. "She also called for urgent, intensive dialogue to prevent clashes between Twic Dinka and Ngok Dinka groups."

Dujarric also said the trip allowed Lacroix to commend his UN colleagues for their work and commitment to deliver in challenging conditions.

The chance of holding the first election since independence in South Sudan, scheduled for July, is in doubt because of the challenges, mainly insecurity.

More than 50 people were killed during the intercommunal violence in Abyei in late January and early February, including two UN peacekeepers. 
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is deteriorating rapidly, a UN spokesman said on Friday.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, highlighted the grave concerns at the regular press briefing. "The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said today it is gravely concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation civilians face in the eastern part of the country."

The recent escalation of conflict around the town of Sake in North Kivu Province has displaced 144,000 people from the outskirts of Goma, Dujarric noted. "Non-state armed groups have also launched a spate of targeted attacks against civilians this week in Beni as well as in the Irumu Territory of Ituri Province."

The UNHCR's teams have documented alarming incidents of "killings, kidnappings, and the burning of homes."

To address the crisis, UNHCR is working with local authorities to expand displacement sites near Goma and plans, alongside other humanitarian organizations, to deliver 900,000 shelters in 2024. "This effort nearly doubles the 500,000 built last year," Dujarric added.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have joined the call for urgent action to safeguard children and families affected by the violence.

The surge in conflict and displacement is overstretching resources, hindering a full-scale response that encompasses essential services such as food, water, sanitation, shelter, healthcare, and protection for vulnerable groups.

Dujarric also mentioned the logistical challenges faced by aid agencies. "Crucial land routes to facilitate food delivery and other supplies have been cut off, causing shortages and price spikes in Goma's local markets."

In response to the escalating needs, WFP is seeking 300 million U.S. dollars, while UNICEF is requesting 400 million dollars for the next six months to support those in dire need. 
Elizabeth Washington, the new executive director of the Northside Association for Community Development, hopes to have procedures in place for the sale of four new houses on west Ransom Street in Kalamazoo.

Four single-family homes now stand in the 400-block of West Ransom Street on parcels that were previously undeveloped.

Each of the new NACD houses in the 400-block of West Ransom Street has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Each of the new NACD houses in the 400-block of West Ransom Street has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Each of the new NACD houses in the 400-block of West Ransom Street has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Each of the four new houses in the 400-block of West Ransom Street, has a two-car detached garage.
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is under severe strain, a UN spokesman said Friday.

"The agency has reached breaking point with Israel's repeated calls to dismantle UNRWA and the freezing of funding by donors," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, reported from a letter by UNRWA's commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini to the president of UN General Assembly.

The UNRWA chief's warning indicates a critical juncture for UNRWA which is tasked with aiding Palestinian refugees. "The agency's ability to fulfil the mandate given through General Assembly resolution 302 is now seriously threatened," Dujarric said. This precarious situation jeopardizes essential services for millions, underscoring the urgent need for supportive action.

Last month, the organization was rocked by Israel's accusations that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel, carried out by Hamas. This led to several countries halting their contributions, amounting to approximately 440 million U.S. dollars, which represents nearly half of UNRWA's yearly funding. Currently, two UN inquiries are in progress to address these allegations. 
Barclays has cut its rating for the UK-listed shares of American pizza chain Domino's from 'overweight' to 'equal weight', citing concerns about a slowdown in takeaway app downloads.

The bank said that data from competitive intelligence platform Apptopia suggests that Domino's app downloads have fallen in recent months. So, with the company set to meet some tough comparatives with last year, like-for-like sales momentum may begin to ease.

"App penetration rate was an impressive 79% in Q3 23 so the upside from here is less significant," Barclays said in a research note on Friday.

Domino's said in a third-quarter trading update in November that the app now accounts for 45.7% of system sales, an increase of 3.7 percentage points compared with the same period last year, with active app customers having risen 5% over the past six months to 5.6m.

"Upside risks are bullish long-term targets from new CEO at FY23 results on March 12th," Barclays said.

Domino's shares were down 3.6% at 354p by 1006 GMT.
Foreign exchange business CAB Payments revealed on Friday that chief executive officer Bhairav Trivedi will be succeeded by Neeraj Kapur following the publication of the group's full-year results on 26 March.

CAB Payments said Trivedi will support "a smooth transition of responsibilities" to Kapur and has agreed to then take on a new role as senior adviser to the board. In this role, Trivedi will lead the company's push globally to build "increasingly strong relationships" with central banks, regulators, current and prospective strategic customers, and other senior industry participants.

The London-listed group stated Kapur has more than 20 years of experience in senior operational and finance leadership roles in retail, corporate, and SME banking, and was most recently chief financial officer of Vanquis Banking Group.

Chairman Ann Cairns said: "On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Bhairav for his commitment and contribution, which has positioned the company as a leader in its field. Under his leadership the company more than doubled its revenue. I am delighted Bhairav has agreed to continue to represent, advise and support CAB Payments going forward.

"The company remains committed to serving our loyal customer base and gaining new customers across Europe and the US. We look forward to expanding our network and capabilities and entering new FX and payments markets across the world."

As of 0900 GMT, Cab Payments shares were down 1.76% at 100.20p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
Samsung has introduced its latest fitness tracker, the Galaxy Fit3, in India, incorporating advanced health-monitoring technology. Priced at Rs 4,999, the Galaxy Fit3 is available in three colors Grey, Silver, and Pink Gold. Interested buyers can purchase it through the official Samsung website, as well as leading online and offline retail stores.

Aditya Babbar, Senior Director, MX Business, Samsung India, emphasized the company's commitment to promoting everyday wellness with accessible resources. The Galaxy Fit3 boasts an aluminum body and a 1.6-inch display, 45% wider than its predecessor, providing users with detailed insights at a glance. The device is designed to be lightweight, sleek, and comfortable.

Users have the flexibility to personalize their fitness tracker by choosing from over 100 preset watch faces or setting their own photos as the background. The Galaxy Fit3 supports tracking for over 100 types of workouts, enabling users to monitor their exercise records conveniently.

With a 5ATM rating and IP68-rated water and dust resistance, the Galaxy Fit3 is suitable for outdoor activities in various environments. This feature ensures durability and functionality in challenging conditions.
TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani on Friday exchanged views on bilateral relations and the situation in Gaza.

In a phone call, Amir-Abdollahian congratulated his Pakistani counterpart on the successful holding of Pakistan's General Elections on Feb. 8, and Jilani hoped that Iran would successfully hold its parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections on March 1.

The Iranian foreign minister pointed to the issues the two countries had agreed upon during his visit to Islamabad in late January, highlighting the importance of the effective communication between the relevant apparatuses of Iran and Pakistan for the follow-up on and implementation of the agreements.

Jilani, for his part, elaborated on the stages involved in the formation of the government and election of prime minister in Pakistan, describing Iran's status in his country's foreign policy as high.

He said Pakistan was waiting for a future visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Islamabad.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli attacks, and Jilani welcomed Iran's proposal for holding an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation with the aim to end the war in the coastal enclave and the West Bank, according to the statement. 
Esri India and the Centre for Knowledge Sovereignty (CKS) have unveiled the pilot phase of the Master Mentors Geo-enabling Indian Scholars (MMGEIS) program. The initiative aims to provide geospatial technology training to 5 lakh students in India over the next five years. The online program targets students from 8th grade to undergraduate level, fostering geospatial thinking and a research-oriented mindset.

The pilot phase will initially engage 1,000 students across the country, with plans for broader implementation starting June 2024. The program seeks to equip students with geospatial awareness and skills, preparing them to contribute to the workforce and positioning India as a global geospatial innovation hub

A S Kiran Kumar, Member, Space Commission, and Former Chairman of ISRO, emphasized the importance of enabling young minds with geospatial knowledge, foreseeing MMGEIS as a medium to bring guidance and skills to encourage innovation in geospatial technology.

India, in 2022, witnessed over 66,400 patent applications, including 140 related to geospatial technology. The MMGEIS program also aims to contribute to a robust intellectual property (IP) framework, fostering more patents from India in the geospatial domain.

Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India, expressed the commitment to nurturing the next generation of geospatial innovators, believing that by providing students with geospatial awareness and skills, they will be well-prepared for future challenges.

Vinit Goenka, Secretary, CKS, highlighted that the mentorship provided by the program will transform students' approaches to education, focusing more on understanding and discovering new areas. The initiative aspires to position India as a world leader in innovation.
EverEnviro Resource Management Pvt Ltd, a prominent player in the compressed biogas (CBG) sector in India, has joined forces with Thermax Bioenergy Solutions Pvt Ltd (TBSPL) to collaborate with Denmark's European Sustainable Solutions ApS (EUSUSO). The partnership is outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and was officially signed in the presence of Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

The primary objective of the collaboration is to incorporate EUSUSOs cutting-edge Gemidan Ecogi technology in the construction of municipal solid waste (MSW) based CBG plants throughout India. The agreement is a strategic move to enhance CBG production efficiency in the country. Mahesh Girdhar, MD & CEO of EverEnviro, expressed the commitment to building a robust CBG ecosystem to meet Indias energy needs.

EUSUSO is renowned for its technological leadership in waste management and green fuel production in Europe, boasting an impressive 99.996% efficiency rate in optimizing the pre-treatment phase in CBG plants. Girdhar believes that this collaboration will not only bolster CBG production but also address Indias municipal waste management challenges.

The adoption of EUSUSOs advanced technology comes at a crucial time, as India grapples with issues of urbanization and landfill capacity. The technological upgrade aligns with the Indian government's GOBARdhan initiative, which aims to accelerate the development of MSW-based CBG plants. EverEnviro is already in the process of establishing eight such plants.

Lars Rosgaard, CEO of EUSUSO, acknowledged India's potential in the bioenergy sector, calling it the fastest-growing major economy globally. He outlined EUSUSOs long-term vision, which includes local equipment manufacturing in India and introducing solutions for paddy straw management, along with sustainable aviation and shipping fuel production.

Deodatta Deshpande, CEO of TBSPL, emphasized the significance of international technology transfers. The integration of European Gemidan Ecogi technology in upcoming MSW-based CBG plants is seen as a substantial leap toward India's net-zero ambitions by 2070. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to addressing India's energy needs and waste management challenges through innovative, sustainable solutions.
In partnership with EduRade, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has inaugurated the Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) covering an expansive 18-acre area. This facility is equipped to operate nine medium-class drones simultaneously and is dedicated to driving the progress of drone technology in India. The establishment of the RPTO echoes the ambition outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to position India as a leading global drone hub by 2030, thus complementing the objectives of the recently launched 'Namo Drone Didi' initiative, as stated by IIT Guwahati.

At the outset, the RPTO will roll out a Medium Class Drone Pilot Training Course certified by the DGCA, designed to enhance the skills of young individuals in the North East and other parts of India. It will have a special focus on women belonging to self-help groups (SHGs) involved in agriculture, identified under the Namo Drone Didi Yojna. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) accredited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India. This certification will enable them to legally operate drones and pursue careers as Certified Drone Pilots.

Presently, IIT Guwahati is hosting a unique drone training initiative catered to a wide range of defense personnel. This pioneering three-month training program, the first of its kind, is specifically crafted for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and other officers, with the goal of modernizing armed forces operations. The initiative focuses on providing thorough training across different facets of drone technologies, encompassing pilot training, software operations, and practical applications.
Stocks to Watch on Friday, February 23, 2024: The benchmark indices are expected to continue their gains Thursday morning following positive signals from the US market. After yesterday's sharp recovery, the Gift Nifty futures were quoted at around 22,313 at 07:30 AM, indicating a likely gap-up of over 50 points on the Nifty 50 index.

Angel One: On February 22, the brokerage firm announced that it will raise nearly Rs 2,000 crores through a preferential issue, QIP or other modes. The company stated in an exchange filing that it plans to use the funds to grow its broking business, as well as expand through inorganic avenues within the fintech space. The company said that the equity fundraising plan of up to Rs 2,000 crore will help it invest beyond its current resources, while maintaining fiscal prudence, to make Angel One a leading fintech platform.

Vodafone Idea: The telecom company said in an exchange filing on February 22 that its board will convene on February 27 to consider all avenues of fundraising. The company said that the board will "consider and evaluate any and all proposals for the raising of funds in one or more tranches by way of a rights issue, further public offer, private placement including preferential allotment, qualified institutions placement or through any other permissible mode and/or combination thereof as may be considered appropriate".

Grasim Industries: During a post-launch conference with media on February 22, Himanshu Kapania, the Director of Aditya Birla Group, announced that their new paints business, Birla Opus, expects to secure the second position in the decorative paints market and exit FY25 with a high-single-digit market share. The decorative cement business is expected to grow to Rs 1 lakh crore in the next five years, and industry players are betting high on it. Aditya Birla Group is set to add 40 percent addition to the current industry capacity after all six plants start production.

Paytm: According to a report by Moneycontrol, daily downloads of the Paytm app have decreased sharply since February 1, which is the day after the Reserve Bank of India imposed curbs on Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL). Data shared by Appfigures, a mobile analytics and intelligence platform in New York, revealed that Paytm app downloads declined by 55 percent to 60,627 on February 19 from 135,139 on February 1. In the same period, downloads of the BHIM UPI app increased by 49 percent, while daily downloads of the Google Pay app dropped by 10.6 percent.

SpiceJet: On Thursday, the low-cost airline announced that it has secured an additional Rs 316 crore in funding, making the total amount raised through its preferential issue to Rs 1,060 crore. In a separate matter, the Delhi High Court has ordered SpiceJet to return a leased engine to Engine Lease Finance BV in Brussels, Belgium, at its own expense by March 10. The order came after unsuccessful settlement talks between the two parties. The Delhi High Court also directed SpiceJet to pay $2 million by February 29 against its dues to two engine lessors named Team France and Sunbird France.

IRCTC: The The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has collaborated with Swiggy to offer pre-ordered meal delivery services to passengers who book meals through the corporation's e-catering portal. Initially, Swiggy's services will be available at four railway stations - Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam. Following the first phase, the services will be extended to other stations. A few months ago, IRCTC partnered with Zomato to supply and deliver pre-ordered food at various railway stations.

Jana Small Finance Bank: The commercial bank that was scheduled to release its financial report has recorded a 12.82 percent year-on-year increase in net profit, amounting to Rs 134.64 crore for the quarter that ended in December 2023. Moreover, the net interest income for Q2FY24 surged by 24.4 percent to Rs 548.5 crore as compared to the same period in the previous year. The asset quality of the bank improved sequentially, with gross non-performing assets (NPA) dropping by 25 basis points (bps) quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) to 2.19 percent, and net NPA declining by 16 bps QoQ to 0.71 percent during the quarter.

Ramkrishna Forgings: The board of the company has granted approval to commence manufacturing and supply operations from its facility located in Mexico. Additionally, they have sanctioned an investment of almost Rs 90 crore to establish a facility to manufacture components in the PV/LV segment from the same location.

Dilip Buildcon: The infrastructure firm has signed the concession agreement with the Public Works Department of the Government of Goa. The company will be responsible for building observatory towers and viewing galleries, which will include approaches, decorative lighting and parking, for the New Zuari Bridge on the Panjim-Mangalore section of DBFOT Mode in Goa. The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 270.07 crore.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A NYPD car was sideswiped in an alleged hit-and-run crash on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Thursday morning.

The crash occurred just before 10:40 a.m. when a police vehicle traveling on the Verrazzano from Staten Island toward Brooklyn was sideswiped by a privately-owned garbage truck, according to preliminary information provided to a spokesman for the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

No injuries were reported by the officers or the driver of the garbage truck, according to police.

The driver of the garbage truck was issued a summons for leaving the scene of an accident and no further investigation is pending at this time, the police spokesman said.

The name of the driver was not immediately available from police.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A new 2023 Child Tax Credit currently awaiting Senate approval would give a tax break to families with qualifying children  helping millions of Americans cope with the rising costs of child care each year.

Recently, the House of Representatives passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, which includes an expansion of the Child Tax Credit that would allow eligible taxpayers to claim hundreds of additional dollars in refunds in the coming years.

The program, which federal legislators are currently looking to expand, allows eligible taxpayers to receive up to $2,000 per child on their annual tax returns.

Some may even qualify if they dont normally file a tax return, according to the IRS.

You qualify for the full amount of the 2023 Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child if you meet all eligibility factors and your annual income is not more than $200,000 ($400,000 if filing a joint return).

You can claim the Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child who has a Social Security number that is valid for employment in the United States.

To be a qualifying child for the 2023 tax year, your dependent generally must:

Be under age 17 at the end of the year

Be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild, niece or nephew)

Provide no more than half of their own financial support during the year

Have lived with you for more than half the year

Be properly claimed as your dependent on your tax return

Have been a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or U.S. resident alien

Parents and guardians with higher incomes may be eligible to claim a partial credit.

However, if the parents are not currently married and share custody of the child, only one person is eligible to claim the child as a dependent and receive the associated benefits, like the child tax credit.

Parents cannot share or split up the tax benefits for their child on their respective tax returns, and if both parents attempt to claim the child on different tax returns it can result in processing delays, as the IRS determines which parents claim takes priority, according to the agency.

Typically, the custodial parent, which means the one with whom the child spent the most number of nights throughout the year, is the one eligible to claim the child as a dependent and thus receive the child tax credit.

If a child spent an equal number of nights with each parent during the year, the parent with the higher adjusted gross income is deemed the custodial parent.

The proposal will also allow families to select which tax year they want to use to calculate the credit. If the current plan is approved, they can use either their current year income level or their income level from the year before, whichever is more beneficial.

Monthly payments, popular during the pandemic, are not part of the plan this time around.

Use the IRS Tax Assistant to check if you qualify.

You can claim the Child Tax Credit by entering your children and other dependents on Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and attaching a completed Schedule 8812, Credits for Qualifying Children and Other Dependents.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Forest Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) is inviting any groups or individuals who want to march in Staten Islands new, inclusive St. Patricks Day parade on March 17 to register now.

The traditional Staten Island St. Patricks Parade, held each year on the first Sunday in March, has repeatedly banned LGBTQ+ groups from marching. But now, this second borough parade to celebrate Irish heritage is inviting all groups to register to participate. The event will kick off at Hart Boulevard at 12 p.m. and proceed along Forest Avenue to Broadway. Participants wishing to walk in the parade may register by visiting Eventbrite.com (keywords: Forest Ave St. Patricks Day Parade).

SPREADING INCLUSIVITY

The Forest Avenue BID, which applied for a permit to launch the inclusive parade on Wednesday, is appreciative of New York Citys quick approval of the organizations application.

Celebrating inclusivity and diversity is at the heart of what we stand for at the Forest Avenue BID. We wholeheartedly support the approval of the inclusive St. Patricks Day parade for Staten Island, said Nina Flores, executive director.

This decision exemplifies our commitment to fostering a sense of unity and belonging within our community. We look forward to joining hands with fellow Staten Islanders in embracing this new tradition and showcasing the richness of our cultural heritage, she added.

And businesses along the Forest Avenue parade route are excited about the inclusive parade.

LGBTQ+ supporters stage a brief protest ahead of the Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade Sunday, March 5, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta)(Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta)

As a business owner in the Forest Avenue BID, I am thrilled about the approval of the new inclusive St. Patricks Day parade for Staten Island, said Megan Coppola, owner, Beans and Leave Cafe and chair of the Forest Avenue BID. I believe this parade will not only promote inclusivity, but also boost local businesses and enhance the vibrancy of our neighborhood. I look forward to participating in and supporting this event for years to come.

The BID touts itself as an organization dedicated to supporting local businesses and enhancing the vitality of Forest Avenue and its surrounding neighborhoods.

We see events like the St. Patricks Day parade as opportunities to bring people together, celebrate our shared heritage, and showcase the rich cultural mosaic that defines Staten Island, said the group in the statement. We commend the efforts of all those involved in making this inclusive parade a reality, and we look forward to participating in and supporting this event. We believe it will not only enhance the vibrancy of our community, but also serve as a shining example of unity for the entire city.

Attendees of the 2023 Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade hold pride flags. (Staten Island Advance/Lauren Lovallo)(Staten Island Advance/Lauren Lo

PARADE HISTORY

The Staten Island St. Patricks Parade Committee, organizers of the annual parade that bans LGBTQ+ groups, blames the exclusion on the teachings of the Catholic Church. However, the New York City St. Patricks Day Parade in Manhattan ended a two-decade ban of LGBTQ+ groups in 2014. Parades in Boston and Dublin have done the same. The traditional Staten Island event is likely one of the only St. Patricks parades left in the world to continue to exclude LGBTQ+ groups from marching under their own banners.

EXCITED TO MARCH

The Forest Avenue BID has already extended an invitation to The Pride Center of Staten Island to march in the parade.

Im just so excited to walk down Forest Avenue in celebration of Irish heritage with The Pride Center banner, said Carol Bullock, executive director of the Pride Center of Staten Island.

In addition, the previously cancelled political breakfast is back on, the Advance/SILive.com learned Thursday.

The Jerome X. ODonovan Parade Breakfast co-chairs  District Attorney Michael McMahon, former Assemblyman Michael Cusick and former Councilman Ken Mitchell  issued a joint statement outlining their plans to hold the traditional breakfast March 17 at Jodys Club Forest ahead of the new, inclusive parade.

Sarah Yuster and John Kilcullen gather for the Forest Avenue Mile, also known as the "Rainbow Run," before the Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade on March 5, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

We join the overwhelming majority of our neighbors in expressing our relief at the news that an inclusive St. Patricks Day parade will finally be held on Staten Island, and we send our sincere thanks to the [Forest Avenue] Business Improvement District (BID) for taking on this tremendous responsibility, the trio said. Accordingly, we will once again host our Jerome X. ODonovan Breakfast within the friendly confines of Jodys Club Forest before the parade steps off on March 17th.

Last year, organizers cancelled the 25-year-old breakfast over the Staten Island St. Patricks Parade Committees longstanding refusal to allow members of the LGBTQ+ community to openly march in the traditional local parade, which is set to be held March 3 this year.

Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island), who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, said he supported the group in putting together this inclusive event.

The Forest Avenue BID is really stepping up and trying to reclaim what was a community parade for the entire community by putting together this new parade on St. Patricks Day, said Carr. Im supportive of what theyre trying to do. I plan to be a part of this parade, and Ive been helping to facilitate conversations with the mayors office and for the permit application.

Mayor Eric Adams, who was the first New York City mayor to attend the Rainbow Run on Staten Island in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, supports the new inclusive St. Patricks Day parade.

From day one, Mayor Adams has been clear that celebrations in our city should be welcoming and inclusive. That is why we are thrilled to be collaborating with the Staten Island Business Outreach Center for their first-ever St Patricks Day parade this year where everyone interested  regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or beliefs  will be welcome to march together, said a spokesperson for the mayor.

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Its not enough that lawmakers in the overwhelmingly Democrat-controlled New York state Legislature are thinking about tossing out and redrawing the newly approved congressional district maps.

Now the absolute-power-corrupts-absolutely Dems are looking to tilt the playing field in their favor when it comes to court challenges of redistricting maps.

According to the Albany Times-Union, Democratic lawmakers are proposing a law that, should they redraw the maps, could require any legal challenges to be filed in Dem-friendly state Supreme Court in Albany.

This is allegedly being done in order to stop Republicans from judge shopping and filing a challenge to a redraw in a GOP state Supreme Court judicial district.

The Dems insist that the new legislation has nothing to do with their current attempts to rig the New York congressional district map in their favor.

Believe that and Ive got a New York Wheel site on Staten Island that Id love to sell you.

Lets remember which party was slapped down for gerrymandering the congressional lines two years ago in the first place.

It was the power-mad Democrats. Their redraw was so heinous that even a state Court of Appeals panel made up entirely of judges appointed by Democratic governors couldnt stomach it.

Now the Dems have a shot at a re-do. Even though the special master maps that were drawn up after the gerrymander should by all rights be the maps that remain in use until the next redistricting period following the 2030 census.

But the Dems, who want all power all the time, cant help themselves. They want even more New York congressional seats that will favor them. That way they can help the national party regain control of the House of Representatives.

You cant blame them. It was Republican congressional wins in New York that helped deliver the House to the GOP in 2022, a national embarrassment for Gov. Kathy Hochul and the rest of the Democratic nomenklatura here.

And the Dems look just as worried or more so in 2024. After all, if Donald Trump wins another term in the White House this November, only a Dem-controlled House would be guaranteed to launch impeachment proceedings against him.

Thats reason enough to rig the maps in order to help produce a Democratic House. That and preserving the Democrats totalitarian hegemony here in New York.

Its a disgrace that the Dems would even look to gum up the redistricting works again. The 10-member redistricting commission, evenly divided between Dems and Republicans, approved the new maps by a 9-1 margin.

Thats a far cry from two years ago, when the commission couldnt come to an agreement and issued two sets of maps, one red, the other blue.

But this time the commissioners did their job. At least somebody learned a lesson from the 2022 debacle. The new lines even give the Dems a better shot at least one seat in the state.

Remember too how we got here in the first place. New Yorkers in 2014 voted in favor of creating an independent redistricting commission. We wanted a commission, and not lawmakers, to draw the lines. Because we knew that self-interested lawmakers would be incapable of doing it fairly.

And how right we were. Just look at the mess the Dems made in 2022. Thats why they cant be trusted to draw the lines, now or ever.

Lets amend the law to make sure that theres no escape hatch that would allow lawmakers to have any hand in redistricting.

At least then wed have a shot at keeping the process fair.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- If youre having trouble filing your annual tax return, you may be eligible to receive free assistance from certified professionals throughout New York City.

On Friday, Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city will provide free, in-person and virtual tax preparation services to eligible New Yorkers through the Department of Consumer and Worker Protections (DCWP) NYC Free Tax Prep initiative.

Every day, we work to make this city more livable for working-class New Yorkers, and by offering free tax preparation at NYC Health + Hospitals sites, we are again delivering for families across the five boroughs, said Mayor Adams. Services are available online, in-person, and in multiple languages, making it easy for families to file their taxes and keep money in their pockets.

The in-person services will be available at more than 130 sites throughout the New York City, including nine NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlus Health sites, with four in Queens, three in Brooklyn, one in Manhattan and one in the Bronx.

The free tax prep services are available to New Yorkers who earn $59,000 or less annually and file as an individual or couple without dependents, and those who earn $85,000 or less annually and file as a family.

To receive in-person assistance, residents must make an appointment in advance and bring proof of income and all other relevant tax documents.

For virtual assistance, residents can upload all relevant tax documents and meet virtually with a tax preparer to review their return before submission.

The in-person, free tax preparation services will be offered at more than 130 sites throughout the five boroughs, including the following five Staten Island locations.

Port Richmond Help Center - 221 Port Richmond Avenue

El Centro del Inmigrante - 260 Port Richmond Avenue

Stapleton Help Center - 211 Canal Street

Staten Island New Brighton Community Church - 420 Targee Street

Dongan Hills Library - 1617 Richmond Road

For a full list of all New York City locations, residents can visit the NYC Free Tax Prep website and use DCWPs interactive map.

An annual tax refund is often the largest lump-sum payment families receive all year and something that many working New Yorkers count on  even more so since last years historic enhancement of the New York City Earned Income Tax Credit, said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. Partnerships like the one between DCWP, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the citys tax preparation partners help us meet New Yorkers where they are with free tax prep services that help them put a meaningful sum of money back into their pockets.

TRACKING YOUR REFUND

If youre one of the millions of Americans who have already sent in their tax returns, there are online portals that will allow you to monitor the status of your refund.

For federal taxes, residents can use the IRS Wheres My Refund tool or the IRS2Go mobile app to see when their refunds have been received, processed and sent.

Refund status will appear roughly 24 hours after you e-file a current-year return, three or four days after you e-file a prior-year return or four weeks after you file a paper return.

To access the information, which is updated overnight each day, residents must provide their Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN), filing status and exact refund amount on their return.

Once refunds are sent, those using direct deposit should receive their refund within five days, while those expecting checks in the mail may have to wait several weeks.

For state taxes, New Yorkers can visit the Department of Taxation and Finance website and click Check refund status.

This allows residents to see if their return has been received; when its being processed; if the return requires additional review; if the state requires additional information; if a requested refund amount has been adjusted and when a refund has been issued.

NEW TAX INCOME BRACKETS

While tax rates have remained the same as last year, the IRS has announced new brackets with adjusted thresholds, boasting upper limits that are 7% higher than last year.

In addition to the new tax brackets, the standard deduction, the amount you can deduct to adjust the amount of income on which youre taxed, has also increased from $12,950 to $13,850 for single filers and from $25,900 to $27,700 for married couples filing jointly.

Heres a look at the new tax brackets that will be used when filing in 2024.

MARGINAL TAX BRACKETS FOR SINGLE FILERS

$11,000 or less in taxable income  10% of taxable income

$11,001 to $44,725 in taxable income  $1,100 plus 12% over $11,000

$44,726 to $95,375 in taxable income  $5,147 plus 22% over $44,725

$95,376 to $182,100 in taxable income  $16,290 plus 24% over $95,375

$182,101 to $231,250 in taxable income  $37,104 plus 32% over $182,100

$231,251 to $578,125 in taxable income  $52,832 plus 35% over $231,250

$578,126 or more in taxable income - $174,238 plus 37% over $578,125

MARGINAL TAX BRACKETS FOR MARRIED COUPLES FILING JOINTLY
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Omar Abukwaik, the 4-year-old boy who arrived in New York on Jan. 17 from Gaza  where war has been raging since October between Hamas and Israel  continues to receive proper medical treatment in the United States thanks to the Global Medical Relief Fund.

The innocent child lost his arm when debris flew through the air as a result of a bombing to his home, which was destroyed.

12 1 / 12 4-year-old Gaza bombing victim Omar Abukwaik recieves treatment at RUMC

Portions of his leg and his body were also severely burned and his face was badly bruised by shrapnel.

His entire family was killed in the bombing.

The mission of the Global Medical Relief Fund is to help resource-less children who are victims of war, natural disasters or other catastrophes locally and worldwide.

The organization provides care, compassion and access to free medical treatments for those in need.

On Jan. 3, Omar underwent surgery under the care of Dr. Scott Kozin, chief of staff at Shriners Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia in order to repair his damaged leg. He also underwent silicone treatments to his arm to prepare him for his prosthetic limb.

Omar was accompanied by his paternal aunt, Maha Aburezeq, and Elissa Montanti, founder and director of the Global Medical Relief Fund, the 25 year-old Staten Island-based not-for-profit.

Montanti worked with officials in the war zone to arrange for Omars safe transportation to the United States in order to receive proper care.

Omar and his aunt have been staying at the Dare to Dream House in Arrochar, operated by the Global Medical Relief Fund (GMRF) and Elissa Montanti.

OMARS VISIT TO RICHMOND UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

Because theres also concern about Omars hearing, Daniel Messina, president and CEO of Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), stepped in to arrange for the child to receive related treatment at the West Brighton health care facility.

Daniel Messina, president and CEO of Richmond University Medical Center, is delighted to have Omar Abukwaik, 4, sit at his desk and pretend to be the head of the hospital. (Courtesy/Elissa Montanti)Staten Island Advance

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, as part of Omars continuing care, medical professionals at RUMC conducted a thorough examination of the childs ear structure and hearing, as well as a full behavioral health assessment in order to develop a comprehensive plan to help the youngster cope with the trauma hes experienced.

Dr. Christopher C. Lisi, an otolaryngology head and neck surgery specialist whos on staff at RUMC, has been placed in charge of his medical care.

Omar was additionally evaluated by Dr. Nida Khan, a board certified child and adolescent psychiatry specialist.

Today I evaluated Omars ear, said Lisi, before explaining he had a injury to the left side of his face.

He had a perforated ear drum upon his initial evaluation, he said. He has a perforation (hole) in the left ear drum which can cause hearing loss and ear infection. He does not appear to have any substantial hearing disfunction. He is healing very well. The perforation in his ear drum is also healing. He doesnt have hearing loss. But there are times when it can cause damage to the inner ear  and into the brain.

Messina explained that healthcare is a high-stress business with the stakes so high.

As a community hospital, these are the things we do best, treating those in need,' he said. Having the opportunity to treat this little boy is very special . . . And hopefully we will bring a little bit of a smile to his face. We typically have had instances where weve had foreign patients  especially children  and the work we have done is amazing.

He continued: Moments like this are truly special for our team. Its a great example of what makes RUMC the very special community asset it is. But I know I can speak for my team in saying this amazing young boy gave us all a lot more than we gave him.

Khan, medical director for child services, also treated Omar.

Omars psychological health did improve a lot, she said. He does still struggle with some trauma, sleep issues and some responses. But Im pretty confident on our observation his aspect is becoming more open with the proper support.

He had been a little more apprehensive about strangers and having panic attacks and was developmentally regressing at one time. He is very attached to aunt and has separation anxiety.

Also part of Omars team is Dr. Michael Gastaldi, a doctor of dental surgery, who treats the children of GMRF and will supervise Omars dental needs.

OMARS FAMILY

Omar's aunt had family living in a tent, Montanti pointed out.

We were able to get them out, she recounted. Omars house was bombed by a missile. His entire family were buried under the rubble. He is very close to his cousins and when they go back their hope is to relocate to Egypt. Omars aunt is anxious to go back. She is fearful for her kids and her husband.

MONTANTI EXPRESSES HER GRATITUDE

Montanti said she is grateful to Daniel Messina and the team at RUMC for always being there, always a call away, and always there to help my children.

Montanti added that Omar will also receive therapy to learn how to use his arm.

We bring the children we help back every year,' she said. They need to be fitted and need additional surgery. And Omar is bonding with the other kids in the house.
BAGHDAD, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iraq on Friday reopened the North Refinery unit in the country's largest refinery complex of Baiji Refinery, also known as al-Sumoud Refinery, in Salahudin province after ten years of closure.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani said during the inauguration ceremony that Iraq is getting closer to the target of meeting its oil derivatives needs by mid-next year, which would enable Iraq to end its imports of derivatives and save billions of dollars that would benefit Iraq in other economic aspects, according to a statement by his media office.

The North Refinery has a refining capacity of 150,000 barrels per day, which will bring the total capacity of the Baiji refining complex to 290,000 barrels per day.

Baiji Refinery complex is located near the town of Baiji, some 200 km north of Baghdad. The complex includes three refinery units: Salahudin 1, Salahudin 2, and North Refinery.

The refinery complex was destroyed after witnessing heavy fighting when IS militants seized large parts of Salahudin province in 2014. The Iraqi government forces liberated the refinery and surrounding areas in April 2015. 
Death in the Dorms season two, an intriguing show that follows the true story of college students whose lives ended in a tragic murder, will be released on Hulu Thursday, Feb. 22.

The documentary series that returns for a second season and explores the senseless, tragic deaths of six college students, reveals that their lives were not cut short by accident, but rather by foul play.

Sadly, at colleges around the country, there are shocking instances of murder at institutions of higher learning.

However, in the aftermath of these tragedies there comes hope for change.

According to ABC Death in the Dorms follows six chilling stories of college students from different schools who lost their lives to violent crime:

Jackson State University accounting major Latasha Norman, Louisiana State University first-year student Max Gruver, University of Miami linebacker Marlin Barnes and his friend Timwanika Lumpkins, Temple University film studies student Jenna Burleigh, Binghamton University nursing student Haley Anderson, and College of Charleston student Patrick Moffly.

Each procedural episode of Death in the Dorms examines a different murder of a college student in the U.S.

This series is executive produced by Nile Cappello, Carrie Cook, Eli Holzman, Myles Reiff, Aaron Saidman, and David Sloan.

The main cast members of Death in the Dorms include Phillip-Charlie Daniell as Carlos, Ant Henderson as Maurice, Olivia Cohen as Jacquie, Hugo Mejia as Christian Aguilar, Tanner Hake as George Huguely, Anderson Lai as Danny, Marco Schiazza as Detective Randy Roberts, Sarah Elizabeth Cahall as Sara, and Carlos Aguilar as Christians Father.

Current Hulu subscribers will be able to watch the series when it airs, and if you havent already subscribed to the service, you can do so by following these steps:

Go to Hulu.com/welcome

Select Start Your Free Trial

Choose a plan: $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year (With Ads) $14.99 per month (No Ads)

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While some argue the merger will reduce competition in an already-concentrated sector, others posit it will help ANZ compete with more weight against its bigger peers, including heavyweight CBA, and indeed, Macquarie. So, what does the tribunals decision, and the recent flurry of bank results, tell us about the state of competition in Australias banking sector? The story so far When Justice Halley this week overturned the competition watchdogs decision to block the biggest deal in Australian banking since 2008, he surprised some onlookers.

At a time when market power and competition in some of the countrys biggest sectors is under scrutiny  including through parliamentary inquiries into insurance and supermarkets  banks have insisted the mortgage market is more competitive than ever. NAB chief executive Ross McEwan said in November that he was seeing some of the thinnest mortgage margins across his time in Australian banking. Trading updates from Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and NAB in the past two weeks have revealed some continued pressure on profits. Their net interest margins  a measure of profitability comparing banks funding costs with what they charge for loans  has dropped in recent months. The surprise for us in this judgement is that five key players, namely the four major banks with Macquarie, are considered enough by the tribunal to ensure consumers are protected from anticompetitive behaviour. Brendan Sproules, Citi analyst This comes after a period of extreme competition in home loans. This included ultra-cheap fixed rate terms and cashbacks in which some banks were writing loans below their cost of capital (the rate of return demanded by shareholders) in a bid to maintain and expand market share.

However, the ACCC in August vetoed ANZs $4.9 billion takeover bid for Suncorps banking arm, saying more consolidation in an industry dominated by the big four banks would further entrench the countrys banking oligopoly. The ANZ-Suncorp merger would nudge ANZs market share in mortgages above that of its nearest competitor, NAB, making it the countrys third-biggest home lender. According to Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority data from December, CBA, Westpac and NAB had market shares of roughly 25 per cent, 21 per cent and 15 per cent respectively. If ANZ and Suncorps merger goes through, the combined entity would have a market share of nearly 16 per cent. On Tuesday, following an appeal of the ACCC decision by ANZ, the Australian Competition Tribunal said the merger between ANZ and Suncorp was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the banking sector. In doing so, they rejected the reasoning and concerns of the ACCC, and endorsed a view of bank competition which was broadly supportive of the status quo. The deal still needs approval from Treasurer Jim Chalmers and changes in legislation made by the Queensland government to go ahead.

The rise of the big five banks In allowing the countrys fourth-largest bank to buy a smaller competitor, the tribunal bought ANZs argument that the idea of a lazy banking oligopoly was outdated. Instead, ANZ maintained that the rise of smaller players  including investment behemoth Macquaries banking division  showed there was fierce competition. Loading Macquarie, which has rapidly grown its presence in the Australian home loan market in the past few years, was labelled a maverick competitor by Halley this week. Through partnering with mortgage brokers and focusing on its digital offerings, Macquarie has grown from having 2.5 per cent of home loan market share in 2020 to about 5.3 per cent in 2023. The bank also flagged at its earnings update last week that it saw an opportunity to dramatically increase its market share in the home loan market at a time when several other banks are pulling back amid intense competition.

Some in the market are convinced Macquarie is now a serious force in retail banking, where it has invested in technology that allows it to approve loans quickly. Jeffries analyst Matt Wilson said recent comments such as these suggested Macquarie was not going to back down in the mortgage market, and that competition against the big four would remain fierce. Given the amount theyve spent on digitising the bank, Macquarie could grow to double its [market share] in the mortgage market [over the long term], Wilson said. Former ACCC chair Allan Fels said the mergers fate before the competition watchdog, and then the tribunal, was always going to be a close thing. Allan Fels says Australians are facing unfair pricing in many sectors, including banks, thanks to poor competition across the country. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The ACCC itself said it was lineball when it came out against [the takeover], said Fels, who has recently completed a report on price-gouging for the Australian Council of Trade Unions, which said there was a significant lack of competition in banking. The tribunal also said it was lineball. On balance, they believed it would not substantially lessen competition, underline the word substantial. Fels said the tribunal still seemed to be sceptical of the degree of competition between the four banks. Where to from here? ANZ and Suncorps win at the tribunal inevitably stoked speculation about the possibility of further bank mergers.Citis Sproules noted the tribunals ruling clearly opens the door for further mergers of the smaller banks, possibly with other large players. However, observers doubt the biggest home loans players, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac, would face the toughest competition hurdles  so much of the speculation focused on National Australia Bank.

While Fels said he was agnostic about the ANZ-Suncorp merger, he said some past decisions to allow bank takeovers lessened competition. Loading My biggest regret is that in the past, some bigger regional banks like St George were allowed to be taken over by Westpac, he said. I think that would have lessened competition. Because Suncorp is so small, it may not have made much difference, but the regional banks are a source of competition, and the more they disappear, the less the competition. Fels said he was also sceptical about CBAs takeover of Bankwest in 2008. To be fair, Bankwest was in prudential trouble due to the GFC, he said. So, it probably had to be taken over, but I would have preferred another bank do so.

While some are wary about banks getting bigger, others have argued that the regulatory costs and degree of investment needed for banks to keep up and innovate their digital capabilities  including customer-facing services and cybersecurity measures  is difficult without significant scale. Speaking at a business lunch in Sydney on Thursday, the NABs McEwan said it was important to ensure regulatory requirements, and the costs associated with them, were not too high, especially for smaller banks. Weve got to be very careful if we want these [smaller] banks there, to make sure theyre not overburdened with the regulation and requirements of running a bank, he said. Bank mergers are notoriously challenging to pull off, requiring integration of complex systems. However, if successfully executed, the deal could allow Suncorp to sharpen its focus by becoming a pure play insurance company, and ANZ could focus on capitalising on synergies, finding cost efficiencies and further developing its digital offerings in what it  and the tribunal  have said is a tough competitive environment against bigger players.
Love happens at work. Whatever you may think as a leader in your business, you dont control your people (and thats a good thing). And yet, leaders attempt to prohibit and restrict their employees romantic behaviour.

Ex-prime minister Malcolm Turnbulls bonk ban may be Australias most famous attempt at curtailing ardent mergers in the office. But bans dont work, all they do is send the behaviour into the darkness, introducing more risk.

Sixty per cent of people in a recent survey said theyd had a workplace romance. Credit: Karen Hardy

These attempts are understandable. Love at work creates complexity that most leaders just dont want to deal with. Leaders just want the team to do a good job. As Mr Turnbull said at the time: we are paying you to go to Canberra to work and run the country. Were not paying you to  have love affairs with your staff.

All valid. But leaders, we must bow to the inevitable: 60 per cent of respondents in a recent survey say that they have had a relationship at work, 43 per cent said they married someone they met at work, and nearly half said they know someone whos done the same thing.
Sydneys newest museum has opened inside the former Darlinghurst Police Station, where arrested gay activists and notorious criminals were once held, amid calls for other redundant inner-city courthouses to be converted into cultural venues.

The transformation of the historic police station  from a place of mistreatment to a place of storytelling  was a sign of progress and social change, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared, announcing a $1.5 million federal contribution to Qtopia Sydney.

The Darlinghurst cell blocks held 53 original 78-ers, arrested as they marched down Oxford Street in 1978 to mark the ninth anniversary of the Stonewall riots in the US and protest discrimination and oppression of gay people in Australia. That march started the Mardi Gras and is regarded as a watershed moment in Australias gay rights movement.

Inside Qtopia, Sydneys newest museum dedicated to queer and gay history and culture. Credit: Dean Sewell

The cells have now been converted into a series of exhibition spaces for Sydneys first museum dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community. A 2018 apology to the 78ers for police behaviour, given by former Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, is now projected behind an iron cell door.
THE MIDDLE EAST

Israelis and Palestinians: From the Cycle of Violence to the Conversation of Mankind

Jonathan Glover

Polity Press, $41.95

Jonathan Glover draws his readers attention to the fact that the title of his passionately humane book is Israelis and Palestinians, not Israel and Palestine. Hes writing about the people of Israel and Palestine, and only indirectly about political entities to which they have given their allegiances, and that have drawn them into cycles of violence.

A Palestinian youth carries a bucket with roses at the market in Rafah this week. Credit: AP

The book offers an account of those cycles and how they might be broken. Glover offers no solutions (his inverted commas) to political leaders, but enters only a plea that Israelis, Palestinians and their supporters throughout the world try by a thousand small steps to shuffle away from war.

To take those steps it is necessary, he believes, to understand three psychological fault lines, whose deep psychology sustains those cycles of violence. The first is the psychology of backlash, which is sustained by certain illusions: of getting even (when no one really knows when that has been achieved, in part because no one knows what would count as that achievement), of collective guilt and others. The second is rigid belief systems, which together with unassailable certainties, often sustain the third fault line: identity-forming commitments to religions, nations or shared histories.
In Who Owns the Moon?, British philosopher and relentless polymath A. C. Grayling argues that the treaties and conventions governing interplanetary property are woefully inadequate for dealing with what he sees as an inevitable cosmic land grab.

But in the past few decades, the moon has been transformed, in the minds of many, from a spectacular apparition, an untouchable, unreachable god that can block out the sun, into a chunk of undeveloped real estate.

As a couple, the earth and the moon go way back. To hear most astronomers tell it, our beautiful yet barren partner was born following a titanic collision in the early days of the solar system, when a massive asteroid smashed into our planet. The molten wreckage slowly coalesced into the silvery orb that sets the tidal timetable, while enchanting romantic poets and howling wolves.

New Scientist magazine has already declared 2024 to be The Year of The Moon, with orbiters and landers from a slew of nations (and more to the point, corporations) arriving or being launched. Indeed, one private spacecraft called Odysseus from Intuitive Machines of Houston touched down on the lunar surface this week. None of them are just heading there to prove that it can be done. Apollo did that 55 years ago.

Credit:

Once it was clear that America had beaten Russia to the moon, interest waned. The last three Apollo missions were cancelled, deemed politically pointless by a Congress trying to disentangle the US budget from the quagmire of Vietnam.

But sending a rocket to the moon is much cheaper today than in 1972, when Apollo 17 came back with the last load of rocks. In the 60s, it was all about prestige. Grayling makes the point that in the 2020s, its about profit. And while he certainly isnt the first to flag the possibility of a chaotic lunar land grab, he reminds us that the legal framework for lunar colonisation and commercial mineral extraction is less than robust.

The rulers of India and China still get a shot of political adrenaline when they get a toy car to roll around on the lunar surface, but these are only test drives for the main game, which falls into two parts. Firstly, establishing whats out there, and most importantly, what its worth.
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Eating outAussie icons The milk bar is back  complete with Chiko Rolls  but not as you may remember it Theres a growing trend of bars and cafes setting up shop in former milk bars and corners stores, and Gippslands East Handy Store is leading the charge. Richard Cornish February 24, 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 .

Sixteen years after selling its last Golden Gaytime, a century-old milk bar in the East Gippsland town of Bairnsdale has put the treat back on the menu. Only today, its an icy pole-shaped duck liver parfait coated in roasted hazelnut crumbs, and the milk bar has been transformed into East Handy Store, with a gold and velvet interior. Its part of a growing trend of bars and cafes setting up shop in former milk bars and corner stores, and riding a wave of nostalgia. When it opened in 1923 as The East End Handy Bar, locals called in throughout the day for milk and bread, morning newspapers, lunchtime sausage rolls and after-school mixed lollies. Josh Thomas with his version of a PBig Boss Cigar and Chiko Roll in Bairnsdale. Richard Cornish But the milk bar closed in 2008 after 85 years and sat derelict for more than a decade until Gippsland food entrepreneur Josh Thomas bought the freehold and gutted the old store, remodelling it into a stylish bar.

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Planning permission was the hardest part, says Thomas. But when they (the shire council) understood that we were bringing back a community hub, a place for people to congregate, to gather and chat, like local stores have always been, they became very supportive. Thomas and head chef Luke Wilson are doubling down on the mid-20th century milk bar vibes with a menu packed with references to sugar-laden and un-PC snacks from a bygone era. Remember Fags, those musky cigarette-shaped lollies that were renamed Fads when mums and the anti-cancer lobby pointed out that kids shouldnt really be pretending to smoke sweets? Well, we hacked the recipe, says Thomas. The result is the Big Boss Cigar, a pink musk stick with a gold leaf band, served in an ashtray complete with candy ash. This joins other nostalgic-tinged dishes such as truffled mac and cheese and pedro ximenez-spiked chocolate crackles. East Handy Bars paean to the Chiko roll features chop suey and Keens mustard. Richard Cornish

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The team also reverse-engineered the fish and chip shop favourite, the Chiko Roll. Its a Womens Weekly chop suey seasoned with a hint of Keens Curry Powder, wrapped in filo, dipped in sourdough batter and deep-fried, says Wilson. Despite the humour, the dishes are delicious, including buttery vol au vents filed with mushroom and chicken and a flavour-packed ham steak and pineapple  a disc of charred grilled, smoked ham hock topped with pineapple brulee. Being in a former milk bar gives us the freedom to create our own sense of fun mixed with some serious food and hospitality, says Thomas. These places were built for car culture, so theyre easy to get to, always have good parking and are cheaper than main street real estate. 22 McEacharn Street, East Bairnsdale, easthandystore.com The El-Khoury family ran the corner milk bar, now known as Emils, for 34 years. Supplied

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Five repurposed milk bars to try Cannoli Bar, Avondale Heights Billed as Australias first cannolificio, this dedicated cannoli bar on a quiet street in Melbournes suburban north-west began life in the 1950s as Angelos Milk Bar. Now it serves Sicilian-style cannoli filled with flavours both classico (ricotta, Nutella, vanilla custard) and nuovo (Biscoff, lemon meringue, Oreo). 23 Riviera Road, Avondale Heights, cannolibar.com.au Emils Cafe, Pascoe Vale South

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Emil and Houda El-Khoury raised six children at the rear of their Reynard Street milk bar. Now two of their sons have transformed the old corner store into a smart cafe serving Middle Eastern-influenced dishes such as 40-degree poached salmon with spiced pilaf, and spatchcock chicken with rich garlicky toum, pickled veg and pita bread in what were once the kids bedrooms. 347 Reynard Street, Pascoe Vale South, emils.com.au Matilda, in a former milk bar, is fronted by a patch of lawn. Supplied Matilda, Mont Albert North Theres a corner of Mont Albert North that is forever Paris, with a menu and fitout inspired by the owners European travels. Fronted by a patch of lawn, customers can settle on a picnic blanket for a croque madame, smoked salmon toast with lemon creme fraiche, and toasty bread bits with peanut butter for the furbaby.

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15 Arcade Road, Mont Albert North, matildamontalbert.com.au The Milkbar Cafe, Shepparton Once a milk bar by local commercial dairy producer Ducats, this father-and-daughter-owned cafe is always busy serving up a milk sorbet named after Ducats on house-made granola and Asian-inspired dishes such as banh mi. 149 Fryers Street, Shepparton, themilkbarshepparton.com.au Skinnys Eatery, Preston

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Eating outRestaurant news Watch out Marrickville, theres an unlikely new craft beer hotspot sipping at your heels The industrial area has flourished over the past six months with new bars, distilleries and breweries. Plus, where to go on a self-guided weekend bar crawl. Bianca Hrovat February 23, 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

The northern beaches suburb of Brookvale is being transformed into a hospitality hub capable of rivalling Marrickville as the craft beer capital of Australia. The landlocked Brookvale Surf Club is one of four new venues to open in Brookvale over the past six months. Edwina Pickles The first annual BrookieFest, held by a collective of local businesses over three days in mid-February, attracted thousands of visitors to the precinct between Powells and Chard Road. Freshwater Brewing co-founder Jonny Bucknall says they experienced record sales. We all had lines out the door, it was way more popular than we were expecting, he says. For many visitors, it was their first time visiting Brookvale since its hospitality scene began to flourish. There are now more than 10 artisan booze purveyors or manufacturers operating within five kilometres of each other, offering everything from Australias first non-alcoholic spirit distillery (Seadrift Distillery) to live music and ginger bush beer (Buckettys).

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At least four venues have opened over the past six months: Goodradigbee Distillers and its accompanying The GoodBar; the new Chubbs Bar and Q; Brookvale Surf Club; and most recently, Broken Bay Brewing Co. Brookvales walkability makes it an ideal place for a weekend bar crawl. Edwina Pickles The influx allows punters to recreate an experience similar to the popular Inner West Ale Trail, a self-guided walking tour between breweries that has long attracted tourists to Marrickville in Sydneys inner west. People are looking to experience things in suburban areas, and its particularly important on the northern beaches where you rely so much on driving, says hospitality veteran Cam McCauley, who helped manage the cafe at Brookvale Surf Club when it opened in November. It isnt as concentrated as Marrickville, where its bang, bang, bang one venue after the other, but its getting there.

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Beyond the booze, there are hidden cafes with vintage furniture and cacti shopping (The Moor); coffee roasteries (Barrel One, Supreme); and plenty of food trucks. Buckettys in Brookvale welcomes more than 300 live music acts a year. Supplied Its a far cry from the Brookvale of the past, says Lara Allport, the vice president of community advocacy group Brookvale Arts District (BAD). When she first set up her design studio The National Grid two decades ago, the streets were abandoned at the weekend except for the occasional kids doing burnouts behind smash repair shops. Now, the streets are teeming with activity. There are young families, trendy people, all sorts of people traversing from one venue to another, Allport says. Allport co-founded BAD in 2019 with the aim of putting Brookvale, its businesses and its expanding hospitality scene on the map. The group has lobbied to change prohibitive council restrictions, attracted 16,000 people to their first GroundSwell Festival in October and plans to install more than 30 murals to encourage foot traffic between venues.

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Freshwater Brewing, Brookvale. Supplied The similarities with Marrickville are many, but Allport says Brookvale has the potential to become far bigger. With the amount of industry thats here, theres the opportunity to make Brookvale a centre of excellence. Something more like the Miami Creative District, or the London Creative Quarter, she says. Plan your own Brookvale bar crawl Brookvale Surf Club.

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Stop 1: Brookvale Surf Club Dont let the name confuse you: there are no waves within viewing distance of this 55-seat cafe and bar, which opened together with SurfCraft Brewing in November. There is, however, a rich legacy of surf culture in Brookvale, where pioneering 1960s surfboard manufacturers The Brookvale Six once made their mark. Expect surf memorabilia, ice-cold tinnies and a laid-back coastal vibe. 2/10 Orchard Road, Brookvale, brookvalesurfclub.com Buckettys Brewery, Brookvale. Supplied Stop 2: Buckettys Brewing Co

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Buckettys on a Saturday afternoon is a wholesome good time. There are people playing darts, dogs stealing hot chips and children zooming around their own dedicated play area. Onsite food truck Dope Fusion serves a selection of tacos, there is a whopping 17 taps to choose from (our pick is the bush cider) and, more often than not, theres live music playing (the brewery attracts more than 300 acts a year). Think country pub, but better. 26 Orchard Rd, Brookvale, buckettys.com.au Freshwater Brewing, Brookvale. Stop 3: Freshwater Brewing Co Freshwater Brewing Co encourages drinkers to expand their understanding of what a brewery can be. Sure, they have their line-up of craft beers on tap, but they also have a delicious selection of Australian-made natural-leaning wine; a (dog-friendly) bottomless brunch with margaritas and micheladas; and a (rare in Brookvale) fully equipped kitchen, serving a selection of tacos and burgers. Its bright, airy and family friendly.

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4 Powells Road, Brookvale, freshwaterbrewing.com.au Owner-distiller John OConnor of Goodradigbee Distillers and The Good Bar, Brookvale. Stop 4: The Good Bar (Goodradigbee Distillers) Founder John OConnor uses native Australian botanicals and hardwoods to create his unique line of spirits, like the Tasmanian blackwood malt, Sweetwater gin (infused with ironbark) and Grey Gum vodka. Sample them in a tasting flight at the distillerys adjoining cocktail bar, which features a cosy fireplace, chesterfield sofas and a selection of share plates (including Goodradigbee Vodka cured king salmon). Masterclasses and tours are also available. 41 Orchard Road, Brookvale, goodbarbrookvale.com

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David Whittaker and Vanessa Wilton, founders of Manly Spirits. Peter Braig Stop 5: Manly Spirits Manly Spirits offers an immersive cellar door experience with guided distillery tours, gin-making classes and a varied line-up of events (including gin yoga). The converted warehouse is dog-friendly, with indoor and outdoor seating, and serves their full range of whiskey, vodka and gin  the latter of which is made using Australian marine botanical sea lettuce. Line your stomach with their grazing board or a couple of caprese sourdough toasties. Winbourne Industrial Estate, shop 4A, 9-13 Winbourne Road, Brookvale, manlyspirits.com.au

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Past chief executive officers of Akubra had three things in common: they were men, they were members of the Keir family and they loved hats.

The companys new chief executive Natalie Culina, a hat lover, tick one of these three boxes, but its proven enough to get the job done.

Natalie Culina, new chief executive of Akubra, at the Strand Hatters store in Sydney. Credit: Janie Barrett

The Akubra is ingrained in my past, says Culina, who arrives at her first chief executive role following senior positions at Coco Republic and King Furniture. Some of my earliest memories growing up are of an Akubra hat.

Those memories were shaped in Sydney rather than on a farm, with the Akubra a potent symbol of belonging in Culinas migrant family.
Bairds friends also claim that until well after 11pm on Tuesday they were receiving texts from Bairds phone  even though hed been killed more than 24 hours earlier  suggesting, police believe, that Lamarre-Condon may have kept and used his phone more than 24 hours after hed died. Those texts initially led officers to assume Baird was still alive and possibly on the run. At some point before suspicion was raised about his alleged involvement, police say Lamarre-Condon also returned his gun  missing at least one bullet  to the police station safe. Police say Lamarre-Condon drove the rented Toyota HiAce to Sutherland Shire, where he threw some of the dead mens belongings into a skip bin not far from Cronulla police station. They included Davies bloodied clothes, keys and credit cards.

Those items were found by a worker on Wednesday morning, a discovery that triggered the police investigation. Police also think Lamarre-Condon may have been hiding at a relatives house in Balmain until news of the deaths started breaking on late Thursday afternoon, though no family member has been charged or implicated in the matter. When they raided the house, he wasnt there. Police say he drove the van to Newcastle and to the home of his sister, who, like their mother, is also a former police officer, and parked it near a club car park overnight. He may have been cleaning it; there was a bucket on the footpath. In the early hours of Friday, as the manhunt dominated news bulletins and investigators closed in on his identity and whereabouts, Lamarre-Condon is alleged to have driven the van to his uncles home in Grays Point, one of Sydneys southernmost suburbs, where he abandoned it.

He went to Bondi  escorted, Seven News reported, by his uncle  and handed himself in. On Friday afternoon, officers charged Lamarre-Condon at Waverley Police Station with two counts of murder. Homicide detectives, still trying to piece together exactly what happened over those few days, are appealing to the public for help. They want to find the bodies, not only to pinpoint the cause of death but also to give two distraught families closure. Police searched a home on Waite Avenue in Balmain on Thursday night. Credit: TNV Its really important we get [the] movements in relation to that van, said homicide squad detective superintendent Daniel Doherty. The families are obviously devastated by the news. Its a very tough day for them. Baird, 26, is a former Ten presenter, and Davies, 29, a flight attendant.

The deaths have devastated Sydneys gay community, in which Baird and Davies were known as lovely young men, and Lamarre-Condon as a quirky character whod spent years doggedly tracking down high voltage stars for his celebrity blog before his decision to begin a career in policing. On blogs such as Australian Reporter and Thats The Tea, he had been photographed with the likes of Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Harry Styles, Ryan Gosling and Robert Pattinson and Miley Cyrus. He met Lady Gaga after she read aloud a note hed slipped her on stage, thanking her for giving him the courage to come out. Beau Lamarre-Condon poses with Selena Gomez in 2016. Hed been backstage with Justin Bieber, attended a Swarovski dinner with Miranda Kerr, and flown on private jets with Louis Vuitton luggage. In 2016 he attended the Golden Globe Awards, wearing a red velvet jacket. Just last week he photographed himself in front of Kourtney Kardashian and her partner Travis Barker, who were visiting Sydney together. Lamarre-Condons switch to policing was not as odd as it may have seemed to some; his mother and sister were police officers, although both have since left the service. It wasnt smooth sailing; during a stint at an inner-city station he was investigated for tasering a man in the face, but cleared after an investigation.

Jesse Baird was a celebrity of sorts himself, although not of the wattage that Lamarre-Condon sought for his blogs. He had presented teen adventure program Gamify and kids show Totally Wild, before moving on to work as a presenter and producer on other Network Ten shows, including Studio 10. He was well liked, and had many friends at Ten when he chose to focus on his work as an AFL umpire. Police said Baird and Lamarre-Condon had been together but broke up months ago. Baird moved on to a relationship with Davies, a charismatic young flight steward who moved to Sydney from Brisbane late last year. Loading
The timing wasnt ideal ... Frankie was, you know, 2 months or three months  thats quite a little baby. But I had the thought around, why not me? and I went with say yes, and then work out the rest. Both grandmothers agreed to travel to Sydney to care for Frankie until Harry could start his five months of parental leave from the University of Technology, and the couple could secure a childcare place. Johnson also wanted to keep breastfeeding, so arranged her work day around taking breaks to express milk. She made it all work and was appointed to the role permanently in December. Annabel took up her new role a few months after Frankie (pictured) was born. Credit: Janie Barrett If I needed to go and pump, everyone knew what that was, and once people are supportive, it becomes, really, just the every-day. But I dont think any parent ... its always hard to leave. And its a big change. Having a child is a big change, then to put another change on top ... she says. But you think youre efficient before you have kids, then you realise just how efficient you can be.

Frankie, now aged eight months, makes an appearance before we order our lunch. Shes just woken up from a nap and her eyes light up when, from her pram on Addison Road, she spots her mum sitting at a table in the window. Matinees avocado toast with fetta, cherry tomatoes, tahini, dukkah, pumpkin seeds and pomegranate molasses. Credit: Janie Barrett As I look over the menu at Matinee, Johnson scoops up Frankie and the pair go outside to have their photograph taken before Harry takes the baby off for an afternoon walk. I order smashed avocado on toast with fetta and cherry tomatoes, and follow Johnsons lead with the chai, which she recommends, explaining she started drinking it here instead of coffee when she was pregnant. In between sips and bites, she tells me her story. As a child, she was the epitome of a farmers daughter, in love with the outdoors and eager to help on the farm, which has been in her family for 100 years. Her great-grandfather was the first to work it.

Its a beautiful, beautiful farm, with a creek running through it, and its at the end of a road, so it is quite nice. You forget about the world a bit, she says. I was always the kid from when I was a young age [who] said Im going to be a farmer. It didnt quite pan out, but Im still working for farmers. Annabel Johnson, centre, on the family farm in 2019 with her mother, Claire, left, and her grandmother Marg, right. Credit: Rohan Thomson/NSW Farmers Johnson returned to the family farm after she graduated from ANU, for what was meant to be a few weeks but which turned into a year as she helped her parents shift their business to directly supplying customers, rather than selling their produce to sale yards or abattoirs for further distribution. Its a move she says more farmers are making to secure greater stability in the prices they fetch for their produce. People are trying to get control over their supply chain and the prices that they get paid, at the end of the day. That was the reason my parents made the move  because of fluctuations, not being able to control [prices] and then being squeezed at the end.

Loading Were seeing that play out with the focus on retailers and the squeezing of profits, she says, referring to recent scrutiny on supermarket behaviour, and the push by the federal government for an inquiry into alleged price-gouging. Most farmers are small-to-medium-sized businesses and if youre trying to negotiate with a large retailer or corporation or processor, its an unfair playing field. But [if the negotiation is] between a family business and the consumer, I think everyone can find a middle ground  a fair price for everyone through that supply chain. Johnson says she would have stayed longer on the farm after university but felt the tug to return to Harry in Canberra, where both of them were able to pursue their careers  hers in agriculture policy, and his in law.

A few years later, their work took them to Sydney and the couple eventually landed in Marrickville and the three-bedroom house to which they brought Frankie home last year. What I love about the inner west is the community. Some inner west people might not say this, but ... it feels very country to me, in terms of the focus on community and the focus on each other. Thats one of the reasons that we chose to live here. I feel really comfortable, and it makes me feel like more like home than other parts of the city that Ive lived in. But Johnson says many Sydneysiders still have misconceptions about farmers, the work they do and their commitment to environmental management. She hopes she can change that. The urban-rural divide is real. And its not helpful or useful for anyone for that divide to exist  the majority of people, if you sit down and talk to them about how farming actually operates, theyre blown away by our use of technology and innovation, and what actually happens on farms.

Loading Particularly now Ive got a daughter, Im talking to other people, like other mums, and you can have a really good conversation around it and dispel some of those misunderstandings. She says it is absolutely possible to run a climate-friendly farm that is productive and profitable, but the government needs to invest more in research to come up with strategies farmers can adopt on their farms that will reduce emissions without reducing production. She is also alert to the biosecurity risks facing Australia and the increasing competition for agricultural land, as governments wrestle with the housing crisis and the transition to renewable energy. I think land use pressures is a really critical [issue] ... how all of these policy decisions play out [is a priority] because at the end of the day, farmers are just trying to run their run businesses.

Johnson loves that her work keeps her tied to farming and tries to visit members on their properties often. Loading My role is advocating for farmers, and although I grew up on a farm, and Ive seen a lot of farms, systems are so different, and its so important to actually get out and see what the issues are, what people are experiencing. Im someone who, if ever given an invitation, I will be on a farm. I went to the US on a holiday a few years ago, and I managed to get myself onto a farm, looking at Australian products throughout the supply chain. She knows Frankie will have a different childhood to her own, but hopes to keep her daughter connected to the land and her familys property.

The thing I enjoyed most [growing up on a farm] was mustering, and moving animals from paddock to paddock. Now Id classify it as work, as sheep work, and all those sorts of things. But as a kid, its a lot of a lot of fun. And youre out doing something and being really useful. Loading [Frankie] is going to have the best of both worlds, in being able to have some of the opportunities that I didnt have, but also, the fact we still have the farm, shes going to know where your food comes from. My school holidays were spent on a farm and I think a lot of her school holidays will be spent on a farm, enjoying that. Its a little bit different, but I think therell be some similarities. And Johnson still manages to find her escape in the city.
A woman has said the youth justice system has failed after she listened to her teenage sons killers being sentenced for a second time in less than two years.

Angus Beaumont, 15, died just over an hour after he suffered a stab wound to the chest at 8.10pm on March 13, 2020 in a car park in Redcliffe, north of Brisbane.

Angus Beaumont.

Two teenagers were given detention orders in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday over Anguss death during a knife fight beside a suburban road.

Angus mother Michelle Liddle attended the hearing, which marked the end of an ordeal that included both teens being found guilty of murder by a jury in June 2022.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is a part of the February 24 edition of Good Weekend. See all 13 stories . Shannon Turners first psychedelic trip unfolded with a strange opening vision. There was a small being nearby (almost like a foetus, but misshapen) and Turner suddenly felt very cold. Shaking, she asked the therapists beside her for more blankets. The creature reminded Turner of the mutant Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter films  except it was her. It was Shannon as the cancer, I guess, she says now. And that part of her was terrified. Then something changed. A bigger part of her reached down and picked up the small, deformed creature. I remember  bringing her up into the bigger part of me and sending so much warmth and love and light and reconnecting that part to me. In her sunny living room in Cairns, Turner leans forward in her chair. This helps with her breathing. The 42-year-olds hair is pixie-short, a legacy of chemotherapy. In her pink tank top and shorts, she looks disarmingly young. Outside, birds chatter and a neighbour blasts leaves with a blower. Inside, the walls are alive with photos: Turner in her 20s in London; with husband Ray; with daughter Emma; the three of them at Disneyland; at home with a Christmas tree. First Mothers Day. She coughs. Last night was brutal, she says  the coughing kept her up  but she is determined to speak about her role in a groundbreaking Australian medical trial while she can, partly for others in her situation, partly for Emma. The breast cancer she was diagnosed with five years ago is now beyond treatment. Turner is dying. But she is also at the start of something new. Turner is one of 35 patients to have taken part in the first clinical trial of psychedelic-assisted therapy to be approved in Australia. This makes her a pioneer in treatments that, following a world-first regulatory change in 2023, are now being rolled out across Australia to treat intractable depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. They are based around the uncertain effects of potent, mind-altering hallucinogens that one day might also help patients suffering anxiety, eating disorders, addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, chronic pain, acquired brain injury, even long COVID. Nearly 3000 kilometres south, a man and a woman are packing up a room in the Caritas Christi Hospice in the Melbourne suburb of Kew. Its autumn 2023, and the weather is turning. Over the past three-and-a-half years, clinical psychologist Dr Margaret Ross and psychiatrist Dr Justin Dwyer have been investigating the ability of the hallucinogenic drug psilocybin  derived from fungi better known as magic mushrooms  to help ease the terrors of facing death. Used for centuries in indigenous rituals, the compound, which can now be synthesised, has drawn the attention of Western researchers for its ability to foster new ways of thinking and, when combined with psychotherapy, to potentially treat some of our most challenging mental illnesses. Turner was one of the patients on the trial. Lives have been changed by what happened here in the dose room. And deaths. (The therapists say they have heard the trial mentioned in several eulogies.) The ground-floor space is lit with small lamps and scented with essential oils. An instrumental playlist murmurs in the background, now soothing, now insistent. A bed fills the middle of the room, metal legs protruding from beneath the homely woollen throw. By the end of today, it will look like another hospice room. Ross and Dwyers work here is done. But for now, it feels like a cocoon. Twenty-six patients have been in this space on the banks of the Yarra River as part of the trial run by St Vincents Hospital Melbourne. Nine more were at the main hospital in nearby Fitzroy. The study results, which are being finalised, will expand on international work on the role of psychedelic therapy in end-of-life care. But they will reveal only a small part of what happened here.

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Ross looks around the space and shakes her head. It feels laden with memories of all these experiences that weve had. You know, good, bad, ugly, challenging, in between. Largely, largely profound. When Emma was 14 months old, in mid-2018, Shannon Turner was breastfeeding and noticed a smallish lump, a centimetre or so across. Her regular GP was away, so she saw another who she says reassured her it was only a blocked milk duct. It was a busy time: the family had just moved to a new house an hour or so from Cairns, so Turner could take up a more senior role in the Queensland governments child-protection arm. She and Ray were also trying for a second baby. But in October, after the lump kept growing, her regular GP ordered tests. They showed she had stage 2b breast cancer. Five months of chemotherapy followed, then radiation and surgery, after which she was told the cancer was in remission. On specialists advice, she completed another eight months of oral chemo to be certain. She was ready to return to work and get on with life. Shannon Turner with daughter Emma. Turner was open to anything when news of a medical trial using psychedelics surfaced. Credit: Brian Cassey Turner recounts all this in a clear, resolute voice. Some months later, prompted by what turned out to be an unrelated symptom, she returned to the hospital for another scan. She and Ray held hands in the oncologists rooms. The results were absolutely beyond devastating, she says. The cancer had metastasised into her left lung. I remember looking at Ray and crying and  apologising. Her voice cracks as she recalls the moment the life theyd been planning disappeared. She was given a year. That was July 2020. The following 12 months were the hardest. Several times, Turner ended up in hospital emergency departments with what turned out to be panic attacks. Somewhere along the way, the old Shannon  the one whod see a flower, lean in and inhale with simple pleasure  got lost. Even all the magical moments  youre like, Well, what if this is my last one? What if Ill never get to see this beauty again? 

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It was absolutely one of the most intense things that Ive ever been through. Shannon Turner By the time a friend emailed her a link to a new medical trial recruiting patients with depression or anxiety after a terminal diagnosis, she was open to anything. So, in the middle of 2021, she flew to Melbourne, stepped into the small room with its small bed, and took a white pill containing a large dose of psilocybin. Within 15 minutes, it was on, she says. It was absolutely one of the most intense things that Ive ever been through. Loading The results of the St Vincents trial are now being prepared for peer-reviewed journal submission. They will be released at a pivotal time in the so-called psychedelic renaissance  the recent wave of research into the potential of psychedelic drugs to ease the global mental health crisis  and a tumultuous moment in Australian medical history. When the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced in February 2023 that Australia  where the number of published high-level clinical psychedelic therapy trials totalled zero  was about to reschedule psilocybin and MDMA (commonly called ecstasy) for the treatment of entrenched depression and PTSD respectively, the psychedelics research world was blindsided. Access would be subject to strict controls under the care of a TGA-authorised psychiatrist, but ours was the first country to formally recognise psychedelics as medicines. (Like psilocybin, MDMA  while not itself a classic psychedelic  seems to alter brain activity in ways that can allow users to access and recast difficult material, including traumatic memories.) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is thought to be close to approving the use of MDMA-assisted therapy for treating PTSD after designating it a breakthrough therapy in 2017. Psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression was granted a similar status in 2018, and advocates anticipate regulatory approval within the next few years. But for now, they are still waiting. Australia, meanwhile, has gone from a psychedelics backwater to a trailblazer of sorts. Even prior to the 2023 TGA decision, things were shifting, with clinical trials underway or pending in most states, and the 2020 opening of Australias first medical psychedelics research centre, the Clinical Psychedelic Lab, at Melbournes Monash University. Interest in the treatments has been intense. Thousands lodged public submissions with the TGA in support of the rescheduling and Ross says more than 7000 applied to the St Vincents trial. Whether that indicates the potential for a flood of patients is unclear. But for now, the country is scrambling to train therapists, fit out clinics, furnish dose rooms, secure drug supplies and translate a psychotherapeutic treatment based around a disorienting, often demanding drug trip into real-world medicine.

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Its fair to say that Australia was decades behind the rest of the world when it came to psychedelic research but then suddenly leapfrogged into the very front of the pack, said British psychiatrist and long-time psychedelics researcher, Ben Sessa, late last year. Sessa spoke with Good Weekend while in Australia training healthcare professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and pharmacists in psychedelic-assisted therapy for the charity and advocacy group Mind Medicine Australia. (He has since stepped down from his role with MMA pending the outcome of a UK General Medical Council hearing into alleged misconduct. Its alleged that he had a relationship with a former patient.) Sessa envisaged a near future in which thousands of patients could be treated within a burgeoning network of health centres, clinics and dose rooms that can power and showcase psychedelic innovation. The drugs are not a magic wand for mental health, he said, but nor are conventional treatments. (Figures show that up to 30 per cent of patients dont respond to standard approaches.) Australia wont have long before the rest of the world catches up, he added: I really hope that Australia doesnt squander these next three years. The dose room at the Melbourne clinic of psychiatrist Dr Justin Dwyer and psychologist Dr Margaret Ross. Credit: Chris Hopkins Others counsel caution. While international trials have shown sometimes dramatic improvements for those with conditions including depression, anxiety and addiction, many have been small studies. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists describes the evidence base for psilocybin and MDMA therapy as limited and emerging. Ross and Dwyer are among those who worry that hype around the treatments and pressures to expand too quickly could put patients at risk. Loading The physiological risks of drugs including psilocybin and MDMA appear relatively low and manageable but the therapy itself is still evolving. We are still at the beginning of mapping out what we think of as best practice, says the head of Monash Universitys Clinical Psychedelic Lab, Dr Paul Liknaitzky, and there will be more than one best practice. Meanwhile, therapists, researchers and others, sometimes in partnership with pharmaceutical companies, are trying to assemble business models to meet patients needs while turning a profit, or at least covering costs. As matters stand, the treatment (estimated at $15,000 to $30,000 a course) would be out of reach for most consumers. Theres really no funding model for it yet, says Dwyer. Its not as though theres a Medicare rebate item that covers it. I dont know of any private health insurers that are covering it yet. Im sure all of that will change. At the moment, its the Wild West. But he and Ross are also among the few to have witnessed first-hand the transformative potential of the emerging therapy, its capacity to alleviate existential fear  and to conquer despair. They have been awed, at times overwhelmed, by what they have seen.

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Caritas Christi Hospice in Kew overlooks a slope that leads down to the Yarra River. You cant see the river, but sometimes you pick up a cool base note of clay and eucalypt. The first time Simone Felix, 42, came here, she was expecting a straightforward conversation about her illness, bookended perhaps by questions along the lines of tell us what its like to be told youre dying. What happened instead disarmed her.  Who are you? What were your early experiences? Who are the important people in your life? It was such a profound, deep personal exploration  I dont know that Ive ever experienced anything like it. Shed heard about the trial from Shannon Turner, with whom she used to work in Queenslands child protection services. She had left her young son, Raphael, in Cairns with her ex-husband, who was navigating recovery from addiction. She brought with her the residue of a messy childhood and the terror of leaving her son unprotected. She trusted no one, not even herself. Like Turner, she had incurable breast cancer. The St Vincents trial is not the first to examine the potential for psychedelics to alleviate the anguish of those facing death. Ross was working alongside Dwyer, supporting cancer patients at St Vincents Melbourne in 2016, when two US studies were published showing remarkable improvements in patients mood and symptoms after psilocybin-assisted therapy. In a world first, their Australian study included palliative patients with motor neurone disease, Parkinsons disease and heart failure, some already very ill, more akin to a real palliative ward, says Ross. She believes their results will be in line with those of international studies. During her psilocybin trial, Simone Felix found herself dancing in a forest. Credit: Brian Cassey Trial participants each had two eight-hour dosing days alongside nine two-hour therapy sessions designed to prepare them for what was to come and later make sense of the experiences. On their first dose day, patients were randomly assigned either a 25 milligram dose of psilocybin or a dose of the placebo, the vitamin niacin. The second dose, six weeks later, was guaranteed to be psilocybin. But even before Simone Felixs first dose, things were changing. In the lead-up to the initial dosing session, patients had a dry run in the dose room to

acquaint them with the protocols. Felix knew that nothing would happen. But it did. Right at the start, after shed lain on the bed as instructed, the therapists asked her to practise signalling that she needed help. Tomorrow, they reminded her, they would be sitting on either side to support her but would not touch her unless she deliberately moved her hands out towards them. This was important. It felt awkward, but she did it: put her headphones and eye mask on, closed her eyes and reached out. I just opened up my hands and had these two instantaneous warm hands come and envelop them. Behind her mask, she started to cry.

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One of Melbourne CBDs most iconic bridges is getting a much-needed makeover.

Thousands cross the Princes Bridge that link Swanston Street to St Kilda Road on the south bank of the Yarra River daily, but its had minimal repairs over its 135-year life.

Stonemason Oli Clack said it would require a hell of a lot of patience to restore the Princes Bridge. Credit: Penny Stephens

Now, the bridge will undergo a $10 million dollar restoration across three years to bring it back to life.

The works include cleaning, repairing and replacing bluestone blocks and restoring heritage features such as the stone portions on the bridge.
An 85-year-old farmer has been fined $34,000 for his role in dozens of koala deaths in Victorias south-west.

James Troeth on Friday pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to four animal cruelty offences over the land clearing incident in Cape Bridgewater.

An injured koala at Cape Bridgewater. Credit: Helen Oakley

He had purchased the 62-hectare blue gum plantation in early 2019 with plans to clear the land for livestock farming. Troeth built a 1.8-metre-high fence around the site and between December 2019 and January 2020, his hired contractors using bulldozers to knock down the gum trees.

After repeated concerned calls to Wildlife Victoria and the RSPCA, authorities attended the property in February 2020. They found dozens of injured and dead koalas and so few gum trees that the remaining animals would have likely died of starvation.
A Rottnest general store employee came face-to-face with the man he groomed as a child in Perths District Court on Friday before he was handed a suspended term of imprisonment.

Peter John Minekus, now 61, pleaded guilty to the indecent assault of the man, now 54, in the 1980s. Minekus, a stalwart of the community for 30 years, was kicked off the island last year after the allegations came to light.

Peter Minekus was given an 18-month suspended term of imprisonment. Credit: 9 News Perth

On Friday, the court was told Minekus, then an 18-year-old man, dry humped his victim during a bout of wrestling when the victim was 10 years old.

Minekus also faced a second charge of committing indecent practices between males in public, relating to an incident where the victim, 14 at the time, and Minekus, who was 22, were sleeping side-by-side in a camper during a trip to Margaret River and engaged in sexual acts.
Reuters: According to Kiribati officials, Chinese police are carrying out cooperation with the country on community policing. Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have any further information to offer on this cooperation?

Mao Ning: I am not aware of the specifics you mentioned and Id refer you to competent authorities.

China always engages in cooperation with relevant countries on the basis of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness.

CCTV: Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held a reception in celebration of its 20th anniversary yesterday. Could you share more with us? In the world undergoing both transformation and upheaval today, what special significance does advocating the Shanghai Spirit have? What role does China expect SCO to further play?

Mao Ning: Yesterday, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and addressed the reception to mark the 20th anniversary of the SCO Secretariat. Since its inception, the SCO has grown with sound and steady momentum. The SCO family now has 26 countries. Parties have enhanced good-neighborliness and political mutual trust and deepened cooperation in security, economy, and people-to-people and cultural exchange. These are important efforts to advance the theory and explore actual ways of building a community with a shared future for mankind and have set a good example of a new type of international relations and regional cooperation.

In todays turbulent world where challenges keep emerging, parties need to stand together and seek joint response. Over 20 years ago, SCO member countries put forth the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development. Today the Shanghai spirit is more relevant than ever. Under the new circumstances, we need to further promote the Shanghai Spirit, make sure the SCO stays on a steady and sustained course forward, and create more certainty, stability and positive energy for the world.

As a founding member of the SCO, China sees the SCO as a priority in our diplomacy. China stands ready to work with SCO partners under the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, enhance solidarity and mutual trust, build consensus on cooperation, expand cooperation across the board, actively participate in global governance, and advance the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative to contribute more SCO strength to the lasting peace and common prosperity of the world.

Dragon TV: We noted that in 2023, over 20 Chinese cities passed the RMB-one-trillion GDP benchmark. Quite a few Chinese provinces and cities have the economic size of a medium- or small-sized country. Chinese provinces, regions and cities are advancing high-level opening up and looking to enhance exchanges and cooperation with foreign partners. The world hopes to learn more about not just major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou but also the rest of China, so as to have a full understanding of the country. What role has the Foreign Ministry played in helping Chinese provinces and cities increase interaction and cooperation with the rest of the world?

Mao Ning: In 2023, among the 31 Chinese provinces, regions and cities, the number of Chinese cities with GDP exceeding RMB one trillion increased from 24 to 26. The economies of each province and city, like rivers, flow together and form the vast ocean of the Chinese economy. They provide an inexhaustible source of dynamism and potential for Chinas development.

The Foreign Ministry, for its part, has always focused on our countrys major development strategies and the development needs at the subnational level. We have worked to serve high-standard opening up, showcase a multi-faceted and vibrant China and present Chinese provinces and cities to the world. Over the past year, we held key diplomatic activities and large events in places such as Shaanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Shanghai and Hainan, and invited foreign leaders to visit places outside Beijing during their visits to China, which helped elevate the profile of these provinces and cities in the world. Under regional cooperation mechanisms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, the China-CELAC Forum, China-CEEC cooperation, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and China-Central Asian countries cooperation, we have introduced cooperation platforms hosted by provinces and cities, which boosted their cooperation with the rest of the world on economy and trade, industrial and green development, and cultural and people-to-people exchange. We have organized tours for foreign diplomats to visit different places in China to explore more channels for major local industries to seek foreign cooperation partners.

In the year ahead, China will bring countries more opportunities as it continues to advance Chinese modernization. The Foreign Ministry will continue to be a bridge for Chinese provinces and cities in having more cooperation and exchanges with other countries and serve Chinas high-quality development.

Bloomberg: Bloomberg has reported that the US and China are discussing new measures to prevent a wave of emerging market sovereign defaults. The talks, according to people familiar with the matter, include ways to preemptively extend loan periods before countries miss payments and are broadly aimed at both easing the USD 400 billion-plus annual debt service burden for poor countries and finding an alternative to the high borrowing rates those nations now face in the market. Could the Foreign Ministry confirm China and the US are discussing such measures and does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on emerging markets debt?

Mao Ning: Id refer you to competent authorities for specific questions on debt.

Let me say more broadly that China attaches great importance to developing countries sovereign debt issues and follows the principle of equal-footed consultation and win-win cooperation in helping developing countries alleviate their debt burden and advance sustainable development. China actively participates in the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the DSSI and other cooperation. China and the US are in communication on debt issues via bilateral and multilateral channels. China stands ready to work with all parties to further contribute our effort in easing developing countries debt burden.

Kyodo News: Tomorrow will be the six-month mark of Chinas decision to suspend all imports of aquatic products from Japan after the Japanese government started the ocean discharge of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. What is Chinas comment?

Mao Ning: The ocean discharge of Japans Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water bears on the health of all humanity, the global marine environment and the international public interest. The precautionary measures taken by China and some other countries in response to Japans move are aimed at protecting food safety and peoples health. These measures are entirely legitimate, reasonable and necessary. Japan needs to respond to international concerns with all seriousness, dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a responsible way, and offer full cooperation in setting up an independent international monitoring arrangement that remains effective in the long haul and has the substantive participation of Japans neighboring countries and other stakeholders, so as to avoid irrevocable consequences stemming from the ocean discharge.

Kyodo News: According to Japanese media, the Chinese and the Japanese governments discussed the treated water online in January, but have yet to release any result of that discussion. Could you confirm this report? Does the Chinese government view the discussion as the expert meeting agreed to between the leaders of the two countries?

Mao Ning: I have no information to offer on your specific question. As I understand, the two sides maintain communication on the issue of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water.

Bloomberg: The executive director of the Port of Los Angeles said Chinese-made cranes pose a potential risk to national security. However, shortage of other countries that build the giant container-moving machines makes it challenging to address the issue. And separately, the Wall Street Journal reported the Biden administration plans to invest billions in the domestic manufacturing of cargo cranes. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comments on these latest comments on Chinese cranes?

Mao Ning: The accusation that China-made cranes pose security risks is completely unfounded. We firmly oppose the US overstretching the concept of national security and abusing state power to go after Chinese products and companies. Weaponizing economic and trade issues will exacerbate security risks in global industrial and supply chains and inevitably backfire. The US needs to respect the principles of market economy and fair competition, and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies. China will continue to firmly protect the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Bloomberg: The House Select Committee has written a letter to the CEO of Volkswagen, urging Volkswagen to immediately comply with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act within its global supply chain and cease operations in Xinjiang. Whats the Foreign Ministrys comment?

Mao Ning: Weve stated on multiple occasions that the so-called forced labor in Xinjiang is nothing but a lie propagated by anti-China forces who aim to smear China. There is no forced labor in Xinjiang. The US uses the false accusation as a pretext to politicize normal business cooperation, break international trade rules, and disrupt market order. The US will end up hurting its own interests.
ALGIERS, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Algeria and Mauritania on Thursday launched a free trade zone project located in the Algerian westernmost province of Tindouf, near the two countries' border, the official Algeria Press Service news agency reported.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and visiting Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani attended the groundbreaking ceremony in the province, said the report.

The event also unveiled projects to build fixed border posts between the two countries and an 840-km road connecting Algeria's Tindouf with Zouerate, the capital of Mauritania's northernmost Tiris Zemmour region.

The Tindouf free trade zone came within Algeria's plan to open free trade zones with five neighboring countries to boost economic cooperation, the four others of which are Mali, Niger, Tunisia and Libya. The plan was announced by Tebboune earlier this month. 
A teenage boy who opened fire at a school in Perths north, plunging it into lockdown, will likely be jailed in what is an Australian-first case.

During the boys sentencing hearing on Friday, Perth Childrens Court Judge Hylton Quail said he had not found any legal record of another person being sentenced for a school shooting in Australia.

Scared students were reunited with their parents after the ordeal. Credit: Nine News Perth

The 15-year-old boy, whose name cannot be revealed for legal reasons, took two rifles used for hunting to Atlantis Beach Baptist College on May 24, 2023.

He then shot at buildings and a grassed area in the school, sending terrified teachers and students into hiding in cupboards or under desks.
Wrestling fever has reached such a bizarre crescendo in Western Australia that the states Premier Roger Cook has posted a letter addressed to Dwayne The Rock Johnston on his social media accounts pleading with him to appear at the WWE Elimination Chamber event on Saturday.

The state has paid an undisclosed amount to bring the WWE to Optus Stadium this weekend and in the lead-up, fans were hopeful The Rock would make a surprise appearance.

Dwayne Johnson has given the Samoan team a shout out. Credit: AP

In a video posted to WWEs official X account, The Rock said he would fly to Perth if fellow wrestlers Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins trash-talked him.

In his letter, mocked up with an official government letterhead, Cook said he felt compelled to inform The Rock there had been a lot of out-of-towners talking trash in the lead up to the Elimination Chamber.
Im half Taiwanese, and its always seemed quite normal to be in a multi-generational household  but in Western society, it was sort of frowned upon, she said. Now thats changed, and it feels less so, and thats great. Loading The 2023 Household Income and Labour Dynamics survey of 17,000 people revealed the proportion of young-adult Australian men living with their parents had grown to 54.3 per cent for men aged 18 to 29  up 7.7 percentage points  since 2001. For women, it had lifted 10.8 percentage points to 46.7 per cent. The Melbourne Institutes Professor Roger Wilkins, a co-author, said a cluster of factors was pushing more young adults to live with one or both parents. They are also staying for longer, he said, adding that life in many such households was harmonious. Time spent in higher education and amassing a home deposit in a wildly inflated market was often longer for this generation and there was a consequent shift to forming families later, he said.

Theres a general change in moving towards the things we think of as marking adulthood  getting married and having children, settling into a full-time career  its tending to happen later, which could also be partly due to economic forces, he said. Parents from the Boomer generation are more likely than their predecessors to be able to help ease the pressure their grown-up children in establishing economic independence  but major hurdles remain for many young people looking for their own housing. On the positive side, many parents like remaining close to their adult children and enjoy having that interaction, and having them around for longer; so its not an all doom and gloom or an everythings rosy perspective  theres both positive and negative dimensions to this, Wilkins said. Myths about why young adults are staying at home longer need to be challenged, said senior research fellow Dr Edgar Liu from the University of New South Wales City Futures Research Centre.

The job for life is gone and is often replaced by part-time work, short-term contracts or gig work, said Liu, who has written a book about the phenomenon. Also, its almost impossible to get a job now without a masters and the time it takes limits earning capacity. And everything is costing more, so all of this comes together in one perfect storm almost, Liu said. Younger people also feel less compelled to find a partner for life early. Social norms have changed quite a lot ... people used to move out to get married and stay married. Theres now more partner break-up after a few years and we move home, Liu said. Once upon a time, you couldnt bring a girlfriend or boyfriend home, certainly not for a sleepover, but parents a lot more open about these things these days  Its a lot more accepting, which is why people stay longer as well.

Liu agreed with Wilkins that the new living arrangement was often beneficial for both groups, and in many instances felt more like living with friends. Loading Academic Mark Gibson and his wife have two adult children  aged 22 and 24  living with them, both of whom are studying for a masters. Each has spent time out of home  one studying in Canada and one studying and working in Canberra  and the family has transitioned from the notion that the parents do all the domestic work. Its pretty good, Gibson said. We have a deal that were sticking to that each cooks dinner for all of us once a week.

Since theyve returned, there are people around and things happening, and they have interesting insights into whats going on in the world. The trend was also noted last year by the Australian Institute of Family Studies following a significant jump in adult kids living at home since 2016. As well as housing strain and further education, slower partnering was a driver said the institutes senior research fellow Dr Lixia Qu. The proportion of young people across age groups without partners is increasing  and when more of your peers are staying single, you dont feel you have to rush. That sense of urgency is lessened, Qu said. And while there are mutual benefits for both parents and adult children, it is not always the young persons preference to move home and tensions can arise because different generations may have different attitudes to what is important. Relationships Australia national executive officer Nick Tebbey said that it could be a positive experience  as long as everyone understood the agreed parameters of living together.
Labor is cautiously optimistic it will hold on to the Melbourne seat of Dunkley in next weekends crunch byelection as the Liberal candidate moves to distance himself from a fear campaign run by right-wing activist group Advance.

The bayside seat of Dunkley is held by Labor on a margin of 6.3 per cent, a significant proportion of which was tied to popular local member Peta Murphy whose death from cancer last year prompted a poll that will test the nations political temperature.

Liberal candidate Nathan Conroy at a pre-poll booth in Dunkley on Friday. Credit: Wayne Taylor

While campaign sources in both major parties believe the result may be tight, as oppositions tend to secure big swings in byelections, both parties are at this stage expecting Labor to retain the seat.

Labors stage 3 tax backflip  billed as cost-of-living tax cuts in Labor advertising  has blunted the Coalitions attacks on Labors economic management, sources 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 In the final months of 2023, the Albanese government was drifting. The Voice to parliament referendum had been lost and after the High Court decision to overturn indefinite immigration detention, nightmare headlines about rapists and criminals set loose in the community had the Coalition dictating the terms of emergency legislation to grim-faced frontbenchers. It looked bad and voters noticed: Anthony Albaneses personal standing was slipping in the polls. Behind closed doors, there was also growing division and disquiet about how the prime ministers office was (and wasnt) working. But after a quiet Christmas, Albanese launched his 2024 agenda at the National Press Club on January 25 by breaking a pledge not to touch the stage 3 tax cuts, which so far seems to have been received well by voters despite the oppositions efforts to use the broken promise against him. It was a bold  and necessary  reboot to get the government out of the doldrums and back on track. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his chief of staff, Tim Gartrell, in Parliament House last year. Credit: AAP The great reboot The prime minister has a spring back in his step in question time, has increased his already frequent, mostly FM, radio interviews, and even announced his engagement to partner Jodie Haydon.

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There have been significant changes in the prime ministers office, too  a PMO 2.0 is being constructed, with a series of key appointments made to ensure the highest political office is match fit for a federal election due by May 2025. Liz Fitch, who had served as Albaneses communications director since the election and was known within Parliament House as the Albo whisperer, quit in December. Her exit has led to the promotion of Brett Mason, a former SBS journalist, and the recruitment of former Guardian Australia political editor Katharine Murphy and experienced press secretary Fiona Sugden, who had worked for Albanese in opposition and for Kevin Rudd when he was prime minister. Loading Fitch was well-regarded in government and, after chief of staff Tim Gartrell, one of the people closest to the prime minister. But unusually, she rarely engaged with or even returned the calls of print, radio and TV journalists  a duty seen as a core requirement of the communications directors role going back at least as far as Tony Eggleton, who served as press secretary to Sir Robert Menzies.

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Fitch was, in effect, serving more as Albaneses principal private secretary, a role that Gartrell announced this week had been formally created for David Epstein, a veteran Labor staffer who has worked for Rudd, Kim Beazley, John Dawkins as well as Qantas Airways, BHP Group and Optus. The hands-off approach The prime ministers office declined to comment. To report this piece, this masthead granted 13 current and former members of the Albanese government anonymity so they could freely discuss the culture of the prime ministers office. As one of those people said this week, Epstein was what the office has been lacking  as long as he is given the freedom to punch people in the nose. Thats not Anthonys style, he is very much like my office doesnt run the government, they said. The more hands-off approach to the decisions taken by cabinet ministers has been a deliberate decision by the prime minister and a conscious replication of Bob Hawkes approach, where ministers were empowered to run their portfolios.

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But Hawkes political advisers  characters such as former ABC journalist Barrie Cassidy, Rudd-Gillard minister Craig Emerson, political advisers Peter Barron and Bob Sorby, Bob Hogg, Geoff Walsh and Graham Evans, vividly brought to life in journalist John Lyons seminal 1988 piece In the Court of King Hawke  were also key players. Albaneses more hands-off approach has been a conscious replication of Bob Hawkes approach. Credit: Andrew Taylor Need-to-know basis Albanese staffers complain that he has not empowered his staff in the same way to make calls and guide decisions. No one wants a return to the overly centralised approach during the Captain Chaos days of the Rudd government  the title of a 2008 Lyons piece  or the command and control of former Liberal prime ministers Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison. Nor is anyone suggesting that the PM has fallen into that trap. Loading But there is concern about how expeditiously information is conveyed to the prime minister, such as when he recently professed to be unaware of a boat arrival off the north-western coast of Western Australia.

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Before she quit journalism last month to work for Albanese, Murphys Quarterly Essay on the prime minister, Lone Wolf, noted he liked to tend to minutiae and anticipate issues, extending even to the fact that he had never paid a cent of interest on his credit card because he always paid early. Albaneses political radar is legendary. But its also well-known within the ranks of veteran staffers that while still opposition leader, he liked to book his flights rather than delegate the job. The selfie problem The fact that Gartrells announcement of Epsteins appointment, which was sent to all staff in the prime ministers office on the encrypted messaging app Signal, leaked as quickly as it did has raised fresh questions about dysfunction in the office. The leaked text message from Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses chief of staff Tim Gartrell. Three office factions formed through 2022 and 2023  broadly speaking, Canberra-based staff who did much of the day-to-day grunt work of the office; a group of veteran policy advisers who had known or previously worked for Albanese and split their time between Canberra and Sydney; and a group referred to by some as the jet set or selfie crew, who would fly in and out from Sydney for sitting weeks and enjoyed the trappings of office such as flights on the prime ministers jet. One member of this third clique even had to be counselled over their use of a personal social media account after posting a picture of themselves in Ukraine in July 2022  when there was a media blackout as the travelling party was in a war zone  to Instagram.

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Imagine dragons. Not just the name of a middle-of-the-road rock band, its something Ive been doing since my childhood.

In my various nature books there was one animal that stood out: the Komodo dragon  the worlds biggest lizard and the largest land-dwelling reptile.

Here be dragons. A large Komodo lying on the beach. Credit: Craig Platt

That name, dragon evoked feelings of wonder, which only grew as I learnt more about these monstrous beasts  up to three metres in length, strong enough to take down a deer or water buffalo, and with a venomous bite that can incapacitate large prey (though whether they are actually venomous or not is still in dispute).

It felt like the closest thing to a dinosaur still existing (and I had plenty of dinosaur books too).
Registered adult refugees in Indonesia receive the equivalent of roughly $4 per day (children about half that), mostly through the International Organisation of Migration, and are forbidden to work. The Indonesian government washes its hands of the consequences. The Republic of Indonesia does not ratify the 1951 Convention and the 1967 protocol on Refugees, so Indonesia does not have the obligation to shelter refugees, says Rudolph Alberth Rodja, head of the countrys foreign refugee handling taskforce. However, for humanitarian reasons, the president allows for [Indonesia] to be a space for transit before they go to a third country. All responsibilities for handling the refugees are with the UNHCR. So far, they have been well taken care of.

From Medan, on the island of Sumatra, a Sri Lankan asylum seeker who asks to not be named pleads for resettlement and more international assistance. His youngest daughter has a foot deformity, he says, and the shoes she requires, which she regularly outgrows, cost more than an entire month of his allowance. Rahimi uses her fluent Indonesian, learned from scratch when she arrived aged 23, to volunteer as an interpreter for other refugees. Credit: Zach Hope The refugees who have lived in Indonesia, like me, wont have the money to pay people smugglers, he says. There are maybe 3000 to 4000 asylum seekers living in Medan. No one I know would go to Australia by boat [anyway]. They know Australia will send them to Manus and Nauru. We follow the news. Resettlement to a third country is our only way out.

In 2015, when they did have money, he and his pregnant wife joined a boatload of asylum seekers aiming for New Zealand. The mission was intercepted by Australian authorities, who were later discovered to have paid the crew thousands of dollars to turn back to Indonesia. Loading The family, now with three children, has been here ever since. No [people smuggler] has approached us to go to Australia by boat, not for years, he says. We will never try to go to Australia by boat again, the journey is too dangerous. My wife and I, we couldve died. That man who resettled in New Zealand, that guy Behrouz [Boochani], we follow his story. Its not Australia, but he was resettled to another country. We were happy for him. We will only go to Australia legally if they take us  or any other country. Please, help my family.

Rahimi says she has never been approached by a people smuggler in her ten years living in Indonesia, five of them in the village of Ciawi. If refugees knew they could settle in Australia by boat, she says, they wouldnt be waiting so long in Indonesia. We leave our countries to be safe, so we dont want to put ourselves at risk to go by boat to Australia, she says. The UNHCR doesnt pay attention to the real situation of refugees. It says the situation is better  it is not true. We are hopeless. Ezat Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who lives in Indonesia There is a door  the door is the UNHCR. For all but a small percentage each year, that door is closed. Figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees show Australia last year resettled marginally fewer asylum seekers living in Indonesia than Canada or New Zealand. Of the 1500 total in 2023, the United States accepted about half.

Australia was regularly resettling upwards of 400 each year from 2011, but this dipped sharply from 2018 and continued at historically low levels through the COVID-19 pandemic, rising to 200 or more in 2022 and 2023. Loading The Australian government is central to the lives of UNHCR-registered refugees in Indonesia because it provides the bulk of the monthly stipends divvied out by the IOM. But in March 2018, it stopped funding new arrivals, leaving some so desperate they camped outside immigration detention centres hoping to be let inside. The Home Affairs department, UNHCR and IOM Indonesia were contacted for comment Ezat Ahmadi, an Afghan refugee who leads protests outside Jakartas UNHCR and Indonesian government buildings, says many of the post-2018 arrivals receive nothing at all. The policy, aimed at deterring people from seeking shelter on Australias doorstep, added to an earlier government decision to not resettle refugees arriving in Indonesia after July 2014.

Suicide is common among the refugees, Ahmadi says. Many live with chronic disease. We sincerely request to the Australian government that they increase their [migration] quotas and their proceeds, he says. Pictured here are the leaders of the Taliban. The militia group targeted Bibi Rahimi after she refused to quit her job as a teacher in Afghanistan. Credit: AP Unfortunately, the UNHCR doesnt pay attention to the real situation of refugees. It reports and says the situation is better, actually it is not true. We are hopeless. When Rahimi arrived in Indonesia ten years ago, she says the UNHCR waiting time was a few years. Given the alternative, this was endurable. Indonesia was also a Muslim-majority country and affordable. It made sense.

In Afghanistan, she was the only meaningful income earner after the murders of her siblings and marriage of surviving sister. She loved working as a teacher and nurse, but the Taliban did not. She refused their demands for her to quit, so, one evening about midnight, they came for her. Hearing them enter, she snuck out the back door and sheltered with a friend. With the Taliban ruling Afghanistan again, she accepts she is unlikely to ever return. If I knew that I would stay here for ten years, I would have preferred to have died in Afghanistan, at least to have been able to help my father, she says. When he died, I was crying in my room because he was actually my everything, sir. Almost a heart attack came to me because it was beating so fast. And after some minutes, I told myself, No, if you die, what happens to your mum and nephews? You have to fight.
We just havent had assurances about 2025. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is welcomed at a joint meeting of the US Congress in December 2022. While assured of support at the start, Zelensky has no guarantees financial support from the US will continue. Credit: Bloomberg Ammunition shortages are already an issue, and will get better only if Europe learns to produce weapons again. Russia has its own problems with resources and manpower, but it retains a relative size advantage. In a war of attrition, that counts. While the fat man shrinks, the thin man disappears, a Ukrainian intelligence official says, citing a well-known local proverb. Mykhailo Fedorov, a deputy prime minister and champion of military tech, says the only way forward is self-reliance.

We have no choice but to show strength. But Im optimistic. Weve got a clear advantage in effectiveness and speed. Loading Creative thinking allowed Ukraine to score unlikely victories in the Black Sea, he argues. During 2023, Ukraine sank a fifth of the Russian Black Sea fleet and established a shipping corridor in the face of constant bombardment. The same approach has seen a huge increase in the production of cheap and capable fighting drones. Ukraine boasts nearly a dozen long-distance models able to strike targets more than 600 kilometres away. One long-range drone manufacturer confidently predicts that 2024 will see the war move deep into central regions of Russia. Mr Putin will have some explaining to do to his people, he says. Things will not be easy for him domestically.

Yet, it is Ukraines domestic politics rather than Russias that are beginning to look more fragile. Two years of unusual political unity have given way to public infighting. President Volodymyr Zelensky has faced down much of the criticism in tough fashion. In early February he removed his popular armed forces commander, Valery Zaluzhny, after relations broke down between the two. The full effects of that risky decision have yet to be seen. On the eve of his firing, a full 94 per cent of Ukrainians said they trusted their wartime general, compared with 40 per cent for his replacement, Oleksandr Syrsky. A senior government official says he is worried about the capacity of the Ukrainian political system to manage the growing tensions, and says the Kremlin would love to capitalise on them. Ukraine had success with strikes on Russian ships and shipyards in Crimea. Russia wants to remove Zelensky because there is no one else who can control the situation, he says. A difficult point will come in May, the date Zelenskys five-year presidential term officially ends. Martial law is clear in allowing the president to continue in office until another is elected, with elections also impossible under the same provisions. But the political chatter in Kyiv is all about an upcoming cliff-edge of legitimacy.

Andriy Mahera, a constitutional expert whose decision in 2004 not to ratify a fraudulent vote marked the start of a series of protests known as the Orange Revolution, says the criticisms are legal nonsense; but Zelensky is nonetheless walking a tightrope. The president will be in position past the five-year mark only because there is a war on  no more, no less. He needs to understand this, and instead of fighting opponents, try to unite them around him. So far, big-tent collaboration has not been Zelenskys style. Loading The president can certainly take some comfort in public opinion, which continues to back him, albeit with a downward trajectory. Polling from the Razumkov Centre, a local sociological company, shows trust in him remains at 70 per cent. That is much higher than for parliament and any potential opponent save Zaluzhny. The public also largely aligns with Zelenskys uncompromising stance on negotiations with Russia. The Razumkov polling shows just 18 per cent of them would support concessions to Russia even if the West were to cease support completely. A third say Ukraine should continue to fight even if it is left on its own; 22 per cent suggest trying to freeze the conflict without making concessions, with the rest undecided.

The real obstacle to any deal is not so much domestic support as finding a trustworthy negotiating partner. For negotiations to work, you need a tango, the senior government official said. War is actually quite successful for Putin. What is his reason to stop? Loading A Ukrainian military-intelligence source suggested that current rates of equipment and ammunition use might force both sides to a temporary ceasefire some time next year. But it would be only a pause, he says: there is little confidence in a lasting deal as long as Putin is alive. We know he hates Ukraine and our freedom. We are a bad example for his society. For Manukhina, the suggestion of waiting for a change in the Russian leadership brings her to tears. She says the little people, like her, are being forgotten.
The overall Palestinian death toll since the start of the war rose to more than 29,500, with close to 70,000 people wounded, Gaza health officials said. The death toll amounts to close to 1.3 per cent of Gazas population of 2.3 million. Netanyahus vision for Gaza Netanyahus plan, while lacking specifics, marks the first time he has presented a formal postwar vision. It reiterates that Israel is determined to crush Hamas, the militant group that overran the Gaza Strip in 2007. A boy stands atop a damaged building as others inspect damage to their homes following Israeli air strikes on Rafah, Credit: Getty Polls have indicated that a majority of Palestinians dont support Hamas, but the group has deep roots in Palestinian society. Critics, including some in Israel, say the goal of eliminating Hamas is unattainable.

Netanyahus plan calls for freedom of action for Israels military across a demilitarised Gaza after the war to thwart any security threat. It says Israel would establish a buffer zone inside Gaza, which is likely to provoke US objections. The plan also envisions Gaza being governed by local officials who it says would not be identified with countries or entities that support terrorism and will not receive payment from them. Its not clear if any Palestinians would agree to such sub-contractor roles. Over the past decades, Israel has repeatedly tried and failed to set up hand-picked local Palestinian governing bodies. The Palestinian Authority, which administers pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, denounced Netanyahus plan as colonialist and racist, saying it would amount to Israeli reoccupation of Gaza. Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, but maintained control of access to the territory.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had not seen details of the plan. But he said any plan should be consistent with basic principles the US had set out for Gazas future, including that it cannot be a platform for terrorism, there should be no Israeli re-occupation of Gaza, the size of Gazas territory should not be reduced. Loading The Biden administration wants to see a reformed Palestinian Authority govern both Gaza and the West Bank as a step toward Palestinian statehood. It has sought to chip away at Netanyahus resistance by holding out the prospect of the normalisation of ties between Israel and Arab powerhouse Saudi Arabia, which demands a Palestinian state as a precondition. The war drags on US, Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials are expected to meet in Paris this weekend to discuss cease-fire efforts. A senior Egyptian official said Egypt and Qatar would bring an understanding reached with Hamas leaders that calls for a six-week cease-fire and the release of elderly and sick hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief the press. During the cease-fire, details would be worked out on a further stage.

Hamas has demanded a complete halt to Israels offensive and a withdrawal of its troops from Gaza in return for releasing all its remaining hostages, as well as the freeing of Palestinians held by Israel, including top militants. Netanyahu has rejected those demands. Israel declared war on Hamas on October 7, after the militants stormed into southern Israel, killing about 1200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages. More than 100 hostages were freed in a weeklong cease-fire in late November. Since the start of the war, 29,514 Palestinians have been killed in Israels offensive and close to 70,000 were wounded, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday. Two-thirds of those killed have been women and children, said the ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. Israel says it has killed at least 10,000 Hamas fighters, without providing evidence for its count. It holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties because the group operates and fights from within civilian areas. The Israeli offensive has inflicted immense suffering in Gaza. About 80 per cent of the population have been displaced, infectious diseases run rampant and hundreds of thousands of people are facing hunger.
London, Ontario: A man found guilty of using his ute to kill four members of a Muslim family has been sentenced to life in prison as a Canadian judge ruled the actions of the admitted white nationalist amounted to terrorism.

Nathaniel Veltman has also been sentenced to a concurrent life sentence for the attempted murder of a boy who survived the 2021 attack.

Veltman, 23, was found guilty in November of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder for hitting the Afzaal family with his ute while they were out for a walk.

Mourners pray as caskets draped in Canadian flags are lined up at a funeral for the four Muslim family members killed by a white nationalist in June 2021. Credit: The Canadian Press/AP

Prosecutors argued that Veltman purposely ran into the Afzaal family while they were out for a walk on June 6, 2021, to intimidate Muslims into leaving Canada. The defence sought to show he wasnt criminally liable saying he had mental health problems.
MOGADISHU, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Somalia wrapped up a two-day public consultation meeting in the capital, Mogadishu, Friday to review the first four chapters of the constitution, urging parliament to adopt a document that reflects the views and aspirations of the Somali people.

The meeting, organized jointly by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Political Unit of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), brought together more than 200 representatives from civil society organizations.

Presidential Adviser on Constitutional Affairs Hussein Sheikh Mohamud said the meeting aimed to gather insights on proposed constitutional amendments, complementing ongoing federal parliament debates.

"These forums are very important as they will align the vision of the political representatives with that of the public. The government intends to engage far and wide on these constitutional amendments to help come up with a better document," Mohamud said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Somalia's provisional constitution was approved in 2012, and in January 2024, the parliament resolved to initiate the process of constitutional amendments to produce a final document crucial for the country's nation-building and political stability.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Hassan Maalim Mohamud said such engagements complement the ongoing debates within the parliament and provide linkages between the public and parliament, which are currently discussing these same four chapters.

ATMIS political officer Sayid Abdi Hersi highlighted the constitution's vital role in achieving peace and stability, particularly in defining and guiding Somalia's security architecture, both during the transition phase and post-ATMIS.

"The constitution is the backbone of state-building and will support the peace and stability of this country. It promotes reconciliation and social cohesion, crucial for strengthening good governance and the successful Somali transition plan," Hersi added.

Participants urged the government to organize more meetings in various parts of the country to gather additional views and seek clarification on the review process. 
A US court ruling that frozen embryos can be considered as human beings under state law has opened a new battleground in the fight over womens reproductive rights.

In an unprecedented decision that US President Joe Biden described as outrageous and unacceptable, the Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that embryos in test tubes should be viewed as children, and that an 1872 state law allowing parents to sue over the death of a minor child could apply in cases of IVF.

A medical staff member collects an egg on a laboratory dish for an in-vitro fertilisation procedure. Credit: AP

A number of IVF providers have now suspended services while they consider the legal ramifications of the decision, which critics fear could have major implications for fertility treatment across the US, such as rising costs and facility closures.

And with an election looming in November, the issue has become political, with Biden, vice-president Kamala Harris and Donald Trumps main Republican rival, Nikki Haley, all weighing into the debate ahead of primary races in South Carolina and Michigan in the next few days.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Today marks a significant milestone in the journey towards equitable governance and fair labor practices for all personnel associated with the Justice Ministry and recognized Labor Unions under the Committee of Civil Servants Union (CCSU). On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, the Ministry of Justice diligently prepared and submitted nineteen (19) National Decrees (LBs) in response to the Ministry of Finance's request.

Following rigorous scrutiny and review, this batch of LBs was returned from the Ministry of Finance today, February 22, 2024, with a positive position. The Ministry of Justice is adhering to the extra step as added by the Ministry of Finance and has now successfully delivered a batch of LBs to His Excellency Governor Ajamu Baly. Although the additional step from the Ministry of Finance has slowed down the movement, the team at the Ministry of Justice is doing its utmost to expedite the tedious process.

Upon receipt of the LBs, Minister Anna E. Richardson promptly signed the Advice package containing the LBs for the Ministry of Justice staff. Subsequently, the package was forwarded to Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion, who provided the final signature required before sending the package to His Excellency, Governor Ajamu Baly.

The Governor's cabinet has confirmed receipt of the first batch of LBs today, February 22nd, 2024. Assuming all aspects are aligned accordingly, we look forward to His Excellency signing the LBs, which will then be returned to the Minister of Justice for co-signing.

The successful completion of this initial batch of LBs signals a promising future for all personnel associated with the Justice Ministry and CCSU-recognized Labor Unions. It not only ensures the long-awaited issuance of National Decrees but also promises new and increased salaries for each member of the dedicated staff.

This achievement sets a positive momentum for the Ministry of Justice as it continues to prioritize the welfare and rights of its personnel. Minister Richardson is now trusting there will be a continuous flow to have the Finance Ministry process a minimum of 25 LBs per week.
HANOI, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- One fisherman died and two others went missing on Friday morning after a fishing boat crashed with a cargo ship in the sea off Vietnam's central province of Quang Ngai, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The fishing boat with nine seamen on board was crushed into two pieces, local media VnExpress reported.

Seven of them have been rescued including one dead and six injured.

Local authorities are searching for two missing fishermen. 
Commercial US spaceship lands on Moon, a first for private industry



Washington, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



A Houston-based company has landed America's first spaceship on the Moon in more than 50 years, part of a new fleet of NASA-funded, uncrewed commercial robots intended to pave the way for astronaut missions later this decade.

But while flight controllers confirmed they had received a faint signal, it was not immediately clear whether Odysseus, the lander built by Intuitive Machines, was fully functional, with announcers on a live stream suggesting it may have come down off-kilter.

The hexagon-shaped vessel touched down near the lunar south pole at 2323 GMT, having slowed from 4,000 miles (6,500 kilometers) per hour.

Images from an external "EagleCam" that was supposed to shoot out from the spacecraft during its final seconds of descent could be released.

For the time being, however, nothing is certain.

"Without a doubt our equipment is on the surface of the Moon and we are transmitting," said Tim Crain, the company's chief technology officer. "So congratulations IM team, we'll see how much more we can get from that."

A previous moonshot by another American company last month ended in failure, raising the stakes to demonstrate that private industry has what it takes to repeat a feat last achieved by US space agency NASA during its manned Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

The current mission "will be one of the first forays into the south pole to actually look at the environmental conditions to a place we're going to be sending our astronauts in the future," said senior NASA official Joel Kearns.

"What type of dust or dirt is there, how hot or cold does it get, what's the radiation environment? These are all things you'd really like to know before you send the first human explorers."



- Lunar south pole -



Odysseus launched February 15 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and boasts a new type of supercooled liquid oxygen, liquid methane propulsion system that allowed it to race through space in quick time.

Its landing site, Malapert A, is an impact crater 300 kilometers (180 miles) from the lunar south pole.

NASA hopes to eventually build a long-term presence and harvest ice there for both drinking water and rocket fuel under Artemis, its flagship Moon-to-Mars program.

Instruments carried on Odysseus include cameras to investigate how the lunar surface changes as a result of the engine plume from a spaceship, and a device to analyze clouds of charged dust particles that hang over the surface at twilight as a result of solar radiation.

It also carries a NASA landing system that fires laser pulses, measuring the time taken for the signal to return and its change in frequency to precisely judge the spacecraft's velocity and distance from the surface, to avoid a catastrophic impact.

This instrument was meant to run as a demonstration only, but Odysseus eventually had to rely on it for the entire descent phase of its journey, after its own navigation system stopped working -- forcing controllers to upload a software patch to make the switch.



- Exclusive club -



The rest of the cargo was paid for by Intuitive Machines' private clients, and includes 125 stainless steel mini Moons by the artist Jeff Koons.

There's also an archive created by a nonprofit whose goal is to leave backups of human knowledge across the solar system.

NASA paid Intuitive Machines $118 million to ship its hardware under a new initiative called Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), which it created to delegate cargo services to the private sector to achieve savings and stimulate a wider lunar economy.

The first CLPS mission, by Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic, launched in January, but its Peregrine spacecraft sprung a fuel leak and was eventually brought back to burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

Spaceships landing on the Moon must navigate treacherous boulders and craters and, absent an atmosphere to support parachutes, must rely on thrusters to control their descent. Roughly half of the more than 50 attempts have failed.

Until now, only the space agencies of the Soviet Union, United States, China, India and Japan have accomplished the feat, making for an exclusive club.
Booking faces $530m fine in Spanish competition probe



Brussels, Belgium, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



Travel website Booking.com said it faces a record fine in Spain ahead of a landmark EU content law coming into force next month.

Spain's antitrust watchdog CNMC launched a probe in 2022 into whether the online platform committed anti-competitive practices.

The CNMC could hit Booking.com with a $530 million fine, which the company said on Thursday would be the authority's largest ever.

"We are disappointed by the CNMC Draft Decision, and strongly disagree with its findings," Booking said in a statement. "We intend to appeal this unprecedented decision, if it becomes final."

The Netherlands-based company that dominates the world of online hotel reservations is a subsidiary of the US Booking Holdings group.

While disagreeing with the CNMC's draft decision, Booking raised concerns about the prospect of being hit with national-level fines as it will also have to comply with the European Union's milestone Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The rules, which come into force next month, cover companies at the European level, with violators facing harsh punishments.

The DMA "is the right forum to discuss and assess the main concerns raised by the CNMC, presenting an opportunity to agree on solutions that apply across Europe rather than country by country", Booking said.

The DMA seeks to increase competition with a series of do's and don'ts for online companies. The firms have until March 7 to comply.

Platforms that fall under the DMA provide a service to more than 45 million monthly active users in the EU and to more than 10,000 yearly active business users established in the bloc.

Digital companies with an annual turnover in the EU of at least 7.5 billion euros ($8.1 billion) or a market value of above 75 billion euros also face the new curbs.

The EU has already named six "gatekeepers" that will have to comply with the rules: Google parent Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok owner ByteDance.

Separately, the European Commission, the EU's powerful antitrust regulator, last year blocked Booking's bid for eTraveli, a smaller online travel agent, citing competition concerns and fears any approval could lead to higher prices for consumers.

raz/lb

Meta

Alphabet Inc.
Eight Philippine rebels killed in clashes: army



Manila, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



Eight communist rebels and a policeman were killed in the Philippines this week during clashes between security forces and a Maoist insurgency group, the army said on Friday.

The latest fighting happened on the central Bohol and Negros islands as government forces continue to battle the long-running insurgency despite hopes of peace talks this year.

Five rebels were killed when fighting broke out Friday as army troops and police attempted to arrest the NPA's leader on Bohol, Domingo Jaspe Compoc, who was among those killed.

"He (Compoc) is notorious... We have been monitoring his group's activities since last year," regional military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Israel Galorio told AFP.

Compoc had a 2.6-million-peso (about $47,000) bounty on his head on charges of rebellion and multiple murders, among others.

A police officer was also shot dead and a second officer was wounded, a Bohol police spokesperson told reporters.

On Wednesday, three other NPA rebels were killed and three soldiers wounded in gunfights on Negros island, the military also reported.

"Since there is still no directive or order to cease the conduct of focused military operation or joint operation with the (police)... we will still continue our internal security operations," Galorio said.

President Ferdinand Marcos's government and the rebels jointly announced last November that they intend to resume peace talks in 2024, aimed at ending the decades-long insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives.

But no dates have yet been set for formal negotiations.
Swedish PM in Hungary ahead of crunch NATO ratification vote



Budapest, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson arrived in Budapest on Friday for talks with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban ahead of a key parliamentary vote on Stockholm's bid to join NATO.

Hungary remains the last obstacle to the Nordic country's NATO membership after Turkey's ratification last month, but its parliament is set to vote on Sweden's bid on Monday.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden alongside neighbouring Finland applied to join NATO in May 2022.

"Welcome to Hungary, Swedish PM!" Orban posted on X, formerly Twitter, with a picture of him shaking hands with Kristersson.

After bilateral talks, a press conference is scheduled for around 11:30 am (1030 GMT).

The two leaders plan to discuss the strengthening of their "defence and security policy cooperation", according to a statement by the Swedish government.

This week, Hungarian pro-government news site Index reported that a "large-scale military and defence contract" between the two countries is in the works.

Hungary has a fleet of 14 Swedish-made Jas-39 Gripen fighter jets it operates under a leasing contract signed in 2001, which has since been extended twice.

Earlier on Friday, Orban told state radio that "some pending (bilateral) military and arms issues" had to be worked out before the Hungarian parliament on Monday "can put the final seal" on ratification.

"We are pro-peace, and the Swedes are pro-war in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict," Orban said but added that the "clear differences in values" could be bridged.

Faced with increasing pressure from the United States, as well as fellow EU member states to greenlight Sweden's NATO bid, Orban announced last week that Budapest was "on course" to ratify it.

Orban's nationalist Fidesz party -- whose ruling coalition with the Christian democratic KDNP holds a majority in parliament -- indicated it would support Sweden's bid on Monday.

All opposition parties except the far-right Our Homeland movement are in favour of ratification.

Although Hungary repeatedly said it supports Stockholm in principle, it prolonged the process by asking Sweden to stop "vilifying" Orban's nationalist government.

It has often denounced what it called Sweden's "openly hostile attitude", accusing Swedish representatives of being "keen to bash Hungary" on rule-of-law issues.

In January, Orban invited the Swedish prime minister to Hungary, citing the need to "build strong mutual trust" through "more intense political dialogue".

Finland became the 31st member of NATO in April 2023.
Russia focuses attacks on Ukraine 'hot spot' Maryinka



Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



Ukraine's armed forces said Friday that Russia had intensified attacks in the eastern Donetsk region, focusing on the town of Maryinka after having taken the symbolic hub of Avdiivka.

As the war nears its third year, Moscow's troops have mounted heavy attacks and taken Avdiivka -- a key eastern town -- while Ukrainian troops are struggling with a lack of ammunition.

Army spokesman Dmytro Lykhoviy said late on Thursday that the area of Maryinka had become "another hot spot" following the fall of Avdiivka.

He said that "near the settlements of Novomykhailivka and Pobeda, the enemy with the support of aircraft tried to break through the defences of our troops 31 times".

These two villages are located southwest of Maryinka.

Russia on Thursday said its troops had captured Pobeda.

After the fall of Avdiivka, Russian troops are moving westwards, pushing Ukrainian forces further from the large separatist-held city of Donetsk.

President Volodymyr Zelensky this week described the situation on the front as "extremely difficult" due to delayed Western supplies of military aid.

Senior Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Tarnavsky, responsible for the sector, said on television that Russian troops had engaged Ukrainians in combat 43 times in Maryinka on Thursday.

"It is the Donetsk region, I mean the Avdiivka and Maryinka directions, that accounts for the absolute majority of air, artillery and kamikaze drone strikes," Tarnavsky said.

"I am grateful to our troops for their steadfastness in holding the defence line," he added.

Army spokesman Lykhoviy said the "situation is dynamic" and claimed some successes.

"Both in the Avdiivka and Maryinka directions our soldiers restored several positions" Thursday, and near Avdiivka "more than a dozen Russian occupiers surrendered or were captured by our military", he said.

Russia claimed to have captured Maryinka, west of Donetsk, in December, while Ukraine said its forces remained on the outskirts. Fighting was largely frozen until recent days.

Maryinka, which once had 10,000 residents, has been a focal point of fighting since 2014 and has been razed to the ground.
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- A frontier corps soldier was killed and at least two others were injured when a bomb went off in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Friday.

The incident happened when unknown militants opened fire at a vehicle of paramilitary troops Frontier Corps (FC) in Khyber district of the province, police officials from the area told Xinhua.

The security forces' vehicle was on a routine patrol in the area when it came under attack, the officials said, adding that the injured FC personnel have been transported to a nearby hospital.

Police and security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to arrest the culprits.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack. 
Southern Gaza hit as Israeli spy chief reportedly heads to new talks



Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



Israeli air strikes targeted homes in the southern Gaza Strip, witnesses said on Friday, adding to what aid groups describe as an increasingly hopeless humanitarian situation despite efforts towards new truce talks.

Israeli media reported a delegation led by David Barnea, head of the Mossad intelligence agency, was heading to Paris for new truce discussions in the war with Hamas militants.

His trip follows what the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said was the death of more than 100 people over the previous day.

Israeli bombardment obliterated one house and left a gaping hole in the earth east of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, where about 1.4 million Gazans have converged in a futile search to escape the fighting.

"We were sleeping in our house when we heard the sound of a missile," said Abdul Hamid Abu el-Enein. "We rushed to the site and found people martyred and injured" in the strike which "completely erased" the two-storey home.

Witnesses reported several other houses targeted during the night, and an AFP reporter described heavy air strikes in the city of Khan Yunis several kilometres (miles) to the north, as well as in Rafah itself.

Israel's military said fighting, including with drone strikes and sniper fire, continued in the western Khan Yunis area.

More than four months of relentless fighting and bombardment have flattened much of Gaza and pushed its population of around 2.4 million to the brink of famine as disease spreads, according to the United Nations.

The UN humanitarian agency OCHA has blamed "limitations on the entry of aid" as well as the combat and growing insecurity for severely hampering assistance.

The war started after Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Hamas militants also took hostages, 130 of whom remain in Gaza including 30 presumed dead, according to Israel.



- 'Appalled' -



Israel's retaliatory campaign, aiming to destroy Hamas, has killed at least 29,514 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest count by Gaza's health ministry.

The toll has seen pressure grow on the administration of US President Joe Biden to rein in its ally Israel -- which it provides with billions of dollars in military aid.

On Tuesday, Washington for a third time vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The vote came as Israel threatens to move troops into Rafah, a plan which has sparked widespread international alarm.

The head of the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charity, Christopher Lockyear, told the Council he was "appalled by the willingness of the United States to use its powers as a permanent Council member to obstruct efforts to adopt the most evident of resolutions. One demanding an immediate and sustained ceasefire."

Washington's ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she could not support a resolution that "put sensitive negotiations" in jeopardy.

Brett McGurk, White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, held talks this week with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, after meeting with other mediators in Cairo.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was in the Egyptian capital for truce talks earlier in the week, the group said.

The Israeli defence ministry said the discussion with McGurk covered returning hostages, "operational developments in Hamas strongholds in central and southern Gaza, and humanitarian aid efforts", as well as "the "importance of dismantling remaining Hamas battalions".

Washington's National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists that so far the discussions were "going well".

Israeli media reported on Friday that Barnea would travel on Friday with Ronen Bar, chief of the Shin Bet domestic security agency, for the talks in Paris.

Barnea and his US counterpart from the CIA helped broker a week-long truce in November that saw the release of 80 Israeli hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, this week spoke of "the first signs that indicate the possibility of progress" toward a new hostage release deal.



- 'Animals have better lives' -



For Gazans struggling to survive, any deal that could lead to greater aid flows and a halt to fighting cannot come soon enough.

"Even animals have better lives than us," said Zarifa Hamad, 62, a displaced woman living in northern Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp.

Fierce gun battles occurred in the neighbouring Zeitun district, where tanks were deployed, according to witnesses.

The army said helicopters were in action to support "targeted raids" in the area.

Aid agencies say the humanitarian situation is particularly acute in Gaza's north.

"I fear we are on the edge of a monumental disaster with grave implications for regional peace, security and human rights," said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the main aid agency in Gaza, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

In a letter to the United Nations General Assembly, he said UNRWA "has reached a breaking point", as donors freeze funding, Israel exerts pressure to dismantle the agency and humanitarian needs soar.

UNRWA employs around 30,000 people working in the occupied territories, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

Several leading donors have suspended funding to UNRWA in response to Israeli allegations that some of its staff participated in the October 7 attack on Israel.

The UN fired the employees accused by Israel and has begun an internal probe of UNRWA, but Lazzarini said Israel has provided no evidence against the 12 it accuses.

In a statement on Wednesday, the head of OCHA, Martin Griffiths, joined the chiefs of almost 20 other UN and external aid groups in an appeal for "an immediate ceasefire," restoration of UNRWA funding, and other measures "so that we can provide, at the very least, the bare essentials" including drinking water and food.
Hungary strikes fighter jet deal with Sweden ahead of NATO vote



Budapest, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



Hungary deepened military cooperation with Sweden on Friday, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announcing the acquisition of four Swedish-made fighter jets ahead of a vote on Stockholm's NATO bid.

The announcement was a crucial step towards unblocking Sweden's bid to join the alliance, after resistance from Orban's nationalist government which accused Swedish officials of being hostile to it over rule-of-law issues.

Budapest has a fleet of 14 Jas-39 Gripen fighter jets it operates under a leasing contract signed in 2001, which has since been extended twice.

"Today, we have reached an agreement to add four aircraft to the Hungarian Defence Forces' Gripen fleet," Orban said after talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

"On Monday, the Hungarian parliament will meet and take the necessary decisions, and with this we have closed one phase and opened a new one," he added.

Kristersson arrived in the Hungarian capital earlier on Friday, just three days ahead of a vote by Hungary's parliament on the Nordic country's bid to join NATO.

Hungary remains the last obstacle to Stockholm's NATO membership after Turkey's ratification last month.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden alongside neighbouring Finland applied to join NATO in May 2022.

"The conversation has been constructive and we have agreed to move forward in fields of common interests," Kristersson said at a press conference after talks with Orban.

"We do not agree on everything, but we do agree that we should work more actively together when we have common ground," he added.

Earlier on Friday, Orban told state radio that "some pending (bilateral) military and arms issues" had to be worked out before the Hungarian parliament on Monday "can put the final seal" on ratification.

"We are pro-peace, and the Swedes are pro-war in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict," Orban said, but added that the "clear differences in values" could be bridged.



- 'On course' -



Faced with increasing pressure from the United States and fellow EU member states to greenlight Sweden's NATO bid, Orban announced last week that Budapest was "on course" to ratify it.

His nationalist Fidesz party -- whose ruling coalition with the Christian democratic KDNP holds a majority in parliament -- indicated it would support Sweden's bid on Monday.

All opposition parties except the far-right Our Homeland movement are in favour of ratification.

Although Hungary repeatedly said it supports Stockholm in principle, it prolonged the process by asking Sweden to stop "vilifying" Orban's government.

It has often denounced what it called Sweden's "openly hostile attitude", accusing Swedish representatives of being "keen to bash Hungary" on rule-of-law issues.

In January, Orban invited the Swedish prime minister to Hungary, citing the need to "build strong mutual trust" through "more intense political dialogue".

Finland became the 31st member of NATO in April 2023.
Southern Gaza hit as Israeli spy chief reportedly heads to new talks



Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



Israeli air strikes targeted homes in southern Gaza, witnesses said on Friday, adding to what aid groups describe as an increasingly hopeless humanitarian situation despite efforts towards new truce talks.

Israeli media reported a delegation led by David Barnea, head of the Mossad intelligence agency, was heading to Paris for new truce discussions in the war with Hamas militants.

His trip follows what the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said was the death of more than 100 people over the previous day.

Israeli bombardment destroyed one house and left a gaping hole in the earth east of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, where about 1.4 million Gazans have converged in a futile search to escape the fighting.

"We were sleeping in our house when we heard the sound of a missile," said Abdul Hamid Abu el-Enein. "We rushed to the site and found people martyred and injured" in the strike which "completely erased" the two-storey home.

Witnesses reported several other houses targeted during the night, and an AFP reporter described heavy strikes in the city of Khan Yunis several kilometres (miles) to the north, as well as in Rafah itself.

Israel's military said fighting, including with drone strikes and sniper fire, continued in the western Khan Yunis area.

More than four months of fighting and bombardment have flattened much of Gaza and pushed its population of around 2.4 million to the brink of famine as disease spreads, according to the United Nations.

The UN humanitarian agency OCHA has blamed "limitations on the entry of aid" as well as the combat and growing insecurity for severely hampering assistance.

The war started after Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Hamas militants also took hostages, 130 of whom remain in Gaza including 30 presumed dead, according to Israel.



- 'Appalled' -



Israel's retaliatory campaign, aiming to destroy Hamas, has killed at least 29,514 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest count by Gaza's health ministry.

The toll has seen pressure grow on the administration of US President Joe Biden to rein in its ally Israel -- which it provides with billions of dollars in military aid.

On Tuesday, Washington for a third time vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The vote came as Israel threatens to move troops into Rafah, a plan which has sparked widespread international alarm.

The head of the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charity, Christopher Lockyear, told the Council he was "appalled" by Washington's willingness "to obstruct efforts to adopt the most evident of resolutions. One demanding an immediate and sustained ceasefire."

The United States ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she could not support a resolution that "put sensitive negotiations" in jeopardy.

Brett McGurk, White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, held talks this week with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, after meeting with other mediators in Cairo.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was in the Egyptian capital for truce talks earlier in the week, the group said.

Washington's National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists that so far the discussions were "going well".

Israeli media reported on Friday that Barnea would be joined by Ronen Bar, chief of the Shin Bet domestic security agency, for the talks in Paris.

Barnea and his US counterpart from the CIA helped broker a week-long truce in November that saw the release of 80 Israeli hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, this week spoke of "the first signs that indicate the possibility of progress" toward a new hostage release deal.



- 'Die hungry' -



At Rafah's Najjar hospital on Friday, mourners grieved over two dead children whose faces poked through white shrouds.

Mahmud Jarghun said he had no hope in the negotiations because "the intention is to annihilate the Palestinian people".

"I want to die hungry," he said, so "God will hold them accountable for what we are suffering from."

Fierce gun battles occurred in the neighbouring Zeitun district, where tanks were deployed, according to witnesses.

The army said helicopters were in action to support "targeted raids" in the area.

"I fear we are on the edge of a monumental disaster with grave implications for regional peace, security and human rights," said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the main aid agency in Gaza, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

In a letter to the United Nations General Assembly, he said UNRWA "has reached a breaking point", as donors freeze funding, Israel exerts pressure to dismantle the agency and humanitarian needs soar.

UNRWA employs around 30,000 people in the occupied territories, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

Several leading donors have suspended funding to UNRWA in response to Israeli allegations that some of its staff participated in the October 7 attack on Israel.

The UN fired the employees accused by Israel and has begun an internal probe of UNRWA, but Lazzarini said Israel has provided no evidence against the 12 it accuses.

The head of OCHA, Martin Griffiths, joined the chiefs of almost 20 other UN and external aid groups in an appeal Wednesday for "an immediate ceasefire," restoration of UNRWA funding, and other measures "so that we can provide, at the very least, the bare essentials" including drinking water and food.

Under a post-war plan for Gaza proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UNRWA would be dismantled, according to The Times of Israel newspaper.

The plan envisages Gaza's civil affairs being run by local Palestinian officials without links to Hamas or its foreign backers. It also rejects "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state, the report said.

With Arab support, the United States has called for a pathway to a Palestinian state in an effort to ensure peace.
Southern Gaza hit as Israeli spy chief holds new talks



Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



Israeli air strikes targeted homes in southern Gaza, witnesses said on Friday, adding to what aid groups describe as an increasingly hopeless humanitarian situation despite efforts towards new truce talks.

An Israeli delegation led by David Barnea, head of the Mossad intelligence agency, has arrived in Paris in efforts to "unblock" truce discussions in the war with Hamas militants.

His trip follows what the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said was the death of more than 100 people over the previous day.

Israeli bombardment destroyed one house and left a gaping hole in the earth east of Rafah, on the border with Egypt, where about 1.4 million Gazans have converged in a futile search to escape the fighting.

"We were sleeping in our house when we heard the sound of a missile," said Abdul Hamid Abu el-Enein. "We rushed to the site and found people martyred and injured" in the strike which "completely erased" the two-storey home.

Witnesses reported several other houses targeted during the night, and an AFP reporter described heavy strikes in the city of Khan Yunis to the north, as well as in Rafah itself.

Israel has threatened to send troops into the packed southern city of Rafah, drawing international criticism.

The military said fighting, including with drone strikes and sniper fire, continued in the western Khan Yunis area.

More than four months of fighting and bombardment have flattened much of Gaza and pushed its population of around 2.4 million to the brink of famine as disease spreads, according to the United Nations.

"We have reached the point of extreme poverty and hunger," 62-year-old Zarifa Hamad, a displaced woman living in a camp in northern Gaza told AFP. "Children are dying of hunger. The elderly are dying of hunger, diabetes, blood pressure... everybody is suffering."

"We have started to eat grass."



- Paris talks -



The war started after Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack which resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

Hamas militants also took hostages, 130 of whom remain in Gaza including 30 presumed dead, according to Israel.

Israel's relentless bombardment since has killed at least 29,514 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest count by Gaza's health ministry.

The toll has seen pressure grow on the administration of US President Joe Biden to rein in its ally Israel -- which it provides with billions of dollars in military aid.

Brett McGurk, White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, held talks this week with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, after meeting with other mediators in Cairo.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was in the Egyptian capital for truce talks earlier in the week, the group said.

A Hamas source said the new plan proposes a six-week pause in the conflict and the release of between 200 and 300 Palestinian prisoners, in exchange for 35 to 40 hostages still held by Hamas.

Israeli media reported Friday that Barnea would be joined by Ronen Bar, chief of the Shin Bet domestic security agency, for the Paris discussions.

Barnea and his US counterpart from the CIA helped broker a week-long truce in November that saw the release of 80 Israeli hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Washington's National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists that so far the discussions were "going well", while Benny Gantz from Israel's war cabinet spoke of "the first signs that indicate the possibility of progress".



- 'Die hungry' -



At the Najjar hospital in the southern city of Rafah on Friday, mourners grieved over two dead children whose faces poked through white shrouds.

Mahmud Jarghun said he had no hope in the negotiations because "the intention is to annihilate the Palestinian people".

"I want to die hungry," he said, so "God will hold them accountable for what we are suffering from."

Fierce gun battles occurred in the neighbouring Zeitun district, where tanks were deployed, according to witnesses.

The army said helicopters were in action to support "targeted raids" in the area.

"I fear we are on the edge of a monumental disaster with grave implications for regional peace, security and human rights," said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

In a letter to the United Nations General Assembly, he said UNRWA "has reached a breaking point", as donors freeze funding, Israel exerts pressure to dismantle the agency and humanitarian needs soar.

Several leading donors suspended funding to UNRWA in response to Israeli allegations that some of its staff participated in the October 7 attack on Israel.

The UN fired the employees accused by Israel and has begun an internal probe of UNRWA, but Lazzarini said Israel has provided no evidence against them.



- Post-war plan -



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed a plan for post-war Gaza that would dismantle UNRWA, and envisages Gaza's civil affairs run by local Palestinian officials without links to Hamas.

Even after the war, the Israeli army would have "indefinite freedom" to operate throughout Gaza to prevent any resurgence of terror activity, according to the plan.

The plan, seen by AFP, was swiftly rejected by the Palestinian Authority.

Earlier this week the Israeli parliament rejected "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state.

With Arab support, Washington has called for a pathway to a Palestinian state in an effort to ensure peace.

A UN report Friday said "gross human rights violations" had been committed by all parties in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and demanded accountability and justice to foster peace.

burs-rox/dv
Biden slaps sanctions on 500 targets in Russia 'war machine'



Washington, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



US President Joe Biden on Friday announced sanctions against Russia on over 500 targets to mark the second anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine, vowing sustained pressure to stop President Vladimir Putin's "war machine."

The sanctions, described as the largest single tranche since the start of the war, also seek to impose a cost for the death last week in a Siberian prison of Putin's most vocal critic, Alexei Navalny -- with measures taken against three officials.

But the sanctions stopped short of potentially game-changing moves under consideration such as funding Ukraine by seizing assets from Russia, whose economy has kept growing despite two years of pressure.

The new economic effort comes as Russia makes its first gains in months on the battlefield in Ukraine, which has been forced to ration ammunition as a political impasse in Washington blocks new US military aid.

The latest sanctions will notably target the Mir credit card system, set up by Russia to avoid reliance on US-based networks.

The Treasury Department also said it was targeting investment funds and regional banks to hit "Russia's core financial infrastructure."

Other notable businesses include Russian transportation logistics company JSC SUEK, said to serve the Russian defense ministry, and specialty steel producer Mechel.

Others were in 3D printing, lubricants, as well as robotics and automation.

The sanctions "will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home," Biden said in a statement.

"We are also imposing new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing backdoor support for Russia's war machine," he said.

In announcing the latest export control list additions, the Commerce Department cited entities' contributions to Russia's military or industrial base, including in microelectronics and the procurement of US-origin tools.



- Russia withstanding pressure -



The United States and its allies have imposed a slew of measures against Russia since the start of the war, including blocking financial assets, restricting high-tech exports and setting an official cap on the sale price of Russia's oil exports.

Despite US-led pressure, the Russian economy grew by more than three percent last year and is expected to grow again this year, a rate better than some Western nations backing Ukraine.

Russia has adapted and turned to trade with non-Western partners, especially China, even as US officials note that Moscow has less discretionary funding for non-military purposes.

European partners have balked at US-led calls to seize Russian assets and hand the potentially billions in funding to Ukraine, fearing the move would lead other governments with questionable reputations to desert Western banks.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said Washington was still working "intensely" with allies to consider options to support Ukraine.

"Fundamentally, we're not going to do anything on Russian sovereign assets until we move as a coalition," Adeyemo told reporters.

A coalition involving the Group of Seven leading economies, the European Union and Australia earlier announced plans to tighten compliance with the $60 per barrel cap on sales of Russian crude, which has been widely circumvented.

In prepared remarks to be delivered at the Council on Foreign Relations Friday, Adeyemo said Washington will impose additional price cap sanctions.



- Holding Putin responsible -



Biden has declared that he considers Putin responsible for the death of Navalny, 47, who barely survived a 2020 poisoning he blamed on government agents.

The sanctions on three officials over Navalny's death follow a similar move by Britain. Some European governments have also summoned Russian diplomats to lodge protests.

The White House has said too that Washington would soon impose new sanctions on Iran over its backing for Russia, after reports that Tehran is supplying ballistic missiles.

In announcing the latest measures, Biden made a fresh plea for Congress to fund new military aid to Ukraine.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring the aid to a vote with his ally, presidential hopeful Donald Trump, criticizing support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces recently withdrew from Avdiivka in the eastern Donetsk region as they ran short of ammunition, giving Russia its first major gain on the ground since May.

"History is watching. The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will not be forgotten," Biden said.
Zelensky calls for fast deliveries of air defence systems, fighter jets



Lviv, Ukraine, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Friday for Western countries to accelerate deliveries of promised air defence systems and fighter jets, on the eve of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion.

He spoke as vital US aid to Ukraine has been blocked by the US Congress and as Russia has been emboldened by fresh gains in recent weeks.

"The most important thing is to unblock the sky. Air defence and future jets will help it," Zelensky told reporters at a press conference in the western city of Lviv.

"What's important is that all our decisions have to come in time. I think that is the priority," he said, adding that Ukraine had seen delays to promised shipments during last year's failed counter-offensive.

He said air defence was critical to saving civilian lives and "strengthening of our army on the frontline".

Zelensky was speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, as Western leaders descend on the country in a show of support for Kyiv as the war enters its third year.

NATO member Denmark has promised to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine later this year, and Several NATO countries have been training Ukrainian pilots on the advanced planes for months.

Ukraine relies on Western military backing to help it defend against Russian attacks, which have accelerated as Moscow seeks to take advantage of Kyiv's stretched resources on the battlefield.

A vital $60 billion military aid package for Ukraine from Washington is currently held up in the US Congress amid domestic political wrangling.
IAEA urges 'maximum restraint' as explosions rock Ukraine plant



Vienna, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



UN atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi on Friday called for "maximum military restraint" after a string of powerful explosions occurred near Ukraine's Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant this week.

Europe's biggest nuclear plant has been at the centre of fighting since it was captured by Russian forces in March 2022, and both Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of compromising its safety.

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "stationed at the Zaporizhzhia plant reported hearing explosions every day over the past week, including one late last Friday that appeared to occur close to the plant," Grossi said in a statement.

On Thursday, there were also several blasts, including an "unusually loud one, indicating very close proximity to the site," Grossi said.

The large blast was part of what plant authorities described as "field training", but with no shelling of the plant nor any damage to it.

This week's "powerful explosions shook windows" at the Zaporizhzhia plant, which Grossi warned were "underlining the urgent need for maximum military restraint to reduce the danger of a nuclear accident".

The origin or direction of all other blasts -- except Thursday's large explosion -- could not be "conclusively determined", the statement added.

Moreover, the IAEA was told that a mine exploded outside the site perimeter on Thursday.

"I remain deeply concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation" at Zaporizhzhia, Grossi said.

"The reports of our experts indicate possible combat action not far away from the site."

He also urged that the plant's back-up power line for off-site power should become "available again as soon as possible".

IAEA officials have been on the ground monitoring the plant since September 2022.

The six reactor units, which before the war produced around a fifth of Ukraine's electricity, have been shut down.
VIENTIANE, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lao medical workers require more training in non-communicable diseases to improve the treatment of chronically ill patients, according to a senior official from the Lao Ministry of Health.

Lao Deputy Minister of Health Snong Thongsna made the statement on Tuesday when addressing a workshop on non-communicable disease management and community engagement, according to a report issued on Friday from the Center of Information and Education for Health under the Lao Ministry of Health.

The workshop, held in Lao capital Vientiane from Tuesday to Wednesday, marked the start of joint efforts to develop a non-communicable disease management plan to strengthen the health system and increase the capacity of health workers and health volunteers.

To determine appropriate disease control policies, Laos' Ministry of Health has coordinated with the World Health Organization to create a service manual to be used in the treatment and control of non-communicable diseases in primary care settings, said Snong. 
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The number of newborns in Sweden last year hit a two-decade low, contributing to the slowest population growth since 2021, Swedish Television (SVT) reported on Friday.

"The number of births in 2023 was the lowest since 2003, but then the population was also nearly 1.6 million smaller than today," Ann-Marie Persson, a population statistician at Statistics Sweden, said in a press release.

The total fertility rate in 2023 fell to 1,449 children per 1,000 women, the lowest since Sweden started measuring in 1749, according to the government's statistics agency.

Changing migration patterns also contributed to the slow population growth last year as immigration fell while emigration increased, SVT reported.

In 2023, 94,500 individuals immigrated to Sweden, down by 7,900 from 2022, while emigration increased by 22,800 to 73,400, SVT reported.

At the end of 2023, Sweden had a population of 10,551,700, an increase of 30,200 from the previous year, SVT reported. 
A group of analysts at AJ Bell said the bumper profits could come despite IAG being dogged by labour unrest and geopolitical uncertainty, while the UKs gradual slide into recession may not have helped sentiment either, given how sensitive airline travel (passengers and cargo) can be to the economic cycle.
Mr Trivedi said: It has been an honour to lead CAB Payments over the last few years and I am extremely proud of what we have achieved.
In a statement following the hearing, Carter Ruck Solicitors, who represented Mr Hedges and Mr Ahmad, said that the Emirati officials invoked foreign official immunity to prevent the court considering their actions, which led to the end of the legal action following agreement between the parties on the basis that each party will pay their own costs.
However, in the 42-page public judgment, Baroness Carr said: We are not persuaded that there was any obligation on the Secretary of State to take into account the possibility that there might be a duty to investigate the circumstances of Ms Begums trafficking, alternatively, to consider whether any such investigation as might be required would be enhanced by her presence in this country.
"E-bikes and e-scooters, which have become London's fastest-growing fire risk, should not be stored on escape routes. If you can't keep them outside or in a shed, they should be put in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire, the London Fire Brigade said.
After fleeing fighting further north, some 1.4 million people are huddled in Rafah on the border of Gaza with Egypt. Israel has warned the offensive will start on the city by Ramadan next month unless Hamas releases about 100 hostages it is still holding after its terrorist fighters slaughtered 1,200 Israelis in raids on October 7.
But it is absolutely the case that we must make sure that we crack down on extremist behaviour, its absolutely the case that we must not let our democracy be distorted through fear or intimidation.
KIEV, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk said Friday that the Ukrainian military shot down another Russian A-50 surveillance aircraft.

"I am grateful to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and all those who ensured the result," Oleschuk said in a Telegram post.

The Ukrainian forces continue their work, Oleschuk added.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the plane lost speed and height near the city of Yeysk in Russia's southern Krasnodar region.

Russia used the plane as an air command post for long-range radar detection, control and guidance for strikes on Ukraine with missiles from strategic aviation, the intelligence said.

It estimated the aircraft's value at 350 million U.S. dollars.

Last month, Valery Zaluzhny, then a chief commander of the armed forces of Ukraine, said the Ukrainian air force had destroyed a Russian A-50 plane in an area close to the Sea of Azov. 
(There should be) an easier and a faster process that, where those areas are being encircled by the kind of angry aggressive protests that have that implied sense of threat, as we are seeing, to give the police the ability to disperse them more quickly, which is clearly not happening at the moment.
He said: You may well think, ladies and gentlemen, that Im being a little bit ambitious here, because there are one or two naysayers in the press and in the other political parties  and dare I say even one or two in our own party  that are telling us that the Conservative Party could never do it.
There are farmers outside here today and they are expressing that anger and we will do everything we can, and you guys are doing a great job of highlighting that this is the reality of Labour in power.
Mr Cleverly said: This Government has a plan to break the model of the smuggling gangs, end the abuse of our asylum system and stop the boats. The plan is working with crossings down by a third  but we must go further.
The course of the war may be decided by whether the West can provide Ukraine with the military and other support to match Russias defence production capabilities and imports of equipment and munitions from Iran and North Korea.
Begum, who is now 24, says she was failed by the UK authorities before her journey to Syria, and she has accused the government of failing to properly consider whether she was a trafficking victim before revoking citizenship.
Some legislators questioned whether the new regulations would have much impact on dealing, since those who are unwilling to grow their own cannabis or join a cannabis club may still prefer to buy the drug.
The Latin terms viva, which means "life" and amine, which refers to a chemical substance with an amino group, inspired him to name his invention vitamines. Later, the word was abbreviated to vitamin. Funk moved to New York City in 1915, and in 1920 he received his American citizenship. Following this, he held research posts at US universities for several years before joining the US Vitamin Corporation as a consultant.
For his last episode on GMB on Friday, Shephard said: As soon as I get in here, (I know) Im going to be surrounded by you brilliant, incredible, gorgeous, talented, challenging, chaotic, annoying, fabulous people, that make me better at what I do.
But the 32-time Grammy Award winners later accomplishment comes after her fans had to force a country music station to play Texas Hold Em after it initially refused. Fans accused the station of blatant racism and discrimination against Beyonce.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The United States announced over 500 new sanctions against Russia on Friday, the eve of the second anniversary of the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement that the sanctions were also imposed in light of Russian opposition leader Aleksey Navalny's death at a penal colony in the Arctic region in Russia. Washington claimed that the Russian government was responsible.

"These sanctions will target individuals connected to Navalny's imprisonment as well as Russia's financial sector, defense industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents," Biden said.

Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. 
BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- About two hundred Chinese-made cranes at U.S. ports have recently been entangled in a Hollywood-style spy story, with their steel arms allegedly stretched out to peep at the cargo containers below.

As the surreal drama of yet another "China threat" unfolds, the White House's latest security directive singling out the Chinese-made cranes emerges as a stark testament to the age-old adage: Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

Check out the explanation the White House gave -- "Chinese hackers" may be spying on U.S. seaports. There are concerns in the White House that the software on the cranes could be manipulated by China and so cranes at some ports were flagged as surveillance threats. This is another instance of the U.S. abuse of national power to jinx normal China-U.S. cooperation -- groundless, yet ceaseless.

When it comes to matters of so-called national security, Washington's fixation on implicating China knows no bounds. From baseless accusations of espionage to scrutinizing individuals based on nationality, the pattern of suspicion and scapegoating has been casting a long shadow over bilateral cooperation.

Such an absurd accusation involving the Chinese-made cranes is by no means an isolated case. Just three weeks ago, a U.S. senator Tom Cotton grilled the CEO of TikTok Shou Zi Chew about his nationality, suggesting he has links with China, when he is in fact a Singaporean.

Even more absurd, a Florida senator Rick Scott claimed two months ago that garlic imported from China poses a threat to U.S. national security. He jumped to the conclusion based on the accusation that Chinese garlic is grown using human feces and sewage as fertilizers.

Despite its clamor about others causing a threat to U.S. cyber security, Washington appears more like a robber masquerading as a cop. For example, in 2022, the United States launched a cyberattack against China's Northwestern Polytechnical University. An investigation showed that the United States used 41 specialized cyber weapons over 1,000 times against the university and stole core technical data.

Initially, it involved prohibiting the sale of advanced computer chips. Then, it disrupted industrial supply chains, including those related to electric vehicle production. Now, Washington has expanded its scope by targeting seemingly unrelated items: garlic and cranes. Wherever China sees fast growth, the United States seeks to suppress it.

Instead of giving in to the temptation of conspiracy theories and fear-mongering, it is time for Washington to break free from the shackles of paranoia, and to embrace a future that is built on openness rather fear towards China's development. 
, a commercial and industrial renewable energy firm, has inked a 25-year power purchase agreement withfor a 45.9 MW solar-wind captive power project. The specially designated entity, Clean Max BIAL Renewable Energy Private Ltd, will oversee the project located in Jagaluru, Karnataka, comprising 36 MW of solar power and 9.9 MW of wind power plants., expressed the airport's commitment to sustainability and responsible growth, emphasizing the substantial cost savings and renewable energy contribution expected from the long-term agreement with CleanMax. The collaboration aligns with BIAL's efforts to meet the renewable energy needs for its expansion program at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru., highlighted their dedication to a sustainable future, emphasizing the significance of the partnership with BIAL in shaping environmental impact positively.The captive renewable energy power plant is projected to fulfill an estimated annual requirement of 90 million units, contributing 58.3 million units of solar power and 31 million units of wind power to the grid. This initiative is expected to yield approximately 90 GW of renewable energy annually, resulting in a significant reduction of 64,200 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent.The broader Jagaluru wind-solar farm in Karnataka, boasting a total capacity of 290 MW, is anticipated to contribute to the reduction of 54,88,000 tons of CO2 equivalent, further solidifying CleanMax's commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
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Mountain rescuers brought 67 people to safety in the last 24 hours; of these, 30 were handed over to the Ambulance Service or the Mobile Emergency Resuscitation and Extrication Service to be taken to the hospital, and two were airlifted by helicopter, the Mountain Rescue Service Salvamont Romania announced on Friday.

In the last 24 hours, the Salvamont National Dispatch Center responded to 68 callouts, the institution's Facebook page shows.

Most calls for help were for Salvamont Brasov City - 17, Salvamont Predeal and Salvamont Lupeni - 8 calls each.

Also, 53 calls were received requesting advice and information about various hikble mountain trails and ski areas.
A delegation of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party, led by the party's president George Simion, is in Washington DC until February 26 to participate in the conference of conservative leaders, CPAC - Conservative Political Action Conference.

According to a press release from the AUR sent on Friday, the representatives of the party participated in the CPAC International Summit and had bilateral meetings with officials of the Republican Party from the United States, with MEPs, members of the European Conservatives and Reformists group, as well as with parliamentarians from several European states.

Also, AUR representatives met with officials of the Americans for Tax Reform group and the Atlantic Council, a non-partisan organization whose objective is to identify solutions to global challenges, and George Simion gave interviews for some publications, they stated cited sources

"We are with the people, we are nationalists and we put the country first, just as Donald Trump wants to put America first. We are the only sovereign, conservative, patriotic political force in Romania. We oppose those who want to steal our freedom in Romania and in the European Union", conveyed George Simion, according to the AUR press release.

AUR also mentions that Donald Trump will also be present at CPAC on February 24.

The AUR delegation includes: the president of the National Management Council of the AUR, senator Claudiu Tarziu, the AUR deputy Sorin Muncaciu, the MEP Cristian Terhes, the coordinator of the international relations department of the AUR, lawyer Georgiana Teodorescu, the president of the Republican Party of Romania, Marian Cucsa, and the lawyer Gheorghe Piperea, the press release also informs.
MEP Dacian Ciolos has announced that he will submit to the European Commission and the European Parliament a set of proposals related to agricultural policy, the one in the field of environment and climate change impacting agriculture, this being the topic of a meeting held on Friday in Bucharest with representatives of professional associations and organizations of farmers, of environmental organizations, experts from the agri-food sector.

"We discussed a set of proposals that I, as a member of the European Parliament, should put forward and support at the European level related to the future of European agricultural policy, environmental policy and climate change that have an impact on agriculture and the food sector. You have all seen in recent weeks farmers taking to the streets spontaneously, in several member states, with demands in terms of the immediate, short-term difficulties due to the economic situation, due to the environmental measures that the European Union is developing. But all these problems have solutions, some of them in the short term, but the vast majority will have to be found in a public debate at European level about how we rethink European public policy, not only in the field of agriculture, the Common Agricultural Policy, but and in the field of food and the field of the environment and climate change and trade policy and how do we make these policies coherent, because if they are not coherent they create these distortions that do not allow farmers to do their work", stated Ciolos in a press conference.

According to the former European Commissioner, the problem in agriculture in the European Union is a much deeper one, being one of motivating young people to enter agricultural production and to access this profession, one of the dignity of farmers, who produce at very high costs at variable and often very low prices, with more and more demands from society related to the good management of natural resources and climate change.
AGERPRES special correspondent to Kharkov, Ukraine, Cristian Lupascu reports:

A city mayor in the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv on Friday urged people not to leave their homes on February 24, the two-year anniversary of the war.

Derhachi Mayor Vyacheslav Zadorenko announced that on Saturday all services of the local administration will be halted, including the local humanitarian centre.

"As we are approaching the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I am asking you to take maximum security measures. Unfortunately, our border community is a very convenient region for Russian provocations, since the enemy launched an attack on Kharkiv through the Derhachi district exactly two years ago. Therefore, I am urging you to refrain from visiting public places, including shops, shopping centres, pharmacies, administrative and social institutions. The Derhachi humanitarian centre and community administrative bodies will be closed on February 24," Zadorenko told AGERPRES.

Moreover, he is asking people to have their mobile phones fully charged and luggage made with essentials goods, in order to be prepared in the event of a ground attack.



The town of Derhachi, which had more than 20,000 inhabitants, is located 17 kilometres from Kharkiv, on the border with the Russian Federation.
The government made the decision to bear the cost of tourist and business travel visas in the United States for a certain category of employees from the public system, respectively for those from the national security and public order system, aiming, among other things, to accelerate the achievement of the objective of a refusal rate below 3% on the part of the USA as a mandatory condition for Romania's entry into the Visa Waiver program, declared the spokesman of the Executive, Mihai Constantin, when asked if the respective measure is not discriminatory.

"It is a decision of the Government to bear the cost of B1, B2 visas, respectively for tourism and business travel in the United States, for a certain category of employees from the public system and, more precisely, from the national security and public order system. This decision comes as a result of a context that I think we all know, as desired by foreign policy, let's say, Romanians are familiar with Romania's efforts and with the success that we totally want to be accepted in the Schengen Area. Also, there are two more pillars, namely the Visa Waiver for travel to the United States and, overall, a criterion that would strengthen Romania's position from an economic point of view around the globe would be OECD accession. Well, as regards these visas that you mentioned, this availability was called upon, because from this layer of public servants and employees in the budget system there are also many trips to the United States, based on the partnership we have and the contacts we have," declared Mihai Constantin.

As an additional argument, he added that a criterion for granting a United States visa is the establishment and proof of social and economic ties with the country of origin.

He reminded that "other states in the region" have resorted to a similar mechanism and joined the Visa Waiver program in the meantime.

The spokesman of the Executive also explained that the Romanian state bears the expenses related to obtaining visas for the USA only for the listed state employees, and not for their families.

According to the information, this measure was intended to strengthen the strategic partnership with the USA
President Klaus Iohannis says Romania will continue its support for Ukraine as long as it takes and the country's efforts to integrate with the European family.

"We mark 2 years since Ukraine tirelessly fights to defend its people and territory. 2 years since we are united against the aggressor and we all stand up for democracy, the rule of law, for our values, our freedom and security. As a reliable neighbour of Ukraine, at the Black Sea, Romania will continue its unconditional comprehensive support and implication, for as long as it takes. We will also support Ukraine's efforts to integrate into the European family, its future lies in the EU," Iohannis wrote on Friday in a social media post.
President Klaus Iohannis emphasized that it is important for Europe to remain united, despite the difficulties it faces, and continue to provide the help Ukraine needs, he said in a message sent to AGERPRES on Friday, by the Presidential Administration, at an event organized at the North Railway Station to mark two years of Romania's response to the situation of refugees from Ukraine.

"From the beginning of the conflict, Romania has demonstrated that it stands by its neighboring state, and Romanians have shown remarkable solidarity and generosity. Both the Romanian authorities and civil society have worked in close collaboration with international agencies to provide the necessary support to those who crossed the border and especially those who found shelter in Romania," the president added.

"It is important that Europe remains united, despite the difficulties it faces, to continue to provide the help that Ukraine needs in these critical moments, because only in this way can democracy, values, freedom and security be defended and guaranteed. Considering the extremely complicated situation in the neighboring country, the uncertainty about the end of the war persists. In these two years, we have witnessed some devastating events: bombings, destroyed families, barbarically killed civilians. And precisely these images of horrors committed by the Russian Federation are the ones that oblige us to remain firmly committed to unconditionally supporting Ukraine, as long as it will be needed," the head of state pointed out.

According to the president, it is necessary for the authorities, together with international partners, to continue efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and especially to integrate those who are on the territory of the Romanian state
Justice Minister Alina Gorghiu, who is currently on a visit to Japan, met on Thursday with Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike with whom she discussed, among others, gender equality in politics.

"Governor of Tokyo Prefecture Yuriko Koike manages an area with 37 million people. She is the first woman in the history of Japan to hold this position. It was an honor to meet her yesterday [on Feb. 22]. We discussed gender equality in politics, what things are like in Romania and in Japan, respectively. 'Breaking the ice in a world of men is not easy', Mrs. Koike said. That's right. But projects for the promotion of women in politics are a must," Gorghiu wrote on Facebook.

According to the minister, the humanitarian crisis triggered by Russia's aggression against Ukraine was also on the agenda of the talks.

"I congratulated Mrs. Koike for the Tokyo Conference on support to Ukraine that took place on Monday. Democracy, the rule of law and progress are values the Romania - Japan Strategic Partnership also relies upon," Gorghiu said.
AGERPRES special correspondent Cristian Lupascu, reports: Insecurity everywhere. In houses, apartments, on the street or in the park. At the grocery store or at the coffee shop. At school or at work. On foot or in the car. In the center or in the suburbs. This is what the residents of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, just 40 kilometers from the border with the Russian Federation, have been feeling daily for two years now. The war unleashed by Vladimir Putin's army turned their whole lives upside down.

People in Kharkiv go to bed and wake up to the sound of sirens. Air attack alerts are heard countless times a day. On Monday, sirens were activated no fewer than six times. Tuesday nine, and Wednesday ten times. They have no way of knowing when a missile might fall, but especially where. There were "strategic" objectives, but also many civilian objectives, from houses and apartment buildings to schools and hotels. Testimony are the hundreds of destroyed buildings, some buildings with high architectural value, whose roofs or facades were damaged by bombs and missiles.

Victoria is 36 years old and she, like the rest of the population of Kharkiv, lives the terror of war. She admits she's afraid, but she feels powerless.

Lilia is 74 years old and, during the two years of war, she noticed how her life and that of her fellow citizens deteriorated. Her hope is now in divinity.

At 27, Vadim admits that "the sense of fear has atrophied". He admits that Ukraine finds it very difficult to fight, especially given the size of the Russian army. Now, he believes that negotiations and compromises are the solution to ending this war.

The insecurity among the civilian population is also confirmed by the authorities in the region.

"Missiles are constantly being fired at Kharkiv and people never feelsafe. Civilians cannot live safely and many have left," said Serhiy Bolvinov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Police's Criminal Investigation Department.

Amid the war, in Kharkiv, many small businesses were closed. The consumption of products and services has decreased significantly, with serious consequences for the local economy.

The city was, between 1917 and 1934, after the fall of the Tsarist Empie, the first capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Having dominated the first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain on Wednesday, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was a mere fourth in the final session on Friday, almost half a second off the pace of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

But Verstappen wasn't feeling worried about hos things had finished, explaining to the media that the teams' focus today had been on long distance race simulations and tyre tests rather than single lap pace.

"Overall it was very good today," he insisted. "We focused on the long running to get more of an understanding of the car, and it was good to see that the performance of the car was very strong.

"We made the plan to not focus on pure lap time and tried different compounds," he explained. "So I am happy with the laps that we did today.

It was Verstappen's last chance to get behind the wheel of the RB20 before the cars set out for the first free practice session at the same venue on Thursday ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"As we head into the race weekend it is all about fine tuning the car and also seeing what the race throws at you when you push the car to the limit," Verstappen said.

"We now need to look into the data a bit more and try to come up with a plan for the week ahead. Weve had a really positive test and we have learned a lot from everything we changed, so we are looking forward to next week."

Verstappen had been in the car in the afternoon, while Sergio Perez also had a further stint in the car in the morning which saw another drain cover come loose which came close to damaging his car.

Fortunately it didn't cost him much time, with the team checking the car fgor damage during an extended red flag for track repairs after which Perez was quickly back to work.

It has been a good start to the year for the team, we have got plenty of mileage over the last few days," he said. "The run programme that we put together was very good and meant we really made the most out of the days.

"Now it is time to look forward to the race next weekend, I have a good feeling in the car, so lets see once we get to race it, but the feeling is very positive."

Red Bull's head of race engineering GianPiero Lambiase said that Friday had been about "tidying up the loose ends from the previous two days of running

" as well as letting the drivers get comfortable with the new car.

"Whilst it has been a globally positive start to the year, the hard work has only just begun," he commented after the end of the final day of testing.

"We now have a much more informed understanding of the platform beneath us and the areas that need addressing to kickstart development.

"We will be looking to make the most of the few days back in Milton Keynes, before returning [to Bahrain] for what will hopefully be an exciting season opener [next week]."

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The Ministry of Energy signed on Friday the financing contract within Key Program 2 regarding the construction of combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) electrical capacities, which can be adapted to operate on hydrogen, necessary to achieve the transition from coal and to balance network, the ministry announced.

"The General Objective of the Project is the construction of a combined cycle power plant based on natural gas, of approximately 850MW in Isalnita, Dolj county," the press release states.

According to the quoted source, the value of this contract settled from the Modernization Fund is 1.259 billion RON, the equivalent of 253.125 million euros, and the financing will be made from the Modernization Fund, whose beneficiary is CCGT Power Isalnita SA.
The competent authorities in Algeria have approved the sanitary-veterinary certificates for the export of sheep and mutton from Romania, according to a press release from the National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA), sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

"Today, the president of the National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority, Alexandru Bociu, received the official notification from his Algerian counterpart, Fairouz Bendahmane, by which we are informed about the approval of veterinary sanitary certificates for the export of sheep and mutton. Confirmation comes as a result of the negotiations started at the beginning of January by ANSVSA with His Excellency, Abdelmadjid Naamoune, the ambassador of the Democratic and People's Republic of Algeria in Romania," the press release states.

According to the source, a team of experts from the ANSVSA resolved the technical requirements of the Algerian side for the export of sheep and mutton, considering the special interest shown by the Algerian side.

In order to start the export as soon as possible, it was agreed to organize, through diplomatic channels, visits to our country by delegations of specialists and interested businessmen from Algeria.

Based on to data centralized by ANSVSA, in 2022, Romania exported over 1.56 million live cattle and sheep to countries outside the EU: Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel being the first destinations for Romanian animals. Of the total of 1,567,934 animals exported to third countries, almost 94% are sheep, respectively 1,468,408 heads.

On the first place in the list of exports is Jordan - with 996,163 live cattle and sheep, the weight being also held by sheep, respectively 973,175 heads. Saudi Arabia occupies the second position, with a total of 466,035 animals, of which 462,189 sheep and 3,846 cattle, and Israel, the 3rd place, with 85,708 heads (17,984 sheep and 67,724 cattle).
Romania is well-stocked with the necessary ammunition and weapons for carrying out the missions the Army's combat-ready forces are currently prepared for, yet is not properly equipped for the scenario of a 20th century war, with high consumption, which would require the reconversion of the defense industry to defense production, says military analyst Hari Bucur-Marcu.

"The amount of ammunition used depends on the accuracy of the weaponry. Overall, considered against what plans we have and the missions our forces could receive - they haven't been assigned such operations yet, because we are not in a state of war - we have enough munitions and weapons for what we need. Yet if things were to escalate into a 20th century war, with high consumption, when one needs to convert the entire defense industry to defense production, to boost production capacities for weapons, shells or other types of ammunition, then of course, we are not prepared for this in any way," Hari Bucur-Marcu told AGERPRES in the context of the commemoration of two years of war in Ukraine.

The analyst emphasized that other elements also matter for the military power of a country.

"Other factors that matter for the military power are the political will and the ability to plan, the quality of army commanders, plus a lot of other things that cannot be measured very precisely and which you could have the surprise to see that whereas in peace time they appeared to be an asset, are actually a drawback during war time. That is, they turn from opportunities into vulnerabilities," he explained.

As far as Army ordnance is concerned, these elements are planned according to the missions the forces are preparing for, strategic or operative, the military analyst specified.

Regarding the Black Sea basin, Romania's closest point of contact with Russia, the military expert is of the opinion that Romania is not at disadvantage in terms of armaments and, in addition, the partnership with Turkey and Bulgaria under NATO's umbrella also counts massively for its position in this region.

According to Hari Bucur-Marcu, the government needs to adjust its message for the general public, so that people understand the role of an Army Reserve, what this means, what advantages and disadvantages there are for everyone.

"It falls on the government to tell us where we stand at the moment. This is very important," the military analyst concluded.
The rector of Babes-Bolyai University (UBB) from Cluj-Napoca, Prof. Dr. Daniel David, told AGERPRES that the war started by Russia in Ukraine, two years ago, polarized the Romanians.

"There is polarization, so empathy/compassion, but also negative attitudes. Just like our psychocultural profile: initially fear and revolt on a large scale, transposed into a broader positive attitude towards Ukraine, then polarization, all in a framework of attitudinal inconsistency at the population level. Ordinary people do not think historically; perhaps they use history, as they understand it, to justify post factum some everyday decisions. Simply put, the relationship with Ukraine is now perceived polarized, exaggerating both the negative and the positive, and with (Republic of) Moldova often in an exaggeration of the positive, where I am worried about our inconsistency and inattention to realism," Daniel David said.

He added that Romanians' fears are diverse, but often unrealistic, amplified by conspiracy theories and fake news, and they could be fought against by accessing for information only credible and corroborated sources, and here I am referring to "quality" type media and/or authorized institutions."

According to him, although the solidarity of Romanians has decreased, Romania remains more attractive for Ukrainians in some respects, even than some Western states.

"Culturally, probably yes. But Ukrainians prefer hope for the future through economic prosperity, so the West is more attractive. And our diaspora is mainly to be found in the West, not in the East!" Daniel David said.

On the other hand, the rector of UBB considers that the interest of the population, in general, not only Romanians, towards the war in Ukraine has decreased over time.

"It is not only the case of Romania, it is the case of Europe and the whole world. And democracies are vulnerable to this phenomenon, because the authorities are attentive to the demands of the population, and if the population gives up, they also give up. In autocracies, the authorities can override the will of the people (at least for a while and/or with assumed risk)," Daniel David concluded.
While the faith-based film has evolved over the years, theres one tried-and-true formula this particular type of movie cant quit: an improbable true story about a sick child in a perilous situation starring a popular actress (see: Jennifer Garner in Miracles From Heaven; Chrissy Metz in Breakthrough). In this kind of film, the drama remains focused on human kindness and community rather than specific beliefs. Religious organizations offer emotional and material support to the characters, but mainly exist in the background, so the message is not overly preachy. But one would have to be a monster to resist the heartstrings-pulling power of a vulnerable child in a truly heinous scenario.

In Ordinary Angels, directed by Jon Gunn, the director of 2017s The Case for Christ and producer of 2023s Jesus Revolution, its faith in humanity that comes to the fore, though a church parking lot does play a pivotal role in this adaptation of the true story of young Michelle Schmitt, who was once known as the Snow Baby of Louisville.

But before we get to the snow, weve got to get to know hairdresser Sharon Stevens, played by two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank. She wrote a memoir titled Ordinary Angels about her life and about Michelle, and Kelly Fremon Craig (Are You There God? Its Me Margaret.) and Meg Tilly wrote the screenplay. Though little Michelles incredible journey offers the climax of the movie, its Sharons redemption tale that offers the dramatic arc of the feature film.

We meet Sharon as shes slamming down shots and dancing on a bar top in 1993 Louisville, Kentucky, where her hair is the only thing reaching for the heavens. After one too many nights of hard drinking, her friend Rose (Tamala Jones) dumps Sharon at an AA meeting, where sobriety doesnt take, but the exhortation to find a reason does. While picking up a six-pack, Sharon notices a newspaper headline about a little girl who has lost her mother and desperately needs a liver transplant. She becomes obsessively, almost strangely fixated on how she can help Michelle Schmitt, showing up unannounced at her mothers funeral service and bossily inserting herself into the young girls life, much to the consternation of Michelles stern roofer father Ed (Alan Ritchson).

Swank is doing a sort of Erin Brockovich thing here, powering through the world with big hair, higher heels and sheer audacity. For much of the film, you will simply be mystified as to why this woman is so taken with Michelles plight  her behavior is frankly odd and the character proudly has no boundaries.

Fremon Craig and Tillys script holds back certain aspects of her backstory to use later as reveals or points of conflict, but it doesnt help us to go along with her emotional journey, as it just seems bizarre that she shows up on the Schmitts doorstep and insinuates herself into their financial situation, fundraising for Michelles medical bills. Ritchson delivers the only authentic performance for the situation as the befuddled Ed, who objects to Sharons constant meddling, though he cant turn up his nose at the money and favors she pulls with her bulldog determination.

Gunn goes for a gritty, dim look to give the film the air of authentic social realism. Cinematographer Maya Bankovic shoots hospital corridors in low light, criss-crossed with Venetian blinds, and honky-tonks are bathed in devilish red gels. There are some legitimately beautiful shots in the film: Ed silhouetted against the fading light as he works on a rooftop; the piercing of headlights through a blizzard.

Swank is appealing, and amusing, decked out in fringe and affecting a twang, but it in no way feels real; its more of a fun character performance. Ritchson, on the other hand, demonstrates a softer, more expansive side to the tough guy persona hes perfected on Reacher, and even though its clear he can stretch further than what he can do here, its nice to see him being cast in heftier roles.

Where Ordinary Angels stumbles is taking one unique human interest story from 1994  in which Louisville rallied around Michelle Schmitt to help get her to an awaiting liver transplant during a raging blizzard  and making it instead the story of one woman, Sharon. The characters motivations dont gel, and no amount of Swank moxie can make it work. The true story is an inspiring tale of community care and mutual aid, the kind of thing that feels rare, and rarely celebrated, these days, but as usual, real life is more affecting, more nuanced, and yes, stranger than fiction. This may be a tale of Ordinary Angels, but unfortunately, the film itself is far from extraordinary.

If you go What: "Ordinary Angels" Star rating: 2 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: PG (for thematic content, brief bloody images and smoking) Running time: 1:57 How to watch: In theaters Feb. 23
The St. Louis Science Center doesn't just seem like a good time. Now it's official.

For the third straight year, the learning institution in the heart of the Kings Oak neighborhood has been named among the top five science museums and free museums in the country by readers of USA Today.

The center came in at No. 3 among all free museums, beating out museums in the Smithsonian Institution, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art. A brief write-up made note of the Science Center's more than 700 interactive experiences, indoor-outdoor agricultural pavilion, OMNIMAX theater and the McDonnell Planetarium.

First place among free museums went to the National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center in Columbus, Georgia. Second place went to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.

The Science Center also took fifth place in the Best Science Museum category. This time, the write-up described the full-scale Mars rover, the Pacific coral reef aquarium and the live STEM demonstrations.

Among science museums, the center trailed only institutions in Tupper Lake, New York; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; and Cartersville, Georgia.
ST. LOUIS  Mental health services provider Places for People announced Friday plans to partner with Springfield, Missouri-based Brightli  one of the countrys largest nonprofits providing behavioral and addiction recovery care  to expand services in the St. Louis region.

Places for People provides services to more than 2,800 people a year with mental illness and substance abuse disorders at its main campus in the Soulard neighborhood and half a dozen residential facilities across St. Louis. It was founded in 1972 and has 360 employees.

Burrell provides mental health services at 70 locations in 17 counties across central and southwest Missouri, while Preferred Family Healthcare provides a range of health and support services at nearly 100 locations across Missouri and surrounding states, including several in the St. Louis region.

Preferred Family Healthcare operates a walk-in Sobering Support Center on Dunnica Avenue, which opened in 2022, and provides primary health and dental care in addition to therapy, psychiatry, addiction recovery at its community clinics  including programs for youth and those with developmental disabilities.

Under Brightlis umbrella, Places for People and Preferred Family Healthcare will together serve more than 11,200 people a year through 29 clinical and residential locations across six counties in the St. Louis region, company officials said. They will employ approximately 700 people.

Tony Hilkin, the current senior vice president of administration at Places for People will take over as chief executive officer; and current CEO Laura McCallister will become the executive vice president of financial planning for Brightli.

Hilkin said the venture will improve access and provide more comprehensive care for clients.

This partnership will allow us to deliver high-quality services to more people than ever before while preserving and growing Places for Peoples legacy, Hilkin said. Together, we will build on the synergies of each organization to have a bigger impact on some of the most critical issues facing our region.

Places for People will remain an independent entity, operating under its name and same board of directors. The partnership is expected to be finalized this summer, with a go-live date of July 1. No jobs will be eliminated, Hilkin said.

The goal of this partnership is to increase our ability to care for clients and enhance the opportunities for our employees, Hilkin said. This means our goal is to increase the number of people that we serve, and the employees who will be needed to achieve that.

Brightli is quickly joining the forces of mental health providers across the state. In July 2023, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health became a Brightli subsidiary. SEMOBH has more than 200 employees serving patients in Farmington, Salem and Poplar Bluff.

Along with a handful of other smaller subsidiaries, Brightil reports serving more than 100,000 people with a total annual revenue of around $500 million, making it the nations fourth-largest nonprofit behavioral health organization by total revenue. Places for People lists annual revenue of $22.6 million for fiscal year 2022.

Joining forces with an organization with the reputation and legacy of Places for People is an outstanding opportunity for Brightli and the people of St. Louis, said Brightli CEO C.J. Davis. By adding services in the heart of St. Louis, I truly feel we are creating the most accessible and high-quality network of mental health services in the Midwest, if not the nation.

As a Brightli affiliate, Places for People will receive its administrative expertise and support, as well as the ability to collaborate and share resources with the other affiliates. Together, they can increase employee recruiting and retention efforts, which has become a major challenge amid workforce shortages and increased demand for care.

The American Psychological Association reports that 60% of psychologists do not have openings and 40% have wait lists of more than 10 patients, and many providers are feeling burned out.

The stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has been driving demand for care as well as the reduced stigma around seeking help with mental wellness, according to Brightlis 2023 annual report.

Brightlis goal is to prioritize providing immediate access to care through walk-in clinics, 24/7 crisis centers and the 988 crisis line; as well as one-one-one or group therapy sessions. These can act as bridge until longer-term specialty care is available, or maybe even avoid the need altogether.

Everyone deserves quality behavioral health care  especially when in a crisis  and we know robust workforce development programs alone will not be enough, the annual report stated.

Unionization effort underway

Places for People has not been immune to the challenges.

The partnership with Brightli comes on the heels of efforts by Places for People employees to unionize under SEIU Healthcare, a labor union representing more than 90,000 health and child care workers across the country.

St. Louis Public Radio reported in November that workers were calling on management to allow for an open unionizing process, free from harassment. They accused management of dissuading workers from participating in unionizing efforts, which began in July.

Organizers said they wanted to be able to bargain for equity in pay, time off and other health care benefits.

Gregory Tumlin, a counselor at Places for People, told St. Louis Public Radio that many employees were working over 55 hours a week and only getting paid for 40.

Tumlin also criticized Places for People for not providing time off for their own mental health after caring for difficult cases.

Hilkin said unionizing efforts are still underway, and management is working to ensure that caseloads are manageable.

I respect their right to organize, he said. As part of this transition, we are very intentionally planning for a slow and deliberate process that will help us lead to a successful transition.

Editors note: Corrects the number of locations and counties served by Burrell Behavioral Health.
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Nawal Abuhamdeh of St. Louis shared a bracelet-making fundraiser that her 10-year-old daughters Girl Scout troop started earlier this month to raise money for urgent humanitarian needs for children in Gaza. She never expected the organizations leadership would threaten her with legal action for doing it.

Abuhamdeh had led the troops annual cookie sale, which raises funds for the troops activities, for the past four years. But as this years sale approached, her heart just wasnt into it.

Since the attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, shes witnessed the destruction of her parents homeland in Palestine.

Israels assault in Gaza  one of the most destructive military campaigns in recent history  has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians since the war began, according to the territorys Health Ministry. That includes around 12,000 children. A cluster of UN agencies and nonprofits warned this week that child deaths were poised to skyrocket because food and safe water have become incredibly scarce in the Palestinian territories. Virtually all young children have infectious illnesses.

The girls in Abuhamdehs troop, who come from diverse backgrounds, including Somali, Indian, Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian, have been emotionally affected by the news reports.

The videos circulating are traumatizing. Abuhamdeh watched an inconsolable Palestinian father collect body parts of his slain children in a shopping bag. A doctor tried to save his 16-year-old nieces life by amputating her leg without anesthesia on his dining table. A wailing 4-year-old tried to get up and look for his parents  both of whom were killed, and his own legs amputated.

Im grieving. We are all grieving. We literally couldnt muster the energy to sell cookies, Abuhamdeh said.

She asked the girls if they had ideas for a community service project. They suggested making and selling beaded bracelets to raise money for the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund. Abuhamdeh recalled seeing Girl Scout efforts to raise money for war victims in Ukraine highlighted by the organization. It seemed like a good way to channel their sadness into a positive action.

She shared a post on social media, advertising bracelets for $5 or $10 with all the proceeds going to the relief fund. Soon after, she received an email from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. It said members could not raise money that represents partisan politics and must stay neutral.

The organization asked her to immediately remove all references to the Girl Scouts from any communications and social posts about the girls efforts. Abuhamdeh replied by explaining how important the fundraiser was for the girls and how critical the situation in Gaza was for children. She assured them that the troop wasnt making any political statements.

We condemn any innocent lives taken  whatever religion they are, whatever ethnicity they are, said Abuhamdeh.

She asked the leadership how their bracelet sale was any different than the Girl Scout fundraisers for Ukraine. She received a lengthy response, in official language, informing her that the activity had not followed the appropriate policy, procedures and approval processes as outlined in our volunteer and leader training documents.

The last sentence hit her hard: Unfortunately, if this direct violation of the organizations governing documents and policies continues, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and Girl Scouts of the United States have no other choice than to engage our legal counsel to help remedy this situation and to protect the intellectual property and other rights of the organization.

I got a little scared; Im not gonna lie, she said. I wondered, what are they going to do to me?

For years, she had strived to give these girls the opportunities she had missed out on herself. The troop had formed a sisterhood, growing up together since kindergarten.

Abuhamdeh reached out to the other parents. They decided the organizations values didnt align with what they were trying to teach their daughters.

Abuhamdeh sent an email to the Girl Scouts expressing her disappointment and hurt, and explaining that the troop wanted to disband from the Girl Scouts. They sent her instructions on how to leave the organization.

When I asked Kelly Daleen, chief membership and marketing officer for the Girls Scouts of Eastern Missouri, why this project was different from other fundraisers for war victims, she wrote that the troop leader had failed to get prior approval.

Abuhamdeh said she wished they had simply said so at the start, and asked her to suspend the activity until she got the necessary approval. Instead, they made her troop feel unvalued and vilified in a moment of deep grief and vulnerability. The tone of their emails felt like a cold reprimand to her. It reminded her of the times growing up that simply existing as a Palestinian American had offended someone.

What did we do wrong? the girls have asked her.

Abuhamdeh gets emotional when she talks about the decision to leave an organization that teaches girls to make the world a better place.

In the end, she said, deciding to stand up for their beliefs was the Girl Scout way.
ST. LOUIS  A 20-year-old man has been charged in the death of his 17-year-old friend at gas station shootout in June.

Darnell Rhodes was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and first-degree assault. He was arrested on Wednesday and is in custody without bond.

Rhodes and Keyon Taylor, 17, were walking out of a Mobil Crown Mart on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive around 7 p.m. on June 15 when they saw a white car at a gas pump, police said. They believed they knew the people in the car and were not on good terms with them.

Both Rhodes and Taylor opened fire and the occupants fired back. Taylor was hit and later died at a hospital.

At least two other people were shot but survived.
ST. LOUIS  A third man was arrested and charged with murder in the January shooting death of a man next to a laundromat in the city's Dutchtown neighborhood.

Tyrelle Henley, 39, is charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, third-degree assault and tampering with physical evidence. Police said he was arrested Feb. 13 and charged a day later. He is in custody without bond.

Henley and two others are accused in the death of 39-year-old Rion Robinson on Jan. 19 in the 5200 block of South Grand Boulevard.

Robinson was shot in the leg and torso, and police wrote in court documents that Robinson was likely alive for 13 hours after the shooting where he laid on the sidewalk outside the laundromat until he died.

Surveillance video showed the three men assaulted Robinson before the shooting, hitting him and at one point throwing a bike at him, police said. They filmed the attack on Henley's cell phone.

Henley told police he later deleted the video and threw away the phone.

Calvin Anderson, 48, was charged in the shooting with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with evidence and third-degree assault.

Anthony Hill, 47, was also charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Wavebreakmedia / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The cost of elderly care is downright frightening. From home healthcare to assisted-living facilities and nursing homes, it is not cheap  and it could make a large dent in your retirement savings.

For You: Retirement Planning: How Much the Average Person 65 and Older Spends Monthly

Learn More: Do This To Earn Guaranteed Growth on Your Retirement Savings (With No Risk to Your Investment)

GOBankingRates has identified the best and worst states for senior healthcare by averaging the monthly costs of six critical needs: home healthcare, home health services, adult day healthcare, assisted living, and semi-private and private room nursing homes.

If you need affordable healthcare when you retire, here are the 10 best and worst states you can move to, according to the average cost of senior living.

izusek / Getty Images

What Is the Average Cost of Senior Healthcare in the US?

In order to find the states with the most (and least) affordable senior healthcare, GOBankingRates analyzed costs for elderly care by finding associated costs for homemaker services, home health aide, adult day health care, assisted living facility, semi-private room, and private room services as sourced from Genworth  Aging and You. The total national average for all senior healthcare services comes out to $5,877.

Nearly all elderly people will take advantage of one of these services, so GOBankingRates averaged all of them to find the states with an overall most (and least) affordable senior healthcare. Here are the national costs for those services:

Home Services: $5,259 Home Health Aide Services: $5,462 Adult Day Healthcare: $1,793 Assisted Living Facility: $4,774 Semi-Private Room Nursing Home Care: $8,390 Private Room Nursing Home Care: $9,584

Read Next: 9 Ways Frugal Retirees Spend Their Social Security Checks

Discover More: 10 Worst Places in Illinois for a Couple To Live on Only a Social Security Check

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

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Chansak Joe / Getty Images

No. 10 Best: South Carolina

Average For All Services Cost: $5,163 per month

Residents of South Carolina enjoy less-expensive prices  across all six categories  than the national median costs. Older residents in the state save the most when it comes to adult day healthcare and private nursing home rooms, the latter costing almost $1,000 less than the national median.

Trending Now: 7 Best Cars for Retirees on a Budget

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

No. 9 Best: Kansas

Average For All Services Cost: $5,078 per month

In Kansas, residents can expect to match the national median cost of community and assisted living services. Kansas makes the list, however, because residents get a significant break on private nursing home rooms, which are about $2,000 cheaper than the average across the country.

rodclementphotography / Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 8 Best: Georgia

Average For All Services Cost: $4,972 per month

Georgia has cheaper costs than the national median for all six services. Georgians also enjoy savings of more than $1,000 for private and semi-private rooms in nursing homes. Home health aide and homemaker services are also significantly less expensive.

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 7 Best: Mississippi

Average For All Services Cost: $4,767 per month

In Mississippi, the costs for adult day health care is $1,494 and for assisted living $3,713, with the community and assisted living average coming out to $2,604, nearly $600 cheaper than the national average for the same services.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 6 Best: Arkansas

Average For All Services Cost: $4,711 per month

Arkansas is another state that earns its place among the top 10 with cheaper nursing home care for private and semi-private rooms. When all is said and done, Arkansans can expect to pay nearly $1,166 less on average for senior healthcare than the national median figure.

Explore More: Heres the Cost To Retire Comfortably in Every State by Age

JTSorrell / Getty Images

No. 5 Best: Oklahoma

Average For All Services Cost: $4,708 per month

Reasonable costs for assisted living facilities help the state rank high on this list, but savings in nursing home care are the most dramatic. Private rooms are about $3,100 cheaper than the national median, and semi-private rooms are around $2,600 cheaper.

benedek / Getty Images

No. 4 Best: Texas

Average For All Services Cost: $4,621 per month

In the number four spot is Texas, where residents enjoy lower prices across the board. The states average cost is low thanks mainly to big savings with its $816 for adult day healthcare  the countrys second cheapest.

No. 3 Best: Missouri

Average For All Services Cost: $4,532 per month

Although Missouri is near the top of the list, residents there actually pay more for adult day healthcare than the national median price. Missourians enjoy lower costs for all other categories, however, particularly for semi-private room nursing home care, with rates only two other states can beat.

No. 2 Best: Alabama

Average For All Services Cost: $4,531 per month

In Alabama, senior living costs are forgiving in several categories, including a remarkably cheap $3,716 a month for a stay in an assisted living facility. The real savings, however, are found in adult day care, which is $804 per month. That is cheapest in the country, making Alabama one of the best states in which to retire for healthcare.

Try This: 7 Ways Shopping at Costco Helps Retirees Stick To a Budget

Larry Gibson / iStock.com

No. 1 Best: Louisiana

Average For All Services Cost: $4,366 per month

Although cost isnt the only factor in determining the best retirement cities and states, its definitely a major consideration. Louisiana tops the best list thanks in large part to its homemaker services price  $3,844  which is lower than all other states and the District of Columbia.

Thats not the only category that makes Louisiana the most attractive state for older Americans, though. Residents of the state enjoy costs that are cheaper than the national median in all but one category: adult day healthcare.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

No. 10 Worst: New Hampshire

Average For All Services Cost: $7,614 per month

Residents of New Hampshire dont get a single break in any category  all six services are costlier than the national median. Nursing home care, however, is where costs really sting. Semi-private and private room nursing home care are among the costliest in the country. The cost for a private room is more than $12,000 per month.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 9 Worst: New Jersey

Average For All Services Cost: $7,619 per month

New Jersey residents pay more in every category of services. Most notably, the monthly prices for private and semi-private nursing home rooms cost even more than they do in New Hampshire.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

No. 8 Worst: Delaware

Average For All Services Cost: $7,635 per month

Delaware residents can expect to pay less in just one category out of six: adult day healthcare. They pay more for everything else  and they get clobbered in nursing home care, which costs more than $13,000 for private and semi-private rooms.

Read Next: Why Floridas Retirees Are Fleeing  And Where Theyre Going Instead

benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 7 Worst: New York

Average For All Services Cost: $7,667 per month

Semi-private and private nursing home rooms run deep into five-figure territory in New York  a private room costs a whopping $14,039. Thats not the states only pitfall, though. New Yorkers pay more than the national median in all categories.

culbertson / Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 6 Worst: Minnesota

Average For All Services Cost: $7,945 per month

Minnesota residents will find that their costs for senior health care are higher than most of the country, but its really the in-home average that sets the state apart from the others, adding up to $7,206 per month. Thats almost $2,000 above the national average.

Art Wager / Getty Images

No. 5 Worst: Hawaii

Average For All Services Cost: $7,960 per month

If your dream is to retire in exotic Hawaii, youll get a break on the price of adult day healthcare  $69 to be exact  compared with the national median. Everything else costs more, and much more when it comes to nursing home care. Both private and semi-private rooms are among the priciest in the country.

RomanBabakin / Getty Images

No. 4 Worst: Massachusetts

Average For All Services Cost: $8,145 per month

Adult day healthcare is slightly less expensive in Massachusetts than the national median cost, but thats where the savings stop. Residents of the state pay far more for care across all other categories, with the cost of a private nursing home room at more than $14,000.

Find Out: 10 Ways for Retirees To Cut Back on Expenses in 2024

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 3 Worst: Washington, D.C.

Average For All Services Cost: $8,151, per month

The No. 3 most expensive state in the country isnt a state  its the District of Columbia, where residents of the nations capital pay $7,403 on average to stay in community and assisted living facilities, which is the highest rate in the country. Five-figure nursing home care costs  for both types of rooms  dont help D.C.s standings either.

Pugalenthi / Getty Images/iStockphoto

No. 2 Worst: Connecticut

Average For All Services Cost: $8,219 per month

Connecticut residents pay more for nursing home care than virtually anyone else in the country. Semi-private rooms cost more than $14,000, and the cost of private rooms jumps to more than $16,000. Assisted living and adult day healthcare costs are also high, but as No. 2 on the list, Connecticut residents know it could be worse  if they lived in Alaska.

brytta / Getty Images

No. 1 Worst: Alaska

Average For All Services Cost: $14,650 per month

Alaskas median homemaker services cost might not be the highest in the nation. However, nursing home facilities are far and away the costliest in America  with private and semi-private rooms topping the charts at more than $33,000 each.

Andrew Lisa contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: In order to find the states with the most (and least) affordable senior healthcare, GOBanking rates analyzed costs for elderly care by finding assosiated costs for; [1] homemaker services, [2] home health aide, [3] adult day health care, [4] assisted living facility, [5] semi-private room, and [6] private room services as sourced from Genworth  Aging and You. Nearly all elderly people will take advantage of one of these services so GOBankingRates average all the services to find the states with an overall most (and least) affordable senior healthcare. All data was collected and is up-to-date as-of January 11th, 2024.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 States With the Most (and Least) Affordable Senior Healthcare
WEBSTER GROVES  The states top lawyer wants Webster Groves School District to drop its goal of hiring staff members who reflect the diversity of students.

The districts three-year strategic plan adopted in 2023 calls for increasing the number of qualified applicants of color and increasing our number and percentage in hiring staff of color.

In his letter Wednesday to Superintendent John Simpson, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said the district is discriminating on the basis of race in direct violation of both state and federal law and must stop using race-based preferences and quotas it has adopted for hiring and retention.

A spokesman for Webster Groves called Baileys letter ridiculous.

There is nothing wrong with the stated goal, and it is certainly not unlawful race-based hiring, said Derek Duncan in a statement. The Webster Groves School District has not, and will not, discriminate against anyone in hiring based upon the persons race. However, the District is interested in having a diverse faculty to serve as educators to our diverse student population and is willing to take the effort to attract, support and retain that staff.

About 22% of Webster Groves enrollment is students of color, compared to 11% of teachers. Black students in particular who have at least one Black teacher have better academic and behavioral outcomes, according to longstanding research.

The cease-and-desist letter is the second warning Bailey has sent the district in the last month. Students in Webster Groves were taught sex education lessons without parental notification as required by law, Bailey wrote to Simpson on Jan. 29.

Baileys office received reports that students watched a video presentation that discussed gender identity and sexual orientation and in some instances refusing to honor parents opt-out decisions.

The school districts attorney denied the claims. But students at Edgar Road Elementary School received some lessons in human growth and development in February 2023 before parents were notified, according to a letter obtained by the Post-Dispatch through a public records request.

We should have communicated with you before the curriculum was introduced to your children and we deeply regret the oversight, former principal Tracy Nomensen wrote to parents.

Bailey, a Republican who took office in January 2023 after his appointment by Gov. Mike Parson, has made race and gender issues in schools a key focus in his current campaign for attorney general.

Also this week, Bailey chastised Wentzville School District for taking intimidating and retaliatory action against three school board members who reported possible open records law violations to his office.

Bailey sued the district in September after board members Jen Olson, David Lewis and Renee Henke provided affidavits alleging board members discussed bathroom policies for transgender students during closed meetings, when Missouris open records law requires public deliberations.

In a letter to Superintendent Danielle Tormala on Thursday, Bailey said the school board opened an investigation into the three so-called whistleblowers, and has for the past several months taken steps to silence them.

I believe that the boards and the districts ruthless and targeted intimidation campaign is retaliatory in nature ... It must cease immediately, Bailey wrote.

A spokeswoman for the district said they had no comment on the letter due to the ongoing litigation. And Baileys spokeswoman did not respond Wednesday to a request for more specifics on Wentzvilles alleged investigation into the board members.

But in an interview Friday on the Marc Cox Morning Show on KFTK (97.1 FM), Bailey said entrenched interests in the district, including the superintendent, board members and other staff, were weaponizing internal personnel disciplinary policy against the three board members.

[Theyre] using it to intimidate the board members who are whistleblowers to prevent them from participating in the lawsuit, Bailey said, later adding that discovery for the suit is ongoing.

In his letter, Bailey also indicated there were plans to discipline and potentially remove Olson, Lewis and Henke from office as soon as the school boards meeting Thursday night. Congressional candidate Bob Onder had claimed on social media Wednesday that Tormala and the board majority planned to censure the three members.
ST. LOUIS  Ashley Muehlfarths son loves learning. And until first grade, he loved to go to school, too.

Thats when Muehlfarths son started to complain. The education her son, Quinn, received at Mehlville School District just didnt challenge him, she said. Then the pandemic hit, and his classes were suddenly constrained to the screen of a Chromebook.

I got to see how bored he was in class, Muehlfarth said of her sons virtual learning at home.

So the Muehlfarths made the same decision thousands of other families did during the pandemic: They pulled their kids out of public school. And, like many other families in the area, they sent them to a Lutheran school.

Since the fall of 2019, public school enrollment fell by 5,500 students in St. Louis County and nearly 3,000 in St. Louis city amid a nationwide drop in enrollment. Some private schools saw a small bounce, but many, across both the region and country, lost enrollment.

Several culprits have been blamed for the decline. More parents may have opted to homeschool during the pandemic. Younger learners may have never been enrolled in kindergarten, which is optional in Missouri. Overall population decline and falling birth rates in recent years likely played a role, too.

But Lutheran schools in the St. Louis area saw the opposite trend. Since 2019, overall enrollment has increased 19%, according to the Lutheran Elementary School Association, a consortium of 36 Lutheran schools that together make up the second-largest private school system in the area. LESA serves the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod  one of the most conservative denominations in the Lutheran church, and the second-largest with 1.8 million members nationwide.

Lutheran education leaders can only speculate why their schools are thriving. The popularity of smaller class sizes may have played a part. Maybe parents were enamored by the tight-knit, faith-based communities Lutheran schools purport to have  communities that notably lack elected school boards consumed by culture wars.

We always call ourselves the best-kept secret, said Laura Montgomery, director of education resources for LESA.

But theres one variable thats common across the board: Most Lutheran schools stayed completely open during the fall of 2020 while other private or public schools chose to go virtual or hybrid. Thats when enrollment started to climb.

Many of our schools  not all  were in session full time, and we had families come from public schools who needed their kids in school, Montgomery said.

One of the four Lutheran high schools in the area, Lutheran High School South in Affton, saw enrollment increase by 41% since the 2018-2019 school year. St. Johns in Arnold, where Muehlfarths children now attend, saw an 11% boost this past school year alone.

The largest growth for schools serving early childhood through eighth grade was Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Fenton, where enrollment increased nearly 47%, from 128 students in 2019 to 188 this year.

The trend reverses a long decline for Lutheran schools that began around the Great Recession and ended with record-low enrollment numbers.

It was declining in earlier periods, just like church enrollment, said Amee Colvin, director of fund development and marketing for LESA.

And for parents like Muehlfarth, the move stuck. They  and their kids  like the Lutheran schools. And theyve stayed there even after things largely returned to normal in other schools.

Its been such a big sigh of relief, Muehlfarth said.

Were rather countercultural

During the summer of 2020, Lutheran High School South administrators made an uncommon decision. They decided to be fully in-person, five days a week  even as several school districts, including St. Louis Public Schools, Kirkwood, Hazelwood, Mehlville and Affton, opted to stay virtual or hybrid.

Lutheran Souths decision was made largely out of concern for students mental health, Principal Jonathan Butterfield said.

We had an inkling that our students were really struggling coming out of COVID with their social-emotional health, Butterfield said. What we found is that they were even worse off than we imagined, but being in person was a game-changer.

To prepare, the school invested in costly, high-quality air filters, and desks were spaced 6 feet apart. Even before the pandemic, class schedules were already structured to a college-like model where students werent clustered in classrooms all day.

Masks were required per the county health departments recommendation, which sparked more opposition from outspoken parents than the choice to go fully in-person, Butterfield said.

In a staff survey, only one teacher said theyd prefer to hold class virtually, but that teacher ended up teaching in person anyway. And only a handful of students took advantage of the schools virtual option.

During the 2018-2019 school year, with 391 students, Lutheran Souths enrollment had bottomed to its lowest point since 1960, when the school was just two years old. Now Lutheran South has 552 students. And only six of those use MoScholars  the states private school voucher program  because of a lack of funding in the program, Butterfield said.

But Lutheran South has seen a significant increase in transfer students over the past five years, Butterfield said, which he attributes largely to families who seek a school that more closely resembles their familys morals and values.

Our core values are in stark contrast to the ways of the world, Butterfield said. We are rather countercultural, and that is what many of our families are seeking in a Christian education.

As enrollment climbed, so did donations, which account for about 10% of the schools budget.

No one wants to give to a sinking ship or a failing ministry, Butterfield said.

Keeping it small

The growth has opened up new possibilities for Lutheran High School South. The school broke ground on a new $18 million center for the arts last May, which was indirectly possible because of the schools growth, Butterfield said. South is also looking to add a $11 million STEM Center.

But Lutheran South wont experience constant exponential growth  and school officials dont want it to. The school is 48 students from reaching its preferred capacity of 600 students, Butterfield said.

You cant run a model like ours being the size of large public school districts, Butterfield said.

Lutheran South is the largest of the metro areas four Lutheran high schools. Its also the fastest growing. Its North County counterpart, Lutheran North in Normandy, has grown by only 25 students since 2019.

But Metro-East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville has gained 53 students since 2019, for a total of 228 students.

Weve gotten to the point where weve gone from part-time teachers to adding full-time teachers, Principal Jay Krause said. Were narrowing that student-to-teacher ratio.

That low student-to-teacher ratio is part of the draw for Lutheran schools.

Muehlfarth, the mother who transferred her son from the Mehlville School District to St. Johns in Arnold, said her son loves school again and his teacher is phenomenal.

The teacher has a close relationship with students and knows what theyre interested in because of the smaller class size, Muehlfarth said. With 145 total students, the average class size is 15 students, according to St. Johns website.

She really honed in on who he was as a person instead of just being a number in a seat, Muehlfarth said.

Butterfield expects Lutheran South to hit 570 students next year and reach its capacity in about two years.

Thatll be a tough place to be, too, Butterfield said. We would never want to deny a kid who would be a good fit here.
JENNINGS  A city councilwoman here is suing the city for ignoring multiple Sunshine Law requests for public records the mayor allegedly refused to share with his opponents on the council.

Councilwoman Nadia Quinn filed six public records requests between August and December for records including city contracts, expenses, emails and property records, but did not receive any formal response, according to a lawsuit filed this month in St. Louis County.

Quinn said in an interview that she requested records concerning decisions Mayor Gary Johnson refused to inform the council about, including hiring a public relations firm and granting funds to residents and private contractors to trim trees.

I should not even have to be filing Sunshine requests, Quinn said. As an elected official I should be able to request the documents I need to vote on the things Im being asked to vote on.

Johnson would not respond to the allegations. But he said the lawsuit was meant to distract from positive developments in the city, including the tree-trimming grants, entrepreneurship grants for small businesses and redevelopment of vacant buildings.

I have no comment on anything negative in the city of Jennings, he said. Were providing resources for our residents and cleaning up our community.

The lawsuit is at least the second time Jennings officials have sued one another amid infighting between Johnson and council members in the city of about 13,000 residents.

It is also the latest complaint that leaders in a north St. Louis County municipality arent sharing information with other elected officials. Four Pine Lawn aldermen sued several city officials last month for not making city records of public spending available to them. In Bellerive Acres, an alderwoman has alleged the mayor told a business not to provide her information about invoices regarding work it did for the city.

The rift in Jennings emerged after Johnson narrowly defeated Mayor Yolanda Austin in the April 2023 election, during which Johnson had accused Austin of misspending.

Since then, Johnson has feuded with the council majority, which includes Quinn and Councilman Terry Wilson, Austins son. They have fought over a range of personnel decisions and city spending, including an $11 million contract for a new city hall and community center. At times, they have held separate meetings without including the other group.

This summer, Johnson directed the city to sue the council majority over a contentious August meeting that prompted a shoving match between the mayor and a council member. Johnson alleged the council violated Missouri public meeting laws by holding the Aug. 18 emergency council meeting to reinstate several city employees. In November, a county judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that suits for violations of the states open meeting law can be brought by Missouri taxpayers and citizens, the Missouri attorney general or a prosecutor, but not a local government.

The law requires public access to government records, with limited exceptions, and requires governments acknowledge formal records requests within three days or give a detailed explanation why the government cant fulfill the request in a timely manner and provide an estimated time and date when the records will be released.

In her lawsuit, Quinn said Jennings never acknowledged the requests nor responded to follow-up emails.

The lawsuit alleges the city withheld records to conceal illegal and unethical acts by Johnson, two of his council allies and the city attorney, who represented the city when it sued Quinn and other council members. The lawsuit did not provide more details.

Quinn, in an interview, did not provide more details about the allegation.

Quinn filed the first of the requests August 22, seeking public records including government communications, contracts, meeting minutes, recordings of virtual meetings, emails, citations, occupancy permits, and property auction and financial records, according to the suit.

She filed two similar requests Sept. 5, and a fourth, for occupancy permits for various properties, at an unspecified date. During a Sept. 28 public meeting, Johnson asked Quinn why she requested the documents and told her he had no intention of honoring the request, the lawsuit said.

On Dec. 18, Quinn requested security camera footage and documents about a ward meeting at city hall that occurred two days earlier. She sent another request Jan. 4 for records including financial reports, city expenses and documents about vacant properties in the city.

Her suit also names city clerks Teresa Hauser and Keshia Hicks as defendants.

Hauser declined comment. Hicks could not immediately be reached.
JEFFERSON CITY  The state treasurer of Missouri says he has no plans to remove decals of the official state seal with his name on them from unregulated slot machines as part of an agreement he made with a politically connected company that has flooded gas stations and bars with the gambling devices.

In a letter Friday, Republican Vivek Malek, an appointee of Gov. Mike Parson who is seeking a full, four-year term, said no taxpayer dollars were used to create the stickers, as well as messages on nearby cash dispensing machines that promote his offices unclaimed property program.

I met with officials of the video gaming company and they expressed a desire to help spread the word, which I appreciate. Missourians from all walks of life have unclaimed money, and I just want to return it to them, Vivek wrote in a three-page letter to Rep. Scott Cupps, R-Shell Knob.

At issue are gambling machines operated by Torch Electronics. Cupps spent time last week searching gas stations in southwest Missouri to determine the extent of the free ads and called on members of his budget oversight committee to discuss the matter with Malek.

Cupps said the decals could fool slot machine players into believing the state endorses and, potentially, regulates the controversial gambling machines. It does not.

Malek declined to attend, saying in the letter that he was busy. A hearing has been rescheduled for Tuesday.

A Torch spokesman earlier said Malek approached the company in an effort to help raise the profile of the offices unclaimed property program.

The treasurer, a political newcomer, pushed back on Cupps assertion that the machines are illicit and challenged the lawmaker to pass legislation declaring the current unregulated market illegal.

The courts at some point may finally decide any such questions, so I will not usurp the role of the judicial branch in this regard. If the courts rule the machines must go, I presume they will go, and with them the decals that were not printed at taxpayer expense, Malek wrote.

As you know, the last day for filing bills is one week from today, March 1, and session adjournment is May 17. You and your colleagues still have time to offer and pass legislation settling the matter without waiting for a final judicial decision, Malek added.

Malek, an attorney from Wildwood, is running for the GOP nomination. Opponents in the August primary include Springfield attorney Lori Rook, Sen. Andrew Koenig of Manchester and Rep. Cody Smith of Carthage, who is the chairman of the powerful House Budget Committee.

Torch, also of Wildwood, has been at the center of the spread of unregulated gambling machines in Missouri gas stations, convenience stores and taverns.

The company unsuccessfully sued the state in an attempt to block the Missouri Highway Patrol from investigating whether the companys slot machines are illegal.

The company also has contributed money to political action committees linked to its lobbyist, former House Speaker Steve Tilley. Some of that money went to support Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who accepted the campaign cash and then stepped away from defending the state in the lawsuit, forcing taxpayers to pay for outside legal counsel.

Efforts to regulate and tax the machines have fallen short in the Legislature. Springfield officials recently approved ordinances banning the machines in the city.

Editors note: Updated to clarify source of campaign contributions to Attorney General Andrew Bailey.
After low Mississippi River levels caused shipping disruptions last fall, water levels have improved.

Deb Calhoun, senior vice president of Waterways Council, Inc., said low river levels have been a frequent obstacle in recent years.

Im happy to report that things are looking great out there, she said. After two years of low levels and extreme conditions, we have a great-moving river right now.

The Mississippi River, nicknamed the Father of Waters, runs through the heart of a vast swath of fertile farmland in the middle of the country. Combined with the Ohio, Illinois and Missouri rivers, it provides a water highway to move ag products and exports. The Mississippi and the river system allow crop export access to the Gulf of Mexico and then the rest of the world.

More than 60% of grain exports move on the inland waterways, Calhoun said, and it is the most cost-effective way for farm families to reach global markets.

Things can turn around

Joan Stemler works as chief of water control for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District. She said Mississippi River levels have recovered from last falls lows thanks to some rains and melting snow around St. Louis and up the river.

We have gotten back to average, Stemler said Feb. 13. Today were actually above average.

She said through the month of February, the average Mississippi River levels at St. Louis go up, but the current forecast calls for river levels to fall with no major rain events on the horizon and a lack of additional snowmelt at the moment.

In the Upper Mississippi, the concerning part is no snow pack up there, Stemler said.

She said upcoming releases from the reservoirs on the Missouri River to support navigation will help, although the in-flows into those reservoirs are currently lower than typical for this time of year.

My feeling is if we dont get the rains, were going to have issues again, Stemler said.

She said the river typically sees its annual lows during the relatively dry months of December or January, but last year was unusual in that it occurred in September. That month saw 20 daily low records set, Stemler said.

She said a few decent rains can change the outlook in a hurry.

You get a couple of systems moving through, things can turn around quickly, Stemler said.

And after the lows and challenges of last fall, getting back to normal conditions in February and operating barges without low-water restrictions on the river is encouraging, she said.

U.S. Grains Council vice president Cary Sifferath said the river has improved just in time for a major shipping period.

Were kind of in the peak for shipping barges down the river system, he said.

Sifferath said the week of Feb. 3, barge traffic was up 78% from the previous week, as well as running slightly higher than the same week a year ago.

Low-cost transport

Sifferath said the Mississippi and other major rivers are an asset for U.S. farmers in the global export market.

With our strong competition in South America, we need to be able to move grain efficiently, Sifferath said. Moving grain in barges down the river system is extremely efficient and low-cost.

He said state commodity groups in Heartland states like Missouri, Iowa and Illinois are focused on river issues and recognize their value.

The river system is extremely important to move corn and beans out of their states, Sifferath said.

From small farmers to large agribusinesses, Calhoun said this water access to world markets provides benefits. She also credits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging efforts to keep barges moving on the river as much as possible during the low-water challenges in recent years. She said this helped the U.S. supply exports to Europe during the disruption of supplies from Ukraine.

Thanks to the Corps of Engineers and a very proactive dredging program, over the last two years all those products were delivered, Calhoun said.

The Waterways Council advocates for investments in the river system, and Calhoun credits bipartisan efforts to address and fund river infrastructure projects in recent years. She said there are also investments that Congress needs to keep making.

Its critically important to continue to invest in the inland waterway system, she said.

Stemler said the Corps monitors river conditions and the factors that can influence levels in the future. In addition, they perform dredging work to keep the river operating smoothly, going out early last year in anticipation of low water levels.

(Dredging) plays a very important role, she said. They do maintenance dredging every year.

Stemler said the Mississippi River is not always a hot topic of discussion nationally, but it remains vital for the country.

Its one of our biggest resources, and its just not really given the attention it deserves, she said.
AVA, Mo.  Authorities in Missouri say a 35-year cold case killing has been solved, thanks to someone who came forward with information about the crime.

Douglas County authorities announced Wednesday that three men have been arrested and indicted on first-degree murder, forcible rape and first-degree kidnapping charges in the 1989 killing of 24-year-old Kelle Ann Workman. Court records show that the men do not yet have listed attorneys. All three are jailed on $250,000 cash-only bond.

Workman was last seen cutting the grass at a rural cemetery in southwestern Missouri on June 30, 1989. Her body was found submerged in a creek more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) away a week later.

I think we're able to give Kelle some justice and hopefully give the family some closure, knowing that these guys are not here running around and simply getting away with it," Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said at a news conference.

Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Weatherman said the information from the person who came forward is rock-solid.

Asked if he was confident in the case, Weatherman said, It's as good as a 1989 case can ever be.

Workman was last seen at the Dogwood Cemetery near a Baptist church in a rural area of Douglas County. Several people joined police in searching for her. Her body was found on July 7, 1989, in a creek near Oldfield, Missouri.

Oldfield is about 30 miles southeast of Springfield.
Upon being released by Kansas City police shortly after the mass shooting at Union Station, Denton Loudermill walked a few blocks to sit down for a meal at Wendys.

Before he could finish his burger, he said police were surrounding the restaurant.

Loudermills phone was buzzing as calls poured in from family members. Moments before, as news broke of the Valentines Day shooting at the Super Bowl rally, a photo of Loudermill, in a Chiefs-red sweatsuit, sitting on the curb in handcuffs, started circulating online.

I started getting phone calls about me being on the TV and computer, about the shooting and what had happened down there. They were making sure I wasnt arrested, 48-year-old Loudermill said. I said, No, Im at Wendys. I let them know what happened. And from there, we just tried to figure out what was going on.

Within minutes, the photo showing Loudermill, hands behind his back, sitting in front of crime scene tape with a stony expression on his face, started warping into misinformation. Social media users took it, creating a firestorm wrongly pinning Loudermill as a gunman in the shooting, as an illegal immigrant, as a terrorist.

It was shared across platforms, including by a U.S. congressman, Donald Trump Jr. and a group of Missouri GOP lawmakers.

Within the hour between police taking off Loudermills handcuffs and him sitting down for a meal, the photo had spread far enough that someone inside Wendys, he said, recognized him and called the police while he was eating.

Loudermill, a Black, Olathe native and father of three, who said he stays away from social media, was not aware his life was taking a sharp turn. But then the threats started.

And now hes spent the past week working to clear his name.

I just want everybody to know that Im innocent and I had nothing to do with it, Loudermill said. I think that everybody that put my name through the mud, everybody needs to be held accountable.

Handcuffed on the curb

A lifelong Chiefs fan, Loudermill had been celebrating his teams Super Bowl win during the parade and rally in the massive crowd outside Union Station.

As the rally was wrapping up, shots rang out, leading to mass panic.

Everything went bananas from there, he said.

The mass shooting killed one woman and injured more than 20 others. Lyndell Mays, 23, of Raytown, and Dominic M. Miller, 18, of Kansas City, each face a count of second-degree felony murder, prosecutors announced Tuesday. They each also have been charged with two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon, and are being held on $1 million bond.

Charges were also filed last week against two teens who were being held at the Juvenile Detention Center on gun-related and resisting arrest offenses, the family court division of the Jackson County Circuit Court said.

Officials have signaled that more charges may come for other people involved in the shooting.

We seek to hold every shooter accountable for their actions on that day  every single one, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said earlier this week. While we are not there yet on every single individual, were going to get there.

Loudermill said he was in the middle of the crowd outside Union Station when he heard the gunshots shortly before 2 p.m.

I turned around and looked at the crowd, watching everybody running. It was just chaos, he said. The police was trying to get us all out of there. I didnt run. I just walked. I was taking my time, I guess.

Police were working to clear and block off the scene. Loudermill said Kansas City officers told him he wasnt leaving the area quickly enough. They detained him.

I asked them why are they grabbing me and putting their hands on me. They were trying to push me out of the area, he said. They were going to arrest me but they didnt have a reason to. I was set on the curb, set in handcuffs.

People started swarming, taking photos and videos of him detained.

Loudermill said after about 30 to 45 minutes, police took him away from the crowd and released him.

When he was handcuffed on the curb, they didnt have a reason to arrest him other than he was moving too slow, Loudermills attorney LaRonna Lassiter Saunders said. I think they tried to do the right thing in the situation by letting him go. But already letting him sit on the curb too long in handcuffs, it started a rumor mill. It went viral.

Kansas City police have not specified why Loudermill was briefly detained that day. And he has not been charged with any crime stemming from the events on Feb. 14.

Sgt. Phil DiMartino, a Kansas City police spokesman, told The Star in an email that, there were many people detained at one time or another on Wednesday. Some adults and some juveniles. Some of the detainments could result in future charges unrelated to the shootings.

No one who is believed to be involved in the shooting has been released, he said.

A sad day in America

Loudermill still hasnt read the social media posts incorrectly accusing him of being one of the gunmen. He instead lets his family fill him in.

But thousands of social media users have shared and commented on posts with the photo of him, spreading unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.

A group of Missouri GOP lawmakers used the debunked posts to attempt to link the Kansas City shooting to illegal immigration. The hard-right Missouri Freedom Caucus  as well as at least two of its members  shared posts falsely claiming to identify him as a 44-year-old migrant in the country illegally.

These are the 3 people arrested at the parade.at least one of those arrested is allegedly an illegal immigrant. CLOSE OUR BORDERS! the caucus wrote on social media.

The Associated Press quickly debunked the claim as false, reporting that the same name and description were used to promote incorrect claims in a January explosion in Texas and a December shooting in Las Vegas.

The Missouri Freedom Caucus has since shared a post saying, Denton is an Olathe native, a father of three & a proud @Chiefs fan. Hes not a mass shooter. Images of him being detained for being intoxicated & not moving away from the crime scene at the Chiefs rally have spread online. He just wants to clear his name.

On the social media platform X, U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, shared a photo of Loudermill and erroneously wrote that one of the Kansas City shooters had been identified as an illegal Alien. He later wrote that he removed the post, while including a screenshot of it, blaming multiple, incorrect news reports.

Donald Trump Jr., the former presidents son, also shared a post with Loudermills photo talking about whether the shooting will be blamed on white supremacy and MAGA.

I think its a sad day in America when you have a tragedy like that, where someone lost their life, several kids were shot, and still at the center of peoples hearts are hate, bigotry and separation by race, Lassiter Saunders said. Theres definitely a racial piece there, I believe, because had he been a different race, maybe they would have taken more time or looked into it to figure out what was going on. But it just fit a narrative.

Loudermill and his attorney are pushing the public figures and officials to apologize and retract their posts spreading the misinformation.

Lassiter Saunders said they are reviewing their legal options, which she called easier since some have refused to remove Loudermills photo from their pages. Theyve started a GoFundMe page to raise money for his legal fees.

Its one thing to run with misinformation initially. It was chaotic, Lassiter Saunders said. But once you realize you have misinformation, then correct it. Its OK to say sorry, especially when you know you have an innocent person being affected by it.

Hes just a fan who was celebrating the Chiefs. But they let hatred, propaganda and bigotry smear his reputation. Its very sad and unfortunate.

Loudermill said hes received death threats over the past week, causing concern for his safety. While hes at work at an Olathe business, he said he continues to receive weird looks and comments from customers.

Those reactions started almost immediately after the handcuffs were taken off of his wrists, he said.

After the customer called the police on Loudermill while he was at the restaurant following the rally, he said police showed up and patted him down to make sure he didnt have a gun. He showed them his ID. And then they left.

He sat back down to finish his burger.

They let me go back to eating, Loudermill said.

There are people who will not let go of the lie, who are still angry and hateful, Lassiter Saunders said. If they see him, it could potentially lead to harm or danger to his family. Thats why we need as much help as possible pushing the truth out there.

The Stars Kacen Bayless and Bill Lukitsch contributed.
Spectators flooded the Senate gallery early on November 19, 1919. They jockeyed for good seats to observe one of the most critical foreign policy votes ever taken by Congress.

President Woodrow Wilson had just returned from France after negotiating the Versailles Treaty ending the First World War. He understood the treaty was flawed, but by securing the creation of his League of Nations, Wilson was confident this new international body could prevent all future wars. The final hurdle would be a two-thirds vote by the Senate to ratify the treaty.

Until America entered the war in 1917, the United States had followed a policy of isolationism, first advised by George Washington in his farewell address when he urged the nation to avoid foreign entanglements.

Its an instinct America has retreated to repeatedly throughout its history  and its shaping the politics of the MAGA era today to a dangerous degree.

The U.S. traded extensively for the next 140 years and even waged war with England, Mexico, and Spain. However, surrounded by two vast oceans, America felt secure enough to avoid quid pro quo treaties and alliances. Had Germany not unleashed its submarines upon American merchant ships, the U.S. might never have ventured from its isolationist shell to enter World War I.

Now, the Senate had to decide whether to ratify a treaty that not only ended the war but would permanently alter U.S. foreign policy. Since American muscle had played a decisive role in winning the war, President Wilson wanted the U.S. to permanently end its isolationism and play an international leadership role in maintaining world peace.

However, fearing the United States would be ceding its war powers to the League of Nations, the Senate voted not to ratify the Versailles Treaty, thereby turning its back on the world.

Over the next 20 years, when fascist nations like Japan, Italy and Germany took aggressive steps leading to World War II, the U.S., with all its wealth and potential military power, was nowhere to be found.

Could the United States have prevented the onset of the Second World War, an event that took the lives of 75 million people? While it is impossible to answer that question definitively, it should be noted that U.S. isolationism ended on Dec. 7, 1941, when Japanese carriers snuck up on Pearl Harbor, negating the Pacific Oceans protection.

Four years later, when the war ended, the U.S. did an about-face and accepted its role as leader of the free world. The United States contained the Soviet Unions communism by building a massive military infrastructure, placing military troops in what would eventually be 178 nations, and, most importantly, creating powerful alliances like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

This new foreign policy has undoubtedly worked. In addition to winning the Cold War by ending the communist threat posed by the Soviet Union, there has been nothing resembling a world war for almost the past 80 years.

But make no mistake: With almost 6,000 nuclear weapons, more than any other nation, Vladimir Putins Russia is still a lethal threat. This autocratic nation has jailed and murdered political critics like Alexei Navalny, invaded neighboring Ukraine, committed crimes against humanity, and continues to threaten American national security.

Unfortunately, Donald Trump wants the U.S. to ignore all this and retreat into his MAGA version of Americas past isolationism.

Trump recently said he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any NATO country that doesnt keep up with its financial obligations to the alliance, prompting the NATO chief to say that Trumps comment undermines all of our security.

In addition, Trump has used Ukraine as a political pawn by urging his minions in the House to hold up $60 billion recently approved by the Senate to aid that nation in its defense against Russias invasion. While it is estimated that 70,000 Ukrainians have died in a war against the country that represents the greatest threat to U.S. national security, Trump wants to deny them the weapons necessary to defend themselves.

Supporting Ukraine is not only a moral imperative; it weakens Putins Russia without sacrificing American lives.

While less than 5% of the globes population is American, the United States controls 24.42% of the worlds wealth and accounts for 39% of the planets defense spending.

As Voltaire said, With great power comes great responsibility. It would be an unmitigated disaster if Trump led the United States to abdicate its global leadership responsibilities.
With a single court ruling in Alabama, Americas radical anti-choice movement is no longer just impeding the rights of women to end unwanted pregnancies.

Now its impeding the rights of women who are seeking pregnancies.

Thats already the ironic practical effect of a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court last week that frozen embryos have all the legal rights of fully formed people, and so cannot be disposed of during in vitro fertilization treatments.

Within days of the ruling, Alabamas largest hospital network paused IVF procedures for fear of facing lawsuits or criminal charges due to discarded fertilized eggs that are an unavoidable part of the process. Which means Alabama women desperately seeking pregnancy will have to travel to other states  as women desperately seeking to end pregnancies (including rape victims) already must do.

The ruling currently affects only Alabamans. But given the recent history in Missouri of state policymakers taking their cues from other radically red states regarding reproductive rights, no one should be surprised if this latest expansion of extremist politics into personal medical decisions takes root here.

That should drive home the urgency of passing Missouris pending abortion-rights constitutional amendment referendum, which also would protect reproductive rights more broadly.

With in vitro fertilization, eggs are medically extracted from a woman and combined with sperm in a laboratory. Once the fertilized egg forms into an embryo, it is placed into the uterus of either the woman who supplied the eggs or a surrogate, and the pregnancy continues from there.

First pioneered in the late 1970s, the procedure today is a relatively common way for infertile couples to have children, accounting for about 2% of U.S. pregnancies. In all, some 8 million Americans walking (or crawling) around today were conceived in a lab.

Because the complex IVF process doesnt always work, multiple eggs are generally fertilized to increase the odds of getting a viable embryo. Unused embryos  often consisting of just one or a handful of cells  can be frozen for later implantation attempts. Upon successful pregnancy, unused embryos are typically discarded.

Fridays court ruling stemmed from wrongful death cases brought by three couples who had frozen embryos that were destroyed in an accident at an Alabama fertility clinic. The plaintiffs essentially alleged that their offspring had been killed. Alabama law, like Missouris, prohibits all abortions from conception.

In its unprecedented opinion upholding the plaintiffs claim, the states all-Republican Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that unborn children are children  without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any other ancillary characteristics.

In a concurring opinion that reads more like a Sunday sermon, Chief Justice Tom Parker confirmed that todays anti-choice movement is at base a crusade to transform America into a biblical theocracy. Human life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God, he wrote. Even before birth all human beings have the image of God, and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory.

Such blatant disregard for the First Amendments separation of church and state is commonplace on the political right today. Missouris own anti-abortion statute declares that Almighty God is the author of life.

In his dissent, Alabama Justice Greg Cook also referenced religion to note the real-world impact of the courts ruling. There is no doubt that there are many Alabama citizens praying to be parents, he wrote, who will no longer have that opportunity.

Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade last year allowed states to outlaw abortion at all stages of pregnancy, right-wing politicians and judges across the country have made clear they have no intention of stopping there  as the Alabama ruling again demonstrates. Having won the right to dictate the most personal medical decisions of half the population, infringement on other areas of reproductive rights is inevitable.

Luckily, the proposed constitutional amendment in Missouri to protect abortion rights until the point of fetal viability (the same standard that existed under Roe) is worded to apply to other reproductive issues as well. It would preserve for individuals the right to make and carry out decisions about all matters relating to reproductive health care.

That would prevent Missouri politicians from pursuing future schemes to deprive couples of in vitro fertilization services, birth control access and any other medical decisions that are manifestly none of the states business.

As we have written here before, those politicians are pulling out all the stops to prevent Missourians from having their say on these issues via the vote.

Citizens can fight back by signing onto the state petition drive to get reproductive rights on the ballot this year. The only way to fully guard against Alabama-level extremism spreading into statutes and court rulings here is to enshrine those rights in the Missouri Constitution.

More information about Missouris reproductive rights ballot initiative, including scheduled upcoming petition signing events, is available at moconstitutionalfreedom.org.
February 23, 2024: Ukrainians not only received weapons from NATO countries, but they also have since 2014 learned much about current NATO, especially American tactics. These new tactics, which were very different from the tactics Russian and Ukrainian troops used then, were introduced to Ukraine by NATO military advisors arriving in 2014. These novel new tactics began emerging in the late 1970s when NATOs most powerful member, the United States sought to develop a new combat doctrine to make the best use of new weapons, an all-volunteer force, and its growing air superiority. The impetus for this was West Germany urging the Americans to adopt tactics that would mean losing less German territory in the opening stages of a war. The Americans had already adopted an active defense doctrine in 1978 but by 1982 this led to the American AirLand Battle doctrine, which emphasized meeting a Russian led Warsaw Pact invasion by attacking as well as defending. This evolution in American army and air force doctrine began with studies of the 1973 Arab Israeli war in which a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria was quickly defeated by an Israeli active defense that emphasized attacking as well as defending. The Russians interpreted AirLand Battle as the result of how much post-Vietnam military reforms had turned NATO defense plans into an offensive opportunity for NATO that made any Russian attack less likely to succeed and vulnerable to a NATO invasion of East Europe. The 1991 Iraq war certainly confirmed it, but Russians attributed that to poor quality Iraqi officers and troops.

After the East European Soviet satellite governments collapsed in 1989, it was revealed that the Soviets had become less confident of the ability and willingness of East European Warsaw Pact armies to assist Russian forces in attack or defense. Part of this was due to the aftereffects of the crackdown in East Europe after the uprisings of the 1950s and 60s. Western intel officials interviewed many of East European civilians getting out and thought the refugees were exaggerating the impact of those uprisings and the timid Russian reaction. They werent and that became obvious in 1989 plus two years later when the USSR itself collapsed. Once the Ukraine War has ended, the Russian military may accept that the NATO tactics were a major reason for their failure in Ukraine. Russia would have a difficult but not impossible time implementing a version of the NATO tactics for their forces. It would mean changing how their officers are trained and finally getting serious about reviving the use of NCOs, something the communists eliminated in the 1920s to prevent a counter-revolution against communist rule. The major obstacle here is that imperial, communist and post-communist Russia has never even tried to train its armed forces well.

As long as Ukraine continues to receive adequate military aid from NATO countries, they will be able to handle the Russian aggression. President Vladimir Putin of Russia claims that he will eventually defeat and absorb Ukraine back into the Russian empire. Putin considers the dissolution of the Soviet Union a major disaster and is determined to put the Soviet Union back together, under a new name and with new management, that will still be Russian. NATO nations oppose the revival of a Soviet style Russian superstate and are backing Ukraine to try and prevent it. Since NATO is a defensive organization, they cannot go to war with the Russians unless Russia attacks first. Russia realizes that and does not want to take on the 31 NATO nations. NATO members account for 38 percent of the $100 trillion global GDP and over half the global defense spending. If Russia wants to revive the Cold War, they will be up against a more powerful NATO coalition than they faced the first time they did so over 70 years ago.
This article takes a look at the 20 best cities to retire for 2024. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on financial concerns and optimal locations for golden years, you may go to 5 Best Cities to Retire for 2024.

A Comprehensive Look at Financial Concerns and Optimal Locations for Golden Years

Does the average retiree appear to be increasingly fixated on cost of living concerns? Recent trends seem to suggest this, especially when considering that the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) only recorded a modest 3.2% increase this year. While it's understandable that the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) rises in accordance with inflation, retirees are experiencing the harsh reality that their living expenses have not kept pace with this seemingly standardized measure.

This news may be troubling to digest for those who have already retired, but the scenario for those who are on the way to their golden years is no different. According to a T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW) study, 64% of baby boomers have reported having moderate to high levels of stress regarding their retirement savings. With 2024 already marking the beginning of the Peak 65 zone, a period between 2024 and 2027 that will witness record levels of Americans hitting the age of 65, and social security funds set to deplete by 2034, the retirement scenario is seemingly poised for significant shifts and challenges.

A study by the Alliance for Lifetime Income (ALI) sheds light on these numbers, stating that the majority of Peak 65ers are worried about not having saved enough for retirement. While 66% are only worried about not having enough, 79% are in turn worried about the cost of healthcare during this period, a significant expense that needs to be taken care of by this demographic. Unfortunately, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Health Plans (IFEBP) has forecasted a sizable hike in healthcare costs this year, almost 7%, due to factors such as catastrophic health claims, chronic health conditions, and also rising prescription drug prices.

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Considering these numbers, the more prudent choice for a potential retiree seems to be proactive. We at Insider Monkey believe even if you are 50 years old with no retirement savings, there is still a chance to catch up. With that said, many financial companies and advisors also recommend their lines of action for potential retirees to pursue:

Having a plan in place will make it easier for you to track your progress during the year. Things will change throughout the year, but starting with a plan will help you stay focused. The most successful plans arent just written and filed away; theyre revisited regularly - Roger Young, CFP, a thought leadership director with T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW).

Financial wellness programs and services such as those offered by T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW), The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW), and other firms can help potential retirees save optimal amounts for their retirement years. While focusing on retirement savings and starting with a plan is important, potential retirees should also focus on making a move when necessary. Of course, accounting for necessary factors such as cost of living, taxes, and even proximity to friends and family is important.

As such, some of the best states to retire in 2024 include the Carolinas, Mississippi, and Iowa. Revered for their tax-friendly environment and low cost of living, these states are ideal for retirees on a budget. However, not all the places in these states may be the most ideal for living. Some may have a low cost of living but lack health facilities, others may have a higher cost of living, yet many others may not have adequate amenities available to allow living a comfortable requirement. To help you land in the perfect retirement spot that offers the best balance of cost of living, health, and amenities, we have crafted a list of the best cities to retire.

20 Best Cities to Retire for 2024

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Methodology

To compile the list of best cities to retire for 2024, we have rounded down a list of best cities from US News Real Estate, Becker's Hospital Review, Kiplinger, Fox Business, and Business Insider, to name a few. Next, we ranked them on factors such as cost of living, median home price, health, and livability. Median home prices have been sourced from Redfin, health ranks are from Beckers Hospital Review, and livability scores are from Area Vibes.

Places were individually scored on each factor and their sums were added to generate a unique Insider Monkey Score. Finally, the places have been ranked in ascending order from the lowest to the highest scores. It must be noted that retirees should visit a certain destination, assess the local amenities and community, and determine how well the city aligns with their specific retirement goals and lifestyle preferences before making a decision.

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.

Here are the best cities to retire for 2024:

20. Jacksonville, Florida

Insider Monkey Score: 52

Cost of Living Index: 95.7

Median Home Price: $290,000

Livability Score: 80

State Health Rank: 31

Sneaking onto the scene from our recently unveiled list of the most affordable places to retire in 2024, Jacksonville has proven to be more than just a budget-friendly retirement destination. This city is an all-rounder when it comes to health, taxes, temperatures, and proximity to the coast. The sunshine state of Florida doesn't tax retirement income, making sure retirees receive their retirement dollars tax-free.

19. Durham, North Carolina

Insider Monkey Score: 54

Cost of Living Index: 98.8

Median Home Price: $391,000

Livability Score: 81

State Health Rank: 32

Part of the Research Triangle Park, the highly educated university town of Durham is the ideal place for retirees who wish to embark on a journey of lifelong learning. Retiring in a university town has its unique set of perks, like a dynamic environment with many events and opportunities for intellectual stimulation. Additionally, the city has excellent healthcare facilities, a vibrant cultural scene, a mild climate, and delectable culinary delights.

18. Pensacola, Florida

Insider Monkey Score: 55

Cost of Living Index: 89

Median Home Price: $290,000

Livability Score: 79

State Health Rank: 31

Pensacola doesnt just cut it to our list of best cities to retire for 2024 because of its white-sandy beaches, but also because it provides an ideal combination of affordability and amenities. Since our last take on Pensacola as the best city in northern Florida to retire, the warm haven has improved 7 points in its livability rank as well.

17. Allentown, Pennsylvania

Insider Monkey Score: 57

Cost of Living Index: 97.9

Median Home Price: $223,000

Livability Score: 78

State Health Rank: 23

Allentown has previously been making rounds for being one of the most affordable places to retire in recent years. From its high-quality healthcare to its active lifestyle and obvious housing affordability, living in this city allows retirees to enjoy a more comfortable retirement.

16. Rochester, New York

Insider Monkey Score: 60

Cost of Living Index: 88.6

Median Home Price: $140,000

Livability Score: 75

State Health Rank: 27

The thought of retiring to an expensive state such as New York can be scary. Notorious for its cost of living and taxes, one inexpensive little New York gem is an exception to our list of best cities to retire for 2024. Rochester is famous for its welcoming aura, renowned healthcare institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, its distinct seasons, and good quality of life.

15. Morgantown, West Virginia

Insider Monkey Score: 62

Cost of Living Index: 89.8

Median Home Price: $340,000

Livability Score: 82

State Health Rank: 45

Our only West Virginia pick, Morgantown is hands down one of the best places to retire in the South. Beyond its affordability, the greenest city in the state prides itself on its robust healthcare institutions, diverse urban amenities, and a welcoming community-oriented atmosphere.

14. Akron, Ohio

Insider Monkey Score: 63

Cost of Living Index: 80.8

Median Home Price: $125,000

Livability Score: 80

State Health Rank: 36

For those on limited budgets, Akron can be their best bet. Situated in Ohio, this city is home to reputable healthcare facilities, a variety of cultural attractions, and lots of parks, scenic trails, and nature reserves.

13. Youngstown, Ohio

Insider Monkey Score: 65

Cost of Living Index: 74.4

Median Home Price: $130,000

Livability Score: 80

State Health Rank: 36

For the retiree who wishes to enjoy the golden years at an affordable price point, Youngstown can be one of the best options to consider. Adequate health facilities, affordable housing, and a low cost of living make Youngstown one of the best cities to retire in 2024.

12. Syracuse, New York

Insider Monkey Score: 65

Cost of Living Index: 87.4

Median Home Price: $150,000

Livability Score: 78

State Health Rank: 27

Boasting a surprisingly low cost of living as compared to the state average, Syracuse is home to reputable healthcare institutions, plentiful cultural attractions, and a university-town atmosphere conducive to lifelong learning.

11. Boise, Idaho

Insider Monkey Score: 66

Cost of Living Index: 119.6

Median Home Price: $465,000

Livability Score: 83

State Health Rank: 20

Ranking 11th on our list of best cities to retire for 2024 is Boise, the only Idaho pick in our list. Boasting a mild climate, a walkable downtown, and an active lifestyle culture, the capital city is easily one of the best places to retire for active adults.

10. Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Insider Monkey Score: 72

Cost of Living Index: 99.5

Median Home Price: $240,000

Livability Score: 82

State Health Rank: 23

Lancaster has never been our best-kept secret, but it doesnt fail to amaze those who are new to the town. Affordable housing, reasonable living expenses, and a great livability score make Lancaster one of the best cities to retire in 2024.

9. Ann Arbor, Michigan

Insider Monkey Score: 74

Cost of Living Index: 105.5

Median Home Price: $446,000

Livability Score: 89

State Health Rank: 26

Leafy Ann Arbor may not be appreciated for the cold, but things are perfect for a senior otherwise. With its accessible amenities, walkable downtown area, and an abundance of recreational opportunities, Ann Arbor emerges as a sensible choice for retirees in search of a destination that lets them enjoy their golden years without breaking the bank.

8. Ogden, Utah

Insider Monkey Score: 75

Cost of Living Index: 107.2

Median Home Price: $370,000

Livability Score: 83

State Health Rank: 9

Especially popular with military retirees, Ogden happens to be near Salt Lake City, providing retirees with access to the amenities and cultural attractions of a larger city without having to live in a bustling urban environment. Reputable healthcare facilities, a four-season climate, and a welcoming community atmosphere make Ogden a nice place to retire in the US.

7. Madison, Wisconsin

Insider Monkey Score: 76

Cost of Living Index: 103.4

Median Home Price: $385,000

Livability Score: 81

State Health Rank: 22

Next up on our list of best cities to retire for 2024 is Madison, Wisconsin. Not only does the city boast good healthcare facilities, but is also famous for having numerous avenues for physical activity. Active adults would especially love to come and live here. Other than that, the city also boasts a good livability score.

6. Fort Wayne, Indiana

Insider Monkey Score: 77

Cost of Living Index: 82

Median Home Price: $191,000

Livability Score: 83

State Health Rank: 35

Do best and cheapest go together? Our rankings state that they do. Fort Wayne has been making rounds as one of the cheapest places across America to retire to, before moving on to be included here. Offering an ideal combination of affordability, cultural amenities, and a friendly community atmosphere, it is a great place to be in your golden years.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Cities to Retire for 2024.

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Disclosure: none. 20 Best Cities to Retire for 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / CNH continues to strengthen its tech stack with Ag Tech solutions that make farming easier, more efficient, and more sustainable for farmers around the globe. CNH Ventures, the investment arm of the company, has taken a minority stake in Bem Agro - a Brazilian startup and existing supplier to CNH.

Bem Agro uses AI to convert any type of aerial field image - including those taken from machines, drones and satellites - into Agronomic Mapping Reports. These reports provide vital data that enables farmers to make better decisions about optimizing field operations, allocating resources and increasing yield, while driving improved machine performance, greater productivity and reduced running costs.

This investment follows over five years of successful commercial partnership with Bem Agro. CNH currently uses their mapping solutions on Case IH and New Holland (both brands of CNH) Connected Platforms for sugarcane harvesters, tractors and sprayers in Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand. Together with Bem Agro, CNH will significantly enhance its current and future precision technology solutions, services and reach for agriculture across Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Customer-inspired innovation relies on constant dialogue with the people that use the equipment and technology they produce. That's why the positive feedback from CNH's dealer network and customers was instrumental in driving their strategic investment in the Brazilian startup.

CNH's investment in Bem Agro is a testament to the Company's commitment to innovation, productivity, and sustainability -- to further empower farmers to continue Breaking New Ground.

CNH's investment in Bem Agro is a testament to the Company's commitment to innovation, productivity, and sustainability -- to further empower farmers to continue Breaking New Ground



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com.



Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CNH Industrial

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial

Email: [email protected]



SOURCE: CNH Industrial

View the original press release on accesswire.com
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / February 22, 2024 / Dril-Quip, Inc. (NYSE: DRQ), (the "Company" or "Dril-Quip"), a global leader in offshore drilling solutions, has been chosen to supply the subsea wellhead systems for the Woodside Trion development offshore Mexico.



The Trion project, a greenfield deepwater development, includes 24 wells across two phases. Woodside's decision to use Dril-Quip's BigBore" IIe Subsea Wellheads will leverage the system's field-proven sealing technology and 2 MM lb. lockdown capacity. The BBIIe" system eliminates lockdown sleeves during drilling and production, which can save rig time and reduce costs. Dril-Quip's Villahermosa, Mexico, facility will play a crucial role in supporting the Trion project.

"We are pleased to play a pivotal role in this significant project with Woodside. This partnership underscores the success of our innovative solutions, supporting the milestone of Mexico's first deepwater oil production with the Trion project," stated Don Underwood, Vice President - Subsea Products at Dril-Quip.

About Dril-Quip

Dril-Quip is a developer, manufacturer, and provider of highly engineered equipment, service, and innovative technologies for use in the energy industry.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the provision of equipment and services, and the performance and benefits of the Company's products. Forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and other factors. These statements are subject to risks beyond the Company's control, including, but not limited to, decisions by the customer on the amount of products to order, operating risks and other factors detailed in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.

Investor Relations Contact

Erin Fazio, Director of Corporate Finance

[email protected]

Media Relations Contact

Summer Brown, Director of Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE: Dril-Quip, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Funding will go to enrichment, mentoring and family skills programs in African American communities

GREENVILLE, SC / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / In recognition of Black History Month, the Duke Energy Foundation has provided $75,000 in grants to organizations in South Carolina that serve African American communities with programs, services and cultural experiences.

"For nearly 50 years, we have taken time in February to celebrate the immeasurable contributions Black people have made to our nation, our state and our neighborhoods," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South Carolina state president. "This rich history continues to inspire organizations that support African American communities and build upon the legacy of those that came before. Through this funding, we are proud to help shine a light on that important work."

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Florence Boys & Girls Club - $5,000

G-Lab: Gentlemen Learning & Building Legacies (Florence) - $5,000

City of Sumter academic and senior fitness programs - $10,000

City of Hartsville Pride Park - $5,000

A Father's Way (Lancaster) - $5,000

Boys & Girls Club of the Lakelands Region (Greenwood) - $10,000

Upstate Fatherhood Coalition (Spartanburg) - $10,000

Westside Center (Anderson) - $5,000

The Urban League of the Upstate (Greenville) - $20,000

The Urban League of The Upstate, an affiliate of the National Urban League, has played a vital role in serving the Upstate community for over 50 years. Funding from Duke Energy has helped the Urban League develop a tour focused on historic African American neighborhoods and landmarks that were integral to the civil rights movement. The tour will include a visit to the historic McClaren Medical Building in downtown Greenville, which will house a cultural visitor center. This center will serve as a hub for learning, exploring, and celebrating African American history and achievements.

"Thanks to Duke Energy and the collaboration with Black History in Greenville, Black History Month will be a time to spotlight and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments that African Americans have made in the Upstate community," said Dr. Gail Wilson Awan, president and CEO of Urban League of The Upstate. "As the Urban League continues its mission of advancing social and economic equality, the support of partners like Duke Energy is invaluable. Together, they are working towards creating a future where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and thrive."

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Ryan Mosier

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Duke Energy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Duke Energy

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / EuroPacific Metals Inc (TSXV:EUP) ("the Company" or "Europacific") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Brian Crawford as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary to the Company effective immediately. Mr. Crawford replaces Mr. Mihai Draguleasa. The Company thanks Mr. Draguleasa for his time and contributions during his tenure.

Mr. Crawford is a chartered professional accountant (CPA), Brian holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and has extensive experience as a senior financial executive. He was formerly a partner with a national firm of Chartered Professional Accountants, presently he serves as a Director, Corporate Secretary and or Chief Financial Officer of several Toronto Venture Exchange ("TSX.V") and Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") listed issuers.

Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer stated, "We are pleased to welcome Brian to the executive team. Brian's extensive experience in financial management and strategic planning will be of great benefit to EuroPacific at such pivotal time in steering Euro Pacifics growth strategy in Portugal and further expansion into Iberian Peninsula. I would like to thank Mihai for his service to the Company and wish him well in his future endeavors.

About Europacific Metals Inc.

Europacific Metals Inc. is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in Europe.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Karim Rayani"

President, CEO & Director

For further information please contact:

Europacific Metals Inc.

Mr. Karim Rayani

President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

+1 604 716 1036 [email protected]

www.europacificmetals.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the exploration potential of the Company's properties. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE: Europacific Metals Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
In its first events in Rhode Island prisons, national non-profit Freedom Reads brings literary dialogue to the John J. Moran Medium Security Facility and the Gloria McDonald Women's Facility in Rhode Island

HAMDEN, CT / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / The national non-profit Freedom Reads today brings its first events to Rhode Island prisons. At both the John J. Moran Medium Security Facility and the Gloria McDonald Women's Facility, poet, lawyer, and Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts is presenting FELON: An American Washi Tale, in which he explores the lingering consequences of having a criminal record, fatherhood, the power of literature, and love. The adaptation is based on Betts' 2019 poetry collection FELON, winner of the NAACP Image Award. Rhode Island Department of Corrections Acting Director Wayne T. Salisbury, Jr., is planning to attend both events.

In addition, following the presentation, Betts and Freedom Reads Program Coordinator Steven Parkhurst, who served over 26 years at the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI) in Rhode Island, will engage in a wide-ranging dialogue about his story, the experience of incarceration, and the role of literature and access to books, writers, and artists in transforming the lives of incarcerated people.

"With programs like these, we aim to build community spaces where people who are incarcerated can find beauty, imagine new possibilities, and envision what their lives could look like outside of prison walls," said Reginald Dwayne Betts, Founder & CEO of Freedom Reads. "We are grateful to the Rhode Island Department of Corrections for partnering with Freedom Reads to make today's events possible."

"I'm very pleased that we were able to connect with Freedom Reads and bring this to our department," said Wayne T. Salisbury, Jr., Acting Director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. "I had the opportunity to listen to Steven's life experiences and his journey to redemption at the State House, and at a Correctional Leaders Association (CLA) Conference in Philadelphia. It was clear to me what books and reading meant to him and to those entrusted to my care - it's a bond with others and a tool to heal. For those who will use it, this program will be an oasis."

"Literature opens hearts and minds to what is possible," said Barry Weiner, Assistant Director Rehabilitative Services of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. "Freedom Reads' libraries and programs at the Rhode Island DOC will, no doubt, raise the spirits of our population and provide each person that embraces this initiative with hope and motivation for a productive and successful future."

"It is humbling to come back to the house I grew up in and to be of service to the folks I spent the majority of my life with," said Steven Parkhurst, Freedom Reads Program Coordinator, who was incarcerated at the ACI in Rhode Island for over 26 years. "And to do so representing Freedom Reads means the world to me."

Freedom Reads is the brainchild of 2021 MacArthur Fellow and Yale Law School graduate Reginald Dwayne Betts, who was sentenced to nine years in prison at age 16. Betts' nonprofit is a first-of-its-kind organization that empowers people through literature to confront what prison does to the spirit.

About Freedom Reads:

Founded by Reginald Dwayne Betts, who knows firsthand the dispiriting forces of prison, Freedom Reads works to empower people through literature to confront what prison does to the spirit. Inspired by the recognition that freedom begins with a book, Freedom Reads supports the efforts of people in prison to transform their lives through increased access to books and writers. For more information about Freedom Reads and the Freedom Libraries project, please visit https://freedomreads.org.

Contact Information

Megan Stencel

Senior Account Executive

[email protected]

7034908845

SOURCE: Freedom Reads

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Living our Purpose: This Patient Services colleague left an impression on a Quest patient of 30 years

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / As the Chairman, CEO, and President of Quest Diagnostics, Jim Davis receives plenty of messages from various customers, business partners, and patients. But a note he recently received caught his attention.

A Quest patient named Burton has been going to our Patient Service Center (PSC) in Ruskin, Florida, every three months for 30 years. One of his most recent visits was so memorable, he sent a letter over to Jim about his experience with Patient Services Representative Ivelisse Lugo.

Burton said he had "the most courteous and knowledgeable technician" draw his blood for his doctor's requirements.

"Ivelisse was so good I didn't realize she had taken my blood at all," Burton wrote.

The patient wanted to make sure that others knew of the "excellent job" Ivelisse was doing and looks forward to having her draw his blood again. "She is a fine example of the quality service Quest Diagnostics provides," Burton wrote.

Tina McCallister, Patient Services Supervisor, said Ivelisse recently transferred to her PSC location and came to her team from the Bradenton location.

She came to Quest through a temporary agency that Quest brought on in November. "She is an asset to my team for sure," Tina said.

The patient feedback Ivelisse received was an example of "The Quest Way" in action and a demonstration of the behaviors at Quest we value -Customer First, Care, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, and Curiosity-our 5Cs.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Quest Diagnostics on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Quest Diagnostics

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/quest-diagnostics

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics

View the original press release on accesswire.com
American Airlines team member Ken MacTiernan is the first aviation maintenance technician to be honored with the Airlines for America Nuts and Bolts Award while actively working in the profession.

The award recognizes those who demonstrate outstanding service and achievements in the engineering or maintenance fields within the commercial aviation industry.

SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / American Airlines aviation maintenance technician (AMT) Ken MacTiernan was honored with the Airlines for America (A4A) Nuts and Bolts award, marking the first time an AMT has received the award while actively working in the profession since the award launched in 1967.

The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding service and achievements in the engineering or maintenance fields within the commercial aviation industry. Each year, airline and nonairline honorees are chosen for the award.

"It's humbling to be recognized, but to be recognized for giving back to my profession means everything to me," said Ken. "This award encourages me to keep promoting my craft by showing others in the industry, and those entering the industry, that the work you do has a positive impact. It's a win-win for the industry and American Airlines."

"The entire American team is thrilled that Ken is being honored with this prestigious award," said Evie Garces, American's Vice President of Line Maintenance. "He is not only a highly skilled AMT, but he is a true advocate of the AMT profession. Ken and his commitment to aviation maintenance are legends across the industry."

"Ken's passion and efforts for the AMT will be felt for generations to come," said Bob Ireland, A4A Vice President - Safety, Maintenance and Engineering, "This recognition is particularly well-deserved."

Ken started his aviation career as a Boeing B-52 mechanic in the United States Air Force in Merced, California. While wrapping up his time in the Air Force, he simultaneously worked to obtain his airframe and powerplant licenses to ensure he could work on civil aircraft after being discharged. He joined American at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in 1986 as an AMT, then transferred to SAN 11 months later, trading in hats and gloves for shorts and sandals.

"On February 15, 1987, it was 32 below with the wind coming off the Hudson," Ken vividly recalled as if it were yesterday. "I was working on a DC-10 and I remember thinking, This isn't going to work long-term. If I'm going to do this for the next 30-plus years, I might want to go someplace warmer.' I visited some buddies from the Air Force in San Diego and the rest is history."

And what a history it's been.

Over the years, Ken worked hard to promote his craft. He helped establish National AMT Day, which is celebrated May 24 - the birthday of Charles Taylor, mechanic to Orville and Wilbur Wright. Ken is also a founder of The Competition (formerly known as the Aerospace Maintenance Competition), an annual event that brings teams of aviation and aerospace maintenance professionals and students under one roof in a two-day competition to showcase their talents. This year's event will be held April 9-11 in Chicago and will feature a record 90 teams from around the world.

If that wasn't enough, American's annual Excellence in Aviation Maintenance award is named after Ken, too. The award honors AMTs who exhibit the qualities of professional AMTs, strive to uphold the highest standard in aircraft maintenance, and support and promote the profession.

What does Ken love most about his job?

"There are several things," Ken said. "I enjoy the camaraderie I have with my fellow mechanics. I enjoy learning something new almost every day. And I just like fixing things."

Ken will be honored by industry leaders this April at Aviation Week's MRO Americas conference in Chicago where he will officially receive the Nuts and Bolts Award. The conference coincides with this year's maintenance competition.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from American Airlines on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: American Airlines

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/american-airlines

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: American Airlines

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Albany International Corp. (NYSE: AIN) announced today that Bonnie C. Lind has been elected to its Board of Directors and that Director John R. Scannell has been appointed Chairman of the Board.

Ms. Lind, age 65, served as Sr. Vice President, CFO & Treasurer of Neenah Inc. following its spinoff from Kimberly-Clark Corporation in 2004 until October 2020. Prior to that, from 1984 she held a number of increasingly senior financial and operational positions within Kimberly-Clark Corporation, culminating in Assistant Treasurer. Neenah Inc. was a market leading manufacturer of premium packaging and specialty paper products which merged with Schweitzer-Mauduit International in 2022 to form Mativ Holdings. Ms. Lind is currently a Director at Hubbell Incorporated, a global manufacturer of electrical and electronic products for construction, industrial and utility applications, where she is Chair of its Audit and a member of its Corporate Governance Committees, as well as a Director of Mission Produce, a global grower, marketer & distributor of avocados, where she is Chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Nominating/Governance Committee. She previously served on the Boards of US Silica, Federal Signal and Empire District Electric Company.

Ms. Lind holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance) degree with honors from the University of Georgia.

Director Scannell, age 60, the retired CEO and current Chairman at Moog, Inc. has been a member of the Albany Board of Directors since 2012. He succeeds Director Erland (Erkie) Kailbourne as Chairman as part of a planned Board succession process. Mr. Kailbourne will continue as a Director of the Company and assist in the transition of his duties.

Mr. Kailbourne said, I am pleased to have John succeed me as Chairman of the Board. I have known and worked with John for many years. He has developed significant institutional knowledge and brings considerable insight, experience and expertise to our Board discussions. I know he is the right person to lead the enterprise as we continue to pursue our strategic objectives. I am also happy to welcome Bonnie to our Board. I look forward to working with her as we effectuate a smooth transition of the Chairmans role to John and continue our growth objectives in both the paper machine clothing and aerospace markets.

Mr. Scannell welcomed Ms. Lind and thanked Director Kailbourne for his service as Chairman. He said we are pleased to welcome Bonnie to our Board of Directors. She is an experienced business leader who brings significant financial and paper industry knowledge, as well as a great deal of boardroom experience. She will be a valuable contributor to our Board, and I take great pleasure in welcoming her as a new Director. He continued, I also wish to recognize Erkie as he completes his second term as Chairman of the Board. Erkie has dedicated two and a half decades to Albany International Corp., which has benefited greatly from his leadership and guidance, as evidenced with the recent Heimbach acquisition and the Companys entry into the aerospace industry. I thank him for his many years of service and look forward to carrying his vision further.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE) today announced that Guy A. Metcalfe has been appointed to the companys Board of Directors, effective February 26, 2024.

Mr. Metcalfe was a Managing Director and member of Morgan Stanleys investment banking executive committee and led its real estate investment banking business for over two decades before retiring as Global Chairman on January 31, 2024.

In more than 30 years at Morgan Stanley, Mr. Metcalfe advised clients on over $850 billion of transactions. He has served as a trusted strategic advisor to CBRE and helped to consummate notable capital-raising, mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions for the company.

In addition, Mr. Metcalfe advised on some of the most transformational transactions in the real estate industry, including the mergers of each of AMB Property Corp., KTR Capital Partners, Industrial Property Trust, Liberty Property Trust and Duke Realty with Prologis; and, among others, Blackstones acquisitions of Trizec Properties, Equity Office Properties, Hilton Hotels, BioMed Realty Trust, Gramercy Property Trust and QTS Realty. He also advised on numerous initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, significant private capital raises and secured and unsecured debt offerings.

Bob Sulentic, CBREs chair and chief executive officer, said: Guy is one of the premier strategic advisors in the real estate industry. Our Board will be greatly enhanced by his deep knowledge of and broad perspective on our sector as well as his sharp strategic thinking as we plot a course for CBREs continued growth.

Mr. Metcalfe said: Ive seen CBRE up close for many years and know its strategic, operational and financial strengths are unmatched in the real estate services sector. The company is extremely well positioned for the future and I am excited to work with Bob and my fellow Directors to help drive growth and excellence across the business.

Mr. Metcalfe will stand for election at CBREs next Annual Stockholder Meeting later this year. His appointment expands CBREs Board to 12 Directors.

He serves on the Board of Directors of nonprofits, including the Child Mind Institute, and has been an advisor on real estate matters to the Partnership Fund for New York City. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration (with honors) from the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario.
NAIROBI, Kenya--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Five exceptional African students are set to become sustainability changemakers as the first recipients of fully funded climate change scholarships from African Risk Capacity (ARC) Limited and Milliman Inc. The Africa Scholarship Programme aims to empower the next generation of leaders to drive solutions to Africa's climate threats.

The recipients stood out among 15 finalists for their academic excellence, community activism, demonstrated leadership, and passion for sustainability.

Ange-Emmanuelle Gblaka from Cote d'Ivoire, Sandrine Dorvale Bassong Bayegle from Cameroon, and Kossi Mose Doumassi from Togo began their studies at the Institut de Formation en Alternance pour les Generations Engagees (IFAGE) in Dakar, Senegal in January. Doreen Mulwa from Kenya and Maulid Seleman from Tanzania will embark on their academic journeys at the University of Cape Town in 2025, pending admission.

The scholarship recipients are an impressive group. With limited resources, they are already driving change and making a real impact as young changemakers in their communities. We are excited to be a part of their journey and watch how they take this educational opportunity to turn it into meaningful action, says ARC Ltd. CEO Lesley Ndlovu.

The comprehensive scholarships will fully cover tuition, housing, living stipends, and other essential expenses for up to three years of full-time study. This exceptional opportunity will allow the students to gain expertise in critical fields like actuarial science, risk management, and agricultural statistics.

Since 2014, ARC Ltd. has delivered climate risk insurance to African Union member states. These scholarships seek to extend that mission by developing highly skilled talent to contribute to developing African solutions to African problems. Milliman Inc. lends its risk management and actuarial expertise to the scholarship programme.

As ARC Ltd. CEO Lesley Ndlovu says: The urgent need for Africa to develop leaders, including women leaders, well-versed in the complex challenges of climate change cannot be overstated. With threats like droughts, floods and extreme weather events, Africa remains one of the most vulnerable regions globally. These scholarships empower the next generation to gain the skills needed to drive climate resilience back home.

Milliman Inc. Principal Joy Schwartzman echoes the sentiment: We hope to make a real impact on Africa's ability to understand and address climate risk through the Africa Scholarship Programme. By investing in the next generation, we are investing in a more sustainable future.

The scholarships for Masters programmes in Actuarial Science and Insurance at IFAGE play an essential role in working towards the goal of developing the insurance and risk management sectors across Africa. These scholarships enable talented students to access quality education by eliminating financial barriers.

Our collaboration with the Africa Scholarship Programme perfectly aligns with IFAGEs mission to train a new generation of insurance and finance professionals who can provide the African insurance market with operational and competent professionals right after graduation. This scholarship represents much more than an opportunity. It is an invitation to explore, learn, and grow in the financial sector, said Mrs. Kandji Rokhaya, General Manager of the Inter-African Institute for Training in Insurance and Business Management of IFAGE.

Chantal Swartz of the University of Cape Town (UCT) added that the Africa Scholarship Programme would strengthen UCTs transformation imperative and contribute to UCTs efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion within its student body. Swartz added that UCTs goal is to produce research that answers the complex problems of today and tomorrow.

In line with UCTs Vision 2030, our dream is to draw from the extraordinary social and cultural diversity, creativity and capacity for innovation of all our staff and students to contribute to making the 21st century the African century, said Swartz.

These students carry the hope of Africa on their shoulders. We challenge them to make the most of this life-changing opportunity. The future needs their ideas, their passion, and their leadership, Ndlovu concludes.

The Africa Scholarship Programme was launched in 2023 and will soon release applications for the 2024 programme. Find out more at www.arcltd.org/scholarships.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240221924351/en/

Milliman

Jeremy Engdahl-Johnson

[email protected]

646-473-3021

Source: Milliman Inc.
In this article, we will list the 30 safest countries in the world in 2024. If you want to skip our discussion about global peace, head to the 11 safest countries in the world in 2024.

In the past couple of years, there has been a noticeable deterioration in global peace. Some of the global events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict have added to the geopolitical tensions all around the world. These events have had a profound effect on various aspects of lives, making some countries extremely unsafe.

According to the Global Peace Index, the world has become less peaceful in the past 15 years. There was a 0.42 percent decline in world peace in 2023. While world peace has been deteriorating over the past few years, the gap between the least and most peaceful countries is consistently widening. Between the years 2008 and 2022, the 25 least peaceful countries have seen a decline of 12.1 percent on average, while the 25 most peaceful countries have enjoyed an average increase of 4.3 percent in their ratings in the Global Peace Index.

Peace, security, and safety are essential for businesses. It is no coincidence that the six countries renowned for meager crime rates also rank higher for ease of doing business. Some of these countries include New Zealand, Singapore, and Denmark. Singapore ranks pretty high on our list of the 30 safest countries in the world in 2024. The country has achieved tremendously after its independence in terms of safety and economic growth. Singapore has one of the world's most business-friendly regulatory environments and is ranked among the world's most competitive economies.

The United States is one of the major economies contributing to travel and tourism. So, American tourists are always on the lookout for safe countries. However, a mishap can happen anywhere, which is why some companies work to make travel as safe as possible. One of these companies is Chub Limited (NYSE:CB). It is one of the leading names in the travel insurance market. Chub Limited (NYSE:CB) is also developing a 'Studio Developer Portal' that aims to capitalize on the smart tourism trend. Smart tourism integrates technologies like cloud computing and IOT to make traveling easier. Chub Limited (NYSE:CB)'s portal will offer B2B2C partners access to digital insurance products and services.

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It is likely that global peace might deteriorate further in the future. One of the biggest indicators of this is increasing military spending throughout the world, which has surged over the last few years. Regional conflicts throughout the world have fueled this trend of ever-increasing military spending.

A 2023 report by Markets and Markets highlights that the global defense market has reached an estimated value of more than $2 trillion. It is expected to grow at a compounding annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% between 2024 and 2028. The defense market is expected to be worth more than $2.54 trillion by the end of the forecasted period. Some of the trends driving this growth are the development of new military technologies, military modernization programs, and increasing internal and external security threats.

The increasing military spending are worrying sign as it indicates a further deterioration of peace. Luckily, some countries in the world are incredibly safe. Our list of the 30 safest countries in the world in 2024 ranks these countries.

30 Safest Countries In the World in 2024

25 Safest Cities in Europe to Visit In 2024

Methodology

To curate our list of the 30 safest countries in the world in 2024, we used two rankings. The first was the Global Peace Index of 2023 of Vision of Humanity and the Second Was a Ranking of Countries according to safety by Travelsafe-abroad. We picked the top 50 countries in the Global Peace Index and noted their ranking in the index. Then for each of these countries, we noted their ranking on Travelsafe-abroad's rankings. Finally, we averaged these rankings to arrive at Average Insider Monkey Score. The lower this score, the safer the country. As a tie-breaker, we used the Global Peace Index ranking.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional looking for the best stocks to buy you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

30 - Portugal

Insider Monkey Score - 54

Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world in 2024. The country has a low crime rate and a stable socio-political environment. The 2023 Global Peace Index ranked the country seventh. The country is comparatively modest in size, which helps in maintaining the overall peace.

29 - Malaysia

Insider Monkey Score - 49.5

Malaysia is 29th on our list of the 30 safest countries in the world in 2024. The vast majority of the country is known to be safe for travelers, and the local population is known to be hospitable. It ranks 19th on the 2023 Global Peace Index and has an overall score of 1.51 in the index.

28 - Belgium

Insider Monkey Score - 44.5

Belgium is known for its stable sociopolitical environment and low levels of violent crimes, making it one of the safest countries in the world in 2024. However, the country has had some incidences of terrorist attacks, such as the attacks in Brussels on 22 March 2016.

27 - Bhutan

Insider Monkey Score - 43.5

Bhutan is one of the safest countries in the world in 2024. It has low levels of violent crimes as it ranks 17th in the Global Peace Index. However, the country is prone to some natural threats. Bhutan is located in an active seismic zone, and earthquakes can happen at any time.

26 - Netherlands

Insider Monkey Score - 37.5

The Netherlands has one of the most well-developed social service systems, which helps keep crimes low in the country. The country scores 1 out of 5 in the Global Peace Index's organized conflict (internal) composites (the lower the figure, the more positive the outcome), depicting that there are very little or no internal conflicts going on in the country.

25 - Slovakia

Insider Monkey Score - 35.5

Slovakia is 25th on our list of the safest countries in the world in 2024. The US Department of State has labeled the country as a low-threat location. While pickpocketing and other petty crimes might occur, the country has almost no violent crimes as it scores 1 out of 5 in the violent crimes composite of the Global Peace Index.

24 - Latvia

Insider Monkey Score - 33

Latvia is one of the safest countries in the world in 2024. The country has a well-developed system of social services and a strong social safety net, contributing to a low crime rate. However, instances of petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, may occur in touristy areas such as Riga's Old Town, Central Market, and the main railway station.

23 - Bulgaria

Insider Monkey Score - 32

Bulgaria is one of the safest countries to visit. Although it has a reputation for organized crimes, criminal offenses against tourists are quite rare in the country. The country scores 1 out of 5 in the terrorist activity and organized conflicts composite of the Global Peace Index, depicting that these two threats are quite low in the country.

22 - Mauritius

Insider Monkey Score - 31.5

Mauritius has an overall low crime rate and ranks 23rd in the Global Peace Index. However, the country is prone to natural threats such as cyclones. In addition, road safety can vary according to the location, so visitors are advised to be cautious while driving.

21 - Sweden

Insider Monkey Score - 28

Sweden is 21st on our list of the 30 safest countries in the world. It has a low crime rate, minimal incidents of terrorism, and effective law enforcement. The country fares especially well in the political stability department as it scores 1 out of 5 in the Global Peace Index's political stability, political terror, and organized conflict (internal) composites.

20 - Estonia

Insider Monkey Score - 27

Estonia has a low crime rate and ranks 25th on the Global Peace Index. The country has a low threat of terrorism, but visitors should remain vigilant at all times. The country also scores 1 out of 5 in the organized conflict (internal) composite of the Global Peace Index, depicting that it has a stable environment.

19 - Poland

Insider Monkey Score - 25

Poland is 19th on our list of the safest countries in the world. The country has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe and has particularly low levels of violent crimes. Recently Poland has demonstrated a commitment to peacekeeping efforts as it joined the declaration on strengthening UN peacekeeping missions in 2018.

18 - Norway

Insider Monkey Score - 22

Norway is one of the safest countries in the world. The country is known for its egalitarian and collectivist society, with a comprehensive social security system and universal health care, all of which are instrumental in making it a safe country. The country scores 1 out of 5 in the 2023 Global Peace Index's violent crime composite, depicting that there are very rare incidences of violent crime in the country.

17 - Qatar

Insider Monkey Score - 21.5

Qatar is 17th on our list of the 30 safest countries in the world. It ranks 21st in the 2023 Global Peace Index and scores 1 out of 5 in its violent demonstration, organized conflicts, and violent crime composites.

16 - Hungary

Insider Monkey Score - 21

Hungary is 16th on our list of the 30 safest countries in the world in 2024. The country ranks 18th on the Global Peace Index and has a strong economy, which helps keep the crime rate low in the country. However, road safety in the country can vary across the regions, so visitors should be cautious.

15 - Australia

Insider Monkey Score - 19.5

Australia has a strong economy with mining, agriculture, finance, and tourism being key industries. Overall poverty levels in the country are low, keeping the overall crime rates also low. The country ranks 22nd on the Global Peace Index.

14 - Croatia

Insider Monkey Score - 18.5

Croatia is one of the safest countries in the world in 2024. It ranked 14 on the 2023 Global Peace Index rankings and scored 1 out of 5 in the organized conflict (internal) composite.

13 - Japan

Insider Monkey Score - 17.5

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world in 2024. It has low crime rates, and there are minimal incidences of terrorism in the country. It ranks 9th in the 2023 Global Peace Index rankings and scores 1 out of 5 in organized conflicts (internal), access to weapons, violent crimes, and political instability composites.

12 - Germany

Insider Monkey Score - 17

Germany is the 12th on our list of the safest countries in the world in 2024. It scores 1 out of 5 in the organized conflicts (internal) and political terror composites of the 2023 Global Peace Index.

Click to continue reading and see 11 Safest Countries In the World in 2024.

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Disclosure: none. 30 Safest Countries In the World in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.
NEW YORK & BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Butterfly Network, Inc. (NYSE: BFLY) (Butterfly) a digital health company transforming care with handheld, whole-body ultrasound and intuitive software, today announced that it will present and host one-on-one investor meetings at the TD Cowen 44th Annual Health Care Conference in Boston on March 5, 2024. Joseph DeVivo, President, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, and Heather Getz, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial and Operations Officer will present at 9:10am ET.

A webcast of the presentation will be available in the Events & Presentations section of the Butterfly investor website.

To schedule a one-on-one meeting with Mr. DeVivo and Ms. Getz, please reach out to your TD Cowen representative.

About Butterfly Network

Founded by Dr. Jonathan Rothberg in 2011, Butterfly Network is a digital health company with a mission is to democratize medical imaging by making high-quality ultrasound affordable, easy-to-use, globally accessible, and intelligently connected, including for the 4.7 billion people around the world lacking access to ultrasound. Butterfly created the world's first handheld single-probe, whole-body ultrasound system using semiconductor technology, Butterfly iQ. The company has continued to innovate, leveraging the benefits of Moores Law, to launch its second generation Butterfly iQ+ in 2020, and third generation iQ3 in 2024  each with increased processing power and performance enhancements. The disruptive technology has been recognized by TIMEs Best Inventions, Fast Companys World Changing Ideas, CNBC Disruptor 50, and MedTech Breakthrough Awards, among other accolades. With its proprietary Ultrasound-on-Chip technology, intelligent software, and educational offerings, Butterfly is paving the way to mass adoption of ultrasound for earlier detection and remote management of health conditions around the world. Butterfly devices are commercially available to trained healthcare practitioners in areas including, but not limited to, parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America; to learn more about available countries, visit: butterflynetwork.com/choose-your-country.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222946954/en/

Butterfly Media:

Liz Learned

Head of Corporate Communications, Butterfly

[email protected]



Butterfly Investors:

Heather Getz

Chief Financial and Operations Officers, Butterfly

[email protected]



or



Neal Nagarajan

IR Agency Representative, Sloane & Company

(301) 273-5662

[email protected]

Source: Butterfly Network, Inc.
BARCELONA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vicinity Technologies Limited (Vicinity) is pleased to announce the availability of their 5G cloud-managed intelligent network at the Mobile World Congress 2024. This solution enables ultra-low latency 5G applications and offers numerous benefits for various industries.

Vicinity is showcasing a live and easily deployable 5G network using the 5G integrated small cells, managed by Ataya's Harmony Cloud managed 5G system. The network is fully prepared for commercial deployment and can be configured to support important 5G use cases like low-latency augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), industrial IoT, and mission-critical communications.

The manufacturing industry can greatly benefit from 5G capabilities. With increased transmission speed, network capacity, deterministic reliability, and reduced latency, 5G is a game-changing solution for industries where downtime is not an option. In the past, many manufacturers relied on wired networks for machine communication. Despite the availability of technologies like Wi-Fi and LTE, interference and complex environments made these options risky for companies requiring ultra-reliable service. The showcase features a 5G time-sensitive network easily deployed in a factory setting, where the cloud automatically manages the 5G network with intelligent radio resource management. Network performance metrics are displayed in the Harmony dashboard, allowing users to configure the network to suit their applications.

Vicinity is a leading provider of 5G wireless technologies, delivering advanced wireless systems. Dr. Eric Tsang, CEO of Vicinity Technologies Limited, emphasizes that their products quickly address pain points with 5G wireless connectivity. By collaborating with Ataya, Vicinity enables customers to deploy well-managed 5G networks for private networks.

"Ataya Harmony platform streamlines 5G network deployment, making it compact, simple, and easy for deployment," says Rajesh Pazhyannur, Co-Founder and CEO of Ataya Limited. "The Ataya Harmony universal connectivity platform supports Wired, WiFi and 5G devices access to the network, while policy-based access and threat control enhance network security."

Vicinity offers a complete and deployable 5G networking solution for infrastructure vendors, system integrators and mobile operators. Its product portfolio include 5G distributed units, 5G small cells and 5G terminals, and the 5G core network with RAN intelligent management from Ataya. They are all software defined, easy for customization, and easy for deployment.

In this event, Vicinity is going to present the cloud-managed intelligent 5G network in the booth 7A9 at Great Britain & Northern Ireland Pavilion. Interested parties can contact them at [email protected] to schedule meetings.

About Vicinity

Vicinity Technologies Limited ("Vicinity") is a wireless communication products and technologies provider based in Bristol, United Kingdom. Vicinity has full R&D capabilities for designing, developing, verifying, and deploying 5G infrastructure and networking solutions. The team comprises experts with over 20 years of experience in wireless communication product development. Vicinity has a proven track record of providing quick-to-market design win solutions. Vicinity's products and systems have been deployed in real operator networks and can be customized for various purposes in private networks. To learn more about Vicinity, please visit https://www.vicinitysys.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240215086402/en/

Dennis Lee

Mobile/Whatsapp: 85297361860

email: [email protected]

Source: Vicinity Technologies Limited
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) (FSE: 6CQ) (Cresco or Company), the industry leader in branded cannabis products with a portfolio of Americas most popular brands and the operator of Sunnyside dispensaries, today announced the opening of Sunnyside Gettysburg in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The new store is located at 1380 York Rd., #300, just off US Route 15 and 10 minutes away from the Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District. Todays opening brings Cresco Labs store count to 15 dispensaries in Pennsylvania and 72 locations nationally.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223814577/en/

Cresco Labs opened a new Pennsylvania store in Gettysburg at 1380 York Rd., #300. (Photo: Business Wire)

Were delighted to bring Sunnyside to the historic town of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg National Military Park that averages 1 million visitors annually, said Charlie Bachtell, CEO and Co-founder of Cresco Labs. We continue to invest in our core market of Pennsylvania, where we hold the number one branded market share position, and look forward to bringing safe, regulated cannabis products to a growing number of Pennsylvania residents.

Centrally located in Southern Pennsylvania, Gettysburg is in Adams County, a region with over 527,000 residents. Sunnyside Gettysburg is located in the Lincoln Commons Shopping Center that is easily accessible by car at the northwest quadrant of US Route 15 and PA Route 30, as well as by bus via the rabbit transit, the main public transportation system serving both the town and county.

Sunnyside Gettysburg is dedicated to helping qualified patients and caregivers unlock all the benefits of medical marijuana. This location will offer a wide assortment of flower, vape, troche, concentrate, topical, capsule and tincture products from the Companys Cresco, Supply, FloraCal, Good News, Wonder Wellness Co. and Remedi brands. Patients can also shop a broad selection of accessories.

Patients and caregivers can place orders today both in store and online at www.sunnyside.shop. Store hours are Sunday through Thursday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Friday through Saturday, 9 AM to 7 PM.

For more information about Cresco Labs, visit www.crescolabs.com. To learn more about Sunnyside, visit www.sunnyside.shop.

About Cresco Labs Inc.

Cresco Labs mission is to normalize and professionalize the cannabis industry through a CPG approach to building national brands and a customer-focused retail experience, while acting as a steward for the industry on legislative and regulatory-focused initiatives. As a leader in cultivation, production and branded product distribution, the Company is leveraging its scale and agility to grow its portfolio of brands that include Cresco, High Supply, FloraCal, Good News, Wonder Wellness Co., Mindys and Remedi, on a national level. The Company also operates highly productive dispensaries nationally under the Sunnyside brand that focus on building patient and consumer trust and delivering ongoing education and convenience in a wonderfully traditional retail experience. Through year-round policy, community outreach and SEED initiative efforts, Cresco Labs embraces the responsibility to support communities through authentic engagement, economic opportunity, investment, workforce development and legislative initiatives designed to create the most responsible, respectable and robust cannabis industry possible. Learn more about Cresco Labs journey by visiting www.crescolabs.com or following the Company on Facebook, X or LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223814577/en/

Media

Jason Erkes, Cresco Labs

Chief Communications Officer

[email protected]

312-953-2767



Investors

[email protected]



General Cresco Labs Inquiries

312-929-0993

[email protected]

Source: Cresco Labs
OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CUPE National President Mark Hancock made the following statement today in response to the news Lynx Air will be shutting down operations on Monday.

We are devastated for our members at Lynx and all the employees who lost their jobs today. While this is a hard day for the employees of Lynx, they are better off for belonging to Canadas largest union. CUPE will represent them and defend their rights in these difficult times. We will fight to ensure the employees get everything they are legally entitled to.

CUPE represents 240 flight attendants at the airline.

:vm/cope491

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223850368/en/

Lou Arab

Media relations, CUPE

780.271.2722

[email protected]

Source: Canadian Union of Public Employees
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In response to the recent executive budget decision by Governor Kathy Hochul, which includes a substantial $125 million cut to New York's Health Homes, Foothold Technology, in close collaboration with the NY Health Home Coalition, voices its strong opposition and concern. These cuts significantly threaten the comprehensive care coordination vital for New York's most vulnerable populations, including those suffering from Severe Mental Illness (SMI), those who are homeless, and marginalized families.

The budget cuts pose a grave threat to the healthcare system's stability, risking an overload of hospitals and emergency rooms, increased inpatient stays, and a rise in homelessness and institutionalizations. Health Homes have been pivotal in preventing such outcomes by offering essential interventions to those most in need.

Foothold Technology, which provides technology solutions to over 60% of New York Health Homes, acknowledges the crucial role they play in the healthcare ecosystem and expresses deep empathy for the communities affected by these budget cuts. "As an organization that tries to enable the vital work of organizations that serve our community, we are dismayed by the impact these cuts could have. Weve been lucky to see the valuable role Health Homes play in our communities and the populations they serve. At a time when the need for support services in New York are critical, it is essential to safeguard the funding that enables Health Homes to provide vital whole person care coordination," states Alyza Tarmohamed, CEO of Foothold.

Amidst these challenges, NY Health Home Coalition Executive Director, Laurie Lanphear, encapsulates the sentiment felt across the sector: We have this workforce that goes above and beyond because they recognize the needs of the community... Having to face this year after year is really weighing on our workforce and our members; they feel discarded."

In response to anticipated budget cuts, the NY Health Home Coalition has initiated key measures ahead of the budget's finalization on April 1:

Open Digital Letter to NY Legislators: A groundbreaking campaign enabling New Yorkers to directly send letters of support for Health Homes to their legislators, highlighting the collective action's power.

Unified NY Sign-On Letter: This effort gathers local New York agencies to demonstrate a united front to legislators, emphasizing the critical services provided by Health Homes.

New York residents are encouraged to join the digital letter campaign here, a vital step towards reversing these detrimental budget cuts. Your voice matters in this pivotal moment to safeguard the well-being of New York's most vulnerable populations and ensure the continuation of Health Homes' vital services.

About Foothold Technology

Foothold Technology is a leading cloud-based behavioral health EHR and Case Management system software provider. Footholds federally certified software platform offers full functionality for case management, client tracking, treatment planning, and homeless information management, and allows for participation in Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) and Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs). Today, Foothold serves more than 1,100 human service organizations across the nation, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Foothold partners today with eight Health Homes in New York that support 237 Care Management agencies serving over 120,000 members. In addition to its presence within behavioral health agencies, Foothold is the system of choice for many agencies serving individuals experiencing homelessness or with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

About NY Health Home Coalition

The NY Health Home Coalition is pivotal in New York, championing Health Homes by liaising with governmental bodies, managed care organizations, care management agencies, and other vital partners. Their mission is to elevate care management for their members, ensuring policies from the New York State Department of Health support the best care practices in community settings. As a knowledge-sharing platform, the coalition facilitates the exchange of best practices and quality standards among its members and communicates the significant outcomes and roles of Health Homes to stakeholders and the broader public.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223314531/en/

Jim Butz

Foothold Technology

[email protected]

Lisa Potter

Radicle Health

[email protected]

Source: Foothold Technology
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KBRA releases research examining January retail sales. This month's report discusses divergent signals of the economy's momentum reflected by retail sales and employment growth in January, as well as the relatively weak recent performance of state sales tax receipts.

Click here to view the report.

About KBRA

KBRA is a full-service credit rating agency registered in the U.S., the EU, and the UK, and is designated to provide structured finance ratings in Canada. KBRAs ratings can be used by investors for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions.

Doc ID: 1003272

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223291968/en/

Peter Scherer, Director

+1 646-731-2325

[email protected]

Karen Daly, Senior Managing Director

+1 646-731-2347

[email protected]

Business Development

William Baneky, Managing Director

+1 646-731-2409

[email protected]

James Kissane, Senior Director

+1 646-731-2380

[email protected]

Source: Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC
WEST BAY, Grand Cayman--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Luxury real estate auction house Platinum Luxury Auctions has announced another offering on the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. On March 7, 2024, a waterfront residence once asking $12 million will now be sold to the highest bidder in a live, luxury auction without reserve. In October 2022, Platinum auctioned an oceanfront home in Grand Caymans Savannah neighborhood for approx. $4.7 million. The firm is conducting the March 7th sale in partnership with Antonette Baptist of principal brokerage Provenance Properties Cayman Islands, the exclusive affiliate of Christies International Real Estate in the Cayman Islands.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223782919/en/

This waterfront residence on the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman is headed to luxury auction without reserve on March 7, 2024. Initially asking $12 million, it will now sell to the auctions highest bidder. The property will also be sold with $750,000 of furnishings included. Platinum Luxury Auctions is handling the sale in partnership with listing broker Antonette Baptist of Provenance Properties Cayman Islands, the exclusive affiliate of Christies International Real Estate in the Caymans. CaymanLuxuryAuction.com. (Photo: Business Wire)

Platinum continues to strengthen its relationships with the Caribbeans leading real estate agents and luxury brokerages, like Antonette and the team at Provenance Properties, said Trayor Lesnock, Platinums founder and president. Well look forward to adding this pristine, waterfront estate on Grand Cayman to our roster of successful luxury auction sales in the Caribbean to date.

The tri-level property is located in the boutique, waterfront community of Stone Island Residences, a private and gated residential enclave developed by Dart Enterprises, one of the Caribbeans largest developers and the leader of luxury, residential development on Grand Cayman.

The community is ideally located, occupying a small island on Governors Creek Harbor, just across from the Cayman Islands Yacht Club & Marina. Its within a short walk of Camana Bay and the renowned Seven Mile Beach. George Town, the Caymans capital city and financial hub, is just 10-15 mins south.

The propertys current owner worked with the developer during construction to create a unique, custom residence within the community that offers approx. 9,500 sf throughout 3 living levels, with 5 bedrooms (plus a convertible 6th), 8 full and one half-bath. The balance of the residences in the development are approx. 4,500 sf.

Interestingly, the residence has not yet been occupied since its completion in 2020, though its been kept in exceptional condition. It presents as brand new  not a single crack, scuff or dent, stated Lesnock. The owner also spent $750,000 to furnish the property, and those (unused) furnishings will be included in the sale.

Prominent property features include a waterfront pool with adjacent loggia and summer kitchen, multiple balconies, gourmet kitchen with butlers pantry, home theater, office, and a sleek elevator serving all levels.

Stone Island community amenities include a gated entry, 24-hr security, private boat slips, waterfront boardwalk, kids playground, infinity pool, waterside conservatory, and a luxe clubhouse.

Interested brokers and buyers may preview the property by daily appointment, between the hours of 11 am and 5pm (local time), now through March 6th. Appointments may be scheduled by contacting Platinums project manager, James Smith, at +1 800.997.4235. Property photos, video, and diligence documents are also hosted online at CaymanLuxuryAuction.com.

About Platinum Luxury Auctions: Platinum Luxury Auctions created the luxury auction model for multimillion-dollar real estate auctions and owns the federal trademark rights to the term luxury auction. The Miami-based auction house specializes in the non-distressed sale of multimillion-dollar properties in the U.S. and select international markets, and has offered properties in 33 states and 14 countries. Platinums team has closed more than $1.35 billion in luxury auction sales, and has consulted or advised HNW and UHNW individuals on more than $3.75 billion in luxury property assets. PlatinumLuxuryAuctions.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223782919/en/

Platinum Luxury Auctions

James Smith

1 800.997.4235

[email protected]

Source: Platinum Luxury Auctions
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The PESG Research has released an industry update following the regulatory shifts in Germany. Germany is expected to pass the Cannabis Act today (Friday), heralding a transformative era for the medical cannabis industry. This legislative milestone, by removing cannabis from the 'narcotics act', is set to significantly ease the prescription process for medical cannabis, heralding profound implications for medical professionals, patients, and companies operating within this space. This report explores the anticipated effects of the reform on medical cannabis companies, with a spotlight on InterCure as an illustrative example of a company poised to benefit. It also briefly touches upon the broader industry anticipation of potential policy announcements from the U.S. before November.

The Cannabis Act: A Paradigm Shift

The passage of the Cannabis Act represents a pivotal shift, primarily by making it substantially easier and more cost-effective for doctors to prescribe medical cannabis. This change is expected to dismantle major barriers that have historically hindered patient access to cannabis-based treatments, setting the stage for a significant expansion of the medical cannabis market in Germany.

Expected Implications for the Medical Cannabis Industry

Surge in Demand

The Act's facilitation of the prescription process is anticipated to lead to a surge in demand for medical cannabis. As doctors gain the ability to prescribe cannabis with fewer bureaucratic hurdles, a broader spectrum of patients could have access to these treatments. This increase in accessibility is expected to drive demand significantly, as more patients consider medical cannabis a viable treatment option.

The Act's facilitation of the prescription process is anticipated to lead to a surge in demand for medical cannabis. As doctors gain the ability to prescribe cannabis with fewer bureaucratic hurdles, a broader spectrum of patients could have access to these treatments. This increase in accessibility is expected to drive demand significantly, as more patients consider medical cannabis a viable treatment option. Expansion of the Patient Base

With the reform, the medical community's acceptance of cannabis is likely to grow, contributing to an expansion of the patient base. The Act's removal of cannabis from the narcotics classification not only changes the legal framework but also shifts the perception of cannabis within the medical field, encouraging more healthcare providers to consider and prescribe cannabis-based treatments.

With the reform, the medical community's acceptance of cannabis is likely to grow, contributing to an expansion of the patient base. The Act's removal of cannabis from the narcotics classification not only changes the legal framework but also shifts the perception of cannabis within the medical field, encouraging more healthcare providers to consider and prescribe cannabis-based treatments. Decrease in Prices

The anticipated increase in demand and subsequent market expansion could lead to increased supply and competition among medical cannabis companies. This competition is expected to drive prices down, making medical cannabis more affordable for patients. Lower prices, combined with easier access to prescriptions, could further democratize the use of medical cannabis, making it a more accessible option for a wider range of patients.

Spotlight on InterCure, a Medical Cannabis Leader

InterCure, a prominent player in the global cannabis market, is strategically positioned to capitalize on the opportunities presented by Germany's Cannabis Act. With its focus on pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis products and an established distribution network, InterCure is poised to meet the growing demand in the German market. The company's commitment to quality and patient access aligns with the objectives of the new legislation, positioning InterCure to be a leading beneficiary of the expanded market and regulatory changes.

Back in August, when the company reported H1 2023 financial results InterCure CEO Alex Rabinovitch noted: We continue to optimize our operations for continued growth supported by our leading position. We are encouraged from the new regulations in Israel and Germany as pharmaceutical cannabis becoming a world standard across Europe and many other territories. We are also keeping an open eye on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services scientific and medical evaluation, supporting cannabis to be classified as a Schedule III drug by the DEA and the opportunities it may generate to InterCure.. Indeed, it seems InterCure forsaw this change and has prepared for it.

U.S. Anticipation Intensifies Ahead of Expected Biden Announcement

Following Germany's landmark cannabis reform, the United States finds itself at a pivotal moment, with the cannabis industry and advocates closely watching for potential policy shifts under the Biden administration. The anticipation is particularly charged with expectations that President Biden might announce significant cannabis policy reforms before November.

This expectation is rooted in the hope that the U.S. will mirror Germany's progressive approach, especially in making medical cannabis more accessible and addressing the regulatory disparities that have long plagued the American cannabis landscape. Stakeholders are looking for reforms that could streamline federal regulations, enhance economic growth, and rectify the social injustices stemming from decades of cannabis prohibition.

The prospect of an announcement from President Biden has galvanized the industry, with many seeing it as a potential turning point that could align the U.S. with global trends towards rationalizing cannabis policies. Such a move would not only mark a significant shift in the U.S. but also influence global standards, trade, and cooperation in the cannabis sector, reinforcing the global momentum towards more liberalized cannabis laws.

As November approaches, the sense of anticipation within the U.S. cannabis community is palpable, with stakeholders across the board hoping for policy announcements that could catalyze a new era for cannabis in America and beyond.

Conclusion

Looking ahead, Germany's Cannabis Act marks a significant milestone for the medical cannabis industry, promising to increase demand, expand the patient base, and reduce prices through heightened competition. Companies like InterCure are well-placed to thrive in this new environment, benefiting from the legislative changes that facilitate easier prescription processes. As the industry looks forward, it remains optimistic about similar reforms in other jurisdictions, signaling a global shift towards more accessible and affordable medical cannabis treatments.

Disclaimers: PESG Research is a digital thought brand under The Future Markets Research Tank brand, offering commentary and exploration into the current and future state of the Pharma, BioTech and Sustainability and other industries. Please click here read the full disclaimers for the report and here for the full disclaimers of PESG.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223290016/en/

Company Name: PESG Research

Email: [email protected]

Website: pesgresearch.com

Contact Person: Ron Kaufman

Source: PESG Research
Visit included meetings with representatives of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance and Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar and a visit to honor the victims of the Cuban Communist dictatorship

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Member of Canadian Parliament Stephanie Kusie joined representatives of the Cuban, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan exile communities in Miami today to demonstrate her partys support of democracy and human rights in the region. Kusie is the first Canadian elected official to travel to Miami to meet with leaders of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance, a parliamentary coalition of 54 Cuban civil society organizations inside and outside of Cuba. The historic meeting was broadcast live throughout Cuba.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222634561/en/

U.S. Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, left, Canadian parliamentarian Stephanie Kusie, center, and Dr. Orlando Gutierrez-Boranat of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance, right, met in Miami to discuss the misdirection of Canadian public funds to branches of the Communist Regime in Cuba and possibilities for future collaboration to promote democracy and human rights. (Photo: Business Wire)

Canadians believe in democracy, human rights and the rule of law, said Kusie. We need to work on educating Canadians on the difference between the Cuban culture  which so many of us appreciate and enjoy and the regime. Its time we stop romanticizing this dictatorship and go beyond the lies to see what is really happening in Cuba. I have good news for Cubans. You can expect more support from your Canadian friends.

The Calgary and Ottawa-based Member of Parliaments visit included a meeting with U.S. Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar of Floridas 27th district. A daughter of Cuban exiles, Salazar is a fierce critic of the Cuban Regime and its sympathizers in the U.S. government and around the world. The two leaders discussed the misdirection of Canadian public funds to branches of the Communist Regime in Cuba and possibilities for collaboration in the years to come.

In the afternoon, a delegation led by Dr. Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance accompanied Kusie to the Cuban Memorial Monument at Florida International University, which honors victims of the Cuban Communist dictatorship.

"I am a firm believer that as Canadians learn more about the regime  not the romanticized dictatorship, but the reality and extent of its abuse of power  they will see that the Cuban people truly want freedom and true democracy," said Gutierrez-Boronat, who co-hosted the event.

Kusie and her office organized the mission trip to Miami as part of an effort to help Canadians understand the gravity of the situation in Cuba and learn about what they and many in Canada see as the rise of authoritarianism among socialist-leaning governments around the world, including Canada.

Kusie was critical of the current Canadian Prime Ministers foreign policy and described her role as an emissary of hope that Canadians will once again defend the Cuban people.

A former diplomat for the Canadian federal government, Kusie served in Argentina in 2006, was charge daffaires and Consul for Canada in El Salvador from 2006-2008, and Consul for Canada at the Consulate in Dallas, Texas from 2010-2013. She also served as policy advisor to the Honourable Minister Peter Kent during his time as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for the Americas in the Harper Administration in 2009.

Kusies visit comes at a time when anti-democratic forces are working to expand their reach across the region. At the same time, more and more ordinary people from all walks of life throughout countries like Cuba are standing up to demand change.

The Assembly of the Cuban Resistance and similar groups have routinely criticized the Canadas handling of these regimes as duplicitous and cowardly. Despite the Canadian peoples great interest in universal rights and liberties, the Canadian government has failed to stand up in the face of injustice in countries like Nicaragua and Venezuela, and certainly Cuba.

The Assembly of the Cuban Resistance, a parliamentary coalition of 54 Cuban civil society organizations inside and outside of Cuba, has increased engagement with parliaments in Canada and Europe in order to raise the issue of public subsidies and funding for the communist regime in Cuba. Kusies visit marks a step forward in the critically important dialogue between Cuban democratic forces and the Canadian Parliament.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222634561/en/

Media contact and interviews:

Silvia Gutierrez-Boronat

(305) 220-2713 / [email protected]

Source: The Assembly of The Cuban Resistance
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A thousand workers at the University of Toronto, including maintenance workers, caretakers, groundskeepers, veterinary technologists, casual workers, student residence and foodservice staff, and others voted 93% to strike if their employer does not take action to address the rising cost of living and provide a living wage.

The cost of rent keeps going up. The price of food, of gas, of transit are all going up. More and more, we cant afford to live in the city we work in. We take this step because we believe that one job at a world class institution should be enough to live in the GTA, said Luke Daccord, president of CUPE 3261, which represents about 1,000 workers at the university.

The vote follows a similar decision by 7,000 academic workers in CUPE Local 3902, meaning 8,000 University of Toronto workers will be in a legal strike position on March 4th.

So often were the people who see students every day and are a constant in their lives as theyre adjusting to living away from home for the first time, said Daccord. Working at a public university shouldnt be like working for a corporation. But for many of our members that is their reality. Its time the university recognized that service workers too, are integral to the universitys mission of providing a world class educational experience. This vote is a demand for respect, dignity, and a living wage.

:PC/COPE491

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223789809/en/

Craig Saunders, CUPE Communications | 416-576-7316 | [email protected]

Source: CUPE
champpixs / iStock.com

The median household income in America, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, was $74,580 in 2022. The number represents a slight decline (2.3%) from the previous year. Many Americans are forced to stretch this income between ever-increasing housing prices, normal living expenses and transportation costs, such as car payments. Most financial experts recommend that you keep your total car expenses under 10% of your monthly income.

Learn More: 10 New Cars to Avoid Buying in 2024

Find Out: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

Using the median income, GOBankingRates determined that the average American could spend around $600 per month on total transportation costs, including gas, loan payments and insurance. With that budget, we asked experts nationwide to weigh in on some of the most affordable cars that people can buy on a budget.

Toyota

Toyota Camry

Jake Claver, a qualified family office professional (QFOP) and CEO of Syndicately, explained, From a financial standpoint, a common guideline is the 20/4/10 rule: a down payment of at least 20%, finance the vehicle for no more than four years and keep total car expenses  including loan payments, insurance and gas  under 10% of monthly income. For someone earning $50,000 to $70,000 annually, this translates to a car budget that respects their broader financial goals, avoiding over-leverage.

He suggested the Toyota Camry. He noted, Renowned for its reliability, the Camry provides excellent value and a comfortable ride, with a starting price that aligns with [the median household] income bracket. Camrys have a starting MSRP of $26,420.

Check Out: 5 Japanese Cars To Stay Away From Buying

Read Next: 6 New Cars To Stay Away From Buying

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

Honda / Honda

Honda Accord

Claver also recommended the Honda Accord. He stated, Another staple in the mid-size sedan category, the Accord is a smart choice for its resale value and fuel efficiency.

Story continues

A 2024 Honda Accord LX has a starting MSRP of $27,895. It comes with several features, including a 192-horsepower turbocharged engine and a road departure mitigation system. According to CarEdge, Honda Accords have the second-best resale value, falling just short of the Nissan Frontier. They have a 5-year residual value of 88%, meaning that even a used Accord will retain its worth.

For You: 5 Used Cars You Shouldnt Buy

Subaru

Subaru Forester

For those needing more space and versatility, said Claver, the Forester offers all-wheel drive as standard, making it a practical choice for varying climates and family needs.

He noted that the cars he recommended hit the sweet spot between affordability, reliability and cost of ownership, making them prudent choices for the average American budget. When considering a purchase, remember: the true cost of a car goes beyond the sticker price, encompassing maintenance, insurance and depreciation.

The Subaru Forester is another vehicle that retains its value. It ranks 4th in CarEdges list of vehicles with the best resale value. New, the vehicle costs approximately $35,200 with an estimated depreciation of 22% after five years.

Subaru

Subaru Outback

John Lin, owner of JB Motor Works, said people could consider the Subaru Outback, which offers a great blend of affordability, reliability and functionality.

2024 Subaru Outbacks start at $28,895, according to the manufacturers website. The vehicle gets up to 32 miles per gallon on the highway and 26 miles per gallon in the city. It is equipped with a number of features, including LED Steering Responsive Headlights, Subaru Starlink and advanced capabilities.

Honda North America

Honda CR-V

Lin, who is an experienced car mechanic out of Philadelphia, also suggested the Honda CR-V. He said, The Honda CR-V is also a good option, offering fuel efficiency and a robust infotainment system popular with commuters and small families.

A base model Honda CR-V LX starts at $29,500. The cross-over, however, comes in a number of builds, including a hybrid option. It was named one of Car and Drivers 10 Best Trucks and SUVs and is regularly mentioned as an affordable option for families.

Trending Now: Avoid Buying These 5 Cars: Get These Similar (and Often Cheaper) Models Instead

Mazda

Mazda CX-30

Tariro Goronga, CEO of DriveSafe Driving Schools, said people should look into the Mazda CX-30. He reasoned, In a subcompact package thats difficult to beat, the CX-30 embodies Mazdas outstanding interior quality and engaging driving dynamics. Customers can choose to upgrade to a 227-horsepower engine, although the base engines power was increased to 191 horsepower. Both offer respectable acceleration, and the CX-30 provides the best driving experience in its class.

Dimensions / iStock.com

Honorable Mentions

Other inexpensive cars that are both affordable and reliable are the Hyundai Elantra and the Nissan Sentra.

A Hyundai Elantra starts at $21,475 MSRP. It gets up to 36 miles per gallon on the highway and up to 201 horsepower. The compact car has a number of added features, including Hyundais Digital Key 2 Touch, which allows you to open the door with your phone.

The Nissan Sentra is another affordable find. It starts at $20,630, has 149 horsepower and gets up to 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The Sentra is a sedan that is often noted for how easy it is to maintain.

Photo Disclaimer: Please note some photos are for illustrative purposes only and might not feature exact models, base models or the cars specific trim levels. As a result, some of the cars in the photos might have different MSRPs than the ones listed in this article.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Most Affordable New Cars for the Average American
Virtual tuition-free school serves grades 3-12 with emphasis on career and college prep

LEWISVILLE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville (TVAH), which offers tuition-free online education for students in grades 3-12, is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic school year.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223784446/en/

Texas students in grades 3-12 looking for a personalized education are invited to enroll at Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville for the 2024-25 school year. (Photo: Business Wire)

TVAH is powered by K12 and led by Texas-certified educators who teach high-quality curriculum meeting state standards and tailored to each student. The school provides personalized support and regular touchpoints to help kids stay connected in a digital learning environment.

Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville is thrilled to welcome new and existing students in grades 3-12 in the coming school year, said TVAH Executive Director Kyla Pickrell. We are proud of our program that prepares students for careers and higher education. Our curriculum is supplemented by career and technical education (CTE) offerings, allowing students to receive stackable credentials and certifications, as well as honors and AP courses.

High schoolers can earn dual college credits through Kilgore College and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Students are also exposed to industry professionals and provided opportunities for apprenticeships and internships to prepare them for future careers, all while earning a high school diploma.

As a complement to virtual learning, TVAH offers in-person events and field trips to help students stay connected. Enrollment is currently open for families throughout Texas searching for a safe, personalized learning environment. To learn more, visit tvah.k12.com.

About Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville

Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville (TVAH) is an online program of Hallsville Independent School District, but any student throughout Texas can apply. TVAH uses an innovative curriculum model to provide children in grades 3-12 with the best education possible. The engaging curriculum and tools are provided by Stride, Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nations leading provider of proprietary K-12 curriculum and online education programs. For more information about TVAH, visit tvah.k12.com

Click to download photo

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223784446/en/

Brett Gray

214-557-6233

[email protected]

Ken Schwartz

Stride, Inc.

Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications

[email protected]

Source: Stride, Inc.
88% of issued Warrants Y were exercised between the two exercise periods

8,539,955 Warrants Y exercised resulting in issuance of 3,415,982 new ordinary shares and 3,415,982 new Warrants Z

Outstanding 3,805,728 Warrants Z exercisable until June 20, 2025, with potential to raise up to 951,432

Extension of cash runway to early July well beyond anticipated timing of upcoming regulatory milestones  open IND and Fast Track designation  before end-March 2024

BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

TME Pharma N.V. (Euronext Growth Paris: ALTME), a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for treatment of cancer by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), provides results of the final exercise of Warrants Y and an update on the outstanding number of ordinary shares, Warrants Y and Warrants Z. The exercise of 8,539,955 Warrants Y has triggered the issuance of 3,415,982 new shares for gross proceeds of 853,995.50. The net proceeds from the exercise extend the companys cash runway from May 2024 into early July 2024.

"We are very pleased to announce the results of our latest successful warrant exercise, which reflects strong support demonstrated by a very high participation from our existing shareholders, extending our financial visibility into early July  well past the upcoming regulatory milestones," said Aram Mangasarian, CEO of TME Pharma. "We would like to thank our shareholders for their ongoing support and confidence in our mission. We believe that the recent termination of our convertible debt program and the end of the company's reliance on convertible bond financing have alleviated pressure on the share price and contributed to the success of this exercise. We are now looking forward to achieving our next targeted clinical and regulatory milestones, notably approval of the Investigational New Drug application for NOX-A12 in glioblastoma and a response to our Fast Track request targeted by quarters end, both of which are important milestones in advancing the development of our lead asset to become the best available therapy for aggressive brain cancer patients."

When exercising 5 Warrants Y held, a holder was entitled to subscribe for 2 ABSA Z at an exercise price of 0.25 per ABSA Z, each comprised of one new ordinary ALTME share and one Warrant Z (Bon de souscription dactions Z). As a result of the exercises that took place during the final exercise period between February 10-16, 2024, 3,415,982 new ordinary shares and 3,415,982 Warrants Z are being issued by TME Pharma and settled today. Warrants Y that were not exercised by February 16, 2024, have become null and void. The following numbers of TME Pharma securities are thus issued and outstanding:

ALTME ordinary shares (ISIN: NL0015000YE1): 27,853,843

Warrants Y (ISIN : NL0015001SS1): 0 (all have either been exercised or expired)

Warrants Z (ISIN: NL0015001SR3): 3,805,728.

As a reminder, in the first exercise period, from January 10-16, 2024, 974,365 Warrants Y were exercised for 97,436.50, resulting in issuance of 389,746 new ordinary shares and 389,746 Warrants Z.

The first Warrant Z exercise period will run from February 26 to March 22, 2024, with settlement on March 29, 2024. For every 4 Warrants Z held, a holder is entitled to subscribe for 5 new shares at 0.20 per share. Warrants Z may be exercised through June 20, 2025. Outstanding 3,805,728 Warrants Z have potential to raise additional 951,432 if exercised in full before the end of the final exercise period on June 20, 2025.

Additional Information

The characteristics, terms and conditions and dilution resulting from the transaction are summarized in the press releases published on November 24 and November 28, 2023 and in the dedicated Rights Issue page on the TME Pharma website.

Dilution

The table below summarizes the dilution from the new ordinary shares issued today, and the maximum additional dilutive potential for an investor who did NOT participate in the transaction should all potential Warrants Z be exercised. Shareholders who participated fully in the transaction, i.e. who purchased the ABSA Y and subsequently exercise both Warrants Y and Z will not be diluted by this transaction.

Description Shares to be issued Total shares outstanding Dilution (cumulative) Shareholder starting with 1% on February 22, 2024, would then hold Outstanding shares on February 22, 2024 - 24,437,861 - 1% Shares Issued on February 23, 2024, from exercise of 8,539,955 Warrants Y 3,415,982 27,853,843 12.26% 0.88% Exercise of Warrant Z (latest on June 20, 2025) 4,757,160 32,611,003 25.06% 0.75%

About TME Pharma

TME Pharma is a clinical-stage company focused on developing novel therapies for treatment of the most aggressive cancers. The companys oncology-focused pipeline is designed to act on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the cancer immunity cycle by breaking tumor protection barriers against the immune system and blocking tumor repair. By neutralizing chemokines in the TME, TME Pharmas approach works in combination with other forms of treatment to weaken tumor defenses and enable greater therapeutic impact. In the GLORIA clinical trial, TME Pharma is studying its lead drug candidate NOX-A12 in newly diagnosed brain cancer patients who will not benefit clinically from standard chemotherapy. TME Pharma has delivered top-line data from the NOX-A12 three dose-escalation cohorts combined with radiotherapy of the GLORIA clinical trial, observing consistent tumor reductions and objective tumor responses. Additionally, GLORIA expansion arms evaluate safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in other combinations where the interim results from the triple combination of NOX-A12, radiotherapy and bevacizumab suggest even deeper and more durable responses, and improved survival. NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy has received orphan drug designation for glioblastoma in the United States and glioma in Europe. TME Pharma has delivered final top-line data with encouraging overall survival and safety profile from its NOX-A12 combination trial with Keytruda in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancer patients, which was published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer in October 2021. The company has entered in its second collaboration with MSD/Merck for its Phase 2 study, OPTIMUS, to further evaluate safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in combination with Mercks Keytruda and two different chemotherapy regimens as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The design of the trial has been approved in France, Spain and the United States. The companys second clinical-stage drug candidate, NOX-E36, is designed to target the innate immune system. TME Pharma is considering several solid tumors for further clinical development. Further information can be found at: www.tmepharma.com.

TME Pharma and the TME Pharma logo are registered trademarks.

Keytruda is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.

Visit TME Pharma on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About the GLORIA Study

GLORIA (NCT04121455) is TME Pharmas dose-escalation, Phase 1/2 study of NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy in first-line partially resected or unresected glioblastoma (brain cancer) patients with unmethylated MGMT promoter (resistant to standard chemotherapy). GLORIA further evaluates safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 three additional arms combining NOX-A12 with: A. radiotherapy in patients with complete tumor resection; B. radiotherapy and bevacizumab; and C. radiotherapy and pembrolizumab.

About the OPTIMUS Study

OPTIMUS (NCT04901741) is TME Pharmas planned open-label two-arm Phase 2 study of NOX-A12 combined with pembrolizumab and nanoliposomal irinotecan/5-FU/leucovorin or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in microsatellite-stable metastatic pancreatic cancer patients.

Disclaimer

Translations of any press release into languages other than English are intended solely as a convenience to the non-English-reading audience. The company has attempted to provide an accurate translation of the original text in English, but due to the nuances in translating into another language, slight differences may exist. This press release includes certain disclosures that contain "forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on TME Pharmas current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the risks inherent in oncology drug development, including clinical trials and the timing of and TME Pharmas ability to obtain regulatory approvals for NOX-A12 as well as any other drug candidates. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and TME Pharma undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222316502/en/

For more information, please contact:

TME Pharma N.V.

Aram Mangasarian, Ph.D., CEO

Tel. +49 (0) 30 726247 0

[email protected]

Investor and Media Relations:

LifeSci Advisors

Guillaume van Renterghem

Tel. +41 (0) 76 735 01 31

[email protected]

NewCap

Arthur Rouille

Tel. +33 (0) 1 44 71 00 15

[email protected]

Source: TME Pharma N.V.
Unum Group Leads Investment as Tuned Pioneers Employer-Focused Hearing Health for Headphone Generation

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tuned, a digital hearing health company providing preventive and comprehensive hearing health for employers, today announced it secured an oversubscribed $3.2 million seed extension led by Unum Group, with participation from Distributed Ventures. Tuned's latest round brings its total funds raised to $8.2 million, signaling strong investor confidence in the companys mission to make comprehensive hearing care a cornerstone of competitive employee health benefits.

Undiagnosed hearing issues cost employers up to $9,100 per person annually, representing $133 billion in U.S. healthcare spending compared to those without hearing loss. With 50 million Americans experiencing unaddressed hearing issues, and 60 percent of them in the workforce, Tuned addresses a critical gap in employee benefits and represents a key piece of talent attraction for employers.

Tuned's groundbreaking approach to hearing health is shaping a future where preventive hearing care is not just an afterthought, but a cornerstone of comprehensive employee health and wellness benefits, said James Hettenbach, Vice President, Head of Business Ventures at Unum Group. Tuned is helping to eliminate the misconceptions and stigma surrounding hearing loss while offering an easy way for employees and their families to safeguard their hearing health.

At a time when headphones have become commonplace as a tool for both leisure and business, increasing the risk of hearing loss, Tuned represents a proactive way for employers to simultaneously protect their employees well-being and distinguish themselves in the all-important battle for talent, said Shawn Ellis, Managing Partner for Distributed Ventures. We believe Tuned is smart, nimble and well-positioned to serve an under-recognized market.

Led by the largest online group of audiologists in the U.S, Tuned is the only telehealth platform that supports the entire continuum of hearing care, from prevention to intervention. Today, Tuneds comprehensive hearing benefit is available to more than 1.4 million people.

The only other options for hearing coverage today are discounted hearing aid programs, which cater only to those with severe hearing issues, said Danny Aronson, CEO and co-founder of Tuned. Tuned is different because we offer preventive screenings and education while also identifying and supporting the full spectrum of hearing loss, such as mild or moderate loss, and other auditory disorders.

By addressing a critically overlooked part of our health, we can ensure millions of employees preserve their hearing health and prevent further loss, while positively impacting their overall health, well-being and productivity.

Tuned is coming off an impressive year of growth in 2023 that saw the company add a record number of new employer customers to its telehealth benefits platform. The company rolled out its STAR solution, an integrated scheduling, testing, analytics and recording platform that helps employers subject to federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations achieve compliance. In June, Tuned introduced its employer-sponsored pediatric benefit offering to provide hearing screenings for adolescents.

The companys latest investment from Unum Group will help Tuned grow its commercial team, expand its roster of audiologists to serve more employers, and develop innovative new offerings for customers.

About Tuned

Tuned is a digital health solution focused on hearing conservation and loss prevention for people of all ages. Available as an employer-sponsored benefit or OSHA-compliant solution, Tuned offers lifelong preventive hearing care and benefits, with clinically validated screenings, support and solutions for a full range of hearing issues, ranging from tinnitus and auditory processing disorders to severe hearing loss, that affect as many as one in four working adults. Today, 1.4 million people can access Tuned through employer benefits and marketplaces. Tuned is a private company headquartered in New York City, with audiologists across the United States and worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.tunedcare.com.

About Unum Group

Unum Group (NYSE: UNM), an international provider of workplace benefits and services, has been helping workers and their families for 175 years. Through its Unum and Colonial Life brands, the company offers disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental, vision and stop-loss insurance; leave and absence management support and behavioral health services. In 2023, Unum reported revenues of $12.4 billion and paid $7.9 billion in benefits. The Fortune 500 company is one of the 2023 World's Most Ethical Companies, recognized by Ethisphere.

About Distributed Ventures

Distributed Ventures is a Seed to Series A-focused venture fund that invests in entrepreneurs as they transform the future of risk across Insurtech, Digital Health and Benefits, and Fintech. As former founders, investors, and operators, the Distributed Ventures team provides deep subject matter and early-stage operational expertise to help companies find success from day one. We work closely with our strategic LPs who lend distribution support, apply their human capital expertise and leverage existing product and data to accelerate growth. Select representative investments to date include Indio Technologies (acquired by Applied Systems), Armadillo, Kindbody, Tuned and Wingspan. For more information, visit www.distributedvc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223383838/en/

Stephanie Fraser

Senior Director, Public Relations (for Tuned)

(734) 233-1483

[email protected]

Source: Tuned
BURNABY, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The United Steelworkers union (USW) commends the B.C. government for continuing to invest in health and mental health, housing, affordability and important infrastructure around the province.

Our members, like all British Columbians, feel the impact of increasing costs of living amid a slowing global economy. The government has it right by continuing to direct spending toward the priorities of working families: healthcare, mental health services, childcare, housing and new rebates to make life more affordable, said Scott Lunny, USW Director for Western Canada.

We are pleased that there is ongoing capital investment in key infrastructure, which includes the use of mass timber in a number of projects. USW will continue to push for, among other things, domestic materials to be prioritized in all public projects, said Lunny.

The USW is pleased to see continued funding ($24 million) announced last year to continue to move the made-in-B.C. critical minerals strategy forward and ensure appropriate resources for permitting of natural resource projects.

The union is also pleased to see movement on First Nations equity financing and loan guarantee programs so that there can be Indigenous ownership, not just involvement, in resource projects. Critical minerals and other mines in B.C. provide good-paying jobs, stability and security that is much-needed in resource-dependent communities.

However, the USW remains concerned about the deepening crisis in the forest sector, noting the 2023-24 decline in exports (-13.1%), in particular overall manufacturing (-6.7%) and a major decline in softwood lumber exports (-39.9%). Predictions show flat harvest levels, at 32 million m3, through 2026/27.

There is urgency to stabilize the primary forest sector, provide predictability and securing of fibre supply. Then First Nations, government, industry and labour need to get to work building the sector back, said Lunny.

We cant talk about new, higher value, secondary and tertiary manufacturing jobs and more jobs per cubic metre, without a strong, stable primary industry. When we lose jobs in resource-dependent communities, we lose capacity to move toward a strong, sustainable forest sector, added Lunny.

USW continues to call for a clear, forward-looking industrial strategy for B.C.s forest sector, connecting the current workforce to a thriving, sustainable industry in the future.

USW represents 30,000 workers in British Columbia, including over 15,000 in the forest and mining sector, and thousands in telecommunications, manufacturing, retail and the service sector. USW is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the U.S. and Caribbean.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222010389/en/

Scott Lunny, USW Director for Western Canada, 604-329-5308, [email protected]

Brett Barden, USW Communications, 604-445-6956, [email protected]

Source: United Steelworkers
SOFIA, Bulgaria--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westinghouse Electric Company welcomed representatives from over 50 companies to its Bulgarian Supplier Symposium this week. The event offered a forum to engage with potential suppliers in support of the two AP1000 reactors selected by Bulgaria for the Kozloduy nuclear site.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223653037/en/

From left to right: Ivan Pironkov (Westinghouse), Oscar Prat (Westinghouse), Rumen Radev (Minister of Energy, Bulgaria), Delyan Dobrev (Chairman of the Energy Committee in the Parliament), Kenneth Merten (U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria), Alex Nestor (Chairman of Kozloduy New Built Company), Sean Jones (Westinghouse), and Ivan Mihaylov (CEO of Amcham). (Photo: Business Wire)

Rumen Radev, Bulgarias Minister of Energy, and Delyan Dobrev, Chairman of the Committee on Energy in the National Assembly, attended the event, in addition to Kozloduy leadership and representatives from the U.S. and Canadian Embassies.

Westinghouse was awarded a front-end engineering and design contract with Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild project in June 2023. In October 2023, Westinghouse signed memorandums of understanding with key Bulgarian suppliers for Kozloduy and other European projects, including for the manufacture of instrumentation and controls (I&C) systems, radiation monitoring systems, and various engineering, consulting and construction services.

Bulgaria could be among the first countries in Europe with the AP1000 reactor, which is the most advanced nuclear technology available. This project is critical to provide our country with a reliable source of clean energy that will not only reduce emissions, but will be an investment in our economy, creating thousands of green jobs across the nuclear supply chain, said Petyo Ivanov, Executive Director of Kozloduy NPP New Built company. By working together with Westinghouse, we can deliver the promise of clean, safe and secure nuclear energy.

Westinghouse has a long history of working with the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant and the nuclear industry in Bulgaria, including the 10-year agreement signed in 2022 to supply nuclear fuel to one of the existing Kozloduy units, said Elias Gedeon, Senior Vice President of Westinghouse Energy Systems Commercial Operations. We are making notable progress on our front-end engineering and design contract for the AP1000 reactors. We look forward to further expanding partnerships with the deeply experienced, local supply base within the country to support this new build opportunity.

The AP1000 is the only operating Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design and has the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. One AP1000 reactor is operational with another near completion at the Vogtle site in Georgia, while four AP1000 units are currently setting operational performance records in China with four additional reactors under construction, and two more planned. Poland selected the AP1000 reactor for its nuclear energy program; Ukraine has made firm commitments for nine AP1000 units, and the technology is under consideration at multiple other sites in Central and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the worlds first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the companys technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223653037/en/

[email protected]

Source: Westinghouse Electric Company
TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WSPN, a leading global digital payments company, proudly announces a strategic collaboration with OpenEden Labs, developers of the OpenEden TBILL Vault, an institutional-grade real-world assets (RWAs) tokenization platform to develop on-chain products that integrate WSPNs flagship USD stablecoin WUSD (Worldwide USD) into DeFi (Decentralised Finance) ecosystem.

A portion of WUSD reserves will be allocated and held in $TBILL, an ERC-20 token fully backed by short-term U.S. Treasury Bills held with a regulated custodian, which enables real-time on-chain transparency on WUSDs reserves held in $TBILL, a first among all fiat-backed stablecoins in the market.

The decision to adopt the $TBILL token as an on-chain reserve asset is rooted in its top-tier regulatory compliance and transparency, robust legal structuring ensuring investor protection, and cutting-edge security infrastructure. OpenEden's commitment extends to collaborating with best-in-class service providers for market data, audit, prime brokerage, and custody. Notably, $TBILL tokens are issued by a BVIFSC-regulated professional fund, managed by a reputable Singapore-based fund management company.

This collaboration signifies a momentous leap forward for WSPN, emphasizing its dedication to innovation and excellence within the blockchain industry. WSPN's vision for WUSD extends beyond being a mere stablecoin; it aspires to become a key issuer offering a secure and transparent alternative seamlessly adoptable across various blockchains, digital wallets, and decentralized application ecosystems.

About WSPN

WSPN is a global digital payments company that provides transparent, fast, and efficient digital payment solutions leveraging the latest technological advancements of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). We are dedicated to shaping seamless digital payment solutions for our global partners worldwide at the frontier of future digital payments and financial inclusion.

Learn more: www.wspn.io | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

About OpenEden Labs

OpenEden Labs is an institutional-grade asset tokenisation platform. Our mission is to bring real-world assets on-chain to unlock trillions of dollars in value. We believe internet-native money will make real-world assets accessible to everyone, creating a more inclusive, permissionless, and free-flowing economy.

Learn more: https://openeden.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222125092/en/

[email protected]

Source: WSPN
AMCON Distributing Company (AMCON) (NYSE American: DIT), an Omaha, Nebraska-based Convenience and Foodservice Distributor is pleased to announce it has acquired a new distribution facility located in Colorado City, Colorado.

This strategic move represents a significant expansion of our operations and underscores AMCONs commitment to enhanced service for our customers in the Rocky Mountain, Intermountain and Southwest regions of the United States. We are making meaningful additional investments to this facility to expand the frozen and refrigerated footprint to support our growing foodservice initiatives, said Christopher H. Atayan, AMCONs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Atayan further noted, Our team is working closely with the Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCEDD), as we seek to become the premier employer and support economic growth in Pueblo County.

The facility is 249,200 square feet set on 38 acres and will feature significant refrigerated and frozen capability, refrigerated docks, extensive docks, parking and excess land for future expansion. Zoning/certifications include I-2 (Heavy Industrial) and Level 1 Certified Food Facility.

Andrew C. Plummer, AMCONs President and Chief Operating Officer noted, This facility aligns with AMCONs strategic geographic growth objectives and enables us to significantly enhance our distribution capabilities. The prime location and extensive amenities of this new distribution facility will enable us to provide cutting edge service to our customers and accommodate a diverse range of needs across the Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma Panhandle, and Western Kansas markets.
Boston Scientific Corporation (the "Company") (NYSE: BSX) today announced that American Medical Systems Europe B.V., its wholly owned finance subsidiary, has priced a public offering of 750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.375% notes due 2029 and 1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.500% notes due 2032 (collectively, the "Notes"). The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. The offering is being made pursuant to a registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The offering is expected to close on February 27, 2024 , subject to customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with borrowings under its commercial paper program and cash on hand, to finance the purchase price of the Company's previously announced agreement to acquire Axonics, Inc. and to pay related fees and expenses and, to the extent that the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes are not used for such purposes, to fund the repayment at maturity of the Company's 3.450% senior notes due March 2024 and to pay accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such notes, and for general corporate purposes.

Nothing herein shall constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The offering is being made by means of a prospectus and related preliminary prospectus supplement only, copies of which or information concerning this offering may be obtained by contacting the joint book-running managers: Barclays Bank PLC, toll-free at 1-888-603-5847; Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG, toll-free at 1-800-831-9146; or Societe Generale, toll-free at 1-855-881-2108.

About Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical technologies that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 40 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high-performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of health care. Our portfolio of devices and therapies helps physicians diagnose and treat complex cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, oncological, neurological and urological diseases and conditions. Learn more at www.bostonscientific.com and connect on LinkedIn and X, formerly Twitter.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the proposed offering and intended use of proceeds. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.
Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Wesco Integrated Supply (WIS) business to Vallen Distribution, Inc., a portfolio company of Nautic Partners, LLC, for a purchase price of $350 million . The Company expects to use the proceeds to reduce debt and repurchase shares. The sale will include predominately all of Wesco's industrial maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) integrated supply business in North America and Europe . The business that is being divested had annual net sales of approximately $784 million in 2023.

"This divestiture supports our portfolio management strategy to prioritize investments and resources in the areas of our business that offer the strongest growth and profit potential. Our WIS team has consistently provided exceptional value to our customers over the years. I am very proud of their accomplishments and thank them for their outstanding customer service," said John Engel , Chairman, President, and CEO of Wesco.

The sale is anticipated to close in the second quarter following customary regulatory approval.
WICHITA, Kan., Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE American: UAVS) (AgEagle or the Company), an industry-leading provider of full stack flight hardware, sensors and software for commercial and government use has been awarded a contract from ADS, Inc ., a leading solutions provider to the Department of Defense (DOD), for the purchase of Altum-PT  multispectral cameras from AgEagle for use by the DOD customer.



The Altum-PT is among AgEagles most pioneering drone sensor innovations, which seamlessly integrates an ultra-high resolution panchromatic imagery, a built-in 320X256 radiometric thermal imager and five discrete spectral bands to produce synchronized outputs such as RGB color, crop vigor, heat maps and high resolution panchromatic in just one flight.

The Altum-PT Multispectral Imagery (MSI) sensor will be employed by multiple Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) to fill voids in geospatial information and aid in categorizing military aspects of the terrain.

Bill Irby, AgEagle President, commented, We are very proud to support ADS in its efforts to supply the Department of Defense customer with highly advanced aerial imagery solutions capable of meeting its mission critical needs and requirements.

About ADS, Inc.

ADS, Inc. is a leading solutions provider proudly serving all branches of the U.S. Military, federal, state, and local government organizations, law enforcement, first responders, foreign governments and the defense industry. ADS is focused on solving its customers challenges through the largest product and service selection, the broadest array of procurement and contract options, world-class support and logistics solutions, and renowned customer service. ADS provide a single source solution that helps its customers meet their mission requirements as cost-effectively as possible, reduce their cost of readiness, and enhance their acquisition strategy. ADS equipment and support solutions include C5ISR, Combat Support, Medical, Operational Clothing and Individual Equipment, Weapons, and Optics as well as Special Missions such as CWMD, EOD, First Responders, and Maritime.

About AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc.

Through its three centers of excellence, AgEagle is actively engaged in designing and delivering best-in-class flight hardware, sensors and software that solve important problems for its customers. Founded in 2010, AgEagle was originally formed to pioneer proprietary, professional-grade, fixed-winged drones and aerial imagery-based data collection and analytics solutions for the agriculture industry. Today, AgEagle is a leading provider of full stack drone solutions for customers worldwide in the energy, construction, agriculture, and government verticals. For additional information, please visit our website at www.ageagle.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from managements current expectations include those risks and uncertainties relating to our competitive position, the industry environment, potential growth opportunities, and the effects of regulation and events outside of our control, such as natural disasters, wars, or health epidemics. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

ADS, INC.

Media Email: [email protected]
Key Insights

Significantly high institutional ownership implies Centamin's stock price is sensitive to their trading actions

The top 11 shareholders own 51% of the company

Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock

Every investor in Centamin plc (LON:CEY) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 69% to be precise, is institutions. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Centamin.

Check out our latest analysis for Centamin

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Centamin?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Centamin. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Centamin, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Centamin is not owned by hedge funds. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Van Eck Associates Corporation with 9.7% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 5.2% and 5.0% of the stock.

Story continues

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 11 shareholders have a combined ownership of 51% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

Insider Ownership Of Centamin

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Centamin plc in their own names. It is a pretty big company, so it would be possible for board members to own a meaningful interest in the company, without owning much of a proportional interest. In this case, they own around UK8.5m worth of shares (at current prices). It is good to see board members owning shares, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 31% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for Centamin you should be aware of.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Beneficial Treatment Effect for Phantom and Residual Limb Pain Identified

FREDERICK, MD, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  BioElectronics Corporation (https://www.bielcorp.com/ OTC: BIEL a developer of medical technology products, today announces the publication of a study investigating the treatment of phantom and residual limb pain using its pulsed shortwave therapy device.

"Treating intractable postamputation pain with wearable, non-invasive, non-thermal, pulsed shortwave (radiofrequency) therapy: a randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, crossover pilot study" is now published at: https://rapm.bmj.com/content/early/2024/02/21/rapm-2023-105154 The study was investigator sponsored and funded by the University of California San Diego Department of Anesthesiology.

The study design had patients first wear BioElectronics Model 088 device (about  wore the sham device and the remaining wore the active device) on the residual part of the limb for 28 days. After 28 days, the patient began wearing the opposite device, i.e., the sham group wore the active device, and the treatment group wore the sham device, again for 28 days. Three major measures were obtained for both phantom pain and residual pain along with a global assessment of change in both phantom and residual pain before, during, and after each 28 days.

The researchers presented their findings in a series of graphs over time depending on whether the patient was wearing the sham or active device. When wearing the sham device, patients reported, on average, no change in the median phantom limb pain or pain in the residual limb. They also reported no median change in their global assessment of pain. In contrast, when the patients were wearing the active device, they reported, on average, a 40% to 50% decrease in the median measures for both average and worst residual and phantom limb pain by day 7 and this reduction continued through day 28. Moreover, a majority of patients, when wearing the active device, reported the highest level of global change in residual pain, i.e., very much better by day 21 and this continued through day 28. This measure on the phantom limb pain was also positive, with the majority of subjects reporting being much better.

The researchers conclude that further study is warranted given that an identified beneficial treatment effect is associated with using BioElectronics Model 088 in the setting of a low-cost and low-risk intervention.

Currently, there are 1.6 million people in the United States who are living with the loss of a limb. Due to the rising number of people who have diabetes, a major cause of amputations, it is estimated that the number of amputations could grow to as many as 3.6 million by 2050. More than 7 in 10 people who have had an arm or leg amputated have pain in the lost limb, which they perceive as still present. Nearly 4 in 10 have severe pain, and many also report depression and anxiety linked with phantom limb pain making it hard to sleep, work, and take part in family and social activities. People who have phantom limb pain are often prescribed medications, including opioids, but opioid medications are effective in only about half of these patients and can also have serious side effects, including the risk of addiction.

Armed with these published results, BioElectronics Corporation will pursue appropriately qualified distribution partners to market and sell its unique pulsed shortwave device to address this significant unmet medical need.

Certain information set forth in this release contains forward-looking information, including future-oriented financial information and financial outlook, under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Companys business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Companys vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Companys projects; (vi) completion of the Companys projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vii) renewal of the Companys current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (viii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand managements beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment.

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Although forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or managements estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

[email protected]
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brixton Metals Corporation (TSX-V: BBB, OTCQB: BBBXF) (the Company or Brixton) is pleased to announce additional results from the ongoing exploration program on the Hog Heaven Project, which is operated by Ivanhoe Electric Inc. under a definitive Earn-in Agreement. Hog Heaven is located 50 miles southwest of Kalispell, in the state of Montana, USA, and is an advanced-stage, high-sulphidation, epithermal copper-silver-gold project having historical production with copper porphyry potential.



Highlights

Step-out drilling at Hog Heaven extends mineralization 150m to the west of nearest drilling



Results of Typhoon geophysical survey at Hog Heaven will guide future drilling plans



HHD-012 intersected 157m of high sulphidation epithermal mineralization approximately 150m to the southwest of the nearest hole (HHD-010). This intercept is of a similar grade and quality to that seen in previously reported holes demonstrating that the Hog Heaven epithermal system has growth potential to the west of the Flathead Mine.



HHD-012 intersected 156.88m of 0.34 g/t Au, 18.77 g/t Ag, 0.09% Cu, 0.24% Pb, 0.22% Zn (from 282.12 meters) or 156.88m of 0.85 g/t AuEq

Including 49.92m of 0.40 g/t Au, 29.51 g/t Ag, 0.11% Cu, 0.40% Pb, 0.22% Zn (from 282.12 meters) or 49.92m of 1.22 g/t AuEq



Drill hole HHD-012 has been successful in opening a large new area prospective for additional shallow high sulphidation epithermal mineralization and the underlying porphyry source. Mineralization intersected by HHD-012 remains open in multiple directions and to depth.

For details from Ivanhoe Electrics February 22, 2024 news release, click here.

Chairman and CEO Gary R. Thompson stated: Ivanhoe Electrics Typhoon geophysical survey identifies a strong conductor of about one square mile in size in the south-central area of the project where limited drilling has been conducted. We look forward to the next batch of drill results from the ongoing program at the Hog Heaven Project.

About the Hog Heaven Cu-Ag-Au Project  Montana, USA

Ivanhoe Electrics current exploration drill program at Hog Heaven, as first reported in our October 2023 news release, has now completed twelve drill holes totaling 10,905 meters. Exploration drilling has stepped out to the west and southwest, where mineralization remains open. One diamond drill rig is currently on site and will operate through the winter as weather permits. In November 2023, Ivanhoe Electric conducted its proprietary Typhoon geophysical survey (results at the link above) covering approximately 10 square kilometer area, which was designed to cover the core of known prospectivity.

Ivanhoe Electric and Brixton entered into an earn-in agreement in 2021. Under the earn-in agreement, Ivanhoe Electric may earn up to a 75% interest in the Hog Heaven Project by making cash payments totaling USD$4.5 million and incurring an aggregate of USD$40 million in exploration expenditures by 2032. Ivanhoe Electric will earn an initial 51% interest by making a total of USD$4.5 million in cash payments and incurring USD$15 million in exploration expenditures. Ivanhoe Electric may earn the additional 24% interest in the project by incurring a further USD$25 million.

Brixton acquired the Hog Heaven project from Pan American Silver in 2017 and conducted data compilation-digitization and 3D-modelling, soil geochemical survey, geological mapping, geophysical surveys. In 2020, Brixton drilled 7 confirmation core holes at the Main Mine area. Highlights include drill hole HH20-02 that intersected a broad 224.85m zone of mineralization yielding 78.16 g/t Ag, 0.66 g/t Au, 0.24% Cu (75.07m-299.92m) which includes the following sub-intervals:

5.48m of 445.79 g/t Ag, 1.41 g/t Au, 1.50% Cu

2.13m 0f 917.36 g/t Ag, 2.00 g/t Au, 3.06% Cu

53.49m of 165.90 g/t Ag, 1.28 g/t Au, 0.55% Cu

13.56m of 185.80 g/t Ag, 2.24 g/t Au, 0.76% Cu

1.37m of 1,750 g/t Ag, 5.39 g/t Au, 2.65% Cu



Historically, previous operators drilled 722 holes (mostly shallow depths) over the Main Mine and Ole Hill Targets. A feasibility study and mine permit were received in 1989 to construct a mine based on the shallow oxide gold-silver mineralization; however, development did not proceed. Select underground workings at the West Flathead Mine reported silver grades from fumaroles and fractures that ranged from 300 ounces per ton to 3000 ounces per ton.

The Hog Heaven copper-silver-gold Project is an advanced-stage exploration project which historically produced high-grade silver, gold, and copper. Between 1913 and 1975, Anaconda Copper Mining and lessees produced 6.7Moz Ag, 3,000 oz Au, 23M lbs Pb, and 0.6M lbs Cu from 0.23Mt of direct-ship ore, grading 29 opt Ag. The road-accessible property is located in Flathead County, 55 miles south-southwest of the town of Kalispell, northwestern Montana, USA.

For additional Hog Heaven Project details, go to Brixtons website or Ivanhoe Electrics website.

Qualified Person

Mr. Gary R. Thompson, P.Geo., is the Chief Executive Officer and Director for the Company who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Thompson has not verified the referenced data disclosed in this press release and is reliant on Ivanhoe Electric Inc., the operators of the Project for the technical information presented herein.

About Brixton Metals Corporation

Brixton Metals is a Canadian exploration company focused on the advancement of its mining projects. Brixton wholly owns four exploration projects: Brixtons flagship Thorn copper-gold-silver-molybdenum Project, the Hog Heaven copper-silver-gold Project in NW Montana, USA, which is optioned to Ivanhoe Electric Inc., the Langis-HudBay silver-cobalt-nickel Project in Ontario and the Atlin Goldfields Project located in northwest BC. Brixton Metals Corporation shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol BBB, and on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol BBBXF. For more information about Brixton, please visit our website at www.brixtonmetals.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mr. Gary R. Thompson, Chairman and CEO

Tel: 604-630-9707 or email: [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, expect, and intend, statements that an action or event may, might, could, should, or will be taken or occur, including statements that address potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, potential size and expansion of a mineralized zone, proposed timing of exploration and development plans, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in the annual information form of the Company or other reports and filings with the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on managements beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

Links:

https://ivanhoeelectric.com/news/ivanhoe-electric-provides-update-on-exploration-drilling-activity-at-santa-cruz-tintic-and-hog-heaven-projects/

https://brixtonmetals.com/hog-heaven/

https://ivanhoeelectric.com/electric-metals/hog-heaven/
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW | FSE: E4U) (EnWave, or the "Company") today reported the Companys consolidated interim financial results for the first quarter ended December 31, 2023.

All values in thousands and denoted in CAD unless otherwise stated.

Reported royalty revenues of $480, representing an increase of $67 relative to the comparable period in the prior year. Royalties grew due to increased partner product sales and production offset by a decrease in exclusivity fees for the quarter.

Reported an overall decrease in Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) costs (including Research & Development (R&D)) of $303 for Q1 2024 relative to the comparable period in the prior year, with the decrease primarily related to a reduction in commissions to third party sales representatives and concerted efforts to maintain discretionary spending.

Reported revenue for Q1 2023 of $1,262, representing a decrease of $1,523 relative to the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily related to fewer machine sales and machines in fabrication due to the inherent volatility in large-scale Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) machine orders.

Gross margin for the three months ended Q1 2024 was 18% compared to 37% for the three months ended Q1 2023. The decrease in margin was a result of fewer machine sales and machines in fabrication to absorb fixed overhead costs.

Reported an Adjusted EBITDA(1) loss of $756 for Q1 2024, a decrease of $500 from the comparable period in the prior year.

Consolidated Financial Performance:

($ 000s) Three months ended December 31, 2023 2022 Change% Revenues 1,262 2,785 (55%) Direct costs (1,029) (1,756) (41%) Gross margin 233 1,029 (77%) Operating expenses General and administration 511 555 (8%) Sales and marketing 351 614 (43%) Research and development 401 397 1% 1,263 1,566 (19%) Net loss - continuous operations (1,144) (743) (54%) Net loss - discontinued operations (151) (1,286) 88% Adjusted EBITDA(1) loss (756) (256) (195%) Loss per share: Continuous operations  basic and diluted $ (0.01) $ (0.01) Discontinued operations  basic and diluted $ 0.01 $ (0.01) Basic and diluted $ (0.01) $ (0.02)

(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS Financial Measures disclosure below for a reconciliation to the nearest IFRS equivalent.

EnWaves consolidated interim financial statements and MD&A are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Companys website www.enwave.net

Significant Corporate Accomplishments in Q1 2024 and Subsequently:

Signed a Technology Evaluation and License Option Agreement with a North American multi-state cannabis company to evaluate REV Technology over other incumbent drying methods.

Signed a toll manufacturing agreement with BranchOut Food Inc. to produce vegetable snack products on an interim basis at the Companys REVworx facility in Delta, Canada.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures:

This news release refers to Adjusted EBITDA which is a non-IFRS financial measure. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before deducting amortization and depreciation, stock-based compensation, foreign exchange gain or loss, finance expense or income, income tax expense or recovery and non-recurring impairment, restructuring and severance charges, and discontinued operations. This measure is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and should not be construed as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS. Please refer to the reconciliation between Adjusted EBITDA and the most comparable IFRS financial measure reported in the Companys consolidated interim financial statements.

Three months ended December 31, ($ 000s) 2023 2022 Net (loss) income after income tax (1,295) (2,029) Amortization and depreciation 275 289 Stock-based compensation 115 168 Foreign exchange loss (gain) 24 41 Finance income (52) (46) Finance expense 26 35 Income tax expense (recovery) - - Discontinued operations 151 1,286 Adjusted EBITDA (756) (256)

Non-IFRS financial measures should be considered together with other data prepared in accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Companys operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to EnWaves management. Accordingly, these non-IFRS financial measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. For more information, please refer to the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section in the Companys MD&A available on SEDAR+ www.sedarplus.ca.

About EnWave EnWave is a global leader in the innovation and application of vacuum microwave dehydration. From its headquarters in Delta, BC, EnWave has developed a robust intellectual property portfolio, perfected its Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) technology, and transformed an innovative idea into a proven, consistent, and scalable drying solution for the food, pharmaceutical and cannabis industries that vastly outperforms traditional drying methods in efficiency, capacity, product quality, and cost.

With more than fifty royalty-generating partners spanning twenty-three countries and five continents, EnWaves licensed partners are creating profitable, never-before-seen snacks and ingredients, improving the quality and consistency of their existing offerings, running leaner and getting to market faster with the companys patented technology, licensed machinery, and expert guidance.

EnWaves strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with food producers who want to dry better, faster and more economical than freeze drying, rack drying and air drying, and enjoy the following benefits of producing exciting new products, reaching optimal moisture levels up to seven times faster, and improve product taste, texture, color and nutritional value.

Learn more at EnWave.net.

EnWave Corporation

Mr. Brent Charleton, CFAPresident and CEO

For further information:

Brent Charleton, CFA, President and CEO at +1 (778) 378-9616E-mail: [email protected]

Dylan Murray, CPA, CA, CFO at +1 (778) 870-0729E-mail: [email protected]

Safe Harbour for Forward-Looking Information Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking information based on management's expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures, and the expected synergies following the closing are forward-looking statements. All third-party claims referred to in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate. All third-party references to market information in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate as the Company did not conduct the original primary research. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: EnWave Corporation
(In United States dollars, except where noted otherwise)

TORONTO, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (First Quantum or the Company) (TSX: FM) announces that it has successfully completed the pricing of its offering (the Offering) of $1,600 million aggregate principal amount of 9.375% senior secured second lien due 2029 (the Notes). The issue price of the Notes is 100.000%.

Interest on the Notes will accrue from the issue date at a rate of 9.375% per annum and will be payable semiannually. Settlement is expected to take place on or about February 29, 2024, subject to customary conditions precedent for similar transactions. The Notes will be senior obligations of the Company and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the Companys existing and future senior debt and senior in right of payment to all of the Companys existing and future subordinated debt. The Notes will be guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior basis by the guarantors (the Guarantors) described in the offering memorandum for the Offering (the Guarantees). The Guarantees will rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt of the Guarantors. The obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Guarantors under the Guarantees will be secured on a second-priority basis by a lien on all of the Companys and the Guarantors assets that secure the Companys and the Guarantors obligations under certain of the Companys credit facilities as described in the offering memorandum relating to the Offering.

The Company intends to apply the net proceeds from the Offering towards the redemption of all of its outstanding senior notes due 2025 and 2026.

For further information, visit our website at www.first-quantum.com or contact: Bonita To, Director, Investor Relations Tel: (416) 361-6400 Toll-free: 1 (888) 688-6577E-Mail: [email protected]

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

The information in this announcement does not constitute a notice of redemption or the solicitation to purchase any securities of the Company, or an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless they are registered or are exempt from the registration of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act). The Notes will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or the securities laws of any state of the U.S. or other jurisdictions and the Notes will not be offered or sold within the U.S. or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act), except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and the applicable laws of other jurisdictions. The Company does not intend to conduct a public offering in the United States or any other jurisdiction. It may be unlawful to distribute this announcement in certain jurisdictions.

The information in this announcement does not constitute an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, of securities for sale in the United States, Canada, the EEA, the UK, Switzerland, Panama, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, or any other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.

In member states of the EEA (Member States) or the UK, this announcement and any offer of securities if made subsequently is directed only at persons who are "qualified investors" (any such person a Qualified Investor) as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended and superseded) (the Prospectus Regulation). Any person in the EEA or the UK who acquires securities in any offer of securities (an "investor") or to whom any offer of securities is made will be deemed to have represented and agreed that it is a Qualified Investor. Any investor will also be deemed to have represented and agreed that any securities acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on behalf of persons in the EEA or the UK other than Qualified Investors or persons in the UK and other Member States for whom the investor has authority to make decisions on a wholly discretionary basis, nor have the securities been acquired with a view to their offer or resale in the EEA or the UK to persons where this would result in a requirement for publication by the Company of a prospectus pursuant to the Prospectus Regulation. The Company and others will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations and agreements. This announcement constitutes a public disclosure of inside information by the Company under Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (16 April 2014). References to Regulations or Directives include, in relation to the UK, those Regulations or Directives as they form part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 or have been implemented in UK domestic law, as appropriate.

This communication is only directed at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, (the Order), or (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) persons to whom it would otherwise be lawful to distribute to or direct at, all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons. The Notes are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this communication or any of its contents.

This announcement is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an advertisement or a public offering of the securities referred to herein in Canada. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this announcement or the merits of the securities referred to herein, and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information in this news release include the expected uses of proceeds of the Offering. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words 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. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including, among other things, assumptions about the ability to price the Notes on terms that are acceptable to the Company, the timing of the closing of the Offering and the ability to achieve the Companys goals. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to, events generally impacting global economic, financial, political and social stability.

See the Companys Annual Information Form and other documents filed with the securities regulators or similar authorities in Canada for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of these factors are beyond First Quantums control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. All forward-looking statements and information made herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

PROHIBITION OF SALES TO EEA OR UK RETAIL INVESTORS

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA or the UK. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU ("MiFID II") or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EU, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II or (iii) not a Qualified Investor. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or the UK may be unlawful under the PRIIPS Regulation.

Source: First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
GRAND RAPIDS, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Bidens cabinet for Americas 33 million small businesses, joined Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and Vice President Kamala Harris for events in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to highlight the Biden-Harris Administrations Black Small Business Boom.

In the morning, Administrator Guzman and Congresswoman Scholten visited The Beastro: Fresh Canine Cuisine, a local Black woman-owned business that provides healthy, custom-curated meals for dogs. At The Beastro, the leaders met with owner and founder Jessica Ann Tyson to discuss her unique business journey and the Black Business Boom under the Biden-Harris Administration.

Administrator Guzman then traveled to Della Soul Records, a Black woman-owned record and cultural gift store in Grand Rapids. After touring the shop with business owner Della Marie Levi, Administrator Guzman was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris who stopped by to discuss how Black business ownership is growing at its fastest rate in more than three decades under the Biden-Harris Administration, with the rate of Black households that own a business having more than doubled. They also discussed continued efforts in the Biden-Harris Administration to build upon this progress and support Black entrepreneurship as part of President Bidens Investing in America agenda.

For follow-up interview requests for Administrator Guzman, please contact Teddy Lake at [email protected]. Event photos available upon request to [email protected] ### About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Christine Saah Nazer U.S. Small Business Administration 202-756-0304 [email protected] Han Nguyen U.S. Small Business Administration 202-756-0304 [email protected]

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration
BEAMSVILLE, Ontario, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) is dedicated to promoting tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategies for adults while endorsing policies that safeguard youth from nicotine addiction and exposure. Global experts, including some who have testified in court, argue that certain measures proposed by health organizations, like flavour bans and high taxes, actually hinder harm reduction efforts and fail to reduce vaping experimentation among young people.

Contrary to many claims, a blanket ban on flavoured vaping products is a harmful approach to public health. Research finds that flavours play a crucial role in the adoption of vaping by adult smokers and that using a flavoured product to quit smoking significantly increases the likelihood of a successful quit attempt. Moreover, mounting evidence suggests that banning flavours leads to an increase in smoking among both adults and youth. Rather than imposing flavour bans, the CVA supports, based on the strongest evidence, the enforcement of regulations that protect young people while also promoting harm reduction for adults. This includes strict age-verification processes, extensive youth prevention initiatives, and rigorous enforcement of existing laws that already ban the sale and marketing of vaping products to minors.

Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey (CTNS) data is clear that while in hypothetical surveys may appear to reduce youth usage, restrictive policies like flavour bans and taxation have yet to be effective in real world applications. On average, provinces that have implemented flavour bans exhibit the highest rates of youth usage. Conversely, provinces like Ontario and Alberta with balanced regulation have the lowest rates of youth vaping in Canada.

This is likely because flavours have not been found to be a primary driver for youth experimentation. Though young people may prefer flavours, as do adults, according to the 2021 CTNS, the leading reason reported for why those aged 15-19 vape was to reduce stress. Youth also reported vaping because they enjoy it, curiosity, and other reasons.

The prevalence of stress relief through vaping among youth, is a recurring theme in various youth usage surveys. Most commonly, young people cite depression, anxiety, or mental health as the primary reasons for experimenting with vaping. Acknowledging this is crucial because proponents of flavour bans and other restrictive measures frequently overlook this data, opting instead for simplistic and ineffective regulations that fail to address the root cause of the issue.

Additionally, health organizations have come together to propose nicotine pouches be restricted to prescription-only access, overlooking the tangible benefits of these products in harm reduction strategies. Rather than restricting access, the CVA supports measures that ensure responsible marketing and appropriate age restrictions, in line with established tobacco control principles. These policies have been found to achieve the lowest rates of youth experimentation while supporting adults who smoke in their transition to a far less harmful product.

Before adopting any further NGO policy recommendations, its essential to review the outcomes of such policies. The results from provinces that have enacted flavour bans clearly show a discrepancy between the intended policy goals and the actual outcomes.

If Canada is to achieve its goal of being smoke-free by 2035, adults who smoke need to be aware of all quit options. Flavour bans weaken the efficacy of these products and slow our progress in achieving a smoke-free society. The CVA calls on Minister Holland to convene a roundtable of leading experts, akin to the Cannabis review, to ensure future regulations are grounded in scientific evidence, said Darryl Tempest, Government Relations Counsel to the CVA Board.

The CVA urges policymakers to consider evidence-based approaches that prioritize both youth protection and adult harm reduction, rather than resorting to reactionary measures that hinder Canadas goal of becoming smoke-free by 2035.

About the CVA: The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) is a registered national, not-for-profit organization, established as the voice for the Canadian vaping industry. The CVA represents over 200 vaping businesses in Canada, and receives no funding from tobacco companies or affiliates. The primary goal of CVA is to ensure that government regulation is reasonable and practical, through the strategy of proactive communication.

Darryl Tempest Government Relations Counsel to the CVA Board [email protected] 647-274-1867

Source: The Canadian Vaping Association
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Marquie Group, Inc. (OTCMKTS:TMGI), (The Marquie Group TMGI or the Company) an emerging leader in the health and beauty space, proudly declares a major stride in financial health by retiring a substantial amount of debt. The company has successfully eliminated an additional $150,000 of its debt this year, accumulating to a total debt reduction of nearly $750,000 in under two years. This financial maneuver has significantly boosted the company's income from derivative liabilities, exceeding $1.8 million in the last fiscal year.



Marc Angell, the CEO of The Marquie Group, shared his excitement about this achievement: Securing capital is crucial for the expansion of our brand portfolio and product offerings. Successfully reducing our debt is key to enhancing shareholder value and is a testament to our effective long-term strategic planning.

The Marquie Group is known for its Whim brand, a line of health and beauty products that promise safety, efficacy, and quality. Whim products are available through various channels including SimplyWhim.com, Amazon, and on Public Square. The brand stands out for its commitment to consumer health and well-being, born out of a necessity for higher standards and regulations in the beauty industry.

About The Marquie Group, Inc.

The Marquie Group, Inc. stands as a burgeoning direct-to-consumer entity, emphasizing the creation and delivery of premier health and beauty solutions to enhance lives. Whim products adhere to FDA-mandated Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ensuring each product's purity, potency, safety, and effectiveness. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, a testament to their confidence in their product range. Whim products are proudly made in the USA. The full product range is available at simplywhim.com, and to the audience of our wholly owned subsidiary, Music of Your Life, which holds the distinction of being the worlds longest-running syndicated music radio service.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding future circumstances. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Actual results, events, and performance may differ. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statements are material.

Investor and Media Inquiries

Marc Angell, CEO

[email protected]

800-351-3021
Singapore , Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Traders Fair, one of the largest and most prestigious financial events globally, is set to make a triumphant return to Singapore. Organized by FINEXPO , the event promises to bring together industry-leading experts, traders, investors, and financial enthusiasts for a day filled with networking, learning, and opportunities.

Event Overview:Traders Fair Singapore is scheduled to take place on 02/02/2024 at Marina Bay Sans Convention Center. The event will feature a diverse range of activities, including:1. Educational Seminars: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in insightful seminars and workshops conducted by renowned speakers and experts in the financial industry. Topics will cover various aspects of trading, investing, cryptocurrencies, forex, stocks, and more.2. Exhibition Area: Explore an extensive exhibition area showcasing products, services, and innovations from leading financial companies, brokers, and technology providers. Discover cutting-edge trading platforms, tools, and strategies to enhance your trading journey.3. Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow traders, investors, and professionals from around the world. Network with industry experts, forge valuable partnerships, and exchange ideas and insights to stay ahead in the ever-evolving financial markets.4. Live Trading Competitions: Test your trading skills in live trading competitions with attractive prizes up for grabs. Compete against other traders in real-time market conditions and demonstrate your prowess in trading various financial instruments.5. Panel Discussions: Engage in panel discussions featuring industry experts discussing current trends, market insights, regulatory updates, and future outlooks. Gain valuable knowledge and perspectives from seasoned professionals to inform your trading and investment decisions.6. Exclusive Offers and Promotions: Take advantage of exclusive offers, promotions, and discounts available only to event attendees. Access special deals on trading accounts, educational courses, software, and more from participating exhibitors.Why Attend Traders Fair Singapore:Traders Fair Singapore offers a unique platform for traders, investors, and financial enthusiasts to: Gain valuable knowledge and insights from industry experts. Discover the latest trends, technologies, and strategies in trading and investing. Network with like-minded professionals and expand your professional circle. Explore innovative products and services from leading financial companies. Participate in live trading competitions and win exciting prizes.Registration Information:Registration for Traders Fair Singapore is free of charge. To secure your spot and learn more about the event agenda, exhibitors, speakers, and special offers, please visit Traders Fair Singapore website .About FINEXPO:FINEXPO is a leading event organizer and producer of financial conferences, expos, and trade shows worldwide. With a proven track record of delivering high-quality events, FINEXPO aims to connect industry professionals, investors, traders, and enthusiasts to foster knowledge exchange, networking, and business growth opportunities.For more information about Traders Fair Singapore and FINEXPO, please visit Traders Fair Singapore website https://tradersfair.com/singapore/ .Note: Include additional details, quotes, and specific event highlights as per the event's agenda and announcements.Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, or intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing in or trading securities and cryptocurrency.

Andy B info at tradersfair.com

Source: Traders Fair
LAS VEGAS, NV, Feb. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and Competitive Markets Action (CMA), recently announced the recipients of their 2023 Congressional Awards and honored U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-NV, with their Leadership Award for her work to reform the U.S. Dept. of Agricultures Commodity Checkoff Programs with the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act, H.R. 1249/S. 557, that Titus has championed since 2017.

Titus has worked in bipartisan fashion alongside former Rep. Dave Bratt, R-VA, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC, and Sens. Mike Lee, R-UT, Rand Paul, R-KY, Cory Booker, D-NJ, Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, to reform the U.S. Dept. of Agricultures scandal-ridden checkoff programs that have been plagued by unethical and illegal activities for decades. This measure is backed by more than 200,000 farmers and ranchers across the country and groups like Latino Farmers & Ranchers International, Farm Action, Farm Aid, the Women, Food, and Agriculture Network, the American Grassfed Association, National Taxpayers Union, and Environmental Working Group to name a few.

OFF would reform USDAs checkoff programs by bringing transparency and requiring the programs be audited for compliance; by prohibiting disparagement of one product over another and picking winners and losers in the marketplace; and by prohibiting checkoffs from contracting with lobbying entities like the National Cattlemens Beef Association who lobbied against Country-of-Origin Labeling, and the National Pork Producers Council who has been outspoken against state ballot measures like Californias Prop 12 that benefit American producers who practice more regenerative and sustainable agriculture.

Titus also signed a bipartisan House sign-on letter against the so-called Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, H.R. 4417S. 2019, led by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-IA, and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, that is designed to nullify state ballot measures across the country enacted by a direct vote of the people. Industrial agribusiness interests failed to secure the enactment of similar legislation led by former Rep. Steve King, R-IA, in the 2018 Farm Bill thanks to the work of OCM leaders and former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, R-TX, who is currently working with the Competitive Markets Groups to defeat EATS in 2024.

In the 117th Congress, Titus also cosponsored the Pigs in Gestation Stalls (PIGS) Act, H.R. 7004, that would have provided more space for breeding sows in pork production facilities across the U.S., a policy similar to many of the corporate pledges made by top retailers in the last several years who are working to eliminate the use of gestation crates in U.S. pork production.

Im proud to receive the Competitive Markets Leadership Award for my work to improve federal oversight of the agriculture industry, said Rep. Dina Titus, D-NV. I am committed to promoting antitrust provisions in the Farm Bill that deter anti-competitive practices by Big Ag and keep independent producers in business. My legislation, the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act, would rein in the corruption weve seen consistently in checkoff programs. Although it has been an uphill battle since introducing the bill in 2017, weve never been closer to the finish line. I strongly urge House Agriculture Committee leadership to include my legislation in the upcoming Farm Bill to protect the interests of independent farmers, ranchers, and producers around the country.

We applaud Rep. Titus for her tireless work, tremendous leadership, and intestinal fortitude in standing up to Chinese interests and multinational conglomerates who continue to further consolidate American agriculture, said Taylor Haynes, President of the Organization for Competitive Markets and Founder of the Wyoming Independent Cattlemens Association. If Agriculture Committee leaders want to get a Farm Bill done in 2024 theyd be wise to jettison any language that nullifies state and local agriculture laws and include a provision to reform USDAs swampy checkoff slush funds.

We are grateful to Rep. Titus for her tremendous leadership and tireless work to enact the OFF Act over the past seven years, said Marty Irby, President & CEO at Competitive Markets Action and Board Secretary at the Organization for Competitive Markets. Family farmers owe Titus a great debt of thanks for her persistence and dedication to reforming USDAs scandal-ridden commodity checkoff programs and ending the unethical lobbying practices the National Cattlemens Beef Association has utilized to put American farmers and ranchers out of business.

Since the inception of the checkoff programs, illegal relationships between checkoff boards and lobbying organizations have continued and Id bet they are illegally using our money to lobby for the enactment of EATS, the greatest threat weve seen in a decade, said Mike Schultz, founder of the Kansas Cattlemens Association, and Vice-President at the Organization for Competitive Markets. Independent farmers in Kansas applaud Rep. Titus and hope to see our U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall shift toward helping his constituents instead of pandering to China and the industrial ag interests that line his campaign coffers."

As a proud American and lifelong producer, I proudly applaud Rep. Titus for being committed to defeating Big Ags Chinese and Brazilian backers that threaten our food supply, said Jonathan Buttram, Treasurer at the Organization for Competitive Markets, and President of the Alabama Contract Poultry Growers Association. The industrial agriculture mafia is petrified of our work because they see the writing on the wall and we hope they soon meet the same fate as New Yorks infamous Five Families.

OCM and CMA also conducted its third fly-in since July of 2023 to Washington, D.C. this month and engaged in nearly 90 meetings in support of the OFF Act, checkoff reform; and against the EATS Act; S. 3382, the Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act (PICLPA), led by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO, with no additional cosponsors; and other legislation like it.

The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Lincoln, Nebraska. The foundation of the Organization for Competitive Markets is to fight for competitive markets in agriculture for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. True competition reduces the need for economic regulation. Our mission, and our duty, is to define and advocate the proper role of government in the agricultural economy as a regulator and enforcer of rules necessary for markets that are fair, honest, accessible and competitive for all citizens.

Competitive Markets Action (CMA) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit based in Washington, D.C., that was formed with the mission of shaping policy to promote more regenerative and sustainable agriculture, and competitive markets in the U.S., and to defend against attacks on states rights by the federal government. CMA works to raise awareness of the harm caused by multinational conglomerates to the American family farmer, the consumer and our U.S. economy as a whole in an effort to bring about legislative and regulatory reforms.

Attachment

Marty Irby Competitive Markets Action 202-821-5686 [email protected]

Source: Competitive Markets Action
SALT LAKE CITY, UT, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Respected adventure gear expert Playing With Sticks has given his seal of approval to Bean Trailers game-changing new off-road camper  the Bean Stock 2.0. In his recent YouTube video, Playing With Sticks praised the Bean Stock 2.0 as the best budget-friendly teardrop trailer Ive seen yet.

Watch his review here.

The experts glowing endorsement comes on the heels of Bean Trailers launch of the Bean Stock 2.0  the only premium one-piece fiberglass teardrop trailer starting at an affordable price.

Tough enough for off-road, but cozy enough to call home, Bean believes its new Bean Stock 2.0 trailer will inspire more people to get outside and explore the open road.

Bean Stock 2.0 Off-Road Trailer

Built with Beans legendary quality and durability, the Bean Stock 2.0 sets a new standard for affordable adventure. Its lightweight, aerodynamic fiberglass shell  made in one seamless piece  delivers better protection against the elements while enabling small and midsize SUVs to comfortably tow it into the wild.

Were thrilled that respected experts like Playing With Sticks recognize the Bean Stock 2.0 as a game-changing option for outdoor enthusiasts on a budget, said Mark Harling, President of Bean Trailer. With prices starting at $15,999, this capable and comfortable teardrop makes premium fiberglass trailers accessible for almost any adventure seeker.

Lightweight Trailer Sets New Standard for Durability & Affordability

While most competitors rely on plywood shells covered with aluminum skin, the Bean Stock 2.0 bucks convention with an innovative one-piece fiberglass body. The proprietary composite material delivers extreme impact resistance while remaining lightweight enough for vehicles like the Subaru Crosstrek, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Two-Door Jeep and others to tow with ease.

Fiberglass also provides a waterproof, leak-free shelter that protects occupants and gear on rugged terrain. And its smooth, gelcoat finish resists dents and damage more effectively than aluminum  keeping Bean Stock 2.0 trailers looking pristine after years of off-grid use.

Fiberglass changes everything, said Harling. Its far tougher than traditional RV materials, weatherproof, and requires almost no maintenance. Were proud to be challenging the status quo and making premium trailers more accessible to regular adventure seekers.

Perfect for Scenic Touring and Outdoor Adventures

In his glowing review, Playing With Sticks praised innovations like Bean Stock 2.0s rear hatch-free design and easy-access side galley. Together, they create a convenient, clutter-free interior perfect for extended trips off the beaten path.

With the new side prep area, open layout, and modular design, the Bean Stock 2.0 has plenty of room for storage while eliminating leaks and potential failure points, he said. Its perfectly outfitted for quick overnight getaways and off-grid camping.

The Bean Stock 2.0 makes premium fiberglass trailers affordable and accessible, said Harling. We cant wait to see where our customers take it next.

Bean Stock 2.0 Specifications:

Shell Material: One-Piece Fiberglass Shell

Dry Weight: 1,175 lbs.

Length: 14 

Width: 7 4

Interior Height: 54 

Ground Clearance: 17

Learn more or order today at www.beantrailer.com.

About Bean Trailer

Bean Trailer is the industry leader in adventure-ready teardrop trailers, proudly made in the USA. We build every trailer to order in Salt Lake City, Utah using the most durable materials and construction methods available. Our trailers are designed for off-grid durability, ease of use, and years of maintenance-free camping trips. To learn more, visit www.beantrailer.com.

Source: https://thenewsfront.com/valued-industry-expert-playing-with-sticks-approves-bean-stock-2-0/

Bean Trailer 4282 W 1730 S Salt Lake City Utah 84104 United States (844) 770-7036 https://beantrailer.com/

Source: Bean Trailer
onurdongel / iStock.com

Savvy shoppers know that buying in bulk can mean substantial savings. But knowing what to buy can be tricky. The problem with buying in bulk is that you have to be sure you will use all of the ingredients.

Check Out: 7 Best Kirkland-Brand Pantry Products To Pick Up at Costco

Learn More: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

Purchasing large quantities of a perishable item could mean that you end up tossing a substantial amount of the product. What should have been cost savings now ends up as wasted food and ultimately wasted money.

GOBankingRates asked food and nutrition experts which pantry staples you should always buy in bulk. They dive into the benefits of buying the product and how it can help you live a healthier lifestyle. Here are the eight essentials they suggest stocking up on the next time you are at the store.

Timmary / Shutterstock.com

Grains

Grains are a staple that most people use to build meals around. If you want to cut costs, buying these in bulk is a good way to do that.

Grains like quinoa, oats and brown and white rice  are the foundation of many meals, and theyre a good source of complex carbohydrates, said Lacey Muinos, a plant-based blogger in Southern California and the creator of the blog Guide to Vegan. They have a shelf life of around six months to a year. Buying plain, dry grains is the most cost effective, but I also like instant oatmeal and rice to save time.

Learn More: 14 Best New Aldi Products That Are Worth Every Penny

Find Out: Aldis Best Sale Items for February 2024

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

LunaseeStudios / Shutterstock.com

Salt

When it comes to buying in bulk, you want to buy items you know youll use often. Salt is definitely one of those items.

Most people never think about storing salt in bulk, but it is by far the most used pantry item in any home, said Diane Kuthy, founder of How to Grow Everything. Every meal, even desserts, requires salt. Salt stores indefinitely and can be easily stored in any pantry or closet. You dont even have to think about how much salt youll use, because youll always use it and it will store forever.

Story continues

Read More: Im a Shopping Expert  9 Items Id Never Put in My Grocery Cart

Magone / iStock.com

Sugar

Much like salt, sugar is another product you likely burn through.

Like salt, sugar is a kitchen staple that youll never want to be without, Kuthy said. Sugar can also be pricey when purchased in smaller quantities, so why not save a ton of money and time by stocking up on sugar.

The best part? Sugar has an almost indefinite shelf life when stored properly away from air and moisture. That means that you can buy years worth of sugar in bulk from places like Costco or Azure Standard without having to worry about it going bad.

casanisa / Shutterstock.com

Dry Pasta

Not only is it an easy meal to make, pasta can last a long time if you want to buy it in bulk.

All dried pastas like spaghetti and penne have shelf lives of up to two years when stored properly, Kuthy said. If youre the kind of family that eats pasta a few times per week, then its a good idea to buy it in bulk, store it in your pantry, and save time and money.

YaroslavKryuchka / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Flour

For all of your baking and cooking needs, flour is a must-have at all times, so you might as well stock up.

Im always using flour for baked goods and sauces, Kuthy said. Flour is one of those things that there arent many good substitutes for, so its nice to always have extra on hand. Typically, unopened flour has a shelf life of about one year. However, if you store your flour in a long-term storage container (like a Mylar bag) you can extend the shelf life to 10-15 years.

Find Out: 12 Best Items To Buy at Trader Joes in February 2024

Kristina D.C. Hoeppner

Spices

If you like to cook a lot, it can be worth buying spices in bulk if its a spice you know youll use regularly.

Spices are worth buying in bulk whenever possible, said Rachael Miller, a nutritionist and owner of Zhi Herbals. Black pepper, turmeric powder, cinnamon, cayenne and any other dried cooking herbs that you enjoy are usually much cheaper and higher quality when purchased in the bulk section or through a bulk supplier.

Store your spices in a glass jar away from light and moisture, and they should retain their freshness for several years. Even for spices that you use less often, buying in bulk is worthwhile and economical, as you can purchase only what you need without committing to a larger and more expensive container.

Jon Schulte / Shutterstock.com

Canned Goods and Dried Beans

Canned beans are already a cheap and convenient vegan protein source, Muinos said, but, if you want to take the savings even further, grab a big bag of dried beans or lentils. A little goes a long way, so youll be able to get extra protein and fiber at an incredible price.

So many recipes call for diced tomatoes, so its nice to keep them on hand. Canned tomatoes can be somewhat pricey if you buy them one at a time, so buying in bulk is a good way to save on an ingredient youll need now or later.

Juanmonino / iStock.com

Cooking Oils

Determine which oils you use the most and think about buying bulk options to avoid some high costs.

Olive oil and avocado oil are some of the most popular cooking oils, but they can come at a steep price, Muinos said. I stopped buying oils from regular grocery stores years ago and find that the bulk bottle lasts me so long and helps save money. If you cook with oil daily, its a must. The bottle is big and bulky, so I just transfer some of it to an oil dispenser and keep that on the counter.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Pantry Staples Experts Say You Should Always Buy in Bulk
Upstream, the revolutionary retail trading app for stocks and NFTs powered by Horizon Fintex and MERJ Exchange Limited, is dedicated to becoming a pivotal trading venue that reaches out to new international investors while also leveraging its media community to increase visibility around an issuers Upstream listing. A recent article looks at how the trading app provides a distinctive blend of services and tools designed for issuers to meet the needs of todays investors. Specifically, the article discusses Upstreams global exposure process, which opens doors to international shareholders for increased liquidity potential while at the same time leveraging its strong media community and offering direct access for new global investors. Other benefits that Upstream offers when dual listing include a single global trading app, direct access to market, no short selling or other market manipulations, expanded hours and enhanced transparency, and spinoff share distributions. The app also accepts modern payment methods, which means issuers can access a global, retail investor-base that trades Canadian, U.S. and international dual-listed equities using credit or debit cards, PayPal, USD or USDC.

To view the full article, visit https://ibn.fm/d7GAX

About Upstream

Upstream, a MERJ exchange market, is a fully regulated global stock exchange. Powered by Horizon Fintexs proprietary matching-engine technology, the exchange enables investors to trade shares in dual-listed companies, NFTs, shares in IPOs, crowdfunded companies, U.S. and international equities, and celebrity ventures directly from the app. For more information about the company, visit www.Upstream.Exchange.

About CryptoCurrencyWire

CryptoCurrencyWire (CCW) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on blockchain and the cryptocurrency sector. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, CCW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, CCW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. CCW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.

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Sigyn Therapeutics Chairman and CEO James A. Joyce recently provided a letter to shareholders that discussed the companys therapeutic opportunities, challenges, and decision-making processes

The letter overviewed the companys candidate technologies to enhance the performance of cancer therapies (ImmunePrep(TM), ChemoPrep(TM), and ChemoPure(TM)), and provided an update on Sigyn Therapy(TM), an extracorporeal drug purification technology to address pathogen-associated conditions that are beyond the reach of drugs

James A. Joyce, the Chairman and CEO of development-stage medical technology company Sigyn Therapeutics (OTCQB: SIGYD, SIGY), recently discussed the companys opportunities, challenges, and decision-making processes in a letter to shareholders (https://ibn.fm/wGTqS). The company is currently focused on the development of four therapeutic candidates to address clearly defined limitations in global health:

The ImmunePrep(TM) platform to enhance the performance of immunotherapeutic antibodies to treat cancer

ChemoPrep(TM) to enhance the targeted delivery of chemotherapy

ChemoPure(TM) to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy

Sigyn Therapy(TM) to address pathogen-associated conditions that are beyond the reach of drugs

Sigyn Therapeutics designed the ImmunePrep(TM) platform to enhance the performance of immunotherapeutic antibodies to treat cancer. Though highly valued, these antibodies are limited by poor delivery to cancer cell targets and as a result, most patients do not respond to

Read More>>

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SIGY are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SIGY

About BioMedWire

BioMedWire (BMW) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on the latest developments in the Biotechnology (BioTech), Biomedical Sciences (BioMed) and Life Sciences sectors. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness.

BMW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.

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For more information, please visit https://www.BioMedWire.com

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Honolulu, Hawaii--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - Continued Connection announces the appointment of its founder, Dr. Lenore Matthew, as an Executive Contributor at Brainz Magazine. Dr. Matthew is known for her work in integrating insights about the afterlife into mainstream mental health care. And, her addition to Brainz Magazine's team further solidifies the publication's commitment to delivering diverse and insightful content.

Dr. Lenore Matthew

As a fast-growing global digital publication, Brainz Magazine covers innovations and leadership in neuroscience, health, wellness, and beyond. With a reach of over 300,000 people weekly across 65 countries, the magazine serves as a platform for thought leaders and experts to share their unique perspectives.

With a career dedicated to bridging the gap between spirituality and mental health, Dr. Matthew brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Brainz Magazine. She has been involved in data-driven research about the afterlife, aiming to uncover its truth and implications for individuals navigating grief and mental health challenges.

As an Executive Contributor, Dr. Matthew will be contributing regular articles to Brainz Magazine focusing on topics such as the afterlife, grief, and innovations in mental health. Through her writings, she aims to provide readers with valuable insights, practical guidance, and a deeper understanding of the intersection between spirituality and mental well-being.

Dr. Matthew expressed her enthusiasm about joining Brainz Magazine, stating, "I am honored to become an Executive Contributor for Brainz Magazine and to have the opportunity to share my insights with a global audience. I believe that by exploring the connections between spirituality and mental health, we can offer individuals a more holistic approach to healing and personal growth."

Dr. Lenore Matthew's first article as an Executive Contributor is scheduled to be published in the upcoming issue of Brainz Magazine.

About Continued Connection:

Continued Connection is a digital platform that provides a self-paced wellness program for healing from grief. The platform and its program are based on the research of its founder, Dr. Lenore Matthew, who is providing data-driven insights on concepts about the afterlife and how they can be used to enhance mental health. Continued Connection platforms 15 interactive exercises aimed at helping people overcome grief and better their mental well-being.

About Dr. Lenore Matthew:

Dr. Lenore Matthew holds a PhD in Social Work from University of Illinois and specializes in research and event-based practices She is a leading expert in psychic awakenings, intuitive practices, trauma, and grief healing. The awakening of her intuitive abilities after the unexpected passing of her late husband led to the creation of the Continued Connection program. Through her own healing journey and research, Dr. Matthew developed this program to provide individuals with practical tools to create a lasting connection with their departed loved ones.

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.drlenorematthew.com/

Program: Continued Connection

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/197820
Hitno.com's comprehensive marketplace platform seeks to contribute to the growth of local economies and provide a platform for individuals to showcase their skills and expertise.

Belgrade, Serbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 22, 2024) - Hitno.com has unveiled an innovative peer-to-peer marketplace platform that is set to transform the way people buy and sell across various sectors, including real estate, used car markets, home articles, fashion, handmade exchange, jobs, and services, among others.





Hitno.com Unveils Unique Localized Peer-To-Peer Marketplace Platform

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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One of the key features of Hitno.com is its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The platform encourages the exchange of used items, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste. By providing a dedicated marketplace for secondhand goods, Hitno.com aims to extend the lifespan of products and minimize their negative impact on the environment.

Hitno.com also actively supports and promotes local artisans and craftsmen through its Handmade Exchange category. This section will showcase unique and artisanal products created with care and passion. By highlighting these goods, Hitno.com aims to support local craftsmanship and provide a platform for artisans to showcase their talents to a wider audience.

In addition to its marketplace functionality, Hitno.com will also feature a Jobs and Services category, connecting individuals with local service providers and employment opportunities. This aims to contribute to the growth of local economies and provide a platform for individuals to showcase their skills and expertise.

User-friendly, Web3 ready

Hitno.com seeks to eliminate the need for multiple platforms or physical visits to various establishments. The team is dedicated to ensuring a user-friendly and secure experience for all users. The platform will feature robust security measures to protect user information and transactions. Additionally, Hitno.com will offer a seamless and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and engage with the platform.

This project represents a seamless integration of Fintech into a Marketplace, where the two components are intertwined and cannot co-exist without each other. Recognizing the potential of Web3 technology and its relatively limited adoption, Hitno.com aims to bridge the gap by combining regular users with Blockchain and Fiat lending. Through smart contracts, the platform seeks to increase the number of users and redirect the flow of digital assets into everyday life.

"We are thrilled to introduce Hitno.com, a localized marketplace that aims to address the unique needs of communities. Our platform goes beyond traditional marketplaces by offering a range of features and opportunities that empower individuals to connect, support, and thrive within their region," said Stanislav Sidorenko, CEO of the Hitno team.





Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI-K-gguzsc

Hitno.com will be launched in the Balkan Region in the near future, with plans for expansion to other locations, including LATAM, Africa, and the USA. The team behind the platform is actively seeking partnerships with businesses, organizations, and community leaders to ensure a successful launch and widespread adoption. Those who want to learn more may visit www.hitno.com.

About Hitno.com:

Hitno.com is a peer-to-peer marketplace platform focused on localization and solving local problems. With a diverse range of categories and a commitment to community empowerment, Hitno.com offers more than just a marketplace experience. From supporting local businesses to participating in social projects, Hitno.com aims to foster community connections and driving positive change.

Contact Info:

Name: Stanislav Sidorenko

Email: [email protected]

Organization: Hitno

Website: https://hitno.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198518
Denver, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - IIA Healthcare, an Intelligent Interview Management solution for healthcare organizations, today announced its acquisition of Gritly, a platform that leverages data to create a more equitable candidate experience and make it easier for employers to hire. This strategic move combines the power of both platforms, creating a comprehensive solution for healthcare recruitment and talent management.









IIA Healthcare

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The healthcare industry is increasingly recognizing the importance of efficient recruitment processes and positive candidate experiences. IIA Healthcare and Gritly share a common mission to revolutionize the hiring process by leveraging artificial intelligence and other advanced technology. With this acquisition, the companies' combined platform will address these needs, offering a centralized solution that streamlines the recruitment process, enhances candidate engagement and selection, and ultimately, helps healthcare organizations attract and retain quality talent that will positively impact quality of care.

"By integrating Gritly's candidate experience capabilities, we are poised to deliver an unmatched solution for healthcare recruitment," said Joe Thurman, CEO of IIA Healthcare. "This acquisition is a significant milestone in our journey, continuing our momentum in the healthcare industry, and we are excited about the immense value it will bring to our clients. And it's important for diverse and underestimated founders to know that they do not have to rely on traditional methods to survive."

"I'm thrilled about the acquisition of Gritly by IIA Healthcare. This marks a pivotal moment, uniting Gritly's detailed candidate profiles with IIA's cutting-edge hiring technology," says Venkata Uddaraju, co-founder & CTO of Gritly. "Together, we're set to redefine the hiring landscape, ensuring a future where every hire is not just a fit, but a step towards greater success and more informed hiring decisions. The journey ahead is bright, and we're excited to lead the charge in pioneering a transformative approach in the global landscape of talent acquisition, training, and organizational excellence."

This acquisition comes amid IIA Healthcare also announcing it is raising a $2M Seed II Round led by their current lead investor, DEMI Fund. Since being founded in 2020, the company has experienced great momentum, including being selected for Google for Startups' Black Founders Fund, which previously welcomed Gritly as part of its 2022 Latino Founders Fund cohort. The growing investment and success is poised to fuel the company's growth, enabling it to further expand its AI-capabilities and automation enhancements to continuously improve outcomes for hiring organizations and candidates alike.

"These companies are solving some of the biggest problems in the country right now," says Danielle Shoots, Founding Partner & Managing Director of DEMI Fund. "The founding teams of these companies are brilliant, creative, and resilient beyond comprehension. I am so proud of them coming together in an offering that both reaffirms and increases their value in the market. We don't fix systems by doing the same thing over and over again. We must be courageous enough to imagine a different way and then execute on it even when nobody believes in us. This is the perfect example."

###

About IIA Healthcare:

IIA Healthcare stands at the forefront of the Healthcare Hiring Revolution, bringing a human touch to the integration of AI in the hiring process. In the realm of healthcare workforce challenges, IIA Healthcare goes beyond conventional solutions by fostering a connection between technology and human expertise. Specializing in interview management capabilities, the company is dedicated to enhancing the overall hiring experience, reducing turnover, saving time, and ultimately elevating the quality of hires. With a profound understanding of interview data, analytics, candidate experience, bias mitigation, and feedback management, IIA Healthcare breathes vitality into healthcare organizations. The aim is to facilitate the recruitment of individuals who not only contribute to improving patient outcomes but also enhance the overall quality of care through the synergy of human connection and advanced AI solutions.

For more information: www.iiahealthcare.com.

About Gritly:

Rather than relying on a degree or traditional resume as a signal for success, Gritly's platform focuses on tracking and measuring the specific skills that are needed to succeed in a particular role or industry. The platform is built on a first-of-its-kind Upskilling Management System for delivering customizable training programs with workforce training partners, hiring tools for connecting our employer network with skilled candidates, and data analytics to help match candidates with the right roles based on their training performance.

For more information, please contact:

Ubaldo Ciminieri

[email protected]

303.725.9417

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198698
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - KO Gold Inc. (CSE: KOG) ("KO Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated February 15, 2024, the Company has acquired (the "Acquisition") two exploration permits (EP) located in the Otago Gold District of New Zealand (the "Property"). The Acquisition was completed pursuant to an arm's length exploration permit acquisition agreement (the "Acquisition Agreement") dated February 15, 2024 with NewPeak Metals Ltd. ("NewPeak Metals") and NewPeak NZ Ltd. (together with NewPeak Metals, the "Vendors") and Neil Stuart (the "Recipient").

As partial consideration for the Property, the Company has issued the Recipient and the Vendors an aggregate of 595,238 common shares (each, a "Common Share") in the capital of the Company at a deemed issuance price of $0.42 per Common Share.

All Common Shares issued pursuant to the Acquisition will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

Completion of the sale and purchase of the Property is also subject to and conditional upon NZP&M and the Minister approving the transfer of the Property from the Vendors to the Purchaser in accordance with the New Zealand Crown Minerals Act.

About KO Gold Inc.

KO Gold is a Canadian junior mining company listed on the CSE under the ticker symbol "KOG". The Company's strategy is to acquire and explore highly prospective gold properties within the Otago Gold District in New Zealand. KO Gold has eight 100%-owned prospecting and exploration permits within the Otago Gold District, which includes the Smylers Gold Project for a combined land package of approximately 1,064 km2. The Smylers Gold Project is an advanced exploration project located adjacent to OceanaGold's active Macraes Gold Mine. The Smylers Gold Project has the potential to host a major gold deposit and has seen significant investments in exploration and drilling over the past few years including over C$1M spent by KO Gold on exploration including reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling.

For further information, please contact:

Greg Isenor, President and CEO, Director

Tel: (902) 832-5555

Email:[email protected]

Website:www.kogoldnz.com

KO Gold Inc.

Suite 802 - Sun Tower, 1550 Bedford Highway Bedford, Nova Scotia

B4A 1E6 Canada

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/199019
Quebec City, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - Visit Qubec delegation at Booth #222-223 at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canadas (PDAC) Convention at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from Sunday, March 3 to Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

About Quebec delegation

The Quebec Government, along with several partners, will attend the PDAC Convention from March 3 to 6, 2024, at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. The Quebec delegation will be at booth #222-223 in the South Building, where it will be possible for the convention participants to meet experts from the Ministere des Ressources naturelles et des Forets, the Societe du Plan Nord, Consorem, SOQUEM, Revenu Quebec, the Nunavik Mining Exploration Fund and the Cree Mineral Exploration Board.Participants are also invited to attend Quebec: Unique Mining Ecosystem, a special event hosted by the Quebec delegation in room 205D of the North Building on Tuesday, March 5.

About PDAC

The Worlds Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention is the leading convention for people, governments, companies and organizations connected to mineral exploration. In addition to meeting more than 1,100 exhibitors, 2,500 investors and 24,000 attendees in person in 2023, participants could also attend programming, courses and networking events.

The annual convention is held in Toronto, Canada. It has grown in size, stature and influence since it began in 1932 and today is the event of choice for the worlds mineral industry.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://www.pdac.ca/convention.

We look forward to seeing you there.

For further information:

Quebec delegation

Francis Desmarais

418-271-4685

[email protected]
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - Visit Republic of Kazakhstan at Booth #7009 at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canadas (PDAC) Convention at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from Sunday, March 3 to Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

About Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has the 6th largest reserves of natural resources in the world and the 10th largest total mineral production globally (excluding oil and gas). The country has 12% of the worlds uranium resources. The Government of Kazakhstan invites foreign companies to explore more than 60 deposits of precious and non-ferrous metals for mutually beneficial projects. The Opening Ceremony of the National Pavilion will be on the 3rd of March at 10:00 am. At the Conference, Kazakhstan will be presented by the officials in charge of the natural resource extraction sector, as well as a large number of national companies and private business. There is a possibility of holding a bilateral meeting with members of the Government of Kazakhstan. On March 3rd, the Canada Eurasia Chamber of Commerce (CECC) and Kazakh National company Kazatomprom will organize a Plenary meeting of Kazakhstan Canada Business Council on the margins of the conference PDAC-2024 in Toronto. To participate in the event, the approval of the organizers is required.

About PDAC

The Worlds Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention is the leading convention for people, governments, companies and organizations connected to mineral exploration. In addition to meeting more than 1,100 exhibitors, 2,500 investors and 24,000 attendees in person in 2023, participants could also attend programming, courses and networking events.

The annual convention is held in Toronto, Canada. It has grown in size, stature and influence since it began in 1932 and today is the event of choice for the worlds mineral industry.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://www.pdac.ca/convention.

We look forward to seeing you there.

For further information:

Republic of Kazakhstan

Bakhtiyar Kozhamzhar

+16132761252

[email protected]

https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-ottawa
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - SinglePoint Inc. (CBOE: SING) or (the "Company") a purpose driven leader in the renewable energy sector, is pleased to announce a significant step to achieving operational profitability. As noted in our press release on February 21, 2024, the Company has acquired the remaining 19.9% interest in Boston Solar -- further solidifying its position as a market leader. The Company is currently executing on a comprehensive initiative aimed at optimizing Boston Solar's operational efficiency, improving profitability, and delivering increased value to shareholders and customers.

"We find ongoing inspiration in the dedication, resilience and determination of the Boston Solar team. Despite encountering tough choices, particularly on the personnel level, we have diligently made the necessary choices to ensure the prosperity of our business. Our substantial growth from $17 million 2022 revenue to $30 million in trailing twelve-month revenue serves as a testament to our success. However, our focus remains steadfast on achieving profitability, not merely increasing revenue," commented Wil Ralston, SinglePoint's CEO. "As we embark on the journey into 2024, we are filled with anticipation for our bright future alongside our exceptional team. The performance of our commercial operations team has surpassed expectations, and we are eagerly anticipating the unveiling of upcoming major developments. Rest assured, we will consistently provide updates as these projects progress and reach significant milestones."

Throughout January, Boston Solar implemented the path to profitability. Historically, Boston Solar has been built for top-line revenue growth. The Company has determined a growth-at-all-costs model is no longer a value proposition and profitability is key to positioning business for long-term sustainable growth. Boston Solar is projected to grow top-line this year with a core focus on maximizing profitability first. Management has identified and acted on six key factors to achieving near-term profitability:

1. Acquired remaining interests of The Boston Solar Company - As of January 1, 2024, SinglePoint has successfully acquired the remaining 19.9% of The Boston Solar Company, a move that marks a milestone in the Company's expansion strategy. This acquisition enhances its capabilities in the solar energy domain and ensures a more robust, streamlined offering to clients.

2. Appointment of Michael Morlino to lead Boston Solar operations - In a shakeup of the corporate structure, ownership of Boston Solar felt it was necessary to move Mr. Morlino into the daily decision-making position and lead Boston Solar. With over 20 years of executing at the highest operational level within DEVGRU/Seal Team Six and most recently private industry, he is positioned to successfully lead Boston Solar into profitability.

3. Strategic Evaluation for Operational Profitability - Throughout January 2024, Boston Solar's leadership team under Mr. Morlino's guidance conducted a thorough evaluation of its business operations. The clear goal became to achieve operational profitability by the end of Q2. This plan is not just a roadmap for profitability but also a commitment to our investors and stakeholders.

4. Cost Reductions - A comprehensive financial review has identified nearly $3 million in cost-saving opportunities. These savings will be realized through strategic procurement, process optimization, and leveraging new system processes, thereby enhancing financial performance without compromising on the quality of the Company's services.

5. Right-Sizing Labor Force - To align with its commitment to operational efficiency and profitability, SinglePoint is right-sizing its labor force. This initiative will ensure cross-team efficiencies and a leaner, more agile organization. The Company is committed to handling this process with the utmost respect and support for all our employees.

6. Enhancing Operational Efficiency - A key focus of the Company's plan is the removal of operational inefficiencies, particularly in improving the lead-to-sale timeline and subsequently the sale-to-install timeline, both resulting in improved cashflow, better customer service and maximized profitability. By streamlining processes and leveraging technology, the Company aims to enhance customer satisfaction and drive business growth.

In conclusion, these strategic initiatives mark a new chapter for SinglePoint and The Boston Solar Company. The Company remains confident that these changes will position it for long-term success and profitability, thereby enhancing shareholder value and reinforcing its commitment to being at the forefront of the renewable energy sector.

About SinglePoint Inc.

SinglePoint Inc. is a renewable energy and sustainable lifestyle company focused on providing environmentally friendly energy efficiencies and healthy living solutions. SinglePoint is initially focused on building the largest network of renewable energy solutions and modernizing the traditional solar and energy storage model. The Company is also actively exploring future growth opportunities in air purification, electric vehicle charging, solar as a subscription service, and additional energy efficiencies and appliances that enhance sustainability and a healthier life. For more information, visit the Company's website (www.singlepoint.com) and connect on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential plans and objectives of the Company, the use of proceeds, anticipated growth and future expansion, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Parts of this release are being rereleased due to unforeseen indexing issues across various media outlets.

Investor Relations Contact:

SinglePoint Inc

[email protected]

888-682-7464

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198971
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - Talya Group, a prominent conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, is poised for a significant global expansion, led by the visionary CEO Hanen Benabdeladhim. With a diversified portfolio that spans airline cargo services, petroleum trading, agriculture trading, consulting businesses, and more, Talya Group is setting its sights on extending its reach beyond the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Far East, South America, and the United States.





Hanen Benabdeladhim with CEO of Fonds Souverain de Djibouti, Slim Feriani



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10040/199095_5e3bc79ea4fa8af3_001full.jpg

Under the astute leadership of Hanen Benabdeladhim, Talya Group has flourished in the international market, establishing itself as a formidable player in various sectors. Benabdeladhim, renowned for her strategic foresight and business acumen, has successfully navigated the complexities of international trade and investment, earning her recognition as a leading businesswoman in the global arena.

Talya Group's current operations span several key industries, with subsidiary companies including Tay Healthcare, Tay Petroleum, Tay FoodStuff Wholesale, Talya Investments, and ATAA Aviation Services. These entities have solidified Talya Group's position in the MENA region, and now, with new business initiatives underway, the group is poised to enter uncharted territories, bringing its expertise and innovative solutions to new markets worldwide.





Hanen Benabdeladhim with Slim Feriani



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10040/199095_5e3bc79ea4fa8af3_002full.jpg

The expansion strategy articulated by CEO Hanen Benabdeladhim is ambitious yet meticulously planned, aiming to leverage the group's strengths to tap into emerging opportunities in strategic regions. "Our vision is to transcend geographical boundaries and bring Talya Group's hallmark of excellence to clients around the globe. We are excited about the prospects of entering new markets, where we can contribute to economic growth and foster sustainable business practices," said Benabdeladhim.





Hanen Benabdeladhim with the President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10040/199095_5e3bc79ea4fa8af3_003full.jpg

In addition to its current portfolio, Talya Group is at the forefront of digital innovation, with plans to structure new digital asset ventures in the United Arab Emirates for 2024 and 2025. These ventures are set to revolutionize the way the group engages with its clientele, integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance service delivery and client satisfaction.

Talya Group's global expansion is not just a testament to its business success but also a reflection of Hanen Benabdeladhim's commitment to fostering international partnerships and promoting cross-border collaboration. "As we venture into new markets, our goal is to build lasting relationships that are rooted in mutual respect and shared values. We are committed to contributing positively to the communities we serve, aligning our growth with broader societal and environmental objectives," Benabdeladhim added.

The group's strategic move to diversify and expand its global footprint underscores its resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving business landscape. With a clear vision for the future and a robust plan for growth, Talya Group, under Hanen Benabdeladhim's leadership, is well on its way to becoming a global powerhouse, setting new benchmarks for excellence in every endeavor.

About Talya Group

Talya Group is a diversified conglomerate with a strong presence in the MENA region, specializing in airline cargo services, petroleum trading, agriculture trading, consulting businesses, and more. Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Talya Group is committed to innovation, sustainability, and delivering superior value to its clients worldwide.

Contact

Talya Group Contact

Office

+971 4 591 5901

PR agent

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/199095
Axiata Group Berhad (KLSE:AXIATA) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: RM22.0b (up 1.4% from FY 2022).

Net loss: RM125.2m (loss narrowed by 98% from FY 2022).

RM0.014 loss per share (improved from RM0.56 loss in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Axiata Group Berhad Revenues and Earnings Miss Expectations

Revenue missed analyst estimates by 2.5%. Earnings per share (EPS) was also behind analyst expectations.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 4.4% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 5.4% growth forecast for the Wireless Telecom industry in Asia.

Performance of the market in Malaysia.

The company's share price is broadly unchanged from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Axiata Group Berhad that you should be aware of.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Gerrard L. Grant, Esq., founder of Aventus Law Group (ALG), is a highly regarded attorney with over a decade of experience representing clients nationwide in tax disputes with the U.S. Department of Justice, Internal Revenue Service, and state authorities.



Encountering disagreements with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can be a challenging experience for taxpayers. One primary challenge taxpayers face when dealing with IRS disputes is understanding their tax liability accurately. Such disputes may involve audits, appeals, and collection issues. Despite varying strategies among tax consultants in Florida, failing to adhere to IRS notice deadlines can result in severe consequences.

Aventus Law Group focuses on guiding its clients through IRS audits and notices by handling these matters in a detailed, step-by-step manner, aiming to help them avoid common pitfalls. Headed by Gerrard L. Grant, a Florida Bar Board Certified Tax Lawyer and CPA with an advanced law degree in Taxation, Aventus Law Group offers assistance across a range of IRS dispute scenarios, encompassing audits, overdue taxes, tax liens, and levies and workouts. With over a decade of experience representing taxpayers before federal, state, and local tax authorities, Gerrard and his team focuses on guiding clients through all aspects of tax controversy matters, both domestically and internationally.

"IRS notices don't always warrant fear or anxiety. There are occasions when such notices aren't related to an audit. These notices may pertain to outstanding tax liabilities, potential larger refunds, identity verification for security purposes, or notifications regarding delays in return processing. Approach IRS notices with a level head and understand its purpose." - Gerrard L. Grant, Esq., CPA, Attorney and Founder, Aventus Law Group

When taxpayers owe taxes, the IRS employs liens and levies to ensure payment or seize assets. A lien secures the IRS's claim to the taxpayer's property after multiple collection attempts. It's filed publicly and notifies creditors of the government's rights to the property. This can affect the taxpayer's credit and business operations. The IRS sends a notice before filing a lien.

A levy involves the IRS seizing the taxpayer's property to settle the debt. The IRS must also notify before seizing assets, except for certain exempt ones like unemployment benefits. Levies can target retirement accounts, wages, and personal property. Taxpayers should pay taxes in full when due to avoid liens or levies. If unable, payment plans are available. Ignoring IRS notices about outstanding tax debts is risky.

Tax practitioners may differ in their methods of dealing with the IRS. Still, they generally agree that mishandling an IRS notice, notably with approaching deadlines, can lead to severe consequences. Receiving such a notice can be stressful, emphasizing the importance of promptly understanding its contents and associated deadlines. While it may be tempting to ignore IRS correspondence, this approach is strongly discouraged.

Regarding audits, the IRS employs a Discriminant Function System (DIF) score to select returns for examination, focusing on those with the potential for additional revenue. Audits usually start with correspondence audits, requesting documentation to support various aspects of a tax return. Not all IRS notices signify audits; some provide informational updates. Nonetheless, understanding each notice's purpose and following instructions is crucial. Failure to respond promptly can lead to forfeiture of appeal rights or initiating lien and levy actions.

Therefore, taxpayers must respond carefully within specified timeframes. Seeking assistance from knowledgeable tax professionals, such as those at Aventus Law Group PLLC, can minimize the risk of costly errors. Their experienced Taxpayer advocates provide comprehensive support throughout IRS audits and notice handling, ensuring clients take on these complexities with confidence.







About the company: ALG's tax controversy and litigation practice provides counsel to corporations, partnerships, and individuals dealing with complicated tax disputes that involve various government entities. What sets their tax controversy practice apart is a combination of factors, including an in-depth understanding of the Internal Revenue Code, extensive knowledge of tax procedure, experience dealing with relevant authorities, and a proven track record of efficiently resolving tax matters. Their clients include former U.S. diplomats, multi-state corporations, high-net-worth individuals, estates, trusts, foundations, and non-profit organizations, covering tax issues. The firm diligently protects its clients' interests at every stage of the process, including state-level representation, from tax audits to litigation in various courts.

Contact Info:

Name: Gerrard Grant

Email: Send Email

Organization: Aventus Law Group

Address: 201 E Pine St Suite 320, Orlando, FL 32801, United States

Phone: +1 321 250 3577

Website: https://aventuslawgroup.com/tax-and-tax-controversy/



Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091793446275&sk=followers

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aventuslawgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aventuslawgroup/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/91122827/admin/feed/posts/



Release ID: 89121329

If there are any errors, inconsistencies, or queries arising from the content contained within this press release that require attention or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected]. Our reliable team will be available to promptly respond within 8 hours, taking proactive measures to rectify any identified issues or providing guidance on the removal process. Ensuring accurate and dependable information is our top priority.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

OneCartao helps the North American public secure credit cards through comprehensive financial content.



OneCartao is a leading information platform specializing in financial content for the North American public, particularly focusing on the USA, and is committed to assisting users in acquiring credit cards. The platform, with its wealth of knowledge, aims to be a reliable source of information in the realm of financial content.

About the Company

OneCartao has distinguished itself as a reservoir of information, providing valuable tips and insights on credit card acquisition. They operate as an information vehicle and do not release information such as credit limits or cards to the public. The platform acts as a guide, sharing their experience and knowledge with readers who access the blog.

According to a company representative, "At OneCartao, our focus is on providing unbiased and informative financial content to empower individuals. We believe in equipping our audience with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions, including navigating the complexities of acquiring credit cards. Our commitment lies in being a trusted resource for financial education and guidance.

A Free Source of Information

Notably, OneCartao never requests payments for any product, including credit cards, loans, or other offers. Their income is derived from advertising and referrals for some, but not all, products showcased on their site. All of their content is crafted following extensive quantitative and qualitative research. Their team is committed to being an unbiased source of information by comparing different options.

The platform operates autonomously as an objective content publisher, sustained by advertising revenue. In the ever-evolving landscape of financial content, OneCartao provides valuable resources, covering a range of topics, from financial planning for singles to the risks and rewards of investing in peer-to-peer loans. The platform's latest posts include insightful articles on financial planning, investing, budgeting, and alternative investments.

Unparalleled Credit Card Features

OneCartao presents a curated selection of noteworthy credit card offerings to cater to diverse financial needs. Among these options is the esteemed Credit Card Sapphire Preferred, renowned as a premium travel rewards card.

Distinguished by its sleek metallic design in a deep blue hue, the card prominently features the word Sapphire. One of its standout features is the generous sign-up bonus, allowing cardholders to earn a substantial number of points by meeting specified spending requirements within the initial months of opening the account. This card appeals to individuals seeking exclusive travel benefits and rewards.

Another compelling choice in OneCartao's lineup is the Credit Card Wells Fargo Reflect. This credit card stands out for its extended introductory APR period, making it an attractive option for those looking to consolidate credit card debt or embark on significant purchases. Notably, users can enjoy an extended interest-free period on both balance transfers and purchases. The Wells Fargo Reflect card also incentivizes responsible financial habits, rewarding timely payments by extending the introductory APR period if monthly minimum payments are consistently met.

These credit card options are presented clearly and concisely, offering users the opportunity to make informed decisions based on their preferences and financial goals. OneCartao's dedication to empowering individuals with financial knowledge shines through in its diverse range of topics, covering core financial content, technologies and trends, and various financial strategies.

Customer Testimonials

In a testament to the impact of OneCartao's insights, users like Oliver Gwen expressed gratitude, stating, "Thank you very much OneCartao, with the tips I received in my email I managed to acquire a credit card, I really appreciate it."

Similarly, Stephen Gabe acknowledged the team's contribution, saying, "I am hereby to thank the entire OneCartao team who, with their content, helped me acquire my first credit card.

Conclusion

OneCartao is a prominent financial content platform dedicated to providing valuable insights and resources for North Americans, particularly the USA. The platform's commitment to impartiality and informative content has positioned it as a trusted source for individuals navigating the complex world of personal finance.

OneCartao's curated credit card offerings cater to various financial preferences, from premium travel rewards and extended introductory APR periods to enticing mileage benefits. Users can explore these options to find a credit card that aligns with their specific needs and financial goals.



Contact Info:

Name: Danilo Silva

Email: Send Email

Organization: OneCartao

Website: https://onecartao.com



Release ID: 89122243

In case of detection of errors, concerns, or irregularities in the content provided in this press release, or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we strongly encourage you to reach out promptly by contacting [email protected]. Our efficient team will be at your disposal for immediate assistance within 8 hours  resolving identified issues diligently or guiding you through the removal process. We take great pride in delivering reliable and precise information to our valued readers.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Recession Resister has announced a new update to its BillSaver utility bill auditing service, helping law firms boost profitability by automatically switching them to the most adequate deals.



The latest announcement highlights the need for law firms to examine their existing utility bill expenses, noting that 80% of businesses are currently overpaying on average. With BillSaver, law firms can lower their overhead costs by outsourcing bill management to the Recession Resistor team.

More information can be found at https://recessionresister.com/

Most commercial businesses, corporations, and non-profits with more than a year of utility bills are eligible for the program, Recession Resister says. The team manages audits nationwide - and works with companies of all sizes.

The BillSaver team only requires a few months of past utility bills, plus any existing service contracts, to get started identifying savings opportunities for law firms. Their auditors have expertise analyzing charges across various locations, utility providers, and billing structures - and within 6-8 weeks, clients receive a detailed report with recommendations to reduce costs. Well find a way to lower your monthly bills or you dont pay us a penny, explains a spokesperson for the company.

BillSavers utility auditors are assigned based on their specialized experience with the clients location profile and utility billing specifics. For law firms, the auditors focus closely on electric bills for office equipment usage and lighting, gas charges for heating, and water fees from restrooms and breakrooms. The team will scrutinize all charges for discrepancies.

Upon completing the utility bill audit, BillSaver files documentation to obtain refunds for any overcharges from providers. In addition, the team works to correct inaccurate customer classifications, meter reading errors, and other issues that can result in thousands of dollars in excessive annual fees if left unaddressed.

Common problems detected by the team include incorrect application of taxes and fees, accounts continuing to be billed for discontinued services, overlapping charges from multiple providers, and complex utility billing codes being applied inaccurately.

Well audit years worth of bills for you, finding overcharges, eliminating mistakes, and obtaining refunds for you when possible, Recession Resister adds. If we dont find you any refunds or reduction opportunities, you dont pay us a thing. Whatever we find, we split 50/50.

Interested parties can learn more at https://recessionresister.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Brian Richards

Email: Send Email

Organization: Recession Resister

Address: 11923 NE Sumner St STE 687470, Portland, Oregon 97220, United States

Website: https://recessionresister.com



Release ID: 89122166

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MINNEAPOLIS , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BARR Center ( Building Assets , Reducing Risks) announced legislation today to provide funding for additional Minnesota schools to implement a system focused on addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of students.

HF 3378/SF 3539, authored by House E-12 Finance Committee Chair Rep. Cheryl Youakim ( Hopkins ) and Sen. Aric Putnam ( St. Cloud ) asks the Minnesota legislature to allocate $10,000,000 for 36 additional Minnesota schools to implement the BARR system. More than 48 Minnesota schools and 350 others nationally are currently using the BARR system to improve their schools' cultures and students' outcomes. With this new funding, 36 geographically distributed (urban, suburban, and rural) Minnesota schools serving Black, Indigenous, and students of color, and those experiencing poverty, would benefit from the results the BARR system brings, too.

"Armstrong High School's graduation rate has increased by 4% since 2018, our first year of BARR. Our students of color report feeling more of a sense of belonging due to the stronger relationships they have with adults and teachers in our building. BARR has permanently changed Armstrong High School for the better in four years."

-- Erick Norby, Principal at Armstrong High School

Now more than ever, in this challenging, post-pandemic period, educators need support addressing school climate and student mental health issues. Using existing resources, the BARR system focuses on building meaningful relationships  capitalizing on the strengths of every student  and leveraging student data to truly transform a school's culture. In every school implemented it has proven to be a successful way to meet the social and emotional needs of all students while simultaneously increasing student achievement and teacher satisfaction and effectiveness.

"From starting the BARR model in 2019 until now our MCAs have grown an average of 10.2% just in math which is huge considering the state we are all in and all of the challenges we have overcome in the last four years. This year focused on literacy and our most recent scores indicate that students are meeting and exceeding their growth goals."

-- Kelly Hoskins, Fifth Grade Teacher and BARR co-coordinator at Lake Elmo Elementary

"I've been teaching for 31 years and for a lot of those years I felt like I was on

an island when dealing with students who struggled. I tried to figure it out by myself, there was nothing set up for me to communicate with other teachers. I'd throw something out there and hope it worked, oftentimes it did not. With BARR, teachers communicate and share strategies about how to meet the needs of these students. We have far more collaboration and direction with helping students."

-- Kalan Malchow , Social Studies Teacher at Detroit Lakes High School

The BARR system stands alone as the most consistently proven school improvement model in the country. Through rigorous studies conducted by the American Institute for Research (AIR), the BARR system has demonstrated statistically significant results in 20 areas, including increasing math and English achievement scores, improving student credit attainment, reducing course failure, closing the achievement gap, and reducing chronic absenteeism all while improving the school environment for both students and staff.

"BARR's mission is to create equitable schools where every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status, has access to high quality education where adults know them, recognize their strengths, and help them succeed," explains Angela Jerabek , founder and executive director of the BARR Center. "I developed the BARR system while serving as a school counselor here in Minnesota then spent 20 years rigorously testing its effectiveness because that is what educators deserve  to know that the programs they're using are vetted and a proven-effective way to positively impact the students they care so much about."

About BARR Center

BARR Center ( Building Assets , Reducing Risks) delivers the expertise and resources required for a school to implement the BARR system, an evidence-backed system designed to nurture a collaborative and strengths-based culture of support and success for every student through intentionally deepening relationships and improving use of data. For more information, visit, https://barrcenter.org/ .

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SOURCE BARR Center
LAGOS, Nigeria , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HERBERT Wigwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, and two other members of his family tragically died in a fatal helicopter crash near the California - Nevada border recently.

Plans to honour the lives of Herbert Wigwe (1966  2024), his wife and son and span from March 4 to March 10, 2024 , as detailed in a schedule obtained by BusinessDay. The somber events include various ceremonies and services to pay tribute to the departed souls.

Monday, March 4, 2024 marks the Bankers Committee's Celebration of Herbert, followed by a Service of Songs for Chizzy on Tuesday morning, March 5, 2024 and another Service of Songs for the deceased Wigwes in the evening of the same day.

On Wednesday March 6 , from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm , a commemoration event will celebrate Herbert's impactful contributions in the Social Impact Space, followed by an Evening Service of Songs for Herbert at Redeemed Christian Church, City of David Parish.

Thursday, March 7 is dedicated to a Service of Songs at Herbert's Dad's parish, along with the somber tasks of traveling to PH for Chizzy's funeral service and interment, as well as holding Service of Songs for Herbert and his wife.

According to the schedule, Friday, March 8 is designated for the final farewell, with Funeral services and interments planned for both Herbert & Mrs. Wigwe .

Saturday, March 9 will be a day to receive guests, while Sunday, March 10 will culminate in a Thanksgiving Service to honor the lives and legacies of the departed.

Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, a revered Nigerian banker and entrepreneur, passed away at the age of 57. As the CEO of Access Holdings Plc and former Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, his leadership transformed a small commercial bank into a global financial institution.

Born on August 15, 1966 , to Ikwerre parents from Omueke Isiokpo in Rivers State, Herbert attended St. Gregory's College in Lagos for his secondary education. He later graduated with a degree in accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1987. Herbert Wigwe's legacy encompasses not only his professional achievements but also his philanthropy and visionary leadership.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2346331/Wigwe_and_family.jpg

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SOURCE BusinessDay
CerraCap Cares, a subsidiary of CerraCap Ventures has partnered with ultra-luxury vehicle maker Karma Automotive to house and develop women-led startups across Southern California

IRVINE, Calif. , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Karma Automotive, an ultra-luxury vehicle manufacturer, and CerraCap Cares, a 501c3 impact fund, have partnered to launch InnoV8, a women-focused innovation platform aimed at fueling, supporting and cultivating solutions in the technology industry. InnoV8 blends the expertise and resources of CerraCap Cares, which is dedicated to education, empowerment and the environment, and Karma Automotive, which specializes in enabling mobility technologies through the delivery of American-designed, engineered and manufuctured ultra-luxury electric vehicles.

"By combining forces, InnoV8 seeks to leverage diverse perspectives and foster creativity to drive impactful change by inspiring and mentoring women-led startups and women entrepreneurs to promote inclusion, equity and diversity in the technology space," said CerraCap Cares General Partner Nikki Arora . "We are passionate about harnessing the power of innovation to create positive social impact.

"InnoV8 represents a bold step in the shared mission of CerraCap Cares and Karma to catalyze groundbreaking advancements in Southern California that will provide a platform for women entrepreneurs to orchestrate a holistic impact within our local startup economy."

Participants in the program will have the opportunity for their ventures to be housed at Karma's world headquarters in Irvine, Calif. , where they can access facilities, equipment, as well as business and operational support from CerraCap and Karma associates.

"We are committed to driving innovation within our segment and within our community," said Karma President Marques McCammon . "Key to that vision is assuring access to the necessary tools to develop and deliver ideas to the market equally and equitably. Sometimes we miss the chance to see greatness because we neglect to provide access. However, through our CerraCap Cares partnership and the launch of InnoV8, we are able to unlock opportunities to transform industries by empowering our community's most dynamic women entrepreneurs.

"This joint association is a testament to the power of public-private partnership that reflects our shared values and commitment to driving change in the technology industry and the innovation landscape."

Karma and CerraCap were introduced as a part of an initiative launched by the City of Irvine and spearheaded by Mayor Farrah N. Khan . The mayor's Innovation Council, created more than three years ago to position Irvine as a technology and innovation hub, helped CerraCap and Karma recognize social and technology synergies that resulted in the formation of InnoV8. The InnoV8 platform, designed for ideation and experimentation in advanced technologies by connecting innovators and entrepreneurs with industry experts, industrialists and investors, has been drafted with a deliberate focus on women entrepreneurs in the Southern California region.

"The vision behind my Innovation Council has always been to open opportunities for everyone in our city, create partnerships that contribute to our innovative ecosystem, and provide resources and support for our local startups," said Mayor Khan "I am excited to see this groundbreaking collaboration launch a one-of-a-kind initiative dedicated to supporting and funding women-led startups and businesses in the City of Irvine , the County of Orange and the Southern California region as a whole."

About Karma Automotive

Karma Automotive (www.karmaautomotive.com) is an ultra-luxury vehicle company that engineers, designs, and manufactures its electric and range extended electric vehicles in Southern California . Headquartered in Irvine , with a production facility up the road in Moreno Valley , Karma's dealer network includes North America , Europe , South America and the Middle East .

2024 will mark Karma's 10th anniversary  a yearlong celebration that features the world debut of several vehicles, a renewed focus on the company's mission to be an inspiration for a cleaner global future as well as the introduction of Karma's new brand campaign.

About CerraCap Cares

CerraCap Cares, a women-led impact fund investing in early-stage human-centered technologies that aim to reduce disparities and innovate solutions for the 3Es: the Environment, Education, and the Empowerment of individuals and communities. Our core investment thesis is that technology can be the great equalizer that reduces disparities and empowers communities - all while generating strong financial returns. With a targeted focus on the underserved, particularly socially and economically disadvantaged communities, CerraCap Cares is on a mission to unleash the power of technology for good. For more information about InnoV8, visit www.CerraCapCares.com.

Contact: Jeff Green [email protected] 310-291-1977

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SOURCE Karma Automotive
Fifteen Historically Black Colleges & Universities Have Partnered

NEW YORK , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ColorComm, Inc., the nation's leading women's platform addressing diversity & inclusion across the communications, marketing, advertising, and media industries welcomed more than 50 HBCU students to the 7th Annual NextGen HBCU Fellows Program, in partnership with Men of Color in Communications.

The year-long program will provide HBCU students and recent graduates with access to decision makers, formal mentorship, professional development workshops, and access to leading companies to recruit students for internships and full-time positions.

" Our goal is to create a pipeline for HBCU students to secure jobs at prestigious companies, while preparing the next generation of leaders to be successful in the workforce," said Lauren Wesley Wilson , Founder and CEO, ColorComm.

The HBCU Fellows Program is an exclusive program where applicants were evaluated on academic achievement and how they contribute to their communities.

Participating HBCU Schools Include:

Alabama A&M University

Bowie State University

Claflin University

Clark Atlanta University

Dillard University

Florida A&M University

Hampton University

Howard University

Jackson State University

Morgan State University

North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina Central University

Prairie View A&M University

Spelman College

Virginia State University

For more information:

www.colorcomm.com

www.colorcommnetwork.com

www.colorcommnediagroup.com

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SOURCE ColorComm, Inc.
ECW plans to renew multi-year investment that has already exceeded its targets and reached over 400,000 children and adolescents with quality, holistic education in areas affected by the crisis in North-East Nigeria with up to US$15 million . However, top-up and additional funding is urgently needed to optimize its proven success.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On a high-level mission in Nigeria this week, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Executive Director Yasmine Sherif , accompanied by high-level representatives from the Governments of Germany and Norway , announced a planned US$15 million allocation to renew the ECW Multi-Year Resilience Programme in the North-East of the country. The funding is subject to ECW's Executive Committee approval.

On the mission, Dr Heike Kuhn , Co-Chair of the ECW Executive Committee and Head of Education Division at Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Merete Lundemo , Co-Chair of the ECW Executive Committee and Special Envoy for Education in Crisis and Conflict for Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ECW's Executive Director Yasmine Sherif met with senior government officials, including the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Tahir Mamman , and Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum , and aid partners.

In coordination with the Borno State Government to ensure the right to education for girls and boys, the delegation travelled to the North-East, where the violence of the Boko Haram insurgency and other armed groups has disrupted the education of nearly 2 million school-age children.

Attacks against schools and other grave violations of children's rights are regularly registered in the region. Thousands of children and youth  in particular girls and young women  have been abducted. Many girls have been enslaved and sexually exploited and boys have been forced to become child soldiers.

In Maiduguri, the delegation visited communities affected by the conflict and other interconnected crises and saw first-hand the positive impact of ECW's initial Multi-Year Resilience Programme (2021-2024), delivered in coordination and jointly by the Norwegian Refugee Council, Save the Children and UNICEF.

The delegation also met with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence who are co-creating a new innovative project launched by the Global Survivors Fund with funding support from ECW. The initiative provides formal and non-formal education as a form of reparation for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and their children.

"Children  especially girls  pay the heaviest price of the horrific violence that has plagued the North-East of Nigeria for more than a decade. Their learning lost and development delayed, they suffer from the trauma of abductions and sexual violence. In response, safe, quality, holistic education and learning opportunities, including mental health and psychosocial services, are crucial to rehabilitate and protect children and youth from exploitation and empower them to become positive changemakers. Working with the Government of Nigeria and our implementing partners, ECW's expanded funding in the North-East is an investment in their young lives as well as in a more stable, prosperous and peaceful future for the region and beyond," said Yasmine Sherif .

"I call on additional strategic donor partners  governments, the private sector, philanthropic foundations and high net-worth individuals  to join our efforts in mobilizing an additional US$600 million to reach our target of US$1.5 billion for ECW, allowing our partners to reach, by 2026, a total of 20 million girls and boys in crises affected areas of the world," she said.

Germany is Education Cannot Wait's leading donor with US$366 million in total contributions, and Norway is the Fund's fifth largest donor with total contributions of US$131 million .

"Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, quality, and lifelong learning is crucial for Nigeria , as half of its population are children and youth. Educating children means to change their lives, letting them participate in building peaceful sustainable societies. The African Union has just launched the Year of Education 2024 and we are looking forward to advancing education jointly with our partners," said Dr Heike Kuhn .

"Education is a lifeline for children living in areas affected by armed conflict. Norway welcomes the strengthened cooperation with Education Cannot Wait to reach the most vulnerable with education in North-East Nigeria. This is part of Norway's wider engagement for children living in armed conflict. It has been great to see how these education projects bring much needed relief and normalcy to children in this area," said Merete Lundemo .

As part of continued efforts in all investments to capitalize on collaboration between ECW and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the mission highlighted the opportunity of aligning the upcoming financing of US$5 million from GPE for the North-East states with the new ECW Multi-Year Resilience Programme which will be developed this year.

ECW's new catalytic grant funding for the planned Multi-Year Resilience Programme shall build on its US$23.6 million investments in the North-East of Nigeria , which have reached more than 400,000 children since 2018. The investments are delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Education, UN agencies, and international and local civil society partners. With a focus on building lasting solutions applying the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, ECW investments in North-East Nigeria have provided children with learning materials, supported teacher training and incentives, school feeding, provided essential mental health and psychosocial support for girls and boys impacted by the conflict, and worked with the national and state governments to get children back to school through permanent community-based programmes.

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SOURCE Education Cannot Wait
LARGO, Md. , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Employ Prince George's (EPG) is thrilled to announce the launch of the American Job Center Community Network (AJCCN) Membership Portal. This innovative platform is set to revolutionize the public workforce system in Prince George's County, Maryland , and be example for the United States

Powered by Complete Technology Solutions', and their ATLAS (Automated Tracking, Linking, and Archiving Solution) web-based workforce development automated tracking, linking, and archiving solution, will assist Prince George's County in connecting, building and fostering strong collaborative partnerships between workforce development organizations serving Prince George's County residents and businesses. This customizable web-based platform is designed to streamline workflows, enhance service delivery methods, and better serve Prince George's County residents and businesses. It incorporates state-of-the-art technology that will allow the Employ Prince George's and the Prince George's County Workforce Development Board to efficiently track job seeker services at Prince George's County American Job Centers , train community-based organizations, collect organizational activity and documents, and be a common link of service providers in Prince George's County .

"We are excited to introduce the American Job Center Community Network Membership Portal to the public workforce system in Prince George's County ," said Walter Simmons , President & CEO, Employ Prince George's. "This platform will provide our partners and job seekers with the tools, resources, and support they need to reach their greatest potential by build a stronger and united community."

The AJCCN Membership Portal will revolutionize the way government entities, service providers, educational entities, faith-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit service providers partner, communicate, track and coordinate services in Prince George's County . This portal will serve as a central hub for registration and management of community service providers, enabling streamlined processes and improved collaborations and dual enrollments between multiple organizations, while ensuring residents are receiving wrap around services and the services they need. Through the Membership Portal, partners will be able to communicate, refer customers, receive training, access resources, and strengthen the workforce ecosystem in Prince George's County .

The launch of the AJCCN Membership Portal is scheduled for February 26, 2024 . Employ Prince George's and the Prince George's County Workforce Development Board have partnered with Complete Technology Solutions, a Florida -based workforce development technology company, to bring this new system to Prince George's County .

EPG is committed to leveraging these new platforms to continue driving economic growth, fostering talent development, and empowering individuals in Prince George's County to achieve their career goals.

For more information about Employ Prince George's and the ATLAS system, please visit www.PGCAJC.com.

Employ Prince George's (EPG) provides workforce intelligence and solutions for the job seeker and business. EPG's mission is to contribute to the economic vitality of Prince George's County by providing a demand-driven system that delivers qualified workers to business and provides job seekers with opportunities for careers in high-demand/high-growth industries.

For more information, please visit employPG.org.

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HOUSTON , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Entigrity, a leading offshore staffing solutions provider, has recently introduced 'Entigrity Captives' as an initiative to assist Accounting and CPA firms in North America in establishing dedicated offices in India and the Philippines . With over a decade of experience in the global market, Entigrity offers comprehensive support to firms, managing compliances and staffing needs ranging from 15 to over 100 employees across 25 offices in 18 cities.

By Entigrity Captives, Entigrity wants to bring a fresh perspective to offshoring by giving firms more control and flexibility.

In sharing his thoughts on the initiative, Mr Shawn Parikh , CEO, Entigrity, expressed:

"At Entigrity, our approach is to establish offices in smaller cities to tackle attrition issues and tap into a diverse pool of talent. We help accounting firms to set up offshore offices without the hassle of dealing with legal complexities, infrastructure concerns, risks associated with unfamiliar markets, and other challenges. This allows them to replicate their policies and onshore culture in their offshore offices seamlessly. Our goal is to establish a presence in 30 cities across India , Philippines , South Africa and Mexico in the next 3-5 years, focusing on tier II, tier III, and smaller towns, aligning with our core belief: Go where the talent is, at their doorstep."

Data security remains a top priority for Entigrity, with adherence to standards such as SOC II Type 2, ISO 27001: 2013, and GDPR compliance. They offer end-to-end support functions, including office infrastructure, IT setup, ongoing support, admin HR, and staff management, thereby relieving clients from setup hassles.

The shift towards tier 2 and 3 cities is fueled by increased capital inflow and growth prospects, resulting in the alleviation of congestion in mega-cities. Their achievements are apparent, with 40 out of the top 200 accounting firms selecting Entigrity as their successful offshore partner.

They has established exclusive offices for several accounting firms and aim to bring on board over 50+ firms through their "Entigrity Captives" model. Their plan includes setting up dedicated offices for these firms, hiring 2000+ staff members, and expanding their current office space from 1M sq. ft. to 2M sq. ft. within the next 2-3 years.

About Entigrity:

Entigrity serves as a trusted offshore staffing partner for 800+ accounting, CPA, and tax firms in the UK , US, and Canada . Recognized as a top workplace, they are " Great Place to Work Certified" in the accounting offshoring industry. With its commitment to excellence and innovative solutions, They continues to redefine offshore staffing for the accounting sector.

For more information, visit www.entigrity.com/

Media Contact:

Patrick Ross

Content and Media Manager

Entigrity Solutions LLC

[email protected]

+1 646 827 4348

+91 9873987702

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SOURCE Entigrity Solutions LLC
FILE PHOTO: Workers are seen in at Barclays bank offices in the Canary Wharf financial district in London

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A U.S. judge ruled on Friday that Barclays must face a proposed class action by shareholders who accused the British bank of securities fraud related to its sale of $17.7 billion more debt than regulators allowed.

U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla in Manhattan said shareholders adequately alleged that Barclays' failure to disclose the absence of internal controls that might have caught five years of errant debt sales was a material omission of fact.

She also let shareholders try to prove that Barclays and several officials including former CEO Jes Staley were "actionably reckless" in assuring that the bank complied with federal securities laws even as it "blindly" sold the debt.

Bank executives subsequently characterized the overissuance as an "entirely avoidable" and "self-inflicted" problem that would not have required "rocket science" to avert.

Barclays declined to comment. Staley's lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lawyers for shareholders led by the Boston Retirement System pension fund did not immediately respond to similar requests.

The lawsuit followed Barclays' revelation in March 2022 that it had sold $15.2 billion more structured and exchange-traded notes in the prior five years than the $20.8 billion that U.S. regulators had authorized.

Four months later, the bank increased the oversold amount to $17.7 billion. It offered to repurchase the excess, and set aside 1.59 billion pounds ($2 billion) for the overissuance.

In a 57-page decision, Failla said shareholders could sue Barclays for statements including that the bank was "committed to operating within a strong system of internal control" and had policies and procedures that met regulatory standards.

The judge said such statements are often too generic to support a lawsuit, but Barclays' case had a "critical difference" because its system for tracking the debt sales "did not just underperform - it did not exist."

Story continues

Failla also ruled that shareholders could not pursue a securities fraud claim over statements that Barclays made after the overissuances were discovered.

The lawsuit covered shareholder who lost money in Barclays' American depositary receipts from Feb. 18, 2021 to Feb. 14, 2023 as costs mounted over the blunder.

Staley stepped down as CEO in November 2021.

The case is In re Barclays Plc Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 22-08172.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Marguerita Choy)
DUBAI, UAE , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fractal Marine DMCC, a leading entity in the global shipping and trading sector, expresses its profound disappointment following its recent inclusion on the sanctions list by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Fractal Marine is founded on the core principles of compliance, transparency, and the fostering of robust relationships within the international trading community, including active communication and alignment with the objectives of the price cap coalition.

Fractal Marine has initiated a formal challenge against the sanctions in response to these developments. We are in active dialogue with the relevant UK authorities to address and resolve the concerns raised. The company is committed to demonstrating its adherence to international standards and its unwavering dedication to lawful and ethical business practices.

A Commitment to Global Collaboration and Compliance

Fractal Marine recognizes the critical importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving shared objectives across borders. The company is steadfast in its commitment to working closely with regulators, including those in the United States and the European Union, to support and advance policy objectives while strictly adhering to established trade mechanisms and regulations.

Understanding the significance of aligning our operations with the priorities of global authorities, Fractal Marine is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and sustainability. Our engagement with the price cap coalition reflects our proactive approach to ensuring that our business practices contribute positively to the stability and growth of international commerce and energy security.

Driving Mutual Success Through Responsible Practices

Fractal Marine is resolute in its aim to be a positive force in the industry, fostering strong relationships and actively participating in initiatives that promote responsible shipping and trading practices. Our commitment to being a reliable and trustworthy partner is unwavering as we continue to drive mutual success while adhering to the regulatory frameworks and policy objectives set forth by the US, EU, and other international bodies.

As we move forward, Fractal Marine is focused on challenging the UK designations and clearing any misunderstandings regarding our operations and compliance record. We remain dedicated to transparency, open communication, and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our business.

About Fractal Marine DMCC

Fractal Marine DMCC is a leading global shipping and trading entity headquartered in Dubai , UAE . Founded on the principles of compliance, transparency, and integrity, Fractal Marine is committed to advancing the policy objectives of international regulators and contributing to the growth and stability of global commerce and energy security.

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SOURCE Fractal
VANCOUVER, BC , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Gold Royalty Corp. ("Gold Royalty" or the "Company") (NYSE American: GROY) will release its financial and operating results for the full year and quarter ending December 31, 2023 on Thursday, March 28, 2024 .

An investor webcast will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2024 starting at 11:00 am ET ( 8:00 am PT ) to discuss these results. Management will be providing an update to interested stakeholders on the Company's 2023 results including key recent catalysts that have been announced on the assets underlying the Company's royalties. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session where participants will be able to ask any questions they may have of management.

To register for the investor webcast, please use the following link: https://www.bigmarker.com/vid-conferences/Gold-Royalty-Corp-Town-Hall-Forum-Q4

Reminder of Warrants Expiration

The Company today issued a reminder to holders of the outstanding warrants to purchase common stock of Gold Royalty, that the warrants will expire on Monday, March 11, 2024 .

The NYSE has notified the Company that it will suspend trading in the warrants after the close of trading on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 so that all trades can be settled by Monday, March 11, 2024 . As of December 31, 2023 , there were approximately 10.35 million warrants outstanding. The warrants have an exercise price of $7.50 per share.

About Gold Royalty Corp.

Gold Royalty Corp. is a gold-focused royalty company offering creative financing solutions to the metals and mining industry. Its mission is to acquire royalties, streams and similar interests at varying stages of the mine life cycle to build a balanced portfolio offering near, medium and longer-term attractive returns for its investors. Gold Royalty's diversified portfolio currently consists primarily of net smelter return royalties on gold properties located in the Americas .

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SOURCE Gold Royalty Corp.
Funded by a $100M grant from the U.S. Department of Energy , Group14's advanced battery materials factory site was one of the first beneficiaries of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Group14 hosted an advanced battery materials factory site tour and press conference featuring Washington State Governor Jay Inslee , U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm , and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell

Key themes presented included commitments to creating good-paying jobs, forging manufacturing career pathways in Washington State , and strengthening the domestic battery supply chain

MOSES LAKE, Wash. , Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Group14 Technologies , the world's largest global manufacturer and supplier of advanced silicon battery materials, today hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm at its second commercial U.S. Battery Active Materials factory site (BAM-2), located in Moses Lake, Washington . A structurally complete, five-story tall, factory module with major heavy equipment already installed served as the backdrop for the company's press conference today featuring federal and local elected officials.

"Group14 is constructing the world's largest advanced silicon battery materials factory, and later this year, we expect to deliver our technology destined for transformative battery performance in EVs, phones, airplanes, and anything that can be battery-powered," said Rick Luebbe , CEO and co-founder at Group14 Technologies. "We are grateful to Governor Inslee , Secretary Granholm, and Senator Cantwell for joining us to celebrate this major milestone in the electrification of everything."

" President Biden's Investing in America agenda is securing the supply chains needed to accelerate the clean energy revolution, creating good-paying quality jobs in communities across the country just like in Moses Lake  through leaders like Group14, who are transforming battery performance," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm . "The DOE celebrates the work Group14 is doing as part of the vanguard of this new clean energy manufacturing future."

In recognition of Group14's progress toward building a more resilient domestic battery supply chain, the day's events included a factory site tour and press conference featuring Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm , U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell , (D-Wash.), Group14 CEO Rick Luebbe , Group14 BAM-2 Plant Manager Don Kersey , Moses Lake community leaders, and other stakeholders. During the speaking program, elected officials elaborated on the benefits of investing in American manufacturing, creating sustainable career pathways, and scaling domestic production of battery materials for the booming electrification sector.

Luebbe also shared progress in Group14 community benefits programs, including workforce training programs, and the development of customized training and future scholarship programs with Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, WA. Of the new hires at BAM-2 in 2023, 80 percent were from Moses Lake and surrounding communities.

"Group14 is building an ecosystem in Washington State that sets a new standard and represents America's unrivaled battery innovation on a global scale," said Dr. Rick Costantino , CTO and co-founder at Group14 Technologies. "We are rewriting the script for how the U.S. can lead in battery technology and manufacturing, and we're doing it with silicon, which will transform the future of batteries as we know them."

About Group14 Technologies

Founded to enable the electrification of everything, Group14 is the world's leading commercial manufacturer and supplier of silicon battery technology. Today, Group14 is working with more than 100 customers globally, which represent 95% of worldwide lithium-ion battery production. Group14 operates a commercial-scale Battery Active Materials factory, BAM-1, in Woodinville, WA , and recently launched a joint venture factory with SK in South Korea . A second U.S. factory, BAM-2, in Moses Lake, WA , will be completed in 2024. To date, Group14 has raised more than $650 million in financing from investors and customers such as Porsche AG, Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, OMERS, Lightrock Climate Impact Fund, Decarbonization Partners, Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), BASF, Resonac and SK Inc. Visit us at www.group14.technology.

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SOURCE Group14 Technologies
SAN FRANCISCO , Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SPARK, a revolutionary media company spearheaded by visionary Latina entrepreneur Karina Cabrera Bell, is proud to announce its highly anticipated launch on February 22nd in San Francisco . This milestone also marks the debut of the SPARK podcast and the commencement of a special multi-city dinner series aimed at inspiring and connecting influential thought leaders and changemakers.

Latina Entrepreneur Karina Cabrera Bell Launches SPARK Media Platform and Exclusive National Leadership Dinner Series

The SPARK podcast transcends the boundaries of a conventional podcast, serving as a comprehensive platform that empowers individuals to become social impact leaders. By offering inspiring content, fostering a sense of community, and igniting action, SPARK unlocks the potential within each individual to create a better world. Driven by Karina Cabrera Bell's extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, including roles in the White House, US Senate, and local government, SPARK aims to inspire, educate, and mobilize individuals worldwide to drive positive change.

"We are thrilled to introduce SPARK as a transformative media platform dedicated to empowering individuals to make a tangible difference," says Bell, the visionary Founder and CEO of SPARK. "Our mission is to ignite meaningful dialogues, foster collaborations, and drive impact through the combined power of our podcast and inaugural dinner series. We firmly believe in the power of storytelling to transform hearts and minds, bridge divides, and mobilize communities towards collective action. SPARK is not just a podcast; it embodies a movement for positive change, fueled by the belief that together, we can create a better world."

The SPARK ecosystem encompasses a diverse range of initiatives, including the groundbreaking SPARK podcast, exclusive leadership dinners held across multiple cities, and thoughtfully curated events. Through these platforms, SPARK equips individuals with the necessary tools and support to leave an indelible mark on society.

The launch of SPARK is further elevated through the generous sponsorship of Omidyar Network, a social change venture.

"We are excited to partner with SPARK as they create positive change through inspirational conversations and community engagement," expresses Michele Jawando, Senior Vice President of Programs at Omidyar Network. "We firmly believe in the power of storytelling to amplify underrepresented voices and are proud to sponsor this event as part of our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society."

The highly anticipated launch of the SPARK podcast and the inaugural leadership dinner series event will take place on February 22nd in San Francisco . Join the movement by visiting Sparkthecollective.com and following SPARK on Instagram @sparkthecollective.

For media inquiries, please contact:Name: Karina Cabrera Bell Title: Founder and CEO Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE SPARK
IRVINE, Calif. , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Home Innovation Research Labs are excited to announce they have extended their US residential building products demand forecasts through 2026 for both new construction and repair and remodeling.

This product enhancement extends forecasted volume growth by two years across 18 key building product categories. The forecast extension strengthens JBREC's Building Products Demand Meter , a quarterly measure of building products installed across categories back to 2000, underscoring the company's commitment to equipping clients with product-specific market intelligence for strategic planning.

Clients can now access extended quarterly forecasts for each of the 18 building product categories and an overview of current conditions and demand drivers. JBREC is uniquely positioned to set a new industry standard for building product forecast quality, given its well-established expertise in housing, advanced forecasting capabilities, and proprietary surveys covering the housing value chain. Click here to view 2024 forecasts for all 18 building product categories.

"Our clients are now able to plan three years ahead, leveraging quarterly volumetric data and expert commentary on market drivers to inform their strategy," said Matt Saunders , SVP of Building Products Research at JBREC. "The Building Products Demand Meter is grounded in over two decades of comprehensive survey research conducted by Home Innovation, including their Annual Builder Practices and Consumer Practices surveys."

"We're excited that JBREC has combined our long history of large-sample survey data on 18 building product categories with their industry leading forecasting capabilities, as well as their boots-on-the-ground quarterly surveys informing the residential remodeling and new construction outlook, to project installed product usage out to 2026," said Ed Hudson , Director of Market Research at Home Innovation.

"Building products demand will play out very differently by category in 2024," said Saunders. "We anticipate big-ticket discretionary projects with higher remodeling exposure to remain weak over the first half of the year and recover over the second half as economic headwinds fade. In contrast, we anticipate more stability for small ticket and replacement categories."

The JBREC and Home Innovation Teams will be at the 2024 NAHB International Builders' Show in Las Vegas February 2729. Reach out if interested in scheduling a time to discuss our Building Products Demand Forecasts .

About John Burns Research and Consulting

John Burns Research and Consulting is a leading provider of research and consulting services for the US housing industry.

About Home Innovation Research Labs

Home Innovation Research Labs (formerly the NAHB Research Center) is a full-service research, testing, and consulting firm determined to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of single- and multifamily homes and home-building products.

Contact:

Kylie Raposa

Senior Manager, Client Relations | Building Products

John Burns Research and Consulting

[email protected]

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SOURCE John Burns Research and Consulting
MIAMI , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading figures from finance, government, business, tech, and innovation are convening to deliberate on a range of pressing economic and public policy issues at FII PRIORITY Miami summit, a major global investor summit, held today and tomorrow at Miami's Faena Forum.

The summit brings together investors from around the world gathered with CEOs of major global corporations and policy experts to seek workable impactful solution to issues such as the regulation of AI. This year's theme, 'On the Edge of a New Frontier,' reflects the profound changes the world is experiencing as technology transforms society and economies.

Richard Attias , CEO of FII Institute, said,"Today's conversations reflected a sense of urgency as the world grapples with what to do about AI, political uncertainty, and changes in the shape of the global economy. And we bring these conversations to Miamithe new Americaso we can chart a steadfast course towards a prosperous future, fully equipped with the insights and knowledge we need, harnessing the power of collective work and thought."

In his opening conversation, H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan , Public Investment Fund Governor and Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute Chairman, underscored the role of AI and its key contribution to future economies, saying "Al is coming in a big way! The impact will be very positive as soon as we have regulations in place to monitor, control, and enable this technology. AI could increase global GDP by 14%."

Michael Dell , Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, addressed the issue of AI regulation, and how CEOs can innovate through periods of extreme volatility and pivot towards future trends, adding "regulations will struggle to match the rapid pace of technological change and may be outdated within a year. We have to ensure that emerging technologies reflect humanity and our system of values and beliefs."

The summit's much anticipated roundtable of global CEOs, entitled the "Board of Changemakers," discussed trends and economic outlook. Participating in this year's roundtable were Pamela Liebman , President and CEO of The Corcoran Group; Pierre Beaudion , Chairman of the Board of Bombardier Inc; Jenny Johnson , President and CEO of Franklin Templeton ; Marcello Claure , Founder and CEO of Claure Group; and Stephen A. Schwarzman , Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of The Blackstone Group. The session underscored the impact of digitalization, particularly blockchain and AI, on future investments, advocating for regulation and ethical usage. The members of the board also highlighted AI's massive role in increasing efficiency and how AI can be harnessed to resolve climate change issues.

Mike Pompeo , 70th Secretary of State of the United States and Executive Chairman of Impact Investments, addressed the economic consequences of conflict, saying: "in the economic sphere, the connectivity between the things happening geopolitically is now ever more closely tied to thinking about investments and capital flows. It is impossible to separate geopolitical risk from capital allocation."

Conclave sessions were held for select senior participants to delve into the concerns relevant to their sectors with full transparency. For example, the conclave on AI convened many leading figures involved in the development of technologies, governance of AI, technology investment, and regulation, with a number of global initiatives on AI regulation presented

A special address by former Treasury Secretary Dr. Lawrence H. Summers , Charles W. Eliot University Professor & President Emeritus at Harvard University, and board member at OpenAI, highlighted economic and political contexts, including prospects for soft or hard economic landing, and likely outcomes of the US election. Dr. Summers was joined by Eric Schmidt , co-founder of Schmidt Fututes, who noted that AI is likely to double everyone's productivity, underscoring the importance of AI regulation, he added "there are questions about what happens when computers start to make decisions."

FII Institute's Founding Partner is the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which, alongside the Vision Partner, the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, and 26 international strategic partners are actively involved in the ongoing work of the institute. The FII Institute welcomed two new strategic partners at the summit: ACWA Power and Franklin Templeton . Speakers from strategic partners Franklin Templeton , GFH, HSBC, NEOM, ROSHN, Sanabil, Softbank, and State Street shared updates on their international projects relevant to the themes of the summit.

Notes to Editor

For media inquiries, please contact:

Phone: +966 53 978 2030

Email: [email protected]

The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute is a global non-profit foundation driven by data with an investment arm and one agenda: Impact on Humanity. Global and inclusive, we foster great minds from around the world and turn ideas into real-world solutions in four critical areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics, Education, Healthcare and Sustainability.

The FII PRIORITY Miami summit continues conversations held in Hong Kong and Riyadh in Autumn 2023. It is part of an ongoing global program of summits held throughout the year, with upcoming summits in Rio de Janeiro in June and Asia later in the year.

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SOURCE Future Investment Initiative Institute
WASHINGTON , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will provide coverage of the upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for the agency's SpaceX Crew-8 mission with astronauts to the International Space Station .

The launch is targeted for 12:04 a.m. EST , Friday, March 1 , from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida . The targeted docking time is about 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 2 .

Crew arrival will be available on Kennedy's streaming channels including YouTube and X . Coverage of launch, the postlaunch news conference, and docking will be available on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's website. NASA also will host an audio-only post-Flight Readiness Review news teleconference. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media.

The Crew-8 launch will carry NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick , Michael Barratt , and Jeanette Epps , as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin.

As part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program , the mission marks the eighth crew rotation mission and the ninth human spaceflight mission for NASA to the space station supported by a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft since 2020. Endeavour is the name of this Dragon spacecraft.

The deadline for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch has passed. The agency's media credentialing policy is available online. For questions about media accreditation, please email: [email protected].

NASA's mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):

Sunday, Feb. 25 :

2 p.m.  Crew arrival media event at Kennedy streaming on the center's social accounts with the following participants:

Jennifer Kunz , associate director, technical, NASA Kennedy

, associate director, technical, Kennedy Dana Hutcherson , deputy program manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Kennedy

, deputy program manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick

astronaut NASA astronaut Michael Barratt

astronaut NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps

astronaut Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin

The event is limited to in-person media only. Follow Commercial Crew and Kennedy Space Center for the latest arrival updates.

6 p.m. (approximately)  Flight Readiness Review media teleconference (no earlier than one hour after completion of the Flight Readiness Review) with the following participants:

Ken Bowersox , associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate , NASA Headquarters

, associate administrator, , Headquarters Steve Stich , manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Kennedy

, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy Joel Montalbano , manager, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson

, manager, International Space Station Program, Johnson William Gerstenmaier , vice president, Build and Flight Reliability, SpaceX

, vice president, Build and Flight Reliability, Eric van der Wal , Houston office team leader, ESA ( European Space Agency )

, office team leader, ( ) Takayoshi Nishikawa , director, JAXA ( Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ) Houston Office

Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 , at: [email protected].

Wednesday, Feb. 28 :

9:15 a.m.  NASA Social panel live stream event at Kennedy with the following participants:

NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free

Associate Administrator Carla Koch , mission manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Kennedy

, mission manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy Jennifer Buchli , chief scientist, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson

, chief scientist, International Space Station Program, Johnson Kristin Fabre , deputy chief scientist, Human Research Program, NASA Johnson

Members of the public may ask questions online by posting questions to the YouTube, Facebook, and X livestreams using #AskNASA.

10:30 a.m.  NASA Administrator briefing from Kennedy with the following participants:

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson

Administrator NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free

Associate Administrator Joel Montalbano , manager, International Space Station Program

, manager, International Space Station Program Steve Stich , manager, Commercial Crew Program

Media may ask questions in person and via phone. Limited auditorium space will be available for in-person participation. For the dial-in number and passcode, media should contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 , at [email protected].

12:30 p.m.  One-on-one media interviews at Kennedy with various mission subject matter experts. Sign-up information will be emailed to media accredited to attend this launch in person.

Thursday, Feb. 29 :

8 p.m.  NASA TV launch coverage begins

Friday, March 1 :

12:04 a.m.  Launch

Following conclusion of launch and ascent coverage, NASA coverage will continue with audio only, with full coverage resuming at the start of the rendezvous and docking broadcast. The audio link and details will be available nearer to the mission.

NASA Television will resume continuous mission coverage prior to docking and continue through hatch open and the welcome ceremony. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules, and links to streaming video, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv/

2 a.m. (approximately)  Postlaunch news conference on NASA TV

Steve Stich , manager, Commercial Crew Program

, manager, Commercial Crew Program Joel Montalbano , manager, International Space Station Program

, manager, International Space Station Program Sarah Walker , director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX

Media may ask questions in person and via phone. Limited auditorium space will be available for in-person participation. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 12 a.m. Friday, March 1 , at [email protected].

Saturday, March 2 :

5 a.m.  NASA TV arrival coverage begins (or about two hours prior to docking)

7 a.m.  Targeted docking to the forward-facing port of the station's Harmony module

Hatch opening will be approximately one-hour-and-forty-five minutes after docking followed by welcome remarks aboard station. All times are estimates and could be adjusted based on operations after launch. Follow the space station blog for the most up-to-date operations information.

Audio Only Coverage

Audio only of the news conferences and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA "V" circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240 or -7135. On launch day, "mission audio," countdown activities without NASA TV launch commentary, will be carried on 321-867-7135.

Launch audio also will be available on Launch Information Service and Amateur Television System's VHF radio frequency 146.940 MHz and KSC Amateur Radio Club's UHF radio frequency 444.925 MHz, FM mode, heard within Brevard County on the Space Coast .

Live Video Coverage Prior to Launch

NASA will provide a live video feed of Launch Complex 39A approximately 48 hours prior to the planned liftoff of the Crew-8 mission. Pending unlikely technical issues, the feed will be uninterrupted until the prelaunch broadcast begins on NASA TV, approximately four hours prior to launch. Once the feed is live, find it here:

http://youtube.com/kscnewsroom .

NASA Website Launch Coverage

Launch day coverage of NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission will be available on the agency's website . Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 8 p.m. Feb. 29 , as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff.

For questions about countdown coverage, contact the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468. Follow countdown coverage on the commercial crew or Crew-8 blog.

Attend the Launch Virtually

Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. NASA's virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities or changes, and a stamp for the NASA virtual guest passport following a successful launch.

Watch and Engage on Social Media

Let people know you're following the mission on X, Facebook, and Instagram by using the hashtags #Crew8 and #NASASocial. You can also stay connected by following and tagging these accounts:

X: @NASA , @NASAKennedy , @NASASocial , @Space_Station , @ISS_Research , @ISS National Lab , @SpaceX , @Commercial_Crew

Facebook: NASA , NASAKennedy , ISS , ISS National Lab

Instagram: @NASA , @NASAKennedy , @ISS , @ISSNationalLab , @SpaceX

Coverage en Espanol

Did you know NASA has a Spanish section called NASA en Espanol? Make sure to check out NASA en Espanol on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more coverage on Crew-8.

Para obtener informacion sobre cobertura en espanol en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en espanol, comuniquese con Antonia Jaramillo: 321-501-8425; [email protected]; o Messod Bendayan : 256-930-1371; [email protected].

NASA's Commercial Crew Program has delivered on its goal of safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station from the United States through a partnership with American private industry. This partnership is changing the arc of human spaceflight history by opening access to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station to more people, more science, and more commercial opportunities. The space station remains the springboard to NASA's next great leap in space exploration, including future missions to the Moon and, eventually, to Mars.

For NASA's launch blog and more information about the mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

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SOURCE NASA
CARROLLTON, Texas , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NerdsToGo, a leading IT solutions and technology services franchise, recently held its 2024 NerdsToGo Franchise Convention in Orlando, Florida . Themed "Secure Your Future," the four-day event celebrated franchisee achievements and the growth initiatives of the network.

With an unprecedented number of franchisees in attendance, the conference was a reflection of the managed services industry's robust growth and the brand's growing U.S. presence. The event included networking opportunities for franchisees, roundtable discussions, and a comprehensive vendor show. Recognized leaders in the MSP industry, including Sean Lardo , a ConnectWise evangelist, and Rob Rae , CVP of Community and Ecosystems at Pax8, shared their expertise on growing a successful MSP business.

"Our 2024 convention brought our franchise network together to celebrate and recognize their many achievements, as well as to engage in both networking and educational opportunities," said Jim Howe , President of NerdsToGo. "The excitement from the convention is contagious, and it was the perfect way to begin a successful 2024, especially against the backdrop of significant industry growth. This growth not only highlights the achievements of our franchisees but also opens up a wealth of opportunities for owners to grow revenue and reach new heights in the managed IT services sector."

Highlights from the 2024 Awards Dinner at the Convention include:

The award recognizing the Highest Volume locations in Sales Achievement were presented to Regis DeVeaux : NerdsToGo of Alexandria, Va. ; Kevin Martin : NerdsToGo of Franklin, Mass. ; and NerdsToGo of Bellevue, Wash. team led by Michael Santiago .

: NerdsToGo of ; : NerdsToGo of ; and NerdsToGo of team led by . The President's Award, which recognizes the top NerdsToGo locations with the highest total sales, was given to Regis DeVeaux : NerdsToGo of Alexandria, Va. ; Kevin Martin : NerdsToGo of Franklin, Mass. ; Gina and Michael Santiago : NerdsToGo of Bellevue, Wash. ; David Alcorn : NerdsToGo of Kemah, Texas ; Rory Dunnaback : NerdsToGo of Milwaukie, Ore. ; and Erik Nelson : NerdsToGo of Swarthmore, Pa.

: NerdsToGo of ; : NerdsToGo of ; Gina and : NerdsToGo of ; : NerdsToGo of ; : NerdsToGo of ; and : NerdsToGo of Susan and Don Dally of NerdsToGo of Knoxville, Tenn. , were recognized with the Rookie of the Year Award, which honors the franchisee with the highest sales for the first full 12 months of operation.

"NerdsToGo is at the forefront of providing franchisees the support they need to be successful in the growing IT solutions industry," said Regis DeVeaux , franchise owner of the Alexandria, Va. location. "I'm proud to be part of a network that is not only thriving but also embracing new strategies for revenue growth and operational efficiency."

About NerdsToGo:

NerdsToGo is a growing IT services franchise brand that provides a simple path to overcoming the pain points and complexities of technology. Friendly and approachable Nerds offer solutions for efficiency and security for small to medium-sized businesses, as well as the individual who needs help with personal computers, devices and home networks. NerdsToGo is a service-oriented brand in the Propelled Brands family. Providing Managed IT Services for business, the Nerds can assess, design and support IT networks while providing remote support and vendor management.

For more information or to learn about opportunities, visit NerdsToGo.com or contact Mark Jameson ([email protected] or call 214.346.5679)

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SOURCE NerdsToGo, Inc.
70% of rare genetic diseases start in childhood[1,2]

CASTRES, France, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rare Disease Day will be held on February 29 , an opportunity for Pierre Fabre Laboratories to reiterate our desire to provide innovative prescription drugs to children, as young patients require appropriate treatments. Already recognized for our work in oncology and dermatology, for several years Pierre Fabre Laboratories has been involved in rare diseases, which affect more than 200 million children worldwide[1,2].

In this area more than any other, partnerships are essential for driving research forward and discovering new treatments.

Working with the EspeRare Foundation to treat XLHED:

Pierre Fabre Laboratories is committed, alongside the EspeRare Foundation, to developing an innovative in utero therapy for the most common form of ectodermal dysplasia, XLHED, a rare genetic disease that acts on structures including the sweat and respiratory glands, skin, hair and teeth, and affects 500 infants each year worldwide.

"As the mother of a little boy affected by Ectodermal Dysplasia, a rare and unknown genetic disease that permanently affects the sweat glands, hair, teeth and nails, I am deeply committed to the Association Francaise des Dysplasies Ectodermiques (AFDE). The association has been existing for more than 20 years and offers essential support to affected families who sometimes suffer from the difficult view of others and from medical wandering. We support families and make their daily lives easier. We organise national days and trips to encourage meetings and exchanges. We are also involved in research projects such as the EDELIFE clinical trial on the prenatal treatment of the most common form of the disease, XLHED, conducted by Pierre Fabre laboratories and the EspeRare Foundation. This opportunity to take part in medical research is a real opportunity for children and their families giving us new hope."  Muriel Dubreuilh, President of Association Francaise des Dysplasies Ectodermiques (AFDE)

EDELIFE, a clinical study involving pregnant women carrying a fetus with the disease gene, was launched in late 2021. For more information: https://edelifeclinicaltrial.com/en-us/, Edelife clinical trial - Ectodermal dysplasia, Article from New England Journal of Medicine.

Partnering with Atara Biotherapeutics to treat a very rare lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD):

In oncology, Pierre Fabre Laboratories and the Californian biotech Atara Biotherapeutics have been working in partnership since 2021 to treat relapsed or refractory Epstein-Barr virus positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD) in patients aged two years or over who have undergone at least one previous treatment.

This promising treatment was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in December 2022 , and is currently marketed in Germany and Austria . In France , it has been available for patients as part of an early access program 2 (AP2) since July 2023 .

In France in particular, in the context of a serious, rare and incapacitating disease with a bleak prognosis, tabelecleucel, an innovative orphan drug, could meet a non-covered medical need for around five children a year.

"Our companies' complementary capabilities will expand access to the first allogeneic immunotherapy to use T cells from a healthy donor for patients all over the world who suffer from this rare form of cancer."  Pascal Touchon , CEO of Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Last December in Paris , this treatment won the 2023 Prix Galien France award in the Innovative Therapy Drugs category. This award is emblematic of scientific rigor, excellence and innovation, recognizing remarkable recent innovations in health care and publicly available. This therapeutic innovation will be put forward for the 2024 International Prix Galien , which will be awarded in Rome this June.

Working with Bordeaux University Hospital to treat infantile hemangioma:

Infantile hemangioma, occurring in 4.5% of infants under one year of age, is the most frequently observed benign tumor[3-5]. In 90% of cases, these tumors are not serious, but in some cases they are harmful. In 2007, the Bordeaux University Hospital discovered by chance that a molecule frequently used in cardiology was effective at treating this pediatric skin disease. After fruitful cooperation between the University Hospital and Pierre Fabre, this chance discovery became a concrete reality in 2014, with the global commercialization of the first prescription drug to treat severe infantile hemangioma.

Realizing that families were seriously lacking information, Pierre Fabre laboratories set up an extensive French website aimed at parents of children presenting with infantile hemangioma, to provide them with all the information they needed and help them determine the best course of action from birth onwards. Rapid detection of infantile hemangioma enables better management and limits the risk of sequelae. For more information: https://www.hemangiome.com.

For health care professionals, the provision of the Infantile Hemangioma Referral Score (IHReS), developed with the support of Pierre Fabre Laboratories, expedites the patient care pathway via early identification of patients to be referred to a specialist center (https://www.ihscoring.com).

"The general wait-and-see attitude that has prevailed around infantile hemangiomas must now be replaced with a more active approach. The IHReS score helps pediatricians and general practitioners identify hemangiomas with a risk of complications so the children can immediately be referred to a specialist center able to start treatment."  Dr. Christine Labreze, dermatologist at Bordeaux University Hospital

Working with Association Ichtyose France to improve management of ichthyosis

Dermatology is the branch of medicine that has the largest number of rare disorders worldwide. 500 have been reported, all with very different forms.

Ichthyosis is a rare disease that mainly affects the skin, significantly altering the integrity of the skin's barrier function. It is characterized by desquamation ranging from mild yet unpleasant dryness to a more serious disorder that is difficult to live with day after day.

To understand and help improve patient quality of life, Pierre Fabre Laboratories, in collaboration with patient associations, is collecting data as part of the Visible Diseases of the Skin program (in particular, the ALL study an epidemiological survey conducted over 50,000 people in 20 countries).

In 2023, a specific study was conducted with four European ichthyosis organizations. Responses were received from 362 patients, enabling previously non-existent information to be collected about their experiences. The results were presented by each organization during the annual event with the patients' families and experts.

Ichthyosis affects around 1% of all people[6]. Its visibility on the hands and face makes it very disabling from a very young age: 67% of patients in the study reported feeling excluded[6].

"Thank you Pierre Fabre [] for [] setting up this study, [] because, as sufferers of a rare disease, it's important for us to be heard and acknowledged, and these figures are going to help us with that. Our long-term relationship with Pierre Fabre is a good illustration of the close links forged with patients and patient associations, year after year!"  Anne Audouze, President of Association Ichtyose France, a non-profit organization dedicated to ichthyosis

About rare diseases

The European Union defines a rare disease as a rare condition affecting fewer than one in 2,000 people (in other words, a few dozen or a few hundred patients for a given disease). There are thought to be between 5,000 and 8,000 rare diseases7 (neuromuscular diseases, metabolic disorders, infectious and auto-immune diseases, rare cancers, etc.), affecting 3 million people in France , 30 million in Europe and over 300 million patients worldwide[8].

Although they concern relatively few individual patients, they affect a significant proportion of the population, and emerge as a real global public health issue.

About Pierre Fabre Laboratories

For more information, please visit www.pierre-fabre.com, @PierreFabre.

1. https://www.rarediseaseday.org.

2.European Journal of Human Genetics (2020) 28:165173.

3. Leaute-Labreze et al  Infantile Haemangioma Lancet 2017 Jul 1 ;390 (10089): 85-94.

4. Munden et al  Incidence and demographics of IH  BJD 2014, 170; 907-913.

5. Volc-Platzer et al.  Poster ESPD 2014.

6. El Hachem et al., Ichthyosis: multinational European study on patient characteristics and body sites involved with impact on quality of life, British Journal of Dermatology (sous presse).

7. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/overview/orphan-designation-overview.

8. https://www.inserm.fr/c-est-quoi/300-millions-patients-quand-meme-c-est-quoi-maladies-rares/.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2345623/Pierre_Fabre_Logo.jpg

Press contact :

Laurence Marchal

[email protected]

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SOURCE Pierre Fabre
SECAUCUS, N.J. , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), a leader in diagnostic information services, announced that Sam Samad , Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will speak on the company's strategy, performance and the latest market developments and trends during a fireside chat at the Barclays 26th Annual Global Healthcare Conference in Miami on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 , at 10:15 a.m. Eastern Time .

The fireside chat and Q&A session will be webcast live during the conference and will be available on the company's investor relations page which can be accessed at ir.QuestDiagnostics.com. In addition, the archived webcast will be available within 24 hours after the conclusion of the live event and will remain available until April 12, 2024 .

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of de-identifiable clinical lab results, Quest's diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management. Quest Diagnostics annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States , and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives and create a healthier world. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

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SOURCE Quest Diagnostics
One of the only Black-owned ship repair businesses in the U.S. expanded to Portsmouth as part of plans to meet the requirements necessary to complete major repairs for Navy vessels.

Suffolk-based Mills Marine and Ship Repair opened a 1.2-acre fabrication and training facility off Victory Boulevard on Thursday. The facility includes a classroom and training space as well a 57,000-square-foot outdoor area for making various ship components.

It has not been easy, but it has been worth it, said Donald Mills, company president and general manager.

Surrounded by huge hunks of metal and safety posters in the new training facility, Mills and other employees celebrated the opening with city, military and other officials.

Mayor Shannon Glover welcomed the company to the city and also acknowledged Portsmouths maritime industry.

We are a blue-collar community and we are proud of it, Glover said.

Since opening on Feb. 22, 2012, the company has grown from just a handful of employees to more than 100, Mills said. Around 10 of them will work in the Portsmouth facility. Mills declined to reveal how much was spent on the new facility, but said it was a significant investment.

The facility is one of the last steps toward the company being allowed to work on major Navy ship repairs later this year, Mills said. It will fulfill a requirement in an agreement with Naval Sea Systems Command that Mills plans to finalize by this summer.

Depending on the awarded contracts, Mills said he hopes to hire 20 to 40 more people.

Mills, who has around three decades of experience in the maritime industry, said the biggest challenges to his business had revolved around access to capital and meeting the stringent requirements for contracting work, rather than the color of his skin.

Once you get the opportunity, then you have to perform, Mills said.

During the event, Mills said he hoped to use the expansion to help hire formerly incarcerated people  skilled workers who might otherwise experience hiring challenges obtaining security clearances.

Since its inception, Mills Marine and Ship Repair has been awarded around $8.6 million in federal contracts, according to usaspending.gov.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com
Enhanced accessibility into a Hollywood -renowned stretch of Jamaican coastline inspires set-jetting package for vacationing passengers

OCHO RIOS, Jamaica , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new flight connection calls for a landing ovation  and a new set-jetting package for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts guests  as the first-ever U.S. commercial flight descends upon majestic Ocho Rios , Jamaica on February 24th . In homage to the swift and seamless journey directly into the Caribbean Riviera, Sandals' and Beaches' new "Love and Let Fly" package transcends traveler wanderlust from the silver screen to the golden Jamaican beaches coveted for decades by film producers and vacationers alike.

MORE TIME TO 'BOND', LESS TIME IN TRANSIT

Departing from renowned Caribbean hub Miami International Airport (MIA), travelers will touch down at Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ), mere moments from a captivating collection of Sandals and Beaches Resorts and the surrounding natural wonders striking enough to serve as the backdrop to some of Hollywood's most iconic films, including the famed series inspiring the aptly-named AA4007.

The new route operates twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays aboard an intimate, 76-passenger E175 jet, for a private jet-like flight experience designed to mirror the elegance and efficiency one would expect in the life of a secret agent. Post-flight, Ocho Rios -bound couples and families are whisked away to one of four award-winning luxury all-inclusive resorts  the all-new Sandals Dunn's River, Sandals Royal Plantation , Sandals Ochi, or Beaches Ocho Rios  transitioning from terminal exit to beach in as little as 30 minutes or less.

"LOVE AND LET FLY" TO SANDALS, BEACHES AND BEYOND

Curated exclusively for passengers arriving aboard AA4007, the "Love and Let Fly" package evolves the jet-setting experience into a set-jetting adventure inspired by the growing trend of movie-inspired tourism. Promising a journey through the heart of cinematic history and Jamaica 's breathtaking landscapes, the limited-time offer includes a complimentary Island Routes Powerboat Adventure for guests at participating Sandals Resorts in Ocho Rios . Redeemable once on resort, the all-day excursion offers an unforgettable combination of unknown hidden gems and famous island locales along the scenic North Coast , including a dive into the crystal blue water of the iconic Laughing Waters beach from the James Bond movie, Dr. No. Families traveling to Beaches Ocho Rios will inspire future film aficionados with a complimentary Island Routes Dunn's River Catamaran Cruise, an adventure that pairs snorkeling with panoramic views of the Jamaican coastline, including a visit to the archetypal Dunn's River Falls , also featured in Dr. No.

Guests can toast to new connections on the north coast with AA4007-inspired cocktail specials, including a Jamaican twist on the films' emblematic Old Fashioned. Available exclusively at Sandals Dunn's River this spring, the Jamaican Rum Old Fashioned elevates the guest-favorite with the limited-edition Blackwell 007 Rum spirit available to sip at all bar venues  from the sunset-facing Laughing Waters Beach Bar to the Lapidus Lounge, which pays homage to the famed architect who designed the resort when it was first built as the Arawak Hotel in the 1950s as well as the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, another filmic wonder.

A CONNECTION TO THE CARIBBEAN , A DREAM BROUGHT HOME

" Ocho Rios is the source of wanderlust for millions of visitors from around the world, whether awakening their curiosity from the likes of a television screen or even better, from that incomparable feeling of being surrounded by its breathtaking beauty," said Adam Stewart , Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. "For my family, it's even more personal as the backdrop of some of our most pivotal moments, including along this very beach where my father grew up dreaming of an interconnected Caribbean . The descent of American Airlines A4007 represents this dream, bringing the world closer to the beauty and allure of Jamaica's north coast  our home."

In tribute to his remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to the growth of Jamaica's travel and tourism industry, the Airports Authority of Jamaica honors Sandals Resorts International's founder and late chairman, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, by naming the Departure Hall at Ian Fleming International Airport in his glory  bringing forward a legacy that will inspire passengers for generations to come to let love fly.

The "Love and Let Fly" offer is available to book through May 16, 2024 for travel through May 24, 2024 with promo code FLY4007 for guests booked five nights or longer at participating Sandals Resorts and Beaches Ocho Rios . Spring rates start at $266 per person per night at Sandals Ochi and $341 per person per night at Beaches Ocho Rios . Learn more at https://www.sandals.com/jamaica/ocho-rios/flights/ and https://www.beaches.com/jamaica/ocho-rios/flights/.

Contact:

The Decker/Royal Agency

[email protected]

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SOURCE Sandals Resorts International
AUSTIN, Texas , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. (NYSE: INN) (the "Company") today announced that its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held Wednesday, May 22, 2024 , beginning at 8:00 a.m. Central Time . The meeting will be held at the Hampton Inn & Suites located at 200 San Jacinto Boulevard , Austin, Texas 78701. The meeting is open to all stockholders of record as of March 6, 2024 .

About Summit Hotel Properties

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. is a publicly-traded real estate investment trust focused on owning premium-branded lodging properties with efficient operating models primarily in the upscale segment of the lodging industry. As of December 31, 2023 , the Company's portfolio consisted of 100 lodging properties, 56 of which were wholly-owned, with a total of 14,912 guestrooms located in 24 states.

For additional information, please visit the Company's website, www.shpreit.com, and follow on X, formerly Twitter, at @SummitHotel_INN and on Facebook at facebook.com/SummitHotelProperties.

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SOURCE Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.
International partnership brings three Ukrainian children who were abducted by Russia to the United Nations to give testimony  the first time the U.N. has heard directly from Ukrainian survivors of Russia's mass child abduction

NEW YORK , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A day before the two-year anniversary of Russia's war on Ukraine , three Ukrainian children gave testimony at the United Nations, detailing their experiences being abducted by Russian forces. In recounting their personal stories, 13-year-old Sasha, 11-year-old Ilya, and 14-year-old Kira sought to advocate for the release of more than 20,000 kidnapped Ukrainian children remaining in Russian captivity. The closed-door session marked the first time that U.N. members have heard directly from survivors of Russia's mass child abduction, a violation of the Genocide Convention.

Builders Ukraine co-chair and BlueCheck Ukraine co-founder actor Liev Schreiber delivered opening remarks at the U.N. meeting. Schreiber asked the member nations to take all necessary steps for a safe return of all Ukrainian children taken by Russia , stating:

"In the face of all these injustices, trauma, and human rights violations, there is perhaps no more basic and fundamental definition of human security than for a child not to be separated from their parents. We are here today to raise awareness and to confront the horrific reality that thousands of Ukrainian children have literally been torn from their families and forcibly deported to the Russian Federation and Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine , and also to take necessary steps to foster their safe return and reunification with their families, consistent with international law."

The Ukrainian government has identified more than 20,000 cases of children who have been unlawfully abducted, while Russia continues to illegally transfer Ukrainian children to Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his children's commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova , have both been charged by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for child deportations.

Sasha, Ilya, and Kira are among only a few hundred Ukrainian children who have been rescued from Russian captivity. The rest remain held in Russia , where they are being indoctrinated to support Russia's brutal campaign against their homeland. Russia has passed legislation making it easier for Russian families to adopt Ukrainian children and to grant them Russian citizenship. Without significant international pressure on Russia , the stolen children may never be returned.

In response, Builders Ukraine and its partners have launched The Courage Project , which seeks to put international pressure on Russia to release the abducted children while generating funds to support the youngest victims of Russia's aggression. The project is asking people across the world to honor the bravery of Kira, Ilya, and Sasha by signing a petition that demands Russia comply with the Geneva Conventions and immediately release the names and locations of all Ukrainian Children who have been abducted.

The petition will be presented at the U.N. on June 1 , International Children's Day, urging the U.N. General Assembly to do everything necessary to ensure the children are returned to Ukraine swiftly and safely.

The Courage Project is a collaboration between Builders Ukraine; Bring Kids Back UA, an initiative of President Zelenskyy ; BlueCheck Ukraine; and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). For more information about The Courage Project, visit:

http://Buildersukraine.com/tcp.

About Builders Ukraine

Co-chaired by Actor and Director Liev Schreiber , Chef and Humanitarian Jose Andres, Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman , social entrepreneur Daniel Lubetzky , and global human rights and pro-democracy activist Garry Kasparov , Builders Ukraine is a non-profit initiative to keep the world engaged in Ukraine's fight to defend its freedom and democracy from totalitarian aggression. The initiative seeks to remind the free world of the shared values and humanity at stake when absolutist forces gain power. Builders Ukraine is part of a larger Builders network equipping people with the tools to overcome extreme thinking and work together to solve our toughest problems. Learn more at buildersukraine.com and wearebuilders.org .

About BlueCheck Ukraine

BlueCheck Ukraine identifies, vets, and funds effective Ukrainian humanitarian organizations responding to the consequences of the devastating Russian invasion. Its 25+ frontline partners evacuate children, provide emergency medical care and mental health services, build shelters, distribute food and cash assistance, remove unexploded ordnance, and more. Learn more at https://www.bluecheck.in/ .

About Bring Kids Back UA

Bring Kids Back UA is a strategic action plan initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine . It unites the efforts of the Ukrainian government, partner countries, and international organizations to bring back the children who have been forcefully deported from Ukraine . Learn more at https://www.bringkidsback.org.ua/ .

About Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) offers critical support to the families of America's fallen military heroes, including peer-based emotional support, grief counseling, and specialized programs for adults and children. Learn more at https://www.taps.org/international/ukraine .

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SOURCE Builders Ukraine
URBANDALE, Iowa , Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new U-Haul retail, moving and self-storage facility is coming to Urbandale thanks to the land acquisition of 4.46 acres at 4880 NW Urbandale Drive .

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Urban Loop is scheduled for completion in 2026. U-Haul acquired the property on Jan. 19 .

Preliminary plans call for the creation of a multi-story building including at least 700 indoor, ADA-accessible storage rooms with climate-control options and high-tech security features at affordable price points. U-Haul also plans to build a separate warehouse for its portable moving containers.

"Having a facility at the Urban Loop is important because it gives our customers direct access to the interstates," said Kellin Sybrant , U-Haul Area District Vice President. " Urbandale is part of the Des Moines metro area and is growing at a steady clip. Trusted U-Haul products and services are needed to accommodate growing communities like this."

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Urban Loop will include a modern retail showroom; moving truck rentals; trailer rentals; towing equipment; boxes and moving supplies; covered RV and vehicle storage; bike racks and hitch accessories; U-Box containers; and more. Professional hitch installation and propane exchange, refills and accessories will also be available.

Reserve equipment on the U-Haul app or contact Reservations at 1-800-GO-UHAUL.

U-Haul intends to hire 10 Team Members to staff the new store. U-Haul will look to hire locally to promote job growth within the Urbandale community. U-Haul, honored as a Best for Vets leading veteran-friendly employer by The Military Times, actively recruits veterans and gives them preference in the hiring process. Find U-Haul careers at uhauljobs.com.

"Bringing quality jobs to Urbandale is a top priority," Sybrant added. "U-Haul is thankful for this opportunity to be part of the city's development and long-term future."

U-Haul continues to benefit the environment through its shared-use business model. Truck and trailer sharing enables communities to share moving equipment so that families and individuals don't need to own large-capacity vehicles to transfer belongings. Sustainability initiatives like U-Haul Adaptive Reuse (the preserving and repurposing of existing buildings for new stores), truck modifications to improve fuel economy, and plastic Ready-To-Go Boxes that are shared hundreds of times before being recycled are among the many ways U-Haul promotes green business. U-Box Load Share, the Company's latest sustainability program, was just named the 2023 Best in Biz gold winner for the Most Environmentally Friendly Service of the Year.

About U-HAUL

Founded in 1945, U-Haul is the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers with more than 23,000 rental locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. The enhanced U-Haul app makes it easier for customers to use U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 to access trucks anytime through the self-dispatch and self-return options on their smartphones through our patented Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to 192,200 trucks, 138,500 trailers and 44,500 towing devices. U-Haul is the third largest self-storage operator in North America with 967,000 rentable units and 83.3 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities. U-Haul is the top retailer of propane in the U.S. and the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. Get the U-Haul app from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact:

Andrea Batchelor

Jeff Lockridge

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 602-263-6981

Website: uhaul.com

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SOURCE U-Haul International, Inc.
DUBLIN (Reuters) - The world's largest aircraft lessor AerCap does not see the supply of engine parts catching up with demand by 2030, its chief executive said on Friday, a situation that will prolong aircraft manufacturers' struggles amid labour and parts shortages.

AerCap Chief Executive Aengus Kelly said that while issues around the manufacturing of airframes will be more easily resolved, the finite supply of parts to build and repair engines will make it much harder to turn around.

"The manufacturers of those parts way back up the supply chain that do the castings are not going to increase that significantly anytime this decade as far as I understand. So I think we will see the engine issues persist through the decade," Kelly told an analysts' call.

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Susan Fenton)
(Reuters) - An airstrike in Ethiopia's Amhara region killed at least 15 civilians, including children and elderly people, when it hit a truck carrying them to a village this week, three residents said.

The strike took place on Monday around 24 km (15 miles) from where Ethiopian troops were fighting militiamen, according to the residents who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.

Some of the victims were fleeing the clashes, while others were returning home from a baptism ceremony, they said.

Spokespeople for Ethiopia's government and military and for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Ethiopian troops have been battling fighters from the Fano militia since last July in a conflict that has left more than 200 people dead, according to United Nations reports last year.

The strike on Monday hit a large Isuzu truck carrying several dozen people in Amhara's North Shewa Zone, the three residents said. Their accounts could not be independently verified.

"We first heard an explosion and the area was covered with smoke and dust," a priest said. "We collected 15 bodies. It was more a matter of collecting their dismembered bodies. Hands, legs and heads were everywhere."

The priest said more than 20 people wounded in the strike were sent to hospital and that he thought the overall death toll was significantly higher.

Another resident, who said he lost 10 family members in the strike, said at least 30 people had been killed. He said villagers told him that just before the explosion, they had seen a small drone flying in the area.

A third resident said his son and daughter-in-law were among at least 20 people killed in the truck.

The Ethiopian military has used drones extensively during the fighting, according to the state-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

The commission has documented the deaths of at least 81 civilians that it said were killed in drone strikes or extrajudicial killings by government security forces. The militiamen are not known to have any air assets.

The federal government has generally not responded to requests for comment about alleged abuses by the military, although it has denied some specific allegations by residents and the EHRC.

The government has said the military's actions in Amhara are aimed at ensuring law and order and the rights of citizens.

In a video shared on social media purporting to show the scene of Monday's attack, several lifeless and bloodied bodies can be seen lying on the ground alongside a badly damaged white-and-green Isuzu truck.

Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

The Amhara conflict broke out less than a year after the government reached a peace deal in November 2022 to end a two-year civil war in the neighbouring Tigray region that killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Fano militiamen fought alongside the military against Tigrayan forces in that conflict, but they have since accused the federal government of trying to undermine Amhara's security. The government denies this.

(Reporting by Nairobi Newsroom; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
By Jan Strupczewski

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Once considered a vital engine of the European Union, Germany is causing growing consternation in capitals across the bloc as disagreements in its ruling coalition spill over to thwart key EU policy goals.

The internal German bickering and its European echoes are seen in Brussels as a symptom of something deeper: Germany's unresolved quest for a new economic model after the Ukraine war put an end to the cheap Russian gas and largely unfettered trade channels that fuelled its export-oriented industry for decades.

"Much more than others in a phase of existential angst," one EU diplomat characterized Germany's condition. "They fear that the software itself is broken - and on top of that, you get the different logic from coalition members."

When Social Democrat Olaf Scholz struck a coalition deal with the environmental Greens and economic liberals of the Free Democrats (FDP) in late 2021 it was clear the pact had a rocky way ahead, but few predicted their differences would emerge at the EU level.

Since then, only the Greens have managed to roughly keep their popularity. Scholz's Social Democrats are down to 14-15% from almost 26% in the election and support for the smallest, the FDP, has more than halved to 3-5% - meaning it would not even get into parliament if elections were held now.

"There is a causality there - precisely because the FDP are being snowed under domestically, they are looking for a way to raise their profile in carefully selected EU files to rally their electorate," a second EU diplomat said.

German officials point to the constructive role Berlin has played in recent EU decisions to secure Ukraine aid or reform rules on budget deficits. But in other areas the differences have made it harder for the EU to implement its agenda, including its green deal.

The impact became apparent last March, when Germany's FDP Transport Minister Volker Wissing at the last minute reneged on a deal Germany and other EU governments and lawmakers struck in 2022 to curb CO2 emissions from cars, shaking partners' confidence in Berlin.

"Why would we want to do a deal with them if we cannot trust Germany will stick to it?" the EU diplomat said.

Complicating matters further, a German constitutional court ruling last November blew a 60 billion euro hole in the German budget, in an embarrassment to FDP leader and German Finance Minister Christian Lindner.

"That was the tipping point," a second senior EU diplomat said. "Now everything that has economic implications is extremely difficult."

More recently, Germany's FDP-led transport ministry has again forced last minute changes to an EU law on curbing CO2 truck emissions, while labour ministry's objections contributed to the scuppering of an EU law that would boost gig workers' rights.

Germany also helped sink an EU law that would require large companies to determine if their supply chains use forced labour or cause environmental damage.

"If a result is bad, you have to be able to say no," German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, a close ally of Lindner, told Spiegel magazine this week. "Just because an idea has been negotiated for a long time at EU level does not automatically mean it is good," he said.

OPENING DOORS

The German government had no immediate comment on EU concerns but a government source told Reuters that, while internal coalition disputes made Germany abstain in recent EU votes, it was far from being the only "blocker" of EU projects.

For example, a long-mooted EU-Mercosur trade deal is on hold due to a variety of objections in European capitals.

But while EU diplomats acknowledge that not only Germany is raising objections to various EU policies, they say its actions have opened the door for others to do the same. And crucially, it was the last minute changes that created uncertainty if deals would be respected.

"You need to have trust in the agreements you make," Michael Bloss, a German Green lawmaker in the European Parliament, told Reuters. "It is difficult if one member state is creating chaos by not upholding agreements they have made before."

Germany's size - which is reflected in its voting power - makes it difficult for the rest of the EU to work around it if it decided to block a piece of EU legislation.

"It's getting worse and worse. We in the EU are paying the price for them not being able to manage their own coalition," a third EU diplomat said.

Some officials pointed out however, that the FDP was effectively fighting for the votes of the German industry that is struggling to reinvent itself after higher energy prices robbed it of one key competitive advantage.

Jeromin Zettelmeyer, the head of the Bruegel think-tank, noted that the FDP opposed German subsidies to energy for industry, a stance that should be welcomed by others in the EU who cannot afford such polices.

"Germany is essentially torn between not favouring its own industry at the expense of the EU and at the same time preserving its economic model, which I would define as an industrial model," Zettelmeyer said.

"It is a balancing act. The question is can you adapt the model rather than completely throw it out. It requires time and money. This is where the conflict of interest with the rest of the EU comes from."

The European political calendar, including EU parliament elections due in June, does not help as politicians of all colours fear that a voter backlash to the EU's net-zero carbon economy goal will play into the hands of far-right populists in Germany and elsewhere.

That, the German government source acknowledged, was one source of tensions within the coalition, adding: "we hope that after European election situation will get better."

(Reporting by Giselda Vagnoni in Rome, Michel Rose in Paris, CHristian Kraemer and Andreas Rinke in Berlin, Kate Abnett, Julia Payne and Jan Strupczewski in Brussels; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S, March 1, 2022. Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERS

By Daphne Psaledakis, David Brunnstrom and Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Friday imposed extensive sanctions against Russia, targeting more than 500 people and entities to mark the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and retaliate for the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

President Joe Biden said the measures aim to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin "pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home."

The sanctions targeted Russia's Mir payment system, financial institutions and its military industrial base, sanctions evasion, future energy production and other areas. They also hit prison officials the U.S. says are linked to Navalny's death.

"Doesn't Washington realize that sanctions won't take us down?" Russia's ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, was quoted as saying on his embassy's channel on the Telegram messaging app.

The United States later on Friday also imposed sanctions on Russia's leading tanker group, Sovcomflot, accusing it of being involved in violating the G7's price cap on Russian oil. Also targeted were 14 crude oil tankers in which it has an interest.

"Sovcomflot as a whole, as a parent company, has been implicated in price cap violations in addition to deceptive activity," a senior Treasury official said.

The Biden administration is seeking to continue supporting Ukraine as the country faces acute shortages of ammunition, with the approval of more U.S. military aid delayed for months in the U.S. Congress. The European Union, Britain and Canada also took action against Russia on Friday.

The U.S. Treasury Department targeted nearly 300 people and entities, while the State Department hit over 250 people and entities and the Commerce Department added over 90 companies to the Entity List.

The United States and its allies have imposed sanctions on thousands of Russian targets since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The war has seen tens of thousands killed and cities destroyed.

However, Russia's export-focused $2.2-trillion economy has proved more resilient to two years of unprecedented sanctions than either Moscow or the West anticipated.

"We must sustain our support for Ukraine even as we weaken Russia's war machine. It's critical that Congress steps up to join our allies around the world in giving Ukraine the means to defend itself," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

Brian O'Toole, a former Treasury official, said the action, while involving a lot of names, was short on impact, because the majority of the entities targeted are Russian rather than foreign firms, and are easily replaceable as Moscow seeks to skirt sanctions.

But former senior Treasury official Ben Harris said the magnitude of the sanctions imposed by the United States alone was formidable.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday's move was Washington's largest number of designations in a single Russia action.

PAYMENT SYSTEM

Among the actions taken, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on state-owned National Payment Card System, the operator of the Mir payment system. Mir payment cards have become more important since U.S. rivals suspended operations in Russia.

It also targeted over a dozen Russian banks, investment firms, venture capital funds, and fintech companies.

The United States also targeted Russia's future energy production and exports, taking further aim at the Arctic LNG 2 project in Siberia. In November, Washington imposed sanctions on a major entity involved in the massive project.

On Friday, the State Department targeted Russia's Zvezda shipbuilding company, which it said is involved in the construction of up to 15 highly specialized LNG tankers intended for use in support of Arctic LNG 2 exports.

The United States also imposed sanctions on entities based in China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein over the evasion of Western sanctions on Russia and backfilling.

The spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, called the sanctions against the Chinese firms "a typical move of economic coercion, unilateralism and bullying" by the United States.

Washington has increasingly sought to crack down on Russia's circumvention of its measures.

Peter Harrell, a former National Security Council official, said the moves sent a clear message that the U.S. is prepared to take action against circumvention.

"I see this as kind of a valuable but incremental step that is within the strategy they've been deploying over the last two years," he said.

The Biden administration also imposed new trade restrictions on 93 entities from Russia, China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

The State Department also targeted three Russian Federal Penitentiary Service officials it accused of being connected to Navalny's death, including its deputy director who it said reportedly instructed prison staff to exert harsher treatment on Navalny.

Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died suddenly last week at the penal colony above the Arctic Circle, the prison service said. Biden has directly blamed Putin for Navalny's death.

The U.S. action also targeted people involved in what the State Department called the forcible transfer or deportation of Ukrainian children.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, David Brunnstrom, Timothy Gardner and Andrea Shalal in Washington and Polina Devitt in London; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay in Washington and Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Don Durfee, Alistair Bell and Rosalba O'Brien)
By Sam Tobin

LONDON (Reuters) -A British-born woman who went to Syria as a schoolgirl to join Islamic State lost her latest appeal on Friday over the removal of her British citizenship.

The British government took away Shamima Begum's citizenship on national security grounds in 2019, shortly after she was found in a detention camp in Syria.

Begum, now 24, argued the decision was unlawful, in part because British officials failed to properly consider whether she was a victim of trafficking, an argument that was rejected by a lower court in February 2023.

The Court of Appeal in London rejected her appeal on Friday following an appeal in October.

Judge Sue Carr said: "It could be argued that the decision in Ms Begum's case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune.

"But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view. Our only task is to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful.

"We have concluded it was not and the appeal is dismissed."

The government welcomed the ruling.

"Our priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK and we will robustly defend any decision made in doing so," a spokesperson for the interior ministry said.

Begum's lawyers called on Britain to repatriate her and others who remain in Syria, describing the refusal to do so as "disgraceful".

"Every other country has taken their nationals back  France, Germany, Belgium, America, Canada, Australia," Begum's lawyer, Gareth Peirce, told reporters.

"Every country in a comparable position has seen that there is no alternative but to take their nationals back. The UK stands now virtually alone."

Britain has repatriated 17 individuals since 2019 as of December, according human rights organisation Rights and Security International.

Daniel Furner, another of Begum's lawyers, said: "I want to say that I'm sorry to Shamima and to her family that, after five years of fighting, she still hasn't received justice in a British court and to promise her and promise the government that we are not going to stop fighting until she does get justice and until she is safely back home."

HEATED DEBATE

Friday's ruling is the latest chapter in a long-running legal battle, though Peirce said she needed time to properly read the ruling before a decision is taken on whether to seek permission to appeal.

In 2020, the Court of Appeal had ruled that Begum should be allowed to return to Britain in order to fairly challenge the removal of her citizenship. But that decision was overturned by the Supreme Court the following year.

Begum's case has been the subject of heated debate between those who argue she willingly joined a terrorist group and others who say she was a child when she left, or should face justice for any alleged crimes in Britain.

She left London in 2015, aged 15, and travelled with two school friends to Syria, where she married an IS fighter and gave birth to three children, all of whom died as infants.

Begum has been in the al-Roj camp since 2019, with thousands of other foreign women and children.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin, editing by William James and Nick Macfie)
PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech Republic has backing from Canada, Denmark and others to help finance a fast purchase of hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds from third countries to send to Ukraine, the Czech Defence Ministry said on Friday.

Ammunition supplies have become a critical issue for Kyiv as fighting against Russia's invasion enters a third year and has descended into grinding artillery battles.

The European Union, though, is falling short of its target of sending Ukraine 1 million rounds of artillery shells by March, and Czech President Petr Pavel flagged last week a Czech-led initiative of sourcing ammunition from other countries to get urgent aid to Ukraine's military.

The Czech Defence Ministry said on Friday that Canada and Denmark were involved but declined to give further details.

"There are other states (participating) that have the condition that they will not be mentioned," Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said in a statement, confirming remarks made to news website www.novinky.cz late on Thursday.

Pavel, speaking on a panel on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference last weekend, said allies should support Ukraine from "all sources available".

The Czechs, he said, had found 500,000 rounds of 155-calibre ammunition and 300,000 rounds of 122-calibre which could be delivered in weeks if funding was secured. He did not disclose the source or say how much they would cost.

The Financial Times reported on Friday that European capitals were seeking to raise $1.5 billion in emergency funding to provide Ukraine with ammunition under the Czech plan.

Canada's CBC reported this week, citing sources, that Canada could contribute as much as C$30 million ($22.29 million).

The Czech ministry said a memorandum signed by Canadian and Czech defence ministers last week included involvement in ammunition procurement.

Canada's Defence Minister Bill Blair said on Monday the agreement will "enable us to acquire those munitions and make them available more rapidly to Ukraine as we up our own production".

($1 = 1.3460 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka and Jason Hovet, additional reporting by Steve Sherer in Ottawa; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
Residents fighting a new gas station in Windsor Heights have suffered a loss in their decade-long battle.

Caseys General Stores aims to put a convenience store and gas station at 6961 University Ave., just east across 70th Street from the suburban city's Hy-Vee store. The city's council chambers were standing room only as the Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 4-1 Wednesday night to approve the chain's request to rezone the property.

The decision came after residents spoke in opposition to the plan, raising concerns about how the store would affect their property values and traffic and the impact another gas station would have on the community. A Kum & Go is located just to the west of Hy-Vee.

The Windsor Heights council chambers were packed as the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment met Wednesday to consider a zoning request for a proposed Casey's store at the corner of 70th Street and University Avenue.

"The majority of the residents don't want this," said Coleen Kelleher. "We want something that that will enhance our city, that won't be open from 5 in the morning to 11 at night."

The 1.29-acre lot is currently occupied by a two-story office building that's more than 50 years old. According to the Polk County Assessor's Office, it's owned by the Colby family of Colby Interests, formed in 1947. The family-owned real estate development and management company developed as much as half of the residential property in Windsor Heights and owns the land the city's Walmart Supercenter and Sam's Club occupy.

More: Casey's will add 40 more stores than expected as buying spree continues

The proposal would entail demolishing the existing structure and building a 4,283-square-foot convenience store. A report from city staff said the project would cost up to $5 million and that the sale of fuel, prepared foods and other goods would produce "significant" property tax benefits to the city.

"I've seen a lot of changes within Windsor Heights," said Stephen Loew, who's resided for 35 years in a house that backs up to the property. "I just asked you to remember this is not Colby Ville. This is not Casey's Ville. This is Windsor Heights, Iowa."

The city's Planning and Zoning Commission will review Casey's plans in a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. After that, it will be up to the City Council in March to determine whether to approve the project.

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Windsor Heights residents also fought Fast & Fresh, Aldi

This isn't the first time a company has sought to put a gas station at the corner of 70th Street and University Avenue: Hy-Vee proposed to build a Fast & Fresh there in 2014, but residents beat it back.

The then-director of real estate for Hy-Vee, Rob Wadle, said the plan would have improved traffic by moving the store's access point on 70th Street to the north and adding more parking. Neighbors were not convinced, expressing concerns for pedestrian safety, noise and "fumes."

6961 University Ave., located east of Hy-Vee, is currently inhabited by a two-story office building.

"I don't want to see a town like some of our suburbs that are mostly strip malls and gas stations," Jen Strate, a resident, told the Des Moines Register at the time.

The city's Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously rejected the plan, and the City Council concurred. Hy-Vee later acquired a former QuickTrip store at 7220 Hickman Road in Windsor Heights and converted it into a Fast & Fresh.

The following year, residents showed up in opposition to the Aldi store that would later be built at 7100 University Ave. across from Hy-Vee, a property also owned by the Colby trust. Though some complained about oversaturating the area with big-box stores, the plan eventually was greenlit in 2021.

Casey's is 'the best fit,' property owners say

The Casey's gas station at 105 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022.

Brian Sheriff, president of Colby Interests, told the board that the Colbys have owned the property since it was farmland  long before the construction of the office building in 1972. Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, the company has struggled with vacancies at the property.

"In August of '21, we spent $47,000 on refurbishing and redoing the entire parking lot, both front and back, in hopes to retain and attract tenants to this property. Unfortunately, that effort was not rewarded," Sheriff said.

He said the building currently is less than half rented and doesn't generate enough revenue to cover maintenance expenses or the property taxes. The property also has seen a steady decline in its assessed value and is poised to lose even more in years to come, he said.

"Over the last 2 1/2 years, we've been trying to figure out what can we bring to this site to redevelop that is an attractive use for the community and for Windsor Heights," he said, citing discussion with Chick-fil-a, Walgreens and CVS. "Of the options that were available for this location, we're thrilled to bring Casey's to this site."

The office building that now occupies 6961 University Ave. is more than half vacant.

According to the report from city staff, a convenience store and gas station would also create between 25 and 35 full and part-time jobs.

Justin Williams, owner of A New Look Windows and More and chair of the Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of Casey's proposal. He noted that other options for the property wouldn't provide the same stability or contribute as much to the city's tax base.

"I think redevelopment of the corner is inevitable," Williams said. "So whether you're for or against the Casey's, I think that something will change."

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: Casey's poised to build Windsor Heights gas station despite opposition
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, her husband Bo Tengberg and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy walk while holding wreaths during a memorial ceremony at the Field of Mars at Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine Friday February 23, 2024. Rit

By Yuliia Dysa

(Reuters) -Denmark said Europe needs to rearm more quickly as it became the latest NATO member to sign a 10-year agreement on security cooperation with Ukraine on Friday, the eve of the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

The bilateral agreements, already signed by the UK, Germany and France, follow a pledge by the Group of Seven nations last year to establish bilateral "long term security commitments and arrangements" with Ukraine.

Denmark, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, is among the biggest contributors of military aid relative to the size of its economy. Its new 1.7 billion crown ($247.4 million) military aid package was unveiled on Thursday.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Denmark hoped to supply Ukraine with F-16 jets soon as she visited the country and met President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday.

"It's a very powerful weapon We are working very hard, and I would like to see our Danish F-16 in the air in Ukraine before summer," Frederiksen said at a joint press conference with Zelenskiy in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

Ukraine has welcomed the security deals while emphasising that it still seeks to join the Western defence alliance, which commits to defend any member that comes under attack.

"These are guarantees of strength that are already working and will remain available to Ukraine until it joins NATO," Zelenskiy said. "The agreement with Denmark provides for comprehensive defense, political assistance, and diplomatic cooperation."

He said it includes 1.8 billion euros in assistance for 2024.

The deal also envisages support for Ukrainian navy development, as well as mine clearance efforts and high-tech military assistance. Countries also agreed to hold immediate consultations in case of a future Russian armed attack.

"Although we have significantly increased investments in defence and security, it is not enough. Denmark and Europe must rearm more, and it must happen faster," Frederiksen said in a statement on Friday.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa and Stine Jacobsen; Editing by Timothy Heritage and Philippa Fletcher)
Firetrucks stand at the scene of a fire on an apartment building in Valencia, Spain, February 23, 2024. REUTERS/Eva Manez

By Emma Pinedo

MADRID (Reuters) -A fire that swept through an apartment complex in the Spanish city of Valencia, killing at least 10 people, has prompted comparisons with London's 2017 Grenfell Tower inferno and raised concerns about fire safety standards and cladding materials.

Here is what we know so far about the fire, which broke out on Thursday evening, and the damage it has caused.

HOW DID THE FIRE START?

Authorities are investigating what caused the fire and where exactly in the building it broke out, but according to a sequence of videos posted on X by user @estella_carlos, the left corner balcony on the ninth floor of the taller of two towers was in flames at 5:37 pm (1637 GMT) on Thursday.

The blaze spread to the balcony right below within two minutes, and another 11 minutes later almost all the left side of the building and the top of the central part were ablaze.

At 6:22 pm, the fire had spread to the adjoining smaller tower.

WHY DID THE FIRE SPREAD SO QUICKLY?

Experts say that based on the available videos, a combination of strong winds, canvas balcony canopies and the facade's composite cladding materials most likely helped to stoke the fire.

Ivan Cabrera, director of Valencia University's School of Architecture, told TVE broadcaster that just as the Grenfell Tower blaze prompted changes in British fire safety legislation and led to mass cladding renovation in many properties, the same should happen in Spain.

The fire in west London started after an electrical fault, but its high death toll of 71 people was to a large extent blamed on the use of highly flammable external cladding.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED?

Spanish authorities said 10 people were confirmed dead after the first visual inspection inside the apartment complex in Valencia. A local court has opened an investigation.

According to Valencia's mayor, everyone has now been accounted for.

A total of 105 people who have lost their homes have been moved to nearby hotels. More than a dozen people, including firefighters, were injured in the blaze.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE APARTMENT COMPLEX

The complex is in a new residential area of Valencia that was developed in the past two decades.

The stricken complex consisted of two buildings of 14 and 10 floors, linked by a panoramic lift and with an open swimming pool in the courtyard. It comprised a total of 138 apartments. The bottom two floors were commercial premises, and top-floor apartments had large terraces.

The developer, FBEX, erected the building in 2008 just as Spain's real estate boom of the 2000s was about to turn to bust. FBEX went bankrupt in 2010 and creditor banks sold most of the flats, according to El Pais newspaper. Attempts to contact its former owners have yielded no results.

QUESTIONS ABOUT MATERIALS

Valencia's city council did not reply to a Reuters' request for comment on the materials used in the building, while the city's Council of Architects said it only kept technical records of buildings for 10 years.

Esther Punchades of insurance inspection agency APCAS, who has previously assessed the building, told state broadcaster TVE a lack of firewalls and the use of polyurethane underneath a layer of aluminium cladding had allowed the fire to spread.

The plastic material, she said, tends to melt and catch fire when in contact with open flames, falling on lower floors in large fiery drops while also propagating flames upwards.

However, Spain's Association of Rigid Polyurethane Industry said in a statement there was no evidence that the composite cladding contained polyurethane, while some experts suggested the insulation material under the aluminium was rock wool.

(Writing by Andrei KhalipEditing by Gareth Jones)
Voters fill out their ballot as voters in Ohio decide whether to enshrine abortion protections into the state constitution, in Columbus, Ohio, U.S. November 7, 2023. REUTERS/Megan Jelinger/File Photo

By Joseph Ax

(Reuters) -Abortion rights advocates are looking to extend their winning streak this year, with efforts underway to place the issue before voters in November's election in nearly a dozen states.

The list includes swing states such as Arizona, Nevada and Florida, which are all expected to play a crucial role in the presidential contest that will headline November's ballot.

Abortion has become a galvanizing issue for Democrats and a political liability for Republicans. Since the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated a nationwide right to abortion in 2022, seven states have voted in favor of abortion access, including conservative strongholds like Ohio and Kansas.

The issue was widely credited with forestalling a Republican wave in 2022, as well as propelling Democrats to victories in Kentucky and Virginia last year. It is expected to be a dominant theme in this year's presidential race and other political campaigns.

Here are the states where abortion could be on the ballot:

ARIZONA

Arizona for Abortion Access, a coalition of reproductive rights groups, has collected more than 250,000 of the approximately 384,000 signatures needed by July to put a measure on November's ballot that would guarantee abortion rights, according to a spokesperson, Chris Love.

If approved, the referendum would amend the state constitution to protect abortion rights up to fetal viability, generally around 23 or 24 weeks.

Abortions are banned after 15 weeks of pregnancy in Arizona.

Arizona is expected once again to be a presidential battleground, and it will also see one of the country's most competitive U.S. Senate races.

FLORIDA

Floridians Protecting Freedom, a coalition of reproductive rights groups, has already gathered more than 900,000 valid signatures, enough to qualify a measure protecting abortion rights for November's ballot.

However, the referendum must first pass muster with the Florida Supreme Court, which heard arguments on Feb. 7 over whether to approve the measure's language.

State Attorney General Ashley Moody, a Republican, has asked the court to block the referendum as misleading and vague. Several of the court's seven justices - all Republicans - expressed skepticism of the state's position during oral arguments.

Unlike most states, constitutional amendments in Florida must pass with at least 60% of the vote, a higher threshold of support than any statewide abortion measure has yet received.

Currently, abortions are banned after 15 weeks in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis signed a far stricter six-week limit last year, but that law only takes effect if the state Supreme Court upholds the earlier 15-week ban, which is the subject of a pending legal challenge.

NEVADA

In Nevada, abortion rights groups will formally kick off their signature-gathering effort on Saturday with a Las Vegas rally as they aim to put a constitutional amendment to protect abortion on November's ballot. Organizers need to submit more than 100,000 valid signatures by late June.

State law already offers similar protections, but adding them to the state constitution would make it harder to roll them back in the future. Voters would need to approve the measure twice - this year and again in 2026 - to amend the constitution.

Nevada has been a closely contested state in recent presidential races and will also play host to a competitive U.S. Senate election in 2024.

OTHER STATES

In Missouri, South Dakota and Arkansas - all deeply conservative states where virtually all abortions have been banned - organizers are collecting signatures for ballot initiatives that would enshrine abortion rights into state constitutions.

A similar campaign is underway in Nebraska, where abortions are largely illegal after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Ballot initiative drives are also ongoing in Montana and Colorado, both states where abortion remains legal under state law. Advocates say that adding abortion rights to the state constitutions would ensure that lawmakers or courts could not roll them back in the future.

In Montana, however, the proposed ballot measure is on hold after the state's Republican attorney general deemed the language legally insufficient. Supporters of the effort have petitioned the state Supreme Court to reverse his decision.

While not a presidential battleground, Montana is expected to see a highly competitive U.S. Senate race this year.

There are two states where abortion-related measures are already assured of appearing on the ballot: New York and Maryland. In both states, abortion is already legal under state law, and the Democratic-controlled legislatures have approved referendums that would amend their state constitutions to add additional protections.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Andrea Ricci)
Plastic letters arranged to read "Sanctions" are placed in front the flag colors of U.S. and Russia in this illustration taken February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. on Friday issued sweeping sanctions against Russia over the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, targeting more than 500 people and entities as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Moscow.

The U.S. Treasury Department targeted nearly 300 people and entities, while the State Department hit more than 250 and the Commerce Department added more than 90 companies to the "Entity List".

Below are key parts of the package.

SOVCOMFLOT

The U.S. on Friday imposed sanctions on Russia's leading tanker group, Sovcomflot, accusing it of being involved in violating the G7's price cap on Russian oil.

"Sovcomflot as a whole, as a parent company, has been implicated in price cap violations in addition to deceptive activity," a senior Treasury official said.

It also targeted 14 crude oil tankers that Sovcomflot has an interest in, as Washington seeks to reduce Russia's revenues from oil sales that it can use to support its invasion of Ukraine.

The Treasury Department issued a general license allowing the offloading of crude oil, or other cargoes from the vessels for 45 days. It also issued a general license allowing transactions with all other Sovcomflot-owned vessels at this time, the Treasury said.

The G7, the EU and Australia imposed a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil in late 2022. It bans the use of Western maritime services such as transport, insurance and financing for shipments of oil priced at or above the cap.

RUSSIA'S FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The Treasury Department said in a statement that it was imposing sanctions on state-owned National Payment Card System, the operator of the Mir payment system.

Mir payment cards have become more important since its U.S. rivals suspended operations in Russia after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, and their payment cards issued in the country stopped working abroad.

"The government of Russia's proliferation of Mir has permitted Russia to build out a financial infrastructure that enables Russian efforts to evade sanctions and reconstitute severed connections to the international financial system," the Treasury's statement said.

Also targeted were more than a dozen Russian banks, investment firms, venture capital funds, and fintech companies, including SPB Bank, owned by SPB Exchange, which is Russia's second-largest stock exchange and specializes in trading of foreign shares.

ARCTIC LNG 2

The U.S. also targeted Russia's future energy production and exports, taking further aim at the Arctic LNG 2 project in Siberia. In November, Washington imposed sanctions on a major entity involved in the development, operation and ownership of the massive project.

On Friday, the State Department targeted Russia's Zvezda shipbuilding company, which it said is involved in the construction of up to 15 highly specialized liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers intended for use in support of Arctic LNG 2 exports.

It also listed Limited Liability Company Modern Marine Arctic Transport SPG, which the State Department said has ties to the project. After November's sanctions, Russia's largest LNG producer, Novatek, and France's TotalEnergies had to declare force majeure to clients over supplies from the project.

Rosgeologia, a Russian-state owned company that provides geological exploration services, including services for the search and exploration of oil and gas fields, was also targeted.

UST-LUGA

Two firms were targeted for their involvement in the development and operation of Russia's LNG complex at the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga - the Russian joint venture company building an LNG complex at the port and its subsidiary.

SANCTIONS EVASION

The U.S. also imposed sanctions on entities based in China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan over the evasion of Western sanctions on Russia and backfilling, including for sending items Moscow relies on for its weapons systems.

Washington has increasingly sought to crack down on Russia's circumvention of its measures.

The Treasury sanctions designated six China-based firms for shipping microelectronics and other tech goods to Russia, and the State Department list included three other Chinese companies involved in procuring electronic components for entities tied to Russia's military.

The sanctions also targeted Russia-based Aktsionernoe Obshchestvo Avia Fed Service, UAE-based Linker FZE and Kyrgyz Republic-based Obshchestvo S Ogranichennoy Otvetstvennostyu Ukon for supplying third-country aircraft and truck parts.

RUSSIA-IRAN MILITARY COOPERATION

Washington also imposed sanctions on Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) for the first time under a Russia authority, though it was already under U.S. sanctions.

The State Department accused it of being involved in arms-related transfers between Iran and Russia, including of munitions and drones.

The Treasury actions targeted a network in Russia's Alabuga Special Economic Zone through which Russia, in cooperation with Iran, has acquired and produced drones.

The statement said Russia and MODAFL had cooperated to finance and produce Iranian-designed "kamikaze drones" for use in Ukraine.

METALS AND MINING

The U.S. took further aim too at Russia's metals sector, targeting gold producer Uzhuralzoloto, Russia's largest pipe producer, Pipe Metallurgical Company, and aluminum products producer Samara Metallurgical Plant.

Major Russian steelmaker Mechel was added to the list, with the Treasury saying that its subsidiary provided steel used in Russia's KA-52 attack helicopter.

Coal producer SUEK was added to the list as "a flagship company of Russian transportation logistics that operates its own railway infrastructure and is involved in trucking and other transportation services."

Rheingold Edelmetall, a Liechtenstein-based precious metals investment firm, was added to the list as, according to the Treasury Department, it has "collaborated with Russia-based metals companies to disguise the origin of Russian precious metals."

Additionally, German national Bernd Guenter Diegelmann, a UAE-based employee of Rheingold Edelmetall, "arranged the sale of Russian precious stones in the UAE," the Treasury Department said.

RUSSIA-NORTH KOREA MUNITIONS TRANSFERS

The State Department also imposed sanctions on Vostochnaya Stevedoring Company. It said more than 7,400 containers of munitions and related materials have been delivered to Russia through the company's terminal at Vostochny Port, where Russia has imported shipping containers carrying military-related cargo from North Korea for use in Ukraine.

Russia-based PJSC TransContainer, an intermodal container operator that offers military transportation services to the Russian armed forces and has played a role in the illicit transshipment of North Korean munitions and weapons systems for use on the battlefield in Ukraine, was also hit with sanctions by the Treasury Department.

TransContainer is also the operator of a new rail terminal at SEZ Alabuga, and its leadership was part of a Russian delegation that visited Iran in 2023, the Treasury said.

NUCLEAR

The U.S. also targeted the Alexandrov Research Institute of Technology, a subsidiary of Rosatom, the state nuclear company, which the State Department said is involved in designing, testing and supporting nuclear power and naval propulsion reactors, including for Russian submarines.

MANUFACTURE OF WEAPONS

The State Department also said it was targeting nearly 60 entities and individuals involved in the manufacture of weapons, ammunition, and associated materiel as part of its effort to disrupt and degrade Russia's military industrial base.

NAVALNY'S DEATH

The State Department on Friday also targeted three Russian Federal Penitentiary Service officials it accused of being connected to Navalny's death, including its deputy director who it said reportedly instructed prison staff to exert harsher treatment on Navalny.

Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died suddenly last week at the penal colony above the Arctic Circle, the prison service said.

EXPORT CONTROLS

The Biden administration also imposed new trade restrictions on 93 entities from Russia, China, Turkey, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan, India and South Korea for supporting Russia's war effort in Ukraine, according to a federal government notice posted online on Friday.

The action means companies will be placed on the Commerce Department's "Entity List," essentially banning U.S. shipments to them.

Of the new entities listed, 63 were from Russia, 16 from Turkey, eight from China and four from the UAE.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, David Brunnstrom and Timothy Gardner, Alex Alper and Andrea Shalal in Washington and Polina Devitt in London; Editing by Paul Simao and Marguerita Choy)
By Marcelo Teixeira

(Reuters) - A fire that broke out at an important export terminal for agricultural commodities at the Paranagua port, in Brazil, halted operations at three berths, two shipping companies said on Friday.

"All operations within the Export Corridor have been temporarily suspended. The port authorities are yet to determine the reopening date for the affected berths and the revised sequence for vessel docking," said Williams shipping agency.

Williams and the Cargonave shipping companies said in notes sent to clients that the fire - which has been controlled - started at the East Export Corridor in Paranagua, near the access to one of the shiploaders.

The port administration, known as APPA, returned a request for comment confirming the fire at one of the conveyor belts at the 214 berth.

It said that it preventively suspended operations at that berth, as well at the berths 212 and 213. Vessels that were in those areas were unmoored and directed to other areas in the port.

APPA did not provide an estimate for when operations in the affected areas would resume.

Around 20 vessels were expected to dock at those three berths in coming days to load soybeans, soymeal and wheat, said Cargonave shipping agency.

(Reporting by Marcelo Teixeira in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
FILE PHOTO: Parts of a ghost gun kit are on display at an event held by U.S. President Joe Biden to announce measures to fight ghost gun crime, at the White House in Washington U.S., April 11, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque//File Photo

By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - Nine companies that sell unfinished guns without serial numbers, used to make untraceable "ghost guns," must face a lawsuit by New York's Democratic attorney general seeking to halt their business in the state, a federal judge ruled on Friday.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman in Manhattan rejected the companies' argument that their products are not weapons. He pointed to the companies' marketing materials, including boasts that it was "ridiculously easy" to turn their products into guns and that "even a caveman can do this."

The defendants include Arm or Ally, Rainier Arms, 80P Builder, Rock Slide USA, Brownells, 80 Percent Arms, Glockstore, KM Tactical and Primary Arms. Attorney General Letitia James' office and lawyers for the companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

James sued them in 2022, saying their products could not be traced by law enforcement and fueled gun violence. A 10th defendant, Indie Guns, has not responded to the lawsuit and James is seeking a default judgment against it.

The lawsuit alleged that the companies sell frames and receivers, the core parts of handguns and rifles, without the serial numbers required by law for firearms. The resulting so-called ghost guns can be obtained by people legally barred from owning guns, and their untraceability has made them the "weapon of choice" for violent criminals in New York, it said.

James cited a spike in the number of ghost guns recovered at crime scenes, from 44 in 2018 to 797 in 2022, and said several defendants had shipped products to an address where a man was later arrested for threatening his wife and child with a gun.

A federal appeals court in New Orleans in November found that the unfinished frames and receivers were not firearms, striking down a Biden administration rule intended to crack down on them.

Furman on Friday called that court's reasoning "neither binding nor persuasive." The administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case.

(Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
FILE PHOTO: A self-driving GM Bolt EV is seen during a media event where Cruise, GM's autonomous car unit, showed off its self-driving cars in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 28, 2017. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage/File Photo

(Reuters) -General Motors' self-driving car unit Cruise is preparing to resume testing its robotaxis on public roads with safety drivers in the coming weeks, with Houston and Dallas as potential locations, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday.

Cruise suspended its U.S. operations in October after an incident in San Francisco, where one of its robotaxis dragged a pedestrian struck by another car.

"We have not set a timeline for deployment. Our goal is to relaunch in one city with manually driven vehicles and supervised testing as soon as possible once we have taken steps to rebuild trust with regulators and the public," Cruise spokesperson Sara Autio said in a statement to Reuters.

The company is meeting with officials in select markets to "gather information, share updates and rebuild trust," the spokesperson said.

Reuters has reported that Cruise is seeking to relaunch its service and considering Houston and Dallas as potential locations to resume testing with as few as 10 cars in each city and no passengers.

Labor unions and lawmakers have recently called for stricter regulation of autonomous vehicles after accidents involving self-driving taxis from GM and Alphabet's Waymo.

In January, Cruise said the U.S. Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission were investigating the accident involving its robotaxi in October.

(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Savio D'Souza)
An Israeli tank pulls an armoured personnel carrier (APC) near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Israel, February 23, 2024. REUTERS/Susana Vera

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Bassam Masoud

CAIRO/RAFAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) -Gaza truce talks were underway in Paris on Friday, in what appears to be the most serious push for weeks to halt the fighting in the battered Palestinian enclave and see Israeli and foreign hostages released.

A source briefed on the ceasefire talks, who could not be identified by name or nationality, said talks had begun with Israel's head of Mossad intelligence service meeting separately with each party - Qatar, Egypt and United States.

"There are budding signs of optimism about being able to move forward toward the start of a serious negotiation," the source said. Egypt's Al Qahera TV News also reported that the talks had begun.

An official from Hamas said the militant group had wrapped up ceasefire talks in Cairo and was now waiting to see what mediators bring back from the weekend talks with Israel.

Mediators have ramped up efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, in the hope of heading off an Israeli assault on the Gaza city of Rafah where more than a million displaced people are sheltering at the southern edge of the enclave.

Israel says it will attack the city if no truce agreement is reached soon. Washington has called on its close ally not to do so, warning of vast civilian casualties if an assault on the city goes ahead.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh met Egyptian mediators in Cairo to discuss a truce this past week on his first visit since December.

Two Egyptian security sources earlier confirmed that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel would head on Friday to Paris for the talks with the Israelis, after wrapping up talks with Haniyeh on Thursday. Israel has not publicly commented on the Paris talks, which are expected to continue through the weekend.

The Hamas official, who asked not to be identified, said the militant group did not offer any new proposal at the talks with the Egyptians, but was waiting to see what the mediators would bring back from their talks with the Israelis.

"We discussed our proposal with them (the Egyptians) and we are going to wait until they return from Paris," the Hamas official said.

CEASEFIRE OUTLINE EMERGED FROM EARLIER TALKS

The last time similar talks were held in Paris, at the start of February, they produced an outline for the first extended ceasefire of the war, approved by Israel and the United States. Hamas responded with a counterproposal, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then rejected as "delusional".

Hamas, which is still believed to be holding more than 100 hostages seized in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war, says it will free them only as part of a truce that ends with an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israel says it will not pull out until Hamas is eradicated.

Late on Thursday, Netanyahu presented his security cabinet with an official plan for Gaza once the fighting stops. He emphasised that Israel expects to maintain security control over the enclave after destroying Hamas, and also sees no role there for the Palestinian Authority (PA) based in the West Bank.

Washington favours a role for a reformed PA.

Two Palestinian officials familiar with the negotiations said Hamas has not changed its stance in the latest push to reach a deal, and still demands that a truce end with an Israeli pullout.

"Israel's position and its response to mediation has been negative and this poses many obstacles towards reaching an agreement," senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said on Friday during a press conference in Beirut.

"Netanyahu is procrastinating... He does not care about the release of his hostages, but rather uses this issue as a card to achieve his goals," Hamdan said.

COMEDIAN'S FAMILY KILLED IN AIR STRIKES

As night fell over the impoverished strip, an air strike targeting a residential unit in central Gaza's Deir Al-Balah killed at least 22 Palestinians, health ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said.

Health officials said many family members of Mahmoud Abu Zaeiter, a comedian with 1.2 million online followers, were among the dead.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, which says it is doing its best to minimize harm to civilians as it battles militants in urban areas.

The Gaza health ministry said earlier that 104 people had been killed and 160 others were wounded in Israeli military strikes in the past 24 hours.

The Israeli military said it had killed dozens of militants and seized weapons across Gaza since Thursday.

At a morgue in Rafah, where over half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are sheltering, a family knelt by the body of their child, killed by Israeli strikes overnight into Friday. They tenderly touched and stroked the small body through a shroud.

Deir al-Balah is one of the few other areas yet to be stormed by the Israelis. In video obtained by Reuters, bereaved families crowded a hospital, where Ahmed Azzam held up the body of his dead baby son wrapped in a shroud, shouting: "You killed them Netanyahu. You killed this innocent child!"

At least 29,514 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza since Oct.7, the Gaza health ministry said on Friday.

Israel launched its months-long military campaign after militants from Hamas-ruled Gaza killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in southern Israel on Oct 7.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo, Bassam Massoud in Rafah, Dan Williams and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem, Henriette Chacar in Jaffa and Adam Makary in Cairo; Writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell; Editing by Peter Graff and Philippa Fletcher)
Palestinians walk past destroyed houses, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip February 22, 2024. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

By IbraheemAbu Mustafa, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Jonathan Landay

RAFAH, Gaza Strip/CAIRO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Israel will take part in negotiations this weekend in Paris with the U.S., Qatar and Egypt on a potential deal for a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza, according to a source briefed on the matter and Israeli media.

The last talks on a ceasefire failed two weeks ago, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected as "delusional" a Hamas proposal for a 4-1/2 month truce that would end with an Israeli withdrawal.

But the head of Palestinian militant group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was in Egypt this week, in the strongest sign in weeks that negotiations remain alive.

Israel's Channel 12 television reported on Thursday that the war cabinet had approved sending negotiators, led by the head of Mossad intelligence service David Barnea, to Paris on Friday for talks on a potential deal to free more than 100 hostages kidnapped from Israel in October whom Hamas is still believed to be holding.

CIA Director William Burns, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel will also participate in the Paris meetings, the source said on Thursday.

Earlier on Thursday, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the country's hostage negotiators were being given expanded authority.

The urgency of diplomatic efforts appeared to be increasing ahead of the month-long Islamic holiday of Ramadan, which begins on March 10.

"We're focused intensely on trying to get an agreement that results in the release of the remaining hostages and that produces an extended humanitarian ceasefire", U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Brazil.

U.S. Middle East envoy Brett McGurk held "constructive" meetings in Egypt and Israel including with Netanyahu on Thursday, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said at a briefing.

Blinken said he, Burns and McGurk were "in constant communication and working every aspect of this."

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, told Reuters that Israel was responsible for the lack of progress and was backtracking on terms it accepted weeks ago in the prior ceasefire proposal. "The (Israeli) occupation is not interested in achieving any agreement," he said.

There was no immediate response from Israeli officials. Netanyahu has said that if Hamas were to show flexibility progress would be possible.

A little after midnight on Friday, Hamas said Haniyeh ended his three-day visit to Cairo where he met with Kamel.

They discussed ending Israeli aggression, aid for civilians in Gaza, returning displaced people to their homes, especially in north Gaza, and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, the group said in a statement.

Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after Hamas militants who control the territory stormed through Israeli towns on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, nearly 30,000 people have been confirmed killed in Gaza, according to health authorities, with thousands more feared dead under ruins.

Hamas says it will not release remaining hostages unless Israel agrees to end fighting and withdraw from Gaza. Israel says it will not pull out until Hamas is eradicated.

'TRAUMATISED CHILDREN'

In Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip's principal battlefield for the last month, Israeli forces raided Nasser Medical Complex on Thursday shortly after withdrawing from it, the Palestinian enclave's health ministry said.

The World Health Organization earlier said it aimed to evacuate some of the roughly 140 patients stranded there. Palestinian officials have said bodies of dead patients have begun to decompose amid power cuts and fighting.

Israel gave no immediate comment.

In Rafah, where over half of the enclave's 2.3 million people are huddled, mostly in tents, mourners wept on Thursday over at least seven corpses in body bags, laid on cobbles outside a morgue.

Gaza health authorities said at least 120 people were confirmed killed and 130 wounded in the last 24 hours of Israeli assaults, but many more victims were still under rubble.

Rafah's al-Farouk mosque was flattened into slabs of concrete, and the facades of adjacent buildings were blasted away.

Residents said bombing on Wednesday night had been the heaviest since an Israeli raid on the city 10 days ago that freed two hostages and killed scores of civilians.

"We couldn't sleep, the sounds of explosions and planes roaring overhead didn't stop," said Jehad Abuemad, 34, who lives with his family in a tent. "We could hear children crying in nearby tents, people here are desperate and defenceless."

The head of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) told the United Nations Security Council in New York that children are traumatised.

"These psychological injuries have led children as young as five to tell us that they would prefer to die," said Christopher Lockyear.

Israel has threatened to launch a full-blown attack on Rafah, the last city at Gaza's southern edge, despite international pleas - including from its main ally Washington - for restraint.

Residents who have fled to Rafah from elsewhere say there is nowhere left to go. Meanwhile, an already meagre aid flow has almost completely dried up.

(Reporting by Ibraheem Abu Mustafa in Rafah, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo, Dan Williams in Jerusalem, and Humeyra Pamuk and Jonathan Landay in Washington; Writing by Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
FILE PHOTO: Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of Binance logo in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Friday accepted Binance's guilty plea and more than $4.3 billion penalty for violating federal anti-money laundering and sanctions laws through lapses in internal controls at the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange.

U.S. District Judge Richard Jones in Seattle approved the plea, which includes a $1.81 billion criminal fine and $2.51 billion of forfeiture, about an hour after the government proposed changes to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao's bond, drawing an objection from Zhao's lawyers.

Binance's plea announced in November resolved a years-long probe that found the exchange had failed to report more than 100,000 suspicious transactions involving designated terrorist groups including Hamas, al Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

Prosecutors said Binance's platform also supported the sale of child sexual abuse materials and was among the largest recipients of ransomware proceeds.

In a statement on Friday, Binance said it accepted responsibility, has upgraded its anti-money laundering and "know-your-customer" protocols, and has made "significant progress" toward changes required under its plea agreement.

Zhao has been free in the United States on a $175 million bond after also pleading guilty in November to money laundering violations.

His plea included a $50 million fine and required that he step down as Binance chief executive.

In a court filing, prosecutors said the proposed bond changes were meant to reflect Jones' orders that Zhao stay in the continental United States and under court officer supervision until his April 30 sentencing.

The conditions include that Zhao provide three days notice of any travel plans, surrender his passports and maintain his current residence unless he gets approval for a change.

Pretrial services officers are recommending that Zhao also be subjected to location monitoring.

Prosecutors said they have discussed the changes with Zhao's lawyers several times, but that they "object to this motion as written."

Zhao's lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The cases are U.S. v Binance Holdings Ltd, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, No. 23-cr-00178, and U.S. v. Zhao in the same court, No. 23-cr-00179.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
Allied Analytics LLP

Rise in prevalence of neurological conditions, rise in awareness and diagnosis of CNS disorders, surge in research and development by key players, and technological advancements in drug delivery are expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Central Nervous System (CNS) Therapeutics Market by Disease Type (Neurovascular Diseases, CNS Trauma, Mental Health, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Cancer, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the global CNS Therapeutics industry generated $114.14 billion in 2023, and is anticipated to generate $199.1 billion by 2033, witnessing a CAGR of 5.7% from 2024 to 2033.



Prime Determinants of Growth

The central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics market is expected to witness notable growth owing to rise in prevalence of the neurological conditions, rise in awareness and diagnosis of CNS disorders and surge in research and development by key players. Moreover, technological advancements in drug delivery are expected to provide lucrative opportunity for the growth of the market during the forecast period. On the contrary, the high cost of central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics limits the growth of the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics market.

Request Sample of the Report on Central Nervous System Therapeutics Market Forecast 2033 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A305147

Report Coverage & Details:



Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20242033 Base Year 2023 Market Size In 2022 $114.14 Billion Market Size In 2032 $199.1 Billion CAGR 5.70% No. Of Pages In Report 246 Segments Covered Disease Type, And Region. Drivers Rise In Prevalence of Neurological Conditions Rise In Awareness and Diagnosis of CNS Disorders Surge In Research and Development by Key Players Opportunity Technological Advancements in Drug Delivery Restraint High Cost of Central Nervous System (CNS) Therapeutics

Recession Impact

During economic downturns, there is a heightened focus on cost containment and efficient resource allocation. Recessions often result in budget cuts, impacting research funding from both public and private sectors.

Moreover, it hampers investments in central nervous system therapeutics development, slowing down innovation and the introduction of advanced central nervous system therapeutics.

However, despite budget constraints, the significance of healthcare research remains pivotal, especially during challenging times. Diseases and health concerns persist regardless of economic conditions, potentially leading to sustained demand for central nervous system therapeutics for medication packaging in the pharmaceutical sector.

Story continues

Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A305147

The neurodegenerative diseases segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on disease type, the neurodegenerative diseases segment held the largest market share in 2023, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to a surge in prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders globally. Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, have seen a rise in prevalence globally. The surge in the number of individuals suffering from neurodegenerative conditions resulted in increased demand for central nervous system therapeutics. Furthermore, the rise in geriatric population globally is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics market.

However, CNS cancer segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 9.8% from 2024 to 2033. This is attributed to the rising prevalence of CNS cancer worldwide.

North America to maintain its dominance by 2033

Based on region, North America held the largest market share in terms of revenue in 2023, accounting for nearly half of the global central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics market revenue and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period.

This is attributed to the strong presence of major key players such as Biogen Inc, Johnson and Johnson, Eli Lilly, and Company Inc. and Viatris Inc. In addition, the well-developed healthcare infrastructure and rise in prevalence of clinical depression and anxiety is expected to drive the growth of the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics market in North America region.

However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to rise in geriatric population and improving healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, the large patient base in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics market in Asia-Pacific region.

For Procurement Information - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A305147

Leading Market Players:

Johnson and Johnson

Eli Lilly and Company

Merck and Co Inc.

Novartis AG

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd.

Viatris Inc.

UCB Pharma

Biogen, Inc.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics market. These players have adopted strategies such as product launch, product approval, acquisition, agreement, and partnership to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

About Allied Market Research:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Wayne LaPierre, former CEO of the National Rifle Association (NRA), arrives at New York State Supreme Court for the NRA trial in New York City, U.S., February 23, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

By Jonathan Stempel and Jack Queen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former longtime National Rifle Association chief Wayne LaPierre mismanaged the gun rights group and cost it millions of dollars through wasteful spending to support a lavish lifestyle, a jury found on Friday, recommending that he repay $4.35 million.

In a civil corruption case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the six-person jury in Manhattan also recommended that former NRA treasurer and chief financial officer Wilson Phillips repay the group $2 million for his own mismanagement.

Another defendant, NRA current secretary and general counsel John Frazer, did not harm the group financially, the jury found.

In a 2020 lawsuit, James accused the NRA of letting top executives divert millions of dollars for luxuries, turning the group into "Wayne's World" as LaPierre enjoyed private jets, expensive trips and a Beverly Hills shopping spree.

James also said the NRA ignored the need for board approval to waive conflicts of interest and approve insider transactions.

"Today, after years of rampant corruption and self-dealing, Wayne LaPierre and the NRA are finally being held accountable," James said in a statement.

Jurors found that LaPierre caused $5.4 million of damage to the NRA, but had repaid $1.05 million.

Lawyers for the individual defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Defense lawyers had called the lawsuit part of a political "witch hunt" because James, a Democrat, did not like what the NRA stood for and wanted to silence it.

Manhattan Judge Joel Cohen, who oversaw the trial, will have the final say on remedies.

NRA STRUGGLES

LaPierre, 74, faced possible removal before resigning in January after more than 32 years as chief executive.

He built the NRA into a political powerhouse, often allied with Republicans, that pressed Washington and statehouses to expand gun rights, even as mass shootings mounted nationwide.

But the group he once led has struggled in recent years, with revenue down 44% since 2016 and membership down by nearly a third since 2018, according to court papers filed last year.

In a statement, the NRA said Friday's verdict confirmed that the group had been "victimized by certain former vendors and 'insiders' who abused the trust" it had placed in them.

The jury began deliberating on Feb. 16 and needed five days to issue its recommendations.

The NRA since 1871 has been a New York-registered nonprofit organization, meaning its assets must be used to advance charitable needs and serve members.

In her closing argument for the state, Assistant Attorney General Monica Connell said the NRA, as a charity, should have spent money to advance its mission, and was deflecting blame after getting caught with its hands in the cookie jar.

"Saying you're sorry now, saying maybe you'll put back a couple of those cookies, doesn't mean you didn't take the cookies," Connell said.

James originally sought to dissolve the NRA, but Cohen ruled in 2022 that she had not shown sufficient public harm to justify a "corporate death penalty."

In testimony last month, LaPierre admitted he should have told the NRA board about vacations he had taken with a Hollywood producer at about the same time the NRA began paying higher fees under a contract with a company the producer owned.

But LaPierre maintained that the NRA had undergone a "course correction" to improve accounting in 2018, and that James should have been "patting us on the back for the work we had done."

(Reporting by Luc Cohen, Jack Queen and Jonathan Stempel in New York, Editing by Will Dunhan, Rosalba O'Brien and Noeleen Walder)
FILE PHOTO: A sample of the drug Singulair made by Merck & Co. is seen in New York March 9, 2009. REUTERS/Chip East/File Photo

By Robin Respaut and Dan Levine

(Reuters) - The attorney general for one of the most populous U.S. states this week urged federal drug regulators to address safety risks associated with the widely used asthma and allergy medicine Singulair, saying current warnings on the drug's packaging are insufficient, particularly for children.

In a letter dated on Wednesday, the New York state attorney general's office urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to further investigate and warn consumers and healthcare providers about harmful neuropsychiatric side effects of Singulair, also known by its generic name montelukast.

The office told the FDA that the effects of Singulair on children are a "particularly urgent concern in light of the national youth mental health crisis plaguing our state."

FDA spokesperson Chanapa Tantibanchachai on Friday said the agency would respond directly to Attorney General Letitia James. A spokesperson for Merck & Co spinoff Organon, which currently markets Singulair, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The letter cited a report from Reuters last year that found the FDA had received thousands of reports of patients, including many children, experiencing depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, or other psychiatric problems after taking Singulair or generic montelukast, since the drug was launched by Merck over 25 years ago.

The Reuters report also detailed lawsuits alleging Merck knew from its early research that the drug could impact the brain and that it minimized the potential for psychiatric problems in statements to regulators.

In 2020, the FDA added its most serious warning, known as a "black box," to the drug's label, describing serious neuropsychiatric events reported by patients taking the medicine.

The AG's office asserted that four years after the warning was added to the drug's label, the prevalence of adverse mental health events, including suicide, continued to be widely reported disproportionately for pediatric patients, and that many healthcare professionals and patients are still unaware of the potential serious side effects.

The AG urged the FDA to investigate whether the risk of Singulair's adverse side effects outweigh its benefits for pediatric patients, and to notify healthcare providers of the drug's safety risks to minors. The AG's office also suggested the FDA encourage providers to consider alternative FDA-approved medications for asthma and allergies in children and adolescents.

Singulair, one of the best-selling drugs in U.S. history, provided Merck with about $50 billion in revenue, company disclosures show. Millions of prescriptions of the drug have also been written for generic versions of Singulair.

(Reporting by Dan Levine and Robin Respaut; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump addresses the 2024 National Religious Broadcasters Association International Christian Media Convention, as part of the NRB Presidential Forum in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., February

By Jarrett Renshaw

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) -Pennsylvania Republican leaders are trying to raise millions of dollars to convince state voters to embrace mail-in ballots and to ignore criticism from their party's likely presidential candidate, Donald Trump, over the practice.

The previously unreported effort puts Republican leadership in Pennsylvania, one of the most important battleground states in the 2024 presidential race, at odds with Trump over 'absentee' or mail-in balloting.

Trump, who continues to falsely allege he won the 2020 race, said this week "you automatically have fraud" when mail-in voting systems are used. The remarks are Trump's latest in years of allegations, without evidence, that mail-in ballots make election results unreliable.

A small group of Pennsylvania Republicans are hoping to raise some $8 million to fund an education campaign in the state aimed at soothing Republican voters' concerns about the integrity of casting ballots by mail, officials told Reuters. The money will fund staff to knock on doors in a personal persuasion campaign, officials said.

The effort is part of a broader rethinking by the Republican Party of the value of voting by mail, after the party tried in 2020 to stop its expansion. The Republican National Committee (RNC) launched a nationwide Bank Your Vote campaign in 2023 to sell party voters on mail ballots and other early voting methods nationwide.

The Democratic National Committee says despite public support of mail-in ballots, the RNC continues to use the courts to limit voter access to early voting, including an ongoing legal battle in Pennsylvania.

Democrats have seized on Pennsylvania's 2019 expansion of mail ballots to dominate their Republican rivals to bank votes ahead of election day. Republican officials believe Trump's constant attacks on mail balloting are giving their opponents an edge, because Republican voters opt for same-day voting instead, leaving turnout vulnerable to illness or weather conditions.

In 2020, President Joe Biden received 1,995,691 mail-in votes to Trump's 595,538 in Pennsylvania, which amounts to roughly 3 out of every 4 mail ballots cast for Biden in the state. Biden won Pennsylvania by less than 2% of the votes. "We just can't let Democrats continue to have this advantage if we want to win," said Dave White, a Republican who is helping organize the fundraising drive.

Jim Worthington, a Pennsylvania business owner and Trump ally involved in the push, says he has spoken directly to Trump about the issue.

"I've told him that if he comes out and endorses mail ballots, 75% of Republicans in the state will follow his lead. I have been assured that Trump and his team will embrace mail ballots," Worthington said.

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Bob Asher, an influential Republican leader in the state for decades, and Republican congressman Dan Meuser, who is part of Trump's Pennsylvania leadership team, are also leading the fundraising efforts.

Some 46% of U.S. voters used mail-in or absentee ballots in the 2020 race at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, up from 21% in 2016, a survey by MIT political scientist Charles Stewart III found.

Between the 2020 election and 2022 midterms more than a dozen states, mostly led by Republicans, passed laws making it harder to vote, including restricting mail-in ballots. Pennsylvania and several other key battleground states were not part of that shift.

Twenty-eight states, including Pennsylvania, offer "no-excuse" absentee voting, which means that any voter can request and cast an absentee or mail ballot without offering a reason, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Sam DeMarco, Chairman of the Allegheny County Republican Committee, is concerned that failing to take advantage of the early voting period to increase Republican turnout can not just jeopardize Trump's chance to win the swing state, but cost them down ballot races.

"The Presidents remarks are not helpful in convincing donors to provide the money for a robust mail-in ballot effort, which many feel is desperately needed," DeMarco said.

(Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Heather Timmons, Alistair Bell and Diane Craft)
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Europe needs to beef up its defences and make sure it can weather any military attack from outside, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in comments mark two years since Russia invaded Ukraine.

"Deterrence, defence readiness - I know these are unusual words coming from a German Chancellor. Words that we in Germany have not used for so long that they have almost been forgotten," Scholz said in a podcast.

"But these words stand for a very important task: together with our allies, we must be so strong that nobody dares to attack us."

Germany, Europe's largest economy, has hiked its spending on defence to 2% of output and will continue to hit that target of the NATO western defence alliance in future decades, Scholz said.

Germany is also discussing with allies France and Britain the development of distance-capable precision weapons in order to ensure its deterrence strategy remains cutting edge.

Earlier this week, Britain announced a new package of sanctions against Russia, saying it was seeking to diminish President Vladimir Putin's weapons arsenal and war chest two years after the invasion of Ukraine.

Scholz also referred to the country's 100 billion euro ($108 billion) special military budget, put together days after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, saying around 80 euros of that sum had already been tied to specific projects.

($1 = 0.9241 euros)

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
BEIJING (Reuters) -Several people were injured after more than 100 cars collided into each other on an icy stretch of an expressway in the Chinese city of Suzhou, state media reported on Friday, the latest accident caused by extreme weather conditions.

Dramatic footage from state television CCTV and social media showed numerous cars clumped together haphazardly on the highway with one jack-knifed at a severe angle in the air. Glass and debris could be seen scattered everywhere.

Three people were injured and hospitalised, while six suffered minor scratches, Suzhou Industrial Park traffic police reported on its WeChat social media account.

Road traffic has been restored and the cause of the accident is being investigated, the police said.

Over the past few weeks, large parts of China have been hit by cold waves, blizzards and icy rain, impacting transport at a time millions of people are rushing home for the Lunar New Year holiday celebrations.

During this week, the government raised its emergency response for freezing temperatures and also started several plans for transportation flow, supplies and electricity in provinces and cities including Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, Anhui and Hubei, Xinhua news reported.

The China Meteorological Administration maintained a heightened warning for freezing and low temperatures in several central and southern areas.

According to weather warning data on VariFlight, 34 of the more than 260 airports in the country have issued fog and snow warnings, CCTV reported.

(Reporting by Bernard Orr and Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Miral Fahmy)
Doctors take part in a protest against a plan to admit more students to medical school, in front of the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea, February 22, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Soo-Hyeon

By Ju-min Park and Jack Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) -Public hospitals in South Korea will extend working hours, the prime minister said on Friday, while expanding use of telemedicine to alleviate growing strain on healthcare services after a mass walkout by thousands of trainee doctors this week.

Hospitals have turned away patients and cancelled surgeries after about two-thirds of the country's young doctors walked off the job to protest against a government plan for more admissions to medical schools, prompting fears of further disruption.

"The operation of public medical institutions will be raised to the maximum," Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told a disaster management meeting, saying such hospitals would stay open longer as well as on weekends and holidays to take in the overflow.

As the walkout entered its fourth day, the health ministry said it was allowing all hospitals and clinics to offer telemedicine services, such as consultations and prescriptions, until now available only a limited basis.

More than 7,800 interns and resident doctors have walked out, the ministry added.

That is just a fraction of the country's 100,000 doctors, but they have a key role in daily operations at teaching hospitals, where they can make up more than 40% of staff, as cost savings make them attractive for larger hospitals.

They perform crucial tasks in emergency rooms, intensive care units and operating rooms at large hospitals that treat patients referred by smaller hospitals and private clinics.

Nurses warned they were being forced to carry out procedures in wards and operating theatres that are normally the preserve of trainee doctors.

"The primary responsibility of anyone in the medical profession is to care for the patients' health and life," said Tak Young-ran, the president of the Korean Nursing Association, urging the doctors to return to work.

The growing pressure on hospitals spurred the government to raise its health alert to "severe" from "cautious" on Friday, after emergency departments in the biggest hospitals have been squeezed since the protest began on Tuesday.

The protesting doctors say the real issue is pay and working conditions, not the number of physicians.

But the government plan aims to remedy a shortage of as many as 15,000 doctors expected by 2035, among one of the world's fastest-ageing populations, where physicians, too, are greying.

Senior doctors and the Korean Medical Association, which represents private practitioners, have stayed out of the walkout but held rallies urging the government to scrap its plan. Another large rally is expected on Sunday in Seoul, the capital.

The prime minister renewed a call to the young doctors not to tarnish by their actions the memory of their sacrifice and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic that had won them the respect of the public.

He asked those in the medical community to stop "pushing young doctors" and said the government was always open to talks.

Many Koreans support the plan for more medical school admissions, with a recent Gallup Korea poll showing about 76% of respondents in favour, regardless of political affiliation.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Ed Davies and Clarence Fernandez)
MADRID (Reuters) - A Spanish former politician who survived a shooting attack said on Friday he believed Iran's government had hired hitmen to assassinate him over his links to an Iranian dissident group

Alejo Vidal-Quadras, who was shot outside his Madrid residence last Nov. 9, provided no evidence for the assertion.

Iran's foreign ministry was not immediately available for comment, and police have not released details of an investigation under way into the attack.

Vidal-Quadras headed the conservative People's Party in the Catalonia region in the 1990s, co-founded the far-right party Vox and was a vice-president of the European Parliament between 1999 and 2014.

At his first press conference since the shooting, he said he believed "the Iranian regime" ordered the attack because of his support for the National Council of Resistance of Iran, a Paris-based coalition of dissidents that calls for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.

"Let them hear me in Tehran - they didn't achieve their goal. I've miraculously saved my life and I intend to continue this fight for the rest of my life," he said, adding he now had more motivation to do so.

He said that on the day of the attack, he was about to enter his building when someone behind him said: "Hello, sir".

He turned his head and was shot, but the movement meant the bullet entered the lower side of his jaw and was not lethal.

Vidal-Quadras was included on an Iranian sanctions list issued in October 2022 in retaliation for EU sanctions imposed after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurd arrested for allegedly flouting Iran's mandatory dress code.

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack, three of them in Spain and one in Colombia.

(Reporting by David Latona and Michael Gore; Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Aislinn Laing and Timothy Heritage)
FILE PHOTO: Airplane fuselages bound for Boeing's 737 Max production facility await shipment on rail sidings at their top supplier, Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc, in Wichita, Kansas, U.S. December 17, 2019. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

(Reuters) - Fuselage maker Spirit AeroSystems said on Thursday it was unable to reasonably estimate the financial impact of an incident last month that led to a temporary grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes and a production cap on the planemaker.

Spirit, in a regulatory filing, flagged the impact as part of its risk factors and provided a general warning that production levels for the 737 MAX or other aircraft programs could be reduced beyond current expectations.

After a door plug blowout in mid-air, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration last month took the unprecedented step of capping Boeing's 737 production at 38 planes per month, which is lower than the planemaker had previously advised suppliers.

Spirit said in the filing that 45% of its revenue had come from the 737 program in 2023 and added changes in production schedules could impact its ability to comply with contractual obligations as well as its liquidity position and financial condition.

The company said this month it would invest in autonomous technology to limit any defects in its production of 737 fuselages.

(Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Swiss 1,000-franc notes are seen in this picture illustration taken February 16, 2016. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich/Illustration/ File Photo

ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland is still in love with bank notes and coins, a survey by the central bank showed on Friday, despite the growth of mobile payment apps and predictions of a cashless society.

Cash remains the most widely accepted payment method for customer-facing businesses, such as shops and restaurants, ahead of payment via apps like Google Pay.

Around 92% of companies which operate face-to-face businesses in Switzerland accept cash, while just 59% accept payment via apps, the study found.

The findings of the Swiss National Bank's survey contrast with the experience of countries like Sweden which have become increasingly cashless.

Still, mobile apps are becoming more popular, with their acceptance level up from 40% in 2021, and they are now more accepted than credit and debit cards in Switzerland.

For Swiss companies that deal with clients remotely - such as online, or by email or telephone - bank transfers are the most popular way to accept payment, followed by invoices, then cash, the study found.

The availability and acceptance of physical money has become a political theme in Switzerland, where bank notes have traditionally been popular even for big purchases like cars.

Campaigners have raised concerns about younger and older people being marginalized because they lack access to payment apps or cards, while the number of banks and cash machines is declining.

Two referendums on the topic of acceptance of cash under Switzerland's tradition of direct democracy are currently in various stages after collecting nearly 200,000 signatures.

(Reporting by John Revill; editing by Christina Fincher)
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addresses the United Nations General Assembly during a meeting ahead of the 2nd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., February 23, 2024. REUTERS/Mike Segar

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Switzerland told the United Nations on Friday that it intends to organize a high-level Ukraine peace conference "by the summer" as the 193-member world body met to mark the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion of its neighbor.

Ukraine is seeking to rally support for President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's 10-point peace plan amid signs of war fatigue as the front lines remain largely unchanged and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has become a more pressing focus of global attention.

"At Ukraine's request, we intend to organize by the summer a high-level conference on peace in Ukraine," Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told the U.N. General Assembly. "I would therefore like to take this opportunity to invite all nations ... to work together towards our common goal."

Zelenskiy's peace plan envisages the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, withdrawal of all Russian troops, protection of food and energy supplies, nuclear safety, and the release of all prisoners of war.

"Russia cannot ignore the voice of the world majority if we all take a principled stance and act together. The peace formula ... represents exactly such an opportunity," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the General Assembly.

The U.N. Security Council also met later on Friday to mark the anniversary of Russia's invasion, which was launched on Feb. 24, 2022, as the 15-member body met in New York over Western concerns that Moscow was planning such a move.

"The war in Ukraine remains an open wound at the heart of Europe," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council.

The U.N. General Assembly has overwhelmingly isolated Russia by calling for a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace" and demanding Moscow withdraw its troops and stop fighting.

"One should not waste time on Kyiv's futile plans to negotiate on the basis of Zelinsky's so-called peace formula," said Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.

"It is nothing other than an ultimatum to Russia and an attempt to lure as many countries as possible into endless meetings on this utopian project," he added.

Ukraine's war effort relies on Western support for money and equipment. Ammunition supplies have become a critical issue for Kyiv as fighting has descended into grinding artillery battles. The approval of billions of dollars in further U.S. military aid has been delayed for months in Congress.

"I cannot imagine explaining that we are tired, to the people I met in Ukraine," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said. "Those Ukrainians - those families who cannot afford to be fatigued - are counting on us."

"To defend the United Nations Charter, and hold those who violate it to account. To resist division and fatigue. To come together to push for diplomacy, for dialogue, and for a just, durable peace," she said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Paul Grant and Jonathan Oatis)
CGS

Happening on February 26-29, Textiles, Fashion, Sustainability and Resilience Meet in the Heart of India

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CGS, a global provider of software and business applications, enterprise learning, and outsourcing services, today announced CGS BlueCherry and TradeLink Technologies (TradeLink) are kicking off their partnership at Bharat Tex 2024 by unveiling the industrys first end-to-end factory RFID solution. The solution encompasses raw materials, shop floor control, packing and shipping. The technology also includes serialization and traceability that can enable the delivery of the European Product Passport. CGS BlueCherry and TradeLinks Booth can be found on Hall 5F, Booth #043.



The expos main discussions across resilient global supply chains, digitization, and sustainability are why we chose to showcase and unveil our end-to-end factory RFID solution at Bharat Tex 2024, said Dan Entac, President of TradeLink Technologies.

Were very excited about this global textile expo; the move of production out of China to South Asia makes this region one of the most important sourcing destinations in the world and a top market to embrace our joint solutions, said Paul Magel, President of CGS BlueCherry / Applications Division.

Bharat Tex 2024 is a prominent international industry platform, featuring exhibitions, knowledge sessions, thematic discussions, Government-to-Government (G2G) meetings, Business-to-Business (B2B) networks, the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), product launches, thematic and interactive pavilions and various other activities. The event has been designed to attract multiple stakeholders including top policymakers, global CEOs, international exhibitors and global buyers.

India's textile heritage is legendary, dating back centuries and the country is renowned for its diverse and exquisite range of textiles, techniques and traditions. Bharat Tex 2024 will highlight the richness of Indian textiles and strengthen its image as a custodian of tradition, innovation, and sustainability. It will also celebrate India's reliability as a competitive, sustainable textile manufacturing hub across the entire value chain, from raw materials to end products.

Story continues

About BlueCherry

The CGS BlueCherry Enterprise Suite provides clients with comprehensive digital supply chain management solutions, available both in the cloud and on-premises, to drive their fundamental business processes. With a focus on the needs of high-growth organizations operating in consumer lifestyle products, retail, and apparel, BlueCherry is a unified platform that provides supply chain visibility with the latest digital technologies. The BlueCherry Suite addresses the needs of the end-to-end supply chain, from planning and product development to manufacturing and sales.

Learn More About BlueCherry

For more information on the BlueCherry family of solutions, please visit www.BlueCherry.com , email sales@cgsinc.com , or visit our blog at www.cgsinc.com/blog .

About TradeLink

TradeLink Technologies, founded in 1999, provides forward-thinking supply chain solutions to over 400 global brands and more than 50 logistic companies. Their focus on shipment visibility, accuracy, and advanced distribution has made them a trusted partner in the industry. TradeLink empowers businesses with competitive advantages in their supply chains, making it a valuable tool for efficient operations and growth.

Media Contacts:

Mark D. Tullio, CGS

newsroom@cgsinc.com

Maria Saavedra, CGS

newsroom@cgsinc.com




VIENNA (Reuters) - Three women were found dead with apparent knife wounds in a Vienna brothel on Friday evening and a 27-year-old male suspect was arrested soon afterwards in the vicinity, a spokesperson for the city's police said.

"They appear to be knife wounds," police spokesperson Philipp Hasslinger said. "It is an ongoing operation so I have no further information for the time being."

The brothel is in Vienna's 20th district, one of the city's poorest.

(Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Josie Kao)
GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights chief said on Friday that perpetrators of gross human rights violations in the conflict between Israel and Hamas must be held accountable.

"The entrenched impunity that OHCHR (the U.N. rights agency) has reported on for many years cannot persist," High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a report on the situation in Gaza and in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

He said that this impunity had contributed to violations that could amount to international crimes.

Turk urged all parties to the conflict to "put an end to impunity and conduct prompt, independent, impartial, thorough, effective and transparent investigations" into alleged crimes under international law.

He also called on them to implement a ceasefire on human rights and humanitarian grounds, to ensure full respect for international law, and to ensure accountability for violations and abuses.

Last month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa, which brought the caethe plaintiff in the case.

In separate proceedings, South Africa on Tuesday urged the court to issue a non-binding legal opinion that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, arguing it would help efforts to reach a settlement.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
By Rachna Uppal and Hadeel Al Sayegh

DUBAI/PARIS (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates, home to the financial hub of Dubai, has been dropped from a global watchdog's list of countries at risk of illicit money flows, a win for the nation that could bolster its international standing.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a body that groups countries from the United States to China to tackle financial crime, on Friday dropped the UAE from its 'grey list' of around two-dozen nations considered risky.

The Gulf country, a magnet for millionaires, bankers and hedge funds, was placed under closer scrutiny in 2022, when the FATF highlighted the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing involving banks, precious metals and stones as well as property.

The delisting is a coup for the one-time regional pearl and fish trading hub which is now one of the world's wealthiest nations after the discovery of oil in Abu Dhabi in the late 1950s.

It had made getting off the list a priority, bolstering its anti-money-laundering efforts in a drive spearheaded by the minister of foreign affairs and brother of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.John Kartonchik, a director at UAE think tank Re/think, said the move could boost confidence in the country and attract more money from overseas.

"Investors ... may feel more secure," he said.

Banks would also be able to cut the cost of dealing with wealthy clients in the country, said a senior banker, who asked not to be named.

Despite being grey-listed, the UAE continued to attract the globe's wealthy and it is an increasingly popular destination for cryptocurrency firms and Russians in the wake of war with Ukraine.

Dubai's luxury property market trailed only New York, Los Angeles and London in 2022, according to property consultant Knight Frank, while the UAE last year overtook Belgium to become the world's trading hub for rough diamonds.

Nonetheless, the delisting jars with the assessment of European officials.

The European Union lists the UAE as a high-risk country for money laundering and terrorist financing, alongside more than two dozen other states such as South Africa, North Korea and Afghanistan.

The bloc's financial markets watchdog ESMA last year barred European banks and others from clearing trades with the Dubai Commodities Clearing Corporation.

Markus Meinzer, director of policy at the Tax Justice Network, which campaigns for financial transparency, said the removal of the UAE showed the FATF list was ineffective.

"There is room for interpretation of the rules," he said. "It's easy to comply without changing much. Understanding how decisions are taken is impossible because they happen behind closed doors."

Jonny Bell, director of financial crime compliance and payments at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, said the UAE would likely continue strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures.

There is increasing competition among Gulf states to develop non oil sectors such as financial services, trade and logistics, and tourism. Attracting money from abroad is a central part of that effort.

Measures taken by the UAE include increasing financial investigations and prosecutions, boosting international cooperation, and aligning virtual asset regulation with international standards.

(Additional reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta in Paris and Lisa Barrington in Seoul; editing by John O'Donnell, Kirsten Donovan)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Ukraine has launched investigations into more than 122,000 suspected cases of war crimes since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion nearly two years ago, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said on Friday.

"We have identified already 511 perpetrators. And we have already 80 convictions in Ukrainian courts," mostly in absentia, Kostin told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference on international criminal law in Berlin.

While Russia has repeatedly denied that its forces have committed atrocities or attacked civilians, Ukrainian and Western authorities say there is evidence of murders and executions, shelling of civilian infrastructure and forced deportations, among other crimes.

The number of suspected war crimes is expected to continue rising, Kostin said.

"And maybe one of the reasons is that (Russia) still feels impunity," said Kostin.

Saturday marks the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians and soldiers and many Russian soldiers have been killed during the war, which has also devastated towns and villages in eastern Ukraine and has prompted millions to flee abroad.

The international community's help is needed in documenting, investigating and prosecuting war crimes, Kostin said, adding however that "99-plus percent of all cases will be investigated and prosecuted in Ukraine".

In December, the United States charged four Russia-affiliated soldiers with war crimes for allegedly beating and torturing a U.S. citizen and staging a mock execution.

This "very unusual" step signalled the willingness of the U.S. to hold perpetrators accountable, Christian Levesque, head of the U.S. Justice Department's war crimes accountability team, told the conference.

Germany has collected 500 concrete leads so far, German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said. Germany has also said it could prosecute war crimes on its own soil under the principle of universal jurisdiction.

Polish Justice Minister Adam Bodnar said his government planned to play a greater role in collecting evidence, adding that joint missions with the International Court of Justice to document war crimes on the ground were being discussed.

Russia says what it calls a "special military operation" is needed to protect its own security from a hostile West, while Ukraine and its Western allies say Moscow's actions represent an unprovoked war of aggression and an imperial-style land grab.

(Reporting by Nette Nostlinger, Oliver Ellrodt and Sopia Linnebrink; Editing by Gareth Jones)
FILE PHOTO: A view shows the urban area of the municipality of Santa Catarina near the land where Tesla has indicated it could build a new gigafactory, in Santa Catarina, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico February 28, 2023. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril/Fil

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. government should block the import of low-cost Chinese autos and parts from Mexico, a U.S. manufacturing advocacy group said on Friday, warning they could threaten the viability of American car companies.

"The introduction of cheap Chinese autos - which are so inexpensive because they are backed with the power and funding of the Chinese government - to the American market could end up being an extinction-level event for the U.S. auto sector," the Alliance for American Manufacturing said in a report.

The group argues the United States should work to prevent automobiles and parts manufactured in Mexico by companies headquartered in China from benefiting from a North American free trade agreement. "The commercial backdoor left open to Chinese auto imports should be shut before it causes mass plant closures and job losses in the United States," the report said.

Vehicles and parts produced in Mexico can qualify for preferential treatment under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement as well as qualifying for a $7,500 electric vehicle (EV) tax credit, the report noted.

The Chinese embassy in Washington said in response that China's automobile exports "reflect the high-quality development and strong innovation of Chinas manufacturing industry... The leapfrog development of Chinas auto industry has provided cost-effective products with high quality to the world."

The issue has received new interest after news reports that China's BYD plans to set up an EV factory in Mexico. BYD, known for its cheaper models and a more varied lineup, recently overtook its biggest rival, Tesla, to become the world's top EV maker by sales.

Tesla announced plans almost a year ago to build a factory in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon. In October, Mexico said a Chinese Tesla supplier and a Chinese technology company would invest nearly a billion dollars in the state.

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has urged the Biden administration to hike tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles and investigate ways to prevent Chinese companies from exporting to the United States from Mexico.

A group of lawmakers urged U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to boost the 27.5% tariff on Chinese vehicles and said her office "must also be prepared to address the coming wave of (Chinese) vehicles that will be exported from our other trading partners, such as Mexico, as (Chinese) automakers look to strategically establish operations outside of (China)."

Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO John Bozzella has said that proposed U.S. environmental regulations could let China gain "a stronger foothold in Americas electric vehicle battery supply chain and eventually our automotive market."

The U.S. Treasury issued guidelines in December on the $7,500 EV tax credit aimed at weaning the U.S. EV supply chain away from China.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler and William Mallard)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shake hands as they meet on the side of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/Pool/File Photo

By David Brunnstrom and Katharine Jackson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A top U.S. official on North Korea held a video call this week with China's envoy on Korean Peninsula affairs in which they discussed the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, the State Department said on Friday.

The U.S. senior official for North Korea, Jung Pak, and her Chinese counterpart, Liu Xiaoming, also addressed North Korea's "increasingly destabilizing and escalatory behavior," the department said in a statement.

It said the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea was "in violation of numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions."

A Chinese foreign ministry statement said it was "in the common interest of the region and the international community to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and push forward the process of political settlement... ."

It said the "parties concerned should ... address each other's concerns in a balanced manner through meaningful dialogue," and that China and the United States had agreed to maintain contact on the issue.

The Chinese statement made no mention of Russia, which has long been party to U.N. sanctions on North Korea over the latter's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs but has stepped up ties with Pyongyang since invading Ukraine in 2022.

Washington has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery shells and missiles used in Ukraine.

Moscow and Pyongyang deny this but have vowed to deepen military relations.

The U.S. statement said the call with China followed a Feb. 16 meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in which they "affirmed the importance of continued communication on (North Korea) issues at all levels."

The Kremlin on Tuesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin had given North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a Russian Aurus limousine as a gift. On Friday, Washington imposed sanctions on the producer of the car as part of a sweeping round of sanctions against Russia to mark the second anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions and trade restrictions also targeted Chinese companies that the U.S. said were assisting Russia's war.

Sino-U.S. relations have shown signs of improvement in recent months with steps to re-establish communication channels after ties sank to their lowest levels in decades.

But many points of friction remain, including U.S. sanctions on China over security and human rights issues. Wang told Blinken these should be lifted.

The spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, called the latest sanctions against Chinese firms "a typical move of economic coercion, unilateralism and bullying."

The top U.S. official for arms control, Bonnie Jenkins, told an event on Thursday that Washington was keen for more talks with China on strategic stability and crisis management and that a more aggressive North Korea was not in Beijing's interest.

She said she believed North Korea, which borders China, is keen to acquire fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment or materials, and other advanced technologies from its cooperation with Russia.

(Reporting by Katharine Jackson and David Brunnstrom; Writing by Paul Grant; Editing by Paul Simao and Daniel Wallis)
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela has received a $500 million payment from Haiti for fuel supply to the island sent as part of a regional cooperation agreement, the South American country's information ministry said on Friday.

Under late President Hugo Chavez, Venezuela sent millions of barrels of crude and fuel under flexible payment terms to its Caribbean neighbors, many of which, including Haiti, later struggled to amortize debts. President Nicolas Maduro has said he wants to revive the pact.

Bloomberg first disclosed the payment by Haiti, saying total accumulated debt was $2.3 billion. It added that Venezuela is in talks with other countries for similar payments.

"All the resources will be used to finance missions (social programs)," the ministry said in a release posted on social media.

Venezuela has not disclosed for over a decade pending debts by members of the Petrocaribe energy pact, and has not said if any country other than political ally Cuba are currently receiving oil supplies.

(Reporting by Caracas staff)
false 0001536256 0001536256 2024-02-23 2024-02-23 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):

First Capital Real Estate Trust Incorporated

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Maryland

(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation)

333-178651 45-3770595 (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

120 E. Baltimore st.

Suite 2100

Baltimore , Maryland , 21202

(Address, including zip code, of Principal Executive Offices)

410 - 230-2300

(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

SEC 873 (09-23) Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this Form are not required to respond unless the Form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Item 2.01 DISPOSITION OF AN ASSET.

On November 4, 2021 Arbor-Myrtle Beach PE LLC of Uniondale, New York, noticed the Company of Effectuation of Change of Control and Demand for Turnover of Books and Records and Access to All Financial Accounts regarding a medical office building in South Carolina. The Company under advice of counsel complied with such demand. No consideration was received by the Company and the Arbor-Myrtle Beach PE LLC enforced its legal rights as the Preferred Members Rights to take control of the asset.

Item 2.06 MATERIAL IMPAIRMENTS.

As the Company relinquished control as described in Item 2.01 its financial condition became materially impaired.

Item 3.01 DELISTING STATUS.

The Company was delisted by the Commission on or about the resignation of Mr. Suneet Singal of December 17, 2019. The Company continues in this status and does not anticipate any change in such.

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrants Certifying Accountant.

The Companys certifying accountant resigned from its position in 2021 as the Companys inability to satisfy its accounts payable obligations.

Item 5.02(c).

In July 2020, Mr. Forelle was appointed interim consulting CEO reporting to the board.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

In 3Q 2019, an outside consultant, Mr. Forelle was appointed by the board of First Capital Real Estate Trust Inc. (FCRETI) to the position of interim consulting CEO. At that time the company was delisted and had no staff (see Item 3.01). The state of the company was not fully known to either the shareholders or the board as the previous CEO, Mr. Singal had departed the company and subsequently was indicted by the Securities and Exchange Commission for his acts at First Capital Real Estate Trust Inc. and affiliated companies. (U.S. District Court Southern District of New York Case 1:19-cv-11452-MKV, document filed 12/13/2019). Mr. Singal, who subsequently avoided a SEC trial by entering into a settlement with the SEC. (document filed 06/01/21) being fined and banned from a management role in an SEC overseen entity for a number of years.

Ultimately,Mr. Singals actions presented an immense problem for FCRETI and affiliated companies. The company had limited financial resources and Mr. Singal did not file the Companys tax returns for several years during Mr. Singals tenure. And, correcting such was the first order of business to investigate. This work included working closely with its accounting firm and auditors to file the delinquent financial statements. Ultimately, the certifying accountant was unable to complete the proper work and resigned.

At that time, the Company had arranged temporary outside funding to carry out the accounting work which proved to be extremely difficult as Mr. Singal, as CEO, left the company without access or preparation of customary books and records which required the accountants and auditors to rebuild the financial statements from little to no reliable information. The Companys files were in shambles and/or missing. After months of work, the outside funding abated and the accountants and auditors ceased to complete their assignment due to the companys inability to pay them on a current basis.

It was further discovered that both employees and numerous outside vendors were owed significant monies that had not been paid under Mr. Singal. These vendors, which include lawyers, accountants, transfer agents, filing services, financial services companies, ex- employees and auditors (among others) some of whom have judicial judgments against the company have outstanding payments due as the company has no available liquidity and is functionally insolvent.

At that time, the company had an ownership position in one real estate asset that potentially could be sold to raise capital to pay its creditors and possibly continue its business (see Item 2.01). Upon due diligence and research, the company began negotiations with the loan servicer of the property and its preferred equity lender to arrange relief and/or funding for deferred maintenance which was one cause for the poor leasing of the asset. Unfortunately, the loan servicer refused to allow the requests for relief and/or restructuring and the preferred equity lender decided to enforce its legal rights to replace FCRETI and ultimately take control of the asset as a matter of law. FCRETI had no realistic alternative but to relinquish control of the real estate asset.

Further, FCRETI has been the target of litigation that it has stridently opposed by parties whom it believes are not interested in satisfying creditors but rather utilizing the company for other purposes. This litigation has been a burden on the Companys resources. Further, FCRETI owns shares in an unrelated company that may be a source of value to satisfy its creditors and potentially distribute remaining value to its common equity. This is an ongoing process that will be reported on as the situation develops.

Further, FCRETI was unable to either contact the shareholders directly as the previous CEO, Mr. Singal, left its stock transfer agents bills unpaid and the agent refused to work with the company to allow the company to communicate with the shareholders. And would not, even under multiple requests, release the complete shareholder list of the company (which was not found in the minimal corporate records after Mr. Singals departure). Further, the state of Maryland registration was dormant and the SEC requires a current registration to file an 8K, even if such a company is delisted. Therefore, the company was unable to file an 8K until the state of Maryland re-instituted the registration; this process took approximately two years to rectify. The state of Maryland proved to be ineffective in promptly processing the companys requests, especially during the covid pandemic. Re-registering the company took a significant amount of time and has been completed, which now allows the company to communicate to its shareholders via the SEC and this 8-K report.

The company board and management has met to consider plans to satisfy its creditors and to determine whether there is a path to continuing the companys existence. Upon careful counsel and consideration regarding this situation, the board has voted to wind up the company and in such effort will work to satisfy its creditors in the process. Many of the largest creditors and ex-employees have agreed to a satisfaction of their claims.

To recap:

1. FCRETI has determined that there is no go forward business available to it;

2. FCRETI has engaged its creditors to satisfy its debts and obligations, many of which are satisfied;

3. Once all its debts are negotiated, it will notify its shareholders the state of its affairs.

4. As the wind-up of the company includes paying its debts (which is in progress) and once such is completed, the company will endeavor to distribute any assets remaining at that time to its shareholders as such are available.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

FIRST CAPITAL REAL ESTATE TRUST INCORPORATED

Date: February 23, 2024

By: /s/ Frank C. Forelle Name: Frank C. Forelle Title: Interim Consulting Chief Executive Officer

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

XBRL SCHEMA FILE

XBRL LABEL FILE

XBRL PRESENTATION FILE

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IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx

IDEA: FilingSummary.xml

IDEA: MetaLinks.json

IDEA: e5445_8-k_htm.xml
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Unusual Machines, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

U9154A 208

(CUSIP Number)

Red Cat Holdings, Inc.

15 Ave. Munoz Rivera, Ste. 2200

San Juan, PR 00901-2510

(833) 373-3228

February 16, 2024

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. [ ]

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

1. Names of Reporting Persons Red Cat Holdings, Inc. 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a)  (b) u 3. SEC Use Only 4. Source of Funds OO 5. Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  6. Citizenship or Place of Organization United States of America Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With: 7. Sole Voting Power 4,250,000 (1) 8. Shared Voting Power 0 9. Sole Dispositive Power 4,250,000 (1) 10. Shared Dispositive Power 0 11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 4,250,000 (1) 12. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares  13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 48.8% (2) 14. Type of Reporting Person CO

(1) Consists of 4,250,000 shares of common stock held by Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (the Filing Person). The board of directors of the Filing Person is comprised of Jeffrey Thompson, Joseph Freedman, Christopher Moe and Nicholas Liuzza. With the exception of Mr. Thompson, who shall abstain from voting on any board actions regarding shares of the issuer, the board of directors of the Filing Person holds shared voting power and investment power for the shares of common stock. These individuals are not deemed to beneficially own the common stock held by the Filing Person. Does not include shares of common stock underlying a $2 million convertible note which is subject to a 4.99% beneficial ownership limitation.

(2) Based on 8,717,255 shares of common stock outstanding after the Issuers initial public offering as reported in the Issuers final prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2024.

ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER

This Schedule 13D (the Schedule 13D) relates to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share of Unusual Machines, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation (the Issuer). The principal executive offices of the Issuer are located at 151 Calle de San Francisco, Ste. 200 PMB 2106, San Juan, PR 00901-1607.

ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

(a) This statement is filed on behalf of Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (the Filing Person).

(b) The principal business address of the Filing Person is c/o Red Cat Holdings, Inc., 15 Ave. Munoz Rivera, Ste. 2200, San Juan, PR.

(c) The Filing Person is in the business of developing and selling unmanned aerial technology , primarily drones, to commercial enterprises and government agencies .

(d) During the last five years, the Filing Person has not been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e) During the last five years, the Filing Person has not been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding were or are subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violations with respect to such laws.

(f) The Filing Person is a Nevada corporation.

ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION

On February 16, 2024, the Filing Person acquired 4,250,000 shares of the Issuers common stock pursuant to the closing of a Share Purchase Agreement (the Purchase Agreement) with the Issuer and Jeffrey Thompson, the Chief Executive Officer of the Filing Person. Under the Purchase Agreement, these shares were issued as part of the purchase price which also included a $1 million cash payment and a $2 million convertible promissory note (the Note) in exchange for two of the Filing Persons subsidiaries -- Rotor Riot, LLC and Fat Shark Ltd.

ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION

The information set forth in Item 3 above is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

(a) Aggregate Number and Percentage of Class of Securities The beneficial ownership percentages disclosed below are based on 8,717,255 shares of common stock outstanding after the Issuers initial public offering as reported in the Issuers final prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2024. The Filing Person beneficially owns (as that term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) the shares of the Issuers common stock and the Note as described in Item 3 above. While convertible. The Note has a 4.99% beneficial ownership limitation.

(b) The board of directors of the Filing Person is comprised of Jeffrey Thompson, Joseph Freedman, Christopher Moe and Nicholas Liuzza. With the exception of Mr. Thompson, who shall abstain from voting on any board actions regarding shares of the issuer, the board of directors of the Filing Person holds shared voting power and investment power over the Issuers securities as described above in Item 5(a). These individuals are not deemed to beneficially own the Issuers common stock held by the Filing Person. (c) No reportable transactions occurred during the 60 days prior to the date hereof.

(d) To the best knowledge of the Filing Person, except with respect to the shares set forth in the table above, no person, other than the Filing Person, is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or any proceeds from the sale of, the shares of the Issuer beneficially owned by the Filing Person. (e) Not applicable.

ITEM 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

To the knowledge of the Filing Person, there are no contracts, arrangements, understanding or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the persons named in Item 2 and between such person and any person with respect to any securities of the Issuer.

ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS

Not applicable.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Red Cat Holdings, Inc.

February 23, 2024 /s/ Jeffrey Thompson Date Jeffrey Thompson, Chief Executive Officer

The original statement shall be signed by each person on whose behalf the statement is filed or his authorized representative. If the statement is signed on behalf of a person by his authorized representative (other than an executive officer or general partner of the filing person), evidence of the representative's authority to sign on behalf of such person shall be filed with the statement: provided, however, that a power of attorney for this purpose which is already on file with the Commission may be incorporated by reference. The name and any title of each person who signs the statement shall be typed or printed beneath his signature.
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 SCHEDULE 13D/A Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 4)*

51Talk Online Education Group

(Name of Issuer)

Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

16954L 204 (1)

(CUSIP Number)

Jack Jiajia Huang

Dasheng Global Limited

Dasheng International Holdings Limited

TB Family Trust

24 Raffles Place #17-04 Clifford Centre,

Singapore 048621

With copies to:

Haiping Li, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

c/o 42/F, Edinburgh Tower

The Landmark

15 Queens Road Central

Hong Kong

+852 3740-4700 Yilin Xu, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

30/F, China World Office 2

No. 1, Jianguomenwai Avenue

Chaoyang District

Beijing 100004, China

+86 (10) 6535-5500

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

February 6 , 2024

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. 

Note : Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

(1) CUSIP number 16954L 204 has been assigned to the American depositary shares (ADSs) of the issuer, which are quoted on the NYSE A merican under the symbol COE. Each ADS represents 60 Class A ordinary shares.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ( Act ) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP No. 16954L 204 13D/A Page 2 of 7 Pages

1 Names of Reporting Persons

Jack Jiajia Huang 2 Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a)  (b)  3 SEC Use Only 4 Source of Funds (See Instructions)

PF 5 Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  6 Citizenship or Place of Organization

Peoples Republic of China Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person With 7 Sole Voting Power

0 8 Shared Voting Power

84,963,099(1)

9 Sole Dispositive Power

0 10 Shared Dispositive Power

84,963,099(1) 11 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

84,963,099(1) 12 Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  13 Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

25.0%. The voting power of the shares beneficially owned represented 39.2% of the total outstanding voting power.(2) 14 Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

IN

Notes:

(1) Represents (i) 186,180 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Jack Jiajia Huang, (ii) 38,386,335 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Dasheng Global Limited, (iii) 275,000 Class A ordinary shares issuable to Dasheng Global Limited upon the vesting of restricted share units within 60 days after F ebruary 22, 2024, (iv) 122,460 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Ting Shu, (v) 67,380 Class A ordinary shares issuable to Ting Shu upon the vesting of restricted share units within 60 days after February 22, 2024, (vi) 30,390,321 Class B ordinary shares held by Dasheng Global Limited, and (vii) 15,535,423 Class B ordinary shares held by Dasheng Online Limited.

(2) The percentage of voting power is calculated by dividing the voting power beneficially owned by the reporting person by the voting power of all of the Issuers holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares as a single class as of February 28, 2023 (taking into account the number of shares that the reporting person had the right to acquire within 60 days the date hereof). Each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to them for a vote. Class B ordinary shares are convertible at any time by the holder thereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.

CUSIP No. 16954L 204 13D/A Page 3 of 7 Pages

1 Names of Reporting Persons

Dasheng Global Limited 2 Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a)  (b)  3 SEC Use Only 4 Source of Funds (See Instructions)

AF 5 Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  6 Citizenship or Place of Organization

British Virgin Islands Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person With 7 Sole Voting Power

0 8 Shared Voting Power

69,051,656(1) 9 Sole Dispositive Power

0 10 Shared Dispositive Power

69,051,656(1) 11 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

69,051,656(1) 12 Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  13 Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

20.3%. The voting power of the shares beneficially owned represented 26.9% of the total outstanding voting power.(2) 14 Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

CO

Notes:

(1) Represents (i) 38,386,335 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Dasheng Global Limited, (ii) 275,000 Class A ordinary shares issuable to Dasheng Global Limited upon the vesting of restricted share units within 60 days after F ebruary 22, 2024 and (iii) 30,390,321 Class B ordinary shares held by Dasheng Global Limited.

(2) The percentage of voting power is calculated by dividing the voting power beneficially owned by the reporting person by the voting power of all of the Issuers holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares as a single class as of February 28, 2023 (taking into account the number of shares that the reporting person had the right to acquire within 60 days the date hereof). Each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to them for a vote. Class B ordinary shares are convertible at any time by the holder thereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.

CUSIP No. 16954L 204 13D/A Page 4 of 7 Pages

1 Names of Reporting Persons

Dasheng International Holdings Limited 2 Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a)  (b)  3 SEC Use Only 4 Source of Funds (See Instructions)

AF 5 Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  6 Citizenship or Place of Organization

British Virgin Islands Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person With 7 Sole Voting Power

0 8 Shared Voting Power

84,963,099(1) 9 Sole Dispositive Power

0 10 Shared Dispositive Power

84,963,099(1) 11 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

84,963,099(1) 12 Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  13 Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

25.0%. The voting power of the shares beneficially owned represented 39.2% of the total outstanding voting power.(2) 14 Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

CO

Notes:

(1) Represents (i) 186,180 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Jack Jiajia Huang, (ii) 38,386,335 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Dasheng Global Limited, (iii) 275,000 Class A ordinary shares issuable to Dasheng Global Limited upon the vesting of restricted share units within 60 days after F ebruary 22, 2024, (iv) 122,460 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Ting Shu, (v) 67,380 Class A ordinary shares issuable to Ting Shu upon the vesting of restricted share units within 60 days after February 22, 2024, (vi) 30,390,321 Class B ordinary shares held by Dasheng Global Limited, and (vii) 15,535,423 Class B ordinary shares held by Dasheng Online Limited.

(2) The percentage of voting power is calculated by dividing the voting power beneficially owned by the reporting person by the voting power of all of the Issuers holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares as a single class as of February 28, 2023 (taking into account the number of shares that the reporting person had the right to acquire within 60 days the date hereof). Each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to them for a vote. Class B ordinary shares are convertible at any time by the holder thereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.

CUSIP No. 16954L 204 13D/A Page 5 of 7 Pages

1 Names of Reporting Persons

TB Family Trust 2 Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a)  (b)  3 SEC Use Only 4 Source of Funds (See Instructions)

AF 5 Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  6 Citizenship or Place of Organization

Cayman Islands Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person With 7 Sole Voting Power

0 8 Shared Voting Power

84,963,099(1) 9 Sole Dispositive Power

0 10 Shared Dispositive Power

84,963,099(1) 11 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

84,963,099(1) 12 Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  13 Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

25.0%. The voting power of the shares beneficially owned represented 39.2% of the total outstanding voting power.(2) 14 Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

OO

Notes:

(1) Represents (i) 186,180 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Jack Jiajia Huang, (ii) 38,386,335 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Dasheng Global Limited, (iii) 275,000 Class A ordinary shares issuable to Dasheng Global Limited upon the vesting of restricted share units within 60 days after F ebruary 22, 2024, (iv) 122,460 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Ting Shu, (v) 67,380 Class A ordinary shares issuable to Ting Shu upon the vesting of restricted share units within 60 days after February 22, 2024, (vi) 30,390,321 Class B ordinary shares held by Dasheng Global Limited, and (vii) 15,535,423 Class B ordinary shares held by Dasheng Online Limited.

(2) The percentage of voting power is calculated by dividing the voting power beneficially owned by the reporting person by the voting power of all of the Issuers holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares as a single class as of February 28, 2023 (taking into account the number of shares that the reporting person had the right to acquire within 60 days the date hereof). Each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per share and each holder of Class B ordinary shares is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to them for a vote. Class B ordinary shares are convertible at any time by the holder thereof into Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.

CUSIP No. 16954L 204 13D/A Page 6 of 7 Pages

Explanatory Note

Pursuant to Rule 13d-2 promulgated under the Act, this Amendment No. 4 to Statement on Schedule 13D (this  Amendment ) amends and supplements the Statement on Schedule 13D originally filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 25, 2022, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto filed on October 5, 2022, by Amendment No. 2 thereto filed on July 10, 2023 and by Amendment No. 3 thereto filed on November 29, 2023 (as so amended, the  Statement ). Except as specifically provided herein, this Amendment does not modify any of the information previously reported in the Statement. All capitalized terms used herein which are not defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Statement.

Item 2. Identity and Background

Items 2(b) through (f) of the Statement are hereby amended and restated as follows:

(b), (c), and (f): Each of Mr. Huang and Ms. Shu is a citizen of the Peoples Republic of China. Mr. Huang and Ms. Shu are husband and wife. Mr. Huang is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of the Issuer. Ms. Shu is a co-founder and a director of the Issuer.

Each of Dasheng Global, Dasheng Online and Dasheng Holdings is a British Virgin Islands company. Mr. Huang is the sole director of Dasheng Global, and Ms. Shu is the sole director of Dasheng Online. Each of Dasheng Global and Dasheng Online is wholly beneficially owned by Dasheng Holdings, which is in turn wholly owned by the Trust, for which TMF (Cayman) Ltd. acts as the trustee (the  Trustee ). S.B. Vanwall Ltd. is the sole director of Dasheng Holdings appointed by the Trustee. The settlors of the Trust are Mr. Huang and Ms. Shu. Mr. Huang, Ms. Shu and their family members are beneficiaries under the Trust. Pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder, Dasheng Holdings, the Trust, the Trustee, Mr. Huang and Ms. Shu may be deemed to be a group, and each member of such group may be deemed to beneficially own all of the ordinary shares beneficially owned by other members constituting such group. However, each of Dasheng Holdings, the Trust, Mr. Huang and Ms. Shu disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares other than the abovementioned (i) 186,180 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer in the form of ADSs held by Mr. Huang, (ii) 38,386,335 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer in the form of ADSs held by Dasheng Global, (iii) 275,000 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer issuable to Dasheng Global upon the vesting of restricted share units within 60 days after F ebruary 22, 2024, (iv) 122,460 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs held by Ms. Shu, (v) 67,380 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer issuable to Ms. Shu upon the vesting of restricted share units within 60 days after February 22, 2024, (vi) 30,390,321 Class B ordinary shares of the Issuer held by Dasheng Global, and (vii) 15,535,423 Class B ordinary shares of the Issuer held by Dasheng Online. All shares beneficially owned by the Trust are beneficially owned by the Trustee solely in its capacity as trustee of the Trust. Accordingly, the Trustee, solely in its capacity as trustee of the Trust, may be deemed to beneficially own all ordinary shares of the Issuer that are beneficially owned by the Trust. However, the Trustee disclaims beneficial ownership of all ordinary shares of the Issuer.

The business address of each Reporting Person is 24 Raffles Place #17-04 Clifford Centre, Singapore 048621.

(d) and (e): During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons has been: (i) convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

Item 3 of the Statement is hereby amended and restated by the following:

CUSIP No. 16954L 204 13D/A Page 7 of 7 Pages

Dasheng Global entered into Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, dated as of March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively, with Tiger Brokers (Singapore) Pte Ltd (the  Trading Plans ). Under the Trading Plans, Dasheng Global proposes to purchase a total of 1,100,000 ADSs of the Issuer. Pursuant to the Trading Plans, through the date hereof, Dasheng Global has purchased 1,025,415 ADSs in the open market for approximately US$1.6 million, using its capital from previous disposition of its holding of the Issuers ADSs. On December 15, 2022, the Issuer effected a change of the ratio of its ADSs to Class A ordinary shares from one ADS representing fifteen Class A ordinary shares to one ADS representing sixty Class A ordinary shares.

Dasheng Global entered into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, dated as of June 30, 2023, with Tiger Brokers (Singapore) Pte Ltd (the 2023 Trading Plan). Under the 2023 Trading Plan, Dasheng Global proposes to purchase a total of 250,000 ADSs of the Issuer. Pursuant to the 2023 Trading Plan, Dasheng Global has purchased 37,526 ADSs in the open market for approximately US$0.3 million from October 20, 2023 through November 21, 2023, and 58,567 ADSs in the open market for approximately US$0.4 million from November 30, 2023 through February 15, 2024, using its own capital.

In addition, from March 28 through September 19, 2022, Dasheng Global purchased a total of 562,106 ADSs of the Issuer in the open market for approximately US$0.9 million, using its capital from previous disposition of its holding of the Issuers ADSs. From September 20, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Dasheng Global purchased a total of 102,984 ADSs of the Issuer in the open market for approximately US$0.7 million using its own capital. F rom August 31, 2023 through September 23, 2023, Dasheng Global purchased a total of 26,315 ADSs of the Issuer in the open market for approximately US$0.2 million, using its own capital.

Apart from the foregoing open-market purchases, (i) the 275,000 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer issuable upon the vesting of restricted share units within 60 days after the date hereof, to be held by Dasheng Global, the 1,050,000 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer in the form of ADSs held by Dasheng Global, and the 186,180 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer in the form of ADSs held by Mr. Huang are shares issuable or issued to Mr. Huang pursuant to share awards granted under the Issuers share incentive plans, and (ii) the 67,380 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer issuable to Ms. Shu upon the vesting of restricted share units and 122,460 Class A ordinary shares of the Issuer in the form of ADSs held by Ms. Shu, are shares issuable or issued to Ms. Shu pursuant to share awards granted under the Issuers share incentive plans, and (iii) the 30,390,321 Class B ordinary shares of the Issuer and the 15,535,423 Class B ordinary shares of the Issuer have been held by Dasheng Global and Dasheng Online, respectively, since the completion of the initial public offering of the Issuer.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: February 22, 2024 Jack Jiajia Huang /s/ Jack Jiajia Huang Dasheng Global Limited By: /s/ Jack Jiajia Huang Name: Jack Jiajia Huang Title: Director Dasheng International Holdings Limited By: /s/ S.B. Vanwall Ltd. Name: S.B. Vanwall Ltd. Title: Director TB Family Trust By: /s/ TMF (Cayman) Ltd. Name: TMF (Cayman) Ltd. Title: Trustee

Schedule I

60-Day Trading History

Trade Date Amount of ADSs (Each Representing 60

Class A Ordinary Shares) Purchased Weighted Average Price Per

ADS (US$) December 26, 2023 300 7.60 December 27, 2023 1,587 7.68 December 28, 2023 966 7.75 December 29, 2023 815 7.61 January 2, 2024 712 7.60 January 3, 2024 100 7.73 January 4, 2024 280 7.94 January 5, 2024 164 8.00 January 8, 2024 2,600 7.94 January 9, 2024 1,500 7.95 January 10, 2024 522 7.89 January 11, 2024 662 7.88 January 16, 2024 2,410 7.82 January 17, 2024 449 7.92 January 18, 2024 332 7.98 January 19, 2024 309 7.90 January 22, 2024 994 7.78 January 23, 2024 297 7.72 January 24, 2024 317 7.62 January 25, 2024 839 7.73 January 26, 2024 402 7.73 January 29, 2024 202 7.71 January 30, 2024 1,050 7.65 January 31, 2024 926 7.61 February 1, 2024 985 7.59 February 2, 2024 304 7.54 February 5, 2024 4,625 7.38 February 6, 2024 6,031 7.27 February 7, 2024 7,206 7.11 February 8, 2024 2,679 6.95 February 9, 2024 2,303 6.86 February 12, 2024 456 6.94 February 15, 2024 660 6.84

The above transactions were effected by Dasheng Global in the open market.
Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ:CAKE) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$3.44b (up 4.1% from FY 2022).

Net income: US$101.4m (up 135% from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 2.9% (up from 1.3% in FY 2022).

EPS: US$2.10 (up from US$0.87 in FY 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Cheesecake Factory EPS Misses Expectations

Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 18%.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 6.0% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 9.7% growth forecast for the Hospitality industry in the US.

Performance of the American Hospitality industry.

The company's shares are up 1.2% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Cheesecake Factory that you should be aware of.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Royal Australian Air Force medical officers treat a simulated patient during a mass casualty scenario as part of Cope North 24 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 11, 2024. (Gerald Willis/U.S. Air Force)

An annual multinational Air Force exercise on Guam concluded Friday after nearly three weeks of training missions, from aerial refueling to simulated air combat.

Cope North kicked off Feb. 5 at Andersen Air Force Base with an elephant walk, a runway parade of aircraft, and wound down Thursday with a static display of eight aircraft and their crews, according to 36th Wing spokeswoman 1st Lt. Ariana Wilkinson.

We wanted to give the opportunity to Andersen family members and anyone within the community with base access to come out and see the aircraft that took part, she said by phone Friday. Just to let them get up close and personal and engage with our allies and partners.

Aircraft on display included two airlifters, an Australian C-27 Spartan and a French A-400 Atlas; a Japanese Mitsubishi F-2 fighter jet; and a U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueler, according to Wilkinson.

A Japanese C-130H Hercules taking part in the Cope North exercise lifts off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 16, 2024. (Tylir Meyer/U.S. Air Force)

This years Cope North focused on NATOs agile combat employment doctrine, which involves operating from major airfields and dispersed locations. More than 2,400 personnel from the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Japan and South Korea took part.

The last of them were preparing Friday to head home, Wilkinson said.

The joint force planned to fly 1,400 missions with about 85 aircraft, according to a Pacific Air Forces news release in January.

Were working out of these airfields; were essentially able to pick up and move out of these spokes and hubs, Wilkinson said.

The multinational coalition flew numerous missions, including a simulated aerial battle, from six airfields on three islands: Guam, Saipan and Tinian. The various scenarios allowed the U.S. to exchange information, tactics, techniques and procedures to further integrate allied contributions for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, she said.

Other scenarios involved airlift logistics, command and control operations and large force deployments, according to Lt. Col. David Overstreet, the Air Force exercise director.

We came together as one and will continue to expand on the lessons learned to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, he said in a text message Friday.

In a Cope North first, U.S., Australian and Japanese officers led the exercise as a joint command. Using a new command-and-control system and an integrated communication network, the joint command shared responsibility for all aspects of the exercise, said Air Force Col. Henry Schantz, commander of 18th Operations Group.

Building relationships remains key to successful deterrence. No one will win if they deter or fight alone, he told Stars and Stripes by email Feb. 9, adding that the excitement was palpable.

The opportunity to work in a new command structure provided the opportunity for a lot of lessons, but nothing that was insurmountable to solve, according to Australian air force Group Capt. Kylie Green. One of the most obvious obstacles was communication, with certain words and acronyms meaning different things depending on the country, she said.

Terminology is a part of it, you know, were separated sometimes by that common language, she told Stars and Stripes by phone Feb. 6. We have slightly different ways of doing things that gets us to the same outcome, so were just trying to identify what those points are so we can work together better and more effectively.
A German Army NCO School candidate checks out the machine gun mounted atop an M1064A3 light armored vehicle during an exchange with U.S. soldiers in Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Feb. 22, 2024. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany  Dozens of German army noncommissioned officers toured Tower Barracks this week to learn more English from their American counterparts, and familiarize themselves with U.S. Army tanks and fighting vehicles.

The weeklong exchange, one of four per year, is part of a 10-week German army NCO School at Delitzsch, located approximately 15 miles north of Leipzig, said German army Capt. Marc Meissner, an operations officer at the school.

The schools top 40 enlisted leaders, mostly sergeants and staff sergeants, on Thursday visited the bases 100-year-old landmark water tower before being hosted by U.S. soldiers from 1st Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment.

Its definitely a very worthwhile event, said battalion commander Lt. Col. Kyle Trottier. It helps us understand the levels of training that each army goes through, what their professional development systems look like, so were able to train and fight together at a higher proficiency level.

Candidates from the German Army NCO School listen to a discussion about U.S. military equipment during an exchange with soldiers from 1st Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, in Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Feb. 22, 2024. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) German army Sgt. Bjoern Kaiser looks at ammunition from a Bradley Fighting Vehicle during an exchange with U.S. soldiers in Grafenwoehr, Germany on Feb. 22, 2024. There are four exchanges per year between German and American soldiers. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) Sgt. 1st Class Arthur Sanchez, a tank commander with the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, discusses an M1A2 Abrams tank with German Army NCO School candidates Feb. 22, 2024, during an exchange at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria in Grafenwoehr, Germany. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) Soldiers from the German Army NCO School climb aboard an M1A2 Abrams tank Feb. 22, 2024, to learn more about U.S. military equipment from 1st Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment troops during an exchange in Grafenwoehr, Germany. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

Grafenwoehr is home to the 7th Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy, the oldest in the service. The two schools have been hosting exchanges annually for 31 years, said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Alexandra Perez, a NATO liaison assigned to the German school.

The weeklong event occurred just days after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to increase defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product, the NATO target, amid fears of Russian aggression following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Germany on Feb. 16 signed a long-term security agreement with Ukraine that included an additional $1.2 billion in military aid.

A light rain fell Thursday, as German soldiers of all ages boarded a bus for a tour of Tower Barracks and the surrounding camps. After hiking to the top of the 137-foot tower, they headed to the Camp Normandy motor pool, where a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, M1A2 Abrams tank and other Army equipment awaited.

The Germans mingled with soldiers from the 37th Armored Regiment, and climbed inside and atop their vehicles.

The German army doesnt have this, said Sgt. 1st Class Mattias Haedrech, an armored engineer, as he gazed upon an M1150 Assault Breach Vehicle. We need this.

The exchange was performed in English so the NCO candidates could improve their proficiency.

Sgt. David Jirouschek, an infantryman, marveled at the lack of space inside the Bradley compared with roomier German armored personnel carriers. Meanwhile, Staff Sgt. Benedict Shabanaj said he was awed at how quiet the Abrams is in comparison to the German Leopard 2 tank.

This event strengthens cooperation, said Shabanaj, a cybersecurity technician. You get a big insight on how the U.S. military works and what the mentality is like. I will share the experiences made here.

The exchange was equally gratifying for the members of 1st Battalion.

This helps build our relationships between us and the Germans, bringing us closer together, understanding each others capabilities and being able to help each other and learn each others system, said Staff Sgt. Johnathan Carter, a platoon track commander, as he showed off the inside of the Bradley. They have their own variant of this vehicle, and they like their variant of this vehicle; we like (ours).

Carter said working with the German army would be much more comfortable going forward.
Rhandy Torres stars as Master Chief Tabalon in "The Master Chief: Part One." (Albea Embestro Soriano)

Born into a military family, writer-director Chris Soriano took inspiration from his father and other Filipinos in the Navy for his latest film, The Master Chief: Part One.

The 135-minute action drama began streaming Tuesday on Amazon Prime and Apple TV and tells the Navy story through the lens of the Filipino mafia.

Soriano also stars in the film as Gabe Rosario, a Filipino who joins the Navy to seek a brighter future but is met with racial tensions and other challenges. These include a villain inspired by Leonard Francis, the figure known as Fat Leonard behind a decades-long Navy contracting scandal.

Soriano, born at Naval Medical Center San Diego to Filipino parents, plays a character who manages supplies on a ship, he told Stars and Stripes on a Zoom call Friday. Sorianos 20-year Navy veteran father, Gerardo Soriano, did the same job as a ships storekeeper.

My dad would tell me a lot of stories when I was younger about Filipinos in the Navy, he said. Whenever Id hang out with him and his buddies, Id always hear people say the words Filipino mafia as a joke.

Writer-director-actor Chris Soriano stars as Gabe Rosario in the film The Master Chief: Part One. (Albea Embestro Soriano) The Master Chief: Part One ells the U.S. Navy story through the lens of the Filipino mafia. (Albea Embestro Soriano)

It wasnt until Soriano became a filmmaker and was looking for a story to tell that he thought about revisiting the subject.

I dove into it and interviewed sailors and I asked them about their stories, he said. There were a lot of the jokes about secret funny meetings where food is exchanged, and it isnt really nefarious like the mafia mafia.

His film does include a nod to Goodfellas, a film by Martin Scorsese about the infamous organized crime families. Scorsese is an influence on Soriano, who employs narration throughout his film.

Gabe and many of the main characters are enlisted sailors because Soriano wanted to show that side of the Navy.

Movies like Top Gun show the officers side in the military, he said. We dont really hear too many enlisted stories. And what Ive heard is that chiefs run the Navy; if this is a big thing, why has it not been showcased?

Soriano said he was surprised to find that Filipinos have risen in the ranks, even to command master chief, the senior enlisted sailors who report directly to their commanders. The films end features a memorial to retired Command Master Chief Leopoldo Albea, a native Filipino who died in 2020.

I used to think that to be at the highest you got to have a degree, where you have to bribe somebody or you got to do something to get there, Soriano said. But there are great people out there that just did it through hard work, and being a genuine good person.

Sorianos company, Albea Embestro Soriano, filmed in San Diego and on the USS Iowa, a retired battleship thats now a museum near Long Beach, Calif. The company purchased Navy uniforms at a surplus store.

I remember people were like, What are you doing with 50 coveralls? Soriano said. I was, like, Well donate them back; we need this, were working on a production. They were so nice and said, OK, you want boots; you need belts? So it really worked out.

The film won the Jury Award for best drama feature on Nov. 18 at San Diego Film Week, which celebrates the local film industry.

Production for part two of Master Chief starts in the next 90 days, Soriano said. He hopes to release the film on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
Lakota Sioux chief Iron Tail, circa 1905. (WikiMedia Commons/Fredrick W. Glasier)

(Tribune News Service)  It is a well-known image: A stoic Native American man in ceremonial garb with a feathered headdress. An Indian chief.

That portrait of strength and courage has been memorialized in films and statues, as well as exploited to sell cigarettes and motorcycles. It is a core American cultural stereotype, recently at the center of the most-watched sporting event in American history when the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII.

What is a chief? Anton Treuer, a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and the author of numerous books on Native Americans, said even the term Indian chief is misleading.

The word chief is an English word and each tribe had its own words for different kinds of leaders, Treuer said. I think theres a lot of confusion and stereotypes about what and who native leaders were.

These people were leaders, but not like monarchs. Some communities had several chiefs. Many fought for their status, but also had a fragile hold on power. They often had an uncomfortable role bargaining and representing tribal interests to white colonizers  which sometimes left them ostracized from their own communities. Being a chief meant making tough decisions that others might not agree with.

Some chiefs oversaw social functions, while others led people into battle. Fur traders in the region that became Minnesota would call Ojibwe people who represented their community a village chief, Treuer said.

But that was not the person who led people to war or the person who led ceremonies, he added.

Historically, chiefs followed hereditary lines, like European monarchies. But by the the 19th century, this system was being usurped by some leaders  especially among the Ojibwe people  who came from common stock and pushed their way to leadership by charisma and force of will.

These chiefs led by consensus, persuading their fellow community members to work toward a common goal. For native communities, leaders were only as good as their argument to action. They could easily fall out of favor.

Indian chiefs were not typically rich and powerful. Often, chiefs were materially poor and willing to give away what they had for the betterment of their communities.

There were parallels to European leaders, of course. Bravery was exalted. And many Indian chiefs were known for their reckless behavior on the battlefield and notable flamboyant appearance in public.Little CrowTaoyateduta, or Little Crow, was a leader of the Mdewakanton Band of Dakota. By the early 1860s, the tribe was living in impoverished conditions on a strip of land along the Minnesota River. Treaties with the United States government promised them payments that never materialized. Little Crow was selected to speak for the rest of the tribe  and became known as a chief because of that leadership.

He was ... restless and active, intelligent, of strong personality [and] of great physical vigor and vainly confident of his own superiority and that of his people, wrote Asa W. Daniels, a physician who worked with Native people in the mid-1800s. He was affable and always self-possessed.

Negotiating with white people could bring dilemmas, including creating divisions among Native groups.

Chiefs who accepted the advice of whites and incorporated them became dependent upon these new kinsmen to act in the best interest of the Sioux people, historian Gary Anderson wrote in the book, Little Crow: Spokesman for the Sioux.

Little Crow was caught in the chain of events that led to the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War. He tried to calm the Dakota people who were starving and desperate, but found himself at the forefront of the conflict when it exploded into open warfare against white settlers. It is well documented that Little Crow did not initiate the uprising, but he did expand the conflict once it began.

The war with the U.S. government led to the eventual banishment of the majority of Dakota people from Minnesota.WabashaTahtapesaah, Chief Wabasha, was also caught in the U.S.-Dakota war. He joined a group of Dakota who called themselves the Peace Party. The aim of the group was to bring people to safety during the chaotic conflict.

Despite his commitment to a peaceful outcome and the preservation of life, the U.S. government nonetheless exiled him to South Dakota and later, Santee, Neb., according to the Minnesota Historical Society. The city and county of Wabasha are named after him and his ancestors of the same name.The Hole-in-the-DaysSeveral prominent Ojibwe chiefs shared the name Bagone-giizhig, or Hole-in-the-Day. The Elder Hole-in-the-Day, born in 1800, carved a new path to leadership through charisma rather than the old hereditary system. He led war parties against the Dakota in brutal battles for territory and influence.

[H]e molded the minds of his admirers and adherents as he desired, wrote missionary Alfred Brunson.

His son, Hole-In-The-Day the Younger, was a brash and courageous leader like his father. His leadership led to divisions among the Ojibwe, culminating with his assassination at the hands of a group of Leech Lake Pillager Ojibwe. His killers held him responsible for the plight of all Minnesota Ojibwe and his controversial stance on who should go to the White Earth Reservation. It was later revealed that the assassins were hired by a mixed-blood trader.

They both ... had to lead in extremely stressful times when there was tremendous pressure on their people, Treuer said, and the future of Native lands, leadership, and livelihoods were all in jeopardy.

There were other Ojibwes called Hole-In-The-Day, too. Probably the most famous was Ogima Bagone-giizhig, who led a skirmish against the U.S. Army on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in 1898. The battle resulted in seven dead white soldiers and civilians. Some consider it the last chapter in the long and brutal conflicts that occurred between the tribes and whites moving into the American frontier in the 19th century.Female chiefsNot all of Minnesotas chiefs were men.

Ruth Flatmouth assumed the position of her brother, the Leech Lake hereditary chief Flat Mouth, while he was traveling. That continued after his death, and Ruth served as proxy at several significant diplomatic events, according to Treuer.

Female leaders, though rare, were not confined to religious or civil matters. Ogimaakwe, a female warrior at Turtle Mountain (in what is now North Dakota), also led war parties, Treuer said.Modern chiefsToday, Native communities have ceremonial drum chiefs and lodge chiefs, who are recognized for spiritual ceremonies like naming newborn children and recognizing marriages. And the Red Lake Indian Reservation has civil chiefs overseeing some operations there, several of whom are recognized by the tribal government, Treuer said.

Most political positions are now elected, Treuer said. But its not uncommon for elected officials to be directly descended from hereditary chiefs.

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The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History holds tens of thousands of human remains that were largely taken in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)

The remains of tens of thousands of individuals taken by the Smithsonian Institution without consent should be proactively returned to their families and communities, a task force convened by the world-renowned museum complex has concluded.

If adopted into policy, the recommendations outlined by the 15-person task force would represent a historic shift for the Smithsonian, significantly broadening its repatriation efforts.

The recommendations, released Wednesday, follow a Washington Post investigation that revealed that the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History holds more than 30,700 sets of human remains, largely taken from graveyards, battlefields, morgues and hospitals in more than 80 countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The collection includes 254 human brains housed in a storage facility in suburban Maryland, most of them taken from people of color to further now-debunked theories on racial differences.

While the Smithsonian is mandated under a 1989 federal law to offer to return the remains of Native American, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native people to their descendants and communities, the legislation is silent on all other remains, leaving thousands of body parts in limbo.

But in Wednesdays report, the task force proposed that the Natural History Museum establish a new staff that would be responsible for returning remains that are not covered by the federal law - a policy that experts say could prompt other museums worldwide to follow suit. The report also recommended streamlining the process for returning Native American remains and providing additional funding for that effort.

The task force - made up of Smithsonian officials and outside experts - called the collection an unfortunate inheritance, a racist legacy that burdens the Smithsonian and prolongs this injustice.

While much of this collecting of human remains was done by curators and individuals long dead, it occurred at the Smithsonian and relied on the Smithsonians resources, reputation, and influence, the task force wrote. The original intent of collecting these human remains was morally abhorrent, because it sought to prove the superiority of white people and their descendants to Native Americans, African Americans, and others through scientific means that are now thoroughly discredited.

Officials said the policies laid out in the report could be adopted by this fall.

Kevin Gover, a co-chair of the task force and the Smithsonians undersecretary for museums and culture, said the report reflected a drastic change in the way the Smithsonian has grappled with human remains that were collected during a different era.

We inherit what our predecessors did at the Smithsonian, and that means we also inherit the obligation to doing what we can to put things right, said Gover, a former director of the Smithsonians National Museum of the American Indian and a citizen of the Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. This institution is now 177 years old, and like any institution of that age, we have a lot to answer for on matters of race, he added.

The Post last year examined the grisly legacy of Ales Hrdlicka, who led the physical anthropology department at the U.S. National Museum, the precursor to the Natural History Museum, for most of the first half of the 20th century. Hrdlicka believed in white superiority and amassed thousands of bones and other body parts at the museum to further his theories on the anatomical differences between races.

The Post found that the museum had failed to return the vast majority of human remains in its possession, and that families and communities were required to formally petition for their return, even though many had no idea they had relatives with remains in the collection.

As of December, museum officials had returned or offered to return more than 6,300 sets of human remains - the vast majority belonging to Native Americans, as required by federal law.

In response to The Posts reporting, Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Smithsonians secretary, published an op-ed apologizing for the way the institution had collected human remains and said his goal was to return as many remains as possible.

According to the new report, around half of the individuals whose remains are still stored by the Smithsonian are Native American and 2,100 are African American. Almost 6,000 of the individuals are named, either in full, partly, or by their initials.

In recent years, museums and universities across the United States have undergone a reckoning over the thousands of Native American remains in their collections that federal laws forced them to address in the 1990s after years of activism from Indigenous communities. The Smithsonian, which has one of the largest collections of human remains in the world, is governed by a 1989 repatriation law. Other museums and universities are covered under another law - the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act - that was recently strengthened by new Department of the Interior regulations.

After The Post began reporting on the Smithsonians collection of human remains, Bunch last year convened the task force to determine how the Natural History Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian would handle the human remains in their holdings.

The report was blunt about the origins of the collection, outlining the practices of anthropologists like Hrdlicka who exploited disadvantaged populations to collect remains with the intention of comparing races and proving the superiority of White people.

The institution last year paused research on human remains unless approved by top Smithsonian officials. In its report, the task force urged the institution to allow research on human remains only after officials have obtained permission from descendants, communities or institutions related to the individuals - with exceptions for remains from certain ancient communities.

The task force also said the Smithsonian should prioritize returning the remains of people whose names are known by the museum, and that identifying remains from specific cemeteries, burial grounds and university or medical school collections could speed up the process of returning or burying them. It also suggested developing a process to bury or memorialize remains that are not easily identifiable.

C. Timothy McKeown, an adviser for the National Association of Tribal Historic Officers who worked on the implementation of repatriation policy at the Department of the Interior for 18 years, called the report a major policy shift for the Smithsonian that could go further than the repatriation efforts of many museums worldwide.

I think this definitely will have an impact, he said. I think many museums ... will look at it and say, Hey, the Smithsonians doing this. Dont you think we ought to do it, too?

The report acknowledged that the institution, which receives about two-thirds of its funding from Congress, would need to seek more congressional and philanthropic support to complete its mission. Gover said securing additional money from Congress would be difficult, but that the institution has been exploring opportunities with philanthropic organizations.

The Posts investigation last year into the Smithsonians collection of human brains and other body parts found that of the more than 280 brains it gathered, the institution has returned just five to their families or descendant communities.

After The Post began reporting, the Smithsonian reached out to the Philippines to discuss repatriating remains of Filipinos within the collection. In August, the Natural History Museum returned the brain of a Sami Alaskan woman, Mary Sara, to her relatives after The Post informed them that the museum held her remains. That month, the family buried her brain, collected by the institution after her death from tuberculosis in 1933, in her grave in Seattle.

Rachel Twitchell-Justiss, Mary Saras distant relative, said she believes talk is cheap and wants to see the institution follow through on the recommendations laid out on Wednesday. My hope is that they just do whatever they do with the utmost respect, she said.

The Post also found that 74 of the brains gathered by the museum - more than a quarter of the brain collection - came from the D.C. area, including 48 brains taken from African Americans. One of those individuals was Moses Boone, a 21-month-old Black child who died of tuberculosis at Childrens Hospital in 1904. Michelle Farris, a distant relative of Boone, was unaware that her family members brain was held by the Smithsonian until informed by The Post.

Natural History Museum officials recently reached out to Farris to apologize. Farris said she will soon start the process to request the brains return to the family and plans to bury it in the historic Mount Zion Cemetery, where the rest of the toddlers remains lie in an unmarked grave.

Other local communities have called for the Smithsonian to return remains, as well. In January, Del. Eric Zehr (R) introduced a bill in the Virginia House of Delegates to request that the Smithsonian return all of its Virginia remains to descendants and compensate families and tribes for funeral and burial expenses. While the bill didnt pass, a member of Zehrs staff said he may reintroduce it and is seeking congressional support.

As part of its reporting, The Post also published a public database of records that offered the most comprehensive overview of the Smithsonians human remains collection to date. When Eden Fineday, a member of the Sweetgrass First Nation in Canada and the publisher of the media outlet IndigiNews, searched through the database, she found that the Smithsonian had collected the skull of her great-great-grandfather, Little Poplar, in 1894.

Horrified, she contacted the Natural History Museum to learn more about the remains. The museum will fund a trip for her to visit her great-great-grandfathers remains next month, and Fineday said she hopes to eventually bury them.

Fineday said she found the task forces recommendations basic, but she was hopeful that the institutions public statements would help ensure that human remains were returned to their rightful heirs.

Its all about the political will, she said. It sounds like they want to do it, and thats probably 99.9 percent of the challenge.

Andrew Ba Tran contributed to this report.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, left, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte appear at a news conference in The Hague, Netherlands, in June 2023. Rutte has emerged as the front-runner to replace Stoltenberg after winning endorsements from the United States and Germany. (NATO)

The prime minister of the Netherlands, a country that has long failed to hit NATOs defense spending benchmark, has emerged as the front-runner to lead the alliance after winning endorsements from the United States and Germany.

Should Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte win support from the rest of 31-nation bloc, later this year he will replace Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who has held the position for a decade.

The United States has made it clear to our allies, our NATO allies, that we believe Mr. Rutte would be an excellent secretary-general for NATO, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday.

The United Kingdom and Germany also publicly announced support for Dutch leader.

Mark Ruttes immense experience, extensive security policy expertise and profound diplomatic skill make him an outstanding candidate for the position, German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs office said in a statement Thursday.

The selection of the next NATO chief comes at a critical time for the alliance, which is adapting defense plans and reinforcing its eastern flank in connection with worries about a more aggressive Russia.

The situation also could make the decision over NATOs next leader a contentious point among central and Eastern European countries, which have made defense spending increases a larger priority than some of the western allies, such as the Netherlands.

Other potential candidates include Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.

All three are from countries that have hit NATOs defense spending benchmark of dedicating 2% of gross domestic product to their respective militaries.

The idea of putting a leader from one of NATOs front-line states, something that has never been done before, has gained traction in parts of the alliance and among numerous security analysts.

Andrew Michta, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington, said Thursday that selecting Rutte sends the wrong message.

The next (secretary-general) should come from one of NATOs flank countries  they are on the frontline and understand the existential nature of the (Russia) threat. There is still time to course correct, Michta said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Another factor that may not be discussed publicly but that could factor into talks is how the next secretary-general would relate to Donald Trump, should the former president return to office next year.

Stoltenberg is widely credited with ably managing NATOs relationship with Trump, even as the front-runner for the Republican nomination made threats to quit the alliance over disputes about defense spending.

Ruttes relationship with Trump appears to have been solid. In 2019, Trump had positive things to say about the Dutch leader.

We have become friends over the last couple of years, Trump said during a news conference at the time. Weve had a lot of good conversations, were dealing on trade, were dealing on military, were dealing on intelligence. The relationship has never been better.

Still, the Netherlands failure to reach NATOs 2% mark on defense spending could be a sticking point.

Richard Grenell, Trumps former ambassador to Germany, who is considered likely to play a high-profile role in any future Trump administration, blasted the idea of Rutte as NATOs secretary-general, saying it was a slap in the face to the American taxpayer.

Its a hard no, Grenell said on X.
Israeli protesters run toward aid trucks waiting to cross at the Kerem Shalom crossing on Feb. 7. (Lorenzo Tugnoli/The Washington Post)

JERUSALEM  The volume of aid delivered to Gaza has collapsed in recent weeks as Israeli airstrikes have targeted police officers who guard the convoys, U.N. officials say, exposing them to looting by criminal gangs and desperate civilians.

On average, only 62 trucks have entered Gaza each day over the past two weeks, according to figures from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs  well below the 200 trucks per day Israel has committed to facilitating. Just four trucks crossed on two separate days this week. Aid groups, which have warned of a looming famine, estimate that some 500 trucks are needed each day to meet peoples basic needs.

After a string of Israeli attacks on members of Gazas Hamas-run civilian police force, officers withdrew earlier this month from the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. Since they left, trucks have been attacked in the crossings holding area, according to U.N. humanitarian coordinator James McGoldrick. Drivers have been shot at, attacked with axes and box cutters, and had their windows smashed, he said.

Humanitarian officials said police have also stopped serving as security guards for aid convoys, paralyzing deliveries in the enclave, where some hungry families have resorted to eating weeds and animal feed and profiteers are selling stolen food at astronomical rates on the black market.

With the departure of police escorts it has been virtually impossible for the U.N. or anyone else ... to safely move assistance in Gaza because of criminal gangs, U.S. Ambassador David Satterfield, appointed by President Biden to coordinate humanitarian aid to Gaza, said Friday.

Because of the attacks on the U.N. convoys and others, the value of things has risen, which only feeds a vicious cycle to empower more criminal activities, he added.

Satterfield said Israeli forces had killed as many as nine Palestinian police officers involved in protecting aid convoys, including a commander. Police include Hamas elements he said, but also people who are politically unaffiliated and remnants of Palestinian Authority forces.

Asked if police guarding aid convoys were a target, the Israel Defense Forces said: The IDF is operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities. Elements involved in military activity may be targeted.

Three police officers were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Rafah on Feb. 10, according to Rafah governorate police and eyewitnesses, as they were driving to monitor the distribution of food aid in Tal al-Sultan, west of Rafah.

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), said that eight other Palestinian police officers were killed during the previous week. The Washington Post could not independently confirm the figures.

The United Nations is attempting to obtain assurances from Israel that police wont be attacked, according to McGoldrick.

The slowdown in aid delivery comes amid increasingly dire warnings from humanitarian experts that Gazas 2.2 million inhabitants are on the brink of famine. The situation is most precarious in the north of the Strip, where aid groups withdrew months ago, and an estimated 300,000 civilians remain.

One in every 6 children in the north is suffering from acute malnutrition, according to a World Health Organization nutritional analysis, with 3 percent of them exhibiting severe wasting  putting them at risk of death unless they receive urgent medical treatment.

Ted Chaiban, deputy director for humanitarian action at UNICEF, warned this week that Gaza is poised to witness an explosion in preventable child deaths.

All aid that enters Gaza must first undergo screenings by Egyptian and Israeli officials. Approved shipments are taken to the unloading area at Kerem Shalom, then transferred to Gazan trucks before making their way out of the crossings blue gates.

Many of these trucks, before they even get 200 meters, are stopped by cars and then attacked and looted, McGoldrick said. Were lucky to get some of the material to warehouses. Getting the food from there to the north is even more difficult.

Convoys run the risk of being overrun on the journey, he added, describing one driver he met on a trip to Gaza this month who had lost his voice from screaming at looters: This is for the people of Gaza. This is for Gaza City, its not for here, he recounted telling them.

It made no difference, McGoldrick said.

The World Food Program announced it was forced to stop food deliveries to the north this week, citing the complete chaos and violence due to the collapse of civil order. UNRWA has not been able to make any deliveries to northern Gaza since Jan. 23, said Tamara Alrifai, its director of external relations.

The agency and its partners are lobbying Israel to open other crossings to increase the flow of aid.

At a U.N. Security Council session Thursday, Tor Wennesland, the Norwegian diplomat who is the United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, told members there was no time to lose. He chronicled acute shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine and a near-total breakdown of law and order.

Keeping Gaza on a drip feed not only deprives the desperate population of lifesaving support, it drives even further chaos on the ground and impedes even further humanitarian delivery, he said, calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The idea that a humanitarian pause is needed for aid to enter Gaza is a complete misnomer, Eylon Levy, an Israeli government spokesman, posted Wednesday on X. The aid is already inside. The UN needs to distribute it.

We are ready and willing to facilitate the entrance of tens if not hundreds of trucks every day, Col. Moshe Tetro, head of the Israeli Coordination and Liaison Administration for Gaza, told reporters this week.

But the drop in the number of trucks is also due, in part, to the now-routine protests by Israelis at Kerem Shalom, McGoldrick said. The protesters have vowed to block the crossing until Hamas releases the remaining Israeli hostages, and they have succeeded some days in shutting it down.

If theres a disruption on that side, or theres a disruption on the other side where we are because of insecurity, the results the same: We dont get stuff out of the door, McGoldrick said.

On Thursday, demonstrators at Kerem Shalom set up a giant bouncy castle at the entrance where aid trucks are supposed to pass through. In a dawn video distributed Thursday on WhatsApp, organizer Yosef de Brasser, 22, urged others to join him.

Get ready, there will be inflatables, cotton candy, and popcorn and plushies, he said. We are preparing for the people of Israel, come.

On the other side of the border, Palestinian families described a grinding struggle for survival.

Mahmoud Ibrahim, whose family is in Sheikh Radwan, north of Gaza City, said he had been giving his four children bread made out of barley once used for animal feed, but even that is running out. He has also foraged for khoubiza, a leafy green that grows wild in the area. I have been surviving on it for the past three days, as it was the only option available, he said.

Haya Marwan, 23, said her family in the northern Jabalya refugee camp has also been subsisting on khoubiza and other edible plants. Theft is rampant, she said, with empty homes stripped bare.

The situation has descended into severe chaos, Marwan said, adding that armed men threaten anyone carrying food. Ive heard of shootings by bandits, she said. A bag of flour that used to cost $8 now goes for about $275.

People are left to fend for themselves, she said. While we are still breathing, we are far from living.

Balousha reported from Amman, Jordan, and DeYoung from Washington. Heba Farouk Mahfouz in Cairo and Cate Brown in Washington contributed to this report.
Chinese hacker

A Chinese hacking group linked to the countrys government claimed it was capable of attacking the UK Foreign Office, according to a huge leak of records.

The i-Soon firm offered to target the Foreign Office after allegedly discovering a vulnerability in its IT systems.

Other government departments and organisations, such as the charity Amnesty International and the Chatham House think tank, were also named as potential targets.

It is unclear if either group, both of which have scrutinised the Chinese government, were ever subject to attacks.

A raft of leaked documents related to the i-Soon group were published online late last week.

The records show that dissidents and ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region were also listed as potential targets of hacking and surveillance.

Many of the other targets were located around Asia, including businesses and governments in Taiwan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

The leak reveals staff lists, internal communications and marketing materials. The group is widely reported to work for the Chinese government.

In one chat log, staff at i-Soon said they possessed a zero day attack that would exploit a flaw in the Foreign Offices security defence, although records show that they did not go ahead with the plan.

Among other details disclosed in the leak referenced tools to gain access to iPhone users private details, including contacts and photos.

The leak also revealed how i-Soon claimed that it could monitor discussions on social media, while it also referenced how hackers had attempted to sell data from Jens Stoltenberg, Natos Secretary General.

The documents were posted on Github, a Microsoft-owned website for hosting code and other material.

The repository appeared to have been taken offline by Friday morning and it is unclear how the files were leaked in the first place. It has not been found to contain any highly-classified information or hacking tools.

However, the files expose the extent of Chinese authorities use of private companies to carry out surveillance and steal data. It is believed to be the biggest leak to date related to a hacking group with links to Beijing.

Story continues

The Foreign Office is yet to comment, while the Chinese Foreign Ministry has said it was unaware of the leak.

However, it is being investigated by police in China, according to the Associated Press.

A Chatham House spokesman said: We are aware of this data coming to light and are naturally concerned. Chatham House takes data and information security extremely seriously. In the current climate, we, along with many other organisations, are the target of regular attempted attacks from both state and non-state actors.

We have protection measures in place including technology-based safeguards which are reviewed and upgraded on a regular basis.

Amnesty was approached for comment.

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A pharmacy technician at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center prepares medication requests at Fort Meade, Md., on Feb. 12, 2024. (Michelle Gonzalez/Defense Health Agency)

A cyberattack Wednesday on one of Americas largest health care technology companies has left U.S. military pharmacies worldwide unable to fill prescriptions, the Defense Health Agency said Thursday.

A reported cyberattack on the nations largest commercial prescription processor, Change Healthcare, has affected military clinics and hospitals worldwide, DHA said in a statement.

Change Healthcare disconnected its systems on Wednesday to protect patient information, according to the agency.

This is impacting all military pharmacies worldwide and some retail pharmacies nationally, DHA said.

News reports indicated large retail chains in the U.S. like CVS and Walgreens and local pharmacies across the country were experiencing delays or interruptions in their ability to fill customers prescriptions Wednesday.

Change Healthcare is part of Optum, a health technology company acquired by UnitedHealth Group in 2022. Change Healthcare processes patient payments for many health care entities, including pharmacies, in the United States.

The firm said in a website update Thursday it had disconnected its system in the interest of protecting our partners and patients and to prevent further impact.

At this time, we believe the issue is specific to Change Healthcare and all other systems across UnitedHealth Group are operational, the update states. The disruption is expected to last at least through the day.

DHA said that military clinics and hospitals will provide outpatient prescriptions through a manual procedure until the problem is resolved.

Military pharmacies will give priority to urgent prescriptions followed by routine prescriptions, DHA said in its statement. Each military hospital and clinic will continue to offer pharmacy operations based on their local manning and resources.

Pharmacies at U.S. military bases worldwide have issued advisories asking patients to forego filling prescriptions until the system is back online.

The 374th Medical Group at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo told its population Thursday that it was temporarily unable to fill prescriptions through the recently installed MHIS Genesis online medical records system. The base pharmacy is handing out fulfilled requests but asked patients to wait on new requests or see their physicians, according to a post on the official Facebook page.

Naval Health Clinic Hawaii said in a Facebook post Thursday its pharmacies at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii had implemented down-time procedures and are able to fill needed prescriptions, but that patients should expect longer wait times.

If you have remaining medication at home, we ask that you please consider waiting until the issue has been resolved, the post states.

Scott Air Force Base Clinic in Illinois said in a Facebook post Wednesday that due to a DoD-wide outage its pharmacy was facing heavy delays with both activation and refill for prescriptions.

At this time, we are unable to process any new activations, the post states. You can still call in a refill, however it wont be processed until the system comes back up.

The 72nd Medical Group at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma said in a Facebook post Thursday that it also could not fill prescriptions.

Some TRICARE network pharmacies may also be impacted by the outage, the post states.

Bassett Army Community Hospital in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, said in a Facebook post Thursday that it was unable to fill prescription and encouraged patients to wait if possible.

Please note, filling prescriptions at a non-[military treatment facility] pharmacy will incur a copay/charge in most cases, the post states.

The American Hospital Association said in an advisory Thursday that it had been communicating with the FBI, Department of Health and Human Services and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency regarding the cyberattack and outage.

The association recommended that organizations using Change Healthcares services should prepare contingency plans in case the outage continues for an extended period.
Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testify during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on Feb. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. Judge Scott McAfee is hearing testimony as to whether Willis and Wade should be disqualified from the case for allegedly lying about a personal relationship. (Alyssa Pointer/Pool/Getty Images/TNS)

Nathan Wade appeared to make at least 35 visits to the Hapeville neighborhood where Fani Willis was living before the district attorney hired him to lead Fulton Countys election interference prosecution, according to cellphone data included in a court submission filed Friday.

The filing, by attorneys for Donald Trump, raises fresh questions about the relationship between the two prosecutors, which the former president and other defendants argue has tainted the case against them and should result in Willis and her office being disqualified.

Trumps lawyers relied on data collected from Wades cellphone and cellphone tower transmissions to track his movements. It seems to contradict Wades testimony last week in which he said he had visited Willis at her condo in Hapeville no more than 10 times before he was hired in November 2021. It also indicates Wade twice arrived late at night at the condo and left early the next morning in the months before Willis and Wade said their relationship became romantic early in 2022.

Both Wade and Willis testified last week that they did not spend the night together at the Hapeville condo.

We are required to respond to the filing via the court and we are preparing a response now, Jeff DiSantis, a spokesman for Willis, said Friday.

The timeline is important for two reasons. If Willis and Wade were a couple before she hired him it raises the prospect that she may have violated at least the spirit of anti-nepotism rules, though Fultons policy specifically focuses on family members. More importantly, both Willis and Wade have testified under oath that the relationship began in 2022. If defense attorneys can prove that they lied under oath it could constitute perjury.

Fridays court filing includes an affidavit from Charles Mittelstadt, a longtime investigator for defense attorneys. He said he obtained the cellphone data from AT&T through a subpoena.

Mittelstadt said he used the online tool, CellHawk, to determine where Wade spent his time in 2021. CellHawk is considered by law enforcement to be the gold standard in cellphone records analytics, Mittelstadt said, noting it is used by law enforcement throughout the U.S. and Georgia.

The affidavit says Willis and Wade called each other more than 2,000 times during the first 11 months of 2021 and exchanged just less than 12,000 text messages.

Mittelstadt also said he focused on when Wades cellphone connected to a tower near Willis Hapeville address for extended periods to make sure he was stationary and not in transit. He said he did the same thing to determine when Wade was at his home in East Cobb County.

On one occasion, on Sept. 11, 2021, Wades phone left the Doraville area and arrived in the vicinity of Willis Hapeville address at 10:45 p.m. The phone remained there until 3:28 a.m. and could later be seen arriving in East Cobb at 4:05 a.m., shortly before Wade sent a text to Willis, the affidavit said.

Similarly, Wades phone left the East Cobb area the night of Nov. 29, 2021, after receiving an 11:32 p.m. call from Willis, the affidavit said. It arrived in Hapeville at 12:43 a.m. and remained there until 4:55 a.m., the affidavit added.

Mittelstadt is available to testify at the courts convenience, said the filing, by Trump attorneys Steve Sadow and Jennifer Little.

It will now be up to Fulton Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to decide whether to admit Mittelstadts affidavit and the phone records into evidence.

Former DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said the cellphone data raises questions.

People could look at this and be suspicious, James said. But in the court of law, you need proof. The real question is whether there was proof there was a romantic relationship and I dont think this proves there was. It just proves a relationship, which theyve already acknowledged.

Questioned at the Feb. 15 hearing by Sadow, Willis said Wade visited her at the Hapeville condo before she hired him in November 2021. On one occasion, Willis recalled a time when he picked up food from the Lickety Split Southern Kitchen & Bar and brought it to the condo.

As to how many times Wade paid her a visit in 2021, Willis testified, I dont think often, but I dont  I dont want to speculate.

When pressed for a number by Sadow, Willis said, Lets say more than 10, but Im not sure that thats even accurate. He certainly has come and picked me up, gone and grabbed some food to eat. I dont remember him being in that condo a lot.

No one, except maybe one of her daughters on one occasion, ever spent the night with her at the Hapeville condo, Willis testified.

Earlier in that hearing, Sadow asked Wade how frequently he visited Willis condo before November 2021. Wade testified that it was not more than 10 times.

Sadow suggested phone records could demonstrate Wade was there more than he had let on.

So, if phone records were to reflect that you were making phone calls from the same location as the condo before Nov. 1 of 2021, and it was on multiple occasions, the phone records would be wrong? Sadow asked Wade.

If phone records reflected that? Yes, sir, Wade responded.

Theyd be wrong? Sadow asked.

Theyd be wrong, Wade responded.

Wade said he could have been in the Hapeville area for any number of reasons. He said he could have been visiting the Porsche Experience Center, the airport, the Delta Air Lines headquarters or local restaurants.

Wade testified he never spent the night at Willis condo.

At the hearing, Willis and Wades testimony was contradicted by Robin Yeartie, a former colleague and friend of the DAs who allowed Willis to sublet the Hapeville condo.

Yeartie testified during the hearing that she had no doubt that Willis and Wade began their romantic relationship shortly after they met in 2019. She also testified that she had seen them hugging, kissing and being affectionate.

Both Willis and Yeartie testified that they had a falling out in 2022, after Yeartie left the DAs office due to poor performance, and the two have not spoken since then. Prosecutors sought to frame Yeartie as a disgruntled former employee who might have an ax to grind with Willis.

Willis owns a house in South Fulton but moved out in early 2021 due to security concerns. Her father, who lived with her for a time, testified last week that people showed up outside the house shouting curse words and racial epithets at Willis.

It got so bad police regularly showed up at the home with bomb-sniffing dogs, John Clifford Floyd III, Willis father, said. Willis moved out of her home and into the condo rented by Yeartie.

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The sign outside the entrance to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. (Gary Warner/Stars and Stripes)

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Washington  An Army doctor was arraigned Friday in what investigators say is the largest military sexual abuse case on record but deferred on entering a plea until a later date.

Maj. Michael Stockin, 38, faces charges that he molested 41 soldiers and veterans during medical appointments at Madigan Army Medical Center, the Armys second largest hospital.

There are 47 specifications for abusive sexual contact and five for indecent viewing for a total of 41 victims, in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, said Michelle McCaskill, communications director for the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, which is handling the prosecution. McCaskill said allegations by one alleged victim had been withdrawn and dismissed after a review of evidence.

If convicted of all charges, Stockin could face a maximum penalty of more than 300 years in jail  effectively a life sentence.

Flanked by a team of military and civilian defense lawyers at the courthouse at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Stockin answered yes, your honor to a series of questions by the military judge, Col. Joseph Babin. Babin is the senior judge in the Armys 6th Circuit, which includes JBLM.

Dr. Michael Stockin stands in front of a Defense Health Agency display board during a 2019 event. (MDedge)

Stockin waived his right to an Article 32 hearing  the military equivalent of a preliminary hearing  and his right to hear the charges read in court.

Stockin also said through his lawyers that he would defer a plea on the charges until a later date.

His civilian lawyer, Robert Capovilla of Woodstock, Ga., wrote earlier in the week that Stockin would eventually plead not guilty during the months of pre-trial motions prior to the scheduled start of his trial Oct. 7.

We intend to fight against every single allegation until the jury renders their verdict, Capovilla wrote in an email.

Stockin had the right to have the case decided by a panel of eight officers or have a verdict rendered by a judge. Stockin chose the jury, which will be made up of officers who are senior in rank to him. A pool of 199 officers will be randomly created from those serving with I Corps, the main command at the joint Army-Air Force base near Tacoma.

Selection of the panel will begin at the next hearing, scheduled for April 17. At least six officers must serve throughout the court-martial and cast  of their votes to convict in order for Stockin to be found guilty.

Stockin, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, was assigned to Madigan Army Medical Center at Lewis-McChord in June 2019.

(Gary Warner/Stars and Stripes)

The Army says Stockin was barred from seeing patients in February 2022 and placed on administrative duties while the case was under investigation. Stockin was formally charged on Aug. 28 last year with 23 violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. I Corps, the Army command at JBLM, brought the initial charges.

The number of charges grew over the next five months as Army investigators forwarded additional allegations to prosecutors.

Under a revised Department of Defense policy, the prosecution of Stockin shifted in January from I Corps to the new Army Office of Special Trial Counsel.

The Army OSTC announced in late January that Stockin was charged with sexually abusing 42 soldiers and veterans he saw as patients at JBLM between 2019 and 2022. Some of the alleged victims were abused more than once.

The number of allegations against Stockin is likely unprecedented, McCaskill said last month.

While we cannot state with certainty that this case involves the largest number of sexual assault/sexual abuse victims the Army has prosecuted, however, an accurate characterization is that this case is one of the largest in regard to the number of victims for a case of this type, she said.

The Army OSTC said in January that the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) was reviewing Stockins activities at his earlier postings in Hawaii, Maryland, and Iraq. No additional charges have been announced.

Attorneys representing some of the alleged victims have filed civil lawsuits against Stockin and the Army, alleging he fondled their genitals during medical appointments for issues unrelated to the area of the body Stockin touched.
Former President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2024. (Al Drago/Bloomberg)

A historic showdown over Donald Trumps eligibility to reclaim the White House puts pressure on the US Supreme Court to provide a clear political road map as the nation braces for the prospect of a tumultuous year.

Thrust into the fray by a Colorado ruling that barred Trump from this years presidential ballot because of his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the high court will tackle novel questions about the Constitutions insurrection clause, while trying to minimize its own ideological divisions.

The court hears arguments Thursday amid warnings that a misstep might mean a fragmented, chaotic election in a country still reeling from the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. A ruling against Trump would mean other states could bar him, something he told the justices would unleash chaos and bedlam. And a group of ideologically diverse election-law experts said anything short of a definitive ruling on Trumps eligibility risked fostering a catastrophic constitutional crisis and violence.

Not since the Civil War has the United States confronted such a risk of destabilizing political unrest, and perhaps never has this Court been in such a clear position to head it off, said election law scholars Edward Foley and Rick Hasen and retired Republican election lawyer Benjamin Ginsberg in a court filing that was among dozens submitted before Thursdays special session.

Their warnings underscore the stakes in the most consequential presidential election case since the 5-4 Bush v. Gore decision ended the 2000 deadlock and dealt a blow to the courts reputation. The clash promises to not only be a pivot point in the rematch between Trump and Joe Biden, but also a test of whether Chief Justice John Roberts can avert a bitter split on a court whose conservative supermajority includes three of the former presidents appointees.

The court for the first time will interpret the post-Civil War 14th Amendment provision that bars people who took an oath to support the Constitution from holding office again if they engage in insurrection. Options include an outright Trump victory, a punt to Congress and a decision that lets states bar him from the ballot. Each approach has its advantages and its pitfalls.

A Trump triumph

Trumps attorney Jonathan Mitchell said in a reply brief filed Monday that the Colorado court is an outlier and asked the justices to reverse the ruling and protect the rights of the tens of millions of Americans who wish to vote for President Trump.

Trump has multiple ways to win, including two paths that would effectively end the efforts to bar him.

The primary focus of an earlier brief filed on Jan. 18 is that the president isnt covered by the insurrection clause, which applies to anyone who was an officer of the United States. Trumps lawyers say the phrase is a legal term of art that elsewhere in the Constitution excludes the president.

The argument gives the court a way to rule for Trump and for Trump to claim victory without the court having to weigh in on the insurrection or his conduct, said Hasen, a UCLA School of Law professor.

But both Hasen and Stanford Law School professor Michael McConnell, said a ruling on those grounds would risk sounding hyper-technical. Added McConnell, a former federal appeals court judge, I think they will want to decide the case on a basis that the American public will find potentially persuasive.

Trump also argues he didnt engage in insurrection. In concluding he did, the Colorado Supreme Court pointed to his unsupported claims of a stolen election, his fiery Jan. 6 speech and his demands that Vice President Mike Pence refuse to certify the results.

Several legal experts said Trump has a legitimate argument that his actions didnt cross the line separating political protest from insurrection. At the same time, the justices might be wary of trying to assess Trumps blame when he is under indictment in Washington and Georgia over his efforts to overturn the election results.

Frankly, I think thats one of his stronger arguments, said Derek Muller, a University of Notre Dame election-law professor. But that also requires the court to get into the weeds of the events of Jan. 6 and Trumps state of mind when tweeting, which I think the court wants to avoid.

Passing the buck

Two other arguments would kick the issue to Congress. Trump contends Congress must set up an enforcement system before the insurrection clause can be used. He also says the provision bars people only from holding office, not from running for it.

Both approaches would let the court avoid being the final arbiter on Trumps eligibility and might offer a path for consensus.

But they would also risk the specter of a Trump victory in November followed by a congressional effort to stop him from taking office. The nation might again face a volatile showdown when Congress counts the electoral votes on Jan. 6.

And deferring to Congress would risk disenfranchising 70 or 80 million people, said Ginsberg, the retired Republican election lawyer. That seems not to be right because you ought to be able to tell people beforehand if the person they vote for would be eligible, Ginsberg said.

Ousting Trump

A ruling against Trump would carry risks. It would keep him off the ballot this year in Colorado and potentially in Maine, where the states top elections official has moved to block Trump. Other states might follow, and litigation is already underway in several.

But it wouldnt necessarily keep Trump off enough state ballots to prevent him from winning election. A Trump victory in November would put Congress in the position of deciding whether to count his electoral votes even though the Supreme Court had declared him ineligible.

Some experts doubt those head-spinning possibilities will happen. Foley, who runs the election law program at Ohio State Universitys Moritz College of Law, said the chances are fairly low for a ruling that disqualifies Trump given the multiple ways he can win.

Other paths

Trumps appeal also makes a Colorado-specific argument that the state court ignored its own election laws to such an extent it violated the US Constitution.

And the Colorado Republican Party says political parties have a First Amendment right to select their nominees. If the court wants a narrow ruling, it could apply that reasoning only to the primary, leaving Trumps general election eligibility unresolved.

Whatever the court does, it should provide a clear resolution, even at the cost of its public standing, Foley says.

If it turns out that theres a tension between the courts reputation versus whats good for the country, he said, Id rather the court take a hit to its reputation for the sake of the country.
Then-Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis attends a House hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 6, 2018. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes)

(Tribune News Service)  Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and four-star Marine Corps General Jim Mattis will receive Washington State Universitys first Thomas S. Foley Award for Distinguished Service in April.

According to a WSU news release, the award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated integrity, courage, and a commitment to democratic values in public service and whose body of work has had a lasting impact.

Mattis was born in Pullman and began his military career in 1969, when he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. He served in Afghanistan and Iraq before retiring from active service in 2013. He served as United States Secretary of Defense from 2017 to 2019.

The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service was established at WSU in 1995 to honor the service of Foley.

Mattis will receive the award April 9 in a ceremony at the John J. Hemmingson Center on the Gonzaga University campus in Spokane. The event is sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Ed Schweitzer and the Spokesman-Review newspaper.

(c)2024 the Moscow-Pullman Daily News (Moscow, Idaho)

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George Pettigrew, left, and Brigadier General Bryan Wampler have teamed up together on the Frontier Museum of the U.S. Army Foundation with plans to open a world-class museum by 2027 on the grounds of Fort Leavenworth. (Monty Davis/The Kansas City Star/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  The oldest fort west of the Mississippi River is a massive operation thats been serving the country since 1827.

And though it sits less than 40 miles from downtown Kansas City, Fort Leavenworth is surprisingly easy for many of us to overlook.

Thats ironic, because the forts location, high on the Missouri River bluffs, was chosen for its strategic value. (Lewis and Clark noted the merits of the site when they visited in 1804.)

George Pettigrew believes the time has finally come to recognize the vital role Fort Leavenworth played in Americas westward expansion. And still plays today.

As chairman of the Frontier Museum of the U.S. Army Foundation, hes working to unveil a new world-class facility by 2027, the forts 200th birthday.

Pettigrew is the great grandson of a Buffalo Soldierone of the Black Americans who began serving in the U.S. Army immediately after the Civil War.

At Fort Leavenworth, Buffalo Soldiers manned the 9th and 10th Cavalries. Theyre commemorated by a sculpture that Colin Powell dedicated in 1992.

What happened here changed the world, Pettigrew says, adding that Buffalo Soldiers were just one aspect of that.

Fort Leavenworth, hes convinced, was uniquely positioned as both portal and protector for thousands of settlers and explorers who passed through on their way to lands unknown.

It was also place where the military trained some of its finest minds.

What this fort has meant to the development of the United States exists nowhere else, Pettigrew states proudly.

Artifacts and exhibits attesting to that history are currently displayed in the Frontier Army Museuma cramped, low-slung WWII era briefing hall. Even its curator admits many of the forts residents and regular visitors probably dont know the museum exists.

To make matters worse, its on the wrong side of the gates.

Very daunting. Thats how Brigadier General Bryan Wampler, USA (Retired) describes the process required for most of us to get onto the base. For many civilians, he says, its frightening... and easier for them not to come on.

Thats why the museum that he and Pettigrew are envisioning will be built outside the gatesstill on the forts grounds, but without the armed guards.

Ideally, they say, it can be nestled in the midst of hills, trees and trails; an open and inviting structure thats in sync with the natural world around it.

Robert Riccardi, an architect at the Kansas City design firm Multistudio, knows it can be done. He points to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum in North Dakota as great examples.

The easy thing to do would be put it up on the flat land, Riccardi says while tromping into a ravine just north of Leavenworths Metropolitan Avenue. The more interesting thing is going to be putting it down here.

Wherever its built, and however it looks, after construction is completed, the facility will be turned over to the Center for Military History in Washington, D.C. The center has access to thousands more artifacts in the armys collection. Theyll create the displays and manage the new museums operation going forward.

Wont all this be incredibly expensive? Most likely.

But Wampler is hesitant to set a price tag until the final designs are chosen. He does say it will present a significant fundraising opportunityone hes confident that philanthropic organizations and members of the military community worldwide will embrace.

For the Kansas-born brigadier general, this is another of the many things his thirty two years of service prepared him for. As Pettigrew puts it, The Bryan Ive gotten to know is a doer. Hes not a talker. You set the mission, you set the mission parameters, then you make it happen.

I owe a great deal to the military, is Wamplers response. And if I can give back in a little way, I think its worthwhile. And I think its very important.

Its also important to both he and Pettigrew that the new Museum of the Frontier expands its narrative to include more stories from more perspectives, including those of the Indian tribes whose lands were lost along the way.

We want to tell a more complete story, not an angry story, Pettigrew says. We want to applaud the efforts of all those peopleimmigrants, the ones that were here first, the ones that came. They all contributed one way or another, and they all have a part.

2024 The Kansas City Star.

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Capt. Larry Liss receives the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroics in a May 14, 1967, rescue operation in Vietnam. After a lengthy push by Liss' brother, Art, and others to get the Huey helicopter pilot a higher honor, he will be awarded the Silver Star at a ceremony next month. (Larry Liss)

A Vietnam veteran who in 1967 flew an unarmed Huey helicopter on multiple rescue missions that saved dozens of troops will be awarded the Silver Star at a ceremony next month.

The Armys decision to upgrade Larry Liss Distinguished Flying Cross to the militarys third-highest combat decoration comes after more than a decade of efforts to have the 82-year-olds heroics recognized.

Its long overdue that we gather to honor the extraordinary bravery and selflessness of Captain Larry M. Liss, a true American hero, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, an Air Force veteran, said in a statement Thursday.

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, will recognize Liss during a March 5 ceremony at the Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Pennsylvania, where Liss actions on May 14, 1967, will be recounted.

The mission, known as the rescue at Cau Song Be, involved Liss and his co-pilot, Tom Baca, making repeated flights from a remote base into jungle terrain where friendly forces were surrounded by about 650 North Vietnamese. Baca, who died in 2020, also was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross.

Capt. Larry Liss sits in a Huey helicopter with two orphans in South Vietnam in 1966. Liss received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions as the pilot in a daring helicopter rescue at Cau Song Be, Vietnam, in 1967. At an upcoming ceremony, the award will be upgraded to a Silver Star. (Larry Liss)

Enemy forces were poised to overrun a U.S. special operations outpost manned by roughly 100 South Vietnamese soldiers and a small group of Green Berets.

The impromptu mission was carried out in a helicopter used for VIP transportation rather than combat. During the mission, Liss stepped out of the Huey and fought the enemy with his rifle, while friendly South Vietnamese troops known as Civilian Irregular Defense Forces raced toward the aircraft.

In an interview with Stars and Stripes in September 2023, Liss said the deteriorating situation demanded that he act.

(Enemy forces) were really close, and I just saw this mess unfolding, he said. So I got out of the aircraft and I helped them create the perimeter, and I engaged where I had to.

Liss and Baca were forced to fly in a jungle of tree branches and bamboo, weed-whacking the vegetation with their rotors to create a landing zone. The maneuver nearly rendered the helicopter unable to fly because of the damage it inflicted.

Liss made numerous trips despite the increasing danger with each lift, according to his Silver Star citation, which was issued by the Army on Jan. 11.

He ignored the continuously shrinking perimeter against an intensified enemy attack, leaping out of his seat in total disregard for his own well-being and safety to engage the enemy on the ground while rallying the troops and helping the wounded aboard the helicopter, the citation said.

On the last trip, although the aircraft was overloaded, Captain Liss was determined to extract the remaining 18 Soldiers; therefore, he directed troops into the cargo bay and told others to stand on the skids, and even personally held onto two Soldiers who were hanging onto his door and window by their lapels until the helicopter safely landed at the base camp, the citation said.

Over the years, some of Liss supporters, including former Rep. Joe Sestak, have said the heroics were worthy of the Medal of Honor.

The effort to get the Silver Star awarded to Liss involved a push by Pennsylvania lawmakers and Liss brother Art, who spent years compiling a history of the events at Cau Song Be that included eyewitness accounts of those involved.

Art Liss advocacy played a pivotal role in ensuring that his brother got the recognition he deserved, Houlahan said, adding that Arts tireless efforts embody the spirit of dedication and love that binds our military families.
FILE PHOTO: A view of the interior of a Comac C919 plane displayed at the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Centre

By Brenda Goh and Lisa Barrington

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Chinese state-owned planemaker COMAC upstaged industry leaders Airbus and Boeing at the Singapore Airshow this week, showing off its self-developed C919 and ARJ21 jets as it pursues international certifications and foreign orders.

"A reliable new choice," proclaimed an advertisement on COMAC's large booth in the centre of the show's event hall.

Aviation, government and investment professionals thronged to its display, demonstrating the keen interest from trade delegates in learning more about a company with limited public engagement outside its home market to date.

The C919, a rival to the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo family single-aisle jets, flew for the first time outside Chinese territory. Show attendees said they saw it as a opportunistic coming out for COMAC, which took centre stage with a 50-plane order from China's Tibet Airlines on Tuesday.

COMAC was able to seize a moment when the two dominant Western planemakers are dealing with supply chain issues that have frustrated airline customers and Boeing is wrestling with a series of crises, including a mid-air panel blow-out in January.

"I generally absolutely welcome COMAC coming to the party," said Michael Szucs, CEO of Philippine budget airline Cebu Pacific, adding the Chi nese firm had sent a large delegation to visit the carrier eight months ago.

"I'd rather it was a three horse race rather than a two horse race," he said.

But the predominant view among aviation industry leaders attending Asia's biggest aviation gathering was that COMAC had a long road ahead to become a serious competitor and it would largely operate in China's domestic market in the near term.

"I think people will take a second look because of all these delivery problems that Airbus and Boeing are having, but we have to be realistic because the C919 has not been certified by certain authorities so the call to action is limited," said Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.

Story continues

COMAC, in contrast to Airbus and Boeing, did not take media questions at order announcements and declined to make executives available for interview to discuss its show presence and other plans.

CERTIFICATION ISSUES

The C919 has attracted more than 1,000 orders so far, largely from Chinese airlines and lessors, according to Chinese state media.

Aviation executives at the show said there was definitely interest in the model, but potential buyers and lessors wanted to see U.S. and European regulatory approval. The plane's design is only certified by China.

China's aviation authority has said it would promote the plane internationally this year and pursue European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification.

GallopAir, a new Brunei-based airline backed by Chinese investors that has ordered 30 COMAC planes including the first overseas C919 purchases, told Reuters it was working with COMAC to get the approvals needed to start flying the ARJ21 jet in Brunei.

But a certification process for the C919 in Brunei was at least two to three years away, managing director Cham Chi said. "COMAC needs to operate more hours...We need to wait and then we have the confidence to deliver."

Indonesian low-cost carrier TransNusa already operates two ARJ21 aircraft, a regional jet predecessor to the C919.

Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus commercial aircraft, said the European planemaker welcomed the competition but noted the C919 looked like Boeing and Airbus' existing offerings and would not rock the boat in a significant way.

"It's really not bringing any particular differentiation to the market," he told reporters.

Boeing welcomed the competition from COMAC, which was "good for the industry," a spokesperson said.

WESTERN VS DOMESTIC PARTS

Another major uncertainty around the C919 is its reliance on Western suppliers for key components such as its engines and avionics systems, exposing it to geopolitical risk, especially as Beijing's ties with Washington and Brussels come under pressure.

Those parts also face the same supply chain issues hampering production rates at its Western rivals that have far greater economies of scale and longer relationships with key suppliers.

COMAC has said it will invest tens of billions yuan over the next three to five years to expand C919 production capacity and analysts expect it to be working on domestic substitutes for Western parts, but say it could take decades.

"I think they're further advanced as far as airframe, and they're further behind on engine technology. Engine technology is very, very difficult," Ewen McDonald, Rolls-Royce's civil aerospace chief customer officer said in an interview.

"They will need Western engines in the near term."

The C919 engines are supplied by CFM International, a joint venture between GE and Safran, but Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) is developing a domestic substitute, the CJ-1000A that has not yet been certified.

(Reporting by Brenda Goh and Lisa Barrington; Editing by Jamie Freed)
The caretaker Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) Friday approved works on the first phase of the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline, prompting hope for boosting the nations energy security as the project had seen more than a decades delay.

In a statement, the Ministry of Energy said that a summary of the Petroleum Division regarding the IP Gas Pipeline was taken up by the cabinet committee in its session today.

The CCoE, the statement mentioned, approved the recommendations of the Ministerial Oversight Committee for the project constituted by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in September 2023, whereby the committee recommended to start work on the 80km segment of the pipeline inside Pakistan  from Pakistan border up till Gwadar in the first phase.

The project will be executed by Inter State Gas Systems (Pvt) Ltd and funded through Gas Infrastructure Development Cess, the statement mentioned.

All the concerned divisions, the ministry said, gave a positive nod to move ahead with the project to ensure gas supplies to the people of Pakistan, thereby addressing the increasing energy needs of the country.

The ministry added that the project would not only boost the energy security of Pakistan but would enhance the confidence of the local industry which would be ensured with the enhanced gas supplies.

This will also catalyse the economic activity in the province of Balochistan and will contribute to the economic progress of Pakistan, the ministry added.

The project has been facing delays since 2014. In January, Iran issued a third notice to Islamabad, renewing its intention to move the arbitration court for not laying the pipeline as part of the IP gas line project.
Mr Doherty was left in a coma as a result of the vicious attack, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard

A barbershop owner who kicked and stamped on a defenceless man's head in an attack of the cruellest kind, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury, has been jailed for seven years.

Craig Maples (28) of Green Briar, Verdemont, Blanchardstown, Dublin, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault causing serious harm to Austin Doherty on Main St, Mulhuddart, on July 21, 2022.

Mr Doherty was left in a coma as a result of the vicious attack, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today. He has limited mobility in his upper and lower limbs, requires a wheelchair for long distances and suffered a traumatic brain injury, which has left him with significant impairments, a medical report stated.

In a victim impact statement, which he read out in court, Mr Doherty described how he could no longer play with his children like he used to and missed key events in their lives, including his daughter's first day of school, because he was in a coma.

Victim Austin Doherty pictured leaving court with family

This should never have happened to me, he told the court, detailing how his mind is tormented every night. I'm in my own prison, he said. I'm half the man I used to be.

Mr Doherty said he loved his job, which was physically demanding, and now doesn't know if he will ever work again. The court heard he and his family have been placed under financial pressure as a result of his medical costs, and his home had to be modified in the wake of the attack.

He spent a period of time in rehabilitation and is still receiving outpatient care.

Sergeant Emma Ryan told the court that Mr Doherty was socialising in a casino in Mulhuddart on the night in question when he was attacked with a bottle by another man. Mr Doherty responded by punching this man, who was then ejected from the casino while Mr Doherty was allowed to remain.

The man who was ejected, who can't be named for legal reasons, phoned his friend Craig Maples, who jumped in his car and drove to the casino. Another man also joined the pair, the court heard.

When Mr Doherty left the casino, shortly after 4 am, he was chased on foot by one of the men and tripped before being punched several times while on the ground. Maples then arrived on the scene in his car with the first man from the casino, and the three men continued to kick and stamp on Mr Doherty's head and body.

CCTV footage showing the attack, which lasted around 45 seconds, was played in court. Some of Mr Doherty's family members left the court in distress while it was shown.

The court heard that a teenage girl who was out walking at the time witnessed the assault and called emergency services. She stayed by Mr Doherty's side until help arrived.

Simon Matthews BL, defending, said Maples was extremely remorseful for this attack, which counsel acknowledged was of the cruellest kind. When interviewed by gardai, Maples eventually made admissions after witnessing the CCTV of the attack.

He told gardai: I never intended to hurt the man so bad. I never thought his injuries would be so severe. He has no previous convictions.

Mr Matthews said Maples had a troubled childhood. When he was aged 12, his father murdered his uncle and was imprisoned.

Maples set up his own barbershop, Faded, in Mulhuddart, in his early twenties but struggled with addiction to prescription tablets and other drugs during this period, the court heard. On the night of the attack, he had taken tablets, Mr Matthews said.

Since the attack, Maples has attended a drug rehabilitation centre. He has tried to better himself and make sure the person we saw on that footage is not the person he is for the rest of his life, counsel said.

Sentencing Maples, Judge Martin Nolan said this was a pre-meditated attack on the part of Maples and the other men. He said while he accepted Maples did not intend to cause a serious brain injury, kicking and stamping on another person's head could often lead to this outcome, and he was seriously culpable as a result.

Judge Nolan said that prior to the attack, Mr Doherty was a vibrant young man. He said from his reading of the medical reports, his immediate future is now grim, and the attack has deeply affected every aspect of his life.

Judge Nolan agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions' assessment that the case fell within the range of a 10 to 15-year sentence, and he set a headline sentence of 12 years.

Taking into account a number of mitigating factors, including Maples' remorse, early guilty plea, cooperation and background, he was jailed for seven years.
Wayne Fairhurst, 32, with an unknown UK address, appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court today

A British construction worker arrested over a 280,000 cannabis seizure at Dublin Airport following a flight from the United States has been remanded in custody.

Approximately 14 kg of herbal cannabis was discovered on Thursday when Revenue officers stopped and searched baggage after passengers disembarked from a plane which took off from Los Angeles.

Wayne Fairhurst, 32, with an unknown UK address, appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court today.

Garda Peter Elliot charged him with unlawful possession and importation of cannabis and having it for the purpose of sale or supply at Terminal 2.

Judge Treasa Kelly heard that the accused was arrested and taken to Ballymun Garda station where he "made no reply" to charge.

The garda applied for a remand in custody.

Mr Fairhurst did not seek bail and told the the court he worked in building and groundworks in Britain. Legal aid was granted. He has yet to indicate a plea and will appear again at Cloverhill District Court next week.
Michael Luczak (43) saw the officer on the phone, and though he tried to keep it in, he had to tell her that she should not be on the phone.

A driver who gestured at a plain-clothes garda to get off their mobile phone after the officer pulled up beside him at a set of traffic lights was was disqualified and uninsured at the time, a court has heard.

Michael Luczak (43) saw the officer on the phone, and though he tried to keep it in, he had to tell her that she should not be on the phone.

His behaviour was mind-boggling, Blanchardstown District Court heard.

Judge David McHugh imposed a four-month sentence and disqualified Luczak from driving for six years.

The defendant, of Hamptonwood Drive in Finglas, admitted uninsured driving and driving without a licence at St Margarets Road in Finglas on September 9, 2021, and again on September 27, 2021.

A garda witness said she was on patrol on September 9 when her attention was drawn to a vehicle stopped at a set of lights.

There was no tax displayed on the vehicle, and when the garda spoke to Luczak, he admitted he was a banned driver.

The court heard Luczak had 22 previous convictions, including three for uninsured driving, and was serving a four-year driving ban at the time.

Defence lawyer Ciaran MacLoughlin said the defendant, a separated father of two, was originally from Poland but had lived in Ireland for 17 years.

In the last year, Luczak had made regular donations to the Irish Road Victims Association, Mr MacLoughlin said, to try to atone for his behaviour.

Mr MacLoughlin said the garda had pulled alongside Luczak, who remonstrated with her for being on her mobile phone.

Luczak knew he was being foolish, given he was driving while disqualified, and he tried to keep it in, but he could not do so, the court heard.
The detective added that he had not seen someone as sick from withdrawals since the 1990s

A woman with 194 previous convictions has been jailed for two years for her role as a getaway driver in a crime spree.

Pamela Bird (40) of Fishermans Wharf, Ringsend, Dublin 4, pleaded guilty to robbery, two counts of attempted robbery and one count of theft on various locations in Dublin on dates between September 29, 2021, and November 3, 2021.

She has 194 previous convictions, which include 114 for theft offences.

At a previous hearing last year, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that this offending was carried out on a joint enterprise basis, which involved Birds co-accused entering these premises and Bird driving the co-accused away from the scene.

Detective Garda Darren Feely told Aideen Collard, BL, prosecuting, that on September 29, 2021, at 4.40pm, a man entered the Daybreak shop in Rochestown, Dun Laoghaire. The man walked to the counter, then asked for money and said, This is a robbery, and produced a knife.

The manager of the shop pressed the panic alarm, and the man fled the scene in a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla with visible number plates and missing hub caps.

Det Gda Feely said CCTV footage captured Bird arriving at a petrol station on November 3, 2021 at 1.20pm. Her co-accused got out of the car and put 40 worth of fuel into the tank before getting back into the car and driving away without paying.

The court heard that later that day, CCTV footage at the Daybreak Applegreen station captured Birds co-accused getting out of her car with a steak knife in his hand.

He walked to the counter of the shop, pushed a shop worker to the side and said, This is a robbery; give me your money. The shop manager pressed the panic button, and the co-accused tried to open the till, but he failed and fled. He was seen once again getting into a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla.

Prosecuting counsel said the final count relates to a robbery at the Daybreak shop in Monkstown. The male co-accused entered the shop and repeatedly asked for money.

The till was opened, and cash was taken, along with 400 cigarettes. Staff in the shop pressed the panic alarm and gardai were alerted. CCTV footage was obtained and showed the man being driven away by Bird.

The court heard that gardai saw the car being driven by Bird and it was stopped. Birds co-accused was found in the back seat of the car changing his clothes. Gardai found a large amount of cash in his underwear.

Bird and the co-accused were arrested and interviewed. Bird made admissions during interview, admitting to driving the car and changing the licence plates. Bird told gardai that the offences were planned and they wanted money to buy drugs.

Det Gda Feely agreed with Kevin Roche BL, defending that this was a spree involving a number of offences over a short period of time. He said Bird was not present in the shops during any of the robberies.

The garda agreed with counsel that Bird was the driver when the car was stopped, and she gave no problems to the gardai.

The detective added that he had not seen someone as sick from withdrawals since the 1990s and added that the interview had to be stopped on occasion so Bird could get sick.

Mr Roche told the court at a previous hearing last year that his client started using heroin at the age of 15 and had taken up bail to undertake focused and secure rehabilitation care with the Peter McVerry Trust.

He said Bird is drugs-tested on a twice-weekly basis and handed in urine analysis, which was negative for any substances.

He asked the court at the hearing last year to take into account the early guilty plea, that she had a lesser role in the offending, that she made admissions during her garda interview and that she has rehabilitated herself since this offence.

Today, Mr Roche told the court that since the last date Bird had a health scare and as a way of coping had unfortunately suffered a relapse.

The court heard that she has come to garda attention since the last date and is currently in custody.

Judge Elma Sheahan today noted the content of a probation report and said that Bird had been given an opportunity to put her best foot forward due to the fair evidence of the garda on the last day.

She said Bird had been given the opportunity to engage with the Probation Service which was under significant stress and it was not tolerable that they had to follow her around to try and get her to engage with them when they had so much else to do.

She said the report outlined that Bird engages positively with the service while in custody but her pattern on release is to relapse. She said that in circumstances where they had sought to engage with her to no avail since last August, the court did not see a role for the service in this case.

Judge Sheahan noted that in these offences Bird had driven a get-away vehicle while her co-accused had robbed or attempted to rob shops.

She noted Bird had a serious history of offending and a significant drug addiction at the time of her arrest.

She noted Bird has made significant efforts to deal with her addiction and other personal circumstances in the past. She noted the letter explaining why she had relapsed recently.

The judge noted Bird had not been involved in violence and was at a remove from the offending but was a party to the enterprise.

Judge Sheahan set a headline sentence of four years which she reduced to two and a half years taking into account the mitigating circumstance. She gave credit for six months in custody and imposed a two year sentence to run from todays date.
He had what appeared to be an iron bar, brandishing it and hitting another man on the head, she alleged.

A DUBLIN man was found beating another man with a bicycle saddle on a city street, leaving him with blood pouring from a head wound, it is alleged.

Nathan Hutch (30) is accused of attacking and injuring the man, who told investigating gardai he wasnt a rat and did not want to press charges.

Mr Hutch is facing a jury trial after a judge ruled the case was too serious to be dealt with at Dublin District Court.

Judge John Hughes adjourned the case for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Mr Hutch, of Upper Buckingham Street in the north inner city is charged with producing a weapon and assault with intent to cause bodily harm, as well as threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. He denies the charges, which are under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons and Public Order Acts.

The case was already at trial in the non-jury district court when Judge Hughes halted the hearing and refused jurisdiction on learning the extent of the alleged victims injuries.

Mr Hutch will instead be sent for trial by judge and jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court when the book of evidence is ready.

During the hearing, Garda Sonia Buggy said she was in a patrol car at the junction of Sean McDermott Street and Gardiner Street Lower at 11am on January 27 last year when she saw the accused.

He had what appeared to be an iron bar, brandishing it and hitting another man on the head, she alleged.

As I approached, the defendant continued using this pole which I now know to be attached to a saddle, Gda Buggy said.

She alleged she saw him hit the other man numerous times with the saddle about his head, causing him to raise his arms to protect himself as he fell to his knees.

Two to three blows were to his head while the rest were to his arms and back, the garda said.

There was a lot of blood coming from his head, it was pouring down his jacket and onto his shoulders, she said.

The gardai separated the two men and the alleged victim was bleeding from his forehead. When asked about his welfare, the man kept telling me he wasnt a rat, Gda Buggy said.

He repeated this when the garda asked if she could call an ambulance and said he wasnt willing to press charges. The man left the scene and the garda picked up the saddle. Looking around, she could not see any bicycle it might belong to.

Mr Hutch was arrested and on the way to Store Street garda station, it was alleged he told gardai the man he was accused of attacking believed he was a big man with his Canada Goose jacket, Gda Buggy said.

The accused was not willing to make a statement about what happened. When charged, he replied to two of the counts: I was threatened and If Im getting charged, I want him charged, the court heard.

The alleged injuries were a one-inch cut to the mans forehead from which he bled profusely and a gash to the top of his head, but there was no medical or photographic evidence as the man would not cooperate.

Judge Hughes said he was satisfied that it was appropriate to refuse jurisdiction on the public order assault charge. He adjourned the case to a date next month.
CJ Losty (19) is also accused of driving over a grass area and forcing children to jump out of the way to avoid being knocked down in the same incident.

A teenager accused of driving the wrong way down the M3 motorway head-on into oncoming traffic has been sent for trial.

CJ Losty (19) is also accused of driving over a grass area and forcing children to jump out of the way to avoid being knocked down in the same incident.

He was served with the book of evidence when he appeared on bail before Blanchardstown District Court.

The accused, of Parslickstown Green in Mulhuddart, is charged with counts of endangerment.

The first incident allegedly took place at M3 Dunboyne, Co Meath, on August 12, 2023, where it is alleged that Mr Losty drove on the outbound side of the motorway while driving inbound, head-on at oncoming traffic.

He is further accused of endangerment at Parslickstown Court in Mulhuddart, on the same date.

In that incident, it is alleged Mr Losty drove on the footpath and across a grass area where a number of children were playing.

It is alleged that children had to jump out of the way of the car to avoid being knocked down.

The accused is further facing multiple counts of dangerous driving, at M3 Parkway, Dunboyne, Co Meath; and at Blanchardstown Road North, Sheephill Park and Sheephill Avenue in Blanchardstown; and Parslickstown Drive and Church Road in Mulhuddart.

He is also accused of driving without insurance or a driving licence at Church Road, Mulhuddart, on August 12, 2023.

A state solicitor said the book of evidence was ready and had been served on the accused, who goes forward to the present sittings of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge David McHugh gave the accused the formal alibi caution.

The judge also assigned defence solicitor Michael Staines and one junior counsel on free legal aid.

Judge McHugh ordered that a video copy of an interview which gardai conducted with the accused be handed over to his legal team.

The accused has not yet indicated how he intends to plead to the charges.

Mr Losty was remanded on bail to appear before the court again in March.
SB 263 Harms Consumers and Undermines Vital Regulations

Sacramento, California--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2024) - A coalition of consumer and senior groups has sent a letter urging Governor Gavin Newsom to veto SB 263. Senator Bill Dodd's (D - Napa) Senate Bill 263, sponsored by the California Department of Insurance (CDI), has passed in both the Assembly and Senate without the implementation of key amendments proposed by consumer protection and senior groups.



LICAC

As written, SB 263 is misleading and harmful for California consumers. The bill directly undermines an important Biden Administration policy recently announced by the President himself - protecting consumers of retirement products such as annuities by requiring agents that sell such products to act in the best interest of their customers, rather than maximizing their own financial interests.

Although SB 263 started out last year as a strong consumer protection bill - the March 7, 2023, version paralleled New York's Regulation 187 as a model for how best to protect consumers of life insurance products from abusive sales practices - amendments pushed by the insurance industry weakened the SB 263 so much that the coalition has been forced to oppose the bill. The end result works one of the biggest frauds ever perpetrated on California consumers with the consent of their Legislature.

"The passing of SB 263 would be a tragedy for California consumers, specifically those in vulnerable positions trying to plan for their futures," said Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center Executive Director Brian Brosnahan. "We urge Governor Newsom to veto SB 263 because our coalition believes that no bill at all would be better than SB 263 in its current form."

The coalition of consumer and senior groups that signed the letter includes:

The Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center

United Policyholders

Consumer Federation of California

Consumer Federation of America

Center for Economic Justice

AARP California

California Alliance of Retired Americans

California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform

Story continues

To read the full letter sent to Governor Newsom, visit: https://www.lifeinsuranceconsumeradvocacycenter.org/coalition-letter-veto-sb263/.

Read stories from California consumers to learn more about the harm inflicted on them by abusive insurance sales practices: https://www.lifeinsuranceconsumeradvocacycenter.org/consumer-stories/.

About the Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center: The Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center is a nonprofit social service organization that advocates for consumers of life insurance and works for passage of laws and regulations that protect life insurance consumers.

About the Consumer Federation of California: The Consumer Federation of California is a nonprofit advocacy organization that, since 1960, has been a powerful voice for consumer rights. CFC campaigns for laws and regulations that place consumer protection ahead of corporate profit.

Contact Details:

Brian Brosnahan: brian@lifeinsuranceconsumeradvocacycenter.org

Robert Herrell: herrell@consumercal.org (916) 270-3404

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198970
He is currently facing charges of alleged threats made to staff at the high-security Portlaoise Prison in 2022.

FAT Freddie Thompson has been transferred from prison in Portlaoise to Cork this week, according to Sunday World sources.

He is currently facing charges of alleged threats made to staff at the high-security Portlaoise Prison in 2022.

His address in the proceedings was listed as the Midlands Prison which is next door to the Portlaoise complex.

After his court appearance last week he told reporters: Im an innocent man.

He is facing charges of threatening to kill and assaulting a prison officer in November 2022.

Thompson told the court he was representing himself in the matter when he appeared at Portlaoise District Court in front of Judge Andrew Cody.

It was put forward that the case should be remanded until 14 March for a Book of Evidence to be prepared.

How long is that for? I am looking for a two-week remand if possible. Its going back  he asked.

Judge Cody asked if Thompson would agree to a two-week remand to which he answered: Yeah.

After confirming the book of evidence would be ready by this date, Judge Cody put the case back to 28 February.

Detective Garda Padraic Ryan gave evidence of charging Thompson last week saying when cautioned Thompson made no reply to the charges.

Thompson is facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for making threats to kill, and a maximum sentence of five years in prison in relation to the section 3 assault charge.

He is charged that on November 17, 2022 at Portlaoise Prison, he assaulted an assistant chief officer causing him harm.

He is charged on the same date at the same location he made a threat that he would kill or cause him serious harm.

On May 18, 2022, at the same location, he is charged that he made threats to kill or cause serious harm to same officer.

Noting that Thompson was already in custody on a separate matter, Judge Cody remanded him on bail in the sum of 100.

The 43-year-old later left Portlaoise District Court after enjoying a meal bought the fast food outlet Supermacs.

Supermacs  its the best food in Portlaoise, he said still carrying a drinks cup in his hand, before being led away to a waiting prison van.
Michael Skin Devlin (50) died of a suspected heart attack in Cloverhill Prison in the early hours of Wednesday.

Robbie Lawlor was involved in the Drogheda feud before his murder in April 2020

Gardai have stepped up checks at ports and airports amid concerns that an on-the-run criminal blamed for helping to cause the Drogheda drugs feud will travel home for his fathers funeral.

Michael Skin Devlin (50) died of a suspected heart attack in Cloverhill Prison in the early hours of Wednesday.

His fugitive son is considered second in command of the gang involved in the murderous Drogheda feud.

If he does come back for the funeral, he will be arrested on sight

Multiple arrest warrants are in place for the 26-year-old, who is suspected of having fled to Thailand.

If he does come back for the funeral, he will be arrested on sight, a source told the Irish Independent.

While none of Devlins other children are suspected of involvement in organised crime, a half-brother (29) of the Thailand-based criminal is considered the leader of the so-called anti-Maguire faction in the ongoing gangland dispute.

He fled to Dubai and is also being actively sought by gardai.

Devlin was found unresponsive in a cell he shared with a number of other inmates in Cloverhill Prisons A landing.

Robbie Lawlor was involved in the Drogheda feud before his murder in April 2020

He was arrested in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, last month following almost four years on the run after absconding from Shelton Abbey open prison in Co Wicklow in the summer of 2020.

Devlin was caught with 262 packages containing 65.5 kilos of cannabis worth 1.3m. He pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Cartown, Termonfeckin, on September 20, 2013.

He was given a 10-year sentence, which he was approaching the end of when he died.

His fugitive son and his half-brother are the subjects of international arrest warrants in relation to charges of alleged false imprisonment in a case where some of their associates have been jailed after pleading guilty.

The mayhem these individuals instigated on Drogheda and surrounding regions can not be over-emphasised

An associate of the half-brother is believed to have spent a number of months hiding in Alicante, Spain, but may now be based in Northern Ireland.

The mayhem these individuals instigated on Drogheda and surrounding regions can not be over-emphasised, a source said.

If he comes back for his fathers funeral, gardai will be waiting.

The feud, which has claimed four lives, started in earnest in July 2018 when gang boss Owen Maguire was left paralysed after being shot by Robbie Lawlor, who was later murdered as part of the same criminal dispute, in April 2020.

It was the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods (17) in January 2020 by Lawlor that elevated the feud.

Lawlor was a key associate of the on-the-run relatives, who have linked up with north Dublin gangsters and are suspected of being involved in drugs trafficking into the State from their separate boltholes.
A coordinated planned search of a residential address in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 was also conducted

Cocaine was among the drugs found in the search. Stock image

A criminal who survived a number of murder plots by the Kinahan cartel is one of three men in garda custody tonight after the seizure of 2 million worth of drugs in west Dublin earlier today.

Sources have confirmed that the operation was targeting members of the Hutch organised crime gang.

The 35-year-old arrested man became a prime target for the Kinahan cartel after they received information that he was directing operations for the rival Hutch mob in the north-inner city during the brutal feud between the two organisations that broke out in 2015 and led to the Regency Hotel bloodbath in 2016.

He has more than 30 previous convictions for offences including drug dealing, serious assault and other crimes.

A close older associate of the notorious Hutch gangster is also in custody in relation to the bust  he is from the Blessington Street area of the capitals northside.

Sources confirmed that the third man in custody is originally from Asia but has been based in Ireland for some time.

It has been confirmed that the former cartel target, who is originally from the North Clarence Street area, of the capital was the person of the most interest in the garda investigation which led to todays massive seizure, according to sources.

A key associate of the Hutch faction, the 35-year-old convicted drug dealer was with Patrick Patsy Hutch, who is a brother of Gerry The Monk Hutch, when he and Patsy were lucky to escape with their lives when they were shot at after being lured to a meeting in Ballymun on the night of November 29, 2018.

This was the third time that the violent drug dealer escaped death after the deadly feud began with the cartel but is the last known attempt on his life.

A number of members of Kinahan cartel sub cells are serving lengthy jail sentences in relation to detailed plots to murder the arrested criminal who became a figure of hatred to the international crime mob when the feud raged on Dublins streets.

Last night senior sources described the Blanchardstown raid as hugely significant and said it was proof that the Hutch organised crime gang is still one of the most active players in the capitals drugs scene.

The 35-year-old was closely linked to the last feud murder victim Jason 'Buda' Molyneux who was shot dead in January, 2018.

He was shot up to 13 times at close range just a short distance from his home six years ago with his mother witnessing flashes from the fatal gunshots, an inquest into Budas killing heard this week.

He was killed after leaving his home in Dublins north inner city to visit a friend in the nearby James Larkin House flats complex off the North Strand around 9pm on January 30, 2018.

The three men were arrested today on suspicion of drug trafficking after cannabis, MDMA, cocaine, ecstasy tablets and cannabis jellies worth 2 million were seized in Dublin this afternoon

Officers attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) intercepted two vehicles shortly after 5pm in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin 15.

A coordinated planned search of a residential address in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 was also conducted.

During the course of the operation cannabis, MDMA, cocaine, ecstasy tablets and cannabis jellies with an estimated street value of 2 million was seized. All drugs are subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

A garda spokesperson said: Three males (aged 35, 40 and 53 years) were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and are currently detained, pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 of Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at a Garda station in Dublin.

Investigations are ongoing.
The 47-year-old German, who has been identified by media as Christian Bruckner, faces three counts of rape and two of sexual abuse of children

Christian B at the start of his trial at Braunschweig district court in Brunswick, Germany, on February 16 2024 (Julian Stratenschulte/dpa via AP)

A man who is also under investigation over the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann will not respond to unrelated charges of sexual offences at a trial that opened last week in Germany, his lawyer said.

The 47-year-old German, who has been identified by media as Christian Bruckner, faces three counts of rape and two of sexual abuse of children in the trial at the Braunschweig state court in northern Germany.

He is alleged to have committed the offences in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.

His alleged victims include an Irish woman who claimed he raped her when she was 20 and working as a holiday rep in Portugal in 2004.

"The defendant is using his right to remain silent," defence lawyer Friedrich Fulscher told the Braunschweig state court, German news agency dpa reported.

Mr Fulscher added that he expects his client to be acquitted.

He has called the evidence in the indictment "abysmal".

There are no formal pleas in the German legal system, and defendants are not obliged to respond to the charges.

The suspect has not been charged in the McCann case, in which he is under investigation on suspicion of murder.

He spent many years in Portugal, including in the resort of Praia da Luz around the time of Madeleine's disappearance there in 2007.

He has denied any involvement in her disappearance.

He is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for a rape he committed in Portugal in 2005.

The trial opened a week ago but was quickly adjourned on its first day after Mr Fulscher filed a challenge against a lay judge on the panel hearing the case, who was alleged once to have spread a call to kill former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro on social media.

Prosecutors joined that challenge.

The woman has been removed from the case and now faces an investigation herself on suspicion of making a public call to commit crimes.
His heartbroken family are now urging others to think twice about the risks before going abroad for any treatment

I'm away to see the tooth fairy  that was the last message sent by a dad of three to his family before he died after travelling to Turkey for dental treatment.

Businessman Tony Rogers (66), who owned Tony's Cabs in Drogheda, Co Louth, died tragically while in Istanbul for tooth implants in April 2022.

His heartbroken family are now urging others to think twice about the risks before going abroad for any treatment.

Ahead of the second anniversary of his death, the popular taxi bosss children say they will never give up until they know all the answers.

He was our dad and the best dad ever, and his grandchildren miss him terribly as well, says grieving daughter Gillian.

To anyone thinking of getting cosmetic or any kind of treatment or surgery abroad  please think twice or research a thousand times. There are different rules and medical training in different countries .

You might be saving a lot of money but how much is a life worth?

Family man Tony Rogers with his grandson Kyle on his Confirmation day

Gillian, her sister Eleanor and brother David say they received conflicting results from post-mortem examinations carried out in Turkey and in Ireland.

They say the cause of death was ruled as cardiac arrest in Turkey, while an Irish post mortem examination, carried out at the request of his children when he was repatriated, attributed his death to respiratory failure due to anaesthetic.

He didn't go to Turkey because of cosmetic surgery  he went because he needed dental implants and the cost advertised is a fraction of the massive prices they are here, said Gillian.

He was such a nervous patient and he was sold a package with all the bells and whistles and told he would be given a general anaesthetic, so he would be asleep and wouldn't feel a thing during the process.

Mr Rogers travelled to Istanbul on his own on April 4, 2022, and the next morning at 8am sent a message to his family saying he was 'away to see the tooth fairy."

That was the last message his family ever got from him.

Mr Rogers died shortly after. Staff at the dental clinic rushed him to hospital, but he was dead on arrival. The Turkish police contacted the Irish embassy, which asked gardai in Drogheda to break the horrific news.

We just didn't believe it. We were convinced it was all a mistake. Only a few hours earlier, he sent a message to say he was off to see the tooth fairy and now we were hearing that he was dead, said Gillian.

We were just numb. We didn't know what to do. We rang the Irish embassy and they provided us with consular assistance but not a lot of information on how to get him home. My brother and nephew flew out to Turkey to see what they could do.

We had no idea how to get him home until a family member mentioned the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, who were just amazing. They knew what to do and took care of everything.

We were told because it was Turkey and it was outside the EU, it would be a month before we got him home. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust had him home in a couple of days.

We were advised to get Dad to the Dublin City Morgue and get our own autopsy so we did that and only got the results of both the Irish and Turkish examinations last September.

We were told that he had died of a cardiac arrest in the Turkish autopsy, but the Irish one concluded it was the anaesthetic that was to blame. All we want is to know how our father died that day.

We are not going to stop fighting until we get all the answers. We are a very determined and strong family.

We know there is a long road ahead but we aren't giving up until we can find out what happened and why.

Dad used to love the Beatles and we used to joke that he worked eight days a week!

He was such a hardworking man and his customers were his family, he held them in that high esteem. He was always involved in fundraising for local charities

The family are holding a memorial night for Mr Rogers in Grennan's Bar in Drogheda on May 8, with all proceeds going to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
Annie Hoey has received dozens of disparaging comments on the social media platform

A Labour senator has said that X, formerly Twitter, is doing infinitely more harm than good as she announced that she had quit the platform.

At a private briefing on Wednesday, Annie Hoey read out posts written about her on the site during a private committee hearing with two executives from the Elon Musk-owned social media giant.

Ms Hoey spoke to RTE Radios Morning Ireland about her gripes with the platform, adding that moderators are not doing enough to tackle abuse at the source.

She said that shes received disparaging comments about her personal life from her weight and her appearance to her sexuality and intelligence.

Sometimes I wouldnt even be the main proprietor of the post or the main person in it. I would happen to be in the background, for example, of a colleagues picture or something, the Drogheda native explained.

People would hone in on me and what I look like  very, very violent and angry language.

Im a minority opposition backbench senator. No one really knows who I am, so I cant imagine what the comments section or the replies are like for other people.

Its not exclusive to X/Twitter, but thats where Ive found that the commentary and the abuse became so much.

Ms Hoey said that she would also come across posts about doing violent, heinous things to herself and other women, which she slammed as just deplorable.

She said that reporting derogatory posts on the site can be very frustrating as they can be difficult to get removed, adding that its not good enough for officials to suggest she email them with complaints.

Sometimes posts are taken down but very often, theyre still floating around the place.

I appreciate that there are billions of tweets on the site... they cant respond to every individual tweet.

My big issue with all of this is that it's not being dealt with at source. The onus is on the person who is receiving these very graphic things being said about them - harmful things.

I then have to go on report it and if their systems don't work, I then have to go and email them and see what recourse there can be.

The platform is doing infinitely more harm than good, certainly for myself and people around me.

At Wednesdays meeting, X told the committee it had 2,500 moderators globally, around 10pc of whom are based in Europe. By comparison, Meta, the operator of Facebook and Instagram, has around 15,000, it is understood.

The platforms executives also told the committee that between August and October 2023 in Ireland, it took action on 1,164 pieces of content and 27,114 accounts for violation of our rules, with 18,735 accounts engaged in manipulation and spam.

X also said it had taken action on 964 pieces of content reported to it by the authorities in Ireland. The company said it prohibited manipulation and spam. It also argued it had strict rules in place that forbid violent speech on the platform.

It said hateful references, incitement, slurs and tropes, dehumanisation, hateful imagery and hateful profiles were also restricted, and that it did not tolerate abuse and harassment.

It said it had a zero-tolerance towards material that featured or promoted child sexual exploitation and that 12.4 million accounts had been suspended last year for violating its child sexual exploitation policies.
He just wasnt able for the bike he bought

A learner motorcyclist was killed while on a practice run on a lane behind his home with a motorbike he had bought just four days earlier, an inquest has heard.

Padraig Connolly (27), a computer scientist who came originally from Carga, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at St Clares Avenue in Rathmines in the early hours of July 28, 2022.

An inquest at Dublin District Coroners Court heard evidence from a number of witnesses that Mr Connolly had been seen riding his newly-bought, second-hand KTM Duke 390 motorcycle in the lane behind the apartment where he lived at Grosvenor Square in Rathmines.

Mr Connollys former girlfriend, Lara Prest, gave evidence that the deceased had always dreamed of owning a motorcycle, although she believed he had never actually taken a ride on one.

Ms Prest said she was opposed to the idea as she believed motorcycles were dangerous.

She recalled Mr Connolly telling her that he was going to buy a motorcycle and that he had lessons booked for July 30, 2022.

Samuel Bularu, who sold Mr Connolly the motorcycle via DoneDeal, said the deceased had told him that he did not have a driving licence to ride it but was in the process of getting one.

Mr Connollys landlord, Gearoid ODea, said he had seen a motorcyclist on St Clares Avenue on the evening of July 27, 2022 which he originally believed was a food delivery driver.

However, Mr ODea said he then realised it was Mr Connolly practising on his motorbike.

Another tenant, Stephen OConnor, who is also a motorcyclist, said he had advised Mr Connolly against riding the vehicle before doing his Initial Basic Training course for motorcycles.

Mr OConnor said he believed it would be risky for Mr Connolly because of his inexperience as well as the fact that vehicles fly around corners in the area.

He gave evidence of seeing Mr Connolly again on July 27, 2022 when the deceased informed him he had got the vehicle insured that day.

Another local resident, Monique Pirez, said she had seen the victim on the same evening when was unsteady with the motorbike.

He was like a kid on a bike for the first time she added.

A forensic collision investigator, Garda Ger Dowd, said CCTV footage had captured Mr Connolly travelling at 14km/h when he was just 66 metres from the wall at the crash site.

Garda Dowd said he had found evidence of emergency braking at four metres from the wall.

The witness said he believed the motorcycle had accelerated at some point causing the victim to lose temporary control of the vehicle.

Garda Dowd said the speed at impact with the wall was enough to break the front wheel of the motorbike.

He also confirmed that tests had shown there were no mechanical defects with the vehicle.

The court heard that an expert had examined Mr Connollys helmet and assessed it as an entry-level model that would be more suitable for use with mopeds.

The expert also concluded that a better brand of helmet may have reduced the level of injury.

While Mr Connolly may have been lying on the ground for an hour before his body was discovered by a couple of passers-by, the coroner Aisling Gannon said postmortem results indicated that death would have been instantaneous because of the catastrophic nature of his injuries.

The coroner confirmed the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the victims head and neck.

Garda Thomas Fitzgerald said Mr Connolly was unresponsive and lying face down on the ground when he arrived at the scene at around 2.20am.

Garda Fitzgerald said there also appeared to be a red substance which he believed was blood behind the visor of Mr Connollys helmet.

A jury of nine men and one woman returned a verdict of accidental death.

The deceaseds father, Vincent Connolly, described his son as a happy, go lucky lad, while the inquest heard he had a love of hiking, cooking and Manchester United.

Fighting back tears, his mother, Mary, said her son had worked hard all his life and never given her any trouble.

Although his family did not want him to ride a motorcycle, Ms Connolly said it was part of his plans to travel around Europe and other parts of the world.

He just wasnt able for the bike he bought, she sobbed.
International student numbers at Toi Ohomai i Te Pukenga in Rotorua is expected to increase by 30 per cent on last year.

Students were officially welcomed to Rotorua by Mayor Tania Tapsell at the Council Chambers on Thursday.

The council has welcomed international students to Rotorua as part of their induction week since at least 2009.

More than 100 Toi Ohomai i Te Pukenga students, up from around 70 students in 2023, attended the ceremony.

Its a pleasure to welcome international students to our city and its exciting to see an increasing number of students choose Rotorua as their destination to study, says Mayor Tapsell.

Students have often come from countries that are not as safe or secure as ours and they appreciate the opportunities here.

Its wonderful to be involved in welcoming students to Rotorua and showcasing the manaakitanga (hospitality) our city is so well known for.

We are proud to be a diverse and welcoming community.

Toi Ohomai i Te Pukenga International Services Manager, Ada Chen, says more than 200 international students are starting their tertiary education journey in Rotorua and Tauranga as part of the February 2024 intake.

It is great to be able to return to Rotorua Lakes Council for this years Mayoral welcome. This ceremony makes our new akonga feel very special during their orientation week.

They add value to the learning environment and the community, enabling cultural diversity and competency as well as bringing much needed skills and ideas.

This intake is made up of students from 32 different countries including China, France, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Rotorua has always been a popular place for international students to come and study. We are seeing increasing numbers of international applications, which is growing post Covid.

We expect a 30 per cent growth of international student enrolments in 2024 compared with 2023 numbers, Ms Chen says.

At the Toi Ohomai Mokoia Campus in Rotorua most have chosen to study accounting, applied professional studies, agriculture, business, culinary art, English, early childhood education, health, hospitality, management, nursing, tourism and Masters qualifications.
The first of a series of closures on the State Highway 29 Kaimai Range will take place from Sunday 25 February to Thursday 29 February.

Closing the road will ensure essential maintenance can be done in a safe and efficient manner.

SH29 is a critical route, providing the key link between the countrys largest port and the Golden Triangle, explains NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi regional manager maintenance and operations Roger Brady.

Around 14,000 vehicles use this road every day, including several thousand heavy vehicles.

It is critical that we are able to maintain SH29 to ensure the route is safe and accessible for all road users.

Weve collaborated with freight operators and roading contractors to confirm days and times that work best for everybody.

By locking in a schedule, regular road users, including freight operators, can make plans in advance to minimise the disruption to themselves and their customers.

Further multi-night closures will take place in March, May and July.

Road renewals on SH2 north of Tauranga continue to make great strides, over half the reseal programme is now complete, with 12 out of the 20 sites between Katikati and Tauranga ticked off the list.

Most of this work is carried out at night, although temporary speed limits will be in place the following day to allow the chip to bed in, so delays are to be expected, Roger says.

For all roadworks, please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management teams.

Plan ahead and check Journey Planner before you travel: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

 Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks are underway across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road, stop/go traffic management is in place while trucks are crossing Wairoa Road, and 30km/h speed limits is in place at all times within the construction area. Work in this area will become more evident as the Wairoa Road bridge is completed in preparation for its opening. Minden Road has a 30km/h speed limit throughout the construction zone. A temporary haul road, separated from SH2, into the Te Mete Valley is operational to support the summer earthworks season. Temporary speed limit of 60km/h on SH2 alongside the haul road. More information.

 Cambridge/Moffat roads: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko continues. Until April 2024, there is a full closure of a section of Moffat Road between Tauranga Adventist School and Cambridge Road (East). This is disruptive, there are local alternative routes for light vehicles, and all heavy vehicles can use SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road. More information.

 Waihi Road, Tauranga: Tauranga City Council will be undertaking asphalt resurfacing work working on Waihi Road from Sunday 25 February to Sunday 10 March, the SH2 on-ramp to SH2 Takitimu Drive will be closed during this time.

 SH2 Bay Link: People travelling between Baypark and Bayfair will continue to see road and lane closures at night. This week these are from Sunday 25 February to Friday 1 March (approximately 7pm to 6am each night) around Bayfair roundabout and across SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange. Closures will vary night to night, depending on site requirements and progress, and people are asked to allow extra time, follow signposted detours and drive with caution through the project site. To minimise impact, works are undertaken at night where possible. More information.

 SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h is in place while Takitimu North Link crews are working behind the barriers.

 SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) Shared Path: The shared path alongside SH2 is diverted until May 2024. An alternative option for path users is available via Kaituna Road and Te Tumu Road.

 SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): The Quayside Properties Ltd-led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers will be in place until approximately June 2024, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h applies through the site. More information.

Western Bay of Plenty

 SH2 Waihi to Omokoroa: At Sharp Road, roundabout construction is underway with significant activity on the southbound lanes. There will be intermittent stop/go in place which may cause longer delays, however, typically there will be minor delays of one to two minutes. In the Athenree Gorge, lane shifts and speed restrictions are in place while line markings are changed.

 SH2 Apata Curves: Road widening works are underway with lane shifts and speed restrictions in place. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, however typically delays will be between one to two minutes. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team.

 SH2 Tahawai: Lane shifts, shoulder closures and speed restrictions are in place between Kauri Point Road and Stokes Road as services are relocated. These works are expected to be completed by the end of February.

 SH2/near Loop Road, Te Puna: Construction continues at the western tie-in of the Takitimu North Link project, where utilities need to be moved.

 SH2 Bethlehem to Athenree: Resealing is underway at a number of locations on SH2 between Bethlehem and Waihi. Reseals between Te Puna and Omokoroa will result in some line-marking changes with wide centrelines installed (providing greater separation for opposing traffic).

 SH29 Kaimai Range: The Kaimai Range will be closed from Sunday 25 February to Thursday 29 February, from 8pm to 4.30am to allow road resurfacing to take place. The closure points on the western side of the Kaimai Range is at the SH29/24 and SH29/28 intersections and on the eastern side of the Kaimai Range at the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection. Detours are available for all vehicles southbound via Rotorua and northbound via the Karangahake Gorge.

Rotorua

 SH30 Atiamuri: Road rehabilitation continues between 7am and 5pm each day until Thursday 29 February. Temporary traffic management will be in place with stop/go temporary traffic management in place during work hours and will remain in place for 48 hours after works are complete until the road has been swept and line marked.

 SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage One and Two: Line marking continues on Stage One between Tarawera Road and Iles Road. This work will be done at night (7pm to 6am) and includes limit lines, fire hydrant/valve markings along the road and through the intersection. Temporary traffic management will be in place including short term lane closures, road closures, shoulder closures and temporary speed restrictions in place while the line marking is underway and to allow for drying. We expect this work to be completed by Friday 1 March, weather dependent.

Work begins Monday 26 February on the remaining section of road between Owhata Roundabout and Tumene Drive, including surface milling, asphalting and stormwater connections in the westbound lane. This work will require the entrance to Brent Road to be closed Monday 26 February and Tuesday 27 February. Multiple active worksites may include stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information.

 SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Safety improvement work continues about 6km north of Okere Falls Cafe. Work includes widening of the road corridor, installing safety barriers and improving drainage. Temporary traffic management is in place including stop/go, lane shifts, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. Temporary traffic lights will be in place 24/7 from Monday 26 February for approximately two weeks while pavement construction is underway. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information.

 SH30/33 Te Ngae Junction: Safety barriers will be installed at the roundabout, with night works from 6pm Monday 4 March 2024. Work will occur between 6pm and 7am - for five nights (weather permitting). Temporary traffic management will be in place including stop/go, lane shifts, and reduced speed limits. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

 SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: A reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until further notice. Heavy vehicles must adhere to the speed limit as those travelling at higher speeds will exert greater loads on the structure, which currently poses a significant risk. Repairs will start on the bridge towards the end of March and take 2 weeks to complete.

 SH2 Wainui: Excavation works will take place at the intersection of SH2 and Wainui Road (Matakerepu) on Wednesday 28 February to identify existing services and record the location and depth of these. There will be a 3-way stop/go in place from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Tairawhiti Gisborne/Hawkes Bay:

 SH5 Napier to Taupo: Work is underway at multiple sites on SH5 to improve safety at high-risk curves. In addition, contractors are undertaking repair, recovery and routine maintenance work at various SH5 sites. Overall, please plan for delays of up to 30 minutes across the whole SH5 Napier to Taupo corridor. While this work takes place, stop/go traffic management is in place in certain areas, and there are temporary reduced speed limits of 30km/h and/or 50km/h. Current worksites on SH5 include: the intersection of SH5 and Marshalls Bridge (north of Eskdale), SH5 north of Te Pohue (south of the passing lane), and the site near the underslip at SH5 Captains Culvert.

Manawatu-Whanganui

 SH1 Utiku: Road repairs are in progress with a view to restoring the road back to 100km/h by the end of March. Currently 2 lanes are open through the site at 30km/h, from time to time there will be stop/go traffic management in place.

 SH1/3 Bulls to Sanson: Full nighttime closures continue to allow for roundabout tie-in works. The section of SH1/3 outside Base Ohakea is closed at night between 7.30pm and 6am Sunday nights to Friday mornings. The southbound detour for motorists (light vehicles) is via Tangimoana Road, Taylor Road and onto SH1. The southbound detour for freight (heavy vehicles) is via Tangimoana Road, Campion Road and onto SH1. The detour for all northbound traffic is via Fagan Road, Speedy Road, Tangimoana Road and back onto SH1/3. From Monday 19 February, the new roundabout will be open with a 30km/h speed restriction in place and uneven surfaces at times. During daytime hours (and on Friday and Saturday nights), all motorists will be travelling on the new road alignment. More information.

Waikato

 A variety of safety improvements across the Waikato are about to commence, these will contribute towards making the roads safer. A programme of work about to start includes a mixture of new and modified signage, new hazard warning signs, roadside safety/barrier guard rail, road widening, improved road lines and improved road markings. It is expected there will be minimal disruption for motorists while this work is completed. The works will take place over the next three months. More Information.

East Waikato

 SH25 Coromandel: Recovery work is underway along SH25 to repair damage caused by last summers severe weather. The sites include Wharekaho and Pumpkin Hill. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at these locations. More information.

 SH25 Ruamahunga: Our team working to stabilise the large slip site at Ruamahunga is making great progress and needs equipment and supplies delivered to the top of the slope by helicopter on a regular basis. Moving forwards, from this Friday 23 February, these deliveries will be made every second Friday until further notice. This will usually be done between 12 noon and 2.00pm and means SH25 will be closed at the site for short periods so the helicopter can safely operate over the road to deliver those important supplies. The road will be closed in both directions for up to 20 minutes at a time and then reopened to allow traffic to clear before the next closure.

 SH27 Waharoa: Safety upgrade work continues on SH27 between Walker Street and McGowan Street and is expected to take up to 4 weeks to complete. SH27 is open to traffic, under lane diversions and stop/go traffic management when needed. Car parks on SH27 will be inaccessible during this period, however the rest area and car park across the road from the Pitt Street intersection will remain open and a safe crossing will be provided at all times. Minor delays are to be expected.

 SH27 Mangatarata: Stop/go traffic management will be in place until early March, while a southbound side barrier, new signs and line marking (including rumble strips) are installed. At times, there will be nightworks between 7pm and 6am, and a reduced speed limit. Minor delays are expected.

 SH29 Hinuera: A full road closure of SH29 at Hinuera is in place weekdays, between 6am and 6pm, until Wednesday 28 February. A detour is available westbound via SH27, then left onto Puketutu Road, then left onto Hinuera Road, Hopkins Road and back on to SH29 and vice versa travelling eastbound. Minor delays are expected.

Central Waikato

 SH1 Lichfield: Road rehabilitation continues until Tuesday 5 March. There will be stop/go in place from 6am-6pm Monday to Saturday along with a temporary speed limit.

 SH1 Atiamuri: Road widening is under way for safety barrier installation along a 6.9km section of SH1, from the Waikato River Bridge south to Thorpe Road. Work is behind temporary safety barriers and there is a 50km/h speed restriction. Stop/go is in place between 8amand 5pm on Monday and Wednesday, 26 and 28 February, at a narrow section where safety barriers cannot be used. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes.

 SH1 Maroa Road: The 4.8km site is currently operating at 100km/h until finishing works for the safety barrier installation resume.

 SH1 East Taupo Arterial: Road widening and flexible safety barrier installation continues between Napier Road and the airport roundabout. Speed restrictions will be in place, with completion expected to be mid-2024. More information.

 SH5 Wairakei: Stage two of road rehabilitation near Palmer Mill Road continues until mid-March. Work will take place from Monday to Saturday between 6am and 6pm with stop/go traffic management in place with temporary speed limits. Outside of these hours both lanes will be open with reduced speed limits.

 SH41 Tokaanu: Due to a washout, the road is down to one lane under temporary traffic lights, with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place. Works to repair the washout are due to begin Early April and will take 3-4 weeks to complete.

 SH1 Desert Road  night closures: Pavement rehabilitation night work at multiple locations along SH1 Desert Road require road closures. Work continues until mid-March, between 6pm and 6am, Sunday to Thursday nights, SH1 will be closed between Waiouru and Rangipo. There will be a detour in place via SH46, SH47, SH4 and SH49, back to SH1 and vice versa. This detour adds approximately 35 minutes to travel time. Outside these hours (including all day on Friday and Saturday) both lanes will be open with reduced speed limits.

West Waikato

 SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngaruawahia section: Safety improvements and remedial works continue with another block of current night-time closures now underway. Southbound closures are from Sunday 25 February to Thursday 7 March, 7pm-5am. The southbound detour uses SH1B, with light traffic rejoining SH1 via Lake Road. Heavy vehicles (50 tonnes and above) must continue on SH1B, including the local road detour around Telephone Road, and connect to SH1 again at Cambridge or via SH26 into Hamilton. More information.

 SH1 Waikato Expressway  Rangiriri Section: While remedial work has been completed the repairs need to bed in before final surfacing starts in Early March. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h remains in place until the final surfacing is completed.

 SH1/SH29 Piarere Intersection: Work is underway constructing the access road, drainage works and installing environmental controls. Temporary traffic management is in place, including shoulder closures and lane shifts, please follow the instructions of the team on site and any temporary traffic signage. Traffic delays are expected during construction in this area and an increase of vehicle movements including truck and trailers carting material to site. More Information.

 SH1 Karapiro: Work is underway on a section of SH1 between Keeleys Reserve and Moana Roa Road in preparation for median barrier being installed mid-2024. The main construction work involves 1.5km of shoulder widening, temporary barrier installation, earthworks and pavement construction, followed by surfacing, lighting and permanent barrier installation. During the majority of the construction the slow (left-hand) lane of the southbound passing lane between Keeleys Reserve and Moana Roa Road will be closed, and the worksite will be under a temporary speed limit of 50km/h. Access in and out of Kentucky Road will remain open. Construction is expected to be finished by late June.

 SH1 Karapiro (Gorton Road): The construction of a turnaround bay at Gorton Road continues and will be followed by another at Tunakawa Road. While construction crews are onsite, there is no right turn onto Gorton Road. This means southbound traffic wanting to access Gorton Road will need to travel to the new turnaround bay at Keeleys Reserve to change direction. This adds around 4-6 minutes to your journey. Previously the right turn onto Gorton was reopening on weekends/outside of work hours, however this is no longer occurring due to safety concerns and confusion to motorists. The left turn onto Gorton Road, and left and right turn onto SH1, will remain for the duration of construction, with a stop sign rule applied. More information.

 SH3 Ohaupo: The Waipa District Council led Ohaupo Village pedestrian safety improvements are underway and are expected to be complete by late February. During this time lane shifts and stop/go traffic management will be in place, along with temporary speed limits.

 SH23 Raglan: Preparation works including kerb, channel and drainage continue, with work taking place between 7am and 5pm each day until Saturday 24 February. From Tuesday 27 February, SH23 will be closed overnight between 9pm and 5am between houses #4095 and #4180, this is to enable crews to remove existing road layers and replace them. Vehicles will be allowed through the worksite at 9.45pm, 11pm, 1am and 3am. The work is expected to be completed in early March. More Information

 SH30 Te Kuiti: Due to a slip, priority give-way is in place near Mangaokewa Road, motorists are advised to proceed with caution.

 SH3 Te Kuiti: Drivers on SH3 are advised to expect delays from 29 Feb, with work beginning to build a retaining wall and culvert on a stretch of highway between Te Kuiti and the SH3/SH4 junction. For the first few days of construction traffic will be down to one lane with stop/go traffic control while the highway is temporarily widened on the southbound shoulder. Drivers should expect short delays at this site. Once this is done the road will be reopened to two lanes under speed restrictions for up to three months while the retaining wall and culvert are being built, with a few days of stop/go expected at the end of the project.

North Waikato

 SH2 Pokeno: Slip repairs are being carried out until Tuesday 12 March between 7am and 7pm outside Max Birt Sawmills, Pokeno (1.5km from the SH1 Southern Motorway onramp). During this time there will be speed reductions in place and road layout changes. More information

 SH2 Mangatawhiri: From Sunday 25 February until Monday 11 March there will be stop/go from 9pm to 5am at the east bound Mangatawhiri off-ramp for maintenance.

 SH1 Pokeno interchange to Mercer interchange: There will be a full southbound closure on Thursday 29 February between 10pm and 5am to carry out multiple maintenance activities. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.

 SH1 Orams Road to Mercer interchange: There will be a full northbound closure on Wednesday 28 February between 9pm and 5am for barrier maintenance. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.

 SH1 Dragway Road to Island Block Road: There will be a full northbound closure on Sunday 25 and Monday 26 February between 10pm and 5am for resurfacing. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.

 SH1 Hampton Downs Overbridge: There will be a full closure of the overbridge at Hampton Downs from Foster Road to Harness Road (local roads) on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 February between 8pm and 5am. The northbound on-ramp and off-ramp will also be closed. There will be no access to the Gull Petrol Station. Please use alternative ramps at Dragway Road or Rodda Road.

Taranaki

 SH3 Uruti: Slip repairs continue at SH3 Uruti, north of Mangamaio Road. The work includes the installation of rock mesh protection to improve the safety and resilience of this slip-prone area of the network. The site will be run under stop/go traffic controls 24/7 with delays of approximately 10-15 minutes for the duration of construction and is expected to be completed by the end of March.

 SH3 Mt Messenger: From 7pm on Friday 5 April to 4am on Monday 8 April SH3 Mt Messenger will be closed for resurfacing. There will be scheduled openings to clear traffic queues. Outside this time, road users can expect stop/go traffic management at night between 6pm and 6am between Tuesday 2 April and Friday 19 April, with delays expected of up to 15 minutes. Road users are encouraged to plan ahead.

 SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: Until mid-June, Princess Street will be closed between SH3 and Armstrong Avenue to everyone except residents while roadworks continue. People travelling to or from Waitara via Princess Street will need to use Nelson Street or Bayly Street. Those wanting to access Princess Street west from Princess Street east (Tikorangi side) will need to use Bayly Street. Both lanes of SH3 are open, and a temporary roundabout will be in place at the Princess Street and SH3 intersection, with the current traffic lights removed. The roundabout is expected to be complete by mid-2024 More Information

 SH4 Paroparowhero Culvert Replacement: Work to repair damage from heavy rainfall on SH4 north of Taumarunui, between the intersection of SH43 and Okahukura Bridge Road will continue until June 2024. The repair work involves a temporary lane to maintain traffic flow under 24/7 e-light stop/go controls, while crews install a 3.5 x 4 metre box culvert. The work is scheduled to take approximately six months, weather permitting. Road users are asked to plan ahead for delays of up to 15 minutes in this area.

For up to 48 hours following completion of chipseal sites, a 50km/h temporary speed limit will be in place until the road is swept and line marking reinstated.



The above information is accurate at the time of release. Many of the above works are dependent on a number of factors, particularly weather, and may be postponed at short notice. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the NZTA Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz).

NZTA thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

 Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
Vancouver, Canada --News Direct-- Madison Metals Inc

Madison Metals CEO Duane Parnham joined Steve Darling from Proactive to unveil a significant milestone in the company's exploration efforts. Madison Metals has made a remarkable discovery of high-grade uranium mineralization at Anomaly 5, located within the Companys Khan Project in Namibia. The findings, highlighted by a surface sample boasting 8.47% U3O8, mark a substantial expansion of new uranium mineralization, effectively extending Madisons footprint and project pipeline.

During the interview, Parnham elaborated on Madison's exploration strategy, which commenced with the initial fieldwork to ground-truth airborne radiometric anomalies. This groundwork paved the way for follow-up exploration activities, which included the excavation of seven surface rock-saw trenches, leucogranite mapping, sampling, and handheld scintillometer and spectrometer readings at Anomaly 5.

The initial batch of assay results from 10 samples returned promisingly high uranium grades, further bolstering the company's confidence in the potential of Anomaly 5. Parnham emphasized that Madison Metals plans to release additional assay results as they become available, providing stakeholders with further insights into the extent and significance of the discovered mineralization.

The discovery of high-grade uranium mineralization at Anomaly 5 represents a pivotal moment for Madison Metals, reaffirming the company's commitment to unlocking the full potential of its projects in Namibia. With a strategic focus on exploration and a track record of delivering results, Madison Metals is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for uranium and solidify its position as a key player in the global mining sector. Stay tuned for further updates as the company's exploration efforts continue to unfold.

Contact Details

Proactive North America

+1 604-688-8158

NA-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/correct-and-replace-madison-metals-announces-high-grade-discovery-at-anomaly-5-at-khan-project-277892045
SUR in English Gibraltar Friday, 23 February 2024 | Updated 26/02/2024 10:00h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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The Chief Secretary of the Gibraltar Government, Glendon Martinez, travelled to London this week for a series of high-level meetings.

He met with several UK parliamentarians to discuss various subjects such as initiatives and Gibraltar's vision for 2024 and the modernisation of the Civil service.

Martinez said: "This was an excellent opportunity to meet with senior UK civil servants and parliamentarians to network and familiarise myself with the work that each of them is doing in relation to Gibraltar."
Jennie Rhodes Nerja Friday, 23 February 2024 | Updated 26/02/2024 08:27h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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Artist Basma Ashworth didn't ever see herself living in Spain, but here she is and now she likes it so much it's definitely "home" for the foreseeable future.

She and her husband, Vic, have been here for almost four years. Now settled In Nerja, Basma, who describes herself as "a colourist", has a studio where she creates textiles, felting and large prints. She is a member of the Arts Society Nerja and took part in their recent 30th anniversary exhibition which was held in the town.

Basma, who was living in Cornwall in the UK before coming to Spain, says that her work and the colours she uses have changed since she's been here. "I started to paint using my usual colours, but something didn't look right. It was very, very odd, the colours somehow don't look right in Spain," she explains.

Basma goes on to say, "It took me a long time to capture the colours in my mind of my surroundings. In 20 years I think I had never painted using pink - now I have half a dozen with pink. I think it's the colour of the flowers when you're walking and subconsciously they start coming through."

Basma was "born in a remote area in the mountains of Kurdistan" and spent part of her childhood "living in a community of ancient Assyrians".

Her family emigrated to Greece when she was a child and Basma has Greek nationality. She moved to the UK to study Chemical Engineering in 1977 and went on to do a PhD at the University of Manchester. She then found work as a research scientist for the Nature Conservancy Council, a job which involved a lot of travelling around the whole country.

At the same time Vic, also an engineer, was working abroad a lot and by then the couple had a young daughter. "I didn't want to keep leaving our daughter with nannies, so one day I called my husband and told him I was going to resign," Basma says.

This was 1997 and it was then that she discovered her artistic talents. She went to college to study art, inspired by a friend who had told her: "Sew them yourself," when Basma asked her to make some cushions from fabric she'd bought in the British interiors shop Habitat.

Although Basma admits that when she started the course she was "hopeless at sewing" she discovered that she had a real flair for design. "I made a friend on the course who was good at sewing but not so good at the design side, so I did all of her design work and she did all of my sewing," Basma laughs.

She then went to Falmouth University to do a degree in Fine Art. By then the couple were living on a farm in Cornwall, where Basma had a large studio to create her work and she was a member of the Arts Society in Penzance.

Homeless

However, after the Brexit referendum she decided to leave the UK and go back to Greece. The couple sold the farm and had booked flights to Greece, but then the pandemic struck and the couple found themselves homeless. "We sold the farm the day before the first lockdown started," says Basma.

They camped out at their daughter's house in Devon for a while and then rented a place nearby, but Basma vowed that she would be "on the first flight out of the UK" and either to Greece or another EU country which she thought would make getting to Greece easier.

She reveals that the first flight she managed to get on was to Malaga, where she stayed with a friend and Vic joined her later. Just as coming to Malaga was dictated by fate, the couple also discovered Nerja "by chance".

Basma admits that even though she and Vic had travelled extensively through Spain previously they had "never been to Malaga" and had never thought of living in Spain.

"Spain was probably the last country I would have chosen because it's very similar to Greece. Why would I go to somewhere that has similar habits, culture, way of life? It wasn't somewhere I would have chosen, but now I like it very much. It feels very much like home," she confesses.

Life took an unexpected turn which led to a change in the colours of her art. But like chameleons, the art and the couple have adapted to their surroundings and Basma says, "We will stay in Nerja, unless something very, very drastic happens. For now it is home. We are very happy."
Aythami Perez Miguel Barcena de Bureba Friday, 23 February 2024 | Updated 26/02/2024 10:21h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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An abandoned village in the province of Burgos in northern Spain has been sold in its entirety to buyers from the Netherlands. Barcena de Bureba, which belongs to the municipality of Abajas, near Miranda de Ebro, has had no residents for more than 50 years; now, its new owners, a middle-aged Dutch couple, aim to breathe new life into the streets and the surrounding area by turning it into an eco-village. For less than 340,000 euros they have acquired 62 buildings, a church and half a dozen farms covering some six hectares. Barcena de Bureba was the largest village in Spain that was up for sale, according to Aldeas Abandonadas, a real estate agency specialising in this type of asset that closed the deal.

The sale of Barcena de Bureba "has been quick", said Elvira Fafian of the agency. "You have to bear in mind that for this type of transaction you have to see if the village fits with the project and objective that the buyers have. In this case, the village has water and electricity supply, and these Dutch investors were clear about what they were looking for," explained Fafian.

Although its sale has not taken long, considering the time at which it was put on the market, is was sold for a sum significantly below the original asking price. It went on the market at 525,000 euros, and this was knocked down to the final figure of 339,000 euros.

The buyers are Dutch investors whose plan is to revamp the 62 houses in Barcena de Bureba and cultivate the adjoining land. In doing so, they seek to breathe new life into the village - uninhabited since the 1970s - and, by extension, this part of the province of Burgos. Their idea is to optimise the natural and economic resources of the area and create an eco-village for residential and tourism purposes. "An ambitious project for this village in the so-called 'empty Spain'," said the real estate company, referring to the expression 'Espana vaciada', used to describe to effects of decades of rural populations moving to larger towns and cities to live and work.

The attractions

This rural environment offers possibilities for those thinking of settling there. In the province of Burgos, there is growing interest from tourism companies and people able to work remotely who prefer the peace and quiet of the countryside to the hustle and bustle of the city. In the district of La Bureba meadows, fields of crops and streams follow one after the other, forming a beautiful natural enclave not far from the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage path.

Aldeas Abandonadas has villages and hamlets for sale on its website in a dozen regions of Spain, especially in Galicia, with around forty places on offer.
British Chamber of Commerce welcomes Holiday World Presentations were made by the BCC, the resort and the Costa del Sol tourist board

SUR in English Friday, 23 February 2024, 13:28 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) in Spain held its first International Tourism Forum at Holiday World Resort in Benalmadena on Wednesday evening.

The resort, which is the largest of its kind on the Costa del Sol, is the newest member of the BCC.

The BCC's Andalucia regional vice-president, Derek Langley, gave a welcome speech, which was followed by presentations from Icia Gatell, director of sales and marketing at Holiday World (first left) and Renee Kachler, director of business development at the Costa del Sol tourist board (first right).
SUR Friday, 23 February 2024, 17:13 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The Picasso birthplace museum (El Museo Casa Natal Picasso), which belongs to Malaga city council, is celebrating its 36th anniversary on Monday 26 February with an open day. Entrance will be free both to its facilities and to the temporary exhibition room, during the usual opening hours, 9.30am to 8pm.

Created by the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation on 26 February 1988, the main objective of the museum is to study and promote the work and figure of the artist. The building, located at number 15, Plaza de la Merced, was designated a historic-artistic site of national interest in 1983.

Originally limited to the first floor, the rooms of the museum were extended to the rest of the building after its complete refurbishment and inauguration by the king and queen of Spain on 22 June 1998. Since 2005, the museum has also had another exhibition room at number 13, Plaza de la Merced.

In 2022, various structural reforms were carried out and a new museography was unveiled that underlines the importance of Malaga in the roots of Picasso's personality and work.

Works of art

The Picasso birthplace museum has more than 7,000 works of art by around 200 artists, classified in 16 collections. The first important addition was the portfolio of prints Franco's Dream and Lie, donated in 1989, followed in 1992 by the donation of ten books illustrated by Pablo Ruiz Picasso, by Marina and Christine Ruiz-Picasso, respectively.

Among the most outstanding pieces is notebook no. 7 of preparatory drawings by Picasso for his 1907 work Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (The Young Ladies of Avignon), which contains 84 drawings of exceptional symbolic and artistic value acquired in 2006.

The collection of graphic works consists of 259 works produced between 1930 and 1964, an extremely important group whose main nucleus originates in the Jan Lohn collection, acquired in 2004 and made up of 223 lithographs.

There is also a significant group of books illustrated by artists such as Miro, Chagall and Max Ernst, totalling 547 prints. The collection also includes a selection of 35 ceramic pieces representative of Picasso's work.

The Picasso birthplace museum has numerous works on temporary deposit, including the portfolio of engravings, La Suite de los Saltimbanquis, on loan from the Fundacion Malaga. The museum's collection is complemented by original photographs by Juan Gyenes, sculptures of Frank Rebajes, and a collection of paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists. It also has more than 2,000 pieces of graphic art with creations by Joan Miro, Francis Bacon, Antoni Tapies and Eduardo Chillida, among others.

Exhibitions

Over the years, the museum has held numerous temporary exhibitions, most of which have focused on the Malaga-born artist. Currently, the temporary exhibition room is hosting The Image of Picasso, with almost a hundred pieces that reveal the impact of the painter in books, advertising, photography, art, comics, cinema, television and music from 1937 to the present day.

The museum regularly lends pieces from its collection for exhibitions organised by other cultural entities, helping to enhance the value of its artistic collection and fulfil its objective of disseminating the figure of Picasso. In 2023 alone, it provided 684 works for 20 exhibitions held in different places such as La Coruna, Madrid, Rome and Paris.

Of particular note is the documentation centre and library with its focus on Picasso and avant-garde art. This has become a point of reference in the study and research of the painter's life and work, with an interesting collection of documents including catalogues, books, monographs, audiovisual recordings, press articles and magazines.

Activities

The Picasso birthplace museum organises annual lectures, roundtables, seminars, debates, drawing sessions for adults, book presentations, etc. It also has its own line of publications, with 86 exhibition catalogues and another 133 books published to date.

The museum runs cultural programmes for groups at risk of social exclusion and children's and holiday workshops. It is also the setting for various activities in collaboration with leading entities in the city, enriching its cultural offerings.
Maria Albarral Friday, 23 February 2024, 16:37 Compartir Copiar enlace

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"I was clear that my priority was saving my daughter's life." With such a heartbreaking statement this Ukrainian refugee from Marbella, Olena Stepanenko, began to relate her experience to SUR.

Saturday, 24 February marks the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Marbella is one of the towns in Malaga province with the most Ukrainians registered there - to be exact, 4,516 are on the padron (municipal register).

"It wasn't the bombing, it was the lack of medication available. My daughter, Yekateryna, has a disease requiring daily injections. I was in a panic and the same day that war broke out I drove to the Polish border and got on a plane to Marbella, where a friend had offered to help me," says Olena.

The early days for this small family were tough as they spoke no Spanish. Olena had to figure out how to get hold of her daughter's medication as soon as possible. The young girl started secondary school in Marbella where she understood nobody. Two years later she is now attending intensive classes in Spanish at the same school where she attends her main studies.

Wearing a white t-shirt with a world map drawn on it but with no Russia and the Ukrainian flag embroidered on it, Romana Drach, also a refugee from the war and now living in Marbella, arrived at her appointment with SUR.

"The world without Russia is a better world. Today it is Ukraine, but tomorrow it could be another country," she says. This 30-year-old woman thought about joining the army when the invasion happened but she eventually decided to leave the country.

"The first thing that comes to mind is defending your people, but the truth is that having a four-year-old boy I couldn't leave him on his own. My husband went to the front and we caught a plane to Marbella," she says.

Mother and son reached the town shortly after the invasion. "My husband worked for a company in Ukraine that is partnered with a clinic in Marbella. Our only connection with the people here was through his work but now they are like family," states Romana, adding that "here I do not feel like an outsider, and I thank the people of Marbella again and again".

The young woman tells us about when her young son Leo arrived in Spain and was immediately enrolled at school. We can hear the emotion in her voice: "My boy cried because he couldn't understand his playmates. It was really sad because 10 March is his birthday and it caused us even more sadness due to the difficult situation. Imagine our surprise when, barely knowing us at all, a mother from the school organised a party for Leo full of children his age.....in those hard times when your husband, your family and friends are in the middle of a war, an act of such kindness is like a breath of fresh air."

Romana recounts one time when she went to pick up her son from school to discover that they had given him some new shoes. She tells us that this was the beginning of so many gifts and help that she has received from the people of Marbella.

"There is a teacher who always brings me fruit from his orchard, and every time they give me something I feel so moved, because I see the terrific sense of solidarity that exists here," she admits, her voice full of emotion.

Both Olena and Romana are now working in Marbella. Olena does child-minding and taking care of the elderly, while Romana works remotely on her PC.

Olena Stepanenko and her daughter with some of her compatriots. J. C. Dominguez

Help Ukraine

Oksana Knysh heads up the Ukrainian association, Maydan Malaga, in Marbella, with Mariana Bytsyura being one of its active members. Both have assisted these two families and many more Ukrainians with their arrival in Spain and they actively participate in all the charity activities organised. "I was already living in Marbella. When Russia invaded, I rushed to call my family. My sister said that the bombings wouldn't stop and people were heading to the banks to withdraw money. Total chaos," says Oksana. She continues: "When you are far away, you are terrified because you can't hug your family and you don't really know what is happening and so you suffer a terrible sense of anguish that has now lasted for two years."

Mariana echoes the same feelings. She too was living in Marbella before the conflict. "My family tells me that they cannot sleep for the nightly bombings and the constant sound of sirens. During the day they carry on working, the children go to school and life goes on, because they cannot let the country's economy collapse," she says.

Remedios Bocanegra, Fabiola Mora, Concha Montes and Skia Arbulu are just some of the names of volunteers who, together with Marbella town council, these Ukrainian women most want to thank for their involvement. "Marbella is a tremendously supportive town that has dedicated itself to us. We feel most fortunate", were their parting words.
Lorena Cadiz Mijas Friday, 23 February 2024 | Updated 26/02/2024 08:23h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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Three years ago, Bobby the beagle arrived at police officer David Gutierrez's home. His owner is one of the officers attached to a special tutoring programme working with schools in Mijas. He saw Bobby's potential to work with children almost immediately. "Beagles are not the easiest breed to train, but with perseverance it can be done," said Gutierrez.

After a lengthy training period, Bobby has managed to become the first municipal police dog in Spain dedicated to working with special needs children and trained to help improve children's reading skills.

Public service

"In Spain some dogs already fulfil such duties, but with charitable bodies, in many cases in conjunction with psychologists, speech therapists or teachers. We are the first Local Police force in the entire country to be introducing this service," said Gutierrez. As a public service it will be completely free of charge to local children who meet the criteria.

Mijas Local Police force is once again leading the way. It did so previously when it set up the programme whose "main objective is child protection through prevention in education", said Angel Blanc, one of the officers in the scheme in Mijas with the municipal police.

The programme initially focused on preventing absenteeism, bullying or drug use among minors. Then it forged ties with provincial branches of local mental health charity Afesol.

Police dog Bobby with his owner. SUR

Pilot scheme

Police dog Bobby now fits snugly into this jigsaw. From March until June he will take part in a pilot scheme for children with special educational needs at El Albero school in Mijas. If everything goes well, the scheme will roll out to other infant and primary schools across the municipality. Although Bobby is trained to help improve children's reading skills, in this programme "we set individual objectives with each child, aimed mainly at building up their self-esteem and, in many cases, improving their social skills".

Somehow, the dog's presence, within touching distance, motivates the children. Bobby helps them overcome the tasks set by their police tutor in each of the sessions where he joins in.

Through Bobby the adults get closer to a child with problems. Blanc gives an example from just a few weeks ago where an absentee child "with anxiety due to a bad experience at school" returned to class simply because Bobby would be there.

Rigorous test

To do such vital work, Bobby had to travel to Madrid and pass two key tests: firstly, to enter a park where there are squirrels and stay calm; then to spend time with children in a hospital. "To be a dog that motivates others it has to know how to behave because a child on the autism spectrum might pick him up and pull at his ears. He must know how to handle any rough play and be a sociable dog," said Blanc.

"The school was planning to finance some therapy using dogs, talks were under way and we'd been quoted 90 euros for one hour. Now, the money that the school was going to spend can be used for other things," said Maria del Campo Pozo, headteacher at El Albero school.
Javier Almellones Friday, 23 February 2024, 12:18 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The small town of Benarraba, located in the Genal valley region, hosts the Serrania de Ronda food fair on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 February, an event that honours of one of its most distinctive dishes  salmorejo de carne. Unlike the famous porra de Antequera or the salmorejo de Cordoba - cold thick soups made with tomatoes, olive oil, bread and garlic  this traditional dish is made with pork loin, potatoes, onion, garlic and parsley, and can be eaten hot or cold.

The event will offer free tastings of the soup, along with live cooking demonstrations (Saturday at 1pm) that will show visitors how to make the dish. There will also be an opportunity to try other local cuisine, while a market installed in the main plaza will offer visitors the chance purchase typical products from the Serrania de Ronda region, such as blood sausages, chorizo and hams, extra virgin olive oil, cheeses, preserves and wines.

Celebrating its 20th year, the foodie event will also offer walking routes through the streets of the town that highlight some of the important sites, including the church of Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion, and the Sanctuary of the Holy Cross. In addition, Benarraba is an ideal town for hiking, with several routes, such as the one that leads to Prado de la Escribana and the neighbouring town of Genalguacil.
Juan Cano Friday, 23 February 2024, 16:51 Compartir Copiar enlace

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The National Police, in collaboration with the Moroccan authorities, have dismantled a criminal organisation allegedly dedicated to international drug trafficking. The investigation, which began in Malaga city, has led to the arrest of six people in Alicante province. Among those arrested are a Local Police officer from Benidorm and his son, a National Police trainee officer.

Operation Lemming began early in 2023. After an intervention carried out in Malaga city, the officers of the Udyco-Costa del Sol Unit detected an international gang dedicated to the importation of large consignments of drugs from Morocco.

The investigators discovered that one of the gang members was in charge of organising the transport of the drugs into Spain. In September, they learned that this man had made several trips to Melilla, the Spanish enclave in northern Africa, and Morocco to meet with drug suppliers in that country.

The detainees installed a false bottom in a van to conceal the drugs. The National Police said that the gangs intention was to use this formula for future transports if the operation was successful. In December, one of the drug gang members drove, and parked, the vehicle in Melilla before returning to Alicante to receive confirmation from the suppliers that the drugs were ready. A month later, a member of the criminal network travelled to Melilla to drive the van into Morocco, where it was delivered to another gang member in charge of loading the drugs.

The drug load was delayed for several weeks, during which the gang finalised the transport logistics. In February, the drugs were transported on a ferry from the Moroccan port of Nador to Almeria. Police set a device to follow the vehicle which was intercepted in Alfaz del Pi, Alicante, where the driver was arrested and 250 kilos of hashish were seized.

Subsequently, the officers arrested the other four members of the gang  among them, the two policemen  and four searches were carried out, in which a pistol and a revolver were seized, as well as multiple rounds of ammunition of different calibres.
A. Serrano Valencia Friday, 23 February 2024, 09:46 | Updated 13:09h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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Fire devastated two blocks of flats, of 14 and 10 floors respectively on Thursday night in Campamar, a district of Valencia city. On Friday morning six had been confirmed dead, a family with two small children and an elderly couple.

Up to 13 people were still missing and another 14 injured (six of them firefighters), according to deputy director of emergencies in Valencia, Jorge Suarez.

The flames spread with unusual speed across the facade and a huge column of smoke could be seen from several towns near the city for much of the afternoon and evening.

Suarez explained that a drone from the emergency services had recorded images of four burnt bodies on a balcony and in a house. While fighting the blaze, firefighters managed to rescue a couple who were trapped on a balcony, a man and a woman. Some residents of the lower floors managed to save their lives by jumping onto emergency mattresses placed by firefighters.

Cooling the building

Firefighters remained throughout the night cooling the burned buildings, which were flame-free early on Friday morning, as firefighters worked on cooling the buildings; the area remained cordoned off.

The fire started, for reasons as yet unknown, shortly before 6pm in a flat on the seventh floor of the complex, which consists of two blocks and is located in the Campanar district of Valencia city. It then spread acorss the entire facade within minutes. After receiving the first reports from residents, several fire brigades rushed to the scene. Ambulances and police patrols were also mobilised. The force of the flames was so great that a large part of the area near the damaged building had to be evacuated.

A recently built apartment block on the outskirts of Valencia Between Avenida Maestro Rodrigo and Avenida General Aviles VALENCIA The fire apparently started in flat 86, on the seventh floor, at around 5.30pm Built in 2008, it has 138 apartments, 15 storeys and three underground garages The fire spread up and down the facade El incendio se extendiA hacia la segunda torre Chimney effect Initial theories point to the fire spreading so fast due topolyurethane used in the panels that covered the building Wind: gusts of up to 60km/h outside the building Inside the building Av. General AvilAs Site covers 3,724 m2 Start of the fire N Av. Maestro Rodrigo Fuente: Emergencias, Catastro y elaboraciAn propia RC/LP A new building on the outskirts of Valencia Between Avenida Maestro Rodrigo and Avenida General Aviles VALENCIA The fire apparently started in flat 86, on the seventh floor, at around 5.30pm Built in 2008, it has 138 apartments, 15 storeys and three underground garages The fire spread up and down the facade The fire spread to the second tower Chimney effect The first theories point to the fire spreading due to thepolyurethane used in the panels that covered the building Wind: gusts of up to 60km/h outside the building Inside the building RC/LP Av. General AvilAs Site covers 3,724 m2 Start of the fire Av. Maestro Rodrigo N Fuente: Emergencias, Catastro y elaboraciAn propia COLPISA/LAS PROVINCIAS A new building on the outskirts of Valencia Between Avenida Maestro Rodrigo and Avenida General Aviles VALENCIA Wind: gusts of up to 60km/h The fire spread up and down the facade The fire spread to the second tower The fire apparently started in flat 86, on the seventh floor, at around 5.30pm Chimney effect The first theories point to the fire spreading due to the polyurethane used in the panels that covered the building Built in 2008, it has 138 apartments, 15 storeys and three underground garages Outside the building Inside the building Av. General AvilAs Site covers 3,724 m2 Start of the fire Av. Maestro Rodrigo N COLPISA/LAS PROVINCIAS Source: Emergencias, Catastro and SUR

At least six firefighters were injured during the operation. By midnight the building had beenr educed to a charred skeleton, with some flames still burning. The fire had caused constant powerful explosions that shocked residents. Given the high temperatures in the building, emergency services had not been able to enter the building at 1am to search for possible victims and assess the risk of collapse.

Paramedics assisted 14 people affected by the fire at the scene: nine were men (six of them firefighters), aged between 25 and 57; another four women aged between 27 and 81; and also a seven-year-old child. With the exception of two women who were well enough to leave, the rest were taken to different hospitals in the Valencia.

The force of the wind worked against the fire brigade throughout the evening, causing the water from the hoses to fall short of the facade. They were therefore concentrating on saving the three flats that had not yet burnt on one of the facades. The high flammability of these, apparently covered with polyurethane panels, was the wick that caused the fire to spread voraciously. The panels even broke off and burst into flames in the street, to the panic of witnesses and residents.

Rescued from a balcony

Firefighters focused their efforts on accessing the sixth and seventh floors of the building, as there were residents trapped there. Meanwhile, a man and a woman were signalling frantically from a balcony. The two were leaning out, trying to jump to the other house, while the firemen tried to gain access to them. Amid cries for help, the couple were finally rescued at around 8pm.

According to emergency services sources, neighbours had told the first police officers who arrived at the burning building that most of the residents had left their homes. However, they were unsure of the whereabouts of other residents. In total, some 450 people lived in the two blockss of flats that were devastated. One of them alone had almost 140 flats.

The videos recorded by neighbours went viral after being shared on WhatsApp groups. In one of the most shared videos, a firefighter jumps from a height of approximately 10 metres onto an inflatable mattress deployed by his colleagues. Another video corresponds to the precise moment of the rescue, with a fire engine ladder, of two people who were trapped on a balcony.

The authorities, dismayed

The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazon, and the mayor of Valencia, Maria Jose Catala, as well as the delegate of the Government in the Comunitat Valenciana, Pilar Bernabe, and several regional councillors, who in addition to being dismayed by what had happened, asked the residents of the city not to go near the area so as not to hinder the work of the emergency services. All of them followed the extinguishing and rescue work in situ for several hours from an emergency office set up for this purpose to coordinate the aid work.

Valencia city council decreed three days of mourning and announced that an emergency meeting of the council will be held this Friday to analyse what has happened. For the time being, all Fallas events scheduled until next Sunday have been suspended.

The head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez, was also "dismayed" by the fire that broke out in Valencia and called both the Valencian president and the mayor to "find out first-hand about the situation and offer all the help that is necessary". The leader of the opposition and head of the PP, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, followed the events with "great concern", while showing his "support and confidence in the firefighters and security forces working at the scene, and in each of the professionals who have gone to help."
Cresco Labs opened a new Pennsylvania store in Gettysburg at 1380 York Rd., #300. (Photo: Business Wire)

CHICAGO, February 23, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE:CL) (OTCQX:CRLBF) (FSE: 6CQ) ("Cresco" or "Company"), the industry leader in branded cannabis products with a portfolio of Americas most popular brands and the operator of Sunnyside dispensaries, today announced the opening of Sunnyside Gettysburg in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The new store is located at 1380 York Rd., #300, just off US Route 15 and 10 minutes away from the Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District. Todays opening brings Cresco Labs store count to 15 dispensaries in Pennsylvania and 72 locations nationally.

"Were delighted to bring Sunnyside to the historic town of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg National Military Park that averages 1 million visitors annually," said Charlie Bachtell, CEO and Co-founder of Cresco Labs. "We continue to invest in our core market of Pennsylvania, where we hold the number one branded market share position, and look forward to bringing safe, regulated cannabis products to a growing number of Pennsylvania residents."

Centrally located in Southern Pennsylvania, Gettysburg is in Adams County, a region with over 527,000 residents. Sunnyside Gettysburg is located in the Lincoln Commons Shopping Center that is easily accessible by car at the northwest quadrant of US Route 15 and PA Route 30, as well as by bus via the "rabbit transit", the main public transportation system serving both the town and county.

Sunnyside Gettysburg is dedicated to helping qualified patients and caregivers unlock all the benefits of medical marijuana. This location will offer a wide assortment of flower, vape, troche, concentrate, topical, capsule and tincture products from the Companys Cresco, Supply, FloraCal, Good News, Wonder Wellness Co. and Remedi brands. Patients can also shop a broad selection of accessories.

Patients and caregivers can place orders today both in store and online at www.sunnyside.shop. Store hours are Sunday through Thursday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Friday through Saturday, 9 AM to 7 PM.

Story continues

For more information about Cresco Labs, visit www.crescolabs.com. To learn more about Sunnyside, visit www.sunnyside.shop.

About Cresco Labs Inc.

Cresco Labs mission is to normalize and professionalize the cannabis industry through a CPG approach to building national brands and a customer-focused retail experience, while acting as a steward for the industry on legislative and regulatory-focused initiatives. As a leader in cultivation, production and branded product distribution, the Company is leveraging its scale and agility to grow its portfolio of brands that include Cresco, High Supply, FloraCal, Good News, Wonder Wellness Co., Mindys and Remedi, on a national level. The Company also operates highly productive dispensaries nationally under the Sunnyside brand that focus on building patient and consumer trust and delivering ongoing education and convenience in a wonderfully traditional retail experience. Through year-round policy, community outreach and SEED initiative efforts, Cresco Labs embraces the responsibility to support communities through authentic engagement, economic opportunity, investment, workforce development and legislative initiatives designed to create the most responsible, respectable and robust cannabis industry possible. Learn more about Cresco Labs journey by visiting www.crescolabs.com or following the Company on Facebook, X or LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223814577/en/

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Jason Erkes, Cresco Labs

Chief Communications Officer

press@crescolabs.com

312-953-2767



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Isabel Mendez Malaga Friday, 23 February 2024 | Updated 26/02/2024 08:25h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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The Dutch health authorities have sent the Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency an alert notification due to the presence of metal fragments in chocolate cookies. The products in question are Cookies Aux Trois Chocolats, from the brand Arizona; Grandino triple chocolate, by McEnnedy; and Nougatelli, by Sondey.

These items, which are being recalled, were sold in Aldi and Lidl supermarkets in Andalucia as well as in Catalonia, the Canary Islands, Valencia, Madrid, Murcia, Galicia and the Basque Country, and it is not ruled out that the list will be extended.

People who have products affected by this alert in their homes are advised not to consume them and to take them to the shop where they purchased them for a refund.

The details of the product marketed by ALDI are as follows:

- Product name: Cookies Aux Trois Chocolats

- Brand name: Arizona

- Appearance of the product: plastic packaging

- Batch number: 2334710

- Best-before date: 11/09/2024

The details of the products marketed by LIDL are as follows:

-Product name: Nougatelli

-Brand name: McEnnedy

-Product appearance: plastic packaging

-EAN code: 2059315

-Best before date: 10/12/2024

-Unit weight: 175g

-Product name: Grandino triple chocolate

-Brand name: Sondey

-Product appearance: Plastic wrap

-EAN code: 20706999

Best before date: 12/12/2024

-Unit weight: 200g
Regina Sotorrio Malaga Friday, 23 February 2024 | Updated 26/02/2024 08:27h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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There is always something that breaks scene. A look that should not be there, an element of surprise, an attitude that disturbs. "It's like a game. If not, it's not fun," the Malaga-born artist Alejandro Montiel states, at an exposition in the Ateneo, a cultural centre in Malaga. As soon as you enter, your eyes clock the portrait of Philip IV of Spain, originally painted by Velazquez in 1623, except here he is riding an inflatable T-Rex. To the right, Snow White and Cinderella discover eroticism. Because when Montiel has the opportunity to create freely, there truly are no rules.

The theme of 'Going back forward' uses technique and knowledge of tradition to break with norms. The exposition (open until 29 March), composed of 22 works, acts as a retrospective of the themes that have left their mark on the artist's career.

Montiel acknowledges feeling like an "outsider" from other artistic circles: he loves to paint, but flees from the conventions that these groups demand in order to have visibility.

The bureaucracy of securing a room, putting the exhibition online, working under pressure... For this reason, apart from one-off proposals from places like Kipfer & Lover, the majority of his work has been commissioned, with portraits in high demand. He is now overcoming this obstacle with the help of Sara Sarabia, arts manager and curator of this exhibition, with the collaboration of the Ateneo, Fundacion Malaga, and the MaF (Malaga de Festival).

In 'Going back forward', Montiel makes clear his classical training and his respect for the great teachers, without denying his touch of pop culture. He enjoys contrasting figures, as well as colours, with a critical backdrop that reflects society's hypocrisy and double standards. As Sarabia points out, social media censures images of breasts, but allows itself to be used as a platform for bullying, or as one that creates a false reality.

A clash of values which Montiel brings to its highest expression in 'Can I touch?' and 'Princess', where Disney princesses, in full colour - symbols of innocence, sweetness, and also of the submissive woman - mix with explicit, and somewhat aggresive, nudity, in black and white. He also turns to black and white in his groundbreaking work 'Nice day', a scene with a vintage aesthetic but which looks completely current: two children playing on a beach-trench while a tank approaches.

Eroticism is a constant theme in the work of this Malaga-born artist. "Nudity has always been present in the history of art," he states. Montiel presents it on a large scale, in almost two-metre-long paintings, like 'Don't you look at my girlfriend,' but also through the style of 'preciosity' in his smaller paintings, that deal with the sensitivity of detail in powerful sexual scenes, Sara Sarabia explains. In 'Sisters and pigs', which features a retro look, a nude woman whose gaze appeals directly to the viewer, becomes the conflicting presence in a relaxed meeting of sisters.

Modern young people with religious symbols (an areola, a crown of thorns, a t-shirt of Jesus) and a Barbie with a totally plastic appearance, contary to that expected for the world's most famous doll, complete the acid and ironic universe of Montiel.
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Marcellus, NY  Richard Nojaim, who has operated a grocery store in the heart of Marcellus for more than 40 years, wants to retire. Late last year, he found a buyer for his store and signed a contract.

Now, despite opposition from some in the community, the village board has put his plans to sell Nojaim Brothers supermarket to Stewarts Shops in jeopardy.

He said hes at a loss on what to do, especially after he thought the village leaders were on board with the plan.

Im disappointed, hurt, frustrated and humiliated, Nojaim told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard Thursday morning.

The Marcellus Village Board, which consists of the mayor and two trustees, Wednesday night unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on land use approvals in the village center.

That decision hits the brakes, for now, on Nojaims agreement to sell to Stewarts, the convenience store chain. Stewarts wants to build a smaller market on the lot, with three or four gas pumps.

The village mayor has said the decision isnt meant to hurt Nojaim. Its about studying whats best for the village, including whether there should be gas pumps on the main business strip, he told syracuse.com before the vote.

But many in the community arent buying it.

The Marcellus Village Board, which consists of the mayor and two trustees, Wednesday night unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on land use approvals in the village center. That decision hits the brakes, for now, on Nojaims agreement to sell to Stewarts, the convenience store chain.Nate Mink

Nearly 150 people turned out at a public hearing Wednesday night on the moratorium, with more than a dozen residents speaking in favor of Nojaims sale. Four people spoke in favor of the moratorium.

Then the three-person board approved the six-month moratorium. Some residents booed the board after the vote.

Stewarts officials have said they would wait out the six months. But the village could extend the moratorium even longer.

I wont wait that long, Nojaim said. Ill just have to close the store and liquidate. Thats a financial hardship as Id have to pay taxes and insurance on an empty building.

Nojaim told syracuse.com hes surprised at the turn of events.

He said he met with Marcellus Mayor John Jack Murphy, who was appointed to the job last fall, in December to tell him about the plan to sell to Stewarts. Nojaim said the mayor never mentioned a possible moratorium.

Then, in January, he and Stewarts representatives again met with the mayor, along with several other village officials. Again, there was no mention of a possible moratorium, and no indication there was opposition to the gas pumps, Nojaim said.

There was not one word about a moratorium, Nojaim said, and the mayor shook my hand and said hed do anything he could to help me.

Murphy did not return calls or texts to syracuse.com on Thursday. Jeff Brown, lawyer for Marcellus, said the mayor was traveling.

The Marcellus village board posted a letter on its website Thursday defending the vote, reiterating the decision isnt meant to target Nojaims sale to Stewarts.

This is a nuanced issue, with many more parts than just the emotional components of the loss of a beloved part of Marcellus life, gas pumps in the village center, a possibly abandoned building, and Rich Nojaims ability to retire, the board wrote. We ask that you allow the process to work, ensuring a successful resolution.

Nojaim, for his part, thanked the community for their support, and posted a message on social media:

It really means the world to us to know that our community still backs us, just as you have for the last 42 years, even though we will not be around for much longer, he wrote. This is a very difficult moment for us all, but your support gives us the strength to keep moving forward.

Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com
New York  A well-known New York City fish market is suing Wegmans and several of the chains business partners for allegedly stealing the local shops ideas and business model.

The local shop, Osakana, sued in state Supreme Court in New York City last week. The suit is seeking at least $1 million in damages.

The suit stems from the opening of Wegmans Astor Place store in New York City last year. The store includes a high-end, Japanese-style fish market known as Sakanaya.

The local shop, Osakana, and its owner, Yuji Haraguchi, alleged the defendants in the suit stole his ideas and business model to use in the Astor Place store. The lawsuit said Wegmans and the other companies involved ripped off Haraguchis lifework.

The saga began when a business known as Culinary Collaborations approached Haraguchi about buying his Osakana market, according to Grub Street, a food-focused news site from New York magazine. Culinary Collaborations also happens to be Wegmans fish broker, Grub Street said.

Haraguchi and Culinary Collaborations signed a nondisclosure agreement to discuss the sale and Haraguchi then revealed trade secrets, practices and financial information, according to Grub Street.

When Wegmans Sakanaya opened soon after, Culinary Collaborations told Haraguchi that it planned to run both Sakanaya and Osakana, Grub Street said. But soon after, the company backed out of the purchase of Osakana and disappeared, Haraguchi said, according to Grub Street.

Sakanaya bears an uncanny and confusingly similar resemblance to Haraguchis business, the lawsuit stated, according to PIX 11 in New York City. The market shares everything, even down to Osakanas font, the station said.

The interest in buying Osakana was ultimately a scam aimed at obtaining Haraguchis business know-how, according to the suit.

Wegmans, Culinary Collaborations and four other companies all worked together to open Sakanaya at Astor Place. Osakana is suing them all. The other businesses are Culimer USA, Red Shell Sushi, Uoriki Seafoods and Uoriki America.

We are aware that a lawsuit has been filed against us regarding our fish market, Sakanaya, within our Astor Place store, Wegmans said in a statement. We are confident that the claims against Wegmans are without merit.

Wegmans, based in Rochester, has 110 stores in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598
daily mail dmg

The publisher of The Daily Mail has said it should be allowed to take over The Telegraph to bulk up and challenge the power of Google and other tech giants.

In a submission to the House of Lords communications committee, DMG Media dismissed concerns that it would hold too big a share of the news market if it bought The Telegraph, saying British media outlets were now minnows compared to their US tech rivals.

Instead, it argued that regulators should take a wider view of competition to take into account that newspapers command a dwindling share of the news market.

DMG Media told an inquiry into the future of news: If Britain is to maintain a world-class news publishing industry it must have the resources to attract the best talent, negotiate with tech giants, invest in new formats and operate on a global scale. This means competition rules must change.

It came after rival bidder Sir Paul Marshall was accused of endorsing extremist content from far-right and conspiracy theory accounts on social media.

An investigation by the anti-extremism group Hope Not Hate found Sir Paul had repeatedly liked and retweeted posts that called for mass deportations and claimed Britain was facing a looming civil war between native Europeans and fake refugee invaders.

All tweets and over 300 likes have since been removed from the account. A spokesman said the sample did not represent Sir Pauls views.

The Telegraph is in line to be controlled by an Abu Dhabi-backed fund, but the deal is currently being reviewed by Ofcom as a potential threat to press freedom. The publisher of The Daily Mail is among other potential bidders hoping the deal will be blocked.

DMG Media said: In a world where there is only one search engine and two AI developers, news publishers will have to consolidate.

Plurality of news must be measured across the whole spectrum that any member of the public can access on their smartphone.

The Daily Mail, which is owned by Jonathan Harmsworth, Lord Rothermere, was among suitors to express interest in buying The Telegraph when it was put up for sale last year by Lloyds Banking Group, which seized control of the newspaper from the Barclay family over 1.2bn in unpaid debts.

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However, its bid was derailed after RedBird IMI, a fund 75pc backed by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the vice-president of the United Arab Emirates, struck a complex deal to gain control of the newspaper after repaying the debts.

Interest from DMG Media, which owns Metro and The i as well as the Mail titles, has sparked concerns about the further consolidation of power into a handful of media owners.

Lord Rothermere currently commands around 40pc market share in UK newspapers. An acquisition of The Telegraph would push this over 50pc.

Former Cabinet minister Sir David Davis last year warned that increasing the media tycoons market power would have serious and worrying implications for our democracy.

He quoted comments from Stanley Baldwin, then-leader of the Conservative Party, who in 1931 warned about the danger of letting only a few individuals dominate the news industry.

DMG Media dismissed these comments, saying they might have been pertinent in 1931, or even in 1981, but in the digital age everything is changed.

The publisher argued that, with combined revenues of 1.25bn, the Mail and Telegraph would be a quarter of the size of the BBC and just 0.4pc the size of Google owner Alphabet.

News organisations have long argued that tech giants such as Facebook and Google were cannibalising advertising revenues at the expense of publishers.

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has compounded the concern amid accusations that tech developers have breached copyright on a vast scale by using news articles to train their chatbots. DMG Media is currently considering legal action against Google over claims the tech firm used hundreds of thousands of its articles without permission.

It is in discussions with both Google and ChatGPT maker OpenAI about potential licensing deals. However, it branded OpenAIs terms inadequate and said Google had merely offered free use of its products in lieu of payment.

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Syracuse, N.Y. -- A Syracuse man who admitted he fatally stabbed another man during a fight in Syracuses Strathmore neighborhood in 2022 apologized to the mans family at his sentencing Friday.

I wish I could go back, Christopher Bieling said. I really did like the guy and I didnt want any of this to happen.

Bieling, 49, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stabbing David Reynolds, 52, several times during a fight in the 200 block of Reed Avenue on Oct. 3, 2022.

He previously pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. Bieling was initially charged with second-degree murder and was facing 25 years to life.

His attorney, Susan Carey, previously argued that he was acting in self-defense. She explained in court Friday that Bieling had several defensive wounds after the fight.

Before Bieling was sentenced, Reynolds siblings addressed the court in emotional statements about the impact of losing their brother.

Jesse Reynolds, the victims younger brother, said that while his brother had made many bad choices in life, he was an incredibly charismatic person and remained close with his family despite his hardships.

He said that Reynolds was supposed to be in his wedding party when he was married in September. It is hard to celebrate milestones and holidays without him, he said.

Jesse Reynolds said that no amount of prison time would be enough in his eyes for the loss of his brother.

Reynolds youngest sister, Heidi Palmer, spoke through sobs as she talked about her late brother. She said that the two had been very close as children and were able to rekindle that closeness as adults and now she is left with so much grief.

Judge Gordon Cuffy said Reynolds siblings statements moved him and he echoed Bielings wish that he have gone back and made better choices.

***

David Reynolds obituary

***

David Reynolds, 52, was fatally stabbed in Syracuse's Strathmore neighborhood on Oct. 4, 2022. Provided by Carter Funeral Home

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Party on, Upstate New York.

Four of the top-rated places for a night out in the United States are in the Empire State...and all north of the Big Apple.

A new ranking has deemed three Upstate cities among the top 50 party cities in the nation. A fourth city made it into the top 100 of the list by BonusFinder.com, a casino review website that analyzed everything from the number of bars and casinos to the time of last calls in 101 communities to craft its ranking.

Syracuse, the Salt City at the heart of Upstate New York, was dubbed the 27th best party city in the U.S.  ranking high for its number of bars, the price of the citys hotel rooms and the average cost of taxi rides from the airport to downtown Syracuse.

Albany came in just below Syracuse, landing at No. 28 on the list. The state capital ranked particularly high thanks to its near-perfect score for boasting affordable hotels.

The other two Upstate cities on the list of great party places fell much lower on the ranking: Rochester claimed the No. 50 spot, while Buffalo placed at No. 80.

With a perfect 10/10 score, Atlantic City in New Jersey was crowned the best party city in the nation. New York City came in last place at 101.
By Joshua Solomon | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  Democrats who are considering whether to accept an independent commissions proposed congressional boundaries for New York are proposing legislation that  should they redraw the maps  could require any legal challenge of that process to be filed in state Supreme Court in Albany.

The legislation is wending quietly through the Legislature two years after Republicans had waged a successful legal challenge in deep-red Steuben County of the prior congressional boundaries that were redrawn by the Democrat-controlled Senate and Assembly.

The preemptive legislation is being considered as the final look of New Yorks congressional boundaries remains uncertain heading into an election cycle that will decide both the presidency and control of Congress.

Republicans and Stop NY Corruption, a recently formed organization that purports to be opposed to the corrupt act of gerrymandering, have threatened a lawsuit if the Legislature adopts congressional boundaries that differ from the plan the bipartisan state Independent Redistricting Commission approved last week in a 9-1 vote.

The commissions proposal is generally viewed as providing Democrats with one additional favorable district than they have under the current boundaries. But the commissions proposed maps are far short of the initial boundaries Democrats sought when they drew maps in 2022 that were found by the courts to be unconstitutional and created to improperly favor that partys candidates.

Questions about whether the Legislature will adopt the commissions maps mounted after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said through a spokesman last week that the proposed maps should be meticulously scrutinized and that there is reason to be concerned with the failure of the commission to address many of the flaws in the current map.

The way the boundaries are drawn can have substantial influence on which candidates or political parties have a reasonable chance of winning a seat.

Democrats have fought in court for months to have the commission draw new boundaries in place of the current districts, which were drawn by a court-appointed special master in 2022 after the Court of Appeals ruled they needed to be redone.

But a decision in December from a retooled Court of Appeals granted Democrats petition that required the redistricting commission to finish its job and redraw the maps for the remainder of the decade  rather then the ones crafted by a court-appointed expert. But that decision also gave the Legislature another chance to approve or amend the maps sent to them by the commission.

As the Legislature weighs a decision on the next move, it remains unclear if state lawmakers will decide to toss out and redraw new congressional districts instead of approving the commissions proposal. Its also unclear if the proposed legislation limiting any legal challenges to an Albany court would be passed and go into effect before a potential legal challenge could be filed.

If the bill is rushed through both houses and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul, it could halt Republicans from implementing a similar strategy they executed in 2022, when they filed a lawsuit in Steuben County that was assigned to a Republican state Supreme Court justice.

The bill moved to a third and final reading in the state Senate on Feb. 7, one week after being introduced. The version in the Assembly, which typically is the more deliberative body in the statehouse, has not moved out of its initial committee  Government Operations.

We felt that the forum shopping that was done was inappropriate and that we should have a venue to bring these types of cases, bill sponsor Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli said in an interview Wednesday.

Magnarelli, D-Syracuse, first proposed the legislation in 2022. He insisted the bill is not tied to the unfolding debate over whether the commissions proposed maps should be accepted.

It has nothing to do with what were doing with the maps at this point in time, Magnarelli said. I dont believe that this piece of legislation is going to have an affect on what is going on right now. We have to deal with this much sooner than this legislation could get passed.

A legislative source indicated there are three-way discussions between the Legislature and governors office about preventing any alleged judge shopping on redistricting challenges. A proposal could contemplate regions in which a reapportionment case can be brought, as opposed to just in Albany, according to the source.

Magnarelli said he is not in any talks about crafting this bill in a different way, amending the bill, but that he has heard some people feel that its not going to get any better by picking Albany. There are both Republican and Democratic state Supreme Court justices in the seven-county Third Judicial District that includes Albany.

Its still rolling the dice as far as trying to pick a judge thats going to be favorable to your way of thinking, Magnarelli said. Thats probably true to a certain extent, but that wasnt the reason for the bill.

Instead, Magnarelli said, it was to allow a certain court to develop expertise on the subject and for these cases to be conducted in a court that is centrally located.

This bill would standardize the process for challenging reapportionment, and prevent plaintiffs from shopping around for the venue that might be most favorable to its narrow interests, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, D-Brooklyn, said in a statement about the legislation he carries in the upper house.

State Senate Democrats conferenced on the redistricting issue on Monday; Assembly Democrats are expected to discuss the issue on Friday, according to legislative sources.

Petitioning for candidates to run for Congress is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. The Court of Appeals required the commission to submit its maps to the Legislature by the end of the month, but that order does not appear to specify by when lawmakers need to approve a plan.

The legislation would likely come into play if lawmakers draw new maps for congressional districts or if there are later challenges to state Senate boundaries, which remain untouched although created under the same process.

Republicans have made clear that attempts by Democrats to alter the bipartisan commissions congressional map would result in litigation.

Its time to end the chaos and confusion Albany Democrats and D.C. Democrats have insisted on torturing New Yorkers with for illegal, self-serving political calculation and power grabbing, said former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, who ran in a tight contest for governor two years ago and has since frequently stumped with the GOP on the issue. If the Democrats in the Legislature insist on playing even more hyperpartisan political games, they are going to find themselves right back in court.

In 2022, acting state Supreme Court Justice Patrick F. McAllister ruled the Democrat-controlled Legislatures maps were both an unconstitutional gerrymander intended to favor the ruling party and created through an invalid process. McAllisters decision was upheld on appeal.

The Court of Appeals 4-3 ruling in April 2022 returned the influential map-drawing process back with McAllisters court in the Southern Tier town of Bath, which is home to about 12,000 people.

There was no bipartisan (Independent Redistricting Commission) maps, McAllister wrote in his order issuing the current congressional boundaries. Therefore the court thought it best to develop unbiased independent maps.

McAllister noted the court considered the proposed maps of the dueling partisan divisions of the commission, but it did not find it appropriate to adopt one of those maps because to chose one would mean the court would have to favor either the proposed maps of the Democratic or Republican factions of the commission.

The resulting map led to congressional races in New York that yielded wins for 15 Democrats and 11 Republicans. The GOP victories have been widely credited as helping to secure the partys control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

___

(c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
Zoran Jankovic, Mayor of the city of Ljubljana has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

His Excellency Mr. Iham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

"Your Excellency Mr. President,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the leadership of the City of Ljubljana, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on your victory in the recent presidential elections.

Your success in winning the trust and faith of the people is a testament to your dedication, leadership, and vision for the future of the Republic of Azerbaijan. I am confident that your term in office will be marked by prosperity and success, and the realization of the aspirations of the nation, as you lead it once again with integrity, compassion, and wisdom.

Together with the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I look forward to all the achievements and further developments they will experience under your leadership. On a personal note, I wish you all that the fire in the land of fires never dies.

Good luck and welcome to Ljubljana anytime!

Yours sincerely,

Zoran Jankovic

Mayor of the city of Ljubljana"
Strengths: Robust brand recognition and innovative marketing with the Aflac Duck, leading market position in Japan.

Weaknesses: Exposure to competitive pressures and regulatory changes, reliance on independent distribution channels.

Opportunities: Expansion into digital sales methods, leveraging partnerships and acquisitions.

Threats: Catastrophic events, competitive landscape shifts, and regulatory scrutiny.

On February 22, 2024, Aflac Inc (NYSE:AFL) filed its 10-K report, revealing a company that has cemented its place as a leader in supplemental health and life insurance in the U.S. and Japan. With a history spanning over six decades, Aflac Inc has developed a comprehensive portfolio of insurance products designed to alleviate financial stress during medical events. The company's financial tables reflect a strategy focused on innovation and customer-centric product development, with a consistent and straightforward growth trajectory in its two largest markets. Aflac Inc's marketing prowess, particularly its iconic Aflac Duck, has significantly enhanced brand awareness, contributing to its strong market presence. As we delve into the SWOT analysis, we will explore how Aflac Inc's financial health and strategic initiatives position it within the competitive insurance landscape.

Decoding Aflac Inc (AFL): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Brand Recognition and Marketing Excellence: Aflac Inc's brand strength is a formidable asset, with the Aflac Duck campaign catapulting brand awareness from a mere 10% to one of the most recognized icons in advertising. This brand power is not just superficial; it translates into customer loyalty and trust, which are critical in the insurance industry. Aflac Inc's marketing strategy has effectively communicated the value of its products, leading to a dominant position in Japan as the largest insurer by policies in force for cancer and medical insurance products. The company's ability to maintain top-of-mind awareness through innovative marketing initiatives has been a key driver of its sustained market share.

Story continues

Market Leadership in Japan: Aflac Japan's contribution to the parent company's consolidated earnings is a testament to its strength in the Japanese insurance market. As the principal contributor, Aflac Japan's operating results reflect a deep understanding of customer needs and a product suite tailored to the Japanese market. This segment's performance is indicative of Aflac Inc's ability to leverage its strengths in a competitive international market, ensuring a diversified revenue stream and reducing reliance on any single market.

Weaknesses

Regulatory and Compliance Risks: Aflac Inc operates in a highly regulated environment, with stringent oversight from various governmental authorities. The complexity and ever-changing nature of these regulations pose a significant challenge, as compliance requires substantial resources and continuous vigilance. Any failure to adhere to these regulations could result in costly penalties, legal battles, and damage to the company's reputation. The proposed regulations in July 2023, if enacted, could materially affect Aflac U.S.'s sales, highlighting the vulnerability of the company's operations to regulatory changes.

Reliance on Independent Distribution Channels: Aflac Inc's distribution model is heavily reliant on independent sales associates, brokers, and other partners. While this allows for a broad reach and flexibility, it also introduces risks associated with maintaining a motivated and effective sales force. The competitive landscape for attracting and retaining top sales talent is fierce, and any shift in focus by these independent contractors to competitors' products could adversely affect Aflac Inc's sales and market position. Additionally, the company's expansion into digital sales methods, while promising, requires careful execution to avoid cannibalizing its existing sales channels.

Opportunities

Digital Transformation and Innovation: Aflac Inc's strategic investments in digital enhancements and innovation present significant opportunities for growth. The shift towards digital sales methods aligns with changing consumer behaviors, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. By capitalizing on digital lead generation and online sales platforms, Aflac Inc can reach a wider audience, improve customer engagement, and streamline operations. The company's focus on cultivating an innovation-driven culture, particularly in Japan, positions it to rapidly adapt to societal shifts and emerging market demands.

Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions: Aflac Inc's approach to growth through strategic partnerships and acquisitions offers pathways to expand its product distribution and enter new markets. The company's agreements with 360 banks in Japan to market its products and its investments in distribution opportunities in the U.S. demonstrate a proactive stance in leveraging external relationships to drive sales. These collaborations can also provide Aflac Inc with valuable insights into customer preferences and competitive strategies, informing future product development and marketing campaigns.

Threats

Catastrophic Events and Climate Change: Aflac Inc's exposure to catastrophic events, including those resulting from climate change, poses a significant threat to its financial stability. The potential for increased frequency and severity of natural disasters could lead to higher claims and volatility in financial results. Additionally, such events can disrupt the company's operations and infrastructure, necessitating robust crisis management and contingency planning to mitigate these risks. The company's proactive approach to integrating climate change-related risks into its credit review process is a step in the right direction, but the unpredictable nature of these events remains a looming threat.

Intensifying Competition: The insurance industry is characterized by intense competition, with companies vying for market share through product innovation, pricing strategies, and customer service. Aflac Inc's competitors, including major medical carriers expanding into supplemental products, pose a threat to the company's profitability and market position. The bundling and discounting of products by these carriers to gain market share could pressure Aflac Inc to adjust its own pricing and product offerings, potentially impacting its margins and growth prospects.

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.


dragracer567 BHPian



Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Bahrain Posts: 929 Thanked: 4,950 Times

Re: Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force CCS approves proposal to design and manufacture the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)



The CCS has finally given the long pending approval to finally design and manufacture the first prototypes of the AMCA. A total of 5 prototypes will be assembled with the first one expected by 2026-28. The jets will initially come with the GE F414 engines which will be assembled in India and shared with the Tejas MK-2. However, latter versions will likely have an engine developed indigenously in collaboration with Safran of France though Rolls Royce and GE are also in talks. So, the Tejas MK-2 prototype was cleared in 2022, so likely both would enter service concurrently.



This is after the wake-up call where it seemed increasingly likely that both the KAAN and the JC-31 would enter Pakistani service while we still haven't decided on MRFA and just recently decided to buy more MK-1As (good move) to save time. However, some comments on social media seem to indicate that the Turks followed a different model where they prioritized the first flight over sensor integration while the AMCA's first prototype would come with all the sensors integrated - so the overall timeline for induction would be the same - not sure how true this is however.



That said, the wake-up call should've been when the Chinese themselves got the fifth-gen fighters. Infact, while the western media talks about the US-China Cold War, the real competition is between India and China as Narayan sir indicated in the post below. India-China relations are at their lowest in decades, so much so that the initial taboo over naming China has passed over with the EAM pointing sharp verbal attacks on China during many of his recent international public interactions. There seems to be a general confusion - especially in the west about Indian neutrality - India is neutral only with Russia, when it comes to China, India is probably the most active in countering Chinese influence in the IOR and slowly even in the Eastern Pacific. The Vietnamese and Philippines increasingly look to India as a net security provider as we are in the Red Sea crisis but we need to build our capability to fill this role.



Quote: V.Narayan Originally Posted by In a way we are now in a cold war with China. We have berthing & fueling rights in Vietnam, we are selling Brahmos anti-ship missiles to Philippines and they are snuggling into Maldives, not to mention Gwadar and Djibouti. The CCS has finally given the long pending approval to finally design and manufacture the first prototypes of the AMCA. A total of 5 prototypes will be assembled with the first one expected by 2026-28. The jets will initially come with the GE F414 engines which will be assembled in India and shared with the Tejas MK-2. However, latter versions will likely have an engine developed indigenously in collaboration with Safran of France though Rolls Royce and GE are also in talks. So, the Tejas MK-2 prototype was cleared in 2022, so likely both would enter service concurrently.This is after the wake-up call where it seemed increasingly likely that both the KAAN and the JC-31 would enter Pakistani service while we still haven't decided on MRFA and just recently decided to buy more MK-1As (good move) to save time. However, some comments on social media seem to indicate that the Turks followed a different model where they prioritized the first flight over sensor integration while the AMCA's first prototype would come with all the sensors integrated - so the overall timeline for induction would be the same - not sure how true this is however.That said, the wake-up call should've been when the Chinese themselves got the fifth-gen fighters. Infact, while the western media talks about the US-China Cold War, the real competition is between India and China as Narayan sir indicated in the post below. India-China relations are at their lowest in decades, so much so that the initial taboo over naming China has passed over with the EAM pointing sharp verbal attacks on China during many of his recent international public interactions. There seems to be a general confusion - especially in the west about Indian neutrality - India is neutral only with Russia, when it comes to China, India is probably the most active in countering Chinese influence in the IOR and slowly even in the Eastern Pacific. The Vietnamese and Philippines increasingly look to India as a net security provider as we are in the Red Sea crisis but we need to build our capability to fill this role. Last edited by dragracer567 : 9th March 2024 at 12:36 .
Why it matters: Nokia is introducing new products and features designed to improve energy efficiency, storage, and consumption in the mobile market. Cell towers can be turned into energy sources with a new software, providing monetary and environmental advantages for a carrier's business.

Nokia's latest proposal for mobile operators is the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Controller Software, a "near-real-time" platform designed to exploit battery systems installed in cell towers making money out of them. Nokia said it has "successfully" completed several trial tests of VPP, and the company is now ready to sell the new solution to mobile carriers that own cell towers.

Base station backup batteries are usually idle as power cuts aren't that frequent anymore, Nokia says. Thanks to VPP, cell tower operators can create a new purpose for those mostly idling batteries. The software can "seamlessly" switch the cell tower's power source from the grid to backup batteries, thus lowering energy costs in electricity spot markets during peak demand periods.

VPP can also turn batteries into energy sources for the grid, providing electricity for the market. Cell towers can become part of an electricity grid's reserve power, Nokia says, helping with reducing power cuts and CO2 footprint. VPP Controller Software checks if batteries can be safely used to return energy to the grid by estimating the "extra" capacity available, which is of course done by using machine learning algorithms to create "smart offerings" based on actual power consumption.

The VPP platform, which seemingly comprises both a local software component and near real-time remote "processing servers," can also manage the auction bidding process in the power reserve market. This also includes the Fast Frequency Reserve market, Nokia states, where sub-second reaction times are required to properly monetize the cell tower batteries.

Nokia President of Mobile Networks Tommi Uitto said that VPP is an innovation that will help the company's customers (i.e., mobile infrastructure operators) monetize the energy stored in backup batteries while reducing carbon emissions at the same time. The Finnish corporation wants to "maximize" energy efficiency, combining hardware and software features to reduce consumption and network costs.

Besides VPP's new software platform, Nokia is also introducing new "product enhancements" designed to pursue the aforementioned energy efficiency maximization. Nokia's radio hardware can now provide an "extreme deep sleep" cell-switch-off mode, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 97 percent in low-traffic situations. A complete switch-off mode with zero energy consumption is available as well, while the new MantaRay Energy solution can optimize energy-saving features in RAN equipment with AI algorithms.
Facepalm: Don't believe everything that you read online, especially when it comes from a social media post. Some internet users were in a frenzy recently after a screenshot apparently showed an email from Google stating it was "sunsetting" Gmail. The message was, of course, not real and only a joke, but it's still been viewed 6.7 million times and gained 1,247 reposts. It also prompted Google to respond to the hoax.

The post on X included an edited message sent from Google. It read that as of August 1, 2024, Gmail will officially be sunsetted, marking the end of its service. "This means that as of this date, Gmail will no longer support sending, receiving, or storing emails," the notice explained.

The post was satire, naturally. While Google is infamous for the number of products and services it has added to its graveyard over the years, Gmail is massively popular, with almost 2 billion users worldwide.

What Google has killed off is the basic HTML version of Gmail, which lacked many of the service's features and was only kept around for those using very slow internet connections and ancient web browsers.

this is insane. I hate this company pic.twitter.com/pXBRezPAyX  Daniel (@growing_daniel) February 22, 2024

The fake post uses an edited version of the notice Google sent out to tell customers that the basic HTML version of Gmail was being killed off.

The post did fool a lot of people, enough that Google felt the need to respond. The official Gmail X/Twitter account posted a single line that read: "Gmail is here to stay."

Gmail is here to stay.  Gmail (@gmail) February 22, 2024

Something that Google really is shutting down in the US is the Google Pay app. With (most of) the rest of the world now using Google Wallet instead of Google Pay, the United States will also be transitioning to the former. The Google Pay app will be shuttered on June 4. Users will be able to continue viewing their balance and transferring funds to their bank account after June 4 by going to the Google Pay website.

Hoaxes are easy to come by on X, especially now that people can pay for their blue verification checkmark. One of the more famous examples came in 2022 when a person pretending to be Eli Lilly crashed the pharmaceutical company's stock price after they tweeted it would no longer charge for insulin.
A hot potato: As long as there has been social media, there have been concerns about its addictive nature, especially when it comes to young people and children. It's led to several lawsuits, and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg is trying to ensure that he isn't held personally liable.

There are two dozen lawsuits that accuse Meta and other social media platforms of purposely designing their products in a way that makes them addictive to children. There are also claims that the companies knowingly allow underage users to open and operate accounts.

In an attempt to ensure he is not held personally liable, Zuckerberg will be appearing at a hearing today in California federal court, writes Bloomberg.

The odds are certainly in Zuckerberg's favor. Corporate law traditionally shields executives from liability, particularly at massive companies like Meta where many people are involved in the decision-making process.

If Zuckerberg wins his case, he would be dismissed as a personal defendant in the litigation, though the allegations against Meta would not be impacted.

It's claimed that Zuckerberg was repeatedly warned that Facebook and Instagram were not safe for children, but he ignored the findings and publicly stated the platforms were safe for kids.

"Zuckerberg, the world's fourth-richest person as of Thursday, has argued that he can't be held personally responsible for actions at Meta just because he's the CEO," writes Bloomberg. "As for the statements made by Zuckerberg himself, his lawyers claim that they were generalized or covered by the US Constitution's First Amendment protection of free speech and that Zuckerberg didn't have a duty to disclose the safety findings that were allegedly reported to him."

The two dozen cases that name Zuckerberg come from more than 1,000 suits in state and families filed by families and public school districts against Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snap. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, who is overseeing the cases, has dismissed some while allowing others to proceed.

One of the biggest controversies Meta/Facebook has ever had to deal with was in 2021 when leaked documents revealed it had spent the last few years examining the effects Instagram had on younger users' mental health, and that it knew just how harmful the social network was to kids, especially teenage girls.

In January last year, Seattle schools sued social media companies for causing a "mental health crisis" among children. Over 40 states did the same thing last October.

In 2022, Washington DC's attorney general Karl A. Racine sued Zuckerberg over the Cambridge Analytica incident, holding the CEO personally liable for his role in the company's largest-ever privacy debacle.

In November, a new study that used data from over 2 million people disputed claims that the internet, smartphones, and apps are detrimental to users' mental health. The researchers said they looked for a smoking gun linking tech with mental well-being but didn't find it.
The big picture: This new AI-powered tool reflects a growing trend. From Google Photos to Adobe's Firefly, more apps are integrating smart algorithms to enhance and streamline photo editing. As the underlying AI continues to advance, anticipate even more sophisticated capabilities on the horizon.

Microsoft is introducing a new AI-powered editing tool called Generative Erase to its Photos app for Windows 11 and 10. Generative Erase allows users to seamlessly remove unwanted elements from their photos with just a few brush strokes.

The feature works similarly to Google's Magic Eraser, which debuted back in 2022 on the Pixel 6. In fact, built-in object erasers are now quite common across various Android skins. Microsoft aims to integrate a similar experience natively into Windows.

To use the new tool, go to the Edit tab in Photos and select Erase. You can then brush over any objects you want removed  be it an ex, a street sign, or just to crop out unwanted background clutter. The app will analyze the surroundings and generate a realistic fill to cover the erased parts. For finer selections, you can turn off Auto Apply and manually paint erase masks.

The new feature builds upon the existing Spot Fix tool in the Photos app by utilizing AI to produce more natural-looking results, especially when erasing large sections of an image, according to Microsoft.

This isn't the first AI-powered editing feature on Photos, though. The app recently received auto background removal, blurring, and replacement features. Additionally, there's an Auto Enhance button that spruces up photos with just one click.

Microsoft is bringing all these features to both Windows 11 and 10, including Arm64 devices. Users will need to be on Photos version 2024.11020.21001.0 or later.

The rollout of Generative Erase began on February 22. We are not seeing it on our end as of writing, so it's possibly being rolled out in stages. If you don't have it either, try checking for app updates manually via the Microsoft Store.

It's unclear if AI-edited images will contain metadata or watermarks to indicate they've been altered. Microsoft has not provided details on this. For now, the edits appear seamless and largely undetectable.
Almost nine days after the start of Odysseus' mission, it has successfully landed on the Moon, with the latest update from NASA and Intuitive Machines confirming the historical event for humankind's return to the natural satellite. This is the first landing by the United States on the lunar surface since the last mission in 1972, best known as the Apollo 17 venture.

For over 50 years since the last US Moon mission, the country has prepared for its fated return, soon to bring a new team of astronauts, including the first woman to the lunar rock.

Odysseus Moon Landing: What Happened Since 1972?

Intuitive Machines and NASA recently shared the successful landing of Odysseus, and this marks the return of the United States to the lunar satellite after more than 50 years since the last mission. In 1972, the Apollo 17 mission was recorded to be the last crewed mission to venture to the Moon which launched on December 7, 1972, and reached the lunar surface four days later on December 11.

The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian said that the reason behind the Apollo 18 and 19 missions' shutdown was to save money and allocate it to other NASA programs at the time.

Notably, the focus was on NASA's Space Shuttle program, consisting of multiple spacecraft offering partial reusability for low-Earth orbit (LEO) flights that first started in 1981.

Apollo's legacy did not end, especially with NASA's plan to return to the Moon under the Artemis mission, using the name of the Greek goddess known for being the twin sibling of the god of the Sun. In 2022, on Apollo's 50th anniversary, the Artemis I mission made a splash in the Pacific, said to be a commemoration of the famed Apollo 17 mission.

Read Also: Odysseus: Houston's Intuitive Machines Marks Lunar History with Pioneering US Private Sector Landing

Apollo 17: The Last Successful US Moon Mission

Odysseus would not be here if it were not for the Apollo missions, with the last being the Apollo 17 mission.

This brought astronauts Eugene A. Cernan, commander; Ronald E. Evans, command module pilot; and Harrison H. Schmitt, lunar module pilot to the Moon. It consisted of the CM (command module) and LM (lunar module) which separated on orbit, with one astronaut, Schmitt, staying on the LM in orbit, with Cernan and Evans going on the CM to land on the lunar surface.

Apollo 1 started in 1967 but its astronauts met a terrible fate from a flash fire. It was not until 1969 that the US saw a successful landing on the Moon with Apollo 11, featuring Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins.

United States and NASA's Moon Mission

While it was almost half a century's wait before significant ventures were launched for the United States and NASA's return to the Moon, the space agency is no longer alone in its quest to make history again.

The Space Launch System (SLS) is known for being a collaboration from NASA, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing, alongside the Orion spacecraft which was made by Lockheed Martin.

Artemis may be NASA's main program, it supports other Moon missions from private space companies, with the most recent one from Houston's Intuitive Machines, one that made history with its successful lunar landing, marking the US' return to the Moon.

Related Article: A U.S.-Manufactured Spacecraft Touches Down on the Moon After 50 Years

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CF Industries Holdings Inc (NYSE:CF) leverages its position as a leading nitrogen producer with a focus on sustainable practices.

Strategic investments in carbon-free ammonia production signal CF's commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.

Despite strengths, CF faces challenges from cybersecurity threats and the volatility of natural gas prices.

Opportunities for growth in clean energy sectors contrast with potential regulatory and terrorism-related threats.

On February 22, 2024, CF Industries Holdings Inc (NYSE:CF) filed its annual 10-K report, providing a comprehensive overview of its financial performance and strategic direction. As a leading producer and distributor of nitrogen, primarily for fertilizers, CF Industries operates a robust manufacturing network in North America and the United Kingdom. The company's financial health is underpinned by its strategic focus on low-cost U.S. natural gas as a feedstock, positioning it as one of the most cost-efficient nitrogen producers globally. CF Industries is also pioneering in the production of carbon-free blue and green ammonia, aligning with the growing demand for clean energy solutions. The financial tables within the filing reveal a company with solid assets and a commitment to expanding its production capabilities, as evidenced by the recent acquisition of an ammonia production facility in Louisiana and ongoing capacity expansion projects.

Decoding CF Industries Holdings Inc (CF): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Market Position and Cost Efficiency: CF Industries Holdings Inc (NYSE:CF) stands out as one of the world's largest nitrogen producers, with a strategic advantage stemming from its use of low-cost U.S. natural gas. This feedstock choice not only enhances CF's cost efficiency but also supports its competitive pricing strategy in the global market. The company's extensive network of manufacturing complexes and distribution capabilities further solidify its market position, enabling it to meet the high demand for nitrogen-based products effectively.

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Investment in Sustainable Solutions: CF's commitment to sustainability is evident in its investments in carbon-free ammonia production. By focusing on blue and green ammonia, CF is positioning itself at the forefront of the clean energy transition. This strategic move not only aligns with global environmental goals but also opens up new market opportunities in energy, fertilizer, and industrial sectors seeking low-carbon solutions.

Weaknesses

Cybersecurity Risks: In an era where digital threats are escalating, CF Industries acknowledges the potential impact of cyberattacks on its operations. Despite not experiencing significant disruptions to date, the company recognizes that future attacks could lead to operational interruptions, financial losses, and reputational damage. This vulnerability underscores the need for ongoing investment in robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard against such risks.

Dependence on Natural Gas Prices: CF's reliance on natural gas as a primary feedstock exposes it to the volatility of natural gas prices. Fluctuations in these prices can significantly affect the company's production costs and profit margins. While CF has historically benefited from low-cost natural gas, any upward trend in prices could pose a financial challenge, necessitating strategic hedging or alternative sourcing strategies.

Opportunities

Expansion into Clean Energy: The global shift towards clean energy presents significant growth opportunities for CF Industries. The company's expertise in producing carbon-free ammonia positions it to capitalize on the increasing demand for green hydrogen and nitrogen products. By leveraging its existing infrastructure and technological capabilities, CF can expand its customer base beyond traditional fertilizer markets into emerging sectors such as renewable energy and emissions abatement.

Strategic Partnerships and Offtake Agreements: CF's recent off-take agreement for its blue ammonia facility in Louisiana and ongoing discussions with other companies for clean ammonia opportunities highlight the potential for strategic partnerships. These collaborations can facilitate access to new markets, enhance CF's product offerings, and strengthen its position as a leader in sustainable nitrogen production.

Threats

Regulatory and Legislative Changes: CF Industries operates in a heavily regulated industry, where changes in security laws and environmental regulations can lead to increased operating costs or restrictions on product sales. The potential for more stringent regulations, particularly concerning the security of industrial facilities and the use of nitrogen products, poses a threat to CF's operational flexibility and profitability.

Terrorism and Infrastructure Vulnerability: As a company with significant industrial facilities, CF acknowledges the risk of being a target for terrorist activities. Any such incidents could disrupt production, damage assets, and result in substantial financial and reputational harm. The company must therefore maintain vigilant security measures and crisis management protocols to mitigate these risks.

In conclusion, CF Industries Holdings Inc (NYSE:CF) exhibits a strong market presence and a strategic focus on sustainability, which are key strengths in the evolving global market. However, the company must navigate weaknesses such as cybersecurity risks and natural gas price volatility while seizing opportunities in the clean energy sector. CF must also remain alert to potential threats from regulatory changes and terrorism, which could impact its operations and growth trajectory. Overall, CF's proactive approach to innovation and sustainability positions it well to address these challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

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.


Vice Media disclosed plans to discontinue operations on Vice.com and reduce its staff significantly. The move comes as the company redirects its focus towards social media platforms.

(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)

VENICE, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Vice Media offices display the Vice logo at dusk on February 1, 2019 in Venice, California. Vice Media announced it is cutting 250 jobs globally, about ten percent of its workforce.

Shifting Strategy

In a memo addressed to employees, Vice Media CEO Bruce Dixon announced significant layoffs, signaling a departure from Vice.com after nearly three decades. The company plans to transition its content distribution strategy towards social platforms, citing cost-effectiveness concerns.

Dixon stated that Vice will cease publishing stories on its website and intends to collaborate with established media entities to distribute digital content.

The decision reflects Vice's response to industry-wide challenges, including declining advertising revenue and shifting audience engagement patterns. In pursuit of new revenue streams, Vice will explore options such as content licensing while prioritizing social platforms with broader reach.

Vice writers started archiving their content following an anonymous tip indicating a potential shutdown of the website. The fate of Vice.com remains uncertain; it's unclear whether the site will be completely shut down or if it will remain online but inactive.

Dixon confirmed that the layoffs would impact "several hundred" employees. He also mentioned that Refinery29, another property owned by Vice Media, will continue operating independently as a diversified digital publishing entity. However, the company is exploring options to divest Refinery29.

Looking Back

Vice's publishing journey began in 1996 at Viceland.com, transitioning to Vice.com in 2011 following its merger with the video-centric VBS.tv experiment and the acquisition of the Vice.com domain. However, the company's trajectory has been marred by uncertainty since last year.

Dixon and Lokhandwala assumed the roles of co-CEOs at Vice in February, succeeding Nancy Dubuc. During their tenure, the company underwent significant changes, including staff layoffs, program cancellations, and a bankruptcy sale.

In July, Vice was acquired by a consortium spearheaded by Fortress Investment Group, Soros Fund Management, and Monroe Capital. The digital media sector has encountered significant challenges over the past year, leading to widespread layoffs across the industry.

Following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the struggling media entity was acquired by a consortium of its creditors. In November 2023, Vice implemented layoffs, shedding numerous employees, and axed several of its shows.

Also Read: Tech Layoffs Signal a Broader Decline of 'Thinking' Jobs, Expert Says

The Writers Guild of America East responded to the layoff announcement from Vice, expressing little surprise at the company's reliance on layoffs as a solution.

The Guild highlighted the substantial impact of the layoffs, emphasizing the widespread dismantling of teams and the resulting loss of numerous jobs.

Additionally, the WGA East criticized Vice's handling of the announcement, deeming it as typically disorganized and reflective of the company's ongoing disregard for its employees.

Related Article: Vice Media Prepares to File for Bankruptcy

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Tim Burke is currently confronting a legal ordeal involving 14 federal charges stemming from purportedly accessing Fox News' internal system without permission.

The charges were filed due to an incident where segments from a Tucker Carlson interview were disseminated without authorization, notably featuring Kanye West's controversial statements.

This unauthorized access and subsequent dissemination of sensitive material have sparked legal repercussions for Burke, thrusting him into a complex legal battle.

(Photo : JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Ye, who is best known for his birth name Kanye West, is the latest celebrity who says no about non-fungible tokens (NFT).

Facing Federal Charges

Federal prosecutors have leveled charges against freelance journalist Tim Burke for accessing internal video footage from major media outlets, including Fox News. As reported by The New York Post, this case has raised concerns among Burke's legal team about the potential impact on press freedom.

Burke garnered recognition for his adeptness in obtaining timely television clips, ranging from the uncensored altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards to a striking montage of Sinclair Broadcast Group anchors reading identical scripts.

However, the indictment against Burke suggests a transgression. The allegations center around Burke's alleged unauthorized access to a streaming feed site, where he reportedly obtained unreleased video clips featuring former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson and others.

Accessing Controversial Interview

Following Burke's actions, Vice released some of the obtained footage, including segments from an interview with rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, wherein he made antisemitic remarks and discussed bizarre topics like "fake children" residing in his home.

These revelations contradicted Carlson's attempts to portray Ye in a favorable light on air, aligning with MAGA principles. The footage originated from LiveU, a streaming service commonly utilized by media entities for distributing video content across their platforms.

Following the FBI's raid on Burke's residence in Tampa and the confiscation of his equipment in May, he detailed in a court submission his method of accessing the footage in an endeavor to retrieve his equipment.

According to Burke's legal representatives in the filing, he purportedly utilized publicly accessible login credentials to gain entry to LiveU's feed. Allegedly, a "confidential source" provided him with the information's location, following which he manually entered URLs for individual feeds.

Burke equated the accessed video streams to digital equivalents of the broadcasts from satellite news trucks, contending that his actions didn't contravene any laws. He asserted that the LiveU login he utilized was readily accessible online, describing it as demo credentials publicly disclosed.

Also Read: X Becomes Most Downloaded App After Tucker Carlson's Putin Interview Announcement

Contrary to Burke's stance, the indictment alleges that he and an unnamed collaborator violated the law by employing "compromised credentials" to gain unauthorized access to computers.

In a released statement, Burke's legal team defended his actions as lawful and bold, drawing a comparison between his use of the login credentials and the sharing of a Netflix password. They assert that upon examination, the case will reveal no evidence of hacking.

Related Article: Twitter Suspends Kanye West's Account For Posting Antisemitic Message

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Reddit finally filed for its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange which follows the company's rumored plans of going public soon. After many years of rumors and reports, the first step towards going public was taken by Reddit, now planning to have the 'RDDT' ticker symbol on the stock exchange as its monicker in the market.

Alongside this, Reddit also announced a massive invitation for longtime users and investors to buy shares from the company, subject to eligibility set by the company.

Reddit Files for IPO, Soon Going Public

Reddit announced that it already filed for its IPO earlier today, centering on its initial offers of Class A common stock to its investors and several users. Initial reports claim that Reddit would be valued at around $15 billion once it goes public, but as of the time of this writing, it is not yet determined by the company.

Moreover, it is unknown how many Reddit shares will be available in the market, with the company stating that those figures will follow shortly.

Read Also: Reddit URL Bug Exposes Offensive Slurs on Google Search Results

Longtime Reddit Users May Buy Shares

Based on Reddit's S-1 Filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), longtime users of the platform are eligible to buy shares once it goes public.

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman talked more about Reddit being a public company, inviting users to be part of the company's ownership.

Our users have a deep sense of ownership over the communities they create on Reddit. This sense of ownership often extends to all of Reddit... We want this sense of ownership to be reflected in real ownership-for our users to be our owners. Becoming a public company makes this possible. With this in mind, we are excited to invite the users and moderators who have contributed to Reddit to buy shares in our IPO, alongside our investors.

Reddit and Their Plans for IPO

The massive changes on Reddit which was seen and felt last year were one of the sources for speculations behind the company going public, with this new API policy looking to change the access to the renowned platform. Before all of these changes, Reddit was best known as an open-source platform, but more importantly, offers its API to developers for free.

However, after it charged developers for the API access, many dropped out from creating the renowned apps, also prompting a massive blackout from users and moderators to upstage the changes.

Back in November, there were also massive talks behind the ramping plans of the company to go public, speaking with their investors regarding a potential IPO soon. Moreover, the company's recent rebrand was also speculated to be another move towards its public outing, changing the significant design of Reddit, its mascot, fonts, and more to a more "global" look.

All of these factors played into the latest update from Reddit now, with the IPO filing signifying a massive change for the company moving forward, also inviting its users to be partial owners of the company once it goes public.

Related Article: Reddit Strikes $60 Million Licensing Deal with Google for AI Training

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A breakthrough in the treatment of polycythemia vera, a rare and life-threatening blood cancer, has emerged with the introduction of a new drug named rusfertide.

Polycythemia vera falls under the category of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms, which disrupt the normal production of blood cells within the bone marrow.

(Photo : Karolina Grabowska from Pexels)

CRISPR Technology is nearing to a cure and treatment for Sickle Cell Disease, a disorder by the genes in the body in producing the right amount of hemoglobin for the body's red blood cells. The disease is known to be fatal to its victims, with a low mortality rate at 40 years of age.

Showing Promising Results in Controlling Deadly Blood Cancer

In a clinical trial conducted by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, rusfertide showcased promising outcomes among 70 patients dependent on phlebotomy, a procedure to reduce blood volume.

Administered over 28 weeks, the drug effectively curbed the excessive production of red blood cells, the primary culprit behind the disease's complications.

Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the trial demonstrated rusfertide's potential to decrease the necessity for phlebotomy while enhancing patients' quality of life, all while maintaining a favorable safety profile and high tolerance among participants.

Rusfertide emerges as a groundbreaking pharmaceutical intervention, acting upon hepcidin, a pivotal protein governing the body's iron levels. By augmenting hepcidin levels, rusfertide curtails iron accessibility for red blood cell synthesis, thereby diminishing red blood cell counts and mitigating polycythemia vera symptoms.

Dr. Marina Kremyanskaya, Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Director for inpatient oncology at The Mount Sinai Hospital, who led the study, expressed optimism about the potential of rusfertide in revolutionizing treatment for polycythemia vera patients.

Dr. Kremyanskaya emphasized its novel mechanism, which restricts iron availability crucial for blood cell production. She underscored the importance of further clinical investigations, suggesting that this injectable agent could offer much-needed relief for patients grappling with the challenges of polycythemia vera management.

Also Read: AI-Powered Wearables Could Identify User's Mental Health, Well-Being

Polycythemia vera falls under the umbrella of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms, a spectrum of conditions influencing blood cell production within the bone marrow. Specifically, this disorder entails an overproduction of red blood cells, resulting in blood that is excessively thick and adhesive.

Consequently, individuals with polycythemia vera face heightened risks of blood clotting, heart attacks, strokes, and other severe complications. This condition is relatively rare, affecting an estimated 1-3 individuals per 100,000 in the United States, typically manifesting in older adults.

Current treatment modalities encompass aspirin, medications aimed at reducing red blood cell counts, and phlebotomy. Nonetheless, these approaches exhibit limitations and adverse effects, leaving many patients with inadequately managed conditions and unfavorable prognoses.

Findings of the Study

Researchers discovered that rusfertide effectively controlled hematocrit levels below 45% over 28 weeks and outperformed a placebo during a 12-week withdrawal period. Patients with symptoms like itchy skin, night sweats, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue experienced improvements.

Rusfertide mimics hepcidin, a liver-produced hormone regulating iron trafficking. It reduces red blood cell production by blocking iron export to the blood.

Dr. Kremyanskaya emphasizes rusfertide's potential to sustain hematocrit control and decrease the need for repeat phlebotomies. A phase 3 clinical trial, led by Mount Sinai, aims to confirm its efficacy and explore benefits in other blood disorders.

Related Article: Scientists Create World's Smallest Moustache With Weird Ingredient: A Red Blood Cell

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ChatGPT's latest military use proves to be conversation decryption between hackers, as per OpenAI's head of security, Matthew Knight, in the Pentagon's Advantage DoD 2024 event. Knight reportedly explained that the chatbot could decipher a cryptic conversation within a Russian hacking group, first reported by the Washington Post.

As explained by Knight, deciphering the conversation was a task that even their Russian linguist had difficulty with, but he claims that GPT-4 succeeded in doing so. The conversations between the hackers were reportedly in "Russian shorthand internet slang." The showcase comes as a part of the Pentagon's AI symposium showcasing viable uses of AI in the military.

(Photo : MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

A photo taken on October 4, 2023 in Manta, near Turin, shows a smartphone and a laptop displaying the logos of the artificial intelligence OpenAI research laboratory and ChatGPT robot.

Panel discussions at the symposium feature representatives from well-known tech companies besides OpenAI's Knight, such as Dr. Scott Papson, Principal Solutions Architect of Amazon Web Services, and Dr. Billie Rinaldi, Responsible AI Division Lead of Microsoft's Strategic Missions and Technologies Division.

The event proves to be a glimpse into the future uses of AI in the military. One was hinted at by the chief technology officer of Palantir Technologies and Pentagon contractor, Shyam Sankar. Samkar comments that using ChatGPT as a chatbot is a "dead end," further noting that the technology will likely be used for developers and not for end users.

Read Also: China, Russia Agree to Coordinate AI Use in Military Technology

GPT-4 Uses on Military Intelligence

This is not the first time GPT-4's use for deciphering cryptic messages was discovered, as a Microsoft Study claimed that similar practices have long been employed by state-backed hackers.

The study found that two hacking groups with ties to China are using AI to translate communication with targeted individuals or organizations as well as translate computer jargon and technical publications.

AI Military Use Concerns

The event also saw industry leaders' comments warning about AI's dangers as academics are still trying to understand these systems fully. Lt. Col. Kangmin Kim of the South Korean Army reportedly issued a warning, citing the possibility of serious harm from hostile attacks that target artificial intelligence and potentially disastrous mishaps brought on by AI malfunction.

He concludes that it is critical to assess AI weapon systems carefully from the outset. He informed officials at the Pentagon that they must deal with the problem of who is responsible for accidents.

Kim's warning continues to echo other experts, most notably the deputy secretary of defense, Kathleen H. Hicks' warning last week wherein she claims that most commercially available AI systems are not sufficiently advanced to adhere to government-mandated ethical norms.

This idea was recently supported by an OpenAI study, which discovered that experts' access to GPT-4 as a research-only tool improved their comprehension of biological hazards by as much as 88% in terms of task accuracy and thoroughness.

It was also discovered that several AI models, such as those developed by Anthropic, OpenAI, and Meta, tended to escalate disputes rapidly and occasionally resulted in nuclear weapons.

Related Article: UK Army Recruiters Speed Up Candidate Checks with AI

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The massive 2030 target date for an entire EV sale for Mercedes-Benz is not happening, as the company cannot commit to a "100 percent" electrification of its models and brands come the next decade. There are also doubts that the transportation industry, especially the private market, can transition into a fully electric setup come the next decade, contrary to deadlines and expectations.

Reports are now centering on the low EV sales recorded in the past year, believing that this trend would continue for this year, seeing lower adoption rates compared to before.

Mercedes-Benz Will NOT Offer 100% EVs by 2030

In the latest report from Mercedes-Benz, the company brought significant changes to its initial claims of a supposed 2030 100 percent electric implementation on its brand. Here, they said that while EVs and the entire electrification effort would be a significant focus for them, there would still be other models available that are not entirely clean energy.

Customers and market conditions will set the pace of the transformation. The company plans to be in a position to cater to different customer needs, whether it's an all-electric drivetrain or an electrified combustion engine, until well into the 2030s. Mercedes-Benz

This hints that in 2030, Mercedes-Benz will still offer ICE cars or hybrid models.

CEO Ola Kallenius also said, "It's not going to be 100% in 2030, obviously... from the whole European market, but probably from the Mercedes side as well."

Read Also: Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon is Going Smaller, More Compact, and Electric Soon, Company Teases

Low EV Sales, Factors Against 2030 Electrification

The Verge explained that Elon Musk previously gave a warning that 2024 would see slow sales growth for electric vehicles, also relating to lower adoption rates amongst the public.

There are also other factors like sourcing battery elements and parts for the car, including the processors that would be used for its various factors that are facing challenges now.

Mercedes-Benz and Its Electrification Efforts

"Old habits die hard" represents the current transportation industry hardwired to the internal combustion engine (ICE) setup for many decades now, and this is not only because there are still multiple people who prefer fuel-powered engines. Mercedes-Benz is among the many car companies who adopted electric vehicles now, looking to enhance its EV motor factory for more production capabilities.

There are various models now available from one of the top luxury car companies hailing from Germany, including the EQB, EQE, EQS, the eSprinter van, and more.

Despite the interest in electric vehicle adoption, it is still facing a difficult time now, especially in the current market where there is a divide among the consumers, alongside uncertainty from the market.

Companies like Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, GM, and Ford are all expecting a not-so-great year for electric vehicles, and it is unknown if this trend will continue in the future for EV adoption. The latest take on Mercedes-Benz on the whole EV ordeal is going back on its 2030 electrification plans, with the company looking to still offer gas-powered cars despite their previous claims.

Related Article: Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT Gets Approval in California, Nevada for Turquoise Taillights

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Employees, despite recognizing the risk, often overlook the potential leakage of sensitive data while using publicly available generative AI tools. These tools, including AI-driven platforms, pose significant threats by exposing customer information, financial data, and personally identifiable information like email addresses and phone numbers.

Unfortunately, many employees lack clear guidelines on the appropriate use of such tools, as highlighted by research from Veritas Technologies.

Risks of Generative AI Tools

Conducted by market researcher 3Gem, the study surveyed 11,500 employees worldwide, shedding light on the widespread use and associated risks of generative AI tools.

Concerns include potential data leaks (39%), production of inaccurate information (38%), compliance risks (37%), and reduced productivity (19%).

Related Article: AI, Now Officially Considered as Potential Financial System Risk by US Regulators

Frequency of Use and Purpose

Despite these risks, a significant percentage of employees (57%) utilize generative AI tools weekly, with 22.3% incorporating them into daily tasks. Common uses include research and analysis (42%), email and memo drafting (41%), and enhancing writing skills (40%), per ZDNet.

Data Types and Perceived Value

Employees acknowledge the value of various data types when entered into generative AI tools, including customer information (30%), sales figures (29%), financial data (28%), and personally identifiable information (25%). However, a notable portion (27%) doubts the business value of inputting sensitive information into these tools.

Benefits and Challenges

Respondents also recognize the benefits of generative AI, including faster access to information (48%), increased productivity (40%), and task automation (39%). However, many view a colleague's use of these tools as unfair (53%) and believe that users should share knowledge with the team (40%).

Policies and Guidelines

Despite the evident risks and benefits, a significant portion (36%) of employees report the absence of formal policies on the use of generative AI tools in the workplace. Only 24% have mandatory policies, while 12% enforce a ban on such tools.

Escalating Risks with Adoption

As the adoption of generative AI rises, so do security risks. According to IBM's X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2024, the convergence of these technologies could lead to large-scale attacks, necessitating proactive security measures.

Identity-based threats, facilitated by generative AI, pose significant challenges, making robust security protocols imperative.

Global Trends in Cybersecurity

The study also highlights global trends in cybersecurity, emphasizing Europe's vulnerability due to increased ransomware attacks and data breaches.

Across regions, critical infrastructure organizations remain prime targets, underscoring the importance of patching, multi-factor authentication, and least-privilege principles in mitigating risks.

Securing the Future

In light of these challenges, businesses must adopt a holistic approach to security, safeguarding AI models and infrastructure against evolving threats. Through making cybersecurity measures as priority and promoting responsible use of generative AI, organizations can harness its transformative potential while minimizing associated risks.

While some people believe that AI is a no-no because of risks, billionaire Bill Gates appears unfazed about its potential impact.

Read Also: Avast Users Beware: Software Firm Faces $16.5 Million Fine After Selling Customer Data Without Consent

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General Motors Co.'s Cruise autonomous driving unit is reportedly preparing to resume robotaxi testing in the coming weeks and is looking into potential locations in Houston and Dallas after stopping its fleet last year.



A Bloomberg report cited information from sources with knowledge of the situation that Cruise LLC is in talks with regulators in many metropolitan regions, including Texas, to restart safety driving testing on public highways. Before the October safety suspension, Cruise had a large presence in San Francisco and smaller businesses in Austin, Houston, and Phoenix.

Rebuilding Public Confidence

Cruise is rebuilding public trust after a vehicle hit and dragged a person in San Francisco. Regulators accused Cruise of hiding vital video and event information, suspending its California license. In response, Cruise fired key executives and hired a new chief safety officer. TechTimes reported that GM has also initiated significant cost-cutting measures for Cruise.

Cruise spokesperson Pat Morrissey noted that the deployment has no timeframe, and the firm wants to restart in one city with manually driven cars and supervised testing as soon as feasible after rebuilding regulators and public confidence.

(Photo : JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images) A box placed on the LIDAR scanner of a robotaxi (L) disables it across from another disabled robotaxi (R) in San Francisco, California on July 11, 2023.

Due to its suspension in California, Cruise has difficulty restarting operations in San Francisco. Its return strategy centers on Texas, which has lax autonomous car restrictions.



Safety drivers are being deployed in Houston while Cruise's resurrection attempts continue. Testing may begin in the coming months. The launch city is still being decided as Cruise works with authorities and local leaders to ensure a good testing response.



In contrast to its previous rapid expansion approach, Cruise is proceeding cautiously as it prepares to resume testing on public roads, focusing on rebuilding trust. The company, which had initially aimed for operations in a dozen cities, is now addressing past communication breakdowns and investing in additional training for safety drivers to enhance its autonomous driving technology.

Read Also: MGM Resorts Cyberattack: State and Federal Regulators Launch Probe $100 Million Data Breach



Under former CEO Kyle Vogt, who resigned in November, Cruise had ambitious revenue targets, aiming for $1 billion next year and $50 billion by 2030. These aligned with GM CEO Mary Barra's broader goal to double total revenue to $280 billion by the end of the decade. However, these targets face uncertainties amid slowing electric vehicle sales growth and Cruise navigating challenges on the path to revival.

Waymo's Extension in LA and San Francisco Halted

Meanwhile, the California Public Utilities Commission suspended Waymo's application to extend its robotaxi services in parts of Los Angeles and San Francisco's peninsula until June 19, citing mounting safety concerns surrounding autonomous vehicles.



The commission has "suspended" Waymo's application "for further staff review," according to a notification posted on its website.



Waymo, already operational in San Francisco and Phoenix, submitted the expansion request on January 19, expressing its commitment to collaboration with policymakers, first responders, and community organizations for the launch of its ride-hailing service.

Related Article: Ford Slashes Prices on 2023 Mustang Mach-E in Canada, Offering Up to $13,000 in Savings

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AT&T customers faced a significant disruption in cellphone service on Thursday, lasting from the early morning until approximately 3 p.m. ET. The company attributed the outage to a technical error during network expansion, leading to service interruptions for thousands of users.

Before that, the company thought that the downtime was caused by a cyberattack.

AT&T Continues to Investigate What Went Wrong on the Outage

In response to the outage, both AT&T and federal agencies have launched investigations to determine the root cause. Initial assessments point to an incorrect process applied during network expansion. While AT&T has completed an initial review, further investigations are ongoing to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Related Article: Massive Outage Hits AT&T as Customers Experience Wireless Service Interruption

No Evidence of Cyberattack

Despite speculation, AT&T confirmed that the outage was not the result of a cyberattack. Collaborating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), AT&T is thoroughly investigating the incident to rule out any security breaches.

"We're being told that AT&T has no reason to think that this was a cyber-security incident. But again, I want to be careful. We won't know until an investigation has been completed," The White House's national security communications adviser John Kirby said in a report by USA Today.

Timeline of Restoration Efforts

The outage began in the early morning hours, with over 70,000 customers reporting service disruptions between 8 and 9 a.m. ET. While AT&T did not confirm the exact number of affected users, the company announced significant progress in restoring service by midday.

By 3:10 p.m. ET, AT&T reported that service had been fully restored to all impacted customers, marking the resolution of the widespread disruption, The Independent writes in its latest report.

At this point, AT&T continues to investigate the incident. Of course, the customers can expect transparency regarding the cause of the outage and measures taken to prevent future disruptions.

In other news, Scattered Spider and Alphv hacking groups claimed the responsibility behind the MGM Resorts cyberattack which took place in September.

Recent report said that the security incident contributed to nearly $100 million loss from its profit in the Q3 2023.

What's alarming is that some confidential data of transactions were stolen. The information including names, passport details, and birthdates are included.

It's note-worthy to know that only the personal details were affected and not any financial information pertaining to bank accounts or credit card information.

To get the latest updates in the field of security, read more here so you won't miss any important news.

Read Also: Change Healthcare Suffers from Network Interruption Related to Cyberattack

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Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter) and multiple companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X Corp., is planning to launch an alternative and direct competitor to Googles most popular email service, Gmail, called XMail.

The revelation about the email service of the X platform, XMail, came in a recent Twitter exchange in response to a question raised by a member of Xs Engineering and Security team, Nate Mcgrady, who asked, When are we making XMail? to which he replied, Its coming.

Its coming  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 23, 2024

It appears that the discussion around the proposed XMail started when a manipulated image began circulating on social media platforms, including X, claiming that Google is sunsetting Gmail by August 1, 2024.

However, Google Gmail was quick to refute these claims and responded on X by saying: Gmail is here to stay, confirming its presence in the email domain.

Gmail is here to stay.  Gmail (@gmail) February 22, 2024

Musk, who has often been critical of other generative AI (artificial intelligence) tools, has been recently calling out Googles AI Gemini in posts on X for being racist and sexist over alleged racial biases in its AI image generation. He also labeled Google as insane and anti-civilization for overplaying its hand with AI image generation. Not just this, he has also gone on to share memes made on Google Gemini.

It is Musks vision to convert the X social media platform into an everything app, and with him now confirming the launch of a new X email service, it has left the tech world abuzz with anticipation and excitement.
Edison International (NYSE:EIX) showcases robust financial performance with a significant increase in earnings.

Strategic investments in grid modernization and clean energy initiatives position the company for future growth.

Operational efficiency and customer-funded wildfire insurance program strengthen financial resilience.

Challenges include regulatory risks, competitive market pressures, and cybersecurity threats.

Edison International (NYSE:EIX), the parent company of Southern California Edison, has released its 10-K filing on February 22, 2024, providing a comprehensive overview of its financial and operational performance. As a leading electric utility, Edison International serves a vast area of Southern California, excluding Los Angeles, and caters to the energy needs of approximately 5 million customers. The company's financial tables reveal a notable increase in earnings for the year 2023, amounting to $585 million, driven by SCE's earnings surge of $627 million. This financial upswing reflects the company's adept management of core earnings and strategic handling of non-core losses. The following SWOT analysis delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as presented in the 10-K filing, offering investors a nuanced understanding of Edison International's market position and future prospects.

Decoding Edison International (EIX): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Financial Robustness and Operational Efficiency: Edison International (NYSE:EIX) reported a substantial increase in earnings for 2023, with SCE's core earnings rising due to higher revenue from the escalation mechanism set forth in the 2021 GRC final decision and increased interest income on balancing account undercollections. This financial strength is further bolstered by the implementation of a customer-funded wildfire self-insurance program, which has reclassified wildfire-related costs as non-core items, enhancing the company's financial resilience.

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Commitment to Safety and Workforce Development: Edison International places a high emphasis on safety, with targeted safety plans and leadership development efforts aimed at fostering a culture of safety ownership. The company's investment in training and oversight for both employees and contracted workers has led to improvements in safety performance. Additionally, Edison International's focus on human capital measures, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, positions the company as an employer of choice, which is critical for attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive industry.

Weaknesses

Regulatory and Market Risks: As a regulated utility, Edison International (NYSE:EIX) faces the challenge of adapting to a rapidly changing electricity industry. Increased competition, technological advances, and evolving regulatory environments pose risks to the company's business model and financial condition. SCE's ability to operate efficiently and implement process changes is crucial for executing its strategy and maintaining customer affordability, which is threatened by the potential for increased load departures and the need for grid modernization to accommodate distributed energy resources (DERs).

Capital and Financing Requirements: Edison International's (NYSE:EIX) significant capital needs for infrastructure investment and financing wildfire-related losses require access to capital markets. The company's ability to obtain financing is contingent on maintaining acceptable credit ratings and favorable market conditions. Any inability to secure necessary capital could materially affect SCE's liquidity and operations, highlighting a weakness in the company's financial strategy.

Opportunities

Grid Modernization and Clean Energy Transition: The shift towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adopting clean energy technologies presents significant opportunities for Edison International (NYSE:EIX). Investments in grid modernization, renewable integration projects, and electric vehicle infrastructure align with California's environmental policy objectives and position the company to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions.

Technological Innovation and Customer Solutions: Edison International (NYSE:EIX) has the opportunity to leverage technological advancements to enhance its service offerings. By investing in energy storage, energy efficiency programs, and integrated sustainability solutions through Edison Energy, the company can meet the evolving needs of commercial, industrial, and institutional customers, driving growth and diversification of revenue streams.

Threats

Cybersecurity and Physical Security Risks: Edison International (NYSE:EIX) acknowledges cybersecurity as a key enterprise risk, with its operations and critical infrastructure being targets for sophisticated attacks. Despite robust risk management strategies, the potential for a major cybersecurity incident remains a significant threat that could materially affect the company's financial condition and reputation.

Environmental and Climate Risks: Climate change poses direct threats to Edison International's (NYSE:EIX) infrastructure and operations. Severe weather events, such as droughts and wildfires, have already demonstrated their impact on California, necessitating substantial investment in grid resilience. The company's ability to adapt to and mitigate these environmental risks is crucial for long-term sustainability.

In conclusion, Edison International (NYSE:EIX) exhibits a strong financial foundation and operational efficiency, with strategic initiatives in place to navigate the complexities of the energy sector. However, regulatory challenges, capital requirements, and external threats such as cybersecurity and climate change present ongoing risks. The company's proactive approach to grid modernization and clean energy transition, coupled with its focus on technological innovation and customer solutions, offers promising opportunities for growth. As Edison International continues to evolve in response to industry trends, its ability to leverage strengths and opportunities while addressing weaknesses and threats will be pivotal in shaping its future success.

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.


Robust financial performance with a 2% increase in Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA in 2023.

Global presence with manufacturing operations in over 20 countries and a diverse product portfolio.

Strategic acquisitions and operational productivity contributing to the company's competitive edge.

Challenges include customer inventory destocking and intense competition in niche markets.

On February 22, 2024, IDEX Corp (NYSE:IEX), a leading manufacturer of pumps, flow meters, valves, and fluidic systems, filed its 10-K with the SEC, revealing a year of strategic growth and operational efficiency. Despite facing customer inventory destocking and a volatile global supply chain, IDEX Corp managed to increase its Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA by 2% in 2023, showcasing the company's resilience and adaptability. With a global footprint spanning over 20 countries and a diverse product range catering to various end markets, IDEX Corp is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities. This SWOT analysis delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as disclosed in the recent 10-K filing, providing investors with a comprehensive view of the company's financial health and strategic direction.

Decoding IDEX Corp (IEX): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Financial Robustness and Diverse Portfolio: IDEX Corp's financial resilience is evident from its 2023 performance, with a 2% increase in both Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA. The company's diverse portfolio, which includes fluid and metering technologies, health and science technologies, and fire and safety products, allows it to mitigate risks associated with market fluctuations. This diversification also enables IDEX to serve a broad customer base, reducing dependency on any single market or sector.

Global Manufacturing and Operational Excellence: With manufacturing operations in over 20 countries, IDEX Corp benefits from a global presence that not only provides access to new markets but also ensures stability through geographic diversification. The company's operational excellence is reflected in its ability to maintain strong margins and productivity, even amid supply chain challenges and customer inventory adjustments.

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Weaknesses

Customer Inventory Destocking Impact: The 2023 fiscal year saw IDEX Corp grappling with the impact of customer inventory destocking, which led to lower sales volumes, particularly in the Health & Science Technologies segment. This indicates a potential vulnerability to sudden shifts in customer behavior and market demand, which could affect the company's revenue streams.

Intense Competition in Niche Markets: IDEX operates in highly competitive markets where product quality, innovation, and post-sale support are crucial. The company faces stiff competition from other established players like Dover Corporation and Ingersoll Rand, which could pressure IDEX to continuously invest in product development and marketing to maintain its market position.

Opportunities

Strategic Acquisitions and Market Expansion: IDEX's history of successful acquisitions presents an opportunity for growth through the expansion of its product lines and market reach. The company's strategic focus on acquiring businesses that complement its existing portfolio can lead to increased market share and entry into new markets, driving long-term growth.

Emerging Market Potential: The company's expansion of facilities in China, India, Singapore, and Dubai positions it well to capitalize on growth opportunities in these emerging markets. With a growing middle class and increased industrialization, these regions offer significant potential for IDEX's diverse product offerings.

Threats

Global Supply Chain Volatility: IDEX's global operations expose it to risks associated with supply chain disruptions, which can lead to extended lead times and shifts in customer order patterns. While the company has managed these challenges effectively, ongoing geopolitical tensions and public health threats could continue to pose risks to its supply chain efficiency.

Economic and Currency Fluctuations: As a global entity, IDEX is susceptible to economic downturns and currency fluctuations, which can impact its cost competitiveness and pricing strategies. The company must navigate these challenges carefully to maintain its profitability and market position.

In conclusion, IDEX Corp (NYSE:IEX) exhibits a strong financial foundation and a strategic global presence, which are key strengths in its competitive arsenal. However, the company must address the vulnerabilities arising from customer inventory destocking and intense competition. Looking ahead, IDEX has significant opportunities for growth through strategic acquisitions and expansion in emerging markets. Nevertheless, it must remain vigilant against threats from global supply chain volatility and economic fluctuations. Overall, IDEX Corp's strategic initiatives and robust operational framework position it well to navigate the complex market landscape and continue its trajectory of growth and innovation.

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.


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

Device to produce hydrogen and oxygen on the moon unveiled Planned to launch this winter

Second trial of residents who evacuated from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident also does not accept national responsibility

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant First detection of object that may contain nuclear fuel debris on water

Love and family are more important than money: what is the comedy series Inheritance about?

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

"Watch me overcome difficulties step by step and fight back." This Chinese golden flower keeps his word.

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

Real estate crisis: Number of building permits also fell significantly at the beginning of the year

The "egg-smashing" trend is blowing into a small town in Zhejiang, how to play the cards in your hand?

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

Laura Escanes makes a mess by promoting the company Children's walkers: outdoor walks for a maximum of 7 and with harnesses

Pascal Praud and you - Fine for not picking up dog droppings: 537 euros, "it's not enough", says a dog owner

Borrell hopes the EU can agree on the use of Russian assets

China: the increase in sales and industry does not cancel out the effects of the real estate crisis

They record the attack of a bear that left two injured in the Slovak city of Liptovsky Mikulas

CEC: Putin scored 87.28% of the votes based on the results of processing 100% of the protocols

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

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

The Japanese Cabinet of Ministers refrained from commenting on the results of the elections in Russia

 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

Second trial of residents who evacuated from the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident also does not accept national responsibility

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant First detection of object that may contain nuclear fuel debris on water

Love and family are more important than money: what is the comedy series Inheritance about?

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

"Watch me overcome difficulties step by step and fight back." This Chinese golden flower keeps his word.

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

Real estate crisis: Number of building permits also fell significantly at the beginning of the year

The "egg-smashing" trend is blowing into a small town in Zhejiang, how to play the cards in your hand?

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

Borrell hopes the EU can agree on the use of Russian assets

China: the increase in sales and industry does not cancel out the effects of the real estate crisis

They record the attack of a bear that left two injured in the Slovak city of Liptovsky Mikulas

CEC: Putin scored 87.28% of the votes based on the results of processing 100% of the protocols

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

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.
Iron Mountain Inc (NYSE:IRM) demonstrates robust global presence with services in 60 countries and a strong customer base including over 90% of the Fortune 1000.

The company's strategic growth plan, Project Matterhorn, aims to transform operations and capture larger market share, indicating a proactive approach to business evolution.

IRM's commitment to sustainability and DEI initiatives reflects a forward-thinking corporate culture that aligns with modern corporate responsibility standards.

Despite strengths, IRM faces challenges such as the need to adapt to digital transformation and manage the costs associated with regulatory compliance and cybersecurity.

On February 22, 2024, Iron Mountain Inc (NYSE:IRM), a leading provider of record management services and a real estate investment trust (REIT), filed its 10-K report with the SEC. The company, which prides itself on its storage business and value-added services, caters primarily to enterprise clients in developed markets. With a market capitalization of approximately $16.1 billion as of mid-2023, IRM operates in three business segments: Global RIM Business, Global Data Center Business, and Corporate and Other Business. The financial overview from the filing reveals a strategic investment in Project Matterhorn, aimed at accelerating business growth, with costs of approximately $150 million annually from 2023 through 2025. This investment underscores IRM's commitment to evolving its business model and enhancing its global service offerings.

Decoding Iron Mountain Inc (IRM): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Global Market Leadership and Diverse Customer Base: Iron Mountain Inc (NYSE:IRM) stands out with its expansive global presence, serving customers in 60 countries, including more than 90% of the Fortune 1000. This wide-reaching network is a testament to IRM's ability to cater to a diverse array of industries, offering a competitive edge in terms of market penetration and brand recognition. The company's extensive customer base across commercial, legal, financial, healthcare, and government sectors ensures a stable revenue stream and resilience against market fluctuations in individual industries.

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Strategic Growth Initiatives: IRM's Project Matterhorn reflects a strategic commitment to growth and operational transformation. This initiative is designed to optimize shared services and adopt a solution-based sales approach, positioning IRM to capture a larger share of the addressable market. The investment in Project Matterhorn, totaling approximately $175.2 million in 2023, signals IRM's dedication to innovation and customer service excellence, which are crucial for long-term success in the information management and storage industry.

Weaknesses

Adaptation to Digital Transformation: As the shift from physical to digital media continues, IRM must navigate the challenges of adapting its storage and information management services to meet changing customer preferences. The company acknowledges the need to incorporate alternative technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), into its offerings to stay relevant. Failure to effectively manage this digital transition could result in reduced demand for IRM's traditional storage services and impact its financial performance.

Regulatory Compliance and Cybersecurity Concerns: IRM operates in a highly regulated environment, with stringent data privacy and cybersecurity requirements. The costs of compliance and the potential liabilities associated with data breaches pose significant risks to the company. Any failure to protect customer information could lead to reputational harm, legal penalties, and financial losses, highlighting the need for IRM to continuously invest in and enhance its security measures.

Opportunities

Expansion into Emerging Markets: IRM has the opportunity to expand its footprint in emerging markets, where the demand for data storage and management services is growing rapidly. By leveraging its global brand and expertise, IRM can tap into new customer segments and diversify its revenue sources, reducing dependence on developed markets and driving growth in untapped regions.

Advancements in Technology and Services: The ongoing digital revolution presents IRM with opportunities to develop new products and services that cater to the evolving needs of its customers. By investing in technology such as AI and machine learning, IRM can enhance its information management solutions, offering more value to clients and staying ahead of the competition in a rapidly changing industry.

Threats

Competitive Landscape: IRM faces intense competition from both traditional and new entrants in the information management and data center markets. Competitors with similar or more advanced offerings could erode IRM's market share if the company does not continuously innovate and differentiate its services. The competitive pressure necessitates ongoing investment in technology and customer service to maintain IRM's market position.

Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainties: As a global entity, IRM is exposed to geopolitical and economic risks that could disrupt its operations. Changes in political climates, trade policies, and economic conditions in the countries where IRM operates can impact its business performance. Additionally, events such as natural disasters or pandemics could lead to service interruptions, affecting IRM's reputation and financial results.

In conclusion, Iron Mountain Inc (NYSE:IRM) exhibits significant strengths, including its global reach and strategic growth initiatives, which position it well in the information management industry. However, the company must address weaknesses related to digital transformation and regulatory compliance to maintain its competitive edge. Opportunities for expansion and technological advancements present pathways for growth, while threats from competition and global uncertainties require vigilant risk management. IRM's forward-looking strategies, including Project Matterhorn, demonstrate a proactive approach to leveraging strengths and opportunities while addressing weaknesses and threats, ensuring the company's continued success in a dynamic market landscape.

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.


Hundred-car collision on icy China road causes nine injuries



Beijing, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



A pile-up of around 100 cars on an icy expressway in eastern China left nine people injured Friday, state media reported, with images of the accident showing scenes of chaos.

Passenger vehicles could be seen crammed up against each other in footage shared by official broadcaster CCTV, with one pushed skyward at an awkward angle and others reduced to pieces of twisted metal.

The wet road in Suzhou -- a city located about one hour west of Shanghai by car -- was strewn with broken glass, as orange-clad emergency responders wove between cars and onlookers milled about.

While no deaths were recorded as a result of the pile-up, three people were hospitalised for injuries and six others suffered minor scratches, according to a WeChat post by local traffic police.

Following the accident, which occurred at about 7:00 am local time (2300 Thursday GMT), normal traffic flow has been restored, the post said.

"Affected by recent cool and rainy weather, roads have become slippery and traffic conditions are complicated," it added, requesting that drivers exercise caution.

Meteorological authorities renewed a low-temperature warning earlier this week for large swathes of southern China, following weeks of extreme winter weather across the country.

Road accidents are common in China due to a lack of strict safety controls.

In December 2022, a pile-up of at least 200 cars caused by dense fog in the country's central Henan province left one dead.
Funny old world: The week's offbeat news



Paris, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2024



From an off-the-scale honour for a heavy metal icon to how love blinds us all... your weekly roundup of offbeat stories from around the world.



- Love comes with handcuffs -



Two Peruvian women who thought they were being serenaded by secret Valentine's Day admirers fell straight into the arms of police sent to arrest them for dealing drugs.

An officer dressed as a giant teddy bear held up gifts outside the women's Lima home while another waved a heart-covered sign saying, "You are my reason to smile."

But love can be deceiving. When one of the excited women rushed downstairs the cuddly bear pinned her to the ground, with the stunned second woman arrested inside, where hundreds of drugs packages were seized.

"It was a surprise operation for them as part of the day of love," the disguised officer later told AFP.

It is not the first time Peruvian police have dressed up to fool suspects. In December officers disguised as Santa and his elves carried out another drugs bust in the capital.



- Lizard king -



Iron Maiden's frontman Bruce Dickinson is now more than just a rock dinosaur, he's a lizard as well. A newly discovered reptile has been named after the ageing British heavy metal star.

In keeping with the flamboyant style of his namesake, "Enyalioides dickinsoni" has an orange head with a green body, though he is a lot more camera shy than his human counterpart.

Scientists named the lizard, who lives in the Peruvian rainforest, in Dickinson's honour to thank him for his work for endangered species, according to the Journal of Vertebrate Biology, and because "Iron Maiden is a popular band among taxonomists and museum curators".

But before he gets too puffed up, the late Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister of Motorhead still has bragging rights, having had one of the most dangerous dinosaurs named after him.

"Lemmysuchus" -- Latin for Lemmy's crocodile -- was "one of the largest coastal predators of its time" and was the nastiest Jurassic croc, say experts.



- Italian driving advice -



An Italian government video warning young drivers not to use their phones at the wheel rather backfired when viewers spotted one of the actors wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini launched the drive only to be quickly pulled up on X by opposition MP Giulia Pastorella.

"Matteo Salvini, the young woman forgot to buckle up," she wrote.

Pressed by AFP, the Italian transport ministry acknowledged a "possible mistake".



- Oh no, Joe -



What with his son Hunter, US President Joe Biden has probably had his fill of embarrassing relatives.

But with an election looming, historical detectives have landed him with another -- his great-great-grandfather Moses J. Robinette.

The Union army veterinary surgeon was court martialled during the American Civil War for stabbing a man during a late-night brawl.

But he can't have been all bad as his outraged fellow officers petitioned the White House saying he had acted in self-defence and Abraham Lincoln eventually pardoned him.



- Resurrection -



And finally a Spanish priest has been suspended by the Catholic Church there after being accused of selling drugs including Viagra.

Spanish media said the cleric, from Don Benito in the western Extremadura region, was involved in trafficking aphrodisiacs and narcotics with a second man said to be his lover.

burs-fg/jj
KeyCorp's strong market presence in Ohio and New York as a competitive advantage.

Challenges in commercial real estate and credit exposure as potential weaknesses.

Opportunities for growth in digital banking and capital markets services.

Threats from increased competition and regulatory pressures.

On February 22, 2024, KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY), a prominent bank-based financial services company, filed its annual report (10-K) with the SEC, providing a comprehensive overview of its financial performance for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. With consolidated total assets of approximately $188.3 billion, KeyCorp's financial foundation remains robust, reflecting its strategic positioning in the market. The company's extensive network, including 959 full-service retail banking branches and 1,217 ATMs across 15 states, underscores its significant footprint in the financial landscape. KeyCorp's financial tables reveal a solid balance sheet, with a notable aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common stock held by nonaffiliates totaling over $8.6 billion as of mid-2023. This financial overview sets the stage for a deeper SWOT analysis, highlighting KeyCorp's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as gleaned from the latest 10-K filing.

Decoding KeyCorp (KEY): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Market Dominance in Core Regions: KeyCorp's significant presence in Ohio and New York provides it with a competitive edge in these markets. The company's deep-rooted connections and comprehensive understanding of local economies enable it to tailor services effectively to client needs. This regional dominance is supported by a vast network of branches and ATMs, ensuring accessibility and convenience for customers. Moreover, KeyCorp's strong brand recognition within these core markets contributes to customer loyalty and retention, which are crucial for sustained revenue streams.

Diversified Financial Services: KeyCorp offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services, including retail and commercial banking, investment management, and capital markets services. This diversification allows the company to cater to a wide range of customer needs, from individual banking to complex institutional financial solutions. The diversity in services not only mitigates risks associated with market fluctuations but also positions KeyCorp to capitalize on cross-selling opportunities, enhancing its revenue potential.

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Robust Capital and Liquidity Position: KeyCorp's capital adequacy ratios, including Tier 1 capital and Common Equity Tier 1, indicate a strong capital base that exceeds regulatory requirements. This robust capital structure provides a buffer against potential financial shocks and supports the company's growth initiatives. Additionally, KeyCorp's prudent liquidity management ensures it has sufficient funds to meet its obligations, contributing to financial stability and investor confidence.

Weaknesses

Concentrated Credit Exposure: KeyCorp's loan portfolio exhibits a concentrated credit exposure in commercial and industrial loans, which could pose risks if economic conditions deteriorate in these sectors. Such concentration increases the potential for significant credit losses, impacting the company's financial health. Diversifying the loan portfolio could mitigate this risk, but it remains a notable weakness that requires ongoing attention and strategic management.

Commercial Real Estate Market Sensitivity: The company's involvement in commercial real estate lending and servicing exposes it to the cyclical nature of real estate markets. Deterioration in market fundamentals, such as declining asset prices or defaults by loan clients, could lead to increased credit losses and impairments. This weakness underscores the need for vigilant risk assessment and proactive measures to navigate the volatile real estate landscape.

Operational and Cybersecurity Risks: As a financial institution, KeyCorp faces operational risks, including those associated with technology systems and cybersecurity threats. Breaches or failures could result in significant financial and reputational damage. Despite having controls and procedures in place, the evolving nature of cyber threats presents a persistent challenge that requires continuous investment in security measures.

Opportunities

Digital Banking Expansion: The shift towards digital banking presents KeyCorp with opportunities to expand its online and mobile banking capabilities. By investing in digital platforms, such as its national digital bank, Laurel Road, KeyCorp can attract tech-savvy customers, enhance user experience, and improve operational efficiency. This strategic focus on digital innovation positions the company to capture a larger market share in the growing fintech space.

Capital Markets and Investment Banking Growth: KeyCorp's Commercial Bank segment, including the KeyBanc Capital Markets (KBCM) platform, offers significant opportunities for growth in capital markets and investment banking services. By leveraging its expertise in sectors such as healthcare, technology, and energy, KeyCorp can expand its client base and increase revenue from high-margin services like syndicated finance, derivatives, and financial advisory.

Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships: KeyCorp has the opportunity to pursue strategic acquisitions and partnerships that align with its business objectives. These initiatives can provide access to new markets, technologies, and talent, driving growth and innovation. Additionally, collaborations with fintech companies could enhance KeyCorp's product offerings and competitive positioning in the rapidly evolving financial services industry.

Threats

Intensifying Competition: The financial services industry is highly competitive, with KeyCorp facing pressure from both traditional banks and non-bank entities, including fintech firms. These competitors may have fewer regulatory constraints or more innovative offerings, challenging KeyCorp's market share. The company must continuously innovate and adapt to maintain its competitive edge in this dynamic environment.

Regulatory and Compliance Burdens: KeyCorp operates in a heavily regulated industry, and changes in laws, regulations, or accounting standards could increase compliance costs or restrict business activities. Additionally, heightened scrutiny on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices adds complexity to the company's operations. Navig

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.


Comprehensive analysis of Pfizer Inc's financial health and strategic positioning.

Insight into Pfizer's operational strengths and potential areas for improvement.

Exploration of external opportunities and threats impacting Pfizer's future.

Forward-looking strategies to leverage Pfizer's market presence.

On February 22, 2024, Pfizer Inc, a global leader in biopharmaceuticals, filed its annual 10-K report, revealing a financial landscape shaped by both robust sales in its prescription drugs and vaccines and the challenges of a dynamic market. Despite a decrease in total revenues to $58.5 billion, a 42% drop from the previous year, largely due to the operational wind-down of COVID-19 product sales, Pfizer's financial tables reflect the company's enduring strength in its core offerings. The company's strategic acquisitions, such as the transformative purchase of Seagen, and its commitment to R&D, signal a focused drive towards future growth and innovation.

Decoding Pfizer Inc (PFE): A Strategic SWOT Insight

As we delve into the SWOT analysis of Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE), we will explore the company's internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external opportunities and threats that could influence its trajectory in the pharmaceutical industry.

Strengths

Robust Product Portfolio and R&D Focus: Pfizer Inc's strength lies in its diverse and strong product portfolio, which includes high-performing drugs like the pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar 13, cancer drug Ibrance, and cardiovascular treatment Eliquis. The company's commitment to R&D is evident from its strategic acquisition of Seagen, enhancing its oncology offerings. Pfizer's R&D strategy prioritizes highly differentiated medicines and vaccines, focusing on therapeutic areas where the company can make the most significant impact. This dedication to innovation ensures a sustainable pipeline of products that address unmet patient needs and supports long-term growth.

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Global Market Presence: With international sales accounting for nearly 50% of total sales, Pfizer's global footprint is a testament to its strength. The company's ability to navigate diverse markets, including emerging economies, positions it well to capitalize on global healthcare demands. Pfizer's strategic restructuring, such as the creation of the Pfizer Oncology Division and the Pfizer International Commercial Division, demonstrates its agility in responding to market dynamics and optimizing its international operations for better focus and execution.

Weaknesses

Revenue Volatility Post-COVID-19: Pfizer Inc faced a significant operational decrease in revenue, primarily due to the reduction in COVID-19 product sales. This volatility highlights a weakness in the company's dependence on pandemic-related products for a substantial portion of its revenue. As the demand for these products normalizes, Pfizer must navigate the transition and focus on its broader product portfolio to maintain financial stability.

Operational Risks and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: The company's operations are subject to transitional and physical risks, including climate change impacts and geopolitical tensions. For instance, the tornado damage to Pfizer's manufacturing facility in Rocky Mount, NC, underscores the vulnerability of its supply chain to unforeseen events. Such disruptions can affect the supply of medicines and potentially lead to increased operational costs, impacting the company's financial performance.

Opportunities

Expansion in Emerging Markets: Pfizer Inc has the opportunity to further penetrate emerging markets, where healthcare needs are rapidly evolving. By leveraging its existing international presence and focusing on diseases prevalent in these regions, Pfizer can tap into new patient populations and drive growth. The company's strategic business development activities, including partnerships and acquisitions, can facilitate this expansion and enhance its global market share.

Advancements in Biotechnology: The biopharmaceutical industry is witnessing significant advancements in biological science and platform technologies. Pfizer's focus on drug discovery and development positions it to capitalize on these trends. By continuing to invest in cutting-edge R&D and fostering external innovation through collaborations, Pfizer can maintain its leadership in delivering breakthrough medicines and vaccines.

Threats

Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity Risks: Pfizer Inc operates in an industry where intellectual property is crucial. The company faces risks related to patent claims, infringement, and the potential loss of exclusivity. Additionally, cybersecurity threats pose a significant risk to Pfizer's IT systems and infrastructure, which could lead to business disruptions and theft of confidential information. These threats could have material adverse effects on the company's operations and reputation.

Regulatory and Market Pressures: Pfizer must navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment and market pressures, including expectations for equitable access to medicines and sustainable products. Failure to meet these expectations could result in negative stakeholder reactions and impact the company's competitive position. Moreover, changes in government regulations or laws could lead to increased compliance costs and affect Pfizer's ability to operate effectively.

In conclusion, Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) demonstrates strong market positioning through its robust product portfolio, global presence, and commitment to R&D. However, the company must address weaknesses such as revenue volatility and operational risks to maintain its financial health. Opportunities for growth in emerging markets and advancements in biotechnology present promising avenues for expansion. Nevertheless, threats from intellectual property challenges and regulatory pressures require strategic management. Pfizer's forward-looking strategies, including its focus on oncology leadership and pipeline innovation, are poised to leverage its strengths and opportunities while mitigating its weaknesses and threats, ensuring its continued success in the pharmaceutical industry.

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.


LSU booted the Theta Xi fraternity from campus and told members they needed to vacate their house by the end of last month after three members received criminal citations under Louisianas anti-hazing laws.

University officials sent a letter to Theta Xi at the end of 2023 saying the fraternity would be suspended from campus through the end of 2025 and asking for the Theta Xi national organization to revoke the local branch's charter. The fraternity received a warning from LSU officials in 2021 that found them responsible for endangerment and failure to comply, and Theta Xi was on probation in 2019 after throwing beer at a fire marshal.
An Army carry team loads the transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga., to a vehicle along with the remains of Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Ga., and Sgt. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Ga., at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. The three were killed in a drone attack in Jordan on Jan. 28. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) ORG XMIT: DEMR122
A Texas man made almost $US2 million ($3 million) by illegally trading on his wifes conversations with her BP colleagues, according to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in its latest case about couples eavesdropping while working from home.

For months, Tyler Loudon bought shares in servo chain TravelCenters of America, the SEC said on Thursday. Loudon liquidated his brokerage and retirement accounts, and in February 2023, when BP announced it was buying the company at a 74 per cent premium, made a $US1.76 million profit. His wife, then a BP mergers and acquisitions manager who was working on the deal, was unaware of his trading, the regulator said.

The SEC has brought a string of insider trading cases since the work-from-home era began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (Stock photo) Credit: Istock

According to lawsuits from the SEC and US prosecutors in Texas, Tyler got the idea to buy TravelCenters after learning of the potential deal from his wife, who was working on the deal in a home office 6 metres away. When he ultimately confessed to her, she moved out of the house and later filed for divorce. She reported his trades to BP, who then fired her despite finding no evidence that she knowingly leaked the deal, according to the SEC.

As part of his settlement, Loudon agreed to give up the money he made on the transactions and pay a fine. Loudons lawyer, Peter Zeidenberg, didnt immediately reply to a request for comment. BP declined to comment.
By now, no one should be surprised that Taylor Swifts every move is being documented, dissected and discussed even when shes not doing anything particularly interesting. Taylor Swift goes to dinner, and we watch on in awe, even though it is totally normal behaviour.

But you know whats not normal? Going to Sydneys second-best zoo two days in a row!

Look what you made me Zoo! Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce visit their favourite spot in Sydney, Sydney Zoo!

On Wednesday, the superstar was spotted taking a trip to Sydney Zoo, not to be confused with the more famous Taronga Zoo. Sydney Zoo is located near Blacktown in Sydneys west and, according to its website, is Sydneys Favourite New Zoo.

Now as someone born and raised in the western suburbs, I love the place, but its a bit weird for the worlds biggest pop star to make a beeline for Blacktown when Taronga Zoo, with its harbour views and seaside location is usually the zoo of choice for A-listers.
When talk comes up of long-haul flights, many who live in the U.S. will invariably think of Australia.

After the country's flagship carrier Qantas Airways (QUBSF) launches the new route in 2025, the 20-hour and 10,576-mile flight between the two cities will push out Singapore Airlines (SINGF) ' New York route for the title of the longest running flight in the world.

Related: Another Australian airline CEO has resigned early

But at present, those traveling between the U.S. and Australia often need to go through either San Francisco and Los Angeles. A number of airlines fly from these cities not just to Sydney but other Australian locations such as Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

Delta, United and American Airlines all fly to Australia from the United States. TheStreet/Shutterstock

Delta to run 17 weekly flights between the U.S. and Australia (this is the newest one)

Delta Air Lines (DAL) on Feb. 23 said that it would start running a Brisbane-L.A. flight starting on Dec. 4. Spanning 7,161 miles and taking just over 14 hours, the new route will run three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday until March 28, 2025, to meet the more popular travel period during the American winter and Australian summer.

More Travel:

With this addition of Brisbane, Deltas upcoming winter schedule will offer our customers up to 17 weekly flights between the U.S. and Australia," Delta's SVP of Network Planning Joe Esposito said in a statement. "This marks our most extensive schedule to the South Pacific to date, and as we build our presence in the region, we know our customers will enjoy the enhanced experience."

Brisbane is the capital of the Australian state of Queensland and is often passed through by tourists on the way to beaches along Australia's Noosa and Gold Coast.

After Sydney, Brisbane will be the second Australian city from which Delta flies while competitors such as United Airlines (UAL) and American (AAL) also fly there alongside other cities such as Melbourne and Perth.

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Looking to fly to Australia from the U.S.? You have more options than ever

Currently offering more flights to Australia than any other U.S. airline, United has been running a flight between San Francisco and Brisbane since 2022 and L.A. and Brisbane since 2023. American Airlines, meanwhile, announced a new flight to the city from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport for one of the few flights to Australia from a U.S. city away from the West Coast.

On top of the flights from the U.S.-based airlines, Qantas runs the largest number of routes between different American and Australian cities.

All of these routes and increasing competition between airlines for the South Pacific travel market speak to both the higher numbers of travelers going between the two countries after Australia definitively opened up to visitors following the pandemic, as well as the fact that many are looking to go directly from their home city instead of having to transit through Sydney to get to anywhere else in Australia.

"Conversely, this route opens doors for more Australian travelers to indulge in the glamorous allure of Hollywood in Los Angeles or to take advantage of more than 40 convenient one-stop connections to popular U.S. cities," Delta said of its new Brisbane flight.

Related: Veteran fund manager picks favorite stocks for 2024
Nine historic Port Jackson figs in Mosman have had holes drilled into their bases and possibly filled with herbicide, sparking an investigation by police and the local council into Sydneys latest case of tree vandalism.

Mosman Council was told on Monday that a Balmoral resident had seen someone drilling into a fig tree along the Balmoral foreshore.

Nine trees along the Balmoral foreshore have had holes drilled into them in an act of vandalism. Credit: Laura Chung

Council staff completed an onsite inspection and discovered nine fig trees in the area had been drilled. These included five semi-mature and four mature Port Jackson fig trees, a Mosman Council spokesperson said.

Contractors have washed out the drill holes and applied Seasol to the surrounding soil.
Jesse Baird and Luke Davies had the world at their feet.

The pair were seen as rising stars in their chosen fields  happy, healthy young men loving life and each other, friends told the Herald.

Both had moved to Sydney relatively recently for work  Baird as a television reporter and presenter, Davies having got his big break as a flight attendant on the Qantas international circuit  and they quickly established diverse friendship networks.

Luke Davies (left) and Jesse Baird.

Baird was a TV natural whose future was bright, dazzlingly bright, Ten presenter Angela Bishop said, and Davies was known to friends for his passion, his excitement and his sense of adventure.
Hail the bandicoot

When it comes to productivity, the endangered southern brown bandicoots are gold standard as ecosystem engineers (Sprawl threatens marsupials urban refuge, 23/2).

Once roaming Melbourne, but barely known to most of us, these bandicoots will be hanging on for dear life if one of their last refuges, the 3.1 hectares in Cranbourne, is cleared.

These animals do us all the favour of turning up to four metric tonnes of soil per year, cycling nutrients, allowing water and oxygen in, and helping to break down organic matter.

In the face of climate change and ensuing wildlife extinction threats, there must be a way for housing developments and vital indigenous species to coexist. We should return the favour southern brown bandicoots are doing us by prioritising and protecting their home.

Isabelle Henry, Ascot Vale Buyers remorse

Prahran Square is a classic case of buyers remorse for Stonnington ratepayers. Any patrons of the dismal former car park would have welcomed its redevelopment to put cars underground and a park on top.

Norman Days critique (19/2) is all too accurate, and is supported by most who actually visit the space. Carey Lyons defence for the design team (22/2) seems to imply that the project should be judged by the extent to which it satisfies the designers aims rather than the end users needs.

The best public squares will develop organically over time, in response to changing local requirements; urban designers ignore this at their peril. Prahran Square has a long way to go.

Jenifer Nicholls, Armadale Reveal Lay report

Re: Calls for heroin treatment rethink (23/2). Where, indeed, is the independent report by Ken Lay about the injecting drug harms in the City of Melbourne? It was handed to the minister for mental health in May last year. It involved extensive consultation with the community. At the heart of the process was the question of establishing a second supervised injecting room in the CBD.

It is important to remember that such a facility would offer many other services, including opportunities for recovery from drug addiction. Wastewater analysis shows Melbourne to be the heroin capital of Australia. That is nothing to boast about. It is time for Jacinta Allan to stop considering the Lay report and allow discussion and action.

Jennie Stuart, Balwyn Justice system crisis

Deputy Police Commissioner Ross Guenther has highlighted the flaws in the justice system in an interview with John Silvester headed A justice system in crisis, but does anybody really care?, (23/2). Apparently not.

Robert Richter wrote an opinion piece Im a vaping barrister. Violent criminals have seized this market, (14/2), explaining how banning vapes would create another black market. More firebombings? Richter explained the absolute futility of creating black markets and some of the associated costs. Eventually, we will accept that prohibition just doesnt work.

Once we do, we can start looking at a better system, perhaps we need an inquiry or commission to start planning that.

Tony Jackson, Fitzroy Wongs diplomacy

Look no further, Australia has found a real leader for our country in Penny Wong (Do China and the US need a red telephone to prevent war, (23/2). Wong suggests Australia should play a more active role in helping to avert a conflict. At last, a suggestion that thinks beyond the limitations of war, which in the past has always been referred to as a last resort.

I think we should consider Wongs approach. It seems preventing war by negotiation could be a good way of preventing hostility, heartache and death.

Sharon Hendon, Glen Iris Whistleblower Assange

Those who dismiss Julian Assange as somehow lacking in moral fibre fail to appreciate that he exposed war crimes in Iraq.

He is a whistleblower, and we are dependent on such people to hold the powerful and corrupt to account.

Our own troops have committed war crimes in Afghanistan, and we should be made aware of any criminal behaviour by those in power.

Failing to defend Assange is a failure to defend the public interest and to be complicit in the continued incarceration of a man who has not been found guilty of any crime.

Di Cousens, Upwey A road is not a road map

Reports that Israel is constructing a road across central Gaza (Israelis building new road to the sea, 23/2) suggest that failed policies of division, containment and control continue to hold sway.

It is time for Israel not only to heed the warnings issued by the United Nations and the United States, but to engage positively with proposals that accord with international law and human rights.

For a start that means formal recognition of Palestine and the admission that its West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements are illegal.

Its clearing these roadblocks, not building a crossGaza roadway, that would open the pathway to peace for both Israel and Palestine.

Tom Knowles, Parkville Predictable Dutton

Peter Dutton has predictably joined the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries in warning purchasers that proposed new emission standards will push up the price of popular cars  quelle horreur! (Car lobbys price hike figures exaggerated, 23/2).

As usual, he insults voters by treating us as mugs. The debate on the impact of disgracefully overdue measures to address vehicle emissions will continue.

Most Australians know that we dont live in some Disneyland where there are always costless solutions to past excesses.

Mr Dutton might also reflect on the Coalitions record with the motor vehicle industry. When the dollar reached parity with the US dollar from 2010 to 2013, the Abbott government refused to support local manufacturers. Joe Hockey dared them to pull out, and they were all gone by 2017.

What a master stroke of industry policy.

Norman Huon, Port Melbourne This flight is full

Wonderful story on Elizabeth Reid who was a TAA air hostess 1946-1949 (Ex air-hostess takes memory lane joy flight, 23/2). Her comment that she hated the Canberra to Melbourne flights because they were late at night and half of them would be full [of alcohol] before they even got onto the aircraft. Im talking about our politicians shows that things havent changed over the years and reinforces the need that some firmer controls need to be put in place.

Rick Whitelaw, Anglesea

Dont damn investors

Your correspondents (Letters, 23/2) are hell-bent on depleting the supply of rental properties by damning investment. Someone has to build them. You dont get a big return immediately, and sometimes you are at a loss (bad tenants etc), but you are providing needed accommodation. The solution is bipartisan discussion.

Ian Anderson, Surrey Hills Credit: Illustration: Matt Golding AND ANOTHER THING Thanks Angus

As a non-Melbourne supporter, may I thank Angus Brayshaw for his footballing career and congratulate him on his courageous and correct decision to retire based on medical advice.

James Young, Mt Eliza As a dedicated Demon, my heart breaks for Angus Brayshaw and his premature forced retirement, but his health must come first. A wonderful, unselfish player.

Marie Nash, Balwyn

Credit due

Bouquets to my bank for crediting my account just one hour after I reported unauthorised withdrawals. Well done ANZ.

Roger Farrer, Hampton Flying from Adelaide to Melbourne at short notice and needing a wheelchair, Jetstar ground staff could not do enough for us. We were sat in forward seats and assisted to and from the plane. We were impressed and grateful.

Megan Peniston-Bird, Kew Explicit learning (Catholic schools get explicit in teaching, 23/2). Showing the kids how to do something, then letting them try it. Sounds revolutionary to me.

Brian Moloney, Essendon Many private training colleges and their peak body, complaining about revisions to granting student visas, are finally reaping what they sowed.

Brendan OFarrell, Brunswick A boatload of refugees make it to the remote coast. (How many dont?) Peter Dutton rants about soft borders. All he sees is an illusory political opportunity.

Greg Champion, Montmorency
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will attend a private performance by Katy Perry at the Melbourne mansion of billionaire Anthony Pratt with a crowd of 200 of the countrys most prominent corporate leaders and political figures.

The event  held in celebration of the food and beverage industry with which Pratts packaging company, Visy, does business  was due to be attended by outgoing Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci, but he pulled out recently as public scrutiny ramped up on alleged price gouging.

Anthony Albanese will attend a very exclusive performance by Katy Perry at packaging magnate Anthony Pratts mansion on Saturday evening. Credit: Getty, Alex Ellinghausen

Sources familiar with the planning of the event, who were not authorised to speak publicly, said Albanese had RSVPd to the event and would likely use his weekend in Melbourne to campaign in the seat of Dunkley before the March 2 byelection in the bayside electorate.

The prime ministers office declined for three days to confirm or deny his attendance at the function since this masthead questioned the office on Tuesday.
Official February 21, 2024 Toyota Recalls







Toyota Recalls Certain 2023 Toyota Mirai, and Certain 2023-2024 Lexus LS, LC and ES

 Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Japan, North America and Asia. The recall involves certain Mirai and LS, LC, ES in North America. For the U.S., approximately 19,000 vehicles are involved in this recall.

Due to a software programming issue, the rearview image may not display within the period of time required by certain U.S. safety regulations after the driver shifts the vehicle into reverse, increasing the risk of a crash while backing the vehicle.

For all involved vehicles, Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Panoramic View Monitor system at no cost to customers.

Owners of involved vehicles will be notified by late April 2024.

Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is current as of todays filing date and is subject to change thereafter. To see if your vehicle is involved in a safety recall visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information.

For any additional questions, Toyota customer support is also available by calling the Toyota Brand Engagement Center (1-800-331-4331) for Toyota vehicles. Customer support is also available by calling the Lexus Brand Engagement Center (1-800-255-3987

for Lexus vehicles.

Toyota Recalls Certain 2023-2024 Toyota Camry, Camry Hybrid Vehicles

 Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles in the U.S. Approximately 4,000 vehicles are involved in this recall.

The two head restraints on the 60% portion of the rear fold down seats in the involved vehicles may have poor welds on a bracket that can cause the vehicles not to comply with a federal safety standard. This can affect head restraint performance and increase the risk of injury during certain collisions.

For all applicable vehicles, Toyota dealers will replace the 60% rear seat back frame sub-assembly at no cost to customers. Owners of involved vehicles will be notified by late April 2024.

Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is current as of todays filing date and is subject to change thereafter. To see if your vehicle is involved in a safety recall visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information.

For any additional questions, Toyota customer support is also available by calling the Toyota Brand Engagement Center (1-800-331-4331) for Toyota vehicles.

Toyota Recalls Certain 2022-2024 Toyota Tundra, Sequoia and Lexus LX 600 Models

PLANO, Texas (Feb. 21, 2024)  Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain 2022-2024 model year Toyota Tundra and Tundra Hybrid, 2023-2024 model year Sequoia and 2022-2024 model year Lexus LX 600 vehicles in the U.S. Approximately 280,000 vehicles are involved in this recall.

Certain parts of the transmission may not immediately disengage when the vehicle is shifted to the neutral position. This can allow some engine power to continue to be transferred to the wheels and can allow the vehicle to inadvertently creep forward at a low speed when it is on a flat surface and no brakes are applied, leading to an increased risk of a crash.

For all involved vehicles, Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the transmission at no cost to customers. Owners of involved vehicles will be notified by late April 2024.

Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is current as of todays filing date and is subject to change thereafter. To see if your vehicle is involved in a safety recall visit Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate information.

For any additional questions, Toyota customer support is also available by calling the Toyota Brand Engagement Center (1-800-331-4331) for Toyota vehicles. Customer support is also available by calling the Lexus Brand Engagement Center (1-800-255-3987) for Lexus vehicles.

Updated February 22, 2024.
Some 6,040 student loan borrowers in Michigan began receiving emails this week that indicated that their federal student debt was being automatically forgiven under the income-driven repayment program known as the SAVE plan.

In Michigan, $47 million in federal student loans will be forgiven in a first round of forgiveness under the SAVE plan, according to the U.S. Department of Education's data. States where even more debt and more borrowers will see forgiveness now include California, Florida, New York, Ohio, and Texas.

In Ohio, some 7,540 student loan borrowers will see forgiveness soon, eliminating $60 million in federal student loan debt.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said families will see a financial burden lifted, creating a boost to local economies.

"This is going from policy to people," Cardona said in a call with regional media.

It's part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to cancel $1.2 billion in federal student loan debt for 153,000 borrowers nationwide soon under the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan. The U.S. Department of Education said loan servicers started processing the early loan forgiveness on Friday, adding that these borrowers will see their loans forgiven on their accounts in the coming weeks.

The cancellation effort for this first group was set to start July 1, but the Education Department moved that up to February.

President Joe Biden emailed these borrowers in all 50 states plus territories on Wednesday  and put a note on the X, formerly Twitter  of the news.

President Joe Biden greets a family for a conversation about student loan debt forgiveness at their home in Raleigh, North Carolina, Jan. 18, 2024, after he touted his economic agenda in a speech at Abbotts Creek Community Center.

"Starting today," Biden said on the social media platform, "the first round of folks who are enrolled in our SAVE student loan repayment plan who have paid their loans for 10 years and borrowed $12,000 or less will have their debt canceled. Thats 150,000 Americans and counting."

Borrowers are being told that all or a portion of their federal student loans will be forgiven. These borrowers do not need to take any further action to receive relief.

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In some cases, many of these borrowers in this first round of forgiveness could have student loan debt with no college degree.

In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision, struck down a massive $430 billion student loan forgiveness program initiated by the Biden administration, ruling the program vastly exceeded the authority Congress delegated to the executive branch.

Biden, who is seeking reelection in 2024, has vowed to fix the student loan system and has sought other avenues for reducing the burden of high student loan payments on middle-class families.

The Biden administration said it has approved debt cancellation for nearly 3.9 million federal student loan borrowers, adding up to almost $138 billion in debt relief through various actions. Other efforts included fixes to public service loan forgiveness.

Borrowers seeing forgiveness now fall under a specific category, as Biden indicated on social media. They are enrolled in the SAVE Plan, have made at least 10 years of payments, and originally borrowed $12,000 or less for college.

For every $1,000 borrowed above $12,000, a borrower can receive forgiveness after an additional year of payments.

All borrowers on the SAVE plan receive forgiveness after 20 or 25 years, depending on whether they have loans for graduate school. The Education Department notes that the benefit is based upon the original principal balance of all federal loans borrowed as a student to attend school, not what a borrower currently owes or the amount of an individual loan.

We can expect more news ahead about student debt forgiveness under SAVE. The Education Department will identify and discharge borrowers enrolled in SAVE who are eligible for forgiveness on a regular basis.

Borrowers can review whether they would benefit by signing up for the SAVE plan by going to StudentAid.gov/SAVE.

The SAVE plan went into place in 2023. It bases your monthly payment on your income and family size. Monthly payments are typically lower than other plans because they're based on a smaller portion of your adjusted gross income, according to the Education Department.

A key benefit: Many borrowers won't see their balances grow under SAVE. "If you make your full monthly payment, but it is not enough to cover the accrued monthly interest, the government covers the rest of the interest that accrued that month. This means that the SAVE Plan prevents your balance from growing due to unpaid interest," according to the Education Department.

The SAVE plan has some advantages relating to loan forgiveness, too.

"With the SAVE plan, borrowers who start off with less debt can have the remaining debt forgiven sooner," said Mark Kantrowitz, a student loan expert who is the author of "How to Appeal for More College Financial Aid."

Borrowers in an income-driven repayment plan normally have the remaining debt forgiven after 20 or 25 years in repayment. However, the SAVE plan offers forgiveness sooner in the process to many borrowers.

Kantrowitz said the first round of borrowers will see an average of $8,000 in federal student loans being forgiven. Many of these borrowers, he said, are more likely to have attended a community college.

The White House noted that under the SAVE plan, 85% of future community college borrowers will be debt free within 10 years.

To qualify for this forgiveness, Kantrowitz said, the borrowers needed to switch to the SAVE plan. Currently, 7.5 million borrowers are enrolled in the SAVE plan. About 4.3 million borrowers  or 57.3% of that group  have a $0 monthly payment.

Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on X (Twitter) @tompor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Some 6,040 Michigan borrowers see emails about canceled student debt
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Fusilier 4x4 will be battery-powered, but one model will have a small petrol engine - Patrik Lundin

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has accused British and European governments of forcing electric cars down the consumers throat, as he prepares to sell a new battery-powered 4x4 that will have a backup petrol engine.

Speaking at an event in London, the billionaire behind Ineos and Manchester United warned electric vehicles (EVs) still have major drawbacks and argued carmakers should not be forced to sell them exclusively.

Sir Jim added that current European regulations effectively force companies like his to develop EVs, adding that they cant survive without launching one.

He said it should be up to motorists to decide which technology triumphs, adding that continuing innovation in Formula 1 was proof that the internal combustion engine was not at the end of the road yet.

The 71-year-old, who is Britains second-richest person, told a press conference: Europe is saying Youll all drive in electric vehicles and well can the combustion engine, whereas America is saying there probably isnt one solution for all purposes.

I think ultimately, they cant force a solution down the consumers throat that the consumer rejects. They need to find a solution which is acceptable to people.

I think the consumer should have a choice. And its clear at the moment that consumers are speaking with their feet, arent they? Theyre not buying electric cars.

Sir Jim said EVs struggled on long journeys outside of cities where charging points are less common. He said: A lot of the population do want to go on a long journey, they dont want range anxiety.

So the direction we are going is to have two offerings. Well have an electric vehicle, which I think will be very capable. But my personal, strong preference is the same electric vehicle but with a range extender under the bonnet.

His comments came as Ineos Automotive, the car division of the billionaires sprawling empire, unveiled the new Fusilier 4x4.

One version of the new vehicle will be battery-powered only, while a second will be equipped with a small petrol engine that can switch on and power a generator on long journeys, aimed at dispelling so-called EV range anxiety.

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The battery version of the Fusilier will have a range of at least 400 kilometres (248 miles), according to Ineos, while the range-extender version will have a battery range of around 270 kilometres that will be supplemented by the petrol motor.

His comments come as debate rages in the car industry about how to reduce emissions by keeping prices low and allowing consumers to recharge or refuel quickly.

In the UK, the zero emissions mandate is forcing big carmakers to ratchet up sales of EVs in the coming decade, from 22pc of sales this year to 80pc by 2030.

Similar rules in Europe ban carmakers from selling cars that create tailpipe carbon emissions from 2035, with the exception of those that run on synthetic fuels.

While some car makers are planning EV-only lineups in future, others such as Toyota have argued that multiple types of cars  including hybrids and hydrogen-powered vehicles  will still have a place in the future.

Sir Jim argued that electric cars were currently better suited to being used as runarounds in urban areas, noting that he currently drives an electric Smart car when at home in Monaco.

A UK Government spokesman said: Our pragmatic, world-leading approach will put us on a pathway to ensuring that by 2035, new cars and vans will be zero emissions at the exhaust, all while supporting growth and safeguarding skilled jobs in the UKs car industry.

This is on top of more than 2bn weve already spent on the switch to electric, which has supported putting over a million electric vehicles on our roads and a 46pc increase in the number of charge points since this time last year.

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.
Qabil Ashirov

Azerbaijan and Pakistan are unfolding a new chapter in their bilateral cooperation as strategic partners. According to Pakistani sources, the two countries signed a deal on JF-17 Block-III fighter jets. Azerbaijan will purchase Pakistan-made fighter jets worth $1.6bn. In addition, a contract covers training pilots and the acquisition of ammunition for the jet.

It is worth noting that similar news has been disseminated in the mass media previously but has never been confirmed. However, it seems that the deal will be completed this time because, according to the Turkish media, the Pakistani company is aiming to produce a total of 62 JF-17 Block III versions and deliver all of them to the Pakistan Air Force by 2024. After delivery to the Pakistani army, it seems an export could happen.

Speaking to Azernews on the issue, Dr. Mehmood ul Hassan Khan noted that, interestingly, it has been widely circulated on numerous social media outlets, along with "X, indicating the signing of a historic deal for the purchase of JF-17 Thunder Block-III in Pakistan as well as in Azerbaijan. Even Azerbaijani media outlets published a story titled Pakistan signs largest ever fighter jet sale deal with Azerbaijan.

"Furthermore, some senior and reliable sources from Pakistani media outlets confirmed that the agreement for the sale of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 aircraft between two brotherly countries, i.e., Pakistan and Azerbaijan, will be finalised soon. According to them, the deal for JF-17 Block-III fighter jets was signed for $US1.6 billion, including aircraft, training, and ammunition, he said.

As for the quantity of purchased aircraft, Dr. Mehmood ul Hassan Khan noted that, according to reliable sources from national media and defence organisations, Pakistan will sell the latest 4.5-generation JF-17 Thunder aircraft to Azerbaijan. The sale of JF-17 Thunder Block 3 aircraft is the largest defence export deal in Pakistan's history.

Moreover, the sources confirmed that Pakistan will initially supply 8 JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets to Azerbaijan, after the initial 8 planes, Azerbaijan will also buy 8 more jets from Pakistan.

Its deal will include packages of weapons and training with the planes. Apart from this, Azerbaijan became the third country after Myanmar and Nigeria to purchase JF-17 Thunders from Pakistan, the expert noted.

Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan pointed out that the JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets are equipped with the latest avionics and electronic warfare systems according to contemporary requirements, with a wider combat range, and more combat capabilities than the other competitors incomparable super manoeuvrability.

He underlined that critical analysis reveals that the JF-17 Thunder is a medium-sized multi-role fighter plane designed jointly by Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) to fulfill the Pakistan Air Forces airpower requirements.

Additionally, the JF-17 Block-III is armed with PL-10E short-range air-to-air missiles. It has a wide-angle holographic head-up display and a new imaging infrared (IIR)-based missile approach warning system, which has further enhanced its compatibility and widened its fighting and combat weaponry.

With the PL-10, the JF-17 Block-III has gained tremendous dogfight capability and has an edge even against its heavier opposing counterparts in homeland air defence. It is smarter and faster with the speed of Mach 2, almost 2470 km/h. The JF-17 Block-IIIs has state-of-the-art avionics, he said.

As is known, the region countries where Azerbaijan is located predominantly have Russian MIG and SU planes and US Falcon (F14 and F16) aircraft. Can Pakistani JF-17C Block-III compete with Falcons, MIG, and SU? Pakistans star-fighter, the JF-17 Thunder Block II, is now rated equal to the F-16 in its diversified capabilities of aerial warfare and weapon-carrying capacity. According to regional experts, the JF-17 Block-II operational altitude is quite high, and it has far superior ship-busting capabilities due to the munitions it carries.

It seems that the JF-17 Block III has changed the dynamics of aerial supremacy in the region and beyond, which has further consolidated Pakistans Air Force capabilities. It is indeed superior to even F-16 C.

It has a full glass cockpit and a new single-panel multifunctional display. It may have British or Italian avionics and radars. It may include Italian Galileo Avionicas Grifo S7, French Thomson-CSFs RC400, and British company SELEX Galileos Vixen 500E, he noted.

Hassan Khan noted that it is also less prone to jamming and leaves a far lower radar signature meaning it is both more reliable and makes the fighter more difficult to detect. Its state-of-the-art Chinese electronic warfare systems, a radar cross-section reducing profile, a combination of modern avionics, and AESA radar, and PL-15 missiles will make the JF-17 Block-III an extremely lethal fighter for beyond visual range combat considerably more capable than any fighter currently in Pakistani service, including the F-16 C.

Azerbaijan has shown interest in Pakistan/Chinese JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, and the two countries have reportedly been in talks over the aircraft for the past decade.

In May 2003, Azerbaijan and Pakistan signed a defence agreement that allowed Azerbaijani military personnel, particularly Special Forces units, to participate in annual military drills alongside Pakistani armed forces.

As part of the agreement, Azerbaijani naval personnel took part in the largest Pakistani-led multinational exercise, AMAN-2013, which took place in the Arabian Sea in March 2013, Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan concluded.
Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up.

So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Brunel International (AMS:BRNL). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it.

See our latest analysis for Brunel International

How Fast Is Brunel International Growing Its Earnings Per Share?

In the last three years Brunel International's earnings per share took off; so much so that it's a bit disingenuous to use these figures to try and deduce long term estimates. As a result, we'll zoom in on growth over the last year, instead. Brunel International's EPS skyrocketed from 0.52 to 0.77, in just one year; a result that's bound to bring a smile to shareholders. That's a impressive gain of 50%.

One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. EBIT margins for Brunel International remained fairly unchanged over the last year, however the company should be pleased to report its revenue growth for the period of 22% to 1.3b. That's encouraging news for the company!

The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers.

Fortunately, we've got access to analyst forecasts of Brunel International's future profits. You can do your own forecasts without looking, or you can take a peek at what the professionals are predicting.

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Are Brunel International Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

As a general rule, it's worth considering how much the CEO is paid, since unreasonably high rates could be considered against the interests of shareholders. For companies with market capitalisations between 370m and 1.5b, like Brunel International, the median CEO pay is around 1.2m.

The Brunel International CEO received 1.0m in compensation for the year ending December 2022. That is actually below the median for CEO's of similarly sized companies. While the level of CEO compensation shouldn't be the biggest factor in how the company is viewed, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. Generally, arguments can be made that reasonable pay levels attest to good decision-making.

Is Brunel International Worth Keeping An Eye On?

You can't deny that Brunel International has grown its earnings per share at a very impressive rate. That's attractive. Strong EPS growth is a great look for the company and reasonable CEO compensation sweetens the deal for investors ass it alludes to management being conscious of frivolous spending. Based on these factors, this stock may well deserve a spot on your watchlist, or even a little further research. It is worth noting though that we have found 2 warning signs for Brunel International that you need to take into consideration.

There's always the possibility of doing well buying stocks that are not growing earnings and do not have insiders buying shares. But for those who consider these important metrics, we encourage you to check out companies that do have those features. You can access a tailored list of Dutch companies which have demonstrated growth backed by recent insider purchases.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. Sometimes these stories can cloud the minds of investors, leading them to invest with their emotions rather than on the merit of good company fundamentals. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should.

In contrast to all that, many investors prefer to focus on companies like New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad (KLSE:NHFATT), which has not only revenues, but also profits. Even if this company is fairly valued by the market, investors would agree that generating consistent profits will continue to provide New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad with the means to add long-term value to shareholders.

Check out our latest analysis for New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad

How Fast Is New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad Growing Its Earnings Per Share?

In the last three years New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad's earnings per share took off; so much so that it's a bit disingenuous to use these figures to try and deduce long term estimates. As a result, we'll zoom in on growth over the last year, instead. New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad's EPS has risen over the last 12 months, growing from RM0.41 to RM0.49. This amounts to a 19% gain; a figure that shareholders will be pleased to see.

Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. Despite consistency in EBIT margins year on year, New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad has actually recorded a dip in revenue. While this may raise concerns, investors should investigate the reasoning behind this.

The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

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Since New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad is no giant, with a market capitalisation of RM304m, you should definitely check its cash and debt before getting too excited about its prospects.

Are New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Seeing insiders owning a large portion of the shares on issue is often a good sign. Their incentives will be aligned with the investors and there's less of a probability in a sudden sell-off that would impact the share price. So we're pleased to report that New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad insiders own a meaningful share of the business. In fact, they own 68% of the company, so they will share in the same delights and challenges experienced by the ordinary shareholders. This should be seen as a good thing, as it means insiders have a personal interest in delivering the best outcomes for shareholders. To give you an idea, the value of insiders' holdings in the business are valued at RM207m at the current share price. That's nothing to sneeze at!

Should You Add New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad To Your Watchlist?

As previously touched on, New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad is a growing business, which is encouraging. If that's not enough on its own, there is also the rather notable levels of insider ownership. The combination definitely favoured by investors so consider keeping the company on a watchlist. What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad you should know about.

Although New Hoong Fatt Holdings Berhad certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see companies with insider buying, then check out this handpicked selection of Malaysian companies that not only boast of strong growth but have also seen recent insider buying..

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
If all agencies work together, Nagpur distt may become accident-free





Staff Reporter

As many as 25 persons die in road accidents on an average in India. Around five lakh minor and major accidents take place in the country on an average every year. As far as Nagpur is concerned, if all agencies work together, Nagpur may become an accident-free district, said Justice (retd) Abhay Sapre, Chairperson of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee on Road Safety. The former Judge of the Supreme Court of India chaired a meeting of the committee at Ravi Bhavan in the city on Thursday. During the review, the officers concerned stated that deaths in road accidents had reduced in Nagpur district in the past few years. In 2021, there were 38 per cent fatalities in road accidents. It reduced to 28 per cent in 2022, and further to 18 per cent in 2023.

After taking stock of the situation, Justice Sapre said that the vehicle riders/drivers also should participate in the larger campaign to make Nagpur an accident-free district. The loss of life in road accidents indicates human error. Very few accidents could be attributed to technical snag in vehicles or other reasons. It is of utmost importance to create confidence that lives could be saved with collective vigilance. Transport, Police, Public Works, and other departments concerned should create mass awareness to save lives lost in road accidents, he stressed. Justice Abhay Sapre pointed out that around 1.50 lakh persons lost life every year in the country. These deaths could be attributed to a variety of reasons including not wearing seat-belts, not following motor vehicle rules, not conducting inspection and repairs of vehicles as per the norms, driving/riding vehicle in an inebriated condition, driving/riding vehicle without adequate sleep etc.

Awareness holds the key to preventing accidents. For the purpose, implementing agencies should seek help of voluntary organisations. The proportion of road accidents is strikingly high in rural areas, and lack of awareness about use of helmet is palpable, he said. He asked the officials to hold meetings at district-level on a regular basis, conduct analysis of road accidents and plan corrective measures accordingly, create awareness among students of Zilla Parishad schools, sensitive response to securing medical attention to persons injured in mishaps, and co-ordination among different agencies concerned are of utmost importance, he added. Vivek Bhimanwar, Transport Commissioner; Ravinder Singal, Commissioner of Police; Dr Vipin Itankar, District Collector; Saumya Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad; Harssh Poddar, Superintendent of Police (Nagpur Rural); senior officers of Highway Police, Public Works Department, Transport Department also were present prominently in the meeting.
140 more encroachments razed from Bhadbhada dam site





By Ankita Garg

Continuing the anti-encroachment campaign on the second day, the district administration and Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) razed 110 encroachments at Bhadbhada dam site in front of Hotel Taj on Thursday. Out of 386 encroachments, administration had already demolished 30 illegal structures at the site on February 21. Officials said that all encroachments have been removed with the consent of encroachers and they have been given three options either to accept the compensation amount, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or relocation in Chandbad area of Old Bhopal. On Friday, the administration will be dismantling 246 remaining encroachments. Talking to The Hitavada over phone, District Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh said, We have demolished 110 encroachments on Thursday with the consent of encroachers. People have been convinced and BMC vehicles helped them in shifting. Some of them have been given compensation amount and some have been allotted patta in Chandpur. Remaining 246 encroachments will be removed on Friday.

Over 500 policemen were deployed at the site and main gate towards Bhadbhada slum was closed with barricades. No one was allowed to move towards Bhadbhada Square to the slum gate. Barricades were placed at one km of distance from Bhadbhada gate. Many people reached with food and other essential items for their relatives but no one was allowed to cross the barricades. Encroachers made various allegations on authorities and cited various examples to exempt them from the campaign. Many of them pleaded that this is the oldest slum of Bhopal and they are living on the location since 100 years. Officials of BMC said, NGT, back to back, had given orders to take action against these human settlements, illegal constructions especially in the vicinity of water bodies.
Key Insights

LEM Holding's estimated fair value is CHF1,826 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of CHF1,748 suggests LEM Holding is potentially trading close to its fair value

Analyst price target for LEHN is CHF2,113, which is 16% above our fair value estimate

How far off is LEM Holding SA (VTX:LEHN) 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. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for LEM Holding

Crunching The Numbers

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (CHF, Millions) CHF61.9m CHF73.8m CHF78.7m CHF93.0m CHF100.7m CHF106.5m CHF110.9m CHF114.1m CHF116.5m CHF118.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x1 Est @ 8.25% Est @ 5.82% Est @ 4.11% Est @ 2.92% Est @ 2.08% Est @ 1.50% Present Value (CHF, Millions) Discounted @ 5.3% CHF58.8 CHF66.5 CHF67.4 CHF75.6 CHF77.7 CHF78.1 CHF77.2 CHF75.4 CHF73.1 CHF70.4

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = CHF720m

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.1%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 5.3%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = CHF118m (1 + 0.1%)  (5.3% 0.1%) = CHF2.3b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CHF2.3b ( 1 + 5.3%)10= CHF1.4b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is CHF2.1b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of CHF1.7k, the company appears about fair value at a 4.3% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. 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 LEM Holding as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 5.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.128. 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 LEM Holding

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Electronic market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Swiss market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. 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 LEM Holding, there are three relevant factors you should assess:

Risks: Take risks, for example - LEM Holding has 2 warning signs we think you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does LEHN'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 High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Swiss stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Aim for global leadership: PM to brand Amul





AHMEDABAD,

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday celebrated the success of Amul, urging the dairy brand to aim for global leadership. Speaking to a gathering of milk producers from across Gujarat at the Motera Stadium here, the Prime Minister set a goal to double the milk processing capacity within the next five years, highlighting Amuls current standing as the worlds eighth largest dairy. Amul, synonymous with trust, partnership, and farmer empowerment, represents a model of modernisation and self-reliance, said PM Modi.

The Prime Minister underscored the brands role in fulfilling the nutritional needs of India and its contribution to the dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). With a vision of transforming Amul into the worlds leading dairy, PM Modi assured full Governmental support, extending a Modi guarantee to the endeavour. The event also inaugurated several key dairy projects across Gujarat, marking a leap in the sectors infrastructure. Among these were Amul Dairy Anands automatic UHT plant, expansions of paneer and chocolate plants, Sabar Dairys cheese and whey powder manufacturing plants, Sarhad Dairys ice-cream making plant, and Dudhdhara Dairys processing plant in Navi Mumbai. Additionally, the Rajkot Dairy Development Project was launched.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the cattle keepers, the unsung heroes behind Amuls success, and lauded the cooperative model that has enabled small cattle keepers to undertake significant tasks. He recalled the foundational role of Sardar Patel in establishing Amul and the Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation, setting a precedent for future generations. Highlighting Indias status as the worlds largest milk producer, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the critical role of women, who constitute 70 per cent of the workforce in the dairy sector.
Aspirants cry lack of transparency Department denies any irregularity





Staff Reporter

A chaotic situation erupted during the physical examination for recruitment of the post of Forest Guards (Group A) in the Forest Department on Thursday. Some candidates who appeared for the physical examination, which was held at MIHAN, started demanding details of their running examination and alleged that the Department had not maintained transparency in the process. According to some parents present outside the examination site, asked the forest officials about the results of their children, which the officials refused to provide at the venue.

The Nagpur Forest Department is conducting the recruitment process for 277 posts of Forest Guards. Around 30,000 candidates applied for the posts. The Departments recruitment drive has been scheduled from February 21 to 25. As part of the recruitment process, candidates are required to complete one 3 km run and one 5 km run. On Thursday, around 5,000 candidates participated in the physical examination.

Some parents started blaming the Department for conducting the process under hot weather. The Forest Department has denied the allegations made by candidates and their parents. Some parents also alleged that the meal providing to the candidates at the venue is also not up to the mark whereas others found no issue in the meal. The forest department is conducting this recruitment for the post of guards after more than two years and the department had lot of backlog in recruitment. Therefore, a large number of candidates applied for this recruitment rally which will conclude on February 25.
EAM holds bilateral with counterparts of Tanzania, Ghana, Slovak Republic





NEW DELHI,

ON THE sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Slovak Republic, Ghana and Tanzania and discussed cooperation with both countries in multiple sectors. EAM Jaishankar held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Ghana, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and assessed the progress of India-Ghana bilateral cooperation, especially the development partnership. Taking to X, EAM Jaishankar shared about the meeting saying, Glad to meet FM @AyorkorBotchwey of Ghana on #RaisinaDialogue2024 sidelines. Assessed the progress of our bilateral cooperation, especially development partnership. Also spoke about the need to reform the Commonwealth.

Additionally, EAM Jaishankar assessed the progress in the bilateral cooperation between India and Tanzania with his Tanzania counterpart, January Makamba. A warm meeting with FM @JMakamba of Tanzania. Carried forward our Raisina panel discussion on India-Africa solidarity. Assessed positively the progress in our bilateral cooperation, EAM posted on X. EAM Jaishankar also held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanar and reviewed the status of India-Slovak Republic bilateral ties. EAM Jaishankar posted on X, Good to meet FM Juraj Blanar of Slovak Republic on his first visit to India. Reviewed the status of our bilateral relationship. Look forward to deeper collaboration in bilateral and regional formats. India-Nordic-Baltic 8 meet held: THE India-Nordic-Baltic Eight meeting was held on Thursday on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue here with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar saying the exchange of perspectives on regional, global and multilateral issues was extremely useful.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said he was pleased to host the India-Nordic-Baltic 8 meeting and thanked the Foreign Ministers of Sweden (Tobias Billstrom), Finland (Elina Valtonen), Denmark (Lars Lkke Rasmussen), Estonia (Margus Tsahkna), Latvia Krisjanis Karins, and representatives of Norway, Iceland and Lithuania for joining. Clean and green technologies, digital and cyber cooperation, high quality skills and global supply chains hold great promise for our future endeavors, the minister said. The exchange of perspectives on regional, global and multilateral issues was extremely useful, Jaishankar said.
Even after construction of temple in Ayodhya Oppns negativity continues: PM





MEHSANA,

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday targeted the Opposition Congress, saying, they (the party leaders) continue to live in negativity and are not ready to leave the path of hatred even when the grand Ram temple has been built in Ayodhya. These are the same people who raised questions on the existence of Lord Ram and created hurdles in the construction of his temple, Modi said. And today, when a grand temple has been constructed at (Lord Rams) birthplace, when the entire country is happy with it, the people who live in negativity are not leaving the path of hatred, the Prime Minister said.

He was speaking at a public function at Tarabh in Gujarats Mehsana district after inaugurating the Valinath Mahadev temple and offering prayers there. PM Modi said this is the time when the work of God and work of nation are going on at a very fast pace. On one hand temples are being built in the country, while on the other hand lakhs of houses are being made for the poor, he said. PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various projects costing more than Rs 8,350 crore.
Fresh protests eruptLocals set afire propertybelonging to TMC leaders





KOLKATA/NEW DELHI :

AMIDST renewed protests in Sandeshkhali on Thursday, where locals set fire to property belonging to TMC leaders accused of tormenting villagers,West Bengal Police chief Rajeev Kumar pledged action against the perpetrators, while a visiting NCST team compiled complaints of forced land seizures and torture from the region. Earlier in the day, upon their arrival in the restive Sandeshkhali area, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) team led by acting vice-chairperson Ananta Nayak engaged with locals and documented over 23 complaints of forced land grabbing and torture.

Nayak affirmed that these grievances would be included in their report to the President. Meanwhile,West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, who was permitted by police to visit the troubled area for the first time, staged a brief sit-in outside Sandeshkhali police station. His demand for the arrest of fugitive TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh led to his forcible removal by law enforcement officers from the unrest zone via a boat. The day witnessed fresh protests in parts of Sandeshkhali, fueled by allegations against localTMC leaders for sexual abuse and forcible land grabbing. Locals, armed with sticks, vented their anger by setting ablaze a thatched structure near a pond, purportedly belonging to Shahjahans brother Siraj, who is also a local TMC activist. A protester said, Siraj and his brother Shahjahan have usurped our land. They subjected us to molestation. We demand justice and the return of our land. These demonstrations followed DGP Kumars assurance earlier in the day that the guilty would not be spared, accompanied by police efforts to engage with the community and address their concerns.

To address public dissatisfaction regarding perceived police inaction against theTMC leader responsible for instilling fear in the area, Kumar, stationed in Sandeshkhali since Wednesday afternoon, pledged that police will attentively address complaints from every individual and strict action against those proven guilty. I came here to talk to my officers. Its our responsibility to see the well-being of the people. We will listen to the complaints of every individual. If there is any incident regarding land grabbing or anything else, we will take strict action against those found guilty. If people are found involved in torturing, we will take appropriate actionagainstthem,Kumar toldreportersatDhamakhali this morning. In the aftermathofDGPRajeevKumars visit,asignificantpolicepresencedescendedonthe area. Officers urged locals to submit grievances and relevant documentation, promisingpromptactionandland restoration. However, these effortsfailedtoassuagepublic anger, with locals questioning the administrations prolonged inaction.

TMC leaders faced the ire of the community during their visit, prompting acknowledgement of past lapses and assurances of redressal. In an attempt to mollify the gathering storm, the TMC representatives acknowledged past lapses while asserting the partys commitment to rectifying them.Meanwhile,theNCST delegation, during their interactions with locals, received over 23 complaints oflandgrabbingandtorture, which they pledged to include in theirreport. The locals have mentioned the nameofapoliticalleader.We will include it in our report. We have received more than 23 complaints so far. We will comparethis (theirfindings) with the ground report and then submit it to the President, Nayak said.
Noble Gesture Motivated for organ donation, kin of deceased man bring his body all the way from Bhandara to Nagpur





Staff Reporter

Though the family head succumbed to his injuries at Bhandara, his motivated kins brought the body to Nagpur so that his organs can be donated to provide new lease of life to the needy. This is probably the unique example in recent times as far as Nagpur zone is concerned where relatives with an intention of organ donation even brought body to Nagpur. The story goes like this. Ramdas Singanjude (49) was a car driver. He had a family of wife Malti (47) and a son Nayan(19). On February 19, 2024 at around 8.30 pm Ramdas was returning home and he met with an accident. He suffered a severe head injury so he was immediately taken to the Government hospital at Bhandara for primary treatment. He was treated for two days, but he did not respond to the treatment. Doctors conducted all the tests and check-ups. All test reports confirmed that he had bleeding in the brain. His condition neurologically deteriorated and doctors declared him brain dead. His family agreed to bring the body to Nagpur for the organ donation, after they were convinced by the doctors and counsellors abou the importance and need for organ donation.

(After our conselling,) the patients family was very much motivated for this noble cause. Since donation and retrieval takes place only at registered hospitals, the deceased was shifted to Alexis hospital for organ donation. This is also the part of the new initiative taken up by Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee (ZTCC) for organ sharing across all districts in Vidarbha region as we see tremendous increase in awareness for the cause, said Dr Rahul Saxena, Secretary of ZTCC. Dr Gopal Sarve, General Surgeon at Bhandara helped the family in clearing their doubts about organ donation. He also coordinated for shifting of the donor to Nagpur, pointed out Dr Sanjay Kolte, President of ZTCC. Preeti Jain (Coordinator, Alexis) counseled the relatives for the organ donation. His elder brother Radheshyam Singanjude (60 years) gave consent to organ donation. His family agreed to donate two kidneys, a liver and corneas. Accordingly, ZTCC comprising Dr Sanjay Kolte, Dr Rahul Saxena and Transplant Coordinator Dinesh Mandpe swung into action. The committee planned the distribution of the organs as per the waiting list.
State Govt releases Rs 204 crore to fund repair works in city





Staff Reporter

Maharashtra Government has released additional tranche of Rs 204 crore to enable Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to fund the ongoing repair works due to damages in the aftermath of flash floods of September 23 last year. The amount is in addition of Rs 8.38 crore released earlier by the State Government. The additional special package will enable the civic body to fund works related to the parapet wall of Naag river to prevent recurrence of floods that left behind a trail of devastation. Apart from repairing the wall that is broken at many places, it will also be strengthened. An action plan drafted by a committee chaired by Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur Division, has also proposed to raise its height. Water from the flooded Naag river had gushed into homes of citizens living on the rivers banks, resulting into losses of in crores of rupees.

A government resolution (GR) issued by Revenue and Forest Department, Maharashtra Government, mentioned that the State was released the aid in the aftermath of deluge, flood or storm or other natural calamities from the State Calamity Fund. The high intensity rains on the night of September 23 badly damaged the road infrastructure at various places in the city. Further, other public infrastructure also bore the brunt of the floods. Hence, the State Government, acting on the report submitted by Divisional Commissioner, sanctioned the funds of Rs 204 crore for the repairs.

The bifurcation of the funds too has been outlined in the GR, wherein Rs 163.23 crore are going to be spent on strengthening of the parapet wall of the Naag river and its tributaries. The total length of parapet wall that is identified for repair and strengthening is 8.41 kms. Also, the road infrastructure that needs to be repaired is identified as 61.38 km and for the same Rs. 41.48 crores is allocated in the current aid package. Earlier, State Government had sanctioned Rs. 8.38 crores that was utilised by Collectorate to distributed aid to flood affected citizens of Nagpur city. The latest aid amount will be vested with District Collector who will release the same to NMC as per later's requirement.
The Chandrodaya temple





BY T K BASU

I HAD a chance visit to Mayapur in West Bengal where the headquarters of the famous ISKCON faith is located. It was December 22 of 2023. I had to face a roadblock for accommodation within the sprawling campus. Firstly, it was overcrowded with year-end rush and secondly, they were not permitting anybody to stay alone in their guesthouses. Later on I gathered that police had imposed restrictions to accommodate any single person because of two unfortunate incidents happening in the recent past. Devotees chose the holy place to commit suicide for unknown reasons. A private hotel ultimately hosted me for the night. Situated at the confluence of two rivers, namely, Jalangi and Bhagirathi (which has been rechristened as Hooghly down the stream), Mayapur was an ordinary town in early sixties. ISKCON turned it into an international pilgrimage for Krishna devotees by establishing the famous Chandrodaya temple of Radha Madhaba. Present-day Mayapur is said to be one of the nine islands of the then Nabadwip (nine islands) on which Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took birth five and half centuries back. Most of the original Islands have since gone under the water during change of course of Bhagirati. Krishna Aarti of the temple started exactly at 7.00 p.m. amid beatings of Sree Khol and cymbals in pervading fragrance of incense sticks.

Hosts of monks and nuns were dancing with holy chants of Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. The whole ambience got charged with a devout aura. Many of the monks and nuns were from foreign origin. Even young children in Dhoti with a tika on forehead and a shikha (tuft of hair) on tonsured scalp participated in the dance. Gradually, visitors also joined the chorus raising both their hands skywards. Temple premises wore a festive look adorned in miniature bulbs and aesthetic decoration. I was told that December 23 is celebrated here in a grand fashion. They believe that Lord Krishna delivered his immortal advices to Arjuna on this very day at Kurukshetra battlefield. Guesthouses of the Ashrama were appropriately named as Shankha, Chakra, Gada and Gita Bhawans. I took dinner in the huge dining hall of the Gada Bhawan and left early for the hotel so that I may not miss the special morning Aarti of Gita Day. Aarti was yet to start when I stepped inside the temple next morning. The shrine was jam packed with pious visitors.

A senior monk chanted a few shlokas from the Gita and initiated the prayer. Notable thing was, even the youths were in traditional attire of ancient Bharat without any hesitation. The devotees gradually moved to the other hall where Lord Krishna was found with consort Sri Radha and her sahelis. Sounds of Khol, Cymbals and conch shells accompanied by devotional dancing provided me a transcendental experience. I collected a volume of Gita at a throwaway price. While glancing through the holy book with annotated explanations, I could see the manicured lawns and roads bubbling with thousands of footfalls. The new gigantic temple that was coming up on one side was basking in the glorious sunlight. Once completed, it would perhaps be the highest temple in India. Before departure, I took lunch from the temple. The dividing line of waters in mid-river where Jalangi had embraced Bhagirathi was distinctly visible. On the other bank, lay the present day Nabadwip town.
US Veto To UN Resolution





By Satyaki Chakraborty

The United States is finally facing a big isolation from its supporting countries over its continuing backing to the war crimes of Israeli defence forces in the Gaza strip. The Biden Government faced an international condemnation on Tuesday night after its representative vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. What was significant was that even, Britain, a close US ally in the present US backing to Israel in the Gaza war, abstained in the vote, but all of the remaining 13 security council members backed the resolution, reflecting the strong support from countries around the globe for ending the war. France, a leading member of NATO was among the countries supporting the UN resolution. The latest veto comes at a time when Israels genocidal war on Gaza has led to the deaths of over 29,500 Palestinians and over 69,000 injured since October 7. Of the dead, 12,500 are children. The Prime Minister, Netanyahu, has announced that the ground attack on the last remaining city in Gaza, Rafah, will begin soon. Rafah is in the southernmost tip of Gaza and the area is crammed with 1.4 million people, most of them had to take refuge there after fleeing northern and central Gaza. The United Nations has warned that an attack on Rafah will be catastrophic and have devastating consequences for the civilian population.

The United States has been, of late, expressing concern at the mounting Palestinian casualties and has been asking Israel not to launch the attack on Gaza. Yet, when a resolution, which could help to stop the fighting, is sought to be adopted in the UN Security Council, the United States scuttles such a move. This is in keeping with the doubletalk that President Biden and his administration have been indulging in, in the past few weeks  make noises about the tremendous toll of civilian lives in Gaza and at the same time provide a shield for Israel to continue carrying on its crimes against humanity. The war between the Hamas militants and Israel started on October 7 last year following sudden attack by Hamas on Israeli positions and killing both Israeli soldiers as also taking hostages. The Israel retaliated. Many countries decried the Hamas action at that time, but Israel continued with its barbaric killing of the civilian population in the Gaza strip declaring that they would not stop the war till a single Hamas militant was alive. The entire objective is to do ethnic cleansing by driving out the Palestinians from the Gaza strip. Since October 7, more than 1300 Israeli soldiers have been killed .The difference is that while the Hamas militants killed mostly the Israeli soldiers, the Israelis targeted the Palestinian civilians including the women and children. Earlier also the US vetoed the UN resolution but this time, the support in favour of UN resolution was widespread.

Chinas UN envoy Zhang Jun expressed strong disappointment and dissatisfaction with the veto by Washington. The envoy said that the US veto sends a wrong message pushing the situation in Gaza into a more dangerous one. The objection to ceasefire by the US is nothing but a green light to Israel to continue slaughter, he said. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez also blasted the US, saying that by blocking the ceasefire call, US officials made themselves accomplices of this genocide of Israel against Palestine. There was further criticism of the US veto from France, Norway Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority, among others. It was the third US rejection of a security council resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield however claimed that the resolution, tabled by Algeria, would negatively impact sensitive negotiations on a hostage deal and a pause in fighting for at least six weeks. Across Gaza, Israels killing spree continued, with at least 67 Palestinian lives lost in the last two days .Aid group Doctors Without Borders said that two people had been killed when a shelter housing its staff in the Gaza Strip was struck during an Israeli operation in an area where Palestinians have been told to seek shelter.

The World Food Programme (WFP) announced a pause in food and aid deliveries to northern Gaza on Tuesday after its drivers faced gunfire and violence from desperate residents swarming the lorries. The UN agency said that one in six children under the age of two were acutely malnourished and people are dying of hunger-related causes. In these past two days, our teams witnessed unprecedented levels of desperation, the WFP said. While a leading BRIC nation South Africa has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice for war crimes and the ICJ strongly condemned the Israeli killings and urged it to take immediate action to stop that, Brazilian President LuizInacio Lula da Silva recalled his countrys ambassador to Israel on Monday. This followed Israel saying that Lula would not be welcome in their country until he apologised for comments he made over the weekend that compared Israels assault on Palestinians in Gaza to the Holocaust. Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz described Lulas comments as a very serious anti-semitic attack. The Brazilian President told the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday that what is happening in the Gaza Strip and to the Palestinian people hasnt been seen in any other moment in history. (IPA)
VOICE OF REASON





VOICE of reason, of conscience, they say, never dies. Therefore, the spiritual voice of Mr. Fali S. Nariman will never die -- and will keep stirring our collective conscience all the time to come. For, when he strode the worlds legal and constitutional stage for seven long decades, he did nothing but keep offering his well-reasoned argument to keep intact and unaffected the nations conscience on issues whose variety was just mind-boggling. His passing away at 95, therefore, comes as a moment filled with unforgettable grief. We bow our head to the memory of the tremendous genius tinged with an unwavering sense of morality that Advocate Fali Sam Nariman symbolised. That Mr. Fali Nariman was a leading lawyer and made good fortune in his long career, however, was only an incidental detail. What mattered most was the aplomb with which he pursued the idea of liberty as a core value of human existence. For sure, however, what he pushed for was not just the unilateral idea of liberty in its thoughtless absoluteness. Much to the contrary, he advocated the idea of responsible freedom buoyed by human dignity on all sides of the central point. Mr. Nariman, thus, interpreted the Constitution or the law from that stand-point -- unmitigated by fear or favour. That became his signature, that became his style, that became his substance.

That was the reason why Mr. Nariman became an eternal presence wherever and whenever issues related to human rights, national sovereignty, individual liberty, power of state, freedom of judiciary were involved. His opinion had an importance of its own, and the nation -- the larger Indian society -- felt obliged to follow his advice, no matter how critical the issue was. Even as a young lawyer, therefore, Mr. Fali Sam Nariman became an important contributor to the thought of freedom of expression as a core idea on whose foundation stands democracy. Such a person is no more. No matter that, Death cannot take away the immortality of Mr. Fali S. Narimans association with the libertarian idea and non-partisan public discourse. He will remain spiritually present wherever the idea comes up for discussion and discourse. What marked people of Mr. Fali Narimans calibre from those days was their superior human expression. They really knew the criticality of language -- spoken or written -- as the most potent means of communication. So, they used language with aplomb, with a sense of complete responsibility, with the idea of making the best use of the gift of the gab for furtherance of human interest.

This ability of Mr. Nariman reflected so well in his books, most of which became trail-blazers in their own way. His memoir -- Before The Memory Fades -- became an instant best-seller for the simple reason that in those pages and between those covers he revealed himself fully. His other books -- The State Of The Nation; Indias Legal System: Can It Be saved?; God Save The Honble Supreme Court -- also made the top grade in reader-acceptance and critical reviews. That was so even in his public speeches and judicial encounters. For, no matter his ideological positions from time to the time (with which some of us might not have agreed), Mr. Fali Nariman was known to make a point beyond his terribly small personalised circle of interests. He was an intellectual of highest order, and a man of high-voltage courage and conscience. The Hitavada joins the nation in paying tributes to the man of such merit -- and expresses a fond hope that such persons will continue blessing the nation.
Russian oil is reaching the EU, researchers say - Alexander Manzyuk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The EU bought 1.1bn (940m) worth of laundered Russian oil last year despite sanctions, human rights group Global Witness has claimed.

Analysis of export and shipping data suggests the EU imported 130 million barrels of oil products  mostly diesel  from refineries processing Russian crude in 2023.

It estimates these purchases were worth 1.1bn to the Kremlin in direct tax revenues.

The EU imposed sanctions on Russian oil in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. However, other nations, notably India and China, have continued to import crude from Russia.

Often, crude is imported to be refined into usable products such as petrol and diesel that are then exported. Refining reclassifies the product under export rules, despite the origin of the base crude used to make the finished product.

There is no suggestion that sanctions have been broken but the report highlights the gaps in the current regime.

Chris Lambin at Global Witness said: Whether its crude oil or refined products, every penny spent on Russian oil helps pay for the Kremlins war of aggression on Ukraine. The EU should move to close the refining loophole at once and sever one of its last remaining ties to Russian oil.



It follows similar investigations in the UK. Last August, Global Witness claimed that 1 in every 20 UK flights ran on jet fuel made from Russian oil.



Together the findings imply that cars, lorries, aircraft and even military vehicles across the EU and UK may be running partly on Russian oil.



The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), which tracks Russian energy exports by value and destination, estimates the Kremlin has earned 605bn from fossil fuel exports since February 2022 when it invaded Ukraine.



Isaac Levi, a CREA researcher, said: Russian oil is reaching not just the EU but also the UK via the refined oil loophole, which allows third countries to process Russian crude and export refined products to sanctioning countries.



Global Witness said the 1.1bn figure equalled Natos recent 1.1bn contract to supply Ukraine with artillery as the country struggles to fend off Russias escalating attacks with dwindling supplies of ammunition.



The findings coincided with new data showing trade between the UK and Russia has continued across a range of products and services, as well as energy. British businesses exported 1.7bn worth of goods to Russia in the 12 months to the end of September 2023. 561m of goods were imported from Russia.



Trade included pharmaceuticals, alcoholic drinks and tobacco. UK companies also sold a raft of services including insurance and pension schemes with a total value of 359m.



In return, Russia sent the UK 33m worth of metals and 18m worth of coal.



While trade between the two nations continues, it has shrunk by 80pc year-on-year.



A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: After Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of energy, we took immediate steps to end all imports of Russian fossil fuels, including a ban of oil and oil products that came into force in December 2022.



In addition to providing proof that goods are not of Russian origin, importers must now include the country of last despatch to ensure oil from Russia is not being diverted through other countries.



Since the ban came into effect there has been no import of Russian oil and oil products into the UK.

The EU was contacted for comment.

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Youth Cong activists burn CMs effigy





Staff Reporter

A number of activists of Youth Congress, on Thursday staged massive protest and burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister in front of the district tehsil office against alleged corruption in Patwari recruitment process. Senior YC leaders claimed that the government has initiated the process of issuing appointment letters to the selected candidates in Patwari recruitment hastily, but the entire recruitment process is tainted with corruption. They highlighted a scenario where a youth who lacks basic knowledge about the number of districts in the state or capital of the state could become the topper of the examination.

YC men questioned the government about actions taken in response to corruption in the Patwari recruitment and alleged that several names of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders are surfacing in connection with the issue. The Youth Congress members have demanded to release the investigation report in public and demanded for a CBI inquiry into the matter. Those participated in the protest were Abhishek Sonkar, Tejkumar Bhagat, Praveen Choudhary, Rajesh Gupta, Subham Yadav, Vicky Sundarani, Mohsin Khan, Lakhan Shrivastava, Karan Tamasetwar and others.
Regal Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:PPA  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 2,690 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $215,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of PPA. Clearstead Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF in the third quarter valued at $27,000. Simplex Trading LLC raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF by 52.7% in the third quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 403 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF by 468.8% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 455 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF in the first quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF in the second quarter valued at about $56,000.

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Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA PPA opened at $96.24 on Friday. Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF has a 52-week low of $76.34 and a 52-week high of $96.39. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $91.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $86.63. The company has a market capitalization of $2.26 billion, a PE ratio of 24.91 and a beta of 0.98.

Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF Profile

PowerShares Aerospace & Defense Portfolio (Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the SPADE Defense Index (the Index). The Index is designed to identify a group of companies involved in the development, manufacturing, operations and support of the United States defense, homeland security and aerospace operations.

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(Bloomberg) -- European Union finance chiefs are trying to figure out how to fund increased spending needs for defense as the war in Ukraine is about to enter its third year.

Most Read from Bloomberg

We need to see how we can use the EIB to finance the challenges that we have in Europe, Belgian Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem told reporters on Friday.

Speaking at the start of a two-day meeting with EU counterparts in Ghent, he said that the green transition is of course one, digital transition is of course one, strategic autonomy and competitiveness is an important one.

But in the current global situation defense and security issues is as well an important one, he said. So we need to look there at what our opportunities and possibilities are.

The EU is looking to jump-start its defense industry after years of underspending following the Cold War. While some officials have suggested joint borrowing could be used for this, tapping the European Investment Bank has also been proposed.

Joint Bonds

Speaking with Bloomberg Television, Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said common fiscal instruments should be used to improve Europes competitiveness as well as to ramp up security.

There is an important element when we talk about defense, which is the EU defense industry and of course fostering European defense, Cuerpo said. There is not only the element of common issuance but also the use of EU institutions to finance these projects.

That suggestion was rejected by German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who said he doesnt see the need for such a move.

Paschal Donohoe, who heads meetings of euro-area finance ministers, acknowledged that funding for defense will be carried out by individual EU governments for now.

Story continues

What is happening at the moment is that countries at a national level are making stronger and larger contributions to their own defense and to the defense of Europe, he said. Other options will be looked at regarding how we can deepen the security of the EU, but for now, its going to continue to be all of the efforts that member states are taking at a national level.

The defense industry is facing difficulties accessing private finance due to restrictive ESG rules and the EU taxonomy, some member states have warned.

The Czech Republic proposed expanding the green taxonomy to cover social criteria in order to include the defence industry or to introduce financial instruments which reduce the risks banks face by lending to the sector. Theyre seeking reassurance from the Commission and the EIB that financing defense wouldnt impact ESG reporting, according to a proposal seen by Bloomberg.

The idea for a social taxonomy had been shelved by the current commission over concerns that it would be too complicated and divisive to implement.

EIB Support

The EIB stepping in may also be difficult as it has previously said it wont cave in to pressure to invest in defense and a key advisory group to the blocs executive, the Platform for Sustainable Finance, has recommended against including defense assets in the EUs social taxonomy.

Investors might also reject a changed EIB investment profile, with Austrian Finance Minister Magnus Brunner highlighting the threat to the EU lenders credit rating.

I am very skeptical, I think it wouldnt be a good approach to change the EIBs remit, he said. I understand the need of defense investments, but this doesnt make sense at the EIB. I think the rating and the prestige of the EIB would suffer, so Im very skeptical.

Germanys finance ministry has also said that the EIBs AAA rating is a priority, though Lindner on Friday said that an expanded approach for the Luxembourg-based lender makes sense.

The German government strongly backs that the EIB in future also facilitates financing in the areas of defense, armament and security, he said. The idea that it might not be socially adequate or desirable to invest in armaments is from a different era.

--With assistance from Rodrigo Orihuela, Tom Mackenzie, William Horobin and Jorge Valero.

(Updates with defense proposal starting in 11th paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Algert Global LLC raised its stake in shares of First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP  Free Report) by 3.4% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 346,817 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 11,294 shares during the period. Algert Global LLCs holdings in First BanCorp. were worth $4,668,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D grew its position in First BanCorp. by 33.0% during the 2nd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 214,680 shares of the banks stock worth $2,623,000 after acquiring an additional 53,241 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in First BanCorp. by 2.6% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,084,199 shares of the banks stock valued at $28,053,000 after purchasing an additional 52,384 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its stake in First BanCorp. by 57.8% during the 3rd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 100,719 shares of the banks stock worth $1,356,000 after buying an additional 36,882 shares during the period. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of First BanCorp. by 14.4% during the 3rd quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 208,646 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,808,000 after purchasing an additional 26,192 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund bought a new position in First BanCorp. in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,384,000. 91.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on First BanCorp. from $18.50 to $19.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Michael Mcdonald sold 57,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.34, for a total value of $998,784.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 98,501 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,708,007.34. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Michael Mcdonald sold 57,600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.34, for a total value of $998,784.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 98,501 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,708,007.34. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, COO Donald Kafka sold 65,000 shares of First BanCorp. stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.79, for a total value of $1,026,350.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 213,486 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,370,943.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 197,033 shares of company stock worth $3,206,679. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

First BanCorp. Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of FBP stock opened at $16.52 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. First BanCorp. has a 1 year low of $10.18 and a 1 year high of $17.44. The stock has a market cap of $2.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.17. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.42 and a 200 day simple moving average of $15.00.

First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The bank reported $0.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.14. First BanCorp. had a return on equity of 21.62% and a net margin of 26.19%. The business had revenue of $299.09 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $227.75 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.40 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that First BanCorp. will post 1.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

First BanCorp. Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.87%. This is an increase from First BanCorp.s previous quarterly dividend of $0.14. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 22nd. First BanCorp.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.94%.

First BanCorp. Company Profile

(Free Report)

First BanCorp. operates as a bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico that provides a range of financial products and services to consumers and commercial customers. The company operates through six segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Mortgage Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, Treasury and Investments, United States Operations, and Virgin Islands Operations.

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Asset Dedication LLC lowered its holdings in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC  Free Report) by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,156 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 72 shares during the quarter. Asset Dedication LLCs holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $945,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of NOC. State of Wyoming grew its position in Northrop Grumman by 76.5% during the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 60 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Archer Investment Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 325.0% in the 2nd quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 68 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Northrop Grumman by 196.3% in the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 80 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Finally, West Tower Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 2nd quarter valued at $48,000. Institutional investors own 82.40% of the companys stock.

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Northrop Grumman Price Performance

Shares of Northrop Grumman stock traded up $4.96 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $460.14. 129,861 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,079,300. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 1 year low of $414.56 and a 1 year high of $496.89. The company has a market capitalization of $69.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.35. The business has a fifty day moving average of $460.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $455.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93.

Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend

Northrop Grumman ( NYSE:NOC Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The aerospace company reported $6.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.80 by $0.47. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 5.23% and a return on equity of 23.07%. The business had revenue of $10.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.43 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $7.50 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 24.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th will be issued a $1.87 dividend. This represents a $7.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.63%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 23rd. Northrop Grummans dividend payout ratio is currently 55.49%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $560.00 to $540.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 26th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $450.00 target price (down from $515.00) on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Friday, January 26th. StockNews.com cut shares of Northrop Grumman from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Wolfe Research cut shares of Northrop Grumman from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $450.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $430.00 to $435.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $494.33.

View Our Latest Analysis on NOC

Insider Activity at Northrop Grumman

In related news, VP Kathryn G. Simpson sold 711 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $453.22, for a total value of $322,239.42. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 2,024 shares of the companys stock, valued at $917,317.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, VP Kathryn G. Simpson sold 711 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $453.22, for a total value of $322,239.42. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 2,024 shares of the companys stock, valued at $917,317.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 955 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total transaction of $430,103.35. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,137 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,863,180.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 2,939 shares of company stock valued at $1,325,664. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Northrop Grumman

(Free Report)

Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The company's Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle management and command and control systems.

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Shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twenty-one ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $143.43.

EOG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley cut shares of EOG Resources from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $134.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Monday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of EOG Resources from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $150.00 to $130.00 in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $158.00 to $153.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $165.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 6th. Finally, Bank of America cut shares of EOG Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $147.00 to $140.00 in a report on Friday, January 5th.

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EOG Resources Price Performance

EOG stock opened at $116.40 on Friday. EOG Resources has a 1 year low of $98.52 and a 1 year high of $136.79. The company has a market cap of $67.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.65, a PEG ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 1.40. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $116.05 and a 200 day moving average of $123.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 2.43 and a quick ratio of 2.10.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The energy exploration company reported $3.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.33 by ($0.26). EOG Resources had a return on equity of 26.80% and a net margin of 32.11%. The company had revenue of $6.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.18 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.30 earnings per share. EOG Resourcess quarterly revenue was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that EOG Resources will post 11.77 EPS for the current year.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 16th will be given a dividend of $0.91 per share. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.13%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 27.04%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Prospera Financial Services Inc raised its position in EOG Resources by 196.9% in the second quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 7,593 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $870,000 after acquiring an additional 5,036 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. bought a new position in EOG Resources in the third quarter worth approximately $4,431,000. Capital International Inc. CA raised its position in EOG Resources by 21.0% in the second quarter. Capital International Inc. CA now owns 122,241 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $13,989,000 after acquiring an additional 21,223 shares during the period. Paradigm Financial Partners LLC raised its position in EOG Resources by 0.9% in the third quarter. Paradigm Financial Partners LLC now owns 30,004 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $3,728,000 after acquiring an additional 271 shares during the period. Finally, Gratus Capital LLC raised its position 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 valued at $17,679,000 after purchasing an additional 2,025 shares during the period. 89.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

EOG Resources Company Profile

(Get 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.

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Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 44.7% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 50,915 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 15,732 shares during the period. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $4,931,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of ABT. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 104,649.4% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 30,247,436 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,320,866,000 after acquiring an additional 30,218,560 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,893,715,000. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 38,966,499 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $4,278,132,000 after buying an additional 4,886,954 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,178,607 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $6,451,127,000 after buying an additional 2,747,652 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 83.1% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,925,012 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $582,924,000 after buying an additional 2,235,314 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.70% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at $7,315,537.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.00, for a total transaction of $1,620,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at $7,022,916. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 42,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $4,781,250.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,315,537.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock traded up $0.28 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $119.30. 563,515 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,385,746. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.64. The company has a market cap of $207.01 billion, a PE ratio of 36.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $112.21 and a 200-day moving average of $104.26. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $89.67 and a 12 month high of $119.76.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.19 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.65% and a net margin of 14.27%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.03 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be issued a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 12th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.84%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.48%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup boosted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Barclays boosted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $133.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $128.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, TheStreet raised Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $120.00.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on ABT

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC decreased its holdings in Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:FMX  Free Report) by 0.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 42,886 shares of the companys stock after selling 123 shares during the period. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in Fomento Economico Mexicano were worth $4,681,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Mariner LLC lifted its position in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano by 2.5% in the third quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 28,412 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,101,000 after acquiring an additional 690 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC bought a new stake in Fomento Economico Mexicano during the third quarter worth approximately $525,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano by 284.7% during the third quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 852,977 shares of the companys stock valued at $93,085,000 after buying an additional 631,270 shares during the last quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano by 5.3% during the third quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 2,305 shares of the companys stock valued at $252,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CenterBook Partners LP grew its stake in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano by 60.2% during the third quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 28,920 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,157,000 after buying an additional 10,867 shares during the last quarter.

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Fomento Economico Mexicano Trading Down 8.0 %

Shares of FMX traded down $10.66 on Friday, hitting $122.80. 195,227 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 514,617. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a current ratio of 1.93. The stocks 50 day moving average is $133.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $121.19. Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. has a 1 year low of $85.66 and a 1 year high of $143.43.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

FMX has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group lowered Fomento Economico Mexicano from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Friday, January 12th. HSBC raised Fomento Economico Mexicano from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $124.00 to $152.00 in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Citigroup assumed coverage on Fomento Economico Mexicano in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. They issued a neutral rating and a $134.00 target price on the stock. Barclays raised Fomento Economico Mexicano from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the company from $115.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Fomento Economico Mexicano from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $130.60.

Check Out Our Latest Report on FMX

Fomento Economico Mexicano Company Profile

(Free Report)

Fomento Economico Mexicano, SAB. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, operates as a bottler of Coca-Cola trademark beverages. The company produces, markets, and distributes Coca-Cola trademark beverages in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

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CenterBook Partners LP purchased a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund purchased 11,099 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $411,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the first quarter worth $217,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 41.8% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 25,838 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,022,000 after purchasing an additional 7,616 shares during the last quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. purchased a new stake in Delta Air Lines in the 1st quarter valued at about $243,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its position in Delta Air Lines by 20.7% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 9,918 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $392,000 after buying an additional 1,700 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its stake in Delta Air Lines by 3.1% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 29,508 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,168,000 after buying an additional 891 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.29% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Edward H. Bastian sold 71,840 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.20, for a total value of $2,816,128.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 428,768 shares in the company, valued at $16,807,705.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Delta Air Lines Stock Performance

Shares of DAL stock opened at $42.13 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $40.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $38.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.10 billion, a PE ratio of 5.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 52 week low of $30.60 and a 52 week high of $49.81.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The transportation company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.11. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 46.35% and a net margin of 7.94%. The business had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.55 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.48 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 6.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Delta Air Lines Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th will be given a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 23rd. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio is presently 5.59%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

DAL has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. TheStreet raised shares of Delta Air Lines from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. StockNews.com lowered Delta Air Lines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $55.54.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Delta Air Lines

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.

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CI Investments Inc. decreased its position in Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Free Report) by 39.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 429 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 275 shares during the quarter. CI Investments Inc.s holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $475,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of MTD. Gladius Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Ancora Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 100.0% in the first quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 20 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Mettler-Toledo International during the first quarter valued at about $37,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 37.5% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 33 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 9 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 34.6% during the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 35 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 9 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.11% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com cut Mettler-Toledo International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday. Citigroup restated a sell rating and issued a $975.00 target price (down previously from $1,050.00) on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Monday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,520.00 to $1,300.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,185.00 to $1,030.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 13th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,425.00 to $1,270.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mettler-Toledo International currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $1,223.71.

Mettler-Toledo International Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE MTD opened at $1,192.78 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $1,194.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1,137.72. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 12 month low of $928.49 and a 12 month high of $1,615.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.62 billion, a PE ratio of 33.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 1.15.

Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $9.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $10.32 by ($0.92). The company had revenue of $934.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $959.45 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 904.59% and a net margin of 20.82%. Mettler-Toledo Internationals quarterly revenue was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $12.10 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 39.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Elisha W. Finney sold 251 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,177.35, for a total value of $295,514.85. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $372,042.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 2.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, real-time analytics, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.Its industrial instruments comprise industrial weighing instruments and related terminals, automatic dimensional measurement and data capture solutions, vehicle scale systems, industrial software, metal detection equipment, x-ray systems, check weighing equipment, camera-based imaging equipment, track-and-trace solutions, and product inspection systems.

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Clearbridge Investments LLC lowered its position in shares of Stevanato Group S.p.A. (NYSE:STVN  Free Report) by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,526,744 shares of the companys stock after selling 139,116 shares during the quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC owned about 0.52% of Stevanato Group worth $45,375,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of STVN. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in Stevanato Group by 11.4% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 46,717 shares of the companys stock valued at $940,000 after buying an additional 4,798 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of Stevanato Group by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 263,364 shares of the companys stock worth $5,299,000 after purchasing an additional 9,125 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Stevanato Group by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 6,366,679 shares of the companys stock worth $128,097,000 after purchasing an additional 210,007 shares during the period. UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of Stevanato Group by 79.9% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,799 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 799 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Stevanato Group by 21.2% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 992,326 shares of the companys stock worth $19,966,000 after purchasing an additional 173,332 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 10.90% of the companys stock.

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Stevanato Group Trading Down 0.9 %

STVN opened at 30.57 ($32.87) on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of 29.58 and a 200-day moving average of 29.73. Stevanato Group S.p.A. has a 12-month low of 20.61 ($22.16) and a 12-month high of 36.30 ($39.03). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.41.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on STVN shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Stevanato Group from $34.00 to $30.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Stevanato Group from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $39.00 to $29.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of 32.67 ($35.13).

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on STVN

About Stevanato Group

(Free Report)

Stevanato Group S.p.A. engages in the design, production, and distribution of products and processes to provide integrated solutions for biopharma and healthcare. The company operates in two segments, Biopharmaceutical and Diagnostic Solutions; and Engineering. Its principal products include containment solutions, drug delivery systems, medical devices, diagnostic, analytical services, visual inspection machines, assembling and packaging machines, and glass forming machines.

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Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $13.82 and last traded at $13.92, with a volume of 43623 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.11.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CLB has been the subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Core Laboratories from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 20th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on shares of Core Laboratories from $21.00 to $17.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded shares of Core Laboratories from a b- rating to a c rating in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $19.88.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on Core Laboratories

Core Laboratories Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 2.53, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $671.04 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 2.41. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $16.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $20.13.

Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The oil and gas company reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.20 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $128.21 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $127.80 million. Core Laboratories had a return on equity of 15.19% and a net margin of 8.03%. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.23 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Core Laboratories Inc. will post 0.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Core Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Investors of record on Monday, February 12th will be given a dividend of $0.01 per share. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.28%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 9th. Core Laboratoriess payout ratio is presently 4.65%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Core Laboratories

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 37.8% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,927,366 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $184,311,000 after acquiring an additional 2,173,250 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of Core Laboratories by 44.4% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,848,741 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $42,983,000 after purchasing an additional 568,196 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 167.6% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 902,625 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $19,903,000 after purchasing an additional 565,344 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Core Laboratories by 108.4% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 893,278 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $20,769,000 after purchasing an additional 464,644 shares during the period. Finally, Ariel Investments LLC lifted its position in Core Laboratories by 5.1% in the first quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 8,198,544 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $259,320,000 after purchasing an additional 394,237 shares during the period. 97.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Core Laboratories

(Get Free Report)

Core Laboratories Inc provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement segments. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, reservoir fluid, and gas samples to enhance production and improve recovery of oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs.

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Covestor Ltd trimmed its holdings in shares of MGIC Investment Co. (NYSE:MTG  Free Report) by 14.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,207 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 1,959 shares during the period. Covestor Ltds holdings in MGIC Investment were worth $187,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in MGIC Investment by 13.4% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 103,446 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,402,000 after buying an additional 12,256 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC purchased a new position in MGIC Investment during the first quarter worth approximately $230,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. grew its holdings in MGIC Investment by 42.1% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 25,204 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $342,000 after purchasing an additional 7,472 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of MGIC Investment by 31.3% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 207,142 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,807,000 after buying an additional 49,361 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its stake in shares of MGIC Investment by 8.8% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 117,400 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,591,000 after buying an additional 9,454 shares during the period. 93.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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MGIC Investment Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of MTG traded up $0.24 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $19.32. 283,107 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,833,149. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.61. The firm has a market cap of $5.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.24. MGIC Investment Co. has a 52-week low of $12.15 and a 52-week high of $20.26. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $19.41 and a 200 day simple moving average of $18.08.

MGIC Investment Announces Dividend

MGIC Investment ( NYSE:MTG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The insurance provider reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $284.72 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $302.96 million. MGIC Investment had a return on equity of 14.82% and a net margin of 61.72%. On average, research analysts anticipate that MGIC Investment Co. will post 2.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.115 per share. This represents a $0.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. MGIC Investments payout ratio is currently 18.47%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MTG has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group started coverage on shares of MGIC Investment in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. They issued a neutral rating and a $18.50 price target for the company. Barclays started coverage on MGIC Investment in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. They set an equal weight rating and a $19.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on MGIC Investment from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Roth Mkm upped their price objective on shares of MGIC Investment from $21.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, MGIC Investment currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $20.50.

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About MGIC Investment

(Free Report)

MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure.

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'Every single restaurant will close overnight': Celebrity chef blasts California politician's $50 minimum wage proposal, calls state 'the worst run' in the country. Do you agree?

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., is championing a proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $50 per hour as part of her bid for the U.S. Senate. Given the substantial gap between this figure and the current federal minimum wage of $7.25, her initiative is drawing considerable attention.

Among the critics is celebrity chef and restaurant owner Andrew Gruel, who expressed grave concerns about the proposal in an interview on Fox Business.

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This would completely decimate every single business in the state of California, he said, speculating that only a small fraction of high-end retail businesses might withstand a $50 an hour minimum wage.

Gruel contends that California hosts thousands of state jobs, challenging the state to lead by example and immediately raise those workers wages to $50 an hour.

"They can't afford it," he stated, pinpointing the financial impracticality of such a wage increase.

Furthermore, Gruel suggested an alternative method to enhance workers' earnings without escalating wages: reduce payroll taxes to increase net take-home pay. However, he noted this strategy would not be pursued, attributing the inaction to the same financial constraints.

Widespread closures or price hikes?

Gruel delved into the potential financial upheaval for restaurants, illustrating a scenario where higher labor costs could plunge establishments into financial distress.

To ask a restaurant, which in a phenomenal scenario is profiting 10% on, let's say, 30% labor costs, to double their labor costs to 60%. That means they're going to be net negative 20%, he explained, concluding that every single restaurant will close overnight.

Story continues

Read more: Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market  and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds

To put things in perspective, California already boasts one of the highest minimum wages in the country at $16 an hour. Additionally, fast food restaurant workers in the Golden State will have their minimum wage increased to $20 an hour effective April 1, 2024,

Gruel is not the only restaurateur concerned about rising labor costs. Andrew Wiederhorn, chairman and founder of restaurant operator FAT Brands, recently cautioned that consumers should brace for higher costs while dining out when there are minimum wage increases.

Someone's got to pay for it and the restaurant operators don't have the margin for that, Wiederhorn said. So, prices are going to go up.

'The worst run state'

Further broadening his critique, Gruel condemned the administrative efficiency of California.

California is the worst run state, he said bluntly.

The Golden State indeed faces challenges. Central to Lee's advocacy for a $50 minimum wage is the escalating cost of living in the state.

During a senate debate on Feb. 12, she claimed a United Way report found that a family of four living in the San Francisco Bay Area would need $127,000 a year just to get by. (Moneywise found a 2022 United Way Bay Area report that cited a family of four would need $109,088 to meet basic needs.)

For an individual working 40 hours a week at $50 an hour, their annual earnings would amount to $104,000. To put things in perspective, the median household income in America was $74,580 in 2022, according to the Census Bureau.

With files from Moneywise reporter Bethan Moorcraft

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK  Get Free Report) dropped 8.4% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $10.16 and last traded at $10.20. Approximately 2,370,688 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 21% from the average daily volume of 1,956,280 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.14.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CWK has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Raymond James increased 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. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Cushman & Wakefield from $11.00 to $9.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded Cushman & Wakefield from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $12.00 price target for the company in a report on Friday, December 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $10.58.

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Read Our Latest Report on CWK

Cushman & Wakefield Price Performance

The companys 50 day moving average price is $10.40 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.17.

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE:CWK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 20th. The company reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $2.55 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. Cushman & Wakefield had a negative net margin of 0.37% and a positive return on equity of 11.87%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.46 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Cushman & Wakefield plc will post 1.01 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Nathaniel Robinson sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.82, for a total transaction of $176,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 29,459 shares of the companys stock, valued at $259,828.38. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.19% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cushman & Wakefield

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 108.3% in the 1st quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,500 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,300 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in Cushman & Wakefield by 181.0% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,182 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 3,338 shares in the last quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in Cushman & Wakefield by 3,128.2% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,292 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 2,221 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in Cushman & Wakefield during the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. Finally, Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Cushman & Wakefield during the 1st quarter worth approximately $62,000. 90.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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Dark Forest Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 4,954 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $1,299,000.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of RS. United Capital Management of KS Inc. increased its holdings in Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. United Capital Management of KS Inc. now owns 26,668 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $6,993,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the period. Natixis purchased a new position in Reliance Steel & Aluminum in the second quarter worth approximately $166,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its position in shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 18.0% in the 3rd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 61,340 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $16,085,000 after purchasing an additional 9,355 shares during the last quarter. Paulson Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Paulson Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,361 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $357,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kennedy Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 48.0% in the second quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 60,425 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $16,411,000 after buying an additional 19,589 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.87% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Reliance Steel & Aluminum

In other news, CEO Karla R. Lewis sold 650 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $322.96, for a total transaction of $209,924.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 83,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,091,176.64. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director James Donald Hoffman sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $272.49, for a total value of $2,724,900.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 94,042 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $25,625,504.58. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Karla R. Lewis sold 650 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $322.96, for a total value of $209,924.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 83,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $27,091,176.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 69,610 shares of company stock worth $21,074,961 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.62% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

RS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised Reliance Steel & Aluminum from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 23rd. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum from $295.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, KeyCorp boosted their price objective on shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum from $300.00 to $362.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $329.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on RS

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Price Performance

RS stock opened at $319.15 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $288.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $274.65. The company has a market capitalization of $18.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.12, a PEG ratio of 4.49 and a beta of 0.86. Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. has a twelve month low of $229.12 and a twelve month high of $333.33. The company has a current ratio of 5.66, a quick ratio of 3.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum (NYSE:RS  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $4.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.92 by $0.81. Reliance Steel & Aluminum had a return on equity of 17.53% and a net margin of 9.02%. The business had revenue of $3.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.31 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.87 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. will post 19.44 EPS for the current year.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a $1.10 dividend. This is a boost from Reliance Steel & Aluminums previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.38%. Reliance Steel & Aluminums dividend payout ratio is presently 17.69%.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Profile

(Free Report)

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co operates as a diversified metal solutions provider and the metals service center company in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company distributes a line of approximately 100,000 metal products, including alloy, aluminum, brass, copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, and specialty steel products; and provides metals processing services to general manufacturing, non-residential construction, transportation, aerospace, energy, electronics and semiconductor fabrication, and heavy industries.

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Dark Forest Capital Management LP grew its stake in shares of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK  Free Report) by 19.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,589 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,732 shares during the quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LPs holdings in Crown were worth $1,468,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Crown by 68.6% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 11,889,202 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,032,815,000 after buying an additional 4,836,470 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Crown by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,764,656 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,471,641,000 after buying an additional 143,049 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Crown by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,786,441 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $423,504,000 after buying an additional 418,220 shares during the period. FMR LLC increased its holdings in Crown by 8.6% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,776,097 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $334,109,000 after buying an additional 298,766 shares during the period. Finally, State Street Corp increased its holdings in Crown by 55.5% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,709,202 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $322,218,000 after buying an additional 1,323,107 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.18% of the companys stock.

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Crown Trading Up 2.1 %

Shares of CCK stock opened at $76.82 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $86.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $86.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.34, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 1.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.43, a PEG ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.96. Crown Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $69.61 and a fifty-two week high of $96.35.

Crown Increases Dividend

Crown ( NYSE:CCK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The industrial products company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by ($0.19). The firm had revenue of $2.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.96 billion. Crown had a net margin of 3.75% and a return on equity of 25.75%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.17 EPS. Research analysts expect that Crown Holdings, Inc. will post 5.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 14th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This is an increase from Crowns previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.30%. Crowns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.53%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Crown from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $85.00 price target on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Crown in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a buy rating and a $112.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Crown from $110.00 to $97.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Crown from $105.00 to $96.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Crown from $117.00 to $100.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Crown currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $101.17.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Timothy J. Donahue sold 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.49, for a total transaction of $663,675.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 579,743 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $51,301,458.07. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

About Crown

(Free Report)

Crown Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, supplies rigid packaging products in Pennsylvania and internationally. It operates through Americas Beverage, European Beverage, Asia Pacific, and Transit Packaging segments. The Americas Beverage segment manufactures recyclable aluminum beverage cans and ends, glass bottles, steel crowns, and aluminum caps.

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Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its stake in Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN  Free Report) by 332.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 125,448 shares of the energy companys stock after purchasing an additional 96,464 shares during the quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in Devon Energy were worth $5,984,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of DVN. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Devon Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $364,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Devon Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $188,000. Blair William & Co. IL grew its stake in Devon Energy by 52.1% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 99,120 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $5,861,000 after acquiring an additional 33,936 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in Devon Energy by 9.2% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 414,354 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $24,500,000 after acquiring an additional 34,870 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new position in Devon Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.34% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Devon Energy from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Devon Energy from $50.00 to $48.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Morgan Stanley upgraded Devon Energy from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the company from $48.00 to $52.00 in a report on Monday, December 11th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Devon Energy from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, Raymond James reduced their price target on Devon Energy from $53.00 to $52.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $56.65.

Devon Energy Stock Performance

Shares of DVN traded down $0.78 on Friday, reaching $43.19. 573,738 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,997,102. The firm has a market cap of $27.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.16 and a beta of 2.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.89. Devon Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $40.47 and a 12 month high of $57.13. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $43.51 and its 200-day moving average price is $46.19.

Devon Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Anadarko, Williston, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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DRDGOLD Limited (NYSE:DRD  Get Free Report) announced a semi-annual dividend on Wednesday, February 21st, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a dividend of 0.1058 per share by the basic materials company on Thursday, March 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th.

DRDGOLD Price Performance

NYSE:DRD opened at $6.84 on Friday. DRDGOLD has a 12 month low of $6.56 and a 12 month high of $13.85. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $7.62 and its 200 day moving average price is $8.56.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. HC Wainwright cut their price objective on shares of DRDGOLD from $17.00 to $13.25 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. StockNews.com lowered shares of DRDGOLD from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On DRDGOLD

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of DRDGOLD by 37.2% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 39,775 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $373,000 after buying an additional 10,779 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of DRDGOLD by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 511,187 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $4,790,000 after acquiring an additional 14,113 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of DRDGOLD by 5.1% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,082,547 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $6,355,000 after acquiring an additional 52,334 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in shares of DRDGOLD by 1,546.9% in the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 23,040 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $126,000 after acquiring an additional 21,641 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new position in shares of DRDGOLD during the third quarter worth about $485,000.

About DRDGOLD

(Get Free Report)

DRDGOLD Limited, a gold mining company, engages in the surface gold tailings retreatment business in South Africa. It also involved in the exploration, extraction, processing, and smelting activities. The company recovers gold from surface tailings in the Witwatersrand basin in Gauteng province. DRDGOLD Limited was formerly known as Durban Roodepoort Deep Limited and changed its name to DRDGOLD Limited in 2004.

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EPG Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Free Report) by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,805 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 378 shares during the quarter. EPG Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. were worth $867,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,287 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $225,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 49.0% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 5,300 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $925,000 after acquiring an additional 1,744 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the 1st quarter valued at $838,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 37.7% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,532 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $442,000 after acquiring an additional 693 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. increased its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 25.0% in the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 11,184 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,953,000 after acquiring an additional 2,235 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.15% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on AJG. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $270.00 price objective on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $238.00 to $251.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price target for the company from $279.00 to $233.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Truist Financial boosted their price target 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. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a market perform rating and a $249.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $255.62.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Douglas K. Howell sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.59, for a total value of $3,398,850.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 102,942 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,325,627.78. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, VP Thomas Joseph Gallagher sold 12,309 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.65, for a total value of $2,925,233.85. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 322,797 shares in the company, valued at $76,712,707.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Douglas K. Howell sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.59, for a total value of $3,398,850.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 102,942 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,325,627.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 27,809 shares of company stock valued at $6,441,104. 1.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Stock Up 0.0 %

AJG traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $244.68. 97,326 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 912,871. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.05 billion, a PE ratio of 55.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $231.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $233.72. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 1 year low of $174.45 and a 1 year high of $254.00.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The financial services provider reported $1.85 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $2.39 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a net margin of 9.63% and a return on equity of 18.49%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.54 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 10.07 EPS for the current year.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This is an increase 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 0.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s payout ratio is 49.55%.

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.

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EPG Wealth Management LLC raised its position in AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB  Free Report) by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 205 shares during the period. EPG Wealth Management LLCs holdings in AvalonBay Communities were worth $343,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board grew its position in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 91.5% during the 2nd quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 3,099 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $587,000 after acquiring an additional 1,481 shares during the period. Texas Yale Capital Corp. boosted its holdings in AvalonBay Communities by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Texas Yale Capital Corp. now owns 5,413 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,025,000 after buying an additional 175 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its holdings in AvalonBay Communities by 122.3% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 58,438 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $11,132,000 after buying an additional 32,147 shares during the period. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in AvalonBay Communities by 200.7% in the 3rd quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 159,834 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,450,000 after buying an additional 106,676 shares during the period. Finally, Portside Wealth Group LLC bought a new position in AvalonBay Communities in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $333,000. 88.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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AvalonBay Communities Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of AVB traded down $0.35 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $175.77. 95,921 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 880,674. The company has a market cap of $24.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.89, a P/E/G ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.93. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $153.07 and a fifty-two week high of $198.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a current ratio of 1.84. The stocks 50-day moving average is $180.74 and its 200-day moving average is $177.40.

AvalonBay Communities Increases Dividend

AvalonBay Communities ( NYSE:AVB Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.70 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.73 by ($1.03). The company had revenue of $704.71 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $701.67 million. AvalonBay Communities had a net margin of 33.56% and a return on equity of 7.98%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.59 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that AvalonBay Communities, Inc. will post 10.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a $1.70 dividend. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.87%. This is a positive change from AvalonBay Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. AvalonBay Communitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.76%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AVB has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $185.00 price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $183.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $176.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Truist Financial lowered shares of AvalonBay Communities from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the company from $202.00 to $203.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, KeyCorp reiterated a sector weight rating on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $196.44.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on AVB

AvalonBay Communities Company Profile

(Free Report)

As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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Federated Hermes Inc. trimmed its holdings in PVH Corp. (NYSE:PVH  Free Report) by 0.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 567,646 shares of the textile makers stock after selling 1,270 shares during the quarter. Federated Hermes Inc.s holdings in PVH were worth $43,431,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. WBI Investments Inc. bought a new stake in shares of PVH in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,879,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of PVH by 386.4% in the third quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 31,869 shares of the textile makers stock worth $2,278,000 after buying an additional 25,317 shares during the period. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of PVH in the third quarter worth $901,000. Xponance Inc. increased its stake in shares of PVH by 5.7% in the third quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 8,131 shares of the textile makers stock worth $622,000 after buying an additional 441 shares during the period. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in shares of PVH by 0.5% in the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,080,588 shares of the textile makers stock worth $159,186,000 after buying an additional 10,164 shares during the period. 97.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Martijn Hagman sold 18,900 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.69, for a total value of $2,186,541.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 49,514 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,728,274.66. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Martijn Hagman sold 18,900 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.69, for a total transaction of $2,186,541.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 49,514 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,728,274.66. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Julie Fuller sold 14,290 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.75, for a total value of $1,554,037.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 16,191 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,760,771.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 45,440 shares of company stock valued at $5,198,462 in the last quarter. 0.78% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

PVH Stock Performance

Shares of PVH stock opened at $134.67 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $8.03 billion, a PE ratio of 15.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 2.19. The companys fifty day moving average price is $122.65 and its 200-day moving average price is $96.17. PVH Corp. has a 12 month low of $69.27 and a 12 month high of $136.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

PVH (NYSE:PVH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 30th. The textile maker reported $2.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.74 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $2.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.41 billion. PVH had a net margin of 5.76% and a return on equity of 11.63%. PVHs revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.60 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that PVH Corp. will post 10.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

PVH Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.0375 per share. This represents a $0.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.11%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 5th. PVHs dividend payout ratio is currently 1.77%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on PVH. StockNews.com raised shares of PVH from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Wedbush reissued a neutral rating and set a $88.00 price objective on shares of PVH in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of PVH from $90.00 to $107.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of PVH from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $99.00 to $126.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of PVH from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $113.40.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on PVH

PVH Profile

(Free Report)

PVH Corp. operates as an apparel company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through six segments: Tommy Hilfiger North America, Tommy Hilfiger International, Calvin Klein North America, Calvin Klein International, Heritage Brands Wholesale, and Heritage Brands Retail. It designs, markets, and retails men's, women's, and children's apparel and accessories, include branded dress shirts, neckwear, sportswear, jeans wear, performance apparel, intimate apparel, underwear, swimwear, swim-related products, handbags, accessories, footwear, outerwear, home furnishings, luggage products, sleepwear, loungewear, hats, scarves, gloves, socks, watches and jewelry, eyeglasses and non-ophthalmic sunglasses, fragrance, home bed and bath furnishings, small leather goods, and other products.

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Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG  Free Report) by 7.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 58,799 shares of the energy companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,242 shares during the period. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $9,758,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in LNG. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its stake in Cheniere Energy by 203.4% during the 3rd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 176 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC boosted its stake in Cheniere Energy by 1,484.6% during the 2nd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 206 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.86% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays boosted their target price on Cheniere Energy from $192.00 to $194.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Mizuho boosted their target price on Cheniere Energy from $187.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Cheniere Energy from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $198.70.

Cheniere Energy Price Performance

Shares of LNG stock opened at $157.68 on Friday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $164.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.02, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.43. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 1 year low of $135.30 and a 1 year high of $183.46. The company has a market cap of $37.57 billion, a PE ratio of 3.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.96.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The energy company reported $5.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.70 by $3.06. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 50.46% and a return on equity of 154.07%. The business had revenue of $4.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.37 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $15.78 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 46.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 17.72 EPS for the current year.

Cheniere Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.435 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 5th. This represents a $1.74 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.10%. Cheniere Energys payout ratio is 3.44%.

Cheniere Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile pipeline interconnecting the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with various interstate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.

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Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund raised its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST  Free Report) by 89.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,822 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after buying an additional 8,861 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Funds holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services were worth $7,062,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WST. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 4,864 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,998,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 54.4% during the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 849 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $349,000 after acquiring an additional 299 shares during the period. National Pension Service lifted its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. National Pension Service now owns 103,190 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $42,381,000 after acquiring an additional 394 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,716,312 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $3,579,876,000 after acquiring an additional 82,459 shares during the period. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services by 152.8% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,262 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,751,000 after acquiring an additional 2,576 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.23% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Chad Winters sold 1,013 shares of West Pharmaceutical Services stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $349.00, for a total value of $353,537.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 1,270 shares in the company, valued at $443,230. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on WST. Stephens lowered their price objective on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $420.00 to $390.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 27th. StockNews.com cut shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $400.00 to $375.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 16th. KeyCorp upped their price objective on shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from $440.00 to $470.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of West Pharmaceutical Services from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $323.00 to $536.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, West Pharmaceutical Services has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $435.20.

Check Out Our Latest Report on West Pharmaceutical Services

West Pharmaceutical Services Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE WST opened at $359.90 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a quick ratio of 2.89 and a current ratio of 2.88. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $304.43 and a 52-week high of $415.73. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $362.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $367.89. The stock has a market cap of $26.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.36 and a beta of 1.05.

West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.05. West Pharmaceutical Services had a net margin of 20.12% and a return on equity of 21.60%. The firm had revenue of $732.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $740.43 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.77 EPS. The companys revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will post 7.63 EPS for the current year.

West Pharmaceutical Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 24th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.22%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 23rd. West Pharmaceutical Servicess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10.15%.

About West Pharmaceutical Services

(Free Report)

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products.

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FILE PHOTO: Mainland Chinese tourists take photo of the skyline of buildings at Tsim Sha Tsui, in Hong Kong

By Xie Yu

HONG KONG (Reuters) -A group of offshore creditors of China South City is set to file a lawsuit against the debt-laden developer's biggest state-owned shareholder for dues, four sources said, in what would be the first such case in the crisis-hit property sector.

China South City earlier this month missed a principal payment of $11.25 million on a dollar bond due on Feb. 9, and is deemed by creditors to be in default on offshore debts worth $1.3 billion, two bondholder sources said.

The group of creditors, who have formed a so-called ad-hoc group, is preparing to file the lawsuit in a Hong Kong court against state-owned Shenzhen SEZ Construction and Development Group Co., which owns 29% of the company, the four sources said.

The sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Shenzhen SEZ, China South City and Kirkland & Ellis, the law firm representing the ad-hoc group of creditors, did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

The lawsuit will be filed using a keepwell provision, which the state-owned shareholder had provided to China South City's dollar bonds, said the sources, who have knowledge of the matter.

If filed, it would be the first lawsuit against a state-backed developer in the property sector for recovery of payments owed to creditors under the keepwell provision since the industry tipped into a crisis in 2021.

A keepwell provision, while not an outright guarantee, is a credit enhancement mechanism that has been used by Chinese companies in recent years for issuance of offshore bonds, according to lawyers.

Under a typical keepwell deed, a parent company undertakes to ensure that its offshore issuer unit will remain solvent and that it will have sufficient liquidity in order to meet payment obligations, law firm Latham & Watkins said in a customer note issued last July.

The lawsuit will add to a handful of cases filed in the Hong Kong court against Chinese developers by offshore creditors, almost all of them seeking their liquidation after they failed to meet repayment obligations.

Story continues

The property sector, a key pillar of the world's second-largest economy, has lurched from one crisis to another since 2021 after a regulatory crackdown on a debt-fueled construction boom triggered an unprecedented liquidity squeeze.

It is not immediately clear how many of the defaulted Chinese developers have the keepwell clause in their bond offerings. The four sources said China South City's keepwell provision was a rare case in the property sector.

KEEPWELL CLAUSE

Shenzhen-based China South City, a developer of integrated logistics and trade centres, was one of the first property firms that received government support when it faced financial stress in 2022.

At that time, Shenzhen SEZ, which is controlled by the state asset regulator, bought a 29% stake in the developer, and provided keepwell clauses to its five tranches of dollar bonds.

"People like myself got in because of the keepwell clause," said a bondholder, who also asked to remain anonymous, adding the introduction of that provision and a state-owned company provided confidence in the deal.

China South City managed to extend maturities of those five dollar bonds, originally due in 2022 and 2023, to 2024, with the consent of bondholders. However, the developer's financial situation has not improved since then.

In December, China South City proposed to delay payments again, but failed to win enough support. In a statement on Feb. 9, the developer said it would not be able to make redemption and interest payment this month. It also stated its sales had been below expectations and cash flow had only been sufficient to fund daily operations.

One source said offshore creditors of China South City were also considering a lawsuit in Hong Kong seeking its liquidation.

"Creditors are happy to have conversations with China South City for a consensual restructuring but would appreciate the SOE keepwell provider contribute to the process as well," said Lance Jiang, partner at law firm Ashurst, which is representing some of the developer's bondholders.

(Reporting by Xie Yu; Additional reporting by Clare Jim; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee, Stephen Coates and Neil Fullick)
Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund decreased its position in shares of SM Energy (NYSE:SM  Free Report) by 7.8% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 180,500 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 15,339 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Funds holdings in SM Energy were worth $7,157,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in SM. First Horizon Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in SM Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its position in shares of SM Energy by 561.7% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 880 shares of the energy companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 747 shares in the last quarter. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of SM Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of SM Energy by 59.7% in the 3rd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 990 shares of the energy companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in SM Energy by 327.6% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,535 shares of the energy companys stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 1,176 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.26% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on SM. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of SM Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of SM Energy in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. They set an equal weight rating and a $40.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of SM Energy in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Raymond James decreased their target price on shares of SM Energy from $53.00 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of SM Energy from $50.00 to $44.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $41.70.

SM Energy Stock Performance

SM Energy stock opened at $41.34 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.17. SM Energy has a 1-year low of $24.66 and a 1-year high of $43.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.02 and a beta of 4.18. The companys 50-day moving average is $37.78 and its 200 day moving average is $38.74.

SM Energy (NYSE:SM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The energy company reported $1.56 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $608.73 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $611.35 million. SM Energy had a net margin of 34.45% and a return on equity of 21.22%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.29 EPS. Research analysts forecast that SM Energy will post 5.72 EPS for the current year.

SM Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, February 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 19th were paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 18th. This is an increase from SM Energys previous semi-annual dividend of $0.15. This represents a dividend yield of 1.5%. SM Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 10.48%.

About SM Energy

(Free Report)

SM Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids in the state of Texas. It also has working interests in oil and gas producing wells in the Midland Basin and South Texas. The company was formerly known as St.

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Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new stake in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 106,009 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $4,873,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund owned about 0.10% of Western Alliance Bancorporation at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of WAL. William Blair Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 80.1% in the second quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 3,318,007 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $121,008,000 after purchasing an additional 1,476,194 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 44.4% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,056,477 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $144,167,000 after purchasing an additional 1,246,855 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation during the 4th quarter valued at about $68,940,000. Barclays PLC lifted its position in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation by 489.0% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,333,881 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $61,320,000 after buying an additional 1,107,431 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alyeska Investment Group L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,430,000. 72.04% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

WAL has been the topic of several analyst reports. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation from $76.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation from $74.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. StockNews.com lowered Western Alliance Bancorporation from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Western Alliance Bancorporation from $60.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reissued an equal weight rating and issued a $72.00 target price (up previously from $62.00) on shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $60.56.

Insider Transactions at Western Alliance Bancorporation

In other news, Director Robert P. Latta sold 5,370 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.07, for a total value of $301,095.90. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 2,996 shares in the company, valued at $167,985.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 1.51% of the companys stock.

Western Alliance Bancorporation Stock Performance

NYSE:WAL opened at $58.94 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $63.27 and its 200 day moving average is $53.34. Western Alliance Bancorporation has a fifty-two week low of $7.46 and a fifty-two week high of $76.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.45 billion, a PE ratio of 9.01 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.00.

Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The financial services provider reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.93 by ($0.02). Western Alliance Bancorporation had a net margin of 16.74% and a return on equity of 16.65%. The firm had revenue of $1.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $705.97 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.67 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Western Alliance Bancorporation will post 7.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Western Alliance Bancorporation Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 16th will be given a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.51%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 15th. Western Alliance Bancorporations dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.63%.

Western Alliance Bancorporation Company Profile

(Free Report)

Western Alliance Bancorporation operates as the bank holding company for Western Alliance Bank that provides various banking products and related services primarily in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It operates through Commercial and Consumer Related segments. The company offers deposit products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as fixed-rate and fixed maturity certificates of deposit accounts; demand deposits; and treasury management and residential mortgage products and services.

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Hsbc Holdings PLC reduced its position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII  Free Report) by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 176,003 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 4,545 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLCs holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries were worth $36,055,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Huntington Ingalls Industries during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Huntington Ingalls Industries during the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. bought a new stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries during the 3rd quarter valued at $42,000. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 28.9% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 205 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries during the 1st quarter valued at $54,000. 89.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Huntington Ingalls Industries Stock Up 0.2 %

Huntington Ingalls Industries stock opened at $287.29 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.80, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.58. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. has a 1-year low of $188.51 and a 1-year high of $288.68. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $262.82 and a 200-day moving average price of $236.99.

Huntington Ingalls Industries Dividend Announcement

Huntington Ingalls Industries ( NYSE:HII Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The aerospace company reported $6.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.27 by $2.63. The firm had revenue of $3.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.78 billion. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a return on equity of 18.12% and a net margin of 5.95%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.07 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 16.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.81%. Huntington Ingalls Industriess payout ratio is 30.41%.

Insider Transactions at Huntington Ingalls Industries

In other news, VP Jennifer R. Boykin sold 2,176 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $272.31, for a total value of $592,546.56. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 6,877 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,872,675.87. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Huntington Ingalls Industries news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 900 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.69, for a total transaction of $237,321.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 19,100 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,036,479. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Jennifer R. Boykin sold 2,176 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $272.31, for a total value of $592,546.56. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 6,877 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,872,675.87. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HII has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com raised Huntington Ingalls Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Barclays increased their target price on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $257.00 to $288.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with 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.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $265.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries Profile

(Free Report)

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S.

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Covestor Ltd increased its position in Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM  Free Report) by 59.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 307 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 115 shares during the period. Covestor Ltds holdings in Humana were worth $149,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HUM. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in Humana in the first quarter worth approximately $28,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in Humana in the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in Humana by 81.0% in the second quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 76 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Humana by 84.1% in the second quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 81 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new position in Humana in the third quarter worth approximately $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.86% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on HUM shares. UBS Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $370.00 price objective (down previously from $530.00) on shares of Humana in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Truist Financial reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $550.00 target price on shares of Humana in a research report on Friday, January 19th. StockNews.com cut Humana from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Humana from $593.00 to $575.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Argus raised Humana from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $550.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $506.72.

Humana Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:HUM traded down $3.47 during trading on Friday, hitting $364.61. 349,426 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,299,762. Humana Inc. has a 52 week low of $342.69 and a 52 week high of $541.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The company has a market cap of $43.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $413.72 and a 200-day moving average price of $465.16.

Humana (NYSE:HUM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The insurance provider reported ($0.11) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.76 by ($0.87). The firm had revenue of $26.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.47 billion. Humana had a net margin of 2.34% and a return on equity of 19.44%. The companys revenue was up 17.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.62 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Humana Inc. will post 16.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Humana Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.885 per share. This represents a $3.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Humanas dividend payout ratio is currently 17.86%.

Insider Transactions at Humana

In other Humana news, Director Jorge S. Mesquita bought 545 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $367.09 per share, with a total value of $200,064.05. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 2,578 shares of the companys stock, valued at $946,358.02. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Humana Profile

(Free Report)

Humana Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health and well-being company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Insurance and CenterWell. The company offers medical and supplemental benefit plans to individuals. It also has a contract with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to administer the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition prescription drug plan program; and contracts with various states to provide Medicaid, dual eligible, and long-term support services benefits.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note published on Monday morning.

Several other equities analysts also recently commented on IR. UBS Group upped their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $78.00 to $93.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Cfra boosted their target price on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $68.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of Ingersoll Rand from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $73.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted 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. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price 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 equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $81.64.

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Ingersoll Rand Trading Up 2.1 %

Ingersoll Rand Announces Dividend

Shares of Ingersoll Rand stock opened at $90.79 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 2.22 and a quick ratio of 1.67. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $80.13 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $71.60. Ingersoll Rand has a 1 year low of $51.84 and a 1 year high of $92.32. The company has a market capitalization of $36.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.78, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.43.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 7th will be issued a $0.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 6th. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.09%. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.21%.

Insider Activity at Ingersoll Rand

In other news, insider Andrew R. Schiesl sold 13,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.89, for a total transaction of $934,570.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 45,263 shares in the company, valued at $3,253,957.07. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Ingersoll Rand news, CAO Michael J. Scheske sold 7,590 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.00, for a total transaction of $667,920.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 9,715 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $854,920. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Andrew R. Schiesl sold 13,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.89, for a total transaction of $934,570.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 45,263 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,253,957.07. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.83% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Ingersoll Rand

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Horizon Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 2.7% in the second quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 5,837 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $382,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 17.9% in the 4th quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,137 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $88,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management grew its position in Ingersoll Rand by 13.5% in the 2nd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,593 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $104,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 11.9% during the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,800 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $114,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LifePro Asset Management raised its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 1.6% during the third quarter. LifePro Asset Management now owns 12,206 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $778,000 after buying an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. 94.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL  Get Free Report) insider Jennifer Daniels sold 3,538 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.67, for a total value of $299,562.46. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 59,698 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,054,629.66. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link.

Jennifer Daniels also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, February 16th, Jennifer Daniels sold 5,790 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.96, for a total transaction of $486,128.40.

On Thursday, February 1st, Jennifer Daniels sold 61,633 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.93, for a total transaction of $5,172,857.69.

On Thursday, November 30th, Jennifer Daniels sold 3,800 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.01, for a total transaction of $300,238.00.

Colgate-Palmolive Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of CL stock opened at $86.00 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.59, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 1.11. Colgate-Palmolive has a 52-week low of $67.62 and a 52-week high of $86.14. The company has a market capitalization of $70.79 billion, a PE ratio of 30.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.42. The businesss fifty day moving average is $81.51 and its 200 day moving average is $76.76.

Colgate-Palmolive Dividend Announcement

Colgate-Palmolive ( NYSE:CL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.85 by $0.02. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 509.75% and a net margin of 11.82%. The business had revenue of $4.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.89 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.77 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 22nd were given a dividend of $0.48 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 19th. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.23%. Colgate-Palmolives payout ratio is 69.06%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Raymond James raised Colgate-Palmolive from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $91.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, January 29th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $85.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Colgate-Palmolive in a report on Monday, November 13th. They set a buy rating and a $87.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, October 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $86.93.

View Our Latest Report on CL

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd grew its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 5.0% during the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 87,530 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,224,000 after buying an additional 4,131 shares during the last quarter. FORVIS Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 18.3% during the second quarter. FORVIS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 21,443 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,652,000 after buying an additional 3,319 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 383.2% during the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 12,944 shares of the companys stock valued at $811,000 after buying an additional 10,265 shares during the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 8.1% during the third quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 30,556 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,173,000 after buying an additional 2,294 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rockland Trust Co. grew its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 17.6% during the third quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 319,586 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,726,000 after buying an additional 47,906 shares during the last quarter. 78.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Colgate-Palmolive Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items.

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iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (NYSEARCA:IGM  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $507.70 and last traded at $506.93, with a volume of 3061 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $502.21.

iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF Stock Down 0.5 %

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $465.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $422.20. The stock has a market cap of $4.05 billion, a PE ratio of 32.18 and a beta of 1.18.

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iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETFs stock is going to split on the morning of Thursday, March 7th. The 6-1 split was announced on Thursday, March 7th. The newly minted shares will be payable to shareholders after the closing bell on Thursday, March 7th.

Institutional Trading of iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF

About iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Fortis Group Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 137.1% during the first quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 83 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new position in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC bought a new position in shares of iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF in the 1st quarter worth $37,000.

(Get Free Report)

iShares North American Tech ETF, formerly iShares S&P North American Technology Sector Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, of the United States-traded technology companies, as represented by the S&P North American Technology Sector Index (the Index).

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Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC reduced its position in The Progressive Co. (NYSE:PGR  Free Report) by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 254,940 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 5,063 shares during the quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLCs holdings in Progressive were worth $35,513,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in Progressive by 1.2% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 5,860 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $816,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Progressive by 1.3% during the third quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,430 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $756,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Steward Financial Group LLC lifted its position in Progressive by 20.3% during the third quarter. Steward Financial Group LLC now owns 421 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC raised its position in shares of Progressive by 0.4% in the third quarter. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC now owns 18,960 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,641,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Finally, Defined Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Progressive by 2.2% in the third quarter. Defined Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,691 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $514,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the period. 83.66% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of Progressive from $158.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Progressive from $111.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Monday, November 20th. Roth Mkm increased their target price on shares of Progressive from $185.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Progressive from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the company from $144.00 to $176.00 in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Finally, Raymond James downgraded shares of Progressive from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Progressive currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $169.22.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Susan Patricia Griffith sold 90,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.89, for a total transaction of $14,660,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 465,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at $75,863,574.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Progressive news, insider Andrew J. Quigg sold 4,052 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.28, for a total transaction of $665,662.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 25,769 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,233,331.32. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Susan Patricia Griffith sold 90,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.89, for a total transaction of $14,660,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 465,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at $75,863,574.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 114,862 shares of company stock worth $18,747,693 over the last ninety days. 0.34% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Progressive Stock Performance

NYSE:PGR opened at $192.01 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $171.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $155.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.35 and a quick ratio of 0.33. The firm has a market cap of $112.33 billion, a PE ratio of 29.13, a P/E/G ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 0.35. The Progressive Co. has a 1-year low of $111.41 and a 1-year high of $192.31.

Progressive (NYSE:PGR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The insurance provider reported $2.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.43 by $0.53. Progressive had a net margin of 6.28% and a return on equity of 21.10%. The firm had revenue of $16.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.10 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.52 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that The Progressive Co. will post 8.88 EPS for the current year.

Progressive Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 19th were paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.21%. Progressives dividend payout ratio is currently 12.92%.

Progressive Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Progressive Corporation, an insurance holding company, provides personal and commercial auto, personal residential and commercial property, general liability, and other specialty property-casualty insurance products and related services in the United States. It operates in three segments: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Property.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Kosmos Energy (NYSE:KOS  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report issued on Tuesday.

Separately, Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on Kosmos Energy in a report on Monday, November 20th. They issued a buy rating and a $10.00 price target for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $9.53.

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Kosmos Energy Price Performance

Insider Buying and Selling

KOS stock opened at $5.93 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39. Kosmos Energy has a 52-week low of $5.28 and a 52-week high of $8.55. The stocks 50 day moving average is $6.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $6.87. The company has a market capitalization of $2.73 billion, a PE ratio of 37.06, a P/E/G ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 2.43.

In other Kosmos Energy news, CAO Ronald W. Glass sold 17,525 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.03, for a total transaction of $105,675.75. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 290,855 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,753,855.65. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, SVP Jason Doughty sold 66,616 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.03, for a total value of $401,694.48. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 1,458,018 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,791,848.54. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Ronald W. Glass sold 17,525 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.03, for a total transaction of $105,675.75. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 290,855 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,753,855.65. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 335,337 shares of company stock valued at $2,022,082 over the last 90 days. 1.79% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kosmos Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in Kosmos Energy by 143.6% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,579 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 2,110 shares during the last quarter. Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Kosmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in Kosmos Energy by 50.1% in the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 4,394 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 1,467 shares during the last quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in Kosmos Energy by 7,051.9% in the 4th quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,793 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 5,712 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kosmos Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $45,000. Institutional investors own 91.24% of the companys stock.

Kosmos Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Kosmos Energy Ltd. engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties along the Atlantic Margins in the United States. The company's primary assets include production projects located in offshore Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, as well as a gas projects located in offshore Mauritania and Senegal.

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Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Thursday, February 22nd, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 11th will be paid a dividend of GBX 1.84 ($0.02) per share by the financial services provider on Tuesday, May 21st. This represents a yield of 4.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th. This is an increase from Lloyds Banking Groups previous dividend of $0.92. The official announcement can be viewed at this link.

Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

Lloyds Banking Group stock opened at GBX 45.46 ($0.57) on Friday. Lloyds Banking Group has a fifty-two week low of GBX 39.42 ($0.50) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 52.94 ($0.67). The stock has a market cap of 29.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 510.61, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is GBX 44.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 43.43.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on LLOY shares. Barclays reduced their price objective on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 67 ($0.84) to GBX 65 ($0.82) and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an underweight rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 59 ($0.74) target price on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Friday, February 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised shares of Lloyds Banking Group to a market perform rating and set a GBX 50 ($0.63) price objective for the company in a report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised Lloyds Banking Group to an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 57.33 ($0.72).

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Lloyds Banking Group news, insider William Chalmers bought 142,680 shares of Lloyds Banking Group stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 47 ($0.59) per share, for a total transaction of 67,059.60 ($84,436.67). 0.23% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.

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By Ana Isabel Martinez

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's outgoing president has taken steps to promote a smooth hand-off for national oil company Pemex, three sources told Reuters, but the latest moves will likely postpone a day of reckoning for the world's most heavily-indebted oil company.

Last week, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador rolled out fresh support for Pemex, part of his longstanding goal to make Mexico self-sufficient in the production of motor fuels, unveiling a new tax break worth about $6.4 billion.

The boost follows a whopping $90 billion in government support doled out to Pemex since Lopez Obrador took office in late 2018, spanning tax cuts and capital injections, most of it to service a crushing debt load of some $106 billion.

The company's distressed finances may fall to former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, Lopez Obrador's anointed successor and current front-runner in polls ahead of June's election.

Mexico's next president takes office in October.

A Sheinbaum presidency would look to cut Pemex's dependence on government funds, one source close to her team told Reuters, using tax cuts to free up company spending elsewhere.

Sheinbaum has also committed to pursing Lopez Obrador's oft-repeated but vague goal of "energy sovereignty."

A source close to Pemex, meanwhile, said the latest round of support will be used to cover $17.2 billion in debts to service providers, such as Halliburton and Baker Hughes.

"All this is part of a strategy of orderly transition aimed at a soft landing for the next administration," said a high-ranking Pemex source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Priorities that already enjoy Lopez Obrador's "seal of approval," however, could constrain his successor, the source added.

The popular president declared victory on his Pemex policy earlier this week.

"I believe that we've already rescued Pemex," said Lopez Obrador, touting a reduction in its financial debt compared to six years ago.

Story continues

Those liabilities fell nearly 7%, from 1.99 trillion pesos in 2018 to 1.86 trillion, as of last September.

'FISCAL FAILURE'

According to calculations from the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) based on Pemex data, the company has to make $53 billion in regular debt payments between October and September 2027. Debt payments this year alone reach almost $11 billion.

Pemex also faces debt maturities of some $35 billion, mostly tied to its bonds, between 2025 and 2030.

"Despite everything given to it, 2024 and 2025 debt pressures are very strong," said IMCO economist Jesus Carrillo.

"Pemex has been (Lopez Obrador's) fiscal failure... a rescue that never came," he added.

Neither Pemex, the president's office nor the finance ministry responded to requests for comment for this story.

Some sources acknowledged that measures of success have been scaled back but said that some progress has been made.

"The idea is to leave Pemex better than we found it," said one company source, admitting that "many problems have not been solved."

The source close to Sheinbaum's team pointed to the gradual slashing of the company's profit-sharing DUC tax, one of the most important for state coffers, from a 65% to 30%.

The source added that the tax cuts seek to ensure that Pemex can keep more of its own revenue, and stop being a "burden" on state finances.

Still, the oil company's crude output - overwhelmingly its main source of income - has continued to slide during Lopez Obrador's term, from 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) to 1.6 million bpd, despite his pledge to grow it.

And while that decline has been partially offset by booming condensate output, the president's top priority of refining more oil at home has fallen short of his initial goal.

Domestic refining is up to about 791,000 bpd, but still far from his goal of processing at least 1 million bpd.

"There is awareness within Pemex that the goals won't be met this year," said one company source.

"But in an election year, promises abound."

(Reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez; Additional reporting by Adriana Barrera; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Marguerita Choy)
Mariner LLC lowered its position in shares of Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 587,092 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 14,512 shares during the quarter. Mariner LLC owned about 0.07% of Newmont worth $21,693,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S grew its stake in shares of Newmont by 66.6% in the second quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 32,609 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,391,000 after acquiring an additional 13,038 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its stake in Newmont by 22.3% during the 3rd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 145,639 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $5,382,000 after purchasing an additional 26,599 shares in the last quarter. Wintrust Investments LLC increased its stake in Newmont by 5.9% during the 2nd quarter. Wintrust Investments LLC now owns 31,297 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,335,000 after purchasing an additional 1,738 shares in the last quarter. MONECO Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Newmont by 3.5% in the second quarter. MONECO Advisors LLC now owns 13,937 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $595,000 after buying an additional 473 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Monaco Asset Management SAM bought a new position in shares of Newmont in the third quarter worth approximately $2,845,000. 79.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Newmont Price Performance

Shares of Newmont stock opened at $30.89 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The stocks fifty day moving average is $36.78 and its 200 day moving average is $37.93. Newmont Co. has a one year low of $30.71 and a one year high of $52.76.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Analysts Set New Price Targets

In other news, COO Robert D. Atkinson sold 5,500 shares of Newmont stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.26, for a total transaction of $226,930.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 54,251 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,238,396.26. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Company insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on NEM shares. National Bank Financial reaffirmed an outperform overweight rating on shares of Newmont in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. TD Securities downgraded Newmont from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $46.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Macquarie started coverage on Newmont in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. They issued an outperform rating and a $45.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group decreased their target price on Newmont from $42.00 to $40.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Newmont from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $54.25.

View Our Latest Research Report on NEM

About Newmont

(Free Report)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and Ghana. As of December 31, 2022, it had proven and probable gold reserves of 96.1 million ounces and land position of 61,500 square kilometers.

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Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT  Get Free Report) insider Matthias Dollentz-Scharer sold 2,076 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.91, for a total transaction of $107,765.16. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 72,645 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,771,001.95. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Matthias Dollentz-Scharer also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, December 6th, Matthias Dollentz-Scharer sold 2,074 shares of Dynatrace stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.63, for a total value of $113,302.62.

Dynatrace Price Performance

DT opened at $49.56 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $14.67 billion, a PE ratio of 75.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.11 and a beta of 1.13. The business has a 50-day moving average of $55.29 and a 200-day moving average of $50.88. Dynatrace, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $37.21 and a fifty-two week high of $61.41.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on DT. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $66.00 target price on shares of Dynatrace in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Dynatrace from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of Dynatrace from $62.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Dynatrace in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. They set an equal weight rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and issued a $70.00 target price on shares of Dynatrace in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Dynatrace has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $60.63.

View Our Latest Research Report on DT

Institutional Trading of Dynatrace

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Dynatrace by 62.7% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 7,699 shares of the companys stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 2,966 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Dynatrace by 42.6% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 5,353 shares of the companys stock worth $250,000 after acquiring an additional 1,598 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Dynatrace by 61.0% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,022 shares of the companys stock worth $378,000 after acquiring an additional 3,039 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Dynatrace during the first quarter valued at about $582,000. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its position in shares of Dynatrace by 39.5% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 6,511 shares of the companys stock valued at $307,000 after purchasing an additional 1,845 shares during the last quarter. 94.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Dynatrace Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dynatrace, Inc provides a security platform for multicloud environments. It operates Dynatrace, a security platform, which provides application and microservices monitoring, runtime application security, infrastructure monitoring, log management and analytics, digital experience monitoring, digital business analytics, and cloud automation.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co increased its position in Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 6.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,772 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,320 shares during the quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $1,439,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EW. Truvestments Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 260.0% in the 2nd quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 270 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares during the period. Castleview Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Northwest Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Jackson Grant Investment Advisers Inc. bought a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 79.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Edwards Lifesciences Stock Performance

NYSE EW traded up $0.35 on Friday, reaching $87.97. The stock had a trading volume of 223,974 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,969,903. 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 fifty day moving average of $78.48 and a two-hundred day moving average of $73.77. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a 1-year low of $60.57 and a 1-year high of $94.87. The company has a market cap of $52.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.35 and a beta of 1.04.

Insider Transactions at Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences ( NYSE:EW Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.64. The company had revenue of $1.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.50 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 23.56% and a net margin of 23.35%. Edwards Lifesciencess quarterly revenue was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.64 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.76 EPS for the current year.

In other news, VP Daveen Chopra sold 8,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.74, for a total transaction of $711,268.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 22,750 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,973,335. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, VP Daveen Chopra sold 8,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.74, for a total transaction of $711,268.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 22,750 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,973,335. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, VP Catherine M. Szyman sold 27,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.62, for a total value of $2,311,740.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 34,814 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,980,774.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 183,089 shares of company stock valued at $14,396,688. 1.29% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

EW has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Evercore ISI cut Edwards Lifesciences from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $80.00 to $77.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $70.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Edwards Lifesciences from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $94.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $80.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Edwards Lifesciences from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $87.38.

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Edwards Lifesciences Company Profile

(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.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co lessened its stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) by 4.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,666 shares of the companys stock after selling 810 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $1,332,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ADM. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 4.4% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 31,364,445 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,369,897,000 after acquiring an additional 1,314,810 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 13,303,791 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,003,372,000 after purchasing an additional 252,486 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 9,956,183 shares of the companys stock valued at $749,998,000 after purchasing an additional 105,943 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 9.2% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 6,744,254 shares of the companys stock worth $626,204,000 after buying an additional 570,811 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 4th quarter worth approximately $525,111,000. 77.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on ADM. TheStreet cut shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the company from $90.00 to $67.00 in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $87.00 to $76.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 30th. Roth Capital downgraded Archer-Daniels-Midland from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Barclays lowered Archer-Daniels-Midland from an overweight rating to an underweight rating and set a $60.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $67.08.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Stock Performance

NYSE:ADM remained flat at $53.70 during mid-day trading on Friday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 737,821 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,891,479. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $62.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $71.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.64 billion, a PE ratio of 7.49 and a beta of 0.76. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a fifty-two week low of $50.72 and a fifty-two week high of $87.30.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 7th. This is a positive change from Archer-Daniels-Midlands previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.72%. Archer-Daniels-Midlands payout ratio is currently 27.86%.

About Archer-Daniels-Midland

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co trimmed its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG  Free Report) by 43.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,585 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 10,520 shares during the quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $963,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HIG. Selway Asset Management purchased a new stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group in the third quarter valued at $29,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. boosted its position in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 85.7% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 520 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its stake in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 63.6% during the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 525 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new position in The Hartford Financial Services Group during the second quarter worth approximately $40,000. 90.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at The Hartford Financial Services Group

In other news, EVP Robert W. Paiano sold 14,528 shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.97, for a total value of $1,365,196.16. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 46,792 shares in the company, valued at $4,397,044.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other The Hartford Financial Services Group news, EVP David C. Robinson sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.64, for a total value of $1,344,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 8,201 shares in the company, valued at $735,137.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Robert W. Paiano sold 14,528 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.97, for a total value of $1,365,196.16. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 46,792 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,397,044.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 353,578 shares of company stock valued at $29,434,234 over the last 90 days. 1.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Trading Up 1.1 %

HIG stock traded up $1.02 during trading on Friday, hitting $95.54. The company had a trading volume of 338,241 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,713,746. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $85.38 and a 200-day moving average price of $77.67. The stock has a market cap of $28.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.83, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.87. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $64.25 and a 12 month high of $95.72. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The insurance provider reported $3.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.44 by $0.62. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a net margin of 10.21% and a return on equity of 19.82%. The company had revenue of $6.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.84 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.31 EPS. The Hartford Financial Services Groups revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 9.99 earnings per share for the current year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, March 4th will be given a $0.47 dividend. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 1st. The Hartford Financial Services Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 23.53%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $77.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on The Hartford Financial Services Group from $97.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on The Hartford Financial Services Group in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set an outperform rating for the company. Roth Mkm boosted their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Oppenheimer assumed coverage on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a market perform rating for the company. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued 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 $90.60.

Read Our Latest Research Report on HIG

About The Hartford Financial Services Group

(Free Report)

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers.

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EAM Investors LLC lessened its stake in shares of Oil-Dri Co. of America (NYSE:ODC  Free Report) by 35.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,249 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 9,822 shares during the period. EAM Investors LLCs holdings in Oil-Dri Co. of America were worth $1,127,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in Oil-Dri Co. of America in the 2nd quarter valued at $70,000. California State Teachers Retirement System bought a new stake in Oil-Dri Co. of America in the second quarter valued at about $96,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Oil-Dri Co. of America during the third quarter valued at approximately $110,000. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC grew its stake in shares of Oil-Dri Co. of America by 5,743.8% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 1,870 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $110,000 after purchasing an additional 1,838 shares during the period. Finally, UBS Group AG raised its holdings in shares of Oil-Dri Co. of America by 46.4% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,193 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $74,000 after buying an additional 695 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 48.47% of the companys stock.

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Oil-Dri Co. of America Stock Up 0.6 %

ODC opened at $67.00 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $489.10 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.48 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.78 and a current ratio of 2.61. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $67.68 and its 200-day simple moving average is $63.54. Oil-Dri Co. of America has a twelve month low of $34.63 and a twelve month high of $73.50.

Oil-Dri Co. of America Dividend Announcement

Oil-Dri Co. of America ( NYSE:ODC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, December 11th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Oil-Dri Co. of America had a return on equity of 24.45% and a net margin of 8.23%. The firm had revenue of $111.44 million during the quarter.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.73%. Oil-Dri Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio is 23.34%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com raised Oil-Dri Co. of America from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th.

View Our Latest Analysis on ODC

Insider Buying and Selling at Oil-Dri Co. of America

In other Oil-Dri Co. of America news, VP Aaron Christiansen sold 1,070 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.31, for a total transaction of $70,951.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 20,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,326,200. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 12.28% of the companys stock.

Oil-Dri Co. of America Profile

(Free Report)

Oil-Dri Corporation of America, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets sorbent products in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments, Retail and Wholesale Products Group, and Business to Business Products Group. The company provides agricultural and horticultural products, including mineral-based absorbent products that serve as carriers for biological and chemical active ingredients, drying agents, and growing media under the Agsorb, Verge, and Flo-Fre brand names.

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Optiver Holding B.V. cut its position in Suzano S.A. (NYSE:SUZ  Free Report) by 27.0% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 158,523 shares of the companys stock after selling 58,640 shares during the period. Optiver Holding B.V.s holdings in Suzano were worth $1,704,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SUZ. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Suzano by 166.0% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,251 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 2,029 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in Suzano by 152.4% in the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 3,778 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 2,281 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in Suzano by 26.4% in the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,857 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 1,015 shares in the last quarter. Eqis Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Suzano in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $92,000. Finally, ExodusPoint Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Suzano in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $95,000. 2.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Suzano Price Performance

NYSE SUZ traded down $0.18 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $11.08. The stock had a trading volume of 68,711 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,208,396. Suzano S.A. has a 52-week low of $7.46 and a 52-week high of $11.60. The company has a market cap of $14.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.85 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.67. The company has a quick ratio of 2.34, a current ratio of 2.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77.

Suzano Increases Dividend

Suzano Profile

The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 18th. Investors of record on Monday, December 11th were paid a $0.3429 dividend. This is an increase from Suzanos previous annual dividend of $0.13. This represents a yield of 5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 8th. Suzanos dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.

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Optiver Holding B.V. cut its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWT  Free Report) by 69.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 32,510 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 74,815 shares during the quarter. Optiver Holding B.V.s holdings in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF were worth $1,448,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in EWT. Northern Trust Corp lifted its stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 133.3% during the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,778,603 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $168,337,000 after purchasing an additional 2,159,107 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 78.8% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,531 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $157,000 after purchasing an additional 1,556 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 12.3% during the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 28,257 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,259,000 after purchasing an additional 3,100 shares during the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 1.7% during the third quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 48,448 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,158,000 after purchasing an additional 811 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF by 10.1% during the third quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 174,544 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $7,776,000 after purchasing an additional 16,070 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Trading Down 0.7 %

EWT stock traded down $0.35 during trading on Friday, hitting $46.33. 262,736 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,543,356. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $45.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $45.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.02 and a beta of 0.86. iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF has a 52-week low of $42.13 and a 52-week high of $50.19.

iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Company Profile

Ishares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Taiwan IndexSM (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

Further Reading

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Orange (NYSE:ORAN  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Monday morning.

Orange Price Performance

ORAN stock opened at $11.66 on Monday. Orange has a 1-year low of $10.97 and a 1-year high of $13.08. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $11.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is $11.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.79.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of Orange by 384.1% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 88,800 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,049,000 after acquiring an additional 70,455 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in Orange by 12.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 34,861 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $412,000 after purchasing an additional 3,787 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Orange during the 1st quarter worth approximately $147,000. Citigroup Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Orange by 14.3% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 118,777 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,404,000 after purchasing an additional 14,884 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in shares of Orange by 12.1% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 31,199 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $374,000 after buying an additional 3,359 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 0.99% of the companys stock.

About Orange

Orange SA provides various fixed telephony and mobile telecommunications, data transmission, and other value-added services to customers, businesses, and other telecommunications operators in France and internationally. The company operates through France; Spain and Other European Countries; The Africa and Middle East; Enterprise; Orange business; Totem; International Carriers & Shared Services; and Mobile Financial Services segments.

Further Reading

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EPG Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Free Report) by 11.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,689 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 284 shares during the quarter. EPG Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Prudential Financial were worth $255,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Asset Dedication LLC boosted its position in Prudential Financial by 47.0% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 438 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares during the period. West Michigan Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial during the third quarter worth approximately $209,000. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co boosted its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 106.0% during the 3rd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co now owns 7,230 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $686,000 after buying an additional 3,720 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 13.4% in the third quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 6,076 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $577,000 after acquiring an additional 720 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial by 501.0% during the third quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 32,597 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,093,000 after acquiring an additional 27,173 shares in the last quarter. 54.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Prudential Financial

In other news, CFO Kenneth Tanji sold 23,124 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.14, for a total value of $2,431,257.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 47,155 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,957,876.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock.

Prudential Financial Price Performance

Prudential Financial stock traded up $0.35 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $108.67. 465,986 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,566,363. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.19, a P/E/G ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.07 and a current ratio of 0.13. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 12 month low of $75.37 and a 12 month high of $110.12. The businesss 50-day moving average is $104.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $98.21.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The financial services provider reported $2.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.67 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $13.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.99 billion. Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.89% and a return on equity of 14.52%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.42 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 13.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Prudential Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 14th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th will be issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 16th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.79%. This is a boost from Prudential Financials previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. Prudential Financials payout ratio is currently 77.73%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PRU has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Prudential Financial from $105.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $118.00 target price (down from $119.00) on shares of Prudential Financial in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Prudential Financial from $108.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. TheStreet upgraded Prudential Financial from a c+ rating to an a- rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Raymond James lowered Prudential Financial from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and ten have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $105.60.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial Profile

(Free Report)

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Annuities, Individual Life, Assurance IQ, and International Businesses segments.

Further Reading

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Allied Analytics LLP

Surge in awareness regarding safety from fire, rapid urbanization & industrialization, and surge in residential & non-residential construction activities, drive the growth of the fire protection system pipes market.

Wilmington, Delaware , Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Fire Protection System Pipes Market by Material Type (Steel, CPVC, and Others), Application (Fire Suppression System, and Fire Sprinkler System), and End User (Commercial, Industrial, Governmental, Institutional, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 ". According to the report, the global fire protection system pipes market was valued at $20,229.8 million in 2022 and is projected to reach $34,744.2 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.68% from 2023 to 2032.



Request PDF Sample Copy @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A290083

Prime determinants of growth

North America stands out as a primary user of fire protection system pipes, mainly owing to the expansion of the construction industry and increased awareness concerning fire safety measures. The escalation of urban development in emerging nations such as India, China, and Brazil has notably propelled the market for fire protection system pipes. Furthermore, a surge in the demand for these pipes within the oil & gas sector plays a pivotal role in fostering market growth. Growth in the construction sector also drives the fire protection system pipes market.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $20,229.8 million Market Size in 2032 $34,744.2 million CAGR 5.68% No. of Pages in Report 220 Segments covered Material Type, Application, End-user, and Region. Drivers Surge in awareness regarding safety from fire. Rapid urbanization & industrialization. Surge in residential & non-residential construction activities. Restraints High initial costs and predictive maintenance. Fluctuating raw material prices Opportunities Technological advancements to ensure safety & security Government investments in the building infrastructure sector



The steel segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

Based on material type, the steel segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly more than half of the fire protection system pipes market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period and the CPVC segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.6% from 2023 to 2032, owing to high demand and their associated benefits such as prolonged durability, resistance to fire, easy availability and cost-effectiveness.

Story continues

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The fire suppression segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

Based on application, the fire suppression segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly four-fifths of the fire protection system pipes market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to increase in demand for fire protection systems in different industrial verticals such as manufacturing and chemicals. However, the fire sprinkler segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6% from 2022 to 2032. This is attributed to rise in the requirement of water sprinkler systems in the residential and institutional sectors.

The commercial segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period.

Based on end-user, the commercial segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to nearly one-third of the fire protection system pipes market revenue, and the industrial segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 5.7% from 2023 to 2032. Growth in developing countries such as China, Japan, India, Africa, and others, is driving the commercial and industrial segment for the fire protection system pipes market.

The Asia-Pacific region to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

Based on region, the Asia-Pacific region held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the fire protection system pipes market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, and LAMEA is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.9% from 2023 to 2032. This is owing to rise in urbanization and industrialization in countries such as Africa and the Middle East.

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Leading Market Players: -

Anvil International, LLC.

ASTRAL LIMITED

China Lesso Group Holdings Limited

Gf Piping Systems

HALMA PLC

Johnson Controls International plc

Minimax Viking GmbH

Mueller Industries, Inc.

Simona AG

TPMC STEEL (Tianjin Profound Multinational Trade Co., Ltd.)

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the fire protection system pipes market. These players have adopted different strategies such as investments, and acquisitions to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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About us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Teekay Co. (NYSE:TK  Get Free Report) shares rose 5% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $8.36 and last traded at $8.33. Approximately 621,668 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 7% from the average daily volume of 665,200 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.93.

Teekay Stock Performance

The firms 50 day simple moving average is $8.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $7.10. The firm has a market cap of $659.84 million, a PE ratio of 4.71 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a current ratio of 4.65, a quick ratio of 4.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.

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Institutional Trading of Teekay

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of Teekay by 69.4% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,745 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,944 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Middle East FZE purchased a new position in shares of Teekay in the 2nd quarter worth $38,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD bought a new stake in shares of Teekay in the 3rd quarter worth about $42,000. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in shares of Teekay by 77.8% during the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 7,058 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 3,088 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new position in shares of Teekay in the 4th quarter valued at about $62,000. 77.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Teekay Company Profile

Teekay Corporation engages in the international crude oil and other marine transportation services worldwide. The company owns and operates crude oil and refined product tankers. It also provides ship-to-ship support services; tanker commercial management and technical management operation services; and operational and maintenance marine services.

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Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL  Get Free Report) CEO H Lynn Moore, Jr. sold 7,500 shares of Tyler Technologies stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $435.19, for a total value of $3,263,925.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 75,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $32,639,250. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Tyler Technologies Stock Up 0.9 %

TYL opened at $436.60 on Friday. Tyler Technologies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $305.06 and a 1-year high of $454.74. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 112.24, a P/E/G ratio of 4.24 and a beta of 0.83. The business has a 50 day moving average of $424.63 and a 200-day moving average of $403.35.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Tyler Technologies

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Tyler Technologies by 7.6% in the third quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,205 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $465,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the period. Thematics Asset Management lifted its position in Tyler Technologies by 5.0% in the second quarter. Thematics Asset Management now owns 29,150 shares of the technology companys stock worth $12,140,000 after purchasing an additional 1,385 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Tyler Technologies by 2.1% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,163,096 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,317,335,000 after buying an additional 66,422 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Tyler Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $79,000. Finally, MAI Capital Management increased its holdings in Tyler Technologies by 20.7% in the 2nd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 5,710 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,378,000 after buying an additional 980 shares during the period. 91.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on TYL shares. Needham & Company LLC lifted their price objective on Tyler Technologies from $475.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Tyler Technologies from $480.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and issued a $490.00 price target on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research report on Friday, February 16th. DA Davidson boosted their price target on Tyler Technologies from $412.00 to $434.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price target on Tyler Technologies from $450.00 to $480.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $457.86.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on TYL

About Tyler Technologies

(Get Free Report)

Tyler Technologies, Inc provides integrated information management solutions and services for the public sector. It operates in two segments, Enterprise Software, and Platform Technologies. The company offers financial management solutions, including modular fund accounting systems for government agencies or not-for-profit entities; utility billing systems for the billing and collection of metered and non-metered services; products to automate city and county functions, such as municipal courts, parking tickets, equipment and project costing, animal and business licenses, permits and inspections, code enforcement, citizen complaint tracking, ambulance billing, fleet maintenance, and cemetery records management; student information and transportation solutions for K-12 schools; and financial management systems.

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U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Free Report) EVP James L. Chosy sold 21,582 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.47, for a total value of $895,005.54. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 164,880 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,837,573.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link.

U.S. Bancorp Stock Performance

U.S. Bancorp stock opened at $41.35 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $42.23 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $37.91. U.S. Bancorp has a fifty-two week low of $27.27 and a fifty-two week high of $48.24. The stock has a market cap of $64.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.61, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.81.

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U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.28. U.S. Bancorp had a net margin of 13.36% and a return on equity of 14.89%. The firm had revenue of $6.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.85 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.20 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that U.S. Bancorp will post 3.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

U.S. Bancorp Increases Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On U.S. Bancorp

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th were issued a dividend of $0.49 per share. This is an increase from U.S. Bancorps previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.74%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 28th. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio is presently 59.76%.

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its position in U.S. Bancorp by 292.1% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 1,386,413 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $44,555,000 after purchasing an additional 1,032,866 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 19.4% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 8,677,378 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $286,874,000 after buying an additional 1,410,324 shares in the last quarter. First Financial Bank Trust Division lifted its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. First Financial Bank Trust Division now owns 34,355 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,136,000 after buying an additional 1,009 shares in the last quarter. OneAscent Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of U.S. Bancorp during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,912,000. Finally, Brady Family Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 130.6% during the 3rd quarter. Brady Family Wealth LLC now owns 41,750 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,380,000 after buying an additional 23,645 shares in the last quarter. 75.40% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on USB shares. Robert W. Baird downgraded U.S. Bancorp from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $52.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on U.S. Bancorp from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Odeon Capital Group upgraded U.S. Bancorp from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $48.93 price target on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Barclays raised their price target on U.S. Bancorp from $48.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating on shares of U.S. Bancorp in a research report on Friday, January 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $45.35.

Read Our Latest Analysis on U.S. Bancorp

About U.S. Bancorp

(Get Free Report)

U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company, provides various financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional organizations, governmental entities and other financial institutions in the United States. It operates through Wealth, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking; Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; and Treasury and Corporate Support segments.

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Northern Trust Corp lifted its holdings in Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER  Free Report) by 2.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 12,356,034 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock after purchasing an additional 351,575 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corps holdings in Uber Technologies were worth $568,254,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ritter Daniher Financial Advisory LLC DE grew its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 2,545.5% in the 3rd quarter. Ritter Daniher Financial Advisory LLC DE now owns 582 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 560 shares during the period. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Uber Technologies by 319.4% in the 3rd quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 650 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 495 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Spotlight Asset Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. 74.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Uber Technologies news, insider Jill Hazelbaker sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.83, for a total transaction of $1,556,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 107,290 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,350,380.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Tony West sold 18,750 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.08, for a total transaction of $1,314,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 185,566 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,004,465.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Jill Hazelbaker sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.83, for a total transaction of $1,556,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 107,290 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,350,380.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 3.84% of the companys stock.

Uber Technologies Price Performance

UBER opened at $78.03 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $29.22 and a 12 month high of $81.86. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $66.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $54.58. The stock has a market cap of $162.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 90.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.33.

Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The ride-sharing company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.16 by $0.50. Uber Technologies had a net margin of 5.06% and a return on equity of 18.95%. The business had revenue of $9.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.76 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.29 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 15.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 1.16 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on UBER shares. Susquehanna boosted their target price on Uber Technologies from $60.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. JMP Securities boosted their target price on Uber Technologies from $76.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and issued a $57.00 target price (up from $55.00) on shares of Uber Technologies in a report on Tuesday, November 7th. KeyCorp upped their price objective on Uber Technologies from $79.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Uber Technologies from $82.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Uber Technologies currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $73.06.

Read Our Latest Analysis on UBER

About Uber Technologies

(Free Report)

Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services.

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Shares of Wayfair Inc. (NYSE:W  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Friday after Truist Financial lowered their price target on the stock from $65.00 to $63.00. The stock had previously closed at $54.04, but opened at $52.10. Truist Financial currently has a buy rating on the stock. Wayfair shares last traded at $54.84, with a volume of 1,120,786 shares trading hands.

W has been the topic of several other research reports. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on Wayfair from $73.00 to $55.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $75.00 target price on shares of Wayfair in a research note on Thursday. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on Wayfair from $114.00 to $73.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. StockNews.com cut Wayfair from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on Wayfair from $85.00 to $60.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating, sixteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Wayfair presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $73.40.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on Wayfair

Insiders Place Their Bets

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Wayfair

In other Wayfair news, COO Thomas Netzer sold 982 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.87, for a total value of $61,738.34. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 118,715 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,463,612.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . In related news, insider Steven Conine sold 10,000 shares of Wayfair stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.37, for a total transaction of $523,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 289,073 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,138,753.01. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, COO Thomas Netzer sold 982 shares of Wayfair stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.87, for a total transaction of $61,738.34. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 118,715 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,463,612.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 71,310 shares of company stock worth $3,852,316 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 26.81% of the companys stock.

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its stake in shares of Wayfair by 24.1% in the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 968 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Wayfair by 7.9% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,842 shares of the companys stock worth $270,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Wayfair by 1.0% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 21,448 shares of the companys stock worth $1,394,000 after acquiring an additional 213 shares during the last quarter. M&T Bank Corp raised its stake in shares of Wayfair by 4.3% in the third quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 5,262 shares of the companys stock worth $318,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Wayfair by 4.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 6,749 shares of the companys stock worth $409,000 after acquiring an additional 276 shares during the last quarter. 89.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wayfair Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $6.44 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.58 and a beta of 3.32. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $56.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $57.30.

About Wayfair

(Get Free Report)

Wayfair Inc engages in the e-commerce business in the United States and internationally. The company provides approximately fourty million products for the home sector under various brands. It offers online selections of furniture, decor, housewares, and home improvement products through its sites, including Wayfair, Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, Perigold, and Wayfair Professional.

Further Reading

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West Michigan Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 19.8% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 930 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 229 shares during the quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLCs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $214,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Briaud Financial Planning Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Northwest Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 52.7% in the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 142 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the period. Arlington Trust Co LLC acquired a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Steward Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the second quarter worth about $39,000. 79.56% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Wells Fargo & Company cut Illinois Tool Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and dropped their price target for the company from $277.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $238.00 to $239.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Bank of America cut shares of Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $244.00 to $256.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $239.33.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE ITW traded up $1.20 during trading on Friday, reaching $259.87. 165,368 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,079,114. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $257.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $244.36. The company has a market capitalization of $77.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.43 and a beta of 1.15. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a twelve month low of $217.06 and a twelve month high of $267.12. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.42 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.41 by $0.01. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 96.60% and a net margin of 18.36%. The business had revenue of $3.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.34 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Investors of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a $1.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.15%. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 57.49%.

Insider Activity at Illinois Tool Works

In other Illinois Tool Works news, EVP Sharon Szafranski sold 801 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $256.42, for a total transaction of $205,392.42. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,505,185.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,827 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $256.29, for a total transaction of $1,493,401.83. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 8,870 shares in the company, valued at $2,273,292.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Sharon Szafranski sold 801 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $256.42, for a total value of $205,392.42. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,870 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,505,185.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 152,304 shares of company stock valued at $38,860,831 over the last three months. 0.88% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Illinois Tool Works

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United states and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products.

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Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM  Free Report) by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 28,499 shares of the specialty retailers stock after acquiring an additional 1,008 shares during the quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $4,429,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in Williams-Sonoma during the 2nd quarter valued at $3,662,000. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC increased its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 11.5% during the 3rd quarter. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC now owns 20,711 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $3,218,000 after purchasing an additional 2,128 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,456,161 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $226,287,000 after buying an additional 18,004 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 3.2% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,142,272 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $142,944,000 after acquiring an additional 35,315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, M. Kulyk & Associates LLC raised its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 9.2% during the third quarter. M. Kulyk & Associates LLC now owns 29,434 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $4,574,000 after acquiring an additional 2,485 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.76% of the companys stock.

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Williams-Sonoma Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE WSM traded down $0.39 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $225.11. 55,200 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 747,370. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $207.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $174.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.63. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a twelve month low of $109.44 and a twelve month high of $231.16.

Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement

Insider Transactions at Williams-Sonoma

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 18th. Williams-Sonomas dividend payout ratio is presently 24.98%.

In other news, CEO Laura Alber sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.92, for a total transaction of $4,038,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 525,509 shares in the company, valued at approximately $106,110,777.28. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on WSM shares. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $125.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $127.00 to $144.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Williams-Sonoma from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, Wedbush raised shares of Williams-Sonoma from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the company from $175.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $157.75.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on WSM

Williams-Sonoma Profile

(Free Report)

Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand.

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Christian Timm

At the NEW Launch Alliance Pitch Event in December, Christian Timm of Fond du Lac presented a new tech device that could transform a groundwater pump.

Timm presented on behalf of himself and his business partners, Richard Griessel, president, and Alexander Griessel, co-founder. He shared the many advantages of turning a groundwater pump into a smart pump capable of tracking water usage, identifying water leaks, forecasting pump failure, and increasing the life of a well through proper water-level management.

Operating under the name SmartWell LLC, (www.smartwell-llc.com) Timm says that these capabilities are made possible through their innovative AI-powered SmartWell device.

The device is not Timms first business or invention. In 2004, after working for a staffing agency, he went out on his own and founded TAG, an executive search firm.

As a staffing firm, it was a struggle for a number of years. It began to take off in 2008 when we landed a contract with a large company, a leader in semi-conductor technology at the heart of everything green, he said. Finding people with that expertise was challenging, but because of the excitement surrounding that company, the interest blossomed quickly.

It wasnt long before he needed to add staff, and by 2015, Timm had 50 employees. With that success, and the encouragement of one of his larger clients, he moved to California. He had planned to commute between Wisconsin and California, but that proved difficult.

He said, It was difficult on my marriage and the business. I returned to Wisconsin in 2016 and thought I could just get the business going again, but it was more of a challenge than I anticipated.

Things were looking up in mid-2018, and in 2020, he acquired his first multi-million-dollar client. Then, the pandemic hit and staffing took a hit with it.

Staffing stopped," Timm said. I got some assistance from the government that helped us make it through that time. It also gave us the time to look at other ideas.

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One of those ideas was the development of a UVC diode that would kill the COVID-19 virus.

I put together a team and we basically designed a unit that would attach to your phone. You could use it to zap a door handle and you were good, Timm said.

He entered the invention into a pitch contest and says he failed miserably. The lack of interest in the device presented a personal challenge and he took a month-long sabbatical, driving around the country and playing his saxophone.

When he returned, Timm was ready to try again. He started a group, Friday Think Tank, where he and other professionals met on Zoom to discuss ideas. One of those attending was Richard Griessel.

Richard and I had known each other for 15 years; ever since I tried to recruit him," Timm said. "He was CEO of a major conductor company, and even though I never got the chance to place him, we got to be friends and I would staff his companies.

Griessel had witnessed Timms abilities to put together a team and told him, I have an idea that I think would work.

That idea was the SmartWell device. The Governors Business Plan Contest was on the horizon so they decided to enter.

Wouldnt you know it, we ended up winning, Timm said.

They knew they had something good, and when the National Science Foundation showed interest, they completed a 70-page application with a product development plan, man hours, steps from a technical perspective, equipment they needed to purchase, and details and information on potential markets and competition. That resulted in being awarded a grant.

It was during this work that the staffing business was starting to pick up and it was becoming cumbersome to handle both, Timm said. I talked to Richard and said I was falling behind on the staffing. He got involved, and a few months later, he joined as partner in both companies.

With that help and a division of duties, they are directing their efforts to growing TAG and finding an investor for SmartWell.

Timm said, We are looking for a main investor that understands this is a technology that needs a fair amount of money to get out the door (an estimated $5 million). We need an investor who is prepared for the long ride.

There has been interest; especially as they demonstrate the product. They have a working proof of concept, detailed project plan, and a utility patent (pending). There are two separate target markets  homeowners and groundwater professionals.

For homeowners, the features include leak detection and remote alert, the ability to ration water during extreme drought, groundwater conservation, an elimination of running a well dry, and an extension in the life of the well.

For groundwater professionals, there are the capabilities to measure the water table without opening the well, to do real-time analysis, and as a result, a reduction in labor costs.

Imagine a groundwater pump that is 300 feet down a hole, submerged in 30 feet of water with power cables running up to the top of the well to a plug in. With our device you walk into that setup and go to the device where the wires come in and it takes about five minutes to disconnect those wires, attach ours and we have a signature of what is coming through the wires, Timm said.

He and his partners are optimistic that they will successfully launch the invention.

There are really wide-reaching impacts," Timm said. "The World Economic Forum says we are on the brink of a global water crisis. We dont see it at the moment, but in other parts of the country and world, this could be huge. This could become a recognized product that is part of every smart home.

We consider ourselves Puss and Boots types of entrepreneurs, he continued. That story would have never begun if the young man hadnt believed the cat. The takeaways  you are selling to an entity that is ready for you. You are selling to a market who is ready for it. You are casting a vision, and through that, reality begins.

Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt is co-owner of DB Commercial Real Estate in Green Bay and past district director for SCORE, Wisconsin.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: SmartWell inventor seeks investor to transform groundwater pumps
Breaking chains: the re-education of equality and womens rights in The Bahamas
Under a $150 million project, Iveco electric vehicles will be imported for testing and subsequently acquired on an investment basis after the trial period is complete, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz news agency.

Chinese firm Henan Costar Group will deliver electric ambulances to Uzbekistan. A contract worth $150 million was signed in conjunction with this initiative between the Ministry of Health, China Chamber of Commerce, and Henan Costar Group.

Abduvoit Gafurov, the Director-General of the Republican Scientific Center for Emergency Medical Care, noted that the company provided specialized Iveco electric reanimation vehicles. "They will be used in test mode in various regions of Uzbekistan, including hot, mountainous, and cold areas, and following the results, will be implemented into the emergency medical services," he said.

The Iveco electric vehicles can travel up to 450 km on a single charge, have a 10-fold fuel economy compared to conventional vehicles, and are resistant to moisture and high temperatures.

Following a successful trial period, the electric vehicles will be acquired on an investment basis. The next phase involves setting up a facility for servicing and modifying these vehicles.
(Bloomberg) -- French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called for a small group of countries to kickstart near-dormant efforts to bolster European capital markets as the continent risks being mired in economic stagnation.

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Im fed up with discussions, he said at the start of a two-day meeting of EU finance chiefs in Ghent on Friday. Im fed up with empty statements. Do you really think that China and the US will be impressed with our statements? We need decisions. And we need strong decisions.

Le Maire proposed creating a capital markets union on a voluntary basis, which could include joint supervision, a common savings product and guarantees for securitization. He said three or four countries could be a good starting point as it isnt possible to reach an agreement now among all 27 member states.

Le Maire didnt say which countries could join the CMU club, and initial reaction in the Belgian city was mixed. EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni welcomed the initiative, but defended the ambitious work to get an agreement between all 27 member states.

Meanwhile, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner indicated the largest EU economy wouldnt join Le Maires initiative.

Im not pushing for a multi-speed CMU  as my friend Bruno says  but for a top-speed CMU with all 27, he told reporters.

Completing CMU has become a top priority for the EU as it faces huge financing needs for the climate and digital transition that cant be met by public funds. There are also increasing concerns that countries are emerging from the double blow of the Covid pandemic and energy crisis with persistently weak economic growth.

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No one can accept European growth being one point below American growth, Le Maire said. No one can accept that the perspectives for growth in Europe are either recession or stagnation. We need to free European growth from its chains.

Despite nearly a decade of work on CMU, officials say underdeveloped markets compared with the US are still undermining the EUs strategic autonomy and encouraging businesses to seek funding abroad, or even leave the continent entirely.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has added to the sense of urgency, saying progress would be the best way to prepare the EU for the potential economic disruption from Donald Trump returning as US President.

A key objective, also highlighted by Lagarde, is to create a European version of the US Securities & Exchange Commission, potentially by granting more powers to the European Securities and Markets Authority.

According to a draft statement seen by Bloomberg, harmonization of supervision to improve stability and simplify processes could be achieved by ESMA coordinating supervisory colleges, or allowing large entities to opt for single oversight.

In addition to improving the architecture of regulation, finance ministers are also considering tax incentives and cuts to regulatory burdens to drive equity investment. Another aim of CMU would be to channel retail savings into more productive investment.

Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau on Friday suggested that the EU re-brand its efforts as a Financing Union for Transition.

We must shift from a mere stabilizing purpose to an allocation purpose, he said in a speech at the Eurofi conference in Ghent.

EU finance ministers are due to discuss a draft statement on CMU measures in the Belgian city on Friday, led by Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe.

Im here to decide, not to publish a 10th, 15th or 20th statement on CMU in which there is nothing or almost nothing, Le Maire added.

Even if officials can advance toward greater union of markets in Europe, it is unlikely to provide a quick fix to economic problems. Speaking ahead of Fridays meeting, an EU official said it would be unwise wait for CMU before embarking on more urgent needs to invest to counter climate and digital challenges.

--With assistance from Kamil Kowalcze and Sanne Wass.

(Updates with comments from Bank of France governor starting in 14th paragraph.)

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Gildan Activewear (TSE:GIL) Full Year 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$3.20b (down 1.4% from FY 2022).

Net income: US$533.6m (down 1.5% from FY 2022).

Profit margin: 17% (in line with FY 2022).

EPS: US$3.03.

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Gildan Activewear EPS Beats Expectations

Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) surpassed analyst estimates by 4.7%.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 2.6% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 6.9% growth forecast for the Luxury industry in North America.

Performance of the market in Canada.

The company's shares are up 2.4% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Gildan Activewear you should know about.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Today

Sunny skies. Becoming windy late. High 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph, becoming NW and 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

Mostly sunny skies. High 64F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.
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The Hong Kong stock market has recently shown signs of vitality, with a 4.9% uptick in the past week, although it remains 14% lower compared to last year. With earnings projected to grow by 13% annually, investors may find reassurance in stocks that not only withstand market fluctuations but also provide consistent dividend payouts.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Hong Kong

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating China Medical System Holdings (SEHK:867) 4.74%  Sinopharm Group (SEHK:1099) 3.95%  Fu Shou Yuan International Group (SEHK:1448) 3.33%  Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (SEHK:1398) 7.94%  Agricultural Bank of China (SEHK:1288) 7.22%  Far East Horizon (SEHK:3360) 7.58%  Anhui Expressway (SEHK:995) 7.01%  Zhejiang Expressway (SEHK:576) 6.69%  Tian An China Investments (SEHK:28) 7.14%  Jiangxi Copper (SEHK:358) 4.56% 

Click here to see the full list of 38 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener.

Underneath we present a selection of stocks filtered out by our screen.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Far East Horizon Limited is a diversified financial services provider operating primarily in Mainland China and Hong Kong, with an international presence and a market capitalization of approximately HK$26.37 billion.

Operations: Far East Horizon Limited generates its revenue primarily through financial, lease, and advisory services which contributed CN32.42 billion, and industrial operation and management activities accounting for CN5.34 billion.

Dividend Yield: 7.6%

Far East Horizon (SEHK:3360) presents a mixed picture for dividend investors. The company has demonstrated an ability to grow earnings, averaging an 11.5% increase annually over the past five years, and its net profit margins have improved slightly in the last year. Dividend payments are supported by earnings with a modest payout ratio of 28.5%, and cash flows seem adequate with a cash payout ratio of 71%. However, concerns arise from its high debt levels, with a net debt to equity ratio at 433.3%, and operating cash flow not sufficiently covering this debt load. While dividends have been reliable and growing over the past decade, the current yield is below that of top dividend payers in Hong Kong's market.

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SEHK:3360 Dividend History as at Feb 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd. is a leading distributor of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare products in the People's Republic of China, with a market capitalization of approximately HK$70.37 billion.

Operations: Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd. generates its revenue primarily from the wholesale and retail sales of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare products within China.

Dividend Yield: 4%

Sinopharm Group (SEHK:1099) appears to be a prudent choice for dividend seekers, with its debt becoming more manageable over time, evidenced by a declining debt to equity ratio. The company's earnings have consistently grown, surpassing its five-year average this past year. Dividends seem sustainable due to low payout ratios and are well-supported by both earnings and cash flow, with a history of reliability and growth over the past decade. However, investors should note that Sinopharm's dividend yield is modest when compared to the higher echelons of Hong Kong's market dividend payers, and its operating cash flow does not cover debt as robustly as one might prefer.

SEHK:1099 Dividend History as at Feb 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Tian An China Investments Company Limited is an investment holding firm that specializes in investing, developing, and managing properties across the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and Australia, with a market capitalization of approximately HK$5.13 billion.

Operations: Tian An China Investments Company Limited generates revenue primarily through property development, which contributed HK$4.58 billion, and property investment, with earnings of HK$575 million.

Dividend Yield: 7.1%

Tian An China Investments (SEHK:28) offers a nuanced picture for dividend investors. The firm has seen its debt to equity ratio rise modestly over five years, but maintains a satisfactory net debt position. Earnings have grown steadily, outpacing the five-year average recently, and dividends are well-protected by both earnings and cash flows, with a history of consistent growth and stability over the past decade. However, Tian An's current profit margins have dipped from last year's high, and its dividend yield isn't among the market's top tier. This suggests that while dividends appear secure and growing, there are aspects that may not align with all investor appetites for yield or profit margin performance.

SEHK:28 Dividend History as at Feb 2024

Taking Advantage

Harness the power of data-driven insights to navigate the world of Hong Kong dividend stocks with ease, thanks to the Simply Wall St screener. Delve into our full catalog of 38 Top Dividend Stocks here.

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.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Lack of fresh currency notes of lower denominations, mainly Rs 10, 20 and 50 have let the common people and small traders face harassment.

All Bengal Citizens Forum, for the second time, has raised the issue of forced circulation of soiled, tattered currency notes of Rs 10, 20 and Rs 50 for want of fresh currency notes.

The president of the Forum Sailen Parbat said, A year back, we had demanded to promptly release new currency notes of Rs 10, 20 and 50 but our demand remains unheard till day. Hence, keeping in view the harassment the common people face, we have again drawn the attention of the concerned authorities. It is evident most branches of the nationalized banks and private banks are not getting fresh notes of Rs 10, 20 and Rs 50 from their headquarters, forcing the common people, small traders, toto and auto drivers to manage with highly soiled and tattered notes. Many refuse to accept such soiled notes. It is nearly impossible to carry such soiled and tattered notes in the pocket or wallet. Rs 10 coins cannot be the substitute of currency notes.

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He added, I have again drawn the attention of the Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai, towards West Bengal, which is being deprived of fresh notes. We feel at this point, it is incumbent upon the RBI to provide/ supply currency notes of Rs 10 20 and 50 for the common people of Bengal.
Illegal night parking could now cause more hassles to vehicle owners. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation is in the process of launching an app similar to that of the city traffic police, where rule violators would be informed through a message about the illegal parking at night.

In the present system, vehicles parked without a sticker within the authorized limits of the civic body at night are clamped by the KMC staff and the owners have to pay fines. Motorists are supposed to obtain a sticker by paying amounts fixed by the KMC.

However, despite a full-fledged system in place, some of the councillors during the monthly House of the KMC as well as during the recent budget session underscored the problems of indiscriminate night parking in various wards. Highlighting the subject in the House during the recently-tabled annual budget session, Left councillor Madhuchhanda Deb claimed that illegal parking was causing loss of revenue. She also claimed that such vehicles were posing hurdles in the road sweeping and cleaning tasks of the workers of the solid waste management department. The CPI veteran demanded plans by the KMC for curbing such malpractices.

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To combat the issue, according to the member-mayor-in-council for parks and square of the KMC, Debasish Kumar, the civic body is in the process of launching an app on the lines of Kolkata Police. We will not have to hit the streets to clamp the illegally parked vehicles. For this, an app has been finalized in which like the traffic police. Vehicle owners would be able to know about the fine and the illegal parking through a message on their mobiles.

As underscored by the MMiC, the civic body had earned Rs 17 crore plus in the year 2022-2023. In the ongoing financial year of 2023-2024, the department is said to have collected Rs 16 crore till 19 February. In the coming one-and-a-half months, the figure is expected to reach Rs 18 crore, informed Mr Kumar. Apart from this, many tenders are yet to be finalized, he added.
Members of Trinamul Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) and Trinamul Youth Congress (TMYC) conducted a join rally to condemn a statement of Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition, who had called a Sikh IPS officer a Khalistani, two days ago.

The supporters shouted slogans condemning the incident and demanded an unconditional apology from Mr Adhikari.

Trinamul Congress MP Mala Roy, Debashis Kumar, MLA, Mrs Kajori Bandyopadhyay, councillor took part in the rally along with others. The rally started from Hazra Park and ended at Gurudwara Sant Kutia in Rashbehari.

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Similarly, rallies were taken out in Durgapur and Siliguri towns.

Trinamul Chhatra Parishad leaders said Mr Adhikaris statement is unfortunate and reflects BJPs divisive politics. They urged people from all walks of life to raise their voice against the BJP leaders.

Meanwhile, members of the Sikh community continued to stage dharna outside the office of state BJP on Muralidhar Sen Lane. The protestors carried placards that read: We are Indians and not Khalistanis. They demanded an apology from Mr Adhikari.

It may be recalled that chief minister Mamata Banerjee had condemned the statement while the state police have decided to take stringent legal action into the matter.

Rajeev Kumar, director general of police visited Sandeshkhali yesterday and talked to the residents and police. He assured that action would be taken against the culprits
Cambridge International plans to increase its footprint in India with 1,000 schools and reach 500,000 learners in the next three years.

Mr Rod Smith, Group Managing Director of International Education at Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUP&A) recently visited India and announced it. Cambridge University Press and Assessment is a part of Cambridge University, UK.

Cambridge University Press and Assessment has also announced strategic partnership with select institutions to address English language proficiency, aligning with industry expectations. Language proficiency is becoming increasingly vital for success in the global job market. The CUP&A has partnered with renowned institutions to design programmes that aim at assisting learners in moving closer to their desired careers by enhancing their communication skills. When the hiring market becomes more vibrant there is a growing need for educational institutions to take more ownership of aligning curricula with corporate needs, focusing on holistic skills and personality development. Cambridges programmes are designed to nurture globally relevant skills, encouraging students to engage in diverse fields and broaden their prospects.

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Recognizing the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the future, Cambridge International targets empowering 50,000 teachers with enhanced academic resources and training over the next three years. With a growing acceptance of international curriculum in India, Cambridge Education is gearing up to create an ecosystem that can potentially nurture the aspirations of the students and their parents.

Speaking on the expansion Arun Rajamani, managing director Cambridge University Press and Assessment , South Asia, said, In India, the education sector is undergoing a shift towards internationalization. Currently, parents aspirations extend beyond the international market to include India as well. Therefore, students are increasingly moving to different states or major cities to pursue higher education and enrol in top universities. Cambridge provides flexible curriculum options at all levels to accommodate the challenging requirements of the local education system, catering to the needs of the learners. Additionally we can extend our offerings to local partner schools for further expansion.
In a world often saturated with holiday cheer, the gay romantic drama All of Us Strangers offered a refreshing departure for movie enthusiasts seeking a different kind of emotional journey. Released in December, the film resonated deeply with audiences, providing a poignant narrative that touched hearts and stirred emotions.

Director Andrew Haigh, along with actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott, recently shared insights into the making of the film in a candid interview released ahead of its debut on Hulu and digital platforms. For Haigh, the project was a deeply personal endeavor, drawing inspiration from his own experiences as a queer individual navigating love and loss.

Scott, who portrays the character Adam, expressed admiration for the scripts depth and universal appeal. Its incredibly personal to [Haigh], but like great writers, he makes it sort of feel like its personal to everybody, Scott remarked, reflecting on the profound connection viewers felt with the story.

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Mescal, who plays Harry, echoed Scotts sentiments, highlighting the care and love invested in the characters by Haigh. Theres a deep sense of care and love that goes into the characters [Haigh] constructs, Mescal shared, underscoring the emotional resonance of the films narrative.

Based on a 1987 novel by Japanese author Taichi Yamada, All of Us Strangers follows the blossoming relationship between Adam and Harry, two gay Londoners whose chance encounter ignites a tender romance. Haighs adaptation infuses the story with his own insights and experiences, particularly exploring the spiritual connections between Scotts character and his deceased parents.

Haighs creative vision and intimate approach to storytelling have earned praise from critics and audiences alike. Described by The Hollywood Reporter as a thing of beauty, heartfelt and unforgettable, and hailed by USA Today as cinematic balm, the film has captivated viewers with its sincerity and emotional depth.

As All of Us Strangers continues to touch hearts and leave a lasting impression, it stands as a testament to the power of authentic storytelling and the universal longing for connection and understanding. Through its dreamy portrayal of love and loss, the film invites audiences to reflect on their own truths and cherish the bonds that unite us all.
The Delhi Police have nabbed three sharpshooters of the Tillu Tajpuria gang following an exchange of fire in the Alipur area, the police said on Friday.

According to the police, three pistols and two live rounds were recovered from the accused.

The police received a call on Thursday night complaining about a shootout at a chicken shop in the Bakoli area in which the accused opened fire at the owner. Following the lead, police teams, including the anti-gangster cell members, started a combing operation in the areas near Alipur and finally reached Bhaktawarpur where they noticed their movements in the farms.

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On locating the accused, the police party warned them to surrender. However, the criminals opened fire at the police team. The police team returned the fire, in which, one of them, identified as Rohit alias Laddu, received a gunshot injury and was overpowered.

The remaining accused, who fled the spot, were tracked down by the police team near a toll plaza after a hot chase but not before another accused, identified as Mohit, fired at the police party and was overpowered.

The third accused, Siddharth, was also apprehended from the farms near the Janti toll, the police added after an area of approximately five-kilometer radius in the dark was combed by the police during the night.

The fourth accused, named Kunal alias Senti, a native of Haryana, is on the run and efforts are underway to nab him, the police added.

On Thursday night, a PCR call was received from woman at the Alipur police station who alleged that her husband Vikas was fired at by four people. They were carrying weapons, and the complainant tried to flee from the scene, but they began firing at him and inflicted gunshot injury on the complainant.

Vikas is a chicken shop owner and had recently opened a shop in Bakoli.

All accused have previously been involved in criminal activities, the police said, while further probe is underway in the case, the police added.
The Rajasthan Anti Gangster Task Force Police on Friday arrested a wanted terrorist carrying Rs 25,000 on his head, Mohammad Merajuddin, from his native Gangapur city, after 10 years of hoodwinking the cops.

The accused, son of Mohammad Niazuddin, a resident of Ward No. 18, Bajaria Railway Station, Gangapur City Police Station, was wanted by the Jaipur ATS for his involvement in terrorist activities.

Additional Director General of Police Anti Gangster Task Force and Crime Dinesh MN said in 2014, that there was a plan by a sleeper cell to carry out terrorist activities at different locations in India. In this case, a total of 13 terrorists were arrested from the Sikar, Jodhpur, and Jaipur districts of the state. Of them, 12 have been sentenced to life imprisonment by the court.

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Case number 3/2014 was registered in SOG Jaipur police station under various sections of the Explosive Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The captured terrorist, Mohammad Merajuddin, was absconding at the time of the incident.

On Thursday, the AGTF received information about Merajuddin arrival in Gangapur City. Based on the information, a team carried out intensive surveillance of the terrorists residence and surrounding areas. After the information was confirmed, he was caught with the help of CO City Babulal Bishnoi. On Friday, he was handed over to the ATS team for further action.

The ADG said Mohammad Merajuddin on the run was moving to Markas, Okhla in Delhi and various districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

During preliminary interrogation, it was revealed that he and his associates were in contact with Indian Mujahideen and other Islamic terrorist outfits. In 2014, he had planned to carry out terrorist incidents at various places, but before that, his associates were caught by the security agencies.
A cashier of Punjab National Bank (PNB) was shot at when two masked robbers entered the bank premises in Jhotwara area here on Friday morning.

Police reached the spot on information and rushed the injured cashier Narendra Singh Shekhawat to a private hospital.

Additional Commissioner of Police Kailash Chand Bishnoi said the incident took place at PNB branch on Joshi Marg in Jhotwara. There were eight employees working in the bank.

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The branch opened as usual at 9:30 in the morning. At around 9:45 am, two miscreants entered the bank wearing masks on their faces. They forced three bank employees sit in a room in an attempt to rob them.

During this, the bank cashier Narendra Singh Shekhawat entered the branch. The cashier clashed with the robbers. During this, the miscreant fired a bullet, which hit the cashier in the stomach.

Bishnoi said that probably both of them might have done the recce first. One of the weapons they were carrying was a country made weapon, whereas the other one had a dummy pistol.

One of the robbers trying to run away was caught by the public and was thrashed badly. He has been identified as Bharat Singh, a resident of Kotputli.
Firing a fresh broadside at the BJP-led government, the Congress on Friday accused the ruling dispensation of extortion from private companies by misusing central probe agencies like the CBI and the ED.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a post on X wrote, Do you know about the Prime Ministers donate, take bail and business scheme ? Like vasuli bhai, the Prime Minister is doing donation business by misusing ED, IT and CBI. Reports have revealed that 30 companies probed by the agencies donated Rs 335 crore to the BJP during the investigation.

Without naming anyone, the Congress MP said, The donation business is being run so shamelessly that the owners of a distillery in MP donated to the BJP as soon as they got the bail.

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Taking a dig at the government, Gandhi said, Under the Modi rule, the illegal donations and electoral bonds given to BJP are the guarantee of ease of doing business.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress general secretary in-charge of organization KC Venugopal alleged that by fear and intimidation, they have forced the companies to donate to the BJP.

In a post on X, he said, The Enforcement Directorate is the extortion department for Modi and Shah. The media revelations of 30 companies being coerced to donate to the BJP show that the entire countrys financial system has been brought to its knees to arrange funding for the ruling regime.

Asserting not only is this completely vitiating the level playing field in democracy, it is also spreading tax terrorism across Indian industry, Venugopal said, By fear and intimidation, they have forced companies to donate to them. Such a criminal misuse of agencies must be punished, and the justice system must take note of this egregious violation of constitutional norms.

He also wrote a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to investigate the allegations of quid-pro-quo between BJP and donors of the party, which were raided by various investigative agencies.

You may be aware that a scathing investigative report in the online publications  Newslaundry and The News Minute has exposed the alleged quid-pro-quo between BJP and several firms, who in a strange coincidence donated to it, after the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department and Central Bureau of Investigation and others, raided/searched those enterprises, Venugopal said in his letter.

He further said, At least 30 companies, which donated a total of nearly Rs 335 crore to the BJP between financial years 2018-19 and 2022-23, also faced action by central agencies during that period.

The senior Congress leader also posed a volley of questions to the Finance Minister over the matter.

Would you come up with a white paper on BJPs finances, not just the sources, but how you coerced corporate firms to donate, by misusing investigative agencies against them? If you are unwilling to come up with a factual explanation, then are you willing to present yourself for a Supreme Court monitored investigation in these dubious deals to loot donations for the BJP?, he said.

Venugopal also said the party will take the matter to the court of the people.
Former chief minister and senior leader of Shiv Sena Manohar Joshi passed away early today at the age of 86 following age-related health issues.

Joshi was a tall leader from Maharashtra on the National stage. Joshi breathed his last at Hinduja Hospital Mumbai at around 3.00 am. He was admitted to Hinduja Hospital on February 21 after he suffered a cardiac arrest, family sources said.

Joshi served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1995 to 1999, being the first leader from the undivided Shiv Sena to occupy the top post in the state.

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He was also elected as a Member of Parliament and was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Vajpayee government was in power.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the departed leader.

Expressing sadness on Joshis demise , the President wrote on X,  In his long public life, Shri Joshi endeared himself to people, earned admiration for his sharp wit and intellect and was loved by leaders cutting across party-line. My heartfelt condolences to his family members and followers.

PM Modi said Joshi was a veteran leader who spent years in public service and held various responsibilities at the municipal, state and national level.

He further wrote, As Maharashtra CM, he worked tirelessly for the states progress. He also made noteworthy contributions as a Union Minister. During his tenure as the Lok Sabha Speaker, he strove to make our Parliamentary processes more vibrant and participative. Manohar Joshi Ji will also be remembered for his diligence as a legislator, having had the honour of serving in all four legislatures. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.

Speaker Om Birla also condoled the death of senior politician Manohar Joshi. Enriching democratic values, he established the best parliamentary traditions. Due to his distinctive and fair style of running the House, he had the respect of leaders of all parties, he wrote on social media.

Among others, BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda and Home Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed their condolences.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray said, It is very unfortunate. Manohar Joshi had seen many ups and downs in his life but he never left Shiv Sena, he always stayed loyal to the party When Balasaheb Thackeray was arrested, he was one of those arrested with him. His demise is a big loss to the party.

According to family sources, the funeral will be held later in the day at Dadar Shivaji Park Crematorium, with full state honours.

Born on December 2, 1937, in coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra, Joshi did his bachelors degree in civil engineering from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute in Mumbai. His political journey began with his involvement in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He joined the Shiv Sena and emerged as a key leader of the party in the 1980s.

He was also a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 2006 to 2012 and Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises from 1999 to 2002.
(Bloomberg) -- Mike Johnson promised a well-oiled machine the night he won the US House speakers gavel. Four months later, he hasnt delivered.

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Republicans impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden is unraveling, Ukraine war aid languishes amid GOP opposition as Russia advances on the battlefield, and the US government is on the brink of a politically damaging government shutdown.

Over 100 days in, weve yet to fulfill and execute policy, said Republican Patrick McHenry, who briefly served as a caretaker speaker last October after Republicans ousted Kevin McCarthy.

Johnson, a novice in high-stakes Washington negotiations whose tiny House majority is riven with infighting, won the speakership in October after Republicans rejected several more seasoned candidates. At the time, Republicans heralded the election of the 52-year-old socially conservative Louisianan as a fresh start for the deeply fractured party.

Yet multiple senior House Republicans, granted anonymity to speak frankly, now portray Johnson as an insecure leader who faces a steep learning curve. Those GOP lawmakers complain Johnson keeps counsel mostly with an insular circle of his own staffers on even the most challenging matters  and that some senior colleagues are treated as objects of suspicion rather than allies.

They cite two back-to-back humiliating defeats in one early February evening, when the House not only rejected an Israel-only war aid package Johnson put up for a vote but also a marquee Republican impeachment resolution against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Johnson went ahead despite warnings from other Republicans, one lawmaker said.

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Johnson rallied his party the following week to impeach Mayorkas on a second try, prevailing by a single vote after Republican Steve Scalise returned from cancer treatment.

Tough Choices

But Johnson now confronts a series of much tougher choices next week that hes been ducking for months as he navigates a Republican majority at war with itself.

Johnson has repeatedly signaled he opposes a shutdown, thinks its bad politics and is willing to compromise to get a spending deal. Senior congressional aides on Thursday were still working on a deal but said they didnt know whether a shutdown could be avoided.

Having already agreed to overall spending levels with Democrats, Johnson and his lieutenants have sought to temper conservative expectations they will get major policy wins in upcoming funding bills. But Republican hardliners are sticking with a laundry list of demands.

Johnson has toughened his stance against Ukraine aid without major concessions from Democrats on the border. He rejected a bipartisan Senate deal to impose new border restrictions, and he continues to insist on policies like forcing migrants to remain in Mexico while asylum cases are heard.

The simple fact is that House Republicans were more than clear from the very beginning: any national security supplemental should recognize that national security starts at our own border, Johnson spokesman Taylor Haulsee said in a statement Friday.

But the Biden team is stepping up attacks on Republicans for holding back aid after Ukraines chaotic retreat from the key city of Avdiivka over the weekend and the suspicious death in prison last week of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

Election-year politics are raising pressure on the speaker. Biden is telegraphing plans to cast a do-nothing Republican House as a villain. House Republicans efforts to target the president with an impeachment inquiry were damaged when a star witness was indicted for lying to the FBI and turned out to have ties to Russian intelligence.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, the partys dominant figure, has intruded from the sidelines, denouncing the compromise on border restrictions Republican and Democratic senators reached and rendering it toxic for many GOP lawmakers.

And Johnsons biggest accomplishment  a package of tax cuts passed with the help of Democrats  is being held up in the Senate amid Republican opposition there.

The speakers leeway to act will narrow when the House returns next Wednesday from an 11-day break and Democrat Tom Suozzi is sworn in as the winner of a special election to replace expelled New York Republican George Santos. Johnson cant lose more than two Republicans on a party-line vote.

A wave of senior Republicans are voting with their feet. Twenty-three GOP lawmakers have either resigned or announced plans to leave at the end of the year, including five who hold powerful committee chairmanships.

Rocky Reign

The deadlock on Ukraine aid is a predicament of Johnsons own making. Despite declaring in October we cant allow Putin to prevail, Johnson has held up aid as leverage for border restrictions. He holds the power to allow or block a vote on aid, though America First isolationists like Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia could seek his ouster if he brings it to a vote.

With Johnson yet to offer a plan of his own with any chance of passing the Senate, Republicans who support Ukraine are floating proposals, including a pared-down version or turning the aid into no-interest loans, an unorthodox option Trump raised at a campaign rally.

A broad bipartisan House majority supports Ukraine aid. But more than half of House Republicans voted against Ukraine aid last year. That reflects eroding support among the partys voters, with 48% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents saying the US gives too much assistance to Ukraine in a Pew poll late last year.

Yet veteran Republican lawmakers see grave political risk if Russia continues to advance on the battlefield while Republicans block ammunition for Ukraines defense.

If Putin wins, Republicans will lose, said Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

McHenry, who played a key role last year in negotiating an agreement to avert a US debt default, argues the time has come for House Republicans to make the best deal they can. Johnsons position is secure enough to withstand disappointment among hardliners, if only out of buyers remorse over McCarthys ouster.

Were in a much worse public policy position now because of this, he said, referring to the recent months of GOP deadlock. The question is how effective you are with the time youre given.

--With assistance from Erik Wasson.

(Updates with speaker spokesman comment in 12th paragraph)

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The protesting farmer leaders on Friday said they will decide on their future course of action with regard to the Delhi Chalo march after holding discussions amongst the farm unions, while urging the Punjab government to register a case in connection with the death of a young farmer at the Khanauri border.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a financial aid of Rs 1 crore to the family of Shubhkaran Singh who died at the Khanauri border and also offered employment to his younger sister.

In a post on X, he said appropriate legal proceedings will be done against those responsible in this matter.

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The Haryana police said they will not invoke provisions of the National Security Act (NSA) on a few farm unions of Ambala district. In a statement, the Ambala police also appealed to the protestors and their leaders to maintain peace and co-operate with the authorities in maintaining law and order.

According to a farmer leader, a 62-year-old farmer who was part of the protest died due to heart attack at Khanauri border.

The farmers protest entered the eleventh day on Friday as the protesters continued to camp at the Punjab-Haryanas Shambhu and Khanauri border points.

The farmer leaders had on Wednesday put the Delhi Chalo on hold for two days and said they would first review the situation in Khanauri and then proceed ahead.

On the other hand, negotiations between the protesters and the Centre have failed to make any headways.
Farming practices are allowed in the wetland of Pong Dam area of Kangra district and the state government has given permission for this from this year, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly on Friday.

He was responding to the question of MLA Hoshyar Singh and supplementary questions of members of the House Bhawani Singh Pathania and Bikram Singh.

The Chief Minister, while talking about the eco-sensitive zone, said that no notification has been issued regarding it.

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He said that before it is notified, discussions will be held with the MLAs of the respective assembly constituencies and their suggestions will be taken.

The government is currently making efforts to remove some parts from the wildlife sanctuary area, however its rules are very strict, he said.

The Chief Minister added that first the notification of Wild Life Sanctuary will be issued and after that the work of creating eco-sensitive zones will be done.

The number of tourists visiting the area has decreased. The reason for this is natural disaster and boating licenses not being issued for a long time, he said, adding that the Tourism Department has been directed to issue licenses for boating.

He informed that Pong Dam has earned Rs 881680 in the financial year 2021-22, Rs 216810 in the year 2022-23 and Rs 236150 in the year 2023-24 till January 15 this year from ticket window, boating and rest house.

He said that 4956 tourists have visited the area in the year 2021-22, 2198 in the year 2022-23 and so far, 1728 tourists have come here in the year 2023-24.

He said that in the year 2021-22, 110309 birds of 110 species, in the year 2022-23, 117022 birds of 108 species and in the year 2023-23 so far, 83555 birds of 86 species have arrived here.

Earlier, MLA Hoshyar Singh had sought to know about the income generated from this wildlife sanctuary area. He raised questions on the draft prepared for the eco-sensitive zone, decreasing the number of tourists and birds flocking in the Pong Dam area.

MLA Bhawani Singh Pathania said that farming should be started in the wetland, this will also increase the number of birds there.

Raising concern about the eco-sensitive zone, MLA Bikram Singh said there should be discussion regarding it and also need to look into the distress of the farmers living there who are suffering huge losses.

Agriculture Minister Chandra Kumar said that when the notification of eco-sensitive zones was issued, no objections were invited from anyone.

He said that this is an international wetland and many types of rules apply here, hence prior permission will be mandatory for any kind of construction there.

He suggested that this notification should be withdrawn.

The Chief Minister said that this matter is very serious and the MLAs are concerned and also the government is aware of their concerns and everyone will be consulted soon and they can also write to the PCCF.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said here on Thursday that the government would have to take tough decisions to bring the states economy back on track and make the state self-reliant by 2032.

Due to the decisions taken by the government in the last 14 months, the states economy is slowly getting back on track, he said during his Budget speech.

The chief minister was replying to the four-day discussion on the states general budget for the year 2024-25 in the Assembly on Thursday.

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Amidst the chief ministers reply, first Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur stood up to present his views and later the entire opposition stood on their seats in support of him.

At this, there was a lot of noise and sloganeering from both sides in the House and later Jai Ram Thakur announced a walkout saying that the chief minister was misleading the House by telling lies.

Sukhu said that the time has come to take strict decisions and policies and strict laws should be made in the interest of the state. This may cause difficulty to the people of the state for some time, but its results will be worthwhile, he said in response to the discussion on the budget address.

He proposed increasing the honorarium of senior resident doctors working in medical colleges and hospitals from Rs 33 thousand to Rs 40 thousand, increasing the honorarium of outsource employees by Rs 500 in the Public Works Department (PWD).

Widening of circular road in Shimla at a cost of Rs 45 crore, Rs 25 crore to be spent on construction of underground ducts for cables in Shimla city, construction of tunnel to connect Navbahar to IGMC, Shimla and that the construction of the tunnel would start this year. The Chief Minister also announced to increase the pension of 2.37 lakh women taking social security pension to Rs 1500 from February 25 and to start giving Rs 1500 to the women of the entire Lahaul-Spiti.

The government will take the decision of providing 300 units of free electricity to the domestic consumers of the state in future keeping in mind the circumstances, he added.

He said the Congress has made promises in the assembly elections for five years and all these promises will be fulfilled in a phased manner in the coming days.

The state government has started the process of filling 17636 posts in the first year. In such a situation, the government will fill more than one lakh posts in the government sector in the next five years, he said.

Attacking the Opposition, he said his government has not taken any decision from political point of view, but keeping in mind the interest and development of the state.

He claimed that there is no section left untouched in the budget of the next financial year of the state.

Sukhu also claimed that no one was accused of corruption during the 14-month tenure of his government and the basic mantra of the government is that no one should be left behind in the path of progress.

Taking a dig at Opposition, he said even at the time of disaster during last monsoons, BJP did not stand with the government.

He said Himachal did not get any special help from the Centre to deal with the disaster and the amount, which BJP claims as help, is the states share and budgetary support which is the right of the state.

Sukhu has advised all the doctors of the state who are agitating for their demands that they will have to wait for some time.

Doctors are causing trouble to patients by doing pen down strike, which is not right, he said, adding that the government protects the rights of doctors and they should trust the government.

The chief minister also said that as soon as the economic condition of the state improves, the demands of the doctors will also be accepted and new doctors will also be recruited.

Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said that the budget was discussed for more than 20 hours. 27 members from the ruling party and 25 from the opposition participated in it.
Lashing out at the Opposition INDIA bloc, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that its members were exploiting people in the name of casteism.

Quoting Sant Ravidas during the 647th Prakash Parv celebrations of Guru Ravidas on Friday, Narendra Modi said, Everyone is worried about caste. Why not just focus on humanity? This obsession destroys people.

Echoing Sant Ravidass teachings, Modi drew attention to the detrimental effects of the caste system on society. He criticised the INDIA alliance for allegedly exploiting caste divisions for political gains, claiming that they hinder the progress of the Dalits and the underprivileged.

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Modi emphasised the importance of following the Sants teachings which guide us on the right path and caution against the dangers of caste-based politics.

Attacking the Opposition parties, the prime minister also said, They care for the well-being of their families, cannot think about the welfare of Dalits and tribals. Everyone knows who opposed the countrys first tribal woman becoming the president. These are the same dynastic parties that start remembering Dalits during elections. We have to be cautious of them. The intentions of our government are clear on the poor, the deprived, the backward, and the Dalits.

Noting the participation of devotees from around the country, he lauded the spirit of those coming to Kashi all the way from Punjab and said Kashi started to resemble a mini Punjab. Like you, Ravidas ji calls me again and again to his birthplace. Its an opportunity to uphold the teachings of Guru Ravidas ji and serve millions of his followers. It is a matter of great fortune for me. As a Member of Parliament and public representative of Kashi, it is my special responsibility to welcome you to Kashi and ensure your facilities are well taken care of.

On the occasion, the prime minister announced the launch of development schemes worth several crores of rupees for the birthplace of Sant Ravidasji. These initiatives include the construction of access roads, arrangements for worship, prasad, etc. These enhancements aim to provide devotees with spiritual happiness and additional amenities.

During the event, Modi inaugurated a new statue of Sant Ravidas and laid the foundation stone for a museum.

He also paid tributes to Gadge Maharaj on his birth anniversary and expressed his long-standing admiration for Sant Ravidas, stating, Even when I was not in politics, I used to seek guidance from the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji. I had a feeling in my mind that I should get an opportunity to serve him. Today, his teachings are being spread not only in Kashi but throughout the country.

Recently, I also had the privilege of laying the foundation stone of Sant Ravidas Memorial Art Center in Satna, Madhya Pradesh. It is Indias history that a savior in the form of a saint, sage or great personality emerges at the time of need, the prime minister said, highlighting the role of Sant Ravidas as part of the Bhakti Movement in rejuvenating a divided and fragmented India.

He said Ravidasji gave meaning to independence in society and also bridged the social divide. He raised his voice against untouchability, classism, and discrimination.

The Vaishnav community, the prime minister said, also considers Sant Ravidasji their guru as a disciple of Jagatguru Ramanand, and the Sikh community views him with great adoration. In Kashi, he healed minds, and in Kathoti, he taught about the Ganga.

Modi recalled how everyone belongs to Ravidas Ji, and Ravidas Ji belongs to everyone. The government is dedicated to upholding Ravidasjis ideals, with plans designed to benefit all. The mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas has become a unifying force for all 140 crore people of the country.

Elaborating on Sant Ravidass teaching on equality and cohesiveness, the prime minister said equality comes with prioritising deprived and backward communities and underlined the governments efforts to take the benefits of the government initiative to the people left behind in the development journey.

During the challenging times of the pandemic, free ration was provided to 80 crore underprivileged individuals. We launched the Swachh Bharat Yojana campaign, ensuring that every family had access to toilets, benefitting particularly Dalit mothers and sisters who previously had to resort to open defecation.

The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide clean water, with piped water reaching over 11 crore households. Additionally, Ayushman cards have been distributed, and Jan Dhan accounts have been opened to enhance financial inclusion.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Bharatiya Janata Party State President and Legislative Council member Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, Vice President of All India Ravidas Dharma Organization Navdeep Das, Former MP Vijay Sampla, SS Dhillon, Satpal, Pradeep Das, etc. were present on the occasion.
The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the Tamil Nadu government for approaching the Madras High Court against the Directorate of Enforcement summoning the district collectors in a matter relating to alleged illegal sand mining case.

Justice Bela M. Trivedi heading a bench also comprising Justice Pankaj Mithal asked How can the state file an appeal? The collectors could have challenged the summons personally, but not the state.

Responding to the poser from the bench, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi asserted that the State can approach the High Court in writ jurisdiction under Article 225 of the constitution. Under Article 226, the High Courts have powers to issue certain writs.

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As Rohatgi opposed the Directorate of Enforcements appeal against an interim order of the Madras High Court staying the summons issued to the district collectors to appear before it, Justice Bela Trivedi asked, The ED wants information. Are they not supposed to cooperate with the investigating agency?

Insisting that the Tamil Nadu government can approach the High Court against the summoning of the district collectors by the Enforcement Directorate, Rohatgi sought time till Monday  February 26, when he can place before the court material supporting his position.

The Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for ED, told the bench that the district collector has been summoned to furnish information and not as an accused.

The district collectors are not accused, only witnesses. Only information has been sought from them in their official capacities. This is why summonses have been issued, ASG Raju told the bench.

The Enforcement Directorate has approached the top court against Madras High Courts interim order staying the EDs summonses to district collectors in Tamil Nadu.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday conducted an on-site inspection of the construction work of Balidan Stambh at Pratap Park in Srinagar.

The Lt Governor emphasised on timely completion of the prestigious project.

The foundation stone for the Balidan Stambh was laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Srinagar in June last year.

He has said Jammu and Kashmir is the land of indomitable courage and bravery of nations bravehearts, and to immortalise the valour of such heroes, the foundation stone of the  Balidan Stambh was laid.

The Stambh will inspire patriotism among the youth by immortalising the memory of the martyrs, he had added.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that the transformed appearance of Seer Govardhanpur reflects the essence of Kashi.

Speaking on the occasion of the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, the Chief Minister stated: A decade ago, this vision seemed distant amidst controversies and logistical challenges. However, under the guidance and leadership of the Prime Minister, today the holy shrine of revered Sant Ravidas Ji Maharaj is seen shining with new divinity and grandeur.

During this, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation of spiritual tourism development projects related to the Sant Ravidas Temple in Seer Govardhanpur worth Rs. 101 crore. He highlighted that it was the third visit of the Prime Minister to Seer Govardhan, where he inaugurated the statue and park dedicated to Sant Ravidas Ji.

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Today, the foundation stone of the museum has been laid. By the time we celebrate his 650th birth anniversary, we anticipate the completion of a grand memorial museum within the next three years.

CM Yogi said that the country gained independence in 1947. Before that, people used to make announcements, but what work was done? Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the teachings of Jagadguru Ramanand and Ravidas, has implemented initiatives on the ground.

The mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is visible in society. Every poor person is getting a home, a toilet, and an Ayushman Bharat guarantee of Rs 5 lakh. All the essential needs of life are being fulfilled, he added.

For the first time in independent India, the work of honouring Panch Teerths of Baba Saheb has been done. The entire country and society express gratitude to the Prime Minister for this, he further added.

The Chief Minister said that through the land of Kashi, PM Modi has provided new inspiration to the nation and the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone was concerned about how 140 crore Indians would survive, but under the leadership of the Prime Minister, arrangements for free testing, vaccines, and treatment were made. For the past four years, 80 crore people have been receiving free rations without discrimination.

On this occasion, BJP State President Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, Vice President of All India Ravidas Dharma Sangathan Navdeep Das, former MP Vijay Sampla, SS Dhillon, Satpal, Pradeep Das, etc., were present.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Congress of labeling the youth of Varanasi drug addicts, taking a dig at the opposition INDIA bloc.

The royal family of Congress says that the youth of Kashi are drug addicts. They have spent two decades abusing Modi, now these people are taking out their frustration on the youth of UP. Those who have lost their senses are calling the children of my Kashi as drug addicts, he said here.

After the inauguration ceremony of Banas Kashi Complex and inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of projects worth more than Rs 13,000 crore for Purvanchal, PM Modi fiercely targeted the opposition.

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He said that decades of corruption, nepotism and appeasement kept UP backward. UP was made a sick state, the future of the youth was played with.

Challenging the Congress, the Prime Minister said that the youth of Kashi and UP are engaged in making a developed UP.  The youth of UP will never forget the insult done by Congress and the INDI alliance, he said.

Taking an attacking stance on Congress and SP, the Prime Minister said that family members are always afraid of youth power and talent. He feels that if an ordinary youth gets an opportunity, he will challenge everywhere. They like only those who keep cheering them day and night.

The Prime Minister said that another reason for their anger and frustration is that they do not like the new form of Kashi and Ayodhya.  They attack Ram Mandir on all kinds of things. I did not know that Congress had so much hatred for Prabhu Shri Ram. They are unable to think beyond their family and vote bank. When elections come, these people come together. When the result is silence, they abuse each other and separate, he alleged.

Taking a dig at the INDI alliance in Bhojpuri, Modi said, This is Banaras, everyone is a guru here, the maneuver of the Indi alliance did not work here. Not just Banaras but the entire UP knows that the goods are the same and the packaging is new. The Prime Minister said that this time he will have to struggle a lot to save his bail.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his speech in Bhojpuri by saying, Today I have once again got an opportunity to visit the land of Kashi. We did not feel like it until we came to Banaras. Ten years ago you people became the MPs of our Banaras, now in 10 years Banaras has become our Banarasi as Delhi.

The Prime Minister said that today there are 45 projects worth more than Rs. 13000 crores, which will accelerate the development of Purvanchal and Eastern India. It has works related to many areas like rail, road, airport, animal husbandry, industry, sports, skill development, health, cleanliness, spirituality, tourism, LPG gas. This will create many new employment opportunities. He said that many projects related to the birthplace of Saint Ravidas ji have been inaugurated and foundation stone laid today.

He said that farmers and cattle rearers have always been the biggest priority of the BJP government. The country will become self-reliant only when every small power of the country is awakened. Help should be given to farmers, cattle herders, artisans, craftsmen and small entrepreneurs. The Prime Minister said that he is always vocal for the local.
Many scholars speculate that it is highly improbable that the greatest poet of ancient India had only seven creative works to his credit; he must have had many more creations which have been lost forever for lack of circulation and preservation of the perishable manuscripts.

If the story of his alleged migration from north (or central!) India to the distant island of Sri Lanka to join the court of Kumaradasa (around 517 CE), where he was killed for treachery, is to be believed, that will explain probable loss of many of his works which he carried with him and others produced during his stay in Sri Lanka. As mentioned earlier, Kalidasa would have been forgotten altogether had his works not been unearthed and translated by the western Indologists and if the British scholars didnt come to India.

While several poets like Banabhatta (7th century) and later Jayadeva praised Kalidasa, Kalidasa never became a part of popular culture till the advent of Sir William Jones in India and the establishment of the Asiatic Society in Kolkata. A multi-faceted genius ~ mathematician, philologist (proficient in eight languages), Orientalist and jurist ~ William Jones came to Kolkata in 1783 as a judge of the Supreme Court at Fort William, Kolkata. Entranced by Indian culture, this amazing judge started studying the Vedas, Indian astronomy and Indian laws and soon became a proficient Sanskritist.

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During his short working life (he died at the age of 47 in Kolkata), he produced a flood of works on India and launched modern study of almost all aspects of social sciences and culture of India. One of his remarkable achievements had been publication of the English translation of Sakuntala from the original Sanskrit in 1791 and of Ritusamhara in original Sanskrit text in 1792.

His pioneering work set in motion Europes interest in Kalidasas work and in Sanskrit literature in general. Of the 155 extant Sanskrit plays by 24 authors, at least 46 plays have been translated into English. But the most translated Sanskrit play in different languages has been Kalidasas Abhijnanasakuntalam that made him a household name. In his Bibliography of Sanskrit Drama, Montgomery Schuyler Jr. serialised the dramatic works of Kalidasa including translations of his plays.

Sir William Jones was the first person to call Kalidasa Shakespeare of India and since then, Kalidas is referred to as such in popular culture. According to author and scholar M R Kale, the very comparison of Kalidasa to Shakespeare is the highest form (of ) eulogy that could be bestowed upon him. Sir Monier Williams, an Indologist has said, No composition of Kalidasa displays more the richness of his poetical genius, the exuberance of his imagination, the warmth and play of his fancy, his profound knowledge of the human heart, his delicate appreciation of its most refined and tender emotions, his familiarity with workings and counter-workings of its conflicting feelings ~ in short more entitles him to rank as the Shakespeare of India.

According to Wilhelm von Humboldt, German linguist, diplomat and philosopher and founder of the Humboldt University of Berlin, Kalidasa, the celebrated author of Sakuntala, is a masterly describer of the influence which Nature exercises upon the minds of lovers. Tenderness in the expression of feelings and richness of creative fancy has assigned to him his lofty place among the poets of all nations. Abhijnanasakuntalam (Sakuntala) had been of one of the first works of Indian literature to reach the literary circles of Europe through an English translation and then from English into German.

The German edition of Sakuntala enthralled the eminent German poets of the time ~ Goethe, Herder, Schiller and others who received it with wonder and fascination. Wolfgang von Goethe was so mesmerised by the beauty of Sakuntala that he used it as a prologue for his famous play Faust in the following poem: Wouldst thou the young years blossoms and the fruits of its decline, And all by which the soul is charmed, enraptured, feasted, fed, Wouldst thou the earth and heaven itself in one sole name combine? I name thee, O Sakuntala! And all at once is said. (Translation from German by E B Eastwick) On another occasion, Goethe praised Kalidasa in the following words, Here the poet seems to be in the height of his talent in the representation of the natural order, of the finest mode of life, of the purest moral endeavour, of the most worthy sovereign, and of the most sober divine meditation, still he remains in such a manner the lord and master of his creation.

(Goethe, quoted in Winternitz) Although called the Indian Shakespeare and regarded as one of the greatest poets of the world and the greatest in ancient India, Kalidasa was not taught in the Indian schools and colleges in the British Raj during the 19th century because literary works like Sakuntala were deemed, in the words of Charles Trevelyan, to be marked with the greatest immorality and impurity.

The colonial administration thought that the Indian students were insufficiently morally and intellectually advanced to read the Indian texts that were taught and appreciated in Great Britain. Unfortunately, perhaps the same colonial mindset continues ~ while Shakespeares works are taught extensively in the Indian schools, colleges and universities, works of Kalidasa hardly find a place in the curriculum. Study of Sanskrit (with a capsule containing pieces of great works) had been a compulsory subject in the matriculation course for about one hundred years till the 1950s but the national government of independent India abolished it altogether as a compulsory subject on the plea of promoting secularism and multiculturalism.

The new India seems to have thrown Sanskrit, the mother of the Indo-European languages and the most perfect language producing noblest forms of literature and philosophy into the dustbin of history as a dead language. In sharp contrast, Sanskrit has become very much a part of intellectual life in Germany where it is taught in schools, colleges and in more than fourteen universities. Generations of German poets, philosophers and intellectuals have been deeply influenced by Sanskrit mythologies, literature and philosophy till today.From the beginning, the Germans had shown great interest in Sanskrit; the first notable scholar had been Heinrich Roth (1620-1668) followed by a galaxy of German poets and scholars.

Friedrich von Schlegel (1772-1829), German poet, critic, scholar, philosopher and Indologist published an epochmaking book On the Language and Wisdom of India (1808) in which he argued that people originating in India were the founders of the first European civilisations. He also said, India is superior in everything ~ intellectually, religiously, even Greek heritage seems (to) pale in comparison. Gottfried von Herder (1744- 1803), a theologist and philosopher said, Mankinds origins can be traced to India where the human mind got the first shapes of wisdom and virtue. Then there was the inimitable German genius, Max Muller (1823- 1900), Oxfords first Professor of Comparative Philology (after he was wrongfully denied the chair for Sanskrit), a great master of Sanskrit,whose remarkable achievements had been the publication of Rig-Veda (6 volumes) in original Sanskrit and a 51-volume series of translations The Sacred Books of the East.

In his early days, he also translated into German some of the Upanishads and the Hitopadesa. Max Mullers burning passion for Sanskrit language and literature made him one of the greatest scholars of Sanskrit. In his famous lecture What can India teach us at Cambridge University in 1883, he did not hesitate to champion the cause of Sanskrit literature and India although he was often dubbed as anti-Hindu. He said, If I were to look over the whole world to find out the country most richly endowed with all the wealth, power and beauty that nature can bestow ~ in some parts a paradise on earth ~ I should point to India. If I were to ask under what sky the human mind has most full developed some of the choicest gifts  I should point to India. And if I were to ask myself from what we, here in Europe, may draw that corrective which is most wanted in order to make our inner life more perfect, more comprehensive, more universal and in fact more truly human, a life, not for this life only, but a transfigured and eternal life ~ again I should point to India. Max Muller had been severely criticised by many of his contemporaries for his views about India, but coming as it is from one of the greatest Sanskrit pundits, he cannot be ignored.

The rulers of new India and a vast number of historians, intellectuals and academicians, leftists, secularists and political activists tend to deny the rightful place of Sanskrit and refuse to accept the greatness and relevance of Indias heritage, literature and culture thus minimizing their importance. As Francois Gautier, French author and journalist, pointing at anti-culture developments in modern India, has said in his book Wonder That is India (1994), a country which forgets its ancient heritage and culture must be an unfortunate nation. Should we term India an unfortunate nation? Let the new generation reflect about it and decide.

(The writer is a former Dy. Comptroller &Auditor General of India and a former Ombudsman of Reserve Bank of India. He is also a writer of several books and can be reached at brahmas@gmail.com)
In the hallowed halls of the United Nations, where decisions shape the destiny of nations, the US veto of an Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict has ignited a storm of controversy. The decision, ostensibly rooted in concerns over on-going negotiations for the release of hostages in Israel, raises crucial questions about the delicate balance between diplomatic pragmatism and the urgent need for humanitarian intervention. The voting outcome, with 13 nations in favour, the US dissenting and the UK abstaining, underscores the global consensus on ending the devastating war that has claimed thousands of lives, predominantly Palestinian. The proposed Arab resolution sought an immediate ceasefire, a lifeline desperately needed in Gaza, where the majority of casualties are innocent civilians, including women and children. On the surface, the US stance appears to prioritise the intricacies of hostage negotiations over the immediate cessation of hostilities.

US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, emphasised the need to avoid negatively impacting sensitive negotiations and suggested that their proposed resolution would pressure Hamas into accepting a deal and secure a temporary pause for humanitarian aid. However, critics argue that the US position inadvertently sends a distressing message to the war-torn region. By vetoing the ceasefire resolution, they contend that the US tacitly endorses the continuation of what has been labelled a genocidal war machine by Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour. The implicit argument is that prioritising negotiations over an immediate cessation enables further suffering and loss of innocent lives. The rival US resolution introduces a nuanced perspective, emphasising a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of hostages. While this approach seeks to address both humanitarian concerns and security issues, it draws scepticism. The absence of a direct link between hostage releases and a ceasefire prompts concerns that Hamas could exploit the situation, securing a pause without committing to concrete actions. Israels Ambassador, Gilad Erdan, challenges the prevailing narrative that a ceasefire is a panacea, arguing that it would provide Hamas an opportunity to regroup. This underscores the complexities surrounding calls for immediate cessation in conflicts where deep-rooted animosities and strategic considerations complicate straightforward solutions.

The proposed resolutions also highlight the enduring tension between the US and Israel on the two-state solution. The US reaffirms its commitment to a vision that Israels Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, opposes. This discrepancy not only reflects underlying diplomatic fractures but also poses questions about the coherence of international efforts to address the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Arab Group could take their resolution to the General Assembly, where approval is likely, albeit non-binding. The question remains ~ can the delicate balance between diplomatic negotiations and immediate humanitarian needs be struck, or will the vetoed resolution become another page in the tragic chronicles of conflict in West Asia? The answer may well determine the fate of those caught in the crossfire.

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Jefferies analysts expect the Indian economy to soar this decade. Hindustan Times / Getty

India's stock market is poised to more than double in value to $10 trillion by 2030, Jefferies says.

Jefferies analysts also predicted the Indian economy would surpass Japan's and Germany's by 2027.

The analysts said growth in the country in coming years would be impossible for investors to ignore.

India's stock market is poised to skyrocket, more than doubling in value to $10 trillion by 2030, thanks to the country's surging economy and persistent reforms, analysts at Jefferies wrote in a note published Thursday.

With a value of $4.3 trillion, India's equity market is the world's fifth-largest, and Indian stocks have managed to consistently yield 10% annual returns over a 20-year period.

Even after that run of stunning equity returns, the Jefferies analysts said investors in the country's stock market could still expect returns of 8% to 10% in the next five to seven years.

"Assuming market returns in line with the last 15-20 year history and new listings, India will become nearly a U$10trn

market by 2030 - impossible for large global investors to ignore," the analysts wrote.

India has emerged as a hot spot for global capital inflows in recent years, especially as its longtime rival China struggles to keep investors from fleeing economic turmoil in the country.

China's flailing economy, its cratering stock market, and a never-ending property crisis have driven foreign investors to shift their focus to India, helping push the country's stock market 31% higher last year.

Meanwhile, India's financial-system reforms, favorable geopolitical dynamics, a growing entrepreneurial landscape, and the country's emphasis on services exports are all boosting its prospects for strong growth and stock-market returns. India's gross domestic product has seen a 7% compound annual growth rate in the past decade.

"Over the next 4 years, India's GDP will likely touch US$5trn making it the 3rd largest economy by 2027, overtaking Japan and Germany, being the fastest growing large economy with the tailwinds of demographics (consistent labor supply), improving institutional strength and improvement in Governance," the note said.

Correction: February 23, 2024  An earlier version of this story misstated the year by which Jefferies analysts expect the Indian stock market to reach $10 trillion in value. It's 2030, not 2023.

Read the original article on Business Insider
India and Oman have agreed to cooperate in the field of Archives. As a gesture of goodwill, India has handed over a list of 70 select documents pertaining to Oman that are available in the National Archives of India

A delegation of the National Archives of India (NAI), New Delhi led by Mr Arun Singhal, Director General of Archives visited the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) of Oman on 21-22 February. The purpose of the visit was to explore the areas of bilateral cooperation in the archival field.

The delegation was shown around various sections and divisions. Exclusive presentations were given to the delegation by the incharges of various divisions of the NRAA, including the Electronic Records and Document Management Systems (EDRMS) Section, Microfilm Department, Private Record Section, Access to Record Department, Electronic Storage, and the Conservation Section. The delegation also visited the Permanent Exhibition of Records, and also the Document Destruction Lab.

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In bilateral discussions with Dr Hamad Mohammed Al-Dhawyani, Chairman of Omans NRAA, Mr Singhal dwelt upon the historical ties between India and Oman and informed the Chairman about the existence of a large number of records pertaining to Oman in the NAI, as well as in other repositories of India.

Mr Singhal handed over the list of 70 select documents pertaining to Oman. These documents cover a period from 1793 to 1953 and deal with a wide range of subjects. Along with the list, 523 pages of copies of records were also handed over to the Chairman, NRAA, which covered several important subjects, viz.: Change of Omani Flag from red to white (1868);

Succession of Sayyid Faisal bin Turki as ruler of Oman after the death of Sultan Sayyid Turki (1888); Official Visit of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman to the Viceroy in India (1937); and The Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between the Republic of India and the Sultan of Muscat and Oman was signed on the 15th March 1953 at Muscat. (English, Hindi, and Arabic versions).

In addition, facsimile prints of three important treaties between the two countries were also gifted to the NRAA. These were:

Treaty between the British India Government and the Sultan of Muscat (in Arabic and English), dated 5 April 1865; and

Two Treaties concluded with the Imam of Muscat: one by Mehdi Ali Khan, dated 12 October 1798, and another by Sir John Malcolm, in his capacity as Envoy of the Governor General of India to the Court of Persia, dated 18 January 1800.
India and the US, on Friday, held the 11th bilateral Consular Dialogue and discussed ways to enhance cooperation on various issues, including extradition, mobility of students and professionals, safe and legal migration, protection of vulnerable women and children, and enabling smooth travel of their respective nationals.

The Indian delegation at the talks in New Delhi was led by Mr K J Srinivasa, Joint Secretary (CPV) in the Ministry of External Affairs while the US delegation was headed by Ambassador Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, US Department of State, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Dialogue reinforced the strong people-to-people ties and cooperation that both countries share across consular issues of mutual interest. Both sides discussed ways of enhancing cooperation on a wide range of issues such as extradition, mobility of students and professionals, safe and legal migration, protection of vulnerable women and children, and enabling smooth travel of their respective nationals, the MEA added.

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The two sides welcomed the launch of a pilot in the US to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain categories of visas as proactive steps toward strengthening robust connections between people of the two nations, according to the release. India and the US agreed to hold the next Consular Dialogue in the US in 2025.

On Thursday, US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Rena Bitter, expressed her excitement about visiting India and highlighted the explosion in travel between India and the US.

Were very excited to be here. This is the 11th annual dialogue on consular issues that weve had with our partners in the Indian government. There are a lot of issues for us to cover and a lot of really good news for us to cover. Well talk a lot about the incredible explosion in travel between the United States and India. Today, more Indians can travel to the United States than at any other time in our history. Well also talk about some of the issues that reflect the really strong family ties between the United States and India, she said.

More Indians can travel to the United States than at any other time in our history. Last year, this mission adjudicated 1.4 million visas, the most in many, many years. Weve made tremendous progress. There is no wait time in virtually every category of visas that we issue. There is a wait time for some travellers, but there are mechanisms for being able to expedite humanitarian cases, and for being able to expedite business visas. But beyond that, in the last year, we have reduced wait times by 75 per cent. And the way that we have done that is by ensuring that we have. It is really important to us in Washington, again, because this bilateral relationship is so important, she added.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday announced to hold intra-party polls on March 3.

Previous intra-party polls were declared unconstitutional by the Election Commission of Pakistan and the order was upheld by the Supreme Court, Dawn reported.

The Supreme Court had stripped PTI of its electoral symbol bat, forcing hundreds of party members to contest February 8 general elections as independent candidates.

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Several PTI-backed candidates managed to secure win in the polls and have joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to secure reserved seats.
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers this afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain and snow showers this evening. Remaining cloudy overnight. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 50%.
Inside the latest drama at Goldman Sachs that reportedly has some partners up in arms

Goldman Sachs recently established an investment-banking committee within its investment bank.

But, according to a new Financial Times report, two top partners in the bank were left off.

Their snub fueled an internal row and now the two bankers have warned they may quit, the FT added.

The drama playing out within the upper ranks of Goldman Sachs is continuing to unfold, and CEO David Solomon's troubles with senior partners don't appear to be over yet.

The latest consternation appears to do with who's been named to coveted seats on one of two new committees within the global banking and markets division. According to a Financial Times report on Wednesday, two top GS bankers were noticeably left off the IB committee, which doesn't wield the same powers or influence as the bank's management committee, but has nevertheless been framed as a launchpad for the bank's future leaders.

Mark Sorrell, a co-head of mergers and acquisitions, and Gonzalo Garcia, co-head of European investment banking, were left off the roughly dozen-person committee, and now are apparently threatening to leave the firm for good, the FT's Joshua Franklin and Arash Massoudi reported, citing "people familiar with the matter." Meanwhile, plenty of other big names were appointed, including longtime ascendant banker Kim Posnett, a partner and star within the firm's tech-banking practice.

But what may be especially sensitive for people like Sorrell  son of British tycoon Sir Martin Sorrell, who founded the world's biggest advertising and PR group  is the appointment of his M&A co-head, Stephan Feldgoise. (Garcia's co-head of European investment banking, Anthony Gutman, is also said to have been named to the committee.)

BI reported in December that both Sorrell and Gutman were in the running to join the newly formed committee, along with Feldgoise, Posnett, and others.

Goldman Sachs declined to comment. Sorrell and Garcia did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday.

Story continues

Reading the Goldman tea leaves

The kerfuffle over who's snagged a seat on the IB committee comes as leadership at the top ranks of the bank is being shaken up.

The all-important management committee, responsible for setting policy and strategy across the bank, has been undergoing consequential changes, with high-profile names like Alison Mass and George Lee relinquishing their seats. Jim Esposito  a Goldman stalwart who was named one of three co-heads helming the global banking and markets division in 2022  announced in January that he would soon step down from his day job, in favor of becoming a senior director.

Last year, Solomon battled a raft of internal unrest as senior partners pushed back on his consumer-banking ambitions for the legacy Wall Street firm, and vented about his decisions, leadership style, and even his side gig as a DJ.

In recent months, the CEO's fortunes appeared to have reversed themselves: Adebayo Ongulesi, the firm's recently-departed lead director, confirmed in the fall that Solomon has the board's backing and "is not going anywhere anytime soon," according to a note from a prominent equity research analyst.

Just last week, the bank hiked Solomon's 2023 payday to $31 million including cash and stock, an upgrade from the $25 million he earned the year before. And, at a recent partners' gathering in Miami, where Business Insider was on the scene, the vibe was relaxed and business-as-usual, suggesting that Solomon has restored a sense of calm to a previously choppy sea.

But the trickling-out of top talent at Goldman, which has been higher under Solomon than in previous years, shows little sign of abating.

Bloomberg reported this week that Beth Hammack  a longtime Goldman partner, co-head of the global financial group, member of the management committee, and former CEO of Goldman Sachs Bank USA  is set to step down. And when Esposito broke the news last month of his imminent departure in a note to partners and clients, he wrote, wistfully, that he planned to "bleed Goldman Sachs forever."

But after their snub from the investment-banking operating committee, it sure doesn't sound like that's how Sorrell and Garcia are feeling right now.

Are you a Goldman Sachs or Wall Street insider? Contact this reporter. Reed Alexander can be reached via email at ralexander@businessinsider.com, or SMS/the encrypted app Signal at (561) 247-5758.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Lindsay Koshgarian directs the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies. Alliyah Lusuegro is the National Priorities Project outreach coordinator at the Institute for Policy Studies. They wrote this for InsideSources.com .
A migrant and a his baby are taken into custody by officials at the Texas-Mexico border earlier this month in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Job Title: EFM  Refugee Coordinator Associate

Organisation: United States US Embassy, US Mission in Uganda

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Salary: USD $47,419 /Per Year

Position Number: Kampala-2024-002

About US Embassy:

The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over 30 years. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown currently heads the U.S Mission to Uganda. The Mission is composed of several offices and organizations all working under the auspices of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador.

Among the offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are:

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Peace Corps

Job Summary: Join the small but mighty refugee office in Embassy Kampala! We are a regional office for the State Departments Bureau of Population, Migration, and Refugees, and oversee refugee assistance programs in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania, and the resettlement of refugees to the United States from 27 countries across Africa. The Refugee Coordinator Associate plays a critical role in both assistance and resettlement and reports to the section head, who is the Regional Refugee Coordinator.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Draft cables that directly affect U.S. refugee policy for one of the largest refugee populations in the world

Monitor and evaluate significant U.S. Government funding, including direct grants to NGOs and local implementation of global contributions to U.N. agencies

Travel to refugee settlements in Uganda to see our funding in action

Liaise with headquarters counterparts, other U.S. Government agencies, other donors, and refugees to improve our assistance while adjusting to a growing funding gap in humanitarian assistance

Support the resettlement of refugees to the United States

Gain in-depth knowledge of refugee assistance, resettlement, multilateral institutions, and the complex challenges of refugee affairs in East Africa

Work with a small, not-too-serious team to create serious good in the world.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

The applicants for the United States US Embassy EFM  Refugee Coordinator Associate job opportunity should have two years of university studies. Required.

At least three years of experience in planning or administering programs or projects is required.

Familiarity with the issues involved in humanitarian relief and development assistance in developing countries. Knowledge of division of roles and responsibilities of different offices and agencies, including the work of USAID, Centers for Disease Control, and PEPFAR.

Computer skills in the information systems employed by the Department of State (e-mail, Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, and others);

Proven ability to travel to refugee camps and other associated sites, willingness to travel and lodge under uncomfortable conditions;

Show commitment to maintain effective interpersonal relationships in a diverse work environment;

Ability to follow instructions and support policy and management decisions of the supervisory chain of command;

Ability to utilize operating procedures, federal regulatory requirements and policies governing refugee and environment matters;

Demonstrated ability to draft routine correspondence and cables;

Possession of a Secret clearance, or the ability to get one.

Basic typing skill and good numerical skills are required

Language: English Level IV Fluency (speaking/ reading/writing) is required.

How to Apply:

All those interested in working with the United States Embassy, US Mission in Kampala should send their applications online at the link below.

Click Here

Deadline: 15th March 2024

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
BYJU'S is a classic case of a mismanaged company! A group of four investors of the edtech giant filed an oppression and mismanagement suit against the management of the company before the Bengaluru bench of the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal), demanding that the founders, including CEO Byju Raveendran, be declared unfit to run the company and seeking the appointment of a new board.

Besides, the suit sought to declare the just-concluded rights issue as void. Things look extremely challenging for its founder Raveendran as during the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Friday, he was accused of mismanagement and failures by the investors and shareholders. The fact that Raveendran and his family failed to attend the EGM is a testimony that things are in bad shape.

Unfortunately, the entire edtech industry appears to be bearing the brunt of the crisis at BYJU'S. If there was an intent to save the company, the founder would have attended the EGM and come to an amicable settlement to save the company, but here is a case where he is trying to find a legal loophole to push forward his agenda. I see this case going on for a long time and all the investors who glorified an individual going down. There will be huge repercussions here and thankfully it is not public money directly. This is a lesson to all who glorify an individual and turn a blind eye to governance. Unfortunately, this one incident has tarnished the startup segment in the country and it will need a lot of effort to bring the sector back up. The other worry is how badly has their crown jewels Akash and Great Learning been squeezed, Sathya Pramod, CEO, Kayess Square Consulting Private Limited told THE WEEK.

Pramod feels that the forensic audit should have happened long ago and not as an afterthought. When the definitive agreements typically give power to the investor to inspect books, why did they allow it to come to this extent is the question. I will relate this again to greed and idolizing the founder. Everyone wants the best return for his investment and everyone stayed on thinking that the valuation was going up but never checked within to see if there was any value. Even now, I see investors wanting to skip the diligence step or make it toothless. There was writing on the wall when financials were not filed and everyone chose to ignore it. A lesson learnt, albeit a costly one, for the whole country, added Pramod.

The company has faced a sharp decline in its valuation over the last year. The decline was attributed to a combination of factors such as investor pullouts, the resignation of its auditor Deloitte, and a legal battle over a $1.2 billion loan. Adding to the company's woes, BYJU'S is now under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate for alleged FEMA violations, with its founder Raveendran having a lookout circular issued against him to ensure he remains in India during the probe. The investigation signifies the gravity of the situation confronting BYJU'S.

In response to the challenges faced by the company, investors including Prosus, GA, Sofina, and Peak XV, backed by Tiger and Owl Ventures, are seeking the removal of Byju Raveendran and his family from the board. Citing financial mismanagement and governance issues, they have filed a suit at the Bengaluru NCLT for Raveendran's ouster, along with a call for a forensic audit and the appointment of a new board. Additionally, they aim to declare a recent $200 million rights issue void, highlighting concerns over corporate actions and regulatory noncompliance.

Despite efforts to boost its brand by securing high-profile sponsorships and naming Lionel Messi as a global ambassador, BYJU'S faced criticism over allegations of a toxic work environment and aggressive marketing tactics. This backlash led major shareholder Prosus to slash BYJU'S valuation by 75 per cent resulting in a chain of negative outcomes including mass layoffs, financial losses, and legal challenges. BYJU'S is currently facing a turbulent period marked by significant setbacks and challenges that threaten its reputation and stability. The company's efforts to address these issues and regain confidence from investors and stakeholders will be crucial in determining its future trajectory, pointed out Girish Linganna, an aerospace expert who has also been following the edtech industry in India.
The Reserve Bank of India, on Friday, said National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has been advised by the central bank to examine the possibility of it becoming a third-party application provider for continued UPI operations of the Paytm app.

The RBI observed that as the Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) cannot accept further credits into its customer accounts and wallets after March 15, certain additional steps have become necessary to ensure seamless digital payments by UPI customers using @paytm handle operated by PPBL and minimise risk in the UPI system by having multiple payment app providers.

"National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has been advised by the RBI to examine the request of One97 Communication Ltd (OCL) to become a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) for UPI channel for continued UPI operation of the Paytm app, as per the norms," the RBI said.

If NCPI becomes the third-party provider, it may be stipulated that @paytm handles are to be migrated from PPBL to a set of newly identified banks to avoid any disruption, the RBI said and added that the third-party provider cannot add new users until all the existing users are migrated satisfactorily to a new handle.

NPCI may facilitate certification of four to five banks that have shown capabilities to process high-volume UPI transactions as payment service provider (PSP) banks, the RBI said.

The RBI asked merchants availing the services of PPBL to open settlement accounts with one or more PSP banks.

The migration is applicable to only customers and merchants who have a UPI handle @Paytm. "For others who have a UPI address or handle other than @Paytm, no action is required to be taken by them," RBI noted.

The RBI once again asked customers who have underlying account/wallet with PPBL and customers who have FASTag and National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) issued by PPBL to make alternative arrangements with other banks before March 15.
The Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court recently expressed strong views on the 'controversial names' assigned to animals. The court was hearing the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's writ petition against naming a lioness Sita and a lion Akbar at the North Bengal Wild Animals Park in Siliguri. The VHP's plea termed it irrational, illogical and tantamount to blasphemy.

During the proceedings, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya orally urged the State to consider renaming the lioness. The court conveyed to the Additional Advocate General that animals should not be named after revered figures. Justice Bhattacharyya, reportedly, remarked, I was contemplating whether any animal can be bestowed with a name after a god, mythological hero, freedom fighter, or Nobel laureate. You are a welfare state, and it is a secular state. Why should you court controversy by naming a lion after Sita and Akbar? This controversy should have been avoided. Not only Sita, but I also do not support naming a lion Akbar. He was a very efficient and noble Mughal emperor, a very successful and secular one. If it is already named, the state authority should abandon it and avoid it. West Bengal should have contested the names given.

Interestingly, down south, it's not the gods or emperor but the prime minister himself who is in the middle of a similar 'elephantine' problem! Kerala, known for having one of the largest populations of domestic elephants in India, which are owned by temples and individuals and used for religious ceremonies in temples, churches, as well as in timber yards, has numerous elephants named after gods and revered figures.

One of them, which was adopted by Puthenkulam Shaji, a Gulf-returnee-turned-businessman with a profound passion for elephants, is named after Modi. The 36-year-old elephant was brought to Kerala in 2016 from Jharkhand. In Jharkhand, his name was Bhola. When I adopted him, I named him Puthenkulam Modi, Shaji said. I named him after the prime minister because of my admiration for him.

Puthenkulam is in Poothakulam panchayat in Kollam district, and claims to be the panchayat with the greatest number of domestic elephants. Several visitors come to the village to see elephantsamong them Puthenkulam Modi is arguably the star attraction these days. Shaji has turned his elephant camp into a full-fledged safari park.

He has owned elephants for many decades, and has received awards for his efforts in protecting elephants. He has encountered legal challenges, too, due to his passion for elephants, but he continues to care for eight elephants.
Melbourne, Victoria --News Direct-- INTRA ENERGY CORPORATION LIMITED

Intra Energy Corporation Ltd (ASX:IEC) managing director Ben Dunn sits down with Jonathan Jackson in the Proactive studio to discuss a spodumene discovery at the new Maggie Mays Hill (MMH) Lithium Project in Western Australia. Dunn talks us through the discovery, which comes hot on the heels of a preliminary rock sampling program conducted in December. He says the company has identified several more pegmatite outcrops across the project area, with significant portions still to be explored. The exploration program is in full swing and Dunn says there should more good news for IEC shareholders in the near future.

The identification of spodumene at surface on an outcropping pegmatite vein is tremendously exciting and validates the acquisition of the Maggie Hays Hill Project," Dunn said.

"We are very excited by the prospectivity of the MHH Project and with the exploration program in full swing under the supervision of Todd Hibberd, our principal geologist, we believe there is more good news for IEC shareholders in the near future.

Contact Details

Proactive Investors

Jonathan Jackson

+61 413 713 744

jonathan@proactiveinvestors.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/intra-energy-corporation-makes-spodumene-discovery-at-new-lithium-project-969068936
To protest the death of a 21-year-old farmer on the Punjab-Haryana Khanauri border, the farmers will observe 'Black Friday' on Friday, said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait. The farmers would also take out tractor marches along the highways across the country on February 26 in support of their demands. An All-India All Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat has also been planned at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 14.

The farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) will also burn effigies of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, and state Home Minister Anil Vij. The SKM on Thursday demanded that the Haryana Chief Minister and the Haryana Home Minister be booked for the "murder" of a protesting farmer. The SKM, which spearheaded the 2020-21 farm agitation against the now-repealed farm laws, is not part of the Delhi Chalo agitation but has extended support to it. On whether they would join the ongoing protests, SKM leaders said they would hold its agitation independently.



Subhkaran Singh, 21, a native of Bathinda, had died Wednesday amid clashes between Haryana Police and Punjab farmers.



"We will observe a 'Black Friday' tomorrow, mourning the death of a farmer at the Khanauri Border crossing in Punjab. We held a tractor march yesterday as well," Tikait told ANI.

He added that the tractor march planned for February 26 would be a one-day event. "On February 26, we will take tractors to the highway, and towards the way that goes to Delhi. It will be a one-day programme, and then we will return. Then, all across India, our meetings will go on. On March 14, there will be a programme at Ram Leela Ground in Delhi for one day. People will go without tractors to that event. The government keeps saying that they are not stopping us, so let's see if they will stop us or not," he added.



Meanwhile, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the Punjab government is yet to respond to them despite promising to meet all their demands. "Dialogues were held with the Punjab Government after the death of Shubhkaran Singh. All our demands were accepted, that a murder case be filed against those who attacked him. We also demanded that the Punjab Government give the status of 'martyr' to Shubhkaran Singh, hold talks with his family on the compensation and a board be constituted for his postmortem and its videography. They agreed to this but it has been over 14 hours now and the Punjab Government is not giving any answer," Pandher said.



He added that Shubhkaran's body was still in the hospital and the Punjab Government was insulting the martyrdom of thier martyr. "They are saying that the site of the incident will have to be investigated - whether it is located in Punjab or Haryana. I don't think we will be able to perform the last rites of Shubhkaran Singh as of now. The dialogues with the Punjab Government are yet to complete," Pandher said.

Meanwhile, the SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal who held talks with other farmer leaders said a case of "murder" should be registered against Khattar and Vij and the two must resign.



Farmer leaders also demanded a judicial inquiry by a judge of the Supreme Court in the matter and Rs 1 crore in compensation to the farmer's family.



Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan condemned the "repression" of farmers sitting at Shambhu and Khanauri border points by the Haryana government. "We have decided to burn the effigies of Home Minister Amit Shah, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Haryana Home Minister Anil Shah," Ugrahan said.


The Haryana Police on Friday clashed with farmers in Hisar district's Khedi Chopta. Police used tear gas shells on protesting farmers and many were detained amid tension in the area.

Reportedly, protesters threw stones at police personnel after they were stopped from marching to Khanauri on the Punjab border. The farmers had been sitting on a dharna at Khedi Chopta for the past five days in support of those protesting on the Punjab-Haryana border. They were planning to join the protesting farmers on the border.

Police used water cannons too to disperse hundreds gathered to protest in the area.

Meanwhile, a 62-year-old farmer taking part in the 'Delhi Chalo' march died of heart attack in Khanauri along the border. The deceased was identified as Darshan Singh, a native of Amargarh village in Bathinda district.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) are spearheading a farmers' agitation at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points of Punjab and Haryana over various of their demands, including a law on MSP.

On Wednesday, a 21-year-old Shubhkaran, a native of Bathinda, was killed in clashes between Haryana Police and farmers. In the wake of his death, the march was put on hold for two days. The farmers observed 'Black Day' on Friday and burnt effigies of BJP leaders.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announced compensation and a job for Shubhkaran's sister.

"The family of Shubhkaran Singh, who got martyred during the farmer's movement at Khanauri border, will be given financial assistance of Rs 1 crore by the Punjab government and a government job to his younger sister. Due legal action will be taken against culprits," he said in a post on 'X' in Punjabi.

"We will not allow the post-mortem till the genuine demand of getting an FIR registered against the guilty Haryana cops is accepted," said Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

Besides a new law on MSP, the Punjab farmers are demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
Seat-sharing discussions between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress for the coming Lok Sabha elections are learnt to have been revived, with a final outcome of the talks hinging on a resolution over the Tura constituency in Meghalaya.



After what appeared to be a complete breakdown of alliance discussions between the Congress and the TMC, it now seems that a seat-sharing adjustment between the two parties could still be worked out.

According to sources, the Congress is hoping for a respectable number of seats in West Bengal, while the TMC has demanded two seats in Assam and one seat in Meghalaya. The TMC has so far insisted, publicly as well as in internal discussions, that the Congress merits only two seats in West Bengal. However, the Congress, whose original demand was around ten seats, is now expecting to get around five seats. Amongst the seats that the Congress is keen on contesting are Darjeeling, Purulia and Raiganj. The Congress had won two seats in the 2019 elections  Berhampore and Maldaha Dakshin.

It is learnt that the TMC is insisting on getting Tura in Meghalaya in its share. As per sources, the party could still relent on its demand for seats in Assam, but insists that its claim on Tura is non-negotiable. The TMC's argument is that its candidate had secured a 28 per cent vote share in the 2019 election as compared to the Congress' nine per cent. However, the Congress's counter-argument is that the Trinamool candidate was originally a Congress member. However, as per highly placed sources in the Congress, if push comes to shove, the party could give up its claim on the constituency to make possible a seat-sharing arrangement with the TMC.

Meanwhile in Maharashtra, the INDIA alliance is learnt to have completed discussions with regard to 39 out of the 48 seats in the state. As per sources, Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has demanded five seats, and that is delaying a final decision on the seat-sharing arrangement amongst the allies in the state.

It is learnt that a final decision has not yet been taken regarding Bharuch constituency in Gujarat and Congress is in discussions with AAP. It is learnt that former Congress President Rahul Gandhi does not want to give up Bharuch because of the association of the constituency with late party leader Ahmed Patel. The Congress has claimed an emotional connect with the constituency since it was in the past represented by Patel. The AAP, on the other hand, had declared its candidate for the seat even before the talks with the Congress began.

With the seat-sharing arrangement between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party finalised, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav will join Rahul for a public address in Agra during the course of the yatra on February 25.

Meanwhile, the Congress is keen that the rally in Mumbai marking the culmination of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is an INDIA event, with leaders from other alliance parties attending it. The yatra is expected to conclude in Mumbai either on March 14 or 15.
Former Mumbai Youth Congress leader Zeeshan Siddique on Thursday triggered controversy when he claimed he was asked to lose weight if he had to meet Rahul Gandhi.

At a press conference held in Mumbai, Siddique, son of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, said: "During the previous 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Nanded, I was told by one of the persons close to Rahul Gandhi that I should lose 10 kg before they could let me meet him."



Baba Siddique recently quit Congress and joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.



Siddique's controversial claim came to the notice of Assam chief minister and former Congress leader Himanta Biswa Sarma who took to X to compare Rahul with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "The only other person, I can think of, who makes such ridiculous demands from his party workers  that they should look nice and photogenic  is a dynast who rules North Korea," Sarma wrote on X.



Sarma, who switched to the BJP in 2014, has targetted Rahul before too. After a video went viral showing Rahul Gandhi trying to feed a biscuit to a dog and later handing over the biscuit to its owner, Himanta said he had faced a similar situation. "Not only Rahul Gandhi but the entire family could not make me eat that biscuit. I am a proud Assamese and Indian I refused to eat and resigned from the Congress." Sarma said on X.



Zeeshan Siddique's charges



#WATCH | Zeeshan Siddiqui, former Mumbai Youth Congress President says, "Mallikarjun Kharge is such a senior leader but even his hands are tied...Rahul Gandhi is doing his work, but it looks like his team has taken 'supari' from other parties to finish Congress. During Bharat pic.twitter.com/wK7uLxwx0J  ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2024

Besides the 'weight loss' allegations, Siddique, MLA from Vandre East, also claimed that Muslims had no place in Congress.



The MLA said he bagged 90 percent votes in the election for the Mumbai Youth Congress president's post, and still the party took nine months to appoint him to the post, he said, adding, "I was harassed a lot because I am a Muslim."



"Muslims have no place in the Congress. In Mumbai and Karnataka, two Muslim candidates won Youth wing elections but it took nearly a year for them to get the post in both cases," he said.


Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and charged the prime minister is using probe agencies for donation business. Gandhis jibe comes following Congress charge that several businesses donated to BJPs party funds whilst facing probe from central agencies.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted, Do you know about the Prime Minister's 'Donate, Take Bell and Business' scheme? In the country, the Prime Minister is doing 'donation business' by misusing ED, IT and CBI like 'Vasuli Bhai'.

Gandhi charged that central agencies have become recovery agents and according to reports, 30 companies facing investigation from central agencies donated money to the BJP. The donation business is going on so shamelessly that the owners of a distillery in MP donated to BJP as soon as they got the bail. Friend's company benefits from dishonesty and different rules for others? 'Illegal donations' and 'Electoral Bonds' given to BJP under Modi rule are the guarantee of 'Ease of Doing Business', Gandhi charged.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh on Friday alleged that at least 30 companies, which donated a total of nearly Rs 335 crore to the BJP between financial years 2018-19 and 2022-23, faced action by central agencies during that period. Ramesh said Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K.C. Venugopal on Friday wrote to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over the issue.

Ramesh also asked if the government would come up with a "white paper" on the BJP's finances, not just the sources, but how corporate firms were "coerced" to donate, by misusing investigative agencies against them. "If you are unwilling to come up with a factual explanation, then are you willing to present yourself for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation in these dubious deals to loot donation for the BJP?" Ramesh said.

-with PTI inputs.
Kashmiri activist and journalist Yana Mir shot to fame after she hit out at 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and social and education activist from Pakistan Malala Yousafzai for "defaming" India at the 'Sankalp Divas' event hosted in the Houses of Parliament complex in London by the Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre UK (JKSC), a think-tank dedicated to J&K research, to commemorate a historic resolution related to the Indian Union territory.

A senior anchor with Bharat Express News Network, Mir hails from Jammu and Kashmir. She was born and raised in Anantnag.

According to her X bio, she is the vice president of the All JK Youth Society (AJKYS). She is also a TedX speaker, as per her bio.

Mir received the diversity ambassador award for championing diversity in the J&K region during the Sankalp Divas event.

She outlined progress in the region following the abrogation of Article 370, emphasising improved security, government initiatives, and funds allocation.

Hailing India at the event, she said she is free and safe in India. "I am not Malala Yusufzai. I am not Malala Yousafzai because I am free and safe in my country India, in my homeland Kashmir, which is part of India."

"I will never need to runaway from my homeland and seek refuge in your country, honourable MPs. I will never ever be a Malala Yusufzai, but I object Malala Yousafzai defaming my country, my progressing homeland by calling it oppressed," she said.

Further, she asked "all toolkit members from social media and international media" to stop polarising Indians on the grounds of religion."

Claiming that such people have never cared to visit Indian Kashmir but fabricate stories of oppression from there, she said "We won't allow you to break us."

Mir asked "perpetrators living in the UK and Pakistan" to stop maligning India in international media or on international human rights forums.

"Stop unwanted selective outrage, stop trying to polarise Indian society by reporting from your UK living rooms. Thousands of Kashmiri mothers have already lost their sons because of terrorism. Stop coming after us and let my Kashmiri community live in peace," Mir said.

The event marked the unanimous resolution passed by both Houses of the Indian Parliament on February 22, 1994, reaffirming India's unwavering stance that the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. It emphasised India's right to reclaim Mirpur-Muzaffarabad and Gilgit and Baltistan, areas that fell victim to Pakistani aggression.
A 37-year-old legislator from Telangana, Lasya Nandita, died in a car accident on Friday morning at Patancheru on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Lasya Nandita, a first-time MLA of the BRS, was on her way to Gatchibowli from Basara when the mishap occurred. Police said no other vehicle was involved in the accident and the car rammed into a barrier on the outer ring road.



Though the reason for the accident is yet to be ascertained, police suspect that the driver may have fallen asleep. Though the MLA was taken to a private hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival. Her body is being transferred to a Government hospital for postmortem examination.

Her driver, who is said to have suffered critical injuries, is also undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. Besides the driver, Lasya's personal security officer, who was with her in the car, was also injured in the accident.

Lasya Nandita, daughter of a former MLA G Sayanna, was offered the ticket after Sayyanna's death. She contested the elections from the Secunderabad Cantonment constituency and won the seat by defeating BJP candidate N Sriganesh with a majority of 17,169 votes. Before venturing into politics, Lasya was serving as a corporator in the Kavadiguda ward.



Lasya was handpicked by former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to contest the elections. Last August, she was called to the Assembly by the chief minister after Sayanna's death. Lasya was then seen witnessing the proceedings from the visitors gallery while the discussion on the condolence motion for Sayanna was on. She later met the CM in his chambers.



Shockingly, this was the second accident that Lasya Nandita met with. The MLA was on her way to a party event in Nalgonda when her car rammed into a home guard, killing him on February 13. As per reports, K. Kishore of the Narketpally police station died after being hit by a speeding car driven by a drunk driver. Within moments, Lasya's car ran over Kishore.

Police had seized both the cars then. The MLA then posted a tweet on X saying she was involved in an accident on the way back from Nalgonda. "I'm okay, and there's nothing to worry about. Grateful for everyone's concern and support."


A high-level inquiry committee constituted by Pakistan's top electoral body on Friday said that the explosive allegations of election rigging levelled by a former senior bureaucrat were "false and based on lies'.

The report of the probe committee came a day after Rawalpindi's former Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha on Thursday took a U-turn and withdrew his allegations, saying he had made the rigging charges at the behest of ex-prime minister Imran Khan's party which offered him a "lucrative position".

In its report submitted on Friday, the committee constituted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) recommended legal action against Chattha for making false accusations and potentially impacting the commission's integrity, ARY News reported citing sources.

The committee thoroughly investigated the allegations, reviewing evidence and interviewing relevant officials. Their findings, as per sources, conclusively debunked the claims of rigged elections, it said.

The allegations of election rigging made by the former Rawalpindi Commissioner were "false and based on lies", the committee said.

The Samaa TV also reported that the committee's report has recommended legal action against Chattha for making false accusations and potentially impacting ECP's integrity.

After thoroughly investigating Chatta's allegations, reviewing evidence and interviewing relevant officials, the committee, according to sources, conclusively debunked the claims of rigged elections, the report said.

On Saturday, Chattha resigned from his office after "accepting responsibility" for manipulation of poll results. 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, he had said.

The former bureaucrat had alleged that 13 candidates from Pakistan's garrison city of Rawalpindi were forcefully declared winners in the elections.

He had also accused Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja of facilitating the rigging of votes.

The ECP had strongly rejected the allegations against the chief election commissioner made by Chattha.

However, retracting his allegations in a letter to the ECP on Thursday, Chattha said that all of this was done in coordination with jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which had promised him a lucrative position.

The inquiry committee mentioned Chatha's letter in its report and quoted him as saying that he was influenced by external forces when making his statement, the ARY News reported quoting sources. Chatha has apologised to ECP in front of the inquiry committee, it said.

Expressing shame and embarrassment in his letter to the ECP, the former bureaucrat sought an apology from the nation. Chatha stated that the entire plan to malign state institutions was approved by the PTI leadership.

The ex-commissioner clarified that he never instructed any Returning Officer to show favouritism or intervene in the election process.

With a 32-year service record, I was scheduled to retire on March 13, 2024, and held concerns about potential loss of benefits in the future. I deeply regret my statement and offer a sincere apology to the nation, Chatha stated in the letter.
As Israel prepares for intensified Rafah offensive, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented his first official 'post-war' plan for the Gaza Strip. The plan was presented to the members of the Israels security cabinet on Thursday for discussion. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7, Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas leaders to bring peace to the nation.

Key highlights of the proposed plan:

1. According to the plan, Israel will have the full security control over all Palestinian areas and make reconstruction of the enclave dependent on its demilitarisation.

2. In the long-term goals listed, Netanyahu rejects the "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state, reported Reuters.

3. The document proposes Israel would maintain security control over all of west Jordan, including the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

4. A settlement with the Palestinians will only be achieved through direct negotiations between the two sides, said Netanyahu.

5. Netanyahu also proposed Israel to have a presence on the Gaza-Egypt border in the south of Gaza and cooperate with Egypt and the United States in that area, including Rafah crossing, to prevent smuggling attempts. Rafah crossing is the only point of exit between Egypt and Gaza Strip.

6. Israel PM also called for shutting down of the UN Palestinian Refugees agency UNRWA and replacing it with other international aid groups.

A statement from the PMs office said that "The prime minister's document of principles reflects broad public consensus over the goals of the war and for replacing Hamas rule in Gaza with a civilian alternative.
The mother of Russian President Vladimir Putin's critic Alexei Navalny finally saw her son's body at a morgue on Thursday where she signed the death certificate.

According to Navalny's press secretary, a medical report presented to Lyudmila Navalnaya stated he died of natural causes. His family alleges Navalny was killed by Russian authorities.



In a video statement from the Arctic city of Salekhard, Lyudmila Navalnaya said investigators allowed her to see her son's body in the city morgue. However, they were forcing her to hold a secret burial, which she is resisting. She added that she continued to seek Navalny's body



"They are blackmailing me, they are setting conditions where, when and how my son should be buried," she said. They want it to do it secretly without a mourning ceremony and she was being "blackmailed". She alleged authorities were setting conditions for the burial of her son, including the place, time and manner of his burial.



"They want to take me to the outskirts of the cemetery to a fresh grave and say: 'Here lies your son.'"



"Looking into my eyes, they say that if I do not agree to a secret funeral, they will do something with my son's body." She said she was told by investigators: "Time is not on your side, the corpse is decomposing."



Navalnaya travelled to the northern Russian town of Salekhard after learning about her son's death in a nearby penal colony. She alleged she was being denied access to her son's body and she appealed to Putin directly to allow her to bury him.



She has filed a lawsuit at a court in Salekhard contesting officials' refusal to release her son's body. A closed-door hearing has been scheduled for March 4. Navalny, Russia's most well-known opposition politician, suddenly died in an Arctic prison last week.



Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden met Mr Navalny's widow Yulia and his daughter Dasha Navalnaya in San Francisco. "The president expressed his admiration for Alexei Navalny's extraordinary courage and his legacy of fighting against corruption and for a free and democratic Russia," the White House said in a statement.


HONG KONG, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- J&T Express, a global logistics service operator, announced the company has achieved significant enhancements in parcel volume and delivery efficiency across several key markets in China and Southeast Asia during the recent Lunar New Year, attributing to the company's continuous operational capacity improvements and early preparations for the holiday season.

Data of J&T Express reveals that over the Lunar New Year period, its average daily parcel delivery time in China improved by approximately 5% compared to the previous year, while the average daily delivery rate increased by approximately 17% year-on-year. In Singapore, there has been an 81% year-on-year increase in its parcel volume, alongside a 9% improvement in average delivery time efficiency. Similarly, in Malaysia, its parcel volume surged by approximately 54% year-on-year.

In addition to China, the Lunar New Year is celebrated as a public holiday in numerous Southeast Asian countries. With the global popularity of e-commerce, ensuring reliable logistics services during the holiday season has become increasingly critical for businesses and consumers alike. As the largest courier service provider in Southeast Asia, J&T Express plays a vital role in meeting this demand.

With the company's extensive and comprehensive logistics network across multiple countries, coupled with its year-round collaboration with e-commerce platforms and expertise in operating during the Lunar New Year in the Chinese market, J&T Express has significantly bolstered its hardware and personnel and updated the delivery fleet in key markets to meet the challenges of delivering shipments during the holiday season.

For instance, J&T Express Vietnam added over 3,000 delivery personnel before the Lunar New Year, and upgraded more than 100 service points, expanding the operational area by over 7,000 square meters. Additionally, at the end of December 2023, J&T Express Vietnam officially received 140 new trucks from THACO AUTO.

Story continues

According to a forecast by the Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Industry and Trade, seasonal purchases are expected to grow by more than 11% in 2024, and the growth trend of social commerce will continue as well. Against the backdrop of a thriving online shopping landscape, the demand for delivery services presents both opportunities and challenges. Recognizing the potential, J&T Express Vietnam has strategically improved and enhanced its service quality to meet the evolving demands. The recent upgrade of the company's truck fleet not only reflects the company's clear goal of improving the quality of its transportation services but also helps the company meet the growing demand for deliveries during the holiday season, creating significant benefits for its customers with guaranteed service quality and capacity. With unwavering confidence in the market's prosperity and a customer-centric approach, J&T Express is poised to seize growth opportunities in Vietnam and is actively accelerating its market capture. It will continue to expand its logistics network and transit centers to ensure optimal operational processes and improve user experience and service quality.

J&T Express is a global logistics service provider. According to Frost & Sullivan, J&T Express was the No. 1 express delivery operator in Southeast Asia by parcel volume in 2022 and had the highest market share in China. The company adopts an innovative business model that combines unified standards with a high degree of regional autonomy. This model balances service quality and flexible decision-making, reduces costs, and enables localized and efficient development in each market. With its self-developed JMS system, J&T Express is able to integrate and manage the full lifecycle of shipments, from order placement and collection to settlement, ensuring efficient operations in each market.

J&T Express has further expanded its express delivery business to five countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and North Africa, building upon its successful operations in China and Southeast Asia. Currently, the company provides express delivery services in 13 countries worldwide.

Looking ahead, J&T Express is committed to enhancing its global logistics network while continuously improving service quality and operational efficiency. The company is eager to establish collaborative partnerships with new industry leaders to deliver high-quality logistics solutions for customers worldwide.

About J&T Express

J&T Express is a global logistics service provider with leading express delivery businesses in Southeast Asia and China, the largest and fastest-growing market in the world. Founded in 2015, J&T Express' network spans thirteen countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Mexico, Brazil and Egypt. Adhering to its "customer-oriented and efficiency-based" mission, J&T Express is committed to providing customers with integrated logistics solutions through intelligent infrastructure and digital logistics network, as part of its global strategy to connect the world with greater efficiency and bring logistical benefits to all.

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SOURCE J&T Express
The Treasury Department plans to impose more than 500 new sanctions on Russia and its war machine on Friday as the US vows to keep up its financial pressure on Moscow with the war entering its third gruelling year.

The sanctions represent the largest single tranche of penalties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. They come on the heels of a series of new arrests and indictments announced by the Justice Department on Thursday that target Russian businessmen, including the head of Russia's second-largest bank, and their middlemen in five separate federal cases.



The Biden administration is seeking to demonstrate its unwavering support for Ukraine, even though Republican lawmakers allied with former President Donald Trump are blocking vital additiona lUS military aid.



The White House had promised major sanctions in response to the death last week of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in an Arctic penal colony. Biden said Thursday after meeting with Navalny's wife and daughter that the sanctions would be against Putin, who is responsible for his death.



The planned sanctions were previewed by two administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity before their release on Friday. Additional sanctions are expected from the State Department as well.



Thousands of sanctions have already been imposed on Russian officials, businessmen, banks, companies and entire industries since the start of the war.



Out of the Justice Department, the cases announced Thursday include charges unsealed in New York against sanctioned Russian banker Andrei Kostin and two of his US-based facilitators. The facilitators, Vadim Wolfson and Gannon Bond, were arrested Thursday.



Kostin, the longtime president of state-owned VTB Bank, is charged with engaging in a scheme to evade sanctions and launder money to support two superyachts. He, along with the two others, is also accused of trying to evade sanctions by concealing his ownership of a home in Aspen, Colorado. The indictment says Wolfson and Bond arranged to sell the house and provide Kostin with about USD 12 million from the sale.



Michael Khoo, a co-director of the department's Task Force KleptoCapture, said on a call with reporters that the announcement was meant to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that we're not going away and we can play the long game as well" so long as the war continues.



The KleptoCapture task force enforces the economic restrictions within the US imposed on Russia and its billionaires.



The Justice Department says over the past two years it has secured court orders for the restraint, seizure, and forfeiture of nearly USD 700 million in assets and has charged more than 70 people with violating sanctions and export controls.



The United States has been able to transfer more than USD 5 million of seized Russian assets to Europe in support of Ukraine's defense, US officials said Thursday. But the process of justifying each confiscation of alleged illicit assets in court is a painstaking one by law, playing out over years.



The Justice Department is more committed than ever to cutting off the flow of illegal funds that are fueling Putin's war and to holding accountable those who continue to enable it, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.



The US and other allies of Ukraine had hoped to cripple and isolate Russia's economy with a succession of sanctions targeting its financial sector and sources of revenue, including oil sales. But Putin has worked with Iran and others to blunt the impact of the international sanctions, so that the International Monetary Fund reports Russia's economy growing at an unexpectedly healthy pace.



Also Thursday, an indictment was unsealed in Washington, DC, charging Vladislav Osipov with bank fraud connected to operating a 255-foot luxury yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg. Osipov, a Russian national, lives in Switzerland. The State Department has offered a reward of up to USD 1 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.



The indictment identifies the superyacht as the Tango, the first belonging to a sanctioned Russian with close ties to the Kremlin to be seized at the request of the US government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.



In Florida, Serhiy Kurchenko, a sanctioned pro-Russian Ukrainian metals magnate, was indicted for trying to evade sanctions that prevent him from doing business in the United States. He and Kostin are believed to be in Moscow and thus unlikely to face US justice.



Also in Florida, a civil forfeiture complaint was filed against two luxury condos in Bal Harbour owned by sanctioned Russian businessman Viktor Perevalov, the co-owner of a Russia-based construction company that was sanctioned for building a highway in Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula that Russia seized in 2014.



And in Georgia, Feliks Medvedev pleaded guilty earlier this month to helping launder over USD 150 million on behalf of Russian clients through bank accounts he controls. Medvedev, a Russian citizen, lives in Buford, Georgia.


Cause of fire remains unknown

The cause of the fire was still not known early Friday. Officials maintain it is too early to comment on news reports that suggested it might have spread rapidly owing to materials used in the building's structure. | AP
Jaipur, Feb 22 (PTI) Ajmer Dargah chief Syed Zainul Abedin said political parties should try to find solutions to disputes such as in Mathura and Kashi outside the courts.

Any dispute that is resolved by mutual consent will win hearts and trust of communities, he said.

The Ajmer Dargah chief was addressing a conference titled "Paigam-e-Mohabbat Hum Sab Ka Bharat" organised by the Rajasthan unit of All India Sufi Sajjadanshin Council in which heads of almost all the dargahs of Rajasthan were present.

Abedin said that India was playing a positive role in restoring peace in the world by following the civilization of Vasudhaiva Kutambakam, a statement issued here said.

India is playing its role in world peace, so efforts should be made to resolve the internal issues of our country peacefully outside the courts All that is needed is a strong initiative," he said.

On the Citizenship Amendment Act, the Ajmer Dargah chief also said that in the last few years, Muslims have been misled about the CAA law.

The reality is that after a detailed analysis of the provisions of the Act, we found that the law has nothing to do with Indian Muslims and that the law will not affect them.

It will benefit the persecuted minority immigrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh. This is not going to take away the Indian citizenship of anyone.

Citizenship of any Indian cannot be taken away because there is no such provision in the law, he was quoted as saying in the statement.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Showers early, then partly cloudy for the afternoon. High 49F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Oregon is grappling with a historic fentanyl overdose crisis that has surged by a stunning 1,530% in recent years, marking the highest increase rate across the United States. According to a new report from FOX12, which draws on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the state has witnessed 1,268 fentanyl-related deaths between September 2019 and September 2023.

This dramatic rise in fatalities has coincided with the 2020 enactment of Measure 110, Oregons drug decriminalization law. The laws aftermath has led many Oregonians to question its efficacy, as the state observes a significant spike in overdose deaths. Oklahoma follows Oregon with the second-largest percentage increase in fentanyl-related deaths, projecting a total of 717 fatalities for 2023, a stark rise from 67 deaths five years prior. Conversely, states along the East Coast have experienced some of the lowest increases in fentanyl overdose rates.

In response to the escalating crisis, Oregons Democratic leaders, including Governor Tina Kotek, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, declared a 90-day state of emergency in Portland in early February. The declaration underscores the urgent need for action to address the fentanyl epidemic that has extended beyond urban centers to rural areas of the state.

State Representative Lucetta Elmer, representing a district south of Portland, voiced the concerns of local leaders in rural Oregon, emphasizing the widespread nature of the problem. We have a crisis on our hands, and thats easy to see, Elmer stated, highlighting the visible consequences of the drug crisis, including rampant drug use, homelessness, and littering, which pose safety and health risks to communities.

We have drugs that are just rampant, and were seeing public drug use daily. Extreme homelessness and garbage everywhere. Its unsafe, and its unsightly, but its also heartbreaking because, literally, our fellow citizens are dying.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A new Quinnipiac University poll finds that the majority of Americans have doubts about the mental fitness of both President Joe Biden and his potential general election opponent, Donald Trump. The survey, released on Wednesday, indicates that 64% of respondents doubt Bidens mental fitness to serve a second term, while 51% question Trumps mental capacity for another term in the White House.

This sentiment emerges amidst scrutiny of the 81-year-old Bidens mental acuity, especially after a report by Special Counsel Robert Hur described him as an elderly man with a poor memory  an assertion that Biden and his allies have attacked as untrue.

Meanwhile, 77-year-old Trump is advancing easily towards the Republican nomination and is often outpacing Biden in public opinion polls. However, the Quinnipiac poll presents an anomaly, showing Biden leading Trump by 4 points. This is in contrast to the broader perception shared by two-thirds of the voters surveyed by Quinnipiac, who believe Biden is too old to fulfill another term effectively.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

The recent tragic terrorist acts on Highway One outside of Maleh Adumim are viewed by Mishteret Yisrael and the IDF as a game-changer. Traffic, something that Israel is known for, is now being considered a major security threat. The terrorism is particularly disturbing because the weapons that the terrorists used were not home-made guns  like in the past. Rather, they were military grade weapons.

Certainly, all efforts to post security personnel at heavy traffic sites should be made. But what else can be done?

Perhaps we can all further help alleviate the terror situation by looking into why and how Yerushalayim fell in the first place  long ago  under the Romans. If we can rectify those areas  then we can perhaps go along way in alleviating the terror situation. Below is a list of ten reasons why Yerushalayim first fell in the time of Bayis Sheini. It follows that improvement in these areas will give us zchusim for further safety. [The reasons listed below follow the order of what is found in the Gemorah in Shabbos 119b and then other Gemorahs and then Midrashim].

#1 Abayehs Reason  Shabbos

The pasuk in Yirmiyahu 17:27 states: And if you do not heed Me to sanctify the day of Shabbos, and to refrain from carrying burdens and come to the gates of Jerusalem on the day of Shabbos, and I will light a fire in its gates and it will consume the palaces of Jerusalem and it will not be extinguished. The Gemorah asks: What is the meaning of: And it will not be extinguished? Rav Nahman bar Yitzhak said: Fire will break out at a time when people are not found to extinguish it. Abaye said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because people desecrated the Shabbos in it, as it is stated: And from My Shabbosos they averted their eyes, and I was profaned among them (Yechezkel 22:26). [see Shabbos 119b]

#2 Rabbi Abahus Reason  Lack of Krias Shma and Excessive Drinking

Rabbi Abbahu said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because [its citizens] intentionally omitted recitation of Shema morning and evening, as it is stated: Woe to those who rise early in the morning and pursue the drink and are aflame from wine until late in the evening (Yishayahu 5:11). And it is written [in the continuation of that passage]: And their drinking parties have lyre and lute, drum and flute and wine, and they do not look upon the actions of Hashem, and they do not see His hands creations (Yishayahu 5:12). This means that in the morning and evening, when the Jews should have been reciting Shema, they were drinking wine and alcohol. And it is written in that passage: Therefore My nation is being exiled for its ignorance; its honor will die of hunger and its multitudes will be parched with thirst (Yishayahu 5:13).

#3 Rav Hamnunahs Reason  Children Not Studying Torah

Rav Hamnunah said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because schoolchildren there were interrupted [from studying Torah], as it is stated: And I am filled with the wrath of Hashem, I cannot contain it, pour it onto the infants in the street and onto the gathering of youths together, for men and women alike will be captured, the elderly along with those of advanced years (Yirmiyahu 6:11). Rav Hamnunah explains: What is the reason that the wrath is poured? It is because infants are outside in the streets and are not studying Torah.. The Gemorah later states more regarding this reason: Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: What is the meaning of that which is written: Do not touch My anointed ones and do My prophets no harm (I Divrei haYamim 16:22)? Do not touch My anointed ones, these are the schoolchildren, who are as precious and important as kings and priests (see Maharsha); and do not harm My prophets, these are Torah scholars. Reish Lakish said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda Nesia: The world only exists because of the breath, i.e., reciting Torah, of schoolchildren. Rav Pappa said to Abaye: My Torah study and yours, what is its status? Why is the Torah study of adults worth less? He said to him: The breath of adults, which is tainted by sin, is not similar to the breath of children, which is not tainted by sin. And Reish Lakish said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda Nesia: One may not interrupt schoolchildren from studying Torah, even in order to build the Temple.

#4 Ullahs Reason  Lack of Shame

Ulla said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because people had no shame before each other, as it is stated: They acted shamefully; they have performed abominations, yet they neither were ashamed nor did they know humiliation. Therefore, they will fall among the fallen, they will fail at the time that I punish them, said Hashem (Yirmiyahu 6:15).

#5 Rabbi Yitzchoks Reason  Not Holding Great Leaders in High Esteem

Rabbi Yitzhak said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because its small and the great citizens were equated. They did not properly value the prominent leaders of their generation, as it is stated: And the common people were like the priest, the slave like his master, the maidservant like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the one indebted to him (Yishayahu 24:2). And it is written afterward: The land shall be utterly desolate and completely plundered, for Hashem has said this (Yishayahu 24:3).

#6 Rabbi Chaninahs Reason  No Tochachah  Rebuking Others

Rav Amram, son of Rabbi Shimon bar Abba, said that Rabbi Shimon bar Abba said that Rabbi Hanina said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because the people did not rebuke one another, as it is stated: Her ministers were like stags that found no pasture, and they walked without strength before their pursuer (Lamentations 1:6). Just as this stag turns its head toward the others tail when it grazes, and each one feeds on its own, so too, the Jewish people in that generation lowered their faces to the ground and did not rebuke one another.

#7 Rabbi Yehudahs Reason  Disparaging Torah Scholars

Rabbi Yehuda said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because they disparaged the Torah scholars in it, as it is stated: And they mocked the messengers of Hashem and disdained His words and taunted His prophets, until the wrath of Hashem arose against His people, until it could not be healed (Divrei HaYamim 36:16). What is the meaning of: Until it could not be healed? Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: It means that anyone who disparages Torah scholars cannot be healed from his wound.

#8 Raish Lakishs Reason  No Torah schools for Children children at All in the Cities

And Reish Lakish said to Rabbi Yehuda Nesia: I have received from my ancestors, and some say that he said to him: I have received from your ancestors as follows: Any city in which there are no schoolchildren studying Torah, they destroy it. Ravina said: They leave it desolate.

#9 Ravas Reason  No More Honest People

And Rava said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because there were no more trustworthy people there, as it is stated: Roam about the streets of Jerusalem and see, and search its plazas, if you can find a person, who acts justly, who seeks integrity, that I should forgive it (Yirmiyahu 5:1). The Gemara asks: Is that so? Didnt Rav Ketina say: Even at the time of Jerusalems failure, trustworthy people did not cease there, as it is stated: For a man will grab his brother of his fathers house and say: You have a garment. Come be a chief over us and let this ruin be under your care (Yishayahu 3:6)? Things that people use to cover up like a garment, secrets, are in your hands and you know about them. Therefore, you should be a leader of the community.

#10 The Holy Ger Rav Yochanan Ben Tortas Reason  Sinas Chinam

The Gemorah in Yoma 9b cites Rav Yochanan Ben Torta: However, considering that the people during the Second Temple period were engaged in Torah study, observance of mitzvot, and acts of kindness, and that they did not perform the sinful acts that were performed in the First Temple, why was the Second Temple destroyed? It was destroyed due to the fact that there was wanton hatred during that period. This comes to teach you that the sin of wanton hatred is equivalent to the three severe transgressions: Idol worship, forbidden relations and bloodshed.

#11 Rabbi Yochanans reason  Not going beyond the letter of the law

The Gemorah in Bava Metziah 30b states: Rabbi Yochanan says: Jerusalem was destroyed only for the fact that they judged cases on the basis of absolute Torah law in the city. The Gemara asks: Rather, what else should they have done? Should they rather have adjudicated cases on the basis of arbitrary decisions? Rather, say: That they established their rulings on the basis of Torah law and did not go beyond the letter of the law.

#12 Rav Tanchums Reason  Corruption of Justice

In Midrash Tanchuma (Mispatim 2), the Midrash states that the reason Yerushalayim was destroyed was on account of corruption of justice.

CONCLUSION

So what we can all do, according to the Gemorah is: Observe and uphold Shabbos, be more careful in Krias Shma, make sure our children study Torah, develop our sense of shame, uphold our leaders in high esteem, learn to rebuke properly with love, not to disparage Torah scholars, ensure that every neighborhood have Torah schools for children, practice honesty, stop any sinas chinam. go beyond the letter of the law, and ensure fairness in judgement. May this be a yeshua for us all.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
Several survivors of the October 7th Hamas massacre are suing the Associated Press of aiding and abetting Hamas by using freelance journalists embedded in the murderous terror organization, the New York Post reported on Wednesday.

The plaintiffs are Americans and Israeli-Americans who survived the massacre at the Nova music festival near Beeri as well as family members of the victims. They are suing AP for damages under the Antiterrorism Act in a federal complaint, filed in the Southern District of Florida Wednesday evening by lawyers from the nonprofit National Jewish Advocacy Center.

The lawyers accuse AP of materially supporting terrorism by paying photojournalists affiliated with Hamas for photos taken during and after the October 7th assault.

There is no doubt that APs photographers participated in the October 7th massacre, and that AP knew, or at the very least should have known, through simple due diligence, that the people they were paying were longstanding Hamas affiliates and full participants in the terrorist attack that they were also documenting, the complaint states.

It also lists the names of four photographers whose images were purchased by AP, stating that they are known Hamas associates who were gleefully embedded with the Hamas terrorists during the October 7th attacks.

But the complaint mainly focuses on one photojournalist, Hassan Eslaiah, who was accused of being affiliated with Hamas even before October 7th. Eslaiah, who photographed some of the earliest photos of the attack, is accused in the complaint of closely accompanying the Hamas monsters as they tortured and murdered Israelis.

Eslaiah, who in 2020 was photographed with Yahya Sinwar as the Hamas leader was kissing his cheek, denies he had any advance knowledge of the attack or is tied to Hamas, according to the New York Times, which was also criticized for using his photos. Eslaiah did admit that he got a ride back to Gaza after the assault with Hamas terrorists.

According to the company, AP was well aware of Eslaiahs ties to Hamas but chose to continue to pay for his photos.

AP willfully chose to turn a blind eye to these facts, and instead profited from its terrorist photographers participation in the massacre through its publication of the exclusive images, for which it certainly paid a premium, effectively funding a terrorist organization, the suit alleges.

The Honest Reporting media watchdog first raised questions about the photos taken in the early hours of the Hamas invitation in November, speculating that six Gazan photographers had advance knowledge of the attack because they began work so early that day  coincidently on the Israeli-Gazan border.

AP denied the allegation, issuing a statement denying it had any knowledge of the Oct. 7 attack.

The first pictures AP received from any freelancer show they were taken more than an hour after the attacks began, APs vice president of corporate communications Lauren Easton said in the Nov. 9 statement. No AP staff were at the border at the time of the attacks, nor did any AP staffer cross the border at any time.

We are no longer working with Hassan Eslaiah, who had been an occasional freelancer for AP and other international news organizations in Gaza.

National Jewish Advocacy Center director Mark Goldfeder slammed AP: Media organizations do not have any special right to act with impunity and pretend that they dont know whom they are paying.

And as other cases have made clear, it does not matter that the people AP was paying, with whom they had longstanding relationships, were freelancers and not employees; the issue is that AP was furnishing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, not in what capacity the terrorists were cashing the checks.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Following his controversial release from prison in the 2011 Gilad Shalit exchange, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar turned Hamas from a dangerous foe to an existential threat. And according to a report from Yediot Acharanonot on Thursday, Israels political leadership did nothing about it.

According to the report, there have been several attempts by the Shin Bet to garner government approval for a strike on Sinwar. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected them no less than five times, vetoing any such action. Netanyahus rationale, according to the report, was to avoid escalating tensions with Hamas and potentially sparking a wider conflict.

During his candidacy, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also reportedly explored the possibility of targeting Sinwar, but never followed through.

Assassination discussions resurfaced after a terror attack in Elad in May 2022. Despite pressure from the Shin Bet to carry it out, the IDF opposed the plan. Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz shared Netanyahus sentiment, believing that Hamas was sufficiently deterred.

The report does not cite a specific source, but it suggests a dynamic wherein the Shin Bet places responsibility on political leadership for the decision-making process regarding high-profile targets like Sinwar.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
How Japan Pulled Off an Early Victory in the Race to Make More Chips

(Bloomberg) -- When Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. unveiled plans to begin building a new chip fabrication facility in Japan in 2022 and start production in 2024, it looked like an implausibly aggressive schedule. Chip plants often take three years to complete, and, although the Taiwanese company had moved faster on its own turf, this would be its first such attempt in Japan  where it would have to navigate foreign bureaucracies and regulations.

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Yet on Feb. 24, TSMC will officially open its Kumamoto fab, putting it on track to begin mass production later this year. The ribbon-cutting marks an early victory for Japan as governments around the world race to establish domestic chip capabilities in the wake of Covid-era disruptions and growing geopolitical tensions. While the US has also courted TSMC  the leading producer of the most advanced chips  the company has already pushed back start dates for both of its planned Arizona facilities after clashes with labor unions and delays in subsidy allocations.

The success in Japan stems from a combination of factors not easily repeated elsewhere: efficient government support, strict construction timetables and a low-cost workforce that flocked to the site from around the country and then labored 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Smoothing the entire effort was a deep partnership with local champion Sony Group Corp., an investor in and customer for the chip factory.

We committed to getting it ready in two years because thats what TSMC asked us, Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima said in an interview. Being on time is important to win trust.

Governments from Washington to Beijing and Brussels have been pressing to build their own semiconductor production capabilities after pandemic lockdowns exposed how vulnerable nations are to disruptions in global supply chains. Chip shortages shut down automotive factories in Europe, the US and Japan, where the likes of Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. form a cornerstone of the economy.

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Adding to the risk is the geographic concentration of advanced-chipmaking in just two countries, South Korea and Taiwan. China has long claimed the latter as its own territory, and tensions over Taiwan have grown so serious that US security experts are gaming out scenarios for a maritime blockade or even an invasion.

In Japan, after Covid hit, the powerful Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) quickly sketched out ambitious plans to lure the likes of TSMC, Samsung Electronics Co. and Micron Technology Inc. with billions of dollars in subsidies. The Taiwanese company has already said it plans to build a second fab in Japan, and is considering a third that would make advanced 3-nanometer chips.

The contrast between TSMC in Arizona and in Kumamoto is quite striking, said Chris Miller, author of Chip War: The Fight for the Worlds Most Critical Technology. The Japanese government has been less vocal, but perhaps even more supportive than the US and Europe.

TSMC said its achievements in Japan are due to support from suppliers, customers, business partners, government and academia. The company added that its projects in different countries are inherently incomparable.

This account of how Japan jumped out to an early head start in the chips race is based on reporting in Kumamoto, public comments by the primary parties and interviews with more than a dozen people involved in the project, who asked not to be named because the details they revealed arent public.

While METI had been trying to get TSMCs attention for years, it wasnt until early 2021 that talks for a new plant grew serious. Japanese officials dangled an offer that included billions of dollars in subsidies, and TSMC began to consider the idea amid the rising geopolitical risks. The company insisted on one condition: Sony had to be involved.

TSMC figured that if one of Japans most iconic companies was invested in the venture, the path ahead would be much smoother. TSMC and METI officials approached the Japanese electronics giant together, and Sony ultimately agreed to become a minority shareholder in the Kumamoto factory with a stake of less than 20%.

The two companies had worked together for years, with TSMC helping produce the CMOS camera sensors that Sony sells to customers like Apple Inc. for use in the iPhone. But the Kumamoto project would mean a deeper level of cooperation. Over the course of 2021, Sonys chip chief Terushi Shimizu and TSMC Chief Executive Officer C.C. Wei talked through strategic options. The two men, who had exchanged personal phone numbers, took to calling each other regularly and speaking over Zoom. By May, they had worked out a basic framework.

Sony has deep ties to the local community in Kumamoto, dating back to when it began making sensors in the prefectures Kikuyo town in 2001. The town had set aside a 21.3 hectare plot of land in 2018 with the idea that Sony may expand. In July of 2021, Sony approached Kikuyo about buying the land. Just months later, TSMC announced plans for the Kumamoto factory  the first time most locals realized the project would be TSMCs, not Sonys.

TSMC tapped as general contractor Tokyo-based Kajima Corp., a 184-year-old construction pioneer that built the countrys first high-rise and Supreme Court building. They broke ground in April 2022 and rushed to hire 7,000 workers, tapping recruiters who pulled in people with above-average pay and ready-made housing.

We gathered workers from across the nation, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, said Kazuhisa Matsuda, senior managing director at NowPlus, a Hyogo-based company that provides workers for construction sites. A job that normally earns 30,000 was paid 50,000 at the TSMC site.

The TSMC team could afford to pay a premium because Japan salaries are low by global standards, especially with a plunge in the yen over the last five years. Average pay for Japan construction workers is about 2,000 ($13) an hour, compared with $24 an hour in Arizona, according to the ERI Economic Research Institute.

Japan labor unions also tend to be more flexible than in the US and construction ran around the clock. Kikuyo residents took to calling the construction site, nestled between cabbage and carrot fields, the nightless castle.

As the project spilled into 2023, shortage turned to glut. One worker said he would show up on site only to find there were no jobs for him to do.

The surge of investment and workers disrupted the farm town of 44,000. Local roads suffered chronic gridlock, while shortages of housing and basic services emerged. Matsuda of NowPlus praised the lodging the TSMC team provided, but said some workers ended up commuting an hour each way because so many people were living around the construction site. The local government of Kabashima worked to alleviate the tensions, but made allowances to keep work on schedule.

Sony helped navigate other challenges. Kumamoto boasts plentiful underground water supplies  one reason it was chosen as a site for chip production  but there are risks that additional chip fabs would lead to shortages for both companies and locals. Sony staff worked with TSMC on efforts to replenish the water supplies and ease the environmental impact.

We helped TSMC in setting up the Kumamoto factory, by providing a wide range of support such as securing the supply of water, electricity and engineers as well as obtaining permits and licenses, a Sony spokeswoman said.

Joanne Chiao, an analyst at Taipei-based research firm TrendForce, said that Sonys two decades of operation in the area helped develop the supply chains and infrastructure that helped keep the TSMC factory on schedule.

METI also moved quickly in agreeing to pay for about half of the roughly $8 billion Kumamoto plant, a generous subsidy by global standards. The agency knew it had developed a reputation for sluggish decision-making in the past  and was determined to proceed faster this time.

Everybody thought Japan was too small, too slow in terms of the financial support; we sincerely regret that misdemeanor, Hisashi Kanazashi, one of the primary officials orchestrating the chip policy, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Thats why we recognized the importance of speed.

METI has also touted the economic benefits of its chip investments for regions beyond Tokyo. Its concentrated its efforts on the southern island of Kyushu, where Kumamoto is, and the northern island of Hokkaido.

By December of 2023, the construction company Kajima finished the buildings outer walls, allowing TSMC to proceed with installation of the enormous chip-making machines made by the likes of Tokyo Electron Ltd. and Applied Materials Inc. Engineers work four shifts a day setting up the production lines, with effectively no breaks in the labor.

Chip-making machines require delicate and skilled handling during the preparations. TSMC staff from Taiwan have taken the lead in the process given their prior experience, but the rigor of their instructions and the complexity of the workflow has led to frustration among some Japanese workers. Some local workers have quit, despite the high pay.

Nevertheless, TSMC has shown growing confidence in Japan. The company began discussions for a second fab in 2023 and it was officially announced this month. The first fab will produce less advanced chips, at 12 nanometers to 28 nanometers, while the third facility may manufacture chips sophisticated enough for todays iPhone and artificial-intelligence applications.

In a sign of how important chips are for the Japan economy, Toyota Motor Corp. and auto supplier Denso Corp. have joined TSMC and Sony as investors in the Kumamoto joint venture.

By providing a large amount of subsidies, the government is showing the direction that the companies should head toward, said Waseda Business School professor Atsushi Osanai. That is decreasing the psychological burden for corporate executives in making big investment decisions.

METI, after years of backing off from what was once considered the worlds most fearsome industrial policy, is enjoying something of a revival. Besides the support for foreign players like TSMC and Samsung, the government is helping fund a domestic startup called Rapidus Corp. in its long-shot mission to become a leading foundry. All told, Japan is aiming to offer 10 trillion in financial support, along with the private sector.

Japan is a really impressive case study, said Reva Goujon, a director at the Rhodium Group think tank. METI has been very introspective about where they made mistakes in the past and where they can do better. This is Japans comeback tour.

--With assistance from Jane Lanhee Lee and Debby Wu.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled a strategic vision for Gazas governance following the conflict with Hamas, focusing on the appointment of local officials with no ties to terrorism to take over administrative roles instead of Hamas. This proposal was formally presented to the security cabinet on Thursday night in a concise, one-page document.

Netanyahu has been cautious about discussing the day after plans in the security cabinet, concerned about potential divisions within his primarily right-wing coalition. Some ministers have been pushing for the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in Gaza and for Israel to maintain permanent control, propositions Netanyahu has opposed, citing the risk of losing Western support.

The proposed management plan does not explicitly mention the Palestinian Authority or exclude its participation in Gazas future governance. Instead, it suggests that civil affairs will be managed by local officials with the necessary administrative experience and no links to terrorist-supporting countries or entities. This language excludes groups funded by Qatar and Iran, like Hamas, and possibly the PA, due to its welfare program supporting convicted terrorists and their families.

According to a statement from Netanyahus office, the principles are widely accepted by the public and will form the basis for detailed discussions on Gazas management post-conflict. Key points include the continuation of military operations until Hamas and Islamic Jihads military and governance infrastructures are destroyed, and security threats from Gaza are neutralized.

The document also details plans for a security buffer zone along Gazas border, control measures to prevent smuggling from Egypt, and a southern closure of the Gaza-Egypt border with international cooperation. It also outlines the long-term goal of Gazas complete demilitarization and the introduction of a de-radicalization program across Gazas religious, educational, and welfare institutions, with support from experienced Arab countries.

Critics and analysts have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of appointing unaffiliated Palestinian leaders, drawing parallels with failed efforts in Iraq. Theres a push from the international community for the PA to eventually govern Gaza, pending necessary reforms.

Netanyahus principles also call for the replacement of UNRWA with other international aid organizations, citing UNRWA staffs alleged involvement in the October 7 attack. However, the immediate dissolution of UNRWA is opposed due to the potential humanitarian crisis it could trigger.

The plan emphasizes that any reconstruction and rehabilitation of Gaza will depend on the completion of its demilitarization and the de-radicalization process, with funding from Israel-approved countries, and reaffirms Israels stance against international dictates on a permanent settlement with the Palestinians and opposes the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, viewing it as rewarding terrorism.

The Palestinian Authority slammed Netanyahus vision, saying that it is a plan to prolong the genocide against our people and an attempt to gain more time to implement the displacement plans.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
In a detailed update on the conflicts progress, the IDF announced that over the past day, its 7th Armored Brigade engaged in a major offensive in western Khan Younis, eliminating more than 10 Hamas gunmen through precise sniper fire and targeted drone strikes.

The military action in Khan Younis also saw an incident where a military engineering vehicle was targeted with an RPG, though it resulted in no casualties. In response, the IDFs 7th Brigade called in an airstrike against three Hamas terrorists identified as the attackers, swiftly dispatching them to the Next World.

Concurrently, the IDFs Commando Brigade has been conducting raids in the same area, uncovering significant arsenals of Hamas weaponry. The Maglan commando unit discovered caches containing dozens of rockets, mortars, and explosives, highlighting the extensive preparations of Hamas for conflict.

The Givati Brigade took part in these operations as well, launching an offensive aimed at destroying Hamas infrastructure and neutralizing gunmen. This operation was preceded by Israeli Air Force strikes targeting buildings used by Hamas for command and control, arms storage, and as bases for sniper and other offensive operations.

In the northern sector, within the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, the 401st Armored Brigade reported engaging and killing over 10 Hamas gunmen through a combination of sniper, drone, and helicopter strikes. These operations have also led to the discovery of additional Hamas weapons caches and tunnel shafts, further degrading the groups operational capabilities.

Further IDF actions in central Gaza saw the Nahal Infantry Brigade engaging and eliminating several Hamas operatives, with airstrikes providing crucial support to ground operations.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The average household energy bill will soon fall by 238 to 1,690 a year, as regulator Ofgem today confirmed its price cap for April 2024.

After the switching market collapsed following the 2021 energy price spike, the price cap limits the maximum amount an energy firm can charge for the units of gas and electricity households use, as well as daily standing charges.

Ofgem said the current 1,928-a-year average price-capped bill would fall 12.3 per cent.

The current price cap sets the energy bills paid by more than 80 per cent of UK homes, though the exact amount varies depending on gas and electricity use.

Falling: The Ofgem set price cap will fall to 1,690 from April

The headline price cap figure applies to households on variable-rate tariff energy deals paying by direct debit.

The April average price cap will run for three months until it is reset again in July 2024.

Ofgem said this morning: 'This will see energy prices reach their lowest level since Russia's invasion of the Ukraine in February 2022 caused a further spike in an already turbulent wholesale energy market, driving up costs for suppliers and ultimately customers.'

Richard Neudegg, of Uswitch.com, said: 'While no one will be describing 1,690 as cheap, after more than two years of eye-watering energy bills, hard-pressed households may finally dare to hope that the worst is over.

'A significant 12 per cent average drop in rates from current levels  and the lowest cap in two years  is a reflection that the wholesale energy market has been moving in the right direction.

'This price cap will apply from the start of April to the end of June, so the prospect of lower prices does not help consumers trying to power through the rest of this winter.'

Why is the Ofgem price cap so important?

The price cap was brought in during January 2019 to stop energy firms overcharging customers on variable-rate tariffs.

Most households had fixed-rate energy deals at the time, and only moved onto variable-rate tariffs if they did not renew at the end of their term.

But after energy bills began rising in late 2021, gas and electricity companies responded by pulling all new fixed-rate deals from the market.

They did this to try to avoid the widespread collapse that affected many energy firms, which were suddenly being forced to sell power for far less than it cost them to buy it.

Because cheap fixed-rate deals had almost disappeared, almost all homes ended up on variable tariffs regulated by the Ofgem price cap.

How will the rates change from April?

Electricity rates

If you are on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) and pay for electricity by direct debit, you will pay on average 24.5p per kilowatt hour (kWh) compared to 28.62p today.

The daily standing charge will rise to 60.1p per day, up from 53.35p. This is based on the average across England, Scotland and Wales and includes VAT. See below: Standing charges in the spotlight.

Gas rates

If you are on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) and pay for your gas by direct debit, you will pay on average 6.04 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh) compared to 7.42p per hour today.

The daily standard charge is 31.43p per day, up from 29.6p today. This is based on the average across England, Scotland and Wales and includes VAT.

What is the future for energy bills?

The price cap is then reset in July and once again in October.

Cornwall Insight thinks the average gas and electricity bill will fall again to 1,465.07 in July, before rising to 1,523.95 in October.

When will cheap fixed energy deals come back?

A big question for households is whether lower, more stable energy bills could encourage energy firms to bring back cheap fixed-rate deals.

Fixed-rate tariffs have historically been far cheaper than variable rates, but dried up once energy prices began soaring in late 2021.

While energy companies have started relaunching fixed rate energy deals, many are more expensive than staying on the price cap, or only available to existing customers.

So should those on variable tariffs now consider a fix? Mr Neudegg adds: 'If you are on a standard variable tariff, now is a good time to start assessing your options.

'Some fixed deals available offer savings against the current price cap, but we expect there to be increased competition on the market now prices are set to fall in April.'

More falls: Cornwall Insight thinks the average gas and electricity bill will fall again in July

What else did Ofgem say?

Ofgem says the cost of living remains high and many households are struggling with their bills as standing charges rise and energy debt reaches a record figure of 3.1billion.

Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said: 'This is good news to see the price cap drop to its lowest level in more than two years  and to see energy bills for the average household drop by 690 since the peak of the crisis  but there are still big issues that we must tackle head-on to ensure we build a system that's more resilient for the long term and fairer to customers.

'That's why we are levelising standing charges to end the inequity of people with prepayment meters, many of whom are vulnerable and struggling, being charged more up-front for their energy than other customers.

'We also need to address the risk posed by stubbornly high levels of debt in the system, so we must introduce a temporary payment to help prevent an unsustainable situation leading to higher bills in the future.

'We'll be stepping back to look at issues surrounding debt and affordability across market for struggling consumers, which we'll be announcing soon.

'These steps highlight the limitations of the current system  we can only move costs around  so we welcome news that the Government is opening the conversation on the future of price regulation, seeking views on how standard energy deals can be made more flexible so customers pay less if using electricity when prices are lower.

'But longer term we need to think about what more can be done for those who simply cannot afford to pay their energy bills even as prices fall.

'As we return to something closer to normality we have an opportunity to reset and reframe the energy market to make sure it's ready to protect customers if prices rise again.'

Standing charges in the spotlight

Households have seen standing charges rocket in the past decade, which means even if you cut back on energy usage, this part of the bill doesn't change.

The price cap change in April will see the standing charge part of consumer energy bills increase again.

As a result, Ofgem said that while increasing network costs has contributed to the rise in standing charges it is currently reviewing more than 40,000 responses to its call for input over the charges that it asked for in November 2023.

How can you save on your bills?

The million dollar question. We are still more than a month away from April when this new price cap kicks in, so in the meantime you could consider draught proofing and reducing the flow rate on your boiler.

You may also want to consider better insulation and fitting thermostatic radiator valves.

If you are struggling, you can take a look at what help is available to you from your supplier.

Read more here: How to save money on energy: What you need to know and energy-saving tips that work
Rolls-Royce more than doubled profits last year as a turnaround led by boss Tufan Erginbilgic paid off amid a recovery in air travel.

The engineering giant made 1.6billion in 2023, up from 652million in the previous year, sending its share price up as much as 11 per cent.

And it has forecast further growth, with earnings on track to hit up to 2billion in 2024.

Earnings for last year beat analysts expectations of 1.4billion but the firms investors were left without a shareholder payout. The British defence company last paid a dividend in 2019.

Rolls-Royce explained that it was committed to resuming dividends once the strength of our balance sheet is assured.

Big boost: Profits at Rolls-Royce have risen by more than 200% since Tufan Erginbilgic (pictured) took over as boss

Julie Palmer, a partner at Begbies Traynor, said: Rolls-Royce investors might feel short-changed by the lack of shareholder payments, despite the improved performance in 2023.

Since former BP executive Erginbilgic, who has pledged to quadruple profits by 2027, took over the 118-year-old group in January 2023, shares have soared more than 200 per cent.

Yesterday, they climbed 8.3 per cent, or 27.3p, to 356.8p. Rolls was the FTSE 100s biggest riser in 2023, with shares enjoying their best year since the 1987 public listing.

Erginbilgic said: Our transformation has delivered a record performance in 2023, driven by commercial optimisation, cost efficiencies and progress on our strategic initiatives.

Rolls spent years underperforming under previous bosses and came close to bankruptcy during the pandemic.

When Erginbilgic took over last year he described the firm as a burning platform.

Yesterday, it confirmed that it had already made 150million of the between 400million to 500million cost savings outlined in a transformation plan.

Last year it announced plans to cut 2,500 jobs, which is up to 6 per cent of its workforce, a measure that will mainly affect non-engineering roles.

Rolls is targeting making a profit of 2.8billion by 2027 and is hoping to fatten margins at its main civil aerospace business to as much as 17 per cent.

The company forecast operating profit of between 1.7billion and 2billion for 2024 but warned that supply chain challenges would continue for up to another two years.

Erginbilgic also used the results to take a swipe at the Government, warning that the first of its mini-nuclear reactors could be built in Europe instead of Britain if ministers fail to accelerate their decision-making.

He said he was confident the Derby companys small modular reactor (SMR) technology was still far ahead of competitors.

But he said time was running out for the UK to benefit from its first mover advantage, as Rolls has also held talks about deploying SMRs in eastern Europe.

It comes as Great British Nuclear (GBN), the public body that was set up to lead the UKs nuclear power revival, is preparing to choose which SMR prototypes to support from a shortlist of six companies, including Rolls.

After delays to the process, GBN has promised that it will unveil winners this spring.

But Erginbilgic warned the selection would not mean anything unless detailed decisions are taken within months on where the reactors will be built.

Quilter Cheviot equity analyst Jarek Pominkiewicz said: The impressive results were supported by the companys transformation programme and strategic initiatives, which aimed to improve its commercial optimisation and cost efficiency across the group... the recovery is very much on track.

The engine maker said revenue jumped 21 per cent from 12.7billion to 15.4billion last year.

Sales were boosted as governments upped their military spending amid heightened global tensions in 2023.

And a recovery in air travel, as demand for holidays soared, helped to push up sales and profits.

In its civil aerospace business, large-engine flying hours  a key performance measure  recovered to 88 per cent of 2019 levels, up from 65 per cent in 2022.

Orders for large engines hit a 15-year high, with major purchases by Air India and Turkish Airlines.

And the company forecast that transactions will bounce back or beat pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024.
Recovery: The purchasing managers index showed business activity in the UK picking up speed

Britains private sector is growing at the fastest pace for nine months according to new figures adding to evidence that the recession is already over.

The purchasing managers index (PMI) showed business activity picking up speed  in stark contrast to data showing a deepening downturn in Germany.

UK GDP shrank for two quarters in a row late last year, meeting the technical definition of recession, but there are signs it has started to bounce back.

The flash PMI survey for February gave a reading of 53.3 on an index where any score above 50 shows activity is growing.

Chris Williamson, at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiled the figures, said: Faster growth has now been recorded for four straight months.

He said the survey pointed to the economy growing by between 0.2 per cent and 0.3 per cent in the first quarter of this year, and the highest level of business optimism for two years.

Simon Wells, an economist at HSBC said: We are not out of the woods, but todays PMIs add weight to the argument that the UK economy has turned a corner.

The figures come days after Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey suggested that the very small recession at the end of last year could already be over.

The UK looks set to emerge from recession just as Germany enters one.

Yesterdays PMI figures from the country pointed to a deepening contraction which was led by a sharp and accelerated reduction in manufacturing.
Equities research analysts at StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of AMCON Distributing (NYSEAMERICAN:DIT  Get Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday. The brokerage set a hold rating on the stock.

Separately, TheStreet lowered shares of AMCON Distributing from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th.

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AMCON Distributing Trading Up 0.5 %

NYSEAMERICAN:DIT opened at $197.00 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 3.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $124.11 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.75 and a beta of 0.51. AMCON Distributing has a 52 week low of $160.00 and a 52 week high of $249.99.

AMCON Distributing (NYSEAMERICAN:DIT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 18th. The company reported $1.78 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $644.96 million during the quarter. AMCON Distributing had a net margin of 0.38% and a return on equity of 9.82%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AMCON Distributing

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in AMCON Distributing by 83.5% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 312 shares of the companys stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 142 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in AMCON Distributing by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 20,255 shares of the companys stock worth $3,146,000 after buying an additional 153 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in AMCON Distributing by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 10,726 shares of the companys stock worth $1,748,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the period. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new position in AMCON Distributing in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $203,000. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada bought a new position in AMCON Distributing in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $103,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 11.97% of the companys stock.

AMCON Distributing Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AMCON Distributing Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the wholesale distribution of consumer products in the Central, Rocky Mountain, and Mid-South regions of the United States. It operates through Wholesale Distribution and Retail Health Food segments. The Wholesale Distribution segment distributes consumer products, including cigarettes and tobacco products, candy and other confectionery, beverages, groceries, paper products, health and beauty care products, frozen and refrigerated products, and institutional foodservice products.

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Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) had its price objective upped by Scotiabank from C$135.00 to C$145.00 in a research report released on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. Scotiabank currently has an outperform rating on the banks stock.

A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on BMO. Bank of America raised shares of Bank of Montreal from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from C$120.00 to C$145.00 in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Desjardins lifted their price target on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$130.00 to C$135.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. Cormark cut their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$128.00 to C$127.00 in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$138.00 to C$128.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 23rd. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$135.00 to C$137.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of Montreal presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$132.95.

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Bank of Montreal Price Performance

Bank of Montreal stock opened at C$127.80 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$127.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$118.07. Bank of Montreal has a fifty-two week low of C$102.67 and a fifty-two week high of C$132.16. The firm has a market capitalization of C$92.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.50, a PEG ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.18.

Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, December 1st. The bank reported C$2.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$2.86 by C($0.05). Bank of Montreal had a return on equity of 5.91% and a net margin of 15.04%. The firm had revenue of C$8.36 billion for the quarter. As a group, analysts predict that Bank of Montreal will post 12.0940171 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of Montreal Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 27th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.51 per share. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.73%. This is an increase from Bank of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.47. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 29th. Bank of Montreals payout ratio is presently 106.34%.

About Bank of Montreal

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The company's personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products.

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of TELUS (NYSE:TU  Free Report) (TSE:T) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report report published on Tuesday.

TU has been the topic of several other research reports. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on TELUS from $27.00 to $26.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of TELUS from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th.

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TELUS Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE TU opened at $18.06 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The firms 50-day moving average price is $17.86 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.41. TELUS has a 52-week low of $15.47 and a 52-week high of $21.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.00, a P/E/G ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.75.

TELUS (NYSE:TU  Get Free Report) (TSE:T) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 9th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.24 billion. TELUS had a return on equity of 7.81% and a net margin of 4.18%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.17 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that TELUS will post 0.78 earnings per share for the current year.

TELUS Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 11th will be paid a $0.2793 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 8th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.19%. This is an increase from TELUSs previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. TELUSs payout ratio is 258.14%.

Institutional Trading of TELUS

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of TELUS by 6.8% during the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 64,912,751 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $1,263,077,000 after acquiring an additional 4,127,554 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of TELUS by 18.4% during the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 40,669,392 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $727,275,000 after acquiring an additional 6,334,692 shares in the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. boosted its stake in shares of TELUS by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 35,614,595 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $633,584,000 after acquiring an additional 1,326,999 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its stake in shares of TELUS by 15.5% during the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 28,705,377 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $511,646,000 after acquiring an additional 3,860,487 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Nova Scotia boosted its stake in shares of TELUS by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 22,881,520 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $407,205,000 after acquiring an additional 1,250,827 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 49.48% of the companys stock.

TELUS Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network services; healthcare services; mobile technologies equipment; data services, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain and consumer goods technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services, as well as mobile and fixed voice and data telecommunications services and products.

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Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI  Get Free Report) and W. P. Carey (NYSE:WPC  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability and earnings.

Volatility & Risk

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a beta of 1.68, meaning that its share price is 68% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, W. P. Carey has a beta of 0.89, meaning that its share price is 11% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance and W. P. Careys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance 16.87% 6.51% 1.57% W. P. Carey 40.68% 7.78% 3.80%

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance $344.59 million 4.47 $58.13 million $0.30 36.10 W. P. Carey $1.74 billion 7.11 $708.33 million $3.30 17.15

This table compares Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance and W. P. Careys revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

W. P. Carey has higher revenue and earnings than Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance. W. P. Carey is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations for Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance and W. P. Carey, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance 0 4 0 0 2.00 W. P. Carey 2 7 1 0 1.90

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance presently has a consensus target price of $10.33, suggesting a potential downside of 4.59%. W. P. Carey has a consensus target price of $65.80, suggesting a potential upside of 16.27%. Given W. P. Careys higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe W. P. Carey is more favorable than Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance.

Dividends

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance pays an annual dividend of $1.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 12.9%. W. P. Carey pays an annual dividend of $3.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.1%. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance pays out 466.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. W. P. Carey pays out 104.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

53.7% of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 62.6% of W. P. Carey shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of W. P. Carey shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

W. P. Carey beats Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance on 12 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

(Get Free Report)

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that originates, acquires, invests in, and manages commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings, and other commercial real estate-related debt investments in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. It is qualified as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal income taxes, if the company distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is based in New York, New York.

About W. P. Carey

(Get Free Report)

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, W. P. Carey ranks among the largest net lease REITs with a well-diversified portfolio of high-quality, operationally critical commercial real estate, which includes 1,413 net lease properties covering approximately 171 million square feet and a portfolio of 86 self-storage operating properties, pro forma for the Spin-Off of NLOP, as of September 30, 2023. With offices in New York, London, Amsterdam and Dallas, the company remains focused on investing primarily in single-tenant, industrial, warehouse and retail properties located in the U.S. and Northern and Western Europe, under long-term net leases with built-in rent escalations.

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Barclays (NYSE:BCS  Get Free Report) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (OTCMKTS:CBAUF  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 risk, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability and institutional ownership.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

3.4% of Barclays shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 13.6% of Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Barclays shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings for Barclays and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Barclays 1 1 2 0 2.25 Commonwealth Bank of Australia 0 0 0 0 N/A

Profitability

This table compares Barclays and Commonwealth Bank of Australias net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Barclays 16.82% 6.14% 0.27% Commonwealth Bank of Australia N/A N/A N/A

Dividends

Barclays pays an annual dividend of $0.26 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Commonwealth Bank of Australia pays an annual dividend of $3.83 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.3%. Barclays pays out 19.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Commonwealth Bank of Australia pays out 73.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Barclays and Commonwealth Bank of Australias revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Barclays $31.56 billion 1.02 $7.33 billion $1.37 6.17 Commonwealth Bank of Australia N/A N/A N/A $5.22 13.85

Barclays has higher revenue and earnings than Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Barclays is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Commonwealth Bank of Australia, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Barclays beats Commonwealth Bank of Australia on 7 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Barclays

(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. The company also engages in securities dealing activities. The company was formerly known as Barclays Bank Limited and changed its name to Barclays PLC in January 1985. Barclays PLC was founded in 1690 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

About Commonwealth Bank of Australia

(Get Free Report)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia provides financial services in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking Services, Business Banking, Institutional Banking and Markets, and New Zealand segments. The company offers transaction, savings, and foreign currency accounts; term deposits; personal and business loans; overdrafts; equipment finance; credit cards; international payment and trade; and private banking services, as well as home and car loans. It also provides retail, premium, business, offshore, and institutional banking services; and funds management, superannuation, and share broking products and services, as well as car, health, life, income protection, and travel insurance. In addition, the company offers advisory services for high-net-worth individuals; equities trading and margin lending services; debt capital, transaction banking, working capital, and risk management services; and international and foreign exchange services. Commonwealth Bank of Australia was founded in 1911 and is based in Sydney, Australia.

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DataHorizzon Research

Fort Collins, Colorado, Feb. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helsinki, Finland, recently held the 13th Annual Lignofuels conference on February 7th and 8th, hosted by Active Communications International (ACI). On the backdrop of the strategic importance of Lignofuels at the global level, the event witnessed participants from all over the globe and discussed key points such as technology and innovative developments, biofuels legislations, assorted feedstock, identifying the market gaps and opportunities in the biofuels industry, lignofuels in aviation, automotive, and marine industries.





Lignocellulosic Biomass for Eco-Sustainability

Lignofuels are popular in the oil & gas, agriculture, and feedstock industry. For marine and aerospace, biofuels offer reliance on low-carbon emissions and are suitable as an alternative to fossil fuels. It is an abundantly available biomass derived from the plants dry matter. Chemically, it comprises two carbohydrate polymers, cellulose and hemicellulose, and lignin, which has aromatic features. Therefore, all these elements together constitute Lignocellulosic biomass. This is further classified into waste biomass, energy crops, and virgin biomass.

Lignocellulosic biomass and eco-sustainability

Strategic Collaborations and Biofuel Developments from 2023:

As lignofuels have low carbon content and are plentiful available at the earths surface, they absorb essential minerals that contribute back to the natural ecosystem. From a consumption perspective, lignofuels are perceived as a diversified renewable energy source that reduces dependence on fossil fuels and enhances geopolitical stability. This also lowers the dependence on oil imports and reduces the associated environmental hazards.

Origin Materials Strategic Partnered with Proman- According to news published by Indian Chemical News in August 2023, Origin Materials, a leading carbon-negative materials company, partnered with Proman to produce low-carbon biofuels. This agreement has led both parties to explore and distribute low-carbon biofuels. Origin officials have expressed a huge interest in the biofuel market, which is fast-growing and heading towards decarbonization. Proman is a leading name across construction, engineering, and procurement, focusing on sustainability. This collaboration will drive the use of biomass-derived fuels in the coming years and reduce carbon emissions to a large extent.

Story continues

Petrobras and MIC Capital Partners collaborate on the biofuels study- MIC capital partners and Petrobras have signed a MoU to study downstream segment projects from Petrobras with a major impetus on biorefining. (MIC Capital is a multi-strategy equity investment fund of Mubadala Capital Group). The Mubadala Capital Group has focused on developing renewable and sustainable jet fuel under an integrated biorefinery project in Bahia, Brazil. The four-year strategic plan (20242028) would strengthen Brazils position in the renewable fuels sector at national and international levels. Moreover, this initiative diversifies Petrobrass portfolio and highlights their move towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Global Biofuels Alliance to Receive A Huge Political Reception- The Global Biofuels Alliance was organized in Goa in July 2023. The event received a huge reception from G20 countries and beyond. Sideline to this event, the Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting was organized as a standalone consultation event highlighting Fuels for Future (3F) as a key area. As a part of the alliance, political delegates from Argentina, Canada, Italy, Mauritius, Paraguay, Kenya, Seychelles, the U.S., Uganda, and UAE made their presence. Besides, the heads from International organizations such as International Civil Aviation, Biofuture Platform, International Energy Agency, International Energy Forum, International Renewable Energy Agency, World Biogas Association, World Economic Forum, and World Bank also attended the event. This signifies a giant step towards developing biofuels under a multi-stakeholder alliance.

Lignofuels in Aviation, Automotive, and Marine Industries:

The aviation industry has been a huge consumer of fossil fuels. The emergence of biofuel can reduce operational costs and increase reliance. For instance, bio-jet fuels can meet the aviation industry's desired standards as they can be mixed with conventional jet fuel without additional modifications.

Petrol, gasoline, and diesel have been crucial to the transportation industry as the fleet mainly relies on their consumption. Biobutanol and Bioethanol blend with petrol and reduce carbon emissions. Moreover, these offer similar chemical properties to petrol and diesel and can be used as drop-in biofuel to enforce a seamless transition to renewable transportation fuels.

For marine applications, renewable diesel emerges as a significant alternative to petrol. Besides, the IMO (International Maritime Organization) has incorporated regulations that lessen sulfur emissions. Lignofuels offer a high capability to meet these regulations by providing renewable low-sulfur alternatives. Bio-LNG offers marine with lower emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides.

Identifying the Market Gaps and Opportunities in the Biofuels Industry:

Despite the promising future, biofuel production plants face supply-chain and logistical challenges. For instance, developing a cost-effective and sustainable feedstock might create supply challenges. From a technological aspect, biofuel production processes can encounter conversion challenges that might be responsible for lowering process efficiency. Also, limited market acceptance and consumer awareness are still prevalent in major countries.

However, with the increasing government support and initiatives towards developing and deploying biofuels, there are several opportunities for the production of lignofuels through incentives, supportive policies, tax credits, and grants for research and development.

For companies willing to invest in biofuel production, there are potential investment opportunities for investors willing to spend on the construction and commercialization of biofuel plant production. Also, public-private partnerships can lessen the risk associated with the logistics. Exploring unchartered markets, promoting biofuel benefits, and developing sustainable applications for bio-products and lignofuels can spark growth opportunities.

About DataHorizzon Research:

DataHorizzon is a market research and advisory company that assists organizations across the globe in formulating growth strategies for changing business dynamics. Its offerings include consulting services across enterprises and business insights to make actionable decisions. DHRs comprehensive research methodology for predicting long-term and sustainable trends in the market facilitates complex decisions for organizations.

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Japan Exchange Group (OTCMKTS:JPXGY  Get Free Report) and MSCI (NYSE:MSCI  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, earnings and dividends.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Japan Exchange Group and MSCIs gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Japan Exchange Group N/A N/A N/A $49.88 0.26 MSCI $2.53 billion 17.68 $1.15 billion $14.40 39.27

MSCI has higher revenue and earnings than Japan Exchange Group. Japan Exchange Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than MSCI, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Japan Exchange Group N/A N/A N/A MSCI 45.42% -111.17% 21.37%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

This table compares Japan Exchange Group and MSCIs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

88.6% of MSCI shares are held by institutional investors. 3.1% of MSCI shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations for Japan Exchange Group and MSCI, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Japan Exchange Group 0 0 0 0 N/A MSCI 3 3 8 0 2.36

MSCI has a consensus target price of $578.21, suggesting a potential upside of 2.25%. Given MSCIs higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe MSCI is more favorable than Japan Exchange Group.

Summary

MSCI beats Japan Exchange Group on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Japan Exchange Group

(Get Free Report)

Japan Exchange Group, Inc. operates as a financial instruments exchange holding company in Japan. The company engages in the operation of financial instruments exchange markets for trading listed securities and derivatives instruments to market users; publication of stock prices and quotations; provision of market facilities for trading of commodity derivatives, physical commodities, and commodity index futures; self-regulatory operations, such as listing examination, listed company compliance, market surveillance, and inspections and examinations of trading participants. It also provides clearing and settlement, and market-related services. The company was incorporated in 1949 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

About MSCI

(Get Free Report)

MSCI Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides critical decision support tools and solutions for the investment community to manage investment processes worldwide. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed financial product, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, and over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct. The Analytics segment offers risk management, performance attribution and portfolio management content, application, an integrated view of risk and return service, and an analysis of market, credit, liquidity, counterparty, and climate risk across asset classes; managed services, including consolidation of client portfolio data, review and reconciliation of input data and results, and customized reporting; and HedgePlatform to measure, evaluate, and monitor the risk of hedge fund investments. The ESG and Climate segment provides products and services that help institutional investors understand how ESG impacts the long-term risk and return of their portfolio and individual security-level investments; and data, ratings, research, and tools to help investors navigate increasing regulation. The All Other Private Assets segment includes real estate and infrastructure data, benchmarks, return-analytics, climate assessments and market insights; business intelligence to real estate owners, managers, developers, and brokers; and offers investment decision support tools for private capital. The Private Capital Solutions segment offers tools to help private asset investors across mission-critical workflows, such as sourcing terms and conditions, evaluating operating performance, managing risk and other activities supporting private capital investing. MSCI Inc. was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:HWM  Free Report) had its price objective raised by Barclays from $60.00 to $65.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. UBS Group raised their target price on Howmet Aerospace from $57.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Howmet Aerospace from $61.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on Howmet Aerospace in a research report on Friday, January 5th. They issued an outperform rating and a $67.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Howmet Aerospace from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, KeyCorp raised their target price on Howmet Aerospace from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Howmet Aerospace has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $61.15.

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Howmet Aerospace Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE HWM opened at $65.06 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.55, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.40. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $56.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $51.22. Howmet Aerospace has a 52-week low of $38.17 and a 52-week high of $65.12.

Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:HWM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.65 billion. Howmet Aerospace had a return on equity of 20.12% and a net margin of 11.52%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.38 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Howmet Aerospace will post 2.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Howmet Aerospace Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th will be given a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.31%. Howmet Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is currently 10.93%.

Institutional Trading of Howmet Aerospace

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brasada Capital Management LP lifted its position in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 20.0% in the second quarter. Brasada Capital Management LP now owns 18,000 shares of the companys stock worth $892,000 after buying an additional 3,000 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 15.0% in the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 347,072 shares of the companys stock worth $16,052,000 after purchasing an additional 45,246 shares during the period. Czech National Bank increased its stake in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 57.2% in the third quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 68,443 shares of the companys stock worth $3,165,000 after purchasing an additional 24,900 shares during the period. Chase Investment Counsel Corp increased its stake in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 1.1% in the third quarter. Chase Investment Counsel Corp now owns 81,328 shares of the companys stock worth $3,761,000 after purchasing an additional 916 shares during the period. Finally, Duality Advisers LP bought a new position in shares of Howmet Aerospace in the third quarter worth about $1,063,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.67% of the companys stock.

About Howmet Aerospace

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Howmet Aerospace Inc provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries in the United States, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Italy, Canada, Poland, China, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Engine Products, Fastening Systems, Engineered Structures, and Forged Wheels.

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GeoPark (NYSE:GPRK  Free Report) had its price target reduced by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $12.00 to $11.00 in a research report released on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the oil and gas companys stock.

GeoPark Price Performance

Shares of GPRK opened at $8.58 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $8.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $481.51 million, a PE ratio of 3.61 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10. GeoPark has a twelve month low of $8.05 and a twelve month high of $13.98.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On GeoPark

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. WINTON GROUP Ltd raised its holdings in shares of GeoPark by 86.9% in the third quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 29,124 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $299,000 after acquiring an additional 13,538 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in shares of GeoPark by 3.4% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,123,949 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $30,958,000 after acquiring an additional 102,586 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of GeoPark by 40.6% during the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 128,662 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,323,000 after acquiring an additional 37,172 shares during the last quarter. Mork Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of GeoPark during the third quarter valued at $720,000. Finally, Armstrong Fleming & Moore Inc boosted its stake in shares of GeoPark by 3.7% during the third quarter. Armstrong Fleming & Moore Inc now owns 168,555 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,733,000 after acquiring an additional 5,964 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.79% of the companys stock.

GeoPark Company Profile

GeoPark Limited engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas reserves in Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador. GeoPark Limited has a strategic partnership with ONGC Videsh to jointly acquire, invest in, and create value from upstream oil and gas projects across Latin America.

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Cantor Fitzgerald restated their overweight rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) in a research note published on Tuesday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a $140.00 target price on the stock.

A number of other analysts have also commented on the company. UBS Group began coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $120.00 target price on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $121.25.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance

Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend

Shares of Novo Nordisk A/S stock opened at $124.51 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $558.74 billion, a PE ratio of 46.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.41. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 52 week low of $67.66 and a 52 week high of $124.86. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $109.99 and a 200-day moving average price of $90.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

The firm also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $0.664 per share. This represents a yield of 0.9%. This is a boost from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. Novo Nordisk A/Ss payout ratio is presently 22.92%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Novo Nordisk A/S

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Kranot Hishtalmut Le Morim Tichoniim Havera Menahelet LTD purchased a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the third quarter worth about $2,408,000. Benedict Financial Advisors Inc. grew its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 94.0% during the third quarter. Benedict Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 44,292 shares of the companys stock worth $4,028,000 after buying an additional 21,457 shares in the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co grew its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 111.6% during the third quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 6,004 shares of the companys stock worth $546,000 after buying an additional 3,166 shares in the last quarter. Green Square Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 103.7% during the third quarter. Green Square Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,612 shares of the companys stock worth $238,000 after buying an additional 1,330 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 136.6% in the 3rd quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 27,474 shares of the companys stock worth $2,498,000 after purchasing an additional 15,860 shares in the last quarter. 6.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Novo Nordisk A/S

(Get Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

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Helmerich & Payne (NYSE:HP  Free Report) had its price objective raised by Piper Sandler from $41.00 to $44.00 in a research note published on Tuesday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the oil and gas companys stock.

HP has been the subject of several other reports. Atb Cap Markets lowered shares of Helmerich & Payne from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 16th. Benchmark lowered shares of Helmerich & Payne from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Helmerich & Payne from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Barclays lowered shares of Helmerich & Payne from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lowered their target price for the company from $44.00 to $40.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Helmerich & Payne from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Helmerich & Payne currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $42.63.

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Helmerich & Payne Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of HP opened at $38.77 on Tuesday. Helmerich & Payne has a 1-year low of $30.41 and a 1-year high of $46.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.25, a PEG ratio of 8.37 and a beta of 1.52. The firms 50-day moving average price is $36.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $39.13. The company has a current ratio of 2.11, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20.

Helmerich & Payne (NYSE:HP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.97 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.24. Helmerich & Payne had a net margin of 15.27% and a return on equity of 15.06%. The business had revenue of $677.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $661.81 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.11 earnings per share. Helmerich & Paynes quarterly revenue was down 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Helmerich & Payne will post 3.49 EPS for the current year.

Helmerich & Payne Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 27th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 13th will be given a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 12th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.33%. This is an increase from Helmerich & Paynes previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. Helmerich & Paynes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.87%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Helmerich & Payne

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Global Alpha Capital Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 51.6% during the third quarter. Global Alpha Capital Management Ltd. now owns 559,491 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $23,588,000 after acquiring an additional 190,400 shares in the last quarter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC increased its position in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 4,189.1% during the third quarter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 31,439 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,325,000 after acquiring an additional 30,706 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates increased its position in shares of Helmerich & Payne by 189.6% during the third quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 51,946 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,190,000 after acquiring an additional 34,007 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund bought a new stake in Helmerich & Payne in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,350,000. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System grew its position in Helmerich & Payne by 21.7% in the 3rd quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 179,550 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $7,570,000 after purchasing an additional 31,973 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 96.05% of the companys stock.

Helmerich & Payne Company Profile

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Founded in 1920, Helmerich & Payne, Inc (H&P) (NYSE: HP) is committed to delivering industry leading levels of drilling productivity and reliability. H&P operates with the highest level of integrity, safety and innovation to deliver superior results for its customers and returns for shareholders.

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Regal Investment Advisors LLC decreased its position in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) by 37.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,079 shares of the natural resource companys stock after selling 4,152 shares during the period. Regal Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $264,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 102.9% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 8,698,016 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $355,838,000 after purchasing an additional 4,410,429 shares during the last quarter. Capital Wealth Planning LLC bought a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 3rd quarter valued at $160,160,000. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC acquired a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 3rd quarter worth $141,407,000. Capital Research Global Investors raised its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 6.5% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 59,495,524 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $2,379,818,000 after buying an additional 3,630,991 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1,678.9% during the 2nd quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 2,098,587 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $209,859,000 after buying an additional 1,980,616 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.96% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Eight Capital set a $55.00 target price on Freeport-McMoRan and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. UBS Group cut their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their target price for the company from $41.00 to $48.50 in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Finally, Raymond James increased their price objective on Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $44.95.

Freeport-McMoRan Stock Performance

FCX stock opened at $38.67 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $55.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.45 and a beta of 2.06. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 1 year low of $32.83 and a 1 year high of $44.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.42 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $40.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.42.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The natural resource company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.85 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 8.41% and a net margin of 8.09%. Freeport-McMoRans revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.52 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 12th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 11th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.55%. Freeport-McMoRans payout ratio is 23.62%.

Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile

(Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

Further Reading

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Knife River (NYSE:KNF  Get Free Report) is one of 29 publicly-traded companies in the Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Knife River to related businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, risk and valuation.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

67.1% of Knife River shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 50.1% of shares of all Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies are owned by institutional investors. 7.0% of shares of all Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Profitability

This table compares Knife River and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Knife River 6.46% 15.98% 7.14% Knife River Competitors 22.00% -21.03% 4.56%

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Knife River $2.83 billion $182.90 million -0.14 Knife River Competitors $2.61 billion $470.92 million 7.09

This table compares Knife River and its peers revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Knife River has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its peers. Knife River is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Knife River and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Knife River 0 0 5 0 3.00 Knife River Competitors 230 1068 1434 13 2.45

Knife River presently has a consensus price target of $72.20, indicating a potential upside of 0.11%. As a group, Mining & quarrying of nonmetallic minerals, except fuels companies have a potential upside of 20.20%. Given Knife Rivers peers higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Knife River has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

About Knife River

(Get Free Report)

Knife River Corporation provides aggregates-based construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through six segments: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, North Central, South, and Energy Services. The company mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as provides contracting services to support the aggregate-based product lines, including heavy-civil construction, asphalt and concrete paving, and site development and grading. It serves federal, state, and municipal governments for various projects, such as highways, bridges, airports, schools, public buildings, and other public-infrastructure projects. The company was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

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CI Investments Inc. cut its position in shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:PLTR  Free Report) by 29.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 21,076 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,846 shares during the period. CI Investments Inc.s holdings in Palantir Technologies were worth $337,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Palantir Technologies in the first quarter worth about $206,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its holdings in Palantir Technologies by 18.6% in the 1st quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 14,579 shares of the companys stock worth $200,000 after purchasing an additional 2,286 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Palantir Technologies in the 1st quarter worth about $1,475,000. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its position in Palantir Technologies by 38.3% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 226,834 shares of the companys stock worth $3,114,000 after purchasing an additional 62,814 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in Palantir Technologies by 71.9% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,153,018 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,832,000 after purchasing an additional 482,171 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 34.21% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Palantir Technologies news, Director Alexandra W. Schiff sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.92, for a total value of $79,680.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 204,783 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,079,277.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Palantir Technologies news, Director Alexandra W. Schiff sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.92, for a total value of $79,680.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 204,783 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,079,277.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Lauren Elaina Friedman Stat sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.10, for a total transaction of $125,500.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 181,830 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,563,933. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,054,397 shares of company stock worth $22,089,882. 13.96% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PLTR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Palantir Technologies from an underperform rating to a hold rating and increased their target price for the company from $13.00 to $22.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. HSBC downgraded shares of Palantir Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $22.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Palantir Technologies from $16.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Wedbush raised their price target on shares of Palantir Technologies from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an underperform rating and set a $5.00 price objective on shares of Palantir Technologies in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $16.71.

Get Our Latest Report on PLTR

Palantir Technologies Price Performance

Shares of Palantir Technologies stock opened at $23.60 on Friday. Palantir Technologies Inc. has a 1-year low of $7.19 and a 1-year high of $25.52. The stock has a market cap of $51.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 262.25, a P/E/G ratio of 5.58 and a beta of 2.66. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $18.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $17.45.

Palantir Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Palantir Technologies Inc builds and deploys software platforms for the intelligence community in the United States to assist in counterterrorism investigations and operations. The company provides Palantir Gotham, a software platform which enables users to identify patterns hidden deep within datasets, ranging from signals intelligence sources to reports from confidential informants, as well as facilitates the handoff between analysts and operational users, helping operators plan and execute real-world responses to threats that have been identified within the platform.

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Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI lessened its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 88.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,303 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 10,205 shares during the period. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RIs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $300,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,152,000. LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 9.5% in the 3rd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 395,830 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $91,164,000 after purchasing an additional 34,408 shares during the period. Dark Forest Capital Management LP increased its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 79.6% in the 3rd quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 10,339 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,381,000 after purchasing an additional 4,583 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 58.3% in the 3rd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 2,763 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $636,000 after purchasing an additional 1,018 shares during the period. Finally, Rathbones Group PLC acquired a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 3rd quarter valued at about $13,431,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.56% of the companys stock.

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Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 0.2 %

ITW opened at $258.67 on Friday. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 1-year low of $217.06 and a 1-year high of $267.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $77.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.56, a P/E/G ratio of 4.43 and a beta of 1.15. The business has a 50 day moving average of $257.67 and a 200-day moving average of $244.36.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.42 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.41 by $0.01. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 96.60% and a net margin of 18.36%. The company had revenue of $3.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.01 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.34 earnings per share. Illinois Tool Workss revenue for the quarter was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Investors of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a $1.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.16%. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is 57.49%.

Insider Activity at Illinois Tool Works

In related news, Chairman Ernest Scott Santi sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $254.44, for a total value of $12,722,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 221,015 shares in the company, valued at $56,235,056.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Sharon Szafranski sold 801 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $256.42, for a total value of $205,392.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,870 shares in the company, valued at $1,505,185.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Ernest Scott Santi sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $254.44, for a total value of $12,722,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 221,015 shares of the companys stock, valued at $56,235,056.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 152,304 shares of company stock worth $38,860,831. 0.88% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on ITW shares. Bank of America downgraded Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and dropped their target price for the company from $260.00 to $235.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Barclays boosted their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Wells Fargo & Company cut Illinois Tool Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and lowered their price target for the company from $277.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $244.00 to $256.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $238.00 to $239.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Illinois Tool Works currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $239.33.

View Our Latest Analysis on Illinois Tool Works

About Illinois Tool Works

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United states and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products.

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Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund boosted its position in Vipshop Holdings Limited (NYSE:VIPS  Free Report) by 68.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 317,500 shares of the technology companys stock after acquiring an additional 129,400 shares during the quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund owned 0.05% of Vipshop worth $5,083,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Natixis acquired a new position in shares of Vipshop in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Castleview Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Vipshop during the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Vipshop during the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Vipshop by 18.0% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,781 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 730 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in Vipshop by 3,900.0% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 8,000 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $132,000 after purchasing an additional 7,800 shares in the last quarter. 49.84% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Vipshop Price Performance

VIPS stock opened at $16.78 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $16.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.87. Vipshop Holdings Limited has a 52-week low of $13.37 and a 52-week high of $19.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.27 and a beta of 0.38.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on VIPS. TheStreet upgraded Vipshop from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Thursday, December 21st. Citigroup raised their target price on Vipshop from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $19.00 target price on shares of Vipshop in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Vipshop from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Vipshop has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $18.29.

View Our Latest Analysis on VIPS

Vipshop Company Profile

(Free Report)

Vipshop Holdings Limited operates online platforms in the People's Republic of China. It operates in Vip.com, Shan Shan Outlets, and Others segments. The company offers womenswear, menswear, sportswear, shoes and bags, accessories, baby and children products, skincare and cosmetics, home goods and other lifestyle products, and supermarket products.

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Moscow considers the sanctions of the European Union illegal, undermining the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, Azernews reports, citing TASS.

"The European Union continues its fruitless attempts to put pressure on Russia through unilateral restrictive measures. On February 23, the EU countries adopted the 13th package of sanctions. We consider such actions of the European Union illegal, undermining the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council. We confirm that any unfriendly actions by Western countries will continue to receive a timely and adequate response," the ministry said.

In response to the 13th package of EU sanctions Russia has already expanded the blacklist of community citizens who are prohibited from entering the country. According to the Ministry, it included citizens of the community responsible for providing military assistance to Kiev, as well as individuals involved in the persecution of Russian officials and advocating the confiscation of Russian state assets.

In addition, the response list includes representatives of the Council of Europe, members of legislative assemblies of European Union countries, members of the OSCE PA and PACE, who systematically make aggressive statements against Russia, the ministry added.
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Many Americans do more than dream about becoming millionaires. They proactively work to reach this milestone by saving money early and consistently and practice making sound investments. As they focus on hitting this financial goal, some may wonder if theres a ballpark timeline to strategically anticipate between now and the moment they are millionaires.

Discover More: The 5 Levels of Wealth and How To Get There

Find Out: 6 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)

To find out how long it takes to become a millionaire in every U.S. state, GOBankingRates used the median household income data from the 2022 American Community Survey and annual consumption data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2022 report. Once GOBankingRates found the difference between what a median household in every state earns and per capita consumption in each state, we divided that figure by 1 million. Doing so revealed the number of years, days and months it would take to reach $1 million in every state for those with just savings as well as those with savings and investments.

In alphabetical order, read on to find out how long it would take you to become a millionaire.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Alabama

Median income: $59,609

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $42,391

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $17,218

Savings after expenditures and investing: $18,165

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 58 years, 0 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 55 years, 0 months, 5 days

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Rocky Grimes / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Alaska

Median income: $86,370

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $59,179

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $27,191

Savings after expenditures and investing: $28,687

Story continues

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 36 years, 8 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 34 years, 9 months, 5 days

Read Next: 6 Ways To Build Wealth in Less Than Five Years

Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona

Median income: $72,581

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $50,123

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $22,458

Savings after expenditures and investing: $23,693

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 44 years, 5 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 42 years, 2 months, 5 days

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arkansas

Median income: $56,335

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $42,245

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $14,090

Savings after expenditures and investing: $14,865

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 70 years, 11 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 67 years, 2 months, 5 days

frankpeters / Getty Images

California

Median income: $91,905

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $60,272

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $31,633

Savings after expenditures and investing: $33,373

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 31 years, 7 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 29 years, 11 months, 5 days

benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Colorado

Median income: $87,598

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $59,371

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $28,227

Savings after expenditures and investing: $29,779

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 35 years, 4 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 33 years, 6 months, 5 days

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Connecticut

Median income: $90,213

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $60,413

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $29,800

Savings after expenditures and investing: $31,439

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 33 years, 6 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 31 years, 9 months, 5 days

pabradyphoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Delaware

Median income: $79,325

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $54,532

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $24,973

Savings after expenditures and investing: $26,157

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 40 years, 3 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 38 years, 2 months, 5 days

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

District of Columbia (DC)

Median income: $101,722

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $85,372

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $16,350

Savings after expenditures and investing: $17,249

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 61 years, 1 month, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 57 years, 11 months, 5 days

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Florida

Median income: $67,917

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $55,516

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $12,401

Savings after expenditures and investing: $13,083

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 80 years, 6 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 76 years, 4 months, 5 days

For You: Im a Multimillionaire  3 Ways I Maintain a Frugal Lifestyle To Stay That Way

Michael Warren / Getty Images

Georgia

Median income: $71,355

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $47,406

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $23,949

Savings after expenditures and investing: $25,266

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 41 years, 8 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 39 years, 6 months, 5 days

Art Wager / Getty Images

Hawaii

Median income: $94,814

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $54,655

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $40,159

Savings after expenditures and investing: $42,368

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 24 years,10 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 23 years, 7 months, 5 days

Jennifer_Sharp / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Idaho

Median income: $70,214

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $43,508

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $26,706

Savings after expenditures and investing: $28,175

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 37 years, 5 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 35 years, 5 months, 5 days

anderm / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Illinois

Median income: $78,433

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $54,341

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $24,092

Savings after expenditures and investing: $25,417

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 41 years, 5 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 39 years, 3 months, 5 days

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Indiana

Median income: $67,173

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $46,579

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $20,594

Savings after expenditures and investing: $21,727

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 48 years, 6 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 45 years, 11 months, 5 days

benkrut / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Iowa

Median income: $70,571

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $45,455

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $25,116

Savings after expenditures and investing: $26,497

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 39 years, 9 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 37 years, 8 months, 5 days

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kansas

Median income: $69,747

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $46,069

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $23,678

Savings after expenditures and investing: $24,980

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 42 years, 2 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 40 years, 0 months, 5 days

hstiver / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kentucky

Median income: $60,183

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $44,193

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $15,990

Savings after expenditures and investing: $16,869

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 62 years, 5 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 59 years, 2 months, 5 days

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Louisiana

Median income: $57,852

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $45,178

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $12,674

Savings after expenditures and investing: $13,371

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 78 years, 10 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 74 years, 8 months, 5 days

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Maine

Median income: $68,251

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $55,789

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $12,462

Savings after expenditures and investing: $13,147

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 80 years, 2 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 76 years, 0 months, 5 days

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Maryland

Median income: $98,461

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $52,651

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $45,810

Savings after expenditures and investing: $48,330

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 21 years, 9 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 20 years, 8 months, 5 days

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Massachusetts

Median income: $96,505

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $62,214

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $34,291

Savings after expenditures and investing: $36,177

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 29 years, 1 month, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 27 years, 7 months, 5 days

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Michigan

Median income: $68,505

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $49,482

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $19,023

Savings after expenditures and investing: $20,069

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 52 years, 6 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 49 years, 9 months, 5 days

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Minnesota

Median income: $84,313

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $52,849

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $31,464

Savings after expenditures and investing: $33,195

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 31 years, 9 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 30 years, 1 month, 5 days

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Mississippi

Median income: $52,985

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $39,678

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $13,307

Savings after expenditures and investing: $14,039

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 75 years, 1 month, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 71 years, 2 months, 5 days

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Missouri

Median income: $65,920

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $48,613

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $17,307

Savings after expenditures and investing: $18,259

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 57 years, 8 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 54 years, 8 months, 5 days

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Montana

Median income: $66,341

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $51,913

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $14,428

Savings after expenditures and investing: $15,222

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 69 years, 3 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 65 years, 7 months, 5 days

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Nebraska

Median income: $71,722

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $49,522

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $22,200

Savings after expenditures and investing: $23,421

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 45 years, 0 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 42 years, 7 months, 5 days

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Nevada

Median income: $71,646

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $50,922

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $20,724

Savings after expenditures and investing: $21,864

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 48 years, 2 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 45 years, 8 months, 5 days

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New Hampshire

Median income: $90,845

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $60,828

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $30,017

Savings after expenditures and investing: $31,668

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 33 years, 3 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 31 years, 6 months, 5 days

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New Jersey

Median income: $97,126

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $60,082

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $37,044

Savings after expenditures and investing: $39,081

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 26 years, 11 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 25 years, 6 months, 5 days

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Mexico

Median income: $58,722

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $43,336

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $15,386

Savings after expenditures and investing: $16,232

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 64 years, 11 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 61 years, 6 months, 5 days

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New York

Median income: $81,386

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $58,571

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $22,815

Savings after expenditures and investing: $24,070

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 43 years, 9 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 41 years, 6 months, 5 days

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North Carolina

Median income: $66,186

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $47,834

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $18,352

Savings after expenditures and investing: $19,361

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 54 years, 5 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 51 years, 7 months, 5 days

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North Dakota

Median income: $73,959

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $52,631

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $21,328

Savings after expenditures and investing: $22,501

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 46 years, 10 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 44 years, 4 months, 5 days

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Ohio

Median income: $66,990

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $47,768

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $19,222

Savings after expenditures and investing: $20,279

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 51 years, 11 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 49 years, 3 months, 5 days

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Oklahoma

Median income: $61,364

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $42,046

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $19,318

Savings after expenditures and investing: $20,380

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 51 years, 8 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 49 years, 0 months, 5 days

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Oregon

Median income: $76,632

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $52,159

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $24,473

Savings after expenditures and investing: $25,819

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 40 years, 9 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 38 years, 8 months, 5 days

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Pennsylvania

Median income: $73,170

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $53,703

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $19,467

Savings after expenditures and investing: $20,538

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 51 years, 4 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 48 years, 7 months, 5 days

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Rhode Island

Median income: $81,370

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $52,820

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $28,550

Savings after expenditures and investing: $30,120

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 34 years, 11 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 33 years, 2 months, 5 days

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South Carolina

Median income: $63,623

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $46,220

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $17,403

Savings after expenditures and investing: $18,360

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 57 years, 5 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 54 years, 5 months, 5 days

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

South Dakota

Median income: $69,457

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $48,997

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $20,460

Savings after expenditures and investing: $21,585

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 48 years, 10 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 46 years, 3 months, 5 days

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Tennessee

Median income: $64,035

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $46,280

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $17,755

Savings after expenditures and investing: $18,732

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 56 years, 3 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 53 years, 4 months, 5 days

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Texas

Median income: $73,035

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $49,082

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $23,953

Savings after expenditures and investing: $25,270

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 41 years, 8 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 39 years, 6 months, 5 days

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Utah

Median income: $86,833

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $48,189

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $38,644

Savings after expenditures and investing: $40,769

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 25 years, 10 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 24 years, 6 months, 5 days

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Vermont

Median income: $74,014

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $55,743

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $18,271

Savings after expenditures and investing: $19,276

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 54 years, 8 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 51 years, 10 months, 5 days

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Virginia

Median income: $87,249

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $52,057

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $35,192

Savings after expenditures and investing: $37,128

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 28 years, 4 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 26 years, 10 months, 5 days

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Washington

Median income: $90,325

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $56,567

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $33,758

Savings after expenditures and investing: $35,615

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 29 years, 7 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 28 years, 0 months, 5 days

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

West Virginia

Median income: $55,217

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $44,460

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $10,757

Savings after expenditures and investing: $11,349

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 92 years, 10 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 88 years, 0 months, 5 days

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Wisconsin

Median income: $72,458

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $49,284

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $23,174

Savings after expenditures and investing: $24,449

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 43 years, 1 month, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 40 years, 10 months, 5 days

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Wyoming

Median income: $72,495

Per capita personal consumption expenditures: $52,403

Savings after expenditures are taken out: $20,092

Savings after expenditures and investing: $21,197

How long it would take to become a millionaire with just savings: 49 years, 8 months, 5 days

How long it would take to become a millionaire with savings and investments: 47 years, 1 month, 5 days

Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: GOBankingRates calculated how long it takes to be a millionaire in every state by using median household income data from the 2022 American Community Survey as conducted by the Census Bureau and annual consumption data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2022 report. GOBankingRates found the difference between what a median household in every state earns and per capita consumption in every state and divided that figure by 1 million in order to find how many years, days and months it would take to reach $1 million in every state. All data was collected on and up to date as of February 20, 2024.

Median household income was used for this study because per capita income wouldnt cover the per capita consumption in every state. In addition, to account for investing leftover income, we took the difference between annual income and consumption expenditure and assumed it was invested in a portfolio with the average investors long-term average of around 5.5 percent, according to Zacks Investment Research.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Long It Takes To Become a Millionaire in Every State
Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund raised its stake in shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (NYSE:BEP  Free Report) (TSE:BEP) by 14.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 245,613 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 30,276 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund owned about 0.09% of Brookfield Renewable Partners worth $5,340,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Bowen Hanes & Co. Inc. lifted its holdings in Brookfield Renewable Partners by 18.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bowen Hanes & Co. Inc. now owns 782,095 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $17,003,000 after purchasing an additional 119,925 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in Brookfield Renewable Partners by 36.0% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,851,866 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $40,260,000 after purchasing an additional 489,704 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Brookfield Renewable Partners by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 12,383 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $269,000 after purchasing an additional 967 shares in the last quarter. Maven Securities LTD purchased a new position in Brookfield Renewable Partners in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,087,000. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 58,512 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,271,000 after acquiring an additional 2,165 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.36% of the companys stock.

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Brookfield Renewable Partners Stock Performance

Shares of BEP opened at $23.41 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $25.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $24.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. has a 52-week low of $19.97 and a 52-week high of $32.76.

Brookfield Renewable Partners Increases Dividend

Brookfield Renewable Partners ( NYSE:BEP Get Free Report ) (TSE:BEP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The utilities provider reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.02) by $0.03. The business had revenue of $1.32 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.08 billion. Brookfield Renewable Partners had a net margin of 12.23% and a return on equity of 2.23%. The businesss revenue was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($0.16) EPS. On average, analysts predict that Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. will post 0.2 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.355 per share. This is an increase from Brookfield Renewable Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. This represents a $1.42 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. Brookfield Renewable Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -421.88%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BEP. Raymond James cut their price objective on Brookfield Renewable Partners from $37.00 to $33.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 6th. UBS Group downgraded Brookfield Renewable Partners from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the company from $34.00 to $25.00 in a research report on Friday, November 17th. StockNews.com raised Brookfield Renewable Partners from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday. National Bankshares lifted their target price on Brookfield Renewable Partners from $29.00 to $31.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $29.00 target price on shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $30.91.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BEP

About Brookfield Renewable Partners

(Free Report)

Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. owns a portfolio of renewable power generating facilities primarily in North America, Colombia, Brazil, Europe, and Asia. The company generates electricity through hydroelectric, wind, solar, distributed generation, pumped storage, cogeneration, and biomass sources.

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TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG  Get Free Report) Director W Nicholas Howley sold 9,381 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,165.00, for a total transaction of $10,928,865.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 21,548 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,103,420. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

W Nicholas Howley also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, February 16th, W Nicholas Howley sold 2,391 shares of TransDigm Group stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,160.55, for a total transaction of $2,774,875.05.

On Tuesday, January 16th, W Nicholas Howley sold 3,530 shares of TransDigm Group stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,022.27, for a total transaction of $3,608,613.10.

On Wednesday, January 10th, W Nicholas Howley sold 38,863 shares of TransDigm Group stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,015.05, for a total transaction of $39,447,888.15.

On Friday, December 15th, W Nicholas Howley sold 6,296 shares of TransDigm Group stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $987.07, for a total transaction of $6,214,592.72.

TransDigm Group Stock Up 2.5 %

Shares of NYSE:TDG opened at $1,192.95 on Friday. TransDigm Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $686.46 and a fifty-two week high of $1,195.47. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $1,061.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of $951.30. The company has a market cap of $66.34 billion, a PE ratio of 50.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.43.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

TransDigm Group ( NYSE:TDG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The aerospace company reported $7.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.41 by $0.75. TransDigm Group had a net margin of 20.80% and a negative return on equity of 59.61%. The business had revenue of $1.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.68 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.15 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that TransDigm Group Incorporated will post 29.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on TDG shares. William Blair initiated coverage on shares of TransDigm Group in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of TransDigm Group from $1,150.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of TransDigm Group from $1,158.00 to $1,267.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. StockNews.com lowered shares of TransDigm Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of TransDigm Group from $1,164.00 to $1,285.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $1,096.73.

View Our Latest Stock Report on TDG

Institutional Investors Weigh In On TransDigm Group

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of TDG. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its position in TransDigm Group by 41.9% in the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 44 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its position in TransDigm Group by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 25,446 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $25,741,000 after purchasing an additional 704 shares during the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its position in TransDigm Group by 52.0% in the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 2,126 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,151,000 after purchasing an additional 727 shares during the last quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas grew its position in TransDigm Group by 36.2% in the 4th quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas now owns 64,000 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $64,742,000 after purchasing an additional 17,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morse Asset Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of TransDigm Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $970,000. Institutional investors own 95.78% of the companys stock.

About TransDigm Group

(Get Free Report)

TransDigm Group Incorporated designs, produces, and supplies aircraft components in the United States and internationally. The Power & Control segment offers mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, databus and power controls, sensor products, switches and relay panels, hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading and handling systems.

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Shares of Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG  Get Free Report) were up 4.5% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $4.91 and last traded at $4.88. Approximately 5,792,189 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 65% from the average daily volume of 16,772,176 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.67.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Transocean to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday. Capital One Financial started coverage on Transocean in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $8.00 price target for the company. Barclays decreased their price objective on Transocean from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Transocean from $9.00 to $7.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Susquehanna lowered their price target on shares of Transocean from $6.50 to $5.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Transocean currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $8.15.

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Transocean Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.52, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The businesss 50-day moving average is $5.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $6.77.

Transocean (NYSE:RIG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 19th. The offshore drilling services provider reported ($0.09) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.21) by $0.12. Transocean had a negative return on equity of 7.13% and a negative net margin of 33.69%. The company had revenue of $741.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $779.17 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($0.49) earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Transocean Ltd. will post 0.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of Transocean by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 754,540 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock valued at $3,449,000 after buying an additional 7,953 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC raised its holdings in Transocean by 53.7% in the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 39,687 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock valued at $181,000 after acquiring an additional 13,867 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Transocean by 15.4% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 14,750,703 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock valued at $67,413,000 after acquiring an additional 1,972,278 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its holdings in Transocean by 50.3% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 94,062 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $457,000 after acquiring an additional 31,461 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Transocean in the 1st quarter worth about $86,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.70% of the companys stock.

Transocean Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Transocean Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells worldwide. It contracts its mobile offshore drilling rigs, related equipment, and work crews to drill oil and gas wells. It serves integrated energy companies, government-owned or government-controlled energy companies, and other independent energy companies.

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Gallacher Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of DHT Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DHT  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 18,036 shares of the shipping companys stock, valued at approximately $186,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. FMR LLC increased its holdings in DHT by 42.5% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 16,122,321 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $166,060,000 after purchasing an additional 4,808,258 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in DHT by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 11,978,143 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $69,473,000 after purchasing an additional 522,016 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in DHT by 22.1% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,570,402 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $81,636,000 after purchasing an additional 1,731,800 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in DHT by 9.9% during the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,906,347 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $41,851,000 after purchasing an additional 442,611 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in DHT by 8,080.0% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 4,523,219 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $40,166,000 after purchasing an additional 4,467,923 shares during the last quarter. 59.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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DHT Price Performance

Shares of NYSE DHT opened at $10.93 on Friday. DHT Holdings, Inc. has a twelve month low of $7.30 and a twelve month high of $12.13. The company has a market capitalization of $1.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.04 and a beta of -0.32. The company has a current ratio of 3.54, a quick ratio of 2.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.24.

DHT Increases Dividend

DHT ( NYSE:DHT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The shipping company reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.22. DHT had a return on equity of 15.52% and a net margin of 28.78%. The business had revenue of $94.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $95.78 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.38 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 19.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that DHT Holdings, Inc. will post 1.42 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 20th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.05%. This is a positive change from DHTs previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. DHTs payout ratio is currently 88.89%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

DHT has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial boosted their price target on DHT from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. TheStreet upgraded DHT from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $12.67.

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DHT Profile

(Free Report)

DHT Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates crude oil tankers primarily in Monaco, Singapore, and Norway. As of March 16, 2023, it had a fleet of 23 very large crude carriers. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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Dark Forest Capital Management LP trimmed its stake in shares of Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) by 34.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,466 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 7,534 shares during the period. Dark Forest Capital Management LPs holdings in Entergy were worth $1,338,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its stake in Entergy by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 38,239 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,537,000 after acquiring an additional 467 shares in the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp boosted its stake in shares of Entergy by 73.3% during the 2nd quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 27,412 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,669,000 after buying an additional 11,598 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Entergy by 464.4% during the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 12,044 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,114,000 after buying an additional 9,910 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Entergy by 32.3% in the third quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 101,839 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $9,175,000 after acquiring an additional 24,850 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp increased its position in shares of Entergy by 6.4% in the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 56,723 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,523,000 after acquiring an additional 3,417 shares during the last quarter. 86.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on ETR shares. Mizuho decreased their price target on Entergy from $113.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. UBS Group upgraded shares of Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $103.00 to $118.00 in a report on Monday, November 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Entergy from $117.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Entergy from $92.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of Entergy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $94.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Entergy currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $110.82.

Entergy Stock Performance

ETR opened at $101.52 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.91. Entergy Co. has a 52-week low of $87.10 and a 52-week high of $111.90. The firm has a market cap of $21.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.71. The businesss fifty day moving average is $100.61 and its 200-day moving average is $97.94.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.52. Entergy had a return on equity of 10.77% and a net margin of 11.56%. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.51 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Entergy Co. will post 6.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Entergy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th will be issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.45%. Entergys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 64.94%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Marcus V. Brown sold 38,417 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.53, for a total transaction of $3,900,478.01. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,380 shares in the company, valued at approximately $952,351.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.39% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Entergy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (NYSE:RYAM  Free Report) by 16.0% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 2,024,339 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 278,760 shares during the quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLCs holdings in Rayonier Advanced Materials were worth $7,164,000 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 modified their holdings of the company. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in Rayonier Advanced Materials by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,971,477 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $65,513,000 after purchasing an additional 28,169 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 8.2% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,535,440 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $28,437,000 after buying an additional 342,630 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Rayonier Advanced Materials by 6.2% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,347,799 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $13,696,000 after buying an additional 253,960 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Rayonier Advanced Materials by 27.7% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,304,887 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $21,713,000 after acquiring an additional 717,466 shares during the period. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in Rayonier Advanced Materials by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 2,393,244 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $10,243,000 after acquiring an additional 139,630 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.68% of the companys stock.

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Rayonier Advanced Materials Price Performance

NYSE:RYAM opened at $4.37 on Friday. Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $2.66 and a fifty-two week high of $8.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $4.26 and a 200-day moving average price of $3.57.

About Rayonier Advanced Materials

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc manufactures and sells cellulose specialty products in the United States, China, Canada, Japan, Europe, Latin America, other Asian countries, and internationally. The company operates through High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard, and High-Yield Pulp segments. Its products include cellulose specialties, which are natural polymers that are used as raw materials to manufacture a range of consumer-oriented products, such as liquid crystal displays, impact-resistant plastics, thickeners for food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cigarette filters, high-tenacity rayon yarn for tires and industrial hoses, food casings, paints, and lacquers.

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Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC lessened its stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) by 11.6% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 2,607 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 342 shares during the quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $461,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in IWM. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 113,180.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 334,806,395 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $58,376,843,000 after acquiring an additional 334,510,840 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 106.6% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,124,411 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $585,108,000 after acquiring an additional 50,291,574 shares in the last quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. increased its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 2,081 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $363,000 after acquiring an additional 10,769,881 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 110.3% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 3,333,868 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $594,762,000 after acquiring an additional 1,748,543 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund increased its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 11.1% during the 3rd quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 11,206,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,980,548,000 after acquiring an additional 1,115,400 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Russell 2000 ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:IWM traded up $0.19 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $199.63. 9,415,301 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 42,109,988. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 1 year low of $161.67 and a 1 year high of $205.49. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $197.05 and its 200 day simple moving average is $185.43.

iShares Russell 2000 ETF Profile

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index.

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Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC decreased its position in shares of Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM  Free Report) by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,477 shares of the CRM providers stock after selling 65 shares during the period. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLCs holdings in Salesforce were worth $502,000 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. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Salesforce by 463.1% during the 2nd quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,283 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $694,000 after acquiring an additional 2,700 shares in the last quarter. Pointe Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Salesforce by 370.0% in the 2nd quarter. Pointe Capital Management LLC now owns 1,551 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $328,000 after purchasing an additional 1,221 shares during the last quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Salesforce by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,633 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $534,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Hawaii lifted its stake in Salesforce by 89.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Hawaii now owns 5,282 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $1,116,000 after purchasing an additional 2,490 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trivest Advisors Ltd lifted its stake in Salesforce by 288.6% in the 2nd quarter. Trivest Advisors Ltd now owns 952,000 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $201,120,000 after purchasing an additional 707,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.52% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CAO Sundeep G. Reddy sold 216 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.71, for a total value of $60,201.36. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,869 shares of the companys stock, valued at $799,618.99. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.22, for a total value of $3,378,300.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 14,786,166 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,330,140,306.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CAO Sundeep G. Reddy sold 216 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.71, for a total transaction of $60,201.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,869 shares in the company, valued at approximately $799,618.99. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,388,805 shares of company stock valued at $372,046,456. Company insiders own 3.70% of the companys stock.

Salesforce Stock Performance

CRM stock traded up $0.63 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $294.28. The company had a trading volume of 981,710 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,842,115. The firm has a market cap of $284.86 billion, a PE ratio of 111.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.04. Salesforce, Inc. has a 12 month low of $159.65 and a 12 month high of $298.00. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $274.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $236.61.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 29th. The CRM provider reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.05 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $8.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.71 billion. Salesforce had a net margin of 7.63% and a return on equity of 9.19%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.73 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Salesforce, Inc. will post 6.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on CRM shares. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Salesforce from $300.00 to $310.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Raymond James raised their price target on shares of Salesforce from $280.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Salesforce from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Wolfe Research raised shares of Salesforce from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $315.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Salesforce from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $269.86.

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Salesforce Profile

(Free Report)

Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and relationship intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer service and support at scale.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co increased its position in Sempra (NYSE:SRE  Free Report) by 97.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,970 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 10,370 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in Sempra were worth $1,427,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of SRE. WFA of San Diego LLC increased its stake in Sempra by 29.9% during the 3rd quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC now owns 2,439 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $166,000 after buying an additional 561 shares during the period. Meyer Handelman Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Sempra by 100.0% in the third quarter. Meyer Handelman Co. now owns 68,696 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,673,000 after buying an additional 34,348 shares during the period. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sempra by 93.7% in the third quarter. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC now owns 2,195 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $149,000 after buying an additional 1,062 shares during the period. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board boosted its holdings in shares of Sempra by 114.4% in the third quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 32,782 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,230,000 after buying an additional 17,491 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI boosted its holdings in shares of Sempra by 94.2% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 186,952 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $12,264,000 after buying an additional 90,701 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.83% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 34,190 shares of Sempra stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 2 shares of the companys stock, valued at $141.66. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on SRE. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Sempra from $83.00 to $79.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 25th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH started coverage on shares of Sempra in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. They set a buy rating and a $81.50 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Sempra from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Sempra from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from $76.00 to $84.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Sempra from $75.00 to $73.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $81.83.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on SRE

Sempra Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:SRE traded up $0.79 during trading on Friday, reaching $72.11. The stock had a trading volume of 309,578 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,634,421. Sempra has a 52 week low of $63.75 and a 52 week high of $79.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $45.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.49, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $72.86 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $71.70.

Sempra Profile

(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.

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Eagle Asset Management Inc. cut its stake in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Free Report) by 19.0% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 27,137 shares of the companys stock after selling 6,348 shares during the period. Eagle Asset Management Inc.s holdings in AutoZone were worth $68,928,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Rock Creek Group LP bought a new stake in AutoZone in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new stake in AutoZone in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp increased its stake in AutoZone by 166.7% in the third quarter. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp now owns 16 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mascoma Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in AutoZone in the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 90.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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AutoZone Price Performance

NYSE AZO traded down $23.97 on Friday, hitting $2,734.80. 76,010 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 153,422. The company has a market capitalization of $47.28 billion, a PE ratio of 20.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.70. The businesss fifty day moving average is $2,676.58 and its 200 day moving average is $2,601.45. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52 week low of $2,277.88 and a 52 week high of $2,855.21.

Insiders Place Their Bets

AutoZone ( NYSE:AZO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 5th. The company reported $32.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $31.57 by $0.98. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.62% and a negative return on equity of 57.23%. The company had revenue of $4.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $27.45 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 149.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other AutoZone news, Director George R. Mrkonic, Jr. sold 414 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,541.85, for a total transaction of $1,052,325.90. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,470 shares in the company, valued at $8,820,219.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, SVP K. Michelle Borninkhof sold 1,900 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,735.00, for a total value of $5,196,500.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 521 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,424,935. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director George R. Mrkonic, Jr. sold 414 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,541.85, for a total transaction of $1,052,325.90. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,470 shares in the company, valued at $8,820,219.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 14,807 shares of company stock worth $38,827,861 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AZO has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $2,950.00 target price on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Tuesday. Raymond James raised shares of AutoZone from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $2,850.00 to $3,100.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of AutoZone in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $2,750.00 to $2,900.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of AutoZone from $2,800.00 to $2,779.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 12th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $2,868.88.

Read Our Latest Report on AutoZone

AutoZone Profile

(Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.

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Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Brambles fair value estimate is AU$16.83

Current share price of AU$15.18 suggests Brambles is potentially trading close to its fair value

Our fair value estimate is 9.5% higher than Brambles' analyst price target of US$15.37

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Brambles Limited (ASX:BXB) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Brambles

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$441.0m US$606.7m US$638.3m US$696.4m US$731.0m US$758.5m US$783.5m US$806.6m US$828.4m US$849.5m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x6 Analyst x5 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 3.77% Est @ 3.29% Est @ 2.95% Est @ 2.71% Est @ 2.55% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 6.6% US$414 US$534 US$527 US$540 US$532 US$518 US$502 US$485 US$468 US$450

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$5.0b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 6.6%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$850m (1 + 2.2%)  (6.6% 2.2%) = US$20b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$20b ( 1 + 6.6%)10= US$10b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$15b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$15.2, the company appears about fair value at a 9.8% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Brambles as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.957. 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 Brambles

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Commercial Services market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Australian market.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. 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. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Brambles, there are three further elements you should explore:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Brambles , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does BXB'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 ASX 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.
Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board lessened its holdings in West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (NYSE:WFG  Free Report) by 65.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,639 shares of the companys stock after selling 27,913 shares during the period. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Boards holdings in West Fraser Timber were worth $1,063,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its stake in West Fraser Timber by 15.0% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,632 shares of the companys stock valued at $217,000 after acquiring an additional 344 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in West Fraser Timber by 32.0% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 53,051 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,373,000 after acquiring an additional 12,853 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in West Fraser Timber by 41.6% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 165,617 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,651,000 after acquiring an additional 48,652 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. increased its stake in West Fraser Timber by 526.2% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 21,798 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,795,000 after acquiring an additional 18,317 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in West Fraser Timber by 286.4% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 89,586 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,385,000 after acquiring an additional 66,401 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 46.23% of the companys stock.

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West Fraser Timber Stock Down 0.8 %

NYSE WFG opened at $78.22 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 2.26 and a quick ratio of 1.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.21 billion, a PE ratio of -36.38 and a beta of 1.17. West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has a 1 year low of $64.11 and a 1 year high of $90.17. The businesss 50-day moving average is $82.02 and its 200 day moving average is $76.24.

West Fraser Timber Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 4th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.53%. West Fraser Timbers payout ratio is presently -55.81%.

A number of research analysts recently commented on WFG shares. Scotiabank set a $100.00 target price on West Fraser Timber and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Raymond James raised their price objective on West Fraser Timber from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $97.00 price objective on shares of West Fraser Timber in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, TheStreet raised West Fraser Timber from a d+ rating to a c rating in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $104.92.

Read Our Latest Analysis on WFG

West Fraser Timber Profile

(Free Report)

West Fraser Timber Co Ltd., a diversified wood products company, engages in manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and other residuals and renewable energy. It offers spruce-pine-fir, douglas fir-larch, hem-fir, and southern yellow pine lumber, treated wood products, medium density fiberboard panels and plywood, oriented strand board, and laminated veneer lumber wood products, as well as particleboards.

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Eagle Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 462,298 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock, valued at approximately $60,006,000. Eagle Asset Management Inc. owned approximately 0.20% of PPG Industries as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of PPG Industries in the second quarter worth $29,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in shares of PPG Industries in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Intrepid Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of PPG Industries during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in PPG Industries in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. grew its position in PPG Industries by 84.9% in the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 220 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.18% of the companys stock.

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PPG Industries Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of PPG stock traded up $0.70 on Friday, reaching $144.08. 96,753 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,726,901. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 1.05. PPG Industries, Inc. has a one year low of $120.32 and a one year high of $152.89. The stock has a market cap of $33.90 billion, a PE ratio of 26.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.30. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $144.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $137.76.

PPG Industries Announces Dividend

PPG Industries ( NYSE:PPG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 19th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.53 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $4.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.27 billion. PPG Industries had a return on equity of 23.51% and a net margin of 6.96%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.22 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that PPG Industries, Inc. will post 8.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 12th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be issued a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.80%. PPG Industriess dividend payout ratio is currently 48.69%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

PPG has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Vertical Research upgraded shares of PPG Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Redburn Atlantic lowered shares of PPG Industries from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $160.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of PPG Industries from $165.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Robert W. Baird reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $150.00 target price on shares of PPG Industries in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Finally, KeyCorp increased their price target on PPG Industries from $166.00 to $167.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $158.93.

View Our Latest Report on PPG

PPG Industries Company Profile

(Free Report)

PPG Industries, Inc manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty materials worldwide. The company operates through Performance Coatings and Industrial Coatings. The Performance Coatings segment offers coatings, solvents, adhesives, sealants, sundries, and software for automotive and commercial transport/fleet repair and refurbishing, light industrial coatings, and specialty coatings for signs; and coatings, sealants, transparencies, transparent armor, adhesives, engineered materials, and packaging and chemical management services for commercial, military, regional jet, and general aviation aircraft.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co increased its position in shares of Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) by 511.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 23,010 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 19,245 shares during the quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $1,215,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 20.6% during the third quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 18,156 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $959,000 after purchasing an additional 3,100 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in Boston Scientific by 5.9% during the 3rd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 19,223 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $1,015,000 after acquiring an additional 1,079 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its position in Boston Scientific by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 13,890,530 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $733,420,000 after acquiring an additional 531,914 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 13.6% during the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 2,030,993 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $107,236,000 after acquiring an additional 243,878 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Humankind Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 5.7% during the third quarter. Humankind Investments LLC now owns 13,100 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $692,000 after purchasing an additional 709 shares during the period. 89.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on BSX. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $59.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $67.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. StockNews.com upgraded Boston Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Finally, Raymond James raised their price objective on Boston Scientific from $67.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $66.05.

Insider Activity at Boston Scientific

In related news, CFO Daniel J. Brennan sold 13,662 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.86, for a total transaction of $899,779.32. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 271,542 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,883,756.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Daniel J. Brennan sold 13,662 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.86, for a total value of $899,779.32. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 271,542 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,883,756.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Jeffrey B. Mirviss sold 15,172 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.25, for a total value of $898,941.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 56,588 shares in the company, valued at $3,352,839. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 62,847 shares of company stock worth $3,848,956. 0.71% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Boston Scientific Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of Boston Scientific stock traded up $0.29 during trading on Friday, reaching $67.03. The companys stock had a trading volume of 876,560 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,819,059. The company has a market cap of $98.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 62.36, a PEG ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.78. Boston Scientific Co. has a 52-week low of $46.20 and a 52-week high of $67.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The firms 50-day moving average is $60.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $55.56.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical equipment provider reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 11.19% and a return on equity of 15.99%. The firm had revenue of $3.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.59 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.45 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.25 earnings per share for the current year.

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.

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Mariner LLC lessened its holdings in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (BATS:FLOT  Free Report) by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 336,951 shares of the companys stock after selling 6,223 shares during the quarter. Mariner LLC owned approximately 0.24% of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF worth $17,148,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FLOT. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 122.7% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 112,302 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,674,000 after purchasing an additional 61,884 shares during the period. Roundview Capital LLC raised its holdings in 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. raised its holdings in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 976.0% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 3,228 shares of the companys stock worth $163,000 after purchasing an additional 2,928 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 9.0% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 118,015 shares of the companys stock worth $5,983,000 after purchasing an additional 9,772 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. raised its holdings in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 126.2% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 81,715 shares of the companys stock worth $4,128,000 after purchasing an additional 45,589 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of BATS:FLOT opened at $50.98 on Friday. iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $50.76 and a 1-year high of $51.10. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $50.76 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $50.75.

iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Company Profile

The iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market value-weighted index of USD-denominated, investment-grade floating rate notes with maturities of 0-5 years. FLOT was launched on Jun 14, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Covestor Ltd reduced its holdings in shares of WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Free Report) by 31.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,723 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 2,203 shares during the quarter. Covestor Ltds holdings in WestRock were worth $169,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WRK. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its holdings in shares of WestRock by 14.2% during the third quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 9,433 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $338,000 after buying an additional 1,174 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in WestRock by 13.3% during the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 43,318 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,259,000 after purchasing an additional 5,073 shares during the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in shares of WestRock by 635.3% in the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 657,681 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $23,406,000 after acquiring an additional 568,232 shares during the period. Qsemble Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of WestRock in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,171,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of WestRock by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,552,490 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $91,379,000 after acquiring an additional 78,818 shares during the period. 85.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at WestRock

In other WestRock news, insider Vicki L. Lostetter sold 3,500 shares of WestRock stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 92,117 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,939,844.09. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.49% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

WestRock Trading Up 0.0 %

Shares of WestRock stock traded up $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $43.95. 327,357 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,089,121. WestRock has a 1-year low of $26.84 and a 1-year high of $44.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The firms fifty day moving average price is $41.74 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.27 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 1.06.

WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The basic materials company reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.15). The business had revenue of $4.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.79 billion. WestRock had a negative net margin of 8.58% and a positive return on equity of 6.87%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.55 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that WestRock will post 1.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

WestRock Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid a dividend of $0.3025 per share. This represents a $1.21 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.75%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 8th. WestRocks dividend payout ratio is presently -18.01%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an equal weight rating and set a $45.00 target price (up previously from $42.00) on shares of WestRock in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $42.00 price target on shares of WestRock in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Argus raised shares of WestRock from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of WestRock from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of WestRock in a research report on Tuesday. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $39.43.

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WestRock Profile

(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.

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Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 133.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 75,069 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 42,948 shares during the quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $24,290,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of GS. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. lifted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,505.1% during the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 41,300 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $13,633,000 after buying an additional 38,727 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 18.5% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 118,609 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $39,153,000 after buying an additional 18,540 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 79.4% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 827 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $273,000 after buying an additional 366 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 118.3% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 310 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $102,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the period. 69.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance

GS traded up $5.27 during trading on Friday, reaching $395.74. 975,336 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,335,695. The stock has a market cap of $129.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.11, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.43. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $382.99 and a 200 day moving average of $346.69. 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 Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $289.36 and a 52 week high of $396.79.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $1.86. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 7.82% and a net margin of 7.85%. The firm had revenue of $11.32 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.32 EPS. The firms revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 32.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a $2.75 dividend. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 48.20%.

Insider Activity at The Goldman Sachs Group

In related news, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $379.81, for a total transaction of $2,763,877.37. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 6,501 shares in the company, valued at $2,469,144.81. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $376.39, for a total value of $1,129,170.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 10,121 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,809,443.19. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $379.81, for a total transaction of $2,763,877.37. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 6,501 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,469,144.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 14,734 shares of company stock worth $5,529,824 in the last three months. 0.54% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $491.00 to $506.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $333.00 to $449.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $440.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $437.00 to $493.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised 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. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $409.93.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

(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.

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Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 431,544 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $25,750,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. owned about 0.15% of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of SQM. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Penserra Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in the 1st quarter worth about $47,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in the 4th quarter worth about $52,000. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in the 1st quarter worth about $55,000. Institutional investors own 14.94% of the companys stock.

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Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Stock Performance

SQM traded up $0.21 on Friday, hitting $43.35. The companys stock had a trading volume of 547,864 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,603,875. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $49.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $53.86. The firm has a market cap of $12.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.16 and a beta of 1.03. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. has a 12 month low of $38.50 and a 12 month high of $90.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.60, a current ratio of 2.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on SQM. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $72.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a sell rating to a neutral rating and set a $54.50 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $58.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. TheStreet lowered shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $69.11.

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Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Profile

(Free Report)

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA produces and distributes specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium derivatives, potassium chloride and sulfate, industrial chemicals, and other products and services. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers.

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Certified Advisory Corp lowered its position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB  Free Report) by 10.1% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 7,782 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 877 shares during the quarter. Certified Advisory Corps holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $798,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Register Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. First Manhattan Co. purchased a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Finally, CNB Bank purchased a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000.

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iShares National Muni Bond ETF Stock Performance

iShares National Muni Bond ETF stock traded up $0.33 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $107.97. 1,010,375 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,197,174. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a 1 year low of $100.78 and a 1 year high of $108.82. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $108.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $105.56.

iShares National Muni Bond ETF Profile

iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index).

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Certified Advisory Corp lessened its stake in shares of Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF  June (BATS:PJUN  Free Report) by 6.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 48,823 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,546 shares during the quarter. Certified Advisory Corp owned 0.26% of Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF  June worth $1,529,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its holdings in Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF  June by 48.5% in the second quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 2,778,952 shares of the companys stock valued at $88,009,000 after buying an additional 907,370 shares during the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF  June by 14.5% during the second quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 627,949 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,887,000 after purchasing an additional 79,441 shares during the last quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF  June by 7.8% during the second quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC now owns 513,351 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,258,000 after purchasing an additional 37,210 shares during the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF  June by 26.0% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 433,666 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,729,000 after purchasing an additional 89,394 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Outlook Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF  June by 7.6% during the third quarter. Outlook Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 378,915 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,864,000 after purchasing an additional 26,616 shares during the last quarter.

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Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF  June Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of BATS:PJUN traded up $0.12 during trading on Friday, hitting $34.17. 99,194 shares of the company traded hands. The company has a market capitalization of $642.40 million, a PE ratio of 18.42 and a beta of 0.45. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $33.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.47.

Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF  June Company Profile

The Innovator S&P 500 Power Buffer ETF  New (PJUN) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Price Return index. The fund aims for specific buffered losses and capped gains on the S&P 500 over a specific holdings period. The actively-managed fund holds options and collateral. PJUN was launched on Jun 3, 2019 and is managed by Innovator.

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Syntax Advisors LLC cut its position in shares of Raymond James (NYSE:RJF  Free Report) by 9.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,314 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 245 shares during the quarter. Syntax Advisors LLCs holdings in Raymond James were worth $232,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Raymond James during the second quarter worth about $4,441,000. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new stake in Raymond James during the second quarter worth about $31,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in Raymond James by 77.1% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 317 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC boosted its holdings in Raymond James by 95.9% during the first quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 382 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Addison Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Raymond James by 32.9% during the third quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 416 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. 75.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider George Catanese sold 3,866 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.75, for a total value of $412,695.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,712 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,250,256. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider George Catanese sold 3,866 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.75, for a total value of $412,695.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,712 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,250,256. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Jonathan N. Santelli sold 1,891 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.91, for a total transaction of $211,621.81. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 21,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,405,057.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 6,687 shares of company stock valued at $727,008. Company insiders own 9.74% of the companys stock.

Raymond James Price Performance

Shares of RJF stock opened at $118.46 on Friday. Raymond James has a 12-month low of $82.00 and a 12-month high of $119.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $112.65 and a 200-day moving average of $106.23.

Raymond James (NYSE:RJF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $2.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.25 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.01 billion. Raymond James had a net margin of 12.81% and a return on equity of 17.95%. The firms revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.29 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Raymond James will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year.

Raymond James Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 2nd were paid a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 29th. This is a positive change from Raymond Jamess previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.52%. Raymond Jamess dividend payout ratio is presently 22.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on RJF. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $117.00 price objective (up from $112.00) on shares of Raymond James in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $116.00 target price (down previously from $125.00) on shares of Raymond James in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Raymond James in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. They issued a market perform rating and a $121.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Raymond James from $106.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Raymond James from $116.00 to $115.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $119.25.

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Raymond James Profile

(Free Report)

Raymond James Financial, Inc, a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments.

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BERLIN (Reuters) - Shares in Germany's Lufthansa were trading 3.6% lower at 0833 GMT on Friday, as shareholders reacted to the airline's announcement that it would shed two thirds of its board by the middle of the year.

The board will shrink from six members to five and Chief Financial Officer Remco Steenbergen is among the executives to leave, the company announced on Thursday. CEO Carsten Spohr will stay.

Much of the focus is on Steenbergen's departure, investors at JP Morgan said, calling the outgoing CFO "well-liked and well-respected by investors".

Stifel said in a note to traders however that the news was not completely out of the blue after the parent company decided not to pursue plans to sell a minority stake in Lufthansa Technik, in what was seen as a blow to Steenbergen's authority.

(Reporting by Rachel More; editing by Bartosz Dabrowski)
Kimbell Royalty Partners (NYSE:KRP  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The energy company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.27 by ($0.13), Briefing.com reports. The business had revenue of $99.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $83.89 million. Kimbell Royalty Partners had a return on equity of 9.19% and a net margin of 20.45%. The firms revenue was up 44.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.48 earnings per share.

Kimbell Royalty Partners Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE KRP traded down $0.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $15.44. 79,170 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 388,151. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 6.95 and a current ratio of 6.95. The stock has a market cap of $1.46 billion, a PE ratio of 16.88 and a beta of 1.09. The companys fifty day moving average is $15.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.37. Kimbell Royalty Partners has a fifty-two week low of $13.85 and a fifty-two week high of $17.11.

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Kimbell Royalty Partners Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.14%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 12th. Kimbell Royalty Partnerss dividend payout ratio is 221.74%.

Insider Activity

Institutional Trading of Kimbell Royalty Partners

In related news, Director T Scott Martin acquired 11,019 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 21st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $15.27 per share, with a total value of $168,260.13. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 59,731 shares in the company, valued at approximately $912,092.37. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . In other Kimbell Royalty Partners news, insider Blayne Rhynsburger sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.29, for a total value of $45,870.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 50,191 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $767,420.39. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . Also, Director T Scott Martin bought 11,019 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 21st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $15.27 per share, for a total transaction of $168,260.13. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 59,731 shares in the company, valued at $912,092.37. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . 5.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners by 13.5% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 8,495 shares of the energy companys stock worth $136,000 after purchasing an additional 1,012 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE acquired a new stake in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners during the 1st quarter worth approximately $114,000. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners during the 1st quarter worth approximately $81,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank bought a new position in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $57,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners by 40.0% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,500 shares of the energy companys stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 36.70% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on KRP shares. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Kimbell Royalty Partners from $22.00 to $21.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 27th. Bank of America assumed coverage on Kimbell Royalty Partners in a research note on Monday, October 30th. They set a buy rating and a $19.00 price target for the company. Raymond James cut their price target on Kimbell Royalty Partners from $22.00 to $20.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. TD Securities cut their price target on Kimbell Royalty Partners from $26.00 to $25.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Finally, KeyCorp cut their price target on Kimbell Royalty Partners from $21.00 to $20.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $21.00.

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Kimbell Royalty Partners Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, together with its subsidiaries, engages in acquiring and owning mineral and royalty interests in oil and natural gas properties in the United States. The company serves as the general partner of the company. Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co trimmed its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 1.7% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 13,599 shares of the companys stock after selling 240 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,259,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the third quarter valued at $27,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Philip Morris International in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. purchased a new position in Philip Morris International in the third quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Philip Morris International in the third quarter valued at $37,000. 79.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on PM shares. UBS Group cut Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $105.00 to $86.50 in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Societe Generale upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, November 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $95.00 target price for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $105.40.

Insider Activity at Philip Morris International

In other Philip Morris International news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.25, for a total transaction of $942,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 198,447 shares in the company, valued at $18,703,629.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Philip Morris International Stock Up 0.8 %

Shares of PM traded up $0.72 on Friday, reaching $91.91. The stock had a trading volume of 816,686 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,969,183. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $92.62 and a 200 day moving average of $93.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $142.68 billion, a PE ratio of 18.17, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.63. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $87.23 and a twelve month high of $101.92.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by ($0.08). Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 116.29% and a net margin of 8.53%. The business had revenue of $9.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.99 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.39 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Stockholders 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 5.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 20th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 103.59%.

Philip Morris International Profile

(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.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co purchased a new stake in shares of HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 11,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $660,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in shares of HF Sinclair by 2.4% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 15,396,848 shares of the companys stock worth $686,853,000 after purchasing an additional 357,510 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in HF Sinclair by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,799,193 shares of the companys stock valued at $796,789,000 after buying an additional 571,178 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors increased its stake in shares of HF Sinclair by 8.7% in the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 13,584,421 shares of the companys stock valued at $606,001,000 after buying an additional 1,088,227 shares during the period. State Street Corp bought a new stake in shares of HF Sinclair during the first quarter worth $308,240,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of HF Sinclair by 2.5% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,155,341 shares of the companys stock valued at $229,976,000 after acquiring an additional 126,016 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.15% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Vaishali S. Bhatia sold 18,465 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.24, for a total value of $1,001,541.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 51,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,816,357.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other HF Sinclair news, Director James H. Lee sold 2,643 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.30, for a total transaction of $138,228.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 65,919 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,447,563.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Vaishali S. Bhatia sold 18,465 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.24, for a total transaction of $1,001,541.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 51,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,816,357.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

DINO has been the subject of several recent research reports. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on HF Sinclair from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of HF Sinclair from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of HF Sinclair from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $64.00 to $73.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $64.50.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on DINO

HF Sinclair Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE DINO traded up $0.12 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $58.00. 316,565 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,799,322. HF Sinclair Co. has a 12 month low of $37.12 and a 12 month high of $62.20. The company has a market capitalization of $10.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $56.12 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $55.86.

HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.15. HF Sinclair had a return on equity of 17.55% and a net margin of 4.97%. The firm had revenue of $7.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.05 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.97 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that HF Sinclair Co. will post 6.39 EPS for the current year.

HF Sinclair Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.45%. This is a boost from HF Sinclairs previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 23rd. HF Sinclairs dividend payout ratio is presently 21.69%.

About HF Sinclair

(Free Report)

HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. It produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. The company also owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states.

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EPG Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J  Free Report) by 11.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,846 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 396 shares during the quarter. EPG Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Jacobs Solutions were worth $525,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 2,669 shares of the companys stock worth $364,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Baupost Group LLC MA purchased a new position in Jacobs Solutions in the 3rd quarter valued at about $66,583,000. Security National Bank of SO Dak lifted its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Security National Bank of SO Dak now owns 23,170 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,163,000 after buying an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 42.2% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 19,382 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,646,000 after buying an additional 5,756 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mariner LLC lifted its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 15.7% in the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 479,680 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,476,000 after buying an additional 65,195 shares in the last quarter. 84.77% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Jacobs Solutions

In related news, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.48, for a total value of $701,140.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 62,719 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,995,418.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, SVP William B. Allen, Jr. sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.50, for a total transaction of $194,250.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 28,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,645,425. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.48, for a total value of $701,140.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 62,719 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,995,418.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 19,018 shares of company stock worth $2,475,578 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock.

Jacobs Solutions Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE J traded up $0.13 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $146.07. 50,818 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 786,779. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $134.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $133.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.06, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.37. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a twelve month low of $109.00 and a twelve month high of $149.17.

Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.56 by $0.46. The business had revenue of $4.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.02 billion. Jacobs Solutions had a net margin of 4.20% and a return on equity of 14.57%. The businesss revenue was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.67 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 8.06 earnings per share for the current year.

Jacobs Solutions Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.79%. This is an increase from Jacobs Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. Jacobs Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 18.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

J has been the topic of a number of research reports. Raymond James lowered shares of Jacobs Solutions from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a sector weight rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Jacobs Solutions from $151.00 to $161.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Benchmark reissued a buy rating and issued a $160.00 target price on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reissued a buy rating and issued a $150.00 target price on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Jacobs Solutions presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $152.11.

Read Our Latest Research Report on J

About Jacobs Solutions

(Free Report)

Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments.

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Asset Dedication LLC decreased its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IDEV  Free Report) by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 15,476 shares of the companys stock after selling 338 shares during the period. Asset Dedication LLCs holdings in iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF were worth $904,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF by 835.2% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 253,049 shares of the companys stock worth $15,466,000 after buying an additional 225,990 shares during the period. United Capital Financial Advisers LLC raised its stake in iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF by 84.6% during the 2nd quarter. United Capital Financial Advisers LLC now owns 77,866 shares of the companys stock worth $4,759,000 after buying an additional 35,677 shares during the period. Hirtle Callaghan & Co LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $988,000. First National Bank Sioux Falls raised its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF by 14.9% in the third quarter. First National Bank Sioux Falls now owns 101,703 shares of the companys stock worth $5,927,000 after purchasing an additional 13,154 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF by 11.5% in the second quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 120,702 shares of the companys stock worth $7,377,000 after purchasing an additional 12,485 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF Stock Performance

Shares of iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF stock traded up $0.09 on Friday, hitting $65.02. The company had a trading volume of 140,945 shares, compared to its average volume of 671,887. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.51 and a beta of 0.88. iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF has a 1 year low of $55.31 and a 1 year high of $65.04. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $63.17 and a 200-day moving average of $60.69.

iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF Profile

The iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (IDEV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI World ex USA IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of large-, mid, and small-cap stocks from developed countries, excluding the US. IDEV was launched on Mar 21, 2017 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Syntax Advisors LLC trimmed its position in shares of The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB  Free Report) by 9.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 7,279 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 770 shares during the quarter. Syntax Advisors LLCs holdings in Williams Companies were worth $245,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cahill Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Williams Companies by 15.7% in the 2nd quarter. Cahill Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 24,488 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $799,000 after purchasing an additional 3,318 shares during the period. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 1,313.1% in the second quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 436,166 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $14,232,000 after purchasing an additional 405,301 shares in the last quarter. Autumn Glory Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 28.1% in the third quarter. Autumn Glory Partners LLC now owns 107,609 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $3,625,000 after purchasing an additional 23,579 shares in the last quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Williams Companies by 45.3% in the third quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 6,545,151 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $220,506,000 after purchasing an additional 2,040,993 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kentucky Retirement Systems bought a new stake in Williams Companies in the third quarter worth $3,230,000. 85.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Williams Companies Price Performance

WMB stock opened at $34.85 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $42.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.32, a P/E/G ratio of 5.56 and a beta of 1.04. The businesss 50-day moving average is $34.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.79. The Williams Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $27.80 and a 1 year high of $37.45.

Williams Companies Increases Dividend

Williams Companies ( NYSE:WMB Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The pipeline company reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.01. Williams Companies had a return on equity of 16.20% and a net margin of 29.22%. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.53 EPS. Analysts anticipate that The Williams Companies, Inc. will post 1.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be paid a $0.475 dividend. This is an increase from Williams Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. Williams Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 68.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

WMB has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group raised their price target on Williams Companies from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Williams Companies from $41.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $37.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Williams Companies

Williams Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises Transco and Northwest natural gas pipelines; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region, as well as various petrochemical and feedstock pipelines.

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Visionary Wealth Advisors raised its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV  Free Report) by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,391 shares of the airlines stock after acquiring an additional 472 shares during the quarter. Visionary Wealth Advisors holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $308,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Motco grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 151.0% in the 3rd quarter. Motco now owns 1,187 shares of the airlines stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 714 shares in the last quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 247.5% in the 1st quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC now owns 702 shares of the airlines stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.22% of the companys stock.

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Southwest Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LUV opened at $34.24 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $30.39 and a 200 day simple moving average of $28.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.65, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.14. Southwest Airlines Co. has a one year low of $21.91 and a one year high of $39.53.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

Southwest Airlines ( NYSE:LUV Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The airline reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $6.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.75 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 9.40% and a net margin of 1.91%. Southwest Airliness revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.38) earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.84 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.10%. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio is currently 96.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Southwest Airlines from $20.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. BNP Paribas cut Southwest Airlines from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $20.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Barclays upped their target price on Southwest Airlines from $27.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Melius cut Southwest Airlines from a neutral rating to an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 13th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised Southwest Airlines from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and upped their target price for the stock from $26.00 to $32.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $30.93.

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Southwest Airlines Profile

(Free Report)

Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

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Federated Hermes Inc. lowered its position in shares of AECOM (NYSE:ACM  Free Report) by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 463,199 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 4,416 shares during the quarter. Federated Hermes Inc.s holdings in AECOM were worth $38,464,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of ACM. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of AECOM during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in AECOM in the third quarter worth $28,000. Manchester Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in AECOM during the third quarter valued at $38,000. Meitav Investment House Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of AECOM during the second quarter worth $42,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of AECOM in the 2nd quarter worth about $50,000. Institutional investors own 84.79% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at AECOM

In other news, President Lara Poloni sold 30,692 shares of AECOM stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.50, for a total value of $2,839,010.00. Following the transaction, the president now owns 53,752 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,972,060. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Troy Rudd sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.76, for a total value of $2,319,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 259,168 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $24,040,423.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, President Lara Poloni sold 30,692 shares of AECOM stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.50, for a total value of $2,839,010.00. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 53,752 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,972,060. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.42% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ACM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com raised shares of AECOM from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on AECOM from $100.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on AECOM in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued an overweight rating and a $104.00 price target on the stock. TheStreet upgraded AECOM from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $109.00 target price on shares of AECOM in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, AECOM has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $101.33.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on AECOM

AECOM Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of ACM stock opened at $89.23 on Friday. AECOM has a 1 year low of $74.40 and a 1 year high of $94.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.14 billion, a PE ratio of 198.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.24. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $89.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $86.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.05.

AECOM (NYSE:ACM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The construction company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.92 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $3.90 billion for the quarter. AECOM had a net margin of 0.42% and a return on equity of 21.45%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.86 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that AECOM will post 4.4 EPS for the current year.

AECOM announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Monday, November 13th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the construction company to repurchase up to 8.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

AECOM Profile

(Free Report)

AECOM, together with its subsidiaries, provides professional infrastructure consulting services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Americas, International, and AECOM Capital. The company offers planning, consulting, architectural and engineering design, construction and program management, and investment and development services to public and private clients.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co trimmed its position in shares of WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC  Free Report) by 1.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,340 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 260 shares during the quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in WEC Energy Group were worth $1,316,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 83,528 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $7,371,000 after acquiring an additional 2,027 shares during the last quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 13.8% in the third quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 205,489 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $16,552,000 after purchasing an additional 24,892 shares during the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. increased its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 14.1% in the second quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 779,497 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $68,783,000 after purchasing an additional 96,512 shares during the period. Great Lakes Advisors LLC increased its holdings in WEC Energy Group by 2.3% in the third quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 44,471 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,582,000 after purchasing an additional 1,010 shares during the period. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in WEC Energy Group by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 370,199 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,820,000 after purchasing an additional 17,960 shares during the last quarter. 75.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at WEC Energy Group

In related news, Director Ulice Payne, Jr. sold 600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.46, for a total value of $50,076.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,933 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,747,068.18. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. KeyCorp lifted their price objective on WEC Energy Group from $94.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of WEC Energy Group from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $90.00 to $84.00 in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on WEC Energy Group from $93.00 to $91.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on WEC Energy Group from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Bank of America reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $78.00 target price (down from $84.00) on shares of WEC Energy Group in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $86.17.

View Our Latest Stock Report on WEC Energy Group

WEC Energy Group Stock Up 1.2 %

WEC Energy Group stock traded up $0.90 during trading on Friday, hitting $79.15. 253,204 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,466,962. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. The businesss 50 day moving average is $81.27 and its 200 day moving average is $82.61. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $75.13 and a 52 week high of $99.26. The company has a market capitalization of $24.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.54, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.41.

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.08 by $0.02. WEC Energy Group had a net margin of 14.98% and a return on equity of 12.17%. The company had revenue of $2.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.80 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current year.

WEC Energy Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th will be issued a $0.835 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 13th. This is a positive change from WEC Energy Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.22%. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 79.15%.

WEC Energy Group Company 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.

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Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC reduced its holdings in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSEARCA:VYM  Free Report) by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 38,059 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,379 shares during the quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF were worth $3,932,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $39,000. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $47,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $59,000. Finally, Bank of New Hampshire boosted its stake in shares of Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF by 380.3% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New Hampshire now owns 562 shares of the companys stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 445 shares during the last quarter.

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Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:VYM traded up $0.24 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $115.54. The stock had a trading volume of 101,386 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,189,093. Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF has a twelve month low of $98.40 and a twelve month high of $115.65. The stock has a market cap of $53.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.80 and a beta of 0.84. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $112.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $107.62.

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF Profile

The Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund (VYM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Custom High Dividend Yield index. The fund tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. The index selects high-dividend-paying US companies, excluding REITS, and weights them by market cap. VYM was launched on Nov 10, 2006 and is managed by Vanguard.

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A year ago, Minneapolis' first attempt to celebrate local Black culture and commerce fell flat, with an expo that ran over budget, became mired in controversy and ultimately led to the ouster of the city's top racial equity official.

A year later, the city has no plans to bring the event back, and its new director of diversity efforts, Prince Corbett, is rebuilding the department with an inward-facing approach, as questions remain about potential improprieties from last year's event.

Corbett, appointed in October as the city's new director of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, had no involvement in the planning of last year's expo. But he is well aware of the lingering impact  and uncertainty  left by the event, as he seeks to lead the city's work on a critical issue.

"The city tried to do something," he said, noting that he wanted to offer a "sincere apology" to the harm caused by the failed event. "It didn't go well, and it all played out. To move forward, for the city to have another expo, would be for the community to decide if that should be the city's responsibility because of the harm that's been caused."

Expo troubles

Last year's event, titled "I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dream Expo," was the brainchild of Tyeastia Green, who would become the center of controversy surrounding it.

Green had been appointed by Mayor Jacob Frey as the city's director of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. In the wake of a racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd, Frey elevated Green's division to a full-fledged city department.

The February 25, 2023, event was envisioned as the first city-sponsored anchor for Black History Month  one of many for years to come  that would spotlight Minneapolis' tapestry of Black-owned businesses and cultural assets. It was to be a "Black Mecca" event that would also draw national A-list celebrities and thought leaders. Green predicted 20,000 would flock to the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Story continues

Behind the scenes, some in the city considered scratching the event because it was coming together late and the city attorney's office raised ethics concerns over how Green was soliciting donations. Publicly, the first signs of trouble came several weeks before the expo when Green said publicly  and apparently falsely  in a City Council meeting that the Bush Foundation had offered $3 million to the event but ethics concerns were tripping it up. In fact, the city had never even applied for funding, both the city and the foundation said. Green stood by her statements but offered no evidence.

Ultimately, the event cost the city more than $680,000, well above the $450,000 figure Green stated publicly weeks before the event  though it's unclear if her estimate included more than $100,000 in costs for the Convention Center, a charge that the city essentially pays itself. No actual attendance was taken, but a benchmark of 3,700 advance online registrations was used as a ballpark. Many panned the expo, especially business owners who paid to set up booths in hope of selling wares or gaining exposure but said they lost money.

The fallout was swift. Green was out of her job, and the city auditor launched several stages of inquiries into what happened.

Even the facts around Green's departure were contentious. While the city only confirmed her employment ended shortly after the event, she claimed she had attempted to resign before it, and publicly distributed a memo alleging a "toxic" and racist culture at City Hall.

Green declined a request to be interviewed for this story.

Lingering questions

In June, a report by the auditor's office painted an unflattering picture of the event, concluding that it never had a budget, sent more than half its money to out-of-state groups, and contained numerous "contracting anomalies" that caught the attention of forensic accountants.

In Burlington, Vt., where Green had previously held a similar position and put on a Juneteenth event, officials with lingering questions saw what had happened in Minneapolis and ordered their own investigation into potential fraud or waste. That report found similar problems to Green's Minneapolis event. It found no evidence of embezzlement, but accused Green and event planner Casey Ellerby  whom Green also selected to plan the Minneapolis expo  of "mismanagement." In response, Green accused Burlington's mayor of white supremacy.

The Minneapolis auditor's office hasn't gone that far in any publicly released material, but a year later, its work isn't finished.

An outside consultant said a series of invoices from a Georgia-based company operated by Ellerby were "eyebrow raising," in part because some appeared to be "potential duplicates." Ellerby could not be reached for comment.

In June, City Auditor Ryan Patrick declined to speculate on whether the report uncovered any likelihood of wrongdoing, but said it will provide the basis for more digging, consistent with a previous statement by then-Council Audit Committee Chair Linea Palmisano that Patrick's office was undertaking a series of investigations of varying depths, including potential waste or fraud.

The status of that digging remains unclear. A city spokeswoman declined to discuss the current scope of anything the auditor's office is working on, or any timeline for its completion.

As for the department of of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Corbett said he's spent time watching old city council meetings and reading the original ordinance that established the department, which is budgeted for 11 fulltime positions, including his. At its core, he's concluded, its charge is to foster a culture of anti-racism and inclusion inside the city's operations through training and awareness, "to really focus internally ... and not be so much external facing."
Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 11.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 39,069 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 3,862 shares during the quarter. Stifel Financial Corp owned about 0.14% of Chipotle Mexican Grill worth $71,567,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. FFT Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 23.7% in the third quarter. FFT Wealth Management LLC now owns 146 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $267,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. Mariner LLC boosted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4.8% in the third quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 3,616 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $6,624,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the period. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 8.6% in the third quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC now owns 697 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,277,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board boosted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 75.7% in the third quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 989 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,812,000 after buying an additional 426 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 82.3% in the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 17,940 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $32,863,000 after buying an additional 8,097 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.19% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Raymond James upped their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,450.00 to $2,550.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Wedbush reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $2,400.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Stephens increased their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,800.00 to $3,000.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,100.00 to $2,400.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, KeyCorp increased their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,250.00 to $2,750.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Chipotle Mexican Grill presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $2,469.88.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance

CMG opened at $2,625.13 on Friday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 12 month low of $1,470.05 and a 12 month high of $2,725.83. The stock has a market cap of $71.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 59.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.29. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $2,387.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $2,120.47.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The restaurant operator reported $10.36 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.73 by $0.63. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 44.41% and a net margin of 12.45%. The firm had revenue of $2.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.49 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $8.29 EPS. The firms revenue was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 53.2 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Chipotle Mexican Grill

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,093 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,199.81, for a total transaction of $2,404,392.33. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $51,358,964.07. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,093 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,199.81, for a total transaction of $2,404,392.33. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $51,358,964.07. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Albert S. Baldocchi sold 750 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,608.51, for a total value of $1,956,382.50. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 37,271 shares of the companys stock, valued at $97,221,776.21. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 5,837 shares of company stock valued at $14,012,071. 0.96% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Chipotle Mexican Grill

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. The company offers burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

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Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC trimmed its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 30.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,226 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,031 shares during the quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $766,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 1.6% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 404,894 shares of the companys stock worth $21,248,000 after buying an additional 6,324 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 5.2% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,647 shares of the companys stock worth $974,000 after buying an additional 929 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the first quarter worth $25,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 3.4% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,711,773 shares of the companys stock worth $141,690,000 after buying an additional 89,334 shares during the period. Finally, First Western Trust Bank purchased a new position in Altria Group during the 1st quarter valued at $498,000. 58.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Altria Group Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSE MO traded up $0.18 during trading on Friday, hitting $41.08. The company had a trading volume of 1,562,664 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,839,942. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $39.06 and a one year high of $48.04. The company has a market cap of $72.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.66. The companys fifty day moving average is $40.74 and its 200-day moving average is $41.76.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.21% and a negative return on equity of 243.71%. Altria Groups quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.18 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.07 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st were paid a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.54%. Altria Groups payout ratio is 85.78%.

Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, February 1st that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 1.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. UBS Group restated a sell rating and issued a $36.10 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $47.22.

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About Altria Group

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co decreased its position in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) by 24.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 24,592 shares of the natural resource companys stock after selling 8,100 shares during the quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $917,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mystic Asset Management Inc. increased its position in Freeport-McMoRan by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,650 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $426,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the period. Cape ANN Savings Bank raised its position in Freeport-McMoRan by 1.6% in the second quarter. Cape ANN Savings Bank now owns 15,588 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $624,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 5.1% during the 4th quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,252 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $200,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares in the last quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,861 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $474,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Granite Investment Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Granite Investment Partners LLC now owns 12,173 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $487,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the period. 77.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on FCX shares. Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. UBS Group dropped their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Eight Capital set a $55.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $55.00 price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $44.95.

Freeport-McMoRan Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:FCX traded up $0.28 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $38.95. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,521,515 shares, compared to its average volume of 12,215,926. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $40.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.42. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 1 year low of $32.83 and a 1 year high of $44.70. The firm has a market cap of $55.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.68 and a beta of 2.06. The company has a quick ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 2.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The natural resource company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $5.91 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.85 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 8.41%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.52 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.46 EPS for the current year.

Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 12th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 11th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.54%. Freeport-McMoRans payout ratio is 23.62%.

Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile

(Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

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Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. reduced its holdings in Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Free Report) by 43.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 184,529 shares of the credit-card processors stock after selling 144,531 shares during the quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd.s holdings in Visa were worth $42,444,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. BCK Partners Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Visa during the first quarter worth about $2,717,000. Markel Corp boosted its position in shares of Visa by 0.3% during the first quarter. Markel Corp now owns 961,105 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $213,144,000 after buying an additional 3,065 shares during the period. AMI Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Visa during the first quarter worth about $2,323,000. Ergoteles LLC acquired a new position in shares of Visa during the first quarter worth about $538,000. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Visa during the first quarter worth about $1,496,000. 81.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 8,150 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $255.79, for a total transaction of $2,084,688.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 29,152 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,456,790.08. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 8,150 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $255.79, for a total transaction of $2,084,688.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 29,152 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,456,790.08. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Peter M. Andreski sold 2,615 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.88, for a total value of $729,271.20. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,898 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,365,954.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 80,461 shares of company stock worth $21,417,817. Insiders own 0.19% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Monness Crespi & Hardt assumed coverage on Visa in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a neutral rating for the company. Mizuho increased their price target on Visa from $243.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. Susquehanna increased their price target on Visa from $300.00 to $326.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Raymond James increased their price target on Visa from $287.00 to $311.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, William Blair reissued an outperform rating on shares of Visa in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $290.55.

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Visa Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:V traded up $0.14 during trading on Friday, reaching $283.89. 1,250,596 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,374,754. The firm has a market capitalization of $521.37 billion, a PE ratio of 32.84, a PEG ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.97. Visa Inc. has a 52 week low of $208.76 and a 52 week high of $285.95. The company has a quick ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 1.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The companys 50 day moving average is $268.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is $251.78.

Visa (NYSE:V  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The credit-card processor reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.34 by $0.07. Visa had a return on equity of 50.02% and a net margin of 53.92%. The company had revenue of $8.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.55 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.18 earnings per share. Visas revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Visa Inc. will post 9.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Visa Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 9th will be given a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 8th. Visas payout ratio is currently 23.94%.

Visa Profile

(Free Report)

Visa Inc operates as a payment technology company in the United States and internationally. The company operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. It also offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products; tap to pay, tokenization, and click to pay services; Visa Direct, a solution that facilitates the delivery of funds to eligible cards, deposit accounts, and digital wallets; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral business-to-business cross-border payments network; Visa Cross-Border Solution, a cross-border consumer payments solution; and Visa DPS that provides a range of value-added services, including fraud mitigation, dispute management, data analytics, campaign management, a suite of digital solutions, and contact center services.

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HIGHLIGHTS:

Montage Gold adds to its leadership team as it embarks on becoming a leading African gold mining company Martino De Ciccio appointed as CEO to lead the Company's next strategic phase Peder Olsen appointed as Chief Development Officer, to lead the Kone Gold Project development activities and oversee the group technical function Ron Hochstein appointed to the Board, leveraging his recent experience in successfully building Lundin Gold's Fruta del Norte gold project

C$20 million non-brokered financing launched at C$0.70/share, which represents a 4.5% premium to today's closing price Strategic investment of C$17.8 million by the Lundin Group, to become 19.9% shareholder

Proceeds to be used to advance the Kone Gold Project towards construction decision and conduct further exploration on nearby targets

ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Montage Gold Corp. ("Montage" or the "Company") (TSXV: MAU) (OTCQX: MAUTF) is pleased to announce the expansion of its leadership team along with a C$20 million non-brokered financing, including a strategic investment by the Lundin Family Trusts to increase their stake to 19.9%, as the Company embarks on its strategy of creating a leading multi-asset gold producer focused on Africa.

Martino De Ciccio has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, Peder Olsen has been appointed as Chief Development Officer, and Ron Hochstein has been appointed to the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Both Martino and Peder have more than 15 years of experience in the mining industry with a strong value creation track record and profound understanding of the African mining landscape, having both played key roles in building Endeavour Mining into a top 10 global gold producer and the largest in West Africa. Martino brings significant knowledge across strategy, capital markets, corporate finance, and ESG while Peder brings considerable project development experience as he played a key role in successfully building the following West African gold mines: Ity and Agbaou in Cote d'Ivoire, Hounde in Burkina Faso, and Nzema in Ghana, in addition to being the project director for Fekola in Mali prior to its sale to B2Gold. Ron will provide significant oversight and leadership by leveraging his most recent experience in the financing, development, and construction of the Fruta del Norte gold project for Lundin Gold.

Story continues

Richard Clark, co-founder and current CEO, will step down from his CEO role and will remain as a Director of the Company.

Martino De Ciccio, incoming CEO commented, "I am very excited to join Montage with the goal of creating a leading multi-asset African gold producer and I am thrilled to begin this new endeavour with the strong support of the Lundin Group, in addition to Barrick, Endeavour and Perseus, along with an experienced construction team led by Peder.

We are excited to advance the development of the large-scale Kone Project in Cote d'Ivoire, which already contains more than 4 million ounces of gold in Probable Mineral Reserves, given its' attractive economics and significant regional exploration potential. Over the course of the last six months, we have conducted extensive due diligence on the Kone Project, including site visits and engagement with local communities and government stakeholders. We are very pleased with the overwhelmingly positive support received and look forward to leveraging our experience in the region to unlock significant value for all our stakeholders."

Rick Clark, Director and outgoing CEO commented: "We are very pleased to add to our management team and welcome the significant investment by the Lundin Group, which we believe will unlock value for shareholders as we seek to propel Montage forward. I would like to recognize the achievements of Montage, going back to 2008, with the discovery of the Kone deposit by Hugh Stuart. The dedication of the team has resulted in Kone becoming a large-scale robust project providing a foundation upon which to build a major gold company."

Ron Hochstein, incoming Director commented, "I am pleased to be joining Montage which will become a Lundin Group company in order to leverage the significant competencies and experience within the wider group. I look forward to supporting management as we embark to create a leading multi-asset African gold producer."

ADDITIONS TO THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

About Martino De Ciccio: Incoming Chief Executive Officer

Martino De Ciccio has over 15 years of experience in mining industry with a strong value creation track record and significant knowledge across strategy, capital markets, corporate finance, and ESG, coupled with a profound understanding of the African mining landscape.

Martino most recently served as Deputy CFO and Head of Investor Relations at Endeavour Mining (LSE: EDV, TSX: EDV), a position he assumed in January 2023. He joined Endeavour Mining in 2015 as Vice President, Strategy and Investor relations and played a pivotal role in Endeavour's transformation from a $250 million market cap company to a FTSE100 listed company and one of the largest gold producers in the world. During this time, he garnered more than 25 investor relations achievement nominations, including numerous awards for best-in-class investor relations in the gold industry and across all sectors.

Prior to joining Endeavour, Martino played a key role in growing La Mancha Resources from a $20 million market cap which culminated into a $500 million take-private offer. As Strategy and Business Development Manager, he then helped lead the private company's transformation from an emerging gold producer into one of the largest gold investment funds with cornerstone holdings in Evolution Mining and Endeavour, which was recognized with an Emerging Leader Award. Martino currently serves on the Board of Directors of Northisle Copper and Gold (NCX: TSXV) and Bluestone Resources (BSR: TSXV).

Martino earned a B.Com in Finance from McGill University in Montreal, Canada and is a CFA charterholder.

About Peder Olsen: Incoming Chief Development Officer

Peder Olsen has over 15 years of experience in project development, operational, technical services and executive roles within the mining sector. He has a demonstrated track record in advancing large-scale projects from the initial study stage to the successful completion of construction, particularly in West Africa.

Peder has played a key leadership role in building the following projects on time and on budget: Endeavour's Hounde mine in Burkina Faso during 2016-2017, Endeavour's Ity mine in Cote d'Ivoire during 2017-2019, Adamus' Agbaou mine in Cote d'Ivoire during 2012-2013 and Adamus' Nzema mine in Ghana during 2009-2010. In addition, as Director of Projects for Papillion Resources, he played a pivotal role which culminated in the $620 million sale of the Fekola mine to B2Gold in 2014.

Since 2021, Peder has served as the Founder and Managing Director at Orange Mining, a global mining consultancy firm with a strong African presence, which specializes in offering owners project management, study and construction services, and commercial support including tendering services, project and equipment finance.

Between 2018 and 2019, Peder held the position of Director for Africa and Europe at Ibaera Capital, a Perth, Australia-based private equity fund. Prior to this, from 2015 to 2019, he held various roles with Endeavour Mining, including Senior Vice President  Projects, Mining & Technical Services. From 2008 to 2014, Peder held various Project Director and Engineering roles at Papillon Resources, Ampella Mining, Adamus Resources, and NS Projects.

Peder holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management & Economics from Curtin University in Perth, Australia.

About Ron Hochstein: Incoming Director

Ron Hochstein is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lundin Gold, which owns and operates the high-grade, multi-million-ounce, Fruta del Norte ("FDN") gold mine in southeast Ecuador. Under Mr. Hochstein's leadership, Lundin Gold acquired FDN in late 2014, completed a feasibility study, signed several agreements with the Ecuadorian Government, financed, and then constructed the mine and infrastructure on time and on budget  achieving first gold production in November 2019. Prior to his position at Lundin Gold, he served as Executive Chairman, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Denison Mines Corp. from 2009 to 2015. Mr. Hochstein is a Professional Engineer and holds an MBA from the University of British Columbia and a B.Sc. from the University of Alberta. Mr. Hochstein will continue to serve as a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lundin Gold and will not be standing for re-election at the annual general meeting of Denison, to better serve the Montage board.

Stock-Based Compensation Grants

The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate 8,632,594 incentive stock options to certain officers, directors and other eligible persons of the Company. The options are exercisable, subject to vesting provisions, over a period of five years at a price of C$0.70 per share.

The Company has also granted a total of 2,400,000 Restricted Share Units ("RSUs") to senior management. The RSUs are granted in accordance with the Company's Restricted Share Unit Plan. The RSUs are subject to vesting provisions.

In connection with the appointment of Martino De Ciccio and Peder Olsen, as CEO and Chief Development Officer, respectively, the Company has agreed to issue an aggregate of 3,377,406 common shares (1,688,703 to each) (the "Inducement Shares") as an inducement to full-time employment with the Company. Such common shares will be subject to a three-year contractual escrow. The issuance of the Inducement Shares is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

NON-BROKERED PRIVATE PLACEMENT

Montage has launched a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 28,571,429 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of C$0.70 per Common Shares for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$20 million.

As part of the Offering, trusts controlled by the Lundin family (the "Lundin Trusts"), have agreed to purchase up to 25,498,510 Common Shares, which will result in the Lundin Trusts owning 19.9% of Montage upon completion of the Offering and assuming that the Inducement Shares have been approved and issued. Insiders of the Company are participating for the balance of Common Shares issued under the Offering.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration and development expenditures at the Company's Kone Gold Project and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering is expected to close during the week of March 11th, 2024, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws commencing on the closing date of the Offering.

About The Lundin Group

Founded by Adolf H. Lundin over fifty years ago, the Lundin Group of Companies comprise twelve individually managed public companies focused on the resource sector. The majority of the companies are Canadian registered and trade on the TSX and Nasdaq Stockholm exchanges. Commodities produced or explored for include copper, gold, silver, zinc, diamonds, and oil & gas, as well as renewable energy. Individual companies within the Lundin Group share the benefits of the Lundin Group's guidance, network and funding capabilities.

ABOUT THE KONE GOLD PROJECT

As shown in Figure 1 below, the 100% owned Kone Gold Project ("Kone Project") is located approximately 470km north-west of Abidjan in Cote d'Ivoire. The Kone Project consists of the Kone gold deposit and the Gbongogo Main gold deposit and is located on the Kone  Fonondara shear zone which hosts the Seguela gold mine (owned by Fortuna Silver) to the south and the Fonondara, Cassere and Caribou advanced stage gold targets in the north (owned by Barrick Gold).

Figure 1: Kone Gold Project location (CNW Group/Montage Gold Corp)

In January 2024, Montage released the results of an updated definitive feasibility study (the "UFS") for the Kone Project, outlining a 16-year gold project producing 3.57M ounces of gold at AISC of $998 per ounce over the life of mine, with average annual production of 223koz, as highlighted in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Summary Life-of-Mine Metrics



Units Metric Pit Optimization Gold Price $/oz $1,550 Financial Model Base Case Gold Price $/oz $1,850 Life of Mine years 16.0 Total Material Processed Mt 174.3 Contained Gold (Probable Reserves) Moz 4.01 Strip Ratio w:o 1.18:1 Mill Throughput Mtpa 11.0 Average Head Grade, first 3 years Au g/t 1.15 Average Head Grade, LOM Au g/t 0.72 Processing Recovery, first 3 Years % 89.6 % Processing Recovery, LOM % 89.0 % Total Gold Production, LOM Moz 3.57 Average Gold Production, first 3 years koz/yr 349 Average Gold Production, first 8 years koz/yr 301 Average Gold Production, LOM koz/yr 223 Mining Cost Per Tonne Mined, LOM $/t, mined $3.22 Mining Cost Per Tonne Processed, LOM $/t, processed $6.68 Processing Cost, LOM (incl. rehandle) $/t, processed $8.94 G&A, LOM $/t, processed $0.98 Royalties, LOM $/t, processed $2.84 Total Operating Costs, LOM $/t, processed $19.83 Average AISC, first 3 years $/oz $899 Average AISC, LOM $/oz $998 Initial Capital Expenditure $M $712 Total LOM Capital (incl. Closure) $M $877 NPV 5% , after-tax (100%) $M $1,089 After-tax IRR % 31.0 % Payback Period years 2.6

Permitting Underway

The Company anticipates receiving all approvals necessary to build the project in H2-2024.

Following the submission of the Environmental & Social Impact Assessment ("ESIA") for the Kone Gold Project in December 2023, a public hearing was held which reaffirmed the strong support for the project. The next step in the permitting process is the formal validation hearing to approve the ESIA.

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum recently reiterated their support for the advancement of the Kone Gold Project, and in anticipation of a successful validation hearing to approve the ESIA, has instructed Montage to submit the Mining Permit Application for the project ahead of the ESIA validation to accelerate the permitting process. As such, the Mining Permit Application is expected to be filed in the coming weeks.

Financing Activities

Discussions regarding project financing continue to progress and the Company is encouraged at initial indications of size, structure, and pricing of various alternatives.

Exploration Underway to Define Next Satellite Deposits

As shown in Figure 2 below, numerous targets were identified in proximity to the Kone deposit. The key priority area is the Diouma-Gbongogo-Korotou shear zone which is a 15km strike length of soil anomalism where nine targets have been drill tested to some degree. The Gbongogo Main pit and planned haul road are located at the south end of this zone.

The Diouma North prospect is located 2km south of the Gbongogo Main pit, and less than 500m from the planned haul road. As follow-up to reconnaissance and RC drilling in early 2023, Montage completed three diamond core holes, with highlight intercepts including: 14m at 2.16g/t from 58m (GBDDH062); and 17.45m at 2.74g/t from 79m and 11m at 2.21g/t from 127m (GBDDH064). Diamond drilling at Diouma re-commenced in January with an initial core programme which, if successful, will be followed up with an RC programme.

In addition, over the course of 2024, Montage will be conducting exploration at the Petit Yao target which sits 7km east of Kone and just 3km southeast of the planned haul road.

Figure 2: Kone Gold Project nearby exploration targets (CNW Group/Montage Gold Corp)

ABOUT MONTAGE GOLD CORP.

Montage is a Canadian-based precious metals exploration and development company focused on opportunities in Cote d'Ivoire. The Company's flagship property is the Kone Gold Project, located in northwest Cote d'Ivoire, which currently hosts a Probable Mineral Reserve of 174.3 Mt grading 0.72g/t for 4.01M ounces of gold. The Company released the results of an updated feasibility study on the Kone Gold Project on January 16, 2024, outlining a 16-year gold project producing 3.57M ounces of gold at AISC of $998 per ounce over the life of mine, with average annual production of 223koz, and peak annual production of 378koz. Montage has a management team and Board with significant experience in discovering and developing gold deposits in Africa.

TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE

The Kone and Gbongogo Main Mineral Resource Estimates were carried out by Mr. Jonathon Abbott of Matrix Resource Consultants of Perth, Western Australia, who is considered to be independent of Montage Gold. Mr. Abbott is a member in good standing of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralization under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under NI 43101.

The Mineral Reserve Estimate was carried out by Ms. Joeline McGrath of Carci Mining Consultants Ltd., who is considered to be independent of Montage Gold. Ms. McGrath is a member in good standing of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the work which she is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under NI 43101.

For further details of the data verification undertaken, exploration undertaken and associated QA/QC programs, and the interpretation thereof, and the assumptions, parameters and methods used to develop the Mineral Reserve Estimate for the Kone Gold Project, please see the UFS, entitled "Kone Gold Project, Cote d'Ivoire Updated Feasibility Study National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report" and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are encouraged to read the UFS in its entirety, including all qualifications, assumptions and exclusions that relate to the details summarized in this news release. The UFS is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.

QUALIFIED PERSONS STATEMENT

The scientific and technical contents of this press release have been approved by Hugh Stuart, BSc, MSc, a Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101. Mr. Stuart is the President and a Director of the Company, a Chartered Geologist and a Fellow of the Geological Society of London.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "Forward-looking Statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute Forward-looking Statements. Words such as "will", "intends", "proposed" and "expects" or similar expressions are intended to identify Forward-looking Statements. Forward looking Statements in this press release include statements related to the Company's mineral reserve and resource estimates; the timing and amount of future production from the Kone Gold Project; expectations with respect to the IRR, NPV, payback and costs of the Kone Gold Project; anticipated mining and processing methods of the Kone Gold Project; anticipated mine life of the Kone Gold Project; expected recoveries and grades of the Kone Gold Project; and timing for permits and concessions, including that the Company will receive all approvals in H2-2024 necessary to build the project and that the Mining Permit Application is expected to be filed in the coming weeks, and exploration plans for 2024. Forward-looking Statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral reserve and resource estimates and definitive feasibility studies such as the Mineral Reserve Estimate and the UFS, including but not limited to, assumptions underlying the production estimates not being realized, incorrect cost assumptions, unexpected variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates, unexpected changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, unexpected failures of plant, equipment or processes, unexpected changes to availability of power or the power rates, failure to maintain permits and licenses, higher than expected interest or tax rates, adverse changes in project parameters, unanticipated delays and costs of consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks inherent in the Cote d'Ivoire, title risks, including failure to renew concessions, unanticipated commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to COVID-19, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, and other risk factors set forth in the Company's 2022 AIF under the heading "Risk Factors". The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Montage to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any Forward-looking Statement. Any Forward-looking Statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

This press release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), including cash costs and AISC (or "all-in sustaining costs") per payable ounce of gold sold and per tonne processed and mining, processing and operating costs reported on a unit basis. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and, therefore, they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The Company discloses "cash costs" and "all-in sustaining costs" and other unit costs because it understands that certain investors use this information to determine the Company's ability to generate earnings and cash flows for use in investing and other activities. The Company believes that conventional measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS, do not fully illustrate the ability of mines to generate cash flows. The measures, as determined under IFRS, are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flows from operating activities. The measures cash costs and all-in sustaining costs and unit costs are considered to be key indicators of a project's ability to generate operating earnings and cash flows. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS and are not necessarily indicative of operating costs, operating profit or cash flows presented under IFRS. Readers should also refer to our management's discussion and analysis, available under our corporate profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a more detailed discussion of how we calculate such measures.

Montage Gold logo (CNW Group/Montage Gold Corp)

Cision

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SOURCE Montage Gold Corp
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Bidens administration is examining Nippon Steel Corp.s connections to China, people familiar with the matter say, a potential stumbling block for the Japanese giants politically contentious deal to acquire American rival United States Steel Corp.

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The administration sees its priority as protecting US industry and is worried about Nippon Steels exposure to China, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the thinking. Biden has maintained tariffs on Chinese goods implemented by former President Donald Trump under Section 301 of the trade law and may consider future tariffs on steel and aluminum from China, the people said.

The complication for Nippon Steel is that regulators may look unfavorably on whether its acquisition of US Steel could allow more access to US markets for Chinese-sourced steel, while the administration uses tariffs and other measures to keep steel from being dumped on the American market.

Nippon Steels plans to purchase US Steel, an iconic American firm based in the election battleground state of Pennsylvania, has already touched off a political firestorm in the US, where it is undergoing a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

It is not clear whether the China assets will be an explicit part of the CFIUS review. Still, scrutiny over Nippon Steels China holdings threatens to add another complication to the transaction as Biden considers tougher trade measures against Beijing.

Shares of US Steel dropped as much as 1.2% and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., which was edged out in a bid for the company, rose as much as 2.9%, after Bloomberg reported the news. US Steel closed the day at $46.52, below the $55-a-share offer Nippon made in December.

Story continues

Cliffs Chief Executive Officer Lourenco Goncalves told Bloomberg earlier this month that his $54-a-share cash-and-stock bid for US Steel is gone and wont be a backup if Nippon Steels offer that was accepted by the American steelmaker falls through.

Earlier: Cliffs CEO Says His US Steel Deal Is Absolutely Gone

The US Steel takeover faces opposition from organized labor and Trump  the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination  has threatened to block it if he wins a second term in November. The Biden administration has indicated that it wants to protect union jobs and the domestic steel sector, but has stopped short of making those conditions of an approval.

Nippon Steels operations in China are very limited  representing less than 5% of our global production capacity  with only downstream business and no upstream facilities such as blast furnaces or electric arc furnaces which constitute a major portion of investments in the steel industry, a company spokesman said in a statement. Our operations in China  including joint ventures with Chinese partners  have no control over our operations or business decisions outside of China, including in the U.S.

Nippon Steels website lists nine businesses that it operates in China. Those include an automotive-steel joint venture with a unit of China Baowu Steel Group Corp.  now the worlds biggest steelmaker  that dates back almost two decades.

The spokesman said that the companys goal is to enhance U.S. Steels competitiveness in the global steel market and address the industrys overproduction and overcapacity issues  largely driven from China.

The White House and Treasury Department declined to comment.

China Holdings

Nippon Steel has nine facilities in China among its global production base, according to its 2023 integrated report to shareholders. The company added the facilities to its asset portfolio between 2001 to 2013, a key period of unprecedented growth in Chinese steel demand.

That era has been long criticized by American steel producers as the time during which China massively overproduced the alloy and dumped excess metal in the US and the rest of the world, tanking global prices and leading to the unprofitability of many once-dominant American steel companies.

While Nippons total production from these facilities is quite small when compared to its global output  just 3.6 million tons of capacity per year out of a total 66 million  it presents a challenge the company may need to overcome to receive approval.

Political backlash to the loss of manufacturing jobs in steel and other sectors is a potent force in American politics, and rebuilding the sectors is a key pledge of both the Biden and Trump campaigns.

The last two decades have seen Chinas rise as a global steel and economic power. In 2000, China produced 127.2 million tons compared to the USs 101.8 million. The gap has widened, with China now producing more than 1 billion tons of steel in 2022 to 80.5 million for the US. Simultaneously, the US saw Chinese steel imports rise steadily, topping out at nearly 3 million tons in 2014.

Earlier: US Lawmaker Concern Over Mexico Steel Revives Trump-Era Conflict

The surge of imports weighed on domestic producers as US benchmark steel prices tumbled below $400 a ton. It caught the attention of the Obama administration, which oversaw a raft of trade cases that resulted in tariffs on imports from China and other countries.

That aggressive approach saw Chinese imports plummeting 72% by 2016. Barely a year into his presidency, Trump passed Section 232 tariffs on steel that effectively eliminated most imports from China. Chinese imports totaled just 400,000 tons in 2020.

Producers and US lawmakers, though, are now warning about Chinese steel that is shipped through neighboring countries such as Mexico.

(Updates with information on Nippon Steels China assets in tenth paragraph.)

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Minister for Media Catherine Martin has sought an urgent meeting with the chairwoman of the RTE board, after she said she was misinformed over the boards knowledge of recent exit packages for senior executives.

Ms Martin has written to Siun Ni Raghallaigh, asking to meet her on Friday after the chairwoman repeatedly gave assurances to the minister that the board had no role in signing off the package to a former RTE chief financial officer.

Ms Martin said it has since emerged that the remuneration committee of the board, of which Ms Ni Raghallaigh is a member, approved the package for Richard Collins.

The minister told RTEs Prime Time that she was deeply disappointed in Ms Ni Raghallaigh and refused to express confidence in her ahead of the meeting.

It was my understanding that the board had no role whatsoever in the approval of these two exit packages. When I met the chair on Monday, I queried this again  was my understanding correct?  and I was assured by the chair that it was the case, Ms Martin said.

However, this morning, communication to my officials it has been made known to me now that in fact, in that second exit package, that of Richard Collins, it went before the remuneration committee, so there was a process there where the board had approval.

Ms Martin said she had been given incorrect information twice this week after she raised the issue with Ms Ni Raghallaigh in recent days.

The Green Party minister told the network on Thursday evening she wanted to check this information one more time on Wednesday.

(I found) out this morning that it was the incorrect information, that it was indeed approved by the remuneration committee in which the chair sits, Ms Martin said.

That is of concern because the Minister for Media must be in possession of the facts of the exact information, especially in a time of crisis and controversy like this.

I would like to say though that Siun Ni Raghallaigh has done incredible work since she come on as chair, I think, especially since this crisis erupted.

But I do feel I need to meet Siun to just talk through exactly how this arose. How could I be misinformed on these two occasions?

Its not satisfactory. Ive always said that my direct line of communication in relation to RTE is through the chair of the board. So I am deeply disappointed with this.

Ive written to the chair this evening, and Ive asked to meet her tomorrow to discuss this.

Asked several times if she has lost confidence in the chairwoman, Ms Martin replied that she was deeply disappointed and would not be making further comment.

Asked if she would remove Ms Ni Raghallaigh from her position as chairwoman of the board, Ms Martin said she has to give everything consideration, but it was only right that the chairwoman explains the situation.

The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Brian Stanley, said Ms Ni Raghallaighs involvement in an exit package for an RTE executive is a most serious and grave matter.

The Sinn Fein TD said: Whats happened here is that you have a situation again where the minister has been misinformed.

If thats the case, that means the Government has been misinformed, the public has been misinformed, the people who write the cheque have been misinformed.

Asked if he had confidence in the chairwoman of the RTE board, he told Virgin Medias Tonight programme: If it turns out to be the case, I think Siun Ni Raghallaigh is in trouble here.

Mr Stanley said there was a credibility gap he could not overlook.

It comes hours after the director general of RTE said it is currently completely unable to release details of executives exit packages dating back to 2016.

Kevin Bakhurst said the organisation has been under pressure to release those details but said he has received legal advice that to do so would be breaking the law.

On publishing that advice, the national broadcaster confirmed that it has asked former executives to waive their right to confidentiality on their exit agreements.

It follows the revelation that former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe received a voluntary redundancy package worth 450,000 euros.

Mr Bakhurst has also defended a decision to give an exit payment to former strategy director Rory Coveney, who was described as the driving force behind a musical which accrued 2.2 million euros in losses for the broadcaster.

However, the exact amount of the payment has not been disclosed.

Advice by legal firm Arthur Cox, published by RTE on Thursday, states that both employees and former employees have a legal right that their personal data relating to their employment is not made publicly available.

If such information is published, we remain of the view that this would contravene employees contractual and statutory rights thereby exposing RTE to avoidable legal challenge, a letter dated February 21 stated.

While RTE has sent letters to eight former executives asking them to waive confidentiality themselves, Mr Bakhurst said: I dont want the expectations to be very high because that is entirely their gift to waive their confidentiality.

Mr Bakhurst told Newstalks The Hard Shoulder: We have to wait for their responses. But look, I want to be realistic about whether theyre likely to do it. I dont think they are but its the only avenue open to me to try and see if thats possible.

The organisation agreed confidentiality as part of the legal settlement in many cases. So therefore, they may question why they want to do it but you know, Ive written to see if they are prepared to do it.

Speaking to RTEs News At One radio programme, the director general said he would be examining other ways of driving transparency looking forward.

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.

The director general also said there were no grounds to sack Mr Coveney and that if he had taken an unfair dismissal case, he would have typically been entitled to two years pay.

Mr Bakhurst said, in that circumstance, RTE could potentially have been forced to pay out double what Mr Coveney was actually given.

These comments have contributed to speculation the payment was approximately one years salary, believed to be up to 200,000 euros.

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.

Asked about the comments on Thursday, Mr Bakhurst said: I was trying to be as accurate as I can within the realms of the confidentiality  thats made clear here  that he deserves.

Acknowledging his comment may have been influenced by his previous work in the UK, he said: Statutory level would normally mean a week for every year of service, is my understanding.

So I was trying to give an idea that he did get paid, but not an extortionate amount without giving the exact details.

I was trying to tread a careful line between being as open as I possibly could in the circumstances but trying to respect whats been laid out in these legal letters.

It was put to Mr Bakhurst that a statutory redundancy payment in Ireland, which is two weeks pay capped at 600 euros per week for every year of service plus one bonus week, would likely be less than 20,000 euros in the case of Mr Coveneys 16 years of service.

The director general replied: I think that maybe thats where I misspoke.

It was further put that he had presented a situation where Mr Coveney was given a modest payment.

Mr Bakhurst said: Thats not what I intended at the time.

He also said on Thursday that while he understands why there has been a focus on Mr Coveney, he believes the attention has been unfair.

He worked at RTE for 16 years, under various directors generals. He did a great job. Clearly, the Toy Show The Musical was a failure, but he was not alone in that project.

So I was trying to be fair to him as well and also fair to his reputation and to a man who needs to go out and find another job.

In a separate legal letter from February 21, with the subject line certain arrangements entered into with former employees, Arthur Cox states that the deals agreed represented a better commercial outcome for RTE than alternatives.

We can confirm that these arrangements were carefully considered weighing up legal risk along with the cost, time and uncertainty surrounding alternative options.

In our view, the terms ultimately agreed represented a better commercial outcome for RTE than the alternative options available combined with the attendant risks associated with same and fell within parameters of similar arrangements we have seen in both the private and semi-state sectors.

In a third letter dated October 5, it acknowledges RTEs aim for transparency, but said it is in receipt of a number of objections and complaints expressing concerns about the potential disclosure of personal data without the consent of the employees concerned.

If such information is published in a manner where employees could be identified then we are of the view that this would create significant employee and industrial relations issues for RTE, as well as potentially resulting in legal exposure depending on the nature of the publication.

The potential for such issues is borne out by correspondence RTE has received to date from concerned current and former employees.
Dublin comedian Joanne McNally has cancelled US tour dates for the second time, due to visa issues.

Joanne was due to perform shows in Chicago, Washington and Philadelphia, but has had to rescheduled twice now.

Last year I did shows in America and to do that, I had to get a visa which I got. My UK agent and I thought I had a three-year visa because no one actually checked to see what I got, Joanne said on Instagram. I applied for a three visa, turns out I got a one year visa which we discovered two weeks ago. We've been trying to get a new working visa in time for these shows and it didn't happen because America is hard to get into.

The comedian continued with a joke: The problem is, I just believe what I'm told, so if someone hands me my passport and tells me I have a three-year visa, I just believe that, I don't fact-check anything... I can only apologize.

The Chicago, Washington and Philadelphia have been cancelled but rescheduled - all shows will now be taking place in March.
Irelands Media Minister has defended her handling of the latest crisis to engulf RTE, which led to Siun Ni Raghallaigh resigning as the chairwoman of the networks board.

Catherine Martin, who is facing calls to step down from her position, said she is doing her best to manage a very difficult situation.

The Green Party minister repeated her position that Ms Ni Raghallaigh failed to inform her that the RTE board was involved in the exit package of a former board member.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh resigned overnight after Ms Martin failed to express confidence in her.

Ms Martin said she had been misinformed about the approval of an exit package for a former RTE executive, and said she was deeply disappointed when asked to express confidence in Ms Ni Raghallaigh.

Addressing reporters at Government Buildings on Friday, Ms Martin also said the former secretary general of her department has no recollection of being told that an exit package for former RTE chief financial officer Richard Collins was approved by the board.

This is despite a statement from the RTE board stating that the then secretary general Katherine Licken was directly told by Ms Ni Raghallaigh of the outcome of the remuneration committee on October 10 last year.

I am aware of suggestions that Ms Ni Raghallaigh had informed the former secretary general of my department that the board had approved the exit package for Richard Collins, Ms Martin said.

I discussed this matter with the former secretary general yesterday and today to check if this was the case.

She has been clear that while she was informed by phone that the independent mediation process on an exit package for Mr Collins had finally reached a conclusion, she has no recollection of being told that it was approved by the boards remuneration committee.

I was deeply disappointed that the chair had not given me accurate information when I raised it specifically on two occasions during the week.

I wrote to the chair yesterday evening asking her for a meeting on Friday morning. I believed the failure to properly answer my questions was so serious that it required a formal meeting.

It was also confirmed that there was no note taken of the phone call between Ms Ni Raghallaigh and the departments former secretary general on October 10.

Ms Martin has been criticised after she was accused of dismissing the chairwoman of the RTE board on live television on Thursday night.

Defending her appearance on Prime Time, Ms Martin said it was a pre-arranged interview and that she felt she had to address the matter.

She continued: I am doing my best to manage a very difficult situation. I am absolutely committed to, after consecutive governments failing to put a funding model in place, I am absolutely committed to making that decision.

I am at advanced negotiations levels with that at cabinet.

RTE has come under heavy scrutiny to release details of exit packages for executives dating back to 2016.

On Thursday it published legal advice that said publicly releasing the details of former and current employee contracts would expose RTE to avoidable legal challenge.

Questions have been raised about the governance over exit packages after it was revealed that former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe was paid 450,000 euro which was not approved under the terms of a voluntary redundancy programme.

Appearing on Prime Time, Ms Martin said she had been given repeated assurances that the RTE board had no role in signing off an exit package to Mr Collins.

However, it emerged that the remuneration committee of the board, which Ms Ni Raghallaigh chairs, had approved Mr Collins exit arrangements.

Ms Martin said on Friday: I had asked the chair at two meetings on Monday and Wednesday if she or the board had played any role in approving either of two recent severance packages to senior RTE executives.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that neither she nor the board had played any role in approving it. On Thursday, Ms Ni Raghallaigh contacted the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and said that what she had told me on Monday and Wednesday was inaccurate.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that she now remembered that the remuneration committee of the RTE board, which she chaired, had met to approve the Richard Collins exit package last October.

The fact that she contacted the department with this information indicates she was aware she needed to correct the record.

She added: I teased it out even more on the Wednesday meeting, and then to find out on the Thursday that she has suddenly remembered that she not only was in the meeting, but chaired the meeting that approved it.

Ms Martin said during the Wednesday meeting, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said no we did not have a role but in the future with the new reform we will, so she talks in the future tense even on Wednesday.

She said she checked with the former secretary general of her department before going on RTE Prime Time, and before she informed the coalition leaders.

She said she has confidence in RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst to continue his reform agenda.

On Thursday, the minister said she had sought an urgent meeting with Ms Ni Raghallaigh over the matter.

However, hours later, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said it was abundantly clear her position is no longer tenable as she had lost the confidence of Ms Martin.

In her statement, issued just before 1am on Friday, she said her misrepresentation of the process was not intentional.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said that during a meeting with Ms Martin earlier in the week, she had been asked if the board knew about the exit packages for former strategy director Rory Coveney and Mr Collins.

I said that I was aware of them but they had not come before the full board. However, I neglected to recollect that Richard Collins exit package did go before the renumeration committee.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said Mr Bakhurst was also present in the two meetings with the minister and her officials this week, which lasted for more than three hours.

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, the board echoed a statement made by Ms Ni Raghallaigh that she had informed the department about the agreement with Mr Collins the day after it had been approved.

The RTE board also published the minutes of the boards remuneration committee on October 9, held on the video platform Teams at 5pm, which was attended by director general Kevin Bakhurst.

The day after this meeting of the remuneration committee, October 10 2023, Siun contacted the Secretary General of the Department directly by telephone and updated her about the meeting of the remuneration committee, and its outcome  ie, that it approved an agreement with Richard Collins, it said.

Cabinet ministers backed their government colleague despite calls for her to step down, with the Labour Party describing her position as untenable.

The Labour Party accused the minister of summarily dismissing Ms Ni Raghallaigh live on air.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that Ms Martin had not effectively dismissed the RTE chairwoman through her interview.

On Friday morning, Ms McEntee, Minister for Children Roderic OGorman and Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris all publicly stated confidence in their government colleague.

Speaking in Dublin, Ms McEntee said: I think Catherine Martin has handled this in the best way possible. She has engaged at every stage with the board and in particular the chair of the board. That is the person she is legally responsible to engage with to ensure that the information that she gets is factual and correct and the right information.

Last night she had committed to an interview she followed through on and outlined a number of conversations that happened this week. Further information came to light that she had not been aware of.

I think it is regrettable that a meeting that had been due to happen today between the minister and the chair of the board is not now going to happen.

I think what people want is information, they want to see transparency, would want to have confidence in our public service broadcaster, confidence in those who are managing RTE and the only way we can have confidence is by knowing all of the facts and all of the information, and I dont believe we are at that point just yet.

Ms McEntee said that Ms Martin simply laid out the facts.

Mr OGorman said his party colleague has his full confidence over RTE.

I think what Catherine outlined last night is that on two occasions this week, she asked the chair of the board about whether the remuneration packages were disclosed at the board and she was told they werent, Mr OGorman added.

Subsequently yesterday, I understand, new information was provided by the chair of the board.

Catherine had a pre-existing commitment on Prime Time and she expressed, I think, her very legitimate disappointment in terms of new information coming forward like that.

She did it in a transparent way. I think, all along in our discussions since the story broke, the issue has been a lot of transparency and Minister Martin speaking on a national political show was transparent in terms of what the situation is right now.

She indicated clearly she wanted to discuss this matter further with the chair of the board. That would have happened this morning but obviously the chair of the board has subsequently made a decision to resign.

To be absolutely clear, when I look at the work Catherine has done in terms of the two expert bodies, looking at governance and culture in RTE, remuneration and pay in RTE and the work Catherine is doing in terms of looking to bring a sustainable funding model to RTE, she has my full confidence.

Mr Harris said that some glib commentary on Ms Martin has been unfair.

He said Ms Martin found herself in a very difficult position last night as she was scheduled to go on TV before meeting Ms Ni Raghallaigh on Friday.

Asked whether Ms Martins handling of her department was in question, Mr Harris said: I dont believe it is, I believe Catherine Martin is a good minister.

I know Catherine Martin to be a very diligent, very hard working, very honest person and I think some of the glib commentary today from some in opposition is unfair.
(Bloomberg) -- The surge in Nvidia Corp. shares on Thursday has left short sellers with about $3 billion in paper losses, according to an analysis by S3 Partners LLC, which called it an AI generated nightmare for bearish traders.

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The mark-to-market losses are another blow for contrarians who argued that Nvidias sky-high valuations and speculative fever had all the makings of a market bubble about to pop. The chipmaker is the third-largest US short with $18.3 billion of shares that have been borrowed and sold, according to S3.

The early mark-to-market losses were inescapable for many short sellers that were looking to trim their positions after NVDAs earnings report, Ihor Dusaniwsky, managing director of predictive analytics at S3, wrote in the note. Short sellers will probably wait a bit to look for more favorable exit points.

Read more: The AI Chip Behind Nvidias Supersonic Stock Rally: QuickTake

The rally in Nvidia sparked broader gains across the US chip industry. Short sellers had a one-day paper loss of $4.3 billion from semiconductor stocks, S3 data showed. Semiconductors are the worst-performing sector for short sellers this year, with mark-to-market losses of $7.2 billion in February.

Nvidia shares continued their climb on Friday, rising as much as 4.9% in early trading in New York.

Some investors say Nvidias blockbuster earnings will cement optimism that AI spending is strong, justifying the big stock market gains.

Nvidia surged 16% on Thursday, making it the third-biggest S&P 500 company and putting it on track to breach $2 trillion in market value. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbed nearly 65% in 2023 and is up another 13% this year.

Story continues

--With assistance from Subrat Patnaik.

(Updates with stock moves at market open.)

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The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in 4 days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before a company's record date, which is the date on which the company determines which shareholders are entitled to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is of consequence because whenever a stock is bought or sold, the trade takes at least two business day to settle. This means that investors who purchase Goldman Sachs Group's shares on or after the 28th of February will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 28th of March.

The company's next dividend payment will be US$2.75 per share. Last year, in total, the company distributed US$11.00 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Goldman Sachs Group has a trailing yield of 2.8% on the current stock price of US$390.47. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. So we need to investigate whether Goldman Sachs Group can afford its dividend, and if the dividend could grow.

View our latest analysis for Goldman Sachs Group

Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. Goldman Sachs Group paid out a comfortable 45% of its profit last year.

Generally speaking, the lower a company's payout ratios, the more resilient its dividend usually is.

Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

When earnings decline, dividend companies become much harder to analyse and own safely. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. So we're not too excited that Goldman Sachs Group's earnings are down 2.7% a year over the past five years.

Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Since the start of our data, 10 years ago, Goldman Sachs Group has lifted its dividend by approximately 19% a year on average.

Story continues

Final Takeaway

From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid Goldman Sachs Group? Goldman Sachs Group's earnings per share are down over the past five years, although it has the cushion of a low payout ratio, which would suggest a cut to the dividend is relatively unlikely. It doesn't appear an outstanding opportunity, but could be worth a closer look.

With that being said, if dividends aren't your biggest concern with Goldman Sachs Group, you should know about the other risks facing this business. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Goldman Sachs Group you should know about.

A common investing mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a full list of high-yield dividend stocks.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
There are more than a few items regarding local gunfire tonight . . . However, this post will help us catch up on the political discourse regarding gun right . . . Pandemic postscript and creeper suspects pleading their case.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Kansas City leaders visit White House to address gun violence A group of Jackson County legislators and Missouri lawmakers traveled to the nation's capital to continue discussions of gun violence.

Kansas City metro residents among 11 indicted for $220,000 COVID-19 fraud conspiracy The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 6, 2024.

One dead after police shooting in Independence Thursday night The incident was reported in the area of N. Frandsen Road and E. Morgan Road.

Video shows Kansas City police chase, crash that killed mother of 7 Dashcam video shows a 2022 Kansas City police chase that ended with a wreck that killed Erika Miller, a 38-year-old mother of seven.

Camera shows Kansas City couple's assault incident at VA Medical Center A Kansas City metro couple said they no longer feel safe going to the VA hospital after an incident in a parking lot with an employee.

Clay County judge delays sentencing for former teacher, coach convicted of sexual crime A Clay County jury recommended Josh Hood receive five years in prison for 2010 crime

ATF study: Over 11,000 guns in Missouri reported stolen in five-year stretch Court documents say one of the guns used in last week's Chiefs parade shooting was stolen.

Independence police to crack down on temporary tags, license plates next week Beginning next week, patrol officers in Independence will be on the lookout for expired license plates and temp tags

Developing . . .
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (NYSE:LH) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 2 days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before a company's record date, which is the date on which the company determines which shareholders are entitled to receive a dividend. It is important to be aware of the ex-dividend date because any trade on the stock needs to have been settled on or before the record date. Therefore, if you purchase Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings' shares on or after the 26th of February, you won't be eligible to receive the dividend, when it is paid on the 13th of March.

The company's next dividend payment will be US$0.72 per share. Last year, in total, the company distributed US$2.88 to shareholders. Looking at the last 12 months of distributions, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings has a trailing yield of approximately 1.3% on its current stock price of US$217.77. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings's dividend is reliable and sustainable. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing.

See our latest analysis for Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings

Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings paid out more than half (66%) of its earnings last year, which is a regular payout ratio for most companies. Yet cash flows are even more important than profits for assessing a dividend, so we need to see if the company generated enough cash to pay its distribution. It distributed 29% of its free cash flow as dividends, a comfortable payout level for most companies.

It's positive to see that Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut.

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Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

When earnings decline, dividend companies become much harder to analyse and own safely. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. Readers will understand then, why we're concerned to see Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings's earnings per share have dropped 12% a year over the past five years. When earnings per share fall, the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid also falls.

The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings's dividend payments are effectively flat on where they were two years ago. If a company's dividend stays flat while earnings are in decline, this is typically a sign that it is paying out a larger percentage of its earnings. This can become unsustainable if earnings fall far enough.

The Bottom Line

Has Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings got what it takes to maintain its dividend payments? The payout ratios are within a reasonable range, implying the dividend may be sustainable. Declining earnings are a serious concern, however, and could pose a threat to the dividend in future. In summary, while it has some positive characteristics, we're not inclined to race out and buy Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings today.

With that being said, if dividends aren't your biggest concern with Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, you should know about the other risks facing this business. For example - Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings has 3 warning signs we think you should be aware of.

Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers.

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.
Dutifully reported by the KC Defender WITHOUT ANY MENTION OF DEADLY TERRORISM INFLICTED UPON INNOCENT FAMILIES IN ISRAEL . . . Be careful with this bit of "journalism" because we think any strong reaction either way will PROBABLY get readers put on some kind of watch list.

Check the quote:



"In the days following the horrific attack, Kansas Citys streets bore witness to a profound gathering of souls, united in grief, solidarity, and defiance.



"Local community organizations Al-Hadaf KC and Free Palestine KC organized the emergency demonstration, titled All Eyes on Rafah.



"The demonstration was held this past Saturday, just mere days after the tragic shooting that took place during the Super Bowl victory parade. "



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Apropos for #TBT una vez mas. . .



This cowtown fancy pants French-y place is forced to surrender once more . . .

Check-it:



With this coming March marking the 10th anniversary of Ca Va, the decision was made to end this particular chapter and make some changes before launching into the next, the press release states.



Founding partners Howard Hanna and Jim Coley plan to rebrand Ca Va to showcase a more international food and beverage menu. Details for the relaunch will be given in the near future, but are slated for late March.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
It lasted for three days, and as usual, about two-and-a-half thousand children, teenagers, and young adults participated, along with parents, Parish Councils, and some priests

The 47th consecutive Folk Dance Festival (FDF) of the Metropolis of San Francisco, was recently held in the city of Anaheim, CA.

The Festival is organized under the supervision of Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. It lasted for three days, and as usual, about two-and-a-half thousand children, teenagers, and young adults participated, along with parents, Parish Councils, and some priests from the communities within the jurisdiction of the Metropolis of San Francisco.

Metropolitan Gerasimos stated to The National Herald that the Festival had a lot of enthusiasm, great excitement, and vision for the future.

He emphasized that it exceeded all expectations of success. Forty-five communities, 108 dance groups, and four and a half thousand people participated. It was a literal celebration of Greek valor and the presentation of Greece, especially by the new generation of our Omogenia. He added, I feel great pride for our children because they reflect the good families in which they were born and raised. They are characterized by faith, politeness, good manners  what we call ethos.

It is noted that the dance groups engaged in a noble competition of dance performances, and at the end, there was an award ceremony and grand banquet. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was also present at the Festival, who along with Metropolitan Gerasimos welcomed the children of the dance groups and their parents. The Archbishop conducted an Agiasmos service and blessed the children who participated in the festival. Also present was Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea, the chancellor of the Metropolis of San Francisco, while Archbishop Elpidophoros was accompanied by the chancellor of the Archdiocese of America, Fr. Nektarios Papazafiropoulos, and Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris.

The Archbishop in his remarks among other things said that all of you are to be congratulated for this extraordinary event! Like a Greek line dance, you are all connected in the infinite chain of love and relationships that bind us together as one Church under the lordship of Christ. In these coming days, build on these relationships! Find ways for even deeper connections to yourself, to your faith, and to your fellow Orthodox Christians. The ties that bind you are stronger than you might suppose. As you lift your voices and your bodies in the artful songs and dances that you will offer, lift your hearts and minds as well to perceive the music and dance of creation that our Lord has gifted us.

It is reminded that the program of the dances of the Metropolis of San Francisco started under the late Metropolitan Anthony, expanded over the years, and continues to become more structured and organized until today.

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: Noahnmf


Search News Archive : Fast Travel News Promotion Via Search, Social Media + Email Follow Us On : SOJOURNEY TRAVEL SELECTED AS BEST OF GEORGIA 2023 AWARD RECIPIENT Industry: Travel Awards

Sojourney Travel has been selected as one of Georgia Business Journals Best of Georgia 2023 winners in the Travel Agency category.



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - February 22nd, 2024 - Sojourney Travel, a broad-spectrum, global-focused travel agency dedicated to curating luxury travel experiences, has been selected as one of Georgia Business Journals Best of Georgia 2023 winners. The Best of Georgia title is the highest designation given to the businesses within this recognition program. It is given to nominees that have the largest number of votes within their category. It is followed by regional category winners and honorable mentions. This annual recognition program aims to highlight Georgia businesses. The Best of Georgia Awards recognize businesses that have exceeded expectations, demonstrated integrity in their leadership, and created a meaningful difference in the lives of their customers.Best of Georgia Award winners and nominees are chosen by a combination of thousands of votes and editors' input. We are truly honored to be recognized as one of the top travel agencies in Georgia, said Lori Stephens, Owner and CEO of Sojourney Travel. This recognition showcases the hard work of our advisors and our commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences. We look forward to continuing to exceed expectations and create unforgettable journeys for our clients. Sojourneys Travel recognition in this program serves as a testament to the companys commitment to serving clients with excellence. This acknowledgment reflects the agency's dedication to going above and beyond in crafting remarkable and personalized travel experiences, reinforcing their position as a leader in the industry. About Sojourney Travel Sojourney Travel is a broad-spectrum, global-focused travel agency dedicated to curating luxury travel experiences. Sojourney Travel specializes in crafting personalized itineraries, ensuring clients embark on unforgettable journeys tailored to their unique preferences. Sojourney Travels dedicated team of travel advisors cater to a diverse range of travel interests, offering personalized experiences for individuals, families, and groups  no matter the destination. To learn more about Sojourney Travel, please visit sojourneytravel.com. ### Please contact the person or company listed above for information regarding the content of this press release. TravPR.com are not the issuers of this press release and are not responsible for the accuracy of the content. Share Release :



CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Kayla Smith Company: Sojourney Travel Phone: 470-327-8344 Email: kayla.smith@sojourneytravel.com Web: PRESS RELEASE TAGS
Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should.

If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology (ETR:PFV). While this doesn't necessarily speak to whether it's undervalued, the profitability of the business is enough to warrant some appreciation - especially if its growing.

See our latest analysis for Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology

How Fast Is Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology Growing?

Generally, companies experiencing growth in earnings per share (EPS) should see similar trends in share price. That means EPS growth is considered a real positive by most successful long-term investors. Shareholders will be happy to know that Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology's EPS has grown 28% each year, compound, over three years. If growth like this continues on into the future, then shareholders will have plenty to smile about.

Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. On the revenue front, Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology has done well over the past year, growing revenue by 14% to 986m but EBIT margin figures were less stellar, seeing a decline over the last 12 months. So it seems the future may hold further growth, especially if EBIT margins can remain steady.

In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers.

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Fortunately, we've got access to analyst forecasts of Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology's future profits. You can do your own forecasts without looking, or you can take a peek at what the professionals are predicting.

Are Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

It's a good habit to check into a company's remuneration policies to ensure that the CEO and management team aren't putting their own interests before that of the shareholder with excessive salary packages. For companies with market capitalisations between 924m and 3.0b, like Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology, the median CEO pay is around 1.4m.

Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology offered total compensation worth 937k to its CEO in the year to December 2022. That comes in below the average for similar sized companies and seems pretty reasonable. CEO compensation is hardly the most important aspect of a company to consider, but when it's reasonable, that gives a little more confidence that leadership are looking out for shareholder interests. It can also be a sign of a culture of integrity, in a broader sense.

Does Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?

If you believe that share price follows earnings per share you should definitely be delving further into Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology's strong EPS growth. With swiftly growing earnings, the best days may still be to come, and the modest CEO pay suggests the company is careful with cash. We think that based on its merits alone, this stock is worth watching into the future. However, before you get too excited we've discovered 1 warning sign for Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology that you should be aware of.

While opting for stocks without growing earnings and absent insider buying can yield results, for investors valuing these key metrics, here is a carefully selected list of companies in DE with promising growth potential and insider confidence.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Authors Kantner and McGuire will read from award-winning works

Alaska authors Seth Kantner and Rosemary McGuire will read from their works at the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.

Seth Kantner

Kantner, of Kotzebue, is author of the award-winning bestselling novel Ordinary Wolves and four other books, as well as essays and newspaper columns. McGuire, of Fairbanks, is author of the award-winning memoir Rough Crossing and other works.

The duo will read from their writings in the BP Design Theater, on the fourth floor of the Usibelli Building on the UAF Troth Yeddha Campus in Fairbanks. Afterward, theyll answer questions from the audience.

The reading is part of the Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series, hosted by the UAF Department of English.

The event is free and open to the public. Parking on campus is free after 5 p.m.

Kantner and McGuire, who also both fish commercially, address questions of identity in Alaska and Arctic communities in their writing.

Rosemary McGuire

Kantners most recent book is A Thousand Trails Home, published in 2021. Fellow Alaska author Don Rearden described it as an inspiring and important book about Alaskan culture, biology, philosophy, history  and love for the creature [caribou] at the heart of life on the tundra.

McGuires Cold Latitudes, also published in 2021, recounts her experiences in the Arctic and Antarctica. McGuire is from and of the cold latitudes about which she writes, American writer Gretel Erlich said of the book. It shows in the chop and bang, the beauty and slide of her words as if lifted directly from the Arctics intrinsic difficulty and elegance.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Seth Kantner, 907-412-0906; Rosemary McGuire, 907-987-9125

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By Maya Kucij, February 23, 2024





Children from many area elementary schools listen to author and lllustrator talks in the James C. Kirkpatrick Library during the 2023 Children's Literature Festival.



WARRENSBURG, MO  The University of Central Missouri will celebrate the 55th Annual Childrens Literature Festival (CLF) March 3-5, with 24 nationally recognized authors and illustrators in attendance.



The festival begins with a luncheon with visiting authors and illustrators at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 3 in the Elliott Student Union. This years Gilbert-Sadler Speaker is award-winning author, Padma Venkatraman. Padma Venkatraman is an oceanographer and the award-winning author of numerous books for young people including The Bridge Home, Born Behind Bars, A Time to Dance, Islands End and Climbing the Stairs. Luncheon tickets must be purchased in advance. They are $30 for adults, $17 for kids.



The following two days of festivities will include authors and illustrators presenting at various locations across campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. These talks will be directed towards children in grades 3-10. Book Sales will also be available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Elliott Student Union ballroom during both days.

New this year, attendees will be able to select the presenters and their desired session time slots themselves. To register for the festival, there is a $5 fee for students and a $10 fee for adults. Registration is still open.



To stay up-to-date visit the website at clf.ucmo.edu and contact festival director, Maya Kucij, at kucij@ucmo.edu or 660-543-4306, with any questions.

The 2024 Childrens Literature Festival received a grant from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.



The Childrens Literature Festival has a long history at UCM, bringing school children to campus in grades 3-10 to hear and meet nationally recognized childrens authors and illustrators. The Festival is the longest childrens literature festival in the United States and dates back to 1969 when Philip Sadler, professor of Childrens Literature, and Ophelia Gilbert, laboratory school librarian, invited five Missouri authors to campus. Children from Central Elementary School (Campus Laboratory School) listened to them speak about their experiences as authors and got their books autographed. The next year, 13 authors came and were recognized, and year by year the festival has grown, both in number of presenters, and attendance of school children and their teachers.



This year, the CLF welcomes three local Kansas City authors: Angela Cervantes, Adib Khorram, and Niki Lenz. Angela Cervantes is the award-winning author of several children's novels including Lety Out Loud (a Pura Belpre Honor Award winner). Her short stories have been featured in Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul and the YA anthology, Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America.



Adib Khorram is the author of "Darius the Great is Not Okay, which earned the William C. Morris Debut Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor among other accolades. His follow up book, Darius the Great Deserves Better, became an instant Indie Bestseller and received a Stonewall Honor.



Niki Lenz is the author of Bernice Buttman Model Citizen and The Stepmom Shake-Up! She is also a fourth grade teacher and loves to introduce kids to books they've never read before.



A number of educators and other individuals who attended the 2023 festival described their experience in a survey that was conducted after the event.

One attendee remarked, Its such a phenomenal event. It changes livesinspires kids to go after their dreams and do their best! Keep doing this!



An educator commented, Thank you for providing such an amazing opportunity for our students! I always love attending and I know the students I take come away with an appreciation for other cultures, new literature, and excitement for reading and the star-struck knowledge that they met an author!



Considering the lineup of guest speakers and other opportunities at the festival, individuals who are planning this year's event are excited to hear back from participants while also stimulating young readers' interest in literature by introducing them to the authors and illustrators who create the books they love to read.



The festival welcomes participants with disabilities. To learn more visit clf.ucmo.edu or call 660-543-4306.
British companies are exporting hundreds of millions of pounds of equipment and machinery which almost certainly ends up in Russia, undermining the official sanctions regime and bolstering Vladimir Putin's war machine.

That's according to data analysis from Sky News, Ukrinform reports.

The items - which include drone equipment, optical supplies and heavy machinery - are being sent to countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Uzbekistan and others, from where they are understood to be forwarded on to Russia.

The numbers show that despite the sharp fall in the flow of goods to Russia, following the imposition of trade sanctions after its invasion of Ukraine two years ago, large volumes of sensitive, "dual use" British goods are still finding their way to Moscow.

The analysis underlines the scale of Britain's participation in a shadow economy which helps keep Russia's military supplied with parts and hardware for the weaponry it uses against Ukraine.

The figures show that while UK exports to Russia have fallen sharply, UK exports to a suite of former Soviet satellite states - from Uzbekistan to Georgia - have risen at an unprecedented rate.

British exports to Kyrgyzstan have risen at a breakneck rate, by over 1,100%. These exports are dominated by the heavy machinery and vehicles which can no longer be sent directly to Russia. UK export volumes to Armenia are also up nearly as sharply.

The analysis shows that by far and away the biggest category of goods being sent to Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan was "parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft." British companies have exported GBP 6 million worth of these goods to the four countries, above what they historically tend to export to them.

Other items being sent by UK exporters include data processing machines, aeronautic navigation equipment and radio navigation aids.

Other European countries, most notably Germany and Poland, are also sending large quantities of hardware to Russia via these Caucasus and Central Asian states.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has held an offsite meeting in the Lviv region. Among the key issues, government officials considered the situation with the blockade on the Ukrainian-Polish border.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Today [February 23, 2024  Ed.] we are holding an offsite meeting of the Government. At the instruction of the President of Ukraine, we are working in the Lviv region. The situation with the blockade on the border is among the key issues. We are preparing clear steps and concrete proposals. We are planning to hold a pragmatic dialogue with the Polish side and ready for reasonable compromises, Shmyhal noted.

At the same time, the Prime Minister emphasized that Ukraines logistics continues to expand in other areas, such as the Danube and sea ports, border crossings with other neighboring countries, and railway routes.

In January 2024, 88% of Ukraines grain exports were shipped to the European Union via the Black Sea.

This is the operational result of our maritime logistic corridor. The Danube ports continue to top record levels in terms of transshipment volumes. We keep investing in the expansion of their capabilities. We are preparing groups of vessels to ship our products via the Danube, Shmyhal explained.

In his words, these are container barges that can sail to the ports of Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, and Romanias Port of Constanta.

In this regard, the Prime Minister mentioned that Ukraine is expanding cooperation with Romania, as Romanian partners proved to be reliable.

In January 2024, Ukraine shipped 1.1 million tonnes of grain in transit via Romania. In the first half of February 2024, it was already 0.6 million tonnes, Shmyhal added.

A reminder that Polish farmers continue blocking freight traffic on the border with Ukraine. With small breaks, the border blockade protests have been underway since early November 2023. In addition to farmers, they were supported by Polish carriers.

Photo: archival, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have signed an agreement on security cooperation at a meeting in Lviv.

Ukrinform provides the full text of the document published on the website of the head of state.

Agreement on security cooperation and long-term support between Ukraine and Denmark

Introduction

1. Ukraine and the Government of Denmark (hereinafter the Participants, or Ukraine and Denmark) decide on the following:

2. Russias full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine has caused immense destruction and civilian casualties with monumental consequences for Ukraine, the whole of Europe and the international community. The return of war to the European continent is a stark reminder of Russia's expansionist and aggressive behaviour in direct violation of international law and the European security order.

3. Denmark reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders as of 1991 including the territorial sea.

4. Denmark, together with the Nordic countries, immediately supported the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine (hereinafter the G7 Declaration), adopted by the Group of Seven (G7) and the EU on the margins of the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The Nordic countries, including Denmark, reiterated their support for the G7 Declaration as of 12 July 2023 and agreed to start bilateral negotiations with Ukraine on security commitments to be formalised in close coordination with G7 Allies and partners. Denmark hereby formalises its long-term bilateral security commitments to Ukraine.

5. As stated on multiple occasions, the Nordic countries stand united in bolstering Ukraines resilience and capacity to defend itself and remain ready to support Ukraine for as long as it takes to restore its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The Nordics are committed to lock-in support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rebuilds its economy, protects its citizens, and advances its reform agenda, as it pursues its integration into the Euro-Atlantic community.

6. Recalling the long-standing diplomatic relations and friendship since Ukraine regained its independence in 1991, the Participants decide to deepen their cooperation and partnership by pursuing the long-term bilateral security commitments set forth in this Agreement, which are based on common interests in the defence of international peace and the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Scope

7. Denmarks security commitments to Ukraine seek to complement contributions from the other participants of the G7 Declaration, including the EU and the Nordic countries. Denmarks security commitments to Ukraine are coordinated with Allies and partners.

8. Denmark stands ready on a regular basis to consult with Ukraine on strategic matters and to align and coordinate support delivered with the purpose of bolstering Ukraines defensive fight against Russian aggression. Furthermore, Denmark would welcome, inter alia, regular Nordic-Ukraine strategic dialogue on the strengthening of Ukraines defence, resilience and reform path.

9. Denmarks security commitments set forth in this Agreement reflect a strategic choice and involve comprehensive support to Ukraines inherent right of self-defence against Russias full-scale war of aggression and deterrence of future Russian aggression. Any extension of the security commitments will occur in dialogue between the Participants, and in coordination with Allies and partners.

10. Denmark will continue its support to Ukraine for the ten-year duration of this Agreement.

11. Denmark will provide long-term military support to Ukraines self-defence, resilience and deterrence of future Russian aggression. In 2022, the Government of Denmark provided Ukraine with EUR 565 million in military support. In continuance, Denmarks Ukraine Fund of a total of EUR 8.5 billion covers ongoing support in 2023-2028. In 2024, the military support will amount to at least EUR 1.8 billion. Denmarks Ukraine Fund serves as the comprehensive framework for the long-term military and civilian support.

European and Euro-Atlantic Integration

12. Ukraine commits to implement reforms as defined by the EU, IMF and NATO covering, inter alia, governance, transparency, anti-corruption and democratic control over the security and defence forces. Ukraines implementation of these reforms is essential for its EU and NATO aspirations.

13. The Participants reaffirm that Ukraine is integral to Euro-Atlantic and global security. Denmark is dedicated to supporting Ukraines reform efforts on its path towards future NATO membership by, but not limited to, advancing practical and political cooperation through NATOs Comprehensive Assistance Package, Ukraines adapted Annual National Programme and the newly established NATO-Ukraine Council. Denmark recalls that Ukraine belongs in the Euro-Atlantic family and will become a member of NATO.

14. The Participants reaffirm that Ukraine is part of the European family and has a future within the EU. Denmark acknowledges Ukraines efforts to strive for the implementation of necessary reforms under extremely challenging circumstances. The Participants recall the merit-based nature of the EU accession process. They reaffirm their commitment to work constructively on Ukraines progressive integration towards the Union, with a view to its future Union membership. Denmark, in cooperation with the EU and its Member States, will continue to support Ukraine in its reforms and accession path.

Comprehensive and long-term support to Ukraines defence, resilience and deterrence of future Russian aggression

15. This Agreement on security commitments will cover ongoing, scheduled and future contributions to Ukraines defence, resilience and future deterrence of Russian aggression. The security commitments will be funded by multiannual financing towards core military support complemented by wider elements of civilian support.

Deterrence and defence

16. Since the start of Russias full-scale war of aggression in 2022, Denmark has been amongst the most significant contributors of military support to Ukraine and has pledged to sustain this level of support. Furthermore, Denmark has spearheaded efforts to form an international coalition providing Ukraine with a fighter jet capability. Denmark will continue the efforts to improve the capability of the security and defence forces of Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression as well as to deter further aggression in the future, and to enhance interoperability with NATO standards.

17. Ukraine will ensure that Danish military assistance is used exclusively for Ukraines self-defence and is to be used by the security and defence forces of Ukraine against military objectives in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law. The Participants will cooperate to prevent the diversion and the illegal circulation of military material provided to Ukraine.

18. Denmarks support will include short-term military needs as well as the long-term capacity building of Ukraines Future Force. This will be achieved through the provision of continuous military support across different domains in coordination and cooperation with the relevant international partners and institutions, focusing on a) air force and air defence; b) maritime security; c) demining: d) technology and drones, as well as e) other key capabilities and urgent needs of Ukraine.

a) Air Force and Air Defence

Denmark will support efforts to build and strengthen Ukraines Air Force and air defence as a co-lead of the Air Force Capability Coalition (AFCC) and a participant of the Capability Coalition of Integrated Air and Missile Defence. More specifically, Denmark will support efforts in securing a holistic F-16 capacity through the AFCC, including with the donation of fighter jets, ammunition, simulators and training as well as contributing to the long-term maintenance of the fighter jets and the establishment of the proper facilities in Ukraine.

b) Maritime Security

Denmark will contribute to the capacity building of Ukraines maritime domain through cooperation with Allies and partners. The development of Ukraines maritime fleet will be achieved through capacity building efforts, industrial cooperation and training efforts as well as donations.

c) Demining

Denmark will continue demining efforts in Ukraine by providing training efforts, donations of equipment and support in developing and sustaining international demining standards. This support will be coordinated with Allies and partners.

d) Technology and Drones

Denmark will provide Ukraine with high-tech military donations, such as drones, communications equipment, radars and detection equipment along with the necessary training in utilisation. This support will be facilitated through long-term defence industry cooperation where focus will also be placed on mutual industrial development and knowledge sharing.

e) Other key capabilities and urgent needs

Denmark commits to continuing its significant military support relative to size. Denmark will continue to provide Ukraine with military donations and keep enhancing training efforts and concepts to meet urgent needs on the battlefield. These efforts are essential in order to fully restore Ukraines territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders as of 1991.

19. Danish military support will facilitate a modernisation of the security and defence forces of Ukraine and a greater degree of interoperability with the security and defence forces of Ukraine with NATO standards and other relevant international organisations. This includes, inter alia, the provision of equipment, training (including train-the-trainer programmes) and infrastructure required for greater NATO interoperability and compatibility, as well as support to the development of Ukrainian Future Force design.

20. Denmark will continue to channel military support to Ukraine through multilateral instruments, including NATOs Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package (UCAP) and EUs European Peace Facility (EPF).

Defence Industry cooperation

21. Denmark will contribute to the development of Ukraines defence industrial base and identify opportunities for closer partnerships. Special attention will be given to the preservation of Ukraines military edge necessary for the self-defence against Russias full-scale war of aggression. The Participants will together identify priority investment areas, strengthen efforts to reduce existing barriers for cooperation, eliminate bottlenecks in the supply chain of defence materials, as well as encourage and support investments.

22. Ukraine and Denmark will cooperate on developing defence technologies, especially in the area of new technologies. Denmark will support development of Ukraines defence industry in particular through investments, information exchange, joint R&D as well as production.

23. The Participants will work to identify funding sources required to enable development of Ukraines defence industrial base, including investment and financial assistance, in particular in the time of war and post-war recovery.

24. Denmark will, where possible, support Ukraines efforts to integrate its defence industry into NATO and EU defence and security frameworks.

25. The Participants will work together to facilitate the protection of any transferred technologies and intellectual property rights

Intelligence and security cooperation

26. The Participants will enhance the cooperation in the field of intelligence and security in accordance with applicable legal requirements and possibilities. This will be achieved through, but not limited to, intelligence sharing and cooperation including in the fields of counter-intelligence and training.

27. The Participants will seek to conclude a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA) between their respective countries that will facilitate greater information sharing between various Ukrainian and Danish government agencies.

Cyber security and countering disinformation

28. The Participants will cooperate to enable Ukraine to prevent, detect and counter Russian cyber aggression, cyber espionage and hybrid warfare, including through increased cooperation on cyber diplomacy, providing technical assistance to Ukraine, as well as to enhance its cyber resilience.

29. The Participants will continue cooperation in the field of countering Russian and any other actors disinformation. They will jointly promote the development of Ukraines capabilities to counter hybrid threats, Russian and any other malign propaganda and disinformation campaigns affecting national security and work for organizing joint education and training programmes for experts.

Reconstruction and resilience

30. Since the beginning of Russias full-scale war of aggression, Denmark has provided civilian support for Ukraines resilience, reconstruction and relief of the war-affected population. This Agreement on security commitments acknowledges and includes a continuation of such efforts with multi-year funding for civilian assistance and business development to support Ukraines recovery.

31. Denmark commits to supporting reconstruction and resilience geared towards addressing urgent needs and creating the foundation for sustainable development. Denmarks commitment to support the reconstruction of Ukraine will continue to be agile and responsive. Ukraine and Denmark concur that the recovery process needs to be transparent and accountable to the people of Ukraine and the international community.

32. Energy supply security and protection of critical infrastructure remains crucial for Ukraines resilience. In line with Denmarks co-lead of the Ukrainian Peace Formula working group on Energy Security, and building upon the current cooperation and support for Ukraines energy infrastructure, Denmark will continue to provide long-term support to Ukraines overall energy sector with a special focus on green energy transition.

33. The commitments will also involve the continuation of Denmarks partnership with the city of Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv Region. Denmark will actively engage with the city and the region to support their reconstruction, resilience and reforms.

34. Denmark will continue to work actively within the EU to ensure macro-financial support and to further international coordination. Denmark will support private sector cooperation including the established Ukraine-facility with loan and guarantee schemes under the Danish Export and Credit Fund (EIFO).

35. Since the start of Russias full-scale war of aggression in 2022, Denmark has provided substantial support to humanitarian mine action in Ukraine. Russias massive contamination of Ukrainian soil through ammunition, mines and other explosives remnants not only threatens protection of civilians, but also food security as well as undermines economic sustainability. Given the scale of the challenge, Denmark aims to continue providing funding to humanitarian demining efforts alongside partners.

36. Denmark will provide technical support for strategic sector partnerships like the energy program, UDEPP, the decentralisation program, U-lead, and municipal twinning, through knowledge exchange and capacity development of authorities and civil society organisations. Denmarks commitments to Ukraine may also include specific initiatives for improving mental health of and psychosocial support for the Ukrainian society.

Political support

37. Ukraine and Denmark will work together for a just and lasting peace with broad global support, based on the Ukrainian Peace Formula. Denmark will continue its diplomatic efforts to promote Ukrainian Peace Formula.

Sanctions

38. The Participants will continue working to ensure that the costs to Russia for its aggression continue to rise, including through sanctions and export controls. The Participants recognise the value of sanctions in restricting Russias access to the finance, goods, technology and services it is utilising in its war of aggression, in bearing down on Russias revenue streams, and to deter future attacks.

39. Denmark will work for the strongest possible sanctions on Russia, while ensuring their effectiveness. Denmark will continue to take determined action through the EU to uphold sanction pressure on Russia and to tackle all forms of sanctions circumvention as long as Russias war of aggression against Ukraine continues and Ukraines territorial integrity is not restored.

40. Ukraine and Denmark will provide each other with up-to-date information on the grounds for sanctions and other relevant information, in compliance with relevant obligations.

Commitment to implement reforms

41. Denmark recognises the significant progress Ukraine has made in implementing reforms. Ukraine reiterates its continued commitment to implementing reforms including in the areas of governance, anticorruption and defence and security. Ukraine commits to continue implementing reforms to support and protect Ukraines democracy and rule of law.

42. Denmark will provide technical and financial resources to support Ukraines reform path. This involves supporting Ukraines reform process on the path towards future membership of EU and NATO. In particular, Denmark will support EUs anticorruption initiative (EUACI) to give national anti-corruption stakeholders the tools and technical assistance to counter corruption.

43. Ukraine commits to further advancing reforms improving governance through strengthening institutional controls, improving resilience and building a just and inclusive society. Ukraine will actively work for promoting public trust in the rule of law and strengthening of the independence of the judiciary.

44. Ukraine commits to advancing anti-corruption efforts at all levels of society across the public sector, the private sector and civil society. This includes ensuring sufficient resources for the independent anti-corruption institutions for the benefit of society as a whole.

45. Ukraine commits to advancing and developing democratic control and oversight with its security and defence forces and within the wider security and defence sector by focusing on further improving oversight, accountability and transparency across its security institutions essential for building their legitimacy, efficiency and accountability.

Promoting accountability

46. The Participants reaffirm their commitment to ensuring accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine, including the crime of aggression. The Participants will continue their work, including in the Core Group, to establish a tribunal to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

47. The Participants will continue to promote effective domestic investigation and prosecution of international crimes within Ukraine and will continue to support the work of the International Criminal Court.

48. The Participants reaffirm that the Russian Federation is to be held accountable for the damages inflicted on Ukrainian territory. Russian sovereign assets should remain immobilised until the Russian Federation has paid for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. Denmark, working with its partners in the EU, will continue to pursue all lawful routes through which revenues from Russian assets can be used to support Ukraine, in accordance with European and international law.

49. As a priority, the Participants will continue to work together along with like-minded partners towards the establishment of a compensation mechanism to provide compensation for damage, loss or injury caused by Russia's aggression, as envisaged by the Statute of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine adopted by the Resolution of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe CM/Res(2023)3. In this regard, the Participants will explore appropriate options for the financing of a compensation mechanism consistent with international law in order to provide prompt and adequate compensation to victims of aggression.

Cooperation in the event of a future armed attack

50. In the event of future Russian armed attack against Ukraine, at the request of either Participant, the Participants will consult within 24 hours, bilaterally or via other channels they both deem suitable, in order to determine appropriate next steps.

51. Denmark, in accordance with its respective legal and constitutional requirements, will provide swift and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment across land, sea and air domains, and economic assistance, to impose economic and other costs on Russia, and to consult on Ukraines needs as it exercises its right of self-defence enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.

52. In order to ensure the widest and most effective collective response to future armed attacks, the Participants may amend these provisions in order to align with any mechanism that they may subsequently agree with their other international partners, including the participants of the G7 Declaration.

Consultation, coordination and review

53. In order to facilitate the implementation of this Agreement on security commitments and to ensure an ongoing strategic dialogue, appropriate consultation structures between the Participants will be arranged.

54. The Participants will, if necessary, designate authorised bodies for the development and implementation of bilateral agreements in accordance with the areas of cooperation specified in this Agreement.

55. The security commitments are subject to ongoing review in order to monitor progress on implementation with a special focus on ensuring adherence to accountability and transparency.

Final Provisions

56. This Agreement may be amended and supplemented, including by adding annexes thereto, at any time by the written consent of the Participants.

57. Any disputes between the Participants arising out of the interpretation and/or implementation of this Agreement will be settled amicably through negotiation or consultation between the Participants.

58. This Agreement will come into effect upon signatory of the Participants, and is valid for ten years from the date of its signature.

59. The Participants can jointly decide to extend this Agreement through notification no later than 6 months prior to the lapse of the ten-year period.

60. At the same time and in accordance with the G7 Declaration, the Participants share the opinion that this Agreement is without prejudice to Ukraine pursuing a pathway toward future membership in the Euro-Atlantic Community.

61. In the event that Ukraine becomes a member of NATO before the expiry of this Agreement, the participants will decide on its future status.

62. This Agreement may be terminated by either Participant by giving written notice to the other Participant. This Agreement will be terminated 6 months from the date of receipt of such notice. The termination will not affect the implementation of ongoing activities or projects, which have been decided prior to the date of its termination, unless the Participants decide otherwise.

Signed in Lviv on 23 February 2024, in duplicate, in the English and Ukrainian languages, the English version of which shall prevail in the event of any discrepancy.

For Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky

For Denmark: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen
Since the beginning of the full-scale war of the Russian Federation, Latvia has provided assistance to Ukraine in the amount of at least EUR 650 million.

According to Ukroinform, this was reported by Delfi with reference to the State Chancellery of Latvia.

This includes state aid, support provided by various societies and non-governmental organizations. In general, Latvia's support for Ukraine is close to 1% of GDP.

According to Egita Diure, a representative of the Latvian State Chancellery, more than 370 million out of 650 million is military equipment transferred from the resources of the Ministry of Defense: "These are drones, helicopters, weapons, equipment, ammunition, anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft missiles, and fuel."

As noted, refugees from Ukraine have been provided with EUR 170 million in assistance, ranging from food packages to social benefits and funds for learning the Latvian language.

Latvia has also made international contributions of EUR 36 million to the European Peace Fund, the UN Children's Fund, NATO's assistance program for Ukraine, etc. More than EUR 12 million has been invested in the reconstruction of Chernihiv region. Ukraine has also received humanitarian aid in the amount of EUR 48 million.

Read also: Latvia resumes conscription to deter Russia

In addition, businesses and individuals donated food, clothing, and cars, and volunteers across Latvia wove camouflage nets, prepared trench candles, and knitted socks.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, speaking at a Saeima session dedicated to the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, said it was necessary to adopt a long-term program to support Ukraine.

Photo: F64
European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in a joint statement expressed their respect for the heroism of the people of Ukraine in their defense against the Russian invaders.

The full text of their statement has been published on the website of the European Commission, Ukrinform reports.

"Today marks a tragic anniversary: that of Russia's full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in manifest violation of international law and the UN Charter. Two years of violence, brutality, terror and destruction. We shall never forget the initial shock of the attack, the horror of the events in Borodianka, Bucha, Mariupol. Yet, in spite of all the continuing atrocities and suffering inflicted upon it across the country, Ukraine is standing firm. The heroic Ukrainian people are demonstrating fortitude and determination in defending their homeland and fighting for their freedom and our shared European values," the document said.

According to the leaders of the key European institutions, the European Union will always support Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol 10 years ago marks the beginning of Russia's sustained aggression against Ukraine.

"Russia and its leadership bear sole responsibility for this war and its global consequences, as well as for the serious crimes committed. We remain determined to hold them to account, including for the crime of aggression. Every day, Ukraine is facing the constant brutal and indiscriminate attacks of its aggressor. More than ever, we remain united and true to our promise to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. For the people of Ukraine, for peace and security in Europe and for the rules-based international order to prevail," the EU leaders said.

Read also: French Foreign Ministry releases video in support of Ukraine

They added that the European Union would continue its strong and unwavering political, military, financial, economic, diplomatic and humanitarian support to help Ukraine defend itself, protect its people, its cities and its critical infrastructure, restore its territorial integrity, bring back the thousands of deported children, and bring the war to an end.

The joint statement recalls that the European Union has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and will help it on its path towards EU membership. The future of Ukraine lies in the European Union. The European Union will continue to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support. The 50 billion euro financial assistance package for 2024-2027 will help Ukraine meet its immediate needs, rebuild its economy and society, modernize its institutions and consolidate democracy and the rule of law.

"We will continue to address Ukraine's pressing military and defense needs, including deliveries of urgently needed ammunition and missiles. We have taken unprecedented actions at the EU level to ramp up European defense industry production, and we will continue to increase the capacity, which will allow us to step up our military support and cooperation with Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening our defense readiness and European sovereignty. We are also working on future security commitments which will help Ukraine defend itself, resist destabilization efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future," the EU leaders said.

According to the document, Russia and its leaders will pay a growing price for their actions.

"Together with partners, we have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia and those complicit in the war and remain ready to increase the pressure on Russia to limit its ability to wage war," the statement said.

"We have also taken the first concrete steps towards directing extraordinary revenues stemming from Russian immobilized assets to support Ukraine. We will continue our targeted actions to further isolate Russia in international fora," the statement added.

The EU leaders reaffirmed their support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law as well as all efforts towards a Global Peace Summit with the widest possible international support.

"Today, our flags will be flying side by side as a symbol of our solidarity, commitment and resolve," Michel, von der Leyen and Metsola said.

Photo: IMAGO/Belga
The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan, within the framework of the established requirements of banking legislation, is considering information on the revocation of license of the Russian QIWI Bank JSC, Azernews

It is noted that as of February 21, this financial and credit institution is the operator of the international money transfer system CONTACT and the operator of the international electronic money system/issuer of international electronic money QIWI on the territory of Kyrgyzstan.

Measures are being taken to cancel the registration of QIWI Bank JSC as an operator of international money transfer systems and an international electronic money system/issuer of international electronic money.

In accordance with the requirements of regulatory legal acts of the National Bank, repayment of obligations to clients is carried out taking into account insurance instruments and contractual relations between international payment systems and commercial banks of Kyrgyzstan, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic commented.

By order of February 21, 2024, the Bank of Russia revoked the license for carrying out banking operations from the credit institution QIWI Bank JSC. In terms of assets, the credit institution took the 89th place in the banking system of the Russian Federation.
The board of Propel Funeral Partners Limited (ASX:PFP) has announced that the dividend on 5th of April will be increased to A$0.072, which will be 1.4% higher than last year's payment of A$0.071 which covered the same period. Based on this payment, the dividend yield for the company will be 2.6%, which is fairly typical for the industry.

Check out our latest analysis for Propel Funeral Partners

Propel Funeral Partners' Dividend Is Well Covered By Earnings

While it is always good to see a solid dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is feasible. Before making this announcement, the company's dividend was much higher than its earnings. This situation certainly isn't ideal, and could place significant strain on the balance sheet if it continues.

The next year is set to see EPS grow by 43.4%. Under the assumption that the dividend will continue along recent trends, we think the payout ratio could be 68% which would be quite comfortable going to take the dividend forward.

Propel Funeral Partners Is Still Building Its Track Record

It is great to see that Propel Funeral Partners has been paying a stable dividend for a number of years now, however we want to be a bit cautious about whether this will remain true through a full economic cycle. The dividend has gone from an annual total of A$0.064 in 2019 to the most recent total annual payment of A$0.14. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 17% over that duration. It is always nice to see strong dividend growth, but with such a short payment history we wouldn't be inclined to rely on it until a longer track record can be developed.

The Dividend's Growth Prospects Are Limited

Some investors will be chomping at the bit to buy some of the company's stock based on its dividend history. Propel Funeral Partners hasn't seen much change in its earnings per share over the last five years. The company is paying out a lot of its profits, even though it is growing those profits pretty slowly. Limited recent earnings growth and a high payout ratio makes it hard for us to envision strong future dividend growth, unless the company should have substantial pricing power or some form of competitive advantage.

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We should note that Propel Funeral Partners has issued stock equal to 13% of shares outstanding. Trying to grow the dividend when issuing new shares reminds us of the ancient Greek tale of Sisyphus - perpetually pushing a boulder uphill. Companies that consistently issue new shares are often suboptimal from a dividend perspective.

The Dividend Could Prove To Be Unreliable

Overall, we always like to see the dividend being raised, but we don't think Propel Funeral Partners will make a great income stock. The track record isn't great, and the payments are a bit high to be considered sustainable. We would be a touch cautious of relying on this stock primarily for the dividend income.

Investors generally tend to favour companies with a consistent, stable dividend policy as opposed to those operating an irregular one. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. For example, we've identified 2 warning signs for Propel Funeral Partners (1 is potentially serious!) that you should be aware of before investing. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.

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.
Reddit is warning that its initial public offering could be volatile if it's targeted by retail investors. SOPA Images / Contributor / Getty Images

As Reddit prepares to go public, the social-media company issued an unusual warning to investors.

Redditors set off the mania that caused stock prices to go wild for GameStop and other companies.

Reddit flagged that the same thing could happen around its big initial public offering.

GameStop, AMC, and other companies saw huge swings in their stock prices starting in 2021, thanks to chatter on the social-media platform Reddit.

As Reddit gears up for its much-anticipated initial public offering next month, it's publicly cautioning investors that meme-stock mania  often fanned on Reddit's own "r/wallstreetbets" forum  could cause volatility in its own stock once it starts trading.

The warning came Thursday in the company's newly-public S-1, a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that gives details about a company planning to go public. In an S-1, a company also offers investors a heads-up about what could hurt the business, from specific problems (such as Reddit failing to increase its key metric or daily active uniques) to issues that could affect any company (such as natural disasters).

In lawyerly language, Reddit wrote that individual, or "retail," investors might home in on the company's stock. That could cause big price swings  up or down.

Reddit S-1 cautions that retail investors could make the stock volatile Reddit S-1 screenshot

Reddit is offering its most frequent users a chance to buy into the IPO alongside institutional investors. The S-1 deemed this purchase program a risk factor, too, because it's an unusual approach (though not unique  Robinhood did it, too) that could lead to more stock volatility.

Pension funds, asset managers, and other investors who agree to buy chunks of the IPO are often in it for the long term. They have relationships with the company's executives and get to ask them questions ahead of the IPO in hotel ballrooms across the country.

Reddit users, meanwhile, gather on WallStreetBets (mentioned five times in the S-1) and other subreddits, where many posters are bearish about the company's upcoming IPO.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced a temporary solution for a technical glitch in its new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that has left students whose parents lack Social Security numbers unable to access financial aid.

The agency revealed that a fix for the issue, slated for implementation by mid-March, is on the horizon, but in the meantime, affected students are being offered a workaround to meet looming deadlines for state or institutional aid.

A Temporary Fix Amidst Technical Woes

Students grappling with the FAFSA glitch are being advised to complete their sections of the application as usual and manually input their parents' income and tax information. Notably, they are instructed to leave the Social Security number section blank for parents without this identification. While this workaround allows students to submit their applications, it comes with a caveat - the submitted application will be considered incomplete until the technical issue is resolved, necessitating corrections for students to ascertain their eligibility for financial aid.

Complicating matters further, students are unable to rectify their FAFSAs until the Department of Education initiates processing, a step slated to commence in the first half of the upcoming month. This delay adds to the frustration and uncertainty faced by students and institutions alike, underscoring the urgent need for a permanent solution.

READ ALSO: US To Reduce College Requirements Due to FAFSA Delays

Lawmakers and Advocates Demand Action

The technical hiccup plaguing the FAFSA has prompted swift responses from lawmakers and advocacy groups, who are calling for expedited resolution to ensure that students are not unfairly deprived of essential financial aid. In a letter to the Education Department, a group of lawmakers highlighted the severity of the issue, emphasizing that the temporary workaround falls short of addressing the fundamental problem. Representative Jesus "Chuy" Garcia of Illinois echoed these sentiments, deeming the temporary solution inadequate and urging the department to prioritize rectifying the errors to prevent students from being unjustly barred from accessing vital aid.

Similarly, Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, underscored the urgency of the situation, warning against further delays in implementing a permanent solution. Draeger emphasized that the temporary fix, while offering some relief, adds to the mounting challenges faced by students and institutions, underscoring the critical need for swift action by the Department of Education.

The Road Ahead: Seeking Permanent Solutions

As students and institutions await a permanent resolution to the FAFSA glitch, concerns loom regarding the broader implications of technical issues in the financial aid application process. The Department of Education faces mounting pressure to address not only the immediate technical woes but also to fortify systems and processes to prevent similar disruptions in the future. With March looming as a crucial deadline for students and schools alike, the department's ability to swiftly implement a permanent solution will be pivotal in safeguarding access to financial aid and ensuring equitable opportunities for all students pursuing higher education.

While the temporary workaround offers a semblance of relief for students grappling with the FAFSA glitch, urgent action is needed to implement a lasting fix. Lawmakers, advocacy groups, and education stakeholders are united in their call for the Department of Education to prioritize rectifying these technical issues to prevent undue hardship for students and institutions relying on financial aid. As the department works to address these challenges, the focus remains on safeguarding access to education and leveling the playing field for all students seeking to pursue their academic aspirations.

RELATED ARTICLE: Navigating the Delays: The Turbulent FAFSA Overhaul and Its Impact on College Applicants
Net Sales : Q4 net sales decreased by 10.7% quarter-over-quarter to $204.6 million.

Gross Margin : Q4 gross margin declined to 32.9% from 35.1% in the previous quarter.

Operating Margin : Full year operating margin decreased to 9.4% from 14.9% in the prior year.

Net Income : Q4 net income was $23.2 million, with a net income margin of 11.3%.

Earnings Per Share : Diluted earnings per share for Q4 were $1.24, up from $1.02 in Q3.

Free Cash Flow : Generated $49.4 million in free cash flow in Q4, contributing to a total of $74.4 million for the full year.

Future Outlook: Q1 2024 net sales are projected to be between $205 million and $215 million, with adjusted earnings per diluted share estimated to be $0.45 to $0.65.

Rogers Corp (NYSE:ROG) released its 8-K filing on February 21, 2024, detailing its financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023. The company, known for its engineered materials and components used in various high-tech applications, faced significant macroeconomic headwinds that led to inventory destocking by customers and softness in end markets, particularly in industrial and portable electronics.

Rogers Corp (ROG) Faces Headwinds: Q4 and Full Year 2023 Earnings Analysis

Company Overview

Rogers Corporation operates in three business segments: Advanced Connectivity Solutions (ACS), Elastomeric Material Solutions (EMS), and Power Electronics Solutions. The company's products are crucial in communications infrastructure, automotive, consumer electronics, and renewable energy applications. With a global presence, Rogers Corp generates most of its revenue in the United States, China, and Germany.

Performance and Challenges

The company's Q4 net sales of $204.6 million represented a 10.7% decrease from the previous quarter, with both the ACS and EMS segments experiencing declines. The gross margin also saw a decrease to 32.9% from 35.1% in Q3 2023, attributed to lower sales volume and factory throughput, despite procurement cost savings. The GAAP operating margin improved to 14.9% from 11.8% in the prior quarter, mainly due to a significant insurance recovery related to a previous fire incident.

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For the full year, net sales were down 6.5% to $908.4 million compared to 2022, with gross margin slightly improving to 33.8% from 33.1%. The GAAP operating margin for the year fell to 9.4% from 14.9% in the previous year, largely due to a decrease in other operating income.

Financial Achievements and Importance

Despite the challenges, Rogers Corp managed to generate solid free cash flow of $74.4 million for the full year, a significant increase from the previous year's $12.7 million. This financial achievement demonstrates the company's ability to maintain liquidity and invest in future growth despite a difficult economic environment.

Key Financial Metrics

Net income for Q4 was $23.2 million, with a net income margin of 11.3%, and diluted earnings per share were $1.24. The adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.60. The company ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of $131.7 million, an increase from the previous quarter.

"We made significant progress this past year as we drove structural cost improvements, secured new design wins, generated solid free cash flow, and invested in targeted capacity expansions to drive future growth," stated Colin Gouveia, Rogers' President and CEO.

Analysis of Company's Performance

Rogers Corp's performance in 2023 reflects resilience in the face of a challenging demand environment. The company's focus on cost improvements and capacity expansions positions it for potential growth when market conditions improve. However, the extended timeline beyond 2025 to achieve its financial targets indicates that the company anticipates ongoing challenges in the global manufacturing economy and the electric vehicle market.

The company's forward-looking statements suggest caution due to uncertainties in the market, including geopolitical tensions and trade policy dynamics. Investors and stakeholders will be watching closely for signs of improvement in demand visibility as the company navigates these challenges.

For more detailed information and analysis, investors are encouraged to review the full earnings report and listen to the earnings call.

For further inquiries, investors may contact Steve Haymore at 480-917-6026 or via email at stephen.haymore@rogerscorporation.com.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Rogers Corp for further details.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


In a significant move to alleviate the burden of student debt, the Biden administration has announced the forgiveness of another $1.2 billion in student loans. This latest wave of debt relief will benefit more than 150,000 borrowers, as revealed by officials on Wednesday.

Accelerated Relief Efforts

Originally slated for implementation on July 1, the Education Department opted to expedite the rollout of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) income-driven repayment plan, leading to the earlier-than-expected relief for thousands of borrowers. Under SAVE, borrowers with loans of $12,000 or less can have their debts forgiven after 10 years, a significant improvement compared to the typical repayment plans that usually discharge loans after 20 or 25 years.

Since its introduction last summer, SAVE has garnered significant traction, with 7.5 million borrowers enrolling in the program. Of these, 4.3 million now enjoy a zero-dollar monthly payment, indicative of the plan's impact on loan repayment.

READ ALSO: Biden Administration Announces $5 Billion Student Loan Relief, Forgiving Debts for 74,000 Borrowers

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized the significance of this relief for lower- and middle-income individuals, particularly those who pursued education at community colleges. Highlighting the vulnerability of these borrowers to loan delinquency, Cardona underscored the importance of swift action to alleviate their financial strain.

Presidential Commitment and Advocacy

Borrowers set to benefit from the relief received notifications from President Biden himself, affirming his commitment to addressing the student debt crisis. Natalie Quillian, Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House, reiterated that the announcement reflects the administration's dedication to providing relief to as many Americans as possible in a timely manner.



With a total of $138 billion forgiven across 3.9 million borrowers, the Biden administration's student debt relief efforts have garnered both praise and criticism. Advocates commend the administration for its proactive measures in addressing the issue, urging continued action to provide relief to more borrowers. However, critics, including Republican lawmakers such as Senator Bill Cassidy, have voiced concerns over the prioritization of debt relief initiatives over other educational priorities, such as the successful implementation of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

As the Biden administration continues to navigate the complexities of student loan forgiveness, the latest wave of relief marks a significant step towards addressing the student debt crisis. While applauded by advocates, the administration faces ongoing scrutiny and challenges from critics as it seeks to balance debt relief initiatives with broader educational priorities. With millions of borrowers eagerly awaiting relief, the administration's commitment to providing timely and equitable solutions remains paramount. As discussions around student debt relief continue, policymakers must strive to strike a balance between addressing immediate financial burdens and ensuring the long-term sustainability of higher education financing.

Moving Forward

In the face of rising student debt levels and increasing calls for reform, the Biden administration's actions underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of the student debt crisis. By implementing targeted relief measures, improving access to affordable education, and promoting financial literacy, policymakers can work towards a future where all Americans have access to quality education without the burden of overwhelming debt.

RELATED ARTICLE: Biden Administration Extends Student Loan Relief Talks Amidst Looming End of First Term
HBL today declared a record profit before tax of Rs 113.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, 47% higher than the PBT recorded in 2022

Karachi (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23 Feb, 2024) HBL today declared a record profit before tax of Rs 113.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, 47% higher than the PBT recorded in 2022. Profit after tax has increased to Rs 57.8 billion, a commendable 68% growth over last year. Earnings per share for 2023 increased to Rs 39.32, compared to Rs 23.23 in 2022. Along with the results, the Bank declared a final dividend of Rs 4.00 per share, bringing the total dividend for 2023 to Rs 9.75 per share.

HBL grew its balance sheet by 19% to Rs 5.5 trillion. Deposits displayed a robust growth of 19% over 2022, closing at Rs 4.1 trillion with domestic deposits increasing by Rs 533 billion to Rs 3.5 trillion. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, HBLs total advances increased to Rs 1.9 trillion over December 2022, with Consumer loans, agriculture lending and microfinance all setting new benchmarks. Average deposits increased by nearly Rs 350 billion mostly from low-cost deposit growth.

HBLs average balance sheet increased by an impressive Rs 700 billion, while rising rates translated into a 159 bps improvement in net interest margin. This drove a 46% rise in HBLs total net interest income which grew to Rs 242 billion, the highest in the industry. The Bank continued to dominate the realm of fee income, which posted yet another stellar growth of 34%, clocking in at Rs 42.3 billion in 2023. Fee growth was once again dominated by HBLs pre-eminent Cards business while trade, cash management and retail banking all delivered more than 20% increases. Total revenue thus grew by 41% to Rs 300 billion, the highest ever for HBL and in the Pakistan banking sector.

The strong revenue base helped to reduce the cost / income ratio to 56.8% in 2023. The Banks prudent provisioning ensures that the coverage remains well above 100%. The record results also boosted the Banks Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), which moved up by 118bps to over 16%, well ahead of regulatory requirements.

Commenting on the Banks performance, Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO - HBL said, HBL navigated another year of economic challenges successfully, with exceptional results. This achievement stems from our unwavering commitment to client-centricity, innovation, and responsible banking practices. The Bank remained focused on delivering on three strategic pillars, which underpin its medium-term strategy namely; Growing Pakistans Economy, Shaping the Financial Industry and Achieving Regional Relevance. We have further solidified our impact beyond profit margins through strategic partnerships and impactful initiatives. We remain grateful for the trust of our clients and are committed to exceeding their expectations.

HBL is well-positioned to navigate the future and create lasting value for all stakeholders.

Under the guidance of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and in line with Pakistans strategic priorities, HBL is committed to playing a leading role in developing the agricultural sector and promoting food security. HBL, together with HBL Microfinance, have extended over Rs 100 billion in loans to small farmers. Following on from its transformative initiatives in agriculture, HBL has recently incorporated HBL Zarai Services Limited an agriculture services extension company  yet another first in Pakistan. This year HBL was awarded the Best Bank for Agriculture for the 5th time in the 9 year history of the Pakistan Banking Awards.

At HBL increasing digitalization of every aspect of our businesses has become a way of life. This year, we have again introduced trailblazing products to shape Pakistans financial services landscape  Digital Invoicing, an Urdu mobile app, TalkBack for the visually impaired. HBL has partnered with P@SHA in a landmark opportunity to showcase one of Pakistans premier but under-celebrated sectors. From HBL Mobile to Konnect, from QR to HBL Pay, the Bank continues to raise the bar in delivering creative, first-of-a-kind solutions for its customers, cementing its position as a technology company with a banking license. In 2023, Asiamoney named HBL as the Best Bank for Digital Solutions Pakistan and the CFA Society Pakistan awarded us with the Best Digital Banking Services award.

We launched our 2nd Sustainability Report to critical acclaim by stakeholders, embarked on our progress to Net Zero and reduced our carbon footprint through solarization and a number of other activities. HBL is the first and only Pakistani bank to be a member of the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), launched at the recent COP28 in Dubai, which promotes best practices for sustainable finance. HBL also became a signatory to the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), aligning its efforts with global initiatives to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. For its achievements in increasing women participation in the financial sector through HBL Nisa, was also awarded the '2023 Access to Finance Champion Award' by the Financial Alliance for Women. We provided an array of opportunities to the differently-abled, both as staff and customers. For the second year running, the Bank was recognized by the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) as the Most Inclusive Organization in Pakistan, an award we truly cherish.
In a significant milestone for gender equity in Pakistans energy sector, USAID celebrated the successful completion of the Power System and Distribution Network Planning (PSDNP) Training Program for women engineers

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Feb, 2024) In a significant milestone for gender equity in Pakistans energy sector, USAID celebrated the successful completion of the Power System and Distribution Network Planning (PSDNP) Training Program for women engineers.

The program, designed for engineers from Pakistans power distribution and transmission companies, is a collaborative effort between USAID and the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

Speaking at the occasion, Mission Director Kate Somvongsiri said, By equipping these women engineers with specialized training, we not only open new career avenues for talented individuals but also enhance team engagement, motivation, and decision-making within companies.

Expressing satisfaction with the program's outcomes, Chairman BOD IESCO/Chairman BOD MEPCO stated, Through the PSDNP Training Program, Pakistani female engineers have gained practical expertise in utilizing two power system planning software applications, ArcGIS and Synergi, provided by USAID.

The impact of this initiative extends beyond individual empowerment, as the trained cohort is now equipped to effectively address Pakistan's future demands in power distribution networks, thereby benefiting the entire energy sector.

USAID is dedicated to promoting gender inclusivity within the energy industry, addressing the under-representation of women in various roles, including power distribution planning, engineering, management, and leadership. The training of 31 female engineers aims to break gender barriers in the engineering sector, fostering a more diverse and talented workforce that positively impacts company innovation and performance.
Dubai, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Feb, 2024) Iga Swiatek blamed fatigue for her semi-final defeat to Anna Kalinskaya in the Dubai semi-finals on Friday, admitting: "I didn't have power anymore" to up her level during the match.

Kalinskaya snapped Swiatek's seven-match winning streak and ended the world number one's bid for a rare Doha-Dubai title double with a commanding 6-4, 6-4 victory.

"I didn't have power anymore to give even more, which doesn't happen often," admitted 22-year-old Swiatek.

"I just felt out of control a little bit because of that. Usually when I tell myself what to do, I can improve my game. Today I was so out of power and tired that I just couldn't."

The 40th-ranked Kalinskaya was contesting her first WTA 1000 semi-final, and is into the first tour-level final of her career, where she faces Italian Jasmine Paolini.

Kalinskaya defeated Paolini last month at the Australian Open to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final. They will square off once again on Saturday in another career-defining showdown.

Top seed Swiatek came into the semi-finals having won 25 of her last 26 matches and looking to follow up her title run in Doha last week with a first-time triumph in Dubai.

Kalinskaya had to battle through the qualifying rounds and has won seven matches in total this week in the emirate, including three top-10 victories over Jelena Ostapenko, Coco Gauff and now Swiatek.

"She's a great player. I knew if I didn't stay calm and I didn't stay aggressive she is going to destroy me. So that was my plan, to stay aggressive, to move her a lot," said the 25-year-old Kalinskaya.

From 2-4 down, Kalinskaya won four games in a row to snatch in 53 minutes.

The Russian saved six of seven break points during that set, drawing 11 unforced errors off Swiatek's racquet.

Swiatek took a toilet break between sets but it didn't change the momentum as Kalinskaya clinched a fifth consecutive game on a loose forehand from her opponent.

- Racquet smash -

Swiatek threw her racquet in frustration as she lost a sixth game in a row, falling behind 0-2 early in the second set.

Kalinskaya claimed a second break of serve in game seven and served for the match at 5-2 but Swiatek wasn't ready to fold just yet and put pressure on the Russian by narrowing her deficit.

But even when she was staring down two break points while serving for the match for a second time, Kalinskaya didn't flinch, saving both and completing a milestone victory on the one-hour 41-minute mark.

Earlier on Centre Court, Paolini overcame Romanian big-hitter Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) to reach her first WTA 1000 final and become just the fourth Italian to make it that far at a tournament of this calibre on the women's tour.

The 28-year-old has pulled off some impressive wins this week in Dubai, knocking out 11th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, eight seed Maria Sakkari before Friday.

Paolini's reward is a place in the world's top-20 when the new rankings are released on Monday.

"I'm really happy. It's something that if somebody would have told me before this week, I wouldn't believe maybe. But yeah, now I'm in the final, so let's enjoy," said Paolini.

On Friday, two breaks of serve were enough for Paolini to take a one-set lead in 41 minutes.

But things got more complicated in the second set as Cirstea kept striking back each time Paolini inched ahead.

Cirstea had come back from 2-6, 1-5 down in her previous round against Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, saving six match points along the way.

When she wiped a 2-4 deficit against Paolini, saved a match point in the 10th game, and served for the second set at 6-5, it looked like Cirstea was on her way to another come-from-behind victory.

Paolini held her nerve though, saving five set points to force a tiebreak, and she closed out the win on her second opportunity in just under two hours.
BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Feb, 2024) Punjab Province has great potential to tap end-of-pipe pollution control, an approach that concentrates on effluent treatment or filtration before waste discharges into the environment.

This was stated by Chu Yangxi, an associate research professor at the Chinese Research academy of Environmental Sciences, who, along with two other Chinese environmental experts, visited Lahore last month and witnessed pollution problems.

The province could take adequate measures to control sulfur dioxide emissions, Chu said.

Local authorities invited the trio to Lahore in the hope of learning from China's successful efforts to restore clean air and blue skies over Beijing in only a decade.

Chu had previously participated in international exchange programs on air quality management. However, the trip to Pakistan was different, as China Daily reported.

It was my first time visiting a country involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for an activity in which I am in a position to provide scientific and technological support," he said.

"China has received an increasing number of requests from developing countries to learn from their experiences in improving air quality as they themselves enter a development stage China has already undergone."

"What makes China's efforts appealing to them is that the country has seen its air quality improve while expanding its economy at a similar pace," experts said.

"The different strategies deployed to control air pollution, which take into account complex national conditions, also make China a good exemplar of air quality management solutions," they said.

In November, Chinese experts were asked to speak about the country's air pollution control efforts with senior officials in Punjab via an online meeting.

However, the Punjab government was still eager to arrange a field visit for them for more exchanges, Chu said.

During their stay in Pakistan, the Chinese team exchanged with nine departments and visited industrial enterprises.

They also met Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the Punjab caretaker chief minister.

APP/asg
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Dakar, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Feb, 2024) Senegal's President Macky Sall said Thursday his mandate would end as planned on April 2, but left open the new date for a presidential election which he postponed earlier this month.

Sall has faced a clamour to set a date for the vote after his abrupt delay to the February 25 election triggered weeks of crisis.

Amid simmering social and political tensions, the president put off a decision on the date until after a political dialogue due to begin on Monday.

In an apparent move to pacify public opinion, Sall also said he would consider releasing imprisoned opposition figures Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

"On April 2, 2024, my mission ends at the head of Senegal," the president said, seemingly ending suspicions that he might remain in office longer than expected.

"As far as the date is concerned, we'll see what the dialogue comes up with," he added during a televised press interview.

"The election can be held before or after April 2," he said.

But when pressed, he added that he did not think it would be possible before April 2.

Sall said he would hold discussions on Monday and Tuesday with presidential candidates and other political and social actors.

"At the end of the dialogue, we must have a date," he said.

Sall announced the election delay hours before official campaigning was due to begin. Parliament backed the move, despite strong opposition, and Sall then set a new election date in December.
London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Feb, 2024) "It shows our strength, our soul, our pain," Yulia Zabrodska, a Ukrainian refugee living in London, told AFP of an art project she's in that highlights the plight of her community.

The "Nezlamna" project brought together 18 Ukrainian women who sought refuge in the UK after war broke out two years ago, relaying their experiences through portraits and harrowing accounts of leaving their homes and family members behind.

"All of us, we have a sense of guilt that we left our country," Yulia, 45, told AFP in south London.

But taking part in the project had helped show "that we are strong, we are fighting," she added.

It is the idea of Katia Duncan, a Ukrainian former banker who set up "Trafalgar Girls", a 5000-strong online community that helps female refugees integrate into British life.

Katia called the project "Nezlamna", meaning unbreakable in Ukrainian, but told AFP about the struggles and self-doubt endured by refugees.

"One of the questions that we've asked the women is: 'What is your story of being nezlamna, of being this unbreakable woman?'.

"And they say, 'I don't feel like that. I feel like I break down every single day. And then I build myself back up'.

"A lot of women talk about the strength that they didn't think they had," she added.

- 'Fraught' -

Katia said the project had not only been "therapeutic" for the women involved, but also for other Ukrainians "who saw themselves in these stories" and realised "that I'm not alone in feeling like this."

A major source of anxiety is the state of the conflict back home, coupled with the everyday stresses of work and parenthood, with many finding themselves as single mothers for the first time.

Explaining a common theme experienced by mums, Katia said: "At the school gates, you have a 'how are you today?' question from a school mum, and you say: 'Yes, I'm fine. Thank you very much'.

"And then you check the (messaging app) Telegram channel and see how many explosions more there have been in the last five minutes. A lot of them are talking about how they can't function for the rest of the day.

"I think this year is much more fraught for everyone, there is a lot of uncertainty," she said of the upcoming anniversary.

While "everyone" in her group "talks about the deepest gratitude to the UK", setting up a new life remains a challenge.

"Any immigrant has practical difficulties in terms of not knowing how to do basics, how to find a GP (doctor), how to enrol a kid into school."
(@FahadShabbir)

Montreal, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Feb, 2024) Beneath the ground in Western Canada, dozens of so-called "zombie fires" that started last year are still burning.

And even though it's the dead of winter, the lack of snow this year is compounding ongoing drought conditions, leaving Canadians already bracing for another brutal forest fire season.

"We are having an exceptional winter after an exceptional summer," laments Josee St-Onge, a spokesperson for Alberta firefighters.

It's a never-ending struggle. Even in bone-chilling temperatures, Canadian firefighters are still hard at work battling nearly 150 fires.

This year there are 10 to 12 times more zombie fires burning in Western Canada than usual. They smolder beneath the surface of the boreal forest through the winter, sustained by layers of dried peat and organic matter.

Eradicating them is painstaking work. They are difficult to detect -- only letting out wisps of smoke -- and require deep scraping of the ground to expose the humus, or all the decomposed leaves and other plant material compacted into an up to 80-centimeter (31-inch) layer that burns slowly.

In Alberta, the government on Tuesday declared an early start to wildfire season, which normally starts March 1. In addition to zombie fires from last year, authorities are also fighting new blazes that have sprung up this year.

In British Columbia, a record number of fires are currently active.

"Normally at this time of year, we might have seven or eight fires burning, but we have 91," said Forrest Tower, a spokesperson for firefighters in Canada's westernmost province, which historically has been the region most affected by fires.

Zombie fires are especially feared by firefighters because they can reemerge as raging infernos after the spring thaw.
The University of Wyomings Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute (EORI) has updated its Wyoming Pipeline Infrastructure Viewer (WPIV) map application, providing an easy-to-use platform for users to discover and analyze the states pipeline and associated infrastructure data to encourage pipeline development.

Key features of the new WPIV map application include:

-- Intuitive user interface -- The application offers a sleek and easy-to-navigate interface, ensuring data discovery for users of all levels of expertise.

-- Customizable layers and symbology -- Maps can be tailored to specific needs with customizable layers, allowing users to display a variety of datasets, including gas processing and refining plants, and oil and gas fields.

-- Data upload -- Users can upload layers from their computers to the map.

-- Desktop/tablet/mobile friendly -- Users can access maps on the go with the mobile-friendly design, ensuring they can explore and interact with maps from their desktop computers, tablets and smartphones.

-- Save projects and queries -- Users can see saved work and projects.

To access the WPIV map application, sign up for the no-cost subscription service here.

EORI is dedicated to delivering innovative and user-friendly technology solutions for users. Through partnerships and technology transfer, EORI helps drive innovation and improves efficiency and effectiveness by transferring knowledge and expertise to Wyoming industry partners. The WPIV map and data will be routinely updated and maintained.

In addition to the WPIV map, EORI has other interactive maps that cover carbon dioxide infrastructure, the Wyoming Pipeline Corridor Initiative and the Wyoming Reservoir Information Tool, with a new release to come soon.
Russia is using China's social media to present its narrative of events leading up to the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, in a move Chinese experts said was intended to show Russian resilience while reaching for wider public support.

The Russian embassy in Beijing on Thursday published a series of online articles, videos and commentaries denouncing Ukraine's 2014 "Euromaidan" movement as "an unconstitutional coup" directly supported by the West.

Hashtagged "the 10th year from the coup d'etat in Ukraine", the posts on the embassy's official Weibo and WeChat accounts coincided with the February 22 anniversary of the removal of Ukraine's pro-Russia president Viktor Yanukovych.

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.

It was also two days ahead of Saturday's milestone second anniversary of the 2022 invasion. Earlier in the week, Russia's state-operated Sputnik News - which has a significant Chinese-language service - also ran a series of reports on Ukraine.

While supporters of the movement - named after Kyiv's Maidan, or "independence", Square - called it a "revolution of dignity", Moscow and its sympathisers in China regard the events as a Western-orchestrated colour revolution.

The Russian embassy in Beijing has posted articles, video and commentaries to social media in China with the hashtag "the 10th year from the coup d'etat in Ukraine". Photo: Weibo/Russian Embassy alt=The Russian embassy in Beijing has posted articles, video and commentaries to social media in China with the hashtag "the 10th year from the coup d'etat in Ukraine". Photo: Weibo/Russian Embassy>

In a bid to appeal to Chinese nationalistic sentiment, the social media campaign accuses the US, Britain, Germany and other Western countries of interfering in the Maidan demonstrations.

Story continues

The material also covers Western influence on the current Ukrainian government, as well as Ukraine's economic struggles since Yanukovych's fall.

Yang Cheng, executive dean of the Shanghai International Studies University's Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies, said the campaign was part of Russia's public diplomacy effort to reach for wider support amid limited international space.

"The overall perception of the Ukraine war is negative in international media and China, with its special ties with Russia and some members of the public showing support for Moscow, has a relatively more favourable environment," he said.

Li Lifan, a Russia specialist with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said the campaign could be aiming to show Moscow's economic and military resilience ahead of the conflict's anniversary, as well as Russia's presidential election in March.

"Within China there are two groups, the anti-Russian and the pro-Russia, and it seems that Russia is looking to use Russian-based narratives to demonstrate that the country remains strong and resilient, economically and spiritually, in spite of Western sanctions," he said.

"Russia needs something to back it up, especially before the election, and Chinese social media also seems to be very interested in such narratives."

A screenshot from a video posted to Chinese social media by Russia's embassy in Beijing ahead of the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Photo: Weibo/Russian embassy alt=A screenshot from a video posted to Chinese social media by Russia's embassy in Beijing ahead of the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Photo: Weibo/Russian embassy>

Russia's economy remains surprisingly resilient despite sanctions imposed by the West. In late January, the International Monetary Fund more than doubled its forecast for the pace of the country's economic growth this year, raising it from 1.1 per cent in October to 2.6 per cent.

Sputnik News broadcast a Chinese-language documentary presenting Moscow's narrative of the decade-old events leading up to its invasion of Ukraine.

The documentary covered Ukraine's pro-Europe protests of November 2013, Yanukovych's ousting in February the following year, the March 2014 pro-Russia referendum in Crimea, and the subsequent war in the eastern states of Donetsk and Luhansk.

It featured comments from Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who said the Euromaidan movement caused social disintegration, suppression, violence, and economic crisis in Ukraine.

The movement pushed the country and its people to "the edge of the abyss", she said. "The only goal [the West] are pursuing is to turn Ukraine into a powerless colony and use it as a tool against Russia."

According to Zakharova, the presented case attested "to the urgency of carrying out special military operations for the denazification and demilitarisation of Ukraine and eliminating the threat from its territory. All the tasks will be accomplished."

Russia's justification for its invasion of Ukraine has met with no censorship on the strictly controlled internet in China, which insists it is maintaining neutrality in the war.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have maintained their close relationship, while China has significantly strengthened economic ties with sanctions-hit Russia, with annual trade growth of 25 to 30 per cent.

Beijing has not condemned Russia's actions, but has called for a ceasefire and negotiations to end the conflict. Meanwhile, Western countries are pressuring China to act and help to end the conflict in Ukraine.

At an event in Beijing organised by the Polish, Ukrainian and European Union embassies, US envoy Nicholas Burns said: "China's silence on the existential issue of Ukrainian sovereignty and independence is deafening. Its support to Russia is very troubling indeed."

At the same event, British ambassador Caroline Wilson said Beijing's "actions need to match [its] words". She also expressed concern about the "diplomatic and practical support" for Moscow that was "sustaining Russia's war effort".

Additional reporting by Laura Zhou and Zhuang Pinghui

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.
A century-old university in suburban St. Louis will shut down next year, its president said Monday, citing budget problems and declining enrollment.

Fontbonne University, in Clayton, was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1923, first as a place to educate young Catholic women. Enrollment for the fall semester was 874 students, including 650 undergraduates. A decade ago, Fontbonne's enrollment was about 2,000 students, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

University President Nancy Blattner said in a statement that Fontbonne would not accept freshmen for the fall 2024 semester but would continue with classes through summer 2025. University leaders will work with faculty and staff to help them find new positions elsewhere, she said.

"After many years of declining enrollments and a shrinking endowment, the financial position of the university is no longer able to be sustained for the long term," Blattner said.

Many universities are facing similar struggles. Public and private colleges and universities across the country have announced mass layoffs in recent months, as well as program eliminations and campus closures. Budget shortfalls are blamed on declining enrollment, the end of federal pandemic funding and other factors.

In December, the University of Arizona unveiled a financial recovery plan to address its $240 million budget shortfall. Earlier last year, four of the 14 universities in the Big Ten Conference  Penn State, Nebraska, Minnesota and Rutgers  announced significant budget shortfalls. Bradley University, a private school in Illinois, faced a $13 million budget shortfall representing 10% of its total operating budget.

Blattner said Fontbonne leaders have worked for years to try to turn things around.

"Despite our best efforts to cut costs, create new academic programs and launch athletic teams, the university is unable to recover from years of declining enrollments and budget deficits," she said.

The university's 16-acre campus sits next to Washington University in St. Louis. Washington University announced Monday that it agreed to purchase the Fontbonne campus, but it doesn't have definitive plans for the property.
For a possible summit between Pyongyang and Tokyo to be successful, it would have to address the issues of abduction and North Koreas nuclear weapons and missile programs, said analysts.

Although Pyongyang refuses to engage in talks with Washington and Seoul, it is showing a rare openness to talks with Japan, which has been working closely with South Korea in a tripartite pact with the U.S.

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said Pyongyang is open to improving relations with Tokyo and dangled a prospect for a possible summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. But she said there are caveats.

She continued in a statement released through North Koreas state-run KCNA on February 15 that Japan would have to put aside the abduction issue that Pyongyang views as settled and its nuclear and missile programs that have nothing to do with mending ties.

Declaring the abduction issue resolved is a nonstarter for Japan, said Nick Szechenyi, a senior fellow and Japan chair and deputy director for Asia at the Center for Security and International Studies (CSIS), on Wednesday.

There is a solid rationale for Japan-North Korea diplomacy as China is missing in action on the North Korea challenge and Kim Jong Un is ignoring South Korea and the United States, he told VOA via email.

Japan is the only player with a chance to engage, but Kim would have to address the abduction issue as well as his ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, Szechenyi added.

For Tokyo, the abduction issue remains unresolved, and it has long sought to repatriate Japanese abductees it believes to be remaining in North Korea. Japan identified 17 of its citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

Among them, North Korea sent five people back to Japan after then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Kims father, Kim Jong Il, met in Pyongyang in 2002 and announced a joint declaration to normalize relations.

North Korea claims eight of the remaining 12 died and has said that four people listed by Japan were never abducted.

'Integral part'

Shihoko Goto, Asia program director at the Wilson Center, said, For Tokyo, the abduction issue must be an integral part of any discussion with Pyongyang.

She continued via email on Wednesday, A meeting would also include addressing denuclearization and North Koreas ambitions.

Kim Yo Jong did not mention in her statement last week what Pyongyang seeks from Tokyo, other than to highlight the importance of mending their ties.

At a press briefing on February 16, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japans chief Cabinet secretary who also serves as the minister in charge of the abduction issue, said Kim Yo Jongs remarks on the abduction issue as settled was totally unacceptable, according to Japanese press reports.

But Hayashi said in a statement he would welcome Kishidas possible visit to Pyongyang, the report continued.

Kishida underlined the urgency for building top-level consultations with North Korea, with a goal of having a summit with Kim, when he spoke to parliament on January 30.

The abduction issue is one of the highest-priority issues for my administration and nuclear and missile development by North Korea is totally unacceptable, said Kishida as he stressed realizing summit-level talks with Kim.

James Przystup, senior fellow and Japan chair at the Hudson Institute, said, For Kishida to agree to a summit without demonstrating progress on resolving the abductee issue would be a diplomatic and political disaster for him and Japan, and the U.S. will support his efforts.

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council told VOAs Korean Service on February 16 that the U.S. supports Japans outreach to North Korea and its trilateral cooperation with Tokyo and Seoul remains strong.

Przystup continued via email on Wednesday, From a U.S., ROK and Japan perspective, denuclearization should be on any summit agenda, but I cant see North Korea agreeing to take that issue up. Pyongyang has made very clear repeatedly that the nuclear and missile programs will continue. Republic of Korea (ROK) is the official English name for South Korea.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing on Tuesday that full denuclearization is the U.S. policy goal for North Korea.

Szechenyi at CSIS said, It is hard to imagine Kim Jong Un uttering the term denuclearization at this point, but that is still the objective.

He continued, At the very least, North Korea would have to consider halting the current cycle of provocations for the dialogue to be meaningful.

Andrew Yeo, the SK-Korea Foundation Chair in Korea Studies at Brookings Institution, said via email on Wednesday, At this stage, a Kishida-Kim summit seems unlikely, although Japan may be exploring its options.

He continued via email on Wednesday, Itll be important for the Kishida government to consult with counterparts in Seoul and Washington to ensure that North Korea doesnt try to divide allies.

Jiha Ham and Sangjin Cho contributed to this report.
U.S. Army Colonel Frank Rubio, who holds the record for the longest U.S. spaceflight, recounted the "awesome" experience of re-entering Earth's atmosphere on Thursday during a Pentagon ceremony honoring his achievement.

"Colonel Rubio is a stellar example of someone who has made the absolute most of every opportunity," Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said as she presented him with an honor known as the Army Astronaut Device. "It's truly a privilege to have him representing the Army and the United States."

The Army awards the astronaut device to soldiers who complete at least one mission in space. Rubio joins Colonel Anne McClain and Colonel Andrew Morgan as the only active-duty soldiers authorized to wear it.

Rubio returned to Earth late last year on a Russian spacecraft after 371 days in the International Space Station.

The doctor and Black Hawk helicopter pilot flew more than 600 hours in dangerous combat deployments in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq before joining NASA in 2017 to become an astronaut.

While becoming an astronaut is a childhood dream for many who go to space, Rubio said he fell in love with the space mission much later in life.

"It's few things where you can say, 'Hey, my job helps represent humanity.' And that's a pretty powerful thing to be a part of," Rubio told reporters at the Pentagon.

While he now holds the record for longest spaceflight by an American, he certainly wasn't trying to earn that title. Rubio's six-month mission was extended to 371 days after his initial ride home sprang a leak.

His year in space led to incredible highlights, he said, from hurtling into space on top of 300 tons of rocket fuel during the launch, to spacewalks, to re-entering Earth's atmosphere.

"You essentially become a meteorite, right, and you have a plasma layer a couple of inches below you, because of the heat that's generated. All those things were awesome," he said in response to a question from VOA.

Rubio is the son of Salvadoran immigrants, and he credits the Army for giving him the chance to reach for the stars.

"I think it is the American Dream. It really represents the fact that we have so many opportunities, and again, I really value the fact that it's the opportunity that's given, not the results," he said. "And I think if you put in the hard work, if you dedicate yourself and you sacrifice, really almost anything is possible."

Rubio told reporters on Thursday that he hopes to continue contributing to NASA's mission on the ground and back in space.
By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials continue to discuss with allies what to do with Russian assets immobilized after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine two years ago, a senior U.S. official said, as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen heads to Brazil on Sunday to meet Group of 20 counterparts, some of whom continue to trade with Russia.

A senior U.S. administration official said Yellen had been clear that it was "both appropriate but also urgent for us to consider ways that Russian assets can be used to benefit Ukraine consistent with international and domestic law."

U.S. President Joe Biden remains locked at loggerheads over efforts to approve some $61 billion in further aid to Ukraine with the leader of the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives.

The U.S. official gave no details how Russian assets could be used and said he did not expect any specific outcome on the Russia asset issue from next week's Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies in Sao Paolo, Brazil, but stressed that the issue remained top of mind for Treasury.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told Reuters in a separate interview on Thursday that Washington plans to hit over 500 targets with fresh sanctions on Friday, and will be joined by allies, marking the second anniversary of Russia's invasion.

Russian assets frozen by countries after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine will be a key topic for G7 officials meeting during the G20 gathering, the Treasury official said, as some European countries fret that seizing those assets could set dangerous precedents.

In Brazil, Yellen will hold a news conference on Tuesday and participate in a public event with Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, as well as a bilateral meeting with her Brazilian counterpart.

She will also hold bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and Argentina, in addition to taking part in plenary sessions on the global economy and debt and financing for sustainable development.

Story continues

On Thursday, she will travel on to Chile, with a goal of continuing to strengthen bilateral ties with a country rich in critical minerals needed to underpin global efforts to build more electric vehicles, Treasury said.

In Chile, Yellen plans to meet Chilean officials, women economists and local business leaders, and take part in a press conference with her Chilean counterpart on Friday, March 1.

Yellen will also tour a lithium processing facility operated by U.S.-based Albemarle Corp in Antofagasta, Chile, where she plans to underscore the Biden administration's commitment to bolstering global energy security, developing resilient clean energy supply chains, and working on a green transition.

"We think developing more diversified, secure supply chains with key trusted partners is an important part of securing our energy future. And I think Chile probably represents this about as well as anybody," the senior official said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Michael Perry)
U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday announced a significant sanctions escalation against Russia, targeting its financial system and military infrastructure with over 500 new penalties, marking the largest tranche of sanctions since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago.

The measure was announced ahead of the invasions anniversary on Saturday and followed the death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny in a penal colony in the Arctic earlier this month.

The sanctions target various sectors, including Russia's state-owned National Payment Card System, banks, investment firms, venture capital funds and other financial institutions, its defense industry and procurement networks. They also target individuals involved in evading sanctions, in Russia and abroad, as well as prison officials who Washington believes to be linked to Navalny's death.

Urging lawmakers in the House of Representatives to pass the $95 billion Senate-approved supplemental funding measure that includes additional military aid for Kyiv, Biden vowed to respond with further punishment for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

We in the United States are going to continue to ensure that Putin pays a price for his aggression abroad and repression at home, he said Friday. Failure to do so, he warned, would embolden further aggression in Ukraine and worldwide.

Since Moscows invasion, Washington and its allies have imposed sanctions on thousands of Russian targets. Fridays package includes nearly 300 people and entities targeted by the U.S. Treasury Department, as well as 250 people and entities targeted by the State Department. The Commerce Department added over 90 companies to the entity list.

However, simply adding individuals and companies with no links to the United States and arguably with limited links to the world outside of Russia at large is ineffectual, said Dalibor Rohac, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

Instead, the administration should better coordinate with allies to prevent existing sanctions evasion, especially for those related to oil revenue, Rohac told VOA.

And a seizing of Russia's sovereign assets overseas  particularly its central bank reserves, Rohac said.

Beginning in December 2022, the U.S. and its allies imposed a $60 per barrel cap on Russian oil, limiting services such as insurance and trade finance for shipping Russian oil sold above that price.

According to a Treasury Department analysis released Friday, the cap has reduced Russias oil income. Over the past month, the policy forced Russia to discount its oil by $19 per barrel.

The cap, combined with a European Union ban on nearly all Russian oil imports, was designed to choke funding to Putins war machine. However, countries can still legally buy Moscows crude if it is refined elsewhere, including in Turkey and India.

As long as Russia can continue to sell their oil, they'll be able to continue buying missiles, and bullets and pay for soldiers, William Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, told VOA. As long as we allow that, then this war is never going to end.

Earlier this week the EU also slapped Moscow with a new round of sanctions, focusing on fighting sanctions evasion by targeting companies around the world accused of providing Russia with advanced technology and military goods.

Nearly 200 people and entities, mostly from Russia, have been added to the entity list, now totaling more than 2,000 individuals and entities.

For the first time, the EU sanctions are hitting companies in mainland China suspected of helping the Kremlin. Companies from India, Turkey, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong are also targeted.

Cindy Saine contributed to this report.
Botswana says it will use next weeks U.N. Environment Assembly to lobby against a proposed European ban on importing wildlife trophies from Africa.

This comes as Botswanas former president visits the U.K. to lobby in favor of the ban, defying his countrys position.

Botswanas acting minister of environment and tourism, Machana Shamukuni, told Parliament that he would be present when the U.N. Environment Assembly convenes Monday in Nairobi. He said he would be reminding like-minded delegates to continue to lobby against Europes efforts to ban trophy hunting.

Trophy hunting is the practice of killing large animals such as elephants, lions and tigers for sport. Hunters often keep the heads or other parts of the animals for display.

In 2022, the European Parliament announced plans to introduce a ban on the import of wildlife trophies. Conservationists are concerned that continued hunting will further deplete wildlife populations, which are declining in many areas from loss of habitat and poaching.

However, Botswana has the worlds largest elephant population at more than 130,000, and the giant animals are often in conflict with humans.

Investigation urged

Siyoka Simasiku is director of the Ngamiland Council of Nongovernmental Organizations, a conservation coalition, and has been involved in the campaign against the proposed wildlife trophy import bans. He said authorities in Europe needed to travel to southern Africa to get firsthand information about how limited elephant hunting helps Botswana.

This has been the call of the community  to invite European countries, including the U.K., to come directly to their areas to witness what the benefits from this wildlife have actually provided them, and also to see the damages that are also brought about by wildlife within their areas in terms of crop damage, competition for water holes and loss of lives," Simasiku said. "These are things that are dear to our communities.

Currently, Botswana issues about 300 elephant hunting licenses per year, generating approximately $3 million for the country, separate from the other revenues the hunters generate.

Meanwhile, former Botswana President Ian Khama this week arrived in the United Kingdom to drum up support for the hunting ban.

While in office, Khama enacted a hunting ban in 2014, but his successor, President Mokgweetsi Masisi, lifted the moratorium in 2019.

Simasiku said wildlife communities in Botswana oppose Khamas recent actions.

The Botswana communities strongly oppose this move where the former president advocates for a trophy hunting ban in London," he said. "They have expressed concerns about the negative impact on their livelihoods and conservation efforts. They argue that a blanket ban overlooks their role in sustainable wildlife management and urge for a more inclusive approach that considers their perspectives and needs.

No European Union ban on wildlife trophy imports has materialized so far, but the U.K. House of Lords considered a ban that failed to pass, while Germany and France are considering similar prohibitions.

Last month, Belgium succeeded in introducing a ban, amid calls for the rest of Europe to follow suit.
Two students and a journalism adviser at a California high school on Thursday filed a lawsuit against their school, alleging censorship and retaliation against the campus newspaper.

The lawsuit, filed in California Superior Court, alleges that the principal of Mountain View High School censored articles about online sexual harassment in the school paper, the Oracle.

In spring 2023, the Oracles student journalists published a series on sexual harassment at the high school. But the schools principal, Kip Glazer, allegedly pressured students to make changes to the article, the lawsuit says.

The suit alleges that Glazer also silenced the student journalists and those targeted with online harassment at the school, canceled the schools Introduction to Journalism course, and removed the schools publications adviser in retaliation.

I want to ensure the long-term stability and prosperity of my schools journalism program and I want student journalists at my school to be empowered to stand by their rights to publish stories that need to be told, one of the students, Hanna Olson, said in a press release. Olson is co-editor-in-chief at the Oracle.

Neither the Mountain View Los Altos Union School District nor the principal responded to VOAs requests for comment, made via voicemail and email.

Student journalists deserve to exercise their First Amendment rights without reprisal, censorship or threats, Carla Gomez, the journalism adviser who was removed from her position, said in a press release.

The San Francisco law firm Jassy Vick Carolan LLP filed the case on Student Press Freedom Day and is representing the students.

And the nonprofit Student Press Law Center (SPLC) has been advising the students on the case and advocating for their rights.

This lawsuit serves as a reminder that student journalists can and will stand up for their rights and those of others, Jonathan Gaston-Falk, SPLC staff attorney, told VOA. Such flagrant violations of the California Education Code must be addressed and corrected, or else there is no point to having such protections on the books at all.

His organization has spent 50 years championing the rights of student journalists.

California is one of 17 states that have enacted what are called New Voices laws to extend press freedom protection to student journalists.

The legislation came in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier in 1988. In it, the Supreme Court ruled that schools and districts can censor student speech and media for legitimate pedagogical concern.

Those pedagogical or teaching concerns include material deemed poorly written or researched, biased or unsuitable for immature audiences.

Critics of the ruling say its language is too broad and imprecise.

Many journalism educators say topics such as online sexual harassment, LGBTQ issues, sex trafficking and race are more likely to result in student journalists being censored.

Amy Burchett of the Journalism Education Association said these battles are on the uptick as students tackle difficult issues.

We cannot develop well-rounded journalists, especially student journalists, in high school, which is where they get that first taste of learning how to ask questions and interview and investigate, said Burchett, who is also a publications adviser at Amarillo High School in Texas.

We cannot develop that, especially to the level we need to, when there is a Supreme Court case that says we cannot do half the things we need to do, she added.

Media analysts say that nationwide they are seeing instances of campuses dissolving journalism programs, killing stories, censoring and altering stories, and firing or reassigning journalism teachers or advisers in response to student reporting that may be disliked or disapproved by principals, teachers, school boards, parents or other stakeholders.

Self-censorship is also on the rise, say experts, as student journalists feel pressure from administrators, school boards, parents or other stakeholders.

When the students already know there are going to be problems when they cover certain issues that are legitimately important in school, its less likely those students are going to produce that bold journalism thats important to them, said Gaston-Falk.

One of the Mountain View students says the lawsuit is necessary to ensure their rights are protected.

It is important to me that all student journalists have a platform to vocalize their thoughts and opinions and spread information freely without feeling pressure from those in charge to change our stories to meet their priorities, said one of the students, Hayes Duenow, in a press release.

Their lawsuit is asking for an end to censorship, and the reinstatement of the journalism course and the journalism adviser.

The district and principal have 30 days to respond to the lawsuit.

Editors note: This article has been updated to clarify details about the law firm representing the students.
Health workers, officials and humanitarians from 15 French-speaking sub-Saharan countries are meeting in Cameroon's economic capital, Douala, to discuss chronic child malnutrition in the region.

Many of the children in crisis have been displaced from Sudan and other conflict-ridden countries. Their chronic malnutrition, say those at the meeting, has been compounded by climate shocks that make food and safe water increasingly scarce in sub-Saharan Africa.

"All United Nations agencies are very worried that several million children suffering from acute malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa risk dying before they celebrate their fifth birthday," said Simeon Nanama, UNICEF's regional nutrition adviser for West and Central Africa. "Close to 7 million children affected by acute malnutrition are in dire need of help to save their lives."

In December, officials in Cameroon pointed to the mass immigration of women and children seeking to escape communal violence and Boko Haram terrorists who operate in Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria and other countries.

Last week, Chad's President Mahamat Idris Deby declared a food and nutritional emergency throughout the central African state. Deby pleaded for international support, especially for children under the age of five, who he said were suffering from acute malnutrition.

The United Nations says malnutrition is the second-leading cause of death among children after malaria in sub-Saharan African countries.

The Douala meeting aims to update health and humanitarian workers on U.N. guidelines issued in December about how to prevent and manage acute malnutrition to save the lives of millions of malnourished children.

"For the first time, WHO is providing guidance on how to prevent malnutrition and also for the first time we have guidance on how to detect earlier those children that are at risk of poor growth and development," said meeting participant Laetitia Ouedraogo Nikiema, a World Health Organization consultant and former public health, nutrition and research expert with WHO's Africa region.

Ouedraogo said the new plan envisages more integration of nutrition services into health systems.

The U.N. has said it intends to give more food and health assistance to the governments of countries most unable to care for malnourished children. The U.N. has a goal of eliminating acute malnutrition by 2030.

The U.N. said the plan faces challenges as the proportion of children with acute malnutrition persists at what it calls worrying levels; at least 216 million African children still suffer from stunting and malnutrition.
U.S. and European Union sanctions announced Friday on hundreds of people and companies for supporting Russia's war in Ukraine included several companies from China.

While most sanctions were against Russians and Russian firms, the U.S. and EU measures also included Chinese individuals and companies based in mainland China cities as well as Hong Kong for supplying the Russian military.

The U.S. sanctions also targeted individuals and firms based in Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, while the EU also targeted individuals and entities based in India, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Sri Lanka and Turkey.

They also included sanctions against Russian prison officials over the suspicious death last week in a Russian prison of opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

Russias foreign ministry denounced the sanctions as illegal and said it would respond by banning some EU citizens who provided military assistance to Ukraine from entering Russia.

Chinese officials did not issue an immediate response to the sanctions. But, at a regular briefing Tuesday, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning commented on the expected sanctions saying China follows an objective and impartial position on the Ukraine crisis and has worked actively to promote peace talks.

She said they have not sat idly by, still less exploited the situation for selfish gains.

Ukrainian officials and media reports have accused Chinese companies of supplying key electronics and dual-use technologies, including drone components, to Russias military since its invasion of Ukraine two years ago, which Beijing has denied.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday preempted Fridays official announcement on social media, saying, "I welcome the agreement on our 13th sanctions package against Russia. We must keep degrading Putin's war machine. With 2000 listings in total, we keep the pressure high on the Kremlin. We are also further cutting Russia's access to drones."

The sanctioned individuals and companies are banned from doing business with U.S. or European firms.

But legal and political analysts disagree on the effectiveness of the sanctions.

Lawyer Mark Handley, a partner at the Philadelphia-headquartered law firm Duane Morris LLP, said being sanctioned will certainly affect their international business. Things like international insurance companies or shipping could get very complicated once they are on the sanctions list."

However, Pieter Cleppe, editor-in-chief for BrusselsReport.eu, told VOA, "Historical research has shown that sanctions mostly fail, especially when prolonged, as is the case with Russia. The targeted country learns to cope with them.

He said, While sanctions may impoverish ordinary Russians, they have failed to halt the Russian offensive, which should be the goal."

The Yermak-McFaul International Working Group on Russian Sanctions and the Ukrainian think tank KSE Institute in January published a report showing sanctioned technology has still been reaching Russias military through third country intermediaries, which the EU and the U.S. hope the fresh measures will stop.

Despite the historic sanctions, Russias economy has been resilient as it shifted from European trade to doing more business and selling more oil to Moscow-friendly nations such as India, Brazil and China.

Junhua Zhang, senior assistant researcher at the Brussels-based European Institute for Asian Studies, said the EU's highest expectation is for China to align with the EU in resisting Russia's aggression, which is unrealistic. The EU's minimum expectation is for Chinese companies not to work for Russia, but strictly speaking, only fools would have such an expectation.

Just consider, [Chinese President] Xi Jinping sees Putin as his best friend, and those below him will act accordingly, a point that Europeans also recognize."

Others argue that sanctions on Chinese firms could push Beijing to reconsider.

Aliona Hlivco, a former Ukrainian lawmaker and managing director at the London-based think tank the Henry Jackson Society, said sanctions against Chinese companies could prove useful in deterring Russia's war on Ukraine. "China is currently attempting to improve relations with the West, so reinforcing China's compliance with international norms could be opportune."

The EU is China's second-largest trading bloc partner after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

China Customs says China-EU bilateral trade value was $783 billion in 2023, a year-on-year decrease of 7.6%.

In the same year, while Russia lost most of its European market due to sanctions, the bilateral trade between China and Russia hit a record high of $240 billion, a year-on-year increase of 26.3%.

Trade between the U.S. and China in 2023 fell for the first time since 2019, by 11% to $664 billion, according to customs data, and the Commerce Department says the United States imported more goods from Mexico than China for the first time in 20 years.
One works as a teacher. Others pretend to be students and shopkeepers. In Myanmar, their day jobs help mask their real profession as journalists.

With the space for independent journalism all but eliminated since the February 2021 military coup, some journalists still working inside Myanmar are using cover jobs as a form of protection.

The trend underscores both the resiliency of Myanmar media and the threats posed by the countrys military, analysts say.

Since the military overthrew the civilian-led government over three years ago, the junta has cracked down hard on independent media, with over a dozen outlets banned and even more journalists jailed.

The risky environment prompted entire outlets to flee into exile and forced some journalists to stop working entirely. But some reporters decided to stay in Myanmar, where they report underground at great risk to their safety.

We can be arrested by the military at any time, one journalist secretly working inside Myanmar told VOA. They requested anonymity for safety reasons.

Since the coup, I have already told people around me that I will no longer work as a journalist, said the reporter. Instead, they use the cover of being a student studying foreign languages.

Another journalist in Myanmar said they convinced people in their town that I abandoned journalist work. A job as a teacher helps hide that they still work as a reporter.

Like all the journalists inside Myanmar who spoke with VOA for this article, they requested their identity be hidden for safety reasons.

With a history punctuated by periods of military rule, Myanmars media already had a playbook for creative ways to continue reporting and stay safe.

The trend of cover jobs is the latest sign that Myanmar journalists do not want to give up easily, a journalist who fled Myanmar after the coup and is now based in Bangkok told VOA.

Despite being outside Myanmar, they requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.

In 2023, Myanmar ranked second in the world in terms of the number of journalists jailed over their work, with at least 43 behind bars, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, or CPJ.

Journalists in Myanmar say they believe the arrests are intended to silence media.

The junta wants the country to be in darkness, and they dont want the world to know the real situation in the country, the teacher-journalist said. This is the reason why the junta tries to arrest journalists.

The targeting of journalists parallels the militarys repression of the entire population. The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says the military and its affiliated groups are responsible for over 4,500 deaths, and that more than 20,000 people are currently detained for resisting the coup.

Myanmars military did not reply to VOAs request for comment.

Tom Andrews, the United Nations special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, says media inside the country take big risks.

Journalists literally take their lives in their hands to do their work in Myanmar, Andrews told VOA shortly before the third anniversary of the coup.

The level of courage and commitment demonstrated by journalists working in Myanmar is just stunning and inspiring, he said.

As recently as January, a journalist named Myat Thu Tan was shot and killed while in military custody in Myanmars Rakhine State.

A third journalist still inside the country said reporters are the most wanted persons."

That journalist, who also asked for anonymity, is pretending to be a student studying foreign languages.

Among the numerous challenges of working undercover is a sense of isolation. The fear of being discovered by the military means they sometimes dont even talk to other reporters in the country.

Local journalists live in silence, so it is difficult to know each other, said one of the journalists, with a cover as a student.

Keeping a secret life for years at a time is also exhausting, experts say.

They have to hide themselves from friends and family. They have to basically create an entire second life while trying to very subtly do their part in the revolution against the military, Oliver Spencer, a Chiang Mai-based expert on press freedom in Myanmar, told VOA.

The journalists, however, say being able to keep reporting inside Myanmar makes it worth it. The journalist who works as a teacher said they get a better sense of public opinion.

If there are no journalists in the country, the junta will surely do what they want, they said.
There was a time when activists and journalists who wanted to evade the ever-listening ear of the Cuban government spoke in code or had to meet in European embassies.

The arrival of internet and encrypted messaging services offered some respite.

But as quickly as technological advances made communicating and reporting on Cubas government easier, Havana found ways to disrupt or block messages.

Cubas independent journalists run a cat-and-mouse game with the government to make sure their phones do not fall into the hands of the authorities. If devices are seized, authorities can mine the digital memories in search of so-called incriminating evidence.

In 2023, at least 210 incidents of internet restrictions were documented by the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and Press, or ICLEP.

Those restrictions can include access to the internet being cut, arbitrarily blocking access to social media, or hacking the accounts of journalists or the media websites they work for, the ICLEP report found.

Normando Hernandez, founder and director general of Miami-based ICLEP, said intercepting telephone or internet access is a "recurring strategy of the regime to silence independent journalists."

"It is historically well known that the Cuban state listens and spies on all the conversations it wants to," Hernandez said. "There is no state of law. Cubans have no way to defend themselves against any breach of their rights."

VOA contacted the Cuban Embassy in Madrid and the governments International Press Center in Havana for a response about the findings by ICLEP. No one responded to the requests for comment.

Journalist Henry Constantin says his access to the internet was cut suddenly after La Hora de Cuba, the media site for which he works, began criticizing the Cuban government.

La Hora de Cuba publishes through Facebook and Instagram and is not aligned to the communist government. Its team of around 15 journalists has an audience of between 46,000 and 48,000 on social media.

Constantin, who edits the site, says censorship of journalists telephone lines or internet access is designed to curb free speech.

"Last November when I started to publish reports which were very critical of the government, my access to the internet was cut in Camaguey," he said, referring to the central Cuban city where he is based.

"I was able to access the internet when I was in Havana through a different number, so it was a local censorship."

Hernandez said the government controls all access to "digital expression."

Havana controls the Cuban telecommunications company ETECSA, which has a monopoly on digital communications on the island.

This monopoly represents a paradox for the Cuban government. Access to the network for users represents a threat to Havana and an instrument of control for authorities.

With that control, said Hernandez, authorities can easily "cut communication in general at historically important moments or significant times for Cuban society, or when something is happening in the island of interest to Cuban society."

That appears to be the case with Constantin.

In 2021, he was held in custody for 10 days for public disorder after reporting on demonstrations against the Cuban government and the Communist Party over food shortages and medicinal problems.

ICLEP has documented digital harassment since 2016.

The worst year was 2021, when ICLEP documented 1,129 violations of freedom of expression. This coincided with the protests against the Cuban government and Communist Party, which were the biggest since the 1959 revolution.

Prisoners Defenders International, a Madrid-based human rights group, said eavesdropping on journalists or opposition activists was long practiced by the communist government.

"Until they had wi-fi in Cuba, an activist had to speak in private, and this was only possible in European embassies and in other countries which had solidarity with the opposition," said Javier Larrondo, president of Prisoners Defenders.

"In some cases, they had a foreign telephone which cost a lot to make calls inside or outside Cuba, but they had less possibilities to be listened into."

Larrondo said the SMS message service has an automatic system of "sensitive words" in Cuba.

If an opposition activist types a word into their device, he said, "it can be picked up by an operator at the state telecommunications company, which has access to that message within 10 minutes."

Describing the SMS system as "especially insecure in Cuba," Larrondo said users did not have the security of private messaging until the arrival of WhatsApp, Telegram and VPN.

"Before the arrival of WhatsApp, we had to speak in code or [use] slang. Without a doubt, this way of speaking weakened the dissident movement and its capabilities."

Using encrypted services and other precautions is not always enough. When journalists or opposition activists are arrested, their telephones are always seized and the memory analyzed by experts.

This means that they must take extra care not to let their telephones fall into the hands of government agencies or the police, Larrondo said.

"As such, it is essential never to go out with a mobile phone but to leave it at home, hidden. Or to go out with a second telephone without memory," he said.
In the run-up to Pakistan's general elections this month, the country's 128 million voters were exposed to disinformation, including through artificial intelligence and deepfake videos.

Aside from a much talked about AI video of former Prime Minister Imran Khan claiming victory  a case where the jailed leader had given his consent  were cases of fake videos being used to spread disinformation.

In several instances, deepfake videos were shared online, including three in which PTI-backed candidates appeared to announce boycotts of the vote.

In one of these fake videos, Khan said his party would boycott the vote. And false videos also circulated of former Punjab Law Minister Basharat Raja and PTI-backed candidate Rehana Dar, who contested elections from Sialkot.

Nearly all had to respond by putting out statements denying  and denouncing  the false claims.

Threat to integrity of process

Sadaf Khan, co-founder of the Pakistan policy research group Media Matters for Democracy, said AI and deepfakes are particularly dangerous in elections.

When deepfakes, especially of a leader like Khan, are released, "there is a much higher chance of the public being duped," she said. This creates an environment in which people "are much more likely  where hordes of people, essentially  are much more likely to make voting decisions based on information that is not true," Sadaf Khan said.

When that happens, it "brings the integrity of the electoral process and the quality of democracy into question," she said.

In Pakistan's case, the government decision to cut internet access made it harder for media to debunk the false narratives, one journalist told VOA.

Pakistan's Interior Ministry defended the shutdown, saying that incidents of terrorism made the move necessary. But journalists and others said the shutdown hindered access to critical information, including polling station locations.

And journalists said they were unable to promptly report any suspected irregularities.

The Election Commission of Pakistan did not respond to VOA's request for comment. However, the commission instructed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to ensure adherence to the code of conduct for national media.

The Free and Fair Election Network, or FAFEN, said AI and deepfakes can affect voters.

The Pakistan-based civil society group works to strengthen democracy through observing and overseeing election processes.

"The impact of social media itself is an evolving phenomenon that the world is struggling to understand and respond to," FAFEN spokesperson Salahudin Safdar told VOA. "The AI and deepfake are further complicating this phenomenon.

"It is a challenge for election management bodies to tackle these issues as well as for election observer groups to systematically observe them," Safdar said.

Islamabad-based freelance journalist Asad Toor covered the February 8 elections. He said he thought AI-generated videos played a role in PTI's victory, influencing voter turnout in favor of Khan's candidates.

"Earlier we were skeptical about impact of these videos, but a big turnout of PTI voters on appeal of their jailed leader Imran Khan's call through these AI videos turned the tide," Toor said.

Positive possibilities

Enrico Pontelli, dean of the College of Arts and Letters at New Mexico State University, said that in some instances AI can have a positive effect.

"[AI] can provide a voice to those who are not in a position to speak, by breaking barriers and bringing such messages to the masses," Pontelli told VOA via email. "AI has also the potential of detecting artificial content, facilitating the detection of AI-generated content and contributing to fact-checking news stories."

On the negative side, however, the technology is "capable of generating on demand, fake content and adapt[ing] its presentation to what each individual 'expects' to see," Pontelli said.

Sadaf Khan, of Media Matters for Democracy, said she didn't think Pakistan's legal framework was able to deal properly with these issues.

"There is no specific criminalization of AI-related content, but if an abuse of AI is being done to defame somebody, then you have multiple legal structures that can be used to initiate defamation proceedings," she said.

For Pontelli, the solution could come from AI.

"The field of AI has started developing effective solutions for AI detection," Pontelli said. "This would provide one avenue to respond to the risk of AI-generated fake content."

This story originated in VOA's Urdu Service.
A former FBI informant who claims to have links to Russian intelligence and is charged with lying about a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden's family was again taken into custody Thursday in Las Vegas, two days after a judge released him, his attorneys said.

Alexander Smirnov was arrested during a meeting Thursday morning at his lawyers' offices in downtown Las Vegas. The arrest came after prosecutors appealed the judge's ruling allowing Smirnov, 43, who holds dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, to be released with a GPS monitor ahead of trial. He is charged with making a false statement and creating a false and fictitious record.

Attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld said in a statement that they have requested an immediate hearing on his detention and will again push for his release. They said Smirnov was taken into custody on a warrant issued in California for the same charges.

The case against Smirnov was originally filed in California, where he used to live. Several sealed entries were listed in the court docket, but no additional details about his return to custody were immediately available.

A spokesman for Justice Department special counsel David Weiss, who is prosecuting Smirnov, confirmed that Smirnov had been arrested again, but did not have additional comment. He is in the custody of U.S. marshals in Nevada, said Gary Schofield, the chief marshal in Las Vegas.

Prosecutors say Smirnov falsely told his FBI handler that executives from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid President Biden and Hunter Biden $5 million each around 2015. The claim became central to the Republican impeachment inquiry of President Biden in Congress.

Smirnov has not entered a plea to the charges, but his lawyers have said their client is presumed innocent and they look forward to defending him at trial.

As part of their push to keep him in custody, prosecutors said Smirnov told investigators after his arrest last week that "officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story" about Hunter Biden. They said Smirnov's self-reported contact with Russian officials was recent and extensive, and said he had planned to meet with foreign intelligence contacts during an upcoming trip abroad.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts on Tuesday had said he was concerned about Smirnov's access to money that prosecutors estimated at $6 million but noted that federal guidelines required him to fashion "the least restrictive conditions" ahead of trial. Smirnov was also ordered to stay in the area and surrender his passports.

Prosecutors quickly appealed to U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright in California.

While his identity wasn't publicly known before the indictment, Smirnov's claims have played a major part in the Republican effort in Congress to investigate the president and his family, and helped spark what is now a House impeachment inquiry into Biden. Republicans pursuing investigations of the Bidens demanded the FBI release the unredacted form documenting the unverified allegations, though they acknowledged they couldn't confirm if they were true.

Democrats called for an end to the probe after the Smirnov indictment came down last week, while Republicans distanced the inquiry from his claims and said they would continue to "follow the facts."
Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was convicted Friday of making false statements to a parliamentary inquiry into alleged corruption in his first government. He was given an eight-month suspended sentence.

The verdict at the Vienna criminal court followed a four-month trial. The case marked the first time in more than 30 years that a former Austrian chancellor had stood trial.

The case centered on Kurz's testimony to an inquiry that focused on the coalition he led from 2017, when his conservative Austrian People's Party formed a coalition with the far-right Freedom Party, until its collapse in 2019.

Prosecutors accused the 37-year-old of having given false evidence in June 2020 regarding his role in the setup of a holding company, OeBAG, which administers the state's role in some companies, and the appointment of his former close confidant, Thomas Schmid, to its leadership.

Judge Michael Radasztics found Kurz guilty of making false statements about the appointment of the company's supervisory board, though not about that of Schmid.

Kurz stood motionless as Radasztics announced the verdict to a packed courtroom. His lawyer later said he would appeal the verdict.

Once a rising star among conservatives in Europe, Kurz resigned in 2021 after a separate corruption probe opened and has since left politics.

However, his People's Party continues to lead the government under current Chancellor Karl Nehammer. The party is currently trailing in polls ahead of a national election expected in September, and the Kurz verdict could put it under more pressure.

In his closing statement, prosecutor Gregor Adamovic said Kurz had "actively" supported Schmid with the aim of handing OeBAG's leadership to his preferred candidate, and contended that it was clear the then-chancellor signed off on all the candidates for the company's board.

Kurz has repeatedly stated that he was only "informed" about but not actively involved in the decision.

The prosecution also contended that Kurz made false statements in order to avoid public criticism of cronyism which he had himself declared to be fighting in the Austrian political system.

In their indictment, which wasn't released to the public but was obtained by The Associated Press, prosecutors reference potentially incriminating chat messages found on Schmid's phone. Schmid, who is cooperating with prosecutors, testified extensively.

In an emotional closing statement to a court session that stretched into the evening, Kurz said it made him feel "helpless" to see that the trial was mainly about how prosecutors interpreted his statement to the inquiry and not what he had actually meant.

"What I said during the parliamentary inquiry does not correspond to the interpretation of the prosecution," he said.

Kurz rose to power with an anti-immigration platform and was only 31 when he became the leader of the People's Party and then chancellor in 2017.

Kurz pulled the plug on his first government after a video surfaced that showed the vice chancellor and Freedom Party leader at the time, Heinz-Christian Strache, appearing to offer favors to a purported Russian investor.

A few months later, Kurz returned to power in a new coalition with the environmentalist Greens in early 2020 but resigned in October 2021. The Greens had demanded his replacement after prosecutors announced that he was a target of a second investigation into suspected bribery and breach of trust. Kurz also denied any wrongdoing in that case.

His former chief of staff, Bernhard Bonelli, was tried along with Kurz and was convicted Friday of making a false statement to the parliamentary inquiry about his own involvement and that of Kurz in the selection of OeBAG supervisory board members.

He was given a six-month suspended sentence. Bonelli's lawyer also plans to appeal.
Savista's industry experts will be onsite and available for media interviews

ALPHARETTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / February 23, 2024 / Savista, a leading healthcare revenue cycle management services company, is sponsoring two upcoming Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) conferences. These include the 2024 Region 5 South Eastern Summit held in Tampa, Florida Feb. 25-28 and the 2024 Revenue Cycle Conference held in San Diego Feb. 28 - March 1. Savista experts will be in attendance at both events and can provide expert commentary on the company's industry-leading revenue cycle management services as well as critical topics for the healthcare industry.

The Region 5 South Eastern Summit brings together HFMA Members from five different states - Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee - and is designed to support HFMA's commitment to providing programs that enhance the growth and development of its members. Onsite will be Savista's Vice Presidents of Sales Michael Waite and Rob Barrett as well as Director of Client Success Vanessa London.

The Revenue Cycle Management Conference will address pressing topics in the healthcare industry such as AI, revenue cycle management best practices, empowering staff, patient payment confusion and the latest revenue cycle management technology. On hand from Savista will be Chief Commercial Officer Dan Bugarin.

As a full-service healthcare revenue cycle company, Savista provides healthcare providers with a range of services including accounts receivable management, health information management, patient engagement and revenue integrity. To coordinate media interviews with Savista's onsite executives during HFMA's programs in Florida and California, please contact Emily Passmore at epassmore@mower.com.

Information and registration is available online for the HFMA 2024 Region 5 South Eastern and 2024 Revenue Cycle Conference.

About Savista

Savista is a full-service revenue cycle services company partnering with hospitals, systems, and physician practices for more than 30 years. They solve revenue cycle challenges through comprehensive audits and assessments and their highly tenured workforce of revenue cycle experts. Savista provides solutions spanning eligibility and enrollment, health information management, charge description master, accounts receivable management and more. They tout one of the most highly trained workforces in the industry with more than 20 accreditations including Epic-certified trainers. Their global organization delivers quality custom solutions to more than 330 healthcare clients at over 770 facilities across 49 states. Savista has received the Peer Reviewed designation by the Healthcare Financial Management Association. To learn more about Savista, visit SavistaRCM.com or follow @savistarcm on LinkedIn.

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SOURCE: Savista





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The United Nations' top Middle East envoy told the U.N. Security Council after a visit to the Gaza Strip this week that what he saw was "shocking and unsustainable," and that the humanitarian situation is "desperate."

"I cannot stress enough how urgently we need a deal that will bring about a humanitarian cease-fire and the release of hostages," Tor Wennesland told the council Thursday from Jerusalem.

On Tuesday, the 15-nation council failed to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire due to a veto from the United States. Thirteen council members supported the text proposed by Algeria, while Britain abstained.

Wennesland said the humanitarian operation in Gaza faces many obstacles, with the number of aid trucks well below the target of 500 a day.

"We need more safety measures, greater security and the tools and access points to scale up aid, particularly in the north," he said, adding that the acute shortages of food, water, medicine and shelter have resulted in a desperation that has led to a "near total breakdown in law and order."

Israel denies it is hindering or limiting the delivery of aid and has accused Hamas, in some cases, of diverting it.

Wennesland also appealed for the safety of U.N. convoys and compounds, as there have been scores of strikes on U.N.-run shelters, and an aid convoy was hit by Israeli naval fire earlier this month. The U.N. has lost 160 staffers  the most in its history.

On Tuesday, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) said an Israeli tank fired on its clearly marked staff shelter in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. The wife and daughter-in-law of a staffer were killed, and six other people were severely burned, including children.

"Despite our precautions, our building was struck not only by a tank shell but by intense gunfire," MSF Secretary-General Christopher Lockyear told council members. "Some were trapped in the burning building while active shooting delayed ambulances from reaching them."

He said this was not an isolated incident.

"This is all too familiar  Israeli forces have attacked our convoys, detained our staff and bulldozed our vehicles, hospitals have been bombed and raided," he said. "Now, for a second time, one of our staff shelters has been hit. This pattern of attacks is either intentional or indicative of reckless incompetence."

Five MSF staff members have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its war on Hamas following the October 7 terror attacks in southern Israel. The U.S. and EU-designated terror group captured some 240 hostages during that attack, while killing 1,200 people.

In grim testimony, Lockyear said the patients MSF is treating have catastrophic injuries, including crushed limbs and severe burns, which demand sophisticated care and rehabilitation that is not available. He said women are giving birth in tents, and surgeons are performing amputations without anesthesia, even on children.

"Our surgeons are running out of basic gauze to stop their patients from bleeding out," he said. "They use it once, squeeze out the blood, wash it, sterilize it, and reuse it for the next patient."

Only 12 of Gaza's hospitals are still partially functioning. Several have been raided by Israeli forces seeking to root out Hamas fighters and rescue hostages.

"The excuse given is that medical facilities have been used for military purposes," Lockyear said. "Yet we have seen zero independently verified evidence of this."

He chastised the Security Council for repeatedly failing to demand a cease-fire and singled out the United States for its veto.

"We are appalled by the willingness of the United States to use its powers as a permanent council member to obstruct efforts to adopt the most evident of resolutions  one demanding an immediate and sustained cease-fire," he said.

Lockyear said despite the attack on the MSF shelter, his teams are back at work, risking their lives for their patients.

"What are you willing to risk?" he asked the council.

Lockyear's testimony comes a day after a consortium of 19 U.N. agencies and humanitarian organizations known as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee issued their own statement calling on Israel to facilitate aid operations to Gaza.

"We are calling on Israel to fulfil its legal obligation, under international humanitarian and human rights law, to provide food and medical supplies and facilitate aid operations, and on the world's leaders to prevent an even worse catastrophe from happening," they said.
Hungary continues to buy billions of dollars of Russian oil and gas annually, despite most other Western nations cutting of economic ties with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022. Budapest also has sought to strengthen ties with Beijing, bucking Western efforts to reduce dependence on China.

It has led some to label the country as Russia and Chinas Trojan Horse" in the West. Whats behind Hungarys warm relations with Moscow and Beijing? Many analysts say Hungary is seeking to exploit global tensions to its own advantage.

Russian oil

The southern branch of the Druzhba or "Friendship" pipeline brings thousands of metric tons of Russian oil across Ukraine and directly to the state-controlled MOL refinery on the outskirts of Budapest daily.

Russia was once the European Unions largest energy supplier, but the bloc banned Russian oil imports after the Ukraine invasion. Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic demanded exemptions, however, claiming that as landlocked countries they cannot quickly diversify supply.

While Slovakia and the Czech Republic have sought to reduce dependency on Russian energy since the ban came into effect, Hungary has struck new preferential deals to boost supplies from Russia. It is now Moscows biggest energy customer in the EU, purchasing $343 million worth of oil and gas in January of this year alone. It is also building a new pipeline to take the Russian oil products into Serbia.

In addition, Russia is building the new Paks II nuclear power plant in Hungary, on the bank of the Danube River, south of Budapest.

Ukraine anger

Ukraine says Russia spends its energy revenue on weapons to kill Ukrainians. An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy even accused Hungary of being complicit in alleged Russian war crimes through their energy deals with Moscow. If youve seen the video where Russians cut the head off a Ukrainian soldier  the Hungarians are paying for the knife, Oleg Ustenko, an economic adviser to Zelenskyy, told the Politico website last April, after Hungary signed a deal to boost gas imports from Russia.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto rejected criticism of the deals with Moscow.

The security of Hungary's energy supply requires uninterrupted transportation of gas, oil and nuclear fuel. To meet these three conditions, Hungarian-Russian energy cooperation must be uninterrupted. It has nothing to do with political preferences, Szijjarto said at a press conference in April following the agreement.

Moscow ties

Hungarys links with Moscow go far deeper than oil and gas. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has repeatedly rejected Western calls to sever economic ties with Moscow.

Brussels strategy for Ukraine has failed spectacularly. Not only on the battlefield, where the situation is catastrophic, but also in international politics. We have said in vain that this war is a brotherly war of two Slavic nations, and not ours, Orban said in his annual televised address February 17.

Orban has criticized EU sanctions on Russia, blocked European Union financial assistance for Ukraine, and delayed ratifying Swedens accession to NATO. He has made Hungary the outcast of Europe, said analyst Peter Kreko.

No one has gone so far in demolishing democratic institutions, turning against the Western institution system and cultivating relationships with Russia and China, Kreko told VOA.

Chinese investment

China is financing a $3.8 billon high-speed railway from Budapest to the Serbian capital Belgrade, a flagship project of its Belt and Road Initiative. Hungary was among the largest global recipients of Chinese BRI investment in 2022.

Critics say the government has prevented any oversight of the deals.

There are arbitrarily designed and swiftly adopted regulations by parliament to prevent any insight or oversight in and over the Russian investment in the nuclear power plant or the Chinese investment into the railway track that is being developed from Belgrade to Budapest. These are major investments. In the Hungarian context these are unprecedented investments, Miklos Ligeti, of the anti-corruption organization Transparency International, told VOA.



The Hungarian government rejects claims of corruption and says details of the investments were kept secret to secure a loan from the Chinese Export-Import Bank. Some 85% of the financing comes from China, according to Reuters.

Orban worldview

Hungarys warm relations with Moscow and Beijing are based on a geopolitical assumption, Kreko said.

Where there is a new Cold War-type conflict emerging between China and the West. And Orban wants to play this bridge role between the two. And its also increasingly about a notion that the Western liberal democratic order is about to collapse, and we have to look for new models, be them in Russia, be them in China, Kreko told VOA.

Viktor Orban and his Fidesz party have a large majority in parliament and are well ahead in the polls.

The chance of any governmental change is miniscule. It means that he really has a lot of time to deal with foreign policy. And he does not want only to be the prime minister of Hungary  he wants to be a world class player, Kreko said, adding that Orban relishes being in the center of world attention.

And this is partially one goal of his game. But the other goal of his game is  through veto, through obstruction  to have an influence on the processes, and he wants to be around the important negotiation tables.

Hes quite open about his negative attitude towards the EU, but I think it is increasingly [against] NATO, as well. So, he wants to weaken these institutions from within because he feels they pose a threat to his sovereign decision making, Kreko said.
Chinas state media report more than 100 cars collided on an icy overpass in the eastern Jiangsu province city of Suzhou early Thursday, injuring at least nine people.

The huge pileup is the latest incident caused by extreme winter weather conditions in China in recent days.

In a social media post, state police reported the accident occurred about 7 a.m. They said three people were seriously injured and taken to local hospitals, while other injuries were minor.

Video from the scene broadcast on Chinese state television, CCTV, and shared on social media showed cars piled on top of one another and crushed together, some severely damaged.

The state media report, citing officials, said the road was later reopened and an investigation into the accident was underway.

Southern and central China have been experiencing widespread cold, freezing rain and heavy snowfall in recent weeks, leading to transportation disruptions during Lunar New Year, the nations most important holiday.

According to the state-run Peoples Daily newspaper, the Chinese government said earlier this week it was stepping up rescue efforts, using all forces in the region to prepare for sudden and dangerous disasters caused by the cold weather.
A recent decision by Iraqs top court has raised concerns among Kurdish groups about the future of their autonomous region in the north.

The countrys Supreme Court on Wednesday issued several rulings regarding the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including one related to the autonomous regions election law.

The court ruled that KRGs provincial election laws article about the minority quota was deemed "unconstitutional." The current law, adopted in 1992 and amended in 2013, requires 11 quota seats in the regional parliament for ethnic and religious minorities.

The verdict also concluded that Iraqs Independent High Electoral Commission will replace KRGs own electoral commission to oversee parliamentary elections that are not yet scheduled but expected to be held this year.

The new rulings elimination of the minority quota system in the regions parliament could particularly reduce Christian representation in the Kurdistan Regions legislature, observers say.

Some Kurdish political parties condemned Wednesdays ruling, describing it as an attempt to infringe on the authority of the Kurdistan Region.

The decision "is contrary to the spirit of the constitution, Kurdistans constitutional rights, and the principles of federalism" in Iraq, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the ruling party in Iraqi Kurdistan, said in a statement Thursday.

Parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region were initially scheduled to be held in 2022 but were postponed because of tensions between Kurdish political parties.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson said the U.S. was "reviewing the full scope of the decision" by the Iraqi court.

"We support holding parliamentary elections in the Iraqi Kurdistan region at the earliest opportunity. And as we do everywhere, we encourage those elections to be free, fair, and transparent," spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Low trust

Kurdish autonomy has been enshrined in Iraqs constitution, which was adopted in 2005, guaranteeing political and monetary rights of nearly 6 million people living in the Kurdistan Region. Experts, however, say trust between the Kurdistan Region and the central government in Baghdad has been low in recent years.

"A resurgence of Iraqi government influence, driven by a desire to reclaim past authority and power, has led to a systematic leveraging of the Iraqi federal court to erode Kurdistans legal and constitutional powers," said Yerevan Saeed, director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace at American University in Washington.

"However, Kurdish internal discord, characterized by deep partisan divisions, failure to hold elections, and zero-game approach to resolve internal issues, has provided Baghdad with leverage to undermine Kurdish interests," he told VOA.

The current Iraqi government is dominated by Shiite groups that have the backing of Iran, a major regional actor.

In a deeply sectarian and polarized government, observers say the dominance of Shiite political groups has even influenced the independence of Iraqs top court.

"Because of this hegemony, there have been constant attempts to dissolve the Kurdistan Regional Government," Yahya al-Kubaisi, a Baghdad-based Iraqi affairs analyst, told VOA.

Four judges of Iraqs nine-member Supreme Court are Shiite Muslims, while three are Sunnis and two are Kurds. The court has said in the past that it maintains its independence from political influence.

Internal Kurdish divisions

The Kurdistan Region and its legal and political institutions are largely dominated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). But other parties such as the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) maintain significant political and military sway in local affairs.

Despite being partners in a coalition government, the two political powerhouses have had long-standing tensions, mostly about power and revenue sharing.

The recent ruling from the Iraqi court was the result of lawsuits initiated by some Kurdish political parties that reject the dominance of the KDP in domestic politics in the Kurdistan Region.

"This tactical maneuvering is often employed to signal discontent to the dominant political party in the Kurdistan Region, namely the KDP, implying that alternative arrangements can be pursued if cooperation is not forthcoming," analyst Saeed said.

He added that the onus falls heavily on the KDP and other parties to engage in real dialogue and address internal conflicts.

"Failure to do so will inevitably result in the diminishment of the Kurdistan Regions political, legal, and economic influence, and could potentially lead to its dissolution," Saeed said.

This story originated in VOAs Kurdish Service with contributions by Balen Salih and Herow Zangana.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported Friday more than 100 people were killed by Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours.

Reports from Gaza indicate Israel conducted airstrikes in the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah, with at least 104 deaths reported by the health ministry. At least 29,514 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting began in October, according to the ministry.

At the same time, media outlets are reporting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled his post-war plan for Gaza to his war cabinet late Thursday, calling for Israel to maintain long-term security with military and civilian control of the territory.

It calls for  in cooperation with Egypt and in coordination with the United States  Israel to control entry and exit to Egypt through the southern border. It is not clear if Egypt has approved the plan. The U.S. cable news network CNN quoted an Israeli official as saying Egypt was aligned with the Unites States regarding the plan.

Media reports indicated Palestinian representatives who have seen the plan have rejected it. Parts of the plan also run counter to what Washington has envisioned for the region, which is a two-state solution involving an independent Palestinian state.

Drone strike in West Bank

The Israeli military said Friday it carried out a drone strike in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin late Thursday, killing a suspected militant from the Islamic Jihad group.

A military statement said Yasser Hanoun was on his way to carry out a shooting attack. It gave no further details. Hanoun had been implicated in past shooting attacks by Islamic Jihad, the military said.

The West Bank has seen an increase in violence since the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.

Cease-fire efforts

Israel says new attempts are underway to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas to temporarily halt fighting in Gaza and to secure the release of more than 100 hostages still being held by the militants.

Those attempts include sending negotiators Friday to truce talks in Paris, Israeli media reported. The head of Israels Mossad intelligence service will lead the group.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told U.S. Mideast envoy Brett McGurk on Thursday that the government will expand the authority given to our hostage negotiators.

His comments came after Benny Gantz, who is on Israels war cabinet with Gallant and Netanyahu, said late Wednesday that new attempts are being made to reach a cease-fire deal. It was the first Israeli indication of new efforts since negotiations in Cairo among Israeli, U.S., Egyptian and Qatari officials stalled a week ago.

But Gallant said that release of the hostages was paramount and that unless Hamas agrees to free them, Israel will launch a ground offensive into Gazas southernmost town, Rafah, on the Egyptian border, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins March 10.

Rafah has been the focus of international concern for the safety of Palestinian civilians.

At the G20 meeting where foreign ministers of the 20 leading rich and developing nations are gathering to discuss poverty in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said involved parties should prioritize reaching an agreement to release the hostages.

The Algeria resolution has not in itself resulted in a cease-fire, Blinken said, referring to the weeklong cease-fire in November. The best way to do that is to do exactly what were doing right now, which is to work intensely on an agreement on the hostages.

Hamas captured about 240 hostages during its October 7 attack on Israel, while killing 1,200 people. About 100 hostages were released during the cease-fire in November. The Israeli military has said it believes about 30 of the remaining hostages have since died or been killed, leaving about 100 still held by Hamas.

Offensive moves in Gaza

While holding off on a full-scale ground attack on Rafah, Israel for days has launched airstrikes on the town, an area where nearly 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge. The Israeli military carried out airstrikes early Thursday.

The U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, said Wednesday that a rise in airstrikes in Rafah has heightened fears that they will further hamper overstretched humanitarian operations in the area.

Israels military said Thursday its forces conducted offensives in the Zeitoun area of Gaza City in the northern part of Gaza and in western Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

International reaction

In an opinion piece first published Wednesday in the Brazilian newspaper Folha, U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths urged officials at the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro to use their political leadership and influence to help end the war in Gaza.

The atrocities befalling the people of Gaza  and the humanitarian tragedy they are enduring  are there for the world to see, documented by brave Palestinian journalists, too many of them have been killed while doing so, he wrote. No one can pretend not to know.

At the G20 meeting, the foreign ministers were almost unanimous in their support for a two-state solution as the path to peace in the conflict, Brazilian foreign minister Mauro Vieira said.

There was virtual unanimity in the two-state solution as the only solution to the conflict, he said.

Blinken said he found commonality with G20 members on Gaza at the summit.

There may be differences over tactics, and there may be differences over this Security Council resolution, but were trying to focus on actually getting results, he said.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
On the eve of the anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion, the UN General Assembly meets to discuss the situation in Ukraine as the US imposes more sanctions on Russia. Israel rejects a Palestinian state while the world looks ahead to the end of the fighting in Gaza.
Ukraine marks the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion on Saturday as Kyiv urges its Western allies to continue to provide the military aid it relies on to defend itself.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily video message Friday evening that a U.S. aid package, which has stalled in the U.S. Congress, is "fundamental to our defense both in terms of its contents and the message it sends to the world."

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is visiting Ukraine, urged House members to "do the right thing" and pass the Ukraine military aid bill.

Schumer, along with four other Democratic senators, held talks with Zelenskyy in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Friday.

"We have been told by President Zelenskyy, we have been told by American and Ukrainian officials ... that without the aid Ukraine will lose the war," Schumer said at a news conference.

The U.S. Senate passed a bill last week that included $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine. But Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has not brought the measure up for a vote in the House.

Britain commits $311 million

In Britain, the Defense Ministry announced it will spend $311 million over the next year to boost Ukraine's artillery ammunition.

"They cannot win this fight without the support of the international community  and that's why we continue to do what it takes to ensure Ukraine can continue to fight towards victory," British Defense Minister Grant Shapps said in a statement.

In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Europe must increase its defense to prevent any attack from outside.

"Deterrence, defense readiness  I know these are unusual words coming from a German chancellor. Words that we in Germany have not used for so long that they have almost been forgotten," Scholz said in a podcast.

"But these words stand for a very important task: together with our allies, we must be so strong that nobody dares to attack us."

On the battlefront Friday, Ukraine's military said it downed a Russian early warning and control aircraft. Russia has not confirmed the loss. If true, it would be the second such military aircraft downing in just over a month and would represent a significant victory for Ukraine.

US imposes new sanctions

Earlier Friday, the U.S. government imposed more than 500 new sanctions on Russian entities, in the single largest round of penalties since the war began.

The government said the sanctions mark both the second anniversary of the invasion and are a response to the death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny at an Arctic prison.

"Russia's economy and military-industrial base are showing clear signs of weakness in part due to the actions we, along with our partners and allies around the world, have taken to support Ukraine's brave defense," said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Yellen urged the House of Representatives to pass the Ukraine aid bill that has been cleared by the Senate and "to join our allies around the world in giving Ukraine the means to defend itself and its freedom against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's barbarous assault."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the new U.S. sanctions against Russia will have a growing and lasting impact on Russia.

"All of the technology that's being denied as a result of its actions will have an increasingly heavier and heavier impact," Blinken said, responding to a question by VOA's State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching.

"The fact of course, that so many people have left Russia, more than a million, including many of the most educated involved in science and technology in production, that's also going to have a profound impact," Blinken added.

U.S. President Joe Biden noted the new sanctions will target individuals connected to Navalny's imprisonment, as well as Russia's financial sector.

"They will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home," he said.

However, Russia's export-focused $2.2-trillion economy has proved more resilient  despite two years of unprecedented sanctions  than either Moscow or the West anticipated. Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and the war has seen tens of thousands killed and myriad cities destroyed.

Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov was quoted by the RIA news agency as saying, "the new illegitimate restrictions are yet another brazen and cynical attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation," adding that the "new round of U.S. sanctions is an attack on Russia's core interests, but Moscow will keep protecting them."

Additionally, Canada, in coordination with the U.S. and Britain, announced Friday it is imposing sanctions on 10 individuals and 153 entities in a bid to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this week, the European Union approved a 13th package of Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia, banning nearly 200 entities and individuals accused of helping Moscow procure weapons or of involvement in kidnapping Ukrainian children.

Navalny funeral

An ally of the late opposition leader Alexey Navalny said Navalny's mother has received an ultimatum from Russian authorities to either agree to forgo a public funeral for her son or they will bury him immediately on prison grounds.

Ivan Zhdanov, Navalny's close associate, said Lyudmila Navalnaya was given three hours to accept a proposal for a private funeral for her son, outside the public eye, in an effort to suppress any outpouring of sympathy for Putin's nemesis before the March presidential election.

Navalny, Russia's most well-known opposition politician, died unexpectedly at age 47 in an Arctic penal colony last Friday. His death spurred hundreds of Russians across the country to create and stream makeshift memorials with flowers and candles.

Russian authorities have rounded up and detained scores for this.

VOA's State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
U.S. President Joe Biden responded Thursday to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that said frozen embryos are legally children.

"Make no mistake: This is a direct result of the overturning of Roe v. Wade," Biden said in a statement, referencing the overturned Supreme Court case that had protected the right to an abortion since 1973.

"The disregard for women's ability to make these decisions for themselves and their families is outrageous and unacceptable," Biden said in the statement.

The effects of the ruling are starting to be felt in Alabama, as patients scramble to make other plans, and IVF clinics cease parts of their treatments. Treatment facilities now face increased risks of their patients or doctors facing wrongful death lawsuits and criminal charges for participating in IVF treatments.

The pauses come after the Alabama courts ruling in a lawsuit under the states 1872 Wrongful Death of a Minor Act against a fertility clinic where frozen embryos were destroyed in an accident at a storage facility.

Three reproductive care facilities in Birmingham stopped providing IVF treatments in the ruling's wake.

Alabama Fertility Services said in a statement Thursday that the ruling has "made the impossibly difficult decision to hold new IVF treatments due to the legal risk to our clinic and our embryologists."

The ruling has now placed a burden on families in Alabama who have no other way of conceiving. The decision left Gabby Goidel, who had planned to undergo an egg retrieval, to seek treatment out of state.

"I freaked out. I started crying. I felt in an extreme limbo state. They did not have all the answers. I did not obviously have any answers," Goidel told The Associated Press.

While some clinics are shutting down, others are continuing to provide treatment. Dr. Brett Davenport at the Fertility Institute of North Alabama said his clinic will keep providing IVF.

"What we do could not be any more pro-life. We're trying to help couples who can't otherwise conceive a child," Davenport told the AP.

He noted that IVF treatment is like the natural conceiving process in a female body where only a fraction of fertilized eggs result in a pregnancy.

Republican Senator Tim Melson plans to introduce legislation to safeguard IVF services, proposing legal protections for fertilized eggs once implanted but defining them as "potential life" until then.

"I'm just trying to come up with a solution for the IVF industry and protect the doctors and still make it available for people who have fertility issues that need to be addressed because they want to have a family," Melson said.

Critics warn of broader implications, suggesting the ruling could deter fertility doctors from practicing in Alabama because of fears of criminal prosecution.

Some information for this report was provided by the Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.
Odysseus, the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon in more than 50 years  and the first from the private sector  was reported to be "alive and well" Friday but lying on its side.

Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based aerospace company that owns Odysseus, said the company thought the craft landed upright. But it was going too fast, either "caught a foot in the surface" or snapped one of its legs and fell onto its side, likely leaning on a rock. Two of its antennas are pointing down, which is limiting communication, he said.

"So far, we have quite a bit of operational capability even though were tipped over," he told reporters on Friday at a news conference in Houston.

Intuitive Machines was given $118 million for their expedition under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services, or CLPS, initiative that seeks to bolster the lunar economy.

The spacecraft landed on the south polar region of the moon at 6:23 p.m. EST, near the Malapert A crater, close to the moons south pole. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will try to pinpoint the lander's location this weekend.

For good news, five of NASAs six payloads are on the exposed side of Odysseus as is one solar panel array, which is working, and the crafts batteries are fully charged, Altemus told reporters.

In an earlier joint webcast, Intuitive Machines and NASA updated viewers on their expedition, saying they experienced issues with their navigation system, which caused them to take an extra lap around the moon to switch to NASA's laser navigation technology.

They also experienced a radio blackout during the voyage. When they reestablished connection to the spacecraft, the signal was weak.

Another issue that occurred was the failure to photograph the landing because of unforeseen complications.

A six-camera EagleCam system meant to capture the landing was intended to be launched by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, but according to a university spokesperson, "unexpected events" led them to change plans.

Rather than being deployed from the spacecraft to document the landing, the EagleCam was still attached to Odysseus when it landed.

Intuitive Machines CTO Tim Crain said, "Odie is a scrapper," on the X platform, referring to the spacecraft.

On Friday, the company said on X in their "Day One Update" that "we continue to learn more about the vehicle's specific information  overall health, and attitude [orientation]."

Despite the complications, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called the landing a "triumph."

Last month, another spacecraft was sent to the moon by Astrobotic Technology under the CLPS program, but a fuel leak forced them to abort the mission and the lander crashed back to Earth.

Odysseus will operate for the next seven days on solar energy, transmitting lunar environmental data to Earth. Thats to prepare NASA for an upcoming space voyage this decade called "Artemis," in which NASA plans to send astronauts to the moon by 2026 at the earliest.

Some information for this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press.
At least four journalists were detained in Russia last week while reporting on gatherings to mourn the unexpected death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, according to reports.

Navalny was 47 when he died on February 16 in a Siberian penal colony, sparking impromptu mourning gatherings and makeshift memorials around the country.

At least four journalists were briefly detained while covering those events on February 16 and 17, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a press freedom group.

Three of the detained journalists work for the independent outlet RusNews. The fourth works for the independent outlet Novaya Gazeta, according to CPJ.

In one incident, Yulia Petrova, a RusNews correspondent, told CPJ that she was briefly detained while doing a live broadcast from a Moscow square where people were laying flowers by a monument to victims of Soviet-era political repression.

The New York-based CPJ condemned the detentions in a statement.

"The detention of at least four journalists covering the public expression of mourning by Russian people after the announcement of the death of opposition leader Alexey Navalny is not surprising, given the Russian authorities' long history of harassing journalists covering pro-Navalny demonstrations," Gulnoza Said, CPJ's Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, said in a Wednesday statement.

Over the past few years, Russian authorities have detained dozens of journalists who were covering pro-Navalny protests, according to CPJ data.

"Journalists should be able to report on tributes to Navalny and freely cover events of public interest without fear of being detained," Said added in the statement.

On top of the four journalists detained, about 400 people across more than 35 Russian cities were detained while attending Navalny memorials in the days following his death, according to OVD-Info, a group that tracks political arrests.

The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately reply to VOA's email requesting comment.
The Dublin, Ohio headquarters of Cardinal Health, Inc. a multinational health care services company, and the 14th highest revenue generating company in the United States. Its CEO was the highest compensated public company executive in Central Ohio.

When it comes to the biggest public companies in central Ohio by revenue, no one stands out more than Cardinal Health.

And the company's CEO, Jason Hollar, has a paycheck to match.

Hollar earned $18.5 million for the company's fiscal year that ended June 30, according to a Dispatch review of Securities and Exchange Commission filings by central Ohio public companies.

That is more than any other CEO of a public company in the region based on the most recent filings that detail compensation for CEO and the company's workers.

By comparison the median Cardinal worker earned $69,024, according to Cardinal's filing. The median worker is the worker whose wages are in the middle, with half of the company's workers making more and half making less.

In other words, for every $1 the median worker earned, Hollar earned $269.

The Dublin-based wholesale drug distribution and medical supplies company had revenue of $205 billion for its fiscal year that ended on June 30, more than any other Ohio based public company and No. 14 nationwide on the most recent Fortune 500 list.

The company's shares have climbed by a third over the past year, and have trading close to an all-time high.

As is the often the case for most CEOs of public companies, most of Hollar's compensation, $14.8 million, came from stock awards, according to the filing. His base salary was $1.2 million.

Cardinal declined to comment on Hollar's salary and deferred to the company's filing.

In the filings, Cardinal and other companies justify the salaries they pay their CEOs by comparing the salary of their CEO to those of businesses with a similar profile.

"The market sets wages far more efficiently than the government ever could," said Steve Stivers, president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber.

Rather that comparing wages of CEOs to workers, a better comparison is to other CEOs of companies that are like them, Stivers said.

"That's who you're competing against," he said. "It's just a different job and different compensation."

Story continues

Nick Akins, former CEO of American Electric Power, received the second most compensation among central Ohio CEOs of public companies, at $16.4 million.

The median AEP worker earned $119,860, giving the company a CEO pay ratio of 137 to 1.

The Dispatch review of the data encompass assorted industries ranging from Cardinal to retailers to food companies to manufacturers and insurance companies.

It does not include, for example, private companies, foreign companies with operations in Ohio, nonprofits such as hospitals and big government sites such as state workers.

Retailers have biggest CEO pay gaps

The CEOs of the central Ohio biggest public retailers have the biggest pay ratio gap with their workers.

Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Fran Horowitz earned $11 million in the most recent filing while the median worker earned $3,883, a ratio 3,262 to 1.

Fran Horowitz at Abercrombie & Fitch

In its filing, the company, whose shares have skyrocketed 300% over the past year, described a number of its workers as part time, seasonal or temporary.

"This approach to store staffing provides flexible, entry-level employment opportunities to students  many of whom are among our core customer demographic  that can become the foundation for a career at the Company," the company said in its filing. "As a result, we maintain a 'promote from within' mentality, and we provide opportunities for students to shape themselves into top candidates and potential future leaders of the Company.

"Students and young professionals who are motivated, creative, and strategic are natural leaders to drive results in our team-based culture. For reference, our median associate is a part-time associate who worked for, on average, thirty-two hours a month for a period of eight months."

The CEOs of Bath & Body Works, Big Lots, Express and Victoria's Secret posted pay ratios of more than 900 to 1.

Victoria's Secret CEO Martin Waters earned $12.5 million, for example, compared with the median worker who earned $13,365, a pay ratio of 937 to 1, according to the company's most recent filing.

Victoria's Secret CEO Martin Waters

The former CEO of Designer Brands, Roger Rawlins, had the lowest pay ratio among the central Ohio retailers at 433 to 1.

Former Designer Brands CEO Roger Rawlins

On the flip side, investment advisory company Diamond Hill Investment Group had the lowest gap, 11.5.

The company's CEO, Heather Brilliant, earned $4 million, according to the company's most recent filing. The median worker earned $346,450.

Heather Brilliant, CEO of Diamond Hill

Groups critical of CEO pay

Left-leaning group Policy Matters Ohio does it own annual report on pay of CEOs of companies based in Ohio or that have significant operations here.

Those 53 CEOs earned $273 for every dollar of the wages of the company's median worker, down from 396 to 1 in 2021. It attributed the drop largely to a decline in stock prices in 2022.

Median pay for workers across Ohios biggest firms rose 10% to $53,321 in 2022, according to the group. Policy Matters estimates further workers in '23 off of strong labor deals that were negotiated last year.

The group has complained for years that CEO pay is out of whack with what workers earn. It argues that too much CEO pay is tied to stock awards, and that drives CEOs to take steps to boost the share price in the short term through such things as share repurchases instead of making investments in the company that could drive long-term success.

"Outsized CEO pay is one driver of pay inequality, and the way CEOs are paid can motivate company decisions that boost share prices in the short-term but underinvest in the long-term health of the company, their workforce, and their roots in Ohio communities," according to the group.

The most recent AFL-CIO report on CEO compensation found that the average CEO of a company in the S&P 500 index that includes the country's biggest 500 public companies was $16.7 million in 2022, an average CEO-to-worker pay ratio of 272 to 1.

In Ohio, the average CEO of an S&P 500 company earned $12 million in 2022, a CEO-pay-ratio of 198 to 1; CEOs of smaller public companies earned an average of $7.5 million, a CEO-pay-ratio of 124 to 1, according to the report.

The chamber's Stivers said public companies should be allowed to deploy their money in ways that make the most sense to the company.

"They should be able to do that. That's how a free market works," he said.

Also, it's the company's board that decides on whether the company should buy back shares, not the CEO, Stivers said.

"The fallacy in the Policy Matters report is the assumption that the CEO on his own can buy back shares," he said.

Columbus CEO pay

The following is the pay of Central Ohio public company CEOs listed by total compensation based on the most recent fiscal year reported. The final number represents the median worker compensation for the company as reported. An * indicates the person is no longer CEO of the company.

Cardinal Health, Jason Hollar, $18,536,924 (2023), $69,024

American Electric Power, Nick Akins*, $16,375,508 (2022), $119,860

Victoria's Secret, Martin Waters, $12,519,912 (2022), $13,365

Scotts Miracle-Gro, James Hagedorn, $11,994,566 (2023), $58,683

Abercrombie & Fitch, Fran Horowitz, $11,034,157 (2022), $3,883

Huntington Bancshares, Steve Steinour, $10,484,975 (2022), $67,653

Bath & Body Works, Gina Boswell, $9,964,565 (2022), $10,669

Bread Financial, Ralph Andretta, $8,694,682 (2022), $82,252

Designer Brands, Roger Rawlins*, $8,530,705 (2022), $19,685

Big Lots, Bruce Thorn, $8,523,181 (2022), $9,113

M/I Homes, Robert Schottenstein, $8,207,473 (2022), $88,124

Vertiv, Rob Johnson*, $8,033,521 (2022), $30,704

Wendy's, Todd Penegor*, $8,005,313 (2022), $19,916

Worthington Enterprises, Andy Rose, $7,279,786 (2023), $104,571

Express, Timothy Baxter*, $7,717,586 (2022), $8,112

Advanced Drainage, Scott Barbour, $6,976,773 (2023), $53,220

Installed Building Products, Jeff Edwards, $5,331,034 (2022), $57,594

Root Insurance, Alex Timm, $5,126,730 (2022), $65,927

Lancaster Colony, David Ciesinski, $5,029,587 (2023), $47,946

Greif, Ole Rosgaard, $4,352,908 (2023), $48,862

Diamond Hill, Heather Brilliant, $3,999,171 (2022), $346,450

Commercial Vehicle Group, Harold Bevis*, $2,731,884 (2022), $13,112

Park National Bank, David Trautman, $2,181,048 (2022), $59,194

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: See what central Ohio CEOs earned compared to their workers
Saturday is the second anniversary of the Ukraine War. US-Russian relations are at their lowest point since the Cold War. U.S. President Joe Biden met with Yulia Navalnaya, wife of the late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. And the U.S. has returned to the moon for the first time since 1972.
With a flood of capital and the arrival of big tech companies, Singapore has become a new top location for China business. And while it has given the tiny nations economy a boost, not all are pleased.

At the official level, the relationship is portrayed as blossoming. Earlier this month, Chinas state media touted a meeting in Singapore of 200 Singaporean and Chinese business leaders and policymakers that called for enhanced business ties, improved intellectual property protection, and support for mediation and arbitration.

While the Xinhua article focused on the importance of the Chinese market to Singapore, the city-state has been attracting many foreign-funded companies, including Chinese companies, and in 2022 overtook Hong Kong to become Asias top financial center and the third biggest in the world.

Hundreds of Chinese companies are estimated by business insiders to have quietly re-domiciled or registered themselves in Singapore between November 2021 and November 2022, reports the Financial Times, which notes the exact number of Chinese companies set up is unclear because Singapore does not disclose origin country in its public statistics.

A growing list of Chinese tech companies such as Alibaba, ByteDance, Huawei, Kuaishou, China Telecom and China Mobile have directed their investments to Singapore for data centers and labs. Singapore is ranked as the top innovation hub outside of Silicon Valley, housing 80 out of the worlds 100 tech firms, says Guide Me Singapore, a Hawksford company entity offering business set-up and support services.

While the business has been welcomed, critics say the flood of Chinese capital has brought an increase in illegal activities to Singapore, also known as the Lion City, highlighting problems with the city-states supervision measures.

Aya Adachi, director of Mapping China, tells VOA that Singapore introduced a new legal structure in 2020 called the Variable Capital Company or VCC, which was intended to attract the assets of fund managers and family offices registered in low-tax jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg.

The change in the Singaporean regulatory environment has attracted more Chinese illegal activities, said Adachi, whose German non-profit group monitors China's foreign and economic affairs. But that was obviously not intended by the Singaporean government in the first place."

Maira Martini, a research and policy expert at anti-corruption group Transparency International, told the Financial Times that the risk with VCCs is that they "usually function like a black box" and "can be very attractive to the corrupt and other criminals."

Singapore in August uncovered the largest money laundering case in its history, involving $3 billion in cash and assets, reports the Singapore Straits Times, and 10 suspects arrested were of Chinese origin.

In an article in Asia Sentinel earlier this month, Andy Wong Ming Jun said Chinese companies use Singapore-registered firms to make their businesses look less connected to China, a process known as Singapore Washing.

He wrote that this was having diplomatic and reputational consequences for Singapore "as the geopolitical waters between China and the West, particularly the U.S., become increasingly choppy."

In an emailed comment to VOA following the publication of the story, Singapore's Embassy in Washington D.C. highlighted the island nation's "robust system to deter and tackle money laundering and other illicit financial flows."

"We welcome legitimate investors and businessmen, but we have zero tolerance for criminals who abuse our system, wherever they may come from," said Singapore Ambassador to the U.S. Lui Tuck Yew.

Video sharing application Tiktok moved its Asia headquarters from Beijing to Singapore, amid increased scrutiny of its Chinese parent company Bytedance and questions whether it could protect consumer data from the Chinese government.

However, some believe the criticism of Singapore Washing is deliberately looking at Chinese investment in a colored light.

Tan Khee Giap, chairman of the Singapore National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation, pointed out that European and American multinational companies have also come to Singapore, but are not accused of Singapore Washing. The same is true of Japanese and Korean companies that have moved their regional headquarters to the city-state.

Why target only China, he asked. Because China may have a political system and values that are different from those of Europe and the U.S."

Former attorney general of Singapore Walter Woon agrees.

"Of course, there will be some people who use Singapore as a base, but that's not confined to people of Chinese ethnicity. Like any other financial center, Switzerland, for example, you're likely to find a certain number of groups. Even America is not free from crooks who set up and use America as a base," he said.

Mapping Chinas Adachi says Singapore wants to maintain a politically neutral image while struggling to stop a surge in criminal activities from China, which could force Singapore to change direction.

"To some degree, I think the Singaporean government is faced with having to introduce stricter measures to prevent these illegal Chinese activities from happening. And that might conflict with the idea of maintaining a free, less complicated regulatory environment," she says.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.

Editors note: This story has been updated to include comment from Singapore's Embassy in Washington
Foreigners are living in embattled Ukraine, choosing to face the threat of shelling instead of remaining in the relative safety of their home countries. VOA met with citizens of the United States and Denmark to find out why they are staying in Ukraine during the war. Lesia Bakalets has their stories from Kyiv. Camera: Evgenii Shynkar
A right-wing Spanish politician who was shot in November in Madrid on Friday accused Iran of being behind his attempted murder during his first public appearance since the attack.

Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a founder of Spain's far-right Vox party and former head of its center-right People's Party in Catalonia who has long supported Iran's opposition movement, was shot in the face in broad daylight near his home in the upscale Salamanca neighborhood on November 9 by a motorcycle passenger.

"I have no doubt that it was the Iranian regime," the 78-year-old, who was European Parliament vice president between 2009 and 2014, told a news conference in the Spanish capital.

Tehran has "a long tradition, a track record, of extraterritorial terrorist activities" against "dissidents and against foreigners who support then," he added, without offering any proof to back up his claim.

Four people have been arrested as part of the investigation into the shooting, but the suspected gunman  a French national of Tunisian origin with several previous convictions in France  remains at large.

Police have not commented on a possible motive for the shooting.

Vidal-Quadras, who already pointed the finger at Iran when he was questioned by police after the shooting, said it was a "miracle" that he survived.

"I made a movement of my head that meant that the shot, which was supposed to be fatal, was not," he said.

The bullet entered one side of his jaw and exited the other, and Vidal-Quadras spent time in hospital recovering from a jaw fracture.

"The detonation sounded like a thunderclap in my head, in fact I have a perforated eardrum, and I started bleeding, it caused a puddle on the floor," he said.

Vidal-Quadras said he believes the quick intervention of a passerby, who stopped the bleeding with a piece of clothing, saved his life.

He said he has suffered from after effects since the shooting, including "some paralysis of the facial muscles."

Vidal-Quadras, a top member of the International Committee in Search of Justice that supports the "Iranian resistance," has long called for the international community to harden its position toward Iran.
Chinas decision to increase regular patrols in waters near Taiwans outlying islands in recent days is an attempt to erode the long-standing status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan must exercise caution in its response, some analysts have told VOA.

After two Chinese fishermen drowned fleeing a Taiwanese coast guard ship this month, China has increased pressure on Taiwan. Chinese coast guard officers boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat Tuesday, while Chinese coast guard vessels have repeatedly appeared in waters near Taiwans outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands, which are just a few kilometers from the Chinese mainland.

In response, Taiwan criticized Beijing for triggering panic with the abrupt inspection of the Taiwanese tourist boat and began deploying its coast guard vessels to monitor Chinese coast guard vessels activities or drive away Chinese boats that entered the restricted waters near its offshore islands.

While the events have not escalated into a major conflict across the Taiwan Strait, some observers say Beijing is trying to use the deaths to "create new facts" in the highly sensitive region and "upend rules of engagement" designed to prevent accidents.

"This is a willful, slow erosion of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, [and] its a demonstration by Beijing that it sets the rules and can change them unilaterally," J Michael Cole, senior adviser on countering foreign authoritarian influence with the International Republican Institute in Taiwan, told VOA in a written response.

Since Beijings moves are tailored for the domestic Chinese audience, Cole said the Chinese government hopes to reinforce the impression that Taiwan cannot defend its sovereignty. Beijings actions "are meant to reinforce the notion that Taipei is powerless to set out rules and to defend the Republic of Chinas sovereignty," he added.

Characterizing recent Chinese coast guard activities actions as part of Beijings gray zone operations against Taiwan, which often involve the use of irregular tactics without resorting to open conflict, some analysts say these operations will likely become a "new normal" near Taiwans outlying islands.

"Since China is already deploying coast guard vessels to waters near the Senkaku Island, which is claimed by both Japan, China, and Taiwan, on almost a daily basis, we can expect China to conduct similar operations near Kinmen and Matsu Islands," Su Tzu-yun, a military analyst at the Taipei-based Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told VOA by phone.

So far, Taiwan has designated its coast guard to monitor and cope with the Chinese coast guards increased activities near the contested waters while Taiwans National Defense Ministry said there is no plan for the military to become directly involved in the dispute.

"Based on the principle of no direct intervention and no escalation of the conflict, the Taiwanese military continues to monitor situations [in waters near the offshore islands] and we remain ready to assist the coast guard when necessary," Deputy Director of the Taiwanese Defense Ministrys Office of the Chief of Staff for Warfare and Plans Lee Chang-fu said during a daily press conference on Wednesday.

Cole in Taipei said that since Beijing is always searching for "reasons" to conduct gray zone operations near Taiwan, the Taiwanese government must exercise caution when figuring out its responses.

"Taipei must act carefully while laying out response plans to various contingencies," he told VOA, adding that the need to strike a balance in its response may put Taiwan in an "uncomfortable position."

In his view, a perceived lack of response by Taipei may be viewed domestically as the governments inability to defend its sovereignty. On the other hand, Taiwanese authorities need to ensure their responses "dont lead to recklessness," Cole said.

"Its a difficult balancing act, but one that Taipei has been learning to live with," he said.

As Taiwans coast guard and navy have a coordinating mechanism dedicated to determining the level of response to Chinas gray zone activities, Su said Taiwan will let its coast guard handle low-intensity threats posed by Beijing.

"Such practice is in line with international norms and will help Taiwan avoid becoming the aggressor in the cross-strait dispute," he told VOA.

With less than three months until Taiwans new administration comes into power, some experts say Taipei needs to exercise extra caution in on cross-strait issues.

"Since Beijing may try to seek any opportunity to increase pressure on Taiwan, Taiwanese authorities need to remain restraint while ensuring they have the capabilities to safeguard Taiwans sovereignty and territorial integrity," Shen Ming-shih, director of the Division of National Security Research at Taipei-based Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told VOA by phone.

He said the pressing issue for Taiwan is to avoid letting the capsizing snowball into the first step of Chinas pressure campaign against the island.

"If China decides to use the accident to escalate its pressure campaign against Taiwan, they might initiate a series of operations through different government agencies, including poaching Taiwans diplomatic allies or conducting another large-scale military exercise near Taiwan," Shen added.

Against this backdrop, Cole said Taipei should consider sending a clear message to the world that recent events are not isolated incidents but part of a larger operation with "wider ramifications" for the region.

"Given the high potential for major escalation, its in the regions interest to encourage Beijing not to engage in this kind of adventurism that could spark a serious conflagration," he told VOA.
Ukraines foreign minister sought to rally international support Friday at the United Nations, two years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion and war with his country and as the world is distracted by other crises and conflicts and U.S. military aid is held up in Congress.

Moscow's aim is to destroy Ukraine, and they are quite outspoken about it, Dmytro Kuleba told a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly to mark the somber anniversary that drew ministers from many nations.

But he was eager to let the world know Ukraine wants peace.

No nation in the world wants peace more than Ukraine; our country suffers the most, he said. But we also know that peace must be just, be just and durable. Simply putting the war on hold and hoping that the aggressor will be merciful enough to eventually choose peace is not a realistic plan.

He said Ukraine wants to use President Volodymyr Zelenskyys 10-point peace formula as a roadmap out of the conflict and to discuss it with the international community at a peace summit they are planning to hold in Switzerland.

The plan, put forward in December 2022, calls for among other things, the withdrawal of Russian troops and an end to the fighting, nuclear security, the release of all prisoners and the restoration of Ukraines territorial integrity.

Later he told reporters that two years ago, many experts and diplomats did not think Ukraine would survive Russias full-scale invasion and today those same people do not believe Ukraine can win the war.

Ukraine survived the invasion, and Ukraine will win the war, he said. If we act collectively and jointly, this will happen sooner rather than later.

Russias U.N. envoy repeated Kremlin claims that it was not responsible for the war and that it was simply protecting Russian-speaking populations who were discriminated against by Kyiv.

Russia did not start this war; it came to put an end to it, Vassily Nebenzia said. All the Kyiv authorities had to do was respect peoples rights, let them live in peace on their own territory, study in their own language, enjoy freedom of religion and freedom of thought.

He said the goals of Russias special military operation  what the Kremlin calls its invasion  would be met, and they were not against doing this through negotiations. But he dismissed Zelenskyys peace formula as an ultimatum to Russia and said countries should not waste their time with it.

Unbreakable spirit

European countries and the United States expressed their continuing solidarity with Ukraine.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield praised the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people and said it should be an example for all people.

Ordinary, extraordinary people, vastly outnumbered, fiercely defending their communities, she said. Teachers transforming bunkers into classrooms. City workers finding ways to restore heat and electricity after bombardments. Families rationing food to feed their neighbors.

She said the world must speak in a unified voice to demand Russia end the war.

That means calling for Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraines internationally recognized borders and uphold the basic principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, Thomas-Greenfield said.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown his appetite for taking the territory of others  South Ossetia in 2008 and Crimea in 2014  and unstopped, he came back for more in 2022.

Now, having tried and failed to conquer all of Ukraine, the lesson of this history is clear, if we do not stand up to Putin, he will be back for more, Cameron said.

He said he understands some in the international community are tired of the conflict and a compromise might be appealing.

But this is wrong, Cameron said. We must recognize the cost of giving up.

Luxembourgs foreign minister echoed that sentiment, telling reporters that if Ukraine is abandoned, it would not be the end of Russias aggression.

Believe me, we dont know who will be next, Xavier Bettel said.

He cautioned that Ukraine is in a weaker position now than earlier in the conflict, and that Russia would not negotiate as long as it is in a stronger position.

So, the support for Ukraine is also support for negotiations, he said.

Around 60 countries were expected to speak Friday at the session.

The U.N. Security Council is also meeting Friday. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that in the two years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, that there has been too much suffering and strains on global relations.

"Enough," he said.

"It is high time for peace  a just peace, based on the United Nations Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions."
Ukrainian officials said Friday a Russian drone struck a commercial area in the countrys Black Sea port of Odesa overnight, triggering a fire and killing at least three people.

The military said Russia launched 31 drones at Ukraine overnight and that air defenses destroyed 23 of them. Southern forces said they had intercepted nine drones, but that one struck an area near the port, causing the blaze.

In Dnipropetrovsk, regional Governor Sergiy Lysak said on Telegram that a Russian drone hit an apartment building, injuring eight people. He said rescue workers were searching the rubble and that other residents might be still be under the debris.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine began February 24, 2022, and as the second anniversary arrives, leaders from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations are to hold a virtual meeting Saturday to discuss their support for Ukraine.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will participate in the talks and that the group will address "steps we can take together to continue holding Russia accountable."

The United States is also preparing to unveil a new round of sanctions against Russia Friday for its invasion of Ukraine and the death in custody of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny.

The new sanctions will be against more than 500 targets, Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told Reuters.

"Tomorrow we'll release hundreds of sanctions just here in the United States, but it's important to step back and remember that it's not just America taking these actions," Adeyemo said.

"We are always looking at additional ways that we can choke off the Russian war machine, that we can deny the Russian military industrial complex components that it needs to use to fund its war effort, as well as to hold accountable those involved in it," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Wednesday.

The European Union agreed Wednesday to enact its own new sanctions against Russia.

The sanctions include banning about 200 people and entities from doing business with companies in the EU or traveling there.

"With this package, we are taking more action against entities involved in circumvention [of sanctions], the defense and military sectors," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Borrell said there was no indication that Moscow would accept a cease-fire. "[Russian President Vladimir] Putin wants to continue this war," he said.

In addition to Russian firms, the EU's sanctions target Chinese companies providing military technology to Russia.

"We must keep degrading Putin's war machine," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "With 2,000 listings in total, we keep the pressure high on the Kremlin. We are also further cutting Russia's access to drones."

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
A report by the U.N. human rights office accuses both of Sudans warring parties of committing horrific violations and abuses against the countrys civilian population, some of which may amount to war crimes and possibly other serious crimes under international law.

The 16-page report is based on interviews with 303 victims and witnesses, as well as analysis of photographs, videos and satellite imagery gathered between April 15 and December 2023.

The report holds the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces responsible for the killings of at least 14,600 civilians and the forced displacement of more than 8 million people both inside Sudan and as refugees in five neighboring countries.

Authors of the report say the intensity of hostilities between the armed forces and the significant lack of adherence to international humanitarian law and international human rights law standards are concerning.

In a statement Friday, Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said, For nearly a year now, accounts coming out of Sudan have been of death, suffering and despair, as the senseless conflict and human rights violations and abuses have persisted with no end in sight.

Since the rival generals plunged Sudan into war on April 15, the report says, armed forces and their allies have indiscriminately attacked civilians in densely populated areas, including sites sheltering internally displaced people, with most attacks occurring in the capital, Khartoum, as well as Kordorfan state and Darfur.

Since April, there have been widespread allegations of sexual and gender-based violence in the conflict-affected hot spots.

As of December 15, the report says, it has received reports that at least 118 people had been subjected to sexual violence, including rape, gang rape and attempted rape, among them 19 children.

The report finds many victims were trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation and forced prostitution, by both parties to the conflict and their allied groups, which are prohibited under international law.

Seif Magango, the U.N. human rights office regional spokesperson, said the warring parties also have looted property, conscripted child soldiers and otherwise violated the human rights of thousands of helpless, destitute people.

Speaking in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, he said his office just this week received credible video evidence that several students traveling by road in North Kordofan State may have been beheaded by men in SAF uniforms in El-Obeid City.

He says the students were likely killed based on their perceived ethnicity as being RSF supporters.

He says the video, which was posted on social media on February 15, shows troops parading with decapitated heads in the street while chanting ethnic slurs.

In Darfur, the U.N. report says, thousands of people have been killed in RSF attacks, some of which were ethnically motivated. For example, between May and November, it says, the RSF and its allied Arab militia carried out at least 10 attacks against civilians in El-Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, killing thousands of people, most from the African Masalit ethnic community.

Magango described the situation in Sudan as very concerning and getting worse. He said it is disturbing that the appalling crimes are taking place out of the international limelight, as Sudan risks becoming a forgotten conflict.

Nevertheless, he said the human rights office continues to document and record multiple cases of killings, injury, displacement and growing cases of sexual violence, among other forms of abuse.

These violations are incredibly serious under international law, he said. The high commissioner has stated in response to this report  that these violations would amount to war crimes and should be promptly and thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to account.

Commanders of the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces have previously denied committing war crimes as they battle for control of the country.

In his statement, High Commissioner Turk said the report makes more painful reading on the tragedy being needlessly inflicted on the Sudanese people since April 2023.

He underlined the dire need to end the fighting and to break the cycle of impunity that gave rise to this conflict in the first place.

The guns must be silenced, and civilians must be protected, he said.
The head of the embattled U.N. agency that assists Palestinian refugees warned Thursday that it is at a "breaking point," and its ability to assist millions of Palestinians is "seriously threatened."

"It is with profound regret that I must now inform you that the Agency has reached breaking point, with Israels repeated calls to dismantle UNRWA and the freezing of funding by donors at a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza," Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini wrote in a letter to the president of the U.N. General Assembly.

Without new funding, he said UNRWAs operations across the region will be severely compromised starting in March.

The General Assembly established the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, in 1949 to assist some 700,000 Palestinian refugees displaced in the aftermath of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war that broke out after Israel became a state in May that year.

Today, it operates not just in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, but also in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, where there are large Palestinian refugee communities. Nearly 6 million Palestinians are eligible for UNRWA services, which include education and health care.

UNRWA has faced severe financial problems before, but after Israel presented information to Lazzarini last month alleging that 12 UNRWA staffers were involved in the October 7 terror attacks inside Israel, the agency faced its biggest crisis yet.

The staffers were immediately fired, and an internal investigation was launched. But in the aftermath, 16 donors, including top contributor the United States, suspended funding totaling around $450 million.

A second, independent review of UNRWAs working methods and neutrality was ordered by the United Nations. Former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is heading it up and will present her groups final report in April. She met with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday to discuss their work.

"We will specifically clarify the mechanisms, the process in place, the structures and see if they ensure the neutrality as they should to the best of the power within UNRWA, and we also will look at how they have been implemented, of course, in practice, not only they're fit for purpose, but how they are implemented," she told reporters.

Tensions

Israeli officials have criticized UNRWA for years, alleging that Hamas uses its schools for terrorist activities and that they promote an anti-Israel curriculum. After the October 7 allegations, the rhetoric intensified.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a visiting group of U.N. ambassadors in Jerusalem on January 31, that UNRWA was totally infiltrated with Hamas and its mission has to end.

Last week, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a post on social media platform X that, "UNRWA cannot be a part of Gaza's landscape in the aftermath of Hamas."

At the United Nations, Israels ambassador asserted on Tuesday, without offering any details or evidence, that 12% of UNRWAs 13,000 staff members in Gaza are members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and that at least 236 of them "are active terrorists in these organizations armed wings."

"In Gaza, Hamas is the U.N. and the U.N. is Hamas," Ambassador Gilad Erdan told a Security Council meeting, saying Hamas had a data center and tunnels under UNRWA headquarters in Gaza.

UNRWAs Lazzarini said in his letter that his agency does not have "counterintelligence, police, or criminal justice capacities" and relies on Israel for this, even providing the government with its staff list.

He said Israels calls for UNRWAs closure are not about the agencys neutrality but are political.

"Instead, they are about changing the long-standing political parameters for peace in the occupied Palestinian territory set by the General Assembly and the Security Council," he said. "They seek to eliminate UNRWAs role in protecting the rights of Palestine Refugees and acting as a witness to their continuing plight."

Palestinians want to preserve their "right of return" as a final status issue for negotiations with Israel over a two-state solution. If the refugee agency is eliminated, some fear it could have political implications.

Lazzarini appeared to link some of Israels campaign against UNRWA with the International Court of Justices decision on January 26 to issue provisional measures ordering Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.

"Since the ICJ ruling, there has been a concerted effort by some Israeli officials to deceptively conflate UNRWA with Hamas, to disrupt UNRWAs operations, and to call for the dismantling of the Agency," he said.

The commissioner general said that included Jerusalems deputy mayor taking steps to evict the agency from the headquarters it has occupied for 75 years in East Jerusalem and the tabling of a bill in the Israeli Knesset to exclude UNRWA from U.N. privileges and immunities. He said visas for international staff have been limited to only one to two months, and an Israeli bank blocked an UNRWA account.

U.N. chief Guterres has said UNRWA is critical and irreplaceable.

"There is no other organization that has a presence in Gaza that is capable of being able to respond to the needs," he told reporters earlier this month.

Most aid going into Gaza is delivered by UNRWA.

Ambassador Vanessa Frazier of Malta was one of the diplomats who visited Israel last month. She said her government will not stop funding the agency.

"UNRWA is the backbone of the entire humanitarian system throughout Gaza," she told reporters. "If UNRWA fails, they will not be able to just simply to take the funding from countries [to other agencies] and do deliveries."
A top U.S. official on North Korea held a video call this week with China's envoy on Korean Peninsula affairs in which they discussed the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, the State Department said Friday.

The U.S. senior official for North Korea, Jung Pak, and her Chinese counterpart, Liu Xiaoming, also addressed North Korea's "increasingly destabilizing and escalatory behavior," the department said in a statement.

It said the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea was "in violation of numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions."

Russia has long been party to U.N. sanctions on North Korea over the latter's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs but has stepped up ties with Pyongyang since invading Ukraine in 2022.

The United States has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery shells and missiles used in Ukraine.

Moscow and Pyongyang deny the accusations but vowed last year to deepen military relations.

The State Department said the video call followed a February 16 meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Munich at which they "affirmed the importance of continued communication on [North Korea] issues at all levels."

The Kremlin on Tuesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin had given North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a Russian Aurus limousine as a gift. On Friday, Washington imposed sanctions on the producer of the car as part of a sweeping round of sanctions against Russia over the death of opposition leader Alexey Navalny and to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions and trade restrictions also targeted Chinese firms that the U.S. said were assisting Russia's war.

Sino-U.S. relations have shown signs of improvement in recent months with steps to reestablish communication channels after ties sank to their lowest levels in decades.

But many points of friction remain, including U.S. sanctions on China over security and human rights issues. China said Wang told Blinken in Munich that these should be lifted.

The top U.S. official for arms control, Bonnie Jenkins, told an event on Thursday that Washington was keen for more talks with China on strategic stability and crisis management and that a more aggressive North Korea was not in Beijing's interest.

She said she believed North Korea, which borders China, is keen to acquire fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, ballistic missile production equipment or materials and other advanced technologies from its cooperation with Russia.
(Bloomberg) -- Senegalese President Macky Sall pledged to step down at the end of his term, after weeks of turmoil sparked by his attempt to stay in power beyond his term.

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Sall set off a constitutional crisis in the West African country, long thought of as one of the continents most stable democracies, when he postponed elections scheduled for this month and lawmakers proposed extending his tenure by 10 months. The government cracked down on mass street protests, arrested opposition leaders and cut off the internet as it tried to contain the fallout.

The presidents attempt to stay also unnerved the countrys democratic neighbors  in a part of Africa roiled by coups  investors and western donors including the US. Neighboring Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea are ruled by military juntas that overthrew elected governments in recent years. After weeks of uncertainty in the country, Sall said on Thursday that he will step down when his second term ends on April 2.

But opposition politicians werent convinced. Salls speech was unclear, which means more uncertainty, opposition politician Sokhna Ba said in a text message. Im not reassured, she added.

It has never been the plan to go beyond my constitutional mandate, Sall said. Im sticking to this and say very clearly and very solemnly, on April 2, I end my time at the head of Senegal.

But Ba cited Salls vowing to step down before his successor could be chosen as a reason to doubt it.

A new election date will be set following two days of consultations with political leaders starting Monday, Sall said. The talks will also determine how Senegal should be governed after Sall steps down and until elections are held. If theres no consensus, the decision will be referred to the Constitutional Council, the nations top court, Sall said. Its clear that the country cannot remain without a president, he said.

Story continues

Sall earlier this month called off the countrys presidential vote to allow for an inquiry into the process of selecting candidates that could stand in the polls earlier slated for this Sunday.

Lawmakers later sought to amend the constitution to delay the vote for ten months and have the presidents term extended until a successor takes over. That sparked protests and clashes between civilians and the security forces across the country, that claimed at least three lives.

The court later ruled the parliamentary decision was unlawful.

The crisis has also taken a toll on Senegals bonds. The nations debt is handing investors one of the worst returns in emerging markets this year, with benchmark notes due in 2033 slipping to the lowest since November earlier this month.

The increased political uncertainty in Senegal and West Africa more broadly should weigh on business confidence, Fitch Ratings said in a Feb. 21 report. Any disruption to fiscal consolidation and reforms could complicate Senegals access to funds worth 1.2% of expected GDP in 2024, the ratings firm said.

Under a $1.5 billion program with the International Monetary Fund, the expectation is that Senegals economy will grow by 8.3% this year, a forecast that could now be at risk, Fitch added.

Senegals constitution states that the office of the president passes to the parliamentary speaker in the event of a vacancy and fresh elections must be held within 90 days.

Under Senegalese law, the election campaign should span 21 days and a vote should be held at least one month before the presidents term expires.

Opposition Supporters

While Sall has been meeting with political leaders to discuss a new election date and whether it will be possible to change the list of contenders, some of his rivals accuse him of dragging his feet in a bid to retain office. The council on Feb. 15 ordered that the vote must be held as soon as possible.

The authorities last week began releasing some of the hundreds of activists and opposition supporters arrested during months-long anti-government protests. The demonstrators were particularly enraged by the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and his conviction on libel charges, which disqualified him from the vote.

Sall said Thursday hes willing to release jailed opponents including Sonko.

Sonko, 49, who was widely seen as the main challenger to Salls chosen successor Prime Minister Amadou Ba, remains in jail. Sonko has endorsed Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the deputy of his dissolved Pastef party, who has been cleared to run in the election but has also been imprisoned.

--With assistance from Carolina Wilson, Momar Niang and Yinka Ibukun.

(Updates with market developments and opposition comments)

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Although fighting in Gaza shows no sign of ending soon, the international community is looking at the day-after scenario in the Gaza Strip. The United States says it wants to see a demilitarized Palestinian state headed by a revitalized Palestinian Authority. Israel continues to reject the idea. Linda Gradstein reports for VOA from Jerusalem.
Two years after Russia's war on Ukraine, the United States is doubling down pressure on the Kremlin by rolling out sanctions on Russia targeting banks and the weapons industry, as described by a senior U.S. official.

A day before the U.S. plan to announce new sanctions packages imposed on Moscow, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said theres a strong desire among the Group of 20 for Russias aggression in Ukraine to end.

"If you were in that room, as (Russian) Foreign Minister Lavrov was, you heard a very strong chorus coming from not just the G7 countries within the G20, but from many others as well, about the imperative of ending the Russian aggression, restoring peace," Blinken told reporters during a press conference after attending G20 foreign ministers meetings in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Some of the U.S. sanctions will target those responsible for the detention death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

"The fact that (Russian President) Vladimir Putin saw it necessary to persecute, poison, and imprison one man speaks volumes not about Russias strength under Putin, but its weakness," Blinken added.

In Washington, Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said during a Thursday event hosted by the Center for Security and International Studies, or CSIS, that the U.S. will impose "a crushing new package of sanctions, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of them, in the next couple of days."

Some of these sanctions will be targeted at individuals directly involved in Navalny's death, but the vast majority are designed to further impact "Putin's war machine" and close gaps in existing sanctions, according to Nuland.

Despite the efforts of the United States and other countries to isolate Moscow, it remains actively engaged in diplomatic activities, as demonstrated by the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at this weeks G20 ministerial meeting.

During the meeting, Lavrov held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, where they discussed "diplomatic solutions" to the Ukraine war.

U.S. officials have said they don't see the conditions for diplomatic negotiations to end the Ukraine war, as theres skepticism that Russia is not motivated to negotiate and that Putin would never accept an independent Ukraine.

"Two years. We are all here," wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, indicating that representatives from dozens of countries and various international organizations have gathered to show solidarity with Ukraine.
Russias invasion of Ukraine has separated many couples and families, as men headed to frontlines and women and children moved away. Iryna Shynkarenko talked with a Ukrainian refugee who moved to the U.S. with her daughter about they they deal with the challenge of living apart. Anna Rice narrated her story. Video: Kostiantyn Golubchyk
On February 19, Wall Street Silver, an X influencer with 1.2 million followers, posted a side-by-side video comparison showing a flooded subway labeled "USA" next to a futuristic video of a metro station marked "China."



Wall Street Silver's post reads:

"Left: Subway in New York, USA Right: Subway in Guangzhou, China

But don't worry... U.S. politicians have it under control. They will send Ukraine and Israel billions more while giving illegal migrants free health care. That should do the trick!"



Nearly 85,000 users shared, liked and commented on the post, which had received more than 9.4 million views at the time of this writing.



The post is misleading on many levels, and the comparison is unfair.



To begin with, it is not true that the New York City subway budget directly depends on the funds the U.S. government "will send to Ukraine and Israel" or on providing free emergency health care to immigrants.



Secondly, the China-labeled footage does not show the subway system in Guangzhou. The station featured in the video is Shenzhen's Metro Line 14, finished in 2022. That is comparing a two-year-old construction with the more than a century-old New York Subway system, opened in 1904.

Thirdly, the side-by-side videos present an apples-to-oranges comparison. One shows the New York City subway system's worst day of flooding (September 29, 2023) caused by heavy rainfall, while the other shows the Shenzhen Metro's brand-new Line 14.



A fair comparison would show how Chinese subway systems cope with a weather event similar to the one shown in the New York footage. In 2021, flooding in Zhengzhou, the capital of China's central Henan province, left 14 people dead in a flooded subway, reportedly due to authorities' mishandling of the disaster.



More on each of the three claims below.



The New York subway budget; Ukraine and Israel; and immigrants' health care



Let us start with the "free health care" for "illegal immigrants" claim.



New York City provides free emergency and prenatal health care to all residents regardless of their legal status.



Here is an explanation from advocacy group INCLUDENYC: "New York State federal law assures that everyone  regardless of legal status, with or without medical insurance, with or without the ability to pay  has the right to emergency medical services in hospitals. Undocumented immigrants are eligible for Medicaid only for the treatment of emergency medical conditions or prenatal care."



Also, "Pregnant women in NYC do not need to show any documentation regarding their immigration status in order to receive prenatal care," it explained.



All other health care is conditional and depends on the legal status, employment, income and many other factors detailed in the fact sheet compiled by the New York City administration.

Now, to the subway budget. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or MTA, manages and operates the New York City subway system.



The MTA's funding does not come from the federal government but has a special status between the New York City and New York state budgets, it requires a multilevel review and approval, including by the public.

The MTA budget is heavily dependent on the fare  the price passengers pay for using the system. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the system was serving almost 3 billion passengers annually. The pandemic dramatically reduced that statistic for the subway  by 91% in 2020 compared with 2019. MTA expects its ridership to never return to pre-pandemic levels, and in 2023, its revenue from fares was $4.6 billion  significantly less than the pre-pandemic annual of more than $6 billion.



Yet, the MTA's five-year development program includes the investment of some $40 billion into NYC's subways and buses.



More importantly in the context of this fact check, the U.S. government gave the New York MTA a $14 billion grant as part of the COVID relief bill adopted in 2021.



As for the U.S. federal government funding for Ukraine and Israel, the assistance is indeed unprecedented. Yet it is also important to understand that the funding includes military equipment, communication tools, training, humanitarian aid, grants and other types of aid.



Even combined, the U.S. aid to the two countries is not close to the government's domestic spending.



For example, Israel, historically the biggest recipient of U.S. financial support, has received about $300 billion from the U.S. since its founding in 1948.



The U.S. aid package to Ukraine has reached some $75 billion since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.



For comparison, the U.S. authorized the Treasury to spend $700 billion in 2008 to help American homeowners, businesses and financial institutions overcome the economic crisis.



Century apart



The New York City subway is one of the world's oldest public transit systems: its trains began operating on October 27, 1904. It's also one of the biggest rapid transit systems in the world, with 472 stations, most of which were built before 1940.



The system has operated around the clock year-round for most of its history.



By comparison, the subway featured in the China video footage shows a station on Line 14, an express rapid transit line in the city of Shenzhen, a leading global technology hub often called China's Silicon Valley.



Construction of Line 14 began in 2018. The line opened on October 28, 2022.



Built before 1940, the New York City Subway stations featured in the video are around 100 years older than Shenzhen's metro lines.



The flood and response



The two videos in the viral X post seem selected to show the worst of the New York City metro and the best of China's.



The New York subway station was flooded on September 29, 2023, when the remains of Tropical Storm Ophelia dropped heavy rainfall on the New York City metropolitan area.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City ahead of the weather event, and the state's National Guard was deployed to assist in the response. The flooding caused major disruptions to New York City's subway system with some lines suspended. However, there were no reports of serious harm to people or deaths in the subway flooding.



A fair comparison would be how China's subway systems fared during similar weather events and how government officials responded.



One recent example occurred in the provincial capital of Zhengzhou in China's central Henan province on July 20, 2021, when record-breaking rainfall flooded the city's subway tunnels, leaving passengers trapped in rising waters.

Fourteen people lost their lives in the flooded subway tunnels, a tragedy that was "preventable," according to Sixth Tone, a Shanghai-based, English-language, state-owned online magazine.



Sixth Tone reported that Zhengzhou received just under 62 centimeters of rain between 8 p.m. on July 17 and 8 p.m. on July 20, 2021. That's nearly an entire year's worth of rainfall.



Zhengzhou's weather bureau issued five storm red alerts in the 24 hours before the disaster, which should have triggered a citywide shutdown of all unnecessary outdoor activities. "Yet the warning failed to catch the city's attention," Sixth Tone reported.



The subway operator began closing some station entrances at 3:40 p.m. on July 20 but did not order a full suspension until 6:10 p.m. that day. Sixth Tone quoted several survivors as saying that "floodwater started flowing into the carriages around 6 p.m."



Other state media outlets reported rescue efforts by the People's Liberation Army, while local authorities set up barriers, reportedly to prevent people from laying wreaths for those who drowned and block those already placed from public view.

In January 2022, Chinese authorities released the results of an investigation that concluded the Zhengzhou government had "failed to take the primary responsibility in flood prevention and disaster relief, and seriously lacked risk awareness regarding extreme-weather disasters."



The investigators concluded that authorities in Zhengzhou also "concealed or delayed the reporting of those killed and missing in the disaster," as reported by the official Xinhua News Agency.
Access to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, remained restricted in Pakistan late Friday, a week after services were suspended following a high-level officials declaration that he was involved in election rigging.

Netblocks, a cybersecurity watchdog, recorded the seventh day of service suspension. The platform was accessible intermittently during the week.

Since the beginning of the year, Pakistans nearly 128 million internet users have experienced service interruptions five times, according to Lithuania-based internet shutdown tracker Surfshark. The tracker recorded four restrictions last year and three in 2022.

Pakistans internet censorship efforts have been alarmingly increasing, and 2024 may be a record year for the country regarding internet restrictions, the statement said, quoting Surfshark spokeswoman Lina Survila.

Two of 2024s five restrictions, targeting several major social media platforms like YouTube, X, Facebook and Instagram, came in January. The disruptions occurred as the PTI party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, facing a state-backed crackdown, started online election events.

The other three restrictions were put in place as Pakistan held elections on February 8.

Pakistan shut down mobile internet services across the country on Election Day and for several hours beyond.

Authorities defended the highly controversial action as necessary to ensure election security.

Suspension of X

Facing the longest-running suspension of a social media platform in Pakistan this year, X became inaccessible across much of the country on February 17.

This came soon after Liaqat Ali Chatha, the commissioner of the Rawalpindi region, announced he had overseen large-scale election rigging. Pakistans elections commission quickly rejected his assertion and the official later walked back his confession in court.

Pakistans vote was marred by allegations of massive fraud. PTI, which won a plurality of parliament seats but fell well short of a majority, contends that its election mandate was stolen. Most other parties have also protested the results.

The caretaker government has rejected calls by the United States, United Kingdom and United Nations to probe reported election irregularities.

A pattern of restrictions

Freedom House, a global civil liberties observer, ranks Pakistan as not free in terms of internet freedom.

While X has only a few million users in Pakistan, the base is seen as politically active.

The power to censor or control free expression always lay with governments until about 10 years ago, said Saroop Ejaz, senior counsel in the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch. I think we are looking at an amplified version of that [public debate]. Twitter [now X] is an amplified version of that  it seems those in power are troubled by this.

Many are skirting the restriction through virtual private networks that allow users to hide their identities and locations online.

In this day and age, the concept of blocking something is almost gone, because there are VPNs and other platforms that allow users to access content. Restriction just becomes a source of embarrassment. ... It creates a very negative image of Pakistan around the world, said Asad Baig, founder of Islamabad-based watchdog Media Matters for Democracy.

Expressing concern about restrictions on freedom of expression, U.S. State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller called on Pakistan on Wednesday to restore access to any restricted social media.

The provincial court in Pakistan's Sindh province also ordered the government to restore access to X, during a hearing on the Election Day internet outage.

Surfshark, which also is a VPN provider, said that since February 18, new users of its circumvention services in Pakistan have increased up to four times compared with last month.

Investigating online speech

So far this year, Pakistani authorities have twice set up investigation teams to probe online speech.

A joint investigation team, or JIT, that was formed this week, comprising intelligence officials among others, will probe the malicious social media campaign attempting to malign the image of civil servants/government officials in connection with Elections 2024, according to a government notice.

Speaking at a press briefing Thursday, Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said freedom of expression has limits.

The constitution does not allow making insulting remarks against judiciary, military and brother countries, he said, adding that those inciting illegal activities will be dealt with according to the countrys law.

Authorities arrested prominent Pakistani commentator Imran Riaz Khan late Thursday. Police sources told VOA's Urdu Service that Khan was arrested for spreading religious hate. He was later charged with corruption.

In the run-up to the elections, authorities formed a JIT in January to probe a malicious campaign against top judiciary on social media.

The Federal Investigation Agency sent notices to more than 100 journalists, commentators, politicians and activists accused of spreading defamatory and false information against state institutions and called them in for questioning.

The Supreme Court later stopped authorities from taking any action.

Naveed Nasim and Zia Ur Rehman from VOA's Urdu Service contributed to this report.
Press freedom monitor groups in Africa are worried after an online investigative publication in Zimbabwe said it will halt its coverage of corruption in the army after receiving threats and direct pressure from state security agents.

The online publication The NewsHawks said in a statement it will stop pursuing articles on issues of transparency and accountability in the Zimbabwe National Army following subtle threats and brazen direct pressure from state security agents, particularly military intelligence operatives.

The publication rankled the army recently when it reported that three senior generals were getting at least $400,000 for housing but still subsidizing themselves through corruption to get upmarket housing in a price range that was above their pay grade.

Friday, officials at The NewsHawks could not be reached for comment on their statement.

Tabani Moyo, director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, said parties upset with the publication should approach the government-run Zimbabwe Media Commission or the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe if they had issues with journalists reportage.

This is key to us as we believe that the media is a critical pillar of society and its engagement on issues of national importance like accountability, transparency need to be respected as they are provided for by the constitution of the land, Moyo said.

Men and women in uniform, Moyo added, need to handle the media and not hinder them from performing their watchdog role.

Perfect Hlongwane, secretary general of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, said the country had repealed some tough media laws  such as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, commonly referred to as AIPPA  since President Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power in 2017.

Hlongwane said with the reported threats to The NewsHawks, the country might be headed toward dark days for the media.

Our concern is that we may be regressing as a country having managed to record so much positive reform within the media space under the Second Republic, Hlongwane said. We saw quite a number of changes where we saw some laws such as AIPPA being repealed. We hope [authorities] will not ignore the fundamental rights and freedoms of the media to operate without any kind of gagging and our trust has always been to engage. And we shall continue to pursue that.

Zimbabwe officials did not respond to requests for interviews by VOA.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba was quoted in a government-controlled daily newspaper this week saying the army had zero tolerance for corruption. However, he added, the government notes with concern attempts by The [News]Hawks and other media outlets to peddle what he called falsehoods.
This booking photo provided by Dakota County Sheriffs Office shows Shannon Gooden, on Aug. 29, 2007. Authorities on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, identified 38-year-old Gooden as the man who opened fire on police in the suburb of Burnsville, in Minneapolis, after they responded to a domestic disturbance call early Sunday. Two police officers and a firefighter-paramedic were killed and the man identified as the shooter fatally shot himself, police said. (Dakota County Sheriff's Office)
To understand what is happening in the world, you need a variety of sources. You cant settle for the big three conformist news agencies AFP, AP and Reuters. You should listen to different opinions and confront contradictory arguments.

This diversity is all the more essential as the Gaza massacre is presented to us in an unambiguous manner; as we do not perceive the division of Hamas between the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of the Palestinian Resistance nor that of Israel between nationalists and supporters of Jewish supremacism; As Iran enters the war, the reactions of the majority of the world are hidden from us.

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Contents of N75 - February 23, 2024

EDITORIAL

 0458 Ukraine at the heart of the Munich Security Conference

AMERICAS

 0459 Part of the U.S. ruling class plans to back down

 0460 House of Representatives votes to starve Syrians

 0461 Pentagon prepares to deliver new weapons to Israel despite White House denouncing possible Rafah operation

 0462 State Department Has No Confirmation of Rape of Palestinian Women and Girls

 0463 Admiral Samuel Paparo warns of problems in military logistics

 0464 The U.S. is no longer the world leader in innovation

 0465 U.S. weapons deteriorate in military warehouses

 0466 Continuation of the investigation into the Bidens

 0467 Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemns both Israel and Hamas

 0468 Javier Milei sells Argentine lithium to Israel

EUROPE

 0469 London makes fun of Parthenon frieze

 0470 Prince William visits the West Bank again

 0471 France signs defense treaty with Ukraine

 0472 France censors 20 Telegram channels

 0473 Germany signs defense treaty with Ukraine

 0474 Italy to transfer asylum seekers to Albania to await status

 0475 Olaf Scholz obstructed Ursula von der Leyens appointment to NATO

 0476 According to Vladimir Putin, Germany opposes the supply of Russian Gas to its industries

 0477 The Holy See opposes the co-management of German bishoprics

 0478 The U.S. is trying to control all publications about it around the world

 0479 The EUs double standards against Poland

 0480 Polish farmers block Ukrainian border

 0481 Robert Fico opposes Ukraines entry into NATO

 0482 Serbia will not apply EU sanctions against Russia

 0483 Azerbaijani-Armenian Agreement for a Peace Treaty

 0484 NATO reportedly controls possible Ukrainian missile launches on Russia

 0485 Belarus condemns Western attempts at color revolution

 0486 Russia liberates Avdeyevka

 0487 Vladimir Putin clarifies the importance of the Ukrainian conflict for Russia

 0488 Russia repeals permission granted to English fishermen in the Barents Sea

 0489 Russia could redefine its continental shelf

 0490 Death of Alexei Navalny

 0491 The Kremlin and the death of Alexei Navalny

 0492 Nativ director arrested at Moscow airport

 0493 British Council reportedly serves as cover for MI6 in Ukraine

 0494 Radio Free Europe banned in Russia

AFRICA

 0495 Release of Hisham Kassem

 0496 Turkey revokes Mahmud Huseyins Turkish citizenship

 0497 Rached Ghannouchi on hunger strike in solidarity with other Islamists

 0498 Confusion over Senegalese presidential election

 0499 Mamadi Doumbouya dismisses his government

 0500 Sudanese refugees at risk of starvation

 0501 Russia ready to help Comoros regain sovereignty over Mayotte

ASIA

 0502 Benny Gantz sets conditions for Rafah operation

 0503 Bezalel Smotrich considers hostage fate less important than Hamas control

 0504 Miki Zohar supports ground incursion into Rafah

 0505 Testimony of IDF looting

 0506 Isaac Herzog justifies bans on gatherings during Ramadan

 0507 Mahmoud Abbas denounces US veto

 0508 Where are Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar?

 0509 On October 7, Hamas reportedly missed Shikma prison

 0510 Nagib Mikati appoints new Chief of Staff

 0511 Nissan breaks into and searches Carlos Ghosns Beirut residence

 0512 Production of Lebanese hydrocarbons postponed

 0513 UAE sues Muslim Brotherhood

 0514 New Iranian Weapons

 0515 Israel sabotages gas distribution in Iran

 0516 The Taliban still not recognized by the UN

 0517 Thaksin Shinawatra released

 0518 Kim Yo-jong and Japan

 0519 South Korea censors pro-North Korea channels

 0520 China is not arming Ukraine, but selling it dual-use goods

 0521 Opposition files Motion of No Confidence Against Moon Sect Funded Minister

OCEANIA

 0522 Australia calls for Julian Assange to be released

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

 0523 Heated clashes at the United Nations over the interpretation of the Charter

 0524 U.S. veto at the Security Council and squabbles with China

 0525 First ICJ hearings on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation

 0526 The ICJ and the Capture of Rafah

 0527 WFP suspends food aid to northern Gaza
Standard Chartered boss Bill Winters launched a share buyback and a new $1.5bn cost cutting plan to tempt investors - Hollie Adams/Bloomberg

Standard Chartered chief executive Bill Winters has admitted the banks share price is crap as he unveiled a major overhaul designed to simplify the sprawling lender.

The bank announced a $1bn (789m) share buyback and a new $1.5bn cost cutting plan to tempt investors who have shunned the Asian-focused lender.

Shares are down by a third since Mr Winters took over in 2015, putting pressure on the former JP Morgan executive to fix the issue.

He said: You might be thinking [the stock price is crap] and youd be right, the stock price is crap [but] were completely focused on addressing the shareholder concerns. We are completely optimistic about our ability to continue to deliver on this plan.

Standard Chartered is listed in London but offers consumer and commercial banking in the likes of China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Despite having no branches in the UK, it has sponsored Liverpool FC since 2010.

The cost-cutting plan is likely to lead to a reduction in roles as more back office roles are automated but it is hoped job cuts will be limited.

Standard Chartered is hoping to streamline its structure, which Mr Winters said shareholders had often found too complex and had weighed on shares.

He said: The share price that were experiencing today is not consistent with any of the historical measures of return on tangible equity, especially for a bank thats evidenced extraordinarily strong capital discipline.

Were not happy at all about where our shares are trading.

The banks spending bill was once equal to its income, meaning it made no profit. That has led to a perception that costs have remained too high.

The FTSE 100 bank took a small $153m hit on its stake in China Bohai Bank, a specialist lender based in the port city of Tianjin. It also booked a $282m charge from problems in Chinese commercial real estate amid a wider downturn in the country.

The crisis in commercial property has hit Chinas economy hard, shaving around 2pc off its traditionally strong growth which dropped to 5.2pc last year.

Story continues

Winters said he was not bullish or bearish on China because the country was going through a transition from older industries like property to tech and consumer.

The risk of a fresh trade war between the US and China if President Trump gets re-elected was also less of a risk than some feared due to President Bidens similar approach.

I dont think theres a Trump overhang, he said. I think theres a US-China political tension overhang.

It was kicked off in earnest by Trump but Biden has rolled back nothing and extended quite a bit.

Pre-tax profits for the final three months ending December 2023 rose to $1.1bn. The full year profit was up 19pc to $5.1bn.

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.
An Enemy of the People is in previews February 27. Mary Jane is in previews April 2. Amy Herzog and Sam Gold on their daily commute to the theater. Photo: Pari Dukovic for New York Magazine

This article was featured in One Great Story, New Yorks reading recommendation newsletter. Sign up here to get it nightly.

Amy Herzog, a playwright, and Sam Gold, a theater director, met in 2002, started dating in 2007, married in 2011, and only now, 22 years in, are discovering what the other is like in a rehearsal room. What tickled me was how polite and articulate you are, says Gold, holding your pen up and looking really smart. Theres something funny about seeing you so professional. Herzog counters, Sam does this man-of-the-people thing where he curses a lot. She playfully adopts a slouch. Hes like, Were going to get our fucking hot chocolate and some fucking Norwegian tobacco.

Doesnt that tickle you? says Gold of his rough-and-tumble rehearsal self. Yeah, Herzog says. That does tickle me.

The two of them are sitting across from me, sipping tea from ceramic mugs at the kitchen table in their Brooklyn apartment. Its a gray Sunday morning, their only day off from rehearsals for their first collaboration, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsens An Enemy of the People for Broadway. Through the window next to them, you can see out across Eastern Parkway, over Grand Army Plaza, and toward the metal knuckles of the Manhattan waterfront. Having shed their work personae, theyre genial and a bit goofy, playing the roles of model high-achieving, highly intellectual Brooklyn parents. Hes in jeans and a sweatshirt with blocky glasses and a shock of hair pushed back over his head. Shes wearing a blue turtleneck sweater, her hair cropped close, with a rigid posture that relaxes when she jokes with Gold. Their apartment, a classic eight they moved into in 2019, has a warm, inviting quality. Theres a grand piano (Herzogs father plays when he visits), a row of plants by a windowsill, a drawing of Gold being held up like hes flying  made by Alison Bechdel before the premiere of the musical Fun Home, which he directed.

Together, the two are staring down a very busy spring. They rose as stars of New York theater in the aughts and 2010s  he directing the plays of Annie Baker, then restaging a series of classics with big-name talent (Sally Field, Glenda Jackson, Daniel Craig twice over); she with precisely observed dramas that draw from both her life and questions of political engagement. Now, theyre working on that Ibsen production with a cast that includes Successions Jeremy Strong and The Sopranos Michael Imperioli, while Herzog prepares for the Broadway premiere of her original work Mary Jane, starring Rachel McAdams.

The process of collaborating on An Enemy of the People has brought Gold and Herzog to what they describe as a culmination of decades of close, if indirect, artistic partnership. They may not have been in the same rehearsal rooms, but they have spent years discussing their work with each other while taking turns with projects to make sure one of them can cover child care. Weve been working together this whole time, as Herzog puts it, only now theyre sharing formal credit. Its potentially the beginning of a new period as a sort of theatrical power couple  something along the lines of their friends the songwriters Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, collectively known as the Lopezes. I guess we would be the Herzogs, Herzog says. My mom will take offense to that, Gold says, But yes.

Sam Gold and Amy Herzog get ready for the day in their bedroom. Photo: Pari Dukovic for New York Magazine

Early on in Herzog and Golds relationship, they decided to keep their work separate. I didnt want to ruin one of Amys plays, says Gold. I always thought Id do a good job, but I didnt want the pressure of her worrying about me doing a good job or me worrying about if it didnt go well. Herzog, in turn, hasnt yet written any characters in her plays directly inspired by him. The positive spin is that hes a really positive influence in my life, she says, then waves her hand in front of his face. Theres not a lot of dramatic grist here. So they followed parallel career paths, sometimes with a Venn diagram of performers in common. In college, Herzog acted in Richard II with Strong, who later starred in her play The Great God Pan in 2013. Gold met Strong separately when the actor auditioned for a play Gold was directing, and they quickly became friends. The three were close enough that Gold still remembers the moment he got Strongs approval when he started dating Herzog. I certainly feel and felt then that they were made for each other, Strong told me. Theyre two of the most courageous and mature people I know, and theyve always been that way.

If you look at their parallel careers from a distance, it may seem they were slowly arcing together like straight lines traced across a sphere. Both Gold and Herzog share a fascination with Ibsen, for instance. He directed a version of A Dolls House at Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2011, along with Lucas Hnaths imagined sequel, A Dolls House, Part 2, on Broadway in 2017. During the pandemic, Herzog executive-produced an HBO adaptation of Scenes From a Marriage inspired by Ingmar Bergmans film, itself heavily influenced by Ibsen. Then she translated A Dolls House for that series star, Jessica Chastain, when the director Jamie Lloyd and the actress brought the play to Broadway last spring.

Herzogs research on Ibsen for A Dolls House was lying around the apartment when, one day, Gold started flipping through a book of his plays and rediscovered An Enemy of the People. The drama concerns a doctor in a small spa town in Norway, Thomas Stockmann (Strong), who discovers that the water is contaminated, likely by runoff from newly industrialized tanneries. Stockmann tries to convince the town leaders to shut down the baths, but they resist, fearing that doing so would damage the local economy. Stockmanns brother, Peter (Imperioli), is the towns mayor and chairman of the board of the baths, so a political and intellectual conflict also plays out across a sibling rivalry. Its a freakishly useful text for right now, says Gold, for whom it brought to mind climate change and COVID lockdowns. He texted Strong, who he thought would be a perfect fit for Stockmann. Jeremy was immediately like, Lets do it, Gold says. And then it wouldve been weird if I didnt ask Amy to write it.

Gold goes through notes with Michael Imperioli. Photo: Pari Dukovic for New York Magazine

Jeremy Strong during rehearsal. Photo: Pari Dukovic for New York Magazine

Two days before visiting their apartment, I saw Herzog and Gold try out their version of the fifth act of An Enemy of the People with Strong. Gold wore New Balances and roamed around the room as he gave notes; Herzog stayed behind a table, watching at a distance. Its a standard playwright-director dynamic  in most situations, Herzog is used to writing down her notes and handing them to a director, who will then decide what to address as they run a room. But she became more involved in the process here, walking over to sit next to Gold as they discussed how to crack a difficult scene with Strong. Lets be honest, Gold said as he gathered the ensemble. We are doing the opposite of whats in the writing and so it takes a little while to manage what our story is.

In their adaptation, Gold and Herzog have given themselves permission to push against Ibsens text. Its an approach typical of Golds recent work. Hes taken to reframing classics  a Hamlet with the ensemble onstage watching his soliloquies; a Glass Menagerie in which Laura Wingfield, often acted with a slight limp, was played by an actress who uses a wheelchair. It also comes out of Herzogs first investigations into the text. I start with assuming that Ibsen knew exactly what he was doing and then try to make everything work that he put in, she says, and gradually it becomes clear there are certain things that are not working, in my version anyway. Herzog has eliminated the role of Stockmanns wife, Katherine, a not very dimensional woman who questions his actions but stands beside him. She combined the part with that of Stockmanns daughter, Petra (Yous Victoria Pedretti), providing him with the additional character motivation of being a recent widower.

Gold and Herzog are also tilting the play around current debates within the left. Stockmann possesses what we in the 21st century may consider solidly liberal ideas  that people should trust scientists over corrupt politicians. But from there, the character argues positions that end up being illiberal  that we cant trust the mob, even if it votes democratically. Midway through the play, Stockmann gives an infamous speech about poodles, arguing that we should place more faith in the judgments of the elite  i.e., purebred dogs  than in those of the mongrel rest of the population, flirting with eugenics. Herzogs version of the poodle speech will be different. She didnt get into specifics, but both she and Gold are interested in the ways that advocating for one kind of belief can lead diagonally toward arguing for positions that seem radically opposed to it. Theres a darkness to the way the left and right are not matched up with liberal and illiberal, Gold says, and thats an energy I want our production to access.

Theyre interested, too, in how much trust we can have in our own judgment. Herzog comes from a solidly left activist family but has written about how beliefs that seem correct in one context may look out of date in another  her play After the Revolution was inspired by the discovery, in 1999, that her paternal grandfather, whom she describes as basically a Stalin apologist, had passed information to the Russians during World War II. I loved my grandparents, and they were so right for so many years until they were wrong, she says. Thats very haunting to me. She grows visibly uncomfortable as we discuss her take on the plays politics (Shes not going on the record with a critique of the left, Gold jokes) but professes an interest in the ways An Enemy of the People approaches the question of how political action may emerge from the context of feuds and jealousies and fights between families (as with Stockmann and his brother). Ibsen wrote An Enemy of the People after the strong negative reaction to perceived indecency in his play Ghosts, which dealt frankly with taboo subjects such as incest and venereal disease. In An Enemy of the People, Herzog sees both real political righteousness on the playwrights part and personal rage at being misunderstood. Its important to me to make sure the adaptation is human, at times petty and self-contradictory, Herzog says, and as ugly as our politics really feels right now.

In its original form, An Enemy of the People ends with a famous declaration by Stockmann, usually translated along the lines of The strongest man in the world is he who stands the most alone. When we speak, Herzog and Gold are pretty sure their version wont end that way. They arent interested in rubber-stamping that kind of individualism (even in the original text, Stockmanns wife responds by going, Oh, Thomas, something Herzog points out theyd probably have an actor interpret as a criticism if they were using it). Herzog kept in the line in the first few drafts  It didnt occur to me that I could change it because its too famous  and then Gold suggested it could be something else. In rehearsal, they tried out one version of the ending in which Petra and Stockmann think of how this fight will affect future generations, and two days later, they told me they had rewritten the fifth act the night before. They had just done a stumble-through of the play in rehearsal, they said, then came home, started discussing the dramaturgical difficulty of pulling off their approach, realized they were hungry, ordered Chinese food, and kept talking about how they might adjust the fifth act. The computer came out, and we were rewriting by the time we had eaten, Gold says. This, as theyve discovered, is a big advantage of being married to your creative collaborator, though it only worked because our daughter was at a sleepover, Herzog says.

Gold and Herzog prepare dinner with their daughter. Photo: Pari Dukovic for New York Magazine

If this Enemy of the People embraces a shift away from Stockmanns defiance, it will be of a piece with Herzogs other play this spring, Mary Jane. Much of her work dabbles in autobiography, and Mary Jane, which follows the single mother of a chronically ill son, contains elements from Herzogs own life. Her and Golds elder daughter, Frances, was born in 2012 with nemaline myopathy, a muscular disease, and used a wheelchair. Medical crises, as Herzog wrote in The New York Times Magazine in 2020, defined her childhood. Frances died in July 2023, and her loss is still fresh for Herzog and Gold, not something they want to discuss in detail. How much of this are you comfortable talking about? Herzog gently asks her husband when the subject comes up; he, in turn, insists he wouldnt want a focus on personal tragedy to divert attention from Herzogs work. Mary Jane was first performed at the Yale Rep in 2017 and then Off Broadway that same year. Herzog, with a slight intake of breath, says she isnt sure how it will feel to revisit her work once the play begins rehearsals. It might be really difficult, she says. The amount of time thats passed will help, and the fact that its a new production, a new set  itll be strange.

Herzog has already started to make small changes to the text: Dialogue about Facebook is now about Instagram, where parents more often converse these days. The piece is informed by the couples experience of meeting other parents, caregivers, and health-care workers for children with chronic illnesses over the past 12 years. A play can help people think hard about how much we rely on the support of the community, Gold says. Their own interactions with that community have deeply affected Herzog and Gold. I can say broadly that being parents has changed us immensely, Herzog says. Being caregivers has become primary in our identity.

Food, and the ethic behind it, is one part of that care and has found its way into Golds own work. He directed a production of Macbeth with Daniel Craig in 2022 that ended Shakespeares famously bloody tragedy with the cast sitting and sipping from bowls of soup that had been brewed onstage. Gold started his career as an assistant at the Wooster Group, a famous ensemble-based experimental group, and views food as a bit of a trick to help create instant community when you have only a few weeks of rehearsal time with actors. You put a pot of soup there and my actors start to connect to each other, he says. In Macbeth, we made sure that soup tasted really delicious. So everybody wanted to sit and have soup at the end of the show with each other.

An Enemy of the People will have the communal sharing of added food, too, with real Norwegian cooking implements. Youll watch, for instance, an added actor make a 19th-century recipe for hot chocolate that includes egg yolk live onstage. The homeyness of the setting interests both Gold and Herzog, especially as a way of establishing hygge, a recently popularized Danish word (though it appears in Ibsens plays) that conveys a domestic warmth. During rehearsal, as Strong worked through one of Stockmanns outbursts, he asked Gold if he might be able to deliver a line while holding some prop to underline Stockmanns anger. It just feels like there are a couple more springs in there, Strong said, thinking through how the tension might build. Did you ever bring up the idea of honey cakes? Do you just want to throw a honey cake at somebody? Gold said. Well get you a honey cake. A bunch of them. Ill bake some.

In that context, theres another way to read the events of An Enemy of the People: As much as the play is a sustained argument about political radicalism and mob justice, it is also about community  and literally about health care. Stockmann is a doctor, Gold points out, talking about how much he loves this town, caring for his patients. As the pair draw out the plays contemporary themes, their approach is refracted through the experience of looking closely at how people take care of one another and who does that work. Its not just medicine. Theyre thinking about whos making those honey cakes, whos brewing the hot chocolate, whos coming in and cleaning up Stockmanns house when the windows are shattered. One of my favorite things about this play is that Stockmann can never remember his maids name, Herzog says. Its a recurring gag that could play as a light joke about his absent-mindedness, but she and Gold see something deeper in it. Stockmann isnt aware of the people who enable his entire life. What a great clue he gave us, Herzog says, about whats wrong with this man.
Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Im

Brandi Glanville is accusing Andy Cohen of sexual harassment in a new letter sent by her attorneys to NBC, Shed Media, and Warner Bros., Page Six reports.

In the letter, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Ultimate Girls Trip star claims that Cohen sent her a video in 2022 in which he appears obviously inebriated and states his intention to sleep with another Bravo star that night while thinking of her and invited her to watch via Facetime, according to Variety.

Cohen, the host of Bravos Watch What Happens Live and executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise, quickly released a statement on Twitter, saying, The video shows Kate Chastain and I very clearly joking to Brandi. It was absolutely meant in jest, and Brandis response clearly communicated she was in on the joke. That said, it was totally inappropriate and I apologize.

The video shows Kate Chastain and I very clearly joking to Brandi. It was absolutely meant in jest, and Brandis response clearly communicated she was in on the joke. That said, it was totally inappropriate and I apologize.  Andy Cohen (@Andy) February 23, 2024

The letter was sent nearly a month after Glanvilles Ultimate Girls Trip co-star Caroline Manzo filed a lawsuit against Bravo, NBC Universal, and Shed alleging that Glanville sexually harassed and assaulted her during filming for the shows yet-to-air fifth season.

Glanvilles letter continues to deny those allegations, claiming that she was subjected to a vicious media campaign based on false allegations of sexual misconduct. The false narrative, which NBC and Shed Media have apparently decided to foment, arises from Ms. Glanvilles experience on Ultimate Girls Trip: Morocco.

The letter also requests that NBC, Shed Media, and Warner Bros. preserve all evidence that may be pertinent in the event that Glanville takes legal action.
Photo: FX

When not reminiscing about the paradise lost with his La Cote Basque 1965 excerpt in Esquire, Truman Capote (Tom Hollander) spends much of the first half of Feud: Capote vs. the Swans in an alcoholic fugue state. That is, until one James Baldwin (played by Perry Masons Chris Chalk) snaps him out of his funk to evaluate what it is Truman was trying to accomplish with Answered Prayers in the first place. In The Secret Inner Lives of Swans, the dramatized tete-a-tete between the two literary giants (who often criticized each others work in real life) offered Feud a chance to more ruthlessly depict the lives of Babe Paley, Slim Keith, and the rest of Capotes flock. Their vanity, bawdy humor, and outright disdain for humility and compassion  All my Swans are terrible mothers, Truman intones as we watch a drunken Babe barely make it through a childrens birthday party, collapsing pathetically in her bathtub  are laid bare with a craven cruelty Feud had mostly avoided, as if the FX series hoped to offer a gilded version of the lives Capote most wished to embalm in his writing. Until Baldwin shakes him out of his stupor. As Chalk puts it: James is a powerhouse, and Capote must be faced with a powerhouse.

How much did you know about Capote and his Swans before the show?

Very little. I was friends with Philip Seymour Hoffman because I was a member of LAByrinth Theater Company, so the only thing I knew was that brief soiree when Phil did Capote. I had no idea, truly. Forgive my North Carolina education. I had to learn a lot as an older man during this project.

How about Baldwin? I imagine theres a very different answer to that.

Well, now were talking, baby! First of all, I think any young Black dude who has any sense of life, of his Blackness in America, knows of James Baldwin. So just coming up, though he was never heavily lauded in my younger education  again, North Carolina education has its own prejudices!  we still read some of his books. As I got older, I inhaled his work, because I resonate with anyone who is looking for healing as a society, especially in as many communities as he worked in, but my community in particular.

Inhaled is so apt: As soon as you read a bit of Baldwin, you want to read it all!

I think we owe it to him, because he devoured the world as well. And he spit it back out through his brilliant little brain. Even this time around I was like, Holy shit, there are so many videos and short films! He created with so much volume and intention. He just wanted to be heard. He wanted people to wake up from being goofy  goofy is not a great technical word, but thats my word for a kind of general stupidity.

There is so much Baldwin out there to enjoy and watch. At what point do you take all of that in and decide on a way to make the performance sing?

The moment I was given this role, I was already like, Okay, Ive got to do my version. But theres infinite research! I never stopped researching. Ill research up until we call action. Because theres always an opportunity for a little tidbit of humanity and emotions, something that could decorate and tell a deeper truth.

He does have a very specific cadence in the way he speaks.

James is one of these people who lived in the present moment: They are their most authentic selves most of the time. But his brother speaks nearly the same way, so theres his history of being a preachers son and being this great little writer, this great intellectual. And then the transatlantic, fake accent this era created  this all affected him. But when he listens, he listens with his whole soul. When he speaks, he speaks with as much of his heart as possible. Theres no word, no breath, wasted. Thats a fun person to play. Its unrealistic in 2024 that someone would speak this way, but you know, thats the beauty of going backward. These people really lived in their personalities.

Did you talk with writer Jon Robin Baitz about the need to bring in Baldwin to tell Trumans story? Why is it important for the audience to see these two men interact?

I never did talk to Jon about that. But Ill tell you why I think its important, despite what Jon thinks  you can ask him later. One: Its a show full of white people. So lets bring some color to the show. Seriously, with all due respect, the shows fantastic and I love the show, but, like, thats going to catch a persons eye. Two: Who else can stand against Capotes ego? Imagine if you bring in Gore Vidal  thats his competitor! It feels as if Capote has just enough respect for James, just enough admiration, that hes willing to listen to this noncompetitor. James is a powerhouse, and Capote must be faced with a powerhouse.

And, to your point, he brings race into the conversation.

This episode is like, Okay, but these are a bunch of white people! Lets just pay attention to what were doing here. Which is a wink at the audience, in my opinion. Thats how I saw it, reading it. As a conscious human being who is very much into Blackness, I was like, Oh, what a great tool. How great to introduce an important person of the era, to have a gay rival of a different race, who Truman cant quite be venomous to, you know? Like, how could you be mad at Jimmy?

Talk to me about bringing Baldwin to bear on Tom Hollanders deliciously campy, bitchy Truman Capote.

He is such a little bitch, isnt he?

He is, yes!

Tom is just the best. We had a wonderful time getting to know each other in the short amount of time we could  which is not always the case in television; especially me as a guest star, Im in and out. But we had so much room to play because we had done the work: We talked about the vulnerabilities of playing these massive human beings. We talked about what anxiety that causes, and it was those vulnerabilities that allowed us to trust each other no matter what.

The entire facade of the Swans disappears in this episode; its almost like were getting the version of Answered Prayers Baldwin couldve written  or the kind hed hoped Truman would write.

Hes like, This is your job. Wake up, my friend, youve been deluded. You swallowed too much of the blue pill  or the red pill, whichever pill in that awful analogy. The only person who can get into this space and write this story is Truman. And wouldnt it be amazing to expose this privileged, white American, capitalist world?

I wrestled with this question writing my recap: In the fiction of Feud, was this a real meeting between Jimmy and Truman, or was this a drunken fantasy dreamed up by Capote?

You know, I cant consider if Im a real person or not. That would be too spooky. Ive got to play it as a real guy. Then you get to interpret it however you want to interpret it as a watcher. This is not the first time Ive heard this sort of sentiment. Its fun that an episode has been written that asks that question. But its better for me not to have an opinion. If I start to think of it as playing it as his imagination, does it become some sort of fetishism? Its better for me to just play him as written, as a real human.

You have probably one of my favorite lines in the series, when Baldwin describes Capote as the toughest little faggot in town.

Hes so tough, isnt he?

What does it feel like to deliver a line like that in 2024? Which is meant as a cutting compliment, an empowering one at that!

What does it feel like? Thats a funny thing to ask. Well, what a guy to say it! Who else could say it in 2024 besides James Baldwin? You know what I mean? They put it in the right characters hands. Personally, I wouldnt say this line. No. Are you kidding me? Thatd be crazy. But as far as text written, it was, as you said, a delicious little line that is also meant to be sweet. And it encompasses their world. Thats who they are in this world. If he was saying it to a Black person, he would have said the N-word. Because thats who they are in the world of the Swans: They are their adjectives. Theyre not their humanity.

We talked about Philip Seymour Hoffman, who so brilliantly played Capote, as did Toby Jones in Infamous and now Tom Hollander in this. But we havent gotten as many depictions of Baldwin  though theres an upcoming biopic with Billy Porter attached. Why do you think its taken this long to finally see the writer get the small- and big-screen treatment?

I have no idea. Everything happens in waves, you know? Maybe because hes TikTok famous  and thats not even a joke! But whatever the reason is, its important. And thank goodness we have people who will play him with such grace and compassion and generosity. I imagine Billy will put his foot in his version as well. Because we all honor this guy and love this guy. If Im speculating, I think its because people are willing to hear the story of a gay Black man who was smarter than everybody else during his time and who we didnt embrace as much as we should have. Hes a pretty genius man. And, unfortunately, a lot of his words still need to be heard. And absorbed. And action taken with them in mind.

This interview has been edited and condensed.
Expats Home Season 1 Episode 6 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * *  Previous Next  Previous Episode Next Episode  Photo: Jupiter Wong/Prime Video

The further Expats progressed, the clearer it became that it was destined to be a story without resolution. Thats a tough pill to swallow for any viewer and an even tougher target to hit creatively, but the sixth and final entry of Lulu Wangs limited series wraps up moving ways by having its lead characters reckon not only with each other but with the lack of closure in their lives. Despite overflowing with overwrought, expository dialogue and voiceover verging on preachy, its images deftly capture the feelings its words often struggle to convey, thanks in no small part to a unique narrative flourish that blurs the line between conversation and wish fulfillment.

The show returns to its central trio this week in an episode titled Home, which explores what that word and concept even means to them anymore. Its also the shows first episode to feature an opening-credit sequence, one set to a montage of busting international travel as Hilary heads home to the United States. Had every entry begun this way, the show wouldve had a markedly different energy, but in saving this upbeat montage for the very end, Expats introduces hints of hope and transformation through this and a handful of other aesthetic evolutions, each rooted in the characters psychology.

Months have gone by since the late 2014 typhoon rocked Hong Kong. Characters like Essie and Puri have tragically faded into the background once more, and TV screens in the corners of the frame tell stories of the Umbrella Movement protesters  whove now set up numerous tents  being raided and displaced by police. Notably, Margaret seems to pay attention to these developments for the first time, just as she finds an old T-shirt belonging to Gus while the family packs up to leave Hong Kong. Her impending departure is marked, perhaps, by a sense of longing for the place shes decided to leave behind.

Meanwhile, Mercy is happier and much more comfortable with Charly (in one of the aforementioned tents, in fact) than she ever was with David, to the point that her re-introduction takes the form of a pulsating musical montage. Its a major stylistic departure from the shows romantic moodiness inspired by Wong Kar-wai, but it speaks to how, for the very first time, Mercy seems to harbor some hint of a positive outlook, even though she hasnt yet told Charly that shes been pregnant for several months.

As Margaret departs and Mercy plants her feet, Hilary is in a sort of limbo. She and David have finally separated, but her trip back to the U.S. is temporary since her father, Daleep (Kavi Raz), is about to undergo a risky surgery. As soon as she and her mother, Brinder, enter his hospital room, four previously unseen characters from India come into view  a woman Brinders age, a man, and a woman as old as Hilary and the womans baby  leading to an awkward non-exchange.

Who are these people? Family members of Hilarys, with whom shes had some falling out? The truth turns out to be even more complicated. It soon becomes clear that Daleep lived a double life in India and the United States, and the two middle-aged adults are his other children from the aforementioned older woman. Brinder grins and bears their presence, the way shes always borne Daleeps violent indignities, but to Hilary, these innocent strangers are living embodiments of betrayal. Simultaneously, that her half-sister has a baby is a stark reminder of the fact that she does not (something both parents badger her about).

Although she decides not to tell her father about her separation from David, Hilary tells him what he wants to hear just as hes being wheeled in for surgery: that shes pregnant and that the baby is a boy. However, this deception for his sake doesnt feel like a fitting farewell, so she immediately changes her tune, finally giving in to the temptation to confront him about his constant abuse toward her mother, which she bore witness to as a child, and which she promises to tell her own baby about some day.

More time passes, and once she lands back in Hong Kong, David arrives to pick her up at the airport, offering his condolences about her fathers death. In conveying this information so swiftly and with neither pomp nor circumstance, the episode allows Hilarys guilt-ridden confession  she believes her parting words killed her father  to feel all the more impactful and immediate, as though he had died just moments ago. Its the closing of a vital loop for Hilary now that shes finally confronted the cause of her neurotic obsession with outward appearance and facade, though she seems to be all the worse for it.

Its nice, however, seeing Hilary and David be amicable for once, as though they work better as divorced exes than they ever did as a couple, though when David drops her off and leaves her side, the camera captures her in a wide frame, and she feels utterly alone. Her voiceover doubles down on conveying this, and though it doesnt feel entirely necessary, it also lays the foundation for an intriguing narrative sleight of hand. In between its various segments, the episode cuts to close-ups of Hilary, Margaret, and Mercy addressing another character off-screen in the second person. Their gaze meets the lens; their eyes are transfixed, though we dont yet know exactly who theyre talking to.

It brings the shows prologue full circle since it began with Mercys epistolic address (likely to Margaret), though it soon becomes clear that each characters snippets are intended for both their counterparts. Essentially, three different conversations  between Margaret and Hilary, Margaret and Mercy, and Mercy and Hilary  have been collapsed into one, as they each speak about surviving their circumstances. Mercy, notably, feels like the very act of being pregnant is akin to stealing both womens babies since she was responsible for losing Gus and catalyzing David and Hilarys divorce. She feels like she owes them something or like she isnt worth the motherhood just on the horizon, though both older women eventually soothe her doubts in their own ways.

This collapsed trinity of scenes plays, at first, like a work of imagination or wish fulfillment, as though we were being presented with all the things theyd pictured saying to one another. However, a handful of literal and objective shots  of Mercy arriving to meet Margaret at a restaurant and of David asking Hilary if he could give Mercy her number  place this abstract structure firmly in the literal ground, perhaps to its slight detriment. Watching it does, to some degree, become about fitting the logistical pieces together (the who said what, and to whom of it all) rather than simply feeling these confessions and confrontations as though they existed in a wholly abstract emotional realm, like the shows Magnolia-inspired prologue.

Mercys story initially suffers in similar ways. Her confrontation with David and eventual admission to Charly about her pregnancy are too reliant on words and not nearly enough on mood or on silence that holds tension. She speaks, yet again, about the curse she believes to be looming over her (after which Charly admonishes her about ignoring her various privileges as an American outsider), but at no point does she feel cursed, as though the camera were capturing her paranoia through her own point of view. Ji-young Yoo and Bonde Sham do the best with what theyre given, but the wordiness of it all largely overwhelms them, despite the occasionally incisive or economical shot, like Mercys admission and Charlys reaction in a mirror being revealed in the same frame. The onus of telling the entire story rests on their shoulders when so much of Expats has been conveyed, thus far, through sensations alone.

That being said, the moment Mercys mother finally arrives to visit, much of their relationship snaps quickly into view. Given what little weve heard of her over the phone, it would be easy to expect some kind of caricatured monster, though weve only ever seen her through Mercys eyes (or rather, heard her through Mercys ears) and the real story is much more simple. They have the snappy, slightly confrontational, but ultimately loving dynamic of any young daughter and her mother, made all the more amusing because Mercy springs pregnancy on her as a surprise and copes with the fallout through humor. After her mother admonishes her in all the ways she expects, their subplot ends in tear-jerking fashion when Mercy finally accepts all the love and help offered to her and breaks down crying in her mothers arms. Whether or not she still believes shes cursed, this gentle-but-volatile moment is her acceptance that she doesnt deserve to be.

However, the episodes major highlight is yet another difficult and committed performance by Nicole Kidman, who spends most of Home engaged in these seemingly abstract conversations straight to the camera. Although shes come to a more peaceful acceptance of Guss disappearance, what this really means is she no longer harbors the grudges she once did, whether against Mercy or David (which also leads to her subsequent apology to Hilary).

Kidman plays a mother whos been rattled for ages to the point that its become a part of her identity, a predicament Mercy aptly describes in one of her voiceovers: The pain becomes a part of you, and soon you cant recognize yourself without it. When her family eventually leaves for the U.S. with Essie in tow, she seems ready to leave Hong Kong behind, leading to a moment of childish bickering between Philip and Daisy at the airport, to which Margaret responds sternly, but as any usually frustrated mother might amid international travel. For a brief moment, and for the first time since Gus disappeared, everything feels normal. And yet, that momentary normalcy feels eerie the moment Margaret takes stock of it, leading to her last-minute decision to stay behind.

Daisy hates her for this. Philip and Clarke understand. And while it seems like the reversal of some linear character arc  woman learns to move on from missing son, only to take two steps back  it plays harmoniously in the episodes context, during which each conversation thus far has been not about moving on from the past but about staying rooted as you deal with the present. The pain she feels is an intrinsic part of her; being Guss mother is a vital part of her identity, baked deep into her bones, and though this departure may cause a further rift with her family, its the normal she desires more than anything in the world.

Hilary learns to be happy, while Mercy finds the strength to accept other peoples love. But for Margaret, closure is impossible when she still has no answers about her son. In fact, she may never find them. But clenching her jaw and humming while moving forward is the closest she can feel to being alive. As tragic as the shows conclusion may be, her destiny is learning to live with the most painful part of herself rather than leaving it behind.

Visual Expressions

 At the airport, a lateral shot of Margarets family advancing quickly toward their departure gate is soon matched by Margaret in a similar frame. However, she cant seem to move forward with as much momentum  that is, until shes back out on the street, searching for Gus.

 As Daleep is wheeled away to surgery, Hilary and Brinder stand in the hospital hallway with his other family, leading to a bizarre family portrait in a wide shot before they each exit the frame, leaving only an empty space and a sense of mystery.

 Not long after, when Margaret, Clarke, and the kids leave their apartment for good, the camera lingers behind, pushing in slowly on packed boxes and blowing curtains as though it were yearning for memories of a life once lived, now left behind.

 In a mirror to Mercys introduction in the show, Home ends with Margarets voiceover scoring a shot of her disappearing into a Hong Kong crowd, after which people quickly whiz by the camera in close proximity. This quick series of flashes enhances the episodes sense of emotional crescendo; it feels entirely rousing, even if the words dont fully click.


Photo: Billboard via Getty Images

A lawsuit accusing Steven Tyler of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 1975 was dismissed by a judge on Wednesday, Deadline reports.

In the suit, which was filed in November, Jeanne Bellino alleges that the Aerosmith frontman, who was 27 at the time, sexually assaulted her twice when the pair met in 1975, first in a phone booth and then at the Warwick Hotel, by groping and forcibly kissing her.

Bellinos suit was brought under New York Citys Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which extended the statute of limitations for older cases. However, the judge ruled that Bellinos case didnt qualify for the two-year window for older incidents, because she didnt allege conduct presenting a serious risk of physical injury.

In response, Bellinos counsel released a statement saying, Tylers lawyers filed the motion to ask the Court to dismiss the lawsuit in early February but failed to serve it on the survivor as required by court rules to allow the Plaintiff to file an opposition. The Plaintiff, Jeanne Bellino, will ask the Court to reinstate the lawsuit.

The suit was one of two pending against Tyler. The other was filed in California in 2022 by a woman who says she had a sexual relationship in 1973 with Tyler while she was 16, and is still in process.
Stellantis has filed paperwork showing the 2023 compensation of CEO Carlos Tavares.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares had total compensation of $39.5 million (36.5 million euros) in 2023, which is approximately 518 times that of the average Stellantis employee, although the company lists a lower figure for what he actually received, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday evening.

The compensation highlights the company's financial performance in 2023, which included a net profit of almost $20 billion and a 12.8% adjusted operating income margin that the company noted was "among the best performance of the automotive industry."

Stellantis owns Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati, along with other brands sold globally.

Tavares' total compensation is not what he was paid directly last year. The figure includes items in addition to his salary and any bonuses, such as retirement benefits. The company said his actual compensation, including "cash and vested equity awards," was $25.4 million (23.5 million euros).

Tavares had a $2.16 million (2 million euros) base salary, short-term incentive worth $6.26 million (5.8 million euros), long-term incentive valued at $28.3 million (26 million euros), post-retirement benefits valued at $2.1 million (1.95 million euros) and fringe benefits valued at $686,885 (634,697 euros).

The figure is an increase from the $24.8 million (23.5 million euros) listed as Tavares' total compensation in 2022. All dollar figures are based on currency conversions at the time of the release.

The average employee compensation at Stellantis in 2023 was $76,193.

The 320-page filing described the company's approach to executive compensation.

"Our philosophy, approach and delivery of remuneration is strongly linked to the companys performance and interests of our shareholders. All elements of our compensation structure are market-driven with a significant portion (88.9%) of overall compensation (base salary, short-term incentive and long-term incentive) subject to performance risk for our CEO," according to the filing, which noted that various awards "are aligned with the long-term success and sustainability of Stellantis as it competes in a dynamic industry undergoing a significant transformation driven by electrification and software technologies."

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In addition to the compensation for Tavares, the filing listed the amounts for other key global leaders as well. Comparable figures for the top Stellantis official in North America, who was Mark Stewart last year, were not included.

Chairman John Elkann had total compensation of $5.2 million (4.8 million euros), including a base salary of $1 million (924,404 euros), long-term incentive of $3.5 million (3.2 million euros) and fringe benefits valued at $740,491 (684,230 euros). Vice Chairman Robert Peugeot had total compensation of $234,764 (216,927 euros), including a base salary of $221,856 (205,000 euros) and fringe benefits valued at $12,908 (11,927 euros). Eight directors had compensation ranging from zero to $310,516 (286,924 euros).

General Motors is expected to release its CEO compensation on April 24. It was not immediately clear when Ford would release its CEO compensation. The Free Press previously reported total compensation in 2022 for the companies at $29 million for GM's Mary Barra and $21 million for Ford's Jim Farley.

Free Press staff writers Jamie L. LaReau and Phoebe Wall Howard contributed to this report.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Stellantis lists total 2023 compensation for CEO Tavares at $39.5M
Move to affect schools up to junior high school level.

Italy is to crack down on the use of smartphones and tablets in school classrooms, from kindergarten up to lower high schools, education minister Giuseppe Valditara said on Thursday.

The minister told newspaper Il Foglio that the move relates to the "often improper use" of electronic devices, that can result in tension between students and teachers, in some cases leading to aggression against school staff.

Valditara said the new guidelines advise against "the use of smartphones in nursery, primary and lower secondary schools", with the educational use of tablets only recommended for primary schools.

The minister also cited last year's UNESCO recommendation that smartphones be banned from schools as they distract students and have a negative impact on their learning.

The move by Valditara is part of the long-running debate on cell phones at school which goes back almost 20 years.

Italy first introduced a ban on the use of phones during lessons in 2007, under guidelines issued by then minister Giuseppe Fioroni, who declared that phones were a "distracting element" and represented "a serious lack of respect for the teacher".

In December 2022, a few weeks after taking office, Valditara sent a circular to all schools in which he confirmed the ban on the use of mobile phones in the classroom, only allowing their use for educational and training purposes.
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.
Emirates Steel Arkan (ESA), one of the largest publicly traded steel and building materials manufacturers in the region, has announced its strategic collaboration with Magsort, a Finnish decarbonisation company, to drive an innovative initiative across its Al Ain Cement Factory.

The partnership, which comes following COP28 commitment and contribution to the UAE First Long-Term Strategy (LTS) demonstrating commitment to Net Zero by 2050, was announced during the Cemtech Middle East & Africa Conference 2024 in Dubai.

The strategic deal positions ESAs cement operations at the forefront of sustainability, aligning seamlessly with the Groups decarbonisation targets and setting the stage for a transformative approach to green cement production.

The collaboration between ESA and Magsort will initiate in Al Ain Cement plant the first large scale industrial pilot project, targeting a CO2 footprint reduction up to 15% by implementing the proprietary Magsort solutions to process steel slag, while reducing both limestone and fuel consumption.

Group CEO Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi said: "Emirates Steel Arkan is an industry market leader in innovating and embracing green solutions that help decarbonise the sectors value chain. This collaboration demonstrates that ESA is driving the industry efforts undertaken during COP28 and will position the company as the leader of the cement industry in achieving the UAE LTS targets."

"The possibility to process steel slag produced by Emirates Steel, is also an extraordinary example of circular economy within UAE, where both business units (Steel and Building Materials) will develop solid economical synergies while contributing to sustainable practices," he stated.

Hugo Losada, the CEO of Building Materials, an ESA company, said: "The collaboration with Magsort defines a breakthrough achievement in the cement industry, which will further support us to drive ESAs decarbonisation agenda. Al Ain cement plant will be the first large scale industrial pilot project in the Mena region for this solution."

"The objective is to achieve by 2026 the decarbonisation targets defined for 2030, placing ESA as the industry leader in the Mena region, while placing a solid step forward towards the decarbonization of cement," stated Losada.

Magsort CEO Kalle Rasinmaki said: "We are excited to partner with ESA, who shares our vision for the future of cement and steel production. We have been very impressed with the speed and resolve of the decision-making process to implement concrete actions aiming to the decarbonization of cement manufacturing."

"Magsort has since the beginning been focusing on total solution around steel slag, not only increased metal recovery but also putting the mineral portion in large volumes back to circulation to be used as cement raw material. Co-operation with ESA allows us to do exactly that," he added.

ESA and Magsort anticipate that this forward-thinking initiative will serve as a model for sustainable practices within the UAE Building Material industry.

The collaboration emphasises the practicality and benefits of decarbonisation in cement, highlighting the importance of building a resilient future in line with the global sustainability goals.-TradeArabia News Service
(Bloomberg) -- Texans will get the biggest share of President Joe Bidens newest effort in canceling billions of dollars in student debt, a sign that more borrowers in the state have struggled to pay off longstanding loans.

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Residents in the Lone Star State that have signed up for a new income-driven repayment program known as SAVE will receive $116.6 million of the $1.2 billion awarded, according to data released by the White House. California, which has 8.5 million more residents than Texas, will see $114.8 million in relief. The forgiveness is the latest incremental effort by the Biden administration to cancel student debt after the Supreme Court blocked its one-time forgiveness plan last June. The nearly $138 billion the administration has canceled so far is less than half of the $400 billion the Congressional Budget Office said would be wiped out under the broad-based plan, and has primarily impacted a narrow group of borrowers who meet certain qualifications.

The Biden administration announced on Feb. 21 that some 150,000 borrowers will receive a cumulative $1.2 billion in student-debt forgiveness under the income-driven repayment program known as SAVE. Borrowers enrolled in the plan who initially took out $12,000 or less in federal loans and have made at least 10 years worth of payments qualify for their remaining balance to be forgiven.

Undergraduate students borrowed an average $6,600 in federal loans in the 2021-2022 school year, according to National Center for Education Statistics data. Borrowers with less education are more likely to be behind or default on their student loan payments, so someone who took out two years worth of loans, for example, but didnt finish school could end up saddled with debt without the better salary that a higher education promises.

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A monthly payment on a $12,000 student debt balance would be around $150, said Betsy Mayotte, the president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors. An inability to pay that bill each month  and particularly in a way that pays off that balance within ten years  may be a sign of financial hardship.

Most people assume that its the six-figure debt people are most likely to default on, when in fact its the borrowers who borrowed very little that have a higher risk of default, Mayotte said.

There are about 7.5 million borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan, according to the US Department of Education, of whom 4.3 million pay $0 each month because they fall below the income threshold for repayment. In July 2024, monthly payments will be reduced from 10% of a borrowers discretionary income to 5%.

(Updates with context for how many borrowers are enrolled in the SAVE plan in last paragraph.)

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Woodside, the largest Australian gas company, has struck a deal to sell a 15 per cent stake in its Scarborough gas field project to a Japanese utility giant for an estimated $US1.4 billion ($2.1 billion).

The deal with JERA, Japans largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes, comes just six months after Woodside struck a similar agreement to sell a 10 per cent interest in the $16.5 billion Scarborough project in Western Australia to a joint venture between Japans Sojitz Corporation and Sumitomo.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has become one of Australias biggest exports. Credit: AP

Woodside and JERA on Friday said they had also entered into a non-binding, 10-year deal for the sale and purchase of six LNG cargoes, which would be used to supply energy to Japanese customers from 2026.

JERAs participation in the Scarborough joint venture  is a further demonstration of the importance of the project to Japanese customers and confidence in long-term demand, Woodside chief executive Meg ONeill 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 Standing in the centre of a stadium before thousands of his screaming subordinates, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the treacherous princeling of the Dune saga, is a blend of pop star grandeur, brilliance and reckless pride. In the hands of Elvis actor Austin Butler, the leap from Graceland to the desert planet of Arrakis doesnt seem as far as you might have first imagined. In fact, there is something about the young villain of Frank Herberts iconic 1965 novel that has always bound him to rock stars. Mick Jagger was to play him in Alejandro Jodorowskys planned (but failed) 1970s adaptation. And then, when David Lynch brought the story to the screen in 1984, in another complicated, flawed production, the role went to another pop star, Sting. When French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve gave the role of Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two to Butler, the 32-year-old actor zeroed in immediately on the characters feline qualities. The way that a panther would move, the power they have, to be incredibly still, and then pounce, Butler says. And at a certain point, a shark, how there is such a coldness to their eyes, [that] they could just rip your head off at any moment. French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve and Austin Butler on the set of Dune: Part Two. Holding somebody elses life in your hands, [you can feel] the sense of power that Feyd-Rautha feels in those moments, but also how little he values other peoples lives, Butler says. And spending so much time in the arena, fighting to the death, thats inherently like a rock star, where you have an entire arena screaming for you. And in his own ears, what was he listening to as he prepared for the role? I had everything from tribal music and metal music, heavy metal to classical music, operatic music on my playlist, Butler says. It was quite a wide-ranging playlist and each [genre] would summon a different feeling that I would listen to while I trained or just before scenes. Completing the pop soundscape for Butler was the films soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, the ubiquitous Oscar-winning master of cinema music, who has composed for everything from Gladiator and The Last Samurai to The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception and Man of Steel.

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Zimmer also scored Villeneuves first Dune film in 2021, with one critical, creative bonus: Zimmer wrote more than 70 hours of music before he even began composing the score, just to help Villeneuve get in the right frame of mind to write the script. Thats commitment. Hes so powerful and so incredible, Butler says. Timothee Chalamet and Austin Butler in Dune: Part Two. Dune: Part Two picks up where Dune (2021) ended, with royal heir Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) taking refuge with the native Fremen of Arrakis in the wake of Baron Harkonnens (Stellan Skarsgard) decimation of House Atreides. The sequel focuses on Zendaya as Chani, a mysterious young Fremen woman connected to Pauls destiny, and Butler as Feyd-Rautha, Harkonnens scheming nephew. Butler comes to the role after an incredible run in a few short years, leaping from a Broadway performance in The Iceman Cometh and a small role in Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to playing Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmanns critically acclaimed Elvis, and Gale Cleven in the new Steven Spielberg/Tom Hanks war miniseries Masters of the Air. His stunning performance in Elvis earned him a Golden Globe and BAFTA Award for best actor, while Masters of the Air has become 2024s breakout streaming TV hit, chalking up audience numbers that have ranked it as Apple TV+s most successful original series launch ever. Up close, Butler is equal parts old-fashioned matinee idol, pin-up boy and actor of substance, which is rare. In Hollywood, you can be Chris Hemsworth or Lucas Hedges, but youre rarely permitted to be both.

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The Anaheim, California-born actors rise to prominence is built on shrewd collaborations  with Luhrmann on Elvis and with Spielberg and Hanks on Masters of the Air  but also, to some extent, on how the camera captures his image. Its the difference between being an actor and a movie star. And that alchemy, unexpectedly, seems to have some uniquely Australian properties. Butlers performance as Presley was captured by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Mandy Walker, an Australian. In Masters of the Air, by Adam Arkapaw, another Australian. And in Dune: Part Two, Oscar-winner Greig Fraser, a third. Whats going on, I ask him. Are they glazing the lens with Vegemite? Austin Butler at the world premiere of Dune: Part Two in London. Credit: Getty It just goes to show that some of the greatest cinematographers are Australians, and Ive been fortunate enough to get to work with them, Butler says, laughing. Australian crews, the way they work together, its such a well-oiled machine. Greg had worked with Mandy, Adam knows Mandy, Mandy knows Grieg ... theres a family element there. Australia feels like its a family, Butler adds, saying those relationships have helped him navigate a dense and difficult body of work of which he is immensely proud. For me, it creates a kind of through line that connects these projects. We already have a rapport, but I also feel like I am very fortunate because theyre some of the best cinematographers alive today. What these roles demand of an actor varies from one job to the next, Butler says. He had previously described Elvis as the most intimidating thing hed ever done, noting that, essentially, he did not sleep for two years. But as we discuss Dune: Part Two, the investment in the role seems substantial requiring changes to his physicality and the nature of his movement. An early glimpse of 12 minutes of completed footage confirms the role is demanding. With Elvis, I felt such a responsibility because playing anybody who has lived, you feel a responsibility to them as a human being, Butler says. But then, on top of that, everybody has their own idea of who Elvis Presley is and so theres an extra responsibility there. And then you have so much footage that you can look to.

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With Dune, its different. But I did feel a responsibility to the fans of the book and the fans of the film, and to cinema in general, Butler says, acknowledging the books unique place in modern cultural history. Its not that it has to break you down but, whatever it demands, you want the passion to be there, that you will give it everything it needs. And for me, I just want to give it every ounce of my soul. Florence Pugh, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya and Austin Butler, stars of Dune: Part Two. Credit: Getty Butler first read Frank Herberts book when he was a teenager. I had a friend who introduced me to the book when I was a kid, and so that was my first experience of reading it, many years ago, he says. So, really, it was a feeling of escaping into this other world, the escapism of entering this sci-fi world. At the time, he was too young to lean deeply into or properly grasp the storys larger themes of faith, wealth inequality and scarcity of resources, as feuding royal houses battled to control a rare spice mined on the arid and brutally inhospitable world of Arrakis. Returning to it after watching Villeneuves first Dune film was a re-invigoration of his love for the book. I just thought that film was a masterpiece, Butler says. So reading it again, it hit me completely differently. I was hearing and feeling the textures [of the book] so much more, and the themes of power and the misuse of power, the warring families and the Shakespearean sense of it. Austin Butler and model partner Kaia Gerber at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Credit: Getty Images A by-product of the modern world, the script for Dune: Part Two first arrived in Butlers hands as an attachment to an email. I tried different ways to do it digitally; eventually I printed it out as a script, he says. I can make notes in it, its tactile and it was helpful for me to have a script that I could hold in my hand. It feels more tangible when its physical.

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The journey for him as an actor to Feyd-Rautha was a far more ambiguous undertaking than it was to find Presley in Elvis. Its a lot more ambiguous in the beginning, Butler says. For Elvis, there was a vast trove of historical film material, Presleys extraordinary discography, biographies from every perspective and the first-hand recollections of Presleys family. For Dune: Part Two, there was just the first film, which offered tonal notes on the wider inhospitable world of Arrakis but not of Feyd-Rautha himself; Herberts original novel, in which the character first appeared; and the Prelude to Dune prequel trilogy, written by Herberts son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Austin Butler as Elvis. Credit: Warner Bros On screen, there are only two portrayals of significance: Stings performance in David Lynchs wild and wonderful 1984 adaptation and Matt Keeslar in the 2000 miniseries Frank Herberts Dune, which was produced for US television. The Lynch film was, by most industry methodologies, a failure, coming in the wake of Star Wars (which had its own spin on spice mining, desert planets and an oppressive empire) and a decades-long struggle to bring any adaptation to the screen. Loading The Jodorowsky concept  the one with its eye on Mick Jagger  would have had Orson Welles as Baron Harkonnen, Salvador Dali as Emperor Shaddam IV and Jodorowskys own son, Brontis, as Paul Atreides. A vision so wild its difficult to grasp. Jodorowsky also wanted a soundtrack by Pink Floyd, an idea so bonkers it was not until 1980 that Dino De Laurentiis asked Queen to do the same thing for his flawed masterpiece Flash Gordon. There were, says Butler, many long conversations with Villeneuve. I knew that he was my captain, and its his vision that Im in service of, the vision of Frank Herbert and Denis. And so I go to the novel and Denis, and try to get the essence of what hes creating, Butler says.

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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 Tom Conroy and Danny Ball are sitting next to each other in Belvoirs upstairs rehearsal space. The stage is cluttered with 1970s sofas  the kind with the striped brown and beige knobbly fabric  as they rehearse for the companys production of Holding the Man. They are working through a scene in the first half of the play where they are discussing their characters possible break-up  should their chairs be facing each other? Should they be sharper with their dialogue? Even for the 15 minutes I watch, its hard seeing two people break up over and over again, particularly if you know whats coming. Tom Conroy and Danny Ball. Tom and Danny star in Holding the Man, one of Australias great love stories. Credit: Steven Siewert The first half is so joyous, says Ball. Theres so much love, joy and discovery that even as were finishing the first half, part of me is like, Oh, no, I want to stay like this. The play is an adaptation of Timothy Conigraves funny, tender and heartbreaking 1995 memoir and tracks the highs and lows of his 15-year love affair with John Caleo, who he met when they were students at an all-boys Jesuits school in Melbourne in the 1970s. It follows their relationship from the moment a teenage Conigrave boldly asks Caleo, Will you go round with me? through to their 20s, when they move to Sydney, where they are both diagnosed with HIV in 1985. The book was published three years after Conigrave died and adapted by playwright Tommy Murphy soon after. Its 2006 production at Griffin became such a critical and box-office success, it transferred to the Sydney Opera House and then Belvoir, with tours to Brisbane and Melbourne, followed by a limited run on Londons West End. Murphy then adapted the story again for the 2015 film, starring Ryan Corr, Craig Stott and Sarah Snook.

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It is, in short, a classic  one of our greatest love stories that will make you laugh and cry and then cry some more with the kind of heaving sobs that you need time to recover from. Its a great love story because its honest, says Murphy, who has been sitting in on rehearsals. Tim does this miraculous thing as a memoir writer, in that he lets John have the moral authority. Playwright Tommy Murphy watches rehearsals of Holding the Man at Belvoir. Credit: Brett Boardman I can imagine writing a memoir, you might want to talk yourself up  you can imagine the self-promoting tendency of a memoir writer  but Tim admits his failings and admits his struggles and his shortcomings. And I think because of that, reading the book, you really trust the storyteller. But its also being revisited at a time thats very different from when Tim and John lived, even from when the memoir was published. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the first Australian person dying from AIDS, while in the 1980s about 50 per cent of people who contracted the virus died. Now, thanks to antiretroviral therapy, HIV is manageable and not the death sentence it once was. There are even drugs available to lower the risk of contracting HIV in the first place. Danny Ball hugs Tom Conroy during rehearsals for Holding the Man at Belvoir. Credit: Brett Boardman When it first premiered as a play, it felt like very, very recent history, says the plays director Eamon Flack. Whereas now, it feels like cultural memory. And I think its as much a story of how Australia has changed as to how these two men live their lives.

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It seemed a really interesting way to revisit the cultural story of Australia in the 70s and 80s and 90s, through the lives of two gay men, rather than [doing] just a piece about life and death. For Murphy, that shift in how HIV/AIDs is treated and even prevented still feels personal. I take a blue tablet [Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, medication] every day, says Murphy. And that protects me against HIV and even that is an extraordinary shift. That must have felt like a far-off dream and at one point. So theres a great privilege that comes from the battles that were fought here, very near here in this suburb in Darlinghurst, the battles that were won. Tom Conroy plays Timothy Conigrave, the author of the memoir on which the play is based, in Holding the Man. Credit: Brett Boardman So I think the play in that way, looks at history and celebrates heroism. And its also a universal story about the nature of love and honesty and heartbreak. Getting that love, honesty and heartbreak right falls on Conroy and Balls shoulders. Conigrave and Caleos relationship was not always easy. He changes a lot, says Conroy, who plays Tim from age nine to his early 30s. Hes obviously a kid with a lot of energy, ambition, enthusiasm for life, and adventure and newness. And I think those qualities are what leads him on to some really amazing new experiences and theyre also the things that kind of get him in trouble along the way.

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That zest for life also opens up Johns world. Johns got a real Catholic conservative family, says Ball. And his fathers family have migrated from Italy, so he grows up with all of these expectations, and a lot of pressure to go down a certain road in life. Tim helps John understand his sexuality and open up. Coming out in the 70s, theres no references, he doesnt have pop-cultural references, so part of Johns journey is finding that for himself and defining that, and he cant do that without Tim. In the play, Johns life, in many ways, is devoted to Tim. Everything starts and ends with Tim in life and death as well. Tommy Murphy and the plays director Eamon Flack during rehearsal. Credit: Brett Boardman Adds Conroy: Its interesting because its like a real sticking point in their relationship that John is so devoted to Tim and Tim finds it so sort of suffocating and scary, and it makes him nervous because he wants other things and he wants to try being with other people. Loading And that pattern happens time and time again. Things change once they both get HIV, but Tim still cheats on John and still lets him down. And then whats beautiful about the book, and what Tommy Murphy has done with the adaptation of it, is that the whole writing of it, and performing of it, is a gift to John.

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And the way that Tim, once their relationship was really put to the test through both of them getting sick, and having to face their mortality and the fact they realised they had only so many days left with each other, that was what made him realise that actually, he had been in the midst of this greatest love story his whole life. And his devotion to John, beyond Johns death, became the thing that made his life make sense. That makes me even more sad. Its so beautiful, so sad, and so romantic, says Conroy, shaking his head. Adds Ball: People today talk about unconditional love, very openly and just kind of throw it around. But ultimately, love doesnt have conditions. In the end, it is unconditional and its so beautiful to see. As for what they think a new younger audience, who didnt come of age during the AIDS crisis, will make of it, Conroy believes it will hit home. Ryan Corr, Craig Stott and Kerry Walker in the 2015 film adaptation of Holding the Man. It was only since I started working on this show that I realised how much I, and lots of gay men of my age, grew up in the shadow of the AIDS crisis in a way that we wouldnt have really been conscious of. Tim died in 94 and then the revolution to HIV medication happened in 95, I think. So he just missed out.

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RecipesCookbook extracts The juicy secrets behind Gimlets legendary late-night cheeseburger (and how to make it) Troy Wheeler Andrew McConnell and February 15, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This recipe appears in the 20 most popular recipes of February 2024 collection. See all stories .

If youre going to the effort of making a cheeseburger from scratch, you might as well go all-in on this one, from the cookbook Meatsmith: Home Cooking for Friends and Family, co-written by chef-restaurateur Andrew McConnell and butcher Troy Wheeler. The pair have been tinkering with the recipe for a few years, and its become a late-night cult favourite at McConnells opulent, bougie Melbourne restaurant-bar Gimlet. Cheeseburger from Meatsmith by Andrew McConnell and Troy Wheeler. Mark Roper At Gimlet, the kitchen holds the onions because as McConnell says, When youre out on a date, you probably dont want a mouthful of onion. Wheeler suggests enlisting your local butcher to mince the short rib, chuck and rib cap to order. Each cut contributes something different to the patties. The addition of bone marrow helps bind the meat and adds a rich mouthfeel.

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Seasoning the outside of the patties before they hit the grill helps create the perfect crust. These arent the cheapest dishes in Melbourne, but theyre some of the best value The Meatsmith cheeseburger This burger is unashamedly based on a fast-food chain burger, but without all the additives. Still, theres something great about occasionally treating yourself to something thats not exactly healthy. We like to use potato rolls  theyre like sweet puffs of nothing but are great at soaking up the burger juices (so they end up in your mouth rather than on your clothes). We also like using American cheese, which doesnt add much flavour-wise but helps glue the whole thing together and gives the burger structural integrity.

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The trade-off? We use quality meat in the patty  a blend of short rib, chuck and rib cap, plus a little bone marrow. The stewed onions are not essential but do come highly recommended. INGREDIENTS Beef patties 350g coarsely minced short rib

350g coarsely minced chuck beef

350g coarsely minced dry-aged beef rib cap

100g frozen beef bone marrow, grated Stewed onions

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2 tbsp olive oil

4 onions, sliced

10g salt

2 tbsp unsalted butter

60ml ( cup) sherry vinegar To serve 4 tbsp clarified butter or olive oil

6 slices pre-sliced orange American cheese

6 potato buns or brioche buns, split

Kewpie mayonnaise

6 tbsp Burger sauce (see below)

shoestring fries and dill pickles

salt and pepper, to season METHOD To prepare the patties

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Combine meat and bone marrow in a large bowl. Using your hands, mix for about 2 minutes. Divide the mixture into 6 roughly 200g portions and shape into patties. Set aside. To make the stewed onions Heat the olive oil in a stockpot or large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion and salt and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions begin to turn translucent. Add the butter and cook for a further 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes. The colour should start to become a bit darker at this point. Add the Sherry vinegar and cook until the liquid has reduced by half. Reduce heat to low and cook for a further 15 minutes. If you find that the onions are catching on the base of the pot, just add a splash of water to loosen them up a little. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. To cook the patties and assemble your burgers Heat 2 tablespoons of the clarified butter or olive oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over a high heat until hot. Add 3 of the patties to the pan, pressing each one down with a spatula to flatten to about 2 cm (3/4 in) thick and a diameter equal to your bun size. Season with a good pinch of sea salt and a little pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes, then flip and cook for a further 4 minutes. Remove from the pan, top each with a slice of cheese and transfer to a tray to keep warm. Rinse the pan, then repeat to cook remaining patties.

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Once you have cooked the burgers, rinse the frying pan again and place over a medium heat. Brush each cut-side of the buns generously with mayonnaise, then toast, cut-side down, in the pan until deep golden brown. Place 1 patty on each bun base and top with 2 tablespoons of the stewed onions (if using), 1 tablespoon of the burger sauce and the bun top. Serve immediately with shoestring fries and a wedge of dill pickle. Serves 6 Burger sauce This keeps for a week, refrigerated  use it as dressing for a green salad or in a ham sandwich.

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INGREDIENTS 250g (1 cup) Kewpie mayonnaise

50g cornichons, finely chopped

60ml ( cup) tomato sauce

50g American mustard

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 teaspoons ruby red paprika

 tsp smoked paprika

pinch of cayenne pepper

1 tsp ground white pepper

 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt METHOD Whisk together the mayonnaise, cornichons, tomato sauce and mustard. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients and continue to whisk until combined. Makes about 400g (430ml)

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Meatsmith by Andrew McConnell and Troy Wheeler. Hardie Grant This is an edited extract from Meatsmith by Andrew McConnell and Troy Wheeler published by Hardie Grant Books Photography:  Mark Roper 2023

Appears in these collections The 20+ top recipes of February  starring the viral chicken dish Adam Liaw hates to love

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Taylor Swifts Eras Tour is largely hooked on friendship. Fans exchange homemade friendship bracelets, co-ordinate outfits with each other and practise concert chants together before dancing arm-in-arm at the show.

However, as everyone knows, friendship can be complicated. The emotional intensity associated with significant events like the Eras Tour can test even the most powerful bonds. So, while mutual devotion for the pop star has strengthened some friendships, it has strained others.

Competition over Eras Tour tickets has soured some friendships, highlighting the emotional hold the tour has over some fans. Credit: Jason South

In the famous words of Taylor Swift: We team up, then switch sides like a record changer,  says Morgan De La Rue, a Melbourne Swiftie who secured tickets to all three Melbourne shows and one Sydney concert.

Though De La Rue hasnt lost any of her closest friends as a result of her luck with tickets, a number of people in her life  including former classmates, colleagues and people she met at other concerts  blocked her on social media after finding out she was going to multiple shows.
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 Asked to describe the nations deputy prime minister, those who know him invariably come up with variations on a theme: Richard Marles is a nice guy. Some mean it as a compliment, others as criticism. As Defence Minister, Marles controls a gargantuan department that spends over $50 billion in taxpayer dollars a year, yet is notorious for delivering major projects late and over budget. Just as the avuncular Kim Beazley faced persistent questions about whether he had the ticker to be prime minister, doubters have long asked whether Marles has enough mongrel to drive reform within the bureaucracy of the military and win fights inside cabinet for more defence funding. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles in Sydney, February 22, after launching his ambitious overhaul of the navy. Credit: Janie Barrett Sensing vulnerability, the Coalition has become increasingly scathing in its attacks on Marles performance since the beginning of the year. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who appears on a weekly Today show segment with Marles, described him as probably one of the weakest ministers in the government last week. One senior defence industry figure, speaking on condition of anonymity, questions whether Marles is too placid to make the difficult decisions the job requires. Asked about the charge that he is too nice, Marles says: Ive heard that throughout my life and time in politics. Rather than shying away from the descriptor, he embraces it. I dont think there is a rule which says that its impossible to be nice in politics, he says in a lengthy interview. I want to do politics and I want to be nice.

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Were speaking at the end of an exhausting week for Marles. On Tuesday, he was standing atop HMAS Canberra in Sydney to announce a dramatic overhaul of the navys fleet of warships. Defence Minister Richard Marles says this is the biggest naval overhaul since World War II. Credit: Nick Moir The next day, he hotfooted it from Perth to Adelaide to sell the benefits of the plan to those cities local shipbuilding industries. On Friday, he jetted to Indonesia to meet with the nations defence minister and soon-to-be-president, Prabowo Subianto. As well as the defence portfolio, Marles serves as acting prime minister when Anthony Albanese is out of the country. Yet he has a relatively low profile for a politician in such a senior position. Marles, 56, grew up in Geelong in comfortable circumstances that bear little resemblance to Albaneses childhood as the son of a single mother in public housing. His father, Donald, was a private school principal, while mother Fay served as chancellor of the University of Melbourne and Victorias first female equal opportunity commissioner. Marles attended prestigious Geelong Grammar School, where his father taught, before studying law and pure mathematics at the University of Melbourne. Fascinated by politics since primary school, he joined the Labor Club on the first day of orientation at university  a move he has joked makes him a sad specimen of a human. He held senior roles in the Transport Workers Union and Australian Council of Trade Unions before entering parliament in 2007 after Labors Rudd-slide election victory. While a loyal admirer of her former boss, Marles longtime chief-of-staff Lidija Ivanovski says he has one flaw. He can get flustered and be too honest and revealing in what hes thinking, she says.

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In the lead-up to the 2019 election, Marles made a damaging gaffe when he said it would be a good thing if the thermal coal sector collapsed, a remark he later conceded was tone-deaf. To the dismay of his staff, the science buff has also spoken publicly about his belief in life in outer space. In a 2021 National Press Club appearance he said: You prep for an event like this and your media advisors say, Please, just dont talk about the aliens. Please dont do it. And I always talk about the aliens. Marles in 2001, when he was assistant secretary of the ACTU. Credit: Joe Armao Former defence minister Christopher Pyne says the pair became friends after Marles, who was then much heavier, published an eye-wateringly funny piece about realising he needed to lose weight after getting trapped in a water slide. They later hosted a program together on Sky News for four years that included some famously cringe-worthy moments and technical glitches. I discovered Richard Marles and made him what he is today, chortles Pyne, now a lobbyist with clients including major defence companies. "It was the worst show on television." Marles has an abiding interest in foreign affairs and specifically the Pacific, sparked by a high-school trip to Papua New Guinea. But when Shorten asked him to be opposition defence minister in 2016, the idea came out of left-field. Its not right to say that at the time this was the thing I was desperately seeking, he says of the defence portfolio. But very quickly I fell in love. By the time we came to government, it was most definitely what I wanted to do.

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Marles first year in the job was dominated by figuring out a plan for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact and a sweeping Defence Force review commissioned after Labor won power. Loading The defence strategic review  which warned the nations military was no longer fit for purpose  was widely regarded as an impressive document when it was released last April. But the review was not matched by an increase to the defence budget over the four-year forward estimates. That was a political own goal and untenable in a national security sense, says Peter Dean, who co-authored the review and leads the defence and foreign policy program at the United States Studies Centre. Meanwhile, crucial decisions about the future of the navy were put on hold until another review could report back in six months. A narrative took hold in the defence industry and commentariat that Marles was all talk and no action, with speculation regularly bubbling up that he was being rolled in cabinet by Foreign Minister Penny Wong (a claim that Marles supporters deny). Separately, Marles came under fire for spending $3 million on VIP flights in a year, including taking regular RAAF flights from Canberra to Avalon rather than cheaper commercial flights to Melbourne and driving home to Geelong.

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Then came reports, initially in The Australian Financial Review, that Marles was at war with his department and had laid down the law to senior defence officials in a meeting last year. Asked by this masthead a fortnight ago about Marles performance, former senior Defence Department official Peter Jennings said: Its a fail. Hes simply not delivering on the expectations he set in his first 12 months in the job. Marles achieved a circuit breaker this week with his naval shake-up, which will boost the nations fleet of warships from 11 to 26 thanks to a $1.7 billion funding top-up over four years and an $11.1 billion increase over a decade. While there are always critics, the review was generally well received. He rescued his position a little bit by squeezing $11 billion from the expenditure review committee, says Jennings. Defence Minister Richard Marles unveiled a major overhaul of the navy, including an expansion in warship numbers. Credit: Nick Moir As well as praising the navy plan, Dean says he is pleased by signs of tension between Marles and the defence establishment. He points to a dictum, attributed to Paul Keating, that if ministers are getting along too well with their department, it means they are not ambitious enough. It is ultimately the ministers responsibility to lead the department and implement the strategy the government wants, not the strategy the department wants, he says.

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What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox.

London: Prince William, by far the most popular figure among the Windsors in regular British opinion polls, made a rather significant intervention this week. And it has raised eyebrows across the world.

Of course in Britains constitutional monarchy, the royals are expected to keep well out of politics. Williams late grandmother, Elizabeth II, was for 70 years a stickler for the rule that the monarch must be seen as politically neutral. In fact, its hard to think of a moment when she let her guard slip.

Prince William visiting the British Red Cross headquarters in London. Credit: Getty Images

Her son, Charles, was given much more leeway. Before becoming King, he had 50-odd years as a worldly and well-educated figure to allow all in his realm to get to know him.
In the past week, the long and brutal battle of Avdiivka reached a crescendo, with the Russian Army forcing the withdrawal of Ukrainian units. After the Ukrainians secured the city in 2014, Russian forces significantly expanded their attacks in late 2023, and have inexorably enveloped the city while pounding its buildings and defenders into bloody ruin.

As we reach the two-year mark of Putins war against his sovereign, democratic neighbour, Russias capture by destruction of Avdiivka is a metaphor for its approach to this war. As it became clear that Russias 10-day plan to politically subdue Kyiv and its government had failed, Russia decided that it would rather destroy Ukraine than allow it to exist as an example of self-determination and sovereign resilience for Russian citizens.

Two Russian soldiers in Avdiivka after Ukraines retreat from the town. Credit: AP

The revelations of the widespread Russian torture and murder of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha was horrifying. They included the discovery of standardised detention and torture centres in multiple locations formerly occupied by the Russians. They indicated that Russia had adopted institutionalised rape, torture, kidnapping and murder to subdue Ukrainian citizens in Russian-occupied territory. Ukrainian prisoners of war have been routinely starved, beaten, castrated and murdered.

The millions of Ukrainians who remained outside lands captured by Russia were not free of its strategic and political campaign to cower them into a political accommodation and acceptance of Russian suzerainty. Thousands of Russian missiles, drones and ballistic rockets have been launched at civilian infrastructure such as power plants, shopping malls, schools and hospitals. Putin thereby hopes to demonstrate that Ukraines government cannot defend its people, and that eventually, the only possible outcome in this war is a Russian victory.
Students at multiple U.S. colleges on Thursday urged their universities to kick Starbucks off their campuses until the coffee chain changes its labor practices.

According to organizers, actions were planned at 25 campuses across the country to protest the coffee giant's failure to negotiate contracts with the thousands of baristas who've unionized over the last two years.

"If Starbucks was a student, they would have been expelled by now because of the number of rules they've broken," Valli Pendyala, a freshman at Georgetown University, stated. "That's why we're taking action to demand that Georgetown lets its contract with Starbucks expire and that it holds Starbucks accountable for its attacks on its workers."

Starbucks, however, rejected the notion that it was stone-walling bargaining efforts.

"While we remain long-standing advocates of civil discourse, our focus is on fulfilling our promise to offer all partners a bridge to a better futurethrough competitive pay, industry-leading benefits for part-time work and our continued efforts to negotiate fair contracts for partners at stores that have chosen union representation," the company told CBS News in an emailed statement.

It also downplayed any impact from the students' efforts, saying activities had not materialized at all the campuses touted by the union, Workers United, and that campus store operators had not reported any disruptions to their operations.

At New York University, students delivered a petition calling on the university to stop selling Starbucks coffee until the company changes its tactics.

"NYU will review the petition we've received," a spokesperson emailed CBS News.

"However, just to be clear, all the workers at the Starbucks affiliated with NYU are unionized employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement with our food services contractor, Chartwells," the NYU spokesperson added.

Story continues

A spokesperson for Georgetown said the university was "continuing to look closely at this important issue."

"Georgetown does not have a contract with Starbucks. Aramark, the university's primary food service provider, manages most of the retail and residential dining operations on campus. Aramark has a license agreement with Starbucks, and union-represented Aramark dining employees staff the Leavey Center Starbucks location," a university spokesperson noted.

Aramark's hourly workers on Georgetown's campuses are represented by the UNITE HERE union, the spokesperson added.

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Loading Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Centre for Freedom, said before the hearing that it was a clear-cut case of transparency and accountability from the Biden administration. No one should be above the law when it comes to applying for immigration status in the United States, said Gardiner. In Spare, the prince sparked controversy when admitting to taking cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms. Questions have been raised over whether he lied on his US visa application or if he was shown favourable treatment by officials because of his high-profile status.

The foundation has sought all records within Prince Harrys Alien Registration file including any applications for immigration benefits and all records relating to any requests for waiver by Prince Harry. In a court filing, the Heritage Foundation argued: [The case] comes about in the main because HRH [His Royal Highness] voluntarily  and for immense profit  admitted in writing to the elements of any number of controlled substance violations. (Indeed, some say HRH has approached the point of bragging and encouraging illegal drug use.) The Duke of Sussex did so despite the fact that it is widely known that such admissions can have adverse immigration consequences for non-citizens and despite employing pre-eminent legal advisers on both sides of the Atlantic. The argument of privacy was preposterous given that Prince Harry published his drug use in his book and had previously given US media interviews surrounding his private life, said Gardiner.

This really matters to Americans, Gardiner said. This case raises many issues as to whether or not people are given any special treatment in coming to the United States and whether or not the rule of law is applied equally. He added: The issue of migration in the United States has become the number one issue in the presidential election. The American people expect their leader to enforce immigration law strictly and this should apply to anyone entering the US including royals like Prince Harry. The DHS argued in a court filing that it cannot confirm or deny whether any other records that [Heritage] are seeking exist because the mere acknowledgment of these records would constitute an unwarranted invasion of Prince Harrys privacy, according to Newsweek The records are particularly sensitive because releasing them, even in part, would reveal Prince Harrys status in the United States, which Prince Harry has not disclosed, the court filings said. Nigella Lawson was banned from flying to the US in 2014 after confessing to taking cocaine and smoking marijuana.

Courts consistently hold that a persons visa or immigration status is private, personal information exempt from disclosure. In April 2014, celebrity chef Nigella Lawson was banned from flying to the US after confessing to taking cocaine and smoking marijuana. The DHS said at the time said that foreign citizens who had admitted to drug offences could be deemed inadmissible under US law from entering the country. The ban was later lifted in June 2014 so that Lawson could travel to the US and film a new series of her cookery contest The Taste USA. Prince Harry said in February that he had considered becoming a US citizen.

In an interview on Good Morning America, the Duke said he had no idea what was stopping him from doing so. He added: The thought has crossed my mind but is not a high priority right now. Loading However, he runs the risk of being denied citizenship as the drugs he has admitted to taking are banned or under strict control in the United States.

According to policy published by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, any application would require him to renounce his title. The Sussexes left the UK in October 2019 and stayed at a friends house in Canada for an extended family break. They then flew to California, and in January 2020 and announced they would be stepping back from the working Royal family. They have since bought their own home in Montecito, with a mortgage, where they live with their two children. The Duchess is understood to have begun the process of applying for UK citizenship during her short time in Britain, but she did not complete it. She remains a US citizen and the children are reported to have dual citizenship. US immigration policy states that any applicant who has any titles of heredity or positions of nobility in any foreign state must renounce the title or the position.
Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE:TNK) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript February 22, 2024

Teekay Tankers Ltd. misses on earnings expectations. Reported EPS is $2.91 EPS, expectations were $3.5. TNK isn't one of the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds at the end of the third quarter (see the details here).

Operator: Welcome to the Teekay Tankers Limited Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Results Conference Call. [Operator Instructions]. As a reminder, this call is being recorded. Now, for opening remarks and introductions, I would like to turn the call over to the company. Please go ahead.

Unidentified Company Representative: Before we begin, I would like to direct all participants to our website at www.teekay.com, where you'll find a copy of the fourth quarter and annual 2023 earnings presentation. Kevin and Stewart will review this presentation during today's conference call. Please allow me to remind you that our discussion today contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from results projected by those forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the fourth quarter and annual 2023 earnings release and earnings presentation available on our website. I will now turn the call over to Kevin Mackay, Teekay Tankers' President and CEO, to begin.

Kevin Mackay: Thank you, Ed. Hello, everyone, and thank you very much for joining us today for Teekay Tankers' fourth quarter and annual 2023 earnings conference call. Joining me on the call is Stewart Andrade, Teekay Tankers' CFO. Moving to our recent highlights on Slide 3 of the presentation, Teekay Tankers reported adjusted net income of $99.5 million or $2.91 per share an increased from last quarter's levels of $76.6 million or $2.24 per share respectively. The company's 2023 adjusted net income of $500.5 million or $14.65 per share was more than double our strong 2022 earnings and established a new record for Teekay Tankers highest ever annual net income. Amid historically strong spot rates, the significant value of our high operating leverage is clear.

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As a reminder, for every $5,000 increase in tanker rates above our free cash flow breakeven of $16,000 per day, we expect to generate approximately $2.50 of annual free cash flow per share. We will provide further information of this later in the presentation. In January, we gave notice to repurchase the remaining eight vessels on sale leaseback arrangements for $137 million. Once complete, this repurchase will bring the total number of vessels repurchased since March 2023 to 27 vessels for a total of $501 million reducing our total debt outstanding to zero and decreasing our cash breakeven rates. In line with our fixed quarterly dividend policy, we have declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share for the fourth quarter of 2023. In the market, 2023 turned out to be the best year for midsize tanker spot rates in TNK's history due to a combination of strong oil demand growth, longer voyage distances and low fleet growth.

Rates have remained firm at the start of 2024 with seasonal and geopolitical factors adding to an already tight tanker market. Looking further ahead, we believe that strong tanker supply and demand fundamentals will continue to support tanker fleet utilization and rates over the next two years to three years, albeit with periods of pronounced spot rate volatility. Finally, we sold 2, 2004 built Aframaxes during the fourth quarter for total proceeds of $46.5 million recording a gain on sale of $10.4 million in December and an expected gain of approximately $11.5 million in Q1 of this year. Both of these vessels now have been delivered to their new owners. Turning to Slide 4, we look at dynamics in the spot tanker market. As mentioned on the highlights slide, midsize spot tanker rates during 2023 were the highest in Teekay Tankers history with rates averaging around $48,500 per day.

Global oil demand grew by approximately 1.9 million barrels per day in 2023 per the IEA. As the world continued to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, was particularly robust growth from China following the removal of travel restrictions at the start of the year as well as from India. As a result, global oil demand moved above pre-pandemic levels for the first time to a record high of around 101 million barrels per day and has remained strong in the early part of 2024. Global oil supply also saw robust growth in 2023 despite OPEC+ supply cuts due to high output from non-OPEC countries. Oil supply growth was particularly strong in the Americas with U.S. crude oil exports reaching a record high of over 4 million barrels per day. Tanker demand saw a further boost from longer voyage distances during the year, which was the first full year following the EU's ban on Russian crude oil imports and the G7's price cap, which came into effect in late 2022.

As a result, over 90% of Russian crude oil exports moved long haul to India and China during the year. While Teekay Tankers does not participate in this trade, there has nonetheless been a significant overall boost to midsize tanker demand. Finally, despite an almost total absence of tanker recycling, the global tanker fleet saw less than 2% growth in 2023 due to a very small order book. This was far outweighed by tanker ton-mile demand growth of well over 7% leading to an increase in fleet utilization and strong rates. Spot tanker rates remained firm at the start of 2024 due to a combination of strong underlying fundamentals, seasonal factors such as weather delays and various regional disruptions. I'll give more detail on these factors later in the presentation.

Turning to Slide 5, we provide an update on our Suezmax and Aframax size spot rates in the first quarter to date. Based on approximately 68% and 67% of revenue days booked, Teekay Tankers' first quarter-to-date Suezmax and Aframax size vessel bookings have averaged approximately $50,100 per day $50,900 per day respectively. Importantly, I once again highlight the value being created by TNK's eight vessel chartered in fleet with seven ships trading in the strong spot market. With an average in charter rate level of $25,400 per day, the chartered in fleet has a current mark-to-market value of approximately $60 million, which is in addition to our owned fleet. Turning to Slide 6, we look at tanker supply and demand fundamentals, which we believe will continue to support high tanker fleet utilization for at least the next two years to three years.

Global oil demand is projected to grow by around 1.4 million barrels per day in 2024 as per the EIA, with further growth of 1.3 million barrels per day in 2025. This is in line with pre-pandemic levels of growth and indicates that demand growth for oil remains robust with consumption projected to reach 103.7 million barrels per day by the end of 2025, 3 million barrels per day higher than the level seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the outlook for tanker fleet supply remains extremely positive with minimal tanker fleet growth expected over the next two years to three years. This is especially true for 2024 with just 9 million deadweight tonnes scheduled to be delivered, the lowest annual total since 1997. The tanker order book remains small by historical standards at around 7% of the existing fleet size, while forward order book cover at global shipyards stands at 3.5 years, meaning there is little spare shipyard capacity until 2027.

The combination of a low order book, an aging tanker fleet and a lack of shipyard capacity until 2027 should lead to exceptionally low levels of tanker fleet growth over the next three years, including virtually no fleet growth in 2024. As shown by the chart on the bottom of the slide, tanker ton-mile demand growth is expected to outstrip fleet supply growth this year and in 2025, continuing the trend that started in 2022 and extended into 2023. This compounding impact of demand growth exceeding supply growth should continue to support high levels of tanker fleet utilization and firm tanker rates. Turning to Slide 7, we look at various events that are impacting tanker trades this year, which are creating additional rate volatility in an already tight market.

A large oil refinery against a backdrop of ocean containers and industrial cranes.

Starting on the right side of the slide, Russian crude oil exports flowing long haul to India and China via the shadow fleet should continue to support midsize tanker demand in 2024. In addition, there have been increased attacks on Russian refineries facilities in recent weeks, which may cut Russia's ability to produce refined oil products and lead to more crude oil being available for export. In terms of oil supply, the majority of production growth in 2024 is expected to come from non-OPEC countries in the Atlantic Basin, led by the United States, Brazil and Guyana. Given that oil demand growth is expected to be concentrated in Asia, there could be an increase in Atlantic to Pacific crude oil movements, which would be beneficial for tanker ton-mile demand.

Disruptions to vessel transits in both the Panama and Suez Canals are also impacting the tanker market this year. While the Panama Canal is not a major transit corridor for crude oil tankers, the inability to transit the canal limits tankers owners ability to reposition ships between the Pacific and Atlantic Basins, and therefore creates inefficiencies, which from a tanker market perspective is generally positive as it leads to increased tanker utilization. With regards to the Red Sea, the increase in attacks on merchant shipping since last December is having an impact on tanker trade patterns. This is a dynamic situation, but in recent weeks there have been an increasing number of ship owners and operators avoiding the region and seeking alternative routes that involve longer voyages.

For many vessels, this means sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, adding a significant number of voyage days and creating additional tanker ton-mile demand. For example, Suezmax voyage from Basra, Iraq to the Mediterranean is about 4,000 nautical miles or 13 days via the Suez Canal compared to around 12,000 nautical miles or 40 days via the Cape of Good Hope. While it is impossible to predict how this situation will evolve, the rerouting of cargoes is likely to continue creating additional tanker demand in the near-term. Finally, the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline to Vancouver, Canada later this year will lead to a new source of Aframax specific demand. This pipeline with an increasing capacity of 590,000 barrels per day is intended to provide a new seaborne outlet for Canadian crude oil exports.

Given that the terminal is restricted to Aframax sized vessels, is anticipated that the expansion could result in up to 30 Aframax to 35 Aframax loadings per month. This is an exciting development and has the potential to create significant Aframax demand once the pipeline is up and running with the operator currently expecting the start of oil flows through the pipeline during the second quarter of 2024. So, in sum, the numerous changes to trade patterns around the world, which I've just described are leading to increased complexity and supply chain inefficiency creating additional tanker demand as a result and spot rate volatility in what is already a fundamentally very tight market. I'll now turn the call over to Stewart to cover the next two slides.

Stewart Andrade : Thanks, Kevin. Turning to slide 8, we outlined some of Teekay Tankers' key accomplishments in 2023. As noted earlier in the presentation, financially 2023 was a record-breaking year with the company generating just over $0.5 billion of adjusted net income and over $575 million of free cash flow. These strong results allowed us to transform our balance sheet, repurchasing 19 vessels from sale-leaseback arrangements and refinancing them with a new $350 million revolving credit facility, which provides us with greater financial flexibility. In addition, TNK ended the year with a net cash position of $226 million. As a reminder, after the repurchase of our final eight vessels in sale leaseback arrangements, we expect to be completely debt free by the end of the first quarter.

2023 was also a year of strong operational performance with 99.8% fleet availability and zero lost time injuries. A metric that we don't often touch on during these quarterly investor calls, but which is extremely important for the safety of our crews and the reliability of our operations. Commercially, we continue to manage our lucrative time charter portfolio by extending in charters at rates well below the current spot market, enabling us to profit significantly from the spread. With all of these accomplishments in 2023, the successful execution of our strategy has created significant value for our shareholders through a combination of returning capital via dividends and the appreciation of our share price. Since the beginning of 2023, we have generated total shareholder return of 109%, which further builds on the significant shareholder value Teekay Tankers created in 2022.

Turning to Slide 9, we highlight the potential for TNK to continue creating significant shareholder value in 2024, a year that we expect to be another strong tanker market. With 98% of our 51 vessel fleet operating in a strong spot tanker market that is supported by robust tanker supply and demand fundamentals, and driven further by the various factors we have talked about today, we feel confident about our ability to continue creating shareholder value. As a demonstration, if we use the trailing 12-month average of TNK's realized spot rates and project that forward, our annualized free cash flow would be approximately $16.30 per share or free cash flow yield of approximately 28%. With this kind of operating leverage, strong prospects for midsize tankers moving forward and a growing cash position, we're making progress in building Teekay Tankers' strategic optionality for future fleet reinvestment.

I will now turn the call back to Kevin to conclude.

Kevin Mackay: Thanks Stewart. In summary, as we experienced in 2023, the fundamentals of our business continue to be highly supportive for what could be a protracted period of midsized tanker market strength. Most notably, a very positive tanker supply outlook grounded by a negligible multiyear newbuild delivery schedule. Oil demand continues to grow past the post-pandemic rebound. Beyond the fundamentals, a range of factors are introducing complexity and inefficiency into the market, tightening the supply and demand balance still further. Overall, we believe that our midsize tanker focus and spot market strategy places Teekay Tankers in an ideal position to continue capturing upside and realizing shareholder value moving forward. With that operator, we're now available to take questions.

Operator: [Operator Instructions]. We will take our first question from Jon Chappell with Evercore.

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In this article, we will be covering the top 10 uranium-producing companies in the world. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the global uranium market, you can go directly to Top 5 Uranium Producing Companies In The World.

Global Uranium Market: An Analysis

According to the World Nuclear Association, uranium is a heavy metal that has been used as an abundant source of concentrated energy for more than 60 years. Uranium has far-reaching significance in the modern world due to its applications in nuclear energy and various industrial sectors. Uranium is a critical element and it serves as the primary fuel for nuclear power plants around the world, providing clean, low-carbon electricity. According to a report by IndustryARC, the global uranium market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2024 to 2030 to reach a value of $12.7 billion by the end of the forecasted period. The North American region dominates the uranium market due to the increasing domestic production of this critical element.

The demand for uranium continues to increase as the world seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources. Nuclear power is becoming an increasingly attractive option and this is driving up demand for uranium, which is used as fuel in nuclear reactors. Responsible extraction, processing, and utilization are important not only for meeting growing energy demands but also for promoting environmental sustainability and well-being.

Uranium is used in the production of radioisotopes, which have various medical, industrial, and scientific purposes across the globe such as cancer treatment, sterilization, and quality control in manufacturing processes. According to a research report by the World Nuclear Association, more than 40 million nuclear medicine procedures are performed annually and demand for radioisotopes is growing by as much as 5% annually.

Radioisotopes also play a crucial role in the growing of crops and breeding livestock. Radioisotopes are used in the production of high-yield, disease-resistant, and weather-resistant varieties of crops. According to a publication available on the International Atomic Energy Agency's website, isotopes and radiation can play a crucial role in identifying and reducing the genetic and environmental limitations of animal production. Various industries around the world that use uranium and radioisotopes are acting as drivers for the growth of the uranium market.

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Key Players in the Uranium Market

With the expansion of the uranium market, companies engaged within this sector are expected to have access to significant growth opportunities owing to the heightened demand for resources and services related to uranium. Some of the most notable names in the global uranium market include Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ), Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE:UEC), and Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU).

Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) is an American company that supplies nuclear fuel and services for the nuclear power industry. The company supplies sources of enriched uranium to help meet the growing demand for clean, affordable, and carbon-free electricity. Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) is also one of the best uranium stocks to buy. On February 8, Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) reported strong earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $3.58, surpassing EPS estimates by $2.82. Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) reported a revenue of $103.6 million and outperformed revenue estimates by $32.47 million.

Uranium companies are also increasing exploration and production efforts to address the growing demand for nuclear energy. Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE:UEC) is a US-based uranium production and exploration company. On January 16, Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE:UEC) announced that the companys board of directors has approved restarting uranium production at its Christensen Ranch In-Situ Recovery operations in Wyoming. The recovered uranium will be processed at the fully operational Irigaray Central Processing Plant, which has a current licensed capacity of 2.5 million pounds of U3O8 (triuranium octoxide) per year. While Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE:UEC) will provide further information on the anticipated volumes for the first year of production in the coming months, production is expected in August 2024.

Some of the biggest uranium companies are also participating in collaborative initiatives to promote nuclear energy's role in decarbonization. Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) is a Canadian uranium company. As one of the worlds largest uranium-producing companies, it is a major provider of nuclear fuel solutions for the generation of safe, reliable, and carbon-free nuclear power across the globe. On December 3, 2023, Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) announced that it has joined Net Zero Nuclear, the initiative aiming to triple global nuclear capacity to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by calling for collaboration among governments and industry leaders. This initiative, supported by various organizations including the World Nuclear Association and the International Atomic Energy Agency, seeks to accelerate the growth of the global nuclear fleet and advance research and development into emerging nuclear technologies. By promoting nuclear energy's role in decarbonizing global energy systems, Net Zero Nuclear will ensure nuclear energys potential is fully realized while also removing barriers to its growth.

Tim Gitzel, Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) President and CEO, said:

Increasingly, countries and companies around the world are counting on nuclear power to play a role in achieving their net-zero emissions targets while strengthening their energy security. Its importance as an essential source of sustainable, carbon-free, baseload electricity has never been greater.

Now that we have looked at whats going on in the global uranium market, lets take a look at the top 10 uranium-producing companies in the world. You can also take a look at the countries that produce the best uranium in the world.

Top 10 Uranium Producing Companies In The World

A miner in a hard hat and apron holding a piece of uranium ore in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan.

Methodology

In this article, we have listed the top 10 uranium-producing companies in the world. To collect data for our list, we consulted the World Nuclear Association. We used data obtained for the latest year in their dataset, updated in August 2023. This database provided us with a list of companies and information on their uranium production for the year 2022. The top 10 uranium-producing companies in the world are listed below in ascending order.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

Top 10 Uranium Producing Companies In The World

10. General Atomics

Uranium Production (2022): 1,740 Tonnes

General Atomics is an American energy and defense company that ranks among the top 10 uranium-producing companies in the world. It specializes in research and technology development, including physics research in support of nuclear fission and nuclear fission energy. General Atomics also owns Heathgate Resources and its affiliate Quasar Resources. Quasar Resources owns the Four Mile uranium mine in Australia, which is one of the worlds largest uranium-producing mines. The Four Mile mine is operated by Heathgate Resources. With a 4% share in global uranium production, General Atomics produced 1,740 tonnes of uranium in 2022 through its affiliated companies.

9. ARMZ Uranium Holding Co.

Uranium Production (2022): 2,508 Tonnes

ARMZ Uranium Holding Co. is a Russian company. It operates the Mining Division of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation and produces uranium in Russia. ARMZ Uranium Holding Co. is also one of the biggest companies in terms of in-situ uranium reserves. As one of the top uranium-producing companies in the world, ARMZ Uranium Holding Co. produced 2,508 tonnes of uranium in 2022 to account for about 5% of the global uranium supply.

8. BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP)

Uranium Production (2022): 2,813 Tonnes

BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP) is an Australian multinational mining and metals company. As a major resources company, it produces iron ore, coal, copper, gold, nickel, and uranium. BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP) has over 90 locations around the world. As one of the biggest uranium-producing companies in the world, BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP) produced 2,813 tonnes of uranium in 2022 to provide about 6% of the global uranium supply.

7. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)

Uranium Production (2022): 3,247 Tonnes

The China National Nuclear Corporation is a Chinese state-owned enterprise. The corporation owns a complete uranium exploration, mining, and milling system. Accounting for 7% of the global uranium production, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) produced 3,247 tonnes of uranium in 2022.

6. Navoi Mining and Metallurgy Combinat

Uranium Production (2022): 3,300 Tonnes

Navoi Mining and Metallurgy Combinat is a state-owned company in Uzbekistan. It is one of Uzbekistans largest mining companies and it also ranks high among the worlds largest uranium and gold producers. The companys most important ore deposits are located in the Kyzyl Kum Desert. In 2022, Navoi Mining and Metallurgy Combinat produced 3,300 tonnes of Uranium. It ranks 6th on our list of the top 10 uranium-producing companies in the world.

Click to continue reading and see Top 5 Uranium Producing Companies In The World.

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Disclosure: None. Top 10 Uranium Producing Companies In The World is published on Insider Monkey.
Marking the end of an era and almost 100 years after they first appeared on the streets of Ireland, eir - Irelands leading telecommunications company - today announced that the removal of the last remaining payphone boxes across Ireland will take place over the coming months. As a tribute to the end of the payphone era, eir has restored a 100-year-old 'K1' kiosk, the first type of payphone box introduced in Ireland, for public exhibition later this year. The kiosk is one of only seven known examples in Ireland or the UK and will be donated to preserve a part of Irish heritage.

Since their introduction, payphone boxes have been a familiar sight on the streets of Ireland, serving the public before the advent of mobile phones, and at a time when landline phones were an exception rather than the rule in Irish homes. The Universal Service Obligation (USO) for the Provision of Public Payphones was removed in 2020 due to steady decline in usage. At their peak, approximately 3,300 payphone boxes dotted the Irish landscape, complemented by over 5,000 indoor units.

Since the removal of the USO, eir has implemented programmes to repurpose this legacy infrastructure and retain the space for community service where possible. Six of the iconic concrete Posts & Telegraphs (P&T) kiosks now house life-saving defibrillators. Adding to the community-centric approach, two towns have creatively adapted newer aluminium kiosks into tourist pods, offering leaflets and information about local places of interest, and one has been transformed into a religious shrine.

In a push towards sustainable energy solutions, eir in partnership with EasyGo are installing 142 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. To date, 76 rapid electric vehicle chargers have been installed, with an additional 66 on the way. Furthermore, 60 payphones have already been transformed into digital kiosks which are designed to play a role that is more suitable to city life today, not only as a point of connectivity, but as an information system for the local authorities services including mapping systems for visitors and locals. Of the 105 remaining kiosks, 11 will become digital pedestals, while the other 94 are set to be removed by the end of the year.

Pictured were eir's CEO Oliver Loomes and Managing Director of open eir Networks, Una Stafford. Picture: Fennells

eirs CEO Oliver Loomes said: The public payphone was an important part of our lives for generations and it is fitting that to mark this, we have carefully refurbished one of the original phone boxes and we plan to donate it to a cultural institution where it can be preserved as an integral part of our national heritage. We've taken deliberate steps, in collaboration with communities and local authorities, to thoughtfully transition this legacy infrastructure. Our goal has been over the past four years to find the best ways to repurpose or preserve these kiosks, directly involving the communities they serve. We are pleased that more than 200 sites will now keep people connected via new digital pedestals or electric car charging points. The programme complements our ongoing investment of 250 million a year building out a world class fibre broadband and 5G mobile network across Ireland.

Una Stafford Managing Director open eir Networks, commented: "The removal of the last payphone boxes by the end of this year is a symbolic step towards a more connected, digital future. While we close this chapter in Ireland's telecommunication history, we open another, focusing on innovative solutions that align with the needs of our communities and the environment. The phase-out decision was based on extensive analysis of usage patterns, with data showing a consistent decrease in demand. eir remains dedicated to ensuring accessible communication for everyone, continually investing in digital infrastructure upgrades.
Despite a freeze on police discipline cases, the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department late Thursday issued a lengthy, stern critique of the city agency that probes police misconduct, accusing investigators of leaning on personal opinions and speculation.

That leads to unfairness, Superintendent Larry Snelling said.

When we speculate, when we add our personal opinions, then those penalties become punitive and unfair and unfair to the officers, Snelling said. What were seeing are egregious penalties for extremely minor infractions. Now, oftentimes when I go through these reports, I agree that the infraction should have been sustained, but a 30-day (or) 90-day suspension is egregious.

In the last eight weeks, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability has recommended the Police Department fire 28 officers  an unprecedented number, CPDs top attorney told the Chicago Police Board. But the avalanche of new disciplinary cases now sitting with Snelling is a byproduct of the City Councils decision to approve most of the new CPD union contract last year  unanimously, without a single question posed to city negotiators.

The latest case findings and recommendations from COPA  19 of which were sent to Snellings office in a single day, Jan. 27  came as Police Board cases remain frozen and the legal fight continues over the future of police discipline in Chicago.

And though the board did not take action on any cases, the dozen or so meeting attendees were offered a rare glimpse of policy-based discord between the heads of two city departments. Thursdays meeting lasted about an hour, twice as long as usual.

Since he was named superintendent last year, Snellings updates to the public during police board meetings have largely concerned CPD staffing levels, crime trends and notable arrests. In his address Thursday, though, Snelling leveled heavy criticism of COPAs practices for more than 10 minutes and accused investigators of injecting personal biases into police misconduct cases.

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After reviewing the investigation that was provided by COPA, weve seen personal opinions and speculation in making these decisions on sustaining a case of misconduct against an officer, Snelling said. Personal opinions, speculation should not be a part of the investigation.

Yolanda Talley, CPDs chief of internal affairs, and Scott Spears, CPDs chief legal counsel, largely echoed Snellings sentiments in their own statements to the board. Spears noted that the 28 separation cases the Police Department received in the first two months of 2024 nearly matches 2023s total of 32. Those 28 new case findings and recommendations  each of which requires approximately 40 hours to review  will be handled by just five sergeants assigned to CPDs office of legal affairs, Spears added.

Andrea Kersten, COPAs chief administrator, said the deluge of cases recently sent to Snellings office was not a mistake. That was by design.

We were given, as was the bureau of internal affairs, a 45-day window after the collective bargaining agreement governing the Fraternal Order of Police was signed in December to conclude every investigation thats over 18 months old, otherwise perhaps forfeit the entirety of that case, Kersten told the Police Board and CPD officials.

Youll never again have a day in January where you receive a whole bunch of separation recommendations on our oldest, most difficult cases, but that was the situation that COPA was placed in by the nature of that collective bargaining agreement, Kersten said. Theres a very sensible timeline now set out in the FOP contract. Thats good, thats important for accountability.

Kersten also stressed that COPA does not, in fact, impose discipline against CPD officers, but instead presents findings and recommendations to department officials and the Police Board.

Police Board cases play out similarly to criminal trials, but the board is involved in only the most severe instances of misconduct  those where the superintendent calls for an officer to be suspended for at least a year or fired from the CPD. After the superintendent files administrative charges against an officer, an evidentiary hearing is scheduled. The hearings typically last one to four days and involve witness testimony and exhibits, but they are not overseen by a judge. Instead, a hearing officer oversees the matter to ensure that procedure is followed.

Evidentiary hearings are recorded on audio and video, and the nine members of the Police Board review the footage and hearing transcripts before voting on whether an officer is guilty of the charges. If an officer is found guilty by a majority of board members, then the board will hand down punishment.

The entire process  from the time an officer is charged to the boards final decision  often takes several months to complete, if not longer. If the board votes to fire an officer, the officer can appeal in Cook County Circuit Court.

The latest dispute over police discipline stems from contract negotiations between the city and FOP last summer. The arbitrator overseeing those talks, Edwin Benn, issued an award to the union that granted officers accused of serious misconduct a choice in how their cases would be adjudicated. As public sector employees represented by a collective bargaining unit, Benn said, CPD officers have the right to have misconduct cases decided by a third party outside of public view  a departure from 60 years of precedent.

In December, Mayor Brandon Johnson opted to split the contract proposal into two votes. The first  described as the economic package, a misnomer  was unanimously approved by alders without any questions posed to city negotiators. That package provides CPD officers with a 20% raise over four years, while also creating a new disciplinary mechanism to more quickly adjudicate minor misconduct cases.

The second package, which only deals with the most serious cases of misconduct, was voted down twice by alders, most recently in January. The FOP has since filed a lawsuit against the city, asking a judge to order the arbitration award into effect. Judge Michael Mullen placed a pause on all pending Police Board cases until Feb. 25, and the next hearing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 26.

During Thursdays Police Board meeting, Snelling appeared to endorse the disciplinary process remaining open to the public.

I dont believe anything needs to be done behind closed doors, Snelling said.
A fundraiser for a Ballinrobe mum who is battling stage 4 cancer has raised almost 66,000.

Shannon McDonald's father Paul and sister Mariah set up a GoFundMe page to help support her through her long battle with cancer.

Shannon is turning 31 next month and is a young mum to Alanna who is only eight-years-old.

Shannon's was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, the following year the cancer had spread near the oesophagus and in they 2023 they found it had spread to the collarbone and neck area. Shannon has been receiving a targeted treatment called Herceptin throughout her journey.

Shannon has started treatment at University Hospital Galway.

"We have received devastating news that Shannon's cancer is now stage 4 and terminal," the notice read. "Shannon is ready for the fight of her life and we as a family are not willing to give up on her.

"We are in contact with consultants and doctors in Germany, Holland and Spain about alternative treatment plans, they seem positive and ready to help Shannon on this fight.

"It will be very expensive so we are asking for your help in any way possible big or small please help Shannon on this battle ahead and help us to try and give more time and hope to Shannon, her little girl and family.

"Shannon has started treament in Galway University Hospital to keep the cancer stable but we have been told it is non-curable in Ireland. She will not be able to receive anymore radiotherapy."

Shannon thanked everyone who has kindly donate so far.

"There's not enough words to thank you all for the overwhelming love, kindess and support that I have felt from you all over the past few days," Shannon said.

"I will truly never be able to thank you all enough for what you have all done for me, I am keeping myself postive and head strong because I know I have a big battle ahead of me and with all of your help your making this possible to help save my life. From the bottom of my heart and my families we thank you all so much and continue to be so so grateful for all your love, support and kindness throughout my journey."

You can kindly donate to Sharon's GoFundMe by clicking here.
On March 8th next, which is International Women's Day, Ireland will vote on whether to amend the "woman in the home" clause in Bunreacht na hEireann. This referendum represents the latest milestone in our country's gradual evolution away from traditional mores concerning gender roles. Irish society, reflecting the European model, continues to move towards more progressive, egalitarian norms.

The 1937 constitution's controversial Article 41.2 specifies that "by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved". It asks the State to ensure that mothers are not "obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home".

There is much hand-wringing and breast-beating among apologists, but comprehending this clause requires understanding the context from which it emerged. In the 1930s, Ireland remained profoundly influenced by Catholicism, which permeated all facets of Irish life. The Church exercised enormous authority over Ireland's moral, social and political affairs.

Catholicism, at least in doctrinal principle, venerates the sanctity of motherhood and values women as nurturers devoted to raising children.

Stay-at-home mothers in the Ireland of 1937 were regarded as fulfilling God's will by selflessly dedicating themselves to familial caregiving. Irish society expected women to embrace maternal roles within domestic domains rather than competing against men in masculine realms of employment or governance.

Eamon de Valera led the drafting of Ireland's conservative Catholic-inspired constitution in consultation with senior clergymen. His vision aligned with Catholic teachings that wives should be subordinate helpmates to their husbands, managing households and children. However archaic such notions appear to our modern sensibilities, Ireland was not a cultural outlier in this regard.

The Constitution's clause concerning women's place in the home aimed to honour their significance as mothers and wives while ostensibly directing the State to support them financially so they would not be forced by poverty into the workplace. Given the ubiquity of Catholic influences, most Irish people in that era accepted this traditional arrangement as the natural, proper order.

However, in practice, in a male-dominated political culture, Ireland failed to deliver on the Constitution's promise to provide for women, enabling them to fulfil domestic duties full-time. The State gave mothers no allowances, childcare, tax credits, pensions, or protections. Despite Article 41.2's declaratory veneration of stay-at-home motherhood, successive Irish governments disregarded associated obligations to provide for women who eschewed employment for child-rearing. We bowed in deference to the ideal but shied away from the mundane details of women's lives.

The clause merely paid lip service to cherishing mothers in the home without backing it up substantially. Ensuring women remained dependent housewives appeared less important to officials than upholding the outward appearance of valuing their domestic contributions. In this respect, the State mirrored the misogyny of the Irish Church, never allowing their aspirational morals to interfere with financial realities.

This referendum may remove the sexist language, but once again fails to ensure carers - paid or unpaid, male or female - receive the state assistance their undervalued service deserves.

Over subsequent decades, as Ireland slowly modernised, this contradiction between mythologising motherhood and marginalising motherhood in all its expressions became increasingly glaring and indefensible. Mothers worked because economic realities required it, regardless of constitutional platitudes.

During the 20th century, Ireland experienced rising female participation in third-level education, public sector employment, and the workplace generally. Entry into the EEC in 1973 challenged assumptions about women's roles, as European anti-discrimination employment laws pressured Ireland to dismantle barriers for working women. The era of cold male dominance in the upper echelons of Irish society is happily at an end.

The women's liberation movement, access to contraception, and evolving social attitudes provided alternatives to the dominance of traditional teachings on womanhood. By the 1990s, Ireland's stay-at-home housewife ideal was already anachronistic. By the Celtic Tiger years, it seemed positively medieval.

Yet this constitutional clause praising women's domesticity endures. For 21st-century Ireland, the language appears jarringly outdated, even if it reflected mainstream attitudes when drafted 85 years ago. Contemporary Ireland bears little resemblance to de Valera's mid-20th century idyll, but have we truly changed in practice, and is the proposed amendment a hollow act of political virtue signalling?

For some older citizens, residual conservatism or nostalgia for tradition may stoke resistance to amending language that resonates with beloved national mythologies concerning Irish mothers. While paternalistic and sexist to modern ears, the sentiments reflect genuine esteem for mothers in their era.

This referendum asks voters if Ireland should completely abandon vestiges of that bygone culture that, at least in appearance, venerated women's maternal roles. The replacement wording utilises inclusive, gender-neutral terms acknowledging diverse family and caregiving arrangements. Rather than imposing external expectations on women, it emphasises recognising individuals' choices and valuing their contributions, whether in homes or workplaces.

The revised text, proposed by an all-party Oireachtas committee, reads:

"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."

This wording represents a definite change on paper, removing archaic gender stereotypes from Ireland's legal framework. It conveys respect for caregiving without limiting it to traditional motherhood. This revision aligns better with the realities of modern Ireland, reflecting European mores.

The sad truth is that little has changed - the new wording remains largely aspirational and toothless. While compelling in rhetoric, it doesn't legally compel the State to do anything substantive to support caregivers. Like the current clause, it placates carers with empty platitudes rather than entitlements or benefits. de Valera can turn comfortably in his grave.

The more substantial recommendations of the Citizens Assembly, containing enforceable requirements on the State to support all caregivers reasonably, were regrettably diluted. So once again, the Irish Government seems set to codify lofty words over meaningful action, preening in the spotlight of self-congratulatory progressivism. Lights, camera, no action.

So this referendum may remove the sexist language, but once again fails to ensure carers - paid or unpaid, male or female - receive the state assistance their undervalued service deserves. It swaps meaningless words for more pointless words. It's another tried and tested exercise in political window dressing. The tireless labours of Ireland's overlooked carers will remain largely unacknowledged and unsupported. Hopefully, on March 8th, they can park their care duties and let their ire be felt by casting their votes. The referendum will hint at the lie of political sentiment months before the 2024 general election.

The optics of holding what is an Irish constitutional referendum on International Women's Day speaks volumes about our Government's penchant for virtue signalling by association with an international audience. Our constitution, the bedrock of an independent state, should not be subject to change as political window dressing. It's a statement of the moral backbone of the State, not to be amended in a cynical PR exercise to appease foreign climes.

Nonetheless, eliminating the notion that women inherently belong in kitchens is unquestionably progressive, and no law should define a woman's place, duties, or supposed virtues. Irish mothers are no longer meekly obedient to a male-dominated political, professional and clerical hierarchy; they are doctors, executives, scientists, and politicians.

Ireland cannot build an equitable, opportunity-rich society while clinging to outdated stereotypes, so even symbolic victories matter. Although this referendum does little legally, it cleans away the cobwebs of discrimination.

By March 9th, Ireland's constitution might no longer declare that a woman's rightful place is primarily in the home because the citizens deem it proper. Irish women can finally abandon those moth-eaten bloomers for good.
By Cate McCurry, PA

RTE is considering transferring some of its Montrose site to the Land Development Agency (LDA) for social housing, according to Kevin Bakhurst.

The RTEs director general said he has held talks with the state body and the Government about the possibility of the LDA acquiring the land.

Mr Bakhurst said that as part of its plans to reduce the size of the organisation, the national broadcaster could also potentially sell parts of its campus in Donnybrook.

There are other things that could be valuably done with the site, whether we sell it or whether we look at is there something useful that could be done about social housing or whatever.

"We will look at that in due course, but thatll be over a period of years, he told Newstalks The Hard Shoulder show.

RTE has come under renewed pressure in recent weeks after it emerged that some of its former executives received exit payments (Niall Carson/PA)

We have talked to the Land Development Agency, we have talked to Government.

I think if we can get a proper public funding settlement that we can invest in all these things, I think there will be a merit in looking at is the land suitable for social housing or something similar, rather than us trying to sell it.

Asked about his future plans to restructure the broadcaster, Mr Bakhurst said he wants a smaller organisation and one that will produce more projects outside the capital.

He said Cork is becoming a major production centre for RTE.

Its also about investing much more with the independent sector and becoming a creative driving force for Ireland, so that the money that comes into RTE is not spent within RTE alone, but its actually spent with our brilliant independent producers around the country, the director general added.

Meanwhile, Mr Bakhurst said he and the Minister for Media Catherine Martin have agreed to explore the potential of putting caps on exit payments.

He said he wants to ensure that exit payments are exceptional and transparent.

And also if there is a way of exploring less use of confidentiality agreements, but as the report today makes clear, thats a very common thing in a legal settlement, Mr Bakhurst added.

But I said to the minister that I would certainly go away and look at all those options. But when I took external legal advice over the last couple of days about that, the advice was, you need to be quite careful.

RTE has come under renewed pressure in recent weeks after it emerged that some of its former executives received exit payments.

There have been demands from across the political landscape to disclose details of the exit payments. However, legal advice has warned against such disclosure.

Mr Bakhurst said that putting a cap on payments under voluntary exit schemes could have an impact on junior staff.

I think its really clear RTE is going to have to be a smaller organisation. Weve talked about voluntary exit schemes, he added.

If we put a cap on payments under those schemes in place, for example, it means that the burden would fall on more junior staff in terms of reducing headcount.

I want to be as fair as I can, and I dont want to tie the hands of the organisation. Because one of the messages Ive got very much is that there are some brilliant managers at RTE, but overall, theres probably too many.

Thats what I should be looking at, and Ive already said well try and target people earning over 100,000 a year. If you put a cap on exit packages, they wont take it.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  The head of the European Unions powerful Commission announced on Friday in Warsaw that decisions will be taken soon to release billions of euros to Poland, funds frozen by the bloc over the previous Polish government's anti-EU policies.

Ursula von der Leyen said she had good news and that the decision to release 137 billion euros (about $148 billion) will be made next week in Brussels. She spoke following talks with Polands Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who welcomed the announcement and said this "heap of money will be spent well.

I have this deep conviction as a Pole that we are restoring historic justice toward a country, toward a nation that in recent decades has done more for the rule of law, for democracy than anybody else in the world, Tusk said.

He was referring to Poland's history of ousting communist rule in 1989 and subsequently joining of NATO and the EU, as well as last year's parliamentary elections. The vote saw a record high turnout of over 74%, removed the EU-sceptic government and replaced it with a pro-EU one.

Von der Leyen said the EU leaders were impressed by your efforts and those of the Polish people to restore the rule of law as the backbone of your society,

These are momentous times in Poland for the promotion of democratic values, von der Leyen said.

She said the money will be coming from the EU's Next Generation fund meant to help bloc's members to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic downturn and also from the cohesion fund, that supports infrastructure development.

Some 1.4 billion euros ( $1.5 billion) will go to the farmers who are protesting tax-free imports of neighboring Ukraine's produce into Europe, saying that brings down their prices and undercuts their livelihood.

Tusk, a former EU Council chief, had hinted earlier this week that steps his government was taking to reverse the questionable policies of its right-wing predecessors would soon allow for the bloc to release the funds.

Brussels froze pandemic recovery and cohesion funds for Poland amid a standoff with the previous EU-sceptic administration. It also launched a process that could lead to sanctions on any EU member disrespecting the democratic values of the 27-member bloc.

Shortly after Tusk's pro-EU Cabinet took office in December, Brussels released some 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) for Poland for clean energy projects. Poland is to hold local elections in April, which could further strengthen the current governments standing across the country.

Von der Leyen was accompanied on the visit by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, whose country currently hold EU presidency. The two EU officials and Tusk also discussed European security issues and support for Ukraine as it's fending off Russias invasion.

Standing next to Tusk and von der Leyen, De Croo commended the Poles for having embarked with determination on a path back toward EU values and policies.

Poland's pro-European coalition of three center-left parties led by Tusk won parliamentary elections Oct.15 and took over in December, succeeding a right-wing government of Law and Justice that had ruled for eight years and introduced changes to the justice system, reproductive rights in Poland and the media that put Warsaw on a collision course with the EU.
MT. PENN BOROUGH, Pa.  The Antietam School Board voted at a special meeting Thursday night to award a traffic impact and off-site parking study for the Mount Penn Primary Center at 201 N. 25th St. in Mount Penn.

The $14,400 contract was awarded to Heinrich & Klein Associates Inc., Ambler, Montgomery County.

The district received two bids for the study. The other was from Traffic Planning and Design Inc. for $65,000.

The study is part of the district's attempt at fast-tracking the plan for a reconfiguration of its school buildings for the start of the 2024-25 school year.

The plan is needed to get the students back into district buildings following a devasting flood on July 9 which left the Antietam Middle Senior High School unusable.

The traffic study will specifically look at nine borough intersections:

Where Endlich Avenue intersects with Perkiomen, Filbert and Carsonia avenues, Philmay Terrace and North 25th Street.

Where North 25th Street intersects with Perkiomen and Filbert avenues, Philmay Terrace and North 23rd Street.

Prior to the special voting meeting to award the contract, the board held a Committee of the Whole meeting where Superintendent Heidi Rochlin reviewed the plans for the new school district.

The district plans to place the ninth through 12 grade students in the Primary Center, which will require an $11.3 million renovation project. Grades three through eight will attend the Mount Penn Elementary Center, 2310 Cumberland St. Kindergarten through second grade will be in the building at 705 Friedensburg Road, Lower Alsace Township. That building is currently used as a pre-K center for the Berks County Intermediate Unit.

Phil Leinbach from AEM Architects said the construction project for the Primary Center has already been put out for bid and work could begin as early as April, with the majority of the construction taking place during the summer.

Rochlin said the district is aggressively pursuing nine state and federal grants which could potentially fund a large portion of the project.

Also during the Committee of the Whole, Rochlin told the board the borough is requesting the district put together a parking policy for the Primary Center which would require staff to fill up parking at the building before they park on the surrounding streets.
READING, Pa. - Police in Reading are looking for a missing 12-year-old girl.

Delilah Rivera did not return home from school Thursday, according to a Facebook post by the Reading Police Department.

She is 5-foot-2 and was last seen wearing baggy blue jeans with a Rick and Morty button up shirt, police said.

Police say her phone was found on Palm Court.

Anyone who has any information can call the Reading Police Department at 610-655-6116.
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - Police in Quakertown, Bucks County, have a warning for business owners: Watch out for counterfeit $100 bills.

Two businesses have received fake Benjamins, and now, police are on the hunt to find the person or people who are scamming them.

"It was a shock," said Quakertown Borough Police Officer Ryan Hawke.

Hawke spoke on behalf of the two downtown businesses that received the bogus bucks.

"We're in a downtown region. We're in a very good area," added Hawke. "They're not expecting the $100 bill to come in counterfeit."

He wouldn't identify which two, but he says the owners found out the bills were bogus when checked at an area bank.

It's not the first time this has happened in the borough, but he says it's the first time in a long time.

"Because it's not as frequent as they expect, the bills can actually get through the cracks if the employee is not trained or the business owner doesn't recognize it," he added.

One way criminals are able to scam business owners is by taking a large bill and "washing" it, so it appears as a larger one. That's making those counterfeit detection pens less reliable.

"Basically, change the amounts and the image on it to a higher denomination. It's the real paper, but it's, obviously, not the correct denomination, and that can kind of slip through the cracks," explained Hawke. "These pens are marking on the washed bills, because they are, in fact, real bills."

$100 bills have five key security features people should recognize. They include a 3D security ribbon, bell in the inkwell, color shifting numeral, watermark, and security thread. Hawke says banks are also encouraging business owners to invest in UV blue light systems which may better detect any fakes.

As for the businesses that already have already fallen victim to the scam, police plan to collect surveillance footage -- and to see if it happens anywhere else -- to pinpoint their suspect.

"Yes, that's the main source of these investigations. Like, 'hey, when was this bill used?' Usually, if you're passing your $100 bill, the employee will remember the transaction and when it happened," said Hawke.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  The office of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) says the congressman recently traveled to meet with the leaders of Ukraine and Israel as both countries continue to fight wars against Russia and Hamas, respectively.

Fitzpatrick says he visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he hopes to show a commitment to democracy and supporting American allies abroad.

Read Fitzpatrick's full statement below:

"In my travel to Ukraine, I met with my friend, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In our discussion, I promised I would do whatever necessary to pass our bipartisan bill providing urgently needed military aid to Ukraine and protecting democracy in the region.

As part of my briefings, I also received status updates on the war from Ukrainian military and intelligence officials. The briefings highlighted the need for additional military aid on the frontlines to protect Ukrainian borders against ruthless dictator, Vladimir Putin.

Additional meetings included a discussion with U.S. Ambassador Brink on the role of the U.S. in the region, visiting brave Ukrainian soldiers and veterans, and participating in a public lecture about U.S. Support for Ukraine.

I then visited Israel where I received briefings on operations in Gaza, including meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the role of the U.S. in this war.

While in Israel, I also attended security briefings as part of my role on the Intelligence Committee. These meetings with Israeli defense and intelligence officials provided insights into addressing national security and intelligence-related matters in the region.

Hamas wants to wipe Israel from the face of the earth. Congress has a moral obligation to continue to provide defensive aid to our strongest democratic ally in the Middle East.

The United States must never waver from supporting freedom and democracy throughout the world, period."
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. - Thieves are targeting cars in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

Police say one car was stolen and attempts were made to steal others early Thursday morning.

It all happened between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. in the 300 block of Thomas and Warren streets, and the 100 block of Broad Street.

Police are urging residents to be on high alert, especially those who own Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

Those brands are being targeted because they often lack anti-theft technology.

Anyone who saw suspicious activity or has surveillance cameras in those areas is asked to call P'burg police.
The Supreme Court took up a question of how truckers might be defined under the Federal Arbitration Act. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

The never-ending question of defining the employment status of a truck driver, key to battles over Californias AB5 and the U.S. Department of Labors recent independent contractor status regulation, was on display this week at the U.S Supreme Court.

The issue at hand wasnt specifically whether a driver should be considered an employee or an independent contractor, but the question of the reach of the Federal Arbitration Act and its treatment of transportation workers came very close to that contentious subject.

The court on Tuesday heard arguments in the case of Bissonnette et al. vs. LePage Bakeries et al. The et al with Neal Bissonnette is Tyler Wojnarowski. Both were truck drivers who had purchased distribution rights for Flowers Foods.

The three defendants are Flowers Foods (NYSE: FLO), its subsidiary LePage Bakeries and CK Sales, a subsidiary of LePage.

Bissonnette and Wojnarowski distributed products made by Flowers, such as Wonder Bread. Court documents describe the men as franchisees that each entered into a Distribution Agreement with CK Sales, through which they acquired certain distribution rights in exchange for monetary consideration.

The initial lawsuit filed by Bissonnette and Wojnarowski, according to a document in the appeal of the lower court ruling, was over a claim against Flowers of unpaid or withheld wages, unpaid overtime wages and unjust enrichment pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act and Connecticut wage laws.

A key issue: Arbitration agreements were signed

There is no dispute over one fact in the case: Bissonnette and Wojnarowski did sign arbitration agreements with Flowers. But the argument of the two men is that the agreements are unenforceable under a loophole in the Federal Arbitration Act, which was adopted in 1925. Flowers argued at the lower court level that arbitration should be pursued given the agreements signed by the two drivers.

The loophole is a provision in the act given to seamen, railroad employees or any other class of workers engaged in foreign or interstate commerce. That definition over the years has come to be defined as including other transportation workers.

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Those workers could take their disputes to court because of the loophole, whereas other workers who had signed arbitration agreements would need to settle disputes through that process.

In the request for Supreme Court review, attorneys for Bissonnette and Wojnarowski summed up the initial dispute, which touches on the question of defining an independent contractor.

Having characterized its truck drivers as independent contractors, Flowers decided it could withdraw its own operating expenses from its drivers paychecks, charge them for the privilege of working for the company, and decline to pay them overtime  none of which, the plaintiffs allege, is legal, the request states.

The plaintiffs arguments also were that the interstate commerce workers inclusion in the language meant that they should be able to take advantage of the loophole given that at the very least some of the products they were delivering originated outside Connecticut, hence they were interstate workers.

In May 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut came down on the side of Flowers and its subsidiaries.

In a decision that turned partly on the definition of worker status, the court concluded that Bissonnette and Wojnarowski were not employees. The two men had a much broader scope of responsibility that belies the claim that they are only or even principally truck drivers, Judge Kari Dooley wrote. Rather, because the Plaintiffs purchase and own the territories comprising their routes, their distribution efforts are the means by which they realize and increase sales and profits for their franchise businesses.

Since they were not transportation workers  and in fact not workers at all but owners of a business  they accordingly must be compelled to arbitrate their claims pursuant to the Arbitration Agreement incorporated in their Distributor Agreements, Dooley wrote.

Bakery workers, not truck drivers

In an appeal to the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, Flowers and the subsidiaries won again. But the basis for the decision handed down in May 2022 was different from that of the lower court: The workers were bakery workers, not transportation workers, so they could not invoke the loophole in the Federal Arbitration Act, which applies only to transportation workers.

The Supreme Court accepts less than 2% of all requests for review. It often looks not just for key issues but areas where circuit court cases are in conflict with each other. (But that doesnt always matter either).

Circuit cases still in disagreement

In the request for review from Bissonnette and Wojnarowski, several cases are cited as being in conflict with the 2nd Circuits decision in the Flowers case. Even in that decision, the circuit was split; Judge Rosemary Pooler, who died in August, said the movement of goods through interstate commerce is a central part of the plaintiffs occupation as truckers, and that she would have held that they were engaged in interstate commerce and could use the loophole.

The 2nd Circuit rejected a request for a full en banc hearing. But there were dissents on that decision, too, and the judges favoring a full hearing said they expressly reject the notion  that the industry in which an employer operates, rather than the work that the employee does, determines whether the employee belongs to a class of workers engaged in foreign or interstate commerce. In the case of Bissonnette, the question is whether the two plaintiffs were in the transportation business, and could avoid arbitration, or whether they were in the bakery business.

Among the complicating factors is a case known as Southwest Airlines vs. Saxon. In June 2022, after the 2nd Circuit decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a ramp worker at the airline, holding that she was a transportation worker and could invoke the Arbitration Act. Thats what Bissonnette and Wojnarowski want decided in their case.

In an email sent out after the arguments at the high court, Scopelitis attorneys Braden Core and Prasad Shama noted one aspect of the arguments that is particularly important to the trucking industry.

The Courts ruling could have an impact on private motor carriers whose principal business is something other than transportation (i.e., retailers), they wrote.

They noted another aspect to the case as well, though it isnt being heard at the Supreme Court: Do final-mile deliveries constitute interstate commerce that would trigger the Arbitration Act exemption?

If the case goes back to the lower courts, counsel for the drivers made it clear that while that would be an issue in the case on remand, determining what it means to be engaged in interstate commerce is not presently before the Court, the Scopelitis attorneys wrote.

A Reuters report from the Supreme Court said statements made by the justices suggested sympathy with the plaintiffs arguments.

The Reuters report said Justice Samuel Alito indicated that focusing on what an employer does, rather than a workers job duties, would create confusion.

It really imposes a difficult burden and it would seem to me  youd have a conflict among the lower courts in considering how this applies, Alito said, according to the Reuters report. He raised the issue of Amazon, saying it would be difficult to determine if a dispute in its transportation operations would define those activities as being involved in transportation  where the Arbitration Act loophole could come into play  or retailing.

More articles by John Kingston

Californias AB5 argument: Trucking in state hasnt become chaotic

NLRB decision in opera case favors defining workers as employees, not ICs

Live on stage: The complex relationship between a trucking job and life

The post If truckers haul bread and cakes, is their business baking or trucking? appeared first on FreightWaves.
POHATCONG TWP., N.J.  A Warren County priest has been arrested after he allegedly stole from a Walmart and drove drunkenly to flee police.

According to Pohatcong Township Police, officers were dispatched to the Route 22 Walmart around 10:17 p.m. Monday for a shoplifting in progress.

After a store employee directed police to the thief's vehicle, police attempted to stop the suspect  who was later identified as 39-year-old Dawid Weinerowski, of the 800 block of Fifth Avenue in Alpha Borough.

St. Mary Roman Catholic Church  where Weinerowski as a priest  is located at 830 Fifth Ave. in Alpha.

According to police, Weinerowski drove away when police attempted to conduct a traffic stop and erratically led officers on a chase through the Parkside section of Pohatcong Township.

Police said Weinerowski's vehicle came to a stop in the front yard of a home on Liberty Boulevard, after which he was arrested and removed from the vehicle. Goods stolen from Walmart and open containers of alcohol were found in the vehicle, according to police.

Police said Weinerowski submitted to a breathalyzer test and was found to have a BAC of 0.21%  nearly three times the legal limit for driving in New Jersey.

For his alleged actions, Weinerowski is charged with shoplifting, eluding police, driving while intoxicated, open container and multiple traffic offenses.

St. Mary Roman Catholic Church has not commented publicly on Weinerowski's arrest.
PARIS (AP)  When France hosts grandiose ceremonies commemorating D-Day, the heroic role of Missak Manouchian and other foreigners among French Resistance fighters in World War II is often overlooked. French President Emmanuel Macron sought to change that Wednesday by inducting Manouchian into the country's Pantheon national monument.

A poet who took refuge in France after surviving the massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks, Manouchian was executed in 1944 for being a leader in the resistance to the Nazi occupation.

Macron praised Manouchians love for France to the point of giving his life" in a speech at the Pantheon, the resting place of France's most revered figures, in the presence of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

He wanted to be a poet, he became a soldier in the shadows, Macron said.

The moving tribute also honored 23 other members of Manouchian's Resistance group. Their names, to be mentioned on a commemorative plaque, were read one by one, followed by the phrase Died for France," a high honor in the country.

This is how great men in France live for eternity, Macron said.

The coffins of Manouchian and his wife, Melinee, both covered with the French flag, were carried in the street in front of the Pantheon by soldiers of the Foreign Legion.

Melinee, also a member of the Resistance who survived the war, will be buried alongside her husband.

The move comes as France gets ready to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day this year in the presence of heads of states and World War II veterans.

Historian Denis Peschanski, who led efforts to honor Manouchians memory, said Wednesday's ceremony was above all an homage to all foreign Resistance fighters.

On Tuesday, a homage was held at Mont Valerien, where Manouchian and his group members were shot by the Nazis. The site has become a memorial to French WWII fighters. The Holocaust Memorial in Paris also was holding an exhibit in his honor

Born in 1906 in the then-Ottoman empire, Manouchian lost both his parents during the massacre of some 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915-1916. Scholars widely view the event as the first genocide of the 20th century, but Turkey denies that the events constituted genocide and says the number of people killed was much lower.

Manouchian was sent to an orphanage in Lebanon, then a French protectorate, where he discovered French language and culture.

He came to France in 1924. Living in Paris, he wrote poetry and took literature and philosophy classes at the Sorbonne University  while working in factories and doing other odd jobs.

He joined the communist party in the early 1930s within the MOI (Immigrant Workforce Movement) group and became editor-in-chief of a newspaper for the Armenian community.

During World War II, he joined the French Resistance as a political activist with the then-underground MOI group.

In 1943, he became a military chief in the armed organization of the communist party, the FTP-MOI group of about 60 Resistance fighters that gathered many foreigners from Armenia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and Spain, including many Jewish people.

Manouchian is the first foreign and first communist Resistance fighter to be inducted into the Pantheon, Peschanski noted.

His group led dozens of anti-Nazi attacks and sabotage operations in and around Paris between August and November 1943, including the assassination of a top German colonel.

Tracked down by the French police of the Vichy regime that collaborated with Nazi Germany, Manouchian was arrested on Nov. 16, 1943 along with most of the groups members. He was sentenced to death in Feb. 1944.

Nazi propaganda officers ordered a poster to be made with the photos and names of 10 Resistance fighters, including Manouchian, displayed in Paris and other French cities.

The so-called Red Poster sought to discredit them as Jews, foreigners and criminals, and Manouchian was "obviously the first target," Peschanski said. Yet the campaign didn't convince the French population, he said: The poster, while aiming to present them as assassins, made them heroes.

In his last letter to his wife, Manouchian wrote: At the moment of death, I proclaim that I have no hatred for the German people ... The German people, and all other people will live in peace and brotherhood after the war.

French poet Louis Aragon wrote a poem in 1955 inspired by the letter that singer Leo Ferre set to music under the title LAffiche Rouge ("The Red Poster"), keeping the memory alive and making the song a French standard.

During Wednesday's ceremony, French rock band Feu! Chatterton performed the song, while a big reproduction of the Red Poster was set up in front of the Pantheon.

A lighting show on the monument's facade recounted Manouchian's life. The homage also included touching excerpts from his letters and notebooks.

Missak Manouchian, you enter here as a soldier with your comrades, those of the poster, of the Mont Valerien ... and with all your band of brothers who died for France, Macron said.

Recent research about Manouchian brought to light the fact that dozens of the 185 foreigners shot to death by the Nazis at Mont Valerien had not been officially declared Morts pour la France ("Died for France")  "mostly because they were foreigners," Peschanski noted. The French presidency said the issue was addressed last year to give them the honor.

The Pantheon is the resting place of 83 people  76 men and seven women  including Manouchian and his wife.

Most recently, Josephine Baker  the U.S.-born entertainer, anti-Nazi spy and civil rights activist became the first Black woman to receive France's highest honor, in 2021.
DENVER  A former funeral home owner accused of keeping a woman's corpse in the back of a hearse for two years and hoarding the cremated remains of 35 people has been arrested, authorities said.

Thursday night's arrest of Miles Harford, 33, is the latest allegation of misconduct by Colorado funeral home owners, a string that includes the discovery of nearly 200 decomposing bodies in a bug-infested funeral home facility last year. The horrifying finds have underscored the laxness of state funeral home regulations and pressed lawmakers to try to strengthen the laws.

A grisly scene of urns stashed around the Harford property, from the crawl space to inside the hearse where the 63-year-old woman's body lay, was uncovered in early February during a court-ordered eviction at his home, police said. While searching the property, police opened the door of the hearse to a foul odor, seeing the outline of the human body seemingly strapped to the gurney and covered by blankets, according to the arrest affidavit.

Harford owned Apollo Funeral & Cremation Services in the Denver suburb of Littleton, police said, and the hoarded cremains appear to be those of people who died from 2012 to 2021. The funeral home has been closed since September 2022.

A warrant lists potential charges of abuse of a corpse, forgery of the death certificate, and theft of the money paid for the womans cremation, though Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said previously that other charges are possible.

Police interviewed a seemingly cooperative Harford the day after the Feb. 6 discovery, the arrest affidavit shows. Denver Police Cmdr. Matt Clark previously said that Harford acknowledged to police that he owed money to several crematories in the area and that none would cremate the woman's body, so he decided to store it in the hearse. The deceased woman's family told investigators they were given what they believed were the womans ashes, which have been turned over to a medical examiners office.

Other Colorado funeral homes have allegedly sent fake ashes to grieving families.

When an arrest warrant was issued for Harford on Feb. 12, however, the suspect didn't turn himself in. By Thursday, police still couldn't find him and offered a $2,000 award for information leading to his arrest.

Authorities were able to possibly establish the identity of 18 individual cremains, according to the arrest affidavit. Police also discovered online reviews of the funeral home with a number of complaints. The families cited poor communication from the company in giving back the remains of their loved ones. One family said they received ashes in an urn labeled with the wrong name, the document shows.

Available court documents did not yet list a defense attorney who could comment on Harford's behalf. No voicemail was set up at a telephone listing for Harford, and he has not responded to emails seeking comment.

Harford's arrest follows the discovery of 190 decaying bodies in a building run by the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado, about two hours south of Denver.

A married couple who owned Return to Nature are awaiting trial in Colorado Springs following their arrest last year on allegations they abused corpses and gave fake ashes to relatives of the deceased. The operators of another funeral home in the western Colorado city of Montrose received federal prison sentences last year for mail fraud after they were accused of selling body parts and distributing fake ashes.

More than two dozen additional criminal cases and complaints involving Colorado funeral homes since 2007 were detailed in a January report to lawmakers from state regulators. The cases included mishandled bodies, mislabeled remains, ashes never being returned to families and improper embalming of bodies.

In the Colorado House committee hearing Wednesday, the executive director of the state agency that oversees funeral homes, Patty Salazar, said that current laws and regulations have failed people in Colorado, and there is a general understanding that the state needs to do better. Other states run annual inspections of funeral homes and require those who operate them to pass a test or get a degree in mortuary science. No such rules exist in Colorado.

After hearing recommendations on strengthening regulations, the bipartisan group of lawmakers unanimously voted to introduce a bill that would bring Colorados regulations more in line with nearly all other states.

The bill will be formally introduced in the coming weeks and would require routine inspections of funeral homes, including after a homes registration has expired. It would also give the agency that oversees the industry greater enforcement power. An expected second proposal would require stricter qualification requirements for those who run funeral homes.

The Colorado Funeral Directors Association has generally voiced support for these two proposals.
Federal regulators have granted Native American tribes more power to block hydropower projects on their land after a flurry of applications were filed to expand renewable energy in the water-scarce U.S. Southwest.

Previously, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted developers approval to move ahead with planning even if tribes objected. That practice came to an end last week. Now, a new commission policy allows tribes to quickly veto proposals, forcing businesses to cooperate with them if they want the federal government to grant exclusive rights to their hydropower projects.

This is the acknowledgement and respect of tribal sovereignty, which is critical, said George Hardeen, spokesperson for the Navajo Nations presidents office.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently rejected seven proposals for projects on the Navajo Nation, which stretches 27,000 square miles (69,000 square kilometers) across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. When it issued those rejections, the commission also announced the policy change, handing tribes the same power as federal agencies to block projects.

It applies anywhere that a hydropower project might be proposed on tribal lands throughout the United States," said Aaron Paul, an attorney with Grand Canyon Trust, a conservation group.

The Hopi Tribe, which is completely surrounded by Navajo, urged the commission to cement the policy announcement in a formal rule, worrying a different administration would be less favorable to tribes and change the policy.

The pumped hydropower projects are essentially big batteries that generate energy when demand is high and there aren't a lot of other renewable sources like solar and wind available. Hydropower can be turned on when it is needed and works by releasing water from an upper reservoir to a lower one.

Later, when the electric grid has excess power, water is pumped in a loop back up to the higher reservoir, recharging the battery.

Developers have expressed new interest in building these pumped hydropower projects as coal-fired plants shut down in the Southwest. The canyons, towering mesas and dramatic river valleys in the area are ideal terrain because the projects require moving water between different elevations.

Environmental groups and some members of the Navajo Nation argue the projects require enormous amounts of water in a part of the country that already doesn't have enough. Roughly one-third of the 175,000 people on the Navajo Nation dont have running water at home.

People are sensitive to how scarce water is, and they would more likely say no to these kinds of projects, Hardeen said.

Some of the proposals that were rejected came from Nature and People First. For example, the company told federal regulators it wanted to build the Black Mesa East project on the Navajo reservation in Arizona that would have two upper reservoirs with a combined capacity of 100,000 acre-feet and a single, lower reservoir with the same total storage capacity. An acre-foot of water serves two or three homes annually.

The project was proposed near a home site lease that Jheremy Young's family has held for generations. He's happy the commission blocked it. The area around the mesa is rugged, quiet and vast, and water has to be hauled in.

Thats where my dad came from, thats where his father came from, Young said. The sentimental value of the land  the story, the history  were the biggest concern.

The Navajo Nation told federal regulators the company hadnt consulted with the correct tribal authorities or addressed key concerns about water use and harm to golden eagle and other species' habitats. Hardeen said now, developers will first need to go through the Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources.

Denis Payre, president and CEO of Nature and People First, said the commissions decision was undeniably disheartening. The company secured support from local Navajo communities and talked with Navajo government officials for a project he said would create jobs.

Developing pumped storage projects is inherently challenging; this additional obstacle threatens to halt our collective efforts, Payre said.

The company submitted a proposal for a much larger project than it intends to construct, giving it flexibility to build a smaller project on the piece of land it finds is best after study and tribal consultation.

That approach and using that amount of water engenders opposition, according to the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group.

If you are going to propose a small project, actually propose a small project, said Taylor McKinnon, the centers Southwest director.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission also rejected proposals from Rye Development, which said it values tribal consultation and will continue to study opportunities on tribal land.

Malcolm Woolf, president and CEO of the industry group National Hydropower Association, said he supports tribes right to stop unwanted projects. But he said the new policy could halt planning too soon.

The commission denied preliminary permits for the seven projects, which only recognize a business is first in line to develop a project and allows further studies. Developers have to consult with tribes before they can be granted a license and start building.

Companies dont want to navigate a complicated permitting process and spend years working with a tribe only for another business to swoop in and win rights to the project at the last minute, Woolf said.

One company quickly caught up in the new policy is Pumped Hydro Storage, which wants a preliminary permit for a project near the Little Colorado River on Navajo Nation land in Arizona. In light of its new policy, the commission asked for more input from those it potentially impacts before they decide what to do.

The companys manager, Steve Irwin, said pumped storage is important but hard to build on the Navajo Nation's land.

Theres no clear pathway to doing business on the reservation, Irwin said. Its almost like you have to have 100% unanimous consensus. Its not majority, its got to be 100%, and its like, you are never going to get 100%.

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
WASHINGTON  Donald Trump and Nikki Haley will face off Saturday in South Carolinas first-in-the-South Republican presidential primary, the first head-to-head matchup for the last two remaining major candidates since the New Hampshire primary a month ago.

The contest takes place on Haleys home turf. She was South Carolina's governor for six years before stepping down in 2017 to serve as U.N. ambassador when Trump was elected president. Despite her history, Haley faces strong headwinds in a state where Trump has the support of most of the party establishment, has held a substantial lead in recent polls and enjoys high popularity among the conservative base.

Both candidates have made sharp attacks against the other, with Trump using derisive nicknames for Haley and playing down her work in his Cabinet. Haley has increasingly questioned Trumps fitness for office, most recently criticizing his comments on Russia and NATO. It is a marked contrast from earlier in the campaign when she and other GOP hopefuls avoided criticizing Trump directly.

The South Carolina primary is usually an indicator of which candidate will win the Republican presidential nomination. Since the modern version of the states primary began in 1980, all but one GOP primary winner has gone on to win the partys nomination. The lone exception was Newt Gingrich in 2012.

A look at what to expect on election night:

PRIMARY DAY

The primary will be held Saturday and polls will close statewide at 7 p.m. EST.

WHATS ON THE BALLOT

The ballot will list Ryan Binkley, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, David Stuckenberg, and Trump.

WHO GETS TO VOTE

South Carolina has an open primary system, which means any registered voter may participate in any partys primary. But voters may only participate in one partys presidential primary, so people who voted in the Democratic primary on Feb. 3 may not vote in the Republican contest.

Only about 4% of registered voters cast ballots in the Democratic contest, leaving the bulk of the electorate, including any Democrats and independents who favor Haley over Trump and didnt vote in the earlier contest, eligible to weigh in on the Republican race.

DELEGATE ALLOCATION RULES

There are 50 delegates at stake and 29 will be awarded to the winner of the statewide vote. Twenty-one delegates will be allocated according to the vote in each of the states seven congressional districts. The top vote-getter in each district will get three delegates from that district.

DECISION NOTES

The last time Haley won a competitive GOP primary in South Carolina was in 2010, when she was the top vote-getter in a four-way primary and was forced to a runoff, which she won handily. Six years later, Trump won a crowded six-way race in the states presidential primary on his way to capturing the White House and becoming the dominant figure in Republican politics.

Republican electoral politics have changed dramatically since the last time Haley and Trump each faced other Republican candidates in the Palmetto State. Still, their past election results do provide some clues for Saturdays primary.

In their last competitive South Carolina primaries, Haleys strongest showings and some of Trumps worst were in counties where Democrats perform best in general elections.

Trump carried 44 of the states 46 counties in the 2016 primary, all except Richland and Charleston, the second- and third-most populous. Haley won these counties by wide margins in her 2010 runoff, as did Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 general election.

Haleys other strongest areas in 2010 were the relatively small counties of Bamberg, Lee, Marlboro and Orangeburg, all of which Biden carried, as well as Dorchester and Chesterfield, which Biden lost to Trump.

The results are broadly consistent with Haleys performances so far in the 2024 presidential primaries. Her strongest showings in Iowa and New Hampshire were in the states Democratic-friendly areas and her worst were in Republican-friendly areas.

These results suggest that Haleys best chance to win in South Carolina, or for a competitive result, would be to win big in the states Democratic areas, especially in vote-rich Charleston and Richland, while staying competitive in the largest county of Greenville and minimizing the margins in heavily Republican areas. Likewise, she would likely need to perform well in votes cast before Election Day, which will be the first votes reported on election night in most counties.

The Associated Press does not make projections and will declare a winner only when its determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.

WHAT TURNOUT, ADVANCE VOTE LOOK LIKE

There are about 3.3 million registered voters in South Carolina. Voters do not register by party. Turnout in the 2016 Republican primary was about 25% of registered voters. It was about 22% in the 2012 primary.

Saturdays contest will be the first Republican presidential primary held in the state since a new early voting law was enacted in May 2022. The law allows voters to cast ballots in-person before Election Day without an excuse.

The early voting period for the GOP primary is Feb. 12-22, excluding Feb. 18-19. In the 2016 Republican primary, when voters had to provide an excuse to cast an absentee ballot, about 8% of votes were cast before Election Day. In the 2022 midterm primaries, after the new law went into effect, pre-Election Day voting was at about 21%. About 36% of votes cast in the Feb. 3 Democratic primary were before Election Day.

As of Tuesday night, more than 139,000 voters had cast their ballots.

HOW LONG DOES VOTE-COUNTING USUALLY TAKE?

In the 2024 South Carolina Democratic primary, the AP first reported results at 7:08 p.m. EST.

Primary night tabulation ended at 10:47 p.m. EST with nearly 100% of votes counted.

ARE WE THERE YET?

As of Saturday, there will be 142 days until the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and 255 until the November general election.
United Airlines said Friday it is increasing checked bag fees on all flights in North America, joining other carriers that have recently boosted such charges.

Economy class passengers on domestic United Airlines flights will now pay additional $5, raising the cost for their first checked bag to $40. The fee for a second checked bag will also rise $5, climbing to $45 in advance online and $50 at the airport.

The new policy is effective for tickets purchased on or after Saturday, February 24, United said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch.

The airline, which said it hadn't raised checked bag fees since 2020, noted that most passengers can save $5 on each checked bag if they pay in advance at least 24 hours before their flight. United Chase credit card holders, MileagePlus Premier members, active military members and customers traveling in premium cabins can still check a bag for free, United said.

Earlier this week, American Airlines raised its fee for a first checked bag on domestic flights from $30 to $35 if paid in advance and to $40 at the airport. It also hiked the charge for a second bag from $40 to $45 and increased bag fees for short international flights.

Alaska Airlines raised its bag fees for most economy passengers in January, and JetBlue followed earlier this month. Bag fees have become a dependable source of revenue for airlines since American introduced them in 2008, when jet fuel prices were surging. In 2022, the last full year for which statistics are available, U.S. airlines took in $6.8 billion in checked-bag fees, led by American at $1.4 billion and United at $1.1 billion.

Over the first nine months of 2023, domestic airlines charged nearly $5.5 billion in baggage fees, Bureau of Transportation data shows.

United passengers bemoaning the fee increase may find consolation in hearing the airline is increasing the size of its overhead bins. "United is in the process of updating all of its mainline aircraft with new, larger bins designed to have room for everyone's carry-on bag," the company said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co bought a new stake in HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 11,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $660,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DINO. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of HF Sinclair during the 3rd quarter valued at $262,000. Northern Trust Corp lifted its holdings in HF Sinclair by 11.1% during the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,370,830 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,041,000 after purchasing an additional 137,221 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its holdings in HF Sinclair by 6.8% during the third quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 18,595 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,059,000 after purchasing an additional 1,182 shares during the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp boosted its position in HF Sinclair by 0.8% during the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 27,530 shares of the companys stock worth $1,567,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. Finally, Mariner LLC increased its stake in shares of HF Sinclair by 93.7% in the third quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 22,952 shares of the companys stock worth $1,307,000 after purchasing an additional 11,103 shares in the last quarter. 89.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on DINO. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $64.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of HF Sinclair from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $64.00 to $73.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $64.50.

Insider Activity

In other HF Sinclair news, Director James H. Lee sold 2,643 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.30, for a total value of $138,228.90. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 65,919 shares in the company, valued at $3,447,563.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Vaishali S. Bhatia sold 18,465 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.24, for a total transaction of $1,001,541.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 51,924 shares in the company, valued at $2,816,357.76. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director James H. Lee sold 2,643 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.30, for a total value of $138,228.90. Following the transaction, the director now owns 65,919 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,447,563.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

HF Sinclair Price Performance

DINO stock traded up $0.12 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $58.00. The company had a trading volume of 316,565 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,799,322. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $56.12 and a 200-day moving average price of $55.86. The company has a market capitalization of $10.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.28. HF Sinclair Co. has a 1 year low of $37.12 and a 1 year high of $62.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.23.

HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.15. HF Sinclair had a return on equity of 17.55% and a net margin of 4.97%. The firm had revenue of $7.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.05 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.97 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that HF Sinclair Co. will post 6.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

HF Sinclair Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This is a boost from HF Sinclairs previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 23rd. HF Sinclairs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.69%.

About HF Sinclair

(Free Report)

HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. It produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. The company also owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DINO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO  Free Report).

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Acadian Asset Management LLC reduced its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW  Free Report) by 13.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 233,448 shares of the specialty retailers stock after selling 36,631 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC owned about 1.61% of Build-A-Bear Workshop worth $6,864,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BBW. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 5.4% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 12,726 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $273,000 after buying an additional 649 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 247,521 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $5,752,000 after purchasing an additional 756 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 50,239 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $918,000 after purchasing an additional 804 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP lifted its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 38.8% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 3,018 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 843 shares during the period. Finally, Tucker Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 19.8% in the 2nd quarter. Tucker Asset Management LLC now owns 5,640 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $121,000 after purchasing an additional 932 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.73% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BBW has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. DA Davidson cut their target price on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $42.00 to $38.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 1st.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Sharon Price John sold 17,596 shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.90, for a total value of $402,948.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 602,781 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,803,684.90. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders have sold a total of 121,060 shares of company stock valued at $2,697,244 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 11.40% of the companys stock.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of NYSE BBW opened at $22.88 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $327.34 million, a PE ratio of 6.59 and a beta of 1.68. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $22.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $24.87. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has a 12-month low of $17.85 and a 12-month high of $30.49.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 30th. The specialty retailer reported $0.53 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.02. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 44.39% and a net margin of 10.59%. The company had revenue of $107.56 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $107.57 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.51 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. will post 3.4 earnings per share for the current year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Profile

(Free Report)

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear.

Further Reading

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(Bloomberg) -- A cyberattack against a division of UnitedHealth Group Inc. has caused a nationwide outage of a computer network thats used to transmit data between health-care providers and insurance companies, rendering some pharmacies unable to process prescriptions, according to the company and reports from affected organizations.

Most Read from Bloomberg

UnitedHealth found a suspected nation-state associated cyber security threat actor had access to subsidiary Change Healthcares systems on Feb. 21, prompting the company to disconnect them from other parties, the company said in a filing Thursday.

UnitedHealth, the countrys largest health insurer, said in a statement Thursday that the cyberattack and related network interruption only impacted Change Healthcare and that all its other systems are operational. Change Healthcare is a key intermediary in the $1.5 trillion US health insurance market.

UnitedHealth is working with law enforcement and security experts but cant say when the service will be restored, according to the filing. The company hasnt determined that the attack is likely to affect its financial results, it said.

Change Healthcare is experiencing a cybersecurity issue, and our experts are working to address the matter, the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company said earlier in a statement on its website. Once we became aware of the outside threat, in the interest of protecting our partners and patients, we took immediate action to disconnect our systems to prevent further impact.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks where hackers have compromised providers of back-end IT software and services  companies that are often little-known outside of their industries yet play critical roles in the normal functioning of everything from financial markets to government services  and triggered cascading disruptions across their customer bases.

Story continues

Last month, for example, a ransomware attack against Tietoevry Oyj, a Finnish information technology company, crippled payroll and other services for government agencies and hospitals, retailers, cinemas and other customers throughout Sweden. Three days later, a ransomware attack against EquiLend, a financial technology firm in New York whose software processes trillions of dollars of stocks, bonds and derivatives trades each month, knocked some of that companys services offline, causing trading desks at some of the worlds biggest banks to revert to inputting transactions manually.

Read More: Latest Cyberattack Leaves Banks Stuck With Excel and a Headache

The full scale of the disruptions caused by the UnitedHealth attack isnt yet known; the company declined to provide further details. But some impacted organizations have disclosed information online.

Were aware that some pharmacies are experiencing systems issues due to a nationwide outage from the largest prescription processor in North America, BlueCross BlueShield of Montana said in a statement posted to its website. Some pharmacies cannot confirm insurance coverage, which could delay filling or refilling your medications.

The statement continued, If you choose not to delay filling your prescription, you have the option to pay for the medication out-of-pocket and submit the receipt with the reimbursement form. You may also try to fill the prescription at another pharmacy.

The size of Change Healthcares operations is massive. The company operates the largest medical electronic data interchange (EDI) clearinghouse in the country, a network that acts as a middleman shuttling claims information back and forth between insurance companies and doctors offices, hospitals and other health-care providers seeking payment for their services, according to public filings.

When Change Healthcare went public in 2019, the Nashville, Tennessee-based companys S-1 filing included key details about the business, including that its customers include the vast majority of US payers and providers and approximately 2,200 government and commercial payer connections, 900,000 physicians, 118,000 dentists, 33,000 pharmacies, 5,500 hospitals and 600 laboratories. A lawsuit three years later by the US Department of Justice opposing the companys $7.8 billion acquisition by UnitedHealth on the grounds that it would give the insurance giant visibility into and control over rival insurers proprietary data, described Change Health as a linchpin of the US health-care system. It also stated that over 50% of US medical claims pass through (or touch) Changes EDI clearinghouse, making it a vital link between providers and insurers. The Justice Department lost its antitrust challenge, and the deal closed in October 2022.

On Thursday, a representative of the American Hospital Association, an organization that also opposed the acquisition, published an alert to the groups roughly 5,000 member hospitals and other health-care providers advising them to disconnect their systems from Change Healthcare, which is part of UnitedHealths Optum information technology division.

Due to the sector-wide presence and the concentration of mission critical services provided by Optum, the reported interruption could have significant cascading and disruptive effects on revenue cycle, certain health-care technologies and clinical authorizations provided by Optum across the health care sector, John Riggi, a former FBI cyber official and now the hospital groups national adviser for cybersecurity and risk, posted on his LinkedIn page. Based upon below statements from Optum, that they became aware of an outside threat and disconnected in the interest of protecting our partners and patients, we are recommending that all health-care organizations should also consider disconnection from Optum as well, until independently deemed safe to reconnect to Optum.

The two biggest US pharmacy chains said they both were experiencing limited disruptions. In a statement, CVS said it is continuing to fill prescriptions but in certain cases we are not able to process insurance claims, which our business continuity plan is addressing to ensure patients continue to have access to their prescriptions. Walgreens Boots Alliance said the vast majority of prescriptions it fills were not impacted, but that for the small percentage that may be affected, we have procedures in place so that we can continue to process and fill these prescriptions with minimal delay or interruption.

--With assistance from Fiona Rutherford.

(Updates with additional details from filing starting in second paragraph)

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Asset Dedication LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 15,905 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 649 shares during the period. Asset Dedication LLCs holdings in Duke Energy were worth $1,403,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC boosted 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 worth $355,000 after buying an additional 894 shares during the last quarter. Adviser Investments LLC acquired a new position in Duke Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $304,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC raised its holdings in Duke Energy by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 191,379 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $17,174,000 after purchasing an additional 22,100 shares during the period. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Duke Energy by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,397 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $212,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. Finally, Equitable Trust Co. raised its holdings in Duke Energy by 6.5% in the 3rd quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 17,457 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,541,000 after purchasing an additional 1,058 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 63.68% of the companys stock.

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Duke Energy Trading Up 0.7 %

Duke Energy stock traded up $0.61 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $92.74. The companys stock had a trading volume of 649,087 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,065,553. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.48 billion, a PE ratio of 25.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.48. Duke Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $83.06 and a 1 year high of $100.39. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The stocks fifty day moving average is $95.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $92.30.

Duke Energy Dividend Announcement

Duke Energy ( NYSE:DUK Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The utilities provider reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.53 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $7.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.24 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 8.93% and a net margin of 9.78%. The companys revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.11 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.97 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Investors of record on Friday, February 16th will be given 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 4.42%. Duke Energys payout ratio is 115.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com raised Duke Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised Duke Energy from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the company from $101.00 to $113.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Duke Energy from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Duke Energy from $101.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Duke Energy from $98.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $100.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Duke Energy

Insider Transactions at Duke Energy

In related news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 3,000 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.57, for a total value of $277,710.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,213 shares in the company, valued at $1,315,697.41. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Duke Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, solar and wind sources, renewables, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity.

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Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE:ALV  Get Free Report) CFO Fredrik Westin sold 1,318 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.93, for a total transaction of $144,887.74. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 5,458 shares in the company, valued at approximately $599,997.94. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website.

Autoliv Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:ALV opened at $111.27 on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average is $107.41 and its 200-day moving average is $100.80. The company has a market capitalization of $9.20 billion, a PE ratio of 19.35, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.98. Autoliv, Inc. has a 52 week low of $79.66 and a 52 week high of $113.18.

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Autoliv (NYSE:ALV  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The auto parts company reported $3.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.37. The business had revenue of $2.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.75 billion. Autoliv had a net margin of 4.66% and a return on equity of 27.13%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 17.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.83 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Autoliv, Inc. will post 9.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Autoliv Dividend Announcement

Analyst Ratings Changes

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 11th. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.44%. Autolivs dividend payout ratio is currently 47.30%.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on ALV shares. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Autoliv from $105.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Autoliv from $101.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Autoliv from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, January 20th. Berenberg Bank upgraded shares of Autoliv from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $120.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Autoliv from $106.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $112.18.

View Our Latest Report on ALV

Institutional Trading of Autoliv

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ALV. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Autoliv by 51.4% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 22,346 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $1,708,000 after purchasing an additional 7,587 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Autoliv by 7.5% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 3,092 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $236,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in Autoliv by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 107,903 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $8,247,000 after purchasing an additional 2,073 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in Autoliv by 16.8% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 24,143 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $1,845,000 after purchasing an additional 3,464 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Autoliv during the 1st quarter worth about $122,000. 56.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Autoliv

(Get Free Report)

Autoliv, Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and supplies passive safety systems to the automotive industry in Europe, the Americas, China, Japan, and rest of Asia. It offers passive safety systems, including modules and components for frontal-impact airbag protection systems, side-impact airbag protection systems, seatbelts, steering wheels, and inflator technologies.

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Barclays upgraded shares of AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB  Free Report) from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage currently has $204.00 target price on the real estate investment trusts stock, up from their prior target price of $194.00.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on AVB. KeyCorp reaffirmed a sector weight rating on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a report on Friday, January 5th. Piper Sandler raised shares of AvalonBay Communities from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $197.00 to $194.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Wolfe Research lowered shares of AvalonBay Communities from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $206.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Mizuho increased their price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $176.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $196.44.

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AvalonBay Communities Trading Down 1.2 %

AvalonBay Communities stock opened at $176.12 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $180.74 and a 200-day moving average of $177.40. AvalonBay Communities has a one year low of $153.07 and a one year high of $198.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.84 and a quick ratio of 1.84. The company has a market cap of $25.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.89, a P/E/G ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 0.93.

AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.73 by ($1.03). The firm had revenue of $704.71 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $701.67 million. AvalonBay Communities had a net margin of 33.56% and a return on equity of 7.98%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.59 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that AvalonBay Communities will post 10.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AvalonBay Communities Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a $1.70 dividend. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.86%. This is an increase from AvalonBay Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. AvalonBay Communitiess dividend payout ratio is presently 100.76%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Quarry LP lifted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 255.6% during the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 192 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 42.3% during the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 222 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 316.7% during the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 225 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Castleview Partners LLC lifted its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 1,542.9% in the 3rd quarter. Castleview Partners LLC now owns 230 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. 88.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AvalonBay Communities Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of Carrier Global Co. (NYSE:CARR  Free Report) by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,941,301 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 289,973 shares during the quarter. Northern Trust Corp owned 1.07% of Carrier Global worth $493,560,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Carrier Global by 7.3% in the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,781 shares of the companys stock valued at $138,000 after acquiring an additional 189 shares during the period. Foster & Motley Inc. lifted its holdings in Carrier Global by 1.4% in the second quarter. Foster & Motley Inc. now owns 14,532 shares of the companys stock valued at $722,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc. lifted its holdings in Carrier Global by 16.0% in the third quarter. Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 1,450 shares of the companys stock valued at $80,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Boston Financial Mangement LLC lifted its holdings in Carrier Global by 2.2% in the third quarter. Boston Financial Mangement LLC now owns 9,399 shares of the companys stock valued at $519,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares during the period. Finally, Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its holdings in Carrier Global by 3.0% in the second quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 7,049 shares of the companys stock valued at $416,000 after acquiring an additional 204 shares during the period. 91.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Carrier Global

In other news, VP Kevin J. Oconnor sold 26,551 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.77, for a total transaction of $1,427,647.27. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 66,083 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,553,282.91. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO David L. Gitlin sold 354,539 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.16, for a total transaction of $19,201,832.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 422,808 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,899,281.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Kevin J. Oconnor sold 26,551 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.77, for a total value of $1,427,647.27. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 66,083 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,553,282.91. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 397,590 shares of company stock worth $21,586,315 in the last 90 days. 0.38% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CARR has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Carrier Global from $63.00 to $60.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Citigroup lifted their price target on Carrier Global from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Carrier Global from $63.00 to $57.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Carrier Global currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $58.29.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Carrier Global

Carrier Global Trading Up 0.1 %

Carrier Global stock opened at $53.84 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $48.36 billion, a PE ratio of 34.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 1.42. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $55.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $54.36. Carrier Global Co. has a 52 week low of $40.28 and a 52 week high of $60.04. The company has a current ratio of 2.73, a quick ratio of 2.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58.

Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $0.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $5.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.22 billion. Carrier Global had a return on equity of 27.19% and a net margin of 6.10%. The firms quarterly revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.40 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Carrier Global Co. will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Carrier Global Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 21st were issued a $0.19 dividend. This is a boost from Carrier Globals previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.41%. Carrier Globals payout ratio is 48.10%.

Carrier Global Profile

(Free Report)

Carrier Global Corporation provides heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation technologies in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through three segments: HVAC, Refrigeration, and Fire & Security.

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Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its holdings in shares of MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI  Free Report) by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,164 shares of the technology companys stock after acquiring an additional 178 shares during the quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLCs holdings in MSCI were worth $4,702,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. ORG Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of MSCI by 5,600.0% in the third quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 57 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the period. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MSCI in the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MSCI in the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in shares of MSCI by 105.1% in the third quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 80 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the period. Finally, Arlington Trust Co LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MSCI in the third quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.61% of the companys stock.

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MSCI Trading Up 0.3 %

MSCI stock traded up $1.97 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $567.44. The company had a trading volume of 34,917 shares, compared to its average volume of 504,595. MSCI Inc. has a 1 year low of $451.55 and a 1 year high of $617.39. The company has a market capitalization of $44.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.27, a PEG ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a 50 day moving average of $562.26 and a two-hundred day moving average of $534.47.

MSCI Increases Dividend

MSCI ( NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The technology company reported $3.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.39. MSCI had a net margin of 45.42% and a negative return on equity of 111.17%. The company had revenue of $690.11 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $662.64 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.84 EPS. The companys revenue was up 19.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that MSCI Inc. will post 14.75 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 16th will be given a $1.60 dividend. This is an increase from MSCIs previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 15th. This represents a $6.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.13%. MSCIs dividend payout ratio is presently 44.44%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of MSCI from $615.00 to $660.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Redburn Atlantic lowered shares of MSCI from a neutral rating to a sell rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $620.00 to $470.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of MSCI from $588.00 to $638.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on shares of MSCI from $572.00 to $601.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of MSCI from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, MSCI presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $578.21.

View Our Latest Research Report on MSCI

MSCI Profile

(Free Report)

MSCI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides critical decision support tools and solutions for the investment community to manage investment processes worldwide. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed financial product, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, and over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct.

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Covestor Ltd increased its position in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG  Free Report) by 148.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 970 shares of the energy companys stock after acquiring an additional 580 shares during the period. Covestor Ltds holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $161,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co increased its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 24.3% in the 3rd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co now owns 1,840 shares of the energy companys stock worth $305,000 after acquiring an additional 360 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. grew its position in Cheniere Energy by 110.9% in the 3rd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 8,500 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $1,411,000 after buying an additional 4,470 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its position in Cheniere Energy by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,667,834 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $276,794,000 after buying an additional 80,399 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its position in Cheniere Energy by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 420,642 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $69,810,000 after buying an additional 11,576 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp grew its position in Cheniere Energy by 12.7% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 116,105 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $19,273,000 after buying an additional 13,107 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.86% of the companys stock.

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Cheniere Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LNG traded up $2.24 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $159.92. 1,176,518 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,768,359. The firm has a market capitalization of $38.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.17, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.96. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $164.53. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $135.30 and a 12 month high of $183.46. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.02.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

Cheniere Energy ( NYSE:LNG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The energy company reported $5.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.70 by $3.06. The company had revenue of $4.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.37 billion. Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 154.07% and a net margin of 50.46%. The businesss revenue was down 46.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $15.78 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 17.72 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.435 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 5th. This represents a $1.74 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.09%. Cheniere Energys payout ratio is presently 3.44%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

LNG has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Cheniere Energy from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $192.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $187.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $198.70.

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About Cheniere Energy

(Free Report)

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile pipeline interconnecting the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with various interstate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.

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Clearbridge Investments LLC increased its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 18.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 187,164 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 28,787 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $60,561,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of GS. Cambridge Trust Co. increased its position 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 purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 69.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance

Shares of GS stock opened at $390.47 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $382.99 and a 200 day moving average of $346.69. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $289.36 and a 52 week high of $396.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $127.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.11, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $1.86. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 7.82% and a net margin of 7.85%. The company had revenue of $11.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.80 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.32 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 32.66 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a dividend of $2.75 per share. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.82%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 48.20%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on GS shares. Oppenheimer increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $491.00 to $506.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $398.00 to $421.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $440.00 price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $382.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $437.00 to $493.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $409.93.

Read Our Latest Report on The Goldman Sachs Group

Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, CAO Sheara J. Fredman sold 4,300 shares of the firms 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 completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 11,463 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,357,659.45. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 10,121 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,809,443.19. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Sheara J. Fredman sold 4,300 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction dated 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,357,659.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 14,734 shares of company stock valued at $5,529,824. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

(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.

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Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 133.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 75,069 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 42,948 shares during the quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $24,290,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Cambridge Trust Co. grew its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 82.0% during the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Trust Co. now owns 91 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services purchased a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the first quarter worth about $33,000. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the first quarter worth about $33,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter worth about $34,000. 69.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $379.81, for a total transaction of $2,763,877.37. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,501 shares in the company, valued at $2,469,144.81. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, CAO Sheara J. Fredman sold 4,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 11,463 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,357,659.45. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $379.81, for a total value of $2,763,877.37. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 6,501 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,469,144.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 14,734 shares of company stock worth $5,529,824. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 1.3 %

NYSE GS traded up $5.27 on Friday, reaching $395.74. The stock had a trading volume of 975,336 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,335,695. The firm has a market capitalization of $129.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.11, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $289.36 and a 12-month high of $396.79. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $382.99 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $346.69.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $1.86. The company had revenue of $11.32 billion for 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 firms quarterly revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.32 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be paid a dividend of $2.75 per share. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is currently 48.20%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently commented on GS shares. JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and issued a $440.00 target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of 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. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $357.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $437.00 to $493.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $491.00 to $506.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $409.93.

Read Our Latest Report on The Goldman Sachs Group

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.

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Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 431,544 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $25,750,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of SQM. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the 1st quarter worth $346,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 48.9% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 10,730 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $918,000 after purchasing an additional 3,526 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 17.3% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 11,471 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $982,000 after purchasing an additional 1,694 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 44.8% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 5,814 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $498,000 after purchasing an additional 1,799 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 8.0% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 938,593 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $80,344,000 after acquiring an additional 69,385 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 14.94% of the companys stock.

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Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Price Performance

Shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile stock traded up $0.21 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $43.35. 547,864 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,603,875. The company has a quick ratio of 1.60, a current ratio of 2.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. has a 1 year low of $38.50 and a 1 year high of $90.82. The business has a fifty day moving average of $49.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $53.86. The company has a market capitalization of $12.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.16 and a beta of 1.03.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on SQM shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $58.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 17th. TheStreet cut shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $72.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $64.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $69.11.

View Our Latest Analysis on SQM

About Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile

(Free Report)

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA produces and distributes specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium derivatives, potassium chloride and sulfate, industrial chemicals, and other products and services. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers.

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Covestor Ltd decreased its holdings in shares of Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH  Free Report) by 9.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 507 shares of the companys stock after selling 53 shares during the period. Covestor Ltds holdings in Molina Healthcare were worth $166,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Eagle Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 1.5% during the third quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. now owns 12,500 shares of the companys stock worth $4,099,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. raised its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 123.9% during the third quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 2,479 shares of the companys stock worth $813,000 after purchasing an additional 1,372 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 5.6% during the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 604,431 shares of the companys stock worth $198,187,000 after purchasing an additional 31,786 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 6.9% during the third quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 82,539 shares of the companys stock worth $27,064,000 after purchasing an additional 5,347 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund raised its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 127.3% during the third quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 19,241 shares of the companys stock worth $6,309,000 after purchasing an additional 10,777 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.11% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Ronna Romney sold 335 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $358.00, for a total transaction of $119,930.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 16,907 shares in the company, valued at $6,052,706. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Molina Healthcare news, Director Ronna Romney sold 335 shares of Molina Healthcare stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $358.00, for a total value of $119,930.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 16,907 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,052,706. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Richard M. Schapiro sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $401.05, for a total transaction of $401,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 11,207 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,494,567.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 17,046 shares of company stock worth $6,592,447. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Molina Healthcare Price Performance

Shares of MOH traded up $1.49 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $405.77. 33,743 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 397,362. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $372.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $350.50. Molina Healthcare, Inc. has a 52-week low of $256.19 and a 52-week high of $407.85. The company has a market cap of $23.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.53, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.45.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $4.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 3.20% and a return on equity of 32.34%. The business had revenue of $9.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.35 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $4.10 EPS. The companys revenue was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Molina Healthcare, Inc. will post 23.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MOH has been the subject of several analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Molina Healthcare from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and increased their price target for the stock from $367.00 to $420.00 in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $435.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $374.00 to $406.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 9th. StockNews.com cut shares of Molina Healthcare from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Molina Healthcare from $367.00 to $392.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $380.80.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MOH

Molina Healthcare Profile

(Free Report)

Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments, Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

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(Bloomberg) -- The US and China are discussing new measures to prevent a wave of emerging market sovereign defaults, according to people familiar with the situation, one of the most significant attempts in years at economic cooperation between the rival superpowers.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The talks  including ways to preemptively extend loan periods before countries miss payments  are broadly aimed at both easing the $400 billion-plus annual debt service burden for poor countries and finding an alternative to the high borrowing rates those nations now face in the market.

In addition to extending repayment times, other ideas being discussed include increasing financing from the World Bank and other multilateral banks. A key point is to roll out those measures before countries default and enter formal restructuring talks with creditors.

Any resulting joint proposal on global sovereign debt issues between Washington and Beijing would likely need the support of the full Group of 20, as well as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank  the trifecta thats struggled to resolve global debt distress issues since the pandemic.

It would also eventually require broad buy-in from private creditors, who have captured a bigger share of emerging market sovereign lending and expect a bigger say at the negotiating table.

One goal of the talks, two of the people said, is to bring a proposal to G-20 leaders when they meet in Rio de Janeiro in November. Another person cautioned the talks are still in an early stage and its unclear if theyll result in anything concrete. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private talks.

Story continues

The Treasury Department declined to confirm the specifics of the discussions, saying in a statement that we talk frequently with China about sovereign debt concerns. And we talk to many countries about how to make sure the international financial architecture is meeting low-income country financing needs.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said her nation attaches great importance to the debt issues of developing countries. The US and China discuss the topic via multilateral and bilateral channels, she added Friday at a regular press briefing in Beijing. The Ministry of Finance in Beijing didnt respond to requests for comment.

Debt Deadlock

A joint US-China approach would be a breakthrough as the two sides are the most powerful forces acting on many nations debt workouts: Washington dominates the global financial architecture through the Treasury Departments influence at the IMF and World Bank, while Beijing essentially has veto power over many deals as the biggest creditor to developing countries.

The discussions come amid growing concerns over the slow progress of restructuring talks for countries like Zambia and Ghana, which are now engaged in a process known as the Common Framework, a program to restructure debts launched in 2020 by the G-20, World Bank and IMF.

The frameworks ambitions included bringing traditional lenders from the so-called Paris Club  mostly rich, Western creditor nations  around the table with emerging creditors, notably China and the private sector.

But that process has drawn criticism for moving forward at a dangerously sluggish pace, leaving defaulted countries suspended for years while dissuading others near bankruptcy from seeking help given the grinding process.

Read more: Why G20s Plan for Indebted Nations Isnt Helping

For example, Zambia defaulted in 2020 and has still not finalized an overhaul of its debts. It appeared to have reached an agreement for restructuring more than $3 billion of debt late last year, only to have it fall apart amid a standoff between Beijing and bondholders.

The talks between the US and China began before a meeting in California in November between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping and have continued into this year, according to one of the people.

Debt issues were discussed during US Treasury Undersecretary Jay Shambaughs visit to Beijing earlier this month.

Beijing has emerged as a massive creditor to developing economies over the past decade as part of Xis Belt and Road Initiative, which focused mainly on Chinese-built infrastructure. Those funds came through a variety of channels, including the Export-Import Bank of China and China Development Bank, as well as through state-aligned commercial banks or state-owned enterprises.

Its unclear if the US-China plans would apply to middle-income countries like Pakistan and Egypt, or focus on low-income countries, which would be a similar scope as the Common Framework.

Developing nations spent a record $443 billion on debt service payments in 2022, according to the World Bank, which has warned the situation risks tipping them into crisis and creating a lost decade of economic stagnation.

About a dozen developing nations are in default or have global bonds trading at levels that suggest the market is bracing for the country to miss payments, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

International capital markets have started to reopen for some emerging-market borrowers, but at rates that are likely to only worsen budget burdens. Kenya, for instance, sold $1.5 billion of notes this month at a 10.375% coupon.

--With assistance from Ezra Fieser, Fran Wang and Lucille Liu.

(Updates with chart, additional background from fifth paragraph from the end.)

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Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Reduce from the ten brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $27.78.

DK has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com raised Delek US from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup assumed coverage on Delek US in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Finally, Raymond James cut their target price on Delek US from $33.00 to $32.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 8th.

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Delek US Trading Down 0.4 %

Delek US Increases Dividend

NYSE DK opened at $27.66 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25. Delek US has a twelve month low of $19.39 and a twelve month high of $31.22. The company has a market cap of $1.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.09 and a beta of 1.34. The businesss fifty day moving average is $26.49 and its 200 day moving average is $26.93.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be paid a $0.245 dividend. This represents a $0.98 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.54%. This is an increase from Delek USs previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. Delek USs payout ratio is currently 90.57%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Robert G. Wright sold 2,123 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.50, for a total value of $60,505.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 18,925 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $539,362.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Director Laurie Z. Tolson sold 1,207 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.75, for a total value of $32,287.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 11,133 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $297,807.75. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Robert G. Wright sold 2,123 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.50, for a total value of $60,505.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 18,925 shares of the companys stock, valued at $539,362.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 5,580 shares of company stock valued at $151,945 in the last ninety days. 1.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Delek US

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. IFP Advisors Inc bought a new stake in Delek US during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Spirit of America Management Corp NY bought a new stake in Delek US during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Comerica Bank bought a new stake in Delek US during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Delek US in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Delek US in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. 97.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Delek US Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Delek US Holdings, Inc engages in the integrated downstream energy business in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Refining, Logistics, and Retail. The Refining segment processes crude oil and other feedstock for the manufacture of various grades of gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, asphalt, and other petroleum-based products that are distributed through owned and third-party product terminal.

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EPG Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J  Free Report) by 11.5% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 3,846 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 396 shares during the period. EPG Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Jacobs Solutions were worth $525,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Clear Street Markets LLC increased its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 93.8% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 250 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 47.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 254 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 210.5% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 295 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Park Place Capital Corp increased its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 473.9% during the 3rd quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 264 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new position in shares of Jacobs Solutions during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,000. 84.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Jacobs Solutions Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE J traded up $0.13 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $146.07. The company had a trading volume of 50,818 shares, compared to its average volume of 786,779. The firms 50 day moving average is $134.94 and its 200-day moving average is $133.60. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a 1-year low of $109.00 and a 1-year high of $149.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42.

Jacobs Solutions Increases Dividend

Jacobs Solutions ( NYSE:J Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.46. Jacobs Solutions had a return on equity of 14.57% and a net margin of 4.20%. The business had revenue of $4.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.02 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.67 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 8.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. This is an increase from Jacobs Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.79%. Jacobs Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 18.57%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on J shares. Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $160.00 price target on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. KeyCorp started coverage on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a sector weight rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Jacobs Solutions from $151.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $150.00 price target on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Finally, Raymond James downgraded Jacobs Solutions from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $152.11.

View Our Latest Analysis on J

Insider Buying and Selling at Jacobs Solutions

In other Jacobs Solutions news, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.48, for a total transaction of $701,140.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 62,719 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,995,418.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Jacobs Solutions news, Director Ralph E. Eberhart sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.86, for a total transaction of $454,510.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 26,754 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,474,274.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.48, for a total value of $701,140.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 62,719 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,995,418.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 19,018 shares of company stock valued at $2,475,578 in the last quarter. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Jacobs Solutions Profile

(Free Report)

Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments.

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EPG Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 6.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,825 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the period. EPG Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Accenture were worth $561,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of ACN. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in Accenture during the first quarter worth $28,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Accenture in the third quarter worth $31,000. RVW Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Accenture in the third quarter worth $33,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Accenture in the second quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Canton Hathaway LLC acquired a new stake in Accenture in the third quarter worth $37,000. Institutional investors own 70.42% of the companys stock.

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Accenture Stock Up 1.0 %

NYSE:ACN traded up $3.85 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $375.16. 515,630 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,978,481. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $358.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $331.29. The company has a market cap of $235.34 billion, a PE ratio of 34.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 1.21. Accenture plc has a 12-month low of $242.80 and a 12-month high of $377.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.14 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $16.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.17 billion. Accenture had a net margin of 10.65% and a return on equity of 29.08%. Accentures revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.08 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Accenture plc will post 12.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Accenture news, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 2,070 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $370.32, for a total value of $766,562.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 47,110 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,445,775.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 4,333 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $371.83, for a total transaction of $1,611,139.39. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 34,795 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,937,824.85. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 2,070 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $370.32, for a total transaction of $766,562.40. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 47,110 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,445,775.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 26,551 shares of company stock valued at $9,739,791 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on ACN shares. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Accenture from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $440.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Wedbush raised their price target on shares of Accenture from $330.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. StockNews.com raised shares of Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Accenture from $365.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Accenture in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a buy rating and a $410.00 price target on the stock. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $365.63.

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Accenture Profile

(Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO  Free Report) by 35.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 274,285 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 72,000 shares during the quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. owned about 0.08% of Valero Energy worth $38,869,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Quarry LP raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 1,676.9% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 231 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares during the period. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.07% of the companys stock.

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Valero Energy Stock Up 1.9 %

NYSE VLO opened at $139.78 on Friday. Valero Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $104.18 and a 1-year high of $152.20. The company has a current ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stocks 50 day moving average is $134.04 and its two-hundred day moving average is $132.09. The company has a market capitalization of $47.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.65, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 1.53.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

Valero Energy ( NYSE:VLO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.95 by $0.60. The firm had revenue of $35.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $34.76 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 31.86% and a net margin of 6.10%. The businesss revenue was down 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $8.45 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Valero Energy Co. will post 14.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 1st will be paid a dividend of $1.07 per share. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.06%. This is a boost from Valero Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 31st. Valero Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 17.31%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on VLO. Barclays lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Raymond James upped their price target on Valero Energy from $154.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. downgraded shares of Valero Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $150.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. They set a buy rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $153.62.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Valero Energy

Valero Energy Company Profile

(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.

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Gallacher Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in DHT Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DHT  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm purchased 18,036 shares of the shipping companys stock, valued at approximately $186,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Amitell Capital Pte Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of DHT in the third quarter valued at about $497,000. Hosking Partners LLP increased its position in shares of DHT by 10.8% in the third quarter. Hosking Partners LLP now owns 4,353,514 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $44,841,000 after acquiring an additional 423,836 shares during the last quarter. Jackson Creek Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of DHT in the third quarter valued at about $1,032,000. LSV Asset Management increased its position in shares of DHT by 18,647.9% in the third quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 1,218,614 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $12,552,000 after acquiring an additional 1,212,114 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC acquired a new stake in shares of DHT in the third quarter valued at about $120,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.26% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on DHT. Truist Financial lifted their target price on DHT from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. TheStreet raised DHT from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $12.67.

DHT Trading Up 0.9 %

DHT stock opened at $10.93 on Friday. DHT Holdings, Inc. has a 52 week low of $7.30 and a 52 week high of $12.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 2.94 and a current ratio of 3.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.04 and a beta of -0.32. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.24.

DHT (NYSE:DHT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The shipping company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.22. DHT had a return on equity of 15.52% and a net margin of 28.78%. The business had revenue of $94.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $95.78 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.38 earnings per share. DHTs quarterly revenue was down 19.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that DHT Holdings, Inc. will post 1.42 earnings per share for the current year.

DHT Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 20th. This is a boost from DHTs previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. DHTs payout ratio is currently 88.89%.

DHT Company Profile

(Free Report)

DHT Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates crude oil tankers primarily in Monaco, Singapore, and Norway. As of March 16, 2023, it had a fleet of 23 very large crude carriers. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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Gallacher Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (NYSE:CHT  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 5,631 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $202,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 154.6% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 769 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 467 shares during the period. Simplex Trading LLC lifted its holdings in Chunghwa Telecom by 332.1% in the 3rd quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 834 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 641 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA lifted its holdings in Chunghwa Telecom by 848.0% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,877 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 1,679 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in Chunghwa Telecom by 26.2% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,214 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 460 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Chunghwa Telecom by 114.6% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,335 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $87,000 after purchasing an additional 1,247 shares in the last quarter. 2.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com cut Chunghwa Telecom from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday.

Chunghwa Telecom Stock Down 0.7 %

NYSE CHT opened at $38.65 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $38.33 and its 200 day moving average is $37.22. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. has a 12 month low of $35.44 and a 12 month high of $41.58. The stock has a market cap of $29.98 billion, a PE ratio of 25.26 and a beta of 0.17.

Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The utilities provider reported $0.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.94 billion for the quarter. Chunghwa Telecom had a return on equity of 9.43% and a net margin of 16.57%. Research analysts predict that Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. will post 1.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chunghwa Telecom Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chunghwa Telecom Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunication services in Taiwan and internationally. It operates through Consumer Business, Enterprise Business, International Business, and Others segments. The company offers local long distance services comprising of local calls, cloud switchboard, and value-added local calls.

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Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund boosted its position in shares of Calix, Inc. (NYSE:CALX  Free Report) by 125.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 103,600 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 57,600 shares during the quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund owned 0.16% of Calix worth $4,749,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in CALX. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of Calix by 31.7% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 847 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. lifted its stake in Calix by 1.4% in the second quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 19,473 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $972,000 after buying an additional 272 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Calix by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 8,224 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $377,000 after acquiring an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Calix by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 103,223 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $4,732,000 after acquiring an additional 339 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Calix by 5.5% in the third quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 6,628 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $304,000 after purchasing an additional 348 shares in the last quarter. 81.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Rosenblatt Securities cut their price target on Calix from $57.00 to $45.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. StockNews.com cut shares of Calix from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Needham & Company LLC cut their price target on shares of Calix from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $54.60.

Calix Trading Up 1.7 %

NYSE CALX opened at $34.37 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $40.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $40.90. Calix, Inc. has a 1 year low of $31.64 and a 1 year high of $56.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 76.38 and a beta of 1.64.

Calix (NYSE:CALX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The communications equipment provider reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $264.73 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $264.41 million. Calix had a net margin of 3.06% and a return on equity of 7.91%. Calixs quarterly revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.18 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Calix, Inc. will post 0.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Calix Company Profile

(Free Report)

Calix, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides cloud and software platforms, and systems and services in the United States, rest of Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company's cloud and software platforms, and systems and services enable broadband service providers (BSPs) to provide a range of services.

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Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new position in shares of Owens Corning (NYSE:OC  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 36,743 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $5,012,000.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of OC. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new stake in Owens Corning during the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new stake in shares of Owens Corning during the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its position in Owens Corning by 78.1% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 244 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Power Corp of Canada bought a new position in Owens Corning in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Owens Corning in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. 90.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on OC shares. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Owens Corning from $115.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Barclays lowered shares of Owens Corning from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and cut their price objective for the company from $170.00 to $160.00 in a report on Monday, February 12th. StockNews.com raised shares of Owens Corning from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Evercore ISI cut shares of Owens Corning from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and dropped their target price for the company from $163.00 to $154.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Owens Corning from $183.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $157.43.

Owens Corning Stock Performance

Shares of Owens Corning stock opened at $144.62 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $12.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.47. The stocks 50-day moving average is $149.05 and its 200-day moving average is $139.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.69 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Owens Corning has a one year low of $88.86 and a one year high of $160.18.

Owens Corning (NYSE:OC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The construction company reported $3.21 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.82 by $0.39. The business had revenue of $2.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.25 billion. Owens Corning had a net margin of 12.36% and a return on equity of 25.88%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.49 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Owens Corning will post 14.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Owens Corning Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 4th. Investors of record on Monday, March 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 1st. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.66%. Owens Cornings payout ratio is presently 18.29%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Gunner Smith sold 7,442 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.99, for a total transaction of $1,108,783.58. Following the sale, the insider now owns 36,140 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,384,498.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Brian Chambers sold 9,100 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total value of $1,397,487.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 269,696 shares of the companys stock, valued at $41,417,214.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Gunner Smith sold 7,442 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.99, for a total transaction of $1,108,783.58. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 36,140 shares in the company, valued at $5,384,498.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 17,907 shares of company stock worth $2,715,869. Corporate insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Owens Corning Profile

(Free Report)

Owens Corning manufactures and sells building and construction materials in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Roofing, Insulation, and Composites. The Roofing segment manufactures and sells laminate and strip asphalt roofing shingles, oxidized asphalt materials, and roofing components used in residential and commercial construction, and specialty applications.

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Hochschild Mining (LON:HOC  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reaffirmed by stock analysts at Canaccord Genuity Group in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have a GBX 160 ($2.01) price target on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Groups price objective points to a potential upside of 78.17% from the companys current price.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a GBX 130 ($1.64) price objective on shares of Hochschild Mining in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 140 ($1.76) price target on shares of Hochschild Mining in a report on Wednesday, January 24th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Hochschild Mining

Hochschild Mining Trading Up 1.9 %

About Hochschild Mining

Shares of LON HOC opened at GBX 89.80 ($1.13) on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.39, a quick ratio of 1.87 and a current ratio of 0.93. Hochschild Mining has a 52-week low of GBX 60.50 ($0.76) and a 52-week high of GBX 118 ($1.49). The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 96.41 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 92.87. The stock has a market cap of 461.99 million, a P/E ratio of -1,796.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.12.

(Get Free Report)

Hochschild Mining plc, a precious metals company, engages in the exploration, mining, processing, and sale of gold and silver in the Americas. The company holds 100% interests in the Inmaculada gold/silver underground operation and Pallancata silver/gold property, which are located in the Department of Ayacucho in southern Peru.

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Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC reduced its position in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) by 5.7% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 11,362 shares of the natural resource companys stock after selling 691 shares during the quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLCs holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $424,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. KB Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Freeport-McMoRan during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Retirement Group LLC boosted its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 97.1% during the 2nd quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 670 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 330 shares during the period. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Freeport-McMoRan during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Freeport-McMoRan during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. 77.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Raymond James increased their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $55.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a report on Thursday, January 25th. UBS Group dropped their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the company from $41.00 to $48.50 in a report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Eight Capital set a $55.00 price target on Freeport-McMoRan and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $44.95.

Freeport-McMoRan Trading Up 0.7 %

NYSE FCX traded up $0.29 on Friday, hitting $38.96. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,833,461 shares, compared to its average volume of 12,196,931. The firm has a market cap of $55.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.68 and a beta of 2.06. The company has a current ratio of 2.42, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $40.15 and its 200 day simple moving average is $38.42. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 52-week low of $32.83 and a 52-week high of $44.70.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The natural resource company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $5.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.85 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 8.41% and a net margin of 8.09%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.52 EPS. Research analysts predict that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Freeport-McMoRan Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 12th were paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 11th. Freeport-McMoRans payout ratio is presently 23.62%.

Freeport-McMoRan Profile

(Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

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Nvidia is at the heart of the AI gold rush, with those developing the technology relying heavily on its wares. Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Nvidia hit a stock market valuation of $2tn on Friday as the US chipmaker capitalizes on the artificial intelligence boom.

An extraordinary surge of the companys shares had already propelled it past Amazon and Alphabet, the owner of Google and YouTube, to become the third largest in America.

But another blockbuster earnings report  in which Nvidia blew past Wall Streets expectations with a 265% jump in sales  sparked a fresh rally this week.

It took more than two decades for the Santa Clara, California-based company to hit a valuation of $1tn on the market. Less than nine months later, Nvidia reached $2tn.

Shares in the group began climbing on Friday when New York opened for trading, allowing it to fleetingly scale the milestone. They later faded, however, and finished the day up 0.4%, with a valuation of about $1.97tn.

The benchmark S&P 500 also cleared 5,100 for the first time during early trading, before slipping back. Both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones industrial average ended the week at fresh record highs, however, as Wall Street continues to scale new peaks.

Nvidia is at the heart of the AI gold rush, with those developing the technology relying heavily on its wares. Microsoft, OpenAI, Amazon, Meta and Google have all struck deals to purchase the firms chips in bulk as they scramble to release new AI products and features.

This remarkable acceleration in demand has turbocharged Nvidias business, with the groups most closely watched profit figure  revenue from data centers  up by more than 400% in the last quarter, at $18.4bn.

Jensen Huang, its founder and CEO, hailed a tipping point for faster computing generative AI as the company published its latest earnings report on Wednesday.

Nvidias financial performance, and the broader demand for its shares, has become seen as bellwethers for overall interest in AI. Since the turn of the year, the companys stock has soared by more than 60%.

Expectations around its growth trajectory have been stoked by Nvidias plans to ship a new chip, the B100, at the highest end of its product line later this year. Some key players, like OpenAIs Sam Altman, are holding talks on plans for rival AI chip ventures.

Huang and Nvidia have essentially cracked the code and sparked a generational tech transformation that investors are trying to get their arms around, Dan Ives, technology analyst at Wedbush, said. The AI Revolution starts with Nvidia and in our view the AI party and popcorn is just getting started.

The wider industry has not experienced a revolution of this scale in decades, according to Ives, who described AI  and Nvidias role in powering its development  as a transformational tech trend we have not seen since the start of the internet in the mid-90s.
Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DV  Free Report) by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,074,670 shares of the companys stock after selling 33,009 shares during the quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.63% of DoubleVerify worth $30,037,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC increased its position in shares of DoubleVerify by 38.2% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 16,686 shares of the companys stock valued at $649,000 after purchasing an additional 4,611 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in DoubleVerify by 30.7% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,842,197 shares of the companys stock worth $51,489,000 after purchasing an additional 433,139 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC purchased a new stake in shares of DoubleVerify in the 2nd quarter valued at about $7,583,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of DoubleVerify by 110.2% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,100,529 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,760,000 after acquiring an additional 577,018 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in shares of DoubleVerify by 41.6% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 1,495 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 439 shares in the last quarter. 97.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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DoubleVerify Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:DV traded up $0.26 during trading on Friday, reaching $42.55. 33,218 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,287,578. DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. has a 52-week low of $23.42 and a 52-week high of $42.98. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $38.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $33.43. The stock has a market cap of $7.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 132.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.16.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

DV has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays boosted their target price on DoubleVerify from $40.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, January 12th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on shares of DoubleVerify in a research report on Tuesday, January 9th. They issued an outperform rating and a $44.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America started coverage on shares of DoubleVerify in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. They set a buy rating and a $47.00 price objective for the company. William Blair reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of DoubleVerify in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of DoubleVerify from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, DoubleVerify has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $42.32.

View Our Latest Stock Report on DV

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Laura Desmond sold 11,002 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.19, for a total value of $354,154.38. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 179,071 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,764,295.49. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Julie Eddleman sold 750 shares of DoubleVerify stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.47, for a total value of $28,102.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 133,436 shares in the company, valued at $4,999,846.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Laura Desmond sold 11,002 shares of DoubleVerify stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.19, for a total value of $354,154.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 179,071 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,764,295.49. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 32,729 shares of company stock worth $1,163,542. 3.27% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About DoubleVerify

(Free Report)

DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc provides a software platform for digital media measurement, and analytics in the United States and internationally. The company provides solutions to advertisers unbiased data analytics that enable advertisers to increase the effectiveness, quality and return on their digital advertising investments.

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Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC cut its holdings in Bank of Hawaii Co. (NYSE:BOH  Free Report) by 3.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,136,607 shares of the banks stock after selling 73,366 shares during the quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC owned approximately 5.38% of Bank of Hawaii worth $106,168,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in BOH. Handelsbanken Fonder AB boosted its holdings in Bank of Hawaii by 47.5% in the second quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 9,937 shares of the banks stock valued at $410,000 after acquiring an additional 3,200 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Bank of Hawaii by 3.7% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,118,092 shares of the banks stock valued at $55,558,000 after acquiring an additional 39,512 shares during the last quarter. Newport Trust Company LLC bought a new position in Bank of Hawaii in the third quarter valued at about $20,170,000. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund bought a new position in Bank of Hawaii in the third quarter valued at about $1,205,000. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Bank of Hawaii by 28.6% in the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,652,216 shares of the banks stock valued at $131,789,000 after acquiring an additional 590,492 shares during the last quarter. 82.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Bank of Hawaii Price Performance

Shares of BOH opened at $60.81 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Bank of Hawaii Co. has a 1 year low of $30.83 and a 1 year high of $75.54. The stock has a market cap of $2.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.09. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $66.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $58.08.

Bank of Hawaii Dividend Announcement

Bank of Hawaii ( NYSE:BOH Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, January 22nd. The bank reported $1.01 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.01. Bank of Hawaii had a return on equity of 14.35% and a net margin of 17.35%. The business had revenue of $252.63 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $161.03 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.50 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Bank of Hawaii Co. will post 3.69 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.60%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. Bank of Hawaiis dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 67.47%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BOH has been the topic of several recent research reports. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on Bank of Hawaii from $70.00 to $69.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com upgraded Bank of Hawaii to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Bank of Hawaii from $57.00 to $55.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Bank of Hawaii from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and one has given a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Bank of Hawaii presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $52.40.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Bank of Hawaii

About Bank of Hawaii

(Free Report)

Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, personal lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, and high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products.

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Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:KW  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, February 21st, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a dividend of 0.24 per share by the financial services provider on Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.20%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th.

Kennedy-Wilson has raised its dividend by an average of 2.9% per year over the last three years. Kennedy-Wilson has a payout ratio of 79.3% meaning its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the companys earnings fall.

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Kennedy-Wilson Stock Performance

Shares of KW stock traded down $0.11 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $9.41. 247,412 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,042,295. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $11.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.99. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.16. Kennedy-Wilson has a 12-month low of $9.32 and a 12-month high of $18.90.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Kennedy-Wilson by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 184,564 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,903,000 after acquiring an additional 560 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Kennedy-Wilson by 1.0% in the second quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 57,469 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,088,000 after purchasing an additional 590 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can raised its position in Kennedy-Wilson by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 41,723 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,080,000 after purchasing an additional 858 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its position in Kennedy-Wilson by 34.8% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 5,090 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $84,000 after purchasing an additional 1,315 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG lifted its holdings in shares of Kennedy-Wilson by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 46,337 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $716,000 after buying an additional 1,474 shares during the period. 87.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on KW. Bank of America cut shares of Kennedy-Wilson from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and lowered their target price for the company from $18.00 to $6.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Kennedy-Wilson from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Kennedy-Wilson from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Kennedy-Wilson

Kennedy-Wilson Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a real estate investment company. The company owns, operates, and invests in real estate both on its own and through its investment management platform. It focuses on multifamily and office properties located in the Western United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and Japan.

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Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board decreased its holdings in shares of McKesson Co. (NYSE:MCK  Free Report) by 20.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,604 shares of the companys stock after selling 952 shares during the quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Boards holdings in McKesson were worth $1,567,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of McKesson by 8.3% during the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 86,130 shares of the companys stock worth $37,454,000 after acquiring an additional 6,571 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of McKesson by 0.8% in the third quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 348,769 shares of the companys stock valued at $151,662,000 after buying an additional 2,626 shares during the period. Dark Forest Capital Management LP boosted its stake in McKesson by 398.1% during the third quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 3,397 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,477,000 after buying an additional 2,715 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of McKesson in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $210,000. Finally, Stokes Family Office LLC grew its position in McKesson by 4.4% in the third quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC now owns 2,936 shares of the companys stock worth $1,277,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. 82.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MCK. Citigroup boosted their target price on McKesson from $530.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. StockNews.com lowered shares of McKesson from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of McKesson from $450.00 to $505.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of McKesson in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $537.00 price target for the company. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of McKesson from $508.00 to $563.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $511.54.

McKesson Stock Performance

Shares of MCK opened at $510.30 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $67.06 billion, a PE ratio of 23.12, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.44. The firms 50 day moving average price is $483.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $457.15. McKesson Co. has a twelve month low of $331.75 and a twelve month high of $519.75.

McKesson (NYSE:MCK  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $7.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $7.05 by $0.69. McKesson had a net margin of 0.99% and a negative return on equity of 262.63%. The business had revenue of $80.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $77.93 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $6.90 EPS. McKessons quarterly revenue was up 14.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that McKesson Co. will post 27.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McKesson Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be given a dividend of $0.62 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.49%. McKessons payout ratio is currently 11.24%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Brian S. Tyler sold 14,026 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $480.00, for a total value of $6,732,480.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 43,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,853,600. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CEO Brian S. Tyler sold 14,026 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $480.00, for a total transaction of $6,732,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 43,445 shares in the company, valued at $20,853,600. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Leann B. Smith sold 186 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $496.00, for a total transaction of $92,256.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 1,511 shares of the companys stock, valued at $749,456. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock.

McKesson Profile

(Free Report)

McKesson Corporation provides healthcare services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Pharmaceutical, Prescription Technology Solutions (RxTS), Medical-Surgical Solutions, and International. The U.S. Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded, generic, specialty, biosimilar and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs, and other healthcare-related products.

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Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) by 95.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,417 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 8,032 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd.s holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $4,469,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MSI. State Street Corp increased its position in Motorola Solutions by 1.3% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,019,371 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $2,064,642,000 after acquiring an additional 88,158 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,531,492 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,008,362,000 after purchasing an additional 119,907 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its position in Motorola Solutions by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 3,337,453 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $978,808,000 after purchasing an additional 60,733 shares during the period. FMR LLC lifted its stake in Motorola Solutions by 1.6% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,350,325 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $639,853,000 after purchasing an additional 37,718 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 3.4% during the third quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 2,059,176 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $560,590,000 after buying an additional 67,528 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.37% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on MSI. StockNews.com upgraded Motorola Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. William Blair reissued an outperform rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $333.00 to $352.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Motorola Solutions in a research note on Friday, January 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $350.00 target price on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $328.29.

Motorola Solutions Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MSI traded up $2.00 on Friday, hitting $333.04. 47,979 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 632,241. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.37. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $319.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $301.70. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 1-year low of $255.85 and a 1-year high of $333.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.92.

Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The communications equipment provider reported $3.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.63 by $0.27. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 441.65% and a net margin of 17.12%. The business had revenue of $2.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.38 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 11.7 EPS for the current year.

Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is 39.48%.

Motorola Solutions Company Profile

(Free Report)

Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce.

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Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. raised its position in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 6.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 11,172 shares of the asset managers stock after acquiring an additional 675 shares during the quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd.s holdings in BlackRock were worth $7,223,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of BLK. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A acquired a new stake in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. West Tower Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Archer Investment Corp bought a new stake in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. 77.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, General Counsel Christopher J. Meade sold 18,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $282.54, for a total transaction of $5,085,660.60. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 11,914 shares in the company, valued at $3,366,142.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other BlackRock news, General Counsel Christopher J. Meade sold 18,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $282.54, for a total value of $5,085,660.60. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 11,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,366,142.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Marc D. Comerchero sold 450 shares of BlackRock stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $785.11, for a total value of $353,299.50. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 5,975 shares in the company, valued at $4,691,032.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 33,474 shares of company stock valued at $17,275,900. 0.96% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on BLK shares. BNP Paribas raised shares of BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of BlackRock from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $708.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Friday, December 15th. TD Cowen upgraded shares of BlackRock from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the company from $819.00 to $938.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. UBS Group increased their price objective on BlackRock from $720.00 to $818.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $785.73.

Check Out Our Latest Report on BlackRock

BlackRock Trading Up 1.0 %

NYSE BLK traded up $8.44 on Friday, reaching $821.88. 82,955 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 598,711. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $795.08 and its 200 day moving average price is $720.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $122.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a current ratio of 3.72, a quick ratio of 3.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. BlackRock, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $596.18 and a fifty-two week high of $823.71.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The asset manager reported $9.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.84 by $0.82. BlackRock had a return on equity of 14.85% and a net margin of 30.81%. The firm had revenue of $4.63 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.65 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $8.93 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that BlackRock, Inc. will post 39.63 earnings per share for the current year.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 7th will be given a dividend of $5.10 per share. This represents a $20.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.48%. This is a boost from BlackRocks previous quarterly dividend of $5.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 6th. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.78%.

BlackRock Company Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co lifted its holdings in Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER  Free Report) by 21.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 39,322 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock after acquiring an additional 6,830 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in Uber Technologies were worth $1,808,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Montag A & Associates Inc. boosted its stake in Uber Technologies by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. now owns 4,202 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $193,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares during the last quarter. Choreo LLC boosted its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 9,761 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $449,000 after buying an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 10,529 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $455,000 after buying an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Onyx Bridge Wealth Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Onyx Bridge Wealth Group LLC now owns 8,689 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $400,000 after buying an additional 245 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ellevest Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 16,832 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $727,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. 74.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Jill Hazelbaker sold 20,000 shares of Uber Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.83, for a total transaction of $1,556,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 107,290 shares in the company, valued at $8,350,380.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Tony West sold 18,750 shares of Uber Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.08, for a total transaction of $1,314,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 185,566 shares in the company, valued at $13,004,465.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Jill Hazelbaker sold 20,000 shares of Uber Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.83, for a total transaction of $1,556,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 107,290 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,350,380.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 3.84% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on UBER shares. Oppenheimer upped their price objective on Uber Technologies from $65.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $85.00 price objective on shares of Uber Technologies in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Uber Technologies from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Bank of America upped their price objective on Uber Technologies from $68.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Uber Technologies from $59.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $73.06.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on UBER

Uber Technologies Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of Uber Technologies stock traded up $0.18 during trading on Friday, reaching $78.21. 2,739,313 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 23,586,451. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79. The stocks fifty day moving average is $66.01 and its 200 day moving average is $54.58. The firm has a market cap of $162.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 91.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.33. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $29.22 and a 1 year high of $81.86.

Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The ride-sharing company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.16 by $0.50. Uber Technologies had a net margin of 5.06% and a return on equity of 18.95%. The business had revenue of $9.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.76 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.29 earnings per share. Uber Technologiess quarterly revenue was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 1.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Uber Technologies

(Free Report)

Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services.

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Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co trimmed its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW  Free Report) by 2.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,239 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 53 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Cos holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $1,549,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of GWW. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. increased its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 6,221 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,304,000 after buying an additional 184 shares during the period. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,240 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $858,000 after buying an additional 30 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 751,855 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $520,163,000 after buying an additional 13,063 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 29.7% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 20,715 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $14,331,000 after buying an additional 4,741 shares during the period. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 455,969 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $315,478,000 after buying an additional 8,366 shares during the period. 71.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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W.W. Grainger Trading Up 0.0 %

GWW stock traded up $0.23 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $958.41. 29,215 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 253,479. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $876.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $784.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a current ratio of 2.88. The company has a market cap of $47.57 billion, a PE ratio of 26.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.13. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a one year low of $625.97 and a one year high of $978.95.

W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement

W.W. Grainger ( NYSE:GWW Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The industrial products company reported $8.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 return on equity of 56.54% and a net margin of 11.10%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $7.14 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 39.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 12th will be paid a $1.86 dividend. This represents a $7.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.78%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 9th. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio is 20.55%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

GWW has been the subject of several research reports. Stephens lifted their target price on W.W. Grainger from $775.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on W.W. Grainger from $809.00 to $907.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Oppenheimer raised their price target on W.W. Grainger from $800.00 to $930.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Loop Capital lowered W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating and raised their price target for the stock from $925.00 to $1,000.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on W.W. Grainger from $800.00 to $925.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, W.W. Grainger has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $864.44.

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Insider Buying and Selling at W.W. Grainger

In other W.W. Grainger news, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,122 shares of W.W. Grainger stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $950.22, for a total value of $2,966,586.84. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 4,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,664,629.98. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other W.W. Grainger news, CEO Donald G. Macpherson sold 2,478 shares of W.W. Grainger stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $788.68, for a total value of $1,954,349.04. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 90,145 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $71,095,558.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Paige K. Robbins sold 3,122 shares of W.W. Grainger stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $950.22, for a total value of $2,966,586.84. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 4,909 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,664,629.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 5,850 shares of company stock valued at $5,121,311 in the last 90 days. 9.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.

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Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board reduced its position in Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI  Free Report) (TSE:TRI) by 37.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 11,014 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 6,673 shares during the quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Boards holdings in Thomson Reuters were worth $1,347,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its position in Thomson Reuters by 17.3% in the 3rd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 6,240,651 shares of the business services providers stock worth $755,514,000 after purchasing an additional 919,603 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its position in Thomson Reuters by 26.3% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 5,657,244 shares of the business services providers stock worth $692,059,000 after purchasing an additional 1,179,155 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Thomson Reuters by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,584,932 shares of the business services providers stock worth $573,125,000 after purchasing an additional 150,880 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its position in Thomson Reuters by 26.8% in the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 3,848,670 shares of the business services providers stock worth $519,364,000 after purchasing an additional 814,295 shares during the period. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc raised its position in Thomson Reuters by 35.8% in the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 2,876,681 shares of the business services providers stock worth $388,833,000 after purchasing an additional 758,199 shares during the period. 17.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Thomson Reuters Trading Up 0.7 %

NYSE TRI opened at $158.08 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $148.76 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $136.45. The stock has a market cap of $71.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.07, a P/E/G ratio of 4.08 and a beta of 0.65. Thomson Reuters Co. has a 12-month low of $117.46 and a 12-month high of $161.57. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26.

Thomson Reuters Increases Dividend

Thomson Reuters ( NYSE:TRI Get Free Report ) (TSE:TRI) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The business services provider reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.92 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $1.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.82 billion. Thomson Reuters had a net margin of 39.67% and a return on equity of 14.01%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.76 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.58 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 21st will be issued a $0.54 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 20th. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.37%. This is a boost from Thomson Reuterss previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 36.99%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Thomson Reuters from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Thomson Reuters from $192.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Thomson Reuters from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from $142.00 to $159.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on shares of Thomson Reuters in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. They set a buy rating and a $153.00 price objective on the stock. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $149.23.

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Thomson Reuters Company Profile

(Free Report)

Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments.

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Stifel Financial Corp grew its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 1.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,328,721 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 24,418 shares during the quarter. Stifel Financial Corp owned approximately 0.08% of Altria Group worth $55,873,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MO. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P purchased a new position in Altria Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Nemes Rush Group LLC boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 103.2% in the 3rd quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 636 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 323 shares during the period. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group during the third quarter valued at about $31,000. 58.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday. UBS Group reissued a sell rating and issued a $36.10 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.22.

Altria Group Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of MO stock opened at $40.90 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $72.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.95, a PEG ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.66. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $40.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $41.76. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $39.06 and a 52 week high of $48.04.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.06 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 243.71% and a net margin of 33.21%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.18 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st were given a $0.98 dividend. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 20th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 85.78%.

Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, February 1st that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Altria Group Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

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Burjeel Holdings, a leading private healthcare services provider, has launched a state-of-the-art gastrointestinal and liver disease centre.

Located at the Burjeel Day Surgery Centre, Al Reem Island, the Jazzar Gastrointestinal & Liver Disease Centre, headed by the renowned Dr Ahmad Jazzar, seeks to provide the most technologically advanced treatments in the field. The centre specialises in preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions involving the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, colon, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

Madiyar Menilbekov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UAE, attended the launch ceremony. Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings, and John Sunil, Group CEO of Burjeel Holdings, and Dr Ghuwaya Al-Neyadi, Non-Executive Director of Burjeel Holdings, were also present.

Expertise in Interventional Endoscopy

With over 25 years of extensive experience in gastroenterology, the American Board-certified Dr Jazzars expertise extends to interventional endoscopy services. Dr Jazzar has done more than 40,000 diagnostic and interventional endoscopies throughout his career.

He leads the centre in offering advanced services, including Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) & Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), Digital Spyglass Cholangioscopy to treat complex bile duct stones & strictures, Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) & heartburn, Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD), Video Capsule Endoscopy, Esophageal Manometry to assess esophageal contractions & swallowing problems, Wireless pH capsule monitoring device in patients with reflux symptoms to measure esophageal acid exposure, and enteroscopy to examine the small intestine.

The centre treats a wide range of conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, hematemesis (vomiting blood), hematochezia (blood in stool), melena, feeding and swallowing difficulties, acid-peptic disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, yellow jaundice, abnormal liver function, fatty liver and liver diseases, acute and chronic pancreatitis, foreign body removal, GI cancer diagnostics, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, and diarrhea.

Tailored treatments

The centre provides comprehensive and coordinated care tailored to the unique needs of each patient, delivered by a skilled team of professionals. An example of this approach is the range of services available for patients struggling with weight management issues, including medication, intragastric balloon placement, and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. Another example is the Hydrogen Breath Test to assess conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, dairy product intolerance, and intolerance to specific foods and fruits.

At the centre, we aim to utilise our capabilities in delivering high-quality healthcare to patients suffering from digestive tract and liver disorders. Our experienced medical professionals employ a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis and offer comprehensive solutions. The clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic tools to assess and address the identified issues, said Dr Jazzar.

Other experts at the centre are Dr Mazn Karmo, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Dr Tarek Fathi Nasser, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Dr Huda Kataa, Consultant Gastroenterologist, and Dr Krish Venkatesh, Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologist.

Advanced treatments in the UAE
LAGOS, Nigeria, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantage Foundation is proud to announce its strategic partnership with The IREDE Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to empowering children between the ages of 0 - 18 living with limb loss in Nigeria to live self-sufficient lives by giving them prosthetic limbs.

Vantage Foundation partners with The IREDE Foundation to empower child amputees in Nigeria

IREDE founder, Crystal Chigbu's daughter was born in 2009 with a congenital limb deformity requiring amputation at 27 months old. Since then, her daughter has needed to use a prosthetic limb. Crystal realised there was a significant lack of resources for children like her daughter, and established the IREDE Foundation in 2012 to change the narrative around disability in Nigeria and in Africa at large.

Vantage Foundation visited The IREDE Foundation in February to pledge support for their cause. "We are thrilled to support the IREDE Foundation to make a positive impact on the lives of Nigerian children with limb loss," said Steven Xie, Executive Director, Vantage Foundation. "As a partner of The IREDE Foundation, we will provide holistic support to these champions in Nigeria, and provide the opportunities they deserve to thrive."

Since its inception, The IREDE Foundation has been at the forefront of advocacy and empowerment for these children, whom they call champions. They have provided over 528 custom-made prosthetic limbs to 479 children across 35 states in Nigeria for free, and they have continued to maintain and replace these prosthetics as the children grow. They have also enhanced these children's access to education and empowered them to pursue their dreams through the provision of educational scholarships.

"IREDE is honored to have representatives of Vantage Foundation visit us in Nigeria and see our vision become a reality through our champions," said Crystal. "Together, we are creating a more inclusive world for all."

About Vantage Foundation

Vantage Foundation is an independent charitable organisation launched at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK with the support of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the NEOM McLaren Extreme E team in 2023. For more information, please visit www.vantage.foundation

Story continues

About The IREDE Foundation

Founded in 2012, the IREDE Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of children with limb loss in Nigeria. For more information, please visit

www.theiredefoundation.org

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Stifel Financial Corp increased its position in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 6.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,164,689 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 66,351 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corps holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $63,942,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SCHW. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. State of Wyoming lifted its position in shares of 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 in the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in Charles Schwab during the second quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Gould Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. 81.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Charles Schwab Price Performance

Shares of Charles Schwab stock opened at $64.63 on Friday. 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 capitalization of $114.50 billion, a PE ratio of 25.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.99. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $65.44 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.01. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12 month low of $45.00 and a 12 month high of $81.32.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.04. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 22.07%. The business had revenue of $4.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.49 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.07 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, February 9th will be issued 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 is currently 39.37%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on SCHW shares. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. They set a market perform rating and a $77.00 target price on the stock. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a sell rating and a $52.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $71.00 price target (up previously from $70.00) on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut shares of Charles Schwab from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their target price for the company from $75.00 to $70.00 in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $77.00 price objective on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $69.92.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on SCHW

Insider Activity

In other 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 owns 41,611 shares in the company, valued at $2,519,962.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Peter B. Crawford sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.56, for a total value of $242,240.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 41,611 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,519,962.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 7,162 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.72, for a total value of $434,876.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 122,986 shares of company stock valued at $7,878,217. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Charles Schwab 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.

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Syntax Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in shares of The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB  Free Report) by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 7,279 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 770 shares during the period. Syntax Advisors LLCs holdings in Williams Companies were worth $245,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cahill Financial Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Williams Companies by 15.7% in the 2nd quarter. Cahill Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 24,488 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $799,000 after buying an additional 3,318 shares in the last quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. increased its position in shares of Williams Companies by 1,313.1% in the 2nd quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 436,166 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $14,232,000 after buying an additional 405,301 shares in the last quarter. Autumn Glory Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Williams Companies by 28.1% in the 3rd quarter. Autumn Glory Partners LLC now owns 107,609 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $3,625,000 after buying an additional 23,579 shares in the last quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. increased its position in shares of Williams Companies by 45.3% in the 3rd quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 6,545,151 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $220,506,000 after buying an additional 2,040,993 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kentucky Retirement Systems bought a new stake in shares of Williams Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at $3,230,000. Institutional investors own 85.76% of the companys stock.

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Williams Companies Trading Down 0.1 %

Williams Companies stock opened at $34.85 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $34.68 and a 200-day moving average of $34.79. The Williams Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $27.80 and a one year high of $37.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The company has a market cap of $42.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.32, a P/E/G ratio of 5.56 and a beta of 1.04.

Williams Companies Increases Dividend

Williams Companies ( NYSE:WMB Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The pipeline company reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.01. Williams Companies had a net margin of 29.22% and a return on equity of 16.20%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.53 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that The Williams Companies, Inc. will post 1.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a $0.475 dividend. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.45%. This is a boost from Williams Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. Williams Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 68.32%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WMB has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Williams Companies from $41.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Williams Companies from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 15th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $37.00.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on WMB

Williams Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises Transco and Northwest natural gas pipelines; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region, as well as various petrochemical and feedstock pipelines.

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Syntax Advisors LLC cut its stake in Raymond James (NYSE:RJF  Free Report) by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 2,314 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 245 shares during the quarter. Syntax Advisors LLCs holdings in Raymond James were worth $232,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Raymond James during the first quarter valued at approximately $364,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Raymond James by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 28,663 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,150,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Raymond James during the 1st quarter valued at $4,195,000. Prudential PLC purchased a new position in shares of Raymond James during the 1st quarter valued at $540,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in shares of Raymond James by 52.9% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 4,636 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $510,000 after buying an additional 1,604 shares in the last quarter. 75.00% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on RJF shares. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Raymond James in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. They set a market perform rating and a $121.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $116.00 price target (down previously from $125.00) on shares of Raymond James in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com cut shares of Raymond James from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a hold rating and issued a $117.00 price target (up previously from $112.00) on shares of Raymond James in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Raymond James from $116.00 to $115.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $119.25.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Raymond James news, insider George Catanese sold 3,866 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.75, for a total value of $412,695.50. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,712 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,250,256. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, insider George Catanese sold 3,866 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.75, for a total transaction of $412,695.50. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,712 shares in the company, valued at $1,250,256. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Art A. Garcia acquired 879 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $112.30 per share, for a total transaction of $98,711.70. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 879 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $98,711.70. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have sold 6,687 shares of company stock worth $727,008 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 9.74% of the companys stock.

Raymond James Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:RJF opened at $118.46 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $24.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.84, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.03. Raymond James has a 12 month low of $82.00 and a 12 month high of $119.23. The firms 50-day moving average is $112.65 and its 200 day moving average is $106.23. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37.

Raymond James (NYSE:RJF  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $2.40 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.25 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $3.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.01 billion. Raymond James had a net margin of 12.81% and a return on equity of 17.95%. The firms revenue was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.29 EPS. Research analysts predict that Raymond James will post 9.2 EPS for the current year.

Raymond James Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 2nd were paid a $0.45 dividend. This is an increase from Raymond Jamess previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 29th. Raymond Jamess dividend payout ratio is currently 22.56%.

Raymond James Company Profile

(Free Report)

Raymond James Financial, Inc, a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments.

Further Reading

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Northern Trust Corp lifted its stake in shares of The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK  Free Report) by 8.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,453,880 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 715,421 shares during the quarter. Northern Trust Corp owned about 1.23% of Bank of New York Mellon worth $403,208,000 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. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 14.5% in the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 5,808 shares of the banks stock worth $259,000 after acquiring an additional 736 shares in the last quarter. WCG Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Bank of New York Mellon in the third quarter worth about $1,552,000. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. raised its position in Bank of New York Mellon by 22.2% in the third quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 2,557,750 shares of the banks stock worth $109,088,000 after acquiring an additional 465,229 shares in the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP increased its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 1,555,184 shares of the banks stock worth $66,329,000 after purchasing an additional 61,501 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank increased its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 60.1% in the 3rd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 136,115 shares of the banks stock worth $5,805,000 after purchasing an additional 51,104 shares in the last quarter. 81.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts:

Bank of New York Mellon Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of BK stock opened at $55.35 on Friday. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. has a 12 month low of $39.65 and a 12 month high of $56.42. The firm has a market cap of $42.57 billion, a PE ratio of 13.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.12. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $53.88 and a 200-day moving average of $47.92. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87.

Bank of New York Mellon Dividend Announcement

Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The bank reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.12 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $4.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.30 billion. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 11.62% and a net margin of 10.01%. Bank of New York Mellons quarterly revenue was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.30 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that The Bank of New York Mellon Co. will post 5.24 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 22nd were given a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.04%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 19th. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BK has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group lifted their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $54.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Bank of New York Mellon from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $54.50 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised Bank of New York Mellon from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $52.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $54.75.

Get Our Latest Analysis on BK

Insider Buying and Selling at Bank of New York Mellon

In other Bank of New York Mellon news, VP Catherine Keating sold 4,498 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.81, for a total value of $246,535.38. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 123,490 shares in the company, valued at $6,768,486.90. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Hanneke Smits sold 15,425 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.16, for a total transaction of $850,843.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 119,656 shares in the company, valued at $6,600,224.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Catherine Keating sold 4,498 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.81, for a total value of $246,535.38. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 123,490 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,768,486.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

About Bank of New York Mellon

(Free Report)

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics.

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Unity Software (NYSE:U  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by equities research analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $28.00 to $35.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus target price would indicate a potential upside of 12.79% from the companys current price.

Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Unity Software from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Wolfe Research lowered Unity Software from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Monday, November 13th. Macquarie cut Unity Software from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $20.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, February 12th. HSBC assumed coverage on Unity Software in a research report on Monday, December 18th. They set a hold rating and a $37.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wedbush dropped their price target on shares of Unity Software from $55.00 to $31.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $39.31.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on U

Unity Software Price Performance

Insider Buying and Selling at Unity Software

U opened at $31.03 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $35.60 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.05. Unity Software has a 12-month low of $22.20 and a 12-month high of $50.08. The firm has a market cap of $11.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -13.38 and a beta of 2.52. The company has a current ratio of 2.35, a quick ratio of 2.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83.

In other Unity Software news, CMO Carol W. Carpenter sold 9,235 shares of Unity Software stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.19, for a total transaction of $260,334.65. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 461,034 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,996,548.46. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Tomer Bar-Zeev sold 150,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.92, for a total transaction of $6,138,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,200,332 shares of the companys stock, valued at $49,117,585.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CMO Carol W. Carpenter sold 9,235 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.19, for a total transaction of $260,334.65. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 461,034 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,996,548.46. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 390,398 shares of company stock worth $13,889,686 in the last quarter. 9.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Unity Software

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of U. F M Investments LLC acquired a new position in Unity Software in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,065,000. Shell Asset Management Co. lifted its position in shares of Unity Software by 32.4% in the third quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 212,895 shares of the companys stock worth $6,683,000 after buying an additional 52,158 shares during the last quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership increased its holdings in shares of Unity Software by 69.7% during the 3rd quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 2,431,829 shares of the companys stock valued at $76,335,000 after acquiring an additional 998,467 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC lifted its stake in shares of Unity Software by 1,064.3% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 72,545 shares of the companys stock worth $2,277,000 after buying an additional 66,314 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jump Financial LLC grew its stake in Unity Software by 84.0% in the 3rd quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 152,232 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,779,000 after buying an additional 69,515 shares during the last quarter. 64.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unity Software Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Unity Software Inc operates a real-time 3D development platform. Its platform provides software solutions to create, run, and monetize interactive, real-time 2D and 3D content for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles, and augmented and virtual reality devices. The company offers its solutions directly through its online store and field sales operations in North America, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea, as well as indirectly through independent distributors and resellers worldwide.

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WOOSTER  One of three projects recently given state approval is for Welch Packaging Group, which expects to create 50 full-time positions.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and state Rep. Scott Wiggam (R-Wayne County) announced the approval of projects set to collectively create 295 new jobs and retain 132 jobs statewide.

Wiggam said Welch Packaging Group will open a location in Wooster after receiving the latest round of Job Creation Tax Credits.

Wayne County is open for business, Wiggam said in a release. These jobs are a welcome addition to the Wooster community and a testament to what Wayne County has to offer businesses looking to grow. I look forward to seeing their future accomplishments.

Welch Packaging, a custom corrugated box company, will add a manufacturing facility to Woosters Innovation Park, occupying space in The Wooster Brush Companys new North Building on Daisy Way. Welch Packaging plans to manufacture supply-chain materials for the corrugated cardboard industry.

Jobs created through Ohio TCA

During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional partners. Collectively, the three projects are expected to result in more than $24 million in new payroll and spur $271 million in investments across Ohio.

It is expected Welch Packaging Group will generate more than $3.2 million in new annual payroll, as a result of the companys location in Wooster.

Economic Development President shares enthusiasm

President of the Wayne Economic Development Council Maribeth Burns shared her enthusiasm for the addition to the Wooster business community.

Welch Packaging, a custom corrugated box company, will add a manufacturing facility to Woosters Innovation Park, she said.

The business will occupy space in The Wooster Brush Companys new North Building.

Welch Packaging plans to manufacture supply-chain materials for the corrugated cardboard industry.

With a capital investment of over $20 million, Welch Packaging plans to be operational by the third quarter of this year. It expects to add 50-70 new full-time positions over a two-year period.

We appreciate Welch Packagings investment in Wayne County," Burns said. "Since the late '90s, Welch has continued to expand their geographic footprint across the Midwest through expansion from organic sales growth, acquisitions, and the continued development of their roughly 1,400 associates. They will be a nice addition to Wayne Countys driven, dynamic and diverse business base."

Story continues

About Welch Packaging

Welch Packaging Group is an independent custom cardboard packaging solutions manufacturer catering to a wide range of industries and assisting customers across the Midwest in getting their products to market.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) approved a 1.37%, seven-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the Welch Packaging Group project.

Other projects approved by the TCA are : Infoverity U.S., city of Dublin, expects to create 65 full-time positions, generating $7 million; and MMX Aluminum, MetalX, city of Defiance (Defiance County), expects to create 180 full-time positions, generating $14.4 million in new annual payroll.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Welch Packaging coming to Wooster Brush building at Innovation Park
A Chinese artist performs during a Chinese Lantern Festival concert in Valletta, Malta, on Feb. 21, 2024. [Xinhua/Chen Wenxian]

Highlighting that the Lantern Festival is one of China's most important traditional festivals, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Malta Peng Yijun said that the concert will "bring together friends from all walks of life in Malta to enjoy the unique artistic charm of traditional Chinese folk music."

VALLETTA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua)  Celebrations for the Chinese Lantern Festival were held in Malta this week, immersing people in the traditional culture of China.

The lantern festival takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the New Year celebration. This year, it falls on Feb. 24.

A concert was held on Wednesday night in Malta's capital city of Valletta, captivating the local audience with the enchanting melodies of traditional Chinese music. The event, hosted by the China Cultural Centre in Malta, featured classic Chinese songs such as "Give Me a Rose," "Nocturnal Peace," and "Moonlight over the Spring River."

The China Broadcasting Performing Arts Troupe's performance received a standing ovation, and the artists gave an encore of two more songs: "Jasmine Flower" from China and "Festa" from Malta.

Highlighting that the Lantern Festival is one of China's most important traditional festivals, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Malta Peng Yijun said that the concert will "bring together friends from all walks of life in Malta to enjoy the unique artistic charm of traditional Chinese folk music."

Chinese artists perform during a Chinese Lantern Festival concert in Valletta, Malta, on Feb. 21, 2024. [Xinhua/Chen Wenxian]

China wants to "further strengthen cultural exchanges and mutual learning with Malta," he added.

Mary Ann Cauchi, director of Funding and Strategy for the Arts Council Malta, said that the Lantern Festival has become a popular attraction. It promotes the convergence of two different cultures, and two ancient civilizations, she said.

"China and Malta are good friends that have withstood the test of time," she noted. "The countries' cooperation and exchanges have deepened in fields such as infrastructure, aquaculture, maritime and commercial, especially through Malta's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative."

Evarist Bartolo, Malta's former foreign minister, said that since he was born in the Year of the Dragon in 1952, 2024 is a special year for him as it is another Year of the Dragon.

"For me, it has a personal meaning: the relationship between Malta and China should get stronger and stronger," Bartolo said.

Martin Azzopardi, a science teacher and the founder of China Corner at St. Margaret College Secondary School in Cospicua, said the concert allowed the Maltese people to appreciate the rich musical culture of China.

On Thursday, the troupe also staged a performance at San Andrea School in northern Malta for over 200 students and teachers.

Students wearing traditional Chinese clothing pose for a group photo at a school in Pembroke, Malta, on Feb. 22, 2024. [Xinhua/Chen Wenxian]

Also on Thursday, an event was held at St. Clare Pembroke Secondary School, northeastern Malta, featuring singing and dancing, Chinese paper-cuts, tasting of dumplings, and trying on traditional Chinese clothing known as Hanfu.

School headteacher Lino Borg told Xinhua that the event, organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta, provided the students with a valuable opportunity to gain insight into Chinese culture and traditions. He expected the scale of these events would be expanded next year, to attract more students to learn the Chinese language.

(Source: Xinhua)


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Weather Alert

...Elevated Fire Danger Today and Tuesday... ...Hard Freeze Expected Tonight... The combination of very dry air and northwest winds gusting up to 20 mph will create an elevated risk of uncontrolled fire spread this afternoon. Relative humidity values will fall to 20 to 35%, with the lowest humidity levels over the Ozark Foothills of southeast Missouri. A more substantial fire danger is expected Tuesday, as southwest winds increase significantly, with gusts of 25 to 40 mph forecast Tuesday afternoon. Relative humidity values Tuesday afternoon will fall to 25 to 35%. If you are planning outdoor burning today and Tuesday, use extra caution and have fire suppression equipment ready. Tonight, very cold and dry surface high pressure will allow temperatures to drop into the middle and upper 20s throughout the region. Although the growing season has not officially started, tender vegetation could be impacted by these cold temperatures. Please take necessary actions to protect any tender vegetation tonight.
From left to right: Ivan Pironkov (Westinghouse), Oscar Prat (Westinghouse), Rumen Radev (Minister of Energy, Bulgaria), Delyan Dobrev (Chairman of the Energy Committee in the Parliament), Kenneth Merten (U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria), Alex Nestor (Chairman of Kozloduy New Built Company), Sean Jones (Westinghouse), and Ivan Mihaylov (CEO of Amcham). (Photo: Business Wire)

SOFIA, Bulgaria, February 23, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Westinghouse Electric Company welcomed representatives from over 50 companies to its Bulgarian Supplier Symposium this week. The event offered a forum to engage with potential suppliers in support of the two AP1000 reactors selected by Bulgaria for the Kozloduy nuclear site.

Rumen Radev, Bulgarias Minister of Energy, and Delyan Dobrev, Chairman of the Committee on Energy in the National Assembly, attended the event, in addition to Kozloduy leadership and representatives from the U.S. and Canadian Embassies.

Westinghouse was awarded a front-end engineering and design contract with Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild project in June 2023. In October 2023, Westinghouse signed memorandums of understanding with key Bulgarian suppliers for Kozloduy and other European projects, including for the manufacture of instrumentation and controls (I&C) systems, radiation monitoring systems, and various engineering, consulting and construction services.

"Bulgaria could be among the first countries in Europe with the AP1000 reactor, which is the most advanced nuclear technology available. This project is critical to provide our country with a reliable source of clean energy that will not only reduce emissions, but will be an investment in our economy, creating thousands of green jobs across the nuclear supply chain," said Petyo Ivanov, Executive Director of Kozloduy NPP New Built company. "By working together with Westinghouse, we can deliver the promise of clean, safe and secure nuclear energy."

"Westinghouse has a long history of working with the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant and the nuclear industry in Bulgaria, including the 10-year agreement signed in 2022 to supply nuclear fuel to one of the existing Kozloduy units," said Elias Gedeon, Senior Vice President of Westinghouse Energy Systems Commercial Operations. "We are making notable progress on our front-end engineering and design contract for the AP1000 reactors. We look forward to further expanding partnerships with the deeply experienced, local supply base within the country to support this new build opportunity."

Story continues

The AP1000 is the only operating Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design and has the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. One AP1000 reactor is operational with another near completion at the Vogtle site in Georgia, while four AP1000 units are currently setting operational performance records in China with four additional reactors under construction, and two more planned. Poland selected the AP1000 reactor for its nuclear energy program; Ukraine has made firm commitments for nine AP1000 units, and the technology is under consideration at multiple other sites in Central and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the worlds first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the companys technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223653037/en/

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Baby Basics Wrexham celebrating third birthday with National Lottery Community funding award

A community group that provides support to local families is celebrating its third birthday with a funding boost from the National Lottery.

Baby Basics Wrexham, based in the Priory Centre in the city centre, hands out out hampers full of essential baby clothing and supplies to expectant mums identified by professionals.

The group, which was set up in February 2021 during the height of the covid pandemic, is run entirely by volunteers.

It was recently awarded 5000 in National Lottery Community funding.

The money will help support the groups work in providing essentials for the post-natal safety and wellbeing of the baby and mother in a bid to prevent debt and provide dignity and hope at this vulnerable time of their lives.

Baby Basics Wrexham was founded by Sarah Davies, a teacher and mum, and others at Christ Church, after she realised that the community was struggling to provide support to local families and their children and she wanted to make a difference.

They work through a referral basis mainly with midwives, health visitors, social workers, council staff and other professionals who can properly assess the needs of the family.

Since its launch in 2021 Baby Basics Wrexham, which is part of the Baby Basics UK and Baby Bank Alliance, has made up over 160 hampers for families.

The additional funding from the National Lottery will help purchase new Moses baskets and stands, mattresses, nappies, toiletries, hygiene products, bedding, baby towels and changing mats as well as improve the functionality of their centre.

The team also recruits donations from people in Wrexham and every single week they receive donations of preloved (gently used) clothing and new toiletries from the people of Wrexham who want to support local people.

Recently several of the mums who received a hamper previously have donated things back to be given out again.

Every Monday the volunteers come in to receive and sort donations from the community and to make up the hampers they give out.

The referrers come pick up them up and deliver them to the mums.

Sarah Opper, centre manager since July 2023, said: Were delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to help more local families who are struggling to provide for their new babies, giving dignity and hope at a stressful time.

This will be vital to support vulnerable babies in our community, helping to alleviate some of the impacts of childhood poverty.

If you think you might qualify for a referral, please speak to your midwife or health visitor and ask them about this service.

If you need equipment like prams or highchairs, please contact Baby Equipment Bank Wrexham run by Homestart.

Last year Baby Basics Wrexham was honoured to be a chosen charity to receive a donation from the proceeds of the inaugural Wrexham Business and Community Awards (WBCA) Night.

To find out more about donating or getting involved check out their active Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/babybasicswrexham which lists the weeks needed donations and other updates and photos.

The National Lottery Community Fund recently launched its new strategy, It starts with community, which will underpin its efforts to distribute at least 4 billion of National Lottery funding by 2030.

TNL explain: National Lottery players raise over 30 million a week for good causes across the UK. Thanks to them, last year The National Lottery Community Fund was able to distribute over half a billion pounds (615.4 million) of life-changing funding to communities.

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Wales-specific pandemic inquiry rejected  committee members break ranks we cant even demand that the first minister or the former health minister comes before us

The Welsh Parliament narrowly rejected calls to establish an independent Wales-specific public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the vote tied at 27-27, Elin Jones  the speaker or Llywydd  used her casting vote against the motion in line with convention and Senedd rules.

Conservative and Lib Dem MSs backed Plaid Cymrus call for a Wales judge-led inquiry but Welsh ministers and Labour backbenchers voted against.

Labour MSs were whipped to vote in line with the Welsh Government, rather than given a free vote, but the partys group is understood to be united on the issue.

Mick Antoniw said the UK Covid-19 inquiry, which will hold hearings in Cardiff for 10 days from February 27, is as much for Wales as England or any of the four nations.

Mr Antoniw, who is counsel general, the Welsh Governments chief legal adviser, argued participating in a UK inquiry is the most effective way of ensuring full and proper scrutiny.

Insufficient

Leading the debate on Wednesday, Mabon ap Gwynfor told the chamber the UK inquirys scope is insufficient to cover every element of how the pandemic was handled in Wales.

Only a full inquiry for Wales can achieve this, said the shadow health minister. And it is a democratic and moral imperative that the Welsh Government heeds the call.

Mr Gwynfor said Heather Hallett, who chairs the UK inquiry, acknowledged from the outset it will never be able analyse every issue in full.

He pointed out only one afternoon has so far been devoted to Welsh Government testimony.

The Plaid Cymru MS said the Scottish Government has recognised the potential for the UK inquiry to overlook devolved matters by establishing an inquiry.

He urged the Welsh Government to similarly put the public interest before its own, saying: This is what proper accountability and responsible governance looks like.

Hypocritical

Mr Gwynfor, who represents Dwyfor Meirionnydd, said the Welsh Government correctly asserted its right to do things differently but major mistakes were made in the pandemic.

He told the Senedd: It is completely hypocritical to insist on diverging from UK policy to strike a tailored approach to Wales on the one hand, while ducking tailored scrutiny for the consequences of those actions on the other.

Moreover, it does the cause of devolution a considerable disservice by creating the impression that this Senedd cannot hold itself accountable for the laws passed here.

Russell George, the Tories shadow minister, echoed the Plaid Cymru members tributes to the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru group for its tireless campaigning.

He agreed that refusing a Wales-specific Covid inquiry ultimately undermines devolution, accusing Welsh ministers of dodging scrutiny.

Mr George said the answers bereaved families and the people of Wales deserve are best achieved through an independent Welsh judge-led public inquiry.

Poor substitute

Adam Price told MSs that the Senedd Covid-19 committee, of which he is a member, will remain a poor substitute, saying: Weve been given a task without the tools to fulfil it.

He said the committee, which was set up to identify gaps in the UK-wide inquiry, risks inadvertently devaluing parliamentary scrutiny and ultimately lacks public confidence.

The former Plaid Cymru leader told MSs: That would be a disaster for the reputation of this institution and it would be an incredible disservice to the people we are meant to represent.

Given the impasse, Mr Price suggested establishing a parliamentary commission that would go beyond the narrow terms and limitations of the Senedd committee.

Altaf Hussain, a fellow member of the Senedd Covid-19 committee, similarly broke ranks.

Sticking plaster

You would expect me to defend our committee but I cannot, said the Conservative, who described it as a sticking-plaster solution.

Mr Hussain, a former consultant orthopaedic surgeon, warned the committee can in no way replace a dedicated inquiry and its task of identifying gaps is a near-impossible feat.

We dont have access to the vast amount of information provided to core participants of the Covid inquiry, he said. We cant subpoena witnesses  we cant even demand that the first minister or the former health minister comes before us to explain their actions.

Heledd Fychan, the Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales Central, described refusal to establish an inquiry as a dereliction of duty, saying: We should never be afraid of scrutiny.

We should never be afraid to admit when we get things wrong  it is inevitable. Avoiding scrutiny is irresponsible. We need to learn lessons and apply them.

Nightmare

Her colleague Delyth Jewell lost a loved one who was living in a care home during Covid.

She said: So many people died alone and the sense prevails that the uncomfortable truths about their deaths were swept under some carpet. For the bereaved families, it is a nightmare from which theyve never awoken because of those unanswered questions.

Responding for the Welsh Government, Mr Antoniw said a UK inquiry has the capacity, powers and force to oversee the interconnected nature of decision-making.

Pressed about the Scottish inquiry, he told MSs that he remains unconvinced that it will add anything significantly beyond the UK inquiry.

Mr Antoniw said the Plaid Cymru motion prematurely assumes the UK inquiry will not be good enough before a single hearing has been held in module 2B.

He said: I believe we must avoid premature assumptions and we must allow both the inquiry and the committee to complete their work in due course.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

[email protected]
Not for the first time in recent months, liquefied natural gas (LNG) company Tellurian (NYSEMKT: TELL) had a rough trading session on the stock market Thursday. It announced an amendment for a number of its debt facilities, which only served to remind investors of what a difficult state its finances are in. As a result, its share price took a more than 14% hit on a day when the S&P 500 index rose in excess of 2%.

Modification of two debt facilities

Tellurian disclosed in both a regulatory filing and a press release that it reached an agreement with an unnamed investor to amend the indentures (contracts, in other words) covering two issues of senior secured notes. Both notes mature in 2025; one carries a 10% coupon rate, and the other -- a convertible note that can morph into equity -- carries a 6% rate.

Under the terms of the agreement, Tellurian said, it will have a lower minimum cash balance requirement and will be able to make in-kind payments to satisfy interest owed the note holders.

Tellurian quoted its CEO Octavio Simoes as saying that the new arrangement "is pivotal toward establishing a sustainable capital structure and accelerating our strategic priority, Driftwood LNG."

"It also provides us the time and flexibility to complete the sale of our upstream assets in a manner that maximizes value for our shareholders while we maintain our focus on the intensive negotiations associated with the commercialization of Driftwood LNG," he added.

Drifting away?

Driftwood LNG, a monster project that has had more than its share of setbacks and delays, is a major concern of Tellurian and its investors.

While the modification of the terms covering the notes might have some positive aspects, it ultimately serves to illustrate the tough financial position the company remains in -- not to mention the status of the still-in-the-distance Driftwood LNG. Shareholders will be hoping for more substantially bullish financing news from Tellurian in the near future.

Story continues

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On Thursday, 600 bus drivers and support workers for Fairfax Connector, operated by multinational corporation Transdev, went on strike. The Fairfax Connector drivers join 130 bus drivers and mechanics who operate routes for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and who have been on strike since October 24. The striking WMATA, or Metrobus, workers are also employed by Transdev.

Fairfax Connector, Virginias largest public bus line, serves Fairfax County, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Thousands of D.C. area commuters rely on it, with many of the Fairfax Connector lines feeding directly into the WMATA bus and rail system. The Fairfax Connector strike is affecting 90 bus routes, impacting 30,000 riders a day. The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) represents both the striking Metrobus and Fairfax Connector workers.

A Fairfax Connector bus [Photo by Flicker.com, MW Transit Photos / CC BY 4.0

The 44-day old Metrobus strike is limited to only 18 out of the systems 325 bus routes and does not involve any of the systems six rail lines. Meanwhile, over 7,500 WMATA employees also represented by the ATU remain on the job, leaving the 130 Transdev employees isolated. The ATU is, in effect, scabbing on its own striking members by allowing the vast majority of the WMATA system to remain operating during the strike.

Only the militancy and determination of the Fairfax Connector workers to fight finally pushed the ATU to authorize a limited expansion of the strike. Soon after the Metrobus strike began in late October, Fairfax Connector expanded its service to run buses on the struck bus lines. Fairfax Connector workers responded immediately in protest at this blatant attempt to undermine the Metrobus workers, forcing the County to quickly back down. ATU, begrudgingly, waited five days after the Fairfax Connector contract expired on November 30 to authorize this weeks action, despite a vote back on November 9 by workers to strike.

The ATU is seeking to limit the Fairfax Connector strike as much as possible, stating that the strike is over unfair labor practices and bad faith bargaining committed by the Company. It has offered no official demands. In response to the strike, Transdev has threatened to fire any worker who has gone on strike.

Both Fairfax County and WMATA are determined to see Transdev prevail as they both seek to push through further privatization of the D.C. area transit system. While Fairfax Connector has been run by private companies for more than a decade, the contract that WMATA awarded to Transdev in 2018, covering the 18 bus routes, represents the only portion of WMATAs bus or rail lines that are privatized.

At the time it awarded the contract in 2018, WMATA said privatizing the 18 bus lines would save it $15 million over five years by relieving it of any pension and benefit obligations. Under its terms, Metro is paying Transdev $89 million over three-years, with two one-year options. As a result of the privatization, Transdev/Metrobus employees are paid on average $12 an hour less than WMATA employees and face healthcare deductibles of $6,000 for individuals and $12,000 for families.

Signaling its intent to expand privatization, WMATA is currently reviewing proposals from private companies to operate and maintain all trains, stations and facilities at a six-station extension of one of the rail lines, once it is completed in 2020. As with the privatization of the bus routes, WMATAs move is a transparent attempt to attack workers living standards. In September 2018, WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld explained that the use of a private company to operate the line would hold down pension cost growth which, he claims has grown to unsustainable levels.

Rather than seeking to unite all transit workers against the attempt by the transit agencies to expand privatization, the ATU has instead sought to play up differences between the striking Fairfax Connector workers and the striking Metrobus workers. In a Facebook statement from December 3, ATU Local 1764, which represents the Fairfax Connector workers, stated that our contract and the one Local 689 is negotiating at Cinder Bed [for the Metrobus workers] are very different. Different workers. Different local unions. Different governing agencies. Yet here we are on the verge of both units finding themselves on strike.

The Facebook statement further reveals that the ATU is not fighting against privatization, instead urging either that Transdev find itself a new business model or that WMATA and Fairfax County find themselves a new contractor tomorrow night. As with other public sector unions, such as the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, which have sanctioned the privatization of public education through charter schools, the ATU is fine with privatization and the resulting cuts in wages and benefits, so long as they can represent these highly exploited workers and ensure a continuing stream of union dues to their coffers.

Instead of spreading the strike to shut down the regions transit system, which would largely bring the Federal Government to a halt, the ATU is leading the workers at both transit agencies into a dead end. As with the 40-day General Motors strike in the fall, the ATU is using the Metrobus strike to wear workers down in order to force through a concessionary agreement, which will only embolden WMATA to both cut into the living standards of WMATA workers and to expand its privatization efforts.

The ATU, as with all American unions, is tied to the capitalist Democratic Party. In numerous Facebook posts ATU Local 689 has fawned over various letters from Democratic Party officials to WMATAs General Manager. Despite their holiday phrases of support for the workers, the letters ask no more than that WMATA choose its contractors wisely while asserting that privatization has been made with an eye toward financial stability as one such letter from Virginia Congressional Democrats Gerald E. Connolly, Donald Beyer, Jr. and Jennifer Wexton from November 20 states.

The last thing the ATU and their Democratic Party backers want is for the working class to assert its interests as an independent political force. Despite the bitter factional struggle being waged in Washington over impeachment, both Democrats and the Republican Trump administration are terrified by the growth of the class struggle.

Striking Metrobus and Fairfax Connector workers must be warnedyour strikes will not be won if they remain in the hands of the ATU. What is required is a complete break with this pro-capitalist organization. D.C. transit workers must form independent rank and file committees and immediately expand the strike to all transit workers. Striking workers must reach out to as broad a section of the working class as possible. If the aims of the strike are made clear to the wider working class, it will gain a great sympathy and have the potential for a broader struggle.

Immediate demands of the transit worker rank and file committee should include an end to all transit privatization, pay equity for all workers doing the same work, full pension and fully paid healthcare, and pay increases to compensate for all prior concessionary contracts. Further, demands should include billions in additional funding to provide for vitally necessary improvements in public transportation.

These demands can only be won if transit workers understand the political issues raised in their struggle. Transit workers are not fighting simply a multinational company or a given transit agency, but the entire capitalist class, including its representatives in the Democratic Party. This requires workers advance an independent socialist strategy.
A perspective piece on Long COVID by Ziyad Al-Aly and Eric Topol was published in Science magazine today. It reviews the scientific communitys current knowledge about the disorder, as well as remaining gaps in knowledge that are critical to address. It concludes with policy recommendations for how society should move forward in studying, preventing and treating Long COVID.

The authors are preeminent scholars and experts on Long COVID. Dr Al-Aly is a physician-scientist at Washington University in St. Louis. He has numerous high impact publications on COVID-19 and Long COVID and recently testified to Congress at a hearing devoted to the disorder. Among other important pieces, he has led studies on the dangers of COVID-19 reinfections, the effects of Long COVID after more than two years, and comparing the effects of COVID-19 and influenza.

Dr. Al-Aly [Photo: Dr. Al-Aly]

Dr. Topol is a scientist and executive vice president for research at the Scripps Institute. He was the senior author on a key review article on Long COVID published in Nature Reviews Microbiology. He wrote a critical piece in Science early in the pandemic detailing the impacts of COVID-19 on the heart.

These scientists start their perspective by summarizing what is known. The disorder affects every organ system and is frequently debilitating. Millions of people have Long COVID. Indeed, other scientists estimate 400 million people worldwide are afflicted. It affects people of all age groups, sex and genetic composition.

Eric Topol [Photo by Juhan Sonin / CC BY 4.0

As the authors note, Long Covid will have wide-reaching effects that are yet to be fully appreciated.

Risk factors include severe infection and reinfection with the virus. Although severe COVID-19 is associated with a higher risk of developing Long COVID, mild or even asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 virus infections can cause Long COVID. Each reinfection increases risk.

Several hypotheses for the etiology of Long COVID have been put forward and for which there is growing evidence. They include persistent reservoirs of the virus, viral-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, immune dysregulation including autoimmune disorders, inflammation of blood vessel and neural tissues, and disruptions to the microbiome.

Potential pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in the manifestation of acute and long-COVID manifestations in the central nervous system (CNS) [Photo: "Neurological manifestations of long-COVID syndrome: a narrative review"]

In addition to avoiding SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first place, Long COVID can be prevented by vaccines and medications. Vaccines reduce the risk by 15-75 percent. The antiviral combination of ritonavir and nirmatrelvir (branded as Paxlovid) reduces the risk by 26 percent. One randomized controlled trial of the diabetes drug metformin found it reduced the risk by 41 percent.

The piece goes on to detail the challenges of caring for patients with Long COVID:

Despite this cumulative knowledge on mechanisms, epidemiology and prevention, there are several major challenges. Importantly, the care needs of people with Long Covid are unmet. Patients are often met with skepticism and dismissal of their symptoms as psychosomatic. The attribution of symptoms to psychological causes has no scientific support 

The authors go on to conclude with several recommendations and a warning. First, they call for additional researchand greatly increased levels of government funding to support iton several aspects of Long COVID, from better defining the disorder, to further elucidation of the biological mechanisms of its genesis, to determining its long-term trajectory and outcomes, to the creation of animal models to facilitate future research, and finally to development of more and better treatments.

Second, they make several policy recommendations. One recommendation is to strengthen the epidemiology and disease surveillance capacity of the public health system, which was devastated prior to the pandemic, and despite a brief resurgence driven by the pandemic response, has increasingly been dismantled.

Some of the most prevalent symptoms of Long COVID

The chief enabler of dismantling surveillance was the World Health Organizations declaration of an end to the public health emergency over COVID-19. This action enabled governments worldwide to return to pre-pandemic levels of support for disease surveillance, thereby ending nearly all data collection and reporting on COVID-19 and leading to the demise of the popular COVID-19 dashboard created by scientists at Johns Hopkins University.

Another recommendation is to address the unmet healthcare needs of Long COVID patients. The authors advocate for training health care providers to recognize and manage Long Covid, expanding access to specialty clinics, and developing care pathways that could be adapted in low-resource settings.

Finally, the authors recommend a renewed emphasis on public health measures to prevent infection and reinfection. They state: Reinfection, which is now the dominant type of SARS-CoV-2 infection, is not inconsequential; it can trigger de novo Long Covid or exacerbate its severity.

Notably, they urge greater emphasis and adoption of non-pharmaceutical measures including air filtration and masking, arguing: Updating building codes to require mitigation against air-borne pathogens and ensure safer indoor air should be treated with the same seriousness afforded to mitigation of risks from earth-quakes and other natural hazards.

They also emphasize campaigns to increase vaccine uptake and the development and widespread application of nasally administered vaccines.

The authors end by warning that there is an urgent need to address the challenges presented by Long COVID, concluding: The world must rise to the occasion and address these challenges; the health and well-being of current and future generations depend on this.

The publication of this piece coincides with news that COVID-19 infections are unexpectedly increasing. Instead of past seasonal patterns of a significant fall in infections in February, after the usual burst in January due to holiday gatherings, recent wastewater surveillance data demonstrate instead that levels of infection are still rising. Estimates are that there are 1.35 million infections per day in the United States alone, and COVID-19 levels overall are higher than during 86 percent of the time since the pandemic began.

Thus, with infections and reinfections surging, we can expect millions more to develop Long COVID in the coming weeks and months.

As commendable as these scientists and their recommendations are, their political orientation and brief analysis of who is responsible for the lack of societal progress on Long COVID are misdirected. To the extent they assign blame, they focus solely on the far right, writing:

Tied with the antiscience, antivaccine movement, a tide of Long Covid denialism is rising. This movement sows doubt about the scale and urgency of Long Covid, conflates Long Covid with vaccine adverse events, and seeks to hamper progress on addressing the care needs of people suffering from this condition.

However, both parties of the ruling class have proven impervious to calls to prioritize the health of people over profits and war. No amount of pleadings, petitions, or entreaties has dissuaded them from the decimation of the public health system and policies of mass infection and death. Joe Biden has not changed course from the policies of his predecessor, having fully endorsed the unscientific and anti-public-health herd immunity policy.

In fact, the attacks on public health only escalate. Just this week, as measles outbreaks popped up around the nation, Dr. Jospeh Ladapothe notoriously anti-science, anti-vaccination, anti-public health state surgeon general of Floridarefused to close a Broward elementary school where there have been six cases of measles already. In a letter to parents, he also omitted any recommendation to vaccinate their unvaccinated children. Finally, and most egregiously, he said that parents of measles victims may exercise their own discretion in when to return infected children to school.

These policies fly in the face of over 100 years of public health advances that had previously eradicated measles from the United States. But Ladapo alone is not to blame. As documented just last week in the World Socialist Web Site, Bidens Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are dropping their guidelines on isolation of those with COVID-19.

Furthermore, at a hearing last month on Long COVID, neither Bernie Sanders nor any other member of the Senates Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee made any reference to the surge of COVID-19 this winter. Nor did they call for the massive investment required to halt the pandemic.

The ruling class has demonstrated repeatedly that it is committed to a policy of mass infection, debilitation and death, and not just with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term effects. It is also committed unswervingly to the horrors in Gaza and Ukraine.

Repeated appeals to politicians, no matter how authoritative the voices of scientists, are ineffectual in changing these policies. The only force capable of ending the pandemic, ending war and genocide, and placing the well-being of people above that of corporations is the international working class. That force will only succeed in these tasks based on its own socialist political program and organization, entirely separate from the Republican and Democratic parties and the organizations beholden to them.
On the heels of the national alert issued to health systems by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last month on outbreaks of measles across several states, Broward County, Florida, health officials confirmed six measles cases had been detected this week at Manatee Bay Elementary School, located 20 miles west of Fort Lauderdale.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease with serious and potentially lethal consequences for those who contract it. These include high fevers, need for hospitalization, and a very small (1 in 1,000) risk of brain injury and (3 in 1,000) risk of death. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set vaccination herd immunity levels at 95 percent to prevent forward transmission of measles. Anyone without immunity who is exposed to an infectious person stands more than a 90 percent chance of contracting the virus.

According to Floridas department of health, less than 92 percent of kindergarten-aged children in Broward County were fully vaccinated in 2022. A Broward County vaccine report on the present academic year notes that 23 schools at the kindergarten level fell below 80 percent of fully vaccinated students. According to a CBS News report from earlier this month, home-schooled children and those attending private or charter schools ranked in the bottom nine out of 165 on the county list of vaccination rates. For Manatee Bay Elementary, less than 90 percent were fully immunized for the current calendar year. This means that more than 100 students are susceptible.

From a public health perspective, this is considered a low vaccination rate and underscores the dangers posed by the anti-vaccination trends that are being promoted by various reactionary groups and the fascistic elements within the political spectrum, which have an epicenter in Florida with its fascistic governor Ron DeSantis and his acolyte surgeon general, the Harvard-educated quack Dr. Joseph Ladapo.

Ladapo has employed pseudo-scientific chicanery to minimize the dangers posed by COVID-19 and made openly false statements about the dangers of anti-COVID vaccines. He has used the powers invested in him by the state to not lift a finger in what amounts to a legitimate public health threat. Just last month, Ladapo called for halting the use of mRNA COVID vaccines.

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo gestures as he speaks to supporters and members of the media before a bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Nov. 18, 2021, in Brandon, Fla. [AP Photo/Chris O'Meara]

In a letter to parents and guardians dated February 20, 2024, after informing them about the cluster of measles cases identified at Manatee Bay Elementary, he stated, Due to the high immunity rate in the community, as well as the burden on families and educational cost of healthy children missing schools, the department of health is deferring to parents or guardians to make decision about school attendance (emphasis added).

In order to keep students and the public safe and break the chains of transmission, a sound public health policy would send all unvaccinated and undervaccinated children home to isolate until health officials deem the outbreak over while ensuring that they are fully vaccinated as quickly as possible. Given the long incubation period that can last for at least three full weeks, contingencies have to be made to support the community in these circumstances. Should another measles case be detected at the elementary school, this will only set the clock back for all who do not have immunity against measles.

This abrogation of responsibility and deferring complex public health decisions to the whim of parents is simply criminal negligence that endangers the population of Broward County and Florida. It is entirely in keeping with the demands by finance capital and the policy of forever COVID that no future public health crisis will impede the normal course of commerce. Under capitalism, children must attend school so their parents can be at work producing corporate profits, regardless of the dangers posed by to them by these respiratory pathogens.

On hearing of Floridas response, Jason Schwartz, associate professor of health policy at the Yale School of Public Health, told STAT News:

This is pretty stunning public health guidance to get from a state health commissioner in 2024. And it would be absolutely baffling to see if it wasnt frankly so consistent with the kinds of things weve seen and heard from  this office over the past few years. Its the latest in a sort of series of actions and statements that all seem to minimize the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.

It is also the latest in a series of political and legalistic maneuvers that have attempted to dismantle the principles of scientific thought stemming from the Enlightenment and centuries of scientific discoveries that have given modern life its longevity and well-being. The recent ruling by Alabamas Supreme Court to recognize frozen embryos as a person under state law and declare the supremacy of religion over secular life, in contradiction to the constitution and Bill of Rights, is a testament to the utter bankruptcy of capitalism in its terminal state.

As Thursdays World Socialist Web Site perspective on the Alabama ruling correctly stated,

The Alabama ruling will resonate with religious fanatics opposed to the separation of church and state and anti-vaccines, anti-science demagogues like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. They feel they can run amok with the backing of the US Supreme Court and the spinelessness of the Democratic Party and the Biden Administration

But for the working class, the attack on abortion rights and other elements of reproductive freedom, such as in vitro fertilization and contraception, must be seen as a deadly threat to democratic rights, and workers must act accordingly.

These also apply to protecting the well-being of communities against not just novel pathogens, but previously checked viruses with safe and highly effective vaccines and treatments.

The attack on the sciences, including the basic foundational comprehension of life, is an attack on the gains made by the working class in defense of its own interests. It is an attack on the theoretical underpinning of mass consciousness and the revolutionary perspective that the world is knowable, understandable and changeable. These reactionary developments opposed to vaccines and public health in general are counterrevolutionary attacks aimed precisely at the working class.

Globally, over 61 million doses of measles-containing vaccines were postponed or missed from 2020 to 2022. The World Health Organization said this week that half the worlds countries will soon be at high or very high risk of measles outbreak. The WHOs Senior Technical Adviser on Measles and Rubella, Natasha Crowcroft, said at the press briefing in Geneva, What we are worried about is this year, 2024, weve got these big gaps in our immunization programs and if we dont fill them really quickly with the vaccine, measles will jump into that gap.

In 2023, global measles cases were up 64 percent, while deaths rose 43 percent. Many scientists have called the virus that produces measles the inequity virus because it will find and attack those least protected. However, rather than implementing an international program that consolidates resources to address these most urgent problems, billions are being raised to continue to prosecute the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and fund the genocide in Gaza.
A sophomore student, Nex Benedict, who identified as non-binary, died this month following a severe beating by three older female students in a Owasso, Oklahoma, high school bathroom.

Nex Benedict [Photo: GoFundMe]

According to Nexs mother Sue Benedict, who spoke to the Independent, on February 7 Nex was in a fight along with a transgender student against three older girls in a girls bathroom during which Nex was knocked to the ground, hitting their head. Nex suffered severe head injuries from the altercation. According to the police the fight was broken up by other students who were present in the restroom and a school staff member who was supervising outside of the restroom.

Nex had been bullied due to their gender identity since early 2023. Far-right Republican Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed an anti-transgender bathroom ban in early 2022 mandating students use restrooms that match their sex listed at birth.

In text messages released to local media posthumously by the family, Nex said that those who had jumped them had been bullying me and my friends and I got tired of it so I poured some water on them and all 3 came after me. School did not report to the police and is probably getting sued. Nex also wrote that the school lost the girls after they made me and my friends separate and one of my friends had to be escorted to his bus because they couldnt find them.

The Independent reported, Ms Benedict said she was furious that the school had failed to call an ambulance or the police. She said the school then informed her Nex was being suspended for two weeks. Nexs mother described them as a straight-A student who liked the videogames Ark and Minecraft, was devoted to their cat Zeus, and was going places.

Nexs sister Malia Pila, who is also LGBTQ, told the Independent that gender identity in the family was not an issue nor anything that anybody cared about.

Nexs mother took them to Bailey Medical Center in Owasso for treatment. That night they fell asleep listening to music with a sore head. When they were both getting ready for an appointment in Tulsa the next morning Nex suddenly collapsed. EMT personnel found Nex was not breathing, and pronounced them dead that evening in the hospital.

Nexs family released the following statement: While various investigations are still pending, the facts currently known by the family, some of which have been released to the public, are troubling at best. We urge those tasked with investigating and prosecuting all potentially liable parties to do so fully, fairly and expediently. Notwithstanding, the family is independently interviewing witnesses and collecting all available evidence.'

The Owasso Police Department claims that preliminary information from the medical examiners office is that a complete autopsy was performed and indicated that the decedent did not die as a result of trauma.

As Judd Legum, a journalist for the newsletter Popular Information, pointed out on X, If the police will not release the autopsy report, why are they releasing partial, paraphrased information?

Nexs death comes amid a far-right campaign against public education and equality in Oklahoma and across the US led by the Republican Party and unopposed by the Democratic Party.

Oklahomas Republican government has been particularly prominent in vilifying transgender and LGBTQ students and people more broadly, as many people on social media have pointed out, as well as LGBTQ advocacy groups and news articles. Oklahoma is one of nearly two dozen states which have banned gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors, with a statewide ban coming into effect in 2023. According to the ACLU the state legislators have already proposed 54 anti-LGBTQ laws, more than any other state.

This reactionary campaign is shown most starkly in the recent appointment of Chaya Raichik to the Oklahoma Department of Educations Library Media Advisory Committee by the fascistic superintendent of the state Education Department, Ryan Walters.

Raichik previously targeted the Owasso school district through her Libs of Tik Tok X account, with her witch-hunt causing a pro-LGBTQ teacher who Nex admired to be fired from their high school, according to Nexs mother, who said, Nex was very angry about it. Raichik has called the LGBTQ community a cult whose leaders brainwash others to join, groom kids and are extremely poisonous.

In response to outrage from many users on X, Raichik denied her role in Nexs death and claimed that trans activists were attempting to have her targeted for violence.

Raichik has also denied inspiring the neo-Nazi who carried out a mass shooting at an Allen, Texas mall. The shooter, 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia, posted on the social media website OK.ru before the shooting about his flaunting of his adulation of Hitler before woke teachers. He started out the posting stating, This post was inspired by Libs of TikTok.

A November 2, 2023, USA Today article headlined, When Libs of TikTok tweets, threats increasingly follow, detailed Raichiks stochastic terrorist methods which are aimed at demonizing a section of society so as to inspire violent actions against them. (The word stochastic refers to random distributions, indicating that the terrorist actions could not be directly linked to Raichiks diatribes, allowing her to escape criminal liability.)

Raichik celebrated this tribute by changing her bio to describe herself as a stochastic terrorist (she has since removed this wording), posting a smiling picture on her X account with the article in hand, and by changing the background of her X page to feature a bomb-themed logo.

Raichik has been made a prominent Republican Party figure precisely for her hateful incitement. She was a featured speaker at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) which also featured Trump and neo-Nazi Jack Posobiec, meeting with Trump at his resort in Mar-a-Lago, and appearing on Tucker Carlsons show. Raichik has had her QAnon conspiracy theory posts endorsed by billionaire Elon Musk as part of his systematic promotion of anti-immigrant, racist and antisemitic propaganda on his platform X.

Ryan Walters has been at the forefront of the campaign to destroy public education and attack public school educators. He has worked to further destroy the separation of church and state by introducing Christianity into public schools and expanding school vouchers that funnel public funds to religious institutions.

His vicious attacks against LGBTQ people, particularly trans and non-binary youth, is part and parcel of his attacks on public education. Walters has claimed that the most radical concept weve ever come across in K-12 education, [is] that you can be gender fluid (or) change your gender constantly. He forced Oklahoma school principal Shane Murnan to resign for performing as a drag queen in his personal time saying you have no place in the classroom.

Walters is supported by various far-right groups including the 1776 Project PAC, Americans for Prosperity and Moms for Liberty. The latter has pledged to back similar candidates and uses the phony parental rights campaign, as we have previously written, to assault social equality, culture, and the conditions and democratic rights of educators and students. The point of this, as well as the bipartisan attack on public education, is the subordination of all social rights and the allocation of public funds to the priorities of the ruling elitefirst and foremost, war and the preparation of future wars for American hegemonybut also including intensified exploitation of the working class and reprisals against critical thinking, culture, internationalism and socialism.

Notably, Walters has issued no press release on Nexs death as of this writing. Bidens Department of Education secretary Miguel Cardona released a terse statement claiming he was devastated by the news of Nexs passing, but made no call for an investigation into the killing, let alone for those who are politically responsible for the violence in the Republican Party to be held accountable.

Any legitimate investigation would necessarily indict not just the ghouls in the Oklahoma Republican Party but the highest levels of the party as well as Trump, who espouse the very same politics as Ryan, in addition to lauding bigots like Raichik.

As is the case with the US-Mexico border, where the Biden administration has embraced far-right anti-immigrant policies in order to get funding for the genocide in Gaza and war with Russia in Ukraine, the Democratic Party is hostile to any real defense of the democratic rights of trans and other minorities as this would interfere with their push to acquire more funds for war and genocide as well as their war on workers at home as was seen in the bipartisan vote to shut down a rail workers strike in 2022.

As the WSWS wrote over 25 years ago in 1998 on the anti-gay lynching of 22-year old Matthew Shepard in Wyoming:

Taking advantage of the prevailing political confusion, the extreme right wing seeks to build up support by playing on existing economic and social anxiety ... The aim of the fundamentalists and their Republican allies is to identify in the popular mind a golden age when economic security and Christian values predominated. Playing on sexual insecurity and backwardness, particularly among the most psychologically vulnerable layers of semi-lumpen youth, is a perennial element of any reactionary social movement. In responding to these dangers, not the slightest confidence can be placed in the passage of hate crimes bills, in the courts, or in the Democratic Party ... The defense of the rights of gays and all minorities under attack is linked with the broader question of building a mass-based socialist movement in the working class and creating a political culture inoculated against the toxins of racism, anti-Semitism, chauvinism and anti-gay bigotry.
Quebecs right-wing, avowedly pro-big business Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government has tabled legislation in the National Assembly renewing its use of the Canadian constitutions anti-democratic notwithstanding clause to shield its discriminatory state secularism lawcommonly known as Bill 21from court challenge.

Bill 52 will ensure those provisions of Bill 21 that violate the democratic rights supposedly guaranteed in the Canadian constitutions Charter of Rights and Freedoms, will remain in force for a further five years.

Bill 21 prohibits the wearing of religious symbols, including the hijab, Sikh turban and Jewish yarmulke, by public school teachers and government employees in positions of authority. It deprives fully-veiled Muslim women of the right to access essential public services such as health care. Justified in the name of secularism, Bill 21 also hypocritically authorizes the display of Catholic symbols, which are omnipresent in Quebecs public spaces, on the pretext that they are part of Quebecs cultural heritage.

A demonstration in Montreal against Bill 21. [Photo: McGill Students Union/Twitter ]

When Bill 21 was passed in June 2019, the CAQ pre-emptively invoked the notwithstanding clause, because it knew full well that its legislation trampled on basic democratic rights and that its most contentious provisions would be struck down by the courts. Indeed, in April 2021, a Quebec Superior Court found that Bill 21s ban on religious symbols violated the Charters guarantees of freedom of religion and expression and was having a cruel and dehumanizing impact on minorities, especially Muslim women. However, Justice Marc-Andre Blanchard nevertheless upheld the ban, ruling that the governments invocation of the notwithstanding clause was lawful.

The 33rd and concluding section of Canadas Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the notwithstanding clause grants Canadas federal, provincial and territorial governments the power to pass laws that violate rights supposedly protected under the Charter, with the sole proviso that its use must be renewed by the requisite legislature every five years. Hence the need for the CAQ government to pass Bill 52 by next June.

In justifying the governments suspension of Quebecers democratic rights, Bill 52s sponsor, Jean-Francois Roberge, the CAQ Minister of the French Language and Minister responsible for Secularism, declared Bill 21 a gesture of national affirmation that had forged a kind of social consensus. He added cynically that prior to the bills adoption, the debate was fraught with verbal violence and that people [didnt] feel safe. In reality, it was Bill 21 that led to a marked increase in hate incidents against religious minorities and a feeling of insecurity among these populations, many of whom are immigrants and racialized.

The CAQs adoption of Bill 21, one of its first priorities on coming to power in October 2018, was the culmination of a decade-long agitation by the Quebec ruling class. In 2007, faced with a growing social crisis following the sweeping austerity measures imposed by successive Parti Quebecois (PQ) and Parti Liberal du Quebec (PLQ) governments, the ruling class created out of thin air a controversy over reasonable accommodationthat is, the supposedly excessive accommodations the Canadian Charter and the courts were forcing Quebec society to make to religious minorities.

Quebec nationalism, an ideological weapon used for decades by the French-speaking ruling elite to divide workers along ethno-linguistic lines, then took on a decidedly chauvinistic and xenophobic tinge. Since then, immigrants and religious minorities, especially Muslims, have been depicted by the political establishment and corporate media as a threat to the Quebecois way of life.

Far from tempering this chauvinist campaign, the ruling class has intensified it in the five years since Bill 21s adoption, with all immigrants increasingly targeted, regardless of their religion.

The political establishment created another controversy around Roxham Road, through which tens of thousands of migrants threatened with deportation from the US under Trumps anti-immigrant witch hunt entered Canada to claim refugee status. Led by the CAQ and the pro-Quebec independence PQ, the entire establishment took to denouncing illegal immigration, echoing the xenophobic venom of the US Republican Party and pressing for a policy of mass deportations like that being implemented by Joe Bidens Democratic Party administration.

The CAQ made immigration the central issue of its campaign for re-election in October 2022. Quebec Premier and CAQ head Francois Legault asserted that it would be suicidal for the Quebec nation to accept more immigrants, in addition to associating them with crime and violence. Immigration and Labour Minister Jean Boulet declared that 80 percent of immigrants dont work, a gross lie.

Last May, the Journal de Montreal, a right-wing tabloid owned by the billionaire media mogul and former PQ leader Pierre-Karl Peladeau, published a hysterical dossier about a supposed federalist plot, overseen by Canadian Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to destroy the Quebec nation through massive immigration.

Featuring far-right ideologue Mathieu-Bock Cote, the dossier presented a Quebec version of the fascist and anti-Semitic Great replacement theory, claiming the federal government was out to replace French-speaking Quebecers with a wave of English-speaking immigrants. Other portions of the voluminous dossier presented immigrants as the main, if not sole, source of many social problems, including the housing crisis.

Since then, this kind of demonization of immigrants, previously reserved for fascist groups such as La Meute or Atalante and a few far-right journalists and ideologues, has been taken up by the entire establishment. All major capitalist media outlets have published columns and editorials by supposedly respectable members of the bourgeois intelligentsia who uncritically repeat the fraudulent idea that immigrants are responsible for the housing crisis, the lack of specialized resources in schools and the broader impossibility of maintaining quality public services. This xenophobic incitement now occupies a central place in the discourse of the PQ, which is seeking to overtake the CAQ on the right with even more virulent anti-immigrant chauvinism.

In reality, the disastrous state of education, health care and public infrastructure is the result of the policies of the ruling class, above all the savage public service cuts they have implemented so as to channel even more resources into their already stuffed pockets, through tax cuts and billion-dollar subsidies to big business.

Moreover, massive population displacement is the result of the predatory actions of Canadian imperialism and its allies around the world, which have resulted in the destruction of entire societies through imperialist war, climate-change driven environmental devastation and the brutal economic restructuring diktats of the IMF and World Bank. Regions as diverse as the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America have suffered this fate.

In its campaign to blame immigrants for the ills for which it is responsible, the ruling elite can count on the support of Quebec Solidaire (QS), the party of Quebecs pseudo-left.

From the outset, QS, which speaks for more affluent sections of the middle class, legitimized the ruling class chauvinist turn, calling its hysterical agitation over reasonable accommodation a legitimate debate. It even proposed its own version of the PQs chauvinist and discriminatory Quebec Charter of Values and came within a hairs breadth of joining it in a formal election alliance in 2017.

QS later modified its stand, due to fear its alignment with an ever more pronounced Quebec chauvinism was dangerously undermining its credibility with left-wing minded workers and youth. It voted against Bill 21 and in the interceding years has on occasion reiterated its formal opposition to the sign-ban, although it has refused to mount any campaign against or join anti-Bill 21 protests.

Underscoring the fundamentally reactionary nature of Quebec nationalism, including its independantiste strain, QS first announced that it would support the CAQs Bill 52, its supposed opposition to the chauvinist religious sign ban notwithstanding. It justified this capitulation to the chauvinist agitation against immigrants and minorities, by claiming that it opposed federal interference in Quebecs affairs and agreed with Legault and his CAQ that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms should not apply in Quebec because it was imposed unilaterally by the federal state.

After an outcry in its own ranks, QS announced that it would vote against Bill 52 unless the government agreed to subject Bill 21 to Quebecs own Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. This is a sham. The Quebec Charter is not enshrined in the constitution and can be permanently overridden at any time by a National Assembly vote. For good measure, the CAQs secularism law has included from the outset an exemption from the Quebec Charter that need never be renewed.

The increasing use of the notwithstanding clause is part of the sharp rightward turn of the entire political establishment in Canada.

The notwithstanding clause in the Canadian Charter is profoundly reactionary and anti-democratic, as well as contravening international law. Disturbingly unique in the world, it has often been cited with approval by the far-right Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu, which is currently waging a criminal and genocidal military campaign against the Palestinians in Gaza with the complicity of imperialist governments around the world, including that of Canada, and the entire Quebec elite, federalist and pro-independence.

As demonstrated by its use in October 2022 by Ontarios Tory Premier, Doug Ford, to impose legislation criminalizing an impending strike by education workers, the primary target of the mechanism that allows for the overriding of Charter rights is the working class.

In Ukraine, Taiwan, and Gaza, Canadian imperialism is involved in wars and provocations that are part of a merciless struggle between the great powers for the conquest of markets, raw materials and spheres of influence.

These ruthless policies of war and austerity face enormous opposition among the population and can only be imposed by resorting to dictatorial forms of rule, alliances with the most reactionary political forces and the promotion of the far right.

This international trend finds expression in, among other things, the standing ovation given to a Nazi war criminal in the Canadian parliament. Further examples include French President Emmanuel Macrons adoption of the anti-immigration policies of the far-right Rassemblement National, the German governments implementation of key demands of the fascist Alternative for Germany, and the lack of consequences for Donald Trump and the other Republican leaders who took part in the failed January 6, 2021 coup.

The only social force capable of defending democratic rights in the face of the growing authoritarian and fascist threat is the international working class, mobilized in a political struggle against the profit system. The same crisis of the capitalist system that is driving the ruling classes to embrace war and dictatorship to safeguard their immense wealth is driving the working class to a historic struggle to assert its interests and transform society on the basis of an international socialist program.
The Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee (HWRFC) in Australia continues to receive statements from medical professionals protesting the doxxing and possible deregistration of doctors and other health workers who have been targeted by Zionist forces for opposing the war crimes being committed by Israels military in Gaza. The statements are a response to a resolution unanimously passed at a HWRFC meeting on January 17, which pledged to defend all the medical practitioners targeted in these anti-democratic attacks.

Health workers at Sydney mass protest against Gaza genocide, February 11, 2024.

Doxxed health professionals have appealed to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), the Medical Board of Australia, and Australias Human Rights Commissioner to oppose the Zionist witch hunting. They have been ignored or brushed aside. Likewise, calls to the Australian Medical Association and the health workers and nurses unions to defend their victimised members, have been snubbed.

This deafening silence, which occurs amid the bombing of health facilities and the murder of hundreds of health workers in Gaza, is in violation of medical professionals commitment to the health and safety of all. It also provides political cover to the Australian Labor government and its unwavering support for the Netanyahu regime as it steps up bloody ethnic cleansing operations against the Palestinians, in a crime unparalleled since World War II.

Late last month the World Health Organisation reported that only 13 of the 77 primary healthcare facilities in Gaza are operational, following 342 attacks on healthcare infrastructure by Israeli forces. Over 400 healthcare workers have been killed.

Currently, more than 1.5 million Palestinians are being bombarded by the Israeli military in Southern Gaza, while a full-scale land invasion looms. To the north, there are still an estimated 400,000 people in Gaza City and surrounding areas, where they are literally starving to death. Reports have surfaced of families attempting to survive by eating animal feed.

The WSWS has published contributions from health workers rank-and-file organisations as well as statements from individual medical professionals. The powerful comments this week by Dr Zewlan Moor, one of the victimised doctors, make clear that health workers opposing the Gaza genocide will not be silenced.

Statements received from health workers rank-and-file organisations include, NHS Fightback in Britain, the Pathology Rank-and-File Workers group in Australia, the Australian and New Zealand Doctors for Palestine and the Sri Lankan Health Workers Action Committee.

The HWRFC calls on all medical practitioners to speak out against the victimisation of their colleagues and other workers by emailing statements and letters of support to the Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee.

We also urge medical professionals to attend and spread the word about the Socialist Equality Partys forthcoming public meetings: How to stop the genocide in Gaza in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Newcastle early next month. Meeting dates and times, and registration details, are available here.

Today we publish a statement from the Committee for Public Education, a rank-and-file group of Australian educators, and a letter from a Melbourne hospital medical records worker.

The Committee for Public Education

The Committee for Public Education is an organisation of rank-and-file teachers, academics, students and parents, initiated by the Socialist Equality Party to wage an independent struggle against government attacks on jobs, wages and conditions, and against the broader onslaught on public education. We stand in solidarity with health workers and all other workers in Australia and internationally who are being persecuted for their opposition to Israels genocide in Gaza.

Fi, a Melbourne teacher (left), and her friend Helena, protesting in Melbourne in November 2023.

Billions of people throughout the world are outraged by the daily images of the atrocities being committed by the Israeli regime with the full support of all the imperialist powers. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic.

In the past three months, Israel has killed more than 30,000 Gazans, the vast majority of them women and children. Reports are now saying that 11,500 children have been killed and another 25,000 have become parentless. The number of injured Gazans is almost 67,000.

Schools, hospitals, universities and refugee camps are being systematically targeted with missile strikes, cluster bombs, drone attacks and armed raids. As at 23 January, over 4,500 students, 230 teachers and more than 370 health professionals had been killed.

In response to the genocide, health workers in Australia have held vigils on a weekly or fortnightly basis opposing these war crimes and voicing their concerns through petitions, meetings and on social media.

Many of these health workers have been targeted by pro-Zionist forces bogusly accusing them of being terrorist sympathisers and supporting the murder of Israelis. The same right-wing forces have been calling for volunteers to help report on health workers who are speaking out against Israels assault on Gaza.

Doctors and other health workers have been reported to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)the countrys principal medical regulatory and discipline bodyor to their employers. These reports could lead to disciplinary action or even the loss of AHPRA registration.

The attempted silencing of health workers must be opposed. It is a component of the pro-Zionist genocidal war and an attack on the basic rights of the entire working class.

The Australian federal and state Labor governments complicity in the war crimes being committed by Israel has extended to victimising and threatening teachers and school workers who have taken a public stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Educators have been slandered in the media, falsely accused of antisemitism, and threatened with misconduct charges and other disciplinary measures, including deregistration. Students, including high school students, have been subject to hostile comments. Political leaders from both Labor and Liberal-National have called for students who took part in the strike protests to be subject to disciplinary measures.

The Committee For Public Education joins with the Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee and demands that the AHPRA drop its investigations of the politically-motivated complaints made against health workers. We support the call for a campaign to defend all victimised medical practitioners and to alert and mobilise health workers across Australia and their counterparts internationally who are facing the same anti-democratic attacks.

* * *

A medical records worker from Melbourne who wants to remain anonymous sent the following statement:

I vehemently oppose the doxxing and victimisation of Australia health workers that have been falsely accused of antisemitism and vexatiously reported to AHPRA by bad-faith pro-Zionists infiltrating private social media groups. Im beyond angry, but actually grieving.

When I saw that my own GP had been doxxed on an ultra-right-wing pro-Zionist Instagram account, I cried. I doubt that my doctor hates anyone. She just doesnt like war!

The genocide and the war are raging in Palestine, but its here in Australia already, in the hearts and minds of hospital workers all around the country. Ive never experienced such an oppressive atmosphere ever in my whole career.

Protesting healthcare workers in Melbourne last month

As a health administrator with over 20 years industry experience, Ive worked with colleagues from all around the world. At times, some of them would proudly share their culture and religion with me, usually in the form of a shared meal. Once, when a close family member of mine had died, my colleague performed at Buddhist chant when expressing her condolences.

Recently, it felt like that level of trust, respect and tolerance had almost been extinguished. Before October 7th, I had never experienced any barriers when discussing humanitarian concerns with my colleagues. Even the issue of vaccinations during COVID attracted some lively debate, but it didnt mute us. Now I dare not openly discuss the plight of civilians and hospital workers who are caught up in military conflict, specifically in Gaza.

In 2019, Kenneth Stern, who drafted the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, warned that it had been hijacked by the far-right to silence legitimate criticism of the government of Israel. How terribly tragic his sorry warning has now played out today.

I am no different to any other medical records clerk, working hard in a basement of a hospital. But in Palestine, the ones like me have been murdered.

Our democratic rights, even patient safety, is increasingly under threat.

An adoption of a formalistic, hard interpretation of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism is being promoted by the Australian mainstream media. Perverse conflations, such as criticism of Israel and Zionism is equal to antisemitism, are regularly published.

In recent days, the Australian government announced that it wants to outlaw doxxing. On the face of it, it seems like a good idea. But unfortunately, its another conflation, that legitimate whistleblowing is the same as doxxing.

I dearly want to talk to my colleagues about denouncing genocide, war and the deliberate targeting of hospitals, but its so hard. This oppression has grown at an exponential rate with our words and sympathy twisted and labelled as hate speech.
While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. By way of learning-by-doing, we'll look at ROE to gain a better understanding of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ).

ROE or return on equity is a useful tool to assess how effectively a company can generate returns on the investment it received from its shareholders. Put another way, it reveals the company's success at turning shareholder investments into profits.

See our latest analysis for Verizon Communications

How Is ROE Calculated?

ROE can be calculated by using the formula:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Verizon Communications is:

13% = US$12b  US$94b (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).

The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. So, this means that for every $1 of its shareholder's investments, the company generates a profit of $0.13.

Does Verizon Communications Have A Good Return On Equity?

One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. The limitation of this approach is that some companies are quite different from others, even within the same industry classification. Pleasingly, Verizon Communications has a superior ROE than the average (7.2%) in the Telecom industry.

roe

That's what we like to see. Bear in mind, a high ROE doesn't always mean superior financial performance. Especially when a firm uses high levels of debt to finance its debt which may boost its ROE but the high leverage puts the company at risk. Our risks dashboardshould have the 4 risks we have identified for Verizon Communications.

The Importance Of Debt To Return On Equity

Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders' equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking.

Story continues

Combining Verizon Communications' Debt And Its 13% Return On Equity

Verizon Communications clearly uses a high amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 1.62. While its ROE is pretty respectable, the amount of debt the company is carrying currently is not ideal. Debt increases risk and reduces options for the company in the future, so you generally want to see some good returns from using it.

Summary

Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. Companies that can achieve high returns on equity without too much debt are generally of good quality. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt.

Having said that, while ROE is a useful indicator of business quality, you'll have to look at a whole range of factors to determine the right price to buy a stock. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth -- and how much investment is required going forward. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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.
Stella Assange speaking outside the court, February 21, 2024

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is again awaiting a ruling by the UK courts over his extradition to the United States. After a two-day hearing during which his legal team sought leave to appeal before the High Court, judges Mr Justice Johnson and Dame Victoria Sharp reserved their decision. They are not expected to announce until after March 4, the deadline for the submission of additional documents by lawyers.

If they grant leave, Assange will face a further wait in Belmarsh maximum security prison until the appeal is held and a final decision reached.

If they refuse, two courses are possible. Assange will immediately appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, including for a Rule 39 order to block his extradition until the court in Strasbourg reaches its own decision. Assuming this is granted, it will be up to the UK government to decide whether to observe the order, or to transfer Assange to the US regardless.

All eventualities are technically and politically possible. The British ruling class has played a vital role as US imperialisms jailer, keeping Assange confined for nearly 12 years, first in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, placed under continuous siege by police, then in Belmarsh. It could continue doing so while granting him a High Court appeal, which could still ultimately be refused, or allowing an appeal to proceed through the European Court.

Alternatively, the British and American states may have decided that the time has come to ship Assange to the US. Such a plan would have been complicated by the strong case mounted this week, but certainly not ruled out.

Extradition would place further enormous personal and legal challenges before Assange. He has suffered enormous personal harm during his incarceration in Britain, both physically and psychologically, and was too ill to attend or even watch the High Court hearing by video link. Assange has been judged a suicide risk should he be sent to the US, and his wife, Stella, has insisted he would not survive.

In Assanges initial extradition hearing in the autumn of 2021, expert witnesses testified to the draconian conditions of his pretrial imprisonment in the US.

According to their evidence, he would likely be placed in the administrative segregation unit of the Alexandria Detention Center and subject to special administrative measures, which, combined, would lead to his almost total isolation and severely handicap his ability to participate in his own legal defence.

The barbaric treatment that awaits him has been demonstrated by the handling of Joshua Schulte, recently sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for leaking evidence of CIA spy software. Schulte told his sentencing hearing, The US Federal government tortures me with 24/7 white noise and solitary confinement. The window is blacked out. When I am offered access to the law library, I have to urinate and defecate on the floor. I am left there for 9 hours.

I have been locked in my torture cage with rodent excrement. Ice accumulates near the window. I wash my clothes in my toilet. Im forced to eat with my bare hands like an animal. They look down on you like you are not human.

Assanges lawyers will also suffer restrictions. Besides having limited access to their client, they will have hurdles placed in their way accessing US government materials relevant to his defence and sharing their details with Assange.

Meanwhile, all WikiLeaks staff have been warned against travelling in the US for fear of persecution.

At trial, the fact that the Espionage Act contains no public interests defence will leave it open to the prosecution to shout down any attempt to present evidence about the actual content of the WikiLeaks releases, about the publics rights to know or about Assanges motivation for acting as he did. The Classified Information Procedures Act will allow the government and intelligence agencies every opportunity to interfere with what evidence his lawyers are formally allowed to present.

Medical witnesses at Assanges extradition hearing also testified to the real risk of suicide in the event of extradition and imprisonment under these conditions, and the appalling state of mental health care provided by US prisons. That evidence was accepted by the judge as a basis for an initial decision against extradition. It was only overturned based on assurances from the US government so conditional that they are not worth the paper they are written on.

Moreover, there is a real threat that Assange will have to endure these conditions under threat of execution. As his lawyers explained in this weeks hearing, the offences he is charged with, already carrying a 175-year sentence, can be recharged as capital offences. None of the usual assurances that the death penalty will not be imposed have been given.

The suicide of Jeffrey Epstein after just a month of imprisonment and ahead of his expected exposure of crimes at the highest levels of American society looms large.

Assanges legal case has very carefully and effectively exposed these kangaroo court proceedings, along with abuse of Assanges legal rights by the US-UK conspiracy and the chilling precedent the US government is trying to set by seizing and seeking to disappear a foreign journalist under the Espionage Act. But whether his case is continued in the UK before the High Court, in Strasbourg before the European Court, or in the United States, the struggle to free Assange can only succeed as one aspect of a mass political campaign.

Such a movement can and must be built. The forces arrayed against Assange by the UK and US states are powerful. But there is another, even more formidable force which has yet to have its saythe British, American and international working class.

In a Perspective column published after Assanges main hearing two-and-a-half years ago, the World Socialist Web Site explained:

Through the Assange case, workers have been given an object lesson in imperialisma system of violence and repression perpetrated against the worlds people by the most powerful states and their adjuncts on behalf of the ruling financial oligarchy.

Since then, the NATO-Russia war in Ukraine and the genocide in Gaza have provided new lessons in imperialist violence. Opposition to Israels genocide against the Palestinians, carried out with the full support of the US, Britain and other imperialist powers, has brought millions onto the streets around the world, while the war in Ukraine is driving a rapid expansion of military spending, enflaming already acute social tensions. The ruling class is responding with increasingly dictatorial laws and police repression.

Referring to moves in this direction already in 2021, the Perspective predicted:

These actions cannot be taken without prompting mass resistance in the American and world working class. As that movement becomes conscious, through its education by the revolutionary party, that it is engaged in a life-or-death fight with decaying capitalism and imperialism, it will come to recognise the campaign to free Assange as an essential part of that struggle.

This is the conception which must guide the urgent work necessary to build the mass movement needed to free Assange. His case in the courts is unanswerable except through anti-democratic and unfair rulings arrived at in the interests of the ruling class in Britain and the US. Defeating these forces requires more than legal arguments. It demands the mobilisation of workers and the younger generation worldwide against dictatorship and war and in defence of someone viewed by hundreds of millions as a hero for his exposure of war crimesfor which the guilty are trying to silence him forever.
With attention focused on Israels imperialist-backed genocide in Gaza, its fascist government, settlers and security forces have intensified attacks on the West Bank and East Jerusalem, illegally occupied by Israel since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus objective is to drive out as many of the three million Palestinians as possible, mounting provocation after provocation to incite retaliation, as occurred on October 7, that can then be used to sanction a pre-planned campaign of mass murder and ethnic cleansing of the West Bank before moving on to Israels two million Palestinian citizens. It is part of his broader plan to annex the territory and prevent the Palestinians becoming a majority in Israel/Palestine.

Israeli soldiers patrol an area damaged by fires from torched vehicles during a rampage by settlers in Hawara, near the West Bank city of Nablus, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. [AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed]

Netanyahus annexation plans, along with measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of occupied East Jerusalem, are neither new nor secret, with numerous government ministers and officials calling for Israels control over the entire area from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Netanyahus Likud party charter from 1977 plainly states, between the Sea and the Jordan there will only be Israeli sovereignty. He has emphasized that it is his insistence that has prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state that would have constituted an existential danger to Israel.

As long as I am prime minister, Netanyahu has said, I will continue to strongly insist on this.

The West Bank

Since taking office at the end of 2022, the most right-wing government in Israels history has approved a raft of measures aimed at expanding the settlements in the West Bank, including: legalising nine illegal settler outposts and advancing a further six; establishing 26 new outposts including at least 10 since October 7; giving fascist finance minister Bezalel Smotrich charge of most of the Civil Administration in the West Bank; and shortening the procedure of approving settlement construction while giving Smotrich the authority to approve one of the stages. The first six months saw the construction of 13,000 housing units in settlements, nearly three times the total in 2022.

The government has amended the Disengagement Law, cancelling the ban on Israeli citizens from staying in areas from which Israel withdrew as part of the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, thereby allowing Israelis to enter evicted settlement areas like any other area in Area C that is under full Israeli military control. This changes the northern West Bank region from a contiguous Palestinian territory into an area for settlers, outposts, and settlements, in effect legalizing the illegal outpost of Homesh.

The ethnic cleansing that started in 1947 has continued to the extent that there are now 517,000 settlers living in the West Bank, nearly double the total 20 years ago, and more than 200,000 in East Jerusalem.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) mount daily search and arrest operations on the West Bank, many lasting hours and even days, that have killed more than 400 Palestinians since October 7. Israeli soldiers are often stationed around hospitals, preventing ambulances from reaching the injured.

In a raid in Jenin Wednesday, Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in a massive arrest operation and destroyed infrastructure and buildings with bulldozers and armoured vehicles. The IDF said they had detained 14 suspects. In a raid on the Jenin Refugee Camp last November, the IDF arrested at least 100 residents and fatally shot an eight and a 15-year-old, while demolishing infrastructure, including water, electricity and sewage networks, and homes.

Al Jazeera reported that, as of January 10, 2024, Israeli security forces had arrested nearly 6,000 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7, with an estimated 3,000 being held under administrative detention. At least 7,000 Palestinian prisoners are currently being held in atrocious conditions in Israeli jails. Since October 7, conditions have deteriorated, on national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvirs explicit orders, with the incidence and severity of beatings and other forms of torture on the increase. At least nine Palestinians arrested in the current campaign have died in Israeli custody.

The IDF has raided Ramallah, the administrative centre of the Palestinian Authority (PA), on an almost daily basis, damaging homes and businesses.

Fascistic armed groups of settlers terrorise the Palestinians with impunity, protected by the military. The UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has recorded 573 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians resulting in 51 Palestinian casualties, damage to Palestinian-owned property (459 incidents), or both casualties and damage to property (63 incidents) since October 7.

With much of the IDF deployed to Gaza and Israels northern border with Lebanon, the military has sent thousands of reservists as part of newly formed regional defense battalions to the West Bank. It has expanded its emergency response units, composed of heavily armed civilians and largely far-right settlers, leading to a huge upsurge in violence and harassment.

Dror Sadot, spokesperson for the Israeli human rights group BTselem, said, What were seeing is something that looks like joint militias of settlers and soldiers, and that No one knows whos who and whos giving the orders. Attacks typically peak during the months when the olive crop is harvested.

More than 1,000 Palestinians have been evicted from 16 villages that have been razed to the ground. On February 1, US President Joe Biden felt obliged to make a token gesture of protest, sanctioning four Israeli settlers who have been attacking Palestinians in the West Bank, with other countries following suit. Israeli officials have called on Israeli banks to ignore the sanctions.

Israel has imposed extreme restrictions making it impossible for about half of West Bank Palestinian farmers to harvest their olives. In a good year, the harvest brings $200 million into the Palestinian economy. Claiming the restrictions are to enable the military to protect Palestinians from settler attacks, the IDF then cancelled protected days, leaving them unable to harvest their entire crop or prepare the land for winter crops.

The war has had a devastating impact on the Palestinian economy. Labourers in Israels construction industry and the settlements have had their entry permits withdrawn, leading to the loss of 276,000 jobs (32 percent of employment) by December.

The military has set up 400 checkpoints, affecting a further 67,000 workers who work in governorates other than their place of residence. It has pushed up costs and hindered production. Farmers unable to get their goods to market have suffered devastating losses.

The announcement that some of UNRWAs biggest donors, such as Germany, the United States and the European Union, have halted funding for the UN agency, which provides vital humanitarian and social services for the Palestinian refugees of 1948 and 1967 and their descendants, will devastate living conditions in the West Bank where there are 871,000 people dependent on its support.

In a deliberate attempt to engineer the Palestinian Authoritys collapse, Israel withheld $164 million of its $205 million monthly revenues, leaving the PA unable to pay salaries to its 144,000 staff on time or in full. Total deductions in 2023 amounted to $1.5 billion or 25 percent of the PAs revenues. The PAs Finance Minister Shoukry Bishara has said it will run out of money by the end of February.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimated that, taken together, this meant that the West Bank had suffered economic losses of $500 million a month in October and November. According to the PAs economic ministry, the West Banks economy contracted by more than 20 percent in the last quarter of 2023, with one third of businesses closed or on short time and daily losses of $25 million.

Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, described the situation in the occupied West Bank as potentially explosive.

East Jerusalem

Violent clashes broke out between protesters and Israeli security forces after October 7, despite closures throughout East Jerusalem, leading to the killing of six Palestinians and dozens of detentions typically based on their social media activity. The military has led numerous incursions into Shuafat, the Palestinian refugee camp within city boundaries, leading to mass arrests and destruction of property. Palestinians, including children, are routinely harassed, stopped and searched.

The authorities limit access to the Old City and especially to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, with restrictions on who can pray there. There is a heavy Israeli police presence, with 2,500 officers and volunteers patrolling. Jewish worshippers have continued to push their way into al-Aqsa under police protection to pray at the site in violation of the longstanding arrangements with Jordan governing the site.

Ben-Gvir used the shooting of an Israeli at a checkpoint near occupied East Jerusalem to call for even tighter restrictions on freedom of movement and to promise more weapons for Israeli citizens. Smotrich used the shooting to demand the expansion of Maale Adumim and nearby settlements.

Ben-Gvir now plans to tighten restrictions on who can enter the al-Aqsa compound during Ramadan (March 10 to April 10), with a ban on Israels Palestinian citizens between the ages of 10 and 70 and a complete ban on Palestinians from the West Bank coming to worship at the mosque. This is also the date announced for a ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza to begin, which will collectively set the Occupied Territories and the entire Middle East alight.

The Palestinian Authoritys role

The Palestinians facing escalating violence from the army and settlers also confront the treacherous political leadership of the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, led by the 87-year-old ailing multimillionaire President Mahmoud Abbas.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, November 5, 2023 [AP Photo]

Deepening Palestinian hostility towards the PA due to its corruption, cronyism and subservience to Israel has cut across the US Biden administrations efforts to use it to front nominal efforts toward a two-state solution and establishing some form of Palestinian rule of Gaza after military operations end. This is a transparent mechanism for bringing US regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Jordan, on board his broader military aim of a war with Iran.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has toured the Middle East capitals to convince them that the PA is a good choice for governing Gaza after the war. It is recommended to Blinken by its anti-Hamas stance and willingness to act as Israels security subcontractor.

The PA has for years sought to suppress any opposition to its administrative control of the West Bank and support for other factions, including Hamas, arresting its members and fighting a civil war against the group in Gaza in 2007 after Hamas won a surprise victory in the January 2006 elections. It cooperated with Israels blockade of Gaza and prevented any action in the West Bank during Israels wars on the besieged enclave in 20082009, 2012 and 2014. Fatah became so unpopular that Abbas refused to hold any elections after 2006.

The PA has given Israeli settlers a free hand to attack Palestinian farmers, towns and villages and done nothing to stop the IDFs search and arrest raids in Area A, designated by the Oslo Accords as under the PAs full control.

The PAs support for Israel since October 7 has been even starker, with its security forces suppressing solidarity demonstrations and marches, firing live ammunition at attendees and detaining people who expressed support for the Palestinian resistance.

Having done everything in his power to demonstrate his Fatah-led administrations subservience to Israel and its imperialist backers, Abbas has signaled his willingness to accept a role for the PA as a front for Israels military rule over Gaza after its destruction. Abbas has hosted Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in their visits to Ramallah to demand the PA to bring new blood into the government.

Russia is no less willing than the US to use the PA in the service of Israel to police the Palestinians. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday, PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced that Russia had invited Palestinian factions to meet in Moscow on February 26. He declared, We are ready to engage. If Hamas is not, then thats a different story. We need Palestinian unity. Qatar has said that Hamas was willing to discuss the formation of a technocratic government for both the West Bank and Gaza under the authority of the PLO.

Abbass abasement in front of US imperialism is the shared end point of all the bourgeois nationalist movements that sought independence from their colonial masters but ended up ever more dependent upon outside powers to impose their rule. The project of building an independent Palestinian state in the Occupied Territories became the means for the Palestinian bourgeoisie in a handful of families to enrich themselves, while oppressing the Palestinians and confining them in impoverished Bantustans in the West Bank and an open-air prison in Gaza.

The failure of the secular bourgeois nationalist PLO to secure a Palestinian state or even improve the Palestinians living conditions was to give rise to Hamas, but the Islamist movement is no less of a dead end.

The liberation of the Palestinian people can never be achieved via the building of a caricature nation-state in a process brokered by imperialism. It is the task of the working class, in a common struggle across national and religious differences, against imperialism and its local agents, both Israeli and Arab, for a multinational state with equality for all its citizens and for the United Socialist States of the Middle East. Only this can put an end to oppression, poverty, ethnic cleansing and war.
More than four months into the Israeli assault on Gaza, the burning question of how to end the genocide raises fundamental issues of political perspective. Despite the largest and most sustained anti-war movement since the Vietnam War era, the Zionist regime is intensifying its ethnic cleansing operation and all of the imperialist powers are doubling down on their backing of this historic war crime.

As the World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party have insisted, this demonstrates the bankruptcy of any perspective of halting the slaughter through appeals to governments or by placing pressure on them. In a period that now spans a third of a year, that perspective has been tried and it has failed.

The genocide is a crime of imperialism, inseparable from the crisis of global capitalism and a broader eruption of militarism and war, including US preparations for war against Iran, a proxy war with Russia in Ukraine and a military build-up directed against China.

The support of the major powers for the annihilation of the Gazans is not only a Middle Eastern question. It is a warning to working people worldwide. As in the 1930s, governments around the world have declared their willingness to commit criminal mass murder, should it advance their interests.

This underscores the urgency of developing an international socialist movement of the working class directed against imperialist war and the profit system itself.

With protest politics increasingly discredited, pseudo-left organisations are doing everything they can to prevent discussion of these broader issues. They are desperately seeking to ensure that mobilisations opposing the genocide remain within the narrow confines of single-issue protest oriented to the political establishment.

Solidarity article: Palestine movement should welcome dissenting Labor members [Photo: Solidarity]

Late last month, Solidarity published an article by one of its members, Caitlin Doyle, that was remarkably frank in outlining this perspective. Doyle began by noting Supporters of Palestine are rightly horrified by [Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony] Albaneses support for Israel as it continues to annihilate Gaza. She gave a brief outline of Labors continuous alignment with Zionism, stretching back to the establishment of Israel in 1948.

Doyle concedes that Labor has unwaveringly supported Israel as an imperialist beachhead in the Middle East, its 75-year ethnic cleansing operation against the Palestinians, and is now backing the attempted conclusion of this neo-colonial project in a 21st century version of the Holocaust.

The reader might expect the author to deduce from this that Labor is a rotten imperialist party, against which workers and young people must wage an implacable struggle.

But Doyle draws precisely the opposite conclusion. Not only must Labor members be welcomed lovingly at the protests, were any of them inclined to attend. Labor members of parliament must be offered a platform to speak. The movement against the genocide, in other words, should be led by those who are supporting it!

To make this argument, Doyle and Solidarity engage in make-believe. Or, to be more precise, they tell a series of demonstrable lies aimed at covering for Labor.

The central falsehood is that Labor is in a great political ferment over the genocide, with opposition extending from the partys rank-and-file to dissident MPs. The image that is conjured up is of lively and raucous debate and impassioned stands on political principles. Such things may have occurred in one form or another three-quarters of a century ago or more, but to anyone familiar with the bureaucratised Labor Party and its right-wing membership, this is complete nonsense.

Doyle declares: [S]ince the war on Gaza began, 40 Labor branches have passed motions calling for a ceasefire and four Labor MPs have attended pro-Palestine rallies. Labor-controlled Canterbury-Bankstown Council voted to fly the Palestinian flag until a ceasefire is declared.

All of which would no doubt warm the hearts of Palestinians in Gaza as the Zionist regime drops US-supplied bombs on their heads, at least some guided by information from the intelligence installation at Pine Gap in central Australia, and Albanese declares that Israel has a right to defend itself.

Doyle did not cite a single one of the resolutions passed at Labor branches, and for good reason. They have been miserable, mealy-mouthed motions, all including a denunciation of Hamas and of any Palestinian resistance. None of the resolutions have condemned the Labor leadership and its support for the bombardment or compelled those voting to do anything at all.

Having passed such resolutions, the Labor members, composed of political staffers, careerists, young and old, and a handful of rusted-on types, simply continue campaigning for the Labor leadership, including Albanese.

Doyles glorification of a Palestinian flag flying over a council building in suburban Sydney, amid a genocide, is almost too banal to merit a response. The Labor council has hoisted the flag in an obvious attempt to placate intense anger over the genocide among workers in and around Bankstown, which has a large Middle Eastern and Islamic population.

Doyle also does not name the Labor MPs who attended pro-Palestinian events, because their performance hardly substantiated her claims that they are leading a rank-and-file rebellion against the genocide.

At a vigil in the regional New South Wales (NSW) city of Newcastle in December, little-known Labor backbencher Sharon Claydon mouthed platitudes and banalities. The Zionist onslaught was reduced to a conflict caused by a fundamental failure not to understand or act on our interconnectedness or our common humanity.

Tim Crackenthorpe, a NSW state Labor MP who accompanied Claydon, was even more vague. Crackenthorpe assured those in attendance that he was doing everything I can in my electorate to make progress on this issue.

Also in December, Tony Burke, Labors leader of the House of Representatives, attended a vigil in Bankstown for the Palestinians who had been killed in Gaza. Burke does not appear to have addressed the gathering. Having stood around and looked sad for a few minutes, the right-wing Labor leader went back to collaborating with Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other architects of Australias support for the genocide, without batting an eyelid.

It is this inspiring record that Doyle passionately argues must be embraced and extended. The involvement of dissident Labor MPs on speaking platforms will build the movements power through drawing in people who still look to Labor as a progressive force and are disappointed by its stance on Palestine, Doyle writes.

The issue, noted above, is that there are no dissident MPs.

It is true that in NSW, some Labor state parliamentarians signed an open letter, months ago, vaguely warning against Israels bombardment. But Albanese and Wong have also shed crocodile tears over the mass casualties, without altering their support for Israel one iota.

If it is those NSW MPs Doyle has in mind, another issue arises. The NSW Labor government, without any apparent internal dissent, threatened to ban all pro-Palestinian protests early in the genocide and has presided over massive and at times violent police mobilisations against them ever since. Doyle is advocating that rallies be addressed by those who have sought to illegalise them.

Doyle writes: So far the Palestine Action Group has voted to exclude Labor speakers from the platform at their weekly rallies in Sydney. Many on the left, including the Greens, say that Labor is essentially the same as the Liberal Party. But Labor MPs who speak out and break with Albanese and the Labor leaderships position increase the political pressure on the Labor government over Palestine. More internal dissent makes it harder for the government to continue supporting Israel.

The Greens are a pro-capitalist party, committed to collaborating with Labor in parliament and hostile to socialism. The various Palestine Action Groups are amorphous and politically-diffuse bodies, composed of representatives of the pseudo-left, as well as Palestinian activists, who, their sincerity notwithstanding, are largely wedded to limited protest politics.

But Solidarity, which sometimes claims to be a socialist organisation, outflanks all of them, even the Greens, from the right. The nonsense about internal dissent and political pressure cannot hide the fact that Solidarity is functioning as a political agency of Labor, insisting that workers and young people give deference to and collaborate with this pro-war, big business party as it greenlights a genocide.

Doyle attempts to give her bankrupt arguments a theoretical veneer, by pointing to the dual character of Labor.

It is true that Labor was founded by the unions as a mass party of the working-class. But even on its founding in the 1890s, Labor refused to affiliate to the then socialist Second International. It has always been a party that opposes socialism and defends capitalism.

Doyles suggestion that Labor remains a workers party in any way is a sham.

Labor has no active mass membership in the working-class, where even its vote has plummeted to historically low levels. It dispensed with any program of social reforms, however limited, decades ago, as the globalisation of production rendered obsolete any program of national economic regulation. It was the Labor Party that imposed the agenda associated with Margaret Thatcher in Britain and Ronald Reagan in the US, of economic deregulation, privatisation and the destruction of hundreds of thousands of jobs. Labor, in other words, is an unalloyed party of big business.

The same transformation has occurred in the trade unions. Their bureaucracies have become the chief enforcers of the unending onslaught against jobs, wages and conditions. That is true of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), with which Solidarity has close and opportunist relations. It has presided over one sell-out after another, reducing the port workforce to a fraction of what it once was.

While Labor has openly backed the genocide, the MUA has helped facilitate it, ensuring the orderly loading and unloading of cargo for the ZIM shipping line, which has dedicated its entire fleet to the Israeli war effort, and angrily rejecting suggestions of industrial action.

Doyle hails the unholy alliance of the pro-genocide Labor Party and the union bureaucracy, proclaiming: Since many trade union officials and activists are Labor Party members, this also increases the pressure on the Labor party from within.

The union officials, functioning as agents of the Labor government and the corporations, have done nothing to oppose the genocide or have tacitly aided it, as in the case of the MUA, so there is no pressure whatsoever. On Gaza, as on every other fundamental issue, Labor and the corrupt union officialdom are one and the same.

Solidaritys right-wing positions are not an accident. Solidarity traces its origins to a tendency that broke from the Trotskyist movement at the outset of World War Two, adapting to imperialism, rejecting the revolutionary role of the working class and the fight to build a leadership to overthrow capitalism.

Neither they nor the pseudo-left more broadly has anything to do with socialism and the working class. They are hostile to both and represent a layer of the upper middle-class, ensconced in academia, the upper echelons of the public sector and the union bureaucracy, which seeks to advance its own privileges within the framework of the capitalist profit system.

That is why the pseudo-left is intensely hostile to any suggestion of a political struggle against Labor or the union bureaucracy. Groups such as Solidarity are not defenders of the Palestinian people. They are the last line of defence of the very political forces responsible for the genocide.

Workers and young people seeking to end the genocide should reject the line of the pseudo-left with contempt, turn to the working class and take up a socialist perspective aimed at putting an end to the capitalist system on a world scale.
On Wednesday evening, several media outlets, including CNN and the New York Times, reported that President Joe Biden is seriously considering issuing an executive order that would block most people who travel to the United States from claiming asylum.

President Joe Biden demands passage of a $95 billion war package being debated in Congress, in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, in Washington. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

The executive order under consideration is based on Section 212 (f) of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, which provides the president sweeping authority to block immigration for anyone deemed detrimental to the interest of the United States. The Biden administration has previously invoked that authority 16 times, including against countries such as Russia and Myanmar.

In his weekly campaign rallies, the fascist Republican front-runner for president, Donald Trump, frequently invokes Section 212 (f) when he promises to embark on the largest deportation operation in history. Trump, promises, as Biden is contemplating now, to deny entry based on national security considerations.

Trump previously used the exact same legal provision when he announced his first travel ban a week after his 2017 inauguration. Trumps executive order banned travel to the US for 90 days from seven predominately Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The order also barred the resettlement of any Syrian refugees.

In response to Trumps attack on immigrants, outraged workers, immigrants and protesters flooded airports and border crossings across the country. The mass outpouring in support of the democratic right of workers, regardless of their religion or where they were born, to immigrate to America terrified the Democratic Party, which immediately sought to divert the movement back into the framework of two-party electoral politics in order to snuff it out.

Democrats called on protesters to remember in November and elect them to Congress and the White House so they could pass laws protecting immigrants.

Far from protecting immigrants, since coming into office Biden has continued virtually all of Trumps policies, including using Title 42 to expel 2.8 million people between March 2020 and May 2023. Since the ending of Title 42 last year, agents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have carried out more than 470,000 removals or returns, while an average of 28,000 people are in DHS detention facilities at any one time.

In addition to carrying out mass deportations, last year the Biden administration waived over two dozen federal laws in order to resume construction of portions of Trumps border wall in South Texas.

Far from standing up for the democratic right of working people to travel, live and work where they wish, the Biden administration has done nothing in response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts usurpation of federal authority along the US-Mexico border, even as Abbott blocks US Border Patrol access along a section of the Rio Grande and deploys buoys equipped with saw blades and concertina wire in and along the river.

Now, seven years after Trump first used 212 (f) to ban entry to the US, Biden and the Democrats, after promising to undo all of Trumps anti-immigrant executive orders if elected into office, are preparing to unleash an even more vicious and sweeping attack on immigrants.

Citing anonymous sources within the Biden White House, CNN reported that the proposed executive order is currently being reviewed by the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel to see if it could survive court challenges. While the exact text has yet to be released, multiple outlets have reported that it is based on the anti-immigrant provisions in the stalled legislation that combined border repression and a huge increase in war spending for Ukraine and Israel in a single $118 billion package.

In an attempt to secure fascistic Republican support for the war bill, which included over $60 billion for the ultra-right regime in Kiev, infested with neo-Nazis, and over $14 billion for the genocidal Israeli attack on Gaza, the Biden administration and a majority of congressional Democrats agreed to provide over $20 billion to border enforcement efforts conducted by the sprawling Department of Homeland Security.

Coupled with this infusion of cash, which would have nearly doubled the current budget of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, the bill would have provided Biden and his successors new authority to shut down immigration to the United States along the southern border if certain low thresholds were met.

During a shut-down period, the president could deny virtually all asylum claims of those seeking to enter the United States. Currently, anyone who is able to reach American soil is able to file an asylum claim to stay in the country, with the vast majority of migrants coming to the US through the Mexican border submitting themselves to Border Patrol agents after crossing the border illegally, in order to file such a claim.

Despite the right-wing character of the bill, House Speaker Mike Johnson, at the request of Trump, has so far refused to bring it to the floor for a vote. Backing up Trumps opposition, Georgia Representative and QAnon fascist Marjorie Taylor Greene has promised to file a motion to vacate against Johnson to force a vote on replacing him as speaker if he brings the bill to the floor.

As of this writing, Biden has yet to comment publicly on the proposed executive order. However, in a widely distributed statement, White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez said:

The Administration spent months negotiating in good faith to deliver the toughest and fairest bipartisan border security bill in decades because we need Congress to make significant policy reforms and to provide additional funding to secure our border and fix our broken immigration system.

Fernandez continued, No executive action, no matter how aggressive, can deliver the significant policy reforms and additional resources Congress can provide and that Republicans rejected. He added, We continue to call on Speaker Johnson and House Republicans to pass the bipartisan deal to secure the border.

Bidens proposed executive order has provoked an outpouring of anger from immigrant and human rights groups. Azadeh Erfani, a senior policy analyst at the National Immigrant Justice Center, told the Hill:

The executive actions the Biden administration is considering harken back to some of the darkest chapters of the Trump presidencyleaning on an authority his predecessor used to advance unapologetically racist, Islamophobic and blatantly unlawful attacks on immigrants and asylum seekers.

Amy Fischer, director of refugee and migrant rights with Amnesty International USA, said the clear intention behind President Bidens newest proposed deterrence policy is to create so much fear, pain, and suffering at the border that vulnerable communities abandon their right to seek asylum and instead return to face the violence they are fleeing.

In response to Bidens latest adaption to Trump and the Republicans draconian and inhumane immigration policies, Democrats who have already endorsed Genocide Joe took to social media to try to save face. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez three years ago denounced those who made comparisons between Biden and Trumps anti-immigrant policies as doing a profound disservice to the cause of justice, but she now tweets, Doing Trump impressions isnt how we beat Trump The mere suggestion is outrageous and the President should refuse to sign it.

Why Biden would refuse to sign his own executive order being drafted at his instruction Ocasio-Cortez did not explain.

Bidens latest moves to ban the right to asylum and lay the groundwork for a further attack on the democratic rights of the working class confirm that neither capitalist party is willing or able to fight for immigrants and their families. Under conditions of expanding global war, the ruling capitalist parties in every country have declared war on immigrants and social programs.

The assault on democratic rights must be opposed by workers in every country. The entire framework of the debate, with each party promising to enact more repressive measures, is reactionary to the core.

The global persecution of immigrants, coupled with the whipping up of fascistic nationalism, is the response of the international bourgeoisie to the mortal crisis of the world capitalist system. The savage mistreatment of immigrants expresses the bankruptcy of the capitalist system and the need for a revolutionary socialist program based on the unity of the international working class.

The Socialist Equality Party and the International Committee of the Fourth International defend the right of workers to live and work in any country in the world without fear of deportation or repression.
Last weekend, tens of thousands of people commemorated the murderous shooting spree in Hanau, Germany four years ago. On Saturday, 8,000 to 10,000 people marched from the suburb of Kesselstadt to Hanau, from crime scene to crime scene. People also took to the streets in Berlin, Kassel and elsewhere to commemorate Hanau.

Demonstration from Hanau-Kesselstadt to the centre of Hanau, Saturday, 17 February 2024

On February 19, 2020, 43-year-old racist Tobias Rathjen randomly shot nine young people from his neighbourhood before killing his mother and himself. Say their names is the slogan under which the memory of Kaloyan Velkov, Fatih Saracoglu, Sedat Gurbuz, Vili Viorel Paun, Gokhan Gultekin, Mercedes Kierpacz, Ferhat Unvar, Hamza Kurtovic and Said Nesar Hashemi has been kept alive ever since.

On Monday, relatives, survivors and friends gathered at Hanaus main cemetery to commemorate those murdered. During this ceremony, an open conflict arose when Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (Social Democrat, SPD) insisted on appearing at the cemetery together with other SPD politicians and speaking to the press. With a tearful undertone, she vowed to do everything she could to fight hard against right-wing extremism.

Faesers bottomless hypocrisy was clearly unwelcome. Armin Kurtovic, father of the murdered Hamza Kurtovic, opposed the political appropriation, which he described as dishonest and immoral. He angrily told the local television programme Hessenschau: They should take responsibility first and then come [here] afterwards.

Speaking on behalf of the relatives, Kurtovic explained: There are lots of cameras at every anniversary, which creates very false images. The politicians at the side of the relativesthats a false image. We had to uncover everything on our own. Everything that came out, we found out on our own. He summarised: Everyone says: Hanau never again, but if no consequences are drawn from what happened, it will happen again.

To this day, the reasons for the obvious state failure on February 19, 2020 and afterwards have not been clarified. No politician, police chief or federal prosecutor has taken responsibility for the chain of mistakes that made the horrific murders possible in the first place. No one has apologised to the bereaved. Here are some of the important questions that remain unanswered to this day:

Why was the 110 police emergency number unavailable during the critical time of the murders? The courier driver Vili Viorel Paun, who was following the perpetrator, tried in vain several times to reach the emergency number before the murderer shot him.

Why was the locked escape door at the last crime scene not a subject of the investigation for a long time? It was probably due to a request from the police, who had often organised raids here. The Arena Bar, the last crime scene, was not even the subject of a proper crime scene report.

Why were the victims autopsied without their families finding out and being able to comment? Kurtovics son Hamza underwent an autopsy while the family was still desperately searching for him. According to the authorities, who described the blond boys appearance in the report as oriental-southern, no person authorised to object was known.

Why did the perpetrator, a psychopathic racist known to the authorities, legally possess several weapons? How can it be that Tobias Rathjen was allowed to undergo thorough shooting training, even though the authorities had several letters from him that clearly placed him in the periphery of the right-wing terrorist, anti-Muslim mass murderer Anders Breivik?

Rathjens father Hans-Gerd was apparently the murderers buddy and confidant. To this day, Rathjen senior lives unmolested in Hanau-Kesselstadt and uses his German shepherd to intimidate neighbours and their children and make racist threats. In 2011, he stood as a candidate for the Hanau local council on the Green Party list. Rathjen senior repeatedly referred to Thilo Sarrazin (SPD) and his racist tract Deutschland schafft sich ab (Germany abolishes itself).

This murderers father is a ticking time bomb. But the really dangerous thing is that right-wing extremists like Rathjen have enjoyed the backing of the state authorities for years. On the night of the crime, a unit of the special task force (SEK) of the Frankfurt police was deployed in Hanau, which later had to be disbanded in June 2021 due to right-wing extremist activities.

Despite all this, the night of the murders in Hanau is considered to be the act of a lone wolf, like all right-wing extremist murders before and since, be it in Molln, Rostock-Lichtenhagen, Dessau, Cologne, Duisburg, Munich, Dortmund, Celle, Kleve, Kassel or Halle.

With bitter irony, So many right-wing extremist isolated incidents was one of the slogans at the demonstration on Saturday, which was organised under the motto Remembering means changing. What was hardly mentioned in the media was the fact that posters with the names of all the victims were carried at the demonstration, not just the victims of Hanau, but of all right-wing extremist murders in recent yearsa huge number. Some changed the motto to Remembering means fighting or No forgiving, no forgetting. When a speaker at the Hanau market declared that racism was at home in all the establishment parties, the crowd responded with thunderous applause.

Placards with the names of all those murdered by right-wing extremists were carried at the demonstration

Despite all this, SPD representative Faeser forced her way into the commemoration at the cemetery two days later against the wishes of the relatives. In these days, said the interior minister, when others are trying to politically marginalise people again, to take them out of the country, to deport themsuch fantasies are unfortunately prevalent these days. And it is all the more important right now to keep the memory alive and to stand by the relatives, but above all to fight hard against right-wing terrorism and extremism.

In reality, it is Faeser herself who is politically marginalising people and removing them from the country. Only recently, the Bundestag (federal parliament) passed the Repatriation Improvement Act, which she initiated as interior minister. Recently, on the cover of Germanys most-read news weekly Der Spiegel, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (also SPD), was depicted with his demand: We must finally deport people on a grand scale.

The SPD and all the other establishment parties are putting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) anti-immigrant programme into practice and are courting the neo-fascist party, which Faeser did not even mention by name in Hanau. They cover up the right-wing extremist networks in the police, the secret service and the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) and prevent the background to terrorist attacks such as those in Hanau and Halle, or the NSU murders, from being uncovered.

As SPD state chairwoman in Hesse, Faeser also negotiated the coalition agreement between the SPD and the Christian Democrats (CDU) to form the state government in Wiesbaden. The WSWS described this as a declaration of war on refugees. The agreement is full of AfD battle terms such as repatriation offensive, irregular migration, protection of external borders and expansion of detention pending deportation.

Faeser is in favour of deportations, increasing the powers of the state, more money for the police as well as arms deliveries from Hesse and the whole of Germany to Ukraine and Israel. The ruling elite is once again relying on authoritarian methods and a police state to enforce its policy of war and social attacks.

What drove Faeser to shed her crocodile tears in Hanau was concern about the growing resistance among the population. For weeks, hundreds of thousands have been taking to the streets against the AfD, fascism and right-wing extremism. Millions around the world are demonstrating against Israels bloody genocide in Gaza and against imperialist war policies, while workers in the factories are taking up the fight against mass redundancies and wage theft.

In Hanau, thousands took part in the memorial march to set an example against fascism and war. Members of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) and supporters of the World Socialist Web Site distributed the appeal made by the Rail Action Committee: Stop the military transports! No weapons for the war in Ukraine and the genocide in Gaza! and many responded very favourably.

Alfredo, an older worker from Hanau, spontaneously declared that he had been hoping for such an initiative. Peace is possible, he said. Nobody wants warwhats it good for? War is completely useless for the population, only capitalism profits from it. They will send our sons to war.

I havent listened to the news for months, Alfredo said, since the war started, because otherwise I get too upset. Our chancellor is happy to open a weapons factory and proudly presents a hand grenade to the camera. I get goosebumps when I see something like that. It makes me think of the images from the Second World War, when hardly a stone was left unturned in Berlin. Our grandparents lived through the last war and suffered greatly. There were many deaths in my family.

A young worker, who had travelled three hours with his wife to be present in Hanau, explained that he wanted to take a stand and send a signal against racism, fascism and all forms of discrimination. He told the WSWS, Our politicians are going in the wrong direction: these people are no longer representatives of the people in the interests of the community, because they are more interested in lucrative lobbying.
Writer-director Katrin Rothe, a former winner of the Grimme PrizeGermanys most prestigious television awardhas released a new film, Johnny & MeA Journey Through Time with John Heartfield. The work is a strikingly topical tribute to her hero, German artist John Heartfield (1891-1968), the inventor and master of political photomontage.

The left-wing Heartfields artistic efforts of the 1920s and 1930s were directed against the same militarists, nationalists and fascists once again crawling out of the woodwork of todays crisis-ridden capitalist society, reinforcing the state apparatus, police, military, judiciary and secret services. The parliamentary arm of these forces, the fascist Alternative for Germany (AfD), is currently achieving results in opinion polls similar to those of the Nazis in the early 1930s.

Johnny & Me

In this situation, it is vital that artists do not remain silent but, like Heartfield and others, use their art to challenge the far right. This is what Rothe seeks to do with her new film.

She employs animated film collage techniques in Johnny & Me, as she did in her film The Real October [Der wahre Oktober], which deals with the 1917 October Revolution through the eyes of Russian artists.

The writer-director has explained that her new film is in some respects a continuation of The Real October, extending into the subsequent decades. Heartfield was an artist who can be wonderfully brought to life via collage animation. Rothe is also fascinated by parallels to the present day. Johnny & Me deals with how things are developing today and where it is all leading. The film must be measured against this ambitious goal.

Rothe succeeds brilliantly in expressing the relevance of Heartfields work, not only by telling the vivid story of the artist and his struggle, but precisely because she uses his own collage technique to bring him to life and draw us into the present. The occasional animations of Heartfields collages are ingenious, making them even more vivid and relevant.

In the film, Rothes alter ego Stephanie (Stephanie Stremel) cuts figures out of paper and cardboard and makes them speak and move. This technique of doing everything by hand, cutting and pasting, creating movement through a series of photos, has been mastered by Rothes team. The mixture of feature film and animated documentary corresponds perfectly with Heartfields own way of working.

War and Corpsesthe Last Hope of the Rich (Photo by H&UFilm)

Heartfield began making animated films for UFA, the famed German film production company, during the First World War before turning to photomontage, which he increasingly developed into a potent political weapon.

To protest against anti-British propaganda in Germany, Heartfield anglicised his name (from Helmut Herzfeld) during the war and simulated a nervous condition to avoid going to the front. As mentioned in the film, he took part in the founding conference of the German Communist Party (KPD) in December 1918-January 1919 and received his party card personally from Rosa Luxemburg. In the early 1920s, he was part of the Dadaist movement, and developed his art provocatively as Monteurdada. In protest against the political and social establishment, the Dadaists mixed everything together: art, theatre, politics, he recounts in the film.

Rothe, who grew up in Stalinist East Germany (GDR), was surprised that this communist of the first hour, an incredibly courageous artist and communist, upon whose head the Nazis had put a price in 1939, hardly ever cropped up in the GDR. She investigated the matter and researched Heartfields biography in federal archives. She came across a file that had been opened by the Central Control Commission of the ruling East German Socialist Unity Party (SED). In it, she found answers to her questions and an explanation for Heartfields relatively low esteem in the Stalinist GDR, as well as an important theme for her film.

Johnny & Me opens with young graphic designer Stephanie in the throes of a creative crisis. She is fed up with trivial digital work that requires her to adapt opportunistically to her customers wishes (work that then is not even properly recognised). For example, she was told to include a photo of a cheerful blonde girl on the cover of a book about rubbish dumps in Africaand regrets doing so. She takes some time off, goes to an exhibition and is captivated by Heartfields photomontages, which leave a lasting impression.

She is catapulted through a time tunnel into a studio full of film reels, paper files and old books. There, Heartfield, cut out of cardboard and brought to life as an animated figure, takes her on a journey through his life. A dialogue and comradely complicity begins between the two colleagues. They discuss the meaning of their profession and Heartfields life.

In a dialogue with the Heartfield figure, Stephanie arranges collages, biographical documents and photos to trace the various stages of the artists life in a sort of timeline, which the pair transverse together.

One hundred years ago, in 1924, a decade after the start of WWI, Heartfields first political photomontage was publishedAfter Ten Years: Fathers and Sons. The image shows General Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg with soldiers skeletons standing at attention behind him. Almost prophetically, a troop of children in uniform, future soldiers, walk past their dead fathers with rifles shouldered.

After Ten YearsFathers and Sons John Heartfield, 1924

Heartfields most famous collages became the front pages of the AIZ, the Arbeiter Illustrierte Zeitung [Workers Pictorial Newspaper], a publication founded in 1921 by Willi Munzenberg, and known and admired far beyond the KPD membership.

This magazine, whose circulation reached 500,000, was read and supported by many thousands of workers and unemployed, who ensured its distribution after Alfred Hugenbergthe newspaper pope of the timeblocked the usual distribution channels. The AIZ was published in Berlin from 1921 to 1933, and in exile in Prague from 1933 to 1938.

Heartfields AIZ covers produced after the Nazis came to power in 1933 are particularly impressive. In Rothes film, the collage of the Reichstag fire appears expressively animated. The flames are leaping out of the burning Reichstag, with Hermann Goring in front wearing a bloody butchers apron and holding an executioners axe. His figure symbolised the pogrom of leftists by the Nazis in the immediate wake of the fire. Stephanies comment on this seems inadequate: You know what? That was social media back in the 1930s!

Six weeks after the Reichstag fire, Nazi stormtroopers raided John Heartfields flat. He only managed to escape by jumping out of a window and eventually fleeing to Prague.

Through Light to Night, cover of the AIZ with a John Heartfield collage on the book burning, 1933 [Photo by DHM Inv. No.- Do 57/27.2 (MfDG)

Another AIZ cover with the ironic title Through light to night features flames reaching up into the sky. This time it is the burning of books written by left-wing, communist and Jewish poets and writers.

The tension between Heartfield and the KPD becomes very clear in a film sequence before the Reichstag elections in 1928. In the middle of the consultations for a poster motif, Heartfield sets off to the gate of a factory and photographs the hands of the workers. From hundreds of pictures, he chose one with five fingers spread apart and designed the famous election poster for the KPD: With 5 you grab the enemy. Vote List 5 Communist Party. KPD leader Ernst Thalmann did not like it. Heartfield and Lene Rado from the propaganda department had trouble convincing him.

The hand has five fingers. You grab the enemy with five. Vote List 5 Communist Party! Photomontage by John Heartfield for a KPD election poster, May 1928

This scene has a certain key function. After that, Heartfield no longer worked according to the official party line. He explains to Stephanie that he had become an anti-Stalinist Stalinist.

Heartfields adherence to the KPD contains an element of tragedy, bound up with the bigger tragedies of the 20th century. On the one hand, his photomontages brilliantly showed the connection between the capitalist crisis, war and Nazism; on the other, he ignoredor remained quiet aboutthe KPDs horrific, paralyzing role in Hitlers seizure of power. In other words, he saw no alternative to the KPD, although he did not agree with its course. In a short scene, he complains that there was no unity with Social Democratic workers against the Nazis.

Some important historical questions remain unanswered in the film. A United Front policy aimed at a joint struggle of Communist and Social Democratic Party (SDP) workers against Hitler could undoubtedly have defeated fascism. Leon Trotsky and the Left Opposition fought for such a united front, which would have exposed the bankrupt, pro-capitalist SPD leadership. However, it was thwarted by the KPD, which followed Stalins fatal line that the SDP were social fascists, thereby equating them with the Nazis.

After Hitlers victory in 1933, the Stalinists switched to a right-wing Popular Front policy, abandoning any independent perspective for the working class in favour of an anti-fascist unity between bourgeois and Communist parties. The thoroughly disastrous character of this policy of subordination to the interests of the bourgeoisie was demonstrated in France and Spain in the period 1936-39, which led to the strangling of social revolution in both countries.

Munzenberg, with whom Heartfield continued to work closely, was one of the most vehement supporters of the Popular Front policy. In line with the new policy, the AIZ was renamed Volks-Illustrierte (Peoples Illustrated) in 1936.

To deal with this complex issue in detail would perhaps have exceeded the scope of the film. However, a reference to this crucial conflict would have helped clarify the historical background to the dilemmas and tragic fate of serious artists such as Heartfield.

Heartfield was not alone in his political stance and trajectory. Kurt Tucholsky, Bertolt Brecht and many other artists and intellectuals chose to see the Soviet Union as the only and strongest force against fascism, despite Stalinism and the devastating, ultimately counter-revolutionary policies of the Comintern. They rejected the perspective and program of Trotsky and the Left Opposition, although Brecht at least was very familiar with them. Like many biographers of Heartfields contemporaries and like-minded people, Rothe does not take up this question.

Expelled from Prague and unable to return to Germany, Heartfield did not seek and find exile in Moscow like the Stalinists of the group around Walter Ulbricht (future East German leader). Heartfield was one of a group of critical-minded intellectuals who sympathised with the KPD in the Weimar period, but wisely did not emigrate to the Soviet Union, where the Stalinist bureaucracy had subjugated the working class. Heartfield fled to Britain, while Brecht, Hanns Eisler and Anna Seghers emigrated to either the US or South America. They thus escaped the show trials and purges of the late 1930s in the USSR that claimed the lives of thousands of convinced Communists and emigres. Many of Stalins victims remained in the gulag until well into the 1950s.

Among the victims was Brechts colleague Sergei Tretyakov (1892-1937), with whom Heartfield had worked closely in 1931 when he spent a year in the Soviet Union and, as the film says, taught Red Army soldiers his collage technique.

Stephanie Stremler in Johnny & Me

At a key moment in the film, Stephanie leafs through Heartfields SED personnel file, which was created by the Stalinist party in 1950 in connection with his return from exile in Britain. The curriculum vitae it contains, which he had to submit when he entered the GDR, serves as a guide for her timeline.

At the end of the 1940s, Brecht called on his friends, Heartfield and his brother Wieland Herzfelde (Brechts publisher), to come to the GDR to help build a better Germany. Although Brecht was watched with suspicion by the Stalinists, he was so well-known that the SED cultural functionaries did not dare to overly harass him. For Brecht, Heartfield was one of the most important European artists.

The SED saw things differently. The Ministry of Culture, headed by arch-Stalinist poet and novelist Johannes R. Becher, sent a letter of invitation to the two brothers. Becher even promised Heartfield a professorship and a major exhibition, but the relevant document from the East German Ministry of Culture disappeared from Heartfields file.

Becher and Brecht had not reckoned with the SED Control Commission, for whom all returnees from the West were under general suspicion. Rothe has the two functionaries Jobst and Gessel from the Central Control Commission appear as cardboard cut-outs who put all kinds of obstacles in the way of the Western migrants regarded as undesirables in the Stalinist GDR. It becomes clear that the party bureaucracy feared that artists like Heartfield could spread their corrosive spirit in the GDR. The possibility they had come into contact with anti-Stalinist arguments and forces was too terrifying for the officialdom.

Heartfields return to East Germany in 1950 came at a time when Stalinist power and all areas of public life were strictly centralised. He was one of the suspect intellectual artist-communists tolerated by the Ulbricht regime, but whose creativity was subject to the strictest control.

Heartfields file also contains two photomontages of newspaper covers that were created in the GDR. One was still published, the second was not. Heartfields collages were now dismissed as gimmicks. His art was branded as formalist and banned. Another title page he designed was printed, but then the entire print run was cancelled.

Stalinism and revolutionary artists

Johnny & Me poses the question of why Heartfield was unable to resume and develop his revolutionary art after his return to the GDR. Rothe explains in an interview with Filmdienst:

I only understood that when I had this file [from the Party Control Commission] in front of me. He had been in exile in the West for the SED and may have spoken to the wrong people there or been given a visa by the wrong people. Thats why Heartfield wasnt particularly welcome in the GDR.

However, like many others, he was not only undesirable, but also highly endangered. At the beginning of the 1950s, a new wave of Stalinist purges took place, with show trials in the Soviet Union and the newly created buffer states in Eastern Europe. Numerous opposition party members, or people thought to be such, stood trial and were imprisoned or even executed. In the film, Heartfield collapses in a train compartment for fear of being persecuted again.

The Stalinist bureaucracy rightly saw a free and self-confident working class as a danger. Any independent movement, including that of artists, was seen as a threat. It had to prevent the working class from playing a revolutionary role, which would have jeopardised its rule. The danger posed to the bureaucracy became clear with the uprisings in the GDR (1953), in Poland and above all in Hungary (both in 1956).

Art was therefore strictly censored. In connection with the formalism debate that was also launched against Brecht and Eisler, the film notes the bureaucrats argument: Whats the point of pictures, we have slogans. The denigration of works of art that did not conform to the doctrine of socialist realism (neither socialist nor realistic) was an important instrument for disciplining artists.

In the 1920s, Heartfield, like many others, was inspired by the October Revolution and the social and artistic upheaval in the Soviet Union. He effectively unleashed his creativity in the interests of a new social order. Increasing bureaucratisation shackled his creative energy, and during WWII he found himself caught between the fronts of imperialism and Stalinism. As a sick man, he ended up in the GDR and under the thumb of the bureaucracy. Although he was later rehabilitated and received honours, he was unable to resume his earlier artistic career in the GDR. This tragedy is expressed in Rothes film.

As Leon Trotsky noted in his brilliant essay Art and Politics in Our Epoch (1938)

The October revolution gave a magnificent impetus to all types of Soviet art. The bureaucratic reaction, on the contrary, has stifled artistic creation with a totalitarian hand. ... Art is basically a function of the nerves and demands complete sincerity.

In one scene in Johnny & Me, which links us to the political present, we see through a studio window Nazi jackboots on the march. Heartfield is immediately alarmed and runs out to confront the fascists. His little cardboard figure is mercilessly trampled on and torn to pieces. Stefanie picks them up and carefully patches them back together, admonishing them.

A political perspective for today remains a question for the filmmaker. The fight against the return of fascism must be wagedno question! But here it remains on a largely activist, individualistic level and therefore unresolved. Nevertheless, both Heartfields and Rothes images do much to clarify the situation in our age of overwhelming hypocrisy and lies, in which established politicians are passing repatriation improvement laws, while approving Germanys biggest military budget since WWII and at the same time sanctimoniously marching in mass protests against the AfD and the shift to the right.

Johnny & Me ends with Stephanie asking Heartfield: What would you be today: whistleblower, influencer or founder of a social media start-up? Heartfields answer: It doesnt matter. The important thing is what you want. To which she replies: Im looking for a new job. But before that, Ill finish the book coverthe way I want it. Snip-snip.
A Fairfax Connector bus [Photo by Flicker.com, MW Transit Photos / CC BY 4.0

On Wednesday evening, 638 bus drivers, mechanics, utility and facility workers and clerks began a walkout at the Fairfax Connector transit system in Northern Virginia. The workers are members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689.

A press release issued by Local 689 declared a vast divide between the Union and the company as of the last meeting between the two parties. The ATU reports that while the companys last stated offer included what appeared to be competitive wage increases for bus operators, it deliberately failed to acknowledge the areas high cost of living and excluded other benefits.

The workers have been without a new contract since late November. Workers are demanding improved pay as well as retirement benefits. According to one driver, we have people that work for 25-30 years who have retired and dont have any income apart from social security in Fairfax County, one of the most expensive places to live in the United States.

Transdev is not doing anything [to meet our demands] for the economy, gas prices and food on the shelf, said one worker, who explained that most workers were young and lived in the area.

In addition, Connector workers receive only seven paid sick days. ATU 689 has called for a marginal improvement of 12 days paid sick leave. COVID hasnt gone away, a mechanic told the World Socialist Web Site, adding that he had caught it at least three times without receiving compensation. The virus sidelined him for an entire month without pay in 2020. The worker explained this was something he was able to survive mainly due to leniency from creditors in the first year of the pandemic.

The yearly income of a Fairfax Connector worker can vary from garage to garage. Workers in the western portion of Fairfax County are paid less than workers driving for the same company in the inner suburbs of Washington, D.C. A driver operating out of one garage makes up to $2.50 less than a driver elsewhere under the same job description.

Buses are brought into the shop from other yards because the repairs cost less here, a mechanic told the WSWS.

Regardless of location, all workers are underpaid at Fairfax Connector. According to the union, a new driver can expect to earn roughly $60,000 yearly in pay. This is less than half of the countys median household income of $133,000 for 2021. A worker noted that transit workers in neighboring Prince William County make $6 more an hour. My property taxes have risen by $4,000. Im struggling to make my mortgage payment, they said.

The walkout is the largest strike in the Washington, D.C. transit system since 2019, when the Fairfax Connector struck briefly over unfair labor practices (ULP). The Connector serves roughly 26,000 passengers everyday on over 93 different bus routes and is operated by the transit corporation Transdev.

According to Transdevs website, the European-based multinational earned 7.07 billion in revenue in 2022. The Fairfax Connector service was leased to Transdev in 2019 for a payment of 400 million ($432.9 million) for a period of five years.

The 2019 Connector strike occurred at the same time as a walkout of over 120 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) workers at the nearby Fairfax County garage on Cinder Bed Road.

The two struggles together represented the potential for a united struggle of transit workers throughout the region in defense of public transit and workers living standards. However, the ATU leadership refused to link these workers struggles even though both were against Transdev at the time and with members of the same union.

While WMATAs contract with Transdev was terminated the following year, Cinder Bed Road workers had to pay for their pensions to follow them to their new employer, even while they remained within the same union local. Those unable to effectively pay twice for their retirement funds lost them.

The strike now underway occurs amid a deepening cost-cutting drive at WMATA. The public transit system, which serves the greater Washington, D.C. region and has a workforce of over 12,000, is currently facing a doomsday scenario in its funding. The metro system has incurred a $750 million budget deficit due to loss of ridership during the course of multiple safety failures, including chronic engineering failures, among its fleet of metro cars, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a plan floated earlier this month, WMATA leadership proposed a series of rate hikes for transit service, instead of previously-announced station closures and the wholesale elimination of bus routes. Under this alternative proposal, Metrorail and Metrobus services would see 12.5 percent increases in general fare rates. This would then jump to 25 percent increases in the evenings.

In addition, the transit authority would divert resources from its preventative maintenance fund into the main operating budget. Given WMATAs recent series of safety breakdowns, this short-sighted proposal is problematic at best.

WMATA's funding crisis would occur alongside the expiration of ATU 689s 9,000 public sector transit workers contract. Rather than vowing to use all means at their disposal to fight the threat of catastrophic cuts to living standards dangling over the public sector workers heads, the ATU has turned to its preferred method of begging Democratic and Republican Party officials in Congress and locally to have mercy.

An ATU 689 press release in early February states, The Union implores all parties to not allow these [cuts] to come to pass.

The union has taken to making similar demands from local Fairfax County officials in the case of the Fairfax Connector. A memo published on February 1 absurdly demands that Democratic Fairfax County supervisor Jeff McKay support workers during their contract talks.

These pleas are meant to redirect transit workers struggles into dead-end appeals to the Democratic Party instead of towards a broader united struggle involving workers across the DC area. For his part, McKay has maintained a studious silence on the strike. The county supervisor had previously indicated that Fairfax County as a whole anticipates service cuts with a nearly $284 million budget shortfall, which his office blames on state-level underfunding. His office also proposed public/private partnerships as a means of solving WMATAs crisis in a previous comment to Fairfax Now.

In calling an Unfair Labor Practice strike, the ATU reserves the ability to call off the workers job action at any moment on the vague claim that management has suddenly decided to bargain in good faith. This was done in the 2019 strike, despite the fact that the final offer that emerged from the good faith bargaining of Transdev and the ATU left the membership in the current terrible conditions they are now fighting against.

It is critical that transit workers at Fairfax Connector take the necessary steps to form independent worker-based rank-and-file organizations to link their struggles with workers in similar circumstances throughout the region. In this way they can prepare for an all out fight against the privatization of public services and a defense of living standards throughout the region. Workers are not responsible for the financial crisis created by the capitalist systems refusal to address the COVID-19 pandemic and public safety in general.

In forming these rank-and-file committees, workers must refuse to subordinate their struggle to the bureaucratic ATU trade union, Teamsters and similar organizations, who have proven time and time again their willingness to sacrifice their members well-being in order to maintain their own privileges within the capitalist establishment.
Join the fight against the jobs massacre! Join the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee by filling out the form below.

The jobs massacre is accelerating at UPS, with a new round of layoffs and facility closures around the country.

The company previously announced plans to lay off 12,000 people this year, on top of an ongoing series of shift closures at facilities around the country. The job cuts come only months after the ratification of a UPS contract which the Teamsters falsely portrayed as the best in decades. It fact, it laid the groundwork for the destruction of tens of thousands of jobs.

UPS workers before a rally on July 21, 2023, in Atlanta. [AP Photo/Brynn Anderson]

The layoffs at UPS are part of a global attack on jobs, including in the auto industry, healthcare and the US Postal Service. The aim of these job cuts, being carried out with the aid of automation and other emerging technologies, is to smash the growing resistance of the working class, which has been expressed in a growing number of strikes against poor working conditions and the rising cost of living.

The new layoffs underscore the urgent need for a broad counter-offensive, uniting UPS workers with workers in all industries around the world where jobs are being slashed to prop up profits. This requires a rank-and-file rebellion against the sellout artists in the Teamsters bureaucracy and other trade unions.

The website Supply Chain Drive reported on Tuesday that shifts are being eliminated at UPS facilities in Mechanicsville, Virginia, in Maspeth, New York, and in Warwick, Rhode Island. The number of jobs affected in Virginia was not immediately clear, but the website said 130 workers will be affected in Warwick and another 66 in Maspeth, which is located in the New York borough of Queens.

Other layoffs are being reported elsewhere. In Perrysburg, Ohio, UPS is closing a trailer maintenance shop, affecting 38 people. With the state of the economy, its really hard to find a job with benefits to cover a whole family and be able to afford that livable wage, one worker told local news station WTOL.

UPS is also cutting a sort shift at its hub in New Stanton, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, triblive.com reports. The facility is a large hub employing around 1,000 people.

Other cuts are rumored but have not been confirmed by the WSWS. On Facebook, one worker from Greensboro, North Carolina wrote: The rumors are spreading like fire. In less than 2 weeks, a chunk of work is moving to the new hub in Mebane, NC, 45 [minutes] away. I talked to an engineer and was told that this building will undergo some major upgrades to [introduce] automation, eventually running with only 30% of the current staff [and] becoming a small hub for just package cars. Sunrise [shifts] last day was this past Saturday.

Regardless, the latest cuts mark a major escalation of what had already been announced, including shift cuts in Louisville, Indianapolis, New York City, Baltimore and Portland. Last week, workers from the Dallas area also reported that the company announced plans for a multi-year closure of its large hub in Mesquite in order to re-tool it as an automated hub.

The number of workers affected nationwide by the shift cuts alone are not immediately known, but almost certainly number in the thousands.

More details were also reported this week in the local press on the layoffs in Portland, Oregon. The company will cut 330 workers at its large Swan Island hub. Those who are Teamster members will retain bump rights, meaning they will be able to keep a job by displacing lower-seniority workers on other shifts. Those lower-seniority workers will lose employment at UPS due to a region-wide hiring freeze. According to an internal memo posted to Reddit, workers in Maspeth will not receive bump rights, meaning the affected workers will lose their jobs.

UPS cost-cutting strategy: automation, consolidation

UPS is in the midst of a massive restructuring program, aimed at cutting tens of thousands of jobs through automation and through the consolidation of its network into a smaller number of high-tech hubs.

A source within the companys Human Resources department described methods being used in the following terms:

You have no idea whats about to come. The list wont be a location here and there, itll be every single state and several buildings. Essentially, the directive that the [HR] team has is to look at any UPS Facility within a 75-100 mile radius of another UPS facility, and consolidate them into one automated building. Before, we had several Hubs and then package centers where the iconic Brown Trucks lived. These Centers would be in nearly every small town, which made sense. But, as always, the pursuit of shareholder value took priority and now, all of these small Centers are being closed and moved to an automated building, or at least a large conventional. But that means a Brown Truck might be driving 80 miles before its first delivery! But, right now, it seems to be all about the instant cost savings.

Job cuts will likely speed up considerably in the coming weeks. There is a big annual meeting in the first week of March in Atlanta, where all Directors from across the country fly in, the source said. After that meeting, we usually get our marching orders for the year.

The consolidation of the companys network into a handful of automated hubs has the potential to eliminate the vast majority of UPS warehouse workers, who make up a majority of the 340,000 Teamsters members at the company. These workers are almost all part-time and heavily exploited, due to decades of cuts to real wages enforced by the Teamsters. The new contract increases starting pay to $21 per hour for part-time workers who remain. This is still far below what part-timers made, in real terms, in the late 1970s.

A video released last year of UPS new Velocity Hub in the Louisville area gives a sense of what the company envisions in the near future for workers. The video shows huge lines of robots moving packages around the floor, with only a handful of workersthe facility employs only 200 people but 3,000 robots.

According to a team leader, 80 percent of the workforce speaks only Spanish. In other words, UPS hopes to super-exploit immigrant labor who are being subjected to fresh attacks by Republican politicians, whose policies the Democrats are adopting in an attempt to secure funding for the war in Ukraine and the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Local news report on UPS' new Velocity Hub

The job cuts are not only having a devastating impact on rank-and-file workers, but also on part-time supervisors and other lower-level management and administrative personnel. One part-time supervisor wrote to the WSWS: I have never worked less than 40 hours a week in my time with the company  [but] as of 2 weeks ago, we have all been cut to 25 hours a week. No exceptions. Needless to say this will be a financial burden on my family. We also have union workers who are also being affected as well.

Considering the 12,000 lay-offs, I am grateful to still be employed, but knowing the companys reputation, Im sure this too can change for some or ALL of us at any time without notice.  It is very disheartening to know that in the years that I have been with UPS that I am only considered as a name and number on paper with an attached negative dollar sign. I may possibly lose my job and career based on an unfair and unbalanced contract.

Silence from Teamsters, while the rank-and-file organizes in opposition

The Teamsters bureaucracy continues to maintain a guilty silence, months after the layoffs began. The union, including General President Sean OBrien, still has failed to even acknowledged any of the layoffs are taking place, despite their being widely reported in local and national news outlets. This is because to acknowledge the cuts would be to admit that the claims they used to force through last years contract were a pack of lies.

On its official Twitter/X account, the Teamsters union has highlighted a series of empty PR appearances by OBrien and other top officials at UPS facilities in the northeastern US, in which the layoffs were not mentioned. Instead, they are attempting to divert workers attention into an empty contract enforcement campaign.

Rank-and-file Teamsters nationwide and union leadership are executing an intense UPS contract enforcement campaign to educate and equip members with all the resources at their disposal to ensure UPS abides by the record contract negotiated and ratified last year, one post claimed. In reality, workers have told the WSWS that Teamsters officials are not telling them anything. At any rate, references to enforcement are a red herring because nothing in the contract prevents the layoffs from taking place.

Meanwhile, rank-and-file workers are organizing against both UPS and their agents in the union bureaucracy. The UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee has issued a powerful statement against the layoffs, warning workers about what is taking place and calling for a broad counter-campaign by the rank-and-file independent of the apparatus. The Committee also held a successful online meeting earlier this month, which also took reports from representatives from rank-and-file committees in the auto industry and from Britain, where Royal Mail workers are also fighting against mass layoffs with the collusion of the postal union.

While the Teamsters bureaucracy ignores the jobs bloodbath, they continue their active courting of Donald Trump and the far-right, following a roundtable with the former president and would-be dictator last month. The Washington Post this week reported that the Teamsters had sent a $45,000 donation to the Republican National Committee. The newspaper, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, presented the move as unusual given that the Biden administration supposedly championed workers rights.

This is absurd. Biden, who banned a rail strike in late 2022, is working with the bureaucracy to enforce sellout contracts and impose labor discipline as his administration barrels towards World War III. The Teamsters courting of the fascist Trump not only expresses the extreme-right sympathies of Bidens allies in the union bureaucracy, but the logical outcome of his own corporatist policies.

The Teamsters bureaucrats counterparts in the United Auto Workers, meanwhile, combine a silence on mass firings and layoffs with an endorsement for Genocide Joe Biden, who gave a militaristic acceptance speech declaring American workers had to build tanks and aircraft carriers while the bureaucrats dragged out antiwar protesters from their rally.

What is common to both wings of the union bureaucracy is their ever-greater incorporation into the capitalist state, regardless of who is in the White House, and their hostility to the political independence of working class, which they direct all of their energy towards preventing. Workers must organize a fight against the authority and control of the union apparatus as a critical component of the fight against job losses and against war.
On February 14, the House of Representatives scrapped plans to vote on a bill to reauthorize warrantless electronic surveillance that has been used by US law enforcement agencies to violate Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures since 2008.

NSA headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland [Photo by Fort George G. Meade Public Affairs Office / CC BY 4.0

After a meeting of the bipartisan House Rules Committee revealed disagreements over amendments to the bill renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the measure was pulled back and reauthorization delayed. The rules in Section 702 must be periodically renewed by Congress and are currently set to expire on April 19, 2024.

In a statement posted on Twitter/X, the deputy chief of staff for communications for House Speaker Mike Johnson, Raj Shah, wrote that Congress needed more time to reach consensus on how best to reform FISA and Section 702 while maintaining the integrity of our critical national security programs, and the House would consider the reform and reauthorization bill at a later date.

According to the language of Section 702 of the FISA law, digital communications, including phone calls, email and text messages, of foreigners living outside the US can be collected and searched for national security reasons without a warrant. The law states that intelligence and law enforcement agencies are not permitted to use the Section 702 authority to target digital communications of American citizens.

However, any time a US citizen interacts with a foreign surveillance target, their communications are collected up in the electronic dragnet and this is known by the intelligence agencies as incidental collection. In other words, US intelligence agencies are permitted to gather the electronic communications of whomever they choose without a warrant.

Meanwhile, numerous audits conducted by the government itself of Section 702 data queries have shown that the FBI, in particular, has repeatedly violated Fourth Amendment rights and searched through the information of US citizens.

For example, a decision made by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on May 19 showed that the FBI had improperly searched the foreign intelligence communications database more than 278,000 times between 2016 and 2020.

The ruling found that illegal FBI searches of the database were used in the criminal investigations into the fascist assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and to look into participants in the nationwide protests following the police murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.

The FISA court ruled that the searches violated the Section 702 rules because there was no reasonable basis to expect they would return foreign intelligence or evidence of crime, while the FBI argued that it was reasonably likely.

The release of details of the ruling by FISCa secret court whose judges are appointed by the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court without confirmation or oversight by the US Congressof the blatant violations by the FBI was carefully timed to coincide with the Biden administrations campaign to obtain Congressional renewal of Section 702 warrantless surveillance before its original expiration at the end of 2023.

Preoccupied with the war in Ukraine and Israels ethnic cleansing in Gaza, the Biden administration secured an extension of the rules until April as part of its $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act, which the President signed on December 23.

The differences in Congress about renewing Section 702 are over changes that will make it look more like the FBI and other intelligence agencies are only spying on Americans if a probable cause warrant is obtained from the FISA court before doing so. There are no differences over the necessity of keeping the Section 702 data-gathering authority in place.

For its part, the White House has made it clear that it is firmly opposed to Fourth Amendment rights articulated in the US Constitution. When asked by a reporter on February 14 if President Biden would veto a bill that required the US government to obtain a warrant to conduct FISA surveillance, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, We do not believe that that serves the national security interests of the United States. A warrant requirement from our perspective would go too far in undermining the very purpose of FISA, and, frankly, it would put victims at risk.

Currently, there are three different bills proposed in the House, one from the Judiciary Committee, one from the Intelligence Committee and one from the far-right Freedom Caucus of the Republican Party. Both Democrats and Republicans are jockeying for media attention as they absurdly claim to call for a warrant amendment to the Section 702 bill while also stating how important warrantless surveillance is for national security.

As for the members of the Freedom Caucuswho essentially represent the politics of Donald Trump in the House of Representativesit is a measure of the rot within the American political system that the fascist 2024 Republican candidate for president and his mouthpieces are posturing as opponents of illegal surveillance of the American public. They are only able to do this because the Biden administration is so openly supporting illegal surveillance and directly attacking democratic rights.

Freedom Caucus member Representative Andy Biggs, an Arizona Republican, claimed to oppose the standard argument from police agencies that imposing a warrant requirement would disrupt and delay critical intelligence work and would cost lives. Biggs said, The narrative from some on the other side is if you have warrants, if you require a warrant for a query, you will kill law enforcement and you will be responsible for dastardly deeds. However, the Judiciary Committee bill that Biggs worked on includes numerous exceptions to the warrant requirement.

Responding to the fakery going on the in the House, Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Brennan Center for Justices Liberty and National Security Program, said the House bills purpose is to look like reform without actually changing anything. She said the so-called reform legislation was a trick meant for members not closely familiar with Section 702.

Goitein went on, You have to know a fair amount about how Section 702 works to realize how little this bill actually does. And the Intelligence Committee leaders are counting on, or they are betting on, other members not knowing enough about Section 702 to see through this ruse.
An Albemarle County judge listened to more than 3 1/2 hours of arguments Tuesday, part of one of the nationally watched cases that has pit the countys embattled commonwealths attorney against a mob of White nationalists who marched across University of Virginia Grounds the summer of 2017, chanting racist threats along the way.

At issue Tuesday was whether the prosecutors office, recently forced to recuse itself in a related case, must recuse itself from another one, which is focused on Augustus Invictus, a Florida lawyer whose history includes Holocaust denial, a Senate run and ritual ingestion of goat blood.

I never had a case quite like this, said the presiding judge, retired 16th Circuit Judge Richard E. Moore.

Rather than represent himself, Invictus was represented at the Albemarle Circuit Court hearing by Terrell N. Roberts III, who is also serving as counsel for multiple rioters who broke into the U.S. Capitol the day of Jan. 6, 2021, including the estate of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed trying to climb through a barricaded door.

You couldnt have a more important issue in your legal career than the one presented today, Roberts told the judge. The public perception is extremely important here.

Invoking free speech principles espoused by Founding Father and Albemarle County native son Thomas Jefferson, Roberts attempted to steer the hearing toward the protections of the First Amendment, but his decision to incorporate a motion made by another lawyer in another case was pounced on by Lawton Tufts, the assistant commonwealths attorney whom he accused of being too close to the counterprotesters to prosecute the men they were protesting.

Its a fun piece of creative writing, said Tufts, smiling broadly. The good news for Mr. Roberts is that none of it is true.

Tufts proceeded to put up a PowerPoint document to rebut various assertions made by lawyer Peter Frazier in the motion he filed in the case of Jacob Joseph Dix of Clarksville, Ohio. This motion helped Frazier succeed in getting Tufts and the rest of the prosecutors office tossed from the case in a pair of rulings, the most recent on Feb. 12. But the same document found less favor Tuesday.

There are so many misrepresentations that the small ones start to build up, said Tufts. I called them misrepresentations, but I think theyre just lies.

Among them, Tufts said, were allegations of close friendships with people he was emailing that summer, alleged misstatements of their roles in opposing the 2017 White nationalist rally in Charlottesville, unfairly parsing a quotation he made, and confusing a prior Charlottesville police review board with the one created in the wake of the rally. Even the judge, who issued no ruling Tuesday, seemed to question the wisdom of incorporating Fraziers motion.

When you adopt something wholesale, its full of landmines, said Moore. Theres no shortage of hyperbole.

While Roberts seemed at one point to agree that the motion had problems, he contended that Tufts had problems of his own.

Hes not just an observer; hes not just a bystander, said Roberts. Hes a partisan.

Roberts alleged that Tufts, then working at UVa Law School, tried to thwart the rally with an email he sent to its opponents, including leaders of Black Lives Matter and Showing Up for Racial Justice.

These are Mr. Tufts people, said Roberts. These are his folks, and hes working for free because hes an interested party.

Tufts conveyed his actions differently.

People came to me with their concerns, said Tufts. I expressed community members concerns, but the idea that I was part of them is completely baseless.

He added that hed never heard the word antifa before the summer of 2017.

On Aug. 12 of that year, the day after the torch march currently prosecuted, self-avowed neo-Nazi James Fields of Ohio used his car as a weapon to smash through a crowd of counterprotesters who were out celebrating the cancelation of the rally. The attack killed one woman, Heather Heyer, injured dozens of others and resulted in state murder and federal hate crimes convictions that sent Fields away for what amounts to multiple life terms in prison.

The 2017 torch cases are being pressed under Virginias so-called cross-burning statute, which bans using fire for racial intimidation. Written to prevent the Ku Klux Klan from igniting crosses to terrorize Black Virginians, its a felony that can carry a sentence up to five years. And in Virginia there is no statute of limitations on felonies.

A felony conviction could be costly for Invictus.

Since rising to prominence in 2016 with an unsuccessful Libertarian Party challenge to the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Marco Rubio and his admission he sacrificially killed a goat and drank its blood, his legal career has taken center stage. The 40-year-old, born Austin Mitchell Gillespie, is reportedly licensed to practice in four states and in federal court.

Tuesdays hearing veered away the actions of the Albemarle prosecutors at times, such as when Roberts vowed to contest the timeliness of the prosecution. It also veered from commonwealth law when Roberts said the recent recusal of the prosecutor should happen in all torch cases.

We wouldnt be talking about this if we were sitting in federal court, said Roberts.

Were not in federal court, Tufts snapped back. I dont know if that argument is accurate, but its not relevant at all.

Accused of harboring personal animus toward Invictus, Tufts recalled the mans bail hearing last fall. At that hearing, Invictus had noted his involvement in the lives of his six children, including taking two of them to Catholic school and daily mass.

Tufts noted that he urged the judge at that hearing to give Invictus an unsecured, or cash-free, bail.

After his legal opponent mentioned a pair of local candlelight vigils in a way that hinted at equivalence, Tufts also clarified something that had been previously hinted at but heretofore unstated. None of the torch prosecutions, Tufts said, would attempt to criminalize the fire-accompanied chants of Blood and soil and Jews will not replace us. Instead, he said the prosecutions are directed only at those who encircled counterprotesters that night at the base of the state of Founding Father Thomas Jefferson on UVa Grounds.

The idea that surrounding those people is the same as a candlelight vigil is frankly offensive, said Tufts.

Except for a moment when he harrumphed a statement by Commonwealths Attorney Jim Hingeley, Invictus never spoke during Tuesdays hearing. Outside of court, he was asked if he still drinks goat blood.

Im his lawyer, shouted Roberts, attempting to derail the topic, but Invictus answered nonetheless.

I drink human blood now, Invictus replied. I'm Catholic.

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LOS ANGELES  The second season of Abbott Elementary was a complete blur for star Quinta Brunson.

I wasnt processing it, the recent Emmy winner says on the set of her hit series. Winning a Golden Globe? Blur. I do not have a memory of that. I have a memory of Tyler (James Williams) winning, but not me physically winning or even the show winning because we were also working while the first awards were going. We were just here at 5 a.m. every day. We were just working and getting the job done.

Brunson, who also writes and produces the series, didnt exhale until the writers strike started. The walls came crashing in and I was like, What is going on? I was in my office, and I walked past (the book shelf) and I was like, What the hell is that award? And I had to pull it off the shelf to see that it was a SAG Award. How did this happen? We were working and I wasnt processing how much had changed.

To make sure shes an important part of the show she created, fellow producers have built in several weeks of pre-production so she can be in the writers room and help direct where its going.

And then we build in hiatuses every few weeks so that before we get caught up, shes back in the room, says Executive Producer Justin Halpern. When Brunson isnt needed on set, she heads to the writers room.

Well literally come down to her dressing room and start pitching stuff, he adds. To me, she feels like a writer first. Shes an amazing writer who happens to be an incredible performer. The best version of this show is the version that comes through her. And thats what we try to make happen.

In the third season, Brunsons character, Janine, has a job with the school district, which takes her out of the classroom. That means shes not in daily contact with her Abbott friends. More important, shes not in a hardcore relationship with Williams character, Gregory Eddie.

I think the fun of young 20-somethings is really the stuff that happens all the time, Brunson says. People kiss each other, they have sex with each other and then, all of a sudden, theyre cool again or not cool again or friends again. Life doesnt magically turn into something where they never see each other anymore. I thought that was an interesting vehicle for Janine and Gregory.

Because producers want Abbott to reflect current events, theyve crafted stories about funding problems, aggressive parents and teacher burnout.

People who arent teachers dont know how much teachers have to do, Brunson says. In one second season episode, a parent calls out the teacher: Do your job, teach my kid. I dont care if my kid is bad. We didnt want either of them to be in the right or in the wrong. We wanted to show what could happen, Brunson says. After the episode aired, viewers told Brunson they had no idea teachers had to deal with those kinds of issues. Watching Janine get yelled at on-screen was too much for them to bear. After seeing all that Janine does for her students, it opened them up to reflection.

Because Brunsons mother, a kindergarten teacher, served as inspiration for the series, shes often quizzed about incidents. An episode that focused on after-school dance classes came from her life. Those classes kept girls off the streets. It gave them somewhere to go, which is why my mom gave up more of her time to do a club.

When Brunson let her see the episode, mom turned to her and said, Youre just going to steal my whole life, huh?

A fan-favorite around the world, Abbott Elementary touches on moments that resonate. Like other mockumentaries, it includes talking head interviews with the characters. But theres a difference. In The Office, theyd be taped in their workspace. In Abbott Elementary, theyre not in the classroom. Executive Producer Randall Einhorn, who worked on both, told Brunson these are teachers who are on the move. They dont have time to sit down and do a talking head in the classroom.

Renewed for a fourth season, Abbott Elementary has the luxury to dig into the backgrounds of all its characters.

We were blessed with a cast of just absolute heavy-hitters, says Executive Producer Patrick Schumacker. Oftentimes, youll be on a show in the writers room and writers will kind of have favorites they gravitate toward. Thats not the case on this show.

Brunson, in fact, never asks for more time.

The reason you have this ensemble is because you have an egoless performer whos leading the charge, says Halpern. You cannot make Abbott without the way she operates in the writers room and on set. Its something she just intrinsically understands. Shes able to just put her ego wherever she needs to put it in order to make the best show possible.

Abbott Elementary returns for its third season this spring on ABC.

A visit to the set of 'Abbott Elementary' Abbott art Abbott library Quinta and a bus Abbott classroom Abbott bulletin board Abbott award Abbott planner Abbott phone Abbott inspiration Abbott rules Abbott visit
Dodge County Republicans met Jan. 29 in Fremont at the L.A. Fireproof Door Company with County Chair Scott Eveland leading the meeting.

Chair Eveland introduced Dodge County Clerk and Election Commissioner, Micki Gilfry. The commissioner outlined the effect and implementation of the new voter ID law. The conclusion is that carrying out the law will not be an overwhelming burden on poll workers or voters. Anyone with questions regarding voter registration and voting are encouraged to contact Gilfry at the Dodge County Courthouse at 402-727-2767.

Gilfry reminded the group of the filing deadlines for any position in Dodge County which was Feb. 15 for incumbents and March 1 for non-incumbents.

In this election cycle there will again be one drive-up drop box in the county. It will be in the alley between the Dodge County Courthouse and Jail. There are openings for poll workers. They are paid.

The primary election is May 14 and the general election is Nov. 5. Filings for statewide positions are on the Nebraska Secretary of State website. There have been a few filings for various Dodge County positions.

Eveland explained that the Dodge County GOP Convention will be between March 1 and April 10  details will be announced soon.

On Saturday, Jan.y 29, there was a Nebraska GOP State Central Committee meeting in Bellevue. Attending for Dodge County were Eveland, Elaine and John Grothusen.

State Central Committeeman Grothusen gave this report of the SCC meeting: The NeGOP State Convention will be May 18 in Lincoln. Dodge County will elect eight delegates at the county convention. At the state convention, Nebraskans will elect 33 delegates to go to Milwaukee to the Republican National Convention on July 15.

The NeGOP approved three resolutions. One asks Gov. Jim Pillen and the Legislature to specify that no product, service, or information important for the functioning of citizens in their day-to-day lives be made available only on the internet. Another calls on the governor and all Nebraskans to declare a statewide day of prayer and fasting. The third resolution was in support of Texas Governor Abbotts efforts to secure the border.

Three amendments were considered and only one passed. Its purpose was to clarify a previously amendment pertinent to GOP organizations making public announcements of future meetings.

Eveland distributed forms to fill out by those wishing to be a delegate to the county convention. The forms must be filed with the election commissioner.
After three years and millions of illegal crossings by immigrants, President Joe Bidens failed leadership has allowed America's southern border to spiral into a humanitarian, national security and economic crisis of epic proportions.

Mexican drug cartels are profiting by funneling migrants worldwide into America. Its a situation ripe for exploitation, with women and children subject to sex trafficking.

The chaos has helped these cartels flood the United States with deadly drugs such as fentanyl, fueling a rise in overdoses. In 2023, Border Patrol agents said they intercepted enough lethal doses of fentanyl to kill every American. Customs and Border Protection officials told Fox News that large groups of migrants are creating a distraction for cartels to move contraband like fentanyl.

These migrants arent coming just from Central and South America. Thousands of single adult males from Africa and Asia are flocking to our border. More than 160 individuals on the terrorist watch list were caught last year trying to enter the country.

In Pennsylvania, the effects of Bidens loose border policies are devastating. In 2022, we lost thousands of residents to dangerous drugs. Cities such as Philadelphia are diverting taxpayer dollars to handle the influx and cover health care, schooling, housing and food for undocumented immigrants.

How did we get here? This debacle lies at the feet of President Biden and Democratic senators such as Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, whom I plan to challenge in the fall election.

Just go back to Bidens first day in office.

The president issued an executive order halting the construction of the border wall. He also reinstated the failed policy of catch and release, and ended the practice of keeping asylum seekers in Mexico.

When things began to spiral out of control, Biden refused to acknowledge the situation at the border was a crisis or change course. Biden now says hes ready to take a tough stance, but nothing suggests this is more than a cynical election-year ploy.

The path Biden chose has been disastrous. Reversing former President Donald Trumps border initiatives, which successfully brought illegal immigration to its lowest level in 45 years, Biden sent a signal to the world that our country was wide open. By opening the floodgates, the White House created a preventable tragedy.

What have Democrats done in response? During his 18-year career in Washington, Casey has enabled weak immigration policies that have made the American people less safe and hurt our economy.

Since Biden used the presidencys powers to put us in this mess, Biden can use those same powers to fix it.

The White House must restore the Trump policies that worked. Biden should use every existing authority to finish constructing the border wall, direct Customs and Border Protection to enforce all border laws and terminate the ill-conceived smartphone asylum app. Biden should stop catch and release, which releases migrants into American communities while waiting for hearings. Biden should keep asylum seekers in Mexico.

Congress can and should do more. But the proposed border deal, while well-intentioned, isnt the answer. The legislation would codify a minimum level of illegal immigration. It also would encourage more migrants to flood the border by empowering unelected bureaucrats to dole out work permits or immediately grant asylum claims without proper oversight.

Finally, theres no guarantee Biden would enforce any new authorities granted to him, which is a significant flaw, given his track record.

Biden should work with the House of Representatives in good faith on additional bills to supplement administrative action. But none of the actions Ive proposed in this column require new legislation  they require leadership.

The president says hes serious about fixing the border. Its time for him to back up those words with action.
Thanksgiving is killing it on Netflixits currently ranked among the streamers top flicks. When one horror film does well, thats great news for the genre at large, so if you head to the streamer for John Carvers merry Massachusetts massacre, why not stick around and feast on these other titles, too?



Thanksgiving (2023)

This 2023 slasher knows youve seen many a slasher film, particularly of the holiday-themed variety, and plays right into that by elevating its familiarly structured story with some of the most satisfying and creative gore in recent memory.

Feast on: turkey and all the trimmings. Watch on Netflix.

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Before release the Snyder Cut and Rebel Moon came Zack Snyders feature-film debut, a remake of one of the most beloved zombie films of all time. It pays the required respect to George A. Romeroand squeaked in just as Americas mall era was beginning to flagwhile also telling its own pleasingly gruesome story, with a great cast (Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames) to boot.

Feast on: brains. Watch on Netflix.

The Babadook (2014)

A decade after its release, we still shudder involuntarily at the thought of The Babadook. The titular monster may have taken on a more cuddly second life since 2014, but the movies agonizing mother-son drama has always been its most potent nightmare.

Feast on: grief. Watch on Netflix.

Annabelle (2014)

Journey back to 2014a year after The Conjuring was released and before fans realized a whole universe of Conjuring-adjacent movies and sequels were on the wayand spend some time with the based-on-a-true-story haunted doll that helped start it all.

Feast on: death cults. Watch on Netflix.

The Purge: Election Year (2016)

Its another election year, and the third installment in the Purge franchise is suddenly, horrifically timely again.

Feast on: all your anxieties before, during, and after this November. Watch on Netflix.

It Follows

The always great Maika Monroe is soon to appear in the much buzzed-about 2024 release Longlegsbut fans are also eagerly awaiting They Follow, the just-announced sequel to this film, which layers unbelievable dread onto a story so simple you need only read its title to understand its narrative thrust.

Feast on: the dreaded unknown. Watch on Netflix.

Lights Out

Director David F. Sandberg recently revealed hes working on an adaptation of Until Dawn, but he first came to horror fans attention with this legitimately unsettling 2016 adaptation of his own 2013 short about a monster that strikes in the shadows.

Feast on: fear of the dark. Watch on Netflix.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

The source-material kids book (and especially its accompanying ghastly illustrations) will always be our favorite version of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, but this Guillermo del Toro-produced film fully delivers in the horrific creature effects department.

Feast on: sentient scarecrows. Watch on Netflix.

Blood Red Sky

Shes a mother traveling with her young son on an overnight flight from Europe to New York, desperately seeking a cure for her mysterious illness. Theyre a gang of hijackers determined to collect a hefty ransom. Did we also mention shes... a vampire?

Feast on: every worst-case scenario you can imagine about airline travel. Watch on Netflix.

Anaconda

Jennifer Lopez no doubt prefer you turn your attentions to her current projects on Prime Video, but wed much rather watch her battling an oversized, extremely unfriendly, somewhat lifelike giant snake alongside Ice Cube and Owen Wilson in the Amazon.

Feast on: Jon Voights campy performance. Watch on Netflix.

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Anatomy of a Fall French producer Marie-Ange Luciani put in a flying appearance at the Berlinale this week with Claire Burgers coming-of-age drama Langue Etrangere which received a warm reception in competition.

With the Berlin premiere taking place the day after the Baftas in London (where Anatomy of a Fall won Best Screenplay) and eight days before the January 27 voting deadline for this years Academy Awards, Luciani was also in the thick of the awards campaign.

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She co-produced the Oscar hopeful with David Thion at Les Films Pelleas under the banner of her Paris-based banner Les Films de Pierre, the company created by Yves Saint Laurents long-time business and life partner Pierre Berge which she acquired on his death in 2018.

New production Langue Etrangere is a bittersweet coming-of-age tale starring Lilith Grasmug as French teenager Fanny who travels to Germany on language exchange trip. Her German counterpart Lena (Josefa Heinsius) is a larger-than-life, wannabe political activist. In her thrall, the shy and withdrawn Fanny invents a different life for herself, but her tall tales soon start to unravel.

Further cast members also include Nina Hoss, Chiara Mastroianni and Jalal Altawil, who was seen recently in Agnieszka Hollands Green Border. Goodfellas handles international sales.

The drama is Burgers third feature after Cannes 2014 Camera dOr-winning Party Girl, which she co-directed with Marie Amachoukeli-Barsacq and Samuel Theis, and 2018 solo film Cest ca lamour.

Its the kind of film I like to produce, says Luciani. Films that talk about society, that have a link with what were going through, what the worlds going through our preoccupations. The younger generation is also important to me. I think we need to look at it and put in on the big screen.

Ive loved Claire Burgers work for a long time. Ive followed her since her short films at [film school] La Femis. Shes really someone who has had a big place in my life as a cinephile. Its funny because we met quite late on.

She likens Burgers work to that of late director Maurice Pialat (Under The Son Of Satan, To Our Loves) for its poetic realism and the way she builds authentic characters.

This film is a bit more formal than her previous works but its essentially a film talking about youth, love, politics, what it means to be political today and what it takes to get involved these two girls are desperate to express themselves politically but its not so easy, she says.

French distributor Ad Vitam, where Luciani cut her teeth early on in her film career, will release the film in cinemas in France in September.

Luciani hopes it will draw a young crowd.

With 120 BPM, everyone thought it was a niche film, but it really touched the 17 to 25-year-old demographic, recalls Luciani of Robin Campillos 2018 Aids activism drama which she produced with former Les Films de Pierre colleague and collaborator Hugues Charbonneau.

Our hope is that youngsters will come see this film. Its adolescent protagonists resemble many adolescents today, who are facing the same dilemmas around how to vote, be engaged, to love theres also the subtext about sexual orientation the film tackles a lot of contemporary issues relevant to youngsters today.

Fresh from her experiences with Triet and Burger, Luciani is now developing a raft of films by female directors including Lea Mysius (Ava, Five Devils), Monia Chokri (Babysitter), Laura Wandel (Playground) and first feature director Helene Rosselet-Ruiz. She will also re-team with Thion on Triets next film.

This marks a turning point for her company, says Luciani, recounting how she mainly worked with male directors in the early part of her career, notably with Campillo on Eastern Boys (2014) and 120 BPM.

Astonishingly, I was initially working mainly with men. I wasnt especially looking for films by women, but it was something I felt I was missing as the company has evolved, weve being sent more projects carried by women. For the first time, were producing as many women as men, if not more if you count Justines next film, which is an important turning point for us.

The companys next production is Laurent Cantets Enzo, co-written with Campillo, which is due to begin shooting in August and co-stars Elodie Bouchez and Pierfrancesco Favino.

The drama revolves around the films titular 16-year-old protagonist who is working as an apprentice mason in La Ciotat. Urged by his father to pursue higher studies, he has escaped the comfortable but suffocating surroundings of his family home to learn about life on constuction sites alongside Ukrainian colleague Vlad.

It is Lucianis second collaboration with Cantet, who won the Cannes Palme dOr in 2008 for The Class, after 2021 film Arthur Rambo.

Mysiuss Histoires de la Nuit will go into production in October. Based on the eponymous thriller by Laurent Mauvignier it follows the sinister goings-on in a remote hamlet in the lead up to the 40th birthday party of one of its inhabitants with a mysterious past. F comme Film is co-producing.

Beyond her own features, Mysius also took co-writer credits on Claire Deniss Stars at Noon and Jacques Audiards Paris, 13th District.

Wendels new film is scheduled to shoot at the end of the year.

On the development side, Luciani says Anatomy of a Fall director Triet plans to start writing the screenplay for her next feature in September, once the films awards season run is done and dusted and she has taken a break.

Next year is also shaping up to be busy with shoots pencilled in for Campillos next film, Maison Alpha, a sci-fi work for which he is currently finishing the screenplay, as well as Chokris next feature.

Further features in development include Rosselet-Ruizs Les Mains Sales, the feature animation Les Vies Sans Fin De Marie-Angelique Leblanc by Gilles Marchand and Djibril Glissant, and Janloup Bernards Sud.

Belgian director Wandels new film Linteret dAdam is lead produced by Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardennes Liege-based company Les Films du Fleuve, while Luciani will co-produce Chokri with her long-time Montreal-based producer Nancy Grant.

With her star rising internationally thanks to the awards season run of Anatomy of a Fall, Luciani says she would love to get involved in more international co-productions.

If the world opens up for me with a desire to produce with France, I would be very happy to accompany directors like Pascal Caucheteux at Why Not has done with Ken Loach, or Jean Labadie with Rodrigo Sorogoyen and Nanni Moretti, she says.

Taking stock of the recent journey with Anatomy of a Fall, Luciani says the past 10 months have been overwhelming but worth it.

Its a lot of work. Weve been promoting the film since May and it will be March when we finish, so it will have been close to a year but its paid off with the film nominated all over the place, at the Goyas, the Baftas, the Oscars and the Cesars, she says.

Its been extraordinary, an experience like this is unique in the life of a producer, or a director.

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Immigrants are good for this country. They work critical jobs, pay taxes, build businesses and introduce many of our favorite foods and cultural innovations (donuts, anyone?). But for decades, powerful players have chosen the self-serving politics of division over sensible immigration policies.

The immigrant experience is essential to the American story. Our communities include many who came here to seek safety, work, study and join their families. They make the United States a strong, diverse nation.

Immigrants were more likely to be essential workers during the pandemic, and they can will crucial roles in the future. As America's population ages, more of us will need home health care  a workforce thats one-fourth immigrant and needs to grow fast to meet need.

The Congressional Budget Office projects that immigration could increase our country's economy $7 trillion over 10 years.

We need immigration. And many of us know this, with 68% of respondents saying immigration is good for the country, according to a Gallup poll last year. Yet our government has made it much harder and more punitive for immigrants in recent decades to claim their rights to a dignified future.

Detention centers, deportations and walls can be deadly, inhumane and tear families apart. We spend untold billions on these cruelties, according to the National Priorities Project. And these policies dont deter many people from leaving their home countries for freedom, safety or opportunity.

Yet we continue responding to the problem of people seeking refuge here by doubling down on these false solutions. All of us  new immigrants and descendants of old ones  are stuck in this policy limbo because of powerful people who benefit from dividing us and preventing real solutions.

David McCormick: The president has the power to fix the border crisis After three years and millions of illegal crossings by immigrants, President Joe Bidens failed leadership has allowed America's southern border to spiral into a humanitarian, national security and economic crisis of epic proportions.

The border policy recently proposed by the Senate isnt a real solution. Its a threat. The so-called border compromise would have gutted the asylum system, ramped up mass surveillance and enforcement, and invested in a pointless and harmful border wall.

That proposal isnt the best we can do. A real solution to immigration would be to embrace immigration, which makes us stronger. It would open up paths to legalization and citizenship for immigrants who have been contributing to this country for years and for many of those who are making the trip now.

Our government also must address the real reasons that scores of people are leaving their homes. This includes the U.S. economic sanctions that are strangling their home economies. It includes the war on drugs that can make migrants home communities unlivable. Climate change has created weather that sends millions fleeing.

Congress has made real progress before, and it can do it again.

The 1986 immigration law signed by President Ronald Reagan granted legalization to millions of undocumented immigrants. President George W. Bush supported a proposal that would have led to legalization for millions more. Under President Barack Obama, the Senate passed a plan that would have opened the door to legalization for many of the current 11 million undocumented people living and working in the country.

Its time to think bigger than the Senates most recent, doomed plan. Immigrants have always kept this country moving forward. We should embrace the vitality and diversity that immigration can bring, refuse to be divided by those who want to scare us, and enact some genuine immigration reform.
Milwaukee-based musician Trapper Schoepp poses at the gravesite of Kate Blood, at Riverside Cemetery in Appleton. Schoepp wrote the song "Kate Blood" about the urban legends surrounding the woman.

APPLETON  A misunderstood Appleton folk legend has been immortalized in a song.

Inspired by the tale of a 23-year-old woman buried atop a hill at Riverside Cemetery, Milwaukee-based musician Trapper Schoepp released the song "Kate Blood" Feb. 13.

While the majority of the feedback he's received on the song so far has been positive, Schoepp said some listeners' reactions have reflected the misinterpretation that has characterized folk tales passed through generations for centuries.

After the song's release, Schoepp shared it on social media, noting that it's about "a notorious Wisconsin legend." Some online commenters gave him some backlash, saying Schoepp was feeding into the lies about Kate Blood, or that Blood could not possibly be "notorious," because they had never heard of her until hearing Schoepp's song.

"I'm like, you've literally just defined storytelling in the modern age with folk music," Schoepp said.

The legend of Kate Blood goes something like this: Kate Blood murdered her husband with an axe, and is buried a distance away from the other graves at Riverside Cemetery to atone for her sins. On a full moon, those who are brave enough to trek to her grave may see blood dripping down her tombstone.

Or maybe it wasn't Blood's husband, but her children that she killed. Or she was actually the victim of a murder. Or she was a witch. The details change, depending who you ask.

In reality, none of it is true. And that's what Schoepp aims to reflect on in his song. He said the song is a tale of a lover visiting Kate Blood's grave and falling in love with her ghost  a bit like the surreal style of Tim Burton's film "Corpse Bride."

The real Kate Blood Miller died of tuberculosis at age 23, was the daughter of one of Appleton's founders and was extremely well-loved by the community, according to historians. She died 42 years before her husband, George Miller, who was an editor of the Appleton Post. Miller later remarried, and both he and his second wife are buried next to Blood. Blood had two children, one who died young. Her daughter went on to become a librarian and wrote famous papers about organizing libraries, Appleton Historical Society Vice President Gwen Sargeant said.

Schoepp learned about Kate Blood from Frank Anderson, an Appleton-based pedal steel guitar player and avid Wisconsin historian. Anderson took Schoepp on a walk to Kate Blood's grave, where Schoepp said he immediately felt inspired.

"I am a student of folk music. And through that, I understand the power of storytelling in that oral tradition that goes back to the very beginning of time. And what is a better story than a completely innocent woman who is cast as a woman who has murdered her family with an axe, and then is buried far away from all the other people in the graveyard, by the river?" Schoepp said. "It has like the makings of a, like, Disney misunderstood-princess movie."

Schoepp's music spans a variety of genres, from folk, Americana, rock and country, and has clear story-telling influences. He's performed all over the world, and right at home, at Wisconsin festivals like Mile of Music and Summerfest. In 2018, Schoepp completed an unfinished Bob Dylan song, titled "On, Wisconsin," and got permission from Dylan to release it with a co-writing credit alongside the music legend  an experience he describes as what the craziest moment of his career.

The musician recorded "Kate Blood" live at a Nashville-area cabin formerly owned by Johnny Cash, while playing a guitar that once belonged to the legend. On the song, backing vocals are sung by Sarah Peasall, a Grammy-winning artist for her and her sisters' vocals in the 2000 film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" The track is produced by Patrick Sansone from Wilco, as well as John Jackson from the band The Jayhawks.

Anderson, who learned about Kate Blood's grave after he moved to Appleton in 1988, said he first heard the ghost stories about her with the advent of the internet.

"Those had to have originated in Appleton. So we have some very imaginative people here, that's what I conclude," Anderson said. "The axe murderer thing is just hilarious. And I've read that she's a werewolf, and lives underground through a maze of caverns that are underneath Riverside Cemetery."

Milwaukee-based musician Trapper Schoepp released a song Feb. 13 titled "Kate Blood," inspired by urban legends surrounding the young woman buried at Riverside Cemetery in Appleton.

Sargeant said from speaking with longtime Appleton residents, she's traced the bone-chilling rumors about Kate Blood back to around the 1980s. She said the site of Blood's grave, which nowadays is in a remote location of the cemetery, was at the time much more prominent, close to the old entrance. Her burial site was never intended to be secluded for any reason.

"I think it's her name and the rhythm of her name  because she has a brother named Egbert Blood who is buried right out there, and nobody has any Egbert Blood fairy tales," Anderson said.

Kate Blood's father, Henry Blood, was essentially the father of Appleton, Anderson said. He built the first building for Lawrence Institute  as the university was then called  which the town was formed around. And he laid out Oneida Street and College Avenue, Anderson said.

"We should be called Bloodville or Blood City, or something like that," Anderson said.

Kate's death was a great loss to the tight-knit Appleton community, as she was in the first generation to grow up in the new town and from such an influential family. Anderson said from every historical account we have of the young woman, she was "socially active and friendly and kind."

Schoepp's song "Kate Blood" carries on memory of her truth, with the lyrics "I was the first daughter, a mother and a friend, buried along the banks of that city Appleton."

As for the ghost tales, Sargeant says she's heard no reports of paranormal events actually occurring at Kate Blood's tombstone. But Schoepp says Kate's spirit lives on.

"I'm not saying that I do believe in it, and I'm not saying I don't believe in it," Schoepp said. "But when you visit spaces like that, that carry a lot of storytelling and oral tradition with it, then you can't help but basically fall for some of that, become part of that story."

Where to listen:

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RELATED: Blood dripping from her tombstone? Here's the real story of Appleton's Kate Blood

RELATED: Kate Blood: the woman behind urban legend

Kelli Arseneau can be reached at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton legend of Kate Blood honored by Milwaukee's Trapper Schoepp
Recent reports from China's state media described chaos at Suzhou Industrial Park, where over 100 vehicles collided on an icy overpass, causing numerous injuries.

Severe weather, including cold waves and blizzards, has disrupted travel across the country, particularly in the south and central regions during the Lunar New Year. The government has initiated heightened rescue efforts.

The China Meteorological Administration also issued warnings for icy roads, while the National Meteorological Center urged preventive measures to mitigate weather-related disasters.

100-Car Pile-Up On Icy Overpass In China

Recent reports from State Media detailed a chaotic scene at Suzhou Industrial Park, China, where over 100 vehicles collided on an icy overpass, resulting in numerous injuries.

Social media footage captured the aftermath of the crash, which occurred early Thursday morning (6 p.m. ET Wednesday), showing cars entangled in the wreckage, including one dramatically angled high into the air.

Debris also littered the road, halting traffic as authorities worked to clear the area, prompting traffic police to issue warnings about treacherous road conditions.

According to NBC, three individuals were hospitalized with injuries, while six others sustained less severe harm. They also confirmed that the road has since reopened, with an investigation underway to determine the cause of the massive pile-up.

China Faces Extreme Weather Conditions Halting Travel Arrangements During The Lunar New Year

100 cars pile up in #China because of ice. Video Courtesy: BBC Chinese pic.twitter.com/4BhJtP3Nlk  Sneha Mordani (@snehamordani) February 23, 2024

Before the recent pile-up, China has grappled with severe weather conditions in recent weeks, including cold waves, blizzards, and icy rain, affecting large parts of the country.

The country's southern and central regions have borne the brunt of these extreme conditions, with freezing rain and heavy snowfall disrupting travel arrangements, especially during the Lunar New Year, a significant holiday marked by millions of people traveling home.

Responding to the challenges posed by the inclement weather, the Chinese government announced heightened rescue efforts on Wednesday. As reported by the state-run People's Daily, the government is mobilizing all available resources to mitigate the impact of sudden and hazardous weather-related disasters.

Central And Southern China Cities Placed On Orange Alert With 'Icy Road' Warning

Central and southern cities in China have been placed on high alert by the China Meteorological Administration, with warnings issued for "icy road" conditions.

An orange alert, signaling the most severe level in the country's three-tier system, has been raised due to the possibility of a significant temperature drop of 6C to 12C by Friday, particularly in southern regions where temperatures are currently near freezing.

Earlier this week, reports from state-run China National Radio highlighted unusual weather phenomena, including marble-sized hailstones falling in parts of Zhejiang province, as confirmed by the provincial meteorological administration.

In response to these weather challenges, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) has urged local authorities to implement precautionary measures, advised the public to stay warm, and emphasized the importance of safeguarding crops and aquatic products.

Two Dead In Beijing As Vehicle Plunges Into Icy Water

In Beijing, the temperature remained close to freezing on Wednesday, and locals awoke to find the city blanketed in white following an overnight snowfall.

Tragically, on Thursday, two individuals lost their lives in southern China when an unmanned barge struck a bridge, causing a section of it to collapse and vehicles to plummet into the water below.

Additionally, three individuals were reported missing after a cargo vessel collided near the Pearl River Delta in Guangzhou.
The tour will kick off Feb. 29 in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by stops in Washington DC, Montgomery, Alabama and more

NBCU Photo Bank The cast of 'A Different World': Glynn Turman as Col. Bradford 'Brad' Taylor, Dawnn Lewis as Jaleesa Vinson Taylor, Lou Myers as Vernon GAines, Charnele Brown as Kimberly 'Kim' Reese (front row) Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Cleophus Wayne, Jasmine Guy as Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne, Darryl M. Bell as Ronald 'Ron' Johnson, Cree Summer as Winifred 'Freddie' Brooks

School is back in session for the cast of A Different World.

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal that the cast of the legendary NBC sitcom are reuniting this month to embark on a national 10-city tour of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in celebration of the show's 35-year legacy.

Darryl M. Bell (Ronald 'Ron' Johnson), Charnele Brown (Kimberly 'Kim' Reese), Jasmine Guy (Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Cleophus Wayne), Dawnn Lewis (Jaleesa Vinson Taylor), Cree Summer (Winifred 'Freddie' Brooks), Glynn Turman (Col. Bradford 'Brad' Taylor) and Sinbad (Walter Oakes) will all participate in the tour, which will feature panels and other events.

Producers Susan Fales and Debbie Allen will also be included.

The tour will kick off Feb. 29 in Atlanta, Georgia at the prestigious Atlanta University Center  home to Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College.

A full slate will be announced soon, but other cities include Washington, DC (hosted by Howard University) and Montgomery, Alabama (hosted by Alabama State University and Tuskegee University), both in April.



NBCU Photo Bank The cast of 'A Different World' season 1: Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Marisa Tomei and Lisa Bonet

Related: 'A Different World' Star Dawnn Lewis on the 'Ceiling' for Black Actresses: 'What Does a Person Have to Do?'

A Different World ran on NBC for six seasons, from Sept. 24, 1987 to July 9, 1993. The series, a spin-off from The Cosby Show, centered on Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) and the life of students at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU in Virginia.

Bonet left the show after the first season, as did Marisa Tomei and Loretta Devine. Future stars who appeared on the sitcom included Jada Pinkett Smith and Karen Malina White, among others.

The show was consistently ranked first or second among Black viewers during most of its run, and is often cited as the defining reason as to why many decided to attend a HBCU.

Related: Jasmine Guy Tried to Quit 'A Different World' in Season 1 After Lisa Bonet and Sinbad Were 'Disrespected'

Everett 'A Different World'

That's part of the reason the cast from A Different World is getting together now. The tour will not just be a nostalgic trip down memory lane for the Different World family, but also a chance to raise money for scholarship funds. Per the website, Cisco and premiere finance partner Wells Fargo will sponsor the tour "ensuring that more students can access the transformative experience of HBCUs."



"The cast of A Different World has come together to celebrate our 35 year legacy and make more history with today's HBCUs and tomorrow's leaders!" Darryl Bell tells PEOPLE.



"Our mission goes beyond nostalgia. We're on a quest to raise awareness and enrollment for HBCUs nationwide. By leveraging the star power and cultural impact of A Different World, we aim to inspire a new generation to choose HBCUs as their academic homes," the website states. "We're not just telling a story; we're rewriting the narrative."

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.



A Different World is streaming on Max.



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Read the original article on People.
Claim:

A screenshot authentically shows that event promoter Live Nation issued a disclaimer for a March 1, 2024, Nicki Minaj concert, disclosing  in reference to Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty  "the presence of a level 3 sex offender backstage."

Rating:

Rating: Fake

In late February 2024, amid a feud between rappers Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion, a purported screenshot of a Live Nation page advertising a March 1, 2024, Minaj concert in Oakland, California, went viral on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.

That image showed a disclaimer suggesting that the presence of Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty, necessitated the disclosure of a sex offender attending the show:

Disclaimer: Please be advised that in accordance with California state regulations, we are obligated to disclose the presence of a level 3 sex offender backstage. Mr. Kenneth Petty will be present. Attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older. Identification will be verified prior to entry through the metal detectors. We kindly request that attendees refrain from engaging with the aforementioned individual.

This image and the purported disclaimer it contained were fabricated. Screenshots from the actual Live Nation website do not include this disclaimer.

The manipulated image is a reference to the fact that Petty was convicted in July 2022 of failing to register as a sex offender when he moved with Minaj to California. Petty had been required to register as a sex offender, for life, following his conviction for attempted first-degree rape in New York in 1995, but he failed to register with local police after changing states.

On Jan. 23, 2024, Megan Thee Stallion released a single, "Hiss," that made several references that fans interpreted to be digs at Minaj. One line was widely interpreted as a dig at Minaj's husband and his status as a registered sex offender: "These hoes don't be mad at Megan, these hoes mad at Megan's Law." Megan's Laws, which exist in some form in all states, require sex offenders to register with local law enforcement when they establish residence in an area and for law enforcement authorities to make that information public.

In California, Megan's Law is technically known as California Penal Code  290.46  the same law cited in the manipulated Live Nation images. The law requires disclosure to law enforcement, but it does not mandate that third parties like Live Nation announce the presence of sex offenders.

Because the disclaimer in the image is not found on any actual Live Nation website, and because it suggests a legal requirement that does not exist in the law it cited, we rate the claim as "Fake."

Sources:

"2019 California Code :: Penal Code - PEN :: PART 1 - OF CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS :: TITLE 9 - OF CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON INVOLVING SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC DECENCY AND GOOD MORALS :: CHAPTER 5.5 - Sex Offenders :: Section 290." Justia Law, https://law.justia.com/codes/california/2022/code-pen/part-1/title-9/chapter-5-5/section-290/. Accessed 23 Feb. 2024.

Bradley, Laura. "Nicki Minaj's Husband's Rape Accuser Submits Evidence from 1994 Trial." The Daily Beast, 11 Aug. 2023. www.thedailybeast.com, https://www.thedailybeast.com/nicki-minajs-husband-kenneth-pettys-rape-accuser-submits-evidence-from-1994-trial.

California Megans Law. https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/About.aspx. Accessed 23 Feb. 2024.

Cole, Alexander. "Nicki Minaj Responds To Megan Thee Stallion's Diss Track By Posting Her Feet." HotNewHipHop, 26 Jan. 2024, https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/757031-nicki-minaj-response-megan-thee-stallion-feet-hip-hop-news.

Hynes, Hayley. "Kenneth Petty's Sex Offender Status Put On Blast In Fake 'Pink Friday 2' Tour Message From Live Nation." HotNewHipHop, 22 Feb. 2024, https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/766474-kenneth-pettys-sex-offender-status-put-on-blast-in-fake-pink-friday-2-tour-message-from-live-nation.

Madarang, Charisma. "Nicki Minaj's Husband, Kenneth Petty, Ordered to Serve House Arrest." Rolling Stone, 21 Sept. 2023, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-husband-kenneth-petty-house-arrest-1234828900/.
Today is Friday, which means there are a ton of new releases to look forward to from some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists. To help you unwind and enjoy the weekend, check out VIBEs picks of songs and albums you should hear and add to your soundtrack of weekend festivities.

French Montana

French Montanas knack for hitmaking is beyond reproach. Yet, the Moroccan-born New York repwhos sold over 100 million records worldwide throughout his careeris often viewed as more of a supporting act than marquee attraction by some, a train of thought Montana challenges on his new album Mac & Cheese 5.

His first full-length offering since 2021s They Got Amnesia, Mac & Cheese 5 draws listeners in from the gate. French gets personal on Dirty Bronx Intro, which gives glimpses into his uptown origin story.

Man, I had to do it/ My moms welfare, my pops blew it/ Tried to swallow my pride, but couldnt do it, he raps, before later lamenting the loss of friends Chinx Drugz and Max B to the grave and cage, respectively. Mac & Cheese 5 boasts a loaded slate of high profile features with Kanye West, Lil Durk, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Saint JHN, Buju Banton and more appearing on the projects 21 tracks.

Yet, while the additional contributors are welcome, Mac & Cheese 5 shines brightest when Max relies on his own devices on highlights Talk To Me, Casino Life 3, Where We Come From and Made It In USA.  Preezy Brown

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Quavo  Himothy

Quavo Himothy" Cover Art

Quavos Himothy is a refreshing listen. His last album, Rocket Power, had similar records, but its somber mood paid homage to Takeoff. Here, he raps with confidence and energy. The hook captures his knack for catchiness and repetition as he exclaims Everybody know that Im him!

Production-wise, it doesnt veer too far from his usual drum-heavy beats, but the inclusion of bold organ keys adds layers to the track. This doesnt have hit potential, but it is a nice appetizer if he has more on the way. The constant feeling that rears its head here is how he isnt musically interesting without his Migos counterparts, but itHimothy is a solid offering overall.  Armon Sadler

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Druski Feat. Snoop Dogg

Druski "Standin' on Bihness' Cover Art

Druski took his hilarious viral moment and turned it into an actual record. Standin On Bihness is laced with a fire BNYX beat, Snoop Dogg verse, and DJ Drama shoutout while the comedian handles the hook. Its hilarious to actually assess this record, but Snoop delivers good enough bars to make it worth taking seriously.

There isnt much to say other than the fact that Druski and Coulda Been Records have an interesting trajectory thats been kickedoff with this signature record and a Snoop co-sign. Itll be interesting to see what comes next, but one things certain: theyre standing on this movement.  AS

https://open.spotify.com/track/7jwcHg8xGlX1xoDvWuo3AX?si=a19e93eed22d4c77

EARTHGANG  Robophobia

Earthgang 'Robophobia' Album Cover

Earthgang and Spillage Village continued their brand of alternative rap with the new EP Robophobia. The five tracks highlight their ability to blend Hip-Hop with soul, jazz, rock, and several other genres. Standout records include the immersive Osmosis and gospel-fused Perfect Fantasy featuring Snoop Dogg.

Its a welcome listen at a time when Hip-Hop records often feel like theyre competing with one another to sound the same: Earthgang and Spillage Village have always dared to do whats different. This may not be what youll play in the clubs or the car, but its a nice getaway from the usual sounds of todays popular music.  AS

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Lil Durk  Old Days

Lil Durk Old Days cover art

Lil Durks Old Days is a fairly meta title. The record doesnt veer from anything he has provided in the past. He tells his come-up story again, reflects on his losses and gains again, and croons over a downtempo beat with drums again. What was exciting from 2020-2021, the biggest years of his career, now feels a bit stale.

It isnt a bad song, but you can only eat the same good thing over and over before you get tired of it. It probably works for his core fans who enjoy this sound, but as someone who thinks Durk still has the potential to hit another level, its a bit underwhelming.  AS

Hunxho & Summer Walker

Hunxho & Summer Walker Your Friends cover art

Hunxhos Your Friends was already a strong record, but Summer Walker has added a womens perspective to the single. He spends the track melodically rapping to his partner about ignoring what her friends say, reminding her of everything he does for her, and questioning why she hangs around people who dont have a significant other.

Summer provides nice background vocals and riffs while the Atlanta rapper goes off in the verse and chorus. In her verse, she takes a similar perspective and says they should focus on each other rather than her friends, because theres nothing to worry about. Its a realistic, relatable, enjoyable back-and-forth between two lovers.  AS

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OT The Real  Prepare For War

OT The Real 'Prepare for War' Album Cover

OT The Real makes his return with Prepare For The War, a project that finds the Philly rhyme animal hosting various collaborators on an array of hard hitting instrumentals. On HELLSTAR, OT pairs up with Qt7 Quanny. Sauce Walka gets Active with couplets revolving around cocaine cultivation and the daily operatives of a womanizer.

The first half of Prepare For The War has its sparks, but its the latter portion of the tape thats explosive. The Lik Moss-assisted Secrets finds him reveling in his former illicit occupation, rhyming Homie got bills to pay, did it off pills and yay/ Bag it up without the gloves, soon, I aint gon feel a thang, while We Up contains moments and contemplation and reflection alongside Keen Streetz.

While not as impressive as his previous release Zombie, Prepare For The War is a solid collection that sticks to the script, with winning results.  PB

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LaRussell & Hit-Boy  Rent Due

LaRussel & Hit-Boy 'Rent Due'

Two of The Golden States finest link up for musical shenanigans, as LaRussell and Hit-Boy present their collaborative project Rent Due. Comprised of seven selections, the EP kicks off with Lead Me To The Water, which begins with a poetic opening by Tietta before LaRussell harkens back to his own humble beginnings in the Bay Area.

My mama raised me as a G, my daddy turned me to a dog/ Section 8 four-bedroom running up and down the halls, he rhymes atop a plush backdrop constructed by Hit-Boy. The producers father, bourgeoning rapper Big Hit, joins in on the festivities on Another One. LaRussell brags, To take Hit-Boy, you take Mali, you take me and you got gold while shouting out MALACHI, who appears on Ethics and the Jane Handcock-assisted Real Life.

Released in partnership with EVEN, a direct-to-consumer platform where artists can sell music to their fans, Rent Due simultaneously services LaRussell and Hit-Boys fans with new tunes. The albums proceeds will also help empower creatives in the form of a $15K donation to various creatives and small business owners.  PB

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Uncle Murda gets biographical on The Lenny Grant Story, the Brooklynites latest longplayer, which finds him mixing testimonials detailing his exploits on the concrete. Abundant in joint efforts with some of the most highly regarded veterans hailing from the Eastern seaboard and touted new-jacks, Lenny Grants tale is served up a grim opening with If I Diea fatalistic salvo where Murda deems himself a soldier. The track sees him declaring If I die, dont cry for me/ Just ride for me/ Make all them ni**as die for me atop a terse instrumental.

Features from Conway The Machine (The Projects), Symba and Q Bandz (They Said), Jadakiss (Money), and Styles P and 50 Cent (Spin The Block) help bolster the proceedings, but some of the more powerful selections on The Lenny Grant Story arrive when Uncle Murda takes the reigns by his lonesome. Im Ok With That, Ten Toes Down, Grimey, I Changed, and 2 Hurt 2 Cry are all packed with fiery emotion and unbridled honesty. They serve as the core components that make The Lenny Grant Story one reason to get further acquainted with Uncle Murda, beyond the annual recaps.  PB

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Steven Malcolm  B.O.A.T.S.

Steven Malcolm 'B.O.A.T.S.' Album Cover

As Steven Malcolms career continues to float along, it clear hes worked towards perfecting his personal niche and message; His fourth studio album B.O.A.T.S. is steeped in the spirituality and truth his audience adores him for.

Consisting of 16 tracks, the project begins with Truth Story, where he unveils his diary of an introvert over a sprawling soundscape. Its succeeded by the 808-driven bops Mr. Away and Bounce, which capture Malcolm comfortably settling into his groove.

B.O.A.T.S. hits its peak moments after the halfway mark. Tracks like Story Of A Rider, Never Let Me Go, Nothing Into Something, Paper Plane, and Not Alone include some of the more jarringly transparent compositions hes penned to date.

Absent of guest contributors, B.O.A.T.S. places the spotlight squarely on Steven Malcolm, who rises to the occasion with a string of performances that garners our commendation as an addition to your playlist.  PB

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More from VIBE.com
A rendering of Hanks Lowcountry Seafood & Raw Bar, to open this spring at Gay and High streets in Downtown Columbus. It is the first expansion for Hank's Seafood Restaurant, an institution in Charleston, South Carolina.

We're finally getting a peek behind the high green construction wall at Gay and High streets, where signage for an unnamed oyster bar has been promising "friendly service" and "cool inside."

Hanks Lowcountry Seafood & Raw Bar will open at a not-yet-specified date this spring. It's an offshoot of Hank's Seafood Restaurant, a 25-year-old institution in Charleston, South Carolina, that was named last year as the city's best seafood restaurant by two local publications.

Here's the connection that made Columbus the first place Hank's picked for expansion: The restaurant has been owned since 2017 by Rockbridge Capital, a hospitality investment firm based here. Hank's will be operated by Makeready, a Rockbridge division that already runs restaurants at The Junto hotel in Franklinton.

More: Grocery store, 24-story apartment tower, huge Pins planned for Peninsula in Franklinton

Hank's food has been called "rave-worthy" by Charleston magazine, and the restaurant regularly collects similar superlatives from online reviewers. Its menu includes fried, roasted, seared, sauteed and grilled seafood. There are raw-bar mainstays such as peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters on the half-shell, and tuna tartare.

Bouillabasse has been served since Hank's opened in 1999, and a signature dish called Seafood a la Wando is made with shrimp, scallops and fish sauteed with sherry and served with a fried grit cake and a shellfish saffron cream sauce.

Located in a turn of the century warehouse in Charleston's Historic District, Hank's Seafood Restaurant, raw bar, and salon style bar

"Hanks Seafood is a Charleston tradition, and we couldnt be prouder to open the second location in Columbus," Frank McMahon, the restaurant's longtime executive chef who now serves as culinary operations manager," said in a news release from the company.

"We are confident that the extension of Hanks Seafood will become a welcomed addition to the (Columbus) dining scene," he added.

The Columbus version of Hank's will feature 17-foot ceilings, an expansive bar, wood paneling and brass fixtures, and a hand-drawn lowcountry mural. Hank's will have patio seating; the "friendly service" and "cool inside" signs, by the way, come from art on the original restaurant in Charleston.

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Fridays episode of Dateline features the Idaho Falls cold case of Angie Dodge, presenting the fatal 1996 incident with the 18-year-old.

The episode, according to the shows teaser, features interviews from family members, local investigators and the man who served a wrongful sentence of over 20 years for Dodges death.

It was probably the worst case Ive ever seen, said Idaho Falls detective Jeff Pratt, via ABC News.

Friday at at 9/8c on a new #Dateline... pic.twitter.com/fjQEOKbQOk  Dateline NBC (@DatelineNBC) February 22, 2024

The fatal incident

Angie was 18 years old when in June 13, 1996, she was found sexually assaulted and stabbed multiple times in her apartment, reported ABC News,

Angies mother, Carol Dodge, helped her move out of the family house three weeks prior over a house rule disagreement. Within Angies last night alive, the two reconciled and made amends, per ABC News.

Christopher Tapps conviction

One person was specifically targeted during the investigation: Christopher Tapp, who was in Angies group of friends.

According to KTLA, Idaho Falls police officers allegedly interrogated him for multiple hours, claiming he could be convicted for the death penalty unless he incriminated himself and another suspect.

He eventually confessed to the murder. Despite contradictory evidence gathered from the crime scene, Tapp was convicted at a 1998 trial for the murder and was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years, up to life in prison, reported East Idaho News.

Tapp asserted his innocence from the beginning, and Carol, most importantly, supported him during his incarceration.

Carol, in particular, was irritated by the provided evidence, citing Tapps DNA did not link to any DNA found at the crime scene. Because of this, she started to investigate the case herself.

ABC News reported Carol went as far as going to the local police station every day, making sure the investigation was on course.

Later investigations

Tapps case had no leads until 2008, when Carol decide to look into his interrogation tapes. From her analysis, she found inconsistencies with Tapps knowledge of the crime.

Uniting with Tapps defense attorney, John Thomas, in 2013, they called up Steven Drizin, the co-director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University, for help on Tapps case.

Drizin looked at the tapes and shared in his report that there was evidence of coercion from officers, mentioning the death penalty threat could lead people to give false confessions, per ABC News.

In 2016, samples from the crime scene were reportedly tested, resulting in no trace of Tapps DNA present, reported KTLA.

ABC News shared that from this evidence, in addition to a deal made between prosecutors and Tapps attorneys, Tapp  who was imprisoned for over two decades  was emancipated in 2017, yet he wasnt completely exonerated at the time.

Genetic analysis leading to Brian Dripps

Knowing the killer was still out there, Captain Bill Squires of the Idaho Falls Police Department, along with Pratt, got involved with the case. And with the help of genetic genealogist CeCe Moore in 2018, investigators eventually led to Brian L. Dripps, reported ABC News.

DNA from a cigarette butt thrown away by Dripps matched DNA from the crime scene, and when he was approached by authorities, he admitted to the crimes.

In addition, per NBC News, it was found that Dripps did live close to Angies apartment during the incident.

Because of his confession, Dripps was arrested and later convicted and sentenced in 2021 to 20 years to life in prison.

The conviction, according to KTLA, led to Tapps formal exoneration.

Where is Christopher Tapp now?

After settling a 2022 suit against the Idaho State Police Department for over $11 million, reported East Idaho News, Tapp was interviewed by Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison last fall to discuss the case and his wrongful prison sentence.

Shortly after the interview, Tapp, 47 at the time, was found dead in Las Vegas.

Local police are investigating his death as a homicide, yet no suspects or charges have been named, per East Idaho News.

How to watch Fridays Dateline

The episode, Chilling Twist, will air on NBC Friday at 7 p.m. MST and will be available for streaming on Peacock the following day, according to NBCs website.

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Israel has threatened to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest if organisers try to censor its 2024 song entry.

Eden Golan, who was announced as the countrys representative earlier this month, was due to sing October Rain at the contest in Malmo, Sweden, in May.

However, a row has now errupted after leaked lyrics showed that the song appears to reference the 7 October attack by Hamas, according to the Israel Hayom newspaper.

The Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the annual competition, describes the song contest as a non-political event, and maintains its right to disqualify contestants who break this rule.

Israel says it will not compete in the competition this year if its lyrics are not approved. The song is currently being reviewed by the EBU.

A source in national broadcaster KAN, which sponsors the Israeli entry, confirmed to Reuters that the leaked lyrics were accurate.

The EBU is currently in the process of scrutinising the lyrics, a process which is confidential between the EBU and the broadcaster until a final decision has been taken, a spokesperson said.

If a song is deemed unacceptable for any reason, broadcasters are then given the opportunity to submit a new song or new lyrics.

Eden Golan was announced as Israels entrant to the competition earlier this month (GETTY)

Israels broadcaster, KAN, have said they will reject any attempt to alter their entry.

It should be noted that as far as the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation is concerned there is no intention to replace the song, KANs statement said.

This means that if it is not approved by the European Broadcasting Union, Israel will not be able to participate in the competition, which will take place in Sweden next May.

Golan, who was born in Israel but raised in Russia, would become the countrys 46th appearance in the competition if she participated. Israel became the first non-European entrant in the competitions history when it joined in 1973.

In previous years, countries have been forced to change their lyrics by the EBU. Georgia withdrew from the contest in 2009 after its song was rejected for making references to Russias prime minister at the time, Vladimir Putin.

Israel entrant Noa Kirel during the opening of the grand final for the Eurovision Song Contest final at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in 2023 (PA)

It comes as the competition has faced growing calls for a boycott amid the countrys ongoing military action in Gaza.

Last month, Icelands Association of Composers and Lyricists called for Israel to be suspended from the competition in a statement saying its participation in an event characterised by joy and optimism would be incompatible with its military actions.

The organisation said it would be opposing Icelands inclusion in the contest unless Israel was disqualified. A petition calling for the same gathered over 10,000 signatures.

Other countries including Sweden, Finland and Denmark have also called for the country to be pulled from the competition.

Responding to calls for a boycott, the EBU said last month: The Eurovision Song Contest remains a non-political event that unites audiences worldwide through music.

The Independent has reached out to Eden Golans team for comment.
Today, a New York City judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Steven Tyler this past November. In the suit, former teen model Jeanne Bellino accused the Aerosmith frontman of assaulting her when he was 27 and she was 17.

According to documents obtained by USA Today, the judge granted the dismissal requestfiled by Tylerbecause Bellino waited too long to file under the Gender Motivated Violence Act, which covers incidents dating back to nine years prior. Bellinos alleged assault took place 49 years ago in 1975. The judge also found that the models allegations did not amount to serious risk of physical injury. Bellino was given until March 13 to amend her complaint.

In the original suit, Bellino alleges that Tyler pushed her into a phone booth and groped and forcibly kissed her after the two met in New York City on one of her modeling trips. As Tyler was mauling and groping Plaintiff, he was humping her pretending to have sex with Plaintiff. Others stood by outside the phone booth laughing and as passersby watched and witnessed, nobody in the entourage intervened, the filing states (via USA Today). Bellinos suit then alleges that Tyler assaulted her again when the two met upon returning to the lobby of the hotel where they were both staying and the musician pinned (Bellino) against the wall, put his tongue down her throat and started humping (her), simulating sex.

The original filing asserts that Bellino has suffered and will continue to suffer, great pain of mind and body, severe and permanent emotional distress, physical manifestations of emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation, physical, personal & psychological injuries, and that she still relies on medication to cope with the sexual assault and has suffered long-term physical injury associated with the trauma.

Bellinos filing came after another alleged teen victim, Julia Misley, sued Tyler in 2022 after claiming that he was granted guardianship over her so they could have a sexual relationship when she was just 16 years old in 1973. Tyler wrote about Misley (nee Holcomb) in his 2004 memoir Does The Noise In My Head Bother You?, grossly referring to her as an almost... teen bride. In a statement at the time, Misleys lawyer wrote that his team had never encountered a legal defense as obnoxious and potentially dangerous as Tylers claim that the then-minor Misley had consented to the relationship and that the older man had immunity or qualified immunity to Defendant as caregiver and/or guardian. (Misleys parents signed over their rights so Tyler could take Misley on tour.) Misely sued Tyler for sexual battery, sexual assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
The world of K-drama is expanding with every passing day. March 2024 is all set to witness the arrival of an array of highly awaited Korean drama series. From thrillers and mystery to romance and comedy, these K-dramas are of various genres and themes. Thus, it is quite understandable that K-drama fans are in for some binge-worthy series in the upcoming month of March.

The list includes Queen of Tears starring Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won, Wonderful World starring Cha Eun-Woo and Kim Nam-Joo, and several others. Lets take a closer look at some of the most-anticipated K-dramas, releasing in March 2024 below.

Queen of Tears

Queen of Tears is one of the most highly awaited K-dramas, that is all set to premiere on Saturday, March 9, 2024, on tvN. The upcoming series stars renowned South Korean actors Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won as the lead pair. Kim Soo-Hyun plays the role of, Baek Hyun-Woo, a lawyer and the legal director of Queens Group.

Meanwhile, Kim Ji-Won portrays the daughter of the family of the Queens Group, Hong Hae-In. She is Queens Department Stores director and Baek Hyun-Woos wife. Queen of Tears revolves around the fascinating love story between the two. Viewers can watch this K-drama on tvN. It will also be available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions and on TVING in South Korea.

Wonderful World

Another highly anticipated brand-new K-drama is Wonderful World. It is a mystery thriller series starring the member of the K-pop boy group Astro and actor Cha Eun-Woo. He plays one of the lead roles of Kwon Seon-Yul. The series will debut on Friday, March 1, 2024, on MBC TV. It will also arrive on Disney+.

Apart from Cha Eun-Woo, Wonderful World also stars well-known South Korean actress Kim Nam-Joo as Eun Soo-Hyun. The series centers around the story of a mother who strives to pursue justice herself when the system fails after she tragically loses her son. The audience can watch the series on MBC TV and Disney+ in selected regions.

Chicken Nugget

Chicken Nugget is another highly intriguing K-drama that will arrive on Friday, March 15, 2024, on Netflix. Based on a popular Naver webtoon of the same name, the series stars Ahn Jae-Hong and Ryu Seung-Ryong as the central characters. Ryu Seung-Ryong plays the role of Choi Seon-Man, while Ahn Jae-Hong portrays the character, Baek-Joong.

Chicken Nugget will depict the astounding story of All Machines President Choi Seon-Mans daughter, Choi Min-Ah, who accidentally turns into a chicken nugget. It will showcase the quest of Choi Seon-Man and one of his companys interns, Baek-Joong, to turn Choi Min-Ah into a human again. Viewers can watch the K-drama on Netflix.

Midnight Photo Studio

Another highly fascinating upcoming K-drama series is Midnight Photo Studio. It is all set to air on ENA on Monday, March 11, 2024. It is a fantasy mystery K-drama that stars Kwon Na-Ra and Joo Won as the main characters. Kwon Na-Ra portrays the role of Han Bom, while Joo Won portrays the role of Seo Ki-Joo.

Midnight Photo Studio chronicles the story of a photographer, Seo Ki-Joo, who owns a photo studio that caters to ghosts only. Viewers can watch the new series on ENA.

Missing Crown Prince

Missing Crown Prince is another much-awaited Korean series that will debut on MBN on Saturday, March 9, 2024. It is a period romantic K-drama that stars EXO member Suho in the lead role of the crown prince Yi Geon. Apart from him, the series also features Hong Ye-Ji, Kim Joo-Hun, and Myung Se-Bin, among others.

Missing Crown Prince will follow the story of a crown prince abducted by a woman who is destined to be his wife. Audiences can watch the series on MBN.

Some other noteworthy K-dramas debuting in March 2024 include Beauty and the Devoted, Grabbed by the Collar, Hide, The Escape of the Seven Season 2, and others.

The post New K-Dramas Releasing in March 2024: Queen of Tears, Wonderful World & More appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Omani companies and factories specialising in the food sector are drawing substantial attention and interest at Gulfood 2024 in Dubai, reflecting the quality and appeal of their offerings.

Represented by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), Oman is actively present at this leading annual showcase for the global food and beverage industry.

Marketing and sales officials of the participating Omani companies and factories emphasised on the pivotal role played by such international F&B events in enhancing the global presence of Omani products. The officials noted the promising future prospects stemming from their participation, especially as they stand alongside a diverse range of regional and international counterparts, culminating in the signing of commercial contracts and agreements.

New clients

Bader Al Rashidi, Marketing Manager at ASaffa Foods, says: Participating under the sultanates pavilion, ASaffa Foods is making its seventh appearance at Gulfood to connect with new clients, explore untapped markets, and stay abreast of latest technologies in poultry and food production. Our booth highlights a diverse range of products including meat, chicken, sausages, burgers, and frozen fruits and vegetables.

Abdullah Al Ghaithi, Sales Manager at Luban Foods (Delicio), emphasised how Gulfood helps broaden the companys product outreach by building connections with investors and business leaders globally. Delicio, which is already present in the GCC markets, aims to expand its reach beyond the region through such international platforms. We can attain this goal owing to the exceptional quality and reputation of Omani products, supported by positive feedback from visitors across the globe, Al Ghaithi pointed out.

Rami Al Lawati, CEO of Unique Food Solutions (Zaheb), said: Our company, focusing on meat production, stands as a promising contributor to the Sultanates food security. We are gradually aiming for global expansion, evident in our increased presence at Gulfood 2024.

Al Lawati continued: From our participation together with the SMEs last year, we are proud this year to participate alongside major players in the food industry. This strategic move is expected to propel Zaheb products into various GCC markets initially, with future plans for expansion into Asian and other promising markets. We extend our thanks to Madayn for their continued support to Omani factories, which is crucial in enhancing our global market presence.

New products

Mohammed Al Balushi, Business Development Manager at Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives, stated: "Our presence at Gulfood 2024 focuses on showcasing our new products, including ketchup and the latest line of olive oil. We have begun their production and distribution locally, and Gulfood 2024 serves as the ideal platform to introduce them globally, given its status as the worlds largest event in the food and hospitality sector.

Al Balushi added: This exhibition not only allows us to promote our products but also provides valuable insights into the latest trends in the food industry. Moreover, the event offers an excellent opportunity to network with investors and producers worldwide, exploring new markets and expanding the reach for our oil products." Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives is garnering attention at Gulfood 2024 with their expansive lineup of products, featuring olive oil, ketchup, cooking oils, vegetable ghee, pure ghee, butter, and mayonnaise.

Malallah Al Hamadani, Marketing Director at Oman Foodstuff Factory (Al Mudhish), pointed out that the factory consistently prioritises showcasing the outstanding quality of Omani products at international events like Gulfood. Our focus at Gulfood 2024 is geared towards achieving broader objectives such as effective marketing and promotion of our products, besides enhancing connections with investors, businessmen, distributors, and clients worldwide, Al Hamadani said.--TradeArabia News Service
Kaia Gerber, the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, celebrated her moms birthday this week in the sweetest way.

The 22-year-old shared a throwback photo of the legendary model in an Instagram story on Thursday.

Like fine wine, she wrote in a text overlay of the post that featured an old photo of Crawford blowing out birthday candles on a cake that depicted her on a Vogue cover.

Crawford, who turned 58 on Tuesday, also acknowledged her special day in an Instagram post of her own.

She shared a slideshow of photos and video that included the same throwback photo Gerber posted, a photo of herself as a child and a recent video.

In the video, Crawford pretended to blow candles out on a cake that she didnt light due to the wind.

Grateful for another set of birthday candles - thank you for all the love, she wrote in the caption of the post.

Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford were photographed together on Nov. 14, 2023, in New York City.

Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford were photographed together on Nov. 14, 2023, in New York City.

In addition to her daughter, Crawford shares son Presley Gerber with her husband of 25 years, entrepreneur Rande Gerber.

Kaia Gerber has weighed in on the so-called nepo-baby discourse on several occasions.

The model and actor explained to The Wall Street Journal in an article published on Wednesday that she is very aware of the privileges of having famous, rich parents.

I personally am very aware of all the wonderful things it has done for me, she said, and I would never, ever say anything negative about it, because that is my truth about it.

Related...
Oscar-nominated sound mixer Steve Morrow has recorded quite a few party scenes in his career, in movies such as Dont Worry Darling, The Prom and Babylon.

When it came to Bradley Coopers Maestro, Morrow had to figure out how to capture the sound in a prominent party scene that takes place at the Bernstein family apartment in the Dakota Building in New York. Its a key moment that transitions the film from black and white to 1970s color, anchored by Carey Mulligans Felicia smoking a cigarette, staring out the window at Central Park while a bustling party surrounds her.

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Morrow knew how the film would transition visually, but his team was tasked with capturing sound from both Felicias and Lennys (Cooper) circles. We filmed it at the same time, explains Morrow. Im listening to both parties happening and trying to understand whos saying what and when.

The idea was influenced by a film he had previously worked on, Jason Reitmans 2018 thriller The Front Runner. Cooper had seen the film, which also featured a busy party scene, and asked Morrow how he had pulled it off. So Morrow micd everyone up and told them to talk.

The idea was for the scene to feel like a real party. If you dont talk over the next person, youre not going to hear yourself, and they cant hear you, says Morrow. There are overlaps everywhere. A lot of time in movies what goes wrong is that we make everybody quiet, and let the actors act. Then we add in some of that noise later. It is nearly impossible to ask the actors to yell as though theyre at a loud party and not feel foolish. If youre in the middle of a quiet room and youre yelling over nothing, it just feels silly.

To pull it off, Morrow used 18 lavalier mics, three plant mics and two booms. Theres a lot to pick from, but the idea was to have everybody be loud. he says. I always try to give the sound team an avalanche of information and whatever they want to ignore they can ignore, and whatever they want to use they can use.

By placing mics on everyone in the scene  and subsequent scenes including the grand Ely Cathedral performance  Morrow points out that there was no need to capture ADR later on, besides one line change that Mulligan recorded on her iPhone and sent into post-production.

Watch the party scene above.

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Montalvo recalls trying to "imitate the dancers" when his father would put "Beat Street" on as a child

Harry How/Getty Breakdancer Victor Montalvo poses during the Team USA Paris 2024 Olympic Portrait Shoot at NBC Universal Studios on November 17, 2023 in Los Angeles,

Meet Olympic breakdancer Victor Montalvo, who will be among the first-ever athletes to represent the sport in the 2024 Games this summer.

Breaking, or breakdancing, is the newest event in the Olympics, and Montalvo, 29, tells PEOPLE he's "super excited" to be competing in Paris.

"I was recently in Paris, and I was on the boat going through the river, and I saw the breaking stage," he recalls. "I was like, 'Wow, I'm going to be there next year. This is awesome.'"



Montalvo says he was first introduced to the sport when he was in elementary school. "My dad exposed me to breaking at the age of 6. He would put Beat Street on and I would imitate the dancers and my dad would show me a couple of moves," says the athlete.



At the time, Montalvo says he "wasn't too serious" about breaking, although it was a great bonding tool for him and his father. Then, his cousin showed interest in breaking when Montalvo was 10 years old, and Montalvo says he began taking it more seriously.

Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Victor Montalvo of United States Golden Medal, performs on stage during 1 on 1 B-boys TOP 4 at the WDSF World Breaking Championship 2023 on September 24, 2023 in Leuven, Belgium

"I remember the feeling of trying to learn the windmill, and I couldn't get it, but I was so obsessed," he shares. "I'm like, 'I have to get this move. I just love this. I love the feeling it gives me.' "

Eventually, he realized, "Man, this is what I'm going to do for life," says Montalvo.

Once he became more serious about breaking, Montalvo says his dad "made sure that he provided me with a studio" and "made sure I stayed focused" on training. "Basically, dance was my life, and I was lucky that I didn't really have to make many sacrifices," he shares.

Related: Breakdancing Will Now Be an Event at Olympic Games Starting in 2024

Other than a relatively smooth journey from "obsessed" kid to Olympian, Montalvo recalls a few relatives discouraging him from pursuing his dream. "Some of my family members didn't support me traveling internationally and breaking because it wasn't like a real career," he says.

"They basically said, 'Just go to school, finish college and then get your degree,' " Montalvo shares. "But my dad was like, 'No, if this makes him happy, let him do this.' And once I started making money and I started winning, the rest of my family was like, 'Okay, this is fine.' "

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.

And now that he's officially qualified for the 2024 Games and punched his ticket to Paris, the Kissimmee, Fl. native says his father is "so proud" of him.

"My dad is so proud. He's just back home knowing that his son made the Olympics and knowing my journey; he's been there since the beginning, and my mom also. So they're just so super proud of what I've done."

LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty PARIS olympics

Related: Paris! Milan! L.A.! All the Future Olympic Host Cities Announced So Far

Montalvo hopes that his success will inspire other young breakdancers to give their all to the sport. "If you have a lot of passion for whatever you're doing, just keep on doing it a hundred percent. Do it because you love it. It is not about the money," says Montalvo.

"I did not expect that I was getting any of this. This is just extra. This stuff is just extra. I just love breaking so much and it was basically my life. I did it all day, every day, and I dug deep into the roots of it and really learned about the dance and basically just kept it going, persevering."

Montalvo advises, "You're going to lose a lot in breaking, and you lose more than you win," but the key to success for him is "making sure that you learn from your losses and just keep on persevering," he says. "That's it."

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visit TeamUSA.com. Watch the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this summer on NBC and Peacock.

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Read the original article on People.
Basel Adras first memory is of Israeli soldiers raiding his house and arresting his father, a Palestinian activist whos been fighting to preserve the small mountain community of Masafer Yatta since long before his son was born. Adra was only five years old at the time, but he can still remember the fear of that violation as if it only happened yesterday.

In part, thats because it did; raised in an occupied territory under Apartheid conditions, Adra has never known a life that wasnt under threat of forced removal. But the freshness of his memory can also be attributed to the fact that Adra has never known a life that wasnt being documented for his own protection. The most dehumanizing episodes of his existence have all been captured on camera by his family and their fellow villagers, the footage preserved and shared in the hopes that the world might witness their suffering and prevail upon Israel to let Palestinians live in peace (I started filming when we started to end, Adra intones, perhaps repeating the same words his father said the first time he picked up his own camera).

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Against all odds, that hope continues to persevere  not only among the survivors of Masafer Yatta, but also in the raw and enraging documentary that Adra has co-directed about Israels decades-long attempt to erase them from the earth as completely as it erased them from its maps.

The first major film about the occupation of Palestine since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October of last year, No Other Land naturally assumes a tragic new urgency in light of the fact that at least 29,000 Palestinians  more than 12,000 of them children  have been murdered in their own country since Adra and his collaborators began editing their documentary in preparation of its Berlinale debut, but this harrowing and unforgettable portrait of endurance is all the more powerful for its focus on the decades of colonial degradation that paved the way for Israels latest and most nakedly genocidal effort to oppress its neighbors.

The film begins in the summer of 2019, though its snapshots of village life feel like they could have been recorded at any point in the 40 years since the Israeli government declared Masafer Yatta a closed military training zone (a transparent attempt to displace the families whove been living there for centuries in order to create Israeli settlements on their land). The order came down in 1980, but the forced expulsion didnt formally begin until an Israeli court resolved the petition against it in 2022.

Needless to say, the Israeli military didnt feel compelled to wait for such a foregone conclusion; since Adras birth in 1996, Masafer Yatta has been demolished and rebuilt more times than he can count. By day, the Israelis bulldoze the communitys houses, schools, and playgrounds, forcing the Palestinians into caves that have become regular second homes, complete with flat-screen TVs mounted on damp rock walls. They search for tools, destroy electric generators, and shoot a man named Harun Abu Aram in the neck when he dares to intervene. By night, the people of Masafer Yatta piece their properties back together in a bid for integrity that doubles as a show of defiance.

As the courts near the final verdict and the expulsion was due to be legalized by a country that doesnt allow Palestinians to provide their own defense, the Israeli military feels emboldened to accelerate the displacement process  and to make it permanent. Many of the scenes in No Other Land begin the same way: With the Israeli forces pulling into town and pasting demolition orders on everything in sight as they intimidate and/or assault anyone who dares to protest the invasion. Old women are yelled at, young children are physically shoved aside (no wonder they beg to go to school even when their parents are too fraught and sleepless to remember what day of the week it is), and sometimes the adults are shot with assault rifles. How much training does a military need to murder unarmed civilians at point-blank range?

Its no surprise that we come to know several of Adras friends and family members over the course of the film, many of whom can be recognized at a glance during protest scenes and less harried glimpses into village life, but the Israelis are there so often that we come to know some of them as well. Namely: A monumental prick named Ilan, whos been placed in charge of the demolition process, and plunders around Masafer Yatta like a bull in a china shop, or an incensed farmer who cant understand why his weeds keep regrowing overnight.

The other Israeli who achieves lead character status does so on far more agreeable terms. His name is Yuval Abraham, hes a young journalist from the other side of the border, and he so closely resembles Adra in both looks and spirit that its impossible not to think of them as a pair of fraternal twins  their fates separated by Apartheid. One of the other three co-directors credited on this projects team of Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers (Hamdan Balla and Rachel Szor round out the group), Abraham is determined to make the most of his freedom by platforming the destruction of Masafer Yatta. Youre a human rights Israeli?, one of the Israeli soldiers scoffs at him. Something like that, Abraham replies.

Adra welcomes his support (even as some of the other villagers prove skeptical), but rolls his eyes at the outsiders enthusiasm and frustration; Adra has been living under these conditions his entire life, only to watch a well-intentioned guy from Israeli swan in under the false assumption that a few blog posts might patch this whole thing up. To his credit, Abraham resolves to stay in this fight for the long haul, but his preoccupation with web traffic and view counts  despite being a real and relevant concern in the effort to spread Masafer Yattas story, and ultimately convince the United States to pressure Israel into leaving the land alone  cant help but underscore how difficult it is for an outsider to appreciate the all-encompassing cruelty thats being exacted upon the people of Palestine.

Abraham can hop into his car and drive across the border for a shower whenever he feels like hes covered in too much blood and dirt; Adra isnt allowed to have a license, and Ilan has driven a bulldozer through most of the local bathrooms that have running water. No Other Land doesnt put too fine a point on that disconnect, as this briskly edited film refuses to let the irreconcilable distance between friends distract from the constant drumbeat of harassment and violence that the Israeli military visits upon the people of Masafer Yatta.

This is a painfully human story, but it only entertains any sort of interpersonal drama so far as it might serve Adra and Abrahams efforts to share that story with the world. Its touching to hear Adra confess that hes afraid of becoming his father (not because he doesnt idolize his dad, but because he worries he doesnt have the energy required to continue his fight), and maddening beyond measure to watch Harun Abu Arams mother care for her mortally injured son in a cave for two years after he gets shot; these individual narratives were always going to be necessary for this film to find an audience in the face of a world that was numb to its calamity before October 7, and now struggles to comprehend its scale.

People need to see the little kids who plead with their parents to let them play iPhone games for a few more minutes before bedtime. People need to wonder and worry about what has happened to these families since the bombs started falling. People need to remember the look on the face of an Israeli soldier when one of the Masafer Yatta women demands to know Arent you ashamed? They are not ashamed. Arent you afraid of God? They are not afraid of God.

These images stick to the ribs as much as the more violent ones that frame them on either side (the brief footage that Adra recorded on or immediately after October 7 is horrifying), but so too does the clip of Tony Blair walking through town when Adra was a child. A hero to none, the former British PM was in Masafer Yatta for a grand total of seven minutes, and surrounded by a phalanx of bodyguards the entire time he was there, but his aloof presence  secured by decades of defiant protest  brought more attention to the local struggle than Adras family had ever been able to do on their own, and it even convinced Israel to pause their demolition until the world got distracted by something else.

Witnessing is the most effective defense people have against occupation, and the Israeli military, like all thieves, wilts in the face of being watched. The footage is out there, and its rarely been assembled into a more concise, powerful, and damning array than it is here. Now it only has to be seen.

Grade: A

No Other Land premiered at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival. It is currently seeking U.S. distribution.

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Police allege Beaumont Lamarre-Condon killed his ex-boyfriend and his ex's new partner before dumping their bodies

Jesse Baird/Instagram Luke Davies and Jesse Baird

An Australian police officer has been charged with murdering his ex-boyfriend and his new partner, who went missing earlier this week.

New South Wales police officer Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, 28, was taken into custody Friday morning, according to CNN, and charged with murdering Jesse Baird, 26, and Luke Davies, 29.

Its alleged that Lamarre-Condon was previously in a romantic relationship with Baird, a former television host for Network 10 in Australia. After the couples relationship fell apart, Baird had most recently been involved with Davies, a flight attendant.

Local news outlets described Lamarre-Condon as a celebrity-chasing cop, noting he previously ran a blog about celebrities and posted photos of himself on social media posing for pictures with the likes of Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.

He allegedly turned himself in on Friday, according to NSW Police Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty, who addressed the media after his arrest.

Doherty said neighbors called police after hearing a loud argument at Bairds home on Monday, where investigators later found bloodied belongings inside the home. The detective superintendent said investigators had discovered a large amount of blood inside the house, according to NBC News.

Baird and Davies bodies have not yet been recovered, Doherty said.

During their search of Bairds home on Monday, Doherty also said that investigators allegedly found a bullet and a cartridge case that had been fired.

This has now been ballistically matched to a New South Wales Police firearm, Doherty told reporters, according to the outlet. And that firearm belongs to the 28-year-old man who was charged today.

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Authorities allege that Lamarre-Condon then rented a van that he used to dispose of Baird and Davies bodies. Police said they tracked down the van as of Friday afternoon, but did not reveal what was found inside of it.

Investigators said theyre still searching for the bodies, which they expect will shed more light on exactly how the two men had died. Doherty also said investigators do not have a specific motive for the killing yet, but categorized it as a domestic-style incident.

Its really important we get the movements in relation to that van, as hopefully we can find the bodies and this is important for the family, Doherty said, according to CNN. Theyre obviously devastated by the news.

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The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 1 is an American reality TV series where the luxurious Housewives residing in the affluent districts of Dubai strive to maintain a harmonious equilibrium between the various facets of their opulent lifestyles.

Heres how you can watch and stream The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 1 via streaming services such as Peacock.

Is The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 1 available to watch via streaming?

Yes, The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 1 is available to watch via streaming on Peacock.

The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 1 is a reality TV series, showcasing a group of high-end females managing their extravagant lifestyles in the United Arab Emirates. Season 1 of The Real Housewives of Dubai consisted of 14 episodes and the series was officially broadcast on 1 June 2022. The first season presents this group of women from Dubai who bring their fiery personalities to New York City to confront each other after a dramatic season. They gather to dispel myths about Dubai, confront each other, and throw some shade. Tensions rise when Caroline Stanbury accuses Lesa of copying her fashion designs and reveals her Book of Lies.

The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 1 cast members include Chanel Ayan, Caroline Stanbury, Lesa Milan Hall, Nina Ali, Sara Al Madani, and Caroline Brooks.

Watch The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 1 streaming via Peacock

The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 1 is available to watch on Peacock.

Peacock is a streaming service based in the United States that offers a wide range of content including the newest movies, TV series, Originals, popular shows from NBC & Bravo, and live sports. The platform is under the ownership and management of Peacock TV LLC, which is a part of NBC Universal Media Group.

You can watch the series via Peacock by following these steps:

Go to PeacockTV.com Click Get Started Choose your payment plan $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year (premium)

$11.99 per month or $119.99 per year (premium plus Create your account Enter your payment details

Peacocks Premium account provides access to over 80,000+ hours of TV, movies, and sports, including current NBC and Bravo Shows, along with 50 always-on channels. Premium Plus is the same plan but with no ads (save for limited exclusions), along with allowing users to download select titles and watch them offline and providing access to your local NBC channel live 24/7.

The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 1s synopsis is as follows:

As the 11th city in the franchise, the series highlights a group of women navigating their relationships, careers, and supremely lavish and ultra-wealthy lifestyles in the United Arab Emirates. With the desert paradise of Dubai as the backdrop, this billionaires playground is known for its over-the-top opulence, jaw-dropping modern architecture and wild nightlife scene. Whether theyre coasting on a private plane, running their own empires or hosting on a private island, these glamourous, successful women are ready to serve up scorching hot drama and unexpected twists.

NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.

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The Real Housewives of New York City Season 14 breaks away from the old rulebook and delivers a fresh dose of sass, class, and everything in between. Unlike the seemingly perfect lives portrayed in other franchises, this season delves into the gritty glamour and unapologetic hustle of the Big Apples most dynamic women.

Heres how you can watch and stream The Real Housewives of New York City Season 14 via streaming services such as Peacock.

Is The Real Housewives of New York City Season 14 available to watch via streaming?

Yes, The Real Housewives of New York City Season 14 is available to watch via streaming on Peacock.

Season 14 tackles real issues, from navigating cultural identity and breaking glass ceilings to confronting personal struggles and celebrating triumphs. It offers a refreshingly honest look at the lives of successful women in New York City, with all the complexities, humor, and heart that accompany it.

Gone are the days of yelling across Countess Luanns cabaret stage. This season welcomes a powerhouse of six women ready to shake up the Big Apple: Jenna Lyons, the fashion guru; Sai De Silva, the Afro-Latina entrepreneur beauty; Ubah Hassan, the Somali model and philanthropist; Erin Dana Lichy, the outspoken New Yorker; Jessel Taank, the publicist; and Brynn Whitfield, the brand expert juggling career and family.

Watch The Real Housewives of New York City Season 14 streaming via Peacock

The Real Housewives of New York City Season 14 is available to watch on Peacock. It offers streaming access to NBC Universal Studios and other providers, with both free and premium subscription options available for diverse content.

You can watch via Peacock by following these steps:

Go to PeacockTV.com Click Get Started Choose your payment plan $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year (premium)

$11.99 per month or $119.99 per year (premium plus Create your account Enter your payment details

Peacocks Premium account provides access to over 80,000+ hours of TV, movies, and sports, including current NBC and Bravo Shows, along with 50 always-on channels. Premium Plus is the same plan but with no ads (save for limited exclusions), along with allowing users to download select titles and watch them offline and providing access to your local NBC channel live 24/7.

The Real Housewives of New York City official synopsis is as follows:

A fast-paced reality show that follows several incredibly busy and ambitious Manhattan women. Watch as they balance envious social calendars, challenging careers, and motherhood, with the hustle and bustle of the big city all around.

NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.

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Based on the reporting by Vanity Fair magazines Alex French and Dan Adler, The Secrets of Hillsong is an FX documentary series. It delves deep into the indiscretions practiced by the eponymous Australia-based global megachurch. The series creators interview past members of the congregation. Moreover, they interacted with the people who were part of the church when the report came out. Staff members of Vanity Fair also appear in the show. The docuseries premiered on May 19, 2023. If you are wondering about The Secrets of Hillsong Season 2 Release Date, this is what we have discovered.

Heres all we know about The Secrets of Hillsong Season 2 and whether or not its coming out.

Is there a The Secrets of Hillsong Season 2 release date?

There is no The Secrets of Hillsong Season 2 release date as the series is yet to be greenlit for the sophomore season and was likely developed as a miniseries.

The subject matter the series handles is incredibly complex and can go beyond the reporting it is inspired by. It can be also argued that only one season is not enough to explore it comprehensively. However, The Secrets of Hillsong was developed as a four-part documentary show. Outlets such as TMDB and IMDb designate it as a miniseries. So, the chances for a renewal are not significant.

The cast includes Carl Lentz, Josh Canfield, Bobbie Houston, Dan Adler, Alex French, Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Brian Houston, Mary Jones, and more.

Why The Secrets of Hillsong Season 2 might not be happening

The Secrets of Hillsong Season 2 probably isnt coming out because, as mentioned above, the series appears to have been developed as a miniseries. ComingSoon will provide an update if circumstances change.

The official synopsis for The Secrets of Hillsong reads:

With fresh reporting and analysis from journalists, historians, and policymakers, go beyond the sensational headlines and behind the velvet rope to examine the churchs long pattern of covering up misconduct to protect itself.

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The post Will There Be a The Secrets of Hillsong Season 2 Release Date & Is It Coming Out? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
During the initial, American leg of the Eras Tour, Taylor Swifts career-spanning spectacle already drew the attendance of nearly every famous person in Hollywood. But it wasnt until the show went international that Katy Perry, one of the pop stars former nemeses, popped up to pay her respects. Perry posted video of herself jamming to Bad Blood, Swifts diss track about their now-squashed beef, from Swifts Friday night concert in Sydney, Australia, as well as a selfie with Swift that comes with years of backstory.

Taylor Swift and Katy Perry look gorgeous together in newly shared photo:



got to see an old friend shine tonight  pic.twitter.com/faLgxFe6wo  Pop Base (@PopBase) February 23, 2024

Beginning in 2009, Swift and Perry were known to congenially and consistently pose for pictures together at awards shows and praise each other on social media, but with 2014s 1989, Swift included a song, Bad Blood, which she explained to Rolling Stone was a diss tracked aimed at a female pop colleague whod scorned her.

She did something so horrible, Swift said at the time. I was like, Oh, were just straight-up enemies. And it wasnt even about a guy! It had to do with business. She basically tried to sabotage an entire arena tour. She tried to hire a bunch of people out from under me. And Im surprisingly non-confrontationalyou would not believe how much I hate conflict. So now I have to avoid her. Its awkward, and I dont like it.

Perry, rankled, tweeted the following.

Watch out for the Regina George in sheep's clothing...  KATY PERRY (@katyperry) September 9, 2014

Then came the Bad Blood music video, which cast Swift and a coterie of famous friends as action movie avenging angels, united against their shadowy, not-so-secret adversary.

In a 2017 interview, Perry tried to diffuse the drama, explaining to James Corden, OK, so there was like three backing dancers that went on tour with her tour, right? And they asked me before they went on tour if they could go, and I was like, Yeah, of course. Im not on a record cycle and get the work, and shes great and all that. But I will be on a record cycle probably in about a year. So, be sure to put a 30-day contingency in your contract, so you can get out if you want to join me when I say Im going back on.

So that year came up, right? And I texted all of them because Im very close with them and I said, Look, just FYI, Im about to start. I want to put the word out there, Perry continued. They said, OK, well were gonna go and talk to management about it. And they did, and they got fired.

Things didnt simmer down completely until Perry appeared smiling alongside Swift in the latters You Need To Calm Down music video, which was seen universally as a peace offering.

In 2024, it seems that Perry is thoroughly in on the joke, as evidenced by her jubilant reaction to hearing Bad Blood live.

| Katy Perry posted her reaction to "Bad Blood" performance pic.twitter.com/SewEuuVVJZ  The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) February 23, 2024

However, because stans will be (toxic) stans, a new joke is rippling around the internet at both Perry and Rita Oras expense (both stars went to Sydney Eras).

Ask me why so many fade



Rita & Katy: pic.twitter.com/a3uPIEkvyH  Nils Sjoberg (fan acc.) (@icantunseeit) February 23, 2024

Ask me why so many fade, scores of people are tweeting, referencing Swifts song Karma, suggesting that Perry and Ora would be shaken by the linethe implication being that they, unlike Swift, have faded.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Johnny Roop was last seen on Feb. 16 and was supposed to take an online exam at his parents house

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Johnny Roop

Johnny Roop, the Virginia Tech student reported missing last week, was located at a Missouri restaurant on Wednesday and drove off alone, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office said in an update.

According to authorities, sheriffs office investigators tracked Roop to a restaurant in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on Wednesday afternoon. He was alone and left the restaurant when an employee identified him. The 20-year-old drove off unaccompanied in his car.

Law enforcement in Missouri was notified and tried to find him without success, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office said. They continued searching for Roop on Thursday.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Johnny Roop's car seen in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on Feb. 21

While there are many unanswered questions, based on this personal sighting, we believe Mr. Roop is acting alone and traveling on his own free will, the sheriffs office statement read. We appreciate the cooperation of law enforcement organizations, businesses, and the public during this investigation.

Roops mother, Veronica Widener, told ABC News that her sons disappearance is totally out of his nature.

Our concern now is there's something that we're just not aware of, that mentally may have snapped. And I have no idea what that might be, Widener said. We just want to locate him and make sure that he's OK."

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Johnny Roop

Roop is a senior at Virginia Techs business school and is set to graduate in May. His mom told ABC News he is pursuing a career in financial planning.

Widener told the outlet that the last time she communicated with Roop was on Feb. 14, when they texted Valentines Day messages to each other.

In an interview with NBC affiliate WSLS, Widener shared a message to her son.

Were all here for you no matter whats going on, she said. Were here and all you have to do is call. You know, wherever you are, Ill be there. I will come to you.

Roop was last seen at his apartment complex in Montgomery County on Friday, Feb. 16, the university and the sheriffs office said Monday. He was driving to his parents home in Abington, Virginia for an online exam at 5 p.m. local time, but never arrived.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Johnny Roop

Related: Human Remains Found at Bottom of Cliff Identified as Retired Nurse Missing for Over 3 Months

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The university said Monday that the students phone was pinged at the New River Valley Mall at 4:26 p.m. on Friday. His car is a black 2018 Toyota Camry with Virginia license plate number TXW6643 and has a Virginia Tech flag sticker on the back.

We have received no information leading us to believe that he is in immediate danger; however, due to the fact that Mr. Roop appears to be acting outside of his normal behavior we would like to make contact with him to confirm that he is indeed ok, the sheriffs office said in a statement on Tuesday.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office at 540-382-4343.



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The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management is preemptively planning its response in case an uncoordinated influx of immigrants arrive in Colorado Springs, though there is no emergency in the city, Mayor Yemi Mobolade reiterated Thursday.

"We do not have a crisis of an influx of migrants coming to our community. That said, we are planning for how this could impact our community," Mobolade told reporters gathered at the regional emergency management office for the mayor's monthly press briefing.

Mobolade and Andrew Notbohm, the director of the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management, will provide an update on the migrant response plan at the City Council work session Monday. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at City Hall.

Mobolade said his administration and the emergency management office continue monitoring the situation in Denver, a declared sanctuary city that has served nearly 40,000 immigrants since the beginning of 2023, according to the city's immigrant count dashboard.

To create the response plan, officials are identifying local organizations and agencies that can help ease the burden of response on local government; establishing what roles they would play in a response scenario; and determining which situations will trigger further response coordination or action, then identifying alternative responses, Mobolade said.

A presentation linked on Monday's online work session agenda said the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management will establish emergency coordination calls with other leadership and supporting partners to determine next steps if a "significant and uncoordinated" surge of migrants arrive in the Pikes Peak region; if they are notified local hotels are being contracted to shelter migrants; or demand for shelter and other life-saving services exceed the community's capability, among other events.

Mobolade on Thursday could not define what a "crisis-level" number of migrants coming into Colorado Springs would be. He said Denver is experiencing a crisis because it has serviced thousands of immigrants over the past year. Denver has spent more than $42 million over 14 months to provide services to migrants, with just $14.1 million covered by state and federal funding as of Feb. 19.

It is unclear how many immigrants have come to Colorado Springs, Mobolade said. The city is working with nonprofit partners such as the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities, relying on data they provide to get a sense of how many are here, he said.

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The Pikes Peak region has not received masses of people crossing the southern border like some other cities across the nation. Even without actual figures, Mobolade said the number of immigrants coming "organically" to Colorado Springs is not near the level Denver is experiencing.

News broke in late January that about 21 migrant families had arrived at the Salvation Army in Colorado Springs, but the nonprofit hasn't seen additional migrants seeking assistance in the weeks since, Mobolade said Thursday.

Earlier this month, Springs Rescue Mission Chief Development Officer Travis Williams told The Gazette it has not "observed a substantial influx of known immigrants" arriving at its shelter. The nonprofit does not ask individuals for identification to receive services, he said.

"We are not seeing any kind of increase that's falling outside of the norm of individuals or a specific population. We live in a big county and we serve so many various people. So it's possible, but not probable," Williams said.

Mobolade said Catholic Charities President and CEO Andy Barton told the mayor this week the nonprofit is receiving people seeking asylum, but they make up fewer than 1% of the 2,500 people Catholic Charities serves every week.

Both the city and El Paso County have reaffirmed in recent weeks that neither are sanctuary jurisdictions. Because of that, Mobolade does not think Colorado Springs will see the level of migrant influx Denver has.

"What I'm more concerned about is if Denver gets overwhelmed and we start organically seeing migrants into our city. How do we respond? That's our own version of what the crisis would be," he said.

The mayor emphasized he wanted to "deescalate" the community's sense in recent weeks that Colorado Springs is dealing with a migrant crisis. City officials are actively planning its possible response and vet every tip they receive, he said.

"What I've been trying to do is deescalate the situation; to say, we don't have a crisis, but good governance is to be prepared ahead of a crisis, whatever that means or looks like," Mobolade said.
"He's already heading this way!" the passenger recalls the woman telling him in a post shared on the subreddit, 'Entitled People'

A2022 Susumu Yoshioka/Getty Stock photo of a woman on a plane

A Reddit user recounted a shocking request made of him by a fellow passenger.

In a post shared on the Entitled People subreddit, the user canada11235813 recalled an incident in which the woman sitting next to him in business class asked him to voluntarily downgrade his seat so that she could sit next to her husband, who was seated in economy, in business.

The original poster (OP) was on a flight from Toronto to Vancouver on an unnamed airline when he says the woman sitting next to him in a two-seat center pod configuration asked him if he'd mind switching seats with her husband so the couple could sit together.

He said yes assuming that her husband was sitting somewhere else in business class, at which point the woman casually revealed that her husband's seat was actually 18B  a middle seat in economy.

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"You can't seriously expect me to swap a pod for a MIDDLE seat at the back of the bus. Are you kidding me?" OP recalled saying, adding that he kept looking around to see if he was being recorded for some kind of YouTube prank.

Not only was she serious, she proceeded to throw a tantrum over OP's refusal, saying "But you said you would! He's already heading this way!"

Getty

The woman, he says, had originally been seated in economy with her husband, but took a free upgrade when it was offered to her, apparently assuming someone would readily downgrade their seat so she could sit with her spouse.

The OP said that if she could find someone in business class to switch with her husband, he'd move to any pod in the section so that they could sit together in the double pod. Or, she could sit with her husband back in economy.

Seemingly unhappy with these options, he says, she replied, "But we both want to sit together up here!"

Unable to facilitate either option because of the seating assignments, OP writes, she eventually sat down and traveled apart from her husband for the 5-hour flight.

Related: Passenger Who Wouldn't Change Seats for Family Says Mom Stole It, Threw Bag in Aisle When She Went to Bathroom

Getty Stock photo of an airplane

The commenters on the post almost unanimously took the side of the poster.

"Do they really expect people to give up what they paid extra for?" wrote one redditor, adding that, "The airlines should take some accountability here too. Before they upgrade someone they should ask if they are traveling with anyone. And if they see the Karen hair cut 'No upgrade for you.'"

And while the incident shocked some, several commenters said they'd had a similar experience.

"Same thing happened to me once," wrote ImprovementFar5054. "She asked if I would swap with her to sit beside her husband in First. Assuming she meant another First class seat, I asked her where and she said 22E. I laughed out loud and she got offended."

Incidents of passengers getting in a huff after not being able to change from their assigned seat to another one they'd prefer aren't uncommon  and things often escalate when there's a child involved in the proposed rearrangement.

A flyer recently recounted on Reddits AmITheA------ subreddit, that she was seated in the middle seat between a mother and her son, whom she estimated was around 6 or 7 years old.

The woman demanded that she MUST sit next to her son and I MUST sit at the aisle so she could sit next to him, she wrote in the post. After she told the mother that she'd prefer to remain in the seat she booked and did not like to sit in the aisle seat, the mother started to yell that it is her right to sit next to her son," she says.

Everyone ended up staying put, but things to a shocking turn when the OP got up to use the restroom. The mother took her temporarily vacant seat, she says. When the young woman returned, she found the mom in her seat and her own jacket and bag thrown into the aisle.

The OP got the crew involved and the mother was told to return to her aisle seat.



Getty Images (2)

Reddit commenters were once again largely in agreement with the passenger that she was not "the a." You have the patience of a saint, one user wrote.

A similar situation went viral in July, when a single traveler declined to give up their seat for a family who had not booked seats together. Commenters battled it out on social media, but the consensus was similar, with most agreeing it's more than fine to ask if the single passenger would change seats, but that person has the right to say no.

The question of whether or not a solo passenger must give up their seat for a family to sit together is one that travel expert Nicole Campoy Jackson told PEOPLE should not fall on the single flyer.

Jackson said its not the displaced passengers responsibility to facilitate a seat-swap, but rather up to the airline and flight attendants to offer customer service for the family. When there's a conflict, Its no longer that one passengers responsibility," she said.

"Generally speaking, dont board a plane expecting passengers to shift for you," Jackson added. "especially if your seat is not as comfortable as (or more than) theirs."

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Anthony Robinson is suspected by police of murdering six women

Anthony Robinson

In retrospect, there were many red flags that stood out to Monica White when she first met Anthony Robinson  the accused murderer who has since been dubbed the alleged "Shopping Cart Killer."

Robinson is now charged with first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Allene Redmon and Tonita Smith. He's considered a suspect in the killings of Stephanie Harrison, Cheyenne Brown, Sonya Champ and Skye Allen. Police believe Robinson transported the victims' bodies in a shopping cart before dumping their remains in vacant lots.

Robinson has pleaded not guilty to two murder charges and is currently awaiting trial in a Virginia jail. He has not been charged in the four other womens deaths, which remain under investigation.

But before his November 2021 arrest, when White first met Robinson on the dating app Tagged, the Pennsylvania woman thought the father from Virginia seemed normal. Robinson told her he worked for his home municipality doing trash and waste removal, and he was usually at work when he called.

From the video calls, I couldnt tell who he was as a person, she tells PEOPLE. What he seemed like on the video calls was just a young man trying to make money."

But then he started calling her obsessively, she claims. Some days I wouldn't even want to answer the phone, she says.



Cheriss May Monica White

Still, White kept in contact with Robinson. She was bored and lonely after a recent divorce. And while she says she wasn't really, really attracted to him, she wasnt talking to anyone else at the time.



They first met in person when he traveled to Mechanicsburg, Pa., to meet her in January 2021. That's when her misgivings about him began.



Oh my God, he was totally different, she says. He was nice that first visit  but there were things that went up as red flags.

For more on the case of the alleged "Shopping Cart Killer," subscribe now to PEOPLE, or pick up this week's issue, on newsstands Friday.



As soon as he got in the car when she picked him up at the bus stop, she claims he turned to her and said, Please dont judge me straight off the bat  lets get to know each other. I dont like when women reject me.

That, she says, "was a red flag right there.

But she told herself they had been talking for weeks. She took him back to her home, they chatted, they ordered food, they got to know each other. He wasnt too bad, but he wasnt my type, she says.

In the bedroom, his behavior frightened her.

We had intercourse together. But he started doing something crazy during the intercourse to where I just had to cut him off," she claims. "Then I kept on hearing voices saying, 'You're sleeping with the enemy.' And I know that's my spiritual part of me. The Holy Spirit talks to me all the time. I heard a voice saying, 'You have to get him out your house.' I woke up in the middle of the night and this man was up staring at me because I was rejecting him. I would not allow him to be with me intimately. After that one time, I would not allow him.

Courtesy Smith Family; Courtesy Destiny Livingston; Courtesy Nicadra Brown; Facebook; Harrisburg Police Department; Facebook Tonita Smith, Stephanie Harrison, Cheyenne Brown, Sonya Champ, Allene Redmon, Skye Allen

In bed, he tried to tie her up, she says.



He tried to bound me ... But I wouldn't let him. I was like, 'I'm not into it.' He pulled my arms behind my back and then grabbed me by my neck, she says. I don't think he was trying to kill me, but I think that he's into some freaky, crazy stuff.

That first visit, he said he wanted to move in with her  and she told him he was moving way too fast.

Robinson asked if he could visit again the following month, to celebrate White's 54th birthday. He arrived a week before the party. He bought himself a one-way bus ticket  and told her he had good news because he had job offers in the area.

Additionally, she says he clogged her cousin's toilet. And at White's birthday party, Robinsons behavior worried her family members.



He was drinking. Then not only that, harassing the kids, flirting with the boys, she claims, adding that she believes Robinson was bisexual, and that he withheld this information from her.

That night, she let him sleep in her bed, but she refused to be physically intimate with him.

He ended up peeing in my bed, she says. He peed in my bed on my birthday. I could not believe it, she alleges. I allowed you to sleep in my bed, and you pee in my bed?"

When she confronted him about his behavior, including his alleged lies about his sexuality, she claims, "He started snapping."

Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Harrisonburg chief of police Kelley Warner announces Anthony Robinson's arrest.

At that point, she said he told him he had to leave her house. She gave him $20 to get back to the train station  but he didnt leave town.

Instead, he went to a gas station up the street and called her cousins, weeping on the phone with them, she claims.

He sat up there and cried all night long, she says.

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For White, having been intimate with an alleged serial killer made her reflect and focus on healing herself.



I don't need a man to love myself," she says. "I had to learn that. In order to make myself happy, I didn't need a man. All I needed was God."

Cheriss May Monica White and family

She says her decision to date Robinson was "not my normal behavior" adding that she was "weakened at the time" due to a life-threatening situation she had endured shortly before the relationship.

Now, after dating an alleged serial killer, she isn't looking for love online anymore.



I don't need to search for love. Love will find me. I'm patient now," she says.

Reflecting on Robinson, she says, He's an insane, weird, crazy person. Something snapped."



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Brian Steven Smith was convicted of murdering Alaska Native women Kathleen J. Henry, 30, and 52-year-old Veronica Abouchuk

Kathleen Henry/Facebook; Anchorage Police Department/Facebook Kathleen Henry; Veronica Abouchuk

Content warning: The following article contains disturbing descriptions of violence and sexual assault.

Brian Steven Smith, who was on trial in Alaska for killing two women and videotaping one of the murders, has been convicted.

On Thursday, an Anchorage jury convicted Smith, 52, of the murders of Kathleen Henry, 30, in Sept. 2019 and 52-year-old Veronica Abouchuk in 2017 or 2018. Both are Alaska Native women.

He was found guilty of first- and second-degree murder as well as tampering with evidence and sexual assault.

Smith became a suspect in the slayings after an unhoused woman stole a phone from his truck that contained graphic photos and videos of Henrys killing, which took place in room 323 at a Marriott Hotel in Anchorage.

The woman handed over to police a memory card that contained 39 images and 12 videos on Sept. 30, 2019.

You saw the defendant repeatedly strangle Kathleen Henry, Anchorage Deputy District Attorney Heather Nobrega said about the videos during closing arguments Thursday. You saw him step on her throat; you saw him step on her stomach. You see him fondle her and pinch her breasts. You see him poke her in the eye several times.

Nobrega said Smiths thick South African accent could be heard on the videos, telling the victim, Just take it. You live, you die. He's saying this as he's taking his hands on and off of her throat."

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AP Photo/Mark Thiessen Brian Steven Smith

Investigators discovered that Smith, a South African immigrant, had allegedly stayed at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott where the murder occurred from Sept. 2 to Sept. 4, 2019.

Henrys remains were found along railroad tracks near the Seward Highway by two railroad employees on Oct. 2. A coroner ruled that she was strangled to death.

Prosecutors said that after Smith was interviewed for hours by detectives, he admitted to the murder of Abouchuk, whose skull was found by mushroom pickers along a highway earlier.

Nobrega told the jury that Smith told investigators, Are you guys in a rush to go home?" before confessing to the grisly slayings.

Smith admitted to picking up Abouchuk and bringing her back to his home because his wife was out of town. He said he killed Abouchuk after she refused to take a shower.

She refused to shower and it just pissed him off and he went to his garage and he got his gun and he shot her in the head, Nobrega said.

Nobrega said police later found the gun in his home as well as numerous digital devices. Technicians found a drive that had deleted but recoverable video Smith had taken of Abouchuk at his home before and after her death, according to Nobrega.

Whether Mr. Smith did this, these crimes  for fame, notoriety, out of anger because he wants to show off to somebody else what he's capable of doing, share with friends, share with girlfriends  we'll never know for sure," Nobrega said. We'll never know for sure. What we do know is the defendant violently and brutally murdered two women. That is why we're here today.

Smith pleaded not guilty to 14 charges, including first- and second-degree murder, tampering with evidence and sexual assault.

His defense attorney Tim Ayer told the jury during closing arguments that the prosecution had failed to prove their case, saying that they should have tested more DNA in the case.

The woman who stole the memory card, he said, was a habitual, forceful and very comfortable liar. Nothing that she said adds up and nothing that she said could be corroborated was corroborated."

At first, the woman said she found the memory card on the street but later admitted she stole the phone from Smiths truck and then put the images and videos on a memory card she stole from a local store.

It is difficult to explain the callousness and the brutality that the defendant has perpetrated on both of these women, but you have seen and you have heard the evidence and there is no reasonable doubt as to the defendant's guilt of these crimes, Nobrega said during rebuttal.



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South Carolina's Republican presidential primary kicks off on Saturday, and only two major candidates are left to duke it out: former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

So with the primary set to get underway, here's what to know about where the candidates, who can vote and the state's record for picking the eventual nominee.

How does South Carolina's primary work?

South Carolina has an open primary, which means registered voters can cast a ballot in either the Democratic or Republican primary. Unlike Iowa and New Hampshire, South Carolina does not require voters to register by party, however residents are allowed to vote in only one of the primaries.

MORE: 'I think she can do it': Why some South Carolina voters are sticking with Haley despite polls

PHOTO: Republican Presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Nikki Haley. (Getty Images)

Despite its open primary, the state has many more active Republican voters than Democratic ones. And it doesn't have New Hampshire's tradition of independent voters swinging back and forth.

Over the summer, South Carolina's Republican Party moved its primary so that it is 18 days after Nevada's caucus, allowing candidates nearly three weeks to saturate the state.

The primary is traditionally held on a Saturday and, unlike New Hampshire, allows for early voting beginning in mid-February.

Already, about 205,000 ballots have been cast in the two-week window to early vote and 12,000 absentee ballots have been returned for a total count of roughly 217,000 ballots, according to the state's election commission. In 2020, there were about 500,000; in 2016, there were about 260,000, the election commission reported.

Where do the candidates stand?

It has been a bumpy road for Haley. She placed a distant third in the Iowa caucuses in January, she finished second behind Trump in New Hampshire and lost to "None of the Candidates" in Nevada's primary.

PHOTO: Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump participates in a town hall in Greenville, South Carolina, Feb. 20, 2024. (Sam Wolfe/Reuters)

Trump holds a wide 30-point lead over Haley, the former two-time South Carolina governor, according to 538's national polling averages. Haley, looking to close that gap, has spent the past few weeks crisscrossing the state on her "Beast of the Southeast" tour, visiting some 25 counties in the process.

Despite the bleak odds that she can overtake the former president in her home state, Haley told voters at a rally in Greenville earlier this week that she has "no fear of Trump's retribution" and will continue to fight on.

MORE: What to know about Nikki Haley losing to 'none of these candidates' option in Nevada Republican primary

Since 1980, South Carolina's Republican primary has gone on to pick the Republican nominee, with one exception: in 2012 with Newt Gringrich (Mitt Romney went on to become the GOP nominee that year). Winning, or the margin by which she loses, could very well be a good indicator on whether or not Haley stands an actual chance against Trump.

The state has a large number of conservative and evangelical voters -- and Trump, in the past, has appealed to that base. In 2020, he won the state by 55% and in 2016 by 54%, according to the state's election commission.

How an open primary could affect the contest

Exit polls in New Hampshire showed Haley doing especially well with undeclared voters -- a group that was able to vote in the state's Republican primary. She also received strong backing from self-described moderates, just as she did in the Iowa caucuses, where she won about one-third of self-described independents, exit polling found.

MORE: Haley captures independents and college grads, but Trump base holds fast in NH: Exit poll

Haley has encouraged "as many people" that are willing to cast their ballots to vote on Saturday.

"I'm going to be serving everybody, so whoever cares enough about this election and wants to be involved -- we want their support."

PHOTO: Republican Presidential hopeful and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign stop in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Feb. 22, 2024. (Julia Nikhinson/AFP via Getty Images)

But Republicans and Democrats have commented on voter participation in the open primary.

"The South Carolina Republican Presidential Preference Primary has the best track-record in the country for picking presidents, and I'm not going to sit back and allow Democrats to tarnish our reputation," Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party Drew McKissick said in a statement.

As early voting continues through Feb. 22 in South Carolina, Jay Parmley, executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party, sent out an email on Monday warning that those who vote in the Republican presidential primary can't also take part in the upcoming county-level Democratic conventions.

"I fielded a tons of phone calls at the state party office from Democrats who are saying I really think I'm gonna go vote in that Feb. 24 Republican primary because I'm gonna go for Nikki Haley. And I'm going to stop Donald Trump votes. That is stupid," Parmley said. "Donald Trump is on his own trajectory on the Republican side, and Nikki Haley, she is the mother of MAGA -- she was MAGA before they even had a definition. And I tell Democrats all the time, if you didn't vote for her for governor, why in the world would you go vote for her to be the Republican nominee for president? She is just as dangerous."

What to know about the South Carolina Republican presidential primary originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Almost two years into Russia's invasion, with Moscow's losses estimated by Kyiv at more than 300,000 soldiers, the Ukrainian authorities launched a project called "Want To Find" to help Russian citizens find information about their relatives who went to fight in Ukraine.

The launch came as a followup to the "Want to Live" project, a hotline offering the Russian soldiers a way to surrender.

Since that launch in September 2022, operators of the project received more than 32,000 and 260 Russian soldiers were admitted as prisoners of war, according to the organization. Some even joined the so-called Russian Volunteer corps, which is fighting against Russian forces alongside the Ukrainian army.

The number of requests soared in autumn 2022, during the announcement of a mobilization in Russia and successful Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region and Kherson, and in spring last year when the Ukrainian authorities were announcing the much-anticipated counteroffensive.

PHOTO: ABC News speaks with Vitaliy Matvienko, spokesman of the Want To Live project, in Ukraine. (ABC News)

MORE: Ukraine offers Russian soldiers a hotline to surrender

That's when many Russians started to reach out to the Want To Live project in search of their relatives who went to war and never returned, according to Vitaliy Matvienko, the spokesperson of the I Want To Live project.

"People, mostly women, called and asked whether we knew something about their husbands or sons, whether they were captured or killed. Because the Russian authorities didn't provide them any information," Matvienko told ABC News.

Since last summer, they've got more than 3,000 such requests and decided to launch a separate Telegram bot for processing them.

Through it, the customers provide all the data they have -- names, photos, any distinguishing features the person has like tattoos or scars. The operators on the Ukrainian side run this data through several databases and tell them whether the person is killed, captured or there's no information at all.

Irina Krynina, 37, is one of those who managed to not only find her husband via the bot, but also help others to do the same.

Her husband Yevgeniy, 34, had been running a successful funeral business in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. In September 2022, during the massive mobilization announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Yevgeniy was summoned to the military recruitment center.

PHOTO: Irina Krynina, wife of a Russian soldier captured in Ukraine, founder of the Step In NGO. (ABC News)

"I was against it. I was against the war. I told him not to go," Irina told ABC. "I had a suspicion he will be sent to Ukraine. But he didn't believe me because of the propaganda he watched on TV and decided to join the army."

After a month spent in a training camp in Omsk, Yevgeniy and other Russian troops were sent to the occupied Crimea and then to Kherson as it was liberated by the Ukrainian forces.

"He called me and told me to stop watching Russian TV," Irina recalled. "He said, 'Everything they show is completely untrue.'"

The last time Irina heard from her husband was June 9, 2023.

"I knew he was sent to Bakhmut, Donetsk region, and I freaked out. I knew it was hell there," Irina recalled.

When after a while communication didn't resume she started looking for information about Yevgeniy's whereabouts. "I came to the recruitment center, but they told me -- who are you? we're not going to tell you anything."

Then Irina decided to do online research and discovered a video on social media showing her husband being captured by Ukrainian troops. But even that wasn't enough evidence for the Russian authorities to confirm him as a prisoner of war.

"The Russian ministry of defense told me that doesn't mean anything and they are still consider him missing," she said.

So Irina contacted the Want To Live project. In three days the Ukrainian side confirmed Yevgeniy was in captivity, so Irina took on a challenge and went to Ukraine to meet her husband.

"To hide from the Russian authorities I designed a whole legend," she told ABC News. With her two little kids, Irina went to Antalya, Turkey, a popular holiday destination for many Russians. Then they flew to Istanbul and Chisinau, Moldova, where Ukrainian representatives met her and escorted to Kyiv.

"When I finally met Yevgeniy he was shocked," Irina said. "He didn't expect me to look for him and moreover come this far to meet him."

While Yevgeniy remains in captivity and is weighing whether he wants to go back to Russia, Irina settled down in Kyiv with her kids and set up her own nongovernmental organization, called Step In, to help other Russians search and bring back home their relatives who invaded Ukraine. The NGO is basically helping the Ukrainian Want To Find project to process the requests, organize calls between the POWs and their relatives or even receive parcels for them, according to the Geneva Conventions.

PHOTO: Soldiers stand on an Armored Infantry Vehicle 2 on the outskirts of Avdiivka on Feb. 14, 2024 in Avdiivka district, Ukraine. (Vlada Liberova/Libkos/Getty Images)

"It's a very useful humanitarian project. Firstly, people in Russia find out at least something about their relatives," Matvienko explained. "Once we received a request about a soldier and found out that his body was actually repatriated to Russia half a year before that. That is, he was killed, Russia got his body, but never notified the family."

Secondly, Matvienko said, the project prompts the Russian citizens to pressure their own authorities and demand social protection. Wives of Russian soldiers often stage protests demanding exchange of prisoners.

Finally, both projects, I Want To Live and I Want To Find, are aimed at preventing more Russians from joining the army and also facilitating the exchange of prisoners of war, Matvienko added.

"According to the Geneva Conventions, the swaps should take place after the fighting ends. So the very fact they take place now is a huge achievement," he said.

More than 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers have already been returned in exchange for nearly the same amount of Russians.

Ukrainian chat helps Russian families find soldiers who were captured or killed originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
1.This landlord provided THIS as a bed in a furnished apartment.

2.This landlord made it impossible for a tenant to enter their own apartment.

3.This landlord claimed this was "central AC."

4.This landlord replaced a nice fireplace with THIS.

5.This landlord expected a tenant to take out their old oven and install a new one  by themselves.

6.This landlord  who already didn't allow cooking after 8 p.m.  sent this super dramatic text about a tenant cooking with garlic.

7.This landlord provided "open air" laundry.

8.This landlord tried to claim a hat was in an "acid wash" style instead of being covered in mold.

9.This landlord poured concrete right outside a tenant's front door without warning.

10.This landlord "fixed" a hole in the wall WITH A LITERAL PAPER PLATE.

11.This landlord advertised "new wood flooring," then left it unfinished and covered it up with a carpet.

12.This landlord refused to clean up vomit in the lobby.

13.This landlord did the equivalent of offering staff a pizza party over a raise.

14.This landlord tried to evict their own sister.

15.This landlord claimed there was nothing wrong with their water.

16.This landlord is lucky they didn't have a serious fire on their hands.

17.This landlord  who constantly turned off the water, btw  had it turned off for basically a full day with almost no warning.

18.And this landlord didn't warn the tenant until AFTER the shut-off happened.

19.This landlord had ridiculous "guidelines" for tenants, including not having sex in their residence.

20.This landlord asked for a small pot that was being used to weigh down a drying painting to be immediately removed.

21.This landlord literally installed a camera in a tenant's unit.

22.This landlord put up this awful notice, basically saying they can use their image to advertise the apartment in whatever way they want.

23.This landlord gave 10 minutes notice for showing a tenant's apartment.

24.This landlord opened a tenant's package and clearly wore their shoes.

25.This landlord canceled a tenant's lease via a whiteboard message.

26.This landlord made it impossible for this front door to open.

27.This landlord blamed tenants for burst pipes.

28.This landlord thought this was safe.

29.And this landlord was unbothered about the likelihood of starting a fire.

30.This landlord was clearly out of line.

31.This landlord tried to charge tenants for basic service calls, which is the one thing you're not supposed to have to pay for while renting.

32.This landlord PAINTED a BATHTUB.

33.This landlord "fixed" a crack in the parking garage like this.

34.And finally, let's end on the landlord who thought *this* was an acceptable painting job.
Sara Adroer MartInez

It all started with a chair. Specifically, a handcrafted Heaps & Woods armchair that interior designer Juan Moreno Lopez-Calull was selling on Instagram. Graphic designer Pieter de Groot was interested in buying it. From there, the two realized they had a lot more in common that bridged the divide of their divergent media. From there, they bonded over a shared passion for designand eventually fell in love.

Sara Adroer MartInez

One year later, Pieter challenged Juan (founder and director of John Brown Projects) to reimagine his newly purchased Barcelona apartment. An outdated top-floor unit in a building constructed in 1900, the space was just under 600 square feet with a layout that felt fundamentally misaligned with Pieters modern lifestyle. And yet, it had its redeeming qualitiesarchitectural details and historic charm, like the beamed ceilingthat the duo felt intent on keeping. The task became saving and showcasing the integrity of the flats heritage while reinterpreting it for the 21st century. This meant knocking down walls in order to expand narrow corridors and make room for an open-floor plan.

Sara Adroer MartInez

They began with the kitchen. An accomplished cook, Pieter desired an airy space for easy and unfussy entertaining. Anyone who wants to join us for a meal is always invited, Juan says. He worked with a master carpenter to create the rooms custom cabinetry, choosing an oak wood to add warmth to the cement floor and light walls. The open shelving system serves to highlight Pieters extensive pottery and ceramics collection, each with a personal anecdote attachedincluding travel finds and tokens from loved ones. Juan recalls flying home from a trip to Pieters native South Africa with an entire dinnerware set in their luggagea gift from Pieters mother that once belonged to his grandparents.

Sara Adroer MartInez

Other vases and objects demonstrate the talents of Catalonian makers, in styles true to the area. For me, this project was really an opportunity to create something local that felt genuinely Mediterranean, Juan says. That sentiment rings true elsewhere as well. The bathroom is decorated with a green ceramic tilea particular ode to the regions rich decor trends of decades past.

Sara Adroer MartInez

A theme of serendipity carried Pieter into the dining room and beyond. The table and chairs that anchor the room and serve as the apartments main gathering space are an antique designer set by Guilleumas, a Catalonian company in business from 1922 to 1967, but the couple stumbled upon it on Wallapop (Spains equivalent of Craigslist), priced at nearly nothing. Thats what I enjoy about technology, Juan says. It opens up so many exciting secondhand options. As soon as we saw these pieces, we instantly knew, okay, this is happening.

More personal and artisan touches abound. The rattan pendant above the dining table is by a craftsman from the region of Emporda, while the painting was another family gift to Pieterthis time, a work by Irish artist Peter Behan, from an art dealer cousin in London. Nearby in the living room, a different painting was a pooled birthday gift from a group of Pieters friends, illustrating the immense depth of memory and intimacy strung throughout the entirety of the flat. Everything here has a story, Juan says. We created this place with things collected from so many people we adore.

Sara Adroer MartInez

The living room and bedroom prioritize comfort and serenity. High-end furnishingssuch as a Sant Gervasoni sofa and Jean Prouve coffee tablefeel right at home alongside cozy fabrications, South African art, and Pieters many beloved plants. It was fun to work alongside another designer, but one who is not an interior designer, Juan explains. It was a new approach for me. And in the end, our aesthetic visions really melted together.

Sara Adroer MartInez

Ultimately, its a home that marries sophistication and simplicity. A small space filled with both luxurious pieces and priceless treasures of meaning. And with a view overlooking the ancient streets of a coastal city, its also a home that has been steeped in romance from its very origins.

Sara Adroer MartInez

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

More Great Stories From Clever
When we think about war, many people don't consider the devastating impact that it has on animals in surrounding areas, too. ABC News recently shared the story of 11 lions who were rescued from conflict-hit Sudan in November 2023. These lions finally found their forever homes in South Africa through the help of Four Paws, an animal welfare organization.

The video, that was posted on Wednesday, February 21st, explains how the lions along with 37 other animals were rescued in November and moved to a safe location in Wad Madani where there were given care and protection. Listen in as Dr. Amir Khalil describes his feelings about the rescue, and their efforts since taking the animals to safety.

I'm so glad people were able to help these animals! Most were able to be released back into the wild, but the lions were sent to a sanctuary in South Africa where Dr. Khalil hopes they'll get "rest, peace, and proper care". ABC News commenters were so grateful that the animals were safe after their rescue...all but one that is. @Debbie shouted, "Yeah its disgusting that hes in a cage! Why is he in jail!!!! You're sickening dude!!!" I'm wondering how this commenter thinks that they should've transported the lions; it's not like you can just put them on a leash and hope they are on their best behavior!

Related: Moment 'World's Loneliest' Lion Feels Grass for the First Time Is Magical

Cool Facts About Lions

One thing I always notice about male lions is that some of them have big, beautiful manes while others do not. I wondered why that was and did a little research. Females don't grow manes, which isn't surprising since the male's testosterone is what causes them to grow a mane. The older a male gets, the longer their manes grow. Their manes are a sign of strength and fertility, and females prefer long, dark manes. A full head of hair is a turn on for them!

Lions are pretty lazy and spend about 20 hours of a day resting and napping. Most of the hunting is done by the females, who also teach their cubs to hunt as well. A fun fact about their feet is that their heels don't ever touch the ground when they walk, but they do use them for jumping.

Lions live in groups called prides and use their powerful roars to communicate. In fact, a male lion's roar can be heard up to 5 miles away! It's also pretty beyond cute when the cubs adorably practice roaring - I could listen to that all day! Speaking of cubs, they are known by a couple of other names too and are often called whelps or lionets according to NatGeoKids.com.

While these big cats are often referred to as the 'king of the jungle', they don't actually live in jungles and are found in grasslands and plains. I love learning these kinds of random facts about animals and I really never realized just how interesting lions are.

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When Gabrielle Goidel married her husband, Spencer, in late 2021, she couldnt help but think of what their life together might look like. She wasnt sure where theyd end up living or what theyd be doing in 10 years time, but the one thing she was always certain of was that they would have a family.

The Goidels wasted no time attempting to make this dream a reality. But their hope quickly turned to disappointment, after Gabrielle suffered three consecutive miscarriages. After more than two years of trying, they were eager to know why their plan for children wasnt coming to fruition. Soon, they learned that because of genetic issues, it would be nearly impossible for Gabrielle to get pregnant naturally. Their only hope would be in vitro fertilization. In IVF, eggs are surgically removed from the ovaries, fertilized with sperm, and implanted in the uterus.

BSIP - Getty Images

So in November 2023, roughly six months after Spencer had accepted his dream job as a professor at Auburn University and the Goidels had moved to Alabama, they decided to start the process. Following several months of testing, poking, and prodding, the couple officially began the IVF cycle earlier this month, and despite the physical, emotional, and financial toll it was sure to take, Gabrielle was thrilled to be one step closer to creating a family.

Then the Goidels hit another roadblock, when, in a first-of-its-kind ruling, the Alabama Supreme Court decided last week that frozen embryos should be considered children and that anyone who destroyed them could be held liable for wrongful death. At the center of the ruling were two lawsuits filed by three sets of parents who underwent IVF and had their remaining embryos frozen. The suits allege that in December 2020, another patient at the Mobile hospital that housed the parents frozen embryos entered the fertility clinic and attempted to remove several embryos from cryogenic storage, before dropping and therefore destroying them. In response, the parents sued for wrongful death, challenging the longtime precedent to treat frozen embryos as property and instead asserting they be granted personhood. A trial court dismissed these claims, finding that the embryos did not fit the definition of a person or child. But in a stunning reversal, the state Supreme Court disagreed, ruling that unborn offspring located outside of a biological uterus at the time they are killed are indeed children.

China News Service - Getty Images

While the decision does not ban IVF outright, it is the first time a U.S. court has ruled that frozen embryos are human beings, and it could have profound effects on fertility treatments, in Alabama and across the country. The goal of IVF, which was first developed in 1978 and has advanced dramatically in the years since, is always to produce as many embryos as possible, to increase the odds that at least one will result in a successful pregnancy for the patient. But as anyone who has been through the process knows all too well, the number of viable eggs has often dwindled significantly by the time theyre ready for implantation. Its such a numbers game, says Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at RMA of New York. Not every egg is capable of fertilizing and turning into embryos, and even once you have an embryo, not every embryo will implant.

In fact, the reason IVF is such a successful way to overcome infertility is because it starts with more than one egg, unlike normal ovulation, and gets as many of those eggs to grow as possible, thereby upping the chances at least one of them will demonstrate reproductive potential. Of course, this also means some of the embryos created through the process may be damaged or discarded along the way, because they dont survive thawing or are not genetically viable, or because multiple embryos are successfully implanted and the parents decide to terminate one or more. Parents can also choose to have their frozen embryos destroyed for any reason, such as in cases of divorce or death, or even if they simply decide not to continue trying for children. Now, however, according to the Alabama ruling, the destruction of any frozen embryo, intentional or not, would violate the states wrongful death of a minor law, leaving parents and clinic personnel potentially vulnerable to civil or criminal charges.

As soon as the decision came in, we immediately knew that this would have a chilling effect on the delivery of care in Alabama and the health care providers there, says Barbara Collura, president and CEO of nonprofit patient advocacy organization Resolve: The National Infertility Association. It was and still is unclear whether they would be able to practice medicine to the standards theyve been taught, or if they are going to try to do IVF in a different way, or if they would just flat-out leave the state. The ruling has resulted widespread confusion among fertility providers and clinics in Alabama, leading some to make extreme decisions in an effort to proceed with caution.



On Wednesday, the University of Alabama at Birmingham health systemthe largest hospital in the state and among the 20 largest in the countryannounced it would pause IVF treatments for an indefinite amount of time as it evaluated the ruling and its implications. On Thursday, Alabama Fertility Specialists in Birmingham, where the Goidels had just begun their IVF treatment, announced it would be the second clinic to halt it.

Robert Nickelsberg - Getty Images

To shield themselves and their embryos from harm and disruption, some Alabama parents are considering transferring frozen embryos to storage facilities in other states, or undergoing IVF outside of the state. But these are not feasible alternatives for everyone.

In the best of circumstances, IVF is not a fun process. People do it because they want to be parents, but it is not a process that is easy or pleasant, Collura says. You plan for it, you prepare for it, you save for it, and so to now be told that you cant move forward because the Alabama Supreme Court has made this decision is just unimaginable. Even when IVF patients can find a way to continue fertility treatment outside of Alabama, as the Goidels have in Texas, doing so is not without financial, emotional, and logistical challenges.

Although Alabamas decision is the only one of its kind in the United States, it has spurred anxiety from fertility providers and advocates across the country, who worry this will soon become a national issue. There are probably a handful of states that are right now drafting legislation or looking at their statutes to see if theres a wrongful death statute that could include embryos, Collura says. Already, a handful of anti-choice and pro-fetal-personhood organizations are planning to use the Alabama ruling to target fertility treatment in other states. Liberty Counsel, a Christian ministry that claims it works to advance the sanctity of human life and the family, for instance, said it will use the decision as precedent to fight a proposed amendment to protect abortion rights in Florida.

IVF patients throughout the country have also expressed concern over the ruling and fear that their state could be next. Dermatologist Dr. Gabriela Soza froze her eggs in her home state of Texas when she was just 27. Although she and her husband conceived their first child naturally, after Soza suffered an ectopic pregnancy last year and lost a fallopian tube as a result, they decided to fertilize her frozen eggs and create embryos from them, so that they could have the two more children they had always planned on. As they have begun thinking about the process, though, the question of where to create and store the embryos has become increasingly complicated. Sozas eggs are in Texas, and although theres a significant chance the family will move back there in the future, they currently live in New York, a much safer state for reproductive health. In the wake of last weeks decision in Alabama, the couple has decided to undergo the process in New York, despite the logistical complications. I love my Texas, Soza says of the conservative-leaning state, but I feel like somebody is probably already working on a bill like this and will screw up everything there. So theres just more peace of mind doing it in New York.

While the Alabama ruling and the specific circumstances driving it have caught many by surprise, critics point out that it didnt happen in a vacuum, and note that it is part of the ongoing fight against reproductive rights, which has historically centered on abortion.

Its been a long road to getting here, and states like Alabama have been expanding fetal personhood in their laws and within their state Supreme Court jurisprudence for some time now, says Lourdes A. Riviera, president of legal advocacy group Pregnancy Justice and a longtime leader in reproductive health and law. What we saw last Friday was just the next step in the march towards establishing the rights of fertilized eggs, embryos, and fetuses as full persons. For those who believe that a fertilized egg is a person, the next logical step would be to think that a fertilized egg, regardless of whether its inside the body or not, is a person. The concept of fetal personhood, she and other reproductive rights advocates argue, is the through line connecting the banning of abortion to restrictions on contraception, IVF, and access to adequate health care. This is a wake-up call, Riviera says. Hopefully, this helps people understand that what happens in the context of abortion and what happens to poor pregnant women, pregnant women of color, or LGBTQ people also has an impact on their reproductive freedom.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS - Getty Images

Just as the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 encouraged many people to share their experiences with abortion in an effort to normalize it and show just how common it is, fertility advocates hope the Alabama ruling will similarly embolden people across the country to take action. I feel like theres now an opportunity for people to come out of the shadows and share what IVF is and share their personal experiences with it, Collura says. Over eight million babies have been born through IVF, so if we can get people sharing their story and talking about this, even in their own circles, thats going to make a huge difference.



In just a matter of days, the Alabama ruling has already had an undeniable impact on countless IVF patients and providers throughout the state, and has caused no shortage of confusion and anxiety for those across the country. This decision makes it very clear that these issues are not siloed, and I do believe that this could be an indication of some success for the fetal personhood movement, says Riviera. But Im also hopeful that this shocks people enough to wake them up, to show them they cant be complacent and that they need to fight back. We are committed to this fight for the long haul, and we believe that most people in America are on our side and that eventually our side will prevail.

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The Alabama Supreme Court has declared that frozen embryos are legally children. The ruling is narrow in scope but broad in possible implications, leaving doctors, patients, and potential patients in terrifying limbo.

To gain insight into the chaos, Glamour spoke with Sara Ainsworth, JD, senior legal and policy director at the nonprofit organization If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, which provides legal services regarding reproductive rights; and Cardin Cone, who conceived her first child, a son, through IVF at Alabama Fertility (a fertility clinic that has paused new IVF treatments following the ruling) and is trying to conceive another.

What is the ruling and how did this happen?

As detailed in the state Supreme Court ruling, this began when several frozen embryos were accidentally destroyed by a hospital patient in Alabama in 2020. The three couples whose embryos were destroyed then sued the fertility clinic for wrongful death of a minor.

On February 16, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos do legally count as children. Specifically, the opinion referred to these embryos as extrauterine children. Chief Justice Tom Parker, in his concurring opinion, wrote, Even before birth, all human beings have the image of God, and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory, which raised some eyebrows for obvious reasons.

What does this mean for IVF?

In effect, this would make IVF as it is currently practiced pretty much impossible.

The way IVF usually works is like this: A doctor retrieves eggs from a persons ovaries, which are then fertilized by sperm in a lab to create as many embryos as possible. One or more of the embryos with the best chance at survival are then implanted in a human uterus in a process referred to as the transfer. Leftover embryos can be frozen and stored for potential future use or donation, or they may be destroyed, per the Mayo Clinic.

According to an analysis by legal writer Mark Joseph Stern in Slate, this ruling means that if someone happens to accidentally damage or destroy an embryo, IVF providers could face a wrongful death suit and millions of dollars in punitive damages, which would be ruinous.

This is why a number of clinics in Alabama have already paused IVF treatments, leaving patients in the lurch.

Cone, 33, who went through IVF in Alabama in 2022, explains how the process went for her. I went through 12 days of [hormone] shots preparing for the retrieval. We did the retrieval and we ended up with seven embryos. Five of those matured. Three were able to be tested for genetic testing. Of those three, one had a euploid genetic makeup. One would not have survived had we implanted that embryo. And one was inconclusive. Cone and her husband were faced with a decision: Either go through with the single embryo transfer, or improve the odds of a successful pregnancy by doing another retrieval round that would hopefully result in more healthy embryos. They decided to go ahead with the transfer, resulting in her one-year-old son.

Does this mean providers, or even patients, could be charged with a crime?

The ruling itself is limited to whether or not the people who created the embryos can sue for alleged wrongful death of frozen pre-embryos (lets be scientific about it, theyre pre-embryos), says Ainsworth. By ruling that embryos can be classified as children under the states already existing Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, the court has created civil, but not criminal, liability for clinics, who can now be sued by the owners of the embryos. While those accused are not looking at murder charges or criminal endangerment charges or anything like that, civil penalties can still be financially ruinous. In addition, the rulings broader implications have patients and doctors rightfully worried and confused.

[This ruling] is patently absurd and undermines our centuries of understanding of what legal personhood is, says Ainsworth. What the risks are to people are really unknown at this time from a legal perspective. People are going to need legal help to navigate what Alabama has done here.

So what does this mean for people who already have frozen embryos stored in Alabama?

Cones family now lives in Georgia, but she still has one frozen embryo stored in Alabamathe embryo whose genetic testing came back inconclusive. What does this mean for our frozen embryo? Do we have the option to retest this? If we so choose, will we have the option to technically move it across state lines if we wanted to? What does this look like?

At the moment, all that Ainsworth can offer is her best professional guess. Can people transport their frozen pre-embryos to another state so that they can have legally safe IVF procedures, to form their families in that state? Most likely they can, says Ainsworth. Are people required to bring their embryos to term? I dont believe that this ruling would require that, but again, I can absolutely understand why people have that question, because what this has done is created, essentially, chaos in the field of assisted reproductive technology in that state.

But if the embryos cant be harmed without legal liability, who is responsible for paying to maintain them? The patients or the clinics?

Ainsworth says the ruling doesnt address this question either, but this is why facilities that families pay to store their frozen embryos have decided to pause services while they figure out what their legal responsibilities are: At this point, Alabama itself has taken no financial responsibility for this situation, and I dont think this court ruling would require it to.

So if youve already spent thousands and thousands of dollars on IVF treatments in Alabama that are now paused indefinitely, are you just out of luck or can you sue?

You can probably expect to see some lawsuits from patients in the near future, but it remains an open question, says Ainsworth. A single IVF cycle can cost as much as $30,000, per Forbes, and insurance will generally only cover part of that, if at all.

Is the Alabama legislature doing anything about it?

On February 22, several Democrats in the Alabama House of Representatives filed a bill stipulating that a fertilized egg or embryo cannot be legally considered a human child until it has been implanted in a uterus, AL.com has reported. The purpose of this bill is to protect IVF in the state. But what happens in the case of a failed embryo transfer? What if a doctor implants more than one embryo (a common practice) at once to increase a patients chances of a successful pregnancy? Even if it passes, this bill still leaves fertility clinics in a legal gray area when it comes to best medical practices for their patients, Ainsworth says.

What does this mean for other reproductive health issues? What about sperm and egg donation?

Making clinics legally responsible for the safety of fertilized eggs as if the eggs were human children, under threat of civil penalty, would likely create an atmosphere of confusion and chaos resulting in health care providers simply choosing to stop offering these services out of feareven if they are not technically illegal. Anytime you add a new level of liability to something, that can result in a denial of service or a lack of service available, says Ainsworth. Organizations that provide assisted reproductive technologies might now feel uncomfortable encouraging people to donate gametesembryos, sperm, and eggs provided by another personbecause storing them may be seen as a legal risk. Similarly, Ainsworth predicts that organizations may simply stop accepting sperm donations out of concern that they will no longer be able to protect donors anonymity without putting themselves at legal risk.

Are we likely to see similar rulings or laws in other states? Particularly ones that have strict abortion bans in place?

According to Ainsworth, Alabama was already a bit of an outlier when it comes to, ahem, extrauterine children.

This isnt the first time Alabama has created legal status for embryos and fetuses. They have also criminalized hundreds of people for substance use during pregnancy, using a law called chemical endangerment of a child. The Supreme Court of Alabama found that the definition of child in their criminal code includes a human embryo from the moment of conception, the lawyer says. While there are certainly other states that have enacted their own draconian laws regarding reproductive freedom, Ainsworth says that Alabama is kind of in its own class. There arent a lot of states whove taken the approach that the Alabama courts have taken when it comes to creating a status for embryos and fetuses that goes beyond the status they should have in the law.

What does this have to do with the antiabortion movement?

Chief Justice Parkers concurrence in the ruling relies on the fundamentalist Christian belief that not only does life begin at conception, but that conception even extends to embryos created in a lab that have never been inside a uterus. In this framework, disposing of a human embryo is fundamentally no different than performing an abortion on an already pregnant person. In both cases, the law sublimates certain rights of the mother to the rights of the embryoregardless of whether her eggs were fertilized through sex or through a medical procedure in a lab.

Writing for Salon, feminist author Amanda Marcotte argues, The Christian right wants to end IVF for two reasons: First, because of the bottomless misogyny and homophobia that fuels the movement. Second, because the end goal for the Christian right is to turn the U.S. into a theocracy, and banning IVF helps them get there.

How are Alabama residents and IVF patients feeling right now?

Says Cone, Ive got one friend who went through IVF in California and, prior to all this, transported her embryos to the East Coast. And she was sharing that shes fearful: Why did she move her embryos? Because what comes next? What door does this open for other states to look at this as precedent or try and apply the same ruling in cases in their states?

Cone adds that she has had friends who know her and her husbands story reach out to urge them to get their frozen embryo out of Alabama. You have no control over it. Now its in a state that has just deemed that it has rights beyond your control.

Many parents who conceived through IVF have begun sharing their stories online. My daughter exists because of IVF and she is the joy of my life. I cannot imagine the heartbreak for parents in Alabama due to Republican judges. This is Donald Trumps America in 2025 if he wins, Joel Wertheimer, a civil rights attorney, wrote on X.com.

Military spouse Julie Eshelman went on CNN to share her own concerns. If her husband were to be stationed in Alabama, Eshelman told Kaitlan Collins, she doesnt know if wed be able to pursue family building there via IVF. When Alabama Fertility, the clinic where Cone received care, posted on Instagram that it would be pausing new IVF services, it was flooded with comments from former patients. I am holding my little ivf miracle right now thanks to Alabama fertility! This is so heartbreaking! wrote one person. Another wrote, We have one daughter because of them and hope to have another one soon if the Supreme Court would get out of the way. Here to scream and yell with you to get this [ruling] changed!!

Originally Appeared on Glamour
The incident occured as the airplane was about to land in Las Vegas (Getty Images)

A man who allegedly stabbed another passenger during a flight with a makeshift weapon made out of pens and rubber bands has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Julio Alvares Lopez told authorities he intended to kill the victim in an incident on 24 January during an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Las Vegas, according to court documents.

The victim was identified as a sworn law enforcement officer who was across the airplane aisle from Mr Lopez.

A witness said that Mr Lopez began to act fidgety during the flight. Around 30 minutes before landing, Mr Lopez got up from his seat and went to the bathroom, and upon return, he began punching and hitting the victim, the documents said.

The witness and the victims wife screamed at Mr Lopez to stop.

The witness said, "There was blood everywhere", and claimed that Mr Lopez dropped something that appeared to be a "pen and tape bundle."

The victims wife was also struck during the altercation as she shielded her young son who is around seven years old, the court records added.

He was restrained with flex cuffs for the remainder of the flight and was taken into custody by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department once the plane came into land.

Speaking to authorities after the incident, Mr Lopez, who stated he was seeking asylum in the United States, said he felt the mafia had been chasing him for the last few months, the court documents stated.

Lopez said to authorities that he had never seen the victim before the flight but thought that the victim was following him, believing he was the cartel.

He admitted that he armed himself with pens wrapped in rubber bands and stated, "I planned on attacking and killing him.

He also admitted to FBI agents that he intended to kill the victim and had created the weapon before the flight. Mr Lopez said he was trying to stab the victim in the eye to reach his brain, the court documents said.

Alaska Airlines said in a statement to NBC7 that the incident occurred on flight 604 as the plane was coming in to land at Harry Reid International Airport.

"The aircraft landed safely, and law enforcement took one passenger into custody after the plane arrived at the gate. Were thankful for our crew for their professionalism in the handling of the incident," the airline said.

The suspect is being held in custody until trial and his arraignment is scheduled for 1 March.

The Independent has contacted Alaska Airlines for comment.
The former Fab Five members first post-"Queer Eye" project is a line of interior design templates he hopes will democratize style.

Though it is perhaps obvious to any casual viewer of Queer Eye, Netflixs massively successful 2018 reboot of a Y2K-era trailblazer, it feels important to say this up front: Bobby Berk, the designer of the group, is the hardest working member of the Fab Five. While his counterparts certainly put in their own versions of sweat equityfrom Antoni teaching clarinet impresarios how to use puff pastry to Karamo serving as de facto therapistBobbys work is by far the most impactful, even though most of it occurs offscreen. "We meet the hero on Tuesday and I have the house back and done by Friday afternoon," Berk tells me as we sit and stare at each other through a computer screen on a Zoom. That this timeline is so tight makes sense for the show, but also, its impressive: the transformations that Berk and, of course, his team achieve in a few short days are often nothing short of incredible.



As youve likely seen, however, the eighth season of Queer Eye was Bobbys last, due to numerous reasons elucidated in a January Vanity Fair article: the show was cancelled but then brought back in 2023, and Berk had already made plans to move onand because he didnt want to back out of his other opportunity, he parted ways. News of his departure from the show left fans (including myself) wondering what his next move could possibly bea home decor line, a show of his own, or maybe a custom pantry organizer collection. What Berk is actually up to, though, is something that Id not anticipated: a line of custom model houses for Nevada-based construction company Tri Pointe Homes.

Its certainly an interesting pivot and one that Id not considered in the realm of possibility, but as Berk tells me (and the website confirms), hes worked with Tri Pointe in some capacity since 2015, when he served as "celebrity creative director" for the companys Responsive Home project, helping design two concept homes aimed at millennial homebuyers in Nevadas Inspirada master-planned community. That sheds a little more light on Berks new endeavor, the general gist of which is this: Berk has curated 1o very specific interior designs, from furniture to finishes, for Tri Pointes tract home offerings, so anyone who wants to buy a Bobby Berk-designed home can do so in one of the companys many planned communities around the country, from Nevada, California, and Arizona, to North Carolina, Virginia, and elsewhere. (The first Tri Pointe communities to offer the BB Edit designs are in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Winchester, California, starting in the mid $400,000s, and Rancho Mission Viejo, starting in the low $1 millions; by 2025, the company plans to offer the Berk-designed homes in all of the 15 U.S. metro areas it serves.)

The Bobby Berk x Tri Pointe Homes collaboration (The BB Edit) includes includes 10 curated interior design collections, such as New Mediterranean, Luxe Bohemian, and Transitional Farmhouse. The New Mediterranean kitchen, styled by Teressa Johnson, is pictured above.

Tri Pointe specializes in planned communities of the sort that ones parents might retire to when it comes time to "downsize" or, alternatively, that young families intimidated by the entire process of buying a home and wanting a solution that feels relatively turnkey, from showing to close, would gravitate toward. Potential homeowners can also work with Tri Pointe for financing options, so that the unsexy aspects of home ownership feel a little more manageable. Berk wants to be clear that his intentions are purehes interested in "democratizing design" and proving that you dont need unlimited, bountiful resources to live in a beautiful home. "The thing that excites me about design is the ability it has to really change peoples lives," Berk says. "It excites me for people in the real world to know that they can have beautifully designed homes and not break the bank to do so."

Tri Pointes offerings share a lot of aesthetic similarities with the makeovers Berk executes on Queer Eyeattainable enough to feel realistic but also a bit on the quiet sidethat is, they lack any discernible personality for now, and are somewhat of a blank-enough slate upon which a happy family can imprint their hopes and dreamsjust one where some of the more fiddly design decisions are taken care of for you. The 10 styles range from things like Luxe Bohemian to Transitional Farmhouse, and you can opt to get the whole package, including finishes and furniture. "My team and I just did a lot of research of whats kind of hot and hip right now," Berk says. "I first started with the things that I love and I also, I wanted to choose looks that didnt look too dated."

A suburban tract home of the sort that Tri Pointe builds and sells serves as a vessel for varied and different versions of the American dreama brand new home built by a builder company in a planned community is a blank canvas in the truest sense of the word. But so often, these sorts of homes are architecturally uninteresting and mind-numbing in their sameness, from the gray LVP flooring to the matte black fixturesfeatures that I imagine are inoffensive enough to keep and are too much hassle to replace.

Even if the Berk x Tri Pointe Homes designs are a little quiet, they are at the very least, intentional. Taking the plunge into home ownership is a terrifying prospect, financially and otherwise, and the amount of decisions that need to be made can feel overwhelmingthinking about what tile you want for the backsplash in the kitchen while also juggling the concept of a mortgage is a recipe for a specific kind of cognitive dissonance. So for a celebrity of Berks stature to throw his weight behind a massive undertaking like this feels like a bit of kindness. But Berk assures me that Tri Pointes mission is to make the cookie-cutter feel custom. "Its not like everyone elses house on the block," he says, "which is why we went so hard to do 10 different collections, because we want people to be able to have different things, not just the faucets, and the countertops, and the tile and the flooring."

While initially befuddling, this is a choice that ultimately makes sense. The next logical step in a career similar to Berks is also the most expected. Id gladly read a juicy tell-all about his time in the trenches of the design world and the Fab Five, and if Berk were to sell linen sheets at Target alongside Chip and Joanna Gainess Hearth and Hand collection and Nate Berkuss eponymous bedding, Id probably buy a throw pillow or two and think nothing more of it. But this decision is the one that allows Berk to do what he excels atallowing regular people to see the possibilities for pleasure and happiness via the power of intentional design.

Top photo by Viby Creative for Tri Pointe Homes

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Byte-Sized AI is a bi-weekly column that covers all things artificial intelligencefrom startup funding, to newly inked partnerships, to just-launched, AI-powered capabilities from major retailers, software providers and supply chain players.

Staples uses inventory-picking robots to bolster next-day delivery

Staples announced a multi-ear partnership with RightHand Robotics to help with picking for e-commerce, per an announcement from RightHand.

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The office supply retailer will be using the robotics companys RightPick system, an autonomous robot that handles picking in warehouses. Throughout its collaboration with Staples, RightHand has developed new features that allow its robots to double the range of items that a RightPick station can handle while reducing the number of required interventions by 80 percent, per the company.

Brian Owen, CEO of RightHand Robotics, said the partnership between the two Massachusetts-based companies exhibits the efficiency robots can bring to a sometimes mundane process.

Our RightPick system sets a new standard in the flexibility, autonomy, and reliability of warehouse robotics. Were thrilled that Staples recognized the benefits of using our technology to further enhance their automation strategy. Its great to team up with an established industry leader to optimize their fulfillment operations.

The robots have been tested for both safety and performance. According to Amit Kalra, Staples chief supply chain officer, noted that the technology offers strong accuracy and efficiency benefits.

We have always valued automation, and we see it as the future of e-commerce picking, Kalra said in a statement. After evaluating other solutions, the RightPick system met our high performance and reliability standards, picking items with different shapes, packaging, sizes, and weight.

Photo courtesy of RightHand Robotics.

Danish startup raises funds for better inventory planning

Another startup has joined the ranks of a number of companies working to prevent waste preemptively.

Hakio announced Thursday it had raised $4.3 million in seed funding, aimed at reducing waste in fashion. People Ventures and Dreamcraft Ventures co-led the funding round, supported by the startups existing investors, Blazar Capital and Founderment.

The startup uses AI to increase companies accuracy in forecasting, with the end goal of matching production to actual projected demand, rather than overproducing garments that could otherwise end up in a landfill. It does so via an analysis of about 150 variables, like macroeconomic trends, marketing insights and consumer behavior patterns.

According to Malte Vittrup, the solution will help brands and retailers to eliminate harmful partialities, ensuring more accurate ordering for future seasons.

By removing bias when creating a baseline forecast and subsequently including expert knowledge in a sleek and user-friendly platform, fashion brands can increase planning accuracy and reduce operational costs and working capital. This means companies can free up funds to use elsewhere, Vittrup said.

The startup will use its newly raised funds to increase its headcount and expand further into the European market, per a release. In the United States, similar solutions have recently received funding.

In 2023, Impact Analytics raised $40 million for its AI solutions, which include forecasting, and inventory optimization platform Syrup Tech saw a $17.5 million cash infusion.

Hakios co-founders, Malte Vittrup and Simon Kristensen. Photo courtesy of Hakio.

Inspectorio aggregates tools into supply chain management platform

Supply chain SaaS provider Inspectorio announced Wednesday it would release the Inspectorio Supply Chain Management Platform, which combines the companys standalone tools into one end-to-end supply chain suite, powered by AI.

The capabilities under the new platform include quality management, sustainability and compliance, production management, supply chain mapping and more. The platform can use the data pinpointed through these functions to provide analysis and recommendations to take down risk before it affects the supply chain.

Its Predictive AI and Prescriptive AI functions connect data to any potential risks while also sharing best practices to streamline operations and production.

Carlos Moncayo, Inspectorios co-founder and CEO, said the platform will help provide cost savings and insights at all stages of the supply chain.

Traditionally, supply chain participants are siloed, which makes it difficult to see whats really happening and leads to duplicated efforts, inaccurate reporting, and inefficient supply chain processes, said Moncayo. With the Inspectorio Supply Chain Management Platform, we deliver instant access to insights about supply chain performance, using AI to evaluate multiple factors simultaneously. Because we operate directly within the supply chain as well, this end-to-end visibility, coupled with artificial intelligence, unlocks new potential for optimization, cost savings, quality improvement, and risk mitigation.

Sony Semiconductor spinout grabs $20 million for supply chain intelligence

Sensos, an Israeli startup that spun out of Sony Semiconductors, announced this month it had raised $20 million in Series A funding, led by Magenta Venture Partners. Other participating investors included JAL Ventures, Israel Cargo Logistics and Sumitomo Corporation.

Sony Semiconductors is a unit of major electronics player Sony. It works on image sensing and processing solutions, which have a variety of use cases. Sensos has leveraged the technology to solve for fragmented, siloed logistics tracking and operations.

According to the startup, its technology uses a cellular label to track a product from OEM to distribution center. It does so via an AI-powered control tower, which allows logistics employees to look into their data in real time.

One of its early clients is German logistics giant DB Schenker, but the startup noted that its technology can be applied to a number of industries.

Aviv Castro, Sensos CEO, said the technology will help break down silos, facilitating stronger information sharing and more efficient logistics processes.

This investment from leading players in the industry is a clear vote of confidence in the team and in the solution, solving the lack of actionable data and the need for optimized execution in todays logistics market, Castro said in a statement. By using the Sensos solution, companies can optimize production planning, inventory levels, and shipping efficiency and at the same time monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions meeting ESG regulations.

The Sensos team. Photo courtesy of Sensos.

My Size subsidiary unleashes new generative AI tools

SaaS company My Size, Inc. announced Thursday it had added new capabilities to its suite, which came out of its subsidiary Naiz Fit.

One of the two new functions is a search feature that would allow users to make practical searches, rather than for specific products. The capability mirrors what other technology players, like XGEN AI, Walmart and Amazon have begun to implement across the retail industry, enabling stronger product discovery.

According to the company, users can query a specialized agent, which would be trained on a companys proprietary data and assortment, to receive answers to inquiries like What should I wear to a party? or What would look good with my jeans?

In addition to the new search function, Naiz Fit unveiled a new virtual try-on tool that allows consumers to mix and match products to understand how they will fitand whether they complement each other when worn together.

Ronen Luzon, founder and CEO of My Size, said the advancements represent a valuable way to connect with clients as they consider how to leverage technology to meet their consumers where they are.

At My Size, we are committed to driving innovation and redefining the retail experience through technology, Luzon said in a statement. The integration of generative AI into Naiz Fits offerings represents a significant milestone in our journey, offering unprecedented personalization and engagement to both brands and consumers. This is just the beginning of how we envision the future of fashion tech.
Updated Feb. 23 4:44 p.m.

PARIS  Claude Montana, the French designer who defined power-woman dressing in the 1980s, has died in Paris at the age of 76.

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Fellow designers, executives, models and former colleagues remembered him as much for his masterly cuts and fetishistic approach to curves as for the personal demons that snuffed out his career at the height of his powers.

Though he was mainly known for the exaggerated silhouettes that earned him the nickname King of the Shoulder Pad, Montana was celebrated for his razor-sharp tailoring and skill with leather, as well as his exquisite use of color  from chic navy and black to brilliant hues of fuchsia, emerald and his signature cobalt blue.

In his heyday, together with Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier, he represented the provocative avant-garde of Paris fashion. Montana also designed Lanvin couture between 1990 and 1992.

Models at the Claude Montana spring 1984 ready-to-wear show.

Gaultier paid tribute to his talent. Claude Montana was a fabulous designer who staged fabulous and extraordinary shows. He was peerless in his use of leather, which was the star material of his collections, he said.

Milliner Stephen Jones remembered him as a genius and a perfectionist.

I worked with him for 17 years, on womens, mens, licenses and Lanvin, and he was just extraordinary. He was a great friend and teacher. His discipline in cutting was unlike anyone elses  he would cut and recut and make sure the clothes were perfect, said Jones, who remembers seeing Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington wait until 4 a.m. for fittings with Montana. They waited because they knew the clothes would fit more perfectly than in any other show, he said.

[Montana] pushed me to be more creative, and was a very stern disciplinarian. He would say, Take it apart, start again, you can do it, said Jones. He had an eye for silhouette, detail, coloring and jewelry, and he was very much about incredibly glamorous  yet discreet  tailoring. He understood the drama of the silhouette. Like Thierry Mugler and Azzedine Alaia, he looked at curves, not lines, and he was all about sculpture. And Yves Saint Laurent once said he thought Claude was the one person who could take over from him when he stopped working.

Jones added that Montana remains an influence. Often, when I look at the line of the brim of a hat, I say to myself: What would Claude think?

Montana gradually faded from the scene after the house was sold twice in two years, following a turbulent period that saw it file for protection from creditors in 1997. The couturier withdrew from the public eye after staging his last Paris catwalk show in 2002, and in recent years lived as a recluse.

The Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode confirmed his death, which was initially reported by French news agency AFP. He is survived by a brother but his sister Jacqueline, who had been by his side from the start, passed away last year.

The work of Claude Montana embodied exceptional craftsmanship. His daring creations influenced a whole generation of designers. His distinctive style, blending sophistication and modernity, remains firmly rooted in the imagination of contemporary fashion, testifying to his indelible impact on the industry and on generations to come, said Bruno Pavlovsky, president of the French fashion federation.

A visionary, Claude Montana constantly pushed the boundaries of fashion, reaching beyond his time to redefine standards of style and design. He challenged expectations and opened up new paths for creative expression, added Pascal Morand, the organizations executive president.

Montana has had an enormous impact on all designers who want to create a tough chic look. He did that practically better than anyone, said Valerie Steele, director of The Museum at FIT.

There were similarities with Mugler, but Muglers work was campier and more playful. Montanas was more fierce and hard chic. Designers are always into that, but certainly it comes back as a trend periodically, she added.

Montanas broad-shouldered jackets and sexy leather jackets and trousers for men and women played into the corporate power dressing that women embraced in the 80s, Steele said. But his version was always much more eroticized, she opined.

Cut, textures and color, is how the designer summed up his contribution to the style annals in an interview with WWD in 2010. Fashion is in constant evolution, and what remains unchanged are the things I love profoundly: black and white, gray, navy, the basic colors  the real colors which you can then play with and build on by adding others.

Montana  who was renowned for living life in the fast lane throughout the 80s and early 90s  said he lost his motivation over time, but offered little explanation as to why his business faltered. We did a lot of volume in my day. But you know, I think one does not really think about all these problems. I think instinct is very important in this profession, he offered.

Jacqueline Montana blamed his sensitive nature. A designer is someone fragile who needs support, and I think perhaps he did not receive as much support as he needed, she noted at the time.

Born in Paris to a German mother and a Catalan father, Montana moved to London in the early 70s and began producing papier-mache jewelry that soon caught the eye of British Vogue. After returning to Paris, he designed for MacDouglas Leathers before founding his own label in 1979.

At first, Montanas aggressive silhouettes shocked American critics and buyers. He was accused of being misogynistic and promoting a neo-Nazi aesthetic, though his leather-and-studs looks owed more to the gay subculture than to any political movement.

By the mid-80s, Montanas catwalk shows  with their haughty, Amazonian models styled to perfection  had become the hottest ticket in town.

There were a lot of looks that were lifted from mens wardrobes, he recalled. Montana also had a fondness for uniforms, riffing on the outfits worn by aviators, marines, factory workers and even the members of the illustrious French Academy.

Claude Montana spring 1986 ready-to-wear.

Model Pat Cleveland, who worked with him from the start, described it as agony and ecstasy.

He took a look at the darkness and was deeper than nightime. He made those Gothic, romantic costumes that were sort of devilish and forbidden. It was sort of Edgar Allan Poe, she said. It was wonderful to be with Montana. He was always pushing my body into shapes. He was extraordinary in how he wanted the body to be seen.

Recalling how Montana and Mugler were like parallel universes, Cleveland said Montana once asked her: Who do you like the most  me or Thierry? There were so few models that were presenting in that way at that time. The designers were using certain girls to tell a story.

For the 1988 Bicentennial Wool Collection fashion show at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Montana had instructed Cleveland how to walk a certain way, despite wearing a leather outfit that was so skintight that it was like a second skin. It was black, dark, Gothic and totally binding at the kneecaps.

She recalled that Prince Charles and Princess Diana were the guests of honor at the event. I did my very best to have that particular kind of walk for him. I remember that Prince Charles jumped up and started applauding, when I came out on the runway in that Montana dress, she said.

By then, the designers burgeoning fashion empire included womens and mens ready-to-wear; licenses such as scarves, ties and eyewear, and a bestselling perfume, Montana Pour Femme.

Despite his growing success, the designer was media-shy, cultivating a reputation as a tortured perfectionist. But he was eyeing the pinnacle of his profession: haute couture.

When you are a fashion designer, you dream of one thing only, and that is couture. If you get a chance to do it, it is amazing, he said.

Montana recounted that in the late 80s, he was approached by Christian Dior and Givenchy to take over as creative director. But a firm offer came in 1989 from the ailing house of Lanvin, which allowed Montana to take control of its couture division without taking responsibility for rtw. Though the contract ended after just five seasons, Montana drew praise from critics, winning two consecutive Golden Thimble awards  an industry first.

His aesthetic was personified by his muse, the androgynous American model Wallis Franken, who would go on to become Montanas wife in 1993 in a marriage of convenience that ended tragically with her death in 1996. Franken fell from a window of their apartment, in what was ruled a suicide.

Many people in the industry indirectly blamed Montana for her death, saying he contributed to her depressive state by being physically and emotionally abusive. He never spoke about it, and Franken was not featured prominently in a book about the designer published in 2010.

Carla Sozzani, founder of 10 Corso Como and Fondazione Sozzani, was a friend of the couple.

Claude Montana has marked the history of fashion as one of the most important and influential creators of our time, from craftmanship to image he had all the possible talents. Personally we were linked by my dearest friend Wallis and our common birthdays. They will be forever in my heart, she said.

Many considered that he had squandered his gifts. Speaking in 2004, Yves Saint Laurent said Montana was the only designer alive at the time with talent and force, but noted his struggles with substance abuse.

He was the only one who had the breadth. Much more scope than even Galliano. More modern. More contemporary. But he burned his brain with narcotics and he is incapable of doing anything today. But he had real talent. A talent that was modern, young, new, provocative, he told WWD.

He was the greatest of them all, agreed consultant and former Gaultier executive Donald Potard, who became acquainted with Montana in the 80s. He worked like no one else, particularly with leather.

Sadly, Montana had an insane amount of talent but a deplorable way of life, pushing away friends and close associates with his mercurial character, Potard continued. He could have ruled the world but in the end he was alone and in dire financial straits.

Its a huge waste, former business and creative partner Beatrice Paul told WWD, adding that she didnt like the later Claude but loved [him] very much.

They began working together after meeting as young people in the mid-70s, with Paul helping Montana show his very first designs to press and later teaming up to launch his eponymous brand, starting with Ferrer y Santis as a licensee.

But this beautiful adventure soured when Montanas struggles with substance abuse brought their relationship to a head.

We did extraordinary work together but he decided to break everything, she said of her 1994 exit from the company after a two-decade partnership.

Claude Montana photographed in the Lanvin archives before the spring 1991 couture shows.

Recalling the backstage scene at Montanas runways shows in the 70s and 80s, photographer Paul Van Riel said: His shows were fun to photograph because he was one of the leading designers. He was one of the big names with Thierry Mugler. His shows were different from Dior or Yves Saint Laurent. It was younger, modern, now and today.

Matthew Yokobosky, senior curator of fashion and material culture at the Brooklyn Museum, credited Montana, along with Gaultier and Mugler, for being among the revolutionary French designers that really defined the look and broad-shouldered silhouette of the late 70 and early 80s.

While researching the Brooklyn Museums exhibition Studio 54: Night Magic, Yokobosky said the late photographer Roxanne Lowit told him about shooting her first fashion show in New York: Montanas display at Studio 54 in September 1979.

It featured Cleveland and other models, and many of the in people of the time turned up, including Stephen Burrows, Victor Hugo, Grace Jones, Larry and Valerie LeGaspi, Andre Leon Talley and Egon von Furstenberg.

Describing the film of Montanas Studio 54 show, which was featured in the exhibition, Yokobosky said: He created such beautiful lines, and was a true master of materials, including leather.

The designers leather dresses appealed to many, including the heiress Doris Duke. Referencing an Interview magazine review of Montanas second collection, which was heavy on leather looks, he said the shows soundtrack had been the sound of barking dogs. Yokobosky also praised Montanas work at Lanvin, which really deserves an exhibition  one day I hope!

Although his creations for Lanvin in the early 90s were glamorous and gorgeous in pearlescent colors, women couldnt really get into them, because many were trousers and jackets. They were seen as too androgynous, according to Steele.

A model walks in the Claude Montana Fall 1976 Ready to Wear Runway Show on April 4, 1976, in Paris, France.

Designer Claude Montana poses for portraits at home in Paris, France, on March 9, 1978.

A model walks in the Claude Montana Fall 1979 Ready to Wear Runway Show, in Paris, France.

View Gallery

The Museum at FIT does not have enough pieces from Montana for an exhibition. Steele wishes that she did. Noting that his Lanvin designs are extremely difficult to find, she said: He is definitely a designer whose work I would like to acquire more of.

Montana briefly reappeared in the public eye in 2013, when he designed three looks for Eric Tibuschs fall collection. It was difficult to plunge back into this whole story, he said. I absolutely wanted to come back, but it perhaps did not happen in the ideal conditions that we could have imagined.

Perhaps surprisingly for a designer of his stature, Montana has never been the subject of a museum retrospective, but he refused to dwell on the reasons why.

Listen, thats the way it happened. You must not ask yourself too many questions, he says. I am nostalgic for a period, for the powerful moments I lived. But bitter  no.

A model walks in the Claude Montana fall 1979 ready-to-wear runway show, in Paris.

 With contributions from Samantha Conti, Luisa Zargani, Lily Templeton and Rosemary Feitelberg

Launch Gallery: Claude Montana Dead at 76: Photos Through the Years

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In a surprising turn of events, Guinness World Records (GWR) has officially withdrawn the title of the worlds oldest dog from a Portuguese Mastiff named Bobi. This decision comes after an extensive review initiated in January raised significant doubts about the accuracy of the claims surrounding Bobis age. Previously celebrated as the oldest canine ever at 31 years and five months, Bobis record has been overshadowed by controversies and expert skepticism, prompting GWR to strip him of his title.

Investigation leads Guinness World Records to retract Worlds Oldest Dog title from Bobi, Portuguese Mastiff

GWRs decision to investigate came after Bobis death in October last year, months after the Portuguese Mastiff was declared the worlds oldest living dog and oldest dog ever. Bluey, an Australian Cattle dog who passed away aged 29 years and five months in 1939, previously held this title. Various factors influenced the review process, including challenges from veterinary professionals who questioned the biological feasibility of a dog living to such an advanced age.

Critics were quick to note inconsistencies in photographic evidence from 1999, showing discrepancies in Bobis paw color compared to images of the dog who died. Furthermore, the registration of Bobis age in Portugals national pet database was based solely on owner certification, as pet chipping only began in 2008. While genetic tests confirmed Bobis senior status, they fell short of accurately verifying his claimed age  per The Guardian.

A notable investigation by Wired magazine also played a crucial role in challenging the record. Wireds investigation into Portugals pet database found no definitive evidence to back the owners claim that Bobi was born in 1992. The owner, Leonel Costa, did not provide responses to the queries raised by the publication.

In the wake of these findings, Mark McKinley of GWR, who was instrumental in reviewing Bobis record, emphasized the importance of maintaining the accuracy and integrity of GWR titles. He further noted, Following concerns raised by vets and other experts, both privately as well as within public commentary, and the findings of investigations conducted by some media outlets, we felt it important to open a review into Bobis record.

The post Guinness Strips Late Portuguese Mastiff of Worlds Oldest Dog Record appeared first on DogTime.
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Traveler editor Lale Arikoglu was flying through the night from New York to Istanbul the summer of 2017 when a group of flight attendants rushed down the aisle and stopped next to a woman two rows behind her. The passenger had been unresponsive when her seatmate tried to wake her so he could use the bathroom. The crew called for a doctor, and the pilot got on the PA system to let passengers know they would be making an emergency landing in Zurich.

We all sat in silence, listening to the flight attendants yell at each other in Turkish as they tried to resuscitate the woman while we descended, says Arikoglu. On arrival, the plane sat on the tarmac; you could see the flashing lights of the police and ambulance waiting outside, she says. The emergency officials boarded the plane and carried the woman down the aisle past bleary-eyed passengers. The Swiss police, struggling to find the woman's bagshe was traveling aloneasked passengers to claim their own as the police used process of elimination to recover it. The remaining passengers stayed on the plane; an hour went by, maybe two. Without further explanation, the pilot said they were clear to leave and the plane continued on its journey to Istanbul. Even years later, I think about that woman a lot, says Arikoglu. We never found out what happened. She was only around 30.

It's not surprising that in-flight deaths regularly grab the headlines. In February, a 63-year-old passenger died on a Lufthansa flight from Bangkok to Munich following a medical emergency on the plane. A little over a month prior, a passenger was reportedly found dead in the plane bathroom during a Jet2 flight from the Canary Islands to England. And in September 2023, an 83-year-old passenger died after experiencing medical symptoms during a long-haul flight from India to Canada. The plane was not diverted, according to CBC News, and the family is pursuing legal action against Air Canada.

How often do mid-flight deaths occur?

Startling news stories like these can understandably leave travelers wondering, what happens if someone dies on a plane? But despite the widespread media coverage of in-flight deaths, death onboard a commercial aircraft is actually quite rare, says Dr. Arnold Seid, medical director of Global Rescue, which focuses on medical emergencies while traveling. The National Safety Councils 2021 report said major airlines experienced no onboard fatalities. A 2021 study published in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine found the global incidence of in-flight medical emergencies was 18.2 events per million passengers with a mortality rate was 0.21 per million passengers. A projected 4.7 billion passengers are expected to fly in 2024a number that would surpass pre-pandemic levelsso mathematically, it makes sense that travelers might be hearing more about these tragic incidents compared to past years.



It may not be as rare as a baby born in the sky, but in a tight space where nerves are already high, experiencing a death can leave its mark.

The intensity of the experience, in such constrained quarters, magnifies the effect for passengers and staff involved, Dr. Paulo Alves, MedAire's global medical director, had told Traveler in 2018. While it may not be as rare as a baby born in the sky, in a tight space where nerves are already high, experiencing a death can leave its markeven years on, as it did for Arikoglu. Airlines, for their part, plan as well as they can: Many carriers have traditionally carried stretchers on board, he says, though the chiller cabinet in the now-retired long-range Airbus A340-500 operated by Singapore Airlinesdubbed a "corpse cupboard" in media reportswas an outlier.

Alves said Arikoglus story was also atypical, and per his experience, most in-flight fatalities are not unexpected. When a terminally ill patient wishes to visit a country for the last timeusually to see familyairlines allow them onboard as a humanitarian gesture, even though the low oxygen environment of a pressurized cabin might cause distress. If you dont accommodate the passenger, they wouldnt have their very last wish, he told Traveler at the time, So airlines might enter into some accord with the family, agreeing in advance that the flight will not divert. Sometimes the person carries a formal DNR certificate, too.

What Happens When a Baby Is Born on a Plane?

The unique reality of beingand havinga skyborn at 39,000 feet.

How airlines tackle in-flight medical emergencies

Procedures in the event of a life-threatening medical emergency or death vary by airline. While there are no formal rules enforced by industry bodies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), IATA has published guidelines it recommends all crew follow when dealing with an in-flight death. Attempted resuscitation is recommendedthere are Automated External Defibrillators available on most planes.

According to IATAs guidelines, cabin crew should perform CPR until one of the following conditions is met: breathing and circulation resumes, it becomes unsafe to continue (for example, due to severe turbulence or difficulty landing), all rescuers are too exhausted to continue, the aircraft has landed and care is transferred to emergency medical services, or if the person is presumed dead. If CPR has been continued for 30 minutes or longer with no signs of life within this period, and no shocks advised by an on board Automated External Defibrillator (AED), the person may be presumed dead and resuscitation ceased, the IATA guidelines say.

During a medical emergency, crew will always ask if there's a doctor on board. The request isnt solely about help with revival; only a physician can legally declare a patient dead (as opposed to presumed dead), so if the doctor does make this call, it falls to the pilot to decide next steps. If there isn't a doctor on board, airlines will connect with someone on the ground: MedAire operates a service called MedLink, for example, which acts as an on-call doctor for pilots in this scenario.

We have satellite communications with MedLink, whose doctors take primacy in the decision-making process, a Virgin Atlantic cockpit veteran, who asked to remain nameless as most commercial pilots aren't allowed to comment on the record, told Traveler in 2018. To assist them we have a piece of kit called Tempus, which is a diagnostic device. In essence, you can connect it to the casualty and it monitors a whole range of bodily functions: heartbeat/rhythm, blood pressure, temperature, glucose levels. It will then livestream these to MedLink. A spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic declined to comment when asked if these procedures remain current today.

Its an urban myth that deaths require an emergency diversion or landing, says Global Rescue's Dr. Seid. There is no mandate to alter the flight path in the event of a death in flight. The pilot must follow certain notification regulations, depending on the country and jurisdiction of the destination airport, as well as company protocol. Typically, the pilot won't specify that there's been a death, but rather a medical emergency; if pilots decide not to divert, the cabin crew will be tasked with handling the body in the interim.

According to the suggested IATA protocol, this may mean moving the deceased to a seat with few other passengers nearby. If the aircraft is full, the body may be returned to the passengers original seat or moved to another area that doesn't obstruct an aisle or exit. Crew are advised to take extra care when moving the person and be aware of the difficulty of the situation for companions and onlookers. If a body bag is not available, crew should cover the body with a blanket and close the persons eyes, IATA says.

In situations like this, the focus is always on dignity: The person might be moved to a crew rest area, or even to first class, where theres likely to be more space, in the form of a spare seat, where the body can be discreetly placed. IATA spokesperson Perry Flint says that tales of corpses left in their own seat, perhaps covered with a blanket with oxygen mask in place to suggest sleep, are commonplace; there is no data, however, to suggest it as widespread practice, nor would a body ever be hidden in the bathroomanother misconception.

As for costs and logistics involved with post-landing repatriation, it again falls to the individual airline. There are protocols for transport of bodies and if international borders are crossed. These are complex and may require specialist agencies to facilitate, rather than simply putting the body on board, says Flint. The cost may or may not be covered by travel or medical insurance policies.

MedAires Alves, though, provided some context to it all. At this very moment, probably around one million people are flying across the worldits like a virtual city suspended in the air. So over a period of 12 hours, people will be born, and people will die.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date in 2018.

Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler
Why choose between fried chicken and pizza when you can have both? That's the exact concept behind KFC's Chizza, a genius hybrid that pairs a fried chicken base with pizza toppings.

Although the Chizza has previously made the rounds around the world, popping up in South Korea, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Germany, Spain, and Mexico, it will finally arrive in the U.S. on February 26 for a limited time.

Of the countries mentioned, some have their own variations on the Chizza, but for those in the U.S., the new menu item will feature two fried chicken filets topped with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni.

KFC

With the Chizza arriving in a matter of days, KFC didn't hesitate in expressing their excitement over bringing a "fan-favorite" to the States this month.

"Fried chicken and pizza collaborated to create something even better  the Chizza," said Nick Chavez, CMO KFC U.S, in a statement. "The fan-favorite mashup is finally available in the U.S. after making its way around the world  try it while you can!"

Overall, the Chizza has received favorable reviews. One TikToker raved that it was "the things dreams are made of," while another added that the menu item "was so flavorful, crispy, and cheesy."

For those eager to get their hands on the melty hybrid, you can preview the new menu item for free at a "Chizzeria" pop-up in New York City, at 242 East 14th Street. The sneak peek will take place from Friday, February 23 - Saturday, February 24, 1 - 9 p.m. ET.

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At the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Mexico, is El Castillo, the Temple of Kukulkan. Matteo Colombo / Getty Images

In Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, amidst the vast forests and archaeological sites, lies the awe-inspiring city of Chichen Itza. This ancient Maya metropolis is renowned for its architecture, intricate mythology and reverence for Kukulkan, the feathered serpent god.

A "vision serpent" in Maya culture, Kukulkan represented an important connection between the physical world and the spiritual world, and played a part in many of the people's social and religious traditions.

The Mythological Significance of Kukulkan

The god Kukulkan is an important figure in Maya history, dating back to pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica's classic period (250 to 900 C.E.). The Yucatec Maya attributed their living habits and agricultural practices to the benevolence of this god, among other deities.

However, Kukulkan, also known as Quetzalcoatl among the Aztecs, was more than just a deity worshipped by the Maya peoples; he was a creator god, symbolizing the interconnectedness of life, the underworld and the sky.

Maya mythology often depicts Kukulkan as a feathered serpent because snakes were symbols of life above and below the earth, while winged creatures were symbols of the sky.

Connection to the Aztec Quetzalcoatl

The name of the Maya deity reflects this duality. In Yucatec Maya, "kukul" means feathered and "kan" means snake. The god's Aztec name, Quetzalcoatl, follows a similar logic. In Nahuatl, which is the Aztec language, "quetzal" is a plumed bird, and "coatl" is a serpent.

Kukulkan's Origin Story

In one Maya story, Kukulkan was both a boy and a snake. As the young boy grew, his sister, who loved him, kept him in a cave and fed him.

When the boy outgrew the cave, he was forced to leave, causing the earth to shake. According to the story, Kukulkan continues to cause earthquakes each summer to let his sister know he is still alive.

Chichen Itza: El Castillo Temple and Kukulkan

A very famous example of Kukulkan exists at El Castillo, a temple at the pre-Columbian city of Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Maya empire once encompassed what's now Central Mexico, Guatemala and parts of El Salvador and Honduras. With a population that may have been 10 to 15 million people strong, the Maya people required large cities where people could form communities and worship together.

One such city was Chichen Itza, the most important Maya hub in the northern region.

Although it was once home to 35,000 Maya, the city is now an archaeological site in the Tinum Municipality in Yucatan, Mexico. At its heart stands El Castillo, an iconic pyramid temple dedicated to the feathered serpent Kukulkan.

Also known as the Temple of Kukulkan, the imposing structure features stone serpent head carvings along its northern stairway, symbolizing the deity's presence and power. With four sides, each one featuring 91 steps, and a single step up to the top platform, the famed temple has a total of 365 steps. This is equal to the number of days in a single solar year.

Beyond its religious significance, Chichen Itza was a center of learning and cultural exchange during the Maya civilization's classic period. The architecture and symbolism within its temples, including at El Castillo, reflect the Maya's deep understanding of astronomy, mathematics and mythology.

The Return of Kukulkan

For the ancient Maya, celebrating Kukulkan was essential for maintaining balance in the world. They honored the god throughout the year, but there were also special times of celebration.

For example, every year during the month of Xul in the Maya calendar, the people held a festival that involved fasting for five days. This was meant to prepare them for the arrival of the winged serpent god, who would descend upon them from his temple at the festival's conclusion.

During the spring and autumn equinoxes, the shadow cast by the pyramid creates a mesmerizing illusion of a massive serpent descending the steps of the temple. Scholars debate whether or not the Maya created this effect intentionally, but evidence suggests it was deliberate.

Either way, the phenomenon is an architectural marvel that captivates visitors to the archaeological site.

According to Maya beliefs, each time the shadow creates the body of the plumed serpent, this is Kukulkan returning to earth so he can bless his people and bathe in the nearby waters before swimming the rest of the way down into the underworld.

Legacy of Kukulkan and Chichen Itza

The arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century marked a dark chapter in the history of Chichen Itza and the Maya people. The Spanish conquest brought an end to the civilization's autonomy, as well as the suppression of indigenous religious practices.

The once-thriving city, with its temples dedicated to Kukulkan and other gods, fell into ruin, its secrets buried beneath the shadow of colonization.

Today, the archaeological site stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Kukulkan and the Maya civilization. Despite centuries of neglect and destruction, the site continues to inspire awe and wonder, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually from all around the world to marvel at its temples and the feathered snake of El Castillo.

This article was created in conjunction with AI technology, then was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

Original article: Kukulkan: The Feathered Serpent of Maya Mythology

Copyright  2024 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company
Some employers can be totally heinous when it comes to rejecting people from working for their company. From ghosting to poor and horrible excuses, I'm sure anyone who has applied for a job can think of at least one...memorable experience.

Studio4 / Getty Images

A while back, I shared some outrageous job rejection stories that inspired even more people to share their experiences, which inspired even more people to tell their story. Here's what they had to say:

1."I applied for a safety officer job and was rejected because, although I had plenty of experience, I didnt have the necessary qualifications, so I went and got the 'necessary qualifications,' and the next time I applied, I was also rejected, but this time because I lacked experience."

philipnicholls Liubomyr Vorona / Getty Images

2."In my field, I have a thousand of these stories. My favorite is when a candidate was declined because they brought their resume in a Jonas Brothers folder."

twoh7

3."My husband got hired as a plant manager for a company that liked that he had a background in safety because they didnt have anyone in a safety position...and it showed. The only thing they had that was right was that all the exit signs were lit."

"Everything else was a violation (and they worked with hazardous materials), so my husband quickly told them that if they didnt fix these dangerous things, if a safety organization ever came, theyd be fined a ton and most likely shut down. They let my husband go the next day. I guess instead of fixing the issues, they wanted someone to just walk around and look pretty while they did what they wanted. I wonder to this day if a safety auditor ever showed up." ellave Mtstock Studio / Getty Images

4."I got rejected from an office job because I wasn't doodling in my sketchbook at the interview. They said, 'Your CV says that you enjoy drawing; why aren't you doing that right now?' (Not as in 'at this point in your life,' but 'right here in this interview room.')"

retrocrebbon

5."I was working as an apprentice mechanic for a mechanic shop that happened to be a franchise. After three weeks of doing my own work, unsupervised, the corporate office workers showed up to 'check in' because they found out that I was a woman."

"They decided to go through these ridiculous, demeaning 'tests' to see if I could 'handle' the job. I did all of them with ease, and then, for the very last one, they did up the wheel nuts with the rattle gun, then told me that I needed to be able to undo them by hand without a breaker bar; otherwise, Im not strong enough for the job. Obviously, I couldnt do that, because even a massive man wouldnt be able to do that. I was fired on the spot." jadiebair Professionalstudioimages / Getty Images

6."As a fresh grad then, I applied to a lot of companies and had a hard time getting a job, even if I'd been on a ton of interviews. Most of them wouldnt hire me because I had no experience. How will you get experience when no one will hire you? Fast-forward a few months, and my mom referred me to a friend who worked in a bank under loans. I was interviewed by the immediate boss and the VP of the team."

"Since they liked me, I proceeded to HR and had the entrance test as a formality, and after that, I had my medical exam. I waited for a month, canceling other interviews I had lined up because I seriously thought I had the job. When I asked my aunt why the company hadn't called me back yet, she found out they hired someone else because I studied at a private school and may be bored with the job. I found out later on that the person they hired, who happened to have the same name and who also studied in a private school, left after just three months."

fettuchiny

7."My previous manager didnt hire someone because she let it drop that she had a burnout years ago. I guess I dont have to tell you how she treats her employees and how many people get burned out while working for her. Its never her fault, though."

someoneeeee Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images

8."I was denied a sales job at Circuit City for being too short. Never mind that I came in as a 15-year expert on pretty much everything electronic and spent three years being the highest-commissioned salesperson at my former job."

"The manager literally said, 'Sorry, we don't hire any guys for sales unless they're six feet tall.' He even refused to give me a job as a janitor because he didn't think I could reach all the shelves. As it turns out, that was an open policy at quite a few of those stores. I'm glad they went bankrupt."

kelani_x

9."I was told by a fabric store in the late '90s that they wouldnt hire me because I was pregnant. I was asked during the interview, and I stupidly answered affirmatively (I was only six weeks along)."

cowboyskoolaidforever Fatcamera / Getty Images

10."I interviewed at two different banks, and they asked if I had anything that I would need time off for. I answered honestly and said that my dad had stage IV cancer at the time. I'm pretty sure thats why I didnt get either job, even though at that point I had four years of relevant teller/banking experience."

tiffc3

11."My first job ever was at a law firm, and I had no prior experience or knowledge, but they provided training. It was a temporary job but a great experience, so I decided to continue in the field of law and look for other legal assistant positions. I had no luck for a few months and decided to start studying to hopefully increase my chances."

"I applied for a job at firm A and quickly got an interview that I thought went pretty well. Two days later, I was rejected because I didnt have enough education or experience (despite the job asking for a high school diploma and no experience, sharing my prior knowledge during the interview, and not to mention I was studying at the time!). Needless to say, that crushed my self-esteem, and I felt pretty demotivated for a while. I then applied to firm B for the same position and the same type of law, and I got the job. Almost a year has passed since then, and firm A still routinely advertises the vacancy, so ." mhazel03 Maskot / Getty Images/Maskot

12."I applied to a bus boy/cashier job at a local music hall, where I'd be a bus boy first and cashier as needed, and that was fine. I was applying with at least 10 years of customer service experience as a cashier at a grocery store. They told me I didn't have enough experience, and when I said that I have 10 years of experience as a cashier, they said that it was the wrong kind of experience."

kcbrady92

13."Years ago, I applied to work in a clothes shop selling alternative clothing, punk, goth, and similar. I was offered the job on the condition that I take my nose ring out and wear tops that cover my tattoos. I walked out laughing."

lizm75 D-keine / Getty Images

14."I worked for a vet office where the manager would not hire or even bother to interview anyone who was overweight for any position ('we only have so much room') and would not hire anyone he deemed to be unattractive for receptionists ('we want to welcome clients with something pleasant when they walk in'). We lost out on hiring a lot of qualified people."

mcnuggetskitty

And finally, here's a totally unfair experience that anyone with an uncommon name can totally relate to:

15."I adopted an English feminine name and my mum's maiden name as my professional name because my 'foreign' name or the gender people assumed I was based on my name put some potential employers off. Some went through the motions after I arrived, with some making it clear they were disappointed that I wasn't a guy like they assumed I was based on my apparently 'masculine' name."

"Two employers admitted years later that they decided to reject me when they saw my name because they didn't want to deal with the hassle of pronouncing or spelling it right. Anyhow, I was advised to adopt a professional name, and it unfortunately worked, as I've gotten work fairly easily since. I regret doing that, though." prolix Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Have a totally ridiculous reason why you were rejected from a job? Let me know in the comments!
Angelina Jolie has two decades of parenthood experience (with six kids!) under her belt, but she began her motherhood journey just as bewildered as everyone else. The Lara Croft: Tomb Raider star adopted her first child Maddox, now 22, from Cambodia in 2002, and a resurfaced video from that time is making us laugh so hard.

Ellen DeGeneres shared a vintage video from an interview she did with Jolie on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Twenty years ago, Angelina Jolie stopped by my show for the first time! Angelina told me about life as a mom, the former talk show host captioned the video on Instagram.

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Toddler Years

Angelina Jolie during Hotel Rwanda Los Angeles Premiere  Red Carpet at Academy Theater in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Ray Mickshaw/WireImage)

In the video, the humanitarian opens about motherhood with Maddox. The first seven months  well, we do travel back to Cambodia a lot. But his first seven months was just straight Khmer language, Jolie said, adding that he had a few words that she just cant understand. Thats common for any parent, even if your child doesnt speak a different language! Toddler talk is confusing for everyone.

Another thing thats similar? Potty training! Hes pretty potty trained, Jolie said. Were celebrating the potty now. Were embracing the potty.

Youre embracing the potty? DeGeneres jokingly asked, making Jolie laugh. You should celebrate, but maybe not embrace.

He gets very excited now, so when I come home, and he comes in, he doesnt say, Mama. He says, Pee pee, poo poo. She continued, And then he comes and he shows me the potty and I do a potty dance. DeGeneres asked to see the potty dance, and Jolie responded, I kind of need him with me, its kind of a tango.

Later, the Maleficent actress shared that she is splitting her time in between England and Cambodia, where Jolie has the jungle house.

Talk about potty training, theres no bathroom where you are, right? DeGeneres asked at one point.

Well, were working on that, Jolie respondd.

But you dont have a bathroom in your house, DeGeneres continued. Im telling you, you dont. I read it.

Jolie explained with a laugh that she is trying to bring pipes and things into the house, but for now, they are just embracing nature. He loves going to  the one thing hes really good at, he loves to pee outside, Jolie said.

Angelina Jolie's kids gave her the sweetest sign of support!  https://t.co/7171hgRlaF  SheKnows (@SheKnows) October 21, 2023

Well, he sounds really well potty trained! DeGeneres quipped. Who doesnt love to be peeing outside? She also asked how Jolie discourages peeing outside, prompting Jolie to admit, I dont.

Because he lives, half the time hes going to live in the jungle, so if he understands that if he doesnt have a potty near him, and he finds a bush or a Jolie said in a fit of giggles. As long as its not a friends houseplant.

Oh, I see. You have a line! DeGeneres replied. Honestly, even if you dont live half the time in the jungle, teaching your kids to pee outside is not a bad thing! (As a mom of three boys, Ive definitely done this.)

All Grown Up

WASHINGTON, DC  APRIL 26: Actress Angelina Jolie and her son Maddox arrive for the White House state dinner for South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on April 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are hosting South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee for a State Dinner. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In addition to Maddox, the Atelier Jolie owner adopted Zahara, now 19, from an Ethiopian orphanage in 2005; gave birth to Shiloh, now 17, in 2006; adopted Pax, now 20; and gave birth to twins Knox and Vivienne, now 15, in 2008. She shares her six kids with estranged ex Brad Pitt.

Last April, she brought Maddox to the White House State Dinner that honored South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Jolie wore a white Chanel dress and jacket and Maddox looked all grown up in a black suit for the rare outing together.

Although she doesnt share much about Maddox, Jolie has opened up about her decision to adopt him and how she honors her adopted kids heritage.

Adoption

VENICE, ITALY  SEPTEMBER 10: Actress Angelina Jolie and her son Maddox attend the World Premiere of Shark Tale in San Marco Square, as part of the 61st Venice Film Festival on September 10, 2004 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

In a June 2020 interview with Vogue India, the Girl, Interrupted star explained how she came to adopt her eldest son. Cambodia was the country that made me aware of refugees. It made me engage in foreign affairs in a way I never had, and join UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]. Above all, it made me a mom. In 2001, I was in a school programme in Samlout playing blocks on the floor with a little kid and as clear as day I thought: My son is here.

A few months later I met baby Mad at an orphanage, she continued. I cant explain it and am not one to believe in messages or superstition. But it was just real and clear.

In the same interview, she shared how special her three adopted children are. With my adopted children, I cant speak of pregnancy, but I speak with much detail and love about the journey to find them and what it was like to look in their eyes for the first time, she explained. All adopted children come with a beautiful mystery of a world that is meeting yours. When they are from another race and foreign land, that mystery, that gift, is so full. For them, they must never lose touch with where they came from. They have roots that you do not. Honour them. Learn from them. Its the most amazing journey to share. They are not entering your world, you are entering each others worlds.

Angelina Jolie is a mom of six  and the way she dotes on her kids is adorable!



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The man accused of killing two people at a University of Colorado Colorado Springs dorm room last week made his first appearance in court on Friday, where an El Paso County judge denied a bond reduction request.

Nicholas Jordan, 25, is facing two charges of first-degree murder for allegedly shooting and killing Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, and Samuel Knopp, 24, of Parker, in the early morning hours of Feb. 16.

Jordan and Knopp were roommates and students at the UCCS, according to previous reporting from The Gazette.

Jordan appeared in custody from the El Paso County jail Friday morning on a $5 million bond, raised from his initial $1 million bond at his virtual advisement hearing on Tuesday afternoon.

Attorneys addressed bond for a second time on Friday, with Jordan's attorneys making the unusual request to have his bond lowered from $5 million to a personal recognizance bond.

Nick Rogers, Jordan's attorney, argued that his client has significant ties to the community, does not present a flight risk and, due to Jordan being unable to post any monetary bond, that a personal recognizance bond would be appropriate.

Prosecutor Robert Willett objected to any lowering of Jordan's bond, noting the victim's families "strongly objected" to the bond being lowered. Willett also noted that prosecutors recently discovered that in addition to a handgun, a loaded AK-47 rifle was found in Jordan's car when he was arrested Monday morning.

Judge David Shakes denied the reduction of Jordan's bond, but stated he would allow additional argument for bond reduction in the future. Rogers put the prosecution on notice that he would be requesting to review bond again at Jordan's preliminary hearing.

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The preliminary hearing was another point of contention at Friday's hearing. Initially, Rogers attempted to have the preliminary hearing set outside the 35-day window, stating that due to a cyberattack on the Public Defender's Office he would likely not be ready within 35 days.

When Shakes asked Jordan directly if he was willing to waive his right to have a preliminary hearing within 35 days of his arrest, Jordan instead asked if he could have the hearing as soon as possible.

"Next week? Tomorrow," Jordan asked Shakes. "Can it come up faster?"

Following Jordan's question to the court, the court took a 15-minute recess to allow Jordan to talk with his attorneys. Following the recess, Rogers requested to have the preliminary hearing set within 35 days, despite the issues at the Public Defender's Office.

Jordan's preliminary hearing is scheduled to take place on March 27.

Additionally, Shakes reviewed a request from the prosecution to have Jordan's arrest affidavit unsealed. Prosecutor Andrew Vaughan stated that the affidavit had originally been sealed before Jordan was taken into custody, but since his arrest Vaughn said the prosecution no longer felt it necessary to have the document sealed.

Rogers requested to keep the document sealed until the preliminary hearing date, citing his client's constitutional right to a fair trial.

Shakes opted to unseal the arrest affidavit, and also denied a defense request to limit pretrial publicity.

Jordan and the attorneys will appear in court before a hearing on March 15 for a status conference.
Shamima Begum has lost her latest bid to overturn the governments decision to strip her of British citizenship, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Ms Begum left the UK aged 15 with two other east London schoolgirls to travel to Syria in February 2015.

Last year, she lost a challenge against the decision at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC).

Shamima Begums lawyers said they would keep fighting after she lost a challenge over the removal of her British citizenship (PA) (PA Archive)

Here are the key developments to date:

August 1999: Shamima Begum is born in England to parents of Bangladeshi heritage.

February 2015: British counter-terrorism police launched an international hunt to find three London schoolgirls who were making their way to the so-called Islamic States (Isis) territory in Syria.

Ms Begum, 15, had slipped out of her house in east London, with friends, Kadiza Sultant, 16 and Amira Abase. They caught a flight to Istanbul, Turkey and travelled to the Syrian border from there.

In late February, the Metropolitan police confirm that Begum and her friends had reached Syria. Ten days after arriving in the country, Shamima Begum marries Yago Riedijk, a Dutch-born convert to Islam and a convicted terrorist.

October 2017: A US-backed alliance of Syrian fighters takes full control of Raqqa, ending three years of Isis rule in the city.

Amira Abase, Kadiza Sultana and Shamima Begum fled the UK in February 2015 (PA Media)

13 February 2019: The Times war correspondent Anthony Loyd finds Ms Begum, then 19-years-old, at the al-Hawl refugee camp in Northern Syria. A pregnant Ms Begum tells him that she wants to return to the UK to raise her child but that she did not regret her decision to join Isis. She says that she had had two other children who died of malnutrition.

She says she had been unfazed by seeing the head of a beheaded man as he was an enemy of Islam but believes that Isis did not deserve victory.

Three days later, Ms Begum gives birth to a baby boy.

19 February 2019: The UK government serves notice that it intends to strip Ms Begum of her British citizenship.

The then-Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, writes to Ms Begums parents to inform them of his order to strip her citizenship. He believes that, because her parents are of Bangladeshi heritage, she can apply for citizenship of that country.

The law allows the government to remove citizenship if they can show the person behaved in a manner which is seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the UK and when there is reasonable grounds for believing that the person is able, under the law of a country or territory outside the UK, to become a national of such a country or territory.

24 February 2019: Ms Begums father, Ahmed Ali, speaks to The Mail on Sunday and says that he doesnt have a problem with his daughters British citizenship being removed.

Speaking from his home in Bangladesh, he said: If she at least admitted she made a mistake then I would feel sorry for her and other people would feel sorry for her, but she does not accept her wrong.

Ms Begum caught on CCTV at Gatwick Airport (PA Media)

16 July 2020: The Court of Appeal rules that Ms Begum should be permitted to return to the UK in order to fairly contest the British governments decision to revoke her citizenship. This ruling was appealed and sent to the Supreme Court.

26 February 2021: On February 26, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously against bringing Ms Begum back, thus reversing the previous decision.

15 September 2021: Ms Begum asks the British people for forgiveness in an interview with ITV. The now-22-year-old says that Isiss killing of innocent people is unjustifiable.

She apologised for comments she had previously made to a BBC journalist about the Manchester Arena bombing. In 2019, she had claimed - when asked about the 2017 attack - that it was wrong to kill innocent people, but that Isis considered it justified as retaliation for coalition bombing of Isis-held areas.

She told ITV: I do not believe that one evil justifies another evil. I dont think that women and children should be killed for other peoples motives and for other peoples agendas.

November 2022

Before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), Ms Begums counsel said: Without seeking to investigate and determine, still less consider, whether she was a child victim of trafficking and whether there were failures by public authorities in the UK to prevent her being trafficked.

Ms Begum has asked the British people for forgiveness (ABC News)

January 2023

In the BBC podcast series, she said she understood public anger towards her but insisted she was not a bad person.

She said she accepted she was viewed as a danger, as a risk, but blamed her portrayal in the media.

February 22, 2023

Ms Begum lost her appeal in a SIAC court to overturn the governments decision to strip her of her British citizenship.

October 2023

Ms Begums appeal against the loss of her British citizenship began in the Court of Appeal.

Begums team of barristers claim she was a victim of Isis propaganda and was groomed into terrorism.

Samantha Knights KC told the court the government had failed to consider the legal duties owed to Ms Begum as a potential victim of trafficking or as a result of state failures in her case.

Ms Begum pictured in 2001 in Roj Camp, where she was interred with other women who were members of Islamic State (Getty Images)

February 2024

Three judges dismissed Ms Begums bid at the Court of Appeal.

Giving the ruling, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said: It could be argued the decision in Ms Begums case was harsh. It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune.

But it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view. Our only task is to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful.

We have concluded it was not and the appeal is dismissed.

Ms Begums legal team promised they would continue to fight until she is safely back home.
When it comes to stealing a weekend in Paris (as I did most recently after an overnight on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express), I confess that my taste runs straight to the medieval (Roman, actually). While each arrondissement offers architecture, culture, food, and shopping, both enduringly established and excitingly a la mode, when Im in Paris, I head for the ancient cobblestoned streets of her oldest districtthe Latin Quarter and her environs of the Left Banknumerically, the 5th, 6th, and 7th arrondissements.



What do I love about this part of Paris? First, its form.

While Napoleon IIIs radical redesign of Paris (by the hand of civil engineer Baron Haussmann) signaled a 19th-century modern city to the world with radial, grand boulevards, it wiped out much of Pariss twisting, warrenlike medieval infrastructure. But one area remained largely untouchedthe citys oldest district, one built originally by the Romans along the Seine (hence Latin Quarter). And for me, this is the urban scale I adore: I always feel a bit of vertigo on big, broad, and very straight avenues, no matter which city Im in. For me, the older, compressed cityscape born of historic necessity feels intimate and more to the human scale. And its perfect for wanderinga deep Parisian pleasure.

Its not as trendy to be in the Latin Quarter and environs, as say, in the Marais currently. But its pure Paris. Its deep Paris. Despite the tourists, its stubbornly enduring Paris. And when you spread your wings into the stunning and classic corners of the Left Bank in general, there seems nothing more classic and satisfying than a weekend here.

Yes, youre allowed to venture out (as I did on my last visit for an absorbing afternoon at the Fondation Louis Vitton and a perfect pastis across the river at the Provencal jewel box that is Chez Janou), but spend your days largely among the cobblestones and youll discoveror rediscoverdelights both traditional and surprisingly new. Heres the key to a perfect weekend in the Latin Quarter and the Left Bank.

Where to Stay on the Left Bank of Paris

LUDOVIC BALAY

If the French had a phrase for game-changer, theyd murmur it when appraising EQ Groups stunning reimagining of a circa-1950s Latin Quarter building just a five-minute walk from the Seine. With that location, Hotel Dame Des Artss 109 bedrooms and suites make it an ideal basecamp for jumping into all things Left Bank, and thats reason enough to stay.

But the lures behind its quiet glass facade slow my roll. First, more than a third of the rooms, sleekly and warmly imagined by Pariss own Raphael Navot, have private terraces and views of the enchanting rooftops of the district. Its easy to linger in ones bed, in other wordsnot a bad Parisian occupation when you think about it.

Jerome Galland

In the ground floor restaurant, Navots inviting banquettes and a palm-dotted inner courtyard slow ones roll even moreas do chef Othoniel Alvarez Castanedas Mexico-shows-France-a-thing-or-two menus. But Hotel Dame Des Arts's superpower is its rooftop, which commands a 360-degree view of Paris like a Wes Anderson stereoscope.

LUDOVIC BALAY

It takes the breath away, trulyand cocktails up there are the ideal companion to scouting landmarks from the Eiffel Tower and Sacre-Coeur Montmartre to Les Invalides and Notre Dame. As Ive said, its a bit hard to leave, but so fabulous to return to.

Where to Eat on Paris's Left Bank

William Zhao - Getty Images

Its tempting to pout about how popular everything in Paris seems to be in the travel-fever years since the pandemic. How its impossible to do what I used to in the citywhich is simply wander, get hungry, and settle into yet another marvelous meal from steak au poivre to the Latin Quarters trademark tagines, but now it is increasingly about making reservations, eating early, eating lunch, and just making a bit more of a plan. So be it. Its still eating in Paris. Here are my favorite spots of late to fill a weekend with flavors new and old.

Lets begin with something so Gallic, it cant be overlooked: oysters. For this, I head straight to Huiterie Regis, the tiny, white-walled palace to oysters and her companion fruits de mer: shrimp, clams, periwinkles, and a complement of wines finely tuned to the key of sea. The original Regis turned over the landmark to younger owners in 2021, and frankly, its even better now, with biodynamic wines and a youthful elan. I wait for the opening hour of lunch and get my choice of table.

While I always love the traditional spots that line boulevard Saint-Germain, Im increasingly lured to the neighborhoods smaller wine bars. My two latest favorites are the natural-wine-forward La Cremerie on rue du Quatre Vents just off the boulevard and in the 7th, Sauvage on rue Cherche-Midi (rumored to be Wes Andersons favorite). But when I yearn for a small, old-school bistro with classical trappings, its back to the Latin Quarter and straight to the red banquettes at cozy Allard, hidden away on rue Saint-Andre des Arts.

For croissants in the morning, I take advantage of the around-the-corner, Latin Quarter location of La Maison dIsabelle. Why? One glance at the blue awning shading the sidewalk along boulevard Saint-Germain will spell it out: a highly coveted honor as the best all-butter croissant in Paris in 2018. I trust the judges, and always tuck in for a visit.

In a city replete with sweets, my new favorite pilgrimage is to the 7th arrondissement location of Tapisserie, for its signature choux a la flouvecream puffs infused with a grassy essence that is pure botanical delight. While in the 7th, I always swing by Debauve & Gallais on rue des Saint-Peres at some point to pick up my favorite gift: the historic chocolatiers Pistoles de Marie-Antoinettedark chocolate coins created by Sulpice Debauve, the royal family chemist, to help the queen take her medicine.

I believe it all, and never leave without a box. In the Latin Quarter, its worth making a reservation to experience the elegance at Carl Marletti. My longtime favorite are the elegant, plump religieuses (little stacked cream puffs in rose, coffee, and chocolate varieties); ardent fans love to splurge Marlettis lunchbox platters (les plateau de Tailles Lunch) with a selection of nine or 20 pieces, because who can choose and you only live once.

Where to Shop on Paris's Left Bank

francois-roux - Getty Images

The embarrassment of shopping riches on the Left Bank can never be celebrated enough. Whether its crowding into the historic Magasin Sennelier (for Caran dAche pencils and blank books) across from the bouqinistes along the Seine or plying the traditional decorating giants like Pierre Freys showroom in the 6th, or merely following ones nose (and tips from friends) for surprising gems, the shopping world here is a world of hide and seek, hunt and gather. To the wanderer go the spoils.

In the 6th not far from Debauve & Gallais, its worth setting time aside to browse the midcentury vintage pieces (through to the 1980sso much fun) at LAtelier 55. From objets to furniture, and with a deep grasp of 20th-century French and Italian designers, this is essential shopping. In perfect contrast, I love browsing the sublimely understated canvas and leather satchels and travel cases in the soothingly minimalist L/UNIFORM at 1 quai Voltaire near the Pont des Arts.

Other recent favorites: In the 6th arrondissement, the opulently colorful necklaces and bangles at Marie-Helene de Taillac on rue de Tournon; superb porcelains for table and beyond (including showstopping 18th-century-script monogramming) at Alix D. Reynis on rue Jacob; gorgeously packaged and subtle cosmetics and scents at the historic apothecary Officine Universelle Buly on rue Bonaparte (more remarkable personalization with nibbed pens, here done on site as you watch, mesmerized); and Japanese ceramics and antiques in tiny 1to7 on rue des Grands Augustins.

In the 5th, I never miss the latest superbly curated ceramicsincluding highly collectible aptwareat Eric Goujous La Tuile a Loup; and in the 7th, the exquisite fans (as in ones you grasp, provocatively, or perhaps better displayed as objets) at the historic maker Duvelleroy on rue Amelie; and upscale kitsch (as only the French can pull off) amid historic taxidermy and museum of natural history vibes at Deyrolle on rue du Bac. (Dont expect to Instagram here, howeverno photos, and god bless the French for drawing the line.)

Cool Things to Do on Paris's Left Bank

Rrrainbow - Getty Images

Two final things, only in Paris and special to the Left Bank. Set aside one evening for a dose of pure Parisian intellectual homage with a show at Theatre de la Huchette, the tiny theater where avant-garde playwright Eugene Ionescos The Bald Soprano and The Lesson have been playing repertory for a record-breaking 67 years (shows run with subtitles on Wednesdays).

And after an afternoon spent meandering the Jardin des Plantes, head to the historic La Mosquee de Pariss famed little tea house, but dont stop for tea. Bustle past the patrons and push through what can only be described as a secret entry (a bit of a velvet curtain, actually), and emerge into the Hammam La Mosquee de Paris.

Youll absolutely get Istanbul vibes as you pay for scrubs and a towel and make your way among the steamy, tiled rooms of this historic venue. Students love it and old timers love it, so dont expect a Right Bank spa environment. But emerge, steamed and scrubbed and perhaps even massaged, into the magic of the Left Bank, to find your next delight. Or cocktails back on that dreamy rooftop.

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It seems like everyone in America is eating bags of Scandinavian gummies and licorice...and it's about time.

Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Sweden is one of the happiest countries in the world, according to the World Happiness Report, and I am convinced that its largely due to their custom of lordagsgodis, which translates to Saturday candy. Every weekend, children and adults alike spend part of their Saturdays cozy at home, eating through an assortment of their favorite candies. The ideas behind this tradition are moderation and celebration. Reserving candy consumption for one day a week means not giving in to your sweet tooth daily while also building up excitement and anticipation for Saturday, making the treats even more special.

When the Swedes are enjoying lordagsgodis, the candies they consume are not large bars of chocolate or king-size bags of Skittles. Instead, they prefer a fun mix of small chocolates, gummies, caramels, licorice, and flavorful foamy marshmallows. The candy is often purchased from local grocery stores that have walls lined with candy bins, selling loose candy by its weight, called pick and mix, where customers can select any of the candies. Read on for our favorite places to buy and order Scandinavian candy, and what you should be adding to your bag.

Where to buy Swedish candy

While we might not have the custom of Saturday candy in the States, there are many charming places to purchase a variety of Swedish sweets. You can check out these online retailers to start your own tradition.

Related: How to Make Candy Magic at Home

Kolsvart

This Swedish company makes elegant, minimalist bags of gummy and licorice fish in a range of natural flavors including black currant and elderflower. kolsvart.com

Sweetish

Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Sweetish sells and ships several varieties of candy along with other Nordic products such as cloudberry preserves and glogg concentrate. sweetishcandy.com

BonBon

With three physical locations in New York City, this Swedish candy shop ships both single and mixed varieties of candy in charming light-pink bags. bonbonnyc.com

Sockerbit

This candy store has a physical location in Los Angeles, where bins of assorted gummies, licorice, and marshmallows line the walls. They also ship sweets, including variety bags of pick and mix. sockerbit.com

10 Swedish candies to add to your mixed bag

Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

1. Cola Bottles

Known as Malaco colaflaskor, these cola-flavored gummy bottles have a pleasant chew.

2. Happy Flowers

Better than a bouquet, the happy flowers come in an assortment of colors and fruity flavors with marshmallowy petals and smiley faces at the center.

3. Sweet Licorice Squares

These sweet, lightly herbal squares are the perfect introduction to black licorice for those who are curious but cautious.

4. Sota Katten

These kitten-shaped gummies come in both raspberry and apple flavors  and they happen to be vegan.

5. Sour Peach Lips

Fruity, sour, and perfectly chewy, its easy to eat several of these in one sitting.

6. Banana Caramel Bubs

Usually, banana-flavored candy has an extremely artificial edge, but these foamy marshmallow candies are more subtle and wholesome in flavor.

7. Elderflower Fish

Theres something quite elegant and refined about these delicately floral Swedish fish.

8. Mini Fried Eggs

The whites have a soft and foamy texture, while the gummy yolk has a gently fruity flavor. Theyre delicious and adorable.

9. Raspberry Licorice Skulls

Black licorice can be polarizing, but the herbal flavor perfectly counterbalances the fruity raspberry in these chewy gummy skulls.

10. Sour Dummies

Dont let the pacifier shape throw you off  these very sour gummies are definitely not for babies.



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In Texas, a judge has ruled that a high school is legally allowed to discipline a Black student for his hairstyle, which violates the dress code.

According to the Associated Press, Darryl George, an 18-year-old junior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, has been serving in-school suspension since August because he refuses to cut off his hair. George wears his hair in tied and twisted locs on top of his head, but if worn down, it would be below his shirt collar, which is against the school dress code. The school district eventually filed a lawsuit over the dispute.

After about three hours of testimony, the judge ruled in favor of the school district, saying that a hair length policy doesnt violate the states CROWN Act, which prohibits race-based hair discrimination and is meant to stop schools and employers from disciplining people because of hair texture or protective hairstyles. The law doesnt say anything about hair length. It went into effect in September 2023. In his ruling, the judge said courts should not try to rewrite legislation.

Greg Poole, the school districts superintendent, said in a statement that the CROWN Act does not give students unlimited self-expression.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that affirmative action is a violation of the 14th Amendment and we believe the same reasoning will eventually be applied to the CROWN Act, his statement continued. High expectations have helped make Barbers Hill ISD a state leader in all things, and high standards at school benefit all ethnicities. Falsely claiming racism is worse than racism and undermines efforts to address actions that violate constitutionally protected rights.

George, who plans to appeal the ruling, told CNN before the trial that he believes the schools dress code policy on hair length is just there to attack people with protective hairstyles like locs and braids.

They dont pick on anybody else but me, he said.
Canned seafood is a versatile, protein-packed pantry staple. Here's how to use it, from appetizers to tacos.

Marcus Nilsson

Canned tuna is a great pantry staple typically used in sandwiches and casseroles, but its not the only tinned seafood you should try. Tinned sardines, mackerel, anchovies, octopus, mussels, and smoked oysters are all delicious and nutritious. They are also increasingly popular and trendy. In fact, the global canned seafood market was estimated to be around $33.6 billion in 2023, with all signs pointing to even more growth over the next decade.

We spoke to fish experts about what's behind the popularity of tinned fish, as well as some of their favorite ways to use it. Ahead, learn about this essential pantry staple and why you will always want to have some on hand.







Meet Our Expert

Michael Benevides , owner of the 30-year-old Portugalia Marketplace

Anna Hezel , author of a book devoted to tinned seafood Tin to Table

Sara Hauman, the founder of Tiny Fish Co.







Related: 17 Canned Tuna Recipes That Aren't Just Tuna Melts or Casseroles

Why Is Tinned Fish So Popular?

The surging interest in Portugal as a vacation destination has helped tinned fish become the darling of the pantryit's where a lot of tinned seafood originates. According to Michael Benevides, owner of the 35-year-old Portugalia Marketplace, the popularity of tinned fish in the U.S. has conversely led to its booming popularity in Portugal. If you visit Portugal, youre going to see tinned fish shops, and that plays a role. Maybe people see it initially as souvenirs, but now there are tinned fish restaurants in Portugal," he says. Benevides also points to influencers who are fueling the trend, including the self-proclaimed Sardinfluencer, Harrison Weinfeld.

It's an Easy, Shelf-Stable Food

Tinned seafood might seem like an unlikely candidate for culinary stardom, but it is everywhere these days, including most recently in Times Square, New York, where the first American store by Portuguese artisanal tinned fish brand Comur opened in 2023. Benevides says the trend has really taken off. Pre-pandemic, we saw it trending with natural wine bars serving tinned fish. That was maybe seven years ago. Of course, it became even more popular during the lockdown because its a shelf-stable food. Its easy to whip up in a meal. That catapulted it. And people are creating boards with it, first adding fish to charcuterie boards and now creating tinned seafood boards.

It's Convenientand Delicious

Anna Hezel, author of Tin to Table, a book devoted to tinned seafood, says, "I think people are realizing what problem-solvers these products can be," she says. Hezel points out that they're convenient, shelf-stable proteins with a ton of health benefits. "And the supply chain of tinned products is, in many cases, quite traceable. On top of all of this, for not a lot of money, you get to eat something that's been made with a lot of precision, care, and tradition."

How to Use Tinned Fish

If canned beans and tomatoes have a recurring role in your pantry, it's time to add tinned fish. It really is the perfect ingredient to elevate quick snacks and meals.

Here are a few of our favorite ideas.

Appetizers

Burcu Avsar

Hezel says that the convenience and quality of tinned seafood make it a go-to ingredient for entertaining.

Smoked Trout Dip: I make the smoked trout dip from Tin to Table seriously all the time. It's just tinned trout, cream cheese, creme fraiche, plus some shallot and lemon juice, and you can serve it with crudites, potato chipswhatever you have around. (Also, try this with canned smoked salmon.)

Tinned Fish Board: Forget about the charcuterie and set out several types (still in their tins) on your board along with your favorite crackers, crudites, olives, and pickles.

Sardine Crostini: The easiest option is serving just about any tinned fish on toasted baguette slices or crackers as a crostini-like appetizer.

Salads

White Bean and Mackeral Salad: "For a really easy lunch to pack, I love making a light and bright salad full of tiny white beans, mackerel or sardine fillets, shallots, celery, parsley (and any other odds and ends in the fridge), and lots of lemon or red wine vinegar," says Hezel.

Salad and the Vinaigrette: Sara Hauman, the founder of Tiny Fish Co., also uses tinned seafood in salads. My favorite tinned fish is swimming in olive oil or a sauce, which lends itself perfectly to being a great base for a vinaigrette," she says. She strains fish from the oil or sauce and flakes for a salad. Then she mixes the reserved sauce or oil with some lemon or vinegar, a pinch of salt, and some optional Dijon mustard, and she is on her way to a "protein-packed salad that is fit for lunch or dinner," she says.

Bryan Gardner

Lemon-Herb Sardine Salad: Try our lemony sardine salad, which uses a simple olive oil-lemon dressing with Dijon mustard, parsley, and tarragonplus capers and diced celery, which all offer a bright counterpunch to the rich sardines. We like it with toast or crackers.



Rice Bowls and Hand Rolls

Rice Bowls: Hauman may be a chef, but she's looking for convenience too, which is why she recommends using tinned seafood in rice bowls, As someone who lives by myself, cooking for one is sometimes more difficult than it should be. Having odds and ends in my fridge, pickles, soft-boiled eggs, rice, greens, and of course a pantry stocked with tinned fish is my favorite way to cook a convenient meal for myself with no leftovers.

Hand Rolls: Another option is wrapping your favorite canned fish (try trout or salmon) in seaweed, like these Tuna Salad Hand Rolls, which are perfect for those nights when you need an easy (and delicious) dinner fast.



Pasta

Marcus Nilsson

Tuna noodle casserole is a classic for a reasoncanned fish and pasta are a pairing that just works. Try one (or all) of these:

Tacos

If you like fish tacos, youre probably going to love tinned fish tacos. Don't underestimate how delicious fish tacos can be when made from your favorite tin of fish," says Hauman. If you keep the fixings for tacos on hand and stock up on tinned fish, you'll always be able to put a quick, easy, and satisfying meal together.

If you need a little inspiration, try our Sardine Tacos.



Read the original article on Martha Stewart.
The sound of bombs pounding Kharkiv was the first thing Polina Chub heard on the day Russia invaded Ukraine.

It was February 24, 2022, and Chub, then 16, was asleep in her bed. There had been rumors that Russia would invade, but like many Ukrainians, Chub had not taken them too seriously. At first she thought the roaring sound outside her bedroom window was fireworks, but soon realized the war had actually begun. Chub hid under the covers and covered her ears while thinking, No, this is not happening. I am sleeping.

Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, a neighboring country, happened in the early hours of the morning. In a televised event, Russian President Vladimir Putin called it a special military operation to denazify Ukraine. In the hours that followed, Russia attacked Ukraine from every direction, and the entire country was thrown into a state of chaos and uncertainty.

Kharkiv is a city in eastern Ukraine, a region that shares a border with Russia, and was one of the first places to see heavy fighting on its streets. According to the United Nations International Organization for Migration, more than seven million Ukrainians were internally displaced by the end of May of that year, and people from the Kharkiv region alone made up 27% of that number.

While crowds of people ran to Kharkiv's central station, after packing their lives into a few suitcases in a desperate attempt to leave the area, Chub and her family remained.

As their parents went to emergency meetings for work and collected money from nearby ATMs, Chub and her then 13-year-old brother stayed home, boiling potatoes and eggs to eat in case their electricity was shut off. While Chub cooked and gathered candles in the apartment, she received a message: Her physics teacher had sent her class an exam to take.

After Chub's parents returned, the family ran to their dirty, cement basement to shelter from the war. The next day, Chubs stepfather voluntarily joined the military and fought to defend Kharkiv. For the next two weeks, Chub, her brother, and their mother lived in the basement, where they slept on the floor, on wooden panels lined with thin foam, cardboard, pillows, and blankets.

Chub distracted herself by studying English, reading books, and attempting to do schoolwork virtually, but the situation in Kharkiv got worse as the war continued. She barely spoke during that time, and was depressed by how the war was unfolding all around her. Attacks on Kharkiv were constant at the time, but sleep was an escape for the 16-year-old, who says she was not stirred by the sounds of explosions raging outside.

On March 8, International Womens Day, Chub, her mother, uncle, brother, and cat fled to the western Ivano-Frankivsk region. They lived as refugees in a room in a distant family friend's house for five months. Now, at 18, Chub plans to leave Ukraine for the next four years.

The Chance to Leave

As part of Ukraine Global Scholars, a nonprofit that connects Ukrainian teens with scholarships to international boarding schools and colleges, Chub is hoping to be accepted to a college in the US. She has applied to 20 schools and is still waiting to hear where she got in. After she has chosen a college, Chub will leave behind her entire childhood in Ukraine, balancing the pain and trauma of having lived in a war-torn country with the rush of campus life.

According to an August 2023 report by UNICEF, there were 6.7 million children from age three to 18 in Ukraine; in March 2022, the war led to the displacement of 4.3 million children. Children in Ukraine have experienced widespread learning loss. Internet outages are common, and classes are disrupted by air-raid sirens that force entire schools to evacuate to bomb shelters to wait out attacks.

Only one-third of Ukrainians in grade school were learning fully in-person, the report stated. In completely remote learning areas, students attended Zoom classes for a fourth year, after COVID-19 had already stolen almost two years of their full educational experience.

Remote learning was hard for Chub, who had to study in the bomb shelter in Kharkiv, the small room in western Ukraine, and in an apartment her family moved to in Cherkasy in late-summer 2022. In Cherkasy, Chub says, when there were electricity outages because of Russian attacks, I lit the candles and did the schoolwork.

At the time, Chub was studying for her national exams, or NMTs, which are like entrance exams for university. I had my laptop with me, but I didn't want to waste the battery," she recalls. "I wrote as much as possible on my paper, everything with candles. I just tried to do everything when I had the daylight. So then I could not worry about it when I don't have electricity.

Ukraine Global Scholars (UGS) offers hope for the 250 high school students it supports with over $62 million in combined scholarships to top global boarding schools and colleges. In return for the opportunity to live abroad and receive a Western education, UGS students commit to returning to Ukraine after their studies and using their degrees to rebuild the country.

Chernivtsi Safe Haven

Yuliia Horobets, 16, hopes that UGS will help her develop a career in Ukraines government. She is about to move to the US for five years, and is excited about the chance to meet new people and teach them about Ukrainian history and culture, with an added aim to show them that Ukraine is not the same as Russia.

Horobets is from Chernivtsi, a town in southwestern Ukraine that is tucked far enough away from Russia that its difficult to target. Our city is on the border. Were somewhere [where we're] not invaded, but were affected by it," she explains. "Im trying to help with as much humanitarian aid as possible.

Although Horobets has been safe from the physical impacts of the war, the emotional aspects of it have taken a toll on her. For three years, she spoke nearly every day to a friend in Kherson, a city in southern Ukraine that was occupied by Russian troops in March 2022 and remained under their control for more than eight months. For the first three months of the war, Horobets texted her friend almost every day; then he went silent for two weeks.

His parents contacted me after two weeks and said that he passed away," Horobets says. "A missile hit his house directly. Hit him.

After the war took away her close friend, Horobets says, Ive started to appreciate lots of things. I spend lots of time with my family. I started to be even more compassionate.

Chernivtsi has a haven for the around 100,000 internally displaced Ukrainians (as of May 2023) who moved to the region in the aftermath of the invasion. But in the early days of the war, the streets of Chernivtsi were filled with chaos. Frantic, internally displaced people were met by volunteers who tried to help support them, providing warm food, winter clothes, and places to sleep for the Ukrainians who had been forced to leave everything behind.

Sasha Lintovska turned 15 during this uncertain period. It was really chaotic," she says. "Still, people were so united. The first three days, I was just lying in my bed. I really didnt understand what was going on. But then I found an opportunity to volunteer.

At that time, Lintovskas family had taken in another family who had fled from Kyiv, Ukraine's capital city, as Russian and Ukrainian soldiers fought on the streets. For three months, the family from Kyiv lived in Lintovskas two-room home. She gave up her bedroom and slept beside her parents bed while using a pool float as a mattress.

The future of Ukraine was so uncertain, but Lintovska sprung into action: She helped make camouflage nets for the military, distributed humanitarian aid, and gave lectures about Ukrainian art, history, and culture.

Now 16, Lintovska has found opportunities she had not considered before the war. A famous Ukrainian scriptwriter held a free master class for teenagers in Chernivtsi. It was the first time Lintovska learned about filmmaking, which has since become her passion.

In April 2022, she began writing an eight-part limited series about a teenage girl, named Anya, living on the front lines. Anya was bullied at school and had a bad relationship with her mother. The girl had planned to die by suicide on February 24, 2022, but in the aftermath of the invasion, her decision was disrupted.

She goes with her mom as a refugee to the Chernivtsi region, and the war gives her a new life," Lintovska explains. We hear a lot of stories that the war just stole the lives of thousands of people  good people. But the war gave us a lot, like a sense of community, a fight for the same cause, and a burning desire to never again be part of Russia. Its important to highlight good things because we are always focused only on bad stuff, she adds. "If you try hard, you can find good things in everything.

Lintovska is now preparing to move to the US, where she will attend a boarding school that has yet to be decided. St. Andrews School in Delaware, though, is one of the schools she most hopes to attend. They have brilliant art courses and excellent humanities at the same time," she says. "Their campus is bigger than my entire town.

Once she's in the US, Lintovska hopes to educate her peers on the importance of Ukrainian culture, which has been historically overlooked in comparison with Russian culture.

When youre a teenager, you learn much more about yourself every year," Lintovska says. "I learned a lot about the price of life. My life changed significantly, and I started appreciating my life.

She continues, Being a teenager in Ukraine is strange, crazy, and lonely sometimes. But at the same time, I understand that Ukraine is more united than ever before.

Family in Arms

Back in Kharkiv, Chub eagerly awaits acceptance letters from the schools where she has applied. Her stepfather still fights to protect Ukraine, and her mother works in another city. She and her younger brother live alone in their once-vibrant town.

Recently, for her 18th birthday, Chubs mother and stepfather gave her a necklace  she never takes it off. The necklace is the fingerprint of both of her parents in the shape of a heart and serves as a small part of them that she can take with her everywhere she goes.

Chub worries, she says: Im not worried about me. Im worried about my mother.

Ukraines military has approximately 500,000 active service members. Some, like Chubs stepfather, joined during the invasion, while others served before the war began.

Kateryna Horevas brother has been serving in the military since 2020. He is 24 now, serving on the eastern front lines. I am naturally worried about him since he is in constant danger all the time, says Horeva, 17. Its quite hard to adapt to the reality that your brother can die in the army any minute. But," she adds, "I am also really proud of him.

Horeva notes that she has the freedom to meet her friends for coffee in Kyiv and benefits from electricity in her apartment because of the defense by Ukrainian soldiers like her brother. This is because Ukraines military has pushed back masses of Russian troops during the last two years of war. A few months into the invasion, Russia controlled 20% of Ukraine. Over time, Ukraines military has managed to push Russian forces out of the Kyiv region, allowing for some normalcy to return to life, where residents can go to restaurants and meet with friends without being surrounded by fighting on the streets.

When the war began, however, the fate of Kyiv was uncertain. Russian troops had advanced on the outskirts of the city.

A Child of War

At 15, Horeva was a typical teenager, balancing academics with extracurricular activities. She attended music school, where she took piano and choir lessons, and she loved computer programming. At the start of the war, Horevas family chose not to leave Ukraine or their home; instead, they waited for Ukraines military to eventually push Russian soldiers out of the Kyiv region three months later.

But during the fight for control of Kyiv, Horeva recalls, I was afraid of dying, at first. I started rethinking my life in general. She remembers thinking, If I die this minute, would I regret something or would I be happy with the things Ive done in my life?

During the beginning of the war, missile attacks in Kyiv were constant, and on the outskirts of Kyiv, the suburban towns of Bucha and Irpin were under Russian occupation. As reported by Reuters, a Ukrainian fundraising initiative, UNITED24, put the total number of deaths in occupied areas of Kyiv at 1,137, including 461 in Bucha alone, as of November 2023. I started this journey of accepting that I can die in a minute," Horeva says. It was concerning.

In the two years since, Horeva has grown used to the war. On February 7 of this year, Russia launched a total of 64 missiles and drones throughout Ukraine in several waves. Ukraines air defense system managed to shoot down 44 of them. But in Kyiv, four people were killed when debris from a missile hit an 18-story building, causing a fire and smashed windows, according to officials, Reuters reported.

One missile fell just under half a mile from Horevas home; she was asleep at the time, after sleeping through some of the small explosions that occurred as Ukraines air defense system shot down the Russian weapons. But at around 8 a.m., Horeva says, I jumped right out of [bed], being woken up by one of the loudest explosions she had heard throughout the war.

My survival instincts made me run right to the hallway without even thinking, she says. In homes in Ukraine, hallways  where there is a wall on either side and no windows  are some of the safest places in a building. Another safe location is the bathroom, where, Horeva says, she and her parents immediately went. We all hid. I was lying in the bathtub. The lights, heating, and hot water went off." The attack had cut off her homes electricity supply. After the sirens ended, though, Horeva went to school.

Attacks such as these most recent ones have become normal to Horeva, part of the seemingly never-ending war experiences of a teenager in Ukraine. But now she is preparing to leave for at least two years, with help from UGS. She has applied to about 10 schools and is waiting to hear back.

Realizing that your life would end at 15," says Horeva, "its not an easy thing. It seems like theres more [life] that you can live. I had an amazing life before. I thought if Im destined to die, Okay.

Horeva continues, though, I thought about how I can cherish every moment I have and be grateful. Things we dont notice in our everyday life become really precious. That was something that I learned from being 15 and thinking about life.

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
"As my eyes grew accustomed to the light," archaeologist Howard Carter wrote as he gazed into the tomb of Tutankhamun, "details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and goldeverywhere the glint of gold." Can you get all that down on a diamond bracelet? Why, yes, in fact, Van Cleef & Arpels actually did.

After Carter discovered King Tuts tomb in 1922, the house captured the ensuing Egyptomania on bracelets that told tales of pharaohs, sphinxes, scarabs, and phoenixes. Each jeweled panel was a hieroglyph scripted against a diamond background and written in lapis and coral, turquoise and sapphire, ruby and emerald.

"If you asked me to name 10 jewels that a collector should own," says Claibourne Poindexter, vice president and senior specialist in the jewelry department at Christies, "a Van Cleef 1920s narrative bracelet would be one of them." These gems of the Art Deco Egyptian Revival period have long been collectiblea connection to history and exceptional craftsmanship will do thatbut they have now won a global audience of collectors and achieved icon status.

Photographs by Benoit Pailley

"You cant find these currently for less than a million," Poindexter says. That is, of course, if you can find one at all. Jewels created with this level of skill are not made in multiples. "Part of the value is in their originality," he says. Plus, to paraphrase Gunilla Garson Goldberg in The First Wives Club: Liz Taylor had one just like it. (Hers purportedly had earlier belonged to King Farouk.) Which is one reason collectors rejoice when Van Cleef & Arpels returns to this trademark technique.

"When the maison was founded, in 1906, curiosity for other cultures, periods, and forms of art was a way to fuel the imagination and give rise to innovative creations," says Van Cleef & Arpels CEO and creative director Nicolas Bos. "Our first band bracelets date back to the 1920s. They were adorned with abstract and geometrical patterns, but soon the idea of depicting figurative scenes arose, notably with the Egyptian bracelets. From there, I think that reproducing landscapes came naturally. They allow for an immersive expression of our sources of inspiration and high jewelry savoir faire."

This tradition has translated into bracelets telling the stories of ancient Egypt, then to ones celebrating a distinctive California landscape for a high jewelry collection inspired by the Golden State. That suite, from 2009, included one narrative or "landscape" California Beach bracelet: Diamonds, pink and blue sapphires, and onyx conjured a day on the sand surrounded by palm trees and blue water, finished with a lilac-colored sunset sky with just a few cotton candy clouds. It was like theater in the round, but around your wrist.

In Van Cleefs most recent high jewelry collection, rooted in the educational journey known as the Grand Tour, the landscape bracelet makes a return trip. A rite of passage from the 17th to the early 19th centuries, mostly for aristocratic young men, the Grand Tour involved traveling around Europe and the opportunity to see the art, antiquity, and architecture of the continent. There are highly collectible examples of Grand Tour jewels and souvenirs that these travelers brought back, picture bracelets in which each link told a classical story, mainly in micromosaic or intaglio. There are design elements of these historical pieces in Van Cleefs Le Grand Tour High Jewelry braceletsand they share the ambition for visual storytelling in jewelrybut the lapidary prowess of the Van Cleef workshop achieves a level of detail that allows a bracelet to depict Venices Grand Canal through the windows of the Doges Palace, as inspired by Lord Byron, or a scene of the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius erupting gently in the background, all in colored sapphires, tsavorites, spessartite garnets, and rubies.

Photographs by Benoit Pailley

Canaletto had entire canvases on which to recreate Venice in the morning light. How do you do it in a bracelet? The jewels created for Le Grand Tour were feats of craftsmanship, imagination, and expertise. "They express the idea of watercolor paintings in a travel diary," Bos says. "Turning a watercolor into a bejeweled bracelet is both a very interesting creative development and a technical challenge that I wanted to push even further. It gave rise to this series of pieces that feature the landscapes of Rome, Florence, Naples, and Venice, which call to mind true paintings, but fully articulated, their highly complex structure requiring meticulous work to ensure suppleness. We wanted them to look like watercolors made out of precious stones."

And though no designer ever wants to name a favorite, Bos says: "I must say I am quite fond of these pieces."

This story appears in the March 2024 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW

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Vermonts House agriculture committee is considering a bill, H.567, that would prohibit pet stores from selling dogs, cats, and wolf hybrids. Representative Emilie Krasnow introduced the legislation on Jan. 31, aiming to curb puppy mills presence in the state.

Vermont legislators consider banning pet stores from selling dogs, cats

A proposed bill in Vermonts House agriculture committee, H.567, seeks to prohibit pet stores from selling dogs, cats, and wolf hybrids, as per The Other Paper. Rep. Emilie Krasnow of South Burlington is sponsoring it.

The bill, which aims to deter puppy mills and uphold animal welfare standards in the state, draws inspiration from the one in Maine. Additionally, several Northeastern states, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New Jersey, are contemplating similar legislation.

Krasnow emphasized the significance of preventing Vermont from becoming a destination for puppy mills. Why thats so important is because we dont want to be open for business for these puppy mills and pet stores to come to Vermont that would be pushed out of other states, she said.

Reportedly, similar concerns arose in Connecticut following New Yorks pet sales ban when the New England state witnessed an increase in pet store openings last fall.

We are lucky that the puppy-selling pet store industry is small in Vermont, with only one known store selling puppies. Krasnow stated, adding, That store will be able to continue to do so while we avoid an influx of bad actors who are looking for safe havens and who have track records of importing puppies.

In addition, Krasnow stated the bill would not affect stores that already refrain from selling puppies. Responsible breeders and the retail industry selling pet products and services will also have nothing to worry about.

However, groups representing the pet industry and breeders have criticized the bill, arguing that it will only make the black market flourish.

The post Vermont Bill Looks to Ban Pet Store Sales of Dogs appeared first on DogTime.
New Zealanders are rallying to help a surfer who endured a tragic surfing accident.

Last Sunday, surfer Matthew Scott was hospitalized in critical condition after suffering a spinal injury from colliding with another surfer at Mangawhai Bar in Northland.

Since then, friends and family created a Givealittle fundraiser page for Scott that's since gained over $30,000 in donations "to help ensure Matt receives the best care to aid his recovery."

Scott's friend Lisa Young set up the account and wrote:

"In the blink of an eye life can change just like that.

"On Sunday the 18th of Feb 2024, Matt was living his best life riding the waves of the Mangawhai Heads Bar. Matt a frequent experienced local surfer and lifeguard, who has been involved with many rescues and knows the beach well.

"Became the subject of a major rescue himself, suffering a serious spinal injury. With a strong family history associated with the Mangawhai Heads Surf Club its fortunate some of his fellow lifeguards and surfers were there to perform an outstanding rescue.

"Matt an independent 32 year old guy is now recovering in Middlemore Hospital. While we are unsure of what his future holds we know his road to health is going to be long and hard.

"We need your help to ensure he gets the best rehab, gear and care that he needs to make the best recovery possible. The Scott family would like to thank everyone for all the support over the last week."

Finally, for "Use of Funds," Young wrote:

"This money will be used to purchase any equipment or therapy needed to ensure Matt can recover to the best of his ability. The Scott family want everyone to know any money not used will be donated to the Mangawhai Heads Surf Club."

Click here to help.

***

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Medical College of Georgia researcher Joe Z. Tsien holds a mice in his lab in the Hamilton Wing Research and Education building, in this photo from 2008. A $10.6 million Georgia Senate budget allocation could fund a 150,000-square-foot research facility for MCG.

Budget additions approved by the Georgia Senate on Thursday include a proposed $10.7 million to fund the design of a $146 million translational research building for the Medical College of Georgia.

The Senate voted 54-1 to pass House Bill 915, which adds money to the current fiscal year budget effective through June 30. After the House and Senate reconcile their budget differences, the measure will go to Gov. Brian Kemp's desk.

The proposed 150,000-square-foot medical facility would underscore MCG's commitment to growing the school through expanded research opportunities.

State budget: Georgia Senate backs $5 billion spending increase, including worker bonuses, roadbuilding

The announcement came this week from the Georgia Higher Education Healthcare Initiative, a program focused on training physicians and registered nurses committed to continuing their careers in Georgia. The initiative's principal consultant is Laurie Ott, who until the end of 2023 served as president of the Piedmont Augusta Foundation, the local health system's philanthropic arm, for nearly 13 years.

"I am thankful the Senate sees the value of investing in the Research Building at MCG. Research is an important leg of the stool in medical education," said James M. Hull, who represents the Augusta area on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. "Georgia needs physician-scientists and faculty to teach the next generation of physicians for Georgia, and this building will go a long way to helping our state attract those funded researchers who will no doubt be producing breakthroughs and discoveries for decades to come.

'There's a lot to do': Medical College of Georgia dean reveals ambitious future for school

Medical research is crucial to MCG's mission, as MCG Dean Dr. David Hess emphasized in his recent State of the College address on Feb. 16.

Georgia's oldest medical school, he said, "punches above its weight" when it comes to using research dollars from the government's National Institutes of Health. MCG ranks second in NIH funding nationwide among 49 medical schools with fewer than 700 faculty. Among med schools with fewer than 1,000 faculty, MCG ranks 11th out of 72.

Research in the proposed new MCG building would emphasize "translational" research, the term that describes research discoveries whose successful results can be applied quickly at patients' bedsides.

As a physician, I have seen the benefits of when research and medical education come together. This is the logical next step for the medical college to grow its research and medical education capabilities for the benefit of the state," said MCG Foundation Chairman Dr. Charles Green. "The new research building will allow Georgia and the medical college to compete with states like South Carolina and Alabama, which have already poured hundreds of millions of dollars into new facilities and have plans for more research infrastructure."

The new facility not only would supply MCG students with more research opportunities, but it also would help Augusta prosper. Each dollar of NIH funding also introduces an estimated $2.64 into the loal economy, acording to the school.

Both Georgia's House and Senate "would need to agree in conference to fund the remaining cost of the planning for the new research building. That is expected to be under $15 million for planning, design and demolition of antiquated buildings constructed in the 1950s," Ott said in a statement. Funding for the building itself would need to be approved in next years budget, she said.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: MCG could get $146 million research space if state OKs design funding
Colorado lawmakers are set to debate two proposals dealing with identity, gender and name changes on Friday morning.

If passed, House Bill 24-1039 would require public and charter schools beginning in July next year to use a student's preferred name, regardless of whether it is their legal name, for school documents, such as rosters, yearbooks and identification cards.

Meanwhile, House Bill 24-1071 would include gender identity as a "good cause" reason that the courts may consider for a name legal change. Currently, the law requires individuals convicted of a felony  or juveniles adjudicated for an offense that would have constituted a felony if committed by an adult  to demonstrate to the courts a "good cause" for a name change.
President Biden on Friday made an extended case for passing a bipartisan border security deal brokered in the Senate as he hosted roughly 30 governors at the White House.

Immigration was a key component of the reception for governors, with fact sheets laying out details of the Senate deal placed on tables where the governors were seated. After opening with comments on the war in Ukraine, Biden pivoted to the topic of border security.

Folks, Congress has had a long, proud bipartisan history on immigration reform and abiding by our international treaty obligations, which weve signed, related to immigration. These reforms made America a nation of laws, a nation of immigrants, and the strongest economy in the world, he said.

But something changed. Over time, our laws and our resources havent kept up with our immigration system, and its broken. And our politics has failed to fix it, the president added.

Biden urged governors with a stake in the issue to apply pressure to holdouts who have said they would not support the bill, noting it could benefit states in need of temporary workers as well as those dealing with an influx of migrants.

If this matters to you, matters to your state, tell your members of Congress that are standing in the way, show a little spine, Biden said. Pass the bipartisan security bill, not withstanding you may reap the wrath of one or more of your colleagues.

Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) led efforts to craft a border security bill unveiled earlier this month that would have given the federal government temporary authority to expel migrants when the average number of daily crossings exceeds a set threshold, end catch and release, raise standards for asylum screenings, and seek to process claims quicker, among other provisions.

Biden noted the bill had the approval of the Chamber of Commerce, the head of the Border Patrol union and The Wall Street Journal editorial board.

As we all know, petty politics intervened, he said. The Speaker of the House has refused to vote on the bill, even though, again, theres significant support.

The White House has hammered Johnson for his shifting position on the issue. The Speaker had said any Ukraine aid must be paired with changes to border policy, but he declared the border bill dead on arrival. He has since said a standalone bill with funding for Ukraine and other allies will not receive a vote because it did not contain desired border provisions.

In lieu of congressional action, the White House is weighing executive actions it can take to address the surge of migrants at the border.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BOSTON - Following a polling vote in the Senate Committee on Ways and Means Thursday, a bill requiring all Massachusetts public school districts opting to teach sex and health education follow a medically accurate, age-appropriate and inclusive curriculum is one step closer to the governors desk.

The sponsors of the Healthy Youth Act attended a rally on the State House steps in July 2022. Sen. Sal DiDomenico, D-Everett, left and Rep. James O'Day, D-West Boylston, are still fighting for its passage. The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted favorably Thursday to schedule the measure for a future vote.

The Senate has already scheduled the Healthy Youth Act bill, sponsored by Sen. Sal DiDomenico, D-Everett, for a floor vote. If passed, and it has been passed four times already, it will be up to the House to push it through to the finish line.

The companion bill was filed by Rep. James ODay, D-West Boylston.

The legislation was given a boost last summer when Gov. Maura Healey directed the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a framework for updating the Massachusetts sex education curriculum.

Framework set - now it's up to Legislature

The framework designed and adopted by DESE outlines what students should know at each grade level but does not create any content as to what districts should teach. Districts would be free to choose an established curriculum that fits the framework  that it is medically accurate, age-appropriate and inclusive.

It would not be strictly abstinence, said DiDomenico. Currently, its a patchwork system in Massachusetts with some districts meeting the framework, others opting not to include health and sex education in the curriculum, and still others teaching abstinence only.

Our children are talking about (sex) this, in classrooms or among themselves, DiDomenico said, noting that the information they share is not always correct or accurate. We cant not teach this; if they make bad decisions based on bad information, it can have long-term consequences.

The proposed bill requires that the sex and health education curriculum include medically accurate information about human development that includes anatomy and human reproduction and sexual development.

Sen. Sal DiDomenico, D-Everett, the Senate sponsor of the Healthy Youth Act, said the Senate Ways and Means Committee voted favorably Thursday to schedule the measure for a future vote.

Teachers would be required to address both the benefits of abstinence as well as the use and effectiveness of contraceptives. They would also address interpersonal relationship development, including ways to discuss safe sexual activity with prospective partners, the parameters of consent, communication skills for healthy relationships as well as issues of gender identity and sexual orientation. It would require affirmative recognition that people have different sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expression.

The bill directs DESE to review and update the comprehensive health curriculum framework at least every 10 years. Municipalities would be required to collect and report data to DESE every two years on the communitys sex education curriculum that includes the numbers of students enrolled and those withdrawn from the program.

Keeping curriculum up to date

DiDomenico believes the data collection is imperative and would establish a database of what districts are teaching.

Establishing healthy relationships is a big part of what we are proposing be taught in schools. DiDomenico said, adding he believes it is as important to developing youngsters as learning math, science and language arts. He laments that a whole generation of youngsters was denied the education and left to fend for themselves.

On the House side of things, ODay, who has filed the bill repeatedly over the last decade, is still fighting to get it out on the floor for debate and a vote.

I have been disappointed over the years that we havent been able to put both chambers together in a conference committee to get the work to pass the bill done, ODay said. Opposing voices in the House have proven to be powerful.

The Senate is very strongly behind the bill, and it shows its support in every session, ODay said. He noted that none of his Senate colleagues who have voted for the bill have been challenged by the community on that vote; not one has had to fight to retain their seat because they had voted to advance the measure.

We represent the same areas, the same districts, ODay said.

Bill stuck in process

The bill is stuck between legislative branches.

And even as representatives dither, ODay pointed out that it is the states youth who are suffering the consequences, leaving grade school and attending college without the tools necessary to know how to form healthy adult relationships.

Were leaving kids to their own devices on this, ODay said.

In the Worcester District, ODay was happy to note, the city managed to enact a good curriculum and framework for sex education. Many voices were heard in the process, including some who declared that the schools would be teaching pornography, and that a comprehensive sex education curriculum encourages sexual activity among young people.

However, ODay said, parents and guardians in the city area allowed to opt their children out of the class.

The proposed bill also gives parents and guardians the final stay in whether they would allow their children to attend the classes. They could opt them out with no adverse effects on their grades. Districts would be required to schedule alternate educational activities for children who have been opted out of the classes by their parents.

In looking over recent legislation, ODay was gratified the state addressed ancillary issues involving human sexual relationships, such as dating violence and revenge porn. However, he said, addressing those issues before they crop up, while young adults are still in their formative years and in school, could mitigate the need to include lesser penalties for young adults.

The framework for sex and health education has not been updated in Massachusetts since 1999, DiDomenico noted, adding that the world has changed in the last 25 years.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Filed five times, sponsors hope it reaches the governor's desk
A bipartisan ethics commission in Wisconsin on Friday recommended felony charges against one arm of Donald Trump's fundraising operation and other Republicans for a scheme they say was intended to skirt campaign finance laws and take down a powerful Republican lawmaker who distanced himself from the former president, the Washington Post reports. The referrals for prosecution, first reported by WisPolitics, were made public Friday and mark another legal trouble for Trump, who currently faces nearly 100 felony charges in four cases in state and local jurisdictions.

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission's investigation revolves around the 2022 primary race between Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, one of the state's most powerful Republicans, and political newcomer Adam Steen, who allied with the former president.

The commission this week found probable cause that Trump's Save America leadership PAC and several state and local GOP officials, committed felonies, alleging that Steen, Steen's campaign and three county Republicans attempted to circumvent campaign finance laws by funneling individual donors' money through one of the county parties to his campaign or vendors, records released Friday show. Wisconsin state law permits individuals and political entities to donate up to $1,000 each to candidates for the state Assembly but allows arms of political parties to give unlimited sums. Save America gave $15,000 to the country parties, donating $5,000 each to the Chippewa, Florence and Langlade county GOP.

The ethics commission, composed of three Republicans and three Democrats, also recommended a number of district attorneys investigate and prosecute the group, according to the records. The district attorneys have up to 60 days to act on the recommendation. At that point, the commission will have the authority to refer its prosecution request to Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul.
The Idaho Legislature is considering a bill that could put more poor Boise residents on the streets, housing advocates say.

Deanna Watson, executive director of the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities, told the Idaho Statesman that the bill could force people who depend on federal housing vouchers into at least temporary homelessness as they search for landlords willing to accept the vouchers.

Here are answers to nine questions about the legislation and its impact:

1. What would the bill do?

House Bill 545 would bar local governments from enacting laws to force landlords to participate in a federal housing-assistance or other program, and it would bar them from passing ordinances to limit rent, fees or deposits landlords can charge.

The bill would jeopardize two Boise ordinances: one that caps apartment rental application fees at $30, and one that bans landlords from denying prospective tenants a lease based on their income sources, including so-called Section 8 vouchers.

2. What is Section 8?

Officially called housing-choice vouchers, they have long been known as Section 8 vouchers. The name comes from a section of the Housing and Community Development Act passed by Congress in 1974 to help low-income people find housing in the private marketplace as an alternative to public housing.

There are about 2,000 vouchers available in Ada County at any one time. People on the waiting list get vouchers as the people who have them start making enough money to cover their rent and stop needing them.

3. Why dont landlords like Section 8?

Last year the Statesman reported that with the high demand for apartment rentals in the Boise-area, many landlords were deciding not to accept tenants who applied with federal housing assistance vouchers because voucher holders are low-income and may be seen as less reliable than other tenants.

As our families search, we know from their search efforts that many landlords and property managers routinely have responded that they dont take Section 8, Watson told the Statesman in an email.

4. Why did Boise insist that landlords accept vouchers?

To help protect people who cannot afford rent from becoming homeless.

That blanket denial is what the ordinance is after, Watson said. Denying a subset of the population from even entering the application screening process has significantly reduced the supply of available housing for our families and contributes to a longer process of finding a home.

No other cities or counties in the Treasure Valley have laws like the one in Boise that bans landlord discrimination against a potential tenants source of income. The sponsor, Rep. Brandon Mitchell, R-Moscow, said his bill is not specifically targeting Boise but making sure that cities in the future cant pass bills like Boises.





Ada County has about a 10% turnover rate of people exiting the Section 8 program each month, either because they now make too much money or they cannot find an apartment where vouchers are accepted.

5. Did voucher proponents get to speak?

Yes. Opponents of the bill included housing advocates like Watson, Jesse Tree and the city of Boise.

Kathy Griesmyer, director of government affairs for the city, spoke against the bill. She said Mayor Lauren McLean and the City Council were thoughtful in their approach to the source-of-income-discrimination ordinance.

This ordinance was adopted because we have been hearing from community members consistently about the needs to address Boises rental and housing market, Griesmyer said.

The council met with the Idaho Apartment Association, Boise Regional Realtors and the Idaho Realtors before considering the ordinance, Griesmyer said.

6. Why are landlords fighting back?

Mitchell told the House Business Committee on Monday that the bill was about protecting the rights of small businesses and property rights.

Other bill proponents included property managers, heads of apartment associations and real estate agents.

Lynn Bradescu, a property manager in Boises North End, supported the bill because she disagreed with Boises ordinance to ban landlords from denying prospective tenants based on their sources of incomes, including if their income comes from housing vouchers.

Boises decision to require private property owners to accept Section 8 as payment runs in the face of our state legal tradition of freedom of contract, Bradescu said during the committee meeting.

Mitchell said that the bill does not prohibit landlords from accepting Section 8 vouchers. He argues that if the bill becomes law, landlords can still accept Section 8, and many will.





7. How do the vouchers work?

Voucher holders are responsible for contributing rent, usually 30% to 40% of their income, Watson said. The voucher pays for the rest of the rent up to a maximum set by the federal government.

The voucher signifies that they are eligible for rental assistance, she said. The voucher is good throughout our jurisdiction and with it, applicants can demonstrate to potential landlords that they have the means to pay rent.

The vouchers are funded by Congress but managed locally around the country by agencies designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In Ada County, Section 8 vouchers are distributed through the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority in Ada County. In Canyon, Boise, Owyhee, Elmore, Gem, Payette, Adams, Washington and Valley counties, theyre distributed through the Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority. Elsewhere in Idaho, vouchers are managed by the Idaho Housing and Finance Association.

Voucher holders are monitored throughout the process, Watson said.

8. Who gets these vouchers, and am I eligible?

Tony Torres, a housing navigator for Jesse Tree, a nonprofit that helps homeless Treasure Valley residents and those facing eviction, told the committee that four out of five Section 8 voucher holders are seniors, children and people with disabilities.

In Ada County, 75% of Section 8 applicants must have income that does not exceed 30% of the median area income. That translates to $18,750 for a single person and $21,400 for two. The remaining 25% of applicants may have incomes up to 50% of the area median income, which translates to $31,200 for a single person and $35,650 for two.

HUD gives local housing authorities the authority to set their payments for Section 8 vouchers between 90% and 110% of the official fair-market rent set by HUD. Fair-market rents represent the cost of a moderately priced home in a local housing market. Both the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority and the Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority set their payments at the maximum 110%.

To apply for Section 8 vouchers in Southwest Idaho, visit either the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority at bcacha.org/programs/subsidized-housing/housing-choice-voucher-section-8 or the Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority at sicha.org. Residents of other counties can apply at idahohousing.com/rental-assistance/rental-assistance-application.

9. What comes next?

After over an hour of testimony on the bill from both sides of the argument, the committee sent the bill to the full House with a recommendation that the House pass it. It would then go to the Senate.

Long-term residents scramble for housing as Boise vacates 2 hotels on airport property

New subsidized affordable apartments wont help most Boiseans who can least afford them
An investigation by Chillicothe police has led to child pornography charges against a professional bowler from that Ross County community.

A professional bowler from Ohio arrested earlier this month in the middle of a tournament in Indianapolis has been extradited back to his hometown to face child pornography charges.

Brandon Novak, 35, of Chillicothe, was transported Thursday from the Marion County jail in Indianapolis to the Ross County jail, where he is being held on charges of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, according to Ross County Sheriff's Office jail records.

According to an indictment filed on Jan. 26 in Ross County and unsealed upon Novak's return to Chillicothe, the 35-year-old is facing 15 felony counts. Five counts are for pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and 10 counts are for illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material.

U.S. Marshals arrested Novak on Feb. 1 in the middle of a professional bowlers' tournament at Royal Pin Woodland in Indianapolis.

According to Ross County court records, Novak is not currently scheduled to be in court until March 21.

Child sex material connected to Novak's social media

Novak had been under investigation by the Chillicothe Police Department since February 2023, according to a report obtained by The Dispatch through an Ohio Public Records Act request. According to the report, a Chillicothe police detective first received a complaint on Feb. 17, 2023, from Facebook that was also submitted to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force regarding Novak's Facebook account being associated with child pornography.

Submitted with the complaint were multiple videos showing young males and one juvenile male having sex with an adult male, as well as a still photo of Novak. Through investigation, the detective matched the IP address from the photos and videos to a computer at Novak's home address in Chillicothe.

On Feb. 21, 2023, the detective applied for a search warrant for Novak's residence, which was obtained and executed the next day. The detective interviewed Novak about child pornography being associated with his Facebook account, the report states.

During the interview, the detective reported, Novak said he purchased pornography from someone on the social media app Snapchat, but initially said that he did not know the videos would contain child pornography.

According to the report, Novak told the detective that after he purchased the videos from Snapchat, he would send them to a spam Facebook account that was not in his name so that he would not have to save the videos on his phone. Later in the interview, the report states that Novak admitted to the detective that he knew he was purchasing child pornography and was taking steps to conceal it.

After the interview, the detective seized Novak's electronic devices, including his cellphone and an iPad. The detective later obtained a search warrant to access the devices and Novak's Facebook account. On April 5, 2023, the detective reviewed thousands of pages of Facebook records and found 20 images and videos containing some form of child pornography, including the videos that were part of the original complaint, the report states.

Who is Brandon Novak?

Novak began bowling in amateur competitions in 2009 and has competed professionally since 2012, winning some high-profile games and titles over his career, according to his profile on the Professional Bowlers Association website.

In his first year professionally, Novak won the 2012 PBA Central Region Rookie of the Year title. He has played in more than 75 PBA games, and has earned more than $93,000 in winnings from competitions and tournaments.

His arrest in Indianapolis in connection with the child porn charges is not Novak's first brush with the law.

In three separate incidents in July, September, and November 2022, Novak was charged with violating a temporary protective order filed against him by his ex-girlfriend, according to court records obtained by The Dispatch.

In all three incidents, Novak attempted to contact the ex-girlfriend via calls, texts, email and social media. In December 2022, he was sentenced to 56 days in jail, but that sentence was later reduced to 19 days, court filings indicate.

USA Today Network reporter Shelby Reeves and Dispatch Bethany Bruner contributed to this story.

@ShahidMeighan

smeighan@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio pro bowler returned from Indianapolis to face child porn charges
The Commerce policeman who was placed on leave earlier this month after numerous complaints his about drunk driving arrests has been fired.

Many of the cases were reported dismissed in the court system, but that number was unavailable Thursday.

The city of Commerce this week notified the Georgia Peace Officer Standards Training Council that Jacob Wood was fired as a police officer, according to POST Deputy Executive Director Chris Harvey.

Police departments and sheriff's offices are required to notify POST of such actions they take against officers.

Commerce police conducted an internal investigation after numerous people complained that Wood was arresting motorists on DUI charges that had no merit.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also reviewed the matter, but reported it decided not to investigate as it did not appear a crime had been committed.

POST, which has the authority to discipline officers, will review the Wood case.

Harvey said Thursday that POST will investigate and determine what sanctions could be applied to Woods police certification. Wood joined the Commerce Police Department in 2022.

Drug bust: Oglethorpe County deputies seize 111 pounds of methamphetamine during traffic stop

It could range from no action to revocation, he said.

The Jackson Herald newspaper in Jefferson also reported that among the cases dismissed was one in which Wood charged a man with having illegal drugs when he only had Walmart gummies.

Atlanta FOX Five reporter Randy Travis reported this week that dozens of alcohol breath tests showed zero alcohol including one suspect who blew a zero on 10 separate tests. The station reported that Wood made twice as many DUI cases as all other Commerce officers combined.

Commerce Police Chief Ken Harmon said earlier that the city was taking the matter seriously, but he couldnt comment due to attorneys now handling the matter.

Wood was placed on leave with pay while the complaints were being investigated.

One man who became involved with bringing the matter to public attention was Commerce resident Tommy Rucker, who is a retired law enforcement officer. Ruckers niece was arrested for DUI by Wood.

Rucker in an interview with the Athens Banner-Herald said his niece had just left his home to take a key to a drop box for a property management company.

She called and police had stopped her and arrested her for DUI. She doesnt drink. She doesnt smoke, so I jumped in my vehicle and went down there, Rucker said.

He said his niece explained that because it was night she was driving slowly to find the right driveway and once she backed up slightly to avoid a curb.

Rucker, who said he has made numerous DUI cases during his career, said he told the officer his niece was not drinking, but the officer replied if its not alcohol, Its somethings else.

He charged her with DUI drugs and he had no proof of anything, Rucker said.

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Wood transported the woman to a hospital in Athens for a blood test then booked her into the county jail. The blood tests came back negative, Rucker said.

Rucker said he approached Chief Harmon to question him about what happened.

I said your officer is doing people wrong, he said.

Bad news travels fast, Rucker said, explaining the day after his nieces arrest that I had several calls from people talking about how (Wood) had stopped them.

Rucker was also upset that the officers searched his nieces car.

He had no reason to search the vehicle. People dont know that you can say no. They get intimidated, he said. They would not have searched that car had I been there.

People also came to Ruckers home to tell stories about their arrests.

The charges against Ruckers niece have been dropped, he said.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Commerce policeman fired after investigation into DUI cases
It was a victory for a Davenport bar owner in his fight to be able to serve customers outdoors.

The owner of Yoshis Bar and Filipino Canteen has won his appeal after the Davenport City Council revoked his license for outdoor service.

Bar owner Yoshi Haddon shared the news in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the Iowa state licensing authority approved the appeal filed by Haddon and reversed the citys decision.

Yoshis opened on 3rd Street in Davenport on April 8, 2022. (Ryan Jaster, OurQuadCities.com)

Although the bars outdoor area typically brings in 1.22% of overall sales, Haddon said the deeper purpose behind the citys action pushed him to file an appeal.

We dont typically use our service area much this time of the year. It was more so the principle of the matter. The process was very time-consuming, very pain-staking, and it was a process I undertook by myself, said Haddon.

Haddon said while he was willing to reach a common goal with the city before they revoked his outdoor liquor license, he felt city officials would not listen.

Haddon can now serve liquor outdoors again and said he is excited to bring new experiences for his guests.

Were actually going to be using our outdoor service area permission extensively this year, he said. We have a lot of things planned a lot of outdoor events. We completely re-did our back patio and our parking lot area. Weve spent over $100,000 beautifying our outdoor area in anticipation of not only winning our appeal, but also being afforded our outdoor service area when our renewal comes up, said Haddon.

The City of Davenport requested a review of the decision to appeal the sale of liquor outdoors for Yoshis Bar and Filipino Canteen. Davenport Third Ward Alderwoman Marion Meginnis declined to comment on an ongoing legal matter.

Haddon goes before the city in two months for the renewal of his indoor and outdoor liquor license.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Semafor Signals

Insights from The Washington Post, Bloomberg, and International Affairs

The News

More than two-thirds of NATO members, including key states such as the U.S., France, and the U.K., have endorsed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next NATO leader, but the process of nomination requires approval from all 31 of members. Turkey reportedly has a long list of demands in exchange for backing Ruttes leadership bid, while Budapest has doubts about Rutte due to his criticisms about the state of democracy in Hungary.

The alliance faces an uncertain future due to U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trumps skepticism of collective security and the challenge of Ukraine funding, and the question of who will be NATO chief Jens Stoltenbergs successor is of increasing importance to Europe and the United States.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Dutch PM launches Trump charm offensive

Sources: The Washington Post, Bloomberg, International Affairs

While European leaders widely condemned Donald Trump for saying that he would let Russia do whatever the hell they want to NATO members that did not meet their defense spending goals, Rutte has defended the former U.S. president, telling Bloomberg TV that [Trump] was right about European countries not spending enough. We should stop moaning and whining and nagging about Trump, Rutte said at the Munich Security Conference last weekend. NATOs current chief Jens Stoltenberg was able to build a good working relationship with Trump through flattery and compromise, with one former ambassador calling him the master Trump-whisperer. If Trump is elected U.S president, the next NATO chief will have to live up to his predecessors reputation.

Dutch defense spending may be a sore spot for Rutte

Sources: The Guardian, Politico

Rutte has earned the moniker Teflon Mark for his ability to navigate domestic scandals and turbulent moments, but the Netherlands defense spending under his leadership could be a liability for his nomination as NATOs head. U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) told Politico that Rutte should be unequivocally disqualified due to the Netherlands low military spending. The Hague is expected to hit NATOs 2% of GDP spending target this year, but has previously fallen far short of that number during Ruttes time as prime minister.

Eastern Europe holds out for one of their own

Sources: Bloomberg, The Atlantic Councils Andrew A. Michta

The countries along NATOs eastern flank had long hoped that Jens Stoltenbergs successor would be the first Eastern European NATO chief, a recognition of the regions vulnerable position and its significant contribution to defense spending, as a share of GDP, when compared to Western Europe. However, several Eastern European countries are yet to endorse Rutte, and Romania reportedly plans to nominate its president, Klaus Iohannis, as a candidate for NATO secretary general, Bloomberg reported. The next NATO chief should come from one of the frontier allies in the Baltic-Central European theater where the risk of Russian invasion is the highest, Andrew A. Michta, a NATO expert at the Atlantic Council wrote on X.
A California man was just charged with doing cosmetic procedures without a license  again.

In April 2023, 63-year-old Elias Renteria Segoviano pleaded guilty to the same offense after being caught doing Botox injections, fillers, thread lifts and other medical procedures without a license, according to Orange County prosecutors.

He had promoted himself far and wide, on every social media platform, using multiple aliases, according to a Feb. 22 news release from the Orange County District Attorneys office. He even drove a car with a license plate that read ELIASMD.

This man walked the walk and talked the talk of being a licensed medical professional, but he was anything but what he pretended to be, District Attorney Todd Spitzer said.

On social media, Segoviano called his illegal business many things: Botox in Anaheim, Botox in Anaheim- Health and Beauty, Neurotoxina Botulinica- Massage Service, Threads in Anaheim, Threads La Habra, Botox La Habra, and OC Threads, Botox & Fillers.

Authorities say he targeted Spanish-speaking women for his unlicensed procedures. Segoviano admitted to performing invasive procedures and injecting people with potentially counterfeit Botox, fillers, anesthetics, and other medical drugs that placed the public at extreme risk, prosecutors said.

These women trusted this individual to have the training and the expertise required to perform these medical procedures, Spitzer said. Instead they unknowingly put their very lives in the hands of someone who was never licensed to perform the kind of work he was doing. 

McClatchy News reached out to Segovianos attorney for comment on Feb. 23 and did not receive an immediate response.

Segoviano was sentenced to four years in prison but served just one year and four months before being released on Dec. 22, 2023.

In January 2024, less than two weeks after his release, Segoviano was back to his old ways, as he was caught trying to sublet a space and apply for a business license, prosecutors said.

Segoviano is now accused of providing prospective landlords with a fake name and stating that he performs Botox injections and thread lifting procedures, both of which require valid medical authorizations which Segoviano doesnt have.

He faces another round of charges, including two counts of unauthorized practice of medicine and one count of falsely representing himself as a licensed medical practitioner.

According to authorities, the motive for Segoviano seems to be clear: money. With the rising popularity of Botox and other cosmetic procedures, as well as the unusually high profit margins for Botox businesses, aesthetic medicine is highly lucrative. Whether youre a dermatologist, a plastic surgeon, an aesthetic nurse or someone pretending to be both, medspa business owners make a killing. According to the American Medspa Association, the average annual revenue for a medspa in 2022 was $1,982,896.

Spitzer encourages people to understand that Segoviano was not interested in the well-being of his patients , but only in making as much money as possible.

The fact that he was out of prison less than two weeks  and while under supervision  when he returned right back to a life of crime makes it painfully obvious that he has no intention of changing his behavior, Spitzer said. He will continue to try to make money off unsuspecting women every chance that he gets.

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Man gets out of prison  then steals truck full of corvettes to get home, AZ cops say

Duo uses fake iPhones and aliases in $3 million scheme to defraud Apple, officials say
I took my two kids on a train ride from Marrakech to Casablanca. We rode in first class.

Three first-class tickets only cost $34 and the ride was nice but a bit cramped.

Next time, I'd get six first-class tickets for us so we get the whole train car to ourselves.

In December, I booked a last-minute tour to Morocco for myself and two of my children.

I picked the tour with Intrepid Travel because it was in my budget and I liked the itinerary, which would take my family across the country from Casablanca to Marakkesh.

But because I planned my trip so last-minute, my options were limited when booking my flight to Casablanca, where the tour began.

Eventually, I decided to take a more affordable flight into Marrakech a few days early and take the train to Casablanca for the start of the tour.

Although it wasn't ideal, I didn't mind paying extra for transportation within the country and liked the idea of spending more time in Marrakech.

I chose to buy my tickets once I got to Morocco to avoid paying extra

I ended up buying my tickets at the train station. Jamie Davis Smith

I like being prepared and wanted to buy train tickets in advance. However, I found that purchasing tickets in advance doubled or tripled the price.

My thrifty nature prevailed, and I waited to buy train tickets until I arrived in Marrakech. On my first day in Morocco, I asked my hotel concierge how I could buy train tickets, and he advised me to get them at the train station.

The station wasn't near my hotel or anywhere I'd planned on visiting, so I decided to wait until the day I was leaving for Casablanca to buy train tickets.

It was risky, but I didn't want to spend any of my limited time in Marrakech making an unnecessary trip to the train station.

The train station was gorgeous

The Marrakech train station had lots of light. Jamie Davis Smith

Because trains to Casablanca run almost hourly, I took a cab to the station a few hours before I hoped to leave.

I braced myself for the worst, unsure if I'd have to navigate the type of stressful, chaotic train station I've encountered in other countries.

Fortunately, I found a bright, well-organized train station that was easy to navigate.

The train station looked clean and bright. Jamie Davis Smith

I admired the station's beautiful architecture with Islamic and North African elements as I approached the ticket counter.

I even stopped at the train station's Starbucks on the way.

Our tickets cost even less than I expected

Because I did my research, I knew the train tickets would be pretty affordable. Jamie Davis Smith

Based on the research I did online, I knew train tickets between Marrakech and Casablanca were affordable.

Upgrading to first class was just a couple of dollars more, and most people recommended spending the extra few bucks for a more comfortable seat.

Still, I wasn't committed until I heard the final price.

I had to double-check I heard the agent correctly when she told me first-class tickets for myself and my two children would cost $34.

Seats were available on the next train, so I bought the tickets and headed to the gate.

First class was comfortable, but it started to feel cramped

Our cabin had six seats. Jamie Davis Smith

Once aboard, I found our cabin, and we took our assigned seats for the three-hour ride. Our cabin had six seats in total.

Our cabin had six seats  three were ours. Jamie Davis Smith

Eventually, the other three seats in our cabin filled up. I was glad we had boarded first because two passengers in our cabin had to leave their luggage in the narrow hallway just outside the cabin.

Although the cabin seemed spacious at first, it started to feel crowded once it was filled with passengers and luggage.

We didn't have a ton of room to spread out. Jamie Davis Smith

Nevertheless, the ride was comfortable and quiet.

As we rode through Morocco, my children and I enjoyed looking at the beautiful scenery from our cabin's two panoramic windows.

We liked having a window in our cabin. Jamie Davis Smith

Next time, I'd buy out the whole train car

The ride was very nice, and we arrived in Casablanca feeling rested.

Because tickets were so affordable, if my family were to take another train ride in Marrakech I would probably buy all six seats in the cabin  especially for a longer ride.

That way, we could spread out and still keep our belongings in the cabin with us.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The suspect in the shooting death of two people in a University of Colorado Colorado Springs dorm room has a court appearance Friday, scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m.

Nicholas Jordan appeared in 4th Judicial Court on Tuesday, when his bail was increased from $1 million to $5 million cash-only.

Jordan, 25, was arrested Monday morning, three days after he allegedly shot and killed Samuel Knopp, 24, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, in Crestone House, a dormitory in the Alpine Village community on UCCS campus. The Colorado Springs Police Department said Jordan is from Detroit and was found in a vehicle about 3 miles west of campus.

Judge David Shakes on Friday granted the release of the arrest affidavit and denied a motion by the defense to have trial coverage restricted due to its argument that publicity would affect the case.

---

In court on Tuesday prosecution argued that Jordan presented a flight risk and was planning to flee the state. The district attorney also said that Jordan was a potential danger to the community due to the nature of the charges and that a firearm was allegedly found in his vehicle at the time of his arrest.

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In the bond agreement Jordan is required to relinquish his passport. Bond may be argued again at Jordan's first appearance at the end of the week.

Colorado Springs police confirmed on Tuesday morning that Jordan was a roommate with one of the victims.

Knopp and Montgomery were found dead with at least one gunshot wound each just after 6 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, by UCCS campus police. Reports of shots fired came in at 5:59 a.m.

According to police, Knopp and Jordan were roommates, though the motive and what led to the shooting remain unclear. Both Jordan and Knopp were registered students of the university at the time of the shooting. CSPD noted all three knew each other.
Jackson County voters have already started to cast ballots to decide the fate of a proposed 40-year sales tax. The question on the April 2 ballot asks taxpayers to help pay for a new Royals stadium near downtown Kansas City and unspecified improvements to Arrowhead Stadium.

Residents have already organized against the Crossroads ballpark proposal, criticizing the lack of transparency from the Royals and the sales tax funding model. The Chiefs and Royals announced a committee to support the tax, which they said would create and keep jobs and energize the community.

Learn if youre eligible to vote on the stadium question, when you can vote early and the date of election day.

In-person absentee voting started Feb. 20

You must have a reason to absentee vote by mail or in person. Those reasons include being outside of Jackson County on election day and being unable to make it to the polls due to illness or disability.

Contact your election board for information on mail-in absentee voting.

In Kansas City, eligible voters can walk into the Kansas City Election Board office at 4407 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In the rest of Jackson County, go to the Jackson County Election Boards Absentee Office at 110 N. Liberty, Independence on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

When is the last day to register to vote before the election?

Lauri Ealom, the director of the Kansas City Election Board, said the quickest way to make sure your voter registration is processed is by going through your election board. You can also register at the library, DMV or Missouri Secretary of States website.

Will KC Royals get a new stadium? How, when and where to vote on sales tax to fund it

When does early voting start in Kansas City, Jackson County?

All voters are eligible to cast their ballot two weeks before election day. This is officially called no-excuse absentee voting.

In Kansas City, you can vote early at two locations, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, March 30 from 8 a.m. to noon.

The Whole Person, 3710 Main

Kansas City Election Board offices, 4407 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

For the rest of Jackson County  like Raytown or Independence  go to the Jackson County Election Boards Absentee Office at 110 N. Liberty, Independence on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If KC gets a downtown stadium, where will everyone park? Royals say its not an issue

Election day is Tuesday, April 2

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Look up your polling location before election day. In Kansas City, check your voter status on the Kansas City Election Board website to find your polling place. In the rest of Jackson County, put your information in the Voter ID Lookup section in the election boards websites sidebar.

Ealom said she expects a modest turnout on April 2. The people who are going to vote in this election are the voters that vote all the time, she said.

The unofficial results will be available the night of the election, according to Ealom.

What ID do I need to vote?

Registered Missouri voters will need a government-issued photo ID to vote. Accepted forms of photo ID for Missouri include:

A non-expired Missouri drivers license or a state ID

A non-expired military ID, including a veteran ID card

A U.S. passport or another form of photo ID issued by the U.S. government or the state of Missouri that has not expired

Have more voting questions?

Contact your election board.

Kansas City Election Board

The Kansas City Election Board oversees elections for Kansas City, Missouri, residents who live south of the river.

Phone number: 816-842-4820

Address: 4407 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Jackson County Election Board

The Jackson County Election Board manages elections for residents in Jackson County who live outside of Kansas City  think Independence or Raytown.

Phone number: 816-325-4600

Address: 215 N. Liberty, Independence

Have more questions about the Jackson County stadium vote? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.




The 300 block of Fayetteville Street was reopened by police before 6:30 p.m. Thursday after demonstrators calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war had blocked the downtown roadway, the Raleigh Police Department said.

Police had asked drivers and pedestrians to find other ways around the area when dozens of people lay down in the street as part of the protest.

Some protesters were arrested, and one person was charged with assault on a police officer, according to ABC11, The News & Observers newsgathering partner.

Demonstrators seeking a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war blocked part of Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh late Thursday afternoon.

Demonstrators gathered late Thursday afternoon to stage a die-in outside the Wake County courthouse in an ongoing effort to get U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross to support a cease-fire resolution in the war in Gaza.

History will remember this moment, where Rep. Ross faced a choice between taking a stand to prevent the total ethnic cleansing of Gaza and calling for a cease-fire, the Triangle branch of Jewish Voice for Peace said in a statement. She must choose: ceasefire or genocide.

The News & Observer reached out to Rosss office for comment.

Jewish Voice for Peace has previously delivered letters to Ross and lobbied for her support

The war has claimed over 29,000 Palestinians lives, a majority of them women and children who were killed by Israeli strikes.

Israel has continued to bomb Gaza to fight the Hamas militant group in response to the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel by Hamas that killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took dozens more hostage.

Demonstrators seeking a cease fire in the Israel-Hamas war stage a die-in downtown Raleigh Thursday afternoon.
Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, has been in a state of stress for the last two years. Located only about 20 miles from the border of Russia, the city has lived under attack and threat of attack since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

UNICEF says Kharkiv, known as a cultural and education center in Ukraine and home to around 1.4 million people, now has only two schools open for students. One is a makeshift operation in the citys metro stations, the other is a Soviet-era anti-radiation shelter.

UNICEF spokesperson, James Elder, is currently in Kharkiv where he says childhood has been replaced by a state of fear and state of uncertainty.

They had two years of COVID and now two years of war. The two teenage girls I just spoke with were back in school for a week over four years, Elder told CNN. There is a massive toll being taken here on mental health.

Since the war began on February 24, 2022, the UNHCR has recorded almost 6.5 million refugees from Ukraine globally. For those still living in the country, the constant bombardment is a strain both physically and mentally  especially on children.

You really can feel the wounds are everywhere, because of their isolation, lack of socialization, because the attacks keep coming, Elder said. Theres this sort of psychological scarring that is really evident after two years of war.

Elder tried to sum up the mood of the Ukrainians hes met in a few words 

Fear, isolation and resilience.

Pupils of the first grade attend a lesson in a classroom set up in a subway station in Kharkiv. - Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Images

Longing for peace

Organizations like UNICEF are providing psychologists and counseling, but Elder says that more help is needed. The need for basic health care, safe drinking water and financial stress are also adding to peoples anxiety.

Through it all, however, Elder still sees a lot of resilience and determination.

Freedom is a word I hear regularly.

Despite the attacks and threats of attacks, he sees Ukrainians focused on rebuilding efforts, sometimes within hours of the damage taking place.

There is this immense sense of community in terms of lending a hand, counseling, volunteering. Everyone I meet is working in some way in the evenings - volunteering in some capacity, be it in a laborious way of helping in reconstruction or be it in counseling or looking after children while other friends are doing things.

After two years of war, fatigue is taking its toll on Ukrainians and other crises have grabbed the worlds attention, but Elder says that the people remain unrelenting.

They dont imagine anything other than living here, at some point, peacefully. There is no flexibility on that. They are utterly, utterly determined to ensure their own peace and freedom.

How to help

Since the invasion, CNN audiences have donated over $8 million to help the people of Ukraine. As the war now enters its third year, assistance is still needed.

You can donate with the form below, or by clicking here.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A former Idaho Department of Correction probation and parole officer has been arrested after prosecutors said he extorted the girlfriend of one of his parolees.

Saif Sabah Hasan Al Anbagi, who worked in Boise, was charged with grand theft by extortion after he allegedly asked a woman who was in a relationship with a man Al Anbagi supervises to send him compromising photos and videos, according to court documents and Shawn Kelley, a legal intern for the Ada County Prosecutors Office.

Kelley during a Tuesday arraignment said Al Anbagi told the victim that if she didnt cooperate, he would violate her boyfriends probation. Kelley added that the victim felt like she didnt have a choice because shes also under court supervision for an active criminal case.

The defendant used his position of trust and authority to extort the victim, Kelley said. This presents a danger to the community.

Jeffrey McKinnie, Al Anbagis Boise-based private attorney, said the correctional department has placed the 43-year-old on administrative suspension. A spokesperson for the department told the Statesman by email Friday that Al Anbagi was placed on unpaid leave Feb. 16 and resigned Wednesday.

Since Al Anbagi was arrested, Kelley said authorities are investigating reports from several other alleged victims who have come forward. Al-Anbagi supervised over 100 people on probation and parole as a part of his job, Kelley said.

McKinnie during the arraignment said Al Anbagi was collecting information to prove that some of his parolees were having inappropriate relationships with people who were also on probation. Al Anbagi has worked as a probation officer for seven years without any issues, he added.

This may end up being a misunderstanding, McKinnie said.

Judge sets bond at $150,000

The Ada County Prosecutors Office during Tuesdays hearing asked 4th District Magistrate Judge Abraham Wingrove to set Al Anbagis bond at $500,000. McKinnie countered and asked the judge to set a maximum bond of $20,000.

This is the first time hes ever been accused of anything, so even if they got a conviction, the likelihood of him going to prison or even on a rider is very, very slim, McKinnie said.

Wingrove said he always tries to set a reasonable bond amount, but that given the nature of the allegation in Al-Anbagis case, he thought a higher bond amount was needed, setting bail at $150,000. Al Anbagi posted bond that day, court records showed.

Al Anbagis next court hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. March 1, according to online court records.

The story was updated 5:45 p.m. Feb. 23 to include an additional statement that Al Anbagi resigned.
Donald Trump is attempting to appeal and delay having to pay that whopping fine that New York Judge Arthur Engoron laid on him earlier this month in the Trump Organization fraud suit brought by state Attorney General Letitia James. As weve all heard, to do so, he has to secure a bond.



NBC News did some cipherin Wednesday and reported that hell need a bond of about $540 million. It is widely assumed he doesnt have the liquid cash. He has some buildings, notably 40 Wall Street, but many experts are saying that the government doesnt like to take real estate as collateral. Whoever is going to bond [Trump] is committing that theyre going to make good on that judgment, New York business attorney David Slarskey told NBC. Whos going to do that?

Indeed. That is the question. And the possible answer is chilling, if we imagine Trump back in the White House next year.

In sum: He could borrow this money from just about anybody. Or not even borrow it. Someone might just give it to him. Incredibly, as Neal Katyal said on MSNBC Wednesday night, there is apparently no law that prohibits someone in Trumps position from securing the collateral from anyone. Its another one of those laws that I suppose no one ever even thought to write because the system has never encountered a Donald Trump before. But now it has.

There are potential sanctions prohibitions and campaign finance prohibitions. And of course potential tax issues, MSNBC analyst Andrew Weissmann told me via email Thursday. But apart from those, a third party can give a gift or loan to post the federal or state bonds.

Ponder with me the possible dangers here. Lets imagine a roster of actors who might have the resources and motive to stake Trump to half a billion dollars, either as a loan or a gift. Theres Russia, first of all. Russiaand Vladimir Putin personally, because hes apparently stolen so much over the years that he might be the worlds richest manmay be out of the question because of the sanctions. But of course, thats just the law, which Trump spits at.

Imagine a President Trump in hock to Russia or Putin to the tune of a half-billion dollars. Sure, Trump is inclined to give Putin half of Eastern Europe anyway. But money like that would turn a mere ideological sentiment into ironclad fealty, since money means a lot more to Trump than ideas. Well, Poland, you didnt exist from 1795 to 1918; you can get used to it again.

Or lets say it came from Saudi Arabia. Remember, it was during this very trial that Trump bragged that the Saudis, or at least some individual Saudi, would willingly pay inflated prices for Trump properties. This was a justification he used for inflating the prices in the first place. Engoron wrote in his ruling: He also seems to imply that the numbers cannot be inflated because he could find a buyer from Saudi Arabia to pay any price he suggests.

So imagine now that a buyer or buyers from the kingdom secretly put up Trumps collateral. And then Trump won the election. The United States would do whatever Mohammed bin Salman wanted it to do. On the surface, Saudi Arabia is committed to its Vision 2030 plan that proclaims a desire to normalize relations with Iran (this has started) and move away from the current reliance on oil revenues and toward a knowledge economy. Thats all very nice. But conflict will arise in that region, as it always does, and when it does, Trump will serve the master who bailed him out of legal hot water.

Or suppose the Netanyahu government put up the dough. People are plenty critical of Joe Biden now, and rightly so, over the money were giving to Israel and the absence of conditions imposed on that money so that Israel can commit atrocities on a massive scale. But if you think it cant get worse, think again. Trust hard-right Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who said earlier this month: Instead of giving us his full backing, Biden is busy with giving humanitarian aid and fuel, which goes to Hamas. If Trump was in power, the U.S. conduct would be completely different.

Of course, Trumps benefactor need not be a foreign nation. What if, as Weissman posited to Lawrence ODonnell Thursday night, it was Elon Musk who ponied up the dough? Or Peter Thiel? Or a consortium of Texas oilmen? Or the Mafia? Obviously, Trump would willingly accept the money from any and all of those sources. How nice would that be, to have a president who hardly made a move without anticipating their reaction?

Lara Trump argues that rank-and-file Republicans will be perfectly happy for their donations to the Republican National Committee to go to paying Trumps legal bills, and the Trump-era Republican Party is such a warped, freakish imitation of a normal political party, so smothered in cult-worship, that shes probably right. But even so, rank-and-file Republicans cant begin to cover more than a fraction of this.

The other hypothetical to consider here is of course that its entirely possible that Trump wont pay at all. After all, as we know all too well, if theres a law or rule to flout, Trump is there to flout it and dare the system to catch up with him. So this all might be moot, which speaks only to how brazenly lawless the man is.

But if he decides to post the bond, and if all this reporting is correct that he doesnt have the money himself, hes going to have to get it from someone. And whoever that someone is will claim a mighty stake on what remains of the mind of the man who might be the president of the United States.

This article first appeared in Fighting Words, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by editor Michael Tomasky. Sign up here.




"Dune: Part Two" stars Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya and Austin Butler posed Thursday at the franchise film's premiere in Seoul, South Korea, offering up hand gestures that raised curiosity.

Theyre pouring their hearts out.

When Dune: Part Two stars Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya and Austin Butler posed Thursday at the much-anticipated franchise films premiere in Seoul, South Korea, the trio didnt offer up your standard, simmering red-carpet moves.

Instead, the performers each cupped one of their hands to the side of their smiling faces in a half-heart shape as photographers captured the unified gesture.

Timothee Chalamet, director Denis Villeneuve, Zendaya, Stellan Skarsgard and Austin Butler attend the Dune: Part Two premiere in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday. Getty Images

Some confused baby boomers and Gen Xers were likely left pondering, What are they doing?

Other fans also clamored about another gesture in which Chalamet crossed his thumbs and index fingers, with one X user asking in all caps: WHY IS TIMOTHEE DOING AEGYO????

It turns out Zennials Chalamet, 28, and Zendaya, 27, joined millennial Butler, 32, in embracing forms of the Asian countrys cultural mainstay aegyo (pronounced ay-gyo).

Timothee Chalamet embraced South Korean culture at the movies Seoul premiere. Getty Images

Timothee Chalamet poses with a young fan outside of the premiere in South Korea. AP

The gestures are popular ways of posing  or, in another form, speaking  to convey love or to signify something cute or adorable, reportedly with roots in the Joseon dynasty reaching back to the late 1300s, according to Rolling Stone.

OK, boomer?

The finger heart sign  a mini-gesture of love  was reportedly originated by South Korean actress Kim Hye-soo back in 2010, but the move also took hold at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, when Team USA threw up the Finger Hearts when posing for photos.

Zennial actress Zendaya expresses love with the simple gesture at the event. Getty Images

Millennial actor Austin Butler also embraced the popular finger heart sign. Getty Images

That same year, cast members of the Marvel movie Black Panther  including 40-year-old star Lupita Nyongo  also embraced the concept at the action films Seoul premiere.

The gesture has been more recently popularized by some K-pop girl groups including Blackpink and Luda of WJSN, as well as mega-boy band BTS  perhaps most notably when they met with President Joe Biden at the White House to talk about anti-Asian hate in the summer of 2022.

The single and double cheek hearts  Chalamet also demonstrated the latter while in Seoul  were recently demonstrated with aplomb, among other popular gestures, by Korean influencer Jeff Kimieee.

Many such moves, according to K-pop fan site Kpopmap.com, can be a way for celebrities to offer affection toward their legions of fans.

To that end, South Korean rapper Taecyeon, 35, demonstrated a whopping 10 heart poses for excited onlookers just last year.

Ah, to be young at heart.
At least nine people were killed and up to 14 others remain missing after a large blaze ripped through an apartment building in the Spanish city of Valencia.

Jorge Suarez, the citys deputy director of emergencies, said firefighters struggled to contain the blaze and were working exclusively on cooling the buildings exteriors.

Given the characteristics of the building, firefighters had not been able to enter to address the fire from inside, he added.

At least 14 people were injured in the blaze, with most taken to local medical centers, Suarez said.

Bodies were found by the firefighters using a drone, the City Hall said.

Among those treated for injuries are at least six firefighters, Valencias Emergency Services said on social platform X.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez traveled to Valencia on Friday in a show of support for the city following the fatal blaze.

Sanchez spoke to the media at the scene, calling for people to show empathy, affection and solidarity with the victims and their families.

That is what we all need to show: empathy, affection and solidarity with the victims, their families and those who still do not know exactly what has happened to many, Sanchez said. We are here, mayor and president, to help you and above all to show that commitment and solidarity of the Government of Spain and that of the whole of Spanish society.

An apartment building where a fire occurred in Valencia, Spain, on February 23. - Eva Manez/Reuters

Firefighters inspect the aftermath of the fire in Valencia. - Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

Footage from the scene shows the entire complex ablaze as flames tear through apartments and thick smoke billows overhead. In one video, fire crews can be seen rescuing people from a balcony as the fire rages behind them.

The fire started around 5:30 p.m. local time [11.30 a.m. ET] in the Campanar neighborhood, and 16 firefighting units were sent to the scene, emergency services told CNN en Espanol.

Suarez said firefighters were analyzing the building to assess if theres a risk of it collapsing.

The fire raged into the evening as nearby residents looked on in horror, with one telling Reuters the scenes were tremendous, unbelievable  I cant believe it.

Valencia Mayor Maria Jose Alcala told residents in a post on X to avoid the scene to help rescue services.

Hotel rooms were being organized for people whose homes were affected by the fire, emergency services said.

Three days of official mourning have been declared starting Friday, the mayor said.

There are no words that describe the enormous pain that the city of Valencia is feeling right now, she said. All our support and deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Duarte Mendonca contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet are taking their besties status to the next level with fully matching outfits during the Dune 2 press run. Following premieres across Europe and North America, the film's leading duo have set foot in Asia, and they are more than delivering when it comes to looks.

On February 21, Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet attended a press conference for Dune 2 in Seoul, South Korea, wearing the exact same leather overalls but in different colors. At the beginning of the Dune 2 press run, the duo already wore coordinating leather outfits for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but their Seoul 'fits really take the cake.

Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet attend the press conference for Dune: 2 on February 21, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Since they were in South Korea, Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet chose to wear a South Korean designer for the press conference, opting for matching overalls from Juun.J's spring-summer 2024 collection. However, despite wearing the same silhouette, the two added personal details to their styling.

Zendaya's Juun.J overalls for the Dune 2 press conference in Seoul feature a pale salmon color. On the runway, the piece was styled tied around the model's waist with a matching blazer vest as the top. Zendaya decided to embrace the utilitarian nature of the piece, opting to wear the overalls on their own and skipping a shirt underneath.

Zendaya attends the press conference for Dune: 2 on February 21, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

To add some visual interest, Zendaya showed a bit of shoulder and tied the piece's belt to cinch in her waist. She paired the piece with a simple silver necklace, and Louboutin pumps that perfectly matched the overall's color.

Chalamet, on the other hand, opted for a powdery blue version of the piece. Like Zendaya, he also accessorized with simple silver necklaces. Unlike Z, who added a bit of sophistication with her shoe choice, Chalamet leaned into the utilitarian vibes with a pair of Chelsea boots that also perfectly matched the color of his overalls.

Timothee Chalamet attends the press conference for Dune: 2 on February 21, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Both Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet have been taking their looks seriously for the Dune 2 press run. That said, while Chalamet has been relying on wearable designer pieces, Zendaya has been testing the limits with fun shapes and archival pieces. (ICYMI: just last week, she shut down the London premiere with a butt-baring silver suit of armor from Mugler.)

Read more: Zendaya Helped Timothee Chalamet Decorate His First Apartment

That said, though we enjoy seeing the two put their own spin into red-carpet and premiere dressing, it's also super fun to see them wearing the same thing. You know what they say: Besties who dress together stay together. What's the next stop?

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

Want more style stories from Teen Vogue? Check these out:
Manatee County is raising impact fees levied on new development to keep up with the rising price of infrastructure associated with rapid population growth.

County commissioners voted Tuesday to move forward with a public hearing process necessary to increase impact fees by 50% during the next four years, at a rate of 12.5% per year, to offset the price of hundreds of millions of dollars needed to support future development. A 12.5% increase is the maximum allowed per year under Florida statute, officials said.

The Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association has opposed the effort since last year, and in September sent an 11-point critique of a study prepared by a firm on behalf of Manatee County.

Related: Eastward development could cost Manatee County taxpayers hundreds of millions

Also in Manatee: Waterfront property becomes the first to be conserved with Manatee County referendum funds

In the face of criticism, county officials voted in November to start the process by collecting 100% of the current impact fee, as opposed to 90%.

Commissioners were also concerned new state laws could prohibit the county from increasing impact fees a second time within four years. So on Thursday, the board rescinded that decision to instead pursue the 50% increase.

Director of Development Services Nicole Knapp said staff and consultants believe they can legally defend any challenge to the impact fee increase levied against the county.

"It's a matter of opinion between one consultant and another," Knapp said.

Commissioner George Kruse, who has been a critic of the slow speed at which the effort has progressed while in the hands of county staff, said the county lost the potential for over a million dollars in impact fees over the past couple of months.

"If we would have moved on this last summer we would have been collecting the new impact fees in December and January," Kruse said. "We collected ($9.99 million ) in impact fees in that window. Even at the 12.5% increase, that means we left $1.25 million on the table these past two months just by not moving this and delaying this. I don't think we can wait too much longer."

Commissioners voted 6 to 0 in favor of moving forward with the impact fee increase. Commissioner James Satcher was absent during the vote, despite attending the meeting.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Manatee County sets plans to raise impact fees by 50% in motion
Victoria Turner, a 2023 graduate of Liberty High School, is preparing to move into a 1,200-square-foot modular home with her twin sister. The house will allow the sisters plenty of space to spread out, though Victoria has staked a claim on the master bedroom.

Its only fair, said Turner, 18. I mean, I helped build the house.

The home build was the culminating project of Liberty High Schools building and construction class, which is part of Academy School District 20s growing Career and Technical Education program.

In partnership with Careers in Construction Colorado  a Springs-based nonprofit that brings construction industry vocational education into classrooms  D-20s Home Build Program allows students to construct a house on district property while earning industry certifications and acquiring a host of skills including carpentry, plumbing, electrical and HVAC work.

The program was practically tailor-made for Turner, who has wanted to work in construction since she was little.

When I was 5 or 6, I wanted to be a firefighter, she said. But at the same time, my brother was going into middle school and was starting to think about what he wanted to do. He wanted to get into construction, and I wanted to be like him.

By the time Turner started at Liberty, her brother had become a music major. But the idea of a career in construction still intrigued her.

I heard about the CTE construction class, and I decided to sign up, she said. You have to apply and be accepted. I had to take a quiz, and I passed. Thats when I thought, OK, I can do this.

For the construction, nearly all the hands-on work is performed by students, under the supervision of skilled tradespeople, including Jaime Hernandez, Libertys building and construction teacher. CICCs industry experts provide materials, curriculum and guidance throughout the project, but the students provide the lions share of the labor.

We have the kids do as much of the work as possible, Hernandez said. Its the best way to get them workforce-ready.

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A home typically takes about two years to build. Libertys latest project took closer to three years because of instructor turnover and COVID delays, and Turner graduated before it was completed, she said.

Turner and her mother discussed the idea of buying the completed home and asked Hernandez if it was a possibility. By December, her family owned the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house she helped build.

I like to joke with my mom that its the biggest take-home project ever, Turner said.

Students who complete the building and construction course can earn a number of professional certifications, allowing many of them to begin careers in the building trades, right out of high school. Other students use their newly acquired skills as a springboard into related disciplines, including architecture, engineering and landscaping. The possibilities are nearly endless, according to CICC school liaison Keira Conley.

It actually takes 85 separate trades to build a home from the ground up, Conley said. And thats just for a residential home. For an office building, or an apartment building, it takes even more.

In Turners case, she was able to use her skills and certifications to land a job at a roofing company in Colorado Springs. Now, shes working in the trade shes dreamed about since kindergarten.

Im a roofer, she said. Its a lot of fun; I love being up on a roof. And I was able to get a job and start making money right away, which is nice.

It will be a few months before Turner is able to move into her new place. Electricity and plumbing hookups need to be installed, as well as a breezeway that will connect her house to her parents home, which is next door.

But shes already making furnishing and decoration plans, including turning a third bedroom into a home gym. And she cant wait to move into her new master bedroom.

It is a pretty nice room, Turner said, and smiled.
It's one of the worst-case scenarios for a missing child: An 11-year-old girl is found dead and a man who was supposed to drop her off at a school bus is charged in her murder.

Audrii Cunningham's body was found Tuesday in the Trinity River, Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons told reporters. Don Steven McDougal, 42, who Lyons said lives in a trailer on the familys property, was held without bond on a capital murder charge in connection to her death, according to Polk County Jail records.

The tragic case in Texas, which prompted an AMBER Alert and national coverage, represents one of the rarest kinds of missing children cases. The vast majority of the hundreds of thousands of children reported missing in the United States each year are found and very few are abducted by people other than family members or given an AMBER Alert.

And while each case is troubling, how much attention they receive from law enforcement, the media and the public can vary widely based on a number of factors. Among them are race, age and the circumstances of their disappearance, according to Gaetane Borders, president of Peas in Their Pods, which has advocated for missing children of color since 2007.

"When every child goes missing, it should be urgent for everyone to assist," said Borders. "But the reality is that it's far more difficult for children of color to get the same level of attention as Audrii or [Gabby] Petito and so forth and so on."

What happens when a child disappears? Racial disparities abound in efforts to find missing kids in America

An Amber Alert was issued on Feb. 15, 2024 for Audrii Cunningham, 11, of Livingston, Texas.

How often do children go missing?

About 460,000 children go missing from the United States each year, according to the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. There were more than 30,500 active missing persons records for children under the age of 18 in National Crime Information Center in December 2022.

In Texas, there were 3,144 children reported missing to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in 2022, the highest number of any state. Nearly 90% of those cases were resolved, according to NCMEC.

At least 46 other children across the country went missing in the week since Audrii's disappearance, including 3-year-old Elijah Vue in Wisconsin, 14-year-old Maxine Pontious in Texas, 17-year-old Christian Spencer in Massachusetts and 15-year-old Princess Huertas in North Carolina, according to NCMEC's database of missing posters.

Some missing kids get more attention: Here are 5 cases to know about

Abductions by nonfamily members are rare

Children who ran away and family abductions are the two most common cases reported to NCMEC. An abduction in which a child is taken by someone known to but not related to them or by a stranger, called a "nonfamily abduction," is the rarest type of missing children case, accounting for just 1% of such cases reported to NCMEC.

Missing children are typically found

According to NCMEC, 98% of children reported missing are located within days. Of those who are not, most are Black.

"Although a lot of the kids are found, the numbers definitely are disturbing as to how many are still left unfound," Borders said.

NCMEC found thousands of children have been recovered after being missing for six months or longer. But the longer children are missing, the more likely they could be harmed. A 2006 study from the Washington state attorney generals office and U.S. Department of Justice of nearly 800 cases of children who went missing and were later found dead determined the child was killed within three hours in 76% of cases and within a day in 88.5% of cases.

Not all missing kids are treated the same

Only a small fraction of missing children cases get AMBER Alerts. Even when they are used, its unclear how much the alerts help bring children home safely,

An AMBER Alert was issued after Audrii failed to get on the school bus last week, which only happens in a small fraction of missing children cases. Even when AMBER Alerts are used, its unclear how much they do to help bring children home safely, a USA TODAY analysis of the alerts found.

The AMBER alert was credited with helping in just a quarter of alert cases across the country over six months in 2022. The alerts worked best for white and Hispanic kids, helping in about 1 in 3 cases, compared with 1 in 7 involving Black children.

In some cities and towns, police department policy can result in missing children as young as 10 and older like Audrii receiving less attention from law enforcement, USA TODAY found. Children who are classified as runaways, which advocates say happens more often to children of color, can also receive less attention from law enforcement.

Stories about missing children of color may also be less likely to get attention from reporters, advocates say, and members of the public on social media. Borders, of Peas in Their Pods, said when a case does receive national attention, it can be an opportunity for people to learn more about issues surrounding missing children.

"But the trend is after a while the conversation stops until the next case that pulls at heartstrings comes up again, which it will, and then the conversations will resume," she said. "It's about sustained conversation. It's about preventative conversations."

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, Amaris Encinas, Gina Barton, Doug Caruso, Rachel Looker, Tami Abdollah, Ashley Luthern and Madison Scott, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why missing Texas girl Audrii Cunningham's case is one of the rarest
More than $570 million worth of cocaine hidden within a cargo of bananas was seized in the Southampton Port in the UK on Feb. 8, 2023.

More than $570 million worth of cocaine was seized from packages of bananas in what is believed to be the biggest seizure of class-A drugs in the United Kingdom.

The UK's National Crime Agency said on Friday that 6.3 tons of cocaine was seized from a container on Feb. 8 at Southampton Port, roughly 80 miles southwest of London.

Specialist Border Force officers found the drugs hidden within a cargo of bananas that were being transported from South America and believed to be headed to the Port of Hamburg in Germany, the NCA said.

Authorities are investigating to figure out who is behind the shipment, estimated to be worth over $570 million.

Drug smuggling: More than $10 million in cocaine, meth found in jalapeno paste shipment, federal officials say

Largest class A drug bust

Officials said this seizure surpasses the previous largest U.K. seizures of 4.1 tons of cocaine at Southampton in 2022 and 3.5 tons found on a tug boat in Scotland in 2015.

According to the press release, criminal gangs make as much as $5 billion on the domestic cocaine market in the U.K. alone. The cocaine trade has also been linked to serious violence, which "has seen an exponential rise" in the past few years in the U.K.

This record-breaking seizure will represent a huge hit to the international organised crime cartels involved, denying them massive profits. The work of the NCA was crucial to making it happen," NCA Director Chris Farrimond said.

Farrimond said that while the shipment was headed into Europe, he believes a "significant proportion would have ended up back here in the U.K., being peddled by U.K. criminal gangs."

Minister for Legal Migration and the Border, Tom Pursglove MP said the U.K. has a "zero-tolerance approach to the supply of illegal drugs."

This seizure sends a clear message to criminals that they will be caught. Our Border Force officers continue to work relentlessly to protect our borders and ensure the safety and security of the public.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Colombia is the largest producer of cocaine, accounting for 70 to 80% of the worlds supply. The agency said the country is estimated to produce $400 million dollars worth of the drug a week.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cocaine hidden in banana cargo box seized in UK, worth $570M
While Wisconsin will vote based on new legislative districts in fall, the congressional maps will stay the same after the state Supreme Court rejected a request to reconsider them.

The new district maps signed into law by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers will affect how Wisconsinites are represented in the statehouse in Madison. A separate case asked whether the districts that elect Wisconsin's eight U.S. House members in Washington should change as well.

Here's a breakdown of where the other case is at, why the state Supreme Court is being asked to review congressional maps, and the current makeup of Wisconsin's delegation in the House.

What's the status of the case challenging Wisconsin's congressional map?

After Evers signed the legislative maps, he asked the court to take up a motion to reconsider the congressional lines, giving that case a renewed push.

But the court rejected the request on March 1, meaning the current boundaries will stay in place for this year's elections for Congress.

Newly-elected liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz did not participate in a vote on the motion, saying that she was not seated on the court when the underlying case was decided.

If the court had taken up the motion, there would have been a very tight turnaround to put the new districts in place before the fall elections, when all U.S. House members are up for reelection.

Evers drew the congressional map. What was his argument for changing them?

Evers' latest request was grounded in a theory known as the "least-change" approach.

The congressional map Evers asked the court to reconsider is one he drew and the court approved two years ago. But at the time, the court said it was looking for minimal changes to election maps.

Democrats now argue that "least-change" is no longer required. That's because the court, in the legislative case that is wrapping up, said it would no longer favor maps that minimize changes.

And the new legislative maps do make significant changes  such as creating a district in the Fox Valley that leans Democratic.

More: A game-changing moment for Wisconsin Democrats. New maps put legislative majorities within reach

What's the current party makeup of the U.S. House members from Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has two Democratic U.S. House members  Rep. Gwen Moore, who represents the 4th District in Milwaukee, and Rep. Mark Pocan, who represents the 2nd District that includes Madison and surrounding counties.

Two of the congressional districts are considered competitive under the current maps, and are held by Republicans. Those are the western 3rd District, represented by Rep. Derrick Van Orden, and the southeastern 1st District, held by Rep. Bryan Steil.

The four other Republican members include Rep. Tom Tiffany in the northern 7th District, Rep. Glenn Grothman in the central 6th District, Rep. Scott Fitzgerald in the 5th District west of Milwaukee, and Rep. Mike Gallagher in the northeastern 8th District.

Gallagher isn't running for reelection, but Republicans are still likely to hold onto his seat. The district was once more of a battleground, but rural parts of the district have shifted right in the last decade.

Any changes to congressional maps wouldn't affect Wisconsin's U.S. senators, who are elected on a statewide basis. Those are Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who is up for reelection, and Republican Sen. Ron Johnson.

Lawrence Andrea of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why does Wisconsin have new legislative maps, but not congressional ones?
After a bitterly fought six-week civil trial, a New York jury on Friday found ex-National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre liable for improperly spending millions of dollars of the pro-gun groups money on luxuries such as private jet flights, extravagant vacations, and sun-soaked stays on private yachts.

LaPierres profligate ways violated his fiduciary duties and cost the NRA some $5.4 million, the jury determined. He has reimbursed the organization $1.5 million thus far, so now must pay $4.35 million.

Jurors deliberated for five days before returning their verdict on the states allegations of brazen corruption by the 74-year-old LaPierre. In court, prosecutors from the New York State Attorney Generals Office laid out a broad array of evidence to demonstrate what they described as a high-living chief executive using the NRA as his own personal slush fund. When questioned on the stand about receiving luxurious gifts including Italian suits worth nearly $300,000, LaPierre insisted he considered the clothes to have been work items.

I did all the television for the NRA, he testified, explaining that his publicist wanted him to look good onscreen.

The decision is the culmination of a 2020 lawsuit Attorney General Letitia James brought against LaPierre, along with co-defendants John Frazer, the NRAs general counsel, former CFO Wilson Woody Phillips, and the NRA itself, accusing them of, among other things, violating state nonprofit laws and flouting attempts at oversight. All told, the corruption by LaPierre and the others cost the NRA more than $64 million in three years, according to prosecutors.

In the wake of the verdict Friday, James called it a major victory for the people of New York and our efforts to stop the corruption and greed at the NRA.

LaPierre and senior leaders at the NRA blatantly abused their positions and broke the law. But today, after years of rampant corruption and self-dealing, Wayne LaPierre and the NRA are finally being held accountable, James said in a statement.

Authorities busted LaPierre, who was once called the craziest man on earth by the New York Daily News, and his top execs with their hands in the cookie jar, Assistant Attorney General Monica Connell said last week during closing arguments.

Theyre going to try to get you to think about anything except what happened to those cookies, she told jurors. Theyre going to blame anyone else but themselves.

And thats pretty much how things played out. The NRA pointed the finger at LaPierre, Frazer and Phillips said they were just doing their jobs, and LaPierres attorney, P. Kent Correll, claimed the entire affair was little more than a political witch hunt by an AG who wanted to decapitate the NRA.

Correll argued that the private flights were booked out of concern for LaPierres safety, echoing LaPierres 2021 claim about escaping to a 108-foot yacht for security reasons in the face of threats he said he had received in the aftermath of the 2021 Sandy Hook school shooting.

[T]his was the one place that I hope could feel safe, where I remember getting there going, Thank God Im safe, nobody can get me here, LaPierre testified at a deposition. And thats how it happened. Thats why I used it.

Correll said that LaPierre always acted in the best interests of the NRA, and that he was a selfless leader who put the organizations goals ahead of building a big pile of money for himself. The private jet travel, Corell told the jury, was in the interest of the NRA.

The AG doesnt want you to look at the heroism, he said in closing arguments. They dont want you to look at the freedom he has fought for. They dont want you to look at the 4 million members.

LaPierre resigned as CEO in January, shortly before the trial opened. LaPierres former chief of staff, Josh Powell, who initially blew the whistle on the financial malfeasance and in 2020 published a tell-all book about the dirty dealings at the NRA, settled with the AGs office last month, agreeing to testify in court, pay back $100,000 to the NRA, and refrain from any future a role at nonprofit.

I only wish our founders, Jim and Sarah Brady, who LaPierre and the NRA senselessly harassed for trying to free us from gun violence, could be here to see this day, Kris Brown, president of anti-gun violence group Brady United, said in a statement following the verdict.

For once, the man who lied to America for decades, who worked to deceive our nation into believing that guns would make us safer, is going to have to pay up for his nefarious practices and irresponsible business dealings, Brown said. The $4.4 million price tag is only a drop in the bucket for what he owes the American people for the carnage he fueled, but it is a good start on the road to accountability.

James has said she seeks to dissolve the NRA, and wants LaPierre, Phillips, and Frazer to make full restitution for funds they unlawfully profited and salaries earned while employees; pay penalties; recover illegal and unauthorized payments to the four individuals; remove Frazer from the NRAs leadership and ensure none of the four individual defendants can ever again serve on the board of a charity in New York.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A Missouri lawmaker wants to offer incentives to districts that remain on a five-day school week, an attempt to slow or reverse the shift to shorter weeks.

The number of mostly small and rural districts that have moved to a four-day week, since the option was allowed by state law in 2011, has soared to roughly 170 or 30%.

State Sen. Doug Beck, a Democrat and former school board member from Affton, filed Senate Bill 784, which received a short hearing Wednesday by the Select Committee on Empowering Parents and Children.

A legislative proposal offers incentives to Missouri school districts that remain on a five-day week.

In the hearing, Beck noted one popular option for making the switch is to recruit and retain teachers. For example, a district with a lower starting or average teacher salary might be able to recruit teachers by offering the truncated week.

Senate Bill 784 seeks to offset the recruiting advantage by boosting pay for teachers in districts operating on a five-day week.

"This bill is filled with a lot of carrots," Beck said. "There are no sticks."

The proposal calls for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide an additional 2% in state aid  based on the amount from the prior year  to those districts, which Beck said must be "used exclusively to improve teacher salaries."

Under the bill, the definition of an annual "school term" or year will be modified to require districts in cities or counties with at least 30,000 residents to have class a minimum of 169 days. The districts that adopt a four-day week must be in session at least 142 days.

Missouri schools are currently required to be in session for 1,044 hours or more a year, which will not change. Currently, districts on a four-day week accomplish that requirement by elongating the school day or school year.

Sen. Doug Beck questions State Treasurer Vivek Malek during a Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee hearing Wednesday Jan. 10, 2024.

DESE commissioned its first large-scale study about the impact of four-day weeks on student learning. The results, released this month, showed the alternative calendar was neither helpful nor harmful.

"Four days school weeks are popular and seem to have minimal repercussions to learning and teacher retention," Beck said, at the hearing. "However, we live in a big and diverse state and as such, different communities, different districts, have different needs."

The study did not examine the impact of the shorter week on the ability to hire and keep qualified teachers, which can also have an impact on academic achievement.

A documented teacher shortage in Missouri, which intensified during the pandemic, has spurred more districts  and larger ones  to explore the four-day week. The Independence district, with more than 14,000 students, is the largest to switch.

Currently, the decision about switching to a four-day week is made by a school board. However, Beck's bill would require the districts serving cities or counties with more than 30,000 residents to put it on the ballot.

He said that provision "does not prohibit four-day weeks but rather involves the whole community by allowing the people to decide what works best for their neighborhood."

As part of the study, researchers looked at districts that switched prior to the pandemic and noted demographic similarities. They were more likely to be rural, predominately white, and had more students eligible for free or reduced price school meals, a national measure of poverty.

More: Holding paddle, SPS board member urges return to corporal punishment for students

In the legislative proposal, Beck added an incentive for districts on a five-day week that elect to have a longer school year.

The bill calls for districts in session 175 days or more to be able to start their school year earlier in August. A change in state law a few years ago prohibits districts from starting more than 14 days before the first Monday in September, or Labor Day.

State Sen. Ben Brown, a Republican from Washington, Missouri, questioned how districts who engage in collective bargaining with employees will be able to lengthen the school year. The contracts that result from that process determine how many days teachers and staff must work.

Beck said he was aware of that concern and school districts that want to be in session for 175 days or more will have time to negotiate with teachers before any change is made.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Lawmaker offers incentives for Missouri districts to keep 5-day week
Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor in the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump, is trying to stop his divorce lawyer from being questioned about his romantic relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Wade urged Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee on Thursday not to hold a confidential meeting with his lawyer, arguing that prying more information from Terrence Bradley, his former law partner and divorce lawyer, about the relationship with Willis would violate attorney-client privilege.

Questions about Wade's relationship with Willis are key to an effort by Trump and several co-defendants in the case to disqualify Willis and Wade, which would upend the trial and potentially postpone it until after the November election.

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 16: Witness Terrence Bradley looks on from the witness stand during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on February 16, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Judge Scott McAfee is hearing testimony as to whether DA Fani Willis and Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade should be disqualified from the case for allegedly lying about a personal relationship. (Photo by Alyssa Pointer-Pool/Getty Images)

Judge McAfee held two days of hearings about the relationship on Feb. 15 and 16 to consider the motion to disqualify Willis, Wade and the whole district attorney's office. But Bradley repeatedly refused to testify because of attorney-client privilege.

McAfee said he would meet alone with Bradley to review the evidence from Wade's consultations with Bradley as part of his divorce proceedings confidentially. Trump and his co-defendants argued the evidence would show Wade began his relationship with Willis before he was hired to work on the investigation into Trump and his allies effort to overturn his 2020 loss in Georgia, not afterwards as he and Willis have claimed. Thus, the defendants argue, Willis and Wade would have committed perjury by lying about the relationship and that attorney-client privilege cant be used to cover up a crime.

McAfee scheduled the hearing for Monday, Fox News reported, based on anonymous sources.

But Wade argued against any meeting between McAfee and Bradley.

The Court should not conduct the examination under any circumstance, Wade said in a 12-page filing, underlining and putting the words in boldface type.

Willis and Wade gave riveting testimony detailing their relationship

Wade and Willis each testified at last week's hearing. They said the romantic relationship began in spring 2022 and ended in summer 2023, and Willis repaid Wade in cash for trips they took together to Belize, Aruba and California.

But Trump and co-defendants including former White House aide Mike Roman contend they have evidence the relationship started as early as 2019. The defendants contend that Willis profited unethically from hiring Wade for the case and should be removed.

Bradley testified that he had no personal knowledge of when the relationship began. But defense lawyers led by Ashleigh Merchant, who represents Roman, argued that Bradley's text messages might reveal more. McAfee planned to review the text messages.

Willis testified at the hearing that Trump and his co-defendants were trying to distract from the reason for the trial.

"These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020, Willis said, gesturing to the defense table. Im not on trial no matter how hard you try to put me on trial.

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 15: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on February 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Judge Scott McAfee is hearing testimony as to whether Willis and Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade should be disqualified from the case for allegedly lying about a personal relationship. (Photo by Alyssa Pointer-Pool/Getty Images)

Wade calls request for divorce lawyer's evidence 'intrusive'

Wade argued in his Thursday filing that he and Willis already revealed "intrusive" details about their personal relationship but there is no reason to remove them from the case.

The Defendants sought to introduce intrusive and legally irrelevant personal details of multiple peoples lives for the world to watch unfold in real time, but still no credible evidence exists in the record to support their tenuous claims, Wade said in his filing.

If the Court were now to disregard the most sacred of all legally recognized privileges whose preservation is essential to the just and orderly operation of our legal system, it would be a step too far, and Special Prosecutor Wade is constrained to object, Wade added.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wade tries to stop divorce lawyer testimony about Willis in Trump case
Colombia's government on Friday announced an expedition to remove items of "incalculable value" from the wreck of the legendary San Jose galleon, which sank in 1708 while laden with gold, silver and emeralds estimated to be worth billions of dollars. The 316-year-old wreck, often called the "holy grail" of shipwrecks, has been controversial, because it is both an archaeological and economic treasure.

Culture Minister Juan David Correa told AFP that more than eight years after the discovery of the wreck off Colombia's coast, an underwater robot would be sent to recover some of its bounty.

Between April and May, the robot would extract some items from "the surface of the galleon" to see "how they materialize when they come out (of the water) and to understand what we can do" to recover the rest of the treasures, said Correa.

The operation will cost more than $4.5 million and the robot will work at a depth of 600 meters to remove items such as ceramics, pieces of wood and shells "without modifying or damaging the wreck," Correa told AFP aboard a large naval ship.

The location of the expedition is being kept secret to protect what is considered one of the greatest archaeological finds in history from malicious treasure hunters.

The San Jose galleon was owned by the Spanish crown when it was sunk by the British navy near Cartagena in 1708. Only a handful of its 600-strong crew survived.

The Spanish San Jose Galleon sunk in the Caribbean in 1708 after a battle with the British. / Credit: Samuel Scott

"It makes it very touchy because one is not supposed to intervene in war graves," Justin Leidwanger, an archaeologist at Stanford University who studies ancient shipwrecks, told Live Science.

The ship had been heading back from the New World to the court of King Philip V of Spain, laden with treasures such as chests of emeralds and some 200 tons of gold coins.

Before Colombia announced the discovery in 2015, it was long sought after by treasure hunters.

"As if we were in colonial times"

The discovery of the galleon sparked a tug-of-war over who gets custody of its bounty.

Spain insists that the bounty is theirs since it was aboard a Spanish ship, while Bolivia's Qhara Qhara nation says it should get the treasures as the Spanish forced the community's people to mine the precious metals.

Colombian Rear-admiral Herman Ricardo Leon (L) and Colombian Director of Anthropologic and History Institute Alhena Caicido deliver a press conference at the Navy Museum in Cartagena, Colombia, on February 23, 2024. / Credit: LUIS ACOSTA/AFP via Getty Images

The government of leftist president Gustavo Petro, in power since 2022, wants to use the country's own resources to recover the wreck and ensure it remains in Colombia.

The idea is "to stop considering that we are dealing with a treasure that we have to fight for as if we were in colonial times, with the pirates who disputed these territories," Correa, the culture minster, said.

Spain's ambassador to Colombia Joaquin de Aristegui said he has instructions to offer Colombia a "bilateral agreement" on the protection of the wreck.

Bolivia's Indigenous people have expressed their willingness to work with Petro's government and have now asked for the return of only a few pieces from the ship.

"Not only for the symbolic issue but more for the spiritual issue," native leader Samuel Flores told AFP. "We just want our ancestors to be at peace."

The expedition to start recovering the shipwreck's trove comes as a case is underway at the UN's Permanent Court of Arbitration between Colombia and the U.S.-based salvage company Sea Search Armada -- which claims it found the wreck first over 40 years ago.

The company is demanding $10 billion dollars, half the wreck's estimated value today.

In June 2022, Colombia said that a remotely operated vehicle reached 900 meters below the surface of the ocean, showing new images of the wreckage.

The video showed the best-yet view of the treasure that was aboard the San Jose  including gold ingots and coins, cannons made in Seville in 1655 and an intact Chinese dinner service.

At the time, Reuters reported the remotely operated vehicle also discovered two other shipwrecks in the area, including a schooner thought to be from about two centuries ago.

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Washington  The Biden administration announced more than 600 sanctions and penalties on Russia and its military industry Friday  the largest round of sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago  as it tries to exert more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over the invasion and the sudden death a week ago of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

Friday's actions include State Department sanctions on three Russian officials the U.S. says were connected to Navalny's death, as well as sanctions from the State and Treasury Departments on 500 entities linked to Russia's war effort. Another 90 companies were added to the Commerce Department's "entity list," which restricts their ability to do business in the U.S.

President Biden warned of the sanctions earlier this week after blaming Putin for Navalny's death. Mr. Biden had said there was "no doubt" Putin's government was responsible. On Thursday, he met with Navalny's wife and his daughter, Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya, in California. He addressed the new sanctions at the White House on Friday.

"I assured them his legacy will continue to live around the world, and we in the United States are going to continue to ensure that Putin pays a price for his aggression abroad and repression at home," Mr. Biden said while addressing the nation's governors.

The new Russia sanctions

President Biden speaks to a bipartisan group of governors in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 23, 2024. / Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

The sanctions target top Russian companies, including Mechel, the leading manufacturer of specialty steel used in Russia's attack helicopters, and JSC SUEK, a railroad logistics company. MIR, the Central Bank of Russia's national payment processing system, has also been sanctioned, along with business leaders inside and outside of Russia.

The sanctioned entities outside Russia are mostly connected to businesses providing materials to Russia's military. Friday's sanctions include 26 entities outside of Russia and people in 11 countries, including China, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Liechtenstein.

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told reporters Thursday that Putin has essentially "tasked the [Russian security and intelligence services] with looking for ways to evade our sanctions, especially when it comes to getting access to key components like semiconductors and machine tools." He went on to say the U.S. strategy is making it more difficult for Russia to "use the supply chain to build the weapons that they need," and the administration would continue "to put sand in the gears of Russia's military industrial complex."

The U.S. sanctions have been issued in partnership with sanctions from the United Kingdom and European Union. These sanctions do not target Russian sovereign assets, nor the important Russian fertilizer market.

John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, told reporters Tuesday that the sanctions were devised to "hold Russia accountable" for its brutal war against Ukraine, as well as for what happened to Navalny.

Russian officials said last Friday the 47-year-old lost consciousness while he was on a walk in the Arctic penal colony where he was transferred last year. Navalny has been imprisoned since 2021 after surviving an assassination attempt by poisoning.

Kirby said it was "difficult" to trust the Russians' explanation about what caused the dissident's death.

"Whatever story the Russian government decides to tell the world, it's clear that President Putin and his government are responsible for Mr. Navalny's death," Kirby said.

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow on Feb. 23, 2024. / Credit: ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The death of Navalny, a staunch critic of the war in Ukraine, comes as the conflict enters its third year and Washington remains divided over providing more aid to Ukraine.

"One of the most powerful things that we can do right now to stand up to Vladimir Putin, of course, is to again pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill and support Ukraine as they continue to fight bravely in defense of their country," Kirby said.

The Biden administration has imposed a range of economic sanctions on Russia since the start of the war, including cutting off Russian banks and companies from western financial markets and freezing billions in Russian assets.

The latest round follows an agreement by European Union members earlier this week to impose more Ukraine-related sanctions targeting about 200 additional entities and individuals, including those involved in helping Russia obtain weapons and those involved in kidnapping Ukrainian children.

Still, Russia's economy is expected to grow steadily by 2.6% in 2024 after having "stronger-than-expected" growth in 2023, the International Monetary Fund said in a January report.

The West's effort to cap Russia's oil revenues since the start of the war hasn't starved the Kremlin's revenues. The U.S. led its international allies in late 2022 to impose a $60-a-barrel price cap on Russian oil shipments, but there's been widespread circumvention, Christopher Swift, a national security lawyer with Foley and Lardner LLP who previously helped enforce Treasury sanctions, told CBS News.

Swift said sanctions targeting the energy sector have been less effective than those on the banking sector, but noted that there's been a fair amount of effort from Russian oligarchs to evade sanctions.

"There's only so many yachts that an oligarch can lose before they start finding other places to hide their money," he said.

But that doesn't mean sanctions overall haven't been effective, because they "are designed to make things harder for the adversary; they're not designed to defeat the adversary," Swift said.

"The sanctions that the U.S. and its allies have imposed have been highly effective in doing the things that those sanctions are designed to do, which is cut Russia off from the West," Swift said, pointing out that Russia has simply found other markets. "What Russia has done is it's just adapted and it's gone to China and India and Iran."

When asked about the effectiveness of the sanctions, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Friday that they "will continue to impose costs on Russia to make it harder to carry out its brutal war and vicious war in Ukraine."

"We see Russia being forced to turn to countries like Iran and North Korea to get the arms and ammunition it needs to carry out this war," she said.

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Several Ukrainian media outlets were attacked by Russian hackers this week, posting misinformation about the ongoing war between the two countries.

Ukrainska Pravda, one of the largest online Ukrainian newspapers, and Liga.net, a business media site, were hacked in recent days. Ukraines cybersecurity agency confirmed via Telegram that the hacks came from Russia.

Russia continues the information war against our state. Today, Russian hackers launched another attack on a number of Ukrainian media and posted fake information on their resources, the cybersecurity agency posted.

Representatives from the organizations have contacted the Government Computer Emergency Response Team and experts are investigating the incident, the agency said.

Ukrainska Pravdas account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, was hacked Sunday. The organizations editorial team lost access to the UP account and fakes began to appear on the page.

The organization said the false information pertained to the recent Ukrainian withdrawal in Avdiivka. Ukraines commander in chief said last week that troops were leaving the city in eastern Ukraine to save the lives and health of its soldiers.

We are trying to restore access. Please do not consider the information posted on our Ukrainian-language X account as having anything to do with Ukrainska Pravda, the organization said, adding that its English-language account has not been hacked.

Liga.net also said a fake news story appeared on its site Sunday about the alleged rout by the Russian occupiers of the elite units of the Armed Forces in Avdiivka.

The editors of LIGA.net are not involved in the publication of Russian disinformation, the site was hacked by unknown persons, the organization said.

The outlet said the article was quickly removed but still was active for some time and was automatically spread on the organizations X account. It said it is investigating its security gaps to prevent it from happening.

The news of the hacks comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down for an interview with pundit Tucker Carlson, where he spread propaganda about Russias invasion of Ukraine as part of his ongoing information warfare campaign.

Ukraines cybersecurity agency said in a post last year that the most intense period of hostile cyber activity against Ukrainian media outlets was at the beginning of the invasion nearly two years ago, although it has continued throughout the duration of the war.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Father Celestino Gutierrez shares a laugh with Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, bishop of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, center, and Father Fausto Stampiglia during his 70th birthday celebration in 2010.

Father Celestino Gutierrez's focus did not change when he arrived in Sarasota in 1985 after 17 years as a missionary in Guatemala, where he built churches and a hospital and supported a rural cooperative movement during a dark period of civil war.

"I have been a priest with the same agenda all my life," Gutierrez said.

Only 17 people attended his first Mass for Spanish speakers at St. Martha's Catholic Church, a time when Latino Americans represented less than 1% of Sarasota's population. Hispanics are 10% of Sarasota residents today.

Known communitywide as "Padre," Father Celestino Gutierrez was ordained on June 24, 1964  the same month and day as the groundbreaking for St. Jude Church in 2004.

"The increase of newcomers from other states and other countries has filled our pews, classrooms and my heart," said Gutierrez, who is retiring after 39 years in Sarasota  the last 18 as founding pastor of St. Jude Catholic Church. After building a legacy of compassion, good works, and goodwill, his final bilingual communal mass as pastor is Sunday at noon.

A newcomer to Sarasota like many in his flock, Gutierrez began to celebrate Mass at the Celery Fields for migrant workers. He launched a Christmas program for the needy. He organized religious education programs, driving some of the kids to their first catechism classes.

Father Celestino Gutierrez crowns a princess during the St. Jude Church Hispanic Festival in 2016.

"I give thanks to God each day for the opportunities I have had to serve Him," Gutierrez said in an email. "At St. Jude we average 300 children in the catechism classes. Some learn their prayers in English (often their preference); others learn in Spanish (choice of their parents). It is with great pride to then see these kids grow up as charitable volunteers, eager to work on programs to help the needy, the homeless, the less fortunate. I have been blessed with the love of faith our church demonstrates."

As the Latino congregation grew with new faces from Cuba, Mexico, and Central and South America, Most Rev. John J. Nevins, the first bishop of the Diocese of Venice, acknowledged the need for a new church. Ground was broken for St. Jude Church in 2004. The parish was inaugurated on May 28, 2006.

Longtime St. Jude Church parishioner Kathy Schersten and Father Celestino Gutierrez dig in during the church's groundbreaking on June 24, 2004.

"St. Jude has been an active community since its inauguration," Gutierrez said. "Standing room only is the norm at many masses, joining the two communities, English speakers and Spanish speakers, working together as families who help one another, promoting friendship and worship."

More than 3,000 parishioners now belong St. Jude Church.

Father Celestinos tremendous influence on St. Jude Parish and indeed, the diocese of Venice, cannot be overstated," Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, bishop of the Diocese of Venice, said in an email. "His great joy ... is contagious and has been a bright light in our Catholic community. Father Celestinos pastoral guidance for almost 40 years here in the diocese has brought many closer to Christ, especially those in the Hispanic community.

Father Celestino Gutierrez arrived at St. Marthas Parish in 1985, joining Father Fausto Stampiglia, who retired in 2022. "When Father Fausto is by my side I am always happy and pure."

"He had a clear passion for service," Dewane said, "and taught that so much can be learned about faith through the simple act of helping others.

St. Jude Church added a rectory in 2010. Through the years a food bank joined the campus with distributions twice a week. A thrift shop operates on weekends. Gutierrez, known in the community simply at Padre, also helps immigrant families apply for amnesty, and the annual St. Jude Hispanic Festival supports a multitude of parish outreach efforts.

'A church for all people'

"El Padre works hard to provide a church for all people," said Francis Verdoni, St. Jude Parish secretary and religious education director for over 35 years. "Our church has people from Canada to Patagonia. Filipinos, Vietnamese, French families from the circus come to St. Jude."

The 20th annual St. Jude Church Hispanic Festival is scheduled in November.

Kathy Schersten, development director for St. Jude Church and a board member of UnidosNow, met Padre during his first week in Sarasota in her role as president of the Hispanic-American Association. She was instrumental in fundraising for the construction of St. Jude Church.

"This is a true missionary priest whose focus has always been on helping others," Schersten said. "Working daily as a volunteer with Padre as chair of the Capital Campaign has been a highlight of my life. He taught me true passion for a cause ... and the importance of the church's focus on charity."

Father Celestino Gutierrez, who entered seminary at age 12, is a native of Bercimuel, Spain  population less than 100.

Felipe Cava, a longtime parishioner, credits Padre with helping his wife and family get settled in Sarasota.

"He understands all of us and respects every countrys traditions," Cava said. "He dedicates special time to every country to celebrate its most important patron saints festivities like the Mexican Virgen de Guadalupe or El Senor de los Milagros of Peru [Lord of the Miracles], and others."

Proceeds from the annual St. Jude Church Hispanic Festival support a multitude of parish outreach efforts.

Gutierrez, 83, who entered seminary at age 12, is a native of Bercimuel  population less than 100  in the province of Segovia, Spain, where he was educated and ordained in 1964. On June 24, Padre will celebrate 60 years as a priest.

"I will continue to serve when needed," Gutierrez said. "St. Jude is my church, just as Santo Tomas Church is in my home in Spain, and as were my missionary ones in Guatemala. My vocation never really retires."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: For St. Jude Church's Padre, a life of service, compassion, inspiration
The arraignment hearing for the man accused of causing the death of Pueblo parole officer Christine Guerin Sandoval last year was delayed one month on Friday due to ongoing issues at the Colorado State Public Defender's Office.

Justin Kula, 42, is accused of killing Sandoval with his car after he attempted to flee from her and two other parole officers who were attempting to make contact with Kula on Sept. 28.

Kula was scheduled for an arraignment hearing on Friday morning, which was slated to be his first opportunity to enter a plea on all eight charges he faces. The charges include leaving the scene of an accident causing death, reckless manslaughter, vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and several habitual criminal sentence enhancements.

At Friday's arraignment hearing Kimberley Davis, Kula's attorney, informed Judge David Shakes that they were not prepared to proceed due to the ongoing issues of a cyberattack on the Public Defender's Office.

Because the defense has limited access to discovery and other digital files due to the cyberattack, Davis requested a new arraignment date be set in March.

Prosecutor Dave Young objected to a new arraignment date being set, requesting for Shakes to set for trial on Friday morning.

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Shakes opted to grant the defense's request for a new arraignment date, but did so noting that the second arraignment date would be a final one. Kula's arraignment is now scheduled for March 22.

Kula remains in custody at the El Paso County jail on a $250,000 bond.
The number of measles cases in Broward County continues to grow.

There were seven confirmed cases as of Thursday, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The first case was reported at an elementary school Feb. 16 and five more cases were confirmed this week. A seventh case was shown on the Department of Health's website Friday morning.

Here's what we know so far.

Measles in Broward County

The Florida Department of Health has confirmed seven confirmed cases of measles in Broward County.

The first case was reported Feb. 16 in a third-grader at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston.

Five more cases were reported at the school this week. The department did not say whether the cases involved students, teachers or school staff.

It's unknown if the seventh case was also at the school.

What are the ages of those with measles in Broward County?

According to the Florida Department of Health, the breakdown of measles confirmed in Broward County are:

Ages up to: 1

Ages 5-9: 3

Ages 10-14: 3

Total: 7

Have measles been reported in any other Florida county?

As of Feb. 22, all seven cases reported since Feb. 1 have been in Broward County.

What did Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo have to say about the measles cases?

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo talks about "cluster" of measles cases at Broward County elementary school.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo wrote in a Feb. 20 letter to Manatee Bay parents that when measles is detected in a school, "it is normally recommended that individuals without history of prior infection or vaccination stay home for up to 21 days.

"Up to 90% of individuals without immunity will contract measles, if exposed. Because of the high likelihood of infection, it is normally recommended that children stay home until the end of the infectious period, which is currently March 7. As the epidemiological investigation continues, this date could change," Ladapo said.

He added that "due to the high immunity rate in the community, as well as the burden on families and educational cost of healthy children missing school, (Department of Health) is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance."

As measles spreads: Top doctor defies CDC recommendations. Who is Floridas surgeon general?

What are Broward County school district officials telling parents about measles cases?

Its safe if your child is vaccinated," said Broward Superintendent Peter Licata, who visited Manatee Bay Elementary School Feb. 20.

Licata said the district is doing everything possible here at the school with cleaning and changing air filters. Buses also have been cleaned and air filters changed.

He added the vaccination rate at the school is around 92 percent.

The school joined with local health providers to hold several vaccination events, according to the Sun Sentinel.

The disease is easily preventable with a regular measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nearly a dozen states have identified cases since December, and outbreaks have occurred in Washington state, Pennsylvania and now Florida.

Are parents keeping their children at home?

On Feb. 20, the first day after the three-day holiday weekend, more than 200 of the school's Manatee Bay students were absent, according to the Sun Sentinel.

Will Broward County close the school where the measles cases are reported?

Licata said it was too premature to determine whether to close the school if cases keep rising.

However, the school district is prepared to provide continuous learning to all children at the school if parents choose to keep them at home, according to Ladapo.

What symptoms should parents watch for?

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Since children at the school have have been exposed, parents should look for:

A rash that often develops on the face and neck before spreading to the rest of the body.

High fever, which could reach 105 degrees.

Cough.

Runny nose.

Red, watery eyes.

What should you do if you suspect or see any symptoms of measles?

Contact your health provider for instructions on how to safely seek medical attention before you visit a clinic or hospital. This prevents others from possibly being exposed.

Florida requires MMR vaccine to attend school but there are exemptions

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade who are coming into a Florida school for the first time must present an immunization record (DH 680) and a current Florida School Entry Physical Examination, Form (DH 3040).

The immunization record must show the student has met the minimum state requirements for that grade, which includes the MMR vaccine.

Medical and religious exemptions from required vaccinations for Florida students do exist.

A permanent medical exemption can be granted if a child cannot be fully immunized due to medical reasons. The child's physician must state, in writing, the reasons for exemption based on valid clinical reasoning or evidence.

A religious exemption from immunization, is issued  Form DH 681  can be issued if immunizations are in conflict with the religious tenets and practices of the child's parent or guardian. This exemption is issued by a county health department and based on established religious beliefs or practices only.

How contagious is measles?

Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected, the Centers for Disease Control said. It lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to other through coughing and sneezing.

If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an infected surface and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth, they can become infected. The virus can live up to two hours in the air after an infected person leaves the area.

The virus can be spread up to four days before through four days after the rash appears. Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears.

CDC issues measles advisory after 23 cases reported across US

The highly contagious disease was reported less than a month after the Centers for Disease Control urged health-care providers across the United States to use vigilance with patients after 23 cases of the preventable virus were reported between Dec. 1 and Jan. 23.

While the total number of cases remains low, reports of new infections continue to be reported across the U.S., with Florida cases now being added.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Measles in Florida 2024: Symptoms to watch for, vaccine
Severe storms could dump snow pellets and hail on the Charlotte area and up to 10 inches of snow in the mountains this weekend, National Weather Service meteorologists said.

Thunderstorms with gusty winds and small hail swept through the metro area between noon and 3 p.m. Friday, meteorologist Clay Chaney of the NWS office in Greer, South Carolina, told The Charlotte Observer.

In a Saturday morning alert, the NWS warned of another round of showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon.

The strongest showers and storms will be capable of producing gusty winds and small hail in addition to cloud-to-ground lightning, according to the NWS bulletin issued at 4 a.m. Saturday.

The warning area included Mecklenburg and surrounding counties and Upstate South Carolina.

On Saturday, the Charlotte region could see a fleeting wintry mix, including a brief shot of snow pellets or graupel, according to an NWS bulletin.

Graupel are soft, small pellets formed when supercooled water droplets (at a temperature below 32F) freeze onto a snow crystal ...  according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Graupel particles are fragile and generally disintegrate when handled, NSSL officials say in a section of the NSSL website titled, Severe Weather 101: Hail Types.

Snow in the NC mountains. A wintry mix in Charlotte?

The same fast-moving weather system dumped snow and ice in the North Carolina mountains.

Saturday morning, the bad weather forced rangers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to close Newfound Gap Road (Highway 441) between Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee.

Snow and ice have periodically closed the road since at least Jan. 29. The road could stay closed until 5 p.m. Sunday, according to DriveNC.gov.

The system could deliver up to 8 inches of snow in Avery, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood and Graham counties in the North Carolina mountains, according to an NWS hazardous weather bulletin on Saturday.

Generally 1-2 will be possible, but the highest elevations above 4000 ft may see 2-4 with a swath of 4-8 possible across the Smokies (sic) above 5000 ft, according to the NWS alert. Any high elevation roads may experience a few slick spots.

Up to 10 inches of snow could fall during the Friday and Saturday systems combined in Newfound Gap and Mount Guyot in Swain County and along the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina, Chaney said.

The trail runs through all of the counties listed in the NWS hazardous weather bulletins for Friday and Saturday, Chaney said: Avery, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood and Graham.

Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, could also see up to 10 inches of snow, Chaney said.

Sunrise in Sugar Mountain this morning at the Oma's Meadow slope. More snow is expected in the High Country today. #ncwx



Photo Credit: Resort Cam pic.twitter.com/DkGsp9HgIy  NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) February 24, 2024

Charlotte weather forecast, radar this weekend

Charlotte had a 50% chance of showers on Saturday, mainly between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to the NWS Charlotte forecast at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Sunday and Monday should be mostly sunny before a chance of showers moves in on Tuesday, the NWS forecast said. Expect mostly cloudy skies on Wednesday, with a 40% chance of showers after noon and a 50% chance at night.

Thursday and Friday should be mostly sunny, NWS forecasters said.

Highs are predicted to rebound from 58 on Saturday and 55 on Sunday to 69 on Monday and Tuesday and 73 on Wednesday, according to the forecast.

An expected cold front could then drop highs to a respective 59 and 56 on Thursday and Friday, NWS meteorologists said.

Several inches of snow is expected across the high elevations of the mountains today into this evening.



Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms across the Piedmont may produce gusty winds, small hail, and lightning this afternoon.#ncwx #scwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/rtYUpTVHDd  NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) February 24, 2024
Semafor Signals

Insights from The Conversation, Bloomberg, and The Africa Report

The News

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the country will hold elections on May 29, in a vote that could see the ruling African National Congress (ANC) lose its hold on power after 30 years in government.

Opinion polls suggest the ANC will lose its majority for the first time since Nelson Mandela led the party to power following the end of Apartheid in 1994, as high youth unemployment, corruption, and power outages continue to plague South Africa.

The election, in which independent candidates are being allowed to run for the first time in an attempt to invigorate apathetic voters, will see South Africans elect 400 parliament members, who will in turn select the president.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

ANC support has dropped due to corruption

Sources: Ipsos South Africa, The Africa Report, The Conversation

The ANCs plummeting popularity is widely blamed on rampant corruption, including a high-profile case that led former President Jacob Zuma to resign. A recent poll by Ipsos South Africa put its support at well below 50%. While the party came to power claiming the moral high ground and promising change, its graft record has become a cause of great shame, one longstanding party member wrote in his resignation letter, stating that The corruption we once decried is now part of our movements DNA. Young voters have thrown their support behind alternatives such as the self-described anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). South Africas third-largest party has gained ground since its founding in 2013 by portraying itself as the true custodian of the values the ANC espoused during the anti-apartheid struggle, two political scientists wrote for The Conversation. The EFFs campaign has enabled Black South African voters to shift the party they support without changing their political orientation, they argued.

Massive unemployment leads South Africas youth to seek alternative careers

Sources: Bloomberg, New York Times, Rest of World, Mail & Guardian

The ANCs election prospects have been dented by chronic joblessness in Africas third-largest economy, which has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. More than 32% of people are out of work and almost 60% of those aged 15-24 are struggling to enter the workforce, according to official government statistics. The economy is simply not growing at an adequate rate to sustainably boost long-term employment prospects, one analyst told Bloomberg. A further three million people are classified as discouraged work-seekers, according to The New York Times, who have largely given up trying to find a job after what may be years of failing to secure employment.

Some university graduates are abandoning hope of finding conventional careers and instead working as drop-shippers  taking pictures of goods from Chinese e-commerce websites and selling them on social media  but they face risks as tax authorities crack down on illegal imports, Rest of World reported. In a troubled economy, Black women  who have the highest unemployment rate  are the most vulnerable to crime and poverty, The New York Times reported. Society has normalized the plight" of black women experiencing poverty, unemployment, and gender-based violence, an opinion piece in the Mail & Guardian argued.

Power crisis exacerbates South Africas economic and environmental woes

Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, SABC News

The ruling ANCs woes come amid a power crisis that is crippling the economy, Bloomberg reported. A new national energy plan aimed at addressing the issue has been criticized for not doing enough to address the countrys reliance on fossil fuels. Eighty percent of South Africas electricity comes from coal-fired power plants that regularly break down and are subject to frequent load-shedding, causing outages lasting up to 10 hours a day. The outages have led to national news broadcasts focusing on labor rights for employees due to concerns about safety and cut pay during load-shedding. Meanwhile, the country is set to miss its binding 2030 carbon emission targets under the Paris climate agreement, officials told Reuters. While it planned to achieve the goal by decommissioning eight coal-fired power plants, some now see this as unrealistic. Its very hard in the middle of a power crisis to be taking working coal-fired plants off the grid, the executive director of South Africas presidential climate commission told the news agency.
Washington  South Carolina voters headed to the polls Saturday for the state's Republican presidential primary, the fourth primary contest of the 2024 campaign.

Here are the latest results in the South Carolina GOP primary. Haley, the state's former governor, is the last major Republican running against former President Donald Trump for the nomination. He has won all of the GOP contests so far: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and he was leading polls in Haley's home state through primary day.

South Carolina is an open primary state, so Republicans or Democrats may vote in the GOP primary, as long as they didn't vote in the Democratic primary earlier this month.

What time did polls open in South Carolina?

Polls open at 7 a.m. ET.

What time did polls close in South Carolina?

Polls close at 7 p.m. ET, but voters who are in line when polls close will still be allowed to vote. Voters can find their polling place here.

Was there an early voting period?

Yes, early voting was open in the Republican primary from Feb. 12 through Thursday, Feb. 22.

Why is the 2024 South Carolina Republican primary on a Saturday?

The dates for the presidential primaries are decided by the political parties. South Carolina's Democratic presidential primary also took place on a Saturday.

When will we know South Carolina Republican primary results?

Primary results started to come in after the polls closed. CBS News projects that Trump will win the South Carolina GOP primary, defeating Haley in her home state.

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CBS News projects Trump wins South Carolina primary
South Carolina is known as the Palmetto State, but when it comes to Republican presidential nomination contests, a more apt nickname might be the Kingmaker State. Since the South Carolina Republican Party introduced the state's "First in the South" presidential primary in 1980, the race has often positioned one GOP contender as the unquestioned front-runner moving into later primaries. And over the past four decades, all but one Republican aspirant who won South Carolina went on to win the party's nomination.

In 2024, South Carolina could once again prove decisive in the Republican presidential primary, albeit as a potential final nail in the coffin. Heading into Saturday's contest, former President Donald Trump holds a dominant position in the GOP race over his only remaining major opponent, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. As a former South Carolina governor, Haley surely hoped a strong home-state showing would boost her chances for the Republican nomination. But while New Hampshire's primary electorate was relatively friendly to Haley (who lost to Trump by 11 percentage points in the Granite State a month ago), a more conservative and religious Republican electorate has helped buoy Trump to a much more commanding polling lead in South Carolina.

Haley has sounded resilient in the face of her underdog status, promising earlier this week that she will remain in the race beyond South Carolina regardless of the outcome. Still, her continued ability to raise money and appeal to voters could be greatly hampered by suffering a much worse defeat in South Carolina than she endured in New Hampshire. With the future of the GOP contest at stake, here is a look at the state of play in the Palmetto State, and why Trump appears on course to claim a sizable victory on Saturday.

Trump could win by a record-setting margin

To begin with, the primary polls give Trump a huge lead in South Carolina. As of Thursday afternoon, Trump led Haley by almost a two-to-one margin, 64 percent to 33 percent, in 538's South Carolina polling average  a gap three times the magnitude of Trump's New Hampshire victory.

PHOTO: 538's average of the Republican presidential primary race in South Carolina. (538 photo illustration)

Should the polls prove reasonably accurate, Trump could be on his way to one of the largest victories a Republican primary contender has ever enjoyed in South Carolina. For a non-incumbent, then-Vice President George H.W. Bush set the standard with a 28-point victory in the 1988 primary. Bush then won by 41 points while seeking renomination in 1992, the only time the state GOP held a presidential primary in a year when an incumbent Republican president was running for reelection. While Trump is unlikely to best Bush's 1992 record, his lead in our polling average would narrowly outshine Bush's 1988 victory margin.

Trump could be on track for one of the biggest S.C. wins ever

Winner, runner-up and margin of victory in the South Carolina Republican primary, 1980 to 2016

Year Winner % Runner-up % Margin 2016 Donald Trump 32.4% Marco Rubio 22.4% 10.0 2012 Newt Gingrich 40.4 Mitt Romney 27.8 12.6 2008 John McCain 33.1 Mike Huckabee 29.8 3.3 2000 George W. Bush 53.4 John McCain 41.9 11.5 1996 Bob Dole 45.1 Pat Buchanan 29.2 15.9 1992 George H.W. Bush* 66.9 Pat Buchanan 25.7 41.2 1988 George H.W. Bush 48.5 Bob Dole 20.6 27.9 1980 Ronald Reagan 54.7 John Connally 29.6 25.0

*Incumbent

South Carolina Republicans first held a presidential primary in 1980.

Sources: CQ GUIDE TO ELECTIONS, Dave Leips Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections

Now, primary polls have larger average errors than general election polls, so a closer-than-expected result is certainly not out of the question. Yet Haley would need a historically large polling misfire to even run near to Trump, much less win. Consider one of the largest presidential polling misses in modern times: Michigan's 2016 Democratic primary. In that contest, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by 1.4 points after trailing by a little more than 21 points in the polls  about a 23-point error, all told. An error of that size in this year's South Carolina GOP primary would barely get Haley within around 10 points of Trump, not far off her margin of defeat in New Hampshire. To actually win, she would need a polling error around 50 percent larger than the Michigan miss in 2016.

A more Republican, conservative and religious electorate

Despite being Haley's home base, South Carolina is demographically much friendlier turf for Trump than New Hampshire. Exit polls dating back to the 2012 Republican nomination race suggest that South Carolina's GOP primary electorate  like Iowa before it  will be more heavily Republican, more conservative and more religious than New Hampshire voters. All of these are pluses for Trump.

Republican electorates look different in S.C. and N.H.

Exit polls of voters in the New Hampshire and South Carolina Republican primaries since 2012

N.H. S.C. Party ID Republican 50% 55% 49% 76% 71% Independent/other 44 42 47 22 25 Democrat 6 3 4 2 4 Ideology Very conservative 25 26 21 38 36 Somewhat conservative 42 45 32 43 32 Moderate 28 27 35 17 23 Liberal 6 2 12 1 9 White evangelical/

born-again Christian Yes 19 23 21 67 64 No 81 77 79 33 36

SOURCE: ABC NEWS

In 2012 and 2016, at least 7 in 10 South Carolina GOP primary voters identified as Republican and about a quarter called themselves independents. By contrast, only around half of New Hampshire's GOP primary voters in 2012, 2016 and 2024 called themselves Republicans, while more than 40 percent said they were independent. As was true in Iowa and New Hampshire, Haley has stronger support among self-identified independents than among Republicans in South Carolina, so a larger share of Republicans voting in the GOP primary should help Trump.

In Iowa's caucuses, where only registered Republicans could participate, the entrance poll found that Trump won a majority (54 percent) of those who identified as Republican versus a plurality (42 percent) of self-described independents. In New Hampshire, which permits unaffiliated voters to cast ballots in the party primary of their choice, the exit poll found that the two groups diverged to a much larger extent: Trump won 74 percent of the vote among Republicans while Haley won 58 percent of independents. Recent polling suggests we might see a New Hampshire-esque split in preferences in South Carolina, too. Mid-February surveys from Suffolk University/USA Today and Emerson College/The Hill found Trump surpassing 70 percent among self-identified Republicans, while Haley narrowly led among independents in each poll.

Now, South Carolina is an open primary state with no party registration, so more self-described independents  and even Democrats  could participate in Saturday's primary. State law allows voters to cast a ballot in only one party's presidential primary, and the Feb. 3 Democratic contest had extremely low turnout. This was partly due to low interest in light of Biden's weak opposition  he won 96 percent of the vote  but it may also signal that some anti-Trump voters stayed home so they could weigh in on the GOP contest. Haley's campaign itself has sought to turn out voters who don't regularly participate in primaries, while groups like Primary Pivot have encouraged voters regardless of party to vote in the GOP primary to impede Trump.

Yet it's still hard to imagine the electorate dramatically shifting from what we saw in 2012 and 2016 to include a much larger share of independents or even Democrats. In fact, 2012 may be instructive: That year, President Barack Obama faced minimal opposition for renomination and ran unopposed in South Carolina, so the GOP primary was the only real game in town. Despite this, there was only a small uptick in the share of non-Republicans in the primary electorate.

Beyond party identification, Trump also stands to benefit from South Carolina's larger share of conservative-minded voters. More than 35 percent of GOP primary voters identified as "very conservative" in South Carolina's 2012 and 2016 races, whereas New Hampshire's electorate didn't surpass 26 percent in that category between 2012 and 2024. And Trump does best among the most conservative voters in the polls: For instance, a late January Monmouth University/Washington Post poll of South Carolina found Trump garnering 80 percent support among very conservative voters, compared with 59 percent among somewhat conservative and 33 percent among moderate/liberal voters. This is a major shift from 2016, when Trump attracted more support from less conservative voters, while Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tended to do best among those who labeled themselves very conservative.

Trump's greater appeal among conservatives is also connected to his increased support among white evangelical Christian voters. Voters who fall in that category tend to identify as more conservative than non-evangelicals, and they will likely make up a majority of South Carolina's GOP primary electorate. In 2012 and 2016, about two-thirds of GOP primary voters there identified as white born-again Christians, compared to less than a quarter in New Hampshire. That this group would be so numerous adds up: South Carolina ranks in the top one-third of states based on population share that identifies as white evangelical Christian (23 percent), according to the Public Religion Research Institute, and white evangelicals rank among the Americans most likely to identify as Republican.

The late January Monmouth University/Washington Post poll found Trump attracting support from 69 percent of white evangelicals, compared with 46 percent of other voters. Meanwhile early February surveys from Winthrop University and The Citadel didn't separate out white evangelicals, but found Trump at 70 percent or better among evangelical Christians, compared with around 60 percent among those who didn't identify that way. (Note that most voters will be white: In South Carolina's 2012 and 2016 GOP primaries, 98 percent of voters identified that way, according to the South Carolina Election Commission. Though participation among voters of color may tick up this year, they will remain a very small part of the primary electorate.)

What to watch as the returns come in

As the state begins to report vote counts on Saturday evening, we'll be watching county and broader regional results to gauge the potential scope of Trump's advantage. The 2016 Republican primary can serve as a helpful starting point for understanding where Trump's strongest  and weakest  areas might be. Back then, Trump won by 10 points, garnering 32 percent of the vote. His two main rivals, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Cruz, each received about 22 percent, with Rubio finishing second. Yet with a crowded field  three other candidates won between 7 and 8 percent  Trump's showing was good enough to carry all but two counties in the state.

In 2016, Trump's strongest-performing area was in the state's northeast: He won about 44 percent of the vote in the Myrtle Beach-Florence media market, which made up close to one-eighth of the state's vote. The northeastern part of the state should once again be one of Trump's strongest in 2024: The Citadel's poll found him winning around two-thirds of the vote in that media market, and Suffolk found him garnering about 7 in 10 voters in the Pee Dee region, which overlaps much of the same turf. He's also poised to improve in a critical area of (relative) weakness in 2016: the vote-rich Upstate area around Greenville in the state's northwest, which contributed about one-third of the 2016 primary vote and was Cruz's strongest region. Both The Citadel and Suffolk polls found Trump at around 70 percent support there. His strength in the Upstate region  the most evangelical-rich part of the state  will come in part from having won over very conservative and white evangelical voters more likely to have backed Cruz in 2016.

By contrast, Haley will likely do best in Rubio's strongest regions, like the more affluent and well-educated Charleston area, where Haley pulled in between 40 and 50 percent of respondents in The Citadel and Suffolk polls. Charleston County proper was one of just two counties that Rubio carried in 2016, the other being Richland County (home to Columbia, the state capital) in the center of the state. Haley could be competitive there, too, as the Suffolk poll found her running within a dozen points of Trump in central South Carolina. Overall, the Charleston and Columbia media markets made up about one-sixth and one-fifth of the state's 2016 GOP primary vote, respectively.

***

Headed into Saturday, the win-loss outcome in South Carolina lacks much drama. Trump is a huge favorite to carry the Palmetto State, leaving the final margin  and Haley's response to it  as the main point of interest. Were Haley to depart the race right after South Carolina, the 2024 Republican race would rank as the shortest competitive presidential primary since the modern nomination process began in the 1970s. Though she insists that her plan is to soldier on into March regardless of Saturday's outcome, despite trailing Trump by huge margins most everywhere, a decisive loss in her home state could change that calculus.

South Carolina's conservative electorate gives Trump a big edge originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
South Korea raised its emergency health crisis level to "severe" on Friday, as a walkout by thousands of trainee doctors entered its fourth day. Hospitals have had to delay or cancel surgeries, Seoul's Health Ministry said. Photo by Yonhap

SEOUL, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The South Korean government raised a health crisis alert to its highest level of "severe" on Friday, as a protest by doctors over medical school admissions has led thousands to walk off the job for a fourth day.

Some 7,863 trainee doctors -- nearly 70% of the trainee total from 94 major hospitals -- had walked out as of Thursday evening, causing disruptions in patient care and delays or cancellations of surgeries, Seoul's Health Ministry said.

Most of the trainee doctors work at the country's 100 teaching hospitals and play a vital role in assisting with surgeries and emergency services.

At an emergency disaster response meeting Friday, government officials said they would extend operating hours at public hospitals, hire additional temporary medical staff and allow all hospitals and clinics to offer telemedicine services.

"Collective actions that harm the lives and health of the people cannot be justified for any reason," Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said at the meeting. "We must quickly stabilize the situation and minimize damage to the public through a government-wide response."

The trainee doctors began their walkout on Tuesday in protest over a government plan released earlier this month that would admit 2,000 new students to the country's medical school enrollment quota next year, a significant jump from the current total of just over 3,000 seats.

The move is necessary to address shortages of doctors in essential medical fields and in remote areas, health officials said.

South Korea has 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people, significantly lower than the 3.7 per 1,000 average among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries.

Without any changes to the system, the rapidly aging country will face a shortage of 15,000 healthcare professionals in 2035, South Korea's Health Ministry said.

Doctors, however, argue that raising the admissions quota will diminish the quality of medical education. Residents and trainees also say the government should focus on improving working conditions and raising salaries in lower-paid fields such as pediatrics and emergency care.

"Despite repeated suggestions from the medical circle, the government has been pushing for its own policy measures without ample discussions and consultations," Lee Pil-soo, head of the Korean Medical Association, said earlier this month.

The KMA, a major lobby group for doctors, has announced plans for large-scale rallies in Seoul on the next two Sundays, the prime minister's office said.

The doctors have failed to garner much public support. A Gallup Korea poll released last week found 76% of respondents are in favor of expanding the medical school quota, with only 16% opposing the plan.
Donald Trump on Thursday requested a federal court to drop criminal charges against him which allege he unlawfully kept sensitive national security documents after his presidency ended.

Mr Trump, asserting that the legal action against him was flawed, entered a plea of not guilty, court filings show.

He faces a 40-count indictment in a federal court, charged with the illegal possession of classified documents at his Florida estate post-2021 and impeding efforts by the US government to reclaim them.

US special counsel Jack Smiths team charged Mr Trump with storing documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, which contained sensitive details about the US nuclear programme and potential national security weaknesses.

According to the indictment, Mr Trump allegedly attempted to hide boxes of classified documents following a grand jury subpoena that ordered their return. Besides the former president, his aide Walt Nauta, and the Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos de Oliveira, were indicted and have moved to dismiss the charges against them, entering pleas of not guilty.

The trial is set to start in May. However, Mr Trump has requested a delay.

US district judge Aileen Cannon has arranged a hearing on 1 March on the timing of the trial, according to Reuters.

This comes days after Mr Trump, his adult sons and their chief associates in the Trump Organizations sprawling real-estate empire were ordered to pay more than $364m after a months-long case targeting fraud in the family business.

The former president and his co-defendants defrauded banks and investors as part of a decade-long scheme to secure favourable financing terms for some of his brand-building properties, according to a lawsuit filed by New Yorks attorney general nearly two years ago.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump said that being hit with a $350m judgment was a form of Navalny, in reference to the jailing and apparent murder of the late Russian dissident.

The former president said that the ruling by New York judge Arthur Engoron  who he described as a nut job  was a form of communism or fascism.
The former president, 77, called on Alabama lawmakers to "act quickly" to protect IVF

Donald Trump has said he supports the availability of IVF treatment, joining a growing number of Republicans who are seeking to distance themselves from an Alabama court ruling on the issue.

The state's top court ruled last week that frozen embryos have the same rights as children and people can be held liable for destroying them.

At least three clinics paused IVF treatment in the wake of the ruling.

On Friday, Mr Trump called on Alabama to find "an immediate solution".

"We want to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, not harder! That includes supporting the availability of fertility treatments like IVF in every State in America," the former president wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"[Like] the VAST MAJORITY of Republicans, Conservatives, Christians, and Pro-Life Americans, I strongly support the availability of IVF for couples who are trying to have a precious baby," he added.

Earlier on Friday, in an apparent effort to ease concerns in the state, Alabama's Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall said he did not intend to prosecute IVF providers or their families.

Mr Trump's comments were his first on the issue, and signalled his opposition to a ruling which some Republicans fear could harm them electorally by hindering plans to win back suburban women as well as swing voters.

Mr Trump is the front-runner to win the Republican nomination for November's election and arguably the leading voice in the party.

In a further sign of the party's efforts to distance itself from the Alabama ruling, the National Republican Senate Committee, which helps members get elected to Congress, sent out a memo to candidates on Friday which directed them to express support for IVF and "campaign on increasing access" to the treatment.

"There are zero Republican Senate candidates who support efforts to restrict access to fertility treatments," the committee's executive director, Jason Thielman, wrote in the memo which was obtained by the BBC's US partner, CBS.

The memo also cited internal polling conducted by Kellyanne Conway, a one-time White House adviser to Mr Trump, to show access to IVF is overwhelmingly popular.

A number of Senate candidates, including Kari Lake in Arizona, came out to publicly support access to the treatment after the memo was circulated.

Mr Trump's only challenger for the Republican nomination, Nikki Haley, initially appeared to back the ruling after she said she considers frozen embryos to be babies. She later denied that she supported the court's decision.

While the Alabama ruling does not ban or restrict IVF, several medical providers in the state cited fears of legal repercussions as they paused fertility services in recent days.

It was made by the state's Supreme Court and all of its justices are Republican.

Democrats are already incorporating the Alabama case into campaigning, portraying it as a warning that their rivals will seek to chip away at women's rights if they win in the November election.

Mr Biden said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the Alabama decision was only possible because of the 2022 ruling by the US Supreme Court - which has three Trump appointees - to nullify abortion rights.

While many conservatives celebrated the end of Roe v Wade, it proved a potent get-out-the-vote motivator for Democrats and a messaging nightmare for Republicans.
In four expansive filings Thursday evening, Donald Trump moved to dismiss the criminal indictment he faces for keeping classified information at his Mar-a-Lago residence, arguing that the charges, as well as the special counsel, lack legitimacy.

The filings put forth an array of arguments that go to the heart of the classified documents case and make clear that the former presidents legal team is still pursuing their clearest legal strategy to date  to delay any eventual trial date.

In moving to toss the case, his attorneys again argued that Trump is protected by presidential immunity, echoing arguments Trump made in the election subversion case against him in Washington, DC, which were roundly rejected by a federal judge as well as a three-judge panel in the DC District Court of Appeals.

Defense attorneys wrote that the indictment covers alleged decisions Trump made as president, which are subject to presidential immunity as an official act.

In their ruling earlier this month, the three-judge panel in DC forcefully dismissed the argument that Trump should be immune from prosecution, writing: It would be a striking paradox if the President, who alone is vested with the constitutional duty to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, were the sole officer capable of defying those laws with impunity.

Trumps attorneys, in one of the filings, called the panels conclusion poorly reasoned.

The D.C. Circuits analysis is not persuasive for many of the reasons, his attorneys wrote, and President Trump is pursuing further review of that erroneous decision including  review in the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

On February 13, Trump asked the Supreme Court to temporarily block the DC Circuits ruling on immunity in the January 6 case. The high court has not yet said whether it will hear arguments on the issue of presidential immunity.

Trump also made the audacious claim that special counsel Jack Smith  whose team is prosecuting both federal criminal cases against Trump  was unlawfully appointed and that his actions in keeping the documents were permitted under the Presidential Records Act.

Defense attorneys accused Attorney General Merrick Garland of appointing Smith improperly, writing that the appointments clause of the Constitution does not afford Garland the power to appoint without Senate confirmation, a private citizen and like-minded political ally to wield the prosecutorial power of the United States.

In appointing Smith, Garland cited a law that grants him the authority to appoint officials to investigate matters as may be directed by the Attorney General. Trumps own Attorney General Bill Barr cited the same statute to appoint then-special counsel John Durham.

Defense attorneys also asserted to the judge presiding over the Florida case, Aileen Cannon, that because Trump was still president when he took the classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, he cannot be criminally charged for keeping them in his possession.

The argument formally puts into the court record what the former president has repeatedly argued on the campaign trail  that he was abiding by the relevant law, the Presidential Records Act, when he took and kept documents in his Florida club.

Trump had virtually unreviewable Article II executive authority to designate the records as personal as president, they wrote, adding that it would demolish the notion of chain of command within the Executive Branch if a [National Archives] employee, including the Archivist, was able to dictate to a President, who embodies that whole branch of the government, how to handle records.

The Presidential Records Act says the moment a president leaves office, the National Archives and Records Administration gets custody and control of all presidential records from their administration. Personal records are described in the PRA as things like personal notes, materials relating to private political associations or materials relating exclusively to the presidents own election to the White House.

The National Archives issued a rare public rebuke of similar claims last year, writing in an official statement that the PRA makes the legal status of Presidential records clear and unambiguous, providing that the United States reserves and retains complete ownership, possession, and control of Presidential records.

His attorneys also said the charges against Trump in connection with unlawfully retaining classified documents after leaving office were unconstitutionally vague because, in part, Trump enjoyed the authority to declassify such information as president.

Trumps attorneys are expected to make several more filings to dismiss the classified documents case against him, which may need to go through a process of redacting information before being filed publicly.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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The already sticky situation in which Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis has found herself, which centers on her romantic relationship with Special Counsel Nathan Wade, may have just gotten stickier.

Wade, the trial attorney Willis hired to help prosecute former President Donald Trump on state charges of election interference, allegedly visited the DA at homeoccasionally arriving late at night and staying until the wee hourssome three dozen times between April 1, 2021, and November 30, 2021, according to Trumps defense team, which reviewed cellphone data subpoenaed from AT&T.

A spokesman for Willis did not immediately respond to The Daily Beasts request for comment on Friday.

An eight-page affidavit filed Friday in Fulton County Superior Court by Trump attorneys Steve Sadow and Jennifer Little allegedly reveals a minimum of 35 occasions during those months when Wades phone connected for an extended period to the cell towers nearest Willis condo in the Atlanta suburb of Hapeville. In it, criminal defense investigator Charles Mittelstadt describes his figures as conservative, explaining that he highlighted those times when Wades phone was stationary and not in transit.

The filing does not include the raw data Mittelstadt used for his analysis, and his conclusions cannot be independently verified.

Fani Willis Goes Scorched Earth From Witness Stand

Fulton Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee will now decide whether or not to admit the phone data analysis into evidence.

Wade testified last week that he had been to Willis fewer than 10 times prior to his hiring by Willis in November 2021. When Trump attorney Steve Sadow suggested that phone records might reflect otherwise, Wade dismissed the idea out of hand.

Theyd be wrong? Sadow asked Wade.

Theyd be wrong, Wade insisted.

In his testimony, Wade said he travels to the Hapeville area for a variety of reasons, and could have been at a nearby restaurant, the airport, Delta Air Lines headquarters, or the Porsche Experience Center. He also said he never spent the night at Willis condo. Willis, for her part, said on the stand that the only person to ever stay overnight at the residence with her was one of her daughters.

The Trump team is trying to get Willis removed from the case, claiming her hiring of her purported boyfriend is disqualifying under ethics guidelines. Willis and Wade, however, have both testified under oath that they didnt start dating until 2022. If this chronology turns out to be untrue, the pair could each face allegations of perjury. Experts have warned against relying too heavily on circumstantial evidence generated by cellphone tracking data.

Mittelstadt, who regularly appears on CourtTV, Investigation Discovery, and other cable shows, said in his affidavit that he tallied over 2,000 voice calls and just under 12,000 interactions between Willis and Wade during an 11-month period in 2021, with a prevalence of calls made in the evening hours. Because of the sheer volume of data involved, Mittelstadt said in the affidavit that he was directed to conduct a deeper analysis on two specific dates: September 11-12, 2021 (before I understand Mr. Wade was hired) and November 29-30, 2021 (prior to what I understand was the in-court testimony that the romantic relationship began in 2022).

Specifically, on September 11, 2021, Mr. Wades phone left the Doraville area and arrived within the geofence at 10:45 P.M., the affidavit states. The phone remained there until September 12 at 3:28 a.m. at which time the phone traveled directly to towers located in East Cobb consistent with his routine pinging at his residence in that area. The phone arrived in East Cobb at approximately 4:05 a.m., and records demonstrate he sent a text to Ms. Willis at 4:20 a.m.

On November 29, 2021, Wades phone pinged off of the towers nearest his residence until it received a call from Willis phone at 11:32 p.m., after which the device traveled from East Cobb to the immediate vicinity of Willis condo, arriving at 12:43 a.m. on Nov. 30 and staying there until 4:55 a.m., according to the affidavit.

The relationship between the two was exposed by Robin Yeartie, a former friend of Willis who testified she believed Willis and Wade began dating in 2019. Yeartie owned the condo in Hapeville, where Willis was staying in the wake of threats and protests outside her house in South Fulton.

Editors Note: This story has been updated after Trumps legal team filed a corrected affidavit stating that Willis and Wade had 12,000 interactions over 11 months.

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A memorial celebration will be held at 4 p.m. today (Thursday) for Kresten Wolff, the Colorado Ballet Academy composer who died Feb. 5 in an auto collision in Arvada.

The family has asked that only family, friends and those who knew Wolff personally attend the event in person at the Arvada Vineyard church, 5855 Wadsworth Bypass. However, the public is welcome to participate via a Zoom link at youtube.com, said Colorado Ballet spokesperson Rachel Perez.

"If you had the privilege of spending any amount of time with Kresten, please join us," his wife, Alicia Castillo Wolff, posted on Facebook.

Wolff, who served as a pianist and accompanist for Colorado Ballet Academy, was driving his two children home from school when, police believe, 23-year-old Juan Ortega Torres Jr. ran a red light, collided into Wolffs sedan and sent it into the side of a home on the northeast corner of 64th Avenue and Lamar Street. Wolff was just a few miles from arriving at home when the collision happened.

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The children, ages 10 and 7, were taken to the hospital, one with serious injuries. No updates on their conditions have been released. However, Castillo additionally posted: "Thank you again for your love and support. It means the world to us."

A GoFundMe campaign to support Castillo and their children has raised $170,000 as of Wednesday.

Torres was arrested pending the filing of additional charges.
Its been almost four years since public universities in North Carolina stopped requiring applicants to submit standardized test scores as part of their applications for admission  a change first made during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now the governing board that oversees the universities could reinstate the requirements in some form.

A UNC System Board of Governors committee on Wednesday will review a policy recommendation from system staff that would require applicants with certain weighted grade point averages in high school  between 2.5, the minimum that will be needed to apply, and 2.8  to submit test scores again. That would take effect with those students who will enter the universities in the fall 2025 semester.

For that semester and the one immediately following it, spring 2026, there would be no required minimum score for students required to submit them, according to the proposed policy revision. Beginning in the fall 2026 semester, though, students with GPAs that require them to submit scores would be required to score either at least 17, out of a possible 36, on the ACT or 930, out of a possible 1600, on the SAT.

Under the proposed policy change, the chancellors of the states 16 public universities, with approval from their campus-level boards of trustees, would decide for their respective schools whether students with weighted GPAs above 2.8 would be required to submit test scores.

If the committee approves the policy changes Wednesday, the full Board of Governors will vote on the matter at its meeting in April. The full-board vote would be taken through the consent agenda, meaning the board could approve it as part of a package of policies and without individual consideration or discussion.

The board first waived test requirements system-wide in July 2020, initially only for students applying for admission through 2021, citing the disruptions the pandemic had caused to education and testing, including test days for the SAT and ACT being postponed. The board then voted twice to extend the waiver, first through 2022, then through the fall 2024 semester.

Throughout the pause, students have had the option to submit test scores if they wished to do so. Students who did not submit scores were required to meet the systems minimum weighted GPA requirement, 2.5, to be considered for admission.

The minimum GPA requirement would remain in place for all applicants under the proposed policy changes.

Other colleges test waivers ending

The boards discussion on the policy will come as many colleges and universities across the country deal with the same issues around standardized testing requirements, which many schools paused  but did not fully end  during the pandemic.

Now, four years removed from the start of the pandemic and almost one year after the federal government declared an end to it, colleges are evaluating whether to continue their test-optional or no-test policies, or reinstate the requirements.

Yale University announced Thursday it would again require students to submit scores, though the university is offering flexibility on what tests students are allowed to take and submit. The University of Tennessee has also reinstated test requirements for first-year applicants, while the University of California system eliminated its requirements in 2020, The Washington Post reported.

When the Board of Governors previously voted to waive the university systems test requirements, some board members expressed fear that the change would allow ill-prepared students to be admitted to the states universities or that the change might devalue degrees from the schools, The News & Observer previously reported.

Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem has been test-optional for more than 15 years, with little appreciable difference in student performance between students who submit scores and those who do not, The N&O reported.

Just before the pandemic, the Board of Governors had approved a policy change that allowed the states universities to admit students with either a minimum 2.5 GPA or minimum test scores. That change was based on UNC System research that GPA is a better indicator of student success and performance, The N&O previously reported.

Discussions around the use and importance of standardized tests in college admissions also center around inequity, with research showing students from lower-income backgrounds generally scoring lower than their wealthier counterparts. Poorer students are also less likely to take the tests, according to a New York Times analysis last year.

Duke University, which is test-optional this admissions cycle, is no longer assigning numerical values to applicants standardized test scores or essays during the admissions process, The Duke Chronicle reported this week. Duke admissions officials made the changes due to a rise in the use of generative artificial intelligence and college admissions consultants, The Chronicle reported.

North Carolina administers the ACT to all 11th graders in the states traditional public schools and charter schools each spring. Students in 10th grade take the PreACT.

Under current system policy and the proposed revision, chancellors of UNC System universities reserve the right to set additional admissions requirements that exceed the minimum system requirements.
We are dramatically understating the threat Donald Trump and the MAGA movement pose to the security of the United States, Europe and the world.

It is time to move beyond the political spin offered by GOP propagandists and Internet trolls and acknowledge that Trump and the MAGA movement are today active assets of Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin, as essential to Russias future global ambitions as that countrys own armed forces.

Trump Cant Stop Comparing Himself to Alexei Navalny

It is time to remove from our analytical lexicon the terms that are commonly used to minimize the dangers associated with the Trump-MAGA-Putin alliance. After more than eight years of compiling evidence that demonstrates Russias efforts to co-opt the American right is perhaps the most successful intelligence operation of our time, we have to reject the transparent vocabulary of keyboard warriors that still cry hoax every time new and irrefutable evidence of GOP-Russia ties is presented.

In the past two weeks alone, there has been the evidence that the core of the GOP sham impeachment effort against President Biden turned on the testimony of a man with ties to Russian intelligence; Trumps invitation to Putin to do whatever the hell he wants with Europe; the MAGA rights decision to postpone further even considering aid to Ukraine; Tucker Carlsons jaunt to Moscow to amplify the Kremlins lies about itself; the refusal of Trump to condemn the murder of Alexei Navalny in Russian prison; and the arrest of yet another American for no good reason in Russia.

It is time to reject terms that blur or weaken our sense of what is happening. Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are not defending Russia. They are not Putin apologists. They are actively attacking U.S. and allied interests and putting America and our friends in grave danger. They are not dumb or naive; they know exactly the consequences of their actions. They have been repeatedly told their efforts to delay Ukraine aid could lead to Kyivs defeat, to the death of thousands of innocent Ukrainians and to the potential for further Russian aggression in Europeand via their actions, their response seems to be, Yes. That is what we want.

This is not just the stuff of another political tussle between Democrats and Republicans, as Trumps friends and major media outlets have presented it since Trump first called for Russias help with the 2016 elections. Far too much damage has already been done to Americas standing. Far too many lives have already been imperiled. It is time to face the reality that as of now, there is roughly a 50-50 possibility that the pro-Putin candidate will win our elections in November.

Our allies are terrified. They understand the stakes. A Trump win would not only certainly mean some form of Russian victory in Ukraine, it would also mean (according to former members of Trumps own cabinet) Americas likely withdrawal from NATO. This in turn would set the stage for further Russian aggression in Europe. And that would be very likely to lead to a Europe-wide war. It might be worse; a Russian attack on Poland or the Baltics, could very well ultimately lead to World War III.

We know this is neither hysterical nor theoretical because of the evidence at hand. As we mark the second anniversary of Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, we have witnessed not one but two stunning reversals. First, despite expectations that Ukraine would collapse under the force of the Russian onslaught, thanks to the extraordinary courage of the Ukrainian people and the resolve and leadership of President Biden and others, Ukraine not only held on but it inflicted extraordinary damage on Russias vaunted military. Perhaps 125,000 Russian soldiers have died and double that number have been injured. Half of Russias combat capability was destroyed. For pennies on each dollar of defense spending, the U.S. and others debilitated one of our most dangerous foes.

But in the past four months, as Biden administration requests for further aid to Ukraine have been blocked by Trump and Johnson, we have watched the war enter a new phase. Russia has been reinvigorated. Russia has made gains along multiple fronts. Americas allies have started to question whether we have the political will as a nation to lead and to join in our collective defense.

Putin now senses that he is a Trump victory in November away from a triumph in Ukraine, a vindication of his policies of brutality and aggressionand an era in which he will threaten the countries of Eastern and Central Europe with another period of Russian domination.

Even now, in the wake of the Navalny murder, following the obliteration of more Ukrainian cities like Avdiivka, understanding with absolute clarity what a monster Putin is, the Republicans in the U.S. House have continued to block the aid that is so essential to our interestsaid that would, in fact, largely go to U.S. cities, to create U.S. jobs creating weapons and ammunition for Ukraine.

Another crisis loomsa government shutdownthat may further distract Johnson and his minions from doing what patriotism would dictate they should. So, too, may threats from MAGA extremists like Marjorie Taylor Greene that she will seek Johnsons removal from office if he even allows Ukraine aid to be considered by the whole house.

Putin, faltering in the face of Ukrainian resistance, found he made his greatest strides when his MAGA shock troops took Capitol Hill (with even greater success than they had the last time they tried to do so, on Trumps behalf on January 6th). But as the Smirnov case reminds, Russian gains within and because of the GOP have been diverse and significant. They include coopting Congresspeople who have accepted Russian-linked aid (like Johnson), Trumps plans to exit NATO, active support for other Putin allies like Viktor Orban, weakening U.S. institutions, embrace of Putins ethno-nationalist ideology, the Russian infiltration of the NRA, pilgrimages by Trump-linked and GOP leaders to pay homage to Putin, and even a Russian-linked operative working atop the FBIs counter-intelligence division.

The evidence of the efforts has been chronicled by bipartisan analyses in the Senate, during the Mueller investigation, by the intelligence community, even the Trump-orchestrated Durham investigation found troubling contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia. In fact, even if it werent for the evidence of our own eyes, this would and should have long ago been an open and shut case against MAGA and their Kremlin puppetmasters.

Stunningly, it has not sunk in yet with many of us. A domestic U.S. political movement is actively working with Vladimir Putins Russia to bring the world closer to world war than it has been in nearly eight decades, to destroy the international order that America an our allies sacrificed so much to build and maintain. Shockingly, despite the horrific toll of the last world war and the heroism of those who ultimately triumphed, fascism is on the march againand this time it has a chance to succeed because of the serial betrayal of the United States by Donald Trump and members of his MAGA movement.

Imagine if a U.S. political party had worked through World War II to assist the Nazis and the Axis powers. That, without exaggeration and without a doubt, is precisely where we are today. If Trump somehow thinks Putin will take it easy on him because he has been his friend he does not understand Putin. Putin detests and takes advantage of weakness. He uses those he can use and disposes of them when they are done. And that is precisely why capitulation to him now is just as dangerous as it was to Hitler in the 1930s. MAGA efforts to avoid further confrontation with Russia today are highly likely to cost many many American lives in the not too distant future.

This is not hyperbole. This is a prelude to war that echoes the circumstances that led to the last two global conflicts.

Joe Biden is doing his best to resist it. His sanctions against Russia announced this week continue to show his resolve. But there are few sanctions he can impose that will outweigh the MAGA gift to Putin of further delays to aid to Ukraine. Biden can and should do more, including seizing Russian assets and using them to help defend and rebuild Ukraine and giving the Ukrainians more long range weapons and the latitude to use them.

But if the past offers any insight, Trump and MAGA will resist such steps.

As a result, make no mistake about it, world peace, the future of Europe and our security are on the ballot in November. The final word on Ukraines future, on NATOs future, and on Putins future, will come from American voters. The choice is clear. A MAGA win will mark the end of the American century, of U.S. leadership and of relative global stability. The stake are high. The decision will rest with you.

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The Intuitive Machines unmanned lunar lander Odysseus landed on the Moon Thursday, the first private lunar landing and the United Statess first return to the surface in more than 50 years.

The roughly weeklong mission on the Moons surface aims to gather scientific data in order to help NASA with future Artemis missions.

The solar-powered lander operates near the Moons south pole and potentially close to frozen water.

The United States is back on the Moon. Right now. For the first time in over 50 yearssince Apollo 17 landed in 1972the U.S. has landed on the surface of the Moon, thanks to a successful private mission from Intuitive Machines.

I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface, and we are transmitting, said Steve Altemus, Intuitive Machines CEO, according to the Associated Press. Welcome to the Moon.

Welcome, indeed. The unmanned lunar lander Odysseus, or Odie, landed on the Moon at 5:23 p.m. CST on Thursday, according to NASA. Odysseus is alive and well, Intuitive Machines said in a statement. Flight controllers are communicating and commanding the vehicle to download science data.

NASA says that the instruments aboard Odysseus will prepare the agency for future human exploration of the Moon under the Artemis program. But the lander doesnt have much time to do its work. The solar-powered spacecraft will have roughly one week of access to the Sun before the lunar night robs it of its power source.

Getting to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years almost didnt happen. The first private company that successfully aced the landing of a lifetimeas Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, wrote on social mediawas moments away from their initial landing attempt when the Odysseus laser navigation system flopped. Fortunately, NASA had an experimental laser system on board, so the team took Odysseus for another trip around the Moon as they switched to that system for the final landing.

Once landed, it took roughly 15 minutes for a weak signal to confirm that the lander was still working. While the control team was able to verify that Odysseus touched down near the Moons south pole, the weak signal left plenty of doubts as to the usefulness of the mission. Then, about two hours later, spirits picked up as the lander started to properly stream data back to Earth.

Intuitive Machines reports that Odysseus has good telemetry and solar charging, and they continue to gather more information about the specifics of the landers functions.

Part of a NASA-backed program to generate readiness in Moon exploration, Intuitive Machines has officially become the first to successfully land on the Moon. But it wasnt the first to try it. In January, Astrobotic Technology attempted the feat, but a leak in the fuel tank meant that its lander never made it, and was destroyed upon returning to Earths atmosphere.

Five countries have successfully landed spacecraft on the Moon, with Japan joining the United States, Russia, China, and India in January. That lander, dubbed Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, has already sent data on 10 lunar rocks back to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

Odysseus aimed for an area 186 miles from the south pole of the Mooncloser to the pole than any spacecraft has ventured, according to AP. The flat site was chosen for ease of landing, but nearby terrain also potentially contains frozen water, which is a key resource if humans hope to make extended stays on the Moon a reality.

Both Intuitive Machines and NASA will now focus on using what precious time in the sunlight Odysseus has remaining to gather as much scientific data on the Moon as possible. For the first time in over 50 years, the U.S. is on site to make it happen.

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Apollo 11 astronauts planted a flag on the moon on July 20, 1969. NASA

The last time a person visited the moon was in December 1972, during NASA's Apollo 17 mission.

Astronauts say the reasons are budgetary and political, not scientific or technical.

NASA could land people on the moon again by 2026 at the earliest. Now a US lander is on the moon again.

Landing 12 people on the moon remains one of NASA's greatest achievements, if not the greatest.

Astronauts on the Apollo missions of the 1960s and '70s collected rocks, took photos, performed experiments, planted flags, and then came home. But those stays didn't establish a lasting human presence on the moon.

More than 50 years after the most recent crewed moon landing  Apollo 17 in December 1972  there are plenty of reasons to return people to Earth's giant, dusty satellite and stay there.

We're getting closer. On Thursday, a US lunar lander touched down on the moon's surface for the first time since Apollo 17. The uncrewed Nova-C lander, named Odysseus, was designed by the Houston company Intuitive Machines with a $118 million contract from NASA. It's the first commercial mission to touch down on the moon and a huge step toward new human landings.

NASA has promised we will see US astronauts on the moon again soon-ish  maybe by September 2026 at the earliest, in a program called Artemis, which is set to include the first woman, first Black astronaut, and first Canadian to touch the lunar surface.

Jim Bridenstine, who ran NASA during the Trump administration, said it's not science or technology hurdles that have held the US back from doing this sooner.

"If it wasn't for the political risk, we would be on the moon right now," Bridenstine said on a phone call with reporters in 2018. "In fact, we would probably be on Mars."

So why haven't astronauts been back to the moon in more than 50 years?

"It was the political risks that prevented it from happening," Bridenstine said. "The program took too long and it costs too much money."

Researchers and entrepreneurs have long pushed for the creation of a crewed base on the moon  a lunar space station.

"A permanent human research station on the moon is the next logical step. It's only three days away. We can afford to get it wrong and not kill everybody," Chris Hadfield, a former astronaut, previously told Business Insider. "And we have a whole bunch of stuff we have to invent and then test in order to learn before we can go deeper out."

A lunar base could evolve into a fuel depot for deep-space missions, lead to the creation of unprecedented space telescopes, make it easier to live on Mars, and solve long-standing scientific mysteries about Earth and the moon's creation. It could even spur a thriving off-world economy, perhaps one built around lunar space tourism.

But many astronauts and other experts suggest the biggest impediments to making new crewed moon missions a reality are banal and somewhat depressing.

It's really expensive to get to the moon  but not that expensive

The Saturn V rocket helped power the Apollo missions. Bloomsbury Auctions

A tried-and-true hurdle for any spaceflight program, especially missions that involve people, is the steep cost.

NASA's 2023 budget is $25.4 billion, and the Biden administration is asking Congress to boost that to $27.2 billion for 2024.

Those amounts may sound like a windfall until you consider that the total gets split among all the agency's divisions and ambitious projects: the James Webb Space Telescope, the giant rocket project called Space Launch System, and far-flung missions to the sun, Jupiter, Mars, the asteroid belt, the Kuiper belt, and the edge of our solar system.

By contrast, the US defense budget for 2023 is about $858 billion.

With such a tight budget, NASA is vulnerable to government gridlocks. Congress has been slow to pass its 2024 budget  a delay NASA cited as a major reason for laying off 8% of its workforce at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in February.

Plus, NASA's budget is somewhat small relative to its past.

"NASA's portion of the federal budget peaked at 4% in 1965," Walter Cunningham, an Apollo 7 astronaut, said during congressional testimony in 2015.

In comparison, NASA's 2023 budget represents roughly 0.5% of US spending, according to a report from the Planetary Society. It has fluctuated between 0.4% and 1% since the 1970s, the report said.

Returning to the moon costs a significant chunk of that budget. A 2021 report from NASA estimated that the Artemis program to return people to the moon would cost a total of $93 billion from 2012 through 2025.

The Apollo program, by comparison, cost about $257 billion in today's dollars.

"Manned exploration is the most expensive space venture and, consequently, the most difficult for which to obtain political support," Cunningham said during his 2015 testimony.

He added, according to Scientific American: "Unless the country, which is Congress here, decided to put more money in it, this is just talk that we're doing here."

Referring to Mars missions and a return to the moon, Cunningham said, "NASA's budget is way too low to do all the things that we've talked about."

The problem with presidents

During his presidency, Donald Trump wanted to get astronauts back on the moon in 2024. Reuters/Carlos Barria

President Joe Biden may  or may not  be in office in 2026, when NASA plans to send astronauts back on the moon.

And therein lies another major problem: partisan political whiplash.

"Why would you believe what any president said about a prediction of something that was going to happen two administrations in the future?" Hadfield previously told Business Insider. "That's just talk."

The process of designing, engineering, and testing a spacecraft that could get people to another world easily outlasts a two-term president. But incoming presidents and lawmakers often scrap the previous leader's space-exploration priorities.

"I would like the next president to support a budget that allows us to accomplish the mission that we are asked to perform, whatever that mission may be," Scott Kelly, an astronaut who spent a year in space, wrote in a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" thread in January 2016, before Donald Trump took office.

But presidents and Congress don't often seem to care about staying the course.

In 2004, for example, the Bush administration tasked NASA to come up with a way to replace the space shuttle, which was set to retire, and also return to the moon. The agency came up with the Constellation program to land astronauts on the moon using a rocket called Ares and a spaceship called Orion.

NASA spent $9 billion over five years designing, building, and testing hardware for that human-spaceflight program.

Yet after President Barack Obama took office  and the Government Accountability Office released a report about NASA's inability to estimate a realistic cost for Constellation  Obama pushed to scrap the program and signed off on the SLS rocket instead.

The crew of NASA's Artemis II mission, from left: the NASA astronauts Christina Hammock Koch, Reid Wiseman (seated), and Victor Glover as well as Jeremy Hansen, an astronaut from the Canadian Space Agency. NASA

Trump didn't scrap SLS, but he did change Obama's goal of launching astronauts to an asteroid, shifting priorities to moon and Mars missions. Trump wanted to see Artemis land astronauts back on the moon in 2024.

Such frequent changes to NASA's expensive priorities have led to cancellation after cancellation, a loss of about $20 billion, and years of wasted time and momentum.

Biden seems to be a rare exception to the shifty presidential trend: He hasn't toyed with Trump's Artemis priority for NASA, and he's also kept the Space Force intact.

Buzz Aldrin said in testimony to Congress in 2015 that he believed the will to return to the moon must come from Capitol Hill.

"American leadership is inspiring the world by consistently doing what no other nation is capable of doing. We demonstrated that for a brief time 45 years ago. I do not believe we have done it since," Aldrin wrote in a statement. "I believe it begins with a bipartisan congressional and administration commitment to sustained leadership."

The real driving force behind that government commitment to return to the moon is the will of the American people, who vote for politicians and help shape their policy priorities. But public interest in lunar exploration has always been lukewarm.

Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Even at the height of the Apollo program, after Aldrin and Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface, only 53% of Americans said they thought the program was worth the cost. For the most part, US approval of Apollo hovered below 50%.

A 2023 Pew Research Poll found most Americans said NASA should continue leading space exploration. But that doesn't mean people care about going back to the moon  only 12% of the 10,329 respondents said NASA should prioritize human lunar missions.

Support for crewed Mars exploration isn't much stronger, with 11% of the poll's respondents saying it should be a NASA priority. Meanwhile, 60% said scanning the skies for killer asteroids was important.

Many space enthusiasts have long hoped to build a base on the moon, but the lunar surface's harsh environment wouldn't be an ideal place for humans to thrive. NASA

The challenges beyond politics include problematic regolith and eye-popping temperature fluctuations

The political tug-of-war over NASA's mission and budget isn't the only reason people haven't returned to the moon. The moon is also a 4.5-billion-year-old death trap for humans and must not be trifled with or underestimated.

Its surface is littered with craters and boulders that threaten safe landings. The US government spent what would be tens of billions in today's dollars to develop, launch, and deliver satellites to the moon to map its surface and help mission planners scout for Apollo landing sites.

But a bigger worry is what eons of meteorite impacts have created: regolith, also called moon dust.

Following the Apollo missions, scientists quarantined the astronauts for two weeks after they landed, in part because they were worried about the effects of the dust, according to a 2022 NASA study. The fine powder that sits on the moon's surface stuck to their suits and vehicles and even got inside their spacecraft.

Peggy Whitson, an astronaut who has spent 675 days in space, previously told Business Insider that the Apollo missions "had a lot of problems with dust."

"If we're going to spend long durations and build permanent habitats, we have to figure out how to handle that," Whitson said.

An illustration of SpaceX's Starship vehicle on the surface of the moon, with Earth in the distance. Elon Musk/SpaceX via Twitter

There's also a problem with sunlight and deadly solar radiation.

For about 14 days at a time, the side of the moon facing Earth is a boiling hellscape that is exposed directly to the sun's harsh rays; the moon has very little atmosphere, and therefore no protection against solar radiation.

The next 14 days that same side is in total darkness, dipping to temperatures below minus 200 degrees Fahrenheit, making the moon's surface one of the colder places in the solar system.

NASA is developing a fission power system that could supply astronauts with electricity during weekslong lunar nights  which would also be useful on other worlds, including Mars.

"There is not a more environmentally unforgiving or harsher place to live than the moon," the astronautical engineer Madhu Thangavelu wrote. "And yet, since it is so close to the Earth, there is not a better place to learn how to live away from planet Earth."

NASA has designed dust- and sun-resistant spacesuits and rovers, though it's uncertain whether that equipment is anywhere near ready to launch.

"I already knew going to the moon was hard," Reid Weisman, the Artemis II mission commander, said at a press conference in August. "But boy, it's harder than I thought."

A generation of billionaire 'space nuts' may get there

Jeff Bezos discussing his flight on Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital rocket. Joe Raedle/Getty

Another issue, astronauts say, is NASA's graying workforce. In 2019, more American kids polled said they dreamed about becoming YouTube stars than astronauts.

"You've got to realize young people are essential to this kind of an effort," the Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt previously told BI. "The average age of the people in Mission Control for Apollo 13 was 26 years old, and they'd already been on a bunch of missions."

An estimated 14% of NASA's workforce is over 40 years old, according to a Zippia analysis.

"That's not where innovation and excitement comes from. Excitement comes from when you've got teenagers and 20-year-olds running programs," Rusty Schweickart, a former NASA astronaut, said. "When Elon Musk lands a [rocket booster], his whole company is yelling and screaming and jumping up and down."

Musk is part of what the astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman has called a "generation of billionaires who are space nuts," developing a new, private suite of moon-capable rockets.

Elon Musk celebrating the first launch of astronauts aboard a SpaceX rocket in 2020. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

"The innovation that's been going on over the last 10 years in spaceflight never would've happened if it was just NASA and Boeing and Lockheed," Hoffman told journalists during a roundtable in 2018. "Because there was no motivation to reduce the cost or change the way we do it."

Hoffman was referring to the innovative work of Musk's rocket company, SpaceX, as well as by Jeff Bezos, who founded the aerospace company Blue Origin.

"There's no question: If we're going to go farther, especially if we're going to go farther than the moon, we need new transportation," Hoffman added. "Right now we're still in the horse-and-buggy days of spaceflight."

Many astronauts' desire to return to the moon aligns with Bezos' long-term vision. Bezos has floated a plan to start building the first moon base using Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket system.

"We will move all heavy industry off of Earth, and Earth will be zoned residential and light industry," he said in April 2018.

Musk has also spoken at length about how SpaceX's Starship launch system could pave the way for affordable, regular lunar visits.

Space X's Starship stacked on its launchpad. SpaceX

"My dream would be that someday the moon would become part of the economic sphere of the Earth  just like geostationary orbit and low-Earth orbit," Hoffman said. "Space out as far as geostationary orbit is part of our everyday economy. Someday I think the moon will be, and that's something to work for."

SpaceX launched its complete Starship system for the first time in April.

But the rocket didn't make it to orbit as planned. Leaking propellant triggered fires in the booster, causing the system to veer off course, ultimately triggering the mega-rocket to self-destruct.

Even so, astronauts don't doubt whether we'll get back to the moon and onto Mars. It's just a matter of when.

"I guess eventually things will come to pass where they will go back to the moon and eventually go to Mars  probably not in my lifetime," said the 95-year-old retired astronaut Jim Lovell, who flew to the moon on Apollo 8 and Apollo 13. "Hopefully, they'll be successful."

This story was originally published on July 14, 2018. It has been updated.

Correction: February 27, 2024  An earlier version of this story misstated the size of NASA's contract with Intuitive Machines. It was $118 million, not $118 billion. A prior version of this story also misstated the number of moonwalkers. During NASA's Apollo program, 12 people landed on the moon.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Chinese cyber security firm claimed it had the ability to hack the UK's Foreign Office, leaked documents suggest.

UK government agencies, think tanks, businesses and charities also appear in the leaked i-Soon data.

Other documents hint at successful hacks of public bodies and businesses across Asia and Europe, but it is not yet clear if any were compromised.

The identity of the leaker is unknown.

China's UK embassy said it was unaware of the leak, and said China "firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with the law".

But Chinese police and i-Soon are reportedly investigating the data dump, according to the AP news agency.

The BBC has approached the UK government for comment.

Leak appears genuine

i-Soon is one of many private companies that provide cyber security services for China's military, police and security services.

It employs less than 25 staff at its Shanghai headquarters.

The collection of 577 documents and chat logs were leaked on GitHub - an online developer platform - on 16 February.

Three security researchers told the BBC the leak appeared to be genuine.

The files reveal eight years of i-Soon's work to extract data and gain access to systems in the UK, France and several places in Asia - including Taiwan, Pakistan, Malaysia and Singapore.

In one case, a government organisation in southwest China paid around $15,000 (11,900) to access the Vietnamese traffic police's website.

In an other case, software to run a disinformation campaign on X, formerly Twitter, was priced at $100,000 (79,000).

'Boss Lu'

In one undated chat log between "Boss Lu" and another unnamed user, the UK Foreign Office is revealed to be a priority target for i-Soon.

The unnamed participant says they have access to a Foreign Office software vulnerability.However, Boss Lu then says to focus on another organisation because a rival contractor has been awarded the work.

In another chat log, a user sends a list of UK targets to i-Soon that include the British Treasury, Chatham House and Amnesty International.

"We don't have this to hand, but we can work on it," says the recipient.

The pair then discuss prepayment from their client for the unspecified information on the targets.

Other chat logs show that i-Soon staff discussed contracts involving Jens Stoltenberg, Nato's secretary general.

Rare inside look

The leaks potentially offer a rare inside look into a "commercially-fuelled, high-stakes intelligence operation," says John Hultquist, chief analyst at Mandiant Intelligence.

The data shows how the contractors serve "not only one agency, but multiple agencies at once," he adds.

Experts say there could be many motives behind the data leak.

It could be a disgruntled former employee, a foreign intelligence agency, or a malicious leak by a competitor to undermine i-Soon's public credibility.

The workings of China's cyber espionage campaign have been reported on extensively, but this leak shines light on the unusual way in which the private sector is involved in those campaigns.

It is unlikely that the outcome of investigations by the Chinese authorities will ever be made public says Dakota Cary, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub.

Reporting by Joshua Cheetham, Daniele Palumbo and Gordon Corera

BBC Verify logo
By Toby Sterling

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (Reuters) - A group of 60 top students from South Korean technical universities on Friday completed the first "Future Chips Academy" in Eindhoven, intended in part to help attract much-needed foreign semiconductor engineering talent.

The week-long program of lectures and study was put together by the Eindhoven University of Technology together with the Dutch computer chip industry, including equipment makers ASML and ASM International, chipmaker NXP, and the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (Imec) in nearby Belgium.

The program, which invited students from three South Korean universities, underlines a high tech labour shortage in the Eindhoven region, which has become one of Europe's largest tech hubs.

"My goal is researching abroad," said program participant Dongyong Kim, 24, a masters student at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, who said he hopes to work for ASML or IBM, or to pursue a PhD at Imec.

According to regional development agency Brainport, the Eindhoven area employs around 80,000 high tech workers in a population of 800,000 and will create another 50,000 high tech jobs in the coming eight years, as many of half of which will have to come from abroad.

The "Future Chips" program has been launched at a time when the Netherlands' national government is seeking to reduce immigration, following an election in which right wing parties booked major gains.

Foreign students at Dutch universities are an important source of talent, but the government is working on plans to cap admittance and force classes be taught in Dutch, not English.

It is also eliminating a tax break for highly skilled immigrants.

ASML CEO Peter Wennink and NXP Netherlands CEO Jean Schreurs, who personally met with students on the program, have criticized such policies as short-sighted.

These are top notch companies, and they need access to top notch talent, said TU Eindhoven President Robert-Jan Smits. So its very bizarre what the government is doing.... Its not good policy.

(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
The matte glass on the back of the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

What you need to know

A report states Google will begin producing its latest Pixel line in India, beginning with the Pixel 8 Pro "in the coming weeks" to be ready for an April to June rollout.

The vanilla model is expected to begin production in the "middle of the year" as Google looks to diversify itself from primarily producing the Pixel in China.

The company also achieved a milestone of "around" 10 million Pixel units shipped in 2023, and this shift could help it smash that number in 2024.

Google is shifting where it manufactures its flagship phone line as it looks to grow in a new market in 2024.

According to Nikkei Asia, Google has reportedly informed its suppliers that they must "start making its Pixel smartphones in India" by Q2 2024. The Pixel 8 Pro is first on the docket, with the report stating production will begin in the southern portion of India "in the coming weeks." This would enable the device to begin shipping from anywhere between April and June.

The publication's sources state that the vanilla Pixel 8 production will begin on the north side of India toward the "middle of the year." Both devices will see a "small volume" enter production during the previously stated timeframes.

Additionally, sources claim this is part of a "China+2" strategy that other big tech companies have deployed. Google's Pixels were previously crafted in China only, and this move could help create "diversity" in production. Sources added that multiple options could aid in creating "supply chain resilience" in the long run.

Other notable big tech companies that manufacture their devices in India include Apple, Samsung, OPPO, and Xiaomi.

Google's latest move could help it smash a previously achieved milestone. Sources state the company shipped "around" 10 million Pixel units in 2023. With production moving to India, Google is looking to beat that milestone as it takes advantage of the "tech manufacturing powerhouse" India is working to become.

The mint colorway of the Google Pixel 8

Google was rumored to produce some of its Pixel phones in India in June 2023. the company was supposedly talking with manufacturing plants such as Lava, Dixon, and Foxconn. Sources familiar with the matter stated Google was interested in shifting its production to India as it looks to relieve some of the reliance on China and Vietnam.

These plants were reportedly able to "boost production rapidly" for other companies, such as Apple.

At the time, India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, spoke of their vision to turn the country into an alternative manufacturing hub. Nikkei Asia reiterates this by stating the country offers incentives and more to appeal to companies looking to create mobile devices and computers.

Pixel 8 Pro in Porcelain front and back square render

Google Pixel 8 Pro

King of the Androids

Google's Pixel 8 Pro, with Android 14 and loads of AI software, could be your best handheld friend. The on-device AI features can help you summarize lengthy pieces of text and offer translation assistance. Internally, the Pixel 8 Pro is snappy with some pretty stellar cameras (and fun AI editing tools).
Update 2:18 p.m. Friday: EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University officials have announced EagleCam did not deploy during Odysseus' descent to the lunar surface because of complications with the lander's internal navigation system.

"However, both the Intuitive Machines and EagleCam teams still plan to deploy EagleCam and capture images of the lander on the lunar surface as the mission continues," the Embry-Riddle update said.

Original story: "Nerve-wracking": The initial Thursday night radio silence between Earth and Odysseus after the robotic moon lander's historic touchdown caused anxiety for Madhur Tiwari, director of The Autonomy Lab at the Florida Institute of Technology.

Then Intuitive Machines announced it had received a faint signal from the lander's high-gain antenna. And the 14-foot-tall uncrewed spacecraft was standing upright on the lunar surface.

"It's just unreal, you know? We have been planning this for so many years now  and now it's happening. So it's just surreal, to be honest. Amazing feeling," said Tiwari, who helped design one of the cameras on the spacecraft. .

The Houston-based company's lander became the first American spacecraft to land on the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972. Tiwari discussed the historic IM-1 mission Friday morning as the world awaited more information on Odysseus' status.

More: Moon landing: Live reaction to Odysseus transmitting faint signal from lunar surface

"Odysseus is alive and well. Flight controllers are communicating and commanding the vehicle to download science data," Intuitive Machines officials said in a Friday morning tweet.

"The lander has good telemetry and solar charging. We continue to learn more about the vehicles specific information (Lat/Lon), overall health, and attitude (orientation)," the tweet said.

As a doctorate student studying autonomous systems and spacecraft dynamics, Tiwari was part of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University team that developed EagleCam, a miniature satellite camera system that was engineered to jettison from the lander about 100 feet above the moon's surface and rapidly shoot a series of photos.

If all went as planned, EagleCam will become the first university student-built project to land on the moon, the first camera to shoot a "selfie" of a spacecraft making an extraterrestrial landing, and the first device to use Wi-Fi on the lunar surface. Tiwari said he hoped the first images would be transmitted Friday, but he did not have further information.

Intuitive Machines co-founder Steve Altemus, an Embry-Riddle alumnus, challenged students to engineer EagleCam during a 2019 campus visit.

"He basically said, 'You know what? We'll give you a free ride. You will have to raise your money and do all of that to make the EagleCam possible. But we will give you a free ride on our lander. Can you guys do it?' " Tiwari recalled.

Tiwari arrived at Florida Tech in August 2021, where he is also an assistant professor of aerospace engineering. He returned to Embry-Riddle on Thursday night to monitor the moon landing, which generated a celebration among students and staffers after some long "nerve-wracking" minutes.

"We are thrilled that Intuitive Machine's lunar lander and Embry-Riddle's EagleCam landed on the moon  intact! Congratulations to all involved!" Embry-Riddle officials announced on Twitter.

Now, Tiwari hopes Eagle Cam successfully uses its Wi-Fi hotspot to transmit images to Odysseus, which will relay them back to Earth.

Madhur Tiwari, director of The Autonomy Lab at the Florida Institute of Technology.

"We just hope basically that everything that we have put in is going to turn on on time, and it's actually going to do what we think it's going to do. And that is the most crucial part of any sort of autonomous system, which is what this lander is, which is what the EagleCam is," Tiwari said.

"Hey, look: Are there any bugs in the code? Can something go wrong from that side? Will the hardware turn on? Is the battery going to be charged on time? Now, if any of these things go wrong, we can't fix it. So that's the main challenge," he said.

"The problem is that there's no human in the loop," he said.

EagleCam will also test an electrodynamic dust-removal system developed by NASA's Kennedy Space Center on two of its camera lenses.

NASA scientific instruments aboard Odysseus, per a press release:

An autonomous-navigation experiment  designed for use by future landers and astronauts  that digitally confirms their locations on the moon relative to other spacecraft, ground stations or moving rovers.

An array of eight retroreflectors for precision laser ranging, which measures distances between the lander and orbiting or landing spacecraft.

A guidance system for descent and landing that operates on the principles of radar, but measures speed, direction and altitude using pulses from a laser emitted through three optical telescopes.

A radio frequency mass gauge that measures the amount of cryogenic propellant in Odysseus fuel and oxidizer tanks in a low-gravity space environment.

An instrument that observes the moons surface environment in radio frequencies.

A suite of four tiny cameras that captures imagery showing how the spacecrafts engine plume changed the moons surface during and after descent.

SpaceX launch scheduled for Saturday

Though SpaceX has yet to publicly confirm this mission's existence, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and Federal Aviation Administration navigational warnings show a launch window will open from 4:59 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

A Falcon 9 rocket will launch a payload of Starlink internet-beaming satellites into low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 40.

After stage separation, the rocket's first-stage booster will target landing aboard a SpaceX drone ship out on the Atlantic Ocean, so Brevard County residents should not hear sonic booms.

Follow FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live launch updates starting about 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students celebrate the Thursday night landing of Odysseus, the Intuitive Machines spacecraft, on the moon. The lunar lander carried EagleCam, a camera system built by ERAU students that was designed to eject about 100 feet above the moon's surface.

This photo provided by Intuitive Machines shows the company's IM-1 Nova-C lunar lander in Houston in October 2023.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 'It's just surreal': After Odysseus moon landing, scientists await data
As Reddit prepares to go public, a new filing with the SEC has revealed its biggest backers.

OpenAI's Sam Altman is the third-largest shareholder, the filing revealed.

It was previously known he was a Reddit investor  but not to this extent.

We learned a new detail about Sam Altman Thursday: just how much he supports Reddit.

In preparation for its highly-anticipated IPO, the online social forum filed an S-1 form with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday, detailing the company's financial background. The filing revealed that Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, owns an 8.7% stake in the company.

Altman was previously known to be an investor in Reddit, though exactly how much he owned has not been disclosed until now  the company has to share that now since it intends to go public. And turns out he is the third-largest shareholder in the social networking site. Altman controls 8.7% of the company's stock, according to the filing.

He comes behind Advance, owned by the Newhouse family, which owns 30% of the company, while Chinese company Tencent has an 11% stake.

Altman also served seven years on Reddit's board until 2022.

Reddit is the first social media company to submit an initial public offering since Pinterest in 2019, and it's the first major tech company to file for an IPO in 2024.

While the company reported a 20% rise in revenue last year compared to the year before, it still struggled to turn a profit, according to the filings.

However, AI may be a key revenue source for Reddit. On Thursday, Reddit announced that it has entered into a data licensing agreement with Google. The search engine company will pay the company $60 million a year for access to its content.

Reddit doesn't currently have a data licensing deal with OpenAI, though.

"Reddit's vast and unmatched archive of real, timely, and relevant human conversation on literally any topic is an invaluable dataset for a variety of purposes, including search, AI training, and research," Reddit cofounder Steve Huffman wrote in a letter attached to Thursday's SEC filing.

"We expect our data advantage and intellectual property to continue to be a key element in the training of future LLMs," he wrote, referring to large language models, a type of program used by AI systems like Altman's ChatGPT.

The concept of working this closely with AI companies hasn't gone over great with some Reddit users, who have criticized the idea of profiting off users' data without their consent.

Reddit wouldn't be the only social media company to let AI companies tap into users' conversations. Elon Musk 's new AI chatbot, Grok , is trained on X user data.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Providence Health & Services bought Swedish Health Services in 2012, one of a series of mergers over the last three decades that has led to increased consolidation in the health-care industry. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
On the evening of Feb. 16, just before 6 p.m., the Colorado Springs Police Department announced via social media that the two bodies discovered at a dorm on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus were being investigated as a double homicide.

In a thread on X, earlier the same day the Police Department stated: "we don't believe there is an ongoing threat to the community."

Nicholas Jordan, 25, would go on to be arrested on Monday morning for allegedly causing the deaths of Samuel Knopp, 24, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26.

Jordan was not identified as the suspect in the double homicide by the Police Department until his arrest, despite a warrant being issued for his arrest on Friday, according to court records.

Frustration from community members online was apparent in the responses to several posts from the Police Department on X.

As a parent of a UCCS student sitting here 1030 miles away, Im calling out CSPD, UCCSPD & UCCS Admin for declaring the morning of the shooting that there was no threat to students or general public. The suspect WAS OUT AND ABOUT IN THE PUBLIC, & IN A CAR! A threat pure & simple!  GSLKB (@GSLKB) February 20, 2024

Hello. My son attends UCCS. We need an update. Release basic information please. Is the suspect in custody? Who are the victims? Was the suspect a student? How do I feel safe sending my son to college at this point? Help please. This is so sad.  Nate Osborn (@NateGOsborn) February 17, 2024

Two College students MURDERED on campus in college dorms yet YOU don't consider it an imminent threat to the public? Keystone cops at its finest, better bring in State police.  Raushaun Harrison (@RaushaunHa44913) February 18, 2024

Both are being investigated as a homicide but no current threat to the community? I don't understand the logic here  Fire Keefe (@KeefesTrash) February 17, 2024

"As a parent of a UCCS student sitting here 1030 miles away, Im calling out CSPD, UCCSPD & UCCS Admin for declaring the morning of the shooting that there was no threat to students or general public," said one user. "The suspect WAS OUT AND ABOUT IN THE PUBLIC, & IN A CAR! A threat pure & simple!"

At a press conference Thursday morning, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade acknowledged that he had spoken to several community members who were "frustrated" with the perceived lack of transparency from the Police Department over the weekend.

"I feel like every challenge provides an opportunity to be better, and where we could have done better, is communicate every day. Even if we dont want to communicate sensitive information that could jeopardize an active case, I think the lesson learned is we can still communicate," Mobolade said. "(They) are now frustrated at the lack of communication, because sometimes no communication leads to this communication gap and its easy to start to fill in the blanks. I see how they got to a place of, 'Yeah, were hearing you say that were safe, but were not safe because were not hearing anything.' So know thats something that we are following up on."

While speaking with The Gazette, Jonathan Caudill, a criminology professor at UCCS, described why police departments often feel the need to withhold information from the public during an investigation.

"I think the main motivation for police agencies to withhold information if it's an active investigation is to preserve the integrity of the investigation," Caudill said. "I think the protection of the integrity of the investigation is a powerful motivation."

Some examples Caudill gave for why it may be prevalent for police to withhold information during an investigation is that potential interviewees may provide more information to police about a case if information hasn't been released publicly, or, to potentially prevent a suspect from fleeing.

Caudill went on to state that police departments are often stuck with a difficult balancing act between protecting an investigation and keeping the public informed, both of which Caudill states are important, but one can often come at the detriment of the other.

"We want the person responsible for these actions to be held accountable," Caudill said. "But on the other side, leaning too far the other way and being overly protective with information relevant to public safety may cause concern and an increased fear of crime.

"When you think about fear of crime ... people experience all kinds of vicarious victimization through concerns of their own safety particularly when a suspect hasn't been identified yet."

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The same sentiment was echoed by Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez in an interview with NBC News.

"We always weigh the balance between public safety and our ability to apprehend a suspect," Vasquez said. "If we provide too much information how does that cause a suspect to flee the area. We had a tremendous amount of conversations really just trying to understand is there a risk, is there random shootings happening or was it targeted."

Vasquez was unavailable to speak with The Gazette to comment further on the communication practices of the department in homicide investigations.

Police Department spokesperson Ira Cronin provided the following statement to The Gazette via email:

"Our investigation showed this was an isolated incident between individuals who were known to one another, and this was not a random act of violence against the school or campus. I will add we were in close communication with UCCS PD, as well as UCCS officials on Friday and over the weekend, and the victim's families. If we felt there was any larger threat to the community from this suspect, we would have made that known threat known.

"As Chief Vasquez said, we certainly understand the communitys need for information. CSPD frequently deals with people who are a threat to our community at various levels. We decide how to proceed in the best interest of public safety on a case-by-case basis. All cases are different, and these are not easy decisions. In this case, we were able to apprehend the suspect in three days without any other community member being harmed, no officers were harmed, and the suspect himself was not harmed in the process of apprehending him.

"Now, the process of seeking justice for the victims and their families has begun."

Ultimately, Caudill and Vazquez noted that despite frustrations from some community members law enforcement was able to arrest Jordan approximately 72 hours after the shooting with no further harm to the public.

"It paid off for us, we were able to get him (Jordan) in custody really quickly," Vasquez said in his interview with NBC News.

However, Caudill stated that there was a "juxtaposition" between CSPD's claims on social media that there was no active threat to the community and the lack of an arrest being made until Monday morning.

"I was uncertain with how to proceed with my weekend," Caudill said.

In the interview with NBC News, Vasquez admitted that police "weren't sure" where Jordan was located until his arrest.

In a phone conversation with The Gazette, Cronin stated that the use of the term "no active threat to the community" was made confidently by the department because of the information detectives had at the time that the shooting was an isolated incident between parties that knew each other.

"It's always a balancing act," Cronin stated on weighing the need of public information against the need to protect the case.

Jordan is scheduled to make his first appearance in 4th Judicial District Court on Friday morning, where attorneys are slated to discuss Jordan's $5 million bond and the release of his probable cause affidavit.

At Jordan's virtual advisement hearing on Tuesday, a request from the prosecution to have Jordan's bond raised from $1 million to $5 million was granted after prosecutors claimed Jordan presented a flight risk and was planning to flee the state. The district attorney also said that Jordan was a potential danger to the community due to the nature of the charges and that a firearm was allegedly found in his vehicle at the time of his arrest.

Further details regarding the specifics of the double homicide have yet to be revealed due to the arrest affidavit for Jordan remaining sealed. Prosecutors at Jordan's advisement hearing stated they would have no objection to the affidavit being unsealed.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies during a hearing in the case of the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump at the Fulton County Courthouse on Feb. 15 in Atlanta.
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Dubai Municipality registered over 1.5 million food products in 2023, with 217,642 applications for the registration and assessment of food products across the Emirate.

Additionally, the Municipality issued 99,567 health certificates for exported food, reflecting its commitment to enhancing the flexibility of Dubai's food sector. These figures underscore the Municipalitys dedication to ensuring residents access to safe, nutritious, and healthy food items that comply with the highest internationally accredited standards.

The Municipality has implemented extensive food safety control measures for both imported and domestically produced goods. In the previous year alone, a total of 65,230 inspection visits were carried out across the 26,612 registered food institutions in Dubai.

The Municipality has conducted inspections on 7,367,163 tonnes of food shipments, involving over 2,272,400 individual food items. These inspections covered more than 363,553 food shipments and approximately 533,790 food containers.

Priority

Sultan Al Taher, Director of the Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality, emphasised the Municipalitys commitment to prioritising the development of the food industry by offering support, providing necessary infrastructure, and promoting investment opportunities to encourage its growth.

These initiatives are in line with Dubai Municipalitys dedication to establishing a sustainable food system, ensuring the availability of adaptable food supply chains for all commodities, and aligning with the goals of the Dubai Food Security Strategy.

Al Taher said: In 2023, the food industry showcased remarkable figures, highlighting Dubais position as a global commercial hub. These results also underscore the efficacy of regulations and laws that have fortified the industrys resilience, contributing to increased growth, development, and enhanced investment opportunities.

Al Taher stated that Dubai Municipality has been making proactive efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of the community from food-related risks. This can be achieved by consistently monitoring all institutions and activities in the food sector throughout the year. The aim is to uphold food safety standards and ensure compliance with approved quality standards, further enhancing the quality of life for both residents and visitors of Dubai.

Proactive protection

The Municipality participates in Gulfood 2024, as it is a global platform gathering the foremost food and beverage producers and suppliers worldwide. This exhibition offers the opportunity to share knowledge, stay updated on current and future industry trends, and gain insights into the latest advancements in food production, trade, and technology. Furthermore, it serves as a platform for introducing new food companies to potential investment opportunities in Dubai.--TradeArabia News Service
LARIMER COUNTY, Colo.  Three University of Wyoming swimmers are dead after a single-vehicle crash in northern Colorado Thursday afternoon, reports Denver Gazette news partner 9News.

The Colorado State Patrol said the crash happened on intersection of Highway 287 near Red Mountain Road, northwest of Livermore in Larimer County, just before 2:45 p.m. Thursday.

CSP said a Toyota RAV4 with five people inside heading southbound went off the left shoulder and rolled multiple times. Two of them were ejected.

Three people were killed and two others had minor injuries, according to CSP. The three who died were a 22-year-old man, a 21-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman.

CSP said the three who died were all members of the University of Wyoming swim team. They were not believed to be traveling for an official school function.

Their names have not been released.

This is a developing story and will be updated when further information is available.
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Doi manageri de la Centrul Cultural vor sa ajunga primar la Mioveni

Argentina Culcus (AUR), fost manager al Centrului Cultural Mioveni, si Alin Calinescu (PNL), actualul manager, s-au inscris oficial in cursa pentru functia de primar al orasului Mioveni. Sa speram ca PSD-ul nu va veni si el cu un candidat tot din zona culturala [citeste mai departe]
Retete cu legume de primavara

Primavara este poate cea mai buna perioada pentru a ne bucura din plin de legume proaspete. Consumul de fructe si legume de sezon este minunat si benefic pentru sanatate, dar si pentru buget. Inspira-te, asadar, din unele dintre cele mai delicioase retete cu legume de primavara.De ce este bine sa prepari retete cu legume de primavaraConsumul [citeste mai departe]
Over 60% of modern retail space in Romania, concentrated in first 10 big cities (report) More than 60% of the total modern retail space in Romania is concentrated in the first 10 big cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, according to a report by the real estate consulting firm Colliers. Currently, Romania has a total modern retail stock of over 4.3 million square meters, of which more than 2.7 million square meters are malls, and the rest mainly retail parks. "Starting with the first half of last year, real wage growth, i.e. the difference between wage growth and price growth, returned to positive territory. By the end of 2023, wage growth of around 9% in real terms Citeste articolul mai departe pe stiripesurse.ro

Sursa articol si foto: stiripesurse.ro

Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- Peste 60% din suprafata totala de retail modern din Romania este concentrata in primele 10 mari orase, cu peste 200.000 de locuitori, conform unui raport al unei firme de consultanta imobiliara.

- The European Commission has concluded that Blue Air's restructuring plan was not capable of restoring the airline's long-term viability and it is therefore incompatible with EU State aid rules. Romania must now recover from Blue Air illegal State aid amounting to approximately EUR 33.84 million (RON

- Romania produced, in the first 11 months of 2023, a quantity of crude oil of 2.562 million tons of oil equivalent, 114,300 toe less (-4.3%) compared to the same period the previous year, according to centralized data by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).Crude oil imports rose, in the January-November

- Jumatate dintre investitorii de retail din Romania planuiesc sa detina actiuni de inteligenta artificiala (IA) si doar 18% declara ca nu sunt deloc interesati sa investeasca in aceasta tehnologie.

- A total of 128 buildings in Romania were BREEAM or LEED certified in 2023, 17% less than the record year of 2022, according to an analysis by a company that provides green building consulting and certification services.Of this total, 116 buildings were BREEAM certified and 12 buildings LEED certified.

- The number of newly established foreign-owned companies in Romania decreased by 6.2% in the first 11 months of this year, compared to the same period in 2022, to 6,447 units, according to data centralized by the National Trade Register Office (ONRC).The 6,447 new companies had a total subscribed

- In casele romanilor si bulgarilor, dulciurile sunt un element esential al sarbatorilor, subliniaza Colliers in cel mai recent raport Festive Season in CEE, la care au participat respondenti din Romania, Bulgaria, Republica Ceha, Ungaria, Polonia si Slovacia.Mai exact, in Romania, cadourile dulci

- The number of 5G mobile internet connections doubled in the first half of this year, exceeding 1.5 million, informs the National Communications Administration and Regulation Authority (ANCOM) in a press release.According to the quoted source, there is still a 10% increase in the number of Gigabit
Stephen is a seasoned travel writer, for over 20 years he has visited 60+ countries on 6 continents and published articles to the satisfaction of the best hotels and airlines in the world on XpatLoop.com - the key media portal for the international community in Hungary.

Thank You for Visiting - Short Introduction to Stephen:



Stephen is currently one of four UNICEF Champions in Hungary - the National Committee of United Nations Children's Fund here awarded him this title due to his many years of service.



In 2018 he was presented with the 'Good Person Award' by Hungary's OSA in recognition of his charity work, and earlier he received a 'Partners in Europe Award' from His Royal Highness's 'Prince's Trust' charitable organisation.



Selection of References:



Here below for your interest and reference is a selection of travel articles published by Stephen on XpatLoop.com - which has over 30,000 high-value readers who are regular travellers and so frequent flyers - to the satisfaction of a great range of partners, including:



1. Anantara Luxury Hotels and Resorts

Escape From Budapest To A Riverside Oasis At Anantara's Bangkok Resort



2. Angsana Hotels & Resorts Around the Globe

Escape From Budapest To Thailands Leading Family Resort: Angsana Phuket



3. Avani Hotels & Resorts

Escape From Budapest To AVANI Pattaya Resort: Seaside Stay In Tropical Oasis



4. Centara Hotels & Resorts

Escape To A Lost World Paradise At Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya 



5. Four Points by Sheraton

Escape From Budapest To Bangkok's Four Points By Sheraton: An Inner City Winner



6. Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts

Escape From Budapest To Le Meridien Cyberport In Hong Kong



7. Movenpick Luxury Hotels & Resorts

Escape From Budapest To Pristine Beach Life At Pattaya's Movenpick Siam Hotel



8. Ramada by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Escape From Budapest To Ramada Resort Khao Lak In Thailand



9. Shangri-La Luxury Hotels & Resorts

Escape From Budapest to Shangri-La Hotel In Bangkok: A Tropical City Resort



10. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts

Escape From Budapest To Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers Bangkok



11. U Hotels & Resorts

Escape To A Hidden Paradise At U Pattaya



12. Westin Luxury Wellness Hotels & Resorts

The Westin Siray Bay Resort In Phuket, Thailand



Key Media Info:



XpatLoop High-Level Reader Demographics:

 Business Leaders: CEOs, CFOs, GM's, MD's, plus Finance Directors, Marketing Directors, HR Directors, Training Directors, Purchasing Managers.

 Community Opinion Leaders: Diplomats, Artists, Actors, Authors, Doctors, Priests, Teachers, Film-makers, Restaurateurs, Journalist

 58% Male, 42% Female. Age 35-49: 65%, Age 50+: 21%, Age 18-34: 10%.

 Education: 38% Graduates, 32% Post-Graduates.

 Income: 38% USD 30-60,000, 33% Less Than USD 30,000, 17% USD 60-100,000, 12% Over USD 100,000. Total 67% Earn Over USD 30,000 Per Year.



Great Google Search Results:



Its worth highlighting that Google highly rates articles published on XpatLoop, and the articles above and further examples below all benefit from organic (not paid for) Google search results.



Extra Examples of Positive PR Articles - Worldwide:


Home renovation is an important goal for many, but this year Hungarians would spend most of their money on travel, according to representative research by Cofidis Credit Monitor.

According to the research, 63% of Hungarians now have a plan that requires financial resources, ideally, they would like to spend about HUF 1.5 million, but realistically they expect HUF 600,000.



Hungarians intend to spend the most money on travel and vacations this year, while the second most important goal is home renovation, and the third is buying household appliances or furniture.



A quarter of households this year also set aside financial resources to cover private health care, and a fifth of them targeted debt reduction.



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Hungary and Iran both have an interest in developing economic cooperation in sectors not subject to sanctions, such as the pharmaceutical industry, the health and food industries and water management, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in Tehran.

The broad international sanctions imposed on Iran do not make economic and trade cooperation easy, Szijjarto told a Hungarian-Iranian business forum.



What we think about sanctions in general is irrelevant right now, and is a topic for another speech, but the point is that building economic cooperation isnt easy, Szijjarto said.



But not easy doesnt mean that its impossible. The minister said there were a number of areas that are not subject to sanctions, such as the pharmaceutical industry, the health and food industries and water management. He added that it was a happy coincidence that these are among the most-developed sectors of the Hungarian economy and global technological leaders.



Szijjarto said Hungary is the worlds 20th most significant pharma exporter, and that Iran has been using Hungarian-made X-ray machines for over 15 years.



The minister noted that he was accompanied on his visit by representatives of the most high-tech Hungarian agricultural firms which were technological leaders in seed production, animal and plant health as well as premix production.



We have the food industry companies here with us  representing sectors ranging from milk processing to energy drinks, he said. He added that water management businesses exporting modern technologies to Africa, Southeast Asia and the Western Balkans were also present.



Szijjarto asked the company executives to take advantage of the opportunity to boost cooperation between Hungary and Iran in the areas not affected by sanctions.



Meanwhile, the minister touched on recent crises such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict, emphasising that the world had entered an era of dangers and a new global economic order was emerging.



Hungary, given its geographical location and economic structure, has a vested interest in the global economy operating under open, peaceful and fair conditions.



Szijjarto said Hungary was concerned about a potential re-emergence of geopolitical blocs in the world, noting that the country had already lost out on such a divide in the past.



Thats why wed much rather like the coming period to be one of connectivity, he said, adding that Hungary saw cooperation between East and West as an opportunity, rather than a threat or a risk.



Speaking after a meeting of the Hungarian-Iranian Joint Economic Committee later in the day, Szijjarto said a new bilateral agriculture cooperation agreement would present new trade opportunities in agriculture and the food industry.



Trade turnover between Hungary and Iran exceeded 50 million dollars in 2022 despite the serious security and economic challenges, and reached a similar level last year, too, Szijjarto told a press conference, according to a ministry statement.



At a joint press conference with Irans finance minister, Szijjarto welcomed that the investment protection agreement between the two countries has entered into effect, and said Hungarys and Irans tax and customs authorities will work together to eliminate barriers to bilateral business cooperation.



He said an agriculture cooperation agreement signed by the two countries could present new trade opportunities in agriculture and the food industry and boost the presence of advanced Hungarian farming technologies and food products on the Iranian market.



Hungarian pharmaceutical and medical technology products, which have already enjoyed considerable recognition in Iran, are expected to expand their presence on the market in the future, the minister said.



As regards water management cooperation, Szijjarto said Hungary and Iran are in talks on the export of more Hungarian water management technologies to the Middle Eastern country.



Hungary and Iran will also uphold an agreement under which they issue 5,500 transport permits a year to each others companies, he said.



He noted that Hungary offers scholarships to 100 Iranian university students each year, adding that currently there are more than 2,000 Iranians studying in Hungary.



There are six Hungarian universities cooperating with nine Iranian institutions, he said, adding that the next rectors conference is set to be held soon.



Szijjarto: Iran Talks Contribute to Avoiding Escalation in Middle East



The top priority for the international community is to prevent an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which requires parties of diverging opinion talking to each other, Peter Szijjarto, the foreign minister, said in Tehran at a joint press conference held with Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.



Szijjarto said representatives of European Union and NATO countries do not turn up in Iran often, adding that diplomacy aims to bring parties together even if their views diverge. Bad-mouthing others doesnt require all that much courage The real achievement is if they talk to each other, especially under such difficult circumstances, he said.



Szijjarto said an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East would pose a huge danger to global security. If just one more country is involved in the conflict, it will not stop at the border of that country but will lead to at least a regional war, not to mention further consequences, the minister said.



Hungary and Iran may see several aspects of the serious security challenges facing the world differently, he said. But his visit was aimed at creating an opportunity to prevent an even more serious situation, he added.



Hungary, he said, was deeply concerned about the situation in the Middle East and would not want to see another attack like the terrorist acts in Israel on October 7 anywhere in the world or against anybody.

Szijjarto said Iran is clearly needed in the international communitys efforts to avoid escalation.



Concerning the Iran nuclear deal, Szijjarto said Hungary had a vested interest in improving global security, adding that full implementation of the agreement could serve that end.



He voiced support for the International Atomic Energy Agencys efforts, adding that the IAEA had asked Hungary several times to train Iranian nuclear experts. The Hungarian government has met those requests and is ready to continue, he added.



Szijjarto said that mutual respect between the two countries had offered an opportunity to for the talks, even if the Iranian government is aware that Hungary is Israels strategic partner.



The minister noted that Hungary and Iran next year will celebrate the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. He also mentioned that Hungary currently offers 2,000 scholarships to Iranian students at Hungarian universities.



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A group of organisations held a demonstration to support the protection of children in central Budapest on Wednesday evening.

Organised by the Orszagos Kozos Akarat (National Common Will) civil group, the participants gathered at St Gellert Square and marched across Szabadsag Bridge to Kossuth Square in front of Parliament.



Speaking at the event, Sandor Meleg, the head of the Association of Hungarian Social Workers, said the governments recently announced measures related to child protection including an amendment to the Fundamental Law and vetting the leaders of social institutions would not solve the problems prevalent in the institutional network.



He called the recent measures announced in response to the Bicske childrens home affair improvised pseudo steps which would not be sufficient to prevent further abuses.



Meleg urged decision-makers to prevent, rather than sanction retroactively, cases of abuse and transform the institutional network so that any such cases could be prevented.



Lola Giay, board member of Egyseges Diakfront (United Student Front) said that the sexual abuse of children that had gone on for years in the Bicske childrens home has ruined the life of children and all this could happen because those in power had failed to act despite warnings.



A couple of resignations and a legislative amendment is good for a start, but not enough, she said, announcing the setting up a child protection round-table together with Kozos Akarat.



MTI Photo: Szilard Koszticsak



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The ruling parties have decided to nominate Tamas Sulyok, the current head of the Constitutional Court, for head of state.

MPs will decide on accepting the resignation of the outgoing head of state, Katalin Novak, on Monday, Mate Kocsis, the Fidesz group leader, said in Balatonalmadi, where the ruling Fidesz and Christian Democratic parties held a meeting of their parliamentary group.



Kocsis said it would be preferable to appoint Sulyok as soon as possible, but the timing also depended on whether the opposition parties decided to nominate a candidate for the post, and more would be known once a meeting of the house committee meeting is held on Friday.



He said the head of the top court embodied great authority and was someone that everyone could take seriously. Meanwhile, new members of the top court will be elected in line with established parliamentary procedures, he said.



Also, Kocsis announced that Tamas Deutsch will lead the Fidesz partys list in the European parliamentary elections.



The rest of the EP list and candidates running in the local council elections will be decided by Fideszs national board in March, he said, adding that the partys candidate for mayor of Budapest will be named then, too.



Tamas Sulyok - Brief Biography

Tamas Sulyok, the current president of the Constitutional Court who has been nominated for head of state, was born on March 24, 1956 in Kiskunfelegyhaza.



In 1980, he graduated from the Faculty of Public Sciences and Law of the Jozsef Attila University of Szeged.



In 2004, he gained a qualification in European law from Budapests ELTE university and obtained a PhD from Szeged university in 2013, his thesis being on the constitutional status of the legal profession, the regulation of the internal market of the European Community and the connections between legal services.



Between 1997 and 2014 he headed a private legal practice, and from 2000 until his election as a constitutional judge in 2014 he was the honorary consul of Austria in Szeged.



Since September 2005, he has taught constitutional law as a visiting lecturer at Szeged university. He was deputy president of the Constitutional Court from April 2015 and in November 2016 parliament elected him as the courts president.



MTI Photo



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Community Leadership Book Club

YORK  The Community Leadership Book Club is for anyone interested in growing leadership skills for themselves and others through books and discussion. They will meet on Friday, Feb. 23 from 121 p.m. at Kilgore Memorial Library.

Henderson Chamber of Commerce HENDERSON  The Henderson Home Show will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Heartland Community Schools north gym. Exhibitors will be on hand with information and ideas to help improve your home and provide ideas for your next big project. Customer appreciation booths, hand crafted items and great quality products will be for sale along with a pancake feed and chili cook off to round out the day.

Benedict Mens Club

BENEDICT  The Benedict Mens Club will host a Six Point Pitch tournament on Saturday, Feb. 24. There will be a $10 team entry fee. Sign up will be at 7 p.m. with play beginning at 7:30 p.m. Payouts are First Place: $100; Second Place: $50 and Third Place: $25.

York Morning Sertoma Club

YORK  The York Morning Sertoma Club will meet at 7 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 26 at Wendys.

Geneva Public Library Board of Trustees

GENEVA  The Geneva Public Library Board of Trustees will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

York Noon Sertoma Club

YORK  The York Noon Sertoma Club will meet at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Chances R.

York Rotary Club

YORK  The York Rotary Club will meet at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29 at Chances R.

Henderson Volunteer Fire Department

HENDERSON  The Henderson Volunteer Fire Department will hold their annual pancake feed on Saturday, March 2 from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Henderson Fire Department. A free will donation will be taken. Funds raised will help cover the cost of a power load (self loading cot for ambulance) and some other small tools and equipment that need upgraded.

Friend Historical Society

FRIEND  The Milligan Brass Band & Neal will perform on Sunday, March 3 at the Friend Historical Society, 511 2nd St. in Friend. A free will offering will be taken. Contact Harold at 402.366.7137 with any questions.

Gresham Seniors

GRESHAM  The Gresham Senior Dinner will be held on Monday, March 4 at noon at the Community Center.

Gresham Village Board

GRESHAM  The monthly Gresham Village Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 5 at 6 p.m. at the Community Center.

York County Republicans

YORK  The biennial Convention of the York County Republicans will be held on Tuesday, March 5 in the Cornerstone Event Center on the York County Fairgrounds. The meet and greet will be from 6-7 p.m., with the meeting and elections beginning at 7 p.m. All Republicans who have filed for office and would like to attend, please call 402-366-5735 to reserve time and space, as the group would like to meet you! Delegates are the voting body, and the deadline to sign up as a Delegate with the County Clerk is March 1. All registered Republicans are invited.

Utica Senior Center

UTICA  The Utica Senior Center will hold a Potato Bake on Sunday, March 10 serving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Baked potatoes, toppings, salads, desserts, and beverages will be served. A free will donation will be taken. Proceeds will help support senior center activities. The event is being sponsored by Joyce Schriner to celebrate her 85th birthday.

York Young Professionals

YORK  The York Young Professionals will hold a board meeting on Thursday, March 14 at 3:30 p.m. at Pizza Hut. The YP Board is always looking for input and new ideas and want to hear from you. No RSVP necessary.

York Area Chamber of Commerce

YORK  The Salute to Educators after hours event will take place on Friday, March 22 at the York Country Club from 57 p.m. This popular event connecting the community members with area education professionals will have complimentary appetizers for those attending (while supplies last). Prior to the raffle, the Chamber Ambassadors will announce their selection for the areas Educator of the Year. Join us as we show our appreciation to teachers of York county for all they do for our students.
YORK COUNTY  Much of Tuesday morning, Feb. 20, was spent with the York County Commissioners having a very in-depth conversation about proposed zoning regulations for solar projects.

Dozens of pages of regulations have been sent to the commissioners by the countys zoning and planning commission for consideration. The planning commission makes recommendations and the county board has the final say.

Over the last two weeks, the county board members had the opportunity to read and re-read all the details being proposed. On Tuesday, they brought forward their suggestions about changes and clarifications.

As we move through these, lets look at each page and exact wording you would like to change, Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier told the county board members, also noting Commissioner Stan Boehr was unable to attend this weeks meeting, saying he would be reaching out to Boehr for his input as well. We can discuss all of these. I think if we totally scrap everything, we will have to send it back to the planning commission, but at this point I dont think that will be necessary.

He also suggested it may be the right time to ask for the planning/zoning commission to start working on zoning regulations pertaining to wind energy projects, as the county does not currently have those types of regulations in the comprehensive plan/zoning rules either.

Regarding solar projects, Commissioner Daniel Grotz said he wanted to see some sort of indemnification clause to protect the county when it comes to decommissioning a solar field, cleaning up a solar field after a natural disaster (as an example), handling if a company walks away. York County should not hold any liability.

There was a conversation about whether a conditional use permit should be required for solar projects, if the private entity creating the project is already meeting all the requirements. Obermier asked if all requirements were being met, if a conditional use permit would be necessary.

I understand that thought, but I think some sort of conditional use process should exist for each project, to be considered by the county commissioners, Grotz said. I think the conditional use permit would be for the entire project as a whole. I think, for each, rather than just say OK, they would have to come to talk to this board first.

At that point, the commissioners formed a plan for each to speak their mind about the proposals, with Grotz going first.

I read through our comprehensive plan, and right now with each classification of these solar conversion systems proposed requirements, the only zoning district being recognized is that of the agricultural zones, Grotz said. We also need to look at other zoning districts as well, like highway corridors and industrial zones.

Also, in the comprehensive plan, it calls out agriculture as being the most important component of York Countys economy. It says this in a number of different places and says the comprehensive plan is to protect cropland. So as we review these solar regulations, we need to keep in mind that solar projects are an exception to the current land use, so I feel we need to have it as a conditional use in the agricultural zones. And we need to include other zones as well, as I think that makes sense to include those zones as well.

So, if they meet setbacks and all the regulations, you still want them to get a conditional use permit? asked Commissioner Obermier.

Yes, I think we need to call it out as a different type of permit because it would be a different kind of land use, Grotz said.

Some counties have included six to eight different types of land use zones in their solar zoning regulations, said Commissioner LeRoy Ott.

Grotz offered numerous grammatical and terminology clarifications/changes throughout the pages of proposed zoning regulations.

He also said when it comes to regulations for vegetative screenings, it says nothing about the maturity of vegetation/trees at the time of planting. I dont know if we need to be more specific about the age of the trees when they are planted, because seedlings wouldnt become screening for 10-15 years.

Grotz also said he wanted better specifics provided for screenings pertaining to non-participating houses.

And when it comes to participating properties, no setbacks are included at this time, but should there be? Grotz asked.

In the section regarding construction and operations, on page 22, Section B, where it talks about agreements with the county highway department for use of roads, it says the damage would be determined by the applicant and the county board, Grotz said. Im pretty sure thats supposed to say the damage would be determined by the highway department and the county board. So that correction needs to be made.

On Page 23, regarding safety, a section talks about fencing but doesnt say whether the fencing is outside or inside the visual screening, Grotz continued.

Section 10 talks about decommissioning, Grotz said. Again, as we talked about earlier, regarding indemnification for the county, I want to make sure York County is never held responsible for cleaning up a solar field. We need to make sure it is never York Countys job to clean that up, if lets say a company picks up and leaves it behind.

He noted how Page 24, Section B, talks about noise. It says how one year after it is constructed, we have to make sure it falls within the boundaries of noise, but it has no teeth because the proposed regulations say nothing about consequences or the next steps if there was a violation.

Another thing Ive been thinking about is if we want to include a number of total acres in York County that would be allowed for solar production? Commissioner Grotz asked. That has been in the back of my mind, as a way to help stay true to our comprehensive plan in preserving prime land for crop production, as it says in the countys comprehensive plan. I would like for us to discuss that.

Regarding your point about vegetation, I think yes, the fencing needs to be inside the screening, Commissioner Ott said to Grotz.

Then it was time for Commissioner Ott to offer his thoughts.

Twenty individuals called me, upset because of the setbacks, Ott said, saying the individuals (who had signed on for their land to be used in the K Junction project near McCool) found the setbacks not only too far but prohibitive. For the Class 4 projects, if we went with those setbacks, there wont be any such solar projects in the county, just because of the setbacks alone. I feel for the Jacksons (rural residents in Hayes Township) every single week when they are here worrying about the solar fields where they live, but I would think shorter setbacks would be enough compared to what is now written. The distance, as written now, are very prohibitive and basically tell developers to go home. I want to consider cutting them back. I just want it to be considered for the 20 who put their land into the program.

We have to remember these zoning regulations arent just for the K Junction project, but rather the entire county, Grotz said.

I just dont feel we should say completely no. Having such far setbacks make it so projects cant happen, Ott said.

When it came to Commissioner Jack Sikes, he responded to comments made earlier in the day by an OPPD representative who said a survey had been conducted with 80% of York County residents being in favor of solar field projects here.

I never got a phone call and Im a York County resident, Sikes said. And Im curious as to why OPPD has to come all the way out here, out of their jurisdiction, to get electricity. Yes, it would bring in revenue but so do crops. Im just curious as to why Omaha stepped into this so quickly. Most of these people who signed easements were told the McCool School District will get all this money, but if there is no third party involved the district wont get that money. I wont say the word fraud but it is close.

What would you like to offer about your thoughts on the proposed zoning regulations? Commissioner Chairman Obermier asked Sikes.

We will talk about that later, Sikes said.

Well, thats what we are doing right now, Obermier noted.

I think the zoning board did whats right, Sikes responded.

A lot of the same things that have been brought up by Commissioner Grotz were on my list, Obermier said. And I also want Stan (Boehr) to be part of this conversation too, so I will reach out to him. I agree the 1/2-mile setback is a little bit excessive (on page 15 of the regulations, regarding Class 4 solar fields). I would like to see it be more in the line of the setbacks for Class 3 projects. For participating properties, I agree we need some sort of setbacks.

When it comes to decommissioning requirements, I feel that on Day 1 we need funds there, bonding, whatever, provided by the developer, to make sure it is covered, Obermier said. And Im totally on board with indemnification for the county, as Daniel (Grotz) recommended.

As far as Daniels thoughts about the total number of acres in the county that can be utilized for solar projects, I at first had the same thought, Obermier continued. But this past week, at the meeting for commissioner chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in the state, the attorney general said we cant zone a company out of business. We need to protect our citizens but we also need to protect York County. Now Im hesitant to pick up the theory of limiting the number of acres  if it was reached, yes, most companies would go away but some might also come in just with the intent of suing the county. We need to be careful.

I dont think we have talked about enough changes to send it back to the planning commission, Obermier said. But we will undoubtedly be making some changes.

One more thing Ive heard a lot about from people, and I dont know if its even possible, but when the K Junction project first came up, no one knew anything about it, Grotz said. Is there something we can do, if a company is coming in, to look for parcels, do they need to come in for a permit first? Im not even sure if that was something we would want to do, but I thought Id just ask.

I dont know about that, Obermier said. That would be regulating a private business. I dont know about that.

Grotz also noted the proposed zoning regulations give no time frame on how long a special use permit would be in force. What if someone comes in to get one for a solar project but then 10 years down the road nothing has happened? If they never even started. Should there be a timeframe for the special use permit to be in force?

If it was a special use permit, that could be indicated at that point, Obermier said.

We will have this back on the agenda for the next meeting and maybe at some point we can have the planning commission members join us for a discussion, Obermier said.
A county board in Nebraska rejected an application from an Iowa company seeking to build a carbon dioxide pipeline across the northeast corner of the state.

On a 3-0 vote Tuesday, the Stanton County Board of Commissioners denied Summit Carbon Solutions a conditional-use permit to lay a little more than 8 miles of pipeline in the county.

Commissioner Dennis Kment said too many questions remained unanswered about the safety of the pipeline, which seeks to carry carbon dioxide from about 30 ethanol plants across the Midwest to a sequestration site in North Dakota.

I didnt know enough about it to vote yes, said Kment, who is in his 26th year on the board. I have never dealt with carbon dioxide before, and we didnt have all the information we needed to answer the questions about safety.

The Midwest Carbon Express, as originally proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions, included a network of 2,000 miles of pipeline across Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota at a cost of $4.5 billion.

When it was first proposed in Nebraska, the pipeline would have stretched 315 miles across two main lines, connecting biofuel refineries in Atkinson, Plainview, Norfolk, Wood River, Central City and York.

Those plans appear to have been scaled back after Summit announced it was delaying the project, however. A map dated August 2023 available on Summits website shows plans for 164 miles of carbon dioxide pipelines linking ethanol plants in Holt, Madison and Pierce counties.

Summits plan to run an 8-inch pipe across a sliver of northeast Stanton County ran into opposition from residents of Woodland Park, a housing development of roughly 1,400 just to the northeast of Norfolk, who said it came too close to their homes and an elementary school.

Commissioner Doug Huttmann said the residents of the county who reached out to him were all opposed to the pipeline project, with some even continuing to text him their opposition as the meeting was taking place Tuesday morning.

The only people at this meeting in favor of the pipeline were either on the board of an ethanol plant or an employee, Huttmann said. All of my constituents in the county were opposed to it. I am their voice, so thats the reason why I voted against it.

Huttmann said opposition to the project centered on safety, with many pointing to the Feb. 22, 2020, rupture of a CO2 pipeline in Satartia, Mississippi, that forced 200 people to evacuate and sent 45 to the hospital.

On Wednesday morning, Summit Carbon Solutions posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that there are more than 5,300 miles of CO2 pipelines in existence in the U.S. today, with a 99.99% safety rating.

Huttmann said others were turned off by a lack of engagement from Summit officials in Stanton County, while one person who lives along the proposed route but has not signed an easement said they were concerned about foreign ownership in the company.

Summit did not respond to an email on Wednesday seeking comment, but the company told the Nebraska Examiner they planned to address concerns raised by Stanton County residents.

Both commissioners said they believed carbon dioxide pipelines would benefit ethanol companies, and by extension, local farmers, and that they were not opposed to the project in principle, but signaled they werent ready to sign off on the permit quite yet.

Stanton County isnt going to be the first county to give them a permit, Huttmann said.
As Bengaluru gears up for the Samvidhana Jagruthi Jatha on Sunday, February 25, 2024, the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) have issued a crucial traffic advisory to mitigate potential congestion. With the city's reputation as India's 'corporate capital' and its notorious traffic woes, staying informed about such advisories becomes imperative for residents and visitors alike.

Bengaluru Traffic Advisory

The advisory primarily focuses on regulating traffic flow around the venue of the Samvidhana Jagruthi Jatha, namely the Palace Grounds area. This strategic move aims to prevent gridlocks and ensure smooth movement for attendees and regular commuters alike. Special attention is directed towards Ballari Road and its adjacent areas, given their proximity to the event venue.

Routes to Avoid

To alleviate congestion and streamline traffic, specific routes have been designated for the exclusive use of Jatha attendees, while others are to be avoided by general commuters. Here are the key points outlined in the advisory:

1. Ballari Road Restrictions: Except for visitors heading to the Samvidhana Jagruthi Jatha, commuters are advised to refrain from using Ballari Road between Hebbal and Mehkri Circle.

2. Restrictions on Jayamahal Road: Commuters are prohibited from accessing Jayamahal Road from Mehkri Circle to Cantonment Road, unless they are attendees of the event.

3. Yeshwantpur-Mehkri Road Access: Travellers are advised against using the Yeshwantpur-Mehkri Road, except for those attending the Jatha.

4. Parking Prohibitions: Parking restrictions are in place on Jayamahal, Nandidurga, Taralabalu, and Ballari Roads. Additionally, parking is prohibited from Mehkri Circle to Yeshwantpur Road.

5. Heavy Vehicle Prohibition: Heavy vehicles are strictly prohibited at various junctions including Hebbal, CMTI, Govardhan Theatre, and NICE Road junctions.

With the implementation of these restrictions and advisories, commuters are urged to plan their routes well in advance to avoid inconvenience. Whether it's adjusting travel times or exploring alternative routes, proactive measures can help in navigating Bengaluru's bustling streets seamlessly.

As Bengaluru prepares for the Samvidhana Jagruthi Jatha, cooperation from residents and commuters is essential to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. By adhering to the guidelines outlined in the traffic advisory, individuals can contribute to a hassle-free experience for all stakeholders involved in the event while minimizing disruptions to daily routines.
New Delhi: Thomas Kurian, the prodigious mind behind Google Cloud's meteoric rise, boasts a journey that defies conventional narratives. Hailing from the quaint village of Pampady in Kerala, India, Kurian's roots are grounded in a family where intellect and ambition thrived. Born to a chemical engineer and a teacher, the seeds of curiosity and determination were sown early in his upbringing.

His educational voyage commenced at St. Joseph's Boys High School in Bengaluru, where Kurian's academic prowess began to unfold. Alongside his twin brother George Kurian, now the CEO of NetApp Inc., he embarked on a remarkable journey that would eventually lead them both to the forefront of the tech industry.

Their trajectory took a pivotal turn when they gained admission to the prestigious IIT Madras, setting the stage for a transformative chapter in their lives. Fuelled by a thirst for knowledge and a drive to excel, the Kurian brothers sought broader horizons, aiming for the pinnacle of academic excellence.

Venturing across continents, they undertook the SAT tests and cast their aspirations towards institutions like Princeton University. Their collective ambition and unwavering dedication secured them coveted spots at Princeton, where Thomas Kurian delved into the realm of electrical engineering, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.

Yet, his quest for knowledge didn't culminate with a bachelor's degree. Eager to broaden his understanding of business dynamics, Kurian pursued an MBA from the esteemed Stanford Graduate School of Business, augmenting his technical acumen with strategic insights.

Kurian's professional odyssey commenced at McKinsey & Company, where he honed his skills as a consultant, navigating the intricacies of software, telecommunications, and financial services industries with finesse. However, it was his tenure at Oracle, spanning over two decades, that catapulted him into the echelons of corporate leadership.

Ascending through the ranks, Kurian's tenure at Oracle witnessed him spearheading pivotal product management and development initiatives, culminating in his appointment as Vice President of Oracle's e-Business division. Steering a colossal software development team across 32 countries, he orchestrated the creation of Oracle Application Servers, propelling the company towards unprecedented growth.

In a watershed moment, Kurian transitioned to Google Cloud in 2018, assuming the mantle of CEO with a vision to redefine the industry landscape. Implementing strategic overhauls and leveraging his unparalleled expertise, he navigated Google Cloud towards unparalleled success, eclipsing even the net worth of his fellow IIT alum, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google.

With a reported net worth of Rs. 15,000 crore, Thomas Kurian stands as a testament to the transformative power of ambition, resilience, and unwavering dedication. His journey from a small village in Kerala to the zenith of Silicon Valley exemplifies the boundless potential that lies within individuals driven by relentless pursuit of excellence.
Kolkata: In a major setback to the opposition INDIA alliance, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday said that it will contest all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. TMC MP Derek O'Brien confirmed this development and added that the party is also in the fray in a few seats in Assam and the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya.

Mamata Banerjee Firm On Solo Fight In Bengal

Addressing the media, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien reiterated Mamata Banerjee's earlier announcement, stating, "A few weeks ago, the TMC Chairperson and West 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." This reaffirms Mamata Banerjee's consistent stand on fighting alone in Bengal.

Earlier, Mamata Banerjee severed ties with the Congress, asserting that TMC would go solo in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls, dealing a substantial blow to the opposition INDIA bloc. She emphasized, "I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country, but we are a secular party, and in Bengal, we will alone defeat the BJP."

AAP Follows Suit: Solo Venture In Punjab

In response to TMC's decision, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also declared its decision to go solo, this time in Punjab.

Congress-Samajwadi Party Forge Alliance In Key State

Meanwhile, in a contrasting move, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party announced a strategic seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Apart from its traditional strongholds of Rae Bareli and Amethi, the Congress revealed plans to contest Varanasi, Ghaziabad, and Kanpur seats in Uttar Pradesh. The formal announcement of the alliance detailed that Congress would contest 17 seats, with the Samajwadi Party taking on the remaining 63 seats in the electorally crucial state.

The success of this seat-sharing pact represents a notable achievement for Congress, which has faced challenges in negotiating seat-sharing with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. This alliance marks a significant development in the political landscape as parties align themselves strategically in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
New Delhi: BRS MLA G Lasya Nanditha, who was in the opposition, lost her life in a road accident at Patancheru near Hyderabad on Friday. The accident happened at around 5.30 AM today when the car she was in crashed into a metal barrier on the Outer Ring Road (ORR), police said. The driver of the car was injured in the accident, they said.

The 36-year-old lawmaker from Secunderabad Cantonment (SC) was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival by the doctors.

This is a developing story.
NEW DELHI: In recent weeks, a political storm has been unfolding in a village in West Bengal. Sandeshkhali has become the epicentre of the country's politics at the moment, with women accusing TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh of sexual harassment. Shahjahan Sheikh, a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal's Chief Minister, is at the centre of this controversy. Just over two months ago, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attempted a raid on Shahjahan Sheikh's premises but faced a significant backlash. The main accused in the Sandeshkhali case, Shahjahan Sheikh, is linked to a scandal in Bengal that has put the Mamata government under scrutiny. Tonight on DNA, we will delve into a comprehensive analysis of the Sandeshkhali case.

Sandeshkhali is situated in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. For the people here, a district-level leader of the Trinamool Congress is their de facto ruler, namely Shahjahan Sheikh.

The extent of Shahjahan Sheikh's influence within the TMC will not be evident from his position alone; he is merely a district-level leader. However, his name resonates throughout the region. Shahjahan Sheikh is only referred to as 'Dada' (elder brother) there. In West Bengal, 'Dada' typically means a respected elder brother, but given the seriousness of the allegations against Shahjahan Sheikh, it seems he's not just the local 'Dada' but rather a local strongman.

Since February 8th, women in Sandeshkhali have been protesting against Shahjahan Sheikh, yet he remains elusive from police custody. Eighteen individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar. While police action suggested seriousness, the main accused remains at large, raising questions about Shahjahan Sheikh's connections within the police force.

The question arises: what makes the main accused, Shahjahan Sheikh, evade police custody? It's crucial to note Shahjahan Sheikh's strong grip on the TMC.

He's accused of land grabbing and subsequent selling under the TMC regime. Given the tribal connection in Sandeshkhali, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has visited the area, demanding reports from the Bengal police and chief secretary within three days. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team has also visited Sandeshkhali, seeking action against the accused.

Politics is intensifying in this case. Opposition parties in West Bengal are being barred from entering Sandeshkhali, including the BJP. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Sandeshkhali on March 1, 2, and 6, to meet with the affected women. This elevates the Sandeshkhali case to a national political issue.

The scenes in Sandeshkhali reflect the anger of local people, who see Shahjahan Sheikh as the main villain. Thus, resentment against Shahjahan Sheikh, who holds a strong position in the TMC, is escalating.

Today, enraged residents of Sandeshkhali gathered at the home of TMC leader Ajit Maity, resulting in violence and thrashing. Somehow, Ajit Maity managed to escape and hide in his house. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit West Bengal on March 6, where he may meet with the affected women in Sandeshkhali.

One thing to ponder is why a senior TMC leader like Shahjahan Sheikh remains at large despite allegations of sexual harassment. There could be two reasons behind this: either he enjoys the protection of higher-ups within the party, or he's involved in a case where his arrest is not deemed necessary. The question remains: why is Shahjahan Sheikh's arrest being delayed?

Tonight's episode of DNA promises to shed further light on the Sandeshkhali controversy, unravelling the intricacies of power dynamics, political influence, and the pursuit of justice. As the nation awaits answers and action, DNA remains committed to bringing you the most comprehensive coverage and analysis of this evolving story. Stay tuned for tonight's episode, where we delve deeper into the heart of the Sandeshkhali saga, only on DNA.
New Delhi: Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav lambasted the Bharatiya Janata Party and levied allegations against the Centre on Friday. Former UP Chief Minister in Firozabad today said that the BJP leadership raises the slogans of of "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan" on one hand while mistreats the farmers of the country on the other hand.

Yadav launched a scathing critique against the Modi government, alleging mistreatment of farmers. He pointed out the contradiction wherein the government honors agricultural stalwarts like Chaudhary Charan Singh and Swaminathan on one hand, while simultaneously mistreating farmers on the other.

Akhilesh Yadav vehemently criticized the Uttar Pradesh government regarding the Police recruitment exams and alleged that the paper leak was orchestrated. Pointing to the distress of the youth, Yadav questioned the integrity of various examination processes under the current administration.

Accusing the BJP of orchestrating corruption and electoral malpractices Akhilesh Yadav said, "BJP operates like a gang, not a political party. Its agenda revolves around vote bank politics rather than serving the people."

Hitting out at the Prime Minister, SP leader comared Modi's assurances to empty gestures and said, "Modi Drawing parallels to the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yadav likened Prime Minister Modi's assurances to empty gestures, stating, "Modi ki guarantee ghanti Ki tarah hai." (Modi's guarantee is as hollow as the sound of a bell. Just like the 'thali' and clap during the pandemic, these guarantees ring hollow.)
New Delhi: The Haryana Police decided to cancel the use of the National Security Act (NSA), 1980 on some farm union leaders of Ambala district on Friday, after declaring it on Thursday night, officials reported. Sibash Kabiraj, IGP Ambala Range, stated that the farm leaders will not face the NSA. We want to inform everyone that we have reviewed the matter of applying the National Security Act on a few farm union leaders of Ambala district and we have chosen not to use it, he said. The Police also urged the farmers to work with the authorities to keep law and order.

Haryana Police requests the protestors and their leaders to stay peaceful and cooperate with the authorities to maintain law and order, Kabiraj added. Earlier, the Haryana government had used the National Security Act against farmer leaders and asked the police to collect details of property damage in Ambala district.

In an official release, Ambala Police wrote, Since February 13, 2024, the farmer organizations have been trying to break the barricade set up on Shambhu Border by the farmers for their march to Delhi, and they have been disturbing the law and order by throwing stones at the police and making trouble.

During this time, the government and private property have suffered a lot of damage due to trespassing, the police said, adding that the administration had already warned that if the protestors harmed the government and private property, then they would have to pay for the loss by seizing their property and bank accounts.

If public property is harmed by the protestors during the protest, there is a change in the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act 1984 (PDPP Act) under the Supreme Courts rules, which says that the people who harmed the public property during the protest or called for the protest and the officials of that organization are accountable for any damage done, the release read.

According to the Haryana Public Administrations Property Recovery Act 2021, if government property is damaged, there is a rule to make up for the loss of public property by attaching property and seizing bank accounts of the person who caused the loss.

Actions to make up for the loss of government property during the farmers protest, attachment of property and seizure of bank accounts of the protestors have begun, the Police release added. The National Security Act (NSA) of 1980 is a law in India that lets the government detain people to keep public order and national security.

The act lets the central or state government detain a person if they think that they may be doing something that threatens national security. The NSA is a preventive detention law, which means that it detains a person to stop them from doing future crimes and/or from running away from future trial.
New Delhi: In a significant act of homage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 25-foot statue of Saint Ravidas in Varanasi on Friday, marking a pivotal moment ahead of Ravidas Jayanti. This event is not merely a tribute to a revered spiritual figure but also a recognition of Saint Ravidas's influence across the Dalit and Bahujan communities, as well as among Dalit Sikhs in Punjab and Haryana. The unveiling symbolizes a deep respect for Saint Ravidas's teachings on equality and justice, reflecting the saint's vast following from Uttar Pradesh to the global Sikh diaspora.

PM Modi and Saint Ravidas: A Political Symphony

The political resonance of Prime Minister Modi's gesture, participating in temple activities and unveiling the statue, extends beyond religious devotion. It represents a nuanced outreach to consolidate support among key demographics, especially against the backdrop of active Sikh farmer protests. This strategic engagement is viewed by analysts as a masterful blend of political insight and cultural respect, aiming to fortify connections with the Dalit and minority communities through a shared reverence for Saint Ravidas.

PM Modi and Saint Ravidas: Echoes of Past Visits

Reflecting on Prime Minister Modi's tradition of visiting the Saint Ravidas temple during pivotal electoral times, these gestures have consistently aimed at strengthening bonds with the Dalit and minority communities. The announcement of initiating and inaugurating development projects worth thousands of crores during this visit underscores a dual commitment to Varanasi's development and the political mobilization of a significant voter base through a display of devotion and progress.

PM Modi and Saint Ravidas: A Decisive Political Statement

Through the act of unveiling Saint Ravidas's statue and the inauguration of numerous development projects, Prime Minister Modi sends a clear message of social and economic commitment to Varanasi and its diverse communities. This strategic move, poised before the electoral code of conduct comes into effect, is designed to solidify Modi's appeal across various social strata, promoting an image of inclusivity and development.

PM Modi and Saint Ravidas: In the Footsteps of Giants

Prime Minister Modi's engagement with the followers of Saint Ravidas is part of a broader political tradition, where leaders from various parties have sought to connect with this influential community. By paying tribute to Saint Ravidas in such a grand manner, Modi differentiates his approach, intertwining political outreach with a profound respect for cultural and spiritual heritage. This act, against a backdrop of significant political and developmental initiatives, showcases a holistic approach to governance that respects faith while pursuing social justice and progress.
New Delhi: The Congress is hopeful of soon finalising the Lok Sabha poll seat-sharing arrangements with INDIA bloc allies AAP and TMC, sources said on Friday, days after the principal opposition party arrived at an understanding with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. 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.The TMC, which is the ruling party in West Bengal, has sought two seats in Assam and one in Meghalaya, which are being discussed. But a senior leader said the Congress is not keen to give away the Meghalaya seat.

There are 14 seats in Assam and two in Meghalaya. As for the understanding with the AAP, the talks between the two parties are almost over with the AAP contesting four seats in Delhi and the Congress three.However, the sources said the AAP has also sought one seat in Haryana and two in Gujarat which included Bharuch, where the late Congress leader Ahmed Patel hailed from. The AAP has already declared Chaitar Vasava as its candidate on the seat.

The sources, however, said Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have put his foot down on the seat considering the party is "emotionally attached" to due it being Patel's home turf. Patel's son and daughter are seeking a ticket from Bharuch and talks are being held with the AAP leadership to agree to another seat.

Patel's son Faisal, who is a contender for the seat, said in a post on X, "Honorable Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, you listened to me and the Bharuch Congress workers." "By supporting us, I and my fellow Bharuch Congress workers have been honored. I promise you that I will live up to your faith by winning the Bharuch Lok Sabha," he said indicating that the Bharuch seat would remain with the Congress.

INDIA bloc parties are together and will fight the polls in alliance, the sources said.A senior party leader also said that seat-sharing talks in Maharashtra are over after top party leadership held discussions with leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in the MVA.

The sources said a formal announcement is delayed because of seats to be given to Prakash Amvedkar's party.Meanwhile, AAP leaders also said certain new developments are delaying an official seat-sharing announcement with the Congress.

The sources claimed the Congress has expressed willingness to contest North East, Chandni Chowk and North West Delhi seats. Earlier, an agreement was reached that the Congress will contest East, North East and Chandni Chowk seats. Udit Raj won from North West Delhi Lok Sabha seat as a BJP candidate in 2014 polls. He quit the BJP and joined the Congress after being denied a ticket in 2019.

All the 7 Lok Sabha seats in Delhi including North West Delhi were currently held by the BJP. Raj is considered as a front runner probable of the Congress from the seat.

Earlier in the day, AAP general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak in a press conference said that the talks between the two parties are in the "final stages". Announcements for all the states will be made simultaneously, hopefully "very soon", he said.Pathak sought to play down the development related to Bharuch seat, saying "its not a big deal."

Faisal on Thursday said that if Bharuch Lok Sabha seat went to the AAP, he and other "conscientious" Congress workers will not support its candidate. Pathak said, "We will settle the issue mutually. In an alliance such situations and statements come up. We will address it maturely."
VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a public rally in Varanasi, rebuking his disparaging remarks suggesting that "young people in Varanasi are lying drunk." PM Modi condemned this language, stating, "Congress Yuvraj says that youth of Kashi & UP are 'Nma ashedi'. What kind of language is this? Now they are taking out their frustration on the youth of Uttar Pradesh. The youth of UP are busy in building a developed state."

#WATCH | Varanasi | PM Modi attacks Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, says,"Congress' Yuvraj says that youth of Kashi & UP are 'nashedi'. What kind of language is this?. Now they are taking out their frustration on the youth of Uttar Pradesh. The youth of UP are busy in building a pic.twitter.com/KsCGQe3J0C  ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024

INDI Alliance Works For 'Parivar' Not Poor': PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also targeted the opposition coalition, the INDIA bloc while addressing the gathering in Varanasi. He said that the INDI alliance works for their 'parivar' (family) not the welfare of the poor. "Today every Dalit and every backward person of the country has to keep one more thing in mind. In our country, the people of the INDI alliance, who believe in instigating and fighting in the name of caste, oppose the schemes for the benefit of Dalits and the deprived. In the name of the welfare of the poor, these people do politics for their family," the Prime Minister said.

UP's Decisive Support For NDA

During the same rally, PM Modi asserted, "This time, Uttar Pradesh has decided to give 100% seats to Modi and NDA (in Lok Sabha elections)." This declaration underscores the overwhelming backing of the NDA coalition in Uttar Pradesh.

Transforming Eastern India With 'Modi's Guarantee'

PM Modi reaffirmed his commitment to the development of Eastern India, pledging, "We will soon make Eastern India the engine of growth of developed India,'' emphasizing his government's agenda for the transformation of the neglected regions.

Celebrating Sant Ravidas

Addressing the 647th birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Ravidas, PM Modi emphasized, "Today our government is taking forward the ideas of Sant Ravidas ji. BJP government is for everyone, BJP government's schemes are for everyone," showcasing the government's inclusive approach. "Today, this mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Effort' has also become the mantra to connect with 140 crore countrymen," the PM said.

PM Modi unveiled a statue of Sant Ravidas in Varanasi and laid the foundation stone for the Sant Ravidas Museum, remarking, "Today I also have the privilege of inaugurating the new statue of Saint Ravidas ji. The foundation stone of Sant Ravidas Museum was also laid today."

Reflecting on Sant Ravidas's contributions, PM Modi underscored, "High caste, untouchability, discrimination. He raised his voice against all this," paying homage to the saint's efforts in combating social injustices.

PM Modi Unveils Development Projects In Varanasi

PM Shri @narendramodi inaugurates, dedicates & lays foundation stone of various projects in Varanasi, UP. https://t.co/9XUR9eJY1W  BJP (@BJP4India) February 23, 2024

PM Modi initiated various development projects, reinforcing Varanasi's trajectory of progress. A plethora of initiatives, spanning tourism and infrastructure development, were inaugurated, amplifying the city's growth prospects.

The Prime Minister announced the inauguration of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 13,000 crore in Varanasi, indicating a comprehensive strategy for the city's holistic advancement.

Launching 23 schemes worth Rs 10,972 crore and laying the foundation stone for 12 schemes worth Rs 2195.07 crore, PM Modi underscored a steadfast commitment to Varanasi's inclusive growth.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the statue of Sant Ravidas in Varanasi on Friday. He also paid homage to the saint by visiting his birthplace and said that his teachings advocate against caste and creed divisions within society. PM also took a dig at the 'INDI alliance and said that it works for their 'parivar' (family) not the welfare of the poor.

Addressing public function commemorating the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas, PM Modi said that the teachings of saints guide us through every age, serving as both a beacon and a cautionary tale.

"Ravidas ji eloquently conveyed that many individuals become ensnared in the divisions of caste and creed, a plight that detrimentally affects humanity. Discriminating against others based on these factors only perpetuates harm upon our collective existence," said PM Modi

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | In Varanasi, PM Narendra Modi says, "Words of saints show us the path in every era and even warn us. Ravidas ji used to say that...most people get entangled in caste and creed. This harms humanity. When someone discriminates against someone on the basis pic.twitter.com/MlFrboOMeV February 23, 2024

Accusing the opposition of doing selfserving politics in the name of caste welfare, PM cautioned the Dalits and backwards of the society against the INDI Alliance which "opposes the policies that are for their welfare."

"Dalits and marginalized communities of the nation to recognize that the INDI Alliance, proponents of inciting conflict and division along caste lines, vehemently oppose policies aimed at the betterment of Dalits and backward classes. In reality, their actions reflect a self-serving political agenda masquerading as caste welfare," said PM Modi. He said that the INDI alliance works for their 'parivar' (family) not the welfare of the poor.

PM further stated that equality comes only by giving priority to the deprived society and that his government has been committed to serving every section of society and their development

"In the last 10 years, work has been done keeping in mind those people who remained away from the stream of class development. Earlier, the poor were considered last, today the biggest schemes have been made for them," he said.

"Being the MP here and being the public representative of Kashi, it is my special responsibility to take special care of your facilities. I am happy that I have got the opportunity to fulfil these responsibilities on the birth anniversary of Saint Ravidas Ji," the Prime Minister added.

PM Modi said that Sant Ravidas presented society with the importance of freedom and also worked to bridge the social divide. "High caste, untouchability, discrimination. He raised his voice against all this. India has a history that whenever the country is in need, some saint, sage or great personality is born in India. Saint Ravidas ji was a great saint of the Bhakti movement, who gave new energy to the weak and divided India," PM Modi said.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah pitching for uniform civil laws for all sections of society, the BJP-ruled states are working to implement the Uniform Civil Code in the coming days. After Uttarakhand became the first state to bring the UCC Act since independence, now Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam is also working in the same direction.

According to reports, the Assam Cabinet today revoked the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act, 1935. Consequently, all issues pertaining to Muslim marriages and divorces will now be governed by the Special Marriages Act. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. State Minister Jayanta Mallabarua described it as a stride towards realizing the Uniform Civil Code.

On 23.22024, the Assam cabinet made a significant decision to repeal the age-old Assam Muslim Marriages & Divorces Registration Act. This act contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21, as required  Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 23, 2024

Addressing the media, Mallabarua said the Assam Muslim Marriage & Divorce Registration Act, 1935, under which 94 Muslim registrars are still functioning, has been repealed today. He further added that now the registration of Muslim marriages and divorces will be taken up by the District Commissioner and the District Registrar.

The Assam minister also said that the 94 Muslim registrars will now be discharged from their duties and would be given Rs 2 lakh each as a one-time compensation.

Apart from Uttarakhand, Goa has Uniform Civil Laws that it retained from the pre-independence era. The UCC has been a key poll plank of the BJP.
New Delhi: Yana Mir's recent address at the UK Parliament has ignited a nationwide discourse, thrusting her name into the spotlight as her impassioned words reverberate across the digital landscape. The fervour surrounding her speech has quickly escalated, with snippets circulating fervently on social media platforms, captivating audiences far and wide.

In the wake of her powerful testimony, social media platforms have become inundated with accolades applauding Mir's bold stance against the narrative propagated by Pakistan, which portrays Kashmiri residents as victims of purported atrocities perpetrated by the Indian military. Admirers have lauded Mir for her unwavering conviction and eloquent expression of dissent within the hallowed halls of the UK Parliament.

Yana Mir's unequivocal denouncement of Pakistan's orchestrated efforts to tarnish India's global reputation resonated deeply. Asserting her unyielding sense of security and freedom within her homeland of Kashmir, an integral part of India, Mir challenged the insidious tactics aimed at sowing division among the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Her impassioned plea to the international media community underscored the imperative of fostering unity and dispelling divisive narratives.

Distinguishing herself from Malala Yousafzai, Mir emphasized her steadfast resolve to stand firm in her homeland, rebuffing any notion of seeking refuge elsewhere in the face of adversity. Her poignant declaration reverberated with pride and defiance, symbolizing the resilience of a nation united against the scourge of terrorism.

Yana Mir: A Beacon Of Resilience And Advocacy

Yana Mir's journey as a stalwart advocate and journalist hails from the heartland of Jammu and Kashmir, where she has emerged as a trailblazer in her own right. Residing in the historic city of Srinagar, Mir's indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to truth-telling have earned her widespread acclaim and admiration.

Born and raised in the picturesque environs of Anantnag, Mir traces her lineage to a family steeped in service, with her grandfather's distinguished tenure in law enforcement serving as a testament to her lineage of resilience and public service.

Educated amidst the verdant valleys of Kashmir, Mir's academic pursuits led her to the prestigious corridors of Delhi University and Mumbai College, where she honed her intellect and fortified her resolve to champion the cause of marginalized communities.

In her capacity as a social activist, Mir has lent her voice to various initiatives aimed at empowering youth and women, leveraging her platform to amplify the voices of the disenfranchised and marginalized.

The Resonance Of Mir's Message: Netizens Laud Her Courage

Amidst the virtual cacophony of praise and admiration, netizens have emerged as vocal proponents of Mir's message of resilience and advocacy. From online forums to social media platforms, a groundswell of support has erupted, with users expressing solidarity and reverence for Mir's unwavering commitment to truth and justice.

One user, echoing the sentiments of many, remarked, "Yana Mir, your impassioned words have stirred within me a profound sense of pride for the resilient spirit of Kashmiris. Your courageous stand signals a turning point in the narrative surrounding Kashmir, and we stand united in ensuring the momentum of progress continues unabated."
New Delhi: Google has paused the image-generation function of its Gemini AI chatbot following a string of controversies. The company, acknowledged that Gemini had provided "incorrect representations in certain historical contexts" and assured users that an enhanced version of the feature would be released shortly.

In a statement on the X platform regarding Gemini's text-to-image abilities, Google stated Were working to improve these kinds of depictions immediately. Geminis AI image generation does generate a wide range of people. And thats generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But its missing the mark here."

Images produced by Gemini spread across social media recently, leading to widespread ridicule and anger. Some users criticized Google, claiming that the company prioritizes being "woke" over truth or accuracy.

Some of the images that drew criticism included a portrayal of four Swedish women, none of whom were depicted as white, as well as scenes featuring Black and Asian soldiers dressed as Nazis.

Its embarrassingly hard to get Google Gemini to acknowledge that white people exist, Debarghya Das, the engineer who founded the enterprise search startup Glean, shared on X platform a post containing several images created by Gemini.

It's embarrassingly hard to get Google Gemini to acknowledge that white people exist pic.twitter.com/4lkhD7p5nR  Deedy (@debarghya_das) February 20, 2024

The challenges faced by AI models, such as overlooking people of color and perpetuating stereotypes underscore the need for continual improvement and ethical considerations in AI development.

Google's efforts to keep pace with competitors like OpenAI since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022 have been accompanied by setbacks in the rollout of its AI products. Instances like the apology issued last year for inaccuracies in its AI chatbot Bard's demonstration highlight the ongoing complexities in AI technology.
New Delhi: India on Friday stated that it was in contact with Moscow for the prompt release of Indians who are working as support staff to the Russian Army, and advised its citizens to steer clear of the conflict zone in Ukraine. The remarks by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came after a report that some Indians are employed as support staff to the Russian Army in the conflict zone.

We are cognizant that a few Indian nationals have taken up support roles with the Russian Army, Jaiswal said. He said the Indian embassy in Moscow has consistently raised this issue with the concerned Russian authorities for their prompt release. We advise all Indian nationals to be careful and stay away from this conflict, he said.
New Delhi: Akul Dhawan, a student of Indian origin at Illinois University, passed away last month after he was left out in the cold near a club that denied him entry during a night out with friends, news agency ANI quoted police officials as saying. The 18-year-old Indian-American students parents have lodged a complaint with the University of Illinois Police and asked them about their search and the protocol they followed during the search.

Akul Dhawans parents suspect that the police did not conduct a search near the Busey-Evans Residence Hall and did not follow their missing search protocols. They blamed the University of Illinois Police for being careless.

In an open letter published in The News Gazette, Akul Dhawans parents said, As parents, we need answers. We have filed an official complaint with the UI police. We have the following questions for the university officials and police: The police say that they searched around the Busey-Evans Residence Hall at 2:09 a.m.

On January 31, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign said in a press release that the University of Illinois Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the January 20 death of Akul Dhawan, a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It said that the information gathered so far supports the initial belief that the death was accidental, and no foul play occurred.

It said that Dhawan was found dead at about 11: 08 am (local time) on January 20 in the 1200 block of West Nevada Street, Urbana. According to the press release, a friend who lost contact with Dhawan called the police at 1:23 am (local time).

According to the statement, investigators have shared a timeline of the police response to that call. In 2024, seven young men of Indian and Indian American descent died under various circumstances, ranging from suspected suicides and overdoses to violent acts. Last week White House official John Kirby condemned attacks on Indian students and asserted there is no excuse for violence based on race, gender, or any other factor.

The president and this administration have been working very, very hard to make sure were doing everything we can to work with state and local authorities to try to thwart and disrupt those kinds of attacks and make it clear to anybody who might consider them that theyll be held properly accountable," Kirby said amid a slew of attacks on Indian and Indian American students in various parts of the United States.

Also, Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, said that the Biden-led administration is very committed to assuring Indians that the US is a wonderful and safe place to pursue higher studies. The Indian government and the mission in the US offered support and counselling to the distressed students and their relatives.
Bahrain encounters hurdles on its path to diversification, however, by implementing strategic resolutions, focusing on profitable sectors, and fostering an inventive and cooperative environment, Bahrain can unlock its full capabilities.

Despite positive signs such as the establishment of the Bahrain Economic Development Board and investments in technology and tourism, a significant reduction in oil dependency and the restoration of its position as the financial centre of the region require a more thorough examination of the obstacles and possibilities at hand, writes Yusuf Mansawala, Chief Market Analyst, CPT Markets.

Challenges to overcome

One challenge lies in the complex bureaucracy and excessive regulations that can trap foreign investors and hinder business flexibility. It is crucial to simplify regulations and procedures in order to create a dynamic business environment that attracts and retains international players.

Moreover, Bahrain's workforce must enhance their skills to meet the diverse demands of various industries. Investing in the development of human capital is essential to equip its citizens with the expertise needed to compete in the global market.

In addition, it is crucial to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. This requires not only a cultural shift towards innovation but also concrete measures such as providing financial support for startups and establishing a network of mentors and resources.

Lastly, Bahrain faces tough competition from well-established financial cenrtres like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. To establish a unique position, Bahrain must identify and specialise in niche areas, capitalising on its geographical advantages or focusing on specific services.

Accelerating non-oil growth

In order to achieve true economic diversification, Bahrain must give priority to high-value sectors. By aligning with global trends and concentrating on industries such as fintech, clean technology, and healthcare, the country can draw in high-skilled jobs and establish economic variety.

Moreover, encouraging innovation through tax incentives, grants, and infrastructure support for research and development can nurture pioneering ventures and drive the nation's progress. Establishing a strong digital infrastructure is also crucial. This not only entices technology companies but also enhances efficient business operations and simplifies processes across various sectors.

Lastly, collaborating with neighbouring countries on joint projects and cross-border initiatives can capitalise on regional strengths and establish a mutually beneficial economic environment.

Regaining financial hub status

To regain its status as the primary financial centre in the region, Bahrain must adopt a comprehensive strategy. Firstly, it should enhance its regulatory framework.

Striking a delicate balance between encouraging innovation and upholding prudent regulations will create an environment that appeals to financial institutions and instills confidence in investors. Additionally, attracting skilled professionals is of utmost importance. Offering competitive salaries, opportunities for career growth, and a vibrant city life will entice talented individuals who will form the backbone of the financial sector.

Moreover, specialisation is crucial. Bahrain can distinguish itself by focusing on specific areas such as Islamic finance, wealth management, or particular asset classes, establishing itself as a renowned leader in these niches. Lastly, embracing technology is imperative. By integrating blockchain, artificial intelligence, and other fintech solutions,

Bahrain can position itself as a pioneer in digital finance and attract businesses in search of innovative solutions.--TradeArabia News Service
Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter.
Academy District 20 administrators and safety officials this month discuss the possibility of allowing staff to conceal carry firearms in its schools.
Authorities caught a 51-year-old Sweet Home man on the run after he was convicted of sexual crimes against minors.

Found guilty on felony first-degree charges of sodomy, rape and two counts of sexual abuse in January, Gary Louis Coomer failed to appear at a Feb. 15 sentencing hearing at the Linn County Courthouse.

A Place to Sleep, episode 4: Sweet Home In Sweet Home, you'll find the region's only designated sleeping place for folks actively self-medicating with alcohol and narcotics.

Coomer was found hiding on a property east of Lebanon at around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, according to a news release from the Linn County Sheriffs Office.

Law enforcement officials from the Linn County Sheriffs Office, Lebanon Police Department, and Sweet Home Police Department have been working together to apprehend Gary Coomer since he failed to appear for his sentencing, the news release states.

The effort to catch Coomer reportedly involved surveillance, contacting Coomers associates, and tracking down leads from the public.

Coomer was given commands to surrender to law enforcement but ignored those commands, the release states. Once a K-9 unit from the Lebanon Police Department arrived on scene and began giving commands to Coomer, he surrendered peacefully.

Coomer complained of medical issues after he was arrested, according to the news release, which states he was taken to the Lebanon Community Hospital to be evaluated. Once cleared, hes expected to be moved to the Linn County Jail and held without bail pending sentencing, the release states.

Coomer is potentially facing decades in prison under state law mandating minimum sentences for serious crimes involving victims. District Attorney Doug Marteeny announced Coomers fugitive status in a Feb. 15 news release.

We have and will continue to actively look for him so he can be taken into custody, Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan said by email a few hours before Coomer was captured.

Arraigned in April 2021, the case against Coomer stems from an investigation that began in August 2020 after two young girls said he sexually abused them. The girls  both younger than 10  were known to Coomer, according to court documents. The crimes occurred between January and December 2019.

Calls to Coomers defense attorney to request comment went unanswered Thursday.

During interviews at ABC House, a childrens advocacy organization, the victims alleged five people associated with Coomer sexually abused them, including four adults and a juvenile. Court documents indicate a delinquency petition was filed against the juvenile.

One of the accused adults, Alanna Partin, was sentenced to 12 years in prison last spring for victimizing the girls. Partin, 42, was found guilty on four counts of first-degree sexual abuse at a jury trial. Court records show Partin is appealing the case.

Coomer was initially charged under a secret indictment, which are kept confidential until a suspect is apprehended or an arrest warrant is issued, with two counts of first-degree rape, three counts of first-degree sexual abuse and a count of first-degree sodomy. He was acquitted on single counts of rape and sex abuse.

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Court records show $15,000 paid by his father to secure Coomers release in November 2022 is forfeited.

Coomer has pending cases in Linn County alleging meth possession, failure to appear, and harassment. He has previous convictions for driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance, contempt of court, recklessly endangering another person, and attempted assault constituting domestic violence.

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U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, returned to Cerro Gordo County on Thursday for a listening post with students and constituents at North Iowa Area Community College, part of his yearly tour of Iowa's 99 counties.

Between stops at Osage and Garner high schools, Iowa's senior senator toured NIACC's facilities, including the Applied Robotics lab. The lab recently received two National Science Foundation grants to purchase state-of-the-art robotic equipment for students to gain knowledge and experience necessary for success in the workplace as industrial technicians.

First elected to the Senate in 1980, Grassley, 90, was most recently elected to an eighth term in 2022, making him both the oldest and longest-serving member of the Senate.

Steven Schulz, NIACC's outgoing president, introduced Grassley at Thursday's event.

"This is a treat for me," said Schulz. "I've been fortunate to get to know him a little better when my daughter played volleyball at UNI. He hardly missed a Saturday night game when he was in town. "He's truly one of the strongest Iowans we've experienced (in our history), and it's a pleasure to have you here."

"I'm going to let you folks set the agenda," Grassley said, before taking questions from the crowd of around 30. "You might want to ask what's getting done in Washington, or maybe what's not getting done."

Schulz commended Grassley for his co-sponsorship of the Tax-Free Pell Grant Act, which Grassley said aims to curb a loophole in the tax code that disproportionately affects tuition costs at low-cost community colleges like NIACC.

While Pell Grants used for tuition and fees are tax-free, any portion used to cover other education costs, like living expenses, is taxed. In addition, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, passed in 2015, provides students a credit of up to $2,500 for tuition and course materials.

The bill, which was endorsed by the American Association of Community Colleges and many other educational organizations, would make Pell Grants fully tax-free and no longer require students to subtract Pell Grants from expenses for which the AOTC can be claimed.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and similar legislation also enjoys bipartisan support in the U.S. House.

Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley extended a thank you to Grassley for "the work you've done to support (the police) and the armed forces. I have two children on my own. ... They are both going to school on ROTC scholarships. I think as we look for quality leaders for tomorrow, (college financial aid options) were major decisionmakers for our kids in terms of how to get through college, so I thank you for your continued support of that, and of us."

Lindsay Dalrymple, director of the Auditorium Leadership Series at NIACC, also thanked Grassley for his office's attempts to intervene last month when a performance from the Peking Acrobats was cancelled due to problems issuing the visiting performers' travel documents.

"We didn't have a lot of time to respond, and unfortunately had to cancel the performance, but you and your office moved very quickly to try and make that happen for us... and we appreciate the effort," Dalrymple said.

"We call this casework," Grassley explained. "We try to cut red tape for you."

He later recalled that in his early days as a congressman, a fellow legislator told him to "forget about this place out here (Washington D.C.) and take care of your constituents. If a little old lady comes in and wants her toenails clipped, clip 'em."

"It's an election year," asked one concerned voter. "What can we expect? Do we need to build a bunker? Do we need to get generators?"

"No, I don't think so," answered Grassley, "People ought to, in America, have confidence in their elections. If you don't see it as credible, it really weakens our systems, our society of government, and it has an impact on the economy."

Grassley said he was concerned about the increased amount of calls into his office by A.I. programs posing as constituents and spreading disinformation.

"I would hope that at least my party would wake up to the fact that we'd better adopt a Democrat practice that's been very successful for them, of having early voting. Most Republicans only want to vote on Election Day, but they ought to think about voting as early as they can and getting it out of the way. I hope we get that message out fast," he said.

"Would you share that message in Des Moines, please?" another voter chimed in, referring to the recent shortening of both absentee voting and Election Day windows in Iowa.

Grassley was then asked by a NIACC student whether or not he was concerned about rumors regarding President Joe Biden's mental acuity and fitness for office considering his age, which at 81 makes him the oldest person to serve in the office.

"I was getting on an elevator, oddly enough, with a journalist, a print reporter. So he asked me the same question you just asked me," Grassley said. "And I said, 'How do you expect a guy that's 90 years old to complain about somebody that's 81 years old?"

Grassley's most recent face-to-face meeting with Biden took place more than two years ago. His judgment is "there was nothing that caused me to question (his physical/mental well being), but I'm aware of everything I see on television about it. I'm not gonna pile on him, even though I don't want him to be president again."

Grassley was released from the hospital last month after being treated for an unspecified infection, and returned to his duties after a successful antibiotic treatment.

After the public event concluded, Grassley sat down and took a few questions from the Globe Gazette. The transcript of the interview was lightly edited for clarity:

Q: You helped champion the creation of the AEAs in 1974, and were honored as "Friend of the AEA" in 2022. Do you agree with the assessment of Gov. Reynolds that the AEAs have had "little meaningful oversight or accountability through the years?" I know it's a state legislative matter, but have you read about the proposed reforms of the AEA, and do you support overhauling the agencies as the governor has proposed?

Grassley: First of all, the quote you gave me, it would be impossible for me to respond to that, because there's just no way that I could say, being 1,000 miles away, even though I created the system, being administered in a certain way, according to what the governor said. I couldn't comment on that. As for your other question, had I read the legislation? I have not. But I ought to tell you why we set up the AEA. We had 99 county superintendents, some of them didn't have anything to do. They were supposed to be supervising one-room schools. Well we didn't have any one-room schools anymore. We had the local school districts, who were not taking care of kids that had special needs. It could be physical, it could be mental. We needed to make sure that they had access on an equal basis with kids that didn't have ... problems. So we decided we needed a service organization for special needs kids. That's why we set up the AEA. Now, they've developed 50 years doing a lot of other things. I couldn't even tell you all the other things they're doing. But they do have a special place in my heart for maintaining the services for special needs kids.

Q: We last spoke at Mason City High School less than a year ago. It was the day that former President Trump was arrested. Since then, he's had even more legal troubles. Does it concern you that the presumptive Republican nominee will be in a courtroom facing jail time during the height of the campaign?

Grassley: I'm going to wait and let the courts make that determination.

Q: Do you feel, as Trump has said he intends to argue to the Supreme Court, that his actions as president grant him immunity from prosecution?

Grassley: We're going to have to wait and let the court speak to that. I couldn't presume what the court would say, but we'll have to abide by the court's decision because we're a nation based upon the rule of law.

Q: You've voiced your support for Ukraine against Russia, and I'd like ask you for your comment on what the recent killing of Russian opposition leader Alexy Navalny means for the geopolitical conflict?

Grassley: I think it tells us all we need to know about Putin. Putin is doing exactly what any dictator would do. He doesn't want any political opposition. He said it himself, that the breakup of the Soviet Union was the biggest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century. He's made several speeches since then (saying) he's going to reestablish a Russian empire, which would include Ukraine, and maybe even the Baltic States if he wanted to go back to 1945 and include eastern Europe. We have to do everything we can to not give credibility to him, and no American should be giving encouragement to any communist.

Q: What bills are you hoping to send to the president's desk in the year 2024?

Grassley: I started on one in 2018 with pharmaceutical benefit managers. Now they're the people between the manufacturers and consumers, they take a lot of money out of it. There are now four bills out of four different committees in the United States Senate, and I hope we can get some movement on them. There's plenty of support for that in the Senate, and if (Majority Leader) Schumer doesn't schedule (a vote) I hope we can get it in the final appropriations bill this fiscal year.
ORANGE CITY, Iowa  An ex-Sioux County deputy and his wife are accused of failing to protect children from numerous acts of sexual abuse perpetrated by a child in their care.

Caleb and Jill Haverdink, both 37, were arrested Thursday on seven counts of neglect of a dependent person, Class C felonies, as well as two counts of mandatory reporter violations and one count of making a false report to law enforcement, all simple misdemeanors.

Both posted $5,000 bond and were released from custody.

According to court documents, the Maurice, Iowa, foster parents had prior knowledge of a child in their care committing numerous acts of sexual abuse and sexualized acts against other children and took no meaningful action to mitigate the sexual abuse or protect the children under their care. The Haverdinks' alleged inaction put children under their care at high risk of victimization for sexual abuse. The alleged acts began in 2019 and continued through Oct. 23.

Both are accused of providing inaccurate information about incidents to the Iowa Department of Human Services or providing information about completely different incidents that were later determined to be unfounded. In one case on Sept. 1, Caleb Haverdink reported an incident to a caseworker in a different agency. That caseworker told him to report it to the DHS abuse hotline, but neither he nor his wife did. After learning they had not reported it, the caseworker called the DHS hotline herself to report the incident, court documents said.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation filed the charges, after conducting a criminal investigation into the Haverdinks, Sioux County Sheriff Jamie Van Voorst and Sioux County Attorney Thomas Kunstle announced in a joint statement Thursday.

"At the time of the initial complaint, Caleb Haverdink was employed by the Sioux County Sheriff's Office as a deputy sheriff. To avoid any conflict of interest, the Sioux County Sheriff's Office and Sioux County Attorney's Office immediately recused themselves from any part of the investigation and requested assistance from the DCI and the Clay County, Iowa, Attorneys Office," the statement said.

After the DCI's criminal investigation of the Haverdinks was completed, the Sioux County Sheriff's Office initiated an internal investigation to evaluate whether Caleb Haverdinks conduct was consistent with its policies and expectations. To ensure a fair and objective internal investigation, an outside investigator was retained.

"The investigation concluded Haverdink's conduct was contrary to the mission of the Sioux County Sheriff's Office and his actions were in violation of established policies and procedures," the statement said.

Van Voorst terminated Haverdink's employment on Feb. 14.

"The Sioux County Sheriff's Office wants to assure the public that their officers are held to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. The charges are deeply troubling and contrary to the values of the Sheriff's Office. Any time an officer exhibits any level of misconduct, it will be dealt with swiftly. As such, Haverdink's employment was terminated based solely upon his off-duty conduct, which was contrary to established policies and that which brought reproach upon himself and our agency," the statement said.

The statement went on to described the incident as "isolated" and "not representative" of the sheriff's office and its employees.

"This incident is extremely troubling for the community. Please also understand the distress which has been caused within the Sheriff's Office, County Attorney's Office, and surrounding law enforcement communities. As such, Sheriff Van Voorst and County Attorney Kunstle are committed to transparency and upholding our oaths of office," the statement said.

Photos: Northern Iowa at Illinois State basketball Ryan Pedon 1 022124.JPG Myles Foster 1 022124.JPG Kendall Lewis introductions 2 022124.JPG Kendall Lewis introductions 1 022124.JPG Kendall Lewis 1 022124.JPG Johnny Kinziger 1 022124.JPG Jacob Hutson 1 022124.JPG Chase Walker 3 022124.JPG
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vmdce129907 wrote:

ChrisLele wrote: This is a tricky question. We want to make sure we do not lose track of the conclusion, which can basically be boiled down to: in a recession getting a teaching job at Vergonia's government-funded schools will not become difficult.



Vargonia has just introduced a legal requirement that student-teacher ratios in government-funded schoolsnot exceed a certain limit. All Vargonian children are entitled to education, free of charge, in these schools. When a recession occurs and average incomes fall, the number of children enrolled in government-funded schools tends to increase. Therefore, though most employment opportunities contract in economic recessions, getting a teaching job in Vargonia's government-funded schools will not be made more difficult by a recession.



Which of the following would be most important to determine in order to evaluate the argument?



(A) Whether in Vargonia there are any schools not funded by the government that offer children an education free of charge



Schools that are not government-funded are irrelevant to the argument.



(B) Whether the number of qualified applicants for teaching positions in government-funded schools increases significantly during economic recessions



Here we have a reason that undermines the conclusion. If everybody is applying for a job at Vergonia's schools during a recession, getting a job there will not be easy. The assumption in the argument is that the increased demand for teachers will not be met with an increased supply of teachers. (B) exposes this assumption. Thus, in evaluating the argument, we need to know whether government-funded schools are inundated with a supply of teachers.



(C) What the current student-teacher ratio in Vargonia's government-funded schools is



This knowledge does not address the conclusion.



(D) What proportion of Vargonia's workers currently hold jobs as teachers in government-funded schools



Knowledge of the number of workers in Vargonia who currently work at government schools will not help us determine the validity of the conclusion. We need an answer choice that addresses the questions: Will it be easy to get a job at government-related schools in a recession.



(E) Whether in the past a number of government funded schools in Vargonia have had student teacher ratios well in excess of the new limit



Again, this answer choice does not help us address the conclusion.



+1 B.



For now, we can safely ignore 'E' ,but If the teacher student ratio (instead of student teacher ratio) was given well excess of the new limit, I think this option would also have been the contender because if there are already more teachers in the government schools, even in economic recession they might not need to hire new teachers.





Press +1 kudos if you like my explanation

Vargonia has just introduced a legal requirement that student-teacher ratios in government-funded schools not exceed a certain limit. All Vargonian children are entitled to education, free of charge, in these schools. When a recession occurs and average incomes fall, the number of children enrolled in government-funded schools tends to increase. Therefore, though most employment opportunities contract in economic recessions, getting a teaching job in Vargonia's government-funded schools will not be made more difficult by a recession.Which of the following would be most important to determine in order to evaluate the argument?(A) Whether in Vargonia there are any schools not funded by the government that offer children an education free of charge.IF THIS OPTION ADD DURING RECESSION,THEN IT CAN BE A CONTENDER(B) Whether the number of qualified applicants for teaching positions in government-funded schools increases significantly during economic recessions. .correct(C) What the current student-teacher ratio in Vargonia's government-funded schools is(D) What proportion of Vargonia's workers currently hold jobs as teachers in government-funded schools(E) Whether in the past a number of government funded schools in Vargonia have had student teacher ratios well in excess of the new limitConclusion: find a job in government-funding school wont be more difficult during recessionwont be more difficult,thus maybe easier(opportunities increase)/the same ----but it won't be more difficult(opportunities decrease)--->if find a job during recession become more difficult, then it will weaken the conclusion, thus become a determinant in evaluating the argumentWe had to choose which option will weaken the conclusion-or say, which option will make finding a job in government-funding school be more difficult during recession???For (E), if its true, will it weaken the conclusion?If the answer is yes, then (E) can be a determinant in evaluating the argument(E) Whether in the past a number of government funded schools in Vargonia have had student teacher ratios well in excess of the new limit(yes-no question)If we assume the above option(E) to be true, and we change it to positive sentence---> in the past a number of government funded schools in Vargonia have had student teacher ratios well in excess of the new limitTo an normal period---> the ratio in normal period well in excess of the new(recession) limit, thusin normal period, one teacher can accept more studentsin recession period, one teacher can only accept less student based on the new limitTo this option(E), we had to notice that, does in the past mean normal period or whether its recession, we dont know for sure, here option (E) doesnt specifically mention what this in the past typifyAlso, new limit, does this new mean recession period, option(E) also doesnt say very exactlyNOW WE CAN ONLY GUESSIf in the past indeed mean normal periodand also we know that during recession, students increase in government-funding school(but in this, we dont know the degree to which it increase and whether or not it will go beyond the new limit)The demand for the teacher---will have two situations1. Same(maybe the new limit is still high enough that we dont need to worry that we will pass beyond it---one teacher still has room to accept more students and wont pass the limit)2. RiseAnd it will never show the third situation decreaseSo if (E)--- in the past a number of government funded schools in Vargonia have had student teacher ratios well in excess of the new limit---IS TRUE--->THENin recession period, one teacher can only accept less student based on the new limit--->the demand for teacher will stay the same or increasewill this weaken the conclusion-- find a job in government-funding school wont be more difficult during recession----the answer obviously is NOT---THUS (E) CANNOT BE A DETERMINANT IN EVALUATING ARGUMENTBUT ONLY IN THIS SITUATION THAT- IF THE EXTENT TO WHICH S-T RATIO LIMIT INCREASE IS LARGER THAN THE AMOUNT TO THE INCREASE OF QUANTITY OF STUDENTS(DURING RECESSION)THEN THE DEMAND FOR TEACHER WILL DECREASE RATHER THAN INCREASE, AND THUS WEAKEN THE CONCLUSION..FROM ABOVE, WE SEE THAT TOO MANY FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDER INTO THIS OPTION(E), IT OBVIOUSLY WONT BE THE CORRECT ANSWER
GREENSBORO  The City of Greensboro will begin installing barriers under the Gorrell Street Bridge along the Downtown Greenway on Murrow Boulevard on Feb. 22, officials said in a news release.

The barriers are a proactive step to provide peace of mind and protection for Greensboro's drivers and pedestrians as the city awaits the completion of the bi-annual inspection report on the structure from the NC Department of Transportation.

The bridge and Murrow Boulevard are both safe for all traffic.

On Feb. 21, city officials learned that pieces of concrete appear to have dislodged from the bridge end span. Newly installed barriers will reduce the likelihood of incidents with debris, but will not impact pedestrian or vehicle traffic, officials said in the release.

When the inspection is complete, the city will identify any other required repairs and offer a timeline for implementation.

In addition to the Gorrell Street Bridge, all other bridges in the city limits are currently being assessed by NCDOT as part of its routine bi-annual inspections. The Gorrell Street Bridge passed its most recent NCDOT inspection in 2022, officials said in the release.
I was born and raised in Greensboro. After college, I lived in a few big cities across the country, but when it came time for my wife and me to start a family, I boomeranged back to Greensboro (and she luckily came along!). We moved to Greensboro because we believe it is a city full of opportunities.

When I think about Greensboros future, I want all families who live here to experience Greensboro as a city of opportunities. As the CEO of Charles Aris, a long-standing, locally owned business, I firmly believe that employers play a key role in creating those opportunities. At Charles Aris, we are proud to offer family-friendly policies and benefits that support the health and well-being of our employees and their families.

To encourage more employers to adopt family-friendly policies, Action Greensboro and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce are teaming up with Family Forward NC, an innovative initiative of the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation. Family Forward NCs mission is to improve childrens health and well-being and to keep North Carolinas businesses competitive. A key component of the initiative is the Family Forward N.C. Employer Certification, which designates employers that offer best-practice policies in five main areas: paid leave and wages; child care; accommodations for pregnant and breastfeeding workers; health and wellness benefits; and scheduling practices.

Action Greensboro, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and Family Forward NC want to ensure that at least 85,000 residents work for Family Forward NC-certified employers. If this target is reached, Greensboro will be declared the first Family Forward NC Certified Community by February of 2025.

As the first Family Forward NC Certified Community, Greensboro will have the opportunity to show current and future Greensboro businesses, residents and families that we are a place where they can thrive. Charles Aris is a recruitment firm, which means we focus on attracting and retaining top talent every day. Showcasing Greensboro as a Family Forward NC Certified Community will be a key tool when were working to recruit executives and their families to the Triad.

In January, Charles Aris became a Family Forward NC Certified Employer. Weve been committed to offering family-friendly workplace policies for a long time. We offer paid parental leave after the birth, adoption or fostering of a child, and we cover 100% of employee health insurance premiums. We were also early adopters of having a lactation room to support breastfeeding workers before it became a legal requirement.

We wanted to become a Family Forward NC Certified Employer to send a signal that we support our own employees and their families, and that we support becoming the first Family Forward NC Certified Community.

Becoming a Family Forward NC Certified Community makes business sense for Greensboro. Our growing economy means well have a projected 23,000 new jobs by 2029. We need a steady pipeline of talent to support this growth and ensure success for our residents. Family-friendly benefits and supports across a range of industries and employers will help attract and retain the best talent for those future jobs.

Its also the right thing to do. Family-friendly workplace policies have been shown to improve health and well-being outcomes for children and their families.

Charles Aris is proud to be among the employers contributing to the goal of Greensboro being designated the first Family Forward NC Certified Community. I encourage employers across Greensboro to learn more and consider becoming a Family Forward NC Certified Employer. Together, we can create opportunities for children and families and make Greensboro the best, most livable city in North Carolina.
Israel simply cannot win with the media

According to an Associated Press article on Jan. 31, elite Israeli tactical fighters disguised as medics killed three Hamas militants hiding out in a West Bank hospital in a masterful surgical strike.

Then they left.

This account was confirmed by the Palestinian Health Ministry. (You know: Hamas.)

What can we learn from this?

1) In addition to apartment buildings, schools, and we now know, under the Gaza U.N. building, Hamas militants hide in hospitals. It is Hamas who put Gazans at risk. Not all strikes can be so surgical as this one, and Israel needs to wipe these barbarians out for its own existence.

2) Knowing who and where their target was, the Israelis didnt blow up the hospital. Were Israel interested in genocide  a constant, just-plain-wrong accusation  that wouldve been easier. Israel must protect itself.

3) Israel cannot win in the media. Case in point: the headline wasnt, Israeli commandos kill three Hamas militants. Instead, the AP headline was Troops assault hospital. Speaks volumes.

4) Were there photos of the dead Hamas militants? No, not in this newspaper or any media we noticed. Pictures of dead terrorists dont fit the narrative.

The suffering and death in that region is horrible, brought on by Hamas barbaric actions of Oct. 7 and continuing as Israel seeks to root them out and retrieve as many of its citizens being held as hostages as they can. Let us understand all sides.

Don Freedman

Greensboro

Heres your answer

The author of Why block this bill? (letter, Feb. 16) asks why most Republicans voted against a Ukraine war funding bill that included many things they want on border security.

Dan Stein, long-time president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), supplies the answer in one sentence:

The Senate plan is nothing more than a capitulation to mass illegal immigration, rather than a credible plan to regain control of our borders and immigration system.

For details. see Steins Feb. 9 press release.

But Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton highlights a provision in the deal that Stein does not mention: The Ukraine-border deal would mandate that legal challenges to these provisions be heard by the highly partisan Washington, D.C. courts.

Texas is offering serious resistance the Biden-Mayorkas border agenda. Most recently in the news: its barbed-wire barriers. The Ukraine-Border deal would have squelched that. Legal challenges to the federal government on immigration would have to be heard by highly partisan Washington, D. C. courts.

Currently, state attorneys general can sue the federal government in fair venues.

Whats an unfair venue? D.C. voted 92% for Biden in 2020, 5.4% for Trump.

Tom Shuford

Lenoir

Hurs on first?

Hey, folks, have you heard about the special counsels report on President Joe Bidens handling of classified material?

Well, leave to up to Bud Abbott and Lou Costello of Whos on First fame to clear it up for us.

Abbott: Have you seen the devastating report about President Bidens mental condition?

Costello: Who wrote it?

Abbott: Hur.

Costello: Yes, but who is she?

Abbott: Hur is a man.

Costello: I dont care about her pronouns.

Abbott: No, Hur is a man. His pronoun is he.

Costello: Her pronoun is he?

Abbott: Yes, Hurs pronoun is he.

Costello: That makes no sense at all. Im going to ask President Biden.

Abbott: He said to ask Mitterrand.

Fred Gregory

Berryville, Va.

Moores mettle

Britt W. Moore is a proven conservative candidate for the N.C. House, District 62. I have known Britt and his wife Karen since middle school. Both are very well-liked and respected citizens in their community.

Britt has always had a strong dedication to the betterment of the community, state and nation. Britt has a decade of experience in city leadership as an at-large High Point city councilman and more than 35 years of experience as a private-sector business owner.

He has championed responsible economic development, and fully funded local police and first responders. He also has promoted educational excellence.

Britt believes in the sanctity of life and addresses issues with compassion and understanding for the best outcomes. Britt has proven conservative leadership skills. He has also served as mayor pro tem, Finance Committee chair and on the Planning and Economic Development Committee, to name a few. (www.votebrittmoore.com).

Cast your vote for an honest, loyal and dedicated leader in the Republican primary. His knowledge of how local government works and a conservative approach will serve us well in Raleigh. Vote for Britt W. Moore.

Tammie P. Murphy

Greensboro
In 2016, a Whitefish resident became the face of a national news story. Tanya Gersh led a normal life as a mother, wife and woman with a successful career in real estate. But her life changed forever when she and her family became the subject of antisemitic attacks instigated by an influential neo-Nazi.

Gersh spent about six months being attacked, threatened and harassed every day over the phone and online, which is a type of attack called a troll storm. It started because of a miscommunication that Gersh had with the mother of a prominent right-wing politician and led to neo-Nazi Andrew Anglin of the Daily Stormer website inciting the attacks. This led the Southern Poverty Law Center to reach out to her and to work with her to file and eventually win a lawsuit.

While the attacks have not entirely abated, Gersh has become a powerful voice against hate and helped unite the Whitefish community to oppose and reject hateful ideologies in the small Montana town.

A new movie, Troll Storm, premiering this Saturday at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, dives deep into this harrowing story and puts the rise of antisemitism in the U.S. into historical context.

The film is directed by Eunice Lau, a New York-based filmmaker who has a knack for telling racially and religiously charged stories through a sensitive and informative lens.

Laus film Accept the Call, which premiered in 2020, looked at the consequences of racism and prejudice against a Muslim and Somali immigrant family and community. When the film was released, a viewer saw a connection between the films subjects and Gershs story and reached out to Lau to suggest she get in touch with Gersh to tell her story.

After looking into it, Lau remembers feeling outraged by what Gersh had been forced to face. Lau was able to get in touch with Gersh and soon flew to Whitefish to begin conversations about a documentary and hear Gershs story in person.

I could really see this as a film that we could tell in a very visceral way, Lau said.

But Lau ultimately wanted Gersh to be the one to decide to move forward with the project and once she did, Lau and her team launched into a four-year-long documentary project.

Since most of the events in Gershs story had come to pass, Lau made good use of reenactments to re-create important moments and events.

Another filmmaker who uses reenactments is Errol Morris, whose films were a big inspiration to Lau. Morris well-known 1988 film The Thin Blue Line became controversial in its use of reenactments because many filmmakers at the time believed it was a technique that has no place in documentaries.

That sentiment has evolved since Morris 1988 film and Lau says visual recreations have become an important technique in her storytelling style and in the telling of Gershs story.

I wanted to capture the kind of hate space that Tanya was in, Lau said. I wanted the audience to feel her terror. I wanted them to feel how she was feeling in that moment.

With that goal in mind, Lau made use of sound, music and visual techniques to create the sense of confusion that occurs when fear takes over the mind. Out-of-focus and distorted shots combined with strange and eerie sound effects help to bring the audience back in time and into the mind of Gersh as she faced the onslaught of terrorizing attacks.

The documentary moves through different time periods, going as far back as 1939 to tell the story of Stephen Jacobs, a Holocaust survivor. Jacobs had been outspoken about the connection between the rise of U.S. hate groups and the circumstances around the Holocaust.

Giving Jacobs a voice in the documentary and bringing in his perspectives and experience was important to both Gersh and Lau. In the documentary, Gersh was also open about feeling as though she needed permission from surviving Holocaust victims in order to speak openly about her experiences or draw any comparison.

Gersh found that permission in Jacobs, who had already been following Gershs story and admired her greatly, according to Lau.

Laus other documentaries have had similar themes around race and religious discrimination. Its a topic that is close to home for her as an immigrant, having moved from Singapore to the U.S. 15 years ago and also coming from a family who immigrated to Singapore from China.

Laus own journey through her identities and the places she comes from informs her works as a filmmaker and the kinds of stories she chooses to tell.

Self-identifying where we come from, either two places, or the multiple identities we have, you know, is a very personal choice, Lau said. And thats the beauty of it.

'Troll Storm'

Director: Eunice Lau

Producers: Brooke Swaney, Zachary Kerschberg, Eunice Lau

2024, United States  83 min.

World premiere at the Wilma, Saturday, Feb. 24, at 3:30 p.m. There will be a Q&A with Tanya Gersh, Lau, Swaney and Kerschberg.
LOS ANGELES  Hiroyuki Sanada may be one of the stars of the new limited series, Shogun, but hes more impressed with his other title  producer.

Thanks to the moniker, I can say anything anytime to correct our culture, he explains.

In the past, when a Japanese-themed production included Sanada, he didnt have the clout to hire Japanese crew members or correct inaccuracies. This time, I can do it right.

Set during the 17h century, the fictional Shogun follows three key players  John Blackthorne, an English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, Lady Mariko, a woman who must prove her allegiance, and Lord Toranaga (Sanadas character), a powerful daimyo who is at odds with his political rivals. Blackthorne, its revealed, has secrets that could help Toranaga; Mariko has the interpretive skills to support both of them.

Based on James Clavells bestselling novel, the 10-part series takes a deep dive into the customs that kept countries apart and people at odds. Its also a good look at how productions could prosper if they embraced accuracy.

For the first time, Im feeling like a newborn baby, Sanada says with a smile. I have a new mission.

Deep dive into culture

For both Cosmo Jarvis, who plays Blackthorne, and Anna Sawai, who plays Mariko, the background information was welcomed. Both studied extensively before filming started; both learned plenty from Sanadas advisers.

I have very high hopes that Japanese people can make period pieces in Japan without the help of Western productions, Sawai says. But to this scale, no, we cant do that. But we do get to share our story in a very accurate way to a much bigger audience.

A former pop star (and one-time Annie in a Japanese production of the musical), Sawai was impressed with the attention paid to customs and costumes. It takes like 40 minutes every single day to get dressed, she explains. Youre wearing seven layers of clothing. I had to learn everything from zero because (the costumes) affect the way Im walking or sitting. They really made me feel like a completely different person.

Details matter

Likewise, Jarvis. Details fascinate him: Types of ships, types of battle styles, Edwardian etiquette  whatever it might be  I want to learn.

The British actor immersed himself in the culture, then arrived on set, ready to go.

It took a little more time for me because I wasnt living in a kimono, Sawai says. From the beginning, he was speaking the way Blackthorne would speak, so I didnt know Cosmos real voice until yesterday during a publicity tour.

Sawai became so engrossed in her character, she found she didnt want to mingle with other cast members on weekends so she could feel the loneliness Mariko was going through. It was very hard. But now I see that that helped me.

Because Blackthorne was an outsider, Jarvis says, I figured he was learning about the Japanese side of things at the pace that I was. I tried to familiarize myself with a basic understanding of geopolitics at the time.

Like Sawai, he steered away from the 1980 television adaptation starring Richard Chamberlain. I didnt think it would be helpful; as an actor I was more interested in things like social interactions.

Epic vision

Contemporary stories, he says, are scarier because you have to be more proficient with your research. You may be representing people who are around you and, therefore, the stakes may be higher.

Shogun represented a new challenge. I hadnt come into contact with a story that was quite so adventurous, so epic, Jarvis says. All of the archetypal themes are involved in it in some way: betrayal, power, hunger, love.

That scope excited Sanada, as well. Even though he was a star of The Last Samurai 20 years ago, Hollywood hadnt yet experienced a shift toward Asian storytelling.

That came with Parasite and Everything Everywhere All at Once winning Best Picture Oscars. The doors opened wider, he says. This is going to be another step to the future.

Beginning as an actor at age 6, Sanada made a name for himself in Japanese and Hong Kong action films. He got a big break as the Fool in a British production of King Lear. It drew widespread acclaim and led to roles in English. Shakespeare in English. That was my dream, Sanada says. The Last Samurai marked his first Hollywood appearance. Roles in Speed Racer, 47 Ronin, Avengers: Endgame and John Wick: Chapter 4 followed.

Repeatedly, he wanted producers to realize how much better their films could be if they were culturally accurate.

Today, Sanada says, he tells young actors just keep trusting. Dont give up. Dont be scared.

After I started producing, I found a great balance. Of course, there was a lot of pressure on my shoulders, but I feel happiness. Dreams do come true.

Shogun begins Feb. 27 on Hulu and FX.

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A family remains distraught, but never giving up hope on finding their brother on what is the 25th anniversary of the day of his last-known sighting at a bank ATM.

Helena resident Shannon LaBau was 23 when he went missing Feb. 23, 1999, when he went to take money out of an ATM to buy a muscle car from a farmer in the Townsend area.

No solid leads have been fruitful. You think youll always remember the details over the years, but they slip, Pat Andersen, Shannons sister, said.

His sister Kari Weber said it was hard for the family to understand how or why he would disappear because he was a mamas boy.

Andersen described her brother, who was one of seven siblings, as a quiet person who stuck with smaller crowds because he never had many friends.

He came to all of the family events, and he loved cooking, Andersen said. Shannon had aspirations of going to culinary school and becoming a head chef.

He grew up in South Dakota and California before settling with his mother and siblings in Helena where his closest family members were his brother Joshua Josh LaBau and his nephew Jon Andersen.

The trajectory of his life pointed in a positive and productive direction, according to Andersen.

After the disappearance, the sisters said it took a toll on Joshuas mental health and he killed himself after their mother died.

Andersen said they always had hope they would find him, but she felt it got more serious when Sally LaBau, his mother, got a call saying Shannon did not come into work.

This was odd she said because he was always late, but never missed work. Andersen lived in Great Falls during his disappearance but drove down after she heard about the call.

Its been hard, but I think it was worse for my mom, Weber said.

Sally died of cancer in 2007, but not before declaring her son dead. Sally died without any closure of her sons whereabouts.

Mom did what she could, Weber said. Over the years of the search, their mother posted signs, handed out flyers and purchased multiple billboards depicting her sons face.

Andersen said their mother was super diligent in her efforts to find Shannon.

On one billboard near the Montana State Prison, her son was featured along with the last known person to physically see him, Steve Rummel. He was with Shannon when he went to the ATM and was going to go with him to look at the car in Townsend. Rummel was an acquaintance of Shannons, according to Weber, but he was never charged with anything regarding Shannons disappearance.

He stopped coming around the family, but the family figured it simply took a mental toll on him just as much as it did them.

Rummel, contacted by phone, declined to comment on the 25th anniversary of Shannons disappearance.

Sally did the billboards in the hopes that someone would come forward with information, but this never happened, family members said.

We are appreciative of everything the police have done at the Helena Police Department  the worst part is they had one last known location, Weber said.

She said technology back then was not near what it is today, so the police could not successfully track a signal or see if his cell signal moved to another location.

Other tactics used during the search by Sally included a psychic, which Weber said she knows sounds ridiculous.

This never helped even though the psychic said they saw flashes of a location near Canyon Ferry Reservoir, while other tips included a possible shallow grave near Townsend.

None of these tips came to fruition. Weber said at one point the family received a tip saying Shannon may have been dropped into a mine shaft, but Weber said it was the middle of winter in Montana, so it was hard to believe.

We know something happened to him, Weber said.

Over the course of 25 years Weber said she forgets some of the facts of what happened and the investigations that took place but remembers detectives who worked on the case for years.

Richard Drysdale, former Helena Police Department detective, worked on the case since 2004.

In a previous report from 2011, Drysdale said even though Shannon was declared dead, he was still documented as missing under suspicious circumstances.

The detective thought there was foul play involved in the disappearance, but nothing was ever proven.

Shannon was the father of a 2-year-old girl when he went missing, but Weber made sure to help the mother of her niece.

He now has two grandchildren.

After Shannon was declared legally dead, Weber was responsible for cashing out his bank accounts, so she gave the money he had to Leslie, the mother of his child.

Both sisters said they have hope they can recover something to place with their mother and Joshua, for closure.
MISSOULA  A former Bureau of Land Management employee from Butte admitted Wednesday in Missoula Federal Court to stealing agency checks and forging the signature of another employee to obtain cash for personal expenses.

Adrian Anthony Aragon, 52, pleaded guilty to theft of government property and aggravated identity theft. Aragon faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the theft crime and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft crime.

Aragon, who was detained pending further proceedings, will be sentenced on June 26.

The government alleged in court documents that Aragon worked for the BLM in 2019 and 2020. In early 2022, a BLM employee, identified as Jane Doe, reported four checks totaling $10,700 were written on a government bank account in her name without her knowledge or authorization. Bank records showed that the checks were written to cash against a Citibank account and presented for deposit into Wells Fargo accounts solely in Aragons name.

Aragon used the stolen funds for personal expenses, including cash withdrawals, utility and cell phone bills, restaurants, grocery stores and Amazon purchases. Jane Doe told law enforcement that Aragon had access to her checks during his employment and that Aragon made schedule changes resulting in him being the first or last person in the office.
Multiple briefs were filed in support of the state of Montana in the youth climate trial that's pending before the state Supreme Court.

This past week, Montana's legislative leaders, 14 other states and a number of industry groups filed amicus briefs backing the state in the Held v. Montana case and ask the state's high court to overturn the lower court's decision in favor of the plaintiffs.

Senate President Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, and House Speaker Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, expressed support for Gov. Greg Gianforte's administration and asked that the high court overturn the district court's decision in their amicus brief.

The case made international headlines this summer after District Court Judge Kathy Seeley ruled in favor of the more than a dozen Montana youths who sued the state.

Seeley ruled that the state is violating the plaintiffs' constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by not accounting for greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts when granting permits under the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). The case came after the Legislature passed a statute barring agencies from considering the climate effects of fossil fuel project leases.

This was a first-of-its-kind ruling in a nationwide effort to bring similar childrens lawsuits over climate change and energy projects.

The state appealed Seeley's decision to the Montana Supreme Court and the legislative brief is the most recent development in the proceedings.

The amicus briefs filed by legislative leadership asserts that combating climate change and making energy decisions is a task for the Legislature, not the courts.

"The judiciary's constitutional authority does not allow the district court to determine how the Legislature should provide for the promise of a 'clean and healthful environment,'" the brief reads. "The Legislature is entrusted to consider how these bills implement a constitutional directive. It is uniquely poised to understand and evaluate environmental laws, some of which intend to help fulfill the promise of a clean and healthful environment," the brief later continued.

But the founder of Columbia Law Schools Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Michael Gerrard, pushed back against that argument, saying "It is a function of Montana state courts to interpret and enforce the Montana Constitution."

The separation of powers argument is one that was also made by the defendants  Gianforte, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation  in its opening brief before the Supreme Court filed earlier this month.

"There is no doubt that many Montanans are understandably concerned about climate change," the state's opening brief read. "But addressing that issue is a matter to be addressed by the policymaking branches."

This is the first time since 2021 that the Legislature has involved itself in a court case, according to Kyle Schmauch, communications manager for the Senate Republicans.

In 2021, the legislature had to vote on a joint resolution while in session to get involved in a court case, but this past session, the body passed a law that allows legislative officers to get involved in court proceedings without voting on a resolution.

Fourteen states  North Dakota, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and Virginia  also filed an amicus brief in support of Montana.

The group of states makes a novel argument, saying that a ruling in the plaintiffs favor could harm the industries of other states in the nation, a ruling which "risks unconstitutionally infringing upon the rights of other States."

The states also make the separation of powers argument and reiterates the state's argument that remedying the plaintiffs injuries due to climate change can't be addressed by a court ruling.

"Climate change is a global issue with global causes. A ton of CO2 produced in China will affect Montanas residents just as much as a ton of CO2 produced in-state ... " the brief from the states read.

NorthWestern Energy filed its own amicus brief, also asking the court to overturn the decision.

NorthWestern, the state's leading energy provider that often has projects that undergo MEPA review including ones that were named by the district court, made arguments about the plaintiff's lack of standing and raised concerns about what a ruling in the plaintiff's favor could mean in practice.

In other words, if the high court ruled in the plaintiff's favor and ordered regulators to take greenhouse gas emissions into account when issuing permits under MEPA, NorthWestern argues that it may not always be useful, could harm consumers and would "be extremely challenging to assess."

The Frontier Institute, a Montana-based nonprofit think tank, also filed an amicus brief in support of the state and it was co-signed by stakeholders like the Montana Mining Association, the Montana Coal Council, United Property Owners of Montana, Montana Taxpayers Association and more.

These parties also included the separation of powers argument in their brief.

The real question raised by this case is what role the courts should play in developing public policies to address global climate change. The answer is none. These important public policy decisions should be made only by the peoples elected representatives in the political branches of government, said President and CEO of the Frontier Institute Kendall Cotton.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs have roughly 20 days to file their opening brief with the Supreme Court.
Montanas consumer advocate is accusing NorthWestern Energy of gambling with someone elses money by paying above market prices for natural gas, which could now cost consumers an additional $11 million.

Consumer Counsel's Jason Brown is asking Montana utility regulators to deny NorthWesterns request to add the $11 million to customer bills. The charge stems from natural gas purchases made by NorthWestern in 2022. The utility argued the purchase price stemmed from volatile gas prices related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and that the companys purchasing decisions were prudent.

Montanas Public Service Commission will decide in the coming months whether NorthWestern gets to pass its disputed natural gas costs onto consumers.

This is really akin to gambling with someone elses money, something I dont think any of us would be comfortable with, said Brown of Montana Consumer Counsel, a legal office created by the state Constitution to defend captive customers of monopolies. NorthWestern was supposed to be shielding customers from high market prices, Brown said, but the utilitys buying decisions caused the opposite to happen.

I think its odd to say that were protected from higher prices when the record shows that we paid more as a result of this activity, Brown said. So, I dont feel very protected when our bills are $11 million higher than they would have been if (NorthWestern had) simply done nothing.

Brown argued that by purchasing natural gas at a fixed price at least a month ahead of when the gas was needed, NorthWesterns wound up paying considerably more than the average, or indexed, market price it could have paid had it not made its gas purchases ahead of time. The fixed, forward contracted purchases were a hedge that didnt pay off, he said.

For instance, in gas needed in the summer of the 2022, NorthWestern paid a fixed, forward contract price of $18.5 million for 2.9 million dekatherms of natural gas. Had the company waited and paid the average market price during the relevant months, the same gas would have cost $9.8 million. Brown likened NorthWesterns purchasing decisions to a bad gamble. In other words, the company didnt know when to hold or fold, and now customers were being asked to pay the price.

NorthWestern told Montanas Public Service Commission this week that its purchases, while higher than market prices, were prudent and that consumers should cover the cost. The expense stemmed from volatile natural gas prices related to Russias invasion of Ukraine, cold weather and a low amount of natural gas in storage.

There was the Russian invasion of Ukraine and record liquified natural gas exports from the United States said Mitchell WerBell V, attorney for NorthWestern. Second, storage balances in the United States were well below average after a cold winter. Third, warm spring weather led to record natural gas quantities being used for electric generation in across the United States.

In June 2022, amid rising gas prices, NorthWestern speculated that gas prices would continue to rise in the coming months. So, the utility chose to hedge and buy several months of natural gas in advance at a fixed price. That price turned out to be higher than the market average once summer arrived.

Again in early fall 2022, the utility chose to hedge. It based that decision on market conditions, namely that natural gas prices at Henry Hub, a Louisiana interconnection used as a benchmark for natural gas prices nationally, were at a 14-year high and that U.S. storage levels of natural gas remained low, an indication that demand for natural gas would remain high for the rest of the year.

But the volatile gas market wasnt anything new in June 2022. Prices had already been rising sharply since June, a year earlier.

In the fall of 2021 Montanas Public Service Commission took the unusual step of issuing an advisory about imminent increases in natural gas prices, expected to rise 47% to 62% during the winter months compared to prices during winter months in 2021.

During this ramp up in natural gas prices, both NorthWestern Energy and Montana Dakota Utilities frequently overestimated what natural gas would cost and subsequently set month ahead prices that overcharged customers. In six of 12 months starting in June 2021, Montana utilities charged customers more money for natural gas than the gas cost.

By June 2022, the PSC had authorized a natural gas true up, meaning that prices would be lowered to offset the overcharges for the previous 12 months. This was before the $11 million in above market costs NorthWestern paid for natural gas, which are the subject of the current debate.

Lower temperatures were driving up demand, but the wildcard was export sales of U.S. natural gas. The volume of United States natural gas sold to foreign buyers has more than quadrupled since 2014, reports the U.S. Energy Information Administration, setting a record every year. That trend is expected to continue, making domestic natural gas less economical for home heating and electric generation than it was just a few years ago.
Wyoming wildlife managers worry that a proposed change to landowner compensation regulations could hurt efforts to get a handle on inflated elk populations.

Legislation advancing in the statehouse, House Bill 60  Excess wildlife population damage amendments, is intended to give the Wyoming Game and Fish Department more incentive to lower elk numbers in areas where wapiti are overpopulated. The statute change would do so by sweetening compensation entitlement for ranchers who lose grass on rangeland to wildlife, offering them 150% of the market value.

But in Game and Fish Chief Warden Rick Kings view, that amount of compensation could perhaps have the opposite effect: encouraging landowners to host elk, while exacerbating overpopulation problems.

I do worry that paying such a high rate above fair market value can potentially be a disincentive for the landowner to want to help cooperate and get our elk herds to [the] objective, King told members of the House Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee last week.

The livestock lobby disagrees. Testifying at the same meeting, Jim Magagna, longtime representative for the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, pushed back on Kings contention.

Landowners and ranchers have told me repeatedly, Even if this makes us more money, were not in the business to make money by growing elk, Magagna said. Were in the business to make money by raising sheep or cattle.

Magagna was instrumental in formulating the proposed reforms to Wyomings damage program. The legislation emerged from the Ag Committee, though it wasnt an interim topic. The committees initial meeting yielded several radical proposals, like rounding up elk with helicopters, using drones to help hunters locate herds and suspending wanton waste rules so animals in overpopulated herds could be shot and left to rot. None of that came to fruition, but HB 60 emerged from the committee deliberations, which were precipitated by acute elk overpopulation problems in places like the Laramie Mountains and Iron Mountain north of Cheyenne.

The bill includes a presumption that landowners are eligible for 150% of market payments for extraordinary damage to rangeland, which is defined as loss of grass that exceeds 15% of the total estimated grass on a property or a state land grazing allotment. Alternatively, the presumption exists if a big game herd is overpopulated for two consecutive years.

Wyoming Game and Fish wardens and biologists would have a chance to rebut those presumptions and investigate claims of damage.

If the legislation leads to new statute, the rangeland compensation program could be a significant financial drain on the state agency. Already, Game and Fish spends an average of $1.25 million annually fulfilling claims for the damage that game species cause to cropland, livestock and rangeland that sustains extraordinary damage.

The changes proposed by HB 60 would lead to an additional $1.68 million in payments, according to the bills fiscal note. But thats the low end of the estimates, King told lawmakers.

Hunting and angling advocacy groups lobbying in Cheyenne havent received the proposed revisions to the states damage program warmly.

This policy would disincentivize cooperation between private landowners, sportsmen and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, worsening elk overpopulation issues not only in southeast Wyoming, but across the entire state, said Josh Metten, who works as the Wyoming field manager for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

Jessi Johnson, with the Wyoming Wildlife Federation, took issue with such a large chunk of Game and Fishs self-sustaining budget  which is funded by hunter and angler license dollars  being funneled toward private landowners.

A 150% of fair market value, Johnson said, thats a really hard pill for sportsmen and sportswomen to swallow.

Magagna, however, says the legislation change is needed. While Wyomings damage program overall  how it addresses fence damage, crop damage and loss of livestock  has worked well, theres one place where the program has failed, he said.

Thats where it talks about extraordinary damage to grass, Magagna told WyoFile. I dont even like that term. Were not talking about damage to grass, were talking about consumption.

House Bill 60, he said, addresses that shortcoming. The legislation survived introduction on the House floor in a 54-6 vote, then passed the House Ag Committee 9-0, but was rereferred to the Appropriations Committee, where its scheduled to come up at 1 p.m.

This story was originally published by WyoFile.com and was written by Mike Koshmrl. Koshmrly reports on Wyoming's wildlife and natural resources. Prior to joining WyoFile, he spent nearly a decade covering the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystems wild places and creatures for the Jackson Hole News&Guide. Find him on Twitter at @Koshywrites, or reach him directly at mike@wyofile.com
DECATUR  Michael K. Slover Jr., convicted of being part of a Decatur family plot to kill his ex-wife, is due to be paroled March 15 from Robinson Correctional Center.

He will have served just under 22 years of a 65-year sentence for the murder of 23-year-old Karyn Hearn Slover, whose dismembered body was found in Lake Shelbyville in January 1996.

And less than a month later, on April 4, his lawyers will be in Macon County Circuit Court for a hearing aimed at trying to overturn the twin murder convictions of the 53-year-old defendant and his mother, Jeannette Slover, and win them new trials. Jeannette Slover, 76, is also listed as a petitioner in this latest court action.

Despite several failed previous attempts to clear their names, this time the Slovers, through their lawyers, say they have compelling new forensic DNA evidence pointing to at least three unknown male perpetrators who, they insist, actually carried out the murder.

And, in a broad-based assault on their prosecution in a petition for post-conviction relief filed with the court, the Slovers further condemn the forensic evidence used to convict them as hopelessly flawed. They argue that much of it was based on junk science and the whole situation was made worse by trial defense counsel who failed to aggressively contest that evidence in front of jurors.

This new looming court battle is set to open up another round in one of the most bloody and tragic murder cases in Central Illinois history, and one that still draws the attention of the nation and the world.

Child custody was goal of murder scheme, prosecutors say

The prosecutions case was and remains that Karyn Hearn Slover was ambushed and killed to prevent her leaving the state and taking her then 3-year-old son with her. She had sought modelling jobs with a Georgia-based agency, and her ex-husband and in-laws were prepared at any cost to stop her depriving them of access to the child.

Karyn Slover was last seen alive on the evening of Sept. 27, 1996, as she left the former offices of the Herald & Review, 601 E. William St., where she worked as an advertising representative. She had been headed to pick up her son, who was being babysat by Jeannette Slover at her rural Decatur home.

The victim appeared to vanish without trace and her car was found abandoned that night on Interstate 72 in Piatt County. Two days later, plastic bags holding Slovers remains were fished out of Lake Shelbyville. She had been shot in the head seven times and dismembered with some kind of power saw, police and prosecutors have said.

Michael Slover Jr., his mother and also his late father, Michael Slover Sr., were all arrested on first-degree murder charges on Jan. 27, 2000, following a painstaking investigation that took more than three years.

Prosecutors told the jury that Karyn Hearn Slover's in-laws carried out the killing in conspiracy with their son, seizing their opportunity when the victim arrived to pick up from babysitting. Michael Slover Jr. had the alibi that he was at work at the time, but he repeatedly called his parents that day and was deemed to be a key part of the murder plot.

All three Slovers were convicted on May 17, 2002, after a five-week trial. The father and son each got sentenced to 60 years plus another five years for concealing a homicide. Michael Slover Sr., 75, died from heart disease on June 24, 2022, while serving his sentence at the Pontiac Correctional Center. Jeannette Slover, sentenced to 60 years in prison, is now held in the Decatur Correctional Center and due for parole in November 2028.

Asked for a reaction to the petition, Macon County States Attorney Scott Rueter, who was states attorney at the time of the original convictions, stands by their integrity. "This is another attempt in a long line of attempts by the Slovers' attorneys to overturn convictions which have been upheld numerous times," Rueter said.

"We will review it (the petition)and determine what appropriate steps to take."

Illinois Innocence Project argues that Slovers were wrongly convicted

The Slovers latest attempt to upend their convictions is getting legal and scientific backup from the Illinois Innocence Project, which has a track record of using DNA analysis to torpedo guilty verdicts that its advocates say are unfounded.

Based at the University of Illinois in Springfield, it has assisted the Slovers in previous legal actions to attack the evidence used to convict them, so far without success.

Leanne Beyer is the staff attorney for the Innocence Project who is acting as counsel for Michael Slover Jr. and his mother. She would not comment on the record for this story, but offered the following statement from the Innocence Project: "The Illinois Innocence Projects (IIP) clients Michael Slover Jr., Jeannette Slover and the late Michael Slover Sr. are innocent.

"On February 13, 2024, IIP filed a petition with the Macon County court detailing extensive evidence of the Slovers innocence. This includes DNA evidence excluding the Slovers. IIP is committed to obtaining an exoneration for the Slover family for a crime they did not commit."

The 77-page petition for post conviction relief that Beyer signed off on announces the Slovers have a new trump card to play based on more forensic testing: fresh DNA evidence extracted from fingerprints left on the body part bags that, it's claimed, reveal new suspects who are not any of the Slovers.

The new evidence ... has now demonstrated that at least three unknown male perpetrators murdered Karyn Hearn Slover and that Michael Slover Sr., Jeannette Slover and Michael Slover Jr. are innocent, Beyer said in the petition.

The case remains unsolved, and these unknown male perpetrators remain at large more than 20 years after the vicious shooting and dismemberment of Karyn Slover.

The petition points out that other suspects were provided to law enforcement within days of the murder. They include three men said to have been involved in the rape and killing of the victim and named in information developed by the Charleston Police Department. The men were investigated but later ruled out of the inquiry as fingerprint evidence didnt match.

Beyer faults the standards of evidence cross-checking used to exclude other suspects and the quality of the evidence presented to convict the Slovers. In page after detailed page, she attacks this evidence, which consisted of clothing fragments, dog hairs, bits of concrete and cinders found with the body parts and used to link the murder crime scene with the Miracle Motors car lot in Mount Zion that was operated by Michael Slover Sr.

Macon County wrongfully convicted the Slovers, in a circumstantial case, based on junk science, Beyer said.

There were no eyewitnesses, no confession, no murder weapon, no DNA evidence. The case against the Slovers consisted of the forensic comparison of cinders and concrete, clothing fasteners and dog hair. In the early 2000s, this so-called evidence was presented as new and novel scientific evidence. Now, more than two decades later, this evidence could only be considered new or novel because it was not, in fact, based on any real or existing science.

This comparison evidence was unproven, unprecedented, and unreliable, and should never have been allowed in a court of law.

Slovers' appeal now rests with Macon County judge

It will now be up to Judge Rodney Forbes to decide whether the Slovers, with considerable help from the Innocence Project, have made their case.

Beyer argues that it is high time to correct a miscarriage of justice. The murder of Karyn Hearn Slover was a terrible tragedy, she wrote in the recently filed petition.

This tragedy was further compounded by convicting three innocent people for a crime they did not commit.

One aspect of the case not mentioned or commented upon by Beyer or the Innocence Project is the tenacity with which the Slover family tried to hang on to their grandson even after the convictions.

Mary Slover, the boys paternal aunt, adopted him in the wake of his mothers murder. The move led to a 17-month custody battle with Karyn Slovers parents, Larry and Donna Hearn, who declined comment for this story.

But Mary Slover was defeated in 2003 when a judge stripped her of custody. The judge ruled she was an unfit parent because she had, the judge alleged, participated in the concealment of the death of the boys mother.

Mary Slover was never charged in connection with the murder but her appeal of the judges decision was rejected by the 4th District Appellate Court and the Illinois Supreme Court turned away the case without comment in 2005.
DECATUR  Nora Hess attended Parent University to ask questions about curriculum, but she also had concerns about what happens to the students that have been expelled, as the district cracks down on discipline as a result of an increased number of fights and issues in schools this year.

I talked to Dr. (Larry) Gray and I feel a lot better after talking with him, she said. One concern I had, even though it doesn't affect my kids, is when the kids are expelled, what are the plans to continue their education? When they're expelled, what happens to continue their education? He explained to me what's available.

Her children are 9, 8 and 7 years old and attend Montessori Academy for Peace, so they're not directly affected, but she wanted to know. The district has expelled 31 students this year.

Parent University, held at MacArthur High School on Thursday, has been revived by Decatur Public Schools as a chance for parents to gather and collect such information and ask questions of district personnel if they have any concerns, said Larry Gray, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning.

We've done a couple of these a year, he said. (Superintendent Rochelle) Clark had a vision to go back to doing these to connect parents with resources, talk about different things that are happening in the school and answer any questions they may have.

Kris Boomer took her son Kevin Nunez-Boomer along to Parent University on Thursday because he's interested in joining the Air Force and she knew military recruiters would be there.

The initial reason for our attendance tonight was to talk to the Air Force recruiter, Boomer said. She wanted to ask if there were classes or activities her son, who is a sophomore, should take that might help him toward his goal. But while we are here, we're trying to travel around to all of the different tables to find out the information we have available.

Kevin hasn't made up his mind yet whether he is more interested in going directly into the Air Force, going to college and being involved in ROTC there and then going to the Air Force, or maybe considering trade school, but his mom said she wants to be sure he has all the information he can gather early, so he can make the best decision for himself.

Though any Decatur Public Schools parent can attend, the previous Parent University in the fall had more of a K-8 focus, while the one on Thursday was more about high school students, with booths from Richland Community College, the military, Workforce Investment Solutions and Julia Gustafson from Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to answer questions about filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance.

The FAFSA has changed and is online now, as well as much shorter than it used to be, Gustafson said. The Internal Revenue Service can transmit financial data directly, so families don't have to provide that as long as they provide the permission to the IRS to share their information, and one question she hears often is, am I really done? The form is so much more streamlined that even when the site acknowledges it's complete, parents aren't always sure they did it right.

Another worry is that with the changes, colleges won't receive applications until March, delaying their processing of applications and preparation of financial aid offers, she said. The former deadline for committing to a school was May 1, but many colleges have extended their deadlines to June 1 to accommodate the timelines this year.

We wanted to include different career options for our students to explore here, said Danisha Patrick, teaching and learning strategist, who helped plan the event. We know that not all students are going to choose the college pathway for their career, so we wanted the military to be here, Workforce Investment Solutions, we wanted the EnRich program (from Richland) and different options to explore post-graduation.

Photos: Schools across US face post-pandemic reading challenges
HARVEY  Two dozen well-dressed men and women, a handful of police officers and the mayor of Harvey gathered outside a vacant home at the end of a quiet street Thursday morning, waiting for the man of the hour.

At 11 a.m., former U.S. Army Sgt. Manuel Cebreros rolled up in a minivan driven by the elder of his church and was handed the keys to his mortgage-free home in Cook County.

Since 2010, the Military Warriors Support Foundation has donated almost 1,000 homes to veterans around the country, including its latest donation of the multilevel, three-bed, two-bath, brown brick family home on the 1600 block of Vine Avenue in Harvey.

I am just grateful, humbled and honored to be a part of this, said Cebreros, a resident of Palm Spring, California, who is gearing up to relocate to Harvey.

The Purple Heart recipient joined the Army in 2009 and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, where he was injured during combat.

Military Warriors Support Foundation receives foreclosed homes owned by Wells Fargo as a donation by the bank to a subsidiary of the foundation called Homes4WoundedHeroes, according to Jentill Neal, a bank spokesman. Homes4WoundedHeroes does some upgrades to the donated home to get it ready for a new owner.

Neal did not know the value of the home.

Cebreros found out about Homes4WoundedHeroes because two other veterans he deployed with received a home from the process. He looked up the program, applied and was alerted that he was selected to get this Harvey home.

While a new home is perhaps reason enough to move anywhere in the country, the move from Palm Springs to a little known south suburb is intriguing. But this Californian resident is confident, excited and hopeful. He said he gets to reunite with some friends and family who live in Chicago and looks forward to the challenges and promise of restarting his business here.

In California, I owned a landscaping company and window cleaning company and I want to bring them here and expand on that and continue to do that work, Cebreros said.

Harvey Mayor Christopher J. Clark and Wells Fargo commended Cebreros service to the country and welcomed him to the town before handing him a ceremonial 2-foot long cardboard house key.

When Cebreros walked inside for the first time, he marveled at the new floors, pristine paint job and spacious bedrooms.

Wow, this is beautiful, damn, he said, opening doors and peering inside.

A burning candle made the house inviting and cozy, wafting in from the kitchen a subtle whiff of cinnamon with a hint of excitement.

Photos: Illinois State Fair political days through the years 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2015 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2008 State Fair 2009 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2005 State Fair 2004 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2003 State Fair 2006 State Fair 2007 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2018 State Fair 2012 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair 2021 State Fair
OAKLAND  Farm animals, family pets and critters that are a little of both were star attractions Thursday at the Oakland High School FFA's petting zoo.

The category of a little of both included a 9-year-old gelding paint pony named Popcorn, who sported a hair tie in her freshly combed blonde mane as children "oohed and aahed" over her during this FFA Week event in the school's industrial arts workshop.

Junior Kyndall Sanders said her family adopted this "rescue pony" about a year ago and her little sister, kindergartener Kaylee Kercheval, cares for Popcorn at home as her pet. Sanders borrowed Popcorn for the petting zoo and tended to her in a straw lined pen while awaiting the arrival of Kaylee and her classmates.

"She is excited to bring the pony to school," Sanders said of her little sister. "She is excited to tell all her friends this is her pony."

Popcorn's pen was adjacent to the one for Bernie, a 3-month-old Jersey calf displayed by sophomore Jaycee Cleland and borrowed from Sanders. Cleland said she really wanted to show a cow for her first FFA petting zoo because she "loves cows!"

While preparing for the petting zoo, Cleland said she got to bottle feed a calf for the first time. The FFA youth said this experience caring for the hungry calf was fun, albeit extremely messy.

"Bernie was definitely very interested in milk. I have slobber all over me," Cleland said.

For the petting zoo, Cleland loaned out her pet dog Matilda for freshman Madison Warner to display. Cleland said she has owned this pit bull mix since she was 3 weeks old, so the canine is very sociable with people.

Warner exhibited Matilda alongside senior Abby Warmon and her border collie mix, Princess. Warmon said Princess has herding dog ancestry but the closest that she comes to this pursuit at home is repeatedly chasing birds around the yard.

Groups of young students from Oakland's Lake Crest School and families with children not old enough yet for school lined up to pet Princess and Matilda, as well as baby chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep and pigs. Warmon said she was happy to have Thursday's petting zoo be part of her final year at Oakland High School and to see so many animals and community members there.

"This year is probably the biggest petting zoo we have had in a long time," Warmon said.

Sophomore Cheyanne Smyser said she had the option of bringing a cat, dog or chicken from home to the petting zoo but opted to bring her 2-year-old bearded dragon, Lucky, instead. She said this lizard has a "chill" personality, whereas her other animals might loudly hiss, bark or cluck at people.

"I chose Lucky because she will just sit here and she loves the attention," Smyser said, as the lizard alternated between resting on the palm of her hand and her shoulder.

Close NAC Director of Operations J.D. Laster talks about a directional borer, shown at center, as Oakland High School students visit Curry Construction in Mattoon during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. Charleston High School students pose for a photo in front of a crane while visiting Curry Construction in Mattoon during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. HLC Fabrication's head fabricator Greg Cottrell, at right, leads a tour of his workshop as Oakland High School students and faculty visit Curry Construction in Mattoon during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. Consolidated Communications network operations manager Sam Jurka displays a network interface device and a fiberoptic connection pedestal to Oakland High School students during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday in Mattoon. Consolidated Communications field operations specialist Chad Weber shows demonstrates a fiberoptic cable fusion splicer for Oakland High School students during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday in Mattoon. Charleston High School students tour Lester Building Systems LLC in their hometown during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. One of the hangars at the Coles County Memorial Airport hosted tours and served as a gathering place for Charleston, Mattoon and Oakland high school students during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. Students from Mattoon High School toured Mattoon Precision Manufacturing during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. Photos: Oakland students take Industry Day tours Students from Charleston, Mattoon and Oakland high schools in Coles County toured local businesses, factories and other facilities on Wednesday as part of the 2023 Industry Day organized by Coles Together. NAC Director of Operations J.D. Laster talks about a directional borer, shown at center, as Oakland High School students visit Curry Construction in Mattoon during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. Charleston High School students pose for a photo in front of a crane while visiting Curry Construction in Mattoon during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. HLC Fabrication's head fabricator Greg Cottrell, at right, leads a tour of his workshop as Oakland High School students and faculty visit Curry Construction in Mattoon during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. Consolidated Communications network operations manager Sam Jurka displays a network interface device and a fiberoptic connection pedestal to Oakland High School students during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday in Mattoon. Consolidated Communications field operations specialist Chad Weber shows demonstrates a fiberoptic cable fusion splicer for Oakland High School students during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday in Mattoon. Charleston High School students tour Lester Building Systems LLC in their hometown during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. One of the hangars at the Coles County Memorial Airport hosted tours and served as a gathering place for Charleston, Mattoon and Oakland high school students during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday. Students from Mattoon High School toured Mattoon Precision Manufacturing during the 2023 Industry Day on Wednesday.
Tattered tubas and squashed sousaphones could find their way to repairs or replacement  if the Washington County Board of Supervisors votes to help band students on Tuesday in Abingdon, Virginia.

The board is slated to consider granting $250,000 towards whats needed to fix or replace aging musical instruments in Washington County Public Schools.

They have some really old instruments, said Supervisor Dwayne Ball, a member of the School Boards joint finance committee with the Board of Supervisors.

On the old-age roster is a 1959 tuba that was bought when John S. Battle High School was built along U.S. Highway 11  even before the construction of the nearby Beaver Creek Dam at Sugar Hollow Park.

Superintendent Keith Perrigan said he was excited on Thursday to learn that the board will consider offering a quarter-million dollars to sweeten the sounds of school bands.

We had a great conversation with the Board of Supervisors and I think they would love to find a way that they could help us take care of some of those needs, Perrigan said.

Whats at stake, however, is not even half of whats needed.

Its north of $600,000, said the superintendent.

Perrigan plans to find another $250,000 in the school systems budget to take care of most needs, he said.

If we can take care of $500,000 in immediate needs, then we can take care of the rest in increments, he said.

County Administrator Jason Berry said the $250,000 to be considered by the board will come from an unrelated line item in the current fiscal year budget.

Theres some extra money in the budget now, Berry said.

As much as $750,000 had been slated to solve solid waste issues, Berry said.

But that money is not yet needed, which allows for a portion to be considered for the band, according to Berry.

As for the rest of that money, Berry said, We have a lot of competing requests.
A White House staffer was in Conover this week to discuss the future of the textile industry.

Arati Prabhakar is director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. She visited the Catawba Valley Community College Manufacturing Solutions Center in Conover on Wednesday to discuss the future of the textile industry.

Prabhakar took a tour of the facility before a roundtable discussion with individuals representing the N.C. Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine. The textile engine will receive $15 million for the first two years, according to a news release from the Manufacturing Solutions Center. There is the potential for another $145 million over the next three to 10 years.

Grant money will be awarded in March, the news release said.

The textile engine aims to revolutionize the textile industry by advancing environmentally sustainable textiles and wearable technology as well as reduce carbon output and the amount of textiles in landfills, according to its description on the National Science Foundations website.

The textile engine is a small part of the Biden administrations bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act from 2022. There are a total of 10 engines across the country, two of which are in North Carolina. One is based in Raleigh and one is based in Gaston County.

The textile engine also ties into the Biden administrations Investing in America plan.

Capital, infrastructure and jobs

Prabhakar said she was excited to be at the table with representatives from the organizations involved in the textile engine. Prabhakar asked the group questions about the textile industry and how the engine would benefit it.

Prabhakar asked the group where the capital comes from.

Thom Ruhe, president and CEO of NC IDEA, said that his data shows 70% of funds raised by companies working with NC IDEA comes from out of state. Ruhe said according to his data, there are over 700 sources of funding.

NC IDEA is a private 501(c)(3) foundation, whose vision is to help North Carolinians achieve their entrepreneurial ambition to start and grow high potential companies, according to its website. The foundation provides competitive grants and programs for entrepreneurs.

Ruhe said funding is coming from bigger cities farther and farther from North Carolina as time goes on, because they dont want to miss out on whats happening here.

Ruhe said the textile engine will generate more start-ups in the textile industry. The textile industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the state, Ruhe said.

This engine project is just coming in and pouring gas on it, Ruhe said.

David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles at N.C. State University, said the engine will improve infrastructure.

Prabhakar asked for an example of infrastructure and how it will accelerate what the region hopes to accomplish in the textile industry.

Hinks said one thing the industry has been missing in infrastructure is a physical location.

Having an ability to have a center that brings researchers (from) around the country  and connecting with the rural communities, in particular. And I think this is one of the things that makes our engine unique, I hope, is the industrial commons team is phenomenal in the way they go about supporting the local industry, and putting those together is really important. Having physical infrastructure that brings us together, I think, is a part of that, Hinks said.

Jasmine Cox-Wade, executive director of the Textile Technology Center at Gaston College in Belmont, shared some information about the colleges two-year degree program in textile technology.

Prabhakar expressed great interest and asked several follow-up questions. One was what type of jobs people can get with that degree. The second was about potential salaries. The last was how people can prepare for the future, because the worlds not going to stop changing.

Cox-Wade said this is the second year of the program, meaning the college will have its first textile technology graduates this spring. Because it is so new, Cox-Wade said she is not yet sure what the starting salaries of graduates will be.

Cox-Wade said that some students are already working at manufacturers through work-based learning programs and have already secured a post-graduation job.

Some students are individuals who previously attended community college, Cox-Wade said, or worked hourly jobs and decided to pursue a career. The textile technology degree is accessible and affordable with scholarship opportunities, Cox-Wade said.

Its really giving (some students) that stability that they were looking for, Cox-Wade said. And really helping drive economic mobility and wealth in rural North Carolina and thats what this grant will help us with.

Organizations involved The North Carolina Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine core partners are: Catawba Valley Community College Manufacturing Solutions Center, The Industrial Commons, Gaston College Textile Technology Center, N.C. State University's Wilson College of Textiles and Western Piedmont Community College, according to the Manufacturing Solutions Center's news release. The engine's leadership team includes the N.C. Department of Commerce Office of Science Technology and Innovation, NC IDEA and Research Triangle Institute (RTI).

Want to learn more? For more information about the North Carolina Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine, visit new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/regional-innovation-engines/portfolio/nc-textile-innovation-sustainability-engine For more information about the regional engine, see the Manufacturing Solutions Center Jan. 31 news release: ncmep.org/manufacturing-solutions-center-part-of-nsf-regional-innovation-engine/ For more about the Investing in America agenda, visit invest.gov.
HIGH POINT  Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph, High Point Universitys Entrepreneur in Residence, mentored students during his visit to campus on Feb. 18-19. A dozen students pitched their business ventures to Randolph in HPUs Entrepreneurship Center and gained valuable feedback to move forward with their projects.

The students in this center are already starting the process of trying to make their ideas actually happen, said Randolph. High Point University has done a good job of getting students started. In some ways, the more advanced lesson now is to literally go out and try to collide your idea with real customers. You can do surveys and research all you want, but fundamentally you have to actually get a customer to say yes to something and see if youre really solving their problem.

James Fakunle, assistant professor of entrepreneurship, said HPU students benefited from Randolph having a conversation with them about their business models instead of simply hearing a quick elevator pitch about their business ideas.

Randolph also shared lunch with students and spoke to Fakunles family business class about how a new generation can effectively infuse fresh ideas into a family business. He participated in an interview and a meet-and-greet session on Feb. 18 at HPUs Innovation Summit.

Vivian Love, a senior entrepreneurship major from San Francisco, California, said she was grateful to hear Randolphs reaction to her aircierge business, for which she won first place and received $7,000 in start-up funds in HPUs annual Elevator Pitch Competition last November. She said she recognized the need for this product while spending three months abroad.

While others complimented her idea of a virtual concierge to elevate guest services for Airbnbs, Randolph challenged her conviction that a cube would be needed for the AI service rather than simply a printed QR code personalized for the site.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for his idea of grassroots testing because you dont know what you dont know, said Love. The more that you test and get the product out there to see how the market reacts, the better chance you have of successfully understanding how your customer will react. Ultimately, it keeps innovation going forward.

Randolph encouraged two entrepreneurship majors to think of their spring-loaded nicotine patch holder as a wholesale product that could be promotional for a manufacturer. Sean Martin, a senior from Baltimore, Maryland, and Andrew Bilick, a junior from Long Island, New York, said they felt validated after hearing Randolphs remarks.

Its good to know were doing the right things, especially when it comes to where we are transitioning between ideas, said Martin. If you have something thats moving forward and going fast, its OK to leave other ideas behind and push forward on that one.

Its motivating to just keep going and continue pushing it to where it has to be, said Bilick.

Maura Malichio, a sophomore from Westchester, New York, also was encouraged by Randolphs reaction to her Retreat product, an app incentives system to reward people who disconnect from their cellphones to spend uninterrupted time with family, friends and in nature. Randolph found her idea interesting but noted some people are addicted to their cellphones. He advised her to test the concept on friends.

I thought it was insightful when he told me to see whether people would actually utilize my service for what its offering and not cheat the system or simply not use it, said Malichio.
100 years ago,

Feb. 23, 1924

CHARLESTON  Frank E. Bishop, county superintendent of highways, has just received the complete blueprints and specifications for the heavy grading and steel reinforced concrete bridges to be built along route 16, sections 4 A and B and sections 5 A and B, between Charleston and Kansas, the bids on which from estimating contractors are to be opened by the state highway department in Springfield on Friday, Feb. 29. The greatest of these bridges will be the one over the Embarras river. It will be 275 feet long and will consist of five fifty-five-foot spans, four spans with two heavy approaches bolstered with brick banister walls at either end. The piers will be sunk to a depth of eighteen feet, resting on a stratum of natural rock.

50 years ago, 1974

MATTOON  Hearings have been set on a proposal that would eliminate two railroad lines running through Mattoon. The Federal Department of Transportation has called for the elimination of the Penn Central Railroad line running from Paris to St. Louis. It would also close the Illinois Central-Gulf Railroad line between Evansville, Ind. and Decatur. The proposal is part of a massive undertaking by the federal government to reorganize bankrupt railroads in the Northeastern section of the United States...MATTOON  Harold E. Shores of Mattoon will be among more than 600 members of the Illinois Retail Jewelers Association who will attend the organization's annual convention to be held Saturday and Sunday March 2 and 3 at the Holiday Inn East in Springfield. Shores is a member of the association's board of directors...NEOGA  James Wilson of Route 2 was named "Farmer of the Year" during the annual Mattoon Jaycee Awards Banquet at the Sheraton Inn. Wilson operates a 650 acre farm in Paradise Township where he raises corn and beans. A native of Neoga, the 39-year-old farmer is a graduate of Neoga High School and resides with his wife and two children on their farm.

25 years ago, 1999

CHARLESTON  It could be known as early as today whether Thomas L. Drum will be punished for refusing to testify against his fellow suspects in the killing of Shane Ellison. Drum's trial on contempt of court charges, which followed two separate refusals to testify, is scheduled to begin today and isn't expected to be lengthy. Drum, 25, of Mattoon is serving a 20-year prison sentence that he received after being convicted of first-degree murder charges accusing him of a role in the death of Ellison on Jan. 4, 1997. Drum was convicted in August 1997. The following February, he refused to testify at the trial of a co-defendant, Marcus W. Douglas, 24, of Mattoon, who was also convicted and later sentenced to a 20-year prison term. Then, in October of last year, Drum again refused to testify, this time at a hearing for his brother and co-defendant Charles C. Drum, 29, also of Mattoon...CHARLESTON  The EIU faculty union is poised to defend Doug DiBianco, the professor whose music classes have come under fire for sexually explicit content. The union routinely represents faculty who have asked for representation, as DiBanco has done, said Susan Kaufman, president of EIU's chapter of University Professionals of Illinois. Mitch Vogel, president of the statewide UPI organization, said the union won't take action unless the university makes a decision that requires a defense on DiBianco's behalf. "I can think of no professor who's been investigated more by more external agencies than Doug DiBianco," Vogel said. "As far as I know, he's the only faculty member I know who has been investigated by the federal government. It's not even a question of academic freedom, it's a question of fairness."

Photos: Railroading Heritage of Midwest America
WAUKESHA, Wis.  A group of teenagers believed to be from the Chicago area broke into a luxury car dealership in Wisconsin and drove off with nine vehicles worth more than a half-million dollars, police said.

Sunday's heist at a Jaguar-Land Rover dealership in Waukesha was captured on surveillance camera footage showing nine masked suspects filing into the dealership before each drives off in a car in the city about 19 miles west of Milwaukee.

The video also shows one car being backed up and smashed through an overhead service door.

Waukesha Police Capt. Dan Baumann said the suspects broke into the dealership about 6 a.m. Sunday, found where its car keys were stored and then activated those key fobs to find the cars they stole.

"Nine subjects went out and throughout there looking for keys. One person finds where the keys were hidden and then starts to disseminate those to his friends," Baumann told WISN-TV.

The nine vehicles are valued at more than $583,000, he said.

One suspect, a 17-year-old Chicago boy, was arrested Sunday in the southern Wisconsin community of Pleasant Prairie after the stolen vehicle he was driving crashed along Interstate 94 during a police pursuit. He was being held at the Waukesha County Jail on a $50,000 bond and faces burglary, theft and criminal damage to property charges, Baumann said.

Police said Sunday that the suspects are believed to be "an organized crime group of teenagers from the Chicago area."

Baumann said Friday that all or most of the teen suspects are known to members of a police task force in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois and police in that two-state region were still searching Friday for the eight other suspects.

Six of the nine stolen vehicles have been recovered  four in Chicago, one in the Chicago suburb of Deerfield, and one in Wisconsin after the highway crash that led to the 17-year-old's arrest, he said.
The gala that marked the opening of the Roger L. Stevens Center for the Performing Arts on April 22, 1983, was a glamorous gown-and-tuxedo affair, a touch of Tinsel Town in a tobacco town, the likes of which the city had never seen.

One of the greatest nights in Winston-Salem modern history, one departing bigwig quipped to a reporter from The Sentinel, the citys afternoon paper.

Another surveyed the diamonds and sequins on the stars and spectators and guessed people were wearing $10 million in clothing and jewels.

In terms of hairdos, the amount is just unknown, he said.

There were Hollywood leading men, a Broadway starlet, world-class dancers and a former president. On this night of stars, Leonard Bernstein might have been the brightest.

A global icon, he conducted high school and college students from the North Carolina School of the Arts with his usual flair. Violinist Isaac Stern, joined them for the finale, Mendelssohns Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64.

Andrew Meyers, then a design and production student at the School of the Arts, was part of the student crew that made sure everything ran smoothly.

I was a minor character in the story of that night, said Meyers, now 61.

A minor character perhaps, but he and his classmates from the School of the Arts may have the coolest memory.

Meyers has been thinking about that night a bit more since Maestro, Bradley Coopers biopic on Bernstein, was released late last year to wide acclaim. Starring Cooper as Bernstein and Carey Mulligan as his wife, Felicia, Maestro is one of 10 films that is up for the Academy Award for Best Picture on March 10.

****

In the months leading to the Stevens Center opening, Bernstein was busy at work on his opera, A Quiet Place, which was set to premiere in Houston in June.

He took a break to fly to Winston-Salem out of respect for Stevens, an arts patron who Bernstein credited with getting West Side Story onto Broadway in 1957. Bernstein wrote the score to the musical, perhaps his most famous work.

Meyers, a sophomore at the time, had an up-close view of the maestro at work.

During a rehearsal, Meyers was struck by Bernsteins attentiveness to the student musicians.

He was aware that this was a teachable moment, he said. He was great, friendly, charming, informative.

On the night of the gala, Meyers was mostly distracted, troubleshooting different issues that surfaced during the production.

Meanwhile, in another part of the Stevens Center, Mack Bailey was spellbound.

A senior vocal major, Bailey didnt have a role in the production, but he wasnt about to miss the big night.

I said, Give me a job. I just really want to be there, Bailey recalled.

He was assigned to oversee a crew of photographers covering the event from various outlets, including The New York Times and Washington Post.

Bailey likened the gala to the Super Bowl, with Bernstein outshining everyone.

He had an amazing presence, Bailey said. He had a conducting style that could be bombastic, but there were times hed barely move a finger, and youd hear something different coming out of the orchestra. I remember that specifically.

****

Nearly 40 years later, stories vary slightly on what happened next. But essentially, Bailey, Meyers and a few other students from the design and production department were basking in the after-glow of the show after the curtain fell around 11 p.m.

Bernstein overheard their chatter, walked toward them and was showered with gratitude from the students, Bailey recalled.

Bernstein brushed it off, telling the students: This is your theater. We helped open it and got people excited, but from here on out, this is yours.

Asked how he could thank them for their behind-the-scenes work, the students jokingly responded: Throw us a party.

And thats sort of what he did, inviting them up to his suite in the Hyatt.

With a bottle of liquor in hand, Bailey, joined by other students, approached Bernsteins hotel door and wondered if the invitation was a joke.

What if we wake him up? one of the students asked.

Another responded: Whats the worst that could happen?

So knock they did.

Every one of the celebrities was there, Bailey recalled. They were like, Weve been waiting for you.

Meyers remembers a buffet of catered food and tons of free booze. He said with a laugh that he learned then that bourbon and Moravian cookies go well together. Scotch and Moravian cookies? Not so much.

As a 20-year-old with big dreams of a future in show biz, Meyers took in the scene with his classmates and thought this was the life that was awaiting them.

We were imagining this sophisticated lifestyle, working on Broadway and touring the world, and though most of us wound up with a career in the performing arts, it was not the Leonard Bernstein life that we were aiming for, Meyers said.

A writeup about the night that ran in the Journal on April 24, 1983, reported that the students, about 15 of them, had a wide-ranging talk with Bernstein about music, with Meyers telling a Journal reporter that Bernstein has a good working knowledge of David Bowie.

At some point, Bernstein hopped on the piano in his large suite. It reminded Meyers of how adults in bygone days used to sing songs together or pull out magic tricks during get-togethers.

I remember thinking what a great host Leonard Bernstein was. He owned the room, Meyers said. It wasnt Im going to steal the spotlight. It was an inclusive thing.

After regaling the party-goers with some Chopin and honky-tonk, he invited the students to take their turn on the piano.

As Bailey recalls, the design and production students said they werent musicians. But Bailey was.

Taking up Bernsteins offer, he sat down at the piano and played him an original song. Bernstein stood behind him and listened intently.

At the end of it, he gave me a compliment and signed a piece of Hyatt stationary for me that said, Bravo, Leonard Bernstein, Bailey said.

Meyers left the party a little early to try to connect with a famous lighting designer who was in the city that evening. The memories get fuzzy after that.

I probably wound up at Dennys or some place like that after being in this elegant place, Meyers said.

According to the Journal article from 1983, many of the students left on their own after 3 a.m. Bernstein, 65 at the time, was still going strong. They gushed over his hospitality, with Bailey telling a reporter: If I get a chance to be as major as that, I want to treat people exactly that way.

****

After graduating from the School of the Arts, Meyers and Bailey made careers in the performing arts. Meyers works as a theatrical lighting designer in his native Chicago, directing lighting for theater, opera, ballet, corporate events and the occasional rock show.

Because of what I do for a living, I end up meeting a lot of famous people. Over the weekend, I worked with Rod Stewart, Meyers said. It does fade into the background that, Yes, I partied with Leonard Bernstein. It was just another cool-person adventure.

Bailey lives in Aspen, Colorado. He worked for years as a touring musician and was a one-time member of the folk group, The Limeliters. He sang with John Denver before he died and continues to perform in John Denver celebration shows with symphonies.

He is also a music therapist, specializing in working with veterans.

Now 63, Bailey cherishes the memories of that night, what it felt like to play for Bernstein and the barriers that broke down between the celebrities and students at his party.

It was a magical night, Bailey said.
The Biden administration has earmarked $361 million for upgrading North Carolinas drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Wednesday.

As part of the over $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from the Biden administrations Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in 2021, the EPA said these funds will be utilized to assist the state in bolstering essential water infrastructure directly linked to public health and water bodies.

The investments from President Bidens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue to help us ensure safe, clean drinking water for all North Carolinians, said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper in a statement. North Carolina has been at the forefront of issues caused by emerging compounds, and these funds will help us ensure safe water.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden in November 2021. An integral part of the U.S. administrations economic strategy, the $1.2 trillion infrastructure law includes $550 billion in new federal investments toward Americas infrastructure improvements across various sectors, including transportation, broadband, energy and water.

Wednesdays announcement highlights North Carolinas chapter in a nationwide infrastructure improvement initiative outlined in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funds allocated for N.C. are also part of EPAs $5.8 billion investment program through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), which aim to address rising water infrastructure challenges in states like North Carolina.

Communities across the country are facing water infrastructure challenges. Many cities and towns have aging water infrastructure  old, broken or lead pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater treatment plants in need of major upgrades, the EPA said in the statement. Some communities struggle to maintain adequate stormwater infrastructure to effectively manage flood impacts from climate change and others need to upgrade their water treatment to address emerging contaminants like PFAS.

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis also applauded the announcement in a statement, stating that the grant will allow all North Carolinians access to clean, safe drinking water they need and deserve.

Managed through state revolving loan funds, these allocations are set to provide low-interest loans for essential infrastructure projects in communities. As loans are repaid, the funds are renewed  hence the term revolving loan fund. Additionally, nearly half of the funds will be accessible as grants or forgiveness loans, enhancing flexibility for communities unable to manage low-interest loans.

Stan Meiburg, executive director of Sabin Family Center for Environment and Sustainability at Wake Forest University, described the allocation lifetime opportunity for North Carolina.

In my own career, Ive never seen the kind of money that was available in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for this purpose, Meiburg said. Its just good news all the way around, and pretty much everybody can support. ... (T)heres both more money and more flexibility how communities that cant even handle low interest loans could still qualify for assistance.
Its all about trust.

On Monday, I was sitting in a courtroom listening to a Greensboro city attorney explain to a Superior Court judge why you  the citizen, the taxpayer, the not-so-public figure  should trust city government instead of the newspaper.

As if it has to be an either-or proposition.

Tony Baker, Greensboros chief deputy city attorney, was attempting to persuade Judge Allen Baddour to reject the request of Lee Enterprises, which owns the News & Record and the Winston-Salem Journal, to release bodycam footage of police officers making a house call to City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeobas house on Dec. 28.

Theres no need for the News & Record to cherry-pick five seconds and fit it into their narrative, Baker said, or are they just going to put up a headline that drives clicks?

Our narrative? Lets talk about that for a minute.

We dont have a narrative. Thats because nobody outside of city leaders and the Jaiyeoba family and the Greensboro Police officers who came to their house seem to know what happened.

But the City of Greensboro has a narrative: Nothing happened.

Until the last week in January, it sure seemed that way. Thats because after officers responded to a 911 call at Jaiyeobas house saying that the city manager was hitting his children, the police report that was filed was intentionally hidden from citizens, the media and rank-and-file police and city employees.

We know this because Baker told Judge Baddour on Monday that the city makes it a practice to lock down reports from certain drug cases, sexual abuse cases, cases involving police officers and, yes, cases involving public figures.

The thoughtful discretion of leadership

When one of our reporters asked Annette Ayres, the GPDs public information officer and formerly one of our reporters, exactly who qualifies to be a public figure, she wrote in an email that theres no specified criteria for what defines a public figure and that a decision to determine such requires the thoughtful discretion of leadership within the departments command staff.

So Jaiyeoba, who is Chief John Thompsons bosss boss, was deemed a public figure, and the report was not made public.

Until Jan. 25.

Thats when, prompted by John Hammers reporting for the Rhino Times, an alternative news site in Greensboro, we requested and received the police report from Dec. 28, which we were told had been filed as a paper document and was not in the online database, as well as a transcript of the 911 calls. Apparently, we just had to know what to ask for.

We learned that officers had responded to a family disorder at the Jaiyeoba home and that the city manager and two adult daughters each had an apparent minor injury. They were all listed as victims, with no suspect or perpetrator.

According to the 911 transcript, which we quoted in our story that day, a female caller said that (redacted) is killing his (redacted).

If that secret police report hadnt come to light, the public wouldnt have known about the house call and Mayor Nancy Vaughan wouldnt have asked the 911 director to review the tapes, realizing that the transcriber had made an error and should have quoted the caller as saying, Taiwo Jaiyeoba, the city manager of Greensboro, is hitting his children.

We wouldnt have told our attorney, Mike Tadych of Raleigh, to seek a court order to release the law enforcement recordings of the incident, which is required under North Carolina law, and the city likely wouldnt have responded with its own request for the bodycam footage to be released exclusively to the Greensboro city council.

The City Council wouldnt have watched the footage in small groups with Thompson and then issued a statement on Feb. 15 that the domestic disturbance was thoroughly investigated, no charges were warranted, and Jaiyeoba did not receive preferential treatment.

And the police department wouldnt have released a statement that Jaiyeoba called Thompson after the 911 calls were made from his house, that the city manager didnt ask GPD to deviate from its normal investigative procedures, and that the incident report was filed in the departments digital database but restricted to the public and department employees.

We  and you  wouldnt have known any of this.

It wasnt part of the citys plan.

The exclusive right of the people

Now that we know that something happened, the city is telling us theyve reviewed the situation and everythings OK and we should just trust them.

In his appeal to the judge on Monday not to release the bodycam footage, Baker said this: The criminal justice system doesnt rely on the public at large to determine probable cause. Nor does it determine the fitness of the city manager, who is appointed by the city council.

According to Article 1, Section 2, of the North Carolina Constitution: All political power is vested in and derived from the people; all government of right originates from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.

Oh, and this from Section 3: The people of this state have the inherent, sole, and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof 

This serves as a reminder that the city council and mayor, who waited more than a month to review the bodycam footage and did so only after the newspaper announced it was going to court to get the tapes, were elected by the people to handle this situation, and come election time the people will get to evaluate them.

Speaking of the people, Andrea Harrell, senior assistant city attorney for Greensboro, tried to tell Judge Baddour on Monday that nobody except the News & Record was interested in the citys handling of the Jaiyeoba case. He cut her off.

Didnt council issue a press release? he asked. Do they ordinarily issue a statement like that?

The more information weve requested and the more questions weve asked, the more the community has learned about what happened  and about how the city operates.

Thats why we made the investment to pursue the bodycam footage. The people deserve transparency.

Speaking of transparency

In his short tenure, and to his credit, Chief Thompson has shown a propensity to respond to criticism and public distrust by reexamining his departments policies.

In August 2023, in what he called a big step forward toward being transparent, he announced plans to petition the court to allow the release of police bodycam footage after any critical incident, or event resulting in the death or serious injury of another person involving a police employee.

The Jaiyeoba incident doesnt fall under the category of critical incident, but Thompsons words back then seem to apply: We want to be able to educate the community and help them understand what we do and how we do it. Its important for the community to understand that we want to be transparent and really balance the needs of the community ... and the needs of my officers.

Well see what happens next. Its all about trust.
Bobi the dog, who died last year reportedly at the age of 31, has been stripped of the worlds oldest ever dog title following a review by Guinness World Records (GWR), the organization announced Thursday.

Bobi, a Rafeiro do Alentejo, had been known as the worlds oldest dog until he provisionally lost his title in January pending the result of a GWR investigation.

Now the organization has said it no longer has the evidence it needs to support Bobis claim as the record holder.

Mark McKinley, director of records at GWR, said in a statement Thursday the company takes tremendous pride in verifying its record holders.

Following concerns raised by vets and other experts, both privately as well as within public commentary, and the findings of investigations conducted by some media outlets, we felt it important to open a review into Bobis record, said McKinley.

Central to Bobis evidence was microchip data sourced from the Portuguese government database, the SIAC, which it transpires, when chipped in 2022, did not require proof of age for dogs born before 2008, added McKinley.

With the additional veterinary statement provided as evidence for Bobis age also citing this microchip data, were left with no conclusive evidence which can definitively prove Bobis date of birth.

Bobis owner has been told about the findings of the review, according to GWR, which said it would assess any new evidence that is provided.

For now, it is not clear who holds the title of oldest dog ever.

Were not yet in a position to confirm a new holder for the record, although we certainly hope that the publicity around the record title encourages pet owners from around the world to get in touch, said McKinley.

Bobis journey to the record holder title

Bobi died in October. His owner, Leonel Costa, claimed that he had lived until the age of 31 years and 165 days.

There were many secrets to Bobis extraordinary old age, Costa, who said he was 8 years old when his dog was born in 1992, told GWR in February 2023.

Bobi always roamed freely, without a leash or chain, lived in a calm, peaceful environment and ate human food soaked in water to remove seasonings, Costa said.

He spent his whole life in Conqueiros, a small Portuguese village about 150 kilometers (93 miles) north of the capital Lisbon, often wandering around with cats.

Bobi was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo  a breed of livestock guardian dog  according to his owner. Rafeiro do Alentejos have a life expectancy of about 12-14 years, according to the American Kennel Club.

But Bobi lived more than twice as long as that life expectancy, surpassing an almost century-old record to become the oldest living dog and the oldest dog ever  a title which had previously been held by Australian cattle-dog Bluey, who was born in 1910 and lived to be 29 years and five months old.

___

Every new dog breed recognized in the 21st century Every new dog breed recognized in the 21st century 2000: Spinone Italiano 2001: Polish lowland sheepdog 2003: German pinscher 2003: Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever 2003: Toy fox terrier 2004: Black Russian terrier 2004: Glen of Imaal terrier 2004: Neapolitan mastiff 2006: Plott 2006: Tibetan mastiff 2007: Beauceron 2007: Swedish vallhund 2008: Dogue de Bordeaux 2009: Bluetick coonhound 2009: Boykin spaniel 2009: Irish red and white setter 2009: Norwegian buhund 2009: Pyrenean shepherd 2009: Redbone coonhound 2010: Cane corso 2010: Icelandic sheepdog 2010: Leonberger 2011: American English coonhound 2011: Cesky terrier 2011: Entlebucher mountain dog 2011: Finnish Lapphund 2011: Norwegian lundehund 2011: Xoloitzcuintli 2012: Russell terrier 2012: Treeing Walker coonhound 2013: Chinook 2013: Portuguese podengo pequeno 2013: Rat terrier 2014: Coton de Tulear 2014: Wirehaired vizsla 2015: Bergamasco 2015: Berger Picard 2015: Boerboel 2015: Cirneco dell'Etna 2015: Lagotto Romagnolo 2015: Miniature American shepherd 2015: Spanish water dog 2016: American hairless terrier 2016: Pumi 2016: Sloughi 2017: Nederlandse kooikerhondje 2018: Grand basset griffon Vendeen 2019  Azawakh 2020  Barbet 2020  Dogo Argentino 2020  Belgian Laekenois 2021  Biewer terrier 2022  Bracco Italiano 2022  Mudi 2022  Russian toy
A Lincoln man was sentenced on Thursday for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl in 2016.

Yuri Ramirez, 36, was sentenced by Judge Jodi Nelson to 35 to 45 years in prison after sexually abusing a girl on May 1, 2016. He was meant to be supervising the girl at a Lincoln residence near 29th and F streets.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the girl told her mother about the assault in March 2021.

The girl told police that Ramirez said not to tell anyone about what had happened. She said she feared for her life if she reported it, which is why she didn't at the time.

Ramirez denied that the girl was ever at his residence during an interview with a Lincoln Police Department investigator, the affidavit said.

The girl was able to describe the layout of his home to investigators, and police were able to corroborate the information she provided about his residence.

During the sentencing hearing, Ramirez had no comment.

His lawyer, Eddy Rodell, spoke about the abuse Ramirez witnessed when he was a young child, "watching his father abuse his mother," Rodell said.

Rodell also said Ramirez was abusing alcohol during this time, but Nelson rebuked that, saying alcohol abuse is not an excuse for the crime he committed.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jason Cooper spoke about Ramirez's past sexual abuse cases during the hearing.

Ramirez was convicted of third-degree sexual assault of two 13-year-old girls in Woodbury County, Iowa, in 2005 and sentenced to 10 years in prison in that case.

Cooper quoted the girl's impact statement to end his remarks  "You can put the man in jail, but you can't erase the nightmare that happened."

Top Journal Star photos for February 2024
A prosecutor Thursday asked a judge to order another evaluation to determine whether a Lincoln woman was legally insane when she allegedly ran down two men in her apartment complex parking lot last year.

Taylor Bradley's public defender last fall filed notice of his intention to raise an insanity defense at trial, which tentatively has been set in May.

The move led to Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jim Rocke's motion, taken up Thursday.

Deputy Lancaster County Public Defender John Jorgensen told District Judge Ryan Post an evaluation already has been conducted by the state's own witness.

"So essentially what is being done here is seeking a second opinion by the state," Jorgensen said.

He said that's certainly within the state's statutory prerogative, but the county already has spent a great deal of money in this regard, and he questioned the need for it.

In the end, Post granted the state's motion, but he added an April 1 target date for the new expert to have his evaluation done well in advance of the trial.

Prosecutors charged Bradley, 28, with six felonies, including two first-degree murder charges, for the killing of 45-year-old Ronald E. Gonzalez-Rivas and 42-year-old Christopher J. Karmazin, and the attempted murder of a third man.

The men had worked as maintenance employees at The Lodge apartments, where Bradley had lived there before the March 27 attack.

Remembering Lincoln's homicide victims of 2023 1. Julian A. Martinez 2. Rudy Requejo Jr. 3. Ronald Gonzalez Rivas 4. Christopher Karmazin 5. Damien Brave 6. Mark Kruger 7. James Baylor
DES MOINES, Iowa  Drivers in Nebraska and seven other Midwestern states will be able to fuel up with a higher blend of ethanol throughout the year under a final rule announced Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The biofuels industry and farming groups, with support of Midwest governors, sought the end of a summertime ban on sales of gasoline blended with 15% ethanol for years. The higher blend has been prohibited because of concerns it could worsen smog during warm weather.

The move reflects the importance of ethanol to agriculture. The fuel additive consumes roughly 40% of the nation's corn crop, so higher sales of ethanol could mean greater profits for corn farmers.

The rule, which takes effect in April 2025, will apply in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Those states grow the bulk of the U.S. corn crop and are home to much of the nation's ethanol production.

The EPA said it delayed implementation of the new rule because of concerns there wasn't enough supply to meet demand this summer. Ethanol producers welcomed the change but criticized the EPA for that delay.

While we are pleased to see EPA has finally approved year-round E15 in these eight states, we are extremely disappointed by the agencys needless decision to delay implementation until 2025, the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade group, said in a statement. Its helpful to finally have some certainty about 2025 and beyond, but what happens this summer?

Nebraska Republican Sen. Deb Fischer echoed that view, noting that while she was appreciative of the EPA's decision, "the limited geography and needless delay until 2025 still complicates its sale."

Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts said the decision, "makes us more energy independent, and it creates good-paying jobs right here in Nebraska."

Most gasoline sold across the country is blended with 10% ethanol, though 15% blends are becoming increasingly common, especially in the Midwest. E15 summer sales still will not be allowed in most of the country during summer, though agricultural groups are pushing for a nationwide policy change.

The biofuels industry and politicians of both parties have portrayed ethanol as a product that helps farmers, reduces prices at the pump and lessens greenhouse gas releases because the fuel burns more cleanly than straight gasoline. However, environmentalists and others have said increased ethanol production can increase carbon releases because it results in more corn production, leading to increased use of fertilizer and greater releases of nitrate. Synthetic and natural fertilizers also are a leading source of water pollution.

The EPA has approved sales of E15 for cars and trucks manufactured after 2000. However, some car manufacturers recommend not using it for certain models. Grow Energy, another bioenergy trade association, estimates the higher blend will cost consumers 15 cents a gallon less than 10% ethanol.

Petroleum refiners have opposed the Midwest-specific rules, saying a special blend in one region would increase costs and could lead to tighter fuel supplies.

The American Petroleum Institute, a trade group, said a national standard was needed.

We are concerned this piecemeal approach could weaken the resiliency of the regions fuel supply chain," Will Hupman, a vice president at the group said in a statement. "We continue to call on Congress to pass the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would bring much needed consistency to the marketplace by allowing for the year-round sale of E15 nationwide, preserving access to E10 and eliminating the need for regional or state-specific waiver petitions.

Fischer urged Congress to pass legislation she co-sponsored, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would allow year-round sales of ethanol blends higher than 10%.

The legislation, "will at last provide a nationwide, permanent solution for the sale of this blend that benefits consumers, producers and the environment, she said in a statement.

Top Journal Star photos for February 2024
Authorities are investigating the cause of death of a woman who lived at a Wymore assisted-living facility.

Wymore Police Chief Bobby Martinez said that two weeks ago, the department was made aware of an adult protective services intake involving a 52-year-old female resident of Hope Wymore who died at a Lincoln hospital.

We got an adult protective service intake on a resident who passed away, and claims were made within that intake that raised some questions for us and we decided we need to look further into it. he said.

Martinez said an autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death, and the case is under investigation.

Hope Wymore, owned by Hope Cooperative Care, a Plattsmouth-based organization, opened to residents in late 2019 to cater specifically to residents with behavioral issues.

Hope Wymore is located in the downtown building formerly occupied by the Wymore Good Samaritan Center, which closed in the summer of 2017.

Photos: 2024 Nebraska State Wrestling Championships
A Lincoln senator's proposal to remove the Nebraska Attorney General from the middle of disputes over the constitutionality of laws enacted by the Legislature won support from an unlikely ally on Thursday.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers  the constitutional officer who would lose the power granted to his office by the Legislature in 1977  said he agreed with Sen. Danielle Conrad's plan (LB1191) to repeal the law.

"You're a proponent?" Sen. Tom Brewer, the chair of the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee, asked Hilgers as he stepped forward to testify.

Hilgers said he was because Conrad's bill struck a law he said has been cause for confusion in recent years.

"I think there was probably a good reason to bring it," Hilgers said, "but I absolutely agree with Sen. Conrad that it's created a mess."

Conrad's bill targets a state statute that requires the attorney general to file a lawsuit within 10 days of issuing an opinion that a law is unconstitutional, if a state agency relies upon that opinion in refusing to enforce the law.

That provision of Nebraska Revised Statute 84-215 has been used "appropriately and sparingly" over the years, Conrad told the committee.

"Where it got really murky was over the last year," she said.

In a non-binding opinion issued last August, Hilgers said the Office of Inspector General for the state's prison and child welfare systems violated the separation of powers clause in the Nebraska State Constitution.

Hilgers' opinion led the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and the Department of Health and Human Services to lock the inspectors general out of their facilities and data systems, throwing the state's legislative and executive branches into a constitutional standoff.

The attorney general did not sue to force the issue into the courts in that case, however, but it did after the state's prisons used his opinion on a criminal justice reform package (LB50) to refuse to carry out a portion of law changing parole eligibility requirements.

Conrad said the executive branch used Hilgers' opinions in both cases to disregard laws that inconvenienced them, adding the prison system and child welfare system have been in violation of the law for some six months.

She added her bill was not directed at Hilgers or Gov. Jim Pillen, but a way for the Legislature to perform the duties it was charged with under the state constitution.

It would not prevent the attorney general from issuing legal opinions on request, or challenging or defending state laws as the office saw fit, she added.

"This is about whether or not we have fidelity to our constitution, fidelity to the people, fidelity to the institution we took an oath to protect and serve," Conrad said.

Hilgers said LB1191 would strike a specific provision of the law that created a structure to force constitutional issues to the courts, but in effect created several unworkable and awkward situations in state government.

Any lawsuit brought by the attorney general's office must be filed within 10 days of the opinion being filed, not from when a state agency decides it is no longer going to follow the law, Hilgers said.

If a state agency decided it would follow his office's advice and not carry out a law believed to be unconstitutional nine days after Hilgers gave his opinion, he said that left his staff little time to prepare a lawsuit.

Hilgers also said while he can file a suit against any person with a "litigable interest in the matter," lawsuits seeking to invalidate state laws are often leveled at Nebraska's Secretary of State, who is required to defend the state under the law.

That's what happened last year when Hilgers sued to invalidate LB50. Secretary of State Bob Evnen said he was required to fulfill his statutory duty, even if he agreed with the attorney general's opinion.

"If this statute is repealed, it will go back to the way it used to be, which would enable parties to settle these disputes in court and make rational decisions based on their various rights," Hilgers said.

Conrad said if passed by the Legislature, Hilgers would have plenty of other remedies available to challenge laws he suspects are unconstitutional.

"The murkiness under this particular grant of legislative authority is probably just not necessary," she said.

With the legislative and executive branches in alignment on LB1191, the Government Committee took the unusual step of advancing the measure to the floor during an executive session after the public hearing ended.

The bill advanced on a 7-0 vote. Lincoln Sen. Jane Raybould was absent from Thursday's meeting.

Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024
Nebraska lawmakers reluctantly approved a resolution Friday that temporarily restores access to the Legislatures watchdogs tasked with investigating the states troubled prison and child welfare systems.

The Legislature ultimately voted 38-1 to pass the resolution (LR298), which Speaker John Arch of La Vista drafted to create a special committee to study the structure of legislative oversight functions after the legislative session ends in April.

Now that the body has approved the resolution, Gov. Jim Pillen has agreed to restore much of the access to records and personnel that the executive branch stripped from the bodys oversight offices last fall.

The Office of the Inspectors General and the Office of Public Counsel, which were created by the Legislature to investigate the states most troubled agencies, lost nearly all access to facilities and records maintained by the Departments of Correctional Services and Health and Human Services after Nebraskas attorney general suggested the offices are unconstitutional in a nonbinding legal opinion his office released in August.

Arch and Sen. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island, the chairman of the Executive Board of the Legislative Council, signed a memo of understanding with Pillen earlier this month to restore that access  though the memo did not take effect until the Legislature passed LR298.

Under the provisions laid out in the memo, the Departments of Health and Human Services and Correctional Services will again provide the watchdog offices with broad access to records, data sets, policies, audio and video recordings and interviews with employees, as well as access to physical facilities.

The two departments will resume notifying the inspectors general and public counsel when state employees or wards  including prison inmates or children in HHS custody  die or suffer serious injuries while in state custody or while in state-run facilities, among other incidents that would require notification.

The memo does not explicitly restore access to internal department computer systems that inspectors general previously had access to but calls on the departments to share information in an efficient and timely way, which could include secure terminals and/or electronic databases made available.

The memo is a stopgap solution set to expire at the end of the 2025 legislative session, giving lawmakers more than a year to study the Legislatures newly controversial oversight system instead of rushing to restore oversight in this years 60-day legislative session, Arch said.

Archs resolution that triggered the memo garnered broad support Friday  but numerous senators said they voted to support the measure reluctantly, warning that the Legislatures willingness to go along with the memo would also mark a concession of power to the executive branch, which is actively violating state law by shutting out the oversight offices.

We should have grave concern when we have branches  and, specifically, some code agencies  who are deciding to not follow the law, Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha said. Because once that starts happening and becomes normalized, that strips all our power as a legislative body.

Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha objected to the inclusion of the Department of Correctional Services in the agreement with the executive branch, since Nebraskas Constitution grants the Legislature the power to manage all state charitable, mental, reformatory and penal institutions.

If that constitutional provision is somehow null and void, which I have yet to see that  why do we have to give up anything when it comes to the Department of Corrections and our oversight? he said. We dont.

Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln both took aim at Attorney General Mike Hilgers and the executive branch at large amid Fridays debate, with Cavanaugh accusing the branch of violating the law at every turn and suggesting the Legislature should have sued the state.

Conrad, who has been a leading defender of the legislative oversight offices since their access had been revoked, called Hilgers opinion politically motivated and said she was skeptical of Archs resolution, too, considering our Executive Board has not stepped forward to protect our institution at this moment, thus far.

Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha  the only lawmaker who ultimately voted against Archs resolution  offered the harshest critique of the Legislatures willingness to move forward with a signed memo to supplant existing law.

Were willing to give up that authority to the executive branch because I guess they can do what they want, he said. I mean, nobodys here to stop them. Were just going to roll over.

Arch, in response to criticisms in Fridays debate, said he largely agreed with his colleagues but maintained that the Legislatures oversight function has for years been reactionary, often performing after-the-fact investigations of wrongdoing.

He said the special committee will have the opportunity to develop a proactive system of oversight while, importantly, restoring the oversight offices access to investigate in the meantime.

The two choices we had at the beginning of this process were: litigate or attempt to resolve the conflict, Arch said. Took a look at litigation. The Executive Board decided not to pursue that path. That does not mean rolling over to the administration. I really react to that statement. That is not what that means.

I am strongly committed to this institution, Arch added, his voice rising. I hope you have seen that in my behavior. I am strongly committed to the institution of the Legislature. And believe that this process of this special committee will support that.

Many lawmakers who spoke out Friday ultimately opted to support Archs proposal  perhaps heeding the advice of Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington, who warned: Dont let perfect be the enemy of good.

Fifteen senators will sit on the special committee and publish a report with findings by Dec. 15.

Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024
A public hearing Thursday on a Nebraska lawmaker's bill calling for the eventual demolition of the state's oldest prison left questions over the future of the State Penitentiary unanswered.

No one from Nebraska's Department of Correctional Services showed up to the Legislature's Judiciary Committee to testify on Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney's proposal to mandate the demolition of the State Penitentiary upon the completion of the $350 million, 1,500-bed prison the state plans to open in north Lincoln in 2027.

McKinney told the committee that he drafted the bill calling for the prison's demolition because he believes "the justification for the new facility lacked transparency" and to seek clarity on the department's future plans for the State Penitentiary, which opened in 1869.

"I don't know if anybody from the department is going to show up today," McKinney said. "It doesn't seem like it, which is weird, honestly. But it is what it is. Maybe they didn't want to answer these questions."

McKinney urged his colleagues on the committee to press prison officials over what they plan to do with the 155-year-old prison after the inmates housed there are transferred to the new prison upon its opening  and how much the future use of the facility might cost taxpayers.

The Omaha lawmaker accused the Department of Correctional Services of "marketing" the planned north Lincoln prison as a replacement to the penitentiary.

"I just personally think they went around for two, three years saying NSP was in such disarray  such disarray  that the state needed to spend $350 million on a project to build a new prison, which is the biggest project ever in our state's history," McKinney said. "If NSP was in such bad shape, why are we still trying to keep it open? It makes no sense."

Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, a member of the Judiciary Committee, asked McKinney if his primary purpose of the bill was to seek answers from corrections officials on their plans.

"Well, I definitely want to demolish (the prison)  I'm serious about that," McKinney said. "But I do also want them to answer that question."

Holdcroft acknowledged that much of the prison is aging, but noted that some buildings on the prison's Lincoln grounds aren't in the same state of disrepair as many of the facility's housing wings are. One of the prison's housing units was forced to close for more than a year after a cast-iron water pipe burst in November 2022.

"I know there's a mental health classroom facility there," Holdcroft said. "I know there's some industrial shops there. I think there are some pieces of it that could be (spared)  but I'm with you in that, the Department of Corrections needs to come forward and lay out what they plan to do with the NSP."

McKinney, in response, again derided prison officials for their unwillingness to share their plans with the Judiciary Committee.

"Somebody needs to come out, I believe, publicly and speak to the taxpayers and say: 'We didn't tell the full truth about the conditions of NSP.'"

A corrections spokeswoman did not respond to an email seeking comment on McKinney's proposal Thursday.

Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, the committee's chairman, said he planned to schedule a joint hearing with the Legislature's Appropriations Committee to seek answers from the prison officials.

In February 2021, then-Corrections Director Scott Frakes called for the "repurposing" of the aging prison along with the construction of the new one, which was initially estimated to cost $230 million  $120 million less than officials are forecasting now.

Frakes said $24 million in already planned upgrades and remodeling would transform the State Penitentiary from a prison reaching the end of its useful life to a right-sized facility fit for housing medium-risk inmates. Frakes resigned in 2022.

When state officials announced the site of Nebraska's next prison in August, Rob Jeffreys, who replaced Frakes at the helm of the state's prison system, said the State Penitentiary would be "decommissioned."

In the fiscal note for McKinney's proposal, Department of Correctional Services officials said demolishing the 482,000-square-foot facility would cost at least $45 million and could not be completed in a single year, as the bill calls for.

Top Journal Star photos for February 2024
Nebraska lawmakers appear headed for a repeat of last year's battle over providing $25 million in state support for private and faith-based school scholarships.

The Appropriations Committee voted 6-3 Thursday to advance a bill providing more direct funding than the law passed over stiff opposition last year. That law faced filibusters at each stage of debate, before passing on a 33-11 vote. It is the target of a referendum vote in November's general election.

The bill (LB1402), if passed, would provide $25 million in grants to private school scholarship funds. The law passed last year provides $25 million of dollar-for-dollar income tax credits that are offered to people who donate to the scholarship funds.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, who pushed through last year's law, also introduced the new proposal. She said she would seek to repeal the tax credit law if the new bill passes.

"I'm very grateful for the Appropriations Committee voting to send it to the floor," she said.

Following the hearing on LB1402, Linehan acknowledged she had introduced the new bill to get around the referendum. She has another bill that would make enough changes in last year's law to have the same nullifying effect on the referendum. That measure, LB1403, was heard by the Revenue Committee.

Passing either measure would eliminate the law that the referendum seeks to repeal, while leaving in place the use of public dollars to support private and parochial school students that sparked the referendum petition drive. Petition circulators collected about 117,000 signatures to put the issue on the ballot.

Jenni Benson, with Support Our Schools Nebraska, the group that led the petition drive, called the advancement of LB1402 "a slap in the face to Nebraska voters."

"Nebraskans have made it very clear they want to vote on whether to use public funds to pay for private and religious schools," she said. "Support Our Schools Nebraska, along with many other organizations and individuals that support public education in this state, will fight this voucher scheme as well as any other attempts to usurp the rights of voters."

Linehan said she hoped lawmakers could consider LB1402 as part of a broader tax-and-school aid package this year, which could help boost its chances of passing.

As originally written, the bill was to be included in the state budget changes for this year, which could have protected it against a new referendum. The Nebraska Constitution bars referendums on appropriations bills.

The Appropriations Committee voted to make the bill separate, with the intent to appropriate $25 million for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2024. The total could increase by $25 million a year, up to $100 million, if at least 90% of the scholarship grant dollars are used.

Two Appropriations Committee members expressed concern about passing two scholarship programs. Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha also argued against changing the law before Nebraskans have a chance to vote on the issue.

Linehan has been fighting the referendum in other ways as well. Last month, she wrote a letter to Secretary of State Bob Evnen arguing that it violates the state constitution and should be removed from the ballot. Evnen has not issued a decision on the letter yet.

Top Journal Star photos for February 2024
How they do it

Lauren and Lucas Corbett have some traveling tips:

* When looking at accommodations, use Google Street View to get a feel for the area.

* Only travel with carry-on bags. There are laundromats everywhere.

* When looking at reviews, if you see a repeated issue, it is probably an ongoing problem.

* When looking at Airbnbs, check out the monthly discount. You can save between 20% and 60%.

* Get a fee-free ATM card and put a few hundred dollars in the account. You can withdraw money worldwide and not have to worry about paying fees or carrying around large amounts of cash. Charles Schwab or Betterment are two companies that offer this.

* Make sure you have a credit card with built-in trip protection and no foreign transaction fees. The Corbetts' go-to credit card for all things travel is Chase Sapphire Reserve.

* Don't be dead-set on traveling certain days. Being flexible can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

* Getting status with one airline or hotel chain goes a long way.

* Book the ticket and check your calendar later. There is free cancellation for 24 hours on most flights going to and from the United States (seven days advance purchase required). You'll get a full refund.

* Your kids will remember the trips.
Racine  Local historian and author Gerard L. Karwowski will be signing his latest book, Through the Eyes of Wilfred Glenn Marshall, 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Artists Gallery, 401 Main St. in Downtown Racine. Coffee and kringle will be available.

Marshall was a Racine citizen whose photos chronicled his life as a soldier, sportsman, photographer and historian. He was the last remaining local veteran of the Spanish-American War when he died at the age of 100 in 1977.

The book features 420 photos, many never before seen or published.

Karwowski is a historian and prolific writer with many books, booklets, and articles to his credit. He has served the community as a Racine Landmarks commissioner, trustee and vice president of the Racine County Historical Society.

Since 1988, Karwowski and his family have operated a small, private local history museum named Oak Clearings on their farm near Union Grove.

Over the past 50 years, he has gathered one of the largest local history archives in Racine County.
Under maps Gov. Tony Evers signed into law on Monday, control of the Legislature will likely go to the party that gets the most votes statewide. Thats a significant departure from the status quo.

Thanks largely to maps Republicans drew up in 2011 and 2021 that some have called the most gerrymandered in the country, the GOP has amassed a near supermajority in the Legislature despite losing statewide races in recent elections.

Faced with the prospect of a newly liberal-majority state Supreme Court imposing even more unfavorable boundaries, Republicans grudgingly agreed to adopt the Democratic governors maps. Now, both parties have a nearly equal shot at obtaining a legislative majority, with the GOP still holding a slight advantage.

Based on voting patterns in several recent statewide elections, many districts will remain safely Republican or Democratic while others are a toss-up. Given the high number of competitive districts under Evers maps, parties are likely to target far more districts than just those ranked as the most competitive.

In a close election, legislative control could come down to these 10 districts seen as the most competitive: seven in the Assembly and three in the Senate.

Assembly District 13

Located in Waukesha County and western Milwaukee County, the 13th Assembly District has sent members of both parties to the Legislature. But under Evers new map, the seat goes from a Republican- to a Democratic-leaning district.

Its projected to vote 49.66% Democratic, 48.27% Republican and 2.07% other under the new maps, according to Daves Redistricting, which collects and analyzes the impact of proposed legislative and congressional maps..

Rep. Tom Michalski, R-Elm Grove, represents the 13th district, and remains in the district under the new boundaries, according to a Legislative Reference Bureau analysis.

Assembly District 21

The district, in southern Milwaukee County, has long sent Republicans to the Legislature. But under the new maps itll be one of Democrats top targets, especially with the suburbs of Milwaukee trending Democratic.

The seat leans slightly Democratic under Evers maps, with a projected 49.66% Democratic, 47.89% Republican and 2.45% other vote, according to the redistricting analysis.

Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek, has represented the district since 2013. She remains within the boundaries under the new maps.

Assembly District 53

Formerly a reliably Republican district surrounding Oshkosh, the 53rd Assembly District has moved north under Evers maps to include Neenah, Menasha and the southern reaches of Appleton.

The district is within reach for both parties, but it now leans slightly Democratic. The projected vote in the district is 49.3% Democratic, 47.43% Republican and 3.27% other, according to the redistricting analysis.

Rep. Michael Schraa, R-Oshkosh, is the current representative for the 53rd district. But under the new maps, hes absorbed into the 55th district along with Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-Fox Crossing, both of whom intend to run in that district.

Theres no incumbent within the 53rd district under the new boundaries, according to the reference bureau.

Assembly District 85

Covering Wausau, Weston and part of Schofield, the 85th Assembly District is a Republican-leaning seat that Democrats can win back in a good electoral year.

The old district had a slight Republican lean. It maintains that lean but its slightly lessened under Evers maps. The 85th is projected as 47.79% Democratic, 49.74% Republican and 2.47% other parties, according to the map analysis.

Rep. Patrick Snyder, R-Schofield, represented the district under the old maps. Snyder got pushed into the 87th under the new maps, but he told reporters hell move back to the 85th to run for reelection.

Assembly District 89

Including much of Green Bay and Ashwaubenon, the 89th Assembly District shifts south under Evers map, comprising little of the territory formerly under the same numbered district.

Currently a reliably Republican district, the 89th is projected as 48.67% Democratic, 48.44% Republican and 2.9% other parties under Evers map, according to the redistricting site.

Rep. Elijah Behnke, R-Octonto, currently represents the area, but hes moved to the 4th district under Evers maps. Theres no incumbent in the current boundaries, according to the Legislative Reference Bureau analysis.

Assembly District 92

A narrow strip of land stretching from Menomonie to Chippewa Falls in western Wisconsin, the 92nd district is the most competitive Assembly seat under Evers maps, according to Daves Redistricting.

That district is projected to go 48.64% Democratic and 48.48% Republican, with 2.88% going to other parties, according to the analysis, which combined the results of district residents votes in several recent statewide elections.

Rep. Treig Pronschinske, R-Mondovi, holds that seat under the current maps. But under Evers map, hes drawn out of that district and into the Republican-leaning 29th Assembly District. Rep. Clint Moses, R-Menomonie, lives in the 92nd district under the new maps.

Assembly District 94

Covering Onalaska and the land just to the north in southwestern Wisconsin, the 94th Assembly District used to surround La Crosse but moves north of the city under Evers new maps.

The seat has a projected vote of 49.29% Democratic, 48.28% Republican and 2.42% other, the redistricting analysis shows.

Its a swing district currently represented by Rep. Steve Doyle, D-Onalaska, who has sometimes bucked his party to vote with Republicans. Doyle stays in the district under Evers maps.

Senate District 21

Another one of the more viable seats that Democrats could flip, the 21st Senate District stretches from Racine to Caledonia and Franklin. The GOP-occupied seat still leans slightly Republican, but far less so than it used to.

But any hope Democrats have of flipping the seat will have to wait.

Odd-numbered Senate districts arent up for reelection until 2026. While the Republican-controlled Assembly can change hands in 2024, the structure of Senate elections has led Democrats to hold off expectations of flipping the chamber until 2026.

The seat is currently filled by Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine. Sen. Julian Bradley, R-Franklin, got into the same district under Evers maps, but he intends to move back to the 28th district that he currently represents.

Senate District 25

Also an odd-numbered Senate seat not up for election until 2026, the 25th Senate District in northwestern Wisconsin maintains a GOP tilt, but its among the more competitive districts currently held by Republicans.

The district is 46.74% Democratic, 51.15% Republican and 2.11% other, according to Daves Redistricting.

Sen. Romaine Robert Quinn, R-Cameron, occupies the district currently, but there arent any incumbents within the boundaries under the new maps, according to the bureau.

Senate District 30

Comprising Green Bay, Allouez and De Pere, the 30th Senate District is significantly more Democratic under Evers maps than it used to be. Its also reshaped in a way that pairs three current Republican senators in the same district.

One of them, Sen. Rob Cowles of Green Bay, already said hed move. But whichever Republican stays can get beat out in a general election, marking the seat as one of the easiest for Democrats to flip.

The seat is seen as 49.3% Democratic, 47.84% Republican and 2.76% other under the new maps, according to the redistricting analysis.

Its currently represented by Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay, who remains within the boundaries under Evers maps. Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, also got absorbed into the district.

Today in history: Feb. 21 1885: Washington Monument 1964: U.S. Wheat 1965: Malcolm X 1972: Richard M. Nixon 1975: Watergate 1992: Kristi Yamaguchi 1995: Steve Fossett 2017: Milo Yiannopoulos 2018: Rev. Billy Graham 2019: Oakland Teacher Strike 2020: Taliban 2021: Novak Djokovic
Former president Donald Trumps fundraising committee schemed with state Rep. Janel Brandtjen to illegally funnel money to county Republican parties in an effort to oust Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in 2022, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission alleges in documents obtained Friday by the Wisconsin State Journal.

The commission recommended local district attorneys file felony charges against Brandtjen, R-Menominee Falls; Vos challenger Adam Steens campaign committee; workers for Trumps fundraising committee Save America; three Republican county parties; and several others, the records state.

The alleged scheme, first reported by WisPolitics.com, highlights the ongoing Republican animosity toward Vos, who resisted calls from the former president and election deniers to overturn the states 2020 presidential election that Trump lost. That led Steen to mount a GOP primary challenge against Vos in 2022, coming about 250 votes short of ousting the longtime Assembly speaker.

The ethics commission said it could refer the criminal complaints to the Wisconsin Department of Justice or other district attorneys if theyre not prosecuted within 60 days.

Wisconsin law prohibits campaign donations over $1,000 to Assembly candidates, but it allows county parties to donate an unlimited amount. Still, Wisconsin law prohibits people from directing their donations to a candidate through a committee that doesnt belong to the candidate. Candidates also are prohibited from accepting money they know was routed through an external committee for their purpose.

The ethics report alleges Steen and his campaign committee told people who wanted to contribute more than $1,000 to his unsuccessful effort to oust Vos in 2022 to instead donate to the Langlade County Republican Party with the numbers 63 written in the memo line of the donation, referring to the district Steen was hoping to win.

By seeing the district number, the party knew to forward those funds or to use them for in-kind contributions to Friends of Adam Steen, the report states.

Steens campaign committee received over $40,000 from the Langlade County GOP, the commission stated.

Langlade County GOP chair Terry Brand said in an interview that the money was indeed used in an effort to defeat Vos but didnt think the scheme was illegal.

Why would we intentionally do something if we were aware that it could be illegal? he said. I dont think theres any evidence to support that we did anything wrong.

He said the party files regular campaign finance reports and was never told by the ethics commission that it had been suspected of wrongdoing until Vos supporters began scrutinizing the funds.

Robin Vos wants to make sure nobody ever supports a candidate thats running against him in the future, he said.

Brandtjen, Steen and Vos spokesperson Angela Joyce didnt respond to a request for comment.

Sounds like money laundering

Steen and his campaign also directed a $5,000 donation from Save America, Trumps joint fundraising committee, through the Chippewa County Republican Party, the commission alleges. The party returned the donation because some members feared a campaign finance violation, the allegations state.

Another person who tried to donate to Steens campaign through the Chippewa County GOP told investigators, I asked Adam Steen directly how I could contribute to his campaign and he said to donate to the Republican Party of Chippewa County, the commission alleges.

Save America directed another $5,000 through the Florence County Republican Party, and party officials were told to send that money through to Langlade County, the commission states.

Asked about the scheme later, a former party official allegedly told investigators, It was after the fact that we were like, this sounds like money laundering to me. Did we just screw up really bad? Thats what we felt like.

It wasnt immediately clear how individual members of the bipartisan ethics commission voted on the recommendations to prosecute participants in the alleged scheme. Commission administrator Daniel Carlton Jr. said details about the meeting would likely become available by May.

The ethics commission further alleges that Brandtjen, a state representative who has become isolated from many fellow GOP Assembly members, spoke with Steen about the scheme involving the three county parties, though the complaint doesnt specify exactly what they discussed.

She also facilitated contributions from Trumps joint fundraising committee to the three Republican parties that partook in the scheme, the ethics commission alleges.

There was at least one recorded conversation where she was discussing getting money from Save America to a county party, the commission stated.

MyPillow complaint dismissed

The commission dismissed one complaint, against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell who, according to the complaint, may have been one of the contributors who participated in the plan to route money in excess of the contribution limits to Friends of Adam Steen.

The commission said it didnt have sufficient evidence to refer Lindell for prosecution. He donated $4,000 to the Langlade Party GOP in August, just one week before the primary that Vos won, according to campaign finance reports.

The commission also recommended charges against Kevin Steen, the father of Vos challenger; the Chippewa County Republican Party, including treasurer Amanda Radle; the Langlade County Republican Party, including Brand and vice chair Leonard Boltz; the Florence County Republican Party, including chair Brian Jennings; and donors Alan Blair, and Julie and Bryan Knudtson.

Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell said he planned to return the prosecution recommendations back to the commission.

As both a past and present member of the Chippewa County Republican Party it would be a conflict for me to take any action regarding these allegations, he said.

Newell said he wasnt aware of the alleged activity until after the ethics commission received a complaint against the party GOP.

While there was no impropriety on my end, and I am not under investigation, a prosecutor should avoid even the appearance of impropriety, he said.

Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson, who received the recommendation to prosecute Steen, said, Due to the importance of how the conduct alleged impacts the integrity of elections in Racine County, all efforts will be made to reach a decision quickly.

The Waukesha County District Attorneys Office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. The Langlade County District Attorneys Office declined to comment, and Florence Countys district attorney was not available.
1. Yes. It will be convenient and the fares are cheap. I plan to use the transit system often.

2. Yes. I have a vehicle, but I may still use the service now and then, especially in bad weather.

3. No. I dont use the current bus service, and I dont plan to use the micro-transit service either.

4. No. It may be fine in town, but it still involves a transfer for longer trips. That wont work.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. It depends on how well the service works once its in place.

Vote

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Watershed planning efforts in the Coon Creek Watershed are moving forward, thanks to a $10,000 grant awarded to the nonprofit Coon Creek Community Watershed Council (CCCWC) by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR) in early February.

The watershed plan, which follows the Nine Element framework outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is meant to help assess the contributing causes and sources of nonpoint source pollution, prioritize restoration and protection strategies to address water quality problems, and involve key stakeholders along the way.

The planning process is a collaboration between CCCWC, partners in La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon counties, Valley Stewardship Network, and Coon Creek Watershed residents. With the help of its recently awarded WI-DNR Surface Water Grant, CCCWC will support the planning efforts by facilitating farmer and community member involvement in the planning process, developing outreach and education strategies, identifying management measures that will help reduce nutrient pollution in critical areas, and more.

The amount of work happening at the local level to support our lakes, rivers and watersheds is incredible. Its amazing to see the level of communication and coordination between members of these organizations, local government representatives, DNR Biologists and other stakeholders, said WI-DNR Surface Water Grant Program Manager Jen Jefferson, in a DNR press release. The effort it takes to develop such meaningful projects is commendable.

The Surface Water Grant Program is designed to support local and regional partnerships working to improve water quality across Wisconsin counties and watersheds. According to WI-DNR, it allocated more than $6 million in grant funding to CCCWC and other Wisconsin-based nonprofit organizations and municipal and county governments this year. In its grant announcement, WI-DNR highlighted CCCWCs work as an example of how its surface water grant program can be implemented on a watershed scale.

This is not the first time CCCWC has been awarded a DNR Surface Water Grant. In 2023, CCCWC also received $10,000 through the program, which CCCWC President Nancy Wedwick said helped the council begin the multi-year work of developing a Nine Element Plan for the Coon Creek Watershed.

The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council is very happy to receive its second DNR Surface Water Grant Award, Wedwick said. This award will allow us to continue education and awareness about water quality, outreach to stakeholders, gather baseline data, and support the DNR efforts to create a Nine Key Element Plan in one of our subwatersheds, all with the goal of increasing water infiltration to mitigate flooding.
The Cochrane-Fountain City School District community came out in droves to demand the extension of principal Steve Stoppelmoors contract beyond the next school year.

More than 100 staff, students, parents, alumni and community members filled the districts auditorium for the regularly scheduled school board meeting Wednesday evening.

The attendees  many of whom were decked out in red  gathered in response to the boards decision to not extend Stoppelmoors contract in a closed session during a Jan. 29 special meeting.

No reason was given for the decision.

The decision not to extend this contract is a personnel matter, therefore no further details will be provided, board president Don Baloun said in a statement.

The lack of rationale for the non-extension has fired up the community, with many passionately demanding answers Wednesday.

Fourteen people signed up to speak during the public comment section of the meeting Wednesday. Almost all declared their support for Stoppelmoor and shared comments about his positive impact on the community.

Most public comments ended with a roar of applause that filled the auditorium and standing ovations.

The district moved the meeting from its usual location to handle the larger than usual audience.

What are the traits that make someone a good principal? Beth Stryeski, a fourth-grade teacher in the district, said Wednesday during her public comment.

Good principals are kind. They make you feel safe. They make you feel comfortable. They make you feel important and valued. Good principals listen to you, laugh with you, and at times they may even cry with you, Stryeski said. A good principal is fair. He or she takes pride in dealing with students in a manner in which they would want for their own children. A good principal praises his or her staff, students and district to whomever will listen.

She didnt stop there, though, with her description of all the things it takes to be a good principal.

One of the best

A good principal dedicates his or her career to making their district the best place it can be for students, staff, families and community members. A good principal over time becomes the face of the district. A good principal puts in the time regardless of extra compensation, she said. A good principal does not let silly gossip or word of grudges get in the way of doing his or her job to the best of their ability. A good principal gives 100% and never gives up even though he or she knows they will never please everyone. A good principal does what he or she can to maintain a positive school climate.

Stoppelmoor, she said, has all of these traits.

I can tell you with my heart and soul, he is a good principal. In my eyes, he is one of the best, Stryeski said.

She, along with many others Wednesday evening, believe the school district would not be the same without Stoppelmoor.

He constantly goes above and beyond for the school, while reminding us staff and students daily that he loves this school, said Lindsey Johnson, a math teacher in the district.

Other speakers pointed out that Stoppelmoor knows every student and is always willing to help others.

Only one attendee spoke in favor of Stoppelmoors contract not being extended Wednesday, citing a lack of discipline in the schools. Others disagreed with the claim that Stoppelmoor should be blamed for such troubles.

Trust in the elected officials on the school board was questioned by some during the meeting, including faith in being able to vote for a future referendum, which was discussed by the board before the public comment section of the meeting.

Regardless of what comes of this, the ramifications the board created will be difficult to repair, former district superintendent Tom Hiebert said about the boards decision.

Like the community members who attended the meeting Wednesday evening, Stoppelmoor doesnt know why his contract wasnt extended, he said Thursday morning.

Stoppelmoor said hes grateful for everyone who attended the board meeting Wednesday and showed their support.

Its great to be loved. I love this place, too, he said.

The district stated last week that Stoppelmoor is allowed to stay in his position for the rest of the current school year and the entirety of the 2024-25 school year.

The board did not discuss Stoppelmoors contract further Wednesday evening, but attendees were informed before the public comment session that the board would consider and deliberate the comments made.

The board extended the typical 15-minute allowance for public comments so all 14 people signed up could share their thoughts.
Every 10 minutes, a Mayo Clinic patient needs a blood transfusion. However, for anesthetists at La Crosse Mayo Clinic, this months blood drive gained a whole new meaning.

Recently, Mayo Clinic Health Systems Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine team members performed emergency care to a patient in critical condition  requiring more than 50 units of blood. Inspired by their collaborative efforts, they took charge of Tuesdays blood drive and challenged their colleagues to help reach the donation goal.

We had a recent situation where it was helping a patient through a critical event, and the team came together just incredibly, said Renee Thies, a Mayo Clinic nurse anesthetist. We were awed, not just by our hospital blood bank, but by our local blood bank and the resources that they provide.

Working in anesthesia, Thies notes that they often witness critical events that require blood quickly.

Without donors or those blood resources, we wouldnt be able to do much for our patients, said Thies. In talking about this, we had this overwhelming urge to want to give back.

From there, the idea for the anesthetists to sponsor a blood drive was created.

What better way to sort of honor this team and the patient? said Thies. As employees, you can sometimes forget that there are blood drives, but you never forget the value of a blood donation.

With this thought in mind, as a department, they challenged their team to raise awareness and donate blood. Now, they hope that this continues through other department sponsorships to ensure that patients have the resources they need.

As a department, they provided cookies, treats and raffle prizes from local businesses to encourage blood donations. To allow colleagues to donate blood, staff members worked extra hard to cover for fellow employees.

Its the lent season, said Samuel Clements, a Mayo Clinic nurse anesthetist, while donating blood. This is part of the almsgiving of giving back.

The goal of this blood drive was to acquire 28 units of blood. Through staff and community donations, they exceeded their goal and collected 31 units of blood.

The difference is the appreciation and enthusiasm from within the organization, said Peter Grabow, director of volunteer services for Mayo SW Wisconsin. Renee, her team and their special appreciation for the value of blood donation  thats made all the difference.
WAUKESHA  A group of teenagers believed to be from the Chicago area broke into a luxury car dealership in Wisconsin and drove off with nine vehicles worth more than a half-million dollars, police said.

Sunday's heist at a Jaguar-Land Rover dealership in Waukesha was captured on surveillance camera footage showing nine masked suspects filing into the dealership before each drives off in a car in the city about 19 miles (30.5 kilometers) west of Milwaukee.

The video also shows one car being backed up and smashed through an overhead service door.

Waukesha Police Capt. Dan Baumann said the suspects broke into the dealership about 6 a.m. Sunday, found where its car keys were stored and then activated those key fobs to find the cars they stole.

Nine subjects went out and throughout there looking for keys. One person finds where the keys were hidden and then starts to disseminate those to his friends, Baumann told WISN-TV.

The nine vehicles are valued at more than $583,000, he said.

One suspect, a 17-year-old Chicago boy, was arrested Sunday in the southern Wisconsin community of Pleasant Prairie after the stolen vehicle he was driving crashed along Interstate 94 during a police pursuit. He was being held at the Waukesha County Jail on a $50,000 bond and faces burglary, theft and criminal damage to property charges, Baumann said.

Police said Sunday that the suspects are believed to be an organized crime group of teenagers from the Chicago area.

Baumann said Friday that all or most of the teen suspects are known to members of a police task force in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois and police in that two-state region were still searching Friday for the eight other suspects.

Six of the nine stolen vehicles have been recovered  four in Chicago, one in the Chicago suburb of Deerfield, and one in Wisconsin after the highway crash that led to the 17-year-old's arrest, he said.
Assyrians Denounce Iraq's Federal Court Decision to Eliminate Parliamentary Quota Seats

Political parties representing the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian component in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) denounced the Federal Court's decision to annul the quota seats and minority representation in the Regional parliament as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

They expressed disappointment, asserting that the decision overstepped the court's jurisdiction and failed to address legal deficiencies appropriately.

Yaqo Korkis, secretary of the Assyrian Democratic Movement, stated that "several parties convened to discuss the Federal Court's ruling," emphasizing that it "violates constitutional rights and undermines democratic principles and national partnership."

He criticized the court's assertion that "quota seats were unconstitutional," emphasizing the need to "rectify legal inadequacies rather than succumb to political pressures."

Korkis attributed the cancellation of quota seats to the major parties in the Region, accusing them of "involving quota representatives in their political conflicts instead of safeguarding their rights."

He called for "electoral law amendments to ensure fair representation and protection of quota seats from exploitation by ruling parties," reiterating the community's demand for "genuine representation in parliament."

Furthermore, the Regional Minister of Component Affairs, Aydin Maa'rouf, previously deemed the Federal Court's decision to dissolve quota seats as "politically motivated and illegal."

"The Chaldean, Assyrian, Turkmen, and Syriac components in KRI condemned the Federal Supreme Court's decision as a constitutional breach and an affront to the Iraqi Constitution."

It is noteworthy that the Federal Supreme Court, Iraq's highest judicial authority, issued a series of rulings regarding the Kurdistan Parliament's election law, also deciding to dissolve the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and replace it with the federal body.
On 22 February a Panamanian judgeordered the arrest of Panamas former president(Cambio Democratico, 2009-2014).

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On 22 February Argentinas Presidentand his economic team held a meeting with the first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF),, in the presidential palace Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires.

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The Supreme Court of Alabama has ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law.

The ruling immediately influenced the way fertility treatment services operate in the southeastern U.S. state. On Wednesday, the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital said it paused all fertility treatments while it considers the ruling's significance.

The court decision involved two wrongful death cases brought by three couples who had frozen embryos destroyed in an accident at a fertility center.

In their decision, the justices noted recent and longstanding parts of the Alabama Constitution. The justices ruled that an 1872 state law permitting parents to bring legal action over the death of a minor child "applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location.

"Unborn children are children ... without exception based on developmental stage, physical location, or any othercharacteristics, Justice Jay Mitchell wrote. The high court released the ruling on February 16.

Mitchell said the court had ruled earlier that fetuses killed while a woman is pregnant are covered under Alabamas Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. Nothing excludes extrauterine children from the Acts coverage, he wrote.

The ruling is likely to influence fertility treatments and the activity of freezing of embryos, which are fertilized eggs. A court opinion in Virginia last year said that frozen embryos can be considered property.

Barbara Collura is chief of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, a non-profit group based in Virginia. Collura told the Associated Press that the ruling raises questions for in vitro fertilization, or IVF, the method of fertilizing eggs in a laboratory.

She said the "ruling is stating that a fertilized egg, which is a clump of cells, is now a person. It really puts into question, the practice of IVF. The group called the Alabama high courts decision terrifying for people affected by infertility.

She said the ruling also raises questions for providers of IVF services and for patients. It is unclear whether they can freeze embryos created during fertility treatment or if patients could ever donate or destroy unused embryos.

Sean Tipton is a spokesman with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. He said at least one Alabama fertility center was told to stop IVF treatments by the hospital overseeing it since the decision.

Dr. Paula Amato is president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Washington D.C. She said: No health care provider will be willing to provide treatments if those treatments may lead to civil or criminal charges.

The couples in the Alabama case had undergone IVF treatments that led to the creation of several embryos. Some of the embryos were implanted and resulted in healthy births. The couples paid to keep the other embryos frozen in a storage center at the Mobile Infirmary Medical Center. A patient in 2020 entered the area and removed several embryos, dropping them on the floor and "killing them, the ruling said.

The justices then ruled that couple's wrongful death legal case could go forward. The clinic and hospital that are defendants in the case could ask the court to reconsider its decision.

One group that opposes abortion, the non-profit Live Action, supported the decision. Each person, from the tiniest embryo to an elder nearing the end of his lifedeserves and is guaranteed legal protection," said President Lila Rose in a statement.

Justice Greg Cook wrote the only full dissent to the majority opinion. He said the 1872 law did not define minor child" and the meaning of the term was being extended to cover frozen embryos.

He added the ruling almost certainly ends the creation of frozen embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Alabama.

The Alabama Supreme Court decision partly depended on language added to the Alabama Constitution in 2018. It states it is the policy of the "state to ensure the protection of the rights of the unborn child.

In Alabama, supreme court justices are elected officials who serve six-year terms. Currently, all are members of the Republican Party.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press.

_______________________________________

Words in This Story

couple  n. two people linked by a relationship or marriage

apply  v. to cover under law

characteristic  n. a quality that makes something different from something else

extrauterine  adj. outside of a womans womb and body

implant v. to put into the womb by medical operation

dissent  n. an opinion in disagreement to the majority opinion in a court which can serve other legal cases and future legal findings
A deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office remains on administrative leave after being arrested on suspicion of third-degree sexual assault of a high school student.

Casado Moya, 38, was cited for the misdemeanor Wednesday after consultation with the Douglas County Attorneys Office and the Omaha City Prosecutors Office, according to a press release from the Sheriff's Office. Third-degree sexual assault is a criminal offense which does not include penetration nor serious personal injury to a victim.

Moya, an 11-year veteran with the Sheriff's Office, had been a school resource officer for Elkhorn South High School since Aug. 14, 2023. He was relieved of duty on Feb. 2 and placed on administrative leave.

The Sheriff's Office said the victim is a 16-year-old female student of Elkhorn South High School. Witnesses have been interviewed who have corroborated the victims account, the press release said.
The Public Security Police Force (PSP) and the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) apprehended 126 people in January on suspicion of working illegally in Macau. the finding comes after the two departments conducted cooperative operations against illegal workers, inspecting 401 different locations. These included construction sites, private buildings and commercial and industrial establishments. In December 2023, the DSAL and PSP conducted 175 inspections, leading to the discovery of 64 people suspected of being illegal workers. Recently, the PSP noted that the significant growth in the number of suspected cases of illegal work is mostly due to a sudden surge in the demand for labor to perform services in the food and beverage industry.

Related
A total of 36% of interviewed restaurants and similar establishments are expecting their receipts to decrease month-on-month, according to data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). In contrast, about 22% of the interviewed establishments predicted that their receipts would increase month-on-month in January.

DSEC data indicated that business climate improved markedly in 2023 compared to 2022, with receipts of the interviewed restaurants and similar establishments and retailers showing year-on-year increases in each month throughout the year. Both industries saw comparatively large growth in receipts in June and July, which was attributed to a low base of comparison in 2022.

Despite robust economic growth and recovering consumer spending, restaurants and retailers in non-tourist areas are far from full recovery.

Lawmaker and businessman Chan Chak Mo recently said that government must still determine how to best help restaurants in districts less frequently visited by tourists.

Meanwhile, with respect to retail trade, 35% of interviewed retailers expect a month-on-month sales decline in January, with over half of the Motor Vehicle Retailers (64%) and Cosmetics & Sanitary Articles Retailers (55%) forecasting a decrease in sales. By contrast, around 30% of the interviewed retailers anticipated a month-on-month sales increase in January. The corresponding proportions for supermarkets and leather goods retailers were 44% and 40% respectively. LV
A Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) study on archeological materials found at a land plot at Patio do Amparo, in the surroundings of the Ruins of St Pauls, are unrelated to what was initially suspected to be the main structure of an ancient Chinese imperial customs house dating to the Qing Dynasty.

The conclusions of the study were presented earlier this week at the plenary meeting of the Cultural Heritage Council.

The IC said the ancient building, known as Kwan Pou Hang Toi, should have been in that area, according to old records.

But after in-depth analysis, including the excavation and research of materials and structures found at the site, it was concluded the structures at Zones 5 and 7 of the Patio do Amparo were, most probably, related to a residence for officials families.

This was part of a later extension to the imperial customs house, located behind the main building. It was this building over which the IC formed a particular interest.

According to the president of the IC, Deland Leong, only porcelain and objects of personal use dating from different times were found at the site.

While these items hold no special value, she said they would still be sent to local museums for exhibition.

The IC also said that after the conclusion of work at the site, the land will be returned to its owner.

The land has been in the possession of the IC since April 2021 when, at a meeting of the Urban Planning Committee (CPU), the IC called for the suspension of the issuance of an urban conditions plan for the plot in question.

The bureau suspected then that this site could be home to valuable remains of an ancient structure.

This theory was first aired by a member of the CPU, architect Andre Lui, who presented a map dated circa 1838 indicating that the ancient building, Kwan Pou Hang Toi, had occupied at least part of the land.

Leong also said that after 1849, the date when the imperial customs house should have closed, the land plots purpose was altered several times and it has since been used for different purposes up to the present day.
China plans to send a new pair of giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo, renewing its longstanding gesture of friendship toward the United States after a recalling nearly all the iconic bears on loan to U.S. zoos as relations soured between the two nations.

The China Wildlife Conservation Association recently signed cooperation agreements with zoos in San Diego and Madrid, the Spanish capital, and is in talks with zoos Washington, D.C. and Vienna, Chinas government-run Xinhua News Agency said yesterday, describing the deals as a new round of collaboration on panda conservation.

San Diego Zoo officials told The Associated Press that if all permits and other requirements are approved, two bears, a male and a female, are expected to arrive as early as the end of summer, about five years after the zoo sent its last pandas back to China.

Were very excited and hopeful, said Megan Owen of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and vice president of Wildlife Conservation Science. Theyve expressed a tremendous amount of enthusiasm to re-initiate panda cooperation starting with the San Diego Zoo.

Zoos typically pay a fee of $1 million a year for two pandas, with the money earmarked for Chinas conservation efforts, according to a 2022 report by Americas Congressional Research Service.

In November, Chinese President Xi Jinping raised hopes his country would start sending pandas to the U.S. again after he and President Joe Biden convened in Northern California for their first face-to-face meeting in a year and pledged to try to reduce tensions.

China is considering a pair that includes a female descendent of Bai Yun and Gao Gao, two of the zoos former residents, said Owen, an expert in panda behavior who has worked in San Diego and China.

Bai Yun, who was born in captivity in China, lived at the zoo for more than 20 years and gave birth to six cubs there. She and her son were the zoos last pandas and returned to China in 2019.

Gao Gao was born in the wild in China and lived at the San Diego Zoo from 2003 to 2018 before being sent back.

Decades of conservation efforts in the wild and study in captivity saved the giant panda species from extinction, increasing its population from fewer than 1,000 at one time to more than 1,800 in the wild and captivity.

The black-and-white bears have long been the symbol of the U.S.-China friendship since Beijing gifted a pair of pandas to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., in 1972, ahead of the normalization of bilateral relations. China later loaned pandas to zoos to help breed cubs and boost the population.

The U.S., Spain and Austria were the first countries to work with China on panda conservation, and 28 pandas have been born in those countries, the Xinhua report said. The latest collaboration will include research on disease prevention and habitat protection, and contribute to Chinas national panda park construction, it said.

We look forward to further expanding the research outcomes on the conservation of endangered species such as giant pandas, and promoting mutual understanding and friendship among peoples through the new round of international cooperation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in Beijing.

Demands for the return of giant pandas, known as Chinas national treasure, grew among the Chinese public as unproven allegations that U.S. zoos mistreated the pandas flooded Chinese social media.

Fears over the future of so-called panda diplomacy escalated last year when zoos in Memphis, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., returned their pandas to China, leaving only four pandas in the United States, all at the zoo in Atlanta. That loan agreement expires later this year.

Many loan agreements were for 10 years and often were extended well beyond. But negotiations last year to extend the agreements with U.S. zoos or send more pandas did not produce results. China watchers speculated that Beijing was gradually pulling its pandas from Western nations due to deteriorating diplomatic relations with the U.S. and other countries.

Then on Nov. 15, 2023, a week after the National Zoos pandas departed for China, Xi spoke at a dinner in downtown San Francisco with American business executives and signaled that more pandas might be sent. He said he learned the San Diego Zoo and people in California very much look forward to welcoming pandas back.

I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas and went to the zoo to see them off, Xi said.

The San Diego Zoo continued to work with their Chinese counterparts even after it no longer had any pandas.

Owen said China is particularly interested in exchanging information on the zoos successful breeding of pandas in captivity. Giant pandas are difficult to breed in part because the females reproductive window is extremely narrow, lasting only 48 to 72 hours each year.

Bai Yuns first cub, Hua Mei, was also the first panda born through artificial insemination to survive into adulthood outside of China, and would go on to produce 12 cubs on her own after she was sent to China.

Bai Yun, meanwhile, remained at the zoo where she gave birth to two more females and three males. With cameras in her den, researchers monitored her, contributing to the understanding of maternal care behavior, Owen said.

We have a lot of institutional knowledge and capacity from our last cooperative agreement, which we will be able to parlay into this next chapter, as well as training the next generation of panda conservationists, she said.

Chinese experts would travel with the bears and spend months in San Diego, Owen said.

She said the return of the bears is not only good for San Diego but the giant pandas recovery as a species.

We do talk about panda diplomacy all the time, Owen said. Diplomacy is a critical part of conservation in any number of contexts. . If we cant learn to work together, you know, in sometimes difficult situations or situations that are completely out of the control of conservationists, then were not going to succeed. JULIE WATSON, SAN DIEGO, MDT/AP
Taipa Village has welcomed a record number of visitors over the Lunar New Year period, driven in part by government measures that included implementing a nine-day pedestrian zone in the area.

In a statement, Taipa Village Destination Limited, which has been pioneering the regeneration of the area for two decades, said that during the Lunar New Year holiday the average daily visitation to Taipa Village was estimated at more than 50,000 individuals  a figure almost double pre-pandemic levels, and one that outperforms Macaus overall visitor growth.

However, the group, so that authorities can improve traffic safety for both residents and tourists, called for the pedestrian zone to become a permanent feature.

With visitation levels to Taipa Village at all-time highs and likely to grow, even outside of holiday periods, the areas main traffic artery, Rua Correia da Silva, is no longer suitable for operating as a traffic route, due to its dangerous narrowness and pavements that are unable to accommodate the increasingly-heavy footfall in the area, the group said.

As footfall in the area is destined to keep rising, the group has called on authorities to implement permanent pedestrian measures in the area, as so many other heritage-inspired locations across the world have done to great effect. LV
Real estate associations have continued to stress that the property market in the SAR has not improved, even after the pandemic, amid robust growth in the citys tourism and gaming market.

Last year, the transaction volume dropped another 3%, compared to 2022.

For the Macao General Association of Real Estate, led by president Chong Sio Kin, the real estate market situation is grim. The association noted the biggest obstacle at present are stamp duty restrictions.

Late last year, the government announced its decision to partially lift from Jan. 1 this year the then-enacted cooldown measures, such as the 5% additional stamp duty on the purchase of second residential properties. The government has also unified the cap of the 70% loan-to-value ratio for residential properties.

However, at the same time, the cancelation of the mortgage scheme for first-time young homebuyers has put pressure on residential units with transaction prices of MOP8 million or below, as the reduced loan-to-value ratio has affected their affordability.

Earlier this week, the Real Estate Joint Chamber of Commerce called on the government to study the opening of residency for investment and property purchases, and to introduce investors to revitalize the real estate market.

Echoing similar sentiments, Chong said Macau could follow Hong Kongs scheme of giving residency to people who invest HKD30 million into the city as it steps up efforts to revive its status as a financial center and bolster revenue.

The move is expected to bring in HKD120 billion for Hong Kong annually.

If the government does not open up to investment immigration, it will not be able to make the market [better], he said.

However, he also said there are still concerns about such an investment scheme, as residents may feel that if more people obtain a resident identity card then more people will enjoy the benefits of Macau and increase the financial burden upon the government.

But he stressed the government can set restrictions for future investment immigrants, including the need to pay taxes, and that only up to a certain level can certain benefits be enjoyed.

Meanwhile, Peter Lok from the Macau Real Estate Development Association has also agreed that the industry is very pessimistic about the property market this year.

The association has recommended the government fully ease measures for housing, calling the property cooling measures out of step amidst an ongoing shift in attitudes.

Lok agreed that currently only the investment immigration policy can attract talent and money.

According to the current environment, even if the government launches another land auction, there will be no bidders. If the government does not adopt improvement policies, it is expected that the price per square foot of the property market will continue to fall.

Realtor JLL earlier noted that it does not foresee a strong inclination towards a boost in the market, even if the government lifts all its cooldown measures.

Therefore, the group further suggested relaxing investment thresholds for Macaus property market in the surrounding areas, so as to stabilize the healthy development of that market and promote integration with the Greater Bay Area development pattern.
Chinese police are investigating an unauthorized and highly unusual online dump of documents from a private security contractor linked to the nations top policing agency and other parts of its government  a trove that catalogs apparent hacking activity and tools to spy on both Chinese and foreigners.

Among the apparent targets of tools provided by the impacted company, I-Soon: ethnicities and dissidents in parts of China that have seen significant anti-government protests.

The dump of scores of documents late last week and subsequent investigation were confirmed by two employees of I-Soon, known as Anxun in Mandarin, which has ties to the powerful Ministry of Public Security. The dump, which analysts consider highly significant even if it does not reveal any especially novel or potent tools, includes hundreds of pages of contracts, marketing presentations, product manuals, and client and employee lists.

The documents show apparent I-Soon hacking of networks across Central and Southeast Asia, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The hacking tools are used by Chinese agents to unmask users of social media platforms outside China such as X, formerly known as Twitter, break into email and hide the online activity of overseas agents. Also described are devices disguised as power strips and batteries that can be used to compromise Wi-Fi networks.

I-Soon and Chinese police are investigating how the files were leaked, the two I-Soon employees told The Associated Press.

One of the employees said I-Soon held a meeting Wednesday about the leak and were told it wouldnt affect business too much and to continue working as normal. The AP is not naming the employees  who did provide their surnames, per common Chinese practice  out of concern about possible retribution.

The source of the leak is not known. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. MDT/AP
A leader of a Japan-based crime syndicate conspired to traffic uranium and plutonium from Myanmar in the belief that Iran would use it to make nuclear weapons, U.S. prosecutors alleged yesterday [Macau time].

Takeshi Ebisawa, 60, and his confederates showed samples of nuclear materials that had been transported from Myanmar to Thailand to an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agent posing as a narcotics and weapons trafficker who had access to an Iranian general, according to federal officials. The nuclear material was seized and samples were later found to contain uranium and weapons-grade plutonium.

As alleged, the defendants in this case trafficked in drugs, weapons, and nuclear material  going so far as to offer uranium and weapons-grade plutonium fully expecting that Iran would use it for nuclear weapons, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in a statement. This is an extraordinary example of the depravity of drug traffickers who operate with total disregard for human life.

The nuclear material came from an unidentified leader of an ethnic insurgent group in Myanmar who had been mining uranium in the country, according to prosecutors. Ebisawa had proposed that the leader sell uranium through him in order to fund a weapons purchase from the general, court documents allege.

According to prosecutors, the insurgent leader provided samples, which a U.S. federal lab found contained uranium, thorium and plutonium, and that the the isotope composition of the plutonium was weapons-grade, meaning enough of it would be suitable for use in a nuclear weapon.

Ebisawa, who prosecutors allege is a leader of a Japan-based international crime syndicate, was among four people who were arrested in April 2022 in Manhattan during a DEA sting operation. He has been jailed awaiting trial and is among two defendants named in a superseding indictment. Ebisawa is charged with the international trafficking of nuclear materials, conspiracy to commit that crime, and several other counts.

An email seeking comment was sent to Ebisawas attorney, Evan Loren Lipton.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Ebisawa brazenly trafficked the material from Myanmar to other countries.

He allegedly did so while believing that the material was going to be used in the development of a nuclear weapons program, and the weapons-grade plutonium he trafficked, if produced in sufficient quantities, could have been used for that purpose, Williams said in the news release.

The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned today (Macau time) in federal court in Manhattan. MDT/AP
* Not so cool

 Chambers warn of grim post-pandemic property market following cooldown measures

* Heritage | Artifacts found at Patio do Amparo not from Qing Dynasty

* Taste of Edesia

* Police fined almost 300 jaywalkers last month near the intersection between Rua do Campo and Rua de Ferreira do Amaral downtown

* Visitor expenditures surpass 2019 levels: official stats

* Nikkei stock index breaks its 1989 record, surges to an all-time high

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Friday, February 23, 2024  edition no. 4430
A group of United States Congress members met with Taiwans leader yesterday in a show of support thats certain to draw scrutiny from China, which opposes such visits and sees them as a challenge to its sovereignty over the island.

A visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan two years ago resulted in China dispatching warships and military aircraft to all sides of the self-governing island democracy, and firing ballistic missiles into the waters nearby.

In a meeting with Tsai Ing-wen, Rep. Mike Gallagher, the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, highlighted the bipartisan support for the U.S.-Taiwan partnership, which he described as stronger and more rock-solid than ever now.

The U.S., like most countries, doesnt formally recognize Taiwan as a country but maintains robust informal relations with the island and is bound by its own laws to provide it with the weapons it needs to defend itself.

Gallagher thanked Tsai, who is nearing the end of her second and last term in office, for her leadership in Taiwan and for distinguishing herself as a leader within the free world.

Tsai thanked the U.S. for continuing to help Taiwan strengthen its self-defense capabilities.

Together we are safeguarding freedom and democracy and maintaining regional peace, she said, adding that she hoped to see more exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan in a range of domains.

The delegation, led by Gallagher, R-Wis., and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D.-Ill., was expected to be in Taiwan for three days as part of a larger visit to the Indo-Pacific region. Other members include Reps. John Moolenaar, R-Mich.; Dusty Johnson, R-S.D.; and Seth Moulton, D-Mass.

Consisting of some of Congress staunchest critics of China, the bipartisan delegation was to meet with other senior Taiwanese officials and members of civil society to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security and trade, among other issues of mutual interest.

Krishnamoorthi said Taiwan is one of the United States closest friends and a role model for democracy, after Lai Ching-te emerged victorious as Taiwans new leader and vowed to safeguard the islands de facto independence from China and further align it with other democracies.

Its one of the most robust, most vibrant, one of the most exciting democracies in the world, Krishnamoorthi said. And this year, when half of the worlds population will be going to the polls to vote, you provided a role model for how elections should be conducted, and for that we salute you on this peaceful transfer of power, and you are an exemplar of democracy.

Krishnamoorthi is the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Partys ranking Democrat. The committee was formed in 2023 and has held numerous hearings focused on human rights, trade, cyber intrusions and other issues central to the rising tensions between the two superpowers.

Earlier in February, the Commerce Department announced that for the first time in more than two decades, Mexico surpassed China as the leading source of goods imported by the United States. In 2023, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy hosted Taiwans leader in a rare high-level meeting on U.S. soil.

The shows of support for Taiwan reflect the growing willingness by many in Congress to confront China on a range of issues as economic relations between the two nations deteriorate.

Taiwan was also part of the $95-billion aid package that passed the Senate on Feb. 13, but has stalled in the House. That package, which focused on Ukraine and Israel, included $1.9 billion to replenish U.S. weapons provided to Taiwan. Another $3.3 billion would go to build more U.S.-made submarines in support of a security partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom. KEVIN FREKING & SIMINA MISTREANU, TAIPEI, MDT/AP
Is local news readily available in your town? Do reporters still cover your school board and other municipal meetings?

If you answered yes, you are likely wealthier than the average American, and you live in or near a metro area.

The State of Local News Project at Northwestern University documents the changing local news landscape across the country. Our latest report shows that where you live and how much money you make affect whether you live in a news desert or a news oasis. This divide is related to other factors affecting the health of our democracy, as analysis of our data by the nonprofit Rebuild Local News showed.

For more than a decade, I have worked in organizations that study and support local journalism, and Im intimately familiar with both the challenges and the solutions for the local journalism landscape.

Inequity in local news

One of the most vexing problems, as our report shows, is the persistence of inequity between communities that are local journalism haves and have-nots.

The have-nots are news deserts with few, if any, journalists to do the daily newsgathering and reporting that people require to participate meaningfully in their local communities and democratic institutions.

The main challenge for news outlets in have-not communities is the migration of advertising money from the printed page  where it made up roughly 80% of news organizations income  to the screen, where it now makes up less than 20%. This decline in ad revenue, a trend for the last decade-plus, has forced many outlets to rely on audience funding, philanthropy, cost-cutting or some combination of the three.

In communities with little disposable income to put toward news subscriptions or donations and no local philanthropies, cost-cutting becomes the only option. This creates a self-reinforcing spiral of lower quality and declining readership and, ultimately, closure.

In 2023, the country lost more than 130 print newspapers, which continue to be the newsrooms most likely to produce original local content that other outlets circulate.

Since 2005, the U.S. has lost almost 2,900 papers.

New digital outlets are not being created fast enough to fill that huge void. The number of digital outlets has held steady at roughly 550 in recent years, with about 20 new outlets opening each year  and roughly the same number closing.

All told, 1,558 of the nations 3,143 counties have only one news outlet, while 203 are news deserts with zero, meaning there are likely thousands of communities that simply do not have access to local news.

For example, both Texas and Tennessee had four counties lose their only remaining newspaper last year. All eight papers were independently owned.

What it takes to thrive

Wealthier communities do better sustaining local news organizations.

Our data shows that counties with an average household income over US$80,000 can support a robust local journalism ecosystem  meaning 10 or more outlets. Those with an average household income of $54,000 or less are more likely to be news deserts. By the same token, the percentage of the population below the poverty line in news deserts averages more than 16%, versus 12% in counties with robust markets. This finding aligns with other research, including a previous study I did of local news in New Jersey.

In addition to household income, population density correlates to the number of outlets serving a local community. In our data, counties with 10 or more outlets are overwhelmingly urban or dense suburbia, while news deserts are usually rural  though news deserts also occur in low-income pockets of metro areas. Densely populated communities tend to include higher-income households and have network effects that come from the ability of businesses to reach a larger number of people in a relatively small footprint.

This phenomenon leads to the third factor related to number of outlets in a county: gross domestic product per capita. In any town, city or country, the GDP represents the amount of money netted from sales of services and merchandise, divided by population. For the news oases in our study, the average GDP per capita is $75,140. For the news deserts, it is just $8,964. This difference reflects the retail and services base, and the number of businesses that could buy advertising in their local news outlet, or create jobs that would allow residents to donate to one.

An example that highlights the importance of this factor is the newspaper Moab Sun News, which is thriving in the rural rocky highlands of Utah, thanks in part to a robust tourism industry and retail base. Though it serves a relatively small permanent population of 5,321, the Moab Sun News has built a sustainable business model through strong advertising revenue, a user-friendly website that welcomes subscriptions and donations, and creative collaborations with other community organizations in town.

The final factor that contributes to a community being a journalism have or have-not is access to high-quality broadband. Emerging metrics show that this near-necessity of contemporary life is not yet reliably available to rural Americans.

Whats working

Despite these seemingly intractable problems, solutions to local journalism inequality are becoming clearer.

One is collaboration. For example, in Colorado, the national nonprofit news outlet The Daily Yonder has hired a reporter based in a rural community to write stories about life there and share them out with both local and national organizations.

Another is philanthropy. The new Press Forward initiative has begun local chapters across the country, with at least one planning to serve rural communities. Organizations like the National Trust for Local News have been buying outlets that would likely otherwise be sold to hedge funds, and turning them into nonprofits that will continue to serve their communities.

Public policy should also play a role. At the state level, policies to support local news have seen success in New Jersey, California and elsewhere, and more bills are working their way through state legislatures. People seem to be realizing that having quality local news is just as vital as having public education and access to health care. With any luck, every community will have the opportunity to be a journalism have.

Sarah Stonbely Northwestern University, MDT/The Conversation
Shortly before Middleton police say Jessica Jessmon killed her two young children and shot their father before killing herself, Jessmon appeared at Shawna Tantillos apartment to pick up the kids after a lunch date.

She seemed OK, but was going through a lot as a parent, Tantillo said.

The two had known one another after becoming neighbors a couple years earlier and supported each other through parenthood, said Tantillo, who has three sons herself. They would talk several times a day. Tantillo considered Jessmon her best friend and described her as the strongest girl I know.

We became one big family, Tantillo said. I love her like my sister. She is my family by choice, and I will forever love her, and my kids and I are so incredibly lucky to have her as a neighbor and to have met her.

Police say Jessmon fatally shot her children, Makyla Lacey-Robinson, 8, and Major Lacey-Robinson, 5, and wounded their father, Sedale Lacey-Robinson, on Sunday evening before killing herself.

Addiction, legal troubles

Jessmons father, Ken Jessmon, said his daughter had struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues since adolescence. The last time hed seen her, he said, she was in jail. But she had been trying to get her life back on track, he said, attending online courses at Madison Area Technical College in hopes of pursuing a paralegal career. She was slated to graduate in May, he said. Madison College officials did not immediately return requests for confirmation.

She did all the work and everything for those children, Ken Jessmon told the Wisconsin State Journal on Thursday.

The elder Jessmon said he had never met his grandchildren or Lacey-Robinson. He said he lost contact with his daughter a few years ago over her struggles with drugs and said he thought Lacey-Robinson had a bad influence on her.

Court records show that Jessica Jessmon and Lacey-Robinson had been jailed in the past on drug charges, and that theyd been in an ongoing custody dispute after his release from four years in federal prison for dealing heroin laced with fentanyl.

A family member of Lacey-Robinson declined to comment Thursday.

Childrens father more of a victim

Although its still an active case, Middleton Police Capt. Tyler Loether said Jessmon is believed to be the only shooter and Lacey-Robinson is not being considered a person of interest.

He is certainly more of a victim, Loether said of Lacey-Robinson, referring to the mans gunshot wounds.

When the shots rang out in the Lakeview Village apartment Sunday night, officers Saygo Henderson and Brittany Blankenship were already there investigating a different complaint a few units down in a miraculous happenstance, Loether said. The officers heard the gunfire before Lacey-Robinson came outside wounded.

Once theyd spoken to Lacey-Robinson, officers unsuccessfully tried to call Jessmon, who had barricaded herself and the children in the apartment, according to an affidavit filed in Dane County Circuit Court Wednesday as part of a search warrant for the apartment. Dane Countys Tactical Response Team then deployed a surveillance robot into Jessmons apartment, which showed Jessmon unresponsive on the floor.

Investigators are reviewing the accounts of those officers as well as other evidence to piece together what happened.

Detective Siobodan Rozic filed the search warrant for the Maywood Avenue apartment, seeking guns, ammunition, eviction documents and any evidence pointing to a motive, among other things.

A community vigil is planned for 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Lakeview Park.
A former Madison wealth manager who last year admitted to state regulators that he stole at least $1.5 million of client money that was supposed to have been invested has agreed to plead guilty to federal wire fraud and tax evasion charges and face a possible prison sentence, according to documents filed Friday in U.S. District Court.

Thomas V. Demergian, 63, who agreed last year to close his business, Insight Wealth Management, under a consent decree with the state Department of Financial Institutions, agreed to waive a formal indictment and plead guilty to the charges in U.S. District Court in Madison, according to a plea agreement and a charging document.

No date is listed yet for Demergian to formally enter his guilty pleas.

Demergian ran Insight, his business since 2000, from his home in the Hawks Landing neighborhood on Madisons Far West Side.

According to a summary of facts in the case included in the plea agreement, which was signed by Demergian two weeks ago, Demergian was a registered securities broker and an investment adviser, offering investment management of funds, including retirement benefits.

The document states Demergian told clients to place some of their investment money with him through IRT Company, which he told them was the escrow bank for the Vanguard Group and could invest their money in various funds through Vanguard, BlackRock and real estate investment trusts. He told them they would not be charged a fee if they placed their investment money with him through IRT.

According to a criminal charging document, Demergian opened a bank account for IRT Company at US Bank, where he deposited client checks that were made payable to IRT. That money, the document states, was quickly moved into Demergians personal bank accounts.

Between 2005 and 2022, Demergian took in more than $1.3 million paid to IRT from his investment clients, the plea agreement states. But he didnt invest any of that money, using it instead for personal expenses.

The charging document states some of the money went to members of Demergians family, and other money was used for trips to casinos in Las Vegas or for trips to visit family in North Carolina or was gambled at Ho-Chunk Casino.

In addition, the document states, some of the money paid Demergians home mortgage and credit card bills and bought collector cars, including a 1962 Jaguar and a 1971 Lotus Elan. Money also was used to build gun and wine collections.

Each year, Demergian met with clients to show them a fake investment portfolio summary listing funds he claimed to have invested for them, which would falsely show positive growth and reinvestment of dividends, according to the plea agreement.

The charging document states that when clients asked him to liquidate some of their investments or pay them dividends, he would lie to them and tell them it would not be a prudent decision or give them another excuse but would not tell them he had spent the money.

In 2023, the charging document states, one victim and his son became suspicious about the purported performance of their investment money and began asking for more documentation.

That led the victim to demand the return of all his money or that it be moved to his TD Ameritrade account with Insight, where there was more transparency.

None of the money Demergian misappropriated was reported to the Internal Revenue Service, the plea agreement states. For tax years 2017 to 2022, he underreported his income by $408,601, evading $104,779 in taxes.

Under the agreement, Demergian has agreed to pay restitution of $1.3 million, with an initial payment at the time of his sentencing of $208,000. He agreed to liquidate all but some exempt assets immediately.

According to city of Madison property records, Demergian sold his home last year.

The fraud charge carries up to 20 years in prison, and the tax evasion charge carries up to five years. The agreement does not specify a sentence that prosecutors would seek from U.S. District Judge William Conley, who is assigned the case.

Last year, after the state announced its own penalties against Demergian, his attorney, Mark Maciolek, told the Wisconsin State Journal that he had reported Demergian to Madison police at Demergians request.

He genuinely felt bad about it, Maciolek said last year.
The Legislature on Thursday approved about $740 million in capital investments across the Universities of Wisconsin, including a new engineering building at UW-Madison that rallied massive industry support.

The Legislature also passed a bill that would funnel millions in tuition revenue back to UW system universities.

Both bills now head to Gov. Tony Evers desk for final approval.

The bills are part of the massive, controversial deal UW system President Jay Rothman and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, struck late last year that gives about $800 million in funding to the UW system in exchange for changes to the public university systems diversity, equity and inclusion programming.

The deal required the Legislature to approve the capital funding and tuition revenue provisions by the end of the February legislative session.

In a social media post Thursday, Rothman thanked the Legislature for supporting the bills.

State partnership is critical as we aim to provide the education our students deserve and parents expect, and we are grateful to the Legislature for their support in moving these bills to the Governor today, Rothman said in a post.

Signatures from Evers on the two bills would mean more than half of the deals provisions would be fulfilled. Those include a bill approved earlier this week that guarantees admission to UW system schools for Wisconsin high school students in the top percentages of their high school class and the release of pay raises for nearly 35,000 UW system employees that had been withheld.

Senate Bill 895 and Assembly Bill 921, if signed into law, amend the states capital budget plan to approve state borrowing for a new $347 million engineering building and renovations for three decades-old residence halls at UW-Madison.

The new engineering building was the UW system and UW-Madisons top priority going into the last state budget.

The engineering college is in dire need of more space: Student growth has stagnated as the college has run out of room; lab-stealing and physical space constraints are persistent problems for a college bursting at the seams. In the basement of Engineering Hall, space to store high-power magnetic motors is nearly maxed out.

In a social media post, UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said the bipartisan votes for the project strengthen our university and support innovation.

The bill also provides $78.4 million to repair the facades on two of UW-Whitewaters aging academic buildings and $45.4 million to demolish uninhabitable buildings, including facilities at UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Green Bay.

Senate Bill 161 and Assembly Bill 140 make changes to the Minnesota-Wisconsin tuition reciprocity agreement so that the UW system gets to keep more of the tuition money paid by Minnesota students who attend UW schools, which under current law is deposited in the states general fund. UW-Madison and some of the farthest-west campuses in the UW system, where most Minnesota students attend, could stand to gain hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in tuition.

In the 2021-22 academic year, Minnesota students attending UW schools paid more than $26 million in tuition over Wisconsins in-state rate. Of that, $13.6 million was collected by UW-Madison.

UW-River Falls in northwestern Wisconsin, about a 20-minute drive from the Minnesota border, has the highest percentage of Minnesota students among the UW campuses, 43%. In 2021-22, it forked over the second-highest amount of Minnesota student tuition, $4.3 million.

Thursdays legislative action means only one of the DEI deals time-sensitive provisions still needs to be approved  the release of $32 million that the states budget-writing committee held back from the UW systems budget this summer. The Joint Finance Committee said the UW system could only recoup that money if the system reallocated those dollars to address the states workforce shortages.
The immediate future of the $160.5 million Wisconsin History Center to be built on Capitol Square could now be tied, ironically, to a dispute over demolishing historic buildings next door.

Hovde Properties is seeking to raze five vacant, century-old buildings with distinctive terra cotta facades on the 100 block of West Mifflin Street  including the former Silver Dollar Tavern. The demolition would create space for the orderly and safe construction of the History Center, enable continued access to Hovdes other property on the same block, and create a site for Hovde to redevelop at a future date, possibly in the form of housing, commercial space and a hotel.

Under the demolition plan, the Historical Society gains needed staging space for construction and less disturbance along Mifflin Plaza, while Hovde gains the safest construction environment for its tenants, users and public, and appropriate level of access to the Churchill Building, Hovdes demolition submission says.

But the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation is opposing demolition of the historically significant buildings, contending the properties are not needed for construction of the History Center, that far bigger projects are built on tighter sites, and that Hovde has not submitted redevelopment plans for the properties to be razed.

The citys Plan Commission will consider the demolition request during an online meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

Design and development

The developer, which has sought and failed to raze the buildings for decades, has entered into an agreement with the Wisconsin Historical Society for various responsibilities at the adjacent sites as development occurs, including the society backing the demolitions to aid construction of the five-story, 100,000-square-foot History Center at the top of State Street.

An alley separates the buildings Hovde wants to raze and the History Center, with a joint easement that dates to 1900. The demolitions, Hovde says, would create more space for building the History Center and retain rear access to another prominent building it owns in the immediate area  the historic, nine-story Churchill Building, 16 N. Carroll St. on Capitol Square. The developer also owns the historic 14-story Hovde Building, 122 W. Washington Ave.

We do not feel it is practical to meet the needs of us operating our buildings and doing construction within the alley in a safe manner, Hovde President Randy Guenther said. Initially, Hovde also sought to demolish a three-story building at 15 N. Fairchild St. between the Mifflin Street buildings and the Hovde Building, but withdrew the request, explaining that it wants to minimize demolitions until its ready to do its own project.

If the requested demolitions arent granted, Hovde contends the Historical Society may need to alter its design for the History Center.

The Historical Society doesnt foresee that the History Center would need to be materially redesigned, but the project would likely be delayed because the sides would need to agree to an alternative solution on accommodating construction, society spokesperson Colleen Lies said. Its difficult to say how long that would take, she said.

The trust wants to preserve the terra cotta facades in place, but the rest of the buildings can be demolished and redeveloped, said Bob Klebba, co-chair of its Advocacy Committee.

Any redevelopment needs to maintain the pedestrian feel of the existing front facades with their intricate terra cotta work, he said. Hovde has indicated willingness to incorporate the terra cotta in a redevelopment.

Historic value

The citys Landmarks Commission has advised that the buildings have historic value, and if a demolition is granted, as much of the terra cotta should be preserved as possible. The Mifflin District of Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. has serious concerns about the future of the demolition site after the History Center project is done and is pushing for a series of conditions.

A new Planning Division staff report does not offer a strong recommendation for or against demolition.

This is an extremely frustrating situation, said Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District, who represents the area. The demolition request would be dead on arrival but for the issue concerning the new History Center. Its quite clear to me the only reason WHS is supporting the demolition is because Hovde Properties is forcing them to do so.

Is the demolition necessary?

Once a high-class shopping district, four of the five storefronts were acquired by Hovde decades ago and long held vacant for redevelopment. Its made the area uninviting as a pedestrian thoroughfare, especially at night.

Hovde recently secured an option to buy the Silver Dollar, the citys oldest tavern, which was established in 1933. The final drinks were poured there on Feb. 3. The taverns 1930s mahogany bar and other memorabilia are being incorporated into a gathering and events space in the History Center, which will open in 2027.

The Neoclassical Revival terra cotta buildings, designed by architect Philip Homer, were known as the Mifflin Arcade and home to a variety of commercial uses.

The buildings are not landmarks or in a local historic district. But they were considered as contributing to a potential State Street National Register Historic District that ultimately stalled due to property owners objections.

The five buildings were built as a single project, the citys first-ever shopping center, tied to the rise in popularity of the automobile, the trust says. The decorative facades are from a relatively brief period of American architecture when terra cotta was often featured, and there are few surviving examples in Madison, it says.

Our plan is to work on our development plans and approvals over the next two years while WHS is utilizing the site, so we are in a position to start construction when they finish with their project, Guenther said, adding that economic factors will influence the exact start.

If there is delay, Hovde will grass and landscape the site and put up appropriate fencing until it can start construction, he said.

The trust sees it differently. Without a doubt, the construction company can build the History Center using existing approved staging areas, it said in a letter to the city. Regardless, the neighbors construction is a flimsy excuse to demolish these resources important to our shared cultural history.

Hovde has been trying to demolish the Mifflin Arcade buildings essentially since they purchased them beginning in the early 1980s, Klebba said. They do not have a plan for anything beyond demolition.

Developer sought demolitions before

Hovde has twice formally tried to demolish the one-story buildings.

In 2019, Hovde sought to demolish four of five buildings and in the short term replace them with an enclosed space suitable for art displays, performances and other programming, but withdrew the proposal amid opposition. Two decades ago, the city denied Hovdes request to raze the buildings for a temporary parking lot in anticipation of future redevelopment.

The Hovde properties have been in limbo at least partly because they were initially envisioned to be part of the site for a joint redevelopment involving a new history center and private spaces that could have been the largest project in city history.

But in October 2021, after changes in sites, the Historical Society announced it would demolish its current undersized museum and adjacent properties at 20 and 22 N. Carroll St. for a new facility.

Our vision is the same as it has been for 20-plus years, which is to create a block that offers a mix of civic, residential, retail and other uses on an important block of the city, Guenther said.

We are not ready to present actual plans at this point and do not want to mislead anyone on the design of the property, he said. We had to wait until the WHS had advanced farther in their plans before we could really engage heavily into our planning as their building informs the shape and angles on our development.

From majestic cathedral to ashes: Madison's St. Raphael Cathedral through the years
JERUSALEM  International efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas appeared to gain new momentum Thursday as the White House said a visit by a senior envoy with Israeli leaders was "going well" and other mediators reported encouraging signs from the warring parties.

The new signs of progress came ahead of an expected summit this weekend in Paris, where mediators plan to present a new proposal. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have struggled for weeks to find a formula that could halt Israel's devastating offensive in Gaza, but now face an unofficial deadline as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

White House Mideast envoy Brett McGurk held talks throughout the day with Israeli leaders and families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

"The initial indications we're getting from Brett are these discussions are going well," said White House spokesman John Kirby.

A Western diplomat involved in the efforts said both sides want a pause.

"What we have heard from our partners is that they are willing to give concessions," she said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Time is pressing them."

In new fighting, Israeli strikes killed more than 70 people in southern and central Gaza, Palestinian health officials said.

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on morning traffic at a highway checkpoint, killing one man and wounding five others, Israeli police said.

Israel declared war after Hamas militants stormed across the border Oct. 7. An estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, died during the raid, and militants took 250 people captive, according to Israeli authorities.

The Israeli military response has left more than 29,000 Palestinians dead, caused widespread destruction, displaced an estimated 80% of Gazas population and fueled a humanitarian disaster.

About half of the hostages were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. About 100 hostages remain in captivity, in addition to the bodies of 30 others.

Israel demands the release of the remaining hostages as part of any pause but has vowed to press ahead with the offensive until Hamas' military and governing capabilities are destroyed. Hamas wants an end to the war, a full withdrawal of troops and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners Israel is holding.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the Hamas demands as "delusional." But in recent days, Israeli leaders have begun to voice cautious optimism and Hamas suggested it is softening its demands.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a member of Israel's three-man War Cabinet, indicated some flexibility. "We will expand the authority given to our hostage negotiators," he said.

At the same time, he warned that the Israeli army "is preparing the continuation of intense ground operations."

Benny Gantz, who sits on the War Cabinet with Gallant and Netanyahu, has said that if there is no hostage deal, Israel will launch a ground offensive into Gaza's southernmost town, Rafah, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins about March 10.

A top Hamas official, meanwhile, voiced hope for "lots of breakthroughs" in the near future.

More than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million is crowded into Rafah after fleeing fighting elsewhere in the territory. Israel claims it will evacuate them before attacking, but it is not clear where they would go, with much of the rest of the tiny Mediterranean enclave consumed in combat.

The U.S. has urged Israel not to invade Rafah without a plan to protect civilians. Kirby said that McGurk was pressing the Israelis for details.

The foreign ministers of 26 European countries on Thursday called for a pause in fighting leading to a longer cease-fire.

Cease-fire

Both the Western diplomat and an Egyptian official said they have seen "encouraging" signs from Israel and Hamas.

The Egyptian official said Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. would craft a renewed proposal at the talks in Paris, expected on Friday or Saturday.

He said mediators managed to water down demands of both sides, including the number of Palestinian prisoners Israel would release in return for women and elderly hostages during a preliminary six-week cease-fire. He said "the discussions are encouraging."

He also said both sides agreed to continue indirect negotiations for a permanent cease-fire  something Israeli officials in public have ruled out.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, said the negotiations were focused on "our people." He called for Palestinians to be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza and a "redeployment" of Israeli forces from residential areas.

"If this is achieved, things can move on an excellent and good way," he said. "Therefore we say there might be lots of breakthroughs in the near future."

Israeli media said the War Cabinet agreed late Thursday to send a delegation to the Paris talks.

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DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  A long-awaited postwar plan by Israel's prime minister shows that his government seeks open-ended control over security and civilian affairs in the Gaza Strip.

That was swiftly rejected Friday by Palestinian leaders and runs counter to Washington's vision for the war-ravaged enclave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the two-page document to his security Cabinet late Thursday for approval.

Deep disagreements over Gaza's future have led to increasingly public friction between Israel and the United States, its closest ally. The Biden administration seeks eventual Palestinian governance in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to Palestinian statehood, an outcome vehemently opposed by Netanyahu and his right-wing government.

Netanyahu's plan envisions hand-picked Palestinians administering Gaza.

Planned settlements

Israel also plans to build more than 3,300 new homes in settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in response to a fatal Palestinian shooting attack, a senior Cabinet minister said late Thursday.

Israels far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, announced the new settlement plans after three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on cars near the Maale Adumim settlement, killing one Israeli and wounding five.

The Biden administration on Friday restored a U.S. legal finding dating back almost 50 years that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegitimate under international law.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. believes settlements are inconsistent with Israels obligations, reversing a determination made by his predecessor, Mike Pompeo.

Cease-fire

Separately, cease-fire efforts appeared to gain traction, with mediators to present a new proposal at an expected high-level meeting this weekend in Paris.

The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have struggled for weeks to find a formula that could halt Israel's devastating offensive in Gaza, but now face an unofficial deadline as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes in the center and south of the territory killed at least 100 Palestinians, including children and women, overnight and into Friday, health officials and an Associated Press journalist reported. Another 24 bodies remained trapped under the rubble.

After a strike levelled his apartment building in the central town of Deir al-Balah, online video showed Mahmoud Zueitar  a comedian well known in Gaza for his appearances in TV commercials  rushing into the hospital holding his young sister, who was screaming and covered in blood. At least 25 people were killed in the strike, 16 of them women and children.

Throughout the war, Zueitar has been posting upbeat and cheerful videos on social media, joking with people about ways they endure bombardment and displacement, praising Palestinian culture and assuring those around him that one day things will be better.

The Palestinian death toll since the start of the war rose to more than 29,500, with close to 70,000 people wounded, Gaza health officials said. The death toll amounts to close to 1.3% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million.

Netanyahu's vision

Netanyahu's plan, while lacking specifics, marks the first time he has presented a formal postwar vision. It reiterates that Israel is determined to crush Hamas, the militant group that overran the Gaza Strip in 2007.

Polls indicate that a majority of Palestinians don't support Hamas, but the group has deep roots in Palestinian society. Critics, including some in Israel, say the goal of eliminating Hamas is unattainable.

Netanyahu's plan calls for freedom of action for Israel's military across a demilitarized Gaza after the war to thwart any security threat. It says Israel would establish a buffer zone inside Gaza, which is likely to provoke U.S. objections.

The plan also envisions Gaza being governed by local officials who it says would "not be identified with countries or entities that support terrorism and will not receive payment from them."

The Palestinian Authority, which administers pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Friday denounced Netanyahu's plan as "colonialist and racist," saying it would amount to Israeli reoccupation of Gaza. Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005, but maintained control of access to the territory.

Blinken said he had not seen details of the plan, but he said any plan should be consistent with basic principles the U.S. had set out for Gaza's future, "including that it cannot be a platform for terrorism, there should be no Israeli re-occupation of Gaza, the size of Gaza's territory should not be reduced."

The Biden administration wants to see a reformed Palestinian Authority govern both Gaza and the West Bank as a step toward Palestinian statehood. It has sought to chip away at Netanyahu's resistance by holding out the prospect of the normalization of ties between Israel and Arab powerhouse Saudi Arabia, which demands a Palestinian state as a precondition.

U.S., Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials are expected to meet in Paris this weekend to discuss cease-fire efforts.

A senior Egyptian official said Egypt and Qatar would bring an understanding reached with Hamas leaders that calls for a six-week cease-fire and the release of elderly and sick hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners in Israel. The official spoke on condition of anonymity. During the cease-fire, details would be worked out on a further stage.

Hamas demands a complete halt to Israel's offensive and a withdrawal of its troops from Gaza in return for releasing all its remaining hostages, as well as the freeing of Palestinians held by Israel, including top militants. Netanyahu rejects those demands.

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Coming off their recent victory in enacting new state legislative maps, Democrats are now calling on the Wisconsin Supreme Court to strike down the states congressional district boundaries.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Monday encouraged the justices to revisit the maps it selected in 2022 since it recently overturned the rationale for choosing them.

We want to end gerrymandering in Wisconsin at every level, so Im asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to review our congressional maps to make sure those are fair, too, Evers said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Evers then sent the court a letter on Monday, saying he wants the court to revisit the congressional maps decision and stands ready to participate in future proceedings.

Republicans criticized the governor for his request, pointing out that he drew the exact maps he now wants the court to reconsider.

Id like to remind (Gov. Evers) that he is asking the State Supreme Court to review the Congressional maps HE drew, Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald said.

It comes as no surprise that Tony Evers would shamelessly pressure the Wisconsin Supreme Court to throw out his own maps, Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Matt Fisher said in a statement, saying out-of-state donors were funding the lawsuit and had funded the campaign of one of the justices deciding it.

While Evers did draw the current congressional maps, he did so under legal requirements that gave him little latitude.

Evers congressional maps were enacted two years ago after a court battle triggered by the governors unwillingness to sign into law any maps passed by the GOP-passed Legislature.

Taking charge of the states redistricting process, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which had a conservative majority at the time, asked for new map submissions. But in doing so, the court set a least-change standard, which called for boundaries with as few changes as possible from the prior set of maps.

That earlier set of maps had strengthened Republicans majority in the 7th Congressional District in northern Wisconsin while giving Democrats a boost in the 3rd Congressional District in western Wisconsin. Republicans passed the maps through the Legislature in 2011 without receiving any Democratic votes, and Republican former Gov. Scott Walker signed them into law.

Because the court in 2021 called for congressional maps similar to those previous GOP maps, Evers was unable to draw the boundaries Democrats likely would have preferred.

Still, the high court in 2022 chose his congressional maps, which increased the number of competitive districts from one to two. Six of the states eight congressional districts under those maps are held by Republicans. The boundaries heavily favor the GOP, according to the redistricting analysis site PlanScore.

A year after the high court chose Evers maps, though, liberals took control of Supreme Court and shortly after overturned the least-change approach used in the prior redistricting case, saying the standard could run afoul of other legal requirements that must be met in the redistricting process.

A couple of weeks after that ruling, a prominent Democratic law firm asked the high court to toss the states congressional maps since the court overruled the rationale for choosing them in the first place.




NEWS PROVIDED BY

Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights

Feb. 23, 2024



NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Bill Donohue, President, Catholic League:

What started as switching the genitals of minors behind the backs of parents has now evolved to the stage where children are being abducted from their parents if they object. This is the kind of nightmare that few would believe could happen in the United States as recently as 9/11. It is also the kind of condition we would normally associate with totalitarian regimes.

In 2015, Oregon became the first state in the nation to allow 15-year-olds to get sex-reassignment surgery without parental consent. Now the state of Indiana is taking children away from their parents if they object.

The U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to hear the Indiana case. When a Catholic couple learned that their son identified as a girl, they provided mental health services for him, but they did not agree to affirm his new status. Government officials learned of this and moved with dispatch to remove the teenage boy from his parents and place him in a home. There was no evidence of parental abuse of any kind, just a disagreement about the kind of treatment the boy should have.

This is child abuse and the abuser is the government. The sincerely held religious convictions of a responsible Catholic couple have been eviscerated by ideological zealots who work for the state. Even if the couple were atheists, the government has no right to do this. Instead of putting the confused child in a home, the government officials who abducted him should be sent to prison.

This madness never ends. There is a bill in Illinois that would allow the government to charge the parents of a minor with child abuse if they do not accede to their child's desire to transition to the other sex, or have an abortion.

All over Europe, nations which once heralded sex transition surgeries for minors are pulling back, and this includes the Netherlands, home to studies from 2011 which concluded they are beneficial. They later found the data were weak and reversed themselves.

Britain, Finland, Norway and Sweden were once strong advocates, but no more. They now regret doing so. The evidence is clear: so-called gender-affirming care for minors is dangerous to their mental and physical health. Regrettably, the U.S. has yet to figure this out. It is still harming innocent children, and this crusade is being led by the Biden administration.

Minors are not allowed to get a tattoo and teachers are not allowed to give them an aspirin. Yet these same children are allowed to have their hormones altered and their genitals mutilated while keeping their parents in the dark. But it is okay for school officials to know. Indeed, they are often the officiators.

Parents are the only ones who can stop this insanitythe medical profession, educators and government agents have become the enemy. The monetary and ideological profit being made by legally exploiting children is what fires them. There can't be enough lawsuits.
Former president Donald Trumps fundraising committee schemed with state Rep. Janel Brandtjen to illegally funnel money to county Republican parties in an effort to oust Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in 2022, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission alleges in documents obtained Friday by the Wisconsin State Journal.

The commission recommended local district attorneys file felony charges against Brandtjen, R-Menominee Falls; Vos challenger Adam Steens campaign committee; workers for Trumps fundraising committee Save America; three Republican county parties; and several others, the records state.

The alleged scheme, first reported by WisPolitics.com, highlights the ongoing Republican animosity toward Vos, who resisted calls from the former president and election deniers to overturn the states 2020 presidential election that Trump lost. That led Steen to mount a GOP primary challenge against Vos in 2022, coming about 250 votes short of ousting the longtime Assembly speaker.

The ethics commission said it could refer the criminal complaints to the Wisconsin Department of Justice or other district attorneys if theyre not prosecuted within 60 days.

Wisconsin law prohibits campaign donations over $1,000 to Assembly candidates, but it allows county parties to donate an unlimited amount. Still, Wisconsin law prohibits people from directing their donations to a candidate through a committee that doesnt belong to the candidate. Candidates also are prohibited from accepting money they know was routed through an external committee for their purpose.

The ethics report alleges Steen and his campaign committee told people who wanted to contribute more than $1,000 to his unsuccessful effort to oust Vos in 2022 to instead donate to the Langlade County Republican Party with the numbers 63 written in the memo line of the donation, referring to the district Steen was hoping to win.

By seeing the district number, the party knew to forward those funds or to use them for in-kind contributions to Friends of Adam Steen, the report states.

Steens campaign committee received over $40,000 from the Langlade County GOP, the commission stated.

Langlade County GOP chair Terry Brand said in an interview that the money was indeed used in an effort to defeat Vos but didnt think the scheme was illegal.

Why would we intentionally do something if we were aware that it could be illegal? he said. I dont think theres any evidence to support that we did anything wrong.

He said the party files regular campaign finance reports and was never told by the ethics commission that it had been suspected of wrongdoing until Vos supporters began scrutinizing the funds.

Robin Vos wants to make sure nobody ever supports a candidate thats running against him in the future, he said.

Brandtjen, Steen and Vos spokesperson Angela Joyce didnt respond to a request for comment.

Read the Wisconsin campaign finance complaints against Trump campaign committee, others The Wisconsin Ethics Commission says several Republican officials conspired to illegally steer contributions to the campaign of Adam Steen in 2022.

Sounds like money laundering

Steen and his campaign also directed a $5,000 donation from Save America, Trumps joint fundraising committee, through the Chippewa County Republican Party, the commission alleges. The party returned the donation because some members feared a campaign finance violation, the allegations state.

Another person who tried to donate to Steens campaign through the Chippewa County GOP told investigators, I asked Adam Steen directly how I could contribute to his campaign and he said to donate to the Republican Party of Chippewa County, the commission alleges.

Save America directed another $5,000 through the Florence County Republican Party, and party officials were told to send that money through to Langlade County, the commission states.

Asked about the scheme later, a former party official allegedly told investigators, It was after the fact that we were like, this sounds like money laundering to me. Did we just screw up really bad? Thats what we felt like.

It wasnt immediately clear how individual members of the bipartisan ethics commission voted on the recommendations to prosecute participants in the alleged scheme. Commission administrator Daniel Carlton Jr. said details about the meeting would likely become available by May.

The ethics commission further alleges that Brandtjen, a state representative who has become isolated from many fellow GOP Assembly members, spoke with Steen about the scheme involving the three county parties, though the complaint doesnt specify exactly what they discussed.

She also facilitated contributions from Trumps joint fundraising committee to the three Republican parties that partook in the scheme, the ethics commission alleges.

There was at least one recorded conversation where she was discussing getting money from Save America to a county party, the commission stated.

MyPillow complaint dismissed

The commission dismissed one complaint, against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell who, according to the complaint, may have been one of the contributors who participated in the plan to route money in excess of the contribution limits to Friends of Adam Steen.

The commission said it didnt have sufficient evidence to refer Lindell for prosecution. He donated $4,000 to the Langlade Party GOP in August, just one week before the primary that Vos won, according to campaign finance reports.

The commission also recommended charges against Kevin Steen, the father of Vos challenger; the Chippewa County Republican Party, including treasurer Amanda Radle; the Langlade County Republican Party, including Brand and vice chair Leonard Boltz; the Florence County Republican Party, including chair Brian Jennings; and donors Alan Blair, and Julie and Bryan Knudtson.

Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell said he planned to return the prosecution recommendations back to the commission.

As both a past and present member of the Chippewa County Republican Party it would be a conflict for me to take any action regarding these allegations, he said.

Newell said he wasnt aware of the alleged activity until after the ethics commission received a complaint against the party GOP.

While there was no impropriety on my end, and I am not under investigation, a prosecutor should avoid even the appearance of impropriety, he said.

Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson, who received the recommendation to prosecute Steen, said, Due to the importance of how the conduct alleged impacts the integrity of elections in Racine County, all efforts will be made to reach a decision quickly.

The Waukesha County District Attorneys Office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. The Langlade County District Attorneys Office declined to comment, and Florence Countys district attorney was not available.
Immigrants are good for this country. They work critical jobs, pay taxes, build businesses and introduce many of our favorite foods and cultural innovations (donuts, anyone?). But for decades, powerful players have chosen the self-serving politics of division over sensible immigration policies.

The immigrant experience is essential to the American story. Our communities include many who came here to seek safety, work, study and join their families. They make the United States a strong, diverse nation.

Immigrants were more likely to be essential workers during the pandemic, and they can will crucial roles in the future. As America's population ages, more of us will need home health care  a workforce thats one-fourth immigrant and needs to grow fast to meet need.

The Congressional Budget Office projects that immigration could increase our country's economy $7 trillion over 10 years.

We need immigration. And many of us know this, with 68% of respondents saying immigration is good for the country, according to a Gallup poll last year. Yet our government has made it much harder and more punitive for immigrants in recent decades to claim their rights to a dignified future.

Detention centers, deportations and walls can be deadly, inhumane and tear families apart. We spend untold billions on these cruelties, according to the National Priorities Project. And these policies dont deter many people from leaving their home countries for freedom, safety or opportunity.

Yet we continue responding to the problem of people seeking refuge here by doubling down on these false solutions. All of us  new immigrants and descendants of old ones  are stuck in this policy limbo because of powerful people who benefit from dividing us and preventing real solutions.

The border policy recently proposed by the Senate isnt a real solution. Its a threat. The so-called border compromise would have gutted the asylum system, ramped up mass surveillance and enforcement, and invested in a pointless and harmful border wall.

That proposal isnt the best we can do. A real solution to immigration would be to embrace immigration, which makes us stronger. It would open up paths to legalization and citizenship for immigrants who have been contributing to this country for years and for many of those who are making the trip now.

Our government also must address the real reasons that scores of people are leaving their homes. This includes the U.S. economic sanctions that are strangling their home economies. It includes the war on drugs that can make migrants home communities unlivable. Climate change has created weather that sends millions fleeing.

Congress has made real progress before, and it can do it again.

The 1986 immigration law signed by President Ronald Reagan granted legalization to millions of undocumented immigrants. President George W. Bush supported a proposal that would have led to legalization for millions more. Under President Barack Obama, the Senate passed a plan that would have opened the door to legalization for many of the current 11 million undocumented people living and working in the country.

Its time to think bigger than the Senates most recent, doomed plan. Immigrants have always kept this country moving forward. We should embrace the vitality and diversity that immigration can bring, refuse to be divided by those who want to scare us, and enact some genuine immigration reform.
Gov. Tony Evers last year was simultaneous criticized from the right and admired from the left for his creative use of the veto.

A provision in the state budget provided school districts with an increase of $325 per pupil annually in their authority to raise revenue for the next two school years. But the governor used his extensive veto powers to strike out a dash and the 20 from an appropriation for the 2024-25 school year, continuing the appropriation authority until the year 2425.

Under this veto, the governor set the state up for more than $5 billion in new K-12 spending over the next 20 years, with no input from the state Legislature.

This partial veto does not fit the spirit of what governors are supposed to do with their veto pen. But Wisconsin has a long history of governors of both parties being creative with the veto.

Gov. Tommy Thompson famously used the veto to increase a school tax credit from $35,000 to $319,305,000 in the 1991-92 state budget cycle. Gov. Scott Walker once removed the word not from the budget to require an audit of the University of Wisconsin system.

But while each of these instances may deserve its own scrutiny, the end result was to lower taxpayer spending or to provide more oversight of state agencies. To use the veto pen to increase state spending is arguably a greater violation of the spirit of the partial veto.

To understand why, consider the history of the partial veto. It was added to the Wisconsin Constitution in 1930 as a remedy for the new phenomenon of omnibus bills, which lumped many appropriations together into a single bill. Before this, most spending bills would come to the governors desk as separate legislation, allowing him the ability to consider the merits of each item.

But the governor at the time complained that it was impossible for him to use his discretion when myriad appropriations were being passed at the same time. He would have to veto the entire omnibus if he disliked a single provision.

As government grew in the United States in the Progressive Era and spending appropriations became larger and more complex, Wisconsin was far from alone in giving its governor this ability. But the state was more unique in the extent of the power provided. Indeed, Wisconsin is now alone among all 50 states in allowing a governor to make changes within individual appropriations. This should not be a point of pride.

In reaction to some of the most aggressive partial vetoes, limitations to these broad powers have been added over the years. In 1990, voters approved a constitutional amendment to prevent the governor from striking out individual letters to create new words with his pen, otherwise known as the Vanna White veto. In 2008, voters approved another constitutional amendment prohibiting governors from creating a new sentence by combining parts of two or more sentences, known as the Frankenstein veto. Both measures were approved overwhelmingly by voters.

My organization was involved in a lawsuit that saw some of Gov. Evers vetoes overturned by the state Supreme Court for violating the intent of the Legislature. But the governors 400-year veto for school funding highlights that further limitations are needed on this power.

Republicans in the Legislature are now working to restore the partial-item veto to its proper limitations. Under Assembly Joint Resolution 112, a governor would no longer be allowed to use his veto pen to raise taxes or fees. The governor would retain the power to strike provisions that lower the cost to taxpayers.

The joint resolution begins the process of a constitutional amendment. The Assembly voted Tuesday to advance the proposal. Now the Senate should take it up.

Wisconsin is not meant to be governed by a king. For far too long, governors in the state have exercised almost unilateral power to craft policy that may be the exact opposite of what the peoples representatives in the Legislature had intended. The Legislature should take prompt action and ensure that voters have the opportunity to weigh in on this important rebalancing of the separation of powers.
A 36-year-old Jerome man died Wednesday afternoon after a head-on collision with a pickup truck in Jerome County, police say.

Eric Valencia was westbound at 5:38 p.m. at 295 E. 700 N. in a Subaru Crosstrek when it crossed the center line and struck a Chevrolet pickup driven by a 30-year-old Hagerman man, according to a news release from the Idaho State Police.

Valencia, who was wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene, the ISP said. The driver of the pickup was not wearing a seatbelt and was flown to a hospital.

The roadway was blocked for more than two hours.
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Conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) announced Friday that it, together with partner Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Plc. (CCEP), completed the acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI).

AEV and CCEP acquired CCBPI from The Coca- Cola Company (TCCC) for $1.8 billion.

CCBPI, the exclusive bottler and distributor of TCCC products in the Philippines, is profitable and has attractive growth prospects, AEV said.

Under the terms of the deal, AEV acquired 40-percent stake in CCBPI, while CCEP purchased the remaining 60 percent.

The closing transaction was finalized after all conditions precedent to the transactions were completed as of Feb. 23, 2024, the parties said in a statement.

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AEV and CCEP received early this month clearance from the Philippine Competition Commission for the transaction.

The acquisition would build on AEVs portfolio diversification into the branded consumer goods space, AEV said.

AEV said it is well-positioned to support CCBPIs growth ambition through the synergies which could be generated from its other business interests in the country. The acquisition would also build on CCEPs successful expansion into Australia, Pacific and Indonesia (API) in 2021, it said.

AEV is one of the leading conglomerates in the Philippines. It has major investments in power, banking and financial services, food, infrastructure, land and data science and artificial intelligence.

The company aims to become the Philippines first techglomerate as it continues to shape the future by advancing business and communities.

CCEP is one of the leading consumer goods companies in the world serving 600 million consumers and helping 2 million customers across 30 countries.

Nomura acted as the sole financial adviser to AEV.
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ABS-CBN Corp. and PLDT Inc. announced Thursday they have terminated the agreement to sell SkyCable Inc.s broadband business, despite obtaining approval from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).

The two companies said they mutually agreed not to proceed with the sale of Sky Cable to PLDT under the sale and purchase agreement signed by the parties in March 2023.

Following this development, Sky Cable is pleased to announce that its cable TV service will continue, assuring its subscribers that they can maintain their subscriptions, ABS-CBN said.

Meanwhile, Skys internet broadband service, SKYFiber, remains unaffected, it said.

This was the second time the two companies decided not to pursue the transaction. PLDT and ABS-CBN announced in November 2020 they agreed to drop the sale of SkyCable, citing anti-trust concerns.

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The PCC, the governments anti-trust body approved the sale of SkyCable broadband business to PLDT in January this year.

The board of directors of ABS-CBN on March 16, 2023 approved the sale of its interests in Sky Cable directly or indirectly representing 58.7 percent of the outstanding capital stock of the company. The total gross proceeds to be received by ABS-CBN from the sale of shares is about P4 billion.

Other stockholders of Sky Cable, Lopez Inc. and Sky Vision Corp. also agreed to sell their shares in Sky Cable to PLDT.

ABS-CBN said the total purchase price to be paid by PLDT for all the issued and outstanding capital stock of Sky Cable is P6.75 billion.

Sky Vision said it would use the proceeds from the sale to settle its debt, including its obligations to ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN said the sale was a strategic decision resulting from, among other things, the significant capital expenditure requirements of Sky Cable to maintain its competitiveness.

The broadcast company said the sale of its ownership in Sky Cable would allow it to focus its resources on content creation.

PLDT had previously mentioned the transaction was in line with its mission to narrow the digital divide by expanding broadband connectivity and supporting the governments efforts to expand the nations digital infrastructure.
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VENNA, Austria  An Austrian court on Friday started hearing statements from a Russian businessman, the final witness in the trial for alleged false testimony of former chancellor Sebastian Kurz, once hailed as a wunderkind of Europes conservatives.

The judge is expected to rule later Friday on the charge of alleged false testimony following the months-long trial.

Kurz has insisted he is innocent of having misled a parliamentary inquiry probing wide-ranging corruption scandals that brought down his first government with the far-right in 2019.

But the trial and other ongoing corruption investigations have damaged the reputation of the charismatic hardliner, who left politics in 2021.

Kurz, 37, did not speak to media before he entered the courtroom, smiling at the pack of reporters and others present.

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The trials last day started with testimony from the Russian speaking via video conference from the Austrian embassy in Moscow.

He was called by the defense to discredit the prosecutions key witness, former government official Thomas Schmid.

After that, the court is expected to hear a rebuttal from Schmid before the closing statements.

Judge Michael Radasztics is expected to rule on the case later Friday. If convicted, Kurz could face up to three years in jail.

During the 12-day trial spread out since October, the court has heard testimony from at least nine witnesses so far.

Kurz, who headed the ruling conservative Peoples Party until 2021, is accused of downplaying his influence in appointing Schmid as the head of a state-owned company.

Throughout the trial, Kurz has portrayed himself as the victim of a selective prosecution and an opposition out to destroy him.

Kurz insisted that while he had been informed about the appointment of Schmid, he did not decide on it.

He dismissed prosecutors suggestions that he had sought to control everything.

Schmid, on the other hand, testified that Kurz built up a system where he held the reins and could veto any appointment of personnel in key companies.

Among the other witnesses who have already testified were two former finance ministers, who backed Kurz, as well as another Russian businessman.

That witness also spoke via video conference from the Austrian embassy in Moscow to discredit Schmid  though he raised eyebrows when he said Kurzs lawyer had helped draft his statement.

There has been some damage in terms of how he (Kurz) acted in this trial, said political analyst Thomas Hofer, a former finance ministry official.

I think you could see how a politician  a very PR-focused politician  was not really able to switch gear for the court He was so consumed by his public image, he told AFP.

If Kurz is acquitted, any damage may fade, Hofer added.

He nevertheless ruled out any imminent return of Kurz, who in 2017, at the age of 31, became the worlds youngest democratically elected head of government.

This image of the star thats still there  and if he comes back (to lead the OeVP), everything will be good  I think its just a wrong assessment of the situation, Hofer told AFP.

Separately, prosecutors are still investigating Kurz on suspicion of having embezzled public money to fund polls skewed to boost his image, and to pay for favourable coverage to help his political rise.

But they have so far failed to obtain any convictions since a video emerged in 2019 showing Kurzs then-vice chancellor of the far-right Freedom Party offering public contracts to a purported Russian investor for campaign help.

The FPOe slumped in popularity just after the scandal, but under new leadership has bounced back to top the polls. Currently, it is polling at about 30 percent ahead of elections expected in September.

Kurz is now involved with numerous private international enterprises.

In 2022, he launched a cybersecurity company with the former head of Israels NSO Group, which makes the controversial Pegasus spyware.

It is the first time in more than 30 years that a former chancellor has stood trial.

In the last case, Fred Sinowatz of the Social Democrats was found guilty, also for giving false testimony, and received a fine. AFP
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Authorities on Friday arrested an alleged illegal recruiter promising fruit picker jobs in Japan in an entrapment at the compound of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Mandaluyong City.

Members of the DMW-Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) and the local police nabbed the suspect identified as Majorie Almarez, 33, a resident of Novaliches, Quezon City, after she accepted boodle money from the complainant whose name was withheld by the DMW.

In a news release, DMW officer-in-charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the complainant was offered a job as a fruit picker in Japan with a monthly salary of PHP77,000.

Cacdac said the complainant was lured by the suspect after witnessing her receive payment from another victim.

However, the complainant confirmed that the suspect has no license from the DMW to offer jobs abroad.

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Based on the complaint, the suspect promised to facilitate and process the victims certificate of employment, e-Registration account, Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) certificate, medical examination, and Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) certificate.

In exchange, the victim was asked to give an initial payment of PHP13,500 as marketers fee and processing fee.

The suspect, who is now under the custody of the Mandaluyong City Police Station, will face charges of illegal recruitment and estafa.

Cacdac vowed to provide legal assistance to the victims and assured them that the DMW would pursue the case.

He also called on other victims to come forward and coordinate with the MWPB.
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The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been categorized the fourth worst airport in Asia based on travelers accounts.

According to the Businessfinancing.co.uk., the NAIA ranked fourth with a rating of 2.78, ahead of Saudi Arabias King Abdulaziz International Airport (2.62) and Kazakstans Almaty International Airport (2.62).

The worst airport in Asia, on the other hand, was Kuwait International Airport with a rating of 1.69., the only airport with less than two stars in Asia, the review showed.

Travelers frequently express dissatisfaction with unpleasant odors and unprofessional, slow boarding processes at the NAIA, study stated.

Meanwhile, Noi Bai International Airport in Vietnam excels with an impressive business traveler rating of 6.80, especially cited for its efficient queuing system.

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This was followed by Singapores Changi Airport with a rating of 6.63, Chinas Hong Kong International Airport (6.48), Qatars Hamad International Airport (6.44), Japans Narita International Airport (6.23) and Haneda Airport (5.82), Indias Kempegowda International Airport (5.56), Taiwans Taoyauan International Airport (5.29), Indias Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Intl Airport (5.22) and Indira Gandhi International Airport (4.60).

Globally, the worst airport was Belgiums Brussels South Charleroi Airport with a rating of 1.20, followed by Germanys Berlin Brandeburg Airport (1.56), United Kingdoms Leeds Bradford Airport (1.57), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in US (1.64) and UKs Manchester Airport (1.68).

The worst airport in the world surely  doesnt even deserve 1 star, a reviewer said.

The study said both the UK and the US face similar challenges, with six airports from each country making an unwelcome appearance on the list.

Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, has earned the top rating of 6.8 from business travelers worldwide.

The Manila Standard requested a comment from the Department of

Transportation on the rating, but has yet to receive a response as of

press time.

The DOTr, on the other hand, recently awarded the P171 billion

contract to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the NAIA to the SMC SAP Group, formed by San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics, Inc., RLW Aviation Development, Inc. and Incheon International Airport Corp.

The San Miguel Group plans to spend at least P88 billion in capital

investments within its first six years and at least P122.3 billion in

for its entire 25-year concession period to modernize the NAIA.
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Teodoro led another spin-off, the troop increase for Batanes talking tough to provoke China on Taiwan on which the Philippines has no concern at all

An ex-US Air Force colonel is now running the show in Philippine foreign relations.

He is seen splashed on the front pages of almost all major Philippine mainstream newspapers and guesting solo on top network TV public affairs show telling one and all how his assertive transparency strategy on the South China Sea has been an outstanding success, how it complicates matters for and shames China.

This ex-USAF colonel is the author of the transparency strategy, which we are now hearing from the mouths of Filipino maritime police and national security officials as Philippine policy, because we can trace its conception and evolution to the bowels of the U.S. Naval Research Institutes Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation based in Stanford University, U.S.A., and US naval intel team leader proudly dubbed Myoushu Project.

The ex-USAF colonel, Raymond Ray Powell, is also a director of Sealight, the Gordian Knot Center group tracking and reporting on gray-zone activities like harassment of legal activities such as responsible fishing, security operations or hydrocarbon exploration within a nations own exclusive economic zone, illegal incursions into other countries waters, intimidation measures such as vessel swarming, outpost and artificial island building.

Sealight hides its main objective which is to apply the missing context fallacy to create an anti-China narrative out of the South China Sea territorial claims disputes amongst the five littoral states surrounding the strategically critical body of water.

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The missing context is before the Philippines was drafted into this U.S. project, China and all claimant countries had for decades already methodically engaged in dialogue and negotiations to achieve consensus and resolution cooperatively.

Since 2002, China and the ASEAN had the Declaration of Conduct followed by the now near-to-conclusion talks of a Code of Conduct as basis for a peaceful and durable solution to the SCS territorial and maritime disputes.

The 1999 amicable agreement between the Philippines and China to allow BRP Sierra Madre to stay at Second Thomas Shoal and be resupplied only with humanitarian supplies preserved peace there for 25 years until the Philippines joined Project Myoushu in February 2023.

President Bongbong Marcos since the 2014 debates in the Philippine Senate and 2016 elections campaign questioned the US EDCA military bases pact but turned around in February 2023 to expand its presence, and signed on to Project Myoushu and Sealights assertive transparency using the Philippine Coast Guard to violate the standard prior information and no construction materials to BRP Sierra Madre agreement, and brought media to broadcast the consequent cat-chase-mouse encounters.

Powells transparency strategy failed after 11 months of proof-of-concept application by the PCG led by Commodore Tarriela, the National Security Councils deputy Jonathan Malaya and others.

Defense secretary Gibo Teodoro led another spin-off, the troop increase for Batanes talking tough to provoke China on Taiwan on which the Philippines has no concern at all as Sen. Imee Marcos pointed out.

Powells failure is highlighted by his December 2023 comment to the USNI News, The Philippines and the U.S. are going to have conversations about what constitutes an armed attack  on a public vessel as China successfully used non-lethal force consistent with international humanitarian law in exercising its sovereign control.

Tarriela followed in February 2024 to local media the transparency effort was not enough to make China budge  the little toy soldier hinting at war? We can only laugh!

In the first two weeks of February 2024, Powell went on a scorching TV, social media and mainstream newspaper frontpage blitz to promote the transparency strategy again to counter the drift of the DFA back into dialogue and cooperation with China as per call of President BBM for a paradigm shift to return to peaceful resolution.

Powell argued on air that transparency complicated things for China, shamed and stymied China. None of that, everyone sees, is true.

The Philippines is the only one facing complications from the transparency strategy: DFA Sec. Manalo fears trade sanctions over SCS tensions, seeks US Trade Secretary Gina Raimondo meet this March but what can the latter offer to a half a world away with a faltering economy?

The EU or Japan are alternatives but both are in recession expected to last for years. Philippine foreign-assisted infra projects are zero in 2024 mainly due to loss of Chinese Belt and Road Initiative projects.

(rpkapunan@gmail.com)
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Nowadays, consumers attention is constantly divided across various platforms and apps, which poses a challenge to many businesses: how to cut through the noise and engage with their target audience effectively.

An interesting outcome is how marketplaces or retail media networks (RMNs) enhance their tools and capabilities through platforms to solve this problem. One example is foodpandas panda ads, which offer advertising opportunities to brand partners, helping them reach millions of digital-savvy customers beyond the usual channels.

Retail media has been booming in Asia in recent years. panda ads provides an innovative set of advertising tools across foodpandas in-app and off-app channels to help our app users discover ads for products and services tailored to their daily needs, said Amer Bakshi, Head of Enterprise (Advertising & Partnerships, Corporate & pandago) at foodpanda Philippines.

Current retail media advertising landscape

Simply put, retail media advertising involves placing ads on a retailers website or app, like foodpanda, to boost brand and product awareness or influence sales for merchants and external brand partners. For foodpanda, these ads are designed to fit into the customers journey seamlessly without disrupting their shopping experience, which can appear on the homepage, menu page, or order tracking page of our app, Bakshi noted.

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Across Asia, retail media sites are becoming key hubs for digital ads, expected to surpass mainstream digital platforms in ad spending. Based on a 2023 survey by Carousell Media Group and Interactive Advertising Bureau Southeast Asia and India (IAB SEA+India), 99% of Asian marketers and advertisers will increase their spending on retail media over the next months.

With over 76 million users and one of the highest mobile penetration rates, reaching 144.5% of the total population last year, the Philippines is at the forefront of a rapidly expanding digital marketing scene. According to Eight Media, ad spending in the country is also expected to rise, with an annual growth rate of 9.7%.

Unlike traditional media networks focused on selling impressions, retail media is more effective because customers are more likely to buy when theyre actively shopping. Retailers gain valuable insights into customer preferences, improving marketing, inventory management, and product offerings, explained Bakshi.

He added that the rich first-party data is precise since it comes directly from their app users buying behavior and preferences while ensuring that the data they collect adheres to privacy regulations.

Expanding from a quick-commerce platform to adtech solutions

Recognizing the growing demand for retail media advertising, foodpanda launched panda ads, its advertising technology ecosystem, to assist brands across Asia.

From a branding perspective, panda ads represents all the ways a brand can partner with foodpanda but its not limited to just ads on the app, shared Bakshi. Brands can also tap into our off-app channels or enter into collaborative partnerships with foodpanda.

Since its initial launch in 2021, panda ads has formed partnerships with several brands such as Coca-Cola, Unilever, Mars Wrigley, Frito-Lay, Converge ICT Solutions, IKEA, Moneymax, Banco de Oro, and Prime Video. We provide our partners with solutions that range from in-app display ads, email marketing, push notifications, to product sampling, and help them engage with digital-native customers who want greater choice and accessibility, convenience, and a personalized experience,said Bakshi.

We offer advertisers the opportunities to tap into our full-funnel marketing solutions on foodpanda and tailor the channels to help the brands reach their objectives. I believe this makes panda ads stand out from other partnerships.

What else to expect from panda ads

With the expansion of the retail media advertising landscape, Bakshi revealed that they are looking at launching new and exciting features this year as they work on scaling their offerings.

Were continuously working on more full-funnel solutions (both on & off the app) to meet advertisers needs. At the same time, were adding value to foodpanda customers by highlighting deals, products, and brands that are relevant to them.
During Tuesdays meeting, the Marion City Council heard a report about the future of the Drexel Heritage site.

City Planning Director Heather Cotton gave this report to council members during the regular meeting, which was held Tuesday at the Marion Community Building.

In 2014, the then-owner of the site, Marion Property LLC, operated by Fred Godley of Cornelius, tore down parts of the old Drexel Heritage furniture plant. Godley later asked the city and county to take over ownership of the property, because he could not finish the demolition on the 15-acre site.

After securing grants for the project, both entities accepted the donation of land from Godley and began formulating plans for the first phase of the cleanup. The goal is to market this site for future economic development.

At Tuesdays meeting, Cotton unveiled a unique way to promote this project, which will be called Drexel Village at Marion Station. She said this makes the effort more appealing and exciting rather than talking about removal of environmental contamination.

Shes also created a description of this project for the city of Marions website.

The project site is a 15.29-acre vacant parcel on the west side of historic downtown Marion where Drexel Heritage Furniture operated as a finishing facility from 1902 through 2002.

In 2014, the buildings and structures were demolished as part of a private salvage operation. The property was acquired by the city of Marion in 2018 to clean up the site and make it viable for reuse consistent with the community's modern needs, reads the citys website.

The city obtained funding support from McDowell County government and N.C. Department of Commerce and technical assistance support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to perform an initial environmental assessment of the property and remove and dispose of regulated building material and chemicals.

A second round of funding was awarded by the N.C. Department of Commerce and the EPA to complete a second round of cleanup which includes the removal of underground storage tanks and oil water separator and approximately 500 tons of regulated building materials, according to the citys website.

As part of the cleanup effort, the city of Marion has established a steering committee to help guide a community outreach effort to help identify future redevelopment opportunities. A series of public meetings and community input opportunities will take place during the three-year project. The goal of this project is to remove and dispose of environmental contamination and develop a master plan for future mixed-use redevelopment.

The project team is planning to host several community workshops and public meetings to share project details and get community input for future development. Meeting details will be shared once they are determined, according to the citys website.

Cotton said she created a logo and name for this new project based on logos which were used by Drexel Heritage during its history as a manufacturing plant. It creates a vision for this empty space and its exciting potential.

The public can buy into something like this and have a vision of something, she said.

Because it is located alongside the Norfolk Southern railroad line, this site can be tied in with the possible return of passenger rail service to western North Carolina, said Cotton.

On its website, Amtrak has announced its vision for passenger rail service between Asheville and Salisbury and that would include Marion and Old Fort too.

This new corridor increases mobility options for western North Carolina to link with several large North Carolina cities as well as the Northeast via Southeast Corridor/Piedmont/Carolinian connections at Salisbury, reads the website for Amtrak.

The economic impact of this rail line between Asheville and Salisbury is estimated to be $31 million annually plus $923 million in economic activity from one-time capital investments, according to Amtraks website.

After hearing Cottons presentation and Amtraks estimation of possible economic impact, council members were excited about the future marketing for the former Drexel Heritage site and its potential.

This is just wonderful, said Council Member Billy Martin.

That was an amazing presentation, said Council Member Chet Effler.

Peer support program

In another matter, the City Council heard a report from Police Chief Allen Lawrence about the Police Departments peer support program.

A peer support specialist is a person with lived experience in overcoming drug addiction and is certified to provide support to others facing similar challenges. More than a year ago, the Marion Police Department, along with other agencies already doing peer support, started looking about having an imbedded person to follow up on overdoses, mental health issues and homelessness in Marion. That is because they are intertwined, said Lawrence to the council.

When looking at the narcotics issues alone, I have always said we have to do something else besides try and arrest our way out of this problem, said Lawrence. I have tried that for 25 years and it is a short term to a long-term problem. Last year, we had 37 overdoses and five of those resulted in a death.

In late 2024 with the help of a grant-funded position through opioid settlement money and a partnership with the Marion Police, McDowell County and CareReach, the Marion Police Department was able to hire Julie McAllister as the peer support specialist. She has more than 400 hours of training on peer support and is now working toward her certification as a drug and alcohol counselor.

Julie has hit the ground running and been doing ride-alongs with our officers learning what and who they deal with daily, said Lawrence to the council. She has already had several interactions and hopefully some interventions. This program embedded in our police agency to our knowledge is the first of its kind. But Julie is living proof that lives can be changed through these positive interactions and there are truly many success stories throughout this county. We are glad to have Julie as part of our team and think she is going to do amazing work.

In other matters, the City Council heard a report from Marlan Brinkley, director of the McDowell County Public Library, about library programs and events scheduled for this spring.
By the end of the day on Thursday, more than 1,100 McDowell County voters cast their ballots during the early voting period of the 2024 primary elections.

The McDowell County Board of Elections reported at the end of Thursday that 1,135 voters have turned out to cast their ballots early in the Democratic and Republican elections. On that afternoon, voters were coming to the Board of Elections office at 2458 N.C. 226 South in Marion to make their choices for a variety of local, state and federal offices.

Bill Markwat, site coordinator for the early voting, told The McDowell News, We have not had any issues whatsoever. The early voting period for the primary elections began Feb. 15 and will run through Saturday, March 2.

The voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26, through Friday, March 1.

Early voting will also take place today, Feb. 24, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Saturday, March 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the final day. All early voting takes place at the McDowell County Board of Elections office at 2458 N.C. 226 South. Persons who are not registered in McDowell County may register and vote during the early voting period, according to the McDowell Board of Elections.

And unaffiliated voters can vote in the primary elections but they have to declare their party preference.

Furthermore, voters are now being asked to present a valid photo identification when voting in person. If you do not have a valid photo ID card, you may obtain one from the McDowell Board of Elections prior to the election, through the end of the early voting period, according to the county BOE website.

Markwat and other election officials said there have been no issues with voters regarding the use of voter IDs. Some voters have used passports while others have brought their college ID cards, along with those who bring their drivers license.

The turnout is not unusual for a primary election.

Its been pretty consistent with previous primaries as far as turnout is concerned, said Markwat.

The date for the primary Election Day is set for Tuesday, March 5, at all 17 precincts in McDowell County.

After that, the fall general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5.

This year, we will see elections for the McDowell County Board of Commissioners, the Board of Education, the Register of Deeds office, the N.C. House (85th District), the N.C. House (113th District), the N.C. Senate (46th District) and the U.S. House (11th Congressional District). There are also judgeships for McDowell that will be on the ballot.

In addition, election officials confirmed that school board incumbent Beth Silver will be able to appear on the ballot in November as an unaffiliated candidate for the Old Fort seat on the Board of Education.

Under state law, Silver had to gather enough signatures on a petition so she could appear on the ballot in November as an unaffiliated candidate. She had to submit her petition of signatures by noon Tuesday, March 5, and Silver was able to collect enough signatures well before that date.

Furthermore, the Board of Elections will hold an educational seminar about voter photo identification requirements at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, at the local office at 2458 N.C. 226 South in Marion.

The seminar is free and open to the public. Attendees of this seminar will receive information about voting options, including absentee-by-mail, early voting and Election Day voting. Information about provisional voting, the availability of free North Carolina voter ID cards and residency requirements for voting also will be provided.

For more information on the voter ID requirement in North Carolina, go to www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id or call McDowell County Board of Elections at 828-659-0834 or elections@mcdowellgov.com.
A petition with over 150 signatures is calling for Salem College to change the name of Bitting Residence Hall because of its namesakes ties to white supremacy and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The residence hall was named for Louisa Wilson Bitting, an alumna of Salem College who helped found the Forsyth County United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1898 and helped erect Winston-Salems downtown Confederate monument, which was removed in March 2019.

Louisa Bitting was married to Joseph Bitting, a tobacco planter who enslaved 75 people on his tobacco plantation in Yadkin County, according to a graphic on the colleges website. Their daughter, Kate Bitting Reynolds, who was also a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy, financed and named Bitting Residence Hall after her mother in 1930.

The petition to change the name of the residence hall states that it does not seek to erase this history, but instead said that it is an important step to open up a conversation about reconciliation and justice.

Dan Rose, a professor of sociology at Winston-Salem State University, told the Journal that he was involved with organizing the petition.

Rose said that he was researching Winston-Salem history and stumbled upon Bittings name.

It just seemed extremely inappropriate for Salem College to keep the name on the building, Rose said, adding that he was inspired by the efforts of Hate Out of Winston, a local social justice organization.

When asked about the issue, Salem College President Summer McGee responded with a statement referencing the Anna Maria Samuel Project, formed in 2019, which is charged with exploring the history of our institution as it relates to race, remembrance and reconciliation, has been conducting research on our campus and making recommendations about how to acknowledge and raise awareness about our history.

McGee wrote that the college is willing and ready to make changes based on recommendations from the Anna Maria Samuel committee and the broader Salem community, which she expects by the end of the Spring 2024 semester.

A graphic on the Anna Maria Samuel Projects official website acknowledges Bittings associations with the Daughters of the Confederacy, slavery and the Confederate monument.

As Salem Academy and College continues its work to grapple with its complex history with the institution of slavery, we are responding as quickly as we can to address community concerns regarding the names of some of our places on campus, McGee wrote. In less than 24 hours after these community concerns were known to Salems administration, a campus committee was tasked with responding to this concern.

McGee added that she has requested that the committee research the history of the colleges other buildings and memorials to ensure names are reflective of our values.

Students at Salem College had mixed reactions Wednesday afternoon when asked about the petition.

A group of students on campus who wished to remain anonymous told the Journal that they first heard about the petition Wednesday after Hate Out of Winston made an Instagram post about it and tagged Salem Colleges Black Student Union.

Several members of the same group said that they were in support of the petition but felt that they could not speak on the issue as students of the college.

Other students were more willing to speak about the petition, but more ambivalent about the issue.

I think this will create some unnecessary drama, said Maureen White, a sophomore. I think its about optics and image.

Jasmine Lopez, another sophomore, said that it would be nice if the college changed the name of the residence hall but that she didnt think the administration would do it any time soon.

A staff member at Salem College who works for donor services, Emily Peck, said that she hadnt heard much about the petition but that she knew of the colleges efforts to consider the issue.

I think its great if they want to change things to represent what Salem [College] is now, Peck said. Were in support of women in leadership, compassion and honesty. Im hoping those kinds of things will be reflected in the name.

When asked if he had received any response from Salem College, Rose said that the school had been working quickly to address the petition.

This rapid and intense level of concern to respond to the petition shows that they havent taken this issue seriously, Rose said, noting that the residence hall has kept Bittings name for 94 years.

Rose also noted his status as a white man and said that he couldnt know or guess what the next steps would be. Rose said that he was hoping that Hate Out of Winston, which led efforts to remove Winston-Salems downtown Confederate statue, would get involved.

When asked about the petition, Hate Out of Winston said that they are fighting against more than a statue or a building name, and referenced a recent lawsuit from the Winston-Salem Daughters of the Confederacy objecting to the removal of the statue.

Now, we see the Winston-Salem Daughters of the Confederacy  of whom Bitting was a founding member  trying to sue the city to put that statue back up, the group wrote in a statement. But local advocates keep telling us that this statue and the Bitting name are not cause for celebration.

The group also stated that they are fighting against the white supremacy that tells us the Bitting family and the Confederacy should be celebrated, rather than criticized for their roles in colonizing and enslaving, and killing this land and its Black and Indigenous inhabitants.

In her statement about the petition, McGee ended by writing that she has asked the committee to work expeditiously with the broader Salem community to make recommendations for any changes to be made to names on the colleges campus.

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Thousands of people, most of them children, have been forced to flee their homes amid renewed unrest in northern Mozambique, a scene of a jihadist insurgency, according to United Nations figures and sources in Cabo Delgado province.

Since 2017, Cabo Delgado has been the epicenter of a brutal jihadist insurgency, resulting in thousands of deaths and displacing over a million people. Recent attacks in three districts had displaced 13,088 people by bus, canoe and on foot, according to an alert from the UN migration agency IOM. Mozambiques President Filipe Nyusi has confirmed there had been new population movements but played down the threat and insisted security forces had the situation under control. There are a significant number of people who move from one area to another and complain about support, the president said, adding that terrorists try to recruit in this province, which is why we see these movements.

Nigeria-based HumAngle, a niche media platform, has also warned that fears of further terror attacks attributed to the Islamic State Jihadists, IS-Mozambique, locally known as Al-Shabaab, are forcing thousands of terrified residents to flee their villages in Cabo Delgado province. The number of displaced people in the region is rapidly increasing, with fears of further attacks mostly against the Christian majority population prompting residents to flee. As of 2023, over 2 million people required immediate humanitarian assistance and protection in Cabo Delgado and nearby provinces. European Commission estimates included more than a million people evicted from their homes, with around 3.5 million facing acute food insecurity in northeastern Mozambique.
French military presence in Cote dIvoire should be remodeled or reshaped, Jean-Marie Bockel, French President Emmanuel Macrons envoy for Africa, said on Wednesday (21 February) during a visit to Abidjan and his first on the continent since taking office in early February.

The term remodel seems to me to be the right term. The spirit is to come with proposals, listening and then a dialogue which results in a winning agreement for both parties, declared the former Secretary of State for Defense and Veterans Affairs at the result of a one-hour rich exchange with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara. He also mentioned other aspects which already exist in terms of improving support for the Ivorian military presence in the northern zone, questions of intelligence, questions of development of this or that element of the army (), to which our friends Ivorians are attached, on which we have a certain partnership, committed expertise.

France has nearly 950 soldiers within the French forces in Ivory Coast, and nearly 10,000 forces in sub-Saharan Africa. Bockel was tasked by the French president with discussing with African partners new forms of French military presence on their soil, in Senegal, Ivory Coast, Gabon and Chad. We dont want to reduce our efforts but its a global thing: there will be developments, the footprint will be less on certain aspects and stronger on others, Bockel said, without giving details. The French soldiers were in turn driven out of Mali, Burkina Faso and then Niger, three West African countries governed by military regimes that came to power through coups and are now openly hostile to France.
Morocco highlighted the commitment of King Mohammed VI, Chairperson of the Al-Quds Committee, in support of the Palestinian cause during the hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as part of the case requesting an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from Israels policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

The Kings commitment is being highlighted during the ICJ hearings taking place February 19  29 and wherein Morocco is represented by Ambassador in the Hague Mohamed Basri.

Moroccos presence in the hearings taking place in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and its written plea to the ICJ that was duly taken into account by the Court translate the commitment of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of Al-Quds Committee, to the support of the Palestinian cause.

In this context and as part of this support, the Moroccan ambassador attended the oral presentation of Palestine, which took place on February 19, alongside the Palestinian delegation, led by Riyad Al Maliki, Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In his written plea to the Court, Morocco, whose Sovereign is the Chairperson of the Al-Quds Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), reaffirmed its determination to work through all legal means at its disposal to protect the legal, historical, political, and spiritual status of the Holy City and preserve its unique vocation as a city of peace and meeting for the faithful of all monotheistic religions.

Furthermore, the Kingdom reiterated its active commitment to respect international law and promote peace in the Middle East, which involves implementing a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution based on the principle of two states: an independent Palestinian state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Al-Quds/Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with the State of Israel, in peace and security, in accordance with international legality, United Nations resolutions, and in line with the Arab Peace Initiative.

Moroccos plea relied on the principles established in the Appeal of Al-Quds/Jerusalem, signed on March 30, 2019, between King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, and Pope Francis. This significant document emphasizes, among other things, the importance of preserving the Holy City of Jerusalem/Al-Quds Asharif as a common heritage of humanity and, above all, for the faithful of the three monotheistic religions, as a place of peaceful coexistence and a symbol of mutual respect and dialogue.

Additionally, Moroccos plea recalled the international communitys consensus on the legal status of Israeli settlements in certain parts of the occupied Palestinian territory  including East Al-Quds/Jerusalem, emphasizing that they constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two-state solution impossible: an independent and viable Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, living side by side with the State of Israel, in peace and security.

The resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through dialogue and negotiation, in accordance with the UN negotiation framework, and notably Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, remains the cornerstone for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, emphasizes Moroccos plea.

This objective shapes the action of the Kingdom of Morocco both bilaterally and multilaterally within the United Nations  in the General Assembly and its six main committees, and regional groupings representing the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation  within which HM King Mohammed VI chairs the Al-Quds Committee.

Finally, Morocco recalled, in its plea, the message from the King on the occasion of the celebration in November 2022 of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, in which the Sovereign affirmed: The current deadlock in the political process between the Palestinian and Israeli sides does not promote the peace we are yearning for in the region. Nevertheless, I encourage the positive signs and commendable initiatives undertaken to rebuild confidence and launch meaningful negotiations that help achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, and the two-State solution, which is a realistic option.
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FAP-tracer uptake in patients with arthritis. a, Representative 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET scans and tracer accumulation in patients with RA. b, Body distribution of FAP-positive lesions. c, Comparative analysis of FAP-PET and MRI scans from the same patients. d, Pearson correlation analysis of FAP-tracer uptake (SUV max ) and composite scores of clinical disease activity in different forms of arthritis. e, FAP-tracer uptake (median and quartiles) before and after inhibition of TNF. Credit: Nature Immunology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-01774-4

In a significant breakthrough in inflammatory arthritis research, a study published today (Feb. 23) in Nature Immunology has revealed that inflammation-associated fibroblastsa type of cell in connective tissuescan switch phenotype and stabilize specific immune cell populations in the joint, promoting the resolution of inflammation.

Led by an international team of researchers from the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nurnberg (Germany) and the University of Birmingham, the study demonstrated for the first time the ability of joint fibroblasts to transition from pro-inflammatory to pro-resolving phenotypes, reducing inflammation in arthritis patients.

The research represents a major step forward in understanding the complex interplay between fibroblasts, immune cells, and inflammation resolution. Moving forward, the team plans to further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying fibroblast activation and resolution and explore potential therapeutic interventions targeting these pathways.

Healing heroes

Fibroblasts are mesenchymal cells that are found within the lining of joints. Under healthy conditions, fibroblasts produce the substances that lubricate joints during movement. In previous work, University of Birmingham Professor Adam Croft and his team demonstrated that a population of fibroblasts expressing a protein called fibroblast activation-alpha (FAPalpha) are expanded in the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The team showed that these disease-associated fibroblasts contribute directly to joint inflammation and damage. Importantly, however, fibroblasts are not targeted by any of the currently available treatments.

In this latest international collaboration, the team has now shown that these disease-associated fibroblasts can switch phenotype and become pro-resolving fibroblasts that stabilize specific immune cell populations in the jointpromoting the resolution of joint inflammation. These findings demonstrate for the first time the ability of joint fibroblasts to not only promote chronic inflammation, but also regulate immune cell function in favor of the resolution of joint inflammation.

The study used innovative techniques to visualize and analyze fibroblast activation during inflammation resolution in both experimental models and human subjects. By using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with a tracer specific to fibroblast activation protein (FAP), researchers observed a significant decrease in FAP signal following anti-cytokine treatment, indicating a reversal of fibroblast activation during inflammation resolution.

Moreover, single-cell mRNA sequencing analyses revealed a molecular switch in fibroblast phenotypes, with a reduction in pro-inflammatory MMP3+/IL6+ fibroblasts and an increase in pro-resolving CD200+DKK3+ fibroblasts during resolution. Spatial transcriptomics of human joints further highlighted the spatial distribution of these fibroblast populations, with pro-resolving fibroblasts clustering with innate lymphoid cells (ILC)2 in regions associated with inflammation resolution.

Professor Adam Croft, co-author of the paper, Versus Arthritis Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Birmingham, and researcher within the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Center's Inflammatory Arthritis theme, stated, "This study shows for the first time that fibroblasts in the diseased joint can have both pathogenic and regulatory functions.

"We observed that resolution of joint inflammation was associated with a phenotypic switch from a pathogenic to pro-resolving fibroblast phenotype that resulted in the stabilization of specific immune cell populations that suppress inflammation.

"The next stage of this research is to develop therapeutic strategies to promote this switch in fibroblast phenotype in the joints of patients with arthritisthis would offer a novel therapeutic approach for those patients in which currently available drugs are ineffective."

Senior author Professor Andreas Ramming, from the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nurnberg, said, "Our research provides compelling evidence of a molecular shift within fibroblasts during the resolution of inflammation, with implications for understanding the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases like arthritis.

"By elucidating the mechanisms underlying fibroblast activation and resolution, we aim to identify new therapeutic targets for promoting inflammation resolution and tissue homeostasis."

More information: Simon Rauber et al, CD200+ fibroblasts form a pro-resolving mesenchymal network in arthritis, Nature Immunology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-01774-4
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An electron micrograph of the measles virus. Credit: CDC/ Courtesy of Cynthia S. Goldsmith

It often starts with a cough. Red, watery eyes. A high fever. You might think it's a normal cold. Perhaps it's the flu.

But then days later, a rash sets in. Red spots and bumps appear on your face and begin to spread downward, to your neck, chest, legs, arms and feet.

Measles.

"Most physicians that have been practicing in the last 20 years or so have never seen it," said Dr. Otto Ramos, director of pediatric infectious diseases and virus laboratory at Nicklaus Children's Hospital near South Miami.

"I have never seen it," said Ramos, who has practiced medicine for over 40 years.

It's now back in South Florida, with at least six confirmed cases of measles linked to a Broward elementary school. It's not the first time cases have popped up in the state.

What to know about measles and how it spreads

The highly contagious disease was eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 following an effective and strong vaccination program. The vaccine is required to attend K-12 school in the U.S. And while the disease is now uncommon in the country, outbreaks can sometimes still occur, usually when an unvaccinated traveler falls ill in another country and comes into the U.S., spreading the virus to other unvaccinated people.

Measles can spread through coughing, sneezing and by touching infected surfaces. For those who are vaccinated, infection is rare. For those who previously had measles, you can't get the infection again.

For Ramos and Ronald Ford, chief medical officer at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, their main concern are for those who don't have immunity. That includes newborns who aren't eligible for the shot yet, anyone who is not vaccinated against measles and has not had the infection previously and anyone who is immunocompromised.

"Any parent who suspects that their child has been exposed and especially if that child is not immune should contact their pediatrician and the department of health immediately for guidance," said Ford, noting that most people can recover at home.

However, measles can be dangerous and lead to severe complications in certain at-risk groups who do not have immunity, including children younger than five, adults older than 20, people who are pregnant or who are immunocompromised, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Complications can include pneumonia, brain swelling and premature birth. Some people might get seriously ill and die.

Measles cases confirmed at Broward elementary school

The newest cluster of cases in Florida is linked to Manatee Bay Elementary School, a K-5 school at 19200 Manatee Isles Dr. in Weston. Broward's school district and the state health department didn't answer questions from the Miami Herald on whether the sick people at the school were vaccinated and if any had recently traveled.

Those infected are between the ages of five and 14, according to preliminary data from Florida's web-based reportable disease surveillance system. The cases are listed as "acquired in Florida," though this information is preliminary and may change as the state conducts its epidemiological investigation. It's worth noting that cases are classified based on the county where the person lives and does not necessarily mean that the person fell ill in the county.

"Since Friday that we heard about the first case, we have been getting ready," said Ramos of Nicklaus Children's. "We have been trying to get ahead of this and if we do, we will defeat it. ... We do have the tools to fight this."

At Nicklaus, for example, Ramos said the hospital is promoting vaccination and is asking patient questions about their vaccination status and if they were exposed or not before admitting them into the hospital for elective surgery and other care to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.

Both doctors recommend people frequently wash their hands and avoid people who are sick to reduce their risk of infection. They say the best prevention is vaccination.

One dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, or MMR, is about 93% effective, with two doses about 97% effective, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kids should get the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at four to six years of age. About three of 100 people vaccinated with two doses will fall ill if exposed to the virus, the CDC says.

Florida has seen 40 confirmed cases of measles in the last decade, including some in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, state data shows. The six Broward elementary school cases are the only ones recorded for 2024. Miami-Dade had one confirmed measles case recorded in September, the data shows. The data doesn't provide vaccination information.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Tuesday said it's normally recommended people who are not vaccinated for measles and have not had a previous measles infection to stay home for up to 21 days after measles exposure in a school. At the moment, the end of the infectious period is considered to be March 7, though that date could change as the epidemiologist investigation continues.

However, Ladapo said he will let parents and guardians decide whether their children should continue attending classes at the Weston school. Kids who have symptoms should stay home. Ladapo said his recommendation is based on the "high immunity rate in the community" and "the burden on families and educational cost of healthy children missing school."

While the MMR vaccine is mandatory to attend all public and private childcare and K-12 schools in Florida, some students may be eligible for medical or religious exemptions.

At Manatee Bay Elementary, 3% of its students are unvaccinated, Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Peter Licata said Wednesday during a Broward School Board meeting. Licata told board members that 33 of the 1,067 students at the K-5 school in Weston don't have the MMR vaccine for "various reasons" that he didn't mention.

While statewide immunization data for the 2023-2024 school year wasn't immediately available, in the 20222023 school year, about 91% of kindergarten students in Florida had the two MRR doses, according to a CDC report.

While county-level data for the 20232024 and 20222023 school year wasn't immediately available, in the 20212022 school year, about 92% of public and private kindergarten students in Broward and Miami-Dade met their immunization requirements, including two MRR doses, state data shows. About 7.5% kindergarten students in Broward and nearly 8% of kindergarten students in Miami-Dade had a medical or religious exemption.

That is below the 95% vaccination threshold health experts say is needed for herd immunity against measles.

And it's not just happening in Florida. The U.S. has seen a nationwide decline in childhood vaccinations since the COVID pandemic, an alarming trend that could increase the "risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases," according to the CDC.

Last school year, vaccination coverage among kindergarten students nationwide remained below pre-pandemic levels, while exemptions increased, according to the CDC.

"It is not clear whether this reflects a true increase in opposition to vaccination, or if parents are opting for nonmedical exemptions because of barriers to vaccination or out of convenience," the CDC noted in its report.

What to do if exposed or diagnosed with measles

Measles can be transmitted four days before the start of symptoms, according to the state health department. Symptoms can appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and can include a cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, a high fever up to 105 degrees and a rash. The rash can appear three to five days after the first symptoms.

While people previously infected with measles or who are fully vaccinated are unlikely to get the disease, up to 90% of people without immunity could fall ill if exposed.

Here's what to do if you were exposed or diagnosed with measles:

If you're vaccinated for measles, it's rare that you'll fall ill but you should still notify your doctor and monitor for symptoms. However, if you're not vaccinated or have never previously had measles, speak with your doctor about getting the MMR vaccine. If you get the vaccine within 72 hours after initial exposure, it could provide some protection against the disease or help you have a milder illness, the CDC says. Your doctor might also opt to give you a medicine called immunoglobulin within six days of exposure to reduce your risk of severe illness.

Ramos, Ford and Ladapo recommend people contact their doctor for guidance if they were exposed to measles. Don't show up to the doctor without notifying the office beforehand to reduce the risk of exposing others. Telehealth appointments are another option. Both Ramos and Ford are also asking people to avoid visiting the ER for a diagnosis unless they have another medical emergency to reduce the risk of spreading the disease to other high-risk people.

If you have measles, the CDC recommends staying home for four days after developing the rash to reduce your risk of spreading the virus to others. And follow the COVID protocols: Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, don't share drinks or eating utensils and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Because measles is a virus, the body needs to fight it off. If you're caring for someone with measles, Ford recommends ensuring that the person stays hydrated and giving them fever reducers as needed to help them feel better. And make sure to wash your hands frequently.

2024 Miami Herald. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Meta-learning of RL. Credit: Nature Neuroscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01485-3

With trial and error, repetition and praise, when a puppy hears "Sit," they learn what they're expected to do. That's reinforcement learning, and it's a complex subject that fascinates neuroscientist Ryoma Hattori, Ph.D., who recently joined The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology.

Hattori focuses on understanding and mapping reinforcement learning and how the brain integrates information to make decisions. He also studies how the brain comprehends numbers. What seems simple on its face is actually stunningly complex. The human brain has approximately 86 billion neurons, which make more than 100 trillion connections.

Hattori says many factors play into the decision-making process. Something as simple as deciding where to eat may involve a matrix of memories and judgments, and hence, many areas of the brain. One restaurant has good food and service, another, so-so. One has higher prices, another is cheaper. Experience provides the inputs that must be assigned values and considered for the decision to be made.

"It's very difficult to integrate all of these processes, and yet, somehow, our brains do that," Hattori says.

Understanding the mechanisms that underlie this process may prove important in addressing psychiatric and autism spectrum disorders, he notes.

"Many psychiatric diseases and neurological disorders feature some impairment in decision-making," he says.

Modeling how multiple brain areas interact to process reinforcing experiences and guide decision-making is an interesting challenge, he says. Hattori uses many research techniques to gather data, including large-scale 2-photon imaging, virtual reality-based experiments, and optogenetics, a method for using light to manipulate neural activity. Computational modeling is increasingly a valuable tool to understand complex animal behaviors and brain dynamics, Hattori says.

Hattori and colleagues are developing artificial intelligence to assist with their research. It's a two-way relationship: AI helps advance the neuroscience discoveries, and the neuroscience discoveries may also help improve the AI.

"Both the brain and AI are made of neural networks that perform computations and learn using neural activity dynamics and synaptic plasticity," Hattori says. "They receive external inputs, process the information and output an action. Then, the outcome of the action guides the learning by the network. The similarity gives us an opportunity to use AI as a neural network model for certain behaviors."

Hattori recently moved to The Wertheim UF Scripps campus in Jupiter, Florida, following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Diego. He earned his doctorate in molecular and cellular biology at Harvard University in 2016.

An assistant professor in the institute's neuroscience department, he's also a recipient of many awards, including the Warren Alpert Distinguished Scholar award and the Simons Foundation SFARI Bridge-to-Independence award.

His wife is a neuroscientist as well, Mariko Hattori, Ph.D. She recently joined the lab of Kirill Martemyanov, Ph.D., chair of the neuroscience department, as a postdoctoral researcher. The Hattoris have a 15-month old son, and enjoy taking him to the ocean when they're not in their labs.

The Jupiter community has become a great magnet for neuroscientists, they said. The Wertheim UF Scripps' strong program is joined by the neighboring Florida Atlantic University Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience.

The Hattoris collaborated with Max Planck's scientific director, Ryohei Yasuda, Ph.D., on a recently published Nature Neuroscience paper about the role of a brain region called the orbitofrontal cortex in the acquisition of generalized knowledge.

The scientists found multiple layers of learning at work in mouse adaptation to new environments, with different time scales. The mouse learning mechanisms resembled those of a computer model of reinforcement learning that was developed by AI researchers.

"We can gain insights into brain mechanisms from AI. Also, as we better understand the brain mechanisms for decision-making and learning, we may be able to transfer the knowledge to AI models," Ryoma Hattori says. "I hope my research projects contribute to understanding of the brain, and also contribute to development of AI with better performance in the machine learning community as well."

More information: Ryoma Hattori et al, Meta-reinforcement learning via orbitofrontal cortex, Nature Neuroscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01485-3 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Welcome to the world of modern medicine. Computer vision tools can accurately detect suspicious skin lesions or predict coronary artery disease from scans. Data-driven robots are guiding minimally invasive surgery.

Machine learning can be applied to analyses of patients' genomic and molecular data to detect diseases such as Alzheimer's or to help choose the best medication for a patient. Deep learning methods can be utilized to model electronic health record data to predict health outcomes for patients.

Is it any wonder that the application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in health care has been described as one of the most significant industrial revolutions of our time?

"While I agree that AI tools in health care represent a significant industrial revolution, I believe there's still a considerable journey ahead before AI can truly revolutionize the core aspects of health care services provided by physicians," says Daniel Zheng, an Associate Professor of Operations Management at Singapore Management University (SMU).

The research team designed a personalized decision support tool that uses predictive information to help make better decisions on the continuation of medical treatment in intensive care units (ICU).

Specifically, the study considered the optimal point at which mechanical support for breathing could be removed from a patient (extubation). The methodologies can apply to the discontinuation of other critical treatments.

"Our application of predictive analysis for future patient health states isn't entirely new. Physicians have long been integrating their predictions into clinical decisions," Professor Zheng says.

"But our approach aims to formalize this process, integrating machine-generated predictions into clinical decision protocols, thereby enhancing decision-making and improving patient outcomes and operational efficiencies."

Future states

The flood of patients requiring intensive care during the COVID pandemic highlighted that ICUs are a pressure point in health care systems already facing increasing demand from aging populations, financial constraints and shortages of specialist staff.

Since critical care is expensive for both patients and hospitals and the number of ICU beds is limited, these resources need to be managed as efficiently as possible.

Patients are not allowed to be discharged from an ICU while still intubated. The decision to extubate is vital for patients and the time to extubation is usually considered the primary service outcome for surgical care in hospitals.

"We chose extubation decisions as our focus due to their critical nature in ICU, particularly post-cardiac surgery," Professor Zheng says. "This topic was initially proposed by our collaborating physicians seeking data-driven support for these decisions."

The existing protocols on the continuation decision of medical treatment only consider current or historical details of patient condition without considering the likely future condition.

Using a comprehensive hospital dataset, the researchers evaluated the effectiveness of various policies and demonstrated that incorporating predictive information can reduce ICU length of stay by up to 3.4 percent and, simultaneously, decrease the extubation failure rate by up to 20.3 percent, compared with the optimal policy that does not utilize prediction. These benefits are more significant for patients with poor initial conditions upon ICU admission.

"Our analysis indicates that as long as the prediction model is reasonably accurate, its integration into decision protocols is beneficial, despite potential over-reliance or misinterpretation by physicians," Professor Zheng says.

Additional effect

The researchers derived their empirical data from 5,566 ICU admissions to the cardiothoracic ICU at Singapore's National University Hospital. Patient-level admission data such as age, gender, race and time of admission was compiled, and during the ICU stay comprehensive physiological data, such as body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, were documented by a digital tracking system.

Laboratory test outcomes, medications, procedures and nursing care notes were also integrated into the dataset. And while the method used for cleaning so much raw data wasn't new, it was "a thorough and critical one."

"Data cleaning was a challenging yet crucial process, involving extensive collaboration with physicians and nurses to understand clinical notes and variables," Professor Zheng says.

To extend their risk prediction models to the ICU management setting, the researchers adopted the framework of uplift modeling, a predictive modeling technique used in data analytics and operations research. It differs from traditional predictive modeling by focusing on the change in probability caused by a specific action or treatment, rather than just predicting the likelihood of the outcome itself.

In simpler terms, it tries to answer the question: What is the additional effect of this treatment or intervention on this particular individual or group?

"Uplift modeling, which predicts the incremental impact of continued ventilation, was used as input for our extubation decision model. It generates predictions but does not dictate their application, which is where our model comes into play, suggesting how these predictions should be utilized," Professor Zheng says.

The research team's integration of advanced mathematical modeling and data analytics with critical medical decisions demonstrates that an interdisciplinary approach can offer valuable insights into actual health care challenges.

Wider usage

"Predictive-assisted decision-making has potential applications across various clinical and operational health care decisions," Professor Zheng says.

"Our project, for instance, has implications for dialysis and ICU discharge decisions, demonstrating the wide applicability of systematically leveraging new predictive models and algorithms."

So, what comes next for the researchers? Could their work on extubation lead to a product?

"We are in the preliminary stages of exploring a partnership with a biotechnology company that specializes in centralized ventilator management solutions," Professor Zheng says.

"Their suite of products includes hardware for data collection, encryption, and transmission, as well as a software platform designed for data visualization and patient risk monitoring."

"We see a potential opportunity to integrate our model into their existing system, which could significantly enhance ventilator risk monitoring and support the process of making extubation decisions."

"This collaboration represents a promising step towards transitioning our research from theoretical constructs to practical, real-world applications within medical settings," Professor Zheng says.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Black voters support a ban on menthol cigarettes by a wide margin, refuting claims that such a ban would be strongly opposed by Black Americans, a new survey shows.

Black voters support by a 37-point margin the menthol ban proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with 62% in favor and 25% against.

That's even greater than the 29-point margin by which all voters support the ban, with 58% in favor and 29% against.

Implementing the rule would not harm President Joe Biden's chances of re-election, the poll found. There was no change in Biden's overall standing after voters were asked to assume his administration ended the sale of menthol cigarettes.

"There is clear evidence that the menthol rule has no meaningful electoral impact," concluded The Mellman Group, a leading political research firm that conducted the poll on behalf of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free kids.

In December 2023, the Biden administration announced it was delaying until March a long-planned ban on menthol cigarettes.

The ban had been opposed by some civil rights leaders with ties to Big Tobacco, who argued it would give police an excuse to target Black smokers.

Media reports said that a poll commissioned by tobacco giant Altria also influenced the administration's decision to delay the ban.

The Altria poll, presented to the administration but never publicly released, claimed that the menthol rule would turn off "Biden's core voters," defined as non-white voters and non-conservative white voters under 45.

The new poll asked respondents an initial presidential horse-race question between Biden and former President Donald Trump. Biden had a two-point lead over Trump, 44% to 42%.

When asked to assume Biden went through with the ban, those polled still gave Biden a two-point lead over Trump, 45% to 43%.

"These poll results demonstrate that voters, especially Black voters, strongly support eliminating menthol cigarettes, and they debunk the tobacco industry myth that moving forward will be a political liability," Yolonda Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said in a news release from the organization.

"The Biden Administration must issue a final rule without further delay," Richardson continued. "There is no other single action the Administration can take that would do more to advance health equity and help achieve the goals of the President's Cancer Moonshot."

Biden's margin among Black voters remained unchanged at 58 points (74% for Biden and 16% for Trump) even after respondents were asked to assume the menthol rule had gone into effect.

"This new data proves what we already know to be trueBlack voters want to see a menthol ban," said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP.

Biden's margin among 18- to 29-year-olds actually increased by two points, to 56% for Biden and 27% for Trump, assuming implementation of the ban.

"Now, it's time for the Biden administration to put people over profits and swiftly enact a rule that will save countless Black lives," Johnson said. "We're done waiting. The NAACP will continue to do everything in its power to hold this Administration accountable to their promises to our community. Enough is enough. Our lives are at stake."

The poll included 1,000 registered voters in the United States and an oversample of 400 interviews among Black voters. It was conducted Dec. 9-14, 2023, and the margin of error is plus or minus 3.1%.

More information: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more about the menthol ban.

Copyright  2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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

If all GP practices moved to a model where patients saw the same doctor at each visit, it could significantly reduce doctor workload while improving patient health, a study suggests.

In one of the largest studies of its kind, researchers from the University of Cambridge and INSEAD analyzed data from more than 10 million consultations in 381 English primary care practices over a period of 11 years.

The results, reported in the journal Management Science, suggest that a long-term relationship between a patient and their doctor could both improve patient health and reduce workload for GPs.

The researchers found that when patients were able to see their regular doctor for a consultationa model known as continuity of carethey waited on average 18% longer between visits, compared to patients who saw a different doctor. The productivity benefit of continuity of care was larger for older patients, those with multiple chronic conditions, and individuals with mental health conditions.

Although it will not always be possible for a patient to see their regular GP, this productivity differential would translate to an estimated 5% reduction in consultations if all practices in England were providing the level of care continuity of the best 10% of practices.

Primary care in the U.K. is under enormous strain: patients struggle to get appointments, GPs are retiring early, and financial pressures are causing some practices to close. According to the Health Foundation and the Nuffield Trust, there is a significant shortfall of GPs in England, with a projected 15% increase required in the workforce. The problem is not limited to the U.K., however. The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates a shortfall of between 21,400 and 55,200 primary care physicians in the U.S. by 2033.

"Productivity is a huge problem across all the whole of the U.K.we wanted to see how that's been playing out in GP practices," said Dr. Harshita Kajaria-Montag, the study's lead author, who is now based at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. "Does the rapid access model make GPs more productive?"

"You can measure the productivity of GP surgeries in two ways: how many patients can you see in a day, or how much health can you provide in a day for those patients," said co-author Professor Stefan Scholtes from Cambridge Judge Business School. "Some GP surgeries are industrialized in their approach: Each patient will get seven or 10 minutes before the GP has to move on to the next one."

At English GP practices, roughly half of all appointments are with a patient's regular doctor, but this number has been steadily declining over the past decade as GP practices come under increasing strain.

The researchers used an anonymized dataset from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, consisting of more than 10 million GP visits between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2017.

Using statistical models to account for confounding and selection bias, and restricting the sample to consultations with patients who had at least three consultations over the past two years, the researchers found that the time to a patient's next visit is substantially longer when the patient sees the doctor they have seen most frequently over the past two years, while there is no operationally meaningful difference in consultation duration.

"The impact is substantial: it could be the equivalent of increasing the GP workforce by 5%, which would significantly benefit both patients and the NHS," said Scholtes. "Better health translates into less demand for future consultations. Prioritizing continuity of care is crucial in enhancing productivity."

"The benefits of continuity of care are obvious from a relationship point of view," said Kajaria-Montag. "If you're a patient with complex health needs, you don't want to have to explain your whole health history at every appointment. If you have a regular doctor who's familiar with your history, it's a far more efficient use of time, for doctor and patient."

"A regular doctor may have a larger incentive to take more time to treat her regular patients thoroughly than a transactional provider," said Scholtes. "Getting it right the first time will reduce her future workload by preventing revisits, which would likely be her responsibility, while a transactional provider is less likely to see the patient for her next visit."

The researchers emphasize that continuity of care does not only have the known benefits of better patient outcomes, better patient and GP experience, and reduced secondary care use, but also provides a surprisingly large productivity benefit for the GP practices themselves.

More information: Harshita Kajaria-Montag et al, Continuity of Care Increases Physician Productivity in Primary Care, Management Science (2024). DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2021.02015 Journal information: Management Science
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A study program coordinator demonstrates a stool culture to a local health worker in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Credit: Adam C. Levine, M.D.

For adults and older children, dehydration from diarrhea is a common, pervasive threat: Annually, more than 1 million die from it.

Now, a novel software tool that makes diagnosing and treating diarrhea-related dehydration faster, simpler and more accurate has been launched by an international team that includes a University of Florida Health pediatrics researcher.

The solution is as unique as the problem is massive. Worldwide, there are 5.7 billion cases of diarrhea a year among adults and older children. Even so, there has not been a convenient, easy-to-use, evidence-based tool for assessing dehydration in patients.

Seeing a large and urgent need, researchers at UF Health, Brown University and in Bangladesh teamed up to create FluidCalc. Using an algorithm that runs through a cell phone app, FluidCalc quickly and consistently determines the extent of a patient's dehydration and calculates how much fluid they need. The tool uses two primary algorithms for those under and over 5 years of age.

"There's a lot less left to chance if you have an evidence-based algorithm doing this instead of trying to determine each patient's needs," said Eric J. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor with UF's College of Public Health and Health Professions and the UF College of Medicine's department of pediatrics. Nelson's contributions included developing the software that powers FluidCalc.

To evaluate the new algorithm those over age 5, the researchers analyzed data from 1,580 people who were patients at the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Patients were weighed on arrival and again every four hours. They were then assessed by two nurses using the digital tool and also established World Health Organization guidelines for dehydration severity.

FluidCalc outperformed the WHO algorithm at distinguishing severe dehydration from the absence of severe dehydration, the researchers found. The tool more accurately identified patients with severe dehydration as well as those without dehydration. The findings were published recently in the journal The Lancet Global Health.

FluidCalc is helpful to patients, doctors and other health care providers for several reasons, the researchers said. It reduces the chances of undertreating or overtreating diarrhea-related dehydration. Undertreating dehydration can cause shock or organ failure in patients, whereas overtreatment can lead to excess fluid in the lungs or brain.

A consistent, simplified dehydration tool is also helpful to doctors, nurses and community health workers who are the first to assess patients. Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of death globally for children between 1 month and 5 years of age.

"Getting dehydration assessment right is really important. And yet we have depended on clinicians to make this really important decision and make it billions of times every single year without giving them a good, accurate and reliable tool," said Adam C. Levine, M.D., the associate dean of global health equity at Brown University and the study's principal investigator.

Beyond patient care, accurate dehydration assessment has important implications for health care systemsespecially in developing countries, Levine said. In some of those areas, intravenous fluids have to be imported and hospital beds can be scarce. Low-cost and effective oral rehydration solution is considered one of the most important life-saving health care innovations in history.

"If you can save those resources for the small percentage of patients who really need it because they have severe dehydration and then treat all of the other patients with much less expensive oral rehydration or nothing at all, it's going to save a lot of money while getting the right care to patients and preserving lives," Levine said.

Nelson, whose other worldwide work includes establishing an after-hours pediatric care and medicine delivery program in Haiti called MotoMeds, said FluidCalc's value lies in its free, worldwide access and pinpoint accuracy in determining how much fluid a patient needs and whether it should be given intravenously or orally. The design of FluidCalc is now serving as a formative step for new research led by Nelson to develop similar tools for other diseases. Those tools will be evaluated within MotoMeds' clinical research infrastructure.

For FluidCalc, the researchers will further test the tool in Tanzania to determine its worldwide suitability without having to conduct trials in many individual countries. A longer-term goal is to get the WHO to change and update its guidelines for diarrhea-related dehydration, Levine said.

More information: Adam C Levine et al, A comparison of the NIRUDAK models and WHO algorithm for dehydration assessment in older children and adults with acute diarrhoea: a prospective, observational study, The Lancet Global Health (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00403-5 Journal information: The Lancet Global Health
COTABATO CITY  A measure has been filed in the Bangsamoro Parliament seeking to rename the municipality of Sultan Mastura to Subpangen in M...
A long-awaited postwar plan by Israel's prime minister shows that his government seeks open-ended control over security and civilian affairs in the Gaza Strip. That was swiftly rejected Friday by Palestinian leaders and runs counter to Washington's vision for the enclave.
Growing up on the Blackfeet Reservation, siblings Ivan and Ivy MacDonald remember the moment their family got a satellite dish.

We were one of the only people in our area that had one, Ivan recalled. I loved it.

Ivan and Ivy were immediately hooked on the Sundance channel. They watched David Lynch and Quentin Tarantino films on repeat.

They both went on to study at the University of Montana  Ivy earning a degree in filmmaking and Ivan in social work.

Years later, Ivan, now 34, and Ivy, 32, regularly collaborate on documentaries, one of which is set to premiere on Saturday at the Big Sky Film Fest.

Narrated by Lily Gladstone, Bring Them Home is an 85-minute documentary following the Blackfeet Nations efforts to return buffalo to the reservation.

To bring the animals home, the Blackfeet must first gain community buy-in, and the tribe must work with outside communities and lawmakers. The film follows the Blackfeet Buffalo Programs efforts to manage the animals, and chronicles the tribes historic release of wild buffalo (iinii in the Blackfoot language) on the reservation.

One scene in the film shows community members moving the bison herd on horseback. One bison turns toward the rider, rears its head and charges a few feet before turning around.

I think people dont quite understand just how powerful bison are, Ivan said. Theyre 6 feet tall, 90 to 95% pure muscle and can jump 6.5 feet in the air. Theyre incredibly powerful animals.

After watching the film, Ivan said he hopes viewers will come away with a new understanding of bison, Indigenous communities and the unique connection they share.

Bison are an incredible part of our history and the ways in which our people have evolved over time, he said. This small community on a windswept reservation in northern Montana is introducing this animal not only to benefit everyone but also to benefit the ecological health of Montana.

Buffalo and Indigenous people

Since time immemorial, Native Americans used buffalo for food, shelter, tools, clothing, jewelry and ceremony. Buffalo and Native people were so connected that biologists say the two mammals co-evolved.

But in the 19th century, settlers and U.S. soldiers killed millions of bison to devastate the tribal communities that relied on them. Ungulate diseases spread by domestic cattle are suspected of killing herds the hunters didnt reach.

From 1820 to 1880, the bison population fell from around 30 to 60 million to fewer than 1,000. Some estimate that only 300 bison survived whats now known as the Great Slaughter.

Today, through partnerships with national parks and organizations, buffalo have returned to tribal lands nationwide.

And in June, the Blackfeet Nation made history in releasing wild buffalo to tribal lands near Chief Mountain, an area steeped in Blackfeet cultural significance in the northwest corner of the reservation bordering Glacier National Park.

The Lily Gladstone effect

Ivan said when he first started working with Gladstone on the project in 2020, she mentioned that she might land a big role.

A few months later, Gladstone was cast to star in Killers of the Flower Moon alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.

Ivan said Gladstones involvement in the project has boosted its success. National publications, like Variety, IndieWire and Cowboys and Indians Magazine have written about Bring them Home, and when Gladstone shared a trailer of the documentary, it gained more than 10,000 views.

Gladstone has consistently uplifted the work of other Native artists in her rise to fame. In her historic Golden Globes win, Gladstone wore black-and-white earrings by Montana-based Ermineskin Cree and Blackfeet artist Lenise Omeasoo. And on the cover of British Vogue, Gladstone wore a large Apsaalooke style breast plate by Crow Artist Elias Jade NotAfraid and showcased a blanket by Blackfeet artist John Pepion.

Lily has always been really incredible in helping raise the profile of all these projects, Ivan said. Shes a humble and kind person who wants to elevate these voices because she knows how important it is to have Indigenous voices telling our own stories.

Bring Them Home" premieres at the Wilma on Saturday at 6 p.m. and screens at the ZACC on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. To learn more or buy tickets, visit BigSkyFilmFest.org.
Maclay Bridge is not dead yet. Missoula County announced on Thursday that engineers have a plan to rehabilitate and reopen the bridge spanning the Bitterroot River to traffic, bicycles and pedestrians.

Maclay Bridge closed on Jan. 26 after a Montana Department of Transportation inspection showed deterioration of the bridge structure. Specifically, engineers found that steel stringers that run along the top deck have been deteriorating.

The bridge was built in 1952 out of other bridge parts from around western Montana. For the last decade it has been used by thousands of cars each day.

A study by HDR Engineering found that the stringers could be replaced to restore the integrity of the bridge. County officials said this will involve removing and replacing the road deck of the bridge.

There is no timeline for reopening the bridge, but public works officials estimate the work to start this spring.

The total cost of repairs is roughly $66,000, according to the release. The county said MDT will pay for the repairs using funding from Senate Bill 536.

A new bridge nearby on South Avenue is still scheduled to break ground in 2026.
ST. PAUL, Minn.  A federal judge on Wednesday affirmed a $5 million arbitration award against MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell in favor of a software engineer who challenged data that Lindell said proves China interfered in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and tipped the outcome to Joe Biden.

Lindell said he plans to appeal. Asked if he can afford to pay, he pointed out that the breach-of-contract lawsuit was against one of his companies, Lindell Management LLC, and not against him personally.

Of course we're going to appeal it. This guy doesn't have a dime coming, Lindell said.

Lindell, a prominent promoter of false claims that voting machines were manipulated to steal the 2020 election, launched his Prove Mike Wrong Challenge, as part of a Cyber Symposium he hosted in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in August 2021. Lindell offered a $5 million reward through Lindell Management for anyone who could prove that packet captures and other data he released there were not valid data from the November 2020 election.

Robert Zeidman entered the challenge with a 15-page report that concluded the data from Lindell don't contain packet data of any kind and do not contain any information related to the November 2020 election. A panel of contest judges that included a Lindell attorney declined to declare Zeidman a winner. So Zeidman filed for arbitration under the contest rules.

A panel of three arbitrators last April unanimously ordered Lindell to pay Zeidman $5 million, concluding that he had satisfied the contest rules. In Wednesday's ruling, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim expressed concern about how the panel interpreted what he called a poorly written contract, but said courts have only limited authority to overrule arbitration awards. He ordered Lindell to pay up with interest within 30 days.

Lindell is also the subject of a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems in the District of Columbia that says he falsely accused the company of rigging the 2020 presidential election. Hes also the target of a separate defamation lawsuit in Minnesota by a different voting machine company, Smartmatic.

Lindell has conceded that he and MyPillow are struggling financially. Fox News, which had been one of his biggest advertising platforms, stopped running MyPillow commercials in January in a payment dispute. Two law firms that had been defending him against lawsuits by Dominion and Smartmatic quit last fall. He acknowledged that he owed them millions of dollars.

Today in history: Feb. 22 1935: White House 1959: Daytona 500 1967: Vietnam 1980: Miracle on Ice 1987: Andy Warhol 1997: Dolly 2010: Najibullah Zazi 2012: Mitt Romney 2020: Bernie Sanders 2021: COVID-19 2021: Mike Lindell 2022: Ahmaud Arbery hate crimes
After Rep. Matt Rosendales abrupt departure from Montanas U.S. Senate race, tensions are high among his supporters.

Rosendale bowed out after less than a week as a candidate in the contentious race, blaming his departure on a number of endorsements including former President Donald Trumps backing of one of his opponents in the GOP primary, Tim Sheehy. The endorsement came only hours after Rosendale entered the contest earlier this month.

Sheehy, a Belgrade-based businessman and former Navy SEAL, is also supported by Gov. Greg Gianforte, Rep. Ryan Zinke, Sen. Steve Daines and the body tasked with gaining back Republican control of the U.S. Senate that Daines chairs, the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Daines, a fellow Montana politician, and the NRSC  which declined to comment for this story  have also been taking jabs at Rosendale for months, before and after he entered the race.

This is definitely a big story about Washington, D.C., versus the people of Montana, said Darin Gaub, chairman of the Lewis & Clark County Republican Central Committee. I think [Rosendale] wouldve won the Senate race, both primary and general, but a lot of people got in the way to make sure he wasn't there.

While some of Rosendales most engaged supporters are livid that he exited the race following the litany of D.C. endorsements and infusions of cash, some simultaneously expressed apathetic acceptance that they must back Sheehy with the end goal in mind of unseating Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

Montana Freedom Caucus Member Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, worked for the congressman for two years and was heavily backing him in the Senate race. Now, however, Mitchell is ready to support Sheehy.

Just gotta get behind the guy  that's the reality of the situation, he said.

The states Freedom Caucus endorsed Rosendale for Senate, and chairwoman Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton, was next to Rosendale filming and cheering when he filed for the race at the state Capitol earlier this month.

Manzella said she "doubt[s]" that the Freedom Caucus will unify behind Sheehy or Brad Johnson, the former secretary of state and past Public Service Commission chair who is also running in the Republican primary.

"Eighty percent of us have to agree on an issue to take it up, and thats not an issue we agree on. Warriors like Matt Rosendale are few and far between," Manzella said in a text message.

In defense of Rosendale, the state's Freedom Caucus went as far as to send a public letter lobbying against a speaker coming to Montana because he had been critical of Rosendale in the past.

Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump loyalist who criticized Rosendale for being slow to endorse the former president's bid to return to office, was set to speak at the partys winter convention this month. The party ultimately disinvited Bruesewitz.

Alex has publicly attacked Congressman Matt Rosendale and his actions should not be rewarded with a speaking opportunity, read the letter from Manzella.

As the Freedom Caucus engaged in some GOP infighting, party unity has been pushed in Montana among some Republican leaders, in large part because winning this Senate race is integral to the GOPs hopes of gaining control of the U.S. Senate in the fall. The winner of the GOP will take on Tester, a three-term incumbent, and Republicans across the state and the nation are dead set on ending his reign.

We need to unify as Republicans. I know that a lot of people are upset. It is unfortunate, said Pam Purinton, chair of Yellowstone County Republicans. All of our elections should be voter-based, it should not be a top-down organization, but thats what we're in the middle of.

County Republican Party chairpersons, who wield considerable power and play an important role in getting people to the polls, mostly appear ready to move on from Rosendales Senate hopes despite being previously ecstatic about his candidacy.

I know that a lot of people are upset ... they're having a hard time getting behind Sheehy, but at some point they need to because we need to beat Tester, Purinton said.

Flathead County Republican Party Chair Al Olszewski is not ready to board the unity ship, however.

We've seen a political assassination of Matt Rosendale for U.S. Senate. Its a punch in the gut to those of us who support him, he said. Party unity is not getting slapped in the head and punched in the gut.

Olszewski feels like top Republicans unfairly coalesced around Sheehy and therefore disenfranchised Montana voters.

Steve Daines and Mitch McConnell are anointing Tim Sheehy. The voters of Montana are not choosing him, he said. If that stands, then everyone in the Montana Republican Party are sheep, and I for one, am not a sheep.

Neighboring Lake County Republican Party Chair Tracy Sharp expressed a similar sentiment, but appeared more ready to get behind the Republican nominee.

Amongst some, there is indeed a feeling that the deck was unjustly stacked against the extremely popular Matt Rosendale by out-of-state interests. Few things get under the skin of Montanans more than such influences injecting themselves into our election process," Sharp said in an emailed statement. Be that as it may, we are united in the necessity (of trying to defeat Jon Tester).

This would have been Rosendale's second attempt at unseating Tester. In 2018, he challenged him but lost by 3.5 points. During that campaign, Trump visited Montana four times to hold rallies in support of Rosendale. Many of Rosendales supporters are also Trump supporters, but the former presidents endorsement of Sheehy did not appear to sour their favorable opinions on Trump.

Even through angrily gritted teeth, Olszewski offered the former president some grace.

President Trump doesn't decide his endorsements, his son Don, Jr., does, he said.

If Trump ends up being the Republican nominee for president, Purinton said she plans to vote for him despite his endorsement of Sheehy, in part because like Olszewski she believes the former president is being told this is who and this is what (you should endorse).

The wounds left from Rosendale's abrupt exit from the race are still raw, but there's over three months until the primary election and more than eight until the general.

I'm sure theres probably hard feelings," said Jessi Bennion, political science professor at Montana State University. At the end of the day I think they'll fall in line  for whoever the nominee is.

Longtime politician Johnson is also vying for that Republican nomination.

I understand this is gonna be a David and Goliath fight for me, but what is ironic for me is that my Goliath isnt Tim Sheehy, its Mitch McConnell, Steve Daines and the NRSC, Johnson said. Are we simply going to roll over and watch a coronation of Tim Sheehy or are we going to have a meaningful exchange of political ideas?

Johnson has raised considerably less money than his opponents, but believes that if enough people learn about the D.C. pedestal that Sheehy has been placed on, Montana voters will come around to him.

But when asked if he would have accepted those D.C. endorsements if offered, Johnson said I don't know if I would have rejected that, but I'm not seeking those out. I think endorsements are highly overrated.

Following the 2020 presidential race, election transparency became a Republican sticking point from local to statewide politics across the nation. While the conversation was born out of false claims of voter fraud, fair elections have taken on greater meaning of election integrity generally. Both Olszewski and Sharp questioned the fairness of Montanas Senate election given the events of the last couple months.

If people really believe in fair elections, how can you, on the Republican side, say we want fair and transparent elections and then you just saw the most popular Republican delegate get politically assassinated by another one? Olszewski said, referring to Daines campaigning against Rosendale.

While some Republican leaders are incensed by Rosendales exit, the Republican push to unseat Tester may prove stronger than Republican division.

If you need to hold your nose when you vote, then hold your nose when you vote. That's not the best way to do it, but it's the best way to get rid of Tester, Purinton said.
The classic tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears got a bit of a twist Saturday when police say a man broke into a womans home, put on her blouse, sat in her recliner and covered himself up with her blanket.

Moises Ailon Agustin, 31, was charged with felony breaking and entering and misdemeanor property damage after the incident around 3 p.m. Saturday, according to information from the Morganton Department of Public Safety.

The charges came after officers were dispatched to 424 Bouchelle St. in Morganton after a relative called police and reported a stranger was inside the home, a news release from MDPS said.

Officers arriving at the scene found the back door had been broken with glass on the floor around it, the release said. They began to clear the home and found Agustin sitting in a recliner in one of the bedrooms with a blanket over his head, the release said.

Police took Agustin into custody and placed him in a patrol car. When the homeowner arrived a few minutes later, she told police he was wearing one of her blouses, the release said.

Agustin was still booked at the Burke County Jail under a $10,000 secured bond Monday morning, according to jail records.
A couple was charged late Thursday night after a traffic stop led to the discovery of concealed weapons.

Thomas Wayne Carlson, 40, of Morganton, was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a schedule IV controlled substance, carrying a concealed weapon, no liability insurance and fictitious registration plate, according to a release from the Morganton Department of Public Safety.

Also charged was Echo Danielle Camp, 32, of Morganton, who was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and carrying a concealed weapon, the release said.

The charges came after an officer patrolling Burkemont Avenue around 10 p.m. saw a vehicle without a license plate, the release said.

The officer stopped the vehicle and during the course of the investigation, officers found three firearms in the vehicle, including two that were concealed on the occupants themselves, the release said. Neither of the occupants should have been in possession of a firearm because both are felons, the release said.

A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up numerous quantities of a schedule IV controlled substance and a large amount of cash, the release said.

Carlson has previous convictions of selling a schedule II controlled substance, attempted second-degree sex offense, failure to register as a sex offender, possession with intent to sell a schedule II controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Camp has previously been convicted of possession of a schedule II controlled substance, NCDAC records showed.

Carlson was held without bond, the release said. Camps bond was set at $7,500 secured.
Western Piedmont Community College has chosen property it wants to construct a new emergency services training facility on and it plans to hold a community information session about it soon.

The college has purchased 40 acres off of Vine Arden Road in Morganton to build the proposed state-of-the-art training center, according to a release from WPCC. The current fire training center is located at 150 Coal Chute Road in Morganton.

WPCC will hold a community information session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, in Leviton Auditorium on the college. At the information session, college officials will share details of the plans for the training center, including a timeline for construction and what to expect once the center is open, according to the release.

The new training center will offer live fire and rescue training with future plans for swift water rescue training, according to information from the college. The current center has a flash-over simulator, a residential burn building that simulates a house fire, simulators to fight grill fires, fork lifts, a gas tank fire, car fire, gas tanker truck and flammable liquid storage tank. It also includes a driving pad that can be used to train firefighters to drive fire trucks.

In 2021, the state budget allocated $15 million for a new WPCC regional emergency training center on the Catawba River.

At that time, Sandy Hoilman, vice president for administrative services and chief financial officer for WPCC, told The News Herald that once a new training center is built, the college can continue exploring options to complement the economic development and educational ambitions of the community based on a project that began in 2015 developing re-use opportunities for the old Broughton Hospital campus, along with the entire 800-acre tract that encompasses WPCC, NC School for the Deaf and North Carolina School of Science and MathematicsMorganton.

The plan called for the site of the current emergency training center on Coal Chute Road, which opened in September 2010, to be turned into a large pond that would be part of a greenway through the property. In 2018, officials said that moving the training center would be the first thing that needs to happen to kick-start the project.

The reuse plan called for education, housing and hospitality components. The plan also called for a Western NC Discovery Center, apartments  which is now Murphys Farm  and two hotels.

Questions about the new ESTC can be directed to Hoilman at 828-448-6025 or shoilman@wpcc.edu.

WPCC complies with the American with Disabilities Act and will make every effort to honor any reasonable request made by individuals with qualifying disabilities. Accommodations for the session must be requested at least three business days in advance by contacting WPCCs Office of Personal and Career Development at 828-448-3154.
At least 4 dead and more missing in Valencia apartment block fire



ARCHIVED ARTICLE

The fire spread so rapidly because of the construction materials used, which were the same as those in the Grenfell towers

At least four people have died and 19 more are missing due to a devastating fire in a 14-storey apartment building in At least four people have died and 19 more are missing due to a devastating fire in a 14-storey apartment building in Valencia , Spain this Thursday February 22.

The fire started at around 5.30pm in the building located on Avenida del Maestro Rodrigo where around 450 people lived in 138 homes across two apartment blocks, and it was still active at dawn this Friday.

At the moment, four people are confirmed to have died, 14 been injured (six of whom are firefighters) and 14 people are still unaccounted for. It is the worst fire in Valencian history.

What has been most shocking was the speed and intensity with which the flames spread across the whole building, reportedly due to the way the buildings facade was constructed using flammable cladding as recently as 2009.

Any residents who requested it, as reported by the Valencia City Council, have been temporarily relocated to hotels.

The fire started on the balcony of a home on the seventh floor and, in a matter of minutes, spread quickly throughout the building, helped by a strong westerly wind, but also by the polyurethane aluminium material used to insulate the building, which was also present in the Grenfell Towers in London and which is no longer widely used in construction because of its flammability.

Dozens of firefighters were quickly on the scene to put out the flames and a field hospital was set up nearby to take care of any injured people.

Firefighters continued cooling the area last night and it was not known when they would be able to access the inside of the building. Depending on the damage to the structure and how the firefighting goes today, they may be able to get inside to look for any survivors or people who were trapped in the building this Friday.

Tras su llegada al #IncendioCampanar los vehiculos #VINTAC I y II del #RAIEM se han integrado en el dispositivo de extincion en labores de enfriamiento de la fachada y la azotea del edificio afectado pic.twitter.com/q5ffgrjxGR  UME (@UMEgob) February 23, 2024

Valencia was due to start its famous Fallas fireworks festival this weekend, but the start of the fiestas has been delayed and three days of official mourning declared.

Image: Emergencies 112CV
Local officials may have a plan to move forward to find additional housing after hearing results of a housing study done throughout the county.

On Wednesday evening, the Muscatine City Council, Muscatine County Board of Supervisors, and Muscatine School Board heard the results of a housing market analysis. The city and county partnered to hire Atlas Community Studios, an Iowa-based strategic planning firm. The analysis was formed with existing plans, collecting data from residents, and local, state and federal statistics.

The project began in August 2023 and focused on the county and the cities of Muscatine, Wilton and West Liberty.

I was able to analyze these findings and come up with these ideas, which I brought to the cities to get a sense if they thought this would work and what it could help with, Megan Tebbe, community developer with Atlas, said.

She also said it would take a lot of collaboration and work to get the suggestions implemented.

Tebbe gave six recommendations to the groups as ways to improve the housing market in the area. She also said she would soon present the final report for consideration at the regional and municipal levels, which will be available for public viewing.

Tebbe recommending to invest in the existing housing stock, since it is easier to update existing places compared to building new. She said this will help restore long-vacant units.

Specifically for Muscatine, she recommended a developers cohort which allows the training of interested residents to do small-scale rehab projects.

The second recommendation was to incentivize new housing types.

Tebbe said this includes looking at alternative housing options to create housing for all income levels. Part of the plan would be to develop a county-wide pattern book, which is a catalog of housing types for construction.

She also recommended that the cities consider how to create more developable land within city limits and combining the developers cohort and pattern book to attract developers to the area.

Tebbe explained first-time homeowners found themselves not getting the house they wanted for the price they believed was right and suggested a training program for first-time homeowners. One exists in Muscatine County, she said, and encouraged the elected officials to support the resource.

The fifth recommendation was to provide information for new developments on what is needed in each community.

The last suggestion was to become investment ready. This includes possibly having to issue a bond to add infrastructure to land and recommended having a countywide building code and a shared inspector between the county, Wilton and West Liberty.

These are creative solutions, Tebbe said. Im not saying they are easy, but they are attainable. They are also ways to just make your communities shine to others.
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges and Mount Mercy University hope a new transfer agreement can help fill vital nursing workforce needs.

Now, graduates of EICC's nursing program may be automatically admitted into Cedar Rapids-based Mount Mercy's RN-BSN program  giving students a "smooth" transition toward earning their bachelor's degree.

"I can't emphasize enough  smooth," said Dr. Liang Chee Wee, EICC's Interim Chancellor. "We know transfers are tough enough  This (agreement) allows students to maintain that impactful profession in patient care. At the same time, it also follows their career path, prospects and earning potential."

Mount Mercy and EICC officials made the announcement Thursday, gathering in Scott Community College's recently-renovated Health Sciences Center.

"Learning is fundamentally about making and maintaining connections, and that's true on a lot of levels. As science students () it's making connections between your academic studies and your real, lived experiences in the healthcare field," said Mount Mercy President Todd Olson. "Today, it's about making connections between two institutions that have very well aligned values and missions."

Wee said this partnership comes at "very critical time" in the nursing profession.

In Iowa, roughly 60% of medical facilities are struggling to fill nursing positions, per the state's most recent Nursing Demand Survey. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 6% growth in the RN (registered nurse) workforce over the next decade.

"We (know) Iowa needs professional nurses now more than ever," Olson said. "This is an urgent need and something we are compelled to address in the most creative way possible."

Mount Mercys RN-BSN program is offered online with nine start dates throughout the year. With classes available in five- and 10-week blocks, students have the ability to pick a schedule that works best for them.

"This flexibility empowers students to balance patient care, while meeting the urgent demand for skilled professionals, all while advancing their education," said EICC's Dean of Health Programs, Dawn Boettcher. "Having agreements like this in place allows students to say, 'Oh, I can actually do this (BSN). This is actually achievable.'"

It also helps with employers, she said, as many expect nurses to obtain their BSN eventually.

"One thing I really think is great about this agreement, is (students) can actually start those conversations before they graduate," Boettcher said. "They can come in and get advising, talk through that decision and even consider starting some coursework before they're truly done at (EICC). It's really an amazing opportunity for them."

This opportunity could open the door for several more, she and others say.

"There are hundreds and thousands of opportunities for nursing students," said RN-BSN Chair Madison Woods. "Getting a bachelor's degree only elevates those opportunities  A big focus in (Mount Mercy's) program is nursing leadership skills. You can demonstrate those skills every day at the bedside, or, moving into a management position of some sort."

Lori Haugen, SCC's associate dean of nursing, said students often ask her about post-RN opportunities.

"So, it's very nice being able to tell them, 'You've got this easy transfer process in place,' and give them that information while they're still here," she said. "They are very excited about this agreement."

Carlee Good  a third-semester nursing student at SCC  is already thinking about pursuing this option for her BSN.

"(Mount Mercy) is nice," the 21-year-old DeWitt native said. "It's close to home, and I know they'll take all my (credits) and  don't have to worry about stuff not being accepted."

Good said her experience in SCC's nursing program has been positive  particularly the new Health Science Center opened up in October.

"It's been really cool, we have study rooms, offices  We have way more labs, we used to have just one little small lab," she said. "The (patient simulators) can talk, have heartbeats and all that stuff, so it's very informative to us and we didn't have that before. Now, we really get to be hands-on and don't have to worry about being with real people for our first experience."

Mount Mercy's "MMU Plus" program also gives RN-BSN students the chance to take graduate-level courses while earning their bachelor's.

"Chancellor Wee and I have already (discussed) that partnerships and collaboration are the future of higher education," Olson said. "Today, we are really opening a new door together, and I'm eager to welcome the motivated, capable students who will walk through that door in the months and years ahead."
On Thursday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged the church to take a more active role in combating the sale, distribution, and consumption of illicit brews and hard drugs in the country.

Addressing clergy gathered at the official residence of the DP in Karen, convened by his spouse, Pastor Dorcas, for a discussion on mapping out mediation for the Church in Kenya, the DP seized the opportunity to elaborate on the governments agenda in combating illicit brews and drugs.

He highlighted the influential position the church holds in society as a voice of influence, emphasizing the clergys daily interactions with Kenyans from the pulpit and other grassroots meetings.

You must talk about this thing (illicit alcohol and drugs) every Sunday because those consuming are not doing it at home. Much as we blame the merchants of death, police and chiefs, our people also need a lot of guidance and counselling from your team (the church), said Gachagua.

Drawing a parallel, the DP likened the alcohol and drug menace to the era when HIV/AIDS posed a global crisis. He noted that during that time, discussions against the disease were elevated, fostering awareness across communities and providing the disease with the proper perspective.

We are requesting that for the next six months you dedicate some time in your sermon to speak about drug abuse and illicit alcohol as part of creating a network of information for our people. We need the church to come in and support us in this campaign because it is serious, the DP added.

Among those in attendance were Archbishop Arthur Kitonga, Archbishop Gerry Kibarabara, Bishop Dr. Margaret Wangari, Bishop Dr. Mophat Kilioba, Bishop Dr. Pius Muiru, Rev. Dr. Lucy Muiru, Bishop Paul Wanjohi, and Bishop Dr. Stanley Michuki, among others.

Pastor Dorcas also implored the clergy to open up their places of worship and rescue the boys and men ensnared in addictions.

She urged the congregation to contribute food and clothing for those who were vulnerable in society, emphasizing that it was inappropriate for the church to remain securely within the four walls while many suffered outside on the streets.

It is time we guide our children in the right way, she said.
Hassan Mugambi, a renowned journalist with Citizen TV, is poised to leave the Royal Media Services (RMS)-owned station for a position at the Ministry of Defence.

According to reliable resources, the crime and investigative journalist is reportedly serving notice in preparation for his upcoming departure.

Mugambi will assume the role formerly held by the long-serving Director of Communications at the Defence ministry, Bogita Ongeri, who retired upon reaching the mandatory age.

Upon leaving Citizen TV, the anchor will take on the position of Communication Adviser at the office of Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

It is reported that Mugambi has already accompanied Duale on various trips, including a recent one to the United States of America (USA).

The Award-winning investigative journalist confirmed the move, stating that a change is as good as a rest.

Change is as good as a rest. We are changing, he said as quoted by the Star.

In 2015, Mugambi joined RMS after working as a news anchor at K24, owned by Mediamax Network Limited.

During his tenure at Citizen TV, he progressed through the ranks, transitioning from a reporter to a Swahili news anchor.

Mugambi hosted news programs, including Sema na Citizen, where he co-anchored with Lulu Hassan on Fridays.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria offered insights into the Cabinet meetings conducted during the Kenya Kwanza retreat held in Naivasha this week.

During an interview on Citizen TV, Kuria commended President William Rutos leadership style and highlighted how he has held Cabinet Secretaries accountable for their performance and delivery.

He (Ruto) does his homework, he reads. If you go to his office, he will want to listen to the most junior person. He likes people who push back because within that engagement a lot gets to come out, Kuria said Wednesday.

CS Kuria also revealed that the Head of State values aides and senior government officials who challenge his ideologies with evidence to support their arguments.

The retreat, attended by the Cabinet, Members of Parliament, and the Senate, aimed to assess the governments performance and progress in the first year of Rutos administration.

The discussions covered various topics such as corruption, the state of the country, and the economic recovery plan in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kuria mentioned that the retreat provided the Cabinet with a chance for a candid self-assessment, allowing them to identify weaknesses and explore strategies for collaboration and mutual support.

I think the big takeaway was the focus on an honest look at ourselves and honest acceptance of our weaknesses and areas we are not getting right and the synergies. For me, the biggest takeaway is that we all win or lose. On areas we can lift each other, came up very well, Kuria said.

The former Gatundu South MP added that in 2023, the Cabinet had approved hundreds of memos, policies, and bills, emphasizing that the approach in the current year would not follow the usual business-as-usual model.

I like the waking and people realizing that this year it will not be business as usual, Kuria said.
The government is actively collaborating with the largest global marketing company for Kenyan tea to boost tea farming.

President William Ruto made the announcement on Thursday, revealing that the government has forged a partnership with LIPTON Teas and Infusions to enhance the quality of Kenyan tea to meet global standards.

He explained that the objective is to raise farmers earnings and broaden opportunities for Kenyans in the tea value chains.

President Ruto further stated that the partnership would guarantee that tea purchased from Kenya is labeled as a Kenyan brand.

I am glad that LIPTON has committed to support the development of a Kenya Origin tea classification to guarantee farmers good returns, he said.

We have always wanted tea to pay more; we have always wanted a brand tea for Kenya globally. Now we have the opportunity to do so.

The President was speaking during the launch of the LIPTON Tea Innovation and Technology Academy at State House Nairobi.

The Kes.500 million academy, slated to be located at the University of Kabianga, will play a crucial role in training farmers to acquire modern skills in tea growing.

The institution will work with TVETs to ensure we have skilled labour, extension services and capacity building for our farmers to produce quality tea that can fetch a premium price, he said.

Ruo added that the academy would play a vital role in reversing outdated tea farming practices that prioritize quantity over quality.

He emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring farmers have the necessary information to produce the highest quality of tea globally.

It is time we use scientific and empirical evidence to tell our farmers what kind of tea will give them the best price, he said.

Present were Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, Lipton Teas CEO Nathalie Roos, Netherlands Deputy Ambassador to Kenya Joris van Bommel, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Senator Alexander Mundigi (Embu) and MPs GG Kagombe (Gatundu South) and John Mukunji (Manyatta).
In what looks like the most transparent form of racism, it has emerged that Saudi Arabia nurse jobs are just another way for the Kingdom to exploit African labor.

If youve been living under a rock, let me catch you up.

President Ruto has been signing bilateral labor agreements with various countries. Among them are Germany, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Typically, Kenyans jump on the first opportunity to work abroad, even without government assistance. The governments entrance into the space was therefore seen by many as a well meaning move to facilitate Kenyans who were already trying to work abroad, but struggling with how to get there.

Western countries are always the first choice, and when it comes to salaries, there are no complaints there. Kenyans working in Europe or in North America tend to earn just as much as the locals, for the same job and qualifications.

In short, discrimination is there, but it is rare.

Enter Saudi Arabia. Here, tables turn.

Salary discrimination is not only the norm, but it is in fact state sanctioned.

The kingdom genuinely believe that Kenyans and Africans in general, are lesser workers, and compensate them accordingly. Remember, these nurses are going to work in Saudi public hospitals, paid salaries by the government.

Last month, the government advertised 2500 nursing jobs in Saudi, but it has emerged that Kenyan nurses are shunning these jobs. They simply dont want them.

As of last reporting, only 500 or so applications had been made, which is in sharp contrast for a country where a single job advertisement attracts dozens and sometimes hundreds of applications.

When you look at the contract being offered by Saudi to Kenyans, its clear why many are choosing to remain unemployed in Kenya than hop on a plane to be disrespected in a desert hellscape.

The salary being offered is insulting on its own, but downright racist when you find out what their British counterparts are being offered for the same position.

A Kenyan nurse with a diploma is being presented with a job offer with a salary of about $800 per month. Thats about Sh116,000 in todays exchange rate. That amount would be great in Kenya, but this is a foreign land with temperatures that can get to a high of 39C.

On top of that, the money is not enough to afford a normal lifestyle in Riyadh for example, where the average cost of living is about $1716 according to one analysis.

Of course there are the low income earners in the country, mostly foreigners from India and other Asian countries working menial jobs. The Kingdom values Kenyan professional nurses as much as they value Indian unskilled construction workers, and they think they should live in similar conditions.

In fact, the salary of a foreign construction worker in Saudi, from say, India or Pakistan, is slightly higher than what theyre offering Kenyan professional nurses.

But you have to see the contract being offered by Saudi to British nurses, for the same jobs, with the same qualifications.

A British nurse gets a salary that is sometimes 10 times more. Of course their rates are quoted in US Dollars, not the Saudi Riyal quoted for Kenyans. $6400 to be exact, based on a job offer we have seen online.

As if thats not enough, a British nurse is being offered a free furnished apartment. This takes out the entire rent equation from their planning, leaving more money in their pockets. Kenyan nurses have to pay rent from their own rent from their already measly salary.

A British nurse gets a paid 30 day annual leave (some offers have 60 days). And on top of that, an extra return ticket to their country, just in case they want to visit their family during this leave period.

Well, Kenyans get none of that. Not the leave, not the extra ticket.

A British nurse gets free medical and dental care. Kenyans dont.

Heres a breakdown.

Kenyan Nurse vs British Nurse Job Offer in Saudi Comparison

Criteria Kenyan nurses British nurses Salary $800 $6400 Air Ticket  Round Trip Yes Yes Extra Round Trip Air Ticket per year No Yes Free Medical/Dental Care No Yes Free Furnished Accommodation No Yes 30 Days Paid Annual Leave No Yes

Based on that, it makes very little sense to escape unemployment in Kenya to go slave and get disrespected in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It is clear a majority of Kenyan nurses have realized this, and have opted to remain home.

If the government cannot negotiate reasonable pay and working conditions abroad, perhaps they should just concentrate on other things, and not expose Kenyans to disrespect and ridicule abroad.

Here are the two job offers in case youre interested.
Cheryl has a cartoonist daughter of considerable renown. Publishers pay to print her books. Several have been translated into French. She appears regularly in The New Yorker.

Julia Wertz is probably the most famous person I know, but heres the thing: Ive hardly given her artistic achievements the time of day.

While proud of her success, I ignored her early Fart Party books, I only flipped through a 2010 autobiographical work, Drinking at the Movies, I paid scant attention to Tenements, Towers & Trash, her tribute to New York City.

Julia never made a big deal of her stepfathers aloofness  boomers werent necessarily her target audience. But she did notice.

Things came to a head during this winters Christmas gathering when I somehow found it necessary to proclaim that I wasnt a fan of long-form cartooning. Give me three or four panels strung together and Im fine. But not 300 pages of graphic storytelling. My generation wasnt raised that way.

I thought I was merely restating the obvious. Instead, I triggered an explosion of emotion.

Julia felt insulted. Her older brother got huffy. Cheryl said Id lost my senses  at Christmas, no less.

The catalyst for this uproar was Julias latest work, a graphic memoir, Impossible People, A Completely Average Recovery Story, about living in New York when she was a functional alcoholic. She cranked out cartoons by day, then blacked out at night after drinking two bottles of wine.

When Impossible People came out last summer, the critics lavished it with praise. Kirkus Reviews said it was one of the best books of the year. NPR and the San Francisco Chronicle said the same thing. Fans filled Napa Bookmine when Julia, Vintage High Class of 2001, came back for a reading.

Yet when Julia gave her mom and stepdad a copy of Impossible People, it sat unread for weeks. Finally, Cheryl bit the bullet and began reliving one of the most traumatic periods in a mothers life. Then she passed it on to Julias brothers.

I stayed on the sidelines. The son of an alcoholic, I just didnt want to go there.

After the Christmas blowup, I emailed Julia an apology. When youre next in Napa, lets talk.

Two weeks later, we sat down to air things out. In my defense, I said Impossible People was a traumatic chapter in family history Id just as soon not relive. Also, storytelling with drawings just wasnt my favorite genre.

As Julia heard me out, her facial expression registered dismay. Was she talking to a child?

Then it was her turn. Were a blended family, she said calmly. A stepdad is supposed to show up for the good times and the bad. My not reading Impossible People really isnt an option. Cant I see that?

Ouch! I did now.

I marched down to Bookmine and bought myself a copy (a tag designated Impossible People as a staff pick). Then spent five hours over two afternoons  yes, I was counting  reliving Julias tumultuous decade of early adulthood when she was making a name for herself in the Big Apple.

Start to finish, Impossible People had my rapt attention. Cheryl and I had visited Julia numerous times without realizing her woes. Her graphic accounts of addiction and bad boyfriends were cringy, but the arc of the story was toward the light. And through it all, shes profanely funny.

Julia has a winning, minimalist drawing style. When I was done, my brain half thought it had watched a movie.

I delivered my positive assessment to Julia in person. It took the form of yet another apology. Cowardice had made me reluctant to hear your story, I said. Ignorance had blinded me to your art form.

What came next for Julia? Really good things. Returning to the North Bay a half dozen years ago, she married her college boyfriend. They have a son about to turn 4. She has a new book contract and new stories to tell.

Ill be one of the first to read them.
Young man throws stone at Armenia government building window

Armenia premier meets with Kirants village residents of Tavush Province (PHOTOS)

RFE/RL: Putin loses in Armenias Yerevan, wins in Gyumri in Russia presidential election

High-tech minister on removing Russia TV channels from multiplex: Armenia's dignity is at core of decisions

Kazakhstan FM considers it necessary to increase trade with Armenia

Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs discuss new logistical opportunities

Armenia 2041 Foundation launches Galvanizing Diaspora program

Kazakhstan FM notes Armenias Crossroads of Peace projects importance for Middle Corridor

Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs sign 2024/25 action plan

Armenia PM is in Tavush Province, meeting with residents of Voskepar, Baghanis, neighboring villages

Archaeologists find inscription of King Antiochus I of Armenian Yervanduni Dynasty, in Turkey

Kazakhstan FM is in Armenia (PHOTOS)

Rolls-Royce Ghost to be retired and replaced by new Alpina sedan

Ardshinbank cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback!

Withdrawal from lawsuits against Azerbaijan in international courts will cause irreparable damage to Armenia, Armenians

EU Council to discuss assistance to Armenia, Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization

7,825 Karabakh residents who left Armenia since September 2023 have not returned, new data say

Armenia to submit application for EU membership?

Archaeologists discover where legendary British warship that disappeared in 17th century sank

Large number of Russians came from Georgia to Armenia to vote in presidential election, envoy says

Stoltenberg: NATO hopes to have stable peace between Azerbaijan, Armenia

Belgorod attacked by two rockets during the day: there are dead and injured

Media: Elon Musk's company is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites for US intelligence

Shooting in Pennsylvania: at least three dead, gunman took hostages

MEPs appeal to EU leadership to protect cultural heritage of Artsakh Armenians

New talks between Israel and Hamas are scheduled in Qatar on Sunday

India's national elections will be held from 19 April to 1 June

Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Georgia have always supported each other's sovereignty

Iran calls for formation of international coalition against Israel

Biden told Aliyev of US commitment to peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Stoltenberg will meet in Yerevan with the President and Prime-minister of Armenia

Turkish Foreign Ministry issues anti-Russian statement on Crimea issue

Zakharova: There is a historical answer to Armenia's doubts about sincerity of Russia's intentions

Zakharova: Moscow discusses with Armenia dragging Yerevan into anti-Russian course

Zakharova: Armenia's withdrawal from CSTO should be based on real needs of the country, not on "flirting" with West

Amazon and Microsoft suspend their cloud products in Russia

Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia

Armenia deputy FM: There has been considerable regress regarding visa facilitation with EU

Deputy FM: As landlocked country, Armenia recognizes vital importance of inclusive connectivity, open borders

FM: Armenia made every effort to prevent de-Armenianization in Karabakh

FM to reporters: You will be the first to know when Armenia intends to apply for EU membership

Ararat Mirzoyan: All Armenia authorities have negotiated on territorial concessions to Azerbaijan

FM: Deepening of Armenia's relations with the West, EU not directed against Russia

Mirzoyan: Unprecedented number of senior French officials visited Armenia in 2023

Ararat Mirzoyan: Armenia, Azerbaijan are close to mutual understanding on recognition of 1991 borders

Armenia made very active efforts to have minimal mutually acceptable wording with CSTO partners, FM assures

FM: Georgia ready to contribute to process of establishing peace in South Caucasus

Armenia FM: Events have occurred that have made it impossible to do certain things

Armenia FM: Ultimate goal not materialized yet in relations with Turkey

FM: There are international players interested in Armenia ceasing to exist

Mirzoyan: No agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan to withdraw international lawsuits against each other

Armenia FM reiterates PM's arguments on handover of 4 villages in Tavush Province to Azerbaijan

FM: Armenia still doesnt understand how CSTO partners present their area of responsibility in South Caucasus

Mirzoyan: EU monitoring mission in Armenia has become factor of stability on Azerbaijan border

Dennis Francis: UN hopes for signing of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty

FM: 23 Armenians still kept in custody in Azerbaijan

Armenia FM: Still not many tangible results on fundamental issues, we are still negotiating with Azerbaijan

European Commission official underscores provision of assistance to people affected by Karabakh conflict

Peter Stano: Armenia can apply for EU membership

MFA: Genocide prevention agenda is among Armenias priorities

Russia holding presidential elections

US intelligence warns of potentially devastating new pandemic

Newspaper: Birth rate in Armenia 19% lower than last year

Stoltenberg: NATO sought to maintain stronger relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan

Georgian Prime Minister to visit Armenia

Premier receives IMF Armenia mission chief

Anne-Laurence Petel-led delegation to arrive in Armenia

FM: Armenia looks into prospects of further deepening partnership with EU

New technologies at the core of rural infrastructure development

Russia is world leader in nuclear technology, Putin says

Vardges Sureniants Salome painting returns to National Gallery of Armenia exhibition

Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia

Sunak: There is historic opportunity to put an end to Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict

Armenia authorities, who paid $6M for Snoop Dogg concert, still dont know when this postponed event will be held

Deputy economy minister: Matter of opening India-Iran-Armenia trade corridor being discussed

Armenia official: Trade with India amounted to $380M in 2023

ICC NCA head: India considers Armenia an important bridge to enter larger markets

Anne-Laurence Petel welcomes resolution on EU-Armenia relations

India ambassador: We are happy that our relations with Armenia are developing in defense sector also

Indians are now 2nd largest community in Armenia after Russians, envoy says

India-Armenia business forum kicks off in Yerevan

Armenia parliament speaker on European Parliament resolution: We thank European partners for this important step

PM: European Parliament resolution is another opportunity to discuss vision of Armenia's future

Azerbaijans next target in Karabakh is Artsakh State University

Russia deputy FM in Turkey, discusses process of normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan relations

14-karat gold LEGO piece sells for over $18,000

Newspaper: Armenia to leave CSTO on Putin's reelection day?

Young lords 1,200-year-old tomb with treasure discovered in Panama

European Parliament resolution demands Azerbaijan troops withdrawal from Armenia territory

European Parliament adopts resolution proposing to consider possibility of Armenia's candidacy for EU membership

Russia MFA spox: We are concerned by Armenia leaderships sometimes offensive rhetoric on CSTO topics

Armenia government plans to have Kapan city airport serve international flights as well

Zakharova on Russian border guards removal from Yerevan airport: Hardly meets Armenia security interests

Armenia defense minister, Austria envoy, military attache discuss enhancing cooperation (PHOTOS)

Armenia official: Those 4 villages in Tavush Province are not in our administrative territorial division

European Parliament passes resolution proposing to consider possibility of EU membership candidacy to Armenia

The Kremlin comments on PM Pashinyan's statements about possibility of Armenia leaving CSTO

US envoy to Armenia underscores empowering women to participate meaningfully at all levels of conflict prevention

RFE/RL: Armenia ready to find solutions, including in most problematic areas of Tavush Province, government says

The number of Team mobile subscribers is over 1 million
The European Parliament will discuss a resolution on visa liberalization with Armenia next week, German member of the European Parliament (MEP), Viola von Cramon-Taubadel has told Armenpress.

Now we are pushing in a [European Parliament] resolution for next week, to the plenary session, we push for a real visa action plan. We aim to strengthen other institutional ties with Armenia to ensure that the Armenian population feels welcomed.

We really would like to see Armenia at some point being or becoming a part of the European Union. So at least if we come with a visa action plan or liberalization action plan, this is something tangible for the people and also in terms of trade and liberalization of our markets, she said.

To the question of whether there are any obstacles for the European Union to start talks with Armenia on visa liberalization, the MEP responded that it is not the European Parliament that would probably block or who has blocked so far. She detailed that the problem has always existed in the European Council.

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel noted that the diplomats of Armenia should carry out some work on this issue with some EU member countries, without clarifying which countries in particular.

She said that some EU member states have deep-rooted concerns regarding visa liberalization with Armenia.
Monks carry a huge Thangka painting bearing the image of the Buddha during the annual "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

More than 40,000 believers and visitors from home and abroad attended a grand Tibetan Buddhist event, known as the "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony, held Thursday at Labrang Monastery in northwest China's Gansu Province.



Some 100 lamas carried a huge thangka scroll bearing the image of the Buddha from the scripture hall to a nearby hill, followed by devout Buddhists as well as visitors.

The thangka was unveiled at around 11 a.m. on the hillside for believers to worship. Believers and tourists presented hadas, or white ceremonial scarves, to the scroll to pray for good luck.

The event ended about half an hour later.

Zhou Guangping, a photography enthusiast from south China's Guangdong Province, attended the event.

"Having heard my friends talk about the spectacular 'sunning of the Buddha' event at Labrang Monastery, I made a special trip here just to record this grand festival with my camera, experience the Tibetan folk culture, and hope that it will bring my family safety and happiness," Zhou said.

The annual event is one of the most important ceremonies at Labrang Monastery, one of the six great temples of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was built in 1709 and serves as a top Tibetan Buddhism educational institution in China.

The event is held each year on the 13th day of the first lunar month. It is not only a grand festival for Buddhists, but also a platform to showcase the unique Tibetan culture and customs to tourists.

A Tibetan girl poses for photos after the annual "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony of Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Fang Xin)
By Aram Danielyan

The decision with whom to cooperate and at what level is the sovereign right of Armenia, and it derives from the interests of Armenia and its people. Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan stated this in a joint press briefing with French Minister for the Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, in Yerevan on Friday.

"As for Iran, the Armenian-French cooperation is on behalf of Armenia and is not directed against anyone. It is our right to cooperate with both France and Iran. Our French partners respect our cooperation with other partners, our Iranian partners respect our cooperation with other partners. I believe that Russia should do the same. Armenia has no taboo on cooperation arising from the interests of Armenia. This cooperation is not directed against any country," added Papikyan.

He noted that after the events of September 2022, Armenia has set a task to diversify its technico-military cooperation.

"At that time, the sovereign territory of Armenia was subjected to [military] aggression, the sovereign territories of Armenia were occupied [by Azerbaijan]. When we talk about obligations, we should talk about the obligations of both sides," explained Papikyan.

"After these events, we decided to diversify the technico-military cooperation. Friendly India was the first to respond to our readiness, and friendly Francethe first among the European partners.

France's response and cooperation with this country is very important to us, and we appreciate it very much. The first cooperation in the defense sector during these 1.5 years enables to say that our cooperation will enable to plan for the long term," concluded the minister of defense of Armenia.
In the conditions of global instability, the security environment of Armenia continued to change, and the security mechanisms, which Armenia has traditionally relied on, have once again demonstrated their inefficiency. This is stated in the report on the progress and results of the implementation of the Armenian governments plan (2021-2026) for 2023.

During 2023, relations in the security sphere were formed and developed with Georgia, France, Iran, India, the US, and the EU. Since February 2023, the EU has deployed a long-term civilian monitoring mission along the state border of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"The Government's conceptual approach in the domain of ensuring external security is based on regional policy, with the aim of diagnosing the existing negative and aggressive manifestations in the region towards Armenia, managing them, and then reducing and in the long term zeroing [them] thanks to a regionally thought-out policy. For the implementation of this task, the legitimacy of the policies being conducted is key from the point of view of international law and order," the aforesaid report also states.

During 2023, the Armenian government representatives had active contacts and negotiations with the representatives of the countries of the region: Georgia, Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.

But it was not possible to ensure significant progress in relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan. The year passed in the conditions of the illegal blocking of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan, the resulting humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, and then the forcible displacement of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, the report added.
A Chinese artist performs during a Chinese Lantern Festival concert in Valletta, Malta, on Feb. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Wenxian)



Celebrations for the Chinese Lantern Festival were held in Malta this week, immersing people in the traditional culture of China.

The lantern festival takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the New Year celebration. This year, it falls on Feb. 24.

A concert was held at Malta's China Cultural Center on Wednesday night, featuring classic Chinese songs such as "Give Me a Rose," "Nocturnal Peace," and "Moonlight over the Spring River."

The China Broadcasting Performing Arts Troupe's performance received a standing ovation, and the artists gave an encore of two more songs: "Jasmine Flower" from China and "Festa" from Malta.

Highlighting that the Lantern Festival is one of China's most important traditional festivals, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Malta Peng Yijun said that the concert will "bring together friends from all walks of life in Malta to enjoy the unique artistic charm of traditional Chinese folk music."

China wants to "further strengthen cultural exchanges and mutual learning with Malta," he added.

Mary Ann Cauchi, director of Funding and Strategy for the Arts Council Malta, said that the Lantern Festival has become a popular attraction. It promotes the convergence of two different cultures, and two ancient civilizations, she said.

"China and Malta are good friends that have withstood the test of time," she noted. "The countries' cooperation and exchanges have deepened in fields such as infrastructure, aquaculture, maritime and commercial, especially through Malta's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative."

Evarist Bartolo, Malta's former foreign minister, said that since he was born in the Year of the Dragon in 1952, 2024 is a special year for him as it is another Year of the Dragon.

"For me, it has a personal meaning: the relationship between Malta and China should get stronger and stronger," Bartolo said.

Martin Azzopardi, a science teacher and the founder of China Corner at St. Margaret College Secondary School in Cospicua, said the concert allowed the Maltese people to appreciate the rich musical culture of China.

On Thursday, the troupe also staged a performance at San Andrea School in northern Malta for over 200 students and teachers.

Also on Thursday, an event was held at St. Clare Pembroke Secondary School, northeastern Malta, featuring singing and dancing, Chinese paper-cuts, tasting of dumplings, and trying on traditional Chinese clothing known as Hanfu.

School headteacher Lino Borg told Xinhua that the event, organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta, provided the students with a valuable opportunity to gain insight into Chinese culture and traditions. He expected the scale of these events would be expanded next year, to attract more students to learn the Chinese language.
On February 22, Byblos Bank Armenia CEO Hayk Stepanyan met with the four participants of the CaseKey competition who will travel to Budapest in spring to take part in the international business case competition of Corvinus University.

The Bank will sponsor the participation of the collective team of the CaseKey Business Case Competition 2023 in Budapests CUBE 2024.

The Bank CEO inquired about the readiness of the team and was reassured when the young people shared their enthusiasm and their expectations. The team displayed a great sense of responsibility and said would do everything to achieve good results.

In turn, Hayk Stepanyan, answered all their questions, and wished them success.

I am confident that the team is well prepared for the competition. It is also an opportunity for an exchange of experience, for getting to know how their peers from other countries think, the solutions they offer, as well as for learning what business models European companies employ, said Hayk Stepanyan.

CaseKey co-founder Arshak Karapetyan said he was excited about the partnership with Byblos Bank Armenia, which facilitates the international team's participation in CUBE 2024.

This collaboration underscores Byblos Bank Armenia's commitment to fostering talent and innovation within Armenia's educational sector. I also thank CEO Hayk Stepanyan for his personal investment in our students' growth, exemplifying true leadership. This opportunity advances our students' skills and contributes to the internationalization of Armenia's educational landscape. Wishing our team the best of luck as they embark on this enriching journey, said Arshak Karapetyan.

At the end of the meeting, each participant received a copy of American business consultant Clayton M. Christensens bestseller, "The Innovator's Dilemma", the Armenian translation and publication of which was sponsored by Byblos Bank Armenia as part of the Banks commitment to support educational projects.

To remind, the CaseKey competition is a unique format, whose title sponsor in 2023 was Byblos Bank Armenia. More than 200 smart young people participated in CaseKey 2023, getting to know companies' business, their culture, and solving actual business problems.

Prioritizing meaningful social impact, Byblos Bank Armenia continues to invest in causes that foster healthy, thriving communities by implementing diverse CSR programs and educational projects.
Moscow, in relation to the statement of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, assumes that Yerevan remains a full member of the CSTO, with all the rights and obligations arising from this status, but the Russian Federation is waiting for an explanation from Yerevan regarding this statement. This was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Russia, RIA Novosti reports.

"On our part, we want to emphasize again that we categorically reject the reprimands of the Armenian authorities regarding the CSTO's failure to fulfill its mandate and obligations towards Yerevan during the well-known events that took place in the region in 2021-2022.

Let's remind that in September 2022, at the request of the Armenian side, an evaluation mission of the organization's secretariat and joint headquarters was promptly formed, which was sent to the border regions of the country," the Russian MFA noted.

It added that "as a result, the CSTO Collective Security Council prepared a decision to deploy a monitoring mission in Armenia."

"It is not our fault or the fault of other members of the organization that this balanced decision, which also provided for technico-military assistance to the [Armenian] republic and a number of other measures, was rejected on the thoughtless pretexts of its authorities. In return, Yerevan demonstratively chose to invite fake monitors from the EU. The known facts speak for themselves and leave no doubt about the zero effectiveness of the work of those monitors. We proceed from the fact that the Republic of Armenia continues to be a full member of the CSTO, with all the rights and obligations arising from this status," the Russian MFA believes.

At the same time, it "expressed regret that the dynamics of Yerevan's participation in the organization's events has decreased, which clearly does not correspond to the interests of the friendly Armenian people and the tasks of ensuring the country's security."

"We hope that Yerevan will come to understand that existing concerns should be discussed and resolved through a calm, reliable dialogue, rather than raising them in the public space. We expect comprehensive explanationsthrough bilateral channelsabout what really stands behind Nikol Pashinyan's statements regarding the freezing of Armenia's participation in the Collective Security Treaty and the Organization itself," the Russian MFA concluded.
We don't have such a regime of relations: to join or not to join, but on the other hand, we take into account the existing sanctions, because its not so that we are pressured or demanded, but if we do not keep the sanctions, it will affect our relations with those countries who impose these sanctions. And we attach importance to our relations with those countries, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with France 24 television, in Paris.

I am very glad that you ask that question, because, in particular, there are accusations from time to time in the European Union that Armenia does not comply with the sanctions, that Armenia violates the sanctions regime, but I can say that during this time, for the last time in 2023, we had several delegations from the European Union and the United States, the purpose of which was to see how the Republic of Armenia adheres to its international relations and obligations, how it relates to these sanctions. And it should be noted that neither the European Union nor the United States of America have made any reservations towards us. On the contrary, they officially recorded that they have no reservations towards the Republic of Armenia in the context of sanctions.

But since this is not talked about much, we don't raise this topic too much, so to speak, because it is a working issue, unfortunately in a number of EU countries and also in the media, statements are sometimes made to blame Armenia on the basis of misinformation, counter-propaganda provided by some circles about Armenia. But I say again, it has been officially recorded by both the European Union and the United States of America that there is no ground to blame Armenia in this matter, - said Pashinyan.
The China Shanghai International Arts Festival recently announced its plans for this year, including multiple shows by Germany's Berliner Philharmoniker and the Beijing People's Art Theater.

It also named 10 winning productions of the 2023 CSIAF Impact Index Awards and announced that this year's 23rd installment of the festival will take place from Oct 18 to Nov 17.

Internationally acclaimed companies, such as Austria's Wiener Philharmoniker, the London Symphony Orchestra, Germany's Munchner Philharmoniker, Russia's Bolshoi Theatre and Mariinsky Ballet, and Ballets de Monte-Carlo "have all received our invitation and are expected to perform in Shanghai in the autumn", says CSIAF Center president Li Ming.

"Aside from the main festival that takes place every year in the autumn, we have been actively exploring new possibilities to further enrich the artistic life in Shanghai throughout the whole year," says the center's deputy president Yang Jialu.

For example, the Berliner Philharmoniker will arrive in Shanghai in June, she says. It will present four symphony concerts at Shanghai Grand Theatre, led by its chief conductor Kirill Petrenko and pianist Yuja Wang. The company will have an exclusive residential program in Shanghai, which also consists of a series of chamber music performances and educational events. Tickets will be available by the end of February, Yang says.

One of the most esteemed theater companies in China, the Beijing People's Art Theatre, will present five productions during the upcoming festival, including its celebrated repertoire, The Tea House.

"Last year, we presented Old Fashioned Comedy at the festival. And the vivid performances by our leading artists, Li Youbin and Shi Lanya, won praise from audiences in Shanghai," says the company's president, Qin Xinchun.

"The play by Russian author Aleksei Arbuzov premiered at our experimental theater in 2019, and the Shanghai tour marked its first show outside of Beijing."

Since its founding in 1952, the Beijing People's Art Theatre has made landmark tours in Shanghai in 1961,1988, 2012 and 2014, she says.

Next year, the company will undertake its fifth large-scale tour in Shanghai, showing five productions while hosting colorful educational events and comprehensive collaborations with colleagues in the city.

And the festival will host a special campaign during the Edinburgh Festival, focusing on the promotion of Chinese art and showcasing the Shanghai Culture Week during the Hong Kong Arts Festival.

The Shanghai event will also kick off new comprehensive projects with the International Society for the Performing Arts this year to build a new international performance-trading platform.

Moreover, it also announced 10 Impact Index Prize-winning productions selected from the 72 shows featured at last year's main festival, including Der Ring des Nibelungen by the Mariinsky Theatre, the Old Fashioned Comedy by the Beijing People's Art Theatre and Brecht's Ghosts by the Berliner Ensemble.

The last production features more than 100 puppets that director Suse Wachter designed to portray such figures as Franz Kafka, Luciano Pavarotti and Margaret Thatcher.

The performances at Theatre Young in Shanghai during the 22nd arts festival won critical acclaim. This year, the festival will promote the performance of the Berliner Ensemble in Shanghai for a second round show and help facilitate its tour to more Chinese cities, says Li.
I think that the history of our relations is itself the basis of deep mistrust. I think it makes no sense to ask the leader of Azerbaijan or me whether we trust each other or not. Obviously not, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with France 24 television, in Paris, answering to the question whether he trusts president of Azerbaijan, Aliyev.

The full interview of Nikol Pashinyan to France 24.

France 24, Marc Perelman - We are on the platform of France 24. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan is our guest. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, you participated in the reburial ceremony of Missak Manouchian and his wife Melinee. They were communists, resisters, they were also Armenians. What did you feel, what were your feelings?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - It was a very exciting event, and I must say that it got a very wide response in Armenia as well, the Public Television of Armenia broadcast it live and received a great response from our public. Of course, the feeling of pride and the feeling that the Armenian people made a very significant and serious contribution to the fight against fascism not only on the eastern front, but also on the western front. It is very important.

France 24, Mark Perelman - I want to refer to the situation in Armenia. After Azerbaijan's seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh last September, as well as a few days ago, there were incidents again. You met Mr. Aliyev in Munich, and he described that meeting as constructive and useful. Can you tell that there is hope and progress in your relationship? What do you think about this?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - Unfortunately, during this period there were instances when a lot of things were constructive and useful in the negotiation room, but in the future we don't always see their implementation. I hope it will not be so this time. We are talking about the three basic principles that were agreed in Prague, that were also agreed in Brussels, that Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other's territorial integrity on the basis of the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, which means that Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan are precisely the modern Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Alma-Ata Declaration should become the political basis for the delimitation between the two countries, which means that there is no need to create a new border between our countries, it is just necessary to reflect on the ground the borders that existed at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union. And thirdly, regional communications should be opened on the basis of the principle of sovereignty and jurisdiction of countries, within the framework of equality and reciprocity. We have concentrated and expressed these principles in the "Crossroads of Peace" project. If Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitments in all these directions in practice, we will not have many obstacles on the way to peace.

France 24, Mark Perelman  Do you think, Mr. Prime Minister, peace agreement is possible soon? I recently read your statements regarding the events of February 14. Do you think Ilham Aliyev is preparing a new full-scale war against Armenia?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - The main problem is that the three principles that were announced and, in fact, published within the framework of the agreements reached on international platforms, we have the task to reflect these principles in the peace treaty. In other words, our problem is on this road.

As for the possible escalation, analyzing these problems and also analyzing the statements coming from Azerbaijan, official Baku, we come to the conclusion that, yes, an attack on Armenia is very likely. Why? Because, for example, statements about "Western Azerbaijan" are very often heard from official Baku, and statements about "Western Azerbaijan" mean, in short, that the Republic of Armenia, in fact, its entire territory, is "Western Azerbaijan", meaning that most of the territories of the Republic of Armenia are Azerbaijani.

When they practically do not recognize our territorial integrity and the inviolability of our borders, that is where these analyzes come from. I mean, at the diplomatic level, Azerbaijan assures that it has no intention of attack, but where do these predictions about the possible attack come from? For two things, the first is that while expressing the already publicly agreed principles in the text of the peace treaty, we see that Azerbaijan is initiating certain difficulties, the second is the public narrative, the rhetoric that sounds at the highest level, which, if I briefly present it, is expressed in calling the Republic of Armenia "Western Azerbaijan", as well as borderline aggressiveness.

The last incident, when we had 4 victims, that incident is not justified in any way. They announced that one of their soldiers was wounded, and we announced that we will conduct an investigation, because there is an order not to carry out any action in an unjustified manner, and if it turns out that there is a violation of that order, there will be consequences provided by law. Despite these statements, Azerbaijan took advantage of the situation to carry out aggression. It is the combination of these facts that brings many Armenian and international experts to the opinion that Azerbaijan is preparing a new attack against Armenia.

France 24, Mark Perelman - Therefore, when you meet Ilham Aliyev, the conclusion is that you cannot trust him?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - I think that the history of our relations is itself the basis of deep mistrust. I think it makes no sense to ask the leader of Azerbaijan or me whether we trust each other or not. Obviously not. But the issue is not about that, the issue is about the following: are we going to build trust in small steps? It is in the process of building trust that we face difficulties.

France 24, Marc Perelman - And you think he's not ready for it? When he says he is ready for peace, is he preparing for war in reality? Is this what you mean?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan  This is what I want to say, yes, there is such an impression, but also to be objective, I assume that if you ask them, they will also say that they do not trust us, but it is not about that. It is about something else: are we mutually preparing step by step, with small steps, if it is possible with bigger steps, to build trust, so that we could believe each other? I say again, during the diplomatic contacts, the leader of Azerbaijan says that they have no intention of attack. And the problem, I reiterate, is the public narrative, the practical work that followed it, and the events happening on the ground are what give many analysts the basis to draw such conclusions. Sometimes it is very difficult to counter and give a counter-argument as to why things will not develop in that direction.

France 24, Mark Perelman - You already have military aid from France in the form of radars. For example, Mr. Macron has also promised other weapons, particularly defensive ones. Baku is taking advantage of this, saying it will launch a new attack. Does this mean that Armenia should arm itself more because Azerbaijan is actually stronger on the ground militarily?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - Yesterday, during the joint statement with President Macron, I also touched on this issue, because every time Azerbaijan makes noise about any of our new contract and cooperation in any of military-technical fields, but Azerbaijan does not say that it has been buying weapons worth billions for years. This is an important fact to note.

On the other hand, why is Azerbaijan worried about the reforms of the Armenian army in the conditions when it keeps the sovereign territories of Armenia under occupation, and in the conditions when we say: very well, let's reflect the border on the ground based on the Alma-Ata declaration and mutually and simultaneously withdraw troops from the border line. And that will be one of the very concrete steps for building trust.

The reform of our army should not worry anyone. Why? Because we say that we recognize the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all our neighbors. Therefore, why should anyone be worried about reforming our army? If we recognize the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our neighbors and reform our army and say that our army does not and will not solve any tasks outside our sovereign territory, but Azerbaijan expresses concern and makes noise against this background. This can happen only under the circumstances when Azerbaijan itself has a task to solve a problem in our sovereign territory through military means. There is no other logic. Was I able to explain the idea?

Yes, we are reforming the army, and by the way, having an army is the sovereign right of every country. No country can accuse any other country of having an army. And we say that we unconditionally recognize the territorial integrity of all our neighbors, that is, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Georgia. We do not have and will not have a task to use our army outside our sovereign, internationally recognized territory. And against this background, Azerbaijan expresses concern. Why does he express concern? Does he have a problem to solve in our sovereign territory? It is also this fact, this reaction, that gives many experts a reason to assume that Azerbaijan will continue its aggressive policy.

But we also offer solutions here. We offer several solutions. One of the solutions is to reflect the border of 1991 and withdraw the troops, that is, neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan should have any equipment, firearms and soldiers in each other's sovereign territory. Secondly, we propose the demilitarization of the border zone. Third, we propose mutual arms control. In other words, if we had any desire to threaten the security of Azerbaijan, why should we make all these proposals? It is Azerbaijan that says it will keep the heights under control, no matter whose territory they are in. But it is a direct violation of our territorial integrity, implementation of an aggressive policy today and, in fact, a declaration of no intention to abandon that policy. And this is a problem.

France 24, Marc Perelman - During the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, you accused Moscow of trying to use that conflict against you personally. Do you still think that Vladimir Putin's goal is to remove you from power?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - You know, during the events of September 2023, the highest-ranking representatives of the Russian Federation directly called on the citizens of Armenia to go to the streets and overthrow the elected legitimate government. Russian TV channels, not for a few days, but for 6 years, in fact, have been carrying out systematic and consistent, purposeful anti-propaganda against the Armenian government, the elected authorities and me personally. Is there anything else that could be concluded from all this?

France 24, Mark Perelman  Does it continue today?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - You know, to be honest, I have lost interest in that topic. I don't even know if it continues or not. No matter if it continues or not, the people of Armenia have shown that they are not going to give up their sovereignty, independence, and democracy and will be consistent in claiming their territorial integrity, establishing normal relations with their neighbors, and in terms of implementation of the peace agenda, as well as the "Crossroads of Peace" project, also in terms of deepening further relations with the European Union.

France 24, Mark Perelman  Do you at least keep contact with Vladimir Putin now?

Prime Minister Niko Pashinyan - Yes, we had contacts and talked in December.

France 24, Marc Perelman - Do you trust him?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - You know, we have interstate relations, and Armenia and Russia have a long history of relations. The history of those relations has certain institutional traditions. We are within those traditions.

France 24, Marc Perelman  A deserter named Dmitry Sedrakov was arrested in December. The Armenian authorities assure that they are not aware. Can you tell us what the actual situation is and whether the Russian authorities can make arrests in Armenia without Armenia's permit?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - You know, that incident, the alarm about those incidents greatly worried us. And we are also investigating that case, and if it turns out that everything is as you say, it will of course also lead to certain consequences, because, of course, we cannot tolerate illegal actions on the territory of our country.

France 24, Marc Perelman - What consequences are you talking about?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - It will depend on our legal assessment of the particular events.

France 24, Marc Perelman - Two short questions. There is a Russian military base on the territory of Armenia. Do you intend to close it and are you going to withdraw from the military alliance with Russia?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - You know, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, in our estimation, has failed to fulfill its obligations in the field of security towards the Republic of Armenia. In particular, in 2021 and 2022, and this could not go unnoticed by us and without consequences. And the consequence in practice is that we have essentially frozen our participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization. We will see what will happen tomorrow.

France 24, Mark Perelman - And what about the Russian base?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - The base is located in Armenia not within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty. It is a completely different contractual dimension, and we have not had the occasion to return to that dimension.

France 24, Mark Perelman - Last question, Mr. Prime Minister. Regarding the war in Ukraine, Armenia was initially quite cautious, naturally, because of your relations with Russia. After two years, do you think it was a fair war from Russia's side?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - I said that the Alma-Ata declaration is very important for us, because what is the Alma-Ata declaration about? The Declaration of Alma-Ata is about two key things. Moreover, that declaration of Alma-Ata was signed by Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan. By the way, that declaration of Alama-Ata started with the Belovezha Accords, which was signed by Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. That agreement, which was later joined by another nine former Soviet republics in Alma-Ata, is about two things: that the Soviet Union ceases to exist and, secondly, that the signatory Soviet republics become independent states, recognize each other's territorial integrity and inviolability of borders. Now, with the spirit of the Alma-Ata Declaration, which is also very important for our security, we see that what is happening in Ukraine is a violation of the Alma-Ata Declaration, and we are, in fact, seriously concerned.

France 24, Mark Perelman - Are Western countries pressing you to join the sanctions against Russia? Are goods from Armenia entering Russia, and are Western countries pressuring you to join the sanctions more broadly?

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - We don't have such a regime of relations: to join or not to join, but on the other hand, we take into account the existing sanctions, because its not so that we are pressured or demanded, but if we do not keep the sanctions, it will affect our relations with those countries who impose these sanctions. And we attach importance to our relations with those countries.

I am very glad that you ask that question, because, in particular, there are accusations from time to time in the European Union that Armenia does not comply with the sanctions, that Armenia violates the sanctions regime, but I can say that during this time, for the last time in 2023, we had several delegations from the European Union and the United States, the purpose of which was to see how the Republic of Armenia adheres to its international relations and obligations, how it relates to these sanctions. And it should be noted that neither the European Union nor the United States of America have made any reservations towards us. On the contrary, they officially recorded that they have no reservations towards the Republic of Armenia in the context of sanctions.

But since this is not talked about much, we don't raise this topic too much, so to speak, because it is a working issue, unfortunately in a number of EU countries and also in the media, statements are sometimes made to blame Armenia on the basis of misinformation, counter-propaganda provided by some circles about Armenia. But I say again, it has been officially recorded by both the European Union and the United States of America that there is no ground to blame Armenia in this matter.

France 24, Mark Perelman - Mr. Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, thank you very much for answering my questions.
20:45

Farmers participating in the 'Delhi Chalo' call will not end their agitation until their demands are met, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said on Saturday while indicating that their stir may continue even after the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls comes into force.

Thousands of farmers have been staying put at Khanauri and Shambhu points on Punjab's border with Haryana along with their tractor-trolleys and trucks after their march to the national capital to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops, was stopped by security forces.





Last Wednesday, the 'Delhi Chalo' march, spearheaded by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), was put on hold by farmer leaders for two days after a protester was killed and around 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at Khanauri.





The incident took place when some protesting farmers were trying to head towards barricades.





Speaking to reporters at the Shambhu border point, KMM leader Pandher said they will announce their next course of action on February 29.





"It is certain that this agitation will continue as long as (our) demands are not met. If they (Centre) accept our demands tomorrow, we will take a decision on the agitation," he said.





About the imposition of the model code of conduct when the Election Commission announces the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls, Pandher said, "We do not have to distribute tickets for MPs. So we do not need to worry about the model code of conduct. We are not going to campaign at polling booths."





"We are not worried (about the code of conduct). We are thinking that the agitation may continue even when the model code of conduct is in force," the KMM leader added.





According to farmer leaders, the protesters will continue to camp at the two protest sites till February 29 when the next course of action will be decided. Four rounds of talks between farmer leaders and Union minister to end the stalemate failed to achieve any breakthrough.





Besides a legal guarantee for MSP for crops and farm debt waiver, the Punjab farmers are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pension for farmers and farm labourers, 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. -- PTI
'HK, Indonesia should develop digital payment link'

The Consul General of Indonesia in Hong Kong, Yul Edison, says an efficient cross-border digital payment system will boost e-commerce and trade ties between the two regions. Photo: RTHK

The Consul General of Indonesia in Hong Kong said on Friday that the SAR and Jakarta should look into developing a cross-border digital payment system to enhance e-commerce and travel activities between the two sides.



Speaking to RTHK after attending a forum organised by the Belt and Road Office, Yul Edison said officials can take reference from a digital payment link recently developed by Hong Kong and Thailand.



He said his country has seen a major boom in its digital economy, and a cross-border payment system is essential in boosting financial ties between the SAR and Jakarta.



There is an obstacle right now in terms of cross-border payments. In Indonesia, right now we have a new system called QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard), and this cross-border payment is used in Singapore, Malaysia, and soon in Japan, he noted.



We need to discuss further with Hong Kong. We would like to expand the [the ORIS system] to also cover Hong Kong. This could help with cross-border trade.



Meanwhile, Edison said there are numerous opportunities for Hong Kong firms to tap into Indonesias fast-growing digital sectors, such as e-commerce, fintech and health.



He pointed out that Indonesia is now the largest digital economy among ASEAN members, with the value of its internet economy estimated to be at around US$146 billion.



The Indonesian Consul General also expressed hopes for companies in his home country to raise capital in Hong Kong  now that Indonesian startups can apply for secondary listing in the city.



Theres a potential for Indonesias mining companies to list in Hong Kong. Its our job at the consulate general to convince them to come to Hong Kong to do dual listings, he said.
German parliament votes to legalise cannabis

German Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach says the current situation is unacceptable. Photo: AP

The German parliament voted on Friday to legalise the possession and controlled cultivation of cannabis starting in April, despite fierce objections from the opposition and medical associations.



Under the new law, it will be possible to obtain up to 25 grammes of the drug per day for personal use through regulated cannabis cultivation associations, as well as to have up to three plants at home.



But possession and use of the drug will remain prohibited for anyone under 18.



The changes will leave Germany with some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe, bringing it into line with Malta and Luxembourg, which legalised recreational use of the drug in 2021 and 2023 respectively.



The Netherlands has also long been known for its liberal cannabis laws, but in recent years parts of the country have begun cracking down on sales to tourists and non-residents.



Ahead of the vote, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called on members of parliament to back the controversial law, arguing that "the situation we are in now is in no way acceptable."



Germany has seen a sharp rise in the number of young people using cannabis obtained on the black market, said Lauterbach, a member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats.



According to the German Cannabis Association, substances that can end up in black-market weed include sand, hairspray, talcum powder, spices or even glass and lead.



Experts also say marijuana can be contaminated with heroin or synthetic cannabinoids that are up to 100 times stronger than natural psychoactive cannabinoids. (AFP)
The Southern Illinois University Carbondale Security Dawgs clinched the top spot at the Illinois State Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition on Feb. 17, placing first among eight schools vying for the top position. The team includes, front row, left to right: Matthew Pawlowski, Andrew Barnes, Trent Grider. Back row, left to right: Tony Barnes, Dustin Myers, Tyson Nicklin, Nikolis Lissimore, and Matthew Nicklin, team faculty adviser. (Photo provided)

SIUs student cybersecurity team claims Illinois state title

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill.  The Southern Illinois University Carbondale Security Dawgs clinched the top spot at the Illinois State Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition on Feb. 17, placing first among eight schools vying for the top position.

The team, a registered student organization, bested teams including those from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Lewis University, Governors State University, DePaul University, Loyola University Chicago and others to secure the top prize. The achievement highlights the strength of SIUs new cybersecurity technology program that will start in fall 2024, and also sets a high standard for future competitions, said Chun-Hsi Vincent Huang, director of the School of Computing.

The success of the Security Dawgs is a testament to the quality of education and training provided by SIU, Huang said. It showcases the talent and dedication of our students in the field of cybersecurity.

Matt Nicklin, assistant lecturer and faculty adviser to the team, said the university is fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated group of students.

It really is the students that make the difference, Nicklin said. They spend most evenings working through the competition topology, addressing configuration issues and vulnerabilities.

Students on the team include Dustin Myers, Trent Grider, Tyson Nicklin, Matthew Pawlowski, Tony Barnes, Andrew Barnes, Alex Hayes, and Nikolis Lissimore.

Their teamwork, expertise and dedication were pivotal in navigating the challenges of the competition and ultimately securing the first-place victory, said Huang, who also thanked Nicklin for countless hours dedicated to guiding and supporting the team.

His commitment has been instrumental in our success and serves as an inspiration to us all, Huang said.

Building on a strong record

The Security Dawgs latest win comes on the heels of a strong 2023 competition season, which saw it racking up wins in regional and local contests. The teams next challenge will be at the

Midwest Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, March 15-16, at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Illinois. That competition will pit SIU against the top schools from Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

During the competition, the teams will build and defend mock production business infrastructure from professional hackers attempting to take each teams production systems offline and breach the security. At the same time, judges will deploy network enhancements and upgrade challenges to teams, evaluating each teams performance along the way.
PRNewswire Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], February 23: Global management consulting firm Zinnov has organized its services into two main business units - Globalization Excellence and Technology Business Strategy. This strategic realignment will enable the 21-year-old company to streamline operations based on complementarity of work and serve its global customers across regions frictionlessly. To lead these two restructured business units, Zinnov has elevated two of its long-time Managing Partners to the position of Presidents - Nilesh Thakker and Sidhant Rastogi. Nilesh Thakker has been instrumental in shaping Zinnov's Globalization Excellence consulting practice, a service line that helps multinational companies establish highly productive engineering and multi-function centers in locations that are hotbeds for technology talent. Thakker and his team have helped over 100 such Global Capability Centers (GCCs), set up or scale up over the last decade. Thakker's skills lie in determining the ideal location, the ideal talent pool, and creating accessibility to this talent, so it is both de-risked and efficient; and have earned him widespread global recognition. With a storied career, having played technology and business roles in several mid and large-sized companies prior to joining Zinnov, Thakker will continue to advise Fortune 500 enterprises, mid-size technology companies on value enhancement through global expansion. Sidhant Rastogi, a long-time Managing Partner at Zinnov, has built a reputation across India and the globe as a thought leader in how technology and tech services companies can think of business growth and transformation more efficiently, and drive productive channel partnerships and alliances, especially in digital engineering. Rastogi and his team have played a pivotal role in helping Zinnov clients build multi-billion-dollar technology businesses - both organically and inorganically. As President of Zinnov's Technology Business Strategy practice, he will focus on helping tech and tech services companies to grow faster and more profitably. Additionally, he will continue to support Zinnov's Private Equity customers across the dealmaking lifecycle - from deal sourcing, commercial due diligence, value creation, and with exit strategies. Said Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov: "Our vision is to become a significant multi-generational global management consulting firm - one that stays committed to customer centricity, even at scale. This move is a natural step for us because it puts our customers' needs ahead of everything. And to accomplish this, we are empowering Nilesh Thakker and Sidhant Rastogi - two exceptional homegrown leaders - to drive Zinnov forward." About Zinnov Founded in 2002, Zinnov is a global management and strategy consulting firm in New York, Santa Clara, Houston, Seattle, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Pune, and Paris. Over the past 21 years, Zinnov has successfully consulted with over 250+ Fortune 500 enterprises to develop actionable insights to help them accelerate their technology journeys to create value - across dimensions of revenue, transformation, and optimization. With core expertise in Digital Engineering Talent, Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Outsourcing Advisory, Zinnov assists clients by: - Structuring and implementing Digital Transformation levers enabled by technologies like AI/ML, Intelligent Automation, Cloud, IOT, etc.; - Helping global companies outline and drive their open innovation programs, design and operate accelerator programs, and enable collaboration with start-ups across specific use cases and predefined outcomes; - Growing revenue for companies' products and services in newer markets through account intelligence, market entry, and market expansion advisory; - Enabling global companies to develop and optimize a global engineering talent footprint through center setups and accelerators - in an as-a-service model, as well as optimizing their global portfolios, to achieve higher R&D efficiencies, innovation, and productivity; - Advising global PE firms in asset shortlisting and target evaluation, commercial due diligence, and value creation. With their team of experienced consultants, subject matter experts, and research professionals, Zinnov serves clients from across multiple industry verticals including Enterprise Software, BFSI, Healthcare, Automotive, Retail, and Telecom in the US, Europe, Japan, and India. For more information, visit http://zinnov.com. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2346015/Zinnov_Nilesh.jpgPhoto: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2346016/Zinnov_Sidhant.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/694742/4557721/Zinnov_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Health Presso New Delhi [India], February 23: The National Health Writers & Influencers Convention (NHWIC-2024), Asia's largest congregation of health writers and influencers, hosted a session on "Navigating Medical Ethics in the Current and Future Landscape" at the AIIMS, New Delhi. The session, organized by HEAL Foundation, featured eminent experts from the fields of medicine, healthcare, and innovation, who shared their views and opinions on the ethical principles and challenges affecting clinical care practices in India. The panellists at the NHWIC-2024 session highlighted the need for following the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, which were issued in 2023 but have been kept in abeyance due to legal challenges, to ensure ethical and quality medical practice in India. The NMC guidelines aim to regulate the medical education and profession in India, and mandate the use of generic medicines, which should be at par to the specific drugs in terms of quality and efficacy. Ms Krishna Sarma, Founder and Managing Partner, Corporate Law Group, who moderated the session, said, "Medical ethics is a crucial and relevant topic in the current and future landscape of healthcare, as it affects the trust and relationship between the doctors and the patients, as well as the quality and safety of the medical services. The NMC guidelines are a welcome step to uphold the ethical standards and values of the medical profession, and to protect the rights and interests of the patients. The guidelines also address the legal aspects of medical practice, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and accountability. As a lawyer, I believe that the NMC guidelines will help to prevent and resolve the disputes and litigations that arise due to unethical or negligent medical practice, and to promote a culture of transparency and responsibility in the healthcare sector." Dr. Girish Tyagi, Registrar- Delhi Medical Council, President Elect -Delhi Medical Association, urged the doctors to read and adhere to the NMC guidelines, which are meant to protect the doctors and the patients from malpractice and negligence. He said, "The NMC guidelines are a comprehensive and updated set of rules and regulations that cover various aspects of medical practice, such as teachers' eligibility qualifications, registration of medical practitioners, licentiate examinations, and professional conduct. They also mandate the use of generic medicines, which can reduce the cost of treatment and increase the accessibility of drugs to the masses. The government should think and ensure that the generic medicines are not substandard or counterfeit, as they can compromise the treatment outcomes and increase the risk of drug resistance." Dr. Sunil Khetarpal, Director- Association of Healthcare Providers (India) - AHPI, emphasized the need for informed consent from the patients before any medical intervention. He said, "Informed consent is not only a legal requirement, but also a moral obligation. It ensures that the patients are aware of the benefits and risks of the procedure, and that they have the right to refuse or withdraw consent at any time. According to a study, 50% of cases of surgeries happen due to lack of consent, which can lead to complications, litigation, and loss of trust." Dr Rajeev Gautam, Corporate Officer - HORIBA, Ltd., Japan, President - HORIBA India, spoke about the role of innovation and technology in improving the diagnosis and management of various diseases. He said, "Everything comes under regulation, but regulation should not stifle innovation. We need to leverage the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and molecular diagnostics, to enhance the accuracy, speed, and affordability of testing. We also need to collaborate with the public and private sectors, as well as the civil society, to ensure the accessibility and availability of these technologies to the masses." The NHWIC-2024 is a platform for health writers and influencers to learn from experts and share their perspectives on various health issues. The session on navigating medical ethics was a stimulating and informative one, that highlighted the importance of ethical principles and guidelines in ensuring quality and trust in healthcare. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by Health Presso. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], February 23: GRT Hotels & Resorts, India's premier boutique hospitality group has now opened Grand Vijayawada by GRT Hotels, their second property in Andhra Pradesh. This is the third 'Grand by GRT Hotels' to open its doors with the other two properties located in Chennai and Kakinada. Grand Vijayawada is also the 20th operational property by GRT Hotels & Resorts. "We are delighted to unveil Grand Vijayawada by GRT Hotels, our second property in the dynamic landscape of Andhra Pradesh. This full-service upscale hotel with fresh aesthetics, refined elegance, and contemporary amenities will appeal to business and leisure travelers alike. We are thrilled to welcome our guests by offering them an immersive hospitality experience and indulging them in the unique cultural tapestry of Vijayawada. This exquisite addition reflects our commitment to crafting unparalleled hospitality experiences across a diverse portfolio, spanning from business-class accommodations to leisure properties and international franchises." Said Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts. Centrally situated in the heart of the city, the hotel provides a gateway to the city's renowned pilgrimage centers, heritage sites, business hubs, and leisure spots, offering holistic experiences for guests traveling to this region. Some of the major sightseeing attractions namely tourist spots like Kanaka Durga Temple, Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort, Dhyana Buddha, and Kolleru Bird Sanctuary are located close to the property. Grand Vijayawada by GRT features 104 aesthetically designed rooms, comprising business class rooms, Grand Club Rooms, Grand Club City View, and Grand Club River View to lavish deluxe suites. The well-furnished accommodation blends contemporary design with unmatched comfort. All rooms are well equipped with all modern amenities that seamlessly fit the traveler's scheme of things. Bazaar, the round-the-clock multi-cuisine restaurant has food for every mood. Rendered in bright colors and beautiful wood, Bazaar presents food islands, live kitchens, and interactive food experiences. Drawing inspiration from South Asia, the Mediterranean, and Europe, the food brings the magic of heavenly street eats to the comfort of the restaurant. Chef Damu, a celebrity chef, and the brand ambassador of Bazaar will bring unique dining experiences to the people of Vijayawada from time to time. For social and business events Grand Vijayawada by GRT boasts four well-equipped banquet halls to celebrate memorable occasions, board meetings, and wedding receptions. With contemporary mood lighting and state-of-the-art acoustics, these banqueting spaces can cater to guests numbering close to 600. Guests can rejuvenate at the famed, award-winning Bodhi Spa of GRT Hotels & Resorts, which offers treatments and therapies to de-stress your body, and revive your soul. Branching out from the erstwhile GRT Jewellers in 1998, GRT Hotels & Resorts features upscale hotels and luxury resorts in the most desirable destinations across India. The group operates under distinct brands namely the Grand by GRT Hotels, Regency by GRT Hotels, Zibe by GRT Hotels which cater to business travelers, and GReaT trails by GRT Hotels which cater to leisure travelers. The group has a franchise agreement with Radisson Hotel Group and owns Radisson Blu Hotel GRT Chennai, Radisson Bengaluru City Centre, Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay Mamallapuram, and Radisson Resort Pondicherry Bay. Over the years the group has pioneered the Food and Beverage segment amongst the luxury diners with many award-winning concept restaurants and bars and their newly opened GRT Cloud Kitchens. They also have established their presence in the wellness space with the renowned Bodhi Spa by GRT Hotels spread across 10 locations nationally. Grand Vijayawada by GRT Hotels, Near SS Convention, Pitchaiah Street, Dr. Y.V. Rao Hospital Road, Labbipet, Vijayawada - 520 010. Visit: https://grthotels.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday directed the UPI watchdog, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to examine the request of One97 Communication Ltd (OCL) to become a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) for the UPI channel for continued UPI operation of the Paytm app. "National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has been advised by the RBI to examine the request of One97 Communication Ltd (OCL) to become a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) for the UPI channel for continued UPI operation of the Paytm app, as per the norms," the RBI said in the statement. The Central Bank further stated that in the event of NPCI granting TPAP status to OCL, "it may be stipulated that '@paytm' handles are to be migrated in a seamless manner from Paytm Payments Bank to a set of newly identified banks to avoid any disruption, and no new users are to be added by the said TPAP until all the existing users are satisfactorily migrated to a new handle." RBI also advised NPCI to facilitate certification of 4-5 banks as Payment Service Provider (PSP) Banks with demonstrated capabilities to process high volume UPI transactions for seamless migration of '@paytm' handles to other banks. "This is in line with NPCI norms for minimising concentration risk," RBI said. As per the Central bank's release, for merchants using PayTM QR codes, One97 Communication Ltd may open settlement accounts with one or more PSP Banks (other than Paytm Payments Bank). "The migration of UPI handles as above is applicable only to such customers and merchants who have a UPI handle '@Paytm'. For others who have a UPI address or handle other than '@Paytm', no action is required to be taken by them," RBI further clarified. "Similarly, the customers, whose underlying account/ wallet is currently with Paytm Payments Bank, are advised to make alternative arrangement with other banks well before March 15, 2024, as already advised," it added. RBI further informed that the holders of FASTag and National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) issued by Paytm Payments Bank, may make alternative arrangements before March 15, 2024, to avoid any inconvenience. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India, is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks' Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, for creating a robust Payment and Settlement Infrastructure in India. (ANI)
Actor Bhumi Pednekar on Friday penned a sweet adorable birthday wish for her sister Samiksha Pednekar. The 'Bhakshak' actor dropped a video on Instagram and wrote, "Happy Birthday Samu. To the light of our family, our biggest source of joy & strength. Here's wishing you the best year ahead our Samu. We are so proud of who you've grown up to be. Your resilience, passion and grit keep us going. Thank god you came into our lives our sweet sweet Samu." The video showcased some of Samiksha's childhood and family moments. https://www.instagram.com/p/C3rj9QBISAU/ Recently, Bhumi has been lauded for her role as a journalist in her recent release 'Bhakshak'. On receiving love from the audience, Bhumi said, "As an actor, nothing is more joyous than unanimous praise from the film industry, media and audience about one's performance. I'm very emotional and passionate about my work, every film of mine has a special place in my heart. For me, Bhakshak is at the top of that heap because of the powerful story that it is saying and also because I play a woman who is the agent of change." She added, "That is rare in Indian cinema as very few films empower a woman to be leaders of change, to be the ones who better society. I have always believed in playing women who are powerful, who contribute to nation building and who empower fellow women to stand up against injustice, and patriarchy and are vocal about their rights and needs." Bhumi also thanked the makers for giving her an opportunity to headline 'Bhakshak'. "I thank my director Pulkit, Red Chillies and the writer Jyotsana Nath for giving me a project that has allowed me to act from my heart. I'm thrilled with the love that is coming my way. It tells me that I have picked a right project that has touched the hearts of people. It also tells me that people want to see me do meaningful stories that are content-forward," she shared. 'Bhakshak' explores the journey of an unwavering woman's quest to seek justice. In 'Bhakshak', Bhumi is seen looking into a case of sexual assault of children at a girl's shelter home. Directed by Pulkit and produced by Gauri Khan and Gaurav Verma, Bhakshak features a powerful ensemble including Sanjay Mishra, Aditya Srivastava and Sai Tamhankar, along with Bhumi Pednekar. 'Bhakshak' is currently streaming on Netflix. (ANI)
Vehicles run at the Central Business District (CBD) in Chaoyang District in Beijing, capital of China, June 6, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

Major Chinese cities reported falling home prices in January with narrowing declines, official data showed on Friday.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that 56 of 70 large and medium-sized cities saw month-on-month drops in new home prices, down from 62 in December 2023. Additionally, 68 such cities registered price declines for second-hand homes, compared to 70 in the previous month.

In the four first-tier cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, prices of new homes edged down 0.3 percent in January, with the pace of decline narrowing by 0.1 percentage points from the previous month. Meanwhile, that of resold homes saw its drop taper to 1 percent during the same period.

Home prices in 31 second-tier cities and 35 third-tier cities also generally decreased in January compared to the previous month.

On a year-on-year basis, prices of both new and resold homes in Chinese cities continued a downward trend in January.

For new homes, first-tier and second-tier cities saw marginal price decreases, and smaller cities reported a 2.1-percent drop. For resold homes, there were also declines across the board, according to the data.
Researchers from the GIGA - Centre of Research Cyclotron at the University of Liege discovered that the body reacts to the external world when sleeping, which explains how sensory input might alter sleep quality. Researchers at ULiege have collaborated with the University of Fribourg in Switzerland to investigate whether the body is truly disconnected from the external world during sleep. To do so, they focused on how heartbeat changes when we hear different words during sleep. They found that relaxing words slowed down cardiac activity as a reflection of deeper sleep and in comparison to neutral words that did not have such a slowing effect. This discovery is presented in Journal of Sleep Research and sheds new light on brain-heart interactions during sleep. Matthieu Koroma (Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS postdoctoral researcher), Christina Schmidt and Athena Demertzi (both Fund for Scientific Research - FNRS Research Associate) from the GIGA Cyclotron Research Center at ULiege teamed up with colleagues from University of Fribourg to lead a previous study analysing brain data (electroencephalogram) showing that relaxing words increased deep sleep duration and sleep quality, showing that we can positively influence sleep using meaningful words. By that time, the authors hypothesized that the brain also remains able to interpret sensory information in a way that makes our body more relaxed after hearing relaxing words during sleep. In this new study, the authors had the opportunity to analyze cardiac activity (electrocardiogram) to test this hypothesis and found that the heart slows down its activity only after the presentation of relaxing, but not control words. Markers of both cardiac and brain activity were then compared to disentangle how much they contributed to the modulation of sleep by auditory information. Cardiac activity has been indeed proposed to directly contribute to the way we perceive the world, but such evidence was so far obtained in wakefulness. With these results, the ULiege researchers showed that it was also true in sleep, offering a new perspective on the essential role of bodily reactions beyond brain data for our understanding of sleep. "Most of sleep research focuses on the brain and rarely investigates bodily activity", says Dr. Schmidt. "We nevertheless hypothesize that the brain and the body are connected even when we cannot fully communicate, including sleep. Both brain and body information need then to be taken into account for a full understanding of how we think and react to our environment", explains Dr. Demertzi. "We shared freely our methodology following the principles of Open Science hoping that the tools that helped to make this discovery will inspire other researchers to study the role played by the heart in other sleep functions", Dr.Koroma advocates. This work offers a more comprehensive approach about the modulation of sleep functions by sensory information. By looking into the cardiac responses to sounds, we may, for example, study in the future the role of the body in the way sounds influence emotional processing of memories during sleep. (ANI)
The key person behind the illicit operation, Moganti Gopi, was arrested along with four accomplices.

DSP Ramakrishna said, "Gopi, a former driver, rented a house in Ramachandra Puram, where he orchestrated the production of fake currency notes with the help of his associates. His involvement in this criminal enterprise began after facing financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seeking quick solutions to their monetary struggles, Gopi and his friends initiated the production of counterfeit currency notes under the guidance of Challa Nuka Reddy."

"Nuka Reddy, a notorious figure from Vijayanagaram, already had a criminal record related to the printing and circulation of fake currency notes across multiple districts. His association with Gopi further fueled the illegal operation in Ramachandra Puram," he added.

He mentioned that during the raid, police seized 75,500 counterfeit notes, along with laptops and other instruments utilized in the production process. The successful operation has dealt a blow to the illicit currency circulation network, ensuring that the perpetrators face legal consequences.

"The arrested individuals will now face charges related to counterfeiting currency, and further investigations are underway to dismantle any remaining connections to this criminal network," the police said.

Earlier on February 21, the Visakhapatnam City Police dismantled a gang and arrested two individuals involved in circulating fake currency.

According to Visakha City Police DCP Meka Sattibabu, two individuals, identified as Bhaskara Raju and Maddala Srinivas, were caught red-handed while dealing with counterfeit notes at Kakani Nagar. (ANI)
Built by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), at a cost of more than Rs 22,500 crore, the KAPS-3 and KAPS-4 projects have a cumulative capacity of 1400 megawatts and are the largest indigenous PHWRs, said an official release.

As per the official release, the PHWRs are first-of-its-kind reactors with advanced safety features comparable with the best in the world.

"The two reactors will produce about 10.4 billion units of clean electricity per year and benefit consumers of multiple states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, MP, Chhattisgarh, Goa and UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu," said the release.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a mega roadshow in the state's Navsari district on Thursday afternoon.

The Prime Minister received a warm welcome from the local people of Navsari. Scores of people gathered to welcome and cheer for the Prime Minister.

Thousands of spectators including children, youth, and elderly of Navsari participated in the roadshow to welcome and catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister.

Addressing the gathering at Navsari, the Prime Minister spoke about the country's first PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (MITRA) Park situated at Vansi Borsi village in Gujarat's Navsari and said that PM MITRA park will give a boost to the textile sector and also generate employment to thousands of people.

In Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister participated in the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF). (ANI)
"560 years ago, when Guru Nanak Dev Ji uttered the words in Guru Granth Sahib, at that time the name of Lord Ram Ji was mentioned first. We first remember Ram, then remember everything else. Ram's name has been mentioned 5000 times in Guru Granth Sahib, while Waheguru's name has been mentioned only 16 times. So how can Ram be separated? Ram belongs to everyone. Ram belongs to the whole of India, to the whole world," Randhawa told ANI.

Congress's Lok Sabha dialogue program was organized in Ram Mandir of Dausa in Rajasthan on Thursday.

On this occasion, state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, state president Govind Singh Dotasara, opposition leader Tikaram Julie, and current and former MLAs of the Dausa Lok Sabha constituency were present.

On this occasion, all the Congress leaders went to the Ram temple, had darshan of Lord Ram and also took blessings from Mahant Amardasji Maharaj. (ANI)
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari paid condolences to former Lok Sabha Speaker and ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra Manohar Joshi, who breathed his last on Friday at around 3 am in Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai. The 86-year-old Joshi was admitted to Hinduja Hospital on February 21 after suffering a cardiac arrest. In a post on X, Gadkari recalled his relationship with the departed soul and said, "Very sad to hear about the death of former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and former Speaker of Lok Sabha, Senior Leader Manohar Joshi, Sir. With Sir's demise, the cultured face of Maharashtra politics has been lost. We have lost a leader who was very humble, passionate about Hazrajbabi and Maharashtra and also a Marathi man," said Gadkari. "I got an opportunity to work under the leadership of Joshi sir during the coalition government. Like the head of the family, he always got guidance. May God give peace to the departed soul and strength to his family to bear this sorrow. Om Shanti," he added in the post. According to family sources, the funeral will be held later in the day at Dadar Shivaji Park Crematorium, with full state honours. Joshi served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1995 to 1999 and as Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 2002 to 2004. He was also a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 2006 to 2012 and Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises from 1999 to 2002. (ANI)
After criticisms regarding the Karnataka government's amendments to the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Bill, ministers Ramalinga Reddy and Dinesh Gundu Rao came in defence of the decision while criticising the opposition, BJP. Minister for Transport, Ramalinga Reddy alleged that BJP is 'anti-Hindu' adding that the party which was in power in 2011 had made the amendments to the Bill. "We are not anti-Hindu. Actually, the BJP is anti-Hindu. This Act came into existence in 2003. In 2011, they made some amendments. At that time, up to Rs 5 lakh, there were about 34,000 temples - they did not give any money for Dharmika Parishad. From Rs 5 Lakhs to Rs 10 Lakhs, there are about 193 'B grade' temples - they have to give 5 per cent. More than Rs 10 Lakhs, there are about 205 temples - they have to give 10 per cent. They approved this amendment in 2011 in the Assembly. Who is anti-Hindu? BJP," Minister Reddy said. "In the interest of the most neglected 'C grade' temples in Karnataka, if I give Rs 2-3 lakhs, they can repair, reconstruct. This is the idea," he said. Minister for Health, Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the BJP should realise the Bill is for the benefit of the temples. He alleged that when the government is trying to help smaller temples, the BJP is trying to mislead. "The BJP should realise that what we are doing is actually for the benefit of temples. We amended the Act. Temples which were earning more than Rs 25 lakhs were being charged 10 per cent earlier. Even when the BJP government was there, the same 10 per cent was being taken by the Muzrai Department. Now, we have actually taken up the slab and gone to Rs 1 crore and above. We are, in fact, helping the smaller temples," Minister Rao said. "BJP is trying to mislead the people. This money is going to be used for smaller temples so that we can develop those temples," he added. Karnataka government passed 'Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Bill 2024' that mandates the state to collect 10 per cent tax from temples that have revenues exceeding Rs 1 crore and 5 per cent from those with revenues ranging between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore. The BJP criticized the state government, accusing it of implementing 'Anti-Hindu' policies. State President Vijayendra Yediyurappa alleged that the government passed the bill to replenish its depleted coffers. "The Congress government, which is adopting consistently anti-Hindu policies in the state, has now taken a crooked look at the revenue of Hindu temples and passed the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments bill to fill its empty coffers," he said on X. Former CM and BJP veteran Yediyurappa questioned why only Hindu temples are being scrutinized and not the incomes of other religions. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the allegations regarding the amendments to the Bill "appear to be misrepresented", "aiming only at misleading the public" and "polarizing people along communal lines for political leverage." He alleged that the BJP leaders want the youth of the country to abandon their jobs and fight an imaginary war, solely to benefit the BJP politically. (ANI)
Experts from one of India's leading research-oriented biodiversity conservation organisations Aaranyak have imparted GPS training to the frontline forest officials from various divisions of the Assam Forest Department as part of the ongoing Elephant Estimation 2024 exercise, according to the Assam Forest Department. Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite navigation system that is utilised to pinpoint the ground position of an object. As requested by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Goalpara in Assam, Tezas Mariswamy, an expert team from Aaranyak imparted GPS training to forest officials of the division at the DFO office premises. Aaranyaks senior official Arup Kumar Das imparted the training and presented block maps of the Elephant Estimation exercise to each of the forest personnel of the division as well as to the Elephant Estimation experts from Assam Forest Department, Guwahati. "We have shown GIS-based block maps of different ranges of Goalpara Forest Division. All the Forest Range Officers of Goalpara Forest Division attended the programme. Approximately, 70 forest officials attended the training. GPS hands-on training was provided to about 15 staff of the Goalpara Forest division (T) with a practical session on uploading block boundaries in GPS," Aaranyak official Arup Das said. Arup Das and another expert with Aaranyak Madhumita Borthakur imparted another GPS training to forest officials of the Kamrup West Forest Division of the state in response to the request made by Divisional Forest Officer Dimpi Bora. The training was technical support for the Elephant Estimation 2024. Apart from imparting the GPS training, the Aaranyak experts also prepared Block Maps which will be helpful for elephant population estimation. As per an official request from N. K. Das, DFO of Tinsukia Wildlife Division to the Secretary General and CEO of Aaranyak Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, the organisation's senior official Arup Kumar Das assisted the forest division in preparing block maps and hands-on GPS training for the ongoing Elephant Estimation 2024. The block maps of the elephant estimation 2024 for Dibru-Saikhowa National Park had been prepared for the park authority for use during elephant population estimation which has been underway since February 20 and continue till February 27. GPS training programmes greatly enhance the ability to accurately record GPS locations of elephant sightings inside each estimation block, aiding in conservation efforts as well as habitat management., GIS-GPS expert Das said. He along with Aaranyak official Avishek Sarkar imparted GPS hands-on training to the forest officials of the two forest ranges of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park namely, Guijan Range and Saikhowa Range. Santana Medhi, Forest Range Officer of Guijan and Pinku Singh, Forest Range Officer of Saikhowa Forest Range were also present during the GPS training on the campus of the Guijan Range office. In addition to GPS training, GPS Essential mobile app training has been also imparted which will be useful for fieldwork. Moreover, a practical session was organised on Uploading block boundaries in GPS using Base Camp software for elephant estimation. Approximately, 45-50 forest officials attended the training programme. A conservation biologist with Aaranyak, Dr Dipankar Lahkar provided training for the Elephant Population Estimation to the staff of Chirang Forest Division at the DFO office. The objective of the elephant estimation is to guide conservation efforts by assessing populations' health, and habitat requirements and formulating strategies for alleviating human-elephant conflicts. (ANI)
In a post on X, the Telangana CM said that the untimely death of Cantonment legislator Lasya Nanditha left him 'deeply shocked'.

https://twitter.com/revanth_anumula/status/1760857586591727808

"The untimely death of Cantonment legislator Lasya Nanditha left me deeply shocked. I had a close relationship with Nanditha's father Swargiya Sayanna. He passed away in the same month last year... It is very sad that Nanditha also died suddenly in the same month. My deepest condolences to their family...I pray to God to rest her soul in peace," he said.

Nanditha was killed in a road mishap on the Outer Ring Road in Telangana's Sangerddy district on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

The 37-year-old, who was a first-time MLA from Secunderabad Cantonment, suffered serious injuries after her vehicle lost control and collided with the road divider.

Lasya Nanditha, a prominent figure in the political landscape, had previously served as a corporator from Kavadiguda since 2016.

Senior BRS leader and working President of the party, KT Rama Rao took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his condolences on Nanditha's sudden death.

"This was about a week ago. Just now heard the absolutely tragic & shocking news that Lasya is no more !! Woke up to the devastating loss of the young legislator who was a very good leader in the making. My heartfelt prayers for strength to her family and friends in this terrible & difficult time," he said. (ANI)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday came out in support of Shubhakaran Singh's family, who lost his life in the ongoing farmers' protest. He announced financial assistance of Rs 1 crore and assured appropriate legal action against the culprits. Mann has also announced a government job for his younger sister. "Financial assistance of Rs 1 crore will be given by the Punjab Government to the family of Shubhakaran Singh, who was martyred during the farmers' protest at Khanauri border, and his younger sister will be given a government job. Appropriate legal action will be taken against the culprits..," he said in a post on 'X'. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Thursday said the protesting farmers led by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will observe a 'Black Friday' on Friday following the death of a farmer at Khanauri Border crossing in Sangrur district, Punjab, during the ongoing protests. Meanwhile, Haryana Police in Ambala District have said that any loss to the government and private property during the farmers protest will be compensated by attaching the property and seizing the bank accounts of the protestors. Union Minister Arjun Munda said that the Central Government is dedicated to the welfare of the farmers and is trying to resolve the issue through dialogue. He further said that the Agriculture Ministry is working on the concerns raised by the farmers' associations. The ongoing farmers' agitation has prompted the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to call for inclusive dialogue from stakeholders across the agricultural sector. The protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu border near Ambala since the start of the protest. Several farmers and police personnel were injured in the clashes during the March that started on February 13. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked Lord Mahadev's blessings in Kashi while affirming that his constituency had witnessed the 'damru' of development playing in the last 10 years. "Kashi is the capital of all knowledge, today that power and form of Kashi is emerging again. This is a matter of pride for the whole of India. We all are just instruments, the one who does it in Kashi is Mahadev. Wherever there are blessings of Mahadev, that earth becomes prosperous," PM Modi said while addressing a gathering at BHU in Varanasi. "Right now, Mahadev is very happy. So with his blessings, in 10 years, Kashi saw the 'damru' of development playing in all directions," he added. "People from all over the country and even from every corner of the world come to Kashi in search of knowledge, research and peace. People from every province, every language, every dialect, every custom have come and settled in Kashi," he said. The Prime Minister asserted that the country will give a new pace to development in the next five years. "In the next five years, the country will give a new pace to development with this confidence, the country will create new patterns of success and this is Modi's guarantee," PM Modi said. "Kashi is going to be beautified. Roads will be built, bridges will be built, buildings will also be built but here I have to beautify the people, beautify every heart and beautify it by becoming a servant, beautify it by becoming a companion," he added. He said that when India has been hailed for its prosperity, it is not only the economy but also cultural, spiritual and social prosperity that's been lauded. "There was a time when India's prosperity story was told all over the world. It was not only India's economic strength that was behind this. Behind this was our cultural prosperity, social and spiritual prosperity as well," the Prime Minister said. "Our pilgrimage places like Kashi and our temples like Vishwanath Dham used to be the sacrificial places for the progress of the nation," he added. He said that the temples not only hosted a spiritual atmosphere but also were 'streams of literature and music'. "Here meditation was also done and debates were also held. Dialogues and research also took place here. There were sources of culture here as well as streams of literature and music," the Prime Minister said. "Kashi is also the city of Shiva, it is also the land of Buddha's teachings. Kashi is also the birthplace of Jain Tirthankaras and Adi Shankaracharya also attained enlightenment from here," he said. "New Kashi has emerged as the inspiration for new India", he further said. The Prime Minister also presented prizes to winners of Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita at BHU in Varanasi. Addressing the students present at the gathering, the Prime Minister said, "I hope that the youth coming out from here will become the flag bearers of Indian knowledge, tradition and culture all over the world." The Prime Minister congratulated all winners of the competition and also extended wishes to their parents on their wards' win. He further affirmed that Kashi is empowered by the young generation. "The Kashi which is called more ancient than the time itself, its identity is being empowered by the young generation responsibly. This scene satisfies my heart, makes me feel proud and also gives the confidence that the youth will take the country to new heights on Amrit Kaal," PM Modi said. PM Modi also got pictures clicked with the students at BHU in Varanasi. He walked up to the students in the audience and exchanged brief pleasantries. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was present at the event. The event was also attended by students and parents in large numbers. The Prime Minister also launched two books on Kashi were during the occasion. "A lot of development have taken place in Kashi in the last 10 years. Two books on complete information about Kashi have also been launched here today," he said. "The journey of development that Kashi has undertaken in the last 10 years, every stage of it and the culture here has also been described in this book," he added. PM Modi is scheduled to visit Sant Guru Ravidas Janmasthali later in the day. The Prime Minister will perform pooja and darshan at Sant Guru Ravidas Janmasthali and around 11.30 am, he will attend a public function commemorating the 647th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas, a release issued by PM's office said. He is also scheduled to visit Banas Kashi Sankul, a milk processing unit of Banaskantha District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd built at UPSIDA Agro Park, Karkhiyaon, Varanasi later in the day. After this, he will address a public function where the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 13,000 crore in Varanasi. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate several projects related to tourism and spiritual tourism in Varanasi. These projects include ten spiritual journeys along the Panchkoshi Parikrama Marg and the redevelopment of public facilities at five stops on the Pavan Path. 23 schemes worth Rs 10,972 crore are to be launched and the foundation stone for 12 schemes worth Rs 2195.07 crore will be laid by the Prime Minister. (ANI)
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An express courier delivers take-away food on a rainy day in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin province, April 28, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]



China on Friday published guidelines to improve protection of the rights of workers engaged in new employment forms, such as ride-hailing and food delivery.

The guidelines compiled by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security stipulate detailed and practical rules to guide platform businesses in improving labor management and addressing problems, including excessive working hours and platform rules lacking sufficient transparency.

According to the guidelines, workers involved in the platform economy, such as delivery, transport and home services, will start to enjoy minimum wage protection.

Platform businesses are required to prevent overwork, ensure higher labor payment for working during holidays, and solicit opinions before changing algorithms related to workers' rights and interests.

Together with new modes of business and evolving consumption patterns, new types of occupations have kept emerging in China in recent years and have become key sources of job creation.

China has 84 million workers engaged in new employment forms, and their working conditions have been gradually brought under the spotlight. The government previously released several documents to protect their rights and interests.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the opposition coalition, INDIA bloc while addressing a gathering in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi on Friday. He said that the INDI alliance works for their 'parivar' (family) not the welfare of the poor. "Today every Dalit and every backward person of the country has to keep one more thing in mind. In our country, the people of the INDI alliance, who believe in instigating and fighting in the name of caste, oppose the schemes for the benefit of Dalits and the deprived. In the name of the welfare of the poor, these people do politics for their family," the Prime Minister said. While addressing the 647th birth anniversary event of Sant Ravidas, PM Modi said, "Today our government is taking forward the ideas of Sant Ravidas ji. BJP government is for everyone, BJP government's schemes are for everyone." "Today, this mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Effort' has also become the mantra to connect with 140 crore countrymen," he said. The Prime Minister state that equality comes only by giving priority to the deprived society and that his government has been committed to serving every section of society and their development. "In the last 10 years, work has been done keeping in mind those people who remained away from the stream of class development. Earlier, the poor were considered last, today the biggest schemes have been made for them," he said. "Being the MP here and being the public representative of Kashi, it is my special responsibility to take special care of your facilities. I am happy that I have got the opportunity to fulfil these responsibilities on the birth anniversary of Saint Ravidas Ji," the Prime Minister added. PM Modi said that Sant Ravidas presented society with the importance of freedom and also worked to bridge the social divide. "High caste, untouchability, discrimination. He raised his voice against all this. India has a history that whenever the country is in need, some saint, sage or great personality is born in India. Saint Ravidas ji was a great saint of the Bhakti movement, who gave new energy to the weak and divided India," PM Modi said. PM Modi offered a floral tribute to Sant Guru Ravidas during the event. During the occasion, the Prime Minister unveiled a statue of Sant Ravidas at Varanasi today. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath was also present. "Today I also have the privilege of inaugurating the new statue of Saint Ravidas ji. The foundation stone of Sant Ravidas Museum was also laid today," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi also offered prayers at Sant Ravidas Janamsthal in Varanasi. Guru Sant Ravidas was a great Saint, philosopher, poet, social reformer, and follower of God in India during the 15th century. He was one of the most famous and leading stars of the nirguna sampradaya (sant parampara) and was one of the prominent leaders of the North Indian Bhakti movement. He also worked against the system of untouchability in society by the higher caste people for lower caste people. Earlier in the day, PM Modi distributed prizes to winners of Sansad Sanskrit Pratiyogita at BHU in Varanasi. The Prime Minister also launched two books on Kashi during the occasion. PM Modi is scheduled to visit Banas Kashi Sankul, a milk processing unit of Banaskantha District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd built at UPSIDA Agro Park, Karkhiyaon, Varanasi later in the day. After this, he will address a public function where the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 13,000 crore in Varanasi. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate several projects related to tourism and spiritual tourism in Varanasi. These projects include ten spiritual journeys along the Panchkoshi Parikrama Marg and the redevelopment of public facilities at five stops on the Pavan Path. 23 schemes worth Rs 10,972 crore are to be launched and the foundation stone for 12 schemes worth Rs 2195.07 crore will be laid by the Prime Minister. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday expressed grief over the death of a man in elephant attack in Gobri village in Anuppur district and announced to provide ex-gratia of Rs 10 to the family of the deceased. An elephant killed a person in the Gobri village of the Anuppur district on Thursday. Enraged and outraged, the villagers attacked the officials present at the spot. An unknown person also opened fire, in which two villagers were shot and are being treated at Shahdol Medical College, while the injured police personnel are being treated at Anuppur District Hospital. After the incident, the Chief Minister's office posted on X, "CM Mohan Yadav expressed deep grief over the death of a man due to elephant attack in Gobri of Anuppur district, prayed to God for peace to the departed soul and provide strength to the family to bear this loss." "The Chief Minister has instructed financial assistance to the family of the deceased of Rs 8 lakh according to the rules of the Forest Department and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister's voluntary grant. The government will provide all possible help for the livelihood of the family," it added. "CM Yadav has instructed the district administration to provide proper treatment to the other two youths injured in the incident," the CMO further wrote. Earlier, Shraddha Pandre (DFO, Anuppur) told ANI that the elephant had been roaming in the forest for many days. Meanwhile, the elephant attacked the people who came to drive it away. One person died in this accident. "The angry villagers also attacked our caretakers, after which the police were called. We have also heard the news of a firing. Police will investigate this but we have not opened any fire because our guns are kept in the police station," she said. LL Uike (Chief Conservator of Forests, Bandhavgarh Forest) said, "For the last month, a group of three elephants was roaming in Anuppur district and many incidents were happening. On Friday, after getting permission from above, the elephant will be tranquilised and shifted somewhere else." Anuppur Collector Ashish Vashisht, said, "There is a process to tranquillise wild animals for which we have to get permission from the Government of India. We will take the permission and conduct the rescue mission." (ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday expressed grief over the demise of the former chief minister and Lok Sabha ex-speaker Manohar Joshi and said that the veteran's demise is a 'big loss'. Speaking to reporters here, Thackeray said that Manohar Joshi always 'stayed' loyal to his party. "It is very unfortunate. Manohar Joshi had seen many ups and downs in his life but he never left Shiv Sena, he always stayed loyal to the party... When Balasaheb Thackeray was arrested, he was one of those arrested with him. His demise is a big loss to the party," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said. Former Lok Sabha Speaker and Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, the first CM to lead a non-Congress government, breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital at 3 am on Friday. He was 86. Manohar Joshi served as chief minister from 1995 to 1999 and was the first leader from the undivided Shiv Sena to occupy the top post in the state. He was also elected as a Member of Parliament and was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was in power. He was also a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 2006 to 2012 and Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises from 1999 to 2002. He was a municipal councillor in Mumbai during 1968-70 and Chairman, of the Standing Committee of the Mumbai municipal corporation in 1970. He was the Mayor of Mumbai during 1976-1977. He was then elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 1972. After serving three terms in the Legislative Council, Joshi was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1990 and was the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly during 1990-91. Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais has also expressed grief over the demise of Joshi, calling him one of the most respected political leaders in the state. "A skilled organizer, outstanding parliamentarian, excellent orator, fiery opposition leader and respected Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Joshi left his indelible mark while discharging every role," the governor said in a condolence message. Bais further said that realizing the importance of skill education long ago, Joshi created centres for imparting technical and skill education which helped thousands of young women and men secure jobs. "Joshi Ji was a soft-spoken and erudite parliamentarian who was respected by politicians cutting across the political spectrum," he said. (ANI)
The Aam Aadmi Party reiterated that the party will contest three seats in Assam in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and it will help the INDI alliance in the other 11 seats in the state, said Aam Aadmi Party, North Eastern States incharge. Rajesh Sharma, In-charge, of AAP (North Eastern States) said that AAP has already declared its candidates for Guwahati, Sonitpur and Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seats in Assam. "AAP will contest in three seats in Assam. We have opened party offices in 176 village panchayats in Sonitpur. We are fully prepared to fight in these three seats. We have already announced our candidates for Dibrugarh, Sonitpur and Guwahati seats. We want that, all opposition parties should help us in these three seats and there should be only one candidate in these three seats. We will extend our support to the INDI alliance in the other 11 seats in Assam," Rajesh Sharma said. Earlier, Sources said the Congress and AAP parties have finalised their seat-sharing alliance for the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi on Thursday. As per the sources, both parties have locked the deal for a four-three alliance, with the AAP contesting on four and Congress settling for three. The seat-sharing alliance came through after several rounds of deliberations this week and today, as well as a meeting held at KC Venugopal's house in Delhi. During the meeting, KC Venugopal and Mukul Wasnik were present from the Congress side, while Sandeep Pathak, Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi were representing the AAP. In the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha the BJP won all seven seats from Delhi. In the 2004 elections the Congress had won 6 seats and the BJP 1 seat while in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls the Congress won all 7 seats in Delhi. In addition to this, it has also been learned that the Congress is likely to give AAP one seat in Haryana, while AAP will support the Congress for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat. Meanwhile, the Aam Admi Party had dominated the assembly elections winning 67 of the 70 seats in the 2015 assembly election and 62 of 70 assembly seats in the 2020 elections. In Gujarat, the AAP is demanding three seats in a potential alliance with the Congress, however, a final agreement on this is awaited. (ANI)
Local villagers continued to protest in North 24 Parganas's Bermazur village in Sandeshkhali on Friday as tensions continued to brew in the region that has been witnessing unrest for the last over 10 days. South Bengal Additional Director General, Supratim Sarkar and Deputy Inspector General of Barasat Range, Bhaskar Mukherjee reached the spot with their team to pacify the villagers. "We are saying this in pain. Why are they (Shah Jahan Sheikh's aides) breaking into our houses? They are threatening my in-laws. Why are they doing this?" an aggrieved woman protester said as the police tried to pacify the situation. While the police reasoned that they were taking steps to solve the situation, she said, "You are coming now. Where were you earlier?" Meanwhile, a team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) arrived in Patrapara in Sandeshkhali to meet the victims. The NHRC team has come to ascertain facts through a "spot-enquiry" into the incidents of violence in the North 24 Parganas islands. The Commission has observed that the recent incidents in Sandeshkhali, as have been reported in various print and electronic media, indicate a prima facie violation of human rights, shocking the conscience. Earlier on Tuesday, the NHRC issued a notice to the DGP directing him to submit a report within two weeks in a case where a journalist of a news channel was detained by police in Sandeshkhali. The Commission also asked its DIG (investigation) to find out the facts by telephone and submit his findings to the Commission within a week. The women protestors in Sandeshkhali are seeking justice against alleged atrocities committed by TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides. A large number of women in Sandeshkhali had accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "land-grab and sexually assaulting" them under coercion. Shahjahan continues to evade capture, with both state police and central agencies unable to locate him. Recently, the Calcutta High Court instructed a collaborative Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and West Bengal Police to investigate an assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his 'drunken youth' remark and said that he was "shocked" upon hearing the term 'nashedi' used to describe the youth of Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the inauguration event of several projects in Varanasi, PM Modi without mentioning Rahul Gandhi's name, noted that the prince of the Congress family referred to UP's youth as 'nashedi'. "The 'yuvraj' of Congress 'shahi-parivar' has called the youth of Kashi and UP 'nashedi'. What kind of language is this? They have spent two decades abusing Modi, and now they (Congress) are venting out their frustration on the youth of Uttar Pradesh. Jinke aapne hosh thhikane nahi hai, wo UP ke, mere kashi ke bachcho ko nashedi keh rahe hai (those who are not in their senses are calling UP's youth addicts)," the Prime Minister said. He further said that the youth of Uttar Pradesh are busy building a developed state. "Now that Uttar Pradesh is progressing, the 'yuvraj' of the Congress family said that the youth of Uttar Pradesh are addicts. The youth of UP are busy in building a developed state," PM Modi said. PM Modi said adding that no one will forget this insult of the youth by the INDI alliance. "A person who belongs to a dynasty is always threatened by the common youth force. They only like those who always praise them. And now they have another reason to not like Uttar Pradesh after Ram Mandir's inauguration. I did not know Congress had so much hatred towards Lord Ram. They can't see or think beyond their family and vote bank," he added. Earlier on February 20, in a veiled swipe at PM Modi, who represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi claimed that during his visit to the temple town as a part of the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay yatra, he saw people lying drunk on roads. Addressing the public in Amethi, Wayanad MP said the youths of Uttar Pradesh were on a 'trip' after boozing by night. "I went to Varanasi and I saw people lying on roads drunk. The youths of Uttar Pradesh are on a trip after consuming liquor by night. On the other hand, there is the Ram Mandir which is only visited by the likes of PM Modi, Ambani and Adani. You will see all our billionaires there but not a single person from a backward class or the Dalit community," Rahul said. "Your place is only limited to roads for begging while they (Centre's alleged corporate cronies) keep minting money," he added. The Varanasi constituency has seen a huge influx of funds from the Centre and state government and is also a part of the Smart City mission, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015. (ANI)
A bench led by Justice BR Gavai adjourned the hearing after Ansari's counsel sought time to file a rejoinder on the Uttar Pradesh government's affidavit. The court has listed the matter for a hearing in March.

Ansari has challenged the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow Bench order of November 20, 2022. The Allahabad High Court has denied bail to leader Abbas Ansari in an arms license case.

The FIR was lodged in the matter on October 12, 2019, alleging Abbas Ansari purchased numerous fire arms on the license, claiming himself to be a renowned shooter.

He projected that he had gotten the license issued at Lucknow transferred to Delhi but no intimation in this regard had been given to the concerned police station and the applicant continued to use both the licenses issued in two different states on two different UID's, the prosecution said. (ANI)
As Sandeshkhali continued to be on the boil, protesters broke through fences and physically assaulted Trinamool Congress leader Ajit Maity on Friday in the presence of media crew. Maity is an MLA from Paschim Medinipur's Pingla Assembly constituency. Visuals from the site showed villagers ransacking Maity's house and beating him with slippers as protests continued in the Bermajur area of Sandeshkhali where angry villagers clashed with the police on Friday. Villagers in Bermajur also tried to prevent police vehicles from passing through the area. "We did not stop them initially. We just wanted to talk to them about why they were detaining our boys without any charge. They did not listen. The police vehicle ran over a woman's feet. We want to talk to them," a woman protester told ANI. "Is there any law and order in this country? Police tried to run over a girl. If the public had not known the girl would have died," another protester said, speaking to ANI. "Sheikh Shahjahan, Sirajuddin have confiscated all our plots of land. We were protesting. Police forcefully drove through protesters. One of the protesters broke their leg in the process," another protester said. "Police is protecting those who are the oppressors. And, the people who are being looted, police are committing atrocities against them. This is the state of West Bengal. No woman, student, nobody is safe here. Everyone is being looted of their land and self-respect," West Bengal BJP Mahila Morcha president Falguni Patra said. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Locket Chatterjee was detained by the police on her way to Sandeshkhali. "I was detained by police without any information. I will go to Sandeshkhali. Why has Mamata Banerjee not spoken in support of the women in Sandeshkhali? If Mamata Banerjee being a woman CM has not gone there, then we have to go there being a public servant," Chatterjee said speaking to ANI on Friday. Meanwhile, the BJP has clarified that Sabyasachi Ghosh who was arrested on charges of running a prostitution racket in Howrah is not associated with the party. "It has come to our attention that WB Police has arrested one Sabyasachi Ghosh, on charges of running a prostitution racket in Howrah and claims that he is a BJP leader. BJP West Bengal denies having any association with the accused. We wish to put on record that Sabyasachi Ghosh holds no position in the party," the Howrah branch of the BJP said in a statement on Friday. The women protestors in Sandeshkhali are seeking justice against alleged atrocities committed by TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides. A large number of women in Sandeshkhali had accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of "land-grab and sexually assaulting" them under coercion. Shahjahan continues to evade arrest, with both state police and central agencies unable to trace him. (ANI)
Weeks after the Varanasi district court allowed the Hindu side to offer prayers in the southern cellar of Gyanvapi mosque, Syed vodcast , Dewan and Sajjada Nasheen of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah said that the Mathura and Kashi temple disputes should be settled out of court. "Mathura and Kashi's issue is sub judice before the court, so one cannot comment on this. We want this issue to be solved outside the court. This will be the best thing for both sides (Hindu-Muslim), and with this, there will be peace between both sides," Abedin said, speaking to ANI on Friday. The Dewan of Ajmer Sharif Dargah reasoned that if the court gives any judgement, one side will lose and this would lead to bitterness between both the sides. "Otherwise, if the court gives any judgement on this, then that judgement will be in favour of any one side, only leading to bitterness on the other side, Why do so?" Abedin said. Abedin also stressed that religion and politics cannot be made separate from one another, as it was argued by noted British writer Desmond Shawe in 1957, he said. "All kings had a spiritual head. He used to take decisions consulting the spiritual head. Today a new trend has started on mixing up religion and politics. Gorakhpur Press is famous countrywide. In the 1957 edition of Sri Kalyan, on pages 771-772, Desmond Shawe says that if politics is made devoid of religion, and vice-versa, both cannot exist in isolation," he said. Earlier in February, the Allahabad High Court completed the hearing and reserved its order in an appeal moved by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee challenging the Varanasi District Court order that allowed the Hindu side to offer prayers in the southern cellar of Gyanvapi mosque. On January 31, the Varanasi district court allowed the Hindu side to offer prayers in the southern cellar of Gyanvapi mosque. The court directed the Varanasi district magistrate to make arrangements within seven days for 'puja' to be performed by the Hindu side and a pujari (priest) nominated by Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust. After the order of the court, "puja" and "aarti" were performed in the early hours on Thursday. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected the application seeking permission to offer prayer on Shab E Barat at the site of Akhunji Mosque in Mehrauli. The said 600-year-old Mosque was demolished by the DDA on January 30 and the site is in the possession of the DDA. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav dismissed the plea after hearing the submissions of the parties. The High Court noted that urgency for passing an appropriate order on the instant application is expressed on the ground mentioned in the instant application which primarily, states that an unhindered entry be allowed in the graveyard and site of the Mosque i.e., Masjid Akhunji, of persons wanting to offer night-long prayers and visit at graves, site of departed elders beginning from thirty minutes before sunset on Sunday, on February 25, 2024 and ending thirty minutes after sunrise on Monday, February 26. The High Court said that the petitioner ought to have promptly approached this Court seeking relief to offer prayers on the occasion of the festival, the date of which was already known to all concerned. "Rather, the petitioner has preferred to apply at such a belated stage, pressing for its urgent disposal without giving an opportunity to file aformal reply," the High Court observed. The application was moved by the Management Committee of the Delhi Waqf Board. Permission was sought for locals to enter the site for 30 Minutes on Sunday evening and Monday morning. The petition against the demolition is pending before the High Court and listed on March 7, 2024. The High Court said that admittedly the site in question is in possession of DDA and the High Court is seized of the matter which is listed on March 7. At this stage, this court under the facts and circumstances of the case is not inclined to pass any direction. Accordingly, the plea is dismissed. During the hearing, it was submitted that the mosque was built during the Delhi Sultanate Period 600-700 years ago. Advocate Shams Khwaja appeared for the Management Committee and argued that the people are celebrating Shab E Barat at the site of generations. It was also submitted by the counsel that on Shab E Barat people pay respect to their ancestors who had been buried at the graveyard which had been razed. The Delhi High Court on February 5, directed a status quo on the site after the action by the DDA. (ANI)
Immediate cease-fire in Gaza is imperative: Chinese envoy

Xinhua) 08:12, February 23, 2024

People gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Feb. 22, 2024. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

Over 1.5 million Gazans are packed into Rafah, having nowhere else to go. Escalated Israeli military incursions into Rafah will result in unthinkable civilian casualties and humanitarian disasters and cause irreparable damage to regional peace.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Thursday that an immediate cease-fire in Gaza is imperative and that the essence of any Security Council action is to achieve an immediate cease-fire.

The U.S. veto of an Algerian-drafted resolution on Tuesday meant that the Security Council missed yet another opportunity to push for a cease-fire in Gaza. The continuation of the conflict even for another day would cause even more civilian casualties and lead to a greater catastrophe. An immediate cease-fire in Gaza is an urgent imperative to save innocent lives and to prevent a wider war, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

"An immediate cease-fire is the common wish voiced by the international community and the consensus of the Security Council's overwhelming majority," he told the Security Council.

China is aware that the United States has tabled its own draft resolution. China hopes that the United States will show a responsible attitude, respond positively to the international call, and respect the established consensus among Security Council members, said Zhang.

"We need to point out that the essence of any action of this council is to achieve an immediate cease-fire. Any message sent out via our action must be clear, unequivocal, unambiguous, and unmistakable, rather than prevaricate or beat about the bush," he said. "At this point, the Council needs to demonstrate a strong resolve rather than negotiating skills only."

The military offensive into Rafah must cease immediately, he said.

People are seen in a destroyed building after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Feb. 22, 2024. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

Over 1.5 million Gazans are packed into Rafah, having nowhere else to go. Escalated Israeli military incursions into Rafah will result in unthinkable civilian casualties and humanitarian disasters and cause irreparable damage to regional peace. China strongly opposes such actions. Israel should immediately cancel its plans to attack Rafah and halt its collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The International Court of Justice's order of provisional measures aimed at preventing genocide must be effectively implemented without delay, he said.

It is imperative to ensure sufficient unimpeded humanitarian deliveries into Gaza. Israel must take concrete action to open all land, sea, and air routes into Gaza, provide all that is required by humanitarian agencies for their relief operations, and ensure the safety and security of the staff and facilities of humanitarian agencies, he said.

Zhang also called for efforts to prevent the conflict in Gaza from spilling over to the wider region.

Exchanges of fire between Lebanon and Israel and between Syria and Israel are escalating. Tensions in the Red Sea are continuing. And the specter of wider war is looming over the Middle East. China calls on the parties concerned, especially those with significant influence, to exercise calm and restraint and to refrain from acts that would aggravate the tensions. Parties should endeavor to stop war through peace and break the vicious circle of violence and conflict, he said.

The political horizon offered by the two-state solution must be given a new lease on life. Independent Palestinian statehood is not a gift given by one party to another in charity, but an inalienable right of the Palestinian people, said Zhang.

China is gravely concerned by the recent repeated public dismissal of the two-state solution by some Israeli politicians and their rejection of any international effort toward independent Palestinian statehood. Gaza is an inalienable part of Palestine, and the two-state solution is the bottom line of international justice and the only viable path toward the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli issue. China urges Israel to stop without delay eroding the foundation of the two-state solution, halt the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians, and cease the searches, arrests, and raids in the West Bank, he said.

The historical wrongs suffered by Palestine must be righted. Palestine's aspiration for independent statehood must be fulfilled. China supports Palestine in becoming a member of the United Nations as soon as possible, and calls for the convening of a larger, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to push for a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine, he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Chinese Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting Friday, which heard a report on the handling of suggestions from deputies to the National People's Congress and proposals from members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference last year.

The meeting studied measures to attract and utilize foreign investment with greater efforts, and arranged work for further forestalling and defusing local debt risks.

The meeting also approved a number of government documents, including a guideline on further improving payment services and making payments more convenient.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi challenged the Congress and asserted that the youth of Kashi and Uttar Pradesh are diligently working towards transforming the state into a developed one. "They are determined to script their own prosperous future. The youth of UP will never forget the insult done by Congress and the INDI alliance," he added. Lashing out at the opposition for calling the youth of Kashi 'nashedi,' PM Modi stated, "They have spent two decades abusing Modi, now these people are taking out their frustration on the youth of UP." Jinke aapne hosh thhikane nahi hai, wo UP ke, mere kashi ke bachcho ko nashedi keh rahe hai (those who are not in their senses are calling UP's youth addicts), he remarked. The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 13,000 crore in Varanasi. He also inaugurated the Banas Kashi Sankul. During the event, he said, "Decades of corruption, nepotism, and appeasement have hindered Uttar Pradesh's progress. The state was once categorized as BIMARU, and the future of its youth was compromised." Taking a strong stance against the Congress and SP, the Prime Minister stated that dynastic parties always fear the power and talent of the youth. They believe that ordinary youth, when given an opportunity, can pose a challenge. They prefer those who keep praising them day and night. Another reason for Congress' anger and frustration is that they do not like the new image of Kashi and Ayodhya, and they also criticize the Ram temple in various ways, he added, stating, "I did not know that Congress has so much hatred for Lord Ram. They cannot see beyond their family and vote bank. When elections approach, they unite. When the results are unfavourable, they drift apart by insulting each other." Taking a dig at the INDI alliance in Bhojpuri, Modi said, Ee banaras hav, iyha sab guru hai, iyha indi gathbandhan ka painthara na chali. Banaras naahi, pure UP ke pata hav ke 'maal vahi hai, packing nayi hai'.' (This is Banaras, everyone is a guru here. The tricks of the INDIA Alliance won't work here. Not just Banaras, but the entire UP knows that the goods are the same, only the packaging is new). Earlier, the Prime Minister, starting his speech in Bhojpuri, said, "Kashi ki dharti par aaj ek bar fir aave ke mauka milal hav. Jabtak banaras naahi aait tabtak hamar mann naahi manela. Das saal pahile aap log humke banaras ke sansad banaila, ab das saal me banaras hamke banarasi bana delas." (Today I have once again got an opportunity to visit the land of Kashi. Until I don't visit Banaras, my heart doesn't keep calm. Ten years ago, you elected me as the MP of Banaras; now, in these 10 years, my heart belong to Banaras) He informed that today there are 45 projects worth over Rs. 13,000 crores that will accelerate the development of Purvanchal and Eastern India. This includes projects in various sectors such as railways, roads, airports, animal husbandry, industry, sports, skill development, health, cleanliness, spirituality, tourism, and LPG gas. This will create many new employment opportunities. He mentioned that several projects related to the birthplace of Saint Ravidas have been inaugurated and laid the foundation for today. The Prime Minister said that it is very natural for him to be delighted when something good happens in Kashi and Purvanchal. He mentioned that the Phulwariya Flyover has proven to be a boon for Varanasi. He further informed that the work of Sigra Stadium has been inaugurated. A modern shooting range has been established for the youth of Banaras. He mentioned visiting the Banas Kashi Sankul and interacting with several cattle herder women earlier in the day. He said that women belonging to agricultural backgrounds were provided with indigenous breeds of Gir cow 2-3 years ago to raise awareness. Noting that the number of Gir cows has now reached almost 350, the Prime Minister informed that they produce up to 15 litres of milk compared to 5 litres produced by ordinary cows. He added that one such Gir cow is producing 20 litres of milk creating additional income for women making them Lakhpati Didis. "This is a huge inspiration for the 10 crore women associated with self-help groups in the country", he added. Recalling the event of the foundation stone laying of Banas Dairy two years ago, the Prime Minister said that the guarantee given on that day is in front of the people today. He said Banas Dairy is a good example of the creation of jobs through the right investment. Banas Dairy collects about 2 lakh litres of milk from Varanasi, Mirzapur, Gazipur and Raebareli. With the start of the new plant, cattle herders of Ballia, Chandauli, Prayagraj and Jaunpur will also benefit. Under the project, new Milk Mandis will come up in more than 1000 villages in Varanasi, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Gazipur and Azamgarh districts. He emphasized that this will create thousands of new employment opportunities and will give a boost to the income of more than 3 lakh farmers. He informed that the unit will also undertake the manufacturing of other dairy products such as buttermilk, curd, lassi, ice cream, paneer and regional sweets. This will provide employment to those who sell these products. He underlined that the plant will play a key role in taking the sweets of Varansai to every corner of India. Those involved in the business of animal feed and local distributors will also see an increase in employment opportunities. The Prime Minister reiterated the government's resolve to make annadata from 'Urja Daata' to 'Urwarakdata.' He informed about the opportunity in Gobar Dhan and talked about the plant in the dairy for making Bio CNG and organic manure. Noting the increasing trend of natural farming, he acknowledged the utility of organic manure under the Gobar Dhan Scheme. He further praised Kashi's spirit of turning 'Kachra into Kanchan'. He informed that another plant has been inaugurated, where 600 tonnes of waste will be converted into 200 tonnes of charcoal. PM Modi mentioned that farmers and cattle herders have always been the biggest priority of the BJP government. The country will become self-reliant only when every small power of the country is awakened. Help should be given to farmers, cattle herders, artisans, craftsmen and small entrepreneurs. He said that the call for Vocal for Local is an advertisement for the small players in the market who cannot spend on television and newspaper commercials. "Modi himself advertises those who produce indigenous goods", he said, "Modi is the ambassador of every small farmer and industry, be it the promotion of Khadi, toy manufacturers, Make in India, or Dekho Apna Desh." He said that the impact of such a call can be witnessed in Kashi itself where more than 12 crore tourists have visited the city since the rejuvenation of Vishwanath Dham leading to a surge in income and employment opportunities. "Modi's guarantee is 100 per cent beneficial to every beneficiary. This time UP is going to name all the seats to NDA. Modi's third term is going to be the most powerful term of India's power in the whole world. In the last 10 years, India rose from 11th position to become the 5th economic power. In the coming five years, India will become the third largest economic power in the world," the PM added. At the beginning of the program, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed PM Modi by presenting him with Angavastra and the idol of Kamdhenu. Meanwhile, Banas Kashi Sankul Chairman Shankarbhai Choudhary welcomed the Prime Minister by presenting him with a turban, shawl and an idol of Kamdhenu. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also gave certificates of authorized users of GI products to five artisans of GI products, including Jamaluddin Ansari, Shrikant Mishra, Satya Singh, Amrita Singh and Siddharth Maurya. Earlier, PM Modi also visited Banas Kashi Sankul. (ANI)
While India has set a target to achieve the status of a 'developed' nation by 2047, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that a seven-star system of governance has been conceptualised to create a 'developed Haryana' which will help in realising the country's dream of achieving the status of Viksit Bharat. "If we want to see the country as Vikshit Bharat by 2047, then it is our responsibility to imagine a Viksit Haryana. A developed Haryana has been imagined on similar lines of developed India," the Chief Minister said in an exclusive conversation with ANI on Friday. "In this idea, the basic needs of people, like food, clothing, shelter, health, education and respect should be fulfilled. In a different style, we have created a seven-star system in which education, health, security, self-respect, self-reliance, service and good governance will be prioritised. This will help us to focus on everything," he added. Khattar said that he is confident that the way his government is functioning, Haryana will stay ahead of what is expected from it towards achieving the vision of a 'developed India'. "The Haryana government is working with complete transparency. The way the Haryana government is working keeping the benefit of people in mind through various schemes we are confident that we are fulfilling more than what is expected of us to develop the country," the Chief Minister said. Speaking about incorporating technology in governance, Khattar hit out at the opposition for criticising it and promising to shut it down once it comes to power. "We have brought about schemes for education and women empowerment with the help of technology. With technology, we have changed all the arrangements. We have begun an online portal with the help of technology. Opposition keeps criticising it and they say that they will shut it down once they come to power. Technology has created a base through which we can proactively serve people with varying load delivery," Khattar said. The Chief Minister said that people are happy with this technology-driven governance and it has also helped in reducing corruption. "With the help of technology, even corruption has been reduced, it is also saving people's time and resources. People like this technology-driven governance and we can reap benefits from it," Khattar said. (ANI)
Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the opposition Congress in Assam on Friday sought the disqualification of two of its MLAs from the assembly for supporting the government led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As reported earlier, on February 14 two Congress MLAs including a working president of the party's state unit decided to extend support to the BJP-led government. Assam Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia said, "As the Congress Legislature Party Leader, I have filed two Disqualification Petitions before the Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, under Article 191(2) read with the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, seeking disqualification of Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, MLA No 3 North Karimganj LAC, and Basanta Das, No 67 Mangaldoi (SC) LAC, from membership of Assam Legislative Assembly, for voluntarily giving up membership of the Indian National Congress." Earlier, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee had issued a show cause notice to Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Basanta Das. "It has come to the notice of APCC President Bhupen Kumar Borah that you have made statements before the media offering your support to the state BJP Government on development issues and publicly expressed your faith and allegiance to the CM Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. It was observed by the President APCC that you raised your voice against the BJP government's rampant corruption, land scams, syndicate, cases for jobs and many other issues," said the show cause notice issued by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee to its two MLAs Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Basanta Das. "At a time when you openly expressed support to the BJP Govt, Hon'ble President APCC wants to know whether you will support the above-cited corruption and other objectionable issues. Your statements and actions have created misgivings in the minds of party workers and tarnished the image of the Congress party. In view of the above, APCC President hereby serves Show Cause to you and asks you to clarify your stand and intentions within a day as to why the party should not take disciplinary actions against you," said in the show cause notice issued by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee to its two MLAs Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha and Basanta Das," it added. Earlier on February 14, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that two more Congress MLAs had extended their support to the state government. "Two Congress MLAs Basanta Das and Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha have extended their support to the Assam government. Earlier, two Congress MLAs Sashi Kanta Das and Siddique Ahmed had extended their support to the state. So far, four Congress MLAs have extended their support to the government. In coming days, all opposition MLAs will extend their support to the government," Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Earlier also two Congress MLAs Sashi Kanta Das and Siddique Ahmed had extended their support to the BJP-led Assam government. (ANI)
"PM Modi will be visiting Rajkot on February 25. He will be dedicating several projects to the city... Rajkot All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) indoor-patient department having 250 beds will be officially inaugurated," Gujarat Minister told ANI on Friday.

Under the goal of 'Ayushman Bharat, Viksit Bharat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate five new All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to the nation on February 25 from Rajkot in Gujarat.

The five new AIIMS which will be dedicated by the Prime Minister are AIIMS Rajkot, AIIMS Mangalagiri, AIIMS Bathinda, AIIMS Raebareli, and AIIMS Kalyani.

On the occasion, PM Modi will also inaugurate various medical colleges and nursing colleges across the country.

PM Modi will also lay the foundation stones for many new medical colleges and various advanced health facilities including Critical Care Blocks and Integrated Public Health Labs under PM-ABHIM. He will also dedicate advanced research labs and facilities of ICMR and various NHM projects.

To ensure the safety and quality of food consumed by millions of Indians, PM Modi will also inaugurate advanced food safety infrastructure projects and facilities in multiple states.

All these health projects with a total cost of Rs 11,391.79 Crore will bring a wave of healthcare advancements and transform India's healthcare landscape.

The projects will ensure quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare for all along with expanding medical education in the country. The new medical and nursing colleges will nurture the next generations of doctors and healthcare professionals in the country.

The new healthcare infrastructure projects and facilities will propel India towards a healthier, happier, and prosperous tomorrow, officials said. (ANI)
Taking to social media handle, IAF posted on X, "Continuing its rich legacy of providing succour and relief to the remotely located citizen of Ladakh, IAF Cheetal helicopters recently carried out the successful casevac of an elderly woman from Chumar Village in Ladakh."

"Braving subzero temperatures and inclement operating conditions, the timely aerial rescue was necessitated due to the roads being cut off from the incessant snowfall over the past few days.#HarKaamDeshKeNaam," it added.

A casualty evacuation, also known as CASEVAC, is the transportation of critically ill or injured people from a combat zone to a medical centre or trauma facility. CASEVAC can be done by both ground and air.

The IAF also shared pictures of the casualty evacuation of the elderly woman.

Earlier on February 5, the IAF evacuated an elderly woman who was in a critical medical condition from a village in Ladakh's Zanskar Valley to Leh for treatment. (ANI)
"On the basis of profiling, the officers of the AIU batch intercepted one passenger, who had arrived from Dubai to Kochi on flight No 6E 95. During the examination of the passenger, Ashraf from Nenmara, three capsules suspected to contain Gold in paste form, weighing 958.47 gms were found concealed in his body," said a statement from Customs Cochin.

The same were recovered and seized under relevant sections of CA-1962. Further investigation into the case is under process, said the Customs.

On Monday also, Customs Department officials at the airport seized gold worth Rs 60 lakh from two passengers.

According to customs officials, two gold chains weighing 999 grams were seized from a Malaysian citizen who came from Kuala Lumpur.

Another passenger who arrived at the airport from Jeddah was caught with 140 grams of gold worth over Rs 7 lakh.

Earlier, a passenger arriving from Bahrain at Cochin International Airport was arrested by customs officials for attempting to smuggle gold paste concealed within his jeans, according to customs officials. (ANI)
The meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Central Election Committee is likely to be held on February 29 or the first week of March, which can see discussions on over 100 Lok Sabha seats, sources said on Friday. The meeting will be held under the chairmanship of BJP President JP Nadda. PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with CEC members Dr K Laxman, Vanathi Srinivasan, BS Yeddyurappa, Sarbananda Sonowal, Iqbal Singh Lalpuria, Sudha Yadav, Bhupendra Yadav, Om Prakash Mathur, BL Santosh, and other leaders will be present. According to sources, the leaders during the meeting are likely to discuss seats that the party lost in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. "There is a possibility of discussion regarding C and D category seats. More than 100 seats can be discussed. And the first list of Lok Sabha can be released before March 10," sources added. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda will hold a meeting with the election in-charge and co-in-charge of all the states at BJP headquarters in the national capital on Saturday. As per the BJP's top sources, "BJP President JP Nadda will hold a big meeting tomorrow regarding the Lok Sabha elections. The meeting will be held at BJP headquarters. Election in-charges and co-in-charges of all the states will attend the meeting." The party sources added, "There will be discussion in the meeting regarding the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections." "Amit Shah is also likely to join the meeting. All state election in-charges have been asked to bring a report on ongoing government campaigns and schemes," sources said. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said that the state government will create a venture fund of Rs 200 crore to promote start-ups in the state. CM Dhami was speaking after inaugurating the new plant of Dixon Technologies (India) Private Limited in Selaqui, Dehradun. "We have constituted the "Foreign Employment Cell" in the state to provide employment opportunities outside the country to the youth of the state. Our government is also going to create a venture fund of Rs 200 crore to promote start-ups, with this young entrepreneurs will be able to get funds at the government level. We approved "Chief Minister Skill Upgradation" and "Global Employment Scheme" in the cabinet. Through these schemes, work will be done for skill development among the youth, so that they can get employment not only in the country but also in foreign countries," CM Dhami said. CM Dhami said that after the Global Investors Summit, many companies have started providing employment opportunities to our youth by setting up their industries in Uttarakhand. With this, in future, employment opportunities will be available to more and more youth in the state itself. Our government is committed to realizing youth dreams as well as doing justice to young talents. Therefore, we made the most stringent "anti-copying law" in the state and took strict action against the culprits involved in recruitment scams. The Chief Minister said that Dixon Company has always been a leader in the manufacturing of electronic components in India. After inspecting the plant, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that Dixon will be successful in creating new employment opportunities in Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister said that many of the youth who will get employment through this factory of Dixon Technology will be able to provide employment to other youth in future. Because today's youth, along with getting jobs themselves, are also becoming job creators through self-employment, he said. Not only this, many youth will also be successful in setting up their own factory in future. He said that last year Global Investors Summit was organized in the state. One of the objectives of which was to employ the youth of the state in the state itself. At present, the recruitment process is going on for more than 7 thousand posts and soon the recruitment process will be started for several thousand posts. The Chief Minister said that he is committed to provide assistance to the youth in the field of employment and self-employment through the unique "single window system" in the state. Apart from this, the government will also assist in the processes related to tickets, visas etc. of the selected candidates, he said. "An application has been developed on the "Apuni Sarkar Portal" to prepare a database related to youth seeking employment abroad. We are making every effort to provide employment to the youth so that the employment rate of the state increases," he said. The Chief Minister said that if the youth of the state get employment, then Uttarakhand will become an example for every state because employment automatically solves many problems. He expressed confidence that while companies like Dixon will bring glory to the state in the manufacturing sector, it will also prove helpful in fulfilling our "options resolution" of making Uttarakhand the best state in the country. (ANI)
As the Lok Sabha elections come closer, Anand Goenka, Executive Director of the Indian Express Group on Friday said that he does not know the outcome but everyone in the country will watch this election closely. The media group held a programme named 'Adda' with topic Democracy. "Eminent Political Analyst and Professor of Harvard Business School, Professor Michael Sandel was the Guest of Honour for the current episode of Adda, which is the "Key Program" of The Indian Express. We invite eminent personalities for conversation in this Program. What is not seen on TV, we do here at Adda. Discussion is done on a topic. Efforts are made to find the solution to that issue. I don't know the outcome of these elections, but everyone will watch this election closely," Anand Goenka told ANI. "Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to join us on this platform very soon," he added. (ANI)
Union Minister of State, Meenakashi Lekhi, held a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway, Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik and discussed cooperation in the areas of the blue economy, space and clean energy. The meeting was held on Thursday on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in the national capital. "Delighted to meet the Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway @akravik79 today on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2024.We discussed key areas of our bilateral cooperation, including the blue economy, space, the Arctic, clean energy, and environment," Lekhi posted on X. https://x.com/M_Lekhi/status/1760708610714390725?s=20 The MoS for the Ministry of External Affairs also held a "fruitful meeting" with South African Deputy Minister, Candith Mashego Dlamini and said that she looks forward to deeper engagement between our two countries. "Held fruitful meeting with Ms. Candith Mashego Dlamini, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2024. Reviewed the gamut of our bilateral relations. Looking forward to deeper engagement between our two countries bilaterally and in multilateral forums," she posted on X. She also met the Permanent Secretary of the Maltese Foreign Ministry, Christopher Cutajar and welcomed Malta as the 119th member of the International Solar Alliance. The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilise efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions. "Pleased to meet the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs & Trade of Malta Mr. @chriscutajar today and welcomed Malta as the 119th member of the ISA. We discussed deeper collaboration, including in renewable energy. Looking forward to 2025, which will mark 60 years of our diplomatic relations," Lekhi stated. Earlier in the day, the MoS also addressed the Raisina Dialogue, during which she emphasised India's approach to development partnerships, which is human-centric and supports the ideas of multilateralism and sustainable development. "Addressed @raisinadialogue2024 on India's development-centric foreign policy that flows from our civilizational wisdom of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah'. Emphasised on India's approach to development partnership which is human-centric, demand-driven, mutually beneficial and local ownership based, supporting the ideas of multilateralism, shared prosperity and sustainable development," Lekhi said in her post on X. Raisina Dialogue is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community. The ninth edition of Raisina Dialogue commenced on Wednesday, and today will mark the final day of the summit. (ANI)
Researchers switch experimental equipment at China's Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in Daocheng, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 21, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) of China and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions have jointly issued a circular to improve coordination on safeguarding workers' rights and interests.

The circular encourages procuratorate organs to conduct consultations with trade unions if they see traces of legal violations in employment to push for the resolving of the issues.

Trade unions above the county level can hand over relevant information and materials to procuratorate organs to launch legal oversight procedures in accordance with the law, especially when the cases involve women, minors, people with disabilities and the elderly, and the employers refuse to correct their wrong practices, the circular reads.

Procuratorial suggestions will also be made to relevant departments for strengthening administrative management, according to the circular.
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, denounced the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine on Thursday, while expressing hope for achieving peace one day. He was speaking at a photo exhibition hosted by the Ukrainian Embassy in the national capital. Addressing the event, Garcetti said, "We have to believe and have faith that one day this will end as all wars do, that there will be accountability and that freedom and democracy will prevail, because we can't believe in anything else. But what of this disparaged nation, of these killed and slaughtered children." The US envoy said that even after the rebuilding of Ukraine is carried out successfully, no one can calculate the "human costs" of the war. "The costs of building Ukraine, and rebuilding Ukraine are unfathomable, but more. Something you can't put a number on is to rebuild the human losses that never go away, and that will always be beyond our reach," Garcetti said. He added, "But as much I stand outraged with this ongoing barbarity. I stand here as a human being with hope. We can only work for justice, call this illegal, take the anniversary as sad as they are, to see that we are not alone." February 24 (Friday) marks the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict after Moscow launched the 'full scale invasion' of Kyiv in 2022. Over the past two years, the war has led to widespread destruction, with both sides sustaining a huge number of casualties. In a recent development in the conflict, the Russian Army captured Ukrainian town of Avdiivka after Kyiv withdrew its troops from the town, Al Jazeera reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed his army terming it as an "important victory". Avdiivka was a "powerful defensive hub" for Ukraine's armed forces and its capture would "move the front line away from Donetsk (city)," reducing Ukraine's ability to shell the Russian stronghold, the defence ministry said. Ukraine's recently appointed army chief, Oleksandr Syrskii announced that the troops have been withdrawn from Avdiivka after months of heavy fighting and "little progress" in repelling Russian forces on the country's eastern front. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that pulling out troops "was a professional decision that will save many Ukrainian lives." In this two-year war, the battle for the industrial hub, less than 10 km (six miles) north of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk has been one of the bloodiest, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI)
Ministry of External Affairs welcomed Romanian minister on his arrival in India.

Taking to X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Warm welcome to FM @Odobes1Luminita of Romania as she arrives in New Delhi for #RaisinaDialogue2024."

On Thursday, the Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavsky, arrived in the national capital in the to participate in the Raisina Dialogue.

"FM @JanLipavsky of Czech Republic arrives to a warm welcome in New Delhi," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

Raisina Dialogue is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community.

The ninth edition of Raisina Dialogue commenced on Wednesday and today will mark the final day of the summit.

It is being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is the Chief Guest and keynote speaker of the summit. He, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurated the Raisina Dialogue here on Wednesday evening.

Bilateral political relations between India and Romania are warm and friendly. The establishment and deepening of democracy in Romania since the 1989 Revolution which overthrew the communist regime, has brought the two countries closer together in terms of values and aspirations.

India and Romania have in the past supported each other on multilateral issues and worked in tandem at the UN. Foreign Office Consultations have been instituted to review bilateral relations. (ANI)
The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) has strongly condemned the arrest of UKPNP Vice President Rashid Ahmed from Muzaffarabad, Gilgit-Baltistan. The UKPNP has demanded immediate and unconditional release of Rashid Ahmed. Several leaders of UKPNP, like exiled Chairman Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Spokesperson Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan, Secretary Foreign Affairs Committee Jamil Maqsood, and other key members have expressed their strong condemnation regarding the arrest of Ahmed. Citing reliable party sources, the statement said that Ahmed who served UKPNP was apprehended by local law enforcement. According to the statement, UKPNP staunchly denounces this "arbitrary detention and condemns any reported instances of mistreatment." In the statement, the UKPNP stated, "Pakistan and its dummy government imposed in Muzaffarabad must stop arrests and intimidation tactics that will not deter the UKPNP's commitment to its peaceful struggle for the rights of the Kashmiri people." The UKPNP urged the United Nations and the international community to take cognizance of the persistent human rights violations taking place in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In the statement, UKPNP said, "The government of Pakistan must cease all reprisals against UKPNP members and human rights advocates, and to ensure the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the region's inhabitants." "The UKPNP affirmed its unwavering resolve to amplify its voice against such injustices both domestically and internationally. We remain steadfast in our dedication to advocating for the rights and dignity of the Kashmiri people, and we will continue to resist any attempts to suppress our legitimate aspirations," it added. Earlier, UKPNP spokesperson Sardar Nazir Aziz Khan referenced the suggestion of a referendum in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan and called it unrealistic and unacceptable unless Pakistan complies with United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolutions on Kashmir and vacates occupied areas of Kashmir. In a statement released on social media, Khan stated, "In PoK and Gilgit Baltistan, nationalists are barred from participating in elections unless they submit allegiance to Pakistan. The Pakistani deep state and establishment have consistently manipulated elections in Pakistan and its occupied areas of Jammu Kashmir." "Even recent election results are indicative of manipulation and rigging to achieve desired outcomes. In such a lawless and hybrid system environment, a referendum of the public would lack legitimacy and legal grounds," it added. The UKPNP spokesperson stated further that the prerequisite of the referendum is that Pakistan must withdraw from all areas of the disputed areas of Kashmir and the state should be reunified. Jamil Maqsood, UKPNP's secretary of Foreign Affairs said, "Timely warning to those who have violated their promises with our people. Pakistan must withdraw its security and civilian administration from both the peripheries and let the people of Pakistan Occupied territories of Kashmir decide about local government and governance." "At present, Pakistan's political parties have occupied all the space and local people have been disenfranchised and only those, who sign an oath of allegiance to Pakistan, can vote," he added. (ANI)
If you fly from the Aegean to the South China Sea, New Delhi is exactly in between, said Navy Chief R Hari Kumar in Delhi on Friday. He was speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation. He said that if you fly from the Aegean to the South China Sea, New Delhi is exactly in between; it reiterates the fact that the centre of gravity is here, in Delhi, in the current scheme of things. "In all recent conflicts, be it Israel-Hamas or the Ukraine war, the changing nature of warfare is evident. We, therefore, need to adapt to the use of modern technologies, which are lately becoming more affordable and accessible," he said. "We cannot afford to forget the fact that you need to invest in maritime capabilities," he added. Speaking on the occasion, Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command, United States said, "We're unwilling to accept the forceful imposition of rules that counter what we believe in and what we stand for, and that doesn't benefit anybody across the globe. We have to protect our force, to protect the free flow of commerce, and we have to do it together." Notably, the Raisina Dialogue is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was the chief guest and keynote speaker at the ongoing 9th Raisina Dialogue. He inaugurated the dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 21. (ANI)
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, who is currently in India, said on Friday that his country has an independent judicial system that will decide on the case of the Indian accused in the alleged assassination attempt to kill Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. "We have an independent judicial system that will decide on the case," he told ANI. Notably, a Czech court has ruled that Prague can extradite to the United States, the 52-year-old Indian man, Nikhil Gupta, who is accused by the United States of involvement in the alleged attempt to kill Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Czech-based media outlet Seznam Zpravy reported, citing judicial database Infosoud. However, the extradition of Gupta still requires the approval of Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blazek, the publication reported. Gupta was detained in Prague in June last year based on a bilateral US-Czech extradition treaty.According to the Czech news website, Gupta is now in Prague's Pankrac prison. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship.As per the US Justice Department indictment, Indian national Nikhil Gupta is currently in custody and has been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Czech authorities arrested and detained Gupta on June 30, under the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and the Czech Republic. The US Justice Department had claimed that an Indian government employee, who was not identified in the indictment filed in a federal court in Manhattan, had recruited Indian national Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman to allegedly assassinate Panun, which was foiled by US authorities. The US Justice Department claimed that Gupta is an associate of CC-1 (an unidentified person who directed the alleged plot), and has described his involvement in international narcotics and weapons trafficking in his communications with CC-1. The indictment claims CC -1 directed the assassination plot from India. Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister of Czech also spoke on mutual trade between the nations and said that the way it is growing shows a thriving relationship between the two nations. Lipavsky said, "Today I met India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and we both stated that there is a thriving relationship between India and the Czech Republic, the number of mutual trade is growing, the number of Indian students in Czech Republic is growing..." "We are on a very good trajectory...we have also identified new opportunities so that we can work on that," he said. (ANI)
Calling Raisina Dialogue "important event" on the global calendar, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp said that it has been a "real pleasure" and honour" to attend the event. He stated that ninth edition of Raisina Dialogue has been a "great success" and demonstrates India's critical leadership role across all of the transitions. In an interview with ANI, he highlighted the importance of Raisina Dialogue and spoke about his participation in a panel with Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani. Speaking on his participation in Raisina Dialogue, he said, "On behalf of the UN in India, it's been a real pleasure and honour to participate in this year's Raisina Dialogue, always an important event on the global calendar. Chaturanga, the title reflecting how our world is in crisis and chaos, and at the same time there are opportunities for coming together and finding mutual solutions." "And I think India is playing an incredibly important role. In this regard, we've seen India's growing leadership, for example, presidency of the G20, really putting the sustainable development goals, putting multilateralism at the center stage, human focused foreign policy as well. I just participated it on a panel with Minister Smriti Irani," he added. Highlighting the importance of gender equality, he said, "Looking at the importance of gender equality and really bringing, ensuring more women's leadership access to help get us to the 2030 agenda and beyond. So, I think this edition of Raisina Dialogue has been a great success, as always, and really reflects India's critical key leadership role across all of the transitions, energy transitions, peace and security, sustainable development, you name it. So it's wonderful to be here." He said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks about the importance of reform in the UN Security Council. However, he added that it is for the member states to determine. He also stated that India has a strong resume to become a member of UNSC. In an interview with ANI, he said that United Nations has no role to play in terms of making the decision regarding the reform of the UNSC. He stressed that UN looks forward to member states to make those decision on reform. On being asked about reform of UNSC, Shombi Sharp said, "Certainly, that's been an issue that's been talked about a lot here in these few days. The United Nations, I mean myself as an official of the UN and the United nations institution itself, we don't have a role to play in terms of making those decisions. That's for the member states to agree. But certainly the UN secretary general absolutely speaks about the importance of reform in the UN Security Council." "The institution has to be fit for purpose and has to reflect that the world we live in today, not the one of the post second world war. So there's nobody more in favor of reform than the secretary general and the UN institution itself. But that's for member states to determine. But I think nobody could argue that there's any country with probably a stronger resume to become a member than India. But we look forward to the member states to make those decisions on reform," he added. Calling India a "bridge builder," he said that New Delhi has a "relationship capital" in every direction - east, west, north and south. He stated that India under its G20 Presidency was able to deliver a unanimously agreed New Delhi declaration due to its ties with nations. Asked on India's role amid the ongoing conflicts in the world, he responded, "India, generally speaking, is playing a very important role in terms of as a bridge builder. And India has a lot of relationship capital in every direction, east, west, north, south. That's why I think the G20 presidency of India was able to deliver a unanimously agreed New Delhi declaration. So, I think not speaking specifically about any one conflict, but, generally speaking, India is playing an important role in helping build a path towards a prosperous and peaceful future." He said that there have been a lot of discussions around the conflict and the impact that these are having on global stage. He said that UN continues to work on finding a way towards ceasefire and called it a top priority. He also spoke about the importance of re-establishing Black Sea Grain initiative. On the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the situation in Gaza, Sharp said, "Certainly there have been a lot of discussions around those issues and the impact that those are having, those conflicts are having, obviously, the conflicts themselves, the loss of life, targeting of civilians, but also the impact on the global stage that is negatively impacting poor countries the most, increasing the price, the cost of debt, increasing the price of basic commodities of life, food, fuel, fertilizers. "So ,the UN continues to work on trying to, of course, find a way towards ceasefire. First of all, that's the top priority, but at the same time to find solutions, for example, is the Black Sea grain initiative, which we're trying to reestablish as well. So, the need for multilateralism, for countries coming together in this time of Crisos, this time of Chaturanga, is more than ever," he added. Notably, the Raisina Dialogue is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was the chief guest and keynote speaker at the ongoing 9th Raisina Dialogue. He inaugurated the dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 21. (ANI)
The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) an international Uyghur rights advocacy organisation along with several other social and human rights organisations held a parliamentary breakfast in Berlin on Thursday. The parliamentary breakfast was organised to raise awareness of the grave human rights situation of the affected communities, according to WUC. https://twitter.com/uyghurcongress/status/1760634444690383220 Organised at the German Bundestag (German parliament), the event was held to raise awareness over the human rights atrocities inflicted on Uyghurs, Tibetans and other ethnic communities. The session was attended by several Members of German parliamentarians, civil and social leaders, journalists and human rights activists. Furthermore, the event was headed by German parliamentarians like Derya Turk-Nachbaur, Boris Mijatovic, Gyde Jensen, Peter Heidt and Michael Brand. In a post on X, the World Uyghur Congress stated, "This morning the #Uyghur, #Tibet and #Hongkong friendship groups in the German Bundestag, under the chairmanship of MdB @derya_tn, MdB @borismijatovic, MdB @GydeJ, MdB @PeterHeidtFDP, & MdB Michael Brand, co-organized a parliamentary breakfast to raise awareness of the grave human rights situation of the affected communities." "We are overwhelmed by the participation of MPs, their employees, civil society leaders, and journalists who attended our event, showing strong solidarity & support for the human rights of the Uyghur, Tibetan, and Hong Kong communities, which are facing unprecedented repression by the Chinese government," it added. The event was also attended by the President of the World Uyghur Congress, Dolkun Isa. WUC President Dolkun Isa announced details regarding the event on social media platform X. Taking to X, Dolkun Isa stated, "Today, we were received by the Uyghur, Tibet and Hong Kong Friendship Group jointly in the German Bundestag to give our post-UPR analysis. I thank @derya_tn, @GydeJ, @borismijatovic, MdB Michael Brand and @PeterHeidtFDP for organising this breakfast event. I also thank @FrankSchwabe, and @theliberalfrank for their contribution as well." https://twitter.com/Dolkun_Isa/status/1760640125409579463 On the sidelines of the breakfast session, Dolkun Isa held talks with the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock and expressed his gratitude for ensuring the Uyghur rights are at the forefront of any bilateral relations with China. (ANI)
On the second anniversary of Russia-Ukraine conflict, US President Joe Biden announced over 500 new sanctions against Russia for its ongoing war of conquest of Ukraine and the death of Aleksey Navalny, who was Putin's fiercest opposition leader. He further emphasised that these sanctions will target individuals connected to Navalny's imprisonment, and several Russian sectors. "Today, I am announcing more than 500 new sanctions against Russia for its ongoing war of conquest on Ukraine and for the death of Aleksey Navalny, who was a courageous anti-corruption activist and Putin's fiercest opposition leader," he said, according to an official release by the White House. Biden added, "These sanctions will target individuals connected to Navalny's imprisonment as well as Russia's financial sector, defence industrial base, procurement networks and sanctions evaders across multiple continents. They will ensure Putin pays an even steeper price for his aggression abroad and repression at home." He further affirmed that the unprecedented 50-nation global coalition in support of Ukraine, led by the US, remains committed to providing critical assistance to Ukraine and holding Russia accountable for its aggression. Biden said, "The brave people of Ukraine fight on, unbowed in their determination to defend their freedom and future. NATO is stronger, larger, and more united than ever. And the unprecedented 50-nation global coalition in support of Ukraine, led by the United States, remains committed to providing critical assistance to Ukraine and holding Russia accountable for its aggression." Moreover, US President Biden also imposed new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing backdoor support for Russia's war machine. "We are also imposing new export restrictions on nearly 100 entities for providing backdoor support for Russia's war machine. We are taking action to further reduce Russia's energy revenues," he said. Biden also directed his team to strengthen support for civil society, independent media, and those who fight for democracy around the world, according to the statement. Additionally, he noted that two years into this war, the Ukrainian people continue to fight with tremendous courage, but are running out of ammunition. Biden further stressed the need to pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill as early as possible. "Ukraine needs more supplies from the United States to hold the line against Russia's relentless attacks, which are enabled by arms and ammunition from Iran and North Korea. That's why the House of Representatives must pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill before it's too late," he said. He highlighted that this bill provides urgent funding for Ukraine. Moreover, it invests in America's own defence industrial base. He underscored that the bill passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, and there is no question that, if the Speaker called a vote, it would pass quickly in the House. "Congress knows that by supporting this bill, we can strengthen security in Europe, strengthen our security at home, and stand up to Putin. Opposing this bill only plays into his hands," he added. Moreover, the US President noted that Putin believed that he could easily bend the will and break the resolve of a free people, and could roll into a sovereign nation, and the world would roll over. "That he could shake the foundations of security in Europe and beyond," he added. US President Biden then emphasised that Putin miscalculated badly. "Two years later, we see even more vividly what we've known since day one: Putin miscalculated badly," Biden said. He further said that the American people and people across the globe understand that the stakes of this fight extend far beyond Ukraine. Remembering that ten years ago, Putin occupied Crimea and created puppet regimes in Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Biden said, "Two years ago, he tried to wipe Ukraine off the map. If Putin does not pay the price for his death and destruction, he will keep going." He added that the costs to the United States, along with our NATO allies and partners in Europe and worldwide, will rise. Emphasizing that "history is watching," the US President said that the failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will not be forgotten. "Now is the time for us to stand strong with Ukraine and stand united with our Allies and partners. Now is the time to prove that the United States stands up for freedom and bows down to no one," he said. (ANI)
Admiral Vaujour further said that both countries also have exercises on the bilateral issue.

"You know that France and India have a strategic partnership and so we work very closely together, especially in the Indian Ocean and we have exercises on the bilateral issue," he said.

"I have had a lot of discussions with the Chief of the Indian Navy to improve again the way we are working. We also have capability development with India, which is very crucial in order to develop our partnership," he added.

Earlier on Thursday, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan held a meeting with French Navy Chief Admiral Nicolas Vaujour and discussed issues of mutual strategic interest, security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and furthering maritime collaboration.

The two sides affirmed the significant progress in bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations.

India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. In 1998, the two countries entered into a strategic partnership, which is emblematic of their convergence of views on a range of international issues apart from a close and growing bilateral relationship.

The areas of defence cooperation, space cooperation and civil nuclear cooperation constitute the three principal pillars of the Strategic Partnership between India and France. (ANI)
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  About 1,000 high school students in Bakersfield will have the opportunity to learn more about an engineering career on Friday, courtesy of California State University, Bakersfield.

CSUB is set to host the annual Engineering Day event on Feb. 23 with check-in beginning at 9:30 a.m. The event is set to run until 1:30 p.m., and concludes with an optional campus tour.

The event offers students the opportunity to learn more about pursuing engineering as the need for STEM-trained professionals exceeds the supply in our region, organizers say.

CSUB offering free workshop on tenant rights, protections

The event will feature a CSUB engineering alumni panel and Chief Flight Test Engineer Becca Sherpa Aronoff with the U.S. Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base as a keynote speaker. Additionally, a special presentation will be given by Omar Samara, a PhD candidate in Biological Systems Engineering at University of California, Davis.

CSUB said this years theme of Welcome to the Future represents not just a future education and career path for the high school students, but also the world they will help create in the years to come as engineers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
China's procuratorial organs have improved the mechanism for handling public complaints, ensuring that people's disputes are addressed in a legal manner, according to the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) on Thursday.

In the first 11 months of 2023, procuratorial organs across the country received 812,000 letters or visits from people seeking solutions of disputes, while the SPP received 219,600, said Na Yanfang, a senior procurator with the SPP.

Efforts have been made to ensure that each eligible public complaint has feedbacks, Na said, citing that more than 99.75 percent of the complaints received replies within seven days, while 97.25 percent were addressed within three months.

The SPP said it launched a three-year campaign among procuratorates nationwide in 2023 to handle public complaints from the root, seeing to it that people's disputes are appropriately solved.
The signs of Whataburgers impending march through South Carolina have been evident for months, not from the company itself but through local government paperwork such as development applications and a request for special exemption.

Now, actual signs are starting to appear.

Outside two former KFCs in Greenville County are signs saying Your new Whataburger coming soon. Those are located on Woodruff Road in Greenville County and on Butler Road in Mauldin.

Also under construction in South Carolina are Whataburgers in Anderson and Spartanburg counties.

Scottie Kay Blackwell, spokesperson for Spartanburg County, said a development permit had been issued for a Whataburger at 3647 Boiling Springs Road.

Company spokesman Victor Trevino declined to comment on a timeline for South Carolina locations.

Well be prepared to confirm and share more details in the next couple of weeks for sure, he said.

Whataburger has announced they will build 10 restaurants in South Carolina, all to open this year, from the Midlands to the Upstate.

One location in Greenville County is on hold for now. Its within the Greenville city limits, where Whataburger sought permission for its drive-thru to stay open 24 hours but was turned down by the Board of Zoning Appeals last September

The company has appealed the rejection to the Court of Common Pleas, saying the board decision was improper. The company called the idea that the drive thru would have substantial adverse effects on the neighborhood arbitrary and capricious.

The closest residential property is a distance of approximately 175 feet from the property line, the appeal says.

Several neighbors appeared before the board to ask that the exemption be denied. Light, noise and smells through the night, they said, would have adverse effects.

The city has filed a record of the application and boards proceedings to the court, asked for the court to find in their favor and has agreed to mediation as Whataburger has asked, the court record shows.

No court decision has been made.

Meanwhile, the company has resubmitted its application for an exemption, which the Board of Zoning Appeals will consider at its March 14 meeting.

WYFF television station recently published a list of projected openings for Whataburger locations. Trevino declined to confirm the locations or dates.

WYFF said opening this summer will be locations on Mauldin and Woodruff Road.

Late summer will be 1185 Dutch Fork Road in Irmo.

Fall: 1941 E Main St., Spartanburg; 2900 Main St., Anderson; Boiling Springs & Double Bridge Road, Boiling Springs; South Lake Drive and Industrial Drive in Lexington.

Late fall: 1510 WO Ezell Blvd., Spartanburg; 1537 E Main St., Duncan; and 5648 Calhoun Memorial Parkway, Easley.

Last year, Whataburger also sought bids for new construction for a location at Killian Commons Parkway in Columbia. Trevino did not respond to a question about whether that location was still viable.

Whataburger was founded in 1950 as a roadside burger stand by Harmon Dobson in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Dobson died in a private plane crash in 1967, and his wife Grace took over the company. By the time she died in 2005 at age 80, the company had grown to 600 stores.

The family sold its majority interest in the company In 2019 to Chicago-based investment firm BDT Capital, which began the expansion program.

They commemorated their 100th restaurant in January, when two locations, corporate-owned Atlanta, Georgia, and franchise-owned Yukon, Oklahoma.
CHICAGO  The United States Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward for information on a suspect accused of impersonating a letter carrier.

Authorities believe the man has entered corporate and residential buildings in the Loop from December through this month. He is seen wearing a uniform resembling a postal worker.

Up to a $100,000 reward is being offered.

Violence against US postal carriers climbs, data shows

Anyone with information can call U.S. Postal authorities at 1-877-876-2455 and reference case number 4142062.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
The cause of death of the 11-year-old Texas girl whose body was found in a river after she went missing days earlier on her way to school has been revealed.

Audrii Cunningham died from homicidal violence, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed in a report seen by The Daily Beast.

The report adds Cunningham's cause of death included blunt head trauma and added the manner of death was a homicide. No further details were provided on the nature of Cunninghams injuries.

Cunningham was reported missing on Feb. 15 by school officials who said the girl never showed up, Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons said at the time. Her body was eventually discovered on Tuesday in the Trinity River.

Don Steven McDougal, who lived in a camper behind her fathers home in Livingston, a small town about an hour from Houston, was charged with capital murder one day later.

Past Victim of Audrii Cunninghams Alleged Murderer Speaks Out: Hes a Nasty Man

McDougal had even joined the manhunt himself for a short time, authorities said, before he was seen as a suspect.

Lyons said in a press conference Monday that the 42-year-old was likely the last person to have seen Cunningham alive after he admitted leaving the house with her.

McDougal was apparently supposed to take Audrii to the bus stop the day she died, but she never made it to school.

Charging documents obtained by People claim the 11-year-olds body was connected to a large rock with rope consistent with another length found in McDougals car.

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.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A 13-year-old boy was caught driving on a Florida highway with a loaded gun on Thursday morning, according to the Walton County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies said they witnessed the teen driving erratically down Highway 98 near County Highway 393 North in Santa Rosa Beach around 2 a.m. Thursday. They said the driver took off and struck a large barrel near a construction zone.

A deputy eventually got the SUV to stop and found a 13-year-old behind the wheel.

Walmart semi-trailer catches fire at Hillsborough County store

Deputies searched the SUV and found a fully loaded 38 special revolver, a vape and a marijuana pipe.

Walton County deputies said their jail booking system was down when they stopped the teen but they issued him a criminal citation for driving without a license. Deputies also said they applied for a warrant for the boy on charges of a minor in possession of a firearm.

The teen was placed in distance learning pending possible arrest, according to the sheriffs office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A Palmetto High student was arrested for allegedly bringing a gun to school on Friday, police said.

The student, a 14-year-old freshman, attempted to evade the schools weapons detection system when entering campus Friday morning, police said in a news release.

School guardians approached the student, made contact and noticed a fully loaded pistol on the student, the news release said. After disarming the student, which did not result in any injuries, Palmetto Police officers arrested the student, the news release said.

The student, a male, told investigators he had the gun to defend himself when he walked to and from Palmetto High, police said. He was charged with possession of a firearm on a school campus, which is a third-degree felony according to Florida statute 790.115.
CHARLOTTE, N.C (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A habitual juvenile offender was arrested again Thursday night, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

CMPD said a 15-year-old, who was arrested 13 times in 2023, was taken into custody again. It comes a day after CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings released an op-ed in the Charlotte Observer on juvenile crime.

Hyundai hopes to curb vehicle thefts in Charlotte with software upgrade event

Officers said the 15-year-old reportedly targeted a common model for car thefts. He broke the window of a 2019 Hyundai Sonata and stole it from a parking lot on North Graham Street through a method that was made popular on TikTok and social media.

Five of his arrests last year were for stolen vehicles, CMPD said.

When officers spotted the vehicle north of uptown, they attempted a traffic stop. Officers said the teen suspect jumped and ran from the vehicle and fled into the woods, but was apprehended shortly after 10 p.m. near Booker Avenue.

The juvenile is charged with the following:

Larceny of motor vehicle

Possession of a stolen motor vehicle

Resisting or delaying a public officer

Three counts of attempted larceny of a motor vehicle

Woman facing 240+ charges in vehicle break-ins across Charlotte arrested again

Hyundai is one of the top two car brands, along with Kia, that have been stolen amid a rapid increase in such crimes over the last year. CMPD has given away steering wheel locks, and recently partnered with Hyundai to provide software upgrades to help curb the thefts.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
A 16-year-old Olathe Northwest High School student was arrested Friday after a loaded gun was found inside his backpack, according to police.

School administrators said they received a report from a student that a classmate may have a weapon in their backpack. At about 11:20 a.m., administrators notified a school resource officer of the report, said Sgt. John Moncayo, a spokesman for the Olathe Police Department.

Moncayo said the school resource officer found the student in the cafeteria and was able to take control of the student and separate him from his backpack.

Police said the officer found a loaded handgun inside the backpack.

Immediately upon being notified, our School Resource Officer went to remove the student from the cafeteria and further investigate, following the districts safety protocols, Northwest Principal Chris Zuck said in an email to families on Friday. There was an altercation between the student and the SRO and school administration. The student was detained as the SRO requested additional police presence.

Zuck said no other students or staff members were involved, and no one was injured.

Staff acted quickly to diffuse the situation and remove the student and their belongings, the principal said in the email. Upon further investigation, it was confirmed that the student did have a gun in their backpack. It is important to note that at no point was the gun used and there is no threat to Olathe Northwest.

Our top priority is always the safety of our students and staff, he said, adding that there was a higher law enforcement presence for the rest of the school day.

A separate incident a couple of years ago, when a student brought a gun to Olathe East High School, escalated to a shooting during an altercation with the student, an officer and an administrator, leaving all three injured.

In March 2022, school administrators brought Jaylon Elmore, then a senior at East, to the office after a student told a school counselor she was afraid because another student had brought a gun to school, according to court documents.

Police said Elmore refused to let the officer search his backpack. Prosecutors claim Elmore then fired his gun, striking the officer in the chest and in the leg. The officer fired as well, striking Elmore twice, according to court records.

The assistant principal tackled Elmore and was shot twice, records show. The district attorneys office released a statement shortly after, indicating that the assistant principal was most likely shot by the school resource officer during the altercation.

Elmore, who was hospitalized in critical condition for an extended period of time after the shooting, was charged with attempted capital murder, felony possession of a firearm and two counts of criminal use of a weapon. The criminal case, where Elmore appears to be pursuing a mental health defense, is ongoing.

District officials afterward investigated the incident and reviewed security protocols.
CHICAGO  A 16-year-old has been charged with reckless homicide and other felonies following a crash that killed a 6-month-old boy last year.

The crash happened at around 5 p.m. April 16 of last year in the 4400 block of West Washington.

Police said a stolen Hyundai sedan was traveling westbound on Washington when it struck a pickup truck. The driver was traveling at a high-rate of speed and disregarded a traffic signal.

A 6-month-old baby, Cristian Uvidia, died as a result of the crash.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested by CPD and the US Marshal fugitive task force Thursday in the 5100 block of South Wentworth. He has been charged with reckless homicide involving a motor vehicle, aggravated reckless driving causing bodily harm and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Following the crash, two teens were charged each with misdemeanor criminal trespassing. WGN News has learned charges were upgraded against one of the teens originally charged.

Previous: Teens charged with misdemeanors in stolen vehicle crash that killed 6-month-old

Family said at the time that Uvidias two older sisters and 34-year-old mother were expected to make a full recovery.

Over $50,000 was raised for his funeral.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Kaleiah Jones was her mothers helper.

She volunteered with her at church. She donated to the homeless. She helped whenever needed at home.

She was a sweet kid, said her mom, Keyonna Stewart.

Kaleiah died Tuesday after fainting at Menchville High School, where she was a sophomore. Kaleiah had just turned 16 in January and planned to get her learners permit next month.

Instead of buying her her first car, we purchased a casket yesterday, said Kaleiahs aunt, Shondale Cross.

Kaleiah was an honor student and wanted to be a marine biologist. She also had a creative streak and loved baking cakes.

She literally got along with everybody, Cross said. She aimed to make this world a better place.

Stewart said her daughter recently was diagnosed with bradycardia, which is a slow heart rate, and Long QT syndrome, a heart rhythm disorder.

Stewart said she obtained a copy of security footage showing the incident at school. Based on what she saw, she believes more could have been done to try to save her daughter.

The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press requested a copy of the video from the school division. School officials have not yet responded to questions regarding whether proper protocols were followed.

Everybody just failed to help at that moment, and thats what she needed, Stewart said.

The family is holding a candlelight vigil for Kaleiah at 5 p.m. Friday at Riverview Farm Park in Newport News.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com
Three escaped inmates in Grenada may have stolen a yacht and killed two passengers on the boat who are believed to be American citizens, the Royal Grenada Police Force said on Thursday. The three men escaped custody on Sunday and police believe they made their way to nearby St. Vincent on a stolen boat, according to a news release the force shared on Facebook.

The three men  identified as Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25  were initially arrested in December and charged jointly with one count of robbery with violence. Mitchell also faced separate charges of one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape, two counts of indecent assault and causing harm.

They were being held at the South St. George Police Station on the small Caribbean island when they escaped. As law enforcement from Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines searched for them, evidence suggested they got on a yacht docked in St. George, officials said.

The three men  identified as Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25  were initially arrested in December. / Credit: Royal Grenada Police

The Royal Grenada Police Force "is currently working on leads that suggest that the two occupants of the yacht may have been killed in the process," the force wrote on Facebook. "It is believed that the occupants of the yacht were American citizens."

The investigation is in its early stages and a team of senior investigators and a forensic specialist has been sent to St. Vincent, the force said.

In a separate incident, police said another suspect escaped while attending court on Wednesday and is on the run. The fugitive, identified as Levon Date, is charged in the 2023 killing of Canadian citizen Wayne Smart.

CBS News has reached out to the Royal Grenada Police Force for more information.

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(NEXSTAR)  If you look at a cash register, youll typically see five slots, enough to hold $1 bills, followed by $5s, $10s, $20s, and a slot shared by $50s and $100s. What you wont usually see is a slot for another low denomination: the $2 bills.

The U.S. has been producing $2 bills since the 1860s (except for a brief pause between the 1960s and 70s), when it began printing paper currency. There are roughly 1.5 billion $2 bills in circulation, according to data from the Federal Reserve, though anywhere between 221.2 million and 256 million have been ordered for printing this year.

However, $2 bills are considered rare in comparison to our other currency and have even been known to be worth thousands of dollars.

Wheat pennies could bring you a pretty penny

There are a number of factors that can make your $2 worth more than $2.

First, there are one of two Founding Fathers that may appear on it: Alexander Hamilton or Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton was on the bill first, according to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing, but the first portrait of Jefferson appeared on the note in 1869.

The bill was redesigned in 1976  Jeffersons portrait was maintained, but his Virginia estate seen on the reverse was swapped out for a vignette of the Declaration of Independence being signed. Its the same design we see today.

According to online auction service U.S. Currency Auctions, if the bill was minted and printed before 1976, it could actually be worth as much as $4,500.

That eye-popping price also depends on if the bill was uncirculated. A circulated $2 bill, even if its from the 1800s, may only be worth a few hundred dollars, the auction service reports.

Newer bills, like one printed in 2003, could also have significant value. A $2 bill recently sold at an auction for $2,400, according to Heritage Auction. (It later resold for $4,000.) Even that was a rare $2 bill, sporting a low serial number  a factor that can attract collectors.

Some Precious Moments figurines could be worth thousands: What to look for

Unless it has a unique feature, like a low serial number or misprint, a newer $2 bill likely isnt worth much more than $2, even if its uncirculated. As Professional Coin Grading Services explains, if your $2 bill is relatively recent and has no special markings, errors, or other oddities, it most likely wont be worth thousands.

Odd items are always set aside, but that doesnt make them rare or terribly valuable, Dustin Johnson, vice president of Numismatics at Heritage Auctions, told Nexstar last year. At the time, he explained collectors were vying for higher denomination notes that the U.S. is no longer printing, like $500s, $1,000s, $5,000s, and $10,000s Federal Reserve notes.

There can, of course, be exceptions when it comes to $2 bills. If you think you have a valuable $2 note  or wheat penny, or error note, or rare state quarter  experts recommend taking it to a verified coin expert for evaluation.

Sam Sachs contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Prosecutors have offered an unflinching description of Rebecca Grossman.

Impaired by alcohol and Valium, they allege, she recklessly sped her Mercedes through a residential neighborhood, chasing her ex-Dodger boyfriend before killing two young boys in a crosswalk.

The question now is whether jurors will believe this portrayal of a killer or see something more nuanced in the tragic events of that evening in Westlake Village three years ago.

Grossman's defense has challenged many parts of the prosecution's case, casting blame on her then-boyfriend, and insisting that she didn't intend to hurt anyone and was deeply remorseful about the boys' deaths.

Read more: Rebecca Grossman trial goes to jury with central question: Murderer or scapegoat?

The jury is being asked to determine whether Grossman is guilty of two counts of murder, two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and one count of hit and run resulting in death. If convicted of all charges, she faces 34 years to life in prison.

To secure a second-degree murder conviction, prosecutors must prove that Grossman acted with implied malice and knew that the act of driving at a high speed in a residential area was dangerous to human life.

But the jury could also settle on lesser charges, which would bring a significantly lighter sentence. Jurors will be able to consider vehicular manslaughter with ordinary negligence if they acquit her of those charges involving gross negligence. The lesser form of vehicular manslaughter can result in a year in jail.

Or they could, as Grossman's attorneys have argued, find her not guilty.

Louis Shapiro, a Los Angeles defense attorney not associated with the case, said the defense has an uphill battle  but, he noted, the seriousness of the charges filed by prosecutors also is a potential barrier to a conviction.

Rebecca Grossman, left, with her daughter. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

"Some jurors might find it difficult to render a murder conviction simply for the fact that this is not the typical scenario where one would expect murder charges to be brought," Shapiro said. "They may feel a manslaughter conviction is more appropriate, and such a disagreement among jurors could result in a hung jury.

Jurors were presented with two very different versions of the Hidden Hills woman and the Sept. 29, 2020, incident that ended the lives of Mark and Jacob Iskander, ages 11 and 8, respectively.

This was not a tragic accident, Deputy Dist. Atty. Jamie Castro said in Wednesday's closing arguments. This was murder.

But Grossmans lead attorney, Tony Buzbee, launched into his closing statement with words hed repeated throughout the six-week trial: Where is Scott Erickson?

Prosecutors allege Grossman, 60, had cocktails with Erickson, a former Dodgers pitcher, and then raced with him  he in his black Mercedes sport utility vehicle and she in her white Mercedes SUV  along Triunfo Canyon Road until they reached a crosswalk, where she fatally struck the Iskander brothers.

Grossman, Castro said, showed conscious disregard for human life and knew her speed could be dangerous on a suburban street with pedestrian traffic because she had been warned of the dangers by police in the past. Prosecutors also have alleged that Grossman traveled a third of a mile after slamming into the children before safety features in her car automatically shut it down.

She had a history of speeding. Shed texted about it, Castro said. She acted with disregard for human life.

Read more: Defense in Grossman murder trial keeps ex-Dodger Scott Erickson the center of attention

But Buzbee continued to point the finger at Erickson, who was the first to barrel through the crosswalk. Crash reconstruction experts for the defense have testified that Ericksons Mercedes hit the boys first, sending Mark over his vehicle and onto the hood of Grossmans vehicle.

Nancy Iskander and her husband Karim (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)

If you have doubt that the black car hit one of those children, this case is over, said Buzbee, who told jurors that Erickson allegedly lied to authorities about the vehicle he was driving. He said it was a 2007 Mercedes SUV, but defense experts testified based on video a short distance from the collision that it was a 2016 AMG Mercedes, which authorities never inspected.

Castro told jurors that  although Erickson was reckless  there was not a shred of evidence that he struck Mark or his brother: He almost hit them but did not hit them.

It was around 7 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2020, when Nancy Iskander and her three sons approached the crosswalk. Wearing inline skates, Iskander began to cross Triunfo Canyon Road at Saddle Mountain Drive. Her youngest son, Zachary, was next to her on his scooter; Mark, on a skateboard, and Jacob, also wearing inline skates, were also in the crosswalk.

The mother did everything right, Castro said. Rebecca Grossman did everything wrong.

Iskander previously testified that she heard revving engines and looked up to see a black SUV speeding toward the intersection. She dove out of the way, pulling Zachary to safety.

But she testified that a white Mercedes SUV was following closely behind the black vehicle. When it went through the crosswalk, Iskander said, she heard an impact, and her two oldest boys were gone.

Jacob was found near the curb about 50 feet from the crosswalk. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a few hours later. Marks body was found 254 feet away.

Read more: Liquor, Valium, speed and recklessness: The D.A.'s case against Rebecca Grossman

Grossman is accused of reaching 81 mph before lightly braking and hitting the brothers at 73 mph, based on the cars data recorder and the distance Mark was found from the crosswalk. But Buzbee called in experts who testified that the data werent reliable and that Grossman was traveling at 52 mph based on a video captured seconds after the collision.

Even after the impact, Castro said, Grossman continued to drive as far as her car would let her.

The prosecutor pushed back on the defense theory that Erickson struck the brothers first, saying the front-end damage to Grossmans vehicle was not the result of a child landing on the hood.

Castro reminded jurors that pathologist Matthew Miller, who conducted the autopsy, testified that the boys injuries were consistent with a single vehicle hitting them. Buzbee countered that Miller, in what he considered the strongest indication of reasonable doubt, acknowledged the possibility that they could have been hit by more than one car.

Buzbee focused on flaws in the investigation, presenting a visual on the TV monitor with an L.A. County sheriffs badge and the words amateur hour. He said investigators lost five of eight pieces of evidence from the crash scene and didnt speak to Erickson. He said investigators ignored other cars on surveillance video and focused on Grossman: They had a busted-up car, and the blinders were on.

This is an accident, Buzbee insisted, saying the medical examiner had termed it as such, and not a homicide.

Castro conceded there were shortcomings in the investigation by the L.A. County Sheriffs Department  with evidence missing and few photos of the scene. But during the trial, a former California Highway Patrol officer turned crash expert was able to re-create the scene.

The deputy district attorney also repudiated testimony from Grossmans daughter, Alexis, who told jurors Friday that she saw Erickson hiding behind a tree near where her mother was detained and that he later angrily burst into her familys home in Westlake Village. She said he smelled of alcohol and threatened to ruin her and her family if she told anyone she saw him.

Alexis is a victim of her mothers manipulation, Castro said, noting that a deputy at the scene testified he never saw Erickson and that no one there reported his presence.

Buzbee stood behind the 19-year-olds testimony, asking jurors, Why did [Erickson] lie? Why did he make threats?

Castro stressed eyewitness testimony in her closing argument. She reminded jurors that one witness, Susan Manners, testified that she saw Grossmans vehicle hit Mark. Yasamin Eftekhari and Jake Sands, who were driving in a car behind Grossmans Mercedes, testified that they saw the white car hit Jacob. Eftekhari, Castro noted, testified the black car never hit the boys.

Shapiro on Thursday described the defense as spirited but potentially flawed.

"The defense is arguing that there is reasonable doubt as to whether Grossman actually struck and killed the kids," he said. The problem with that argument is that there were two eyewitnesses who testified that Grossman's car struck the children and the location of the damage on Grossman's car was in front of her car  consistent with the vehicle hitting the children."

But Lara Yeretsian, another L.A. defense attorney, said "putting another suspect to the sword may muddy up the waters enough to get an acquittal or a hung jury."

"Remember," she said, "the prosecution has to establish causation beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is not clear as to causation, then that is reasonable doubt."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Two men were indicted on federal charges after authorities found four pounds of fentanyl, 35 pounds of cocaine and $350,000 in cash inside a high-rise apartment in downtown Nashville.

According to the US Attorneys Office, 40-year-old Anthony Gloss and 37-year-old Brandon Ostein, also known as Snake, were charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.

Months-long investigation leads to drug dealers arrest

Multiple search warrants were executed at the 1200 Broadway high-rise apartment building and officers reportedly found more than four pounds of fentanyl, nearly 35 pounds of cocaine, approximately $350,000 in cash and several guns.

(Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

(Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

(Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

(Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

(Photo: WKRN)

According to court documents, multiple undercover drug sales were conducted at a parking lot on McGavock Street between 12th Avenue South and 13th Avenue South. Agents reportedly discovered a telescope within the 1200 Broadway apartment that was used to look down upon the parking lot.

Gloss lived in a residence in Clarksville while Ostein was taken into custody at a Nashville home. During an interview, Ostein admitted he was using the 1200 Broadway apartment to store narcotics and the drugs inside belonged to him, according to court documents.

Investigators said this case is evidence of large-scale narcotics distribution within downtown Nashville.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Metro police reported Ostein was arrested in August 2023 when officers found found 37 pounds of fentanyl-laced cocaine, guns, shoeboxes containing about $400,000 cash, plastic baggies, kilogram presses and vacuum sealers, according to investigators.

This case was investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Murfreesboro Police Department and Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
The Finnish volunteer codenamed Samson died fighting Russian invaders near Bakhmut, a volunteer who helps Finnish fighters, Raakel Tasanen, told IS (Ilta Sanomat).

The 21-year-old fighter arrived in Ukraine in December. He came from Eastern Finland and was killed in combat in December.

Read also: Estonian volunteers hit by Russian missile strike in Ukraine

The young man was mortally wounded as a result of a drone strike in the Bakhmut area, Tasanen said.

The man served in the International Legions Bravo company, which includes several Finnish volunteers. A Brazilian comrade was also killed in the attack.

"Samson was a small, positive, and humorous guy who, from the very beginning of the war, thought about going to Ukraine," said Tasanen.

Three Finnish soldiers are known to have been killed in combat during Russias war on Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine opens National Guard service to foreigners under new decree

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine


23 February 2022 felt interminable.

All sorts of intelligence agencies had spent the previous few weeks trying to give President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the date when the great Russian invasion would "definitely" begin.

These dates rolled by  16, 19, 22 February  without anything happening. The night of 23-24 February was said to be the next possible date for the invasions start.

But would it materialise? And if it would, what would it look like? What forces would be deployed? Would the Russians advance openly or continue the stealth attacks under the flags of puppet regimes [in occupied regions in eastern Ukraine] of the past eight years?

Questions proliferated, and people expected their president to have the answers.

Zelenskyy and his team chose to conceal the military preparations and do their best to calm the public. The meeting with Ukraines oligarchs and top business owners that took place on Bankova Street [the street in Kyiv where the Office of the President is located - ed.] on the evening of 23 February was a major part of this campaign to reassure the public. The meeting set out to address the question of whether or not the "great war" would indeed happen.

The calm demeanour and smiles on the faces of the business people leaving the Office of the President in their expensive cars to go home  instead of heading straight to the airport to leave the country  seemed to suggest that Zelenskyy had managed to convince them that the invasion wasnt imminent, or at least that it wasnt about to begin that night.

But Zelenskyy himself didnt seem calm at all when he met with his speech writers later that night  around 21:00  to outline his next public address.

Those in the room with him that night say that the president was focused "like someone driving a car at night".

That speech was different from many that came before it. In light of the expected invasion of Putins forces, Zelenskyy chose to appeal to the Russian people.

Zelenskyy turned out to be more sincere in this address to the people of the aggressor country than he had been during his countless speeches and meetings during the days leading up to it. Perhaps that came as a surprise even to himself.

"I appeal to Russian citizens as a citizen of Ukraine," he began.

"We share over 2,000 kilometres of the border. Your forces have gathered by this border: almost 200,000 military personnel, thousands of combat vehicles.

Your government has approved their next step: advancing into the territory of another country. This step could mark the beginning of a great war on the European continent

We dont need war: neither a cold war, nor a hot one, nor a hybrid one. But if we have forces advancing on [our country], if they try to take away our country, our freedom, our lives, and the lives of our children  we will defend ourselves! We wont be on the offensive; but we will defend ourselves. When you carry out your offensive, we will be there to meet you; you wont see us turn our backs [and flee]  you will see our faces," Zelenskyy said in his address.

The address was shared on Zelenskyys social media around midnight, as the president and the key members of his team left for their homes.

A thousand-faced monster was already quietly and ominously stirring near the 2,000-kilometre stretch of the border between Ukraine and Russia.

A Russian soldier later captured by Ukrainian forces described the moment before the invasion as follows:

"On the evening of 23 February the unit commander lined us up and said: Youll be able to go back home in four days. The Ukrainians wont fight for their oligarchs. As everyone said, we wanted to capture Kyiv in three days. We are on the brink of World War III."

This article is based on the first episode of the 24 February 2022 Reconstructed podcast produced by Ukrainska Pravda.

"Somethings about to start": A sense of an impending attack

"I remember I didnt get home until very late. We had lots of meetings, I think we had a meeting of the National Security and Defence Council. We were all talking about all that. We set out the relevant documents and agreed on plans of action. We knew that the entire state should come together as one if the [invasion] began. Everyone ought to be in their place. We worked on a few things with the National Bank, including things to do with the national reserve, to ensure we had a financial backbone. Lets say everything was in good order," Zelenskyy recalls getting home on the last day of peace in 2022.

Ukraines defence intelligence anticipated that the Russian invasion might begin on the morning of 24 February. Though Zelenskyy had spent all of the previous day trying to convince the country that the situation was under control, that evening was the first time he felt a sense of grave threat. Enemy forces were preparing for an attack and could no longer conceal those preparations.

[BANNER1]Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, told Ukrainska Pravda about a revealing incident from that night:

"I left the Office [of the President] at 01:30 in the morning. The president also left around 01:00. We were in meetings until around then.

I remember getting a call from Reznikov [Oleksii Reznikov, then Ukraines Defence Minister  ed.] around two or three in the morning, just as I got home. He told me he got a call from the Belarusian defence minister who told him he thought Reznikov should urgently contact his Russian counterpart. Reznikov told him he maintained no communication with [the Russian defence minister] and asked what was going on and why he should call him. I cant tell you [the Belarusian defence minister replied]. Then it was clear something was afoot."

Something was, indeed, afoot. But no one knew what exactly would happen. Most military and political top brass agreed that a large escalation was probably being planned in Donbas  that was where the majority of Ukrainian forces were deployed.

Heated arguments broke out when someone suggested Russia might advance on other fronts.

Was it possible that Russia might launch an offensive from Belarusian territory? Might Belarus take part in the offensive? Would Russia launch an attack from Crimea? Would it continue hiding behind the backs of its henchmen?

Putin and his "window of possibilities"

This war turned out to be truly large-scale. Russia waged it in the open. Many analysts believe that Putin saw a window of possibility for himself and for Russia  the only opportunity to capture Ukraine.

This window of opportunity was determined by the world being distracted by the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, the US weakness in Afghanistan, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel  Europes de facto leader  leaving her post. With half of Europe depending on Russian gas and oil, Moscow accumulated several hundred billion dollars of reserves that would help it weather Western sanctions.

Putin also believed his army to be the worlds second-greatest army, especially after its success in Crimea, in Donbas, and in Syria.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said in an interview that Russia had been accumulating resources for a long time ahead of the full-scale invasion: "According to my estimates, they were vigorously building up the number of troops, equipment, and ammunition. I think they had a three-month reserve to achieve their goals."

Putin and Russia couldnt pursue a long-term escalation which involved gathering a lot of military personnel and equipment near the Ukrainian border forever. For the Kremlin, the choice was between pulling its forces back to Khabarovsk, Ussuriysk, and other Russian cities, or "going all the way".

There was another option  contained escalation; it seemed like the most plausible one. Ukraines Defence Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov thinks this scenario couldve been much worse for Ukraine.

"Its simple. [Putin] would escalate in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Negotiations would begin. During the negotiations he would escalate some more, carrying out several high-precision attacks on certain Ukrainian facilities and plunging the country into chaos. Following that, he could force [Ukraine] to agree to the conditions he wanted. That was quite logical.

Everyone told him that was a good option for [Russia]. The not-so-good option was to launch a direct attack. He chose direct aggression," Budanov said.

The Times reported that Russia approved an in-principle decision about the war in Ukraine as early as late summer 2021.

According to The Times, only a limited number of people knew about Putins plans: "Four men  three of whom were former or current directors of the Federal Security Service (FSB)  were to play a central role in leading Russia to war: Putin himself; Nikolai Patrushev, chairman of the Security Council and Putins KGB colleague since 1975; Putins old St Petersburg University classmate and FSB head Aleksandr Bortnikov; and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Of the latter three, it was Patrushev and Bortnikov who were the prime political movers, Shoigu the sometimes hesitant executor."

Neither the members of the Russian State Duma, nor Russian ministers, heads of state corporations or Putins oligarch friends could say if there would really be a full-scale war, or if it was all a bluff.

War or bluff?

By mid-February, Russia prepared everything it needed to start a full-scale war.

Ruslan Leviev, the founder of the Conflict Intelligence Team, a military analysis and investigative organisation that has been tracking the movements of the Russian army since November 2021, said in an interview in February 2022 that his organisation got progressively more certain that Russia was preparing for a full-scale war:

"We had followed a number of red flags since November 2021. Say, troops  but not assault forces  would be deployed to the Pogonovo training centre near Voronezh, transferred to the Yelnya training ground in Smolensk Oblast, or deployed near Kursk. Infantry wouldnt be deployed in combat first; assault troops always go first  but they werent there. Then the assault troops arrived."

When Russia had assault troops lined up and ready to go, it seemed it didnt have air defence forces. After some time, air defence forces materialised. For a while there were no field hospitals, and after some time, they appeared, too. And so on and so forth: command posts, sapper units, tankers, fuel trucks, and train cars carrying ammunition and shells.

Then the last piece of the puzzle, according to Leviev, was put into place six days before the Russian invasion:

"The last thing was putting in place potential occupation forces  forces that would take on the function of military police, the Russian Guard forces. We didnt even see this as strictly necessary, but even this was done. This wasnt just a formality, a huge number of these troops were gathered.

[BANNER2]It was insane. I was shocked at the sight of vehicles carrying water cannons and equipment for clearing away barricades and other types of barriers among the Russian Guard convoys moving towards the [Ukrainian] border. It was evidence that they were planning to fight partisan movements and put out protests in the occupied territories."

On 23 February, Roman Dudin, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine office in Kharkiv Oblast, said Russia had procured 45,000 body bags for transporting the bodies of dead soldiers.

By that point, the line between "bluff" and reality had almost completely eroded.

Warning and preparing Ukraine

The US security and defence forces had been discussing the possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine since autumn 2021. This narrative dismayed and confused Ukrainian officials  all but one.

Military Times published an extensive interview with Ukraines Defence Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov in November 2021. In it, Budanov openly said that Russia was preparing for an invasion of Ukraine in late January-early February 2022.

Military Times even shared a map made by Ukraines Defence Intelligence, with arrows marking possible directions of attack. According to the map, Russian forces would advance on Kyiv and Lviv from Belarus in the north, would head to Kharkiv and Donbas from the east, and would set out from Crimea and attempt to capture Odesa and Mariupol.

This news did not cause a great stir in Ukraine. The Russian presidents spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the information Ukrainian and Western special services shared about Russias preparations to invade Ukraine "hysteria".

In December 2021, the German tabloid Bild shared another map, which contained similar directions of attack and plans to seize Ukraine. At that time, many people made fun of the map; they said that Bild was not a serious outlet, but an ordinary tabloid. Lviv was marked there as Lemberg, a name that has long since ceased to exist. Military experts said that such plans were too complicated and more reminiscent of large-scale operations during World War II, and if Russia had enough strength, then it would just start a new operation in Donbas.

Most of the military personnel and experts were really preparing for that option. Like, for example, the head of the State Border Service, Major General Serhii Deineko: "Right up till the last moment, I did not believe that there could be an invasion from Crimea.

We know Putin and his weakness for using false flags, miners, and so on. [The reference to miners is a reference to the mining community of Donbas, which Russia has often sought to manipulate for the purposes of its propaganda, to claim that there is support for Russia in Donbas  ed.] We clearly understood that the invasion would come from Belarus, from the Chornobyl direction. We also clearly understood what would happen on the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk Oblasts, where the enemy would enter the territory of Ukraine to surround and eliminate our group in the Joint Forces Operation area.

[Joint Forces Operation (JFO), is a term that came to replace the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in 2018, which was a term the government of Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe used to identify combat actions in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts against Russian military forces and pro-Russian separatists  ed.]

From Donbas along the contact line, it was absolutely clear. From the territory of Belarus, they could attack not as a Russian army, but wearing the chevrons of Belarus, in Belarusian uniforms. And as for the attack from Crimea, there are only Russians there, no one else."

Defence Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov told Ukrainska Pravda in an interview he was convinced that the option of direct open aggression was chosen by Putin personally:

"Putin made the final decision to start hostilities around 15:00 on the 23rd. There were still some hesitations and preparations going on until noon on the 23rd. He could have used any option before that date.

He made the decision himself, I want to emphasise that. No one had any influence on this decision.

Moreover, on the day the war began, he personally contacted the commanders of all groups, heard a formal report on readiness for the start [of the invasion], and formally issued the order to start the military aggression."

"But no one really knew what was happening," Zelenskyy insisted in an interview: "Thats just not true. No matter what our intelligence told us, no one knew the details. We were all preparing for different events. We made preparations. Different intelligence agencies, different states, our partners, made their own preparations. And [issued] their own warnings. And no one had more information than we did... There was nothing other than what they had told us."

The Armed Forces of Ukraine in early 2022 were very different from the Ukrainian army in 2014.

However, compared to the enormous Russian army, Ukraine still had rather limited resources. The difference in the number of missiles, aircraft and heavy military equipment was particularly striking.

Given its dominance in the sky and the fact that its forces outnumbered Ukrainian forces on the ground by several times, Russia wanted to secure a sudden, unequivocal and quick victory.

Only the Ukrainian command really knew about the Russian forces in detail, and if not everything, then definitely enough to knock out the enemy's main trump card of any blitzkrieg  the element of surprise.

While the countrys political leadership hesitated, its military commanders not only saw the war approach, but, as the saying goes, felt it in their gut.

Perhaps this feeling was most accurately described in an interview with Time by Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

"Theres no mistaking the smell of war, and it was already in the air."

That is why, as Reporters found out, even a month before the invasion, Zaluzhnyi gathered the closest circle of commanders and said: "Not all of us believe that the Russians will attack, but I do. Evil cannot be negotiated with, so get ready to fight."

Serhii Deineko, Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, stresses that their intelligence also obtained information that the invasion would indeed take place:

"Yes, Western intelligence warned us. And we were very attentive to this information. We have our own border intelligence, which works very effectively in neighbouring countries, primarily Russia and Belarus," Deineko says.

"The Border Guard Service informed the senior military and political leadership of the state," he continued. "I briefed the president two weeks before the start of the invasion that there would be a war, that Russia would attack from the territory of Belarus through the Chornobyl zone. We had the opportunity to fully monitor individual representatives of the Russian military and political leadership.

The date of the full-scale invasion was postponed. First it was 19 February, then the 22nd. The Russian forces were waiting. They were ready. We recorded that the employees of the Russian troops who were in Belarus for training exercises began calling their families and saying goodbye to them as early as 12 February. We intercepted these conversations."

Ukrainian forces were not just waiting for Putin to attack. Training and preparation had begun on all key fronts of the possible invasion. Apparently, the biggest ones were along the northern border, such as Blizzard-2022, which Zelenskyy also visited.

As Major General Viktor Nikoliuk, the commander of Operational Command Pivnich (North), mentioned in an interview with Suspilne, it was these exercises in many respects that became a factor that made the military believe in the reality of the war.

"The absurdity of this attack, the very use of rockets, aircraft and artillery in the 21st century, all this raised doubts. But when our exercises began, I was more inclined to believe the fact that the invasion would happen. During these exercises, we practised the movement of units during marches over long distances, for more than 300 kilometres."

Other intensive work was being carried out on the other side of the country by the commander of Operational Command Pivden (South), Major General Andrii Kovalchuk. In an interview with Glavkom, a news outlet, he recalled: "For the last two weeks before 24 February, I slept in my office  that is, I was on duty around the clock.

We conducted exercises, brought groups to the shores of the Black Sea, dug in, took up positions, mined the sea coast, and fortified accessible areas against amphibious landings. At that time, I had the 28th Brigade under my command; it had left the Joint Forces Operation [area] and had not yet recovered its combat capability. So for two weeks leading up to the invasion, they were on exercises.

Our artillery was deployed to firing positions, units went ashore. In short, we were preparing. Those military units that were under my command, and warehouses containing weapons, were being deployed."

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraines Ground Forces, had by then already taken the first steps to prepare the defences around Kyiv.

The Air Force prepared reserve airfields for combat aircraft and moved their anti-aircraft defence equipment. Much of this was done even without the knowledge of the country's political leadership, which saw everything as "Russian provocations" and "incitement".

Defence Intelligence chief Budanov recalls that his special forces received weapons on 23 February:

"On the 23rd, our special purpose unit was armed and dispersed. The assault unit went to Hostomel airfield, because we had clear plans for how this operation should begin, and the main element of this operation was Hostomel to make a quick approach to Kyiv.

Basically, this plan [of the Russians] was based on raising the Russian flag over the Office of the President no later than at the end of the third day.

We understood that if we delayed this landing and allowed the Armed Forces to deploy their troops, then the whole plan would be destroyed from the very beginning."

On 23 February, the day after Russia recognised the independence of its puppet republics in Donbas within Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, the Verkhovna Rada imposed a state of emergency throughout the country.

During the debates in parliament that day, the Secretary of the National Security Council Oleksii Danilov uttered an unexpectedly prophetic phrase:

[BANNER3]"I remember the first time the MPs met in the office of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, they discussed the decision of the National Security Council. They said: It seems to stipulate a number of restrictions. We don't like it. I was sitting there thinking, God, people, what are you thinking? What restrictions are you talking about? We will be at war tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. You and I will be making completely different decisions tomorrow."

"It's begun!"

At 04:30 Kyiv time on 24 February, Russian TV channels broadcast Putin's emergency speech, in which he announced the start of a "special military operation" or, if we ignore this idiom, announced the start of a war with Ukraine.

"The further expansion of NATO and the military development of the territory of Ukraine that has begun is unacceptable for us. The point, of course, is not about NATO itself, it is only an instrument of US foreign policy. The problem is that in the territories adjacent to us, our own historical territories, an Anti-Russia, which is hostile to us, which has been placed under complete external control, is being intensively manned by the armed forces of NATO countries and is pumped up with cutting-edge weaponry [...]

The entire course of events and analysis of incoming information show that Russias clash with these forces is inevitable. It's only a matter of time. They are getting ready and waiting for the right time.

Now they are also laying claim to nuclear weapons. We won't allow this to happen [...]

Russia cannot feel safe, develop, or exist with a constant threat emanating from the territory of modern Ukraine.

Circumstances require us to take decisive and immediate action.

The People's Republics of Donbas have reached out to Russia with a request for help [...]

I have made a decision to conduct a special military operation [...]

We will strive for the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine. And also to bring to justice those who committed numerous bloody crimes against civilians, including citizens of the Russian Federation.

In this regard, I appeal to the citizens of Ukraine.

No matter how hard it is, please understand this. And I call for cooperation in order to turn this tragic page as soon as possible and move forward together []

I must also appeal to the military personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. I urge you to immediately lay down your arms and go home."

While Putin's address was being prepared for broadcast, the first shelling and the first battles were already taking place on the border.

Serhii Deineko, Head of Ukraines Border Guard Service, recalls:

"Everyone believes that the invasion began at 04:00, but this is not quite so, because the invasion began at 03:40 at the site of the Luhansk border detachment. This is the Milove district. Russian forces attacked the detachment, a battle ensued, and immediately we had the first fatalities in this full-scale war.

At around four in the morning, I reported [to the Interior Minister] that my subordinates were already fighting on three fronts, that convoys were approaching. I understood that he was reporting to the president. I sent a text to the president at 05:17:

Good morning, dear Mr President. Allow me to report. This is a full-scale military aggression on the part of the Russian Federation. A number of checkpoints have been fired upon. Grad multiple-launch rocket systems are firing from their territory. Jet aircraft can be heard flying over the Chornobyl zone. Grad MLRS are also firing from Crimea."

At the same time, in all corners of the country, people began to wake up to Russias first large-scale missile attack. A few hours later, an eerie and unfamiliar howl rang out over the sleepy cities: these were the first air-raid sirens to be sounded in many decades.

"We could hear explosions. I was ready at the time, I was almost leaving," recalls President Zelenskyy. "I received calls before the explosions that we heard. I received the signal a little earlier, before the explosions started. We were ready for this, so our intelligence and the military were watching, we understood where the risk of an attack could come from. Thats why, as soon as the preparations started there, and shots were fired, [marking the start of] the invasion, I received a call."

First Lady Olena Zelenska remembers that it was those explosions that woke her up:

"I remember that I was woken up by strange noises outside the window  like everyone else, I guess. It was dark, it was night then. And I saw that Volodymyr was not around. I found him in another room. He was already dressed, wearing a suit but no tie. I asked what was going on. And all he said was, Its begun."

Authors: Roman Romaniuk and Fedir Popadiuk

Narrator: Ben McBride

Producer: Alina Poliakova

Co-producer and AI-editor: Dmytro Volkovynskyi

Sound producers: Yevhenii Klimuk and Oleh Labynskyi

Assistant: Anna Khivrenko

Translators: Yelyzaveta Khodatska, Elina Beketova and Olya Loza

Editor: Susan McDonald

In addition to quoting from various officials interviews with Ukrainska Pravda, this story draws on Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olena Zelenskas joint interview, Viktor Nikoliuks interview for Suspilne.Chernihiv, Andrii Kovalchuks interview for Glavkom, Oleksii Danilovs interview with Nataliia Moseichuk, an interview with captured Russian soldiers on Volodymyr Zolkins YouTube, Valerii Zaluzhnyis interview with Time, The Times reporting, and Ruslan Levievs interview for Meduza, the Latvia-based Russian media outlet.

Please subscribe to the "24.02: The Invasion Reconstructed" updates:

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A freight train departs from Yiwu West Railway Station in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, for Madrid on March 9, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

This week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Spain to commemorate 50 years of official diplomatic relations between the two countries, and met with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. During his meeting with Sanchez, Wang stated that China aspires to maintain high-level exchanges with Spain so as to lift bilateral ties to a higher level, adding that the country stands ready to "strengthen the synergy of development strategies, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges."



China's multilateral ties with the European Union are at a critical juncture. At present, some forces are interested in introducing ideologically motivated geopolitical competition, and are seeking to take sides in bloc politics and pursue protectionism which will do nothing but harm the well-being of the people in the EU.

Despite this, China has always made significant efforts to keep its ties with European countries open, stable and in good faith. It upholds the "win-win" concept and multilateralism in bilateral relations, and seeks win-win cooperation. The strategic comprehensive partnership between China and Spain is one such example of its efforts in this regard.

Spain is one of the major economies of the EU and a core member of the eurozone, and both Spain and China have an interest in maintaining cordial relations. As a major exporter of automobiles and components, as well as olive oil and foodstuffs, Spain exports approximately 34 billion euros of goods per month. In recognizing this, the Chinese market offers unique opportunities for the country to expand and diversify its export model. In recent years, China has become Spain's largest trading partner outside the EU and the second largest consumer of its olive oil. Moreover, Spain is China's second largest source of imported pork.

Secondly, Spain is lauded as being one of the most popular destinations for international tourists anywhere in the world. In 2023, 85.1 million tourists traveled to the country, seeking its warm beaches, sunshine and popular cuisine. Over 130,000 Chinese tourists visited Spain in the first half of last year. In the coming years, a key priority between China and Spain could be increasing the flow of tourists between one another. As the two countries have pledged to deepen their people-to-people and cultural exchanges, more efforts are expected to be made to exert significant and valuable cultural appeal, and facilitate such exchanges.

The China-Spain relationship is a positive part in China's wider and more complex relationship with the EU which is built on tangible mutual benefits. As Beijing continues to focus on building its relationship with the bloc, Spain, which has been more pragmatic and steadfast in its relationship with China, will remain a key partner. Meanwhile, Spain also serves as a demonstration of how China represents an opportunity to the continent, rather than a threat.

Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/TomFowdy.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Student debt relief activists rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in June.

Over 7,500 Ohioans had their student loan debt wiped out this week as part of a new income-based repayment plan.

The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it's canceling $1.2 billion in debt for nearly 153,000 people enrolled in Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE. In Ohio, 7,540 borrowers will have a combined $60 million forgiven, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

"These arent just big picture numbers and impacts," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said. "Were talking about lives changed. Were talking about families that are going to be strengthened."

The move is the latest by President Joe Biden to reduce student loan debt after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his plan to erase $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients and $10,000 for many other borrowers. Nearly 1.1 million Ohioans applied for forgiveness through that program, which Republicans panned as a taxpayer burden that left out swaths of Americans.

Here's what you need to know about the latest round of forgiveness.

How to qualify for student loan forgiveness

Ohioans will qualify if they're enrolled in SAVE, originally took out $12,000 or less and have been making payments for at least 10 years. Senior administration officials said that amount is common among borrowers who are more likely to default or come from low-income households.

The Department of Education will continue identifying people who are eligible and cancel their debt "on a regular basis." Officials said they plan to contact borrowers starting next week who might qualify but aren't yet signed up for the SAVE plan.

How to know if my student loan was forgiven?

The White House alerted eligible borrowers on Wednesday. If you received that notice, you don't need to do anything else.

Servicers have started processing the cancellations and will notify you when yours is complete. Education officials said borrowers will see forgiveness reflected on their accounts in the coming weeks.

If you believe you're eligible but didn't see an email, you can contact your loan servicer or visit studentaid.gov.

What is the SAVE plan?

The Biden administration debuted SAVE last year to replace the Revised Pay As You Earn plan. As of now, 7.5 million people are enrolled, including 4.3 million who have a $0 payment, according to the Education Department.

SAVE is based on discretionary income, which is the difference between adjusted gross income and 225% of the federal poverty guideline for your family size. Monthly loan payments are currently 10% of the borrower's discretionary income, but that will decrease to 5% this summer.

Accrued interest that exceeds your monthly payment is covered by the government, rather than being added to your principal balance.

The plan also offers other chances for loan forgiveness. For every $1,000 borrowed above $12,000, a borrower is eligible after an additional year of payments. For example, someone who took out $13,000 would have their loans wiped out after 11 years.

All SAVE borrowers qualify for forgiveness after 20 years if they only have undergraduate loans and 25 years with graduate school debt.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Student loan forgiveness approved in Ohio. See if you qualify
On Jan. 20, a Michigan man bought five Lotto 47 tickets, according to lottery officials.

Then he received a very important phone call.

The next day, I got a call from the worker who sold me the tickets, telling me to check mine because they had sold a jackpot winner, the winner told lottery officials.

I looked up the winning numbers and then looked over my ticket and sure enough, I was the big winner! he said.

The 71-year-old Wexford County player won the $4.37 million jackpot with the wining numbers 08-23-26-31-36-40, according to a Feb. 23 news release from Michigan Lottery.

Im still in disbelief, the man added.

The lottery player purchased the winning ticket at Amvets Post 110 in Cadillac, officials said.

The man, who plans to save the money for retirement, chose to collect his prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $3 million after taxes, lottery officials said.

Cadillac is about 55 miles southeast of Traverse City.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

Lottery player turns $100 win into $1 million. I thought the scanner was broken

Daughter sees Facebook lottery post and tells mom to check her ticket. It was a winner

Lottery player takes off work to spend two days guarding winning ticket in Maryland
A 74-year-old woman has died a month after police said she was pushed while trying to stop a group of suspected shoplifters at a Georgia convenience store.

Chong Chon died at 9:43 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, deputies and Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen confirmed to McClatchy News on the phone. Now, a 13-year-old boy is charged with murder.

Chon had been hospitalized for a head injury she suffered Jan. 24 while working at the Get It To Go store in Augusta, Richmond County deputies said in a news release. Investigators said she was trying to stop three teens  a male and two females  from stealing a 12-pack of beer.

The male reportedly shoved Chon, causing her to fall and hit her head, deputies said. The teens then ran from the store.

An investigation led deputies to the 13-year-old, who was charged with murder while in commission of a felony, the sheriffs office said Feb. 23. McClatchy News is not naming him because hes a minor.

Authorities didnt release additional details, citing the ongoing investigation.

Walgreens managers planned armed robberies of their own store in DC, feds say

Officer shoots shoplifting suspect when he charges at her with machete, police say

Mom accused of theft tries framing her child, Florida cops say. Thats not true mom
Your phone is meant to keep your attention, which makes spending less time on it really, really tough.

Your phone is meant to keep your attention, which makes spending less time on it really, really tough.

Raise your hand if youve ever uttered the phrase I want to spend less time on my phone or created a New Years resolution around the goal  and then failed to do so.

If you find that its challenging (like, really, really challenging) to decrease your phone use, know that its not because you have poor willpower. Its hard to change your habits around your phone use because our phones are deliberately designed to hack our brains and make it difficult to turn away, Catherine Price, the author of How To Break Up With Your Phone and the Substack newsletter How to Feel Alive, told HuffPost via email.

Whats more, research shows that our incoming texts and social media notifications prompt a dopamine hit, which is when the feel-good sensors in our brains fire up. Beyond all of that, cell phone addiction is another reality for some people that can lead to outcomes such as stress, anxiety and depression.

Suffice it to say: Spending less time on your phone is not as easy as just putting your down phone or turning it off. Jenny Wise Black, a licensed marriage and family therapist and the host of Lose the Phone podcast, said you should give yourself props for actually wanting to be on your phone less.

It is actually very, very encouraging to me that people would even have that resolution because it implies that there is some sort of belief that things could be better, Black said. If you find yourself getting down about your screen time, focus on the fact that youre aware enough and feel empowered enough to make a change. That is not the case with everybody, said Black.

Beyond that realization, there are a number of definitive ways to decrease your phone use. Heres how to do it:

1. Think about your why.

If youre one of the many people who made a New Years resolution that has to do with less screen time but find yourself faltering, dont be discouraged.

Keep in mind that willpower alone is a horrible way to change a habit, Price said. Instead, she recommends that you figure out a positive goal to focus on.

In other words, instead of trying to restrict your phone use because you feel you should, ask yourself what you want to be spending your time and attention on, Price said.

You can also look at this as your why, explained Jami Dumler, a licensed clinical social worker and regional clinic director with Thriveworks based in Pennsylvania. Often when were talking about being on our phone less, thats not ultimately what its really about, theres usually some other driver to that factor. Maybe you want to be on your phone less because you want to be a more present parent or get a promotion at work.

Next, identify how your phone is interfering with your priorities and determine what you can do to make it easier to focus on those things, Price added. So, if your priority is reading new books but you find yourself scrolling social media instead, get your phone out of your bedroom and leave a book on your bedside table instead, she suggested.

One fun way to identify your goals and brainstorm ideas is to actually write your phone a breakup letter, Price said. The goal is to transform your phone from a temptation youre trying to resist to an obstacle thats getting in the way of how you want to live your life ... With this positive framework in mind, itll be a lot easier to change your habits,

2. Turn on your phones grayscale setting.

One science-backed way to make your phone less interesting is by turning on the grayscale feature; this is an option most smartphones have that turns the colors on your phone into hues of gray.

On iPhones, you can turn on grayscale by going to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters. Here is where youll toggle color filters on and select grayscale from the options. On Android, go to Settings > Accessibility > Color and Motion > Color Correction and select grayscale from the options.

We know that the bright colors and movement on a screen hit our dopamine receptors similar to other addictive qualities like drugs, alcohol, things like that, and so when theres less bright colors, we dont have as much of a dopamine high happening, Dumler said. So then its less addictive, and were less likely to get lost in the scrolling.

In fact, a 2022 study found that those who turned on their grayscale setting were less tempted to pick up their phone when compared to those who did not use this tool, Dumler added.

Similarly, when your phone has the grayscale setting toggled on, you start seeing color in your real life and you start seeing everything in your phone [as] black and white  it puts something mentally in different places in your brain, Black noted. This is kind of like when watching a black-and-white movie, your brain categorizes that movie as old.

3. Put your phone on silent.

The sound of incoming texts and emails is hard to ignore. If anything, they actually make your brain want to pick up your phone.

We know from science and research being done that the sound of a notification when your phone is on loud hits your brain and our dopamine receptors the same way a drug or substance would. Its that addicting, Dumler said. So, if you have your phone on loud and you have notifications going, the minute you see that screen light up or you hear that little ding, we get addicted to that and we need to immediately stop what were doing and check it.

It can be immensely helpful to put your phone on silent and even turn off push notifications to avoid this.

Try turning on the grayscale setting on your smartphone to make picking up your phone less appealing.

Try turning on the grayscale setting on your smartphone to make picking up your phone less appealing.

4. Put a barrier between you and your phone.

Emma Mahony, a therapist at A Better Life Therapy in Philadelphia and a mental health content creator on TikTok, previously told HuffPost that she puts a hair tie around her phone to curb her phone use.

Its hard to scroll social media, text or browse the internet when there is an actual hair band or rubber band around your phone  it kind of creates that mindfulness, Mahony said.

Many folks mindlessly pick up their phones, almost as a reflex when theyre waiting in line at the store or during a commercial break. This tip brings a sense of awareness to our phone use and reminds our brains that we are going on our phones during this moment, Mahony said.

5. Move your phone away from your body.

When something is constantly within your view, its only natural to want to reach for it. To fight this, Black said its important to get your phone away from your body and out of your visual line. That means out of your hand, out of your pockets or off of the table in front of you.

You can try leaving your phone upstairs or putting it in the kitchen drawer while you watch a movie with your family. This isnt easy, so if it takes a few tries, that is OK.

What we experience with our phones now, its actually separation anxiety. So if youre having separation anxiety  if youre an adult, even if youre a kid  around any particular relationship in your life, thats something that we used to work on in therapy, Black said. None of us think anything about the levels of separation anxiety we have from our phones.

6. Organize your apps intentionally.

If youre always opening your TikTok app or your Pinterest app, it could be a good idea to make those things a little less accessible to ease the temptation.

You can keep an app active while adding a few extra steps  or in this case, clicks  to use it, Dumler advised. This could mean putting it in a folder or on one of the subsequent screens that follows the main home screen.

To do this, Dumler suggests that you move your frequently used apps off of your home screen. How to go about this depends on your phone, but its another easy Google search to figure out how (if you dont know already).

This way, it isnt immediately accessible and you wont be so inclined to open the app.

7. Or consider removing your social media apps entirely.

You probably spend hours and hours mindlessly scrolling the latest updates on Instagram. One natural way to spend way less time on your phone? Remove your social media apps.

Take all social media off of your phone, anything that you could kill time with, take off your phone, Black said.

If you still need to use social media for work, to stay in touch with others or even just enjoy checking it, you can still use it, but Black suggested only using social media on your computer if you go this route.

For reason we do not really understand, when someone is on their laptop or computer looking at social media it does not have the same impact on their [mental health], Black said.

Black added that social media impacts everyone differently, but it is known to cause anxiety, can get folks stuck in a negative comparison cycle based on what they see online and can lead to depression.

8. If you are really committed, consider getting a second dumb phone.

I get a lot of pushback on this, but I am not going to stop because I truly feel like its the hope of our society, I think everyone needs to start experimenting with a second phone, Black said.

In other words, buy yourself a cheap, non-smartphone to take out with you instead of your smartphone. This will teach you how to be reliant on a phone that doesnt have all of the features that come on a standard smartphone while still giving you the necessary qualities  like calling or texting  you need, Black explained. You can try this out for just an hour a day to start and move up from there.

You certainly can give up your smartphone altogether, but you dont have to.

I think its important to highlight, too, that phones arent all bad. They are convenient, they can be a great resource to look things up easily, or have that calculator handy at the store when youre shopping and a great way to connect with people, Dumler said.

But its important to remember that balance is everything here. If you find that you cant leave your phone in the other room without feeling uncomfortable or that youre constantly ignoring your partner because of incoming notifications, it may be a sign that somethings out of whack.

If youre getting out of balance, and your phone is taking over a lot of other areas, [being on your phone less] may be a great goal for you, Dumler said.

Related...
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Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Wednesday voiced his administration's keen interest in expanding cooperation with China in various areas such as energy and climate change.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store delivers his speech at the Kirkenes Conference in Kirkenes, Finnmark County, Norway, Feb. 21, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

"We want to have a broad set of cooperation with China. We have a number of areas where we bilaterally can enhance cooperation," Store said in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the Kirkenes Conference, a significant yearly fixture in Northern Norway.

Highlighting China's global influence, he said that with its role in the world economy, China is a country Norway must work with in order to deal with energy issues, climate change issues and also big issues concerning peace and security.

Located within the Arctic Circle, Kirkenes serves as the central hub of the Sor-Varanger municipality in Finnmark county, Northern Norway.

First held in 2008, the Kirkenes Conference endeavors to shed light on various developmental facets within Northern Norway and its adjacent regions, touching upon political, business and social progress.
An 85-year-old man vanished on a North Carolina fishing trip  and now, a Missing Endangered Alert has been issued.

People are urged to be on the lookout for Orrin Jefferson Brown, who may be experiencing cognitive impairment, the N.C. Department of Public Safety said in the alert posted early Friday, Feb. 23.

A Silver Alert also was issued for Brown, who was last seen at about 12:45 p.m. on Feb. 22, after he left his home in Hendersonville, a mountain town roughly 25 miles south of Asheville. He got into his car to go trout fishing on a river in the nearby Brevard area, according to state officials and the Hendersonville Police Department.

But as of about 4 a.m. on Feb. 23, Brown hadnt returned home from the fishing trip, prompting the plea for help with finding him.

Brown is described as a 6-foot, 4-inch white man with short white hair and brown eyes. He was last known to be wearing a jean jacket, vest, white undershirt, and jean pants, officers wrote in a Facebook post.

At the time of his disappearance, Brown was driving a white Nissan Altima with license plate number KCJ-4421. He was last seen traveling south on Ridge Road at Oleta Road, police told McClatchy News in an email.

Anyone with details about Brown is asked to call officers at 828-697-3025.

A Missing Endangered Alert is issued when a missing person is believed to be suffering from cognitive impairment, that requires them to be protected from potential abuse or other physical harm, neglect, or exploitation. A Silver Alert is a similar notice for people who may have dementia or Alzheimers disease, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety.

Missing 6-year-old found over 1,000 miles away from home  on Maine island, cops say

22-year-old vanishes for weeks from New York home, cops say. Then his mom got a call
At least nine middle school students were given marijuana edibles by a fellow classmate, Michigan cops say.

The students at Discovery Creative Pathways became ill from consuming the edibles Feb. 22, Harper Woods police told McClatchy News.

The students at the K-8 school were between 12 to 15 years old, WDIV reported.

The intoxicated students were later released to their parents, police said.

At least one student was taken to the hospital, WDIV reported.

Police identified one student as the distributor of the edibles and brought them and their parents to the police station for further investigation, authorities said.

The student was released to their parents.

In a statement to McClatchy News, the schools parent company, Phalen Leadership Academics said, There was an isolated incident regarding unauthorized items or behaviors exhibited by a couple of middle school students ... and administration took immediate action. Administration is working to further assess and address this incident.

Police said the case has been submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutors Office to determine if any charges are warranted.

Marijuana is legal in Michigan for people age 21 or older.

1-year-old eats THC edible at day care, Indiana police say. Day care workers charged

Woman found shot in the woods was killed in fight over fentanyl, Virginia cops say

16-year-old overdosed on fentanyl, records show. Now Texas man is charged with murder
As a group of men and woman worked frantically to dig 7-year-old Sloan Mattingly out of the sand hole that collapsed around her at the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach Tuesday afternoon, other witnesses made desperate calls to Broward County 911 dispatchers in hopes of saving the child.

In the calls, which were released by the county to the Miami Herald this week, people can be heard yelling and wailing in the background as the bystanders spoke with dispatchers describing the harrowing scene taking place in front of the High Noon Resort.

The father started yelling for help, one of the callers said. The child is caught in a hole in the sand they were digging. The mom is yelling the daughter is in there.

Investigators on the beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea take photos of the scene of a sand hole collapse on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. A 7-year-old girl died Tuesday afternoon after she and a her brother were digging a hole in the sand on the beach at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea when it collapsed on them, a city official said.

A bunch of men are trying to dig somebody out, another caller said. There is a whole circle of men digging in the sand.

Its a little girl. Oh, my God, theyre still digging and yelling, a third caller said.

READ MORE: BSO identifies children in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach sand hole collapse

Despite the concerted effort among beachgoers, firefighters and Broward Sheriffs Office deputies to free the girl, she became unresponsive. When she emerged from the pit, Sloan wasnt breathing, and she had no pulse, according to Pompano Beach Fire Rescue.

It was an unfathomable accident, Pompano Beach Fire Rescue spokeswoman Sandra King told the Miami Herald.

According to the 911 calls, BSO deputies arrived within minutes after dispatchers were first called, followed by Pompano Beach firefighters and paramedics.

Yellow crime scene tape marks the area in a Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach where a 7-year-old girl died on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, after sand buried her at the bottom of a deep hole she and her brother had dug out on the beach, authorities said. Her brother was hospitalized.

The officer is going to the hole right now, a caller said.

After firefighters dug Sloan out using support boards and shovels, they rushed her to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, where doctors pronounced her dead.

READ MORE: A girl buried by sand died at a Florida beach. It occurs more than people realize

The Mattinglys were vacationing in South Florida from Fort Wayne, Indiana, when the tragedy occurred, according to 21 Alive News, a television news station in the state.

Theresa and Jason Mattinglys 9-year-old son Maddox, was also trapped in the 5-to-6-foot hole, but paramedics were able to get him out in stable condition, King said.

Sloan Mattingly

On a GoFundMe page set up by a family friend to help pay for funeral costs, Theresa Mattingly is quoted saying about the incident:

A freak accident happened yesterday while we are here on vacation and it took away our greatest 7.5 years. Dont tell us youre sorry for our lossdont do that to us. We experienced the purest human being and we are forever changed by her. We love you beyond any stretch of the imagination. Our sweet Sloan. What we would give.
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The regional grouping of Belarusian and Russian troops will hold military exercises on Belarusian territory in 2025, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said on Thursday.

Khrenin said in an interview that the Russian and Belarusian presidents initially proposed to hold joint strategic military exercises once every two years back in 2009.

"The next exercise will take place in 2025 on the territory of the Republic of Belarus," he said, adding that the maneuvers will focus on ensuring the military security of the Union State.

Khrenin further warned that Minsk would respond to any airspace violations, adding that there have already been six violations of the country's airspace since August last year.

"We respond to all violations. When necessary, our combat aircraft are scrambled, and anti-aircraft missile forces are brought to the appropriate level of combat readiness," he said, adding that in case of serious violations, Minsk will not hesitate to shoot down foreign aircraft that violate the country's airspace.
Alabama state Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, speaks with a colleague on the floor of the Alabama Senate on Feb. 22, 2024, at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Melson said Thursday he planned to file a bill to address a recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling declaring that frozen embryos are children, a decision that put in vitro fertilization procedures in the state in jeopardy. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The chair of the Alabama Senates Healthcare Committee plans to file a bill that could add protections for in vitro fertilization in the state amid mounting criticism of an Alabama Supreme Court decision putting IVF in jeopardy.

Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, said Thursday morning the bill would clarify that embryos are not viable until they are implanted in the uterus.

We all know that conception is a big argument that its life, Melson said. I wont argue that point, but its not going to form into a life until its put into the uterus.

Melsons move came almost a week after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in a lawsuit that frozen embryos are children and as IVF programs shut down in the state. The decision has brought denunciation from many quarters, including the White House.

Alabama House Democrats filed their own bill on Thursday that would declare that a fertilized egg or human embryo outside the human body is not a person.

Writing for the majority in the Supreme Court case, Justice Jay Mitchell wrote that there were no exceptions for frozen embryos under an 1872 law allowing civil suits for wrongful deaths of minors or under the 2018 constitutional amendment that requires the state to ensure the protection of fetuses.

The upshot here is that the phrase minor child means the same thing in the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act as it does in everyday parlance: an unborn or recently born individual member of the human species, from fertilization until the age of majority, Mitchell wrote. Nothing about the act narrows that definition to unborn children who are physically in utero. Instead, the act provides a cause of action for the death of any minor child, without exception or limitation.

Not penalized for success

Hands holding a petri dish containing tiny clear dots.

Embryologist Ric Ross holds a dish with human embryos at the La Jolla IVF Clinic Feb. 28, 2007, in La Jolla, California. The University of Alabama Birmingham on Wednesday said it was stopping IVF treatments after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos were children. (Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

Melsons draft legislation says that any human egg that is fertilized in vitro shall be considered a potential life but shall not be considered for any purposes a human life, a human being, a person, or an unborn life unless and until the fertilized egg is implanted into a womans uterus and a viable pregnancy can be medically detected.

Melson told reporters Thursday afternoon that it was time to figure out some of the consequences of IVF technology, and that a woman should not be charged with abandonment or manslaughter if she chooses not to use all of her frozen embryos.

When a lady is two or three successful pregnancies and these are left over, its just time to make sure that they arent penalized for success, he said.

Melson said that, after a discussion with Legislative Services Agency, he does not think it will require a constitutional amendment.

Two more programs close

Fertility experts and reproductive health groups said the ruling will end IVF treatments in the state. The University of Alabama Birmingham said Wednesday that it would pause its IVF program amid fears that patients or staff could be prosecuted under the decision.

Two more programs announced Thursday that they were pausing treatments.

Mobile Infirmary said Thursday it will stop its IVF program as of Feb. 24.

Mark Nic, president and CEO of Infirmary Health, the parent company, said in a statement that the recent ruling left them no choice.

We understand the burden this places on deserving families who want to bring babies into this world and who have no alternative options for conceiving, the statement said.

The statement said they are preparing embryos for transfer. A message seeking comment was left with a spokesperson for the company.

Alabama Fertility Clinic, based in Birmingham, said on Instagram that they made the impossibly difficult decision to hold new IVF treatments due to the legal risk to our clinic and our embryologists.

At a time when we feel so powerless, advocacy and awareness is our strongest tools, the statement said. The clinic said it would not close and will continue to fight for our patients and the families of Alabama.

A request for comment was left with the clinic.

Criticism and reaction

Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, in the chamber of the Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Stew Milne/Alabama Reflector)

President Joe Biden condemned the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling on Thursday, saying it was a direct result of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

A court in Alabama put access to some fertility treatments at risk for families who are desperately trying to get pregnant, the president said in a statement. The disregard for womens ability to make these decisions for themselves and their families is outrageous and unacceptable.

The House Democrats bill, HB 225, is sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville. The bill says that any fertilized human egg or human embryo that exists in any form outside of the uterus of a human body shall not, under any circumstances, be considered an unborn child, a minor child, a natural person, or any other term that connotes a human being for any purpose under state law.

Unlike Melsons legislation, the bill does not say that fertilized human eggs or embryos are potential life. It also does not require medical detection to establish a viable pregnancy.

Daniels said in an interview on Thursday that he did not work with Melson, but he was interested in seeing his bill.

I just felt the need to address this issue fairly quickly because of the urgency of it and that ruling was total a total shocker, he said. So I just think we need to provide more clarity.

Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, chair of the House Health Committee, said Thursday the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling will not go unattended.

Its going to be addressed and there is work being done on it, he said.

He added that he does not know what the legislation will look like yet and they still have to understand what it needs to happen.

Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, said that the ramifications of the ruling are clear, and that people are horrified by what this could mean for peoples freedom to make healthcare decision for themselves.

This isnt a game. This isnt just politics, and lets score some points to be able to put in a campaign out  these are real peoples lives that are very, very affected and in a very intimate way, he said.

Melson said we have technologies advanced beyond what we expected in the past, and said he wants to make sure there are protections for IVF clinics should power failures or wrecks during transportation cause the loss of frozen embryos.

Im just trying to make sure its clear on what should be done and how we should handle it, he said.

Ensler argued that because there was no definition of embryos or IVF treatment in statute, the Alabama Supreme Court applied their own definition.

The [Alabama] Supreme Court, in their ruling, they claimed that they were following existing law. So, what were doing is essentially clarifying, or what we should do is clarify existing law so theres not any ambiguity or room for the Supreme Court to interpret it or apply it in a different way, he said.

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, whos sponsored reproductive rights legislation in the past, said that the IVF ban adds to the list of things that make people not want to live in Alabama, since its the only way some people can start a family.

Its going to make people want to leave, he said.

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Alabama senator planning to file bill that could protect in vitro fertilization appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
A supporter wears a tribute to slain transit passenger Oscar Grant, outside the Los Angeles Superior Court before the sentencing of the former Bay Area Rapid Transit officer Johannes Mehserle, who was responsible for the Oakland shooting last year, in Los Angeles on November 5, 2010. Prosecutors this morning are expected to recommend prison time for the former Bay Area Rapid Transit officer convicted of fatally shooting Grant, but the defense will argue for probation with time served. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)

OAKLAND, Calif. - Fifteen years after her son was shot and killed by a BART police officer at the Fruitvale station, Oscar Grant's mother finally got his cellphones back from the Alameda County District Attorney's Office on Thursday.

At a press conference in her Oakland office, District Attorney Pamela Price handed over two phones to the Rev. Wanda Johnson, who seemed to get emotional as she thanked Price for returning her son's property.

"I'm thankful to the District Attorney's Office and I just encourage families to don't give up, to continue to pursue justice for your loved one, let the world know what has happened with your loved one, and continue to seek justice for your family," Johnson said.

She told reporters that she's looking forward to getting the phones home so she can charge them and go through Grant's photos and other content, although she already knows what his final photo was.

"So, Oscar's last picture in his phone was of the officer who shot and killed him, pointing his Taser at him," Johnson said.

She also said his last call was to his fiancee.

"He was up on the platform talking to her, telling her that (BART police) were beating them up for no reason," Johnson said. "And so I definitely wanted all his property back and it means a lot to be able to look in and see... what other pictures he had taken for me."

Grant was killed on New Year's Day 2009 by then-BART Officer Johannes Mehserle, who was responding with other officers to reports of a possible fight on a train.

In a highly publicized trial, Mehserle admitted that he shot and killed Grant, who was unarmed and laying on his stomach, but said he had meant to use his Taser stun gun but fired his service gun by mistake.

He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to two years in prison but was released early because of credits he had accumulated.

The phones that Price gave to Johnson on Thursday were found in Grant's possession at the time of his death.

Price said her predecessor Nancy O'Malley's administration refused to return the phones "for reasons that remain unexplained" and vowed to create protocols so families of victims won't have to endure excessive wait times to get their loved one's property back.

Johnson said that while the phones' return won't bring closure, they will help her feel a little closer to her son.

"It does my heart glad," she said.


A coal-fired power plant in Healy, Alaska, not far from Denali National Park and Preserve. (Cropped photo by Craig Talbert republished under Creative Commons license)

A coal-fired power plant in Healy, Alaska, not far from Denali National Park and Preserve. (Cropped photo by Craig Talbert republished under Creative Commons license)

Burning coal to make electricity generates significantly more carbon pollution than using natural gas for the same purpose.

But a new bill drafted by Sutton Republican Rep. George Rauscher still seeks to define coal-generated electricity as clean energy  putting it on the same footing as wind, solar, tidal and hydroelectric power.

The proposed legislation, House Bill 368, is Rauschers bid to advance an energy policy debate that has otherwise stalled at the Alaska Capitol.

George Rauscher is pictured. (Alaska Legislature photo)

George Rauscher is pictured. (Alaska Legislature photo)

Theres a reality to keeping the lights on and keeping everybody warm today, Rauscher said. As opposed to the vision of what were going to have in the future.

Conservation and other advocacy groups have been pressing lawmakers to require Alaskas urban utilities  which serve residents and businesses between Fairbanks, Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula  to generate more of their electricity from sources like wind and solar. Such a policy is known as a renewable portfolio standard, or RPS.

The utilities currently generate some 80% of their power from fossil fuels  namely natural gas, and some coal. But amid tightening gas supplies, advocates are pushing lawmakers to pass an RPS that requires the utilities to generate 80% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2040.

Two legislators  Anchorage Democratic Sen. Loki Tobin and Wasilla Republican Rep. Jesse Sumner  have each proposed bills with those targets. A preliminary analysis by federal energy researchers found that meeting them would not meaningfully raise prices for consumers because the costs of renewable power projects are already competitive with natural gas plants.

But both bills have stalled amid skepticism from some utility leaders, and concerns from legislative Republicans about moving away from fossil fuel-based power sources. Even as advocates have hired lobbyists to push the legislation forward, no hearings on the two bills have taken place since this years legislative session began in January.

Sumners bill is languishing in the House Energy Committee chaired by Rauscher, while Nikiski GOP Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, the chairman of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee where Tobins bill is stuck, has vowed to block RPS legislation.

Rauscher said his new bill aims to break that gridlock. Included in its expansive definition of clean energy are other sources of electricity that have drawn industry interest, like nuclear power; it also sets a less aggressive target of 60% clean energy by 2051, and gives utilities even more time unless the state makes expensive upgrades to Alaskas electrical grid.

The RPS legislation was not going to work, Rauscher said. It was dead. He said he drafted several versions of his bill and discussed his ideas with stakeholders, including utilities, members of a state energy task force, regulators and green power advocates.

This was, OK, lets look at this from a different angle, he said. What we want to do is incentivize the utility companies to try alternative measures. But yet we dont want to rule out the fact that there are existing things we are utilizing right now  like coal, up in the Fairbanks area, theres power plants  we dont want to say, Youve got to dismantle those. Were not saying that were going to move completely off of hydrocarbons so fast itll make your head spin.

Rauschers proposal, and particularly its treatment of coal, are already drawing derision from boosters of renewable energy, however. Erin McKittrick, a Seldovia-based writer and analyst, described the bill as a jumbled mess in a blog post that first reported the bills definition of coal as a clean energy source.

McKittrick said it was nonsensical to call coal clean while excluding natural gas, which emits less carbon per unit of electricity generated, from the same treatment. She also poked holes in other elements of the legislation, like how it would only give utilities credit for renewable power projects that they own  rather than projects built by private developers that sell electricity back to them.

Rauscher described that omission as an oversight that will be fixed.

Other supporters of more aggressive renewable energy targets were more charitable, saying they object to the coal provisions of Rauschers bill but are eager to see negotiations advance at the Capitol.

For me, the general interest is in how were going to get to yes. And Im excited to see other folks putting their ideas and concepts on the table, said Tobin, the sponsor of the Senate RPS bill. I personally think that we need to be putting our resources toward diversification and moving toward a future that reduces our carbon footprint, our carbon impacts. However, I think the strength of the Legislature in Alaska is that were willing to have these difficult conversations and negotiate.

Rauscher has scheduled his bill for its first hearings, in the energy committee he chairs, next week.

Nathaniel Herz welcomes tips at natherz@gmail.com or (907) 793-0312. This article was originally published in Northern Journal, a newsletter from Herz. Subscribe at this link.

The post Alaska lawmakers bid to revive stalled green energy policy defines coal as clean appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
FILE - Brian Steven Smith arrives in a courtroom after a break, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in Anchorage, Alaska. Smith, who recorded the violent death of an Alaska Native woman on his cellphone, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in her death and that of another Alaska Native woman. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  A South African man who tortured an Alaska Native woman and narrated as he recorded a video of her dying was found guilty of first-degree murder on Thursday for killing her and another Native woman.

The Anchorage jury returned a unanimous verdict against Brian Steven Smith after deliberating for less than two hours.

Smith, a 52-year-old from South Africa, showed no reaction in court and stared ahead as the judge read the jurys verdict. He was arrested after a woman stole his cellphone from his truck and discovered the gruesome footage from 2019. The woman, a sex worker who became a key witness during the trial in Anchorage, then copied the footage to a memory card and ultimately turned it over to police, prosecutors said.

Smith later confessed to killing another Alaska Native woman whose body had been found earlier but had been misidentified.

Smith was found guilty of all 14 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Kathleen Henry in 2019 and Veronica Abouchuk, either in 2018 or 2019. He was also convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault.

Sentencing was set for July 12 and July 19. Alaska does not have the death penalty.

Freda Dan, who is part of the Abouchuk family by marriage, sat through the trial nearly every day and gave high marks to law enforcement and the judicial system for their thorough work.

We weren't invisible, and we are people, said Dan, who is from the village of Stebbing, adding they were treated with respect. Other family members declined to comment.

Also attending the trial was Smith's wife, Stephanie Bissland of Anchorage.

He was very good for me, but he had another life, I guess, she said, adding his problems were likely exacerbated by heavy drinking.

Bissland said when he was first jailed, he was in a very dark place. He got better, she said.

She plans to write him and visit him when he is transferred to a prison. Divorce is not in the cards. I said my vows, she said.

Jurors stayed in the courtroom Thursday after delivering the verdict to hear more evidence about whether the first-degree murder conviction involved aggravating factors. They later found the murder involved substantial physical torture after hearing additional arguments from attorneys. That will subject Smith to a mandatory 99-year sentence.

For Abouchuks murder, he faces 30 to 99 years.

The graphic videos were only shown to the jury during the three-week trial, but audio could be heard in the gallery, where some heard Henry gasping for breath before dying. Prosecutors said he drove around with Henrys body in the back of his pickup for two days before dumping her corpse on a rural road south of Anchorage.

The video never shows the mans face but his distinctive accent is heard on the tape. He narrates as if to an audience and urges Henry to die as shes repeatedly beaten and strangled in an Anchorage hotel room.

In my movies, everybody always dies, the voice says on one video. What are my followers going to think of me? People need to know when they are being serial-killed.

Henry and Abouchuk were from small villages in western Alaska, Henry from Eek and Abouchuk from Stebbins. Both women had experienced homelessness.

Authorities say Henry was the victim whose death was recorded at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a hotel in midtown Anchorage. Smith was registered to stay from Sept. 2 to Sept. 4, 2019; the first images showing her body were time-stamped at about 1 a.m. on Sept. 4, police said.

The last images on the card were taken early on Sept. 6 and showed Henrys body in the back of a black pickup, according to charging documents. Location data showed that at the time the photo was taken, Smiths phone was near Rainbow Valley Road, along the Seward Highway south of Anchorage, the same area where Henrys body was found several weeks later, police said.

Valerie Casler, the woman who provided the images to police, has changed her story over the years about how she came into possession of the SD memory card.

She first claimed she found the card, labeled Murder at the Midtown Marriott on the ground.

Later, she claimed she stole the card from the center console of Smiths pickup when they were on what she described as a date, but then changed it to say she stole Smiths phone from the truck.

When she charged the phone, she said she found 46 images and one video on it, and later transferred those to an SD card she stole from a department store. She then labeled the card. Authorities later said the SD card contained 39 images and 12 videos.

During an eight-hour police interrogation at the Anchorage airport, Smith confessed to police that he also killed Abouchuk. Smith had picked her up in Anchorage while his wife was out of town. He said she smelled, but Abouchuk refused to take a shower when he asked.

He became upset, retrieved a pistol from the garage and shot her in the head before dumping her body north of Anchorage. He told police where the body was left, and authorities later found a skull with a bullet wound there.
Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov was arrested again in Nevada on Thursday, two days after a federal judge released him from custody on charges of telling the FBI lies about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

The disgraced ex-informant had been a key witness for congressional Republicans bent on impeaching the president  an inquiry that now lies in tatters.

Smirnov was re-arrested during a morning meeting in Las Vegas with his lawyers, who swiftly filed an emergency motion for his release.

The attorneys say the re-arrest was unwarranted given that law enforcement was not serving a different warrant; they say their client was taken into custody on the exact charges as on Feb. 14.

Following a hearing on Tuesday, a federal judge agreed to release Smirnov from custody on certain conditions  such as GPS monitoring  and he was set free. His attorneys say he has not even had a chance to leave the county.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, argue that he is a flight risk.

Smirnov was accused of making a false statement and creating a fictitious record regarding the Biden familys supposed connections to a Ukrainian energy company. He told the FBI that Joe Biden and Hunter Biden each received $5 million in bribes from the company Burisma around 2015.

His claims about the presidents family allegedly stem from Russian intelligence. Prosecutors allege that Smirnov had extensive contact with Russian officials and had plans to meet with them abroad. In addition, they argued that Smirnovs roughly $6 million in accessible funds meant he could live comfortably for the rest of his life if he were to flee.

Smirnov has not yet entered a plea.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts ordered Smirnov to surrender the two passports he holds as a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen.

Biden and other Democrats have called for an end to Republicans impeachment probe since Smirnovs initial arrest.

It appears like the whole thing is not only obviously false and fraudulent, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said Wednesday, but a product of Russian disinformation and propaganda.

Related...
U.S. defense officials are concerned the military may lose access to crucial staging ground in the Pacific region  and potentially cede it to China  because of a lapse in funding held up in Congress.

At risk are a set of agreements dubbed Compacts of Free Association, or COFA, under which the U.S. provides aid and other services to three island states: Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. In return, those countries allow America exclusive military access to their territory, which in total is larger than the continental United States when including their surrounding waters.

Last year, after months of negotiation, the three states signed an updated agreement for $7 billion in U.S. support over 20 years. But that funding has not yet passed in Congress. In the meantime two of the three islands current pacts have expired and are now tied to the temporary spending bills that have kept the U.S. government open since late last year.

Palaus agreement lapses at the end of this fiscal year, but the government there is facing budget shortfalls.

Were already late in getting this done, Jedidiah Royal, the Pentagons deputy for Indo-Pacific policy, said in an interview with Defense News.

At stake for the Pentagon are three core security concerns.

The first is competition with China. The islands  collectively referred to as the Freely Associated States  sit near the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands and American partners such as Papau New Guinea and Australia. Defense officials consider it indispensable territory.

Theyve been able to rely on that assumption of presence and access for all of their planning, said Kathryn Paik, who until last year led the National Security Councils portfolio for the region. Every contingency you can imagine in the Pacific  Korea, Taiwan  everything depends on [those] assumptions of defense access.

Right now, the U.S. has exclusive access to the three islands territory, meaning American ships can enter their waters and American planes can fly through their airspace. At the same time, America can also deny the same access to U.S. adversaries, in particular China.

That is crucial to maintaining deterrence in an increasingly competitive region, Siddharth Mohandas, then-deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, said in testimony before Congress last year.

Another security concern involves the United States existing defense sites on the islands. The Marshall Islands are home to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, and the U.S. is building a radar installation on Palau.

Royal said his office hasnt studied how much it would cost to relocate these assets and therefore decline to attach a dollar figure to it. But he said that endeavor wouldnt be cheap, and outside experts have estimated it could cost hundreds of billions of dollars.

Lastly, officials across the government are concerned about credibility. The hallmark of the Biden administrations approach to the Indo-Pacific has been its work with allies and partners. In the last few years, the government has helped widen and deepen security ties with countries across the region, including the neighborhood affected by COFA.

In recent years, China has bolstered its influence with nearby island nations. The Solomon Islands flipped its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, a win for Beijing, which considers Taiwan a renegade province and has threatened to take it back by force. Days after Taiwans presidential elections this year, in which a pro-independence candidate won, the island nation of Nauru also restored diplomatic relations with Beijing over Taipei.

A Chinese fighter pilot takes part in military drills around Taiwan on April 9, 2023. (Mei Shaoquan/Xinhua via AP)

The Freely Associated States have reminded the U.S. of their value, Royal said, but theyre also telling us that were not the only game in town.

Paik also emphasized concerns from the regional partners.

We have been fighting against this skepticism that were hearing from leaders across the region: Are you really here to stay this time? she said.

Working around the clock

A bipartisan group of almost 50 House members this week wrote to the chambers speaker urging him to pass the agreements. And Royals office has increased its tempo of briefings before Congress on the issue in the last two months. He said his team hasnt received pushback.

But the hitch involves funding trade-offs. House leadership has demanded $2.3 billion of the agreements be met with other spending cuts  against the administrations position that the pacts shouldnt require offsets.

COFA funding was included in the first draft of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, but didnt make the final text when negotiators couldnt agree to offsets in time. Neither did it make the most recent text of the $95 billion security supplemental that passed the Senate in February.

A congressional aide familiar with the discussions said the issue has the attention of leadership, and that representatives are asking to attach funding to the supplemental. But that bill itself has stalled.

Were just working around the clock to find the offset and then put it in the legislative vehicle thats readily available, the aide said.

In the meantime, U.S. access to the territories is up to the discretion of the countries party to COFA. Those nations can revoke that access at their discretion, and the longer it takes to fund the pacts in Congress, the more pressure their leaders will face to hedge against American dysfunction, said Arnold Palacios, governor of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Patience is a virtue, but it also has its limits, he told Defense News.
There may be no large-scale missile attacks on Ukraine on 24 February, the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but Ukrainian defenders are ready to repel such an attack.

Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Air Force of Ukraine, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast on 23 February

Details: A journalist asked whether there were any preparations for extraordinary or unprecedented strikes on the eve of the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ihnat replied that large-scale attacks may not occur, but they cannot be ruled out.

Quote: "We should always expect something disgusting from Russia because it is a country that is trying to destroy us physically as a country. There may or may not be some kind of timing for attacks. Everyone has to be on their guard every day.

I just want to remind everyone once again how it was last year: it was the first anniversary, everyone was waiting for both 23 February, when their army celebrates the Soviet Day of the Defender of the Fatherland, and 24 February, when the first anniversary [of the full-scale invasion] was. There was no attack on either the 23rd or 24th. The large-scale attack took place on 9 March, so the next large-scale attack was delayed until then.

So everyone should be on alert. Air defence is always on duty, the Air Force is also on duty, and the Defence Forces are ready to repel an enemy air attack."

Background:

On the night of 24 February 2022, after eight years of hybrid warfare, Russia launched its full-scale armed invasion of Ukraine. The war, which Russia calls a "special military operation", has been going on for two years.

It is assumed that Russia may launch massive strikes on important or symbolic dates. However, such concerns do not always come true.

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Children are seen in a building destroyed in an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Feb. 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

At least 40 Palestinians were killed and 100 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on the central Gaza Strip, the media office of the Hamas-run government in Gaza said in a press statement on Thursday.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that Israeli aircraft launched several raids on a number of residential houses in the city of Deir el-Balah, which led to their complete destruction.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry noted that the bodies of some victims had been transferred to the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Ambulances and civil defense teams rushed to the sites of the attacks to save people after the Israeli raids left the neighborhood severely damaged, the security sources added.

Medical sources said that the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital is now crowded with thousands of wounded, sick and displaced people.
ODESA, Ukraine  The American Century is ending, with external adversaries outmaneuvering the United States in critical strategic contests worldwide, while internal extremists destroy American leadership.

Whether one believes  as American officials say they do  that the purpose of U.S. power is to enforce a rules-based liberal international order and defend human rights, or whether one believes  as Russian President Vladimir Putin and his friends say they do  that the U.S. uses its espoused ideals as cover for rapacious empire-building, its clear Washington is capable of doing neither effectively.

Watching C-17s packed with fleeing Afghans take off from Kabul in the summer of 2021, this was easy to understand.

Certainly Americas adversaries understood. Less than three years later  and two years into the full-scale invasion of Ukraine  authoritarian regimes are tearing apart Americas strategic projects. Washingtons response is paralysis, the gears of its political machinery seized, corroded by partisan malice.

The breakdown of the U.S.-led global order is the underlying cause of what we are seeing, says Ian Morris, a professor of history at Stanford and author of Why the West Rules  For Now, adding that the trend since the end of the Second World War has been a narrowing of technological and economic disparities between the West and the rest.

We shouldnt be unduly surprised that, as the strategic gap narrows with the relative decline of the American global position, we see people becoming more and more willing to challenge the superpower, Morris says.

Of the 27 active global conflicts tracked by the Council on Foreign Relations, 17 are now characterized as worsening  including four that could have a critical impact on the United States.

In Ukraine, war is bursting out of the cage in which U.S. policymakers hoped to keep it contained. The continuing loss of towns like Avdiivka after protracted fighting incentivize Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia, while Moscow increases pressure on NATO trying to break up the alliance supporting Kyiv. There is talk of nuclear war with rhetoric that would make Nikita Khrushchev blush.

The Biden administration can no longer help Ukraine defend itself, thwarted by former President Donald Trump, who has seized control of the Republican Party while claiming he will let Russia do whatever they want with American allies.

The MAGA movement has gone all-in on backing Russia, with billionaire Elon Musk providing money and a platform for nativist agitators like Tucker Carlson to advance Putins agenda, while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and GOP Sens. J.D. Vance (Ohio), Tommy Tuberville (Ala.), and Mike Lee (Utah) run interference. Together they spread the lie that halting aid for Ukraine will stop the war, when in reality it will only help a tyrant continue murdering an oppressed people.

President Joe Biden has also handed adversaries a propaganda coup by helping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embark on a months-long campaign of violent retribution in Gaza after a massive terror attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, which is deepening divisions over foreign policy and shattering claims of moral standing. As a result of all this, American allies now view Washington as more an agent of geopolitical chaos than stability.

The timing couldnt be worse. An ad-hoc authoritarian alliance  including Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea  is coalescing into a mosaic of overlapping strategic interests, willing to use all available means to destroy the global order, grab territory, and achieve hegemony.

To make matters worse, its working. Putin is inserting himself directly into the Gaza conflict by inviting Palestinian factions  including Hamas  to meet in Moscow on Feb. 26, while Tehran just revealed it is helping Russia attack Ukraine by supplying hundreds of ballistic missiles. The current U.S. showdown with Iran is itself the result of a decade-long cooperative effort by Iran and Russia to challenge American military supremacy.

After more than 30 years of Middle East military intervention, the U.S. has not only failed to achieve its strategic goal of containing Iran  Tehrans influence is peaking. This is seen in the cycle of violence that began when Israel responded to the Oct. 7 attacks with a war that has claimed thousands of lives, most of them civilian.

Over ensuing months, the conflict grew: Israel bombed Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian targets in Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza; the U.S. hit Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq; Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen fired missiles at ships in the Red Sea; the U.S. and U.K. bombed the Houthis; Iran carried out missile strikes in Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan; Pakistan carried out air strikes against Iran; Turkey bombed Kurds in Syria and Iraq; Jordan bombed Iranian-backed drug dealers in Syria; even Somali pirates are getting in on the action.

Despite signs neither Washington nor Tehran is keen to escalate, the trouble with proxy wars is proxies arent easily managed. If Iran and the U.S. do fight a broader war, it will likely start somewhere most Americans have never heard of  and couldnt find on a map.

On Jan. 28, three American soldiers were killed and dozens wounded in a drone attack on a military base called Tower 22, near the ancient Baghdad-Damascus highway, close to the Syrian-Iraqi-Jordanian border.

On Feb. 2, American strategic bombers responded, launching 125 missiles against 85 targets in Iraq and Syria.

Their primary target was Kataib Hizbollah, which is the premier militia in Iraq, operating under Irans direct command, according to researchers at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. The militia claimed responsibility for the attack on Tower 22, but Kataib Hizbollah has been killing Americans since 2007  part of Irans shadow war against U.S. forces in Iraq.

That illustrates an uncomfortable truth: American policy in the region is a checklist of failures, including the decision to invade Iraq under false pretenses in the first place. While the U.S. military became skilled at finding and killing HVTs  high-value targets  in Iraq, Washington never developed a strategy that didnt rely on using high explosives to solve complex problems.

This inability to master political dynamics left the door open for others working on longer timelines toward concrete goals. As one military leader from an allied Arab state told his Marine counterpart in 2009: All America is doing in Iraq is handing it over to Iran.

The U.S. Air Force is now hitting the same strategic locations we were hitting back in my time, says Col. Steve W. Davis, the retired commander of Marine Regimental Combat Team-2, who ran counterinsurgency operations in the Iraqi city of Al Qaim, across the border from Syria, from 2005 to 2006. The city was a Sunni insurgent redoubt, run by militants and smugglers with overlapping tribal allegiances, but there was no Iranian influence that me or my team was aware of when we were in Al Qaim.

During and after Davis deployment, the Marines worked to stop Al Qaeda-linked fighters flowing into Iraq. They spent years developing relations with tribal leaders, partnering with government forces and compiling intelligence about criminals and insurgents operating in the area.

But America grew tired of this. It withdrew, leaving a weak Iraqi central government entangled in sectarian strife. Security forces jockeyed for influence against Kurds in the north and Shia militias  some backed by Iran  across the country. Al Qaeda and other extremists became an afterthought.

The Syrian Civil War began in 2011, the same year the U.S. ended the Iraq occupation, and with its onset, Al Qaim became a conduit for fighters traveling to Syria to battle the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

The result was a disaster: Sunni militants declared the Islamic State in 2013, and swept across Iraq and Syria. The U.S. and its allies openly sought to oust Assad  with Washington secretly backing generally ineffective rebel groups to do so  but the Islamic State now became a more critical threat.

Safe back in the States, we watched with great disappointment how quickly [the Islamic State] took territory and caused Iraqi army formations to disperse, says a Marine officer who served in Al Qaim. What could we have done? Not withdrawn prematurely. Nobody wants forever war  but this work takes years.

The Obama administration assembled an international coalition to fight the Islamic State  downplaying that Washington helped create the power vacuum in which the group flourished  putting planes in the air, boots on the ground, and throwing resources at Iraqi security forces, Kurdish peshmerga, and Syrian rebels.

America now shared an enemy with its enemies: Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime also wanted to fight the Islamic State, while Moscow and Tehran hoped to retain a friendly government in Damascus.

As the Islamic State grew, the Marine officer says, we were in the strange position of rooting for the Shia to take control of Sunni territory and oust the militants.

Iran obliged, flooding the region with advisers, fighters, and weaponry to stop the spread of the Caliphate  and expand Tehrans influence, part of its strategy to oppose the Israeli-American alliance.

But Iran lacked the firepower needed. So in July 2015, Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force  the clandestine and extraterritorial operations unit of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps  met with Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, hashing out a deal to coordinate operations in Syria.

Soleimanis trip laid the foundation for military cooperation in Syria, says Dr. Nicole Grajewski, an expert in Russo-Iranian relations and a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The relationship became a lot closer than it used to be, and many of the contacts were institutionalized.

By September, Moscow sent a naval flotilla, thousands of soldiers and advisers, and dozens of bombers, attack aircraft, and helicopters to Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia, on Syrias Mediterranean coast. At its height, the Russian mission involved perhaps 6,000 military personnel  a surprisingly light footprint to save an ally.

The Russian intervention in September 2015 provided decisive air power to Syrian and Iranian-backed ground forces, expanding Assads territorial control and solidifying the regimes hold on power, Grajewski says. In short, the Russo-Iranian partnership in Syria succeeded in achieving its main goals. The Kremlin saw this as an opportunity to contest U.S.-led interventionism. But for Iran, Syria is much more important. Its part of the axis of resistance against U.S.-Israeli power.

While the U.S. and its coalition succeeded in dismantling the Islamic State, they failed to oust Assad. Iran, on the other hand, had effectively created a ground line of communication all the way to its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon.

By 2017, Al Qaim had been retaken by Kataib Hizbollah, opening the border and Euphrates corridor to Iranian proxies. And American soldiers were in the middle of the growing Iranian shadow state in eastern Syria.

The U.S. forces deployed to combat the Islamic State were subsumed into Americas strategy to contain Iran. That the Islamic State could resurge provides a shield with which to ward off accusations of mission creep on Capitol Hill. But American forces in the region are primarily engaged in combat with Iranian proxies, rather than Islamic State dead-enders.

This is why Tower 22 was attacked by Kataib Hizbollah. And although the U.S. assassinated Soleimani in Baghdad in January 2020, the enduring legacy of his mission to Moscow can be seen in the Iranian-designed drones exploding in Ukrainian cities.

Despite bungling its regime change strategy in Ukraine, two years after the invasion Russia holds much of the territory it seized. Moscow is weathering economic sanctions and a flood of Western weapons provided to Ukraine. Iran is giving Russia drones, technology, and armaments  as are China and North Korea.

For decades, Russia was the worlds second-largest arms exporter, after the United States. The war in Ukraine has effectively turned the flow around: Now, Moscow is buying back weapons from its former customers.

Meanwhile, the coalition Washington rallied to Kyivs cause is fractious, unable to deliver promised guns and money amid internal bickering and lack of political will.

Moscow continues to test Western resolve with aggressive provocations. Russias missiles and drones wander into Polish and Romanian airspace, while its planes routinely fly with their transponders off over the Baltic Sea, sending NATO aircraft scrambling to intercept  more than 300 times last year.

In the Black Sea, Russias sea mines and missiles have hit foreign-flagged commercial ships, its fighters intentionally downed an American drone, and it threatened to shoot down manned French patrol aircraft. The Kremlin carries out frequent cyberattacks and electronic warfare targeting NATO members. It is fomenting violence and discord in the Balkans between its ally Serbia and independent Kosovo, where 4,500 NATO soldiers are deployed to keep the peace.

Moscow recently added Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to a wanted list, another sign Russia is laying the groundwork to use the Baltics as a wedge to pry NATO apart. Danish officials delivered a sobering assessment, saying Russia could attack a NATO member within three years.

The Kremlin is also challenging America in the Pacific, conducting naval exercises with China in the Bering Sea, while hardliners claim Putin issued a decree last month voiding Imperial Russias treaty selling Alaska to Washington. Even Norway is alarmed at Russian-Chinese cooperation, warning the two have a revisionist agenda in which they seek to reshape the international order.

Russian officials now regularly shuttle between Tehran, Beijing, and Pyongyang on a quest for sanctions-busting deals. By creating a self-sustaining axis of the sanctioned, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China have found an effective way to blunt the impact of Western tools of economic coercion.

Amid all of this, Pyongyang is increasing missile testing in the Sea of Japan, while China grows aggressive in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, with experts seeing a crisis this year as likely. One U.S. official told me: Dont underestimate the level of coordination in all of this.

As Russian forces advance in Ukraine, Washington is deadlocked. The Biden administration, neutered by Trump loyalists, is unable to execute meaningful foreign policy as the country approaches what could be the most consequential election since 1860.

That there is a rabid core of diehard isolationists on the right is nothing new: Whats surprising is that MAGA has so effectively compromised Americas international position, even with the movements leader out of office.

Unfortunately, American isolationism is no more intellectually consistent than is American exceptionalism. Even as some denigrate Ukrainian resistance to Russia as another forever war, they urge direct military action against Iran. The trauma of George W. Bush-era incompetence in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) sent the right careening down a path that whipsaws between total strategic disengagement and violent interventionism bordering on sociopathy.

The left spent the past 20 years caught between hawks living in a neoconservative fantasyland where dropping bombs on the Taliban might create a better future for Afghan women, and a coolly naive internationalism where dictatorships could be turned into democracies through the seductive force of TED Talks. Mainstream Democrats have been happy to support just enough militarism to avoid being called peaceniks, while whispering to themselves, If we close our eyes, our peer adversaries cant see us.

Even as Barack Obama dispatched Reaper drones to shoot Hellfire missiles at Yemeni wedding parties and bombed Libya like a born-again Reagan, he let Putin have his way in Crimea  and kept turning the corner in Afghanistan until it was Biden who ultimately decided to end decades of failure in the Graveyard of Empires.

But Washington never forsook its love for GWOT. So when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, Biden gave Netanyahu the greenlight to indulge the same counterproductive bloodthirst America embraced after Sept. 11. As Israeli forces kill thousands of civilians in Gaza and Biden earns the moniker Genocide Joe from his critics, the White House must have found it a relief when the Houthis joined the fray, giving the U.S. Navy targets for Tomahawks, relatively unencumbered by Palestines moral complexities.

None of it equates to a coherent strategy. In its unhinged War on Terror, America lost the understanding that a firm voice and a holstered gun often keep the peace better than a loudmouth brandishing a nightstick. Live, laugh, launch cruise missiles: So long as America is doing something, why worry about the end game?

In reality, everything is heading towards the use of nuclear weapons and possibly the destruction of humanity, writes Alexander Dugin, the sage of Russian neo-imperialism.

If nuclear saber-rattling doesnt work, the authoritarian crowd is happy to leverage technology and potent identity politics to wrench apart democracies through active measures. Even as Starbucks socialists rally in support of Islamic extremists and post TikToks praising authoritarian regimes anti-imperialism in the name of intersectionality, far-right propagandists mix anti-liberalism with antisemitism, Islamophobia, and White Replacement Theory  until many social media platforms seem more Beer Hall Putsch than digital town square.

It is revealing that Dugin is particularly pleased that MAGA and Marxists alike are aligned in opposition to American aid for Ukraine: Together, they are committed to dismantling liberal dominance.

Although ideologues have been easily suckered by adversaries packaging actual wars as extensions of the culture wars, a clear majority of Americans understands these conflicts as threats to the national interest. For Republicans to embrace the idea that America should only unsheath its sword to serve a global protection racket, while Democrats prove themselves inept at besting any military challenge that cant fit in the back of a Toyota pickup, its understandable many of my security sources have begun embracing a fashionable nihilism. But nihilism is a weak peg on which to hang the future.

Lost amid American torpor is the reality that conflicts dont always just work themselves out. From the Sahel to the South China Sea, security crises are expanding into major multinational conflicts. One of the deepest fears of the national security establishment for generations, that the U.S. could again face two major theater wars, no longer seems a Cold War-era fantasy.

Far from the bombs falling on Gaza, rockets landing in Israel, drones flying into Ukrainian cities, or cruise missiles hitting Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, Americans can indolently ponder: What are U.S. soldiers doing in Syria? Will bombing the Houthis work? Is there an Israeli-Palestinian future that doesnt involve genocide? Will America aid Ukraine? Will China invade Taiwan? Will NATO fight Russia?

The answer: We have no idea.

But dont worry if America doesnt have a plan.

Vladimir Putin surely does.

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The American Queen Voyages cruise company, which traveled the rivers, lakes and oceans of North America from Canada to Mexico  including stops in St. Paul  has ceased operation and canceled all scheduled cruises as its parent company, the Hornblower Group, files for bankruptcy.

Unless a buyer sets her back in sail, the companys departure from the industry ends the decades-long run of the six-deck American Queen, believed to be the largest steam paddle-wheeler ever built on the Mississippi River.

Despite great efforts by our team, crew and partners, American Queen Voyages (AQV) unfortunately has been unable to rebound from the effects of the pandemic, reads a notice on the companys website. The overnight cruise industry was especially affected by changes in travel preferences and, as a result, AQV has become financially unsustainable.

The cruise company had an on-again, off-again romance with Minnesotas capital city, disappearing for four years before resuming visits in 2012. The company last deboarded in St. Paul in 2019, according to St. Paul Parks and Recreation officials, though a longstanding employee said the final capital city voyage of the American Queen occurred on Oct. 4, 2015, according to his log.

After that, they might have used a different boat, said Mark Veum, a retired Roseville engineering officer who worked the American Queens engine room off and on from 2006 to 2022.

Even when the ship  christened in 1995 with capacity for 600 guests and crew  stopped in Red Wing instead of St. Paul, shuttle excursions brought passengers into the capital city. There were tours all over the place, Veum said.

Some cruise and travel industry publications called the companys closure little surprise after years of reported turmoil, including service and payment issues.

The Signature Travel Network stopped selling tickets for the cruise line in March 2023, then resumed once commissions had been paid, according to Travel Weekly.

Other cruise companies have found Minnesotas relatively chilly waters more inviting.

Viking River Cruises debuted Mississippi River trips from St. Paul to New Orleans in the fall of 2022, and multiple cruise companies service Lake Superior and the rest of the Great Lakes. American Cruise Lines also sails the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Red Wing or St. Paul.

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Robert Nuey, a former U.S. Army serviceman with 22 years of service, recently launched the Senses Chef Table gastronomic studio in Lviv. In an interview with NV Food on Feb. 23, he discussed his journey to becoming a chef and his efforts to support Ukrainians through his studio.

Despite the fact that the chef was born, raised and lived in the United States, in 2004 he visited Kyiv for the first time, where passion for Ukraine began. Robert Nuey spoke about his love of cooking, his military service, and the beginning of his volunteer work after the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Read also: Ukrainian convenience food chain opens store in Philadelphia

 Where does your love for cooking come from and what experience do you have?

 I was born and raised in Chicago, IL. My desire to cook and become a culinary expert started in my hometown when I started watching a show on TV with the famous chef, writer and TV host Julia Child and tried to recreate her dishes for my family. Then I started cooking on the barbecue and grill for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But my first professional experience as a chef came after my first contract with the U.S. Army in 1992. After nine years of military service, I enrolled in a local culinary school and graduated in the spring of 1998.

Started studies on a part-time basis and then switched to a full-time program to work in the schools gourmet restaurant. I gained experience in hotels, restaurants, and catering companies. I also worked as a private chef for some of the most influential people in Chicago.

Read also: Russian copycat steals name and logo from Lviv fast food-chain

After graduating, I immediately started my career as a chef at the French Consulate in Chicago, while also founding my own company, Epicurean Experience. After working as a chef for more than four years, I was called back to the army. In 2004, I returned to civilian life and worked as a security guard in Afghanistan for two years, followed by another eight years in Iraq. Although my main duties were to secure our embassy, I never forgot my culinary skills in my free time. I organized dinners, parties, and barbecues for my colleagues, the US Ambassador, his staff, and many other people.

In Ukraine, I took part in several chef exhibitions, consulted restaurants in Kyiv, held several exclusive pop-up dinners, as well as master classes even before the quarantine period due to the COVID pandemic.

A haute cuisine dish from Senses Chef Table  Lviv Provided by Robert Nuey

 What are your favorite dishes from your army days and what food is most memorable from this period?

 Its hard to say that I had any favorite dishes while serving in the army. Food in the army is not meant for pleasure, but to fill your stomach and get enough calories and energy to continue performing any task at any time of the day or night. But I can say that breakfast, which consisted of scrambled eggs or an omelet, was always pretty decent. I cant complain about the lunches during special American holidays either.

Robert Nuey preparing a banquet Provided by Robert Nuey

 How did you decide to move to Ukraine and why did you choose Lviv?

 I visited Ukraine for the first time in 2004. After I had the opportunity to travel in Eastern Europe, I set out to visit and explore it as soon as possible. And I was quite successful. I chose Ukraine as my first destination. But from 2004 to 2021, I mostly visited only Kyiv. I loved this city and for some reason had no desire to live anywhere else, although I traveled to Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, and Crimea (before the annexation).

Read also: Using culinary skills to save lives: Jose Andres' vital work feeding Ukrainians

In August 2021, a close friend of mine, with whom I wanted to create a restaurant project together, invited me to come to Lviv and see the opportunities this city had to offer. I immediately fell in love with the charm of the old town and the similarities between Lviv and cities in Western Europe, especially with Italy, where I have been many times. Although I love Kyiv, I thought it was time to move to the place that gave me such a warm feeling both inside and out. I realized that Lviv would eventually become my home. In October, less than two months later, I found a great apartment and moved to this city.

Dishes at Senses Chef Table  Lviv Provided by Robert Nuey

 What are your favorite Ukrainian dishes?

 My favorite Ukrainian dishes are borsch and shuba (dressed herring). If I could, I would eat borsch every day. Im a big fan of soups in general, but borsch is my love! I tried shuba at a New Years party during my first visit to Ukraine in 2004, and it was absolutely perfect. The combination of pickled herring, beetroot, onions and potatoes with mayonnaise is a real pleasure.

Senses Chef Table  Lviv Provided by Robert Nuey

 Do you speak Ukrainian?

No comment! But honestly, I use an app every day to learn everything I can. But, as they say, you cant teach an old dog new tricks. Even though I try my best.

Dinner at Senses Chef Table  Lviv Provided by Robert Nuey

 How did you choose the concept for Senses Chef Table  Lviv?

This idea came up a few years ago when I was still living in Kyiv. The initial concept was to create a space where I could team up with local, regional, and even international chefs. We wanted to serve international cuisine, hang paintings or photos related to a particular country on the menu, and offer music playlists and live music.

Read also: Ukrainian couple running a popular pizzeria in Hamburg  NV profile

Before the pandemic started, I had a lot of ideas that I wanted to implement, and I was quite ready for it. But when the COVID pandemic started, all my ideas were put on the back burner, and I didnt know when I would be able to implement them. That is why in August 2020, I decided to return to my previous life as a security guard in Iraq to earn money. It was only on Feb. 21, 2022 that I returned to Lviv, planning to pack my suitcase and fly to the United States to visit my son. But my plans changed completely on the morning of February 24, when Russia started war against Ukraine. It was at this time that I founded the humanitarian charity organization UA Lifeline. Although I officially registered it only a year later, we started our active work from the first days of the war in Ukraine.

When I realized that donations were starting to come in very slowly, I decided to use my culinary skills to be able to raise funds to continue working in Ukraine. With the help of local chefs, I opened a pop-up restaurant where guests pay a certain amount for a tasting dinner, and some part of that money goes to UA Lifeline.

The interior of the kitchen at Senses Chef Table  Lviv Provided by Robert Nuey

 Who exactly does UA Lifeline help?

UA LIFELINE was created to help Ukrainian people during this terrible war started by Russia. We started by helping the massive flow of internally displaced people coming from the east. I helped them with housing, feeding them, providing hot showers and warm beds until they could continue their journey west to Europe. Then I created logistics chains that helped bring aid from Poland, the UK, the US and even Australia to Lviv, and then send it eastwards to where it was most needed.

Later, I started delivering this aid to civilians who desperately needed it myself, as well as providing aid to the military fighting on the front lines, in the most dangerous areas near the front line or in close proximity to it. We regularly traveled to Kherson and surrounding villages, Zaporizhzhia, Nikopol, Kramatorsk, Kostiantynivka, Chasiv Yar, Lyman, Sloviansk, Izium, and throughout the Kharkiv Oblast.

Preparing an invited dinner at Chef Table  Lviv Provided by Robert Nuey

 Is there anyone you are planning to invite to a next dinner party at Senses Chef Table  Lviv in the near future?

We dont choose our guests. Guests find us themselves through social media. They write to us, book a table, and come at the reserved time. We are currently planning the next event and will announce it shortly. I can say that the theme of our next event will be spring, and it will include not only a brunch menu, but also a dinner menu. Me and three other chefs will be cooking for our guests, two of those chefs are from well-known restaurants. If all the seats for dinner will be booked quickly, we will plan the next event immediately after.

A dish prepared at Senses Chef Table  Lviv Provided by Robert Nuey

Haute cuisine at Senses Chef Table  Lviv Provided by Robert Nuey

A dish prepared for an invited dinner at Senses Chef Table  Lviv Provided by Robert Nuey

Invited dinner at Chef Table  Lviv Provided by Robert Nuey

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
An American commercial lunar lander touched down on the moon Thursday, marking the first time the U.S. had landed on the surface in more than 50 years and the first time a privately-built built vehicle has made contact at all.

No American craft had landed on the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, until Odysseus touched down in the South Pole region of the moon late Thursday afternoon.

Built by Intuitive Machine, the Nova-C lander, nicknamed Odysseus, reached the lunar surface at approximately 6:23 p.m. ET, though a weak signal caused a glitch until flight controllers could gain better communication.

What we can confirm, without a doubt, is our equipment is on the surface of the moon, mission director Tim Crain told crew in the Houston control center, followed by a round of applause.

Your order was delivered to the Moon! @Int_Machines' uncrewed lunar lander landed at 6:23pm ET (2323 UTC), bringing NASA science to the Moon's surface. These instruments will prepare us for future human exploration of the Moon under #Artemis. pic.twitter.com/sS0poiWxrU  NASA (@NASA) February 22, 2024

I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface and we are transmitting. Welcome to the moon, Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus said on the live webcast.

The spacecraft is upright and starting to send data, Intuitive Machines confirmed in a post on X. Crew are now working on accessing data that will provide the first images from the lunar surface.

Odysseus launched at 1:05 a.m. on Feb. 15 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Today, for the first time in half a century, America has returned to the Moon .



On the eighth day of a quarter-million-mile voyage, @Int_Machines aced the landing of a lifetime.



What a feat for IM, @SpaceX & @NASA.



What a triumph for humanity.



Odysseus has taken the Moon. pic.twitter.com/JwtCQmMS2K  Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) February 23, 2024

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson added in a post on X: Today for the first time in more than a half-century, the US has returned to the moon. Today is a day that shows the power and promise of NASA's commercial partnerships. Congratulations to everyone involved in this great and daring quest.

He hailed the mission in his speech, adding it bore the dream of a new adventure, a new adventure in science, innovation, American leadership in space...what a triumph. Odysseus has taken the moon. This feat is a giant leap forward for all of humanity. Stay tuned.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The logo of the human rights organization Amnesty International is pictured in Berlin. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

The human rights organization Amnesty International on Friday called on the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan to stop carrying out executions and abolish the death penalty.

"We oppose all executions as a violation of the right to life. The Taliban has been repeatedly carrying them out publicly which is a gross affront to human dignity as well as a violation of international laws and standards and cannot be tolerated," the organization stated in a press release.

"Carrying out executions in public adds to the inherent cruelty of the death penalty and can only have a dehumanizing effect on the victim and a brutalizing effect on those who witness the executions. Meanwhile, the protection of the right to a fair trial under the Taliban's de facto authority remains seriously concerning," they continued.

The cause for the organization's appeal was a public double execution at a stadium in the southeastern city Ghazni on February 22, while "thousands watched the shooting of two convicted men as their victims relatives fired the gunshot."

This is the third and fourth publicly known execution under the Taliban rule.

The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is also "strongly" opposed to the penalty.

"UNAMA urges the de facto authorities to establish an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty, as a step towards its abolition," the UN mission took to platform X, formerly Twitter.

When the Taliban seized power once again in August 2021 amid the chaotic withdrawal of international troops from the country, they promised a more moderate course.

However, they have repeatedly carried out public executions. The UN has also criticized the Taliban for this calling on them to stop. During the first Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001, floggings, amputations and stoning's were carried out in public on a regular basis.
When it comes to ambition, American food giant Mondelez sets the bar immeasurably high. The companys mission  proudly displayed under the environmental social and governance (ESG) section of its website  is to lead the future of snacking by offering the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way.

At which point, its hard to take anything else it says on such issues seriously. Perhaps it doesnt matter anyway, not when its ludicrously over-paid chief executive appears to be on his own mission to turn Mondelez into the laughing stock of corporate America.

It is Dirk Van de Puts humble assertion that the $100bn (79bn) chocolate maker, whose brands include Cadbury, is justified in continuing to peddle its modest wares in Russia because there has been no shareholder pressure whatsoever, to get out of the country.

There have been some impressive moral gymnastics performed from those Western companies that have disgraced themselves in continuing to operate in Vladimir Putins gangster state, but Van de Puts lily-livered words rather aptly take the biscuit at a company that counts the inimitable Oreo among its big brands.

In fact, the Belgian has almost given up any pretence of trying to justify the companys continued presence in a country that is thought to have killed 70,000 Ukrainians  10,000 of them innocent civilians. Even worse, in pinning the decision on shareholders, hes effectively absolving himself of blame, which is about as spineless as it gets.

Perhaps the reason that Van de Put is content to pass the buck is that he finds it genuinely hard to know what the right course of action is and would therefore rather wait to be told, despite the fact that this should be the easiest decision hes ever made.

Still, its clear that hes spent some time thinking about Mondelezs position, and has somehow managed to convince himself that its okay to be lining the Kremlins pockets while it rains bombs down on Ukrainian cities.

If you have an important Russian business, the hit on the company would be huge, and that becomes a different discussion, he told the Financial Times. Does it? Size shouldnt be a factor when weighing whether to exit a country run by a regime as abhorrent as Putins government.

A single penny from any Western corporation towards Putins war effort is a penny too much - VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/Shutterstock

Besides, Mondelezs Russian business contributed just 2.8pc of its global turnover in 2023, down from 4pc in 2022, which makes the decision to hang around all the more baffling.

Its hardly a cornerstone of the Mondelez empire and yet the taxes that it pays directly to Moscow will be meaningful. But if they werent, even a single penny from any Western corporation towards Putins war effort is a penny too much.

Van de Put is on equally flimsy ground with the contention that it is better for the Russian operations of Western companies to remain in responsible hands rather than end up being passed over to Putins criminal associates on the cheap for the profits to then be channelled directly to the Kremlin too.

It is a tired argument. Van de Put may not enjoy thinking for himself but surely he understands that in staying put, Mondelez and other big Western names are handing a huge propaganda victory to Russia that is far more valuable than any amount of tax receipts.

By the same token, every time a company leaves, it is a reminder to the world that Putins Russia is an international pariah. As Yale University professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld has pointed out, it was corporate boycotts  more than sanctions  that helped abolish apartheid in South Africa.

Still, it doesnt help that the Wests sanctions scheme is deeply flawed. Western organisations are allowed to remain in Russia but Western companies are barred from exporting to the country, and even then many are easily circumventing the rules.

An investigation by Sky News has found that British firms are exporting hundreds of millions of pounds of equipment including drone equipment and heavy machinery through countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia from where they are understood to be forwarded on to Russia.

Mondelezs investors include BlackRock, whose boss is the high-priest of do-goodery Larry Fink - Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg

Perhaps it is time to tax Western companies still doing business in Russia and use the proceeds to help Ukraine, as one senior EU official called for recently.

But this whole sorry escapade also raises some fundamental questions about how big business operates, not least what purpose someone like Van de Put serves, which is to say that if he only acts on investors orders then whats the point of him at all?

The role of a chief executive isnt to sit there waiting for instructions from shareholders like some nodding dog bureaucrat. He or she is supposed to lead, particularly when they are paid life-changing amounts of money to do so.

Van de Put took home $18m in salary and bonuses last year, which most sane people would probably agree is a ludicrously generous sum for a man who sells Toblerone and Ritz crackers for a living. But for that sort of money, it is reasonable to expect that he is capable of much more than acting as some sort of glorified bureaucrat.

Yet for all Van de Puts shameful obfuscation, surely the biggest mystery is why the ESG movement continues to be taken seriously when Mondelezs investors include some of the biggest names in global finance, among them BlackRock which is headed up by the high-priest of do-goodery Larry Fink.

As for Mondelez itself, among the nauseating examples of self-righteousness you will find on its corporate website is the declaration that successful companies do more than focus on financial results, they create value for the world at large and positively impact the lives of those around them, along with a boast that the company is guided by a pledge to do business the right way.

This sort of nonsense cant go on. The Wests moral ambiguity over Russia has exposed the whole ESG edifice as an absurd, empty sham. It is time to tear it down.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping's Special Envoy and Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Jiang Zuojun will travel to Namibia on Feb. 22 to attend the state funeral of the late President of Namibia Hage Geingob in Windhoek, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Thursday.
Dr Asif Munaf, who was handed an interim suspension order of 15 months, has called Zionism a godless, satanic cult

Dr Asif Munaf, the Apprentice star, has been suspended from the medical register amid an anti-Semitism row.

Dr Munaf was handed an interim suspension order of 15 months pending a full investigation by the General Medical Council (GMC).

It comes a week after he was edited out of spin-off show, The Apprentice: Youre Fired, having initially only been sent on diversity and inclusion training by the BBC.

The 34-year-old, who ran a health and wellness clinic until it was temporarily closed on Thursday, has been accused of making racist, anti-Jewish remarks in the wake of the Oct 7 massacre.

These have included calling Zionism a godless, satanic cult and Zionists odiously ogre-like.

He also wrote on social media that he was compiling a list of sadistic doctorssupporting the Zionist genocide.

On Friday he took to X, formerly Twitter, to call the GMC cowards in response to the judgment.

What tremendous shame it is to see the regulatory body of an honourable profession be abused as a pawn by the Zionist lobby in this [proxy] tit for tat over their genocide, he wrote.

What a waste of time. What a waste of doctors registration fees. Absolute shame on you, he added.

The BBC sent Dr Munaf, an Apprentice contestant, on a diversity training course - BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston

The suspended doctor was a contestant on the Apprentice until he was fired last week, but the BBC refused to act on calls not to air him despite being aware of his views.

Instead, the broadcaster sent him on a diversity training course, with a spokesman claiming it had done so as soon as it had been made aware.

As soon as we were alerted, we took immediate action and spoke to Asif in detail on this, an Apprentice spokesman said. Asif took part in specialised training to understand why his posts may cause offence. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment on and off screen.

It comes after Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, told the regulator to take a tougher stance against discrimination and anti-Semitism within the profession.

Dr Dimitrios Psaroudakis, a consultant gynaecologist, was suspended for three months for suggesting parts of London would be better Jew free, while Dr Wahid Shaida, who ran the Islamist extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir until its ban, is still able to practise despite calling the Oct 7 attack by Hamas a very welcome punch on the nose to Israel.

Dr Munaf said he was unfazed by efforts to be struck off the GMCs medical register.

They think this will shake me. It only strengthens me. Dont they know that the exact amount of money I will make before I die was written before I was even conceived? I have absolute conviction in my Lords Decree, he wrote.

Unlike most other [Apprentice] candidates, the show is just one small chapter in my life. Its not my entire personality. Nor is it the biggest thing Ive done in my life. This is why they are beholden to the broadcaster and I am free. Alhamdulillah for Islam.

Made women feel uncomfortable

He was also accused by fellow contestants of making women feel uncomfortable with comments about only having sex with virgins, according to The Sun.

An insider told the newspaper: Asif made the candidates feel uncomfortable. They were particularly shocked when they heard the way he spoke about sex and women.

Crew members were also horrified and could not believe someone with this attitude had made it so far in the process.

Dr Munaf denied the accusations.

A GMC spokesman said: Dr Mohammed Munaf has been interim suspended pending the conclusion of a full GMC investigation.

An Interim Orders Tribunal of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service imposed the interim suspension on his practice yesterday

We are acutely aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding Dr Munaf, and we will take action where concerns suggest patient safety or the publics confidence in doctors may be at risk.

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Critics of the lenient bail policies and woke Democratic prosecutors warn Raad Almansoori, a New York City murder suspect, shows signs of a budding serial killer.

And they don't want to risk letting him loose for the second time in just a few months.

He is accused of brutally killing a woman in a SoHo hotel, strangling her and crushing her skull with an iron before surveillance video appeared to show him stepping out onto the streets wearing her leggings. He soon arrived in Phoenix, Arizona, where he allegedly stabbed a woman, stole her car and made his way to a suburban McDonald's, where prosecutors say he stabbed another woman before police arrested him in Scottsdale.

But months before any of that, according to court documents from a dropped case in Florida, he was accused of abducting a female co-worker, sexually assaulting her, choking her and threatening to kill her. Prosecutors dropped most of the charges, and he went free in September with $2,500 and just a grand theft auto case pending.

ARIZONA PROSECUTOR FIRES BACK AT NYC DA BRAGG, DEFENDS DECISION TO REFUSE EXTRADITION FOR VIOLENT SUSPECT

Raad Almansoori, who police say is wearing Denisse Oleas-Arancibia's leggings after she was killed

After his arrest in Scottsdale, he allegedly told police to "Google the SoHo 54 hotel," the building where the NYPD alleges he murdered Denisse Oleas-Arancibia. According to authorities, he also claimed to have hurt three more women in Florida.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

With Almansoori now being held in a jail in Maricopa County, Arizona, local District Attorney Rachel Mitchell has argued that her Manhattan counterpart Alvin Bragg's progressive policies and New York laws allowing the release of violent suspects on low or no bail have created a dangerous environment not just in the Big Apple, but around the entire country.

"It was just a couple of weeks ago that some of the illegal immigrants that were in New York City who beat up on police officers were let go," Mitchell said. "They were flipping the camera off as they walked out of jail, and guess where they ended up?

"Four of them ended up in Maricopa County, and they had to be taken into custody here. I don't want that to happen. I don't want this individual getting out and able to victimize more people."

MANIAC WHO BRUTALLY MURDERED WOMAN WITH IRON IN NYC HOTEL ARRESTED IN ARIZONA: POLICE

Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, who was killed two weeks ago in a New York City hotel

This is not the first custody battle involving Almonsoori, who has now been accused of viciously attacking women in at least three states. While he was being held without bail on grand theft auto charges in Sumter County, Florida, in April 2023, he was served with a warrant on more serious charges, including sexual battery and assault, in nearby Orlando, according to a spokesperson for Republican States Attorney Bill Galdson of the 5th Judicial Circuit.

The victim in that case, Leah Palian, says Orlando-based prosecutors from the 9th Judicial Circuit ignored warnings that the murder suspect was a "potential serial killer."

She faulted prosecutors on Facebook for "callously" reducing the charges against him and told Fox News Digital he reminded her of Ted Bundy, the infamous serial killer who preyed on young women around the country in the 1970s, and Richard Ramirez, the "Night Stalker."

"I think the Night Stalker, he actually has so much in common. They even kind of look alike to an extent," she said.

The suspect sought for strangling and bludgeoning a woman found dead in a SoHo hotel has been nabbed in Arizona after he allegedly stabbed two women there, a police source said Tuesday. NYPD detectives want to question Raad Almansoori about the Feb. 8 murder of Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, who was found strangled and struck in the head with an iron inside the SoHo 54 hotel on Watts St. near Sixth Avenue.

She said the news of Oleas-Arancibia's murder rattled her because she already suspected he could someday kill someone after her harrowing encounter.

"I saw that statement they put out, and they said they didn't have enough evidence," she told Fox News Digital. "To that, I would like to say I don't think that this is a case of evidence or lack thereof, I think it's a case of evidence."

For example, she said, after he allegedly stole her car, he then used his own ID at a pawn shop to sell the bicycle off of her bike rack.

RAGING WOMAN KICKS PUPPIES, LEAVES TEXAS TOURIST BLOODIED IN NYC PET STORE RAMPAGE CAUGHT ON VIDEO

Almansoori allegedly stole her phone, strangled her and claimed she "made the devil come out" before sexually assaulting her, according to court documents, which include graphic depictions. She escaped by asking him to let her use a public restroom, which she locked herself inside while calling 911 for help.

"The one thing that I knew that was holding him in there and was keeping me safe was that he had a bail that he could not afford, but once they dropped it, it was just devastating," Palian said.

Court records show 9th Circuit prosecutors dropped all but the car theft charges against Almansoori in June. Ninth Judicial Circuit State's Attorney Andrew Bain's office told Fox News Digital Thursday it could not discuss the active case in detail but that investigators had insufficient evidence to support the sex assault charges despite graphic testimony from the victim.

Asked about the feud between Mitchell and Bragg, Palian said she just wants to see Almansoori locked up for as long as possible.

"I actually do not know about other states judicial systems. I just know about my state and how it failed me," she said. "I want whatever is going to keep this man behind bars and is going to keep him off the streets and keep women safe."

DOORMAN SAVES WOMAN FROM BROAD DAYLIGHT ROBBERY AS ONLOOKERS DO NOTHING AND SUSPECTS RUN AWAY LAUGHING

Bain's office on Wednesday filed to have Almansoori's September bond revoked.

"We are disheartened to hear about the tragic events in New York and Arizona, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and all the communities impacted," a spokesperson said.

"I am so livid, to be honest, about them putting out that statement that says we did the best we could basically, when there's a literal charge in my case that they dropped that I could provide you a plethora of evidence for," Palian countered.

Mitchell, the Arizona prosecutor, said she is done leaving things to chance.

"Even though there is a homicide in New York, we can guarantee that he is going to stay in custody here," she told "Fox & Friends" Thursday morning. "Let me be very clear, my heart goes out to the next of kin of the victim in New York, [and] I'm not casting aspersions on the NYPD either  but we have a case here, and we have him in custody."

John Kelly, a criminal profiler who has interviewed serial killers, agreed with the Florida victim that Almansoori shares traits with a budding serial killer.

"You've got a live one here, with a few things going on, disassociation being one of them," he told Fox News Digital. "It looks like he was on his way, was getting started, so it's a good thing they got him."

Paul Mauro, a retired NYPD inspector, also warned that Almansoori shared telltale characteristics with other killers and has shown himself to be a danger to the public.

"Arizona can hold him and tell all these other jurisdictions to pound sand while they adjudicate their own case," he said. "If they convict him and lock him up, Bragg may not see this guy until hes out of office."

Bragg's office pushed back at Mitchell's remarks in a statement this week.

"It is deeply disturbing that DA Mitchell is playing political games in a murder investigation," spokeswoman Emily Tuttle told The Arizona Republic. "In Manhattan, we are serious about New Yorkers safety, which is why murders are down 24% and shootings are down 38% since DA Bragg took office."

She said New York's murder rate is less than half of Phoenix's and called the refusal to extradite Almansoori "a slap in the face."

Rachel Mitchell, a Republican prosecutor from Arizona, listens during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., Sept. 27, 2018.

According to NYPD crime data from 2000 to 2022, Big Apple murders reached a record low in 2017 at 292 and climbed every year until reaching 488 in 2021. Bragg took office in 2022, when there were 438 murders, up more than 100 from the pre-pandemic total of 319 in 2019.

Robberies, meanwhile, remained near record lows from 2017 to 2021 and spiked by thousands in 2022. The bellwether crime afflicted 17,411 individual victims that year.

Murders are rare in general and typically involve gang or domestic violence, Mauro said.

"That's a real crime when people are coming into your neighborhood to steal from you," he said. "Those are the things that people feel and lead to quality-of-life declines."

In response to a request for comment, Bragg's office pointed to a Thursday news briefing in which Bragg defended crime stats under his term in office and accused Mitchell of "grandstanding" and playing "political games."

"I do not know what they do in Arizona, but here in this county, New York County, we routinely seek and get remands, which means the person's in custody, in our murder cases," he said.

He also said the four migrants arrested in Maricopa were not suspects in the NYPD assault case. He added that seven suspects in that crime are now being held in city jails after his office secured a superseding indictment.

"I have never in my career seen a situation where law enforcement officials have refused to extradite someone because they had zero confidence in the ability [or] commitment of the requesting agency to prosecute," David Gelman, a former New Jersey prosecutor, told Fox News Digital. "Its really unprecedented."

Gelman wrote a Feb. 13 op-ed about the issue for Fox News Digital, arguing that Democratic bail reforms allow "extremely dangerous" suspects to roam free.

"This is why blue states and liberal-leaning jurisdictions have the problems they have," he said Thursday.

Bragg took office with a controversial "Day 1" memo in which he called on prosecutors in his office to seek non-prison punishments for some crimes and to release more suspects from jail until their trials. He has since retreated on some issues.

"In Braggs defense, he outlined exactly what he wasnt going to do  basically his job  before he was elected," said Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. "It was all on his website for all to see, but that doesnt matter."

Elections have consequences, he added.

"The fact that we are even talking about this goes to show you how nutty things have gotten in the New York state criminal justice system," Giacalone added. "Was it political and grandstanding? Yes, but is she wrong? Thats the question."

Fox News' Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.





Original article source: Arizona warns all Americans in danger from Dem DAs as suspect in extradition battle called 'next Ted Bundy'
(Reuters) - Armenia has frozen its participation in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) because the pact had failed the country, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview broadcast on Thursday.

Pashinyan also said Azerbaijan, with which Armenia has fought two wars over the past three decades, was not adhering to the principles needed to clinch a long-term peace treaty, and suggested Azerbaijan was preparing to launch another attack.

Pashinyan told France 24 television that the CSTO pact, dominated by Russia, had failed Armenia.

"The Collective Security Treaty has not fulfilled its objectives as far as Armenia is concerned, particularly in 2021 and 2022. And we could not let that happen without taking notice," Pashinyan said through an interpreter.

"We have now in practical terms frozen our participation in this treaty. As for what comes next, we shall have to see."

He said there was no discussion for the moment of closing a Russian base in Armenia. That was subject to different treaties.

Pashinyan has in recent months expressed discontent with Armenia's longstanding ties with Russia and said Armenia could no longer rely on Russia to ensure its defence needs. He had suggested its membership of the CSTO was under review.

Other ex-Soviet members of the CSTO include Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Azerbaijan recovered swathes of territory in 2020 in the second war over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, populated mainly by ethnic Armenians but internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

Last year, Azerbaijan's military took control of the territory, prompting most of its residents to leave for Armenia.

In his remarks, Pashinyan said prospects for clinching a long-term peace treaty were hurt by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's statements which Armenia interpreted as laying claim to large parts of Armenian territory."If the principles of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders are not recognised by Azerbaijan, it is simply not possible," he told France 24.

"Azerbaijan is using the situation to feed its rhetoric. That leads one to think that Azerbaijan is getting ready for a new attack on Armenia."

Key elements in securing a treaty are demarcation of borders and the establishment of regional transport corridors often through the territory of each others' territory.

Aliyev has also raised the issue of determining control of ethnic enclaves on both sides of the border.

Pashinyan and Aliyev have discussed moves towards a peace treaty at several meetings, including discussions last week at the Munich Security Conference.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski; editing by Miral Fahmy)
An Army doctor faced arraignment Friday over charges that he sexually assaulted 41 male patients he treated while working as an anesthesiologist at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

When reports first came to the attention of Army investigators on Feb. 22, 2022, Maj. Michael Stockin was serving as an anesthesiologist at JBLMs Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington. He had been assigned to JBLM since July 2019.

Stockin was immediately suspended from seeing patients when officials received the first reports, Lt. Col. Jennifer Bocanegra, a spokeswoman for the base, told Army Times in August. Since his suspension, Stockin has continued working administrative duties in a non-clinical area of the medical center. He does not live on JBLM, officials said.

Armys Office of Special Trial Counsel spokeswoman Michelle McCaskill told Army Times in a statement late Friday that prosecutors referred 52 charges and specifications against Stockin. Specifically, there are 47 specifications for abusive sexual contact and five for indecent viewing for a total of 41 victims.

Stockin deferred entering a plea until the next court session, according to the statement. Defense and prosecution teams will litigate pre-trial motions April 17-18, July 9-11 and Aug. 15-16. Stockins trial is currently scheduled for Oct. 7.

The office also released a redacted charge sheet, which alleged that the earliest incidents involving inappropriate touching of patients began in late 2019 and continued through 2022. Many instances involved touching patients genitals for no medical purpose. If convicted of the charges he faces, Stockin could face prison time and a dishonorable discharge.

An earlier statement provided by McCaskills noted that the investigation into Stockin remains open and will remain open through the trial. Army (Criminal Investigation Division) has interviewed patients from Maj. Stockins duty stations and will further investigate should additional victims come forward.

The investigation spanned more than a year until charges were brought against Stockin in August. Initial reports involved 23 alleged victims, that number rose to 41 as of Fridays hearing after prosecutors filed updated charges against Stockin.

The sheer number of alleged victims could make this one of the Armys largest sexual assault prosecutions, officials previously said.

An arraignment is a hearing in criminal cases when a defendant is formally charged and can enter a plea. Typically court dates for subsequent hearings and a trial are set in an arraignment.

Robert F. Capovilla, Stockins attorney, told Army Times in a statement that his client will plead not guilty to all charges and specifications in todays hearing.

At this point, the defense can say with supreme confidence that we intend to fight against every single allegation until the jury renders their verdict, Capovilla wrote. Until then, we sincerely hope that the United States Army is fully prepared to respect Major Stockins Constitutional rights at every phase of this process, both inside and outside of the courtroom.

Capovilla added that in todays political culture the media will condemn Stockin and render judgement before the judge or jury hear evidence.

We urge everyone to keep an open mind, to remember [Maj.] Stockin is presumed innocent and understand that this fight is just getting started, Capovilla wrote.

Ryan Guilds, an attorney for seven of the alleged victims, declined to comment before the hearing when reached by Army Times Thursday.

There are more questions than answers, including the scope and scale of the alleged crimes and what military and hospital leaders knew and could have done to prevent this, Guilds told Army Times in August following initial reporting on the case.

Two former patients and alleged victims of assault by Stockin shared accounts of the incidents with CBS News.

Both men, who are now retired, described visits to see Stockin for physical pain and how while alone with the doctor they would be asked to undress and he would then examine their lower body and genital area, touching them inappropriately.

In September, two alleged victims, one retired the other still in service, filed administrative complaints that accused the Army and Department of Defense of negligence for failing to prevent the alleged abuse, Christine Dunn, an attorney with Sanford, Heisler and Sharp, the firm representing the two soldiers, wrote in a statement announcing the filings.

The Army had a duty to take reasonable measures to protect patients in its care, Dunn wrote. The fact that Dr. Stockin was able to abuse so many patients is compelling evidence that the Army was negligent in supervising Dr. Stockin.

The plaintiffs seek $5 million each in damages. The Army has six months to investigate the claim.

As a matter of policy, Army officials do not comment on ongoing litigation.

Stockin had served as an anesthesiologist in the Army since May 2013. He deployed to Iraq from October 2020 to February 2021. Prior to his JBLM assignment he served at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii from June 2013 to July 2014 and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland from July 2014 to July 2019.

*EDITORS NOTE: This article has been updated with new information provided by the Armys Office of Special Trial Counsel.
Rosie Bucknall said it was an 'utter betrayal' to army families who had made personal and financial sacrifices for many years - VAGNER VIDAL/INS NEWS AGENCY LTD

The Ministry of Defence has been accused of an utter betrayal over a new military accommodation plan that will no longer allocate houses based on rank.

A group of Army wives has launched a campaign calling on the Government to rethink its new housing policy that will mean many families are moved into smaller living quarters.

Servicemen and women are, along with their families, provided with accommodation on or near military bases. Staff have historically been rewarded with larger homes as they progress through the ranks.

But from next month, the MoD will change the rules across the Army, Navy and RAF so that for the first time houses are allocated on the basis of how many children a serviceman or woman has, not their rank.

The policy, called the Modern Accommodation Offer (MAO), means officers risk having their living space reduced, with the biggest loss incurred by those with smaller families.

Dismantling access to decent housing

The move has sparked outrage from the families of officers who are often forced to move around the country every two or three years and often have little to no choice over where they live.

Rosie Bucknall, the wife of an Army captain, told the defence select committee in written evidence that the social contract that exists between the military and its personnel will be eroded if the plans go ahead.

She said: The offer, as those serving call it, has been persistently degraded over recent decades, and now they are dismantling our access to decent housing.

For officers and their family members, who have made personal and financial sacrifices for 10 or 20 years, this is utter betrayal.

Mrs Bucknall waived her right to anonymity when giving evidence to the select committee to express her concerns about the new model but many spouses have refused to speak publicly, fearing the impact on their partners career.

A petition set up by the Army wives urging a review of the policy has received 16,000 signatures. It warns: If the policy is implemented as it currently stands, we believe that Armed Forces retention rates are likely to fall to even lower levels than those at present.

Drop in recruitment and retention

The military is suffering a huge recruitment and retention problem, with the number of people leaving the Armed Forces having jumped by almost a fifth at the end of last year.

Lord Dannatt, the former head of the Army, has warned the new model could prove a tipping point that forces officers to go into the private sector, further impacting the already diminished size of the military.

A record 792 Army officers left the service early in the last quarter, compared with roughly 450-550 per quarter over the past decade, according to the quarterly service personnel statistics.

The poor quality of military accommodation has been raised as problematic for recruitment and a 2023 survey found the most frequently cited reason for leaving the military was the impact on family and personal life.

A recent poll conducted by the military officers families found that 78 per cent of the 342 respondents said that if the new offer does come into effect, they will leave.

Under the MAO, military families will not be forced to move immediately, but will be allocated housing at their next posting under the new rules.

The military currently gives guidance on the size of homes, by square feet, that different ranks are entitled to.

However, under the rules, warrant officers with one child or no children are set to lose 10 per cent of their living space.

Brigadiers with the same family set-up are set to lose 45 per cent of their living space.

It means a captain with two children currently living in a three-bed house could be moved into a three-bed house in soldiers accommodation, which is around 20 per cent smaller for the same number of bedrooms.

Work together, live apart

Mrs Bucknall, 32, told The Telegraph: Family accommodation for soldiers is in desperate need of improvement. Why not bring up the minimum standard of accommodation for everyone?

She also said in her written evidence: It is abundantly clear that Army officers are the worst affected cohort, given the Army is expected to be more nationally mobile than the Navy or RAF, given that commanders rightly place a premium on accompanied service in order to enhance the morale, cohesion and fighting power of their units, and given that officers are expected to move much more frequently than soldiers who can remain with their unit for up to 12 years.

The pilot for this policy only engaged those who opted in because they would benefit, it was claimed.

The Telegraph understands no effort was made to survey military personnel and their families at large, despite this being hailed as the biggest change to accommodation in a generation.

Just 69 people were interviewed about the impact of this policy.

Lord Dannatt said the military had always functioned on hierarchy, where soldiers and officers worked together but lived apart.

There has always been married quarters and soldiers quarters, he said. They work together but socialise separately and its the same for married accommodation. Officers should live amongst each other, and non-commissioned officers and soldiers should live together, to avoid the difficulties of your next-door neighbour being your boss or one of your subordinates.

An MoD spokesman said: Our Armed Forces personnel make extraordinary sacrifices to protect our nation, which is why our Modern Accommodation Offer puts fairness first.

Were now allocating housing based on need, rather than rank, and modernising accommodation by recognising for the first time those in established long-term relationships and parents with non-resident children.

We will of course look into any individual case raised with us to ensure we are meeting our aim to provide the best possible accommodation to our personnel.

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In a first for the Army, a new specialized legal team is prosecuting the service's most egregious criminal cases, including a soldier based in Okinawa, Japan, who was convicted of the rape and sexual assault of two victims in California and South Korea earlier this month.

Sgt. Antonio Robert Aden, 27, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the rapes and assaults -- a complex international legal trial concluding with a stiff sentence. He was also handed a dishonorable discharge and a reduction in rank to private.

The case against Aden was prosecuted by the service's Special Trial Counsel, newly established in December -- a team of independent prosecutors created by Congress tasked with handling assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, domestic violence, stalking, child pornography and harassment criminal cases in the Army. The team is already involved in 600 cases, and the caseload is expected to pile up.

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The landmark move to ensure prosecutors are independent of the chain of command was among the most seismic changes to the military justice system in a generation. That change had faced heavy resistance by Pentagon leaders and some lawmakers on Capitol Hill for decades, but was finally mandated by a law spearheaded by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Rep. Jackie Speier, a California Democrat who retired from Congress last year.

The new law replaces commanders with independent prosecutors in determining whether troops accused of serious offenses should be prosecuted. Advocates had long criticized the old system for allowing commanders who rarely had legal expertise to shield alleged perpetrators in their formation from prosecution.

"We're trying to achieve justice," Col. Rob Rodrigues, acting lead special trial counsel, told Military.com in an interview. "And all along the way, keeping victims informed, engaged and [feeling] like they are a respected member of this process, regardless of outcome."

The Army's Office of Special Trial Counsel, based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, consists of 28 offices across the Army and 160 prosecutors and staff. Some of those prosecutors have a regional jurisdiction to cover small installations.

The size of the special counsel team will likely grow as it is expected to start taking on sexual harassment cases in January 2025, greatly expanding the number of cases it handles.

Meanwhile, the prosecuting team is still in its infancy, and it'll likely take years to know whether it's successful.

Rodrigues noted that the total number of cases taken to trial might decrease, given prosecutors will want to move forward with winnable cases, but said he hopes the percentage of overall convictions will rise.

But he said several performance measures will be used to assess the team every year, such as case processing time, conviction rates, and how well informed and treated victims felt through the process.

The Office of Special Trial Counsel hit turbulence just weeks before it was stood up and started taking cases. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth fired Brig. Gen. Warren Wells, who was the previous top prosecutor, over a 2013 email in which he appeared to cast doubt on and downplay sexual assault allegations, according to reporting by CNN.

"Hopefully, a soldier will be able to get a fair trial. You and your teams are now the ONLY line of defense against false allegations and sobriety regret," Wells wrote in an email to his subordinates, according to the news outlet. "You literally are the personal defenders of those no one will now defend, even when all signs indicate innocence."

He told CNN his comments were inappropriate. Wells is still on active duty, assigned as the special assistant to Lt. Gen. Stuart Risch, the Army's judge advocate general. Rodrigues had been serving as Wells' deputy lead trial counsel. It is unclear when the Senate will confirm a replacement.

There were 7,378 reports of sexual assault against troops across the military in 2022, according to the most recent federal data, a slight uptick of about 100 from the previous year.

However, the Army was the only service where reports weren't on the rise, seeing a 9% decrease. Defense officials have argued an increase in reporting could be a sign troops trust their chain of command to take assault seriously.

Related: Sex Offenses for 3 Senior Army Officers End with Plea Deals and Reprimands